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[Q] I'm a first time smartphone owner trying to figure out where to start...?

I just got a Samsung Captivate and it's the first smart phone I've ever had. It's really a neat little device.
I'm well familiar with jailbreaking, computing, following instructions to perform basic hacks, and yes, even reading, but what I haven't been able to find is an ORDER to do things in.
- Should I root/do things to my phone now, or wait until 2.2? Are there any benefits or drawbacks either way?
- In what ORDER do I have to do things? I'm looking to root, get rid of AT&T bloatware, and start side loading apps.
- What are the essential fixes for the Captivate? Lag fix? GPS fix? I don't know what else there is...
Anyway, I'm really excited to start digging in to this stuff, just looking for some basic advice for a first time smart phone/android owner. Thanks in advance!

Well, you can find a plethora of very useful ROM packages on the Developers forum that will root your device and enable sideloading and most are running 2.2 already. I abandonded stock after 2 weeks of owning the phone, it is my first smartphone as well and I will not touch any OTA's from AT&T because they bricked a lot of phones with their first OTA. The developers have the system dumps as soon as they start to push them and they clean up the bloatware. Before you flash anything get the unlock codes, use an app called SGS unlock from the market and Android ID changer to get your uniquie number and write it down and don't loose it. Once you flash 2.2 leak your ID will not be the correct one. Also once you root, get ROM Manager (donate version) and Titanium Backup (donate version) you will not be able to live without them. Also the 2.2 leak fixed my GPS, it really works now. Also, very important before you flash anything make sure you have a phone that enters download mode and recovery mode using the three button combo or you will brick your phone, there is a batch of phones that can not enter download mode no matter what you do. Take out your battery and look below your IMEI number for the batch hopefully it isn't 1008 these phones do not go into download mode. If you have one of these go to AT&T and exchange it for a phone that is from a different batch and make sure you have the button combos working before starting to mod your phone.
Lastly welcome aboard and enjoy your phone

Thanks for the reply.
Luckily, it appears my phone is from batch 1010 (you had me scared there for a second!)
What are the odds that the leaked 2.2 is any different from the actual one when it comes out?

Edit pretty much already said
Leaked froyo will be slightly different it will more of the stuff native to android and the att one will have more of there stuff. The developers seem to find and fix the bugs fast.

Is there any possibility to updated to 2.2 even if the phone was produced in 1008 batch? Unfortunately, mine says 1008. I have rooted my phone and am able to sideload apps.
Please help
Thanks

There is a jig somewhere in the forum that is how to make a jig that forces download mode. I would make it or if you are not comfortable with that someone is selling it. Try it to make it sure it works. It really is only needed if there is problem. Which happens to all of us sometime. It will get you out of pretty much any jam. That is why its recommend.

ill give you 2 rules of thumb
1 if its fun do it
2 if it aint broken dotn fix it
your choice , I only obey rule #1 , and I take risk because its fun , android is fun ...
if all you need are fixes , welll your the one who should say where to start .. is your phone sluggish ? do you feel lag ? does your gps lock in timely manner ? thats how it goes ... like I said me I mod just to mod ( many of us do ) ..

The main things I'm looking to do are:
- Remove AT&T bloatware
- Sideload custom apps
- Make it look awesome
- Install helpful stuff for battery life / gps / lag / etc.
That said...
I have successfully rooted my phone, and I'm now figuring out my next steps.

Hey all. I just bought a used (but in great condition) captivate off of ebay. Unfortunately it is of the #1008 batch.
I did test the 3 button and 2 button + usb modes and they both work.
Does this mean I will be fine putting a new rom on, or will this #1008 problem present itself somewhere down the road?
Last time I put an alternate ROM on a phone was way back on a Tmobile SDA, and hopefully it will be soon when I do my next one
Thanks

Rhiannon224 said:
Well, you can find a plethora of very useful ROM packages on the Developers forum that will root your device and enable sideloading and most are running 2.2 already. I abandonded stock after 2 weeks of owning the phone, it is my first smartphone as well and I will not touch any OTA's from AT&T because they bricked a lot of phones with their first OTA. The developers have the system dumps as soon as they start to push them and they clean up the bloatware. Before you flash anything get the unlock codes, use an app called SGS unlock from the market and Android ID changer to get your uniquie number and write it down and don't loose it. Once you flash 2.2 leak your ID will not be the correct one. Also once you root, get ROM Manager (donate version) and Titanium Backup (donate version) you will not be able to live without them. Also the 2.2 leak fixed my GPS, it really works now. Also, very important before you flash anything make sure you have a phone that enters download mode and recovery mode using the three button combo or you will brick your phone, there is a batch of phones that can not enter download mode no matter what you do. Take out your battery and look below your IMEI number for the batch hopefully it isn't 1008 these phones do not go into download mode. If you have one of these go to AT&T and exchange it for a phone that is from a different batch and make sure you have the button combos working before starting to mod your phone.
Lastly welcome aboard and enjoy your phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why do you need ROM Manager AND Titanium Backup? Do they do the same thing? installed ROM Manager, created a backup, thought that's all I needed...

markmensch said:
Why do you need ROM Manager AND Titanium Backup? Do they do the same thing? installed ROM Manager, created a backup, thought that's all I needed...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rom Manager or a nandroid backup is a complete system image. It's useful to get back a full rom state if you have any troubles. Saves some time from having to rebuild from scratch.
Titanium Backup is used to save and easily restore third party apps. If you are flashing a new rom, you never want to restore system data as this has a tendency to cause fc's.
Hope that clears it up.

Thanks Cappy!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

Bobzooka said:
The main things I'm looking to do are:
- Remove AT&T bloatware
- Sideload custom apps
- Make it look awesome
- Install helpful stuff for battery life / gps / lag / etc.
That said...
I have successfully rooted my phone, and I'm now figuring out my next steps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. You can do that if you already rooted.
2. You can do that easy, even with out having to root. I use 'Android Central
Sideload Wonder Machine' (its a program you download and use on your pc)
3. Use Beautiful Widgets or Fancy Widget. Might need to be rooted to customize some UI.
4. For battery life I use Battery Indicator Pro. I like 'GPS Status' to test GPS.
I myself is not rooted or not running any custom roms. Not worth the risk to me and I can wait for the official update. My phone works and looks great. GPS is good enough when outdoors.

Read like the rest of us you lazy piece of sh*t! Go back to your iPhone
I897 captivate, leaked froyo, rooted, side loaded, Verizon fingerprint, led density=210, startup sound changed

danalo1979 said:
Read like the rest of us you lazy piece of sh*t! Go back to your iPhone
I897 captivate, leaked froyo, rooted, side loaded, Verizon fingerprint, led density=210, startup sound changed
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haha! Agreed.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

danalo1979 said:
Read like the rest of us you lazy piece of sh*t! Go back to your iPhone
I897 captivate, leaked froyo, rooted, side loaded, Verizon fingerprint, led density=210, startup sound changed
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bitter much?
FYI This will also help others who have the same questions. Be nice.
To answer your questions, the most popular rom currently in use would be cognition (located here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=786532). This handles all the needs you are looking for and more.
To make things pretty I would recommend using launcherpro and Beautiful Widgets. The best music player is poweramp.

good question
danalo1979 said:
Read like the rest of us you lazy piece of sh*t! Go back to your iPhone
I897 captivate, leaked froyo, rooted, side loaded, Verizon fingerprint, led density=210, startup sound changed
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think it's a good question. and anyone calling someone else a piece of sh*t for asking a question is one himself.

panflute said:
I think it's a good question. and anyone calling someone else a piece of sh*t for asking a question is one himself.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree to that as well
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

[Q] Anyone With Root and Rom Info For Samsung Galaxy S Showcase Read This

I obtained a Samsung Galaxy S Showcase for Cristmas but as anyone that knows a cellular south phone right out the box sucks and does not live up to the full potential i had the motorola droid wich was the Milestone for CSouth now reading through google and forums people are saying the facinate ones work and the vibriant ones work on top of that i forgot the steps and programs used to root and run rom manager so if anyone could point me in the right direction as to how to sucssesfully root this SAMSUNG GALAXY S SHOWCASE FOR CELLULARSOUTH would be much apprecheated .
Also for the rom manager i found that chevyno1 rom wich gives you simply stunning i beleave the newest version is 8.8 was prolly the best rom in the rom manager so far has anyone tried to install that one there galaxy and how is it running.
Thank You for Your Time and Please Feel Free To Call If you Do not Feel like typing alll the step 228-697-7467

Z4root in the market works fine for getting root. It will even unroot for you. I haven't tried a rom manager or flashed any other firmware yet. So far I am just watching the forums here waiting to here of other Cellular South Showcase owners who have success with a custom rom. Please let us know if you find something good that works.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App

I've got a showcase rooted with z4root and running the voodoo 5 lagfix that can be found here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=871948
I noticed an immediate performance boost after installation, been working great and it's been that way for two or three weeks now. I did a benchmark with Quadrant Standard and it topped out at over 1700.

StuckinMemphis said:
Z4root in the market works fine for getting root. It will even unroot for you. I haven't tried a rom manager or flashed any other firmware yet. So far I am just watching the forums here waiting to here of other Cellular South Showcase owners who have success with a custom rom. Please let us know if you find something good that works.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you please instruct me on how to find z4root in the market... I have searched for it dozens of times and it keeps saying 'unable to find, make sure you typed the name correctly.'
:-( very unhappy camper here, as I've been trying to root my Showcase for almost a month now and can't find that app...

you can try http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=747598

Just google Z4Root via a web browser (pc or phone). Download it and transfer it to the root of sd card. Then navigate to it through phone and launch. I will take a little while to complete so make sure you have a good charge and some patience. After 5-10 minutes your phone will reboot and it will be done.

Rooting Samsung Galaxy S Showcase
I just got my showcase yesterday and I would like to root it.
I just have a couple of quesions:
If I use Z4root, is it safe? Will Android 2.1 still be on it whenever it finishes?
Will it be completely blank, free of bloatware? This will be my first time rooting
and I'm not going to lie, I'm a bit nervous. I don't want to brick my phone
or mess it up in any way, I just want all the bloatware gone and to be able to
use my phone to its fullest extent.
Thank you!

I have rooted/Rom My showcase
I have rooted my phone using z4. I am running the pick N pack 3 rom.
It was not terrible difficult to do if you have done other phones in the past.
Rooting your phone does not wipe out any software or change out your rom image. It strictly allows applications to execute with higher privileges.
It will let you run things like "Wireless Tether for root user" . You will however need those elevated privileged to be able to replace the rom image on your phone.
I updated my phone to 2.2 so i can use Google Voice Actions. I have had it on many of my phones in the past and missed it. After upgrading my phone, the Google voice actions has a bug. I am unable to call or send text using voice actions. It seems voice actions will not see the last name in my contacts. I can not tell if this is an error with my Google account or on my phone.
I got my rom Image from here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=970331 but it seems it has been taken down since then.
I do hear that Cellular South is coming out with the 2.2 update. They have been telling me "in a few weeks" since mid Feb. It is getting VERY frustrating. I asked them again yesterday and now they are saying the end of April. Anyway, I hope this helps guys.

Yes z4root...download app.... v...i'll give details...
Download App- Amazon app store...once downloaded search for..Z4root and bingo...Enjoy the Z4root!

[Q] For those who just obtained a new captivate

I wanted to start a thread for those who just obtained a new captivate mostly for my own purposes. I am looking to obtain a list of action in the correct priority to improve the captivate experience. I know certain things need to be done in certain orders and it would be great if there was a running list with current links to resource those items.
For instance I am still running Stock 2.1 Update 1
I know I want to tether without contract additions. So much needs to happen before I can do so. I probably need to unlock the phone, update to the latest rev, remove the road blocks restricting unpaid tethering, etc.
Can anyone create a road map with links to accomplish this task... thank you from a long time member.

There are already guides out there if you search that will tell you how to do it. For 2.2 its as easy as rooting then deleting/freezing a .apk file
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

brokebackbear said:
I wanted to start a thread for those who just obtained a new captivate mostly for my own purposes. I am looking to obtain a list of action in the correct priority to improve the captivate experience. I know certain things need to be done in certain orders and it would be great if there was a running list with current links to resource those items.
For instance I am still running Stock 2.1 Update 1
I know I want to tether without contract additions. So much needs to happen before I can do so. I probably need to unlock the phone, update to the latest rev, remove the road blocks restricting unpaid tethering, etc.
Can anyone create a road map with links to accomplish this task... thank you from a long time member.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol are u serious? Theres a ton of stuff that guides u on how to unlock ur phone. U can just go to youtube and fallow the directions on http://www.youtube.com/user/MobileTechVideos

japr2821 said:
lol are u serious? Theres a ton of stuff that guides u on how to unlock ur phone. U can just go to youtube and fallow the directions on http://www.youtube.com/user/MobileTechVideos
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am serious... this is a serious site. OF course there are videos out there but the correct order has not been published. For instance any idiot can upgrade to 2.2 but sadly unless they have been told to unlock first they cannot go back to 2.1. That's the kind of stuff I was talking about. You don't have to be mean. I have been here since 2008 and never been asked if I was serious.

unlock refers to it being locked to a carier. for permsions this is all linux/unix/terminal related and we use the terms root and super user. macs being a terminal type of interface also use these terms.
to be rooted means you have access to the root of the file system and to have superuser permissions. root of the file system is described by the character "/" this is similat to c:\ in windows but terminal doesn't have letter designations on drives.
to enable tethering the best way is to either update to 2.2 via kies, root and freeze an apk that will require you to have a tethering data plan. or the alternative is to install a rom for an i9000 or other phone such as the i9010 armani or the chinese i9088 or the t-mobile vibrant, though vibrant roms may cause battery drain, that has been my experience anyhow.

brokebackbear said:
I am serious... this is a serious site. OF course there are videos out there but the correct order has not been published. For instance any idiot can upgrade to 2.2 but sadly unless they have been told to unlock first they cannot go back to 2.1. That's the kind of stuff I was talking about. You don't have to be mean. I have been here since 2008 and never been asked if I was serious.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If u really mean recent captivate from at&t. they probably come woth froo loaded already. unless u got some left over stock from earliser batch.
Sent from my SGH-I897 using XDA App

tg9413 said:
If u really mean recent captivate from at&t. they probably come woth froo loaded already. unless u got some left over stock from earliser batch.
Sent from my SGH-I897 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wrong. Just got a Captivate from AT&T last month, because my old phone was pretty much unusable and I wanted something with more functionality. Still 2.1, and I attempted to upgrade to 2.2 following Samsung's instructions thoroughly and ended up with a bricked phone. Thankfully I was still in warranty since it was amazingly even less than 30 days that had passed, but still.
AT&T does not ship out the Captivate with 2.2, nor will they upgrade it for you. You get it 2.1, and have to upgrade it yourself. And if you happen to screw up somehow and actually hard brick your phone, to where it won't even turn on, they won't fix it. It's considered user error. Samsung will, but that's not the point here.

Delete....wrong thread.
But since I'm here......see below.

brokebackbear said:
I am serious... this is a serious site. OF course there are videos out there but the correct order has not been published. For instance any idiot can upgrade to 2.2 but sadly unless they have been told to unlock first they cannot go back to 2.1. That's the kind of stuff I was talking about. You don't have to be mean. I have been here since 2008 and never been asked if I was serious.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have never unlocked my phone and have gone back to 2.1 literally a hundred times. Looks like some reading/learning is in order.
PS. Might want to go ahead and purchase/make your jig so you will have it when you need it.

Just got my captivate replaced at an att tech center yesterday and the new one came with froyo 2.2 preloaded.

The.Se7enth said:
Wrong. Just got a Captivate from AT&T last month, because my old phone was pretty much unusable and I wanted something with more functionality. Still 2.1, and I attempted to upgrade to 2.2 following Samsung's instructions thoroughly and ended up with a bricked phone. Thankfully I was still in warranty since it was amazingly even less than 30 days that had passed, but still.
AT&T does not ship out the Captivate with 2.2, nor will they upgrade it for you. You get it 2.1, and have to upgrade it yourself. And if you happen to screw up somehow and actually hard brick your phone, to where it won't even turn on, they won't fix it. It's considered user error. Samsung will, but that's not the point here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wrong... I just replaced my captivate a couple weeks ago and it came with 2.2. I have seen several people reporting for the last 2 months since froyo released that it was already on their phone. I remember one post stating they got their phone shipped 2 days after official release and it was already loaded
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA Premium App

Captivates ARE in fact shipping with 2.2 on them right now. I have several sitting at my desk right now.

Yeah, you need to read... Everyone started in your same shoes. But not everyone asked for step by step guidelines to do things to their phones. So, do your research, then if/when u get stuck or lost, and there are no threads out there to help, ask away!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA Premium App

Here are the steps in order:
1. Root
2. Unlock
3. Flash ROM
4. Never look back

[Q] HTC Evo Shift - Software Upgrade

Hi all,
I'm going to be getting an HTC Evo Shift from someone, which I think has Android 2.2 Froyo on it.
The phone was reported lost and a replacement obtained, then after getting the replacement the old phone was found.... but Sprint said they had written it off, and didn't want the old one back. The ESN remains blocked on Sprint because of this, but they won't unblock it and just said they didn't want it.
Soooo, I'm going to use it as a WiFi only device... but I'd really like to get Gingerbread 2.3 onto it somehow... which I'm assuming can't be done OTA if the ESN is blocked on the Sprint network?
Also, I'm in Canada so once I get it, I won't have access to the Sprint network at all.... and I don't know if the update can be downloaded and installed manually through the computer or what. Anyone know?
I heard the Evo Shift can be rooted as well, but that sounds very complicated to me... so I'm still figuring out what my options are with regards to getting the software as updated as possible.
Any advice would be appreciated

id personally recommend reading up on how to root your fone..
and once you get that going...
you can just install a diff rom that has 2.3 on it..
=D

hey
I did a bit of reading on rooting bit it seems like its different for all devices and some are "one click" solutions while others are multi-step instructions full of unfamilliar terms and procedures which could ruin the phone. lol
I did read some instructions that pertained to the Evo Shift, but there was much involved that my brain shut off after reading the first few steps.
I was really hoping for something simple. but that might be a pipe dream, eh?

http://forum.xda-developers.com/archive/index.php/t-976605.html
Looks like the simplest root method for the shift. I haven't tried it, but since it is on xda good chance it is well supported.
Sent from my PG06100 using XDA App

Thanks for the link.
Still sounds scary... but I'll finish reading the rest of the discussion later and see what others ultimately had to say about it.
Still open to comments from others too if anyone has any.
I dont have the phone yet, I'm just getting prepared so I can get to work updating it as soon as it arrives.

Easy and fast root method
Sent from my PG06100 using XDA App

The link that was posted would be the easiest for someone but the perm root instructions that are stickied in the development section is what I have used many times on my shift and my girls shift when I root, you can do it either from the pc or from terminal on your phone just have to make sure the commands are exact so I would say just use the pc and copy from the root instructions and paste in command prompt. There are a few gingerbread ROMS to choose from 2 are stock, one is newkidds the other is X99s ROM, then there is MikShiFted-G which is a very optimized and snappy GB, and last there is Elite v1.2 over on themikmik which is based off MikShifted-G but has carousel Rosie and 3D widgets, whatever you do don't try the ota if it goes through you will be stuck with a OS that hasn't been rooted yet
Sent from my PG06100 using Tapatalk

Thanks for the replies guys.
I might give it a shot when it arrives.
There is a lot more I need to look into first.
I've seen lots of people say that if a CDMA phone has a carrier blocked ESN, that you can flash another carriers ROM onto it and activate it with them. I think Cricket Wireless or Boost Mobile was mentioned, but I can't remember.
Here in Canada, Bell still runs CDMA but they will NOT allow a non-Bell CDMA phone to be connected to their network, under any circumstances. HSPA/GSM they will though.
It I could flash the ROM to a carrier other than Sprint, that might be a good idea. That way the thing can potentially have some value as a phone too, and maybe serve me as a roaming device when I travel to the US. Or, would just installing one of the third party ROM's allow it to be activated on another carrier?
I'm really not familliar with the way the US carriers operate.

[Q] T-Mobile LG Optimus F3 Forum?

Okay, so I know this phone doesn't exactly win the spec war, but it's awesome and would make a fantastic rooted phone. Unfortunately there isn't a forum here on XDA for the device (either because it's too new or there isn't a demand for it)
Do you guys think a forum will be made for this device? It'd be nice to at least have a place to say what root methods DON'T work (I've tried a few)
Thanks for the help, XDA rules!

I second this. I am planning on buying a new phone and after researching numerous phones out there based on my tastes and constraints, I think this phone works very well (another is Samsung Galaxy Exhibit 2). One flaw that I heard is the amount of storage in this phone is around 4gb. Without a way to put apps on an external SD card (which I believe would require a custom ROM), the storage would probably fill up pretty quickly. So it'll be great if XDA opened a forum for this phone.
As a side note if anyone can point to other devices that fit my needs I would be grateful:
- Less than 4.2" screen (preferably 4").
- Android only
I don't have any financial constraints or any favorite companies.
Thanks!

What root method did you find worked? Did you try framaroot? Also have you found any Roms?
Sent from my SPH-D710VMUB using Tapatalk 2

bbradf44 said:
What root method did you find worked? Did you try framaroot? Also have you found any Roms?
Sent from my SPH-D710VMUB using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used Motochopper, worked like a charm. make sure you have the LG Optimus f3 drivers on your computer.(found on LG website)

habitforming said:
I used Motochopper, worked like a charm. make sure you have the LG Optimus f3 drivers on your computer.(found on LG website)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ratified. Motochopper worked flawlessly for me as well.

richardpwnsner said:
Ratified. Motochopper worked flawlessly for me as well.[/QUOT
Anyone find a tethering ap that works?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

wolfu11 said:
richardpwnsner said:
Ratified. Motochopper worked flawlessly for me as well.[/QUOT
Anyone find a tethering ap that works?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do tethering apps need to be phone specific? I don't have data, but I'll let you know if I come across one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Bad news
I have created the recovery tree, and have created a recovery.img for this phone. ok now heres the bad news OUR lg optimus f3 has a stock 3.4 kernel with a locked bootloader. Even worse news is that 3.4 "locking" features a sha5 hash system for its image/partitions (recovery, boot, and bootloader). Even worse news there is no known (or atleast what i know or have heard) way to get around this. The phone will be forever locked until lg updates or allows said lock to be removed. I have flashed the recovery and have had no damage to my device but it just sticks at "unsecure recovery" and does a hard reset (factory restore) every time i try to play with it which is a huge flaw if you ask me.
I have hexedited the bootloader and found that there is indeed "juicy" strings within that may tell to a future unlock these strings being
-Device UnLock!, so Boot Success!!
-oem unlock
-ERROR: Could not do normal boot. Reverting to fastboot mode
Also these strings could just be defualt with all lg bootloaders meaning....there is no hope.
My phone is without a soul and I will never be buy lg again.
If anyone is able to get into fastboot
1. PM ME
2. run : fastboot oem unlock
Again root for this phone works great as long as you dont touch recovery, bootloader, or boot partitions

inyourface09 said:
I have created the recovery tree, and have created a recovery.img for this phone. ok now heres the bad news OUR lg optimus f3 has a stock 3.4 kernel with a locked bootloader. Even worse news is that 3.4 "locking" features a sha5 hash system for its image/partitions (recovery, boot, and bootloader). Even worse news there is no known (or atleast what i know or have heard) way to get around this. The phone will be forever locked until lg updates or allows said lock to be removed. I have flashed the recovery and have had no damage to my device but it just sticks at "unsecure recovery" and does a hard reset (factory restore) every time i try to play with it which is a huge flaw if you ask me.
I have hexedited the bootloader and found that there is indeed "juicy" strings within that may tell to a future unlock these strings being
-Device UnLock!, so Boot Success!!
-oem unlock
-ERROR: Could not do normal boot. Reverting to fastboot mode
Also these strings could just be defualt with all lg bootloaders meaning....there is no hope.
My phone is without a soul and I will never be buy lg again.
If anyone is able to get into fastboot
1. PM ME
2. run : fastboot oem unlock
Again root for this phone works great as long as you dont touch recovery, bootloader, or boot partitions
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ugh. Thanks for the work. This is bad news indeed. I'll keep poking around and let you know if I find anything.

richardpwnsner said:
Ugh. Thanks for the work. This is bad news indeed. I'll keep poking around and let you know if I find anything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Out of curiosity, any chance Loki would work? I'd be willing to give it a go if there's a decent chance—still within the 14 day exchange window .

Will motochopper work on any carrier version of this phone? Thanks!

jjfad said:
Will motochopper work on any carrier version of this phone? Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've seen confirmations on three carriers (can't remember which ones off the top of my head, sorry [edit-well, T-Mobile and Virgin Mobile come to mind now]), so I'd assume the answer is yes. Regardless, I have yet to see anyone complain about adverse affects, so no reason not to try (though, grain of salt—I'm brand new to android).

For anyone that has this, how are the antennas on this phone?
I just ordered one from tmo and am hoping to get better reception at my house than from my Samsung or HTC.
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Steve5400 said:
For anyone that has this, how are the antennas on this phone?
I just ordered one from tmo and am hoping to get better reception at my house than from my Samsung or HTC.
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They seem better and with WIFI calling built in the phone hasn't skipped a beat.

Check my way!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2420178&highlight=rooting+lg+optimus+f3
I failed rooting my phone with Windows system, maybe cause I'm not familiar with the process or I was just to lazy, but it does work if you use motochopper. Try looking it up youtube. You could try my method, it should work on Jellybean 4.1.2!

richardpwnsner said:
Out of curiosity, any chance Loki would work? I'd be willing to give it a go if there's a decent chance—still within the 14 day exchange window .
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BAHAHA me to man i think im down to 10 days. Im trying to get some attention but i need someone who knows little endian, and their way around bootloaders. Id be willing to donate to someone who can help me out, also to support the other 3 variants (if the aboot differs).
I have a recovery created also and a device tree (needs gpio support for kernel).
And to awnser your question, yes loki will work IF i can get the needed values so that when recovery/boot is read into memory that it overwrites the security check feature in aboot. If the wrong values are give you may end up with a brick (very slim chance)

My return window just closed . If it helps, you can pull the open source from LG's website and merge it with the android source. I also discovered an even easier solution: set up the LG Sync application, and select the "upgrade recovery option". Then, when it begins downloading, remove your phone, set Windows (or your relevant OS) to show hidden files and folders, and go the the Program Data folder. There should be something like "PHONEAX" under the LG Electronics folder that will contain the full stock kdz file when the download is complete.
It's really kind of surprising that there's absolutely no dev love out there for the F3. I suppose it's because the phone is entry level, but it's really not that bad but for the storage. I got it as a gift, so no complaints here—of course, if anyone wants to donate a Note or Galaxy gratis, I suppose I'd be willing to switch .

I had a Galaxy S4 from Verizon. I switched to T-Mobile Because believe it or not the network is stronger where I work. Also, there pricing on plans cannot be beat. But, I digress. The Galaxy S4 being a Verizon device never really functioned the way it was supposed to on T-Mobiles network. It was unlocked however was still useless for 4G LTE and while I could do better than edge in some places, those places were few and far between. I started to assess what it is I actually used my phone for these days. I'm not into modding with custom ROMS and kernels anymore and I'm not much of a multi-tasker either so I decided that I did not need the super power device anymore. The specs on this phone are perfect for what I need my phone to do. Its been a long time since I have gone beyond rooting to remove bloat and tether. I agree that the storage on this sucks. I don't understand why there are any devices anymore that come with less than 32gb internal. storage is the cheapest thing that can be added to a device and its not as though it uses much physical space. other than the storage I will say that I am impressed with the quality of this device and I don't know that I would even put this as low as "entry level device." I would say its more of a mid-grade device. I am also happy with the reception on this device and its nice to have a compact phone again that actually fits comfortably in my hand and on my belt.

yutzyscott said:
I had a Galaxy S4 from Verizon. I switched to T-Mobile Because believe it or not the network is stronger where I work. Also, there pricing on plans cannot be beat. But, I digress. The Galaxy S4 being a Verizon device never really functioned the way it was supposed to on T-Mobiles network. It was unlocked however was still useless for 4G LTE and while I could do better than edge in some places, those places were few and far between. I started to assess what it is I actually used my phone for these days. I'm not into modding with custom ROMS and kernels anymore and I'm not much of a multi-tasker either so I decided that I did not need the super power device anymore. The specs on this phone are perfect for what I need my phone to do. Its been a long time since I have gone beyond rooting to remove bloat and tether. I agree that the storage on this sucks. I don't understand why there are any devices anymore that come with less than 32gb internal. storage is the cheapest thing that can be added to a device and its not as though it uses much physical space. other than the storage I will say that I am impressed with the quality of this device and I don't know that I would even put this as low as "entry level device." I would say its more of a mid-grade device. I am also happy with the reception on this device and its nice to have a compact phone again that actually fits comfortably in my hand and on my belt.
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No argument here. I like it well enough, but I'm (1) a closet geek; and (2) a heavy multitasker, so given the option I'd prefer something with more screen space (I just graduated from law school, so I do a lot of reading on the go). As a phone, however, you really couldn't ask for more—the size otherwise pretty much perfect, it's relatively snappy with most applications, and once debloated the stock launcher is pretty good.
That being said, the second I see a safe way to deal with the bootloader pop up, I'm diving in, no question .

Decided to share my home screens.
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