Cyanogen Mod Installer

littlejp

I've always been put off Rooting my phone as it seems quite difficult and I wasn't sure if it was worth the effort.

But now Cyanogen Mod Firmware comes with a simple Windows Installer that does all the work. I switched last night and like what I've seen so far. Very slick interface and from what I've read it's very good performance wise.

http://www.cyanogenmod.org/

marcbrophy

I was looking at this yesterday!

Great solution for the non-techies or lazy (me) folk

There's also a companion app in the play store, so all you really need is a usb cable!

advertsfox

I've used CM since the first build on my HTC G1 and it's exactly the way Android should be - stock with root, subtle tweaks to the configuration rather than silly themes / icons / launchers etc. and a constant flow of updates even before Google (in terms of Nexus devices). For instance, my favourite features are:

* Custom LED Notifications
* Volume / Menu Button Power On
* Change Placement of Quick Tiles
* Quick Message Reply Popup
* Autosearch Phone Dialer

Performance is always going to be better, even on Nexus devices because of optimizations to the kernel, boot options and lack of bloat.

It's really interesting to do if your new to it manually. You need to S-OFF or bootloader unlock, flash a custom recovery, install ZIP of ROM + Gapps and reboot.

ThisRegard

It has kept my Galaxy S1 feeling fresh anyway, current running CM10.2/android 4.3 and while not heavy user, have my Nexus 7 and laptops for that, it performs heroically given its age in technology terms.

littlejp

I had a little bit of trouble using the installer last night but all I had to do was disable the antivirus on my PC, reboot it and it was good to go then. Only took about 5 minutes once I had done that.

Are there any other cool features which might not be obvious right away?

Gatling

Wish you could do this using a tablet instead of a PC

BionicRasher

Do you need to be rooted?

Or will this do the whole process?

marcbrophy

ThisRegard wrote: »

It has kept my Galaxy S1 feeling fresh anyway, current running CM10.2/android 4.3 and while not heavy user, have my Nexus 7 and laptops for that, it performs heroically given its age in technology terms.

No way, you have 4.3 running on the Galaxy S? That's brilliant.
I think Sammy only gave this phone support until Gingerbread!

Will CM11 4.4 work on it, I wonder?

jonski

Would jump on this but it is not compatible with my Desire S

littlejp

tui0hcg wrote: »

Do you need to be rooted?

Or will this do the whole process?

It does all the work for you.
I think only certain phones are compatible at the minute but the Windows program checks this before doing anything.
I put it on my S3.

advertsfox

Here's the list of all devices it supports (basically all of the Nexus devices - GNex, S, 4, 7, 10, S2, S3, S4. Note, Note 2 and HTC One)

BionicRasher

littlejp wrote: »

It does all the work for you.
I think only certain phones are compatible at the minute but the Windows program checks this before doing anything.
I put it on my S3.

I should have looked at the wiki
http://wiki.cyanogenmod.org/w/CyanogenMod_Installer

However it says I need to be running a 'Stock ROM' is this just the version of Android that came with the phone or is it Stock Android?
Also if I install this and dont like it is it easy to get back to the phones original software or is that a big hassel?

Sorry just asking all the Noob questions I can think of

advertsfox

tui0hcg wrote: »

However it says I need to be running a 'Stock ROM' is this just the version of Android that came with the phone or is it Stock Android?

Stock ROM that came with the device.

tui0hcg wrote: »

Also if I install this and dont like it is it easy to get back to the phones original software or is that a big hassel?

No it' quite easy to restore to stock with all devices.

Nexus - Downloads from Google, run a .BAT file that automates the process
Samsung - Use ODIN3 with ROM Download from SamFirmware or use Kies.
HTC - Download correct RUU file (ROM Upgrade Utility) or use HTC Sync Manager.

marcbrophy

The wiki is weird, becuase it also states that you don't need a stock ROM!

Can I install if I'm running a custom ROM?
Provided the installer can identify your phone correctly, it doesn't matter which ROM you're running. Again, to be in a fully supported configuration, you should be running a stock ROM. If you're already running a custom ROM, you probably know what you're doing

kinetic

I installed this after my phone was unusable with the samsung update. I backed up my phone to Kies and now my phone won't connect to Kies. Any help please?

Defiler Of The Coffin

Have Cyanogenmod 7 installed on my HTC Desire HD. Have tried a few other ROMs which provided a later version of Android (Viper DHD among others) but found them far too slow. Haven't looked back after installing Cyanogenmod, it's refreshing using an Android build without all the rubbish provided by the manufacturers (why do they even bother?!)

For anyone that's interested I rooted my device and installed ClockworkMod with the Ace Advanced Hack Kit which automates the whole process.

ThisRegard

marcbrophy wrote: »

No way, you have 4.3 running on the Galaxy S? That's brilliant.
I think Sammy only gave this phone support until Gingerbread!

Will CM11 4.4 work on it, I wonder?

Yeah, after a few months on Gingerbread after ICS came out I just flashed Cyanogenmod on to it. Up until now I'd just wait for the stable version to come out and put that on as they were released. I wasn't bothered with the nightly and other releases until the weekend when I put 4.3 on it due to it bricking after a failed backup and restore.

Apparently Kitkat is supposed to be less memory intensive so should run quite well, I read somewhere that Google want Android to be able to run fine on phones with only 512mb of ram.

marcbrophy

ThisRegard wrote: »

Yeah, after a few months on Gingerbread after ICS came out I just flashed Cyanogenmod on to it. Up until now I'd just wait for the stable version to come out and put that on as they were released. I wasn't bothered with the nightly and other releases until the weekend when I put 4.3 on it due to it bricking after a failed backup and restore.

Apparently Kitkat is supposed to be less memory intensive so should run quite well, I read somewhere that Google want Android to be able to run fine on phones with only 512mb of ram.

That would be great, it could keep the phone going for quite a while yet

advertsfox

Yes 512MB is the minimum that KitKat needs but older phones won't automatically be able to get 4.4 (through Google anyway, that's what CM is for).

Got a chance to test this method after using the manual method for nearly 6 years solid and I have to say, it's very use friendly. I did have to manually obtain the drivers for the S3 I test with (to work in Download Mode) but after that, it was done with in 10 minutes so very impressed to say the least.

I think CM have this laid out for people who have all default software installed, as in HTC Sync, Kies etc. Including the drivers would be a good next step.

elderlemon

Says it's not compatible with my S3! really?

advertsfox

elderlemon wrote: »

Says it's not compatible with my S3! really?

Are you referring to the app in the Play Store? I had that issue too - you can manually download the APK here (set "Unknown Sources" to on in Security).

https://db.tt/ZhdI3dOr

The Windows application download is here:

https://db.tt/D68XpfRk

petrolcan

elderlemon wrote: »

Says it's not compatible with my S3! really?

Is your phone rooted with a custom ROM already?

sentient_6

Everything i'm reading says one has to instal google apps after but after running this and there they were? The play store is the old one though, should i download the zip and install anyway?

advertsfox

sentient_6 wrote: »

Everything i'm reading says one has to instal google apps after but after running this and there they were? The play store is the old one though, should i download the zip and install anyway?

The installer downloads and flashes the Gapps for you. Also, you can Google for the updated APK of the Play Store or just let it happen itself, sometimes it takes a reboot.

Gavman84

What version of htc One rom would I use for this there are a few carrier versions? Mine is locked to O2 at moment. Also what people use to back up titanium back up?

seligehgit

Can you use it if you're rooted with a custom rom already? Any issues with phones bricking??

seligehgit

advertsfox wrote: »

Stock ROM that came with the device.



No it' quite easy to restore to stock with all devices.

Nexus - Downloads from Google, run a .BAT file that automates the process
Samsung - Use ODIN3 with ROM Download from SamFirmware or use Kies.
HTC - Download correct RUU file (ROM Upgrade Utility) or use HTC Sync Manager.

How does one id the correct RUU file or utilise HTC Sync Manager to restore stock?

advertsfox

seligehgit wrote: »

How does one id the correct RUU file or utilise HTC Sync Manager to restore stock?

Once you connect it up to HTC Sync, it will identify it. There are also adb commands to find out your device ID.

strandroad

Very cool!
Has anyone tried it on Galaxy S3 from Three?....

petrolcan

seligehgit wrote: »

Can you use it if you're rooted with a custom rom already? Any issues with phones bricking??

My S3 is running CM and this app doesn't recognise my phone.

Not madly worrying as I believe this app is designed for newcomers to CM.

heebusjeebus

I've a Vodafone branded HTC One (not rooted). Would this come under the "m7ul" version of Cyanogenmod?
I've the app installed on my phone and when I run the install process it says my phone is not compatible.

tallaghtmick

Is it only the phones listed or any type of Android?

petrolcan

tallaghtmick wrote: »

Is it only the phones listed or any type of Android?

Only the phones listed so far.

howamidifferent

I installed this yesterday on my Nexus 7 WiFi 2013 version. Couldn't see what the fuss was about. It looked crap and didn't seem to offer anything different that I could find.

After faffing about with it for 4 or 5 hours I reverted back to stock with the "Nexus Root Kit" tool. Much better in my opinion. :P

jonski

howamidifferent wrote: »

I installed this yesterday on my Nexus 7 WiFi 2013 version. Couldn't see what the fuss was about. It looked crap and didn't seem to offer anything different that I could find.

After faffing about with it for 4 or 5 hours I reverted back to stock with the "Nexus Root Kit" tool. Much better in my opinion. :P

And Kit-Kat is on the way for the Nexus 7 anyway . I would put it on my Desire S however as it might breathe a bit of life into it for another few months until I pick up a Nexus 4 .

advertsfox

howamidifferent wrote: »

I installed this yesterday on my Nexus 7 WiFi 2013 version. Couldn't see what the fuss was about. It looked crap and didn't seem to offer anything different that I could find.

After faffing about with it for 4 or 5 hours I reverted back to stock with the "Nexus Root Kit" tool. Much better in my opinion. :P

What looked crap to you? There is no visual appearance differences between stock Android and the CM version, they're identical except for different wallpapers.

ThisRegard

howamidifferent wrote: »

I installed this yesterday on my Nexus 7 WiFi 2013 version. Couldn't see what the fuss was about. It looked crap and didn't seem to offer anything different that I could find.

After faffing about with it for 4 or 5 hours I reverted back to stock with the "Nexus Root Kit" tool. Much better in my opinion. :P

Why would you bother considering the Nexus has the latest android version anyway ? KitKat, like jonski said, is currently being rolled out over the air to the 7 and if you're impatient you can sideload it yourself.

mcbert

howamidifferent wrote: »

I installed this yesterday on my Nexus 7 WiFi 2013 version. Couldn't see what the fuss was about. It looked crap and didn't seem to offer anything different that I could find.

After faffing about with it for 4 or 5 hours I reverted back to stock with the "Nexus Root Kit" tool. Much better in my opinion. :P

Never used it on the Nexus, but on all four android phone I've had have been upgraded to Cyanogenmod. As far as I'm concerned, for all of them, its been a clear upgrade. I wont buy an Android anymore without CM support.

Did you try any of the custom themes? Play store has loads. I'm fond of Privacy Guard too - another unique feature of CM - gives you much more control over what info and services any app can get/use, e.g. some app's permissions including reading your contacts, but you want to make sure it doesnt, just turn it off - then the app in question will only ever get an empty list of contacts. Do the same for location tracking, loads of other things. Generally is has much more customization than stock.

howamidifferent

advertsfox wrote: »

What looked crap to you? There is no visual appearance differences between stock Android and the CM version, they're identical except for different wallpapers.

That's what I'm saying. I could find no functional difference and the look/wallpaper was not as nice as the stock. Visually it wasn't appealing and I didn't see any functional enhancements so I went back....

ThisRegard

howamidifferent wrote: »

Visually it wasn't appealing and I didn't see any functional enhancements so I went back....

Because you already have the latest android version, apart from Kitkat. It's of big benefit to those with phones or whatever that are no longer supported by the manufacturers in releasing new android versions to them.

sentient_6

howamidifferent wrote: »

That's what I'm saying. I could find no functional difference and the look/wallpaper was not as nice as the stock. Visually it wasn't appealing and I didn't see any functional enhancements so I went back....

Well naturally your already on a nexus phone! For me on a S3 its more obvious.

advertsfox

howamidifferent wrote: »

That's what I'm saying. I could find no functional difference and the look/wallpaper was not as nice as the stock. Visually it wasn't appealing and I didn't see any functional enhancements so I went back....

That's my own point, I don't see how just a different wallpaper would make it look "crap" (might as well say stock looks crap too then).

There are a tonne of enhancements in the Settings that let you adjust layout, quick toggles, hardware and software buttons, LED notifications, root access, kernel speed and optimizations, lockscreen widgets / alerts, notifications, sms and a tonne more.

It's not necessarily for everyone, some people are happy with stock (and Google are constantly adding features to help that, even though they are taken from other ROM's throughout the years) so the new CM-Installer just makes it easier.

What new features were you hoping for / expecting if you don't mind me asking?

howamidifferent

advertsfox wrote: »

What new features were you hoping for / expecting if you don't mind me asking?

No idea. I just assumed that since the installer supported the Nexus 7 2013 that it must have something to bring to it...

The_B_Man

For people with unsupported phones, you can just go to xda-developer.com and find the section for your phone. There'll be step by step guides to manually put cyanogenmod on your phone. Its handy enough.

Vodalus

mhge wrote: »

Very cool!
Has anyone tried it on Galaxy S3 from Three?....

I have a Galaxy S3 Mini from Three. I couldn't get this installer thing to work so I installed cyanogenmod 11 (from maclaw.pl) the old fashioned way and it seemed to work ok and take up way less space than whatever samsung software it came with. However, I couldn't connect to the three network. I checked the APN settings and they seemed to be right as far as I could see, I presume it took them from my SIM. I then installed CM10 but that was unable to find the SIM at all so I ended up going back to the original just so I could use the phone.

Has anyone encountered similar problems? Any solutions? Is it possible Three don't allow CM phones or am I just doing it wrong?

whitelightrider

Will this work on the Galaxy S4?