Hi there everyone, my name is Alex and I just got my first smartphone ever, an Samsung Galaxy S2 and I would be grateful if someone could help take it to another level. Root, optimize, enchance it's "power", so on and so forth. I will really appreciate all of your help. I just heard of you guys from a friend, and believe me when I say "I AM NOOB!!" I don't know anything about rooting/ unlocking/ jailbreak/ etc.
Please leave me a message.
With deep sympathy and respect,
Alex.
what version of the GS2 do you have?
there are different forums for some different variants here on XDA. Once you identify which version you have, you can go to that forum and sniff around. read as much as you can, and you'll figure everything out pretty easily
You should start by finding and posting at the CORRECT section. I'm very sure that all sections have their own guide on rooting and flashing.
Devices are kinda like cars... if it is your first.. spend some time exploring what it can do already before you get into making it do more. Then, when you know your way around a bit... dig in!
Sent from my SCH-I800 using Tapatalk
rustyshack3 said:
Devices are kinda like cars... if it is your first.. spend some time exploring what it can do already before you get into making it do more. Then, when you know your way around a bit... dig in!
Sent from my SCH-I800 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very well said my friend
If this is your very first Android phone (nice choice by the way!), you'll want to spend at least some time familiarising yourself with Android and its workings before plunging into anything here. Some of the stuff available here for the GS2 is incredible, but it can also land you in a lot of hot water if you don't understand what you are doing before you try things.
Take your time and enjoy it 'stock' for a while. Learn what rooting is/does, pick a couple of 'favourite' custom ROMs, and read through their threads (entirely) before doing anything. This will give you a good awareness of what to expect as far as bugs and hiccups are concerned, and how others have got around them or fixed them.
This is a fantastic community, full of fantastic Development. Make sure you stick to the rules, post in the right places, and if in doubt... read!
Enjoy, and welcome to XDA
What a great question! I'm so glad you asked!
I recently gave in and got my bootloader unlocked on my Verizon R800x, just so I could see what all the hoopla was about. After a few days of analysis, I've already been able to draw some conclusions that I hope new seekers will find useful.
There are several things to know when making a decision like this one.
1. What model of Xperia Play am I rocking? Not all Xperia Plays are created equal. There is the data connection to consider. If you are in most of the world outside of the US, you probably have a carrier that uses GSM for data. So does AT&T and Sprint in the US. Because it is so common, there are lots of Custom ROMS and kernels, unlocking the bootloader is easy, and many people are experienced in supporting GSM. But you're a Verizon Wireless customer? - sorry, you use a CDMA connection, which means your choices are much more limited, unlocking the bootloader is more of a challenge, and people tend to laugh at you!
2. Do I want to use the phone primarily for gaming with that sweet gamepad and not-so-sweet touchpads? Do I really depend on my phone to be 100% useable at all times? Better stick with ROMs and kernels based off of stock. No need to even know what a bootloader is!
3. Or, screw the games, I wanna be big, bad and bold, on the bleeding edge of technology! Well then, plan on furthering your techie education! You're going to be learning all kinds of fun and interesting terms, like soft brick, hard brick, adb, fastboot, flashing , RAM, ROM, push, root and boot - after awhile it all starts sounding like a naughty little party is going on in your phone! Hey, Baby! I got yer bootloader right here, know wut I'm sayin?
How about some do's and don'ts?
DON'T post a question on how to root, unlock the bootloader, install coolappofthemoment.apk or what does any of these terms mean without doing a little research on your own first. Chances are, someone else asked it at least once, probably a million times, and the only responses you're likely to get are "GEEZE, READ THE BLOODY FORUMS, YA N00B!!!"
DO use Google, search the forums, and actually READ the threads that seem relevant to your question. Yes, you will read a more than a few posts like "Does this work yet?", "I don't like the color of...", "MemberX is a troll!", but interspersed in there is quite a bit of information that you may benefit from and often you will find your answer much more quickly than posting a question and waiting for a valid response.
DON'T be afraid of rooting your phone but...
DO be aware that your warranty may (will) be affected by modifying your phone.
DON'T remove anything preinstalled by the service provider until you...
DO a Nandroid Backup first. (There's a term you will want to explore further. Hint: Look into CWM Custom Recovery.)
DON'Tuninstall system apps right away. Instead freeze them (OOOH another term you might want to learn. Hint: Titanium Backup among other apps.) Once you are comfortable with restoring your Nandroid Backup, you understand what the app does, and you experience no issues freezing it, then you can remove it if you want to free up some internal storage space.
DO pay attention to who the developers are for different projects, as well as frequent posters with actual useful contributions. You can tell who they are by the phrase "The Following 9 million Users Say Thank You to UltraDev For This Useful Post:" These are the people you want to make your bestest friends.
WOW !! Who knew there was so much to learn !!! Can't I just skip all that and charge blindly ahead??? I have one word for you. BRICK !!! OK, I have another word for you:
DON'T!!!
After trying the few kernels and Custom ROMs available to me (Yes, I am a lucky Verizon customer), I decided that, for me, it's fun to be able to juggle razors (Get It? Be on the BLEEDING EDGE???), but since some of the things I like to do with my phone are not yet working with the latest and greatest, I'm better off sticking with a customized stock configuration. The great thing is, I can always try the newer stuff and then go back to the "safe" setup.
Oh yeah! I almost forgot! There is one more DO for you, and it's extremely important!
DO click that Thanks button when someone posts a project or information that you find useful. We all want to know our efforts are appreciated, right? RIGHT?????? <<Taps his foot and looks pointedly at the Thanks button>>
Your post reminded me of Excel, of Excel Saga's fame. For that you carved a little nostalgia hole in my rocky heart.
That's going to be very useful, and you had me laughing for 10 mins with the bootloader thing
Sent from my Xperia Play using Tapatalk
Hello all, I am looking for an EASY way to root the Incredible. There has to be a better way than this stupid "downgrade this, flash that" bull that I am seeing everywhere. Do any of the one click root methods work anymore? Or can someone give me a guide written in legible ENGLISH (I.E NOT THIS: http://androidforums.com/incredible...ot-unlock-downgrade-achieve-s-off-htcdev.html)
What is your HBOOT version? If it's 1.02 or higher that is the best way and only way I know of. Also in my opinion one click root methods teach you nothing and make troubleshooting difficult.
Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk 2
tiny4579 said:
What is your HBOOT version? If it's 1.02 or higher that is the best way and only way I know of. Also in my opinion one click root methods teach you nothing and make troubleshooting difficult.
Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No interest in learning. HBOOT says 1.07.
Problem with guides like that: They aren't full guides, "i.e use adb devices to see if connected. If its not, install HTC Sync" guess what, HTC Sync didn't change a damn thing.
Wallex said:
No interest in learning. HBOOT says 1.07.
Problem with guides like that: They aren't full guides, "i.e use adb devices to see if connected. If its not, install HTC Sync" guess what, HTC Sync didn't change a damn thing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, most people consider root a power, and with great power..... Anyways,this is a developer forum, aimed at developers. I don't have a problem teachinganyone anything (within the realm of my knowledge, of course), but I do have aproblem with those who want their hand held, and refuse to look on their own. Ican pretty much guarantee you, that if you don't learn anything, and wanteverything spelled out, that's all fine and dandy, till you have an issue. Orsomething else doesn't work right, and then you constantly ask questions on howto fix your phone when a little research and a little learning will preventmost of these issues in the first place.
kyphur said:
I think what a lot of people forget is that this is not a "make my phone neat & kewl" place.
As implied by the name this is technically a Developers forum/community.
Now what does that mean? Well first off it means that there is an expectation that if you are here then you want to customize your device but rather than just installing something that someone packaged you want to understand how it works and maybe even enhance it yourself.
When I first came here with a Blue Angel it was a different environment. PDA Phones were not embraced by the general public because of the expense and complexity (I paid over $400 for my BA). A $400 phone 4 years ago was expensive, today the Tilt is $300 after rebates but with inflation & the rise in the cost of other devices and the fact that there are other sources out there giving them away for $150 our neat bit of kit has become popular with mainstream users.
Now we have a flood of new users who are asking not "How can I do this myself" but more like "Give me the quick fix" without caring to understand the process. See if you read the threads then you get to experience the learning process, you see how the issues were investigated and confirmed. Then you get to watch the different attempts at resolution and learn why some failed while others worked. That is called Development.
The NooB backlash is coming from users who have walked in the development shoes and is directed mainly at those who don't care for the journey but just want the end result or destination.
As a Development Forum we are just as much (if not more) about the journey. I've read so many comments like "I don't have time to read all of the threads" or "I don't care how it works, just that it does". These very statements are contrary to the heart & soul of XDA-Devs and that is why the backlash is so strong.
Let me be very clear on this: IF YOU DON'T CARE ABOUT UNDERSTANDING THE JOURNEY THEN YOU PROBABLY SHOULDN'T BE HERE IN THE FIRST PLACE.
XDA-Devs is about developers & hackers helping each other and working together to get the most out of our devices by understanding them better than most.
XDA-Devs is not about helping everyone who wants a "Kewl bit of kit" make their phone better than the guy next to him.
Now do we go kicking users off who never contribute anything, NO. We tolerate it to an extent. Where the toleration ends is when these users start diluting the usefulness of the forum by repeating the same questions over and over again.
You ask us to understand your position. Well if you want to benefit from our experience and time then I think it is only fair that you understand our position.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
/end rant.
Sorry about that. You're easiest bet is to use htcdev.com to unlock your bootloader, then flash a recovery through your now unlocked HBOOT, then flash aSuperuser.zip to gain root.
if you knew someone who could root it for you, that would be easiest. maybe you could pay someone to root your phone? you know what we say, only smart people now how to get stuff for free or cheap. and in the realm of 'hacking" what we are definitely doing is value adding to what we have.
but if you learn how to do it, you could be that person helping others!
btw, funny thing about that link-that is the one I used. i found it a little intimidating at first(and looked extensively for an easier way that I never found) but now that I;ve rooted 3 phones, its fairly accurate. unfortunately you do have to go through the steps. there aren;t any shortcuts but it works. and the good thing is that if anything actually goes wrong in the process, atleast you should know where and why and how to fix.
Wallex said:
Hello all, I am looking for an EASY way to root the Incredible. There has to be a better way than this stupid "downgrade this, flash that" bull that I am seeing everywhere. Do any of the one click root methods work anymore? Or can someone give me a guide written in legible ENGLISH
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could try Unrevoked (just search it). I have NO idea if it will work with your phone, as that can depend on a number of things. I guess just try some research on that. It's not like a 1-click root on your phone, but sort of like doing all of the ADB stuff from the manual way for you. I can't recall what actual version I used, but I know it installed CWMR and gave me S-Off, so I'm pretty sure I ran Unrevoked3 and/or Unrevoked Forever. You should be able to just use Unrevoked3 if you just want root.
Sorry I can't do more than point you in the right direction.... to give you any idea how long ago it was.... I decided to root because the Incredible was not getting FroYo..... hehe....
insomniac_lemon said:
You could try Unrevoked (just search it). I have NO idea if it will work with your phone, as that can depend on a number of things. I guess just try some research on that. It's not like a 1-click root on your phone, but sort of like doing all of the ADB stuff from the manual way for you. I can't recall what actual version I used, but I know it installed CWMR and gave me S-Off, so I'm pretty sure I ran Unrevoked3 and/or Unrevoked Forever. You should be able to just use Unrevoked3 if you just want root.
Sorry I can't do more than point you in the right direction.... to give you any idea how long ago it was.... I decided to root because the Incredible was not getting FroYo..... hehe....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
FWIW, there was a version of Unrevoked that worked with certain versions of the Dinc's software (that's how I originally rooted my first Dinc), but recent OTA upgrades have made that method very unreliable. If you have HBOOT 1.07, there is no question that the best way to get root is using the guide, and yes, that guide the OP linked is a very good one. Follow it carefully and it will work, every time. You can even stop at step 3 and have a stock, rooted, s-on phone, without the complicated downgrade which is required to get s-off. Which is what the OP wanted, I believe.
Wallex said:
Hello all, I am looking for an EASY way to root the Incredible. There has to be a better way than this stupid "downgrade this, flash that" bull that I am seeing everywhere. Do any of the one click root methods work anymore? Or can someone give me a guide written in legible ENGLISH (I.E NOT THIS: http://androidforums.com/incredible...ot-unlock-downgrade-achieve-s-off-htcdev.html)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOL @ legible ENGLISH :good: Sometimes I feel the same way.
P.S. Broke out my old HTC INCRED 2. Think I may try rooting it. Got nothing to loose.
Keep the threads alive; -)
I started with iPhone many moons ago, then transitioned to Android / Samsung back around the S3 days. Been with Sammy ever since, but they are starting to get like Apple in that they are VERY unfriendly to the mod community and they go to great lengths to stop it. They are also killing their phones with Bloatware.
I am toying with going to either the M8 or M9 with my next upgrade (coming from Galaxy S5). Does HTC tend to have a major security war with their users or are they a little more lax? Does rooting void their warranty like it does with Sammy?
Thanks in advance.
~Vol
Vol4Ever said:
I started with iPhone many moons ago, then transitioned to Android / Samsung back around the S3 days. Been with Sammy ever since, but they are starting to get like Apple in that they are VERY unfriendly to the mod community and they go to great lengths to stop it. They are also killing their phones with Bloatware.
I am toying with going to either the M8 or M9 with my next upgrade (coming from Galaxy S5). Does HTC tend to have a major security war with their users or are they a little more lax? Does rooting void their warranty like it does with Sammy?
Thanks in advance.
~Vol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Get the HTC M9. The M8 is really good, but the M9 fixes just about all of the M8 shortcomings. For unlocking and rooting, HTC is really simple and HTC facilitates the process. You just create an account on htcdev.com and submit a request for an unlock token. A few minutes later HTC sends you an email with the unlock token. Once you have that, you connect your phone to your computer and unlock but using fastboot commands. Once unlocked, you can install a custom recovery, again using fastboot commands, then just enter custom recovery (TWRP), go to the twrp reboot menu and select reboot, then twrp will say hey, you're not rooted, do you want to flash SuperSU and you swipe to flash it. Phone will boot into OS, you open the SuperSU apk and follow some screen prompts and one more reboot and your good to go.
That's it.
Supposedly, simply unlocking no longer voids your warranty, but if it appears that the phone broke because of running a custom rom (like, it overheated and the insides melted), they likely will not void the warranty.
Another reason you should get the M9...in the states, we get uh oh protection. So...you can do anything to your phone...drop it in the toilet, run over it with the car, whatever, and they will replace it, for free, for 1 year (including free overnight shipping of the new phone to you, then you send the broken one back)...so, you really don't need to put this beautiful phone in a case until either the year is up, or you get your second one. Also, if you don't use the uh oh protection, HTC gives you $100 off your next HTC phone. It's a pretty sweet deal.
I agree with the above post. My m9 has been awesome! I recently came from an s3 that had a locked bootloader thanks to Verizon and so I got the dev edition. So far I have flash at least 4 different firmwares and have tried almost every rom that's available. It's extremely easy to do once you get s-off. It will be a little bit of a learning curve so make sure to read the instructions carefully and read down the threads in order to anticipate anything that may go wrong.
Sent from my HTC One M9 using XDA Free mobile app
Vol4Ever said:
I started with iPhone many moons ago, then transitioned to Android / Samsung back around the S3 days. Been with Sammy ever since, but they are starting to get like Apple in that they are VERY unfriendly to the mod community and they go to great lengths to stop it. They are also killing their phones with Bloatware.
I am toying with going to either the M8 or M9 with my next upgrade (coming from Galaxy S5). Does HTC tend to have a major security war with their users or are they a little more lax? Does rooting void their warranty like it does with Sammy?
Thanks in advance.
~Vol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you come from flashing Sammy roms like I did, then I suggest you think really carefully before buying the M9. I dont hate my M9 as much as when I first bought it, but in hindsight I perhaps should have stuck with sammy. Flashing custom roms and updating firmware on Sammy is easy compared with htc M9 , and the M9 threads are alot more 'quiet' then Sammy S4 , S5 or note4 threads . Also you will find ALOT of conflicting/confusing instructions for M9, especially if you come from Sammy roms.
Here are some other posts worth reading before you decide buy M9 : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=60244822
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=60245457
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=61298935
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=60238311
With htc you have worry about S-on S-off then CID and supercid, then lock bootloader to run RUU or unlock to run 0PAIMG.zip files (which they call RUUs but they are different to RUU.exe files of course, but still called RUUs), must use smaller than 32Gb FAT32 sd card to update your firmware using sd card method, use htc_fastboot or fastboot etc etc. So confusing if you are from Sammy.
Then if someone, not new to flashing, asks a question and they get "search its been answered many times!' When actually the instructions can sometimes be slightly different from one thread to another , and some threads , not all, simply do not explain clearly why you need to do this or that, and/or give conflicting or incomplete instructions. You will have much less headache with Sammy devices. Also M9 u need to go back to stock to get an OTAs (if you are S-on). So all I am saying is read the M9 threads first, and get a feel if you want to take the dive. But if you want a challenge after (easy) customizing, Sammy roms, then M9 is definitely a good choice. Also there is NO cyanogen for M9 at the moment. But seems there some gr8 roms like Viper, Maximus, Insertcoin and Android Revolution..(.but you gotta make sure your M9s firmware MATCHES the roms firmware before even thinking about flashing them.) Just my two cents worth.
It is not really that hard when you know what you are doing. It is gonna be different with each device. You are just accustomed to doing it a certain way. It is always best to follow the golden rule here in XDA. Search first, read read read, and then ask questions. You also have to remember the M9 is a 64 bit phone, so there will be new challenges.
fernandezhjr said:
It is not really that hard when you know what you are doing. It is gonna be different with each device. You are just accustomed to doing it a certain way. It is always best to follow the golden rule here in XDA. Search first, read read read, and then ask questions. You also have to remember the M9 is a 64 bit phone, so there will be new challenges.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sure. of course its not rocket science. Ya Everyone knows "Search first, read read read, and then ask questions" but the problem is conflicting info. and Just that the Sammy threads' instructions IMO generally were ALOT clearer and less conflicting and confusing info. and its not just me, I noticed alot of other users had noted same experience in the HTC M9 threads. Its no wonder people keep asking same questions still. IMO If the OP's of alot of the threads were "clearer" and more" complete" in their first instructions, I am sure we would have alot less people in confusion asking things like "help me/ hold my hand to restore to stock/I followed instructions but got error still why". And the biggest problem is the fact that the M9 was a disaster for htc. so as a result, the M9 threads are much more quiet, fewer users, and less active than Sammy threads. My only hope is with the second-hand market forming in the next 6 months, that the M9 threads will pick up, hence more custom roms and updates, when people buy it , when its cheaper.
Samsung is a much bigger and more known company. It's phone sales are huge compared to HTC and that will relate to much more active forums. I understand what you are saying, but like I said every device will be different. When I had my Nexus 4, rooting and flashing roms was a piece.of cake. I would just be careful about over complaining. Nobody here is obligated to help anyone. Be nice and someone will eventually come along with the needed help.
Ive recently done the same. been with sammy for about 4 years, now ive picked the HTC... why? Theyre much more in touch with their users demands. Sure the processes for unlocking / rooting / s-off are a lot different and require you to do some work, but once you get to grips with it it's easy enough and makes you feel more in touch with those sort of processes on your phone.
Also to address the issue mentioned above, the sammy s4 etc have been out a lot longer than the m9 which has only been out a few months so of course it will be quiter in here to start with. *fingers crossed* some more devs will pop up and fill our lives with joy.
The only thing i'm worried about with my recent upgrade to htc m9(literally a few days ago) is that within the year it is going to be outdated by a new device but such is life when you buy in to a 2 year contract lol.
Have faith.
As mentioned above also, at first I was quite daunted by the processes of rooting etc for the HTC and was unsure i'd made the right choice. I considered falling back to sammy but even after this last couple of days i've thought to myself I have made the right choice.
Thanks for all the helpful comments. I am a voracious reader, and I would never attempt to do any type of upgrade without quite a bit of research first. I pretty much have my mind made up on the M9, but AT&T has jacked up their upgrade process. This is a company phone & we are on a legacy plan. Until my boss & I get all that worked out with AT&T, I'll be using my trusty S5. AT&T really ticked me off yesterday when I was in the store, so much that we might even look at an alternate carrier.
Thanks again for the help.
Vol4Ever said:
Thanks for all the helpful comments. I am a voracious reader, and I would never attempt to do any type of upgrade without quite a bit of research first. I pretty much have my mind made up on the M9, but AT&T has jacked up their upgrade process. This is a company phone & we are on a legacy plan. Until my boss & I get all that worked out with AT&T, I'll be using my trusty S5. AT&T really ticked me off yesterday when I was in the store, so much that we might even look at an alternate carrier.
Thanks again for the help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unsolicited advice, if you're going to root and install custom rom and leaked updates, you're better off sticking with a GSM carrier (AT&T or T-Mobile) over Sprint or Verizon. Sprint and Verizon users almost always have to wait for carrier release to get updates. AT&T works with all of the international updates that are released. T-Mobile does too, but they also offer Wi-Fi calling which may not always work with international roms and firmware. just my .02
fernandezhjr said:
Samsung is a much bigger and more known company. It's phone sales are huge compared to HTC and that will relate to much more active forums. I understand what you are saying, but like I said every device will be different. When I had my Nexus 4, rooting and flashing roms was a piece.of cake. I would just be careful about over complaining. Nobody here is obligated to help anyone. Be nice and someone will eventually come along with the needed help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You missed the point and Who's over complaining? Obviously no one is obligated to help here or any other thread on xda. My point was if someone wanted to buy an M9 he/she should think carefully before taking the 'dive', and it is a fact the M9 threads are much quieter, right? and did you read the posts the urls I posted above? if you look at the urls i posted previous post you will see alot of other users were confused. I wonder why? They had 'searched and searched' but were still confused, I wonder why?. My question was , why do some threads have to make something so simple sound so complex.? After reading hundreds of post from back to front, I realized that had some posts or more detail/explanation been added to the OP of some threads, quite alot of the confusion could have bee avoided in first place, in M9 threads generally. That was the main difference I observed between sammy threads and M9 threads. I dont hate my M9,but I expected alot more from it. The screen display is lacklustre, some devices have a dead pixel problem, and flashing firmware is a nightmare for some experienced sammy users from what I hv read so far, but yes the sound is excellent on m9 and speed is fast (i know S6 has much higher antutu score but I dont believe those scores completely). but for now I do hope that there will be gradual improvement for M9 as more people get involved when the device becomes cheaper. I Just felt need to point out to any sammy user, think very carefully before you switch to htc M9 , if they want go down the customization route. If you dont want pull your hair out then stick with sammy, but if you are up for a challenge and some headaches in the beginning, definitely go for M9. Because it can only get better.
simonbigwave said:
You missed the point and Who's over complaining? Obviously no one is obligated to help here or any other thread on xda. My point was if someone wanted to buy an M9 he/she should think carefully before taking the 'dive', and it is a fact the M9 threads are much quieter, right? and did you read the posts the urls I posted above? if you look at the urls i posted previous post you will see alot of other users were confused. I wonder why? They had 'searched and searched' but were still confused, I wonder why?. My question was , why do some threads have to make something so simple sound so complex.? After reading hundreds of post from back to front, I realized that had some posts or more detail/explanation been added to the OP of some threads, quite alot of the confusion could have bee avoided in first place, in M9 threads generally. That was the main difference I observed between sammy threads and M9 threads. I dont hate my M9,but I expected alot more from it. The screen display is lacklustre, some devices have a dead pixel problem, and flashing firmware is a nightmare for some experienced sammy users from what I hv read so far, but yes the sound is excellent on m9 and speed is fast (i know S6 has much higher antutu score but I dont believe those scores completely). but for now I do hope that there will be gradual improvement for M9 as more people get involved when the device becomes cheaper. I Just felt need to point out to any sammy user, think very carefully before you switch to htc M9 , if they want go down the customization route. If you dont want pull your hair out then stick with sammy, but if you are up for a challenge and some headaches in the beginning, definitely go for M9. Because it can only get better.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I kind of understand what you're saying, but I think the reason a lot of advice seems contradictory is because little variables like S-off/on, region, carrier, GSM/CDMA, etc make a difference in the steps you have to take. Also, in a lot of those posts you linked to they were trying to accomplish different things. For example, many people want to upgrade firmware without being S-off and there are several different ways to accomplish this and at the same time it may not be possible at all for that user (because it depends on their carrier/region).
Many of us who do like to help people find that it's like pulling teeth sometimes to get enough information to even offer a suggestion to people. It really shouldn't be that hard to say 1) exactly what you'd like to accomplish and 2) exactly what steps you've already taken. Finally, and I highly doubt this is unique to the M9 forum, but it's extremely frustrating when either someone just asked the same question a few posts back, or the answer is clearly spelled out in the op.
jollywhitefoot said:
I kind of understand what you're saying, but I think the reason a lot of advice seems contradictory is because little variables like S-off/on, region, carrier, GSM/CDMA, etc make a difference in the steps you have to take. Also, in a lot of those posts you linked to they were trying to accomplish different things. For example, many people want to upgrade firmware without being S-off and there are several different ways to accomplish this and at the same time it may not be possible at all for that user (because it depends on their carrier/region).
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I think you hit the nail on the head with this. Wondering Perhaps the M9 threads should be divided into sections for this or that carrier 'only'? Eg Verizon users only , international users only etc ..would it work? It might repeat some instructions , but it would make it more clear for people and save alot of the confusion or contradictions we see? Ie this is your device and you can do this and you cant do this, and this way is better than that way because you are xxx carrier, and this is the reason. I am just thinking especially of the new M9 users to come. Is there a way to Make it simple and clear. As you and others have said, its not difficult once you know how. And at same time , we can try to not sounding over complicated or confusing to them....some guys are really very helpful in the M9 threads, as example , after I got a reply I thought, this is so simple(!), why was it made to sound so complicated in first place? Or I thought why didnt someone put that in the OP? Would have saved alot of people alot of time. But I guess M9 is new, threads are relatively new, I get that , and I am sure we will see more and more interest in M9 , and hence more activity in the threads, as it picks up momentum...
simonbigwave said:
I think you hit the nail on the head with this. Wondering Perhaps the M9 threads should be divided into sections for this or that carrier 'only'? Eg Verizon users only , international users only etc ..would it work? It might repeat some instructions , but it would make it more clear for people and save alot of the confusion or contradictions we see? Ie this is your device and you can do this and you cant do this, and this way is better than that way because you are xxx carrier, and this is the reason. I am just thinking especially of the new M9 users to come. Is there a way to Make it simple and clear. As you and others have said, its not difficult once you know how. And at same time , we can try to not sounding over complicated or confusing to them....some guys are really very helpful in the M9 threads, as example , after I got a reply I thought, this is so simple(!), why was it made to sound so complicated in first place? Or I thought why didnt someone put that in the OP? Would have saved alot of people alot of time. But I guess M9 is new, threads are relatively new, I get that , and I am sure we will see more and more interest in M9 , and hence more activity in the threads, as it picks up momentum...
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You mean like this?
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fernandezhjr said:
You mean like this?
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Is there an International section? And if there are already different sections for different US carriers , I wonder why are all those confused guys asking in the general forum?
simonbigwave said:
Is there an International section? And if there are already different sections for different US carriers , I wonder why are all those confused guys asking in the general forum?
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Probably because there is more activity here in the unbranded forum. There are differences with how the various branded phones need to be rooted and roms flashed. Not all the instructions here will work unless you properly debrand/convert the phone.
fernandezhjr said:
Probably because there is more activity here in the unbranded forum. There are differences with how the various branded phones need to be rooted and roms flashed. Not all the instructions here will work unless you properly debrand/convert the phone.
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Which explains some of the confusion..
Just curious, once the US users from AT&T or whatever have debranded to say developer WWE europe .401 firmware, how is the modem/radio/baseband after? Reception and wifi no problems at all or do they have to flash their local carrier radio again to get good signal? (I ask because my S4 was on Poland or German firmware i think but it still worked great in Asia).
For me, HTC are the pinnacle of devices when you plan to root, believe me its a walk in the park, not only that but the community is friendlier, larger and the level of development and developers is second to none. Take a look at my SIG to see the phones I've had, don't get me wrong the s5 is a special device and I used it underwater for many hours and I loved it but I've always missed HTC when I've been away from it, even the note 4 wasn't enough to keep me away..
The choice at the end of the day is yours..for me there is no choice, the m9 is by far and away the best device there is right now, not without faults but that just adds to its character.
simonbigwave said:
Which explains some of the confusion..
Just curious, once the US users from AT&T or whatever have debranded to say developer WWE europe .401 firmware, how is the modem/radio/baseband after? Reception and wifi no problems at all or do they have to flash their local carrier radio again to get good signal? (I ask because my S4 was on Poland or German firmware i think but it still worked great in Asia).
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Some users have reported the need to flash the radio that comes with the stock firmware. I believe it could be location specific. Best thing to do is if works, don't try to fix it.
dladz said:
For me, HTC are the pinnacle of devices when you plan to root, believe me its a walk in the park, not only that but the community is friendlier, larger and the level of development and developers is second to none. Take a look at my SIG to see the phones I've had, don't get me wrong the s5 is a special device and I used it underwater for many hours and I loved it but I've always missed HTC when I've been away from it, even the note 4 wasn't enough to keep me away..
The choice at the end of the day is yours..for me there is no choice, the m9 is by far and away the best device there is right now, not without faults but that just adds to its character.
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I get your point. Mayb alot of us were spoilt with odin and ease of flashing and customizing sammy devices. My S4 was on CM12.1 lollipop 5.1.1 ages ago , and I didnt need do go back to stock to any 'update firmware' at all when i went from previous lollipop to 5.1.1 so when I got my m9 i was like wtf? ( I thought to myself: Why Gotta go back to stock to take update and then all this s-on s-off cid supercid silly stuff. ) LOL. It didnt help that i had to factory reset my phone 6 times in first few days to get everything working. Mayb i was unlucky as i even had the annoying dead pixel problem in m9. I believe a few other users had same problems. I am sure my m9 gonna get better. I was close to selling it right away, but will stick with it for now. You guys have convinced me its not as bad as it seems. As i said, it can only get better as more users buy the m9 (when it becomes cheaper).
Btw how does the note4 compare with m9 speed wise? Just asking.