[Q] What would you get???? Gurus! - AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshootin

Hi all,
There are a lot of super smart users on this site. They can and usually seem
to find solutions to most cell phone issues. My question to you all is:
Currently have the S4, ATT, stock. I will be upgrading later this year.
Which phone would you recommend to me with these uses:
Fast, no lag- No bloat apps- Fast upgrades- Probably won't root.
Use phone for everyday normal usage, not a gamer.
My choices so far:
S5, Z2, New Nexus when released!
Leaning to to a Nexus or possibly a GPE of the above choices.
Any guidance would be helpful.
Thanks, Ken

I'm biased, loving the nexus 5. Part of it's appeal is how easy it is to root and mod. But with that said, I'm running stock rooted and it's great just like that.
Sent from my Nexus 5

Go here, http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2433789 and read, read, read.
Read elsewhere, read everywhere, this is only a decision you can make based on what you need and want.
As XDA is not a support site, members are expected to do their own research into these matters.

Related

New To Android (Galaxy S3)

Well, I have been an iphone user for the last few years and finally made the switch. I customize everything, so I'm use to using Cydia and Winterboard. I have no idea if there is anything comparable.
So, my question is... As a beginner on this platform, where do I even start looking besides here to find out what I can do with rooting my phone, creating themes, or custom apps and tweaks.
Like I said, I'm very new too this, and have no idea where to look. I've tried searching, but some of the terms i'm not familiar with yet. The nice thing that I can see right now, is the reason's I jailbroke my iphone, the S3 does already, or I have figured out an easy alternative.
Any help in the right direction would be great! So far, I'm really glad I got rid of the iphone
splxtreme said:
As a beginner on this platform, where do I even start looking besides here to find out what I can do with rooting my phone, creating themes, or custom apps and tweaks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
XDA is probably the best source, but there are certainly plenty of other xda-like sites out there. RootzWiki is probably the biggest, but it seems like a handful of new ones pop up every day.
On top of that, I'd say try the obvious... google it! If you google something like "what can i do with my rooted android phone" you'll find a lot of good suggestions (articles by tech sites, as well as forum threads from people who have asked the same questions as you). Keep in mind though, Android advances pretty fast, and all phones are a little different so not everything you find may be relevant anymore. Example: You may find something that says screenshots are a good reason to root... but that's a standard feature now in ICS, and Samsung phones could do it all along. So just keep that in mind... some things you may find may be out of date.
Hey welcome to android. I too made the switch over a year ago and that's when I became a member here. I spent the better part of that sifting through all this site has to offer. I started with the captivate when the rooms for it were at their prime and I have upgraded to the s3. I don't know all there is to know about this stuff but I have not wrecked my phones yet. So with all that said I would recommend getting yourself familiar by reading the stickies. They some very nice tutorials. Also if your not sure about something qna section is good. Once you get the hang of all this you will see exactly why android is true open source. Jailbreaking for me got boring but rooting and flashing roms is always interesting. This site also has very friendly developers that love doing this stuff so that's also a huge help. Last but not least don't be afraid to ask. It may mean the difference between an awesome phone and nice looking paper weight from Korea
Sent from my SGH-I747M using xda app-developers app
The great thing about Android is because you can do anything on it right out of the box compared to you having to jailbreak an iphone. Id suggest just going through different apps and what not in the app store and see what catches your eye
Honestly, I would recommend that you spend some serious time getting to know android and understanding all of the capabilities of your phone before you even consider rooting it (not to mention flashing a new ROM.
I am a long time Android user that has rooted and flashed many ROM's over the years, but the S3 is so good out of the box (imho) that I personally have no need or desire to even root it at this point. That may change in the future, but that's where I stand right now.
I guess my advice would be ... don't be in a huge hurry to start making massive changes to the device until you understand what you have. No need to risk killing that shiny new toy (yet).
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
Welcome,
Another source to check out is YouTube.
You can finds videos on
How to Root, How to use Odin, How to Flash, How to use apps like Titanium Backup, Root Explorer, etc..
Also I made a reference guide in the S2 forum when I had it that explain some of the lingo around here.
Study it
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1394458
Powered by the SGSIII
Welcome. I think maybe figure out what you'd like to do that you haven't figured out yet and search on xda or even Google. Its possible you may not need to root to achieve it. I root only to restore app plus its data from one android phone to the next. Without root it only restores app so for example with games it won't restore where I left of in the other device.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2

Nexus 4 turned us into the "First time Andriod Users"

As the title suggests, I have just turned into an Andriod user...i.e.: this is my first ever andriod device. If it was not for Nexus 4's cutting-edge hardware+software combined with its PRICING (the major part), I wouldnt have bought an andriod phone.
Just want to know who else is on the same boat. There are a lot of questions running in my mind.. rooting.. kernel.. ROMs.. what not! May be by the passage of time I will learn all this and enjoy the journey of Andriod-world.
Welcome. You couldn't have picked a better android device to start off with.
If you have any questions regarding rooting or anything android in general feel free to PM me.
Good luck!
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
@ mackster248.
Thank you mate. I am obliged. Will surely contact if I plan on rooting.
Feel free to contact me as well if you need to! Also don't be afraid to ask questions, just be sure to use the search function
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
Tip is since you're new. Don't use the toolkit, spend the time and learn about it to manually unlock the bootloader if you decide on flashing anything (custom rom, kernel, root). It's very simple to do and will help you in the long run. Check the forum sticky threads and there are tutorials on how to approach this.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
the previous one, galaxy nexus, was my first one. i couldn't see myself using gingerbread before, it was too ugly. when they got matias duarte and it started to look like something i made the jump and never looked back. i'd say use your nexus for a while. you can always root it easily, that wont be a problem, but why not enjoying stock android while its new and fresh for you. i mean, im all for rooting it but honestly, the time when a new android comes out and we don't have sources yet but we can't wait so we jump to I/O leaks or factory images, that is always the nicest.
although, yeah, i forgot about nex4's washed out colors........... maybe it makes sense to root it right away for that purpose since its gonna look ten times better when its calibrated.
Welcome!
As zephiK said, try doing it all manually. Don't just find the automation scripts and use them. I started with the HTC Dream/G1, haven't looked back since. I must say android has changed a lot since the early days, but one thing has stayed the same, the knowledge I gained from having to do it manually from the get go, can roughly be applied to any android device. It largely helps you gain a better understanding of how the device works and what methods can be used to manipulate the software to do what you need, and want.
Oh yeah! How could I forget. Unlock your bootloader manually DAY ONE, even if you don't decide to root.
Why? When you unlock your bootloader, it will wipe your phone's internals and data. So you might as well do it right away so if u do decide to tinker with your phone, you can always back up everything and make your transition very easy to do.
Hey there,
I got my Nexus just before Christmas and
I'm pretty happy with it! that's my first android device. Previously I've had an iPhone 4. For me screen might be even bigger but it's pretty much OK
I decided to try root a week ago and flashed AOKP three days ago. It is all fantastic! Compared with my nexus iPhone is like a piece of ****^^
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
I too am a first time Android User and a proud owner of the Nexus 4.
It was quite a transition from Symbian to Android. Well, not really.
Now to figure out why I rooted my device last night.
My first android was the one and only T-Mobile G1 (HTC Dream). Loved it to death. But I lost it while on trip to California in 2009. I was pissed about it for almost a year :crying:
Currently have the HTC Vision (G2). Wanting to get my hands on a N4 badly. I almost want to pull the trigger and buy an overpriced one on Amazon or eBay. I'm checking the Play Store everyday for it. Let's see if I can hold out.
BTW, just got a N7 yesterday. Rooted it the moment I got it.
Android can do so much even on stock devices... I'd suggest trying it all out for a month or so before flashing kernels, etc. Just because there is so much to customize and try (and break... a bit) even without rooting.
Well nexus4 is my first Android phone i bought myself, i have used before android. But owned only Nokia. After 2 weeks I am very happy and i think i won't regret chosing this over L920
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
me too!
hi all,
the nex4 has also pulled me from the grasp of Apple. Only had mine for about 3 hours so still learning it all, and its great!
Root Process
I am new to android and need to know the step by step process of root. Like unlocking boot loader is the first step, second step ?? and so on.. Please give the step by step flow from scratch.
Nexus 4 is also my first Android device, got it last 16th of December. The best Christmas gift I had for myself after awhile. Since then, I'm lovin it!
Sandeep_AV said:
I am new to android and need to know the step by step process of root. Like unlocking boot loader is the first step, second step ?? and so on.. Please give the step by step flow from scratch.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You want this which has links to loads of info: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2010338
And this looks like it will be helpful for getting help from people: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=2031989&postcount=45
I think it's really worth looking at all the different Nexus 4 subforums and reading the main threads, pretty much everything is covered. And if you don't understand something, if you post in the correct thread people will help you out with what you need.
Nexus 4 is my first android, coming after 4+ years of iPhone. I am blown away so far! And this forum is an amazing resource too :good:
I am flabbergasted to see the amount of people who have started their Andriod journey with N4.
joshnichols189 said:
Feel free to contact me as well if you need to! Also don't be afraid to ask questions, just be sure to use the search function
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you all who r willing to help. And TBO, I loved the way how nicely you expressed your gesture of helping. Rarely we get to see that on XDA.
I do not plan to root the device as honestly I dont know the ABC of rooting ATM. So I will read read and read when i get time and if stuck somewhere, i will ask someone to help and then move on.
zephiK said:
Oh yeah! How could I forget. Unlock your bootloader manually DAY ONE, even if you don't decide to root.
Why? When you unlock your bootloader, it will wipe your phone's internals and data. So you might as well do it right away so if u do decide to tinker with your phone, you can always back up everything and make your transition very easy to do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Buddy, by wiping the phone's internals & data, you mean it will free up some more space for us to use.. right?
s2046 said:
You want this which has links to loads of info: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2010338
And this looks like it will be helpful for getting help from people: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=2031989&postcount=45
I think it's really worth looking at all the different Nexus 4 subforums and reading the main threads, pretty much everything is covered. And if you don't understand something, if you post in the correct thread people will help you out with what you need.
Nexus 4 is my first android, coming after 4+ years of iPhone. I am blown away so far! And this forum is an amazing resource too :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Was just checking these links.. Very very useful. Thanks.
im also a little surprised about how many nexus 4 owners are new to android. i mean all of us android veterans know that its the best android phone right now, most people just coming in to android opt for easier to come by androids like the one x or the gs3, mainly because they dont know what to look for. for those just getting into android, you made the right choice!
my advice to you from hundreds of times flashing, wiping, restoring, and resetting my phones on various roms: go crazy now. try all of the different customizations, launchers, browsers, and all that. remember what you like and what seems to slow the phone down, drain the battery, or save battery and speed it up. once you have figured all this out, wipe it and start fresh, maybe try a custom rom and kernel if you want. put back the stuff you like. after you get bored, do it again! at this point, ive pretty much realized the best thing for me is to just keep my phone as vanilla as possible, no 3rd party launchers, keyboards, dialers, etc, but ive tried them all! its just easier to set up that way, and ends up with a fast and seamless experience. everybodies different though, and thats the wonder of android

Rooting Nexus 7 any point to?

I looked around but did not really see any great point in rooting the nexus 7, it gets latest updates from google as it is. Is there any point to root like beter battery and stuff, if so what are best roms to install on it?.
Thanks
seanoneill92 said:
I looked around but did not really see any great point in rooting the nexus 7, it gets latest updates from google as it is. Is there any point to root like beter battery and stuff, if so what are best roms to install on it?.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I recommend smoothrom, it's my favorite. I've been using it for months and it gets much better battery life than stock.
There are only two possibles with this question:
1) You like/love your Nexus 7 just the way it is and you're very happy with the performance and knowing it will get some official updates before most any other devices do (just like it did yesterday with 4.2.2 and it being only one of 4 devices to get it this early)
or...
2) You like/love your Nexus 7 just the way it is but you're interested in seeing just what it's really capable of because "pure stock" is never going to really show of what the Nexus 7 can do in terms of performance and even battery life.
If you're firmly situated in the type of person where #1 is absolute and true, then stick with what you've got. If you're the type of person where #2 is more akin to your interests, then obviously rooting is the way to go because it basically opens up those possibilities that "pure stock" simply can't offer.
As for what those opportunities are, well, that's why XDA- Developers exists: this forum has (according to the latest stats):
Threads: 1,724,770, Posts: 35,783,153, Members: 4,897,464, Active Members: 488,400
Suffice to say this place didn't get this popular with people running "pure stock."
And just for the record: rooting does NOT mean you must install a custom ROM or anything like it - rooting gives you the opportunity (along with unlocking the bootloader, obviously) of running custom kernels which can and do add a lot of goodies in terms of performance and battery life while still remaining with the stock ROM overall. Custom ROMs are just another bonus on top of unlocking bootloaders and rooting devices - they're not the end-all-be-all, however.
A lot of people don't quite get that so I figured I'd point it out...
If your running 4.2.2 rooting is impossible js
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Class_of_punk26 said:
If your running 4.2.2 rooting is impossible js
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No its not.
Just because you can't root and can't use Google search like the rest of us doesn't mean its impossible. It took me about 20 minutes to do it when I got it and I had no idea what I was doing. It's all because this wonderful thing we call Google search.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Thanks everyone for the replies but i decided i wont bother rooting for now since its get new updates,when that stops ile root it
My Nexus 7 was rooted successfully and I have the latest version 4.2.2
Nothing is impossible ^_^
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD
I have a highly modded GNex phone and have been an active member of the Android Dev community for quite a while now. I love how I have configured my GNex and I wouldn't have it any other way.
With my N7, I just adore this thing totally stock, non-rooted, all locked-up. Not only can a stock N7 function beautifully IMO, I find that spending 0% of my time futzing with ROM selection, kernal selection, and endless tweaking allows me to dedicate 100% of my time to just enjoying and using the thing.
So, I Iike living in both worlds, on different devices, for different reasons. If you enjoy your N7 just the way it is, go grab it and enjoy it some more. That's just what I am doing. No need to question it!
That's kind of what I did as well, except the complete opposite of you. I've unlocked and rooted both my Gnex and N7, but my Gnex is stock. I left it that way so I can get the official updates, which I'm always curious about. The N7 is more like a testing tool, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

[Q] Pros & Cons of Rooting

Can somebody tell me about the pros & cons of rooting?
I am gonna root my Nexus 4.
Pros :
Full control over device
Opens a door into a huuuuuuuge library of mods.
Cons :
If you don't know what you're doing you **** up your device.
Read read read if you are unsure, ask questions, that's the only con. The perks to rooting and unlocking the bootloader are too numerous not to. I know its not much of an answer, and I mean absolutely no disrespect, but why get a phone designed by Google to basically allow complete control to the user if you weren't going to utilize that?
Tinkering at first is intimidating out of fear of damaging something, but with a lot of direction following and a little faith in yourself, trust me you won't regret it.:good:
Pros: Here are some of the pros that i personally have: More control and customization, adblockers, audio mods that give you beats or Sony audio, ROMs are updated everyday by patches or commits, root apps like TI backup for backing apps, some awesome mod features that aren't found else where, you can change boot animations, there are a handful of ROMs to try, and these are what I can think of right now. Oh and you get the newest android version first than others. If you're on stock on a nexus, you'll get the newest android version first than nexus users on other ROMs because the source code is usually released a month later, but even then when the code is opened (released) we will still get the newest android version since all of our sources are open sourced. Make sense?
Cons: None really. Only things that I can think of are flashing the wrong thing or doing something that you weren't supposed to. In that case your phone becomes paper weight. But if you know how to read and follow instructions, you're set to go.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
Eddy130306 said:
Pros: Here are some of the pros that i personally have: More control and customization, adblockers, audio mods that give you beats or Sony audio, ROMs are updated everyday by patches or commits, root apps like TI backup for backing apps, some awesome mod features that aren't found else where, you can change boot animations, there are a handful of ROMs to try, and these are what I can think of right now. Oh and you get the newest android version first than others. If you're on stock on a nexus, you'll get the newest android version first than nexus users on other ROMs because the source code is usually released a month later, but even then when the code is opened (released) we will still get the newest android version since all of our sources are open sourced. Make sense?
Cons: None really. Only things that I can think of are flashing the wrong thing or doing something that you weren't supposed to. In that case your phone becomes paper weight. But if you know how to read and follow instructions, you're set to go.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
benman715 said:
Read read read if you are unsure, ask questions, that's the only con. The perks to rooting and unlocking the bootloader are too numerous not to. I know its not much of an answer, and I mean absolutely no disrespect, but why get a phone designed by Google to basically allow complete control to the user if you weren't going to utilize that?
Tinkering at first is intimidating out of fear of damaging something, but with a lot of direction following and a little faith in yourself, trust me you won't regret it.:good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
exb0 said:
Pros :
Full control over device
Opens a door into a huuuuuuuge library of mods.
Cons :
If you don't know what you're doing you **** up your device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi All!!
First of all, thank you for your valuable suggestions.
I would like to ask two more things:-
1. Best ROM for nexus 4 (in terms of performance, battery life, visual effects etc.)
2. Is it possible to reverse the rooting means to unroot the phone??
D_RiDeRs said:
Hi All!!
First of all, thank you for your valuable suggestions.
I would like to ask two more things:-
1. Best ROM for nexus 4 (in terms of performance, battery life, visual effects etc.)
2. Is it possible to reverse the rooting means to unroot the phone??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1 : No such thing as a BEST rom.
2 : Yes. Possible.
D_RiDeRs said:
Hi All!!
First of all, thank you for your valuable suggestions.
I would like to ask two more things:-
1. Best ROM for nexus 4 (in terms of performance, battery life, visual effects etc.)
2. Is it possible to reverse the rooting means to unroot the phone??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. You have to decide which is the best in your own by trying them out. Everyone has a different opinion. Kernels is what you need for performance, battery life and such. Roms offer customizations and might contribute to some power saving.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

[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

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