Does a custom rom really improve battery life over stock rom? - Nexus 7 (2013) Q&A

I'm hearing some roms like Slimkat can really improve battery life (standby and in use).
I've been using stock since I got this tablet and now I'm wondering if I should try some customs roms.
Do they really improve battery life over stock? Or maybe just using a custom kernel like Franco with stock is enough? Or maybe a custom rom + custom kernel is the better combo for battery life?
Thanks!

yes and no....
Sensamic said:
I'm hearing some roms like Slimkat can really improve battery life (standby and in use).
I've been using stock since I got this tablet and now I'm wondering if I should try some customs roms.
Do they really improve battery life over stock? Or maybe just using a custom kernel like Franco with stock is enough? Or maybe a custom rom + custom kernel is the better combo for battery life?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For the Nexus 7 i wouldn't really worry about the Stock ROM draining your battery. There are apps like battery doctor or Greenify which can help you save your battery life, but these apps will require your tablet to be rooted.
The Neuxs 7 Stock ROM isn't a battery hog type of ROM so you will be fine sticking with the stock ROM. If you want to try out new ROM's, the Android Community has made great apps and programs for the Nexus 7. You can install TWRP recovery manager which is an advanced recovery manager and you can install MultiROM which will allow you to install Multiple ROMs onto your Nexus 7 without every touching or damaging your stock Nexus 7 ROM. You can test out new roms in MultiRom without damaging your tablet or affecting your stock ROM.
Now there are custom ROM's that are really great for battery life don't get me wrong. I have a SGS3 with CyanogenMod ROM installed and I have another SGS3 running stock Samsung ROM and the stock ROM is constantly using the majority of the phone's resources. I am constantly having to kill apps to drop the used resources from 80% to 55% usage. So on my SGS3 phone that runs the CyanogenMod ROM i am getting much better battery life than my stock SGS3 phone.
One great thing about a custom ROM is it gets rid of a lot of the bloatware that most people will never use that takes up a lot of resources on your Android device. However, you don't have to install a custom ROM to remove bloatware apps. If you root your Nexus tablet you can install Titanium Backup which can be used to freeze apps and remove stocks apps that couldn't be removed without root/titanium backup.
Again as far as your Nexus 7, you will be just fine sticking with your stock ROM. However, give MultiROM a try. If you root your tablet and install TWRP recovery manager (all can be done with the WuGFresh Nexus Root toolkit -> http://www.wugfresh.com/nrt/) then you can install MultiRom with the push of a button. Just go to the Google Play store and download -> "MultiROM Manager" and run the app and it will install MultiROM fo you.
After you have multirom installed you can try as many custom roms as you want...
Hope it helps...
-droidshadow

Related

[Q] HouseCleaning Questions

After flashing my first custom ROM half a year ago life been great. However, with 4.3 in the pipelines, now seems like a good time to update and wait for 4.3 or maybe KLP.
So some questions before I take the jump:
1) Sweep2wake. I really like it, but is it a large battery drain?
2) TWRP and CWM. Any significant difference (for casuals)? I betting it doesn't so, TWRP updater suggestions?
3) Junk files. My phone came with a crappy Chinese Sense ROM and there were some files leftover. What are non-essential folders and is there a app to do it for me?
4) Good utilities/tools. I know a few renown ones like Titanium Backup and Tasker, but it's always good to know more.
Thanks in advance for taking you time to read this! :victory:
Metaception said:
After flashing my first custom ROM half a year ago life been great. However, with 4.3 in the pipelines, now seems like a good time to update and wait for 4.3 or maybe KLP.
So some questions before I take the jump:
1) Sweep2wake. I really like it, but is it a large battery drain?
2) TWRP and CWM. Any significant difference (for casuals)? I betting it doesn't so, TWRP updater suggestions?
3) Junk files. My phone came with a crappy Chinese Sense ROM and there were some files leftover. What are non-essential folders and is there a app to do it for me?
4) Good utilities/tools. I know a few renown ones like Titanium Backup and Tasker, but it's always good to know more.
Thanks in advance for taking you time to read this! :victory:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wait for 4.3? Plenty OASP ROMs based on it just now.
If you mean an official 4.3 that's VERY unlikely, and there isn't a chance in hell we'll see an official KLP.
I expect AOSP KLP to be available though. They'll have it on old Nexus 7 at least, and that's port-able to HOX, mostly.
Your questions:
1) No.
2) Use Philz Advanced Touch Recovery. It can backup AND restore in BOTH TWRP and CWM formats amongst MANY other things.
3) Non-essential folders? You''ll be completely wiping the phone if you move to 4.3 anyways. You won't be keeping the installed apps or data intact it won't even boot for you.
4) BetterBatteryStats. GSam Battery Monitor. Trickster MOD. Battery Monitor Widget. Greenify. SManager. And I would also consider Superbeam an essential.
Tigerlight said:
Wait for 4.3? Plenty OASP ROMs based on it just now.
If you mean an official 4.3 that's VERY unlikely, and there isn't a chance in hell we'll see an official KLP.
I expect AOSP KLP to be available though. They'll have it on old Nexus 7 at least, and that's port-able to HOX, mostly.
Your questions:
1) No.
2) Use Philz Advanced Touch Recovery. It can backup AND restore in BOTH TWRP and CWM formats amongst MANY other things.
3) Non-essential folders? You''ll be completely wiping the phone if you move to 4.3 anyways. You won't be keeping the installed apps or data intact it won't even boot for you.
4) BetterBatteryStats. GSam Battery Monitor. Trickster MOD. Battery Monitor Widget. Greenify. SManager. And I would also consider Superbeam an essential.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All the 4.3 ROMs are nightlies, and my preferred ROMs, PA and ICJ, don't even have nightlies yet.
1) Yay!
2) Thanks I will check that out, but I am also looking for something like ROM Manager for updating my recovery to the latest version.
3) "Complete" wipe apparently means "Wipe Cache, Dalvik, Factory Reset and System" cuz "If you click anything else, IT WILL WIPE YOUR SD CARD AND YOU WILL HAVE MORE ISSUES ON YOUR HEAD!" that's what I did and I still had a few files leftover. Just junk files taking up ma space
4) Ohh thanks, I already had Greenify, will check the rest out.
Metaception said:
All the 4.3 ROMs are nightlies, and my preferred ROMs, PA and ICJ, don't even have nightlies yet.
1) Yay!
2) Thanks I will check that out, but I am also looking for something like ROM Manager for updating my recovery to the latest version.
3) "Complete" wipe apparently means "Wipe Cache, Dalvik, Factory Reset and System" cuz "If you click anything else, IT WILL WIPE YOUR SD CARD AND YOU WILL HAVE MORE ISSUES ON YOUR HEAD!" that's what I did and I still had a few files leftover. Just junk files taking up ma space
4) Ohh thanks, I already had Greenify, will check the rest out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can't use ROM Manager unless your HOX is S-Off.
Tigerlight said:
You can't use ROM Manager unless your HOX is S-Off.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well darn, I'm guessing no luck with a TWRP updater either then :/
I suppose I will have to manually update the recovery then.
EDIT: Would GooManager work?
Metaception said:
Well darn, I'm guessing no luck with a TWRP updater either then :/
I suppose I will have to manually update the recovery then.
EDIT: Would GooManager work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. You cannot flash recovery on an S-On HOX with ANY app on the phone, it MUST be done from fastboot.

[Q] Help Me Choose a ROM?

Probably not the first, won't be the last. I rooted my N7 with WugFresh root toolkit. But I can't choose a ROM. I would prefer close to vanilla with the advanced power menu that includes reboot and bootloader if possible. I have TWRP for recovery.
I've looked at Kangakat, CleanROM and Sinless. If one of them is better over the other that would be fine. Or another ROM. I want the latest build (KOT49H) and OTA potential.
scottad said:
Probably not the first, won't be the last. I rooted my N7 with WugFresh root toolkit. But I can't choose a ROM. I would prefer close to vanilla with the advanced power menu that includes reboot and bootloader if possible. I have TWRP for recovery.
I've looked at Kangakat, CleanROM and Sinless. If one of them is better over the other that would be fine. Or another ROM. I want the latest build (KOT49H) and OTA potential.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Everyone's taste is different. You should flash them all to find out which one suits you best.
Sounds like all you need is xposed and 1 module.
I did install Xposed and a few modules. Also added a different kernel. Elemental-X
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk
i'd recommend OmniROM, close to stock, stable, nice features, OTA support, latest build (KVT49L) not (KOT49H) check out this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2626831
Or if you want a clean build which your only requirement is the advanced shutdown menu, CleanRom has it with no add-ons. Its clean, fast and stable.
Sent from my LG-P880 using xda app-developers app
The author of cleanrom said its abandoned now :/
But its still my favorite rom . Fast and stable
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
scottad said:
Probably not the first, won't be the last. I rooted my N7 with WugFresh root toolkit. But I can't choose a ROM. I would prefer close to vanilla with the advanced power menu that includes reboot and bootloader if possible. I have TWRP for recovery.
I've looked at Kangakat, CleanROM and Sinless. If one of them is better over the other that would be fine. Or another ROM. I want the latest build (KOT49H) and OTA potential.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't need another rom for that, just Xposed and the GrafityBox plugin
.
Ed V said:
You don't need another rom for that, just Xposed and the GrafityBox plugin
.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's pretty much what I did XPosed and then a plugin. Didn't use Gravity but am considering it!
Personally I've Installed Cyanogenmod Nightlies, with ElementalX Kernel. CM ROMs are close to stock, but with some cool stuff. you can activate advanced power menu in CM in Developers section. The latest Nightlies are stable and smooth, and the battery life is correct.
Don't forget, unlocking your device will do a full wipe :laugh:
Sincerely
Speaking of CM11, what isn't stable? Like what problems have you came across? If any that is cx
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk
vparres said:
Personally I've Installed Cyanogenmod Nightlies, with ElementalX Kernel. CM ROMs are close to stock, but with some cool stuff. you can activate advanced power menu in CM in Developers section. The latest Nightlies are stable and smooth, and the battery life is correct.
Don't forget, unlocking your device will do a full wipe :laugh:
Sincerely
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
CM is about as far from stock as one can get.
BioDesigner48 said:
Speaking of CM11, what isn't stable? Like what problems have you came across? If any that is cx
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I experienced some bootloops, lags, even some fonctions broken (Wifi, proxymity sens, etc) in some nightlies. I experienced it on my friend's Galaxy S2, but i never experienced something like that with my N7 on "stock" CM11. In fact, i bought my N7 recently
look into omnirom...
I am not going to say any ROM is better than others because all ROMs have their pros and cons. To find out which ROM you like best you will have to try and experiment for yourself.
Nexus devices have a wonderful recovery manager which is TWRP which stands for Team Win Recovery Project. Nexus devices also have a great tool which works with TWRP recovery manager, this tool is call MultiROM manager. What multirom manager does is it allows you to install multiple ROM's on your Nexus device without harming or altering your stock ROM.
In order to use multirom you need to first patch your stock ROM with the kexec-hardboot patch. That can be done very easily. First thing you need to do is root your device. If you are going to root your device i would also recommend unlocking the tablets bootloader. This can all be done with WuGFresh's NRT (nexus root toolkit). Here is a link for NRT -> http://www.wugfresh.com/nrt/
After you have your tablet rooted and bootloader unlocked then install TWRP recovery, again all of this can be done with the Nexus Root Toolkit.
After that you can go to the google play store and download the app MultiROM Manager. This is the easiest way to install multirom. Here is the link for multirom manager -> https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tassadar.multirommgr
Again, if you don't have your stock kernel patched with the kexec-harboot patch you won't be able to boot multiple roms. You can patch your stock kernel with the kexec-harboot patch from multirom manager.
So once you have unlocked bootloader + root + twrp recovery manager + kexec harboot patch for stock kernel (from stock rom) + multirom manager you have the freedom to do whatever you want to your tablet without harming or modifying your stock rom.
As for a custom ROM i would recommend that you look into OmniROM. It has gotten good reviews and i personally love it. I find it very stable and it also has a really nice feature with multi-windows and split screens.
Another thing you might be interested in is look into "xposed framework" that allows you to customize your stock or custom rom by adding things like multi-windows or advanced reboot menu for example.
I hope this has been helpful...
If you get stuck on anything there is great documentation on rooting + twrp recovery manager here on xda or you can find great videos on youtube.com.
-droidshadow
droidshadow said:
I am not going to say any ROM is better than others because all ROMs have their pros and cons. To find out which ROM you like best you will have to try and experiment for yourself.
Nexus devices have a wonderful recovery manager which is TWRP which stands for Team Win Recovery Project. Nexus devices also have a great tool which works with TWRP recovery manager, this tool is call MultiROM manager. What multirom manager does is it allows you to install multiple ROM's on your Nexus device without harming or altering your stock ROM.
In order to use multirom you need to first patch your stock ROM with the kexec-hardboot patch. That can be done very easily. First thing you need to do is root your device. If you are going to root your device i would also recommend unlocking the tablets bootloader. This can all be done with WuGFresh's NRT (nexus root toolkit). Here is a link for NRT -> http://www.wugfresh.com/nrt/
After you have your tablet rooted and bootloader unlocked then install TWRP recovery, again all of this can be done with the Nexus Root Toolkit.
After that you can go to the google play store and download the app MultiROM Manager. This is the easiest way to install multirom. Here is the link for multirom manager -> https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tassadar.multirommgr
Again, if you don't have your stock kernel patched with the kexec-harboot patch you won't be able to boot multiple roms. You can patch your stock kernel with the kexec-harboot patch from multirom manager.
So once you have unlocked bootloader + root + twrp recovery manager + kexec harboot patch for stock kernel (from stock rom) + multirom manager you have the freedom to do whatever you want to your tablet without harming or modifying your stock rom.
As for a custom ROM i would recommend that you look into OmniROM. It has gotten good reviews and i personally love it. I find it very stable and it also has a really nice feature with multi-windows and split screens.
Another thing you might be interested in is look into "xposed framework" that allows you to customize your stock or custom rom by adding things like multi-windows or advanced reboot menu for example.
I hope this has been helpful...
If you get stuck on anything there is great documentation on rooting + twrp recovery manager here on xda or you can find great videos on youtube.com.
-droidshadow
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks I was thinking bout omni ROM lol
sent from my LG Optimus L9 P769 v20h
I'm on YouTube (aSuperSaiyanG0D)

Best fast, awsum battery rom

which roms are best fast, and awsome battery by performance ??
Stock plain and simple
Yap. Stock 4.4 is the best. the battery consumption is very efficient
Thankx broS
I'm happy with the battery life on CM11. Better than stock to me. But I may have had some rogue app on stock killing my batt.
spiderx_mm said:
Yap. Stock 4.4 is the best. the battery consumption is very efficient
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
by stock you mean BIN_LGE980AT-00-V20g-ATT-US-APR-28-2014_0 ?
for power saving, I use performance control app, and set multicore power saving to aggressive.
I also use multicore CPU control app, and I shutoff 2 core and set the other 2 to 1.2 ghz. On light roms, it does the job, it's way fast enough for me, my previous phone was a desire Z , single core stock clocked at 800mhz.
I saw a big difference, but the battery life on this phone is not good at all.
ackliph said:
I'm happy with the battery life on CM11. Better than stock to me. But I may have had some rogue app on stock killing my batt.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Whenever i flash cm11 roms .. I got. Error 7 or someother...then boot secure error.boot failed. Its really annoying me . thats why i still use sphinx remod by radeon.. Can u suggest me how to flash cm11 rom n kernel
salmankhere said:
Whenever i flash cm11 roms .. I got. Error 7 or someother...then boot secure error.boot failed. Its really annoying me . thats why i still use sphinx remod by radeon.. Can u suggest me how to flash cm11 rom n kernel
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That sounds like your recovery version is gone crappy. Try installing a recovery from Freegee -- either the CWM or TWRP should be free from that error probably maybe.
installed 6.0.4.4 on my f240l .. would you suggest it to use? or by freegee 6.0.4.8 something
how can i get stock 4.4 for E986 ?? My android version is 4.1.2 and there is no update.
If u have better internet connection .then jst install lg update tool .. Boot ur phone into download mode. Then run the lg tool and select upgrade recovery from the menu.. It will take time ....
Im on E980-20h.
Freegee says device or software version not supported. Any other alternative to get twrp?
arhamiq said:
Im on E980-20h.
Freegee says device or software version not supported. Any other alternative to get twrp?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have to install the recovery from the old G. Pro Recovery first, then Freegee will let you in. First you install G. Pro Recovery, install the recovery method, but do not use it, as its bunkum. Then open Freegee and it will work 100%.
Or use the *new* G Pro Recovery, which has a shiny new exclusive TWPR 2.8 in it. I've not mussed with it much to know how stable it is, but so far it seems pretty wicked nice.

Question about kernels

Which one should you use?
What are the benefits?
Security concerns?
Can I install a kernel without reflashing OS?
Used my T now for some days rooted with supersu and using xposed, but would like to tweak the performance and battery life some more.
Cheers.
Kernels tend to work differently depending on your individual setup. I recommend trying each one you like for a week so it can settle in. Flash in twrp and wipe only the caches. Your OS will be fine.
In terms of security I would use kernels that are frequently updated and maybe are always upstream synced. I would dirty flash the OS or the stock kernel at least before changing custom kernels as they tend to have unknown bugs when dirty flashing custom kernel over custom kernel.
The benefits are that you can choose whether to limit performance for more battery life or to go beast mode with full power but by sacrificing battery life. It simply gives you more advanced control over it.
Thanks for the replies!
Installed Blue_spark kernel and tweaked the clockspeed some. Works like a charm, I guess OTA updates are out of question?
Would agree mostly with the above. But I tried dirty flashing FreedomOS Rom once, and that was a bootloop. Dirty flashing with OnePlus isn't like HTC 10/11 Roms/Devs. They always work no issues when dirty flashing.
You could always flash the stock boot.img in TWRP, Select flash Image, select the boot.img, and the boot partition to flash. You will lose root though. So you need to install Magisk, have that handy as well. And, then try another Kernel.

To root or not to Root

Im running the latest V 10 build. It is generally ok but battery life and esp speed could be alil faster. Ive done the usual tricks like turning down animations to make it feel snappier but it still isn't quite there.
Is it worth rooting atm? Are there roms that are actually better than Stock?
Also unlocking the bootloader will wipe everything, is there a way to get around that? I'd like to keep my data/ root and make a backup...
Cheers.
There is no way round wiping your data when you unlock your bootloader, you need to wipe dater for twrp to be able to access the internal memory. I'm still on stock tho with a custom kernel and I'm happy but not sure if you would be. Also with the custom kernel I lose about 1% a hour on battery when not in use.
So you're rooted with a custom kernel? As I understand it's not possible to install the kernel without root...
Yes I use elemental 3.00 kernel, no you don't need to be rooted as you flash the custom kernel through twrp but you do need your bootloader unlocked and twrp.

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