Develop Bugs

Thinking about buying, need some advice...

I'm on the fence between waiting for the N5 or getting the OG Pro.
Is the OG Pro difficult to root, flash custom recovery, CM 10.2, etc? (That's what I really want the device for)
Is the bootloader locked?
Any basic suggestions or tips would be appreciated.

The boot loader is locked. However, there is a work around called "Loki", hence the roms, which btw run great on the G Pro.
But I'd advise you to wait for the N5 due to it having a fully unlocked boot loader , more accessories and more support by both Google and XDA.
I will buy one for sure.

donalgodon said:
I'm on the fence between waiting for the N5 or getting the OG Pro.
Is the OG Pro difficult to root, flash custom recovery, CM 10.2, etc? (That's what I really want the device for)
Is the bootloader locked?
Any basic suggestions or tips would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OG Pro is simple to root, both cwm and twrp recoveries are easily available and working, and there is an official CM 10.2 available which is a nightly, so daily updates
So if these are your only considerations, you can buy the OG Pro with your eyes closed.
Sent from my LG-E980 using Tapatalk

vivebatu said:
OG Pro is simple to root, both cwm and twrp recoveries are easily available and working, and there is an official CM 10.2 available which is a nightly, so daily updates
So if these are your only considerations, you can buy the OG Pro with your eyes closed.
Sent from my LG-E980 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My only concern is that I don't know if the 980H is the same as the 980.
The 980H is the Panama version, the ROM from which is a popular flash option for this model in a Stock ROM. I'm actually in Panama, and this is where I'll purchase.
What about the root, recovery options? Should I use the one's for the 980? I don't see any for the H variant.

donalgodon said:
I'm on the fence between waiting for the N5 or getting the OG Pro.
Is the OG Pro difficult to root, flash custom recovery, CM 10.2, etc? (That's what I really want the device for)
Is the bootloader locked?
Any basic suggestions or tips would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OG Pro is a GREAT Device in its own way. If you need Removable battery, Micro SD slot then this device is suitable.
N5 has is pros and cons. U get latest S800 processor, direct updates from google, but only 16 or 32GB storage and non removable 2300 mah of N5 is no near to 3140mah of OGP. And LG will MOSTLY update OGP to 4.4 Kitkat by end of this year.
It is easy to flash custom roms on this device, well easier than HTC phones and there is going to be lot of development in future for this device. This device also have OFFICIAL support from Cyanogen mod team.(Correct me if i'm wrong).
For me OGP is better option than most of the other phones out there right now.

StarkV5 said:
OG Pro is a GREAT Device in its own way. If you need Removable battery, Micro SD slot then this device is suitable.
N5 has is pros and cons. U get latest S800 processor, direct updates from google, but only 16 or 32GB storage and non removable 2300 mah of N5 is no near to 3140mah of OGP. And LG will MOSTLY update OGP to 4.4 Kitkat by end of this year.
It is easy to flash custom roms on this device, well easier than HTC phones and there is going to be lot of development in future for this device. This device also have OFFICIAL support from Cyanogen mod team.(Correct me if i'm wrong).
For me OGP is better option than most of the other phones out there right now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't you think that LG will eventually patch the bootloader exploit and end the party?
That's what bothers me about it, because Samdung did basically the same thing recently with Knox.

donalgodon said:
Don't you think that LG will eventually patch the bootloader exploit and end the party?
That's what bothers me about it, because Samdung did basically the same thing recently with Knox.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
with custom roms we don't need official OTA updates anymore plus they're slow with the updates anyway

solaris2k said:
with custom roms we don't need official OTA updates anymore plus they're slow with the updates anyway
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just as long as those features aren't tied to the bootloader, then there's no problem, but if the case of Samdung's Knox bootloaders have illustrated anything, it's that this is always an option.
Without the Knox bootloader, 4.3 update broke Wi-Fi, Sound, etc. It's what pushed me to sell the S4 and be done with Samdung once and for all.

donalgodon said:
Just as long as those features aren't tied to the bootloader, then there's no problem, but if the case of Samdung's Knox bootloaders have illustrated anything, it's that this is always an option.
Without the Knox bootloader, 4.3 update broke Wi-Fi, Sound, etc. It's what pushed me to sell the S4 and be done with Samdung once and for all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well Samdung are floating in the sky because of lots of sales and huge profit (about $10 billion i guess!!) so they don't care about the developer community and moving against it like Apple. Samdung is not apple but they don't understand it. they want to provide security on their devices like Apple does. Thats what they are trying with something called Knox bootloaders. This is one of the reason that kept me away from getting a Note 3. LG has long way to go before they become like Samdung. So i wouldn't worry about it for atleast 2 years! LOL

StarkV5 said:
Well Samdung are floating in the sky because of lots of sales and huge profit (about $10 billion i guess!!) so they don't care about the developer community and moving against it like Apple. Samdung is not apple but they don't understand it. they want to provide security on their devices like Apple does. Thats what they are trying with something called Knox bootloaders. This is one of the reason that kept me away from getting a Note 3. LG has long way to go before they become like Samdung. So i wouldn't worry about it for atleast 2 years! LOL
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, their protection scheme is similar. I forgot what they call it, but it's all the same sort of sham. It releases the corporation from liability for warranty service, regardless of what the issue is, if the "protection" flag is tripped.
I find myself dreaming often about what it would be like if a company (like LG, which is smaller than the competition) threw everything they had behind the Open Source and Development community and just made their devices with folks like us XDA members in mind! How many millions of us are there now? We probably buy more gadgets as a group than any other segment of the global population as a whole, yet we are basically ignored and treated like criminals.

donalgodon said:
I find myself dreaming often about what it would be like if a company (like LG, which is smaller than the competition) threw everything they had behind the Open Source and Development community and just made their devices with folks like us XDA members in mind! How many millions of us are there now? We probably buy more gadgets as a group than any other segment of the global population as a whole, yet we are basically ignored and treated like criminals.
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Click to collapse
True!!! But the companies always think about the mass market first who are non-tech people who just buy and use the phone as it is..
The issue is warranty! when the phone is being used for development there is always risk of hard brick unless u know what you are doing with the phone. They don't want people messing their devices themselves and claim warranty for it. That is why the bootloaders are locked and flagged if unlocked for development purposes.
Which device did u decide to buy anyway??

StarkV5 said:
True!!! But the companies always think about the mass market first who are non-tech people who just buy and use the phone as it is..
The issue is warranty! when the phone is being used for development there is always risk of hard brick unless u know what you are doing with the phone. They don't want people messing their devices themselves and claim warranty for it. That is why the bootloaders are locked and flagged if unlocked for development purposes.
Which device did u decide to buy anyway??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, that's the reality, but I think there's a situation where companies can say, "Look, here's literally everything you need. All the documentation, sources, drivers, binaries... everything. You can play with your device all you want, but you assume that responsibility if something goes wrong." Then, they ought to make the flashing and modding tools part of the package. Make them robust, and invest in safe flashing systems. Fewer issues as a result.
I don't think it's fair that companies should be made to pay for stupidity, and I accept it as a cost of doing what we all love to do. This is what I thought the "Google Edition" devices were going to be all about, but even there, we still face a situation where so many things aren't provided properly.
I am hunting down a E980. To me, it represents the best value for the money right now. My plan is to use the Loki bootloader exploit, slap CM 10.2 on it and never look back. In fairness, LG's UI is a bit too colorful for my tastes, but it isn't anywhere near as hideous as Samdung's Touchwiz circus clowns on acid abomination.

donalgodon said:
I am hunting down a E980.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice! :good:
I'm sure you will have great time with the device.

donalgodon said:
My only concern is that I don't know if the 980H is the same as the 980.
The 980H is the Panama version, the ROM from which is a popular flash option for this model in a Stock ROM. I'm actually in Panama, and this is where I'll purchase.
What about the root, recovery options? Should I use the one's for the 980? I don't see any for the H variant.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bump
Sent from my One X using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

[Q] [SALES] US Launch?

Anyone here know if and when the Asus Zenfone 2 will launch in the US? There are mixed forums on the internet, MOST of which list April 2015 as the launch date in a bunch of countries ... 1 of which, is the US. Well, it is April now and I cannot find any official word about whether or not the ZF2 will launch in the US.

EdoIsa said:
Anyone here know if and when the Asus Zenfone 2 will launch in the US? There are mixed forums on the internet, MOST of which list April 2015 as the launch date in a bunch of countries ... 1 of which, is the US. Well, it is April now and I cannot find any official word about whether or not the ZF2 will launch in the US.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Per Asus response yesterday to an email "Thank you for your inquiry of the ASUS ZenFone 2 (ZE551ML). At this time this product is not available in North America and there is not an official release date at this time as well."
Bought the idol3 for $199. Not playing the waiting game.

geegs8 said:
Per Asus response yesterday to an email "Thank you for your inquiry of the ASUS ZenFone 2 (ZE551ML). At this time this product is not available in North America and there is not an official release date at this time as well."
Bought the idol3 for $199. Not playing the waiting game.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is a nice phone, congrats!
The problem with me is I already bought the phone, but it came with the CN (Chinese) firmware. It's the exact same phone as the TW (Taiwan) firmware, except it has different band configurations ... which is a reason for me not having the 4G I already pay for on T-Mobile's network. I am now in the process of returning this phone and getting a TW version, but I read here on XDA where people were mentioning the Band configurations on different firmware ... ONE of which happened to be "US" firmware. Since the US version isn't out YET (or ever ....), I assumed that since the Band configuration specs for it are posted, then there MUST be a US variant ... THUS the question.
Btw, thanks for taking the time and emailing Asus ... if you did.

EdoIsa said:
ONE of which happened to be "US" firmware. Since the US version isn't out YET (or ever ....), I assumed that since the Band configuration specs for it are posted, then there MUST be a US variant ... THUS the question.
Btw, thanks for taking the time and emailing Asus ... if you did.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right. I think there will be one, but they're kind of being dumb about it. :/ I really didn't expect an answer, but was hoping maybe they could throw a quarter or month or something my way. Was worth a shot, I guess. Like, if you want to sell a million phones, freaking let us know if it's actually going to come, and a general idea when. You'd think their marketing department would get that.

geegs8 said:
Right. I think there will be one, but they're kind of being dumb about it. :/ I really didn't expect an answer, but was hoping maybe they could throw a quarter or month or something my way. Was worth a shot, I guess. Like, if you want to sell a million phones, freaking let us know if it's actually going to come, and a general idea when. You'd think their marketing department would get that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I totally aggree ... I think that there might be a big problem between them and US authorities (FCC, customs, etc) and even large flagship companies. Any company would DIE for the pleasure of having it so easy that they just release all their products in every region. There are different bands, radio interference, and general telecommunications laws varying from region to region. I assume it's not IMPOSSIBLE for a HUGE company like ASUS to get all of that sorted out, but then again it is all about $$. Their lowest sale point (according to their marketing dept.) was probably selected as the US ... which is why they are releasing it starting from countries where low/mid-range phones are more popular than flagships due to their price.

EdoIsa said:
I totally aggree ... I think that there might be a big problem between them and US authorities (FCC, customs, etc) and even large flagship companies. Any company would DIE for the pleasure of having it so easy that they just release all their products in every region. There are different bands, radio interference, and general telecommunications laws varying from region to region. I assume it's not IMPOSSIBLE for a HUGE company like ASUS to get all of that sorted out, but then again it is all about $$. Their lowest sale point (according to their marketing dept.) was probably selected as the US ... which is why they are releasing it starting from countries where low/mid-range phones are more popular than flagships due to their price.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're completely right actually, as even way back in the earlier weeks after the Zenfone 2 was announced, I saw such info on the Asus site. Said info was essentially 'fine print' at the very bottom of the page, where they stated that the phone wasn't FCC approved for the US and Canada, along with some other stuff...
I'm not from such regions so I didn't think it'd cause any issues, but with what you mentioned here about such barriers makes perfect sense why there's no official launch event for those countries yet. Once again, can't blame Asus for having such a hard time delivering this beastly device, with such things taking a jab at their profits.
Sent from the Ace's MB865 using Tapatalk

Aceofzeroz said:
You're completely right actually, as even way back in the earlier weeks after the Zenfone 2 was announced, I saw such info on the Asus site. Said info was essentially 'fine print' at the very bottom of the page, where they stated that the phone wasn't FCC approved for the US and Canada, along with some other stuff...
I'm not from such regions so I didn't think it'd cause any issues, but with what you mentioned here about such barriers makes perfect sense why there's no official launch event for those countries yet. Once again, can't blame Asus for having such a hard time delivering this beastly device, with such things taking a jab at their profits.
Sent from the Ace's MB865 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It does suck ... but nothing should stop us!
Order it from eBay, the Taiwanese version is the best version out there, I believe ... in terms of 4G on TMobile, Play Store preinstalled, etc.
I will be getting mine within a week, will keep the threads updated. I am currently holding the 1.8GHz chip of the Chinese version which is only getting 3G, and no Google Apps pre installed. I am having a bit of trouble getting Google Framework/services on it at the moment. It seems impossible so if GearBest decides not to pay return shipping, I will keep it and root it ... that should get me through the door to Google apps.

what are the odds of getting root on this phone

I know it's only out for reviewers and what not but I'm looking forward to the device, not only that but I'm looking to upgrade my rooted V20 and wanted to know the chances of the G7 being rooted

Only European and US unlocked will get official bootloader unlock (as far as we have seen in many variants before) and root other variant may or may not find a way to root

numpea said:
Only European and US unlocked will get official bootloader unlock (as far as we have seen in many variants before) and root other variant may or may not find a way to root
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well that's blows

Joe199799 said:
Well that's blows
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Click to collapse
Yup. And that is exactly the reason the v30 will be my last LG phone. At least the new HTC comes out soon and HTC has previously been dev friendly

Josh McGrath said:
Yup. And that is exactly the reason the v30 will be my last LG phone. At least the new HTC comes out soon and HTC has previously been dev friendly
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Honestly it's a shame I was seriously looking at this phone, but what's more unfortunate is I'm starting to feel rooting is going the way of the dodo, more or less for big brands Samsung and LG for instance. HTC has always been pretty Dev friendly, it's just a shame I stuck with Android all this time because I had the freedom to root and do whatever I wanted and now it's just become a hollow shell of itself

I'd say odds are piratically zero unless you get an unlocked variant, even then it can take months for LG to release the code for unlock. I am looking elsewhere manufacture wise. I have a G3 and it is on its last legs.

Josh McGrath said:
Yup. And that is exactly the reason the v30 will be my last LG phone. At least the new HTC comes out soon and HTC has previously been dev friendly
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Joe199799 said:
Honestly it's a shame I was seriously looking at this phone, but what's more unfortunate is I'm starting to feel rooting is going the way of the dodo, more or less for big brands Samsung and LG for instance. HTC has always been pretty Dev friendly, it's just a shame I stuck with Android all this time because I had the freedom to root and do whatever I wanted and now it's just become a hollow shell of itself
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For all of you that say HTC is so great, Let me tell you.. I was once a huge LG fan back in the G3 days and V10(Which went knowwhere) and then I said I would never touch another LG again, So I went HTC10,
was great at first, a bit pricey for the money, But to make a long story short. all HTC's battery suck.. your device will die within 1 year. but you will notice the issue way before, like 6 months to less..
when it happen to me, I thought maybe it was just me, then after me, other friends of mine, started having issues, and then friends of theirs had issues, and coming from a Developer on HTC10,
I can tell you, the scene sucks. the users can be rude, even know that is everywhere.. but cant explain unless your a dev, and even know you can s/off which will cost you 25.00, no biggie, lets you rebrand your device too... and unlock your bootloaders, but as for scene, Its not really there.. a few roms and a few things, but nothing big.. I created PureFusionOS originally on a HTC10, and I created Nebula Kernel Originally on a LG G3,
then Ported the first EAS Kernel to HTC10 on MM then N and not on Oreo......... So, dev friendly as it is, it has its draw backs.. I personally wont get another HTC do to the crappy batteries..
If none believe me, click on the Telegram group on my sig and ask in there.. you will see for your self.......
as for the oods of getting root, anything is possible.. look at the v30.. look at the g6 and v20 and so on, Most didnt think that would happen... its a challenge.. I wouldnt say you would get it soon,
but sooner or later.. if you truly want software and dont care about hardware, get OP6........................... But if you want a device that can outperform most others, Samsung,LG and Google.............
yeah sony too.. just not a fan of Sony.............

Eliminater74 said:
For all of you that say HTC is so great, Let me tell you.. I was once a huge LG fan back in the G3 days and V10(Which went knowwhere) and then I said I would never touch another LG again, So I went HTC10,
was great at first, a bit pricey for the money, But to make a long story short. all HTC's battery suck.. your device will die within 1 year. but you will notice the issue way before, like 6 months to less..
when it happen to me, I thought maybe it was just me, then after me, other friends of mine, started having issues, and then friends of theirs had issues, and coming from a Developer on HTC10,
I can tell you, the scene sucks. the users can be rude, even know that is everywhere.. but cant explain unless your a dev, and even know you can s/off which will cost you 25.00, no biggie, lets you rebrand your device too... and unlock your bootloaders, but as for scene, Its not really there.. a few roms and a few things, but nothing big.. I created PureFusionOS originally on a HTC10, and I created Nebula Kernel Originally on a LG G3,
then Ported the first EAS Kernel to HTC10 on MM then N and not on Oreo......... So, dev friendly as it is, it has its draw backs.. I personally wont get another HTC do to the crappy batteries..
If none believe me, click on the Telegram group on my sig and ask in there.. you will see for your self.......
as for the oods of getting root, anything is possible.. look at the v30.. look at the g6 and v20 and so on, Most didnt think that would happen... its a challenge.. I wouldnt say you would get it soon,
but sooner or later.. if you truly want software and dont care about hardware, get OP6........................... But if you want a device that can outperform most others, Samsung,LG and Google.............
yeah sony too.. just not a fan of Sony.............
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sony phones are locked down tighter than a nuns vagina so I won't go that way again.
I had an htc M9 and the battery was TERRIBLE. 3 hours I was at 60pct of little use, and this was brand new. So the battery issue has to be better than it was then. But most of us buy our phones and never plan to keep then longer than a year Max and most of us also use the payments so the OP6 and others like it are not affordable, especially for my broke ass.
LG makes great phones, they really do, but I want absolute control over something I legally own (for the time being ) and I think everyone else feels the same way. I haven't given up on LG just yet but for time being, I'm using the Motorola z2 force soley cause it can be rooted easily...well I thought easily anyway. Google's seemless update confuses me with two.
That being said, my hopes are still up, hanging by a string for the next LG model, but this time I won't buy it until root is achieved/released..if ever.

Sigh.
I swore to never own another LG phone after the G4 fiasco, but here I am a few years later - literally about to pull the trigger.
I don't care about the notch or the AI features - I just wanted a good phone with: a headphone jack, bigger screen, and most of all - a wide angle lens. I had my heart set out on an ASUS Zenfone 5 for a while but the wide angle camera has apparently been somewhat disappointing.
I currently own a Pixel 2 XL and a Galaxy S8+ Exynos version, both have been a blast to have because of the ease of being able to flash a new ROM and what not. I know for a fact that having this new G7 means losing the ability to customise the phone, but I'm left with little options as my desires for a wide angle lens has become far too great. I could get a secondary lens for my DSLR but snapping pictures very quickly with a phone has become the norm. Oh well, I'm probably going to get the G7, I'm prepared for a locked bootloader

Question what about for the Verizon editions are those going to be unlocked by Verizon and allowed to root?

sillyshyme said:
Question what about for the Verizon editions are those going to be unlocked by Verizon and allowed to root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Verizon will never unlock the bootloaders on any phone they sell. Basically, if you want root, the general rule is to not buy Verizon phones 99pct of the time they are not unlockable

I though while ago few years there was a law passed that allowed modifications to phones legal?

sillyshyme said:
I though while ago few years there was a law passed that allowed modifications to phones legal?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think that law may have been to physically mod phones? I can't quite remember.
But yeah, Verizon = no bootloader unlock, ever. I am hoping T-Mobile's buy one get one free promo will get the phone in more user's hands. More users should lead to more desires for development. The last LG phone I had was the G4 and there was an odd way of getting root on the phone.. I really hope there will be devs to work on the G7. As always, I'm ready to donate money to get root and the ability to flash ROM's.. honestly, I just want AOSP icons on the statusbar :laugh: I hate ugly statusbar icons!

AhsanU said:
I think that law may have been to physically mod phones? I can't quite remember.
But yeah, Verizon = no bootloader unlock, ever. I am hoping T-Mobile's buy one get one free promo will get the phone in more user's hands. More users should lead to more desires for development. The last LG phone I had was the G4 and there was an odd way of getting root on the phone.. I really hope there will be devs to work on the G7. As always, I'm ready to donate money to get root and the ability to flash ROM's.. honestly, I just want AOSP icons on the statusbar :laugh: I hate ugly statusbar icons!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Considering how incredibly slow LG was to add the V30 unlock codes to the official site, and still no OFFICIAL support for the open market V30/V30+ US998 model, I have serious doubts the G7 will be added to the list, at all. If you have a European variant, I envy you. They DO have laws that require companies to allow for modification. The US has pathetic loopholes in right to repair which even Apple and Microsoft scoff at, let along a smaller company like LG. They simply don't care about the dev or modder community. They would much rather have you get a new phone every year because the former was crippled by poor software and lack of support.
I'm rocking a LG G3 vs985 and it is really in bad shape now that thermal issues have led to SD card failure. I might have to reflow the solder to get it working long enough to see if the G7 will get root, or if there are alternatives.

Eliminater74 said:
For all of you that say HTC is so great, Let me tell you.. I was once a huge LG fan back in the G3 days and V10(Which went knowwhere) and then I said I would never touch another LG again, So I went HTC10,
was great at first, a bit pricey for the money, But to make a long story short. all HTC's battery suck.. your device will die within 1 year. but you will notice the issue way before, like 6 months to less..
when it happen to me, I thought maybe it was just me, then after me, other friends of mine, started having issues, and then friends of theirs had issues, and coming from a Developer on HTC10,
I can tell you, the scene sucks. the users can be rude, even know that is everywhere.. but cant explain unless your a dev, and even know you can s/off which will cost you 25.00, no biggie, lets you rebrand your device too... and unlock your bootloaders, but as for scene, Its not really there.. a few roms and a few things, but nothing big.. I created PureFusionOS originally on a HTC10, and I created Nebula Kernel Originally on a LG G3,
then Ported the first EAS Kernel to HTC10 on MM then N and not on Oreo......... So, dev friendly as it is, it has its draw backs.. I personally wont get another HTC do to the crappy batteries..
If none believe me, click on the Telegram group on my sig and ask in there.. you will see for your self.......
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am currently researching various sites such as XDA now being in the market for a new smartphone out of necessity. That necessity...... Echoing the quoted portion of your previous post...... Is " thanks " to the battery of my HTC 10. I write this with my HTC 10 tethered to a charger because not connected to power once the status bar battery icon shows 70 % it is a very short wait until it bootloops with the only course of action then being a vol. Down + power button combo press to get into download mode...... Select power off...... And connect the HTC 10 back to a power source ( at which point it displays that the 70 % screen on battery power remaining is actually around 8 %.
The HTC 10 battery does indeed suck. Researching now for a new smartphone is leading me to think there are only 2 options that tick the boxes of my wants...... Among those wants being latest hardware with a Good + camera, SD card slot for storage expansion, and ability to be rooted. It appears the 2 smartphones to come the closest to meeting those wants are the LG G7 and Samsung S9 ( and unfortunately it appears presently the want of root may not happen with either of those 2 smartphone options [ Snapdragon versions. ] )
I suppose I could deal with my always-needing-to-be-tethered HTC 10 a little while longer to enter the U12 in the purchase running ( that I presume will be rootable ) but I will be concerned of having another battery nightmare with a HTC smartphone......
Ganuke

I haven't rooted my phones for a few years now. I dont see the necessity for it anymore ( I respect the opinion of others who have their reasons for rooting.. i just have no justifiable reason for myself)
I still use xda a lot for reviews , q&a , discussions etc just not for development.
To me, phones have come a loooooong way from the days of the LG G2x etc where rooting was a MUST if you wanted a phone that could even last the entire day

Ganuke2kx said:
I am currently researching various sites such as XDA now being in the market for a new smartphone out of necessity. That necessity...... Echoing the quoted portion of your previous post...... Is " thanks " to the battery of my HTC 10. I write this with my HTC 10 tethered to a charger because not connected to power once the status bar battery icon shows 70 % it is a very short wait until it bootloops with the only course of action then being a vol. Down + power button combo press to get into download mode...... Select power off...... And connect the HTC 10 back to a power source ( at which point it displays that the 70 % screen on battery power remaining is actually around 8 %.
The HTC 10 battery does indeed suck. Researching now for a new smartphone is leading me to think there are only 2 options that tick the boxes of my wants...... Among those wants being latest hardware with a Good + camera, SD card slot for storage expansion, and ability to be rooted. It appears the 2 smartphones to come the closest to meeting those wants are the LG G7 and Samsung S9 ( and unfortunately it appears presently the want of root may not happen with either of those 2 smartphone options [ Snapdragon versions. ] )
I suppose I could deal with my always-needing-to-be-tethered HTC 10 a little while longer to enter the U12 in the purchase running ( that I presume will be rootable ) but I will be concerned of having another battery nightmare with a HTC smartphone......
Ganuke
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Click to collapse
I'm actually in the exact same boat as you - although my battery isn't quite as bad on the HTC 10 yet, it's definitely dying 2 or more times a day on me. It's a great phone and I wouldn't be itching for an upgrade if the battery was still good. I like the U12+ but after this(and previously my One M8) having both battery or charging port related issues, wireless charging on my next device is a must. Unfortunately like you said both the Snapdragon S9+ and the G7 are the only current real options and neither of them seem to be getting any traction in the root department. The s9+ is especially interesting to me because I would think the USA would have a HUGE market for people buying and modifying that phone but it seems as though that just isn't so.
Back to the G7 - this is the first time I've ever even considered an LG and this device looks freaking great, but I want to not only de-bloat and adblock, but also have the ability to run free WiFi tether on Sprint as well as the fun of changing out ROMs(although the older and busier I get the more tedious this becomes).
Eagerly watching from the sidelines on what happens with this phone though!

Darkning said:
I'm actually in the exact same boat as you - although my battery isn't quite as bad on the HTC 10 yet, it's definitely dying 2 or more times a day on me. It's a great phone and I wouldn't be itching for an upgrade if the battery was still good. I like the U12+ but after this(and previously my One M8) having both battery or charging port related issues, wireless charging on my next device is a must. Unfortunately like you said both the Snapdragon S9+ and the G7 are the only current real options and neither of them seem to be getting any traction in the root department. The s9+ is especially interesting to me because I would think the USA would have a HUGE market for people buying and modifying that phone but it seems as though that just isn't so.
Back to the G7 - this is the first time I've ever even considered an LG and this device looks freaking great, but I want to not only de-bloat and adblock, but also have the ability to run free WiFi tether on Sprint as well as the fun of changing out ROMs(although the older and busier I get the more tedious this becomes).
Eagerly watching from the sidelines on what happens with this phone though!
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Click to collapse
Not a good thing reading that you had battery related issues on a previous HTC smartphone as well as the 10...... As far as my thought of a U12 being in the running for my next soon-to-be purchase each new day I become increasingly frustrated with needing to be constantly tethered to a power source with my HTC 10. I also have a Google Nexus 10 tablet ( that I believe has HTC battery hardware ) which in the past few months has been major off-and-on issues that after online researching of others experiencing the same thing attribute likely to HTC battery hardware in the Google Nexus 10. Early reviews of the HTC U12 do seem promising...... But after the cost of a flagship phone I do not want to find myself having the same battery nightmare a little over a year from now as I am with this HTC 10.
It is a real shame as so long as I am tethered to a power source my HTC 10 still runs like a champ in every other aspect. Another shame is something you mentioned in root / mod activity on XDA seems to have really declined for most smartphone brands...... And that does not give me hope of there arriving root for either the Samsung S9 or LG G7. If I am destined for the LG G7 I am considering holding out for one of the 2 merchants listed on the LG website to get in stock a carrier unlocked version of it...... In hopes that could make it a little easier / likely for eventual bootloader unlock and root. If not I will just have to get use to it being my first Android smartphone that I did not have root on.
With that scenario in mind I have been researching on alternate methods to try and do as close to some of the basic things I have always utilized with root. One thing you mention is debloat. Searching with a phrasing similar to " remove bloat no root " did return a result from XDA that I likely will try And there do exist adblock, firewall, etc. apps that do not require root...... But my guess is they will not function as well as those with root. I have had a few Samsung, a couple Motorola, and this one HTC ( 10 ) branded smartphones...... A purchase of a G7 would be my first LG as well......
Ganuke

Ganuke2kx said:
Not a good thing reading that you had battery related issues on a previous HTC smartphone as well as the 10...... As far as my thought of a U12 being in the running for my next soon-to-be purchase each new day I become increasingly frustrated with needing to be constantly tethered to a power source with my HTC 10. I also have a Google Nexus 10 tablet ( that I believe has HTC battery hardware ) which in the past few months has been major off-and-on issues that after online researching of others experiencing the same thing attribute likely to HTC battery hardware in the Google Nexus 10. Early reviews of the HTC U12 do seem promising...... But after the cost of a flagship phone I do not want to find myself having the same battery nightmare a little over a year from now as I am with this HTC 10.
It is a real shame as so long as I am tethered to a power source my HTC 10 still runs like a champ in every other aspect. Another shame is something you mentioned in root / mod activity on XDA seems to have really declined for most smartphone brands...... And that does not give me hope of there arriving root for either the Samsung S9 or LG G7. If I am destined for the LG G7 I am considering holding out for one of the 2 merchants listed on the LG website to get in stock a carrier unlocked version of it...... In hopes that could make it a little easier / likely for eventual bootloader unlock and root. If not I will just have to get use to it being my first Android smartphone that I did not have root on.
With that scenario in mind I have been researching on alternate methods to try and do as close to some of the basic things I have always utilized with root. One thing you mention is debloat. Searching with a phrasing similar to " remove bloat no root " did return a result from XDA that I likely will try And there do exist adblock, firewall, etc. apps that do not require root...... But my guess is they will not function as well as those with root. I have had a few Samsung, a couple Motorola, and this one HTC ( 10 ) branded smartphones...... A purchase of a G7 would be my first LG as well......
Ganuke
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The prior HTC phone (One m8) didn't really have battery issues, but the charging port (microusb) failed on me. I believe this is going to be much less of an issue going forward with USB C connections so I wouldn't really say that's a major concern. I've had HTC phones all the way back to the EVO 4G, and generally did not have issues with battery or power related things. At this point we're going off topic though. Hopefully someone with the talent and ability finds a passion in figuring out root for the G7.

Darkning said:
At this point we're going off topic though. Hopefully someone with the talent and ability finds a passion in figuring out root for the G7.
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Allllthoooough...... If you and I continue conversing regardless of topic maybe we can bump the thread count up high enough to attract a talented and abled person to take a look here and ultimately detail a root strategy for the LG G7 ( can always hope. )
So on that thought...... How Is the weather where you are ?
Ganuke

Custom ROMs and encryption on the S20 Ultra.

Hey guys, I recently purchased a S20 Ultra and am finding it a great phone. However, I've come to realize they've removed the encryption on boot-up feature which I was really looking to use for privacy reasons. I went and asked on the live chat on the Samsung website, and they said it was removed and I would have to "use a third party app or rom" to be able to get back this feature.
I'm now looking into installing a custom ROM and haven't done for many years so I need a bit of help with this, is it just me being stupid, or is there no custom ROM's really released for the S20 Ultra yet? As I've not been able to find one whilst searching.
Also I was curious to if anyone knew a easier way or setting that I could activate that I might have not noticed to be able to activate boot up/start up encryption for the S20?
Thanks in advance
Cazzia

Cazzia said:
Hey guys, I recently purchased a S20 Ultra and am finding it a great phone. However, I've come to realize they've removed the encryption on boot-up feature which I was really looking to use for privacy reasons. I went and asked on the live chat on the Samsung website, and they said it was removed and I would have to "use a third party app or rom" to be able to get back this feature.
I'm now looking into installing a custom ROM and haven't done for many years so I need a bit of help with this, is it just me being stupid, or is there no custom ROM's really released for the S20 Ultra yet? As I've not been able to find one whilst searching.
Also I was curious to if anyone knew a easier way or setting that I could activate that I might have not noticed to be able to activate boot up/start up encryption for the S20?
Thanks in advance
Cazzia
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Click to collapse
Hello mate,
No custom ROMs yet I'm afraid. I dont know whether this is a mixture of the crap Exynos variant, price or both. With the OnePlus 8 Pro just launched - i wouldnt hold out for much development for the S20 Ultra.
I believe the S20 line of devices have FBE (File Based Encryption). As such secure boot and the encryption option within settings has been removed.
Their was a guy in here claiming to have created a GSI (Generic System Image) that can be installed on any Google Project Treble device - S20 Ultra included. But His method of getting it installed made no sense whatsoever and he couldn't provide proof that it works and/or boots.
Sorry to "piss on your bonfire" (so to speak) but with the price being too high and the Exynos 990 being so bad - i cant see much development happening for this device. I may be wrong though....time will tell.
Best,
Speedy!!

speedyjay said:
Hello mate,
No custom ROMs yet I'm afraid. I dont know whether this is a mixture of the crap Exynos variant, price or both. With the OnePlus 8 Pro just launched - i wouldnt hold out for much development for the S20 Ultra.
I believe the S20 line of devices have FBE (File Based Encryption). As such secure boot and the encryption option within settings has been removed.
Their was a guy in here claiming to have created a GSI (Generic System Image) that can be installed on any Google Project Treble device - S20 Ultra included. But His method of getting it installed made no sense whatsoever and he couldn't provide proof that it works and/or boots.
Sorry to "piss on your bonfire" (so to speak) but with the price being too high and the Exynos 990 being so bad - i cant see much development happening for this device. I may be wrong though....time will tell.
Best,
Speedy!!
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Click to collapse
Hey Speedy, thanks for your prompt reply!
Yeah I received the Exynos version from Three UK signing up for a contract, I haven't noticed a massive speed problem but then again I am coming from a Hawei P20 Pro lol. I was told however I was going to receive a snapdragon version from Three, so would you say it's worth putting up a fight to try get the other version?
And thanks for informing me of the current situation regarding custom roms and FBE, I'll have to take a look into that and see to just what extent that covers/what is protects and what (on startup or just generally at the lock screen). Or possibly see if there's any third party apps that are able to lock/encrypt app/app data untill a passcode is entered when opening the app (which would obvousily disable background usage for security reasons I guess, if such a app even exists.)

Cazzia said:
Hey Speedy, thanks for your prompt reply!
Yeah I received the Exynos version from Three UK signing up for a contract, I haven't noticed a massive speed problem but then again I am coming from a Hawei P20 Pro lol. I was told however I was going to receive a snapdragon version from Three, so would you say it's worth putting up a fight to try get the other version?
And thanks for informing me of the current situation regarding custom roms and FBE, I'll have to take a look into that and see to just what extent that covers/what is protects and what (on startup or just generally at the lock screen). Or possibly see if there's any third party apps that are able to lock/encrypt app/app data untill a passcode is entered when opening the app (which would obvousily disable background usage for security reasons I guess, if such a app even exists.)
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Click to collapse
A snapdragon variant from Three UK? Is that even possible? Because the snapdragon variant is only sold the USA due a business deal between Qualcomm and Samsung in the early 90s - theirs a massive amount of hoohaa regarding this but long story short - Qualcomm said to Samsung "Yeah, you can use our products in your devices. As long as your sales dont directly compete with ours in our biggest markets" (Europe, Asia etc).
Mate, dont get me wrong - the S20 Ultra is a fantastic phone with solid specs. You'll be well off until your upgrade is due.
FBE is in place from the time your screen is off until you enter your pin/password/biometrics etc. Of course, that leaves the question of - Is FBE in place if no device security is in place? And to that i say I'm not sure my friend.
Is their any particular reason why you need encryption?

speedyjay said:
A snapdragon variant from Three UK? Is that even possible? Because the snapdragon variant is only sold the USA due a business deal between Qualcomm and Samsung in the early 90s - theirs a massive amount of hoohaa regarding this but long story short - Qualcomm said to Samsung "Yeah, you can use our products in your devices. As long as your sales dont directly compete with ours in our biggest markets" (Europe, Asia etc).
Mate, dont get me wrong - the S20 Ultra is a fantastic phone with solid specs. You'll be well off until your upgrade is due.
FBE is in place from the time your screen is off until you enter your pin/password/biometrics etc. Of course, that leaves the question of - Is FBE in place if no device security is in place? And to that i say I'm not sure my friend.
Is their any particular reason why you need encryption?
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Click to collapse
"A snapdragon variant from Three UK? Is that even possible?" Ahhh, this was something I was competently unaware of and just put my faith in they're live chat when they told me I was getting that variant, but I guess I got duped :cyclops:
I guess in terms on encryption, it's just the paranoid view of if I ever lost my phone the possibility of easily getting into my device to view private information and the new/easy software coming out these days to easily extract information from android phones etc. I know with the Pixel you can do boot up security and the older samsungs, just didn't know you couldn't on this one and didn't assume they'd remove such a feature as this is actually my first samsung
They have just told me I'm entitled to a 30 day no questions asked return, so I'm just considering this up to the other devices on they're site as I want to stay with Three because of they're awesome 5G network compared to a lot of others. I guess what I'm just thinking is should I keep a £78 a month phone contract for two years, when I was sold it as to come with a snapdragon processor (which is my own dumb ass fault for not checking I guess haha) The only other one I can see I would maybe swap to is a "Galaxy S10 Plus with Galaxy Watch" which they're doing for £56 a month, making it over £400 saving over 2 years, but there are a lot less features I guess on the S10 Plus than the S20 ultra, would be a bit of a downgrade I guess.

Cazzia said:
"A snapdragon variant from Three UK? Is that even possible?" Ahhh, this was something I was competently unaware of and just put my faith in they're live chat when they told me I was getting that variant, but I guess I got duped :cyclops:
I guess in terms on encryption, it's just the paranoid view of if I ever lost my phone the possibility of easily getting into my device to view private information and the new/easy software coming out these days to easily extract information from android phones etc. I know with the Pixel you can do boot up security and the older samsungs, just didn't know you couldn't on this one and didn't assume they'd remove such a feature as this is actually my first samsung
They have just told me I'm entitled to a 30 day no questions asked return, so I'm just considering this up to the other devices on they're site as I want to stay with Three because of they're awesome 5G network compared to a lot of others. I guess what I'm just thinking is should I keep a £78 a month phone contract for two years, when I was sold it as to come with a snapdragon processor (which is my own dumb ass fault for not checking I guess haha) The only other one I can see I would maybe swap to is a "Galaxy S10 Plus with Galaxy Watch" which they're doing for £56 a month, making it over £400 saving over 2 years, but there are a lot less features I guess on the S10 Plus than the S20 ultra, would be a bit of a downgrade I guess.
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I'm pretty sure a Snapdragon variant from a major UK retailer like Three, Vodafone etc is impossible buddy. I'm sorry.
In terms of extra security - their may be an option available to you. Its called Cerberus. It doesnt require root BUT offers more features if you have it.
Root is available for the S20 Ultra. Go here and take a look mate.
https://www.cerberusapp.com/

Question Unable to Unlock Bootloader. What Phone Should I Switch to?

I have the UK Exynos variant (SM-S901B) of the S22. I have tried for about 2 weeks everything I've found about how to get the OEM Unlock option to appear, and nothing has worked. I've played with the dates, reflashed the stock ROM, and even actually waiting 8 whole days with the phone powered on the whole time. Nada.
To be clear, I can see the OEM Unlock option if I go into Developer Options immediately upon boot. I can then toggle and untoggle it all I like, but the option then disappears (if I back out and then return into Developer Options, OEM Unlock is gone). Attempting to unlock the bootloader fails regardless. Unless anyone has any other ideas, I've given up on being able to root this phone.
My question is if I sell the S22, what phone should I get instead? People don't seem to be as happy as I had expected with the Pixel 6 Pro. Any other suggestions for a new phone? The going rate on Swappa for a mint condition S22 is about $550. I don't want to put any more money into it. Must be rootable!

I found another thread with a UK variant having this issue in June.
Link here: Unable to unlock bootloader Samsung Galaxy S22 SM-S901B/DS
Yuna said:
> "Custom binary (VBMETA) blocked due to remaining installment balance"
That's seems like another layer of protection by Samsung, so that you first pay off the loan for the phone, and then you can root it.
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At the current last post of the thread dated Jul 21, 2022, the OP is still stuck.

post-mortem said:
My question is if I sell the S22, what phone should I get instead? People don't seem to be as happy as I had expected with the Pixel 6 Pro. Any other suggestions for a new phone? The going rate on Swappa for a mint condition S22 is about $550. I don't want to put any more money into it. Must be rootable!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Pixel 6 Pro is not nearly as buggy or awful as people would have you believe.
Remember, the vast majority of online comments and reviews are by hardcore fans expecting perfection OR midwits who think they're really tech savvy and aren't.
If you can actually get $550 for you S22 right now, DON'T HESITATE. Do it while the value is great.
The worst case scenario with a Pixel 6 is that you will have a new one that you can use to immediately trade-in for high value at Pixel 7 launch or with the S23 series if you want to try that.

vonDubenshire said:
If you can actually get $550 for you S22 right now, DON'T HESITATE. Do it while the value is great.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I saw that thread, and it took away much of the hope I had. I also read reports that installing Android 12 made people lose the ability to root. I think Samsung must have done something evil to us.
I'll be upgrading from an OG Pixel, so I'll probably be happy with another Pixel. I hadn't used Odin since my SGS3, and I'd really rather stick to vanilla Android. It's so much easier to flash.
God, if only I had known! NIB S22's are going for over $800 on Swappa.

post-mortem said:
I saw that thread, and it took away much of the hope I had. I also read reports that installing Android 12 made people lose the ability to root. I think Samsung must have done something evil to us.
I'll be upgrading from an OG Pixel, so I'll probably be happy with another Pixel. I hadn't used Odin since my SGS3, and I'd really rather stick to vanilla Android. It's so much easier to flash.
God, if only I had known! NIB S22's are going for over $800 on Swappa.
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Gonna DM you!