Related
i'll try to be brief:
-if i root my phone (s3 mini), will samsung updates cause problems? would you suggest that i also flash the ROM (to smth custom like cyanogenMod)
-does the utility to root the phone provide a full backup of the stock firmware and data? so, if smth goes wrong i can revert back to stock (with my apps and settings. at worst, default factory settings).
-if i flash the ROM, will i lose anything? -say- will i lose proprietary stuff like touchwiz?
-do custom ROMs use the latest android version (that's one of the reasons that i wanna root & flash: to be up to date to latest android version)?
-can custom ROMs update to newer android versions automatically? or do i have to flash again and again everytime there is a new android update?
When I rooted my Galaxy S3 the status of the phone (visible in the preferences/device info) changed to "modified" and I stopped getting updates from Samsung (when checking for updates it said that I had a modified system so I wouldn't be able to get any updates). If you flash a ROM you will indeed loose everything, including Touchwiz, but if you backup your personal data then loosing Touchwiz could be a good thing, at least it was for me. I prefer Cyanogenmod.
Flashing ROMs is frequently done because you actually want to loose all that proprietary bloatware. Custom ROMs also can give you access to the latest Android version right away, wich is a lot faster than waiting months to get last year's version through Samsung. This is one of the main reasons why I decided to flash my phone. I don't use all the "features" that Samsung implements and with Cyanogenmod 10.1 my phone feels faster and has longer battery life.
As for updating, each ROM has different ways of handling it. Cyanogenmod has OTA updates which you can access through your phone "Settings/About phone" section and it will automatically flash them for you.
wtx1033 said:
i'll try to be brief:
-if i root my phone (s3 mini), will samsung updates cause problems? would you suggest that i also flash the ROM (to smth custom like cyanogenMod)
-does the utility to root the phone provide a full backup of the stock firmware and data? so, if smth goes wrong i can revert back to stock (with my apps and settings. at worst, default factory settings).
-if i flash the ROM, will i lose anything? -say- will i lose proprietary stuff like touchwiz?
-do custom ROMs use the latest android version (that's one of the reasons that i wanna root: to be up to date to latest android version)?
-can custom ROMs update to newer android versions automatically? or do i have to flash again and again everytime there is a new android update?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hcengar said:
When I rooted my Galaxy S3 the status of the phone (visible in the preferences/device info) changed to "modified" and I stopped getting updates from Samsung (when checking for updates it said that I had a modified system so I wouldn't be able to get any updates). If you flash a ROM you will indeed loose everything, including Touchwiz, but if you backup your personal data then loosing Touchwiz could be a good thing, at least it was for me. I prefer Cyanogenmod.
Flashing ROMs is frequently done because you actually want to loose all that proprietary bloatware. Custom ROMs also can give you access to the latest Android version right away, wich is a lot faster than waiting months to get last year's version through Samsung. This is one of the main reasons why I decided to flash my phone. I don't use all the "features" that Samsung implements and with Cyanogenmod 10.1 my phone feels faster and has longer battery life.
As for updating, each ROM has different ways of handling it. Cyanogenmod has OTA updates which you can access through your phone "Settings/About phone" section and it will automatically flash them for you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank you
the replies were as i hoped i am gonna root and flash soon.
but i am still looking for a reply to this one:
does the utility to root the phone also provides a full backup of the stock firmware and data? so, if smth goes wrong i can revert back to stock (with my apps and settings. at worst, default factory settings).
wtx1033 said:
thank you
the replies were as i hoped i am gonna root and flash soon.
but i am still looking for a reply to this one:
does the utility to root the phone also provides a full backup of the stock firmware and data? so, if smth goes wrong i can revert back to stock (with my apps and settings. at worst, default factory settings).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. You can use clockwork mod (cwm) to backup everything. Its recommended to take your backup using cwm before flashing a custom Rom. So that whenever you want your stock back or something with your new rom goes wrong you can revert back. You can use cwm to restore or use Odin which will make your device like when you bought it. You can restore the data alone using advance restore and your device will be like before flashing custom rom.
haridevil99 said:
Yes. You can use clockwork mod (cwm) to backup everything. Its recommended to take your backup using cwm before flashing a custom Rom. So that whenever you want your stock back or something with your new rom goes wrong you can revert back. You can use cwm to restore or use Odin which will make your device like when you bought it. You can restore the data alone using advance restore and your device will be like before flashing custom rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i guess, if smth goes bad during rooting i cannot revert back. since for backup one needs to root the device beforehand. is this right?
wtx1033 said:
i guess, if smth goes bad during rooting i cannot revert back. since for backup one needs to root the device beforehand. is this right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont think cwm needs root access to take a backup. And you can rely on odin always if you got stock rom. So something goes wrong, Odin to the rescue.. So try taking backup with cwm first then root. Anyway if the root update was made for your device then its very very rare for things to go wrong.
I am new to android. I got sick of apps not being able to write to my SD card so I eventually got the guts to attempt rooting (which worked) and then I even convinced myself to try and install TWRP because I heard I can type commands in there to get my device still rooted after encrypting since superSU does not work after encryption (not tried it yet).
I updated to a new version of TWRP 2.8 I think? Any way, what kind of safety net do I have now? I am in the process of doing a fresh backup (everything ticked) with this new version of TWRP and I will trash the old one once this is done. I had zero intentions of flashing custom OS' on my Galaxy S4 mini (I9195 LTE) for fear of bricking my first ever brand new android phone.
Once this backup is created (and duplicated on every damn hard drive I have for backup purposes...) what kind of protection is this? Could I experiment with Cyanogen Mod and have no fear of it failing to load, have problems with it once installed, something go wrong and phone won't boot up? Would I be able to load my backup into TWRP and magically the phone would be in the state it is in today, rooted and everything?
If there are any things I should know I would appreciate being made aware of them before I dare proceed with any (what I assume would be potentially dangerous things) flashing custom roms etc because I want to always ensure I can get my phone to exactly the state it is now, with all my google apps still installed and everything. With everything ticked on my backup, is there anything that wouldn't be able to be restored, as in apps/data or anything?
Sorry for sounding like a noob, but as far as android and flashing is concerned, I am a noob.
tldr; Essentially I just want to be informed, as well as I can be, as to what I can now do (that I have TWRP installed and made a backup) and what I still shouldn't do, what isn't covered in a backup with all boxes ticked etc.
Morthawt said:
I am new to android. I got sick of apps not being able to write to my SD card so I eventually got the guts to attempt rooting (which worked) and then I even convinced myself to try and install TWRP because I heard I can type commands in there to get my device still rooted after encrypting since superSU does not work after encryption (not tried it yet).
I updated to a new version of TWRP 2.8 I think? Any way, what kind of safety net do I have now? I am in the process of doing a fresh backup (everything ticked) with this new version of TWRP and I will trash the old one once this is done. I had zero intentions of flashing custom OS' on my Galaxy S4 mini (I9195 LTE) for fear of bricking my first ever brand new android phone.
Once this backup is created (and duplicated on every damn hard drive I have for backup purposes...) what kind of protection is this? Could I experiment with Cyanogen Mod and have no fear of it failing to load, have problems with it once installed, something go wrong and phone won't boot up? Would I be able to load my backup into TWRP and magically the phone would be in the state it is in today, rooted and everything?
If there are any things I should know I would appreciate being made aware of them before I dare proceed with any (what I assume would be potentially dangerous things) flashing custom roms etc because I want to always ensure I can get my phone to exactly the state it is now, with all my google apps still installed and everything. With everything ticked on my backup, is there anything that wouldn't be able to be restored, as in apps/data or anything?
Sorry for sounding like a noob, but as far as android and flashing is concerned, I am a noob.
tldr; Essentially I just want to be informed, as well as I can be, as to what I can now do (that I have TWRP installed and made a backup) and what I still shouldn't do, what isn't covered in a backup with all boxes ticked etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The backup covers /system (Android OS with settings) /data (all user apps with settings) /EFS (Latest TWRP should backup this, too - MOST IMPORTANT as it stores your IMEI and baseband code) /boot (kernel) + caches (not that important)
In any case your phone has a "DOWNLOAD" mode integrated in the bootloader that will allow you to restore all partitions except "EFS" by flashing the stock firmware via ODIN. So as long as you have a EFS backup and nandroid backup and you don't screw up the phones bootloader (You could do this by flashing a firmware for another (incompatible) Samsung model via ODIN) you're on the safe side. You stock rom backup or a custom rom backup can easily be restored via TWRP. Even if TWRP brakes, you can flash it again via ODIN as long as your bootloader is fine.
LS.xD said:
The backup covers /system (Android OS with settings) /data (all user apps with settings) /EFS (Latest TWRP should backup this, too - MOST IMPORTANT as it stores your IMEI and baseband code) /boot (kernel) + caches (not that important)
In any case your phone has a "DOWNLOAD" mode integrated in the bootloader that will allow you to restore all partitions except "EFS" by flashing the stock firmware via ODIN. So as long as you have a EFS backup and nandroid backup and you don't screw up the phones bootloader (You could do this by flashing a firmware for another (incompatible) Samsung model via ODIN) you're on the safe side. You stock rom backup or a custom rom backup can easily be restored via TWRP. Even if TWRP brakes, you can flash it again via ODIN as long as your bootloader is fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, so Odin is the only thing that could screw my phone up, given that I have a backup? What about if I attempt to install an incompatible rom via TWRP? Is that just as dangerous? Also if I were to some how screw up the bootloader, how would I fix that? In what circumstance might the bootloader get screwed up? From putting a custom mod on? Or is the bootloader getting screwed something specifically I would have to foolishly mess with?
If I download a cyanogen mod zip file and do the install through TWRP, would that essentially wipe everything and start completely fresh with the new OS as a virgin clean OS? Then I am correct, I hope, that if I want to get back my phone how it is now, with the stock firmware, rooted I would just do an install on TWRP and choose the backup and it would just make everything as it is currently? Even if it were screwed up and unable to boot into an OS? If that is the case, I would be a lot more open to trying different mods.
If I do try a custom rom like Cyanogen, is there an official way to get the google apps like playstore and gmail etc on it? I have seen random guides with strange links like "trust us this is a legit download!" Hmm...
Sorry for all the questions guys, I am just trying to become educated on key things before I attempt any other further things.
Morthawt said:
Ok, so Odin is the only thing that could screw my phone up, given that I have a backup? What about if I attempt to install an incompatible rom via TWRP? Is that just as dangerous? Also if I were to some how screw up the bootloader, how would I fix that? In what circumstance might the bootloader get screwed up? From putting a custom mod on? Or is the bootloader getting screwed something specifically I would have to foolishly mess with?
If I download a cyanogen mod zip file and do the install through TWRP, would that essentially wipe everything and start completely fresh with the new OS as a virgin clean OS? Then I am correct, I hope, that if I want to get back my phone how it is now, with the stock firmware, rooted I would just do an install on TWRP and choose the backup and it would just make everything as it is currently? Even if it were screwed up and unable to boot into an OS? If that is the case, I would be a lot more open to trying different mods.
If I do try a custom rom like Cyanogen, is there an official way to get the google apps like playstore and gmail etc on it? I have seen random guides with strange links like "trust us this is a legit download!" Hmm...
Sorry for all the questions guys, I am just trying to become educated on key things before I attempt any other further things.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Asking is good. Better safe than sorry
Yes, in case flash TWRP via ODIN, restore the backup and you should be fine.
Bootloader repair is about 40$ on ebay.
. Before flashing any new (different) rom,perform a NANDROID BACKUP" + manually internal SD Crad backup and then a FULL WIPE (/system /data /cache /dalvik cache /internal SD (Virgin like)
- If you just install a newer version of the same rom e.g. 03/01/2015 -> 03/14/2015 you only need to wipe /cache /dalvik cache (Not so virgin like)
- You can restore all apps/settings from NANDROID backups with "Titanium Backup" on your new OS
- I never heard of flashing a custom rom via recovery messed up the bootloader on Samsung phones, (In rare cases the EFS but you got the backup)
- Use only THIS GApps and make sure you pick the right version (For Android 4.4.x / 5.0.x / 5.1.x) -> Smallest (Pico bundle) will totally do it, you can install any other needed apps (also google's apps) from the pklaystore. Legit and safe.
Make sure you READ and UNDERSTOOD everything before you start flashing a custom rom.
LS.xD said:
Asking is good. Better safe than sorry
Yes, in case flash TWRP via ODIN, restore the backup and you should be fine.
Bootloader repair is about 40$ on ebay.
. Before flashing any new (different) rom,perform a NANDROID BACKUP" + manually internal SD Crad backup and then a FULL WIPE (/system /data /cache /dalvik cache /internal SD (Virgin like)
- If you just install a newer version of the same rom e.g. 03/01/2015 -> 03/14/2015 you only need to wipe /cache /dalvik cache (Not so virgin like)
- You can restore all apps/settings from NANDROID backups with "Titanium Backup" on your new OS
- I never heard of flashing a custom rom via recovery messed up the bootloader on Samsung phones, (In rare cases the EFS but you got the backup)
- Use only THIS GApps and make sure you pick the right version (For Android 4.4.x / 5.0.x / 5.1.x) -> Smallest (Pico bundle) will totally do it, you can install any other needed apps (also google's apps) from the pklaystore. Legit and safe.
Make sure you READ and UNDERSTOOD everything before you start flashing a custom rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh I will read everything before trying anything serious like this. I felt as if I was smashing my phone into the ground when I rooted it lol, so dangerous :S, even though I was following a guide. But now that I have all the tickboxes ticked and backed up and I have also copied that backup to 2 different hard drives... I should be safe with that.
So for my additional questions.
Is it possible but unlikely/impossible etc that a custom OS rom install through TWRP would break TWRP to the point of being non-functional to perform restores? (if so I know I could follow the guide again to install TWRP again)
Just to clarify, I should wipe everything except EFS right? When I do a completely new OS rom, perform the install and it should work or it will break. Regardless if it is broken and non functional OR it worked and I don't like it for some reason, I do the same thing again, boot to TWRP, format everything except EFS and install my backup and then the next time my phone is ready for use it will be as if nothing was ever done to it. Does that sound about right? If so, I might have an experiment with Cyanogen.
Also, you said you never heard of the bootloader being screwed over by a TWRP-based rom install. Does that also cover incorrect roms for a different model of the handset or completely different phones? I guess what I mean is, is it safe to perform an OS mod install via TWRP (in case you got the wrong one) and more dangerous to do it through odin if it is the wrong one?
I have a Samsung Galaxy S4 mini GT-I9195 LTE. I see the latest "stable" release is only version 10 of cyanogen mod? Yet there is v11 and v12 versions all without any stable release. Does that mean 11 and 12 won't work on my S4 mini or that it would be a mistake to install it on my phone? Or is there a method I can tell which one would be the best one to get for my phone (newest best)?
Lastly, as for odin, since I have TWRP and a backup of my phone as it is now, is there any reason to use odin for anything other than maybe reinstalling TWRP? If so, what else would require me to use odin that TWRP couldn't do?
Thanks so much for answering my questions, it is really making me feel more confident with the whole process. I don't like going into things blind, I'm a computer techie and like to know what I am doing and why I am doing it. This phone customization business is entirely new to me beyond changing settings and themes lol.
Is it possible but unlikely/impossible etc that a custom OS rom install through TWRP would break TWRP to the point of being non-functional to perform restores? (if so I know I could follow the guide again to install TWRP again)
--> You could flash a wrong zip containing a recovery (Probably you will not do)
Just to clarify, I should wipe everything except EFS right? When I do a completely new OS rom, perform the install and it should work or it will break. Regardless if it is broken and non functional OR it worked and I don't like it for some reason, I do the same thing again, boot to TWRP, format everything except EFS and install my backup and then the next time my phone is ready for use it will be as if nothing was ever done to it. Does that sound about right? If so, I might have an experiment with Cyanogen.
--> Yes
Also, you said you never heard of the bootloader being screwed over by a TWRP-based rom install. Does that also cover incorrect roms for a different model of the handset or completely different phones? I guess what I mean is, is it safe to perform an OS mod install via TWRP (in case you got the wrong one) and more dangerous to do it through odin if it is the wrong one?
--> Every rom has an updater-script that (normally) checks the compatiblity before TWRP installs it
I have a Samsung Galaxy S4 mini GT-I9195 LTE. I see the latest "stable" release is only version 10 of cyanogen mod? Yet there is v11 and v12 versions all without any stable release. Does that mean 11 and 12 won't work on my S4 mini or that it would be a mistake to install it on my phone? Or is there a method I can tell which one would be the best one to get for my phone (newest best)?
--> Stable means NO BUGS, Nightlies are updated nearly every day with the latest commits as they are in development status. May or may not contain bugs. Check out the specific rom thread on xda. Stability of the rom / bugs are discussed there by the users every day. So you can check out which version will work.
Lastly, as for odin, since I have TWRP and a backup of my phone as it is now, is there any reason to use odin for anything other than maybe reinstalling TWRP? If so, what else would require me to use odin that TWRP couldn't do?
--> Restore the phone to fully stock firmware. Such official firmware can be found at SamMobile.com
And most important: Press "thanks" at the botom of my posts
(had to remove quotes due to outside links preventing my posting.)
If I were to flash a stock firmware rom with odin, would it destroy TWRP? At which point I could flash it back on again? Or would TWRP still be there?
I think I am going to actually try Cyanogen, once I decide on a build to try. Are there any "minimum requirements" for cyanogen major versions? Like I could see I shouldn't install CM12 on my S4 mini and should instead try ones prior to 12? Or is it pretty much just a features and updates thing and 12 would work just as effectively (in terms of just "working smoothly" discounting any bugs etc) as 10?
Thanks button pressed on them, because truly your information is extremely helpful.
If I were to flash a stock firmware rom with odin, would it destroy TWRP? At which point I could flash it back on again? Or would TWRP still be there?
--> TWRP will be replaced by the stock recovery. You can instantly flash TWRP again.
I think I am going to actually try Cyanogen, once I decide on a build to try. Are there any "minimum requirements" for cyanogen major versions? Like I could see I shouldn't install CM12 on my S4 mini and should instead try ones prior to 12? Or is it pretty much just a features and updates thing and 12 would work just as effectively (in terms of just "working smoothly" discounting any bugs etc) as 10?
--> Your phone got enough permorfance to handle any kind of android version available. Bugs and performance are rom related.
LS.xD said:
If I were to flash a stock firmware rom with odin, would it destroy TWRP? At which point I could flash it back on again? Or would TWRP still be there?
--> TWRP will be replaced by the stock recovery. You can instantly flash TWRP again.
I think I am going to actually try Cyanogen, once I decide on a build to try. Are there any "minimum requirements" for cyanogen major versions? Like I could see I shouldn't install CM12 on my S4 mini and should instead try ones prior to 12? Or is it pretty much just a features and updates thing and 12 would work just as effectively (in terms of just "working smoothly" discounting any bugs etc) as 10?
--> Your phone got enough permorfance to handle any kind of android version available. Bugs and performance are rom related.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So when they say 5.x isn't coming to the S4 mini, that's a sales thing only?! Not based on performance limitations of my phone's hardware?
EDIT: Should I wipe Preload?
Morthawt said:
So when they say 5.x isn't coming to the S4 mini, that's a sales thing only?! Not based on performance limitations of my phone's hardware?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just like that. I use 5.x on both of my phones
Galaxy Ace II -> performance is okay, with 4.4.4 it runs as hell, better than ever with stock firmware [Last official Android is 4.1]
HTC One S -> Flying on a Lollipop [Last official Android is 4.1]
LS.xD said:
Just like that. I use 5.x on both of my phones
Galaxy Ace II -> performance is okay, with 4.4.4 it runs as hell, better than ever with stock firmware [Last official Android is 4.1]
HTC One S -> Flying on a Lollipop [Last official Android is 4.1]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am having trouble finding any specific information about the S4 mini LTE and CM12. I don't know if I should try the last version of CM11 instead? Not sure to try a CM12 or CM11 at the moment. I am sat here ready to perform the wipe but I just can't make my mind up which to try :|
Which reminds me, if I use the latest CM11, will there be any further security updates and things? Or are updates only on the nightlies? I would hope they will update CM11, I'd hate to think the only way you get updates is on the bleeding unstable edge :S ?
Morthawt said:
I am having trouble finding any specific information about the S4 mini LTE and CM12. I don't know if I should try the last version of CM11 instead? Not sure to try a CM12 or CM11 at the moment. I am sat here ready to perform the wipe but I just can't make my mind up which to try :|
Which reminds me, if I use the latest CM11, will there be any further security updates and things? Or are updates only on the nightlies? I would hope they will update CM11, I'd hate to think the only way you get updates is on the bleeding unstable edge :S ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Possible security issues can be fixed later by modules. By the way, stock firmware is also updated just a few times and stays at this state. If you want as less trouble as possible a CM11 variant will be more sensefull for your purpose. Feel free to get some more informations HERE
LS.xD said:
Possible security issues can be fixed later by modules. By the way, stock firmware is also updated just a few times and stays at this state. If you want as less trouble as possible a CM11 variant will be more sensefull for your purpose. Feel free to get some more informations HERE
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am on the latest CM11 snapshot Amazing! Although I am confused by some of the options. Is there any documentation on the OS? I see for Network modes things like "2G | 3G", or "2G | 2G + 3G" and "2G | 3G | 2G + 3G" . I pretty much can assume I know that 2G | 3G means 2 or 3G but when it comes to ones with +'s that is just confusing. 2G and 3G at the same time? No idea lol.
Unfortunately the compass sensor does not work. I may have to either risk trying a CM12 or go to CM10 :/ What would you recommend?
Morthawt said:
Unfortunately the compass sensor does not work. I may have to either risk trying a CM12 or go to CM10 :/ What would you recommend?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
2G = GSM Data
3G = UMTS / HDPA / WCDMA Data
Do you often need the compass sensor?
SlimKAT is a fast, lightweight rom and should be working.
LS.xD said:
2G = GSM Data
3G = UMTS / HDPA / WCDMA Data
Do you often need the compass sensor?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not always but when I am using offline navigation software, it is very handy to see realtime if I am pointed in the right direction instead of having to wait for enough distance to be detected to determine what way I am pointing. I don't like limitations. Period. That is the root of why I am messing with... well, root and roms. I could not use software to write to my SD card because of some security "enhancement" which just crippled the functionality of having an android phone. First I rooted and used SDFIX or what ever it is, now I am testing roms to see if I can find a good one. I have the latest (this year) stable AICP installing and gaps currently. I will give this one a whirl and see what I think. I was disappointed that I could not find a nice "Hey.. this is why you should choose our rom!" page. Nothing. Just a download link and ability to get the source code.
I want to read about all the amazing reasons and features why AICP (or any rom for that matter) is a great choice. But I found no such page.
Morthawt said:
Not always but when I am using offline navigation software, it is very handy to see realtime if I am pointed in the right direction instead of having to wait for enough distance to be detected to determine what way I am pointing. I don't like limitations. Period. That is the root of why I am messing with... well, root and roms. I could not use software to write to my SD card because of some security "enhancement" which just crippled the functionality of having an android phone. First I rooted and used SDFIX or what ever it is, now I am testing roms to see if I can find a good one. I have the latest (this year) stable AICP installing and gaps currently. I will give this one a whirl and see what I think. I was disappointed that I could not find a nice "Hey.. this is why you should choose our rom!" page. Nothing. Just a download link and ability to get the source code.
I want to read about all the amazing reasons and features why AICP (or any rom for that matter) is a great choice. But I found no such page.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you can't find any custom rom that fits your needs, you can also choose a modified (debloated) stock firmware if you need 100% functionality.
LS.xD said:
If you can't find any custom rom that fits your needs, you can also choose a modified (debloated) stock firmware if you need 100% functionality.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Those exist in the TWRP zip format? Where can I find those?
Morthawt said:
Those exist in the TWRP zip format? Where can I find those?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I should have read before I answered Seems not to exist for your phone. I don't know the reason.
Hi guys,
My girlfriend purchased a brand new Xperia Z3 D6653 not too long ago (about 2 months ago?). I flashed the 5.1.1 pre-rooted firmware for her and it's working fine and all but it does a random reboot every day or so, at random times, with random applications.
I have tried 2 different pre-rooted 5.1.1 firmwares already (yes, the correct model D6653 as well) and it still does it. The System Incident reports don't really say much (in fact you only see details about when it crashed, nothing else), and it seems like Google Play Services is the only thing mentioned in the Application Report.
The same thing also happened (more frequently) when she was on the 5.0 pre-rooted firmware. I'm not sure why, I haven't unlocked the bootloader or anything, it's just stock pre-rooted ROM, that's it. I haven't flashed any other ROMs other than the official pre-rooted ones.
Furthermore, before I flashed the 5.0 and 5.1 firmware for her, the phone came with Android 4.4.4. She used it for a month and reported several crashes as well, so that's with the original factory firmware, unrooted, unmodified etc.
She doesn't run any dodgy or random apps, she's just a typical girl that use Facebook and texting, that's pretty much it. I've done a lot of research on this issue and it seems to be quite common, however there isn't really a solution to this. The same apps she currently use never caused any issues on her older phones.
Also in case anyone asks, the only reason I flashed the pre-rooted 5.1.1 firmware for her is because it makes it easier for me to manage her phone (with Teamviewer, you can remote into the phone as long as it's rooted). Also, I get to backup her phone and do tests etc, makes it easier for me.
Also, I'm not using any custom kernels or overclocking the CPU etc. Everything is just stock but rooted.
Could this be caused by a hardware fault in the phone? I'm not sure what else I can do and would appreciate some suggestions.
Nobody have this issue??
Well, how about you try to flash a full, clean, stock ROM, don't root it, don't install any unnecessary app and see where it goes? If the issue persists, try getting a logcat from the phone and we can take a look at it. If it works fine after returning to stock, there might be a problem with the ROM or some apps you are using.
If it really is Gapps that are causing all the trouble, go to APKMirror and download the latest apps available (Play Services, etc) and see where it goes.
As mentioned already, prior to flashing anything, my girlfriend was running a completely stock, factory version of the phone. It came with Android 4.4.
I could flash a completely stock 5.1 ROM but was hoping that someone would share their experiences or a potential solution to this, considering this is quite commonly asked. I would also like to avoid doing this if possible, because if I were to go back to rooting the device, I'd have to downgrade to v4.4 pre-rooted, then flash to 5.1 rooted with custom recovery. It's just a lot of work for a simple testing that could be answered by others if possible.
Anyway, she didn't have any apps installed other than Facebook and Whatsapp, that's it. I might test with GAPPS and see how it goes, but I thought I'd ask here in case someone knows it's definitely a hardware issue or something else.
i would definitely give a pure stock 5.1.1 a go. I used to get the random reboots on the previous versions but i no longer have such issue.. Make sure you do a clean wipe and do it a few times.
Hi all, it's been a while but I thought I'd post an update and share what I've found/learned so far....
Basically, I'm still getting the frequent random reboots. I've tried reflashing the ROM and also tested out the latest .232 pre-rooted stock ROM, still getting the same issue. I've noticed that other than Google Play Services, sometimes Gapps will crash as well. But most of the time, there's nothing reported in the system or application crash logs. I've tested with everything running as stock, no additional apps installed. I then decided to flash the Minimal GAPPS 5.1.x and that sort of made the phone a bit more stable, but still reboots randomly every now and then.
Later on, I decided to try a custom ROM that still works on a locked bootloader. I found this here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/z3/development/d6603-23-1-1-28-t3102271
The chef has provided a .232 firmware for you to flash in recovery, as well as the ROM base for the D6603 model. Mine is a D6653, but luckily the chef has also provided a D6653 patch for you to flash as well. I've flashed the ROM like so:
1. Wipe everything except my external microSD in TWRP. So basically, wipe system, data, cache, dalvik, internal storage etc.
2. Install .232 firmware.
3. Install v10.5
4. Install v12.0
5. Install D6653 v5 patch
It boots up fine but after using it for a while, I still get the random reboots. What's interesting is that I've also tried without flashing the D6653 patch, which essentially means I'm running just the D6603 base ROM on my D6653. It works, but still crashes as well. I just found it quite surprising that a D6653 could run a D6603 ROM, but it does make sense considering the main differences is just the baseband/frequencies.
Anyway, I later on decided to flash the pure 5.1.1 stock ROM, still getting the crash. Again, everything is tested on pure stock, no additional apps etc installed.
I'm starting to think perhaps this is a hardware issue on my phone?? I noticed that sometimes, my screen will show a bit of tearing and then it'll crash not long after. BUT, I also know that as soon as gapps or google play services crash, the phone will crash not long after as well.....
In fact, I later on used Titanium Backup to convert Google Play Services from a System to a User app, the phone will just boot into the lockscreen and then restart every time. This is a bit ridiculous because I've done this several times on other phones before and they never had such an issue. Of course, I'm not saying I always run Google Play Services as a User app, but that was just for testing and I honestly don't think it should cause a bootloop just because of that. I've also cleared dalvik and cache by the way, so it doesn't make sense that the phone boots into the lockscreen and then just restarts randomly.
I haven't tried uninstalling Google Play Services completely, but at this point I'm back to square one as I've exhausted pretty much all my options and it's been a complete waste of time. I'm beginning to hate this phone more and more. The only thing left is to unlock bootloader and play with other custom ROMs. But yeah, flashing the .232 firmware didn't fix it, AND flashing pure stock 5.1.1 Android didn't fix it either...
Just wondering if others have the same issue and any ideas what could be causing it? If I provide some Logcat logs, would someone be kind enough to look into this for me?
Update:
I'm still getting the random reboots and I think it's very likely to be hardware related. But sometimes also a bit related to software, specifically with Google Play services. I've had more time to test out a few things since my last update, they are as follows:
- Tested complete stock 4.4 ROM without root. Still crashes every now and then, but not as much compared to 5.0 and 6.0 (doesn't matter if it's stock or custom ROM).
- Finally gave in and unlocked bootloader (backed up my DRM keys of course). I thought perhaps that the stock Sony roms (and even the stock-based Sony custom roms) have issues for some reason. They are all the same base, so I thought I'd do a fair test by trying a completely different based rom, such as AOSP. I've used CM 1.2.1 nightly here:
forum.xda-developers.com/z3/development/rom-cyanogenmod-12-nightlies-xperia-z3-t3010201/page117
And yes, I know that nightly have bugs, but the nightly build as of 2016-03-03 seemed pretty stable according to most users. I've tried various other AOSP based roms and stock based Sony roms (for unlocked bootloaders) and they all produce crashes.
I've flashed custom kernels as well and updated my recovery to TWRP 3.0, but all the same results. On all of the custom ROMs I've flashed, the only thing I've done was setup my Google account (so I have my contacts and Gmail) and that was it. No other apps installed. I wanted to limit the environment down to just the stock setup of the ROM itself, as this helps me rule out any potential bugs caused by 3rd party apps.
Having done all of the above and still resulting in crashes, it's safe to assume that this is most likely unrelated to the software, but hardware. I've noticed that sometimes when I scroll a page too fast and move it up and down with my thumb, the screen will freeze and restart.
However, sometimes I will get crashes related to Google Play Services. Anything that relies on Google Play Services will crash randomly. If you re-open the apps, it just crashes again. If you force stop the app and open it, still crashes. The ONLY fix is to restart the phone. I have tried flashing different GaPPs, starting with the pico and nano versions, as well as the ones recommended by the ROM chefs. Still the same result.
So the conclusion is, I haven't really gotten anywhere with this annoying issue. There's definitely an issue with the phone somewhere, maybe a bit of software related, but mostly hardware.
I have a regular OnePlus 7 PRO (GM1913)
My bootloader is unlocked and I am rooted with Magisk on Android 10, with Oxygen 10.3.4 Stock.
something got funky with switching between apps and keyboard gets stuck sometimes and camera crashes, could be Nova launcher, could be Swiftkey, idk really
but I guess its time for a refresh to see if that fixes the problem (which I believe it will).
My Questions are:
1: How would I go on about flashing a custom ROM / latest Stock (recommendations welcome) without wiping data and keeping everything intact?
2: do I need a PC for that or can I do it "Over the air"? (sorry not fluent in this stuff since a long time)
Thank you!
Well, I'm not an expert but I've done that for the same reason as yours; ended up with the stock OxygenOS. Actually it started with stock OTA updater, ended with a brick(then unbrick)...
I've tried several custom roms, but
stock camera app is irreplaceable (Custom OS got more options, but Android 10+ is difficult to tinker with)
Even the most popular custom OS's may crash with an upgrade (especially if you tinker with your system). So whatever is wrong with it now, may got worse, or better.. Or it may get worse later(or not, who knows).
OTA doesn't do downgrades and check the signature of the package, so if something goes wrong or if you want oos back, you may need to use EDL with MSM Tools(Which, unfortunately requires a PC)
Thats why your safest bet is to:
Backup everything you can't afford to lose, then prepare an unbrick tool image if you can. You can backup without pc, but using edl or fastboot requires PC or other android device as a host device.
By the way, It's not that fun after a hundreds of reboot and flashes, so I use Linux now
Not sure if this really should be going to the noob friendly thread, but since it is a couple of questions covering various Android related issues, I figured that I will make it a separate thread after all.
1. Sometime updating an Android version would also end up updating the bootloader, at time rendering it impossible to downgrade again. Can this also happen in custom ROM (e.g. Lineage). I am asking this because I am thinking of custom ROM with newer Android version on my Galaxy S7, but may want to revert to a relatively old Android 7.0 after I am done testing.
2. Do file systems (the way application, application data are stored in the system and other information) etc. tend to stay the same as stock for a given Android version? For example between stock Android 7.1 and Lineage 14.1.
3. Same question as question 2., but between major Android versions (e.g. stock 7.1 and stock 8.0).
4. On rooted devices, can you usually update major version update without losing any data, and is it usually trouble free?
Feel free to skip reading this part, but for some background information, the reason I am asking all those questions is because one of the app I tried to restore via Titanium Backup and Swift Backup both failed. The application itself launches properly, but as soon as I restore the data, it would instantly crash and close. My guess is that this is probably caused by attempt to go from Android 6.0 to 11.0. Maybe it is the backup software or maybe something changed in the way files are stored, but whatever the reason, it just won't work.
So I am thinking that my best option is to try it to restore it on an Android 7.0 phone that I have (also on the way to be retired, and if it works, update to Android 8.0. Since Android 8.0 was the last officially released major version for that phone, and I was thinking that if it does work, perhaps I could alternatively go for an early Lineage ROM, then make gradual updates up to Android 11.0 and see if it helps the app remain unbroken. And then if it does work, perhaps I could then make a backup then restore it on the other new Android 11.0 phone that I have.
All in all, it is a silly amount of work to do just for one app.. but it is important to me, so I will exhaust every option that I can think of to find a solution.
Thanks!