Database Users

[Q] installing custom ROM on G2 [iPhone Refugee Thread]

Hello fellow XDA'ers,
I recently purchased the LG G2 and this is my first android phone. I'm coming from an iPhone 5 (for a multitude of reasons that are not applicable to this thread). I wanted to start this thread for people like myself who have no idea on how to install a ROM on an android device. There are various ROMs being released (verizon and ATT) and I would love a general walk through on how to install. Can anyone experienced point me in the right direction or offer any advice? Thanks in advance!

mjfan82 said:
Hello fellow XDA'ers,
I recently purchased the LG G2 and this is my first android phone. I'm coming from an iPhone 5 (for a multitude of reasons that are not applicable to this thread). I wanted to start this thread for people like myself who have no idea on how to install a ROM on an android device. There are various ROMs being released (verizon and ATT) and I would love a general walk through on how to install. Can anyone experienced point me in the right direction or offer any advice? Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There aren't really any custom ROMs out for the G2 yet, just a couple of debloated ROMs (stock, plus root and minus carrier bloatware). Better ROMs will come, but it will be a little while. The G2 is just too new right now to have much out for it.
For a beginner, a few things you should keep in mind before rooting or installing a custom ROM:
* Be absolutely sure that what you're doing will work on your device before you do it. For instance, don't install a recovery image for an AT&T phone on a Verizon phone, unless you want to turn it into a paperweight.
* Read instructions carefully before you do anything. You should at least have some idea of what you're doing, so that in case something goes wrong, you'll at least have a chance of recovering. Don't just blindly follow instructions and hope you don't brick your phone.
* This *will* void your phone's warranty. If your phone dies after doing this (whether it's related to this or not), and you try to do a warranty exchange, they'll respond with something that is the same in English, Italian, and Spanish -- "No." On a related note, you are taking some risk by doing this. You could possibly mess up your phone. You could do things right, and an over-the-air update could conflict with what you've done and then mess up your phone. This is a risk you assume, not the developers of whatever you're trying to do.
* These forums, as well as #lg-g2, are for help. If you're not sure about something, ask. It's better to ask than to lose $600 because you incorrectly assumed that something would work.
Overall, rooting and ROMming your phone does give you more control. Just know what you're getting into.

antinorm said:
* This *will* void your phone's warranty. If your phone dies after doing this (whether it's related to this or not), and you try to do a warranty exchange, they'll respond with something that is the same in English, Italian, and Spanish -- "No." On a related note, you are taking some risk by doing this. You could possibly mess up your phone. You could do things right, and an over-the-air update could conflict with what you've done and then mess up your phone. This is a risk you assume, not the developers of whatever you're trying to do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is risk involved yes, but it doesn't just straight up void your warranty in every situation. Depending on the carrier you are with and their RMA process you can get a perfect replacement with no hassle every time, and the carriers that do give trouble still have a small chance of going ahead with a replacement anyway depending on the tech you get. Many times for certain hardware issues it wont matter if you are rooted or not and you can still get a replacement as well. But choosing to unlock your device and do custom software for it you do have to accept responsibility that you could do something to break you device and that is your fault, not the manufacturer.
(skips these couple sections of text for just custom recovery and ROM install)
As for specific instruction, I cant really help much there. The instructions didn't really work well for me in the TWRP thread on XDA for installing, as there is nothing available when using Goo Manager, despite what that retarded thread says. I found better info on Rootz Wiki through a Google search on what to do, and even that was a bit wrong and I had to use some common sense to do things the right way. That common sense only comes from knowing how to use the command line and knowing how ADB commands work though, someone new to the process wont know that for themselves.
Looking over this thread for the newest info it looks like pretty much everything in this video should be correct and the download link for installing root should have everything you need:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y45SXPRb31o&feature=player_embedded
http://downloads.codefi.re/thecubed/lg_g2/root/ioroot6.zip
That gets root access on your device. You may or may not even want to do that. That installs root into your ROM you are currently running (stock), but you want to install a custom ROM and your custom one probably already is rooted to begin with. What you most likely want to do is just go straight to installing the drivers to connect your phone properly and use ADB to send ("push") files to your phone, then use something called "Loki" to bypass the locked bootloader and flash a custom recover to your phone. From there you can install ROMs perfectly easily. You can follow this guide in the link, but it doesnt give you links to the phone and ADB drivers you will need:
http://rootzwiki.com/news/loki-bootloader-bypass-twrp-recovery-come-att-verizon-lg-g2/
Right now there is not really anything but Clean ROM available, which is the stock OS that has a bunch of the "bloated" and unnecessary LG and ATT system apps un-installed. It cleans things up a lot and gives you a much better experience. In the future hopefully we will see some AOSP based ROMs that have a lot of the good features like "knock on", and those ROMs will be best since they dont have any of the bloat that the LG ROM has, and the AOSP based stuff gets a lot better mods to them and offers far better customization and tweaking.

Thanks for the info! I did not know that a most ROMs come rooted. So basically, I would not need to root then install a ROM?
I have an AT&T G2 so I would be installing the Clean ROM posted in the developers section. I would love the opportunity to debloat the phone and it seems like this is the best option currently. Enigma, are you saying that the knock on and off feature does not work with this ROM?

Installing ROM
Hello everyone,
I have rooted and have TWRP with the verizon phone.
How do i move a ROM into a phone so i can install it?
I have already made a backup of the current phone with everyone and copied it to the computer.
Let me know,
Thank You

calirage2k said:
Hello everyone,
I have rooted and have TWRP with the verizon phone.
How do i move a ROM into a phone so i can install it?
I have already made a backup of the current phone with everyone and copied it to the computer.
Let me know,
Thank You
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Put your phone in USB debugging mode under developer tools...hook up the micro usb to your phone and move the zipped ROM to the root of your internal phone storage.

calirage2k said:
Hello everyone,
I have rooted and have TWRP with the verizon phone.
How do i move a ROM into a phone so i can install it?
I have already made a backup of the current phone with everyone and copied it to the computer.
Let me know,
Thank You
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Or enable wireless storage via the notification drop down, you can now approach your device via Wi-Fi lan and upload whatever (it makes your device into a network drive)
Sent from my LG-F320L using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

[HELP THREAD] Australian i9505 Users Region-Specific Help

Okay! I've been on this board for almost seven years, with phones ranging from a HTC TouchPro through to my current Samsung Galaxy S4 International GT-i9505. The ROM I'm on right now is (with thanks to AntaresOne) cm-12-20150315-OPTIMIZED-jflte, available from his thread, below...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4/i9505-orig-develop/rom-cyanogenmod-12-t2943934
Everything works well - it's fast, has great battery life, the images, screen, text, video all look great, the sound for a phone call is clear and loud, ringtones are loud, the Bluetooth works with my Fusion car stereo and I can play video from it to my Samsung LED TV via wi-fi.
The intention of this Helper Thread is to have somewhere just for Australian users with Galaxy i9505's or i9505T's (the Telstra model) ONLY. That way, the discussions and advice shared is much more 'region-specific'.
On that note, I'll share my experiences with how to get the best out of your phone. Firstly, may I just say please read through these instructions carefully before coming to me with questions. I have spent the best part of five years tinkering with an i9000, then a i9100T, now a i9505 International. Also, there's heaps more help and advice to be found here on XDA-Developers, sammobile and a number of other Android forums, so I've always found it best to research as much as possible to take the very best information that actually works. No question is too stupid, unless you ask one that's been answered a thousand times already, like...
What's the best ROM?, What's the best modem?, How do I root my phone?, and Will rooting void my warranty?
And so, we start afresh with a Galaxy i9505, also known as jfltexx. Back up all your photos and music to your PC, and you'll find any number of apps on Play Store to backup your text messages and call logs. Titanium Pro is the best. It does need root access, but fortunately there are a couple ('SMS Backup & Restore' is one) that you don't need root to use. Seeming though 99.99% of everything you can do to upgrade your phone is best off being done with a clean slate, trust me when I tell you - BACK YOUR STUFF UP AND FACTORY RESET THE DAMN THING!
The most important step - BACKUP YOUR DEVICE'S EFS FOLDER!!! This is a location where information pertaining to your device's IMEI number and Country Code etc. are stored, and this folder can sometimes be wiped when you flash a new ROM. From Lollipop onwards, the way that's done is a bit different, but again there's plenty of apps and methods out there that will do this backup for you. Thing is, most often you'll need to be rooted, so...
You'll find throughout XDA a number of device-specific threads and posts about how to gain root access on your device. The fastest and easiest way to perform this task is to go visit Chainfire...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2219803
The specific file you are looking for is called CF-Auto-Root-jflte-jfltexx-gti9505.zip. You use a nice little program called Odin - which just happens to be included in the package you've just grabbed - to 'flash' that into your phone. Yes yes yes, this voids your warranty and trips the Knox flag. Sadly, as much as you might find people who say that it can be reset, KNOX CANNOT BE CHANGED BACK ONCE IT'S 0x1!
Next, go and check out flatzki's thread at...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4/general/i9505xxuhoa7-odin-files-100-t3043983
He's just got his hands on the Android 5.0.1 Lollipop Stock ROM for the International Galaxy S4 LTE, jfltexx. Thank him while you're there, and grab the ZIP file I9505XXUHOA7_OXAHOA7.zip. Create a New folder on your Desktop, then (using WinRAR or 7ZIP) extract the contents of the ZIP you downloaded into that folder.
Once you've done that, you'll be looking for a way to get rid of the 'dreaded' Yellow Triangle. Go check out...
chainfire's TriangleAway Thread
and follow the instructions from the Master himself. Grab the TriangleAway-v3.26.apk from the link at the bottom of that post, and throw the man a Donation - the guy reigns supreme with these devices and deserves every bit of credit for the support he gives us all.
Next, go and find yourself a ROM. AOSP (Android Open Source Project) ones are the best. The origins of AOSP ROMs are Google's original Android source code, so you're getting the base code of the OS exactly as the Original Programmer intended. Samsung (and other OEM's) then get their grubby little hands on that code, then go to town making it control their hardware in the manner they want.
Now, there's two lists of Custom ROMs for the i9505 that are shared here on XDA:
For tweaked and altered versions of original stock AOSP ROMs, visit the Galaxy S4 i9505 Android Development section.
For custom ROMs that are pretty much 'outside the box', and built from scratch by individual developers or groups using Android source code, visit the Galaxy S 4 i9505 Original Android Development section.
No matter what you decide to 'flash' in, if you have questions about the ROM itself, how to flash it, or anything else about that particular release, ask them of the ROM Chef in the thread where you got it from. They're the ones who cooked it, so they've already gone through the trials and errors and successes of getting their ROM working on an i9505, making them the best guys and gals to ask if you have dramas with the ROM. 99.9% of the time the ROM Chef's thread will have in the first couple of posts Instructions on How To Flash, FAQ's, known issues, etc.
The advice I give everyone regardless of what device you have is, Back the damn thing up first - it's called a nandroid backup, Google it - and make sure you clean all traces of the old firmware out of your phone thoroughly. More often than not, the dramas people have when they get up and running on a newly flashed ROM (or, issues in restarting the device after a flash) can be directly attributed to remnants of the old ROM interfering with the new. This is especially so for flashing via Recovery. If you use Odin to flash a Stock firmware, it pretty much smashes its way over the top of whatever you've got installed, and gives you a fresh palate to work with.
Now, if you're having issues with carrier network connectivity, call quality, mobile internet etc., it could be either your network APN (Access Point Name) settings or your ROM's 'modem' package. APN settings are within the phone's Network setup menu. The best list of Australian carrier APN's I've found is at Ausdroid Forums. Modems are a sort of 'try them until you get one you're happy with' kind of thing, and if you're still in the dark, go and read Formhault's post about the subject at...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=50787570&postcount=2549
My advice when it comes to modems is, grab a couple of CWM-flashable modems and take at least two days of testing each until you get one that gives you enwhitenment.
Hope that gets your device running smikko, and if you're that stuck you need a bit of special attention, PM me. Lastly, make sure to click on the Thanks button if you got help from this tutorial...

I have questions about Samsung Galaxy J series, specifically the J3 Virgin Mobile

I have a few questions for anyone familiar with the Samsung Galaxy J series, specifically the J3. I have virgin mobile, and after a long time suffering with their HTC Desire 510, I want to upgrade, and not wanting to spend $400 on a galaxy S5 , the J3 seems the next best phone to get. However, as I've grown used to having a rooted phone and customizing my phone as much as I want, etc, I want to make sure my next phone can be rooted, and has support for custom ROM's, etc.
The main thing that could help me with my decision would be some guidance as to whether other versions, the J2, J5, J7, etc, that are present here would be potentially compatible with the J3, or if I'm out of luck and should consider other options if rooting is a necessity for me.
Any help is greatly appreciated!

Anyone?

I'm sure you can root it.
I'm using j5 and it took me like 15 minutes of reading and about an hour /including downloading and setting up all the things /for the root.
I just want to say that you would need to be prepared to wait until someone make a custom Rom for it.
GL

nov01 said:
I'm sure you can root it.
I'm using j5 and it took me like 15 minutes of reading and about an hour /including downloading and setting up all the things /for the root.
I just want to say that you would need to be prepared to wait until someone make a custom Rom for it.
GL
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats what I was thinking. I figure that rooting it (hopefully) is similar to the other J series. As long as its rooted, wouldn't I be able to (even w/o custom rom) debloat/customize/etc it with various root tools, apps2sd, etc? Or are those dependent on having a custom rom? On the only phone I've rooted so far (htc desire 510) I didn't really spend any time with stock rom when I rooted, instead immediately flashing Nonsense rom, so I'm not sure what limitations keeping stock rom comes with when rooted.
Thank you for the reply! It gives me a bit of hope at least.

I'm not really familiar with the device. As I said before I have a j5. According to the applications that you mentioned I think that it would be possible to get and install them. But rooting isn't quantum mechanics. There are some apps that you could easily install on almost any device and get the root privileges. For example kingroot I am sure you can find others. I usually root my devices trough pc.I recommend you to take some time before jumping on the first option that comes up as a possible solution.
According to changing the stock Rom. I don't known how developed is that treat so.. Again read here and there about it.
GL!
Let me know if I helped by hitting the thumb up

I dont think permanent root is going to be possible until a working twrp is made so that you can flash supersu. I know that sux, I wanted to get one for my wife because she broke the screen on her vm s3. But without root and the ability to get unlimited hotspot... nope. I asked a dev ( lrs121) if he would port twrp to it. He said he would try if I had the phone and could get him the necessary files from it. Look in the sprint s3 section under twrp for virgin and boost s3. He is a great dev.

Actually far as I can say there are 2 twrp options. you just have to read more

nov01 said:
Actually far as I can say there are 2 twrp options. you just have to read more
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Read where? Could you be a little more vague?
I am by no means a noob, and when I answer someone, I generally throw in a link.
But thanks for letting me know it exists.
Is it another phones twrp that works? Any hints at all?

madbat99 said:
Read where? Could you be a little more vague?
I am by no means a noob, and when I answer someone, I generally throw in a link.
But thanks for letting me know it exists.
Is it another phones twrp that works? Any hints at all?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry i was on the phone while traveling. I`ve mistaken that it was about the j5 ( like mine device) and for that especially i had tried 2 working options up to now for twrp. but i`m pretty sure you can find tutorials or you can even simply DL the twrp /for example/ 3 install it as an apk and than you if it stuck just would need to DL odin for your PC and than strictly follow the steps / install /unzip odin, connect device , go into DL mode and flash it with the stock ROM which you can find in sammobile /.com i guess/ ?
GL and hit thanks if i helped!

I have yet another variant the J320w8, canadian GSM variant presumably. Which recovery will work with this guy?? I've tried the j3lte TWRP with no luck booting it. Then J320H which was a fail. now i've to find firmware to recover from the hanging up on logo on boot...i welcome suggestions guys

ryn.ste said:
I have yet another variant the J320w8, canadian GSM variant presumably. Which recovery will work with this guy?? I've tried the j3lte TWRP with no luck booting it. Then J320H which was a fail. now i've to find firmware to recover from the hanging up on logo on boot...i welcome suggestions guys
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
still need firmware? http://rapidgator.net/file/916b933a305b3ba597862c145dca4cad confirmed working.
i need root tho, or an older firmware. any help is appreciated.

darknaio said:
I have a few questions for anyone familiar with the Samsung Galaxy J series, specifically the J3. I have virgin mobile, and after a long time suffering with their HTC Desire 510, I want to upgrade, and not wanting to spend $400 on a galaxy S5 , the J3 seems the next best phone to get. However, as I've grown used to having a rooted phone and customizing my phone as much as I want, etc, I want to make sure my next phone can be rooted, and has support for custom ROM's, etc.
The main thing that could help me with my decision would be some guidance as to whether other versions, the J2, J5, J7, etc, that are present here would be potentially compatible with the J3, or if I'm out of luck and should consider other options if rooting is a necessity for me.
Any help is greatly appreciated!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am working on a unofficial build of of lineage OS for this device. You can see it here. https://forum.xda-developers.com/general/general/lineage-os-samsung-galaxy-j3-t3553175

I have yet to find a simple guide on "How to load a custom ROM on your AT&T S7 Edge"

I have yet to find a simple guide on "How to load a custom ROM on your AT&T S7 Edge"
I've traveled all over the interwebs, including this website and many others but have not found a simple guide for noobs. I read about CWM, TWRP, Odin, rooting, zip files, tar files, nandroid, backup ROM, root with app, root via computer, blah, blah, blah, blah....
All I know is that before I do anything I want to backup the stock ROM but before that I'm thrown all kinds of different tools and processes that one could use. For the noob it should be as simple as:
Step 1: backup your stock ROM and to do this download/install this tool then follow these instructions.
Step 2: root your S7 Edge and to do this download/install this tool then follow these instructions.
Step 3: find a custom ROM you want to install and to do this go here, here or here for you model and download it to your PC.
Step 4: flash your custom ROM and to do this down/install this tool and follow these instructions.
Maybe I haven't done a good job of searching so shame on me but I don't feel like given the effort I've expended thus far has yielded a straight and easy answer when it probably should be. I seem to run across a lot of promising reads/threads about this only to find that there seems to be so much more knowledge and experience with the SM-935F and not so much with the SM-935A variant. On top of it, it would seem that I'm told that rooting will or will not break Samsung Pay and other apps/features or that the flag will or will not permanently trip that shows the device has been modified. Very confusing.
When I'm presented with a tar/zip download I'm not sure to where I'm supposed to be downloading. To my PC then used Odin s/w on the PC to install via USB cable to the handset?
Can someone please point me to the simple guide to get this going...or am I gonna have to write it myself? TIA.

BTW, I should note that I'm coming from a S3 on Virgin Mobile to a S7 Edge SM-G935A to be used on Cricket Wireless (AT&T). Since I'll be on Cricket and not directly a AT&T customer per se I'd like to get rid of all the bloatware that AT&T was so kind to load up on the handset. Right now it has Nougat 7.0 installed: samsung/hero2qlteuc/hero2qlteatt:7.0/NRD90M/G935AUCU4BQA6

I am not sure if you have a US version the S7 (Qualcomm G935A) or the S7 non US version. But if you have the US version, we are out of luck. Our bootloader is completely locked and all those steps you pointed out are not available.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk

freeop said:
I am not sure if you have a US version the S7 (Qualcomm G935A) or the S7 non US version. But if you have the US version, we are out of luck. Our bootloader is completely locked and all those steps you pointed out are not available.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So it seems that with all USA Qualcomm versions regardless of GSM carrier you have confirmed we pretty much cannot do much other than load some other versions of firmware such the U version ROM? From what I read HERE this is the Marshmallow 6.0 o/s. I currently have the stock Nougat 7.0 firmware from AT&T on my S7 Edge. Is there a debloated 7.0 version of the U ROM available?
UPDATE: Never mind...I came across THIS THREAD regarding an unbloated 7.0 U-version. I see you were active in that thread so now I need to read the entire thing before I have more questions and if so I'll ask them there. Thanks!

SyberTiger said:
So it seems that with all USA Qualcomm versions regardless of GSM carrier you have confirmed we pretty much cannot do much other than load some other versions of firmware such the U version ROM? From what I read HERE this is the Marshmallow 6.0 o/s. I currently have the stock Nougat 7.0 firmware from AT&T on my S7 Edge. Is there a debloated 7.0 version of the U ROM available?
UPDATE: Never mind...I came across THIS THREAD regarding an unbloated 7.0 U-version. I see you were active in that thread so now I need to read the entire thing before I have more questions and if so I'll ask them there. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you still want to root your phone, you can follow this link and will let you get rid of all the bloat and root your phone, install xposed and all the mods for xposed. I have used the ENG.IMG version of root for the G935A over 6 months ago and it works great, given the choices we have.
Here's the link: https://forum.xda-developers.com/tm...eres-how-rooted-nougat-s7-edge-g935t-t3567502
I know the thread is in the T-Mobile section but if you read the first line, it says it works for T-Mobile, ATT, Sprint, Verizon, etc. It is a very long thread but if you read mostly the later posts from @Craz Basics and you will be able to see that it works really nice.
Good luck

freeop said:
If you still want to root your phone, you can follow this link and will let you get rid of all the bloat and root your phone, install xposed and all the mods for xposed. I have used the ENG.IMG version of root for the G935A over 6 months ago and it works great, given the choices we have.
Here's the link: https://forum.xda-developers.com/tm...eres-how-rooted-nougat-s7-edge-g935t-t3567502
I know the thread is in the T-Mobile section but if you read the first line, it says it works for T-Mobile, ATT, Sprint, Verizon, etc. It is a very long thread but if you read mostly the later posts from @Craz Basics and you will be able to see that it works really nice.
Good luck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey thanks....but I have another question now that I'm given choices.
Which ROM is better, the U 7.0 ROM or the T-Mobile ROM you just linked? And, why is it better than the other?

SyberTiger said:
Hey thanks....but I have another question now that I'm given choices.
Which ROM is better, the U 7.0 ROM or the T-Mobile ROM you just linked? And, why is it better than the other?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok the U 7.0 ROM is still un-rooted and bootloader locked. If you go that way, you get the U ROM with-out all the Bloat. But nothing more.
And the link is not really for the T-Mobile phone only. The ENG.IMG is for all makes of the Qualcomm chip. You install that and you are still with ATT. Still have all the things ATT provides like WiFi-Calling and other ATT things. And you can get rid of the Bloatware from the ATT ROM using different apps, like Titanium Backup. With the ENG.IMG you can root your phone and use all the apps that are available for Rooted Phones. One of the best is Titanium Backup. You can only use that one Rooted phones. If you have the U 7.0 ROM, you will have to use the same ENG.IMG to Root the U 7.0 ROM to get that OS rooted. And as I mentioned before you can use Xposed with the rooted phone.
If you are just looking to get rid of Bloatware on the ATT, there is an app for that also. Check out BK Disabler in the playstore. You can get rid of all the bloatware without rooting your phone.
Anyway, hope this make some kind of sense...

freeop said:
Ok the U 7.0 ROM is still un-rooted and bootloader locked. If you go that way, you get the U ROM with-out all the Bloat. But nothing more.
And the link is not really for the T-Mobile phone only. The ENG.IMG is for all makes of the Qualcomm chip. You install that and you are still with ATT. Still have all the things ATT provides like WiFi-Calling and other ATT things. And you can get rid of the Bloatware from the ATT ROM using different apps, like Titanium Backup. With the ENG.IMG you can root your phone and use all the apps that are available for Rooted Phones. One of the best is Titanium Backup. You can only use that one Rooted phones. If you have the U 7.0 ROM, you will have to use the same ENG.IMG to Root the U 7.0 ROM to get that OS rooted. And as I mentioned before you can use Xposed with the rooted phone.
If you are just looking to get rid of Bloatware on the ATT, there is an app for that also. Check out BK Disabler in the playstore. You can get rid of all the bloatware without rooting your phone.
Anyway, hope this make some kind of sense...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, appreciate it.
I'm really not planning on spending a lot of time making changes or tweaking the handset. I'm on Cricket Wireless therefore I don't see any value in the AT&T bloatware which is why I wanted it removed. My interest is primarily having the latest/greatest android version I can have without all the stuff junking it up. I'd like it to be as fast as is reasonably possibly but at the same time have reasonably good battery life. I'm coming from a Galaxy S3 on Virgin Mobile so the change to the S7E is a huge upgrade. I haven't figured out yet if there are any apps (that require rooting) that are so slick I can't live without them.
I installed the U 7.0 and as I recall I got about 5 or 6 OTA updates which in encouraging. I think the AT&T ROM never received any of the 3 or 4 most current security updates. Anyhow, U 7.0 is up and running with no AT&T bloatware.

SyberTiger said:
Thanks, appreciate it.
I'm really not planning on spending a lot of time making changes or tweaking the handset. I'm on Cricket Wireless therefore I don't see any value in the AT&T bloatware which is why I wanted it removed. My interest is primarily having the latest/greatest android version I can have without all the stuff junking it up. I'd like it to be as fast as is reasonably possibly but at the same time have reasonably good battery life. I'm coming from a Galaxy S3 on Virgin Mobile so the change to the S7E is a huge upgrade. I haven't figured out yet if there are any apps (that require rooting) that are so slick I can't live without them.
I installed the U 7.0 and as I recall I got about 5 or 6 OTA updates which in encouraging. I think the AT&T ROM never received any of the 3 or 4 most current security updates. Anyhow, U 7.0 is up and running with no AT&T bloatware.
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Click to collapse
AT&T's software updater only works if you have an AT&T SIM card. This is why the first thing you should do if you buy an AT&T (or other carrier) device that you don't plan to use on that network is to convert it to the unlocked version. That, and AT&T (in particular) loads the crap out of their devices with bloatware to the point that switching to U feels like an early upgrade to the next generation device.

jshamlet said:
AT&T's software updater only works if you have an AT&T SIM card. This is why the first thing you should do if you buy an AT&T (or other carrier) device that you don't plan to use on that network is to convert it to the unlocked version. That, and AT&T (in particular) loads the crap out of their devices with bloatware to the point that switching to U feels like an early upgrade to the next generation device.
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Yeah, I have a Cricket SIM which explains why this unlocked handset is stuck on 7.0 G935AUCU4BQA6 which is the February 1, 2017 update. Interestingly enough, the Network Signal Info app shows the SIM Operator as AT&T and Network Operator as Cricket/AT&T.
Going to the U got rid of all the bloatware and the handset immediately started receiving 5 or 6 OTA updates. I'll probably stick with the U version unless it becomes apparent there's a significantly better ROM available that increases performance, battery life or really adds some whizbangs that make the S7E experience a lot better.

forgive me for butting in -- I have a SM-G935A (stock) on Cricket as well.
Updates to the ROM and while keeping Samsung Pay are important to me.
In the past, I have d/led ATT updates and installed them using Odin, but that wipes my phone's apps/settings each time. Recently, I purchased an ATT sim & put the minimum $$$ on it with the intention of popping it in for OTA's. I've received BQK2, Nov 1 2017. It's a crappy work around, but the easiest I know of without having to rebuild my phone each Odin'ed update.
Would installing U or TMO firmware on the 935A remove the ability to use Samsung Pay? Would either of them be updated for frequently/easier than the 935A?

The U firmware supports Samsung pay and gets updates directly. The only downsides are no carrier features like wifi calling, etc., and if gets updates later than the carrier versions. I have run it on AT&T since I got the phone and it has worked fine.

jshamlet said:
The U firmware supports Samsung pay and gets updates directly. The only downsides are no carrier features like wifi calling, etc., and if gets updates later than the carrier versions. I have run it on AT&T since I got the phone and it has worked fine.
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Thanks, jshamlet.
This is my first phone I haven't rooted & I feel a bit powerless without Xposed and Titanium Backup. I find myself using Samsung Pay so often, that I don't want to lose it & was concerned that installing the U (or TMO) firmware on the ATT version would trip Knox, too.

William Thornton said:
forgive me for butting in -- I have a SM-G935A (stock) on Cricket as well.
Updates to the ROM and while keeping Samsung Pay are important to me.
In the past, I have d/led ATT updates and installed them using Odin, but that wipes my phone's apps/settings each time. Recently, I purchased an ATT sim & put the minimum $$$ on it with the intention of popping it in for OTA's. I've received BQK2, Nov 1 2017. It's a crappy work around, but the easiest I know of without having to rebuild my phone each Odin'ed update.
Would installing U or TMO firmware on the 935A remove the ability to use Samsung Pay? Would either of them be updated for frequently/easier than the 935A?
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Hmm, doesn't Samsung Smart Switch back up everything?

SyberTiger said:
Hmm, doesn't Samsung Smart Switch back up everything?
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I've never gotten it working 100%.

William Thornton said:
I've never gotten it working 100%.
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I'd be talking about the PC version not the phone-to-phone setup. Back up to PC then from PC to your phone. Worked great for me.

SyberTiger said:
Hmm, doesn't Samsung Smart Switch back up everything?
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Um, no. No it doesn't. Helium (or if you are feeling oldster, ADB) does a vastly better job of backing up apps than Smart Switch. Smart Switch does a reasonably good job of putting your phone's settings back, but it doesn't appear to back up most app data.
I learned this the hard way.
---------- Post added at 01:51 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:47 AM ----------
William Thornton said:
Thanks, jshamlet.
This is my first phone I haven't rooted & I feel a bit powerless without Xposed and Titanium Backup. I find myself using Samsung Pay so often, that I don't want to lose it & was concerned that installing the U (or TMO) firmware on the ATT version would trip Knox, too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Samsung Pay, with the MST technology, is one of those weirdly underrated features that continually amaze people. It works nearly anywhere you can physically see the mag stripe reader, which instantly makes it vastly more useful than either Apple Pay or Android Pay. I have had more than a few people say "We don't take Apple Pay", and then drop their jaw when the transaction goes through.
The fact that Samsung doesn't make a bigger deal about it is strange, because it really is one of those technologies that sets them apart from the other two.

Verizon Galaxy S7 Edge: Removing bloatware after 1-Clk-Root

Just picked up a carrier unlocked Verizon Galaxy S7 Edge model SM-G935V.
Now that I finally have a model which seems like it should be relatively easy to root, I would prefer to learn to do it using a PC ie flashing ROM, but I have no PC*access*right now.
My main question is:
After rooting my phone using a 1-click root method, will it be relatively easy for me to un-install ALL bloatware & eventually end up with a phone that's running just as efficiently as it would if I had picked out and flashed a good stripped down ROM using a PC instead of some 1-click method?
I'm also considering purchase and use of Super-sume Pro (if the job is done with Kingroot).
Any advice AT ALL regarding what I hope to do would be greatly appreciated... and jic it helps here s a little of my background:
I have NO successful experiences using TWRP or the like w other phones.. although I believe I came close!!... my last few phone picks turned out to be models which were pretty much impossible to root (locked bootloader was the common culprit best I could understand).... Otherwise I think I'd have been able to do at least 1 previous model the flash-rom way.
I DO have A lot of general experience w PCs and have successfully rooted a few phones using 1 click Android software such as Kingroot, but at that time I did not fully understand or hope to remove bloatware to cool battery or otherwise dial in best performance.
It's been at least 3 years since I last performed a 1 click root on any phone.
Thanks in advance for any advice or assistance... I really appreciate everyone & everything at XDA.

Best advice, get/borrow a laptop and follow the instructions in this thread https://forum.xda-developers.com/verizon-s7-edge/how-to/root-s7-s7edge-oreo-nougat-t3819616 to see about rooting your S7e. All those "1-click" options never worked for me. With the method in the above link, I can root my S7e in under 15min.
1) First and foremost, what is the current software version your S7e is running? example= G935VVRS4CRI1. IF the 5th digit from the RIGHT is the letter "B" stop! You can't root. If it is the letter "A," or a number, you are good to go.
2) even with root, there is no flashing of ANY custom ROM's. Yes, you can debloat and make some changes, but with the godd**mn locked bootloader the options are limited. Rooting does not unlock the bootloader, therefore there is no TWRP, Magisk, etc.
Others with experience regarding those 1-click methods may chime in with their advice/experience. But none of those instant methods ever worked for me.
Good luck.

SkylineDriver said:
Best advice, get/borrow a laptop and follow the instructions in this thread https://forum.xda-developers.com/verizon-s7-edge/how-to/root-s7-s7edge-oreo-nougat-t3819616 to see about rooting your S7e. All those "1-click" options never worked for me. With the method in the above link, I can root my S7e in under 15min.
1) First and foremost, what is the current software version your S7e is running? example= G935VVRS4CRI1. IF the 5th digit from the RIGHT is the letter "B" stop! You can't root. If it is the letter "A," or a number, you are good to go.
2) even with root, there is no flashing of ANY custom ROM's. Yes, you can debloat and make some changes, but with the godd**mn locked bootloader the options are limited. Rooting does not unlock the bootloader, therefore there is no TWRP, Magisk, etc.
Others with experience regarding those 1-click methods may chime in with their advice/experience. But none of those instant methods ever worked for me.
Good luck.
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Click to collapse
Skyline,
Thank you for taking the time. Much appreciated. Luckily I already found out about the software version issue and I'm looking at the number 4, so that potential roadblock isn't one
Let me try to understand exactly what you said towards the end of your reply, though.
Are you saying that even if I use a PC and avoid any 1 click method that I will not have any option to flash a custom ROM? I could have sworn I saw a thread a few nights ago somewhere here at XDA which required use of a PC, specifically for my phone model and it described the altered OS or ROM as being as simplified as it gets, devoid of all Verizon bloatware. Maybe I am referring to it in correctly when I say custom ROM, I'll look for said post to see what I may be remembering incorrectly.
I have personally had great experience w 1-click methods in the past, @ least 4 different phones (older Samsung, LG).. but I have NEVER tried 1-click w a phone thats truly important... as in important enough to seriously worry about stolen IMEI, keylogger or other malware, etc..
I want a perfectly clean, safe "out of the gates" root on this phone, so I'm willing to wait to make sure it's done the proper/best way on my FIRST attempt.
Looks like the thread is already talking me out of using 1-click (might have known deep down that needed to happen lol).
Anyway thanks again for your advice.
When I finally do get to rooting it, I'll post the details and overall experience info here.

Whatever you do, DO NOT UPDATE to the latest software version.
With root, you can debloat all you want. I have next to nothing running on my phone (goodbye Google "services"). You just can not flash any custom (non-official Samsung) ROM's such as LineageOS, Calvioppe, etc... thanks to that damn locked Crapdragon. Much as I love my S7e, when it dies, it will be my last Samsung for that reason alone.
If you follow the steps outlined in the above linked thread, you should be able to root 1-2-3. I have been rooted since it became available and have had zero issues. It will require a PC/ laptop but it is reliable and verified working.
Good luck with your project.

Canthigaster said:
Skyline,
Thank you for taking the time. Much appreciated. Luckily I already found out about the software version issue and I'm looking at the number 4, so that potential roadblock isn't one
Let me try to understand exactly what you said towards the end of your reply, though.
Are you saying that even if I use a PC and avoid any 1 click method that I will not have any option to flash a custom ROM? I could have sworn I saw a thread a few nights ago somewhere here at XDA which required use of a PC, specifically for my phone model and it described the altered OS or ROM as being as simplified as it gets, devoid of all Verizon bloatware. Maybe I am referring to it in correctly when I say custom ROM, I'll look for said post to see what I may be remembering incorrectly.
I have personally had great experience w 1-click methods in the past, @ least 4 different phones (older Samsung, LG).. but I have NEVER tried 1-click w a phone thats truly important... as in important enough to seriously worry about stolen IMEI, keylogger or other malware, etc..
I want a perfectly clean, safe "out of the gates" root on this phone, so I'm willing to wait to make sure it's done the proper/best way on my FIRST attempt.
Looks like the thread is already talking me out of using 1-click (might have known deep down that needed to happen lol).
Anyway thanks again for your advice.
When I finally do get to rooting it, I'll post the details and overall experience info here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
SkylineDriver said:
Whatever you do, DO NOT UPDATE to the latest software version.
With root, you can debloat all you want. I have next to nothing running on my phone (goodbye Google "services"). You just can not flash any custom (non-official Samsung) ROM's such as LineageOS, Calvioppe, etc... thanks to that damn locked Crapdragon. Much as I love my S7e, when it dies, it will be my last Samsung for that reason alone.
If you follow the steps outlined in the above linked thread, you should be able to root 1-2-3. I have been rooted since it became available and have had zero issues. It will require a PC/ laptop but it is reliable and verified working.
Good luck with your project.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks again for the warning about no updating... I am WELL aware of this, my friend.
Take a look at this thread... it really looks to me as if this person is talking about flashing a ROM on the S7 Edge, no?
https://forum.xda-developers.com/s7...a-evolution-x-samsung-galaxy-s7-edge-t4058837
That's only 1 of at least 2 or 3 similar threads that I've been having a look at lately...

If you look closely, that is for the Exynos version of the S7e. Verizon uses the Snapdragon (ie. Crapdragon) processor which has a locked bootloader for US models.

Ok I get it completely... one last teeny tiny bit of hope- I purchased mine Unlocked by manufacturer. Could that possibly extend beyond carrier unlock and (maybe maybe please just possibly) mean my bootloader is unlocked?
Went out of my way to make sure it was unlocked by MANUFACTURER, not SELLER for obvious reasons. Had no knowledge about chipset... dammit there's always something to miss no matter how much prep one tries to do!

Unlocked just means that the phone is able to be activated on any carrier ie. not specifically locked to only Verizon.
Only the Exynos and Chinese Snapdragon can be bootloader unlocked. As mentioned, I love my S7e, and will use it until it dies, but I seriously doubt I will get another Snapdragon Samsung that is locked down tighter than Ft. Knox.
Good luck...