[Galaxy S 4 General] _Bon_Bon:
How to make Any Rom Awesome-er

RE-REVAMPED ​

INDEX:

1.	Before ROM Install

2.	After ROM Install

3.	Recommended and useful Apps

4.	Themes and personalization

All the download links can be found from the thread OP

A SAFE Odin version can be downloaded from this thread

Thanks to the developer!

1. Before ROM Install

Updating your Modem and Bootloader

I’ve already made a guide on how, why and where to download your Modem and bootloader files, so go check it out here

I’ve also made an up-to date thread with links to latest modems and bootloaders, here

Installing / Upgrading your recovery

Download and flash Official TWRP recovery 3.0.0

All TWRP recovery downloads for the JFLTEXX

[B] Features: [/B]
-	It has touch screen support, for added convenience
-	Works with all ROM installers
-	Can be used to flash .zip and .img files
-	Has added support for F2FS filesystems
-	Has a beautiful UI
-	It’s still being updated!
[B] How to install: [/B]
[B] If you already have TWRP v2.8.4 or higher installed: [/B]
1. Download and Unzip the TWRP-XXX-F2FS.tar.md5
2. Take out the recovery.img file and place it somewhere inside your phone
3. Boot into TWRP recovery
4. Go to Install -> Find and click the ‘Images...’ button
5. Browse to the image that you downloaded and select it
6. Choose recovery and swipe to flash
7. Done!
[B] If you have stock / other recovery installed: [/B]
1. Download Odin from the link above
2. Unzip the file you downloaded and open Odin3.exe
3. Power off your device completely
4. Turn on your device by pressing volume-up and the power buttons
5. Attach the device to your computer via a USB cable
6. Make sure Odin detects your device and click the AP button
7. Browse to and select the tar file that you downloaded and start the flash
8. Done!

Then boot into recovery if not already there

Converting / formatting filesystems to F2FS

Formatting filesystems as F2FS is suggested, if your ROM / Kernel supports it

This is done to improve speed and storage lifespan.

Filesystems that	|	Which
you can convert	|	Method
------------------------------------------------------
/cache	|	Format
/data	|	Format / Restore
/sdcard	|	Format
/system	|	Restore
/preload	|	Format
-------------------------------------------------------

EXT4 on /system is actually faster than F2FS, because it's a read only partition.

So, if you don't mess around with /system on a regular basis, converting it is not necessary.

[B] Converting filesystems through formatting: [/B]
1. Go to Wipe -> Advanced Wipe
2. Click the checkbox for the desired partition
3. Click Repair or Change File System
4. Now you can see the current filesystem format, if it’s already F2FS, can skip to step 6
5. Click ‘Change File System’ -> choose F2FS and swipe to change
6. Done!

[B] Converting filesystems through restoring a backup: [/B]
1. Go to Backup and choose the partition(s) you want to convert and back them up
2. Go to Wipe -> Advanced Wipe
3. Click the checkbox for the desired partition
4. Click Repair or Change File System
5. Now you can see the current filesystem format, if it’s already F2FS, can skip to step 10
6. Click ‘Change File System’ -> choose F2FS and swipe to change
7. Go to Settings and check: ”Use rm -rf instead of formatting”
8. Go to Restore and select the backup you made earlier
9. Restore the partition you converted to F2FS from that backup
10. Repeat above steps for all partitions you desire to convert / backed-up
11. Done!

Flash-able tweaks and mods

If you haven’t flashed your ROM and GAPPs yet, now is the time to do so

If the ROM doesn’t have a suggested GAPPs, choose Open GAPPs from the OP

List of MODs and tweaks you can Install:

1. [URL="http://xdaforums.com/galaxy-s4/unified-development/mod-true-stereo-t3110740"]TrueStereo Mod[/URL], by @FPSUsername
2. [URL="http://xdaforums.com/android/software-hacking/mod-thething-v0-2-3-t3169439"]The_Thing Mod[/URL], by me :P
3. Unofficial Alucard Kernel for CM12.1, by the JDCTeam and Alucard (Look in the OP)
4. [URL="http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=3034811"]XPOSED[/URL], by [MENTION=4419114]rovo89[/MENTION] (Most ROM developers won’t support problems that you might encounter after installing XPOSED
5. [URL="http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=61892852&postcount=6"]Fstrim 3.0[/URL], from my compilation of MODs and useful scripts
6. [URL="http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=61892852&postcount=6"]SwaPa swap space Enabler / Disabler[/URL], from my compilation of MODs and useful scripts
7. [URL="http://xdaforums.com/android/software-hacking/busybox-bonbon-s-busybox-t3253400"]Busybox builds[/URL], by me :P
8. [URL="http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1916098"]MOAB, Adware, Malware, Spyware and Bloatware blocker[/URL], by @BSDgeek_Jake
Links for all of these can be also found in the OP

1. After ROM Install

Kernel and System tweaks

This section assumes that you have Alucard kernel installed, but some of the guides can be applied to systems without Alucards kernel.

You can get Official Alucard kernel from here

List of GUIDEs and Tweaks:

1. [URL="http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=61891946&postcount=2"]Undervolting guide[/URL], by [MENTION=2062281]Shade5[/MENTION]
Through this guide, you can get some extra juice out of your phones
battery, without losing on performance too much
2. [URL="http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=61891964&postcount=3"]AMOLED & Hardware tweaks guide[/URL], by [MENTION=2062281]Shade5[/MENTION]
A guide every S4 owner should follow, you can improve your battery life
by hours, without losing on performance [B] AT ALL [/B]
3. [URL="http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=61892305&postcount=5"]Camera tweaks guide[/URL], by [MENTION=2062281]Shade5[/MENTION]
Do you have camera problems? No more! You can significantly decrease the
amount of frustration you have with you camera, by following this simple set of TIPs!
4. [URL="http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=61937937&postcount=24"]sTweaks Kernel tweaking for everyday performance[/URL], by [MENTION=2062281]Shade5[/MENTION]
Tweaking the Android kernel is essential for achieving a better battery
life and performance. By following this guide, you can improve both easily!
5. [URL="http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=62285460&postcount=116"]Alucard's Kernel setting's[/URL], by [MENTION=2062281]Shade5[/MENTION]
Oh you thought we were done tweaking the kernel? Here’s another guide on
tweaking the Android kernel, to squeeze to last little droplets of power out of your phone!
6. [URL="https://mega.nz/#!uotDxCTT!2y_-OPMbffdGBpX9V_P8TJKrbcpV9U8I09icCuvX4fQ"]_Bon_Bon’s build.prop tweaks[/URL] :P
Copy the text from this file and add them to the end of your /system/build.prop file, using a file manager. After you’re done, wipe /data/dalvik-cache and reboot your device.
([B][COLOR="Red"] ATTENTION This tweak is deprecated! Also: [/COLOR] If you flashed my The_Thing MOD, or have applied some other tweaks including build.prop, don’t use this file! [/B])

Additional tweaks

Some other small tweaks and tricks that aren’t that effective or aren’t suitable for the average user

You have been warned, some of the following TIPs aren’t suitable for everyone! So try them at your own risk!

1. Reducing resolution
Now, this boosts graphics performance A LOT, but can cause instability
You need a resolution changer app, I’d recommend NOMone Resolution
Changer from the Play Store
You have two choices, two thirds of the original resolution or three fourths
of the original resolution
(These two are the ones I chose, you can try out your own ones at your own risk)

Original
[ATTACH]3407082._xfImport[/ATTACH]

2/3
[ATTACH]3407084._xfImport[/ATTACH]
Width = 720, Height = 1280, LCD Density = 360 / 330

Gives more performance, difference is hard to see
[B] (Some games and apps might not be supported with this resolution, like Dead Trigger 2) [/B]
In addition, if you think that the icons are too large, you can go back and change LCD Density to 330
3/4
[ATTACH]3407083._xfImport[/ATTACH]
Width = 810, Height = 1440, LCD Density = 360

Gives performance, difference is impossible to see

3. Recommended and useful apps

sEFix, Entropy Tweaker

It’s a handy little app that changes Entropy generation threshold. Increasing Entropy generation threshold can reduce slowdowns while using apps that rely on randomly generated numbers.

1. Download the app from the Play Store, [URL="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zdvdev.sef"]here[/URL]
2. Open the app and move the slider, so the threshold shows 1024
3. Done!

Greenify, App Hibernator

Now then, we’ve all heard about the battery and performance boosting app, known as Greenify

It needs no introduction and no explanation, just go check out its XDA thread and enjoy your new found power!

Amplify, WakeLock stopper

Using this app you can prevent and customize what Wakelocks are allowed to happen and how often. It’s a handy app and worth your time, so go check out its website!

Power Nap For XPOSED

Yet another Wakelock blocker. This app lets you choose what applications that are allowed to cause Wakelocks and it blocks all others. Go check out its XDA thread!

4. Themes and personalization

This is why Android, for me anyways, it’s the best OS for your phone out there.

Customizations! Themes! Boot Animations! Endless possibilities!

So I challenge you, to tell us your favourite themes and layouts and leave links from where to find them! Some of them will be given a place in this guide!

And that’s all, hope I helped! :3

Thanks to:

[MENTION=5464206]AntaresOne[/MENTION]

[MENTION=4899086]alucard_24[/MENTION]

[MENTION=4419114]rovo89[/MENTION]

[MENTION=2062281]Shade5[/MENTION]

[MENTION=4504254]waylaidwanderer[/MENTION]

[MENTION=4376588]oasisfeng[/MENTION]

[MENTION=4809451]3mel[/MENTION]