Hi there all dev heads!
First post here so please bare with me...I have a headache after reading so many threads here...at least I'm willing to learn...
Here's my situation:
I'm a happy owner of a Moto Defy for a week now and before I go ahead and jump onto the rooting and the flashing bandwagon, I would like clear indications on what is possible to achieve, how to do it, what to expect and what not to do on my Defy.
Here are what I'm really after:
A) I want to know if there is a real "not de-blurred" stock (not OC at 1MHz) Chinese ROM that I can flash back to if anything fails don't the road? I know about the bootstraped recovery, but if I ever have to use RSD flashing, I'd like to start from official Chinese Motorola ROM and avoid losing my flash, email, SMS or what not...I'm in China afterall!!
B) I want to know if there is any way for me to use the magic of rooting/flashing to get my desktop VPN to work on my defy --> really I want this to be able to use Skype over wifi when I'm in my house. The Great firewall and Motorola seem to work together to block this possibility and let all the phone carriers controlled by "The Party" make money with the state-controlled carriers by not allowing any VoIP apps on the Defy. My VPN seems to 'lock in' [I see a key on the top taskbar] but I cannot access internet on the 2 browsers I tried [stock and Dolphin HD]. Do I need 'tun' or something??
C) I succesfully used an update.zip on my un-rooted phone to get a working Android market (as oposed to the stock and very limitted Chinese market) but what about being able to use the applanet market? Is it really worth rooting and maybe flashing just to do so?
All that I've seen so far here applies to 1) people living outside China and mainly not limitted by Chinese carriers or 2) people running with ROMs or Nandroids pre-Froyo. I'm not too bottered by Blur since I don't use 3G, social networks or ever data over 2G at the moment --> I connect only using my wifi.
I do understand the advantage of customizations and I sure would like to improve my battery usage by using something like Frozen-xx to use some sort of 'speedstep' on the processor [I find that downclocking under low cpu usage much more attrative than just OC for good quadrant scores...] but that will come maybe one day when I'm fully confident about all that is involved prior to get there. [i don't know what geodex and tun are exactly and I've never used adb backup, recoveries or flashing yet...]
So what is your take on this? Especially my 3 main points A, B C ??
Any Gurus here that can comment on this?
I know that there is a lot of the Defy dev't that originated from here in China, so is there anyone from China that really know what I specifically can do and hope to achieve?
Thanks all for your input and long live xda-dev !!
[Sorry for the long post but don't be shy to put a lot of info as well - the more explanation, the better for me ]
my findings...
I will write a reply to my own questions since someone in a similar situation might find my findings helpful one day...
A) So far, I'm happy with Froyo and can live with MotoBlur since I don't use any sort of sinch'ing. So I'm still not rooted and the standard reset recovery allows me to keep my stock ROM available.
B) VPN on the Defy requires a VPN without encryption to work - plain and simple! I checked with my desktop VPN supplier and they do have 3 specific VPN servers dedicated to smartphones and where encryption is turned off. So I was able to switch to one of those and I'm now over the Great Firewall!!
As for Skype over Wifi, you can only install it if you're within US or Canada. But with the magic of my VPN described above, I could download and install it easilly. The even greater news is that once it's installed, I no longer need to use the VPN to use it --> just over my livingroom's wifi and I'm doing calls!!
C) Like mentioned in the original post, I had the original Chinese market, updated to the standard Android market APk from an update.zip found here on xda-dev and I also found out that no rooting is required to use applanet market. [Althought if you're planning to use apks that require it, then you'll have to do it]
I'm now a happy camper with my Defy
If anyone would like pointers to a good VPN provider, write to me and I can use the referral service from mine [send them your email from my account] and that would give me some credits with them...
Cheers! And keep up developing!!
After lurking for about 3 months on XDA and the Arc forum i finally found the nerve to go beyond just rooting and removing some blotware.
Compared to other hardware, Hifi, PC etc forums I found XDA really difficult as a beginner. There are a lot of guides/tutorials. However they all seem to require a basic understanding of android and the tools surrounding it. Every guide/tutorial I read, always resulted in more questions than answers. I constantly found my knowledge wanting as to fundemental functions of the different tools, drivers etc. Atleast for me, I was long and hard process before I felt comftortable enough to move on.
Anyway I finally found the nerve to unlock my boatloader, install a custom kernel and ROM.
For first time, it went incredible smooth. However I have som questions regarding the JJ hybrid ROM. Since I don´t have +10 posts. I will ask here instead of the developer thread.
- Contacs:
I exported all my contacs to SIM card and imported them again after I was done. However when importing my contacs it seemed to shorten/cut all the names of my contacs.
Is this a problem in this specific ROM or a general issue and what to do about it?
- Trebuchet:
I´m having some problems using some of the features in Trebuchet. I would really like to change the icons and increase the dock size to include more shortcuts. However nothing happens when I press the "Icon" and "Dock" under the Trebuchet menu.
Are those two functions just not working or is it a problem on my end?
Generally I find Trebuchet a little wanting in features compared to GoLauncher I was using before. Is it possible to install another launcher or will it mess up the ROM?
- Camera:
As far as I can tell the are no tweaks in JJ´s ROM to improve the camera/post picture processing and hence increase the image quality. Is there any ROM where this is included?
I think that was it for now. However, I´m sure more questions will follow as I dig deeper in to this ROM.
Thank you in advance.
I don't know about the rest but regarding your contacts, you should have exported them to your memory card instead of the SIM.
Saving numbers to the SIM is really outdated. You'd probably be able to save a maximum of 250 contacts i.e. One contact with a single number. I believe the name field is limited to 8 or 16 characters, so anything longer would be cut short. If you had two numbers for a contact, it would be saved as 2 separate entries.
This is not a limitation of the ROM but of the SIM card. And unfortunately, there's no way of retrieving all your contacts and numbers unless you had them synced with the Google servers.
I tried a number of things to get the Google dialer without success.
For now work with kk dialer, has anyone any idea how to get rid the TrueCaller?
Just don't use TrueCaller?
r25txe said:
Just don't use TrueCaller?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for nothing .
I have said that I have kk dialer, to install Google dialer am looking.
Open up the dialler and go to settings, the three dots, The top option is Truecaller you can turn it off
nikoslikos said:
Thanks for nothing .
I have said that I have kk dialer, to install Google dialer am looking.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I gave you the advice you wanted about Truecaller. As the previous poster stated, you can disable it, or, as I advised, simply not use it. Getting offended because someone took the time out to respond is terrible manners.
You may need to be rooted to remove it and we do not know if you are rooted. We don't know if you are running a Lollipop or Marshamallow ROM either. You have not helped us to help you by not giving us your platform information.
Have you tried to install the Google Dialer from the modular GApps thread?
Be warned that they are targeted to 32bit ROMs. Do a backup!
You could also try CM Next dialer from CM C-Apps package. This also includes Truecaller, but it is trivial to disable it.
I am rooted and am on stock TOS208G with trucaller uninstalled. I replaced with caller ID & call recorder app https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.callapp.contacts that I prefer.
I have found the phone does not display whose calling via contacts only by the true caller ap. Have I installed something in error or got a setting wrong please?
Trucaller help in many ways
r25txe said:
Just don't use TrueCaller?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It helps in many way to find out spam caller, customer care calls,
and know the number location carrier etc etc
thunderbolt9148 said:
It helps in many way to find out spam caller, customer care calls,
and know the number location carrier etc etc
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Understood, but the poster doesn't want to use it.
r25txe said:
Understood, but the poster doesn't want to use it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From what I have found, there is no caller id system on the phone without having one of the various true caller id apps installed.
image45 said:
From what I have found, there is no caller id system on the phone without having one of the various true caller id apps installed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Caller ID is a stock feature of any basic dialer out there (Google/AOSP etc), it should not be dependent on True Caller.
I think True Caller is still on my Swift, so I will test this later.
Sent from my P00A using XDA Labs
r25txe said:
Caller ID is a stock feature of any basic dialer out there (Google/AOSP etc), it should not be dependent on True Caller.
I think True Caller is still on my Swift, so I will test this later.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Uninstall true caller id and see for yourself then, you don't have to trust the contents of members post if you so choose.
image45 said:
Uninstall true caller id and see for yourself then, you don't have to trust the contents of members post if you so choose.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have TrueCaller on my device afterall. The dialer is the stock Android dialer and my caller ID works without issues.
What's the packagename for TrueCaller?
Sent from my P00A using XDA Labs
I wonder if I can restart this discussion here -- I want to turn off TrueCaller, but in Google Play it says it's a System App and it does not appear at all under any name in the Settings - Apps listing (no matter whether showing or hiding system apps). What other options do I have?
I'm on Android 7.1.2. My TrueCaller has no options to either turn it off or to turn off the notifications it brings up (which is my main reason for wanting to get rid of it: for something that's blocking spam, it spams me far too much with stuff that I don't want it to do).
r25txe said:
Caller ID is a stock feature of any basic dialer out there (Google/AOSP etc), it should not be dependent on True Caller.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This should indeed be the case. Unfortunately, for us Swift (1st gen) users at least, this is now broken.
When Wileyfox migrated from CyanogenMod to Android they broke a few things along the way as well as doing a deal with the Devil aka Truecaller.
Unless your device is Truecaller enabled then caller ID simply will not work. We've tested at least two dozen dialers and contact managers (all from Google Play) and not one of them works with the Swift in its current firmware state. We even installed the APK of the Google Phone dialer (provided by WF themselves and which according to Google Play is incompatible anyway) and even this does not work.
Besides, how many dialers does a mobile ecosystem need anyway? One has to ask themselves why there are so many and why they nearly always require OTA registration to do what they offer....
But that's another matter altogether.
There are other issues too such as SMS alerts going off at full volume in the earpiece during an active voicecall; or the persistence of 'charge mode' when connecting via USB, even though MTP has been set in the developer options or from the status pull-down.
One thing it tells us is that the Swift cannot be running stock Android - otherwise these problems just would not happen. If not that, then it is that WF don't have a proper working build process or test protocol.
Either way, the Swift is damaged goods now and it might seem WF are prepared to kick it into the kerb. Probably the best option now is to try Lineage, assuming owners are savvy and even want to.
On the other hand we could band together to oblige WF to get an update released. We have been trying for months to get their attention, both before and since their buyout by STK. For those who are minded to, perhaps you would like to add your support by liking the following Facebook post:-
https://www.facebook.com/officialwileyfox/posts/1872330073078309
If enough give it the thumbs up then WF may be moved to respond. Please support this initiative if you can.
Thanks.
gktscrk said:
I wonder if I can restart this discussion here -- I want to turn off TrueCaller, but in Google Play it says it's a System App and it does not appear at all under any name in the Settings - Apps listing (no matter whether showing or hiding system apps). What other options do I have?
I'm on Android 7.1.2. My TrueCaller has no options to either turn it off or to turn off the notifications it brings up (which is my main reason for wanting to get rid of it: for something that's blocking spam, it spams me far too much with stuff that I don't want it to do).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We think we have found a solution:-
It ought to be possible to disable Truecaller but not remove it entirely unless your phone is rooted and have other management tools. We have managed this is on our own device which is totally stock and never been tinkered with (7.1.2 Nougat, Build No: TOS257G – N2G48B).
Secondly, installing another dialler from Google Play or via APK will work but it's almost 100% likely that a further setting will need to be made: setting as the default phone app.
This can be done in two ways:-
i) Settings->Apps->Configure Apps (Gear icon in top bar).
ii) From the app drawer, drag the dialler app icon to the "App Info" drop zone at the top of the screen. Scroll down to the setting that says "Phone App" - it should be yes or no.
See attached screenshots for reference.
It seems to us that many owners think their Swift can't be used with any dialler other than Truecaller, when in fact they can; the mistake is on the part of the firmware which won't recognise another dialler by default and hence breaks the contact ID display when incoming calls are received (not to be confused with caller ID).
Hopefully this serves as a solution. :good:
Hi all, I have finally had enough of Apple (and planned obsolescence!). I have never used Android before, got myself a Galaxy Tab S and once I learn how to use it well, I will be dumping my faulty iPhone in favour of a Galaxy phone as well.
I bought a used Tab S with 4G in lovely condition. Just turned it on and it says Insert Sim. I skipped that and it said "Many features will not work without an active Sim".
Therefore the first question I have is how much to read into that message?! Do I believe it? I don\'t plan on using a data Sim, only want to use WiFi. Will the Tab S work just fine without a cellular SIM or is it going to give me constant errors and problems? If the latter I may have to sell it in favour of a non SIM version. Any advice appreciated. I quite like the idea of being ABLE to use a data SIM if I want to some time, hence why I bought it.
Second question is I DESPISE Google and all the tracking stuff. I use a VPN much of the time. A friend of mine has a Galaxy Tab and said I should "root" the device. Can anyone tell me the main benefits of doing so? I am trying to work out how necessary is it (as I am short of time so won't do it unless it will give me benefits). I intend to use VPN and try my best to prevent google tracking what I watch on youtube, what searches I do, and just about anything else I can. I also notice that for Earth and Maps to work, I obviously need to let it know my location (which I don't generally like doing but understand the trade off and will do it in this case). Is there a way (perhaps via rooting) to enable GPS location sharing without feeding GOOGLE my whereabouts (i.e. using other map software instead of Google's)?
I am blown away by the quality of this device. thanks for anyone who has time to offer their thoughts on the above. Thanks
Welcome to the real world, Neo!
SIM Card allows having such things like mobile data (this works just the same as the iPad LTE) and voice calls from a tablet (this feature is unique to Android - you can make voice calls just like it is a big phone, using either built-in mic and speakers or via Bluetooth headset). If the SIM is not inserted, there will be no problems - you can safely dismiss the warning.
Regarding the Google-free experience and rooting. Rooting is direct equivalent to iOS jailbreak. Both result in getting root shell (# or uid 0).
To root the Tab, you must flash the CF-Autoroot via Odin: https://www.theandroidsoul.com/root...10-5-lte-sm-t805-one-click-cf-auto-root-tool/ This is for 10.5 LTE aka SM-T805, for 8.4 LTE aka SM-T705 the instruction is similar: https://www.theandroidsoul.com/root...-8-4-lte-sm-t705-one-click-cf-auto-root-tool/
Also it is good to flash the TWRP recovery after you get root to get a rich recovery environment helping you to backup and restore your device, flash custom ROMs etc.nMore info here: https://twrp.me/FAQ/
Dont hesitate to ask questions once they arise.
---------- Post added at 02:28 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:12 PM ----------
Ph, and forgot to mention Google free experience. Once you get root, you can debloat your stock ROM but I'd advise flashing a LineageOS ROM for newer Android version and latest security patches. Also, Google services are not present by default in LineageOs but can be flashed separately. However, I am already more than a year without Google services and apps.
For example, I use K-9 Mail + OpenKeychain from F-Droid open-source app market to use GMail with OpenPGP support.
F-Droid is the primary marketplace app having opensource applications. For closed-source apps available on Google Play, the open-source Google Play client app named Yalp Store offers the same functionality as play market but not requiring Google services.
Youtube client I use is Newpipe, opensource app available in F-Droid. There are other clients too, like SkyTube.
Google Maps can be replaced by OsmAnd+ - an opensource client for OpenStreetMap infrastructure, again available from F-Droid app store.
Office application suite I recommend is Hancom Office - it is free for Samsung devices, and it processes documents faster than Office365.
Also, I made it work on LineageOS and other custom ROMs.
I use Brave Browser as a primary Web browser, as it is opensource app based on Google Chromium code but heavily de-Googled and having some cool features like embedded ad-blocker.
Hope this helps you a bit.
gellmar said:
Welcome to the real world, Neo!
SIM Card allows having such things like mobile data (this works just the same as the iPad LTE) and voice calls from a tablet (this feature is unique to Android - you can make voice calls just like it is a big phone, using either built-in mic and speakers or via Bluetooth headset). If the SIM is not inserted, there will be no problems - you can safely dismiss the warning.
Regarding the Google-free experience and rooting. Rooting is direct equivalent to iOS jailbreak. Both result in getting root shell (# or uid 0).
To root the Tab, you must flash the CF-Autoroot via Odin: https://www.theandroidsoul.com/root...10-5-lte-sm-t805-one-click-cf-auto-root-tool/ This is for 10.5 LTE aka SM-T805, for 8.4 LTE aka SM-T705 the instruction is similar: https://www.theandroidsoul.com/root...-8-4-lte-sm-t705-one-click-cf-auto-root-tool/
Also it is good to flash the TWRP recovery after you get root to get a rich recovery environment helping you to backup and restore your device, flash custom ROMs etc.nMore info here: https://twrp.me/FAQ/
Dont hesitate to ask questions once they arise.
---------- Post added at 02:28 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:12 PM ----------
Ph, and forgot to mention Google free experience. Once you get root, you can debloat your stock ROM but I'd advise flashing a LineageOS ROM for newer Android version and latest security patches. Also, Google services are not present by default in LineageOs but can be flashed separately. However, I am already more than a year without Google services and apps.
For example, I use K-9 Mail + OpenKeychain from F-Droid open-source app market to use GMail with OpenPGP support.
F-Droid is the primary marketplace app having opensource applications. For closed-source apps available on Google Play, the open-source Google Play client app named Yalp Store offers the same functionality as play market but not requiring Google services.
Youtube client I use is Newpipe, opensource app available in F-Droid. There are other clients too, like SkyTube.
Google Maps can be replaced by OsmAnd+ - an opensource client for OpenStreetMap infrastructure, again available from F-Droid app store.
Office application suite I recommend is Hancom Office - it is free for Samsung devices, and it processes documents faster than Office365.
Also, I made it work on LineageOS and other custom ROMs.
I use Brave Browser as a primary Web browser, as it is opensource app based on Google Chromium code but heavily de-Googled and having some cool features like embedded ad-blocker.
Hope this helps you a bit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Crikey!! Can't thank you enough for the time and effort there, what a great welcome to the other side
I confess most of what you said went straight over my head, ROMS and such like, but I will learn as there are clearly some great tips in this post.
So - fine without SIM, cool thanks.
Flashing - gonna take some time to learn but I think the link you posted is what I need, I have the SM-T800
So Lineage is an OS, is that right? And it comes free of Google bloatware/spyware?
I can't believe there are ways to view youtube and maps etc without giving Google your retinal scan. JUST what I hope to do!
Brave Browser - not heard of that, was gonna look for Firefox or Waterfox and set it up myself with RTC discabled, Ublockorigin etc etc (if poss) but maybe don't need to now as Brave sounds built to do what I want already.
Thanks again, great post
marrteee said:
Crikey!! Can't thank you enough for the time and effort there, what a great welcome to the other side
I confess most of what you said went straight over my head, ROMS and such like, but I will learn as there are clearly some great tips in this post.
So - fine without SIM, cool thanks.
Flashing - gonna take some time to learn but I think the link you posted is what I need, I have the SM-T800
So Lineage is an OS, is that right? And it comes free of Google bloatware/spyware?
I can't believe there are ways to view youtube and maps etc without giving Google your retinal scan. JUST what I hope to do!
Brave Browser - not heard of that, was gonna look for Firefox or Waterfox and set it up myself with RTC discabled, Ublockorigin etc etc (if poss) but maybe don't need to now as Brave sounds built to do what I want already.
Thanks again, great post
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Strange the T800 has no dedicated SIM slot, it is WiFi only. T805 does have a SIM card though. You can check it opening Settings - Phone info. Also you can use the dialer to enter a magic code *#1234# to get info about your firmware (pay attention to PDA and CSC values). Would be good if you provide these here before you start any flashing.
LineageOS is a community built distribution of Android OS (like Ubuntu or Debian are GNU/Linux distributions) with some additional tweaks like Privacy Guard (a framework giving you control about permissions application ask, like a consent or denial to read contacts, GPS location, phone number etc). Full disclosure: I am an official maintainer of LineageOS for SM-T805 and I belong to the team creating LineageOS for other devices on the same chipset, like SM-T800, SM-T705, SM-T700, SM-P600 etc. There are also ResurrectionRemix ROM based on LineageOS and also there are de-bloated stock ROMs based on latest available Android 6.0.1 official factory OS. The official LineageOS is based on Android 7.1.2, and there is a (not very stable) 8.1.0.
I was a long-term fan of Firefox on Android (and I still am on PC!), but Chromium engine is twice as fast on our tablet (90.08 for Brave vs 45.04 for Firefox in browser benchmark)
SORRY! The seller called it a T800 but I checked and yes it's a T805.
I am SO busy at the moment with work and family stuff, not sure when I can get round to this and it looks like I have a lot of learning to come which I am dreading a bit with my schedule as it is! Don't suppose there is any chance someone (if not yourself) on this forum offers any kind of service? By that I mean, I post the Tab with cash to cover the job, and someone roots it and does the things you have mentioned then post it back? Probably a bit too much wishful thinking, but if you don't ask.......
marrteee said:
SORRY! The seller called it a T800 but I checked and yes it's a T805.
I am SO busy at the moment with work and family stuff, not sure when I can get round to this and it looks like I have a lot of learning to come which I am dreading a bit with my schedule as it is! Don't suppose there is any chance someone (if not yourself) on this forum offers any kind of service? By that I mean, I post the Tab with cash to cover the job, and someone roots it and does the things you have mentioned then post it back? Probably a bit too much wishful thinking, but if you don't ask.......
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This can be done remotely via TeamViewer - you can be around and follow my commands like press home button etc. The rest is done via ADB on PC side. But write me in PM next week - I have some things to do that I promised before.
That's too kind of you. Not sure if you mean Teamviewer with the actual device or another computer. I am in no hurry at all. My device is factory stock right now, been reset and I am not doing anything with it for now.
Thanks again
I don't suppose (given your knowledge of privacy issues etc) you know of a secure alternative to Skype? I am talking mainly about a desktop app. I have researched many times over the past year and it seems to me that every time something decent gets going, they get shut down or just close down without much explanation. Sure seems suspicious in some cases. Best I could find was ViPole, which is good although has some weaknesses. I can't believe nobody has made something that can do the basic stuff Skype can do! (text, video/voice, screenshare and file share). It's so simple by today's standards! Of course plenty of options until you get to P2P or encryption, then there seems to be nothing which actually works very well at all! Just in case you know of anything?
marrteee said:
I don't suppose (given your knowledge of privacy issues etc) you know of a secure alternative to Skype? I am talking mainly about a desktop app. I have researched many times over the past year and it seems to me that every time something decent gets going, they get shut down or just close down without much explanation. Sure seems suspicious in some cases. Best I could find was ViPole, which is good although has some weaknesses. I can't believe nobody has made something that can do the basic stuff Skype can do! (text, video/voice, screenshare and file share). It's so simple by today's standards! Of course plenty of options until you get to P2P or encryption, then there seems to be nothing which actually works very well at all! Just in case you know of anything?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Look for Signal and qTox.
Thanks. Tried and still use Signal, although it's got some flaws and not at all sure I trust the privacy side. I really need screenshare too which it doesn't have.
qtox and utox i have tried, tried all the tox chat programs. Completely buggy and unusable. Nice and secure though , which makes it a shame they can't make the software work properly! notifications dont work, cam, calls completely broken. unusable.
I looked at variuos others but it's all going over to apps for smartphones and tabs now, I want a desktop app. Maybe Skype through VPN would help a bit, but not ideal!
Thanks again
marrteee said:
Thanks. Tried and still use Signal, although it's got some flaws and not at all sure I trust the privacy side. I really need screenshare too which it doesn't have.
qtox and utox i have tried, tried all the tox chat programs. Completely buggy and unusable. Nice and secure though , which makes it a shame they can't make the software work properly! notifications dont work, cam, calls completely broken. unusable.
I looked at variuos others but it's all going over to apps for smartphones and tabs now, I want a desktop app. Maybe Skype through VPN would help a bit, but not ideal!
Thanks again
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To accelerate the process of bringing up the quality of opensource projects, one must at least report the bugs timely. Have you filed a feature request? We all donate either our money, or our time to the community. Some of us donate both
Ha, yes I do make reports whenever I spot anything. I am talking to one of the developers about it but I don't see it getting fixed as the impetus seems to have gone and no way they will add screenshare I dont think. I will try though yes, least I can do in the hope that someone produces something useful but not "in bed" with the government!