[Q] Most Pure Rom? - Galaxy S 4 Active Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Excuse my ignorance, I'm trying to learn more about this device and scene.
What is the most "Vanilla" rom available for this device? I don't need or want any extra functionally and want as pure as android kitkat can get on the device.
Thanks.

Can't argue that ignorance is present.
Didn't care about this advice http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=25164221 last time same question http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=29632006 came to mind?
Btw, thread got locked by moderator usually has a reason...
Anyway, to inspire away from your self acclaimed ignorance not even bother to tell what model of Active, let me put it this way:
If
'this device' = i537 AT&T
Then
Locked bootloader
Goto Safestrap in xda General forum section
'this device' = i9295 international
Then
Unlocked bootloader
AOSP 4.4.4

jbenci said:
Excuse my ignorance, I'm trying to learn more about this device and scene.
What is the most "Vanilla" rom available for this device? I don't need or want any extra functionally and want as pure as android kitkat can get on the device.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know about the international version, so if that's what you have ignore this post. If you're on the i537, there's no AOSP or CM based ROMS, and the ROMS out there seem to be more trouble than they're worth. Not trying to badmouth, it's just there's always hacks necessary to even make them work properly in the first place, and no noticeable improvement. Instead, I'd recommend the advice I just gave someone else (tldr: replace launcher with Nova, freeze/uninstall bloat w/ TiBu, flash galaxy_mod, flash knoxout, and then start learning smali editing):
Get SafeStrap
Flash this mod to drastically improve battery life and general performance
Get rid of KNOX
De-Odex your stock ROM (it's easy and allows a lot more customization)
And enter the exciting world of SMALI editing. This takes a little practice, and still doesn't afford the full freedom of CM, but you can customize the look and feel of your phone, still feel like a champ, and just learn about android in general. I've used a bunch of these successfully, with virtually no prior coding experience. E.g. I hated those battery/charger cover notifications, thanks to this thread, they're gone and not coming back.
Also, get rid of the stock launcher and replace it with NOVA launcher. More customization, smoother, better performance, looks more like CM. You can (and should) use Titanium Backup to either freeze or uninstall bloatware (at the very least any app with AT&T in the name).
AdAway is your friend.
Quick and easy mobile data toggle mod[/QUOTE]

Related

[Q] Tired of laggy performance on HERO

Folks: I have HERO and downloaded official 2.1 update earlier this summer. I was really hoping that issues like dialer lag and general "under-performance" feel on HERO would improve but I am still disappointed. I have still lot of time before I get eligible for a phone upgrade. I have no experience with rooting or custom ROMs. Would a HTC sense-less ROM help my case? I love the form-factor of this phone but lag just kills the experience.
I would really appreciate if someone can point me to step-by-step procedure on how to get a ROM on HERO that works lag-free.
thanks
keep it stock if you like. thats how i did it at first. i rooted the stock stuff and deleted tons of sprint bloatware and the other useless apps; peep, teeter, gmail, socialnetworkprovider.apk...tons of stuff. after doing ONLY that, my device was faster and more responsive. ive never used a 'killer' of any sorts. linux is smart and you dont need 'killers'. of course, others may argue differently.
so head over to the dev forum and learn how to root.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=674833
edit: read, read, read. thats what i was told to do and i did. a lot of prep was required before rooting but if you follow the directions, it will go very smoothly
In my opinion, the two fastest ROMs here are
Darchdroid 2.8 http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=703133
and Cyanogenmod 6.0.0 http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=722122
But know that these two ROMs are based off Android only, and don't have the HTC Sense user-interface (in other words, they will look different than stock and have some different apps and features).
But first you will need to root your phone following these steps here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=694572
After you root your phone, NANDROID BACKUP! Then you can try deleting apps like the post above mentions. See this post here about deleting apps: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=581976
If just doing that isn't good enough for you, try one of the two ROMs I posted above. I think you'll find that rooting your phone is a very wise and eye-opening decision
Lol chromiumleaf you didn't recommend the ROM in your sig
OP if you are willing to root and still want Sense UI, nfinitefx45's stock ROM is for you. If you follow the instructions you will basically run an over clocked (if you choose, but recommended), streamlined version of stock ROM + apps2sd (your choice, but recommended)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=703267
thank you all for quick replies and helpful pointers to the resources. Looks like rooting + deleting apps is the first step. I will try that. Btw hadnt relaized that custom ROMs is a world on its own
It sure it as I have also been reading, and one more thing incase you did not know and I don't believe it was mentioned in this thread you need to not be on the 2.1 .6 firmware, you need to downgrade to the .5 firmware to be able to root, I know it is in the instructions pasted by other but was just giving you a reminder incase you still have not done anything. Now if you did finally Root I would like to know how it went, as I am also almost ready to Root, tired of mine going into sleep mode and not responding, anyways it has been a while since you were suppose to have rooted, just curious how it went and how was your experience, and if you did finally go to a custom Rom which one did you go with??
don_walio said:
thank you all for quick replies and helpful pointers to the resources. Looks like rooting + deleting apps is the first step. I will try that. Btw hadnt relaized that custom ROMs is a world on its own
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
don_walio said:
Folks: I have HERO and downloaded official 2.1 update earlier this summer. I was really hoping that issues like dialer lag and general "under-performance" feel on HERO would improve but I am still disappointed. I have still lot of time before I get eligible for a phone upgrade. I have no experience with rooting or custom ROMs. Would a HTC sense-less ROM help my case? I love the form-factor of this phone but lag just kills the experience.
I would really appreciate if someone can point me to step-by-step procedure on how to get a ROM on HERO that works lag-free.
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you want to stay close to stock but be rooted id say use the stock rooted .6 rom with apps2sd. you could also use an oc kernel but i never found it did much for my phone. always use advance task killer and use a memory manager like autokiller and set it to aggressive or ultimate. my hero runs pretty good now. if your daring you could try the new froyo rom too.

[Q] Flashing XT862

I just purchased a Motorola Droid 3 XT862. It came loaded with a whole lot of Verizon stuff, and assumes I'm living in the USA. I'm living in Australia and would really prefer to have a choice of locale, and just get all of the pre-installed stuff off there because I'm not gonna use most it. From what I can tell, my only option is to flash the phone with a different firmware.
While I'm aware of the additional features of a couple of the mods such as Cyanogen, because this is my very first Android phone and I'd just like to play around with the stock OS before making any decisions regarding mods, I'd prefer to just stick with vanilla Gingerbread.
So my question is, for someone who has no idea what they're doing, how do I go about putting the stock Android OS on my phone?
Honestly CM is as close for Gingerbread you will get. There are some good stripped down ROMs based off of stock.
Sent from my XT862 using XDA
You should try Ice Cream Sandwich.
Sent from my XT862 using XDA
I'm not quite ready to try Ice Cream Sandwich just yet.
Do you think it simply isn't possible to get a stock version of Android for my phone?
I use Mavrom myself http://www.droidforums.net/forum/maverick-rom-d3/200510-maverick-rom-v3-5-droid-3-a.html
use it with a different launcher to get rid of the blur launcher, and the rom is pretty close to stock android. You can choose google mucisc and stock messaging too.
No verizon-crap either.
If you don't want mavrom i heard liberty is close to stock too, but never tried it myself and not sure if's being updated still
I'm not sure what the launcher is, sorry. I literally have no idea what I'm doing.
djmattyg007 said:
I'm not sure what the launcher is, sorry. I literally have no idea what I'm doing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, motorola uses blur launcher.. which is basically the way your homescreen looks (=desktop) and your app drawer. So if you don't want blur use something like go launcher, or stick with blur if you don't care.
You can use morelocale2 (app) to choose your locale.
You could also just root and use the de-bloat script (stickied) to remove all the bloat-ware
You should root your phone and install CyanogenMod 7. It's not ICS and it's quite stable. It's an AOSP (Android Open Source Project) ROM so all those useless apps (bloatware) will be removed.
The link to the thread is here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1308924
I'm not sure if Australia is GSM, but here's the link for the patch if it is. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1357350
I have not tested the patch as I live in the US
djmattyg007 said:
I'm not sure what the launcher is, sorry. I literally have no idea what I'm doing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll give a counter point to all those saying "root your phone" or flash this ROM or that ROM. Since you say, " I literally have no idea what I'm doing" and elsewhere you say this is your first Android my recommendation would be to just stick with stock for a while and learn how things work before diving into rooting, custom ROM's etc.
In the meantime, one pretty harmless thing you can do is to try different launchers. These give you a somewhat different look and feel to the "desktop" but since they are really an app, you can easily get back to stock by just uninstalling it. That would be much more of a pain free way to go while you try things out and learn. I would ignore those telling you to root at this point.
The only reason I would root is because the battery life is better when you make some tweaks that are only available on root. Even if you just tweak the stock ROM with a couple things it can be worth it.
Sent from my DROID3 using XDA
ratman6161 said:
I'll give a counter point to all those saying "root your phone" or flash this ROM or that ROM. Since you say, " I literally have no idea what I'm doing" and elsewhere you say this is your first Android my recommendation would be to just stick with stock for a while and learn how things work before diving into rooting, custom ROM's etc.
In the meantime, one pretty harmless thing you can do is to try different launchers. These give you a somewhat different look and feel to the "desktop" but since they are really an app, you can easily get back to stock by just uninstalling it. That would be much more of a pain free way to go while you try things out and learn. I would ignore those telling you to root at this point.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This was my first android phone and the first thing I did was root it. With pete's tool it couldn't be easier
so is there still no way to flash back to stock if you do the stage upgrade to 906?

[Q] Owning an i537 in Canada

So I've been using my s4 active for about 2 months now, and I have no problems with it, but I enjoy the tweaks.
I've been debating on trying out safestrap, but havent had time yet. I got another idea from another post I previously read.
1st question is, will I be able to get my phone replaced even though I bought it full price, and live in Canada? (in case of water damage, that's really the only concern, as things like smashed screens aren't covered by anyone)
if not then is it not worth it for me to call at&t and have them unlock my bootloader, seeing how they wouldnt be covering my warranty anyhow in that case?
I just want a change to pure, simple, stock android.
I have no idea why you'd get your phone replaced or if it's possible, that's between you and whatever company you bought it from. If you're tinkering around with it with root and flashing things on it, most likely you'll be voiding the ToS or whatever from the seller so that's up to you do find out from them.
The only "pure, simple, stock android" you're going to get on the I537 right now at this minute is the AOSP ROM provided by LeJay, and that requires:
a) a rooted I537 (meaning it's running either the MF1, MF2, or MF3 build of Android 4.2.2)
b) Safestrap for the I537 provided by Hashcode (not the regular Safestrap found elsewhere, you need the specific version for the I537 and it's found here in this subforum for the GS4A)
c) the AOSP ROM to flash, d) the MF1/MF2/MF3 kernel modules depending on the build/kernel you use as your stock ROM
d) the camera fix also provided by LeJay
The AOSP ROM can be found in LeJay's AOSP thread; the other files can be found in Hashcode's Safestrap thread (again, all in this subforum for the GS4A).
br0adband said:
I have no idea why you'd get your phone replaced or if it's possible, that's between you and whatever company you bought it from. If you're tinkering around with it with root and flashing things on it, most likely you'll be voiding the ToS or whatever from the seller so that's up to you do find out from them.
The only "pure, simple, stock android" you're going to get on the I537 right now at this minute is the AOSP ROM provided by LeJay, and that requires:
a) a rooted I537 (meaning it's running either the MF1, MF2, or MF3 build of Android 4.2.2)
b) Safestrap for the I537 provided by Hashcode (not the regular Safestrap found elsewhere, you need the specific version for the I537 and it's found here in this subforum for the GS4A)
c) the AOSP ROM to flash, d) the MF1/MF2/MF3 kernel modules depending on the build/kernel you use as your stock ROM
d) the camera fix also provided by LeJay
The AOSP ROM can be found in LeJay's AOSP thread; the other files can be found in Hashcode's Safestrap thread (again, all in this subforum for the GS4A).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I meant just for warranty purposes, but that sounds simple enough.. I've really only been reading up info in this subforum, safestrap included, since I got the i537 anyhow.
I'm assuming you have experience using this rom on this phone, did you notice improved battery? and is it "better" overall? I don't care for any touchwiz addons obviously.
Thank you for all the advice
It's just Android, not sure what else I can say. I haven't noticed anything particular beneficial or negative either way - it's just another ROM to me to use if I choose to do so. Using Safestrap with the AOSP ROM is just an option that makes the GS4A more useful I suppose. Even if it's pure stock from Samsung, that's fine with me too, doesn't matter.
Still hoping for an actual CyanogenMod build if someone gets around to it but those hopes are dying a bit more each day with what's becoming of that project overall. I don't mean seeing full on support for the GS4A, that will never happen, what I mean is someone talented enough to take the kernel source for the GS4A and make a CM10.1 build for us that we can flash using Safestrap. It'll still be limited because of the locked bootloader so no custom kernel stuff, but most everything else could be useful and I do like CM overall.
I don't know what other people want or do with their devices so I can't comment, I tend to keep mine simple and don't get into the serious modding of most everything (UI, fonts, icons, etc) like others.
I'm pretty much a "stock" kinda person I guess.
br0adband said:
It's just Android, not sure what else I can say. I haven't noticed anything particular beneficial or negative either way - it's just another ROM to me to use if I choose to do so. Using Safestrap with the AOSP ROM is just an option that makes the GS4A more useful I suppose. Even if it's pure stock from Samsung, that's fine with me too, doesn't matter.
Still hoping for an actual CyanogenMod build if someone gets around to it but those hopes are dying a bit more each day with what's becoming of that project overall. I don't mean seeing full on support for the GS4A, that will never happen, what I mean is someone talented enough to take the kernel source for the GS4A and make a CM10.1 build for us that we can flash using Safestrap. It'll still be limited because of the locked bootloader so no custom kernel stuff, but most everything else could be useful and I do like CM overall.
I don't know what other people want or do with their devices so I can't comment, I tend to keep mine simple and don't get into the serious modding of most everything (UI, fonts, icons, etc) like others.
I'm pretty much a "stock" kinda person I guess.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alright, awesome. Thanks for the pointers, I appreciate it.
I'm gonna give safestrap a try.
so I got the mf3 .zip, the safestrap apk, and the aosp rom .zip
I am already rooted so that's taken care of,
The camera fix is the only thing I can't seem to find.. and I feel like it's staring me in the face lol
There are mirror links in that thread (and one of 'em was from me), just gotta find 'em.
br0adband said:
There are mirror links in that thread (and one of 'em was from me), just gotta find 'em.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ITS "GONE" !!!!
http://click.xda-developers.com/api...CamPatch.zip&jsonp=vglnk_jsonp_13811789660048
thats the link address... is there anywhere else?
djsdumesh said:
ITS "GONE" !!!!
http://click.xda-developers.com/api...CamPatch.zip&jsonp=vglnk_jsonp_13811789660048
thats the link address... is there anywhere else?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
SCRATCH THAT got the QR code and downloaded it directly on my phone.. I'm ready to go.
Thanks for all the help!
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/19019338/SGS4A_CamPatch.zip
And there as well just in case.
Please read forum rules before posting
Questions and Help issues go in Q&A and Help section
Thread moved
Thank you for your cooperation
Friendly Neighborhood Moderator

[Q] Sgh-i537 recommended Roms

I am trying to get the AT&T stuff out of my phone, and to have updates and bug fixes every now and then.
Untill now, found only the safestrap but i did not find any ROM that seems to have android 4.4.4. Is there anything like cyanogenmod?
eliuha said:
I am trying to get the AT&T stuff out of my phone, and to have updates and bug fixes every now and then.
Untill now, found only the safestrap but i did not find any ROM that seems to have android 4.4.4. Is there anything like cyanogenmod?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can't use a ROM with custom kernel, yet. I recommend 4.4.2 and HyperDrive 19. It works really well, has a nice installer with lots of extras, good battery life... All around, it's a really well built ROM.
eliuha said:
I am trying to get the AT&T stuff out of my phone, and to have updates and bug fixes every now and then.
Untill now, found only the safestrap but i did not find any ROM that seems to have android 4.4.4. Is there anything like cyanogenmod?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As someone who was blindsided and crestfallen to find out about the locked bootloader (no cyanogenmod for us,we're S.O.L.) let me make some recommendations to at least get some of that stock android (i.e. cyanogenmod) feel back (I'm assuming you're already rooted, if not, google towelroot and follow directions):
Get SafeStrap
Flash this mod to drastically improve battery life and general performance
Get rid of KNOX
De-Odex your stock ROM (it's easy and allows a lot more customization)
And enter the exciting world of SMALI editing. This takes a little practice, and still doesn't afford the full freedom of CM, but you can customize the look and feel of your phone, still feel like a champ, and just learn about android in general. I've used a bunch of these successfully, with virtually no prior coding experience. E.g. I hated those battery/charger cover notifications, thanks to this thread, they're gone and not coming back.
Also, get rid of the stock launcher and replace it with NOVA launcher. More customization, smoother, better performance, looks more like CM. You can (and should) use Titanium Backup to either freeze or uninstall bloatware (at the very least any app with AT&T in the name).
AdAway is your friend.
Quick and easy mobile data toggle mod
I would recommend the Knox_Out zip in my post here since the one in the OP hasn't been updated since July and removes an apk you might actually need.

[Q] Samsung Galaxy S4 Active(SGH-i537) 4.4.2 ATT

Can someone please help me to root and install CWM Recovery for my Samsung galaxy s4 active(SGH-i537) 4.4.2 ?
I already try towel root, active root doesn't work!! I want to be able to flash different rooms to my phone...
Monster809 said:
Can someone please help me to root and install CWM Recovery for my Samsung galaxy s4 active(SGH-i537) 4.4.2 ?
I already try towel root, active root doesn't work!! I want to be able to flash different rooms to my phone...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Click this link and make sure you only use the files labelled for the SGH-I537 US (AT&T) Active
Stay away from the international threads, a lot of their custom development won't work on your phone. The only "custom recovery" that won't brick your phone is SafeStrap and there isn't a huge selection of roms; the best choices right now are GoldenEye, Goldfinger, or Hyperdrive (if you like the touchwiz experience) and Pure Nexus if you prefer the AOSP look and feel
THANK YOU
thisisapoorusernamechoice said:
Click this link and make sure you only use the files labelled for the SGH-I537 US (AT&T) Active
Stay away from the international threads, a lot of their custom development won't work on your phone. The only "custom recovery" that won't brick your phone is SafeStrap and there isn't a huge selection of roms; the best choices right now are GoldenEye, Goldfinger, or Hyperdrive (if you like the touchwiz experience) and Pure Nexus if you prefer the AOSP look and feel
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just wanted to say thank you for your help.. everything work out well for me !!! NOW any room that you would recomend?
Monster809 said:
I just wanted to say thank you for your help.. everything work out well for me !!! NOW any room that you would recomend?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hyperdrive if you like touchwiz - Samsung's version of Android, how stock Samsung phones look but with more theming and customization, or
Pure Nexus if you like AOSP, so-called "vanilla" android, closest to how google makes android actually look (closest to the cyanogenmod look and feel). This rom (in both theming and overall experience) is based off of the Google Play Edition Galaxy S4.
Other than that there aren't many options. I would argue at the very least those are the two with the most support or ongoing development, although someone please correct me if I'm forgetting any others. Which of the two roms you choose I think really comes down to a fundamental personal preference: do you prefer Touchwiz or AOSP? Although again, someone chime in if you disagree with my assessment.
Im looking forward to install the Nexus room. I actually like more AOSP better than TouchWiz . Do i have to install the Google applications seperate or is already included on the room and SuperSU app?
Sorry to ask you many questions but your the only one helping me out and i appreciated your help!!:thumbup:
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using XDA Free mobile app
Monster809 said:
Im looking forward to install the Nexus room. I actually like more AOSP better than TouchWiz . Do i have to install the Google applications seperate or is already included on the room and SuperSU app?
Sorry to ask you many questions but your the only one helping me out and i appreciated your help!!:thumbup:
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good questions. You do not have to install the Google applications, they're included in the rom. You WILL however have to install SuperSU while installing the rom. Simply download UPDATE-SuperSU-v2.46.zip and flash it immediately after flashing the rom zip file (i.e. before you first boot up).
If you prefer AOSP over TouchWiz, definitely go with the Nexus rom. Just some notes, the first boot up will take a fairly long time, this is normal and just be patient. Actually it takes a while (I'd say up to a day or two) for the rom to really "settle in." And one noticeable bug that's easy to deal with: turn off Wi-Fi right before you either power off or reboot. If you don't do that, Wi-Fi will not work properly. Should you forget to do that, Wi-Fi can still be fixed with a hot reboot. So not a crippling bug, just something to keep track of. Other than that I can't think of anything, just good luck and make sure to always make backups before doing anything. It's always my pleasure to help whenever I can
bricked???
Can someone please help! My phone is showing the message: Update failed try again using kies ( or something very close to that), it won't enter recovery mode, all I can get to is Odin mode, yet when I try to flash the firmware it failed every time, out fails when it gets to boot in the dialog box. I tried to flash another boot animation, so I'm assuming that's where I went wrong, can someone please tell me what I can do to fix this? I'd be eternally grateful, thank you!

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