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[Q] HTC Evo 4g on MetroPCS, Few Questions and help

Tomorrow I am planning on flashing my HTC Evo to MetroPCS.
I have a few questions, as this is my first android phone.
1. What exactly is happening when I "flash" the Evo to MetroPCS?
2. My Evo is running 2.2 right now, when "flashed" to MetroPCS would I be able to update from 2.2 to 2.3 (Gingerbread) later?
3. What exactly are roms and rooting? When I have my phone flashed is someone "rooting" my phone?
Thank you in advanced
P.S. I do understand when I flash my phone to Metro I will lose 3g and 4g functionality.

Hi there,
I'm a bit of a newbie myself, so to try to answer your questions without being wrong...
1. When you "flash" your phone, it refers to replacing the ROM on your phone. The ROM on your phone is basically a copy of your phone's OS (in this case, Android). Don't be too confused over the ROM part, as even though ROM stands for "Read Only Memory," you can still make changes to it (weird eh?)
2. That will depend on if someone actually makes a MetroPCS 2.3 update. The thing with flashing is that you can put on any ROM you want, by just overwriting the old one. It just requires someone to make the ROM. Most developers package updates for their ROMs so you can sometimes just put on the newer ROM, flash that and be up and running quickly.
3. As I mentioned before, ROMs are basically a copy of your phone's OS that someone might have customized. (Feel free to correct me guys,) In the Android OS way, you flash your ROM onto your phone. An unmodified copy is maintained on the phone, while another copy is made where your phone actually modifies it and changes it as you use the phone and store data. If something goes bad, no problem. Phone takes a copy of the unmodified ROM and copies that over the "put OS to be used here" chunk of your memory.
TL;DR? ROMs are the software on your phone, but can be modified.
3a. Rooting is different then flashing though, although it's commonly associated with each other. Rooting is when you modify your Android OS so you can have write access to other parts of the OS. All those apps that were stuck on your phone and you never liked? With rooting, you can pull those right out. Rooting allows you to pretty much do more things with your phone that you couldn't do before. It doesn't sound like too much, having write access to everything. But there are plenty of things you can do to your phone with write access. One of those things actually is flashing other ROMs to your phone. You actually need to root your phone as it is, so you can install what's called a custom recovery and a developer bootloader. Anyways, I'm not going to go through too much. Just check out the Evo Development area and there will be plenty to read through.
Hopefully I've explained enough. My apologies for the long post, I have a tendency to be through Let me know if you require clarification. Cheers!

The Local Moron said:
Hi there,
I'm a bit of a newbie myself, so to try to answer your questions without being wrong...
1. When you "flash" your phone, it refers to replacing the ROM on your phone. The ROM on your phone is basically a copy of your phone's OS (in this case, Android). Don't be too confused over the ROM part, as even though ROM stands for "Read Only Memory," you can still make changes to it (weird eh?)
2. That will depend on if someone actually makes a MetroPCS 2.3 update. The thing with flashing is that you can put on any ROM you want, by just overwriting the old one. It just requires someone to make the ROM. Most developers package updates for their ROMs so you can sometimes just put on the newer ROM, flash that and be up and running quickly.
3. As I mentioned before, ROMs are basically a copy of your phone's OS that someone might have customized. (Feel free to correct me guys,) In the Android OS way, you flash your ROM onto your phone. An unmodified copy is maintained on the phone, while another copy is made where your phone actually modifies it and changes it as you use the phone and store data. If something goes bad, no problem. Phone takes a copy of the unmodified ROM and copies that over the "put OS to be used here" chunk of your memory.
TL;DR? ROMs are the software on your phone, but can be modified.
3a. Rooting is different then flashing though, although it's commonly associated with each other. Rooting is when you modify your Android OS so you can have write access to other parts of the OS. All those apps that were stuck on your phone and you never liked? With rooting, you can pull those right out. Rooting allows you to pretty much do more things with your phone that you couldn't do before. It doesn't sound like too much, having write access to everything. But there are plenty of things you can do to your phone with write access. One of those things actually is flashing other ROMs to your phone. You actually need to root your phone as it is, so you can install what's called a custom recovery and a developer bootloader. Anyways, I'm not going to go through too much. Just check out the Evo Development area and there will be plenty to read through.
Hopefully I've explained enough. My apologies for the long post, I have a tendency to be through Let me know if you require clarification. Cheers!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much for replying!
Although one more question, when I have my phone "flashed" to install another ROM; do I require root access?
P.S. Rooting sounds like a great idea, I wanted to get rid of all those useless sprint apps.
EDIT: Just realized you did answer my question in 3a, so when someone is flashing my phone to MetroPCS tomorrow that means someone is rooting my phone and installing a ROM that is compatible with MetroPCS? Is my phone more than likely going to remain rooted?

Hmm, I didn't know MetroPCS flashes the Evo now...yay!
Anyhow, I'm going to guess MetroPCS will have their own ROM or will install a custom ROM from somewhere. The key thing really is to have them insert your ESN into their database. Afterwards, you can flash whatever you want on it. I remember it used to be a problem too, for people wanting to switch to MetroPCS. Developers had the software and everything, but the only way to activate it is to convince a service rep to add your ESN into the MetroPCS device database. Now that it's official, it's much easier.
I'm mentioning all of this because if they are officially flashing Evos now, I would think they would have a special in-house ROM that has already been tested and vetted. The issue here is that it's probably a locked (non-rooted) ROM. From the point of view of a service carrier, distributing rooted ROMs might cause higher complaints from users who screw up or from reliability issues. Anyways, good luck getting it flash. Let me know how it goes...

The Local Moron said:
Hmm, I didn't know MetroPCS flashes the Evo now...yay!
Anyhow, I'm going to guess MetroPCS will have their own ROM or will install a custom ROM from somewhere. The key thing really is to have them insert your ESN into their database. Afterwards, you can flash whatever you want on it. I remember it used to be a problem too, for people wanting to switch to MetroPCS. Developers had the software and everything, but the only way to activate it is to convince a service rep to add your ESN into the MetroPCS device database. Now that it's official, it's much easier.
I'm mentioning all of this because if they are officially flashing Evos now, I would think they would have a special in-house ROM that has already been tested and vetted. The issue here is that it's probably a locked (non-rooted) ROM. From the point of view of a service carrier, distributing rooted ROMs might cause higher complaints from users who screw up or from reliability issues. Anyways, good luck getting it flash. Let me know how it goes...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd imagine that to activate a phone with MetroPCS they'd need your ESN, I'll be asking the REP tomorrow. Chances are they are not using an In-House rom, because simply flashing the phone through Houdini gives the phone Talk and Text. But for a little more money under the table they add everything else, not that I can't do it myself. But I'd prefer someone who's done it before do it before I do. Either way I'll be asking quite a bit of questions tomorrow to the REP and I will let you know how it goes.

I have to give a little clarity here.
1.) "Flashing" your phone is not replacing a rom. Or anything to do with a rom. Flashing your phone is changing the service your phone uses to make phone calls. e.g. Flashing to metro. When you flash your phone you are essentially telling your phone to use MetroPCS's towers instead of sprints.
2.) If you flash your phone you DO lose the data functionality. BUT there is a solution. If you take your flashed evo to the right person they can unlock the data on the phone and it will work just like it would on Sprint. (craigslist is full of ppl who can do it for a price.)
3.) "Rooting". Rooting your phone makes you the "SuperUser". Basically its like "Jailbreaking" if you know what that means. Either way it makes you like an administrator for your phone. Rooting gives you full control over the phones inner workings. Therefore you can install what we call "ROMS". On the flip side this means you can easily BRICK your phone if your not careful. Rooting is only for those who know what they are doing. So do your homework before attempting.
4.) As far as if the phone can receive updates like Gingerbread after you flash it? I don't know. I would like to find out myself. The question is hard to call for me because you still have access to the android marketplace after you flash it. But you are not on Sprints network any longer. So hopefully someone here can answer that for us both.
Glad to be of assistance.
Tony.

[Q] How about some suggestions...

I have a MTS 3g running CM 7.10. I have loved this phone except for the camera. I have the fuzziness that everyone else seems to have. I get to upgrade in April and I have 2 questions:
1. Before I upgrade I want to get a replacement phone for this one because of the camera. They keep telling me there is an app, which I can't find on the Market they need me to download. Will that app let them know I'm rooted and running CM7, if so, I need to flash the original ROM. Any tricks to that thru Rom Manager, do I just put the stock rom in the update folder and let 'er go like when I boot into CM update recovery? I've got the most recent radio. If this is posted somewhere I missed it.
2. When I upgrade in April, I've been considering a MTS 4g or a HTC Slide which TMO told me was replacing MTS with them. Suggestions? I saw one post where someone would never get another slide keyboard phone, that hasn't been a problem for me, but what kind of new phones are others who have had MTS 3g been looking at, upgraded to and love? Thanks for the help and suggestions!

Flashing to Alltel or Cricket

Hey guys. I've been doing a bit of searching and have only been confused! I have an Evo4G from Sprint and I want to flash it over to be used on either Alltel or Cricket.
I say Alltel or Cricket, because from what i've been reading, there are alot of problems switching these phones to alltel..So i'm looking for suggestions from you guys as far as which to flash. Either will be fine, I just want whichever will work best.
Also, I have found a lot of information about PRL's..But i'm still confused as how to flash to one of these services. The phone is already rooted and running ICS (4.0.3)
So please guys, any information will be greatly appreciated! I'm doing this for a friend and was suppose to have it done by tomorrow, but i've been having so much trouble. I've never done anything like this on a CDMA network. I can normally unlock a phone and pop a sim card into it. I know from reading that I will have to flash some alltel files to it..I'm just having issues finding the correct files and a working guide.
Oh and in case location matters, (if i'm not mistaken other carriers own alltel in certain areas,) i'm in Western North Carolina

Here is the guide I use. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=934417
You will use qspt to flash the prl to your phone. You will need to be on a Sense 1.0 rom, or a Sense rom that has ##codes working.
As for MMS, I have never been able to get it to work, with new apns, gosms or any other way that's on the net. However I did find a solution that costs $5, and it works. Lemme see if I can find it again.

Thanks. I'm going to try it now.

Interesting........I'll have to check that guide out

PsilliCoder said:
Thanks. I'm going to try it now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
check your pm's

It says to use the Jiminy rom but when I go to the page to download it, it says it's obsolete all over the page...Should I go ahead and use it? Or is there another one that will work?

PsilliCoder said:
It says to use the Jiminy rom but when I go to the page to download it, it says it's obsolete all over the page...Should I go ahead and use it? Or is there another one that will work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you can use pretty much any modern Sense rom. Sense 3.0 and below seem to be best with getting MMS to work. Haven't made it work with Sense 3.5+ or any AOSP roms yet.

Koodo SGH T-989D

The tutorial for Rooting and all these ROMs present in android development section, are they the same for the T-989D Canadian version? Flashing them would work? I'm tried searching but it would just bring up roms based on T-989D. Just need a quick confirmation before I root and flash. Thanks.:angel:

bobiscool07 said:
The tutorial for Rooting and all these ROMs present in android development section, are they the same for the T-989D Canadian version? Flashing them would work? I'm tried searching but it would just bring up roms based on T-989D. Just need a quick confirmation before I root and flash. Thanks.:angel:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm pretty sure that if something can be flashed on T989 (T-Mobile), it can be flashed on T989D (Telus/Koodo). I understand that the are just some small differences wrt access to download mode and recovery. See here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2079776
btw, I have a T989D on Koodo

bobiscool07 said:
The tutorial for Rooting and all these ROMs present in android development section, are they the same for the T-989D Canadian version? Flashing them would work? I'm tried searching but it would just bring up roms based on T-989D. Just need a quick confirmation before I root and flash. Thanks.:angel:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Short answer is yes! Everything you will find here is working perfectly fine on the canadian version.
So go ahead and root/flash away!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989D

Thanks for your help!
Sent from my A500 using XDA Premium HD app

I have a T989D on Koodo which I've been messing with quite extensively, and yeah, everything is basically the same. The download/recovery mode linked above is the only major difference.
One thing of note, if you end up messing up the device and need to fully reflash from Odin, the t-mobile stock may not work. I tried over and over to recover from what was essentially a brick (ultra, ultra slow) and it just stayed that slow, even though it did seem to boot and connect and everything. It was totally unusable, however.
I found a different one that did work however, I can't seem to find the post anymore but I'm sure you'll be able to get it if you need it, there seem to be others out there with the same name, but not quite the same filesize. That shouldn't really matter as you'll doubtless go back to a custom rom anyway, the point is just to get you back to something that works.
For reference, the name of the one that worked for me is "SGH-T989_UVLH1_Stock_Odex_zipaligned_signed.zip" and it's 422 MB. This post seems to have a Koodo stock zip as well as the T-mobile one, it's about 100MB less but again, that really shouldn't matter so long as it's Koodo.
Hopefully you'll never need to use it, but I just wanted to let you know that even if you have to recover and some files don't seem to be working, keep trying, because the correct ones are out there! Just may need to search a bit for 'em

Re: Koodo SGH-T989D sic.
bobiscool07 said:
The tutorial for Rooting and all these ROMs present in android development section, are they the same for the T-989D Canadian version? Flashing them would work? I'm tried searching but it would just bring up roms based on T-989D. Just need a quick confirmation before I root and flash. Thanks.:angel:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A few more things SGH-T989D owners may want to be aware of:
1) This is an excellent resource: [ROM][Stock]T989UVLI4 (4.0.4) ♛ T989DTLLE4 (4.0.3) ♛ T989DTLLG2[ODIN][TWRP/CWM]
2) You might want to search and replace all "T989" with "T989D" in build.prop
" " replace all "TLLG2" with whatever radio your new ROM is using.
If you're on Koodo you might want to assign that to the ro.carrier property
3) If you've got a data plan with you might want to search the web for your carrier's apn info and insert it into "Settings|Wireless & networks|Mobile networks"
Note: This stuff is optional in the sense that your stuff is probably going to work if you don't make these changes. I haven't always updated all this after switching to a new custom rom, but I did notice that I showed up on the Telus network as a T989 as opposed to a T989D on the Koodo network. Really they're the same network but ... I don't know. Maybe I just over think things... I do like the fact that when I plug my phone into the computer or go to the play store or whatever that my phone reports as what it actually is and what radio it uses etc. I don't really care that much as long as my stuff works and I have access to apps that are appropriate for the hardware I'm using. YMMV.
Note2: Most of this info can be gleaned from your stock rom's "CSC" folder and build.prop file. When I have a little more time I'll write this up so its more understandable for those new to flashing Roms. Just wanted to mention that there are a few other tiny, nearly insignificant differences btw the T989 and T989D so that the OP and/or others can address these points if they choose to. At least not be surprised if it looks as though they're using data on a network with a different phone.
Note3: Maybe the only thing that matters is an imei number from your SIM. I don't really know. Be glad to be "told" by anyone that knows. I just know that these things are different even if they don't make a bit of difference in practice.

Re:Koodo SGH-T989D
Hello I'm new to posting on the forums, sorry If I've missed the answer to this question already!
I have a Koodo SGH-T989D that I got in September, before that I was using a non smart flip phone . So I'm quite new to this whole rom business, but even android/ smart phone os in general.
I've been able to flash many roms in the past couple months and have a good understanding of what it is i'm doing. Never had an issue I couldnt fix myself actually, so I've never made an account.
This latest problem has me puzzled though, I've totally lost data connection on my s2x while using any radio. I use SGH-T989D_TLLG2_Koodo_radio but I tried UVLI4 just to see.
However I did change a few things up from my usual routine to flash 4.2.1
1: changed twrp to 2.4.1.0 from 2.2 cwm flashable zip
2: moved all my zips to sd card and formatted internal memory(to eliminate possible issues)
Before this I was using twrp 2.2 and only doing a clean install, not formatting internal sd without any issues or instability.
I've been on [4.2.1 | 4.2.2] AOKP :: jb-mr1 :: build 3 and very impressed with it, except this one issue.
In the thread there is a post that refers to getting data working with koodo, so I think its an apn/proxy setting. I just am not sure where I would have to change these settings.
Just restored a recent nandroid backup and everything works fine.
Can anyone help me out, any insight or tips would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks

Check here for Koodo APN settings: http://koodomobile.com/en/on/switch2koodo-step-3-c.shtml
Go to settings > wireless and network, more... > mobile networks > access point names > then hit your options button > New APN > enter the details found on the page linked above.
Hope that solves it for you.

Re:Koodo SGH-T989D
Thank you so much, worked right away!
The reason I didnt just look up koodo apn settings is because I had no idea what they were.
And Until now I've never had an issue.
Is this something to do with aokp 4.2 or is it because I formatted my internal storage?
Since mid December I've tried out about 5 or 6 roms just to see how they compared to stock. And all I have to say is wow!
Thank you to all those who make this possible, it really is a great community.
I was on stock koodo rom and unrooted until december because my charge port stopped working after like 3 months...? So I went looking for info and I was brought here, haven't looked back since.

When to check for proper apn info?
Spheeler said:
Thank you so much, worked right away!
The reason I didnt just look up koodo apn settings is because I had no idea what they were.
And Until now I've never had an issue.
Is this something to do with aokp 4.2 or is it because I formatted my internal storage?
Since mid December I've tried out about 5 or 6 roms just to see how they compared to stock. And all I have to say is wow!
Thank you to all those who make this possible, it really is a great community.
I was on stock koodo rom and unrooted until december because my charge port stopped working after like 3 months...? So I went looking for info and I was brought here, haven't looked back since.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ususally associated with radio upgrades; but rather than get too particular, its good practice to check the apn info after any ROM upgrade. If you think about it, any of the hercules upgrades are going to be the same across the board for any given update. Where they're different is where we want to pay particular attention. In this case, carrier specific information.

Flash to cricket

I'm trying to use my evo on cricket and I just want to walk in and have them flash it over, what I'm really asking is do I need it to be on stock software, and have the stock recovery? Or can I just be on aosp and it doesn't matter for them?
Thanks in advance

Been asked and answered, but you'll need a Sense ROM, stock or otherwise. I did my flashing myself but used QPST. You need a Sense ROM with EPST and Diag for fine tuning and to update prl. Cricket really doesn't care, as long as Sense, but be forewarned, if you have an evo/android, be prepped to pay the Android price.

Wambo_Bomb said:
Been asked and answered, but you'll need a Sense ROM, stock or otherwise. I did my flashing myself but used QPST. You need a Sense ROM with EPST and Diag for fine tuning and to update prl. Cricket really doesn't care, as long as Sense, but be forewarned, if you have an evo/android, be prepped to pay the Android price.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had it flashed correctly but now im wondering if i can flash a cricket rom for the evo now that is not sense, or if it will wipe what they did at the cricket store.....like this rom for example: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2124527
thanks in advance

Make a copy of your current APN settings using APN backup and restore from the market and then make a nandroid backup of your entire current setup before you move on. Just in case. It should work, but I can't confirm APN and Data are fully functional without an app like greenk45, since when I did run that on my phone, I didn't have MMS or Data.

Wambo_Bomb said:
Make a copy of your current APN settings using APN backup and restore from the market and then make a nandroid backup of your entire current setup before you move on. Just in case. It should work, but I can't confirm APN and Data are fully functional without an app like greenk45, since when I did run that on my phone, I didn't have MMS or Data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for the info, it has been helpful...ill try soon....so am i free to flash any sense based ROM or does it have to be cricket based to work properly, i had them flash it while it was on digitalKarma, and everything works properly now

Most any ROM should work fine, but there are a few that may bring issues. Mms is a minor issue across the board. Just so long as you keep a backup of DK so you always have that to fall back on.

Hey I use cricket and have flashed several og evo's and evo 3d's. You can run any rom that is out. These so called cricket roms if you can find one with a working link are really no different than any other rom. You can have full data and mms on any rom you want to use from froyo all the way up to jellybean 4.2.2. The thing is you have to know what needs to be changed. I have never had to do anything to get data working it always works but mms is a little bit of a different story. I have never used this greenk45 or even heard of it until now. I would say that out of all the roms on this forum and a couple others I have flashed and used all but maybe five. Each version of android seems to need slightly different changes to make your mms work but I have been able to do it with all the roms. If you want you can pm me and I will be more than willing to give you any help you need. Heck maybe one of these day I will get off my lazy butt and do a complete guide to flashing roms cricket style. Until then I am always willing to help out anyone willing to ask for the help.

Yeah. Sorry, greenk45 is a proxy hack for some cricket users. It is what I had to use when I had data. But then again, I was on a $25 plan. On the note2, I had cricket flash it, so it's different now.