Database Users

Custom Kitkat ROM with empasis on battery life?

The only S5 Kitkat ROMs I've found either haven't been updated in over a year, or many users are reporting severe bugs like no camera support, or severe battery drain issues.
I'm just trying to get an app called Winulator running so I can play Starcraft: Broodwar on android, but it isn't working and one user said that is because Lolipop broke it (I'm on 5.1.1 atm). The app is no longer supported so I don't think it will ever run properly on 5.x. If anyone knows of a way to emulate 4.x for just 1 app maybe that would be the best shortcut for me overall here.
Barring that, could someone please recommend a guide to installing a lightweight, power-user-oriented ROM that is 4.x or older and has excellent battery life? I was going to try the official 4.4.4 VanirAOSP release but there are too many reports of poor battery performance in the last 2 pages of that thread for my liking.
I think the first thing I need to do is unlock the bootloader, and I've yet to find a definite answer on the best method of doing this from FOL1 (12/15). It seems I will need Odin on my PC and I have it. I've also started backing up all the data from my phone by manually copying/pasting to my PC.
I guess once everything is finally backed up (it's taking FOREVER, explorer literally been calculating time to copy for 10 minutes now just on the phone/android folder), then I will try and flash the official 4.4.2 VanirAOSP ROM since that one doesn't have any reports of battery issues and possibly only the camera and a few things won't work.
BTW, is there a step specially to unlock the FOL1 bootloader that I am missing, or can I just flash that ROM with Odin straight up? I found a comment stating NOT to flash 5.1.1 with Odin or I'd be stuck on Lollipop until some new bootloader-unlock method comes out. The 5.1.1 I'm running wasn't flashed with odin it was sent OTA and I've never rooted or had custom rom/bootloader, so I should be good on that I guess?
I am actually about to dive into this, if no one has any suggestions for me: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2752995

So I'll just pick one at random then? Thanks for the help...

You haven't even listed your model S5 or the ROM it's running now
And of course KK hasn't been updated in over a year, Lollipop and Marshmallow are released, they're not going to keep updating KK when a newer version of Android is released

Questions from a potential buyer

Hi there! My Nexus 5 died due to water damage, and I'm looking for a replacement. The Axon 7 is a possibility, but first, I have a couple of questions.
1. If you decide to unlock the bootloader (as far as I can tell from reading around), you will stop getting OTAs (correct?). But if I want to go back, or I screw up something, is there an "oh ****" panic thing I can do to get back to stock? Does this phone have something like Samsung's flash counter? Or if I restore to stock and lock the bootloader, will I "regain" my warranty? Is there a difference in rooting, flashing and going back to stock procedure between variants? I would buy in Europe.
2. I see you have a working CM13 over here, but is it "daily driver ready"? Sadly I don't have access to a phone to test the stock ROM, so I don't know if I would change it.
3. How is the Nougat situation? I see it's not officially out yet, but there are official beta tests for the US and Germany. But can you install these betas on a phone purchased and used somewhere else? Or is it IMEI based?
4. Does this phone support double tap to wake without preventing deep sleep and doze?
5. I know this phone has good audio by default, but does VIPER work on stock ROM or on the unofficial CM13? I have headphones that can pump out pretty good bass, but refuses to do so without some sort of audio tweak. Is there an option for bass boost by default?
6. Is there an option in stock or custom ROM to disable the capacitive buttons and move to an on screen navbar? Without downloading some wonky app that attempts do create something similar to a navbar that is...

I'll try and answer a few of these?
1. If you decide to unlock the bootloader (as far as I can tell from reading around), you will stop getting OTAs (correct?). But if I want to go back, or I screw up something, is there an "oh ****" panic thing I can do to get back to stock? Does this phone have something like Samsung's flash counter? Or if I restore to stock and lock the bootloader, will I "regain" my warranty? Is there a difference in rooting, flashing and going back to stock procedure between variants? I would buy in Europe.
2. I see you have a working CM13 over here, but is it "daily driver ready"? Sadly I don't have access to a phone to test the stock ROM, so I don't know if I would change it.
3. How is the Nougat situation? I see it's not officially out yet, but there are official beta tests for the US and Germany. But can you install these betas on a phone purchased and used somewhere else? Or is it IMEI based?
4. Does this phone support double tap to wake without preventing deep sleep and doze?
5. I know this phone has good audio by default, but does VIPER work on stock ROM or on the unofficial CM13? I have headphones that can pump out pretty good bass, but refuses to do so without some sort of audio tweak. Is there an option for bass boost by default?
6. Is there an option in stock or custom ROM to disable the capacitive buttons and move to an on screen navbar? Without downloading some wonky app that attempts do create something similar to a navbar that is...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) As far as I know, there is not "official" bootloader unlock at the moment. A few of us got in on it when it was offered, but ZTE retracted it a few weeks later. There are steps on how to root without unlocking the bootloader to allow you to install a custom recovery and there is also a "back to stock" guide. I'm not sure about a flash counter? If you are running a custom recovery, you break OTA's....But, usually in a few days there is a flashable update here on XDA
2) Some are using CM13 as a daily driver, but there are too many random issues ATM for me, with: GPS, data & wifi, and the speakers don't sound as good (some crackling) - which V4a helps with this.
3) Android N is slated for later this month... They took a several beta testers in December, then released a statement that it should be available the end of January
4) Yes, there is a DT2W function. Settings>Gestures & Motions>Double tap screen to wake.... It's not as good as some phones (Nexus, HTC), you learn how to make it work - Fingerprint scanner is pretty fast, I'd say as fast or faster than my Nexus 6p was.
5) You can flash V4a, if you have a custom recovery installed. I've flashed it a few times, but always come back to the stock Dolby Atmos - which can run with V4a if you follow the steps in the flashing guide here. There is no "Bass boost" in Dolby Atmos, but you can adjust the EQ to give it a lot of bass.
6) NavBar??? The US version has no option to enable or disable them, they are not available to us. But there is a flashable zip that enables them, but it doesn't disable the normal ones on the phone itself. So, you have the on screen and off screen navbars...Which I'm using and actually kind of like.
If you're looking for a phone that has a great development section, the Axon 7 will not have too many custom ROMs.......But I'm sure there will be more in the near future. Currently there are 3 custom ROMs listed, 2 de-bloated stock and CM13....Plus LinOS has an unofficial release as does Broken OS.

I will try my best for you here ......................
1. Unlocking the bootloader does not stop OTA's, root does. Even if for some reason you want to relock the bootloader I have done that a few times so don't worry about it. Back to stock is nothing more than downloading the stock rom from ZTE and using stock recovery to install from SD card. There is no worries there.
2. Some people are using CM 13 as a daily driver, but there are problems with GPS locking and audio distortion.. Read the thread on CM 13 for more details.
3. Nougat is in beta testing. Please don't ask about it as there are NDA's in place preventing people involved from talking about it at all, and all it seems to do is start a giant argument with some of the people here.
4. Stock rom does support DTTW. Don't know if it has an effect on doze or anything else, but stock rom and CM 13 have never given me any battery issues so I never concerned myself with anything like that.
5. V4A does work on both stock rom and CM 13, but I encourage you to try those headphones without V4A if you are on stock. ZTE did get the audio right (IMO).
6. Stock rom does not have on screen buttons, but custom based stock roms and CM 13 does, and they work. All the roms have that in their threads so read them before you install the roms to know what is going on.

Moving to LineageOS worth it (and possible) from Cloudy G2.2?

I've been running Cloudy G2.2 for a year an a half. It's given the phone enough legs to mostly make it through 2017. However, about every other week I have to restore my latest backup when Bluetooth stops working because it saw too many devices. This wouldn't be terrible if it wasn't for Authy refusing to sync my newer 2-Factor auth accounts. I think I've convinced myself that the G6 (US997) is my next phone, but now is a silly time to buy as the price should drop like a rock as the next wave of flagships come out.
I'm hoping to make it another couple months and was wondering anyone's experiences moving from Cloudy G2.2 (or other ROMs) to the latest lineage? From what I've read, it's very stable. However, I'm on Kit Kat bootloader, so it doesn't seem like this will be a straightforward process. I was hoping to get some experiences from people who made the same move before starting.
I currently have:
LG G2 D800
Root using stumproot (I think, it's been a while) with supersu installed
TWRP 2.7.0.0 installed by autorec
Cloudy G2.2 KOT49I

So, after some research, I set off to install LineageOS. In hindsight, this might have been a bad idea since it specifically only mentions the D802 in the title. However, it listed links for D800 builds, though they were crossed out.
I updated TWRP to this version by Blastagator and that was painless. I then wiped the phone, made a fresh backup and flashed the latest nightly of LineageOS, and the latest GApps (Mini) for 7.1. That was disappointing since I got the quick "LG logo" followed by a blank screen, that I later found was mentioned in the same Lineage post. Should've read farther.
I think the issue is that I'm on the wrong bootloader. I thought I was on KitKat which the post requires, but in order to enter recovery, I have to press enter three times (rather than using volume buttons to navigate), which indicates I'm on JellyBean bootloader.
So, this is the scary step that I was hoping to avoid. My big fear is that I run Linux on my desktop, so I can't use the LG Flash Tool. As long as I can keep a working recovery, I have backups, so I'm fairly safe. Following the Blastagator bootloader post, I'm not really sure how you go back and forth between bootloaders so easily as it suggests. Is that really as simple as loading the zip file on the phone and installing it in TWRP?
Is there a safer way to handle this?

From my experience, it is that easy. Simply install the zip file and you have loaded a new boot loader. Also, I was in the same boat as you with Cloudy rom and moved to Nougat with crDroid. However it's not stable and I am considering looking for something else more stable but fast like crDroid.

ernie young said:
I was in the same boat as you with Cloudy rom and moved to Nougat with crDroid
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you updated your bootloader, were you still able to run the Cloudy ROM before you switched to crDroid? Once I flash the KitKat bootloader, am I only able to use the Nougat ROMs? My big concern is that there might be something a bit off with my bootloader, so I won't be able to get back to TWRP.
I think there's something a bit off with my bootloader as is, because about a year ago I flashed back to stock Jellybean, and took all the OTA updates. However, when the phone tried to take the KitKat update, it softbricked, and could only be recovered using the LG Update Tool, which I don't have access to anymore. Because of this, I'm a little worried that just dropping on the Blastagator KitKat bootloader may have some atypical issues.

i m using it for a while. u know, on Los you won't be able to use lg features such as qslide, qmemo, plug&pop, knockcode etc. Only worth it if you want your phone to look a little bit fresher and lighter or you need a newer android version for some reason. Else, don't take the risk if you can't use flashtool. You can consider installing another kitkat rom. There are lots and they are nice :]

S YILDIRIM said:
or you need a newer android version for some reason.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My primary issue is that KitKat (or whatever Cloudy G2.2 is?) has the old Android bluetooth bug where once it sees too many devices, it stops connecting to anything. I have to make sure to turn off my phone if I go somewhere like an airport, and have been having to restore my clean Cloudy backup about once a month. It's getting pretty frustrating. On the other hand, I'm hoping to upgrade to an LG G6 (US997) in a month or two when the V30 release pushes down on prices. So, if it's a case of potentially hard-bricking my G2 at the worst possible time, I should hold off flashing.

I think you need hybrid bootstack for android 7.

WORF84 said:
I think you need hybrid bootstack for android 7.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That makes sense, but will I not be able to use my Cloudy 2.2 backup after that? It says that the hybrid bootstack will only boot CM 12.1, CM13, and LP stock roms.

superlou23 said:
That makes sense, but will I not be able to use my Cloudy 2.2 backup after that? It says that the hybrid bootstack will only boot CM 12.1, CM13, and LP stock roms.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
These questions if this works with that or that are easier to answer for yourself by reading what goes with what.
Just Google LG G2 bootstack and you can probably find the ones you need for any available rom.
I use hybrid on Marshmallow 6.0.1 but I tried Nougat 7.1.2 too, it works.

S8 software changes: what is the best way to do them? (List)

I had several samsung phones overall past years . After short time I always root them or flash custom software. Recently I switched from my last modded S5 to S8 plus and.. this phone is working great ! One of the best samsung so far. And here is the problem. I dont want to loose current stability/performance of the phone because its working fine, however I would need few addons that may impact on the software:
This changes are:
- Add Viper4Audio (eventualy beatAudio) - its a must
- Add google HDR camera
- Add modded S8 camera with higher bitrates for recording
- Optional: remove some of the bloatware. Currently I can only disable them, but there are not necessary for me.
+ I dont want to lose finger scanner.
Thats really all I need.
Based on the list above it seems I should at least root the phone, flash twrp to install cameras, custom kernel for permissive mode (V4A)? and maybe just a custom firmware to remove bloatware.
I have a question , if you could help me: What should be my steps to archive above points with minimal possible impact on software (like flash twrp install apps and then get back to samsung bl) ? Or is there a known custom software that has miminal changes but allows me to perform above tasks ?
Im using Samsung S8+ exynos European version.

wiilczek said:
I had several samsung phones overall past years . After short time I always root them or flash custom software. Recently I switched from my last modded S5 to S8 plus and.. this phone is working great ! One of the best samsung so far. And here is the problem. I dont want to loose current stability/performance of the phone because its working fine, however I would need few addons that may impact on the software:
This changes are:
- Add Viper4Audio (eventualy beatAudio) - its a must
- Add google HDR camera
- Add modded S8 camera with higher bitrates for recording
- Optional: remove some of the bloatware. Currently I can only disable them, but there are not necessary for me.
+ I dont want to lose finger scanner.
Thats really all I need.
Based on the list above it seems I should at least root the phone, flash twrp to install cameras, custom kernel for permissive mode (V4A)? and maybe just a custom firmware to remove bloatware.
I have a question , if you could help me: What should be my steps to archive above points with minimal possible impact on software (like flash twrp install apps and then get back to samsung bl) ? Or is there a known custom software that has miminal changes but allows me to perform above tasks ?
Im using Samsung S8+ exynos European version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Start reading in this section.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s8/samsung-galaxy-s8--s8-cross-device-development
Also, once you're rooted you can install those manually, same process as the s5 pretty much

Oreo custom rom disadvantages compared to stock

Hello all!
I am currently on stock, and I am having some problems which seem to have no solve ( https://forum.xda-developers.com/g5-plus/help/problems-fix-workaround-t3763649)
I am to switch to a custom Oreo tomorrow, but I first want to summarize the disadvantages:
1. Camera quality
2. Possibility to loss the IMEI
3. No Moto Actions app - no navigation with fingerprint
4. Worst battery life?
5. Cannot downgrade
Please feel free to add any others, to help me decide

eltigre4jc said:
Hello all!
I am currently on stock, and I am having some problems which seem to have no solve ( https://forum.xda-developers.com/g5-plus/help/problems-fix-workaround-t3763649)
I am to switch to a custom Oreo tomorrow, but I first want to summarize the disadvantages:
1. Camera quality
2. Possibility to loss the IMEI
3. No Moto Actions app - no navigation with fingerprint
4. Worst battery life?
5. Cannot downgrade
Please feel free to add any others, to help me decide
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Camera is so much better (but not as stable)
2. can only lose imei if u go back to stock using fastboot
3. Fingerprint nav present on all apps
4. Just as good as stock if not better(depends on rom try nos for great battery)
5. In stock u cant downgrade in custom roms u can(just not to full stock)

devvshukla said:
Only one thing that stoping me from unlocking is SafetyNet. I'm not a big fan of rooting so magisc hide is not an option for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most custom roms have safety net patched by default. So no need to worry.

eltigre4jc said:
Hello all!
I am currently on stock, and I am having some problems which seem to have no solve ( https://forum.xda-developers.com/g5-plus/help/problems-fix-workaround-t3763649)
I am to switch to a custom Oreo tomorrow, but I first want to summarize the disadvantages:
1. Camera quality
2. Possibility to loss the IMEI
3. No Moto Actions app - no navigation with fingerprint
4. Worst battery life?
5. Cannot downgrade
Please feel free to add any others, to help me decide
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All are fixed camera became stable
Possibility to lose IMEI there is also fix came
Moto action inbuilt every custom ROM
Battery life great
U can downgrade

eltigre4jc said:
Hello all!
I am currently on stock, and I am having some problems which seem to have no solve ( https://forum.xda-developers.com/g5-plus/help/problems-fix-workaround-t3763649)
I am to switch to a custom Oreo tomorrow, but I first want to summarize the disadvantages:
1. Camera quality
2. Possibility to loss the IMEI
3. No Moto Actions app - no navigation with fingerprint
4. Worst battery life?
5. Cannot downgrade
Please feel free to add any others, to help me decide
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Camera quality is definitely much better on custom ROMS. It's not quite stable ATM though.
2. Flashing a custom ROM won't unset your IMEI. Though if you fastboot back to Stock, you might lose it.
3. Almost all custom ROMs have fingerprint sensor navigation.(I've tried RR, It's butter smooth). What you will lose is Moto Display. Ambient Display is there though, but it's quite different from Moto Display.
4. Battery life would be better than Stock. Plus you can customize it to more extent.
5. Not sure what you mean by that. You can flash any custom ROM, any version over your current.(clean install of course).
Hope it clears.

eltigre4jc said:
Hello all!
I am currently on stock, and I am having some problems which seem to have no solve ( https://forum.xda-developers.com/g5-plus/help/problems-fix-workaround-t3763649)
I am to switch to a custom Oreo tomorrow, but I first want to summarize the disadvantages:
1. Camera quality
2. Possibility to loss the IMEI
3. No Moto Actions app - no navigation with fingerprint
4. Worst battery life?
5. Cannot downgrade
Please feel free to add any others, to help me decide
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
2)If you take full nandroid backup there is no possibility of losing IMEI I flashed Oreo based roms and have returned to stock 2 times.
Currently I am on xsm extended it is most feature rich and smooth ROM I ever tried but in every Oreo based ROM I tried it seems to have volte issue atleast for me.
4) battery life is good on this ROM.
3) Moto actions works fine not sure about 1 key navigation because I don't use it.
5) you can downgrade easily as I mentioned I have gone back to stock 2 times but be sure to take full nandroid backup( I have ticked all the boxes in twrp including recovery to be safe)

Thank you all for answers. I will definitely switch to an oreo custom rom.
But still have one question, regarding this VoLte. This is not the same as the having 4G+ speed, is it? Meaning, from what I know this is only a feature that has to be activated by carrier...
One of the problems, I currently have on stock is that sometimes my siganl is not very good, even if I am in a zone where others have a better signal...

I moved To Custom Rom From Stock
Custom Rom - https://forum.xda-developers.com/g5-plus/development/rom-project-xtended-t3792113
camera Quality - Really Good
Moto Camera Also Works
First Take the stock EFS backup in TWRP and Restore in custom if you lost the IMEI
or there are enough solutions available
In my Custom Rom Moto actions working Great
And Battery life is As good as Stock with Greenify!
You can Downgrade but I suggest you use Flashable Stock zip file
---------- Post added at 01:23 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:21 PM ----------
eltigre4jc said:
Thank you all for answers. I will definitely switch to an oreo custom rom.
But still have one question, regarding this VoLte. This is not the same as the having 4G+ speed, is it? Meaning, from what I know this is only a feature that has to be activated by carrier...
One of the problems, I currently have on stock is that sometimes my siganl is not very good, even if I am in a zone where others have a better signal...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not the Problem of ROM
I am facing the same issue but I don't know others getting more speed than me or not
but Its definitely not the Problem of Rom