Database Users

[Q] Noob needing help updating and backing up

Hi all...sorry if this is very noob but hope someone can help me out...
i got my galaxy s4 for att and its been great so far...i did root it and got rid of all the junk stuff on the phone which was nice to do... but a little issue now..there is an OTA update and its trying to apply it by rebooting but it goes to my console screen i guess and i know even if it applies it it would get rid of root.... is there a way to apply this without having to reinstall all my emails (5 emails) and my apps and keep the root ability on it? I would love to get the feature to send apps to my SD thats the only reason i really want it.
again im sorry if this is very noobish to some of u but would like a nice guide if possible how to do it.
Thanks in advance

What device? Thats important, and DO NOT let it do the update. if you are rooted, you could freeze the samsung updater.
I would get off stock and flash a custom rom.

TheAxman said:
What device? Thats important, and DO NOT let it do the update. if you are rooted, you could freeze the samsung updater.
I would get off stock and flash a custom rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
im on a samsung galaxy s4 as mentioned above....which rom would u suggest that is not bugged? i want all the features to work just as it stock would..and the battery life now is great.
thanks

nxtstep said:
im on a samsung galaxy s4 as mentioned above....which rom would u suggest that is not bugged? i want all the features to work just as it stock would..and the battery life now is great.
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hehe I know you stated galaxy s4, but I needed to make sure, US version right?
Use my rom, mine is totally stock, with a few modifications, and FAST!
or you can go any TW rom.
here is mine..
[ROM] ViSiON-X v1.0|AROMA|4.2.2|MGA|TW|[08-03]
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2391142
then you will not have to worry about an update, until someone finds a patch for the update...

TheAxman said:
hehe I know you stated galaxy s4, but I needed to make sure, US version right?
Use my rom, mine is totally stock, with a few modifications, and FAST!
or you can go any TW rom.
here is mine..
[ROM] ViSiON-X v1.0|AROMA|4.2.2|MGA|TW|[08-03]
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2391142
then you will not have to worry about an update, until someone finds a patch for the update...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
is there anything running 4.3??? and yes its US version

nxtstep said:
is there anything running 4.3??? and yes its US version
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No 4.3 just yet. Google only.

Questions and help issues go in Q&A and Help section
Thread moved
FNM

I am using KANGABEAN Rom 4.2.2 v all Samsung goodies works plus better performance and some kool tweaks
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2349077
Infamous S4 is great rom as well I go back and forth between those 2 All Samsung goodies works plus some kool modes.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2304792
Try either one you will love it!

Backup and Restore
maxshah912 said:
I am using KANGABEAN Rom 4.2.2 v all Samsung goodies works plus better performance and some kool tweaks
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2349077
Infamous S4 is great rom as well I go back and forth between those 2 All Samsung goodies works plus some kool modes.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2304792
Try either one you will love it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use Infamous S4 as well, I love it. It's pretty stock feeling.
When it comes to the backing up part, I suggest Titanium Backup. Get the pro version and you can batch install all of your apps from a backup, otherwise you have to do it one by one. It also saves all app data and system data and accounts, so you can do a full wipe when installing an update or a new ROM (always a good idea,) then just let it completely restore the phone from a backup. You can use it to back-up everything, except for the home-screen layout (android limitation apparently.) Plus you can backup right to the phone if you have space so you don't have to wory about using the computer. I recomment getting a microSD card for 10 bucks at Staples and backing up to that. When you're restoring, make sure that you check what you're restoring. Most of the stuff in red are system apps that don't need to be restored (as newer or the same versions may already be installed from the update.)
For restoring root priviledges, CWM and TWRP custom rrecoveries have a tool for this.

Installing updated mail app

So the long story short is that I rooted my phone right when it came out, on the old firmware. This means my phone is 'unofficial' and won't accept ota updates. I've tried all the guides and advise on posts to make it official but Nothing worked. Oh well. I really just wanted to update to mf3 strictly for the mail app which now has push.
Anyone have a copy of the stock app. Can I just replace the apk on my phone or something?

Timelinex said:
So the long story short is that I rooted my phone right when it came out, on the old firmware. This means my phone is 'unofficial' and won't accept ota updates. I've tried all the guides and advise on posts to make it official but Nothing worked. Oh well. I really just wanted to update to mf3 strictly for the mail app which now has push.
Anyone have a copy of the stock app. Can I just replace the apk on my phone or something?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have an older firmware version such as MDB or MDL, you should thank your lucky stars. You do NOT want MF3! If you update to MF3 then you will loose the ability to install custom ROMs (except for using tricks like SafeStrap) because the bootloader in MF3 is locked down tight.
If you are currently on MDB or MDL, I recommend that you install a custom ROM immediately to ensure that you don't automatically get updated to MF3. Assuming that you have an AT7T i337 ...
If you don't yet have a custom recovery installed, you can use CASUAL to install one easily:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2297900
Once your custom recovery is installed, then you can install this ROM to get a significantly improved version of MF3. Install the older version 2.5 for now for full functionality, since version 3.0 is a "preview" release of Android 4.3. This will update all your apps to the MF3 versions.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2280556
Good luck.

Thanks for the advice,
While I love playing around with the phone and customizing as much as possible, I refuse to use custom roms. At the end of the day I don't want to compromise reliability at all. All the custom roms are cool, but there's a reason they usually get nightly updates (bugs).
I don't have to worry about my phone auto updating.... I edited that one system file that disables the update system.
I really like the way my phone e is now, so I don't want to 'flash' it and have to reload and re customize everything... My wife has mf3 and looks like the only improvement is the mail app. Hence why I'm looking for a plug and play solution

Timelinex said:
Thanks for the advice,
While I love playing around with the phone and customizing as much as possible, I refuse to use custom roms. At the end of the day I don't want to compromise reliability at all. All the custom roms are cool, but there's a reason they usually get nightly updates (bugs).
I don't have to worry about my phone auto updating.... I edited that one system file that disables the update system.
I really like the way my phone e is now, so I don't want to 'flash' it and have to reload and re customize everything... My wife has mf3 and looks like the only improvement is the mail app. Hence why I'm looking for a plug and play solution
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2507529
Go here download the new 4.4 kit Kat email app which in my opinion looks great and better. I also think the 4.3 email app looks great also.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app

Please read forum rules before posting
Questions and help issues go in Q&A and Help section
Thread moved
Thank you for your cooperation
Friendly Neighborhood Moderator

Well I just installed the kitkat mail app and unfortunately it doesn't have push! That'd the reason I needed to updated my mail up. So back to looking into Joe to get the mf3 mail app on my phone

which mail are you using that push isn't an option? the stock mail app on MDL can receive push email... its likely your mail provider doesn't support it.

Gmail....
My wife's mf3 has settings for push, mine only has the 'check every X minutes' in the settings

Timelinex said:
While I love playing around with the phone and customizing as much as possible, I refuse to use custom roms. At the end of the day I don't want to compromise reliability at all. All the custom roms are cool, but there's a reason they usually get nightly updates (bugs).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The MDOB rom is not like that. Ver 2.5 is based on the stock MF3 firmware and stock kernel. You would not be compromising reliability by using that rom. It is stable and does not need frequent updates. You'd be getting all the features and benefits of MF3 without the Samsung and AT&T bloat and restrictions.

Here's the, to my knowledge, stock SecEmail_J.apk and SecExchange.apk pulled from my MF3 device. Their permissions are rw-r--r-- by the way. Not sure if they are what your looking for... but I figured I'd toss them up anyway just in case.
http://d-h.st/mL2

Can I just replace mine with those or not that easy?

Timelinex said:
Can I just replace mine with those or not that easy?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It depends, it probably wouldn't harm your device assuming your rooted and have a means of replacing system apps. Use Root Browser, or something like it to backup your existing APK's in /system/apps/ and copy these ones over and overwrite. Worse that may happen is your lose app access until you restore yours.

why not use the gmail app?

Russ77 said:
why not use the gmail app?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not all my emails are Gmail and I don't want to have to use multiple apps

Well I just tried overwriting mine and it didnt work. After a restart, the icon appears for the new app but when I click on it it just hangs on a white screen and then says the program has stopped. I'm guessing that the '.odex' files for the apps have something to do with this. Anyone have any idea what I could do to get this working?
Do I need the .odex files from you as well?

So actually, I just deletedt he .odex files and restarted. The program works now. HOWEVER, its very strange. I do not see any difference between this new one and my old one!
The icon on this one is different, which is strange considering the icon on my wifes is the asme as my old one. The program version is '4.2' which is the same as my wifes. However when I go to settings for my wifes and setting on my 'new' one, my new one is the same as my old one and my wifes is a completely different layout!
One last thing... I realized that even my old email and exchange files are the same version number as the newest. Whats the deal here? It is a different file that controls the email and email settings?

[Q] 4.4.2 Wants to update

So it's that time again, Verizon wants me to update and I don't wana! It's been annoying me over and over, and I can't get rid of it. I thought about going to cyanogenmod, well that doesn't look like it's possible from 4.4.2 from what I've read and through all of my failed attempts. Now my recovery is busted, but hey the phone still turns on. Any ideas how to get this to stop bugging me ?I've rooted via Towelroot and am considering a ROM if anyone knows of a good one I would take it into consideration, thanks!

Or since you have root, you can just freeze "SDM 1.0" with titanium backup pro to stop OTA nagging.

Not a bad idea, would need to purchase pro though, guess we will find out if $6 is worth avoiding the nagging . I suppose it's safe to assume to not follow through with the update then as well.

Hyperdmg said:
Not a bad idea, would need to purchase pro though, guess we will find out if $6 is worth avoiding the nagging . I suppose it's safe to assume to not follow through with the update then as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its worth it. Tbu is great. And besides theres no way of rooting yet if you do update. Best thing I can think of is freeze SDM and wait for the devs to make a version of 4.4.4 thats safestrap compatable. There are other ways to stop the update but TBU has always been the easiest for me on alot of devices.

heath2805 said:
Its worth it. Tbu is great. And besides theres no way of rooting yet if you do update. Best thing I can think of is freeze SDM and wait for the devs to make a version of 4.4.4 thats safestrap compatable. There are other ways to stop the update but TBU has always been the easiest for me on alot of devices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just posted this method and need testers: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=58229341&postcount=27

[Q] Custom ROM

Hey,
I'm thinking about putting a custom ROM on my handset, can anyone help me out and let me know the benefits of this and if it's really worth it?

Performance, customisation, more storage space
But generally at the expense of stability

*Detection* said:
Performance, customisation, more storage space
But generally at the expense of stability
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for that,
If I did put a custom ROM on my S5, could I reset the device and it would go back to normal if I didn't like it?
Also in regards to the stability part, with the new update I have got on my S5 at the moment. The phone isn't what it used to be, they don't even display notifications on the phone without opening it.

Yea you can return to stock, but you can't do it by just resetting, you need to flash the stock ROM using ODIN, once you flash any ROM, resetting it will just reset that specific ROM, to change ROMs you need to flash the one you want
Factory resetting after updating from KK to LP is always recommended with stock, for the notifications, you have a load of lock screen settings you can look through, might find what you need in there - possibly in the security settings too, there are some that disable sensitive notifications when the phone is locked

*Detection* said:
Yea you can return to stock, but you can't do it by just resetting, you need to flash the stock ROM using ODIN, once you flash any ROM, resetting it will just reset that specific ROM, to change ROMs you need to flash the one you want
Factory resetting after updating from KK to LP is always recommended with stock, for the notifications, you have a load of lock screen settings you can look through, might find what you need in there - possibly in the security settings too, there are some that disable sensitive notifications when the phone is locked
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the help, I think I'll use a custome ROM. I've never actually used one since my days as an apple user. When I rooted my phone just to change the ringtone.
Is rooting on an android device relatively easy?

Or if anyone else has a good custom ROM I could use, I'm pretty new to this.....so something that isn't too stressful would be good!

jason-tech-uk said:
Or if anyone else has a good custom ROM I could use, I'm pretty new to this.....so something that isn't too stressful would be good!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's very easy. You can use CF Auto Root for whatever android version you have.
keep in mind that rooting voids your warranty and will trip KNOX flag which leads to that you can't update using official methods such as via kies or OTA.

Akalsemann said:
It's very easy. You can use CF Auto Root for whatever android version you have.
keep in mind that rooting voids your warranty and will trip KNOX flag which leads to that you can't update using official methods such as via kies or OTA.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks!
Where do I get CF Auto Root?

jason-tech-uk said:
Thanks!
Where do I get CF Auto Root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://bfy.tw/GOg

*Detection* said:
http://bfy.tw/GOg
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hahahahaha
Sorry I should have actually looked myself.......

jason-tech-uk said:
Hahahahaha
Sorry I should have actually looked myself.......
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Couldn't resist

I have just done that to someone else as well, it felt gooooood!!
Thanks

[Q] Best Rom for SGN3 SM-N9005?

Hello guys, I'd would like to ask which are the best roms for Samsung Galaxy Note 3 SM-N9005 Android 5.0? I've upgraded to stock lollipop rom 3 months ago. Sooo, What is the best rom for my phone? Also, is there anyway to upgrade my phone without deleting my apps/files? Thanks!

RazerKnight17 said:
Hello guys, I'd would like to ask which are the best roms for Samsung Galaxy Note 3 SM-N9005 Android 5.0? I've upgraded to stock lollipop rom 3 months ago. Sooo, What is the best rom for my phone? Also, is there anyway to upgrade my phone without deleting my apps/files? Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You've been around XDA long enough to know 'best ROM' posts are not welcome...
Best way to update though is to be rooted and use a custom Recovery like TWRP to nandroid your phone. Then you can update and Restore only Data and have almost everything back.
I also use Call logs backup and restore and SMS backup and restore so i don't lose them and I export my contacts out to extSDCard so I don't lose them either.
Add in TiBu Pro with a backup of all user (and a few sysdtem) apps and I can restore ONLY apps and have a clean flash phone.

Journyman16 said:
You've been around XDA long enough to know 'best ROM' posts are not welcome...
Best way to update though is to be rooted and use a custom Recovery like TWRP to nandroid your phone. Then you can update and Restore only Data and have almost everything back.
I also use Call logs backup and restore and SMS backup and restore so i don't lose them and I export my contacts out to extSDCard so I don't lose them either.
Add in TiBu Pro with a backup of all user (and a few sysdtem) apps and I can restore ONLY apps and have a clean flash phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Uhhh, Yeah. It looks like I've been here long enough but I'm not. I'm new to this phone so I don't know what are the bests for it.

RazerKnight17 said:
Uhhh, Yeah. It looks like I've been here long enough but I'm not. I'm new to this phone so I don't know what are the bests for it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Different ROMs suit different needs. The Mods have said no ETA posts and no best ROM posts. Look around and try things out. Best advixce is make sure you read plenty FIRST. Go through the threads and see what issues people have etc. BEFORE you flash the ROM.

Alright, thanks!