Tmobile SGS3, no LTE, deal breaker? - T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII

So im ready to upgrade my phones on Tmobile and I read that the SGS 3 does not support LTE on Tmobiles network. Is this a deal breaker? Ive read that LTE is a battery vampire. Tmobile LTE network isnt due till next year. I plan on keeping the SGS 3 for 2 years, hoping it would be a bit of future proofing for me since its the hottest phone right now.
Is no LTE support a deal breaker?

Nope... I'm getting 10-15 down on a rough day in greater Los Angeles area. You really need it faster? Think it's good enough to perform every day activities on the phone.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app

Yeah no way. I'm getting 20mps steady. That's stupid fast. Lte if available is quicker with better ping but the phone is excellent and Lte isn't needed with the new radios.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium

derek210 said:
Yeah no way. I'm getting 20mps steady. That's stupid fast. Lte if available is quicker with better ping but the phone is excellent and Lte isn't needed with the new radios.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
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Not only this but our device supports 41mbps, which by the time LTE rolls out, will be in most cities if not already.
(I know we wont get 41mbps realistically)
I already get 25mbps in NYC which is faster than my home internet speed. Seriously LTE is overkill (literally) as it just kills your battery.

androidmonkey said:
So im ready to upgrade my phones on Tmobile and I read that the SGS 3 does not support LTE on Tmobiles network. Is this a deal breaker? Ive read that LTE is a battery vampire. Tmobile LTE network isnt due till next year. I plan on keeping the SGS 3 for 2 years, hoping it would be a bit of future proofing for me since its the hottest phone right now.
Is no LTE support a deal breaker?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should probably read before posting something that has been asked already.
The T999 has LTE bands already, they are just disabled by default.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium

I've looked at a billion comparisons...
androidmonkey said:
So im ready to upgrade my phones on Tmobile and I read that the SGS 3 does not support LTE on Tmobiles network. Is this a deal breaker? Ive read that LTE is a battery vampire. Tmobile LTE network isnt due till next year. I plan on keeping the SGS 3 for 2 years, hoping it would be a bit of future proofing for me since its the hottest phone right now.
Is no LTE support a deal breaker?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm no expert, but not much of a life living in a new state, so I read A LOT! And most of that reading has been about computers and mobile phones. I've seen about a million opinions on this; seen a lot of speed tests and other tests comparing the 2, and absolutely every piece of factual evidence so far has shown me that the T-Mobile's HSPA+ network is absolutely comparable to LTE. There are only very slight insignificant differences in the tests - some a few degrees higher, some a few lower - according to the tester's location, device, and environment. But they always come extremely close to the same numbers. I've heard LTE does eat a lot of battery, but that's (as always) depending upon individual usage. The SGS III, from what I understand, is capable of supporting LTE, even on the T-Mo model, it's just not being used since they aren't on it, so if/when they do go LTE, your phone will support it. Until then, I think you'll be just as happy with their network. I hope that helps ya! At least I'd feel like I accomplished something with my endless hours lookin at all this crap! Good luck!

Thanks. I ended up going with the SGS 3. So far I like it a lot, its very fast. I am coming from a SGS Vibrant with Slim ICS ROM on it, so I had to install a launcher to get rid of TouchWiz (currently Im using Nova Launcher).

U'll love it!
androidmonkey said:
Thanks. I ended up going with the SGS 3. So far I like it a lot, its very fast. I am coming from a SGS Vibrant with Slim ICS ROM on it, so I had to install a launcher to get rid of TouchWiz (currently Im using Nova Launcher).
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Oh cool! Me too, had the Vibrant and alternated between 2 ROMs at the end - ICS Passion and Doc's Master, they were both so great! Don't care for TouchWiz at all. I'm currently using Apex right now, it's simple, quick n user-friendly, and comes with the customizing I like - plus it has the capability of running themes from other home launchers, ie; GoLauncher, which I think is friggin awesome! Check it out if ya haven't already, there's not a whole lot it CAN'T do! Anyway, I think you'll LOVE this phone! I never in a million years thought I'd part ways with the Vibrant! I'm really stoked, now that I know how to do everything! If u have any questions, need help with dev stuff, or u just want recommendations, like I said - bored, not much of a life here, so helping is no problem at all! I've been through XDA quite extensively, so I know pretty much all there is to know about the 2 devices I have, just have the noob status still cuz I never post! So feel free to ask anytime! Have fun!!

crayzeeteri said:
Oh cool! Me too, had the Vibrant and alternated between 2 ROMs at the end - ICS Passion and Doc's Master, they were both so great! Don't care for TouchWiz at all. I'm currently using Apex right now, it's simple, quick n user-friendly, and comes with the customizing I like - plus it has the capability of running themes from other home launchers, ie; GoLauncher, which I think is friggin awesome! Check it out if ya haven't already, there's not a whole lot it CAN'T do! Anyway, I think you'll LOVE this phone! I never in a million years thought I'd part ways with the Vibrant! I'm really stoked, now that I know how to do everything! If u have any questions, need help with dev stuff, or u just want recommendations, like I said - bored, not much of a life here, so helping is no problem at all! I've been through XDA quite extensively, so I know pretty much all there is to know about the 2 devices I have, just have the noob status still cuz I never post! So feel free to ask anytime! Have fun!!
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Thanks, I installed Apex last night. I might buy the Pro version if it becomes my fav. I was on the fence about waiting to get the HTC One X+ that is rumored to be released at the end of Sept. Since I have a track record with Samsung and its a very popular device (more support from devs), I decided to go with Samsung again. The only thing I really need right now is ROOT. I watched a video on Youtube and it looks like its a fairly simple process, not as easy as the Vibrant though. I mainly need ROOT to install Titanium Backup. I'm still confused though about the "flash counter" that some people mention and how Tmo/Samsung can see that you flashed your device if it were sent in for replacement/repair. Any ideas on that?

androidmonkey said:
Thanks, I installed Apex last night. I might buy the Pro version if it becomes my fav. I was on the fence about waiting to get the HTC One X+ that is rumored to be released at the end of Sept. Since I have a track record with Samsung and its a very popular device (more support from devs), I decided to go with Samsung again. The only thing I really need right now is ROOT. I watched a video on Youtube and it looks like its a fairly simple process, not as easy as the Vibrant though. I mainly need ROOT to install Titanium Backup. I'm still confused though about the "flash counter" that some people mention and how Tmo/Samsung can see that you flashed your device if it were sent in for replacement/repair. Any ideas on that?
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Click to collapse
It's a counter that counts custom binaries, if serviced by Samsung they may check it and decline warranty. There is a no trip method in the development section that I highly recommend. Right now there is also an app anyways by guru ChainFire called triangle away, that resets the counter. Either way here's the link to the no trip method that is easy as pie for anyone. Enjoy !
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1739426

Yep!
androidmonkey said:
Thanks, I installed Apex last night. I might buy the Pro version if it becomes my fav. I was on the fence about waiting to get the HTC One X+ that is rumored to be released at the end of Sept. Since I have a track record with Samsung and its a very popular device (more support from devs), I decided to go with Samsung again. The only thing I really need right now is ROOT. I watched a video on Youtube and it looks like its a fairly simple process, not as easy as the Vibrant though. I mainly need ROOT to install Titanium Backup. I'm still confused though about the "flash counter" that some people mention and how Tmo/Samsung can see that you flashed your device if it were sent in for replacement/repair. Any ideas on that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I bought the Apex Pro, and I don't normally buy many paid apps - I just really like how easy it is to integrate with other things like themes, which I mentioned earlier, and then other things too, ie; lockscreen apps, status bar apps, fonts, icons...so even if I want just one thing different that Apex doesn't have, I can still get that thing and use Apex at the same time!
Rooting!! OK here's what I did, and not a single problem! This is the fastest, easiest time I have ever had rooting and/or flashing by a MILE! I was leery due to the IMIE issues being reported and also, like you, the flash counter voiding the warranty. (if anything happened and I was out of an almost $700 phone, I'd be seriously PISSED!!) So if you do decide to root and/or flash, I would HIGHLY recommend doing these things! 1st, go here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1804123 and back up your IMEI. Just follow the instructions (super simple) to make a backup. I don't think u need to do a full NV backup (u'll understand what that means if u read thru the posts on this issue, but it doesn't matter) because you'll already have your IMEI backed up beforehand. I did it anyway tho, just because I felt safer that way. Up to you! Bookmark that thread tho, in case you ever encounter any IMEI or data probs cuz they're the go-to guys for that, and have all the RIGHT fixes! You'll see the other guy I'm referring to's method and a link to his thread referenced there, where there's a lot more background info, but the guy's thread I gave you the link for is WAY easier for performing the backup. As far as checking the backup to be sure it's there, that can get confusing - If you followed the directions, I promise it worked, just gets techie when trying to read phone stuff on a PC. All info on the subject is in those 2 threads, you'll see it! N E way, do that FIRST BEFORE ANYTHING!!
Next, go here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1746682 and install this to your PC. This is the coolest thing ever to get you backed up, rooted, flashed, whatever. It's called the "Snapdragon Toolkit" I cannot begin to say enough about it! It does EVERYTHING you need - installs the correct drivers, roots, unroots, flashes ROMs, gives u ClockworkMod Recovery AND Odin, and also gives you a full perfect backup - Nandroid backup for CM, .tar file for ODIN - of your stock firmware to keep on your PC in case you run into an issue or just decide to go back to stock. Also provides a walk-thru for resetting the flash counter back to zero using an app called Triangle Away by Chainfire!! It gets u into download mode, roots, gives you Superuser, busybox, CWM, all necessary root stuff, and reboots your phone all automatically in just a quick click! You might have read secure vs insecure kernels - gives you the choice. Insecure leaves you rooted. You can also use it to just kind of temp-root to do something that like say, requires ADB (which requires you to be rooted to use) Do it thru the toolkit, and it will get you (for instance for adb access) the insecure kernel alone, temporarily, until you're done with your task. You can do each thing separately like that or everything all at once. His thread, as well as inside the toolkit itself, when you open it on your PC, gives you total kindergarten instructions and explanations for each thing it does. I have never seen a faster, simpler, more user-friendly program for getting these things done - and all in one place! So get that, and per the instructions, open it and install the drivers 1st before plugging in your phone with ur USB. You probably have the right drivers already, but just in case there are extra drivers there needed for the program or anything it does, I'd go ahead and install them. It'll then open a window that looks old DOS command-line like, and will ask which model you have. Every time you're making any choice in the program, you'll be typing your answer at the bottom of the screen and hitting "enter" to submit. Type the number 3, it's the one for T-Mo T999 UVALEM, and hit enter. It then displays the menu with the list of all the options. You can plug in to be sure the phone's detected, and check it by looking at the top of the window; it'll show it under "List of devices attached." If you do what I did, which was the all-at-once option, you'll hit the number 2 and enter for thr rooting options menu, then 3, enter to choose all-in-one and follow the on-screen instructions for when to plug in the phone and such.
To simplify things further, so you can save some time, I've got all the files you need already, to do your IMEI backup, stock firmware backup,(the Nandroid copy of the firmware and the .tar ODIN copy), the drivers, the most recent ClockworkMod Touch and ODIN files, the Toolkit, and all the .apk files of the apps that are safe to remove from the original firmware if you want that. I didn't remove all of these, for the same reason I haven't flashed AOKP or CM9/CM10 yet; I'm not sure I want to lose the new Samsung stuff like SVoice and the motion features. It's a list others comprised, actually probably really outdated, containing the ones confirmed safe to remove. I just kept in case I wanted any of 'em back! I can personally confirm all the T-Mobile ones, ChatOn, Flipboard, all the Yahoo stuff, self, factory and LCD tests, Samsung's Media Hub, Game Hub, SSuggest, and More Services, Google's Books, Music, TV/Movies, Talk, and Google+(Plus One), Amazon, Polaris Viewer, Facebook SMS, and the system Music and Video apps. I say probably outdated cuz I'm sure the Maps from Google and Samsung, the Cloud sync apps from them all, and the Email apps, for example, are all fine to go too, and probably verified by now. (I mean seriously, do I need Samsung, T-Mo, Google+, GMail, Dropbox, Sugarsync, AND Facebook ALL syncing my stuff?! JEEZUSS!!!) Anyway, all the files are in my dropbox here:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/8f2wjlz1enkb8wp/saTe7MW0fE
There's also a way to flash CWM Touch Recovery without having to pay for Rom Manager Premium and without tripping the flash counter in there with instructions if you want it, but you have to be ok with entering command line script with adb or a terminal emulator. I just used the Triangle Away app, worked perfect!
Whew! What a novel, huh?! Just wanted to be sure I was thorough so you or anyone reading has specifics so there are no problems for you! I honestly didn't have a single hiccup, and all of it took less time than it's probably gonna take u to read this post! Have fun!

Related

I've only been and gone and rooted it!

Phew that was nerve wrecking
But successful
Thanks to the wonderful guides here and supporting posts by the community, it was pretty painless. Now its just a matter of finding which ROM I'd like to stick with for the time being. I just couldn't wait any longer to play with Froyo, and I like the roughness of the N1 version but for now I've gone back to the Mocado Sense ROM until all the issues have really been ironed out with the custom Froyo ROMs. I have both images on the SD and it takes about 2 mins from boot to switch now, I'm impressed that I can back up and recover so easily.
I'm soo impressed actually, you guys are fantastic.
I guess really this is just an ass licking thread in the end
that would be ass kissing. Ass licking is not quite the compliment.
Nice one. It's a great feeling when you root successfully first time isn't it
You get a great sense of satisfaction.
If you like 2.1 roms over froyo at the minute, you should try one of pays roms in the dev section. They are a few pages down now as he hasn't kept the thread updated because he had to send his phone to HTC for repair (not rom related) lol.
His roms are very good, and a lot of people including me really like them. I'm on a froyo rom now though because I can't stop changing. lol.
al89nut said:
that would be ass kissing. Ass licking is not quite the compliment.
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Yes you're right I stand corrected, lets move on
@socktug, okay I'll look at those.. I do like the inclusion of Wavesecure in the Modaco ROM but now its rooted I'm sure I'll look around before I settle. No point getting too cosy cos in a month or two an official sense Froyo will come and I'll have to flash that anyway.
(edit) I mean a custom version of the Sense Froyo of course
al89nut said:
that would be ass kissing. Ass licking is not quite the compliment.
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Click to collapse
to each his own
seriously though, we are indeed fortunate to have such a talented and generous membership at XDA. things will get even better once Desire is sold in the US and more even people get on board.
I think ass licking would leave more of a bitter taste in your mouth and i imagine the texture would be something similar to Nutella.
+1 for the idea of ass kissing as opposed to ass licking (and no, i am not gay if that is what you were thinking!)
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App
This thread is in danger of falling into brokeback mountain territory
Welcome to the rooted world
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App
socktug said:
This thread is in danger of falling into brokeback mountain territory
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ROFL... indeed
MasDroid said:
ROFL... indeed
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You mean ROLF!
oursoul said:
Yes you're right I stand corrected, lets move on
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Yet you still haven't edited your first post At least we know what your preference is
Actually i did mean ROFL (rolling on floor laughing)...
Just a coincidence that Socktug is called Rolf!
Now that is what i call funny!
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App
Wow pretty much same here! I rooted for the first time yesterday, but didn't go over as straight forward as I would've hoped. First I tried the Linux method which didn't work - apparently I need a goldcard even though my phone's unlocked and unbranded. Then it took forever to get the ADB interface to recognize the phone - major problems with Win7 x64 at first. Finally got that right though (after several hours). From then on it was quite smooth.
I installed PaY's BraveSoul ROM and quite love it
I want to try out FroYo, but there's one thing stopping me. It's kind of a small thing, but maybe one of you can shed some light? Here goes:
So, I like Sense. Quite a bit. But I'm willing to go to vanilla Android if there is a way to keep my contact information built up properly. i.e. right now, my contacts are merged with Facebook/Sense which gives birthdays, profile pictures, email addresses etc. all under one unified contact - will I lose that if I go to FroYo? Is there a way to make all those details static so they can be carried forward to a non-Sense ROM?
Hope this isn't extremely off-topic!
Yeah, you do sacrifice a lot of useful functionality moving away from Sense to a froyo rom, including the way it mingles all of your contacts together. It's a personal preference really but I prefer the mail app, HTC browser and photos app in Sense to Android 2.2, the mail app is actually far superior as you can use contacts from any of your accounts and the corporate address book when you cmopose a new message.
Not wanting to start rom wars here but I think Pays roms are the best - they include a lot of nice features like automatic ad blocking, I've tried pretty much everything on this board and I always end up going back.
As for rooting, it is necessary when HTC have given us such a pathetic amount of phone storage, I ran out after a week and only had about 20 apps installed. Rooting was necessary so that I could install apps to the sd card and use my phone without having to constantly do housekeeping in my market downloads.
Hey carrige, I just rooted 2 days ago, and I can say that I am seeing a lot of difference in speed and quality, compared to the stock ROM. Yeah I too miss the HTC contacts widget, since it used to sync every contact detail together, and liked a lot how the images on facebook were ported to my phone contacts. However I found something similiar to that, it only ports the photos though, and not the info.
As regards to ROMS, I only tried DeFrost and Mondaco's and I can tell you they are pretty amazing!
carrige said:
Wow pretty much same here! I rooted for the first time yesterday, but didn't go over as straight forward as I would've hoped. First I tried the Linux method which didn't work - apparently I need a goldcard even though my phone's unlocked and unbranded. Then it took forever to get the ADB interface to recognize the phone - major problems with Win7 x64 at first. Finally got that right though (after several hours). From then on it was quite smooth.
I installed PaY's BraveSoul ROM and quite love it
I want to try out FroYo, but there's one thing stopping me. It's kind of a small thing, but maybe one of you can shed some light? Here goes:
So, I like Sense. Quite a bit. But I'm willing to go to vanilla Android if there is a way to keep my contact information built up properly. i.e. right now, my contacts are merged with Facebook/Sense which gives birthdays, profile pictures, email addresses etc. all under one unified contact - will I lose that if I go to FroYo? Is there a way to make all those details static so they can be carried forward to a non-Sense ROM?
Hope this isn't extremely off-topic!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I'm still on the fence. My phone runs very smooth, does almost everything I need, the only reason to root would be aps2sd but I think I can wait for the official Froyo+Sense update that should come any day now [sarcasm].
Of course, I haven't tried any of the custom ROMs, so, what am I missing? What would be the 3 most amazing things that you could say about the current rom you're using?
carrige said:
Hope this isn't extremely off-topic!
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Click to collapse
Not at all, I dont do off topic.
3 things:
1- The ability to perform a FULL backup to SD that can be reinstated in about 2-3 mins on a good day.
2- Being able to do small customisations like using the rotary lockscreen or the circular battery icon (which trust me is effing kool!).
3- I've had a go on Froyo (gone back to 2.1 for the time being for stability) and in 6 months I'm sure I'll get a go on Gingerbread.
4- A2SD+ means I will never run out of space, not only this I can further customise the ROM with ADB and remove **** I really dont need like 'stocks', 'peep' & 'Friendstream' (I ****ing hate twitter with a passion).
5- You can stick 5 up your arse.
Since rooting my phone has felt complete (even tho I've flashed it about 100 times in the past 23 hours), stable.. more unique, solid, cool, better.
I remember when I had my PSP and I butchered my only battery to make a pandora and got the m33 custom firmware on it. This is the same thing.
It makes the boundries clearer about who the device belongs to.. I'll give you a clue... it's MINE.
"Those who dare Rodney, Those who dare...!"
oursoul said:
1- The ability to perform a FULL backup to SD that can be reinstated in about 2-3 mins on a good day.
2- Being able to do small customisations like using the rotary lockscreen or the circular battery icon (which trust me is effing kool!).
3- I've had a go on Froyo (gone back to 2.1 for the time being for stability) and in 6 months I'm sure I'll get a go on Gingerbread.
4- A2SD+ means I will never run out of space, not only this I can further customise the ROM with ADB and remove **** I really dont need like 'stocks', 'peep' & 'Friendstream' (I ****ing hate twitter with a passion).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmmm ... so let me summarize:
[BACKGROUD: I had a G1 and flashed it countless times, I know how the game goes]
1. why would you need that on a rock solid device? Backups areonly needed if you feel unsecure, if you flash it over and over again, so you can go back if something goes wrong.
2. OK, I get it, but this one is soooo small, it's not worth counting. Not worth the risk (don't tell me it's risk free because it NEVER is)
3. so you don't even get the benefits of Froyo but you (maybe) lose Sense. I for one love Sense.
4. OK, that is ONE. (I already stated thiswould bea reason).
So, bottom line, you are saying CUSTOMIZATION. Hmmm, not worth the risk IMHO.
P.S. I'm not trying to play smart, I'm doing this for the sake of arguments / counterarguments.
P.P.S. If you feel we are going off-topic here please say and I will start a new thread.
There's no such things as offtopic on an oursoul thread okay.
1- True say, cos obviously if you've rooted you're gonna try some crazy **** sometimes, its just good to know that with the Recovery patched you will never completely **** it up. And the backup just means that when you've made that perfect setup you can freeze it in case you have to replace your handset or unroot for any reason. Means you can Test a new ROM and if you dont like you can recover in minutes to your happyROM.
2- Come on mate, its ****ing cool.. I hate the Sense lockscreen, its bollocks.. I like the rotary one personally .. round and round hehe. This point was more than that, its about pure customisation.
4- Yeah you mentioned that but I added the fact that you can also delete **** you dont need, very good imo.
3- I said test Froyo, I'm not interested in keeping it cos I love sense too.. I might have kept Froyo if the N1 camera app wasn't so shoddy. I already miss my c905 camera quality. I love how on the MoDaCo rom you can move the homescreens about in 'helicopter' view
PS dont worry about it bruv, you're safe with me..
It really isn't that hard to root as long as you follow the instructions on the top of the Dev page here.
I had to have my goldcard in to root, but it was easy.. then applying the UnrEVOked Recovery patch was just the icing on the cake.
Point I wanna make now, is my phone is now better than yours pascanu
oursoul said:
4- Yeah you mentioned that but I added the fact that you can also delete **** you dont need, very good imo.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Missed that one, very true, I agree with you, I hate a lot of those apps too.
oursoul said:
It really isn't that hard to root as long as you follow the instructions on the top of the Dev page here.
I had to have my goldcard in to root, but it was easy.. then applying the UnrEVOked Recovery patch was just the icing on the cake.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, yeah, I know. Still, I don't feel like going through the "pain" if my phone performs SO well. The G1 was a completely different story, it needed to be rooted to make it a true Android phone. When I got my Desire I was (and still am!) blown away by the speed and all those things it could do right out of the box. I don't know, maybe I'm just getting old, but at some point I'm wondering if I'm actually using the phone or just trying to make it do things.
oursoul said:
Point I wanna make now, is my phone is now better than yours pascanu
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh NO, it's not! Mine is better for a lot of reasons! Want one? BECAUSE IT'S SITTING RIGHT NEXT TO ME.
BACK ON TOPIC (beware, I changed the topic now):
You still haven't convinced me. Anybody else would like to take a shot here?!
P.S. I'm surprised Market Enabler didn't show up as a reason to root. Maybe you are all Brits or whatever but for a lot of us Market only offers free stuff. But I decided it's not a reason to root since I can find everything I need on the "dark side". Sorry developers, I know it's not your fault but it's not mine either. If Google enables payed apps for Romania I will start buying again. Until then I'm a pirate!
I've got to admit, as someone that constantly flashed roms to my HTC Magic, I was very happy on the stock desire rom aside from the running out of storage issue. HTC did a good job. If the phone had enough storage I would still be running the stock rom now. I don't see any real reason to root other than the lack of phone storage. Froyo roms still don't work properly anyway - for me they ALL have an echo on the line. I would stay with stock if you are happy, don't crumble under the peer pressure!!

[Q]Why "root" your phone ?

Hi, everyone.
I am fairly new on the forum. I keep reading about "rooting" your phone. I have a Samsung Galaxy SII T989 and my questions are:
1. What is "phone rooting" ?
2. What are the advantages of having your phone "rooted" ?
Thank you.
I'm *hoping* this is a joke, but if it isn't, here's a good place to start:
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=why+root+your+phone
unclespoon said:
I'm *hoping* this is a job, but if it isn't, here's a good place to start:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow that's pretty awesome, would have never thought about that ha ha ha
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium
Yes... It is a job to think: Why would you risk to unstable your phone by "root" it?
I see that:
- people are removing the wrong apps that negatively affect their phones (e.q. a ccounts and sync).
- people's phone are missing other thinks they used to like (bars, the small flashing blue light when you scroll to the top and to the bottom of the screen).
- the pletoria of apps for rooted phone are not that great...
- the advantage you get is that you only free up some internal space?
I have no issues with my phone rooted. I am on a stock T-Mobile ROM and froze all the bloatware. You can get rids of ads in apps when rooted which is pretty damn convenient for me. Do research on what is safe to freeze and you wont have any problems. Freezing is more safe than uninstalling...
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium
The reason is you then have 100% control over your system. If you know what you're doing, having root can be a very powerful tool. You can greatly speed up the phone, free up ram, theme things, it gives you total control.
Now this is a double edged sword too. All the horror stories you're hearing about root are by people who don't have the faintest idea what they're doing and are breaking things.
Think of it in terms of computers. On linux, having root is, well, having root. You have full access to the system. On windows, (vista and above mainly) it's like having an administrator account with UAC turned off. In the right hands, this is very very nice. In the wrong hands, it can cause problems.
If you don't see the benefit of rooting, then I'd highly suggest you do not do so. These devices are not windows boxes where you screw up and "oh well, guess it's time to bust out the windows cd and do a re-install. I'd also suggest perhaps looking through the market at things that require root, and the benefits they give you. (Titanium backup, for instance. Or tethering when your provider doesn't want you to.)
Sui Generis said:
Yes... It is a job to think: Why would you risk to unstable your phone by "root" it?
I see that:
- people are removing the wrong apps that negatively affect their phones (e.q. a ccounts and sync).
- people's phone are missing other thinks they used to like (bars, the small flashing blue light when you scroll to the top and to the bottom of the screen).
- the pletoria of apps for rooted phone are not that great...
- the advantage you get is that you only free up some internal space?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Honestly if you don't want to root your phone do not root it. A lot of the problems you mention stem from people attempting to root and don't know what they are really doing. I am one of those people who are strictly against one click root methods. Because you literally don't need to read anything to understand what exactly are you doing.
If you know what you can do with a rooted phone things like
-Better battery life by manipulating the cpu cycles and governors.
-Change the entire look of the phone to look as if it a totally different os.
-Better performance overall of your phone
-Overall better experience than what the carrier give you.
I could name endless things about why rooting is better than what the stock gives you.
A lot of people I hear just say go to xda and root your phone. Which is very ignorant. Not everyone should root. If your phone is doing what it needs to do then leave it alone. My friends who have android phones ask me to root for them i tell them no root it themselves. With one click methods people make an xda account and blame the developer saying their rom sucks and is bad battery life where as the problems stem most of the time the user side.
I agree. I haven't rooted my SGS2 yet because the stock ROM, for me, seems to be serving its purpose very well. All my benchmark scores are within standard deviation of the OC kernels and now we've got wifi calling. I use ADW for a new UI and that suits me just fine. Yes, ICS will come from CM long before it does from the carriers, but I'm ok with that - even though I'll probably end up rooting and installing ICS once it's stable. My previous Android phones were rooted within days of purchase, and yes I would like to remove bloat, but with all the internal storage and my 32gb sd card I think I'll be a happy camper. It would be nice to know carrier IQ was gone, though...
rooting = control
no root = no control over settings
they don't let you root by default to prevent noobs from damaging their phone by changing some settings they should have not touched
when i rooted my phone and got beastmod 4.0 with flaux kernal my battery life increased like 50x than stock x.x
Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk
I personally don't think I'll be rooting (at least not while the phone's still new). I'm happy with the level of customization on the stock.
One question though. So basically, when rooted, you are "logged in" to your phone as root user? Are there any security risks with this?
Killbynature said:
Honestly if you don't want to root your phone do not root it. A lot of the problems you mention stem from people attempting to root and don't know what they are really doing. I am one of those people who are strictly against one click root methods. Because you literally don't need to read anything to understand what exactly are you doing.
If you know what you can do with a rooted phone things like
-Better battery life by manipulating the cpu cycles and governors.
-Change the entire look of the phone to look as if it a totally different os.
-Better performance overall of your phone
-Overall better experience than what the carrier give you.
I could name endless things about why rooting is better than what the stock gives you.
A lot of people I hear just say go to xda and root your phone. Which is very ignorant. Not everyone should root. If your phone is doing what it needs to do then leave it alone. My friends who have android phones ask me to root for them i tell them no root it themselves. With one click methods people make an xda account and blame the developer saying their rom sucks and is bad battery life where as the problems stem most of the time the user side.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agree entirely, back on the ns forums I was constantly advising people against one click.
Sent from my Hercules with xda Premium.
eMace said:
I personally don't think I'll be rooting (at least not while the phone's still new). I'm happy with the level of customization on the stock.
One question though. So basically, when rooted, you are "logged in" to your phone as root user? Are there any security risks with this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only if you use bad apps. Its just like on any other os: if you're the administrator you have to be twice as careful wity what you install
Sent from my Hercules with xda Premium.
Rooting your phone is like getting under the hood of your car.
If you have never worked on a car, it would not be wise to just start pulling out plugs/wires, moving things around and installing enhancements as you would probably ruin your car and end up paying a mechanic to fix it.
However, if you take the time to read up on any changes before you make them, then you could end up with a turbo-boosted hot rod with a custom Chrome setup that not only looks better but performs like a champ.
www.youtube.com/themrroxtar noob tutorials and rom reviews. Check it out. Plus everyone can find how to win a free Hercules at the end of this month!
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium
for me, rooting is mainly removing bloatware.
just like when you buy a new laptop, they install a lot of crap and it slow your computer down.
rooting can remove bloatware and also give you more speed, but you might lose the upgrading from the OTA(official t mobile update) and need to check update in here.
but if you are ok with the performance that you can on your phone now, stay with it.
It's all about the flash (yeah, bahby!) The custom ROM's can't be flashed without root: Forget about deleting/freezing unwanted applications and find a developers ROM you like - experiment a bit and have some fun with the phone.
As well, applications that require root - quick boot and appinstaller, are a must for me, making root mandatory for my phoning pleasure.
I had an HD2 before, and while there's greater variety in the ROM's, set-up to root is a biach on the HTC devices, so we can thank our lucky stars Samsung makes this easier (prolly not on purpose, though )
TheMrRoxtar said:
www.youtube.com/themrroxtar noob tutorials and rom reviews. Check it out. Plus everyone can find how to win a free Hercules at the end of this month!
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What's up man...wheelerhomes from YouTube.
Enjoying my rooted sg2! Have to agree with some comments ...understand what you're doing or don't do it. I learned just enough to be dangerous! But am picking up more and more as I read. I do wish the tutorials went a little more into WHY you're doing this or that vs just saying do this. It confusing to grasp what rooting is but when start downloading Odin, loading superuser, clockwork mod recovery, titanium, etc its REALLY overwhelming not knowing what each step does.
I certainly did not need to root. But like all these phones, it started out nice and snappy and within a week it was glitching like my old vibrant ...all kinds of stupid crap running in the background. Rooting was stressful because I didn't know exactly why I was doing these different steps!! Once I did it I was stoked at how fast my phone was. Just flashed wifi stock rom today that whitehawkx put up and I'm already missing my Juggernaut! But wifi calling/texting is slick for my location!
OK,
- better battery life can serve me better...
- being able to install other apps (such call recorder) can also be beneficial...
The problem is that I come from the Windows side rather than the Linux or Apple so I do not excel into this so I am afraid not to brick the phone.
Having said that, it would be VERY, VERY, VERY nice of you (or everyone else with a very rooted stable phone) to post clear and "for dummies" instructions on how to:
1. root your phone
2. install customed rom (beastmod, juggernaut or odin, etc - upon your recommendation).
Many thanks in advance !
eMace said:
I personally don't think I'll be rooting (at least not while the phone's still new).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Installed clockwork mod recovery on the first boot while the phone was still in the plastic wrap. Rooted via superoneclick on the 2nd boot ONLY because you have to reboot after flashing clockwork mod.
The process is easy if you read the instructions.
Sent from my Hercules using XDA App

[Q] Is there a genuine, legitimate reason to root

I've had my E4GT for about 2 or 3 weeks now, I received the OTA update to FI27 last week, and overall I'm pretty happy with it (I was happy before the update though, but to be honest because I only had the phone a few days I haven't noticed a difference ).
I rooted my last phone, which was a Virgin Mobile LG Optimus V, but that was because Virgin loaded it with a bunch of bloatware and there was a very good ROM that removed all of it, improved battery life, etc etc.
But with this phone, I don't find I have any issues with battery life, I have plenty of space on my phone with way more apps installed than I had on the Optimus, it runs smoothly, and the only complaint I have is that my LED notification light isn't working correctly, which I know can be fixed with an app.
So, to all the people that have rooted and know what else this phone can do, is there a good reason other than "you can install lots of different custom roms" that I should root my phone? What else will I be able to do with it? What benefits will I see? Installing different ROMs doesn't mean much to me. Even though I did that on my old phone, there was a real reason to do it: I could install more than 4 apps on it (and I kept that same ROM on it the entire time). I don't have that issue with this phone, so why should I?
Thanks
I personally consider customization, removing bloatware, and tweaking to your own liking genuine and legitimate reasons. You also have Ad blocking & WiFi tether though.
You shouldn't if you are happy with it.
I rooted for those reasons..
-Tired of stock look. Install new roms.
-Use apps needing root like titaniun backup.
-Get rid of stock apps.
I didnt root for almost 2 months. I was eager to try ics leaks before ota so I eventually rooted.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda app-developers app
someguyatx said:
I personally consider customization, removing bloatware, and tweaking to your own liking genuine and legitimate reasons. You also have Ad blocking & WiFi tether though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well this is what I don't really understand. What sort of customization and tweaking can be done to the phone? What are the effects of it?
BluesRulez said:
You shouldn't if you are happy with it.
I rooted for those reasons..
-Tired of stock look. Install new roms.
-Use apps needing root like titaniun backup.
-Get rid of stock apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't you really only need Titanium Backup if you are gonna be rooting though? The bloatware I can deal with as the phone hasn't (yet) told me that I don't have enough space to stop me from installing new apps.
mewikime said:
I've had my E4GT for about 2 or 3 weeks now, I received the OTA update to FI27 last week, and overall I'm pretty happy with it (I was happy before the update though, but to be honest because I only had the phone a few days I haven't noticed a difference ).
I rooted my last phone, which was a Virgin Mobile LG Optimus V, but that was because Virgin loaded it with a bunch of bloatware and there was a very good ROM that removed all of it, improved battery life, etc etc.
But with this phone, I don't find I have any issues with battery life, I have plenty of space on my phone with way more apps installed than I had on the Optimus, it runs smoothly, and the only complaint I have is that my LED notification light isn't working correctly, which I know can be fixed with an app.
So, to all the people that have rooted and know what else this phone can do, is there a good reason other than "you can install lots of different custom roms" that I should root my phone? What else will I be able to do with it? What benefits will I see? Installing different ROMs doesn't mean much to me. Even though I did that on my old phone, there was a real reason to do it: I could install more than 4 apps on it (and I kept that same ROM on it the entire time). I don't have that issue with this phone, so why should I?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no reason for you to root. You are happy that's good.
XDA's 4,697,117+ Members are just nuts. We're unhappy with our stuff and insist on making it less useful to us.
Nothing to see here....
Seriously if you need to ask and don't want to investigate for yourself then rooting and certainly these forums are not for you.
I root because
- Hate Touchwiz look
- Customization
- Themes
- Battery Saving options
- AOSP (AOKP)
- JELLYBEAN
- Better reception and data
You may be happy with bloat. I do not want battery resources going to apps I will never open. I like battery life. I like optimization. I like customization. If you don't see a need then don't do it. But if your phone ever drowns don't complain that you lost all your game data or texts and stuff. With titanium backup I can even set a schedule to back up those items for me at whatever time to my sd card. So if my phone drowns I pop my as card into my new phone and its all there. Also make nandroids when I receive my replacement its like my phone never died. Its all exactly how I had it.
sent from my BAD A$$ Epic touch
I run stock 90% of the time.
My main reason to root at least after FF18
-Tethering
-Tethering nothing more
I said after FF18 because on Gingerbread there's no need to root for tethering thanks to FoxFi but since ICS, Sprint block it and they are working on a new version for ICS when they found a way again I'm back to Stock.
Do what you want!
That is what is most important.
If there was any legitimate reason, it would be because you want to.
Otherwise you are just following what someone else says. Of course, there are very good reasons for both. The one thing I am told a lot by people on the other end of the phone conversation consistently, is that there seems to be feedback and they hear themselves a lot(- since I started Modding). What do I care, I hear everyone just fine. But I do care. I use my phone for work a lot. NOW, someone else is going to post after this that you can play with modems and what not to clear this up... which is true. And also you can reflash and do this & do that. What if the person using the phone just wants simplicity.... stay stock! Do not pass go. It takes tweeking, fine adjustments, research and ROM updates(The almighty Search box on XDA is awesome) and time to figure some of this stuff out. And ALSO it doesn't hurt to have an interest in android, Apps, ROMs and so on and so on.
Sometimes either the manufacturer or the carrier sends out updates that just don't work well. I like having the ability to keep it working properly, not working the way Sprint thinks is best for me.
You have only had your phone for a month. I have had mine for about a year, and others here have had it longer. If you are trying to convince us not to root, you should spend your time on the Sprint message boards instead of here.
Your happy that's what matters. Your choice
Sent from my HTCEVOV4G using Xparent SkyBlue Tapatalk 2
It comes down to personal choice. Android is customizable right out of the box. It is even more so once you root and get under the hood.
Agreed with all that say it's your choice. Also your habits are very important. One of the reasons why I love Android is that I can literally change my software whenever I want. I was running AOKP 2 days ago, M'ICS the day after. Now today I'm on stock rooted FI27.
Honestly though, this phone is really good out of the box. I had the LG Optimus V for over a year as well, and the only way to get that phone to perform was to root it and put a custom ROM on it. It was actually a great phone for being low end. I had said that when I upgraded to this phone that I wouldn't root it, but that didn't last long. Really though, you can easily get the performance you're looking for on this phone without rooting it.
I rooted for UV/OC ability.
And I really didn't like touchwiz, but I accidentally found that it comes stock with both the ICS launcher and TW launchers, so that was a plus.
I'm on a stock rom running agat's source 6.5 kernel. Runs great. Only thing better would be if I could find an optimized stock rom (much like Sprint Lovers on the OG Evo 4G.)
I'm rooted because I like to tell my devices what to do.
I guess rooting might make more sense if you've ever been an administrator or if you've ever ran any Linux machine.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium
Tethering and titanium backup. There is no way to truly backup data without root and on something as accident prone as a smartphone that's a necessity.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2
mewikime said:
Don't you really only need Titanium Backup if you are gonna be rooting though? The bloatware I can deal with as the phone hasn't (yet) told me that I don't have enough space to stop me from installing new apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can't reliably backup say your angry bird progress without TiBu or the like and being rooted. Sure for this specific series of apps there have been applications made to back up the save progress but they have proven often at times to be unreliable.
Maybe your favorite app gets pulled from the market, lets say flash. Too bad you didn't back up the APK. Of course for flash you can download the apk from adobe still so not a great example but you get the idea.
But overall something like Titanium Backup comes in handy if you ever need to format the phone. Like say the OTA to ICS, problems for unrooted users were easily solved by a factory reset (except for that brick bug triggered by factory reset...). Nice to be able to restore all your user apps with all their settings and save data.
I rooted so I could use a PS3 controller back on gingerbread. As time goes on many things that required root like taking screenshots have become officially available in Android or OEM firmware. Question is you want to be able to do completely normal and reasonable things up to a couple years ahead of Google catching up? Surely if someone locked down your windows PC so you couldn't do things you take for granted you would wish for root access.
I waited about 5 months before I finally rooted my phone. My old phone was rooted and I liked CM7 and MIUI but with stock ICS on this phone I was getting amazing battery life and I was using GO Launcher and it looked great. The only thing I hated was the black status bar and it could only be changed if it was rooted.
There are a lot of roms for our phone but I really missed the CM7 rom I had on the old optimus S. It supported status bar transparency and I could change the color of the status bar and status bar text. It looks like no rom for our phone has that feature. Right now I'm on MIUI which has a great looking UI but battery life isn't nearly as good as the unrooted FH13. I get the best battery life with CM9 which is still a lot less than before when it wasn't rooted. My phone used to last around 60 hours with very light use and now I could only get around 48 hours with CM9 and maybe 30 hours with MIUI. But I'm still happy with it since I get tons of beautiful themes and new features and I like to try new roms and it keeps me busy lol.
Rooting allows you to have full control of the device whether its software or hardware. I agree that this phone is just fine stock. It just works and its fast.
Reasons why I'm rooted
Titanium backup, roam control, extended toggles, root explorer to push custom themed apps to /system/app. When rooted you can do almost anything with your phone that comes to your mind. There's a pic of the super super handy extended toggles that I can't live with out.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda app-developers app
leaderbuilder said:
There is no reason for you to root. You are happy that's good.
XDA's 4,697,117+ Members are just nuts. We're unhappy with our stuff and insist on making it less useful to us.
Nothing to see here....
Seriously if you need to ask and don't want to investigate for yourself then rooting and certainly these forums are not for you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
byrdcfmma said:
You have only had your phone for a month. I have had mine for about a year, and others here have had it longer. If you are trying to convince us not to root, you should spend your time on the Sprint message boards instead of here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wasn't trying to imply that anyone who has rooted this phone is nuts, you shouldn't have done it, and that it's less useful. I was asking what are some specific advantages to rooting, how does rooting make it more useful, as at the moment I have had no issues with the operation of the phone, but I don't know the full extent of what it can do when rooted, and I thought that these forums would be the place to get such answers from experienced rooted users who have had their phones for a year and know more than I do. I should have worded my initial question differently to explain that better.
hrffd said:
I root because
- Better reception and data
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is interesting to know. At home I get 1 bar of reception if I'm lucky, dropped calls, and no 3G data. I had to ask Sprint for an Airave. When I leave my street but am still in the general neighbourhood I get no service again. Is reception improved by root-only apps or certain ROMs?
patrao_n said:
You may be happy with bloat. I do not want battery resources going to apps I will never open. ... But if your phone ever drowns don't complain that you lost all your game data or texts and stuff. With titanium backup I can even set a schedule to back up those items for me at whatever time to my sd card. So if my phone drowns I pop my as card into my new phone and its all there. Also make nandroids when I receive my replacement its like my phone never died. Its all exactly how I had it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for telling me that. It's not that I'm happy with them, I just haven't yet had my phone tell me I can't install a new app. When that happens no doubt I wouldn't be pleased. I assumed that because I hadn't opened the bloatware apps that they weren't using battery resources so it's good to know that they do, and that this is a good reason for rooting and removing them. Your reasons for using Titanium backup were something I hadn't thought of as well.
Omar04 said:
I run stock 90% of the time.
My main reason to root at least after FF18
-Tethering
-Tethering nothing more
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Again, good to know. As I said, I've had the phone a couple of weeks and only now with a lower workload have I really had time to sit and contemplate what to do with my phone, and look into what it does and what it can do. I have the paid EasyTether app but I haven't used it on this phone yet. I also saw that it comes preloaded with Sprint Hotspot app.. I take it then that EasyTether won't work on this phone with current stock setup?
mjs2011 said:
Agreed with all that say it's your choice. Also your habits are very important. One of the reasons why I love Android is that I can literally change my software whenever I want. I was running AOKP 2 days ago, M'ICS the day after. Now today I'm on stock rooted FI27.
Honestly though, this phone is really good out of the box. I had the LG Optimus V for over a year as well, and the only way to get that phone to perform was to root it and put a custom ROM on it. It was actually a great phone for being low end. I had said that when I upgraded to this phone that I wouldn't root it, but that didn't last long. Really though, you can easily get the performance you're looking for on this phone without rooting it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think if I did root, I'd do what I did with the OV and stick with the same ROM for a good time. Again, not to insult those that do (see above reply), but I don't think I'd have the balls to run different roms on a daily basis in fear of bricking it and also because once I've found something I'm happy with I'm usually okay not to look any further!
Mattix724 said:
I'm rooted because I like to tell my devices what to do.
I guess rooting might make more sense if you've ever been an administrator or if you've ever ran any Linux machine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, no. No Linux experience here except for a tiny bit of stuff on my seedbox, installing 7zip and using Putty to unzip iso's and stuff.
I'm going to spend the next couple of days reading the various forums, looking at what ROMs are available, what they do, etc etc, checking out what apps that require root access I'm missing out on.. one has piqued my interest already: Root Call Blocker. But I use my phone to make calls, make texts, check emails, surf the web a bit, and let the kids play a few games on it. So this is why I was wondering if there were any other benefits for me to do this.

New to Sprint & L900. What's the 411?

Okay, so I've been on Tmobile since taking the dive into the wonderful world of Android. I had the S2 for a few months and thdn after becoming infatuated I went out and got me an S3. Recently I decided to move on to Sprint as the coverage I received at work was, well, nonexistent. So, I am completely new to CDMA and my beautiful new Note 2, and after reading through the forums I've discovered that I am bout back to square one. Well, maybe not entirely, but definitely been knocked back quite a bit. Which when considering I've only been involved in the xda community for about 9 months pretty much leaves me with the feeling that I'm stuck in Paris with no map and no translator. So, I was hoping I could reach out to the wise and informed members of xda and ask a broad, but simple, question. What do I need to know so I don't F up my new mistress? I'm not asking for a tutorial on rooting or flashing, nothing generic. Just some helpful specifics. I saw somewhere that they were talking about resetting Wallet before flashing a new ROM or else it may be blocked on the phone, I guess, forever. I'm also unfamiliar with the modems and the updates yall have gotten. Etc, etc. And as I said, not looking for another, what is the benefit of rooting, what is CWM and TWRP, can I get rid of all the darned Sprint apps baloney. I was just hoping to basically just kinda do a crash course intro, a CDMA and/or L900 101 kinda thing so to speak. Any info you can offer up would be greatly appreciated!
Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk 2
Psychotic-Cerebellum said:
Okay, so I've been on Tmobile since taking the dive into the wonderful world of Android. I had the S2 for a few months and thdn after becoming infatuated I went out and got me an S3. Recently I decided to move on to Sprint as the coverage I received at work was, well, nonexistent. So, I am completely new to CDMA and my beautiful new Note 2, and after reading through the forums I've discovered that I am bout back to square one. Well, maybe not entirely, but definitely been knocked back quite a bit. Which when considering I've only been involved in the xda community for about 9 months pretty much leaves me with the feeling that I'm stuck in Paris with no map and no translator. So, I was hoping I could reach out to the wise and informed members of xda and ask a broad, but simple, question. What do I need to know so I don't F up my new mistress? I'm not asking for a tutorial on rooting or flashing, nothing generic. Just some helpful specifics. I saw somewhere that they were talking about resetting Wallet before flashing a new ROM or else it may be blocked on the phone, I guess, forever. I'm also unfamiliar with the modems and the updates yall have gotten. Etc, etc. And as I said, not looking for another, what is the benefit of rooting, what is CWM and TWRP, can I get rid of all the darned Sprint apps baloney. I was just hoping to basically just kinda do a crash course intro, a CDMA and/or L900 101 kinda thing so to speak. Any info you can offer up would be greatly appreciated!
Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The worst part about the android community, unfortunately, is the fragmentation of general knowledge. The rooting process for a Nexus is probably identical to a Note 2 but the names of everything and builds and versions are all different, so you have to learn new 'words' like it is a new language. Fortunately you have a great community so you just have to learn how to search for things. Check the general section for android development I think there is a sticky that has a glossory of terms that explains all the acronyms.
I've had mine for 3 months but I would still welcome a crash course as well.
Well I prefer twrp as my custom recovery. Depending on your firmware version you can root without your phone ever going to download mode. I did. I used exynos abuse to get root. Then used mobile odin to flash a new rom. Always reset google wallet if you are reseting or flashing a new rom. Its tempermental. I would stay around only the sprint veraion for now. There is a way to use roms from other note 2 variants. I believe its in the dev section. Recovery is standalone. So swirching roms doesnt change it. You cannot talk on the phone and be on the internet at the same time unless you are using wifi or 4glte. If you like to draw or doodle there is sketchbook mobile which is awesome. Btw ma7 is the most current firmware that I know of. Also you can sideload the google wallet apk with no extra work to get it working. Goodluck and read alot.
Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk 2
Psychotic-Cerebellum said:
what is the benefit of rooting
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need root to do most modifications to your phone. I find that I need root for everyday stuff too (Titanium backup, Stweaks, Root app delete, etc).
Psychotic-Cerebellum said:
what is CWM and TWRP
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ClockWork Mod and TeamWin Recovery Project. Both have custom recovery pieces. I personally had some troubles with CWM on this phone and just use Odin now. I head TWRP works better than CWM on the Note 2, but Odin is the Tool Samsung suggests. Note that TWRP is MUCH more feature-rich than Odin. You might choose TWRP (or CWM) if you wanted to flash stuff from your SD card rather than from your PC- good for jumping around between kernels on the fly, for example.
Odin and the other two are all ways to flash stuff to your phone. That's all Odin does; the other two have lots more features.
Psychotic-Cerebellum said:
can I get rid of all the darned Sprint apps baloney
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Heck yeah! Simplest way is to root it and uninstall everything you don't like (Root App Delete from the Play Store seems to work pretty well; be sure you have a backup before you start blowing stuff away).
If you'd like to take it a step further, get a custom ROM that's been debloated; they normally require a full wipe, so bye bye sprint stuff. (Again, root it and back it up first!)
tpeef said:
You need root to do most modifications to your phone. I find that I need root for everyday stuff too (Titanium backup, Stweaks, Root app delete, etc).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I appreciate you taking the time to go through all that, but I think maybe I didn't explain too well what I was trying to get. I wasn't asking for the general info, just things specific to CDMA and the L900. Like what was replying about. Not trying to be a jerk, but I know there's already a thousand threads on recoverys, ROMs, and rooting. Just didn't wanna do anything to my phone that would be irreversible (i.e. The resetting Google Wallet thing) or something that would cause signal issues (I read stuff on flashing certain ROMs on certain modems may create issues). Stuff like that. Like I said though appreciate the time you took, and any info you may have like that would certainly be appreciated.
Sent from my cellular telephone
Oh I forgot. If you are on ljc expect to not go back to it if you update to ma7. For some reason lots of people have had trouble going back. It would cause slot of problems. Ma7 is just fine for me though. Great battery life and what not. I would say do the update. If you are going custom rom and are currently unrooted just do the ota. Or there is a firmware file around here to flash. I updated firmware before going to ma7. Although I was already rooted using exynos abuse. Ma7 eliminates the exploit. So be prepared to do that before going to ma7. If there is anything I am missing that you still need answers to or don't understand just ask. Its also a good habit to update profile and prl when switching roms or modems.
Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk 2
patrao_n said:
...If you are going custom rom and are currently unrooted just do the ota. Or there is a firmware file around here to flash. I updated firmware before going to ma7. Although I was already rooted using exynos abuse. Ma7 eliminates the exploit. So be prepared to do that before going to ma7...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I picked up something along those lines from reading around. It took all of 15 minutes out of the box before I got all rooted with new ROMs being flashed after playing around on stock just to get a baseline with all the ROM hoping that was sure to follow. Needless to say I didn't read up on anything modem wise before doing all this as I, admittedly, jumped the gun a little (I was just so excited to have a whole new community with new dev teams and all these foreign ROMs to explore). I used Max's trusty galaxynote2root site to root (love that guy). And used the GalaxyNote2RootSprint.zip to obtain root. Then, went straight into the original development section and immediately flashed the absolutely amazing Liquid Smooth. Now I should say, I did receive a message saying the was an update to the phone through sprint and I did proceed with the OTA while dling the zip and giving root instructions a quick once over. So, I'm guessing that took care of going to ma7 for me? Cuz I'm definitely using the ma7 modem. Now I did leave my beloved aosp as I did want to see if I would actually use all the S pen features that aosp sadly doesn't offer us. I jumped around from Whapasaurous to Venom Ice a d finally to Macks All Star, but I'm assuming that unless it's totally different from GSM that flashing a new ROM has no effect on your modem (but by all means correct me if I'm wrong). So just wanna make sure I went about things the right way here.
P. S. I did use the zip to revert the sd cards file format when returning from aosp so I didn't have to deal with all that "0" and "legacy" nonsense.
Thanks again!
Sent from my Window to the World
P.P.S. I don't really seem to have any data issues so I'm guessing all is well, but I am having an issue where my wifi keeps turning itself on, like multiple times a day. I thought at first I may have been accidently hitting it, but upon further review, nope, not me. Sounds more like a ROM issue to me though, but as it seems like it may pertain I figured I'd bring it up
Sent from my diminishing marginal utility
Psychotic-Cerebellum said:
Okay, so I've been on Tmobile since taking the dive into the wonderful world of Android. I had the S2 for a few months and thdn after becoming infatuated I went out and got me an S3. Recently I decided to move on to Sprint as the coverage I received at work was, well, nonexistent. So, I am completely new to CDMA and my beautiful new Note 2, and after reading through the forums I've discovered that I am bout back to square one. Well, maybe not entirely, but definitely been knocked back quite a bit. Which when considering I've only been involved in the xda community for about 9 months pretty much leaves me with the feeling that I'm stuck in Paris with no map and no translator. So, I was hoping I could reach out to the wise and informed members of xda and ask a broad, but simple, question. What do I need to know so I don't F up my new mistress? I'm not asking for a tutorial on rooting or flashing, nothing generic. Just some helpful specifics. I saw somewhere that they were talking about resetting Wallet before flashing a new ROM or else it may be blocked on the phone, I guess, forever. I'm also unfamiliar with the modems and the updates yall have gotten. Etc, etc. And as I said, not looking for another, what is the benefit of rooting, what is CWM and TWRP, can I get rid of all the darned Sprint apps baloney. I was just hoping to basically just kinda do a crash course intro, a CDMA and/or L900 101 kinda thing so to speak. Any info you can offer up would be greatly appreciated!
Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you should have stayed with Tmobile and there 70 dollar unlimited because in a few months to a year you would have had lte and hspa+42 &21 as a fall back before you went to slow data. Im making the jump slowly but surely. My wife is getting the S4 on Tmobile and when the note3 comes out ill be going as well im sick of cdma amd the slow data when there is no LTE
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda app-developers app
Psychotic-Cerebellum said:
P.P.S. I don't really seem to have any data issues so I'm guessing all is well, but I am having an issue where my wifi keeps turning itself on, like multiple times a day. I thought at first I may have been accidently hitting it, but upon further review, nope, not me. Sounds more like a ROM issue to me though, but as it seems like it may pertain I figured I'd bring it up
Sent from my diminishing marginal utility
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sprint Connection Optimizer will do that
Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk 2
Psychotic-Cerebellum said:
P.P.S. I don't really seem to have any data issues so I'm guessing all is well, but I am having an issue where my wifi keeps turning itself on, like multiple times a day. I thought at first I may have been accidently hitting it, but upon further review, nope, not me. Sounds more like a ROM issue to me though, but as it seems like it may pertain I figured I'd bring it up
Sent from my diminishing marginal utility
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to turn off sprint connection optimizer in setting more settings I believe
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda app-developers app
budde2 said:
I think you should have stayed with Tmobile and there 70 dollar unlimited because in a few months to a year you would have had lte and hspa+42 &21 as a fall back before you went to slow data. Im making the jump slowly but surely. My wife is getting the S4 on Tmobile and when the note3 comes out ill be going as well im sick of cdma amd the slow data when there is no LTE
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I really only made the move due to the fact that T-mobile is the only service provider that gets absolutely no coverage inside my work, and, unfortunately, I work 12 hour days, 4-5 days a week. So, being as my contract was up, I didn't wanna sign up for 2 more years with lte "coming soon." I know you all with Sprint know how that has the possibility of turning out. Plus, just because they were getting lte doesn't mean I'm going to see any improvement at work. Now I'm getting consistent 3g inside work and I'm loving it. Actually typing this inside, infamously, the worst service area in the entire building and still getting an almost constant connection. Occasionally I am getting 4g, not often, but it's happened. Playing around with modems tonight though. Did end up trying LJC after being on MA7,no problems so far, actually seeing improvement. Thanks for the heads up on the Sprint Connection Optimizer, gonna check that out now. Super annoying, especially as I do work 12 hour shifts and with wifi turning randomly on, don't wanna look to see my battery down to nada. That's just the kinda info I was hoping to get here, thanks again!
Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk 2
Psychotic-Cerebellum said:
I really only made the move due to the fact that T-mobile is the only service provider that gets absolutely no coverage inside my work, and, unfortunately, I work 12 hour days, 4-5 days a week. So, being as my contract was up, I didn't wanna sign up for 2 more years with lte "coming soon." I know you all with Sprint know how that has the possibility of turning out. Plus, just because they were getting lte doesn't mean I'm going to see any improvement at work. Now I'm getting consistent 3g inside work and I'm loving it. Actually typing this inside, infamously, the worst service area in the entire building and still getting an almost constant connection. Occasionally I am getting 4g, not often, but it's happened. Playing around with modems tonight though. Did end up trying LJC after being on MA7,no problems so far, actually seeing improvement. Thanks for the heads up on the Sprint Connection Optimizer, gonna check that out now. Super annoying, especially as I do work 12 hour shifts and with wifi turning randomly on, don't wanna look to see my battery down to nada. That's just the kinda info I was hoping to get here, thanks again!
Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah the wifi thing Will kill your battery. Sprint is not as bad as everyone thinks and says I have great LTE in 90% of where I go. I'm thinking of going to T-Mobile because I'm sick of cdma devices we are always are considered last ro none over GSM. If sprint keeps up the good work with the LtE and 3g ill be saying. Glad you hot it figured out for rh the most part.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app

Why did I get another Android phone?

I was so excited to get a different phone. I had been contending with the insufferable Galaxy Note 2 for 9 months. I really believed that getting the LG Optimus G Pro would be great.
Now I come to find out that there is this locked bootloader? yes before you even start typing: I already know about Freegee. I put it on my phone, it did its work. I have CWM on my phone. I cannot install a different rom. It aborts every time.
And nobody here can help. Its not like you don't see my posts. You see them. You just see them and decide to go on to something more interesting figuring that someone else will help the poor guy.
Hey guess what. I took programming in college. Only one course in VB but I did take it. And I've put up several websites back in the day. ("back in the day is a United States colloquialism")
My point is, even though I have a bit of experience with computers (linux distros, html, visual basic) I still can't figure out the quagmire that is Android.
Once the iPhone 6 comes out, I really have no reason to stick with Android anymore. I mean, if rooting and rom-ing the phone is more boringly laborious than jailbreaking, then what is the point of Android?
For example, lets say I do clear the hurdle and then flash a rom so I can get decent sound? THEN my wifi won't work. Or Some other crucial functionality will be fubar-ed. Okay okay... you say you have a fix for that? Well when its all said and done, the time/energy costs just aren't worth it, now is it?
0 #!*! Given ?
That's interesting because I never took any classes and have never had a problem rooting or doing Roms on any android phone. Sorry your experience has been bad but my questions have always been answered by somebody in the related thread. I would try asking again in the ROM's thread to see what is happening.
Sent from my LG-E980 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
G pro is the note 2 killer...... Just follow instructions of any op to the T and you should be fine.... It's simple lol
2SHAYNEZ
I agree. I don't post often but I really do hate Apple. Android kicks Apple's you know what many times over. Talk about being locked down.... If I've ever had a problem with a Rom someone has always helped me figure it out. Sorry about your problems though.
sent from my lgog pro. I just had to go bigger.
@Perry2547,
If CWM doesn't work then try TWRP, even i had problems with CWM.either install it from freegee or install this
copy this to sd card and then flash it in CWM and reboot.
I believe the OP just wanted to start a thread...
So you all may ignore him
Thanks @sukesh.
I tried the twrp you linked to and now my phone will let me flash.
Unfortunately, Camera has stopped.
Close thread please.
2SHAYNEZ
I don't even remember how I rooted this phone... I know I found a thread that had comprehensive instructions, links, etc and believe it was as simple as downloading/extracting an executable file on my PC and plugging the phone into USB at the right moment. I've flashed CM, stock 4.4, Slim and always find my way back to stock 4.1.2, modded to my liking. If you can't flash something in a custom recovery, it's likely your phone is protecting you from failure to completely read/follow a prior mod or a prerequisite to the ROM/Mod you wish to flash.
Sent from my LG E980 via Tapatalk Pro (and stupid-fast LTE)
But seriously y'all, I'm just glad I have another two hours if battery life left. That means I will vhave to recharge this phone only 3 more times today.
Unfortunately, Camera has stopped.
I too just got new lg ogp phone. Been trying to customize it to my liking for the past 3 days and night. All I can say about android is it is not for everybody. Sure, you can use it as it is when you first get it as a stock device, and it will work as advertise. But there is a reason that you try modifing it regardless of breaking the manufacturer's warranty (yes, once you start rooting it, you violate the agreement.) You have personality of the kind that thinks you can fix anything by yourself. Nothing wrong with that, I'm in same personality group too, many Android owners are. After all, what is the point if you can't modify the phone to your liking? Might as well get an Iphone right? Sadly though, it seems the new android trend is just heading the way of iphone, where users have to be protected from harming themselves. I noticed all the difficulties when I tried to root this LG phone, as compared to the phone I had two years ago. But android users are a persistent lot, more securities mean inventing more ways to break them. If you have problem installing ROM, try cm11 nightly build, it works for me. Post the specific problems and situations. We should be able to help each other. After all, android owners are together in a special community where we can relate to each other because of ideas we have for our phones. My advice to you is make sure you have the newest recovery and you are properly rooted. I can't use the script method where you run a msdos batch file. Since atnt suppose locked the boot.img file or something. Had to use a program called root master.
Sent from my LG-E980 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Nobody gives a damn, get life!
Antigen said:
Nobody gives a damn, get life!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haha
2SHAYNEZ
hawkwind212 said:
I too just got new lg ogp phone. Been trying to customize it to my liking for the past 3 days and night. All I can say about android is it is not for everybody. Sure, you can use it as it is when you first get it as a stock device, and it will work as advertise. But there is a reason that you try modifing it regardless of breaking the manufacturer's warranty (yes, once you start rooting it, you violate the agreement.) You have personality of the kind that thinks you can fix anything by yourself. Nothing wrong with that, I'm in same personality group too, many Android owners are. After all, what is the point if you can't modify the phone to your liking? Might as well get an Iphone right? Sadly though, it seems the new android trend is just heading the way of iphone, where users have to be protected from harming themselves. I noticed all the difficulties when I tried to root this LG phone, as compared to the phone I had two years ago. But android users are a persistent lot, more securities mean inventing more ways to break them. If you have problem installing ROM, try cm11 nightly build, it works for me. Post the specific problems and situations. We should be able to help each other. After all, android owners are together in a special community where we can relate to each other because of ideas we have for our phones. My advice to you is make sure you have the newest recovery and you are properly rooted. I can't use the script method where you run a msdos batch file. Since atnt suppose locked the boot.img file or something. Had to use a program called root master.
Sent from my LG-E980 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly.
If android is going to be locked down, what is the point? With iPhone bringing in 3rd party keyboards and phablet size phones, might as well go with them instead of utilitarian design devices made by dictator led countries where creativity is frowned upon.
Unfortunately, Camera has stopped.
Perry2547 said:
Exactly.
If android is going to be locked down, what is the point? With iPhone bringing in 3rd party keyboards and phablet size phones, might as well go with them instead of utilitarian design devices made by dictator led countries where creativity is frowned upon.
Unfortunately, Camera has stopped.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh lawdy... Then go to iPhone buddy .. Lol see ya
2SHAYNEZ
But Apple has been implicated in planned obsolescence as well.
Does that matter to you?
To me, it makes me a bit upset that I could work on my vehicle twenty years ago, but now it's not possible. Planned obsolescence.
Make everything sweepstakes m disposable. Lock it down too. Keep every one buying the upgrades.
Unfortunately, Camera has stopped.
Are you still having problem installing the ROM? You have never tell us what kind of problems you ran into specifically. You just ventted your frustration here, nobody wants to hear that. If you want people to help, describe the issue. Go to this site and download the program vroot.
http://www.mobilepoint.us/2013/10/android-root-master-one-click-vroot.html#.U9XRXYfwJGo
The program is in Chinese, so you may want to watch youtube videos on the master root program first. Do a factory reset, clean wipe, run master root program, and hopefully you should be able to install the recovery. Once the recovery is properly installed, you can install the custom rom. Since there aren't many, I suggest you try cyanogenmod.
Sent from my LG-E980 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
hawkwind212 said:
Are you still having problem installing the ROM? You have never tell us what kind of problems you ran into specifically. You just ventted your frustration here, nobody wants to hear that. If you want people to help, describe the issue. Go to this site and download the program vroot.
http://www.mobilepoint.us/2013/10/android-root-master-one-click-vroot.html#.U9XRXYfwJGo
The program is in Chinese, so you may want to watch youtube videos on the master root program first. Do a factory reset, clean wipe, run master root program, and hopefully you should be able to install the recovery. Once the recovery is properly installed, you can install the custom rom. Since there aren't many, I suggest you try cyanogenmod.
Sent from my LG-E980 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got a ROM to install. I indicated so in the thread. It was the E988 rom on the E980 thread.
I do a lot of whining and complaining but its for the best.
I hope that the complaining I did about Samsung's crappy products has saved a few people from buying...that is the only way that company will learn their lesson. Why pay $800 for a device only to get screen burn in.
But I never ever never ever BRICKED my Note 2.
I've bricked this OGP more times than I can count.
We should have the options to remove the locked boot loader. I would gladly sign an agreement acknowledging the risks.
We're going backwards. We're not making progress.
Same things is happening in desktop/laptop computers. I had to do something unusual to remove the UEFI on a Windows machine I bought last year just to install Lubuntu.
Speaking of Lubuntu, I had an ASUS Netbook with Windows 7 and an Atom processor. Needless to say, it ran slow. So I installed Lubuntu. Then , wow, the device ran so fast and smooth, and the already good battery life got three times better.
Why can't we have an option like that for our smartphones? I want to run the equivalent of Lubuntu on my OGP.
And another thing: Why are some custom roms dimming the display? Is it to make it appear as if the rom is giving better battery life?
Peace out bro.. but yeah, I'm not stopping my rants. If you don't like what I've got to say, simply don't read it.
This phone is not much more difficult to root than any Samsung phone I used. Also why didn't you do research before buying the phone? It was stated clearly that the boot loader was locked. However since day one of purchase I was able to follow a thread and have my phone rooted in ten minutes. It is really not that hard. Now there are a bunch of one click roots. This phone installs custom Roms every time with ease for me. I am no expert but I can read instructions. If you follow them, 99% of the time things will work. I love android for the fact that I have options. I am running a rooted stock ROM now but I love knowing that in ten minutes time I can have a new ROM flashed. This community has been so helpful and responsive.
Sent from my LG-E980 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

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