Develop Bugs

Hiya. I need some expert advice

Soo.... I have had android phones for about year. Now I have the epic and I love it a lot.., but I'm hearing about rooting and ROM'S and all this other stuff... What is it? And by doing these things will I damage my device.? I need to be clued in big time.

well before you get dinged for posting this let me try and give a link that may shed some light
http://forum.xda-developers.com/wiki/index.php?title=Samsung_Galaxy_S/SPH-D700

Well... that guide on what everything was helped a little bit but it was all kinda confusing seeing as I'm new to the terms and whatnot. It basically sounds dangerous though and if I accidentally "brick" my phone I am going to die what are the positives of rooting my phone? And also, why would I get dinged fo posting this???

Cuz is posted 1000 times and u need to do your homework and start reading starting with 1click root is your best bet. And don't be afraid this phone is almost impossible to brick like I said almost and good luck.
dito33
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

Geminispirit said:
And also, why would I get dinged fo posting this???
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Because technically this is supposed to be a developers board. They want you to learn the basics elsewhere and come here to develop new software.
And also we have people asking "what are root and roms" pretty much every other day. And then new people come and don't bother to read the threads that already answer their questions or use the search to find answers. Instead, they expect someone to start giving them the answers from scratch all over again.

Geminispirit said:
if I accidentally "brick" my phone I am going to die
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If you can't afford to be without your phone for a day or can't afford to replace the phone if it becomes damaged, then do NOT mess with it.
Most circumstances all this is harmless/recoverable, but if the phone is a necessity (or not yours, ie parents), I wouldn't mess with it.
The only thing more annoying that seeing 50 post threads consisting of 48 people commenting on "wrong section" is threads from people that just messed up their parents phone and -now- it's an emergency.

Go here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=798067
That should cover pretty much everything you need to know to get started and research stuff on your own.

Ummm thanks to everyone? I appreciate the advice and I'll try to figure this out. I'm just a newbie here (obviously) and I didn't know the ropes about how to find out "basic" info... Thanks for the links that were posted as well. Also, for the person who said something about this being my parents phone...? This is my phone.... and I paid a lot to get it and I don't want to damage it
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

Ohh... and also I just believe I'm going to leave my phone as it is... I don't see the positive benefits of rooting it. Plus I don't want to damage anything
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

That's probably a good idea. You shouldn't make any major changes to your phone if you don't understand what you are changing.

Oh yeah, no benefits whatsoever
WHY SHOULD I ROOT MY PHONE?
Rooting offers several great things including, but certainly not limited to, access to hidden features, total customization, better battery life, and overclocking. It gives you control over the device that you paid money for in the first place. The devs here are great at finding features that the manufacturers left out or disabled and making them work.
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wj0t said:
Oh yeah, no benefits whatsoever
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Lol... that sounds cool and whatnot but in the end, I just not that technologically wise.. but I do appreciate the people who are if I knew as much as them, i'd probably try the whole rooting thing
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

I'm sorry, but I'm a noob and I need help.

Hi there everyone, my name is Alex and I just got my first smartphone ever, an Samsung Galaxy S2 and I would be grateful if someone could help take it to another level. Root, optimize, enchance it's "power", so on and so forth. I will really appreciate all of your help. I just heard of you guys from a friend, and believe me when I say "I AM NOOB!!" I don't know anything about rooting/ unlocking/ jailbreak/ etc.
Please leave me a message.
With deep sympathy and respect,
Alex.

what version of the GS2 do you have?
there are different forums for some different variants here on XDA. Once you identify which version you have, you can go to that forum and sniff around. read as much as you can, and you'll figure everything out pretty easily

You should start by finding and posting at the CORRECT section. I'm very sure that all sections have their own guide on rooting and flashing.

Devices are kinda like cars... if it is your first.. spend some time exploring what it can do already before you get into making it do more. Then, when you know your way around a bit... dig in!
Sent from my SCH-I800 using Tapatalk

rustyshack3 said:
Devices are kinda like cars... if it is your first.. spend some time exploring what it can do already before you get into making it do more. Then, when you know your way around a bit... dig in!
Sent from my SCH-I800 using Tapatalk
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Very well said my friend
If this is your very first Android phone (nice choice by the way!), you'll want to spend at least some time familiarising yourself with Android and its workings before plunging into anything here. Some of the stuff available here for the GS2 is incredible, but it can also land you in a lot of hot water if you don't understand what you are doing before you try things.
Take your time and enjoy it 'stock' for a while. Learn what rooting is/does, pick a couple of 'favourite' custom ROMs, and read through their threads (entirely) before doing anything. This will give you a good awareness of what to expect as far as bugs and hiccups are concerned, and how others have got around them or fixed them.
This is a fantastic community, full of fantastic Development. Make sure you stick to the rules, post in the right places, and if in doubt... read!
Enjoy, and welcome to XDA

Flashing ROMs

Not sure why people have so many issues flashing ROMs
Boot loops and all kinds of craziness. Jesus!
All that is needed:
Wipe data/Factory reset
Wipe system
Flash ROM
Flash Gapps
That's it... Any more steps are hogwash.
If you flash a bunch of other mods and crap you may have issues.
As to these Aroma flashes with 50 different mods. Yes it will break stuff if you have no idea what you are flashing.
Off the soapbox now.
Sent By An Idiot With A Phablet!

that usually happens with newbies
because its their frst time
once u r used to it ,you are not afraid any more....but still its very diffcult to make a newbie undrstnd ...

I am not a newb when it comes to flashing, but i can see that some of the biggest problems with newbie errors come with the fact that this forum isn't exactly the neatest or newb friendly...
I have unbricked devices I've never owned or messed with, using geek codes that I have no idea what they are for or mean, but that was because the guides were easily accessible, had properly updated OPs and didn't take a whole lot of searching to find the right answer to minor errors I may encounter
On the other hand with these boards, it seems like one has to dig through 200 pages of comments just to find the answer to one thing, FAQs are incomplete, and there is no real beginners guide to doing anything... All one gets is do , A, B, C,... When it should be "complete step A (if you haven't done "such and such" prior, then follow this link here), then do step B (full steps can be found here), etc.
When a newb is just expected to know what it means to root, back up apps/data, flash custom recovery, etc (for the first time) and there is no direction/link from the OP as to where they can go to complete each and every step thoroughly, then I can see why there are mess ups
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda app-developers app

PhxDroid86 said:
I am not a newb when it comes to flashing, but i can see that some of the biggest problems with newbie errors come with the fact that this forum isn't exactly the neatest or newb friendly...
I have unbricked devices I've never owned or messed with, using geek codes that I have no idea what they are for or mean, but that was because the guides were easily accessible, had properly updated OPs and didn't take a whole lot of searching to find the right answer to minor errors I may encounter
On the other hand with these boards, it seems like one has to dig through 200 pages of comments just to find the answer to one thing, FAQs are incomplete, and there is no real beginners guide to doing anything... All one gets is do , A, B, C,... When it should be "complete step A (if you haven't done "such and such" prior, then follow this link here), then do step B (full steps can be found here), etc.
When a newb is just expected to know what it means to root, back up apps/data, flash custom recovery, etc (for the first time) and there is no direction/link from the OP as to where they can go to complete each and every step thoroughly, then I can see why there are mess ups
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda app-developers app
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well this completely cant be true unless you know whom to pursue or if u never read the rules....many peoples always post in the wrong section which makes us difficult to understand

Soul reaper said:
well this completely cant be true unless you know whom to pursue or if u never read the rules....many peoples always post in the wrong section which makes us difficult to understand
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Don't get me wrong, the answers are there... I get it, but I must say (all prior device forums weren't this bad... even currently, I mess with my GNII, a Nexus 7, a Nexus 4, a MyTouch4GSlide, a Huawei Ascend and Mercury(<--S.O.B), ZTE X500, Thunderbolt, Note 1, etc... none of those forums are this messed up (but also none are this new or diverse)
My rant isn't with the Dev's (OP's) as they are to busy to worry about those who irresponsibly don't know what they are getting themselves into, and ultimately no one moderator has enough resources to clean up after everyone
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda app-developers app

PhxDroid86 said:
Don't get me wrong, the answers are there... I get it, but I must say (all prior device forums weren't this bad... even currently, I mess with my GNII, a Nexus 7, a Nexus 4, a MyTouch4GSlide, a Huawei Ascend and Mercury(<--S.O.B), ZTE X500, Thunderbolt, Note 1, etc... none of those forums are this messed up (but also none are this new or diverse)
My rant isn't with the Dev's (OP's) as they are to busy to worry about those who irresponsibly don't know what they are getting themselves into, and ultimately no one moderator has enough resources to clean up after everyone
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda app-developers app
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There are some bad ROMs that try to do too much in the way of mods and many do not see the potential issues.
Sent By An Idiot With A Phablet!

RonnieRuff said:
There are some bad ROMs that try to do too much in the way of mods and many do not see the potential issues.
Sent By An Idiot With A Phablet!
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I agree that sometimes the dangers of what one might do aren't fully explained (or realized even) at times. Aroma installs are conceptually quite appealing, but their implementation can be problematic if not careful - hopefully the stuff I've put together falls in the careful category anyway

dwitherell said:
I agree that sometimes the dangers of what one might do aren't fully explained (or realized even) at times. Aroma installs are conceptually quite appealing, but their implementation can be problematic if not careful - hopefully the stuff I've put together falls in the careful category anyway
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I have one particular in mind.. Not yours. The thread is nothing but issues because the instructions are weak and I honestly believe you can add everything but the kitchen sink most of it not tested by anyone. Noobs flash it all not understanding why half of it never works.
Sent By An Idiot With A Phablet!

This is hilarious, and sad but true

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwleOote5M0&feature=youtube_gdata_player

I enjoyed it. Lol!

newalker91 said:
Try working for a cellphone company. I made an old lady cry because she came in screaming at us saying to give her a new phone or cancel her account because it won't ring. Her HTC Hero had all of her contacts set to "Send to voicemail". Once I politely explained there's nothing wrong with her phone or her service, she started crying and said she's disappointed in me because I took away her reason to be pissed and now she doesn't know what to complain about.
Some people truly do not deserve smartphones, and it's a sad fact that companies are now pushing so hard to place expensive and intricate technology in the hands of users who were among those that couldn't even set the clock on their VCR.
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More to the point, it's a sad world when people can openly admit that they are upset at having no reason to complain, without recognizing the problem with that admission...
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app

I definitely agree with you guys.
That video was hilarious! That should be required viewing when creating an account.

this made me feel sad about still not knowing how to use adb
or even trying to learn how to use it
but that was a pretty accurate depiction of a noob
3 people brought me their phones to root and told me what their phones were
2 of them told me the wrong model

I love when I'm on Google+ and someone goes on a community and asks what the best ROM is without saying what phone they have and or carrier, then people start naming ROMs. I'm like wth is wrong with you people. Or someone might say I'm on the Sprint S3 and others will just start naming ROMs for other carriers like its perfectly fine to just flash a ROM no matter what model of phone you have. I hope this video ends up helping new people instead of just making fun of, and pissing someone off. I was new once as everyone is or was. But I felt like I read until I mostly understood what I was doing and why. I've seen a lot of bricks lately and if I can prevent one, this would be worth it. Lol. By the way I found this video it is not of my making just so everyone knows.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

Yea, I've been flashing my phones since 2009 with the Motorola cliq, I never bricked anything because I read, read, and read before doing anything.

Yes, I read for a month before rooting my Epic 4G and STILL was sweating through the process...how these people can just grab a phone, root and flash a ROM not for their device is beyond me.

I did the same with my evo shift, and then again with this phone - read, searched and then read some more. I've never had a serious problem. There's a wealth of information here and I'm grateful for everyone that lends their time to develop and/or help us get more out of our phones.

I remember just rooting my device. Reading everywhere and making sure the stories coincided. Triple checked my model number etc, this is not a $40 device...
I'm surprised he didn't mention RTFM in there somewhere, it's a code I [try my best to] live by and support.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app
Ohh by the way... RTFM

Ok, I'll ask.... What is RTFM?

Read the f ing manual.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda premium

RTFM - read the f'ing manual. Of course, I don't always, but I try.

Ahhh! Same here.

kennyglass123 said:
Yes, I read for a month before rooting my Epic 4G and STILL was sweating through the process...how these people can just grab a phone, root and flash a ROM not for their device is beyond me.
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Like the noob in the video says, lots of people just tell noobs that it's easy to root and flash ROMs. Most of the time, it's implied that the process is easy providing that the noob reads and learns on his/her own. Unfortunately, inference isn't universal, and a lot of noobs think "it's easy" means that it doesn't matter what they flash, it's all the same.
As a former comp. sci. major, I had enough experience with computers to know that it wouldn't work that way, so I read as much as I could until I could practically flash ROMs in my sleep before even risked I messing something up. Most people aren't tech heads or comp. sci. majors, and all phones seem the same to people who don't understand phones. If they were really different in the noob's perspective, he/she would remember whether they have the LG Optimus or the Keyocera Echo. If someone doesn't realize that there's a huge difference between an HTC One vs. the Samsung Note 2, why does it matter to them which forum the ROM is from? I mean, "it's so easy!" Why not flash the first ROM they find?
Sorry for the rant. I'm someone who tells his friends that rooting and flashing ROMs is easy, but only if they're willing to read and learn on their own before jumping in, and I warn them that they could destroy their phones if they're not careful. I then reiterate that flashing is easy once you learn enough not to brick your phone and offer to help them find all the info they need. Most just decide it's not worth the risk, and they settle for the stock experience. That's how it should be. If you don't want to spend the time learning it, then don't spend the time doing it.
Putting the ILLA in KILLA since 1985

kennyglass123 said:
Yes, I read for a month before rooting my Epic 4G and STILL was sweating through the process...how these people can just grab a phone, root and flash a ROM not for their device is beyond me.
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Click to collapse
I read for about a month for my GS3. First I rooted, the unrooted/triangleaway'd and odin'd back to stock to make sure I knew what I was doing. Then I took another 2 weeks to read up on ROMs, and then I finally flashed one. The ONLY times I've bricked my phone are more or less on purpose, just because I like tinkering, and I always fixed it myself. I don't even know how people can just start flashing either I was so tedious about it, still am.
My parents got smartphones before I did and their phones are on GB still, they don't even know that android versions go higher than GB (or what GB is) they think their phones are the bees knees just because they're android lol, it's just as well though because they never tried rooting them.
Edit: I'd also like to add that I was extremely paranoid about backing up my phone the first time I flashed my first ROM. I used TIBU to back up onto my external SD, then I copied that folder to my computer and also uploaded it to dropbox and google drive, and then I made a nandroid of my stock phone which I still keep on my PC just in case.

"Flashing a phone is not the same as using a toaster."
Words to live by.

I was on my g2x for almost a year and then I had to wait 2 months before I got my s3 after release, but in those two months I kept checking every s3 thread on the root process to see if it was like the g2x method which it wasn't. People who just get a phone and think they automatically turn into a phone expert cuz they got a good phone is just plain retarded. Moral of the story read before you post/ask questions
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app

This is not getting as many hits as it needs. It should be a video all new members are forced to watch. Those of us new to flashing can learn something and those of us who know what we are doing because we RTFM can have a nice laugh.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app

OMFG I laughed so hard. This is a depiction of a common day at XDA. Sad but true.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2

Thank You XDA

I believe this is my first Post.....
Hope this is thread appropriate, if not, delete it or lock it or whatever.
I just wanted to give a huge thank you to this forum and all of XDA-developers forum for the vast amount of information here that helped my noob-ass save my phone.
I recently bought a used Samsung Galaxy SIII (AT&T) and was very curious on the world of Android. I've been on an iphone since the first one, and tried android a while back (Samsung Galaxy SkyRocket) - and wasn't thrilled. However, I wanted to give it another chance.
I learned the noob ways of rooting the phone, installing custom roms, using TWRP and a bunch of other goodies. However, my carelessness put me in a situation where i installed the rom kind of rom and ended up hard bricking my phone. Scared and afraid, not sure what to do, I tried to send it back to Samsung, but they were on my game already... lol - they wouldn't fix it and sent it right back.
I thought about paying for JTAG service to get it back to a state where I can use it; however I started to search XDA a bit more and found so many answers and discovered even more questions.
I learned how to use a debrick script on an SD card to get my phone back to power on, installed recovery stock / flash bootloader / kernels / reinstall binary, etc etc. Ultimately, I'm back to where i was at the beginning. Probably a little smarter about what I'm installing and flashing; but so happy that a place like this exists that saved me some $, and kicked me some knowledge.
It was a long journey filled with panic, frustration, and ultimately satisfaction and enjoyment.
Thank You XDA.

Nigo,
I agree with you about how helpful this forum with it's developers and contributors has been. I will stay on here and continue to benefit. I have also referred others to here.
I hope we both sufficiently let them know how much they have helped us.

nigo242 said:
I just wanted to give a huge thank you to this forum and all of XDA-developers forum for the vast amount of information here that helped my noob-ass save my phone.
I thought about paying for JTAG service to get it back to a state where I can use it; however I started to search XDA a bit more and found so many answers and discovered even more questions.
I learned how to use a debrick script on an SD card to get my phone back to power on, installed recovery stock / flash bootloader / kernels / reinstall binary, etc etc. Ultimately, I'm back to where i was at the beginning. Probably a little smarter about what I'm installing and flashing; but so happy that a place like this exists that saved me some $, and kicked me some knowledge.
It was a long journey filled with panic, frustration, and ultimately satisfaction and enjoyment.
Thank You XDA.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
While I am not a developer, I am happy to see someone who actually took the time to read and learn. Thank you for that. I will admit that I have asked a few dumb questions, but for the most part I took what was already written and utilized it resulting in very few problems.

Yes. Thank You!!

Definitely one of the best places for support and help around for our android needs. For sure a huge thank you to the community and helpful people.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app

yes,thank you
D1v1d3d said:
Definitely one of the best places for support and help around for our android needs. For sure a huge thank you to the community and helpful people.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app
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Click to collapse
yup, origanally was searching for this mystical thing called 'root', to deliver me from bloatware. my phone, so i figured my choices. after coming down from mt.odin and receiving the holy blessing of ROOT and superSU, I stumbled across another wonderous entity. AND IT SHALL BE CALLED.... X D A (insert big clap of thunder and a lightening bolt or two), ok, ok, ok......thank you to a gracious and patient community for your efforts,generosity,questions,answers, and knowledge. it may take a village to raise a child but it takes XDA to raise a newb!! (yes i will learn what the heck happens between 'download' and 'flash')(no pop quiz yet though,lol, still researching)
thanks button pressed,donate when can,pro version purchased when appropriate.
mrrocketdog
one brick wiser
att sghi747
Quantum goodness-3.63

I too feel the need to say it as well. Thank you XDA.
I'm sure I'm still a noob in many ways, but a noob with a custom S4 and whose wife has a custom S3. I've never had to ask a question even when I made some ugly mistakes. All the answers are here if you spend the time to look.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app