Android Modding/Development Thread

[ForTehWolf...2!]

Welcome to the Android Modding/Development Thread!
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/xwQhx.png[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/rlDMA.png[/IMG]
[url=http://www.xda-developers.com/]XDA Developers[/url] is a large community that has development for nearly all smartphones running Android, heres the Android section of the website:
[url]http://forum.xda-developers.com/filter.php?cat=Android[/url]

[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/vezTP.png[/IMG]
[img]http://www.stealthcopter.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/android_root_access.png[/img]
Root is the ability to have full Superuser permissions on your device, this allows you to do a multitute of things such as:

Using Apps that require unrestricted access like [url=https://market.android.com/details?id=com.mhuang.overclocking&feature=search_result]SetCPU[/url] [Used to overclock device CPU] and [url=https://market.android.com/details?id=android.tether]Wireless Tether[/url] [An app that allows you to share your phones internet using Wifi]

Changing Installation directory from Internal phone memory to SD card to save space and allow you to download more applications

Installing Custom ROMs, a ROM is a modified, aftermarket Android OS that you can run on your phone, so if your phone has say, HTC Sense and you would rather have a stock build, its reletively easy to do so with Root

[b]In order to Root a large amount of Android Devices, a program called Super One Click Root can be used
[url]http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=803682[/url][/b]
If your device isn't on the supported list, then check your devices forum on xda-developers to see if there are any rooting options available

[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/8sNdw.png[/IMG]
Alright, i'm just gonna quote this part of xda-developers, this is for Windows, if you have Ubuntu you can try [url=http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=537508]this[/url]
[quote]To install Android SDK on PC, there are a few requirements/downloads which have to be completed first:
JDK (Java Development Kit) - Download Here
JRE (Java Runtime Environment) - Download Here
Android SDK installer - Download here
So after all the downloads are completed, you are good to go.
First of all install the JDK, then the JRE and then the SDK Installer.
{If when android sdk installer is run, you get an error that JDK or JRE is not detected even after their installation, wait for a while, shut down the computer and restart and run the SDK installer once again.}
Make sure that while installing the android sdk, the installation directory should be the root of a partition i.e. it should be in the following form: C:\android-sdk, where you should replace the letter C with the letter you have assigned to the partition that you want to install it in.
Now that the Android-SDK is installed, go to the installation directory and start the SDK Manager. You need to add the components of the Android SDK to your installation. Before that I would like to inform you that you can save time if you download only what is necessary. If you are on Android 2.1 then you should download the 2.1 sdk, for 2.2 the 2.2 sdk and so on. You do not need to have all the versions for this thing to work. Just your version would do. So to start adding components, I recommend that you read THIS
After installing the desired components, you need to do perform some simple steps in order to use the adb terminal just like the cmd terminal for Windows.

For that purpose, here are the steps to be followed:

Right click My Computer, select Properties, and click Advanced System Settings. (Windows XP users - Right click My computer and just click Properties and select the Advanced Tab)
Click on Environment Variables, in the System Variables box, scroll down to the variable name 'Path' and double click to edit it
It would read something like " %SystemRoot%\system32;%SystemRoot%;%SystemRoot%\Sy stem32\Wbem;%SYSTEMROOT%\System32\WindowsPowerShel l\v1.0\;C:\Program Files (x86)\ATI Technologies\ATI.ACE\Core-Static".
Here you need to add a semicolon ( ; ) and add the path of the tools folder in android-sdk.
It should finally be like this " %SystemRoot%\system32;%SystemRoot%;%SystemRoot%\Sy stem32\Wbem;%SYSTEMROOT%\System32\WindowsPowerShel l\v1.0\;C:\Program Files (x86)\ATI Technologies\ATI.ACE\Core-Static;C:\android-sdk\platform-tools {or the location where adb.exe resides on your system}
Click OK wherever asked and then restart your computer.
Now open a command prompt window and type adb and hit enter. If a terminal window is displayed, you have done it all right.
If it gives some error message, read the article carefully and see what you have messed up with.[/quote]
In the future, the guide will refer to fastboot, if you open up CMD and type in "cd c:\android-sdk\tools" then you can use the fastboot commands shown later in the thread

[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/qb8tT.png[/IMG]
[img]http://pocketnow.com/html/portal/news/0000010212//Amon-Ra-Recovery.png[/img]
Another Android modding goodie is the ability to use custom recoveries. In custom recoveries, you can backup/restore your entire Android Device and you can also flash new custom ROMs. The two most popular recoveries are [url=http://www.koushikdutta.com/2010/02/clockwork-recovery-image.html]Clockworkmod[/url] and [url=http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=611829]Amon Ra[/url]. While both are essentially the same, there are some minor differences. for instance, Amon Ra allows the user to partition their SD card while its in the phone, and using Clockworkmod allows you to use a tool called [url=https://market.android.com/details?id=com.koushikdutta.rommanager&feature=more_from_developerl]ROM Manager[/url] that lets use recovery features inside of your ROM, without the need of booting into recovery mode.

You can obtain custom recovery .img files from the links of Clockworkmod and Amon Ra above, in order to apply it, follow the directions taken from Amon Ra for the Nexus One below
[b]NOTE: Its preferred that you use your own devices instructions on getting a custom recovery rather than following the methods below[/b]

[U][B][I]Install[/I][/B][/U]

[B]Pre-Requirements :
[LIST]
[*]Root

[/LIST][/B]
[I]via Rom Manager[/I]
[LIST=1]
[*]Download "Rom Manager" from the Android market
[*]Start "Rom Manager"
[*]Select "Flash ClockworkMod Recovery" and wait for it to finish
[*]Select "Flash Alternate Recovery" and wait for it to finish -> this will install the latest version of RA recovery.
[/LIST]

[I]via fastboot[/I]

Copy [name of recovery].img to a location where fastboot can find it.
Boot your phone into fastboot mode (power on while holding the trackball or camera button, different phones have different combinations)
Connect your phone via usb to your pc/mac/...
fastboot devices (to make sure that fastboot "sees" your phone)
fastboot flash recovery [name of recovery].img

[I]via terminal app[/I]

Copy [name of recovery].img to the root of your sdcard
start the terminal app
su(press enter)
flash_image recovery /sdcard/[name of recovery].img(press enter)
reboot recovery(press enter)

[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/EPuh1.png[/IMG]
In recovery mode, you can also flash Radios and SPLs. Updated Radios can improve the speed of your device and even your network connection, SPLs can also increases your devices speed significantly and use less RAM. In order to update Radios and SPLs successfully, follow this guide:

[B]NOTE: RADIOS AND SPL ARE EXTREMELY SPECIFIC TO YOUR PHONE, USE THE CORRECT IMAGES AND INSTALL THEM IN THE CORRECT ORDER OR YOU RISK NOT ONLY DAMAGING, BUT OUTRIGHT BRICKING YOUR DEVICE![/b]
Remember, always refer to your Devices specific section in the xda-developer forums

1) Take a nandroid backup of your current rom (mandatory if you are trying to move the current rom to the new radio/SPL) to simplify things put any update.zips you expect to need on the SD card now
2) enter fastboot mode
3) flash the files and other operations via fastboot

fastboot flash radio [Your Radio].img
fastboot flash hboot [Your SPL].img
fastboot reboot-bootloader

now you will see you have an s-on boot loader

fastboot erase system -w
fastboot erase boot

[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/YAx0d.png[/IMG]
As mentioned earlier, ROMs are modified versions of various Android operating systems, to find a ROM go to your phones specific section on xda-developers
[b] NOTE: ROMs ARE NOT INTERCHANGEABLE! USING A ROM NOT MADE FOR YOUR DEVICE COULD RESULT IN A NUMBER OF PROBLEMS AND MAY MAKE YOUR PHONE UNUSABLE![/b]
It's recommended that you take a backup in recovery mode before flashing a custom ROM, this makes sure that if anything goes wrong, your phone is still safe and still can be used once you've restored your backup. To install a ROM simple move [ROM Name Here].zip file you downloaded in your devices forum section to your SD card, and then flash the .zip file in recovery mode. Before doing this you should always wipe your phones data to insure the best results, a great way to do this is to flash a tool known as the [url=http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=834812]Ohsaka SuperWipe[/url]. This will clear all your devices data, and your device will not be able to boot without you either flashing a new ROM or restoring a backup.

While there are many many ROMs available, some of the most famous [available on multiple devices] are:
[url=http://www.cyanogenmod.com/devices][img]http://www.androidphonegeek.com/images/2011/03/cyanogenmod7rc2.jpg[/img][/url]

[url=http://www.miuiandroid.com/roms/][IMG]http://i745.photobucket.com/albums/xx98/Kingpg/MIUI-Bootscreen.jpg[/IMG][/url]

[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/QCs2k.png[/IMG]
Heres a great website for making your phone more creative and customized, it shows you the look of other users phones and tells you exactly what widgets and customizations they used to make their phone look that way
[url=http://mycolorscreen.com/category/android/][IMG]http://i.imgur.com/JFcXM.png[/IMG][/url]
[url]http://mycolorscreen.com/category/android/[/url]

[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/AoyFm.png[/IMG]
Modding your Android Device really brings it to its true potential, you can immensely improve your device and really make it your own. Possibilities are limitless!
[img]http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/gizmodo/2009/08/androidhacktop.jpg[/img]

I understand this can get pretty confusing or unclear, if you have any questions or need any help feel free to ask

[imbatmanlol]

Cool thread, I've been wanting to root my Droid X for a while now and this thread pointed me in the right direction, thanks!

[Arachnidus]

Bear in mind, many phones as of late have had rooting and modding issues due to manufacturer lockdown. The Droid 2 and Thunderbolt, just to name two(both of which I have) both suffer from issues; in the Droid's case, it's more intentional, with Motorola locking down the bootloader with AES-256 encryption, making it nigh impossible to crack and keeping us on ROMs based off of the patches they release, and never letting us truly make something original. In the Thunderbolt's case, it's due to the 4G radio, and it's RIL code.

[ForTehWolf...2!]

[QUOTE=Arachnidus;29520388]Bear in mind, many phones as of late have had rooting and modding issues due to manufacturer lockdown. The Droid 2 and Thunderbolt, just to name two(both of which I have) both suffer from issues; in the Droid's case, it's more intentional, with Motorola locking down the bootloader with AES-256 encryption, making it nigh impossible to crack and keeping us on ROMs based off of the patches they release, and never letting us truly make something original. In the Thunderbolt's case, it's due to the 4G radio, and it's RIL code.[/QUOTE]
Yeah, some new Motorola phones such as the Droid 2 have a locked bootloader, while they may be able to do some modding such as getting root access, unfortunately they still can't run custom ROMs

Again, the best place to check for information on your specific device is its Android Development page at xda-developers

[BAZ]

Samsung Galaxy S is easy to root and install custom roms, and thanks to Odin and Heimdall it's always possible to downgrade.

I've customized mine a bit; here's my old layout on MIUI

[img]http://i.imgur.com/FGXn2.png[/img]

and heres my current layout

[img]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/7402130/snap20110430_030816.png[/img]

[ForTehWolf...2!]

[QUOTE=BAZ;29520524]Samsung Galaxy S is easy to root and install custom roms, and thanks to Odin and Heimdall it's always possible to downgrade.

I've customized mine a bit; here's my old layout on MIUI

[img_thumb]http://i.imgur.com/FGXn2.png[/img_thumb]

and heres my current layout

[img_thumb]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/7402130/snap20110430_030816.png[/img_thumb][/QUOTE]
MIUI is one of my favorite Android ROMs of all time, great idea of an Android/iOS type Hybrid and aside from being visually pleasing its pretty light and runs fast too, you can find it for your device [url=http://www.miuiandroid.com/roms/]here[/url].
Unfortunately my phone and many others aren't supported :frown:

[Fatal-Error]

You might want to add [url]http://mycolorscreen.com[/url] to the op, its a brilliant website.

[ForTehWolf...2!]

[QUOTE=Fatal-Error;29526626]You might want to add [url]http://mycolorscreen.com[/url] to the op, its a brilliant website.[/QUOTE]
Thanks, added it in a new section "Other Tools", might add things like Android Commander there when I get a chance

[wlzshroom]

do you really need to find a rom made specifically for that phone, or is it mainly the specs that matter?

[ForTehWolf...2!]

[QUOTE=wlzshroom;29534583]do you really need to find a rom made specifically for that phone, or is it mainly the specs that matter?[/QUOTE]
Specific to the phone itself.
There are some rare cases where they're almost interchangeable, like the G1 and the Mytouch3g, but its really not a good idea to try a ROM not made for your phone, even if its designed for a phone with specifications similar to yours

[SyntheticGod]

The Droid 2 and Droid 2 Global are interchangeable for the most part except for the fact that you have to flash an extra file and you lose the ability for your phone to use sensors.

[turke]

Ages ago I updated my T-mobile Pulse to 2.x and it runs like shit, can I downgrade?

[WarriorXK]

[QUOTE=rampageturke 2;29545608]Ages ago I updated my T-mobile Pulse to 2.x and it runs like shit, can I downgrade?[/QUOTE]

If there is a lower version ROM out for your phone you can.

[turke]

[QUOTE=Kialtia;29545775]If there is a lower version ROM out for your phone you can.[/QUOTE]

I just found another android update for it [url=http://support.t-mobile.co.uk/help-and-support/index?page=home&cat=SOFTWAREDOWNLOADS]Here[/url] if anyone is interested.

But I just did it and the phone rebooted and now it's on a loading screen which a picture of a box with an arrow coming out and the little android guy and what looks like a progress bar, but nothing else is happening, ideas?

[ForTehWolf...2!]

[QUOTE=rampageturke 2;29545956]I just found another android update for it [url=http://support.t-mobile.co.uk/help-and-support/index?page=home&cat=SOFTWAREDOWNLOADS]Here[/url] if anyone is interested.

But I just did it and the phone rebooted and now it's on a loading screen which a picture of a box with an arrow coming out and the little android guy and what looks like a progress bar, but nothing else is happening, ideas?[/QUOTE]
Not sure I understand, so you downgraded your phone and you get the screen? try to wipe and flash a ROM with the version of android you want from recovery

[smallpants]

i wanna try that cyanogen rom but im ascared of bricking my moto droid, is it worth rooting and starting over for?

[DaNoob]

[QUOTE=xgman236x;29563949]i wanna try that cyanogen rom but im ascared of bricking my moto droid, is it worth rooting and starting over for?[/QUOTE]

Yes.

[ForTehWolf...2!]

[QUOTE=xgman236x;29563949]i wanna try that cyanogen rom but im ascared of bricking my moto droid, is it worth rooting and starting over for?[/QUOTE]
I think it is, your performance will increase and your phone will be more customizable than ever, you can run different versions of Android and really make your device shine

If you scared of loosing data, you can backup all of your apps with the app Titanium Backup which backs them to the SDcard, if you just do a simple search of how to backup your phone there should be a lot of different methods and you can just use which is best for you

There a a large number of guides out there on how to install custom ROMs and as long as you follow one exactly as it's written I guarantee you won't brick your phone, people only brick there phones when they don't follow instruction and just do stupid shit in general

[PyroCF]

You cannot brick your device by flashing a ROM, the only proper way to brick your device is too mess up flashing boot. ie breaking the bootloader.

[turke]

[QUOTE=ForTehWolf...2!;29560593]Not sure I understand, so you downgraded your phone and you get the screen? try to wipe and flash a ROM with the version of android you want from recovery[/QUOTE]

It's fine now, I rebooted the phone and it was ok, thanks for responding though.

[duck]

Currently using a Nexus S, wondering about rooting it. I know that my SD card will be wiped when I do (I assume it's easiest just to dump the contents to my PC then write it back after) but what about all my other stuff? Also, any tips on what to do after unlocking the bootloader? I'm running 2.3.4 (the most recent Google Talk upgrade)

[ForTehWolf...2!]

[QUOTE=leach139;29568162]Currently using a Nexus S, wondering about rooting it. I know that my SD card will be wiped when I do (I assume it's easiest just to dump the contents to my PC then write it back after) but what about all my other stuff? Also, any tips on what to do after unlocking the bootloader? I'm running 2.3.4 (the most recent Google Talk upgrade)[/QUOTE]
What other stuff? Like apps? As mentioned earlier you can use Titanium Backup [[url]https://market.android.com/details?id=com.keramidas.TitaniumBackup&feature=more_from_developer][/url]
Your sdcard itself doesn't get wiped while rooting, plus after you get a custom recovery you can do something known as a nandroid backup, which backs up literally all your phone data and settings not stored on the sdcard

[editline]2nd May 2011[/editline]

[QUOTE=PyroCF;29567241]You cannot brick your device by flashing a ROM, the only proper way to brick your device is too mess up flashing boot. ie breaking the bootloader.[/QUOTE]
Yeah, even if your phone is unable to boot due to the ROM you have, it can be easily fixed if you boot into recovery mode

[Alex_DeLarge]

If you're scared of rooting and installing a ROM, you shouldn't be doing it.

[MetricMoose]

Last week I traded in my trusty BlackBerry Bold 9000 for a Samsung Spica (i5700). I'm sitting on Samdroid 2.2.1 a9 right now and it's okay. The accelerometer is sometimes slow (Takes up to 3.5 seconds to rotate) and the audio feedback for Swype and the camera shutter sounds are too loud (The camera scares the shit out of me every time).

[nikomo]

Audio feedback for Swype?

Aah probably a typo, did you mean Skype?

[MetricMoose]

Nope, when you press the keys in the Swype keyboard, it makes the "Click" sound. Normally I would leave this on, though it's too damn loud right now.

[hakusaro]

[quote=Droid Life]If you aren’t sure what that picture is saying, let me attempt to break it down for you. After receiving a tip that Verizon may be blocking Wireless Tether from the market, I decided to do a little digging on the variety of devices I own. Sure enough, from all of my phones, including the Nexus S I have running on AT&T, I was unable to find Wireless Tether in the market. So to see what was really going on, I jumped into the browser-based Android Market to see if I could find the app and definitely did. But what you are seeing, is my list of devices, all of which cannot accept this app.
Now, we’ve known for some time now that carriers were going to start cracking down on tethering, and you know what, it makes sense that they would. In fact, AT&T has been warning users that were illegally tethering over the last week, so it wouldn’t surprise us if Verizon was jumping on board with that program. And if these quick couple of searches that I performed this morning mean anything, then it looks like your days of “stealing data” are about to come to an end.[/quote]
[url]http://www.droid-life.com/2011/04/29/is-wireless-tether-about-to-get-the-android-axe-carriers-finally-starting-to-block-it/[/url]

Well, when do we make an app that disguises our traffic to not look like tethering?

[editline]2nd May 2011[/editline]

And for anyone that missed it, here's a download: [url]http://code.google.com/p/android-wifi-tether/[/url]

[Alex_DeLarge]

I don't get it, why not just download the .apk file?

[MetricMoose]

[QUOTE=nicatronTg;29582593]Well, when do we make an app that disguises our traffic to not look like tethering?
[/QUOTE]

PdaNet does this IIRC.

[Doritos_Man]

Anyone know a good ROM for the Captivate?
I'm currently using Serendipity
I would like something new.