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(Discussion) What is the first thing you do when you get a new phone?

So, I'm just curious. What is the first thing you do when you get a new phone and go through the initial setup?
And, how long do you run the stock ROM before you root and flash?
I will normally download and install a different launcher and set up my screens with my apps and widgets.
Or I will see what kind of bloatware I have and how much available storage I have to work with.
The first phone I had was the Droid X2 which I didn't root until about 10 months after I got it. I researched and read about the basics of rooting then finally decided to take the plunge after a few months.
The second phone I had was the S3 on VZW. I had it less than one months before I rooted it and flashed a Custom ROM. I just couldn't take the ui of TW.
I eventually sold it after 3 months and bought a VZW Galaxy Nexus in near mint condition. I unlocked and rooted it the first day I had it. I am still on the stock ROM after having it for a week. I couldn't be happier with the performance. The battery life is horrible, of course, but I am always near a charger.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

What I do
I will restore my previously downloaded apps, root it, flash new rom if possible

rooting it and removing bloatware then searching in the net searching for custom rom.

Update rom and root.

removing bloatware, apps and services i don't use

Root! Root! Root!
I root my phone. Then I install Titanium Backup and back everything up. Then I start looking at new roms.

Read through preferences and adjust them.

Root it... Flash it...

Oldskool1337 said:
Root it... Flash it...
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Yep...best and easiest to do when you have no data to back up on the phone.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk

Redapple63 said:
Yep...best and easiest to do when you have no data to back up on the phone.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk
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Agreed.
I got a new LG G2 a week ago, checked out how bad the stock rom looked and felt, and just went to cyanogen, then re-did my apps/launcher.
Then comes the inevitable sleepless nights on xda and other sites, just fumbling with the device.

I kept my Note 2 stock for about 4 months or so, nearly busted it rooting it too as TWRP doesn't like the LTE model, so I have to go with the CWM recovery, which I'm not a huge fan of.

Run some benchmarks (just curious), install apps, sign in on my accounts, customize homescreen/wallpaper/ringtones, etc.
I don't root (call me lame if you want to).
Sent from my Nexus 5 using xda app-developers app

When i bought my S4, i told myself i would try and leave it alone and use it the way it came. After about 20 minutes using touchwiz, i was rooting and installing custom roms. I guess once you start, it's hard to go back =/

I usually fool around with the settings and install at least 50 apps that are my daily runners
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

Rooting
Gesendet von meinem Nexus 4 mit Tapatalk

My first thing is structure of the Device / Configuration and then the appearance .

I restore my data form previous phone (contacts, messages, appointments, apps, etc.).

In this order:
Root it, back up the factory image, remove bloatware, tweak settings for performance, restoring settings from previous device reload all my apps, make another backup.
The only thing I left out was flashing a new ROM i'll do only after i'm sure the device is not a defect breaking down all the time by stress testing the hell out of it.
Sell it for crack and then steal another one to keep the cycle going... lol j/k

why can't just enjoy the new phone

camera n specs
the first thing u do wen I get phone is.... check d clearance or clarity of camera..... n few specs like ram, rom... processor

Verizon Pixel

Hey folks,
Long story short, I got rid of my 6P for an iPhone. I switch back and forth every year between both platforms, but man i'm missing android really bad lately, after only 2 months.
Can you root, unlock the bootloader, or put a custom kernel on the verizon pixel?
I dont really care for ROMs because flashing was becoming too time consuming, I just want stock image with a kernel.
Thanks,
Kinesics

With the release of Android 7.1.1 two days ago you can no longer unlock the Verizon bootloader using the depixel8 exploit. Of course if you get a phone that hasn't updated yet and can prevent that update you can unlock it.

I suggest you buy the Google store version instead. Fully unlockable and 100℅ compatible on Verizon. Even Verizon video chat works on the non Verizon one.

larsdennert said:
I suggest you buy the Google store version instead. Fully unlockable and 100℅ compatible on Verizon. Even Verizon video chat works on the non Verizon one.
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I would but my connect at Verizon is letting me do a return on my iPhone after 60 days, so really I'd pay nothing. Since the patch just came out 3 days ago I'm pretty sure i can find a phone thats been sitting on the self for 2 weeks.

kinesics said:
I would but my connect at Verizon is letting me do a return on my iPhone after 60 days, so really I'd pay nothing. Since the patch just came out 3 days ago I'm pretty sure i can find a phone thats been sitting on the self for 2 weeks.
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Totally get that, some of the vzw deals are amazing. Just be careful when you first turn it on, read the various threads here and in the Pixel XL forums. Some say you can bypass setup to depixel8 and others have not been able to. Simply, plan it out really thoroughly.
As for just unlocking in order to install a kernel, I'm not really sure you need it. I've been bootloader locked since DP2 on my N5x and battery life is amazing on that and this device. So if you do unlock then update to 7.1.1 after that and run stock kernel for a week. You might want to give up flashing all together.. well other than the OTA which you can sideload.

rpjwalter said:
With the release of Android 7.1.1 two days ago you can no longer unlock the Verizon bootloader using the depixel8 exploit. Of course if you get a phone that hasn't updated yet and can prevent that update you can unlock it.
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kinesics said:
I would but my connect at Verizon is letting me do a return on my iPhone after 60 days, so really I'd pay nothing. Since the patch just came out 3 days ago I'm pretty sure i can find a phone thats been sitting on the self for 2 weeks.
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I've had mine for about 36 hours. It's unlocked and rooted already!

Got my Pixel last week followed the steps and I'm in business. Unlocked and feeling right at home, no more sea of icons!

bobby janow said:
Totally get that, some of the vzw deals are amazing. Just be careful when you first turn it on, read the various threads here and in the Pixel XL forums. Some say you can bypass setup to depixel8 and others have not been able to. Simply, plan it out really thoroughly.
As for just unlocking in order to install a kernel, I'm not really sure you need it. I've been bootloader locked since DP2 on my N5x and battery life is amazing on that and this device. So if you do unlock then update to 7.1.1 after that and run stock kernel for a week. You might want to give up flashing all together.. well other than the OTA which you can sideload.
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Thanks for help, went with stock OS and Franco kernel. I just cant be 100% stock. I did stay all stock for a few days but ultimately enjoy Franco's work.

Root now or wait for the official nougat update?

I just got my honor 8 and was wondering if I will get system updates when I upgrade the to the beta nougat?

I think that before rooting you should ask yourself what do you want to achieve. I used to root every phone that I had, usually in first two weeks after purchase. But now I have a phone and a tablet , both from Huawei and neither of them is rooted. Why? Because I came to the conclusion that I gained nothing with root and lost a lot. First there is no fully functional custom kernel for Honor 8 and the same is true for custom roms. So what is the point of rooting then? To have troubles with any single OTA and cutting off any chance of using secure apps (like Android Pay, other payment methods, Pokemon..). And profited only a chance to get rid of some system apps? Which can be frozen and removed from the home screen instead without rooting the phone.
I believe Android changed a lot with Marshmallow and every new release seems to be a step in the right direction. Huawei's EMUI is not a disorder in the concept, rather an improvement in many functionalities of the stock system (call recorder, close all apps, eye comfort screen, themes, phone manager....).
Honestly, I'm missing only two things to declare this phone as perfect: internet calling (voip, native sip, volte) and dark mode. But none of these could be solved with rooting. Internet calling should be implement (better: retrieved as the aosp has it already) by Huawei and dark mode might be created either by the producer or a skilled themer. Without rooting.

You probably would once the official version of Nougat for the Honor 8 is released. Personally, I would wait for the official release of Nougat rather than use the Beta. As it has allot of bugs and missing features on it.

DarkGuyver said:
You probably would once the official version of Nougat for the Honor 8 is released. Personally, I would wait for the official release of Nougat rather than use the Beta. As it has allot of bugs and missing features on it.
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The beta's are actually pretty stable with very few bugs. And waiting on Huawei for the update is useless. Their updates are the slowest of any manufacturer I have ever seen. Use the Charles method and update as soon as possible. It's like a whole new phone.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=69885525
Sent from my FRD-L04 using Tapatalk

I have had my honor 8 for a few months now and I too normally root etc my phones as soon as I get them.
I have not rooted this one and am not planning on for a good while.
Im on the beta N program and I find that this together with the themes and fonts that I can use with out root makes the phone do everything that I want it to.
I'm going to keep my one as stock and make use of the updates that have been promised.
I can't see the point in rooting my phone just coz it's seen to be the thing to do with Android phones.
I do however have other phones that are rooted and I change the Roms weekly and am constantly playing with them.
Perhaps I'm happier keeping this unrooted coz I'm getting my fix elsewhere.
My advice would be root your phone if you need it to do something that requires root other wise enjoy your phone.
John
Sent from my Honor 8 using XDA Labs

clsA said:
The beta's are actually pretty stable with very few bugs. And waiting on Huawei for the update is useless. Their updates are the slowest of any manufacturer I have ever seen. Use the Charles method and update as soon as possible. It's like a whole new phone.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=69885525
Sent from my FRD-L04 using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
I'm still betting Huawei/Honor is faster than any Cell Provider's OS Update releases. They take forever to come out as they have to wait for the device manufacturer to release their updates before they can modd them even further.

If your reason for rooting would be that you want Nougat now I would say wait. Personally I rooted my phone yesterday, and my reason was that i can't stand EMUI one day longer. I came from a Oneplus One and before that I have always rooted my phones. This time I waited for 4 weeks before I rooted, but could not live with the limited config settings I could change, so I rooted. No regrets.
But if you are fine with EMUI than take it easy and wait for the official update to Nougat.

Please guide me...What is my first step? G955u1

I appreciate any help you experts can give... links and videos. I'm running out of time and don't have enough to research everything... so I hate asking but I have to... I leave in 4 days and this device is still in the box.
My trusty and loved Nexus 6 of 4 years finally burned its charging port out and until the Pixel 3 hits.. I bought an S8 Plus. The model I have is G955u1z an unlocked S8+ I picked up from Best Buy. I hate to admit it but its been so long since I've done any flashing /updating because I had my N6 so well tuned.. that I'm rusty and at a loss of where to begin. Yes I'm searching, yes I'm googling and youtubing but often I am finding methods that aren't for the unlocked version and I don't want to go from box to brick in 3 days. For reference this device will be hooked up to my Verizon account.. I'm still using my N6 for the moment (thankfully it has Qi.. which has kept me from upgrading to a new Nexus or Pixel since). I understand that I will loose Knox.. and Samsung pay. Had to find out what that even was but don't think i would use it anyway.
So what is my first step? Update to the latest stock rom? Install TWRP immediatly? I see that there is something new.. Magisk but I'm not fully grasping it I guess to know if its better than Su, but from what i gather you can hide root from apps with it? Advantages/Disadvanatages? I'm also a dedicated Xposed user also, so that is a must to have. I really prefer the stock android experience but it seems most run the Renovate Ice 3.0 rom? Is there a way to make the other speaker work instead of that downward firing single one? Gesture navigation from the Pixel?
Please pick through guys... if you can help with anything I am in your debt. Just bad luck/bad timing when I should be excited about a new shiny.

mulderato said:
I appreciate any help you experts can give... links and videos. I'm running out of time and don't have enough to research everything... so I hate asking but I have to... I leave in 4 days and this device is still in the box.
My trusty and loved Nexus 6 of 4 years finally burned its charging port out and until the Pixel 3 hits.. I bought an S8 Plus. The model I have is G955u1z an unlocked S8+ I picked up from Best Buy. I hate to admit it but its been so long since I've done any flashing /updating because I had my N6 so well tuned.. that I'm rusty and at a loss of where to begin. Yes I'm searching, yes I'm googling and youtubing but often I am finding methods that aren't for the unlocked version and I don't want to go from box to brick in 3 days. For reference this device will be hooked up to my Verizon account.. I'm still using my N6 for the moment (thankfully it has Qi.. which has kept me from upgrading to a new Nexus or Pixel since). I understand that I will loose Knox.. and Samsung pay. Had to find out what that even was but don't think i would use it anyway.
So what is my first step? Update to the latest stock rom? Install TWRP immediatly? I see that there is something new.. Magisk but I'm not fully grasping it I guess to know if its better than Su, but from what i gather you can hide root from apps with it? Advantages/Disadvanatages? I'm also a dedicated Xposed user also, so that is a must to have. I really prefer the stock android experience but it seems most run the Renovate Ice 3.0 rom? Is there a way to make the other speaker work instead of that downward firing single one? Gesture navigation from the Pixel?
Please pick through guys... if you can help with anything I am in your debt. Just bad luck/bad timing when I should be excited about a new shiny.
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By posting in this section here

mulderato said:
I appreciate any help you experts can give... links and videos. I'm running out of time and don't have enough to research everything... so I hate asking but I have to... I leave in 4 days and this device is still in the box.
My trusty and loved Nexus 6 of 4 years finally burned its charging port out and until the Pixel 3 hits.. I bought an S8 Plus. The model I have is G955u1z an unlocked S8+ I picked up from Best Buy. I hate to admit it but its been so long since I've done any flashing /updating because I had my N6 so well tuned.. that I'm rusty and at a loss of where to begin. Yes I'm searching, yes I'm googling and youtubing but often I am finding methods that aren't for the unlocked version and I don't want to go from box to brick in 3 days. For reference this device will be hooked up to my Verizon account.. I'm still using my N6 for the moment (thankfully it has Qi.. which has kept me from upgrading to a new Nexus or Pixel since). I understand that I will loose Knox.. and Samsung pay. Had to find out what that even was but don't think i would use it anyway.
So what is my first step? Update to the latest stock rom? Install TWRP immediatly? I see that there is something new.. Magisk but I'm not fully grasping it I guess to know if its better than Su, but from what i gather you can hide root from apps with it? Advantages/Disadvanatages? I'm also a dedicated Xposed user also, so that is a must to have. I really prefer the stock android experience but it seems most run the Renovate Ice 3.0 rom? Is there a way to make the other speaker work instead of that downward firing single one? Gesture navigation from the Pixel?
Please pick through guys... if you can help with anything I am in your debt. Just bad luck/bad timing when I should be excited about a new shiny.
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Click to collapse
there is 1 rooted rom but no twrp maybe safestrap but we have locked bootloaders so no good
Check out partcyborg rom

Wait...... lol.. you mean that the Snapdragon versions... even carrier unlocked still have locked bootloaders? ohhhhhgod...I can't live with this device in stock form.

mulderato said:
Wait...... lol.. you mean that the Snapdragon versions... even carrier unlocked still have locked bootloaders? ohhhhhgod...I can't live with this device in stock form.
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Click to collapse
Yes it's horrible

New Vivo Nex (Global) on order, list of dos and don'ts

I have a new Vivo Nex showing up tomorrow and can't wait to dive in, it is the global version so from what I have read should save me considerable time. I am coming from a Mi Mix 2 Chinese version which was a hassle to get it unlocked and then finally changed the rom, several times in fact. It has been a good phone for the last year but is starting to have some issues so it is time to change up again. I guess I am just wondering if there are any pitfalls I should avoid when setting it up. I purchased Nova Launcher Prime in 2015 and have used it on many phones so I plan on starting there but I also might look at the Pixel Launcher as well. Thanks for any replies.

x5-rwk said:
I have a new Vivo Nex showing up tomorrow and can't wait to dive in, it is the global version so from what I have read should save me considerable time. I am coming from a Mi Mix 2 Chinese version which was a hassle to get it unlocked and then finally changed the rom, several times in fact. It has been a good phone for the last year but is starting to have some issues so it is time to change up again. I guess I am just wondering if there are any pitfalls I should avoid when setting it up. I purchased Nova Launcher Prime in 2015 and have used it on many phones so I plan on starting there but I also might look at the Pixel Launcher as well. Thanks for any replies.
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Click to collapse
I came from the Mix2 Chinese version too. I never changed the rom and it's still going strong with my son. As for the NexS there's really nothing to do except permissions etc. It's pretty straightforward especially if you're used to miui. I actually prefer Funtouch to miui in some ways.