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Hi,
I am really full of compliments about the good work of some guys that have done a good job in building the actual CyanogenMod versions for Wildfire S.
Thank you sooo much!!
But what I currently do not completly understand...
Why are most of the CM users really happy about version 10.2 or version 11.0 (like orig. CyanogenMod or WFSY) when those versions - last version of CM 9.2.2 included - do not even have GooglePlay/PlayStore and Data2SD (or Link2SD) installed?...
The last (and obviously most advanced CM version) CM9 (alpha9, v.9.2.2) would already be a wonderful solution for the WFS phone (I tested it!!) and it is said to be nearly finished (even video camera is working now at the version of Olivier) BUT both mentioned, absolutly necessary components are missing (and nobody mentioned it yet). Or what can I do with a phone where I cannot install new apps at all?..
So what is it that I misunderstand?...
I would be very happy if anybody could inform me about how I can find a version that has a complete set of system apps or how/where I can find both missing components to complete them by myself. (and even more happy if the cyanogenmod update function would still find some updates)
Otherwise I would guess that not any of the existing CM-based versions for Wildfire S can be used at all...
Should all the past work for creating a CM version (Android 4.x !!) for the (unfortunately!) one and only COMPACT smartphone on the world, 'Wildfire S' (I must admit, it is in fact!!) should have been completly in vain ???... I couldn't believe it.
Thank you guys very much for your nice explanations!
All the best to this wonderful community,
from Falk
CyanogenMod said:
Google Apps are the proprietary Google-branded applications that come pre-installed with most Android devices, such as the Play Store, Gmail, Maps, etc. Due to licensing restrictions, these apps cannot come pre-installed with CyanogenMod and must be installed separately.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Gesendet von meinem Xperia Z mit Tapatalk
Hi Olivier,
many thanks for your tip. You did not mention the point directly but I could answer most of my questions by mayself then.
Now I installed CM9 'cm-9-20140720-Olivier-marvel' together with 'CronMod-INT2EXT+_signed'. Works pretty fine!
Only little questions have been left now...
1.) How can I sort my app icons by subjects/folders (s. HTC Sense)? This Trebuchet launcher does not seem to support anything like that. If there is no chance, which launcher would you suggest instead?
2.) There is no really 'useful' version of CM10 or CM11 for WFS yet, is there? I couldn't find. Do you think there will be s.o. still working for a final version next time?... (why is Wildfire but not Wildfire S an official CM development?)
2b.) At your current version CM9, is there any problem left that should still be fixed? Everything works fine here yet...
3.) Therefore the OTA updater for CM would be a fine feature like in CM9 vers. 9.1.0 (but no updates found yet!). But your current CM9 version does not support it any more. Any reason for that?
3a.) Are updates possible anyway without flashing the whole ROM?
3b.) Is there anybody managing OTA any update of CM (v. 9..11) for WFS?
3c.) Are OTA updates from cm9 to cm11 possible?
4.) Skype does not react when clicking the icon to start it. Any idea what is the problem?...
5.) Some system programs (e.g. contacts or call manager) do not have that nice design than before. There is no chance/choice to exchange them?... (if yes, how and where to find alternatives?)
Thank you again for your final responses!
First of all this really does not belong in the development section, in Q&A perhaps.
And you just can't ask every single think that comes up in your mind, you gotta search a little bit and try it out for yourself.
Now, 1. Trebuchet does support folders but not auto-arranging. Most of the popular launchers support this.
2. The current CM10 and CM11 are perfectly functional and working. Though they lag a bit (which is fair considering our old device). And the wildfire only had an official CM7 which is very old now.
2b. If you don't have a problem it does not contain a problem.
3. OTA is working for CM11. But for CM9 a OTA makes less sense considering that its stable now.
4. No idea.
5. Again you have to look for yourself, nobody can babysit you all the time.
thanks very much!
Okay, maybe question 1 might belong to Q&A. That's it. Sorry.
To make you understanding (sorry to write again so much!)...
to 1.) Did not expect that it would support it. So I did not even search for!... Thanks, this drag/drop solution is more than perfect!!
to 2.) Sorry, then I am not able to find them. I searched a lot and found actual version like 'WFSY11.0-WFS-V5.5, 20140723' or 'cm-11-20140726-NIGHTLY-marvel' where not even back button or Android option menu worked. Lots of functions are missing. I did not try 'cm-11-20140810-NIGHTLY-marvel' but do not expect more within one month. The same with cm version 10.2. In a thread I read that it was give up because cm11 is already working better.
**** So would you please give me the link to the finished versions of cm10 and cm11, please? ****
(a patch for the video camera problem seems to be existing shortly now...)
to 2b.) My first problem I saw was missing updater in cm9 for version 10 and 11. And the strange Skype problem. And video problem was fixed JUST before!! BT seems to have restrictions as well. So there is good reason to ask this question!?..
to 3.) It seems as if simple updating from Android 4.0 to 4.2 (cm10) and 4.4 (cm11) isn't possible!?... Officially it seems to work. E.g. OTA of Samsung offered update from 4.2.2 to 4.4. Strange!... How/why does it work here?...
Remark: So I suppose it is CyanogenMod which does not support it... It will not work without 'Titanium Backup' here...
to 4.) I suppose you will have the same problem!? Maybe you have opportunity to try out quickly!?... Skype really does not seem to run on WFS cm9+INT2EXT+. Isn't that strange?... (I reinstalled it already. No chance.)
to 5.) I asked this HERE because it belongs to SYSTEM apps (contacts or call manager) that cannot easily be exchanged, as far as I know!... Can they?...
There is one thing I would like to add, after your remarks to my point 2... Maybe I could not find the right sources. But this is because there is no resource pool (about WFS at XDA anywhere. Instead there just appear 'lonely' links in some threads. And instead of telling/explaining the systematics (if there is one) you guys generally just mention the fact (e.g. a link). So this makes it hard for non-insiders. You understand what I mean?...
(so e.g. I will have to ask (in another thread) how I can find the 'FM radio' app (no streaming!) which is missing in CM9 - instead of just looking at the right page where they are collected)
I would be really happy to get to know at least where you guys have found the informations for all what you do when 'cooking' new versions, etc.!...
Cause then I would have read about all that much more!... Instead of blaming me. Sorry, if I do not have that general info that you got already.
Maybe you understand better now!?... Would be fine.
Anyway, thanks a lot for your short repsonses. Have a nice day!
Again only things that are directly related to development are to be placed in development section. And NO if you have a problem with a rom you have to ask it in Q&A. Read the development forum rules in the stickies attached to the top of the section.
And you could also try reading through the stickies in the general section. It will give you some understanding.
Now CM10 and CM11 works, the threads are pretty high in the development section, you can find them if you look. The version of CM11 you used is the right one (the NIGHTLY) and back button does work. Try the later versions. Officially updating to a higher version is different and large corporations can spend time and money to make it work. But it just is not possible (or rather safe) with the variety of unofficial roms. You could try but most probably fail. You can install different apps for call and messaging and they will work. Search for those apps. CM9/10 works fine and have very less amount of problems. Now remember that this is a very old device and the devs are doing it NOT as a profession. So every single thing will never work.
Now as a last your largest problem is you think everything will be written somewhere in front of your eyes. It will not be. You have to use Google before asking a question. And also you just have to calm down and fix your attitude.
aWFSuser said:
First of all this really does not belong in the development section, in Q&A perhaps.
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Click to collapse
That was my fault, I'd moved this out of a thread and mistakenly put it in the Development section. All sorted now.
thanks again for your time to answer!!
I know, I sound as if I would not know which hard work you guys do. But I do, aWF Suser. And I mentioned that already in the beginning.
And I have heard already from your collegues that it would be a good idea if things could be organised some better. The official cm versions e.g have a central resource pool. Or the android-Wiki and CM-Wiki notes are all out-dated (from 2012) !!... Etc.
But PLEASE understand this more as a suggestion than a criticism - from a user that in your eyes only expects and criticises but cannot give. This is not the case!
Thank you!
I know it is an old smartphone I have. And I would have bought a new one already a long time ago. But even Samsung Galaxy Mini is too big in size and some important functions you will only find in the big version. Why is that so? Nobody can explain!... (i would pay the same price for a small phone!!! Handy devices must not be worse and more expensive than big ones!!)
The WFS is just the only really COMPACT smartphone all over. And I am sad that the industry detected a trend to bigger displays. The opposite is the trueth. Nearly all my friends e.g. like to have a compact phone but those always a beginner versions/hardware which cannot be understood at all.
Really sad. It is a big strange hole in products on market, isn't it?...
Unfortunately you did not give me tips how I could find a way to get more familiar with what and how you guys are doing. Is it a secret? I could imagine to do some work here as well. I am very interested in how you are doing your development work!...
Thank you again...
Now it is sure...
Olivier's last CM9 version still has bugs, not only the problem with lgCamera and Skype but also at the akku loading status.
It seems as if it is not correctly refreshing. The loading curve (s. settings) slows down a lot and shows e.g. after 4 hours loading still 43%. But after rebooting it changed to the right value finally: 100%.
So again my question before, as Olivier unfortunately put away the OTA update function (but ment that it is not necessary anymore):
How can this version be fixed?
As far as I know you don't offer patches but only complete ROMs...
Okay first sorry for being rude as posting in the development section was not your fault.
Now the main problem with our device is not that its old but that it has a armv6 cpu which is not supported by later android versions. So development for developers is tougher and bugs will remain. I mentioned the general stickies before there you can find some useful guides.
And have you installed GAPPS in CM9 because some apps depend on it and won't work without it.
And just to be clear, I'm not really a developer but just a user like you.
I never said CM9 doesn't have bugs. It's is clearly stated in its OP that:
modpunk said:
This ROM is not meant for daily use!
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Click to collapse
Hallo Olivier,
never mind. But I just understood it like that. As you gave the reason for the OTA non-support in your ROM.
So if I misunderstood you... what is your reason then?...
In fact it would bring us forward if you could please comment my questions and/or give tips to solve the mentioned problem.
@so please give me a chance to fix the akku status bug. This is really annoying.
Can you confirm that problem? And if so will you fix it?
And if so how can I update it by OTA updater? Or alternatively at least by a patch but not by a new complete ROM !?...
@TO the Skype problem...
First of all: can you confirm my problem?...
To your question: I used your ROM from 20th Aug. (119.518 KB) This one contains already gapps, I suppose. Cause Google Play and the other stuff was already installed!...
@TO lgCamera...
This wonderful camera app worked fine with EQDKP (v.2.3.5) but now it is too slow and hops a lot. Can you confirm that?
And if so do you have any idea why this is a problem?...
@how can I add FM Radio (analog) support?...
Thank you very much for your feedback!
PS: So if the last version of CM9 is not ment for daily use... which CMx version is it then? Is there none?...
Currently your cm9 works fine. Only those three problems so far...
Do you care for my bug messages?... (or where can I post them?)
Hallo aWF Suser,
yes, I know the problem with the arm version. You must not excuse for any bug in CM.
I do not have problems with bugs. I have more problems when they cannot be fixed easily (missing OTA updater) or errors are not heard or cared for so that bugfixes will not be available at all...
By the way the phone Wildfire (without 'S') is supported by Standard CyanogenMod and also has an ArmV6 processor!...
You mean I should read again the forum rules?... What is it that is is still annoying you in my style of writing?...
Olivier's ROM I used (s. previous message) obviously contained GAPPs already. GooglePlay atc. was already installed. So this should not be the reason, should it?...
First of all: can you confirm my Skype problem, aWF Suser?... I expect it to be in each CM9 version!...
Thank you very much for your support!
PS: By the way, I have compatibility problems when flashing ROMs. For nearly each ROM I have to change the recovery. Is there any that can read all 'formats' of zip files?...
Falk2 said:
Hallo aWF Suser,
yes, I know the problem with the arm version. So you must not excuse for any bug in CM.
I do not have problems with bugs. I have more problems when they cannot be fixed easily (missing OTA updater) or bugfixes are not available at all...
By the way the phone Wildfire (without 'S') is normally supported at CyanogenMod and also has an ArmV6 processor!...
You mean I should read again the forum rules?... What is it that is is still annoying you in my style of writing?...
Olivier's ROM I used (s. next message) obviously contained GAPPs already. GooglePlay atc. was already installed.
So this should not be the reason, should it?...
First of all: can you confirm my Skype problem, aWF Suser?... I expect it to be in each CM9 version!...
Thank you very much for your support!
PS: By the way, I have compatibility problems with ROMs. For every second ROM I have to change the Recovery. Is there any that can read all 'formats' of zip files?...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Wildfire is listed officially only for CM7 (gingerbread) . After that it has not been supported. I am not asking you to read the rules, in the stickies in general section there is a thread that lists some guides to some useful things. And is OTA that necessary because in most cases a dirty flash is enough to upgrade from one version to another as long as its the same android version. Upgrades between different android version would not be possible even with OTA (as lots of things change, it will probably end in a bootloop). I am not using CM9 currently so can't speak for that.
So then which CM version are you using on your WFS? And why?
I flashed cm11 shortly but it still has too many problems. E.g. the camera app crashes after successfully recording a video, the launcher only has two pages, launcher does not seem to support folders, etc.
Do you know where I can find the actual todo list? (AndroidWiki unfortunately is not maintained anymore!)
I will give Paranoid 4.45 a try yet. Maybe this is better!?...
Otherwise I will keep cm9 and hope that we can find out why Skype is not running.
Oooh, that is important... I can make a 'dirt flash'? This is very fine!! Then OTA is not that necessary, of course. But there is still no reason to left it away, is it? Especially because all this observing and searching for the update is NOT necessary! Can't understand Olivier here...
Could you comment my PS as well, please?...
(error log: "cannot load volume /misc. Can't partition non-vfat: /sto .. (vfat)")
http://forum.xda-developers.com/htc-wildfire-s/development/cyanogenmod-10-t2908631
is there any better rom than this rom? how can i improve battery life with screen on? i want it for daily driver, i do not use bluetooth ad2p but i dont know what armv7 features means...
for me its affordable atm and give a new life to the oldie and shiny wfs
Which rom is the most stable for everyday use?
(With working wi-fi tethering)
Can someone compile a list of features present in the various roms for the Pixel 2 Xl? How do you know which one to use without flashing and trying them? Are there really any differences?
I have a similar question actually, but I'm just looking for one specific feature in a ROM: Full OMS commits for proper Substratum support
State.of.mind said:
Can someone compile a list of features present in the various roms for the Pixel 2 Xl? How do you know which one to use without flashing and trying them? Are there really any differences?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
rickysidhu_ said:
I have a similar question actually, but I'm just looking for one specific feature in a ROM: Full OMS commits for proper Substratum support
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Having read almost everything there is to read on all the custom roms to date, if I were you, I would go to each rom thread, or their G+ sites, and read up on the features each one has. Many of them share the same github commits, so there's a lot of similarities between them. Substratum has been wonky since the March update, it still works on stock, and custom roms, however, sometimes you have to reboot to see, and then enable them in the substratum manager menu. I'm running the Aquarius rom atm, and luckily, I don't have to do anything special to make substratum work.
As far as functionality on the custom roms, most everything is working except, active edge(the squeeze thing) wifi calling depending on your carrier, android auto is working on some of them, and project Fi and esim are hit and miss depending on location and carrier. The only way to know if you like it or not is to use it, and not rely on what others have to say about any particular rom. After all, this is why you bought the P2XL isn't it?? So you can unlock, root, and rom it!! So, it's your choice. Now...GO UNLOCK, ROOT, ROM, THEME, AND MOD THE CRAP OUTA THAT THING! ?
Badger50 said:
Having read almost everything there is to read on all the custom roms to date, if I were you, I would go to each rom thread, or their G+ sites, and read up on the features each one has. Many of them share the same github commits, so there's a lot of similarities between them. Substratum has been wonky since the March update, it still works on stock, and custom roms, however, sometimes you have to reboot to see, and then enable them in the substratum manager menu. I'm running the Aquarius rom atm, and luckily, I don't have to do anything special to make substratum work.
As far as functionality on the custom roms, most everything is working except, active edge(the squeeze thing) wifi calling depending on your carrier, android auto is working on some of them, and project Fi and esim are hit and miss depending on location and carrier. The only way to know if you like it or not is to use it, and not rely on what others have to say about any particular rom. After all, this is why you bought the P2XL isn't it?? So you can unlock, root, and rom it!! So, it's your choice. Now...GO UNLOCK, ROOT, ROM, THEME, AND MOD THE CRAP OUTA THAT THING! ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the feedback. In your opinion do ROMS offer any additional functionality over stock+Xposed +Magisk Modules?
State.of.mind said:
Thanks for the feedback. In your opinion do ROMS offer any additional functionality over stock+Xposed +Magisk Modules?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not really. But I still like em :laugh:
I have an old T-Mo S4 on 4.something and would like to play with some custom ROMs. I see that there are several ROMs but am not sure which one to start on.
What's the cleanest, most compatible, stock-like ROM for the S4? Preferably Android 7.x or newer.
Additionally, is there a simple way of reverting back to an official T-Mobile ROM?
I went with lineage, used it for a couple of phones. It's currently in active development, root is optional so I think safetynet is not an issue. I think a couple of other ROMs are based on lineage, so I just stick with them.
As for reverting back I don't know. I had to download stock for an old phone and flash back, this time I tried backing up stock, but didn't back up stock recovery, didn't think of it and not sure if I can. I don't know if my backup of stock will work if I try to flash back. Still pretty new to all of this, or maybe not new so much as I'm not a developer and I'm trying to follow as best I can.
besweeet said:
I have an old T-Mo S4 on 4.something and would like to play with some custom ROMs. I see that there are several ROMs but am not sure which one to start on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I flashed AlaskaLinuxUser's [ROM][7.1.1] SlimRoms N [jfltetmo] build on my bone-stock SGH-M919 a week ago. It's my daily driver, so I'm glad the 7.1.1 Slimroms ROM has proven to be lean and stable.
It carries the same SGH-M919 model number so IR blaster apps are available.
It is not rooted, so corporate sector apps don't have a cow over security.
It is easily rooted using the recover-flashable SuperSU zip, and easily unrooted inside the SuperSU app.
Portable Hotspot works well, although only in the 2.4GHz band.
Media players are absent (slim indeed), so I had to download AOSP Music+ etc.
Wi-Fi Calling does not work :crying: due to not having T-Mo's proprietary app.
TWRP can backup and restore the whole phone using an SD card. You'll need around 7GB free on the card.
snarkbait said:
Wi-Fi Calling does not work :crying: due to not having T-Mo's proprietary app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you attempted to manually get Wi-Fi Calling working? There are plenty of stock devices - the Moto G6 for example - where Wi-Fi Calling works.
I'm thinking of buying a Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite, and I want to install a quality open-source ROM on it since I don't want the Chinese or Google spying on me.
I've never installed a ROM before, and I don't think I really need any fancy features (except for basic smartphone things, like support for camera, flashlight, WiFi, Bluetooth, phone calls, audio/video recording and playback, GPS, etc.). I guess my only other requirement is that it can support something like aptX/aptX HD so I can use it with Bluetooth headphones and it won't sound like ass.
I've got some questions:
Do most ROMs generally tend to work with most phones? Can I just download some random ROM and have it work most of the time?
Are the 2 pages of ROM threads listed on this forum the only ones this phone can support? Or are these just the ROMs that forum users have tested it with? A lot of these ROMs I've never even heard of, and many are listed as [UNOFFICIAL].
Cyanogenmod has been discontinued, but could it still work on newer devices? There's projects like freecyngn which can remove propriety Google Analytics stuff from it, and I don't know if any similar tweaks exist for Cyanogenmod's successors.
What's a good resource for de-googled ROMs with no proprietary software? And which can support aptX/aptX HD or an alternative. And would hopefully actually work with the phone.
Sorry, someone is always out there listening, watching, monitoring and data mining - regardless of the OS eco-system. Learn to built your own and have fun. Good luck !
P.S. Stay away from smartphone, go back to a "dumb" phone. Find yourself a good old Motorola Startac classic or Sony-Ericson ... maybe. That is, if backdoors were not integrated at the chipset level.
Letitride said:
Sorry, someone is always out there listening, watching, monitoring and data mining - regardless of the OS eco-system. Learn to built your own and have fun. Good luck !
P.S. Stay away from smartphone, go back to a "dumb" phone. Find yourself a good old Motorola Startac classic or Sony-Ericson ... maybe. That is, if backdoors were not integrated at the chipset level.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not asking for a phone to go off the grid and hide in the amazon jungle with, but there's an obvious difference between an OS bloated with proprietary spyware garbage and an OS that's as barebones and open-source as possible. I want to make the best choice when it comes to what's installed on my smartphone, or as close as to the best choice as I can get.
I don't think programming is something I'll ever learn to do, let alone build my own OS. The best I can do is make a table with fancy text in HTML.
Let's start with your Google account if you want to stay under the radar - it's a given with Play Store, unless you feel comfortable going without it and sideload Gapps or manually install/update from APK mirror. A2 Lite is a good but entry level smartphone, don't expect nor realistic to count on extensive custom rom development.
You will need to learn and experiment to find out for yourself, start with rooting the A/B partition and installing TWRP, then select a ROM ... you will be flashing at least several of these to decide what work best for you. Read - there is plenty of comments, feedbacks and caution.
I run the stock Global rom, Android One - which is as close to "pure" without bloatware as it can be (having owned, used & played with probably 2 dozens+ smartphone in this decade) - and have no problems - unlike others and not eveyone is having issues with WiFi & bluetooth.
I run Lineage OS on the Huawei Honor 5X ... and there are custom roms that are barebone and/or need only minimal Gapps to be flashed (nano or pico) - it comes down to the question for you, what is your definition of spyware, proprietary or stock/OEM and preloaded. If you are paranoid, don't use it, disabled it, block it and change permission - IMHO, with Oreo & Pie roms - it will probably crippled your device badly.
Trust me, "they" all know where you've been and just left, approximate time spend and what you clicked. Give it a rest unless you have reasons to worry.
I don't know what I should download because I have no idea what would work with this phone. Online it says that Android One "only runs on certain smartphones", so probably not that. If Oreo/Pie stop working if you disable certain bloat, then I'm fine with using something older or even ancient, as long as it can function. And I'm probably going to be installing Play apps from APK mirror instead of the Play Store. What actually is the difference between that and sideloading? I thought when you installed an .apk from APK mirror it meant you were sideloading.
Again, my expectations for an OS are quite modest - basic smartphone features, along with the ability to use aptX/aptX HD or some other variants.
Can you link some de-googled and de-bloated ROMs I can choose from? I can't find any ROMs named "nano" or "pico" on the ROM section for this phone, or on Google.
dooshbagel said:
I'm thinking of buying a Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite, and I want to install a quality open-source ROM on it since I don't want the Chinese or Google spying on me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Roms listed here are the ones you need, they are the ones for this phone. Successor of CM is LineageOS and people are happy with it. Being such a noob do your reading before you get into flashing, that prevents pulling too much hair. Mi A2 lite is a good phone.
Ah, avoid stock, it's a mess according to people who used it. I erased it as soon as I got the phone. I run AOSiP and am content with it.
On this phone you can also flash GSI systems (more reading), ArrowOS 9 worked just fine for me, others may be good too.
dooshbagel said:
I'm thinking of buying a Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite, and I want to install a quality open-source ROM on it since I don't want the Chinese or Google spying on me.
I've never installed a ROM before, and I don't think I really need any fancy features (except for basic smartphone things, like support for camera, flashlight, WiFi, Bluetooth, phone calls, audio/video recording and playback, GPS, etc.). I guess my only other requirement is that it can support something like aptX/aptX HD so I can use it with Bluetooth headphones and it won't sound like ass.
I've got some questions:
Do most ROMs generally tend to work with most phones? Can I just download some random ROM and have it work most of the time?
Are the 2 pages of ROM threads listed on this forum the only ones this phone can support? Or are these just the ROMs that forum users have tested it with? A lot of these ROMs I've never even heard of, and many are listed as [UNOFFICIAL].
Cyanogenmod has been discontinued, but could it still work on newer devices? There's projects like freecyngn which can remove propriety Google Analytics stuff from it, and I don't know if any similar tweaks exist for Cyanogenmod's successors.
What's a good resource for de-googled ROMs with no proprietary software? And which can support aptX/aptX HD or an alternative. And would hopefully actually work with the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just try this https://forum.xda-developers.com/mi-a2-lite/development/rom-barebones-lineageos-16-0-t3931121
celrau said:
On this phone you can also flash GSI systems (more reading), ArrowOS 9 worked just fine for me, others may be good too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What is GSI? And I don't see ArrowOS 9 listed anywhere in this phone's forum section. Can I just download it anywhere from the internet and have it work with the A2 Lite?
dooshbagel said:
What is GSI? And I don't see ArrowOS 9 listed anywhere in this phone's forum section. Can I just download it anywhere from the internet and have it work with the A2 Lite?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
GSI stands for generic system images but as I said, do your own reading on all these. ArrowOS is here and you will need AB. And no, you can't just download it from anywhere on the internet and have it work. Search for what treble and GSI are, how to flash them and so on. Theoretically GSIs are easier to deal with since you don't need to change slots (don't ask me what slots are, you have the internet) but they are generic and some features may not work. If this is too much for you there is a thread here about debloating the stock rom, maybe that's more in tone with your current level of experience.
dooshbagel said:
I'm thinking of buying a Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite, and I want to install a quality open-source ROM on it since I don't want the Chinese or Google spying on me.
I've never installed a ROM before, and I don't think I really need any fancy features (except for basic smartphone things, like support for camera, flashlight, WiFi, Bluetooth, phone calls, audio/video recording and playback, GPS, etc.). I guess my only other requirement is that it can support something like aptX/aptX HD so I can use it with Bluetooth headphones and it won't sound like ass.
I've got some questions:
Do most ROMs generally tend to work with most phones? Can I just download some random ROM and have it work most of the time?
Are the 2 pages of ROM threads listed on this forum the only ones this phone can support? Or are these just the ROMs that forum users have tested it with? A lot of these ROMs I've never even heard of, and many are listed as [UNOFFICIAL].
Cyanogenmod has been discontinued, but could it still work on newer devices? There's projects like freecyngn which can remove propriety Google Analytics stuff from it, and I don't know if any similar tweaks exist for Cyanogenmod's successors.
What's a good resource for de-googled ROMs with no proprietary software? And which can support aptX/aptX HD or an alternative. And would hopefully actually work with the phone.
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Trying to reply in a simplier manner than previous comments:
I come from the similar direction to yours. I am not a whistleblower, but I'm sick of all the data collection, all my moves logged on Google servers, all the synchronization and all the targeted ads.
For downloading apps you don't need to sideload, just use F-Droid + Aurora Store for Play Store.
LineageOS is the continuation of Cyanogenmod project.
The best you can find right now is this build of Lineage: https://forum.xda-developers.com/mi-a2-lite/development/lineageos-16-0-xiaomi-mi-a2-lite-t3919060
Be aware that it has unofficial status by now and it's unclear if it's gonna change anytime soon. It means you have to put all your trust in the maintainer, plus it doesn't use official Lineage infrastracture for delivering updates etc. Also SELinux is not active, at least yet.
The phone itself I definitely recommend - cheap, 10+ hours of SOT, fast enough, camera is ok for random pic taking.
celrau said:
GSI stands for generic system images but as I said, do your own reading on all these. ArrowOS is here and you will need AB. And no, you can't just download it from anywhere on the internet and have it work. Search for what treble and GSI are, how to flash them and so on. Theoretically GSIs are easier to deal with since you don't need to change slots (don't ask me what slots are, you have the internet) but they are generic and some features may not work. If this is too much for you there is a thread here about debloating the stock rom, maybe that's more in tone with your current level of experience.
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Alright, cheers. What are the basic procedures if I lightly or horribly screw up something while I'm doing this? Resetting, etc.
Might I respectfully suggest that you brew a cup of coffee or tea or whatever beverage, sit back and do some serious reading. Maybe, buy this device first and/or play with something you currently owned to get a better feel of how flashing & other basics like ADB and installing of ADB works.
You will probably need to be comfortable using (Xiao)MiFlash to fix any possible soft/hard brick to recover it back to OEM stock condition. All of the above plus other suggested files, roms and tools on your PC, ready to do its part. I also agreed, perhaps, once you decide to buy this device - start with debloating the stock rom as a beginner, to see what all this is about - before freaking out in a panic about all those warnings & errors on the device's screen as it boot up.
dooshbagel said:
Alright, cheers. What are the basic procedures if I lightly or horribly screw up something while I'm doing this? Resetting, etc.
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As the other guy is saying, best do some basic reading and install adb and fastboot on your computer, you will need them. If you stay with stock and just get rid of Google and friends (highly recommended for worm up) but **** up at some point and you can't boot or it bootloops, restart in recovery and reset. Or if you boot and something is not working but you have access to settings app, reset from there. Here, I'm doing your homework. DuckDuckGo is your friend.
dooshbagel said:
1-Do most ROMs generally tend to work with most phones? Can I just download some random ROM and have it work most of the time?
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For the past years, unlike PC systems, a ROM was device specific and each supported device (of Cyanogenmod, let's say) was maintained by a dedicated developer. We still call it the same version of the said ROM, but each one has specific drivers files for its compatible device. It's still the case nowadays, and that's what you'll see in the ROM section of this device.
However, beginning from Oreo, google introduced a project called "Treble" that intended to separate the common Android System from the device specific files and driver's, by separating the classic system partition to a "vendor" partition, which contains all the hardware specific stuff, and a "system" partition containing a only generic universal Android system.
With this "Treble" project, a new type of ROMs emerged, called GSIs. These ROMs work on all Treble compatible devices (the Mi A2 lite included), and don't need to be maintained for each one. The Treble forum is here ; you'll find a more large selection with GSI ROMs, but I advice you to stay with the device specific ROMs on the Mi A2 Lite forum, which are more optimised for their specific device.
dooshbagel said:
2- Are the 2 pages of ROM threads listed on this forum the only ones this phone can support? Or are these just the ROMs that forum users have tested it with? A lot of these ROMs I've never even heard of, and many are listed as [UNOFFICIAL].
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As answered above, these are the specific ROMs especially developed for this device, they'll be the more adapted to the Mi A2 Lite.
UNNOFICIAL just means that the developer that buildt the ROM for this device isn't working directly with the team responsible of the ROM. (For example the CrDroid ROM being official, it's A2Lite version will be hosted in the CrDroid site, an unofficial one won't).
It can be an indicator of stability, but you may find a very stable and clean UNNOFICIAL rom.
Now almost all the ROM that you've seen in the list are based on LineageOS, itself the son of CyanogenMod. We'll come to this point now.
dooshbagel said:
3- Cyanogenmod has been discontinued, but could it still work on newer devices? There's projects like freecyngn which can remove propriety Google Analytics stuff from it, and I don't know if any similar tweaks exist for Cyanogenmod's successors
4- What's a good resource for de-googled ROMs with no proprietary software? And which can support aptX/aptX HD or an alternative. And would hopefully actually work with the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The CyanogenMod project was going on like one week after it was discontinued, under the name of "LineageOS". Its 100% the same source and base, and the LineageOS team is the part of CM team that wanted to continue the CM rom developpement after their team split.
If you want a clean ROM with the basic features and independent from Google software, LOS is the more advisable. They provide their own version of all the basic feature apps (dialer, camera, music player etc) so that you don't need using Google software, and are in general VERY privacy axed, and have a centralised interface called Trust from which you can control what informations each app have access to.
Like I said above, almost all the ROMs (in the A2 Lite section) you'll see are based on LineageOS, adding customization features mostly. So if you just need the vanilla Android feature, with no obscure ROM additional software, and axed on privacy and security, I think LineageOS is your best shot.
The LineageOS 16build for this device is unnoficial but is fully buggless and regularly updated and maintained by a xda recognized developer.
Lastly, unrelated to you questions but you may need to read some "A/B devices - seamless updates" documentation, and carefully read the guides, or you risk bricking your device. (And possibly provide yourself with all the necessary stuff to unbrick your device, just in case)
Thanks GDFI, great post.
Alright bois, time for me to do some research then.
I built a custom version of LineageOS for personal use, with some built-in apps removed, patches for signature spoofing and some (mostly FOSS) apps included (microG, F-Droid, Lawnchair, etc.)
https://rarepepes.faith/lineage-16.0-20190606-UNOFFICIAL-daisy.zip
You can't really go full FOSS with any of the Android phones (Samsung S3 + Replicant ROM is as good as it gets), but you can minimize Google stuff on your device and filter network connections using apps like AFWall
Have fun!
You kids can try to Port "mokee os" ?
Hi, I recommend you to stay with AndroidOne OS.
I don't know why you want to change OS because Xiaomi still releasing security patch which is very important to protect your phone.
Custom ROM rarely update and maintain.
Not to mention in order to flash it, you need patient and time to learn the knowledge.
It is only suitable to go for custom ROM when Xiaomi not longer support Mi A2 Lite.
coolwei1 said:
Hi, I recommend you to stay with AndroidOne OS.
I don't know why you want to change OS because Xiaomi still releasing security patch which is very important to protect your phone.
Custom ROM rarely update and maintain.
Not to mention in order to flash it, you need patient and time to learn the knowledge.
It is only suitable to go for custom ROM when Xiaomi not longer support Mi A2 Lite.
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Obscurantism at its best :good:
When nobody use a custom rom, nobody will develope on this device. Ergo no stable custom rom in the end of service for mi a2 Lite
So I came back to the forum after 6 months and was pleasantly surprised by the number of custom roms available now. From the few (currently trending) threads I checked out, I see that either there are still some kind of bugs are still lingering or the dev abandoned the project or the thread was closed or ... I think you get the point. For this reason, I'd rather stick with the official stock rom but I never quite liked the bloatware (both mi and google) and google tracking. To maximise performance and battery life, I wish to clean my rom of all of these stuff or, if possible, install a pre-configured one.
I have some questions though:-
1. Best way to debloat?
Yes, I have tried adb uninstall command when I first got the phone but for some reason, that didn't work. I saw a recent guide on the forum for this purpose that I could try later.
2. Any experience with microG on MIUI?
I don't know if it's possible/working on MIUI roms since this is my first Xiaomi device.
3. Recommended custom ROM?
I may have missed out on all the good stuff during my absence. If you could recommend a rom you find the most stable and clean, even if it is AOSP, it would save me a lot of time.
Look, you are probably going to tell me that I could have done a bit more search on my own before posting here. The thing is, I have returned to the whole modding stuff after 4 years so lest I might break/mess up things, I deemed it more reasonable to ask here.
Hope someone sees this. Thank you.
You're looking for the exact same thing I did.
For me the solution was lineageos with microg, magisk, fdroid store + aurora store.
Lineageos has some minor bugs for me, as well as cameras not working properly.
Reason for most bugs in the most roms is probably that they are based on Android 10,
the devs will probably be able to solve all the bugs as soon as Xiaomi releases miui 12 for this device, which will be based on Android 10.
What you are looking for is probably miui EU rom.
You can easily debloat most of the unwanted sofware with "Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot tools".
Your problems with ADB probably has to do with SU priviligies.
If I remeber correctly you have to use Xposed framework in order to get microg running on miui, I could be wrong on this!
Hope this helps a bit!
SkogstaTarzan said:
You're looking for the exact same thing I did.
For me the solution was lineageos with microg, magisk, fdroid store + aurora store.
Lineageos has some minor bugs for me, as well as cameras not working properly.
Reason for most bugs in the most roms is probably that they are based on Android 10,
the devs will probably be able to solve all the bugs as soon as Xiaomi releases miui 12 for this device, which will be based on Android 10.
What you are looking for is probably miui EU rom.
You can easily debloat most of the unwanted sofware with "Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot tools".
Your problems with ADB probably has to do with SU priviligies.
If I remeber correctly you have to use Xposed framework in order to get microg running on miui, I could be wrong on this!
Hope this helps a bit!
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Thanks! I am more inclined to use vanilla Android than MIUI. At least now I know my desired setup is within the realm of possibility. Will surely give LineageOS a try.