Database Info

The most boring phone I've ever owned

Hey folks just wanted to say that I really love my V10. But coming from Nexus and some of the other LG series I am going crazy with the lack of "things" to tinker with. I am not exactly a flash-a-holic but I am definitely a tinkerer (if thats a word). I like to flash custom Roms and fool around with xposed and maybe a little mod here or there. It's crazy how this phone still has virtually no developer support or any kind of custom rom scene. (yes I understand why about the locked bootloaders etc etc). It's been so long I almost feel like I'm rusty and probably forgot how.. Haha.
Nevertheless I love it and it's a great phone (although a bit on the heavy side as time goes on). My wife just got the Galaxy S7 and it's so nice and small and bright and waterproof. Does make me think about looking other ways. I dunno. I hope LG doesn't just make this phone like a stepchild to the flagship series. Still barely gettin marshmallow update in other countries and not really anything new with the 2nd screen for any apps or anything. I guess this is borderline off topic but just some musings I've had the last week or so. Later!
Sent from my LG-H901 using XDA Free mobile app

I feel the same way. I have been considering selling this and getting something else.
Sent from my LG-H900 using Tapatalk

If you have a version that is rootable, use the many xposed modules out there. I have tweaked mine to be better than what my nexus 5 was. If you have been around long enough as I have, you will have learned that when ROM's are not available that a Root Explorer is a very good friend. I will go in depth
Base things one uses with a unlocked bootloader / Alternatives to a locked bootloader.
Custom Recovery: TWRP (Or W/E you like) / FlashFire (Install zips, make backups)
Custom ROM: CyanogenMod ( Or if Im using a device DHacker is supporting then I would use that to test the **** out of it) / Stock/BloatStock ( Xposed Modules can do almost everything any custom ROM can if not more than what a Custom ROM could do)
Custom Kernel: Dont need one, never needed one. If it was forced via the ROM then it was used. / Plenty of apps to do little things like Overclock or RAM management etc.
It's my belief people new to the Android Platform go for Custom ROMs is to get everything in one place in one ROM build. Hence why Android is beginning to absorb most of the popular things in the modding community to the aosp nexus builds, slowly if I might add.
All in all, research, time, and stock img files are your best friend to learn from trial and error.

I don't understand you. You got the phone for a reason. And that reason still is valid. There are always newer phones available the moment you buy something.

DarkestSpawn said:
If you have a version that is rootable, use the many xposed modules out there. I have tweaked mine to be better than what my nexus 5 was. If you have been around long enough as I have, you will have learned that when ROM's are not available that a Root Explorer is a very good friend. I will go in depth
Base things one uses with a unlocked bootloader / Alternatives to a locked bootloader.
Custom Recovery: TWRP (Or W/E you like) / FlashFire (Install zips, make backups)
Custom ROM: CyanogenMod ( Or if Im using a device DHacker is supporting then I would use that to test the **** out of it) / Stock/BloatStock ( Xposed Modules can do almost everything any custom ROM can if not more than what a Custom ROM could do)
Custom Kernel: Dont need one, never needed one. If it was forced via the ROM then it was used. / Plenty of apps to do little things like Overclock or RAM management etc.
It's my belief people new to the Android Platform go for Custom ROMs is to get everything in one place in one ROM build. Hence why Android is beginning to absorb most of the popular things in the modding community to the aosp nexus builds, slowly if I might add.
All in all, research, time, and stock img files are your best friend to learn from trial and error.
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Totally agree, I dont miss the phone dying on me once in a while, having to flash an "old" backup, loosing some data... And with xPosed this phone is as customisable as I ever needed :good:

I am the same ..im bored of this phone
---------- Post added at 06:01 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:00 PM ----------
faearai01 said:
I don't understand you. You got the phone for a reason. And that reason still is valid. There are always newer phones available the moment you buy something.
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Ppl like you will never understand what he talking about

Explain it to me. Explain it for people like me.

faearai01 said:
Explain it to me. Explain it for people like me.
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I said you will never understand ..so even if i did explain it you won't understand its something like drugs

But I'm willing to understand. So give me a hint and maybe it turns into a TIL.

faeArai said:
But I'm willing to understand. So give me a hint and maybe it turns into a TIL.
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The need to be able to make a change to how the phone operates, and see that change in action.
And then change it again. Ownership of the device, playing with the experience of using the phone.
Getting to touch, swish, swipe, scroll - interact with the device (you never been in bed and gone endlessly through your settings menu, again and again; into all the options, all the possibilities? It's not really for the 'settings', you already know what you want really...It's to swish and swipe, especially if the phone is high end, the screen is beautiful and the actions like silk) until you fall asleep cradling it lovingly in your hand under the pillow and waking with it stuck to your cheek?
A sense of learning
A sense of making technology do what You want - of being able to effect change.
To. Develop. Perhaps.
To use the phone.
To discover and distribute something to others..
TO TWEAK BATTERY LIFE. (Heh)
To be part of a community doing the same.

This is my second LG phone, and absolutely latest one.
Whay?
Because of soooo pore support and update.
Update is nothing.
Im coming from LG G4, REALLY what's improvement in LG V10? nothing + poor update support.
At all i NEVER buy a LG phone and NEVER suggest any LG mobile phone for anyone.

Talk about 1st world problems ?

faearai01 said:
I don't understand you. You got the phone for a reason. And that reason still is valid. There are always newer phones available the moment you buy something.
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So what are you going to buy now?

I've a v10 and will stay with it for at least one year. Since MM is being rolled-out, I'm pretty fine. I also had and still have several nexus devices and was disappointed by the quality of hardware.

There is a lot more to do on the V10 than my previous Nexus 6. I don't think I understand...

I don't get that guys here saying that they are moving to an other phone. Just do it. But noone cares which phone you have and why you're moving on. It seems like those guys still are not sure and just want other to ask them to stay. I don't care. Have fun with your next phone - until you get it and and complain and buy an other one. And so on and so on. There is an other root cause of your frustration and I'm pretty sure it's not the phone ?

This thread is not serving any productive purpose.
Meanwhile people are raving about the LG V10...
LG V10 & V10 Dual Sim - Reviews Collection
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyHjPU6VGWk-5PiT76ejWAUamHYxWaeDK

incidentflux said:
This thread is not serving any productive purpose.
Meanwhile people are raving about the LG V10...
LG V10 & V10 Dual Sim - Reviews Collection
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyHjPU6VGWk-5PiT76ejWAUamHYxWaeDK
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The best phone around by far :good:

Only one feature missing imo: IP68.

Should have stayed with my nexus 6. The second screen is a crappie gimmick. Gonna try and stick with this phone until the note comes out.

Is the Pixel 2 right for me? Opinions appreciated.

Hi all,
I am enamored by the Pixel 2 for the camera, general size and clean android experience. I am coming from a Moto X (2013) DE, which I have been using for almost three years with no complaints. I am on Verizon GFUDP, am unlocked, rooted and using Xposed framework. I use the phone for tethering quite often. I don't generally use custom ROMs,; once I am setup and got everything running nice, I stop playing around with the phone and just use it.
That said, I am ready to upgrade and still want an unlockable, rootable device, which has a really good camera and will allow me to tether at will. My thought is to purchase the Pixel 2 through Google. I see that there has been some bumpiness in the road to root success, and I am wondering if this device will eventually (if it's already not) become stable enough to do what I want without a lot of fooling with it, or fear of accidentally "bricking", or other issues down the road.
So in the big picture, do you feel that the Pixel 2 can be set up, forgotten about, and just used, as I describe above, or do you think that the device will need to be tweaked on a regular basis? If so, do you have any recommendations of devices which better fit the parameters listed above?
Thanks in advance!

amajamar said:
Hi all,
I am enamored by the Pixel 2 for the camera, general size and clean android experience. I am coming from a Moto X (2013) DE, which I have been using for almost three years with no complaints. I am on Verizon GFUDP, am unlocked, rooted and using Xposed framework. I use the phone for tethering quite often. I don't generally use custom ROMs,; once I am setup and got everything running nice, I stop playing around with the phone and just use it.
That said, I am ready to upgrade and still want an unlockable, rootable device, which has a really good camera and will allow me to tether at will. My thought is to purchase the Pixel 2 through Google. I see that there has been some bumpiness in the road to root success, and I am wondering if this device will eventually (if it's already not) become stable enough to do what I want without a lot of fooling with it, or fear of accidentally "bricking", or other issues down the road.
So in the big picture, do you feel that the Pixel 2 can be set up, forgotten about, and just used, as I describe above, or do you think that the device will need to be tweaked on a regular basis? If so, do you have any recommendations of devices which better fit the parameters listed above?
Thanks in advance!
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It should be good in the long run. In my personal experience after using a lot of ROM's/kernels/mods since 2011 I would say the max your needs would come to is getting a custom kernel. With no disrespect to the developers who have worked on providing great roms throughout the years, google has really developed 8.0/8.1 into a completely viable solution that till now has not got me to even consider rooting the device to get some custom features on it.

flunk03 said:
It should be good in the long run. In my personal experience after using a lot of ROM's/kernels/mods since 2011 I would say the max your needs would come to is getting a custom kernel. With no disrespect to the developers who have worked on providing great roms throughout the years, google has really developed 8.0/8.1 into a completely viable solution that till now has not got me to even consider rooting the device to get some custom features on it.
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As I said, as long as I can get the tethering function, I am pretty much good to go. Do I need a custom kernel for that?

amajamar said:
As I said, as long as I can get the tethering function, I am pretty much good to go. Do I need a custom kernel for that?
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Afaik just rooting and getting an app designed for that should be fine I guess. It's not something I know since we don't have that issue with carriers on that front

amajamar said:
As I said, as long as I can get the tethering function, I am pretty much good to go. Do I need a custom kernel for that?
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As far as I'm aware you can achieve this with Magisk root and a Magisk module.

Buy Pixel 2, unlock bootloader before you set up the phone (get the factory reset out of the way), then just use it as-is indefinitely until you find you need something that only root can provide. If that's the case, then install Magisk, and keep on rolling.

Why Pixel 3a/XL so unpopular?

I ask this question because I see a very little activity on a ROMs forum, I didn't check other ones.
For example my previous phone, Mi A1 (Android One) has an official builds for most ROM, even my wife's Mi A3 has much better activity. I had bought Pixel because I'm a Google fanboy and its cheapest Pixel available.
My own answer: people with less budget just buy Android One phones (like Mi A* line), people who want Pixel buy a full phone, like Pixel 3 (without a) or 4.

I suspect for a few reasons:
1. It isn't needed as the phone runs the latest version of android anyway.
2. Many people buy a Pixel series phone because that's exactly what they want - the latest version of android without skins or bloatware.

Yea, there isn't much of a need for ROMs on pixels. Took me 6 months to get to the point I was missing AOSiP and decided to build for it lol.
Sent from my Pixel 3a XL using XDA Labs

yurikoles said:
I ask this question because I see a very little activity on a ROMs forum, I didn't check other ones.
For example my previous phone, Mi A1 (Android One) has an official builds for most ROM, even my wife's Mi A3 has much better activity. I had bought Pixel because I'm a Google fanboy and its cheapest Pixel available.
My own answer: people with less budget just buy Android One phones (like Mi A* line), people who want Pixel buy a full phone, like Pixel 3 (without a) or 4.
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Before the Pixel 3a and the Pixel OG, I had a LG G3 and the Galaxy S3. Always used custom ROMS. Haven't used a custom ROM for either Pixel. No need.

Ok, I got it, thanks

I think pixel popularity will take off when TWRP is able to be installed. I admit I have been spoiled by TWRP and the ease with which ROMs can be flashed and most importantly backups can be made.

alliance1975 said:
I think pixel popularity will take off when TWRP is able to be installed. I admit I have been spoiled by TWRP and the ease with which ROMs can be flashed and most importantly backups can be made.
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Ohh, how I miss nandroids!

good thread and yeah i think we're getting to the "post-mortem" point re: ROMs (Skittles9823’ AOSiP notwithstanding). i went from the samsung galaxy s3 -> xperia z3 -> xperia xz1c -> pixel 3a, and each one has been a big step down in terms of ROM availability (i was spoiled with the galaxy s3, in hindsight). i really did think the 3a would be a ROM bonanza but i also agree with the general vibe that stock android is so, so much better than it was 5 years ago that it's harder and harder to find things worth "fixing".

c_tho said:
good thread and yeah i think we're getting to the "post-mortem" point re: ROMs (Skittles9823’ AOSiP notwithstanding). i went from the samsung galaxy s3 -> xperia z3 -> xperia xz1c -> pixel 3a, and each one has been a big step down in terms of ROM availability (i was spoiled with the galaxy s3, in hindsight). i really did think the 3a would be a ROM bonanza but i also agree with the general vibe that stock android is so, so much better than it was 5 years ago that it's harder and harder to find things worth "fixing".
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The only AOSP 10 ROM I have run on my Pixel 3a (Havoc 3.1) fixed one thing compared to stock - Voice over WiFi/Voice over LTE - and that is so low-margin that it often goes unaddressed; basically, there's a lot less broke with either stock OR AOSP; result, what is there to "fix"? TWRP itself is needed much less because - even going back as far as Android 8, the OS backs itself up regularly, by default, and without the end user doing anything. (With Samsung Experience (the predecessor to OneUI), I noticed it in the Samsung Members app; it's been retained in OneUI in the same place. It's by default in Android 9 + going forward; it still is in both Android 10 and the 11 Developer Preview - basically, the scutwork is going away. I haven't needed to root at all
with 10; who would have thought that? (In fact, among those of you that still run Magisk on 10, do you REALLY need to root to do what needs (in your opinion) doing? Or are you simply used to having to?

PGHammer said:
I haven't needed to root at all
with 10; who would have thought that? (In fact, among those of you that still run Magisk on 10, do you REALLY need to root to do what needs (in your opinion) doing? Or are you simply used to having to?
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Yea. I absolutely need to root to do what I need. QuickSwitch is a must for me, custom kernels which provide wireguard at the kernel level, substratum for uniform dark mode (although stock theming is good now, but for apps that don't have a dark mode yet, substratum is needed), Active Edge customisation is also super convenient.
Thats pretty much the necessary stuff for me, the rest is mainly just custom fonts and liking to have complete control over my device. Also the fact that I'm a module developer so tinkering with this stuff is fun for me :laugh:
Sent from my Pixel 3a XL using XDA Labs

The comments suggest everyone has their own set of musts and wants for their devices. Stock Android provides the musts for me as well as some wants. But I will continue to read the forums.

alliance1975 said:
I think pixel popularity will take off when TWRP is able to be installed. I admit I have been spoiled by TWRP and the ease with which ROMs can be flashed and most importantly backups can be made.
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SketchyStunts said:
Ohh, how I miss nandroids!
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Not sure if we really need nandroids: you can easily backup and restore apps and their data even without TWRP and generally we have factory images / installation bundles available for our device. So there is not really a need for TWRP ... in addition I doubt that TWRP for Android 10+ will be available soon.

Skittles9823 said:
Yea. I absolutely need to root to do what I need. QuickSwitch is a must for me, custom kernels which provide wireguard at the kernel level, substratum for uniform dark mode (although stock theming is good now, but for apps that don't have a dark mode yet, substratum is needed), Active Edge customisation is also super convenient.
Thats pretty much the necessary stuff for me, the rest is mainly just custom fonts and liking to have complete control over my device. Also the fact that I'm a module developer so tinkering with this stuff is fun for me :laugh:
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I ask because how many folks need to go there? If anything, it has become fewer; more Anidroid users, but fewer follks needing to root because the need to root has dropped because the core is more capable than it used to be. You have said it yourself; some of why you root is out of convenience; not typical of most folks, is it?

PGHammer said:
I ask because how many folks need to go there? If anything, it has become fewer; more Anidroid users, but fewer follks needing to root because the need to root has dropped because the core is more capable than it used to be. You have said it yourself; some of why you root is out of convenience; not typical of most folks, is it?
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Yea, the need is definitely dwindling. I feel like there will will always be some amount of people doing it though.
Sent from my Pixel 3a XL using XDA Labs

Skittles9823 said:
Yea, the need is definitely dwindling. I feel like there will will always be some amount of people doing it though.
Sent from my Pixel 3a XL using XDA Labs
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Stipulated.
Thing is, the A-series Pixel addresses a market that even the Nexus ignored; smartphones that run stock that you don't have to fiddle with. (While the Galaxy Nexus came close, you still had to do some fiddling even with them; the A-series Pixel you just run, pretty much. While there are low-end smartphones - even lower-end than the A-series Pixel - that CLAIM to be as good; they have not proven themselves - not even compared to the Pixel 3a. So we are talking proven software, proven hardware, and at sane pricing. The Converse All-Star (Chuck Taylor) of smartphones. (I'm not THAT old; however, I heard of them - in my case, it was the Nike Air Strike Force as opposed to the pricier Air Jordans. I still have them.)

PGHammer said:
The Converse All-Star (Chuck Taylor) of smartphones.
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relatable, as someone who replaces his broken chucks with a new pair of chucks about every four years

I came over from the V30, which has an incredibly active community, even nearly 3 years after launch.
The reason I switched to Pixel? I was honestly tired of the time it took to try to turn my V30 into a Pixel. With everything from Pixel Experience (and other AOSP ROMs), to hacks to try to get the Q gestures on Pie, to third party ports of GCam, to people downloading and installing Digital Wellbeing, Google Phone, etc, etc, I finally realized that what I really wanted was a Pixel. So I bought one. And now I have no need to modify it.
I think people pick the 3a line precisely because they don't want to have to hack anything. The users are far more like iPhone users than like Android users. They want nice pictures of kids, and a phone that just works without much effort.

AndDiSa said:
Not sure if we really need nandroids: you can easily backup and restore apps and their data even without TWRP and generally we have factory images / installation bundles available for our device. So there is not really a need for TWRP ... in addition I doubt that TWRP for Android 10+ will be available soon.
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Click to collapse
Are Nandroids required? No. But the ability to make a full backup of your current ROM so that you can try out a new ROM or develop on a real phone and go right back to square one in the time it takes to flash the backup is certainly beneficial. It makes a huge difference and certainly more people would be willing to experiment on their daily driver phone if it was available. The idea of having to flash factory and then wait for Google to restore all my apps and data makes me cringe.
I for one have decided NOT to try some of the ROMs, etc that are available for this exact reason.

sic0048 said:
Are Nandroids required? No. But the ability to make a full backup of your current ROM so that you can try out a new ROM or develop on a real phone and go right back to square one in the time it takes to flash the backup is certainly beneficial. It makes a huge difference and certainly more people would be willing to experiment on their daily driver phone if it was available. The idea of having to flash factory and then wait for Google to restore all my apps and data makes me cringe.
I for one have decided NOT to try some of the ROMs, etc that are available for this exact reason.
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Backing up is easy without twrp. Sure it's no twrp backup, but it's fine.
You can use adb-sync to synchronise the files in internal storage with a folder in your PC and vice-versa. That along with a swift backup of all your apps, app data, etc essentially allows for a complete 100% reliable backup that only takes about 20 mins to backup/restore give or take depending on the speed of the drive it's backing up/restoring to.
Sent from my Pixel 3a XL using XDA Labs

@sic0048
I was not referring to Google's restore mechanism, but to have a local copy on an external device which can be restored if needed.
@Skittles9823
There is also my android-backup-project which is still in an early stage but as a POC it's working quite well. I am just analyzing whether there is a chance to prepare e.g. a zip which can be flashed back by standard recovery / fastboot. Probably this is not so easy thinking at generic android devices but for the Pixel ones I expect that it can be more easy.

Question Fav rom/ setup

Was curious what builds/ mods work best on these. Im Waiting on my unlock token but the only I need doordash and Uber to work and mostly wanted to get v4A back on a device and keep access to 5g. I've read over a lot but this is my first unlocked bootloader In a few years. If you have a favorite setup and are willing to share I'd love to hear,

Hey Ry4n,
Doubt this is what you are looking for, but so far I am sticking with stock OOS but with magisk installed and assorted modules such as the debloat module, busybox, and liboemcrypto. The reason for this is because so far this is not a very flashing-friendly device, without a real TWRP out for safety. I have tried EvolutionX which is really nice and I've loved it for a while, expecially on my older OnePlus devices, but it is not able to fully utilize the device's capabilities. Don't get me wrong, it is daily driver material and I do appreciate greatly the work that went into it and continually goes into it, but for my personal preferences unless there is a rom that is fully working with only minor issues (by my standards) I am not too keen on sticking with it; I love OOS cam and the quality with things like snapchat, and the speed of unlocking. Both seem small but because I interface with so many small things they become big things for me if that makes any sense. If you do try other roms though, I have found that it is not easy to get back to stock if you change your mind. EvoX, Havoc, Color OS, and maybe PA are your only options for daily driving for most people afaik so if you really wanna spend time with the device then you can try them out, in that order. Feel free to correct me if I am wrong though.

I dont know why you say its not a flash friendly device. I got the LE2110 Chinese model, and ive flashed every ROM available for this device, I had every problem possible happen(due to my choices) typing wrong codes or flashing wrong model software. EDL bootloop all kinds of ****.
This devices is amazing for flashing, just must follow directions exactly. Most roms you must flash copy-partitions first.
I would stock OOS with magisk runs the best for me as far gaming, cause I play PuBG Mobile heavy, but the latest rom available, HaVoC is ****ing sick. I would go with that one..

Question Has anyone tried GSI ROMs? How're they compared to stock? (1 III/5 III)

The title is basically self-explanatory. I'm particularly interested in these things:
AOSP/LOS/anything clean: how's battery drain? More than on stock or not?
Camera: could we replace ours with gcam? Is 70-105 switch working well?
Camera: do we have smth like XperianceCamera?
What features are we losing with unlocking bootloader? None afaics, but I may have missed something.
Thanks in advance! :^)

About Xperia 5 IV. It works great to me.
1.- No idea, never used stock. I have strong dislikes on Google.
2.- It works fine with OpenCamera, all 4 cameras detected (front, back normal, back close, back wide).
3.- No idea, I would need to try.
4.- It works fine.

Looks like I wrote a novel so TLDR:
I suck at this stuff, just getting back into custom ROMs - tried Pixel Experience 13 and Lineage OS(no Play Services (I think Android 13/A13 Beta)).
Stock Sony Rom + Root is the way to go. At least for right now.
Wouldn't count on GCam working or working well.
(Sony) Photo Pro is proprietary too afaik so you'd need someone to port it to custom OS like Lineage without G Services (what I read someone feel free to correct me). It might work with LineageOS with G Services or whatever else, I didn't try it.
END OF TLDR:
ROM EXPERIENCES:
Pixel Experience was weird, probably worked fine but I don't think the dimensions of the Xperia 5 III work well with how PE is scaled. Just this users opinion. Also I really only tried it to try it- not a huge fan of Google lately.
Lineage OS almost worked but the version I had text messages didn't work. The default one or others from F-Droid. I'm positive its user error on my part. Battery life seemed great though, it's anecdotal but it seemed markedly better without Google constantly checking in. Probably my bias.
Its important to me to have some Sony Apps and overall functionality (seems like low dev support when comparing to other devices IE Galaxy/Pixel) so I think stock Sony ROM+ Rooted is the way to go. Seemingly the general consensus on the forum too (especially since its pretty stock Android anyway).
Bonus objectives for me on stock Sony Rom is to DeGoogle + MicroG although I haven't made it all the way there yet. Then maybe long term try a Xperia 5 IV ROM for sh*ts and giggles for Android 13 since I doubt the 5 III will get it.
FUNCTIONALITY:
Your questions about GCam and losing functionality: I have heard/seen a lot of things online about GCam either needing to be ported to devices individually or that its part of Google's "Special Sauce" software wise. So I would expect stripped functionality if functional at all.
Someone who is a lot smarter and experienced than me should clarify on these last two:
Downsides to an unlocked bootloader+Custom ROM is same as always: risk of user error, bricking your device (soft bricked mine), depending on the ROM you choose you may not have Google Apps/limited so Banking apps and streaming apps won't work or won't go all the way up the resolution chain 4k20 69 fps etc. And I'm sure there is a security disclaimer somewhere out there too if you aren't careful.
Pros are same as always: Control of your device, system wide ad blocker, admin rights to delete bloatware, customization, custom ROMs, better battery life, potentially longer OS support, privacy, security, etc.
RAMBLINGS OF GETTING BACK INTO ROOTING WITH THE X5 III
*In case there are others out there who are similar to me in either getting back into rooting after a long time or the first time*
I'm pretty much a novice at this stuff but I was finally able to get my phone unlocked a few weeks ago and tried a few different ROMs. Out of what I tried I really only remember the Pixel Experience and Lineage OS. PE was fine but I'm not a huge fan of all the Google stuff so I went in the opposite direction and did Lineage OS without the Google Play Store/Services/App Framework whatever. It was almost a keeper for me except messaging wasn't working for whatever reason ((I wonder ^^)but really I think it was because it was an A13 beta). I tried a few different messaging apps but between that and losing some Sony Apps I decided to back to stock.
I feel like the big points for this phone are the camera app, the display customization depending on the content viewed, and possibly the gaming tweaks/music app? Last two are a stretch but eh ¯\_(ツ)_/¯.
The new plan was/is hoping to do was DeGoogle the stock ROM and replace it with MicroG. I haven't gotten around to it because the post I was looking at on how to do it on this forum linked to another post in a different forum and it was for Android 11. My phone is on Android 12. Looking at the comments people had said the process was the same for 12 as 11 or very similar. Shouldn't be too hard but knowing me it will take me another afternoon or two to get it figured out and working.
Long term I'm kind of hoping that when an Android 13 ROM comes out for the Xperia 5 IV we could try throwing it on our devices too. Since I doubt we will be getting Android 13 on the Xperia 5 III. I know the physical camera is different on the 5 IV but everything else seems close enough to a normie like me that maybe it would be worth it to try. Then its back to figuring out how to DeGoogle on an unsupported device and installing MicroG etc etc.
Sorry its such a late response and not the most technical (or maybe even 100% accurate) but that was at least my experience a bit ago trying a few different ROMs on the GSI thread linked in the "How To" post listed here.
This phone has really grown on me and I'm bummed I'm not savvy in any amount of Android development so I am unable to make customizations/tweaks to the stock ROM. Or customize other OS ROM's to port here. Which makes me reliant on others to do the work so I can leech off it haha. On more widely used phones like Samsung or the Pixel its NBD since there are so many users. But a small community like this, it doesn't seem like there is a lot being done. Not a dig or anything, just not a ton of options. Although being able to install a ton of different custom ROMS from the GSI thread is really cool even if it isn't tailored to the Xperia 5 III.
Part of why I threw up so much info on here goes with the last paragraph. You probably won't get a lot of responses. There aren't a ton of peeps here and those who are generally already know what they are doing.
If you end up trying a bunch of different ROMs and find one you really like LMK!

+1 to that. I don't get 5G and had bad time trying to obtain signal. It doesn't worth.

J2 digital said:
Looks like I wrote a novel so TLDR:
I suck at this stuff, just getting back into custom ROMs - tried Pixel Experience 13 and Lineage OS(no Play Services (I think Android 13/A13 Beta)).
Stock Sony Rom + Root is the way to go. At least for right now.
Wouldn't count on GCam working or working well.
(Sony) Photo Pro is proprietary too afaik so you'd need someone to port it to custom OS like Lineage without G Services (what I read someone feel free to correct me). It might work with LineageOS with G Services or whatever else, I didn't try it.
END OF TLDR:
ROM EXPERIENCES:
Pixel Experience was weird, probably worked fine but I don't think the dimensions of the Xperia 5 III work well with how PE is scaled. Just this users opinion. Also I really only tried it to try it- not a huge fan of Google lately.
Lineage OS almost worked but the version I had text messages didn't work. The default one or others from F-Droid. I'm positive its user error on my part. Battery life seemed great though, it's anecdotal but it seemed markedly better without Google constantly checking in. Probably my bias.
Its important to me to have some Sony Apps and overall functionality (seems like low dev support when comparing to other devices IE Galaxy/Pixel) so I think stock Sony ROM+ Rooted is the way to go. Seemingly the general consensus on the forum too (especially since its pretty stock Android anyway).
Bonus objectives for me on stock Sony Rom is to DeGoogle + MicroG although I haven't made it all the way there yet. Then maybe long term try a Xperia 5 IV ROM for sh*ts and giggles for Android 13 since I doubt the 5 III will get it.
FUNCTIONALITY:
Your questions about GCam and losing functionality: I have heard/seen a lot of things online about GCam either needing to be ported to devices individually or that its part of Google's "Special Sauce" software wise. So I would expect stripped functionality if functional at all.
Someone who is a lot smarter and experienced than me should clarify on these last two:
Downsides to an unlocked bootloader+Custom ROM is same as always: risk of user error, bricking your device (soft bricked mine), depending on the ROM you choose you may not have Google Apps/limited so Banking apps and streaming apps won't work or won't go all the way up the resolution chain 4k20 69 fps etc. And I'm sure there is a security disclaimer somewhere out there too if you aren't careful.
Pros are same as always: Control of your device, system wide ad blocker, admin rights to delete bloatware, customization, custom ROMs, better battery life, potentially longer OS support, privacy, security, etc.
RAMBLINGS OF GETTING BACK INTO ROOTING WITH THE X5 III
*In case there are others out there who are similar to me in either getting back into rooting after a long time or the first time*
I'm pretty much a novice at this stuff but I was finally able to get my phone unlocked a few weeks ago and tried a few different ROMs. Out of what I tried I really only remember the Pixel Experience and Lineage OS. PE was fine but I'm not a huge fan of all the Google stuff so I went in the opposite direction and did Lineage OS without the Google Play Store/Services/App Framework whatever. It was almost a keeper for me except messaging wasn't working for whatever reason ((I wonder ^^)but really I think it was because it was an A13 beta). I tried a few different messaging apps but between that and losing some Sony Apps I decided to back to stock.
I feel like the big points for this phone are the camera app, the display customization depending on the content viewed, and possibly the gaming tweaks/music app? Last two are a stretch but eh ¯\_(ツ)_/¯.
The new plan was/is hoping to do was DeGoogle the stock ROM and replace it with MicroG. I haven't gotten around to it because the post I was looking at on how to do it on this forum linked to another post in a different forum and it was for Android 11. My phone is on Android 12. Looking at the comments people had said the process was the same for 12 as 11 or very similar. Shouldn't be too hard but knowing me it will take me another afternoon or two to get it figured out and working.
Long term I'm kind of hoping that when an Android 13 ROM comes out for the Xperia 5 IV we could try throwing it on our devices too. Since I doubt we will be getting Android 13 on the Xperia 5 III. I know the physical camera is different on the 5 IV but everything else seems close enough to a normie like me that maybe it would be worth it to try. Then its back to figuring out how to DeGoogle on an unsupported device and installing MicroG etc etc.
Sorry its such a late response and not the most technical (or maybe even 100% accurate) but that was at least my experience a bit ago trying a few different ROMs on the GSI thread linked in the "How To" post listed here.
This phone has really grown on me and I'm bummed I'm not savvy in any amount of Android development so I am unable to make customizations/tweaks to the stock ROM. Or customize other OS ROM's to port here. Which makes me reliant on others to do the work so I can leech off it haha. On more widely used phones like Samsung or the Pixel its NBD since there are so many users. But a small community like this, it doesn't seem like there is a lot being done. Not a dig or anything, just not a ton of options. Although being able to install a ton of different custom ROMS from the GSI thread is really cool even if it isn't tailored to the Xperia 5 III.
Part of why I threw up so much info on here goes with the last paragraph. You probably won't get a lot of responses. There aren't a ton of peeps here and those who are generally already know what they are doing.
If you end up trying a bunch of different ROMs and find one you really like LMK!
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Click to collapse
Thanks for putting all your experiences out here, really a huge help. I would also like to try out lineage, but can't seem to find a supported version. Would you mind pointing me in the right direction?

Claussen said:
I would also like to try out lineage, but can't seem to find a supported version. Would you mind pointing me in the right direction?
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Click to collapse
If you don't mind a customized one, try crDroid

i would like to try custom ROM's but since no TWRP anymore to get for the Xperia's i hate to reinstall everything just to test something new.