Database Users

New Nexus Player-user! What will I gain by rooting and installing CyanogenMod 12.1?

Hi!
I'm a new Nexus Player-user!
I just picked up mine from the store and have a few questions before I dive into it all.
Mainly, what will I gain by rooting and installing CyanogenMod 12.1 on my Nexus Player? And maybe more importantly, will I lose any functionalities?
Is it OK to update the original firmware (if there is one) before I root and install CM12.1?
And last, is there anything else I should know or think about?
Any answers are helpfull!
Thanks in advance!

Over 60 have read, and no reply? :crying:
I'm just sitting and looking at this thing, itching to give it a try, but I don't dare until someone can answer my questions... Sorry for being such a stupid noob. I'm just scared to screw something up.

I just got mine as well. But i have a several year history of tinkering with android. As efrant taught me long ago with my gnex, read and understand first, tinker later. If you know exactly what you are doing and how youll recover in the event of failure, then you are set. If you just use toolkits and run into issues, most more experienced users will not have the patience to help the impatient. So... Have you booted it up and used the stock software yet? How do you like it? Anytime you change firmware you are gaining and losing. It can change the whole experience. Since you just got it though, one suggestion is to fastboot unlock it now, so you're not concerned with backups and losing data later. There is a guide around here.. Cyanogenmod has been around a while and its definitely worth trying their software. They likely have root in their firmware and you do not need to install it separately. Also, there is no real reason to update your rom if you are just going to swap it with cyanogen anyway.. I primarily use root for elevated privileges and tinkering. Until you know you need it, you can hold back. So onto my experience: I just hooked up my nexus player the other day and found it unbearable. Basic setup and it was unbelievably slow. The reason seemed to be the attempt to update its software in the background. So last night i did it manually, and boy what a difference it made. But it still is a bit of a letdown. My initial goal with it is to get xbmc back up and running for streaming. I have not fully investigated it yet, but i suggest you also look into it as another aftermarket option. See tvaddons.org; you are looking at kodi or tvmc.

I do have the Nexus Player rooted and a custom ROM. So far a bit better use of side loading applications and cloud applications. I like the flexibility.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Free mobile app

Thanks for your reply guys!
I've unlocked bootloader and rooted my NP, but nothing more than that.
I do like the stock rom quite a bit, especially the GUI, but I feel VERY LIMITED with such little storage space.
It's very off-putting that the voice search feature does not work with CM-12.1 yet, since I like it a lot, but not having the possibility of expanding my storage space with a usb stick with the stock rom is a BIG let down.
So it really comes down to what I value the most...
Is CM-12.1 the only custom rom that has a GUI that's very similar to the one on the stock rom?
Is voice search broken on all custom roms out there?
I am more of a iOS-guy, and this is really the first time dipping my toes into tinkering with Android.

give the dev preview of android m a shot. natively you can browse now additional memory. definitely better if you like the leanback experience. all other custom roms are giving more a complete android experience. as said, try the dev preview m. it surprised me a lot. of course there are some bugs in there but it let us hope to come more...

Much like the rest of other guys say. A custom ROM will give you a more "full Android OS" experience. I upgrade to 6.0 (M Preview) and must say the experience is great. I was able to use an OTG cable with multiple outlets to connect a USB keyboard/mouse combo and a 32GB flash drive I had laying around. The experience is great and works wonderfully.

Can this device run full Android apps with the stock firmware or is it limited to TV apps?

Codename_Falcon said:
Can this device run full Android apps with the stock firmware or is it limited to TV apps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Of course it can. You need to sideload them and use a mouse to have good control within them though.

dannyboyswe said:
Is CM-12.1 the only custom rom that has a GUI that's very similar to the one on the stock rom?
Is voice search broken on all custom roms out there?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know this is a little bit late and time has passed but the launcher for CM12.1 depends on what you select, and if you install GAPPs for android TV.
All custom ROMs built from the AOSP base have a broken voice search due to it being a proprietary binary driver with no open source component. Unless someone builds a wrapper or reverses and reimplements the driver this will continue for a long time.

It is great
Just get android 6

I'm Sticking to Stock, Why Don't You?

I have been using my Nexus 6 ever since I abandoned Apple. I owned every iPhone from the 3GS to the 6. I picked up my 64GB Cloud White from Amazon when they were $250 and haven't looked back since. I've always been a big techy and can't believe I stayed on boring IOS so long.
That said, when I first got my Nexus 6 of course I started trying out some custom ROMs. Pure Nexus ended up being my favorite. I just liked being able to mod my status and nav bar really. It was fun trying out ROMs, Kernels, etc. It was all new to me.
Now, I've come to the point where it just doesn't really matter to me. I prefer Android to IOS regardless. The damn App drawer is enough to make me never go back. I like stock Android the way it is. I also like using and having the ability to use Android Pay. So I roll stock. I take my OTAs and Security updates as they come and call it a day.
So, why do you prefer custom ROMs / Kernels and having ROOT to stock Android? Like, what are your deal breakers that pull you from stock to rooted / custom ROMs and Kernels?
EDIT:
Thank you all for your responses. I was in no way trying to down people for modding out their own property, I was actually looking to see why some people feel root / roms are required. I just read through all of the responses and I seen quite a few that I didn't even know about or think of. Interesting.

Techbyte said:
I have been using my Nexus 6 ever since I abandoned Apple. I owned every iPhone from the 3GS to the 6. I picked up my 64GB Cloud White from Amazon when they were $250 and haven't looked back since. I've always been a big techy and can't believe I stayed on boring IOS so long.
That said, when I first got my Nexus 6 of course I started trying out some custom ROMs. Pure Nexus ended up being my favorite. I just liked being able to mod my status and nav bar really. It was fun trying out ROMs, Kernels, etc. It was all new to me.
Now, I've come to the point where it just doesn't really matter to me. I prefer Android to IOS regardless. The damn App drawer is enough to make me never go back. I like stock Android the way it is. I also like using and having the ability to use Android Pay. So I roll stock. I take my OTAs and Security updates as they come and call it a day.
So, why do you prefer custom ROMs / Kernels and having ROOT to stock Android? Like, what are your deal breakers that pull you from stock to rooted / custom ROMs and Kernels?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mostly due to the locked down nature. You have to remember where you are. This site was made by and for developers that take what they are given and want to make it better. You will find that most people here dont run stock software on anything. Be it their router, PC, PS4, X1 or anything else they can get their hands on.
Personally Android pay is not big for most of us. It is unsecure and not really handy when you have to carry your wallet anyway.
In the end it is all about choice. Many of my homescreen set ups require root to run.
The biggest thing for me is to theme it. Android stock just looks too ugly for me to even think about using.

Techbyte said:
... from stock to rooted / custom ROMs and Kernels?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Layers and blacked out apps of the TBO-team.
For better readability and battery life I prefer a black/dark background.
Without root this configuration is not possible.
A child knows that a white background on devices with an amoled display causes battery drain. Apparently Google does not know that .

For the same reason you rooted and rom'd in the first place: customizations.
I'm quite picky on how everything is laid out and stock android doesn't give me most options that current roms like pure nexus offers while still having amazing performance.
Simple things like rearranging the quick drawer wasn't even available on stock until marshmallow came out while custom roms could do it way before then.
Dpi settings and xposed modules are enough for me to root.

roms/kernels, and so on.. not really important to me. sure, they are nice to have, but not a necessity. the only thing thats necessary to me is root. not because of what 98% of you are thinking, but for what root actually is, to have access to all the administrative rights. stock or custom rom, as long as i am #1 in deciding the fate of my device.

simms22 said:
.....to have access to all the administrative rights. stock or custom rom, as long as i am #1 in deciding the fate of my device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I like that. The principal. But the majority accepts the fact of paying a lot of money for a device with reduced functionality.

NLBeev said:
I like that. The principal. But the majority accepts the fact of paying a lot of money for a device with reduced functionality.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the majority also do whatever their neighbor(or friend, family member, and so on..) does, just because. im not in the majority, nor do i ever want to be.. :angel:

simms22 said:
the majority also do whatever their neighbor(or friend, family member, and so on..) does, just because. im not in the majority, nor do i ever want to be.. :angel:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ill drink to that!:good::good:

At this point the biggest reason for root for me now, is app backups. Google has gotten a better, but being able to back up my apps and data for easy restore is a must. Sat what you will about Apple, but since day 1 you could plug your iPhone into iTunes and make a complete backup of it.

but who was xposed? almost unlimited customizations, need root but you can do it over a stock base
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

I use stock ROMs, but custom kernels for access to kcal color control especially. I read a lot on my nexus including at night, and I like being able to control light color (which relates to eye strain and can affect sleep) with precision. Reading apps have gotten better about offering at least some blue light-free reading modes, but back when they didn't, I got accustomed to having complete control and it's too late for me to settle for Amazon's presets or anyone else's, I can achieve the same color experience no matter what app I use (incl browsers, news readers etc). Second, I prefer the LED for notifications. Third, I like undervolting. Fourth, titanium backup for multiple reasons, but if an app update ever breaks something, I don't have to sweat it, I can roll that back to a working version no trouble.

Add blocking is important to me.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

Pie controls, adjustable screen dpi, adjust screen colors and vibration strength, skip songs with volume button, titanium backup, custom recovery. I'm sure there are more but those are the ones I can think of right now. I just like tweaking the device to make it a more effective tool.
I use a light stock rom and lean kernel which is close to stock as well. Just gotta have root and xposed.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA Free mobile app

Let me answer with another question. Do you expect people, especially in a place like XDA, to be content with locked down device?

I have my own hobby project, to make my own custom rom, so that's why I'm not stock, but the only thing I really need is to have root.
All the changes I made were mostly to put my stamp on it, to make it mine, but I've also fixed some stupid things like you can only invoke the Clock application from the status bar if there's a scheduled alarm, instead of tapping any clock or date fields.
Also I brought back the old Electron beam screen off animation, because that was cool. Now I can choose between None, Electron Beam, and the new Color fade. And allowed the dismiss all button, of course.

I don't for the same reason I use Arch I want what I want and no more.

I recently rooted again, primarily because I missed the flexibility that comes with rooting. Deleting apps that you never use. Clear themes. Ad Blocking. If my credit union had Android Pay, I would probably still be stock unrooted.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

Tethering without blowing up my data... I am looking at you Verizon. Gotta give the man a finger. Root coz I can.
Plus ads. If they come up with a way to filter the ads and allow tethering without forcing me to pay extra I would I would gladly stay stock.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

Katt50 said:
I recently rooted again, primarily because I missed the flexibility that comes with rooting. Deleting apps that you never use. Clear themes. Ad Blocking. If my credit union had Android Pay, I would probably still be stock unrooted.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm on dp3 and rooted with su2.74. I was able to load cards in android pay and it passed that safety net app. I'm going to try and make a purchase tomorrow. If it works, hooray for DP3.
I used Android pay on rooted N. I hope they leave that feature available with root in the final release.

I'm currently running stock N preview 3 but when I was running rooted it was mainly to access the notification led.
Sadly I have a few streaming apps that refuse to work while rooted and I got tired of fighting them.

I'm running a custom ROM, Why Don't You?

I have been using my Nexus 6 ever since I abandoned Apple. I owned every iPhone from the 3GS to the 6. I picked up my 64GB Cloud White from Amazon when they were $250 and haven't looked back since. I've always been a big techy and can't believe I stayed on boring IOS so long.
That said, when I first got my Nexus 6 of course I stuck to the stock ROM. MRA58K ended up being my favorite. I just liked having the Marshmallow update before everyone else. It was fun trying out the latest features in Android. It was all new to me.
Now, I've come to the point where I like the features in custom ROMs over stock. I prefer Android to IOS regardless. The damn App drawer is enough to make me never go back. Stock Android is good, but the things that can be achieved with root and/or custom ROMs is so much better. I don't necessarily need to use Android Pay, but it can be achieved with systemless root on stock and some custom ROMs anyway. So I run a custom ROM. I know how to use fastboot and TWRP so I can either flash a new ROM or fastboot flash stuff and call it a day.
So, why do you prefer stock ROMs / Kernels and not having ROOT to custom ROMs? Like, what are your deal breakers that pull you from root / custom ROMs and Kernels to stock Android?

Dopamin3 said:
I have been using my Nexus 6 ever since I abandoned Apple. I owned every iPhone from the 3GS to the 6. I picked up my 64GB Cloud White from Amazon when they were $250 and haven't looked back since. I've always been a big techy and can't believe I stayed on boring IOS so long.
That said, when I first got my Nexus 6 of course I stuck to the stock ROM. MRA58K ended up being my favorite. I just liked having the Marshmallow update before everyone else. It was fun trying out the latest features in Android. It was all new to me.
Now, I've come to the point where I like the features in custom ROMs over stock. I prefer Android to IOS regardless. The damn App drawer is enough to make me never go back. Stock Android is good, but the things that can be achieved with root and/or custom ROMs is so much better. I don't necessarily need to use Android Pay, but it can be achieved with systemless root on stock and some custom ROMs anyway. So I run a custom ROM. I know how to use fastboot and TWRP so I can either flash a new ROM or fastboot flash stuff and call it a day.
So, why do you prefer stock ROMs / Kernels and not having ROOT to custom ROMs? Like, what are your deal breakers that pull you from root / custom ROMs and Kernels to stock Android?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used to root my phone for two reason. 1) I liked stock android over the other skins that LG, Samsung, and the like put on their phones, and 2) I liked to run custom kernels to squeeze every last bit of performance out of my single core phones. Fast forward to 2015. I have a Nexus 6, so I have stock Android out of the box with all the benefits that come with a Nexus phone. Also with modern hardware, a custom kernel really doesn't offer enough of a performance increase for me to warrant adding root and all the things that come with flashing a custom ROM. I used to love to tinker, but now at the end of the day, I just want my phone to work, and stock Android on my Nexus phone does all I want it to do.

as always, with Android, its all about choice.
and, even though stock Android blows away anything on the IBone, the reality is that at least 80% of the users on XDA are using custom roms, or at least rooted.
If you want to stay stock, good for you; if you want to stay stock and rooted, that's even better.
But if you dont know why most folks want to root, then you might be frequenting the wrong web forum..
Dont kid yourself; the VAST MAJORITY of members on XDA come here for custom roms, custom hacks, custom anything and everything..

I already have the Federal Government telling me what is good for me and what will make me happy, I'd rather not have Google do the same with a stock ROM.

I've ran many custom roms, but I'm not on my Nexus 6. I like the stock rom. I'm happy with just root and custom recovery on my stock setup. Device runs great and I get great battery life. I can use the root apps I want and that's enough for me.

Here is a much more important question:
I don't post repeated things in separate threads to keep the forum clean. Why don't you?
Here is your original post on the present thread:
Dopamin3 said:
I have been using my Nexus 6 ever since I abandoned Apple. I owned every iPhone from the 3GS to the 6. I picked up my 64GB Cloud White from Amazon when they were $250 and haven't looked back since. I've always been a big techy and can't believe I stayed on boring IOS so long.
That said, when I first got my Nexus 6 of course I stuck to the stock ROM. MRA58K ended up being my favorite. I just liked having the Marshmallow update before everyone else. It was fun trying out the latest features in Android. It was all new to me.
Now, I've come to the point where I like the features in custom ROMs over stock. I prefer Android to IOS regardless. The damn App drawer is enough to make me never go back. Stock Android is good, but the things that can be achieved with root and/or custom ROMs is so much better. I don't necessarily need to use Android Pay, but it can be achieved with systemless root on stock and some custom ROMs anyway. So I run a custom ROM. I know how to use fastboot and TWRP so I can either flash a new ROM or fastboot flash stuff and call it a day.
So, why do you prefer stock ROMs / Kernels and not having ROOT to custom ROMs? Like, what are your deal breakers that pull you from root / custom ROMs and Kernels to stock Android?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And here is a substantially identical thread at http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-6/general/im-sticking-to-stock-dont-t3383517
Techbyte said:
I have been using my Nexus 6 ever since I abandoned Apple. I owned every iPhone from the 3GS to the 6. I picked up my 64GB Cloud White from Amazon when they were $250 and haven't looked back since. I've always been a big techy and can't believe I stayed on boring IOS so long.
That said, when I first got my Nexus 6 of course I started trying out some custom ROMs. Pure Nexus ended up being my favorite. I just liked being able to mod my status and nav bar really. It was fun trying out ROMs, Kernels, etc. It was all new to me.
Now, I've come to the point where it just doesn't really matter to me. I prefer Android to IOS regardless. The damn App drawer is enough to make me never go back. I like stock Android the way it is. I also like using and having the ability to use Android Pay. So I roll stock. I take my OTAs and Security updates as they come and call it a day.
So, why do you prefer custom ROMs / Kernels and having ROOT to stock Android? Like, what are your deal breakers that pull you from stock to rooted / custom ROMs and Kernels?
EDIT:
Thank you all for your responses. I was in no way trying to down people for modding out their own property, I was actually looking to see why some people feel root / roms are required. I just read through all of the responses and I seen quite a few that I didn't even know about or think of. Interesting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Am I missing something or is this some kind of joke?

I'm cooking my own, as for how much it is custom, that's another question. Since it's a hobby project for me, and since I code for a living, and have family and kids, I don't even touch the code every weekend.

najoor said:
Here is a much more important question:
I don't post repeated things in separate threads to keep the forum clean. Why don't you?
Here is your original post on the present thread:
And here is a substantially identical thread at http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-6/general/im-sticking-to-stock-dont-t3383517
Am I missing something or is this some kind of joke?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I smell a "Spambot"

najoor said:
Here is a much more important question:
I don't post repeated things in separate threads to keep the forum clean. Why don't you?
Here is your original post on the present thread:
And here is a substantially identical thread at http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-6/general/im-sticking-to-stock-dont-t3383517
Am I missing something or is this some kind of joke?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LMAO! Dopamin3 is most definitely not me, but I see where his choice of thread title and having the Nexus 6 made you think that. Purely coincidental I assure you. I have one account and this is it.
EDIT: Wait, wtf? I posted before I read the thread. He straight up copy and pasted one of my posts. Just added a little to it. Oh Wow. No wonder.... Still not me though.

Techbyte said:
LMAO! Dopamin3 is most definitely not me, but I see where his choice of thread title and having the Nexus 6 made you think that. Purely coincidental I assure you. I have one account and this is it.
EDIT: Wait, wtf? I posted before I read the thread. He straight up copy and pasted one of my posts. Just added a little to it. Oh Wow. No wonder.... Still not me though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Uh... right.
Why would anybody do that, especially for something as pointless as THIS?

doitright said:
Uh... right.
Why would anybody do that, especially for something as pointless as THIS?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No idea. Maybe he seen my post and was in a similar situation. First time jumping from iPhone, picked up the Nexus 6 on that Amazon sale. I am sure they sold thousands of them. I could care less to be honest. I just responded because that is not me.

It's been said by others above, but the fact is that the monthly security updates and getting the latest Android (well, maybe not the final release of N, but still), there just isn't as much reason for a custom ROM for me. I use Helium Backup, which works pretty well without root, and backup/restore was one of the few reasons I would root previously.
I have it OEM unlocked, custom recovery, but no root. Things seem to "just work", and I can't be bothered with the idiosyncrasies of running a custom ROM especially on a Nexus phone.

Custom roms since joining XDA, it's what I enjoy and I would miss the "high" otherwise!

home & business daily use - best stable/released custom rom?

good morning, I'm Francesco from Italy and I'm new tot his forum. my Samsung I9505 warranty expired a few days ago and now I'd like to install a custom rom to exploit better its potential. at this moment what is in your opinion the best custom xda rom for my mobile? mine is a daily use for home (mainly) and business, so I need a mod that keeps the mobile stable, safe and fully working (4G, wi-fi, bluetooth, car audio integration, etc.). if needed I can provide more info about the device, it's my first time on this forum and I don't know well what/how to ask. thanx so much.

Stability is really depends more on your device and usage than on the ROM.
From my time here, in the S4 forums, I have learned that each device is unique in its own way and behaves differently.
In other words, what works for other might not work for you and vice versa.
You should know that pretty much all Android 6 ROMs have Bluetooth problems. The only one with working Bluetooth might be Dirty Unicorns, but you will have to see for yourself.
Otherwise you will have to stay on Android 5.1 ROMs.
There are no Android 5 ROMs that are still being updated, except for TouchWiz ROMs.
So, that being said, for Android 5 I would recommend the GPE ROM. There are two. One is untouched and the other is slightly modified. I only ever used the slightly modified one and it always worked great for my needs.

good morning.
thank you very much, that's exactly what I needed to know. the modified one is JFLTE-GPE by Danvdh
?
just another question: to flash a new rom must I unlock the bootloader first? if yes, better Fastboot or Odin?

frac82 said:
good morning.
thank you very much, that's exactly what I needed to know. the modified one is JFLTE-GPE by Danvdh
?
just another question: to flash a new rom must I unlock the bootloader first? if yes, better Fastboot or Odin?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, that's the modified one.
Only Verizon and AT&T have locked bootloaders.
If your model is anything other than the above mentioned companies, then it doesn't have a locked bootloader.
So you just flash recovery and flash the ROM.
Or root first if you need to backup your apps.
TWRP recovery is recommended. But be warned, it seems to have a problem with TouchWiz ROM backups.
If you backup your stock ROM, and restore at some point, you will get lots of errors.

after erasing and reinstalling which app for camera/address book/sms did you start to use? is there a "pack", an "all-in one-" set nor do I have to choose and install one by one at my taste...?!?

You say you use the device for work?
Does that involve connecting it to a secure business server?
If it does, then most business servers will be able to detect modifications on a device and will not allow connection of said modified device.

My S4 is a dual boot using the Dual Boot Patcher tool. I have a virtually empty TW ROM as my primary, and CM13 with 100+ apps as my secondary, this is what I use day to day. Why? Two reasons:
a. Daily, I prefer to use clean Android. I love Samsung devices, but I much prefer a Nexus style experience.
b. Rarely, I need to use the amazing S4 camera, and for that, the free camera apps just won't do. I've started using 'A Better Camera' but this is paid and it's not perfect by a long shot.
Having a dual boot also gives me some flexibility with things such as battery life etc. I expect my day to day ROM to use more, what with all the apps, whereas if I switch to my clean ROM, it will last an incredibly long time, especially when it's in my pocket.
For me, CM13 and AOSP are stable enough to use day to day and really, the only thing holding them back is the fact you can't load the TW camera. Nobody's fault I guess.

keithross39 said:
You say you use the device for work?
Does that involve connecting it to a secure business server?
If it does, then most business servers will be able to detect modifications on a device and will not allow connection of said modified device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I sometimes read business e-mails via Lotus/Outlook app, that's all; let's hope this won't start the firewall!
skezza said:
My S4 is a dual boot using the Dual Boot Patcher tool. I have a virtually empty TW ROM as my primary, and CM13 with 100+ apps as my secondary, this is what I use day to day. Why? Two reasons:
a. Daily, I prefer to use clean Android. I love Samsung devices, but I much prefer a Nexus style experience.
b. Rarely, I need to use the amazing S4 camera, and for that, the free camera apps just won't do. I've started using 'A Better Camera' but this is paid and it's not perfect by a long shot.
Having a dual boot also gives me some flexibility with things such as battery life etc. I expect my day to day ROM to use more, what with all the apps, whereas if I switch to my clean ROM, it will last an incredibly long time, especially when it's in my pocket.
For me, CM13 and AOSP are stable enough to use day to day and really, the only thing holding them back is the fact you can't load the TW camera. Nobody's fault I guess.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
too complicated... one droid is enough for me... :angel:

Hi everyone am new here is, there a touch wiz androind 6+ rom for our s3?
Sent from my GT-I9300 using XDA-Developers mobile app

HIS YB said:
Hi everyone am new here is, there a touch wiz androind 6+ rom for our s3?
Sent from my GT-I9300 using XDA-Developers mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
These are the S4 forums.
The S3 forums can be found here

frac82 said:
after erasing and reinstalling which app for camera/address book/sms did you start to use? is there a "pack", an "all-in one-" set nor do I have to choose and install one by one at my taste...?!?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
just to share: the answer to this question of mine is Kushan Rom v.9.0.

New S5e SM-T720, stay on stock or flash?

I'm hoping someone can give me the general consensus on whether flashing ROMS for this device vs staying on stock is best. I'm not currently up on the state of Samsung bloatware, if it's gotten better or worse. I found an open box at BB for $300. I'd say excellent condition. I'm getting it for my 12 year old daughter. I suppose the main concern is the general stability of flashing, say Lineage, and the lag that Samsung has, or at least used to have, as they age.
Thanks much!

orangepowerpokes said:
I'm hoping someone can give me the general consensus on whether flashing ROMS for this device vs staying on stock is best. I'm not currently up on the state of Samsung bloatware, if it's gotten better or worse. I found an open box at BB for $300. I'd say excellent condition. I'm getting it for my 12 year old daughter. I suppose the main concern is the general stability of flashing, say Lineage, and the lag that Samsung has, or at least used to have, as they age.
Thanks much!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I was going to use the tablet myself, I'd certainly flash a custom ROM and get root access. But for a 12yr old girl, I'd stay with stock and know she'd be getting the latest security updates. It's not like this was an 8 or 16gb tablet where getting rid of bloatware would be a major concern. It has plenty of storage and RAM to handle that. Just my two bits.

I only hand my son tablets / phones that can run custom ROMs (Lineage in particular). This way I can control what goes on them, what software, what he sees. I guess you could do similar things with a rooted stock device, but still. The other half of that is, most of the devices I give my son are old enough they aren't getting security updates from the manufacturers anymore. In those cases the only way to get security updates of any sort is to run custom ROMs.

Having rooted my tablet and also installed twrp I would certainly not do it for someone else to use
I would suggest buying package disabler pro and disabling all bloatware and Bixby.
When you use 'disable bloatware' on package disabler, it disables storage on sd card. So you just need to look through the disabled list and re-enable external storage.
Other than that small bug it is excellent.

ExTall said:
Having rooted my tablet and also installed twrp I would certainly not do it for someone else to use
I would suggest buying package disabler pro and disabling all bloatware and Bixby.
When you use 'disable bloatware' on package disabler, it disables storage on sd card. So you just need to look through the disabled list and re-enable external storage.
Other than that small bug it is excellent.
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Click to collapse
Have you noticed a performance improvement? I see that it is slow for ordinary use such as social networks, the web and reading books.

miangelgabriel said:
Have you noticed a performance improvement? I see that it is slow for ordinary use such as social networks, the web and reading books.
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Click to collapse
I can't really say as I installed package disabler pro when I first had the tablet as I hate apps like bixby.
My tablet has always seemed plenty fast to me
Regards Extall

Not much bloatware on One UI.
Sent from my SM-T720 using Tapatalk

miangelgabriel said:
Have you noticed a performance improvement? I see that it is slow for ordinary use such as social networks, the web and reading books.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have read books with $29 dollar chinese knockoffs. How long does it take to turn a page? My very first tablet had an Antutu of about 900. This one about 185,000. I was still able to "surf the net" with that first one. They say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I'm beginning to doubt that. I think it is in the MIND of the beholder. How anyone can consider this tablet slow for surfing or social networking, just blows my mind. "OH, but my latest and greatest iPad is just SOOO much better."

I can't remember having an Android device since my OG Droid that I didn't root and flash. I'm going to skip that for this S5e, for the first time. Everything I do with it these days, my head isn't bumping into it's 'ceiling', so to speak. My SM-T580 was a different story (thank goodness for @followmsi and @srgrussso among others), and custom paid off very well.
Then again, maybe I'm just getting old.:laugh: :highfive:

orangepowerpokes said:
I'm hoping someone can give me the general consensus on whether flashing ROMS for this device vs staying on stock is best. I'm not currently up on the state of Samsung bloatware, if it's gotten better or worse. I found an open box at BB for $300. I'd say excellent condition. I'm getting it for my 12 year old daughter. I suppose the main concern is the general stability of flashing, say Lineage, and the lag that Samsung has, or at least used to have, as they age.
Thanks much!
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I have the Verizon LTE version and even with the Verizon preinstalled apps it doesn't take up a lot of space. I have the 64GB version and I had PLENTY of space for all of my apps. I put a 512GB microSD card in it so I don't have any space issues.

I rooted the SM-T725 few months ago when i got it but this was the 3rd time i had problems booting up and the twrp backup didn't work this time so i just cleaned it and i use stock now and i removed bloatware with ADB. I use only open source software no more google. But that just my way, if you want to root go with it but if its just to remove bloatware just use ADB.
Android 10 coming this june/july and probably android 11 will come to this tablet too because samsung does 2 major android updates to the device they release. If they don't you can unlock the bootloader and install android 11 in the future if a developer make it of course but i doubt it because galaxy tab s6 lite is coming soon so i don't know the future of this tablet.

S5e
OhioYJ said:
I only hand my son tablets / phones that can run custom ROMs (Lineage in particular). This way I can control what goes on them, what software, what he sees. I guess you could do similar things with a rooted stock device, but still. The other half of that is, most of the devices I give my son are old enough they aren't getting security updates from the manufacturers anymore. In those cases the only way to get security updates of any sort is to run custom ROMs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just got this SM-T720 & was planning on putting Lineage 17.1 (OFFICIAL) on it.
Got the firmware, Magisk, TWRP all downloaded.
But on TWRP's site it says you have to root before installing a "rooted TWRP" image?
What's with this?
Not asking for a full tutorial but seriously TWRP can't just be flashed in Odin then vbmeta multi-
disabler, WIPE, then flash ROM + Magisk?
Any help will be greatly appreciated. My posts elsewhere are days old & no replies....
zach

I just got this tablet yesterday. I've had several previous Android tablets and phones and I've always rooted them. So far, I haven't run into anything that makes me want to root this one. I was pleasantly surprised to find that there is a battery protection setting that allows you to limit charging to 85%. Normally, you have too root to do that. I may find a need to root somewhere down the road, but right now I'm hoping to get by with stock and unroofed.

Can you keep dex on other ROMs?

coolbeans2016 said:
Just got this SM-T720 & was planning on putting Lineage 17.1 (OFFICIAL) on it.
Got the firmware, Magisk, TWRP all downloaded
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've done it a few times and I would recommend following the maintainers instructions, LuK1337's Instructions . Dont skip anything, dont add anything, dont wipe anything that isnt listed, follow them exactly.
This tablet is picky. Magisk can be flashed in TWRP, but from what Ive found many modules can't, they will make the tablet fail to boot. Most modules can only be flashed in Magisk. My recommendation would be to get it booting before adding modules or even Magisk for that matter.

I'm using mine as stock, and this seems plenty fast for the 2 weeks I've owned it. Slow to read books? That sounds like an app problem - moon reader on a 2018 Fire HD 8 didn't have a problem reading books. How slow is the Fire 8? If I was in plex, hit the home button, and started netflix it was about 10 seconds from the press of the home button until netflix was responsive.
Besides, do you really want to have to fix your kid's devices when they inevitably have a problem?

**Edit** I also have a question. Are there any security issues when flashing roms or rooting on this like with the phones with KNoX and not being able to use secure folder and such? Im guessing if I flash a ROM I'd also be losing access to this right? (samsung apps and secure folder) Thank you!
Ughh Im kind of regretting buying this tablet now..did I make a mistake? From what Ive seen on here, it sounds like its best not to root it. Ive found that on some newer devices, irts best not to root them to avoid unnecessary problems because some just dont work well with root and magisk, especially if a lot of the modules arent going to work. I mean I dont really have any reason to root this except for not being able to use / change the themes. I cant believe they dont have the theme store on this tablet! I'm so bummed thats one of the good things about samsung phone that I miss.