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[ROM][AOSP](8/9/14) Shiny ROM: OTA-Like, Stock Android [4.4.4] [KTU84P]

3490252 Views 15153 Replies 1345 Participants Last post by  Dr. Hax
2
Shiny ROM: Android 4.4.4, KTU84P for VZW Galaxy Nexus (Toro)

Skip right to the downloads (if you dare ;))
Hello there RootzWiki community! I'll admit this is a pretty spontaneous post; I've been building ROMs from the Android Open Source (Project) for awhile now, but I've never "published" any of them. I myself own a Verizon Galaxy Nexus, so I've always built from AOSP to make sure I'm as up to date as possible. Well, that's a little background so let's get going with the overview of the ROM itself:

Overview
This ROM is Android KitKat 4.4.4, build KTU84P. The ROM is built directly from source, that is, the Android source code published by Google available for download to all of us developers. The reason I say the ROM is "OTA-like" is because I make VERY few modifications to it, aside from the things that it takes to get the ROM working. I'll go into detail about those things below, but basically I just want the ROM to make your phone feel stable and shiny and new as if it has just received a new OTA update. That being said, it's clear that the landscape of Nexus devices is changing as new ones are released. Therefore, the other primary goal of this ROM is to keep our Galaxy Nexus as close to the modern Nexus design as possible. This means that I will also add in features that will still be stock, but will also make our phones as close to a current Nexus as possible.

As for how I handle the forum side of things, I'm always open to comments, questions, suggestions, requests, etc. I know that most of those things will often be in the form of criticism, but it's okay, I think I can handle it :) That being said, I do also have a life and am a college student, so I may not get to come on here ALL the time. I will check back as frequently as possible, and I'm hoping that you guys will help each other out as much as possible! Keep it friendly! :) So now for the details...

Features

  • Stock Android 4.4.4, build KTU84P
  • Source (AOSP) built kernel (boot.img)
  • Easily rootable (see information below)
  • G-Apps (GMail, Play Store, etc.) included in build along with Nexus apps
  • Stock browser replaced with Google Chrome
  • Shiny restart options - access them by holding down the power button and then long pressing on "Power Off"
  • All the crazy Google proprietary app stuff has been taken care off
  • Updated frequently
  • Everything works!

So what do I mean when I say "Everything works!"?
I'm sure by now you all know that when someone says that, it usually ends up not being true. This ROM is not an exception to that rule, but I can say that I've tested most of the things that would be expected to work in stock Android, such as...

  • WiFi Tethering (no subscription check)
  • Bluetooth streaming
  • Google account sign-in and auto-restore of apps and settings
  • Google Wallet
  • Location Services (pretty fast GPS lock in my area also)
  • Photosphere
  • Android beam
  • Photo editing with the new filters
  • Email
  • Exchange support
  • Like I said, the normal stuff (data, voice, hardware acceleration, etc.)
  • More things that aren't important enough to mention here - check out the changelog for a more comprehensive list

Possible Bugs
It's impossible for me to test for and notice EVERY single possible bug in the operating system, so as of right now I can't say that there are any, although I'm sure you will find some. If you do, report them here!

Other IMPORTANT Information
Root
But wait, nothing in this post said anything about root!!!11!!1!1!!! That's right, my ROM does NOT have root built in! (I don't use any root apps, and it's important to the whole "OTA-like" theme). That being said, the ROM is easily rootable; I made sure of this because I know that many, many of you will use root for many useful purposes. If you want to root the ROM, it's as easy as installing Chainfire's new superuser control app/su with this ZIP file. More detailed information can be found in the "Installation Instructions" section. **NOTE** If you are rooted and upgrading to a new build, you should not have to reflash the rooting flashable ZIP because the ROM will keep root for you.

Updates
Now that the ROM has gotten to this stage, the update policy needs a bit of editing
smile.gif
Based on the stats I have access to from the website host and data that I collect myself, it seems like Shiny ROM is currently (as of May 27, 2014) stable for at least 80% of the users who have downloaded it. Based on this, and because the ROM is stock, Nexus-like, it doesn't really make sense to update the ROM as frequently as before. The ROM will still be updated as soon as possible after new versions of Android are released. In between Android versions, I will work on making things 100% stable, although that goal isn't always attainable with older devices and aging hardware support. If we decide to explore other paths for the ROM, you will see many more updates
smile.gif
If/when the time comes for me to stop updating Shiny ROM, I will let everyone know in a clear way.

Radios
This ROM will (most likely) work with any toro radios; however, I of course recommend using the most recent, Verizon-approved radios which are the FK01 and FK02 radios. My ZIP installation package for these radios can be downloaded here.

Bootloader
Once again, I'm assuming that this ROM will work with all tuna/toro bootloaders; BUT for optimal experience and performance, use the newest Google-approved bootloader, PRIMEMD04. My ZIP installation package for that bootloader can be downloaded here.

ClockworkMod Recovery
I personally recommend using ClockworkMod Recovery as it has always worked well for me with no quirks. Android 4.2 messed up a few aspects of recoveries because of its multi-user system. ClockworkMod Recovery has been updated to correct some of these issues, and I recommend updating to the most recent version, 6.0.4.3. You can flash either the touch recovery or non-touch recovery image through fastboot OR you can download my flashable recovery update ZIP (touch/non-touch) and flash it in recovery. Check out the installation instructions for more details on this.

Some Other Not-so-important Information
Naming Conventions
All of my ROM ZIP files are automatically generated by my build computer. The file name for all builds up to and including the 11/10/13 build always begins with baldwinguy77_toro_aosp so you know that it's my build for toro. All builds after 11/10/13 begin with the prefix ShinyROM_toro_aosp. That prefix is always followed by the date in mmddyy format (e.g. 112212), a hyphen ("-"), and the time in 24-hour, hhmmss format (e.g. 153945). Finally, all builds end with the "signed" suffix - it just helps me know which packages have finished building and which have not. Hopefully this helps everyone to know which update is newest; I stay away from version numbers because I let Google do all of the version control.

Source
In keeping with the spirit of open-source, all relevant Shiny ROM code can be viewed on Github. I'm not extremely experienced with Github, so bear with me as I learn! Thank you!

File Hosting
I've switched over from using Dev-host to a privately hosted site, graciously and generously given to me by RootzWiki user Goofball. Dev-host is still an amazing service, but it's much more convenient for me to use a privately hosted site, plus I get my own suburl and FTP access! HUGE thanks to Goofball, please check out his RootzWiki profile here! The private hosting will definitely help me deliver a better experience to you guys as far as downloading goes. You can view all of my uploaded, public files here: http://shinyrom.goofball.org/

Also, if anyone ever wants to mirror for me, please feel free so long as you keep the file name and the file itself intact. As for everyone who downloads from a posted mirror: BE CAREFUL! Always use a virus scanner and be careful with what you are putting on your device!

Installation Instructions (VERY IMPORTANT - Note: You can flash all of these ZIPs in CWM or TWRP*)
*Android 4.4 KitKat builds must be installed using the latest version of your preferred recovery!
ROM
1. Download the latest version of the ROM from the download post. (Also download any other files you will need to install, such as Chainfire's SuperSU Root ZIP, the radios installation ZIP, the bootloader installation ZIP, etc.)
2. Put the file(s) you downloaded in step 1 on your phone's internal storage (sdcard).
3. Turn off your phone.
4. Boot into the bootloader of the phone by holding down both volume buttons and the power button simultaneously until you feel a vibration and see a large arrow that says "Start".
5. Use the volume keys to change the arrow until it says "Recovery," then press the power button to boot into recovery.
6. Because of differences in recovery types, I will make the following steps rather generic.
7. Wipe cache.
8. Wipe dalvik cache.
9. If you want to be 100% sure there are no problems, wipe data. If you are coming from another ROM or Android version, wipe data. If you do not wipe data and something goes wrong, repeat this process but wipe data - this step is not necessary if you are simply upgrading.
10. If you are updating your radios, flash FK01_FK02_Radios-signed.zip
11. If you are updating your bootloader, flash PRIMEMD04-signed.zip
12. Flash the ROM (ShinyROM_toro_aosp...signed.zip)
13. If you are rooting, flash Chainfire's SuperSU ZIP file - this step is not necessary if you were rooted on the previous build and are simply upgrading.
14. Reboot your phone, and enjoy!

**Note: If you are simply upgrading to a new version of the ROM and want to keep root, follow the exact instructions above, and do not format /system. It really is not necessary to format /system at any time (unless specifically noted), as the ROM installer has this function built in.

Mods
1. Download the latest version of the mod(s) you wish to install from the download post.
2. Put the file(s) you downloaded in step 1 on your phone's internal storage (sdcard).
3. Turn off your phone.
4. Boot into the bootloader of the phone by holding down both volume buttons and the power button simultaneously until you feel a vibration and see a large arrow that says "Start".
5. Use the volume keys to change the arrow until it says "Recovery," then press the power button to boot into recovery.
6. Because of differences in recovery types, I will make the following steps rather generic.
7. Wipe cache.
8. Wipe dalvik cache.
9. Install the mod(s) you downloaded in step 1.
10. Fix permissions (not really necessary)
11. Reboot and enjoy!
**Note: You can remove all mods you've installed by dirty flashing the latest version of the ROM.

ClockworkMod Recovery (Fastboot method - must have an unlocked bootloader and fastboot in your path)
1. Download either the CWM touch recovery image or non-touch recovery image to your computer and rename it to "recovery.img".
2. Power off your phone.
3. Boot into the bootloader of the phone by holding down both volume buttons and the power button simultaneously until you feel a vibration and see a large arrow that says "Start".
4. Plug your phone into your computer using the standard USB cable.
5. Open the command prompt/terminal and navigate to the folder where your "recovery.img" is saved.
6. Type "fastboot devices" to make sure your phone is recognized; a serial number should show up on the screen.
7. Type "fastboot flash recovery recovery.img" and wait for the process to complete (should be quick).
8. You're done! Use the volume keys to select "Recovery" and boot into your new recovery!

ClockworkMod Recovery (Flashable ZIP method - easier)
If you are updating your recovery before flashing a ROM, these steps should ALL be completed PRIOR to flashing the ROM.
1. Download either the touch recovery flashable ZIP or the non-touch recovery flashable ZIP.
2. Place the ZIP file downloaded in step 1 on your internal storage/sdcard.
3. Turn off your phone.
4. Boot into the bootloader of the phone by holding down both volume buttons and the power button simultaneously until you feel a vibration and see a large arrow that says "Start".
5. Use the volume keys to change the arrow until it says "Recovery," then press the power button to boot into recovery.
6. Choose "Install update from sdcard"
7. Select "Choose file from sdcard"
8. Find the flashable recovery ZIP file you downloaded and install it
9. Back up to the root menu of recovery
10. Select "advanced"
11. Select "reboot recovery"
12. The phone should boot up into your new recovery!

Credits
As with most ROMs, I only did a small part to get everything together. Also, a note that should be made here is that when I am using someone else's file, I ALWAYS host files on the shinyrom server to ensure that I don't put any unnecessary stress on their servers. Any file, however, still belongs to and is accredited to its original creator as listed below:
Willyjay - For providing us with lots of amazing and innovative mods for the ROM! Check out his RootzWiki profile here!
Inmanster - Another great modder who we are fortunate to have here in the thread. He works in collaboration with Willyjay and his mods for many things, but also does some of his own unique mods! Check them out in the download post and check out his RootzWiki profile!
Chainfire - For their SuperSU app and su binary, as well as the convenient ZIP update package, which was previously used and recommended. Check out their website, http://www.chainfire.eu/
Groupers - My new buddy on RootzWiki who helped me out with a GPS issue that popped up in 4.2. Check out his RootzWiki profile!
Google - Without their amazing staff and willingness to share the source code of their operating system, I wouldn't have been able to build this ROM! Of course, all of the Google apps are theirs, along with the Play Store and system apps. They really are the true owners of all of this.
Samsung - We all may have some mixed feelings about them, but in the end they gave us the amazing, hackable phone that is the Galaxy Nexus.
RootzWiki - Their extremely innovative and supportive community helps myself as well as hundreds of other developers and thousands of users to thrive, and exemplifies the heart and soul of Android.
Dev-Host - The file-sharing service with virtually no limits on sharing - kudos to them and their hard work. d-h.st
Koush and the ClockworkMod/ROM Manager Team - They make the best recovery that's been around for longest, and their constant updates allow us to keep making ROMs! Also, Koush's recently released open source Superuser control app is the best available and the one linked to in the thread. Thanks Koush! clockworkmod.com
Kevdliu - Huge thanks to this dev and their amazing quick settings mod! Please check out their thread here!
The CyanogenMod Team - For a working implementation of DSPManager on Android which can be ported to any AOSP-based ROM! Without them and Bigwavedave25, the DSP manager mod would not be available! Be sure to thank them and to check out the CyanogenMod website! Also, for their feature-filled version of the stock Messaging app which is available as a mod for my ROM!
bouchigo - a Rootzwiki user who has helped to make the CM10 Messaging app available as a mod for my ROM in conjunction with Willyjay for bringing it to my attention. Check out his Rootz profile and be sure to thank him!
Schoat333 - A Rootzwiki user who helped out Willyjay with the bubble styled MMS mods. The credit for the screenshots to go along with the mods goes to him! Check out his thread and his RW profile, and be sure to thank him!
Yarly - The most experienced RootzWiki admin I've ever had the pleasure of talking with, who taught me some new debugging tricks and answered some of my questions.
Razorloves - Another RootzWiki admin who helped me out with a few problems and answered a lot of my questions!
Tiny4579 - A kernel dev here on RootzWiki who also took the time to talk with me and answer a few of my questions. Be sure to check out his RootzWiki profile and his kernel thread for the GNex!

Thanks to everyone for their hard work and sharing that work with others!

DISCLAIMER
Come on guys, it's a Galaxy Nexus, to what extent could it really get messed up? Nonetheless, in case someone flashes this then puts their phone in the microwave or something and tries to blame it on me, I am not directly responsible for anything that occurs, either negative or positive, from flashing this ROM to your phone. Despite that, I am posting in the spirit of the Android community, a community that I have embraced and belonged to for several years, and I would never try to hurt any of your innocent, beautiful phones. Also, none of the original source for Android belongs to me, nor do any of Google's apps. All preinstalled applications are property of Google, Inc. and I make no claim of ownership to them.

Okay that's about it! THE ROM DOWNLOAD LINK AND A SUMMARY OF ALL FILE DOWNLOADS CAN BE FOUND BELOW!
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I have installed fml lollipop on my Gnex & was surprised how well it worked. After using it for a few days I realized there were limitations. Maybe because its an older phone but also some of my older apps didn't work either. I re installed shiny & fancy r60 & WOW.

Now I'm concerned about my Samsung S4 with lollipop. I might not like it.
Sob sob blubber blubber.

lol
Which LP ROM did you try? I'm willing to give it a try on my wife Gnex. Good enough for a daily driver?

Sent from my LG-VS980 using Tapatalk
I have installed fml lollipop on my Gnex...
Which LP ROM did you try?
"FML" is the Fork My Life ROM.
Here's an update I think this says a lot !!! I left my Gnex on all night. It was at 54% the night before. The next morning it was at 50%. Only went down 4%.

Last check I had 47% with 23 1/2 hours of up time.

That I like.
Thought I'd better mention for anyone who wants to follows this. I had an odd thing happen with my Gnex after my last post. I was having problems with g launcher & thought it was some app I had running in the background. My phone started using up the battery very quickly. After charging it to 100%. I left it on over night with 90% charge. The next morning approximately 9 hours later it was 54%. So now I have installed Franco r398. I'll have to see ,but I have noticed the screen colors seem more vibrant & the phone seems smoother running.

Just FYI.
So I jumped on board the Nexus 6 train as of Wednesday. For a little over 2 years I've ran Shiny, and only Shiny. I got my gNex just days before vzw stopped selling it and it's surprising that as a nexus I've never used Stock. I have to thank BaldwinGuy, inmanster, all of the other Dev's and Mod makers, and this community as a whole. If it wasn't for Shiny I would have been one of the other's screaming about the vzw gNex never getting updates, but I never cared because I was always current. Maybe someday I'll get Lollipop flashed on here, until then…

Thanks for the fun.
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So I jumped on board the Nexus 6 train as of Wednesday. For a little over 2 years I've ran Shiny, and only Shiny. I got my gNex just days before vzw stopped selling it and it's surprising that as a nexus I've never used Stock. I have to thank BaldwinGuy, inmanster, all of the other Dev's and Mod makers, and this community as a whole. If it wasn't for Shiny I would have been one of the other's screaming about the vzw gNex never getting updates, but I never cared because I was always current. Maybe someday I'll get Lollipop flashed on here, until then…

Thanks for the fun.
Lollipop is the best ROM for the gnex in a while. The new kernels and drivers written for make it all new again. Head over to XDA and try it out.
[background=transparent]So I jumped on board the Nexus 6 train as of Wednesday. For a little over 2 years I've ran Shiny, and only Shiny. I got my gNex just days before vzw stopped selling it and it's surprising that as a nexus I've never used Stock. I have to thank BaldwinGuy, inmanster, all of the other Dev's and Mod makers, and this community as a whole. If it wasn't for Shiny I would have been one of the other's screaming about the vzw gNex never getting updates, but I never cared because I was always current. Maybe someday I'll get Lollipop flashed on here, until then…[/background]

[background=transparent]Thanks for the fun.[/background]
ooh BTW I got the nexus 6 as well. Love it.
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Well I haven't been on here for quite some time now. It sounds like Shiny is over. :cry: But it also sounds like XDA has a lollipop for the old Gnex. I might just try it for fun!

I too got a N6 a while back and it is just perfect for me! Using Pure Shamu since it is kind of like Shiny but with some nice tweaks.

PS: I searched this site for N6 roms and the forums appear to be taken over by AD-bots. Weird! G'day mates!
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I'm sorry, but I have been all over this topic and can not for the life of me locate the F2FS version of ShinyRom 4.4.4

Is this something that I need to convert myself or has this been done and secret squirrel stuff?

thanks

UPDATED: Disregard, converted back to ext4 and flashed. Boy I missed this ROM.
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Hi everyone. Long time, no see. I'm attempting to set up my GNex as an IP camera. I've set my router to reserve a certain IP address for it, but I just discovered that the GNex's MAC address is changing upon reboot. This makes it so the DHCP reservation doesn't stick (it just sees another new Android device). Does anyone know why this is happening and especially how I might make the MAC address persist through reboots?
Tried this process today on my old Galaxy Nexus Verizon. Updated the FK01/FK02 radio package OK, but the PRIMED04 bootloader errored out (the message said the device did not report itself as 'tuna'), and then the main Shiny rom, with a verified MD5 signature, errored out with "set_metadata_recursive: some changes failed", "E:Error in ShinyROM_toro_aosp_080914-125720-signed.zip (Status 7).", "Installation aborted." Upon reboot, ended up back in ClockWorkMod recovery.

Oh, well. Worth a try.
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