You don't need to root to install modded ROMs because, well, you're erasing the phone anyway. A custom ROM will probably be rooted out of the "box". However, you DO need to unlock the boootloader in order to install a custom ROM. I'd almost say you should check other custom ROMs... CyanogenMod used to be the ubiquitous custom ROM but since they went corporate... ugh. Still, if you're installing it on an older phone and possibly using an older version of CyanogenMod, it's probably fine. On Sun, 8 Feb 2015, Chuck Cole wrote: > Thanks. > > FYI, CyanogenMod is available for the SPH-D710 model. > <http://wiki.cyanogenmod.org/w/D710_Info> > > Says it will enable WiFi, and add features to better assure data privacy, > etc. > I think it also says that rooting is not required. > > It says to turn off the phone and reboot "in download mode" before > installing, and again after. > This not in the user manual, but is here > <http://wiki.rootzwiki.com/Samsung_Epic_4G_Touch> > > I think I'm set now to get any other info, > but I'd appreciate your comments on installing and using CyanogenMod. > > Chuck > > >> -----Original Message----- >> From: tclug-list-bounces at mn-linux.org >> [mailto:tclug-list-bounces at mn-linux.org] On Behalf Of Clug >> Sent: Sunday, February 08, 2015 2:39 AM >> To: TCLUG >> Subject: Re: [tclug-list] Questions >> >> The only reason I could think for unlocking your phone is to >> get newer >> versions of Android that wouldn't be available otherwise. I >> think I've >> seen some references to Lollipop-based ROMs for the SII. >> >> On Sun, 8 Feb 2015, Chuck Cole wrote: >> >>> Thanks.. Has WiFi hardware, but the Android upgrade >> locked out 3rd party >>> WiFi apps that had worked well. No significant benefit for >> me to "upgrade" >>> the phone, except an extra bluetooth protocol and feature. >> Sprint terms and >>> fees aren't as good, and my spare batteries, etc don't fit >> newer ones (I >>> just swap batteries instead of using a car charger, etc). >> Getting the WiFi >>> hotspot to work in the phone is do-able, but it's likely >> detectable with >>> phone and Sprint IDs. Possible that my infrequent usage >> might not be seen >>> as seems the case for my occasional use of tethered PDAnet. >>> >>> Chuck >>> >>> >>>> -----Original Message----- >>>> From: tclug-list-bounces at mn-linux.org >>>> [mailto:tclug-list-bounces at mn-linux.org] On Behalf Of Clug >>>> Sent: Sunday, February 08, 2015 1:14 AM >>>> To: TCLUG >>>> Subject: Re: [tclug-list] Questions >>>> >>>> On Sun, 8 Feb 2015, Chuck Cole wrote: >>>> >>>>> Can I get free and unlimited WiFi hotspot operation by >>>> unblocking that in my >>>>> Sprint Galaxy SII? >>>> >>>> The Galaxy SII is a fairly old phone, so I'm not sure how >>>> easy it is to >>>> unlock and root (I know the SIII is a bit complex... because my mom >>>> unlocked and rooted hers). >>>> >>>> I don't know that the official Android versions available for >>>> he SII have >>>> a WiFi hotspot feature, but I do think custom ROMs like >>>> CyanogenMod from >>>> that era had it built-in. If you unlock the phone you can >>>> probably get >>>> CyanogenMod on there. >>>> >>>> However, mobile carriers have lately become pretty smart >>>> about detecting >>>> when you're using your mobile as a wifi hotspot and have >>>> started blocking >>>> it. I know T-Mobile does, and I can't find a way to work around it >>>> (supposedly changing your browser's useragent helps, but it >>>> doesn't seem >>>> to work for me, plus I use other protocols). So your mileage >>>> WILL vary. >>>> >>>> -- >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> TCLUG Mailing List - Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota >>>> tclug-list at mn-linux.org >>>> http://mailman.mn-linux.org/mailman/listinfo/tclug-list >>>> >>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> TCLUG Mailing List - Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota >>> tclug-list at mn-linux.org >>> http://mailman.mn-linux.org/mailman/listinfo/tclug-list >>> >> _______________________________________________ >> TCLUG Mailing List - Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota >> tclug-list at mn-linux.org >> http://mailman.mn-linux.org/mailman/listinfo/tclug-list >> > > > _______________________________________________ > TCLUG Mailing List - Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota > tclug-list at mn-linux.org > http://mailman.mn-linux.org/mailman/listinfo/tclug-list >