[UNIVERSAL] ParrotMod - SPEED UP the 2012 Nexus 7! FULL FLASH STORAGE SPEED FIX!

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parrotgeek1

Senior Member
Feb 14, 2014
835
1,218
parrotgeek.com
What is ParrotMod?

This is a mod to greatly improve the performance of the 2012 Nexus 7, on ANY rooted Android 4.3+ ROM.
It doesn't work on Nougat. I can't fix it, because I don't own this device anymore - I gave it to a friend's little brother.
Feel free to fork it and fix that.

(Got a 2013 Nexus 7? Use this version: http://xdaforums.com/nexus-7-2013/orig-development/beta-1-parrotmod-improve-2013-nexus-7-t3375928)

Download:
https://parrotgeek.com/dl.php?file=ParrotMod_Universal_2016-08-31.zip

Use this one if the other one doesn't improve the speed: https://parrotgeek.com/dl.php?file=ParrotMod_Universal_2016-10-17.zip

GitHub:
https://github.com/parrotgeek1/ParrotMod_Nexus_7_2012
Feel free to fork/pull request! But always credit me if you make something based on it and tell me in a PM or email.

IMPORTANT NOTE

ParrotMod needs 8MB of free space on the system partition. Don't use huge gapps packages.
ParrotMod requires a recovery that has BusyBox built in. (All versions of TWRP do. CWM does not.)

PLEASE disable IO scheduler/RAM/read ahead tweaks in kernel apps. They override ParrotMod's meticulously optimized settings.

REQUIRES LATEST SUPERSU INSTALLED FIRST https://download.chainfire.eu/supersu-stable
EVEN IF YOUR ROM HAS BUILT IN ROOT LIKE CYANOGENMOD, TURN IT OFF IN SETTINGS, THEN FLASH SUPERSU!!
Does NOT support PHH/MagiskSU, ONLY SUPERSU

If the installer warns you about TRIM on boot being disabled, it's a good idea to schedule TRIM using an app like Trimmer, or just leave your tablet on overnight (on silent) instead of turning it off, so it can automatically trim.

You can tell if ParrotMod is working by checking if the file /sys/block/mmcblk0/queue/read_ahead_kb contains "0", using a root explorer. Do NOT use ROM Toolbox or Root Browser, otherwise you will not be able to see the folders. Use Solid Explorer or FX.

Features:

  • FLASH MEMORY SPEED INCREASE! up to 4x better performance WITHOUT F2FS OR DYNAMIC FSYNC
  • Auto trim at boot, but ONLY for Samsung flash storage (it is too slow for Hynix/Kingston)
  • Uses ext4 but can use data/cache f2fs
  • Audio stutter and multitasking fix
  • Miracast enabled (but it freezes on disconnect unless you unplug from the receiver end)
  • Can set up device without Wi-Fi
  • Bluetooth 4.0 enabled (BLE/GATT/SMP), CVE vulnerabilities fixed (for 5.x)
  • More apps open at once (minfree tweak, scheduler tweaks, 64k log buffers, zram optimized)
  • LCD color fix (no Nvidia smartdimmer/Prism)
  • Internet optimizations
  • Can use more storage space before it doesn't let you download things
  • Survives ROM updates with addon.d
  • Tethering without carrier checks on 3G Nexus 7
  • Speed up full disk encryption
  • GPU optimizations (without OC!) and hardware acceleration properties, decrease GPU RAM usage by 4.4mb per app!
  • Reverted to dlmalloc for reducing ram usage / ART_USE_HSPACE_COMPACT enabled for better garbage collection [Not on 5.0.x]

Instructions - From unrooted stock 5.1.1

  1. Download the KingRoot apk from here on your tablet, install it, ignore the warnings about the app being unsafe, and tap Root. If it says root failed, try again. It will eventually work.
  2. Install Flashify from the Play Store
  3. Download the latest Universal zip in the download link above on your tablet
  4. Download the SuperSU zip from https://download.chainfire.eu/supersu-stable on your tablet
  5. Open Flashify and install TWRP recovery, the latest version
  6. Open the KingRoot app, tap Menu 3 dots icon, General settings, uninstall KingRoot
  7. Delete the KingRoot and Purify apps
  8. Plug your tablet into a computer! (not even a charger) otherwise it will freeze on the next step. This is a bug in the tablet itself.
  9. Reboot your tablet while holding the power and volume down buttons. If this does not work power on while holding BOTH volume UP and DOWN.
  10. Scroll with volume buttons to Recovery mode and tap power button
  11. You will see a Google screen and then TeamWin logo, just wait
  12. Tap Never show this screen again and Swipe to allow modification
  13. Tap Install
  14. You will see the files on your internal storage, go to Download folder
  15. Tap on ParrotMod_XXXXXXX.zip
  16. Tap add more zips
  17. You will see the files on your internal storage, go to Download folder
  18. Tap on UPDATE-SuperSU-v2.XX.zip
  19. Swipe to confirm flash
  20. When it finishes installing tap Reboot System
  21. Your tablet will reboot
  22. Wait 30 seconds for the device to settle
  23. Enjoy the improved speed! (You can delete ParrotMod_XXXXXXX.zip now)
Extras

Fix for speaker/headphone buzzing while charging: https://parrotgeek.com/dl.php?file=ParrotMod_ChargingNoiseFix.zip

Upgrade notes

It is safe to flash new ParrotMod versions without wiping data.
IF YOU UPGRADE MAJOR ANDROID VERSIONS YOU MUST WIPE SYSTEM, FLASH THE WHOLE ROM, AND REINSTALL PARROTMOD.
UPGRADING ROM BUILDS WORKS FINE! In ROMs with addon.d support, it will even keep ParrotMod installed.

Please don't use with ParrotMod:

  • L Speed/any other "supercharger" like tweaks. I will ignore any support requests if you use them. Most are very badly programmed/full of placebos.
  • Disable journaling zip (it conflicts with my script, and doesn't improve performance)
  • Don't limit background processes, it might even make the tablet SLOWER. As of version 2016-04-30, the installer script removes this setting from build.prop automatically.

Known Bugs

  • Doesn't work on most Nougat ROMs
  • Miracast will freeze the tablet on disconnection unless you disconnect from the TV/dongle side. This is a common Tegra issue.
  • The optimizations to the ART runtime do not work when Xposed is installed, and you will see reduced performance! They also don't work on 4.4.x or 5.0.x.
Recommended Kernel:
https://xdaforums.com/nexus-7/development/kernel-dc-kernel-t3310642

Slow charging hardware fix:
https://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?p=65039448

Credit

  • Busybox from BSZAospLp ROM LMY49H
  • libc/libart from i9300 CM14/i9300 CM13/i9300 JustArchi CM12.1 old beta
  • Charging Noise Fix is based on an apk from the Moto G 2015 stock ROM.
  • Bluetooth 4.0 libs for 4.3 from https://github.com/manuelnaranjo/AndroidBluetoothLowEnergyEnabler/tree/master/releases
  • BT4.0 KitKat libs from cm-11-20160509-UNOFFICIAL-grouper by @dookie23
  • BT4.0 5.x libs from Dreams - version 5.3.9.4 for Maguro
  • BT4.0 6.x libs from aosp_grouper-ota-eng-20160803.ds.zip by @AndDiSa
  • BT4.0 7.x libs from cm-14.0-20160924-UNOFFICIAL-i9300.zip by @Taker18
Thanks

  • Thanks to bangsergio on XDA for testing several dozen beta versions.
  • Thanks to @nereis for showing me a zram tweak.
How ParrotMod Works

  • ParrotMod works by trying to counteract the slow flash storage speed, by decreasing unnecessary reads and writes, and also optimizing how well processes share the bandwidth.
  • To optimize RAM, it also changes minfree values, replaces libart and libc with optimized versions (reverting to the memory allocator that was in 4.4.4), and enables zram (but in a less CPU intensive compression mode).
  • It also enables GPU clock scaling instead of throttling based on CPU speed, to improve performance in GPU-bound games. It also disables Nvidia PRISM adaptive backlight to fix washed out screen in videos.
  • It increases the CPU priority of audio players, and the hd-audio0 kernel thread, to fix sound stutter when multitasking.
  • Finally, it increases wifi transmit power and noise filter in nvram.txt to increase wifi range.
  • I also made my own patch to enable Miracast.
 
Last edited:

parrotgeek1

Senior Member
Feb 14, 2014
835
1,218
parrotgeek.com
Looks nice :3 Sounds like a very good ROM for newbies, I'd be happy if you'd do the same ROM with the 3.4 kernel when it comes out and CM13/Android 6.0 AOSP.

Maybe if I have beta testers. The Nexus 7 is now in the hands of its (much happier) original owner. Almost all of the mods in this zip except /system/lib and mira4u apk should work M though. Also probably tilapia if you remove the assert in updater script which I will do soon
 

sroma1980

Senior Member
May 7, 2013
77
45
Lisbon
Is this a rom or a simple mod to install over stock lollipop, because the downloadable zip only has 13mb?
 

Ice Zodiac

Senior Member
May 11, 2007
51
8
well this is my personal experience with this rom

coming from virgin unrooted, locked bootloader, never been into the darkside :) with my given by best friend nexus 7 (2012 and 16gb)
always OTA updated until 5.1.1
can't stand with lag and everythings else.
a litte bit google and found this thread.

so i factory reset my nexus
download parrot rom (saved in download folder)
download kingroot (saved in download folder too)
install es file manager from playstore, browse to download folder, install kingroot
running kingroot
download super SU
install flashify from play store
running flashify and choose recovery, choose TWRP, download and flash TWRP. after finish press back button
uninstall kingroot and purify
reboot into recovery (power off first. power on while holding BOTH volume UP and DOWN) until boot screen appear. -in firstpost say just power and vol down, well is not working for me. i have to hold both volume keys.
in TWRP recovery backup my current rom (just in case no body knows whatt would happend in the future)
after that select install
select parrot
add super SU
and waitt........

viola everything running smooth as butter. no more delay.
will stay in this rom for now.
just hoping may be in the future just add playstore. so we can download everything else we need and no redundancy.

thank you for your effort making this rom
 

parrotgeek1

Senior Member
Feb 14, 2014
835
1,218
parrotgeek.com
just hoping may be in the future just add playstore. so we can download everything else we need and no redundancy.
what? do you mean delete more preloaded google apps? If so, I'm maybe thinking about replacing Play Music with Eleven or Shuttle, and add motorola camera and gallery instead of google photos, and CM12.1 browser & also viper4android
thank you for your effort making this rom
you're welcome
 

Ice Zodiac

Senior Member
May 11, 2007
51
8
what? do you mean delete more preloaded google apps? If so, I'm maybe thinking about replacing Play Music with Eleven or Shuttle, and add motorola camera and gallery instead of google photos, and CM12.1 browser & also viper4android

yes real AOSP with nothing accept play service and play store so if i want play music, i download play music or else i can download power amp. i can cownload google camera or maybe just camera 360.
BTW the slow charging still not fix on my nexus. over night charging only from 18% until 80% (more than 10 hours)

thank you for your effort. i will try to do wipe (factory reset) maybe will comeout differently)
 
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parrotgeek1

Senior Member
Feb 14, 2014
835
1,218
parrotgeek.com
Just a question, it is a mod I can use with any rom ?
I am on Orion rom.

thanks.

Yes, if you open the zip and delete the contents of /system/priv-app and /system/app. Also delete any thing in the updater script that has delete(...) or delete_recursive, and the line in the patch prop.sh that has lmy47v in it. Then rezip

if you use it on marshmallow it will bootloop unless you delete libstagefright_wfd and libMira4U. But then miracast won't work

If your rom has stagefright fixed delete libstagefright_EVERYTHING-BUT-wfd.so and libutils and libcutils

I'm going to make a universal version later, sorry

EDIT: you have to flash SuperSU even if your rom includes built in su
 
Last edited:

AndrewFX

Senior Member
Sep 15, 2012
100
31
yes real AOSP with nothing accept play service and play store so if i want play music, i download play music or else i can download power amp. i can cownload google camera or maybe just camera 360.
BTW the slow charging still not fix on my nexus. over night charging only from 18% until 80% (more than 10 hours)

thank you for your effort. i will try to do wipe (factory reset) maybe will comeout differently)

i couldn't fix it either, it happens to me too

Try to rapitly insert and erase the charger few times. That works for me.

Sorry for OT. I know this issue and I know how to resolve it. It's a problem with the flat cable of the micro USB port. With a little tear down you can resolve the problem. Take off the back cover, screw the speakers and USB board, detach flat cable and put a piece of transparent tape above it in order to make more pressure on pins. Reassemble all the components and take a look if the problem still here
 

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  • 138
    What is ParrotMod?

    This is a mod to greatly improve the performance of the 2012 Nexus 7, on ANY rooted Android 4.3+ ROM.
    It doesn't work on Nougat. I can't fix it, because I don't own this device anymore - I gave it to a friend's little brother.
    Feel free to fork it and fix that.

    (Got a 2013 Nexus 7? Use this version: http://xdaforums.com/nexus-7-2013/orig-development/beta-1-parrotmod-improve-2013-nexus-7-t3375928)

    Download:
    https://parrotgeek.com/dl.php?file=ParrotMod_Universal_2016-08-31.zip

    Use this one if the other one doesn't improve the speed: https://parrotgeek.com/dl.php?file=ParrotMod_Universal_2016-10-17.zip

    GitHub:
    https://github.com/parrotgeek1/ParrotMod_Nexus_7_2012
    Feel free to fork/pull request! But always credit me if you make something based on it and tell me in a PM or email.

    IMPORTANT NOTE

    ParrotMod needs 8MB of free space on the system partition. Don't use huge gapps packages.
    ParrotMod requires a recovery that has BusyBox built in. (All versions of TWRP do. CWM does not.)

    PLEASE disable IO scheduler/RAM/read ahead tweaks in kernel apps. They override ParrotMod's meticulously optimized settings.

    REQUIRES LATEST SUPERSU INSTALLED FIRST https://download.chainfire.eu/supersu-stable
    EVEN IF YOUR ROM HAS BUILT IN ROOT LIKE CYANOGENMOD, TURN IT OFF IN SETTINGS, THEN FLASH SUPERSU!!
    Does NOT support PHH/MagiskSU, ONLY SUPERSU

    If the installer warns you about TRIM on boot being disabled, it's a good idea to schedule TRIM using an app like Trimmer, or just leave your tablet on overnight (on silent) instead of turning it off, so it can automatically trim.

    You can tell if ParrotMod is working by checking if the file /sys/block/mmcblk0/queue/read_ahead_kb contains "0", using a root explorer. Do NOT use ROM Toolbox or Root Browser, otherwise you will not be able to see the folders. Use Solid Explorer or FX.

    Features:

    • FLASH MEMORY SPEED INCREASE! up to 4x better performance WITHOUT F2FS OR DYNAMIC FSYNC
    • Auto trim at boot, but ONLY for Samsung flash storage (it is too slow for Hynix/Kingston)
    • Uses ext4 but can use data/cache f2fs
    • Audio stutter and multitasking fix
    • Miracast enabled (but it freezes on disconnect unless you unplug from the receiver end)
    • Can set up device without Wi-Fi
    • Bluetooth 4.0 enabled (BLE/GATT/SMP), CVE vulnerabilities fixed (for 5.x)
    • More apps open at once (minfree tweak, scheduler tweaks, 64k log buffers, zram optimized)
    • LCD color fix (no Nvidia smartdimmer/Prism)
    • Internet optimizations
    • Can use more storage space before it doesn't let you download things
    • Survives ROM updates with addon.d
    • Tethering without carrier checks on 3G Nexus 7
    • Speed up full disk encryption
    • GPU optimizations (without OC!) and hardware acceleration properties, decrease GPU RAM usage by 4.4mb per app!
    • Reverted to dlmalloc for reducing ram usage / ART_USE_HSPACE_COMPACT enabled for better garbage collection [Not on 5.0.x]

    Instructions - From unrooted stock 5.1.1

    1. Download the KingRoot apk from here on your tablet, install it, ignore the warnings about the app being unsafe, and tap Root. If it says root failed, try again. It will eventually work.
    2. Install Flashify from the Play Store
    3. Download the latest Universal zip in the download link above on your tablet
    4. Download the SuperSU zip from https://download.chainfire.eu/supersu-stable on your tablet
    5. Open Flashify and install TWRP recovery, the latest version
    6. Open the KingRoot app, tap Menu 3 dots icon, General settings, uninstall KingRoot
    7. Delete the KingRoot and Purify apps
    8. Plug your tablet into a computer! (not even a charger) otherwise it will freeze on the next step. This is a bug in the tablet itself.
    9. Reboot your tablet while holding the power and volume down buttons. If this does not work power on while holding BOTH volume UP and DOWN.
    10. Scroll with volume buttons to Recovery mode and tap power button
    11. You will see a Google screen and then TeamWin logo, just wait
    12. Tap Never show this screen again and Swipe to allow modification
    13. Tap Install
    14. You will see the files on your internal storage, go to Download folder
    15. Tap on ParrotMod_XXXXXXX.zip
    16. Tap add more zips
    17. You will see the files on your internal storage, go to Download folder
    18. Tap on UPDATE-SuperSU-v2.XX.zip
    19. Swipe to confirm flash
    20. When it finishes installing tap Reboot System
    21. Your tablet will reboot
    22. Wait 30 seconds for the device to settle
    23. Enjoy the improved speed! (You can delete ParrotMod_XXXXXXX.zip now)
    Extras

    Fix for speaker/headphone buzzing while charging: https://parrotgeek.com/dl.php?file=ParrotMod_ChargingNoiseFix.zip

    Upgrade notes

    It is safe to flash new ParrotMod versions without wiping data.
    IF YOU UPGRADE MAJOR ANDROID VERSIONS YOU MUST WIPE SYSTEM, FLASH THE WHOLE ROM, AND REINSTALL PARROTMOD.
    UPGRADING ROM BUILDS WORKS FINE! In ROMs with addon.d support, it will even keep ParrotMod installed.

    Please don't use with ParrotMod:

    • L Speed/any other "supercharger" like tweaks. I will ignore any support requests if you use them. Most are very badly programmed/full of placebos.
    • Disable journaling zip (it conflicts with my script, and doesn't improve performance)
    • Don't limit background processes, it might even make the tablet SLOWER. As of version 2016-04-30, the installer script removes this setting from build.prop automatically.

    Known Bugs

    • Doesn't work on most Nougat ROMs
    • Miracast will freeze the tablet on disconnection unless you disconnect from the TV/dongle side. This is a common Tegra issue.
    • The optimizations to the ART runtime do not work when Xposed is installed, and you will see reduced performance! They also don't work on 4.4.x or 5.0.x.
    Recommended Kernel:
    https://xdaforums.com/nexus-7/development/kernel-dc-kernel-t3310642

    Slow charging hardware fix:
    https://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?p=65039448

    Credit

    • Busybox from BSZAospLp ROM LMY49H
    • libc/libart from i9300 CM14/i9300 CM13/i9300 JustArchi CM12.1 old beta
    • Charging Noise Fix is based on an apk from the Moto G 2015 stock ROM.
    • Bluetooth 4.0 libs for 4.3 from https://github.com/manuelnaranjo/AndroidBluetoothLowEnergyEnabler/tree/master/releases
    • BT4.0 KitKat libs from cm-11-20160509-UNOFFICIAL-grouper by @dookie23
    • BT4.0 5.x libs from Dreams - version 5.3.9.4 for Maguro
    • BT4.0 6.x libs from aosp_grouper-ota-eng-20160803.ds.zip by @AndDiSa
    • BT4.0 7.x libs from cm-14.0-20160924-UNOFFICIAL-i9300.zip by @Taker18
    Thanks

    • Thanks to bangsergio on XDA for testing several dozen beta versions.
    • Thanks to @nereis for showing me a zram tweak.
    How ParrotMod Works

    • ParrotMod works by trying to counteract the slow flash storage speed, by decreasing unnecessary reads and writes, and also optimizing how well processes share the bandwidth.
    • To optimize RAM, it also changes minfree values, replaces libart and libc with optimized versions (reverting to the memory allocator that was in 4.4.4), and enables zram (but in a less CPU intensive compression mode).
    • It also enables GPU clock scaling instead of throttling based on CPU speed, to improve performance in GPU-bound games. It also disables Nvidia PRISM adaptive backlight to fix washed out screen in videos.
    • It increases the CPU priority of audio players, and the hd-audio0 kernel thread, to fix sound stutter when multitasking.
    • Finally, it increases wifi transmit power and noise filter in nvram.txt to increase wifi range.
    • I also made my own patch to enable Miracast.
    28
    Hey,
    as you made such an amazing job to revive an otherwise useless device (stalls from 30s to over a minute using stock), I am baffled by how Google and/or manufacturers fail to fix issues that a single student figured out (undoubtedly gifted but with no vast experience that pro dev teams can pretend having). Unless it is patented planned obsolescence, that is. On a related note, my LG V500 tablet looks stupid even with CM13 compared to grouper... I mean Android has serious issues to address before it can take on Apple. There is no excuses for software to cripple perfectly valid hardware (although grouper flash is not exactly up to par).
    So, thanks again and hopefully you'll get a call from Google soon enough (wishing you wouldn't be too disappointed by discovering the inner workings of software dev teams and processes burden) :)
    Thank you.

    There are basically three issues here, actually:

    1) Google made no effort to optimise CFQ scheduler for flash storage - it's meant for hard drives! The default settings on Android even have *idling* enabled. I fixed that using the official Ubuntu recommendations for SSDs. It wouldn't matter on their other devices

    2) For whatever reason, Asus set the mmcblk0 read ahead value to an insane 2 MB (the default is 128kb). This exacerbates the issues on this flash chip. I undid this change.

    3) Ext4 file system is not at all optimised for flash storage. I helped that by cutting down on unnecessary I/O with mount options.

    Sent from my Moto G using XDA-Developers mobile app
    25
    I uploaded a new version with some fixes especially for app launch speed. I merged it back from the changes in the 2013 N7 version.
    24
    HUGE UPDATE:

    Version 2.0 will include a 98% fix for the music stuttering when multitasking.
    Also, app launch speeds are almost 2.5x as fast as in the video in the first post. Twitter only takes 4 seconds to open.

    Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA-Developers mobile app
    18
    I have made a new version that should work on EVERY rom even 7.0 without editing the script!
    download it at the same link as in OP

    to check if it works
    open terminal emulator
    type

    su
    getprop parrotmod.running

    if it says "yes" then it works