Related
I recently got a second-hand S6 from work. My first step is always to look up the XDA forums on the phone to see what my options are.
It seems that a lot of people are happy with the stock ROM, so that could be enough. However, I like root, since I like certain apps that need root. So if that already triggers KNOX, I might as well install Lineage on it while I'm at it.
So I'd love to hear some opinions. Should I stick to stock, or go through the (badly documented, sorry) process of getting this phone customized?
You should definitely stick with stock ROM if you want to use your phone as daily driver.
I always liked the call recording feature so I can keep track of verbal agreements made over the phone. I believe it can be done using Xposed, but Lineage has it built-in (although it doesn't auto-trigger unfortunately). Even with stock, I'd still need root to do it, and that triggers Knox, right?
Thanks, hopefully some more people will have something to say about it.
Custom ROMs are good, but there are always some sort of malfunctions.
For a phone that has an up-to-date firmware, I wouldn't install custom ROM.
While S6 support has dropped, meaning that it will no longer receive an update, but it still has an updated firmware, I would say it will stay good for at least one more year.
After that I'll consider installing custom ROMs, just like what I did with my older phones.
And as @forumber2 mentioned, for a daily driver, stock is better.
However, if you don't mind troubleshooting the issues on the custom ROM and have the time, then you should install it.
And about rooting, yes, it will trigger the Knox, but since Nougat, I've unrooted my phone and I personally didn't need to root it again, though I'm kinda considering it.
The bottom line is that stay with the stock for a while, if didn't satisfy you, then install customs. The stock ROM, doesn't have many issues, or at least I didn't encounter many that I couldn't solve, just like any other stock ROM.
stock ROM. but you can root it and use xposed to do some things you want..
None of the AOSP ROMs have a camera that is on par with the stock one - that's my reason for sticking through with stock on an Android phone since... ever, really. I'm not a fan of keeping things the way they are. If the camera would be as good as on stock, I'd ditch stock immediately, but unfortunately, the drivers for the camera are proprietary, so, it's unlikely that that will ever be the case.
BUT you can get stock-based custom ROMs - I'm currently using the S8+ port, which seems to be working flawlessly. They are usually debloated, with various tweaks and features that aren't usually available, quicker and just generally better.
Stay stock man custom Rom are bad you will lose many futures and performance and battery . I play games on s6 I tried all custom Roms nothing worked always end up with performance and Wi-Fi problems I am now on latest stock nougat and I will just wait until I find cheap s8 then I will sell this poor s6.
There nothing you can do about s6 to get him better than stock. Nothing except get root to use some apps like change location or install some sound apps that requires root..thats it
Hello everyone,
I've been using iPhone for 5 years so I don't really know about Android or what should I do once I receive my OP6 (never had one before).
I've been reading a lot but I don't really know what to do with it, i mean, I've read about TWRP, Magisk and so, but are these things recommended or a must if I want the best Android experience?
Thanks a lot!
d4rkgray said:
Hello everyone,
I've been using iPhone for 5 years so I don't really know about Android or what should I do once I receive my OP6 (never had one before).
I've been reading a lot but I don't really know what to do with it, i mean, I've read about TWRP, Magisk and so, but are these things recommended or a must if I want the best Android experience?
Thanks a lot!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
TWRP allows you to install custom software on your device, for example installing new roms or kernels etc, depending on what you're looking for. It also comes in handy if you want to root your phone, and by rooting you pretty much give yourself all the administrative rights to everything on the phone.
Now the best android experience depends on what you want to do with the phone, if you like to play around with custom software or testing out different roms and running apps that require root and such I would say give it a go. But if you're looking for basic tasks like playing games, snapchatting, instagramming, texting, calling and so forth... OP6 is already very customizable and great at pretty much everything.
Welcome out of the cave of gloom, (Iphone) and enjoy the Oneplus 6 phone
d4rkgray said:
Hello everyone,
I've been using iPhone for 5 years so I don't really know about Android or what should I do once I receive my OP6 (never had one before).
I've been reading a lot but I don't really know what to do with it, i mean, I've read about TWRP, Magisk and so, but are these things recommended or a must if I want the best Android experience?
Thanks a lot!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Depends on what you need to do with the phone, if you have time you can explore the root/modding world of android... If you want the best android experience you MUST root your phone imho.. I don't know iOS well as android but this one is divided in more partition and one of them is the recovery (now inside the boot partition). From stock recovery you can simply push firmware via ADB (android debug bridge) to update your phone and erase data (factory reset). TWRP (TouchWiz Recovery Project) is a custom recovery that goes over the stock one that gives you more option (like flashing any supported .zip file or backup the entire system). Root is like if you have a nice car but the keys of that are in the hand of one of your friends and only he decide when you've to drive, obtaining the keys will grant you full access and freedom eek Magisk is the app that's used for rooting phone for obtaining full access and control over android. This was a simple clarity, to make you understand the "basic" concept
I am of the opinion that YOU should NOT unlock/root your phone. I have been here for almost 4 years and know quite a bit about how to go about all of that stuff. And it can be very rewarding. But you DON'T need root to enjoy your phone.
Since you used an iPhone for 5 years, you are used to that, and the OnePlus 6 can do so much more out of the box.
Make yourself comfortable with android customisation like Launchers, icon packs etc and then after a few months maybe you can look into rooting your OP6 to get additional customisations like a Substratum theme or Adblocking or maybe Gcam.
The little extra things that you can do with root or a custom ROM can hold a lot of value and bring a lot of joy for some people, but I doubt most people including you fall into that category.
Even I, who used custom roms for so many years am quite satisfied with Oxygen OS and after 6 weeks of owning the phone still am considering whether to unlock the phone or not.
d4rkgray said:
Hello everyone,
I've been using iPhone for 5 years so I don't really know about Android or what should I do once I receive my OP6 (never had one before).
I've been reading a lot but I don't really know what to do with it, i mean, I've read about TWRP, Magisk and so, but are these things recommended or a must if I want the best Android experience?
Thanks a lot!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oxygen OS has good features on top of a near stock experience. If you want to do anything with modifying software, make sure to do a lot of research and don't be afraid to ask questions. The XDA community is (mostly) here to help.
d4rkgray said:
Hello everyone,
I've been using iPhone for 5 years so I don't really know about Android or what should I do once I receive my OP6 (never had one before).
I've been reading a lot but I don't really know what to do with it, i mean, I've read about TWRP, Magisk and so, but are these things recommended or a must if I want the best Android experience?
Thanks a lot!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You do not need to root to have the best Android experience. Get use to Android first. If you're curious, then catch up on the threads here and get familiar with the challenges and rewards before you go messing with your phone. If there eventually is an app or a mod that requires root, then do it. If you don't have need for root then don't. Plain and simple. You have a great phone with a great out of the box android experience. Enjoy it.
Unless you were a jailbreaker on iOS and want to tinker with stuff, do not get into this world until you know how normal Android world works. Android is customizable to hell by default and OP6 includes a ton extra optimization that normally requires root and xposed (~cydia) on other android phones. You're all set to enjoy the device as it is, unless you want to be root so bad xD.
PS: OnePlus 6 is NOT the best device to start tinkering with AT ALL (in fact, together with the Pixel 2/2XL is the hardest), The new A/B partition layout used in the phone makes flashing in this phone a random mess a lot of the time and every hack right now is half assed to say the least (except kernels). I've been flashing stuff on Android for more years you've been with an iPhone and the OP6 is not an easy beast to dominate in terms of flashing yet (following blind instructions you will get root and twrp and such running, but theres more aka how stuff works, how to recover, etc. And it is NOT FUN on this phone so far by what Im seeing).
One of the main reasons I bought Pocophone is due to XDA support. Never have I used a smartphone without unlock and root.
I could not wait for trying all those roms and kernels out there. I used all those Magisk and Xposed modules. Always trying many tweaks and tools. It was more of an addiction.
But using Pocophone a few days changed my mind. It is fast, smooth and battery lasts long without applying tons of tweaks. MIUI is great as well. It offers solid app controlling features. I have used tons of roms and do not see the need for replacing MIUI. Why use others when MIUI is very decent?
I know I can still root it, tweak it, make it better but I do not see the point as it is already superb. If it weren't those banking apps, I might have decided to unlock & root just for the sake of it but what would be the point then? It would just cause unnecessary complications with banking apps.
So I decided to use it as it is. Not even unlock. But man, it sure feels strange as I am new to this.
Same here, I used to geek around with my previous Oneplus phone, but with this Pocophone I've also decided to keep it as it is, and try to use it as long I as can, and only when they will stop updating it, then I'll look around for some ROM with newer Android version, but for now l'm fine with the MIUI ROM and the Gcam app
It all depends on your usage.
If you want privacy you have to root and install a custom ROM.
But if you like getting spied 24h from many companies at once, then you can stay as you want.
What to say ... if you're happy, that's what matters
I am using MIUI with few modifications ([ROM] [PIE 9.0] [MIUI] AMBASADII POCOPHONE F1 [v1.5.2] [03.02.2019]) is the beta version of the official MIUI rom, I use modified kernel(Sphynx) to get access to my external HDDs, I have no problems with bank apps, whatsapp among others as others complain, so I'm happy and I own MIUI that I love very much, with the resources I need.
Rommco05 said:
Spying everywhere
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you die you finally won't have spy hardware placed besides you.
Rommco05 said:
would say, enjoy life. I personally don't care about spying me. I not need anything to hide... if Xiaomi or Huawei or Google want to know what I like and what not, no drama. Dont think so they want my money or naked photos... Do what you want to do
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not only about your likings. It's about your personality, your psychological situation, your health and there is also about the things your children would concern in future. It's like getting profiled in many ways.
You are just looking at the basic things, but big companies data mining allows much more than that.
What's up with banking apps and the Poco F1? I don't get it. .
Malexirian said:
What's up with banking apps and the Poco F1? I don't get it. .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What's there to not get it? Banking apps detect unlock and root then FC. It is not specific to Poco F1 but with other phones I've used, the need for unlock & root was greater than losing functionality of banking apps periodically.
I used to root and custom ROM when I was young.
Now that I'm old. I just prefer stable official ROM.
Besides, custom ROM is a software cant make the processor , ram, storage , optimization improvement that's so great that deserve the mod.
If u want something better and faster , get the latest hardware .
Too many custom rom . U never know which 1 is good or stable till u try it all
Well this is new age
If you said were true, then why would there be robust custom development in the first place? Why would kids ask which kernel and rom reach 300k antutu with 12-hour battery life?
You should try if you are free. It's not like in the old days wherein rooting is hard and not as worth it as now. Plus, MIUI is a giant bloated spyware.
I know your feel bro.
My 72 hour wait is done, so I can now unlock. In fact, I could have done it over a day ago, but I've sort of just thought.. What's the point, do I really feel like doing this again?
I probably will unlock and maybe root eventually, but I'm currently on the fence right now. It used to be exciting when I was younger, but now I'm not really sure.
4K2K said:
One of the main reasons I bought Pocophone is due to XDA support. Never have I used a smartphone without unlock and root.
I could not wait for trying all those roms and kernels out there. I used all those Magisk and Xposed modules. Always trying many tweaks and tools. It was more of an addiction.
But using Pocophone a few days changed my mind. It is fast, smooth and battery lasts long without applying tons of tweaks. MIUI is great as well. It offers solid app controlling features. I have used tons of roms and do not see the need for replacing MIUI. Why use others when MIUI is very decent?
I know I can still root it, tweak it, make it better but I do not see the point as it is already superb. If it weren't those banking apps, I might have decided to unlock & root just for the sake of it but what would be the point then? It would just cause unnecessary complications with banking apps.
So I decided to use it as it is. Not even unlock. But man, it sure feels strange as I am new to this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would suggest that you try xiaomi.eu rom, It has all the the things that make miui good and removes the bad (system adds,etc) and adds some extra features only available in china versions of miui (AI preloading).
I am still on stock. I haven't used stock roms till now and this a new experience to me. The main thing i rooted in my earlier phones was to install a modified hosts file to block those adverts. Now I have AdGuard i do not feel the need for root. But still when the official support end I will root and go for custom rom .
Same thing happened to me, first with the Mi A2 and now with the poco which replaced that one. Haven't felt the need to even root them and doing it for the lols doesn't cut it anymore. You value your time more as you get older (and have less time to do meaningless crap like this) so I'd just rather have a phone that works. Every time I've gone into custom ROMs in the past they've never been quite stable, there's always been something or some annoying thing that has made me constantly switch between ROMs with all the bs that goes into that.
SilentEYE said:
If you die you finally won't have spy hardware placed besides you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't unlocked or rooted.
I use on-line banking apps as well that detect rooted phone so stop working.
Previous phones I've rooted and unlocked used custom roms and you spend more time updating configuring backing up than you do using it as a phone.
Life is short time is pressuse I've got more important things to do.
butts126 said:
I haven't unlocked or rooted.
I use on-line banking apps as well that detect rooted phone so stop working.
Previous phones I've rooted and unlocked used custom roms and you spend more time updating configuring backing up than you do using it as a phone.
Life is short time is pressuse I've got more important things to do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you don't care about privacy, then it is ok to stay unrooted.
I use banking apps with custom rom, without any problems.
Good for you my banks block them and I've got better things to do with my life than trying to get round them blocking custom ROMs.
Thats exactly what i thought. Never had a MIUI phone before and i was impressed with how smooth and stable the miui skin is. but i said **** it and installed Pixel Experience. Never in my life ever again am i going to switch back to MIUI. You have to give one custom rom a shot. Trust me u wont regret it
Sent from my Poco F1 using XDA Labs
FilipSRB said:
Thats exactly what i thought. Never had a MIUI phone before and i was impressed with how smooth and stable the miui skin is. but i said **** it and installed Pixel Experience. Never in my life ever again am i going to switch back to MIUI. You have to give one custom rom a shot. Trust me u wont regret it
Sent from my Poco F1 using XDA Labs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What is so special about Pixel Experience compared MIUI?
I have used Pixel Experience with a different phone but did not find it interesting. I preferred other roms like AICP and RR.
For years I have rooted my phones, and have had just about all the OEM's at one time or another. Since I've had my Pixels, not so much. So I decided to Root my Pixel, and run a custom ROM for the weekend, and today, I had had enough, and went back to stock. It's just not for me anymore. I like for everything to work, and what I get from stock is just perfect for me. Why is everyone else still holding on?
I miss being a flash-a-holic lol. I would always flash alot of custom roms also and my fav was Pure Nexus. i'm currently stock and fine with it well i wanted to try Q so. I still wanted a Pure Pixel rom but it never happened.
I think pretty much the ability to properly backup and restore using Titanium Backup. Otherwise, I as well would be done with root. Sure would make the monthly updates easier...
I have always rooted my devices. From Nexus 6p, Pixel XL, Pixel 2XL, I never felt I needed to, they always ran great and did exactly what I needed. My favorite, including a 2 days battery was Pixel 2 XL.
However, with Pixel 3 XL, the battery, and now the lagging, has been a nightmare. It's like I am dealing with samsumg all over again, like it was with samsumgs, pockets pcs, etc...
I was about to root and flash a custom until I saw your post... which means, not even the custom roms will fix this horrible phone... thats sad... I always buy my pixels on launch date, but I will eagerly wait for the next one, but only buy it 3 or 4 months later, if I buy it. For now, I am now researching between the latest samsung, OPO and Huawei to replace my P3XL, I really can't take it anymore. What a waste of money in this phone, and is not even worth half of what I paid now....
I use a custom rom for customization (changing statusbar color, accent colors, customize reboot menu, change statusbar icons, etc). Use root so I can disable navbar and use pie controls, use tasker and other apps properly, enable fingerprint pay where it is not allowed, and many other things.
I admit on stock you can use tulsadiver's mods to change most of the things a custom rom does, but you have to redo it on every update.
Stock with root and ElememtalX kernel for the extra high brightness mode. Need it because I mount my phone to the handlebars of my motorcycle for Nav. It's ok without it, but so much better with it.
I held off for years before putting a custom ROM on my Pixels, but I finally relented because of some lag on my 3XL. Now I'm running the latest AOSiP with Kirisakura kernel, and everything works beautifully and better than stock. Those of you who are having issues and have nothing to lose should definitely try a custom ROM. I haven't yet found anything that doesn't function better than stock. It's been totally stable and fully functional for me. With better performance and more features, of course.
There are still a couple reasons that keep me flashing custom. Not as many as there used to be. I still enjoy it though. Just like switching Linux Distros. I do it when I'm bored. It's fun.
For me. It's roms. Kernels. Titanium. And ad blockers.
There are lots of reasons to still root. But to each there own.
What finally drove me away from custom ROMs is that devs would stop supporting my device as soon as a new flashier, newer, c00l3r device came out. Basic bugs wouldn't get fixed. They'd be switching forums every few months (XDA? Telegram? Google+?). I'd donate $100 and a month later my favorite features would stop working or be dropped.
In short, lack of long term (6-9 months "long term"?) basic stability in favor chasing the latest new toy. I get it, it's their free time, but that's why I donated, and this is why I left.
This is the first Android device I've had I've kept stock with exception to rooting and a few Magisk modules like ViPER4Android. Other than that, I have to admit I am pretty content with the stock experience.
After almost 3 years (starting with the OG PIxel and XL), I finally installed a custom ROM on the 3XL but left the 3 stock and rooted. I may go back to stock and rooted with Q coming. The biggest reason for me to quit swapping custom ROMs on these devices is that TWRP has really become nothing more than a zip flasher. Multiple slot issues and no real Nandroid functionality makes it so that a custom ROM just replaces stock if you are happy with it and support continues. The time to completely wipe and reconfigure after a custom install just isn't worth it more than once for me.
Data backs up fine on TWRP and restoring it gets back all your settings.
Ad-blocking, ad-blocking, and ad-blocking.
I just can't use a phone that shows adverts - they p1ss me off no end. Not only the fact they take up half the screen, and steal bandwidth, but the tracking is basically illegal but still done relentlessly.
21cdb said:
I held off for years before putting a custom ROM on my Pixels, but I finally relented because of some lag on my 3XL. Now I'm running the latest AOSiP with Kirisakura kernel, and everything works beautifully and better than stock. Those of you who are having issues and have nothing to lose should definitely try a custom ROM. I haven't yet found anything that doesn't function better than stock. It's been totally stable and fully functional for me. With better performance and more features, of course.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Active edge, and Pixel stand doesn't work as it should. Also with all the custom ROM's I flashed they would just reboot randomly.
djcrystals said:
There are still a couple reasons that keep me flashing custom. Not as many as there used to be. I still enjoy it though. Just like switching Linux Distros. I do it when I'm bored. It's fun.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I get that. It's one of the reasons that got me into it in the first place.
cantara256 said:
What finally drove me away from custom ROMs is that devs would stop supporting my device as soon as a new flashier, newer, c00l3r device came out. Basic bugs wouldn't get fixed. They'd be switching forums every few months (XDA? Telegram? Google+?). I'd donate $100 and a month later my favorite features would stop working or be dropped.
In short, lack of long term (6-9 months "long term"?) basic stability in favor chasing the latest new toy. I get it, it's their free time, but that's why I donated, and this is why I left.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Honestly that's actually one of the advantages of still Rooting. Getting the latest software on a device that is no longer supported.
krs360 said:
Ad-blocking, ad-blocking, and ad-blocking.
I just can't use a phone that shows adverts - they p1ss me off no end. Not only the fact they take up half the screen, and steal bandwidth, but the tracking is basically illegal but still done relentlessly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
dns.adguard.com
jmartin72 said:
Active edge, and Pixel stand doesn't work as it should. Also with all the custom ROM's I flashed they would just reboot randomly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Both features work great in the latest AOSiP build. Also haven't had any random reboots.
jmartin72 said:
dns.adguard.com
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That only works on wifi right? On mobile data it uses your providers DNS?
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!
Click to expand...
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?
Click to expand...
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.