First Android Phone - General Flashing/Rooting Questions - Samsung Epic 4G Touch

After having nothing but blackberries for the better part of 10 years, I've finally got an android phone and after doing a few days of solid research I'm just curious if somebody can try to answer some follow up questions I have.
Samsung Epic Touch 4G is open sourced platform. I wanted to definitely get a hackable phone. So, I guess I'm confused why we have to flash a whole new custom kernel in order to get root. Compare that to the droid bionic on verizon, and that basically has a one-click root. Motorola has a locked bootloader so that makes no sense to me. Don't get me wrong, I'm not against a custom kernel by any means. I'm just mainly trying to understand the distinction here. Why does an open sourced phone require a whole new kernel vs. a closed/locked phone can be done in one click?
Thanks in advance for any answers!

Motorola locks their phone, which they said they were going to stop.with that said samsung has decided to be hacker friendly and this root method is very easy. Vs what had to be done to root the evo 3d . All android is open source and all phones should be unlocked but they want to cover their ass and stop alot of warranty returns from people who don't read and make a nandroid to go back to. There is a reason samsung hired cyanogen .. They get it
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium

On the original epic we didn't have to flash a custom kernel for root we flashed a custom recovery and then flashed su.zip for root. Once our developers get more time and can get a stock kernel then this option will be available. You have to flash a custom kernel now cause they are using some is the international version. Does that make it sound easier?
The Evo3D Killer!!!

Makes sense...
I was just surprised. I dont mind a challenge - I am a huge fan of aftermarket firmwares for all kinds of hardware (dd-wrt on routers, rockbox on mp3 players, etc) .
This is just my first opportunity to have an android phone to hack at. I'm looking forward to it! Seems that a hard brick is pretty much impossible with the methods that exist today as long as you refrain from wrong checkboxes in odin.

Don't flash anything gsm our you will brick.... Don't use wrong pit file our you may brick...before you flash just double check and you will never have a problem
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium

vanberge said:
Makes sense...
I was just surprised. I dont mind a challenge - I am a huge fan of aftermarket firmwares for all kinds of hardware (dd-wrt on routers, rockbox on mp3 players, etc) .
This is just my first opportunity to have an android phone to hack at. I'm looking forward to it! Seems that a hard brick is pretty much impossible with the methods that exist today as long as you refrain from wrong checkboxes in odin.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly if your gonna brick it's gonna be from Odin. Just double check everything before u hit start.
Sent my from IPad!

Related

Convince me to root!

So far I have zero complaints about this phone, there are some ui things I would like fixed, and I know can be fixed via rooting, but they just don't seem to be enough to push me over the edge. I have files downloaded and ready to go, but just can't seem to take the plunge. I thought I had my first los today, but the phone recovered as soon as I was back in signal(if it hadn't that would have done it).
So why should I root?
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk
You can always revert back to the stock kernel if you have an issue (or have them that frequently that you can't stand it). Anybody who thinks that once you root there is no way to go back is an idiot. "lol, I got no LOS then I rooted and even though I put stock kernel back its all [email protected] lol" not true.
I got 2 LOS in the first week stock...rooted...got a bit more than usual, but nothing crazy. Flashed stock kernel back, still rooted, didn't have another for a few weeks until I flashed a new kernel...flashed back, have had none...etc etc etc, YMMV, but, umm, I don't think you have anything to be afraid of. Just know what you are doing...don't just flash stuff and figure it out later. Know why you want something and how to 'put it back'...also having/making a USB jig would be a good idea, but not necessary.
You can get them for like $3 on amazon or build one with a microUSB cable and $1 worth of stuff from radioshack.
I don't know about you but I certainly didn't get this phone to NOT mod it.
I didn't get the phone to keep it stock, not really worried about los, it recovers after flying for 2 hours with no signal, rooting shouldn't make much difference., planning on using viperom and lostkernel.
Maybe tomorrow I will root
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk
flyboy1100 said:
I didn't get the phone to keep it stock, not really worried about los, it recovers after flying for 2 hours with no signal, rooting shouldn't make much difference., planning on using viperom and lostkernel.
Maybe tomorrow I will root
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only thing I can tell you is that read the directions and understand ODIN for all of the ODIN stuff you do. That is one of the ways you can brick the fnck out of this phone...not paying attention in ODIN. Don't write a partition if you are not told to...and try to only use it to flash a kernel+CWM and flash everything else from CWM if and when possible.
If you aren't worried about LOS (and it is real and under the right circumstances it'll effect every phone...reboot...no big deal...if it is flash a pulled stock kernel) then go for it.
I haven't tried ViperROM on this phone yet, but, I can tell you from my time with the E3D that kid knows what he's doin'....I'm sure this ROM is no different and I've heard nothing but great things about the LoST kernel.
If you don't want to root, don't. Why would anyone want to pressure you?
Sent from my extra sensory space modulator while performing the slippery cricket
Tell us how it goes. You won't be disappointed.
Sent from my HTC Glacier using xda premium
If U need convincing, you probably don't need it.
Sent from my Galaxy S2
Someone convince me to strangle my puppy. I love him and all and he is very well mannered but if you guys can talk me into strangling him, I will.
ravizzle said:
If U need convincing, you probably don't need it.
Sent from my Galaxy S2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree. You root cause u want to. If u want someone to convince u then maybe u shouldn't.
Sent From My Evo Killer!!!
I don't understand why some people view this almost like losing their virginity, trying a drug or robbing a liquor store. It's a very well understood technical process with very specific pros and cons that are also very well understood.
Yep. First android phone for me, and I bought it with the full intention of making it MY phone. After all, they are basically an additional limb for most people, no? (I'd say if you're registered with xda that is most likely the case! ) So you might as well go balls to the walls, right? If you're not into that kind of thing, then keep it stock! This phone is AMAZING just sitting at the home screen...it looks awesome! It is a great piece of technology, with plenty of great features and capability, and will serve you very well whether its rooted or not. Good luck with whatever you do!
buggerritt said:
If you don't want to root, don't. Why would anyone want to pressure you?
Sent from my extra sensory space modulator while performing the slippery cricket
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not looking for pressure. I will probably root it tomorrow or next week
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk
Because all the cool kids are doing it!
I broke down and did it yesterday when someone said viper ROM solved his app freezing due to using a ton of CPU usage bug. So far, so good.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA App
OP if you are on EG30 baseband could you extract the modem.bin file for us so we could test it?
I would just stay stock. Honestly, no offense to the developers, but there is just nothing substantial out there. If you want a couple of different themes, you could consider rooting, but other than that every ROM I have flashed provided close to nothing really.
I mean, what? Battery percentage mod? Removed CIQ? "Speed" tweaks? A reboot option?
Nothing made this phone faster or more efficient than stock touchWiz. There is no real difference except that people like to flash, so they would flash anything.
Sorry. That's just my take on it.
Wait for MIUI or CM.
I gotta say i miss root, I was finicky on rooting my epic 4g ad once I did, oooh lord I never looked back , of course I've stumbled into troubles but following directions, I got back on track and learned a few this gs along the way, now what's stopping me on rooting the ET4G is not having the actual way to go back to full true stock,like we were able to do on the epic 4g with using Odin, giving you a factory full stock phone , or any older device, since we don't have true stock roms and kernels, unless I'm wrong g of course and I've been missing out! If so direct me!
Kikoshi said:
I gotta say i miss root, I was finicky on rooting my epic 4g ad once I did, oooh lord I never looked back , of course I've stumbled into troubles but following directions, I got back on track and learned a few this gs along the way, now what's stopping me on rooting the ET4G is not having the actual way to go back to full true stock,like we were able to do on the epic 4g with using Odin, giving you a factory full stock phone , or any older device, since we don't have true stock roms and kernels, unless I'm wrong g of course and I've been missing out! If so direct me!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We have stock roms to ODIN, but it's not factory stock. We have the factory stock kernel that was pulled from a stock phone. What we lack is an OEM RUU to make it 100%-in-every-way-stock.
That said, I have trashed my 4G and wifi somehow on multiple occasions due to rampant recklessness on my part. I just factory-wiped (apparently...I don't remember that part but I must have) and flashed the ODIN rooted stock (with stock kernel) and it fixes everything every time.
daneurysm said:
We have stock roms to ODIN, but it's not factory stock. We have the factory stock kernel that was pulled from a stock phone. What we lack is an OEM RUU to make it 100%-in-every-way-stock.
That said, I have trashed my 4G and wifi somehow on multiple occasions due to rampant recklessness on my part. I just factory-wiped (apparently...I don't remember that part but I must have) and flashed the ODIN rooted stock (with stock kernel) and it fixes everything every time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So then you recommend rooting this early?
i rooted so i could have wifi tethering and control over CPU speeds (via setcpu) in addition, there's some neat functionality that starburst ROM allows:
- better lock screens
- motion controlled silencing of phone
- battery % viewing
some people care about the speed tweaks (i haven't noticed any speed increase) and ciq (i don't really care for this), but there are several reasons to root. that being said, if you don't need the additional functionality of the phone, then preserve your phone's warranty!
Yea I'd say stay stock in terms of the ROM and kernel, but hell yea why not root? Right now I'm running stock kernel with CWM (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1305099) and the stock ROM with root and busybox (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1282415) and I love it. I was running Midnight ROM but I went back to stock to see if that helped the LoS issues at all. If you're like me and really just want control over the hotspot feature and CPU underclocking (things of that nature) then def go stock rooted fo shoski.

Reasons to root?

I have never rooted a phone before(well technically I rooted an HTC Inspire, which I was asked to do, but I did nothing on it involving the Root). What are some reasons I should root, and can anything go wrong during the root process? Just putting this out there, I will not be flashing any ROMs, as I know there is a chance that the device can be bricked While flashing if something goes wrong, and I do not have a spare phone to go back to if something does go wrong.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA
If your not going to use customs ROMs having root access will allow you to delete any app you desire including all the preloaded sprint ones. You will also be able to download and use any apps that require root for enhanced functionality. Beyond that, there's not a whole lot of difference you'll see.
In the early days, people would do root only to adjust memory values on phones like the g1 and hero. There were a lot of settings you could tweak on a stock phone to make it better with the addition of root. Now with today's technology and phones like the E4GT, alot of those tweaks are unnecessary. The ones that are helpful are lower level and best done by a ROM dev or someone who knows what they are changing. Custom ROMs will have these included usually.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA
Removing bloatware that wastes ram and flash storage space, certain apps are smoother (tasker, some launchers, and custom lockscreens for example), ability to block ads, better backup capabilities, ability to underclock the cpu for those times you need to squeeze extra battery life out, and so on.
If none of this sounds important, then don't root. It can be a little bit of a puzzle getting back to stock sometimes, but it is extremely extremely hard to do something to your phone that is not reversible at this point. Note this statement is not true for all phones, especially newly released phones. But it is true for the epic touch.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2
Yeah.. I second what the guy above said..lol.
Wasup King..
I third the guy above the guy above me and second the guy above him... My thoughts are if you have to make a thread asking others should I root when the basic community offers all the info on the profit or lost of rooting then I say leave your phone alone.
Do yourself a favor and get an extended battery and download foxfi and you will be just fine. Most of us... ok all of us in here are flash-a-holics and can't help ourselves that's why we do it... Do some reading in here take a look at rom pics and see if you really really really like something...
Good luck
playya said:
I third the guy above the guy above me and second the guy above him... My thoughts are if you have to make a thread asking others should I root when the basic community offers all the info on the profit or lost of rooting then I say leave your phone alone.
Do yourself a favor and get an extended battery and download foxfi and you will be just fine. Most of us... ok all of us in here are flash-a-holics and can't help ourselves that's why we do it... Do some reading in here take a look at rom pics and see if you really really really like something...
Good luck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The truth can sometimes be cruel..lol. +1 to Playa..
The best thing about rooting for me is adblocking, I cant believe how many apps and things are bundled with intrusive ads.
Indrid Cole said:
The truth can sometimes be cruel..lol. +1 to Playa..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just trying to keep it real up in herrrrre! Ya Ya!
someguyatx said:
The best thing about rooting for me is adblocking, I cant believe how many apps and things are bundled with intrusive ads.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just another app that root brings to the table:
Roam control lets you force into roam when you are stuck with one bar on Sprint.
Godsend for me!
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium
playya said:
I third the guy above the guy above me and second the guy above him... My thoughts are if you have to make a thread asking others should I root when the basic community offers all the info on the profit or lost of rooting then I say leave your phone alone.
Do yourself a favor and get an extended battery and download foxfi and you will be just fine. Most of us... ok all of us in here are flash-a-holics and can't help ourselves that's why we do it... Do some reading in here take a look at rom pics and see if you really really really like something...
Good luck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have seen several ROMs I love the look of, including AOKP, CM9, and Caulkin's ROMs. My only issue with ROMs is the fact that things can go wrong with flashing, and they can brick the device. And from what ive heard, there is an increased chance of bricking when flashing an ICS ROM while on GB. I have no backup device to go to if something like that does happen, so thats why Im staying away from flashing for now.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA
EggosEvo said:
I have seen several ROMs I love the look of, including AOKP, CM9, and Caulkin's ROMs. My only issue with ROMs is the fact that things can go wrong with flashing, and they can brick the device. And from what ive heard, there is an increased chance of bricking when flashing an ICS ROM while on GB. I have no backup device to go to if something like that does happen, so thats why Im staying away from flashing for now.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The brick usually come from flashing to gb from ics using ics repacked kernels. There is always some risk/chance of brick from a bad flash, but El26 with cwm is fairly safe and the last kernel to have offical cwm. That is the only kernel i will use to flash anythin. I flash new roms every week. I have flashed to and from ics with no issues.
Sent on HyDrA using Tapatalk 2
EggosEvo said:
I have seen several ROMs I love the look of, including AOKP, CM9, and Caulkin's ROMs. My only issue with ROMs is the fact that things can go wrong with flashing, and they can brick the device. And from what ive heard, there is an increased chance of bricking when flashing an ICS ROM while on GB. I have no backup device to go to if something like that does happen, so thats why Im staying away from flashing for now.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My friend you have been misinformed.... There is a risk in everything we do so like I said if worried don't do it. If you take some more time and read you will see that the tar files are pretty brick proof and problems have occurred when flashing roms on ICS and using an ICS recovery. Most developers have stopped using CWM in ICS roms.
Clearly you need to do a lil more reading if you want to root but like suggested just relax and wait for the OTA and you will be OK.... One more thing all instructions say to flashEL26 kernel which is GB to flash anything ICS..... so flashing ICS rom while on GB is wrong
EggosEvo said:
I have never rooted a phone before(well technically I rooted an HTC Inspire, which I was asked to do, but I did nothing on it involving the Root). What are some reasons I should root, and can anything go wrong during the root process? Just putting this out there, I will not be flashing any ROMs, as I know there is a chance that the device can be bricked While flashing if something goes wrong, and I do not have a spare phone to go back to if something does go wrong.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Titanium Backup: remove those pesky system apps that Sprint really thinks you need.
2. File explorers: Being able to modify system folders to change things like the boot animation, etc.
3. Ad blocking: The ability to block ads (moral issues notwithstanding... but some apps have no paid version to get rid of the ads.)
4. Once you've rooted, it's just the beginning. You may change your mind about flashing and rooting your phone is the first step in learning more about your phone and the AndroidOS in general.
I have not seem anyone mention that it's also about the about the damn principal of the matter... why shouldn't you have root access for a device you bought? Also if you ODIN back to EL26 to flash, carefully read all instructions posted with the rom, and wait a day or two after the release and check the comments to make sure there hasn't been some sort of inexplicable rash of bricks thanks to the rom you won't have any problems to speak of... other than not being able to fathom how much better something like AOKP is than stock touchwiz gingerbread
Thanks to everyone. I've decided that I will root when the official ICS launches for my phone.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA
Personally, I root to follow fledging developers open their ROMs. It is exhilarating to see the new stuff that people come up with and the creativity that ensues because of it.
Also enhancing my phone experience with free hotspot access and customization doesn't help. However if none of these interesting you I wouldn't recommend it.
Reason to root
I root because it can be done. It's that simple. To me, it feels like regardless of the magnitude of what you can or cannot do while rooted, or how easy or difficult it may be to root your phone, a skilled user should have access to everthing your phone is capable of.
Plus, I feel like I'm "sticking it to the man", which is an added bonus!
My main reason for rooting was to remove the bundled software that comes with the phone. But I love that fact that I don't have any ads either! If u decide to root, download AdFree from the market & u'll realize just how many "free" apps use adware

Galaxy nexus questions.

Hey all, first off, please don't flame. I am totally unfamiliar with Samsung. I just got my mom a gnex for mothers day and am going to root it but I keep seeing all these thread posts saying Google wallet is broken scattered through the ROM threads. I don't know if I'm even gonna put a custom rom on her phone, I just want root for maintenance. And I really don't have time to seriously study tons of threads. If anyone could advise about
A( what is breaking wallet
B( if I unlock bootloader and put on custom recovery, do I need to restore to factory recovery to flash radio updates ?
Ç( if there is a ROM that is pretty stock but more importantly stable, it'd be super appreciated to hear about it.
I run AOKP on me Evo 4g, but the random reboots are quite frequent. Is it more stable here?
By the way, it's a sprint galaxy nexus. Thanks much for any pointers.
Looking for good kernel for battery more than performance. Also, it seems to me on Sammy, you can't flash radio updates on custom kernel or custom recovery. Am I reading wrong?
Much thank to any who take time to respond. Thanks.
sent from 2yr old Evo on ICS
Don't root and ROM your mother's Galaxy Nexus.
Jesus people. Leave it stock. Don't need to do maintenance, don't need to do anything. Leave it stock and you'll save yourself and her all kinds of trouble.
Point taken, but the thing is she's been dealing with a Samsung moment for >2yrs . The thing won't even hardly make phone calls anymore, takes about 45sec for SMS to open etc. She's always asking me if it can be fixed (cuz she knows I spend 24-7 on my Evo and xda). I always tell her I'd have to root it to really try to do anything (wipe caches, etc).. but i got her a gnex figuring if there's issues, I can fix for her easily (also got it for her cuz I figured if development on Evo LTE goes south, I'll trade phones with her.
Anyhow, was hoping for clarification about do I have to have stock recovery and ROM to update radios etc. On HTC Evo you don't, but it seems like I've seen talk of that here.
Thanks anyone.
Edit: and martonikaj, I'll keep your info in mind.
Just trying to figure where the partition checks are with Sammy. I thought I read that if your kernel is custom, you can't flash updated radios.
sent from 2yr old Evo on ICS
scottspa74 said:
Edit: and martonikaj, I'll keep your info in mind.
Just trying to figure where the partition checks are with Sammy. I thought I read that if your kernel is custom, you can't flash updated radios.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I understand her frustration with her current device and your willingness to help, but you need to keep her device stock. You don't need to flash new radios to the device. Just leave it stock and you'll both be better off in the long run. The cons vastly outweigh the pros when considering rooting/ROMing a device of a completely novice/uninformed user that doesn't need any extra issues.
Just FYI, there is no check on the Nexus. You can be running whatever kernel and ROM you want and flash radios if your bootloader is unlocked. But again, this will never be necessary, the phone will work just fine on stock radios.
I super appreciate your input. You have answered questions I have. I am one of those who deeply feel that if your Android is not rooted, then you should buy a non Android device. It's Only yours if you control its dalvik and can wipe caches
Need recovery for that.
I'm not at all arguing with your point. And I appreciate the responses (but without #, it's only good for throwaway).
Thank you.
sent from 2yr old Evo on ICS
scottspa74 said:
I super appreciate your input. You have answered questions I have. I am one of those who deeply feel that if your Android is not rooted, then you should buy a non Android device. It's Only yours if you control its dalvik and can wipe caches
Need recovery for that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're welcome.
I'll agree on your point if your mom wants to read up on what root is, follow an XDA guide, learn how to use command prompt and Fastboot, and root her own device.
Until then, leave it stock.
Should have gotten her an IPhone lol.. I agree with you that every android should be rooted, but Moms don't need root they need something that just works . If a person is willing to do the research and learning about root themselves I always recommend android, if not stock or IPhone less headache for me
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA
twizzler703 said:
Should have gotten her an IPhone lol.. I agree with you that every android should be rooted, but Moms don't need root they need something that just works . If a person is willing to do the research and learning about root themselves I always recommend android, if not stock or IPhone less headache for me
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The phone its just perfect as is it.. Id root her phone just to put adfree on it
The phone is not Samsung, i mean doesn't have touchwiz on it.. Its pure google
And. Forget about iphone
Galaxy Nexus AOKP m5 Franco kernel m3
msedek said:
The phone its just perfect as is it.. Id root her phone just to put adfree on it
The phone is not Samsung, i mean doesn't have touchwiz on it.. Its pure google
And. Forget about iphone
Galaxy Nexus AOKP m5 Franco kernel m3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly. Google will only mass release versions that are finished and user friendly. Don't root it, it won't make her experience any better.
I've rooted devices for a few not-quite-as-technically-savvy-as-me friends in the past, and I've always regretted it - as have they. You shouldn't own a rooted device unless you rooted it yourself and know how to operate it. Otherwise, it's just asking for problems and complications. I got so sick of the calls from friends in other countries, "Hey, you rooted my phone and now I can't install an update that my carrier is pushing. Fix it!" Or if it's not a cry for help, I'd catch blame for any little issue that randomly occurred on the device. "My phone just randomly rebooted itself, this is obviously because you broke it when you rooted it."
I can only imagine how much worse it would be with a mother.
If you absolutely need the ability to wipe cache and dalvik (not really an issue unless your flashing ROMs, which your mother won't be, but whatever), you can always do it through fastboot.
Again, what martonikaj said:
martonikaj said:
Don't root and ROM your mother's Galaxy Nexus.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

[Q] What makes ICS worth the risk to you?

Hey guys. I'm just coming to the 4g touch after hard bricking my Fascinate. I'm a little hesitant to flash an ICS rom on this thing after the brick. From what I'm reading here it seems ICS roms on this phone are even less stable than they are on the Fascinate and causing a lot of hard bricks.
Really the only differences I noticed in ICS were the ability to pull down the notifications bar from the lock screen(which I absolutely loved) and the panorama camera option which can be had using Camera ICS. Is there something else I'm missing?
With better battery life, better performance and stability in GB, what brings you to ICS prior to source being released?
iztel said:
Hey guys. I'm just coming to the 4g touch after hard bricking my Fascinate. I'm a little hesitant to flash an ICS rom on this thing after the brick. From what I'm reading here it seems ICS roms on this phone are even less stable than they are on the Fascinate and causing a lot of hard bricks.
Really the only differences I noticed in ICS were the ability to pull down the notifications bar from the lock screen(which I absolutely loved) and the panorama camera option which can be had using Camera ICS. Is there something else I'm missing?
With better battery life, better performance and stability in GB, what brings you to ICS prior to source being released?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The risk of bricking has been minimized through the hard work of our Devs and programming community. If you thoroughly read and follow posted installation instructions you aren't likely to brick.
People mainly brick when they get in a rush, or try and take short cuts or simply disregard posted instructions.
There are plenty of enhancements in ICS over GB, I'd suggest people flash a ROM and explore them for yourself. Just read, read, read and ask questions before you ever take any step you are unsure of.
I'll agree with Esoteric68 here. She's spot on about the 'brick' issue. Do you research before you do anything!
As to the why of it? This is xda developers the people here tend to be into tweaking (in the non-meth sense) with technology and like to ride the bleeding edge of technology or squeeze out the most from the old stuff.
I've like the ICS builds for some of the items you've mentioned. Plus I get to stay ahead of the curve, as it where with my technology. Myself I've only had one application that won't support ICS and found another one to supplant it. I like the smoothness and tweaks I can do with ICS.
There are some really great developers here and some awesome ROMs to play with. Just, as already mentioned, read 1st and be careful.
I was scared to flash ICS for a couple months because it wasn't official but I've done my research like everyone says to do. I can't tell you how many times I've flashed ICS roms this past week, not one scare. Just read up and do as the devs say and you'll be good. If you're not sure, ask questions.
I've got the same question as the op roughly. I know that it isn't much of a risk flashing ICS nowadays, but am wondering what in ICS was worth it for people to make the change. I've looked around and don't see too many features really that I don't see in GB so i feel like i'm missing something.
I'm also one who appreciates all the work the devs do to put together these roms for all of us with all the tweaks they put in. Like I mentioned I'm just now waiting to get my 4g touch in the mail tomorrow after bricking my Fascinate. I had been running a number of ICS roms on my Fassy prior to the brick and while I loved playing with them it seemed like the tweaks the devs put into the roms were unrelated to the actual update of the OS. I had been flashing roms for that phone since the early Froyo days so I had thought I had a pretty good idea of what I was doing and always read the proper way to flash things but then one fateful day I tried to flash the latest MIUI coming from MIUI 1.2.9 and ended up with a bootloop, I think I forgot to wipe date/cache. No problem I thought, this has happened before, just ODIN stock and start over. But then something went terribly wrong in ODIN and now I'm left with a phone that won't turn on, won't charge and comes up as "unrecognized" on my pc. If I could just get it into download mode I could save it but I haven't been able to. Now it's got me a little more cautious of what I flash and how often I'll be flashing.
Maybe the devs can answer this since they know more about insides of the OS. Are there things you can modify in ICS that were not possible in GB?
There is a very long and technical thread about the ICS 'super bricking' issue here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1644364
Basically Sammy screwed the pooch with the way ICS kernels make(s) calls to wipe partitions, particularly the EMMC controller.
It's actually a 'hard coded' firmware thing. But since it is firmware, it should be fixable via a firmware flash. It's just we don't really have that code access from Sammy and they seem to be dragging their feet on this.
There are even OTA updates in Europe (France primarily) that are superbricking a load of Galaxy Notes!
sfhub, Entropy512, garwynn and others with way more skills than most are on it. Esoteric68, robertm2011 and a few others took the risk and spent the time to test the workarounds and fixes that were put together. And you'll see from all the activity here that if caution is used you can pretty safely flash away. Since I've had time this week I've actually flashed about 8 different ROMs and restored nandroids too.
Just keep in mind to read the OPs of any ROM and follow their flashing instructions, read the 'how not to brick' stickies etc.
sfhub, chris41g and Agat put together some great 'safe' kernels.
If you're truly worried you can always use sfhub's one-click to get you to a stock FF18 build - kernel, ROM and modem at one shot.
ICS builds are really quite different in the structure to GB. So yes, as a developer, there are a few more things you can do. It's just a matter of figuring out where things are.
Good luck and have fun!
my location services and gps were horrendous with the el29 update, on ICS its soooooo much better, that made it worth the risk to me
I read and read and read and read a little more until I no longer saw it as a risk. It became more of a "why not?" Now that I have experienced ICS I will never go back. I really like the streamlined multitasking. I think that is the prominent feature. :cyclops:
The old adage is: Don't fly higher than your willing to fall.
In this situation, practice techniques, development and ROMs on a device you're not afraid of bricking. Consider it a "tool of the trade". The OLED phones are starting to appear in pawn shops for little money.
I have asurion insurance and am trying to find a reason to use it so I didn't waste my money
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2
By far my favorite feature is the swipe away notifications. The few times I have been back on GB that was the first thing that bothered me. I can never go back. Especially after tasting AOSP. TouchWiz is trash for me. I suggest you try CM9 or AOKP. Both excellent ROMs with great support right now. There are many more reasons why ICS is superior, depending on preference I suppose, but the bottom line is at this point, with safe recoveries being released, your chance of bricking are I'd say slim provided you follow instructions. I have flashed probably 40 Roms over the last few months. Only time I soft bricked was cause I tried to cowboy up and not follow directions...
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium
I'm confused. Whats the risk?
ICS is dead simple to install if you know how to read.
(genuinely curious seeing as i've had ICS (in different forms) on my E4GT since it was possible. Currently on CM9.)
Yep I echo everyone's advice. Ask questions!
I got the phone a month ago and remember starting a thread asking a ton of questions and I got all the help I needed.
Flashing roms and the terminology (had never heard of Odin) was completely different from the last phone I had, so I am glad I did my homework before taking the plunge.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA
There's no risk...
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2
It is safe to flash ICS using ODIN and the newer recoveries. FF18 should be safe, I used it a few times, el26 is the recommend kernel/recovery to flash any cwm zip with as far as anything that includes wiping partitions.
Just remember ODIN ODIN ODIN!
Flash ICS based roms at your own risk, stay away from wipe data/factory reset on any ICS rom until it has been confirmed working on new roms. When using other ICS roms and you are not sure, DO NOT FACTORY RESET OR WIPE DATA. USE ODIN TO GET BACK TO A SAFE KERNEL.
Sent from my piece of crap Zio until i get a replacement E4GT using XDA Premium app
What risk? Read the how to's and no so how to's, and the risk gets eliminated.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium
Watch this thread... Soon there should be no risk at all!!!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=28400468
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium
HELP
Can anyone tell me if it is safe to install a build version of ICS to my already flashed epic 4g touch? Any help its greatly appreciated!
Thanks
ICS isn't where you get in trouble. Its going back to gb or doing a factory reset wipe. Use calks wipe all instead of using wipes in an ICS recovery and you will be golden. Read the how not to brick my phone thread if you are really paranoid.
Blu Kuban
Its what all the cool kids are using.
Noob trolled the troll that tried to troll the Noob.
~~~coal686~~~

Why did I get another Android phone?

I was so excited to get a different phone. I had been contending with the insufferable Galaxy Note 2 for 9 months. I really believed that getting the LG Optimus G Pro would be great.
Now I come to find out that there is this locked bootloader? yes before you even start typing: I already know about Freegee. I put it on my phone, it did its work. I have CWM on my phone. I cannot install a different rom. It aborts every time.
And nobody here can help. Its not like you don't see my posts. You see them. You just see them and decide to go on to something more interesting figuring that someone else will help the poor guy.
Hey guess what. I took programming in college. Only one course in VB but I did take it. And I've put up several websites back in the day. ("back in the day is a United States colloquialism")
My point is, even though I have a bit of experience with computers (linux distros, html, visual basic) I still can't figure out the quagmire that is Android.
Once the iPhone 6 comes out, I really have no reason to stick with Android anymore. I mean, if rooting and rom-ing the phone is more boringly laborious than jailbreaking, then what is the point of Android?
For example, lets say I do clear the hurdle and then flash a rom so I can get decent sound? THEN my wifi won't work. Or Some other crucial functionality will be fubar-ed. Okay okay... you say you have a fix for that? Well when its all said and done, the time/energy costs just aren't worth it, now is it?
0 #!*! Given ?
That's interesting because I never took any classes and have never had a problem rooting or doing Roms on any android phone. Sorry your experience has been bad but my questions have always been answered by somebody in the related thread. I would try asking again in the ROM's thread to see what is happening.
Sent from my LG-E980 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
G pro is the note 2 killer...... Just follow instructions of any op to the T and you should be fine.... It's simple lol
2SHAYNEZ
I agree. I don't post often but I really do hate Apple. Android kicks Apple's you know what many times over. Talk about being locked down.... If I've ever had a problem with a Rom someone has always helped me figure it out. Sorry about your problems though.
sent from my lgog pro. I just had to go bigger.
@Perry2547,
If CWM doesn't work then try TWRP, even i had problems with CWM.either install it from freegee or install this
copy this to sd card and then flash it in CWM and reboot.
I believe the OP just wanted to start a thread...
So you all may ignore him
Thanks @sukesh.
I tried the twrp you linked to and now my phone will let me flash.
Unfortunately, Camera has stopped.
Close thread please.
2SHAYNEZ
I don't even remember how I rooted this phone... I know I found a thread that had comprehensive instructions, links, etc and believe it was as simple as downloading/extracting an executable file on my PC and plugging the phone into USB at the right moment. I've flashed CM, stock 4.4, Slim and always find my way back to stock 4.1.2, modded to my liking. If you can't flash something in a custom recovery, it's likely your phone is protecting you from failure to completely read/follow a prior mod or a prerequisite to the ROM/Mod you wish to flash.
Sent from my LG E980 via Tapatalk Pro (and stupid-fast LTE)
But seriously y'all, I'm just glad I have another two hours if battery life left. That means I will vhave to recharge this phone only 3 more times today.
Unfortunately, Camera has stopped.
I too just got new lg ogp phone. Been trying to customize it to my liking for the past 3 days and night. All I can say about android is it is not for everybody. Sure, you can use it as it is when you first get it as a stock device, and it will work as advertise. But there is a reason that you try modifing it regardless of breaking the manufacturer's warranty (yes, once you start rooting it, you violate the agreement.) You have personality of the kind that thinks you can fix anything by yourself. Nothing wrong with that, I'm in same personality group too, many Android owners are. After all, what is the point if you can't modify the phone to your liking? Might as well get an Iphone right? Sadly though, it seems the new android trend is just heading the way of iphone, where users have to be protected from harming themselves. I noticed all the difficulties when I tried to root this LG phone, as compared to the phone I had two years ago. But android users are a persistent lot, more securities mean inventing more ways to break them. If you have problem installing ROM, try cm11 nightly build, it works for me. Post the specific problems and situations. We should be able to help each other. After all, android owners are together in a special community where we can relate to each other because of ideas we have for our phones. My advice to you is make sure you have the newest recovery and you are properly rooted. I can't use the script method where you run a msdos batch file. Since atnt suppose locked the boot.img file or something. Had to use a program called root master.
Sent from my LG-E980 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Nobody gives a damn, get life!
Antigen said:
Nobody gives a damn, get life!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haha
2SHAYNEZ
hawkwind212 said:
I too just got new lg ogp phone. Been trying to customize it to my liking for the past 3 days and night. All I can say about android is it is not for everybody. Sure, you can use it as it is when you first get it as a stock device, and it will work as advertise. But there is a reason that you try modifing it regardless of breaking the manufacturer's warranty (yes, once you start rooting it, you violate the agreement.) You have personality of the kind that thinks you can fix anything by yourself. Nothing wrong with that, I'm in same personality group too, many Android owners are. After all, what is the point if you can't modify the phone to your liking? Might as well get an Iphone right? Sadly though, it seems the new android trend is just heading the way of iphone, where users have to be protected from harming themselves. I noticed all the difficulties when I tried to root this LG phone, as compared to the phone I had two years ago. But android users are a persistent lot, more securities mean inventing more ways to break them. If you have problem installing ROM, try cm11 nightly build, it works for me. Post the specific problems and situations. We should be able to help each other. After all, android owners are together in a special community where we can relate to each other because of ideas we have for our phones. My advice to you is make sure you have the newest recovery and you are properly rooted. I can't use the script method where you run a msdos batch file. Since atnt suppose locked the boot.img file or something. Had to use a program called root master.
Sent from my LG-E980 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly.
If android is going to be locked down, what is the point? With iPhone bringing in 3rd party keyboards and phablet size phones, might as well go with them instead of utilitarian design devices made by dictator led countries where creativity is frowned upon.
Unfortunately, Camera has stopped.
Perry2547 said:
Exactly.
If android is going to be locked down, what is the point? With iPhone bringing in 3rd party keyboards and phablet size phones, might as well go with them instead of utilitarian design devices made by dictator led countries where creativity is frowned upon.
Unfortunately, Camera has stopped.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh lawdy... Then go to iPhone buddy .. Lol see ya
2SHAYNEZ
But Apple has been implicated in planned obsolescence as well.
Does that matter to you?
To me, it makes me a bit upset that I could work on my vehicle twenty years ago, but now it's not possible. Planned obsolescence.
Make everything sweepstakes m disposable. Lock it down too. Keep every one buying the upgrades.
Unfortunately, Camera has stopped.
Are you still having problem installing the ROM? You have never tell us what kind of problems you ran into specifically. You just ventted your frustration here, nobody wants to hear that. If you want people to help, describe the issue. Go to this site and download the program vroot.
http://www.mobilepoint.us/2013/10/android-root-master-one-click-vroot.html#.U9XRXYfwJGo
The program is in Chinese, so you may want to watch youtube videos on the master root program first. Do a factory reset, clean wipe, run master root program, and hopefully you should be able to install the recovery. Once the recovery is properly installed, you can install the custom rom. Since there aren't many, I suggest you try cyanogenmod.
Sent from my LG-E980 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
hawkwind212 said:
Are you still having problem installing the ROM? You have never tell us what kind of problems you ran into specifically. You just ventted your frustration here, nobody wants to hear that. If you want people to help, describe the issue. Go to this site and download the program vroot.
http://www.mobilepoint.us/2013/10/android-root-master-one-click-vroot.html#.U9XRXYfwJGo
The program is in Chinese, so you may want to watch youtube videos on the master root program first. Do a factory reset, clean wipe, run master root program, and hopefully you should be able to install the recovery. Once the recovery is properly installed, you can install the custom rom. Since there aren't many, I suggest you try cyanogenmod.
Sent from my LG-E980 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got a ROM to install. I indicated so in the thread. It was the E988 rom on the E980 thread.
I do a lot of whining and complaining but its for the best.
I hope that the complaining I did about Samsung's crappy products has saved a few people from buying...that is the only way that company will learn their lesson. Why pay $800 for a device only to get screen burn in.
But I never ever never ever BRICKED my Note 2.
I've bricked this OGP more times than I can count.
We should have the options to remove the locked boot loader. I would gladly sign an agreement acknowledging the risks.
We're going backwards. We're not making progress.
Same things is happening in desktop/laptop computers. I had to do something unusual to remove the UEFI on a Windows machine I bought last year just to install Lubuntu.
Speaking of Lubuntu, I had an ASUS Netbook with Windows 7 and an Atom processor. Needless to say, it ran slow. So I installed Lubuntu. Then , wow, the device ran so fast and smooth, and the already good battery life got three times better.
Why can't we have an option like that for our smartphones? I want to run the equivalent of Lubuntu on my OGP.
And another thing: Why are some custom roms dimming the display? Is it to make it appear as if the rom is giving better battery life?
Peace out bro.. but yeah, I'm not stopping my rants. If you don't like what I've got to say, simply don't read it.
This phone is not much more difficult to root than any Samsung phone I used. Also why didn't you do research before buying the phone? It was stated clearly that the boot loader was locked. However since day one of purchase I was able to follow a thread and have my phone rooted in ten minutes. It is really not that hard. Now there are a bunch of one click roots. This phone installs custom Roms every time with ease for me. I am no expert but I can read instructions. If you follow them, 99% of the time things will work. I love android for the fact that I have options. I am running a rooted stock ROM now but I love knowing that in ten minutes time I can have a new ROM flashed. This community has been so helpful and responsive.
Sent from my LG-E980 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Categories

Resources