So for a while now, while anticipating getting my hands on a Nexus S of my own, I've been lurking in the forums and reading up on various things. I know for sure that I will be flashing custom ROMS and rooting my device. However, as this is my first android ever, do you guys think I should flash roms on it right away or should I stick with stock android and learn the OS first.
I was thinking that I wouldn't be able to appreciate the tweaks/improvements that are found in various custom ROMS if I didn't have experience with vanilla android. I am interested in hearing your opinions.
One other thing I was very confused about was whether or not you could flash custom roms/kernels without actually unlocking the Bootloader. I have read and read and the answer seems to be yes, but from my understanding it only works if your not on 2.3.3? (Sorry if this question has been answered time and time again, but the amount of information on this forum has been mindblowing, and I get more and more confused as I read on.)
it depends on the phone really. for the bootloader lock but usually yes for any rom changes you need to install a custom recovery and that requires bootloader access
Personally, I find one day is enough to find out all about the stock ROM.
If the phone you get is already running 2.3.3, then I'm unsure whether you can simply flash an older bootloader and root/flash custom ROMs without unlocking. If you get a phone running < 2.3.3, then you are in luck. Currently I'm running CM7 with the bootloader still locked.
yeah you'll get the hang of using the stock rom in no time. The Nexus S is my first android phone and everything has been so easy...i've flashed roms, unlocked the bootloader, rooted, flashed kernels and recovered using the nandroid backups. All so so so easy.
i have a sg3 unlocked and rooted and my girl decided she wants her atrix 2 rooted. im not even going to bother with unlocking the bootloader as from what i read, its a pain in the ass. so im just wanting to debloat and hopefully put her on a nice rom and she likes the look of lithium. i read where it has some OC potential and was wondering if it was going to try and flash a kernel....
so can i flash this without an unlocked bootloader?
dearbeloved said:
i have a sg3 unlocked and rooted and my girl decided she wants her atrix 2 rooted. im not even going to bother with unlocking the bootloader as from what i read, its a pain in the ass. so im just wanting to debloat and hopefully put her on a nice rom and she likes the look of lithium. i read where it has some OC potential and was wondering if it was going to try and flash a kernel....
so can i flash this without an unlocked bootloader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The ATRIX 2's bootloader IS locked, and to date there is no known way of unlocking it. That being said, you (or your girlfriend, or both) are stuck with the stock Moto kernel. As far as Lithium v1.3.1, its a very nice rom. However, there are several very nice roms available to the ATRIX 2 -you'll just have to peruse the thread posts for each in the development section to see which one works for what you want. Also, most, if not all roms are already running the init.d supported 00pptimize for overclock, as well as partially or fully de-bloated. Many, have been updated to run at either 1.1GHz or 1.2GHz, but you can always raise that with some careful editing, patience, and extensive testing. You cannot flash a kernel because, as mentioned before, the bootloader on the ATRIX 2 is locked. You can still flash custom roms, but you need to do a little leg work to get the appropriate measure in place first. Start by reading The Beginner's Guide for most all your preemptive knowledge with the ATRIX 2. This will show you rooting methods used, as well as our custom recovery (CWM). Once you have that, you should should be in good standings to move forward from there to get what you are looking for with the phone...
i appreciate the feedback. I havent had to face a locked bootloader so i was wondering but already knew i couldnt flash a kernal over it. Ive got bootstrap to get into recovery pretty knowledgeable android and the Root/flash/bootloader deal but this phone seems to be a pain compared to what im usually working with.
she doesnt need to be oc'd but just wants a new look... so ill give her this until she whines later about another one and how to do it.... or how i should do it.
thanks again.
Well I been looking around the forum now and wondering if rooting my brand New one S is worth it.
What can you do after you root the phone.
What does it give you the option to do.
Sent from my HTC One S using xda app-developers app
Same as any other phone, except downgrade bootloader and radio.
Flash kernels, flash ROMs, tweaks, lockscreens, record screen etc.
Sent from my locked, tampered ville
I am kinda wondering the same thing. It seems the only thing rooting will be good for is volume wake, certain apps that require root and custom theme modifications. I am thinking of rooting i guess but until there is a bugless ROM I don't think I am gonna fool with any.
Even if you dont actually root the OS, unlocking the device and flashing a custom recovery gives you the ability to make and restore nandroid backups.
Personally I like the device much better with a custom ROM and kernel and boot splash
So as for whether 'it' (the benefit: an unlocked device with custom ROM) is worth 'it' (the cost: the time and effort of rooting),
if you're happy with the device as is and you consider rooting/flashing a hassle and a chore, then no.
If on the other hand, you have some gripes that custom ROMs address, and you can flash it while watching a sitcom with your other eye, and/or enjoy the tinker, then yes.
-Jobo
I am a noobie to all that is Android... I am usually on an iPhone/iPod, but I decided for my upgrade why downgrade to the iPhone 5 when I could get the SGIII?
So, anyways... I am new to rooting and how to add anything on it after the root is done... and I need some help...
I have my SGIII rooted and all and it has been sweet. However, I do not want to add a custom ROM because of the loss of certain features on the device and a higher risk of brick.
I have to ask... Am I able to theme the stock touchwiz ROM differently without a big risk of brick? Or can I at all?
And, with the SGIII being on verizon... my notification toggles do not include a WiFi toggle! I want one on there, and I am not sure how to add it...
Here is a link to a thread about one:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1775235
I am running Jelly Bean 4.1.1.
Help?
First, congrats on getting the s3! It's an amazing device and definitely an upgrade.
What do you mean by losing features by flashing a custom ROM? If anything, you would gain features. I would recommend flashing CleanROM, it's basically the way your phone is now with a bunch of bloatware removed (and it has a WiFi toggle, and others which are customizable) for better performance and battery life. I know you said you don't really want to, but if you read and follow instructions, you'll be perfectly fine. Besides, it's what having an android is all about!
As for that WiFi toggle mod, you would simply download it, reboot into recovery, and flash it. Just don't flash anything not meant for the i535! That's how you end up with a paper weight.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
I was referring to some of the Samsung features that you would lose when switching to a new ROM. I thought I read that you lose some...
I may look into putting a ROM onto it... I just am sketchy on having myself a brick... I have the extended insurance and all, I just dont want to ruin it so soon since I just got it.
How about themes though? Can I theme the stock ROM?
You can change the icons, if that's what you mean. Check out an app called desktop visualizer.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
Basically the only ways you brick the phone is of you flash an international ROM. The other potential way to brick is a power outage if you are flashing with Odin and the primary or secondary boot loader are in the process of being flashed.
If you are going to flash anything, back up your imei following the sticky thread
If you get the "unauthorized software return to Verizon message" don't panic. Odin can bring you back.
Its hard but not impossible to brick this phone. If you take your time, read, and always verify that the file you are going to flash is for the i535 it is very hard to brick.
Rooting essentially means you have administer rights. It doesn't come with any cydia equivalent as (almost) all apps that use root are in the play store.
My current favorite ROM is carbon rom which brings all the android 4.2.1 features to the table including group SMS (finally), lock screen widgets, and enhanced Google now. You will lose some touchwiz features though many can be replicated with 3rd party play store apps.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
Hmm, can anyone toss me a few of the most stable/featured ROMs for the i535 in comparison to stock?
I had told myself that I wasnt going to risk it, but I think you have me convinced... Cause I do want to get different with it...
Which is why I was looking for full themes for the stock ROM.
You must be talking about the TouchWiz features like smart stay, s beam, TW camera...etc. As long as you flash a TouchWiz ROM, you shouldn't lose those features. You would lose those features if you flashed an AOSP ROM (which is what you see on devices like the Galaxy Nexus or Nexus 4).
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
Those were what I were referring to, yeah...
and, anyone think they can toss me a few of the most stable/featured ROMs for the i535?
about roms and your choices.
good info
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1950824&highlight=guide
---------- Post added at 05:47 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:47 AM ----------
tylerisbudded said:
Those were what I were referring to, yeah...
and, anyone think they can toss me a few of the most stable/featured ROMs for the i535?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
synergy, beans galaxy mod, almost all others in the development section
read and see what suirs your needs
Clean ROM and csrom are probably closest to stock. Galaxy mod and syngergy get good reviews it seems if you want something a bit different.
Kindacrapmods is neat too to give touch wiz Roms an aosp appearance if you prefer.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
Anyone care to add to skype or anything of the sort so that I may be easily guided? I would highly appreciate the assistance.
And my GSIII is currently rooted with quite a bit of photos, contact, and personal data... Should I worry about getting that information off before flashing a new ROM?
Plus, say that I were to put a ICS ROM rather than the 4.1.1 JB I have right now... or even a 4.2 JB ROM would I just flash it like normal as if I were rooting my device for the first time?
Welcome to Android, where you are "free!," lol.
You should always have backup of files, photos, apps + data, personal data, documents, etc on your external sd, computer, cloud, etc. Also making a Nandroid Backup would be highly advisable before you flash anything.
Flashing between roms usually just wipe data, cache, dalvik cache, (I wipe system as well to be sure a cleaner start). Someone correct me if that is not the case. I remember on Fsacinate, it was somewhat a pain going from major version jump.
tylerisbudded said:
Anyone care to add to skype or anything of the sort so that I may be easily guided? I would highly appreciate the assistance.
And my GSIII is currently rooted with quite a bit of photos, contact, and personal data... Should I worry about getting that information off before flashing a new ROM?
Plus, say that I were to put a ICS ROM rather than the 4.1.1 JB I have right now... or even a 4.2 JB ROM would I just flash it like normal as if I were rooting my device for the first time?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't see why you would go back to ICS lol. Definitely do a nandroid backup before each new ROM flash, there's always a chance something could go wrong. It's always good to backup your media, but if you do everything correctly, then your media won't be touched.
If you flash a 4.2 ROM for the first time, your SD card is basically going to be moved into a new folder called "0" and you may panic... lol. It's supposed to happen though, it had to with the multiuser feature (which is only present on tablets).
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
Check out App2Zip also. It'll create a flashable .zip file of your apps that you can flash after flashing the ROM. I've never been a big fan of TiBu, but App2Zip does a good job. The biggest hassle about flashing brand new ROMs is getting your setup back to how you had it, but that only takes 10 - 30 minutes and is well worth the added functionality. I personally love having native USB tethering and WiFi hotspot. Also much faster performance on many ROMs as well. I personally LOVE the Darthstalker ROM, it's farther away from your stock JB experience, but one of the fastest ROMs out there, especially on top of a kernel like galaxy KOR. But you can get into flashing kernels after you have some ROM experience ;] (it's actually a lot easier). Just ALWAYS make a backup with ClockworkMod or TW first! Preferably to an external card. Then if something messes up you can just recover to your backup and have everything back to normal, it's literally a time machine for your phone. There are a lot of great support threads here. I almost bricked my phone the first time I tried to root it, but you're already past that part so flashing ROMs and kernels are much easier. Have fun!
If you flash Synergy it will back up your IMEI for you automatically. Just copy that backup to you extSdCard and you will always have it. For getting your feet wet with android and from you've posted so far just stay away from AOSP for now and you will be fine and you will be amazed at the control/options you have now.
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF700T using xda app-developers app
If you don't want to flash the entire Synergy ROM you can use this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=30679476&postcount=5732
I originally rooted my device without unlocking my bootloader because I didnt see myself putting a custom ROM on my device...
Is there anything special I would do to go about putting a ROM on it now? Or would I just go through the rooting process as I did before, but just unlock my bootloader this time?
tylerisbudded said:
I originally rooted my device without unlocking my bootloader because I didnt see myself putting a custom ROM on my device...
Is there anything special I would do to go about putting a ROM on it now? Or would I just go through the rooting process as I did before, but just unlock my bootloader this time?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're already rooted so don't worry about doing that again, but you need to unlock the boot loader. Look for an app called EZ unlock somewhere on here or RootzWiki (use version 1.2 since the newer one had a problem I believe). It's as simple as clicking unlock, then you're good.
Edit: Here it is http://rootzwiki.com/index.php?/top...-1.4---Easiest-way-to-unlock-your-bootloader!
Woops, guy below found it first
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
tylerisbudded said:
I originally rooted my device without unlocking my bootloader because I didnt see myself putting a custom ROM on my device...
Is there anything special I would do to go about putting a ROM on it now? Or would I just go through the rooting process as I did before, but just unlock my bootloader this time?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To unlock bootloader use this http://rootzwiki.com/topic/32456-app-920-ez-unlock-14-easiest-way-to-unlock-your-bootloader/
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
Thanks for the help! I actually just figured it out right before you guys posted.
I have CleanROM put on it right now, I am looking to add some MODs now though I think...
I want to keep TW and its standard features... but I also want to get creative with it...
Since I now have deodex I should be able to still add some cool MODs now right?
Oh, and how stable are launchers? If I were to get Apex launcher and assign it to my home key would there be any issues at any time with that and my original home?
Hey everyone. I was wondering if some here with a HTC One can point me in the right direction. I am looking to finally take the plunge and permanently root, flash a custom recovery, backup my stock, and install a new custom rom on my Verizon M8.
This is my first HTC device playing with, I have always had Motorola stuff and am pretty familiar with the process on those, but this HTC stuff is still a little blurry. S-on/off, CID, MID, RUUs????
I have been reading these forums for quite a bit and still a little unsure about what the steps would have to be. I am currently on the latest stock VZW temp rooted with the new weeksauce basically just to have tethering via a 3rd party app (Wifi tether router). I actually really, really like the stock Sense 6.0 UI and this phone is pretty much perfect all around.
What I want to do is, permanently root, install TWRP as that's what i've used on Moto and my Sammy Tab, backup my stock system so I can go back, and then install a custom ROM. Can TWRP on this do more than one ROM slot and run dual roms? What if everything gets jacked up and I have to go back to complete out of the box stock? How is that done with HTC? I think with Moto it was like an .FXZ file or something like that and you boot the phone into download mode and just flash that file from the computer and you're back to 100% stock. Same with Samsung using ODIN.
I'm also not sure what ROM I want to try, so I am open to suggestions there too. I would like to maybe try a pretty clean Lollipop ROM with good battery life and very stable. Would that be the GPE?
Thanks for reading and for any help.
baune7 said:
Hey everyone. I was wondering if some here with a HTC One can point me in the right direction. I am looking to finally take the plunge and permanently root, flash a custom recovery, backup my stock, and install a new custom rom on my Verizon M8.
This is my first HTC device playing with, I have always had Motorola stuff and am pretty familiar with the process on those, but this HTC stuff is still a little blurry. S-on/off, CID, MID, RUUs????
I have been reading these forums for quite a bit and still a little unsure about what the steps would have to be. I am currently on the latest stock VZW temp rooted with the new weeksauce basically just to have tethering via a 3rd party app (Wifi tether router). I actually really, really like the stock Sense 6.0 UI and this phone is pretty much perfect all around.
What I want to do is, permanently root, install TWRP as that's what i've used on Moto and my Sammy Tab, backup my stock system so I can go back, and then install a custom ROM. Can TWRP on this do more than one ROM slot and run dual roms? What if everything gets jacked up and I have to go back to complete out of the box stock? How is that done with HTC? I think with Moto it was like an .FXZ file or something like that and you boot the phone into download mode and just flash that file from the computer and you're back to 100% stock. Same with Samsung using ODIN.
I'm also not sure what ROM I want to try, so I am open to suggestions there too. I would like to maybe try a pretty clean Lollipop ROM with good battery life and very stable. Would that be the GPE?
Thanks for reading and for any help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First you need s-off/unlocked boot loader to perma root..also there is multi ROM support for this device. An if you want to return to pure stock cause something got messed up then you download the ruu an use fast boot via pc to flash your ruu.zip it will wipe your whole phone an return you to out of the box. if your looking for a sense Lollipop from. Santod has a nice ROM an you can also check out the ROM by andybones is also runs very nice an has themes an mod support. If you like GPE then there is one of those also for our device.
Thanks for the info. So in my reading up on doing this, is the "firewater" method of achieving S-off and root no longer working on this phone with 4.4.4? And also, as I understand it, the Sunshine method of achieving the two may or may not work on 4.4.4 either, kind of a 50/50 shot??? So I guess at this time it might just be worth it to wait until either the new sunshine is released or Verizon pushed the 5.0 update out and see what that is like.
baune7 said:
Thanks for the info. So in my reading up on doing this, is the "firewater" method of achieving S-off and root no longer working on this phone with 4.4.4? And also, as I understand it, the Sunshine method of achieving the two may or may not work on 4.4.4 either, kind of a 50/50 shot??? So I guess at this time it might just be worth it to wait until either the new sunshine is released or Verizon pushed the 5.0 update out and see what that is like.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Firewater is dead....sunshine might work you can download the app for free an run it to see if it will work with your device is free too. Then if you want to run sunshine that's when you pay the 25...so I would advice against taking anymore ota till you r able to s-off.