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Recommendation for a Newb

Hi there I am a newb to ROMs and I have what I think is an easy question.
My girlfriend has a Nexus S which has gotten incredibly slow lately.
There dont seem to be extra apps running on the phone (i tried uninstalling almost all of the apps) so I assume I need to try a different rom/kernel (everything is stock of whatever was pushed to her phone).
I dont think she would care about extra features but would just want it reliable.
I really dont know what to install. If it should be some paired down rom/kernel, A new one, or older one.
I imagine a newer kernel (i think they have trim??) and paired down would be better.
Although using and old build for reliability/speed would be completely acceptable too.
Are there any recommendations? I am pretty lost.
Thank you so much!

Using Slim atm
Pretty smooth if you don't enable google now.
However the 512mb ram is really killing the phone, takes ages to load apps let alone multitask

chico1st said:
Are there any recommendations? I am pretty lost.
Thank you so much!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just follow the link in my signature.. It may help in your decision..
Sent from my Nexus S using xda premium

flash all rom to see what is better for you ..that all i can say

Try Jellyshot ROM with devil kernel.
Sent from my Nexus 10 using xda app-developers app

Root your phone and install Greenify

Use jellyshot ROM with marmite CM kernal and Black theme by alen or you can follow @leap_ahead signature.
I am always getting 150 MB+ free RAM..
Sent from my Nexus S using xda app-developers app

ok so the different roms/kernels have a pretty big effect then I take it.
Its my gf's phone so i cant go about trying tonnes of different setups. She wants it to just change and then be fine to use for a few years.
Greenify looks interesting.
do the themes affect speed/ram usage?

chico1st said:
ok so the different roms/kernels have a pretty big effect then I take it.
Its my gf's phone so i cant go about trying tonnes of different setups. She wants it to just change and then be fine to use for a few years.
Greenify looks interesting.
do the themes affect speed/ram usage?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Themes/theming can affect speed/ram.. If you want a rom to stand the test of time; MDO, Rasbeanjelly, Hellybean, Slimbean (4.1.2).. If you upgrade past this, the 4.2.2's are laggy and ram hungry.. 4.2.2's are also not as stable. Jellyshot and Rasbeanjelly are the most stable/ram friendly 4.2's... Use stable/or stock kernels and don't overclock!!! Once you set up the phone, it's a phone, all the "settings" don't make the phone any more or less a phone...

Sorry folks, recommendation for best rom threads get closed, why? because history shows that almost all of them become arguments over what rom is "better" and essentially, that is something that can only be determined by individual users.
Members are expected to read the thread in development to determine what is "best" for them.

Help choosing a ROM.

There's so many Roms here it's hard to choose a place to start. Can I get some suggestions of a good stable ROM that brings improvements over stock as well as everything working like cellular stuff.I just feel like a lot of the Roms seem like they are very similar and I'm not sure what to try. Thanks.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using xda app-developers app

It's all a matter of personal preference.
But, personally, I would suggest BeerGang. It's still technically in the Alpha stage, but I've been running it for the past day and have been completely satisfied. No random reboots, no random FCs, and it has a good deal of features without having too many -- I'm not a fan of ROMs like BeanStalk, CM, etc because there are so many different options to tinker with, and many of them affect the stability and speed of the ROM. The dev (benjamin.j.goodwin) is consistently providing support for it, and I only seeing it getting better.
After BeerGang I'd recommend Purity. I was a long time fan of Purity for all of the same reasons I like BeerGang. Purity is also past the Alpha stage, and offers a little more in features than BeerGang does as of now. It comes built with BusyBox installed (if you're into script optimization,) and is a solid experience for me during my short time using it.

soltheman said:
It's all a matter of personal preference.
But, personally, I would suggest BeerGang. It's still technically in the Alpha stage, but I've been running it for the past day and have been completely satisfied. No random reboots, no random FCs, and it has a good deal of features without having too many -- I'm not a fan of ROMs like BeanStalk, CM, etc because there are so many different options to tinker with, and many of them affect the stability and speed of the ROM. The dev (benjamin.j.goodwin) is consistently providing support for it, and I only seeing it getting better.
After BeerGang I'd recommend Purity. I was a long time fan of Purity for all of the same reasons I like BeerGang. Purity is also past the Alpha stage, and offers a little more in features than BeerGang does as of now. It comes built with BusyBox installed (if you're into script optimization,) and is a solid experience for me during my short time using it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK thanks a lot I'll check those out. I know everyone says it's up to preference and I agree but with the nexus 5 there are way too many roms to just try them all out lol so it'd be nice to have somewhere to start. So do either of those have the themer app like from cm? Either way I'm gonna try it but just curious. I think I'll try purity first and see if I like it.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using xda app-developers app

Try this http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=46344624

this will be closed in 3-2-1

I do like the looks of beergang it is on my list to try. If you want aosp style the big one is CM. There are a lot of ROMs that use cm as a base. I like paranoid personally or pacman. If you want something newer try omni it is well written runs almost flawless and has a write up here on xda. It has some unique features as well like double window.
Also in before close.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

Cataclysm with Franco Kernel runs great.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

Cataclysm with Bricked kernel and stock kernel ran well.
Currently I'm running Beanstalk and bricked.

Thanks guys I know threads asking for the best ROM aren't allowed but I was just asking for suggestions so I can know what to start trying because there are too many similar ones. I didn't mean to make an unallowed thread. Sorry about that.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using xda app-developers app

Stability along with WiFi Direct & OTG Support?
abdel12345 said:
There's so many Roms here it's hard to choose a place to start. Can I get some suggestions of a good stable ROM that brings improvements over stock as well as everything working like cellular stuff.I just feel like a lot of the Roms seem like they are very similar and I'm not sure what to try. Thanks.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Coming from a Samsung Galaxy S3 on T-Mobile and running Wicked ROM to the Nexus 5. Overall, it's a nice phone, but a few little things I miss are:
WiFi Direct - it's in there on KitKat, but no way to share anything unless you use/purchase separate apps that are incompatible with each other? What gives?
OTG support - I know they want to push "the cloud" on everybody and I knew going in that this phone didn't have microSD support, but planned on using an OTG cable to swap out pics/videos, etc but again this is not usable unless you purchase another app?
I was hoping that for once with a Nexus phone, that I'd be able to avoid the root/Custom ROM/update/repeat cycle, but these missing features are a big disappointment for me.
Anyone know which Custom ROM(s) include the features I mention above, along with good support and stability? Or is this the curse of living on "the bleeding edge?"
I look forward to your suggestions!
DownloadBob

P.Mobile said:
this will be closed in 3-2-1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
zero
Thread closed

Why root a Nexus 5?

Hi guys,
Just got a Nexus 5, had previously had a Samsung Galaxy S3.
My S3 was rooted, mainly to get rid of carrier bloatware and later because I wanted the Android 4.2 camera with Photosphere (my carrier was stuck on 4.1 until a few months ago).
As time wore on my device had numerous problems ultimately I felt related to rooting, I could never find ROM's with at least one major glitch. I ended up on a stock ROM for most the time with the only root change was flashing the 4.2 camera for Photosphere. Rooting in general I found caused more headaches than it was worth.
Anyways, I just got the Nexus 5 and have no real intention to root it. Since it's devoid of carrier bloatware and it runs super fast and responsive, just wondering what the real credible benefits to rooting it are? (and voiding warranty in the process)??
I don't see a lot of bloatware on the device, it's going to get constant updates from Google (as opposed to devices depandant on a carrier), I don't really need to overclock or mess with kernals on an already fast device.
Am I missing something here?

Sianspheric said:
Hi guys,
Just got a Nexus 5, had previously had a Samsung Galaxy S3.
My S3 was rooted, mainly to get rid of carrier bloatware and later because I wanted the Android 4.2 camera with Photosphere (my carrier was stuck on 4.1 until a few months ago).
As time wore on my device had numerous problems ultimately I felt related to rooting, I could never find ROM's with at least one major glitch. I ended up on a stock ROM for most the time with the only root change was flashing the 4.2 camera for Photosphere. Rooting in general I found caused more headaches than it was worth.
Anyways, I just got the Nexus 5 and have no real intention to root it. Since it's devoid of carrier bloatware and it runs super fast and responsive, just wondering what the real credible benefits to rooting it are? (and voiding warranty in the process)??
I don't see a lot of bloatware on the device, it's going to get constant updates from Google (as opposed to devices depandant on a carrier), I don't really need to overclock or mess with kernals on an already fast device.
Am I missing something here?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some people prefer different launchers or ROMs or to have access to certain functions (e.g. full backup) that require root. I've had my N5 for a month and haven't felt the need for it, so I'm still stock, locked, unrooted.

Xposed for me.
Most of the mods from Custom ROMs with the OTA updates from Google
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Premium HD app

Xposed framework, Adaway, Lmt launcher, AppOps, AutomateIt Pro... Basicly everything to take control over your device.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using xda app-developers app

So.....ad blocking apps, minor tweaks, custom ROM's.
eh, not really compelling reasons for me I guess.

Sianspheric said:
So.....ad blocking apps, minor tweaks, custom ROM's.
eh, not really compelling reasons for me I guess.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wouldn't call them minor tweaks at all. There is an extremely wide variety of things that require your phone to be rooted. Often times an app will have limited functionality without root.
Please note that rooting your phone has nothing to do with using a custom rom. (You can in fact have a custom rom that is not rooted) Your problems with your prior phone were not in any way as a result of rooting the phone. If you had problems with the rom (sometimes custom roms have broken components) that has nothing to do with having root access.
At this point, I'd be willing to bet the most common usage of the phone at this point (amongst users of this site) are those who are rooted, but still using the stock rom. More and more users are migrating to the custom roms, but this is because rom development takes a bit of time with major releases.

AdAway is the main reason for me - I HATE adverts with a passion!
Sent from my Nexus 5 using xda app-developers app

Sianspheric said:
So.....ad blocking apps, minor tweaks, custom ROM's.
eh, not really compelling reasons for me I guess.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what you consider "minor tweaks", might be a big deal for someone else. Tastes differ.
i root because of 1 main reason, i paid for the device and i believe i should be able to have full control over it.
Another thing is, whatever i do with my phone, i always know what i'm doing and why i'm doing it, so the odds of screwing something up are very little. In case i do need to claim warranty, i know how to set everything back.

Sianspheric said:
So.....ad blocking apps, minor tweaks, custom ROM's.
eh, not really compelling reasons for me I guess.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ehm...why did you buy a nexus? Actually i don't even know what you are doing on xda. No offense but... Sound more like an iPhone kind a guy...
Sent from my Nexus 5 using xda app-developers app

It's up to you whether to root or not. Whatever problems you had with your previous device, it wasn't due to rooting persay, but rather what you did with root access. Rooting doesn't change anything, it just gives you administrative access to the operating system. Running un-rooted is analogous to accessing your desktop PC through a guest account. Rooting your Android device gives you full access like you have on your desktop as as an administrator.

He just wants to know the benefits. No need to harp on him for not wanting to root. If anything Nexus 5 has less reasons to be rooted then OEM phones.

bblzd said:
He just wants to know the benefits. No need to harp on him for not wanting to root. If anything Nexus 5 has less reasons to be rooted then OEM phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe someday he'll want to tether.

AT LEAST UNLOCK THE BOOTLOADER
Fastboot OEM Unlock
That easy, it'll erase EVERYTHING. So if you do it now you won't lose much. Do it later when you want to root (like my mother and myself) you'll have to unlock and lose everything.
If you ever need you return it just lock it again it's easy. And you won't lose ANYTHING for relocking it.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

Two words....
Franco kernel
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

Titanium back up because I'm too lazy to reinstall all of my apps on my previous device.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

Not much reason to if your main use is as a "daily driver".
Mine is rooted mainly due to needing to use it for development work related to my job, but ad blocking and several xposed modules would require root anyways. That and I just can't help but mess with stuff like CPU frequency/voltage settings, etc.

Ben36 said:
Two words....
Franco kernel
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
I second this.

I was previously on Galaxy S2 rooted. I'd tested some custom roms like chamaleon, cm, but at last, what i realized that I needed wasn't a lot of new features i only wanted a good battery performance and a fc and random reboots free phone.
So I returned to stock roms with the more stock-like rooted kernel with Xposed and some additions. At last I got a good battery performance to keep the phone full day without charging.
Now that my N5 is with me for about 6 or 7 weeks I don't need rooting, modding ... nothing. The performance for my daily use is about 30 hours between charges with almost 3 hours with screen on.
That is all I need!
And for backups (i've payed for titanium backup app for my S2) now I use ADB from command line and it's enought for me
Also, the Nexus in this conditions hasn't hanged yet.
It spent more than 350 hours until I decided to change to Dart and I had to restart the phone. this is much better than my old S2 that needed two or three weekly reboots even with stock rom.
So, i'm very happy with my non-rooted N5 but if I need to root it in the near future it will be not a problem to me doing it.

I use it for Titanium Backup myself, whose backups I periodically have uploaded to Box.com. Obviously it's there for when I want to change phone and want to restore app data, especially for game saves, but you also never know if your phone is going to malfunction and you have to wipe or get lost/stolen. I think it's pretty useful to have an app that automatically takes care of backing up your data for you.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

http://lifehacker.com/top-10-reasons-to-root-your-android-phone-1079161983
Sent from my Nexus 5

Recommended Roms

I know this question is really subjective. I'm coming from the Note II and have not been in this forum more than a couple of days so I'm not famililar with the developers and their work.
I'm just not sure what Rom to start with.
Speed/stability. Feature Customizations, You know, General grovieness

Stock.
Sent from my HTC6525LVW

ufkal said:
I know this question is really subjective. I'm coming from the Note II and have not been in this forum more than a couple of days so I'm not famililar with the developers and their work.
I'm just not sure what Rom to start with.
Speed/stability. Feature Customizations, You know, General grovieness
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You literally described viper rom
Sent from my HTC6525LVW using Tapatalk

If you want customization, ViperROM is the way to go. It is fast and has so many options and settings it can almost be overwhelming if there were anymore things to explore in their tweaks app. Has some nice themes (although many are not fully compatible yet) as well. For a stock ROM with speed and removed bloatware, I recommend Skyfall. It has been the fastest for me as far as stock roms go. Bonestock is great as well, I just had awful battery life on it (which was my fault but was too lazy to diagnose so i crack flashed something else. Just try them all and see what you like best.

Stock. Everything works and you never have to wipe for an update.
Sent from my HTC6525LVW using xda app-developers app

Viper.

Stock with xposed seems to do the trick for me
Sent from my HTC6525LVW using Tapatalk

I've flashed BoneStock and have been really happy with it honestly. I really only wanted the bloatware removed and it did a good job of that.
I haven't tried any others yet though. Stock is actually really, really nice. HTC did a fantastic job with Sense 6.0.

A second vote for Viper! This ROM has been fantastic. Performance is much improved over stock, battery consumption has been lower, and there are so much customization that can be done through Viper One's tweak configuration (including enabling Power Saver mode which Verizon took away, performing an "auto hide" of the navigation bar, adding custom themes and colors, etc.). The devs of this ROM are also VERY responsive. Be sure to make a nandroid back up using CWM or TWRP before flashing any custom ROM, so you have something to go back to if you are not happy.

Was thinking about grabbing this phone, but what about those of us coming from stock Nexus Android? I see people recommending stock, but then dont you have to deal with Sense and stuff? Or am I just missing something?

twan69666 said:
Was thinking about grabbing this phone, but what about those of us coming from stock Nexus Android? I see people recommending stock, but then dont you have to deal with Sense and stuff? Or am I just missing something?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can flash the Google play edition rom
Sent from my HTC6525LVW using Tapatalk

twan69666 said:
Was thinking about grabbing this phone, but what about those of us coming from stock Nexus Android? I see people recommending stock, but then dont you have to deal with Sense and stuff? Or am I just missing something?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've run the Stock Nexus, and LOVED IT. I also got used to Samsung's TouchWhiz, I personally like HTC's Sense. Much like ROMS, this is a personal choice. I'm sure, once I see a CM or something like that I will give it a try to check it out. Sense is not like it was a couple of years ago. It Flies. Check it out, see for your self.

NoFanboy said:
You can flash the Google play edition rom
Sent from my HTC6525LVW using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, Ive been looking that thread over and it looks like there's a couple of issues still. After looking that over I started browsing around here and thats how I found this thread. Funny nobody has recommended it yet though?
ufkal said:
I've run the Stock Nexus, and LOVED IT. I also got used to Samsung's TouchWhiz, I personally like HTC's Sense. Much like ROMS, this is a personal choice. I'm sure, once I see a CM or something like that I will give it a try to check it out. Sense is not like it was a couple of years ago. It Flies. Check it out, see for your self.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks

ufkal said:
I know this question is really subjective. I'm coming from the Note II and have not been in this forum more than a couple of days so I'm not famililar with the developers and their work.
I'm just not sure what Rom to start with.
Speed/stability. Feature Customizations, You know, General grovieness
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See if the stock will work fine for you. From there,you would know if you will still look for something better or new.

Tips for new 5 user

The Nexus 5 has been out a while. I am getting a used one from a friend. His payment: dinner at Famous Daves (his choice).
Any tips or tricks i should know about this device compared to other nexus devices? I had a galaxy nexus at one point and gave it up for the Note 2 which is what I am giving up now.
Just thought I would see if there were any quirks, good ROM's, or anything before I start using it.

Just a heads up:
Noticed your profile mentions you're on Verizon, which you can't use with the Nexus 5.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

Long story, I'm on en employee plan for an employer I'm no longer with. Been on it for 2 years after I left. I don't want to be on when they do an audit. I will be switching over to Att or cricket.

May need to replace the battery, otherwise the offer not bad.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app

You should put out after the meal
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

I've tried a few custom roms but my favorite combination on this phone is still the stock rom, rooted with Xposed framework and the Gravitybox module installed. The good thing about the N5 is there are lots of good ROMs and Kernels out there to try out. I like Xposed because it allows you to modify/add features to the the stock google experience (It's kind of a soft-mod.) Either way, a custom kernel is a must. I've tried several, but on my N5 I prefer Franco Kernel. His $2-$3 app on the play store (Franco Kernel Updater) is worth every cent. I agree with replacing the battery if the phone is a few years old.

Ben36 said:
You should put out after the meal
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Though my friend gay, I am not. So I will not be putting out to him. Maybe my wife though.

jsgates said:
I've tried a few custom roms but my favorite combination on this phone is still the stock rom, rooted with Xposed framework and the Gravitybox module installed. The good thing about the N5 is there are lots of good ROMs and Kernels out there to try out. I like Xposed because it allows you to modify/add features to the the stock google experience (It's kind of a soft-mod.) Either way, a custom kernel is a must. I've tried several, but on my N5 I prefer Franco Kernel. His $2-$3 app on the play store (Franco Kernel Updater) is worth every cent. I agree with replacing the battery if the phone is a few years old.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I saw all of the ROMs in the forums. That is something I will like. The Note 2 forums have run dry. The only ROM still being developed is CM12.1 and even that is pretty buggy. Can't keep my bluetooth on to save my life (also to connect my pebble). That forum is pretty dead now.