New MI3-tegra4 owner, some questions

[Zirias]

In the first week using my new device, I came across a few questions, some of which may apply to MIUI in general (not sure). Please reply if you know the answer to one of those, thank you

Device: MI3 tegra4 (pisces) -- ROM: MIUI 3.11.1 multilang

1. Charging: I'm very happy with the capacity of the battery, but charging is sometimes much to slow. My previous device, HTC sensation (pyramid), could "fast charge" when a cable without data connection was detected, but only with a custom kernel. Does the kernel for MI3 support this, and how is it activated (sysctl..?)

2. System partitions and apps: Does the MI3 really have two of them? Right now, I see "system1" mounted to /system, does it mean I'm booting to the second one and this somehow persists in the bootloader? As the flash memory is a little limited (16GB), I'd like to save space. I'll never use the chinese-only apps as well as the (also chinese-only?) voice assistent, so which apks could I remove from /system/apps? Maybe I could use the space for dalvik-cache and some other apps I'd never uninstall and then use /data for my navigation maps... other tips for freeing up storage space? I guess repartitioning is not an option ...

3. Recovery: Can the stock recovery safely run AROMA installers? What about standard android update zips? (I'd like to create a package for my mods to save space, so I don't have to do it all manually again after upgrading). And, is there a way to create and restore nandroid-backups?

4. OTG + charging: I read in the xda forums that a resistor (against ground?) on the "sense" pin of the micro USB port is responsible for the mode of the port and there are cables enabling to charge while the port is in OTG mode. Does the MI3 support this? Will cables designed for Samsung phones work here?

5. MIUI service menu (*#*#MIUI#*#*): It's all chinese Is there a way to get it in e.g. english? Or, at least, a "translation table" somewhere online?

Thanks a lot

 

[redmaner]

1. Charging: I'm very happy with the capacity of the battery, but charging is sometimes much to slow. My previous device, HTC sensation (pyramid), could "fast charge" when a cable without data connection was detected, but only with a custom kernel. Does the kernel for MI3 support this, and how is it activated (sysctl..?)
I don't think MI3 supports fast charging by default (Correct me if I'm wrong).
If it's not implemented then it can be implemented with kernel sources which are not released yet.

2. System partitions and apps: Does the MI3 really have two of them? Right now, I see "system1" mounted to /system, does it mean I'm booting to the second one and this somehow persists in the bootloader? As the flash memory is a little limited (16GB), I'd like to save space. I'll never use the chinese-only apps as well as the (also chinese-only?) voice assistent, so which apks could I remove from /system/apps? Maybe I could use the space for dalvik-cache and some other apps I'd never uninstall and then use /data for my navigation maps... other tips for freeing up storage space? I guess repartitioning is not an option ...
All xiaomi devices have two systems (only Hongmi doesn't). Removing apps from system doesn't give you more space on the data partition.
You either can't remove the dalvik-cache because android doesn't work without it.
The only way to get more space on /data is to buy a 64gb version or repartion the device (the last one isn't recommemded indeed).
I assume you are not going to buy a new device so you have to remove unused files from you sdcard over time to keep enough space.

3. Recovery: Can the stock recovery safely run AROMA installers? What about standard android update zips? (I'd like to create a package for my mods to save space, so I don't have to do it all manually again after upgrading). And, is there a way to create and restore nandroid-backups?
Stock recovery can't do the things you mention. You need ClockWorkMod recovery for that.
As far as I know it's not available yet?

4. OTG + charging: I read in the xda forums that a resistor (against ground?) on the "sense" pin of the micro USB port is responsible for the mode of the port and there are cables enabling to charge while the port is in OTG mode. Does the MI3 support this? Will cables designed for Samsung phones work here?
I have no Idea

5. MIUI service menu (*#*#MIUI#*#*): It's all chinese Is there a way to get it in e.g. english? Or, at least, a "translation table" somewhere online?
That will be transalted in english soon

 

[Zirias]

Hi, thank you very much for your replies so far ... just about the space issue:

Removing apps from system doesn't give you more space on the data partition.

Not directly, but you can always move other apks there, that would otherwise consume space on /data

You either can't remove the dalvik-cache because android doesn't work without it.

I wasn't talking about removing it, but moving it to /system. Works with a simple symlink, BTDT (even created a flashable zip) with my old device. Drawback: /system has to be mounted rw.

The only way to get more space on /data is to buy a 64gb version or repartion the device (the last one isn't recommemded indeed).

And HERE comes a new question You say it isn't recommended, I thought so ... but -- is it even possible? It would be much cleaner than symlinks (and maybe even hacking my navigation apk, so it finds maps on /data -- cause /data on Mi3 is huge with 3GB)...

 

[Acid]

I suggest you to not bother with your memory issue. You cant do anything in this matter. System memory is fixed, and you cant move there apps or dalvik (and why would you if it has its own space?). Also 3GB /data is far enough for all users ever. And there will be no hacking for MI3. You have TD version and by the time more roms will pop up or mods most users will have WCDMA version which is different device. So with less popularity, less developers will have TD version.

BTW. As for fast charge I think its already implemented as all qualcomm CPUs since S4 and above have this feature.

 

[Zirias]

I suggest you to not bother with your memory issue. You cant do anything in this matter. System memory is fixed, and you cant move there apps or dalvik (and why would you if it has its own space?).

Believe me, I can. It's no rocket science. As a proof of concept, I have Facebook running as a system app right now:

adb root
adb shell
mount -o remount,rw /system
cp /data/app/com.facebook.katana-1.apk /system/app/Facebook.apk
rm /data/app/com.facebook.katana-1.apk
(then reboot phone)

For dalvik-cache, there's not enough space on /system right away, but maybe there would be when I know which apks to delete -- I don't need any of the "chinese-only" stuff, so maybe someone can identify those for me.

BTW, dalvik-cache doesn't have "its own space", it is just a directory on /data.

Also 3GB /data is far enough for all users ever.

That's exactly what I said, so I'd like to use it for something else, maybe navigation maps. Repartitioning would be nicer, but maybe to dangerous, and I have no clue how to do it. Still awaiting input here.

And there will be no hacking for MI3.

I don't think so

BTW. As for fast charge I think its already implemented as all qualcomm CPUs since S4 and above have this feature.

Well, it's not Qualcomm but Nvidia ... but if the kernel actually HAS the feature, it seems to be disabled. Do you know how to enable it via sysctl? Thanks.

 

[lekzzz]

Can somebody post a RAW file photo? So without any modifications

 

[Acid]

Believe me, I can. It's no rocket science. As a proof of concept, I have Facebook running as a system app right now:

Yes I know it can be done, but are you aware this Facebook will be wiped after say.. friday update? Its non sense because, yes you will free some single megabytes of /data memory but you would have to move apps every update. To me, its not worth time consumed on doing that "magic" on MI3.

I just meant that all those memory issues are pointless, instead of just using this super device like normal. Its way too early to ask those questions about partitioning MI3. And are you already have full memory?
Also why would you use internal memory to store maps? Most android navigations use /sdcard or /external-sd for maps packages, and not /data memory.

Well, it's not Qualcomm but Nvidia ... but if the kernel actually HAS the feature, it seems to be disabled. Do you know how to enable it via sysctl? Thanks.

Yes I forgot that Mi3 TD is Tegra not Qualcomm on this sentence...

And by no hacking on MI3 I meant Tegra version. S800 version will be much more popular overseas (and here also) so it will have much better developers support.

 

[Zirias]

Yes I know it can be done, but are you aware this Facebook will be wiped after say.. friday update? Its non sense because, yes you will free some single megabytes of /data memory but you would have to move apps every update. To me, its not worth time consumed on doing that "magic" on MI3.

As I wrote, the goal is to maintain an "update.zip" automating this. Not THAT hard to do and quite easy to apply after upgrades. edit: did the same thing for my old phone... it seems I'd have to leave out AROMA here, and if the stock recovery doesn't even run standard android update.zip, well, there's still scripted installation of a tarball ...

I just meant that all those memory issues are pointless, instead of just using this super device like normal. Its way too early to ask those questions about partitioning MI3. And are you already have full memory?

Never too early to start. I want all my music on my mobile and still some space left for whatever. Half full after a week and only 12 music albums is not the way I intend to go. No offense, but I'd really appreciate some additional info, not so much discussions about sense.

Also why would you use internal memory to store maps? Most android navigations use /sdcard or /external-sd for maps packages, and not /data memory.

Again, because THIS partition is a lot bigger than I need it and maps are data I'll probably never delete. Maybe I'll have to mod my navi apk for this, that would be the hard way ...

Yes I forgot that Mi3 TD is Tegra not Qualcomm on this sentence...
And by no hacking on MI3 I meant Tegra version.

Still, I don't think so. Android is the same anyways, native binaries too (ARMv7), and even the kernels won't be TOO different ... Krait 400 and Cortex A15 are quite similar, so it probably comes down to some differing driver modules. There WILL be hacking (as Xiaomi fortunately makes it quite easy) and, as soon as there are sources released, kernel hacking too. After all, don't forget the millions of devices already ordered in China.

 

[Zirias]

Another question: As AROMA and standard update.zip files don't seem to be an option (thanks for clarifying) -- can someone point me to a documentation how to create an update.zip, that stock recovery and/or updater app will execute? Thanks!

(I think it should be possible as even CWM for Mi2 is installed that way...)

 

[Zirias]

I don't think MI3 supports fast charging by default (Correct me if I'm wrong).
If it's not implemented then it can be implemented with kernel sources which are not released yet.

JFTR -- fast-charge seems to be in stock kernel, but buggy . After the phone charged quickly sometimes, I decided to investigate (dmesg) -- and indeed, charging current goes up to ~1400 mA when connecting the AC charger using the original cable. Well, that's ok, around 2,5h for a complete charge. Problem is: sometimes this doesn't seem to work...

 

[redmaner]

JFTR -- fast-charge seems to be in stock kernel, but buggy . After the phone charged quickly sometimes, I decided to investigate (dmesg) -- and indeed, charging current goes up to ~1400 mA when connecting the AC charger using the original cable. Well, that's ok, around 2,5h for a complete charge. Problem is: sometimes this doesn't seem to work...

Ok interesting

 

[Zirias]

(I'd like to create a package for my mods to save space, so I don't have to do it all manually again after upgrading)

Now that I have working CWM, it's time to get this done. My concept is to create a tool that compares /system/app and /system1/app, generates AROMA config files that allow to remove apks not found in older rom and add apks not found in newer rom and then exec()s AROMA's update-binary. Will post new thread when I get it working.

Does anybody know whether AROMA still checks signatures? If so, I'd have to disable this, so a generated aroma-config will be accepted...

 

[Demon_Dimon]

Hellow, guys!
I found bugs! Mi3 Tegra 4 not work WiFi in 5 GHz (anywhere chenal), and not work 802.11n in 2.4 GHz (work only 11g).
Who can help? How to report in support Xiaomi?