[Q] New to Samsung and xda - Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4

Hello, everyone!
As my title suggests, I'm a first time Samsung user, and I'm generally happy with my stock SCH-1545 S4. It definitely runs circles around my previous RAZR. I would love to change a few things on it, such as moving apps to SD and getting rid of bloatware (which may help alleviate the phone storage issue I'm facing), but am otherwise happy. I also wouldn't mind being able to extend my battery life, which is leaving me a bit frustrated.
I have successfully rooted a first generation Kindle Fire, although the root was removed during an update. Since I was able to keep the Play Store after the root removal, I didn't put the root back on. I have also successfully rooted my first generation Motorola Droid RAZR, as well as my husband's identical phone. He now has, and is happy with, his S3, and I have the S4.
So now I have this apparently wonderful phone, and I'm toying with the idea of rooting it. I have a bit of anxiety about it, however, and I'm not sure why. If it's okay, I have some questions. I have searched the forums a bit, and have some questions answered, but would like to make sure I'm okay with things before I decide whether or not to root.
What are the benefits of rooting this phone vs any other? Are the benefits the same? Would I be better off waiting for the OTA update?
If I root:
Would I be able to move apps to SD?
Would it interfere with the (hopefully soon) OTA update which will enable the app to SD?
Would I be able to improve batter life?
If for whatever reason I return this phone, would I be able to remove all traces of root?
What apps should I get if I root it? Why?
I would love recommendations for custom ROMs and why I should consider them. I know there's a lot of great ones out there, but I don't know which I would like most.
I truly appreciate any help you have to offer. Thank you!

Would I be able to move apps to SD?
Not with just root, but depending on what ROM you flash you can.
Would it interfere with the (hopefully soon) OTA update which will enable the app to SD?
Again, it just depends on the ROM you flash. I'm currently running HyperDrive which disables Verizon's OTAs.
Would I be able to improve batter life?
Yes.
I would love recommendations for custom ROMs and why I should consider them. I know there's a lot of great ones out there, but I don't know which I would like most.
I recommend HyperDrive. It's a faster version of Stock TW without the bloatware, and a lot of customizable options. i.e battery symbol, notification bar, clock, custom LEDs, etc.

mattonom said:
Would I be able to move apps to SD?
Not with just root, but depending on what ROM you flash you can.
Would it interfere with the (hopefully soon) OTA update which will enable the app to SD?
Again, it just depends on the ROM you flash.
I'm currently running HyperDrive which disables Verizon's OTAs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Foldermount, no?
I recommend Beans.

IamPro said:
Foldermount, no?
I recommend Beans.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
O_O I was unaware...thanks for that though.

Thank you. I really appreciate it.
I'm still on the fence, but am leaning toward rooting it. I really am not happy with all of the bloatware I can't remove.

bpmamom said:
Thank you. I really appreciate it.
I'm still on the fence, but am leaning toward rooting it. I really am not happy with all of the bloatware I can't remove.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Getting rid of the bloat is a worthwhile reason for rooting. I'd recommend looking at CleanROM from scottsroms.com.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2

This is a pretty safe phone to root, etc. Because we are bypassing, rather than hacking and unlocking the bootloader, which usually involves replacing the stock bootloader like you did with your kindle fire, the stock bootloader is there ready to save your butt. I actually think the Loki hack is better than a true unlock because of this. All the benefits with less risk.
If you get stuck, you can use Odin to flash back to stock, and because you didn't toy with the bootloader, it works. I have a kindle fire, too...it took a lot more pod fortitude to unlock and root it than this.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda premium

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Related

[Q] Why should I root?

Some months ago I rooted my Vibrant, and realized that was all I had done...rooted it. I had no idea where I was going after that point, so I unrooted and went about my day. I am taking a new approach, I would like some advice in rooting. Pros and cons (other than by rooting I have the chance of REALLY messing things up...i know that thanks.)
I would like to know what exactly rooting does for me, and if there are any articles anyone can point me to I would greatly appreciate the links.
ALSO I am dipping my toes into app development. the best way I could think to do so was with Google Labs App Inventor, but I think ive read that it limits you as far as developing and then sharing through the market, if someone could set me straight on that I would appreciate it, but this also goes in hand with rooting, I have read that alot of people who develop have rooted their phones.
I appreciate any help that you can give me.
Gore
Pro : Access to all the amazing ROMs this community has to offer.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
................................
Shortbus-Driver said:
................................
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well, that was helpful...thanks. next?
First off if u didnt want to deal with something u could tinker with u could of gotten a iphone but u didnt? Androids are open source so u can tweak it the way u want it to be, leave it stock or u can add themes to ur stock froyo and make it look like u want it to. But if u want to go all the way and realy make the phone live up to its potential u can root it and do so many amazing things with it once its opened to the power of the Superuser. U can make ur phone run so much faster and once it runs that fast and smooth ull wonder how u lived with that dull slowness of ur phone before. And dont forget all the cool colors u can add to ur phone that dont come with just stock, ginger red theme, high voltage blue and so many more. And then theres the mods that u get with ur phone that the brilliant developers port from other phones. Theres just too many reasons to root and none not to. now u know...LOL
Let me count the ways...
You can install applications that need root:
* AdFree - block in-application ads
* Titanium Backup - backup/restore applications AND their data, and with the paid version you can also backup to your dropbox account
* Root Explorer: Lets you manage files that aren't in your user partition, including the files for the annoyingly loud T-Mobile jingle that plays on boot. Sometimes you do need to start up your phone discreetly, without letting everyone in a 50m radius know you're a T-Mobile customer.
You can also UNinstall applications that you don't need. Don't want T-Mobile TV cluttering your applications list? Gone. Don't want Slacker Radio? Byebye.
Also, you can flash ROMs (or just kernels) that are much faster than the stock, unoptimized Samsung one. There is a thing called the Voodoo lagfix that makes your storage access cached, so applications aren't held up by slow writes when they need fast reads. Some also come with kernels that support Voodoo Sound which makes the audio output sound much better by increasing the sampling rate on the DAC and tying the DAC to the clock to reduce jitter. Definitely a must whether you're an audiophile with $10k cans or just plugging the phone into a sound system.
Let's see, what else. With root, you can also add on wifi tethering without having to shell out more money to use T-mobile's version. You can also install Clockwork Recovery and use it to make a complete backup of your phone, so in case you break it and get another one, just root it, install clockwork recovery, and restore the image and you're back to your old configuration.
So yeah... hopefully at least some of this stuff interests you. If not... well, yeah there's really no point in rooting.
Root becuse your mom told you not to
Not to be rude but if you don't know why you should root then you shouldn't.
OP, if you want an answer to your question, read my Vibrant Guide (why root) and then the Noob root (detailed steps) guide if you need help doing it.
If you read anything on this forum...and still cant figure it out...then give up...you'll never understand
OP, rooting is for those who are not 100% satisfied with there phones. Samsung has given us an amazing device, but fell short in delivering in some areas. Rooting helps us add more functionality & personalization options. If you are happy with the phone and no issues using the way Samsung gave you the phone. Then I do not see a reason for you to root. But if you are like one of us, Then you need to get on the Root train and follow the wonderful guide maintained by "s15274n".
Statutory Warning: Rooting & flashing an android device is a serious addiction. Might lead to serious domestic and or job related issues.
Why shouldn't you?
Unless you want to become a flash junkie with an obsessive need to mod, update, enhance or customize; jonesin’ to flash something every few days, suffering from withdrawals if you ever have to ODIN back to stock due to error (has yet to happen to me, though), scrounging XDA daily for your next hit, do not concern yourself with something like AOSP. Simply turn away and do not look back.
rooting your hpone basically gives you Admin privalages.
You can install custom apps and ROMs with awesome features!
nomadrider123 said:
Not to be rude but if you don't know why you should root then you shouldn't.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
not to be rude but if you didn't have anything helpful to say then why say anything at all?
Thanks to most!
I thanked those who gave me some helpful advice. I do appreciate the insight. I guess i'll give this another crack.
By the By, with the exception of the handful of mildly entertaining comments, if you didnt have anything helpful to say, why say it? No one should discourage anybody from trying anything. Weighing my pros and cons was just a way to decide if its something I really wanted to mess with again.
SO again, thanks to all who did help, and thanks was given
^ I can't vouch for everyone, but the one you quoted I am confident didn't mean it negatively. Way too hard to decipher words on the Internet.
If you want additional features, you should root. If you are content, do not.
gorealmighty said:
not to be rude but if you didn't have anything helpful to say then why say anything at all?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thing was, nomad had a point. If you genuinely don't know why you should root--and a Vibrant, of all phones--you probably shouldn't. You mention the con of messing up the phone in your original post, and if you don't know the advantages of applying custom ROMs and kernels to the Vibrant, there's a decent chance you may well brick the device.
The Vibrant is a great phone, but tends to be so only after it's rooted and customized. Without the rooting and customization, there are problems with lag, gps, battery life, and myriad other functions.
By rooting and customizing, you're essentially updating the software in various ways that will help ameliorate those issues. My Vibrant was unusable to the point that I upgraded to a Nexus S. However, with the Nexus S, I got comfortable with rooting, unlocking bootloaders, adb, and flashing ROMs and kernels. It became rather routine.
It became routine enough, in fact, that I ended up going back to my Vibrant, because I was comfortable enough to experiment and attempt to make it better than it had been.
But if you don't know that you have to root to correct the lag, say, you may well be better off getting a more midrange Android phone that's more feature than super. You don't want to bork anything, after all.
Just do yourself a favor--understand that rooting and customizing are individual things, and that the forum is great for technical help but less so when you want to know things like which ROM is "best"; there's no such thing. If you root, play with the device, and play with the different ROMs. Give yourself a week where every day you use a different one so you can get a feel for which one's your favorite.
willentrekin said:
Thing was, nomad had a point. If you genuinely don't know why you should root--and a Vibrant, of all phones--you probably shouldn't. You mention the con of messing up the phone in your original post, and if you don't know the advantages of applying custom ROMs and kernels to the Vibrant, there's a decent chance you may well brick the device.
The Vibrant is a great phone, but tends to be so only after it's rooted and customized. Without the rooting and customization, there are problems with lag, gps, battery life, and myriad other functions.
By rooting and customizing, you're essentially updating the software in various ways that will help ameliorate those issues. My Vibrant was unusable to the point that I upgraded to a Nexus S. However, with the Nexus S, I got comfortable with rooting, unlocking bootloaders, adb, and flashing ROMs and kernels. It became rather routine.
It became routine enough, in fact, that I ended up going back to my Vibrant, because I was comfortable enough to experiment and attempt to make it better than it had been.
But if you don't know that you have to root to correct the lag, say, you may well be better off getting a more midrange Android phone that's more feature than super. You don't want to bork anything, after all.
Just do yourself a favor--understand that rooting and customizing are individual things, and that the forum is great for technical help but less so when you want to know things like which ROM is "best"; there's no such thing. If you root, play with the device, and play with the different ROMs. Give yourself a week where every day you use a different one so you can get a feel for which one's your favorite.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
with the initial quote in mind, I understand. But thank you just the same because this is in fact the kind of feedback I was looking for. DID get my phone rooted btw, now im just fighting with rom manager. I'm on my way though
gorealmighty said:
with the initial quote in mind, I understand. But thank you just the same because this is in fact the kind of feedback I was looking for. DID get my phone rooted btw, now im just fighting with rom manager. I'm on my way though
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well good luck with it. It's a totally fun, very empowering process. And XDA is the Android equivalent of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy; the users here are so knowledgeable and helpful, there's no reason to panic, ever. Pretty much everything you do to your phone will be mostly harmless.

[Q] To root, or not to root?

I have a Samsung Galaxy Ace, and am seriously considering rooting it.
I've done a fair bit of research on it, and have found a few very detailed tutorials on going through the process.
I'm just wondering how common it is, it seems most people on Android forums have rooted their devices, and I haven't really come across anyone who has managed to stuff it up.
So, pros and cons?
why you should root it:
1. you can pretty much customize every part of your phone (software-wise obviously). while rooting does not do the actual customization, it opens you up to a variety of options (when rooted, you can flash roms and kernels that can significantly increase performance and/or battery life; not to mention all of the themes that you can apply, a good place to start would be here)
2. because you can (this may sound stupid but i believe this is true; i think android phones are meant to be rooted )
why you shouldn't root it:
1. you will lose the warranty that came with your phone
2. you can mess up your phone if you do not know what you are doing (when i say this, i am talking about messing with system files, not following the directions when you apply a modification; of course, this would not be a problem as long as you pay close attention to what you are doing)
in my opinion, i think you should
sweetnsour said:
...
because you can (this may sound stupid but i believe this is true; i think android phones are meant to be rooted )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree, that's why I'm looking at doing it, I guess I just want to here from a few users first hand on their experiences with it before I go through with it...
root, root
I would recomend that you root your device. I did my first root to the phone I am using now and I am glad I did, I am able to remove a lot of the carrier bloatware that slows the phone down. Now it runs faster. As the other post said you void your warrenty when you root and if you do not follow instructions you can brick your phone. Anyhow take the plunge and root it you will be glad you did.
todd_10 said:
I have a Samsung Galaxy Ace, and am seriously considering rooting it.
I've done a fair bit of research on it, and have found a few very detailed tutorials on going through the process.
I'm just wondering how common it is, it seems most people on Android forums have rooted their devices, and I haven't really come across anyone who has managed to stuff it up.
So, pros and cons?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Without root is boring
With root is always somekind action
But of course is last desicion yours!!!
Regards!
Taavi
Sent from my MT15i using Tapatalk
todd_10 said:
I have a Samsung Galaxy Ace, and am seriously considering rooting it.
I've done a fair bit of research on it, and have found a few very detailed tutorials on going through the process.
I'm just wondering how common it is, it seems most people on Android forums have rooted their devices, and I haven't really come across anyone who has managed to stuff it up.
So, pros and cons?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know the feeling man, just upgraded to an android galaxy mini from my htc gene, that tough little bastard served me well for two years before it succumbed. Was thinking of rooting but you know how it is with new phone jitters, am not ready to start cutting into its software setup just yet. I'll take my time getting used to this platform before rooting. My reasons for rooting would mainly be to upgrade to gingerbread and delete the stock apps that came with the phone that I barely use like opera 5 -since I use opera 6- and also to be able to overclock the cpu to around 800mhz. Does anyone here think this could improve mkv playback for 480p videos? I can't figure out why mkv videos are such a pain to deal with. What is it about the container that makes it quite a challenge to android
any way to delete stock apps i don't use at all without the root? i own an xperia ray but there is nothing happening for this phone considering rooting.
Kyrius said:
any way to delete stock apps i don't use at all without the root? i own an xperia ray but there is nothing happening for this phone considering rooting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Problably NO!
Sent from my MT15i using Tapatalk
Should I root Nexus S?
porcupineli said:
Should I root Nexus S?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its your free opinion
Regards!
Taavi
Sent from my MT15i using Tapatalk
its up to you
porcupineli said:
Should I root Nexus S?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1 UNLOCK many features of the phone - root
2 is the warranity over ? - root
3 want a new rom? - root
4 want to feel like having a new phone ? - root
5 nothing from the above ? - no root
vinylakos said:
1 UNLOCK many features of the phone - root
2 is the warranity over ? - root
3 want a new rom? - root
4 want to feel like having a new phone ? - root
5 nothing from the above ? - no root
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hehe. Love this. It's like taking a symptom survey provided by some pharmaceutical company. Pretty comprehensive and straightforward checklist, I'd say.
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using Tapatalk
I was in your place but after rooting my htc desire i just cant stop having fun with it
Seems everyone tends to lean towards rooting, I think I might spend a couple more weeks getting familiar with my phone, then go through with it
I have just bought my first android phone a week ago and I'm wondering if I should root or not. Based on everyone's thoughts I really think rooting is the best option specialy because my courrier modded the phones rom with a lot of bulls**t that I can't delete
But first I got some questions to ask:
1. If I install another rom on my phone will it remain rooted? Ex. After installing CM7 the phone will remain rooted? Also if I decide to go back to factory rom will it still remain rooted?
2. Is there any way to "unroot" it? In case I need to contact the warranty I could "unroot" and send it back?
Onipotente said:
I have just bought my first android phone a week ago and I'm wondering if I should root or not. Based on everyone's thoughts I really think rooting is the best option specialy because my courrier modded the phones rom with a lot of bulls**t that I can't delete
But first I got some questions to ask:
1. If I install another rom on my phone will it remain rooted? Ex. After installing CM7 the phone will remain rooted? Also if I decide to go back to factory rom will it still remain rooted?
2. Is there any way to "unroot" it? In case I need to contact the warranty I could "unroot" and send it back?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Yes, yes, and yes.
2. Yes, but that procedure is more complicated. I'll defer the technical explanation to someone less noobish than I am.
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using Tapatalk
So, does anyone here know a good place to have a look at some of the better roms available?
todd_10 said:
So, does anyone here know a good place to have a look at some of the better roms available?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You kinda just have to look around, because everyone likes something different...plus you have to keep in mind that ROMs are specific to the phone. If you like a plain vanilla Android experience, Cyanogenmod (currently #7) is extremely popular. It's a little too bare-bones for my taste, but many people love it. If you have an HTC phone, like I do, and you like HTC Sense but hate how bloated it is, there are tons of custom roms out there based on Sense. Just be careful, again, that you download a ROM for your phone model. I have an HTC Sensation, and I use LeeDroid's Sensational ROM. Some others to check out might be InsertCoin and Revolution HD, but there are tons out there.
Happy flashing! Let us know what you end up trying and how you like it.
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using Tapatalk
ROOT. You will go through the process and if you read and follow every step correctly, you will ask yourself "thats it?" it really is the best thing you can do for your phone. If you want more battery life-- root. If you want simplicity-- root. If you want the latest version of Android (which really makes a difference in overall user experience)--root. Hell, if you want to have something that looks like an iPhone--root.
Go for it. Make sure to read and if you are comfortable with it do it and you will be glad you did.

[Q] roms/flash/root...?

ive read the thread in the general forum for noobs.
but i still dont quite understand all these things and what purpose they serve.
im SUPER new with all this stuff. so my apologies.
could someone help a brother out?
what is your question specifically?
just curious about what they are and do basically.
kevinallen4325 said:
ive read the thread in the general forum for noobs.
but i still dont quite understand all these things and what purpose they serve.
im SUPER new with all this stuff. so my apologies.
could someone help a brother out?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll try and help.
First you must ROOT your phone. This basically grants you access/permission to FIDDLE with a lot of things you can't normally. I use the word *fiddle* loosley, meaning you can install root tools (like overclock) custom Roms, change system settings, flash themes... the list goes on. It's kind of like the equivalent to "jailbreaking"
Rooting is the "first and foremost"... basically do this first. and all other things follow.
kevinallen4325 said:
just curious about what they are and do basically.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well the sticky in the main forum really is a good place to start, as all these terms are defined there:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1483113
As well as step-by-step instructions how to root. That should get you started!
ok so root first. got it. would any of this benefit my phone in anyway? or is it mainly just to put custom themes and such on?
kevinallen4325 said:
ok so root first. got it. would any of this benefit my phone in anyway? or is it mainly just to put custom themes and such on?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is much more than that. I wrote this out before, so I will copy it again:
People have problems when rooted because they are not careful or do not know what they are doing. Rooting gives you (to put in Windows terms) full Administrator rights to your phone. With this right comes responsibility, so you must be careful and do research. This is why rooting also voids the warranty. The phone is now open for the user to do whatever they want, and circumvent any restrictions put on the phone by the manufacturer (including those in place to prevent harm to the device). But like a computer with Admin rights, rooting allows you to install any application, any "OS theme", and tweak the hardware to do what YOU want with it, not what the manufacturer wants.
So please be sure to READ READ READ all you can before you start!!! You don't want a $600 phone coaster. Just browse the forums for a couple weeks and learn from the posts.
kevinallen4325 said:
ok so root first. got it. would any of this benefit my phone in anyway? or is it mainly just to put custom themes and such on?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It depends what you consider a benefit. Sure..theming can be a benefit, but rooting provides the gateway to address any negative or less than ideal aspects of a device. For instance, The Note has been perceived as being somewhat laggy. So rooting allows you to free up system resources by eliminating unneeded bloatware that you can't remove if you remain stock. Also the lagginess has been addressed by overclocking, modding and building kernels that do specific things and of course making custom roms. The Note is still very early in the developmental process, so many things to improve the user experience of the device will become available over the course of time....but it all starts with being rooted.
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note LTE™
kevinallen4325 said:
ok so root first. got it. would any of this benefit my phone in anyway? or is it mainly just to put custom themes and such on?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Android isn't like iOS. I had an iPhone for four years before my Note and I know where you coming from. What the other guy was saying is that rooting can be viewed similar to jailbreaking, but it is kind of completely different. You don't need to be rooted to use themes (or most of the stuff on Cydia). Rooting allows you to back up apps, flash custom ROMs, etc. Otherwise, you most likely don't need root.
tbran said:
It depends what you consider a benefit. Sure..theming can be a benefit, but rooting provides the gateway to address any negative or less than ideal aspects of a device. For instance, The Note has been perceived as being somewhat laggy. So rooting allows you to free up system resources by eliminating unneeded bloatware that you can't remove if you remain stock. Also the lagginess has been addressed by overclocking, modding and building kernels that do specific things and of course making custom roms. The Note is still very early in the developmental process, so many things to improve the user experience of the device will become available over the course of time....but it all starts with being rooted.
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note LTE™
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if i were to root it and do whatever else would that affect the notes ability to update itself when the time comes?
like if i were to put some custom rom or whatever on it and lets say ics came out (lulz) would it still be able to update to it, and would it basically remove everything i did to it
kevinallen4325 said:
if i were to root it and do whatever else would that affect the notes ability to update itself when the time comes?
like if i were to put some custom rom or whatever on it and lets say ics came out (lulz) would it still be able to update to it, and would it basically remove everything i did to it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Trust me, if you go the root and custom rom way, you will never install an official update. not because you can't, but because it will be leaked and debloated months before it is official.
i installed saurom. with and ics theme. i like it alot. but i cant get into setcpu or any program that requires root access. which is kind of an issue. no one else seems to be having that as an issue.
I rooted my Note a couple days ago and am still trying to figure out the benefits of doing so. I guess just spend time reading through this forum for the answers. That's what I am doing, but so far I see no benefit at all. The phone does all I want it to do so far. Maybe I am missing something.
Also, When i run quadrant, the scores are consistently lower after rooting the device then they were before. Not sure why though.
You are correct that the Note and newer phones may need no help. Not like two years ago. But, the big advantage to rooting even if you don't want to flash roms is Titanium Backup for app mgt and nandroids or full image backups--imho. The other like mentioned is earlier os releases. I have had ICS on my N1 for quite awhile and is still not on most new phones.
Ken
kevinallen4325 said:
i installed saurom. with and ics theme. i like it alot. but i cant get into setcpu or any program that requires root access. which is kind of an issue. no one else seems to be having that as an issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are sure you are rooted, a dialog box with a little Android head wearing an eyepatch will pop up asking if you want to allow the application to have root access. You must allow it here.

[Q] Any reason NOT to get the new OTA update if staying stock?

Just got the OTA update popup. Have looked around and it seems like user impressions are generally pretty favorable so far.
Aside from the update breaking root access (I'm staying stock, so not a deal-breaker for me), has anyone found any fatal flaws (app incompatibility, data loss/corruption, etc.) that might be a reason to NOT install the update?
Right now, there is a work around the b loader to gain root. If u take the update, you winn not be able to root as u know.
That might not mean much to you right now. But let's say you see something like the expanded mini menu, and you want it. Well, you won't be able to root and install Xposed.apk after taking the ota until an exploit is discovered.
Leave the update to the rubes who are less then passionate about the freedom we have or ota.
Btw, apps to sd is any able to move the apk to sd but not the working app and it's data.
See below the pick of the expanded mini menu...
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app
MysticCobra said:
Just got the OTA update popup. Have looked around and it seems like user impressions are generally pretty favorable so far.
Aside from the update breaking root access (I'm staying stock, so not a deal-breaker for me), has anyone found any fatal flaws (app incompatibility, data loss/corruption, etc.) that might be a reason to NOT install the update?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd go for it if you don't care about root access. My wife installed it and it seems to be just fine... Maybe even a bit smoother than before but that's probably placebo
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Xparent BlueTapatalk 2
If you don't care about root then do it. I've heard it fixes a lot of the lag. That alone would make me do it.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 2
Forgetfull said:
If you don't care about root then do it. I've heard it fixes a lot of the lag. That alone would make me do it.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lag reduction wasn't thst noticeable but the improvement is there. Smearing is gone which is good. Notification bar has a new affect I like. Few new icons. I like it but not enough to take the OTA on my AT&T S4. Still running MDL on that one.
...sent from my SCH-I545 ME7 Rooted using xda app-developers app
My wife took it on her S4 and is very happy - zero issues, phone is snappier.
Delakit said:
Lag reduction wasn't thst noticeable but the improvement is there. Smearing is gone which is good. Notification bar has a new affect I like. Few new icons. I like it but not enough to take the OTA on my AT&T S4. Still running MDL on that one.
...sent from my SCH-I545 ME7 Rooted using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As much as I do want to see these improvements, I'm not willing to lose the ability to root and flash new roms. Here is to hoping a workaround is found soon.
Many thanks for all the responses. I did root my last phone and enjoyed the freedoms that brought. Would like to eventually root this phone, and I'm hoping that when I'm ready to do it there'll be a solution available for me, but if not it won't be the end of the world.
What I didn't want to do was the worst of both worlds: Apply the OTA and hate it, AND not be able to root.
Sounds like I won't end up in that spot, so I'll give it a shot.
MysticCobra said:
Many thanks for all the responses. I did root my last phone and enjoyed the freedoms that brought. Would like to eventually root this phone, and I'm hoping that when I'm ready to do it there'll be a solution available for me, but if not it won't be the end of the world.
What I didn't want to do was the worst of both worlds: Apply the OTA and hate it, AND not be able to root.
Sounds like I won't end up in that spot, so I'll give it a shot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why devalue your phone for some stupid update?
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app
Most people figure out by around the second grade that different people place different values on different things. One example of this is that there are about a zillion versions of Android and a zillion different versions of Android phones to use them on.
Right now, what I value is a stock S4. You value the phone differently. We can both have what we want. Isn't that nice?
You learned something today. Hooray!
MysticCobra said:
Most people figure out by around the second grade that different people place different values on different things. One example of this is that there are about a zillion versions of Android and a zillion different versions of Android phones to use them on.
Right now, what I value is a stock S4. You value the phone differently. We can both have what we want. Isn't that nice?
You learned something today. Hooray!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think its hilarious that people come to XDA to talk about a stock android device.... If you want a stock android device on Verizon, Verizon has a website dedicated to the S4 its various updates... The fact that your here asking root developers if you should go stock is frankly ridiculous. I'm sorry if you don't like the answers your being given but if you don't want or need ROOT, why are you here?
s0m3f00l said:
I think its hilarious that people come to XDA to talk about a stock android device.... If you want a stock android device on Verizon, Verizon has a website dedicated to the S4 its various updates... The fact that your here asking root developers if you should go stock is frankly ridiculous. I'm sorry if you don't like the answers your being given but if you don't want or need ROOT, why are you here?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am here because there are very knowledgable people here who push their devices to the limit. Many of these people also have friends or spouses with the same hardware but still in a stock configuration, and thus are in tune with the quirks in the stock software. Indeed, I got two helpful responses, so that alone justifies my asking the question here. Besides, there are plenty of questions on this general Q&A forum that have nothing to do with android development. "What case are you using?" "What extended battery is best?" Etc.
I rooted my last device and ran a variety of custom roms on it for almost two years. There were pros and cons to that experience. I expect that one day, if rooting my S4 is an option, I will want to do that, but I'm not ready to do it yet.
Is that really such a bizarre and alien situation that no one could possibly comprehend it? What is there about it that deserves derision or insult?
MysticCobra said:
Most people figure out by around the second grade that different people place different values on different things. One example of this is that there are about a zillion versions of Android and a zillion different versions of Android phones to use them on.
Right now, what I value is a stock S4. You value the phone differently. We can both have what we want. Isn't that nice?
You learned something today. Hooray!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
MysticCobra said:
I am here because there are very knowledgable people here who push their devices to the limit. Many of these people also have friends or spouses with the same hardware but still in a stock configuration, and thus are in tune with the quirks in the stock software. Indeed, I got two helpful responses, so that alone justifies my asking the question here. Besides, there are plenty of questions on this general Q&A forum that have nothing to do with android development. "What case are you using?" "What extended battery is best?" Etc.
I rooted my last device and ran a variety of custom roms on it for almost two years. There were pros and cons to that experience. I expect that one day, if rooting my S4 is an option, I will want to do that, but I'm not ready to do it yet.
Is that really such a bizarre and alien situation that no one could possibly comprehend it? What is there about it that deserves derision or insult?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not bizarre or alien. Just an odd place to ask the question. The fact remains, you are on one of the websites that pioneered root access and spawned countless custom ROM's, Mods and Apps. You come to this website to discuss how you don't need root and are going stock and have no need of root & then you don't like the answers that the very same people who value root and push the limit of their phones give. If it were any other "development website" or chat channel you would be banned as a troll and no one would waste anymore time than they already have.

ZV8/ZV6 update - DO NOT ACCEPT, info, and fixes

DO NOT ACCEPT ZV8/ZV6 UPDATE IF YOU STILL WANT ROOT/UNLOCK!!!! ​
I'm just trying to slow down all the new posts scattered all over about this. And YES this is another useless post.
There is no root for the ZV8/ZV6 update. Here's some info/Changes
Thanks to autoprime.
ZV8
ZV6
If you accept the update, well, you just lost root and every other freedom you had with this phone.
Fixes
There not one yet for ZV8
ZV6
Try this one first. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=57180824.
Thanks to @mrj0087
Your only and next option is Flashtool to ZV4. Here
After LGFlashtool , "Stump" (Root), and "Bump" (unlock)
Get those links from Here
Now here's your options:
Follow autoprime's way:
ZV8
ZV6
Or flash these Rom's in TWRP
Stock Rooted ZV8
Stock Rooted ZV6
BarRin Rooted
How to stop OTA's
Go HERE
Until we get Root for ZV8/ZV6 these are your only options. Well, there's always one more. Give up Root, Unlock and run it like LG/Sprint wants. But you wouldn't be here if that were the case.
Wow. I just have to say that I read these forums for hours heeding all warnings and learning how to properly flash, root, etc. before I even touch my phone. To see these guys attempt these procedures on a 600 dollar phone without thoroughly understanding what they are doing simply amazes me. I will shut up now. Thanks for all you guys do to make my phone awesome! :thumbup:
Sent from my LGLS990 using XDA Free mobile app
I'm glad I went ahead and flashed the rooted zv6.
Sent from my LGLS990 using XDA Free mobile app
texasjmzmd said:
Wow. I just have to say that I read these forums for hours heeding all warnings and learning how to properly flash, root, etc. before I even touch my phone. To see these guys attempt these procedures on a 600 dollar phone without thoroughly understanding what they are doing simply amazes me. I will shut up now. Thanks for all you guys do to make my phone awesome! :thumbup:
Sent from my LGLS990 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If u look at user's stats near their avatar, almost always the ones who are asking how to do this and that and how to "unscrew" up their phones are members that have less than 50 posts. I think they hear about XDA and come here thinking that everything posted is guaranteed or side effect free. These phones are like our bodies... you mess with one thing and it affects something else. I've been around since 08 and seen more and more rookies flashing firmware to their shiny new 600 dollar phones with no regret until after they screw it up. No disrespect to the newbies, but for goodness sake read up and read up and read up until u fully understand what u are doing. Us older members are here to help but we can't fix ignorance.
I gotta say, most of the time I agree that it's just common sense to not take an OTA if you are already rooted. At the same time, I was surprised by how much I didn't know when I started veering out of my "home base" forums.
I had an HTC Evo 4G and then a 4G LTE for 4 years combined, right up until this summer when I got the G3. At the same time, I got my wife off of her iPhone (came from a Hero) and into an S4. It took me a while to get up to speed with the G3, but at least that was a new community. I STILL don't know very much about the S4 - what ROMs are good/stable/updated regularly, what the different root/unlock procedures are, which methods do or don't mess with Knox (or even what that heck that is). I'm slowly learning, but I just don't spend as much time over there. I just wanted to get my wife's phone rooted so I could clear the bloat and get a few root apps running for her.
If you don't spend a lot of time learning the ropes, it can be hard coming in knowing a little bit about what you want (root or whatever) and then finding out that your OTA isn't rooted yet, or that there's trouble brewing between developers which is hampering development in some way, or whatever the case may be. Add to that the fact that there are really different "customs" in different phone forums, and the terminology is phone-specific at times, and new members are bound to get lost somewhere along the way.
I don't know what my point is, other than that I've never seen a community get stronger through flaming and ignoring new users' requests for help. At the very least, I'm a fan of polite replies, even if it's just to say "you're posting in the wrong forum - try the Q&A section / look for Sticky XYZ" or what have you. @engine95 is on the right track by putting up these sort of informational posts BEFORE problems arise. They'll still happen, but this can stem the tide.
kind of a stupid question I guess but I've been out of the loop for a couple years...
If I root and flash the rooted ZV6, will I have to reinstall all my apps? I used to use some sort of backup app but it was still tedious...
cardboardbox said:
kind of a stupid question I guess but I've been out of the loop for a couple years...
If I root and flash the rooted ZV6, will I have to reinstall all my apps? I used to use some sort of backup app but it was still tedious...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No worries. The kernel and a lot of the apks are different in ZV6, so I would highly recommend starting from scratch.
If you restore anything from backup from ZV4, you'll probably end up with issues.
LG/Sprint has really done some very strange things with this update. They say to optimize, but I think it's more so we can't modify it as easily.
cardboardbox said:
kind of a stupid question I guess but I've been out of the loop for a couple years...
If I root and flash the rooted ZV6, will I have to reinstall all my apps? I used to use some sort of backup app but it was still tedious...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I recommend doing a clean flash (wiping). It's a lot of work putting back all your apps and such, but it's worth it to have NO GLITCHES and everything working right.
engine95 said:
No worries. The kernel and a lot of the apks are different in ZV6, so I would highly recommend starting from scratch.
If you restore anything from backup from ZV4, you'll probably end up with issues.
LG/Sprint has really done some very strange things with this update. They say to optimize, but I think it's more so we can't modify it as easily.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Texas501 said:
I recommend doing a clean flash (wiping). It's a lot of work putting back all your apps and such, but it's worth it to have NO GLITCHES and everything working right.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for the replies. Is updating to ZV6 a good idea or should I wait for Lollipop? Hate to redo all my apps for ZV6 and then have to do it again a month later.
cardboardbox said:
kind of a stupid question I guess but I've been out of the loop for a couple years...
If I root and flash the rooted ZV6, will I have to reinstall all my apps? I used to use some sort of backup app but it was still tedious...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
cardboardbox said:
thanks for the replies. Is updating to ZV6 a good idea or should I wait for Lollipop? Hate to redo all my apps for ZV6 and then have to do it again a month later.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you're asking me, I say it's worth it. Everything works (to my knowledge) on this ROM. The new ROMS coming out (including lollipop 5.0) now for our LS990 have lots of glitches that need to be ironed out still. This ROM is the latest and has everything working and is awesome as a daily driver. It's going to be a while as the developers and testers get all the kinks out of the 5.0 ROM that is out now. Just my simple opinion. Also I love XPOSED and right now xposed only works on KITKAT and not LOLLIPOP (so far).
Texas501 said:
If you're asking me, I say it's worth it. Everything works (to my knowledge) on this ROM. The new ROMS coming out (including lollipop 5.0) now for our LS990 have lots of glitches that need to be ironed out still. This ROM is the latest and has everything working and is awesome as a daily driver. It's going to be a while as the developers and testers get all the kinks out of the 5.0 ROM that is out now. Just my simple opinion. Also I love XPOSED and right now xposed only works on KITKAT and not LOLLIPOP (so far).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks, I'll get to work on it sometime this weekend.
Yeah I read for a good week or two before stump, another week before bump, after a nandroid xposed and all it's glory, no issues I've been doing this for the last four years and still read and follow instructions very carefully and ask questions, I just read a thread where a recognized contributor needed help with a soft brick, I'm running his theme, I can't afford to afford another phone, I still consider my self a noob 7 smartphones in plus I don't have a computer right now. Question is there any stable 5.0 builds
I think it depends on how you define stable.
Stable as in not crashing all the time? Yes, I think so.
Stable as in all features working? I think not.
meyerweb said:
I think it depends on how you define stable.
Stable as in not crashing all the time? Yes, I think so.
Stable as in all features working? I think not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All features working
I'll wait for an official sprint build
kennwoodkenn said:
All features working
I'll wait for an official sprint build
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Me, too. Or at least until the AOSP-based ROMs get past the alpha & beta stages.
Dammit I wish I had read this
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2916085
Terminal command in twrp no computer required if stuck in twrp loop just did it and was able to boot back up
Sent from my LGLS990 using Tapatalk
Prepare. Seems everyone has let that zv6 update sitting on their device get the best of them. Lol. Time to help. Thanks e95 I'll send them here. A few. Lol
Sent from rotary technology Phone
Thank you for this guide, restoring my device to re-obtain root wasn't difficult just very tedious! My fault though, I for some reason thought the OTA was a radio update. I worked 70 hours this last week so I wasn't thinking clearly lol.
Added an option to fix taking OTA.
Thanks to @mrj0087

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