[Q] Bought it, now what? - Nexus 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hi everyone,
I posted a few months back whether I should buy a Nex 4 or not. Now that I did, I have another Q.
With my old Galaxy S, i HAD to root and install ROMs cuz it was reaaaally slow. Now, with the Nex 4, it's super fast that I'm not even thinking about ROMing it any time soon. However, I was wondering about rooting it. Does rooting affect the speed? it made my GS faster. Will it do the same for the Nexus?
Thanks.

Just rooting won't actually do anything but installing the right apps will. Of course if you overclock it it will get faster, but personally I underclock it to save battery. I'd say it is definitely worth rooting it. You never know you might feel like installing a ROM later so it can't hurt to root now. Basically everything rooting did to your GS it will do to your N4 but the nexus is already fast.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

I'd suggest a kernel change at least. The stock kernel made my phone very hot sometimes and the battery life sucked.

Unlock bootloader, root, start modding and theming, or flash custom rom, have fun, and ignore all the idiot trolls here.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

illhangon said:
I'd suggest a kernel change at least. The stock kernel made my phone very hot sometimes and the battery life sucked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont agree. Stock rom and stock kernel. Awesome. Provided that if you have not set sync setting for least times.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda

Same situation here, from Galaxy S to Nexus 4... well, I've rooted, installed Franko Kernel... and here stops my modding, now enjoying the speed . The only problem is that now every phone I touch, feels slower compared to the nexus

KNIGHT_of_NEVER said:
Just rooting won't actually do anything but installing the right apps will. Of course if you overclock it it will get faster, but personally I underclock it to save battery. I'd say it is definitely worth rooting it. You never know you might feel like installing a ROM later so it can't hurt to root now. Basically everything rooting did to your GS it will do to your N4 but the nexus is already fast.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
illhangon said:
I'd suggest a kernel change at least. The stock kernel made my phone very hot sometimes and the battery life sucked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
fernandezhjr said:
Unlock bootloader, root, start modding and theming, or flash custom rom, have fun, and ignore all the idiot trolls here.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks guys, I'm thinking of a kernel to save a little more battery and at the same time play some heavy duty games.
Any suggestions?
faddyie said:
I dont agree. Stock rom and stock kernel. Awesome. Provided that if you have not set sync setting for least times.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
true. Still, I wanna try a good kernel just to see if things get better.
Travel_Mate said:
Same situation here, from Galaxy S to Nexus 4... well, I've rooted, installed Franko Kernel... and here stops my modding, now enjoying the speed . The only problem is that now every phone I touch, feels slower compared to the nexus
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A GS mate! :highfive: I totally agree when it comes to any other phone being slow. I'll stop by Franko kernel's thread after root. Thanks :good:

faddyie said:
I dont agree. Stock rom and stock kernel. Awesome. Provided that if you have not set sync setting for least times.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To each his own.

I rooted my Gnex the first day I got it. Although I plan on staying stock for awhile on the N4 since my favorite custom rom (CM) seems to be a bit glitchly atm.

What I did for an while was run stock-rooted for a bit. I turned ALL animations in Dev Options to .5 and my phone was flying! Quick to menus, opening and closing apps, and saving RAM. Battery life was great considering I'm a stickler when it comes to WiFi and Data toggled. Than I would run either PACman or Paranoid Android. Both were fluid experiences. But nothing beat Stock Rooted speeds.
It just matters what you're looking for. Try ROMs out, there's plenty of them out there! Good luck and happy rooting!
Sent from my M470BSA using xda premium

Honestly I thought exactly like you when I first got this phone but I eventually decided to root and install custom ROMs and I like my phone a lot better. I think you should
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

Related

Flashing a Kernel - Question

Hey guys,
So I've got a rooted Nexus 4 and it does not have any custom ROM installed. I'm running the stock OS and it's smooth and functions without any problems. The battery life of the device is okay but I would definitely like it to be more efficient. The franco.kernel is praised all over the web, especially here at XDA and I definitely want to use it. I'm wondering what the easiest way to flash it on there would be. I've seen that fastboot
is one way to do it but I'm not sure on how to do that. Any help is appreciated Also, is any sort of wipe involved when flashing a kernel? Backing up is a mission and I've had terrible experiences restoring any backed up data so if avoiding one is possible, that'd be great. Thanks in advance!
All you have to do is flash it in recovery. Wiping cache won't do any harm either.
When I also just got my N4, the first thing I did was flash franco.Kernel because I didn't know better. It's definitely not the best kernel out if you look at our section. My favorite kernel is Trinity Four. Battery life is great, the thread atmosphere is awesome (we don't just talk about the kernel. Take a look and see) and the kernel is super stable.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
android88 said:
All you have to do is flash it in recovery. Wiping cache won't do any harm either.
When I also just got my N4, the first thing I did was flash franco.Kernel because I didn't know better. It's definitely not the best kernel out if you look at our section. My favorite kernel is Trinity Four. Battery life is great, the thread atmosphere is awesome (we don't just talk about the kernel. Take a look and see) and the kernel is super stable.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I beg to differ. Franco's kernel has been the best in my opinion. I have tried all kinds of kernels and they were either hot or a battery hog. Franco's kernel is the most ideal for me
Everyone has a subjective opinion on every kernel so it depends on you.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
Thanks for the replies guys! My most primary concern is battery life. I doubt I'll be using the kernel for anything else really. Any idea on how long it takes for a kernel to be fully stable and release with updates once in a while? I know a lot of people like one of Franco's builds specifically, which is a nightly.
I think trinity kernel is one of the best out there and very stable and updates are very fast.
YeezyMode said:
Thanks for the replies guys! My most primary concern is battery life. I doubt I'll be using the kernel for anything else really. Any idea on how long it takes for a kernel to be fully stable and release with updates once in a while? I know a lot of people like one of Franco's builds specifically, which is a nightly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If your looking for battery life , def give Fauxs a look, he has a special eco mode if you want epic battery life
YeezyMode said:
Thanks for the replies guys! My most primary concern is battery life. I doubt I'll be using the kernel for anything else really. Any idea on how long it takes for a kernel to be fully stable and release with updates once in a while? I know a lot of people like one of Franco's builds specifically, which is a nightly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I think most of the kernels available are pretty stable. I haven't had any RR's/SOD's. Trinity is also updated pretty often.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
Check the trinity thread . . its just been updated with latest colours
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
Cool :good: , checking out the Trinity thread and exploring Franco/Fauxs as well. Thanks everyone
I've been using Franco kernel with stock rom since I got a Nexus.
I love this combo and have yet to see any stability problems.
diablos991 said:
I've been using Franco kernel with stock rom since I got a Nexus.
I love this combo and have yet to see any stability problems.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey! Which version are you using? Also, do you find that the Play Store updater is necessary?
This time around I have just been using the stable releases. R53 is what I am using right now.
I don't play with the voltages or anything, just flash the .zip and use as normal. With all my android phones, instability happens when playing with the under-voltage settings. It just isn't worth it to me to squeeze out that extra 20 minutes of battery life.
I would only use the play store app if I planned on messing with the colors or regularly flashing nightlies.
diablos991 said:
This time around I have just been using the stable releases. R53 is what I am using right now.
I don't play with the voltages or anything, just flash the .zip and use as normal. With all my android phones, instability happens when playing with the under-voltage settings. It just isn't worth it to me to squeeze out that extra 20 minutes of battery life.
I would only use the play store app if I planned on messing with the colors or regularly flashing nightlies.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you very much, I'll probably flash r53 tonight and see how things go after a few days of use I bought Franco's Display Control app so I'm pretty sure I won't be needing the updater for colour controls
You don't need to wipe anything before flashing Franco's kernel. Wiping cache/dalvik isn't needed (that's a ROM thing add opposed to a kernel thing).
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
steviewevie said:
You don't need to wipe anything before flashing Franco's kernel. Wiping cache/dalvik isn't needed (that's a ROM thing add opposed to a kernel thing).
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah okay good to know, thanks!
I used franco's kernel over the past weeks but I many wakelocks. Then I tried harsh's and got average (kernel!) wakelocks at 1-1.5%. I UV so my phone is pretty colder compared to franco's. With faux's I could make me some bacon
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
Hey so I'm hoping someone here can help. I did an nandroid backup on my phone, then flashed franco's kernel. My phone will not turn on anymore, every time I try to hold the power button down or boot into bootloader, the LED just flashes red.
Am I screwed?
SSD4130 said:
Hey so I'm hoping someone here can help. I did an nandroid backup on my phone, then flashed franco's kernel. My phone will not turn on anymore, every time I try to hold the power button down or boot into bootloader, the LED just flashes red.
Am I screwed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're probably going to be better off asking that in this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2002782
SSD4130 said:
Hey so I'm hoping someone here can help. I did an nandroid backup on my phone, then flashed franco's kernel. My phone will not turn on anymore, every time I try to hold the power button down or boot into bootloader, the LED just flashes red.
Am I screwed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The kernel isn't the problem. What you have to do is remove the battery and plug it back in. It's as easy as that.
I somehow got it back working without opening the device.
Try to long press the power button or the power button and volume down.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

Return to stock ROM

Any avid flashers go back to stock ROM and stay there? I flip flop between CM and aospa frequently and I'm considering going back to stock. Id think that Google optimised the stock ROM for the Nexus 4. Any comments. Ive always used custom roms
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
I haven't stayed there on the N4, my GN lived on stock for the last couple of months I used it.
That said if CM didn't exist I would have ZERO issues with rocking the stock images. I'd just carefully choose which market apps to fill some of the functionality void.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
When I first got my n4 in November I immediately started flashing ROMs (cm being ROM of choice). But after about a month I went back to 100% stock unrooted and stayed that way. Its nice to know everything will just work, plus after a while I get sick of flashing ROMs all the time. Only thing about stock is it gets kinda boring after a while, which is why I flashed PA yesterday but I'm kinda already thinking about going back to stock lol... Nothing matches its speed & smoothness imo
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
How bout battery life? I don't like using custom kernels... To many things to tinker with.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
I wouldn't consider myself an avid flasher but I did try a ROM (AOKP) and ended up going back to stock because I like knowing everything will work on my phone when I need it to. On previous non nexus devices I always flashed ROMs that were as close to AOSP as possible because I think it's smoother (but they'd always have minor issues here and there were functionality didn't quite work all the way). I usually pick a ROM and stick with it. In this particular case I think it will be stock.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
Smallsmx3 said:
How bout battery life? I don't like using custom kernels... To many things to tinker with.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here, never been a huge fan of kernels. But I decided to give Franco a try and I can safely say battery is slightly better than stock. I was getting about 15 hrs + 3screen on with stock, now on PA w/ Franco I'm getting 4hrs screen on time. Only thing I noticed is every once in a while I see a tiny micro-stutter in an animation, but its worth it for an extra hr of SOT lol. Btw I'm running all stock settings on franco
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

Any options out there for battery tweaks?

I did a few searches and wasn't really able to pull up much in the way of battery tweaks, what's everyone doing in terms of this? I'm currently running stock rom, all I did was fully update after getting the phone from Sprint and then rooted and proceeded to install twrp using goomanager. I'm coming from the Galaxy S2 running calks GB build, so I'm used to 3 days of battery with heavy usage! I know this phone won't be able to achieve that right out of the gate with the current level of development going on, but I'm sure I can optimize it some how. I'd consider going to a custom ROM and kernel..flashing seems similar to the S2 but I'm nervous!
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda premium
There's this https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.xiam.snapdragon.app
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
I've never heard good things about those kinds of apps...maybe because they didn't get along well with custom tweaks? Do they work well with stock setups?
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda premium
GiantJay said:
There's this https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.xiam.snapdragon.app
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tried it... and if anything I got LESS battery life because it runs in the background constantly.
@vadyr56 Download KT SGS4 Kernel, I'd also recommend to download GSam Battery Monitor and see if you have anything running in the background a little too much!
I get phenomenal battery life with no tweaks stock rooted. I turn off most things since I don't use them and thats about it.
GiantJay said:
I get phenomenal battery life with no tweaks stock rooted. I turn off most things since I don't use them and thats about it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have everything turned on (Google Now, all Samsung Goodies like Gestures, S-Voice Voice commands, etc.) and still manage to get a day and a half with like 3-5 hrs of on screen time.

rom + kernel suggestions for gaming?

I'm an indecisive **** in general that uses data to make some decisions. However, there are so many options on the Nexus 4 that the data is getting me overwhelmed (should have seen my spreadsheet before I deleted it), lol.
So, just wondering what other folks use if you primarily game on your phone?
I will say I keep finding my way back to slim, at the sametime though I don't really feel like it's the one so always end up flashing a couple roms.... Then coming back to slim, rinse and repeat 10 times a day.....
You can use any rom you want for looks and customizations. For kernels you should try Trinity kernel by Morfic. It's great for gaming and everything else.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
scream4cheese said:
You can use any rom you want for looks and customizations. For kernels you should try Trinity kernel by Morfic. It's great for gaming and everything else.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have tried Trinity, not sure my phone likes it (fast bin) as it seems to run extremely hot for me.
Carbon + Franco
Personally I use carbonrom and matr1x kernel with overclocked GPU. This combination has run perfectly for me. So much that I have not even thought about flashing anything else for the best part of a month which is very unusual for me
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

[Q] Should i undervolt my awesome nexus 4???

HI i bought it 2days ago night and rooted yesterday battery life is INCRIDBLE at least SOOO MUCH BETTER THAn my old s4 DD btw do ur ecommend me to do it? as its factory clock at a factory voltage hmm... why didnt google do it at first?? is it risky
oh and i dont like to flash custom kernel(( can i do it whitout a kenrel???:|||
czoz kernel fast charge and stuff make me worri and i lvoe stuck many things!!!
As long as I know you can't undervolt without a custom kernel.
An why would you want to undervolt if your battery is already amazing ?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
failly said:
As long as I know you can't undervolt without a custom kernel.
An why would you want to undervolt if your battery is already amazing ?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well always mroe abttery great u right i will jsut try to see if i get battery problems in outside coz here no stress if battery low i jsut connect to power btw i always carried the cable and power whit me everywhere on s4
kamranhaghighi said:
well always mroe abttery great u right i will jsut try to see if i get battery problems in outside coz here no stress if battery low i jsut connect to power btw i always carried the cable and power whit me everywhere on s4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See, no problem!
And if you need more battery in the future you can always flash a custom kernel and undervolt!
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
failly said:
See, no problem!
And if you need more battery in the future you can always flash a custom kernel and undervolt!
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok ty no risks? and no downsides of a custom kernel? if i wanted to do
kamranhaghighi said:
ok ty no risks? and no downsides of a custom kernel? if i wanted to do
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know, just make sure to read the instructions. I don't have a custom kernel installed so I don't really know!
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
The risk of undervolting is not giving it enough power and setting that on boot so you end up not being able to get into android. Meaning you would have to flash a stock kernel with fastboot.
You only risk damage to the hardware if you overclock. That raises the operating temperature of the cpu, and thus could shorten the overall lifespan.
The risk to running a custom kernel is the same risk of running any experimental software: there could be bugs.
And of course the factory clock speed is set at the factory voltage... it just came from the factory....
And asking why Google doesn't include the option is akin to asking why it isn't rooted outta the box
xD ok i will probably do if i had then but i just dont wonna lose that awesome nexus feeling and stuff! anyway ur profile pic gave me a heart attack seems not gonna make it bad
I don't see much difference in battery life but I definitely feel a difference in heat which imo is important. I dont find myself worrying about anything happening to my n4 anymore because they're so cheap now a days that I can just buy another one or wait for the 13 version.
My phone rarely goes over 100°f
Sent by flying midget

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