Database Users

upgrading to Razr M - have some questions

hi all - still contemplating on getting this (~$250 on E-bay). coming from a Samsung Droid Charge where there is only one developer (and he totally rocks - made a kick-ass ROM called tweaked).
hows the development here?
any custom kernels?
custom boot animations?
I see there a few ROMs - which one is most active?
One big advantage from the Charge is that it is practically unbrickable. meaning that no matter bad we screw it up, we can always flash it back to stock with Odin (which also resets the flashing counter). is that the case with this phone?
I'm primarily focused on battery life, as I'm sure ICS and JB will be great on this device. When I do get this phone, I will most likely root it right off the bat and slap on a custom ROM.
thanks!

jco23 said:
hi all - still contemplating on getting this (~$250 on E-bay). coming from a Samsung Droid Charge where there is only one developer (and he totally rocks - made a kick-ass ROM called tweaked).
hows the development here?
any custom kernels?
custom boot animations?
I see there a few ROMs - which one is most active?
One big advantage from the Charge is that it is practically unbrickable. meaning that no matter bad we screw it up, we can always flash it back to stock with Odin (which also resets the flashing counter). is that the case with this phone?
I'm primarily focused on battery life, as I'm sure ICS and JB will be great on this device. When I do get this phone, I will most likely root it right off the bat and slap on a custom ROM.
thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The rom support on this phone is not huge at the moment but it is a quite new device im sure it will grow over time. When you root this device currently there is no way of resetting it that i know of to show that it has never been rooted unfortunately.

well, I just ordered the Razr M today from e-bay ($250). They're including a 32GB sdcard as well.
the first thing I would like to do is perform a factory reset/data wipe and then root it. how do I perform a factory reset?

You can factory reset either in settings privacy factory reset or in recovery. The phone will most likely be reset before shipping to you.
Sent from my XT907 using xda app-developers app

Personally, I haven't found a need to put a custom ROM on this device. I'm rooted with a 64GB SD-card and froze all bloatware with Titanium Backup. For my purposes it runs great. I hope you have the same success.

audiomixman said:
Personally, I haven't found a need to put a custom ROM on this device. I'm rooted with a 64GB SD-card and froze all bloatware with Titanium Backup. For my purposes it runs great. I hope you have the same success.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks - I'll probably stick with the stock ROM at first, and if the BDH ROM can add more battery life (judging from the thread, it looks like it should), then I'll consider installing that.
also, I was thinking about transferring my sdcard from my Charge to this phone and re-installing the app data (not apps themselves, as I'll just re-download them from the market) - does anyone think that this could be a problem given that the backup data was from a different device (running GB)?
also, I did a quick search, but could not find an immediate answer - how can I tell if the phone I am getting is the Developer Edition or Retail?
thanks!

Where do u live? If your getting the droid razr m it's probably not the developer edition the australian razr is unlocked (equivalent to the dev razr m with a few differences.
Sent from my XT907 using xda app-developers app

morgs640 said:
Where do u live? If your getting the droid razr m it's probably not the developer edition the australian razr is unlocked (equivalent to the dev razr m with a few differences.
Sent from my XT907 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i'm in the US mate!

jco23 said:
i'm in the US mate!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then its most likely not the Developer edition unless specified.

Unlocked Bootlader/ safe strap Question????

OK so I have no clue really want safestrap is really. I've only had phones that I could unlock my bootloader.
I guess my questions are is how much different is safestrap vs unlocked bootloader and did Verizon/Samsung lock this thing down to the point we can't unlock this thing.?
I just bought this phone on Verizon edge and had no knowledge about this thing being locked down.

Simple search will help.
Safe strap allows you to Flash stock ROMs and stock kernels. It is not a bootloader bypass. You cannot have recovery at this time. The chance of an actual bootloader unlock and/or recovery is slim.
We currently do have root.
If you want to do anything other than flash stock based ROMs and kernels (when SS is available, which is likely soon), then you should use a different device or get the Dev edition when it comes out.
You should do more research before putting that much money on a device down. I want the Note3 very much, but I much prefer a device with more flexibility, even if it isn't as badass.

I've had safe strap on my bionic and flashed asop ...but why would anyone on this device want asop??? ...that would not make a lot of..."touchwiz" lol.

Thanks for the reply. Yes your correct but no need to be an douche. Yes search answers questions but people who have used safestrap can sometimes provide better answers. This is the q&a section so that means you can ask questions. Anyways thanks for part of your reply.
Sent from my SM-N900V using xda app-developers app

jprovan1 said:
Thanks for the reply. Yes your correct but no need to be an douche. Yes search answers questions but people who have used safestrap can sometimes provide better answers. This is the q&a section so that means you can ask questions. Anyways thanks for part of your reply.
Sent from my SM-N900V using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hope that was for the jerk and not the joke.....

Was for the jerk. I liked the joke
Sent from my SM-N900V using xda app-developers app

xdadevnube said:
Simple search will help.
Safe strap allows you to Flash stock ROMs and stock kernels. It is not a bootloader bypass. You cannot have recovery at this time. The chance of an actual bootloader unlock and/or recovery is slim.
We currently do have root.
If you want to do anything other than flash stock based ROMs and kernels (when SS is available, which is likely soon), then you should use a different device or get the Dev edition when it comes out.
You should do more research before putting that much money on a device down. I want the Note3 very much, but I much prefer a device with more flexibility, even if it isn't as badass.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is wrong. Safestrap is a bootstrap recovery. It IS a "bootloader bypass" of sorts. Once everything is squared away, safestrap WILL allow flashing of non-stock ROMs and the execution of Kexec kernels. We will have access to almost everything available with an unlocked bootloader, except it will require room on our internal storage for the ROM files.

Banggugyangu said:
This is wrong. Safestrap is a bootstrap recovery. It IS a "bootloader bypass" of sorts. Once everything is squared away, safestrap WILL allow flashing of non-stock ROMs and the execution of Kexec kernels. We will have access to almost everything available with an unlocked bootloader, except it will require room on our internal storage for the ROM files.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AFAIK, it will not allow kexec, as that is a different exploit. Also, it cannot modify aboot. So you will not be able to install AOSP ROMs or anything but a modified stock kernel. Believe me, I would love to be wrong.

xdadevnube said:
AFAIK, it will not allow kexec, as that is a different exploit. Also, it cannot modify aboot. So you will not be able to install AOSP ROMs or anything but a modified stock kernel. Believe me, I would love to be wrong.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hashcode has implemented kexec into nearly every device's safestrap. Also, AOSP is still possible with the stock kernel. You simply have to incorporate certain parts of the stock ROM. I did all of this on the Droid Bionic. I had an AOSP ROM before safestrap was even created. It had a couple Blur elements that were very minor, but required.

Do we loose safestrap if we take OTA upgrade to Kitkat (when it's available)?

Banggugyangu said:
Hashcode has implemented kexec into nearly every device's safestrap. Also, AOSP is still possible with the stock kernel. You simply have to incorporate certain parts of the stock ROM. I did all of this on the Droid Bionic. I had an AOSP ROM before safestrap was even created. It had a couple Blur elements that were very minor, but required.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was thinking of the S4 that doesn't have kexec and cannot flash AOSP. It is reasonable to assume that the N3 could get kexec even although the S4 doesn't have it.
SS is not bootloader bypass. Many benefits of an unlocked bootloader will not be realized with SS. However, it should be a decent option for at least getting some ROMs. With kexec, then most people will be happy.

xdadevnube said:
I was thinking of the S4 that doesn't have kexec and cannot flash AOSP. It is reasonable to assume that the N3 could get kexec even although the S4 doesn't have it.
SS is not bootloader bypass. Many benefits of an unlocked bootloader will not be realized with SS. However, it should be a decent option for at least getting some ROMs. With kexec, then most people will be happy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a huge difference when Hashcode has the phone in question. It's my understanding that this is the first Samsung phone he has had.

So he's stated that he plans to add kexec? That would be [email protected]$$.
Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

Confused

Im looking to leave Sprint for greener pastures. I'm on their Note 2 at the moment and figure I'll go with the Note 3 if/when I switch carriers. I was reading to make sure that the Verizon Note 3 would be rootable. As it stands, I'm very confused as to whether or not this device is able to be rooted. I'm an avid root user. I don't want to be stuck with a phone that I cannot root and control. I keep reading conflicting threads saying the phone can be rooted or can't be rooted. At this point, I would like to make the carrier switch within the next week, so I just need a definite "yes" or "no" as far as rooting.

hebejebe said:
Im looking to leave Sprint for greener pastures. I'm on their Note 2 at the moment and figure I'll go with the Note 3 if/when I switch carriers. I was reading to make sure that the Verizon Note 3 would be rootable. As it stands, I'm very confused as to whether or not this device is able to be rooted. I'm an avid root user. I don't want to be stuck with a phone that I cannot root and control. I keep reading conflicting threads saying the phone can be rooted or can't be rooted. At this point, I would like to make the carrier switch within the next week, so I just need a definite "yes" or "no" as far as rooting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes it can be rooted, but does not have an unlocked bootloader.

njfoses said:
Yes it can be rooted, but does not have an unlocked bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply. Is the bootloader UNlockable? And how does that affect the phone when trying to flash new ROMs?

hebejebe said:
Thanks for the reply. Is the bootloader UNlockable? And how does that affect the phone when trying to flash new ROMs?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well we have a recovery call SS aka SafeStrap. That allows us to flash custom roms. But we currently can't flash custom kernels nor AOSP roms for now.... ONLY CUSTOM TOUCHWIZ ROMS can be flashed in SafeStrap! Hope that clears everything out for you
?Note III?

krazy_smokezalot said:
Well we have a recovery call SS aka SafeStrap. That allows us to flash custom roms. But we currently can't flash custom kernels nor AOSP roms for now.... ONLY CUSTOM TOUCHWIZ ROMS can be flashed in SafeStrap! Hope that clears everything out for you
?Note III?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok. that makes sense now. with sprint AOSP roms were horrible with data so I usually avoided them. although decks reloaded was awesome on the Evo 4G.
what are the chances that we'll be able to unlock the bootloader? Im hoping the switch to verizon will greatly improve my data quality then maybe an AOSP rom will be an option.

hebejebe said:
Ok. that makes sense now. with sprint AOSP roms were horrible with data so I usually avoided them. although decks reloaded was awesome on the Evo 4G.
what are the chances that we'll be able to unlock the bootloader? Im hoping the switch to verizon will greatly improve my data quality then maybe an AOSP rom will be an option.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Slim to none on the bootloader being unlocked. I recently made the switch from Sprint to Vzw myself as i couldnt deal with Sprint's horrible service anymore. Best move i could have made.

njfoses said:
Slim to none on the bootloader being unlocked. I recently made the switch from Sprint to Vzw myself as i couldnt deal with Sprint's horrible service anymore. Best move i could have made.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just dont know if I can get past the locked bootloader. Id love to be running CM or any other AOSP roms on a device with a good data connection. Thanks for the clarification.

I was an avid rooter when i was with sprint a few months ago...my phones were always blazing fast but still slow as turtles when it came to data speeds.....switchet to vz unlimited data and now im on a stock non rooted n3...no need for it since my phone *always* works properly now....just my .02
Sent from my SM-N900V using xda app-developers app

art90262 said:
I was an avid rooter when i was with sprint a few months ago...my phones were always blazing fast but still slow as turtles when it came to data speeds.....switchet to vz unlimited data and now im on a stock non rooted n3...no need for it since my phone *always* works properly now....just my .02
Sent from my SM-N900V using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
how'd you get an unlimited data plan?
I usually root so I can use the mobile hot spot. I also like to have full control. I would prefer to be able to root.

I found it on craigslist look for someone that is selling their unlimited line then you have to just do an assumption of liability and ur set. I can even use hotspot wifi without root....for me this phone is such a beast along with the best network that i feel im in control and nothing else is needed
Sent from my SM-N900V using xda app-developers app

krazy_smokezalot said:
Well we have a recovery call SS aka SafeStrap. That allows us to flash custom roms. But we currently can't flash custom kernels nor AOSP roms for now.... ONLY CUSTOM TOUCHWIZ ROMS can be flashed in SafeStrap! Hope that clears everything out for you
?Note III?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey man, glad to see were back on the same devices! I came from e4gt
Also as it stands now you can flash roms via safestrap and root but we won't have a custom kernel or any aosp roms until we have an unlocked bootloader (maybe never)
Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

jlear3 said:
Hey man, glad to see were back on the same devices! I came from e4gt
Also as it stands now you can flash roms via safestrap and root but we won't have a custom kernel or any aosp roms until we have an unlocked bootloader (maybe never)
Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
lol ohh snap i thought your username sounded familiar. im not going to lie even now i still roam around the e4gt forum it was the best community i have ever seen. nice to see you here so far it looks like the 2 of of from the e4gt unless i missed someone else! lol

Recovery

Any working TWRP or CWM recovery for KK?

Nope might not be for awhile
Sent from my VS980 4G using Tapatalk

Luvsa Dawagiv said:
Any working TWRP or CWM recovery for KK?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can flash one of the stock rooted Kk custom roms with the patched kernel that keeps recovery, but you can't root or install recovery over already installed Kk. Kk? :laugh:

Wonder how long it will be.

thackoon said:
Wonder how long it will be.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Long time. Possibly never for custom recoveries. LG is supposedly using the same security as Samsung now to block the Loki exploit. They barely have Safestrap and still no ability to flash custom AOSP ROMs 6 months later. The only way will more than likely be the workaround we have now.

Are you serious Knox you've got to be kidding me why is this a popular thing with android phone manufacturers its sad android is becoming as locked down as iOS I get the feeling that soon very few phones will be Rootable except for very few devices they really are using Knox or some variant or something similar
Sent from my LG-VS980 using Tapatalk

spinninbsod said:
Are you serious Knox you've got to be kidding me why is this a popular thing with android phone manufacturers its sad android is becoming as locked down as iOS I get the feeling that soon very few phones will be Rootable except for very few devices they really are using Knox or some variant or something similar
Sent from my LG-VS980 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure exactly what it is. Not Knox but maybe something similar. I read that somewhere anyway. I agree that soon there's going to be very few phones that can be rooted. Nexus devices and that's it I think. People these days want their devices secure. Root is essentially a flaw in the devices security. A backdoor if you will. I guess the thought process is that if there's a vulnerability, it'll be easier for hackers to get ahold of your vital information. Companies don't want the bad press of their devices being easily hacked into via a fake hot spot at Starbucks or whatever. So they lock them down. Try to patch up every possible security vulnerability there is. Sucks for power users like us, who want root, custom recoveries and all. In the end, sadly we're in the minority. We're gonna be forced to buy Google Play Edition or Nexus devices within the next few years. That's my take on it anyway.

Couldn't agree more
Sent from my LG-VS980 using Tapatalk

If that is the case, then the Android adventure is over for me. At least theres usually a jailbreak for every iOS version and there is only one security system to attack there as opposed to Samsungs, LGs, HTCs etc. security system on Android.
Sad.

@spinninbsod I'm hoping that since VZW now sells the N7 in store, maybe we'll have a chance at getting the next Nexus phone as well. If we do, its going to be an instabuy for me. All this locked down stuff is too much. We're just lucky we can downgrade and get back to the JB aboot, so we can still have custom recovery. Samsung won't allow downgrades, so that option is out the window for them. I'm glad LG didn't do that to us at least.

I know how the Samsung users feel I had an s4 before my g2 I hated it great hardware but to locked down I refuse to buy any Samsung or non developer friendly product hopefully the next nexus device will have better battery life
Sent from my LG-VS980 using Tapatalk

spinninbsod said:
I know how the Samsung users feel I had an s4 before my g2 I hated it great hardware but to locked down I refuse to buy any Samsung or non developer friendly product hopefully the next nexus device will have better battery life
Sent from my LG-VS980 using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
I don't see how Knox would in any way keep you from flashing a custom recovery + rom on the S4? Plenty of AOSP roms available.

That is for mdk firmware before Knox the only custom ROM available for mj7/mk2 builds with knox, firmwares is hyperdrive ROM a stock based touchwhiz ROMs trust me I know this there is no recovery other than safestrap
Sent from my LG-VS980 using Tapatalk

Poll: Getting the Note 4 DevEd. or Note 4 Regular?

Which Note 4 are you guys getting?
The Note 4 Developer Edition or the regular Note 4?

The Developer edition is the same as the regular with the exception of open boot loader allowing custom ROMs to be installed and extensive UI customization

Definitely getting the developer edition. Not concerned with custom kernels or roms, but having an unlocked bootloader is a much clearly path to root access. All I want to do, can be done with Xposed modules.

jpmcnown said:
Definitely getting the developer edition. Not concerned with custom kernels or roms, but having an unlocked bootloader is a much clearly path to root access. All I want to do, can be done with Xposed modules.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same, I'm really hoping that the Note 4 DevEd. will gain traction and popularity unlike the Note 3 DevEd.
I can't live without root and custom roms.

It's no longer on their site
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

jmm22 said:
It's no longer on their site
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's only temporary, don't worry it'll be back.

With Android L security, I would only consider a Dev N4 at this point. It is unlocked and will be easy to root. Flash TWRP recovery in Odin, boot into TWRP recovery from a powered off state, then flash Chainfires SuperSU.zip. From there it is game on...adaway, tibu, xposed modules, and I can pretty much create my own TW rom from that point.

droidstyle said:
With Android L security, I would only consider a Dev N4 at this point. It is unlocked and will be easy to root. Flash TWRP recovery in Odin, boot into TWRP recovery from a powered off state, then flash Chainfires SuperSU.zip. From there it is game on...adaway, tibu, xposed modules, and I can pretty much create my own TW rom from that point.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The big question is whether any devs will be able to make lollipop roms possible for the note 4 dev.

The apparent lack of Root possibility on the retail VZ Note 4 had me resigned to keeping my N3 (which isn't the worst thing). But IF we can actually buy the Dev Edition of the N4 anytime soon, and IF the Dev Edition is as easy to root as purported, then yes, I will buy the Dev Edition ASAP. I do want to see other peoples experiences with the Dev Edition before I throw down near $700 for it however. I am not overly excited for Lollipop, so a good, unlocked, rooted and user (myself) tweaked stock kitkat ROM will be just fine for me for quite some time. If Lollipop is available, rootable and worth the upgrade, then I will upgrade to it. I always disable/freeze the OTA apk on my phones so I can see what bugs/problems a new factory ROM presents before taking it. My N3 was on the original stock JB ROM until just recently when I upgraded to the latest kitkat, and I can honestly say I preferred the kitkat rom. No going back now though.
Long story short, the Dev edition will likely be my only N4 if I do get the N4.

I was going to get the dev version, but paid $60 total for the retail model verses over $600 more for the dev version.

jpmcnown said:
Definitely getting the developer edition. Not concerned with custom kernels or roms, but having an unlocked bootloader is a much clearly path to root access. All I want to do, can be done with Xposed modules.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1

where is the option for both?

Agreed. All I want is root. A few os mods. Camera mods and build prop mods. Other than that I have no need to flash roms

All I need is free wifi tethering really and they say foxfi is working flawlessly on reg version bt I dnt kno if I wanna risk it lol...dev ed for me too
Sent from my SCH-I605 using XDA Free mobile app

Noob question... Dev models are only sold outside of carriers, right? So I can't upgrade to that? And how much is it? I'm assuming the full retail price.

bought regular here.. don't feel like returning it. I have faith we'll get root.
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note 4 using Tapatalk.

SketchySean said:
Noob question... Dev models are only sold outside of carriers, right? So I can't upgrade to that? And how much is it? I'm assuming the full retail price.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, you can't upgrade to the Developer Edition. The price is $662.53 plus tax and shipping if you want other than their 4-5 day shipping/delivery. You have to order through the Samsung web site.

jayochs said:
bought regular here.. don't feel like returning it. I have faith we'll get root.
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note 4 using Tapatalk.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1