Should I root GS4 for stock experience?

[Bryce Rodgers]

I have an AT&T Galaxy S4 and love it. Using nova launcher. But I think I'd like to remove the bloatware and get as close to stock Jelly Bean as possible, maybe CM. I don't use the Air features and S Voice, however I love the camera features and use the IR Blaster all the time. Is CM my best choice? Will my phone be faster and smoother? And is there a way to still use the camera features and blaster? Sorry I'm very new to rooting.

 

[UJ95x]

I have an AT&T Galaxy S4 and love it. Using nova launcher. But I think I'd like to remove the bloatware and get as close to stock Jelly Bean as possible, maybe CM. I don't use the Air features and S Voice, however I love the camera features and use the IR Blaster all the time. Is CM my best choice? Will my phone be faster and smoother? And is there a way to still use the camera features and blaster? Sorry I'm very new to rooting.

CM will remove all of Samsung's features including the IR blaster and camera so if you absolutely need those than you'd be better off with something like Infamous which is somewhat of a blend between TouchWiz and stock Android. It's the 3rd ROM listed in the Link.

 

[UJ95x]

Now I want to try this ROM, looks awesome

 

[Bryce Rodgers]

Thanks a lot it looks pretty great. I think I can do without those features though, so what's the best rom in your own opinion. In terms of stability and similarity to stock and update support etc.. I'm a little nervous about rooting.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using AC Forums mobile app

 

[UJ95x]

Thanks a lot it looks pretty great. I think I can do without those features though, so what's the best rom in your own opinion. In terms of stability and similarity to stock and update support etc.. I'm a little nervous about rooting.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using AC Forums mobile app

I don't have a lot of experience with ROMs but I'd have to say CyanogenMod for support and stability (maybe not the nightly builds) It's very similar to stock Android but it allows for a bit more customization. If you want the closest to stock experience and don't mind not being able to customize as much as Cyanogen than a Google Play Edition ROM would probably be best

 

[MUFColin]

CM will remove all of Samsung's features including the IR blaster and camera so if you absolutely need those than you'd be better off with something like Infamous which is somewhat of a blend between TouchWiz and stock Android. It's the 3rd ROM listed in the Link.

The nightly 10.2 cm build I'm using has ir support, and the touchwiz feature to swipe to show the status bar full screen. The only thing I really miss from touchwiz now is the ability to use the front and back cameras at the same time

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[Bryce Rodgers]

What's the difference between CM and CM with nightly support? Pros and cons to each? I realize I sound stupid haha I'm a somewhat new Android user.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using AC Forums mobile app

 

[Central n ohios best]

What's the difference between CM and CM with nightly support? Pros and cons to each? I realize I sound stupid haha I'm a somewhat new Android user.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using AC Forums mobile app

The only difference is the cm with nighty support will receive updates daily.

Sent from my T-Mobile LG Escape running 4.1.2 using Tapatalk 2 now Free

 

[Bryce Rodgers]

How hard would you say the installation process is? And my risk of failure and bricking my device. I know the basics but have never rooted or flashed any rooms before.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using AC Forums mobile app

 

[UJ95x]

How hard would you say the installation process is? And my risk of failure and bricking my device. I know the basics but have never rooted or flashed any rooms before.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using AC Forums mobile app

Not very hard once you unlock the boot loader. I thought it would be a lot harder. All you do is root, flash a custom recovery, make a backup, and then flash a custom ROM

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