OS replacement vs 'de-bloated' stock ROM? - ZTE Axon 7 Questions & Answers

Scanning the forum today, I came across this:
[ROM] Z.A.D.Mix7 -Stock Base Rom-
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It looks like it would solve all the issues I'm having with my A7:
Enable multi-user mode
Enable on-screen buttons
Replace ZTE's built-in apps.
Is this a safer route to go in general than installing Cyanogenmod (when it's ready)? I've got CM on my Nexus 4, and yes, there's nice stuff there that's probably not here, but is a de-bloated stock ROM more likely to be bug-free? More likely for the camera and sound system to work fully? Also, will a debloated ROM allow for OTA updates - or allow for them to be sideloaded? I guess I'm asking, if I were to install this, what would be the procedure to get Nougat once ZTE comes out with it? Wipe and re-flash? Or wait for a de-bloated ZTE nougat ROM and flash that?

In order to flash a ROM on your axon 7 you need to unlock your bootloader which causes your warranty to be void and you can no longer receive OTA updates. Also if you are running a custom ROM you will have to wipe your phone before flashing an OTA update. However if you are running the stock rom you will probably only need to flash the update. I've tried both CyanogenMod and Z.A.DMix7 and honestly Z.A.DMix7 is definitely the way to go. In my experience using Z.A.DMix7 it seemed to be as stable as the stock rim and didn't have any major bugs. The only problem I had with it is that since it it rooted there is no way to log into Snapchat. How ever if you don't want root I think there may be an way to remove root from the ROM however I haven't tried it so I'm not sure if it'll work.

I use the debloated rom with android n-ify, xStana, and gravitybox and it is much better than the stock rom. I haven't tried the cm rom. You would have to flash the stock rom and recovery to get OTA updates.

Related

[Q] Can I install Omni KK over the stock Rooted Lolipop Nexus 7 (2013) FLO

Hey guys I have not seen this in the Q&A section and I want to make sure I do it right.
I only recently rooted my Nexus 7, been running stock but decided I wanted to have Multi Windows like I have on my Note 4. I have not decided on a ROM as I was looking for the best one so I am still running Stock Rooted 5.0.2 I saw Omni ROM and I think that this would be the best ROM to attempt this as I tried the Xposed method and of course got the boot loop.
I see that currently on OmniROM.com that this device is still running on KK 4.4.4 according to the nightlies. I assume I would need to find a KK stock ROM and flash it on to my Nexus to downgrade back to KK in order to install this ROM, or will this install with TWRP even though I'm running Lollipop?
If so does someone have a quick link to the Stock KK files? I used Wug's Nexus Root Toolkit to root my device as I did not feel like going through the same hassel as when I rooted my Droid RAZR so I would just tell that to use those files instead.
I am always flashing ROMs on my Note 4 but I have never gone backwards and I think it was possible to install KK ROM once you upgrade to lolly but not use a lolly ROM if your still on KK.
Soulforged666 said:
Hey guys I have not seen this in the Q&A section and I want to make sure I do it right.
I only recently rooted my Nexus 7, been running stock but decided I wanted to have Multi Windows like I have on my Note 4. I have not decided on a ROM as I was looking for the best one so I am still running Stock Rooted 5.0.2 I saw Omni ROM and I think that this would be the best ROM to attempt this as I tried the Xposed method and of course got the boot loop.
I see that currently on OmniROM.com that this device is still running on KK 4.4.4 according to the nightlies. I assume I would need to find a KK stock ROM and flash it on to my Nexus to downgrade back to KK in order to install this ROM, or will this install with TWRP even though I'm running Lollipop?
If so does someone have a quick link to the Stock KK files? I used Wug's Nexus Root Toolkit to root my device as I did not feel like going through the same hassel as when I rooted my Droid RAZR so I would just tell that to use those files instead.
I am always flashing ROMs on my Note 4 but I have never gone backwards and I think it was possible to install KK ROM once you upgrade to lolly but not use a lolly ROM if your still on KK.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think anyone has done a compatibility check to see what happens if you run a 4.4 build on a device with 5.x bootloaders. It might work, it might do weird things (usually with sensors/wifi)
Multiwindow never got merged, if you want it you'll have to build for yourself and cherrypick it. There were some remaining issues with the patch we never had time to fix, we got too busy with other stuff, and xplodwild wants to rewrite the whole thing after finding a better way to implement it.

Upgrade from custom ROM to Android 7.0

Hi guys,
Not sure if this is the right place to post this but unless I am missing something, I have yet to find a thread or instructions on how to do this.
I am on Pure Nexus, but I posted here because I'm guessing the answer applies to virtually any custom ROM. What are the steps involved in upgrading from a custom 6.0 ROM to the newly released Android 7.0? Is there a way to do this while keeping root?
Thanks,
speedemonV12 said:
Hi guys,
Not sure if this is the right place to post this but unless I am missing something, I have yet to find a thread or instructions on how to do this.
I am on Pure Nexus, but I posted here because I'm guessing the answer applies to virtually any custom ROM. What are the steps involved in upgrading from a custom 6.0 ROM to the newly released Android 7.0? Is there a way to do this while keeping root?
Thanks,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's roms you can flash, other than that just wait for the images to release and there will be alot options
So if it's a custom ROM based on 7.0 I can go ahead and flash using that specific ROM instructions?
I thought the official 7.0 came out yesterday, that's why I was wondering if I could update to the official and keep root and how to do that.
speedemonV12 said:
So if it's a custom ROM based on 7.0 I can go ahead and flash using that specific ROM instructions?
I thought the official 7.0 came out yesterday, that's why I was wondering if I could update to the official and keep root and how to do that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd Mae a backup send it to PC and try tupac4us rom or digitalhighs . They have vendors built in the zip .
I was on Benzo rom and this is exactly what I did; I restored back to stock rom only leaving bootloader unlocked. I joined the Android beta and the N ota was ready to install. I then flashed the latest twrp. I made sure to do a full nandroid and physically backed up anything important to my laptop before I restored to stock. I noticed until I flashed ditialhighs N rom my twrp would not "stick" but no big deal I just flashed it and went into recovery. It seems Android Pay is working with digitialhighs rom, you just toggle off root, use it, toggle back. Good luck
Which guide did you use for restoring to stock while keeping the bootloader unlocked?
i was on pure nexus 6.1 i used this guide to revert everything back to stock then i subscribed to the developer program and got 7.0 update in seconds, section 14 is pretty much all you need
http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-6p/general/guides-how-to-guides-beginners-t3206928

Is there a Custom ROM / Rooted ROM for the S8 with automatic / easy Updates

Hello everyone,
I got a new S8 and am wondering, which ROM to choose. I have used Superman Rom on my S7 for a long time now and was happy with it, despite the fact that I had to wipe with every update.
Titanium Backup made it a lot easier - it still was a lot of work.
So my Question:
Is there a ROM which can be updated without wiping?
What I want is basically ROOT, google apps and if possible the original (or improved) Camera App from the S8. And it schould be stable.
I am aware of lineageOS, but the S8 support seems not to be so good by now.
Thanks for every hint,
H
gefo said:
Hello everyone,
I got a new S8 and am wondering, which ROM to choose. I have used Superman Rom on my S7 for a long time now and was happy with it, despite the fact that I had to wipe with every update.
Titanium Backup made it a lot easier - it still was a lot of work.
So my Question:
Is there a ROM which can be updated without wiping?
What I want is basically ROOT, google apps and if possible the original (or improved) Camera App from the S8. And it schould be stable.
I am aware of lineageOS, but the S8 support seems not to be so good by now.
Thanks for every hint,
H
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok so basically
stock s8 firmware rooted : no more Ota and many root related limitations etc, but maybe able to flash Ota manually not sure
s8 firmware based custom roms: as with every new update the rom is rebased to latest firmware, always clean install always as the rom is a modified firmware, so always different (of course dirty flash might work but often result in issues of all kinds)
and with aosp based roms , most of the time yes, to update you can just flash rom then gapps and then just wipe caches/dalvik and reboot is its the same rom as the rom is the same and in fact just stock android so no big changes between builds.
But yes it's annoying but clean install is ALWAYS the best option, and easy update = no rooting
and for stability, the closer to stock the rom is , the most stable it would be. (and good camera = forget about aosp)
so I would recommend you batstock rom or batman rom (s8 version of superstock or superman), but update without wiping, except on unrooted ... not really
Thanks for your detailed reply - That's what I was afraid of to hear.
I will try to live with the limitations of non rooted stock - otherwise Batman or Batstock will be the next to try.

Need new ROM for current security updates?

After waiting over a year for the Nougat update (still nothing) and almost a year for a security patch (nothing since Dec 2016), and now knowing Moto will probably never patch the KRACK wpa2 bug, I'm officially done with Motorola and their carelessness with our security.
My questions:
I assume if I load a custom ROM, I will be able to stay up to date with patches and new Android versions? True?
Which one do you all recommend?
Edit: A solution which can pass Safetynet is HIGHLY preferred
I don't need anything fancy, I just want everything to work properly like the stock ROM, but be able to stay up to date
I don't even need root, as in the past I've had some apps stop working if I was rooted, although with systemless root, that night not be a problem anymore. I guess it would be nice to be able to root if desired, but have it as an option only.
Edit- probably should have mentioned I'm on the US Moto X Pure Edition (XT1575)
Thanks for any help.
xdafan15 said:
After waiting over a year for the Nougat update (still nothing) and almost a year for a security patch (nothing since Dec 2016), and now knowing Moto will probably never patch the KRACK wpa2 bug, I'm officially done with Motorola and their carelessness with our security.
My questions:
I assume if I load a custom ROM, I will be able to stay up to date with patches and new Android versions? True?
Which one do you all recommend?
I don't need anything fancy, I just want everything to work properly like the stock ROM, but be able to stay up to date
I don't even need root, as in the past I've had some apps stop working if I was rooted, although with systemless root, that night not be a problem anymore. I guess it would be nice to be able to root if desired, but have it as an option only.
Edit- probably should have mentioned I'm on the US Moto X Pure Edition (XT1575)
Thanks for any help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First off it's a 2 year old phone. That's a normal end of update cycle. Second the 7.0 update is out for the 1575 but for some reason only Sprint Sims seem to have gotten it so far. It's still coming to your phone. Custom roms are nice for updates to a point but safety net still doesn't like them if I recall properly. I switched from the pure to a Moto Z play and have loved it. About to get the October security patch and they're already working on Oreo for it. The pure was the last phone before Lenovo took over. There were issues with the hand off but they seem to have it together mostly now.
@xantanion, thanks for your post. I could argue with you about whether the phone was updated on a timely basis over the last 2 years, but I don't want to get into that right now.
Good point about safetynet. If I'm going to go custom ROM, I'd like to be able to pass safetynet, whether by using Magisk, not rooting, using a custom kernel, whatever options are available/necessary.
With this in mind, any suggestions for a solution?
Not getting security patches (my current situation) is not acceptable.
I'd like to squeeze another year out of this phone before replacing. Thanks for any suggestions
xdafan15 said:
@xantanion, thanks for your post. I could argue with you about whether the phone was updated on a timely basis over the last 2 years, but I don't want to get into that right now.
Good point about safetynet. If I'm going to go custom ROM, I'd like to be able to pass safetynet, whether by using Magisk, not rooting, using a custom kernel, whatever options are available/necessary.
With this in mind, any suggestions for a solution?
Not getting security patches (my current situation) is not acceptable.
I'd like to squeeze another year out of this phone before replacing. Thanks for any suggestions
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd switch to Dirty unicorns. I retired this phone a couple of months ago, but they maintain it regularly, and release monthly security patches. As for safety net, magisk works great. Since on Android 7.0 + even an unlocked bootloader trips safety net, then you actually NEED magisk to patch that and then pass safety net. DU is an unrooted ROM but just flash magisk afterwords.
xdafan15 said:
@xantanion, thanks for your post. I could argue with you about whether the phone was updated on a timely basis over the last 2 years, but I don't want to get into that right now.
Good point about safetynet. If I'm going to go custom ROM, I'd like to be able to pass safetynet, whether by using Magisk, not rooting, using a custom kernel, whatever options are available/necessary.
With this in mind, any suggestions for a solution?
Not getting security patches (my current situation) is not acceptable.
I'd like to squeeze another year out of this phone before replacing. Thanks for any suggestions
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lineage OS 14.1 (based on nougat 7.1.2) gets security updates monthly. It's close to vanilla android and doesn't come with all the bells and whistles of unicorns or aicp. This is good for those happy with the stock android features like myself. I don't need custom themes and crazy config options. Never needed a custom kernel. Battery and performance is exceptional as is.
https://download.lineageos.org/clark
Rooting with Magisk 14 will pass safetynet. I use android pay daily with no problems.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4302781&d=1508010356
I run with a fairly minimal OpenGApps 7.1 arm64 aroma installation. I use the aroma installer and pretty much only check the boxes for a few apps to be pre installed. If I really need something I can grab it from the play store or apk mirror. My base config for OpenGApps aroma is here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B2lKWOIH0bTqMEQ1cmo2QjlydDA?usp=sharing
https://github.com/opengapps/arm64/...71102/open_gapps-arm64-7.1-aroma-20171102.zip
If the new stock 7.0 nougat release is what you're after you can get a twrp backup here you can restore from. Keep in mind this is 7.0 not 7.1.2 and security patch up to only September 2017. This will be the last update to the Moto X Pure/Style. So no further security patches.
I tried stock 7.0 for a few days but went back to Lineage OS. I missed the long press on icons to get actions menu that isn't in 7.0 (among other things).
Spencervb256 said:
I'd switch to Dirty unicorns. I retired this phone a couple of months ago, but they maintain it regularly, and release monthly security patches. As for safety net, magisk works great. Since on Android 7.0 + even an unlocked bootloader trips safety net, then you actually NEED magisk to patch that and then pass safety net. DU is an unrooted ROM but just flash magisk afterwords.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ptn107 said:
Lineage OS 14.1 (based on nougat 7.1.2) gets security updates monthly. It's close to vanilla android and doesn't come with all the bells and whistles of unicorns or aicp. This is good for those happy with the stock android features like myself. I don't need custom themes and crazy config options. Never needed a custom kernel. Battery and performance is exceptional as is.
https://download.lineageos.org/clark
Rooting with Magisk 14 will pass safetynet. I use android pay daily with no problems.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4302781&d=1508010356
I run with a fairly minimal OpenGApps 7.1 arm64 aroma installation. I use the aroma installer and pretty much only check the boxes for a few apps to be pre installed. If I really need something I can grab it from the play store or apk mirror. My base config for OpenGApps aroma is here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B2lKWOIH0bTqMEQ1cmo2QjlydDA?usp=sharing
https://github.com/opengapps/arm64/...71102/open_gapps-arm64-7.1-aroma-20171102.zip
If the new stock 7.0 nougat release is what you're after you can get a twrp backup here you can restore from. Keep in mind this is 7.0 not 7.1.2 and security patch up to only September 2017. This will be the last update to the Moto X Pure/Style. So no further security patches.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, @Spencervb256, for the recommendation and comments on Safetynet and security patches.
Double thanks, @ptn107, for the helpful recommendations and files. I really appreciate you sharing that info.
If you'll continue to put up with my ignorance, do I correctly understand how to restore to stock if I choose to do so later as listed below. I'm still on MPHS24.49-18-16. I didn't update to 7.0.
1) According to this thread, the MotoX Pure can only be returned to the stock firmware it was running before switching to a custom ROM, or to a newer version. You cannot go back to an earlier version.
2) There isn't a firmware .zip available for 24.49-18-16, so according to this post, you flash the 24.49-18-8 .zip (which IS available) and then sideload the .zip from @annoyingduck to update to 18-16 to get back to where you started.
3) Alternately, since the file for Nougat 7.0 is available, I could also update to 7.0, then load a custom ROM, and later return to 7.0 using the available file.
Am I understanding this process correctly?
Thanks in advance for your help.
xdafan15 said:
Thanks, @Spencervb256, for the recommendation and comments on Safetynet and security patches.
Double thanks, @ptn107, for the helpful recommendations and files. I really appreciate you sharing that info.
If you'll continue to put up with my ignorance, do I correctly understand how to restore to stock if I choose to do so later as listed below. I'm still on MPHS24.49-18-16. I didn't update to 7.0.
1) According to this thread, the MotoX Pure can only be returned to the stock firmware it was running before switching to a custom ROM, or to a newer version. You cannot go back to an earlier version.
2) There isn't a firmware .zip available for 24.49-18-16, so according to this post, you flash the 24.49-18-8 .zip (which IS available) and then sideload the .zip from @annoyingduck to update to 18-16 to get back to where you started.
3) Alternately, since the file for Nougat 7.0 is available, I could also update to 7.0, then load a custom ROM, and later return to 7.0 using the available file.
Am I understanding this process correctly?
Thanks in advance for your help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not extremely knowledgeable on the whole returning to stock unfortunately...but if you're currently on 6.0, almost all the custom roms are compatible with that firmware, and only a SELECT FEW (such as a lineage os test build) are compatible with the newer 7.0 stock firmware. Paging @dzidexx for a better explanation
Spencervb256 said:
I'm not extremely knowledgeable on the whole returning to stock unfortunately...but if you're currently on 6.0, almost all the custom roms are compatible with that firmware, and only a SELECT FEW (such as a lineage os test build) are compatible with the newer 7.0 stock firmware. Paging @dzidexx for a better explanation
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks again, @Spencervb256.
So you're saying that the Android version of my custom rom has to match the version of the stock rom that I'm coming from? No mixing marshmallow and nougat?
Also, if I stay on marshmallow and want to return to stock and unroot, I wonder if I can just flash the available nougat firmware and restore the stock recovery. Maybe @dzidexx can help with that question, too.
Wish I was more skilled in all this. Thanks for the help.
xdafan15 said:
Thanks again, @Spencervb256.
So you're saying that the Android version of my custom rom has to match the version of the stock rom that I'm coming from? No mixing marshmallow and nougat?
Also, if I stay on marshmallow and want to return to stock and unroot, I wonder if I can just flash the available nougat firmware and restore the stock recovery. Maybe @dzidexx can help with that question, too.
Wish I was more skilled in all this. Thanks for the help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No haha it's hard to explain. But until about a month ago, no custom roms could be flashed if users were running stock 7.0 from Moto. Now there are a couple builds of roms which can be flashed over stock 7.0, with no bootloops. This is because Motorola upgraded the modem firmware in stock 7.0, so the custom roms did not work with it.
You can 100% mix the two, so if you are in stock 6.0, you can install any rom you like, as they are made to work with the 6.0 firmware. Even though they are nougat roms.
When stock 7.0 was released, people had issues with installing custom roms over that, because of the modem upgrade, but now there are a couple builds that will install over this firmware and not result in a bootloop.
I will try and find a few links for you which can explain some things, this is all from my mediocre memory haha
If that confused you even more then just stay tuned, I'll send you a pm soon with links to some reading in different threads which explain it much better than I can!
@Spencervb256, I think I understand you. Most of the custom ROMs, whether MM or N, use the stock radios released with MM. When Moto updated to N, they also changed the cellular radio, so the custom ROMs don't work properly unless they are updated to be compatible with it.
So then, if I stay on MM, I can use any custom ROM, if I would've updated, I'd be limited to the few ROMs that were updated.
xdafan15 said:
@Spencervb256, I think I understand you. Most of the custom ROMs, whether MM or N, use the stock radios released with MM. When Moto updated to N, they also changed the cellular radio, so the custom ROMs don't work properly unless they are updated to be compatible with it.
So then, if I stay on MM, I can use any custom ROM, if I would've updated, I'd be limited to the few ROMs that were updated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pretty much...
xantanion said:
First off it's a 2 year old phone. That's a normal end of update cycle. Second the 7.0 update is out for the 1575 but for some reason only Sprint Sims seem to have gotten it so far. It's still coming to your phone. Custom roms are nice for updates to a point but safety net still doesn't like them if I recall properly. I switched from the pure to a Moto Z play and have loved it. About to get the October security patch and they're already working on Oreo for it. The pure was the last phone before Lenovo took over. There were issues with the hand off but they seem to have it together mostly now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
aybarrap1 said:
Pretty much...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My rule of thumb is simply wait for the official supported OS version. This means everything (including modem) will work - the community will then hack and modify from there.
xdafan15 said:
@Spencervb256, I think I understand you. Most of the custom ROMs, whether MM or N, use the stock radios released with MM. When Moto updated to N, they also changed the cellular radio, so the custom ROMs don't work properly unless they are updated to be compatible with it.
So then, if I stay on MM, I can use any custom ROM, if I would've updated, I'd be limited to the few ROMs that were updated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's exactly it! You nailed it. Explained it better than I could, so yeah, you got it!!

Is it true that samsung made it impossible to root an S8+ with the latest updates?

I seem to remember reading something some weeks ago that Samsung did something in their latest few updates for the S8+ that made it impossible to root them... is that true?
I'm running a SM-G955F - DTM here... and I'd rather keep it rooted. I'm using magisk to root my devices.
Any insights for me?
AFAIK, as long as if you have twrp installed, you can update to whatever you want.
you then can:
make a full backup with TWRP, and Samsung can't do anything against you just restoring the full backup (with the old update and root)
just flash whatever (custom)ROM you want.
You already are rooted, so OTAs aren't a thing for you. I don't know if there even exists a twrp flashable stock ROM, but why don't you just switch to a custom rom (with the newest updates installed)?
Honestly, the only custom rom i know of is lineage (nee cyanogenmod), and at least on my old S5 I found that the fingerprint reader does not work on cyanogenmod. also, anything that checks safetynet does not work either.
[Lemmy] said:
Honestly, the only custom rom i know of is lineage (nee cyanogenmod), and at least on my old S5 I found that the fingerprint reader does not work on cyanogenmod. also, anything that checks safetynet does not work either.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LieangeOS isn't even available for our device (infact it is, but unusable).
The custom roms available right now are all stock touchwiz roms with slight modifications (most of them aren't even necessary, thx to aroma).
Look over to a thread like the one from Renovate ICE, most of the time roms like these are based on the newest sources from Samsung with the newest security patch level. It has root (Magisk or SuperSu) included and also passes safetyNet.
As I said in the post above, you always can make a full twrp Backup, try a ROM like Renovate Ice and if you don't like it, just go back to your stock ROM in minutes. :fingers-crossed:

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