I live in the UK and I'm currently on holiday in New York. I converted my m8 to a Google play edition a couple of months ago, so it's rooted with s-off.
Up until now I have had 0 problems with the phone. But after arriving in the US I have absolutely no use of Google services. Email, Play store, maps apps, when I try to use them I just get a "No connection" error. I've tried restarting several times but this makes no difference. I've also tried using Play store via the Firefox browser but although I get access to the store OK, when I try to download any apps, they don't get installed or downloaded.
I have full access and 0 issues with my stock Galaxy Tab S 10.5, but it isn't really practical (or safe) carrying it around when I'm out and about.
A little help or advice would be great.
Hello all!
I purchased the Fire Phone (32GB) two months ago when there was the liquidation sale to get rid of the stock, and I jumped on one! For the value, even at the $120 or so I paid for it (not including the free Prime membership), there aren't any (if at all) phones with a Snapdragon 800, 2GB RAM and not gigantic (looking for a phone that's 4.5" to 4.7"). After unboxing it, and playing around for a few minutes, I put it back and haven't touched it since.
I was hoping there would be more ROM development. I've used Cyanogenmod in the past and loved it (previously had Galaxy Nexus, Galaxy S3 and Galaxy S4 all with Cyanogenmod), but I don't think the experience would be the same on the Fire Phone since Cyanogenmod is not officially supported. I read about the camera issues (somewhat important to me) and would hate to jump into flashing a ROM that has so many problems. I use Google Wallet/NFC from time-to-time as well. Finally, I want to use Tasker, and although I already purchased the app in the Google Play store, I want to be able to use it on my Fire Phone and would have to repurchase it, but I need features that require root access (do I have root access or can I easily root it?).
The apps I mostly use are: Viber, Whatsapp, Chrome, Snapchat, Instagram, Tasker, Instwogram, Google Maps (absolutely necessary as I drive quite a bit), Gmail, Google Drive/Sheets/Docs, Flashlight (wish it were a built-in widget like it was in Cyanogenmod), and Twitter. I don't mind keeping the Fire OS if all the above apps work flawlessly. I could care less about the Fire OS theme, because most of my usage is within other apps which I'd assume are identical between the Google Play store and Amazon Fire Store. With that being said, would I have any issues with any of the above apps? Do I even need Cyanogenmod or SlimKat? Would be experience be better with either of the latter ROMs instead?
Finally, does anyone know if hot spotting is allowed? I have Cricket and my Cricket-branded 1st gen Moto G LTE does not allow hotspotting. I know the Cyanogenmod allowed it. I don't expect to do it often, however, it is nice to have that feature. Does anyone know if the non-carrier branded model directly from the Amazon store allows hotspotting?
Thanks for reading!
Tahleel
Based on the apps you're using, you should stick with Fire OS. The custom ROMs can't reach their full potential, because some of the important sources are not available (Camera HAL, NFC).
Therefore, in-app camera usage is a bigger issue:
Snapchat users are basically forced to use Casper as a replacement, because this app is able to access the camera without freezing / stopping.
WhatsApp Web also doesn't work because you won't be able to scan the QR code and lastly: no Fire OS = no NFC.
Periscope and Twitch streaming does not work on the Fire Phone, for now...
You could start with using an alternative Launcher like Nova (+ Tesla UnRead) or Google Now.
The 4.6.3 version and the latest AT&T version (4.6.5) of Fire OS support Google Play services.
You can root the device with Kingroot and replace it with Super-Su afterwards.
Twitch only works if you use the Amazon store version; I don't think the Play store version works still.
Bingo Bronson said:
Based on the apps you're using, you should stick with Fire OS. The custom ROMs can't reach their full potential, because some of the important sources are not available (Camera HAL, NFC).
Therefore, in-app camera usage is a bigger issue:
Snapchat users are basically forced to use Casper as a replacement, because this app is able to access the camera without freezing / stopping.
WhatsApp Web also doesn't work because you won't be able to scan the QR code and lastly: no Fire OS = no NFC.
Periscope and Twitch streaming do not work on the Fire Phone, for now...
You could start with using an alternative Launcher like Nova (+ Tesla UnRead) or Google Now.
The 4.6.3 version and the latest AT&T version (4.6.5) of Fire OS support Google Play services.
You can root the device with Kingroot and replace it with Super-Su afterwards.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks so much for the feedback! I just updated my Fire Phone and waiting for the final update (GSM - 4.6.3). Let's say if I wanted to update it to the AT&T version of 4.6.5, would I just download the image from Amazon, and drag and drop it into Internal Storage as they're stating on the site? I have Cricket, and while it runs on AT&T's network, I don't want the typical AT&T bloatware. Would it be advantageous for me and my app uses to update to AT&T 4.6.5? I'm sure I'll probably lose hotspotting (that is if I even have it now). Do you think it might be a better idea to hold off, and wait for the 4.6.5 GSM update (if ever), or dare I say Fire OS 5 update?
Thanks again!
Tahleel
tahleel said:
Thanks so much for the feedback! I just updated my Fire Phone and waiting for the final update (GSM - 4.6.3). Let's say if I wanted to update it to the AT&T version of 4.6.5, would I just download the image from Amazon, and drag and drop it into Internal Storage as they're stating on the site? I have Cricket, and while it runs on AT&T's network, I don't want the typical AT&T bloatware. Would it be advantageous for me and my app uses to update to AT&T 4.6.5? I'm sure I'll probably lose hotspotting (that is if I even have it now). Do you think it might be a better idea to hold off, and wait for the 4.6.5 GSM update (if ever), or dare I say Fire OS 5 update?
Thanks again!
Tahleel
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I went from 4.6.4 AT&T to 4.6.3 rooted. When I made the move I didn't do a factory reset. I noticed last weekend the phone was trying to connect to an attwifi network in the area. It was never able to connect. And, interestingly enough, I was not able to prevent it from trying to connect unless I disabled the wifi. I use StraightTalk (on AT&T's network).
I've recently started having issues with the GPS so I moved to 4.6.5 unrooted (using adb sideload) so that I could contact Amazon for help. I don't really see any differences between 4.6.3 and 4.6.5 except for the MyAT&T app, an AT&T Wifi app (which doesn't have a launcher icon), and the single APN setting for AT&T (IIRC 4.6.3 had APN settings for other networks).
Once I'm done dealing with Amazon's tech support and the GPS issue is resolved (or I get a new phone). I plan to go back to 4.6.3, factory reset, and root. 4.6.3 was working well for me, and I'm hoping the factory reset wipes the attwifi crap.
Thanks so much for your input! I just got some reassurance that 4.6.3 (GSM) is for me. I was second guessing myself as I was installing and reconfiguring all my Google Store apps last night if this was the right decision or if I'd have to do this all over again if I switched to 4.6.5 (AT&T).
I pay for additional data, but I don't have Hotspot in my Cricket Plan. I see that I have the option to create a WiFi Hotspot with my phone. If I use it occasionally (very occasionally, maybe when my home internet goes down or I'm travelling), will I be charged for it automatically? Or can they not tell the difference without major digging?
Thanks again!
From my experience with Cricket, they only control the Hotspot feature when you use a Cricket branded phone. So for instance, my Nexus 5 and my wife's Fire phone both can use Hotspot, but on my kid's Cricket Moto E, Hotspot does not work because we don;t pay extra for it.
I'm sure there are rules about not using it, but I do quite frequently, and I've not had any problems or warnings.
Using the amazon os and loading google play onto my 4.6.3, everything in the google play store has worked flawlessly. Any of the launcher works great ( i personally use smart launcher ), and google syncing stuff like games work perfectly. Once u have the play store you can grab google maps and it works great as well.
Using Tmobile my hotspot works without any need for modding settings nor any changing of any plans specifically for hotspot ( which is great i dont know how long i dont have to pay extra for wifi tethering for though ), and as im on the 10gb plan it comes int great when i want to do homework with the laptop where there isnt fast wifi.
My snapchat finally has the face filters too, something even pure google phones dont have yet! I am extremely happy with how this phone works out as the next closest thing in performance is a 250 dollar motoG 2015 or one plus X
I have cricket and I'm able to hot spot (4.6.3 rooted with sideloaded google services). There's a flashlight icon available as part of the notification panel (swipe down from the top), so I use that instead of a widget.
4.63
jbatacan said:
Using the amazon os and loading google play onto my 4.6.3, everything in the google play store has worked flawlessly. Any of the launcher works great ( i personally use smart launcher ), and google syncing stuff like games work perfectly. Once u have the play store you can grab google maps and it works great as well.
Using Tmobile my hotspot works without any need for modding settings nor any changing of any plans specifically for hotspot ( which is great i dont know how long i dont have to pay extra for wifi tethering for though ), and as im on the 10gb plan it comes int great when i want to do homework with the laptop where there isnt fast wifi.
My snapchat finally has the face filters too, something even pure google phones dont have yet! I am extremely happy with how this phone works out as the next closest thing in performance is a 250 dollar motoG 2015 or one plus X
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Click to collapse
Hi. Sorry for a dumb question. My daughter has this phone and it's all messed up. Won't open apps, won't always send texts (hangs and says sending). Got a new SIM yesterday and same thing.
Where do I get 4.6.3 so I can reflash it and are there instructions anywhere?
Thanks!
avatar1961 said:
Hi. Sorry for a dumb question. My daughter has this phone and it's all messed up. Won't open apps, won't always send texts (hangs and says sending). Got a new SIM yesterday and same thing.
Where do I get 4.6.3 so I can reflash it and are there instructions anywhere?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See this post.
First, I'm running an unlocked Galaxy Nexus 9250 rooted and running an old XenonHD 09-15-12- I bought it used from the guy that installed the ROM and I haven't changed it.
Last night I followed someone's advice and used superbeam to off load all my photos and videos (about 8gig) to make my phone faster. I noticed a considerable boost in performance immediately! I then started a mass update of some 70-80 apps from the google play store and things went south. The updates would get somewhere between 50-100% downloaded and then bog down either during the download or the install. I cleared out all the cache memory and app data I could with no improvement. I also downloaded CCcleaner and had it do some more cleaning but everything was still the same. I also noticed my caller ID app failing to report the caller until several minutes after the call!
I talked with google today and after having me clear the download manager and google play store apps of cache and data memory several times and de-linking and re-linking my google accounts the tech guy gave up. I've also tried using 3g OTA data transfers and I get the same results.
Thanks for the Help!
How do I contribute XDA?
I just got a new xperia play from hong kong. Its a R800A and its connected to koodo. The only issue is the fact that I can go on the browser but almost every site is blocked/cannot be connected. This is the same situation with every other internet app especially the preinstalled ones like Market. No matter what I do it says something like "Cannot Connect to Servers, Please try again later" It has me so upset and no matter where I go on the internet there is not a single person who can help so I'm making this report and hoping someone can help me.
To speed things up I live in Canada and I can call and text without issue. But when I go to the internet I can't do anything.
Thank you for reading if you have any information on what i can do or what will help please reply and help me
I just bought a used R800X and was wondering the same thing - Wifi doesn't work anywhere except for the stock browser. After some searching apparently Google Play Services support for Android versions under 4.0 was killed off earlier this year.
So if your Xplay is still on 2.3, you won't be able to use the Market or pretty much any app that uses Google Services. You can still sideload apps that you've backed up with Titanium on another device or just install some APKs from the net. If you really can't live without Google Services look into getting a custom ROM based on 4.0+.
My R800X has some dumb issues in regards to the bootloader so ROMs are pretty much out of the question for me, but I was still able to get it rooted and install a bunch of emulators. Hopefully you have better luck. Cheers mate!
jackspyro123 said:
I just got a new xperia play from hong kong. Its a R800A and its connected to koodo. The only issue is the fact that I can go on the browser but almost every site is blocked/cannot be connected. This is the same situation with every other internet app especially the preinstalled ones like Market. No matter what I do it says something like "Cannot Connect to Servers, Please try again later" It has me so upset and no matter where I go on the internet there is not a single person who can help so I'm making this report and hoping someone can help me.
To speed things up I live in Canada and I can call and text without issue. But when I go to the internet I can't do anything.
Thank you for reading if you have any information on what i can do or what will help please reply and help me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you! thankfully I'm bit of a nerd so I went online and force updated the app store to the latest version and now I can get basic apps. Down side is that it keeps breaking and crashing every few minutes so I'm going to uninstall most of the unnecessary apps and see if that will help fix most of the issues with crashing. Also the fact that most of them are always running in the background doesn't help xD.
I also have planes to overclock using my sd card. like take some of the memory to boost my phones power
I had a bit of the same but I managed to get it rooted and my bootloader is unlocked. Thing is most links (like it has been said) has been killed off. But I need a custom rom for the phone...it’s getting me really mad. Suggestions? Help? Please?
For custom ROMs, it's gonna be a crapshoot going through all of the threads and looking for links that are still hosted online somewhere. /u/ TheNameBrand had some success with installing CM9 recently, but ran into wifi issues or something. Here's the link if you're still interested: https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2024782
If you end up sticking with stock and don't have the Market/Play Store running, you can download the latest 2.3 compatible version of the Play Store here: https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/google...-2-02-release/
I got my new s20+ (UK version) today.
Unfortunately, google play store on wifi seems to be an absolute joke - if it downloads an app at all, it takes forever. It works fine on data but obviously a bit slower (as no 5G signal where I live yet).
I have reset the cache on google play store, services, services framework and download manager, logged out and back into google and done a factory reset - nothing fixes it.
Does anyone have any ideas as to how to restore the usual download speed? My Note 10+ works find (as did the s10+ before it ...)? Is anyone else experiencing this?
All other devices on the network are behaving exactly as I would expect them to.
it throttles speed if something else is downloading in the background
I picked up the same issue when I got my phone on the first day. I was setting up the phone and playstore was hectically slow or paused the whole time... As mentioned above it does throttle or pause playstore stuff when downloading other stuff in the back ground. Samsung store was doing updates and playstore paused/throttled the updates. When all was done, the playstore functioned normally