Category: Android Custom ROMs

A custom Android ROM refers to a phone’s firmware, based on Google’s Android platform. OxygenOS, MIUI, LineageOS, ZenUI, Stock Android, there are lots of variants and flavors out there to try.

Getting Android 6.0.1 MarshMallow on Samsung Galaxy S4

Hi Guys,

Today, we will discuss how to upgrade your current Android version to Android MarshMallow in Samsung Galaxy S4 GT-i9500.

Why Android MarshMallow?

Android MarshMallow

The reason I like Android Operating System are the increasing customizability options in the Android updates. It is also the reason I and many other users have to find some ways to get Android update when our device’s vendors are not in likely mood to do so.

Today, I am focussing light on a way to get Android Marshmallow 6.0.1 in Samsung Galaxy S4 GT-i9500. I’m showcasing this article because of many different reasons. Foremost of which is, I myself own this device, and I would love to use MarshMallow on my Galaxy S4.

About Custom ROM (CM 13)

First of all, I would like to specify that Custom ROM and Custom firmware are one of the same thing. Also I may refer Samsung Galaxy S4 GT-i9500 as i9500.

Android MarshMallow 6.0.1 is now available to install on Samsung Galaxy s4 GT-i9500 via the CyanogenMod 13, Custom ROM. This CyanogenMod 13 custom firmware is an unofficial release which is based on Android 6.0.1 and comes with various new and different features and customization tools that resemble Android Open Source Project (AOSP) ROM. But as this update/firmware has been developed by third-party developers, and not officially released by Samsung, it is still in beta and there may be quite some bugs, and it is possible that maybe a feature or 2 may be buggy or even not work at all.

About the Developer

The developer behind this project goes by the alias of Alberto96 and belongs to Italy. So far they have been able to get the video, audio, RIL and many other things working perfectly fine. Sadly, the stock camera app is not working; which means some users (not all) might face a problem. As the developer has been working on the build and is fixing bugs every now and then, I wouldn’t be surprised if those broken/buggy issues have been fixed by the time you finish reading and sharing this post.

Bugs and Workarounds

As the stock camera app is still buggy, just download any other camera app from the Google Play Store to use the camera, for e.g. Google Camera.

How to Update GT-i9500 to Android 6.0.1 MarshMallow via CyanogenMod 13 Custom Firmware

Follow these steps (without cheating ??) –

Samsung Galaxy S4
  1. You need to have these files on a computer. So, download the ROM (279.6MB) from this link
  2. Now, you also need to download the Google Apps Package (called GApps) from the site OpenGApps.org. Choose options –
    Platform : ARM
    Android : 6.0
    Variant : micro
    Download the package with the circular red download button below the form.
  3. Save both files on your desktop. Don’t unzip them.
  4. Connect your i9500 with your computer with the help of a USB cable.
  5. Copy those zipped files to your phone’s SD card.
  6. When the transfer is completed, unplug the USB cable, switch off your i9500 by holding the power button for a few seconds.
  7. After switching it off, wait for a few seconds. *think about the pollution and plan on planting a tree*
  8. Now, press the Home button, Power button, and Volume Up button simultaneously to boot the device in Recovery mode.
  9. Once in recovery mode, use the Volume up/Volume Down buttons to scroll up/down and Power button to select an option.
  10. First choose “wipe data factory reset” followed by “wipe cache partition” and “wipe dalvik cache”.
  11. Then, from the same, main menu of recovery select “install zip from SD card” and “choose zip from SD card”.
  12. Pick the Marshmallow firmware file and install CM13 Custom ROM in your Samsung Galaxy S4. Now CM13, is flashed in your device.
  13. Repeat the same steps to flash the GApps package too.
  14. After installation, reboot device, it may take up to 10 minutes to boot. There’s nothing to worry about.
  15. It will boot up with CyanogenMod 13, which is based on MarshMallow 6.0.1.

Screenshot Gallery

That’s all folks.

Image source – Swapnil’s photography (Samsung Galaxy S4 image) and cdn03.androidauthority.net (Featured image).
Author – Siddhant Baranwal.
Bummer – “Siddhant doesn’t really knows how to click screenshots without assistance. Those will be uploaded when Swapnil will meet him personally, which is not going to happen anytime soon.” – Inside sources.
Editor – Swapnil Jha.

Getting Android 5.1.1 Lollipop on Canvas 2 Colours

Hi Guys,

Today, we will discuss how to upgrade your current Android version to Android Lollipop in Micromax Canvas 2 Colours.

Why Android Lollipop?

The reason I like Android Operating System are the increasing customizability options in the Android updates. It is also the reason I and many other users have to find some ways to get Android update when our device’s vendors are not in likely mood to do so.

Today, I am focussing light on a way to get Android 5.1.1 Lollipop in a Micromax Canvas 2 Colours. I’m showcasing this article on the request a lot of my readers who own Micromax C2C. Frankly speaking, the list of people who wanted to get Android 5.1.1 on their C2Cs included me too.

How to Update Micromax C2C to Android 5.1.1 Lollipop via CyanogenMod 12.1 Custom Firmware

About Custom ROM (CM 12.1)

First of all, I would like to specify that Custom ROM and Custom firmware are one of the same thing. Also I may refer Micromax Canvas 2 Colours as C2C.

Android 5.1.1 Lollipop is now available to install on Micromax C2C via the CyanogenMod 12.1, Custom ROM. This CyanogenMod 12.1 custom firmware is an unofficial release which is based on Android 5.1.1 Lollipop and comes with various new and different features and customization tools that resemble Android Open Source Project (AOSP) ROM. But as this update/firmware has been developed by third-party developers, and not officially released by Micromax, it is still in beta and there may be quite some bugs, and it is possible that maybe a feature or 2 will not work completely.

About the Developer

The developer behind this project goes by the name moonrotation and belongs to Spain. So far they have been able to get the video, audio, WiFi, and SIM slots, camera and many other things working perfectly fine. Sadly, the USSD for some networks, GPS is not working; which means some users (not all) will go through a problem with calling or using any location-based service. As the developer has been working on the build and is fixing bugs every now and then, I wouldn’t be surprised if those broken/buggy issues have been fixed by the time you are reading this.

How to Flash the ROM

Material Required –

  • A working PC.
  • SmartPhone Flash Tools (SP Flash Tools).
    SP Flash Tools is created by MediaTek Inc. and is a trusted software.
    The following link will download the latest version of SP Flash Tools as on date 21 May 2015.
    Download it!
  • Android USB Drivers
    These are needed to operate the Android device via your PC.
    The following link will help you download the latest version of ADB Drivers as on date 21 May 2015.
    Download it!
  • A ROM.
    A ROM will be required to flash and bring back to device to life. But remember flashing a Stock ROM (that originally came with the phone) will also help in getting your phone’s guarantee back; whereas flashing a Custom ROM (any other ROM) has a lesser chance of getting your phone un-bricked and has nothing to do with its guarantee.
    You’ll need to Flash Wiko Rainbow SP Flashable ROM, download it from this link.

Follow these steps to install the ROM –

SP Flash Tools

  • Charge your smart phone to approximately 50 percent or above battery level.
  • Switch it off and remove its battery, if possible.
  • Install SP Flash Tools and Android USB Drivers. Download them from above download links.
  • Extract the Flash Wiko Rainbow SP Flashable ROM from .zip file. Place the extracted folder to the desktop for ease of access. Download link is given above.
  • Open the Device manager in PC. Go to Start > Run > devmgmt.msc.
  • Connect your phone to PC through data cable.
  • In the device manager, a yellow line would have appeared after the phone got connected. MT65xx preloader.
  • Right click on it and click Update. Browse to Desktop and click Next. A red box will appear, press Continue Installation.
  • Open SP Flash tool folder and click on Flash_Tool.exe.
  • Browse to the scatter File MT65xx_Android_scatter_emmc_PMT.txt in the folder of that ROM, which was earlier placed on Desktop.
  • Make sure all the boxes are checked. Then press the Download button.
  • Then re – connect your mobile phone. You will notice some progress  on the CPU screen in the form of blue and red colour.
  • After a while, you’ll get a Green circle.
  • Disconnect your phone. Plug in the battery and switch it on.

Now follow these steps –

  • Download CyanogenMod 12.1 from the given download link.
  • Place that downloaded zip in your SD card.
  • Switch off your phone.
  • Press Power button + Volume up button + Volume Down button simultaneously to enter recovery mode.
  • Wait for the buzz (vibration) and release those buttons.
  • Then press Volume Up button, you will see an interface after that click on “install zip”.
  • Then select “choose zip from SD card ” if your downloaded zip is in internal SD or “choose zip from SD card if your downloaded zip is in external  SD.
  • Browse to your cyanogenmod-unofficial***.zip click on it then click Yes.
  • You’ll see “installing update”, wait till it completes.
  • After installation, reboot device, it may take up to 10 minutes to boot. There’s nothing to panic.
  • It will boot up with CyanogenMod 12.1, which is based on Lollipop 5.1.1.

Screenshots Gallery

If you really liked my post, you can buy me a pint of beer, here, along with other good stuff.

That’s all folks.

Original Thread – xda-developers.com.
Image source – xda-developers.com (Featured image) and Siddhant’s forgotten Micromax Canvas 2 Colours (Screesnshots).
Author – Siddhant Baranwal.
Editor – Abdul Rehman.
Co – Editor – Swapnil Jha.

How to Flash a Recovery -PhilZ Touch

Hi Guys,

Today, we are going to tell you how to flash a custom recovery (Philz Touch) in any Android device with. Porting a Custom recovery is just a step ahead of this. It helps in getting more control on your Android device.

What is meant by a Recovery? Why should I use it?

Recovery is nothing but a medium or environment to change custom ROMs i.e. it helps the user to interactively change files in the operating system of a mobile device in an easier and convenient way. It can be compared to the BIOS of a Windows PC.

How to flash a recovery?

i) First and foremost, your device should be rooted before doing this. To know if your device is rooted or not, download Root Checker from the Google Play Store. To root your android device, you may prefer the Ways of Rooting post.

ii) Now you need to find your device’s recovery in your device’s forums. Or else you will have to port it yourself.

iii) Download and install the app named Mobile Uncle Tools from Google Play Store.

iv) Place your device’s recovery in root folder of your SD Card. (Just to find it easily while using it).

v) Open Mobile Uncle Tools > Recovery Update > *.img

vi) Tap “Flash Recovery”. After this step ,your device mayn’t respond for a while, it’s normal and nothing to worry.

vii) You will see a message “Recovery flashed. Reboot into recovery mode”. If you see this message, it means that you have successfully flashed the recovery image in your Android device.

viii) Tap “Yes”. You will be rebooted to your selected recovery. If you tap no, you will have to manually reboot into recovery mode.

Video Tutorial

You can also watch this video on our Youtube Channel. You can ask your queries or post any feedback in the comments below.

That’s all folks.

Image source – motherboards-reviews.com & addictivetips.com.
Author – Swapnil Jha
Co – Author – Abdul Rehman.

Let's escape Android and use CyanogenMod

Hi Guys,

Today, we are gonna discuss the second most coined term by Android users that is Cyanogen Mod, which is only less than the term Android itself. We will try to cover every aspect of CynaogenMod in the following article….

What is Cyanogen Mod?

CyanogenMod is an enhanced open source custom ROM for Android devices.

Features supported by CyanogenMod include native theming support, FLAC audio codec support (which means it can play a larger variety of media file formats), a large Access Point Name list (which means better and easily configurable IP Address settings), an OpenVPN client, an enhanced reboot menu, supportfor Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and USB tethering, CPU over-clocking and other performance enhancements, soft buttons and other “tablet tweaks“, toggles in the notification pull-down (such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS), app permissions management, as well as other interface enhancements. In many cases, CyanogenMod may increase performance and reliability compared with official firmware releases.

Difference between Android vs. CyanogenMod?

CyanogenMod 12

Once or twice a year, the Vanilla Android Open Source Project (known as AOSP) is internally developed, then released to the public, by Google. They give the source code to anyone who wants to download it. The CyanogenMod community, consisted mostly of unpaid volunteers and enthusiasts from around the world, downloads this newest Android code and “ports” it to dozens of new or old leagcy devices. At the same time, other CyanogenMod developers start adding features, fixes, and improvements that Google didn’t include to the CyanogenMod code, which benefits all the devices. The CyanogenMod community has a whole infrastructure for people to build and test experimental versions, report bugs, and contribute back to the source code.

Sometimes features that started in CyanogenMod have appeared in newer version of “official” Android update. And every time Android does a new “code dump” of their latest version, CyanogenMod benefits from Google’s changes.

In this way, CyanogenMod is one (but not the only) community distribution of what started as Vanilla AOSP. The Android community is vibrant, with numerous “modders” and “themers” and “performance enhancers” taking the source code and doing incredible things to it. Generally, there is a spirit of sharing knowledge and empowering people to experiment with controlling their devices, often giving old phones new life, and hopefully having fun in the process.

Why should one care?

CM is an open-source alternate OS intended to replace the one pre-installed on your smart phones and tablets.

If you’ve got an older device that isn’t getting updates anymore, or if your device seems unusually slow, or maybe you’re sick of spyware, adware, and other unwanted garbage on your phone that cam pre-installed and you can’t remove…
Maybe your device is missing features or has been otherwise artificially limited in functionality. Perhaps you just could use a boost in performance…
Or maybe you’d like to be more confident that your operating system has included some of the latest bug fixes…
If so, CM might be for you.

Why is it important or better than other alternatives?

The core ideas are the same throughout CM releases:

  • Secure
  • Light footprint
  • Bloat-free
  • Customizable
  • Open

This translates into an abundance of features that let you truly own your phone.

List of Compatible Devices

List of officially devices supporting CM

http://wiki.cyanogenmod.org/w/Devices

List of unofficial ports of CM

http://wiki.cyanogenmod.org/w/Unofficial_Ports
We will discuss about how to get CM to your Android device in future posts.

That’s all Folks.

Image source – androidauthority.com (Featured image), appmaniak.pl & dorylabs.com (images in post).
Author – Swapnil Jha
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