Develop Bugs

[GT-I9195] Basic CyanogenMod questions

Dear person reading this,
I've recently received an S4 mini, specifically the I9195 and I immediately got annoyed by the stock firmware. The sounds, the look, you probably know it. Since I've been using CM11 on my I9001 for a nice while I was wondering what the status of CM11 on this phone is like?
On the CM website I've seen there are no stable releases yet, so are the nightlies useable on a day-to-day basis? In other words, would you recommend flashing CM11? Are there any features which won't work?
As for the process of flashing itself, I've found this thread which seems to provide a nice overview, so I'm guessing that shouldn't pose any problems.
My apologies if this thread is a bit noobish, I've been reading around a bit but couldn't really find a nice up-to-date overview
Thanks and regards,
Marshian

If you use your S4 mini for anything serious, CM11 is still way too full of bugs. That's gonna change sooner or later, but for now I'd let CM11 wait unless you just use your S4 mini as a toy.
Check the opening post of this thread for a (long) list of bugs in S4 CM11: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2558702
Until CM11 is done squashing bugs, the best ROM for S4 mini is a rooted stock ROM, debloated by freezing/removing all the junk that Samsung slapped on, and modded with Xposed.
For a list of what you can freeze/remove (with an explanation of what you freeze/remove): http://android.site666.info/indexapks.htm
Essential (imo) Xposed modules for S4: Downloads2SD, Pictures2SD, Wanam Xposed, XPrivacy, and XVolume.
If you have a KitKat (stock) ROM you'll need HandleExternalStorage too.
Essential app to get rid of annoying sounds: Ultimate Sound Control.

I'm using CM11 on my GT-I9195 and its the only phone I have. The bugs don't hinder everyday use (WhatsApp, chrome, phone calls, SMS) generally except for the odd nightly that causes bootloops or FCs. You can avoid that by waiting for someone to post in the discussion thread whether the latest nightly is bootable or causes any FCs.
As for flashing CM11, the guide you linked is good if you don't care for the warranty. Since you bought your phone recently its likely to have the KNOX flag which signifies whether the phone has been custom-flashed before and I'm most countries this KNOX flag, if tripped, will render your warranty void.
To check if you are on KNOX boot loader, boot into Download mode and see if there is any mention of KNOX.
If there is, there is a guide on how to not trip the KNOX flag while rooting.

IMHO any of KitKat's custom ROM is not mature enough. Still many things to implement for the developers, regardless of being stable or not. Though if better OS resource management is what you after than KitKat is unbeatable. After all, it was Google's intention.
However, any of the JB custom ROM variant are relatively stable and mature, despite some still has the 'beta' tag.
As for TouchWiz ROM, there's a limit to what you can do in terms of optimizing/de-bloat. Unless it a heavily modded TW based ROM. That my experience coming from S3.

TNCS said:
IMHO any of KitKat's custom ROM is not mature enough. Still many things to implement for the developers, regardless of being stable or not. Though if better OS resource management is what you after than KitKat is unbeatable. After all, it was Google's intention.
However, any of the JB custom ROM variant are relatively stable and mature, despite some still has the 'beta' tag.
As for TouchWiz ROM, there's a limit to what you can do in terms of optimizing/de-bloat. Unless it a heavily modded TW based ROM. That my experience coming from S3.
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Thanks for your input! (This also applies to everyone else who replied )
In terms of warranty, I don't have any anyway. Though it's a brand new phone, I got it as a prize from a competition so there's no way for me to go back to the store and prove I bought it there. Therefore, I don't mind triggering the KNOX-flag.
For now I'll stay away from CM11 then (though it runs really nicely on my S+), but would it be a better idea to mod the stock ROM until it stops sucking or flash CM10.2 (or another version?) on there? It looks like the bug-list for CM10.2 is quite small. Do you know of any features missing there?

Marshian said:
Thanks for your input! (This also applies to everyone else who replied )
In terms of warranty, I don't have any anyway. Though it's a brand new phone, I got it as a prize from a competition so there's no way for me to go back to the store and prove I bought it there. Therefore, I don't mind triggering the KNOX-flag.
For now I'll stay away from CM11 then (though it runs really nicely on my S+), but would it be a better idea to mod the stock ROM until it stops sucking or flash CM10.2 (or another version?) on there? It looks like the bug-list for CM10.2 is quite small. Do you know of any features missing there?
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I would recommend any custom ROM based on JB. There's no feature missing as I'm aware of. Personally I'm on SlimJB which I've modified a bit myself. KitKat simplay requires time to mature. Even at AOSP the swtich from davilk requires time. Just my two cents.

Marshian said:
For now I'll stay away from CM11 then (though it runs really nicely on my S+), but would it be a better idea to mod the stock ROM until it stops sucking or flash CM10.2 (or another version?) on there?
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I am very happy sticking with the last stable 10.2. It is reliable, quick, and battery drain is minimal (I use Gravity Screen Pro but the main power savings come from using Cyanogens advanced wifi settings).
You can always backup everything and try out a CM11.

xbin said:
I am very happy sticking with the last stable 10.2. It is reliable, quick, and battery drain is minimal (I use Gravity Screen Pro but the main power savings come from using Cyanogens advanced wifi settings).
You can always backup everything and try out a CM11.
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I'll be going with the same solution once my microSIM and new microSD arrive, thanks!

[Share] Very stable 5.0 Port for all Find7 variants!

Good news everyone!
The superfantasticawesome Nameless ROM dev team currently has a very solid 5.0 port currently open for testing! You can find it at http://www.oppoforums.com/threads/5-x-namelessrom-all-variants.22451/ .
Be sure to say thank you to them, and give them the feedback they deserve for this!
TIPS FOR INSTALLING:
Like many ROMs for the Find7 variants, this ROM needs a specific baseband or the proximity sensor gets pretty finicky. However, not all basebands seem to be compatible at the moment. For myself, I found that downgrading to the 2.0.3 beta only worked for me (I'm on a Find7a), but I've also heard that some Find7 people were able to use 1.2.5.
Enjoy your Lollipop, everyone!

Fantastic news. I'm downloading it right now. Will test tonight. Thanks.

Nameless rom works fantastic for me.Very smooth indeed. The only issue is with proximity sensor. Can you please let me know on how youdegraded the baseband version?

manojava said:
Nameless rom works fantastic for me.Very smooth indeed. The only issue is with proximity sensor. Can you please let me know on how youdegraded the baseband version?
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Use the stock recovery to flash the 2.0.3i beta, then install the 5.0 port. If you're on a non stock recovery, I'd recommend using Tantrum's recovery installer here!

I think there is no need to flash whole COS rom then Nameless LL. If some sensors are not working in LL, like proximity, try to flash other modem, no need for whole ROM.
Go to modem collection here and try to flash 1.2.5 modem, it should work.
If you have chinese model, like me, I have x9007, I flashed Modempackage_1.2.5_zixuan_cn.zip and Nameless LL is working great, only NFC is not working.

Nikola P. said:
I think there is no need to flash whole COS rom then Nameless LL. If some sensors are not working in LL, like proximity, try to flash other modem, no need for whole ROM.
Go to modem collection here and try to flash 1.2.5 modem, it should work.
If you have chinese model, like me, I have x9007, I flashed Modempackage_1.2.5_zixuan_cn.zip and Nameless LL is working great, only NFC is not working.
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Thank you so much. Its working fine after flashing the 1.2.5 modem. BTW i use find7a.

Nikola P. said:
I think there is no need to flash whole COS rom then Nameless LL. If some sensors are not working in LL, like proximity, try to flash other modem, no need for whole ROM.
Go to modem collection here and try to flash 1.2.5 modem, it should work.
If you have chinese model, like me, I have x9007, I flashed Modempackage_1.2.5_zixuan_cn.zip and Nameless LL is working great, only NFC is not working.
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That's very interesting. I tried using three different basebands (the 1.2.5, 2.0.3, and a OnePlusOne baseband) but all of them only caused the ROM to bootloop. Glad it worked for you guys though!

Hi folks,
I'm considering unifying since I quickly run out of app space. Is there any word on a L port for unify and if there is a specific unify method that has to be followed?
Thanks for your help, apologies for my ignorance.

darrenpauli said:
Hi folks,
I'm considering unifying since I quickly run out of app space. Is there any word on a L port for unify and if there is a specific unify method that has to be followed?
Thanks for your help, apologies for my ignorance.
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I believe that this ROM actually supports unified storage. Check out the link that I posted at the top, and you should find unification instructions in the first post.

Great thanks BG!

Cant wait to flash.
This is awesome, I'm happy that I accidentally came to general looking for a new ROM.
Edit:
No dice on flashing the Dec 6th 5.0.1 for me (Find7a not unified)
I tried modem versions 1.2.5i and 2.02i
Edit 2:
Dont wanna rain on anyone's parade but i got the Omni 5.0 ROM to work instead.
Edit 3:
So after finding no Root yet on Omni, i went ahead and flashed NameLess again and for some reason it works. well.. yay! (Dec 6 not unified)

I have to admit it was easier to get Omni 5.0 to work over Nameless 5.0 and I came from Nameless 4.4.4 Kit Kat.

Christendom... said:
I have to admit it was easier to get Omni 5.0 to work over Nameless 5.0 and I came from Nameless 4.4.4 Kit Kat.
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Hey, that's great! How have you found the battery life so far on Omni? I found that Nameless was a bit better in both the battery and features department, but I've been a huge fan of OmniRom for quite some time now, and would love to support their work too.

BG64 said:
Hey, that's great! How have you found the battery life so far on Omni? I found that Nameless was a bit better in both the battery and features department, but I've been a huge fan of OmniRom for quite some time now, and would love to support their work too.
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Battery life is good on Omni, however, I have to agree with you that Nameless battery life is better, and their features are more extensive.
On a side note: although the battery and features are a "bit better" on Nameless, OmniRom, in my opinion, is the gold standard for (AOSP) custom Roms. There are no fillers, they are quick to implement cutting-edge advancements, and their Roms just work. Meaning, they are stable.

Christendom... said:
Battery life is good on Omni, however, I have to agree with you that Nameless battery life is better, and their features are more extensive.
On a side note: although the battery and features are a "bit better" on Nameless, OmniRom, in my opinion, is the gold standard for (AOSP) custom Roms. There are no fillers, they are quick to implement cutting-edge advancements, and their Roms just work. Meaning, they are stable.
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That has really, over the past year, become our primary focus - on our most well supported devices, we are far more stable than many other projects. (Although the EOS guys do a damn good job too).
We're also the only project other than EOS where users of Oppo devices can routinely interact with the developers who did the hardware support of the device.
In the case of CM - Most of the work is Steve swinging his ninja sword, at least Tom does talk to users but much of the work is done by people who never come here.
In the case of all CM derivatives that blind-track CM (Nameless is in this category - in fact it was founded by some Omni maintainers who disagreed with the rest of Omni as far as blind-tracking CM vs. actually solving the problems on your device yourself.) - you're even farther removed from the people actually doing the work.
Omni and EOS both have the guys who are doing the hardware bringup communicating with users directly to look for trends and issues that stand out. (the two teams also communicate with each other...) Gummy did too before they called it quits.

Entropy512 said:
That has really, over the past year, become our primary focus - on our most well supported devices, we are far more stable than many other projects. (Although the EOS guys do a damn good job too).
We're also the only project other than EOS where users of Oppo devices can routinely interact with the developers who did the hardware support of the device.
In the case of CM - Most of the work is Steve swinging his ninja sword, at least Tom does talk to users but much of the work is done by people who never come here.
In the case of all CM derivatives that blind-track CM (Nameless is in this category - in fact it was founded by some Omni maintainers who disagreed with the rest of Omni as far as blind-tracking CM vs. actually solving the problems on your device yourself.) - you're even farther removed from the people actually doing the work.
Omni and EOS both have the guys who are doing the hardware bringup communicating with users directly to look for trends and issues that stand out. (the two teams also communicate with each other...) Gummy did too before they called it quits.
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Hey, thanks for the post Entropy. I really like hearing developers opinions. In all honesty, I was using your ROM before I switched to nameless (and only did so because it was the first fully functional, stable Lollipop ROM available) and would love to switch back. You guys seem to be pretty avid in releasing your builds as of late, so I'll certainly be keeping an eye out! All I really need in terms of features anyway is the ability to change button configurations and double tap something to sleep or wake the device (I hate using the power button) so once you have those, you'll have one more on the bandwagon. You guys really are doing something right here, and I intend to support it!

Entropy512 said:
That has really, over the past year, become our primary focus - on our most well supported devices, we are far more stable than many other projects. (Although the EOS guys do a damn good job too).
We're also the only project other than EOS where users of Oppo devices can routinely interact with the developers who did the hardware support of the device.
In the case of CM - Most of the work is Steve swinging his ninja sword, at least Tom does talk to users but much of the work is done by people who never come here.
In the case of all CM derivatives that blind-track CM (Nameless is in this category - in fact it was founded by some Omni maintainers who disagreed with the rest of Omni as far as blind-tracking CM vs. actually solving the problems on your device yourself.) - you're even farther removed from the people actually doing the work.
Omni and EOS both have the guys who are doing the hardware bringup communicating with users directly to look for trends and issues that stand out. (the two teams also communicate with each other...) Gummy did too before they called it quits.
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This is the reason I decided to stay with omni and I am really thankful that there are people like you guys out there that don't let us alone with a great device but awful default firmware (COS).
But I would really like to know your opinion about Paranoid Android, as I always thought they have (sometimes more, sometimes less) good communication to their users and a solid team of Devs that solves issues instead of blind-tracking the solutions from somewhere else.

3 years and the stable daily driver you use?

Hi,
Will try not to make this a 'best rom' thread!
More than 3 years since GNex came out, so what's our opinion?
The developers have been more than generous to devout their time in increasing the GNex life by months and years.
Which ROM as per each of us, we have been using the longest as daily drivers?
Criteria -
a. No lags/minimum lags despite using over months.
b. Good battery life.
I will tell mine - remember to have used PA 3.92 for more than 5-6 months. Thereafter it has been 'yet-to-find my stable' journey.
So which one would you recommend?
Cheers,
Roy

Been running PA 2.57 for >2.5 yrs.
I've found JB 4.1.2's tablet mode to be the best version of Android when it comes to one handed user friendliness.

I just installed SlimKat 9.0, which I've been very happy with for about a week!
I think this old phone may last me another year!

Slimkat 9.0. I've used it since it came out, and it has been the most stable for me on KK. I haven't used many of the L builds, due to my personal opinion that L is beyond Toro's capabilities. I have tried most of the popular ROMs for toro, across android version bases, but have found slim 9.0 to be my favorite overall.

quickdraw86 said:
Slimkat 9.0. I've used it since it came out, and it has been the most stable for me on KK. I haven't used many of the L builds, due to my personal opinion that L is beyond Toro's capabilities. I have tried most of the popular ROMs for toro, across android version bases, but have found slim 9.0 to be my favorite overall.
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Why would you say it's beyond your phone's capabilities? The newest 5.1 zMod Lollipop build for my Maguro phone runs very well on my device...the only limiting factor is the fact that our device has very low free RAM compared to newer phones, and apps since then have become more bloated so that doesn't help matters as well.

Culex316 said:
Why would you say it's beyond your phone's capabilities? The newest 5.1 zMod Lollipop build for my Maguro phone runs very well on my device...the only limiting factor is the fact that our device has very low free RAM compared to newer phones, and apps since then have become more bloated so that doesn't help matters as well.
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Exactly as you stated... Limited free ram, lack of official driver and radio support (I use toro, our last official update was to 4.2.2 AFAIK).

I've tried some custom ROMs, and I haven't found ANY to be "VERY" stable. The problem with software development is it's difficult and boring. To make a stable ROM, a developer must spend years fixing boring bugs on an old version, rather than switching to a fun new version. And what volunteer developer wants a boring hobby? The newest version is always more exciting, even if it is functionally worse.
Everyone agrees that Google's 4.3 for Galaxy Nexus is worse than 4.2, right? So even Google couldn't get the new version right. I predict that if we tested many different ROMs, the best would be an old 4.2 or 4.1 version. Like AOKP or PA, for example.

I've been using Unofficial PA ROM with 4.4.4 and it has decent battery life and best if all its very smooth. Probably the smoothest ROM on this Android version ive found to date. So definitely recommend it and like I said the battery life is good. Not great.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA Free mobile app

4.4.x Debloated debugged stable ROM?

I'm new to the tab s, and I hope there is a stable and relatively bug free ROM that is not lollipop. Marshmallow is too new, so I hope for kitkat. I really like Cyanogenmod, but it looks like the earliest CM ROM is 12.x which, I believe, is android 5. Yuk. Not interested in terrible battery life. Any suggestion for a real solid, fast, debugged ROM for the SM-T700? I'm getting my new tablet tomorrow, and I'll be ready to root, backup and reROM right away. Hate the bloat! Thanks!

Not quite sure what you mean about terrible battery life. How is that related to lollipop?

gruuvin said:
I'm new to the tab s, and I hope there is a stable and relatively bug free ROM that is not lollipop. Marshmallow is too new, so I hope for kitkat. I really like Cyanogenmod, but it looks like the earliest CM ROM is 12.x which, I believe, is android 5. Yuk. Not interested in terrible battery life. Any suggestion for a real solid, fast, debugged ROM for the SM-T700? I'm getting my new tablet tomorrow, and I'll be ready to root, backup and reROM right away. Hate the bloat! Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since a few days have passed, and I've done a lot more reading than the average person wants to do to answer these questions, and I've flashed a new ROM, I'll answer my own questions for others looking into similar questions.
It looks like many devices out there have suffered from the Android 4 to Android 5 updates, especially those forced by manufacturers. The biggest undesirable symptom being painfully reduced battery life. This is debated all over, especially since your mileage may vary. Since you can find these complaints much more frequently than with other Android upgrades, and since Google quickly released Android 6, it's safe to say there are legitimate issues here. Often people claim no such issues if upgrading to Android 5.1 (instead of Android 5.0) and/or if upgrading via a full wipe then clean flash. And since this is not explicitly the conventional update method for most users (again, mfg pushes update) then it's reasonable to assume updates from Android 4 to Android 5 may really just flat out "SUCK". Whether it's Google's fault or phone MFGs fault, it makes no difference to the end user; they will avoid the version of Android if they can't trust it.
As far as a better, stable, debloated KitKat (Android 4.4.x) ROM goes ...... sorry, too late. Pretty much all focus has been on getting Android 5 working properly. There are CyanogenMod 11 ROMs for the T700, but don't hold your breath for anything "official". I am now running CyanogenMod 12.1 (Android 5.1) and it seems stable with no issues so far and the battery life doesn't seem much worse than it was when running stock the TouchWiz KitKat, which was nice but heavily bloated. This is after root, TWRP, backup, full wipe, then flash CM12.1 and gapps.
My first choice ROM would have been LiquidSmooth, because a lot of praise was given it for being stable and bug-free, but all the download links are dead, the website(s) are pretty lame, and the last builds are almost a year old, so I gave CM a shot, since there are still recent nightly builds, and it is working well.
On a side note: Android 6 (M) third party ROMS are still yet to be stable on all sorts of devices out there, and Google is about to release Android N, possibly as Android 7.
Cmon Google, get it together. Slow down and do things right, and quit making things worse, like the exSDcard restrictions.

Best Custom Rom?

I just got into Rooting my S4, I used to have an S3 so i'm no noob when it comes to development. the issue i am having is that since I got an S4, I see so many different Custom Roms that I don't know where to start so I thought that someone might be able to help. I just want to know your opinions on the best Custom Roms as far as lollipop and Marshmallow go for example...speed of use, OTA updates, actively developed etc. thanks for the help!

hotshot247 said:
I just got into Rooting my S4, I used to have an S3 so i'm no noob when it comes to development. the issue i am having is that since I got an S4, I see so many different Custom Roms that I don't know where to start so I thought that someone might be able to help. I just want to know your opinions on the best Custom Roms as far as lollipop and Marshmallow go for example...speed of use, OTA updates, actively developed etc. thanks for the help!
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Click to collapse
Welcome to the S4!
There are a lot of great ROMs out right now. Just an FYI, marshmallow is stable on the S4, however, there are a few generic problems in marshmallow with Bluetooth, particularly if playing audio to a Bluetooth device when receiving a phone call. Other than that, it is pretty solid and notably smooth and fast, just like lollipop.
There is a pretty good CyanogenMod 13 and Beanstock 6.0.1 out right now in the development forum, and they update fairly regularly.
There is also a really feature rich AOKP 6.0.1 that is really solid, and a PAC ROM 6.0.1 in the forums too.
If you want features and more features, I really recommend AOKP. If you want a suped up kernel, I recommend CM13 by @javelinanddart.
If Bluetooth is a must, I recommend SlimLP, or the older Resurrection remix 5.1.1.
The great thing about custom roms, is it is like ice cream, there are lots of great flavours, and there isn't really a wrong choice. Hope that helps!

Thanks for the info! I was starting to get a little overwhelmed because their are so many choices that i didn't know where to start but now I have some direction.
Sent from my SHIELD Tablet K1 using Tapatalk

I agree with you hotshot247, there is sooo many. I have been toying with Team OctOs Oct-MM. It is very nice and very AOSP, with just a few tweaks available via there app. But like Alaska said it does have an issues when you are playing music/audio on Bluetooth and get a phone call.
I have also been toying with Albe95 S6 FULL PORT. It is a Touchwize 5.1.1 ROM. I didn't realize how much I like Touchwize and how much I have become a custom to it. For the most part any of Albe95 ROMs look good to me personally.
Albe95 also has another ROM I have been looking at, Albe95 LolliROM [S6/S7/N4/N5 Feature]. It is 5.0.1 base. It has a lot of features and app ports from some of the newest Galaxy phones.