Related
THIS METHOD IS NO LONGER WORKS as of update version 2.0.5 and higher.
Please visit this thread instead for the current rooting method.
Posting in this thread will get you nowhere, let it RIP.
Proof:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIaw2RZkguk
Due to the popular demand, and the questions in the last few days. The problem arise from people who were using verygreen version of root. The true is, his version of root works, but what very happens is that he decided to lock down some of the stuff, and thus making further mod become inconvenience for a lot of people. Many people don't know how to fix it. They do not know how to read and interpret the error message and fix it. In a way I think this maybe a better alternative since I believe people who looking to modify their Nook HD/HD+ or root them, what they very after at the minimum is the Google Play store and ability to install any apps they want. While this isn't gonna get you everything, it does most of what people are very after with very little fuss. The main purpose of this thread isn't to have everything working, because we are working around the limitation of what the Nook has, but rather stream line what we already have working and get it there quickly and painlessly from a scratch. So this is mainly to use after the system has been wipe/factory reset.
After I have made this post, I still got someone PM me said it doesn't work. While I'm sure that it does work, I want to be very confident about it. So, I decided to sacrifice my already good setup of my Nook HD+ and FULLY FACTORY RESET it then record this video. Let me make it clear, the file was download from the thread again, and not from my local copy. I'm baffled. I'm just not sure is there is anything easier way it can be done. Seriously just unzip and run 1 command and people still say it doesn't work. The responsibility to read the information is up to you. I don't have the capability to upload those information to your head. Since I already proved that this work, I'll not response to PM regarding this. If you have question or problem, post it on the thread.
Disclaimer:
If something gone wrong, it's all your fault. I take ZERO responsibility for what happen to your device, your life, your wife/husband, your kids, your unborn child and etc. You get the idea.
Breaking News:
It seem the latest update 2.0.5 actually break the root. So, be warned.
Preface:
I didn't discovered the original root on the Nook HD+, verygreen did Nor did I discover the ability to enable install of unknown source. Leapinlar thread has the history on that so I won't go there. But I have created some scripts to help gaining root, modify some critical setting, and adding GAPPS to the Nook HD/HD+, but they are all scattered. Leapinlar has a thread that help gather many of those information together here. Still people are still having trouble. As I stated, I believe what many people are after is just the ability to install any app they want. And this should get very close to their goal. While the end goal is probably something like a custom ROM, something like a CM10 that verygreen is developing; and I believe it will get there. It will probably take a bit more time for the installation process to be easy for people to follow. And there may be something that need to get fix when the very early beta come out. It's like in the Alpha if not pre-Alpha ATM.
While this will get a lot done for you, I still encourage people to go read the original mod threads, there maybe some useful information for you.
1. My original root thread.
2. My original GAPPS thread.
3. I encourage you to read the Nook HD+ Stock Root User Tips from LeapinLar thread, this is like a must read for anyone planning to root their Nook HD/HD+.
Pre-Requisite:
Working ADB that can see Nook HD/HD+ and the Nook HD/HD+ of course(that include enable ADB on the Nook also). If you need help getting drivers and ADB to see Nook, check out LeapinLar thread. ATM, Nook HD/HD+ have 3 firmwares version, 2.0.0, 2.0.2 and 2.0.4. When the get it online it will update automatically. So far all the mods we know of works on all 3. But this doesn't mean it will on future version. Again, LeapinLar thread will have that information as well.
Instruction:
Download these three files. allinone.zip GoogleMaps.apk and gapps-ics-system.zip
Unzip allinone.zip (don't unzip gapps-ics-system.zip)
run allinone.bat
after you got google play store, I suggest you to update it first, the run it at least once before installing Google Map by either copy it to Nook and use your favorite file manager to install or using the command
Code:
adb install GoogleMaps.apk
Post-Install: (or if you don't see the google apps)
The way apps installed via B&N store are different from other apps install via sideloading or any other app stores, and that include GAPPS as well. What this means is that all these apps won't show up on the stock Nook Launcher naturally. But other launcher will see them w/o any problem. That said, I recommend you pick another launcher from the google app store and use that instead. In order to see those extra apps from the Nook Launcher on the Apps screen, hold the volume up button while you press the "Apps" word at the top of the screen for 2-3 seconds. An "Extras" screen will pop up showing all of the sideloaded apps. Another thing is that the superuser app need one extra nudge. It need to be launch at least once manually before it start working. This only need to be done once.
IMO, while I could just point you to one of the launcher or even sideload it during the installation for you. I prefer not to do that. I very think the choice to choose one should be your own. Personal preference aside, I rather not point you to one because I don't know how safe is it to randomly point people to some random apk when it's not even the real purpose of this. I very prefer people get to the google play store on their own and get it from there. If you don't know one then ask around. Many people here have suggested ADW, Apex, Nova, Zeam. If you want to grab apk to sideload, then you can try androiddrawer, it look rather ok.
PRECAUTION:
All these mods you see the Nook HD & HD+ are workaround. They are not the holy grail. So, for example the superuser checker app won't recognize them. That doesn't mean you don't have root, you do but because it's not a traditional root thus they don't see them. A bigger concern is that because this is a workaround. And it's a workaround because we don't have full control of the Nook, any modification to the files or added files /system and its sub-directories (regardless of whether you do so manually or via app) will result in 8 boot loop followed by a full system wipe. Anything stored on the Nook internal storage will be gone. As such, we encourage you not to use such app. We know of at least SuperSU and many ad removal apps will create such event. For more information I strongly encourage you to read those threads I pointed to earlier.
Footnote:
Google Chrome browser is also not included, it's quite big and the latest version doesn't seem compatible(at least that's what I heard). And the voice search is also not working.
ORIGINAL TEXT:
Basically I'm sick of manually reinstalling everything from scratch every time it bootloop mine. Well, I guess mine bootloop more than some ppl here because I explore mine more. So, would you be interested in seeing a simple all-in-one guide? It's already done, I'm just not sure whether to make another thread or not. Meaning I'll leave those guides I made outdated and rotted. Although I just updated the GAPPS installation to be super simple. The All-in-One will basically be the same thing. You just run 1 command and get all three of them. Since I figured people who root their Nook HD/HD+ will end up want to get GAPPS anyway. If people want it, I'll put a new instruction on this thread instead. The Poll will run for 3 days, and then after the poll close, I'll consider that a majority decision. That or if a mod close this thread for duplicate.
someone0 said:
Basically I'm sick of manually reinstalling everything from scratch every time it bootloop mine. Well, I guess mine bootloop more than some ppl here because I explore mine more. So, would you be interested in seeing a simple all-in-one guide? It's already done, I'm just not sure whether to make another thread or not. Meaning I'll leave those guides I made outdated and rotted. Although I just updated the GAPPS installation to be super simple. The All-in-One will basically be the same thing. You just run 1 command and get all three of them. Since I figured people who root their Nook HD/HD+ will end up want to get GAPPS anyway. If people want it, I'll put a new instruction on this thread instead. The Poll will run for 3 days, and then after the poll close, I'll consider that a majority decision. That or if a mod close this thread for duplicate.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ooooo yes please!
I have an HD and i cant get adb on it. I got a new computer too and no other android device has been install but when I try to install the drivers provide, they always have the yellow triangle and the only drivers are the BNTV400 ones. I have looked everywhere and cant get it so I can install google play store.
kvnly2 said:
Ooooo yes please!
I have an HD and i cant get adb on it. I got a new computer too and no other android device has been install but when I try to install the drivers provide, they always have the yellow triangle and the only drivers are the BNTV400 ones. I have looked everywhere and cant get it so I can install google play store.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are on Windows 7 64bit, check this post.
collect all your tips about root ,manual ota and gapps under one thread and do some editing so that people can follow step by step , and figure where the problems lie.
all in one bat file will help advanced users, but for layman, I am afraid it will cause more confusion
robertchow said:
all in one bat file will help advanced users, but for layman, I am afraid it will cause more confusion
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, if it works consistently enough there will be nothing for the layperson to get confused about. Only if it leads to troubleshooting would it maybe cause problems (because the person would have no idea what steps were taken).
I say if the process can be further automated, even if it's just (hopefully) a stopgap to more thorough root and ROMs down the road, then by Glob do it!
Taosaur said:
I say if the process can be further automated, even if it's just (hopefully) a stopgap to more thorough root and ROMs down the road, then by Glob do it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure what further automated this thing could be, you only have to download few files, unzip and run ONE command to get all three things done; root+Manual OTA+GAPPS.
someone0 said:
I'm not sure what further automated this thing could be, you only have to download few files, unzip and run ONE command to get all three things done; root+Manual OTA+GAPPS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right, I'm saying go for it. Your proposal in this thread would be "further automated" than the current method where only root is automated, is what I meant.
I like the idea
Sent from Droid 4 Running Codename Android
someone0 said:
Basically I'm sick of manually reinstalling everything from scratch every time it bootloop mine. Well, I guess mine bootloop more than some ppl here because I explore mine more. So, would you be interested in seeing a simple all-in-one guide? It's already done, I'm just not sure whether to make another thread or not. Meaning I'll leave those guides I made outdated and rotted. Although I just updated the GAPPS installation to be super simple. The All-in-One will basically be the same thing. You just run 1 command and get all three of them. Since I figured people who root their Nook HD/HD+ will end up want to get GAPPS anyway. If people want it, I'll put a new instruction on this thread instead. The Poll will run for 3 days, and then after the poll close, I'll consider that a majority decision. That or if a mod close this thread for duplicate.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes please, i like that idea :good:
Yes!
I have ADB & side loading working via Mac OSX, but would love an all in one before taking on this next step as I'm not too good with Terminal commands.
Yes please! I'd love a step-by-step to root the device, manual OTA, and GApps! Although, I do still appreciate the work you have done so far, it's amazing! ;D
Thank you very much.
Sounds like a fantastic idea! Please do! And thx again for all you've done for the nook HD community!
Sent from my BNTV600 using xda premium
I have 2.04 - the installation went well. i've tried and i'm able to get launcher running but cannot get playstore running.
Ok, am I just messing this up big time or what? When I run the .bat it starts, then it says mkdir failed for /data/su, file exists. Then it tries to do every file saying "cannot stat "whatever" : No such file or directory." Over and over again. Major fail. I've rooted multiple android phones and tablets without these kinds of problems. Am I messing up something simple?
Strouperman369 said:
Ok, am I just messing this up big time or what? When I run the .bat it starts, then it says mkdir failed for /data/su, file exists. Then it tries to do every file saying "cannot stat "whatever" : No such file or directory." Over and over again. Major fail. I've rooted multiple android phones and tablets without these kinds of problems. Am I messing up something simple?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you rooted once before it will give you that cannot mkdir error. You might erase and deregister using the B&N settings, then as soon as you reload and register, run the mod. Only once.
Sent from my Nook HD+ Running CM10 on SD
I've done that a few times, but I'll try again.
Thank you very much for this all-in-one. It's genius!
I've just installed it on my Dad's HD+, and it works like a charm. Damn, it's so amazing! One thing though, rookie question, and I guess I'm asking for too much, but would it be possible to redirect the "Apps" icon on the "desktop" to auto redirect to the Android app-drawer; where the Android apps are located - i.e. Play store? Sorry for the bother, and I understand I am asking for too much, so please ignore my message.
Again, thank you very much for your efforts. Works like a charm.
Did a full reset on my HD+. No longer shows the mkdir failed part, everything else still says no such file or directory.
Strouperman369 said:
Did a full reset on my HD+. No longer shows the mkdir failed part, everything else still says no such file or directory.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you download that gapps-ics-system.zip file and put it in the same folder you are running the allinone bat file from?
Sent from my Nook HD+ Running CM10 on SD
I've tried it in the same area and out, although I'm not sure if both were fresh. I'm trying yet again here in the next few minutes. I will get this. I've only owned one android device that I didn't root, and the was the Samsung Intercept. If you've ever heard of that piece of crap, you'll know why I didn't bother.
---------- Post added at 02:23 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:02 AM ----------
Finally! I'd already had the gapps in the folder before but I guess the su file had already been created. A full wipe, followed by proper placement of the files finally worked! I would ask if it is sad to feel so good about such a simple achievement, but I don't care. It finally worked! Thanks to someone0 for the all-in-one and leapinlar for the advice.
DISCLAIMER: though this seems safe, there are always risks. Warranty may be void, bugs might crawl out of your shield. I am not responsible for mishaps, bugs, crashes, damage, loss of jobs, girlfriends, and/or if your shield turns into Skynet and begins to destroy the human race!
Firstly, throughout this tutorial I will be shamelessly pointing you toward others threads. Please, give them your thanks. They are masters in their fields and with out them none of this would be happening! Also remember noone gets paid for any of this, they with their skills and I with time do this out love for tech and a desire to help others and see them enjoy their tech as much as we all love ours. That said... Onto the cookies!
*********PLEASE NOTE*********
*********THIS ENTIRE PROCESS CAN BE DONE WITH OUT ANY ACCESS TO A PC!
--BUT--
TO KEEP A LOCKED BOOTLOADER AND AVOID WARRANTY NASTYNESS PLEASE READ
*If you are still on a locked bootloader, and want to easily keep it. Root ota 2.2.1 first, install flashify, and use it to install twrp.
*Rooting ota 3. 0 and using flashify from there will also preserve locked bootloader.
*Rooted ota 2.2.1 or a custom recovery will break nvidias native ota system. You will have need a copy if the FULL OTA from the links provided. They flash easily in twrp. But ONLY THE FULL OTA, NOT THE INCREMENTAL.
******PREREQUISITES (These Are Required)******
*Must be rooted.
If coming from stock, (unrooted, stock recovery, and locked bootloader) Kingroot will root any ota so far.
Install apk, run it, it will most likely reboot your shield, on ota 3 it will freeze, (mine did at around 30% on ota 3, but instead of a reboot, I got a freeze) this is normal. Hold power button until the shield turns off. Boot back up, and run Kingroot again. It should now complete fine, installing Kinguser as root control app. This gives you enough root to run flashify from play store to install the next step. (thanks to China for making kingroot and whoever translated it for us)
Kingroot link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/android/apps-games/one-click-root-tool-android-2-x-5-0-t3107461
*Team Win Recovery Project (twrp) must be installed.
Head over here to @Steel01 thread for multi rom twrp. You will only (at the moment) need his modified twrp build. More instructions there. Don't forget to thank him! (Thanks @Steel01)
@Steel01 multi rom twrp thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/shield-tablet/development/multirom-v30-unofficial-port-t3025355
*ota 3.0 FULL OTA (thanks to @MidgetMob)
Link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/shi...k-recovery-images-ota-library-guides-t2988881
*MEGA may or may NOT work. Mega has issues from time to time. (thanks @Ctrl_Alt_Del for the heads up)
****If MEGA links are not working, here's another source.
Thanks @gavin-phelan for the links.
OTHER Link for full ota: http://forum.xda-developers.com/shield-tablet/general/android-5-1-t3115536
*SuperSU recovery flashable installer. (thanks to @Chainfire)
Link to supersu beta (beta works better for the xposed framework):
http://forum.xda-developers.com/apps/supersu/2014-09-02-supersu-v2-05-t2868133
*Fdroid store for selinux mode changer (needed for viper) and ad away apps! (thanks Fdroid!)
Link: https://f-droid.org
*****OPTIONAL*****
*Xposed super alpha for Android 5.1 (sdk22) (thanks @romracer)
Link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/xposed/super-alpha-posted-permission-xposed-t3072979
You must read that thread a bit. You will need the xposed installer from the main xposed lollipop thread. (thanks @rovo89)
Main xposed thread
Link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=3034811
*Gravitybox works on 5.1 now (thanks @C3C076)
Link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/xposed/modules/app-gravitybox-v5-0-0alpha-tweak-box-t3037566
*BusyBox - Busybox is required for viper4android install. Make sure to run and install it BEFORE YOU INSTALL VIPER DRIVER. The apk can be installed, but when you run it. It will try to install the viper driver. Selinux must be set to permissive, and busybox installed first.
It can be found in play store.
*selinuxmodechanger can be found in fdroid repository.
*ViPER4Android audio engine (thanks @zhuhang)
For viper install. Be sure to install fdroid and get selinux mode changer. And change to permissive BEFORE YOU INSTALL VIPER DRIVER. the app is fine but for the driver to install selinux must be set to permissive. After that it's fine to set it back to enforcing.
Link: http://vipersaudio.com/blog/?page_id=48
Forum:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2191223
Someone said cookies? (Procedure)
**tip** titanium backup SUCKS FOR backing up app data. Bugs out the apps sometimes. So for games, manually backup saves and place them back after reinstall. It's helpful to use tibu to backup your apps alone. Then use tibu again to make a recovery flashable zip to reinstall them all at once....
*Firstly you will need a root enabled file browser (I use es file explorer)
*On the internal memory, firstly back up any pics or ANYTHING you want saved from internal memory to the external SD card. (I usually name my backup folders starting with a # to keep them separated from anything that's written to external via an app or the system. Helps to keep track.)
*Next delete it ALL. In es file Explorer just as everything in sdcard0. /android gone, all folders, ax them. I even nuked the hidden folders and all. I wanted a totally clean install. So anything in the /sdcard0 folder can get wiped. As wiping through twrp DOES NOT WIPE THESE FILES. And sometimes can cause oddness on new installs. This can also be achieved through twrp but it takes longer. Keep in mind that everything inside /sdcard is rebuilt on FIRST boot. Hence deleting in twrp. Don't navigate to straight / things go bad if you mess about in those files....
*After everything has been deleted on internal, and the folders your not using for backups on external. Namely the /android folder on external. You should be ready to reboot to recovery....
*Now reboot into twrp. Click wipe, advanced, then check dalvik, system, data, and cache. Wipe
*Now flash the FULL OTA for your model of shield.
*Next click the home button in twrp. Then Mount, then, uncheck the box for system, then, re-check it. (remount system)
*Now click on the Home button again, Advanced, File Manager.....
*Now the fun part...
Navigate to /system/app and delete the following FOLDERS, contents and all, by clicking on each folder one at a time, once clicked, it will show you contents of that folder. At the bottom click select, then delete, swipe to delete. For each of the following folders....
++*NOTICE* Some of these folders contain libs (library files) and i discovered some issues with deleting them. (videos not working, possible connection console mode crashing, etc) These folders are indicated below, and any side effects possible due to its removal. Console mode has been solid so far even without the libs. That doesnt mean that it wont cause any issues later and i just havent seen it yet. So BEWARE o0o0o =D
Adobe reader
Books
Calendar
++**Chrome (I use chrome beta) (CONTAINS LIBS) possible connection to the "great chrome slowdown" These ARE SAFE to remove and removal may cure the slowdown bug. either way, using any browser BUT chrome (i.e. Chrome Beta, Dolphin, Opera etc.) also fixes the "Chrome slug races"
Cloud print
Input methods for Japanese and Korean (unless you need it)
++**Drive (CONTAINS LIBS) i havent noticed any side effects from removing these and SHOULD BE SAFE to delete. also i use es file explorer for drive access
Email (I use inbox)
Evernote
Evernote widget
Exchange2
Gmail (I use inbox or reinstall from store)
++**Hangouts (CONTAINS LIBS) i use hangouts for OUTGOING PHONE CALLS, as such i feel these libs are POSSIBLY NOT SAFE to remove. i havent found any issues so far but BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY on an essential core sytem
Holo spiral
Google tts (optional)
Juswrite (I don't use the stylus or handwriting)
latinIME (aosp keyboard)
++**Maps (CONTAINS LIBS) i havent found any issues but NAVIGATION to me is an essential core system therefore i feel these are POSSIBLY NOT SAFE to remove. again BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY
Music2 (I use gonemad music player or reinstall from store)
Newstand
Nvcameraawesome (it sucked and I use camera51)
Phase beam
Play games
++**Print spooler (CONTAINS LIBS) never use(d) it so i dunno really. SHOULD BE SAFE to remove (feedback welcome)
Street
Stylusmobileoem (like I said I don't even HAVE a stylus (unless someone has an extra they are willing to mail....)
Talkback
Trine 2 (unless you like it)
Twitch (unless you use it, also in play store)
++**Videos (CONTAINS LIBS) I had issues playing embedded videos in play store (app trailers) and some websites. i would recommend DO NOT REMOVE THIS. i ONLY left this here for info only. remove ONLY AT YOUR OWN RISK
Write (again with stylus stuff)
++**Youtube (CONTAINS LIBS) never had any issues removing this. but i feel it could be related to my above mentioned video playback bug. this is OPTIONAL.
*now navigate to /system/priv-app
Delete folder musicfx (needs to be gone or disabled for viper4android audio install)
*now navigate to /system/vendor/app
Delete the folder watercolor (dabbler can be gotten from play store)
*if you feel busy /system/media/audio is where the ring tones are and you can delete the ones you don't use for more space but it's only 3mb....
*FINALLY hit the home button in twrp again.
**DO NOT FORGET** Install superSU beta for root!!!
*REBOOT!!
*After system boots up and gets done optimizing, it's safe to reboot back to twrp and flash the xposed framework.
*You're done! That's it... Wait... What? You want even MORE cookies? Well, OK....
*Keep reading for optional steps for even better results!
***PS... Keep checking our friend's @BitOBSessiOn and @twistedumbrella threads for really great kernels for our ota..
Thanks @BitOBSessiOn
Thanks @twistedumbrella
Links:
Bito: http://forum.xda-developers.com/shi.../tweaked-kernel-nvidia-shield-tablet-t3069776
++++++ ***check out @BitOBSessiOn thread, ota 3.0 source built, optimized kernels for all models released!
NEW UNIFIED BUILDS FOR OTA 3.0 (ONE FILE FOR ALL MODELS)
Twistedumbrella: 2.2.1 ONLY http://forum.xda-developers.com/shi...t/stock-lollipop-kernel-cifs-support-t2967839
And some more post script.
PPS **tips**
*System apps always keep a copy of themselves for when it gets updated, so all those apps (that you just deleted) end up being over 400 mb after they all update once. And they ALL HAVE updates at time of install. So you save there. Just takes a minute to reinstall as user apps from the play store,and save a bunch of space.
***WIFI ISSUES!** If you do NOT HAVE a 5ghz router. Go to wifi settings, advanced, wifi band, switch from auto to 2.4ghz, makes the Web run faster and if it's set to auto I notice a good 40 second delay in wifi connecting. Also make sure the box "wifi always scan" is turned in. Otherwise wifi doesn't auto connect at boot.
*Get folder mount from the play store. It automagically patches android to let apps write to external SD. As well as links folders on external to internal so you can move ANY app to sd card. Profit!
*For a cleaner install. Install fdroid, then ad away. And run ad away before you ever open more than play store for es file Explorer to install fdroid. This way ad away is the first or one of the first apps to open. Blocking ads from that point on. That way if apps have built in ads, they won't even be able to load!
*Also thanks to @djdarkknight96 here's a link for a bad ass themed SwiftKey keyboard
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1016053
*To improve system responsiveness, enable developer options (In settings, click about tablet, click build number 7 times.) Then in developer options about midway down, turn "window animation scale" "transition animation scale" and "animator duration scale" from 1.0 to .5 this increases the speed of animations throughout the system/rom
*After installing the gravitybox xposed module, you can turn those 3 animation scales down further to .25 for even faster response.
*Native lcd density for shield tablet is 283.
It comes stock at 320
*Nvidia corporate tegra color scheme. Green is hex (#76b900) rgb (r:118 g:185 b:0), and grey, hex (#5c5c5c) not sure greys rgb. And black.... I looked it up in their corporate and product guidelines pdf.
*You can add apps to console mode by clicking the little + symbol under "android games" and "media apps" in shield hub. They will then be added to the "easier" to navigate shield hub menu.
*In the play store kernel adiutor (yes that's how it's spelled) allows control over the cpu speed and other critical stuff and things. To squeeze alot more juice from your battery, if everything else here is done, I found I could clock the cpu @2ghz (200mhz down from stock) and it's just as fast as true stock. Killer battery savings on top of the improvements already made in ota 3.0
*If you adjust the clock speeds in kernel adiutor... Make sure to reset the minimum to 51 every time and sit and watch to make sure they stuck. They will float around, then settle. But if you exit after altering the max and the minimum is floating high, it will set the minimum to that value.... Found THAT out the hard way......
*The letters that form the word "SHIELD" on the back of our devices.... Are stickers in small indents.... Looks really kewl if taken out. (see post #13 for pics)
+ *POSSIBLE USB ON THE GO (OTG) FIX*
Power off your shield, plug in USB OTG cable with a flash drive in it. Power on the shield. Once booted, pull flash drive and use whatever OTG compatible device you wish (mouse, keyboard, micro missile launcher--thanks ThinkGeek!))
ONE CONDITION! This method BREAKS CHARGING UNTIL NEXT REBOOT! (thanks nvidia!)
Enjoy!
Questions and comments always welcomed and encouraged!
If i forgot something, missed a step, whatever. Let me know!
I'll update/add to this if/when I think of things.
Ideas? Let me know!
CHECK POST #2 FOR UPDATE TIMES.
I'll try to highlight changes until I update again.
Look for the + symbol
Cheers,
Cyris
Mmm cookies just like mom makes!
Just a reminder! ALWAYS CHECK THE MD5 CHECKSUM FOR DOWNLOADED FILES. Md5 checker in play store works great. It can certainly save some headaches!
A SECOND MORE IMPORTANT REMINDER, KEEP A COPY OF YOUR FULL OTA IN THE ROOT OF YOUR EXTERNAL SD CARD. THAT WAY IF THE LIQUID DEFECATION TRULY STRIKES THE AUXILIARY ROTOR. YOU CAN USE NVIDIAS BACKUP STOCK RECOVERY (AT BUGDROID (ANDY ON HIS BACK WITH A RED ! OVER IT) HIT "VOLUME UP" + "POWER") TO WIPE DATA AND FLASH A STOCK FULL OTA AND GET BACK UP AND RUNNING AGAIN. THEN USE KINGROOT, THEN FLASHIFY, THEN TWRP, TO GET ROOT BACK AND CUSTOM RECOVERY....
**UPDATES**
Times are Pacific (my local)
+Initial post 5/25 @ 1300 (apx)
+Updated 5/25 @ 1655
+Updated 5/25 @ 1730
+Updated 5/25 @ 1810 - make sure you check this one for viper audio install
+Updated 5/25 @ 2304 - new full ota links
+Updated 5/26 @ 1030 - @BitOBSessiOn ota 3 kernel release, links posted
+Updated 5/26 @ 1546 - Added usb-otg temporary fix
+Updated 5/27 @ 2200 - Cleanup OP, removed old + symbols
+Updated 6/17 @ 1430 - Added info on folders containing LIBS in the wiping section.
Nice! I will report back once I have redone my tablet.
And please, give me some time. It's the end of a holiday weekend & I have a few things to do before going back to work Tuesday.
Ctrl_Alt_Del said:
Nice! I will report back once I have redone my tablet.
And please, give me some time. It's the end of a holiday weekend & I have a few things to do before going back to work Tuesday.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No worries. I created this thread for a laid back easy way to (try) and get the most from our device. Xda was always my go to place to find help and it's a bit different now. Not everyone is a developer, but it shouldn't be hard to get knowledge from those that are. Hell I'm no dev, just like to test stuff, a crack flasher. But at one time I didn't know what root was..... We all were. I know I love it when I show someone my device I spent 100s of hours tweaking just right and the look on their face! At one time that was me. I had to ask questions that probably got a few chuckles. But usually there was someone there to ask. If i can help I figure I SHOULD,
As I said I encourage questions. It may help someone else later on. Cheers!
... Wrong button.....
All is well. And the wipe,install directions from TWRP went flawlessly.
As soon as it booted, I was presented with the Welcome screen, as if it were a brand new device, unlike just updating an older OS. Chose the language, if I had a Google account & signed in...all that cookie dust. Apps from the list I have backed up to the Google servers under my account downloaded & installed automagically.
And best of all....no more "Android is Starting" & no more "optimizing the apps" at cold startup! Big thumbs up there! :good:
By the way, I could not get the full install from the link you provided from another user. It went to Mega & Mega is having transfer issues. It would download about 10 thru 15 % then flash something about a transfer error, then reduce the file transferred back down to 8 or 9 %...then download that again up to around 12 % or so, then back down to 8 %....lather, rinse, repeat...indefinitely! I used this user's link in his post to get the correct ROM: Android 5.1 out now
Just an FYI there.
Ctrl_Alt_Del said:
All is well. And the wipe,install directions from TWRP went flawlessly.
As soon as it booted, I was presented with the Welcome screen, as if it were a brand new device, unlike just updating an older OS. Chose the language, if I had a Google account & signed in...all that cookie dust. Apps from the list I have backed up to the Google servers under my account downloaded & installed automagically.
And best of all....no more "Android is Starting" & no more "optimizing the apps" at cold startup! Big thumbs up there! :good:
By the way, I could not get the full install from the link you provided from another user. It went to Mega & Mega is having transfer issues. It would download about 10 thru 15 % then flash something about a transfer error, then reduce the file transferred back down to 8 or 9 %...then download that again up to around 12 % or so, then back down to 8 %....lather, rinse, repeat...indefinitely! I used this user's link in his post to get the correct ROM: Android 5.1 out now
Just an FYI there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad to hear it went well. And thanks for the info on mega. It does that from time to time. Could be alot of people trying to get that file right now. Links updated.
If you go through the xposed install and all. It gets spooky fast....
can you explain about screen density? native 283? how do you know that? table has 320 dpi
Excellent guide and info. Spent all weekend formatting and dealing with "optimizing apps", this fixed it all, great tablet now
GOALAR said:
can you explain about screen density? native 283? how do you know that? table has 320 dpi
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's an 8 inch screen. With a resolution of 1920x1200 I'm not sure the math, but it adds up to 283,or there are a few sites that you can go to and enter your the screen info and it will tell you what you density is. Density is how many pixels are in a square inch. Also GSM arena and a few other sites show this data if you Google "shield tablet specs".
Switching from 320 to 283 just makes the screen look sharper. It also can effect what games are listed as compatible in the play store. Example, dead space and dead trigger 2 will not install @ 283. But will run at it. I have dead space myself and it plays fine but I have to side load it or set my density back to 320 in build.prop then install it.
Think of it like running different resolutions on your pc monitor. The monitor will show them just fine, but only 1 is the exact spec from the factory, and look the best.
Thanks For This
Hi, @Pariahnoble. Just wanted to say that this is great, exactly the kind of effort that supports the XDA community.
I am sure that this will be a huge help to a lot of people.
koop1955 said:
Hi, @Pariahnoble. Just wanted to say that this is great, exactly the kind of effort that supports the XDA community.
I am sure that this will be a huge help to a lot of people.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! =D Just hope it does in fact help some folks enjoy their shields a little more. I've been pretty unhappy so far, it was this or a Nexus 9, now I don't regret my decision anymore lol
Pictures of back of shield with letter stickers removed
Updated again
I'm surprised there aren't more comments on this thread. This looks great.
By the way, did I miss something or can this actually be done completely without the use of a computer?
radio five said:
I'm surprised there aren't more comments on this thread. This looks great.
By the way, did I miss something or can this actually be done completely without the use of a computer?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope didn't miss a beat. This whole process can be done with no pc (I don't have a pc, my shield is my ONLY device.) so I've learned how to do it all locally (on board the shield itself).
This is only just now available, 5/13 kingroot was released that would root the tablet stock off the shelf. And flashify to put on the custom twrp. After that it's good times!
Ps, thanks for the heads up on the no pc thing, I forgot to mention that, OP updated...
That's great news for me since my computer recently took a **** and I'm about to throw my old laptop out the window. (windows vista, won't take adb drivers, runs out of memory using chrome, etc...)
Sent from my SHIELD Tablet using XDA Free mobile app
radio five said:
That's great news for me since my computer recently took a **** and I'm about to throw my old laptop out the window. (windows vista, won't take adb drivers, runs out of memory using chrome, etc...)
Sent from my SHIELD Tablet using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ouch! I feel your pain. I recently had to try to flash using add (adb but "add" was a great typo) on Windows xp.... Oh yeah... THAT went well.... Then 2 days later kingroot came out.
Just make sure (and I'll add this to the op as well) to keep a copy of the full ota on the ROOT of your external SD card, that way if your shield take a flaming deuce in your hands, you can STILL use nvidia backup recovery. If you have ever seen the "bug droid" (ole Andy on his back and the flaming red ! Over it) hold the "volume up" button and hit power and the nvidia recovery comes up. Let's you flash a STOCK FULL OTA and bam, back in business, just kingroot, flashify, twrp, keep calm, and carry on!
Man, I'm glad you said something! I'm gathering all the files on my external sd card in a folder (downloads/Shield Optimization) and I was getting ready to take the plunge. I'll move everything to the sd card's root before I get started.
I'm also considering backing all of my sd card to a work computer temporarily so I can reformat it. My junk heap of a laptop can't read it but I suspect my shield may have formatted it to a weird..... format.
I just want to have the card ready in the event I want to transfer large files and not wait as long.
Speaking of which, would I be able to format my sd card via my PC with it still in the Shield, connected by a usb cable?
Sorry if I'm getting slightly off topic.
Sent from my SHIELD Tablet using XDA Free mobile app
@radio five
Firstly the only file you really need in the root folder is the ota zip. That's only because I'm pretty sure that's where the stock recovery will look for it, IF everything goes to hell.
Yes about formatting your card or storing files elsewhere during all this. The closer to a fresh card and internal memory the better.
Not sure what if any besides ntfs that the shield would format it to. But ntfs is recommended. And it's so far the only (I think) supported format for cards over 32gb. Also. After you format it to ntfs, quick format is OK, full is better but much slower on Windows, make sure to name it. Any is OK. "Sdcard" works.
In Windows Explorer, click on the volume (Sdcard you just formatted) to select it. Wait a sec. Then click it again. And name it when it highlights.
It fixes SOMETHING, Noone really knows what, but makes the shield recognize SD cards over 32gb
I'm sure there IS a way to format via adb, but I have no idea how...
What topic? >.< lol all questions are encouraged.
What works
Leanback Launcher
Leanback App Buttons (you may still want Sideload Launcher for some things)
Leanback Recommendations
HDMI-CEC (insofar as my TV supports it YMMV)
Shield Controller, including right thumbstick as mouse
Ten Foot experiences for applications that check for it
What doesn't work
Cast Receiver
Probably other things, this is a work in progress
What's needed
ADB access - If you don't have the Android SDK you can just use Minimal ADB and Fastboot
Stock 5.0 OTA (Android 7.0 Nougat) - I don't know how necessary this is but it's what I used.
Root
TWRP or some means of flashing a zip
Open GApps arm tvstock
Step 1 - Debloat
First we need to get rid of a number of things that we won't need, or will get in the way. Use debloat.zip for this. I actually like to run this initially, as well as after Gapps are installed. The script file inside is copied in the spoiler below.
Code:
mount("ext4", "EMMC", "/dev/block/platform/sdhci-tegra.3/by-name/APP", "/system");
ui_print("System app removals");
delete_recursive("/system/priv-app/BackupRestoreConfirmation");
delete_recursive("/system/priv-app/BlockedNumberProvider");
delete_recursive("/system/priv-app/ConfigUpdater");
delete_recursive("/system/priv-app/CalendarProvider");
delete_recursive("/system/priv-app/Contacts");
delete_recursive("/system/priv-app/ContactsProvider");
delete_recursive("/system/priv-app/DocumentsUI");
delete_recursive("/system/priv-app/GmsCore");
delete_recursive("/system/priv-app/GoogleBackupTransport");
delete_recursive("/system/priv-app/GoogleFeedback");
delete_recursive("/system/priv-app/GoogleLoginService");
delete_recursive("/system/priv-app/GoogleOneTimeInitializer");
delete_recursive("/system/priv-app/GooglePartnerSetup");
delete_recursive("/system/priv-app/GoogleServicesFramework");
delete_recursive("/system/priv-app/MmsService");
delete_recursive("/system/priv-app/Phonesky");
delete_recursive("/system/priv-app/SetupWizard");
delete_recursive("/system/priv-app/TegraOTA");
delete_recursive("/system/priv-app/TeleService");
delete_recursive("/system/priv-app/Telecom");
delete_recursive("/system/priv-app/Velvet");
delete_recursive("/system/priv-app/NvLauncher");
delete_recursive("/system/priv-app/NvCustomize");
#delete_recursive("/system/priv-app/NvRpxService"); needed for controller pairing
delete_recursive("/system/priv-app/nvlasso");
delete_recursive("/system/priv-app/shield_platform_analyzer");
delete_recursive("/system/priv-app/shieldcustomize");
delete_recursive("/system/priv-app/Katniss");
delete_recursive("/system/app/CalendarGoogle");
delete_recursive("/system/app/Chrome");
delete_recursive("/system/app/CloudPrint");
delete_recursive("/system/app/DeskClockGoogle");
delete_recursive("/system/app/Drive");
delete_recursive("/system/app/ExactCalculator");
delete_recursive("/system/app/FaceLock");
delete_recursive("/system/app/Gmail2");
delete_recursive("/system/app/GoogleContactsSyncAdapter");
delete_recursive("/system/app/GooglePrintRecommendationService");
delete_recursive("/system/app/GoogleTTS");
delete_recursive("/system/app/Hangouts");
delete_recursive("/system/app/JusWrite");
delete_recursive("/system/app/Maps");
delete_recursive("/system/app/Music2");
delete_recursive("/system/app/PlayGames");
delete_recursive("/system/app/PrintSpooler");
delete_recursive("/system/app/SoundRecorder");
delete_recursive("/system/app/Tn8Tdc");
delete_recursive("/system/app/Videos");
delete_recursive("/system/app/Write");
delete_recursive("/system/app/idsmonitor");
delete_recursive("/system/app/stylusmobile-oem");
delete_recursive("/system/app/talkback");
delete_recursive("/system/app/trine2");
delete_recursive("/system/app/Twitch");
delete_recursive("/system/app/YouTube");
delete_recursive("/system/app/Music2Pano");
delete_recursive("/system/app/VideosPano");
delete_recursive("/system/vendor/app/CalibNotifier");
delete_recursive("/system/vendor/app/ConsoleSplash");
#delete_recursive("/system/vendor/app/ConsoleUI");
delete_recursive("/system/vendor/app/NvAndroidOSC");
delete_recursive("/system/vendor/app/NvBenchmarkBlocker");
delete_recursive("/system/vendor/app/NvCPLUpdater");
delete_recursive("/system/vendor/app/NvCamera");
delete_recursive("/system/vendor/app/NvEsrd");
delete_recursive("/system/vendor/app/NvGamecast");
delete_recursive("/system/vendor/app/NvRegistration");
delete_recursive("/system/vendor/app/Stats");
delete_recursive("/system/vendor/app/TegraZone");
delete_recursive("/system/vendor/app/Welcome");
delete_recursive("/system/vendor/app/nvbatterymonitorservice");
delete_recursive("/system/vendor/app/nvidiafeedback");
delete_recursive("/system/vendor/app/nvpowerstats");
delete_recursive("/system/vendor/app/watercolor");
ui_print("Finish");
Step 2 - TV Permissions
Some apps with ten foot experiences are packaged and distributed separately from their mobile/tablet counterparts (like Twitch and ESPN). Others, package all experiences together and ask for permissions at runtime (like PBS Video and PBS Kids). The attached tv_permissions.zip file adds these, as well as android.software.picture_in_picture in order to prevent an exception when the home button is double tapped.
Step 3 - Settings activity is now broken
This is because our conflicted device is looking for the ribbon at the top of the settings activity, but it doesn't exist in the tv layout. fixes.zip patches Settings.apk to include the ribbon in the tv layout.
If you have issues with this, try running debloat and tv_permissions, boot the device, then go back to recovery and flash fixes.zip.
Step 4 - Open GApps tvstock
Big thanks to the Open GApps guys for this one. I cheated a bit here and instead of adding the packages one-by-one to be removed in the debloat script, I manually removed a number of tars from the zip file. I'll fix this, I promise but in the meantime open up the zip file and remove the following:
GApps/castreceiver-arm.tar.lz
GApps/gamepadpairing-arm.tar.lz
GApps/livechannels-arm.tar.lz
GApps/talkback-arm.tar.lz
GApps/tvmovies-arm.tar.lz
GApps/tvmusic-arm.tar.lz
GApps/tvplaygames-arm.tar.lz
Core/bugreport-all.tar.lz
Core/googlebackuptransport-all.tar.lz
Core/googlecontactssync-all.tar.lz
Core/gsfcore-all.tar.lz
Core/notouch-all.tar.lz
Core/setupwraith-all.tar.lz
...or don't if you want to experiment with Google Play Services, but that's not my cup of tea on a TV device. Early builds saw hangouts messages popping up while my wife and I were watching tv (ugh). By the way anything you do with any of this knowledge your sole responsibility.
Other Minutiae
Use the SPMC fork if you use Kodi. You will get recommendations/now playing, among other things.
Some apps may look for Play Services at runtime (I had this with Twitch, for example). If you don't want GPS/GSF I can verify that microG works for this. I used Lanchon's Haystack for signature spoofing. This required Linux and the Android SDK, but there are other ways to accomplish signature spoofing, I just didn't try them.
You'll need some means of downloading app packages without Play Store on your device. I used Raccoon and DummyDroid with the build.prop from Shield Android TV and this user agent string:
Code:
'Android-Finsky/6.5.08.D-all (versionCode=80650800,sdk=23,device=foster,hardware=foster_e,product=foster,build=NRD90M:user)'
Originally, I wanted to do this as a custom AOSP or Lineage-based rom. Some of the issues I ran into were beyond my reckoning and I decided to cut bait and use stock. Lineage does work though, you'll just be sacrificing HDMI-CEC and Granular HDMI audio volume (Steel01 got HDMI audio working though, so big props there).
One thing that was bugging me was that the Shield Controller won't wake the tablet when the tablet is on batter power, even if you have it set to leave wifi on when sleeping. The following setting will fix this:
Code:
adb shell settings put system com.nvidia.blakepairing.agoAlwaysOn 1
Edit 3/6
Guide skeleton, can't attach zips, screens, or post links
Setting to wake device on battery power
Edit 3/9
Screens and flashable zips added
tenFootPedal said:
Title seems sudden, but actually it's been a bit of a task. If anyone's interested I'll put some details and flashables up in here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Put em up, I was just thinking about converting mine with my Chromecast for mobdro, TV portal, and terrarium app. I already have a roku box and a Chromecast, but I'm curious how you converted yours. Thanks!
tenFootPedal said:
Title seems sudden, but actually it's been a bit of a task. If anyone's interested I'll put some details and flashables up in here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's a GOOD IDEA to add the method rather than just a passing comment...
Thanks
set my spare shield up with kodi and its fine, i even still game on it occasionally. it's always hooked up so, why not?
LenAsh said:
It's a GOOD IDEA to add the method rather than just a passing comment...
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I'm planning on sharing but I wanted to gauge interest. Also I've never posted here and either I don't have permissions or I'm having PEBKAC issues with posting attachments.
Edit 3/6
Guide skeleton, can't attach zips, screens, or post links
Setting to wake device on battery power
Edit 3/9
Screens and flashable zips added
I'll be trying this with 5.1 OTA next
i have gotton the sheild game hub from the stock nvidia sheild tv firmware to install and work with this mod. i also use the ps4 controller via bluetooth for my remote in console mode. i cant figure out how to install the Google play store on this mod. can someone help me get it to install and work.
i have gotton the sheild game hub from the stock nvidia sheild tv firmware to install and work with this mod. i also use the ps4 controller via bluetooth for my remote in console mode.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nice. Thanks for the feedback.
I haven't been down the play store road, but I would start by installing the tvstock gapps package without removing gsfcore (maybe others?) and don't run the debloat zip after you do so.
tenFootPedal said:
nice. Thanks for the feedback.
I haven't been down the play store road, but I would start by installing the tvstock gapps package without removing gsfcore (maybe others?) and don't run the debloat zip after you do so.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the tv gapps dont even have google play within the zip so we have too figure out how to install the android tv google play store on this mod we will be all set to go. i have all the system files from the stock nvidia shield tv on my pc trying to swap files to see what i can mimic. but the shield games for the nvidia shield tv works perfectly on this mod.im also trying to see if i can install the stock shield tv firmware on the shield k1. i can get the boot,recovery,system img's to flash successfully but it taking forever to boot. so it seems it dont work but i will keep trying.
So u can install stock Android shield TV games on this mod aye
Sent from my ONEPLUS A3003 using Tapatalk
also this mod works with the 5.1.1 OTA and the 6.0.1 OTA. and the lastest firmware but its a little buggy for me. aslo is there any way to make a uninstaller.zip for this mod. im also still having a hard time to get google play store installed
It would be so great if someone could pack this all up into a flashable ROM. That's something out of my abilities, could someone pretty please make it happen?
phuzznut said:
It would be so great if someone could pack this all up into a flashable ROM. That's something out of my abilities, could someone pretty please make it happen?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If this were an aosp-based build, I would do it. But since its stock, I didn't feel comfortable doing it. There are some things I should probably do to take some of the steps out and make it easier though.
@brandonlee96, since this deletes a number of stock apks, I'd need to pack them up to put them back to make an uninstaller, which I don't want to do for the same reasons as above. You can do what I do and just make a twrp backup of stock to go back to.
@brandonlee96 Here's your play store problem. TubeSky is missing when tvstock runs on a tablet device. So you need to change this line in your build.prop
Code:
ro.build.characteristics=tablet
to this
Code:
ro.build.characteristics=tv
before flashing tvstock.
After that, make sure you delete SetupWraith, because it will perpetually crash and restart on boot. I haven't tested it any further than that.
tenFootPedal said:
@brandonlee96 Here's your play store problem. TubeSky is missing when tvstock runs on a tablet device. So you need to change this line in your build.prop
Code:
ro.build.characteristics=tablet
to this
Code:
ro.build.characteristics=tv
before flashing tvstock.
After that, make sure you delete SetupWraith, because it will perpetually crash and restart on boot. I haven't tested it any further than that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
im doing that right now! i will let you know the results.
Apparently play store will auto update itself to the intended device's version. Getting the leanback (TubeSky) version to stay likely involves spoofing your device as an android tv to the play store (via build.prop and/or other means). I don't think I want to devote any more time to play store for now, when apks can be pulled from another device or via Raccoon.
tenFootPedal said:
Apparently play store will auto update itself to the intended device's version. Getting the leanback (TubeSky) version to stay likely involves spoofing your device as an android tv to the play store (via build.prop and/or other means). I don't think I want to devote any more time to play store for now, when apks can be pulled from another device or via Raccoon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i have the google play working thank you. i just wondering is there anyway we can beef up this mod? btw the recommendations does work it just didn't load up at this time!
brandonlee96 said:
i have the google play working thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How did you make it stop auto-updating/replacing the vending package?
brandonlee96 said:
is there anyway we can beef up this mod?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What did you have in mind?
Hi, great thread! Will defenitly be trying this out in the next couple days... but i have a few questions. .
Does GFN work?
Does the system UI mimic ATV? Like the settings menu etc..?
Can we tell the battery level when unplugged?
Also, regarding build.prop edits to mimic the ShieldTV, i haven't changed build.prop to mimic anything in like 4 years haha! so I'm a little rusty, can you kindly show me what lines need changing to successfully spoof the STV?
Also, may be worth adding the Playstore is now working to the OP and credit @brandonlee96 haha
Great work guys! This looks amazing.
*I spoke too soon, perhaps! See here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/nook-touch/development/nst-g-updating-ntgappsattack-t3875957 for a new approach to GApps with working sync--but Google Books is dead.*
I've recently received a second NST and decided to start some tests which I didn't want to mess up my regular device doing.
My first item is GApps. UNLESS you absolutely MUST have Google Books (1.2.2 is the only working version w/sync--but no purchase ability), there is no need to install GApps. All of my apps which will run on the NST are perfectly happy without GApps, including many whose current versions (like MX Player and the NPR app) balk at running without GFS (Google Framework Services) on newer devices. I guess the old versions just predate all that.
----------------------------------------------
Edit: I've come across an exception: Tasker and any apps generated from Tasker/App Factory (that includes my own USB one-touch toggles, Current Bookcover Screensaver, and Screenshot). It turns out that Tasker and its daughter apps have a built in dependency on two Google Maps library files. You don't get these by installing Maps (tried that...). Instead they are a part of GApps installation. But you can place these two files yourself to solve this issue (attached below--the xml file is zipped so you can actually download it instead of view it). Copy the files into these locations (you will need to mount /system as RW temporarily):
/system/etc/permissions/com.google.android.maps.xml
/system/framework/com.google.android.maps.jar
Set permissions for both files to rw-r--r-- and reboot.
----------------------------------------------
NONE of the apps in the GApps install package work any longer except for the rudimentary sync/account files that are needed for Google Books, and those must be set via GMail (which otherwise does not work). OK, Calculator works But you don't need GApps to run it. You also cannot sign in to Google or access the Market any more with the apps in the package. But installing GApps will clog your system with a bunch of apps churning away in the background, eating up your battery.
Realistically there is not much in the PlayStore for our devices and most useful apps need to be found elsewhere and sideloaded. However, if you have your heart set on PlayStore access, I recommend the Yalp Store (FDroid). It works well on the NST (I just used it to install MX Player), but you do have to update it from time to time when Google has made some sort of api change, and you cannot purchase apps this way.
Disclaimer: my test of apps is not exhaustive, of course. You may have the exception to my proposed rule. But I doubt it.
You are right, wish there was an easy way of returning back to stock. I lost my backup.
velayo said:
You are right, wish there was an easy way of returning back to stock. I lost my backup.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The easiest way is to use the Factory restore option of Nook Manager. That will trigger a reimage with whatever the device left the factory. On my recent acquisition that was 1.0.0! You can use the 1.2.1 update zip from the B&N website to get back to current ( barring the 1.2.2 update which I think is pushing out early Pacific Time on weekends--still have to check that).
Best ROM Currently (11/2018)
Look at the date above. This is for current, relevant info. I'm looking for people's opinions on the best ROMs right now. Things to consider: speed & functionality, & whatever else you think is important. There aren't many options at all these days.
Please chime in & let's get this debate going!
I'll go first. I plan on updating this post as I try more. BTW the big reason I created this thread is to save people time. I spent at least a week now trying to get a functional & fast (or at least usable) ROM. ICS, which is the last ver of Android the manufacturer supports, is just too old to consider an option, in my opinion. So I tried https://forum.xda-developers.com/eee-pad-transformer/development/rom-t3318496 last & it's just way too slow for me. I did the bigwheelie partition increase, but honestly I don't think that's necessary for most of us (& it took me a long time!). & It takes forever to read each thread & hundreds of posts inside them to get up to date regarding these ROMs...just to find out something doesn't work. People often aren't nice about repeat questions & expect you to read through hundreds of pages...Im the opposite! I want to save you time & give you an up to date summary of ROM options & what to expect. I also found out the hard way that Google Play doesn't work on tduros Marshmallow ROM. Not his fault, darn Google. BUT there's MicroG as an alternative.
So there you have my first review:
KatKiss KatchMellow is waaaay to slow for me. Gapps doesn't work (tablet will keep restarting), but MicroG is a Google Play alternative.
I'll try out older ROMs next to see if speed gets any better & report back...
UPDATE:
I exhaustively tried getting microg to work on both KatKiss KatchMellow & Lollipop, but finally gave up. I'm sure its possible, but I ran out of time & patience.
I did however end up with a pretty fast solution: KatKiss Lollipop with Fdroid for my app store, and via that I installed DavCal (to tie into my Google Calendars) & Simple Calendar that displayed this. Many apps I wanted worked. Some not but I found an alternative. MX player plays videos fine & theres a million audio apps. Id recommend this.
Thank you for this. I also came here to find the best and fastest ROM but was overwhelmed by the number of comments to sift through. I have KatKiss 6.0.1 with playstore but no other Google apps. It's a bit slow. I'm gonna try KatKiss Lollipop with FDroid.
If anybody finds a solution to have google play store and no constant bootloping.... I've tried Katkiss 6.01, 5 and now went down to Omnirom kitkat 4.4 they all reboot constantly with google play store
I'm using Tims katsmallow. Gapps is an absolute no-go. I tried microg and ended up with the same bootloop/reboot after installing YouTube. I'm currently using no gapps and f-droid. It works fine, and functional. I want to use the chromecast, and that's not functional. I have seen some reference to CM or even lineage existing for the 101. I can't track it down though. I'm going to dig into that next, maybe even compile a build of lineage if it ever existed.
Reverse-anastomosis said:
I'm using Tims katsmallow. Gapps is an absolute no-go. I tried microg and ended up with the same bootloop/reboot after installing YouTube. I'm currently using no gapps and f-droid. It works fine, and functional. I want to use the chromecast, and that's not functional. I have seen some reference to CM or even lineage existing for the 101. I can't track it down though. I'm going to dig into that next, maybe even compile a build of lineage if it ever existed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We never had lineage. I think the newest CM was all the way back to 10.3. Our TWRP is now very outdated and that may cause problems flashing any newer ROMs
Yeah, I find references to lineage, but it appears that it never was built. I found CM 10.2, and am considering flashing it...but I'm fairly sure it won't be any better than Tims latest build. It would be nice if we could convince him to do one last build for us, but it seems fairly clear that he is done.
4xxxxL said:
If anybody finds a solution to have google play store and no constant bootloping.... I've tried Katkiss 6.01, 5 and now went down to Omnirom kitkat 4.4 they all reboot constantly with google play store
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Reverse-anastomosis said:
I'm using Tims katsmallow. Gapps is an absolute no-go. I tried microg and ended up with the same bootloop/reboot after installing YouTube. I'm currently using no gapps and f-droid. It works fine, and functional...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, inspired by your comments I undusted my old TF101 and brought it back to life.
Objective: To have a working tablet for my children to play.
Restrictions: Tablet must be responsive and easy to use. Ads should be eradicated or reduced to a minimum. Tablet must not auto-reboot nor crash.
Initial state: Rooted tablet with TWRP recovery and Timduru's Marsmallow (random reboot problem) ROM installed. Linux computer with adb tools installed. A microSD (FAT32) holding every zip file I needed to flash.
Procedure:
Step 1. I've wiped everything (system, dalvik, cachè), all, using TWRP.
Step 2. Kind of followed Jan's guide at KCORE.ORG. (Read it here).
------ I did install Timduru's last Android 6 (a.k.a. Marshamallow) ROM (v34 from 2017). (Available here).
------ I skipped Super SU 2.52 from Timduru's (not sure whether it was a good idea or not).
------ I did not install any gapps.
------ Flashed F-droid (NanoDroid-fdorid and NanoDroid-patcher zips. I used the latest I found, 20.3.2018208). It was actually Nanolx's NanoDroid (Available here). It might be important to mention that when I selected Timduru's ROM to be flashed using TWRP, it asked me whether I wanted to add more zips to the flashing process; so I added both NanoDroid files to the queue (but skipped Super Su because I didn't want it to be flashed).
It took some time to finish the flashing process. Once it did I wiped dalvik and cachè, and rebooted.
----- Tablet booted just fine. When it finished I immediately rebooted to recovery (TWRP).
----- Then I flashed the last Super Su version I could find (v2.82-201705271822). The official site didn't provide a valid download so I used google to find an alternate source for it. (Remember to checksum everything before installing to avoid errors or malware -Trojans, virus, etc.-)
----- Once Super Su was flashed I rebooted (didn't wipe anything this time). It rebooted a couple of times until it was idle. I then ran Super Su app to check if it was Ok. It was. Then fixed some settings like language (Spanish, in my case), time zone (Mexico City) and location (changed to 'high accuracy' from 'device only'). And then connected to the Internet.
----- I ran F-droid and disabled all repositories but microG. Forced repositories update and installed microG Services Core and microG Service Framework Proxy.
---- Then I re-enabled the F-droid repository, forced it to update and upgraded microG (for me it was available).
---- Installed the recomended backends:
---- ++ UnifiedNlp (no GAPPS).
---- ++ MozillaNlpBackend (I didn't want the one from Apple as Jan did).
---- ++ NominatimNlpBackend
---- ++ WiFi Location Service (I don't know if this was necessary but I installed it anyway).
---- ++ Local GSM Location (I think this wasn't necessary because the tablet doesn't have GSM nor any other cellular SIM, but I installed it anyway to cover all my bases).
---- Patched the ROM to allow signature spoofing. (Check Jan's article about this). The second and third patch weren't applied because the files were already patched but I followed every step there to the end.
---- Followed Jan's article at sections "Configuring microG Services" and "Reinstall Google Play Store"
Step 3. I took the opportunity to install and run the AdBlocker script from this thread. In my case there was no pdf but the script file. I downloaded the raw text file and created a file named adblocker. Used the adb shell to ran it. I needed to remount the system partition in order to move the script to /system/bin. (A google search can help here if you don't know how to do it). Short version: it installed and ran Ok.
Step 4. On my first attempt (second, third, and maybe fourth actually), I installed apps from the Google Store. Eventually I ended with the reboot loop again. So in the end I opted for downloading the apk files of the apps I wanted to install (from apkpure.com) and did it manually (actually I used a for loop and adb in bash, but it counts as manually).
Step 5. That was it. Tested some apps and gave the tablet to my little monsters for further testing. The kids have been very happy playing around with the old tablet.
Additional considerations:
1. In my case I installed an app blocker so the children won't mess with anything important, microG settings and F-droid included.
2. I didn't install Google Play Games nor any games that depended on it. So the idea of me using the tablet to play was abandoned.
3. There are some apps that the old TF101's hardware cannot handle, so I uninstalled them as they crashed at start up.
Conclusion: TF101 is old but with this workaround it might live to fight more battles. Kids apps are simple, but they run (some Ok, some a bit slow). My kids learn and have fun with the old tablet, so mission accomplished!
Further considerations and remarks:
1. Updating apps is not a concern for me unless they stop running. If they run they do stay, otherwise I will check them manually and then decide.
2. No Google account was registered in the tablet. Store is there, but it is not used.
3. I installed some other apps aside from the children's ones, like the app locker, a file manager and things alike.
Good luck.
EDIT: Updated to Super Su SR5 (highly recommended) and added suhide-lite.
EDIT: Reboots restarted eventually. The solution was not installing microG nor Google apps, and therefore no store at all. I installed my kids' apps manually using adb. I also omitted Youtube kids. Tablet has been working fine for almost a week now.
Katkiss Kitkat with no gapps. Smooth like butter.
Workaround is to first flash with gapps, reboot and go through first time setup (skip wifi), then reboot into twrp, wipe system and flash without gapps, then reboot.
Reason is first time setup wont work without gapps for kk.
My detailed instructions in the timduru mm thread (kk was closed)
Yes. I can confirm (after multiple back and forth flashing) that Katkiss works perfectly w/o gapps.
Now w/o gapps how does one get the apps to install?
Edit : Looks like yalp store is the answer
aaranddeeman said:
Yes. I can confirm (after multiple back and forth flashing) that Katkiss works perfectly w/o gapps.
Now w/o gapps how does one get the apps to install?
Edit : Looks like yalp store is the answer
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can look for your app's .apk file (e.g., apkpure.com), download it and use adb to install it.
I'm using katschmallow, no gapps. It has been very stable for a couple of months. I have microg installed, and a lot of apps from yalp are working OK. YouTube seems to be the culprit in making it bootloop. I've been using newpipe instead.
Works without gaps
Reverse-anastomosis said:
I'm using katschmallow, no gapps. It has been very stable for a couple of months. I have microg installed, and a lot of apps from yalp are working OK. YouTube seems to be the culprit in making it bootloop. I've been using newpipe instead.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried it as well and works well. I installed rom with the latest gapps (Jan 19th) and it has nice feature that you can disable "autoupdate apps" from upper right corner "three dots". Actually it was quite stable even with the gapps as long as you don't allow autoupdates.
Of course those apps, which are requiring Google play support won't work (mainly google made).
But many apps don't work with TF101 if you load the latest version so I found older versions from uptodown.com site as well other sites have old versions if you just search those.
Here are some apps and working versions. (some never might work as well but I did not have time to try furher)
Dropbox 18.2.2
Firefox 51.0.3
Uptodown 3.18
Chrome 49.0.2 (you need this if you want use your google account)
Mega 3.2.6.2.6
Spotify 8.4.0.534
OneDrive 4.12
Surprise was that the latest version of MS Outlook mail/calendar works
JaTun2 said:
I tried it as well and works well. I installed rom with the latest gapps (Jan 19th) and it has nice feature that you can disable "autoupdate apps" from upper right corner "three dots". Actually it was quite stable even with the gapps as long as you don't allow autoupdates.
Of course those apps, which are requiring Google play support won't work (mainly google made).
But many apps don't work with TF101 if you load the latest version so I found older versions from uptodown.com site as well other sites have old versions if you just search those.
Here are some apps and working versions. (some never might work as well but I did not have time to try furher)
Dropbox 18.2.2
Firefox 51.0.3
Uptodown 3.18
Chrome 49.0.2 (you need this if you want use your google account)
Mega 3.2.6.2.6
Spotify 8.4.0.534
OneDrive 4.12
Surprise was that the latest version of MS Outlook mail/calendar works
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you guys happen to know how I can root my TF101? I have two and I want to see what my best options are to get this thing to work with youtube. Please let me know if these two tablets are still worth the trouble.
I have spent countless hours chasing my tail as ASUS SYNC isn't even online anymore and all the exe files aren't made for windows 10. I have two, I am a college student and I would like a tablet to play Youtube when I am eating, as I don't have a tv in the dinning room/table.
Thanks in advance.
I have not been able to get YouTube working on mine. I have katschmallow without gapps, and use newpipe for YouTube. Anything Google service related seems to boot loop the tablet.
Reverse-anastomosis said:
I have not been able to get YouTube working on mine. I have katschmallow without gapps, and use newpipe for YouTube. Anything Google service related seems to boot loop the tablet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the quick reply. I guess I'll use it as a paper weight. On the plus side, I use my TF101s as a camera for the apt when I leave for school breaks, via Alfred. The video quality sucks, but at least it still has a little functionality.
It's not quite paperweight territory, but without support from Timduru it's becoming more and more crippled. I'm thankful for all of the years of service it has given.
baylin said:
Do you guys happen to know how I can root my TF101? I have two and I want to see what my best options are to get this thing to work with youtube. Please let me know if these two tablets are still worth the trouble.
I have spent countless hours chasing my tail as ASUS SYNC isn't even online anymore and all the exe files aren't made for windows 10. I have two, I am a college student and I would like a tablet to play Youtube when I am eating, as I don't have a tv in the dinning room/table.
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This link goes to a thread with a linux and windows method that could work for you.
Best of lucks
---------- Post added at 08:06 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:53 PM ----------
Reverse-anastomosis said:
I have not been able to get YouTube working on mine. I have katschmallow without gapps, and use newpipe for YouTube. Anything Google service related seems to boot loop the tablet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should try OGYoutube instead, it depends on microG. You can use your google account and you will also get rid of the ads.
Look for the apks at apkmirror (ogyoutube and microG for OGYT)
Update for anyone still using this device. I discovered that . apk files can be installed from the terminal emulator. I was using katschmallow without gapps but kept getting random reboots. I went back to KK, and it is blazing fast. No reboots so far. Anyway, when you flash KK without gapps, there is no good way to install apps. I placed the apps that I wanted to install on the external SD, and installed in terminal as follows.
su
cd extSdCard
ls
pm install packagename.apk
Edit:Firefox 51.0 still works on this device on KK and is the minimum version for adbock plus.
Hello sirs
from your post I assume that best ROM il KAT KISS MM without Google Gapps.
I already have this configuration, but too many apks ( I use APTOIDE like market) do not works.
I would like to try a ROM based on original Firmware ( ANDROID REVOLUTION HD 3.6) . do you know if Google works with original FW ?
thanks