Develop Bugs

[Q] Unrooting questions

If I were to un-root my Droid Incredible, would I loose all the data I have.
e.g, SMS messages, contacts, applications+data for them.
If so, is there an application to back this up for un-rooted droid users?
Also, I never made a backup of the stock before flashing a new ROM, is it still possible to un-root?
Lastly, when un-rooting via downgrading, can I re-upgrade to 2.2?
Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Bump...
Any help will be greatly appreciated.

MyBackup or Titanium Backup can do this i believe.
This is what you need to get back to stock - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=786436

I thought those apps only work when it's rooted though...

i'm not 100% sure, but you won't lose your contacts because those are synced with your google account.
Why do you want to go back to stock?

there's a way to save all your contacts, go to people, then hit the menu button and then press import/export. Export all your contacts to your sd card, and you can save your contacts that way. You won't be able to use titanium backup because it requires root and you're trying to unroot. Unrooting will ultimately bring you back to 100% stock, and you'll lose all your data and apps. If you want to unroot, just follow the directions i gave you in the last forum, and if you have questions ill answer them later.
To be frank, there's no true purpose to being unrooted just so you can make a backup. The only reason you would unroot is if you want to stay unrooted. There's a bunch of ROMs you can use so staying rooted would be more beneficial for you

The main reason I want to be un-rooted is because I miss having stock. :/

Meetii said:
The main reason I want to be un-rooted is because I miss having stock. :/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what features are you missing? there's a lot more that you can do with an unrooted phone, faster speeds, better UI feel, more functionality, wireless tethering for free, but it's entirely your pick

Well I mean I like being rooted, but I can't seem to find a decent looking ROM that I like. The one I'm using now is http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=799679&highlight=droid+incredible+rom and that's the closest one to stock that I can find. I just prefered the stock look over the ROMs I've seen.
I'm about to flash the MIUI because it looks amazing, but do you have any suggestions for decent looking ROMs?

Meetii said:
Well I mean I like being rooted, but I can't seem to find a decent looking ROM that I like. The one I'm using now is http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=799679&highlight=droid+incredible+rom and that's the closest one to stock that I can find. I just prefered the stock look over the ROMs I've seen.
I'm about to flash the MIUI because it looks amazing, but do you have any suggestions for decent looking ROMs?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats all about preference, some people like a stock looking rom, others like a highly tweaked rom.
skyraider 3.5 - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=764787
Check out that rom for a stock look but with many customization options so you can make it how you want basically.

Thanks, I'll revert to that if I don't like MIUI. Do I need to do anything special before flashing MIUI?

nope, everything needed for any rom you flash will be included with the rom and installed along with the rom when you flash it.

Alright, thanks a bunch. I also have two more questions.
What's the difference between a ROM and a theme?
And what's a kernel?

g00s3y said:
Thats all about preference, some people like a stock looking rom, others like a highly tweaked rom.
skyraider 3.5 - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=764787
Check out that rom for a stock look but with many customization options so you can make it how you want basically.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it's exactly like how he puts it, it's all a matter of preference. What you like might not be what i like. There's a whole bunch of themes on top of the ROMS you use, so just take a while and go through each one until you find one that you really like. I prefer to the new sense roms and that's why i'm sticking with Uber Sense Rom. all a matter of what looks and feels good for you!

Meetii said:
Alright, thanks a bunch. I also have two more questions.
What's the difference between a ROM and a theme?
And what's a kernel?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A rom is basically the base of everything, the tweaks in software and all of that is your rom. So to put it into perspective, it's windows 7. And what you have with themes is the overlay that goes over that. If you prefer a black overlay, if you prefer your start menu somewhere else, everything can be changed according to how the developer feels like. Some developers primarily do ROMs, others do themes, rarely do any do both.
A kernel is harder to explain, if i had to think of a way to relate it to computers, it would be the equivalent of BIOS. It gives you tweaks in speed and battery life. With a properly done kernel, you're phone will have a LOT more battery life, and have faster speeds. Now, not all people's phones react the same way to kernels. What kernel works for me, might not work for you. The kernel i use might give me days of battery life, while when you use it, it might end up giving you hours of battery life. Everyone's phone reacts different, there's no universal kernel that works best for everyone.

Thanks guys, I really like the MIUI theme so I'm going to stick with it. I don't think I'm going to mess with kernels though. Being that I don't want to mess up my phone again.

if you find that you want to flash a kernel later, it's pretty simple. Download the file, then flash like you would a rom, pretty simple haha.

Slight issue...
On the MIUI ROM, I downloaded a theme with the application it came with for downloading theme. After doing so, I went to install it on said application and now it's stuck on the MIUI booting screen and it's been about 15 minutes. Should I unplug the battery...or what?
EDIT: Problem solved.

[Q]Guides For Installing Roms?

Coming from an EVO 4G I thought I had a pretty good grip on installing roms. A week after getting and rooting my S3 I'm still gun shy. I want to install Jelly Bomb but I keep seeing posts about flash counters and dirty flash. I've never heard this mentioned before. Are these Samsung exclusive terms? I wanted to go easy and find a Rom as close to Stock as possible with the ability to remove apps to get my feet wet but haven't found one. This phone seems easier to brick than the EVO. Am I right? Also, I see things referencing Touchwiz and fishing it. Very confused. Samsung's version of Sense I guess?

ruckstande said:
Coming from an EVO 4G I thought I had a pretty good grip on installing roms. A week after getting and rooting my S3 I'm still gun shy. I want to install Jelly Bomb but I keep seeing posts about flash counters and dirty flash. I've never heard this mentioned before. Are these Samsung exclusive terms? I wanted to go easy and find a Rom as close to Stock as possible with the ability to remove apps to get my feet wet but haven't found one. This phone seems easier to brick than the EVO. Am I right? Also, I see things referencing Touchwiz and fishing it. Very confused. Samsung's version of Sense I guess?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flash counters can be reset pretty easy these days. all roms labeled as having TW or touchwiz are pretty much stock with things like battery saving mods or battery hogging apps removed that are usually not needed"debloated".
this post sent from my Jellybombed GalaxySIII

joeyhdownsouth said:
Flash counters can be reset pretty easy these days. all roms labeled as having TW or touchwiz are pretty much stock with things like battery saving mods or battery hogging apps removed that are usually not needed"debloated".
this post sent from my Jellybombed GalaxySIII
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. I see you are on Jelly Bomb right now. What's your overall opinion of it? Any problems? Anything I should know not mentioned in the Dev's post?

ruckstande said:
Thanks. I see you are on Jelly Bomb right now. What's your overall opinion of it? Any problems? Anything I should know not mentioned in the Dev's post?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here's what you do...former evo'er here as well...
Grab the one click Odin LJ7 that you will find in sg3/android dev. Titled (root)odin one clicks by billard. Read the post so you understand how to use it. Save it to your CPU. That will save you if you ever brick your shiny new phone.
Go on you tube and search qbking77....you'll find every video you want regarding rooting and installing cmw
After that its the exact same way to flash ROMs as your evo. I promise.
Good luck

jwitt418 said:
Here's what you do...former evo'er here as well...
Grab the one click Odin LJ7 that you will find in sg3/android dev. Titled (root)odin one clicks by billard. Read the post so you understand how to use it. Save it to your CPU. That will save you if you ever brick your shiny new phone.
Go on you tube and search qbking77....you'll find every video you want regarding rooting and installing cmw
After that its the exact same way to flash ROMs as your evo. I promise.
Good luck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So I should be flashing through Odin the same way I rooted? I, did root btw using qbking77 very easy video guide. Took me all of ten minutes to root.

ruckstande said:
Thanks. I see you are on Jelly Bomb right now. What's your overall opinion of it? Any problems? Anything I should know not mentioned in the Dev's post?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I luv this rom, super themed though, not everyone likes all the blue. For me everything works. Just the statusbar after a reboot, you have to pull down notification bar once to get it to show up. Other than that no problems, kernal in 10.2 allows overclocking also.
this post sent from my Jellybombed GalaxySIII

Your fine then...just install cmw and your good to go.
The galaxy 3 is different than the evo in the sense that its very easy to root and unroot using Odin. The evo is a pain to unroot.
Make sure your grab that one click Odin and save tho because it will bail you out of trouble if something gets screwed up. You could run that and it will return you to stock or stock rooted (your choice depending on what file you download).
Anyways. Install cmw. Download ROM to your SD or internal SD. Hold volume up, home, power to cmw. Wipe/factory reset x3, wipe cache, advanced/wipe dalvik, install ROM, reboot
By the way. If you want what you posted in op keep stock but rooted. If you want a better kernel flash team sonics or jelly bomb with kt747....but if I were you I'd go SlimBean...enjoy

One other thing. What's this business about downloading a modem?

The roms are not modem dependant. And chances are if you're on stock you already have the latest modem. If you want to confirm go in the about section of settings and look at your baseband. should end in LJ7. Like I said though its not really important

If the modem isn't that important, why can't I connect to Sprint's network at all? I was working on installing the Goodness ROM which said I had to install a particular modem. I downloaded all files to the computer as suggested, transferred them to the phone then used TWRP as my backup and installed the ROM and the modem as stated. When I went to reboot it told me that there was no ROM installed. So I went back to my recovery installed it and now I can not connect to the network at all. Can someone please help? I need my phone as I am a Paramedic and I talk to the hospitals with it when I am bringing them a pt.

PolynesianMedic said:
If the modem isn't that important, why can't I connect to Sprint's network at all? I was working on installing the Goodness ROM which said I had to install a particular modem. I downloaded all files to the computer as suggested, transferred them to the phone then used TWRP as my backup and installed the ROM and the modem as stated. When I went to reboot it told me that there was no ROM installed. So I went back to my recovery installed it and now I can not connect to the network at all. Can someone please help? I need my phone as I am a Paramedic and I talk to the hospitals with it when I am bringing them a pt.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not trying to sound harsh here but if that's the case just stay stock rooted. You need the phone brother...peoples lives are depending on it...lol
On a lighter side, I do t have experience with that ROM. But sounds like a bad flash. Wipe/factory reset...cache....dalvik...and I even format the internal SD...haven't had any problems

Open the dialer and hit ##72786# Should set ya straight

Oh well that didn't work. I watched the QBKing77 video and followed those instructions. Install took way less than I expected. Maybe two minutes? I pressed reboot and it rebooted back into recovery. That didn't go so well.

[Q] Some questions on rooting and flashing a new rom

OK, so my AT&T Note 2 is almost here (FedEx tried to deliver it ye3sterday when I was at work) so I want to make sure I am ready when it gets here. So some questions:
1 I downloaded Odin and understand how to root the phone but where do I get the file to use with Odin to do the rooting?
2 After rooting, what program do I use to flash a new rom?
3 Is there a sticky thread somewhere with this information that I could read?
4 Is there a good program to import all of my contacts from my old Windows phone? I'm not sure what format they are stored in so that is why I mention that it is a Windows phone.
5 (opinion) What is the best rom for an AT&T Note 2? I plan on adding lots of applications later and I really don't like re-installing things often so I'll probably stick with whichever rom I choose for quite a while.

rogerbacon50 said:
OK, so my AT&T Note 2 is almost here (FedEx tried to deliver it ye3sterday when I was at work) so I want to make sure I am ready when it gets here. So some questions:
1 I downloaded Odin and understand how to root the phone but where do I get the file to use with Odin to do the rooting?
2 After rooting, what program do I use to flash a new rom?
3 Is there a sticky thread somewhere with this information that I could read?
4 Is there a good program to import all of my contacts from my old Windows phone? I'm not sure what format they are stored in so that is why I mention that it is a Windows phone.
5 (opinion) What is the best rom for an AT&T Note 2? I plan on adding lots of applications later and I really don't like re-installing things often so I'll probably stick with whichever rom I choose for quite a while.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2050297 - Does not require Odin to root. Just save to your phone, make sure Unknown Sources is checked in your phone's settings, run the file to install, run the app, make sure the exploit boxes underneath the "root" section are unchecked, then select root.
2: Download GooManager from the Play Store and run it. In menu, select Install OpenRecoveryScript. Follow the prompts, and it will download and install TWRP (custom recovery) for you. It will ask to reboot.
3: Simply do a search at the top of the forum.
4: Try Samsung Kies first. It should transfer all your contacts from most devices. Do this before installing a new ROM. Then make sure the contacts are saved to GMail's contacts.
5: It depends on preference. Each one have their own features and functionality, and varies on the version of Android it's using. I would research each one and see what entices you if I were you. Some ROMs may even have features of certain apps that you like built-in, enhancing the phone's performance due to the fact that it doesn't require an extra app to do what you want it to do. Most ROMs won't require you to "reinstall" things with each update of the ROM if you're just doing an update.

BlackPhantomX said:
1: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2050297 - Does not require Odin to root. Just save to your phone, make sure Unknown Sources is checked in your phone's settings, run the file to install, run the app, make sure the exploit boxes underneath the "root" section are unchecked, then select root.
2: Download GooManager from the Play Store and run it. In menu, select Install OpenRecoveryScript. Follow the prompts, and it will download and install TWRP (custom recovery) for you. It will ask to reboot.
3: Simply do a search at the top of the forum.
4: Try Samsung Kies first. It should transfer all your contacts from most devices. Do this before installing a new ROM. Then make sure the contacts are saved to GMail's contacts.
5: It depends on preference. Each one have their own features and functionality, and varies on the version of Android it's using. I would research each one and see what entices you if I were you. Some ROMs may even have features of certain apps that you like built-in, enhancing the phone's performance due to the fact that it doesn't require an extra app to do what you want it to do. Most ROMs won't require you to "reinstall" things with each update of the ROM if you're just doing an update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks.
Maybe I'm making this harder than it needs to be. Looking at some of the roms I notice that some of them say "rooted". If I plan to flash a rooted rom do I have to root first? I assume no, but I thought I should ask.
But to install TWRP I think it has to be rooted and if I use TWRP to flash roms then I guess I'd have to be rooted first even if the rom being flashed is rooted. Now I've confused myself again. I really don't want to turn my $700 phone into a brick by screwing up.

rogerbacon50 said:
Thanks.
Maybe I'm making this harder than it needs to be. Looking at some of the roms I notice that some of them say "rooted". If I plan to flash a rooted rom do I have to root first? I assume no, but I thought I should ask.
But to install TWRP I think it has to be rooted and if I use TWRP to flash roms then I guess I'd have to be rooted first even if the rom being flashed is rooted. Now I've confused myself again. I really don't want to turn my $700 phone into a brick by screwing up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Custom ROMs always require root because it relies on a custom recovery such as TWRP and CWM. So, in short, unless you want to stay stock, you need to root.

This post should help to greatly simplify things for you. (4th post in the thread) Instructions are referring to the jedi rom but they will work for almost any other rom. I am on clean rom and have tried several others. Everything works great on clean rom. My advice would be to download all the ones you want to try, flash them and try each one for a day or two until you figure out which you like the best, then get your phone set up how you want on that rom. Once you get the one you like perfect, make a nandroid backup and then you can always flash any new roms you want to try and if they don't work for you, you can flash your backup and not have to worry about setting everything up on your phone all over again.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=35726061
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using xda app-developers app

Trust me, the phone is absolutely worth the wait and the money! Also like he said earlier, every ROM is different and my favorite won't necessarily be your favorite, but if you like the look of Stock, I use Jedix8 which has great battery life and performance and some cool extra features. CleanRom also has a great reputation and I'll probably give it a go soon just to see what it's like. PM me if you have other questions or anything at all

BlackPhantomX said:
Custom ROMs always require root because it relies on a custom recovery such as TWRP and CWM. So, in short, unless you want to stay stock, you need to root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
topshelf95 said:
This post should help to greatly simplify things for you. (4th post in the thread) Instructions are referring to the jedi rom but they will work for almost any other rom. I am on clean rom and have tried several others.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
badler6545 said:
I use Jedix8 which has great battery life and performance and some cool extra features. CleanRom also has a great reputation and I'll probably give it a go soon just to see what it's like. PM me if you have other questions or anything at all
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks all. I think I have it all figured out (and thanks to FedEx's stupid delivery policies I've had 3 extra days to think about it).
I have downloaded Odin and a rooted img file from http://galaxynote2root.com/galaxy-note-2-root/how-to-root-galaxy-note-2-easiest-method
It will root and install CWM (although I think I would prefer TWRP from what I've rad.
I've doanloaded both the CleanRom for AT&T and the Jedi roms and will try those out. I think once I get the phone rooted and with hte custom recovery on it the actual flashing of new roms will be comparatively easy.

Well, I got my phone last night and charged it. Today I was able to root it, install TWRP, and flass CleanRom all in under an hour. Thanks to all those who offered help. The only issue I had/have is a lack of internet wit hdefault WAP settings: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=37478407
I've gotten around it using the Cingular settings but download speed is only 1.9MB. That's OK for now as I consider my options: live with it or talk to AT&T and see is something can be done without losing my unlimited plan.
Overall , this was an easy process thanks to the large databse of information here and friendly helpful people. I would encourage anyone who is thinking of doing this to proceed. It is easy once you start.

[Q] A rooting question?

I'm a noob to the S3 development. It is configed for me a lot now. I dont want to have to reset my phone and have to do everything all over again. I have stock 4.1.2. All I want is to be able to have wifi tether and keep the stock rom. Will rooting it erase everything, and I will have to start back fresh, because when I had an HTC it did. Last question, when Sprint comes out with more stock roms as in updates, I know I would have to flash instead of doing them OTA which I know you can't do, will it restart/erase the phone when I flash those new stock roms on in the future?

mystical80 said:
I'm a noob to the S3 development. It is configed for me a lot now. I dont want to have to reset my phone and have to do everything all over again. I have stock 4.1.2. All I want is to be able to have wifi tether and keep the stock rom. Will rooting it erase everything, and I will have to start back fresh, because when I had an HTC it did. Last question, when Sprint comes out with more stock roms as in updates, I know I would have to flash instead of doing them OTA which I know you can't do, will it restart/erase the phone when I flash those new stock roms on in the future?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Let's tackle this question one piece at a time:
Rooting: "Getting Root" will not reset anything on your phone. You can go ahead and Root it and when you turn it back on most everything will be exactly the same as you had it before. You'll have a custom recovery (CWM or the recommended TWRP) and root access, but it won't format anything off your phone (apps, settings, etc.)
Wifi Tether: As far as I'm aware, you'll have to flash a custom ROM in order to get wifi tether working. I haven't flashed a TW ROM in a while (been sticking with AOSP 4.2.2 Roms for a bit), but I know that Freeza typically puts together a really nice ROM that is really close to stock. I don't think the one I linked has Wifi tether on it. There's also Kennyglass123, who put together The People's ROM (TPR), which I really liked and includes wifi tether. Also, with TPR, you can easily use Morphology to do all your customization.
The only thing about using custom ROMs is that the best procedure is to do a "full wipe" (factory reset, cache, dalvik) before flashing the ROM. The good news is that there are many programs available to help you get your programs/settings back up and running. I personally use Titanium Backup, but ROM Toolbox Pro also has this capability as well as a lot of other cool customization features. My only warning is that trying to restore system apps (the RED ones in Titanium Backup) can mess things up for your phone if you're switching between TW and AOSP or between versions of Android.
OTA Updates: Once you're rooted, you won't be able to flash OTA updates without going completely back to unrooted stock. The good news is that this process is relatively easy, just some Odin commands. The better news is that with the XDA community, you only have to wait a couple of days before they've come up with updated ROMs that include the OTA updates. Freeza is particularly speedy when it comes to that.
Last Note: I know flashing ROMs and "starting over" with your phone can be a daunting experience, but I've found that custom ROMs are the way to go. Nowadays, they're extremely stable, get amazing battery life, and include customizations that can really make the phone "your own." When I first got into flashing ROMs, I stayed really close to stock, but now I'm really enjoying AOSP ROMs such as Slim Bean, Liquid Smooth, and my current ROM, Carbon.
Hope I've answered your questions!

Thank You very much!!!
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app

To add on to the above, theres the TreveMod Wifi tether app that you can use on any rom, its specifically modded to work with the Galaxy S3
And yes, like he said, it can be overwhelming, we've all been there...but once you get started, there are some really cool roms out there, you just gotta find what it is you look for and what features you want
But trust me, you picked an awesome device to get started with
Good luck!
Oh and one last thing, do NOT flash roms/mods made for the international versions, or for other carriers. Chances are that you will either bork some functionality or brick your phone

CNexus said:
To add on to the above, theres the TreveMod Wifi tether app that you can use on any rom, its specifically modded to work with the Galaxy S3
And yes, like he said, it can be overwhelming, we've all been there...but once you get started, there are some really cool roms out there, you just gotta find what it is you look for and what features you want
But trust me, you picked an awesome device to get started with
Good luck!
Oh and one last thing, do NOT flash roms/mods made for the international versions, or for other carriers. Chances are that you will either bork some functionality or brick your phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here is the link to TrevE's wifi app over in the Verizon SG3 Section. The late November version has been verified to be working on Sprint Stock (but rooted) MA6 roms. I haven't personally used it (don't have 4G in my area and the 3G is too slow to tether with), but others have and said that it works. It's also the app/mod that all the TW ROMs (with tethering baked in) are based off of.
Hope this helps!
-Topher

Need S4 Rom advice!

Hello! Pretty new in XDA forum and I have a couple of questions and concerns. I was browsing through some threads and I was wondering if I could get some opinion/help from other members.
I have a second phone that I want to mod and I need some help.
Device: Samsung Galaxy S4 (ROOTED)
Model#: SGH-M919
Android Version: 4.4.4
Baseband: M919UVUFNK2
It's an old phone and lately, it's been running really slow and if possible, I'd like to make it run as if it was brand new or at least somewhat close. So the question is, are there any recommended stable roms/mods I could use and if there are/is, will I be able to use it with my rooted phone or do I have to completely factory reset it before I apply the mods/roms?
Thank you!

Hi @Mr.LinK,
Just yesterday I finally got sick of my M919 slow/battery drain/old stuff and decided it was time for a reset. I was running SlimKat from over a year ago and while it was a great ROM, I had accumulated so much crap that it was getting really bogged down. This just happens over time no matter what OS, no fault to Slim. But I was also looking to move to Lollipop. Here's what I did:
1. Backed up using several methodologies (full backup with TWRP just in case, then from Android I backed stuff up with Helium, and used Backup My Mobile for SMS/MMS etc., an EFS backup just in case, etc..)
2. From within Android, did a factory reset. This sent the phone into recovery, and it formatted the data partition.
3. Rebooted to recovery again, and used TWRP to manually format the media section, just in case something was left there. Then wiped everything except the external SD.
4. Used ODIN to flash the OH3 firmware onto my MDL M919, without letting reboot after (unchecked the reboot checkbox). Pulled battery, rebooted back into download mode again, and flashed OH3 a second time... this gets around some instance people have reported about incomplete upgrades of firmware and all sorts of issues... better safe than sorry.
5. Let phone boot into now 100 % stock OH3 Android 4.4.4. YEEEUKKK. Some part of me thought I would just root the thing and get rid of Samsung crapware, but just the sheer annoyance of the T-Mobile boot animation was enough to remind me why I left stock long ago. Anyway, I let it boot, and set it up minimally with just 1 Google account, not restoring from backup. To my surprise it found the ATT network (I'm an ATT user, not T-Mobile... I just prefer T-Mo phones because they have unlocked bootloaders) and APN no problem no effort from me. Usually I have to enter an APN.
6. I tested the phone out to make sure all systems were working. GPS, WIFI, Bluetooth, etc.. To my surprise, first time I ran the camera app, it applied a firmware patch. Sweet. I'm glad I went through this step. Coming from ancient MDL, I figured there might be some kinks like this. I let it sit on stock for a few hours while I did stuff with my kids.
7. Back home, I did a factory reset from within Android. Then I flashed the latest TWRP tar file (2.8.7.0) using ODIN, and in TWRP did a full wipe of everything again.
8. At this point I flashed Danvdh's GPE edition of Lollipop from here.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2539361
Installation went smoothly. It's a very basic set of apps that it comes with (Google play is there, but you have to download email/messaging apps from the store such as Gmail and Messaging, Maps, etc). I like this approach!
I've been gradually setting things back up, and am very happy with things so far. Haven't run into any problems yet. The nice pure GPE android experience is refreshing.

@Frankenscript Thanks for the information. I was reading the linked thread and it looks really good so I'll give it a try

Mr.LinK said:
@Frankenscript Thanks for the information. I was reading the linked thread and it looks really good so I'll give it a try
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good luck and let us know how it goes!

Frankenscript said:
Good luck and let us know how it goes!
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I just completely flashed my phone with the ROM and I'm pretty happy with the outcome. No bloatware feels so nice. I've been tinkering with it for a while now and I haven't encountered any problems so far but I did notice that model number changed to GT-I9505G. I'm assuming that's normal since the rom is based off of another variant which makes sense, correct me if I'm wrong. Will this complicate future updates or other rom installation? If so, are there any ways of reverting back to the original model number?

Mr.LinK said:
I just completely flashed my phone with the ROM and I'm pretty happy with the outcome. No bloatware feels so nice. I've been tinkering with it for a while now and I haven't encountered any problems so far but I did notice that model number changed to GT-I9505G. I'm assuming that's normal since the rom is based off of another variant which makes sense, correct me if I'm wrong. Will this complicate future updates or other rom installation? If so, are there any ways of reverting back to the original model number?
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I'm pretty sure we can change the reported model number by modifying the build.prop file. I just haven't poked around with it yet... I did ask the question in the thread and am waiting for a reply. I haven't had to do this kind of thing for over a year, and I forget the build.prop key that does it. But I had some concern that it might bork something else down the road so I decided to wait a bit. IT's just a cosmetic thing and I'm SOOO enjoying the experience right now.
Two little things I'm still fishing around for answers to:
-In the drop down quick access menu, I wish there was a sound/vibrate/mute toggle. I can make one with PowerToggles but maybe there's a way to adjust what's in the native one.
-Really silly, but the power off button when pressed just seems to ... power off the phone!? No option for restart / recovery. Maybe there's an option to set this somewhere; haven't checked.
Still, these are all minor things to sort out. Really, I think I'm very sold on GPE editions now thanks to Danvdh's work.
Marc

Just an update, my phone just rebooted twice in the last 5 mins or so. Was watching on my netflix and it randomly rebooted. Any idea what's causing it and how to prevent it from happening?

Mr.LinK said:
Just an update, my phone just rebooted twice in the last 5 mins or so. Was watching on my netflix and it randomly rebooted. Any idea what's causing it and how to prevent it from happening?
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Haven't seen random reboots. I think I got maybe one reboot since installing the ROM. Then again, I haven't put NF on the phone. I do know that Netflix app had some issues on my Shield tablet, and the manufacturer (Nvidia) came out with a patch... maybe it's something general in Lollipop?

Frankenscript said:
Two little things I'm still fishing around for answers to:
-In the drop down quick access menu, I wish there was a sound/vibrate/mute toggle. I can make one with PowerToggles but maybe there's a way to adjust what's in the native one.
-Really silly, but the power off button when pressed just seems to ... power off the phone!? No option for restart / recovery. Maybe there's an option to set this somewhere; haven't checked.
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Both if those can be fixed with Xposed modules.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using XDA Free mobile app

Will look into doing this in a week or so. Thanks
Sent back in time via Android 9.0 TimeText feature.