Galaxy nexus questions. - Samsung Galaxy Nexus

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

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.

Why install ROM over just Rooting ?

Please help explain to my Brother who just got a GSM Nexus from the Play/Market store, what benefits there are to installing a good stable ROM over just Rooting the phone ? My bro is super smart, he's a programmer, and knows a ton about technology, etc..He just mentioned he's happy Rooted and that's it.
I have the Verizon Nexus, and rooted and ROM'd the first day I bought it, and love trying out different ROM's. But what is a good reason to install a nice ROM, instead of just using the stock Nexus that is Rooted ? How would you explain that to someone new to this phone ? And why do it ?
because when you root your phone, it does a lot of alterations and depending on what you do with root access (such as... put something in /system/ etc etc) there are a lot of variables. This may affect future OTAs, and if you do accept them and you did those altercations then your phone will not brick but there will be problems booting up/applying it etc etc.
So in the end, you might as well take things into your own hand and flash. If you're going to root, do it the WHOLE way. Not go half in, and half out. That's just my opinion.
And sigh, another thread about what ROM to choose from. Look at the dev section and look at all the ROMs and depending on the comments + features (OP post) have to offer. Select your choice there. The most popular combo is AOKP with Franco Kernel.
And if someone is new, I'd leave their phone stock. Otherwise, you'll be holding their hands and asking you questions on how to do things. A rooted phone is that person's responsibility.
Zorachus said:
Please help explain to my Brother who just got a GSM Nexus from the Play/Market store, what benefits there are to installing a good stable ROM over just Rooting the phone ? My bro is super smart, he's a programmer, and knows a ton about technology, etc..He just mentioned he's happy Rooted and that's it.
I have the Verizon Nexus, and rooted and ROM'd the first day I bought it, and love trying out different ROM's. But what is a good reason to install a nice ROM, instead of just using the stock Nexus that is Rooted ? How would you explain that to someone new to this phone ? And why do it ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you trying to insist your brother flash? Maybe he is quite content with stock and knows it is stable and root just gives the extra privileges he wants. I am running stock and almost pure kernel rooted and very happy.
let it be.
Zorachus said:
Please help explain to my Brother who just got a GSM Nexus from the Play/Market store, what benefits there are to installing a good stable ROM over just Rooting the phone ? My bro is super smart, he's a programmer, and knows a ton about technology, etc..He just mentioned he's happy Rooted and that's it.
I have the Verizon Nexus, and rooted and ROM'd the first day I bought it, and love trying out different ROM's. But what is a good reason to install a nice ROM, instead of just using the stock Nexus that is Rooted ? How would you explain that to someone new to this phone ? And why do it ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If he doesn't see the need for it, then he shouldn't put a ROM on the phone. Don't push him to do it. He's a smart guy, let him make his own decisions. The worst thing you can do is force him to use a custom ROM when he doesn't want to, and have him regret it.
Zorachus said:
Please help explain to my Brother who just got a GSM Nexus from the Play/Market store, what benefits there are to installing a good stable ROM over just Rooting the phone ? My bro is super smart, he's a programmer, and knows a ton about technology, etc..He just mentioned he's happy Rooted and that's it.
I have the Verizon Nexus, and rooted and ROM'd the first day I bought it, and love trying out different ROM's. But what is a good reason to install a nice ROM, instead of just using the stock Nexus that is Rooted ? How would you explain that to someone new to this phone ? And why do it ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im too a software developer and a electronics engineer, and i was a stock lover until i tried AOKP Milestone, i would never go back to stock, the feature rich/stabilty/power saving/customization of this rom its just godly.. He wont ever know what are the ICS's real calabilities until he try out whats there.. He can always go back to pure stock.. So i dont see the point on non flashing and testing roms..
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Because he'll be able to sit at the cool kids table at lunch.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
phaze one said:
Because he'll be able to sit at the cool kids table at lunch.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He could always stay stock and sit at the "my phone always works" table .
Such a simple question. Because it adds tons of features and functions. You can't really make a judgement saying you're fine stock if you don't know the other side of the question what the other roms offer. Only when you try both can you say yes or no you're happy with or without stock.
My personal opinion, the roms on this phone offer god like amount of features worth using.

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

phone arriving on wednesday - first things to do?

ello guys.
going from my 2 year old htc desire to this....
so...what are the first things to do with this galaxy nexus?
Vital apps needed?
specific things to do in the settings to make it run better?
it would be nice to make a guide to follow.
first thing ive done so far is buy a TPU S line case, and Expertshield screen protector.
If the battery life is rubbish i'll have to get the extension pack....but hardly anyone in the UK seems to sell them...lots of korea sales for genuine ones on ebay.
would a non-genuine thing still be as good?
heard of this dodgy issue with a 'yellowy' tint screen - what to do there? have to root the phone?
etc.etc...
Fast boot OEM unlock
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA
Unlock the phone a root it first because unlocking it will wipe the phone clean of EVERYTHING. So get that done first and the rest is up to you stay stock or flash a rom.
Sent From My Sprint Galaxy Nexus via XDA Premium
Here are my favorite apps on my Galaxy Nexus
-Chrome Beta
-Boid (Twitter)
-Tasks (Google Tasks)
-Weather Flow
-Intsagram
-Wolfram Alpha
-Icy Time (Timer and Stopwatch)
-Wallbase (Wallpapers)
Now that you have Android 4.0 you'll most likely fall in love with the Holo design guidelines. A list of some of the apps that use these guidelines can be found here and some good looking apps in general can here.
If you plan on rooting your phone or think you might want to in the future Unlock the bootloader, if you don't you will regret it, trust me. As for the battery life, I can get through the whole day with no problems while others complain that the battery life is bad, I suggest that you use the phone for a week before you get an extended battery.
There's a forum about the yellow screen issue here if you experience this at all then send it back as soon as possible despite the desire to play with your brand new toy.
If you have more questions just ask.
Sign for it
Take it out the box
Charge it
Press power
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
If you like miui and don't want to root. Miui launcher is now available as an apk. That's one of the first things I installed when I got mine. The stock launcher is pretty good too.
Mi Launcher
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1623026
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA
try ur phone with everything stock for a few days, see if everything works, no reboots, overheating etc etc (might want to check if u got an OTA update though, coz there's a big difference for example between 4.0.1 and 4.0.4 in terms of stability)... if u're satisfied with stock , there is no need to root then , if u want to play around a lil u'll figure what to do urself.
p.s. i also owned a desire, but went through some devices in the middle before the gnex, nways, the desire can't be even mentioned in the same sentence with what u're getting now. welcome aboard
First things to do:
1) Unlock your bootloader, even if you never plan on rooting or flashing a custom ROM. Do this even before booting Android for the first time.
2) Check to see if you are running yakju or takju. If you are running a build other than those two (for GSM devices), flash one of them (by following the link in my signature). Run one of those two builds for a while, so that you get a feel for what a stock ROM is.
3) Everything else.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
Keep it stock for at least a week, get to know the phone. Saves having to post about problems you're having on a custom rom just to find out its not the roms fault. This will also allow you to give real feedback when comparing roms as a opposed to these douches who flashed on day one n insist that rom x is better than stock
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
i will definitely run stock for a few weeks and get used to it all.
however i am one to fiddle, but im totally new to this phone world in terms of rooting, custom ROMS etc, never bothered before.
put it this way though......i dont own any apple products
can anyone point me to the best guide for rooting, and installing custom Roms?
also can anyone link me to a list of custom roms for the gnex, that are either finished or in development?
im just asking for the links because im very sure the question 'how do you root' has been asked a hundred times - i could google it - but i presume you guys will immediately know a link to the best and safest guide.
having a read through, it seems people have already tweaked the gnex for better things - better kernels? to get better battery life? etc.etc...
is that part of the firmware? is that what you get with custom roms?
i need to understand the basics first.
(im buying the phone sim free unlocked)
Everything you need is in the q&a and development sub forums where you found this one
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
schueyisking said:
i will definitely run stock for a few weeks and get used to it all.
however i am one to fiddle, but im totally new to this phone world in terms of rooting, custom ROMS etc, never bothered before.
put it this way though......i dont own any apple products
can anyone point me to the best guide for rooting, and installing custom Roms?
also can anyone link me to a list of custom roms for the gnex, that are either finished or in development?
im just asking for the links because im very sure the question 'how do you root' has been asked a hundred times - i could google it - but i presume you guys will immediately know a link to the best and safest guide.
having a read through, it seems people have already tweaked the gnex for better things - better kernels? to get better battery life? etc.etc...
is that part of the firmware? is that what you get with custom roms?
i need to understand the basics first.
(im buying the phone sim free unlocked)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HERE you go
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=23229558
Galaxy Nexus AOKP m5 Franco kernel m3
doesnt rooting or installing a new kernel void the warranty?
schueyisking said:
doesnt rooting or installing a new kernel void the warranty?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can always flash back to stock.
No warranty problems.
Backup your /efs partition... =o)
a week of stock? i don't last more than 3 hours, and that's if i'm trying to really be patient. within an hour of getting mine i had flashed the radios, bootloader, rom, and the kernel.
tspderek said:
a week of stock? i don't last more than 3 hours, and that's if i'm trying to really be patient. within an hour of getting mine i had flashed the radios, bootloader, rom, and the kernel.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do you even know what stock ICS is if you only use it for 3 hours?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
I just got my GN directly from Google and didn't do any unlocking of any sort. Just turned it on and added some apps I plan on using. Changed my homescreen and other screens/settings to fit my personal use and etc.
The phone is amazing without the need of unlocking.
Not really sure... the phone is already unlocked -.- (SIM wise)
pinoyplaya4life said:
[snip]
The phone is amazing without the need of unlocking.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you understand what unlocking means? We are talking about unlocking the bootloader. Unlocking the bootloader does NOT mean that you are changing anything related to the ROM. I does NOT mean that you are "rooting", and it does not mean you are planning to use a custom ROM.
All it means is that it gives you the ability to use fastboot commands. With this ability, you may be able to save some data off your device in case something happens and your devices' OS crashes. There have been a few reports on these forums of users who kept their bootloaders locked, then something happened and they couldn't boot their device. If their bootloaders had been unlocked, they could have at least saved their personal files (photos, music, etc) from the /sdcard directory. But, because their bootloaders were locked, too bad so sad, photos gone (they were not auto-backup to the cloud).
+1
Definitely unlock the bootloader - I learned the hard way on my N1 that getting an 'unlocked phone' is different from having a phone with an unlocked bootloader. (hunting down a bootloader locked root method so I can Titanium Backup 2 years of apps and data is a PIA).
Unlocking the bootloader on a brand new phone will not outwardly do anything to your phone other than add a little unlocked padlock to the bottom of your startup screen (the one with Google written on it).
I did 2 weeks ago what you're talking about doing now. It's super easy with the Galaxy Nexus Toolkit that mskip has created.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1392310
[EDIT] P.S. - don't worry about losing warranty when unlocking the bootloader - the above GNex Toolkit can get your phone back to stock and then re-lock the bootloader for you if you ever need to use the warranty.
efrant said:
First things to do:
1) Unlock your bootloader, even if you never plan on rooting or flashing a custom ROM. Do this even before booting Android for the first time.
2) Check to see if you are running yakju or takju. If you are running a build other than those two (for GSM devices), flash one of them (by following the link in my signature). Run one of those two builds for a while, so that you get a feel for what a stock ROM is.
3) Everything else.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

To Custom or to Stock?

Hello people, I hope you are all well.
So I have bought myself a Galaxy Nexus and will be selling my Galaxy SII. I decided to get the GNex, because I wanted as close to a Google phone as possible (along with the purchase of my Nexus 7).
Now, for the longest time, regardless of which Android phone / tablet I've had I normally end up loading a custom rom, which invariably ends up being CyanogenMod.
Now what to do, should I go custom again or should I try stock this time (for my N7 I've stuck with stock for the time being)?
Or should I use stock and see how the custom roms develop?
I guess more than anything I'm just thinking out aloud.
I got the gnex because of the vast amount of roms but I guess my phone does not like custom roms and prefers stock ics I have left it stock plus the leak of vz jb for their gnex prompted this too. If vz gnex has a leak means they are working on it and the sprint version should be out soon
sent from stock toroplus
donsh00tmesanta said:
I got the gnex because of the vast amount of roms but I guess my phone does not like custom roms and prefers stock ics I have left it stock plus the leak of vz jb for their gnex prompted this too. If vz gnex has a leak means they are working on it and the sprint version should be out soon
sent from stock toroplus
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ha, interesting. Luckily as I'm on GSM, I am now rocking JB on my phone.
Must be nice!!!! Lol
Nandroid and try out a custom rom. Codename android has lots of features
sent from stock toroplus
play around with custom roms when you are bored but I wouldn't flash my daily driver cause no time to keep up with it.
Note: it's highly addicting
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Word
sent from stock toroplus
hp13 said:
play around with custom roms when you are bored but I wouldn't flash my daily driver cause no time to keep up with it.
Note: it's highly addicting
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hep, I know its highly addictive!! I just get lazy having to reset all the widgets / settings etc!
custom stock. since we own an aosp device after all.
Sent from my i9250
try custom roms..u wudnt wanna get back to stock
The stock Jelly Bean is wonderful....Old versions of Android missed many things which forced us to have custom ROMs. But with JB, switch to custom only if you really need some tweaks.
The only thing you will need to do is rooting.
I rooted the phone, installed a couple of custom roms, but came back to stock. Custom roms offer a wonderful world of customizations, but for the Nexus, its still evolving and it comes with some bugs or minor problems. You may end up switching roms...
As for me, the stock is smooth and stable. And since I have root, I can always do a selective mod if needed!
You have stock JB on your N7 so why not play around a little?! :good:
browngeek said:
hep, I know its highly addictive!! I just get lazy having to reset all the widgets / settings etc!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Everything can be backed up. So there's no reason to ever have to manually restore stuff.
Anyway, no question try custom ROMs, then make the decision if you prefer stock or not. But without a doubt you have to try custom ROMs to determine if you like them or not.
Thanks for the input guys. Yep, already rooted, so that's all good.
I actually used Titanium backup to backup all my apps form my SG2 and shift them over to the GNex. I also restored the user data (yes, I know you should not do that, but, touchwood, everything got transferred OK).
I guess I'll play around with stock first, just to get used to it, and then after a week or so, may give some custom roms a try.
Please help with going back to stock using a Mac
Hello, I have looked at all the guides and googled everything possible regarding returning my recently purchased Sprint GNEX back to stock so I can get the ota Jelly Bean from Sprint whenever they decide to roll it down.
I have found all kinds of vids and tutorials regarding using a pc to do this, even one post/guide that said just follow this pc guide and do this for a mac but it only confused the "H" out of me lol.
I am currently using the Codename Android JB rom but I was guided with a perfect video and guide to even do this. I am a noob or whatever they call us.
Could someone, if there is someone who knows help me find a way to go back to 4.04 on Sprint using a MAC. Please do not direct me to the guides I have seen on here for mac because they are either not for my Sprint version or are only instructions for PC. The person who did help me get Codename Android does have a youtube vid for unrooting but I tried it and it does not work for me.
There is not a whole lot around here for mac which I totally understand do this being geared to a more open system than Apple.
Thanks for any advice. I would like to get this done even if the update takes even longer to come down. I just want to be back to where I was when I bought the Sprint GNEX so I can get regular ota updates. I do not think messing with flashing is for me and on the plus side for you guys, it'll be one less dope you have to deal with.
If you are already familiar with cyanogenmod, then how could you ever settle for stock? Although CM10 is still in it's infant stages, it is coming along rather nicely. The only selling point of stock ROMs over custom ones is their reliability and even stock Android has been known to have bugs. Be honest with yourself, if you have the know how to install a custom ROM, you will never be happy unless you are flashing nightlies. You're an addict just like the rest of us, face it!
Sent from my Xoom using Tapatalk 2
Thank you Mike
mikedyk43 said:
If you are already familiar with cyanogenmod, then how could you ever settle for stock? Although CM10 is still in it's infant stages, it is coming along rather nicely. The only selling point of stock ROMs over custom ones is their reliability and even stock Android has been known to have bugs. Be honest with yourself, if you have the know how to install a custom ROM, you will never be happy unless you are flashing nightlies. You're an addict just like the rest of us, face it!
Sent from my Xoom using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For the record, I absolutely don't have the know how to install these things or root unlock etc etc. The only reason I was able to do it was due to a vid for very amateur persons. I am just a 44 yr old lady and just want to not be messing around with my phone. In fact I do not know if I even properly rooted or installed because as I said when I went to the vid from the great guy who helped me install codename, he also had a vid to unroot for mac with a sprint phone. it was such easy steps and my phone would not do it I got errors saying radio failed blah blah blah. Also don't know if I am even rooted or not but I am still on the codename rom and not back to 4.04. Is Cyangenmod what I am running? See what I mean? My issues is I am one who should not be messing around with my phone. And especially when everytime a new rom or update comes along, I have to have someone practically baby step me through it.
As for this codename android it is great. Am I rooted if I have it? See again, I literally know nothing about developing flashing rooting etc. It is just too much for my non technical brain, and as I said I really did not install this on my own and cannot even get back to stock on my own and to top it off I have only a macbook pro.
Now please do not be upset with me because I think the droid open platform is awesome compared to Apple's closed forum but being someone whom, as I said should not be messing with my phone in the 1st play since I do not understand nor do I know wth I am doing when I read instructions, I really miss my old iphone 4 8gb since I couldn't do nothing special with it.
Also I honeslty do not do too much on my phone but am the materialistic type who wants to have the latest or greatest software on whatever device. I hope you understand what I am trying to say cause I don't!
So does anyone know how to do this then?
zandermomof3 said:
For the record, I absolutely don't have the know how to install these things or root unlock etc etc. The only reason I was able to do it was due to a vid for very amateur persons. I am just a 44 yr old lady and just want to not be messing around with my phone. In fact I do not know if I even properly rooted or installed because as I said when I went to the vid from the great guy who helped me install codename, he also had a vid to unroot for mac with a sprint phone. it was such easy steps and my phone would not do it I got errors saying radio failed blah blah blah. Also don't know if I am even rooted or not but I am still on the codename rom and not back to 4.04. Is Cyangenmod what I am running? See what I mean? My issues is I am one who should not be messing around with my phone. And especially when everytime a new rom or update comes along, I have to have someone practically baby step me through it.
As for this codename android it is great. Am I rooted if I have it? See again, I literally know nothing about developing flashing rooting etc. It is just too much for my non technical brain, and as I said I really did not install this on my own and cannot even get back to stock on my own and to top it off I have only a macbook pro.
Now please do not be upset with me because I think the droid open platform is awesome compared to Apple's closed forum but being someone whom, as I said should not be messing with my phone in the 1st play since I do not understand nor do I know wth I am doing when I read instructions, I really miss my old iphone 4 8gb since I couldn't do nothing special with it.
Also I honeslty do not do too much on my phone but am the materialistic type who wants to have the latest or greatest software on whatever device. I hope you understand what I am trying to say cause I don't!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I still did not have my original question answered. Does anyone here no how to get me back to 4.04 with my Sprint GNEX using a Mac and is willing to help/guide me through? Please? Thank you. I was surprised nobody replied back last night after my reply to Mike. Also I was directed by another forum that someone on this site would definitely be able to help and know how to go back to stock using a mac. I think I gave pretty good reasons why personally, I should not be messing with my phone.
zandermomof3 said:
I still did not have my original question answered. Does anyone here no how to get me back to 4.04 with my Sprint GNEX using a Mac and is willing to help/guide me through? Please? Thank you. I was surprised nobody replied back last night after my reply to Mike. Also I was directed by another forum that someone on this site would definitely be able to help and know how to go back to stock using a mac. I think I gave pretty good reasons why personally, I should not be messing with my phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
first, read this. then read this.
Sent from my i9250
bk201doesntexist said:
first, read this. then read this.
Sent from my i9250
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have read both those top two guides but as I said I have a mac and am not technically inclined and need baby steps but thanks anyway. heck I don't even know if I flashed codename android correctly or made a back up and if that is true then I am screwed anyway right?
---------- Post added at 12:18 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:13 PM ----------
zandermomof3 said:
I have read both those top two guides but as I said I have a mac and am not technically inclined and need baby steps but thanks anyway. heck I don't even know if I flashed codename android correctly or made a back up and if that is true then I am screwed anyway right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
whoa, wth do all those links mean? I already told you guys I do not understand this technical stuff and those links you provide with all those codes. Thank you, honestly, I could never follow those. I was very honest here when I said I cannot mess with my phone anymore. It is only more work for you guys.
---------- Post added at 12:24 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:18 PM ----------
zandermomof3 said:
I have read both those top two guides but as I said I have a mac and am not technically inclined and need baby steps but thanks anyway. heck I don't even know if I flashed codename android correctly or made a back up and if that is true then I am screwed anyway right?
---------- Post added at 12:18 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:13 PM ----------
whoa, wth do all those links mean? I already told you guys I do not understand this technical stuff and those links you provide with all those codes. Thank you, honestly, I could never follow those. I was very honest here when I said I cannot mess with my phone anymore. It is only more work for you guys.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you are kidding right? This is a joke on me. I have no idea how to build a thing. If noone wants to actually help just say so. I also saw nothing about mac except in the top 1st link which I already tried and got radio failed error and my phone booted right back into 4.1.1 codename android.
i dont use a mac. i was trying to help anyway. next time, dont do anything to your device. the first link i gave you was for you to understand OUR technical language and terms, so that you can SEARCH for the info you need, and you can help us help you. you just want stock right? "gnex sprint back to stock" on google gave me " http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=25190768&postcount=1"? have you tried that?
if you cant flash a recovery like cwm or twrp with fastboot.. then you need to search on how to do it.
still one more way to it here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1620036
seems to me you just needed to understand OUR (yourself included) technical terms; this is xda-devs, not xda-help-noobs.
Sent from my i9250

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