Database Info

Factory reset/whipe questions

I had to reset my phone because it was making random phone calls and now has spammed all my Gmail contacts. I have like 3 apps. They are automatically restored. Should I remove all apps? Also, is there anyway to scan my phone and confirm malware removed?

just flash a clean ROM into the phone with fastboot, or nandroid, or odin

You could do the factory oem lock and unlock to clean the system. This will fully erase the system and sdcard.

not if it's a hacked ROM with Warez build in

AllGamer said:
just flash a clean ROM into the phone with fastboot, or nandroid, or odin
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm a newbie and have no idea what this means but I'm reading up.

AllGamer said:
not if it's a hacked ROM with Warez build in
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
could you answer my pm-s please?

Seems like he's not running any custom roms.
Just resetting/wipe from the privacy menu in settings.
When your phone boots back up, SKIP the gmail login. That will prevent market apps to auto reinstall.
Now when it's some booting, go to menu/settings/accounts and add your Gmail.
You can install Lookout Mobile from the market, it is a very good malware scanning app. Anytime you download and install an app it will scan it and tell u if it's ok or not.
Sent from my Nexus S

jerrycycle said:
You could do the factory oem lock and unlock to clean the system. This will fully erase the system and sdcard.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you advice how to do this, I have the app superuser install through the root process, it will not go away, even through the settings and hold volume and power button, second menu won't do the job, and I cannot find a full stock rom using build gri40 to flash my ns, I would very grateful if anyone can direct me to a how to flash guide using a root ns through fastboot, and full stock rom.
Thanks in advance, and sorry for the thread hijacking.
Kms

nxt said:
Seems like he's not running any custom roms.
Just resetting/wipe from the privacy menu in settings.
When your phone boots back up, SKIP the gmail login. That will prevent market apps to auto reinstall.
Now when it's some booting, go to menu/settings/accounts and add your Gmail.
You can install Lookout Mobile from the market, it is a very good malware scanning app. Anytime you download and install an app it will scan it and tell u if it's ok or not.
Sent from my Nexus S
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank's a ton. I appreciate it.

I use antivirus free, but most anti virus, or security app will do the job.

If your phone is making random calls, try updating to the latest gingerbread.
Also I read on other android forums regarding other phones where someone had similar issues with their phones randomly dialing. It turns out to be a bluetooth headset issue for them. My mom's Nexus S had the same issue too. I got her a new headset and she hasn't complained about it since. I've also updated her phone to 2.3.3 as well, so may want to try those 2 options.

[Q] unsighed apps on original ship rom

Hi, my wife has the inspire, with the original ship Rom, she never updated, she was trying to get today's free App from Amazon, but it tells her to check off the setting to allows unsigned apps, but when we go to settings where it's located, the option isn't even there to check off or not. A friend of hers has the same phone with a stock rom too but she bought the phone a lot later, and the option is there on her phone. I figured her phone might have just shipped with an updated version of the Rom, maybe the one that fixed the signal issues or even gingerbread.
Anyways, just looking for help to get the app installed. Can we just use a file explore app and drag over the app from a desktop? Or will we still get the unsigned app issue?
Thank you.

You will not be able to side load apps with out updating. Go into setting, about phone, and some where in the bottom there are two update options. The update won't wipe the phone so every thing will be as it was just the latest update.
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App

Thank you, appreciate the help, +1 thanks

droe411 said:
You will not be able to side load apps with out updating. Go into setting, about phone, and some where in the bottom there are two update options. The update won't wipe the phone so every thing will be as it was just the latest update.
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, when I tried this, it brings up the option to do the ROM update to 2.47.502.7 --> Gingerbread ROM
I need to just confirm, this Won't Delete all my wife's Pictures or info, right?
BTW anyone know where I can find the 2nd Update, the Fryo one, with the Fixed Signal...the one that came out before Gingerbread?
Thanks
[WM Rom updates use to wipe the phone...but I know android is a lot different]

If you do the OTA upgrade, the one from the phone over wifi, it does not wipe user data. Neither upgrade will touch the SD card.
Sent from my HTC Inspire 4G using Tapatalk

If you call ATT they may still be able to push the "Unknown Sources" update to your phone without having to upgrade to gingerbread.

StrangeShadow said:
BTW anyone know where I can find the 2nd Update, the Fryo one, with the Fixed Signal...the one that came out before Gingerbread?
Thanks
[WM Rom updates use to wipe the phone...but I know android is a lot different]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't worry, Gingerbread already fixed the signal problems.

Or use the Sideload Wonder Machine
PC and MAC/Linux versions

Should I be worried about my device being remotely accessed(hacked)?

Long story short.. I believe my Galaxy S5 runing CM12.1 is being hacked by an individual I have upset.
Symptoms include:
-Gmail account password changed(not by me)
-SMS from email addresses, spam.
-SMS from random numbers with random characters (vs6ve&$+ugevbs)
-Root icon in status bar wont turn off anymore
-Recent task list showed my system files being accessed by my file manager app when I did NOT access.
-Tons of FC's from all kinds of apps
I have wiped all possible partitions in TWRP 2.8.5.0 and reinstalled newer CM12.1 nightly.. No change.
Changed my cell number, wiped, only enable root when needed, and contantly disable mobile data out of paranoia..
STILL got 1 text from random number with random characters on first day after changing my number and wiping..
Googled and found this info:
http://www.techhive.com/article/164132/hack_smartphone.html
http://hackolo.com/how-to-hack-an-android-smartphone-remotely/
Any help?

bwarrington85 said:
Long story short.. I believe my Galaxy S5 runing CM12.1 is being hacked by an individual I have upset.
Symptoms include:
-Gmail account password changed(not by me)
-SMS from email addresses, spam.
-SMS from random numbers with random characters (vs6ve&$+ugevbs)
-Root icon in status bar wont turn off anymore
-Recent task list showed my system files being accessed by my file manager app when I did NOT access.
-Tons of FC's from all kinds of apps
I have wiped all possible partitions in TWRP 2.8.5.0 and reinstalled newer CM12.1 nightly.. No change.
Changed my cell number, wiped, only enable root when needed, and contantly disable mobile data out of paranoia..
STILL got 1 text from random number with random characters on first day after changing my number and wiping..
Googled and found this info:
http://www.techhive.com/article/164132/hack_smartphone.html
http://hackolo.com/how-to-hack-an-android-smartphone-remotely/
Any help?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Never seen/head of anything like this before but my advice would be to flash your device back to stock using Odin and the stock firmware for your phone. That should wipe it completely and remove and kind of root access that a malicious program could be using. If it continues then all I can think of would be to perform the above procedure and keep the device off until the person you think it is gets bored and stops.
It does sound very strange though as I haven't heard of anything like this being used on average user devices after being wiped.

TechMinerUK said:
Never seen/head of anything like this before but my advice would be to flash your device back to stock using Odin and the stock firmware for your phone. That should wipe it completely and remove and kind of root access that a malicious program could be using. If it continues then all I can think of would be to perform the above procedure and keep the device off until the person you think it is gets bored and stops.
It does sound very strange though as I haven't heard of anything like this being used on average user devices after being wiped.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good idea about stock firmware. Although after re-rooting I would be just as susceptable to another intrusion as I am now..
Considered staying with stock TW for encryption too..
I just want my AOSP! =(

bwarrington85 said:
Good idea about stock firmware. Although after re-rooting I would be just as susceptable to another intrusion as I am now..
Considered staying with stock TW for encryption too..
I just want my AOSP! =(
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know how you feel wanting AOSP but when I said flash stock I meant full stock with no root. At the end of the day it's worth it to be able to safely use your phone if you're being targeted.

TechMinerUK said:
I know how you feel wanting AOSP but when I said flash stock I meant full stock with no root. At the end of the day it's worth it to be able to safely use your phone if you're being targeted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I gotcha.. But it's like he wins.. Kinda
Sigh..
Thanks for the great advice though.

Your device can only be hacked if you have physucally installed spy software on your phone

bwarrington85 said:
I gotcha.. But it's like he wins.. Kinda
Sigh..
Thanks for the great advice though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Solution:
Install a DIFFERENT recovery (or a different version, your current one might be infected or the stock recovery)
Wipe everything.
Pull SIM card out.
Install OFFICAL STOCK ROM via the OFFICAL flashing tool.
Don't use your phone until you change your number or mobile operator.
DO NOT ROOT!
Use this app to check if your phone can be hacked via Stagefright: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zimperium.stagefrightdetector&hl=hr
Profit.
If you are still getting hacked burn or boil your phone and make sure to video tape it, upload to YouTube, and post link here.

Kavi987 said:
Your device can only be hacked if you have physucally installed spy software on your phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you read the article links in the first post?

janekmuric said:
Solution:
Install a DIFFERENT recovery (or a different version, your current one might be infected or the stock recovery)
Wipe everything.
Pull SIM card out.
Install OFFICAL STOCK ROM via the OFFICAL flashing tool.
Don't use your phone until you change your number or mobile operator.
DO NOT ROOT!
Use this app to check if your phone can be hacked via Stagefright: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zimperium.stagefrightdetector&hl=hr
Profit.
If you are still getting hacked burn or boil your phone and make sure to video tape it, upload to YouTube, and post link here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doing this now..
Wish I knew how to edit build.prop without root.. Need my LCD density at 320.

bwarrington85 said:
Doing this now..
Wish I knew how to edit build.prop without root.. Need my LCD density at 320.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no way to do it without root.
You could just root, set density and unroot, but then the program you are using to root (iRoot, KingoRoot, etc.) might infect your phone.
Also remember to have USB Debugging ALWAYS disabled (if you are not using it) and download apps only from Play Store.
This is completely hackproof (unless StageFright Detector detects that your device can be hacked).
(Make sure to always update your frimware to the latest version.

janekmuric said:
There is no way to do it without root.
You could just root, set density and unroot, but then the program you are using to root (iRoot, KingoRoot, etc.) might infect your phone.
Also remember to have USB Debugging ALWAYS disabled (if you are not using it) and download apps only from Play Store.
This is completely hackproof (unless StageFright Detector detects that your device can be hacked).
(Make sure to always update your frimware to the latest version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Done, done, and done, thank you.

I thought after all that.. it would be ok to install twrp, then CM again.. fail..
Just got a notification that my sim card is invalid. Exact time coincided with my verbally denying home internet access to said hacker..
Wow
After reinstall sim card is fine

Something else to remember: There aren't *any* Android
phones out there that are 100% impervious to all the
Stagefright attack vectors. Not even the latest Nexus
devices running the latest Lollipop 5.1 varieties.
My supposedly SF-patched Desire 816 is still vulnerable
to 4 possible SF attack vectors!!
I was worried about possibly having been hacked
via my baseband, but visiting the links you supplied
has probably shed a little light on how I was 1st
hacked.
You've really gotta love Android to put up with all
the security holes!

Rooting LG Lucky (LGL16C)

Can anyone verify that the method posted by Unjustified Dev in this thread will work the the indicated phone model?

Rooted LG Lucky
I rooted using kingroot version 4.8.0 I could use the stock Rom have no download if anyone could help thanks. Its a straight talk lg lucky running 4.4.2 kitkat I'm no computer whiz and I couldn't figure out how or what I needed phone works fine . now I just want to be able to do a factory reset safely if need be only deleted stock apps that I don't use nothing important I hope.

boct1584 said:
Can anyone verify that the method posted by Unjustified Dev in this thread will work the the indicated phone model?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have obtained root on the device today. Ive read that some were able to do it with kingroot on the older versions but all have had no luck on the version with software version L16CV11a and build number KOT49I.L16CV11a. Well i managed to root it today with a certain methid...will post up a guide later after ive written it out...may see if i can further the progress now that ive rooted it.

STOCK firmware??
i got an lg lucky and its stuck in bootloop does anyone know how i could get stock firmware to flash? it goes to factory reset menu but freezes as soon as it starts to do its thing... maybe not fixable??

bonnis.phone said:
i got an lg lucky and its stuck in bootloop does anyone know how i could get stock firmware to flash? it goes to factory reset menu but freezes as soon as it starts to do its thing... maybe not fixable??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Depends on if yourlucky was rooted and if you deleted files you should have
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

REV3NT3CH said:
I have obtained root on the device today. Ive read that some were able to do it with kingroot on the older versions but all have had no luck on the version with software version L16CV11a and build number KOT49I.L16CV11a. Well i managed to root it today with a certain methid...will post up a guide later after ive written it out...may see if i can further the progress now that ive rooted it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the newer Model LGL16C/4.4.2/Baseband version M8610B-AAAANAZM-1.0.6060/Kernel version 3.4.0+/Build KOT49I.L16CV11a/Software version L16CV11a/"Lucky". Service provider is Tracfone, aka Crapfone. Attempts to root with Kingroot as well as Kingoroot failed, including several apps which claim to root your phone. I paid less than $10 US dollars for this phone and rooting it isn't high on my priority list, however rooting the damn thing has presented a bit of a challenge.
A working guide to rooting this phone would be great.

2k73 said:
I have the newer Model LGL16C/4.4.2/Baseband version M8610B-AAAANAZM-1.0.6060/Kernel version 3.4.0+/Build KOT49I.L16CV11a/Software version L16CV11a/"Lucky". Service provider is Tracfone, aka Crapfone. Attempts to root with Kingroot as well as Kingoroot failed, including several apps which claim to root your phone. I paid less than $10 US dollars for this phone and rooting it isn't high on my priority list, however rooting the damn thing has presented a bit of a challenge.
A working guide to rooting this phone would be great.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Give me a few days to write it out...basically if you have the knowledge...what I did was run kingroot while plugged into PC...was a tad tricky but I'll get further into it later...took a few tries
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

REV3NT3CH said:
Give me a few days to write it out...basically if you have the knowledge...what I did was run kingroot while plugged into PC...was a tad tricky but I'll get further into it later...took a few tries
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey mate,
I hate to be like a noodge, but would you be able to explain how you rooted? Would be so much appreciated.

REV3NT3CH said:
Give me a few days to write it out...basically if you have the knowledge...what I did was run kingroot while plugged into PC...was a tad tricky but I'll get further into it later...took a few tries
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
PizzaMaster said:
Hey mate,
I hate to be like a noodge, but would you be able to explain how you rooted? Would be so much appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey so i spent forever trying ro find a root that would work on this. Or a custom ROM anything really. Try going into McAfee Security, setting up an account, go to settings and disable the lock down device option. That was the problem for me at least McAfee was blocking any root from installing. From there i rooted my lucky with kingroot one click root. Hope this helps!

The Easiest Way To Root Your LG Lucky Without a PC
Easy way to install SuperSU on your LG Lucky
Just follow directions
Use KingRoot 4.5.0 app - google KingRoot apk all versions. Download and install apk.
Google replace kingroot with supersu. There will be a few sites popup, Mediafire is where the original .zip file is hosted. You can even search "how to replace/remove kingroot with supersu" here on XDA for more info.
Once you have downloaded the .zip file be sure to extract it to your INTERNAL sd, the script in the zip will not work from your external sd.
Open the extracted file and copy the mrw file to the internal storage, the path should look like /storage/emulated/0/mrw.
Now go to the play store, download and install Terminal Emulator. I use the one by Jack Palevich as it is only 551kb and easy to use.
Open the terminal emulator and type "su" in order to grant super user permission to the emulator,
On the next line type "/system/bin/sh - /storage/emulated/0/mrw/root.sh" and press enter.
Now the script will run and open up SuperSU automatically. Install binary when prompted with the "normal" option. Choose yes when it asks if you want to delete other superuser apps. (this removes kingroot).
Before rebooting phone, go into the settings of SuperSU and enable pro mode, change icon if you wish, enable survival mode, enable su during boot. I think you have to restart app at this point, can't remember as I did this months ago. Then restart the SuperSU app, go back into settings to Install SuperSU into system. Reboot phone,
When phone reboots, this is when Kingroot is finally uninstalled. Your phone will still be rooted with SuperSU. At this point you may wish to update SuperSU as this is version 2.46 and the newest version is 2.71 Beta. You can get the newest version of SuperSU from the thread here on XDA.
(thanks MrWolf for the script to make the change and thank you Chainfire for SuperSU, FlashFire, CF.lumen, etc...)

LGL-16C successfully (so far) rooted using Kingoroot.exe (latest version). Had to change from mtp to camera on USB then was recognized. Have SuperSU 2.72, SuperSU Pro, BusyBox Pro, and Xposed installed with Xblast and Lucky Patcher running. No custom recovery or roms available and I have searched hi and lo. Was a Net10 $15 phone with nothing to lose, so...will try more stuff out another day and post again.

mikemc63 said:
LGL-16C successfully (so far) rooted using Kingoroot.exe (latest version). Had to change from mtp to camera on USB then was recognized. Have SuperSU 2.72, SuperSU Pro, BusyBox Pro, and Xposed installed with Xblast and Lucky Patcher running. No custom recovery or roms available and I have searched hi and lo. Was a Net10 $15 phone with nothing to lose, so...will try more stuff out another day and post again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Until any source is made there will be no recovery or ROM and tbh I don't have the time to dig into it currently.. The positive with rooting though is removing the bloat
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

REV3NT3CH said:
Until any source is made there will be no recovery or ROM and tbh I don't have the time to dig into it currently.. The positive with rooting though is removing the bloat
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi. Could you tell me how you installed supersu after rooting with kingroot? Thanks

Well I have root and supersu installed but it won't update binary. Any help out there? Thanks

Hey everybody. I did it!! Just root with kingroot 4.5 and replace kinguser with super sume. Worked great. All kingroot stuff is gone!! Ive rebooted 3 times to make sure and all is good.

Well if anyone is interested in looking at the source code, lg support has downloads available for nearly every phone they've ever made.
http://opensource.lge.com/osList/list?m=Mc001&s=Sc002
The file for the LGL16C is on page 2. Every thing seems to be listed alphabetically so it's easy to locate.
I still have my lucky and actually use it often although I no longer have it activated.

@ cecnwv,
Thanks for the link. Using Ares 11 and got "IP banned for 6 hours,try again later" after dbl tppng yellow icon. I did something wrong. Not at my PC. (unfortunately)
Thanks for any enlightenment,
michaeltheclyde
Two 10a LGL16C Tracfones, one free (recon from Tf) and one new $14.95 @ eBay from Best Buy, rooted with everything that has Google in the name frozen (TB) but no image to restore. (twrp)

Has anyone made a complete backup of their system apps using Titanium Backup? Being that one can't use fastboot/download mode (this phone has it locked out and a special USB cable is required) so my backup options were limited. I thought I did a full backup with Titanium Backup, but apparently lost it as I only found a small partial one on my PC.
Issue is I had uninstalled some bloatware and integrated updates for a few apps. But after factory resetting the phone it is behaving a bit odd. The notification bar doesn't really work anymore (apps still able to use sound/vibration to make a notification, but nothing appears in the notification bar) and I am unable to call the phone because it never rings and it immediately goes to voice mail. So the phone app is borked too.
Plus soft button to the right of the home button (I forget what it's called) doesn't bring up the app history anymore so I can't close background apps. (the volume buttons also don't really do anything anymore. Normally using them causes the volume bar for ringtone to appear and if using a media app, the volume bar for media audio comes up instead. But now nothing happens).
The phone is in a pretty broken state and even doing app updates from Play Store doesn't work anymore. Was gonna try and look around if someone has some app/data backup of the system apps installed. This is a TracFone branded phone and is currently running Android 4.4.2 (Kernel version 3.4.0+). Which is the last Android update they made for this phone.
Perhaps there's a single service/app that is responsible for notifications/volume bar that is borked. But I have no idea which system app is broken so a full app restore is my next best option.
The first thing wrong I noticed after resetting it was that the intial setup screen would return everytime I rebooted the phone. (only way i could get that to stop was freezing it in Titanium Backup). So maybe related to that app somehow. I don't recall ever uninstalling/merging update data for that perticular app though so it's probably a side effect of a different app going haywire.
EDIT:
Ok looks like I resolved the issue. I just removed the LGStartupWizard.apk then did a factory reset via Volume Down+Power button combo. It boots straight to home menu now and everything works. I guess the LG setup wizard thing got borked somehow. No more setup wizard but verious things like google account and whatnot can be configured manually via settings so no real loss.
All the missing things like the app history button, lock screen, notification bar, etc are now working as a result of resetting after removing LGSetupWizard.apk.

Apache Thunder said:
Has anyone made a complete backup of their system apps using Titanium Backup? Being that one can't use fastboot/download mode (this phone has it locked out and a special USB cable is required) so my backup options were limited. I thought I did a full backup with Titanium Backup, but apparently lost it as I only found a small partial one on my PC.
Issue is I had uninstalled some bloatware and integrated updates for a few apps. But after factory resetting the phone it is behaving a bit odd. The notification bar doesn't really work anymore (apps still able to use sound/vibration to make a notification, but nothing appears in the notification bar) and I am unable to call the phone because it never rings and it immediately goes to voice mail. So the phone app is borked too.
Plus soft button to the right of the home button (I forget what it's called) doesn't bring up the app history anymore so I can't close background apps. (the volume buttons also don't really do anything anymore. Normally using them causes the volume bar for ringtone to appear and if using a media app, the volume bar for media audio comes up instead. But now nothing happens).
The phone is in a pretty broken state and even doing app updates from Play Store doesn't work anymore. Was gonna try and look around if someone has some app/data backup of the system apps installed. This is a TracFone branded phone and is currently running Android 4.4.2 (Kernel version 3.4.0+). Which is the last Android update they made for this phone.
Perhaps there's a single service/app that is responsible for notifications/volume bar that is borked. But I have no idea which system app is broken so a full app restore is my next best option.
The first thing wrong I noticed after resetting it was that the intial setup screen would return everytime I rebooted the phone. (only way i could get that to stop was freezing it in Titanium Backup). So maybe related to that app somehow. I don't recall ever uninstalling/merging update data for that perticular app though so it's probably a side effect of a different app going haywire.
EDIT:
Ok looks like I resolved the issue. I just removed the LGStartupWizard.apk then did a factory reset via Volume Down+Power button combo. It boots straight to home menu now and everything works. I guess the LG setup wizard thing got borked somehow. No more setup wizard but verious things like google account and whatnot can be configured manually via settings so no real loss.
All the missing things like the app history button, lock screen, notification bar, etc are now working as a result of resetting after removing LGSetupWizard.apk.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome, this worked for me too, though the issue wasn't exactly the same. When I got the phone it had already been rooted with Kingo at some point and I noticed after resetting it that I had similar problems (it may have had the issues before the factory reset too, I just didn't notice one way or the other). Anyway, I was getting slightly different misbehavior. No recents key, yes, but also no response from the Home key. Pull-down notifications bar was mostly working, but with no visible notifications and I couldn't press the Setup "gear" in top right. My volume buttons and Play Store were fine, though, but I'd noticed that when I tried further factory resets (from the menu, not via hard reset) that it wasn't "really" resetting, as any downloaded files/etc. remained on the phone. I'd tried freezing LGSetupWizard already, but as you noted, that doesn't fix it for whatever reason. Deleting altogether does. Yay. I do wonder what the hell is happening during the root or reset that triggers this problem, though. It behaves as if Setup Wizard was just never completed, so you remain "locked out" of most of the same functions that are unavailable during setup normally. Oh well.
Anyway, as old ten-dollars-or-less type phones go, this isn't the worst I've ever used by a long shot. Heck, it's arguably better than a few other slightly bigger/newer/pricier crap-phones out there! (Looking at you, ZTE Legacy/Quest...) FWIW, I had "ripped" all of the APKs from /system/app and /priv-app for some reason back when I first got this thing, so if they'd be of use to anyone I'll be happy to upload all or individual files. Hell, if anyone can tell me how to do a full ROM dump I'd be happy to do that too, because there's definitely still no official stock image available online that I could find a trace of. (Granted, I don't know if there'd be any way to utilize a non-official backup image anyway or turn it into a flashable KDZ, but that's not my point...)

Thank you, I got my lucky rooted! I'm wondering if anyone ever found any custom ROMs or recoveries for this device. It seems like this was never popular for any of that, but thought I'd ask. Thanks.

Looking to Update Software to Most Recent Version

I have a rooted Verizon device that is running stock 4.1.2, since I have the unlimited data and use the free hotspot toggle.
Well, almost none of the current apps works with my phone anymore, its getting very frustrating. I'd like to unroot my phone and just get to the most recent software, then buy Foxfi for the hotspot...will that work?
Is there a better option? Can I upgrade the software without unrooting ?
Any help would be apprecaited, thanks!

duffycoug said:
I have a rooted Verizon device that is running stock 4.1.2, since I have the unlimited data and use the free hotspot toggle.
Well, almost none of the current apps works with my phone anymore, its getting very frustrating. I'd like to unroot my phone and just get to the most recent software, then buy Foxfi for the hotspot...will that work?
Is there a better option? Can I upgrade the software without unrooting ?
Any help would be apprecaited, thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you want to take the OTA update you will need to unroot. I would highly advise against this as you will permanently lock your bootloader down but if that's what you choose then so be it
Sent from my Nexus 5

Ok, then what would you suggest I do?? Is there a ROM i can flash to update the software and still use the hotspot free?

duffycoug said:
Ok, then what would you suggest I do?? Is there a ROM i can flash to update the software and still use the hotspot free?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see foxfi hasn't been updated in the play store in nearly 3 years. Some roms have the Hotspot feature built in as far as what roms have it built in, as far as newer roms that much I don't know. I'm running the last build of CleanRom and its built in.
I understand a lot of apps currently require a newer version of Android to run. My suggestion would be to check out the development forums for the VZW S3 and see which roms have it built in rather than having to buy the app itself
Sent from my Nexus 6

I tried reading up, but this seems intimidating. Maybe you can point me in the right direction...my ONLY needs are a working camera (slow motion would be VERY nice to have if available), hotspot tether that I can use without paying the monthly fee (I have unlimited data), and software version that actually works with apps from the playstore.
As far as I know, I have 4.1.2 software, unlocked bootloader and I'm rooted.

duffycoug said:
I tried reading up, but this seems intimidating. Maybe you can point me in the right direction...my ONLY needs are a working camera (slow motion would be VERY nice to have if available), hotspot tether that I can use without paying the monthly fee (I have unlimited data), and software version that actually works with apps from the playstore.
As far as I know, I have 4.1.2 software, unlocked bootloader and I'm rooted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok what android version are you looking to be on?
Sent from my Nexus 6

I dont' really care at all, just one that will work with apps from the play store. Most apps now need at least version 4.2.....I'd like to be on the newest version I can be that has a working camera and hotspot....i'm assuming if I go to a ROM i can still use apps from the play store?

duffycoug said:
I dont' really care at all, just one that will work with apps from the play store. Most apps now need at least version 4.2.....I'd like to be on the newest version I can be that has a working camera and hotspot....i'm assuming if I go to a ROM i can still use apps from the play store?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Of course. I hardly ever run stock on any of my devices. I think my N6 is the only one but it's customized. CleanRom is on version 4.3 I'm not sure about AllianceRom which I also have uploaded to my AFH account
Sent from my Nexus 6

where do i find cleanrom?

duffycoug said:
where do i find cleanrom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll send you a PM with the link
Sent from my Nexus 6

I'll also chime in. If OP is looking to update his phone, there are 2 paths. The stock path, which will be up to KitKat based roms (android 4.4) because that was the last update the S3 ever received. You could install something like superliterom (found in our android developement thread). But from your needs (hotspot, and camera) you can go all the way on to marshmallow (android 6) using CM13 which is what I'm running. The only bugs now are bluetooth (it may crash if you're playing music through bluetooth and receiving a call through bluetooth like in a car for example), gps is slow to lock (which is a problem is most of the CM roms), and some minor front camera bugs ie. instagram will crash, but every other camera and video camera/video calling app will work that I've tried. If I was in your shoes, I would try CM13 to see if you like it, and then bounce down from there to a 4.4 or 4.3 rom as a solid 2nd or third choice. I went from cleanrom, to alliance 4.3, to cm12.1 (I could never get gps to lock on this, but everything else worked), to cm13. They are all solid. Even something like slimkat 4.4 has pretty good reviews. But don't ever take the OTA update...there is no point in that now besides locking your phone forever and limiting the usability of your phone.

I'm sorry if this is a really stupid question, but if I install cm13 will I lose all my text messages, emails, app settings, etc.??

duffycoug said:
I'm sorry if this is a really stupid question, but if I install cm13 will I lose all my text messages, emails, app settings, etc.??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. I wouldn't suggest updating to a newer rom without wiping the internal storage. You could always backup text messages. Emails automatically save to the Gmail app and the app settings well that can't be recovered but you could always set it the way it was previously
Sent from my Nexus 6

so as long as i back up my messages on verizon cloud (which i do) they will be restored once i put cloud on and sign back in??

duffycoug said:
so as long as i back up my messages on verizon cloud (which i do) they will be restored once i put cloud on and sign back in??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct. You can use third party apps as well. I've been using one for years and it catches call logs also
Sent from my Nexus 6

Ok, so I've downloaded "Oct-M-R1-6.0.1 for d2vzw", the MD5 checksum, and "open_gapps-arm-6.0-stock-20160806".
I have just installed TWRP 3.0.2 on my device and it appears to be working.
Now what?
Put the files onto my microsd or onto my phone storage?
Install from TWRP and that's it?
I have titanium backup, should I run that first? OR is there a backup option from twrp??
VERY specific directions would be appreciated! Thanks LOL
PS - One last thing, what developer options need to be checked or unchecked if any in my phone settings.

duffycoug said:
Ok, so I've downloaded "Oct-M-R1-6.0.1 for d2vzw", the MD5 checksum, and "open_gapps-arm-6.0-stock-20160806".
I have just installed TWRP 3.0.2 on my device and it appears to be working.
Now what?
Put the files onto my microsd or onto my phone storage?
Install from TWRP and that's it?
I have titanium backup, should I run that first? OR is there a backup option from twrp??
VERY specific directions would be appreciated! Thanks LOL
PS - One last thing, what developer options need to be checked or unchecked if any in my phone settings.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In developer options you really only need to enable USB debugging.
As far as installing the rom putting it on your SD card should be efficient or once in TWRP you can mount the internal and move it into there if connected to a pc. As far as installing it's pretty straight forward.
Wipe internal completely but DO NOT wipe your SD card. Install the zip first then gapps and ensure you wipe cache and dalvik. Once done reboot and let the device sit for about 10 minutes without touching it to let the rom settle down, once done just reinstall everything. I do not recommend to install apps via titanium backup (i.e. Data for those apps) anymore questions feel free to ask
Sent from my Nexus 6

Ok, I started the process. Did my backup from twrp and then installed the zip from my sd and gapp at same time...phone has been in a boot loop for about an hour....every now and then it says "Android Starting - optimizing apps", then starting apps....should i just keep waiting or redo it???

duffycoug said:
Ok, I started the process. Did my backup from twrp and then installed the zip from my sd and gapp at same time...phone has been in a boot loop for about an hour....every now and then it says "Android Starting - optimizing apps", then starting apps....should i just keep waiting or redo it???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The rom may of not played well with the device. I installed lollipop on my S3 and it was quite slow. I'd say restore the backup but you can try installing it again but I forewarn you that it may just not work at all
Sent from my Nexus 6

Maybe I'm doing something wrong? I restored my version, worked fine...then tried again and got boot loop again...back to my 4.1.2 for now until I can figure it out. Second time I went into advanced and wiped the system, too...didn't help.
Any other suggestions would be appreciated....could I have a bad zip file?
I came across this link https://download.cyanogenmod.org/?device=d2vzw , which should I download? What's the difference between all of these versions? Nightly vs. Snapshot vs. Stable? Also, what is the "Release" and the "Recovery"