This is not knocking our heavy-duty modders and developers, but it seems like in lots of threads folks ask questions and the answer always is to go to the custom ROMs. (Yes, I know they are good and do a lot!)
Could we maintain this, or another thread -- or could the admin set up a section for folks who have stock G-Tablets who want to improve and get the most out of them without ROMs?
I got my tablet 11/25 and when I turned it on, the first thing it did was download two updates. I have not had a lot of the really bad problems some of you earlier adopters had. So I would like to try a stock machine with program improvements before deciding whether to go custom ROM.
That said, I would like to install the Google Market, Contacts, Gmail, Calendar, etc. I am willing to root the tablet if that is needed to get all the software working.
Any suggestions -- references to non-ROM upgrades -- recommendations on how to accomplish the above will be appreciated. And I suggest there probably are a lot of other folks out there who would like to do the same thing. (If I'm right, post and speak up so the people with knowledge will know helping us is worth their time and effort.
Rev
P. S. -- Sorry this got so long. If a different thread is needed to get this done, someone feel free to get it started.
I don't find the stock g-tablet as horrible as many are reporting. It is not the same as an Android phone, and I guess that is what most people object to. I have installed the ViewSonic 1.01 update.
Here is what I have done:
1) Root it using Z4root. You can find it here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=833953
2) Installed Android Market:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=827209
EDIT: This version of Market does not work on the firmware update version 4349. For that use the package that Roebeet has supplied to us:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=12939008&postcount=40
It is installed as an update package, where you first unpack it, then place it into the /sdcard folder. Reboot holding both the Power and Volume+ button. Then select "Apply Internal update.zip", using the volume rocker to select, and the power button to enter the selection.
3) Do the Market fix to get access to all apps:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=845175
4) Also install the AndRootFile app, available here:
http://www.getjar.com/mobile/39778/androotfile/
5) Install LauncherPro or ADW.Launcher
EDIT: This is no longer needed, as there is now a "Classic" home screen in the firmware update. But it can still be done if you want to try it.
6) Install Flash:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=9172522&postcount=2058
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=842040
7) Install OpenGL fix, so then you can install Angry Birds from Market:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=846463
This is no longer needed. The OpenGL update is included in the firmware update.
I think that is about it. If I think of something else, I'll add it.
wasserkapf said:
I don't find the stock g-tablet as horrible as many are reporting. It is not the same as an Android phone, and I guess that is what most people object to. I have installed the ViewSonic 1.01 update.
Here is what I have done:
1) Root it using Z4root. You can find it here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=833953
2) Installed Android Market:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=827209
3) Do the Market fix to get access to all apps:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=845175
4) Also install the AndRootFile app, available here:
http://www.getjar.com/mobile/39778/androotfile/
5) Install LauncherPro or ADW.Launcher
6) Install Flash:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=9172522&postcount=2058
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=842040
7) Install OpenGL fix, so then you can install Angry Birds from Market:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=846463
I think that is about it. If I think of something else, I'll add it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not giving you a hard time but for someone who doesn't mind the stock interface everything you have done is pretty much the same as just installing TnTLite...
It may be true that "Waterhead" had done most of the same things some of the ROM mods do ---- BUT, he didn't have to flash anything like TNT or cwm, etc.
For those who don't want to flash, what he has provided here is a less risky path to decent performance.
Or for those who are less experienced and want to start out "lite" on their modding experience, this gives them a chance with less opportunity for making a fatal mistake.
I think there probably are a lot of folks who will own G-Tablets who will fall into this category.
And with a route to learn modding and work their way up to really serious modding, I think we will have done them a big favor.
Thanks for the posts. I think we have started a good thing in this thread. And thanks to you more experienced folks who are willing to help get those folks started.
And......it just could be that if we provide an opportunity for the unexperienced folks to make their tablet right -- more people will buy them. IMHO.
Rev
Sprdtyf350 said:
Not giving you a hard time but for someone who doesn't mind the stock interface everything you have done is pretty much the same as just installing TnTLite...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What I did is no different than what a person does to a PC. You install the needed programs and drivers. And maybe customize your desktop.
As a long-time Linux user, I am fully capable of installing from scratch. I just see no need to do that with the g-tablet. I actually like the weather app as a homepage.
So you have the TnT UI (Stock 3 Homescreen UI) and Launcherpro/ADW? If people are going to go this route, then I would suggest installing home switch app from the market.
xmr405o,
Two things:
(1) My model with updates has a three-screen "Home" already -- one with weather/clock/news, one with "To-Do" lists, and a third I use so little I have forgotten what is on it.
(2) I have installed Launcher Pro and when I choose a task that will require launching, my firmware gives me a choice of the regular "Home" or LP to do that job.
What would the app you are recommending do beyond this??? More info??!!
Rev
Seriously, what is so intimidating about installing a rom? You cannot brick these things, it's impossible to do.
Thanks for this thread.
My wife picked one of these up at Office Depot the other day. She knows I have been waiting on Adam and thought I might like this instead. I have yet to open the G Tablet until seeing what the supposed Dec 19th update brings. I am new to android and hesitant to start at the deep end of the pool with modding a $399 toy on day one.
From all the reviews it sounds like a solid piece of hardware and that most issues are with TnT and the lack of Google support for tablets. Do you think this device will get Gingerbread and full support from Google eventually?
My only other concern is the LCD, which is turning out to be hard to judge without having seen the demo unit.
Ideally I just want a clean Android 2.2 experience with the ability to install and use the typical apps (gmail, flash, twitter, facebook, angry birds, etc). If this thing can be made into a solid purchase maybe I would just skip Adam and wait for a next gen tablet like Eve which should be on Tegra3/honeycomb.
rayden25 said:
Seriously, what is so intimidating about installing a rom? You cannot brick these things, it's impossible to do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If this is true, that's awesome!
This quote from an earlier post answer the question asked as well as I ever could:
"I am new to android and hesitant to start at the deep end of the pool with
modding a $399 toy on day one."
I've already said I have no problem with the people who want to go the ROM flashing direction.
But there are people who would like to be more conservative while they learn something new.
Would it be such as bad thing to just help them?
Rev
P. S. -- And, personally, the first computer I ever built I soldered and put evey part together. I have been doing hardware and programming since 1979. But still, I am new to Android....and the documentation is lacking...and somethings are not explained well in the threads....so like the person I quoted I would like to move a little slower and not take chances until I am ready. And eventually I may get a second G-Tablet I can afford to mess up. But right now I want improve my tablet without the risk. IMHO.
jfholijr said:
If this is true, that's awesome!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nothing is impossible.. We just haven't found the person to do it yet
It is pretty forgiving though. And I have been able to get going again every time I have gotten into a crazy spot.
butchconner said:
This quote from an earlier post answer the question asked as well as I ever could:
"I am new to android and hesitant to start at the deep end of the pool with
modding a $399 toy on day one."
I've already said I have no problem with the people who want to go the ROM flashing direction.
But there are people who would like to be more conservative while they learn something new.
Would it be such as bad thing to just help them?
Rev
P. S. -- And, personally, the first computer I ever built I soldered and put evey part together. I have been doing hardware and programming since 1979. But still, I am new to Android....and the documentation is lacking...and somethings are not explained well in the threads....so like the person I quoted I would like to move a little slower and not take chances until I am ready. And eventually I may get a second G-Tablet I can afford to mess up. But right now I want improve my tablet without the risk. IMHO.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As I said in my earlier post... I am not trying to give anyone a hard time and understand people wanting to keep them stock. You should be able to and have a useful tablet. When they first came out it wasn't so easy, and still isn't. Programs would not install because of memory mapped wrong, wifi disappeared after waking from sleep, time would reset every boot. The latest Viewsonic update has fixed some of those things, but not all. I flashed mine because I knew I was driving a Z06 Corvette with a Vega motor in it that had power windows that didn't work. I wanted the capability I knew was under the hood and the only way to get it was to flash a new rom. Or wait, and hope that Viewsonic eventually did it in an update.
I picked up my tablet back when they first came out. Seems like a long time ago but was really only a month. I read read all the pages in the original huge thread that existed before the G Tablet received a home of its own here. I would read what people were doing, read what they were breaking, and then when I felt comfortable enough that success was a possibility I would give it a shot. I have worked with computers myself since the early 80's and am comfortable building, installing, breaking, etc. Android is definitely different, but mostly to have fun with your tablet you don't have to know much more than how to flash a rom. Back before there was a recovery path things were pretty spooky and I did a lot of reading and waiting to see what worked. Things have progressed now to where if you can unzip a rom package to your internal SD card so you end up with an update.zip file, and a recovery folder all that is left is to hold the volume up button while pressing the power button and about 2 minutes later you are all done. And your Z06 will actually have power windows, and the right engine..
The specs on this tablet are probably the best out there right now. The software chosen just doesn't properly utilize most of it. Maybe the December 19 update being talked about will make it right out of the box. I hope so...
And no matter which path you take, stock, or modded... If trouble comes the answers so far have all been here in the forums...
xmr405o said:
So you have the TnT UI (Stock 3 Homescreen UI) and Launcherpro/ADW? If people are going to go this route, then I would suggest installing home switch app from the market.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I only installed LauncherPro. When I want to bring up the original TapnTap UI, I use the icon in the app list.
If you install both LauncherPro and ADW, then the home switcher app would be a good idea.
rayden25 said:
Seriously, what is so intimidating about installing a rom? You cannot brick these things, it's impossible to do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a ZT-180, and have flashed it several times. You had to mess with it just to get it to a useful state. But eventually you want to stop re-installing things and just use it. The stock g-tablet is wonderful compared to the stock ZT-180.
I guess that I come to this with a different perspective.
Great post! I've done exactly what you've done and am pleased with the result.
Thanks
z4padroot
trying to root g tablet with z4padroot.1.3.0.apk, answer: could not parse.
please advise.
I don't know about the program you used, but I used z4root as mentioned in the second or third post in this thread. It installed flawlessly and all I had to do to root was click one icon! Good luck!
Rev
wasserkapf said:
I don't find the stock g-tablet as horrible as many are reporting. It is not the same as an Android phone, and I guess that is what most people object to. I have installed the ViewSonic 1.01 update.
Here is what I have done:
1) Root it using Z4root. You can find it here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=833953
2) Installed Android Market:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=827209
3) Do the Market fix to get access to all apps:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=845175
4) Also install the AndRootFile app, available here:
http://www.getjar.com/mobile/39778/androotfile/
5) Install LauncherPro or ADW.Launcher
6) Install Flash:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=9172522&postcount=2058
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=842040
7) Install OpenGL fix, so then you can install Angry Birds from Market:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=846463
I think that is about it. If I think of something else, I'll add it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank you very much, have you tried vimeo?
jae-v said:
thank you very much, have you tried vimeo?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What is vimeo?
Brand new G Tab owner. Just charged and started up last night. I received the notification of the 3389 release immediately and went ahead and let the update download and installed.
I'm just checking things out at this point keeping her stock for a while. I have a lot to learn about Android in general so I'm in no hurry to begin mods.
In just following the suggested links I ran into a problem with AppStoreHQ. There are two apps there, can't seem to find them on any of the other 'approved' app stores, Google TV Remote and the Nook reader from B&N.
I cannot install either of them, or any app for that matter, from AppStoreHQ. Anybody else having this problem.
I called Tech Support, thought it would be a good first test. I was surprised to get a real person in under 2 minutes. He was helpful, said he would try it on their G Tabs, and put me on hold. He came back in a couple of minutes and said they are having the same problem. He would report it to the software team and there should be a fix in 24 hours.
He also told there will be a general update for the G Tab in the next week.
Any help would be appreciated, even another way to get the apps I'm looking for.
ACDFx3 said:
Brand new G Tab owner. Just charged and started up last night. I received the notification of the 3389 release immediately and went ahead and let the update download and installed.
I'm just checking things out at this point keeping her stock for a while. I have a lot to learn about Android in general so I'm in no hurry to begin mods.
In just following the suggested links I ran into a problem with AppStoreHQ. There are two apps there, can't seem to find them on any of the other 'approved' app stores, Google TV Remote and the Nook reader from B&N.
I cannot install either of them, or any app for that matter, from AppStoreHQ. Anybody else having this problem.
I called Tech Support, thought it would be a good first test. I was surprised to get a real person in under 2 minutes. He was helpful, said he would try it on their G Tabs, and put me on hold. He came back in a couple of minutes and said they are having the same problem. He would report it to the software team and there should be a fix in 24 hours.
He also told there will be a general update for the G Tab in the next week.
Any help would be appreciated, even another way to get the apps I'm looking for.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You might want to go investigate the custom firmware threads in the developer sub-forum... They all have a method for gaining near complete access to the market.
OTOH if you actually like the TapnTap UI, you can probably find the Nook and Google TV remote apks somewhere online, then read about using adb to install them from your computer, or how to enable installation from foreign source directly on the gTab(can't remember if it's on by default in stock or not since I gave up on TnT a LONG time ago and have pretty much settled on TnT lite ATM...)
[EDIT]
...just remembered... search this forum(and maybe the dev forum too) for info about applying some mods to stock firmware (root, Google market, etc.) if you REALLY want to stay stock... you're not going to learn a whole lot about Android in stock UI though as it's buried under the TapnTap UI... Vegan "ROM"(firmware) is closer to a vanilla Android 2.2 release...
[/EDIT]
Installation from foreign source enabled by default, since there is no official Android Market, if it were disabled no software could be installed. If you find the '.apk' files download them to the device anf tap them then install.
3389 has a bad bug of slowing down when woken from sleep state. Only cure is to reboot. so you may want to look into one of the unofficial but from Viewsonic updated, if you want to keep that "stock' feel. If not there are many options for alternets that each have a loyal following.
Hi there. First of all I'm sorry if this is not the right place to post this.
Anyway, someone I know bought an used iPhone 6 only to discover that it's somehow an Android device heavily modded (it looks like an iPhone 6 on the outside, which is an issue because it doesn't have the three buttons the android apps are meant use). I'm not even sure if it's possible to make this usable, the iOS stuff is glitchy and Android apps don't seem to work that well either.
I'm not really a developer but I play around with Tasker/xposed and stuff so when I realized there wasn't an actual shortcut for the android settings (I can only access the iOS version of the settings, which the factory reset doesn't seem to be working), I decided to download the trial version of Tasker and see what I could fiddle so I could find out how this was done. On my first try I couldn't find a thing and now Tasker keeps crashing, I can't keep it open long enough to enable logging.
The root seems to have been made using the kingroot app (evidenced by the KingUser, which was the only thing I could find). Removing root access doesn't seem to do a thing.
Sooo... I've ran out of options and decided to post it here as a far cry for help. I realize I have not given you much and more info is probably required, but I'm not sure how to acquire it. The "About phone" on the menu doesn't give me much, device name is Android, Carrier is unknown and Version is 8.1.2 (12A405). Model number is MG492CH/A.
Thanks for your help and I'm sorry I couldn't provide any more useful information.
Hi, thank you for using XDA Assist. A goggle search of your model number shows it as an iphone clone. It doesn't surprise me that it uses Android as iOS would be next to impossible obtain. But the bad news is there is no information on XDA about your device. The closest I could find was this, http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2778862 To return to stock you'd need the android factory image for your phone and a method to flash it. Both would be specific to the phone. The only other thing I can suggest is to ask in this forum, http://forum.xda-developers.com/android/help
Hello, great forum!
Joined specifically to ask these questions. I did use "search" here for a while before registering but, never found a clear-cut answer.
So, can I turn my fire 8hd into a regular android tab? Is it possible to COMPLETELY wipe the amazon os and run a normal launcher?
-I never registered device to prime, I followed a guide to add google stuff and nova launcher but, I hate hitting the home button and seeing the amazon home flash before going to nova. It is updated to 5.60. I've been reading some of the threads for hijacking the os (so many versions!) and it just made me even more confused.
Any and all help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance!
Hi, at the moment there is no other OS for these tablets but you can use Launcher Hijack V3 with nova launcher, this should get rid of the flickering of fire OS showing and at least give the appearance of a normal android tablet.
abacabie said:
Hi, at the moment there is no other OS for these tablets but you can use Launcher Hijack V3 with nova launcher, this should get rid of the flickering of fire OS showing and at least give the appearance of a normal android tablet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply!
Yup, I had installed Hijack v3 when I added everything else but I still see the amazon home flicker briefly.
Next questions would be, have previous version been successfully completed in removing all the amazon stuff and making it a normal android tablet?
If so, is there a general feeling around here that this will be possible in the future with 5.60?
What steps should I take now to block future updates in hopes of making this a normal tablet?
The older Kindle HD (from 2012) can do this, as they've managed to run custom recovery on it. A custom recovery (TWRP or similar) is the first step to being able to actually replace the OS, and as far as I know only the older HD model had that available. Without it, you're stuck with Fire OS for the foreseeable future.
My old 2012 KFHD ran Android 6 Marshmallow for nearly the last 2 years until the charging port starting going haywire, and in an attempt to repair it I accidentally bricked it.
I was going to get another one to replace it, but decided to spend a little more on a more recent edition, the last generation (2016) HD 8. Why? Because as much as I like stock Android, I actually lost access to high definition content in Netflix and Amazon Video streaming services, since it was no longer recognized as a certified device for that. Uncertified devices only get access to lower resolution video, which begs the question- why have an HD tablet for low res video?
Turns out I use my laptop more for work, and this is just a reading/video/casual gaming device for me. The new version is a little faster and has more RAM, and those things work fine if not better in the original Fire OS, so I'm OK with that.
I came here actually wondering if any progress had been made in custom roms/recoveries for the HD8, but this thread confirms what I already figured. If you want a Kindle that you can remove and replace the OS, you need to go back some generations and get an older one.
I've been struggling for several years, more off than on, with successfully rooting a phone. Bought two inexpensive Moto phones with full acceptance of me screwing up and ending with 2 bricks. So far, I've accomplished getting TWRP on one (XT-1925-6 ali) and apparently this device is so old that no custom OS exists. The second device ( XT2117-4 borneo) is newer but locating a reliable TWRP has been mildly frustrating but not yet giving up.
It occurred to me this morning (would have been nice a few years ago) that my expectations for a rooted phone may be unreasonable. So, here is what I was/am hoping for a result in rooting a phone.
1- freedom from Google surveillance & tracking activity .
2- usable phone service with a carrier & Internet capable (WiFi & data) browser
3- The only must have apps are: Proton VPN, Proton Mail, Bitwarden, Aegis or other non-Google OTP
4- I use few apps and most are not Play Store based. I currently use no Play Store apps but was told that
some custom OS packages include Play Store clones that don't have surveillance. ?
I would appreciate one of the resident experts commenting on my wishes. I don't mind burning the hours to get to my goal but can use the time profitably in other arenas if it isn't feasible.
Cordially,
WVmtn249
PS- for those with a broad streak of curiosity- I'm a long retired mechanical engineer with experience in PC's going back to the IBM 5100 but starting from scratch in the Android world. Cancer came calling 7 years ago and suddenly I had lots of time but then maybe not so much. This explains the more off than on.
If you are 40's or older and not getting an annual prostate exam, I strongly encourage you to begin immediately. Feel free to contact me if you need further motivation.
Hi, welcome aboard.
I have a borneo too. While I've hacked other devices extensively I haven't been motivated to do much with this one.
I don't do much with TWRP, usually preferring to just patch the stock recovery for rooted, permissive ADB.
With EDL you can easily pull boot or recovery images. Yeah, there are some of these on the internet. I prefer to see what's actually on my device.
Unfortunately, the only Firehose loaders for EDL that I can find have this Lenovo/Motorola "range restricted" where you can't just dump everything.
So, in the meantime, I work on other projects.
wvmtn249 said:
So far, I've accomplished getting TWRP on one (XT-1925-6 ali) and apparently this device is so old that no custom OS exists
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't know how well they work as I have not tried them. But there are a bunch linked at https://forum.xda-developers.com/f/moto-g6-roms-kernels-recoveries-other-develop.7639/ , some with, or most do not include gapps.
wvmtn249 said:
4- I use few apps and most are not Play Store based. I currently use no Play Store apps but was told that
some custom OS packages include Play Store clones that don't have surveillance. ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Again I have not tried these roms so don't know the details of their contents. But this one is simple enough to get similar results even on whatever you are running now. Just install Aurora Store from here: https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.aurora.store/
Some roms include this instead of play store, maybe some on the above linked page might include it too.