Database Users

[Q] First time Tablet/Android buyer.

Hello all,
I just ordered a new Note 10.1 from Costco.com (32 gig) and from reading reviews and such I was thrown into the world of rooting. For my job, we were given iPhones so I've really only had an iPhone and am used to the iOS. Not a fan. Have always wanted to try Android but have never been thrown into it.
Are there any good guides out there to help me better understand rooting, etc.? I understand that you have to unlock it, then flash a custom ROM. What happens when the newer version of that ROM comes out? Do you lose all of your Data? Can any mod be installed on any ROM? I just don't have a good understanding of how or what to do. Granted, I don't even have the tablet yet, however, I don't want to be completely lost when I get it. I do like the idea of rooting, given that you can install powerful apps that are only offered to rooted tablets.
This is my first post here and am hoping for some helpful responses of maybe some threads that I should read to help me understand things better.
Also, where do you find custom ROMS? Is there a certain section you have to go? Or are all the custom ROMS under the ANDROID DEVELOPMENT forum?
Thanks for the help.

Rooting gives you access to the base files of your device. Your device does not need to be "unlocked." That term refers to modifying the device to work with other carriers (i.e. Sprint, ATT, etc) other than the one it was built to work with. Basically, in order to root, you must first install a custom "recovery." CWM (Clockwork Mod Recovery) is probably the best one for our Notes. The recovery files can be downloaded in the development forums. Along with the program (Odin) that you use to get the recovery installed onto your Note. Once you have CWM installed you can then use a couple of different methods to root or install a custom rom that is already rooted (again look for these roms in the development areas of this forum). Make sure that you read and re-read the instructions that each developer lists on their forum until you feel comfortable and then follow the instructions to the letter! Not doing so can result in your Note really getting messed up. I have not rooted my note yet, however I have rooted and installed custom ROMs to several android phones that I have or have had and it can be really worth it to do so. Personally I am waiting for awhile with my Note for some easier and more reliable methods and ROMs to become available. Right now, I have a Samsung Infuse phone with CM10 installed and a Samsung Captivate with Slim Rom-Jellybean on it. I believe that early versions of both of these ROMs are already available for the Note 10.1. Of the two ROMs, I would probably go with CM10 - (Cyanogen Mod) as it seems to be more stable on my phones. Also, when you install a custom ROM on the Note 10.1, there is a binary counter that advances, that lets anyone who would have to work on it (like for warranty service), know that a custom ROM was installed and that would violate your warranty. There is already a modification available (again, in the development section), that resets this counter, so make sure that you research that too! Good Luck!!!

wd4oay said:
Rooting gives you access to the base files of your device. Your device does not need to be "unlocked." That term refers to modifying the device to work with other carriers (i.e. Sprint, ATT, etc) other than the one it was built to work with. Basically, in order to root, you must first install a custom "recovery." CWM (Clockwork Mod Recovery) is probably the best one for our Notes. The recovery files can be downloaded in the development forums. Along with the program (Odin) that you use to get the recovery installed onto your Note. Once you have CWM installed you can then use a couple of different methods to root or install a custom rom that is already rooted (again look for these roms in the development areas of this forum). Make sure that you read and re-read the instructions that each developer lists on their forum until you feel comfortable and then follow the instructions to the letter! Not doing so can result in your Note really getting messed up. I have not rooted my note yet, however I have rooted and installed custom ROMs to several android phones that I have or have had and it can be really worth it to do so. Personally I am waiting for awhile with my Note for some easier and more reliable methods and ROMs to become available. Right now, I have a Samsung Infuse phone with CM10 installed and a Samsung Captivate with Slim Rom-Jellybean on it. I believe that early versions of both of these ROMs are already available for the Note 10.1. Of the two ROMs, I would probably go with CM10 - (Cyanogen Mod) as it seems to be more stable on my phones. Also, when you install a custom ROM on the Note 10.1, there is a binary counter that advances, that lets anyone who would have to work on it (like for warranty service), know that a custom ROM was installed and that would violate your warranty. There is already a modification available (again, in the development section), that resets this counter, so make sure that you research that too! Good Luck!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What are some of the main benefits to rooting then? I would think that if you have rooted a lot of phones you would for sure want your tablet rooted..?? Can you still perform mods to your tablet if it's NOT rooted? I saw someone with a cube on their homescreen with all their apps on it. It was 3D and pretty sweet looking. Will I be able to do stuff like that if I keep it stock.
Another thing, I read that you can't put apps on the expandable storage unless you root it...That is something I would like to do because I plan on putting games on it and such. Seems crappy you can't install some of the bigger apps on your 64 gig sd.

A lot is going to depend on which version of software you get initially on your tablet. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT let your tablet update the software when you first get it. The reason I say this is, if you have the older version of the software there is a very simple way to root your device. It's a simple install of one program and pushing a button. Very very easy.
If you get lucky and you get the older software and then root using the program I'm talking about, the next step is to spend $5 and buy Mobile Odin Pro. You can then download from here the latest software for your device and flash it using Mobile Odin with the ever root option. This will keep root on your new software. This will put you on the latest stock software and keep you rooted.
Custom ROMs can be nice. But I'd get my feet wet with the stock ROM before you start to jump into the Customs. First, stock on the Note 10.1 is pretty damn good. Second, you need to have some familiarity with what you want to be able to choose the right custom ROM to suit your needs. Finally, you'll give yourself some time to learn about your device so that you don't make a fatal mistake flashing, though most can be flashed using Mobile Odin.
Alas, if you get your Note and it turns out to have the latest ROM already, you can pretty much ignore everything I wrote.

just to give you one more thing to think about.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1957002
stock is nice btw

midas69 said:
A lot is going to depend on which version of software you get initially on your tablet. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT let your tablet update the software when you first get it. The reason I say this is, if you have the older version of the software there is a very simple way to root your device. It's a simple install of one program and pushing a button. Very very easy.
If you get lucky and you get the older software and then root using the program I'm talking about, the next step is to spend $5 and buy Mobile Odin Pro. You can then download from here the latest software for your device and flash it using Mobile Odin with the ever root option. This will keep root on your new software. This will put you on the latest stock software and keep you rooted.
Custom ROMs can be nice. But I'd get my feet wet with the stock ROM before you start to jump into the Customs. First, stock on the Note 10.1 is pretty damn good. Second, you need to have some familiarity with what you want to be able to choose the right custom ROM to suit your needs. Finally, you'll give yourself some time to learn about your device so that you don't make a fatal mistake flashing, though most can be flashed using Mobile Odin.
Alas, if you get your Note and it turns out to have the latest ROM already, you can pretty much ignore everything I wrote.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's good to know. Thank you.
jaydubbbbs said:
just to give you one more thing to think about.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1957002
stock is nice btw
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you. I'll check that out. Now, the process that you linked me to, will that give me the latest version ROM (4.2.1?). Another thing, once I root it, will I be able to have the Tablet automatically update and download 4.3, 4.4, etc. and so on? or will I have to manually download and install the new one every time it comes out?

I read in sammobile that samsung will launch Note 8.0, it is true?
What do you think?

rooting
deeselcyde said:
That's good to know. Thank you.
Thank you. I'll check that out. Now, the process that you linked me to, will that give me the latest version ROM (4.2.1?). Another thing, once I root it, will I be able to have the Tablet automatically update and download 4.3, 4.4, etc. and so on? or will I have to manually download and install the new one every time it comes out?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have rooted several phones but not this tablet. Why? because for me the stock rom is good enough that I personally dont see an advantage to rooting it. Some like to root and install roms for the fun of it but I need the tablet to work and dont have time to futs around with getting to know a new rom.
I also have the impression,correct me if I'm wrong, that with custom roms you loose some of the multiscreen functionality and some of the pen functionality? If true that alone would keep me on stock.

optimus43 said:
I have rooted several phones but not this tablet. Why? because for me the stock rom is good enough that I personally dont see an advantage to rooting it. Some like to root and install roms for the fun of it but I need the tablet to work and dont have time to futs around with getting to know a new rom.
I also have the impression,correct me if I'm wrong, that with custom roms you loose some of the multiscreen functionality and some of the pen functionality? If true that alone would keep me on stock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's more reasons to root other than just flashing custom ROMs. As a matter of fact, you really don't even have to root to install a custom ROM, you just need a custom recovery installed.
Personally I'm fine with the stock ROM on this tablet even though I run custom ROMs on my phones. I did have a custom ROM installed for a few weeks that was little more than the stock ROM with a few tweaks. It didn't lose any functionality with regards to multi-screen or pen. But some of the other more customized ROMs do lose functionality.

optimus43 said:
I have rooted several phones but not this tablet. Why? because for me the stock rom is good enough that I personally dont see an advantage to rooting it. Some like to root and install roms for the fun of it but I need the tablet to work and dont have time to futs around with getting to know a new rom.
I also have the impression,correct me if I'm wrong, that with custom roms you loose some of the multiscreen functionality and some of the pen functionality? If true that alone would keep me on stock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only thing I care about is having the ability to install Google Apps that can only be installed on rooted ROMS. I've read that there are a lot of great apps for rooted ONLY tablets. Also, some of those 3D cube thingy's that have all the app icons on it are kind of cool. I don't know if you can install those on a stock ROM..??

deeselcyde said:
That's good to know. Thank you.
Thank you. I'll check that out. Now, the process that you linked me to, will that give me the latest version ROM (4.2.1?). Another thing, once I root it, will I be able to have the Tablet automatically update and download 4.3, 4.4, etc. and so on? or will I have to manually download and install the new one every time it comes out?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no, it leaves the firmware as is and it simply gives you root access, i.e. administrative control over just about all processes that the tablet is capable of. It also allows you to flash custom ROMS. that method, along with the exynos exploit method ( not possible on 4.1.2), leave you as close to stock as possible . and leaves the official recovery. Someone will undoubtedly correct me if I am wrong, but so long as you don't flash a custom ROM, I believe you can still update through OTA. I know you can through KIES. If you do go with a custom ROM, I'm pretty sure you lose all the touch wiz goodies, like multi screen as another noted above. and likely would have to use ODIN or mobile ODIN to update.

deeselcyde said:
What are some of the main benefits to rooting then? I would think that if you have rooted a lot of phones you would for sure want your tablet rooted..?? Can you still perform mods to your tablet if it's NOT rooted? I saw someone with a cube on their homescreen with all their apps on it. It was 3D and pretty sweet looking. Will I be able to do stuff like that if I keep it stock.
Another thing, I read that you can't put apps on the expandable storage unless you root it...That is something I would like to do because I plan on putting games on it and such. Seems crappy you can't install some of the bigger apps on your 64 gig sd.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Custom apps such as multi window manager. Custom roms if you wish. Overclock cpu with tegrak on stock rooted, it does sometimes come in handy to be safely overclocked. personally this tablet is so good off the shelf you dont NEED a custom rom but that overclock is good. Ability to access and change root files such as dolphin preference in order to make it work with flash player. More reliable backups of apps and data with titanium backup. There are a plethera of reasons for rooting a tablet. But do be cautious.

Don't forget you need root for AdAway. You also need root if you want to play around (very dangerous) with the build.prop file to try to install programs that the Play Store says aren't compatible.

deeselcyde said:
The only thing I care about is having the ability to install Google Apps that can only be installed on rooted ROMS. I've read that there are a lot of great apps for rooted ONLY tablets. Also, some of those 3D cube thingy's that have all the app icons on it are kind of cool. I don't know if you can install those on a stock ROM..??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The 3d cube things I think your talking about are scroll effects, like cube, sphere or card stack. You dont need to be rooted for these, you can just download a launcher (nova, apex, adw) from the play store and change the effects in there.
Sent from my GT-N8010 using xda app-developers app

jaydubbbbs said:
just to give you one more thing to think about.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1957002
stock is nice btw
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One more question about that link. So once I follow the instructions provided in the link to root my Note 10.1, will I still have the custom ROM? And, will I be able to auto update from Samsung or whoever whenever a new version of the Android ROM comes out? I don't necessarily care about having someones custom ROM, I just want the benefits of using the GAPPS that I wouldn't be able to use if I wasn't rooted.
Thanks.

S4 Flash Google Edition Rom Beginner Need Helping

Hello, I have just got a Samsung Galaxy S4 GT-I9505 White 16GB in the UK locked to the O2 network. This is my first time using an Android phone and I have looked around and saw the Google Edition, how do I flash it onto my phone? is there any drawbacks is the ROM the official one, it will not damage my phone or anything will it? I have warranty on it, I do know rooting and flashing voids the warranty but will I be able to unroot and go back to the official OS that was on the phone?
I just want the Google Play Edition as I find the Touchwiz UI horrible and GPE is apparently quite faster and better for battery life.
Please help me and please take into consideration that I am a beginner and have never done this kind of stuff, thanks.

That's simple.
You need:
Heimdall suite: https://github.com/downloads/Benjamin-Dobell/Heimdall/heimdall-suite-1.3.2-win32.zip
CWM Recovery: http://www.clockworkmod.com/rommanager
ROM:http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2348272
1.Install heimdall on pc
2. download recovery for your device
3.Turn off phone > Press vol down + home +power button, you will go to download mode
4.run heimdall with command prompt and type: heimdall flash --recovery yourrecovery.img if that will not work type: heimdall flash --RECOVERY yourrecovery.img
5. Turn off your phone and go to recovery by pressing vol up + home + power button
6. Wipe data and flash your rom from sd card.
7. Reboot.
8. Enjoy.
Press thanks if it work for You.

ShadowBlazeSheff said:
Hello, I have just got a Samsung Galaxy S4 GT-I9505 White 16GB in the UK locked to the O2 network. This is my first time using an Android phone and I have looked around and saw the Google Edition, how do I flash it onto my phone? is there any drawbacks is the ROM the official one, it will not damage my phone or anything will it? I have warranty on it, I do know rooting and flashing voids the warranty but will I be able to unroot and go back to the official OS that was on the phone?
I just want the Google Play Edition as I find the Touchwiz UI horrible and GPE is apparently quite faster and better for battery life.
Please help me and please take into consideration that I am a beginner and have never done this kind of stuff, thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First what firmware are you currently on? I have an o2 model and I believe they are still officially on 4.2.2. firmware I think. If you are on a 4.2.2 firmware pre knox bootloaders you'll be fine. You can root and later use triangle away to clear the counters. If you are on a KNOX bootloader then rooting will make it impossible for you to downgrade to a lower firmware.
Rooting is easy, you just need to flash CF-Root, flash custom recovery and good to go using Odin. There are a few different GPE roms around so read the relevant threads and see what users are saying in regards to the roms.

I have no idea what Knox and stuff is, I'm a basic beginner so I basically know nothing, here is screenshot of it

Just checked I have Knox installed so rooting and stuff will void my warranty forever without any chance of getting it back right?

An easy way to check is to shut down your phone, hold the volume down + home button + power button until you are presented with a green Android and a warning about download mode, press whichever it is to go to download mode (don't worry, to get out of it just hold down the power button and then restart your phone). You are looking for knox warranty or something like that with a 0x0 or 0x1 beside it, if it isn't in the list in the top left corner, you are pre-knox bootloader and you are fine to follow the instructions provided above.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

I have done it and it seems I do not have this supposed Knox thing, btw can you give me a link with good instructions on how to cf flash, install custom recovery and use odin? I also don't know what GPE rom to go with, I just want one that is fast, stable and makes my battery life good

Hi,
Just wanted to put my 2 pence in and help with choosing a ROM.
I have flashed both GPE other roms on my S4 and I must say the best Rom in terms of battery (speed, size and customisation) is PACman rom. This may not he very helpful if you are definitely wanting to go pure android but I was in the same position and after using PACman its hard to recommend anything else.
You will lose some Sammy services like smart scroll, samsung camera functions, s-health and others but if you can live with that have a play and try out the different roms.
Once rooted and added a recovery (I use CWM) you can flash and flash any roms you like to try.
Give the rom a day or 2 to settle and see what you like the best.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

Hi everyone!
Basicly I can't install Samsung based ROMs on my s4 i9505. I am able to install only aosp based ROMs. I flashed manyroms starting from Omega, echoe and many more.
I even tried to flash stock ROM but it is not rebooting and gives bootloops.
Appreciated for all your advises.

blondbond said:
Hi,
Just wanted to put my 2 pence in and help with choosing a ROM.
I have flashed both GPE other roms on my S4 and I must say the best Rom in terms of battery (speed, size and customisation) is PACman rom. This may not he very helpful if you are definitely wanting to go pure android but I was in the same position and after using PACman its hard to recommend anything else.
You will lose some Sammy services like smart scroll, samsung camera functions, s-health and others but if you can live with that have a play and try out the different roms.
Once rooted and added a recovery (I use CWM) you can flash and flash any roms you like to try.
Give the rom a day or 2 to settle and see what you like the best.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, I'm not really looking for customisation as such, but since you've had experience with GPE ROMS which is the best GPE version for battery and performance/speed?

i9505 GE Rom
ShadowBlazeSheff said:
Hi, I'm not really looking for customisation as such, but since you've had experience with GPE ROMS which is the best GPE version for battery and performance/speed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My personal best experience was to use the ROM Here
Its very quick and has a couple of little extras for you.
May I say that you will need to ROOT your device which will void your warranty.
Im not 100% sure how O2 set their devices up but you may need to see if there are any O2 related apps you need/want to keep also before flashing.
You will also need to install a recovery.
The procedure is very simple and their are some very detailed explanations and step by step guides on how to achieve this.
Please think carefully about what your next step is as its very easy to root and then unroot but some devices have KNOX built in to them which means as soon as you root you "flip a switch" (a sort of eswitch) which cant, as of yet, be flipped back again and no amount of "unrooting" will reset your device exactly how it was before modifying.
It sounds daunting but everyone on here is really helpful and you are not the first to be trying this for the first time. There are 100's of users all doing the same thing as you and asking all the right questions. Everyone has a point of view and some people may prefer one thing over another. Once you are ready let us know and we can point you in a few more directions/posts.

blondbond said:
My personal best experience was to use the ROM Here
Its very quick and has a couple of little extras for you.
May I say that you will need to ROOT your device which will void your warranty.
Im not 100% sure how O2 set their devices up but you may need to see if there are any O2 related apps you need/want to keep also before flashing.
You will also need to install a recovery.
The procedure is very simple and their are some very detailed explanations and step by step guides on how to achieve this.
Please think carefully about what your next step is as its very easy to root and then unroot but some devices have KNOX built in to them which means as soon as you root you "flip a switch" (a sort of eswitch) which cant, as of yet, be flipped back again and no amount of "unrooting" will reset your device exactly how it was before modifying.
It sounds daunting but everyone on here is really helpful and you are not the first to be trying this for the first time. There are 100's of users all doing the same thing as you and asking all the right questions. Everyone has a point of view and some people may prefer one thing over another. Once you are ready let us know and we can point you in a few more directions/posts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello, thanks for your reply, I checked through that download mode on my S4 and I did not see that Knox counter 0x0 or 0x1 or any mention of it anywhere so it's safe to say that I am on 4.2.2 pre knox bootloader, I am currently looking on CF-Flash root using Odin, will look into recovery but since you have experience could you recommend me to a guide for the recovery you are using which I see a lot of people use

ShadowBlazeSheff said:
Hello, thanks for your reply, I checked through that download mode on my S4 and I did not see that Knox counter 0x0 or 0x1 or any mention of it anywhere so it's safe to say that I am on 4.2.2 pre knox bootloader, I am currently looking on CF-Flash root using Odin, will look into recovery but since you have experience could you recommend me to a guide for the recovery you are using which I see a lot of people use
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here is a brilliant guide to rooting, recoveries using the most common and tried and tested methods and products (I use CWM recovery but have also use Philz and TWRP) they all have their merits and all do similar things.
PLEASE READ THE WHOLE ARTICLE AND ALL SUB LINKS - IF THERE IS SOMETHING YOU ARE NOT SURE ABOUT HIT US UP HERE AND WE CAN HELP YOU
Good luck and happy rooting

blondbond said:
Here is a brilliant guide to rooting, recoveries using the most common and tried and tested methods and products (I use CWM recovery but have also use Philz and TWRP) they all have their merits and all do similar things.
PLEASE READ THE WHOLE ARTICLE AND ALL SUB LINKS - IF THERE IS SOMETHING YOU ARE NOT SURE ABOUT HIT US UP HERE AND WE CAN HELP YOU
Good luck and happy rooting
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You know the GPE ROM you recommended, will it work for my GT-I9505 UK O2 model, it's locked to O2 if that makes any difference?

This should work fine. But I would maybe do a little diggin to see if it does.
My device was a Vodafone device and I used this with no problems at all.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

Mine is locked to Meteor Ireland and I installed (a different) GE ROM with zero issues. It booted first time, and from my own experience that's a rarity!
Best of luck with it, I love the GE ROM especially since I have the one thing I thought wouldn't work: the IR blaster! There's a watchON apk on xda somewhere and it's great! It fcs a few times but it will work!

Nice ^^
May I also suggest you do this:
Root device and install recovery
Make a Nandroid backup from within recovery and save that to your external SD card
Then go ahead and flash new rom
That way if anything should go wrong you can just restore your phone from your Nandroid back up.
Very useful
Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

blondbond said:
Nice ^^
May I also suggest you do this:
Root device and install recovery
Make a Nandroid backup from within recovery and save that to your external SD card
Then go ahead and flash new rom
That way if anything should go wrong you can just restore your phone from your Nandroid back up.
Very useful
Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do this! Then copy the backup folder onto your PC also. Nandroid backups have saved me many times! It's easy to forget.
I've been doing this for years and forgot with my S4 to install a custom recovery That was a bit silly, then flashed without a nandroid backup, that's a bad idea!
Even if there isn't any issue sometimes you just think: I don't like this and prefered it the way it was, you can have it back to EXACTLY the way it was in about 5 mins with a backup!

I do not have a external SD card at the moment, will this be problem??

Thanks everyone, I've managed to get a 4.3 GPE ROM installed!!!

New to Custom ROMs

Hey,
I'm new(ish) to using custom ROMs for my Galaxy Note 3 and I have a few questions, and questions pertaining to previous custom ROM expieriences.
For starters, my Note 3 is already Knox 0x1 (or whichever one means void).
I'm using a Canadian Galaxy Note 3 (Rogers) and I am trying to find a Custom ROM that can suit my needs.
Previously I've used xnote (I think that's what it's called) and it was great, except that trying to re-stock my Note 3 has led to problems with the LTE as LTE service is fairly unavailable since.
So, what I'm looking for is a ROM much like xnote that doesn't require me to change my device from the SM-N900W8 to some other modem or whatever, or atleast can repair the issue with my current stock firmware.
That aside, the features I need are fairly basic. I need something that doesn't hijack my device. I don't like seeing that Facebook starts itself after I close it, I don't like seeing that I can't remove stock applications. So I need something that is free of bloat-ware and gives me full access to my phone and the applications that I've installed. If possible I'd like to limit the permissions they require to be used.. Nothing frustrates me more than seeing that my "clock" app needs to access my phone call history, browsing history, bank info, can install other apps, delete apps, remove the password, create a password, etc. It's absolutely ridiculous that google has allowed these apps to exist with such permissions.
Basically. I am looking for freedom, with a ROM that supports Canadian modems rather than forcing me to mess up my extremely expensive signal. (trust me, Canadians pay $43 more than the rest of the world)

LostKeys said:
Hey,
I'm new(ish) to using custom ROMs for my Galaxy Note 3 and I have a few questions, and questions pertaining to previous custom ROM expieriences.
For starters, my Note 3 is already Knox 0x1 (or whichever one means void).
I'm using a Canadian Galaxy Note 3 (Rogers) and I am trying to find a Custom ROM that can suit my needs.
Previously I've used xnote (I think that's what it's called) and it was great, except that trying to re-stock my Note 3 has led to problems with the LTE as LTE service is fairly unavailable since.
So, what I'm looking for is a ROM much like xnote that doesn't require me to change my device from the SM-N900W8 to some other modem or whatever, or atleast can repair the issue with my current stock firmware.
That aside, the features I need are fairly basic. I need something that doesn't hijack my device. I don't like seeing that Facebook starts itself after I close it, I don't like seeing that I can't remove stock applications. So I need something that is free of bloat-ware and gives me full access to my phone and the applications that I've installed. If possible I'd like to limit the permissions they require to be used.. Nothing frustrates me more than seeing that my "clock" app needs to access my phone call history, browsing history, bank info, can install other apps, delete apps, remove the password, create a password, etc. It's absolutely ridiculous that google has allowed these apps to exist with such permissions.
Basically. I am looking for freedom, with a ROM that supports Canadian modems rather than forcing me to mess up my extremely expensive signal. (trust me, Canadians pay $43 more than the rest of the world)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you don't need custom ROM just for that.
a root access will be good enough

If you need something super responsive with great battery life, I'd recommend Vision X N3. They just released a great update. You mix that with the Compulsion KK 15 kernel and you have a beast in your hands.
I have a Telus Note 3 and I wouldn't want anything else. Maybe the Note 4 soon

Bibz0r said:
If you need something super responsive with great battery life, I'd recommend Vision X N3. They just released a great update. You mix that with the Compulsion KK 15 kernel and you have a beast in your hands.
I have a Telus Note 3 and I wouldn't want anything else. Maybe the Note 4 soon
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you experienced any connectivity issues with this? It seems awesome but I don't want to jump the gun and flash this as I'm not a big fan of setting everything up over and over since Titanium Backup is about as useful as a potato for backing up important information / data.

LostKeys said:
Have you experienced any connectivity issues with this? It seems awesome but I don't want to jump the gun and flash this as I'm not a big fan of setting everything up over and over since Titanium Backup is about as useful as a potato for backing up important information / data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have screwed up my modem firmware once because of a bad flash but that's because I was careless. If you follow a tutorial properly and read on the subject (this forum is a great place to learn), you should not have any issues. You'll see that the advantages of a custom ROM will, by far, surpass all the trouble to get there.
I have to agree about Titanium Backup... The thing that I hate the most is re-creating folders and re-arranging widgets. I know that if you use another launcher (ex: Nova Launcher) you can save the layout but personally, I like the stock launcher.

Sorry for the invadence, i have two questions before doing the "damage", i am on the latest NF4, stock rom, i would like to root and install custom recovery and custom rom (i don't care about knox), can i just root with cf auto root, install latest TWRP and then custom rom as usual or, at cause of the locked bootloader, could i have some problems? In the case i want to return "stock", do i just have to flash stock rom with Odin? I already backed up my EFS just yo be sure...
Thank you in advance!
Sent from my SM-N9005 using XDA Free mobile app

sapphire88 said:
Sorry for the invadence, i have two questions before doing the "damage", i am on the latest NF4, stock rom, i would like to root and install custom recovery and custom rom (i don't care about knox), can i just root with cf auto root, install latest TWRP and then custom rom as usual or, at cause of the locked bootloader, could i have some problems? In the case i want to return "stock", do i just have to flash stock rom with Odin? I already backed up my EFS just yo be sure...
Thank you in advance!
Sent from my SM-N9005 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly!
Root > TWRP > Custom ROM
If you need to flash back to stock, use Odin with the stock firmware file from SamMobile.
Let me know if you require more information.

thank you, so i will not have any problem with the locked booloader? do i have to backup anything else more tha the original EFS?

I just flashed Assassin ROM and LTE etc.. are working just fine on that

Over a stock nf4 and locked bootloader?
Sent from my SM-N9005 using XDA Free mobile app

[Q] Upgrading ROM etc.

A friend saw my Samsung Note 3 performance & asked if I could do anything for her Razr M.
System - 98..7.XT905.Retail.en.au
Android version - 4.1.2
I haven't rooted a Moto before so I did some reading - seems very different to Samsung methods and also seems to have far more ways to do it and also, the thing which gives me pause, a wider variety of things to go wrong. Don't get me wrong, I am not afraid of risking my phone - I have bricked my S3 and my Note 3 quite a few times in searching for performance and function.
But this is someone else's phone and she gave it to me for a day!!!
So, given all she really wants is better performance, I'd appreciate any advice on what I should tackle.
Some Q's... (as in point me to threads - I can read and work things out but some pointers on where to look can save me having to read all the threads in all the forums for a phone I will probably never touch again)
1. How do I protect against bricking? i.e. what is the standard way to reflash a stock ROM if things go wrong?
2. Is there a Moto repository for stock ROMs? Sammy has sammobile.com where all new releases (and old) are available for DL - does Motorola have similar or is it just Google and hope?
3. What level do I need to go to just to give better performance? (e.g. on my Note I did a lot of debloating to improve things, but that came after root, kernel and custom recovery so I could remove system apps etc.) Do I need to unlock BL or just root and install a custom ROM?
4. At first glance there doesn't seem to be many custom variations of the stock ROM, mostly CM and AOSP types. I am not sure how different that would make her phone to use, so I am assuming I'd be better sticking with a stock-customised ROM - is that a correct assumption?
Thanks for any assistance...

Journyman16 said:
A friend saw my Samsung Note 3 performance & asked if I could do anything for her Razr M.
System - 98..7.XT905.Retail.en.au
Android version - 4.1.2
I haven't rooted a Moto before so I did some reading - seems very different to Samsung methods and also seems to have far more ways to do it and also, the thing which gives me pause, a wider variety of things to go wrong. Don't get me wrong, I am not afraid of risking my phone - I have bricked my S3 and my Note 3 quite a few times in searching for performance and function.
But this is someone else's phone and she gave it to me for a day!!!
So, given all she really wants is better performance, I'd appreciate any advice on what I should tackle.
Some Q's... (as in point me to threads - I can read and work things out but some pointers on where to look can save me having to read all the threads in all the forums for a phone I will probably never touch again)
1. How do I protect against bricking? i.e. what is the standard way to reflash a stock ROM if things go wrong?
2. Is there a Moto repository for stock ROMs? Sammy has sammobile.com where all new releases (and old) are available for DL - does Motorola have similar or is it just Google and hope?
3. What level do I need to go to just to give better performance? (e.g. on my Note I did a lot of debloating to improve things, but that came after root, kernel and custom recovery so I could remove system apps etc.) Do I need to unlock BL or just root and install a custom ROM?
4. At first glance there doesn't seem to be many custom variations of the stock ROM, mostly CM and AOSP types. I am not sure how different that would make her phone to use, so I am assuming I'd be better sticking with a stock-customised ROM - is that a correct assumption?
Thanks for any assistance...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Stock ROM repository for XT905 -> http://sbf.droid-developers.org/phone.php?device=20
You should be able to use towelroot to root it.
Can't help much further since I have XT907
Edit: You could try freezing some unneeded bloatware (I know there's A LOT of that on the stock ROM for my phone) to free up some memory improve performance and conserve battery

rahimali said:
Stock ROM repository for XT905 -> http://sbf.droid-developers.org/phone.php?device=20
You should be able to use towelroot to root it.
Can't help much further since I have XT907
Edit: You could try freezing some unneeded bloatware (I know there's A LOT of that on the stock ROM for my phone) to free up some memory improve performance and conserve battery
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the help. I'm learning... I gave her phone back with just a few tweaks and will get it back when I am confident I can unbrick anything that might go wrong.
In the Sammy world, freezing apps requires root - same in the Moto-world?

Journyman16 said:
Thanks for the help. I'm learning... I gave her phone back with just a few tweaks and will get it back when I am confident I can unbrick anything that might go wrong.
In the Sammy world, freezing apps requires root - same in the Moto-world?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Root will be required for freezing system apps, not for users apps. Rooting should be fairly simple (hopefully). Install, supersu from the playstore, have data/wi-fi internet connectivity, install towelroot and use that to get root.

Don't let her update it the latest update breaks root. Hopefully she is on kitkat and that is why her phone is performing poorly. Root with towel root then run motoapkakypse.apk to unlock the boot loader. Now honestly there aren't any Roms I'd call a daily driver yet with the kitkat kernel so you'll have to downgrade to the jellybean kernel and install one of the top 3 or 4 Roms... I'm still on stock I found that location services and a few wake locks were the problems and fixed them with an app called app ops
Sent from my XT907 using XDA Free mobile app

Samsung Note 3 LTE

Hello Every one ,
I am new to rooting but i want to root my Samsung Note 3 SM-N9005 if you could please answer some or all of my questions.
1- Is there a way to root the mobile without tripping Knox ? Version 5.0 or a later one
2- What will i gain from a custom ROM that root won't do ?
3- I read online that if i change the ROM to Cyanogenmod or any other custom ROM i lose the stylus pen functionality ?
4- What would i lose if i root besides warranty ?
5- What is custom recovery ?
Thanks for your time and efforts spent answering my questions .

New or not, you should really put some more effort into it.

Dejan Sathanas said:
New or not, you should really put some more effort into it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh really Thanks for the insightful information, you should really consider helping other people too.

Helping and spoon feeding. See the difference ?

We all had to start somewhere
1- Is there a way to root the mobile without tripping Knox ? Version 5.0 or a later one
Not really. There are some rooting products out there that claim to not trip Knox, but all i have read said to stay away from them. Tripping Knox is not a big deal
2- What will i gain from a custom ROM that root won't do ?
Custom ROMs are made by people who want a better ROM. They add lots of features that stock ROMS dont have
Take a look at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iBqrTDawM4 for example
3- I read online that if i change the ROM to Cyanogenmod or any other custom ROM i lose the stylus pen functionality ?
That does depend on the ROM
4- What would i lose if i root besides warranty ?
Nothing
5- What is custom recovery ?
A third party recovery. It replaces the stock recovery that you get to when you press Vol Up, Home and Power
http://www.howtogeek.com/193055/what-is-a-custom-recovery-on-android-and-why-would-i-want-one/
Enjoy the adventure you're about to get into

knox doesnt make it brick, as far as i know, and fhe benefits offsets the tripping. so its worth it.
custom roms gives way better customization than rooting itself, you can flash a htc rom, xperia based rom, or just a based android rom. oh it gets even better when the manufacturer decided to halt any new updates. (note 3 seems to be stopping at lollipop)
it depends, but try to stay in touch wiz based roms as this is a 90% hit on spen functionality
nothing else, unless you sort of f*cked up on the instructions and brick your device, well you my friend may have a expensive paperweight

grwalker said:
We all had to start somewhere
1- Is there a way to root the mobile without tripping Knox ? Version 5.0 or a later one
Not really. There are some rooting products out there that claim to not trip Knox, but all i have read said to stay away from them. Tripping Knox is not a big deal
2- What will i gain from a custom ROM that root won't do ?
Custom ROMs are made by people who want a better ROM. They add lots of features that stock ROMS dont have
3- I read online that if i change the ROM to Cyanogenmod or any other custom ROM i lose the stylus pen functionality ?
That does depend on the ROM
4- What would i lose if i root besides warranty ?
Nothing
5- What is custom recovery ?
A third party recovery. It replaces the stock recovery that you get to when you press Vol Up, Home and Power
Enjoy the adventure you're about to get into
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
rapidslash said:
knox doesnt make it brick, as far as i know, and fhe benefits offsets the tripping. so its worth it.
custom roms gives way better customization than rooting itself, you can flash a htc rom, xperia based rom, or just a based android rom. oh it gets even better when the manufacturer decided to halt any new updates. (note 3 seems to be stopping at lollipop)
it depends, but try to stay in touch wiz based roms as this is a 90% hit on spen functionality
nothing else, unless you sort of f*cked up on the instructions and brick your device, well you my friend may have a expensive paperweight
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your Help

OP begs the question why do you want to root when you don't know what root is for ??or does .
Root does nothing more than unlock access to the system .It neither adds not takes away anything .
OP should start reading the faqs and guides before bricking the phone .

3- I read online that if i change the ROM to Cyanogenmod or any other custom ROM i lose the stylus pen functionality ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Using CyanogenMod 12.1 here. The pen works, but button features and S-pen specific apps are not there. I haven't tried to install them myself.

Someguyfromhell said:
Using CyanogenMod 12.1 here. The pen works, but button features and S-pen specific apps are not there. I haven't tried to install them myself.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see, now i know i must use a touch wiz rom to have the pen working as it should.

JJEgan said:
OP begs the question why do you want to root when you don't know what root is for ??or does .
Root does nothing more than unlock access to the system .It neither adds not takes away anything .
OP should start reading the faqs and guides before bricking the phone .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Every one heard of rooting at least once or twice but i didn't bother with rooting before, now i just want to try something new, maybe now rooting, then custom ROM, maybe Moding apks later, you have to start somewhere, P.S i know moding is unrelated to rooting.

S Pen works fine in ResurrectionRemix-M-v5.6.0-20151214-hlte
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iBqrTDawM4
Add the app Google Handwriting Input and you can swap between keyboard and handwriting.
Other S Pen functions wont work however

grwalker said:
S Pen works fine in ResurrectionRemix-M-v5.6.0-20151214-hlte
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iBqrTDawM4
Add the app Google Handwriting Input and you can swap between keyboard and handwriting.
Other S Pen functions wont work however
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i did check that video and it's awesome minus the S Pen, i don't think i will use that one though.

Im using darklord's n5 port rom though and its great

rapidslash said:
Im using darklord's n5 port rom though and its great
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seems quite good, are there anything aside from the camera video recording blinking ?