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[Completed] [Q] Several general questions about custom recovery and roms

Let me start by saying I am not completely new at this now and have unlocked, rooted, and installed some custom firmware (or is rom the preferred term?) on a few other more popular brand devices. Being as they were popular that made it super easy to find information, tutorials, and files. While I understand the basics of all the things I was doing and have learned a lot about using ADB and fastboot for instance I am still a bit lost on a couple key items.
So I recently however bought an iRulu V1 phone off of Amazon. While I was able to resolve how to root the device, which I can post about if anyone is interested, I can't seem to find enough information about custom recovery and roms. So here are some basic questions I have, which again I guess I should know since I dove in head first on my other devices, but I am still not sure when it comes to these things and really should understand them
1) Do I need a version of CWM or TWRP made for this device specifically or is there some generic that works for any device?
My device came with KitKat 4.4.2 no upgrade available form manufacturer currently to 4.4.4 or any update for Lollipop. I would love to install the latest version I can of course.
2) Similar to question #1, Is a custom rom needed to get any higher version of Android or can some generic version be installed?
3) On both question above, where does one begin to locate these generic or standard versions?
4) If there are generic versions of the recovery and/or Android rom, What are some of the caveats I might run into using them? More meaning what features might simply just not work?
5) I cannot find an image of the rom included with my phone from the manufacturer, What application or process could I use to be sure I have a complete backup I could restore should I do something stupid?
I tried an ADB backup and the image it created seemed way off in size even though I was using what I thought were proper parameters to get everything including the system.
I really have these questions as I still think of Android like one would of Linux for instance. If I have a computer Linux can run on, I can usually find a very generic ISO to get the OS installed and customize from there. I guess that is really what I am trying to do here, get as updated a version of Android as I can and then make everything work by loading modules or drivers as needed. I guess finally, Is that not really how it works with the Android OS ?
thanks so much for any answers or insight. I have thus far like many others found the info here invaluable while playing around with my various Android devices I have. I hope too that my post is falling into the proper format requested by this section, apologies if not.
LT

Hi, thank you for using XDA Assist. You're right, there is no information about your device on XDA. In general, only flash recoveries or roms that are specific to your device. There are no general ones. Flashing something that is not specific can brick your device. Your best bet is to ask specific questions about your device here, http://forum.xda-developers.com/android/help and hope someone else with your device can help.
Sorry I can't be of more help.

Thread closed.

How does a non-techy get Cyanogenmod installed on a Samsung Galaxy Ace 3?

Apologies if this is not really the place for this question but I don't know where else to go for an answer. I have just purchased a Z1 after years of putting up with Samsung bloatware etc and it has changed my life! I would like to transform my wife's phone experience as well. She can only really use a small phone and has been happy with her Ace 3 until recently, when it started to get slow and erratic. In desperation she has bought an iPhone 5 but this has not been a happy experience at all! I cannot find any new small Android phones that come with Cyanogen pre-installed so I am wondering if we can get it installed on her old Ace 3. From the discussions in this forum I guess this can be done but, not having any technical training in this subject, I really dont understand much of what is being said. I have no idea how to go about this.
So is there either a very simple manual on what to do or else a UK-based expert who can do this for me (for a fee, obviously)?

you can look from the android development section. but, it may vary to your phone model. there is a instructions to on how to install a cyanogenmod os on your ace 3. at least you are familliar with custom recoveries like cwm or twrp, you should install it first on your phone via odin in your pc.

You guys know so much
Hi, PAPlinskie, and thanks so much for getting back to me. I really appreciate it. I have looked at the page you refer to and I just don't understand it! (I don't know what cwm or twrp or Odin are) I guess you guys don't realise just how much you know. I suspect that the answer to my question is probably that there isn't an absolute layman's guide so I will probably have to look for someone to do it for me. Thanks for trying anyway.

Garth Horigan said:
Hi, PAPlinskie, and thanks so much for getting back to me. I really appreciate it. I have looked at the page you refer to and I just don't understand it! (I don't know what cwm or twrp or Odin are) I guess you guys don't realise just how much you know. I suspect that the answer to my question is probably that there isn't an absolute layman's guide so I will probably have to look for someone to do it for me. Thanks for trying anyway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At first I didn't want to flash Custom ROM's on my phone for fear of breaking it... But All I had to do was just follow instructions to the "T" and I had no hiccups...
Okay, so lemme clear some things up for you.
Odin is an Application which you run on a Windows machine, (Your PC). It serves as a bridge to allow you to put custom software such as custom recoveries and allows you to fix a broken device (If the software is the problem)
TWRP & CWM are both custom recoveries. You can think of the stock recovery mode in Android like Safe Mode in Windows, It allows you to Wipe your entire phone or perform other recovery options if you are unable to access the phone when you turn it on. A custom recovery allows all these functions, but on top of that, allows you to flash (install) files to your phone, Like your CyanogenMod.
In a nutshell, if you want CyanogenMod on your Ace 3, you will have to:
1. Install drivers on your PC so that it recognises your phone
2. Using ODIN, flash a custom Recovery
3. Download a CyanogenMod port found here on the forums.
4. Install (Flash) it in your Custom recovery.
The guides here on XDA are really good, all you have to do is do your homework, read, understand and you will have no problems.
Good Luck with your quest on Custom ROMS:good:

The coward's way out!
Sayrian said:
At first I didn't want to flash Custom ROM's on my phone for fear of breaking it... But All I had to do was just follow instructions to the "T" and I had no hiccups...
Okay, so lemme clear some things up for you.
Odin is an Application which you run on a Windows machine, (Your PC). It serves as a bridge to allow you to put custom software such as custom recoveries and allows you to fix a broken device (If the software is the problem)
TWRP & CWM are both custom recoveries. You can think of the stock recovery mode in Android like Safe Mode in Windows, It allows you to Wipe your entire phone or perform other recovery options if you are unable to access the phone when you turn it on. A custom recovery allows all these functions, but on top of that, allows you to flash (install) files to your phone, Like your CyanogenMod.
In a nutshell, if you want CyanogenMod on your Ace 3, you will have to:
1. Install drivers on your PC so that it recognises your phone
2. Using ODIN, flash a custom Recovery
3. Download a CyanogenMod port found here on the forums.
4. Install (Flash) it in your Custom recovery.
The guides here on XDA are really good, all you have to do is do your homework, read, understand and you will have no problems.
Good Luck with your quest on Custom ROMS:good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have taken the coward's way out. I went into my local neighbourhood PC techie shop and asked if they knew of a reliable local phone engineer who could install Cyanogen for me. The boss' assistant said he does that sort of thing for a hobby and was happy to do it for me in return for a donation to his drone fund! He seems to made a cracking job of it and my wife is overjoyed to have her Ace back in a turbo-charged state.
Many thanks for your help and I am only sorry I was not brave enough to act on it.

Garth Horigan said:
I have taken the coward's way out. I went into my local neighbourhood PC techie shop and asked if they knew of a reliable local phone engineer who could install Cyanogen for me. The boss' assistant said he does that sort of thing for a hobby and was happy to do it for me in return for a donation to his drone fund! He seems to made a cracking job of it and my wife is overjoyed to have her Ace back in a turbo-charged state.
Many thanks for your help and I am only sorry I was not brave enough to act on it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's okay. We all know how daunting these things can be because you don't want to brick your device.
Maybe in the future you will be able to try it yourself.

[Completed] Wacom Cintiq Companion Hybrid ( DTH-A1300L ) android needs custom rom or stock bad

I have a Wacom Cintiq Companion Hybrid ( DTH-A1300L ) android version needs help in so many ways. I bought it because I really need one for one of my jobs, yet can't really afford the crazy overpriced insanity that is a new Wacom so the reason it was so cheap was "can't connect to the Play Store. I know, hella foolish, I thought I could fix it by rooting it, but this thing is like level 10 as there is so little info as no one wanted to touch them it seems. I did find one guy on this forum that at one point rooted I am fair to average at rooting and the understanding of all that surrounds it. I have happily and successfully rooted my phones and tablet but I am no pro and fairly good at having gaping invisible holes in my info or logic when it comes to things like this.
Most frustrating is this thing is stuck on android 4 . 1 . 1 for no good reason I can imagine. It has dev tools installed after factory data reset but no google apps. (It arrived factory data reset)
I tried the relevant framework and store and the delete the cache trick to no avail. It can not update and can not even get to the Play Store.
Sooo the bad news is; no Google apps. No updates offered and stuck on some weird what looks like not stock version of 4 .1 .1 Jellybean.
When I plug it into my PC via USB it does not even show up in device manager.
The good news is I rooted it. Checked with root checker (unfortunately for now its Kingroot)
1. I have no idea how to make a back up from here. (no USB connection to PC issue)
or
2. what rom will work as my device is not listed on any of them. It would be great to find the stock rom as I am afraid this things cool and weird cintiq mode, pen function like abilities may be disabled or rendered useless with just any android rom.
Is there anyway to somehow find the stock OS on my device through boot loader? A place to find my stock or like rom. A clever work around?
Thanks in advance. for any who take up the challenge and offer any help or thoughts.
Cheers
Anyone know
What clockwork or custom recovery should I use?

Duende101 said:
I have a Wacom Cintiq Companion Hybrid ( DTH-A1300L ) android version needs help in so many ways. I bought it because I really need one for one of my jobs, yet can't really afford the crazy overpriced insanity that is a new Wacom so the reason it was so cheap was "can't connect to the Play Store. I know, hella foolish, I thought I could fix it by rooting it, but this thing is like level 10 as there is so little info as no one wanted to touch them it seems. I did find one guy on this forum that at one point rooted I am fair to average at rooting and the understanding of all that surrounds it. I have happily and successfully rooted my phones and tablet but I am no pro and fairly good at having gaping invisible holes in my info or logic when it comes to things like this.
Most frustrating is this thing is stuck on android 4 . 1 . 1 for no good reason I can imagine. It has dev tools installed after factory data reset but no google apps. (It arrived factory data reset)
I tried the relevant framework and store and the delete the cache trick to no avail. It can not update and can not even get to the Play Store.
Sooo the bad news is; no Google apps. No updates offered and stuck on some weird what looks like not stock version of 4 .1 .1 Jellybean.
When I plug it into my PC via USB it does not even show up in device manager.
The good news is I rooted it. Checked with root checker (unfortunately for now its Kingroot)
1. I have no idea how to make a back up from here. (no USB connection to PC issue)
or
2. what rom will work as my device is not listed on any of them. It would be great to find the stock rom as I am afraid this things cool and weird cintiq mode, pen function like abilities may be disabled or rendered useless with just any android rom.
Is there anyway to somehow find the stock OS on my device through boot loader? A place to find my stock or like rom. A clever work around?
Thanks in advance. for any who take up the challenge and offer any help or thoughts.
Cheers
Anyone know
What clockwork or custom recovery should I use?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Greetings and welcome to assist. If you have root yoy can try installing gapps through flashify it may work. For custom rom there is an excellent guide here
https://forum.xda-developers.com/chef-central/android/guide-android-rom-development-t2814763
and for custom recovery an excellent guide here
https://forum.xda-developers.com/android/software/guide-how-to-compile-twrp-source-step-t3404024
Good luck
Sawdoctor

sawdoctor said:
Greetings and welcome to assist. If you have root yoy can try installing gapps through flashify it may work. For custom rom there is an excellent guide here
https://forum.xda-developers.com/chef-central/android/guide-android-rom-development-t2814763
and for custom recovery an excellent guide here
https://forum.xda-developers.com/android/software/guide-how-to-compile-twrp-source-step-t3404024
Good luck
Sawdoctor
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I will see what I can find out and report back. Also editing from device to check date

sawdoctor said:
Greetings and welcome to assist. If you have root yoy can try installing gapps through flashify it may work. For custom rom there is an excellent guide here
https://forum.xda-developers.com/chef-central/android/guide-android-rom-development-t2814763
and for custom recovery an excellent guide here
https://forum.xda-developers.com/android/software/guide-how-to-compile-twrp-source-step-t3404024
Good luck
Sawdoctor
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Excuse my noobness. Flashify looks good, I installed it, but don't I need some image from somewhere either the stock OS or a new one for it to work? Not sure how to get Gapps from there.
It did I think, find something, a "restore kernel" and "stock recovery" I am unsure did it find my stock kernel and recovery and or ROM and I should boot from that? ( again apologies a-lot of new info and its getting a bit swirly) In otherwords since my device is not listed any where and at this point any working Android version will do, I am wrong to try and reboot from this? These devices are supposed to come stock on 4.2.2, so I am hoping perhaps incorrectly it will go back to that? That would be ideal at this point.
So I can work again whatever works.
Also I a bit concerned about the "date" I posted from on one of these. I think I posted from the Wacom. Perhaps the problem in deeper than I thought as that is Linux time 0?
I think it self corrected but originally it said I posted on Jan 1 1970...
As for custom ROM, I probably wont be able to make my own custom ROM, even though I would love to take to the time to learn, for now I have too many art and work related deadlines.
I was hoping for one that already existed that would work with my device.
Perhaps I misunderstood something about how all this works? Also I do not have Unbuntu. I should as I support an open internet, but WINE really does not run the Adobe products I need for work so
I am stuck with Windows.

Duende101 said:
Excuse my noobness. Flashify looks good, I installed it, but don't I need some image from somewhere either the stock OS or a new one for it to work? Not sure how to get Gapps from there.
It did I think, find something, a "restore kernel" and "stock recovery" I am unsure did it find my stock kernel and recovery and or ROM and I should boot from that? ( again apologies a-lot of new info and its getting a bit swirly) In otherwords since my device is not listed any where and at this point any working Android version will do, I am wrong to try and reboot from this? These devices are supposed to come stock on 4.2.2, so I am hoping perhaps incorrectly it will go back to that? That would be ideal at this point.
So I can work again whatever works.
Also I a bit concerned about the "date" I posted from on one of these. I think I posted from the Wacom. Perhaps the problem in deeper than I thought as that is Linux time 0?
I think it self corrected but originally it said I posted on Jan 1 1970...
As for custom ROM, I probably wont be able to make my own custom ROM, even though I would love to take to the time to learn, for now I have too many art and work related deadlines.
I was hoping for one that already existed that would work with my device.
Perhaps I misunderstood something about how all this works? Also I do not have Unbuntu. I should as I support an open internet, but WINE really does not run the Adobe products I need for work so
I am stuck with Windows.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you just want to be able to install apps from the playstore then this is a simple alternative
https://www.xda-developers.com/unshackle-your-device-from-the-google-play-store-with-apkupdater/
If your phone is rooted then flashify can flash zips like gapps without the need for a custom recovery. If you are serious about trying to make your own rom/recovery then use a virtualbox in windows. http://www.osboxes.org/ has plenty of prebuilt virtual linux machines that will run on windows
Regards
Sawdoctor

I appreciate all your help. I got the "google of every kind from Gapps on has stopped" is over, which was intense as it popped up every few seconds, I somehow got that to quit by reloading the proper one from the APK Pure app which was an odd work around but nothing else was working. Still have this unsettling bare bones screen and none of the stock apps as well as it being stuck in 4.1.1. This device was made for 4.2. and I assume it was on here at one point.
I wonder if that alone could cause hardware issues. I thought about taking out the battery, until I realized that thing is inaccessible as a thing can be without wrecking the industrial glues and taking the entire thing apart which sounds
like an accident waiting to happen and possible making things worse. I imagine that is last case scenario.
Like I said I would love to make my stock reload, at this point that would be great as this thing seems unstable and no trick makes the play store work or allow me to sign into the device with my google email.
I think you are saying to make my own recovery/ROM of my own device I need to do the virtual box thing. Correct? Or is that for writing your own custom ROM? I can try that; make my own recovery that is, as it is not on CWM or TWRPs supported devices list so I have no choice and all in all would prefer the thing to load as if it was fresh out of the box not this 4.1. One serious hiccup I have found trying to use my PC is my device is not recognized as a storage device or otherwise. Not sure if this is due to the weird settings of Cintiq mode or simply because the thing is in a very weird state of 4.1.1. So that may make making changes via computer impossible. I am not the type to give up. Thanks again Saw
Here also is a sum up I added to a the just basic question of Can you find the Stock from a recovery device. Basically is there any way to return a device to stock with no ROMs available to do so, as in extract if from the device itself.
Additional backstory if helpful.
"I have a Wacom Cintiq Hybrid running Android 4.1 that is ( now ) rooted..
This is a very bad thing. The Real Stock ROM has palm rejection and all the drivers to make it work as a tool. So stock is the ideal but it is clearly not stock as my device supposedly came in the
box running 4.2 and with software and drivers to make it work properly with the pen. This has nothing. No software and the smallest amount of apps possible. Worse this is no custom ROM its on ( I think) as it would be the worst one ever and it was not rooted on arrival. I have no idea what happened before I got it. I may have made the mistake of rooting it really as I found out to my dismay there is no ROM support. So back to square one. I bought it ( very cheap for one of these ) "stuck and unable to go to the play store" and I did not realize until I got it, on a version of Android it was not meant for. Wacom is totally and woefully unhelpful in every way. They seem to want to quietly put this device behind them at the expense literally of their customers."

[Completed] Can Clockwork or another recovery program find and backup your truly stock ROM?

My question current is really about better understanding something in this whole Root and Linux learning adventure I think I am totally confused about.
Basically if no custom ROM exist or your device is not listed on the supported list of devices in any recovery program....
OR as in my case you want desperately to get the thing back running on it's true stock what do you do?
Your rooted, but stuck.
So my main question is:
What is the best way to bring a device back to stock if there is no stock ROMs available and factory reset will not work?
On any device in this situation. Mostly I am hoping to have it explained in a way I can really finalize this confusing hole in my logic.
Like can a recovery program find it if it is still on the device somewhere and if not, why not?
Thanks in advance.
Additional backstory if helpful.
I have a Wacom Cintiq Hybrid running Android 4.1 that is ( now ) rooted..
This is a very bad thing. The Real Stock ROM has palm rejection and all the drivers to make it work as a tool. So stock is the ideal but it is clearly not stock as my device supposedly came in the
box running 4.2 and with software and drivers to make it work properly with the pen. This has nothing. No software and the smallest amount of apps possible. Worse this is no custom ROM its on ( I think) as it would be the worst one ever and it was not rooted on arrival. I have no idea what happened before I got it. I may have made the mistake of rooting it really as I found out to my dismay there is no ROM support. So back to square one. I bought it ( very cheap for one of these ) "stuck and unable to go to the play store" and I did not realize until I got it, on a version of Android it was not meant for. Wacom is totally and woefully unhelpful in every way. They seem to want to quietly put this device behind them at the expense literally of their customers.
I have discussed this problem in another thread if more details on all this specific to this device are of interest.

Duende101 said:
My question current is really about better understanding something in this whole Root and Linux learning adventure I think I am totally confused about.
Basically if no custom ROM exist or your device is not listed on the supported list of devices in any recovery program....
OR as in my case you want desperately to get the thing back running on it's true stock what do you do?
Your rooted, but stuck.
So my main question is:
What is the best way to bring a device back to stock if there is no stock ROMs available and factory reset will not work?
On any device in this situation. Mostly I am hoping to have it explained in a way I can really finalize this confusing hole in my logic.
Like can a recovery program find it if it is still on the device somewhere and if not, why not?
Thanks in advance.
Additional backstory if helpful.
I have a Wacom Cintiq Hybrid running Android 4.1 that is ( now ) rooted..
This is a very bad thing. The Real Stock ROM has palm rejection and all the drivers to make it work as a tool. So stock is the ideal but it is clearly not stock as my device supposedly came in the
box running 4.2 and with software and drivers to make it work properly with the pen. This has nothing. No software and the smallest amount of apps possible. Worse this is no custom ROM its on ( I think) as it would be the worst one ever and it was not rooted on arrival. I have no idea what happened before I got it. I may have made the mistake of rooting it really as I found out to my dismay there is no ROM support. So back to square one. I bought it ( very cheap for one of these ) "stuck and unable to go to the play store" and I did not realize until I got it, on a version of Android it was not meant for. Wacom is totally and woefully unhelpful in every way. They seem to want to quietly put this device behind them at the expense literally of their customers.
I have discussed this problem in another thread if more details on all this specific to this device are of interest.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello & welcome to xda-assist,
If you rooted the device you changed the system /kernel in the process, if root is all you done you should be able to unroot by using the unroot option in your root management application, if you did further changes like deleting system apps and so on it gets more complex, the best and easiest way to get back to the original state would be a copy of the latest firmware.. If it doesn't exist you're somewhat out of luck, please refer to this link for further help & information..
http://forum.xda-developers.com/android/help

Sam Nakamura said:
Hello & welcome to xda-assist,
If you rooted the device you changed the system /kernel in the process, if root is all you done you should be able to unroot by using the unroot option in your root management application, if you did further changes like deleting system apps and so on it gets more complex, the best and easiest way to get back to the original state would be a copy of the latest firmware.. If it doesn't exist you're somewhat out of luck, please refer to this link for further help & information..
http://forum.xda-developers.com/android/help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply. So no way to get the extract the original firmware? I don't wish to un-root. The device was set to a very sad state of affairs when I got it, unrooted, with something very unlike the stock firmware and factory date reset not helping at all. Persistently locked into a lower version of Android than it was not meant for and not running the drivers or software it would seem I need to make it function properly that came with the device.
Basically it lead to my curiosity of how one goes about extracting or mining the data that is stored somewhere on the device if all I did was root. Which is all I did.
It should still be there. Basically how do I get to it?
The link takes me back to the forums for help, however I found no help there after much searching before I asked here but thanks

Duende101 said:
Thanks for the reply. So no way to get the extract the original firmware? I don't wish to un-root. The device was set to a very sad state of affairs when I got it, unrooted, with something very unlike the stock firmware and factory date reset not helping at all. Persistently locked into a lower version of Android than it was not meant for and not running the drivers or software it would seem I need to make it function properly that came with the device.
Basically it lead to my curiosity of how one goes about extracting or mining the data that is stored somewhere on the device if all I did was root. Which is all I did.
It should still be there. Basically how do I get to it?
The link takes me back to the forums for help, however I found no help there after much searching before I asked here but thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The intended of xda-assist is to direct you to the most suitable board of xda, we do not solve issues for you or do technical support, please be patient, it often takes time for exotic devices / questions to be seen by someone who can give hints and answers..
Edit: but it's not that the original firmware is stored somewhere on the device by default where you can grab it and reinstall it..
Sent from my OnePlus 2 using XDA Labs

Sam Nakamura said:
The intended of xda-assist is to direct you to the most suitable board of xda, we do not solve issues for you or do technical support, please be patient, it often takes time for exotic devices / questions to be seen by someone who can give hints and answers..
Edit: but it's not that the original firmware is stored somewhere on the device by default where you can grab it and reinstall it..
Sent from my OnePlus 2 using XDA Labs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Totally cool. It's a tough question.
The OG firmware thing is the toughest part to understand. Just wanted to make sure I was clear in my explanation and question.

Looking for system ROM/root/custom ROMs for TCL Tab 8 (model 9048S)

Anything at all that someone might have for this device would be useful. I'm trying to see if I can get a Lineage install for it, or even just a backup ROM before attempting to debloat it a bit (I'm an Android newbie and like having a backup), but I can't seem to find much of anything on it on Google.
The device does have an unlockable bootloader, but I'm not sure how I would go about using this to any of the things in the topic.
E: For the record, I should probably explain why I'm so desperate for this--not only am I wanting to debloat this device, but ideally, I'd like to try flashing a generic system image to see if it can update to Android 12. Android 10 works fine on it, but I'd very much like some of the introduced accessibility features--however, I also want a backup of the original firmware, just in case something goes wrong.

I would also like for someone to answer this...please.

Has there been any luck with 9048s? I have same model and been looking also for the same exact solution.