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).
Hi All,
I am new to this forum and also to this Smartphone world
I am planning to buy Galaxy S2 , but want to use ICS Stock UI ( I can wait for official ICS update or use some ICS ROM ) , but what I want to know is that how can I use default ICS Stock UI on my Galaxy S2.
And another question when we use unofficial ROM on our Android phone , what are the risks we should consider in terms of our personal data security and also the stability of our phone ?
Thanks,
Maverick
mavericki said:
Hi All,
I am new to this forum and also to this Smartphone world
I am planning to buy Galaxy S2 , but want to use ICS Stock UI ( I can wait for official ICS update or use some ICS ROM ) , but what I want to know is that how can I use default ICS Stock UI on my Galaxy S2.
And another question when we use unofficial ROM on our Android phone , what are the risks we should consider in terms of our personal data security and also the stability of our phone ?
Thanks,
Maverick
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you do some reading around the SGS2 forum, you'll find all of the information you seek. Or you could try google...either way, the powers that be here at XDA aren't very friendly to those who don't bother trying to research, read, or use the search function. I'm trying to be a bit more personable.
At the moment, ICS is in either the Alpha or Beta stage...meaning that it's still buggy and doesn't really function as a daily driver yet.
To get ICS right now, you have to flash a ROM...which involves root access. The risks are pretty high. You have the risk of bricking your phone, if you don't read the instructions and follow them exactly, which isn't always easy because you're not very likely to find exact instructions for your specific phone (the hardware specs will match, but the ROM/Radio/Modem numbers may be different which can lead to confusion). You also run the risk of voiding your warranty, which is a pretty significant one.
I flashed an ICS build yesterday, and then my S2 wouldn't charge. I eventually flashed back (thank God I had made a backup yesterday, and 2 days ago as the one from yesterday didn't work!)
As far as security goes, nothing really to worry about. Dev's don't build in Carrier IQ and don't really want your personal data. But the flip side is, that they don't get paid for what they do...so if you have a problem or 'eff something up, you're pretty much on your own. You can ask for help, but again, sometimes the dev's don't want to be bothered with a question if it's already been answered or if you could've found the answer by searching for it. This is where it gets rude, sometimes.
That's the long answer. The short answer is READ, READ, READ...everything about your phone and flashing ROM's. Start at the beginning of the forum, as that's where the 'stickies' are and work your way thru. ICS will be released officially and stably later.
Hope that helps.
Thanks ,
I have googled it and read some threads on this forum and on others as well... thats how I came to know that you can root your phone with unofficial ICS ROM... but wasn't sure that in that case , will I get ICS with TouchWiz or Stock UI...
And 2nd thing that if I screwed up what will happen to my personal data...
anyhow thanks for replying my (dumb ? ) question
Is there any site that i can find out to which models can i official and unofficial install the new android 4.0.3 or newest?
A lot of thanks.
clockworkmod.com and under rom manager it will show you all roms for your phone. if your unrooted google it
I would say this is the best site for that. Just find your phone and see if it has been developed for it. 4.0 can't run on everything without a bit of tweaking on a phone by phone basis. The developers on here do that for you.
It is hard to unlock any android mobile phone to install it a rom that is unofficial and if it is easy BEFORE i installed the new unofficial rom is there a way to make a COMPLETE BACKUP of the android phone so anytime i want i can make a COMPLETE RESTORE to factory defaults with official android version.
A LOT OF THANKS FOR ALL.
cyanogenmod.com
Device compatible with CM9 are Android 4.0.3 IceCreamSandwich
To which sites i can see the OFFICIAL android 4.0.3 supported mobiles phones?
The samsung galaxy s plus i9001 does it support it?
And if don't where is the way to install an unofficial android 4.0.3 for samsung galaxy s plus i9001 phone?
Not as such...
I haven't found any comprhensive listing of ICS ROMS + supported devices.
Your best bet is to start from your device and find which ROM's (if any) are out for it. Some devices may never get support, some already have it, some are in between.
Much as I love Cyanogenmod, I can't get a functional CM9 (that is, ICS by Cyanogen) that will work on my Nexus S 4G. But I did find a list of ROM's for Nexus S 4G and by elimination found one that works flawlessly.
Be careful, follow steps closely, and RTFM first!
I've got this Galaxy S2 since a couple of years and back in 2012 I rooted it following the method in the video below
How to Root Galaxy S2! [NEW][i9100]
the device is on android 2.3.3 (GingerBread) and according to the guy who posted the youtube it is a super safe method and it is but now I decided I want to upgrade it with a customized ROM from your respectful GS2 section.
my questions are :
1- following the method above; is my device fully rooted and ready to be flashed and tweaked around?
2-if my device is ready to go;Would anyone kindly direct me to the page where I can find a guide/s on how to install the tools required on the device (gs2) to do the move from 2.3.3 -(because through my search here most what I found was going up from IcecreamSandwich +) -to the newest supported firmware ?
Thanks for the great work you guys doing to support android devices.
KindleTester said:
I've got this Galaxy S2 since a couple of years and back in 2012 I rooted it following the method in the video below
How to Root Galaxy S2! [NEW][i9100]
the device is on android 2.3.3 (GingerBread) and according to the guy who posted the youtube it is a super safe method and it is but now I decided I want to upgrade it with a customized ROM from your respectful GS2 section.
my questions are :
1- following the method above; is my device fully rooted and ready to be flashed and tweaked around?
2-if my device is ready to go;Would anyone kindly direct me to the page where I can find a guide/s on how to install the tools required on the device (gs2) to do the move from 2.3.3 -(because through my search here most what I found was going up from IcecreamSandwich +) -to the newest supported firmware ?
Thanks for the great work you guys doing to support android devices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Should work fine. It would be an even safer to update to official jelly bean first before flashing a custom rom as you will face less issues this way.
gsstudios said:
Should work fine. It would be an even safer to update to official jelly bean first before flashing a custom rom as you will face less issues this way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great, will you or any other supporter kindly tell me what to look for, or provide me with a link to the specific page...
thanks