A thorough discussion on Custom ROMs - General Questions and Answers

Hi guys! I have quite a few questions, and I specifically didn't find any answers to mine. If you people can describe the answers to my questions I will be very grateful or give me links to where I might find answers is equally appreciated.
1. Can any ROM be used in any device?
2. What makes the same ROM different for different devices and why, say two phones having same specs and features even ?
3. I previously used a LG L70, now I'm using a Lenovo Zuk Z1, former I flashed a CM13 nightly, later came with a Cyanogen OS 12.1. The ZUK has less customization options than the CM13, at this moment I can only remember that ' Control Vibrator Intensity ' is missing. Why, is it due to different phones or COS and CM difference?
4. I don't know anything about separate kernels for android, if anyone could shed some light?
5. Custom ROM , Custom Kernel, difference ?
6. There are a lot of ROMs out there, anywhere I can find actual comparisons ? Found a YouTube video of 'Master ROM Cup 2015', in Italian, so can't really say anything about quality or authenticity
7. (i) Exposed Framework, Custom ROM, difference, advantage, disadvantage ?
(ii) I want a plethora of customizations, fingerprint sensor compatibility, better than average battery life, any recommendations ?
8. Don't know of this is a ZUK Z1 issue or COS issue, the phone has dual sim card capability, but what I didn't find is option to use Cellular Data option selection for the sims, only the data of the one inserted at sim 1 can be used, and though I have selected the option to ask to select Sim before calling, it is calling from a random Sim if I select a contact, only gives me option to select sims when I dial the whole number and press the call button !!!!!!!
Thank you Sir/Madam for reading my long post, any help will be highly appreciated.

I can answer a few of these for u-
1)Any ROM cannot be used on any device as a ROM has to be made for that particular device else the phone will possibly get bricked.
2)This could be due to the architecture difference or the components used to ensure same performance (processor,GPU, RAM etc)
3)CM13 is a mod while CMOs is an is built by the cyanogen company for the public. So the features might have been reduced.
4)A kernel is basically a part of code which runs to ensure that apps get executed properly, have enough storage space and other parameters.Different ROM's have different kernels and u can also flash kernels.
5)Custom ROM is a separate image while a custom kernel is a different part.u can flash both independently and generally custom ROM's have a custom kernel.
7)exposed framework is used to again enhance the features your current ROM might not have.Its just a set of tools made for this.The advantages would include better performance, customisation etc and the disadvantages would be that the phone could be more vulnerable to security issues.
8)from what I can tell,this could be the way the ROM is designed so as to allow data on the first sim and the same could be for the sim too.
Sent from my Moto E using Tapatalk

Cruzy12100 said:
I can answer a few of these for u-
1).......
8)from what I can tell,this could be the way the ROM is designed so as to allow data on the first sim and the same could be for the sim too.
Sent from my Moto E using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Didn't understand the last answer mate !!!!
I usually root my phone and install custom ROM to customise my phone, what else does a custom kernel offer ??

A custom kernel basically offers you different governors which can alter the way programs are executed and using custom can lead to better performance and battery savings.
Sent from my Moto E using Tapatalk

Related

Android Newb - ROM confusion

I'm very new to android dev, not new to dev in general, though.
I hear ROMs being talked about quite frequently, not sure if I'll get into it, can't seem to find an address of the specific issue:
- What is a ROM?
In the sense, is it the entire OS? Is it the OS + UI? Does it include local apps & contact storage? Like, obviously apps and contacts wouldn't be read-only, but typically ROM means PROM (or some variation (EPROM/EEPROM/FROM, whatever), so I take it with a grain of salt.
From what I gather it's the entire OS + UI, and that's all? But I'm not sure.
Also, is there ways to replace specific parts of the ROM? Ie. Say I want to make modifications to the thread scheduler but I don't want it to touch some of the reliant modules..is it possible to just drop in a new scheduler by overwriting part of the binary image? Or are these things whole-sale?
Reason simply being is I don't like the idea of some random ass ROM that somebody cooked up with god knows how much OS exp controlling everything, as it's a binary it's not like you can crack it open and diff it or anything...or there's no official forks or branches to look at, y'know? Do people just "trust" all these ROM modders/creators?
Sorry for the over-abundance of questions :-X
Oh my god it's already on page 7...bump...?
Take a look at cyanogen mod. It comes with the source which you can fork if you'd like.
Sent from my HTC Desire
ROM - its the entire visible OS that you tend to interact on your phone + the kernel (shipping just the ROM would be useless). Its pretty much every software that you need to get your work done on the phone. You may chose to install additional's but thats just accessorizing your phone. Its called ROM since once you install the OS image over the phone, the region of sd-card is generally marked read-only & you are not expected to make changes to it (concisely /system partition & also /data where the OS can do write operations but again, there are exceptions to this rule too in custom ROMs).
As for Custom ROMS, they are generally forked of the AOSP except for the little nuances the rom maker's add to them (mostly those changes are in form of theme, few apps here & there, icons, wallpapers). I think your question is more specific to custom kernel instead because thats the entity which help/harm your device.
For that, I would suggest you to pick a particular custom release (such as Netarchy, popular for Nexus S)
& read over their change-logs. The kernel devs generally do a great job of maintaining those logs precisely. The initial fork of their kernel too comes from AOSP to which they add specific features such
as ext4 fix a.k.a Turboboost, Voodoo color & sound enhancement, BLN & odd.
Hope I have allayed some of your fears regarding customs software.
Thanks.
Yeah, I just get nervous installing an OS/Kernel blindly.
Changing themes would be nice, and I'd like the ability to do so without dropping in a ROM that can potentially have changes made to the Kernel. I don't like the fact that the ROM encompasses EVERYTHING, therefore it's coupled to the fact that you need a different ROM regardless of what you change.
It should be modular enough that you can modify themes without flashing an entire OS onto it.
Also, what's the chances that if a ROM install fails, you can re-load it (ie. what are the chances of you bricking your phone)? I don't have time for that.
Next to none if you make a nandroid, which is a backup.
Sent from my myTouch 4G using XDA App
rockstarar said:
Next to none if you make a nandroid, which is a backup.
Sent from my myTouch 4G using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It says that only works for the G1.
I completely forgot to ask, apps should stay, right?
I mean they're all in user land, shouldn't have anything to do with the ROM nor actual OS....right? (probably wrong... )

general questions from a new andriod user useing the Huawei U8651T

Hi there, I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this but I can't seem to post to the treads related to what about to ask.
I just got the t-mobile prism (aka: Huawei U8651T), Its my first android phone and a good step up from having used the nokia nuron 3250. I have to say I'm a little disappointed with the most simple things that this phone doesn't do and I'm already looking into at least rooting my phone if not installing a better rom (assuming there are better roms) and that is the purposed topic of this post.
I've read up on the "How to root Huawei U8651T http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1698905 and it seems easy enough to do but I want to make sure that rooting and/or flashing to a different rom will actually fix the small disappointments I've found in my phone. Here is the list...
1, Camera options suck in just about every way. There are pathetic presets to control the white balance and other setting. I've had more options on far lesser phones. Not to mention the poor interface in general.
2. the music player has extremely simple with no built in EQ at all. This one I did find a way to overcome with a small global eq but serously the built in stuff should at least have a preset eq like jazz, rock, bass, flat etc.
3. the alarm clock and texting sounds have to be tmo's preset stuff. I can't set either to a custom ringtone or mp3. Again I found a work around for the alarm clock but not the texting and all these extra programs is steeling away the little memory space this phone has.
4. and finally I have seen programs on the apps/programs list that I can't use or find anywhere else. I'm not talking about the ones that run in the background that run say the keyboard or hardware, I'm talking programs I should be able to use.The one that pops out first is the Sound Recorder. its on there but I can't find anyway to actually use it.
So here is my questions... Will rooting my phone give me a way to change some of these issues? Will installing a different rom?
I'm also instrested in knowing what the CyanogenMod 7.2 STABLE (2.3.7) 16-06-2012 rom is really like vs the stock rom and what other roms there are out there that will work on my phone. I use would like to hear from KrisM22 if your out there but I've love anyone's knowledgeable opinion. thanks for your help.
by rooting & installing CM7 you will solve all this problems coz CM7 provides a wide variety of functionality.
3. You can set custom ringtones and notification sounds very easily. Create a folder on sd card called "media" within that folder create another folder "audio" and within that create a folder called "ringtones" for ringtones and "notifications" for notification sounds.
Sent from my MB508 using xda premium
Saw a review on the Lifehacker site for android sound recorder app.Look there.
The beats audio api is open search these forums for assistance on your handset
Try the Camera360 app gives you lots of extra amera settings.
Sent from my GT-S5660 using xda app-developers app
xTonic said:
Saw a review on the Lifehacker site for android sound recorder app.Look there.
The beats audio api is open search these forums for assistance on your handset
Try the Camera360 app gives you lots of extra amera settings.
Sent from my GT-S5660 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried several different camera apps and it all defaulted to the presets the original app had. so is it hard wired into the hardware or just the roms programing ?
Hi brothers,
I've just been flashed Cy 7.2 on my T-mo prism. But i forgot to back up stock roms. That so bad. Does anyone here have a backup image or stock rom of T-mobile prism ? Please help me!!!
thanh.png said:
Hi brothers,
I've just been flashed Cy 7.2 on my T-mo prism. But i forgot to back up stock roms. That so bad. Does anyone here have a backup image or stock rom of T-mobile prism ? Please help me!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well once I commit to doing this I'll be backing up mine that I can send along to you. But tell me having run the other rom how does your phone like it? Does it address the issues I've posted? Give me your review please
This rom works quite well for me -> http://www.mediafire.com/?zr5x3lb9xr0kvvf
more info
Cool can tell me more about it? Do a review on it for me please
Well, I just like the way the screens look with the rom...you have to manually install a camera app, music app, and file manager, because the ZaD!!RoM didn't come with them. Also, the phone would shut down occasionally due to overclocking, so I had to adjust that too.
I guess what I'm saying is the ZaD!!RoM is good if you like to do a lot of your own customizing/tweaking. Otherwise, try the Cyanogenmod rom.
Good luck!
thanh.png said:
Hi brothers,
I've just been flashed Cy 7.2 on my T-mo prism. But i forgot to back up stock roms. That so bad. Does anyone here have a backup image or stock rom of T-mobile prism ? Please help me!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here is the stock rom http://www.mediafire.com/?hxwhsh7wtug1cqw
how to reimage u8651t and eliminate cwm?
D1358531 said:
Here is the stock rom
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much for place the link on the stock rom. I am trying to recover the phone back to factory WITHOUT CWM as the boot loader. I am trying to follow instructions of how to reflash in the XDA forums but run into a brick wall for the update.app is not in the stock rom that you provided. Is there something you can do to help on this?
Thanks
I'm trying to follow veer1238 instructions but do not have the update.app. Help please!:crying:
Uh Oh!
I have a T-Mobile Prism that I need to unroot and turn it back into factory conditions. There is a problem though, when I flash the factory rom, the custom recovery flashes it then it says installation aborted. I really need to fix this since I formatted the /system. Thank you for your response.
Info:
Device: T-Mobile Prism U8651T
Custom Recovery: CWM-based Recovery v6.0.1.0
Rom: Cyanogenmod 7.2 UNOFFICIAL
iamfennec said:
Hi there, I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this but I can't seem to post to the treads related to what about to ask.
I just got the t-mobile prism (aka: Huawei U8651T), Its my first android phone and a good step up from having used the nokia nuron 3250. I have to say I'm a little disappointed with the most simple things that this phone doesn't do and I'm already looking into at least rooting my phone if not installing a better rom (assuming there are better roms) and that is the purposed topic of this post.
I've read up on the "How to root Huawei U8651T http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1698905 and it seems easy enough to do but I want to make sure that rooting and/or flashing to a different rom will actually fix the small disappointments I've found in my phone. Here is the list...
1, Camera options suck in just about every way. There are pathetic presets to control the white balance and other setting. I've had more options on far lesser phones. Not to mention the poor interface in general.
2. the music player has extremely simple with no built in EQ at all. This one I did find a way to overcome with a small global eq but serously the built in stuff should at least have a preset eq like jazz, rock, bass, flat etc.
3. the alarm clock and texting sounds have to be tmo's preset stuff. I can't set either to a custom ringtone or mp3. Again I found a work around for the alarm clock but not the texting and all these extra programs is steeling away the little memory space this phone has.
4. and finally I have seen programs on the apps/programs list that I can't use or find anywhere else. I'm not talking about the ones that run in the background that run say the keyboard or hardware, I'm talking programs I should be able to use.The one that pops out first is the Sound Recorder. its on there but I can't find anyway to actually use it.
So here is my questions... Will rooting my phone give me a way to change some of these issues? Will installing a different rom?
I'm also instrested in knowing what the CyanogenMod 7.2 STABLE (2.3.7) 16-06-2012 rom is really like vs the stock rom and what other roms there are out there that will work on my phone. I use would like to hear from KrisM22 if your out there but I've love anyone's knowledgeable opinion. thanks for your help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Removing these apps(With Titanium backup) and installing play store alternatives is a good start but cm works too.
Poweramp is a good music app that lets you tune eq with the freq.
Stock roms usually suck until they are messed with.
(As you can see I like to modify stock to my whims and I dont like custom roms, only custom kernels)
You can try my tool in my signature because it has a rooting feature.
But if your running android 4.0 or above it wont root
In that case you will have to look for device specific methods.

[Q] single rom for multiple devices

guys i was thinking recently that all apps in android are modular i.e. they manage to fit themselves in any phone of different resolution or configuration,the same version of a particular app runs fine even on a low budget phone as well as a high end phone and sometimes even on tablet.the roms are comprised of many such apps ,android is modular and everything even lockscreen and settings are apps.
My point is if a single rom can be made which will be compatible with maximum number of mobiles . i do realise that there may be a few problems with wifi, bluetooth and maybe camera .but the first step is to get the rom booting.and of course kernels will have to be different for different devices,and maybe the problems with wifi can be solved by flashing kernel specific modules.
if this concept is feasible then the effort of porting roms and uploading them will be negligible .
if you think that this concept is new and innovative please reply and hit the thanks button

Suggestations for ROM Developers

Hello Experts,
Even though, I don't knows "A" of "Android", but after playing around couple of ROMs with my rooted OnePlus One device, I have below wish/suggestions for ROM developers :
1.There should be two type of ROM installation i.e. custom and default installation. In custom installation user should have options (recommended by ROM team) to choose the rom compatible apps like browser,email clients,camera app, audio and video player app,file explorer,launcher,Gapps,theme etc.
2.Which app, mod/zip have been flashed/uninstalled after installing rom i.e. mod/app history.
3.Suppose I am going to install a new app/mod, rom should tell me that this new app/mod will affect in these areas of phone, if it not compatible with rom and still user is going to install, then there should be a place like "Uncompilable Installed Apps" with the details that why it is not compatible with this kernel,rom and/or device.
4.Forthcoming release will have these features and expected date of release.
5.ROM comparison option/app i.e. this ROM have/have not these features in compare to other market roms.
Obviously, ROM developers do their hard work without any monetary gain and my above "suggestions" are like they are paid for it, but whenever I gets some idea popped up, I writes in the forum, so that if I am suffering by "Bad Ideas Syndrome", then I will be stand corrected by your replies. I don't know how good or bad I have idea for ROM developers, but just sharing though.
Thanks and Regards
Girish Sharma
GirishSharma said:
Hello Experts,
Even though, I don't knows "A" of "Android", but after playing around couple of ROMs with my rooted OnePlus One device, I have below wish/suggestions for ROM developers :
1.There should be two type of ROM installation i.e. custom and default installation. In custom installation user should have options (recommended by ROM team) to choose the rom compatible apps like browser,email clients,camera app, audio and video player app,file explorer,launcher,Gapps,theme etc.
2.Which app, mod/zip have been flashed/uninstalled after installing rom i.e. mod/app history.
3.Suppose I am going to install a new app/mod, rom should tell me that this new app/mod will affect in these areas of phone, if it not compatible with rom and still user is going to install, then there should be a place like "Uncompilable Installed Apps" with the details that why it is not compatible with this kernel,rom and/or device.
4.Forthcoming release will have these features and expected date of release.
5.ROM comparison option/app i.e. this ROM have/have not these features in compare to other market roms.
Obviously, ROM developers do their hard work without any monetary gain and my above "suggestions" are like they are paid for it, but whenever I gets some idea popped up, I writes in the forum, so that if I am suffering by "Bad Ideas Syndrome", then I will be stand corrected by your replies. I don't know how good or bad I have idea for ROM developers, but just sharing though.
Thanks and Regards
Girish Sharma
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i think these points youve taken has been addressed ..
1. its always been indicated on which is better, either clean or dirty flash
2. always posted based on the file being uploaded , included on changelogs most of the time.
3. this is usually on the user side.. thats why its been posted, and users tend to report if theres any problem or not on the said file being uploaded, usually reports has been posted with specific logs on why these apps did not work on the user side..
4. ETA is not always advisable.. developers are doing this for free.. unless its really something they earn money for..
5. rom comparison is always on the user side.. users are free to download any rom available and test all they want..
Hi Cebu,
Thanks for your participation in the thread. But, your point-wise replies do not match with what I have posted. Let me elaborate me.
1.Suppose you have cooked a rom, so I think there should be two types of installation (A) Standard/Default (B) Custom. If I opted (A) then there will be apps which you have provided by default, but if I opted Custom, then there should be options for selections of apps like I wish to have X Camera app, Y Browser, Z email client etc. like that.
2.Suppose today I ported XYZ rom, and after 2 days, I installed an app or flashed a mod. On the 3rd day I installed another app/mod. On the 4th day I uninstalled one app which I installed before 2 days... so there should be a place where I can see the app's installation and uninstallation log/activity.
3.There should be place where user can be aware that after installation of an app/mod/zip will have impact on these areas.
4.Agree that developers are doing the programming as and when they gets time, but forthcoming feature list and/or on which part they are working should be there.
5.Suppose I have X ROM, so in the rom itself, there should be a place where rom comparison can be viewed.
GirishSharma said:
Hi Cebu,
Thanks for your participation in the thread. But, your point-wise replies do not match with what I have posted. Let me elaborate me.
1.Suppose you have cooked a rom, so I think there should be two types of installation (A) Standard/Default (B) Custom. If I opted (A) then there will be apps which you have provided by default, but if I opted Custom, then there should be options for selections of apps like I wish to have X Camera app, Y Browser, Z email client etc. like that.
2.Suppose today I ported XYZ rom, and after 2 days, I installed an app or flashed a mod. On the 3rd day I installed another app/mod. On the 4th day I uninstalled one app which I installed before 2 days... so there should be a place where I can see the app's installation and uninstallation log/activity.
3.There should be place where user can be aware that after installation of an app/mod/zip will have impact on these areas.
4.Agree that developers are doing the programming as and when they gets time, but forthcoming feature list and/or on which part they are working should be there.
5.Suppose I have X ROM, so in the rom itself, there should be a place where rom comparison can be viewed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Comparing roms is pointless. It is up to each.
Eta are never given.
There is no telling if an app or a mod will effect anything. That is up to you. You have to do proper research. Remember this is a developers forum.
Some roms use aroma installers but they can be buggy.
You have to remember that roms are not made for users. They are made for the devs and they decide to share it.

Help Me Debloating Samsung A51 Android 12

I am using Samsung A51 running on Android 12. My device is lagging since last few days. I want to debloat my device. I had debloated once, but it stopped working settings app when it was running on android 11.
I need the debloating list which don't crash any essential app.
Please help me.
hello, for more comfortable debloating i will recommend you to use ADBAppControl.
i do not know by what way i debloadted my phone, but in that programm you have a feature of backing up the .apk file of the application you uninstalled.
You can debloat your phone by this tactic
1. Debloat your phone without uninstalling system applications;
2. Debloat your phone by uninstalling samsung applications (samsung free, samsung galaxy friends);
* If you want more, you can follow this site: https://www.alliancex.org/shield/apps.html
or (i do not think, really) flash a custom ROM, like elementary OS
If it was help, let me know)
vmirrimv said:
hello, for more comfortable debloating i will recommend you to use ADBAppControl.
i do not know by what way i debloadted my phone, but in that programm you have a feature of backing up the .apk file of the application you uninstalled.
You can debloat your phone by this tactic
1. Debloat your phone without uninstalling system applications;
2. Debloat your phone by uninstalling samsung applications (samsung free, samsung galaxy friends);
* If you want more, you can follow this site: https://www.alliancex.org/shield/apps.html
or (i do not think, really) flash a custom ROM, like elementary OS
If it was help, let me know)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks a lot. I'll give a try.
Hello, by the way, now I want to go back to the custom ROM, and I may make a video about what I will be able to remove from the phone avoiding future bugs and problems. if you want
vmirrimv said:
Hello, by the way, now I want to go back to the custom ROM, and I may make a video about what I will be able to remove from the phone avoiding future bugs and problems. if you want
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, give me the video link.
hello, wait about 30 minutes
THE video is done! But I am sorry about its quality
Leave a feedback, if it helps)
Just debloated by this way. But the ram usage is same.
i would say it is the problem of the ROM, because it uses another frameworks for modules of wi-fi, for example or of mobile communication.
When I used SuperiorOS, where the most programm part has been built as open-source, the usage was at least 2 times less.
But you should not only focus on RAM usage, because those apps drain you battery and internet traffic, too
vmirrimv said:
i would say it is the problem of the ROM, because it uses another frameworks for modules of wi-fi, for example or of mobile communication.
When I used SuperiorOS, where the most programm part has been built as open-source, the usage was at least 2 times less.
But you should not only focus on RAM usage, because those apps drain you battery and internet traffic, too
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any bug free custom rom?
Sorry i did not get you, can you type it in another words?
Do you have any custom rom without any error/faults?
If you ask me, I do not have, but I can advise ROMs from another users of XDA
They are like SuperiorOS (with custom kernel installed, for avoiding MTP issue, with GAPPS), ElemantaryOS or Refined UI
Other ROMs I simply do not perceive as something needed to do so (because of its quality).
But you need understand, that nobody except of the manufacturer will create a bug-free OS for the certain phone, I think.
But custom ROMs like ElementaryOS and Refined UI ones seem to be a good choice, because they has been created by modifying the stock ROM
And there is also the question you need to ask youself: why do I need it?
If answers are like I want a faster experience or new features then I would say that it's not worth it
I think the problem is, that you do not want to use your device as it was intented to be, but you want to play with it by modifying and so one.
If it is, then I would say that this way of spending time is void and meaningless
vmirrimv said:
And there is also the question you need to ask youself: why do I need it?
If answers are like I want a faster experience or new features then I would say that it's not worth it
I think the problem is, that you do not want to use your device as it was intented to be, but you want to play with it by modifying and so one.
If it is, then I would say that this way of spending time is void and meaningless
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
U didn't get me. I want a minimalistic lightweight OS with less ram and battery usage. I used elementary os running on android 11. I have come to stock rom for android 12. And i did very wrong.
So then, I will recommend you SuperiorOS, but there are some bugs with Bluetooth and MTP. Although, I think, there are no official supported custom ROMs for SM-A515F.
But if you want to flash this ROM on your phone, you will need to downgrade (roll back) your Android version to 11 (as I tried on 12th, it did not work).
vmirrimv said:
So then, I will recommend you SuperiorOS, but there are some bugs with Bluetooth and MTP. Although, I think, there are no official supported custom ROMs for SM-A515F.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you give me the link please !!

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