Database Users

[Q] [Newbie Question] Details about rooting

Hello all, and please help me with some small details before rooting.
I have an LG G2 with stock KITKAT 4.4.2., baseband M8974A-1.0.190084,kernel 3.4.0., build D80220b, software D80220b-219-02.
My questions
- do I need to upgrade stock firmware to D802d or D802f before rooting, and if yes wich is more stable
- is a SIM card needed (as inserted in the phone) for rooting process
- do I need to unlock the phone before rooting since it is locked with my local carrier (TELE 2 HR)
- does a custom ROM automaticly eliminate OTA upgrade and so prevent from bricking, or it must be unchecked manualy
- when installing a custom ROM (probably Cludy G3) do I need to flash a new custom kernel or it doesent mater (probably Bruce if it is compatibile)
- how does one check for compatibility ROM - kernel, is it just simple as finding "stock ROM" - "stock kernel" in the title
- do I need to instal a new KK baseband before custom ROM since I am allready on KITKAT
- do I need to do any kind of factory reset and/or wipe before rooting or later instaling a custom ROM
Thank you very much in advance, I have been searching all over for this simple answers but couldnt find any,
Sorry if the questions are too noobish but I am afraid tostart anything before I find the answers

tomarin said:
Hello all, and please help me with some small details before rooting.
I have an LG G2 with stock KITKAT 4.4.2., baseband M8974A-1.0.190084,kernel 3.4.0., build D80220b, software D80220b-219-02.
My questions
- do I need to upgrade stock firmware to D802d or D802f before rooting, and if yes wich is more stable
- is a SIM card needed (as inserted in the phone) for rooting process
- do I need to unlock the phone before rooting since it is locked with my local carrier (TELE 2 HR)
- does a custom ROM automaticly eliminate OTA upgrade and so prevent from bricking, or it must be unchecked manualy
- when installing a custom ROM (probably Cludy G3) do I need to flash a new custom kernel or it doesent mater (probably Bruce if it is compatibile)
- how does one check for compatibility ROM - kernel, is it just simple as finding "stock ROM" - "stock kernel" in the title
- do I need to instal a new KK baseband before custom ROM since I am allready on KITKAT
- do I need to do any kind of factory reset and/or wipe before rooting or later instaling a custom ROM
Thank you very much in advance, I have been searching all over for this simple answers but couldnt find any,
Sorry if the questions are too noobish but I am afraid tostart anything before I find the answers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. You don't have to upgrade because you can use rooter that is compatible with your current firmware build, the differences between the firmware are only on their features, with less case of minor problem solved from previous build.
2. No, you don't need to put your SIM on.
3. Custom ROMs are meant to give you better performance of the current build, especially if it is Stock Based Custom ROM. Why you shouldn't update via OTA? because with several changes in the custom ROM, Official build will find it different from its official release, which would cause errors that could ended up with bootloop, even worse.. Hopefully, several developers also have their own OTA feature so people can easily get the update.
4. It doesn't matter since Custom ROMs sometimes come with their own suggested kernel that fit with the ROM. But you can also try other kernels if it suits you.
5. Yes, it is quite that simple, but also try to find out whether it is compatible or not with the ROM.
6. No, if you already on KitKat, you don't need to flash KK baseband.
7. Only when you are about to flashing new ROM..

Rei Zazie said:
1. You don't have to upgrade because you can use rooter that is compatible with your current firmware build, the differences between the firmware are only on their features, with less case of minor problem solved from previous build.
2. No, you don't need to put your SIM on.
3. Custom ROMs are meant to give you better performance of the current build, especially if it is Stock Based Custom ROM. Why you shouldn't update via OTA? because with several changes in the custom ROM, Official build will find it different from its official release, which would cause errors that could ended up with bootloop, even worse.. Hopefully, several developers also have their own OTA feature so people can easily get the update.
4. It doesn't matter since Custom ROMs sometimes come with their own suggested kernel that fit with the ROM. But you can also try other kernels if it suits you.
5. Yes, it is quite that simple, but also try to find out whether it is compatible or not with the ROM.
6. No, if you already on KitKat, you don't need to flash KK baseband.
7. Only when you are about to flashing new ROM..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you very much for your detailed answers !! :good::good:

S5 recovery 20$ min read all please. I'm desperate

- Intro
- Done and searched so far
- My Questions. (Jump to the end unless you think I haven't search prior )
- Bounty
INTRO
Hey guys. I'm french Canadian (please understand my bad written )
and thanks to the phone I choosed (s5 active g870w telus)
I'm becoming pretty much bilingual I've checked all over
around The Web and over this forum. And can't find an accurate
answer . I know I picked the wrong phone for rooting but
as a construction worker it was a good compromise.
DONE AND SEARCHED
My Samsung Galaxy s5 Active g870w from Telus
is still on 4.4.2 since there is no and there will not be
any update for a while.
I managed to used the g900w8 version of
Chain fire auto root method using Odin 3.09
to get roots.
I have also succès to flash Unity 2.0.1 rom.
So far I figured that my version can count as
the Canadian version of the s5 small g900w8. (I may be wrong)
I found a stock Firmware (that accualy make my
lies in russian ) Wich I used a lot lately due to all
my soft brick.
My goal is to be able to upgrade to a nice custom rom
on lollipop. I was hoping Fusion. And as for the recovery
TWRP would be my choice if it was possible.
Now I am stuck trying to install TWRP. I have followed
multiple guide. I have tried to install from TWRP manager
the version 2.8.6.0 klte. I have tried 3 times and after the app
installation I tried to reboot to recovery using Quick boot,
i always end up in Odin mode.
I then tried to install using Odin flashing the same version
Downloaded from TWRP.me site. Then it let me load into
my stock version. Then if I try to reboot in recovery
it still stock.
I even tried to use safestrap both version at&t and Verizon
and both soft bricked me.
I have read or scan about every thread and none talk about
S5 a g870w. Beside the att version Wich are locked.
QUESTIONS
My Questions and I really beg for answers even if
You have only 1 answer.
1- Is my phone g870w compatible g900w8?
2-is it compatible to any other versions?
3-when looking should I only look for Canadian version or I can also
use either g870 from at&t,Verizon or international. Or I look for
International g900. Since I guess my bootloader is unlocked .
4- Since only at&t and Verizon are supposed to be lock I guess
I can't use safestrap... so are TWRP and CWM the only options?
5- Can someone help me troubleshoot my installations. ?
6- After I install my recovery a a g870w on kitkat 4.4.2
Should I be able to flash lollipop base custom rom?
7- Is it possible that there is no option for me beside
Unity and stock rom.
BOUNTY
It might not be much but I offer a 20$ minimum bounty for who ever
take me outta this non ending bulls*"t.
Thanks guys. And please I swear I have search and read a lot
just Google my model number and you'll always end up on me
Searching and I seems to be the only one g870w talking about
recovery or custom rom. All I found is how to root...
Jon

1- Is my phone g870w compatible g900w8?
No, it is different flashing anything that isn't designed for your exact model number ( even the AT&T ones which are one letter different) won't work.
2-is it compatible to any other versions?
No, only firmwares for your exact phone will work without someone modifying something specific for you.
3-when looking should I only look for Canadian version or I can also
use either g870 from at&t,Verizon or international. Or I look for
International g900. Since I guess my bootloader is unlocked .
Flashing any other model number but your own risks bootloop/bricking as they although look similar can have different firmware partitions amongst other things.
4- Since only at&t and Verizon are supposed to be lock I guess
I can't use safestrap... so are TWRP and CWM the only options?
If someone can have a look at TWRP is possible that they can make a version work for you: ideally I would say with it being so difficult as so few have your model I would go to stock: root and use xposed, and leave the rest.
5- Can someone help me troubleshoot my installations. ?
Sure, happy to help but don't know how much can help when you are trying firmwares for different versions.
6- After I install my recovery a a g870w on kitkat 4.4.2
Should I be able to flash lollipop base custom rom?
Unless someone has made I've for your model type I doubt it.
7- Is it possible that there is no option for me beside
Unity and stock rom.
Yeah unfortunately this is quite likely.

thanks for taking the time.
Now I'll go private with you for personal things.
but before maybe few extra questions will help the very few others in
the same painful situation.
about compatibility you answered no.
What made me search so bad is that I've seen
other members(g870a) claiming they we're using
g900 roms I'll search for a link.
-Does it mean even tho its risky or
it means that American version have more luck ?
-am I still able to use a recovery like safestrap?
-can I hang myself?
- and if I'd like to have TWRP and a know custom rom
would it be a lot of works for Des.
Is it "askable" are some working for money?
I hate stuck to death I miss my note 3 like crazy. .. damn

Returning to mod after few years

Good evening to everyone,
I've been an Android user for the last 4 years (i started with the HTC Dream G1, the first ever made Android smartphone which had the version 1.1). The first time i approached the world of modding was for having really important features such as the sync of contacts with google account, and i also have fully modded my second device, an HTC One S, that i decided to change 2 days ago.
I purchased a Samsung Galaxy A5 and i'm going to mod it again since i don't like few things about the device.
Since i'm out of date with the current mod envirorment (the last time i did some kind of mod with my One S was over 1 year ago) i think i need a bit of refresh, so here are my questions:
1) Do i need to install some kind of special drivers, android developing tool, sdk, java things or anything special before using Odin or other rooting tools mentioned in the guides? I remember i lost an entire day the first time i rooted my devices since all the guides on the web didn't talk about installing this preliminary files.
2) I'm Italian, i live in Italy, i purchased my device in Italy too in a Vodafone store, but the CSC of my device does not appear to be Italian Vodafone, i can't rewrite it here at the moment but after a research on google i found out it was a German Vodafone CSC.
The firmware itself does not seem branded (no custom bootload animation, only the main app by vodafone which i like to have) and i'm going to change firmware anyway, but i still want to set a no-brand CSC.
When i changed the CSC of my HTC One S i remember it as a very complicated procedure, i had to extract a particular file from the smartphone using prompt's command, manually editing a text file and putting it back again with prompt.
I'd like to know if there's a different procedure for the Galaxy A5, i searched the web for a procedure but i have found none.
I saw a CSC option in Odin and i think this is probably the cleanest and fastest way, but i don't know a place where to find the various file for changing CSC.
3) Custom recovery: i had difficulties in finding custom recovery on the web too for this device, i saw a thread in this section fo the Galaxy A7. I suppose there's no custom recovery for the A5 at the moment, am i correct?
4) Any way to prevent Samsung Knox counter from increasing with root + flash of custom rom and eventually recovery? i read few guides but they seem to don't work anymore with recents updates.
Knowing if there's a way to reverse the counter in case of need it's ok too, but i've read that's much harder now than it was few years back, so i can suppose that maybe "Prevention is better than cure".
5) Are there any really really valid custom kernel / radio? I think i'm going to flash the CyanogenMod 12.1 but maybe there's some other flashable thing which is not included in this rom that can improve my devices.
6) after you've told me exactly what i can do know with my devices, could you please tell me the order for the various phases? I don't mean the very single steps, just if i have to change the CSC before or after than rooting or flashing the custom recovery before i have obtained the SU permissions ecc.
Thank you in advance for all your help, Italian forum are not very crowded in these days so i decided to write a thread in the best forum for this subject around the web!

Dharmost said:
Good evening to everyone,
3) Custom recovery: i had difficulties in finding custom recovery on the web too for this device, i saw a thread in this section fo the Galaxy A7. I suppose there's no custom recovery for the A5 at the moment, am i correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For recovery have a look here.
Dharmost said:
4) Any way to prevent Samsung Knox counter from increasing with root + flash of custom rom and eventually recovery? i read few guides but they seem to don't work anymore with recents updates.
Knowing if there's a way to reverse the counter in case of need it's ok too, but i've read that's much harder now than it was few years back, so i can suppose that maybe "Prevention is better than cure".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as i know that is not possible at the moment
Dharmost said:
5) Are there any really really valid custom kernel / radio? I think i'm going to flash the CyanogenMod 12.1 but maybe there's some other flashable thing which is not included in this rom that can improve my devices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here is a link for CM 12.1 for the A5 Sm-A500FU version
Good Luck
Jay

Thank you very much for the answers! I'm probably going to mod my device this evening, hope it will go smooth

Need Guidance...

Hey guys,
I'm going to install a custom ROM today to see if that maybe fixes my SensorHub not working. I just need guidance on the correct procedure. I have a SM-N900 model (N900XXUEBOL2) running Lollipop 5.0. Do I first need to root, or can I install a custom ROM straight from the stock recovery? It seems like there aren't may ROMS available for the SM-900 model, but I've found one that seems to have good battery life and performance: TR-ROM. This is the procedure I will follow:
1) Root phone with CF-Auto-Root-ha3g-ha3gxx-smn900.zip
2) Use ODIN to flash n900-cwm-recovery-6.0.5.0-kk_L5.0(0812).tar
3) Flash TR-ROM from CWM: TR-ROM XDA
Is this all correct? I just want to make sure that I don't brick my phone!
Also, how can I revert back to stock if I need to?
Thanks so much!!!

Guit4eva said:
Hey guys,
procedure. I have a SM-N900 model (N900XXUEBOL2) running Lollipop 5.0. can I install a custom ROM straight from the stock recovery?
NO
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

OK. ..so are the 3 steps I mentioned above correct?

http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-note-3/general/guide-root-note-3-sm-n900-5-0-install-t3069670

I'm trying to follow that guide, but the build number of N900 on the CF-Root site says:
LRX21V.N900XXUEBOA6
Whereas mine is:
N900XXUEBOL2
Will is still work? Also, it says a locked bootloader will probably brick your device. How do I check if mine is locked?
I've rooted and installed custom roms on many devices before - I'm not sure why rooting and installing custom rom on the Note 3 is so daunting...

Google?
Sent from my Note 3 running Purify CM13

Dejan Sathanas said:
Google?
Sent from my Note 3 running Purify CM13
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wouldn't be asking here if I hadn't already Google'd extensively.

But of course... The phone is brand new, so there's no info yet available. I understand...
Yes, do as you wrote in the first post. Should be ok, as those are the latest files.
Sent from my Note 3 running Purify CM13

I'm finding that there is actually TOO much information (too many variables). That's why I'm asking specifically about my version, as I can't seem to get my head around it - and rather than brick my phone, I'm merely seeking a bit of guidance from someone more experienced than me. In the past, when I was rooting previous phones, I received a lot of useful information and help from XDA - but it seems like now all I'm getting are sarcastic remarks and general unfriendliness. Why is that?

You have N900 its an exynos model not the qualcom .Not something that has a big following on here .
The links in your post point to zips , whats the point of me downloading a zip ??
CF autoroot you need to read the instructions regarding builds .
Locked boot loader no idea for that model .
CWM yes flash via Odin if its the correct one for your model .
Flash rom yes the rom will give you the method .

I'm scaring to brick my phone. So how to backup all things ?

Hello friends,
I would like to install custom rom on my phone Note 4 sm-n910C . I'm not an experienced person for it. But basicly I know that I need to root my phone 1st then install suitable version of TWRP on my phone. And then I can backup my stock rom and all things. Then install custom rom file.
But I scare to brick my phone doing this procedure. So I wonder, can i backup my phone's stock rom and other all things (kernel, firmware, modem etc...) without TWRP ? I mean , can do it with pc software ?
And if my phone become brick, thus, can i restore it completely via pc then ?
If i can do that, how ?
I'll be appreciate if you help me ?

Choose your Country and phone provider and download the stock ROM from Sammobile
If it's needed then use Odin to reload it. There's plenty of guides how to use it including those that explain how to root. I recently rooted one of my Note 4s, a N910C and apart from using a slightly older version of TWRP was pretty straightforward.
I used this guide and the downloaded the files from the links in it but there's other's available but be 100% sure you're following the guide for a N910C.
I'm not that knowledgeable about Rooting compared to many people on here although I've rooted all my Tablets and Phones but seem to recall you may need to use an older version of Odin to do so. The most difficult problem I had was getting the correct driver installed that would recognise all my devices and even that was just persistence. Just read everything a few times and double check you have the correct files before you start, it's pretty straightforward.
In all the above comments I'm assuming you're using the last version of the stock ROM that was released.

@Big Elf
Thank you very much for your reply and explanation. I looked at your shared pages. And I'd like to start it.
But I have some quesitons to not make a mistake. If you guide me, I will be appreciate.
But before that let me share my phone feautres screen shots. You may see all detailed information.
SCREENSHOTS
I can't share links due to xda rules bcos I need to reach 10 post. So pls complete http section if it need for below scrshoot links.
1- drive.google.com/open?id=0B6aBME5e-tzcYk1zY0dqeTZaMVk4eEdWbjN4SWVPSEU3cXFr
2- drive.google.com/open?id=0B6aBME5e-tzccHF6UFpCT29JT1ozRUFoMUtmWmZ0V0J3c19z
3- drive.google.com/open?id=0B6aBME5e-tzcajVnMGkyMTRJdmo3OTNPc29SQXlEbkY0R3N3
And My Questions
1- First of all ty for rooting page. According to explanation i'm going to root my phone. But I wonder that android version is matter or not. My phone version is 6.0.1 as you see. Is it okay, its suitable for my phone, right ?
2- As far as I read on internet, There are all TWRP versions are different for all diffrent smartphones. According to above scrshoot informations, which is the suitable, stable and latest version for my phone ? And Where can i find it from ? Or if its possible could you forward me exact page and/or link please ?
Because my scared major thing is that. Wrong type of TWRP. And so brick my phone. Btw, let me ask, wrong version lead to brick phone, right ?
If I install the true type (version anyway) of TWRP then I will be relax. Because after that, process will be very easy for me. I experienced from Huawei's first phone "IDEOS X5" . I have installed TWRP and custom roms on it , on years 2012-2013. I only scare to make mistake via perform it on note 4 & brick it.
Thank you so much again.

You've made your first mistake . I explained you need to read everything carefully and double check you have the correct files before starting so that you're reasonably confident that you know what you're doing.
The link I posted explaining how to root also has the link to the version of TWRP and Odin needed to install and Root it but you didn't read it properly.
You're running the same version of the ROM I have on my N910C albeit a different country (which won't make a difference).
If you install the Official TWRP App from Team Win you can update TWRP after rooting. I'd also suggest installing the SuperSu (Pro) App from Codingcode which will update itself after rooting. I also use Root Checker (Pro) from joeykrim to check that root has worked and SuperSu has installed correctly. All those apps are available in the Play Store. I pay for the Pro versions as I appreciate the work that's gone into them and as a thank you to the developers.
You don't have to root it so don't feel that you have to do so.
Although all my phones are rooted my Note 4s (N910Fs and a N910C) still run the stock ROM and the main reasons I did so was to run Adaway and also to debloat neither of which are essential. I also wanted to know how to do it.
Installing another non-Samsung ROM has 4 main disadvantages:
You lose the fine control over the OLED screen including the boost mode in bright sunlight
You lose some of the functionality of the s-pen
You lose a lot of quality from the camera that you won't get back with any ROM.
Most of the ROMs have some faults other than those just mentioned but are usually but not always minor.