Database Develop

Droid4 ROM Reviews - crDroid

I've tried out several of the ROMs available for the Droid 4 and I was already taking notes on each of them, so thought I'd share a review on each here. I already posted my thoughts on LineageOS 14.1 in a previous thread so we'll skip straight to crDroid.
crDroid 3.8.5 is the latest addition to the D4 scene. It runs Android 7.1.2 and is based on LineageOS 14.1, apparently branched from the spyder builds. Its advantages include support for JJB's overclock kernels, in fact WiFi doesn't work without it; support for use of the altpart Safestrap to repurpose the webtop partition and give you the largest 1.3GB /system partition in your stock slot; built-in signature spoofing for MicroG/Xposed support; the most recent (Jan/2018) Android security patch level; integrated custom fonts; Ad Away browser integration; great battery life; and its own cool settings section with lots of other custom features. Like all Android V5+ versions this supports hand-wave notifications on the lock screen.
Its disadvantages are that it's fairly thick due to being on 7.1.2, and unless you're running MicroG or a very tiny Gapps package (Slim Zero or OpenG pico), it can be slow, though not nearly as bad as LineageOS 14.1 on which it's based. Videos are jerky and audio stutters. It's really intended to be used with MicroG. And despite being around only six months, it is no longer officially supported by the crDroid team, so no further updates at this time. A major factor for users of Google Voice is that it displays the routing phone number of your call rather than your actual destination phone number during the call, which can be confusing at worst and annoying at best. The call log still shows the correct destination phone number though. I'm not sure where the bug for this lives but it is specific to the ROM. Most annoyingly, the swipe-to-unlock is quirky - you have to swipe fully from bottom to top, and fairly quickly. It usually takes a couple attempts before the phone unlocks, making it difficult if not impossible to do with one hand.
Verdict: Best of the AOSP V7 ROMs for D4. But V7 isn't necessarily the best choice for D4 because of its high RAM usage. Unless there's a reason you absolutely need to run V7, i.e. for an app, you're better off with an older release that uses less RAM.

Thanks for you review. It is awesome to see that there still is active members hanging around. In my mind Lollipop was a bit laggy on Droid 4 compared to KitKat roms but Marshmallow and specially Nougat roms have improved the situation. I can consider Nougat as a daily driver for Droid 4 in 2018. I just hope that we could still see Android Oreo Go edition on our device.

news over lineage os 15

well, I have done a little experiment with my Nokia, seeing that there is again between the sections of Nokia 6 and Nokia 5, I found that the Nokia 6 has already a semi stable rom of Android Oreo based on lineages os 15
and doing a bit of logic, I assumed that the rom could work on the n5, since the romes of the n6 and n5 are compatible with each other, and it really works, accepting that it has some details, one of them is that the buttons do not work. navigation, the fingerprint reader does not go either, and the audio does not go either, the latter works halfway, since adding the file mixer_paths_nd1.xml in the system / vendor / etc path manages to raise the audio service
and as usual, the camera is not as good as stock or gcam and also brings some minor bug when recording at high speed
if you want to try it here is the link, preferably try it having installed android 8.1 stock
link to post
https://forum.xda-developers.com/nokia-6/development/lineage-15-1-t3896279 :good::good::good:

Give the list of which is working and not working

What happened to this project?

Noobs: ROMs - which one is which? Global, Chinese, EEA

Hi All
I'm new to this so I thought I'd put this thread together for other noobs. It explains in basic terms which rom is which, where to get it and what you can flash with your device locked or unlocked.
If I've got anything wrong, please let me know.
Unlocking Your Mi9
Don't forget to backup first!
There are plenty of threads on this, but I found a couple of gotchas. I went to the unlocking site https://en.miui.com/unlock/ and clicked the button, it took me to the Chinese language site. There was an option to choose US English, but that just gave an internal server error. After a day or so, this was working fine.
Secondly, once I had downloaded the PC based unlocking software and logged in I got an error message:
Can't unlock. Your account isn't associated with a phone number
After a bit of surfing I learned that I had to log into my Xiaomi account in a web browser and add my phone number as a backup number. Then it asked me to turn off wifi, enable mobile data, then it send me a code which I then entered into the site.
After all this it's now working, the countdown is going down and I hope to unlock my bootloader on Wednesday. Tick Tock...
Install ROMs before unlocking
If your device is not unlocked yet, you can only install official roms from here:
http://en.miui.com/download-361.html
There are instructions on how to do this on the web site. There is no need to backup when installing official ROMs. But you might like to anyway
There was one piece of information missing that threw me for a short while; The instructions on the web site tell you to click on the 3 dots and choose:
Choose Update Package.
This option was missing on my phone even after downloading the ROM to the phone. The fix is to go to Settings->System Update and Click the 10 logo 10 times. Fooled me lol.
Global or EEA?
If your phone is European you can't install the Global ROM. If you look at the top of the page there is a Global or EAA link. You can tell which you have by going into:
Settings->About Phone->MIUI Version.
Mine is EAA and the version is 10.2.15.0(PFAEUXM). The current Global one is V10.2.3.0.PFAMIXM. A bit of surfing shows CN=China
So EU = EAA, Global = MI and CN-China. So your box says Global but your settings say EAA? Mine too! A bit weird, but I think the EAA version supports WideVine for digital rights management for netflix etc.
Install ROMs after unlocking
You can find weekly build ROMs here:
https://xiaomi.eu/community/ and click on MIUI ROM DOWNLOADS
I am told these ROMs are based on the Chinese version, but I'm not sure of the implications there. Maybe someone could inform me?
Now that you're unlocked, you can (backup your current rom) and flash these images with TWRP. The instructions are further down the page and are quite comprehensive.
Don't relock your bootloader! I understand this will brick your phone!
That's all for now, please feel free to add or correct any info here.
Cheers
Steve

Thanks a ton for this informative post!
It's nice to know I can use official ROMs while I wait for the bootloader to unlock, especially since i bought the CN model. I'll get to that now...
Custom ROMs are based off of the Chinese version because its the most feature-full version. Thebonly reason I don't want to use the official CN rom is because you never know what deals-requirements Xiaomi has with their government on collecting and sending back your data.

Hi @Gourmandises
No probs and thanks for the extra description of China roms. Mind you, just about every stock app on my EU phone has a privacy policy as long as your arm, including video player and even calculator. If you read this, Xiaomi get access to pretty much everything.
I don't want to debloat yet, as I mentioned I'm waiting for an unlock and I worry that debloating might affect the unlocking as they need to harvest enough personal data from me!
I'll update as I go along. Can't wait to install the China rom now you've told me it has more features.
BTW as far as privacy goes, I like to install No Root Firewall here:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=app.greyshirts.firewall
I like it because it blocks everything until you explicitly allow it. You can install apps with ads and they won't get through the firewall. The only slight issue is it doesn't seem to autostart on boot so you need to re-start it each time.
Cheers
Steve

Hi @picitup
I don't know much about the ROMs but xiaomi.eu makes it seem like there's some unique things in it where they say -Our ROMs features (Whats not in Global):-
Maybe the only reason its CN rom is for the weekly builds. Global and EU don't get features as early? I think the rest of that list is custom things they've added then...
This is your thread, and I know less than you hehe

Gourmandises said:
Hi @picitup
I don't know much about the ROMs but xiaomi.eu makes it seem like there's some unique things in it where they say -Our ROMs features (Whats not in Global):-
Maybe the only reason its CN rom is for the weekly builds. Global and EU don't get features as early? I think the rest of that list is custom things they've added then...
This is your thread, and I know less than you hehe
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well no I'm getting even more excited. Probably should get out more.
It's what I had heard about the CN ROMs. Regular updates and the EEA version will update at some point in the future.
It doesn't really matter what you know or don't know - when you learn it you know it lol. I remember going on training courses and asking stupid questions. In the tea break people would tell me they didn't understand either, but were scared to ask.
I saw on someone else's thread the footer:
If you know what you're doing, you're not learning anything
Brill
Steve

This thread needs to be seriously bumped now that Mi9 sales are rocketing.
@picitup, would you be kind enough to edit the OP with a different structure? I was thinking about:
> 6-7 types of ROMs and how to find about your phone version's
- Global Stable & Global Developer
- EEA Stable
- Chinese Stable & Developer
- Xiaomi.eu fanmade custom roms based on China Developer
(& Where to download official roms)
> How to install & unlock bootloader
That would avoid a lot of frustration ("Why me wait me got phone me want unlock now"), errors ("Why me not Netflix HD, me not WideVineL1 after flashing official xiaomi.eu rom"), etc
Thank you

RedWave31 said:
This thread needs to be seriously bumped now that Mi9 sales are rocketing.
@picitup, would you be kind enough to edit the OP with a different structure? I was thinking about:
> 6-7 types of ROMs and how to find about your phone version's
- Global Stable & Global Developer
- EEA Stable
- Chinese Stable & Developer
- Xiaomi.eu fanmade custom roms based on China Developer
(& Where to download official roms)
> How to install & unlock bootloader
That would avoid a lot of frustration ("Why me wait me got phone me want unlock now"), errors ("Why me not Netflix HD, me not WideVineL1 after flashing official xiaomi.eu rom"), etc
Thank you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, no problem. My wife has forced me to drink whiskey tonight, so I'll look a restructuring it tomorrow
Cheers

picitup said:
Yes, no problem. My wife has forced me to drink whiskey tonight, so I'll look a restructuring it tomorrow
Cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
*Forced... How awefull ?

marcel112 said:
*Forced... How awefull
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's a tough job, but someone has to do it

SirTAVARES said:
i can help you guys out
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes please if we can expand this to help more people, all the better.
If you'd like to post up here and links to Chinese global/developer roms and anything you think should be included, I'd be very grateful
I'll then include them in the 1st post.
Cheer

Recoveries:
revolution recoveryencryption working without typing password(?), didn't test yet
twrp siankatafb (TWRP-3.3.1-1-siankatabg-MI9.img), otg, encryption, gapps ok after resize,
twrp mauronofrio (twrp-3.2.3-10-cepheus-mauronofrio.img, twrp-3.3.1-4-cepheus.img) - otg, backups added, encryption, gapps ok after resize
twrp randomblame (Twrp_3.3.0_Cepheusv11.zip) - promising twrp under frequent development, flashing has to be done via cable, no encryption
twrp (chinese) wzsx150 (recovery-mi9-3.3.0.-9.0-b10.img also distributed as twrp_cepheus.img, recovery-TWRP-3.3.0-0524-XIAOMI9-CN-wzsx150.img) - encryption, gapps ok after resize, ez rooting via button or exit dialog, most features and least bootloops..also unparalleled collection of backup or flashing partitions [Best Recovery] L.R.Team recovery list (password: itk8)
twrp translated (twrp_en.img) - chinese with switched language, not sure if they switched the device identifier too, old anyways
ROMs:
global stable - mal/spy/adware and crippled UI and app framework [Daily Hate award] for all MIUI download page
global dev/beta - mal/spy/adware and won't boot without some components (not cleanable), with newest functionality, weekly updated
xiaomi.eu - too similar to global dev but with ugly app icons and some mal/spy/adware removal (fully cleanable), creates problems switching to aosp ROMs tweaks
mi-globe - xiaomieu clone where you can cook your config, extra debloat, 99% similar to xiaomieu
RevolutionOS - xiaomieu clone with extra debloat, ppl say battery is great, 99% similar to xiaomieu
flokorom - AOSP ROM best GSI til May no longer updated, fingerprint great but not perfect, bluetooth and tap2wake works with patch, crdroid customization is strong
phh - a base for other AOSP ROMs, showed a lot of love for mi9 in test builds, little customization and updates as a ROM but important base for AOSP!
rr - OTA but not frequent which doesn't help at this time as they took partial phh commits only so there's no fingerprint at all, lot of customization
Los16 - Linage16 by randomblame, first effort, lot of things broken yet
PE - Pixel Experience, AOSP non-GSI, gapps not needed, OTA, AOD fp! [Best ROM]
ViperOS - AOSP
crDroid - AOSP, very customizable but unofficial yet
Kernels:
randomblame kernel - upstream kernel, works well but can't be switched back to other kernel anymore
androplus kernel - battery oriented, lot of wakelocks kicked off but not saving battery at all imo, also kicks off 'There's an internal problem with your device. Contact your manufacturer for details.' error
extremekernel - performance oriented
Modems:
Rooting and exposing:
mindthegapps, opengapps, Magisk-v19.1.zip, Magisk-uninstaller-20190501.zip, MagiskManager-v7.1.2.apk, magisk-riru-core-v19.zip, magisk-EdXposed-v0.3.1.7_beta-release.zip (not good experience with newer versions), EdXposedInstaller_v2.2.4-release.apk, EdXposedUninstaller.zip, magisk_patch_for_Mi9_v5.zip, Savitar_GCam_Patch, 84Hz mod dtbo, MIUI Anesthetist
Tools:
miflash_unlock-en-3.3.1212.33.zip, miflash_unlock-en-2.3.803.10.zip (to avoid 3 extra days of waiting), MiFlashSetup_eng.msi, adb-setup-v2.exe, MiSetup3.2.1.3111_2717.zip ...

doggydog2 said:
Recoveries:
twrp xda (twrp-3.2.3-10-cepheus-mauronofrio.img) - no otg, backups and encryption; flashing has to be done via cable and cannot write to data, so it's one round flashing only! also can't install gapps (error 64, error 1)
twrp chinese (recovery-mi9-3.2.3.img also distributed as twrp_cepheus.img) - no data backups and encryption, incompatible with 'cepheus' flashing, it's powerful but might create 'cannot connect to camera' (or kernel?) and 'There's an internal problem with your device. Contact your manufacturer for details.' (or ROM?) errors
twrp translated (twrp_en.img) - chinese with switched language, not sure if they switched the device identifier too
ROMs:
global stable - mal/spy/adware
global dev/beta - mal/spy/adware and won't boot without some components (not cleanable), with newest functionality, weekly updated
xiaomi.eu - too similar to global dev but with ugly app icons and some mal/spy/adware removal (fully cleanable), creates problems switching to aosp ROMs
flokorom - most up to date and frequent mi9 related ROM, with limitations: glitchy AOD, problematic fingerprint, bluetooth (fixable), no tap2wake or raise2wake, some crdroid customization
phh - a base for other ROMs, showed a lot of love for mi9 in test builds, but can't even login as fingerprint circles overrides keyboard, little customization
rr - OTA but not frequent which doesn't help at this time as they took partial phh commits only so there's no fingerprint at all, lot of customization; i'd like to use this in future because of OTA
Kernels:
extremekernel - performance oriented
androplus kernel - battery oriented, lot of wakelocks kicked off
Modems:
Rooting and exposing:
Magisk-v19.0.zip, Magisk-uninstaller-20190328.zip, MagiskManager-v7.1.1.apk, magisk-riru-core-v18.zip, magisk-EdXposed-v0.3.1.7_beta-release.zip, EdXposedInstaller_v2.2.4-release.apk, EdXposedManager-org.meowcat.edxposed.manager-4.3.1-431-release.apk, EdXposedUninstaller.zip
Tools:
miflash_unlock-en-3.3.1212.33.zip, miflash_unlock-en-2.3.803.10.zip (to avoid 3 extra days of waiting), MiFlashSetup_eng.msi, adb-setup-v2.exe, MiSetup3.2.1.3111_2717.zip ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for this, a really useful summary.
I am curious of these gsi builds, especially RR, though gonna wait a bit longer as I'm happy with MIUI being stable etc

I'm a bit worried by what you say with TWRP being a one time flash only as it can't write to data.
Does this mean that if I install the xiaomi.eu ROM today, that's it no further flashes in the future?!
Also there's a warning on the xiaomi.eu download page that magisk may cause lag and fingerpring issues, has anyone experienced this?
I need to make sure that google pay works

I have a global model with the EU rom, can i use the dev rom or the xiaomi.eu rom? I've read that that european models can't use global rom, will these work?

i have EEA device version, can i flash global ROM and Re-Lock Bootloader ?

oziojik said:
i have EEA device version, can i flash global ROM and Re-Lock Bootloader ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes

cd993 said:
Thanks for this, a really useful summary.
I am curious of these gsi builds, especially RR, though gonna wait a bit longer as I'm happy with MIUI being stable etc
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
cheers. So i reached a fantastic configuration on what i believe is the best ROM for Mi9: Foloko. Very frequent updates now as the dev, cough cough, simply owns the physical device. Software wise it is fantastic, the tweaks are great, the tap-to-wake works, the AOD screen works in a smart way (like only notifications or only music if you wish), lot of useful actions work on deep doze screen like music control with volume buttons, and legendary Xposed Edge controls the AI button in that mode. Got 9 actions defined. So this disadvantage to 6T doze gestures is gone although the gestures are cooler. Bluetooth [car] works. The mesmerizing swipe-to-apps a.k.a. QuickStep works with the included launcher or even Hyperion (which you can enable with QuickStep magisk plugin). Navigation of apps is fantastic with the Pie button (and tweakable as hell; Xiaomi: impossible). So many Quick setting icons (i counted 40? whaat). Screenshot region works (Xiaomi: disabled even via Xposed). App notifications work great with extra blinking features, vanilla style (Xiaomi suppresses them by default!). Not missing anything from Xiaomi ROM and getting much more. Lot of free memory as the bloatware is gone. Traditional stuff like DataSaver, memory and battery control (Xiaomi: disfunctional kill-all memory guard). Only stuff that you want runs in the memory and you can open running processes from the notification bar (in Xiaomi: censored). There's even some OTA. Camera works. Charging is super fast and you see the volt and ampers on the lockscreen. You can throw away google backdoor SmartLock as you have The Profiles. Nigh mode (however not readable like on all ROMs/devices).
However it comes with this disadvantage at the moment:
- installation can be insane (miflashing stock ROM tgz is required, gapps will fail most of the time, custom kernel will be a problem etc - wasted many hours on this)
- fingerprint generally works but it's hard to see it and very often i have to press it twice, no facelock..... i think not a dealbreaker, not a reason to stick to xiaomi ROMs
- battery consumption is terrible (5%/hr in deep doze(!) standby - even in full wifi standby 100%->0% test!!!), and i believe it is because of Magisk as i didn't identify anything in the 3C monitor except rather high CPU frequencies and and disabling monitoring and gms had no effect ---> i'm exhausted but i will still work on this. Only when this is solved, will give away my lovely 6T just in: setting passive governor -> frequencies much lower, battery impact none.
no doubt the most difficult flashing experience in a decade.. imagine 2 weeks waiting for unlock, learn to hack the extra 3 days waittime award, 2 weeks trying to fight xiaomi ROMs, read their childish forums to gain knowledge, analyze the flashing process, the firmware packages, the flashing issue in every step possible, learn to modify the scripts in flash packages (wtf), learn about error 1, error 7, error 64, error... failed gapps packages, then spend tons of hours trying to make AOSP run.. who wants to go through this hell if you have a high privacy standard (need Xposed XPrivacy)?:silly: while the experience with 6T was: type oem unlock, flash magisk, xposed, one config session, done. No problem since. It just works. You don't need a custom ROM at all. Zero troubleshooting. zero problems. Fantastic battery 4 passive days. Wow. QC and Qi addiction is the reason i fight with xiaomi. Will update on battery, the very last issue.

doggydog2 said:
cheers. So i reached a fantastic configuration on what i believe is the best ROM for Mi9: Foloko. Very frequent updates now as the dev, cough cough, simply owns the physical device. Software wise it is fantastic, the tweaks are great, the tap-to-wake works, the AOD screen works in a smart way (like only notifications or only music if you wish), lot of useful actions work on deep doze screen like music control with volume buttons, and legendary Xposed Edge controls the AI button in that mode. Got 9 actions defined. So this disadvantage to 6T doze gestures is gone although the gestures are cooler. Bluetooth [car] works. The mesmerizing swipe-to-apps a.k.a. QuickStep works with the included launcher or even Hyperion (which you can enable with QuickStep magisk plugin). Navigation of apps is fantastic with the Pie button (and tweakable as hell; Xiaomi: impossible). So many Quick setting icons (i counted 40? whaat). Screenshot region works (Xiaomi: disabled even via Xposed). App notifications work great with extra blinking features, vanilla style (Xiaomi suppresses them by default!). Not missing anything from Xiaomi ROM and getting much more. Lot of free memory as the bloatware is gone. Traditional stuff like DataSaver, memory and battery control (Xiaomi: disfunctional kill-all memory guard). Only stuff that you want runs in the memory and you can open running processes from the notification bar (in Xiaomi: censored). There's even some OTA. Camera works. Charging is super fast and you see the volt and ampers on the lockscreen. You can throw away google backdoor SmartLock as you have The Profiles. Nigh mode (however not readable like on all ROMs/devices).
However it comes with this disadvantage at the moment:
- installation can be insane (miflashing stock ROM tgz is required, gapps will fail most of the time, custom kernel will be a problem etc - wasted many hours on this)
- fingerprint generally works but it's hard to see it and very often i have to press it twice, no facelock..... i think not a dealbreaker, not a reason to stick to xiaomi ROMs
- battery consumption is terrible (5%/hr in deep doze(!) standby - even in full wifi standby 100%->0% test!!!), and i believe it is because of Magisk as i didn't identify anything in the 3C monitor except rather high CPU frequencies and and disabling monitoring and gms had no effect ---> i'm exhausted but i will still work on this. Only when this is solved, will give away my lovely 6T just in: setting passive governor -> frequencies much lower, battery impact none.
no doubt the most difficult flashing experience in a decade.. imagine 2 weeks waiting for unlock, learn to hack the extra 3 days waittime award, 2 weeks trying to fight xiaomi ROMs, read their childish forums to gain knowledge, analyze the flashing process, the firmware packages, the flashing issue in every step possible, learn to modify the scripts in flash packages (wtf), learn about error 1, error 7, error 64, error... failed gapps packages, then spend tons of hours trying to make AOSP run.. who wants to go through this hell if you have a high privacy standard (need Xposed XPrivacy)?:silly: while the experience with 6T was: type oem unlock, flash magisk, xposed, one config session, done. No problem since. It just works. You don't need a custom ROM at all. Zero troubleshooting. zero problems. Fantastic battery 4 passive days. Wow. QC and Qi addiction is the reason i fight with xiaomi. Will update on battery, the very last issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very interesting to read! I'm curious of gsi roms however so far I'd miss stock camera and this battery life is also making me hesitant.
I'm currently trying out RevolutionOS which is proving to be a very nice rom.
I did try Floko and experienced the same issue with gapps, took a while to work but managed it eventually. When booted I couldn't change the contrast/colours and all the whites seemed dull, presumably that isn't fixed yet (?!) and so for that and other reasons I decided to flash back to miui. I really don't mind it, after soong lots of tweaks and debloating etc.
But indeed, I must say I am almost tempted by the OnePlus 7 Pro whenever that comes out..... But we'll see!

What happened? Got 1% drop in 3hours. Did the phone "settle"? Did Xiaomi disconnect? i'm leaving it alone for 1hr blocks all day, this time i let it longer..
3C: 0.33% per hour.. is the phone dead? all seems working, network was active, data was there, google connected, VPN uninterrupted and resident programs too (no cleanup, actually tons of stuff and xposed*).
GSam: estimates 132hr (5.5days) standby per full charge, by math it is 12.6day per this sick value (lowest ever measure in non-airplane mode) funny but that's how i measured 6T,Note9,V30.. sitting at the exact spot and waiting..6T gave me 7days theoretical number and 4 real passive days afterwards* and come home with 75%, wake up next morning with 65% in active days)
Let's quickly write the conditions:
- 3g and home wifi (yes the wifi is a battery saver, and home wifi is the best... you know... proximity)
- ROM: flokoRom 21-04-2019
- kernel: stock (default)
- flashing sequence: dtbo, vendor, persist, boot, system, resize system partition, reboot to recovery, mindthegapps64, wipe caches, magisk19.0, two reboots
- governor: schedulutil (default), others (default), f-sync on (default)
- kernel wakelocks blocked: none (default), system wakelocks blocked: none (default), system alarms blocked: none (default)
- wakelocks detected: c8c000.qcom,hal_bluetooth_lock,PowerManagerService.WakeLocks,qcom_rx_wakelock (no smp2p-sleepstate there surprisingly)
- naptime: ON (=deep doze was active, however it didn't mean anything in previous tests)
- servicely: ON, force app standby: OFF (this would block notifications)
- surface settings: crDroid pocket detection and other 2 phh doze features: OFF
- Magisk 19.1 with useless GMS hack and 3C OFF, Magisk Hide OFF (as i don't want to hide my root, not using payments, and only GMS doze used this); GSI patch v3, Quickstep, edXposed, Xyoutube ON
- Exposed with Edge, XCall, XPrivacy ON; 3C OFF (only nonsys app running and monitoring only battery)
*Note: measuring Standby. More important than SOT if you want to have working phone at evening. Measuring wifi standby with no interaction is to check max potential of the phone with all background setup running (200 apps, 3 chats, 3 mails, disk encryption, network encryption, location sharing, location history, xposed - maxed out setup). Exact same process on each phone. Standby home wifi > Standby wifi > Standby 3g by huge margins. Results when moving with phone will vary drastically. My goal is humble: 1.5day of mixed use.

This type of performance continued later. Followed by permaactive browsing session 8.5%/hr (max 12hr SOT). During the active day (3g / office wifi) ended up also with ~75% (GSam: 84hr standby left). So this is great. I keep the phone and give away 6T. Finally. Achieved (consider the huge time waste however):
- no sign of Xiaomi thrashware existence
- optimal Pie experience with no feature or setting missing, QuickStep(R) and Pie navbar
- sexier lighter thinner phone with less memory but newer processors (fastest on market)
- my favorite feature Qi a QC on all charging levels existing (fastest on market), compatible with all existing standard chargers, optioanlly 3 gram magnet system to Qi-charge & hold in the car ("Floveme" on AliEx)
- great battery life
- less problems after setup than with rooted Samsung, bit more than with OnePlus (fingerprint not great, but this will improve by time i guess)
SD card sucks, but USB-C flash in the wallet works well with the chinese TWRP. OnePlus 7 is out of consideration thanks to Qc/Qi. Not sure if I want to wait for unlock next time, i'd prefer to buy 2nd hand unlocked Xiaomi phone if any ("outsource" the waiting). Let's see if OnePlus will be stubborn next year..
---------- Post added 25th April 2019 at 12:07 AM ---------- Previous post was 24th April 2019 at 11:28 PM ----------
I just noticed the AOSP Pie AOD notifications are actionable, there are normal buttons on AOD like mark as read or reply. That's best solution seen yet, you can do some little interaction with Samsung AOD but to set message read or navigate form AOD? And LED blinks on any apps you wish, in any style you set. That is cool. Hard to miss notification with vibration, sound, AOD and LED? AOSP FlokoRom, updates bi-weekly... RR is updated bi-monthly... so much for subject "ROMs - which one is which"...

Worth updating to Pie?

Hi guys,
I have a debranded P10 c432 on emui 8. Firmware Finder report a VTR-LGRP2-OVS 9.0.1 Full OTA it's a strange name, very different from the one based on emui 8 that are somehting like "VTR-L09C432".
So:
Can I install that fw and go to emui 9?
Is it worth updating? the system is slow? battery life? how about the video stabilization?
Can I root?
Can I downgrade, eventually?
thank you in advance

This method work for my
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=78850439&postcount=1334

1. The best you can do untill ota arrives is to try via hicare. That way i managed to install emui9 on my vtr-l29c432. The firmwares on ff might cause a brick if it's not the right one for your device so i don't think it's worth the risk.
2.In terms of performace i find the overall system a bit faster and smoother in transitions so for me it's a worth upgrade. No slowdowns or whatever, it's quick and stable with no issues so far (approx. 2weeks of use). Battery seems to be the same, depends on your usage, it may dry fast if you always on screen or it can last a full day if you don't stress it out. About the video i'm not so sure about it but on 1080p 60fps seems to be fine but again i'm not sure about it. I dont record that much on the phone, i ocasionally take some pictures and the camera seems to be fine. Maybe with future updates will be better. It's all about your preferences.
3. I don't use root but maybe it's possible with magisk.
4.Yes, with hisuite.

first thank you so much @Firicel69
then
Necrodaemon said:
This method work for my
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=78850439&postcount=1334
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
mmmm why I need all these hisuite stuff for OVS if I have the unlocked bl and twrp installed? I don't understand this OVS thing...

RealPsygnosis said:
first thank you so much @Firicel69
then
mmmm why I need all these hisuite stuff for OVS if I have the unlocked bl and twrp installed? I don't understand this OVS thing...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you have bootloader unlocked an TWRP installed make it easy
Look for upgrading to pie Tutorial at this Forum by @Jannomag!
Last Version to use on FF is 9.0.1.165...
I have a P10, rebranded from L09 to L29 with bootloader unlock...
@Jannomag s tutorial is working fine, no Problems with updating so far...

RealPsygnosis said:
Hi guys,
I have a debranded P10 c432 on emui 8. Firmware Finder report a VTR-LGRP2-OVS 9.0.1 Full OTA it's a strange name, very different from the one based on emui 8 that are somehting like "VTR-L09C432".
So:
Can I install that fw and go to emui 9?
Is it worth updating? the system is slow? battery life? how about the video stabilization?
Can I root?
Can I downgrade, eventually?
thank you in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To upgrade to EMUI 9, you need a full firmware - those are listed as VTR-L29C432E1R1P9B165 (9.0.1.165), as an example. The LGRP2 firmwares, those are core system update images for non-Chinese devices (the Bnnn portion of the build number); they split the pieces apart into separately versioned bits with Pie.
I can't say anything for EMUI 9 features specifically, as I installed it for the updated vendor image, not EMUI.
You can root, with Magisk. They removed the ability to boot with a ramdisk in a normal boot, so Magisk takes over recovery instead; newer releases can boot both ways by button detection at boot time.
Downgrade - hisuite.

My battery life went down, but to early to say, because theese Huaweis is smart and needs time to learn habits and battery use... In two weeks I know more.

I don't think it's worth it. Smoother animations and better zoom photo quality are the only upsides. Other than that:
- camera app is much less intuitive, swiping between modes is slow and irritating, that's one of the things that should not be copied from iOS
- no video stabilization whatsoever
- image color processing is a hit and miss (it hates nature), when it gets slightly darker images are too dark
- I lost 1 hour of screen on time
- gallery app is stupid, it lost all the customization. You can't change folders to a list, you can't even rearrange the order!
- screenshot "mechanic" is stupid, it adds one unnecessary step to the process if you want to edit it or something
- themes app is unuseable, it got worse going from Nougat to Oreo, now it's just a messy store. Keep the theme you're on right now and forget about it.
- NFC issues (file transfer works, mobile payments don't).
In short - If your P10 works fine don't bother with the update.

majaczos said:
I don't think it's worth it. Smoother animations and better zoom photo quality are the only upsides. Other than that:
- camera app is much less intuitive, swiping between modes is slow and irritating, that's one of the things that should not be copied from iOS
- no video stabilization whatsoever
- image color processing is a hit and miss (it hates nature), when it gets slightly darker images are too dark
- I lost 1 hour of screen on time
- gallery app is stupid, it lost all the customization. You can't change folders to a list, you can't even rearrange the order!
- screenshot "mechanic" is stupid, it adds one unnecessary step to the process if you want to edit it or something
- themes app is unuseable, it got worse going from Nougat to Oreo, now it's just a messy store. Keep the theme you're on right now and forget about it.
- NFC issues (file transfer works, mobile payments don't).
In short - If your P10 works fine don't bother with the update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can underline this.
Also the Memo-App is bad now, no more tick-boxes for quick notes (which is really annoying) and other small issues.
On of the most annyoing is the changing of notification colors on the lockscreen. This is so infuriating for me.....

I dig the Pie, better blutooth, and cams and gallery is nice here, also like the look on swipe menu, and maneuver...
The battery is better today.. I've blockcharged while I was in the shower and 50% now...
It's an old phone.. so I usually block charge abit on the night, in weekend I tend to stay up abit later also...
The phone is faster loading and multitasking.

Gallery is nice? What's nice about it? Blinding white background while viewing your pictures? Or the fact that you cannot do such basic thing as rearranging the order of your folders?

Pie on p10 is very battery efficient. It's so efficient at killing background processes that even calendar notifications won't work properly anymore. Last time I had alarm 22 hours and some minutes late. All other notifications appear at very random times, but always very late. Notifications work fine only for a few days until the app probably gets kicked out of ram. Completeley useless.
And then there is camera with much worse low light quality, bluetooth problems, useless themes app and bunch of other completely useless features and I'm slowly having enough of huawei and their updates. I've had my p10 since march 2017 and I don't think it ever worked without at least one major bug.

Ok I get the point, pie is for someone good and for - too many - a mess. But, maybe because it's a beta? On FF I cannot understand if it9s a beta release or not. Because some other versions of oreo are been released on April with Pie.
And BTW I have spend some time to read some threads here (dated March) and the @Jannomag scripts and it's obvious that it's too early to install it. There is no TWRP, and install magisk is completed and unreliable.
So maybe I will update oreo and wait that pie is mature enough at least that I could install twrp and magisk. Because, honestly, I don't care that gallery app or themes are worst, I could always replace them,the importance is that the system is usable.

It's not a beta. I got it through HiCare app, it's an official OTA update. Besides - most of the things I'm complaining about are present in P30 as well. That's how EMUI 9 is supposed to work.

@Imnotdriving, how is Bluetooth better? Asking because it might be a factor in my decision to upgrade ?
As it turns out, my phone got the pie update last night so I got my own answer. One previously stubborn to connect speaker now connects quickly with aptx Bluetooth hence confirming that Bluetooth is improved.
Otherwise I like the new gesture navigation option in this update. Beyond that, not much is different for the way I use the phone.
There are a lot of new services running and I disabled about a dozen of the low hanging fruit. There's more that I'm sure I'll disable over time once I find out what they do.

mattrask said:
@Imnotdriving, how is Bluetooth better? Asking because it might be a factor in my decision to upgrade [emoji6]
As it turns out, my phone got the pie update last night so I got my own answer. One previously stubborn to connect speaker now connects quickly with aptx Bluetooth hence confirming that Bluetooth is improved.
Otherwise I like the new gesture navigation option in this update. Beyond that, not much is different for the way I use the phone.
There are a lot of new services running and I disabled about a dozen of the low hanging fruit. There's more that I'm sure I'll disable over time once I find out what they do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The information in the update link spesofic stated that blutooth functions would be better, I don't remember exactly what it said.

Guys what package should I use for upgrade?
VTR-LGRP2-OVS 9.0.1.203
Or
VTR-L29C432E1R1P9B185
Both full ota
The OVS one is just one package update_full_base. Zip but it seems newer then the b185

RealPsygnosis said:
Guys what package should I use for upgrade?
VTR-LGRP2-OVS 9.0.1.203
Or
VTR-L29C432E1R1P9B185
Both full ota
The OVS one is just one package update_full_base. Zip but it seems newer then the b185
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For the initial update, the LGRP1/LGRP2 packages shouldn't be used - while it's marked FullOTA, it's not a complete build, as it's missing various partitions that need to be flashed in an upgrade from Oreo. (Basically, you'll brick if you flash one of those.)
If you're already on Pie, either works equally well.

irony_delerium said:
For the initial update, the LGRP1/LGRP2 packages shouldn't be used - while it's marked FullOTA, it's not a complete build, as it's missing various partitions that need to be flashed in an upgrade from Oreo. (Basically, you'll brick if you flash one of those.)
If you're already on Pie, either works equally well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So I should use the VTR-L29C432E1R1P9B185 package with the script here? After that I can update pie with LGRP2? But is LGRP2-OVS a sort of beta?
Do you advise me to use the jannomag script or the hi suite trick with dns?
I hope everything goes fine, I want to do a full wipe and install magisk

RealPsygnosis said:
So I should use the VTR-L29C432E1R1P9B185 package with the script here? After that I can update pie with LGRP2? But is LGRP2-OVS a sort of beta?
Do you advise me to use the jannomag script or the hi suite trick with dns?
I hope everything goes fine, I want to do a full wipe and install magisk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've done all of my updates to P using a nocheck recovery. I can't say anything about the tricks with HiSuite or the script you've mentioned, though they should work just fine.
As far as the build numbers go: LGRP1-CHN and LGRP2-OVS are the China and everywhere else builds, respectively. It's possible that some of them might be beta, though I suspect the release notes would give up some indication of that.

Recommendations for custom rom? SM-N950F/DS

Hi everyone.
I just got my Note 8 and it is a beast!
my phone prior to this was actually an Xperia Z1 (yep, the one from 2013), which has LineageOS 7.1 (Nougat) loaded onto it. I loved that rom, so much I actually put the same LineageOS version on my ASUS tablet too. So I'm pretty used to the trebuchet launcher and Nougat system in general.
the previous owner of my Note8 had pretty much installed all the updates up till late last year, so It's got the 9 Pie update installed. Android 9, combined with the One UI launcher, and topped with annoying "Bixby???" button I keep accidentally pressing, is all a little too crazy for me, coming from LOs Nougat.
with my scouring of forums, I've seen a few people suggest that staying on Oreo is better for battery life / performance / usability compared to the Pie update.
Compared to my Z1, this thing is a speed demon, it certainly isn't slow... but I do notice that the battery seems to drain a bit even when the phone is left in standby, and considering it's a fresh factory reset OS with almost no user apps installed, I'm a little concerned to see it's using 3gb of memory on just bloat and background services.
So pretty much I've been looking into the custom rom situation for the Note8.
My main priority is debloating and stability. I've seen the popular Hades and Deluxe roms, but they look almost more like they are adding features and customization, rather than stripping the useless bloat. Also they seem to be pushing even newer android versions now.
I've seen that TeamEXYKings put out a few light roms, even ones supporting nougat. which I'm interested in trying, anyone have any thoughts on these? It looks like support has dropped for them.
Points I understand so far.... (correct me if I'm wrong)
*Currently, I can't flash because my KG state is in Prenormal, still waiting the 7 days with simcard and phone staying on.
*Exynos has an unlocked bootloader, snapdragon doesn't. It seems to be a common opinion that Booatloader can't be downgraded, so therefore I won't be able to roll back an oreo or nougat rom? yet I've seen some people claim they were able to after they unlocked the bootloader (very confused)?
*Most Roms take away Spen functionality? I do need this, but only for the pressure sensetivity in my art apps, I don't care too much about the drawing on notes/screenshots/off screen/ring shortcut. Will I still get the basic funcationality of my Spen on a custom rom?
*Seems there are some Galaxy S8 roms that have Note 8 functionality and vice-versa.. should I consider these? are there any drawbacks/bugs to consider?
sorry for the long post I'm open to anyone's thoughts and suggestion, cheers!
TLDR: new phone, not too keen on Android Pie and excessive Samsung bloat. please suggest light and stable rom for note 8.

dc_all said:
Hi everyone.
I just got my Note 8 and it is a beast!
my phone prior to this was actually an Xperia Z1 (yep, the one from 2013), which has LineageOS 7.1 (Nougat) loaded onto it. I loved that rom, so much I actually put the same LineageOS version on my ASUS tablet too. So I'm pretty used to the trebuchet launcher and Nougat system in general.
the previous owner of my Note8 had pretty much installed all the updates up till late last year, so It's got the 9 Pie update installed. Android 9, combined with the One UI launcher, and topped with annoying "Bixby???" button I keep accidentally pressing, is all a little too crazy for me, coming from LOs Nougat.
with my scouring of forums, I've seen a few people suggest that staying on Oreo is better for battery life / performance / usability compared to the Pie update.
Compared to my Z1, this thing is a speed demon, it certainly isn't slow... but I do notice that the battery seems to drain a bit even when the phone is left in standby, and considering it's a fresh factory reset OS with almost no user apps installed, I'm a little concerned to see it's using 3gb of memory on just bloat and background services.
So pretty much I've been looking into the custom rom situation for the Note8.
My main priority is debloating and stability. I've seen the popular Hades and Deluxe roms, but they look almost more like they are adding features and customization, rather than stripping the useless bloat. Also they seem to be pushing even newer android versions now.
I've seen that TeamEXYKings put out a few light roms, even ones supporting nougat. which I'm interested in trying, anyone have any thoughts on these? It looks like support has dropped for them.
Points I understand so far.... (correct me if I'm wrong)
*Currently, I can't flash because my KG state is in Prenormal, still waiting the 7 days with simcard and phone staying on.
*Exynos has an unlocked bootloader, snapdragon doesn't. It seems to be a common opinion that Booatloader can't be downgraded, so therefore I won't be able to roll back an oreo or nougat rom? yet I've seen some people claim they were able to after they unlocked the bootloader (very confused)?
*Most Roms take away Spen functionality? I do need this, but only for the pressure sensetivity in my art apps, I don't care too much about the drawing on notes/screenshots/off screen/ring shortcut. Will I still get the basic funcationality of my Spen on a custom rom?
*Seems there are some Galaxy S8 roms that have Note 8 functionality and vice-versa.. should I consider these? are there any drawbacks/bugs to consider?
sorry for the long post I'm open to anyone's thoughts and suggestion, cheers!
TLDR: new phone, not too keen on Android Pie and excessive Samsung bloat. please suggest light and stable rom for note 8.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rather than trying to address everything I will stick to what is most important for you, debloating and stability. Both Deluxe and Hades rom let you choose most of what bloatware you want during the Aroma installation, although they vary slightly in what is selectable but if you don't want Bixby for example just don't select it in Aroma. For stability you won't go wrong with a stock based rom.
If you love Lineaage OS you can flash Lineage 17 which is stable, you can find the latest build in the link I will post below, however this will remove the Spen functionality so it is literally just a touch pen and I don't know if the pressure censor works for drawing. You will need to flash Gapps with this to get the Google play store.
https://images.stricted.net/lineageos/greatlte/
I want to make you aware, just in case you don't know, that as soon as you flash TWRP this trips Knox so Samsung Pay will never work again, it breaks other things too like Shealth and Secure Folder but most stock based roms have this patched so they work, just not Samsung Pay.
Another option is to buy a package disabler, which is what I use, so I can disable or enable any app with just a click so then you can stay fully stock.

stonedpsycho said:
Rather than trying to address everything I will stick to what is most important for you, debloating and stability. Both Deluxe and Hades rom let you choose most of what bloatware you want during the Aroma installation, although they vary slightly in what is selectable but if you don't want Bixby for example just don't select it in Aroma. For stability you won't go wrong with a stock based rom.
If you love Lineaage OS you can flash Lineage 17 which is stable, you can find the latest build in the link I will post below, however this will remove the Spen functionality so it is literally just a touch pen and I don't know if the pressure censor works for drawing. You will need to flash Gapps with this to get the Google play store.
https://images.stricted.net/lineageos/greatlte/
I want to make you aware, just in case you don't know, that as soon as you flash TWRP this trips Knox so Samsung Pay will never work again, it breaks other things too like Shealth and Secure Folder but most stock based roms have this patched so they work, just not Samsung Pay.
Another option is to buy a package disabler, which is what I use, so I can disable or enable any app with just a click so then you can stay fully stock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks a bunch for your advice, very helpful.
and thanks for bringing up the knox thing. I have heard that, though I forgot to mention it in my post. I think I'll be fine without those samsung features.
I'll keep a close eye on Hades and Deluxe then. There seems to be the most information about them online and even some video reviews.
I'll look into the newer lineageOS too, it sounds like it will meet my needs, but I would hate to lose some functionality on Spen or camera, so Stock based may be the way to go..
Also I hadn't ever heard of a Package disabler.. definitely going to look into that too.
Another great perk for LOS was the privacy guard, being able to disable apps loading at startup or not allowing them to run in background really extended my battery life. I'll have to look into similar options from 3rd party apps.
thanks again for your help.