Database Users

value of custom ROM

Hey Guys
I don't want to offend anyone especially the DEVs but I consider the N7 to be on the bleeding edge, what value does a custom ROM have. Again, I'm used to the world of the HD2 so I can honestly say I appreciate the work of every single DEV and custom ROM but I"m just a little unsure of what a custom ROM on this device brings to the table. Are there features i'm missing?
thanks all

Obviously, custom ROMs give people certain features and optimizations that aren't available in the stock ROM. But I understand where your coming from. Most people use custom ROMs on devices that don't have the latest Android version, and want the bleeding edge of software available. On the Nexus 7, and most Nexus devices, you are on the bleeding edge, and are always up to date. Until a ROM comes out with a must-have feature, stock ROM suits my needs perfectly on my Nexus.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium

Well the only reason I am going to root, is to be able to do a fail safe backup.
Using Clockwork mod, you get to backup everything including the way you have it set, the launcher especially.
I just root, and just use the stock rom.
And some apps require root.
Rob has sent this from his Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

Probably a dumb question but does root prevent you from getting and installing OTAs?

clankfu said:
Probably a dumb question but does root prevent you from getting and installing OTAs?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It shouldnt but youll lose root.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium

defnow said:
It shouldnt but youll lose root.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Gotcha. That's a bit of a bummer. So the only way to get any new features or bug fixes from the OTA is to flash a ROM that implements them?

clankfu said:
Gotcha. That's a bit of a bummer. So the only way to get any new features or bug fixes from the OTA is to flash a ROM that implements them?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Look into voodoo ota rootkeeper, it will restore root after an update. I've never had to use it as this is my first Nexus device, and applied all updates before rooting. Also, ROMs generally implement updates within a very short time frame so I wouldn't worry about that.
Sent from my Nexus 7

doron07 said:
Look into voodoo ota rootkeeper, it will restore root after an update. I've never had to use it as this is my first Nexus device, and applied all updates before rooting. Also, ROMs generally implement updates within a very short time frame so I wouldn't worry about that.
Sent from my Nexus 7
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. I'll check it out.
---------- Post added at 10:04 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:02 PM ----------
Actually I did a search for Voodoo OTA rootkeeper and someone posted this:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1772539
joshtb86 said:
i can confirm OTA update did not cause me to lose root/superuser and voodoo is not needed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

This is a nexus. If you want to remain on stock..unlock bootloader, install custom recovery, flash Su zip, flash stock recovery if you want OTAs. If an ota comes, flash it. If you lose root, it will take less than 5 mins to set up
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

thanks all,
i have unlocked and rooted the N7 and am not questioning the value of those 2 items...trust me that is a huge deal. But i do appreciate the comments--I didn't want to deviate from Stock if it didn't do much and it doesn't seem like any of the new ROMs have made substantial enough changes to warrant a switch.
thanks
Rugged.

Rugged96 said:
thanks all,
i have unlocked and rooted the N7 and am not questioning the value of those 2 items...trust me that is a huge deal. But i do appreciate the comments--I didn't want to deviate from Stock if it didn't do much and it doesn't seem like any of the new ROMs have made substantial enough changes to warrant a switch.
thanks
Rugged.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Obviously it's not like a Verizon device that has a bunch of bloat and excess so out of the box we are looking great.
Some of the roms are and will be simply stock deodexed/zip-aligned which allow for more customization/theming etc.
Right off the bat, I'd like a stock based rom that I can easily theme that has the default Adroid browser with Flash installed. I don't care about launchers and tablet modes, etc.
The good thing is there should be a huge variety of lightly tweaked to heavily tweaked roms available eventually. If you don't need anything different, then you are good to go and will spend less time staying up late flashing your device. :good:

[Q] Would rooting/installing custom rom improve Nexus7?

I recently rooted and installed a custom rom on my phone and noticed huge improvements. Noticed my nexus was lagging on things that I would think shouldn't be that taxing on the device. Thought the OTA update to 4.2 would help but it didn't. Would rooting it get rid of that lag or is it just a nexus thing?

sourshin said:
I recently rooted and installed a custom rom on my phone and noticed huge improvements. Noticed my nexus was lagging on things that I would think shouldn't be that taxing on the device. Thought the OTA update to 4.2 would help but it didn't. Would rooting it get rid of that lag or is it just a nexus thing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Personally because of the big change over from 4.1 to 4.2 i decided to go back to stock for awhile and wait for the bugs to be sorted.
Re-unlocked and rooted, flashed faux kernel and is the best experience i have had to date. Meaning the least lag. Stock and custom kernel. Just unlock - root and then flash kernel. :good:
Not a detailed description but if you need further advice just say so......Just means unlocking installing CWM and SU...Then flash kernel of choice. recommend faux..

I've tried out a rooted nexus 7 and to be honest didn't see a huge improvement so I've decided to wait until Key Lime Pie comes out and see if they sort out the bugs otherwise I will root.

Kind of discouraging

root doesnt automagically improve the devices performance, its what YOU do with root access. oh, and what lag? not the tiniest bit of lag on my device. custom rom/kernel, and some optimizations. couldnt be happier. btw, mostly whatl root does is let you use root apps. you dont need root to flash custom roms/kernels. but you do need an unlocked bootloader. with root, you can control that rom/kernel, get to the devices main file system, change whatever you want, and otherwise be in complete control of your device.

I get my nexus 7 today, after a hour I rooted it, just for ad block plus and the ability to customize the navbar. Love root.

Blixz said:
I've tried out a rooted nexus 7 and to be honest didn't see a huge improvement so I've decided to wait until Key Lime Pie comes out and see if they sort out the bugs otherwise I will root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There will most likely be more updates to 4.2 before Android 5.0 comes out.

I personally think it does make it better. It all really matters how you use your tablet and what you put in it like the Kernel you install. Roms it really doesn't matter really what you get but I have always been a big fan for CM since first getting the G1, nexus one, the HTC G2/Desire z and it has always been the fastest rom for me.
Sent on my rocken Nexus 7

simms22 said:
root doesnt automagically improve the devices performance, its what YOU do with root access. oh, and what lag? not the tiniest bit of lag on my device. custom rom/kernel, and some optimizations. couldnt be happier. btw, mostly whatl root does is let you use root apps. you dont need root to flash custom roms/kernels. but you do need an unlocked bootloader. with root, you can control that rom/kernel, get to the devices main file system, change whatever you want, and otherwise be in complete control of your device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had thought you needed SU access in order to flash a custom rom. Or is that just to use CWM which needs SU? Anyways if you unlock you must as well root it.....yes....!

Yeah as a few people have already said root alone will do mouthing for performance faux kernel, as far as I'm concerned, is a great addition to this great tablet.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

I actually get a lot of performance lag. Might be from alot of email sync but still it shouldn't have a half second delay after lock screen and moving between screens etc.
And I thought I would need to root to get my bootloader unlocked? I'm sure it's easier for the nexus than my HTC One X. Which was kind of a pain.

Yes using different roms and or kernels will make a massive difference to performance and or battery life but thats determined by which kernels and roms you use some are built for speed others for battery. If you had searched the forum you would have found this :silly:

Root will break some apps.
Just wanted to mention that unlocking your bootloader and rooting will break a few apps for the Nexus 7. I was all gung-ho to root my Nexus the first week I had it. Then I discovered I could no longer stream cable tv to it with Time Warner Cables app. Google Wallet also wouldn't let me link any cards to it's app while rooted or with an unlocked bootloader. A quick skim of the forum shows that rooting breaks streaming functionality on other subscription video apps as well. Depending on how you use your tablet, this might not matter to you. I ended up going back to stock for now, just because I wanted to use these apps. There is probably workaround, but I just didn't want the extra work....around. I think the Nexus 7 ultimate toolkit might let you gain temp root, I don't remember for sure tho.

Rooting will not effect performance at all. Your just gaining access to the root directory. It's what you do after that effects performance. Also just rooting does not effect the wallet app at all, this is wrong information. Wallet does a root check for security purposes and will show "unsupported device" within the app after rooting. Ignore that, it is just a root notification. Cards add correctly and it functions correctly. I can't speak on the other apps mentioned, but ill take a stab in the dark and start at user error
Custom roms will definitely increase performance. Stock 4.2.1 is a bit laggy, I recommend flashing liquidsmooth and see the difference!
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium

I stream movies using Flixster with my rooted N7. It's simple if you are rooted with Supersu. I go to settings in the Supersu app and uncheck Enable Superuser. After I finish streaming, I go back and enable it again.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app

[Q] 4.3 more troublesome than useful?

My N4 just arrived today.
I have version 4.2.2 installed.
A quick search on gooogle shows a lot of negative feedback from users on the 4.3 update.
I want to root it too but I'm unsure about the update, have you ecountered problems with latest update that couldn't be fixed?
Or better said, what are the most common bugs and can they be fixed?
Also what about roms, which one should i try, PA?

Some people experienced random reboots, I never had them on JWR, I do on JSS.
Also JSS has sometimes dead locks and freezes for about 10 seconds.
But since the update I experience much better battery life! So yeah if you will use the stock ROM I guess you wont have any of these problems, only advantages.

Thanks for the question and the answer, I'm in the same spot and maybe I'll try some custom JWR this weekend, although the plethora of different specific 4.3 bugs going around - besides those already mentioned - remembers a X-File case.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 4

Ok. I'm gonna do it.
But first what should I do? What's the order, root first and then update? This my first android/smartphone, so I'm quite new to this...
I'm gonna search for a tutorials now

Bozdo said:
Ok. I'm gonna do it.
But first what should I do? What's the order, root first and then update? This my first android/smartphone, so I'm quite new to this...
I'm gonna search for a tutorials now
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just update first.
Then install a custom recovery and flash supersu.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

Changed my mind! Seen too many negative comments on youtube... I'm just gonna root this version 4.2.2. and I'll wait for 5.0
Any tips when rooting 4.2.2?

4.3.3 is actually a great upgrade with tons of features and additions. It is just brand new so there are a few bugs to be worked out. But 4.2.2 has bugs that won't be worked out at all.
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk 4

K0FFP0LICE said:
4.3.3 is actually a great upgrade with tons of features and additions. It is just brand new so there are a few bugs to be worked out. But 4.2.2 has bugs that won't be worked out at all.
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So how long do you think it will take for them to fix these bugs?

OTA 4.3 update with twrp 2.5 no root.
I have no issues.
If you want a reliable jwr custom ROM then cataclysm is awesome and has no problems either for me.
I use stock for unrooted and cataclysm rooted regularly for different reasons but I definitely recommend updating to 4.3 regardless.
NeXuS⁴

Bozdo said:
So how long do you think it will take for them to fix these bugs?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure. That's why I'm on a custom ROM. Devs usually fix things quicker.
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk 4

Bozdo said:
Changed my mind! Seen too many negative comments on youtube... I'm just gonna root this version 4.2.2. and I'll wait for 5.0
Any tips when rooting 4.2.2?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can always go back to a previous version. I'm not really sure why you're being so skittish.
FYI, "5.0" will likely be far more riddled with bugs. More changes means more room for error. You have a freaking Nexus. Get with the program.
My advice to you is to not use a toolkit. Setup fastboot and know how to flash the stock images BEFORE attempting anything. That way, if something goes wrong you can fix it without making yet another "HALP! I bricked my phone" thread. We have way too many of those.

To root or not to root

To root or not to root
After my last bad experience and also after reading how some have faced issues after rooting their note 3 I was wondering if rooting has any adverse effects on the phones functionality. What are cons of rooting?
There's bit of lag on note 3 which is really annoying for such a beast.
Any advice would be much appreciated thanks
I own N9005 model from O2 unlocked.

riz157 said:
To root or not to root
After my last bad experience and also after reading how some have faced issues after rooting their note 3 I was wondering if rooting has any adverse effects on the phones functionality. What are cons of rooting?
There's bit of lag on note 3 which is really annoying for such a beast.
Any advice would be much appreciated thanks
I own N9005 model from O2 unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is an update from Samsung that should fix the lag.

I would wait until a good (really) good rom is out

elias2204 said:
There is an update from Samsung that should fix the lag.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No update available for my model unfortunately.

CoolDevelopment said:
I would wait until a good (really) good rom is out
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmmm....are current roms poor or no improvement?

I've rooted my phone and hence sacrificed the ability to get OTA update from Samsung... but still, in my opinion, it really depends on the user own personal preference. I root my phone because there's a lot of apps that I am using requires root access (tasker, xposed, etc)...
There are currently not too many custom roms available for note 3 yet (as far as i know), better wait for a while if you're planning on rooting simply for the sake of flashing new rom. :good:

jigzopuzzle said:
I've rooted my phone and hence sacrificed the ability to get OTA update from Samsung... but still, in my opinion, it really depends on the user own personal preference. I root my phone because there's a lot of apps that I am using requires root access (tasker, xposed, etc)...
There are currently not too many custom roms available for note 3 yet (as far as i know), better wait for a while if you're planning on rooting simply for the sake of flashing new rom. :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But for a popular device like taht i won't take too long

I'm tossing up the same thing and wondering if anyone can answer this question. If I flash back to stock firmware after rooting will device status revert to official thus allowing me to have ota updates again or does setting the knox flag mean I will be system status modified forever?
I know knox flag can't be reverted but what about system status?
Sent from my SM-N9005 now Free

jigzopuzzle said:
I've rooted my phone and hence sacrificed the ability to get OTA update from Samsung... but still, in my opinion, it really depends on the user own personal preference. I root my phone because there's a lot of apps that I am using requires root access (tasker, xposed, etc)...
There are currently not too many custom roms available for note 3 yet (as far as i know), better wait for a while if you're planning on rooting simply for the sake of flashing new rom. :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here.
Although I'd liked to get a good recovery, too. I just rooted with stock recovery, so I can't make a full nand-backup so far. I tried xposed yesterday, but it didn't work. And as long as there isn't a working recovery option (except for going back to stock and installing my apps again vs. installing the full OS including apps and settings), I probably won't try xposed again. But I do miss the "skip tracks with volume rocker" feature.

Mikegrmn said:
Same here.
Although I'd liked to get a good recovery, too. I just rooted with stock recovery, so I can't make a full nand-backup so far. I tried xposed yesterday, but it didn't work. And as long as there isn't a working recovery option (except for going back to stock and installing my apps again vs. installing the full OS including apps and settings), I probably won't try xposed again. But I do miss the "skip tracks with volume rocker" feature.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
According to this website xposed should work? Are you using version 2.2?
Sent from my SM-N9005 now Free

Which is the safest way to root please?
My main reason for rooting is to reduce lag and install custom ROMs, at the moment their aren't many ROMs to choose from but I'm sure it won't be too long before that changes.
Also My phone is from o2 and they are one of the carriers who still have their ugly logo bootup at startup, shut down which is very annoying.
Also if things go wrong I can still revert back to stock via Odin?
Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk 2

Auto root by chainfire is the safest and easiest way ti root.
Sent from my SM-N900 using Tapatalk 4

riz157 said:
Which is the safest way to root please?
My main reason for rooting is to reduce lag and install custom ROMs, at the moment their aren't many ROMs to choose from but I'm sure it won't be too long before that changes.
Also My phone is from o2 and they are one of the carriers who still have their ugly logo bootup at startup, shut down which is very annoying.
Also if things go wrong I can still revert back to stock via Odin?
Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rooting or putting a custom rom(based on touchwiz) won't probably change anything.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using xda app-developers app

Yes that's true simply rooting wont get rid of lag however my main questions are which is the safest way to root and would I be able to flash generic rom via Odin? It's been awhile since I used Odin.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk 2

Ever time I consider rooting I come across post were user bricked phone. This is really of putting don't fancy bricking my phone. However can't do with lag which is very annoying.
Which is the simplest and safest method of rooting?
Not worried about knox my Model N9005 on MJ3 FW, unlocked version from the UK. Thanks

Rooting does not brick your phone. Only users who don't read the instructions properly bricks their phones.
I have been rooting andriod phones since Samsung S2 with no bricks.
Rooting gives you 'Admin' rights on your phone and I want / need that to have full control of my device.
Rooting does not stop OTA updates but you will need to re-root for every new update.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using XDA Premium HD app

I had the same dilemma. I rooted my Note 1, flashed mods & ROMs, and it was eventually what I wanted. It was, however, locked in that version. I had no time to play with it any more, so left it.
On buying the Note 3, I flashed a stock ROM for the Note 1, got the updates, and it was much better than what I had customised. I guess I had my customised ROM earlier than any OTA update, so did benefit.
The other aspect is a firewall. You can now block apps from Mobile data access (although it is tedious), but not from WiFi access. You can, however, block the access that apps have to your data (although also tedious), so at least you may be safer.
Finally, we have the bloatware on the device. This generation of Andoid seems a bit better behaved than previous ones, and I can disable a lot of the stock apps, which is good. I am not finding any wakelocks (or at least not a great deal), and battery life is very good overall.
So, for me, I would like to have a firewall, but as for the rest of the system, it is perfectly good for me, and I have no current plans to root this device.

What's the easiest way of disabling stock apps such as trip advisor, flipboard, ant bloatware etc?
Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

dholms said:
What's the easiest way of disabling stock apps such as trip advisor, flipboard, ant bloatware etc?
Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately some of the ones you listed cannot be turned off in the app manager. Many other apps, can however be turned off. Once I rooted I deleted most of the third party nonsense and froze most of the extra Samsung apps.

Techweed said:
Unfortunately some of the ones you listed cannot be turned off in the app manager. Many other apps, can however be turned off. Once I rooted I deleted most of the third party nonsense and froze most of the extra Samsung apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you keep Knox counter at 0x0 if you fiddle with deleting stock apps?
Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

Root Now or later

Should i root now or later? Why i ask is because if i do root now will a ota update come out and brick my phone or should i just wait till a rom comes and root then flash it?
Please help im a flashoholic stop me while you can. Can't have this powerful device in my hand without root

I'm wanting to root mine but I'm going to wait until we can get custom recovery and roms. It won't be long I would imagine. I do wonder if we'll get an ota soon because of the call quality issue.

I'm gonna wait myself. I feel your pain though. I did read that the international version has had 2 upgrades already that supposedly made the wifi, phone reception, & battery life better. From what I read anyway. It was in a thread on here. Plus there seems to be a lot of problem after rooting posts in the Q&A section. I figure better safe than sorry.
Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

Storm T said:
I'm wanting to root mine but I'm going to wait until we can get custom recovery and roms. It won't be long I would imagine. I do wonder if we'll get an ota soon because of the call quality issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ibkevin said:
I'm gonna wait myself. I feel your pain though. I did read that the international version has had 2 upgrades already that supposedly made the wifi, phone reception, & battery life better. From what I read anyway. It was in a thread on here. Plus there seems to be a lot of problem after rooting posts in the Q&A section. I figure better safe than sorry.
Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your input guys. Just want it overclocked so bad. lol how soon will it take to get the boot loader unlocked. by the way is the vzw s4 boot loader unlocked yet smh

johnminator said:
Thank you for your input guys. Just want it overclocked so bad. lol how soon will it take to get the boot loader unlocked. by the way is the vzw s4 boot loader unlocked yet smh
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why would you want it overclocked? Phone runs fine on the quad core snapdragon processor. Overclocking (half of the time) leads to some sort of instability. It heats your phone up like a stove because you basicly gave your phone ritilin. And don't even get me started on the battery...
Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

There is no reason to overclock. This phone flies and 6 hours of screen time on a charge is ridiculous as well. Just root and get it over with. It is simple to do. Just follow the directions to a T.

I delayed a few days and need not have. Procedure is straightforward and not hard.

It's easy to root the only disadvantage is wiping everything out.
Sent from my SM-N900V using xda app-developers app

I rooted mine right after I bought it because I needed to get rid of the stupid bloat they put on my phone I hate that stuff

johnminator said:
Should i root now or later? Why i ask is because if i do root now will a ota update come out and brick my phone or should i just wait till a rom comes and root then flash it?
Please help im a flashoholic stop me while you can. Can't have this powerful device in my hand without root
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OTA cant just be put on your phone. You have to accept the update to be flashed. So rooting has nothing to do with it.
You can always freeze SDM.apk and that will prevent it. But again, Verizon Updater app just notifies you that an OTA is available.

just root now no issues whatsoever with mine during or after root and overclock!?!? what do you want its a 2.3 ghz quadcore sd 800 and you want more!?!? this phone is like butter in anything and everything fully loaded with 100+ apps i see zero reasons to overclock

Thank you so much guys, one more question to ask. If i root it does it trigger anything that shows root like the unlock logo when booting like (custom)

johnminator said:
Thank you so much guys, one more question to ask. If i root it does it trigger anything that shows root like the unlock logo when booting like (custom)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It does show "custom"on boot screen but can easily be removed
Sent from my SM-N900V using xda app-developers app

danutzz said:
It does show "custom"on boot screen but can easily be removed
Sent from my SM-N900V using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool so how would you do that and does it trip knox

johnminator said:
Cool so how would you do that and does it trip knox
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It does not trip knox. You remove the custom logo with Wanan Xposed -> Security Hacks -> Fake System Status.
And you can always restore back to stock.

dclutter1 said:
It does not trip knox. You remove the custom logo with Wanan Xposed -> Security Hacks -> Fake System Status.
And you can always restore back to stock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds great so have you rooted

johnminator said:
Sounds great so have you rooted
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, as soon as I got it. I didn't want to wait around and get things set up and then root later and have to set them all up again
I entertained the idea of giving stock a try but about 30 seconds of the default DPI and VZW bloat put an end to that.

dclutter1 said:
Yep, as soon as I got it. I didn't want to wait around and get things set up and then root later and have to set them all up again
I entertained the idea of giving stock a try but about 30 seconds of the default DPI and VZW bloat put an end to that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LMBO how did you remove bloat and are there any side effects

johnminator said:
LMBO how did you remove bloat and are there any side effects
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The side effects are that you can remove a feature, or a dependency of a feature that you want. That's why I froze them with Titanium Backup; easy to just defrost is something acts weird.
airmaxx23 posted this list of the apps he removed without any problems.

Rooting with the current method will wipe your device. So, until a method comes along that doesn't wipe your device, it's best to do it sooner than later, so you have less stuff to restore and re-download.
Also. Who knows when VZW will push out a patch. Best to root and disable the APK that looks for OTAs before you start getting annoying update popups.
The root method we have no is dead easy, and simple to follow. Takes all of about 5 minutes and you're finished. Very easy and hassle free.