I'll start with a short introduction. To date Android OS is the most popular operating system for mobile devices... Everyone loves her for her simplicity, openness and, of course, customization. However, many of us get bored with naked android, we go to the Internet and type "Download custom firmware for XXX phone." And what do we see? If you have a cheap Chinese smartphone, then you are unlikely to find anything, and if you do, it will be a converted stock. My own series of articles is devoted to the owners of top-end devices, which are also popular among developers. Thus, if you have a Nexus 5, One Plus One, SGS 5 or other popular smartphone in your hands, when you google it, you will get a bunch of answers. You can find names like cyanogenmod, paranoid android, aicp and others. But what do they tell us? In general, if you think about it, then nothing. We need some kind of advice, some kind of review. That is why I set out to write this series of articles. With a periodicity of 2-3 days, I will review the popular and not very firmwares that are available for most smartphones.
So, let's begin. Hope you enjoy it. And first in line ... (Drum roll).
Cyanogenmod 12.1
Sai-en-ou-jen-mod, in the common people - CYANOGEN... The most popular custom firmware today. Installed on 12 million devices as of June 2014 (thanks to Wikipedia).What is it about this firmware? Why is she so popular? It's simple. Cyanogenmod is not only a well-known brand that everyone knows, in short, Cyanogenmod is stability, wide customization functionality, its own theme engine, regular updates, a large team and, importantly, the WIDE wide range of supported devices.
Appearance and functions
So what exactly is cyan? Suppose we downloaded it, installed it, installed GAPPS, configured it as is usually done, nothing special. We are waiting for loading main screen and we see a regular desktop. Android Lollipop, which is no different from the drain.This may disappoint someone, but I will tell you right away, I will show you all the charms of the firmware further. Now is the time to open the notification shade.
At first glance, we see an ordinary curtain, but the weather forecast in it immediately catches the eye. A useful feature that doesn't eat up a lot of charge.
Let's go further. We go into the settings, here all the fun begins. Cyanogenmod has the widest range of settings. Below you can see screenshots of all. Then I will reveal the contents of those that deserve special attention.
Scrolling through the list of settings, items such as System Profiles, Status Bar, Notification Panel, Privacy, Buttons, Lock Screen, and Performance.
Performance
Let's start with performance, here we can choose the operating mode of our device, this is either normal, that is, universal, for everything, or energy saving, which is useful when you are on a long journey or use the phone as a dialer and high performance if you play games. The mode switch can be taken out into the shutter, but more on that later.
UpdatesAccommodation
The next feature that I really like in this firmware is the possibility of OTA updates, it's convenient, you don't have to go to the site every time to download the update, the phone does everything for you. In total, you need to go to the "About phone" item and select "Updates". For convenience, you can set the frequency automatic updates which is very convenient.
Sound settings
Going into the sound settings, we see such a useful function as setting the power of the vibrator. Very useful when you have thick winter pants or need a vibration alarm. Separately, you can configure alert modes, set a schedule, when and which one to include. Turn vibration feedback on and off, set the ringer volume to increase, change the ringtone and notification sounds.
Screen and display settings
In the screen and display settings, you should pay special attention to the Live Display, Hibernation Prohibition, Display Settings and Extended Screen. The first makes it more convenient to use the smartphone at different times of the day, when using the second, if, for example, you received an SMS, then the phone itself will unlock if you pick it up, the extended screen allows you to hide the soft keys and display settings adjust the notifications by the LED if you have one available. DPI change is also a useful feature, thanks to it you can make the phone controls bigger or smaller, depending on how you like it.
Topics
The item "Themes" deserves special attention. Many people put themselves Cyanogenmod because of the cool engine. Here you can download the themes you need from Google play, site and other sites, choose the element you like from each and give uniqueness to your phone. You can change almost everything.
Notification settings
And here are the notification settings, I will not say anything, from the screenshot everything is clear.
Button settings
I will consider in more detail the settings item called Buttons. You can change their location, adjust the switching of tracks with the volume buttons, change the navigation ring shortcuts (you need to hold down the "Home" key and swipe up) and much more.
Status bar settings
In the settings for the status sink, we can change the position of the clock, I personally like the center, change the battery style, display the percentages inside the battery, and a couple more interesting buns.
Notification panel
The notification bar settings allow you to turn the weather display on or off, get quick access to the switches, and change the switches themselves. You can see the list of all the switches in the screenshots, since it takes a long time to list them.
The firmware is very stable, it works faster than the drain, no jams, nothing crashes
UpdatesAccommodation
If you are a simple user, then I do not recommend installing "nightly builds" for you, as they are sometimes unstable, you can select Snapshot updates in the update settings, they are not released every week and not every month, but they are suitable for an ordinary user.
Firmware features
- For devices based on Qualcomm processors, there are CAF assemblies, they significantly improve the sound quality, the speed of the camera and hardware in general
- Having your own, pretty good file manager
- Out of the box comes its own music player with a highly customizable equalizer (which doesn't always work)
- There is a music visualization on the lock screen
- Customizable Trebuchet launcher. Here you can customize the appearance and speed of transition animations, desktop grid size and various service gestures.
- Kosyachny night assemblies, but that is why they are night
- Few custom cores for devices based on Qualcomm processors (CAF assemblies)
- It takes a long time to move to the next (major) Android version
- The stock equalizer does not always work
Samsung has offered official Android 4.4.2 firmware for Samsung Galaxy SIII (AT&T i747, d2att) back in June last year. We haven't heard anything about the official Android 5 firmware yet. After testing the official version of Cyanogenmod 12.1 for AT&T Samsung Galaxy s3, based on Android 5.1 Lollipop, I realized that I didn't want to go back. This is the fastest firmware I have ever had. A significant role in this can be played by refusal to virtual machine Dalvik in favor of ART.
Fortunately, source Android is open (at least for the Android Open Source Project or AOSP), so you don't have to wait for updates from the manufacturer if enthusiasts have suggested firmware for your device. Even the very popular Samsung Galaxy SIII(AT&T i747, d2att) have been bypassed for a long time, not offering the official Cyanogenmod 12 firmware, although there were many unofficial Android 5 firmwares on xda developers.
Although there are many different Android 5 firmwares for AT&T Samsung Galaxy s3, I chose the official version of CyanogenMod 12.1. Even unofficial versions of CyanogenMod I prefer to bypass. Even the official one assumes the installation of a new bootloader, modem, and also Google Apps. Despite the open source, there is always a risk of catching malware software... Therefore, of course, the official firmware may be preferable. On the other hand, official firmware updated very rarely, therefore, due to the presence of unpatched vulnerabilities, it may not be so secure when using the Internet on a smartphone.
I liked CyanogenMod 12.1 because all applications were restored after flashing. However, I don’t know whether to thank the previous CyanogenMod or Google firmware for this. I have used both for synchronization. But it is Google that allows you to save a list of applications and, if desired, even their settings, so it is likely that synchronization with Google helps to restore applications. Although you have to log in in every application that requires logging into your account, anew.
How to install Android 5.1 Lollipop (Cyanogenmod 12.1) firmware on Samsung Galaxy SIII (AT&T i747, d2att)
Warning:
When flashing your phone, something can always go wrong. Use the firmware instructions below at your own risk.
As of May 26, 2015, Bluetooth may not work correctly on nightly builds of CyanogenMod 12.1. In addition, there may be problems with the camera, but you can install a free application.
CyanogenMod notifies when updates are available. They can be downloaded immediately from the settings menu. True, in latest versions when installing them directly from Android, the error "E: Zip file is corrupt! E: Error installing zio file" @ / cache / recover / block.map ""
You can still install the firmware update. To do this, you need to reboot in Recovery mode, then select Install ZIP and select the archive, which is downloaded from the settings to the cmupdater folder on the phone.
Update (June 6, 2015)
I've been testing cm-12.1-20150529-NIGHTLY-d2att.zip for over a week now. Absolutely satisfied with everything, there were no problems at all. So I recommend installing CyanogenMod 12.1 on your Samsung Galaxy s3 AT&T!
Update (June 16, 2015)
I've been testing cm-12.1-20150606-NIGHTLY-d2att.zip for over a week now. Everything is still stable. Apps are now easier to find as they are listed alphabetically, each next to the corresponding letter that the app starts with. "Over the air" or OTA updates are now installed without error.
Update (June 24, 2015)
On the previous firmware cm-12.1-20150606-NIGHTLY-d2att, Google Apps suddenly began to fail. At the same time, an error constantly occurred, and the phone began to get very hot, while the battery was discharged quickly even after turning off the data transfer and navigation. Installed cm-12.1-20150620-NIGHTLY-d2att.zip and new Banks GApps.
Update (June 26, 2015)
The camera did not work on the previous firmware cm-12.1-20150620-NIGHTLY-d2att. When using it, the error "I can not connect to the camera" began to appear. I installed cm-12.1-20150625-NIGHTLY-d2att.zip, after which I turned off data recording with shooting coordinates in the settings. Photo and video works.
Update (Dec 28, 2015)
On the previous firmware cm-12.1-20150625-NIGHTLY-d2att.zip did not like enabling / disabling Wi-Fi, although I could not find fault with the rest. Installed cm-12.1-20151228-NIGHTLY-d2att.zip and
Before any "intervention" into the system, do not forget to make BackUp files to be modified.
All the manipulations that you do with your device, you do at your own peril and risk
Since I am an adherent of a naked android without any TW there, that's why I stood on my SGS III, BUT ...
v.5.1.1 Build 20
Overall, CM development has moved to CM13.0.
List of changes:
Build 21
- Updated sources
Build 20
- Updated sources
Build 19
- Updated sources
- Probably some other misc things I fixed / improved in the meantime
Build 18
- Audio related fixes mostly
- Reverted boost to speaker & headphones, as it wasn "t needed and caused disortions
- Fixed broken AIF2 logic, earpiece speaker should now be much louder and with less disortions (Dhiru broke it)
- Updated sources
- Probably some other misc things I fixed / improved in the meantime
Build 17
- Misc audio corrections (+ 3db boost)
- Updated sources
- Probably some other misc things I fixed / improved in the meantime
Build 16
- Enabled kCollectorTypeHSpaceCompact for ART
- Changed malloc implementation to dlmalloc
# Both of above changes should greatly improve memory management and cut memory usage on low-memory devices
# Thanks to arter97 for finding them out and suggesting to use in i9300
Disabled ZRAM by default
- Implemented dex-preoptimization for ART
- Updated sources
- Probably some other misc things I fixed / improved in the meantime
Build 15
- Added workaround for bluetooth deadlocks found in AOSP Lollipops
- Added a possibility to change wi-fi MAC address (thanks to siracuervo)
- Updated sources
- Probably some other misc things I fixed / improved in the meantime
Build 14
- Fallback to B13 DRM blobs to fix chromecast
- Misc HWC improvements / fixes
- Updated sources
- Probably some other misc things I fixed / improved in the meantime
Build 13
- One more try on fixing Netflix (changed DRM blobs)
- I decided to go back to closed-source sensors, as open-source ones still didn "t satisfy me in terms of stability
- Updated sources
- Probably some other misc things I fixed / improved in the meantime
Build 12
- Went back to closed-source sensors, as open-source ones aren "t working completely perfect yet
- Fixed netflix, it should work properly now
- Updated sources
Build 11
- Increased earpiece volume slightly, as it was barely heard outdoor
- Fixed SELinux derps introduced in B10 (sysfs denials)
- Fixed more SELinux denials related to recently changed parts (open-source sensors & bluetooth)
- KERNEL: Fixed dm-crypt not accepting discard requests which resulted in failed encryption (CM10.2 regression)
- Updated sources
Build 10
- Fixed (compass) and reintroduced open-source sensors
- Misc SELinux updates
- Misc hwcomposer fixes and improvements
- Updated sources
- Android 5.1.1 revision 6 (LMY48G)
- Probably other things that I forgot already
Build 9
- Our CM sources have been rebased and resynced to fix derps and other misc issues
- Fixed most (if not all) hardware encoder / decoder issues
- Improved stability, compatibility, battery life and performance drastically while encoding / decoding movies
- hwcomposer improvements and fixes
- Wi-Fi firmware updates & cleanup
- Updated sources
Build 7
- Fixed mobile networks search (for good this time)
- Added proper touchkey backlight support. They don "t light up on screen touch anymore (stock behavior)
- Hopefully fixed Wi-Fi dropouts during night
- Updated sources
Build 6
- Fixed mobile networks search
- Various kernel cleanups & stability improvements
- Updated sources
Build 5
- Kernel: Various improvements, zRAM should be more responsive now.
- RIL: Fixed & Updated Exynos4RIL java class, long shutdown issue resolved
- Updated sources
Build 4
- Android 5.1.1
- Kernel: Changed version type to -CM-ArchiKernel-base, hope you won "t mix it up with AK now
- Kernel: Does not include BFQ anymore, CFQ is default.
- Updated sources
Build 3
- Major updates to RIL (again)
- ArchiKernel: Haptic: Made get () and store () consistent
- Updated sources
Build 2
- Major updates to RIL client (V11)
- Updated i9300 RIL header (V11)
- Major updates to RIL blobs (XXUGOA2)
- Network settings FC fixed
- MMSes fixed
- Sensors fixes
- Added vibration intensity to stock kernel
- Updated sources
Build 1
- Initial release
- Everything what worked in CM12.0 should work, too
- Fast overview: HWC, RIL, Wi-FI, RIL, Sensors, Camera are fine, rest is untested
- MMSes not yet fixed (known bug from CM12.0)
The company does not plan to provide official support for CM12.1 for the i9300, a comrade with XDA built an unofficial firmware CyanogenMod 12.1 for i9300 UNOFFICIAL. The first assembly of this firmware appeared back in April, but I decided to flash it only today, which I do not regret a bit, now I like my SGS III more than my N5, and, accordingly, I am sharing this firmware with you.
Please note that the firmware is not official, respectively:
- no official support for the i9300
- no OTA
- no automated "nightglies"
On the this moment the firmware is in the BETA stage, but at some point the developer will try to make the firmware properly, and perhaps support for CM12 will be official, but at the moment this project is in the Work-In-Progress stage. Until the developer finishes working on a stable release, all builds are unofficial.
Background:
Due to lack of official maintainer for i9300 device for CyanogenMod. I, together with @ Moster2 decided that we will work unofficially on i9300 device tree for CM12, to bring Lollipop goodness to our beloved Galaxy S3.
All builds provided in this thread are UNOFFICIAL, which means that:
- There is no official support for i9300
- There are no OTAs available
- There are no automated "nightglies"
At some point, we definitely will try to make proper pull requests, and maybe even support CM12 officially, but at the moment this project is in WIP - Work-In-Progress state, and many things are still broken / unusable. Until we finish, all builds are unofficial, and proper device support is not finished yet.
At the moment, this project is considered: BETA. All core functions should work, ROM shouldn "t have any critical issues, but it" s still not ready to mark as stable. However, it should work properly as daily driver.
Please refrain from talking about other kernels than stock. We can "t track every kernel and it" s problems, hence, you "re using other kernels at your own risk. Please don" t report bugs while you "re using custom kernels.
2. Enable USB debugging in the smartphone settings.
3. Download and install the dedicated CyanogenMod Installer (Android). It is no longer on Google Play, a link to a reliable source from w3bsit3-dns.com.
4. Download and install the application for Windows (Vista / 7/8) - CyanogenMod Installer (Windows).
5. Run installed application on Android and follow the step-by-step instructions.
6. Connect your device to your computer using a USB cable.
7. Run the application on the desktop. It should detect the connected device.
8. The process of downloading the firmware itself and all the files necessary for its installation will begin. It will take some time, after which you will see the message Everything is ready.
9. Click on the button Install and lean back in the chair. Your device may reboot during installation. Do not under any circumstances interrupt the process or disconnect the device from the computer.
10. We are waiting for the end of the flashing, which will be announced by the appearance of the inscription Installation Complete in a desktop application.
11. That's all. Rejoice new firmware and write comments about our impressions.