Why change - just to change. - Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshoot

I've been observing all the hype about KK and I have a simple question: why change. I'm running Sacs custom rom ver.5.5 ultra. I'm on a MDC Bootloader & NAE software and baseband. It's fast and furious with excellent battery life. Life is good. No WiFi issues, no Google issues, no dropped calls or rom issues. No roaming issues. Nothing! So what's so hot about Kit Kat anyway? Seems you loose more than you gain.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 4

KC6UFO said:
I've been observing all the hype about KK and I have a simple question: why change. I'm running Sacs custom rom ver.5.5 ultra. I'm on a MDC Bootloader & NAE software and baseband. It's fast and furious with excellent battery life. Life is good. No WiFi issues, no Google issues, no dropped calls or rom issues. No roaming issues. Nothing! So what's so hot about Kit Kat anyway? Seems you loose more than you gain.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
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I guess it's more exciting for those who don't root or flash ROMs ?!?
For those that do... And still get excited hey you got me.. Its the " new" thing ( but not really )
If you can have a custom recovery and any ROM you want it's really just silly.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

Thanks. It's like keeping up with the Jones' s. But they're not always right. I like new stuff and support the great developers out there. But after taking a close look at KK it seems a step backwards to me despite all the hype. They took more the we got in return. I'll wait happily for the next big thing.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 4

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[Q] Root Before Activation?

My wife and I likely upgrading our phone's in the next week, maybe sooner. Getting her an S4, and myself likely the Note II.
I was wondering that if I had the phones mailed me, etc. Can I root the device before it is activated?
I don't see why not so long as you remain on a stock ROM
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda app-developers app
Personally i would get them activated first then root just in case you ran into any problems.
I would wait. Sometimes activation forces a hard reset (especially if you call Sprint when hands-free won't work) and therefore you'd be starting from scratch all over again.
Esoteric68 said:
I would wait. Sometimes activation forces a hard reset (especially if you call Sprint when hands-free won't work) and therefore you'd be starting from scratch all over again.
Click to expand...
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Yeah this is what happened to me when I activated online with them. Wasn't expecting it but at least only had it for all of a hour so could not do much lol
Sent from my SPH-L720
Questions go in Q&A
Thread moved
FNM
Ok, thanks guys,
I just didn't know if it would matter or benefit to root first before activation. So I guess I'll just active them first and then root.
Any recommended Rom's for the Spring S4?
ptmuldoon said:
Ok, thanks guys,
I just didn't know if it would matter or benefit to root first before activation. So I guess I'll just active them first and then root.
Any recommended Rom's for the Spring S4?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Currently running Sac's custom rom. I love it so far. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2359590 Using it with the KT kernel.
If your looking for non TW liquidsmooth looks great. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2347002
+1 for Sacs rom
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 2
xxwckdxx said:
+1 for Sacs rom
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 2
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Click to collapse
Ok, guys.. Looks like 4G may finally be rolling out in the buffalo ny area, so likely upgrading the wife to the S4 tonight, and myself likely the Note II.
Its been a while since I had to root anything. So can anyone provide any tips or howto's to rooting the S4 and then installing Sac's rom?
ptmuldoon said:
Ok, guys.. Looks like 4G may finally be rolling out in the buffalo ny area, so likely upgrading the wife to the S4 tonight, and myself likely the Note II.
Its been a while since I had to root anything. So can anyone provide any tips or howto's to rooting the S4 and then installing Sac's rom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would suggest waiting until activated to root. Sprint has the S4 set up to hard reset upon activation.
Rooting guide is here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2257101
Most ROMs will have a how-to-install in the OP of the thread. There are a lot of good dev ROMs out there, but I'm personally running stock rooted. Stock is so good I really don't have the urge to flash a ROM to make things better.

Why update to MJA?

I'm trying to understand what the improvements are over MF9? I've read a bunch of different topics, the question has been asked by others, but no straight forward answers have been given.
It seems to me at this point I should just stay with MF9, everything works.
Thoughts and what is better with MJ9?
TIA
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Jim M said:
I'm trying to understand what the improvements are over MF9? I've read a bunch of different topics, the question has been asked by others, but no straight forward answers have been given.
It seems to me at this point I should just stay with MF9, everything works.
Thoughts and what is better with MJ9?
TIA
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
There is no reason to upgrade for you. If you like you ROM stay there. Moving to a new one may just cause you grief and frustration - it's the same but different. Kind of like a newer model of car. You still drives it the same, just a little smoother and faster. It just works a little different and some controls are located differently.
However, here in the XDA world, most are techno geek folks; developers and tweakers that want to learn and play with the newest stuff.
So if you see no reason, do not take the jump.
BTW there is a thread of 50,000 views in general section dedicated to the discussion of MJA update. I suggest going over there.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk
I would just stay on mf9 if I were you.Since the update I severely bricked my phone flashing roms and restoring from backup.Luckily I was able to get it working and back to stock.I'm now hoping the knox bootloader will one day be removed.I've even emailed Samsung telling them how much I don't like the bootloader and if they had a way to downgrade.They replied"We should inform you that as of now it is not possible to downgrade the firmware version once it is updated to the latest version available. If there was any option, we would have surely helped.
However, we will surely take this as a feedback from you and forward it to the appropriate department for further review and consideration".
Stay on mf9 and that's all im saying.
Jim M said:
I'm trying to understand what the improvements are over MF9? I've read a bunch of different topics, the question has been asked by others, but no straight forward answers have been given.
It seems to me at this point I should just stay with MF9, everything works.
Thoughts and what is better with MJ9?
TIA
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Jim M said:
I'm trying to understand what the improvements are over MF9? I've read a bunch of different topics, the question has been asked by others, but no straight forward answers have been given.
It seems to me at this point I should just stay with MF9, everything works.
Thoughts and what is better with MJ9?
TIA
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
MJA for me has brought improvements in smoothness, speed, and a little bit of battery life. I also like the under-the-hood improvements of 4.3, such as TRIM support.
Thanks for everyone's comments. I was curious as to what differences between the 2 were.
I did update to MJA and kept the MF9 bootloader.
Everything is working just great and I can always go back to MF9 if I had to.
For those that may want to know I think mostly this update was to address security issues and a few other cosmetic changes.
My name is Jim and I'm a flashaholic.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk
My s4 is slightly more responsive. I am rooted on MJA.
I did update my baseband (radios) to MJA and saw a noticeable improvement in LTE speeds compared to MF9. I think I read somewhere sprint made available the tri-band with the new update to software and the towers to increase LTE speeds.
J0eggernaut said:
My s4 is slightly more responsive. I am rooted on MJA.
I did update my baseband (radios) to MJA and saw a noticeable improvement in LTE speeds compared to MF9. I think I read somewhere sprint made available the tri-band with the new update to software and the towers to increase LTE speeds.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But you have to know that it won't affect our S4's because they are not triband.
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daniel4653 said:
But you have to know that it won't affect our S4's because they are not triband.
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Click to collapse
Well it must be just slightly improved radio quality signal allowing for a slight bump in LTE speed. I just read and you are correct in that our phones are only dual band but sprint is planning to release a tri-band s4 later.
They should offer some kind of trade-in program.

Any reason NOT to take the KitKat update?

Hey guys and gals, I just got my Moto X yesterday, and I'm liking it so far. I have a Note 3 but I got a $150 promo code so thought I would give it a shot.
With that being said, I got a prompt for the KitKat update last night but I delayed it for now. I have read some horror stories about bad battery life. Is it true? Other than that, is there any major reason that I shouldn't update to KitKat?
Thanks!
I haven't had any problem with battery life on mine. I don't see a huge reason to upgrade but I like the latest so I took the update. I also don't see a huge reason not to upgrade either. I guess if you like the blue of jb or if you plan on rooting you have a few more options for the xposed modules on jb, but other than that, I can think of no good reason to keep jb. As always YMMV.
You can always RSD back to 4.2.2 if you don't like kitkat, but you lose all data and have to start from scratch.
WizeGuyDezignz said:
Hey guys and gals, I just got my Moto X yesterday, and I'm liking it so far. I have a Note 3 but I got a $150 promo code so thought I would give it a shot.
With that being said, I got a prompt for the KitKat update last night but I delayed it for now. I have read some horror stories about bad battery life. Is it true? Other than that, is there any major reason that I shouldn't update to KitKat?
Thanks!
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Click to collapse
I think it's easier to root on jelly bean. Otherwise I'm having great battery life on kit Kat, no issues here.
Sent from my XT1058 using Tapatalk
Kitkat is wonderful. My battery life is the same if not marginally better. Don't listen to the horror stories, they probably have everything set to sync every second and suck at phoneing.
If you want to root, root now on JB. Otherwise you'll have to flash back after the update.
Good to see you around. Great phone.
Sent from my XT1060 using Tapatalk
We could reverse this question and ask: Is there any reason TO upgrade to KitKat? What's new/great with 4.4 ?
I feel like we all should have unlocked bootloaders so root wouldn't be an issue. I'm on USC unlocked and rooted on KitKat running xposed framework and gravity box, I love it. Battery last at least 24 hours of moderate usage. The last three days my battery stats have been SOLID! I had 1 day nine hours 2 days ago, 1 day 7 hours yesterday and am at almost 12 hours and at 64%...Wolfepack said it, don't listen to horror stories, those select few can't handle heat in the kitchen obviously lol.
Sent from my XT1055 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
RMSfan said:
We could reverse this question and ask: Is there any reason TO upgrade to KitKat? What's new/great with 4.4 ?
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Click to collapse
My wife did the upgrade but I haven't, as I'm rooted.
Playing with her phone I noticed the dialer is fixed, better, sorta. I forgot to check about speed dials. I guess that's a plus?
Toyota Entune, app that connects my phone to my Prius, is not compatible with Kit Kat get.
Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk
Unrooted kit Kat isn't an option for me.... No Gsam.
And anything after 4.2.2 has buggy flash or it doesn't work at all.
Mixed reviews on 4.4 battery life.
And basically nothing new since 4.2.2 that matters to me personally.
So I'll just hang out on 4.2.2. Same for my N7.
Sent from my Moto X cell phone telephone...
exchange email doesnt work well on 4.4 for me, i have 3 accounts, and when i set them, some show calendar, some dont, some push emails , some dont.
no issues on 4.2.2 with that.
Kit Kat has been great for me. Battery life seems about the same.
All of Motorola's recent system app updates that they have done (and will continue to do) through the play store are for 4.4 devices only, so that should be a very compelling reason to update.
Sent from my XT1056 using Tapatalk
zgroten said:
Kit Kat has been great for me. Battery life seems about the same.
All of Motorola's recent system app updates that they have done (and will continue to do) through the play store are for 4.4 devices only, so that should be a very compelling reason to update.
Sent from my XT1056 using Tapatalk
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+1

[Q] KitKat and Custom Roms

Sorry if this has been covered, I didn't really see much on this. Per my request, my work just ordered me a Note 3 and of course I don't have the ability to leave it alone. I won't have it until next week but I assume it will have Jellybean on it still? Are there any stable roms that are based on KitKat for this phone? Any word on a formal release of KitKat? With the help of a better launcher, I might try and keep this one stock for now, but who knows.
Right now I have an S3 running the Beanstalk 4.4 rom based on 4.4.2 which I absolutely love. The phone is very fast and stable. As I mentioned, this is a work phone (which doubles as a personal phone) so I can't sacrifice stability since I rely on the phone every day. Another reason why the phone might stay stock if I can get the formal KitKat release on it...
Looking at case options as well. Anyone running this case?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DCIZJ5S/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A2SFKRF5TPZMT5
Exact case I have except in red. Love it! Nothing known on kit kat yet though.
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ginger man said:
Exact case I have except in red. Love it! Nothing known on kit kat yet though.
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I'm glad the case is good. I'll have it tomorrow. I really hope they release KitKat soon, I hate taking a step backwards.
On another subject, I just pre-ordered my wife an AT&T GS5 today!

What's the most upto date and reliable rom

I am currently running M.O.A.R. rom on my Verizon S5. It has been okay, but it has it's downfalls. I am asking the community, what is the most up to date and reliable rom out there for the S5? Should I just go back to a stock rom? Looking for any and all advice.
none of them are perfect. Thats the difference between this phone and the last couple android phones ive had. With my s3 and my epic4g there was always one or two roms that were rock solid perfect even if not very exciting. Here its just what you can live with not working vs another
EDIT: I take that back, there were a couple rock solid roms, before everyone started switching to lollipop. Mrxtc's RICKSROM on Kitkat was rock effing solid. But he took it down. Kitkat in general was wholly more reliable and way better battery life and just everything. I wish someone still had a nice Kitkat rom.
damagi123 said:
none of them are perfect. Thats the difference between this phone and the last couple android phones ive had. With my s3 and my epic4g there was always one or two roms that were rock solid perfect even if not very exciting. Here its just what you can live with not working vs another
EDIT: I take that back, there were a couple rock solid roms, before everyone started switching to lollipop. Mrxtc's RICKSROM on Kitkat was rock effing solid. But he took it down. Kitkat in general was wholly more reliable and way better battery life and just everything. I wish someone still had a nice Kitkat rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't remember, but does HD calling work on KK? I'm currently on Phoenix but I am only connected to 3g for some reason.
i dont think but ive never ever had call quality issues with VZ so i never noticed HD calling doing much of anything.
Yes it does allow hd calling. Running it on my wives s5 on ricks Rom.
Sent from my SM-N920V using XDA Free mobile app
tpike said:
Yes it does allow hd calling. Running it on my wives s5 on ricks Rom.
Sent from my SM-N920V using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
its still the most stable rom. good choice
I'm gonna try rolling back from Lollipop to Kitkat so I can try Rick's ROM.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2796501&highlight=lollipop
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2784880
Freedom Rom is pretty stable with a few quirks, but I don't know if there will be any updates.

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