New to custom ROMs / Privacy / Camera - Huawei P20 Pro Questions & Answers

Hello everybody,
first of all: I'm completely new to custom ROMs. I've just used some phones with CyanogenMod long ago.
Currently I have a Galaxy S8 with the default shipped Samsung OS.
I thought about buying the Huawei P20 Pro because people say it has a very good camera.
And I want to switch to custom ROMs because of privacy concerns.
Especially because I've read very bad things about Huawei collecting A LOT of my personal information and also its connection to the chinese government.
Obviously I want to install my OS without Google's services and also I want a ROM without bloatware.
I want a clean, stable and performant system.
I use the phone for surfing, chatting, mails, camera and music mainly.
Currently I'm only aware of LineageOS. Should I maybe consider another ROM too?
- How good is LineageOS in aspect of privacy?
- Does it work well on the Huawei P20?
- Is the camera as good as with Huawei's default OS?
Thank you in advance!

haressipar said:
Hello everybody,
first of all: I'm completely new to custom ROMs. I've just used some phones with CyanogenMod long ago.
Currently I have a Galaxy S8 with the default shipped Samsung OS.
I thought about buying the Huawei P20 Pro because people say it has a very good camera.
And I want to switch to custom ROMs because of privacy concerns.
Especially because I've read very bad things about Huawei collecting A LOT of my personal information and also its connection to the chinese government.
Obviously I want to install my OS without Google's services and also I want a ROM without bloatware.
I want a clean, stable and performant system.
I use the phone for surfing, chatting, mails, camera and music mainly.
Currently I'm only aware of LineageOS. Should I maybe consider another ROM too?
- How good is LineageOS in aspect of privacy?
- Does it work well on the Huawei P20?
- Is the camera as good as with Huawei's default OS?
Thank you in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First off. It is a great camera so you're right there.
However, so not buy the P20 Pro, the bootloader can no longer be unlocked, so custom ROMs for a late adopter is not possible.
My advice, keep hold of the S8, personally is root I and install one of the many ROMs you probably have available , here on the p20 pro we have 2, treble doesn't work without rebooting every ten minutes and the fingerprint doesn't work.
Doesn't sound great I know, but the phones so good and lineage is decent enough if the bootloader could be unlocked I'd recommend it.
But as it can't be, I can't recommend it.

Related

Stock android

Hello
I have been looking for a stock rom for the note 8 and i haven't found any, i thought i would find a lineage os rom but there was nothing..
Is there a stock android rom for the note 8?!
Useless on a Note !
Enviado desde mi SM-N950F mediante Tapatalk
abdulrrahman said:
Hello
I have been looking for a stock rom for the note 8 and i haven't found any, i thought i would find a lineage os rom but there was nothing..
Is there a stock android rom for the note 8?!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
By "stock rom" do you mean vanilla ? , then why did you get a samsung galaxy device? Specially a note series one? Better get a pixel or something like it, why getting a samsung galaxy note device, to later downgrade it?
winol said:
By "stock rom" do you mean vanilla ? , then why did you get a samsung galaxy device? Specially a note series one? Better get a pixel or something like it, why getting a samsung galaxy note device, to later downgrade it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have never understood why people do this.
They want some high end phone first. Then suddenly learn about custom roms and are like i want to flash this now.
Better donate the extra money to devs here instead of spending stupidly.
I'm just adding my sentiment. If you want stock Android, get a Pixel device or Motorola or Nokia or almost anything else. You buy a Samsung device for the features they add. If you don't like or use those features, then don't buy something for $1,000 just to essentially cripple it afterwards.
abdulrrahman said:
Hello
I have been looking for a stock rom for the note 8 and i haven't found any, i thought i would find a lineage os rom but there was nothing..
Is there a stock android rom for the note 8?!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lineage 15.1 was released yesterday for the note 8, it is in alpha stage though.
Clean Android not only reduces these devices in terms of function (S Pen, Iris, gestures, etc), but also removes the appeal of Sammy phones. I'm using Pie on my z2 Force, as well as my Pro 3. Whilst both have active development, my N8 is the new king on the hill.
Anyway, it's best to buy another phone like the Moto Z4, Poco F1, Pixel, or Essential for plain Android.
sandeepkumar0153 said:
I have never understood why people do this.
They want some high end phone first. Then suddenly learn about custom roms and are like i want to flash this now.
Better donate the extra money to devs here instead of spending stupidly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think that some people are just plain stupid. They don't relise that most of the features of Stock Android come from other android OEM skins. Just because Stock Android is simple doesn't make it better. Even 3rd party Custom OSes don't support the same features on a Note device.
Ace42 said:
Clean Android not only reduces these devices in terms of function (S Pen, Iris, gestures, etc), but also removes the appeal of Sammy phones. I'm using Pie on my z2 Force, as well as my Pro 3. Whilst both have active development, my N8 is the new king on the hill.
Anyway, it's best to buy another phone like the Moto Z4, Poco F1, Pixel, or Essential for plain Android.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Couldn't agree more on this. I bought my note 8 after i have used a note 8 port rom on my j7 2016.
And honestly i will prefer the note this way and i haven't even rooted yet. I miss viper4android so much but atleast we have Dolby atmos in N8.
iceepyon said:
I think that some people are just plain stupid. They don't relise that most of the features of Stock Android come from other android OEM skins. Just because Stock Android is simple doesn't make it better. Even 3rd party Custom OSes don't support the same features on a Note device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly, you buy a note device for what i gives not what you can mod it into using a custom rom. Root and xposed is an other thing, but custom rom, that too an AOSP ? Completely dumb people out there.
I think it is about choice, not stupidity, like it's said a couple of times here.
Let people do what they want with their phone, like you do.
The thing is i am a university student and thought that i would use the pen.. turned out i didn't use it nor did i use any of the other features..
Second i am not from the US so pixel is not an option unless i would pay around 100 to 200 extra dollar to get it without a warranty.. this goes to the oneplus..
Other thing is the samsung devices are premium with good camera and great displays which is important for me..
abdulrrahman said:
Other thing is the samsung devices are premium with good camera and great displays which is important for me..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You do know that once you install a custom OS on the Note. The camera quality goes down. As custom OSes do not have the same camera optimisation software as the Samsung Stock OS.
I was planning to use the pixel camera app
abdulrrahman said:
I was planning to use the pixel camera app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Of course yo would, that is the point, once you install a stock android,, the camera will no longer be driven by the samsung software, exactly what iceepyon told you, the samsung hardware is specifically constructed to work efficiently with samsung firmwares
Wow
A person asks about a custom vanilla rom, and look at some of the answers. So glad to live in 2019 when XDA posts are turned into youtube comments on taylor swift videos.
People are not "dumb or stupid" if they're looking for customization options on XDA. They're maybe "wrong" in some cases. Just tell them why.
To answer your question:
These days there are too many flagships and midrange phones out there. Also The oems use different hardwares and barely release their source codes and drivers. Plus, stock roms are way more feature rich and fluid than before. For all these reasons the development of vanilla based roms is limited and less reasonable for most phones. Except pixel phones and Android one phones. Even there, all different roms are lineage-based and basically the same, with same features and same bugs! But different visuall traits!
There is a Lineage os for note 8.0 but in very early stages. About other custom roms (stock based), they do a great job in terms of features and removing so called bloatwares, but personally I recommend you staying on stock because unlike few years ago, stock roms get you better performance, features, battery life, etc. I'm currently using pixel 2 and note 8 and trust me, you get bored by plain android!
pooyab said:
Wow
A person asks about a custom vanilla rom, and look at some of the answers. So glad to live in 2019 when XDA posts are turned into youtube comments on taylor swift videos.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now I'm going to watch Taylor Swift music videos and read the comments, when I get home.

Custom roms camera quality

Hi,
I own ZUK Z2 Pro that I have unlocked, flashed with AOSP Extended v4.6 official and rooted many moons ago. I simply can't fault this device or this rom, but one thing - the camera quality is very poor. I know it was poor on official ZUI rom as well, so I had no regrets to move to AOSP Extended, which I am very happy with. And I would continue to use this outdated Nougat rom, but I am about to perform a factory reset, so I thought I could try something newer. However, I read the topics and some new custom roms are somewhat buggy. I can adjust / sacrifice some UI glitches providing the camera gets a quality boost with GCAM mod, which as far as I know is not supported on my old rom.
So the question I wanted to ask is. Are the new custom roms having a better google camera mod to what a stock ZUI app or old custom roms had? Is the gcam worth it? Is there a rom that you could recommend that fits with gcam mod well?
rybaryba33 said:
Hi,
I own ZUK Z2 Pro that I have unlocked, flashed with AOSP Extended v4.6 official and rooted many moons ago. I simply can't fault this device or this rom, but one thing - the camera quality is very poor. I know it was poor on official ZUI rom as well, so I had no regrets to move to AOSP Extended, which I am very happy with. And I would continue to use this outdated Nougat rom, but I am about to perform a factory reset, so I thought I could try something newer. However, I read the topics and some new custom roms are somewhat buggy. I can adjust / sacrifice some UI glitches providing the camera gets a quality boost with GCAM mod, which as far as I know is not supported on my old rom.
So the question I wanted to ask is. Are the new custom roms having a better google camera mod to what a stock ZUI app or old custom roms had? Is the gcam worth it? Is there a rom that you could recommend that fits with gcam mod well?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, it's really worth it. I recommend updating to android 10 (PixysOS - https://forum.xda-developers.com/zuk-z2-pro/development/pixysos-3-0-4-official-zuk-z2-pro-t4080859).
I installed AEX, although it has good resources, I found serious problems and the above ROM seems to be the best.
You must follow the procedures, updating with original ROM - ZUI 4, and then updating with android 10, in order to use API2Camera.
I'm using this version of GCAM:
https://www.celsoazevedo.com/files/android/google-camera/f/changelog1150/
You have to configure it, front camera not to keep the photos with green tones, you can download an xml with the settings.
front camera Nexus6, and rear google pixel xl.
The difference of other cameras for GCAM (with correct configuration), is very great. You will have much better photos and videos.
ClaudioSandecki said:
Yes, it's really worth it. I recommend updating to android 10 (PixysOS - https://forum.xda-developers.com/zuk-z2-pro/development/pixysos-3-0-4-official-zuk-z2-pro-t4080859).
I installed AEX, although it has good resources, I found serious problems and the above ROM seems to be the best.
You must follow the procedures, updating with original ROM - ZUI 4, and then updating with android 10, in order to use API2Camera.
I'm using this version of GCAM:
https://www.celsoazevedo.com/files/android/google-camera/f/changelog1150/
You have to configure it, front camera not to keep the photos with green tones, you can download an xml with the settings.
front camera Nexus6, and rear google pixel xl.
The difference of other cameras for GCAM (with correct configuration), is very great. You will have much better photos and videos.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much for your input. From what I have read about all Android 10 custom roms for ZUK Z2 pro, they all suffer from some bugs and flaws. Whether that is going to improve - only the time will tell, but looking at how old this device already is, we may not see a great improvement.
As you have probably already gathered, I prefer older, more stable roms. Is the GCAM mod so good on Android 9 as well? And is the API2Camera available on Android 9? Thanks
rybaryba33 said:
Thank you so much for your input. From what I have read about all Android 10 custom roms for ZUK Z2 pro, they all suffer from some bugs and flaws. Whether that is going to improve - only the time will tell, but looking at how old this device already is, we may not see a great improvement.
As you have probably already gathered, I prefer older, more stable roms. Is the GCAM mod so good on Android 9 as well? And is the API2Camera available on Android 9? Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, all ROMs have little problems.
I was running Android 10, and I had a problem with magisk, and I needed to re-install the ROM urgently, as the android 9 files were stored inside the zuk, I ended up going back to the android pie.
I have a lot of activities, as soon as I have some time I will return to android 10, because I thought it was better.
The two ROMs that look best to me are Arrow and PixyOS.
AEX has great features, but it has several problems. I didn't test evolution-X.
GCAM, for me, works best on android 10. But yes, it also works on android 9.
My experience with android 10 (Arrow and PixyOS) were good and I recommend, I think this is better than the ROM with android 9.
In Zuk Z2 pro, between versions 8.1, 9 and 10, in my experience, the best ones are, 8.1 and 10.
As version 10 I can use the latest versions of GCAM, this will be my ROM.
Best version I found:
https://www.celsoazevedo.com/files/android/google-camera/f/changelog1075/

Question Change my mind: I bought a Xiaomi Mi 11 but I dislike MIUI

Hi all. I recently bought my first Xiaomi phone taking advantage of a launch offer on Amazon Italy (phone + Xiaomi Mi Smartwatch for 650 euros instead of 830 euros).
I was happy to have a device with a Snapdragon 888 processor, a super camera and an excellent 120 Hz screen but it took a few hours of use to realize that the biggest flaw of this device is the operating system.
I have been using Google or OnePlus phones for years, currently I also have a OnePlus 8 and I must say that the switch from OxygenOS to MIUI was devastating.
Handling background apps and notifications is awful. Often the notifications are not grouped or are identified correctly (those of Telegram are associated with a contact even if they are from another), in the background applications I find the same application several times. Using a "Pixel Experience" theme didn't improve that.
I prefer a device that is more like stock Android than a badly made iPhone.
I think about returning the product to Amazon but I'm here to ask you: why should I keep it? Am I wrong with my approach?
Help me make the right decision. Thank you.
-PaRRoT- said:
Hi all. I recently bought my first Xiaomi phone taking advantage of a launch offer on Amazon Italy (phone + Xiaomi Mi Smartwatch for 650 euros instead of 830 euros).
I was happy to have a device with a Snapdragon 888 processor, a super camera and an excellent 120 Hz screen but it took a few hours of use to realize that the biggest flaw of this device is the operating system.
I have been using Google or OnePlus phones for years, currently I also have a OnePlus 8 and I must say that the switch from OxygenOS to MIUI was devastating.
Handling background apps and notifications is awful. Often the notifications are not grouped or are identified correctly (those of Telegram are associated with a contact even if they are from another), in the background applications I find the same application several times. Using a "Pixel Experience" theme didn't improve that.
I prefer a device that is more like stock Android than a badly made iPhone.
I think about returning the product to Amazon but I'm here to ask you: why should I keep it? Am I wrong with my approach?
Help me make the right decision. Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dislike MIUI as you. Nevertheless i use Xiaomi phones since 4 years. I use the developer rom (weekly) from Xiaomi.eu in combination with nova launcher. I like the multiple options (extras) of the rom based of latest android, the removed ads and bloadware and their grandiose community/ forums for the rom and the phones.
weekly
MIUI 12.5 - 21.3.3/5
Status: RELEASED RULES WHEN POSTING 1. If a ROM is not published DONT ASK ABOUT ITS ETA 2. If a ROM is not published DONT ASK why! 3. If a ROM is available, download it and use it 4. If a ROM has bugs, post the bug to the bug section if the BUG is not already listed 5. If you use any form of...
xiaomi.eu
phone
Xiaomi Mi 11 / Pro / Ultra / Lite / 11TPro
[venus, star, mars, courbet, renoir, vili]
xiaomi.eu
or parallel thread
[ROM][MIUI][venus] Xiaomi.eu ROM for Xiaomi MI 11
How to install Xiaomi.eu ROM for Xiaomi MI 11 We will release fastboot ROM versions until TWRP for venus is released TWRP is RELEASED Steps to install xiaomi.eu ROM for first time from China ROM (All your data and files on internal storage...
forum.xda-developers.com
-PaRRoT- said:
Hi all. I recently bought my first Xiaomi phone taking advantage of a launch offer on Amazon Italy (phone + Xiaomi Mi Smartwatch for 650 euros instead of 830 euros).
I was happy to have a device with a Snapdragon 888 processor, a super camera and an excellent 120 Hz screen but it took a few hours of use to realize that the biggest flaw of this device is the operating system.
I have been using Google or OnePlus phones for years, currently I also have a OnePlus 8 and I must say that the switch from OxygenOS to MIUI was devastating.
Handling background apps and notifications is awful. Often the notifications are not grouped or are identified correctly (those of Telegram are associated with a contact even if they are from another), in the background applications I find the same application several times. Using a "Pixel Experience" theme didn't improve that.
I prefer a device that is more like stock Android than a badly made iPhone.
I think about returning the product to Amazon but I'm here to ask you: why should I keep it? Am I wrong with my approach?
Help me make the right decision. Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wellcome to the club
You are on the righ place.
Here you can learn how to customize the hell out of your device. I also use "Nova" launcher and that makes experience so much better for the start. And I apply "viral" custom icon theme pack across all of the apps.
In time developers will start releasing custom roms here that are maybe for your needs and likes. So just be patient and you will fall in love in Xiaomi and the device. No need to return it, it a good device that will just become better in the near future with upcoming updates. There is a 12.5 update coming sometime in April which will have much improvement in many segments.
Weird. After buying why this question?
New trend?
Just buy Pixel or OnePlus.
xdamami said:
Weird. After buying why this question?
New trend?
Just buy Pixel or OnePlus.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can understand this question after buy. If somebody is not knowing Miui and bought an xiaomi, chinese one, that could be a shock.
-PaRRoT- said:
Hi all. I recently bought my first Xiaomi phone taking advantage of a launch offer on Amazon Italy (phone + Xiaomi Mi Smartwatch for 650 euros instead of 830 euros).
I was happy to have a device with a Snapdragon 888 processor, a super camera and an excellent 120 Hz screen but it took a few hours of use to realize that the biggest flaw of this device is the operating system.
I have been using Google or OnePlus phones for years, currently I also have a OnePlus 8 and I must say that the switch from OxygenOS to MIUI was devastating.
Handling background apps and notifications is awful. Often the notifications are not grouped or are identified correctly (those of Telegram are associated with a contact even if they are from another), in the background applications I find the same application several times. Using a "Pixel Experience" theme didn't improve that.
I prefer a device that is more like stock Android than a badly made iPhone.
I think about returning the product to Amazon but I'm here to ask you: why should I keep it? Am I wrong with my approach?
Help me make the right decision. Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ciao compa'
Coming from a Pixel 4XL and yes: devastating.
Using Nova Launcher or installing Xiaomi.eu will solve none of the problems that you are having. Actually Xiaomi.eu, even if based on 12.5, may make experience worts since you'll get Xiaomi apps for browser, dialer, contacts etc. Although Xiaomi.eu does not have the notification problems that you, me and everyone else with a EU Android 11 ROM is having, also on Mi10T phones.
If you contact me via pm I can try to provide some hints to ease the pain...

Should I exchange my s20FE 5G with Oneplus 9RT/Mi 11x pro?

I don't have any problems with the device, just that I am used to modding my devices and Samsung has made it very unappealing to root/unlock their phones. So if I trade this device, which is still under warranty, will it be a good deal?
that's gotta be entirely your decision as you've got to live with it. Oneplus 9 might've fixed some of it's heat issues or the community might've solved it, but look into that first. don't know much about the Xiaomi other than you need custom firmware because the stock one isn't good and the cameras aren't bad.
I'm currently running Lineage 19 GSI with a modified quick settings pull down, I'm rooted and have TWRP. the only thing I'm missing that I want is v4a and I could submit logs to get that fixed if I wanted. Samsung phones have had Knox for nearly a decade now, accepting Knox's demise going in is standard for Samsung modders. this phone is a rare chance to a Samsung with a snapdragon that can be rooted/modded for many people. custom roms are being worked on but both devs are new to Samsung and really struggling with a final major bug. if they overcome the problem custom roms will start to come thru with greater ease.
3mel said:
that's gotta be entirely your decision as you've got to live with it. Oneplus 9 might've fixed some of it's heat issues or the community might've solved it, but look into that first. don't know much about the Xiaomi other than you need custom firmware because the stock one isn't good and the cameras aren't bad.
I'm currently running Lineage 19 GSI with a modified quick settings pull down, I'm rooted and have TWRP. the only thing I'm missing that I want is v4a and I could submit logs to get that fixed if I wanted. Samsung phones have had Knox for nearly a decade now, accepting Knox's demise going in is standard for Samsung modders. this phone is a rare chance to a Samsung with a snapdragon that can be rooted/modded for many people. custom roms are being worked on but both devs are new to Samsung and really struggling with a final major bug. if they overcome the problem custom roms will start to come thru with greater ease.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well that last line gives me hope.
well the truth is the two guys working on roms have been struggling with getting the SIM cards to be recognised for months, to the point of needing to walk away for their sanity. the projects may resume or might not. there are one or two other devs with this phone who've said they'll be waiting until all the official updates are finished releasing. again there, no guarantee they'll even still have the phone by that time.
most guys are using GSI roms for now, they're OK but a full custom rom would be better.
If you like custom roms and development related fun with your device, you should go with xiaomi, xiaomi devices has better developement range and easy way to play with it, but oneplus hasn't as i also own 9rt and i am not a big fan of google dialer and because of only dialer i want to change rom to chinese( as 9rt has only chinese rom and chinese rom might have oneplus dialer ) and i am unable to find a proper thread or guide to get familier with oneplus phone - unlocking bootloader, flashing rom and vice versa. but in same case with xiaomi its easier and lots of videos on youtube too to get it done.
but mi 11 x pro has not a lot of custom roms, instead of this mi 11x has a wide range and you should try this
But one thing keep in mind among all devices you said and includes mi 11x samsnug s20 fe is best as i used all of this devcices and currently i am on 9rt samsung is good with stock rom you do not need to flash any custom rom.
mi 11x has best performance according to price but worst camera, mi 11x pro good phone but so so camera, 9rt is good in 3 of this but no wide range of custom developement.

After 10 years I want to get back to fiddling with a new phone. Need your advice!

Hey everyone,
Story:
back in 2012 I bought an Samsung S3 and did everything a tinkerer would, I rooted the phone, tried several roms, edited those roms, installed AMAzing apps such as droidwall and adblock, I loved and cared Alot for that phone. Unfortunately it brke at some point (I think I dropped it after 7 Years). then I had no time so I bought a Huawei p20 Lite, I hated the OS, I hated that it has a quickcharge function which I cannot diable, which reduces battery life by alot, I think there is a lot wrong with the Phone's software and subsequently its hardware. Now, after 4 years, the battery is drained within one day of barely using the phone and it has some cracks on the display.
Question:
I want to get back to fiddling around, I want to buy a new Android Phone and install a custom ROM, I wanna edit my stuff and preferably change the battery more easily (lets be hones, its aleays easy). BUT Since i haven't been up to date with the Phone market and the ROM community for a very long time I don't know where to start. Can you guys tell which phone and ROM combo you're using and what for? is AOSP still a thing? I am not a big mobile gamer or user in general, I use it for messaging and taking notes so no fancy stuff is required.
Any tips and info's are appreciated.
For context: I had a rooted Galaxy S3 with the WanamLite ROM, I had Droidwall, adblock and some other roms for backing up and everything. SOmething similar to that would be splendid. Bonus for customizable ROM (in regards of the Theme)
Thanks for taking the Time
Sincerely
Gram
Avoid phones from Oppo, Vivo, Honor, Huawei, Tecno, Infinix, Nokia, etc. (That don't let you unlock your phone's bootloader) like the plague.
Xiaomi, Poco (well Poco is a part of Xiaomi) and OnePlus phones are highly recommended as, apart from easily allowing you to unlock bootloader (once you do that, sky is the limit), they make the kernels of their phones open source, making custom rom development much easier.
And if you're looking for a specific phone, I'd recommend the Redmi Note 10 Pro, the recently launched Poco F4 or if it's available, then go for with either Redmi K20 Pro or the OnePlus 7 series phones (I'd prefer the 7 Pro or the 7T Pro).

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