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[Q] about ROM updates and nexus 4

Hello,
since getting my nexus 4 couple of days ago, i've been reading all I can about rooting and such.
I think I got the gist of it but there are still some questions that bug me.
1) When installing a custom ROM what exactly the procedure for updating it. Do I need to reflash each time an update is out or can I use some kind of OTA style update ?
2) If I have 4.2.1 on my phone now, can I put for example a 4.2 or even a 4.1 ROM ? Can I go lower than that or it is impossible to go lower than what the phone comes with from the factory, in my case 4.2
3) I think i'll probably go with Cyanogen but they don t have a release build for 4.2 yet and I see nightlyes are released almost daily. Is there a simple way to receive the updates without reflashing ?
4) Can I mix kernels and ROMs or should I check which custom kernel each ROM maker recommends ?
thanks.

[Q] Total newbie on Android, some simple quesitons.

Hi people of XDA-Developers, I have a few questions to ask about Android, I've been an iOS user for around 3-4 years and I was very familiar with jailbreaking, iOS softwares, and almost everything. I knew what to do on exactly every situation but then I got bored of iOS and then I thought of switching into a better OS and I thought Android was good. Now I'm in Android and I don't understand a single thing about it. Compared to Android, iOS is a lot simpler, easier but also boring. You can play around with the Android but I really don't understand much. By miracle I didn't brick my phone after attempting to Root it, I was so lucky that it worked because I didn't know what I was doing . So here are my info and some questions.
Phone:
-Samsung Galaxy S4 (T-Mobile)
-SGH-M919
-Android 4.2.2
Questions:
1- Ok, so I have Android 4.2.2 on SGH-M919 which is on T-Mobile, I bought the phone on the US but then I left to another country (Panama), I want to upgrade from 4.2.2 to 4.3 and I want to know if it is already available because some websites say that it's coming on the 18th of November. I want to know if it is available.
2- If so, why can't I download it? When I do software update it says that: "Your device has been modified. Software updates are not available", I already used Triangle away to reset the times flashed and it's already on the "System: Official" (it was on "System: Modified") , I've already erased the cache and even factory reset.
3- I've seen somewhere on Google that you can manually update it (with Odin and/or with an external SD card)
4- Not that I really care THAT much about updating but what I want to do is to flash it to a ROM, in this case, the PACman ROM. But it says PACman 4.3 and I don't know if it is possible to use the 4.3 version on the 4.2.2 Android and I won't risk it so I want to know if there is a way around it. I really want to flash it before moving everything from my iPhone to my Galaxy.
I would really appreciate if you answered these questions, the simplest way possible, please and thank you in advance.

Phone:
-Samsung Galaxy S4 (T-Mobile)
-SGH-M919
-Android 4.2.2
Questions:
1- Ok, so I have Android 4.2.2 on SGH-M919 which is on T-Mobile, I bought the phone on the US but then I left to another country (Panama), I want to upgrade from 4.2.2 to 4.3 and I want to know if it is already available because some websites say that it's coming on the 18th of November. I want to know if it is available.
IIt is available from some carriers now via OTA upgrade and more carriers are releasing it currently.
2- If so, why can't I download it? When I do software update it says that: "Your device has been modified. Software updates are not available", I already used Triangle away to reset the times flashed and it's already on the "System: Official" (it was on "System: Modified") , I've already erased the cache and even factory reset.
3- I've seen somewhere on Google that you can manually update it (with Odin and/or with an external SD card)
4- Not that I really care THAT much about updating but what I want to do is to flash it to a ROM, in this case, the PACman ROM. But it says PACman 4.3 and I don't know if it is possible to use the 4.3 version on the 4.2.2 Android and I won't risk it so I want to know if there is a way around it. I really want to flash it before moving everything from my iPhone to my to my Galaxy.
You can run PACman 4.3 on the S4, but going from 4.2.2 to 4.3 you should do a full wipe first to prevent any install issues. 4.3 is just an upgraded version of 4.2.2 and is still in the JellyBean series.You can find the PACman Development thread here:http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2295673

Lord of the Droids said:
Phone:
-Samsung Galaxy S4 (T-Mobile)
-SGH-M919
-Android 4.2.2
Questions:
1- Ok, so I have Android 4.2.2 on SGH-M919 which is on T-Mobile, I bought the phone on the US but then I left to another country (Panama), I want to upgrade from 4.2.2 to 4.3 and I want to know if it is already available because some websites say that it's coming on the 18th of November. I want to know if it is available.
IIt is available from some carriers now via OTA upgrade and more carriers are releasing it currently.
2- If so, why can't I download it? When I do software update it says that: "Your device has been modified. Software updates are not available", I already used Triangle away to reset the times flashed and it's already on the "System: Official" (it was on "System: Modified") , I've already erased the cache and even factory reset.
3- I've seen somewhere on Google that you can manually update it (with Odin and/or with an external SD card)
4- Not that I really care THAT much about updating but what I want to do is to flash it to a ROM, in this case, the PACman ROM. But it says PACman 4.3 and I don't know if it is possible to use the 4.3 version on the 4.2.2 Android and I won't risk it so I want to know if there is a way around it. I really want to flash it before moving everything from my iPhone to my to my Galaxy.
You can run PACman 4.3 on the S4, but going from 4.2.2 to 4.3 you should do a full wipe first to prevent any install issues. 4.3 is just an upgraded version of 4.2.2 and is still in the JellyBean series.You can find the PACman Development thread here:http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2295673
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Click to collapse
Ohh now I get it, now I updated from 4.2.2 to PAC 4.3.1. I think I understand how this works. The PAC 4.3.1 is just like an update, I thought you had to be on the same version to flash ROMs. Thank you for your response :good:
There's one more question, now that I have PACman, it comes with Trebuchet, I want to know if it's possible to organize the apps in my App Drawer in a custom way, not my name or by the date installed. If yes, how. If no, is there a way around it? If yes, which one. Thank you in advance.

[Q] [NOOB] Flash a 4.4.2 custom rom over a 4.3 firmware ok?

I had some trouble rooting after I first did a 4.4.2 OTA. So I downgraded to 4.3 and got root and installed TWRP without any trouble.
So from a 4.3 firmware I went to Cyanogenmod (Android 4.4.2). Is that ok ? Or do I need to upgrade radio, boot or other parts that dont come with a custom rom? In other words: is a (rooted) 4.4.2 firmware a precondition for installing alternative 4.4.2 roms?

Well, everything might not work perfectly as many things (though little) changed from 4.3 to 4.4. Yup, most of those things (radio,etc) change, flashing a cm11 rom wont change those and cm will most likely need them. Better to upgrade to 4.4. Also, does ART (new kitkat runtime) need anything new from kernel or anything? I don't see anyone who seems to have tried this and might mostly not work.
Also, What root trouble did you have? Easier to solve that issue than deal with any new issues that might arise from this.

hemanthmahesh said:
Well, everything might not work perfectly as many things (though little) changed from 4.3 to 4.4. Yup, most of those things (radio,etc) change, flashing a cm11 rom wont change those and cm will most likely need them. Better to upgrade to 4.4. Also, does ART (new kitkat runtime) need anything new from kernel or anything? I don't see anyone who seems to have tried this and might mostly not work.
Also, What root trouble did you have? Easier to solve that issue than deal with any new issues that might arise from this.
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Click to collapse
Thanks. I will look into that. The kernel is included in a ROM though wright? So that wont be an issue I guess... But just to be save I'll flash 4.4.2 firmware and start from there. My problem was I actually got root, but flashed custom roms always got stuck in the boot animation. The thread on that is here.

[Q] Update strategy for rooted One Mini

hey there,
I have a rooted One Mini which runs on Android 4.3 at the moment. A few days ago, I have recieved the update info for Kitkat 4.4.2.
Now I know that I can not use the regular update on a rooted phone and for the time beeing, I don't even feel the need to upgrade. However, I was wondering about the general problem:
First, I thought about doing a full backup (Nandroid), then flashing back to stock, getting the official update and then flashing the nandroid backup back. However, I realized that makes no sense, since a nandroid backup contains all partitions and therefore would simply overwrite the updated system...right?
Now the question is: what is the most convenient way to stay updated on a rooted phone? Do I really need to flash back to stock, do the update and then go through the root process again each time?
thanks for any info and clarifying!
brokaaa

normally the devs here are much faster in providing an updated ROM then many carriers are with giving you an OTA

I'd go back to stock and take the update. 4.3 was a mistake in my opinion. Att skipped it completely and went from 4.2.2 to 4.4.2 all in one update. Lol or just flash cm11 which is a better choice yet seeing as its already pretty stable and very fast.
Sent from my One Mini using Tapatalk

Why upgrade to 4.4.4?

I'm currently on rooted 4.4 (19.5.3), and I'm debating whether to flash to 4.4.4 or wait till Android L is released. I'm still on locked bootloader and I'm not in a hurry to unlock it via Sunshine if I'm staying with 4.4. Sunshine is great BTW, unlocked the wife's Moto X with it. But even with her phone, I kept it on 4.4.2 to stay on the older bootloader because the way I understand it, once you upgrade to 4.4.4, you will not be able to downgrade to anything lower. So, my logic is, keep it on 4.4, locked, until the landscape is clear unless there are real compelling reasons to unlock and upgrade now. So that is the question, are there any advantages to upgrading other than security and other small improvements? I've flashed the 4.4.4 radios and it didn't improve my reception at all, if anything, it made it worse! It switches to 3G at the house a lot where it used to stay at 4G but I don't care since I'm on wifi. The only thing I really want is the KK dialer which 4.4.4 does not have. I've also switched to the AOSP email apks which I love. Other little interface changes were applied with GravityBox and other Xposed modules. I'm pretty happy where the phone is, what are you guys' thoughts?

Here is the change log you should weight against; https://motorola-global-portal.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/100660
I know the bluetooth issue was enough for me to upgrade, finally fixed that issue. Not sure but don't you have to upgrade to this version before upgrading to the next version, if it is L or not?

Thanks for that link. What was the Bluetooth issue in your case? I've Bluetooth'd to my cars just fine. I don't know if 4.4.4 is an prerequisite for Android L, but I've read that it has a new boot loader that can't be downgraded. So if I felt like trying a JB ROM capable of overclocking, I'm out of luck. Not that I would go that route, I really like KK. Just wished it was closer to stock like the Moto X. Which as Topsnake pointed out is a good reason to unlock boot loader to flash his ROM. LOL. I think the bottom line is, I want to wait so I don't close off doors like the guys that upgraded to 4.4.4 before Sunshine came out did.

Johnny Wong said:
Thanks for that link. What was the Bluetooth issue in your case? I've Bluetooth'd to my cars just fine. I don't know if 4.4.4 is an prerequisite for Android L, but I've read that it has a new boot loader that can't be downgraded. So if I felt like trying a JB ROM capable of overclocking, I'm out of luck. Not that I would go that route, I really like KK. Just wished it was closer to stock like the Moto X. Which as Topsnake pointed out is a good reason to unlock boot loader to flash his ROM. LOL. I think the bottom line is, I want to wait so I don't close off doors like the guys that upgraded to 4.4.4 before Sunshine came out did.
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Click to collapse
Well if you unlock your guaranteed root regardless of any updates

IMHO, I would just hang off updating to 4.4.4. Here's why:
1. If you change your mind, you can unlock the bootloader and that is rarely a negative thing.
2. You can root your phone and flash custom recoveries. Having root permissions gives you unbelievable control and customization. Custom recoveries will definitely save you some unnecessary grief in case you make a mistake. It's very hard to brick your phone with a good recovery like TWRP or CWM.
3. You can flash Android L based ROMS which I'm sure will be coming out soon. ASOP, AOKP and stock unbloated ROMS give your phone a brand new life and a bit more battery life.

You can just unlock your phone's BL and stay in 4.4, just like now...

Johnny Wong said:
Thanks for that link. What was the Bluetooth issue in your case? I've Bluetooth'd to my cars just fine. I don't know if 4.4.4 is an prerequisite for Android L, but I've read that it has a new boot loader that can't be downgraded. So if I felt like trying a JB ROM capable of overclocking, I'm out of luck. Not that I would go that route, I really like KK. Just wished it was closer to stock like the Moto X. Which as Topsnake pointed out is a good reason to unlock boot loader to flash his ROM. LOL. I think the bottom line is, I want to wait so I don't close off doors like the guys that upgraded to 4.4.4 before Sunshine came out did.
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Click to collapse
Yes you are correct, once you move to 4.4.4 you cannot go back due to the new boot-loader not being backwards compatible. My Bluetooth issues were with any Bluetooth device it would constantly blip randomly via my car or anything connected via Bluetooth. Moto pushes out the updates to devices in order (i.e. you have to go from 4.2 to 4.4 to 4.4.4 to L), but if you obtain the update files manually you may be able to skip 4.4.4 and go straight to the next one (if that even is L or not), but that is a big maybe.