Unlocked/rooted my phone but new to custom ROMs, have some questions - Upgrading, Modifying and Unlocking

Hey guys, I recently bought an HTC One V to replace my old Android phone. Last weekend I unlocked the bootloader and rooted it so I could enable wifi tethering, now I’m thinking about trying on some new ROMs but since I never flashed to one before on any phone I had some general questions about what I can/can’t do and what to expect along the way.
1. It’s important for me to make sure I have a backup of the stock ROM I’m currently on in case none of the custom ones suit me or don’t work as well. Last weekend when I flashed TWRP to recovery and believe I made a backup of stock before rooting, I know I was following a tutorial and they said it was optional but I should do it just in case for the same reasons I listed above. Is this considered doing a “Nandroid backup”, and with these backups is the ROM and all installed apps backed up as well, so when flashing back to it it restores the ROM and whatever was installed at the time so apps don’t need to be re-downloaded?
2. When on a custom ROM and wanting to revert back to stock is the procedure the same as going to a custom? I thought I saw something about having to relock the bootloader if wanting to go back to stock.
3. When looking around for custom ROMS to try out do I need to make sure that it’s compatible specifically with my phone model or generally speaking do all custom Android-based ROMs work on any Android OS phone or tablet?
4. Are there some ROMS built around doing a specific task? Like for me I want to concentrate on making sure my phone’s mobile hotspot runs as smoothly as possible for tethering and having a functional bluetooth profile is important as well. Without asking “What ROM is best” can someone recommend a ROM that best fits my criteria that I should try out?
5. Will I need to re-root my phone whenever I flash to a new ROM? And when doing a Nandroid backup while rooted is the root access backed up as well?
6. Is there an app available that keeps track of the ROMs I download and allows for flashing to them easily?
7. Does GApps need to be flashed to the phone after going to a new custom ROM everytime, or do some ROMs include the GApps in them already?
Any other tips, tricks, or explanation on something you don’t think I’m “getting” would be great. Thanks a bunch for any help.

brokenvisage said:
Hey guys, I recently bought an HTC One V to replace my old Android phone. Last weekend I unlocked the bootloader and rooted it so I could enable wifi tethering, now I’m thinking about trying on some new ROMs but since I never flashed to one before on any phone I had some general questions about what I can/can’t do and what to expect along the way.
1. It’s important for me to make sure I have a backup of the stock ROM I’m currently on in case none of the custom ones suit me or don’t work as well. Last weekend when I flashed TWRP to recovery and believe I made a backup of stock before rooting, I know I was following a tutorial and they said it was optional but I should do it just in case for the same reasons I listed above. Is this considered doing a “Nandroid backup”, and with these backups is the ROM and all installed apps backed up as well, so when flashing back to it it restores the ROM and whatever was installed at the time so apps don’t need to be re-downloaded?
2. When on a custom ROM and wanting to revert back to stock is the procedure the same as going to a custom? I thought I saw something about having to relock the bootloader if wanting to go back to stock.
3. When looking around for custom ROMS to try out do I need to make sure that it’s compatible specifically with my phone model or generally speaking do all custom Android-based ROMs work on any Android OS phone or tablet?
4. Are there some ROMS built around doing a specific task? Like for me I want to concentrate on making sure my phone’s mobile hotspot runs as smoothly as possible for tethering and having a functional bluetooth profile is important as well. Without asking “What ROM is best” can someone recommend a ROM that best fits my criteria that I should try out?
5. Will I need to re-root my phone whenever I flash to a new ROM? And when doing a Nandroid backup while rooted is the root access backed up as well?
6. Is there an app available that keeps track of the ROMs I download and allows for flashing to them easily?
7. Does GApps need to be flashed to the phone after going to a new custom ROM everytime, or do some ROMs include the GApps in them already?
Any other tips, tricks, or explanation on something you don’t think I’m “getting” would be great. Thanks a bunch for any help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I have only had motorola with android, but maybe i can help you with some of your questions
3) No, each custom rom is made for a specific model, so you have to search the roms that are made for your phone/tablet, flashing a wrong rom may be an easy way for killing your device
5) Most roms are pre-rooted, at least all of the roms i used on my motorolas were pre-rooted, i guess that with htc things must be simillar.
6) It depends, some roms (like cyanogenmod) does not include GApps, so you have to flash them after you install the rom, others have GApps included, so you must see if the rom you're installing has GApps included.
Well, hope this may help
:good:

Great questions...still a noob but learning fast. These are some of the questions I was wondering about myself. (If I ever find a way to root my phone) Good luck and I will bm this page for future use.

Thanks guys, bump to try and get the other ones answered.

1) Use Titanium Backup for the apps' backup .
2) You should flash the stock rom of that phone and then relock the bootloader.
6) I don't know any app to do this, but it can exist, idk.

Related

Getting Dual ROMs (TouchWiz 4.1.1 & CM10.1 nightly 4.2.2) questions

Hi . Have been lurking these forums for a while. I'm planning on doing a few things to my note 2. I figured it would be best to have experts go over my procedure. I agree that I am a noob, and there's a risk in everything. But I have experience writing homebrew apps for the PSP. Also, I am a health major, so if I can't do stuff to my phone, I probably shouldn't be taking care of sick patients
Well here's the list of things I have:
1. One virgin n7100. Absolutely stock everything, with a few Play Store apps. i.e. UNROOTED and not covered by warranty.
What I want:
1. Two ROMs on my phone. The primary being the stock TouchWiz. The secondary one will be the CyanogenMod 10.1 with the latest 4.2.2
General procedure (or what I think I should do):
1. Root + Advanced CWM (according to dr.ketan's guide http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=31801060&postcount=2 )
(the next information I got from this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdhshPTwzT0 ) which is droidphile's
2. Replace the stock kernel with Siyah kernel.
3. Go into STweaks, run 2nd ROM utils etc as shown in the video and install the secondary ROM)
And most importantly, I request the answers to these questions.
1. I take it that updating TouchWiz ROM via Kies is out of the question, given that I have replaced the stock kernel. So how do I? I'm assuming I have to flash? Flash how exactly?
2. If I go back to stock kernel, and run Kies and follow normal protocol on updating, will it mess up my system i.e. write over any important thing?
3. Lastly, because there is always a risk. If I want my phone back from any changes to what it is now, with all apps and data, how do I make an image file? and how do I use that? And is the Kies backup file of any use? Please explain the custom recovery stuff in layman's terms.
Regards

Changing the stock rom

Hi all.
I'm not a fan of the rom on my phone so I might end up rooting and going down the custom rom route eventually. For now, I wanted to know if its possible for me to change the stock rom on my handset without too much hassle? I got the One X second hand and it looks like the phones from somewhere in Asia so I've got a bunch of stock apps from out that way so I wanted to know if I could flash the phone with a UK or EU rom without breaking the phone?
.. and if so.. how?
Basically of comes down to this
Unlock the bootloader (this will reset the phone to stock)
Flash a custom recovery and make a NANDROID BACKUP RIGHT AWAY !
Push the superuser.zip from the recovery to the rom to gain root acces or flash a brand new custom rom
But befor you start you need to read up in here, all sorts of guides and also tools. Get to learn adb/fastboot commands. That's very important !
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1832891
Yeah I already know how to do all that, I've done a few different models but I generally wanted to know if I could just flash the current stock from with a stock from from the UK?
Im not too bothered for rooting and custom roms at the minute as some apps I use dont work with a rooted phone.
In that case....yes. pretty much all roms are based on the wwe software

Help! Installing custom rom, kernel and rooting

Hi
I was wondering if some one would help me and answer some questions about rooting, installing custom roms and kernels on my LG G3 - D855. I am a complete novice when it comes to installing any 3rd party software on phones.
I wish to install a custom rom (Cyanengine mod 12 Android L 5.0.2) onto my phone and possibly a custom kernel to improve the battery life. I believe I have to root to do this as well?
One of my worries is that I could brick my phone. If I do this , is it fixable? What order should I go about installing the modifications? Root, rom , kernel? Root, kernel , rom? Also what is TWRP? Sorry for the amount of questions, but I would be really grateful if some one could explain the process, and any thing I should avoid.
Thanks Again
regards
Tom
tomsmith64 said:
Hi
I was wondering if some one would help me and answer some questions about rooting, installing custom roms and kernels on my LG G3 - D855. I am a complete novice when it comes to installing any 3rd party software on phones.
I wish to install a custom rom (Cyanengine mod 12 Android L 5.0.2) onto my phone and possibly a custom kernel to improve the battery life. I believe I have to root to do this as well?
One of my worries is that I could brick my phone. If I do this , is it fixable? What order should I go about installing the modifications? Root, rom , kernel? Root, kernel , rom? Also what is TWRP? Sorry for the amount of questions, but I would be really grateful if some one could explain the process, and any thing I should avoid.
Thanks Again
regards
Tom
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First you must root. Then you should install TWRP. TWRP is just an option you give your phone to do many things like flashing (placing) programs to your phone, backing up everything (Including your current ROM, data, apps, etc.), and deleting everything and wiping your device.
Bricking is possible, but if you follow a guide step-by-step you shouldn't. TWRP should be a major priority. You must root first, then you can do that. This custom recovery will allow you to backup everything. If you brick your phone, TWRP is your only way out BUT YOU WOULD HAVE TO HAVE A BACKUP TO UNDO IT.
I wouldn't worry about a custom kernel because with root you will have access to so many options that you can customize your phone to use less battery.
Therefore, you should root, install TWRP, then install Cyanogenmod 12. There are so so so many guides for doing these and a quick google search will get you right into it.
Send me a message if you have specific questions -- I'd be glad to help you out. I was in your shoes not too long ago as well.
Hope this helps!

Noob ROM user - help with 1st ROM install, please

Hope this the right place to post - please let me know if not.
I have the Sprint G3. I rooted (being a first time rooter at that time) within a few weeks of getting the phone. Frankly, I don't recall how I rooted it, but I think it was using Stump'd. In any case, root went fine, installed, SU, and been using some of the Framework apps like tweaksbox.
Okay, here's what I need some help with:
I think I need to unroot the phone, return it to factory stock, and then reroot before flashing a ROM to it. Is that correct?
I've seen a couple of threads here with instructions, but I don't follow/understand much of the terminology. Hence, is this page good to use to help me - http://lgg3root.com/lg-g3-root/how-t...nbrick-lg-g3/?
Secondly, once returned to factory srock ROM, will I have to OTA update to the most current version for Sprint before rerooting? I think I've read that the current stock ROM is not yet rootable?
Third, I really want to flash a ROM because I think it will result in a lighter weight ROM to conserve battery power and because I really want to theme the phone beyond what I can do now rotted with icon packs and tweaksbox. Is the CM ROM lighter weight and will I realize better battery performance?
Lastly, I'm hesitant to install a custom ROM because I'm afraid of losing phone, data, sms, gps services. I think this after reading the custome ROM threads and see complaints regarding users not having services available or connectivity issues. Is this a legit concern or am I overthinking this?
Thanks in advance for your suggestions, tips, and feedback.
JMak00 said:
Hope this the right place to post - please let me know if not.
I have the Sprint G3. I rooted (being a first time rooter at that time) within a few weeks of getting the phone. Frankly, I don't recall how I rooted it, but I think it was using Stump'd. In any case, root went fine, installed, SU, and been using some of the Framework apps like tweaksbox.
Okay, here's what I need some help with:
I think I need to unroot the phone, return it to factory stock, and then reroot before flashing a ROM to it. Is that correct?
I've seen a couple of threads here with instructions, but I don't follow/understand much of the terminology. Hence, is this page good to use to help me - http://lgg3root.com/lg-g3-root/how-t...nbrick-lg-g3/?
Secondly, once returned to factory srock ROM, will I have to OTA update to the most current version for Sprint before rerooting? I think I've read that the current stock ROM is not yet rootable?
Third, I really want to flash a ROM because I think it will result in a lighter weight ROM to conserve battery power and because I really want to theme the phone beyond what I can do now rotted with icon packs and tweaksbox. Is the CM ROM lighter weight and will I realize better battery performance?
Lastly, I'm hesitant to install a custom ROM because I'm afraid of losing phone, data, sms, gps services. I think this after reading the custome ROM threads and see complaints regarding users not having services available or connectivity issues. Is this a legit concern or am I overthinking this?
Thanks in advance for your suggestions, tips, and feedback.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First lets start with returning to Stock ROM. No, no you definitely do not need to return to stock factory ROM to flash a new one. Since you already are rooted all you need is a TWRP recovery.
To flash TWRP recovery to your device (Sprint G3) use this thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/sprint-lg-g3/orig-development/bump-unlock-lg-g3-twrp-sprint-t2900588
It's very easy for a begginer to achive this. If you don't want to use adb, fell free to download flashify and flash the downloaded TWRP image from thread above with it.
It's even easier with flashify.
Yes CM ROM is lighter, closer to stock android, not the LG one. If you really want better battery experience you should also look up different kernels, different governors, more adavanced stuff, nothing too much.
You don't need to be scared of flashing ROMs. It's a very basic task these days.
Losing data, calling ability or other thing is very unlikely. Of course mistakes happen so be careful. First thing to do before flashing anything on your device after instaling your TWRP recovery is to do a backup.
ALWAYS DO A BACKUP OF ALL IMPORTANT PARTITIONS ON YOUR DEVICE.
To get your custom ROMs, including CM look up these:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/sprint-lg-g3/orig-development
http://forum.xda-developers.com/lg-g3/development
Also be careful to flash things made only for your device (Sprint LG G3).
Very helpful and thanks.
To show off my noobness... Do custom ROMs have customer kernels or do I install a customer kernel as well as a custom ROM?
Yes, they do come with custom kernels.
But you could change kernel for some other one if you wish for.
I personally use Blisspop 3.7 on my LG G3 D855 with kernel that came with it 777 by 777jon.
Thanks, now to twrp, flash new rom and install cm 12 theme. Fingers crossed I dont go ham and brick the device.

[Q] From rooted Kitkat to Lollipop

Hi!
My Z1C is rooted, has dualrecovery and is running a stock 4.4.2 (14.3.a.0.757)
I also have a lot of customizations via XPosed.
What would be the easiest way to upgrade to a Lollipop version? Someone suggested I can just upgrade and use towelroot afterwards to regain root, but I could not find any verification of that.
Is it safer to flash a pre-rooted zip and if so can anyone point to a decent source?
Also, will XPosed Framework still be functional on Lollipop? I hear there are so many headachy changes to the security layout that I am not sure of that, but right now I'Äd feel safer with a version that has Stagefright fixed...
Let me know what you think!
Thanks
Walter_White said:
Hi!
My Z1C is rooted, has dualrecovery and is running a stock 4.4.2 (14.3.a.0.757)
I also have a lot of customizations via XPosed.
What would be the easiest way to upgrade to a Lollipop version? Someone suggested I can just upgrade and use towelroot afterwards to regain root, but I could not find any verification of that.
Is it safer to flash a pre-rooted zip and if so can anyone point to a decent source?
Also, will XPosed Framework still be functional on Lollipop? I hear there are so many headachy changes to the security layout that I am not sure of that, but right now I'Äd feel safer with a version that has Stagefright fixed...
Let me know what you think!
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AFAIK, there is currently no 'one click' root for 5.1. There is a thread about a Kingroot-to-Supersu method that I can verify works for 5.0.2. You can root 5.1, but either by fastboot, (requiring unlocked bl), or downgrade method, (which you're already on step 1 with KK). There seems to be varied reports about PRFs, but I'm sure you can find a good one by now. I think the main question is if you're hoping to save app data, Xposed settings, etc., to restore afterwards. If so, I would say it's very iffy. You could try Titanium or something, but I wouldn't be surprised if you get some glitches.
As far as Xposed, it works great on 5.0 or 5.1, and there's new developments coming steadily.
Search Z1c 'general', and 'android development' forums for downloads, etc.
Forgot to mention, BL is unlocked with dualrecovery.
Thanks for your advice so far. Root procedure for 5.1 with unlocked BL is already outlined in a thread here?
And yeah, I agree, trying to save app data / settings is bordering on impossible now, I fear TiBackup has outlived its usefulness when it comes to ROM migration. Spent half of today getting my Z1C apps to Z5C and still not nearly half done.
Damn gremlins.
Walter_White said:
Forgot to mention, BL is unlocked with dualrecovery.
Thanks for your advice so far. Root procedure for 5.1 with unlocked BL is already outlined in a thread here?
And yeah, I agree, trying to save app data / settings is bordering on impossible now, I fear TiBackup has outlived its usefulness when it comes to ROM migration. Spent half of today getting my Z1C apps to Z5C and still not nearly half done.
Damn gremlins.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To root with unlocked bl, flash stock ROM w/ Flashtool, then flash this with fastboot -http://forum.xda-developers.com/sony-xperia-z1-compact/general/ub-root-init-d-support-recovery-busybox-t3202799 - done. Then you can install Xposed, custom kernel, etc..
Thanks!
Will try this as soon as I managed to migrate my stuff fully to my new Z5C. Migration without TiBackup is a real PITA
Just making sure, when using your route "flash any stock and then follow up with the mentioned file" it means I can jump straigfht from 4.4.2 into the 5 era? Or Do I have to go to 5 for some compatibility reasons. I recall there was something like this sometime back when there was a major new version.
As far my planned procedure for tmw is:
TWRP backup
CWM backup
TiBackup
copying required stuff to the computer
then flash http://forum.xda-developers.com/son...al/stock-14-6-0-368-ce1-dualrecovery-t3216740 as this seems to be the most recent version including updates of the recoveries, pre-rooting already combined. This saves me the step from bone stock to pre-rooted stock as I would have to make in your suggestion.
Also, I want to as well try to use the DRM Feature Fix Mod (http://forum.xda-developers.com/crossdevice-dev/sony/xperia-z1-z2-z3-series-devices-drm-t2930672), so I will flash the LP version of that one afterwards.
This should work, or am I missing anything significant? I can very well toss the data, the Z5C is now my main phone,, the Z1C has been given a 2nd life with a new backplate and battery I just put in so I'd hate to brick it.
Please confirm that I have a general idea of what I am doing lol... Using flashtool etc. is known to me but selecting the right ROMs remains a mystery unless you follow XDA daily...
Much appreciated
Walter_White said:
Just making sure, when using your route "flash any stock and then follow up with the mentioned file" it means I can jump straigfht from 4.4.2 into the 5 era? Or Do I have to go to 5 for some compatibility reasons. I recall there was something like this sometime back when there was a major new version.
As far my planned procedure for tmw is:
TWRP backup
CWM backup
TiBackup
copying required stuff to the computer
then flash http://forum.xda-developers.com/son...al/stock-14-6-0-368-ce1-dualrecovery-t3216740 as this seems to be the most recent version including updates of the recoveries, pre-rooting already combined. This saves me the step from bone stock to pre-rooted stock as I would have to make in your suggestion.
Also, I want to as well try to use the DRM Feature Fix Mod (http://forum.xda-developers.com/crossdevice-dev/sony/xperia-z1-z2-z3-series-devices-drm-t2930672), so I will flash the LP version of that one afterwards.
This should work, or am I missing anything significant? I can very well toss the data, the Z5C is now my main phone,, the Z1C has been given a 2nd life with a new backplate and battery I just put in so I'd hate to brick it.
Please confirm that I have a general idea of what I am doing lol... Using flashtool etc. is known to me but selecting the right ROMs remains a mystery unless you follow XDA daily...
Much appreciated
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, not sure if you were responding to me... As far as backing up and restoring data, I can't say for sure what's best, going from kk to lp. If you're going from stock to stock, probably built-in Google backup would do the trick. 3rd party stuff is chancy when switching versions in my experience, but Titanium might do OK. I don't think you can backup any kk data in recovery, then restore it on lp. Maybe someone else can tell you otherwise. As far as root in on lp, with unlocked bl, all you need is to flash stock ROM in flash mode with Flashtool, then flash the IMG I linked. - done.

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