Upgrading custom ROMs

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garyasta

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#195573 25-Apr-2016 09:58

I have two tablets. An Ainol Novo7 Aurora II (7") and a Lenovo A101 (10"). They both came from China without standard ROMs, and as such, the ROMs are not automatically (or manually) updated with system updates.

The Ainol has a Android 4.0.4 platform that does not look after the battery very well, as well as other shortcomings, and the Lenovo A101 has a Android 4.4.2 which is not too bad but I understand upgrades do have better all-round performance.

The A101 is not a standard Lenovo tablet, the name doesn't appear on their radar at all, and the Ainol seems to be fairly non-existent as far as support goes.

My question relates to the capabilities of these tablets to be upgraded (to the highest platform level available for each), and whether there is a simple process available that can be used, similar to upgrades in the Windows systems, without requiring the need to dig into the firmware components and the saving elsewhere (temporarily)of various levels of data?

mdf

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#1541532 25-Apr-2016 10:56

In short, no, without manufacturer (or in some cases, carrier) support, there isn't an easy way to upgrade Android versions.

Customs ROMs do exist (CyanogenMod is my preference), but I wouldn't describe the installation of them as "easy". You will need to find a supported custom ROM/firmware, unlock the bootloader and (probably) download some special tools (e.g. and Android SDK).

Though once you've got a custom firmware on there, it's usually pretty straightforward to upgrade the version of that firmware.

I couldn't find either of your tablets on the Official or Unofficial CM lists.

If you're going to try this, I really strongly recommend finding a custom/ROM firmware that definitely supports your particular device and some step-by-step instructions. Anything else will almost certainly result in a bricked device.

mdf

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#1541533 25-Apr-2016 10:57

Oh, and you will almost certainly need to wipe your existing apps and data to install custom firmware. So backups of anything important are mandatory.

hio77

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#1541538 25-Apr-2016 11:04

mdf:

In short, no, without manufacturer (or in some cases, carrier) support, there isn't an easy way to upgrade Android versions.

Customs ROMs do exist (CyanogenMod is my preference), but I wouldn't describe the installation of them as "easy". You will need to find a supported custom ROM/firmware, unlock the bootloader and (probably) download some special tools (e.g. and Android SDK).

Though once you've got a custom firmware on there, it's usually pretty straightforward to upgrade the version of that firmware.

Personally i found flashing CM far faster and easier than restoring the bootloader from the rooted stock system to do OTA.

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timmmay

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#1541541 25-Apr-2016 11:06

I've been using custom ROMs for ages. On my S4 moving to a touchwiz based custom ROM based on the official it was a bit slower and used a bit more battery, but everything works. On an old Asus moving to a custom ROM some things didn't work, like camera.

I also have a Lenovo tablet, most places say the Android 5 upgrade is really terrible, WiFi is awful afterwards, though they may have fixed it now.

So sometimes staying on the original ROM is the best idea.

hio77

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#1541543 25-Apr-2016 11:15

timmmay:

I've been using custom ROMs for ages. On my S4 moving to a touchwiz based custom ROM based on the official it was a bit slower and used a bit more battery, but everything works. On an old Asus moving to a custom ROM some things didn't work, like camera.

I also have a Lenovo tablet, most places say the Android 5 upgrade is really terrible, WiFi is awful afterwards, though they may have fixed it now.

So sometimes staying on the original ROM is the best idea.

Interesting thing i found is moving to CM13 from stock kitkat, actually enabled me to use dualband wireless on 2.4ghz, Previously that was impossible.

Battery life has improved 10fold, quite surprising really. - Although this could be mashmellows app battery optimization at work too.

i found the stock CM camera app not to handle the dual camera very well for the HTC M8x, but thankfully HTC stick all their content on the app store rather than being built in so its a real simple task of using the HTC app and it works just as before!

I do agree though, without a compelling reason to go custom, sometimes original is safer

#include <std_disclaimer>

Any comments made are personal opinion and do not reflect directly on the position my current or past employers may have.