Updating My Phone to Play Pokemon GO

SheosMan117 · Jul 18, 2016

My phone has Android 4.3. The game needs 4.4. I've found various files to update to 5.1, and have done various things required. My phone is already rooted (I didn't get it new) in dev mode, with USB debugging on. On my PC, I've downloaded all the files that should work. Odin, drivers, etc. Thing is, while if I plug the phone into the computer, Odin may see it, Windows won't recognize it. Well, sometimes it does, but if I go to look in the phone's internal memory, it takes forever to load. The way I see it, I just have to transfer some zip files over to the phone's internal memory, and then from there, do a few things so the phone updates. Also, if this belongs in another section, feel free to move it, I post it here because Pokemon GO is the reason I'm doing this. Also, does anyone know if GO works on custom ROM's? Also, my phone is a Samsung Galaxy S3 SGH-I747 (ATT version of the S3)

Xereniak · Jul 19, 2016

It works, I did the same with my Samsung s2 for Go as well. Your process appears to be correct, just load the mod files (I assume its CyanogenMod?) Into the phone's root directory and use the custom bootloader to install from there. Remember to wipe your system, data, and cache before trying to install though or you will get an error. I've also had an error between CyanogenMod 11 and TWRP bootloader, when using an older version. Feel free to ask me if you want to know anything else before you start.

SheosMan117 · Jul 19, 2016

The issue is, I can't for some reason. If I connect my phone to my PC, it won't see it, and I know it has the drivers, I've downloaded the exact same installer twice from 2 different locations, sometimes it sees the phone, sometimes it doesn't, mostly I have to freshly install the drivers (even though they're already installed) and the phone will seem to work, but if I go into the phone's memory, it fails to do so, seemingly taking forever. That's my issue. Odin sees the phone, but Windows is picky about it.

Xereniak · Jul 19, 2016

Do you still have your phone's original firmware on it? If you can just go onto wifi and download it, you can bypass windows being weird altogether. If odin sees it then you can do all the bootloader flashing no problem, and then just load the new firmware from the phone's memory after downloading from the web directly to your phone.

SheosMan117 · Jul 19, 2016

I'm not sure how I'd know if I have the original firmware. It seems to be, I think. It shows all the right logos upon startup. Also, I have to ask, because of all the different sites that say what to do/not to do, which would you say is the best? Some also say I'll need Gapps.zip, would I need that for the game? Or even to download it? (I'll admit, I'm a total noob at nearly anything to do with a smartphone, and before now, have also never had one, only regular cell phones.)

Xereniak · Jul 19, 2016

Yes, you will need to get Gapps.zip as installing that is what get's you the Google Play Store, it doesn't ship with the OS. As for what i said about the original firmware, i was just asking if you'd wiped the phone yet, or if you'd be able to use a web browser to download the requisite files.

SheosMan117 · Jul 19, 2016

Oh, all I've done to the actual phone was enable dev mode, turn on usb debug, and try a method to back it all up. Though I almost wish for a Windows style System Restore. Also, I sucessfully downloaded it, though for my phone, I'll admit I'd like a double check. Also, I have this app called rom manager, does that help?

Xereniak · Jul 20, 2016

I don't think the ROM manager apps help, I had two when I was switching and they did nothing at all. Have you flashed your bootloader with Odin yet?

SheosMan117 · Jul 20, 2016

Not yet, I'm not sure how, and I'll admit I hesitate, because of all the "do it wrong and brick your phone" warnings. So I'll admit I'm taking it slow, making sure of things before they happen.

Xereniak · Jul 20, 2016

Understandable, although if you follow directions for the phone, its not likely to fail. Usually to flash the bootloader, you'll need to boot your phone in download mode, then load up your md5 in Odin, and press start. Two uneventful seconds later, your phone has a new bootloader. I would be more specific about the process, but every phone is different, so just make sure you find a guide that matches your phone's id, and you'll be all right. Also make sure to not take shady too-good-to-be-true files from some obscure source, guides will usually include all the links you need within.

SheosMan117 · Jul 20, 2016

I'm not sure where/if I found a bootloader. Most tutorials I've found, and were following so far, were from android.gs. I don't remember them asking for bootloader. In fact, here's the main tutorial I've been looking at. http://www.android.gs/update-att-ga...d-5-1-1-lollipop-with-unofficial-cm-12-1-rom/

Xereniak · Jul 22, 2016

Sorry for the confusion, i've been referring to the recovery as bootloader, my mistake. 4th paragraph explains recoveries, the one i used in my phone was TWRP at first, and then due to some compatibility issues, switched to ClockworkMod. I prefer TWRP for the backup features, and if it works then i'd recommend that for updating with the custom rom. Just beware, if you load up their custom CyanogenMod 12.1, it's an unnoficial build. I tried flashing one for my phone and it just soft bricked it, and i had to wipe and start over from the recovery.

SheosMan117 · Jul 22, 2016

Well on my phone, I downloaded the official cyanogenmod, and the arm nano version of gapps. I am curious though, would the instructions hold true, regardless of what I actually put? Also, I think I got clockworkmod, and just got twrp. Any benefits to both?

Xereniak · Jul 22, 2016

Sounds good on the CMMod version and Gapps. For the recovery version, I preferred TWRP for it's updating features and ease of use, but was forced to use CWM for compatibility. If you can, i'd pick TWRP. And yes, the instructions are the same for any version of CMMod and also for whatever recovery you choose, only a difference in their interfaces, which are usually very similar.

SheosMan117 · Jul 23, 2016

Well, I have good news and bad news. The good is it seems to have updated successfully. The bad is if I still go to the google play store for pokemon go, it still says it's incompatible. What gives? Also, I should mention, I have a basic phone plan with Cricket (no data) would all this have affected that in any way? Right now my phone claims it's with ATT, even though for as long as I've had it, it's never been with ATT, always with Cricket.

Xereniak · Jul 23, 2016

In that regard, i would recommend downloading the .apk for the game from a trustworthy source, making sure that when you install, there are no permissions that say "(this may cost you money!!)". Since you're now on an updated OS, it should install without problems. Once you've done that, the app in the play store should have changed from saying it's incompatible to asking you to update. If not, I'm unfamiliar with this issue on the whole, though it seems other users on the forum have encountered this before, and perhaps reading their posts may shed some light on the solution.

SheosMan117 · Jul 23, 2016

Yeah, now I downloaded an apk from apkmirror. Now I'm suffering 2 problems, though they may be related. A, lack of GPS signal, though a few places I've been outside don't help, and I end up wandering outside of wifi (remember, no data plan at all. Outside of a wifi network, it's essentially a fancy cell phone.) And since I'm in a 3rd story apartment, I can't wander too far on ground level before I'm out of range. B, if I start up the game, all I get is a fancy bluish green screen. It did the initial startup music, asked for my birthday, but I haven't gotten to the customize trainer screen, or Willow. Also the admin of Pokemon GO Pro website (just a fan site from what I've seen) is being unhelpful urging me to just get a new phone, when you have an older phone that still did it. Also I should mention that even with the app installed, the google play store page says I'm incompatible.
Edit: I've also tried some of the things on your GPS thread, the fixer app says I'm green across the board sensor-wise, it can find me alright. Reinstall didn't help, neither when I downloaded an apk from apkpure. Would the GPS bit still work, even if I went out of range of wifi? I think it should. And also, would any/all of that explain why I can't really get past birthday and account input?

Xereniak · Jul 25, 2016

Ahh, the birthday/terms of service page. Yes, that's what's supposed to be on the blueish green screen. Just tap around a lot, eventually you'll accidentally press "yes i agree to the terms and services". Turn on your audio and listen to little beeping noises. As for the GPS thing, try to get the app up and running first, then if it doesn't work, try Roehsoft RAMEXPANDER, as explained at the bottom of my GPS post. That is, if you don't mind frying an SD card, 'cause virtual RAM is hard on flash memory.

SheosMan117 · Jul 26, 2016

Well, now everything more or less works, sometimes. managed to catch a charmander, oddish, pidgey and rattata in my room, not all at once though. Now I have to ask, how will the game play since I don't have a data plan? If I go outside of wifi range, would I still be able to do anything?

Updating My Phone to Play Pokemon GO

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