Best Tab A 7.0 T280 initial Setup Plan - Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Questions & Answers

So my 2013 Nexus 7 finally bit the dust, and I just wanted something simple that I could use that would basically be the same, be cheap, and get me by until (hopefully) Google announces a new Nexus tablet later this year. I settled on the Tab A 7 when I saw a refurb for $100.
With it coming in shortly, I thought I'd ask what you think the best, must-do things are out of the box to make it ideal. Would you just run stock with the Marshmallow update? Would you simply root it? Would you run a debloated or custom ROM (if so, which do you prefer)? Are there other apps or mods to it that you think make it a lot better than leaving it stock? I also have a 64GB microSD card coming to go with it (only 8GB internal on a 2016 tablet? Ouch), if that makes a difference to anyone's recommendations.

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(Soon to be) New TMO G2 owner

Just have a few questions and concerns about moving to this phone, figured I'd give it a shot and see what the collective group thought...
Background: Coming from a GS3 (T999L LTE model) and avid hater of KNOX and stupid warranty bit tripping issues, lock outs and general d*cking around the device manufacturer does to the device to make tinkering next to impossible. I understand there is a similar situation with the G2, and also understand there *might* be ways to work around it?
1. Seeing as the new OTA has gone live for the G2 on Tmo, how likely is it that I'll receive a new unit with the update on it?
1a. If I get one without the latest update, how easy is it to then root/custom recovery/update retaining all of those​2. I'm perfectly cool using the stock ROM, I mostly just root for debloating and ad-blocking (I love supporting devs, some don't have ad-less options though). How much bloat might I encounter and are they easily disabled (without need for root).
3. Are there any goofy folder setups in the internal SD card? (meaning on the GS3, once you went to 4.3 it changed the layout to /sdcard/0/DCIM versus the original /sdcard/DCIM)
4. I've grown very accustomed to using the volume rocker to change tracks when I'm in the car, so I don't have to look down for the next arrow...Is this an option that is baked in or will I need to use Xposed?
4a. Is Xposed working on the latest official ROM? I've seen people having it working and others saying it doesnt​5. I really want a wallet style case for my device, nothing special, maybe 2 slots to carry a burner debit card (I'm notorious for forgetting my wallet and want to carry a card with my phone since I never forget it). What would you recommend? I've seen the Poetic Flipbook (http://goo.gl/eGf0XL) and feel like it would be a good fit for what I'm looking for...Thoughts?
Thanks for your time, can't wait to jump ship to the G2!
thetolsonator said:
Just have a few questions and concerns about moving to this phone, figured I'd give it a shot and see what the collective group thought...
Background: Coming from a GS3 (T999L LTE model) and avid hater of KNOX and stupid warranty bit tripping issues, lock outs and general d*cking around the device manufacturer does to the device to make tinkering next to impossible. I understand there is a similar situation with the G2, and also understand there *might* be ways to work around it?
1. Seeing as the new OTA has gone live for the G2 on Tmo, how likely is it that I'll receive a new unit with the update on it?
1a. If I get one without the latest update, how easy is it to then root/custom recovery/update retaining all of those​2. I'm perfectly cool using the stock ROM, I mostly just root for debloating and ad-blocking (I love supporting devs, some don't have ad-less options though). How much bloat might I encounter and are they easily disabled (without need for root).
3. Are there any goofy folder setups in the internal SD card? (meaning on the GS3, once you went to 4.3 it changed the layout to /sdcard/0/DCIM versus the original /sdcard/DCIM)
4. I've grown very accustomed to using the volume rocker to change tracks when I'm in the car, so I don't have to look down for the next arrow...Is this an option that is baked in or will I need to use Xposed?
4a. Is Xposed working on the latest official ROM? I've seen people having it working and others saying it doesnt​5. I really want a wallet style case for my device, nothing special, maybe 2 slots to carry a burner debit card (I'm notorious for forgetting my wallet and want to carry a card with my phone since I never forget it). What would you recommend? I've seen the Poetic Flipbook (http://goo.gl/eGf0XL) and feel like it would be a good fit for what I'm looking for...Thoughts?
Thanks for your time, can't wait to jump ship to the G2!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well lets begin-
1)about it coming wit the update I would not know I'd say 50/50 chance(if it's on the latest 4.4.2 it is not rootable you would have to flash back to 4.2.2 using this thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2432476 then follow this http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2673736 to get to kit kat with root and custom recovery)
2)yes each variant has it's amount of bloat but some are worse than others and it can be easily be removed except for the ciq which can be disabled on 4.2.2 but on kk it's giving issues
3)yes it is sdcard/0/dcim
4)I grew used to that feature two but I have not looked for a replacement but iknow g2 exposed has that option but until xposed framework gets updated to 2.5 it will not work on kitkat but works without issues on 4.2.2
5)as for case I use spigen so I don't have any recommendations but check out the g2 accessories thread and you can find help there and look through the stuf that has been reviewed already
yea it's an awesome phone
To be honest the g2 is and awesome device but the nexus 5 comes with no bloat and is stock android out of the box g2 is a great device but get its more bugfree twin nexus 5 is prob around the same price as the g2 and your going to T-Mobile I would go with nexus 5
Sent from my LG-VS980 using Tapatalk

Custom ROMs for Tab 8 Plus?

Im thinking about getting a Tab 8 plus 4/64 to replace my Nexus 7 2013.
I don't see much development support for the Tab 8 Plus. Great to see TWRP and root.
Do you think there will be an XDA community for this device?
There are so few upgrade choices from the Nexus 7.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk
swieder711 said:
Im thinking about getting a Tab 8 plus 4/64 to replace my Nexus 7 2013.
I don't see much development support for the Tab 8 Plus. Great to see TWRP and root.
Do you think there will be an XDA community for this device?
There are so few upgrade choices from the Nexus 7.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There seems to be a problem in terms of availability for the tablet worldwide, which is why very few reports have come through.
I have specifically bought this Tab 4 Plus with WiFi and 64GB storage as a Nexus 7 replacement and I am super happy with the decision. Custom recovery and root works as described. Give it a couple of weeks and I assume there will be a dedicated forum for the Tab 4 Plus here on XDA. And as soon as Lenovo publishes the kernel sources for the device, there will be many custom ROMs to choose from.
Right now, the Android on the device is pretty vanilla and serves its purpose very well.
Giving this thread a bump. Dev support for this device still seems pretty quiet. Been eyeing the 4/64 GB on eBay for $330. It ships from Korea.
DF5JT said:
There seems to be a problem in terms of availability for the tablet worldwide, which is why very few reports have come through.
I have specifically bought this Tab 4 Plus with WiFi and 64GB storage as a Nexus 7 replacement and I am super happy with the decision. Custom recovery and root works as described. Give it a couple of weeks and I assume there will be a dedicated forum for the Tab 4 Plus here on XDA. And as soon as Lenovo publishes the kernel sources for the device, there will be many custom ROMs to choose from.
Right now, the Android on the device is pretty vanilla and serves its purpose very well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you know if it passes SafetyNet with Magisk 14.3 and Magisk Hide or if it will require a custom kernel to hide the bootloader status?
Hey, I got myself a Tab 4 8 Plus from South Korea recently - the 4 GB RAM / 64 GB storage version. I've used CyanogenMod and LineageOS for ages on my Nexus 4 and Nexus 7 2013, and I'm a little sad the Tab isn't supported yet. If anyone involved in development is interested, I'd be happy to help however I can with my device. I'm not familiar with Android development, however - I'd totally try and port LineageOS to this if I could.
there's a guy in the root thread that was saying he was starting a debloated ROM. lets see if he delivers. this sure is the best android tablet in the market!
Hi guys, I just got this tablet from singapore seller, but it come with chinese rom,
I'm not familiar with lenovo (use to be xiaomi fans).
Is there any tutorial available to change it to global rom? and is there any forum to discuss bugs on each rom version like on the xiaomi miui forum?
I can't find any donwloadable link in the lenovo web support.
Thanks
I did get a Lenovo Tab 4 8 Plus to replace my aging Nexus 7 2013. Unfortunately, that was two months ago now and I'm still using my Nexus as this Tab 4 keeps cooking uSD cards. Apparently it's a known problem, some say hardware, some say software, some claim it was fixed with the December 2017 update, some say it's still there. Either way, I want to root this potentially sweet tablet and drop on Lineage or something custom before I give up on it, but for that I want a decent custom ROM.
enigmo said:
I did get a Lenovo Tab 4 8 Plus to replace my aging Nexus 7 2013. Unfortunately, that was two months ago now and I'm still using my Nexus as this Tab 4 keeps cooking uSD cards. Apparently it's a known problem, some say hardware, some say software, some claim it was fixed with the December 2017 update, some say it's still there. Either way, I want to root this potentially sweet tablet and drop on Lineage or something custom before I give up on it, but for that I want a decent custom ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since the source code was published by Lenovo there is now a good chance to get something custom if there will be a developer to help us out building a rom.
I did read a lot of complaints about a lack of source code from lenovo, but it was released in November from what I can see. That's six months ago, so I wouldn't hold my breath for anything useful soon.
This nifty little tablet is really awesome. The almost stock android experience is nice... But the additional customisations of a custom ROM would be helpful. Right now lenovos system UI is quite picky about being modded and would FC when I try to tweak the nav bar.
yes, maybe after oreo update there will be some custom rom...
fivex said:
This nifty little tablet is really awesome. The almost stock android experience is nice... But the additional customisations of a custom ROM would be helpful. Right now lenovos system UI is quite picky about being modded and would FC when I try to tweak the nav bar.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use Xposed and GravityBox to modify the look of the Nav bar.

Custom Roms For Tab 4 10 Plus?

Hello. I have been looking for custom roms for my Lenovo Tab 4 10 Plus (X704F) for quite a while now and have found nothing so far. Not a single rom or even a mention of one being in development. I really hate the current rom to the point where i have considered selling or giving the tablet away. Am i out of luck or is there still hope for a custom rom?
As an Enthusiest I don't see why we cant get roms as its definitely possible as the device uses stock android we at least have magisk and twrp so its great but it could be better as I'd love to see Oreo or at least Nougat roms I'm almost tempted to learn Android Development just to give the device some love apart from the fact I haven't ever tried or know where to get started.
I hope too in a developer to build a Lineage Rom or something like that. But the Tab (for what i saw) probably is getting an update to Android Oreo...let's see what will happen in the coming months
Sadly, There won't be an update.
I only recently came to the realization that Lenovo had let this tablet go to crap by adding bloatware and failing to update to Oreo or beyond. My son is constantly complaining to me about needing more storage on the tablet. He has an SD card, but only certain things will work on it.
I am looking for any potential solutions to extend the useful life of this tablet that seems very limited by its OS and bloatware, despite having capable hardware.
Is the best that I can hope for to root the tablet and remove a couple of system apps? Is there any hope on the custom ROM front, or is this tablet just not popular enough? I was really shocked to see that there are precisely zero custom ROMs for it. Please tell me that I am missing something.
What has anyone else done to salvage this thing?
I have both Tab 8 3 plus and Tab 4 10 plus (both lte). The Tab 8 already has 3 great custom roms (especially Crdoid!) Both tablets have quite similar hardware (same CPU...). I was wondering whether one or these roms could be modified and ported to the Tab 4...

New S5e SM-T720, stay on stock or flash?

I'm hoping someone can give me the general consensus on whether flashing ROMS for this device vs staying on stock is best. I'm not currently up on the state of Samsung bloatware, if it's gotten better or worse. I found an open box at BB for $300. I'd say excellent condition. I'm getting it for my 12 year old daughter. I suppose the main concern is the general stability of flashing, say Lineage, and the lag that Samsung has, or at least used to have, as they age.
Thanks much!
orangepowerpokes said:
I'm hoping someone can give me the general consensus on whether flashing ROMS for this device vs staying on stock is best. I'm not currently up on the state of Samsung bloatware, if it's gotten better or worse. I found an open box at BB for $300. I'd say excellent condition. I'm getting it for my 12 year old daughter. I suppose the main concern is the general stability of flashing, say Lineage, and the lag that Samsung has, or at least used to have, as they age.
Thanks much!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I was going to use the tablet myself, I'd certainly flash a custom ROM and get root access. But for a 12yr old girl, I'd stay with stock and know she'd be getting the latest security updates. It's not like this was an 8 or 16gb tablet where getting rid of bloatware would be a major concern. It has plenty of storage and RAM to handle that. Just my two bits.
I only hand my son tablets / phones that can run custom ROMs (Lineage in particular). This way I can control what goes on them, what software, what he sees. I guess you could do similar things with a rooted stock device, but still. The other half of that is, most of the devices I give my son are old enough they aren't getting security updates from the manufacturers anymore. In those cases the only way to get security updates of any sort is to run custom ROMs.
Having rooted my tablet and also installed twrp I would certainly not do it for someone else to use
I would suggest buying package disabler pro and disabling all bloatware and Bixby.
When you use 'disable bloatware' on package disabler, it disables storage on sd card. So you just need to look through the disabled list and re-enable external storage.
Other than that small bug it is excellent.
ExTall said:
Having rooted my tablet and also installed twrp I would certainly not do it for someone else to use
I would suggest buying package disabler pro and disabling all bloatware and Bixby.
When you use 'disable bloatware' on package disabler, it disables storage on sd card. So you just need to look through the disabled list and re-enable external storage.
Other than that small bug it is excellent.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you noticed a performance improvement? I see that it is slow for ordinary use such as social networks, the web and reading books.
miangelgabriel said:
Have you noticed a performance improvement? I see that it is slow for ordinary use such as social networks, the web and reading books.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't really say as I installed package disabler pro when I first had the tablet as I hate apps like bixby.
My tablet has always seemed plenty fast to me
Regards Extall
Not much bloatware on One UI.
Sent from my SM-T720 using Tapatalk
miangelgabriel said:
Have you noticed a performance improvement? I see that it is slow for ordinary use such as social networks, the web and reading books.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have read books with $29 dollar chinese knockoffs. How long does it take to turn a page? My very first tablet had an Antutu of about 900. This one about 185,000. I was still able to "surf the net" with that first one. They say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I'm beginning to doubt that. I think it is in the MIND of the beholder. How anyone can consider this tablet slow for surfing or social networking, just blows my mind. "OH, but my latest and greatest iPad is just SOOO much better."
I can't remember having an Android device since my OG Droid that I didn't root and flash. I'm going to skip that for this S5e, for the first time. Everything I do with it these days, my head isn't bumping into it's 'ceiling', so to speak. My SM-T580 was a different story (thank goodness for @followmsi and @srgrussso among others), and custom paid off very well.
Then again, maybe I'm just getting old.:laugh: :highfive:
orangepowerpokes said:
I'm hoping someone can give me the general consensus on whether flashing ROMS for this device vs staying on stock is best. I'm not currently up on the state of Samsung bloatware, if it's gotten better or worse. I found an open box at BB for $300. I'd say excellent condition. I'm getting it for my 12 year old daughter. I suppose the main concern is the general stability of flashing, say Lineage, and the lag that Samsung has, or at least used to have, as they age.
Thanks much!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the Verizon LTE version and even with the Verizon preinstalled apps it doesn't take up a lot of space. I have the 64GB version and I had PLENTY of space for all of my apps. I put a 512GB microSD card in it so I don't have any space issues.
I rooted the SM-T725 few months ago when i got it but this was the 3rd time i had problems booting up and the twrp backup didn't work this time so i just cleaned it and i use stock now and i removed bloatware with ADB. I use only open source software no more google. But that just my way, if you want to root go with it but if its just to remove bloatware just use ADB.
Android 10 coming this june/july and probably android 11 will come to this tablet too because samsung does 2 major android updates to the device they release. If they don't you can unlock the bootloader and install android 11 in the future if a developer make it of course but i doubt it because galaxy tab s6 lite is coming soon so i don't know the future of this tablet.
S5e
OhioYJ said:
I only hand my son tablets / phones that can run custom ROMs (Lineage in particular). This way I can control what goes on them, what software, what he sees. I guess you could do similar things with a rooted stock device, but still. The other half of that is, most of the devices I give my son are old enough they aren't getting security updates from the manufacturers anymore. In those cases the only way to get security updates of any sort is to run custom ROMs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just got this SM-T720 & was planning on putting Lineage 17.1 (OFFICIAL) on it.
Got the firmware, Magisk, TWRP all downloaded.
But on TWRP's site it says you have to root before installing a "rooted TWRP" image?
What's with this?
Not asking for a full tutorial but seriously TWRP can't just be flashed in Odin then vbmeta multi-
disabler, WIPE, then flash ROM + Magisk?
Any help will be greatly appreciated. My posts elsewhere are days old & no replies....
zach
I just got this tablet yesterday. I've had several previous Android tablets and phones and I've always rooted them. So far, I haven't run into anything that makes me want to root this one. I was pleasantly surprised to find that there is a battery protection setting that allows you to limit charging to 85%. Normally, you have too root to do that. I may find a need to root somewhere down the road, but right now I'm hoping to get by with stock and unroofed.
Can you keep dex on other ROMs?
coolbeans2016 said:
Just got this SM-T720 & was planning on putting Lineage 17.1 (OFFICIAL) on it.
Got the firmware, Magisk, TWRP all downloaded
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've done it a few times and I would recommend following the maintainers instructions, LuK1337's Instructions . Dont skip anything, dont add anything, dont wipe anything that isnt listed, follow them exactly.
This tablet is picky. Magisk can be flashed in TWRP, but from what Ive found many modules can't, they will make the tablet fail to boot. Most modules can only be flashed in Magisk. My recommendation would be to get it booting before adding modules or even Magisk for that matter.
I'm using mine as stock, and this seems plenty fast for the 2 weeks I've owned it. Slow to read books? That sounds like an app problem - moon reader on a 2018 Fire HD 8 didn't have a problem reading books. How slow is the Fire 8? If I was in plex, hit the home button, and started netflix it was about 10 seconds from the press of the home button until netflix was responsive.
Besides, do you really want to have to fix your kid's devices when they inevitably have a problem?
**Edit** I also have a question. Are there any security issues when flashing roms or rooting on this like with the phones with KNoX and not being able to use secure folder and such? Im guessing if I flash a ROM I'd also be losing access to this right? (samsung apps and secure folder) Thank you!
Ughh Im kind of regretting buying this tablet now..did I make a mistake? From what Ive seen on here, it sounds like its best not to root it. Ive found that on some newer devices, irts best not to root them to avoid unnecessary problems because some just dont work well with root and magisk, especially if a lot of the modules arent going to work. I mean I dont really have any reason to root this except for not being able to use / change the themes. I cant believe they dont have the theme store on this tablet! I'm so bummed thats one of the good things about samsung phone that I miss.

LOS for the new German Shiftphone 6mq?

Would like to point out that Shift phone has just released there new phone 6mq with changeable battery, Jack stick and Micro SD card! The 3 main things a mobile NEED to even be interesting to look at.
I have now rooted the Shift 6mq phone with Magisk and we have a dirty TWRP working as well, although still having issues on the later but it is in its beginning stages of this phone. SHIFT6mq - Bootloader unlock / Root / Custom Recoveries / ROMs | SHIFTPHONES
Would anyone be willing to look at the Shift 6mq so we can further support this little German company who goes against the stream of nonsense, it has Android 10 out of the box, they are still working on a Google version and a Light version so you have the choice.
But it is looking good, finally a contender to the old LG V20 - which I have had for my daily driver for 4-5 years or so. A wonderful phone although getting old and it had its shortcomings as well, like the screen Ghosting and not easy to root if even possible.
The LG V20 was the last flagship phone with the 3 essentials - and now we FINALY have something to take over from here!
Would love to see the community support this new mobile and help these guys out, I have toyed and tinkered around with it - and it is possible to pretty much ruin it and get it up and running again although a lot of hooping around, but it can be done already.
So if anyone have the know how, or interest to support a little company who at least stands on some sanity with there phone - it would be nice to see LineageOS support for it.
I don't know much about stuff like that, I just do some newbie rooting and such at the moment, having had to root my new used V20 F800K that already sadly does ghosting. And my new Shift 6mq which I got 10 days after my V20 F800K rescue boat came around to relieve my old V20 H990N Hongkong version as it was and is falling apart. I did not know when I would receive my Shift 6mq but it came around 10 days after I got the new used Korean version of the LG V20. Anyway at least it could be rooted, so that will help me get all my applications over to the new Shift 6mq, which is another milestone that needs to be walked.
Anyway, if any programmers are out there, or people who knows stuff, it would be a nice project for some sanity to support this new phone from Shift, seemingly a good replacement for the old LG V20. I still need to get it up and running and see how it works in daily use, but it looks like it will be a good phone for the next 5 years for me.
Not a surprise it is faster then the LG V20, benchmark shows a good leap - 128 GB of internal space although the system itself is 21 GB compared to 9 GB on the LG V20 which had 64 GB. 8 GB of Ram, although not sure what I need that much for, but I could not live without more internal space as I am always using it so quick on the LG V20, books, maps and such takes a lot of space and what not. One of the reasons I disqualified the Fairphone 3 when looking at both phones, only having 64GB of internal memory, is just not going to do it for me. I actually ended up just ordering another LG V20 but because of corona nonsense they would not send it to me, being much cheaper solution. And needing a new phone, I had to then go with the Shift 6mq which was 5-6 times as much compared to the 4-5 year old LG V20. Anyway, if a phone does not have the 3 essentials, I won't buy it, not interested!
Anyway...
So guys, anyone up for looking at it? If you need any help I am here. I have toyed around with it, and breaking it, I can get it up and running again. I've done it a couple of times now... And still doing some testing on TWRP which seems to have a failing bug that I need to report.
But in any case, would love to see anyone starting working on it.
Dearly regards
- Darkijah
You did a great thing by using a phone for over 4 years. These are why companies are making better phones with long term support - if you can replace the battery or screen for cheap, and your carrier doesn't offer you a "deal" on a new phone, why would you want one?
Now me on the other hand, in 6 years I've daily driven 5 phones and 8 versions of Android, including 4 custom ROMs.
HOWEVER, I did it sustainably - using only phones given to me for free with the exception of the Moto G and a used S10e.

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