Dear XDA-Dev members,
I'm sorry in advance for my English, but I'll try my best.
For a long time, I never really wanted to root my phone, mainly because of the risks. That all changed lately and now I'm willing to root it, especially for the extra possibilities. I've been searching for a while now and found many different methods of rooting and a lot of definitions I'm not really aware of. So I got a few questions and I hope someone is willing to help me with this.
What exactly do definitions like, ROM, Stock ROM, flashing, whiping and root-related definitions mean? I guess it's some important knowledge for when I want to root my phone.
How do I know what builds are suitable for my phone? I recently updated to Android Lollipop and wish to keep that. I noticed a lot of functions are missing (Samsung???).
What exactly is the XPosed Framework and its modules I've been reading about?
Which method would be the easiest to use for rooting for the first time?
... And for installing a custom Android build?
My current installed apps/games/launcher (Apex), will these be gone? Or can they be restored?
Are there any other important things I need to know?
I don't have an external SD card yet, but I really need to get one, as my internal storage is getting kinda full.
At last, I've included my device information here: imgur.com/a/eKm1F (can't post the link directly due to XDA's anti-spam-thingy)
I really hope someone is willing to help me. Thank you in advance!
Start by reading this:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2419762
- What exactly do definitions like, ROM, Stock ROM, flashing, whiping and root-related definitions mean? Can be easily found by a simple google search
- What exactly is the XPosed Framework and its modules I've been reading about? Can also be found by a simple search.
- How do I know what builds are suitable for my phone? I recently updated to Android Lollipop and wish to keep that. I noticed a lot of functions are missing (Samsung???). Every up to date custom rom is based Lollipop. And no there are no functions missing.
- For rooting you should use cf auto-root i9505. Type it in the search bar in the right corner of your screen.
- For installing custom roms you need a custom recovery. Use Philz of TWRP.
Last tip. Start reading and just do it. You can't destroy your phone.
Thank you. But once again, how do I know what custom rom is suitable for my device?
I'll read all the links posted.
rcth said:
Thank you. But once again, how do I know what custom rom is suitable for my device?
I'll read all the links posted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Everyone rom that's in the I9505 section.
Xpose is not available to lollipop yet.
Check the most popular Roms and start from there.
If u are already at Lolipoo , You'll probably need to update the bootloader to the same of the rom u intent to flash.
U must learn how to use ODIN. U could easy flash a pre rooted rom from ODIN.
Roms, bootloaders, modems and kernel is what u can change.
Bootloader only if needed, modem also.
Roms and kernels I do keep up to date.
Start with Imperium ROM maybe.
Flash by ODIN a recovery, like TWRP, reboot recovery, wipe everything and flash the rom.
Pretty simple but u must read a lot to not get lost in the way.
Welcome
Since is your first time. Search for IMEI backup. I've never used my backup but heard some scary stories about lost imei.
Start safe!
Sent from my GT-I9505 using XDA Free mobile app
Xposed is available for Android 5.0.1 but is still being tested and refined.
Before attempting to do ANYTHING, install Wanam EFS Backup and back up the IMEI. Losing the IMEI is not fun.
Other than that, start reading and stop asking what the best ROM is. The best ROM is the one that meets your needs.
How long does it usually take for xposed to update to android 5.1?
Sent from my GT-I9505 using XDA Free mobile app
rcth said:
How long does it usually take for xposed to update to android 5.1?
Sent from my GT-I9505 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When it's done.
Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
Xposed is available for Android 5.0.1 but is still being tested and refined.
Before attempting to do ANYTHING, install Wanam EFS Backup and back up the IMEI. Losing the IMEI is not fun.
Other than that, start reading and stop asking what the best ROM is. The best ROM is the one that meets your needs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My phone is currently on 5.0.1. Can I install Xposed and its modules after I've rooted my phone? If so, which download should I take?
Sent from my GT-I9505 using XDA Free mobile app
Yes.
Look in the Xposed thread.
I don't use Xposed on my S4 as the ROM I use has built-in virtually everything I would have used Xposed for. Xposed for my Android 2.3.7 device is a different story. I need it there for the Master Key fix, since I no longer update the custom ROM I made for the device.
Hi,i root my phone.please what next.
Sent from my Infinix-X551 using XDA Free mobile app
Related
Anyone else a tad nervous about flashing a recovery.
I really want titanium backup.
But
My main problem is I want to have a play with different sound mods, but the device is sooo new im scared about voiding the warranty.
Any thoughts
???
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda app-developers app
You'll be able to go back to stock and reset the flash counter with triangle away should you need to send your phone back for service. That is, unless you do something very wrong so just make sure you read and understand everything before flashing.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda app-developers app
fstorm said:
You'll be able to go back to stock and reset the flash counter with triangle away should you need to send your phone back for service. That is, unless you do something very wrong so just make sure you read and understand everything before flashing.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Duuuuudddddeeeee
Your a legend
All I have wondered this whole time
Custom recovery here I come. Any suggestions
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda app-developers app
jcurran.jc said:
Duuuuudddddeeeee
Your a legend
All I have wondered this whole time
Custom recovery here I come. Any suggestions
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
TWRP
Please press thanks if I helped you!
TWRP is buggy and pretty awkward to use. The UI is horrible.
I'd recommend Philz Cwm recovery, it's awesome!
Sent from my GT-I9505 using XDA Premium HD app
jcurran.jc said:
Anyone else a tad nervous about flashing a recovery.
I really want titanium backup.
But
My main problem is I want to have a play with different sound mods, but the device is sooo new im scared about voiding the warranty.
Any thoughts
???
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't b scared.
Don't be scared, and read the forums here
Make sure you understand what you are doing, and there are some awesome guides here for beginners, read them. DO NOT forget to create a backup before you proceed. Download the official firmware for your model too, just in case something goes wrong. And be confident, hopefully nothing will go wrong if you follow the steps word by word.
Sent using GT-I9505!
Obagleyfreer said:
TWRP is buggy and pretty awkward to use. The UI is horrible.
I'd recommend Philz Cwm recovery, it's awesome!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, like Jccurran.jc, I am a new comer to the Android world and delighted to have a S4. Having rooted my phone, I am starting to explore what custom ROMs have to offer. In this staged process, I am now keen to get Recovery on my phone but despite my readings still have a number queries that I would be grateful for someone to help me understand. All of these are based on the premise that you must have custom recovery on your phone before moving to installing a custom ROM on it. The specific questions I have are:
Am I correct in understanding that "custom recovery" is merely the means of installing a ROM to return to should the installation of a custom ROM go wrong?
If this is the case, why can't your Stock ROM achieve this fall-back role?
There seem to be several ways of installing a custom Recovery whether it be via TWRP, ClockWorkMod and Philz CWM. These all seem to achieve the same objective but use different custom recovery file formats whether they be zip, taz or image files. However, is the method of choice largely a personal one and once the custom recovery file is in place, it doesn't make any difference when you move on to installing a custom ROM or are you now locked into a set way of installing a Custom ROM?
All guides to undertaking installation of a custom recovery stress the importance of backing up your phone (which is a little confusing to a new comer as I have Titanium Backup Pro but can't backup my ROM until I have Recovery in place?). I have done what I can but note that some sites recommend using EFS Prossional to backup my phone's EFS settings folder that contains very critical phone specific information that include IMEI (encrypted in the nv_data.bin), wireless MAC addresses and product code. While I can't be certain that this doesn't happen with Apps like My Backup Pro or Helium, it seems very sensible to help avoid bricking my phone but the program itself requires BusyBox v1.20.2, not the current version in Google Play Store which is more recent but as the developer states is less stable than the older version (and with which EFS Professional wont work). Despite my best attempts to locate the older version as a APK file I haven't been able to as most links point to crap or seem to be for inclusion in custom ROMs (but this may reflect my lack of understanding of the Android system). Can anyone help me understand this and point me to a site where I can obtain the necessary version of BusyBox to enable me to run EFS Professional?
Some sites, including one of the responders to this thread, point out the importance of staying with your phone's offical firmware so that the modem and other hardware components of your phone continue working properly. I have purchased an unlocked international GT-I9595 phone via an internet store that has the baseband version I9505ZHUAME1. Should I my custom recovery file be the same (or its more recent release) or can I use an international LTE variant file such as "CF-Auto-Root-jflte-jfltexx-gti9505.zip"? Obviously, living in Australia, I am not wedded to the Hong Kong based ROM that is native to my phone.
If the answer to the previous question is to stay with the phone's native ROM, then this may force me away from TWRP as it doesn't believe there is any Recovery files available for my phone. Does this fit with other people's experience?
Many thanks in advance for any responses as I totally agree with another responders to this thread (FlOYD') advice: "Make sure you understand what you are doing!".
Basically the first step to customising your Android device is rooting, second step is backing up EFS and third is installing a custom recovery.
The stock recovery doesn't give you an option to install anything or make backups this is why you need custom.
The first thing I do after flashing a custom recovery (usually a .tar.md5 file in PDA section of Odin) is back up my current state.
You can choose any recovery you like, like firmware, some are built better than others. CWM is the original and probably the most used, followed by TWRP. They both have advantages and disadvantages.
I prefer Philz version of CWM personally as I don't flash CM based ROMs and tend to stick with Touchwiz ROMs.
You can also flash custom kernels using a custom recovery this is basically the 'bridge' between your phone's hardware and software. You can change LOTS of things with a custom kernel, I won't go into that.
Once you've backed up your EFS and current state you can flash a new Rom, try it out, if you don't like it then just restore back to your old back up
Before making any changes to themes, or installing zips you should make a backup, that why if anything goes wrong you can just restore it again. And believe me it happens often!
Read through threads, read again and when using Odin double check everything is in the right place and DO NOT TICK REPARTITION!
I'm sure you'll be fine, you seem like a responsible guy lol
Have fun with your new toy!
Sent from my GT-I9505 using XDA Premium HD app
ehi guys, just got a N4.
I'm wondering, why root , unlock and install a custorm rom on a Nexus 4, Google?
Just asking what good things i can have.
And if is difficoult to unlock and root to install custom roms on a 4.3.
Thanks everyone
Reasons here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czTkHe7-lXw
Instruction here if you want to try: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2018179
If you have to ask why then maybe you don't need root. You might brick your device if you try to install custom rom and do it incorrectly, just try rooting first. You don't exactly "install custom rom on 4.3", but over the entire device itself, wiping out your previous stock Android 4.3.
sent from xda premium app
There is no reason. People just want to do it. Don't over analyze simple things.
ismethajametovic said:
There is no reason. People just want to do it. Don't over analyze simple things.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You might got that wrong here mate.
Mentioning a few examples, like making full backup of your device system or blocking ads , does it seem like rooting for fun or because someone wants to get more from his device?
Unleashed by my Nexus 4
davibs said:
ehi guys, just got a N4.
I'm wondering, why root , unlock and install a custorm rom on a Nexus 4, Google?
Just asking what good things i can have.
And if is difficoult to unlock and root to install custom roms on a 4.3.
Thanks everyone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is xda and no need to make a thread to ask that question... Not trying to be rude but there are 100's maybe 1000's of threads and reasons pros and cons that you can look at and draw up your own conclusion. Again no disrespect but the choice is yours and the reason both pro and con are out there.
Check Development and Check Themes and Apps for your good stuff
Good Luck :good:
Rooting is mandatory! For the extra functions for your device! The custom ROM thing! Give it a try! Been using CM since the GNex! But have been using and happy with stock for a while now. But with out exploring what custom ROMs offer, your always going to be wondering what the fuss is about! So give it a try! Once your rooted and a custom recovery is installed. Its as simple as copying a few over to your memory, and flashing. CM and PA are good starts but usually find custom ROMs are more of a drain on battery.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk
Themindbuddah said:
Once your rooted and a custom recovery is installed. Its as simple as copying a few over to your memory, and flashing.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You dont need to be rooted to install a custom rom. (flashing the custom rom will give you root) You just need a custom recovery.
Hello, I've been doing a bit of research on my own, and I haven't found any straight answers. Recently, I downloaded the leaked Verizon Kitkat OS. From what I hear, this is the build I should be staying on. That's great and all, but I was wondering if there is any way for me to be able to root from 4.4.2 and be able to install some custom roms. Sorry if this is redundant in any way to what you guys normally see on here, but I am really confused on where all to start with this rooting process.
Also, I've seen people running custom roms on kitkat on the SM-900V, so I know it's possible. I just need a guide for dummies on how to do it.
Thanks again
The best way to root kitkat is installing twrp and when you boot system it asks if you want to root.
Sent from my P6-U06 using XDA Free mobile app
Philfactor said:
Hello, I've been doing a bit of research on my own, and I haven't found any straight answers. Recently, I downloaded the leaked Verizon Kitkat OS. From what I hear, this is the build I should be staying on. That's great and all, but I was wondering if there is any way for me to be able to root from 4.4.2 and be able to install some custom roms. Sorry if this is redundant in any way to what you guys normally see on here, but I am really confused on where all to start with this rooting process.
Also, I've seen people running custom roms on kitkat on the SM-900V, so I know it's possible. I just need a guide for dummies on how to do it.
Thanks again
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use towelroot method then install latest superuser from chainfire website and then install safestrap. After you've done this you will be able to flash some custom TW roms. You cant get AOSP roms on the vzw retail note 3 yet because the bootloader is still locked.
Sent from my SM-N900V using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Thanks in advance to anyone who can help. I am new to this custom ROM stuff and am trying my best to follow all the guides, but I have no idea what I'm doing wrong.
I have a Samsung Galaxy S4. Android version 4.4.2 and Build version KOT49H.I337UCUFNC1, so I've been following the NC1 guides. I was able to successfully root using towelroot and verified that it worked using a root checker app. I then installed SafeStrap, backed up my stock image, and put two different custom ROMs on my external microSD card, Graviton (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2372742) and PurifieD (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2454205). After creating another ROM slot, and performing a factory wipe using SafeStrap, I installed Graviton and it went through and told me to reboot. However, when the phone loaded again, it looked just like the stock ROM again. So I wiped everything again and did the same with PurifieD. It gave me all the installation options of what bloatware I wanna get rid of, etc and also seemed to install successfully. But once again, when I rebooted after installation, it looked just like stock again.
Am i doing something wrong? I really want to use these nice looking ROMs!!
And if I can get that to work, it seems like I have no 4G connection, even though WiFi works. I'm assuming http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=50965837 is the guide I will want to be looking at to make it work?
Thanks for the help
I assume they are based on GNG8 AND GNG1 and you are running FNC1.
The rom based on stockrom is important too.
I suppose you downloaded Purified HD's v3.3? Because it is based on FNC1.
Try roms made specifically for your device to avoid problems and bricking. Experimenting without knowledge is also not supported here. Plus people are not responsible here for bricked devices or any weird thing that happens.
Towelroot worked for your phone as it is a universal app, made for S5 by the great @geohot, but works for many devices.
EDIT : Well I totally missed the i337 part. Thank you @Lennyz1988.
Sent from my Ozcan GT-i9500 using XDA mobile app
You need to read more carefully.
You have a I337 model. NOT an I9505 or an I9500. You can't flash other roms to your device. Stick to your model only the AT&T. Try what DeepankarS tells you.From what I remember your stock rom needs to be the same as the rom you are trying to flash.
Thanks for the assistance fellas. And yeah, knowing that I was looking in the wrong threads would have been a better start and I'm lucky I didn't permanently damage my phone. Thanks again for the heads up.
eeric248 said:
Thanks for the assistance fellas. And yeah, knowing that I was looking in the wrong threads would have been a better start and I'm lucky I didn't permanently damage my phone. Thanks again for the heads up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Anytime. But you can always port roms to your phone. There are a lot many ways to port a rom for your phone
*A bit of perfect copy paste skills required for that
Sent from my GT-I9500 using XDA Free mobile app
Does 5.0 not suck enough to do this yet? My new car has AndroidAuto and I want to use it but can't with my current 4.4.4 verison. Last I read, 5.0 sucked and everyone was trying to downgrade. I'm currently rooted with xposed framework and would miss not being able to turn my phone into a hotspot so hopefully that's possible by now too. What exactly do I need to do?
If you are on N12 you can get to 5.0 rooted. There are many threads on this. Have a search around!
I used a method by Jkruse, and now can even use safestrap without ODIN.
Sent from my SM-G900V using XDA Free mobile app
ridenickel9 said:
If you are on N12 you can get to 5.0 rooted. There are many threads on this. Have a search around!
I used a method by Jkruse, and now can even use safestrap without ODIN.
Sent from my SM-G900V using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there a dedicated thread for the Jkruze method? I see him referenced here but I don't see anything about his method so far.
I used this as I was already rooted on N12. At the bottom of the first post here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=62333947
If you are not rooted you likely want to start here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=53447240
Warning/disclaimer: read everything before attempting anything to your phone....multiple times. These links / help may ruin your phone. Be careful
Ok, I get the process now after reading but I don't know how to SafeSTrap on NI2 if I'm already rooted. The instructions aren't clear on that, the title says you'll be able to use SafeStrap without ODIN but if I'm already rooted on KK then it just tells me to boot into safestrap...
Do I need to install SS? Do I need to disable xposed if/when I install it?
Ok I'm in SS now and I'm not sure if I should flash over the stock ROM or use a ROM slot. Thoughts? I already made a backup of the entire system and these phones have useless internal memory so I wanted to save space by wiping/installing over the stock ROM. Are there drawbacks to that?
If your rooted, you should have safestrap installed. When you boot your phone do you get a screen that pops up after the S5 screen?
It would show a image and have 2 buttons. One option would be recovery.
I didn't have it but I do now. My main question is about the slots, should I overwrite the stock one or install along side? Don't really have the storage to keep the stock slot but also don't know if doing that will do something irreplaceable.
Since you can load a stock 5.0 rooted ROM I'd do the stock slot... however, that's your call. Make sure you follow instructions to get right kernel and such.
Will you ever need 4.4.4 again ? Even so, long as you don't update the bootloader and can see it in Odin you can always rebuild.
Remember, once your on 5.0 with the newer kernel you can only get to safestrap by flashing the n12 kernel. U can do it by using odin, or lollipop safestrap application if applicable.
Sent from my SM-G900V using XDA Free mobile app
berfles said:
I didn't have it but I do now. My main question is about the slots, should I overwrite the stock one or install along side? Don't really have the storage to keep the stock slot but also don't know if doing that will do something irreplaceable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think the slots were ever working before the dev quit working on it.
Ok cool, that's what I wound up doing anyway and already had to test my backup to see that it worked (it does). Thanks for the help, I'm now on 5.0 and still rooted. Maybe my next step will be xposed, but the only thing I really used on that was the tethering and it already seems to work in this ROM.
Awesome! Glad to hear all is well.
Sent from my SM-G900V using XDA Free mobile app