XDA Developers is a great place for people who want to put their phone to the max a.k.a HACKING!
I'm pretty sure a lot of people have hacked their phone before; rooting, download scripts, kernels, roms etc. So the purpose of this thread made is to share your hacking experience; how you started it, how did it go, what was the first thing you hacked inside your phone, did it work,did you screw up your phone etc. You should also state why you hacked and was it worth the hack. Also, another purpose of this thread is to encourage people to not be scared of hacking and try hacking their phones. (although is really up to you!)
So I shall start mine, right now!
So, after getting good results in my exam, my parents gifted me a Samsung Galaxy S Plus I9001 last year. It was one of the best smartphones I ever had(only had one....). So, the place where I bought the phone, the salesman said the phone had 1+3 years warranty. So, at that point I said to myself; I'm not going to modify,hack or install unnecessary stuff in my phone (to preserve my warranty).
Boy, was I WRONG! After I had 6 months with the phone, had a lot of apps installed and my phone began to slow down. I deleted apps by apps and still my phone was super slow. I realised, 4 years is too damn long to preserve. So, the first hack I did was rooting my phone. The reason I did that because there's this app called Screencast required me to root the phone in order to use my phone.
Of course, I was scared to hack my phone. So, I did a thorough research and go on with rooting. With enough balls and courage, I tried it. After following all the correct procedure. So, all goes down to my phone. Will it reboot or not? That's the question. So, I waited. And wait. And wait. THEN SUDDENLY, BAM! PHONE WORKS! I was so happy, there are a lot of apps that required root.
A few months later, I was a bit daring and tried to install a ROM this time (cause my friend using ICS on his S2, felt totally jealous . Also GB sucks, no offense). Opened Galaxy S Plus I9001 Android Dev page. BAM! Roms, and roms and a hell load of roms! I tried the most safest ICS ROM, Acro86's ICS CM9 ROM. Again, was scared to tried, but then again my warranty is a done deal. So I went for it. BOY IT WAS FREAKING WORTH IT. Didn't really know my phone could run ICS/JB. Phone really smooth, lots of apps I used before now is smooth. It was really worth the shot.
Long story short, You SHOULD try hacking, because you can get all the awesome stuff in your phone. I say you should try hacking because it is a load of fun!
Now, I'm currently using hypnos17's BioHazard V5 with TWRP recovery. Really nice and smooth.
So, now. What is your first hacking experience? Please share it to everyone! This thread may help a lot of people people out there! :victory: :fingers-crossed:
Acro86 CM9 ROM: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1650615
Hypnos17 Biohazard ROM: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1917906
TWRP Recovery: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1694617
Credits to the guys who made these roms! :highfive:
Nice story! Mine-
When I first got the SGS it was already a bit old, the SIII was already on the market. I heard about people upgrading their Android to something better than what the cellular company gives you, and I knew I wanted to do it. I knew nothing about it, so I went to my brother in law who also has an SGS.
He rooted my phone and installed the latest nightly version of CM9 at the time. After a while my friend also learned how to do it, so I tried CM10, CM9 again (a stable version), switched to Slim Bean, etc. One time my phone didn't boot after a flash and I thought it died, but in the end I managed to get back into CWM.
I don't think I'm going to try anymore roms (just update my Slim), because it's way too much work every time and I don't have the energy for that... So unless I find what I'm looking for in a rom (a good and fast rom, that looks like Samsung's, and one that syncs the Facebook friends with the contacts without having to use a third-party app)., I'm not going to change it again.
As the title suggests, I have just turned into an Andriod user...i.e.: this is my first ever andriod device. If it was not for Nexus 4's cutting-edge hardware+software combined with its PRICING (the major part), I wouldnt have bought an andriod phone.
Just want to know who else is on the same boat. There are a lot of questions running in my mind.. rooting.. kernel.. ROMs.. what not! May be by the passage of time I will learn all this and enjoy the journey of Andriod-world.
Welcome. You couldn't have picked a better android device to start off with.
If you have any questions regarding rooting or anything android in general feel free to PM me.
Good luck!
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
@ mackster248.
Thank you mate. I am obliged. Will surely contact if I plan on rooting.
Feel free to contact me as well if you need to! Also don't be afraid to ask questions, just be sure to use the search function
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
Tip is since you're new. Don't use the toolkit, spend the time and learn about it to manually unlock the bootloader if you decide on flashing anything (custom rom, kernel, root). It's very simple to do and will help you in the long run. Check the forum sticky threads and there are tutorials on how to approach this.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
the previous one, galaxy nexus, was my first one. i couldn't see myself using gingerbread before, it was too ugly. when they got matias duarte and it started to look like something i made the jump and never looked back. i'd say use your nexus for a while. you can always root it easily, that wont be a problem, but why not enjoying stock android while its new and fresh for you. i mean, im all for rooting it but honestly, the time when a new android comes out and we don't have sources yet but we can't wait so we jump to I/O leaks or factory images, that is always the nicest.
although, yeah, i forgot about nex4's washed out colors........... maybe it makes sense to root it right away for that purpose since its gonna look ten times better when its calibrated.
Welcome!
As zephiK said, try doing it all manually. Don't just find the automation scripts and use them. I started with the HTC Dream/G1, haven't looked back since. I must say android has changed a lot since the early days, but one thing has stayed the same, the knowledge I gained from having to do it manually from the get go, can roughly be applied to any android device. It largely helps you gain a better understanding of how the device works and what methods can be used to manipulate the software to do what you need, and want.
Oh yeah! How could I forget. Unlock your bootloader manually DAY ONE, even if you don't decide to root.
Why? When you unlock your bootloader, it will wipe your phone's internals and data. So you might as well do it right away so if u do decide to tinker with your phone, you can always back up everything and make your transition very easy to do.
Hey there,
I got my Nexus just before Christmas and
I'm pretty happy with it! that's my first android device. Previously I've had an iPhone 4. For me screen might be even bigger but it's pretty much OK
I decided to try root a week ago and flashed AOKP three days ago. It is all fantastic! Compared with my nexus iPhone is like a piece of ****^^
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
I too am a first time Android User and a proud owner of the Nexus 4.
It was quite a transition from Symbian to Android. Well, not really.
Now to figure out why I rooted my device last night.
My first android was the one and only T-Mobile G1 (HTC Dream). Loved it to death. But I lost it while on trip to California in 2009. I was pissed about it for almost a year :crying:
Currently have the HTC Vision (G2). Wanting to get my hands on a N4 badly. I almost want to pull the trigger and buy an overpriced one on Amazon or eBay. I'm checking the Play Store everyday for it. Let's see if I can hold out.
BTW, just got a N7 yesterday. Rooted it the moment I got it.
Android can do so much even on stock devices... I'd suggest trying it all out for a month or so before flashing kernels, etc. Just because there is so much to customize and try (and break... a bit) even without rooting.
Well nexus4 is my first Android phone i bought myself, i have used before android. But owned only Nokia. After 2 weeks I am very happy and i think i won't regret chosing this over L920
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
me too!
hi all,
the nex4 has also pulled me from the grasp of Apple. Only had mine for about 3 hours so still learning it all, and its great!
Root Process
I am new to android and need to know the step by step process of root. Like unlocking boot loader is the first step, second step ?? and so on.. Please give the step by step flow from scratch.
Nexus 4 is also my first Android device, got it last 16th of December. The best Christmas gift I had for myself after awhile. Since then, I'm lovin it!
Sandeep_AV said:
I am new to android and need to know the step by step process of root. Like unlocking boot loader is the first step, second step ?? and so on.. Please give the step by step flow from scratch.
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Click to collapse
You want this which has links to loads of info: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2010338
And this looks like it will be helpful for getting help from people: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=2031989&postcount=45
I think it's really worth looking at all the different Nexus 4 subforums and reading the main threads, pretty much everything is covered. And if you don't understand something, if you post in the correct thread people will help you out with what you need.
Nexus 4 is my first android, coming after 4+ years of iPhone. I am blown away so far! And this forum is an amazing resource too :good:
I am flabbergasted to see the amount of people who have started their Andriod journey with N4.
joshnichols189 said:
Feel free to contact me as well if you need to! Also don't be afraid to ask questions, just be sure to use the search function
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
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Click to collapse
Thank you all who r willing to help. And TBO, I loved the way how nicely you expressed your gesture of helping. Rarely we get to see that on XDA.
I do not plan to root the device as honestly I dont know the ABC of rooting ATM. So I will read read and read when i get time and if stuck somewhere, i will ask someone to help and then move on.
zephiK said:
Oh yeah! How could I forget. Unlock your bootloader manually DAY ONE, even if you don't decide to root.
Why? When you unlock your bootloader, it will wipe your phone's internals and data. So you might as well do it right away so if u do decide to tinker with your phone, you can always back up everything and make your transition very easy to do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Buddy, by wiping the phone's internals & data, you mean it will free up some more space for us to use.. right?
s2046 said:
You want this which has links to loads of info: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2010338
And this looks like it will be helpful for getting help from people: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=2031989&postcount=45
I think it's really worth looking at all the different Nexus 4 subforums and reading the main threads, pretty much everything is covered. And if you don't understand something, if you post in the correct thread people will help you out with what you need.
Nexus 4 is my first android, coming after 4+ years of iPhone. I am blown away so far! And this forum is an amazing resource too :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Was just checking these links.. Very very useful. Thanks.
im also a little surprised about how many nexus 4 owners are new to android. i mean all of us android veterans know that its the best android phone right now, most people just coming in to android opt for easier to come by androids like the one x or the gs3, mainly because they dont know what to look for. for those just getting into android, you made the right choice!
my advice to you from hundreds of times flashing, wiping, restoring, and resetting my phones on various roms: go crazy now. try all of the different customizations, launchers, browsers, and all that. remember what you like and what seems to slow the phone down, drain the battery, or save battery and speed it up. once you have figured all this out, wipe it and start fresh, maybe try a custom rom and kernel if you want. put back the stuff you like. after you get bored, do it again! at this point, ive pretty much realized the best thing for me is to just keep my phone as vanilla as possible, no 3rd party launchers, keyboards, dialers, etc, but ive tried them all! its just easier to set up that way, and ends up with a fast and seamless experience. everybodies different though, and thats the wonder of android
Hello XDA friends
Well I just FINALLY got my first Tablet so here I am, lol. Getting tired of trying to read on my Nexus S every morning and replying to PM's, it gives me a headache. So I sprang for a N7 32GB and I have a few questions before I take delivery.
1. OK, why are there TWO sections for Development? Seems strange, isn't there only one version of grouper so far?
2. Any stand out ROM's/Kernels to get started on, or recommended as a first try?
3. TWRP or CWM? I assume both are available, same as they are on my Nexus S?
I will start going through the threads and reading like mad, however if there is something in particular I need to start reading immediately, please by all means suggest away. I will appreciate it much.
By the way, I have been here since 2007 and this will be my 3rd Android device. The 1st was the Vibrant, then the NS, and now a N7. I can't wait... :good: I spent months deciding between the KFHD or the N7. In the end the N7 won me over.
Happy to be here and I hope I learn a lot and can help around here as much as possible. Thanks
Hello guys,
I just joined the NOTE 3 community, [SM-9005] model. I am really excited about the device it's such a beast.
Now I wanna root my phone and install an awesome custom ROM. I am very confused with 3 of the ROMS on here.
1.Crash ROM
2.Echoe ROM
3.X-Note ROM
They all sound sweet and highly customizable which is what I am looking for. I am looking for a ROM that makes my phone even more beast-mode
as well as increase my battery's lifetime and an overall performance upgrade.
Beast-Mode :- Even more powerful and can handle anything you can throw at it.
Note 1: If anyone could provide more information about rooting and installing a custom recovery that would be great because I am still too confused with the KNOX and all the weird stuff on this phone.
Note 2: Please don't ruin my fun by asking me to search for other posts. Had I found what I was looking for I wouldn't have wasted my time typing this.
Note 3: To that life saver that will give me the answer of my dreams. THANK YOU!
Ruining your fun. Such is life. Every single one of your questions can be found by searching. Everyone else manages it.
Why do i even bother, but, I said it before, and i say it again, i hate lazy noobs. Wtf, the Note 3 is now half a year old, there are millions of threads describing what you want. Google is your friend.
Sent from my N9005
Dejan Sathanas said:
Why do i even bother, but, I said it before, and i say it again, i hate lazy noobs. Wtf, the Note 3 is now half a year old, there are millions of threads describing what you want. Google is your friend.
Sent from my N9005
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Click to collapse
I feel just like the OP, I have spent a long time reading and googling by now, and it is still not clear to me how to go about rooting and flashing custom Roms, and this is having a lot of experience rooting and flashing Roms with Odin during the past 4, 5 years or more since I had the Galaxy S.
There are a lot of threads and posts, as usual, and an up2date summary is really needed in the Note 3 subforum.
This isn't about lazyness, I love modifying my devices and I am happy to spend a full weekend reading, googling and figuring it out, but with this device right now, especially with the Knox issue, it is going to take much more than 2 days to get this right and well some people do have real life to deal with, too.
1. You root you will trip Knox... Period...
2. CF-Autoroot is easiest - ODIN Flash. Make sure it is the latest and supports Kitkat
3. Install CWM or TWRP. I prefer CWM because that's what I'm used to. CWM 4.0.4.7 for Kitkat - ODIN Flash.
4. Copy rom file to sd card - external preferably, go to recovery and flash. It will take a little while to reboot for 1st boot bu shouldn't be more than around 10 minutes...
I like Androidnow, older rom but battery life is AWESOME... You can also flash the OTA updates for theming options to be included in settings....
MrWil said:
I feel just like the OP, I have spent a long time reading and googling by now, and it is still not clear to me how to go about rooting and flashing custom Roms, and this is having a lot of experience rooting and flashing Roms with Odin during the past 4, 5 years or more since I had the Galaxy S.
There are a lot of threads and posts, as usual, and an up2date summary is really needed in the Note 3 subforum.
This isn't about lazyness, I love modifying my devices and I am happy to spend a full weekend reading, googling and figuring it out, but with this device right now, especially with the Knox issue, it is going to take much more than 2 days to get this right and well some people do have real life to deal with, too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also feel like you guys, I've been googling my butt off (that sounds wrong) and I'm still confused about some things. I feel like this note 3 subforum needs more stickies which would cancel the need for noob questions from people like me.