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Hi guys,
I plan to buy on June 14th the Galaxy S2 on Bell Canada network, it will replace my Pre2.
I was wondering if you can recommend me a specific ROM that will get rid of TouchWiz and allow me to run Gingerbread stock. I'm not familiar at all with Android, as I never use it before. That is the main reason why I rather ask the question here instead of searching, as I would not know what to search for.
A little about myself: I'm a Linux head (Redhat advanced + Ubuntu).
Thank you for your your help.
If you realy want to delete touch wiz, you'll have to root your phone otherwise you can't get rid of touch wiz, however you can run a different launcher and having touch wiz on your phone.
Hi Viletung. In WebOS, it takes me about 30 seconds to root the phone.
Yet that retains all the phone settings unchanged, while allowing me to install packages, manipulate data, etc. Is it the same thing with SGS2?
I guess my question is: is it recommended to root the phone? I'm curious if most of Android users root their phone. I know I rooted my Palm Pre/Pre2 phones 5min after I got them. I read on the Internet that certain ROM's are built on stock Gingerbread (without TouchWiz), allowing the phone to save on battery and run much smoother with less used resources. Obviously, if you install a new ROM it will void the warranty.
I'm at a point where I'm learning the basics, so any advice is appreciated.
Hello!
I've installed Lite'ning rom 1.5, which has root access. And to flash it takes about one minute!
When I got this phone, I knew it was possible to root my phone, but I was scared that I would screw something up and break the device.
Now, it's about one month after I got this phone and I must say after rooting the device, deleting some standard Samsung **** (Social Hubs etc..), my SGSII isn't draining battery as it used to do before I deleted some stuff. (Including TouchWiz)
But I have also a JIG, to reset the custom kernel counter, just incase I need my warranty back.
So my final conclusion is; I can't life without root! I like to edit the system icons (battery-, wifi icon and much more).
If you have any questions, I'll try to help you
Rooting, yes do it. It's easy, does no harm, and opens up neat options.
Just get Villainrom which is updated to version 2.0. It's built on android 2.3.4, fixing the 2.3.3 battery drain bug (which occured on all phones running 2.3.3).
If you want your stock gingerbread experience, there is a rom out there which tries to replicate this, but I recommend using a 'better' rom with a custom launcher mimicking Gingerbread. Since there's not a lot of difference than just a different launcher (home-menu).
Most dont root but most are not on XDA and dont know anything bar stock . I would guess most XDA users root .
I'm at a point where I'm learning the basics, so any advice is appreciated.
To a certain extent its been a learning curve for the devs as SGS 2 is different to SGS1 .Expect even more development as the days go by .
jje
Thanks a lot guys for the info.
prodygee said:
Rooting, yes do it. It's easy, does no harm, and opens up neat options.
Just get Villainrom which is updated to version 2.0. It's built on android 2.3.4, fixing the 2.3.3 battery drain bug (which occured on all phones running 2.3.3).
If you want your stock gingerbread experience, there is a rom out there which tries to replicate this, but I recommend using a 'better' rom with a custom launcher mimicking Gingerbread. Since there's not a lot of difference than just a different launcher (home-menu).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the info. I want to have the latest version of Android, I don't really care about Gingerbread. How do updates work on Android (i.e. updating to Ice Cream Sandwich eventually)? On WebOS, updates are done automatically from your carrier or Palm/HP (if you had an unlocked phone like myself). Even if I rooted my phone, I would be able to update the phone firmware with a simple download and retain the rooted aspect of the phone.
About rooting, what did you used? I'm looking at Odin and SuperOneClick... is there something better/safer? One more time, thank you.
Official updates via Kies over PC only .
Rooting is usually lost on update .
Rooting via Chainfire
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1103399
jje
yqed said:
I was wondering if you can recommend me a specific ROM that will get rid of TouchWiz and allow me to run Gingerbread stock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why don't you use it for a least a few seconds before ditching it, there's no aosp gingerbread anyway so you're stuck with it until cm7 comes along.
I want to root the phone and replace the ROM mainly because I heard that TouchWiz is running on top of current OS. I could disable TouchWiz, indeed. The issue is: I do not know how upgrades are performed into phone. From the above posts, I have to do it myself is not an automated download/install like WebOS does it.
So, if a new Android version is released, I have to download it myself? For example, my phone comes with 2.3.3 installed but 2.3.4 is released already. Will my phone ask me to download the latest version automatically upon release? I presume not, I have to download and install it myself. Using logic, that is done by either installing a ROM or getting the upgrade from mobile provider.
Correct me if I'm wrong.
yqed said:
So, if a new Android version is released, I have to download it myself? For example, my phone comes with 2.3.3 installed but 2.3.4 is released already. Will my phone ask me to download the latest version automatically upon release? I presume not, I have to download and install it myself. Using logic, that is done by either installing a ROM or getting the upgrade from mobile provider.
Correct me if I'm wrong.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's correct, and is one of the main reasons people root their Androids so that when a new version comes out we can download it straight away and don't have to wait for the carrier to officially release it, which usually takes a lot longer than it does for the devs here to put something together. E.g. there are a few ROMs already in the dev forum based on 2.3.4, but there is not yet any official update.
Thanks guys much appreciated. I will probably have more questions, once I have the phone on hand.
yqed said:
I want to root the phone and replace the ROM mainly because I heard that TouchWiz is running on top of current OS. I could disable TouchWiz, indeed. The issue is: I do not know how upgrades are performed into phone. From the above posts, I have to do it myself is not an automated download/install like WebOS does it.
So, if a new Android version is released, I have to download it myself? For example, my phone comes with 2.3.3 installed but 2.3.4 is released already. Will my phone ask me to download the latest version automatically upon release? I presume not, I have to download and install it myself. Using logic, that is done by either installing a ROM or getting the upgrade from mobile provider.
Correct me if I'm wrong.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Android phones get new updates over the air when available, just like web os. Only Samsung does their own thing which is different on the sgs2 than on normal android devices. .
Which is, providing updates through an unnecessary software suite called KIES. You won't see an update available message on your phone.
yqed said:
Hi guys,
I plan to buy on June 14th the Galaxy S2 on Bell Canada network, it will replace my Pre2.
I was wondering if you can recommend me a specific ROM that will get rid of TouchWiz and allow me to run Gingerbread stock. I'm not familiar at all with Android, as I never use it before. That is the main reason why I rather ask the question here instead of searching, as I would not know what to search for.
A little about myself: I'm a Linux head (Redhat advanced + Ubuntu).
Thank you for your your help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just install a launcher fromthe Android Store. There's plenty of good ones like LauncherPro, GX Launcher, 7 launcher. Their all relatively good and fully functional.
OK, I got the phone (16GB model) today from FutureShop and played with it a bit. It is a great phone indeed...
Phone Info (might be useful for devs)
Network: Bell Canada
Model: GT-I9100M
Android Version: 2.3.3
Baseband Version: I9100MUGKG2
Kernel Version: 2.6.35.7-I9100MUGKG2-CL371789 [email protected] #2
Build Number: GINGERBREAD.UGKG2
Now, on with the usual:
Bell bundled the phone with several crap apps like Self Serve, TeleNav GPS (how stupid is that on an Android), Remote PVR, etc.
I will follow your advice and use the phone for now as is, without any fancy stuff done to it (like a new ROM). I would like to get rid of the Bell proprietary apps (physical delete), let me know if is possible. I guess if the phone is rooted it should be easy, the trick is to know how to delete the apps from the phone.
Another question: How do I install the Samsung drivers, without installing the blotted KIES?
I looked for a clean package with SGS2 drivers only but I could not find anything... All I want is to go to Device Manager and point a directory.
I must admit that Android is a totally new experience, coming from WebOS. I'm pretty much lost, heh. I know I sound like a noob, so please forgive me if I ask some simple questions that I can get the answer with a search or just by reading the phone instructions (haven't had the time to read the documentation).
First Of all I would like to thank anyone who helps me in advance.
Just received my new galaxy s2 (around 30 minutes ago). Allready I want to root the device. Although i'm looking for a point in the right direction on the following.
a)the easiest guide to rooting
b)I'm after a stock (most up to date rom) if possible as my is currently filled with bloat ware (thanks to three UK). Coming from a Nexus s which was my first android phone I'm not used to this neither do I like it. So is the a way to flash a stock rom so the phone is like it would be if I brought it sim free and unlocked.
Currently not looking at any other gains, for the time being at least although im sure the flashing roms bug will catch me.
Old phone was a Nexus s as previously stated which was rooted with CWM installed.
Also I can't believe how busy these forums are! Makes the Nexus scene look dead!
easiest guide to rooting
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1103399
upto date stock rom
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=17831528&postcount=60
Rooting means voiding warranty.
Wouldn't you want to try out the phone and stress test it a little under a valid warranty before you start messing with it?
I was under the impression I could just unroot the device?
Also that stock rom I was linked to will that get rid of the bloat ware?
stennett said:
I was under the impression I could just unroot the device?
Also that stock rom I was linked to will that get rid of the bloat ware?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can just unroot it, yes. Unfortunately, a lot of the "bloatware" is Samsung, not your carrier, so you're stuck with it (unless you read up on what you can safely get rid of). If you're looking at flashing an up-to-date firmware anyway, why not consider an AOSP ROM. It's the closest thing you'll get to a Nexus build and they're about as bare-bones as you can get!
If you are interested in that, here's a link for one...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1183063
There are others, but I can only speak about that one personally because that's the only AOSP one I used before I went MIUI.
stennett said:
I was under the impression I could just unroot the device?
Also that stock rom I was linked to will that get rid of the bloat ware?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you can unroot. But every time you flash an unofficial kernel(to root), you increase the custom binary counter. Samsung will know that you have been rooted before even if you reinstall the firmware and kernel. USB Jig's reset the counter, but don't upgrade to the latest firmware(KI3) that hasn't been modified to include the old bootloader. The new firmware fixes the USB Jig counter reset.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1125414
Trust me it's is the best rooting guide for noobs. When I rooted my device that was the only guide I could trust, because it was a step by step guide. Read it carefully, if you got any problems you can pm me and I'll help you. If you post in the thread you'll get help also but you have to reach 10 post to post in that thread.
EDIT: I also found a video that shows the same method from the thread I gave you.
http://galaxys2root.com/galaxy-s2-root/how-to-root-galaxy-s2/
Just in case you need visual support. But you should read the thread carefully anyway.
Thanks for the link to the video, rooting looks really easy although I'm abit sceptical about rooting at the moment due to them knowing if you have previously rooted I thought they wouldn't be able to tell.
Also things look very complicated when compared to the nexus s the galaxy s2 seems to have hundreds of different codes, firmware versions ect.
All I'm after at the moment is just get rid of the Three branding and bloat ware.
A lot more reading ahead I think!
Been doing a little reading and I think the branding is the CSC? Can I just flash the XEU file for 2.3.4 (my current version) to get rid of three's branding? If so would this void my warranty?
stennett said:
Been doing a little reading and I think the branding is the CSC? Can I just flash the XEU file for 2.3.4 (my current version) to get rid of three's branding? If so would this void my warranty?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Samsung stock roms do not void Samsung warranty though they may or may not void Threes warranty .
Rooting or custom roms void warranty .
jje
I'm not to fussed about rooting at them moment I just want to change my csc and upgrade to 2.3.5 which I believe is the latest version. Doing this won't void my Samsung warranty? If so I'm going to have a go.
Also will flashing wipe any data?
Thanks in advance.
Hi Guys as my title Says..
i need Help very Badly.
First of all MODS and USERS i'm sorry i didn't knew where to post this thread so if its in in-appropriate section please move it to correct section. THanks
OK my problem is this.
i recently (less than a week ago ) bought a Samsung Galaxy S2 its by Bell Canada and its i9100M. i bought it online since my service provider is Rogers.
i guess this phone is already rooted to unlock it and i can see CWM and SU icon there.
Well i'm a Hardcore Blackberry Fan and have been using Blackberries from last 6 years. I loved the new samsung because of it looks and its screen.
I Had Lot of Problem with it like setting up my yahoo as push email, setting the Ringtone Profile, setting up the Custom Ringtones for Text Messages..
Having wrong time stamps on Recieved TEXT Message.. well i fixed all those by installing apps from market and forwarding my yahoo to my gmail...
i Hated doing all that but infront of the beauty of this phone i had to compromise but today it took 3 hours to find my gps location and day by day im using it i'm hating it .....
SO OK I DID MY RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT ALOT... the more i'm researching the more i'm getting confused...
first of all what is the difference between custom ROM and KERNEL.
i know custom rom could be like operating system but customized by unofficial person.
what the h is KERNEL..
to install rom's or kernel do i really have to root.
To unlock do i have to root or is there a paying method.
also i want to know if i'll go back to stock rom can i still unlock it.and recieve all the updates from samsung or google specially when ICS will be launched.
after unlocking and installing custom root. can i unroot it
and lastly which is best custom kernel and which is the best rom availble.
since been a blackberry user i have very basic needs. i don't play any games or download much apps and if an app is paid..i'll pay for it.. i don't want to jailbreak anything .
all i need is better battery life, gps and network coverage.
Thanks for taking time to read and reply.
Hi there.
I'll try and get through your questions as simply as possible,
Imagine your phone is like a car
A kernel is like the engine of a car - it's the low level machinery that keeps it going.
The Rom is like the body of the car around the engine. Roms can be official (or Stock Roms), or they can be customised by other people.
So, when you install a stock rom - you're installing the kernel, but you're also installing the radio (called a modem or baseband) and the registration (or the CSC which is location specific information) as well as the unique 'body' of the car for that rom - tweaks, default software, etc.
You don't have to have rooted your phone to install a Rom. When you update your phone via Kies, you are, literally, installing an stock rom. You can even install stock roms from elsewhere without rooting your phone. Because stock roms are released in different regions at different times, lots of people update their phones to the latest official roms via this method - no root required.
However, to install a custom, unofficial rom, you will need to root your phone as they will require access to the 'root level directory' of your phone's file system - which is what root really means.
You can find everything you need to know about that, how to root and also lots of stock roms you can install without rooting here:
Some shops will root you phone for you if you want to go down that path and don't want to risk it. But it's easier than you think and the galaxy s2 is very hard to break. There's lots of help available on XDA - just remember to search before you ask so you don't ask a common question the millionth time.
If you have installed a custom rom you can easily re-install a stock rom over it that will still work with Kies and thus be updateable when ICS turns up.
There is no 'best' Rom or kernel. Some Roms go 'as is' and some are customisable to the nth degree if you like fiddling with your phone non-stop. I personally use CheckRom because I like the kitchen app that lets you swap kernels, modems and mods with ease - but check out the Original Android Development threads and see which other roms you like the sound of.
Depending on what you are currently running, a new rom - even a stock one if you're running a very old one - could easily help with battery and range issues. For GPS - try installing FasterFix from the market and see if reassigning your GPS fix to a closer location helps.
Best of luck - it's a great phone once you open up its possibilities
Thanks a lot for the reply
well your reply did help me a lot...
my phone is been already rooted by someone else already from the person i bought it....
as for searching i did a lot.. and its been confusing me more and more ..well thanks for your answer
also as u said S2 is hard to break..i guess u mean is that the JIG thing on EBAY
and as for flashing the stuff i've played with other stuff just not android thing ive replaced the os on BB and jailbreaked iphones and installed macintosh on HP PC and also worked on most of the languages 10 years ago... and i believe nothing is impossible so going to someone else is never an option for me
just want to know as much as stuff i can before going further
well i have few more questions
how can i find which rom or kernel is already installed...
i mean is it possible to tell if its stock or its customized and its customized by which group.
and one last thing.. u know the words u used modem and baseband...
i read about it before...
but my question is ...
IS THE BASEBAND ANYTHING LIKE IPHONE BASEBAND???
u know in iPhones when baseband is updated u r screwed sometimes its hard to jailbreak and definately hard to unlock and reverting changes to baseband....
is it the samething in Galaxy S2 as well...
Thanks a lot for replying...i really appreciate all the time you took to reply.
Thanks once again.
Yeah baseband is the code that handles the phone part of your smartphone. Talking to your wireless provider, 3G, texts all these things are done by baseband.
Flashing a different baseband won't screw your root, and you'd still be rooted. Samsung doesn't make it hard to root as Apple does to jailbreaking. Even if something goes wrong with a new version, you can always revert back to old one using Odin(Samsung ROM flashing tool) and you are good to go.
Thanks a lot... about that quick reply...
i'm gonna collect more information and hopefully i'll be flashing it on weekend...
but how can i find which rom or kernel is already installed...
i mean is it possible to tell if its stock or its customized and its customized by which group
Everything you need to know can be found here. Most of it, anyway.
Backup your device with cwm when rooted ... So you can always restore to previous state. ;-)
Good luck there. But reading is a must.
SGS II - XDA
blackberryfan said:
thanks a lot... About that quick reply...
I'm gonna collect more information and hopefully i'll be flashing it on weekend...
But how can i find which rom or kernel is already installed...
In your dialer type *#1234#
info will apear. Now read chainfire's tutorial how to root your device ....
I mean is it possible to tell if its stock or its customized and its customized by which group
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Setting went wrong when quoting
sgs ii - xda
also you can go settings - about phone - then look at the bottom fields to see kernel, baseband and build. Quote those and we should be able to tell what you have.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
Hi, I have a Galaxy S3 GT i9300. I ordered it online, probably came from Germany since it came with a bunch of paper in German.
Anyway, I live in Portugal, and my carrier is TMN, and I'm really confused on how to root it, and unlocking the bootloader, which I don't know if it's really necessary or not, and then the ROM, which I'll bring up in a moment.
I updated all the way up to 4.1.2 now this is what I want to know:
1. The easiest way to root, I have questions about this cause there are so many ways, and I don't know which one is the best, or the right one cause I don't know if it's unlocked or not, but I'm guessing it is since I'm using a TMN (portuguese carrier) Sim card.
2. Do I need to unlock bootloader? If so, what's the easiest way?
3. Now I'd like to know of a stable ROM, preferably with 4.2.1, or 4.1.2, also I'd like to know if there is any way I could keep the Samsung Apps, and if not, if there is a way to get them back. All in all, I want a clean, fast and stable ROM.
Thank you all.
Nurega21 said:
Hi, I have a Galaxy S3 GT i9300. I ordered it online, probably came from Germany since it came with a bunch of paper in German.
Anyway, I live in Portugal, and my carrier is TMN, and I'm really confused on how to root it, and unlocking the bootloader, which I don't know if it's really necessary or not, and then the ROM, which I'll bring up in a moment.
I updated all the way up to 4.1.2 now this is what I want to know:
1. The easiest way to root, I have questions about this cause there are so many ways, and I don't know which one is the best, or the right one cause I don't know if it's unlocked or not, but I'm guessing it is since I'm using a TMN (portuguese carrier) Sim card.
2. Do I need to unlock bootloader? If so, what's the easiest way?
3. Now I'd like to know of a stable ROM, preferably with 4.2.1, or 4.1.2, also I'd like to know if there is any way I could keep the Samsung Apps, and if not, if there is a way to get them back. All in all, I want a clean, fast and stable ROM.
Thank you all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i would have thought you would root it exactly the same as you would with all other i9300 devices, with cf auto root (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1957273) however it doesnt install a custom recovery which you need to install roms. for that a good option is phillz touch (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2002953) which is based on cwm after rooting while on android 4.1.2 there is normally a red exclamation mark in the top left corner on boot. this is due to a new bootloader which sammy introduced to help them find phones that have been rooted and sent in for repair. the way arround this is to download the old ice cream sandwich bootloader (i dont have the link but im sure you can find it, i forgot where i downloaded it from sorry ) you may not need this or not be bothered about this so its your choice as for rom it depends on weather your looking for vanilla android or a samsung based rom. however there are no perfect rom it is purely based on your own opinion although a widely used and stable vanilla rom is cyanogen mod (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1779426) and most sammy roms are stable as they are not really altered much from stock however i use android revolution and have had no issues with it (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1797334). hope i helped in some way and i hope that what i said isnt too confusing thank you for reading
why does everyone want being spoonfed? what happened to good ol' searching? you're asking the most basic questions, do you really think they haven't been answered?
and asking for a clran/stable/good rom is against the rules
Nurega21 said:
1. The easiest way to root, I have questions about this cause there are so many ways, and I don't know which one is the best, or the right one cause I don't know if it's unlocked or not, but I'm guessing it is since I'm using a TMN (portuguese carrier) Sim card.
No best no right you pick a method .
2. Do I need to unlock bootloader? If so, what's the easiest way?
So you dont even bother to read the basic faqs and guides .
3. Now I'd like to know of a stable ROM, preferably with 4.2.1, or 4.1.2, also I'd like to know if there is any way I could keep the Samsung Apps, and if not, if there is a way to get them back. All in all, I want a clean, fast and stable ROM.
BEST ROM posts are banned but you wont know have you have not bothered to read the rules or the faqs and guides .
jje
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nurega21 said:
3. Now I'd like to know of a stable ROM, preferably with 4.2.1, or 4.1.2, also I'd like to know if there is any way I could keep the Samsung Apps, and if not, if there is a way to get them back. All in all, I want a clean, fast and stable ROM.
Thank you all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thread closed. I think the responses above cover most of it
Please use search before posting and don't post Best ROM questions, they are frowned upon.
Hi Looking for a bit more information after reading for a few days on rooting and unlocking and best rom for telus i717d.
Ok 1st off ROOTing, do i really need todo a nocount root on the telus i717d? as a JIG will reset count anyways? i know its easier todo now. on 4.0.4 now so can use the nocount method. Just wondering if the need for odin, or can use sd card to root.
As for unlocking, is there a way for free, I know i can download from marketplace apps for samsung unlocks ( mostly galaxy, some say works others say no--really don;t wanna waste 2 hours than finding out have to buy ) but 90% plus posts here all point to provider or a reseller of unlocking codes......Anything Bell/Telus seems to be around $20 on ebay.....
Also, what is the best ROM to use, CM seems like standard for any android phone, looking for performance and most tweaks.
I also read that the i717d from telus has issues when unlocked keeping APN settings for certain providers ( koodoo for example ) ( is there a known solution for this ? )
Thanks in advance.
You do need odin to root. As far as nocount....it is up to you. But Canadian phones usually require another step in getting the custom recovery to stick. Look here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1775263
If you want to sim unlock your phone for free then look here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2124544
Best ROM is whatever works for you. Could be stock, CM, or whatever. 10 people will give you 10 different answers. Best to experience for yourself.
If you want to not have issues with your APN then write it down and you can enter it into the new ROM if not included.
Agoattamer said:
You do need odin to root. As far as nocount....it is up to you. But Canadian phones usually require another step in getting the custom recovery to stick. Look here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1775263
If you want to sim unlock your phone for free then look here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2124544
Best ROM is whatever works for you. Could be stock, CM, or whatever. 10 people will give you 10 different answers. Best to experience for yourself.
If you want to not have issues with your APN then write it down and you can enter it into the new ROM if not included.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the info, didn't see custom recovery to stick issue in my previous research so will read up more on it.
The unlock linked looks easy enough.
I know what you mean about ROM's but seeing as so many out there I guess I will have to play with them each for a while.
Can you flash I717 ROMs on the Telus I717D? I'm having a hard time finding any ROMS to flash on my buddy;s phone. I use Nexus devices, myself so this is never an issue. So far I have rooted his phone, added CWM recovery and SIM unlocked it. I also flashed a baseband from the TMO S2. (Someone in another thread said it works really well for them, and it seems to get good 4G signal, though it also seems to have wifi issues now lol.. but I'll come back to that when I see him again)
Anyway, if you can't flash these ROMS on the Telus variant, can someone point me to any that you CAN flash on it? Thanks!
I must tell him to stick with Nexus phones lol