[Q] New to Android and Rooting (S4 Sprint) - Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshoot

Hi everyone, im new here although i have passed through these threads constantly. I decided to switch from Apple to Android. I had my iphone Jailbroken so its really normal for me to want the same with my samsung S4. However, im curious about the reality of rooting. What is rooting really? Why is there so many roms to choose from? What is the best Rom really? When i do rooting will i eliminate my data, If so is there a way to retrieve it without contacting my phone provider (Sprint)? This are question im most curious about, i apologies if they have been answered already. For sake of time, i'd like best if you responded me with an answer or something closes to it rather than an unnecessary remark. I appreciate everyones time and help, i wish you all a great Thank YOU

AndreeU17 said:
Hi everyone, im new here although i have passed through these threads constantly. I decided to switch from Apple to Android. I had my iphone Jailbroken so its really normal for me to want the same with my samsung S4. However, im curious about the reality of rooting. What is rooting really? Why is there so many roms to choose from? What is the best Rom really? When i do rooting will i eliminate my data, If so is there a way to retrieve it without contacting my phone provider (Sprint)? This are question im most curious about, i apologies if they have been answered already. For sake of time, i'd like best if you responded me with an answer or something closes to it rather than an unnecessary remark. I appreciate everyones time and help, i wish you all a great Thank YOU
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rooting in itself is granting you full access to your phone - sort of like running administrator mode on a PC - and being able to change anything you want.
There actually aren't that many roms out for the Sprint S4 at the moment comparatively to others since it's still a pretty new device. But every rom brings something different to your device - different modifications, different things removed or kept from stock, unique features, Themes, and more. Every rom is different as people look and want different things, you should look through each and see what each offers and see what intices you the most.
What do you mean data? If you mean data reception, no. If you mean like apps and contacts, contacts and that stuff is restored when you log into your Google account. But you usually wipe all your apps when installing a new rom but you can make a backup of your apps using an app called titanium backup which you can restore when you reinstall the app after putting on a new rom (there are similar apps for sms restoring and call log restoring). But you don't need to worry about dealing with Sprint with any of that. Rooting is much more of an open experience than anything you'd get from jailbreaking an iPhone and dealing with apple.
And lastly, there are basically two types of overarching roms you will find here. Roms that are based of Touchwiz, which is the Samsung version of the android operating system (which includes all the Samsung specific features like air view and smart scroll etc as well as its general interface) - it's basically an overlay of Android with Samsungs touch.
And there are AOSP based roms (Android Open Source Project) which are roms based on stock Android without any phone manufacturers touch - for example Samsung has TouchWiz and HTC has Sense. It's what you'd find on pure Google phones like the Nexus.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda app-developers app

inlineboy said:
Rooting in itself is granting you full access to your phone - sort of like running administrator mode on a PC - and being able to change anything you want.
There actually aren't that many roms out for the Sprint S4 at the moment comparatively to others since it's still a pretty new device. But every rom brings something different to your device - different modifications, different things removed or kept from stock, unique features, Themes, and more. Every rom is different as people look and want different things, you should look through each and see what each offers and see what intices you the most.
What do you mean data? If you mean data reception, no. If you mean like apps and contacts, contacts and that stuff is restored when you log into your Google account. But you usually wipe all your apps when installing a new rom but you can make a backup of your apps using an app called titanium backup which you can restore when you reinstall the app after putting on a new rom (there are similar apps for sms restoring and call log restoring). But you don't need to worry about dealing with Sprint with any of that. Rooting is much more of an open experience than anything you'd get from jailbreaking an iPhone and dealing with apple.
And lastly, there are basically two types of overarching roms you will find here. Roms that are based of Touchwiz, which is the Samsung version of the android operating system (which includes all the Samsung specific features like air view and smart scroll etc as well as its general interface) - it's basically an overlay of Android with Samsungs touch.
And there are AOSP based roms (Android Open Source Project) which are roms based on stock Android without any phone manufacturers touch - for example Samsung has TouchWiz and HTC has Sense. It's what you'd find on pure Google phones like the Nexus.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Understand it so much better I appreciate the effort in writing all this for me . So the only thing that I should pay attention in is to simply find which rom does what and what I need plus create a backup for all my stuff if not saved through googlw. I completetly understand but now I want your opinion. What rom are you runing on your phone?

AndreeU17 said:
Understand it so much better I appreciate the effort in writing all this for me . So the only thing that I should pay attention in is to simply find which rom does what and what I need plus create a backup for all my stuff if not saved through googlw. I completetly understand but now I want your opinion. What rom are you runing on your phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not a problem! Well that's what you should pay attention to when picking a rom. The actual process of preparing a rom is a little more complicated then that. You basically first need to root your phone (I recommend looking up Qbking77 on YouTube, he makes excellent video walk throughs), flash a custom recovery (you can read more up on this elsewhere since me explaining it won't do it justice, but it's basically a mode you put your phone it where you can make backups and restore roms with your setup as well as flash (basically install) new roms, and then putting on a new rom.
I recommend a Touchwiz rom definitely if your starting out. Three I would recommend for you are FreeGS4 which is basically the stock rom + a lot of handy modifications + the ability to delete the bloatware Samsung doesn't let you normally delete. ForceRom is essentially the same but with all the bloatware already removed. And lastly The Blue Kuban is the stock rom with removed bloat, lots of great modifications, the ability to pick install additional mods from within the rom, and is themed to be completely blue.
I would do FreeGS4 first as I know for sure there is also a video walk through on instslling it.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda app-developers app

AndreeU17 said:
Hi everyone, im new here although i have passed through these threads constantly. I decided to switch from Apple to Android. I had my iphone Jailbroken so its really normal for me to want the same with my samsung S4. However, im curious about the reality of rooting. What is rooting really? Why is there so many roms to choose from? What is the best Rom really? When i do rooting will i eliminate my data, If so is there a way to retrieve it without contacting my phone provider (Sprint)? This are question im most curious about, i apologies if they have been answered already. For sake of time, i'd like best if you responded me with an answer or something closes to it rather than an unnecessary remark. I appreciate everyones time and help, i wish you all a great Thank YOU
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google is your friend!!

Related

[Q] Why should I root my Atrix? Request feedback from people with a rooted Atrix

As my question implies, can anyone break it down for me as to why it is a good move to root my phone? I'm on AT&T right now, with ADW EX home launcher. I'm happy with the overall speed. Can you list out some advantages of rooting? I'm not looking for the general reasons to root, I want reasons SPECIFIC to the Atrix on AT&T. Sideloading and Amazon app store are the only two reasons I have so far. What is the advantage in terms of battery life, speed, stability, overheating etc? What about compatibility with future motorola updates? Thanks!
sideloading and amazon app pretty much sums it up for now, and the ability to install psuedo roms like gingerblur and Gladiatrix
Oh. that brings me to the second point, rooting lets you remove bloat apps and install apps that need root, like this new app I'm trying called LBE Security Service.
Later on, when custom roms and kernels are made, you'll have to have Superuser access (root) before you can access those parts of the data.
Advantages in terms of battery life, speed, stability etc? It depends on the rom you load. Some roms may boast extended battery life/speed and if you install those, you would have those extra features. For now, since we have nothing of that sort, you will remain stock with root, but you'll be ready if/when something comes out.
Last word, I say root it. It lets you customize your android experience. You can install new fonts, remove that ATT bloatware, and you can sideload (try out betas, etc)
(Oops, real last word)
Compatibility with future updates? You'll probably have to flash with SBF to update from now on instead of OTA, but thats a preference anyway. In the end, you will be able to update fine, so don't worry about it. Though if you are lazy to do research and actually invest time into your phone, I say don't root it because theres no point. If you want to experience android in its fullest and customize as much as you can, ROOT is the only way.
Hope I hoped.
Rooting Advantages:
-Sideloading
-P-ROMS (basically an enhanced theme)
-Custom Themes
-Custom Apps such as Applanet(best app you'll ever come across)
-Battery life is extended a bit, nothing drastic though
-Speed seems be a bit better, nothing greatly drastic
-The heat production is pretty much the same
-Memory does free up a bit more (mostly in the P-ROMS)
-Bloatware removed (lots of useless ****)
Disadvantage
-issues with P-ROMS, sometimes when installing they work properly and sometimes they don't.
-Root access sometimes lost if unused for a long period of time.
I'd say wait until the bootloader either gets hacked or bypassed because you'll save yourself tons of heartache.
Mafisometal said:
-Root access sometimes lost if unused for a long period of time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I never heard that!
Well About root, you can make your phone really yours adding new features or customizing everything you want: You can add support for Cisco VPNs, enable hotspot and sideloading, change the clock speed of your phone processor, and so on!
chaitu45 said:
As my question implies, can anyone break it down for me as to why it is a good move to root my phone? I'm on AT&T right now, with ADW EX home launcher. I'm happy with the overall speed. Can you list out some advantages of rooting? I'm not looking for the general reasons to root, I want reasons SPECIFIC to the Atrix on AT&T. Sideloading and Amazon app store are the only two reasons I have so far. What is the advantage in terms of battery life, speed, stability, overheating etc? What about compatibility with future motorola updates? Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dont. No reason for you to root.
If you haft to ask a question like this than dont
Mafisometal said:
Rooting Advantages:
-P-ROMS (basically an enhanced theme)
-Custom Apps such as Applanet(best app you'll ever come across)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
*P-roms are not just enhanced themes. They include tweaks and mods in them.
*Applanet promotes piracy and hurts the developers communities. Promoting it in XDA is prohibited by the way.
Mafisometal said:
Rooting Advantages:
-Sideloading
-P-ROMS (basically an enhanced theme)
-Custom Themes
-Custom Apps such as Applanet(best app you'll ever come across)
-Battery life is extended a bit, nothing drastic though
-Speed seems be a bit better, nothing greatly drastic
-The heat production is pretty much the same
-Memory does free up a bit more (mostly in the P-ROMS)
-Bloatware removed (lots of useless ****)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Reported for promoting theft (Applanet)
Sent from WinBorg 4G via XDA premium app
CaelanT said:
Reported for promoting theft (Applanet)
Sent from WinBorg 4G via XDA premium app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Childish.
While I don't agree with people using App Planet and ripping of developers, he never said "download app planet and get all those awesome apps for free" or "you can steal em!"
He answered the guys question based on his beliefs and not ours. You can not fault him for telling the truth as he sees it.
DarrellRaines said:
Childish.
While I don't agree with people using App Planet and ripping of developers, he never said "download app planet and get all those awesome apps for free" or "you can steal em!"
He answered the guys question based on his beliefs and not ours. You can not fault him for telling the truth as he sees it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"(best app you'll ever come across)" is more than just a recommendation.
Why you think he told the OP applanet is the best he will ever come across? What is it applanet has to be that? think about it and be logical.
CyberPunk7t9 said:
"(best app you'll ever come across)" is more than just a recommendation.
Why you think he told the OP applanet is the best he will ever come across? What is it applanet has to be that? think about it and be logical.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have thought about it. The OP asked a question and to the person who answered, he answered honestly and told him what he thought.
Remember, our right is sometimes someone elses wrong, and vice versa. It all depends on perspective.
He may have said applanet, but he never said download it. All I am saying is it was childish for him to be reported for mentioning the app and that he uses it. It would be much the same as someone admitting the downloaded mp3s from a torrent site. Just because someone mentions one, it does not mean he is telling people to go to that site and download music he has not paid for and has no legal right to do it.
Besides are we not on a website that has software dedicated to screwing over our carriers and voiding our agreements with the carriers? You can not call foul on one person and not the others.
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App
DarrellRaines said:
I have thought about it. The OP asked a question and to the person who answered, he answered honestly and told him what he thought.
Remember, our right is sometimes someone elses wrong, and vice versa. It all depends on perspective.
He may have said applanet, but he never said download it. All I am saying is it was childish for him to be reported for mentioning the app and that he uses it. It would be much the same as someone admitting the downloaded mp3s from a torrent site. Just because someone mentions one, it does not mean he is telling people to go to that site and download music he has not paid for and has no legal right to do it.
Besides are we not on a website that has software dedicated to screwing over our carriers and voiding our agreements with the carriers? You can not call foul on one person and not the others.
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with what you're saying on the general level and not just specifically our topic here.
All what we're saying plain and simple.. XDA does not allow warez/applanet topics.
You can find many closed topics like this one:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1022363
This could have been avoided. OP's questions were about rooting. Applanet does not even require it.
CyberPunk7t9 said:
I agree with what you're saying on the general level and not just specifically our topic here.
All what we're saying plain and simple.. XDA does not allow warez/applanet topics.
You can find many closed topics like this one:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1022363
This could have been avoided. OP's questions were about rooting. Applanet does not even require it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh I know it's against the rules and I have a huge problem with people not paying for their apps.
I am just not a big fan of the pot calling the kettle black. Technically using pdanet or any of the free tethers to bypass our carriers system is the same as screwing a good developer out of money.
The fact that we will report someone for mentioning applanet while many still do other methods to screw someone over, well it seems childish. Maybe I should just shut up and move on, but then I would feel wrong for not saying something.
However on topic, if you don't know why you should root, then you shouldn't consider it. Rooting will not make your experience with your phone any better or worse. It just allows you to install a few apps such as the amazon store and those found here on XDA on your phone. Technically you can do more with it, but the pros do not often out weigh the cons. Unless you have a need, don't bother with rooting.
xredjokerx said:
sideloading and amazon app pretty much sums it up for now, and the ability to install psuedo roms like gingerblur and Gladiatrix
Oh. that brings me to the second point, rooting lets you remove bloat apps and install apps that need root, like this new app I'm trying called LBE Security Service.
Later on, when custom roms and kernels are made, you'll have to have Superuser access (root) before you can access those parts of the data.
Advantages in terms of battery life, speed, stability etc? It depends on the rom you load. Some roms may boast extended battery life/speed and if you install those, you would have those extra features. For now, since we have nothing of that sort, you will remain stock with root, but you'll be ready if/when something comes out.
Last word, I say root it. It lets you customize your android experience. You can install new fonts, remove that ATT bloatware, and you can sideload (try out betas, etc)
(Oops, real last word)
Compatibility with future updates? You'll probably have to flash with SBF to update from now on instead of OTA, but thats a preference anyway. In the end, you will be able to update fine, so don't worry about it. Though if you are lazy to do research and actually invest time into your phone, I say don't root it because theres no point. If you want to experience android in its fullest and customize as much as you can, ROOT is the only way.
Hope I hoped.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the informative and thorough response. I'm an avid Android user since 1.5 and have rooted older Android phones many times. My intention with asking this question was to understand if the Atrix truly benefits from rooting or are users rooting it for bragging rights. The troubles I've faced with custom ROMs for previous android devices were many, ranging from innumerable patches and add-ons to multiple FCs regularly. Since the Atrix is my primary phone I would prefer stability in a custom ROM as opposed to features which I won't end up using often like HDMI mirroring (this is a personal opinion, i'm sure other users have other requirements).
chaitu45 said:
Thank you for the informative and thorough response. I'm an avid Android user since 1.5 and have rooted older Android phones many times. My intention with asking this question was to understand if the Atrix truly benefits from rooting or are users rooting it for bragging rights. The troubles I've faced with custom ROMs for previous android devices were many, ranging from innumerable patches and add-ons to multiple FCs regularly. Since the Atrix is my primary phone I would prefer stability in a custom ROM as opposed to features which I won't end up using often like HDMI mirroring (this is a personal opinion, i'm sure other users have other requirements).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
IMO a custom ROM is not necessary. Stock Atrix + root + one of the launchers is more than enough. My phone is rooted so that I can enable sideloading/Amazon app store and also for Titanium backup to backup everything. The other 'fun' stuff like hdmi mirroring, hulu, etc are ok but not must haves.
edit: root also so I can put my ringtones in /system/media/audio/ringtones and not lose ringtone assignments every time the phone sdcard and sdcard-ext unmounts/mounts.
You do not need to have root permissions to remove ATT bloatware. With latest OTA, they removed root requirement to uninstall their software, but they haven't done anything to allow us side-loading. I hope that this will be addressed in the next OTA.
I am a new android user (Atrix first Android phone) and I have enjoyed the rooting experience. Root explorer is worth the price of admission imho and the other day I had a problem that I couldn't fix without a rooted phone. (now using autostarts to prevent music on my device playing automatically when the phone connects to my truck via bt). And I like the control I have over my phone since it is rooted (freezing apps, etc).
In regards to updates how hard it is depends on how you mod your phone. If you do the webtop hack you will have to put the oem files back prior to updating. If you have apps frozen I believe you need to thaw them. Other than that it is just a matter of preserving root (which means about 5 minutes using adb to hide root and then after you update restoring it; no big deal)
chaitu45 said:
As my question implies, can anyone break it down for me as to why it is a good move to root my phone? I'm on AT&T right now, with ADW EX home launcher. I'm happy with the overall speed. Can you list out some advantages of rooting? I'm not looking for the general reasons to root, I want reasons SPECIFIC to the Atrix on AT&T. Sideloading and Amazon app store are the only two reasons I have so far. What is the advantage in terms of battery life, speed, stability, overheating etc? What about compatibility with future motorola updates? Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Control. You do not have it ATM. Rooting is exactly that, the most possible control you can gain over the phone, software wise.
#1 reason I rooted my atrix is simply to add a custom rom onto it. I don't like the look of the stock motoblur so I got rid of it asap.
i'm sure there are tons of reasons to root the phone but if you're afraid to do it because you might brick your phone or something there's a lot of tutorials that will guide you step-by-step on how to do it. I actually made a tutorial myself.
that's for the actual rooting process and if you need to downgrade your phone here's the other part of it. doing a fresh SBF Flash.
ok i'm not sure why my youtube links came out like that and i'm not sure how to fix it either any help from anybody?

Went back to unrooted.

I originally rooted to install google wallet. but I had so many problems with actually installing it that I just gave up and unrooted my phone. I tried out a few roms but until they get to 4.2 android (jelly beans/jedi) I think I'm going to take a breather from ROM bugs.
Right in time to stop me from rooting,I was hesitant all along after bricking my Note One by constantly playing with Custom Roms and Kernels,thats over six months ago,but looks like It has started itching me to repeat the process once again with my Note II, although,so far, I havent felt the need tbviously will pass on it for the time beeing.
And the point of this... Maybe I'll tell everyone I've turned the s note pop-up when removing the s-pen off. You know because I don't use it.
EmptyArea said:
And the point of this... Maybe I'll tell everyone I've turned the s note pop-up when removing the s-pen off. You know because I don't use it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will never go back to unrooted..its just feels like stuck in a cage..and well replied the above user!..If you know what you are doing..rooting opens up unlimited possibilities!
Not sure how anyone has issues rooting with the fantastic tools available....I suggest you go download Samsung_Galaxy_Note2_ToolKit and use that. Seriously it doesn't get easier than that. I bought my Note 2 and within the first few hours I was rooted, just for the sake of being rooted.
If you choose custom roms with respected developers, you can rely on them. If thousands use the rom, possible bugs will be posted on its forum, and the rom will be updated. There are often bugs in official roms but you have to wait months for the fix there! Custom roms open a new world for you.
If you choose the right ROM, you won't have any problems. And several of them don't have any problems. If you want to be sure that it's as stable as possible, choose a Samsung based ROM and stock kernel. But more complex ROMs are mostly completely stable. I am on ESA NOTE with the abyss kernel and I don't have any problems at all. But I have tried others like Omega and ARHD with the same results.
It was more or less having problems getting google wallet to work. I do know a lot about rooting I've been doing it since the moto droid. I just could not get wallet to work consistently. And the rom bugs alot of times developers know about them but they take away a few things I like or the usefulness is gone because there is a slight issue due to porting. To say that there is a rom out there that doesn't have at least one major issue after its made would be to bury your head in the sand. I've tried a lot of the major more popular rooms and granted some features were really cool other things made me get rid of it.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2
Root is not only to play with rom. I'm on stock rom, and rooted it in order to use Titanium Backup, AdWay and Android Firewall. The note II is my first Android phone for wich i dont feel the need to use a custom rom.
I always root, even if If I say on the stock ROM. Never had any issues.
If your device became unstable its down to the app or ROM you are trying to use not the fact that you have the ability to grant select apps root access
Rooting your device means allowing the administrative access to your device, not to install some damn ROMs. I'll always be on Stock ROM and will always be rooted.
OP's statement is moot.
'Swyped' from my GT-N7100
I use root for certain apps not for custom roms. Always stock for me
Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 2
The only reason why I unrooted my phone and stopped using custom roms is that I hate losing my apps data (for example, games progress) every time I try or upgrade to a new custom rom. Titanium backup is nice but it doesn't work perfectly like how iphone backup works....
Sent from my GT-N7100 using xda app-developers app
Rooting does not equate installing custom roms. I'm running stock 4.1.1 and rooted. The advantages are endless, freezing and backing up apps, using network apps such as dsploit, assigning endless amount of specific led colors for certain notifications/apps; the list is endless.
I've taken a break from custom roms since Sammy did an amazing job with stock, but I'll always be rooted. There's just too much to lose without root.
- ad blocking
- directory bind
- titanium backup
- freezing system apps
- spen gesture control app
- mobile Odin
- file managers with root access
Take away any one of those root-enabled feature and I would be really sad.
Sent from my iPad 4th gen using Tapatalk 2

[Q] Why downgrade your s4?

This isn't really a question, a little more like a long rant. So I see here and other sections where people are asking when cm10.1, AOKP, and similar roms will come out for the s4. Why would you want to do this to your phone? If you want cm10.1 you mine as well get a nexus phone because what it's made for. I could you switching from touchwiz 4.0 to 4.2 cm10.1. But switching from 4.2 touchwiz to 4.2 cm10.1 is stopping your phone from being at it's full potential. My question to you is why? Why do you want to downgrade your s4?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I have many app ideas, but don't have the skill or the time to learn how to make an app. if you would like to know an idea and attempt to make one, just message me.
Because we can or want? Because we dont like TW or want vanilla with a good cam? Do we really need a reason?
Skickat från min Nexus 7 via Tapatalk 2
Never used touch wiz but from seeing people's phones messing with them for a bit it seeks like crap
With that said I got the s4 because it will have much better battery life that my Nexus 4 and I'll be able to replace battery when it depletes which Ai need for work
I'll stick with stock until a new Android version arrives. I'll flash the new CM until Samsung stock updates. I'll go back to stock until there is a new Android version. And so on....
Similar to above, my strategy is just to roll with stock for a year, and if I haven't upgraded to another phone and plan to keep using my GS4, but updates are coming slow, then I'll use CM. That's really all I care for, since the S4 is pretty fast even with TW, and battery is easily accommodated.
ArianaGrande said:
This isn't really a question, a little more like a long rant. So I see here and other sections where people are asking when cm10.1, AOKP, and similar roms will come out for the s4. Why would you want to do this to your phone? If you want cm10.1 you mine as well get a nexus phone because what it's made for. I could you switching from touchwiz 4.0 to 4.2 cm10.1. But switching from 4.2 touchwiz to 4.2 cm10.1 is stopping your phone from being at it's full potential. My question to you is why? Why do you want to downgrade your s4?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I have many app ideas, but don't have the skill or the time to learn how to make an app. if you would like to know an idea and attempt to make one, just message me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would call it a upgrade, not a downgrade. CM will give more smooth experience, better battery life, alot faster updates, better aosp browser, better messaging and contact app, better costomization, more space left for the phone (not "only 9gb left" like touchwiz), better ram optimization, better overall user experience.
And ye, I dont care about all the bloatware and gimmicks Samsung give us. It slow down the phone and you'll only get frustrated.
Btw thanks to all the beloved CM developers who using their sparetime for giving us choices.
Originally I wasn't planning to use any custom roms on my S4, but hearing about the lack of smoothness is tempting me to. A fast and lag-free UI is important to me, so flashing a rom that provides that would not be a "downgrade" for me. Besides, I'm mostly indifferent to touchwiz features except for possibly multi-window, and it'd be nice to get rid of both Samsung and carrier bloatware. What's it to you though?
for me, first and foremost the smaller memory print on my sd card. 9 GBYTE out of 16 is ridiculous.
if it doesn't support a 64 bit Filesystem for my sd card, I won't install it.
Samsung ROMs on my S3 never let me down. Plus a lot of extra features. Compared with my Nexus 7 which is running almost perfect on a AOSP Rom.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda app-developers app
The "9gb issue" is easily fixable, like most providers they want to add extra apps (bloatware) that you don't need (unless you desire), all you have to do is get rid of the things you dont want or need. That will give you a ton of space.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I have many app ideas, but don't have the skill or the time to learn how to make an app. if you would like to know an idea and attempt to make one, just message me.
for future reference this can be posted in Q&A section
If Samsung will start a childish cat and mouse game like Apple, were you need a exploit to root it, I will install CM for sure!
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda app-developers app
ArianaGrande said:
The "9gb issue" is easily fixable, like most providers they want to add extra apps (bloatware) that you don't need (unless you desire), all you have to do is get rid of the things you dont want or need. That will give you a ton of space.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I have many app ideas, but don't have the skill or the time to learn how to make an app. if you would like to know an idea and attempt to make one, just message me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most bloatware apps can only be disabled, not uninstalled. And I'm puzzled why you have an issue with what people install on their own phones. Isn't it possible that many people like the Galaxy S4's hardware but not its software?
Of course you will be able to get rid of the bloatware...just root it, and install titanium backup...off ya go...
Space, quicker updates, more aesthetically pleasing to me UI.
jj03 said:
Of course you will be able to get rid of the bloatware...just root it, and install titanium backup...off ya go...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm talking about without rooting the phone, since that's what he's saying is unnecessary for people to do to the S4.
Come on now Ariana
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app
snapple232 said:
I'm talking about without rooting the phone, since that's what he's saying is unnecessary for people to do to the S4.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Forgive me...i have just finished a long nightshift...
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD
I want CM. I also want all the Samsung bloatware with no compromise.
Is that possible?
snapple232 said:
I'm talking about without rooting the phone, since that's what he's saying is unnecessary for people to do to the S4.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm all for rooting, just not for people downgrading there phone by installing cm.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I have many app ideas, but don't have the skill or the time to learn how to make an app. if you would like to know an idea and attempt to make one, just message me.
ArianaGrande said:
I'm all for rooting, just not for people downgrading there phone by installing cm.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I have many app ideas, but don't have the skill or the time to learn how to make an app. if you would like to know an idea and attempt to make one, just message me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just read my post earlier and you will understand why people want CM, and stop talking about downgrade to CM. If CM is not for you, so dont install it. This thread is meaningless and you are officially a troll.

[Q] Looking for advice on S4 ROM

Hi all,
I once more turn to XDA gurus for some advice and also questions. Let me start with saying that I have very basic experience with android phones: my main phone is an iPhone but I love to play with Android devices to fill in the iOS blanks. I own a Samsung Infuse (with a custom ROM but very unstable) and briefly had an HTC One but returned it.
Anyway, I bought an AT&T S4; it's unlocked and works great. However I'm in Canada on Rogers and couldn't care less about the bloatware installed on it. Here come the questions:
- Does anyone know of a way to install the stock Rogers ROM on this phone (more like where to get it)?
- Alternately, would you recommend to install another ROM?
Here's the thing: a week after I bought mine, Google announced the Google editions; would have known I would have waited to get that.
- Would it be recommendable to flash the Google ROM on my phone?
- Would there be a way to install some of the Samsung SPKs on such a ROM (I could never seem to do it on my Infuse)?
I know how to flash a ROM, and it's well documented in the Forums. I'm more after opinions; my experience with flashing ROMs on my Infuse has been spotty at best. Seems like no matter what I did, the phone would become unusably unstable after a while. This scares me because it seems like the Infuse is one of the most modded phones out there... The S4 is very impressive and I don't want to hinder it's performance in any way.
If none of this is doable/recommendable, then I might sell this one and pay the extra $100 and get the Google edition.
I appreciate any input!
Thanks
Well, I know it's not polite to bump your own post, but I would really appreciate some feedback.
And actually I'll add a bit more to it: let's say I either try the Google ROM or decide to buy a Google Edition, there are some pretty cool apps included with the Samsung version (such as multi window and air gestures). Is it possible to have those available on the Google Edition/ROM?
Thanks and sorry again for my lack of knowledge in the area...
technosinner said:
Well, I know it's not polite to bump your own post, but I would really appreciate some feedback.
And actually I'll add a bit more to it: let's say I either try the Google ROM or decide to buy a Google Edition, there are some pretty cool apps included with the Samsung version (such as multi window and air gestures). Is it possible to have those available on the Google Edition/ROM?
Thanks and sorry again for my lack of knowledge in the area...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Consensus with the GE ROMs for the S4 are that they're WAY too stripped down in comparison to other AOSP options (of which GE is NOT, it's actually TW disguised as AOSP). I, personally, would avoid using GE and instead opt for something like AOKP if you want that same feel. I just flashed FoxHound and really like the hybrid aspect of it in the fact that you keep all the gimmicky TW features (the hover and voice stuff as well as multi-window), the menu structures are similar, but it brings all the bonuses that having an AOSP ROM does. There are some extra steps involved which @Axman has taken his time to explain (you have to manually input your APN), but the end result is worth it.
Good luck and read around.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
well spoken my friend. Thanks
Thank you very much for the clarification. I was actually in the process of reading Axman's posts. To be honest I'm totally overwhelmed. I didn't imagine it to be so complicated; I'm really torn between ROM and keeping stock because of the TW cool stuff... I will keep reading around as all good n00b should.
Thanks!
technosinner said:
Thank you very much for the clarification. I was actually in the process of reading Axman's posts. To be honest I'm totally overwhelmed. I didn't imagine it to be so complicated; I'm really torn between ROM and keeping stock because of the TW cool stuff... I will keep reading around as all good n00b should.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's much less complicated than it seems, but you do need to follow the steps as outlined or you could end up with anything from a borked flash to a bricked phone depending on what you're trying to do. I recommend playing with a i337m ROM that is TW-based for your first, just to get the hang of things as it'll provide the least steep learning curve. Go for these steps at first:
1. Enable Developer Options (go to Settings/About/tap on build until it says they're enabled)
2. Run one click root/recovery from Adam Outler
3. Transfer and flash ROM of your choice
Just know that people flash for different reasons ranging from wanting less bloat to more battery life to a morbid case of flashaholism (such as myself and @TheAxman). There's nothing saying you have to go balls to the wall here and you may find yourself completely happy with the stock ROM and a better kernel. Just read up and it'll make perfect sense.
Last word of advice: have Odin and the stock ROM on hand so you can flash back to stock if necessary. Some ROMs don't play well when flashed on top of others, even if you do a full wipe.
Sent from my SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
I was actually in the exact same situation as you.
However, I decided to flash a TW based ROM to keep all the cool Samsung features.
I'd recommend any of the Stock Based ones here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2312444
Just do your research and look for the features you need.
Thanks a lot guys! I'll be doing some reading but at least I know where to look.
One last thing: I keep seeing this loki thing around. Since I'm on an att version I got that I need it, but what exactly is it and where can I get it? I see a lot of references to it, but I can't seem to find a download link or a tutorial on it...
Thanks again!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda premium
Don' t take the loki thing and run with it..if you are rooted and have recovery installed, flash the rom of choice and use a att kernel that already has been loki'ed.
Simple. That way you will never go wrong.
The Ax says this is my method of choice. Could care less about loki.
I recommend cm10.1 . It is aosp based, tins of features, fast, and just nice to use. I use it on my att sgs4 right now. It is nightly release but it is VERY STABLE. Ge is just tw with an aosp fanboy shirt on .lol.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app

[Q] Rooting my Note3, what and how now?

Hey guys, just a quick question. Please please excuse me for I am definitely a noob, but I've done some research about rooting and what it offers yet I still don't know how to use it. It feels much like learning how to drive a stick... understanding in theory, but difficult in application until practice. My note 3 is rooted, but I still have no idea what and how much I can do from here. Not to mention, while I'm doing research and trying to educate myself, there are some names and terms I do not understand. Anyway, let me just write some of the questions I have in a list:
1) Cyanogenmod. Is it available for verizon note 3 running 4.3? I keep getting search results that there are while the cyanogenmod website itself doesn't offer it? I also got a Nexus 7 to try to expand my knowledge in this field, and it does have cyanogenmod installed. Now, to my understanding, it runs side by side with the Android OS while it basically strips the device's bloatware, giving you the pure, simple, raw experience of Android OS. If I were to install cyanogenmod to the note 3, how would it affect the camera functions and the s pen functions? The reason why I ask about the camera is because using my Nexus's camera and looking at some youtube videos of note 2's with cyanogenmod, it seems like it would actually be a downgrade from the note 3's stock camera. And as far as the S pen goes, I've realized that I would lose the action notes, s notes, and sketchbook for galaxy apps, wouldn't I? How could I go around that?
2) Flashing ROMS. What exactly does this do? All I can find is that it allows me to customize my phone, but I don't seem to understand to what extent.
3) Kernels. What are these?
Lol, so sorry for such basic questions. But I would really really appreciate your patience and information!
CyanogenMod is unofficially available for the Note 3. Not everything works. CyanogenMod is a ROM that changes the software on the phone. It's a more customized version of Android, and very close to "stock". If you use CyanogenMod however, you will lose your S-Pen and it's features, along with all of the other TouchWiz features of the phone (gestures, split screen, etc.). The S-pen will act as a basic mouse pointer. CyanogenMod is not pure AOSP, it's quite far from it. It's similar, but very different from a pure Google experience. It's really a beast of it's own in my opinion, and is now a stand alone company that will seek to profit off of the ROM (likely by coming standard on some devices). That's not to say it isn't good, I run it on most of my other devices but on the Note 3, without the S-Pen it's just a big phone.
ROM's are customized versions of Android typically created by a developer or group of developers. The features of each ROM will change. A 4.3 TouchWiz rom might remove all of the carrier bloat (applications not likely used, but run in the background and offer little no actual use to anyone). They'll also provide enhancements and tweaks that make life a little easier like a quick-access flashlight tied to your volume up button, or the ability to remove certain icons from the notification panel, a batter percentage indicator in the notification panel, removing the exchange security permissions, or just general speed improvements over the factory settings. There are many advantages to a ROM and once you use them you'll likely never go back to stock. The ROM features are typically listed in the ROM's topic.
There are many ROM's out there for many different devices, so make sure you only install one that is made for your phone. You'll also hear about AOSP ROM's, these are stock or close-to-stock versions of Android, typically found on Nexus devices. The way Google intended Android to be used.
Android uses a Linux Kernal. It's a customized version of Linux. It's the base operating system behind Android. Similar to ROM's, different kernals can offer different levels of customization, however they won't be as prevalent as a ROM since they deal more with the core of the operating system. The Kernal will manage the drivers for all the different components of the phone, like your radios (how you receive a phone signal), your sensors, camera, CPU, etc. Be especially careful when changing Kernals, it can drastically affect your phone, and possibly permanently.
I'll put in the caveat that this is my understanding, and may not be 100% accurate. People are welcome to correct my mistakes and misunderstandings I may have =)
I hope you find it helpful!
Thank you for your response and information!
Okay, so I guess Cyanogenmod for the Note 3 is not an option for me since I enjoy using my S pen (I mean, why else would I have gotten the phone in the first place haha)
Could you direct me to some useful ROMs or recommend me some? The thing is, I had the Motorola Droid as my first smartphone and never really got into rooting or anything, and when I got the iPhone 4s, that's when I started learning about jailbreaking and got pretty good at it too. Now that I'm back to Android and learning about root, I've realized just how.. simple and basic jailbreaking is compared to rooting. So, would these ROMs be similar to tweaks you can get from the Cydia store in, let's say, behavior of the phone?
I don't think I would want to mess with kernels for a long while either, not until I get more acquainted with rooting in general.
ch0i said:
Thank you for your response and information!
Okay, so I guess Cyanogenmod for the Note 3 is not an option for me since I enjoy using my S pen (I mean, why else would I have gotten the phone in the first place haha)
Could you direct me to some useful ROMs or recommend me some? The thing is, I had the Motorola Droid as my first smartphone and never really got into rooting or anything, and when I got the iPhone 4s, that's when I started learning about jailbreaking and got pretty good at it too. Now that I'm back to Android and learning about root, I've realized just how.. simple and basic jailbreaking is compared to rooting. So, would these ROMs be similar to tweaks you can get from the Cydia store in, let's say, behavior of the phone?
I don't think I would want to mess with kernels for a long while either, not until I get more acquainted with rooting in general.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well first thing you need is safestrap so you can actually flash a ROM link here
This allows you to create limited size slots to flash a ROM to without effecting the stock ROM. There is a way around the size limitation of the slots, but I wouldn't worry about that yet. Just get a feel for it first before you risk bricking.
As for a ROM, head on over to the android development section and pick one. They all have great descriptions of what they have and what they don't. Personally I run hyperdrive and it makes a great daily driver. Still has enough of the original Samsung stuff to look like a Note 3 but allows you to tweak it much further. There are plenty others, and that's the beauty of safestrap, flash to your heart a content until you find one you like.
Kernals aren't something to worry about yet because the boot loader is still locked, limiting our ability to flash a kernal or a custom recovery at that. Unless something has changed that is... Has it? Did it get unlocked while I was asleep.
I you ever get stuck, search then ask. You might also want to read about ODIN here. since you're already rooted some of this doesn't pertain to you, but is still a good read as ODIN will help you recover from some problems.
Hope that helped.
blksprk said:
Well first thing you need is safestrap so you can actually flash a ROM link here
This allows you to create limited size slots to flash a ROM to without effecting the stock ROM. There is a way around the size limitation of the slots, but I wouldn't worry about that yet. Just get a feel for it first before you risk bricking.
As for a ROM, head on over to the android development section and pick one. They all have great descriptions of what they have and what they don't. Personally I run hyperdrive and it makes a great daily driver. Still has enough of the original Samsung stuff to look like a Note 3 but allows you to tweak it much further. There are plenty others, and that's the beauty of safestrap, flash to your heart a content until you find one you like.
Kernals aren't something to worry about yet because the boot loader is still locked, limiting our ability to flash a kernal or a custom recovery at that. Unless something has changed that is... Has it? Did it get unlocked while I was asleep.
I you ever get stuck, search then ask. You might also want to read about ODIN here. since you're already rooted some of this doesn't pertain to you, but is still a good read as ODIN will help you recover from some problems.
Hope that helped.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It did! Thank you very much!
ch0i said:
It did! Thank you very much!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only option with Safestrap and therefore on newer Verizon Note 3's is a ROM based on stock, so Cyanogenmod isn't an option at all.
I would consider Hyperdrive. Enhanced app windowing options, Xposed framework to get rid of earphone hearing damage warning and never ending reminder about how to clear default apps and tons of little customizations. Getting rid of boot sound is reason enough for me.
Other things on your checklist whether you get a custom ROM or not is Adaware, which you can download on xda to block ads. Need Titanium Backup to back up apps with data, something you can't do without root and very useful when switching ROMs or phones. Lots of other useful tools like Root Explorer on Google Play. If you stick with your stock ROM, do the mod to allow free tethering for Wi-Fi.
Since you like your S Pen, you need Pen Window Manager, available on Play to choose for yourself which apps can run in a pen window. That was one of the big reasons I wanted to root this phone.
By the way, once you find a ROM you like, it's best to nandroid back it up, backup the stock ROM for safety, then restore your custom ROM to the Safestrap stock slot. The ROM 1-4 slots have limited storage so not great long term solution if you have a lot of apps, etc.
Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

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