Develop Bugs

Speculative Q: will a total conversion option M919 -> 9505G be figured out?

I hope that the speculative nature of this question does not irk anyone. I do not expect a definitive answer nor am I under the illusion I am entitled to anything from the dev community.
That said, I am in the position of buying either an M919 or 9505G. I only want to buy the former if I feel relatively confident that a total conversion to GPe will become available someday. (I don't want to buy the latter because I dislike the white only color option. )
Also please notice that my speculative question is IF, not WHEN. I don't mind waiting, even months, as long as I suspect it will be possible eventually. If you happen to have a strong speculative opinion one way or another if this will even happen (i.e. based on similar previous experiences with other phones), please feel free to post it. From every other phone I've ever had, the roadblocks currently preventing the total conversion seem somewhat unique, and I wonder if they are surmountable by our community or not. Hopefully some time in the near future I can contribute directly to such problems myself, but need to start learning a few basics first.
Thanks!

Million dollar question right now.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using xda premium

I have a M919 but would to see it converted over as well. It is my understanding that the hardware is identical for both devices. I think eventually we will see a total conversion but it will take a while.

A TMobile employee at one of their stores told me they will be going away from black on the S4 just like they did on the S3 so don't wait too long. I was told that since most people use cases that hide the phone color anyway it didn't matter.
Sent from my SGH-M919

we can't, not right now, the problem is the partitioning. we cant resize the partitions on the M919, well atleast Not yet. until then, there will be no 100% conversion. There is a group of devs working on it already, the problem they are having is with the PIT files.

as mentioned, the answer to the question isn't clear.
the only difference between an i9505g and an m919 flashed with a GPE rom is that the former will have more internal storage, and it will get OTA updates. realistically, neither points are significant - the difference in storage is a couple gigs, and OTA updates aren't frequent at all. if the release of android 4.3 is any indicator, it looks like GPE roms will actually be getting updates just as fast/faster than a true i9505g. imo, if you want a black GPE S4, you should just pick up an m919 and flash a GPE rom
however, if you want a true i9505g in black, there are other ways to get it. black oem replacement glass can be found online for around $20, and replacement back covers can be found for around $10. replacing the front glass isn't exactly a stress free procedure though...

SephXII said:
we can't, not right now, the problem is the partitioning. we cant resize the partitions on the M919, well atleast Not yet. until then, there will be no 100% conversion. There is a group of devs working on it already, the problem they are having is with the PIT files.
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Could You please P.M Me about where you get this info from, I'd like to know more about the partitioning thingy because this storage problem is killing me.
For OP. Just get the international Model, the m919 T-Mobile Variant is the most expensive of all carriers and if there is something I hate T-Mobile for, it's the lack of urgency when it comes to updating their dam Phones, besides the heavy prices they stamp on them.

BlackGURU said:
Could You please P.M Me about where you get this info from, I'd like to know more about the partitioning thingy because this storage problem is killing me.
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Right here; it's in the developer's only section
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2359436
If you are having problems with storage, try foldermount from the app store, it will allow you to move your apps to the external sd card.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using xda app-developers app

good to see it
i hope so..

Are 9505G owners running 4.3 yet?

It is clear from these forums that many M919 owners are running 4.3 "GPe" ROMs and happy with them.
It is not clear (and hard to tell without a 9505G forum) if the 9505G owners are running 4.3 yet. Are they? And if so, is it through the same GPe leak the M919 owners are using, or is it through an official OTA?
I'm still trying to decide between purchasing M919 or 9505G, and I can imagine that if I owned 9505G right now, had not yet received 4.3 OTA, and saw all these M919 owners running 4.3 happily, I'd grow impatient and just flash the 4.3 leak myself (assuming that is possible on 9505G... not sure why it wouldn't, but again I can't tell if anyone on here is doing that without a dedicated GPe forum). So assuming I did that, it would beg the question of why do I even own a 9505G, if I'm flashing leaks and not even waiting for OTA's? Essentially, the situation would be that M919 and 9505G users are all getting to 4.3 before the OTA even rolls out. Makes me just want to buy a M919 if those suspicions are in any way true.
Thoughts?

The111 said:
It is clear from these forums that many M919 owners are running 4.3 "GPe" ROMs and happy with them.
It is not clear (and hard to tell without a 9505G forum) if the 9505G owners are running 4.3 yet. Are they? And if so, is it through the same GPe leak the M919 owners are using, or is it through an official OTA?
I'm still trying to decide between purchasing M919 or 9505G, and I can imagine that if I owned 9505G right now, had not yet received 4.3 OTA, and saw all these M919 owners running 4.3 happily, I'd grow impatient and just flash the 4.3 leak myself (assuming that is possible on 9505G... not sure why it wouldn't, but again I can't tell if anyone on here is doing that without a dedicated GPe forum). So assuming I did that, it would beg the question of why do I even own a 9505G, if I'm flashing leaks and not even waiting for OTA's? Essentially, the situation would be that M919 and 9505G users are all getting to 4.3 before the OTA even rolls out. Makes me just want to buy a M919 if those suspicions are in any way true.
Thoughts?
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I personally see no point in buying the 9505G unless subsidy pricing just doesn't matter to you. I mean, yeah OTA updates from Google would almost assuredly be more timely than they are for T-Mobile; but does that really play into the decision making process when you can get an identical device for cheaper and still have the updates? Albeit not through official channels, but the point is within a day of an OTA being released it will more than likely be available for the M919 and others. The GE gets what, a few extra GB of usable internal storage than the M919? But still, with 9GB of internal storage, that does everything I need it to do.. I'd be find with 4GB usable internal; that's what external SD cards are for. Pretty much, if you can't get a subsidy price or you just feel like paying full price, I'd still go with whichever device was cheapest. If buying the carrier version costs $40 less or whatever; then the hassle of unlocking, dealing with the initial carrier bloat, and a GB or two less internal storage would be worth it.

lordcheeto03 said:
I personally see no point in buying the 9505G unless subsidy pricing just doesn't matter to you. I mean, yeah OTA updates from Google would almost assuredly be more timely than they are for T-Mobile; but does that really play into the decision making process when you can get an identical device for cheaper and still have the updates? Albeit not through official channels, but the point is within a day of an OTA being released it will more than likely be available for the M919 and others. The GE gets what, a few extra GB of usable internal storage than the M919? But still, with 9GB of internal storage, that does everything I need it to do.. I'd be find with 4GB usable internal; that's what external SD cards are for. Pretty much, if you can't get a subsidy price or you just feel like paying full price, I'd still go with whichever device was cheapest. If buying the carrier version costs $40 less or whatever; then the hassle of unlocking, dealing with the initial carrier bloat, and a GB or two less internal storage would be worth it.
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I don't care about cost really, but one more shallow reason I lean away from 9505G is because I want a black color unit.
Also, one plus to getting from T-Mo store is if there are hardware issues in the first 30 days I can just swap it out locally rather than a complicated mailing process with Google and being phoneless.

The111 said:
I don't care about cost really, but one more shallow reason I lean away from 9505G is because I want a black color unit.
Also, one plus to getting from T-Mo store is if there are hardware issues in the first 30 days I can just swap it out locally rather than a complicated mailing process with Google and being phoneless.
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Looks like you already know your answer. As long as you are willing to root you can have the same update within a couple days after the Google edition. So get the m919 and be happy
Sent from my SGH-M919 using xda app-developers app

Converting regular to Google Edition?

hey folks. will it be possible to convert a normal edition of the new One to the Google Edition? I could get a sweet deal through T-mobile, but I want continued Android updates. thanks.

It should definitely be possible but may take a little while.
As done with the m7, @graffixnyc has created a thread here. All that's needed is for someone to get the GPE model and provide the needed info to him to get this up and running
Sent from my HTC One or Note 3 via XDA Premium 4

So is the ATT, TMobile, Dev, and GPE versions all pretty much the same (with the exception of slightly different radios)? As in, will the GPE roms be easily flashable to the other versions (besides Verizon)?

Thinking about upgrading to G3 or G4, confused about a couple things...

Hi, I was hoping someone could explain something for me. I'm looking through the forums and seeing the threads for roms and kernels specifically for H815 and H811, usually separate. I'm from the US, considering the G4 on T-Mobile. As I understand it, both can have the bootloaders unlocked (H811 comes unlocked, and the H815 can be unlocked).
I know the H815 has had Marshmallow released, and the H811 has not yet.
What I'm wondering and what I can't find a straight answer to is why, for example, when I look at CM downloads, I can find a v13 for H815 but only a v12.x for H811. The best answer I could find is something about there not being a released bootloader or modem for the H811 compatible with that. I don't know if that was accurate or not, but if it is that confuses me because I've had a Galaxy SIII whose last carrier Android release was 4.4.2, yet is still getting CM 13 releases pretty quickly and other AOSP updates from developers. Is the reason the H811 isn't just because there isn't enough people or developers using that model, so less are working on an updated kernel compatibile with it? I've never had to update my modem or bootloader for an update between Android versions, so I'm assuming that answer was wrong unless there's something I'm missing? I don't think there's a real hardware difference between the two models besides the modems/bands supported, right?
I'm trying to figure out my best option here, have had a Samsung Galaxy SIII since Aug. 2012, bootloader unlocked not too long after, and have really liked it until recently when I was having a slight issue with streaming audio over my mobile network and decided to switch back to stock for a short time to see if it fixed it and compare some settings, stupidly not realizing that in the 3 years I had been away from the stock firmware that Verizon had locked down the firmware again to 4.4.2 and nobody has figured out how to get around it.
I'm looking for a phone that I can install AOSP or CM or similar Roms on (Although I'm not against playing around with the LG Stock Android, it doesn't look that bad, but I want the choice) and am really hoping user removable battery and MicroSD slot. It's not a major must, but I would also like a fairly good camera.
Sounds like my best bet is either the Nexus devices or the LG G3 or the G4 H811. These all either have unlocked boot loaders or ones that are easy to more or less unlock, which I know is something I'll want if I don't want to be stuck on the version of Android the manufacturer supports. I can't stand the size the Nexus 6 or 6P is, haven't had a chance to see the 5X, but it's lacking the removable battery and memory card. I'm currently on Verizon, and would prefer to stay there, but am considering T-Mobile as a potential possibility. If I go with a G3 I'll stay with Verizon, if I go with a G4 I'll have to switch to T-Mobile.
I've seen the G3 and G4 in person, I like both, but prefer the G4 just based on the color temp of the screen, the camera, and battery charging (The G3's in Verizon's store were all low on battery because the charger couldn't keep up, but the G4 was fine I'm assuming because of the quick charging). But, it's looking like the G3 is currently better in terms of development support than the G4. My worry is in a year or so I may be stuck on a version of Android, whereas with my GS3 (Up until it got re-locked) it was still being actively updated. I can get the G3 online for ~200$ versus ~$400 for the G4, and the rest of the specs on the phone aren't different enough for me to care that much about seeing as my GSIII was handing all my requirements until recently.
Wasn't sure if this was the best place to post this, but my only option for the G4 is the T-Mobile H811, and if there is a big reason why that isn't supported (Whether it's because there's not a large enough user base or something else) then perhaps it's best I not consider that device?
It's been a long time since I've done much with porting Android and have been focused on the device I've had for the past 3.5 years, so I might be missing something here. If anyone can clear some of this up for me, it's be appreciated.
Thanks.

If you want to be able to install an AOSP or CM or similar Roms you sure gonna have a bad time with the LG G4 cause the variants that can be unlocked are the H815 from the european market, hence the variable that are sell in the US ares as you mention the H811 that can't be unlcoked or the H815P wich can't be unlocked either, if you can afford a nexus i'll go with the nexus (I'm planning in upgrading to the nexus 6P for the same reason i own a LG G4 and i'm very dissapointed with the develop of the phone) since i come from the LG G3 that phone although it has a very limited amount of roms at the time it's now a little biger but nothing compare with any nexus... so for resume I'll go Nexus>LG G3>LG G4
Sorry for the bad english

flick36 said:
If you want to be able to install an AOSP or CM or similar Roms you sure gonna have a bad time with the LG G4 cause the variants that can be unlocked are the H815 from the european market, hence the variable that are sell in the US ares as you mention the H811 that can't be unlcoked or the H815P wich can't be unlocked either, if you can afford a nexus i'll go with the nexus (I'm planning in upgrading to the nexus 6P for the same reason i own a LG G4 and i'm very dissapointed with the develop of the phone) since i come from the LG G3 that phone although it has a very limited amount of roms at the time it's now a little biger but nothing compare with any nexus... so for resume I'll go Nexus>LG G3>LG G4
Sorry for the bad english
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Thanks for the reply.
The H811 is unlocked, which is the only reason I was considering it. The rest of the US carrier G4's are locked and have basically no development going on. I prefer the idea of the nexus just based on software and support being that it's a Google phone, and it's going to be guaranteed updates for quite a while, I just am concerned that since I cannot see any of the nexus phones in person currently (Besides the original Nexus 6 which are in some stores) the only way I'd have to see the phone is to buy it, play with it, then return it if I dislike it, which I prefer not to deal with. The newer Nexus phones aren't in stores here in the US besides one store Best Buy which is just getting them, but I was told today that they likely wouldn't get a display model, just boxed up ones to sell.
I'm probably over thinking the fact that I need a removable battery or memory card. It's just nice to not have to worry about not having it.

Blahages said:
Thanks for the reply.
The H811 is unlocked, which is the only reason I was considering it. The rest of the US carrier G4's are locked and have basically no development going on. I prefer the idea of the nexus just based on software and support being that it's a Google phone, and it's going to be guaranteed updates for quite a while, I just am concerned that since I cannot see any of the nexus phones in person currently (Besides the original Nexus 6 which are in some stores) the only way I'd have to see the phone is to buy it, play with it, then return it if I dislike it, which I prefer not to deal with. The newer Nexus phones aren't in stores here in the US besides one store Best Buy which is just getting them, but I was told today that they likely wouldn't get a display model, just boxed up ones to sell.
I'm probably over thinking the fact that I need a removable battery or memory card. It's just nice to not have to worry about not having it.
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I have h811 and we will have the same roms available to unlocked h815 variants as soon as T-Mobile updates us to marshmallow...cm13 is going to be available to h811 as soon as we get the bootstack that will come with the update...also we have a few great kernel devs that will more than likely release an h811 version with that release

jamesd1085 said:
I have h811 and we will have the same roms available to unlocked h815 variants as soon as T-Mobile updates us to marshmallow...cm13 is going to be available to h811 as soon as we get the bootstack that will come with the update...also we have a few great kernel devs that will more than likely release an h811 version with that release
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That's what I was asking about... Why do they need T-Mobile to release an update? I mean obviously it's easier if they do, but is it required or is it just majorly helpful? I'm asking because my current phone this whole "bootstack" stuff was never needed for developers to release updates. I'm just looking for that clarification to make sure that there's not some new requirement with this device that I'm not used to seeing that would make it unlikely to see development in the future, say if LG or T-Mobile decided to not update to the next version of Android after Marshmallow, if we'd be stuck on Marshmallow, or if the development could keep going like it did on the phone I currently have, where the manufacturer stopped development on Kitkat, but people are still releasing even current marshmallow builds.

I would not buy the G4 again.
For some reason it struggles with games.
Qi Wireless Charging is very very very wonky.
Locked bootloaders. Rooting requires rooting a system image and flashing the entire 3.5gb image. LG has closed this loophole in the V10. So I think our days are limited. No custom roms, custom recovery, or much community support.
I love the phone itself and thankfully the stock roms are great but once updates cease, the device will be stuck.
I would pick a LG Nexus 6 or the Hauwei Nexus. I've honestly thought about going with Hauwei but the 6" screen is tablet territory IMO and too big for 1 handed operation. The 5.2" LG Nexus would be a better fit.
I love the TapOn/Off built in ability, but I may be looking at other options next time.

player911 said:
Locked bootloaders. Rooting requires rooting a system image and flashing the entire 3.5gb image. LG has closed this loophole in the V10. So I think our days are limited. No custom roms, custom recovery, or much community support.
I love the phone itself and thankfully the stock roms are great but once updates cease, the device will be stuck.
I would pick a LG Nexus 6 or the Hauwei Nexus. I've honestly thought about going with Hauwei but the 6" screen is tablet territory IMO and too big for 1 handed operation. The 5.2" LG Nexus would be a better fit.
I love the TapOn/Off built in ability, but I may be looking at other options next time.
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Okay, if that's the reason why the v10 doesn't have any real development going on, that would make sense. I wasn't aware that that was a requirement. Figured it was just that there wasn't enough knowledgeable people working on it yet.
I got a clarification from a friend as to the bootloader question... I guess normally an updated bootloader has been needed moving from 5.x to 6.x, which doesn't appear to have been needed with the GS3 I have... I guess people must have rigged something, because updating the bootloader was never a step with that. He has a Nexus 5 (the orig one) and said he's had to flash a boot loader several times for this reason.

i'm too lazy to read all of this, but i was planing a long period of time to buy the G4, but i found some hardware cons and problems in it as a result of my deep search on youtube , gsmarena users reviews, xda forums and more.
The one problem that made me decide not to buy it and not to think about it any more is the self-die / bootloop hardware problem. read about it on xda bro. Adding this big possibility to the other cons (hardware + some software complexity) made this deal very risky as it will be my second device within less than a year.
i don't know if i'm right and made a good decision, i was believe in this device and i love it ..

SCH-I435/serranoltevzw - Custom ROM/Recovery support?

I've been given my brother's old phone, a Galaxy S4 Mini SCH-I435 Verizon running 4.2.2, and wanted to see if there was any development at all happening for this specific variant of the S4 Mini. it shares the same hardware as the serranoltexx variants, but I haven't found conclusive proof of this particular model having any sort of recovery or custom ROMs. I've rooted the phone and disabled KNOX just fine, I just need to know where I'm supposed to look from here.
I have a Moto Droid Razr as my daily running the LineageOS 20171110 14.1 build at the current. this sort of thing isn't new to me, I'm just reaching out for possible definitive answers to this plight I'm in. 4.4.2 is *not* acceptable to be using on a phone in this day and age. Has anyone ever actually gotten one of these to work properly with the serranoltexx ROMs? I know they share the same hardware, but I'm more worried about bricking the phone than I was doing it with the Razr since that has endless information about it out there, yet the I435 information, if any, is flooded by model name for the international LTE variant of the same base hardware.
Thanks in advance for any info anyone may know.
An edit: I've found actual proof that the bootloader is locked. the S4 from Verizon and AT&T also had this issue, and it turns out that the developer of Safestrap for my own daily-driver Razr, @Hashcode, also made one for the Verizon S4 non-mini. This excites me, yet pains me, as I don't think the two are hardware-compatible, meaning one would have to be made up somehow for this phone. Sadly, I think interest in the Verizon variant of this phone has dwindled to nothing. I'd love to have an AMOLED LineageOS device available to me that actually has more than a gig of RAM.

galaxy-s4-mini/general/confirmed-rom-sch-i435l-i435-to-i435l-t3548206
There are plenty r890/i435l boards on sale over at eBay. If you look hard, this mod costs 15 bucks +/-

Zz25 said:
galaxy-s4-mini/general/confirmed-rom-sch-i435l-i435-to-i435l-t3548206
There are plenty r890/i435l boards on sale over at eBay. If you look hard, this mod costs 15 bucks +/-
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Could you explain this for me?
I too have a SCH-i425 that I've been using since it was released. For the last year or so I've been using it exclusively to accept Square payments but recently Square changed their app so it will not work on pre-android 5.0 versions. My phone is 4.4.2. I'm hoping to upgrade it to 5.0 so I can continue using it as I've been otherwise I have to buy a new phone which I really, really, do not want to do.
Thanks so much!