How to properly flash a custom rom? - Samsung Galaxy J5 Questions & Answers

Hi guys,
So it's been quite a long time since I last attempted to root or flash a custom recovery/rom on an android device... So long in fact that I can only remember as far back as the Sony-Ericsson Xperia X8, and the Samsung Galaxy S2.
Since then, I've become VERY rusty because, due to the area of work I'm in, I needed an iPhone (oh jeez was that just torture).
Anyway, I'm now an owner of an 8GB Samsung Galaxy J5 (SM-J500FN) and being quite tech savvy, you can probably guess that I've already run out of the 4GB space provided. So, I've decided to try and jump back into the world of rooting and flashing custom roms/recoveries.
BUT! Because I've been out for so long, my young, naive, scared Sh*tl*ss self has re-emerged, because he's looked through LOADS of threads and guides on how to do this and has gone... NOPE!
So this is why I'm here. I'm very aware that there are loads of guides out there, but I've a few questions about it all, and hopefully with any luck, this could be turned into an AiO (All in One) guide for those just starting with this concept.
Even so. Here's a few things I'd like out of this... First, I'm very much interested in having TWRP as my recovery. I did use CWM back in the day but found it non-user friendly (but that's just me). I'd also like to have either Cyanogen 12.1 or 13 (though I've seen that there are still bugs in 13 whereas 12.1 is virtually bugless).
So here are my questions:
I've read that you need a key to unlock the Samsung Bootloader to enable you to flash TWRP. Is that true with the J5? (NOTE: I did enable OEM Unlocking in the Developer options)
If I flash TWRP, will my phone get completely wiped, or not?
Will KNOX try to interfere with the flashingof TWRP, or once TWRP is flashed, will KNOX generally bugger about with the phone? (I've heard that KNOX will prevent the device from accessing Samsung servers if it deems the device to be "Unofficial")
How likely is it to brick the phone through flashing the recovery?
I know those questions are probably really simply answered in guides but that's not the point of this, I'd rather have somewhere, one place, where people can see all the answers rather than having to go looking for hours and end up getting very scared! xD
Finally:
How do I flash TWRP onto my J5 (SM-J500FN)? (I've seen loads of guides to this all doing it in very weird and colourful ways, but all very, very different!) Please don't point me to some random guide, I'd like more of a lay-mans terms on how to do this as it's all confusing.
How do I flash Cyanogen 12.1/13? (Is this the same as CWM where you click "Install" select the .zip and then it does it for you?
As said above, this is designed mainly for piece of mind, but also a more definitive thread to how to successfully achieve this!

My experience of flashing TWRP is from using the same phone as yourself SM-J500fn and its all really simple.
Please remember that I'm just another guy who uses this site so I'm only sharing my experience of using the same phone.
You have already unlocked the OEM in the developer settings so no need to worry about bootloader like in some other phones.
Make sure that you download the most current version of the recovery that you want to use.
I had trouble with a recovery before and it was just due to the fact that the recovery was not good.
I'm pretty sure that you will lose all warranty from flashing a custom recovery but KNOX has not given me any trouble.
I didn't lose any info off my phone when I simply flashed a recovery only when I either flashed a new ROM via ODIN or a custom ROM via TWRP.
It was a really simple easy thing for me to do. Once i made sure that I had all the drivers and ODIN and TWRP downloaded then out only took a few mins.
Installation of Cm 12.1 was just a case of pressing the correct buttons but I made sure I did a full back up and good wipe before installing.
I have purposely only given you my experience of doing this no guides / downloads etc. I'm not a developer just somebody who enjoys paying around with my Android phone.
Hope that was of some help. I'm happy to share what experience I have.
John

Not sure what guides you have looking, but not the right ones.
1- No key needed to unlock bootloader, only OEM Unlocking
2- TWRP will wipe the partitions you select, but that doesn't mean more user space, the user space partition (internal data) size is fixed
3- KNOX doesn't interfere, KNOX is a system protection on Samsung ROMs
4- If you read the instructions carefully there's problem, it's not that difficult
You need a recovery based on what ROM you will install
[RECOVERY] [TWRP-3.0.2-0] Samsung Galaxy J5 [MM][Android 6.0.1]
[RECOVERY][TWRP 3.0.2-0]TWRP Recovery for Samsung Galaxy J5 (2015) [Android 5.1.1]
Each recovery has is own instructions, just follow and you should have problems, same with custom roms
[ROM][UNOFFICIAL][5.1.1]CyanogenMod 12.1 for Samsung Galaxy J5 (2015)
Thats the only build from source (til now), the others are ports, ports can have more bugs a less security updates and CM updates integration.

Related

[Q] ANNOYING S4!! Help needed

Ok guys, here's the deal. i bought a secondhand s4 which was advertised as a google edition. it has a couple of annoying issues, first i noticed it switching itself off and on. the worst problem with it is that when my battery goes reeeally dead it just bootloops when i have recharged. the only way i can get it back on is to start it in recovery mode (which is clockworkmod v6.0.4.4) then do a factory wipe. so yeah thats a major pain. the s4 itself is a red model and behind the battery it says its a gt-19505, however in the settings on the phone it says its a gt-19505g.
my goal is to install an official firmware if possible that i may be able to update easily, the worry that i have is that i dont know if it would then accept my network as although it appears to run google edition custom firmware it may not once i install something official on it. this may be a nooby statement i know but a noob i am lol.
if its at all possible could i keep the cwm recovery?
and if its any help when i load the other boot loader thingy (with the green android on it) in the top left it says gt-19505, im just sayin cus im sure its vital which ever this phone actually is.
here are as many details as i can give but please ask if im missing anything
ANDROID VERSION 4.4.2
KERNEL VERSION 3.4.0-faux123-KK44-GE-Custom
[email protected]omain #20
Sun Dec 1 02:30:28 CST 2013
BASEBAND VERSION 19505XXUFNA1
BUILD NUMBER KOT49H.S001.131204
also upon booting in the top left it says "kernel is not seandroid enforcing
set warranty bit:kernel"
THANKS FOR YOUR TIME And please tell me where to start as i tried updating it via kies to fix it but it just wont connect, i assume due to custom firmware.
The Google Play Edition S4 devices didn't come in any color but white. Therefore, this is an I9505 with a custom ROM on it. The download mode screen reading GT-I9505 confirmed it.
Since this is an I9505 and not an I9505G, the main question is whether this device will work with your SIM card. For that, simply insert your SIM card and boot the device. If you get signal, you're good. Otherwise you'll have to unlock the device, either by purchasing an unlock code from one of the sites that sells them, or by trying the unlock methods available on the forums.
This will also help answer the question of which stock ROM you can install on the device. If the S4 doesn't prompt you to unlock the device, then you can install one of the unbranded S4 ROMs available on sammobile.com. After that, you can put the recovery of your choice on the S4, though I recommend TWRP over the other options.
Thanks for your help. I'm a little confused though, at the moment with this custom google edition ROM it does take my sim, in fact I bet it takes any sim, I heard that was a feature of google play devices. What I meant was after I install the stock ROM will it then not take my sim. So if it has already been unlocked How would I know which ROM to install? As I now know its not a google edition, is it possible to install an official google edition ROM? Do i use this download mode, Odin, or cwm to install a firmware. I'm just not sure what my starting point is. I don't wanna follow someone's guide yet to installing something just in case I'm jumping the gun and need to uninstall this custom ROM somehow.
Sorry for asking questions that I'm sure seem dumb I'm really just trying to learn at the moment I'm green as they come with android. BTW thanks for your suggestions so far, you def seem like you know what you're talking about, cheers
Google Play devices are carrier unlocked, but this is not a Google Play Edition S4. Therefore the device was carrier unlocked at some point in its past. The unknown here is how the original owner unlocked the device. If he or she used the unlocking methods found on XDA there is a chance the lock will be lost when installing a stock ROM.
If the S4 is unlocked, you aren't restricted to a particular region and can install any I9505 ROM using Odin, though I recommend the carrier unbranded ROMs. You cannot install a stock Google Play Edition ROM on the device as the model number of a GPE device is not the same as the device you have. However, you're already rooted and have a custom recovery installed. In I9505 Development here on XDA there is a Google Play Edition ROM that can be installed on your device. Download it to your S4, wipe everything in recovery, then flash the ROM's flashable zip in recovery. I've used said ROM and it works quite well.
OK I have found the 5.0.1 ge ROM , but in there it says I must use latest recovery or whatever plus it recommended one different to mine, is it safe to install using my version of cwm or do I need to learn how to change it??
Deleted by user
TWRP is recommended as there are people who are still maintaining it, unlike Clockworkmod and Philz. While you probably can get the ROM installed using the version of Clockworkmod you have, learning how to change recoveries is useful.
OK thank you for all your help my friend, I will now find out how to do this, I'm sure there is a section on this somewhere, BTW I think you are right about my device being rooted, but I wanted to check and I followed a guide and used super su but apparently its not rooted so I guess something must've gone wrong. Bit scary if I try to change my recovery or my firmware and this causes a brick hmmmmm
It's virtually impossible to brick the S4, especially as the recovery is flashed through Odin.
Phew that's a relief. Thanks man.... Well I'm gonna just risk using cwm for now as I'm new to this........ Thanks a whole lot for your time I really mean that.
KlLLFRENZY said:
Phew that's a relief. Thanks man.... Well I'm gonna just risk using cwm for now as I'm new to this........ Thanks a whole lot for your time I really mean that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use TWRP. CMW is outdated.
Lennyz1988 said:
Use TWRP. CMW is outdated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I want to, I really do but I'm struggling here. Before I wrote that last comment I tried to find a guide on this forum for swapping to twrp, but couldn't and didn't wanna bug this guy as he had helped enough. Anyway I went to the place he told me and have hit another wall anyway because I don't know how to use the firmware the relevant kernel or the git. My life is so busy and I'm getting about an hour on this subject a day and its gonna take forever lol
If you can help me on my way even a little its much appreciated, I would like to use twrp and the 5.0.1 ge plus the right kernel of course
KlLLFRENZY said:
I want to, I really do but I'm struggling here. Before I wrote that last comment I tried to find a guide on this forum for swapping to twrp, but couldn't and didn't wanna bug this guy as he had helped enough. Anyway I went to the place he told me and have hit another wall anyway because I don't know how to use the firmware the relevant kernel or the git. My life is so busy and I'm getting about an hour on this subject a day and its gonna take forever lol
If you can help me on my way even a little its much appreciated, I would like to use twrp and the 5.0.1 ge plus the right kernel of course
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
https://twrp.me/devices/samsunggalaxys4internationalqualcomm.html
Follow the Odin guide. It's excactly the same when you flashed CWM.
@Lennyz1988: The S4 was bought secondhand and already had CWM on it from the original owner.
@killfrenzy: Follow the guide Lenny mentioned, but don't worry about the second paragraph. Our device isn't one of those that restores the original recovery on boot.
ok will do, i just tried the app install method but as i suspected, it said root is required for this app and promptly exited so i shall do the odin method, i heard that some people remove root or it could be that it was done wrong. also after reading a few posts here and there i found out that someone had similar issues with their phone random re-booting and they had custom ge with the wrong kernel so it seems once im done my issues should be history if i learn how to install fw + kernel, after this twrp thing i will be one step closer for sure. i also know ppl slate lollipop but once im all done with this im sure i will have picked up enough terminology to install cfw's to my hearts content. hooray for forums and people like you, sounds like im kissin ass but its just gratitude
so using the twrp install guide i gotta install using the odin method i have now got 3.07 odin but this is the next step.........
Odin Install Method (No Root Required):
You will need to download and install Odin on your PC. Once you have Odin installed, download the proper .tar file for your device from the download link above. Power off your device. Turn on your device using the proper key combo to get into download mode and attach the device to your computer via a USB cable. Use the PDA tab or button to browse to and select the tar file that you downloaded and flash the device.
lololol nothins ever simple i see the list of tar files in the link above but no mention at all as to which is the proper .tar for my device, i guess they assume the guide is for people who have done it before. more research tomorrow maybe i gotta be up early ugh
Lennyz1988 said:
https://twrp.me/devices/samsunggalaxys4internationalqualcomm.html
Follow the Odin guide. It's excactly the same when you flashed CWM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Think you misunderstood, I have flashed nothing yet I got it like this. I'm completely green
Don't suppose anybody knows which is the tar file for my device?? S4gt-19505
OK now I get it, the list of tars in that section are all the same just newer builds of the same version. Seems obvious if you have done this before, but I wasn't to know that and cannot assume things. I'm also gonna guess and say Lenny thinks my s4 needs this particular version for an international, am I right?? Anyway it would've made a lot of sense but how does he know. I have no idea what this phone was I have never owned it new.
Different devices have different codes. For example, jfltexx is the I9505. A T-Mobile S4 would be jfltetmo, and so on.The link Lenny provided is for the I9505. Download the 2.8.6.0 version as its the latest.
As to how you were supposed to know, having never owned one, you weren't. There are tutorials in the General forum though that can help.

Looking for help on Unlocking Bootloader and Running Resurrection Remixed on G-900V

Hi all,
I'm new to rooting and modifying my Verizon S5 - so I don't have the most technical knowledge of Android nor do I have a deep understanding of related jargon yet. Recently I was able to root my phone using jrkruse's method (http://forum.xda-developers.com/verizon-galaxy-s5/general/root-method-og5-ok3-t3290370). I then wanted to flash a new ROM - Resurrection Remix MM in particular. Through some research this seemed the best to my needs.
I understood that to do so I needed to first unlock my bootlader. So to do so I followed GeTex's post at http://forum.xda-developers.com/ver...t/rd-unlocking-galaxys-s5-bootloader-t3337909. I followed Method 1. All was well until the step of installiong Bootloader_Unlock_Safestrap.apk to my phone. After doing that and installing safestrap again like the guide said, I went to reboot my phone into recovery mode, however, initially there was only a black screen. Then, a message told me that Safestrap was disabled and gave me the options of recovery or allowing to continue. Here is a photograph of the screen (found online, not my own imagehttp://img.wonderhowto.com/img/99/57/63530107864095/0/install-custom-recovery-new-rom-your-bootloader-locked-samsung-galaxy-s4.w1456.jpg) Tapping "recovery" brought me to Safestrap and tapping "continue" made the screen black again - no Samsung or Verizon load screen followed.
Thinking that maybe this was normal, and that I had to flash one of the safestrap bootloader unlocks, I flashed SafeStrap_PD1_Bootloader_Unlock_AIO.zip as the phone was in safestrap. After that, any way of starting up my phone showed me a small message in red at the top of my screen saying my kernel was bad or broken (sorry I don't know the message verbatim - I should, but it was a while ago and I was in a hurry to have a functioning phone ASAP for work and was immediately concerned with unbricking my phone rather) a warning sign (big triangle with a !) telling me to use VZW software repair.
If anyone can pick out specifically where I went wrong, that would be great. However, as I'm a noob and there's a lot of room for error, that may be easier said than done.
It would also be helpful if someone could tell me (or link me guides) how to set up Resurrection Remix (or any other great ROM you would recommend) on an S5 G-9000V.
Also, any general advice for a noobie looking to optimize his Android would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks! Love this community for how quickly and how well they help out people with troubles like this
Bumping this, looking for help.
Would love some tips, even if they're simple general direction on how to set up this rom.
Thanks all!
jd13 said:
Bumping this, looking for help.
Would love some tips, even if they're simple general direction on how to set up this rom.
Thanks all!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After you have unlocked your bootloader, you should just flash the new recovery (I use TWRP) using Odin software. Once TWRP recovery is installed, boot to TWRP recovery and flash RR RoM. Just follow the RR RoM thread and choose Verizon variance.
I don't use safestrap anymore once I were able to unlock my bootloader. Just make sure that your bootloader IS IN FACT UNLOCK, before you can flasH TWRP.
johnnybg00d said:
After you have unlocked your bootloader, you should just flash the new recovery (I use TWRP) using Odin software. Once TWRP recovery is installed, boot to TWRP recovery and flash RR RoM. Just follow the RR RoM thread and choose Verizon variance.
I don't use safestrap anymore once I were able to unlock my bootloader. Just make sure that your bootloader IS IN FACT UNLOCK, before you can flasH TWRP.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks a lot for your help, but I just did some more research and found out that my eMMC was in fact Toshiba, while I had originally thought it was Samsung. Oh well! Guess I'll stick to TW based ROMs on my firmware. I was thinking of going with MOAR Lollipop.

Need Beginner's Guide, so Custom Rom can be installed

***UPDATE***
Thanks to reply, I have now successfully done everything I set out to do, and created follow-up guide!
You can find it HERE
Original Post below:
Hello Everyone!
I'd like to start off saying I used to have a Nexus 4, with TWRP and Lollipop-based CyanogenMod. I was able to install this all by myself, and keep both TWRP and the ROM updated. I also flashed custom radio to unlock the LTE capability on that phone. My tool of choice to help customize the phone was Nexus Root toolkit.
I was able to follow guides posted long ago on these forums, to do what I wanted with the Nexus 4 back in 2013/2014, but it seems I'm not so capable these days. I've hit such a roadblock with lack of root and constant stutters/slowdowns with everyday use on my current device, the Axon 7, that I must get away from the stock software. I heard it was not so easy with other devices, and while a few devs have posted wonderful guides for users, it's just not enough for a true beginner like me. From skimming guides posted, it seems like devs already expect you to have installed custom recovery, or unlocked bootloader. Then when I try to do these things, so I can move onto custom ROM, it seems the guides are out of date or just not step-by-step enough for me to use, and I don't want to take a risk and brick my device trying things that I'm not sure about. I'm a power user through and through, but not so up-to-date or knowledgeable enough to be able to follow the guides already on the forums. Consider me 1 out of 5 on tech level for Android software.
Here's the model/software already on my device: Stock everything, from bootloader and recovery, to ROM.
Model: A2017U, Nougat 7.0 on B15 ROM
What I still need clarification on:
with my device already running on nougat, do I need to install the nougat universal bootloader/radio I saw in earlier guides?
will LineageOS have any downgrades in regard to audio quality, on either the headphone output or speakers?
will my ROM of choice have Daydream VR support? if not what would be needed?
this is not a big deal, but do I need a special app or entire custom ROM if I'm interested in a temporary unroot to use apps like Android Pay?
Here's what I want on my device: TWRP, LineageOS with root.
If anyone, expert users and devs alike, could reply with current known-good info about the following, I and a lot of other users would be eternally grateful:
unlocking the bootloader, installing TWRP, and LineageOS, in a stupidly long but simple step-by-step process.
Quick follow-up info:
What I can do so far: download current LineageOS nightly, correct version of root .zip, and TWRP from official websites
NO, I'm not good with using ADB on Windows to get things done. I had to ask a friend to help me install it on windows, the guide he sent was much easier than the one i was using, and he still had to walk me through how to use it once installed to help me unlock bootloader/root on another device, Zenphone Zoom if anyone is interested.
PLEASE, don't link me to other guides for any part of this process, if the steps are thorough and relevant, please copy here, of course with all due credit given to original poster.
Feel free to let me know if more info about my knowledge level or device is needed to help you work on my request.
Thanks for reading, here's to several years more of everyone enjoying this wonderful device!
ok there is three real steps, but it can be aheadache, mainly because you didn't unlock before going to nougat.
Step 1. Downgrade to B29 Marshmallow - go here https://www.zteusa.com/axon-7/ and on the support tab in software updates is a full B29 software package. Download it, unzip it once, then put the update.zip file on your SD card.
- on the phone, in developers options, turn on OEM unlocking (it is needed to flash from sd card)
- boot phone to recovery, choose update from sd card, pick the update.zip from the sdcard, the phone will flash the B29 software. It is a bit slow, let it do what it needs to do.
Step 2. Unlock phone and install TWRP - go here https://forum.xda-developers.com/axon-7/development/edl-emergency-dl-mode-twrp-unlock-t3553514 download the miflash program, fastboot unlock program, and twrp for B29.
- instructions are all there, just do what it says.
Step 3, Install LineageOS - https://forum.xda-developers.com/axon-7/development/unofficial-lineageos-14-1-zte-axon-7-t3545679 very straight forward. Don't forget to install first the bootloader, then the rom, then gapps.
What makes this so hard is not being easily able to unlock in nougat. Most of us here unlocked way before marshmallow
No need to downgrade to b29.
lafester said:
No need to downgrade to b29.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was thinking this too. Should be as simple as the steps below
1) Flash signed twrp using axonroot tool - this pry's open the door
2) Using twrp, flash fastboot (b20_fbop or something?) - opens door wider
3) Enable usb debugging and oem unlocking in developer options
4) reboot to fastboot/bootloader mode
5) fastboot oem unlock - door is now wide open
Done.
gpz1100 said:
I was thinking this too. Should be as simple as the steps below
1) Flash signed twrp using axonroot tool - this pry's open the door
2) Using twrp, flash fastboot (b20_fbop or something?) - opens door wider
3) Enable usb debugging and oem unlocking in developer options
4) reboot to fastboot/bootloader mode
5) fastboot oem unlock - door is now wide open
Done.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is that a "should work" or "does work" because I'm trying to root and install LOS also on stock non rooted nougat Axon 7 and so far I've gotten nowhere and no one seems to be able to give me a list that says Yes this works
Help needed
I followed the instructions and is apparently in a boot loop. Initially it was working but now it is not. I can't even wipe the device to start from scratch. Is there another ROM available to try?
kingoftheafro said:
Is that a "should work" or "does work" because I'm trying to root and install LOS also on stock non rooted nougat Axon 7 and so far I've gotten nowhere and no one seems to be able to give me a list that says Yes this works
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is exactly the reason I made my post, I need concrete answers not guesses. Glad to see someone else needs the same answers
kaiso said:
I followed the instructions and is apparently in a boot loop. Initially it was working but now it is not. I can't even wipe the device to start from scratch. Is there another ROM available to try?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you downgrade to Marshmallow B29 first or skip this step?
[email protected] said:
This is exactly the reason I made my post, I need concrete answers not guesses. Glad to see someone else needs the same answers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm praying that someone will compile the information spread about into 3 guides that are model specific so people like us won't rack our heads trying to figure out what on earth to do.
[email protected] said:
Hello Everyone!
Model: A2017U, Nougat 7.0 on B15 ROM
What I still need clarification on:
1with my device already running on nougat, do I need to install the nougat universal bootloader/radio I saw in earlier guides?
2will LineageOS have any downgrades in regard to audio quality, on either the headphone output or speakers?
3will my ROM of choice have Daydream VR support? if not what would be needed?
4this is not a big deal, but do I need a special app or entire custom ROM if I'm interested in a temporary unroot to use apps like Android Pay?
Here's what I want on my device: TWRP, LineageOS with root.
If anyone, expert users and devs alike, could reply with current known-good info about the following, I and a lot of other users would be eternally grateful:
unlocking the bootloader, installing TWRP, and LineageOS, in a stupidly long but simple step-by-step process.
Quick follow-up info:
What I can do so far: download current LineageOS nightly, correct version of root .zip, and TWRP from official websites
5NO, I'm not good with using ADB on Windows to get things done. I had to ask a friend to help me install it on windows, the guide he sent was much easier than the one i was using, and he still had to walk me through
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, I've edited your post to clear some of the clutter and numbered everything so I can answer everything.
1. No, bootloader updates are only for users who haven't updated to B15 (through official means)
2. Only audio issues are with the front facing speakers. The way they sound is if you turn them up to 100% and then push it even higher to like 140%. So if you keep it at about 71% they sound normal. Check this guide here to get even better quality on overall sound (headphones, speakers)
3.B15 and LOS both work with Daydream. I currently use LOS with my Daydream headset currently.
4.Magisk with this kernel here. Currently have fully functioning Android Pay with LOS.
5. This is a big problem. If you're not comfortable with ADB you should maybe rethink messing with this phone. EDL mode (which is how I flash TWRP and subsequently the B20 bootloader to unlock) is very similar to ADB and the tools needed to flash in EDL can brick your device. Learning how to use ADB isn't bad but it's good as a fallback so you're not relying on strangers to help you out in a pinch (which most will, I just like having the ability to do things mostly myself).
---------- Post added at 10:05 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:55 AM ----------
nolimit78 said:
I'll keep on saying this as much as I need to, I get where you're coming from. There's a lot of data about the correct way of doing things. Best thing to do is read and search. When I got my phone B29 was the new hotness and there was a bunch of older data floating around that I had to sift through. But I did it, I sifted and found my own way and combined two different methods to get my phone rooted and flashed with LOS. Honestly, the trial and error, the searching, the sifting is totally worthwhile because while this device is /DIFFERENT/ compared to methods for HTC and Samsung products, it's not harder. It's better to get yourself properly antiquated to the device you plan on flashing/hacking/rooting because there is /always/ a chance for bricking. Then another thread will be created asking for help to unbrick. Take the time, read now, read everything, understand your device, then push forward.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I quoted this because this thread is like the third I've seen in the last couple days. But to offer some help, this is the guide that I've followed with two phones one running B29 stock and one running B15 Stock. It remains the same because of the use of EDL. It's also good in case you want to go back to complete stock (which at the time was speculated would brick your device) but I read between the lines and discovered that it's just not a big deal. Once you get TWRP installed, make sure your Data partition is EXT4, flash LOS, flash GApps and you're good to go.
The hardest part of the process, is getting your drivers to be recognized properly for the EDL flashing tool to work. Anti-Virus softwares tend to throw false positives with tools like the EDL Flashing tool. I installed a fresh copy of Windows 7 JUST to have a flashing station ready JIC. Once I did that, smooth sailing.
nolimit78 said:
Ok, I've edited your post to clear some of the clutter and numbered everything so I can answer everything.
1. No, bootloader updates are only for users who haven't updated to B15 (through official means)
2. Only audio issues are with the front facing speakers. The way they sound is if you turn them up to 100% and then push it even higher to like 140%. So if you keep it at about 71% they sound normal. Check this guide here to get even better quality on overall sound (headphones, speakers)
3.B15 and LOS both work with Daydream. I currently use LOS with my Daydream headset currently.
4.Magisk with this kernel here. Currently have fully functioning Android Pay with LOS.
5. This is a big problem. If you're not comfortable with ADB you should maybe rethink messing with this phone. EDL mode (which is how I flash TWRP and subsequently the B20 bootloader to unlock) is very similar to ADB and the tools needed to flash in EDL can brick your device. Learning how to use ADB isn't bad but it's good as a fallback so you're not relying on strangers to help you out in a pinch (which most will, I just like having the ability to do things mostly myself).
---------- Post added at 10:05 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:55 AM ----------
I quoted this because this thread is like the third I've seen in the last couple days. But to offer some help, this is the guide that I've followed with two phones one running B29 stock and one running B15 Stock. It remains the same because of the use of EDL. It's also good in case you want to go back to complete stock (which at the time was speculated would brick your device) but I read between the lines and discovered that it's just not a big deal. Once you get TWRP installed, make sure your Data partition is EXT4, flash LOS, flash GApps and you're good to go.
The hardest part of the process, is getting your drivers to be recognized properly for the EDL flashing tool to work. Anti-Virus softwares tend to throw false positives with tools like the EDL Flashing tool. I installed a fresh copy of Windows 7 JUST to have a flashing station ready JIC. Once I did that, smooth sailing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've already used EDL mode from that page to put a fresh copy of stock nougat to, among other things, reduce the potential issues upgrading causes. So all I should have to do is flash B15-NEW_TWRP (Nougat) from that page and then fastboot unlock?
from there reset data/cache, flash custom ROM.
flash gapps
reboot, install apps.
?????
KyJelly69 said:
I've already used EDL mode from that page to put a fresh copy of stock nougat to, among other things, reduce the potential issues upgrading causes. So all I should have to do is flash B15-NEW_TWRP (Nougat) from that page and then fastboot unlock?
from there reset data/cache, flash custom ROM.
flash gapps
reboot, install apps.
?????
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup.
kingoftheafro said:
Is that a "should work" or "does work" because I'm trying to root and install LOS also on stock non rooted nougat Axon 7 and so far I've gotten nowhere and no one seems to be able to give me a list that says Yes this works
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In case you still need all this, I made a new guide after successfully doing everything:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/axon-7/how-to/complete-guide-to-unlocking-installing-t3561128
[email protected] said:
In case you still need all this, I made a new guide after successfully doing everything:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/axon-7/how-to/complete-guide-to-unlocking-installing-t3561128
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the guide, but I managed to get everything done without having to downagrade from Nougat. I was having issues with my Windows variant recognizing my phone after drivers were installed so I used Linux Mint 18.1 and everything went smooth as a whistle. I think the mods should pin your thread post.
I followed the rootjunkie YouTube videos, worked perfectly and the files were all available.
Sent from my ZTE A2017U using Tapatalk

How to upgrade from 6.0.1 to 7.1.2?

Hello guys,
I'm a complete novice on rooting or flashing cellphones, I'm just a regular user of a Moto X Play XT1563 (bought in Colombia / South America) that wants to upgrade to Nougat 7.1.2.
I want the 7.1.2 just for a regular usage: apps, internet, bluetooth, NFC, camera, GPS, phone calling and of course a good battery performance.
I want to kindly ask for your guidance in all steps required for the backup and upgrade, so if you can please guide me about the whole process I will appreciate it a lot.
Thanks
jramirezdev said:
Hello guys,
I'm a complete novice on rooting or flashing cellphones, I'm just a regular user of a Moto X Play XT1563 (bought in Colombia / South America) that wants to upgrade to Nougat 7.1.2.
I want the 7.1.2 just for a regular usage: apps, internet, bluetooth, NFC, camera, GPS, phone calling and of course a good battery performance.
I want to kindly ask for your guidance in all steps required for the backup and upgrade, so if you can please guide me about the whole process I will appreciate it a lot.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello!
In short, the process for our phone would be...
0. Backup data.
1. Unlock bootloader. This will void your warranty. Unlocking bootloader allows you to use fastboot mode to flash custom images to your phone from a computer.
2. Flash TWRP Recovery. This is done in fastboot mode. Once you have TWRP, you can flash on to or modify the system partition (and other partitions) of your phone on the go.
3. Format the /system partition to get rid of the existing ROM (stock in your case) and then flash whatever ROM you want. This is done using TWRP.
4. There's no fourth step.
Its pretty straightforward, detailed guides to each of the steps are available in this forum. You should use the Index Thread pinned on the General forum to get the links to the required guides at one place. Use the search if you encounter trouble. Then there's the forum to ask.
DragonClawsAreSharp said:
Hello!
In short, the process for our phone would be...
0. Backup data.
1. Unlock bootloader. This will void your warranty. Unlocking bootloader allows you to use fastboot mode to flash custom images to your phone from a computer.
2. Flash TWRP Recovery. This is done in fastboot mode. Once you have TWRP, you can flash on to or modify the system partition (and other partitions) of your phone on the go.
3. Format the /system partition to get rid of the existing ROM (stock in your case) and then flash whatever ROM you want. This is done using TWRP.
4. There's no fourth step.
Its pretty straightforward, detailed guides to each of the steps are available in this forum. You should use the Index Thread pinned on the General forum to get the links to the required guides at one place. Use the search if you encounter trouble. Then there's the forum to ask.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your response,
I bought my cellphone two years ago so It already went out of warranty so no issues with that step, I already found the guide to "Unlock bootloader" but before I start with it I would like to ask if after that the phone will be unuseful? I mean, after unlocking the bootloader can I start the phone and continue using it? It's my only cell phone so I want to be aware if I will stay long time uncommunicated.
My second question is about the new ROM I will flash, I've no idea about what "versions" exists or where I can download them... so is there some kind of "most stable" version using Nougat 7.1.2? or some "ROM Reliable supplier"?
Thanks
jramirezdev said:
Thanks for your response,
I bought my cellphone two years ago so It already went out of warranty so no issues with that step, I already found the guide to "Unlock bootloader" but before I start with it I would like to ask if after that the phone will be unuseful? I mean, after unlocking the bootloader can I start the phone and continue using it? It's my only cell phone so I want to be aware if I will stay long time uncommunicated.
My second question is about the new ROM I will flash, I've no idea about what "versions" exists or where I can download them... so is there some kind of "most stable" version using Nougat 7.1.2? or some "ROM Reliable supplier"?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unlocking bootloader will wipe all your data (it will trigger Factory Reset on your phone). Other than that, your phone will be 100% usable.
Roms are available in Android Development and Original Android Development sections of this forum. Just check the threads that include [ROM] in their title. You have to decide for yourself which rom suits you the best - read its description and what users say in comments.
jramirezdev said:
Thanks for your response,
I bought my cellphone two years ago so It already went out of warranty so no issues with that step, I already found the guide to "Unlock bootloader" but before I start with it I would like to ask if after that the phone will be unuseful? I mean, after unlocking the bootloader can I start the phone and continue using it? It's my only cell phone so I want to be aware if I will stay long time uncommunicated.
My second question is about the new ROM I will flash, I've no idea about what "versions" exists or where I can download them... so is there some kind of "most stable" version using Nougat 7.1.2? or some "ROM Reliable supplier"?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As said, after unlocking bootloader the device will be wiped- You will have to reenter your Google account and reinstall applications etc. Not a big deal.
Custom ROMs sometimes take a few iterations until some bugs here and there are ironed out. Sometimes it happens, in others one may end up switching to a complete fresh ROM. In such instances, you will usually have to make a "clean install" (i.e. a factory reset) and then reenter the Google account and reinstall everything again... It sounds irritating, but nowadays it's pretty much straight forward, and if you don't have hundreds of apps it usually is finalized in 10-15 minutes and is semi automatic.
Updating to a newer version of the same ROM sometimes can be "dirty flashed" (i.e. without wiping all your data) so in a couple of minutes you are set up and ready to go. More convenient, but if something isn't working right and you complain in the thread, certain chances are you will be politely asked to make a clean install first amd some users may flame or grill you alive for dirty flashing and complaining at that :laugh:
Most custom ROMs are usually based on either AOSP or Lineage OS (aka LOS) with some custom modifications. The first post in a ROM thread usually mentions all the rich features (or lack of), how to install (pretty much the same: make a backup in twrp, wipe data/system/cache/dalvik, flash ROM zip file, flash Google gapps zip, flash some additional optional zips such as supersu/magisk/whatever for root etc). Then some download links, faq etc.
It's good practice to read the first post (aka OP), then at least the last page to get a feel of the ROM (e.g. see what others are praising or complaining about this or that), then search for specific stuff that may concern you. For example, some ROMs had this cellular data bug that it got disconnected and required restart. You may decide this os crucial for you and choose another ROM, others may use the device for other things and couldn care less about cellular data bug...
Enjoy, it always feels good tp flash a new ROM, a new version . F!ck LeMoto for delaying the update for so long- You may have been waiting for update to Nougat as early as last year's November or October. Well, on custom ROMs it's here for many months!
On the other hand, they usually say stock ROM is more stable, and in many cases it is also true...
Now you know more or les what you're dealing with: free choice vs. waiting forever.
jaibar said:
As said, after unlocking bootloader the device will be wiped- You will have to reenter your Google account and reinstall applications etc. Not a big deal.
Custom ROMs sometimes take a few iterations until some bugs here and there are ironed out. Sometimes it happens, in others one may end up switching to a complete fresh ROM. In such instances, you will usually have to make a "clean install" (i.e. a factory reset) and then reenter the Google account and reinstall everything again... It sounds irritating, but nowadays it's pretty much straight forward, and if you don't have hundreds of apps it usually is finalized in 10-15 minutes and is semi automatic.
Updating to a newer version of the same ROM sometimes can be "dirty flashed" (i.e. without wiping all your data) so in a couple of minutes you are set up and ready to go. More convenient, but if something isn't working right and you complain in the thread, certain chances are you will be politely asked to make a clean install first amd some users may flame or grill you alive for dirty flashing and complaining at that :laugh:
Most custom ROMs are usually based on either AOSP or Lineage OS (aka LOS) with some custom modifications. The first post in a ROM thread usually mentions all the rich features (or lack of), how to install (pretty much the same: make a backup in twrp, wipe data/system/cache/dalvik, flash ROM zip file, flash Google gapps zip, flash some additional optional zips such as supersu/magisk/whatever for root etc). Then some download links, faq etc.
It's good practice to read the first post (aka OP), then at least the last page to get a feel of the ROM (e.g. see what others are praising or complaining about this or that), then search for specific stuff that may concern you. For example, some ROMs had this cellular data bug that it got disconnected and required restart. You may decide this os crucial for you and choose another ROM, others may use the device for other things and couldn care less about cellular data bug...
Enjoy, it always feels good tp flash a new ROM, a new version . F!ck LeMoto for delaying the update for so long- You may have been waiting for update to Nougat as early as last year's November or October. Well, on custom ROMs it's here for many months!
On the other hand, they usually say stock ROM is more stable, and in many cases it is also true...
Now you know more or les what you're dealing with: free choice vs. waiting forever.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your thoughts,
After reading here and there I finally was able to flash AOSP Extendend v4.4 on my cellphone, it seems to be working fine.
As I said I was not looking something specific I was just annoyed of waiting so long for the official update (it seems it will never happen) and wants to be in touch with Android Nougat, maybe now I will use my piggy bank to save for a Pixel phone
Thanks guys for your guidance
jramirezdev said:
After reading here and there I finally was able to flash AOSP Extendend v4.4 on my cellphone, it seems to be working fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
How it is working? Did you found any bugs? eg. problem with battery, with mobile data, lte, camera?

Hi all. I'm new to rooting can any one please help and point me to the right tutorial to root a samsung s7

Hi All
Looking for a best tutorial to follow and the right one for my phone really don't want to brick it, obviously :/. as there seems to be a few versions for the S7
I have the following: S7 android 8.0.0 SM-G930F not sure what else I need to know! I'm in the UK so I assume UK phones come with Exynos cpu's
and as far as I am aware android 8 is Oreo! but when they say Stock Rom I assume they mean the same as what came with the phone the original rom?
if so is there an alternative stable rom without the crap included or is it just as simple to delete every thing you don't want now it's rooted! and does that mean if I reset the phone its back to normal with all the crap included! or is there a way to keep it rooted even after reset! and should anything be disabled I.e prepare the phone before attempting to root like any kind of auto encryption that needs disabling and just one more question
if at anytime the rooting process hangs for a ridiculous amount of time when should I throw in the towel! and what are the chances of retrieving the phone back to original state! or does a dirty shutdown brick it?.
I started the root process but failed at first hurdle!, followed instructions install Odin3_v3.13.1 but when I connected the phone nothing showed up in Odin? though I will have another go just to confirm I followed it correctly, I'll update this when it's done.
this was the tutorial I followed:
Easy 4 Newbie [Root Guide]SM-G930F, G935F, G930FD, G935FD (Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge)
Warning ! Please note that the official TWRP for Nougat on Galaxy S7/ S7 Edge is not available yet but based on my experience the Marshmallow version is working on Nougat. By installing a custom recovery on your S7 and S7 Edge and rooting it...
forum.xda-developers.com
I know alot of questions I would really appreciate any help and clarification on the above.
many thanks
Regards
Daz
Look pal, rooting the phone is just like being an adult, it means you will get rid of Samsung's "Child Care".
Yes, UK models use Exynos chip, but you have to be sure, look at your baseband version, if it is G930FXXX, then you are good.
ROMs are in two shapes:
Stock-based: These are just like the one you are using, or other Samsung phones does, like Samsung Experience, One UI, TouchWiz. Maybe MIUI and FlymeOS will come into account, as there are ROMs based on them + Samsung's.
AOSP: These are pure Android ROMs, with few modifications to the core, but keeping the UI as close to the source as possible, Google & OnePlus phones come with a near-to-pure operating systems.
Changing a ROM is not risky, as long as you follow the instructions, without any unaccounted improvising.
Before you install a ROM, read the working and bug list, to make sure you are installing something you have an idea of.
You need to install TWRP recovery (or any other one you like), and format data, in order to be able to travel among ROMs and/or root your device.
Formatting is only required because the phone is forcibly encrypted, and TWRP can not decrypt it, at least not for this device.
Rooting is simply about flashing a 5-MB file, Magisk, then rebooting to system, no need to wipe data.
No need to do any additional steps, unless you are trying to hide root from some apps and/or pass SafetyNet.
Mohamedkam000 said:
Look pal, rooting the phone is just like being an adult, it means you will get rid of Samsung's "Child Care".
Yes, UK models use Exynos chip, but you have to be sure, look at your baseband version, if it is G930FXXX, then you are good.
ROMs are in two shapes:
Stock-based: These are just like the one you are using, or other Samsung phones does, like Samsung Experience, One UI, TouchWiz. Maybe MIUI and FlymeOS will come into account, as there are ROMs based on them + Samsung's.
AOSP: These are pure Android ROMs, with few modifications to the core, but keeping the UI as close to the source as possible, Google & OnePlus phones come with a near-to-pure operating systems.
Changing a ROM is not risky, as long as you follow the instructions, without any unaccounted improvising.
Before you install a ROM, read the working and bug list, to make sure you are installing something you have an idea of.
You need to install TWRP recovery (or any other one you like), and format data, in order to be able to travel among ROMs and/or root your device.
Formatting is only required because the phone is forcibly encrypted, and TWRP can not decrypt it, at least not for this device.
Rooting is simply about flashing a 5-MB file, Magisk, then rebooting to system, no need to wipe data.
No need to do any additional steps, unless you are trying to hide root from some apps and/or pass SafetyNet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Mohamedkam000
Thanks for replying. I'm not confused about why I want to root the phone. I'm just trying to understand the inner workings and the risks as I'm not as clued up with phone OS's as I am windows. I don't care about warrantees or hiding the the fact it's rooted I just want a clean rooted phone free of big brother well inside at least I know you will never completely keep them out but making it hard is a start lol.
Thank you very much for all the above especially on clarifying about the roms and the reason TWRP formats due to encryption nice one
My Baseband version slightly different though it's G930FXXU8ETI3 not sure if having a U instead of a third X makes any difference!
and I posted wrong tutorial I'm actually following this one below again not sure if that matters.
Guide How to root Android 8.0 Oreo Stock ROM on Galaxy S7 ( 100% Working )
Hi . i see too many peoples have problem on rooting Android 8.0 Oreo Stock Rom on Galaxy S7 ( edge ) and they cant get passed from the verification field error ! ok its bcuz they do only 1 step wrong , here i just wanna tell you all the steps 1...
forum.xda-developers.com
Again many thanks for clarifying that lot up very informative and much appreciated.
Kind regards
Daz
CitizenSmith said:
Hi Mohamedkam000
Thanks for replying. I'm not confused about why I want to root the phone. I'm just trying to understand the inner workings and the risks as I'm not as clued up with phone OS's as I am windows. I don't care about warrantees or hiding the the fact it's rooted I just want a clean rooted phone free of big brother well inside at least I know you will never completely keep them out but making it hard is a start lol.
Thank you very much for all the above especially on clarifying about the roms and the reason TWRP formats due to encryption nice one
My Baseband version slightly different though it's G930FXXU8ETI3 not sure if having a U instead of a third X makes any difference!
and I posted wrong tutorial I'm actually following this one below again not sure if that matters.
Guide How to root Android 8.0 Oreo Stock ROM on Galaxy S7 ( 100% Working )
Hi . i see too many peoples have problem on rooting Android 8.0 Oreo Stock Rom on Galaxy S7 ( edge ) and they cant get passed from the verification field error ! ok its bcuz they do only 1 step wrong , here i just wanna tell you all the steps 1...
forum.xda-developers.com
Again many thanks for clarifying that lot up very informative and much appreciated.
Kind regards
Daz
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It doesn't matter which version of Android you are using, root is the same.
However, on stock ROMs, it might sometimes get rough, as you may end up with Wi-Fi not working (happened to me Q1 2020).
If you really want to learn how Android OS works, then rooting the stock ROM is not your way.
Try AOSP ROMs, preferably start with Oreo ones, you can root in 3 common way, LineageOS SU Add-on, Magisk, Super SU.
But before you tickle your phone, you have to make a backup of your current device, of every partition, EFS is the most important partition, so make sure it is safe.
Baseband version doesn't matter a lot, unless you're paranoid with updates, it is sorted alphabetically, each string on its own.
The phone is more similar to a linux machine than to a Windows PC.
Edit: To root stock ROM, you have to flash dm verity, so you don't end up encrypted again.
Mohamedkam000 said:
It doesn't matter which version of Android you are using, root is the same.
However, on stock ROMs, it might sometimes get rough, as you may end up with Wi-Fi not working (happened to me Q1 2020).
If you really want to learn how Android OS works, then rooting the stock ROM is not your way.
Try AOSP ROMs, preferably start with Oreo ones, you can root in 3 common way, LineageOS SU Add-on, Magisk, Super SU.
But before you tickle your phone, you have to make a backup of your current device, of every partition, EFS is the most important partition, so make sure it is safe.
Baseband version doesn't matter a lot, unless you're paranoid with updates, it is sorted alphabetically, each string on its own.
The phone is more similar to a linux machine than to a Windows PC.
Edit: To root stock ROM, you have to flash dm verity, so you don't end up encrypted again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks again for clearing quite a few things up I thought rooting stock rom would have been far safer way forward wow how wrong was I! but I guess I am just trying to find any kind simile to windows in any way but as you pointed out again it's more like Linux which again I've only played around with ubuntu and mint for a short period so again not to up on Linux lol.
It's funny I was just reading up on AOSP ROMs then got your message. I see they have a stable but not complete! Android 10 not that I would consider it need as I need a stable OS so Oreo is fine for me.
I have backed up phone using Smart Switch on the PC I assume that copy's every thing that's needed, I reset the phone in anticipation all be it prematurely but at least it restored all my data so if anything that was a good test of the back up at least .
I will have look at some AOSP ROMs and see what's involved there, I'll check out their tutorial hopefully it will include the whole process including root.
I gather by your comment using a AOSP ROM you don't need to use dm-verity or will that still be needed!.
The first thing to do is to flash (install) TWRP, it's a custom recovery (think of it as a mini OS that can boot before Android), that will be the base for any of your future tinkering.
Here is the thread, read the FP carefully: [Recovery][Exynos] Official TWRP for Galaxy S7 (herolte)
Once TWRP installed, you can do many things:
Install addons like Magisk. Magisk is the tool you use to obtain root. Forget SuperSU, its outdated, and don't works in modern versions of Android.
Install a custom ROM (this subforum is the perfect place to find them).
Backup & restore an image of your current ROM (very useful).
mooms said:
The first thing to do is to flash (install) TWRP, it's a custom recovery (think of it as a mini OS that can boot before Android), that will be the base for any of your future tinkering.
Here is the thread, read the FP carefully: [Recovery][Exynos] Official TWRP for Galaxy S7 (herolte)
Once TWRP installed, you can do many things:
Install addons like Magisk. Magisk is the tool you use to obtain root. Forget SuperSU, its outdated, and don't works in modern versions of Android.
Install a custom ROM (this subforum is the perfect place to find them).
Backup & restore an image of your current ROM (very useful).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks Mooms for the input
I tried to follow your links tutorial which he gives three options only one is any good to me and that was installing twrp using Odin but I'm having issues at every turn!. I can't even get Odin to recognise my phone it just wont pick it up I have Samsung driver installed and I have reinstalled many times I found an article claim to have a workaround but that was BS just selling some other app I even change the driver as described on there page,
7 Tips to Fix Odin Not Detecting Phone
Are you using Odin flash tool to flash your Samsung phone but it is not recognized by Odin? Here are 7 tips to fix Odin not detecting phone.
www.imyfone.com
.
but that did nothing so reinstall normal driver again.
feels like it's just not meant to be :/
Thanks again.
CitizenSmith said:
Thanks again for clearing quite a few things up I thought rooting stock rom would have been far safer way forward wow how wrong was I! but I guess I am just trying to find any kind simile to windows in any way but as you pointed out again it's more like Linux which again I've only played around with ubuntu and mint for a short period so again not to up on Linux lol.
It's funny I was just reading up on AOSP ROMs then got your message. I see they have a stable but not complete! Android 10 not that I would consider it need as I need a stable OS so Oreo is fine for me.
I have backed up phone using Smart Switch on the PC I assume that copy's every thing that's needed, I reset the phone in anticipation all be it prematurely but at least it restored all my data so if anything that was a good test of the back up at least .
I will have look at some AOSP ROMs and see what's involved there, I'll check out their tutorial hopefully it will include the whole process including root.
I gather by your comment using a AOSP ROM you don't need to use dm-verity or will that still be needed!.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AOSP ROMs are pure, you can't say they are not complete. They are complete, and what OEMs do, like Samsung and Xiaomi is just a customization that you can do, too.
It is preferred that when you take a backup, take it with TWRP, just to ensure you backed up phone's partitions, along with "EFS".
The root procedure on Android 6+ is done by patching the Kernel (boot.img), so unless you take backup of that, you cannot keep root.
There are stable custom ROMs, custom ROMs are meant for custom adjustments, however the stability depends on your phone, and the way you use it, you can compare AOSP vs. Stock and see the difference.
AOSP ROMs doesn't need dm verity, well, at least not if the developer did not mention the encryption part.
Mohamedkam000 said:
AOSP ROMs are pure, you can't say they are not complete. They are complete, and what OEMs do, like Samsung and Xiaomi is just a customization that you can do, too.
It is preferred that when you take a backup, take it with TWRP, just to ensure you backed up phone's partitions, along with "EFS".
The root procedure on Android 6+ is done by patching the Kernel (boot.img), so unless you take backup of that, you cannot keep root.
There are stable custom ROMs, custom ROMs are meant for custom adjustments, however the stability depends on your phone, and the way you use it, you can compare AOSP vs. Stock and see the difference.
AOSP ROMs doesn't need dm verity, well, at least not if the developer did not mention the encryption part.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some of the roms I have looked at mention external touch buttons at bottom of phone do not work or something else in the phone I'm just reading their comments.
I understand about the stock & custom rom's now that's not my problem at least not at the moment as I am miles away from choosing a rom! as I can't even get out the starting gate!. I can not get TWRP on my phone as the only way I can see to get it on a unrooted! phone is to use Odin but as I said Odin doesn't work at least not for me it does not see my phone. I would love to take a back up using twrp but that won't happen until I find a way to get TWRP on a unrooted phone. what crazy paradox is this!. you can't root phone without twrp installed and twrp won't install on a unrooted phone!. that makes perfect sense.
CitizenSmith said:
Some of the roms I have looked at mention external touch buttons at bottom of phone do not work or something else in the phone I'm just reading their comments.
I understand about the stock & custom rom's now that's not my problem at least not at the moment as I am miles away from choosing a rom! as I can't even get out the starting gate!. I can not get TWRP on my phone as the only way I can see to get it on a unrooted! phone is to use Odin but as I said Odin doesn't work at least not for me it does not see my phone. I would love to take a back up using twrp but that won't happen until I find a way to get TWRP on a unrooted phone. what crazy paradox is this!. you can't root phone without twrp installed and twrp won't install on a unrooted phone!. that makes perfect sense.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does your phone allow MTP communication? I mean can you transfer files when the phone is turned on?
Does the phone show any notification about a usb connection?
If not, then you have probably a bad USB cable, at least, or you have a hardware issue that can go as deep as a burned charging port.
If yes, then either your USB cable is not as fast as the phone requires, or you haven't installed the Samsung USB Drivers on your PC.
Unfortunately, you cannot root your device without PC, at least not since Lollipop.
CitizenSmith said:
Thanks Mooms for the input
I tried to follow your links tutorial which he gives three options only one is any good to me and that was installing twrp using Odin but I'm having issues at every turn!. I can't even get Odin to recognise my phone it just wont pick it up I have Samsung driver installed and I have reinstalled many times I found an article claim to have a workaround but that was BS just selling some other app I even change the driver as described on there page,
7 Tips to Fix Odin Not Detecting Phone
Are you using Odin flash tool to flash your Samsung phone but it is not recognized by Odin? Here are 7 tips to fix Odin not detecting phone.
www.imyfone.com
.
but that did nothing so reinstall normal driver again.
feels like it's just not meant to be :/
Thanks again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which version of Odin are you using ?
Use this version (latest): Odin v3.14.4
Which version of the Samsung USB drivers are you using ?
Use this version (latest): https://developer.samsung.com/mobile/android-usb-driver.html
Mohamedkam000 said:
Does your phone allow MTP communication? I mean can you transfer files when the phone is turned on?
Does the phone show any notification about a usb connection?
If not, then you have probably a bad USB cable, at least, or you have a hardware issue that can go as deep as a burned charging port.
If yes, then either your USB cable is not as fast as the phone requires, or you haven't installed the Samsung USB Drivers on your PC.
Unfortunately, you cannot root your device without PC, at least not since Lollipop.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi
Yes I can transfer files.
Yes phone asks to allow or block file transfer and it ohone shows up in Devices and Drives list and I can access the phone directory and shows up as Samsung s7 icon.
I will try another USB lead but the one I'm using is new and wasn't cheap but still a possibility I have had leads that weren't suitable for other things I was trying so it is worth a try.
Thanks
mooms said:
Which version of Odin are you using ?
Use this version (latest): Odin v3.14.4
Which version of the Samsung USB drivers are you using ?
Use this version (latest): https://developer.samsung.com/mobile/android-usb-driver.html
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I downloaded Odin this was latest one Odin3_v3.13.1 though I have doubts that one version update will fix this issue as I did not see many if any people having my issue so they all used Odin and I believe theirs are fine even with older versions! but as I said Mohamedkam it's worth a try I will down load that version and give it a try.
As for the Samsung usb driver I believe that is where I got mine
SAMSUNG_USB_Driver_for_Mobile_Phones no version visible under properties on file version 1.7.23.0.
The USB connection seems to be fine I have uninstalled then re-download and reinstalled a couple of times.
I can transfer files no problem it shows up as Galaxy S7 Icon with card and phone drive inside.
I'll update shortly thank you.
Update:
I just went to try new Odin and whilst checking my phone have seen I have Offical TWRP app installed? I have no clue as to how that's got in there! as Odin did not show phone so I could select nothing!.
In the phone I open app and if i select backup existing recovery it opens and Select Folder tab and under that Selected Folder: /sdcard Filename: Recovery .img and at the bottom of screen Root access required.
I just hope it's installed correctly!. it is showing in playstore my apps as well just to confirm. if this is now installed what should I do next Now not sure what tutorial to start following.
I am just going to try the new odin and see if it picks up the phone back soon.
OK Seem that it now shows up in the new Odin. at least I think it has! in the log window I see this: <ID:0/004> Added!!
I didn't see that before.
Would be grateful if you could tell me how to proceed from here!
Correct, you don't need he latst version of Odin or the Samsung drivers, bit it was just to be sure.
You need to be in download mode, but before, you must have checked OEM unlock & USB debug in developer options (mandatory).
I've written a tutorial with images here (in French):
Samsung Galaxy S7 (edge) - Mangez un Oreo! [Topic Unique] - Page : 487 - Téléphone Android - Technologies Mobiles - FORUM HardWare.fr
mooms said:
Correct, you don't need he latst version of Odin or the Samsung drivers, bit it was just to be sure.
You need to be in download mode, but before, you must have checked OEM unlock & USB debug in developer options (mandatory).
I've written a tutorial with images here (in French):
Samsung Galaxy S7 (edge) - Mangez un Oreo! [Topic Unique] - Page : 487 - Téléphone Android - Technologies Mobiles - FORUM HardWare.fr
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As I said the older version did not show any kind of data what's so ever and the phone was in download mode. phone displayed "Downloading" which I believe it says that even if it's not doing anything! so a tutorial explained. I think it must have installed the Official TWRP app even though phone did not show up in Odin everything was blank however when I installed the new version of Odin like you suggested it then showed up as <ID:0/004> Added!!. so your suggestion work thanks for that and I did enable OEM unlock & USB debug I did long time ago.
I would check out your tutorial but unfortunately I don't speak French and translating instructions is too risky but thank you for the offer but I'll carry on look around still undecided on what custom rom to go for as I said some comments point out small issues and the developers also state certain things are not working so that is making it hard to consider one if you know what I mean.
Again Thank you for your input very much appreciated.
CitizenSmith said:
As I said the older version did not show any kind of data what's so ever and the phone was in download mode. phone displayed "Downloading" which I believe it says that even if it's not doing anything! so a tutorial explained. I think it must have installed the Official TWRP app even though phone did not show up in Odin everything was blank however when I installed the new version of Odin like you suggested it then showed up as <ID:0/004> Added!!. so your suggestion work thanks for that and I did enable OEM unlock & USB debug I did long time ago.
I would check out your tutorial but unfortunately I don't speak French and translating instructions is too risky but thank you for the offer but I'll carry on look around still undecided on what custom rom to go for as I said some comments point out small issues and the developers also state certain things are not working so that is making it hard to consider one if you know what I mean.
Again Thank you for your input very much appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Take a note that, when you flash TWRP, you have to boot immediately to the recovery, so as to enforce its existence, cause I remember they phone has an original recovery backed up somewhere, and gets triggered when you reboot directly to system instead of the unofficial binary.
I advise you to watch guides on YouTube, it's more .. understandable.
CitizenSmith said:
still undecided on what custom rom to go for as I said some comments point out small issues and the developers also state certain things are not working so that is making it hard to consider one if you know what I mean.
Again Thank you for your input very much appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I recommend to go with ALEXNDR ROM: zero bugs, everything works perfectly (it's based on stock ROM).
[ROM][G930F/FD][ALEXNDR] * U8EUE1 * DevBase v7.4 * Encryption support [Jul-10]
Important notes for Developers / Chefs !!! This ROM is NOT based on any other custom ROM. My work contains many original ideas and innovations that I introduced as the first in the ROM development (see "Changelist" in post #2). Of course, it...
forum.xda-developers.com
Mohamedkam000 said:
Take a note that, when you flash TWRP, you have to boot immediately to the recovery, so as to enforce its existence, cause I remember they phone has an original recovery backed up somewhere, and gets triggered when you reboot directly to system instead of the unofficial binary.
I advise you to watch guides on YouTube, it's more .. understandable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yer I read that but I've ended up with TWRP installed and did not do that process because I was unaware it installed until it showed up.
As I said I'll just keep looking for now I know I'll find one that works for me from start to finish.
and I've been checking youtube but wouldn't want to use any links their providing but it may help familurise myself with the whole process if i watch enough of them.
Thanks again for your help.
mooms said:
I recommend to go with ALEXNDR ROM: zero bugs, everything works perfectly (it's based on stock ROM).
[ROM][G930F/FD][ALEXNDR] * U8EUE1 * DevBase v7.4 * Encryption support [Jul-10]
Important notes for Developers / Chefs !!! This ROM is NOT based on any other custom ROM. My work contains many original ideas and innovations that I introduced as the first in the ROM development (see "Changelist" in post #2). Of course, it...
forum.xda-developers.com
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Mooms
I will check that out many thanks. I wonder if you could help me here. I am in the middle of the rooting process but have hit a snag. again!
I have now installed TWRP successfully then no-verity-opt-encrypt-3.1 all went fine and I'm at point of flashing Magisk but have an issue when I swipe to flash is gives me a error in red saying "invalid zip file format !"
I downloaded it from github here.
GitHub - topjohnwu/Magisk: The Magic Mask for Android
The Magic Mask for Android. Contribute to topjohnwu/Magisk development by creating an account on GitHub.
github.com
I click on "code" tab and then "download zip" and I placed that in a download folder on my sd card when I select it I get the above error any ideas as to why I am getting this am I downloaded the correct file?
thanks for any assistance you could give.

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