Related
Hi,
Anyone have any success in enabling full device encryption using any of the Android ROMS (CM9, PA, etc?).
The reason I ask is that I flashed the ParanoidAndroid 1.5b NAND ROM but when I try to encrypt the phone it never even begins. It just hangs at the initial screen with the little green android guy.
I've read a lot of posts and there doesn't seem to be much success with ICS encryption and most ROMs. It seems the problem lies with the partitioning used in most ROMs, as can be seen in this excellent post about the subject.
So, given that many users in a corporate environment are required to have full device encryption, the question remains.
Anyone have any experience with ICS encryption on any of the android ROMs? Or does anyone know if there are plans for a encryption friendly CM or PA ROM?
It seems to me that a privacy friendly Blandroid type ROM for the HD2 would be a nice niche to develop. As far as I know, this has not yet been done.
Thanks
Hey guys,
I'm just looking for someone to point me in the right direction. Basically, my school has this web portal logon thing called Cloudpath (formerly xpressconnect) that requires you to log on to the portal's network in order to follow the instructions in your web browser for your specific OS. The problem arises with Android. It requires you to download an app, which does all the nitty gritty certificate installation and configuration for you. However, whenever I try this on a CUSTOM ROM (LOS-based and DU), I end up in a connecting loop. I never get connected to the secured network even though the certs appear to be installed correctly. I've tried using the app and doing it manually by downloading the certs myself. This only occurs on custom nougat roms, but works on stock MM (I haven't tried MM roms, because I want nougat).
As far as I know this problem only affects this phone after I install the rom and OpenGapps. Some of my peers have LOS and have gotten it to work, so I'm the only one, and the tech staff have no idea what to do. I don't have the log file on me, but if you need it, I can post it (they're pretty long, but seem to be detailed up until the connection part which just flops between CONNECTED and DISCONNECTED).
Is this a problem with the modem or the roms themselves? I was going to wait until the nougat kernel blobs got integrated to LOS, before trying again as I don't want to use the experimental build because it's a month old now. This problem has been around since at least January of this year. If there is a non-los based nougat rom, I would be glad to try that too. otherwise, I'm at a loss and I need some direction.
Any help is appreciated!
Seeings as how all of our Nougat ROMs are a mixed bag of partial MM and part Nougat still, and all custom ROM's for the MXPE use LoS's device tree, I am thinking this is a ROM issue, probably with some binary blob we don't have yet. The kernel source just released a few weeks ago, give it time and custom ROM's will get better (we think), and if the MXPE ever gets official Nougat, we will probably have better binary blobs too.
If it works on stock Marshmallow, it obviously isn't a radio thing, because your Nougat ROM's use the same radio firmware.
I don't have much else to say, but I would try a custom Marshmallow ROM and see if it works... if it fails as well, the problem is something in the LoS core device tree and it will need some developer's special attention (good luck with that, since we are considered to have a stable device tree it takes some work to get it changed), but if it works, chances are good that once custom Nougat ROMs get updated more it will likely work.
In a last ditch effort. I tried flashing the experimental build after posting this article, and it actually works! Now, this isn't the ideal situation given that there are some bugs (that I haven't run into yet) and that this build is a month old now. But for now, I'm satisfied. I just hope these blobs get integrated to official LOS soon.
Progress on that is here: https://review.lineageos.org/#/q/project:LineageOS/android_device_motorola_clark
If there are any roms out there that are considered stable and have these implemented now, I would appreciate it, otherwise, I think I'll be set for a little while. Thanks for your help!
fhgfhg
How to root non common phones get a custom recovery and custom rom
Hi guys
It is just recently when I've started learning more and more about the Android and the various things you can do with it. (This can be long so you may just want to skip to the last line) Until recently I've only used my phone only for it's basic functionality.
But I'm nowhere near a developer and I really want to learn more.
I have this device called Infocus M535 Android 6.0 (which is obviously not a popular device I'm sure a lot of you haven't even heard about it). And I just regret buying it. Cause I have tried a lot of rooting method but nothing seems to work for me. I've tried kingoroot, kingroot as well. Then I learned that you don't necessarily need to have root access to install a custom recovery like twrp but then there is no official version of it available. I've seen many people YouTube having twrp on this device, I tried asking them but no response from them.
I cannot even think about getting a custom rom for this thing because I know nobody is working on that. And tbh I don't even care about getting a custom rom. All I need is a way to root this thing.
I know this thing is old and I should get a new device but Please please please help me because I just can't afford getting a new phone.
Any help Will be really appreciated
My email- [email protected]
The are only a few roms that actually install but then some roms say they were flashed successfully but when i reboot the system it just bootloops.
I Currently have Slim Rom i'm pretty sure and it's 1 of the only roms that actually booted.
So if anyone can help that would be very helpful.
Baseband Version is M8992_1255331.29.01.88.09R
LGAGaming said:
The are only a few roms that actually install but then some roms say they were flashed successfully but when i reboot the system it just bootloops.
I Currently have Slim Rom i'm pretty sure and it's 1 of the only roms that actually booted.
So if anyone can help that would be very helpful.
Baseband Version is M8992_1255331.29.01.88.09R
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are running stock Nougat baseband. Most of the ROMs here were designed to work on the MM baseband so they will not work. Read through the forums here at XDA and you will see which ones you can effectively flash.
aybarrap1 said:
You are running stock Nougat baseband. Most of the ROMs here were designed to work on the MM baseband so they will not work. Read through the forums here at XDA and you will see which ones you can effectively flash.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks I thought that it was the marshmallow as I seen a thread that said it was the marshmallow baseband
aybarrap1 said:
You are running stock Nougat baseband. Most of the ROMs here were designed to work on the MM baseband so they will not work. Read through the forums here at XDA and you will see which ones you can effectively flash.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there a way to get The Marshmallow BaseBand?
LGAGaming said:
Is there a way to get The Marshmallow BaseBand?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not quite sure what's meant by your own meaning of Baseband. Your more than likely going to be answered by people still using the phone in different degrees of knowledge.
The experienced with a real practical application of this XT1575 device mostly have moved on to another device by now - but will any left on it be answering you. I'm glad to see @aybarrap1 has answered.
@stevejohnson42 uses the XT1575 too, and reports here and there of his flasholic tendencies on this device - might be helpful in any Nougat based ROM's to use the search box there and see if he's added anything in it.
Custom ROM Marshmallow development was always greater cause the XT1575 stayed on the Marshmallow OS for so long and because of Motorola not releasing Nougat sooner for it.
There are some Custom ROMS based on Nougat - just read their OP's to understand what's being required to using each one of them...
Nougat ROMs built for a Stock Nougat Kernel and Modem.
To answer your question without you going into a Blackhole in having to know more about your device in getting it back to good ground - I OFFER THIS-
Only way I know is to buy a XT1575 device that's never taken the servers Nougat OTA or has been ADB flashed to Nougat OS...
This as in ADB flashed questioned basically being understood by the device still having the bootloader status to LOCKED - as DEVICE LOCKED, the STATUS will still show 0, and it's software status of OFFICIAL.
Note: The Status Code will always show 2 = (relocked) or 3 = (unlocked), and it can never go back to 0 = (device locked), if it's ever been unlocked by a Motorola token code obtained from their site.
Otherwise you need an image of the Bootloader screen of the device up for sale.
THAT'S THE ONLY WAYS TO KNOW AND A SELLER SHOULD SUPPLY THIS AS A GUARANTEE AND/OR AN IMAGE SHOWING YOU FIRST...
OR YOU BUYING FROM A SITE AND ASKING THESE QUESTION OF THE XT1575 SELLER FIRST BEFORE THE PURCHASE AND THE SITE (LIKE EBAY) HAS A GUARANTEE IN THAT AD - TO FALL BACK ON...
To check this yourself-
1. Using (vol down + power button) put the device in bootloader mode where all of this is visible / should read as follows - see images also.
(A) - totally Stock non-rooted Marshmallow Baseband should read as - M8992_1255331.29.01.88.02R SUPER_NA
as taken from my Marshmallow XT1575 build MPHS24.49-18-16 devices Bootloader.
(B) - Shows the very same thing with device from the ABOUT PHONE in settings.
(C) - Rooted Custom Rom Nougat Baseband M8992_1255331.29.01.88.09R - from the ABOUT PHONE in settings / using the NuclearROM.
(D) - M8992_1255331.29.01.88.09R SUPER_NA - from the Bootloader Mode on same device - using the NuclearROM.
PS: I'm thinking, changing to a different Android build changes the Baseband build as well being applicable to the OS build version.
Warning:::
No don't ever do a complete ADB MM downgrade flash - if wanting to OTA back up to Nougat at some future point after already being on the Nougat OS.
To be clear "It's not recommended to downgrade" and allow a Moto X Pure device in taking the Nougat OTA again.
Once bootloader.img and gpt.bin are updated, there is no reverting back without the serious and the likely risk of a hard-bricked device. Only remedy at this time is a mainboard replacement. Confirmed in this threads post #75 .
A COUPLE POINTS - I'd like to make:
I've always clean flashed my XT1575 in custom roms and to going back in a stock Nougat OS - point being, I have never had any problems thereafter...
Another thing I'm thinking with an LOS based ROM - writes / changes some partitions parts that only with your ADB flashing back to the factory Official Stock Nougat can fix - changing everything back to an original partition structure.
- TWRP only backups a few partitions on the device, so partitions out of it's reach never gets restored back to an original stock environment with a TWRP backup when you do a restore using it/one made thereafter.
OTHER Reading you might want to do:
#30
#61
#73
#147
#179
#184
Baseband
I'm far from being a real practical experienced user in a XT1575 device but, I share in what I've taken a grasp of.
Hope this helps
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
LGAGaming said:
Is there a way to get The Marshmallow BaseBand?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry I never got around to replying. @ResistanceIsFutile did a pretty good job explaining things as far as I can see. I just flashed stock Nougat within the last month with the intention of staying on stock rooted. I don't know if it is possible to downgrade any parts successfully but from what little I read a month ago on it, I did not remember anything staying how to do so.
LGAGaming said:
The are only a few roms that actually install but then some roms say they were flashed successfully but when i reboot the system it just bootloops.
I Currently have Slim Rom i'm pretty sure and it's 1 of the only roms that actually booted.
So if anyone can help that would be very helpful.
Baseband Version is M8992_1255331.29.01.88.09R
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As @aybarrap1 has pointed out already, you are running a stock Nougat baseband,
Meaning you've also upgraded fully to the Nougat OS on your device.
Possibly, for someone new to the XT1575 on Nougat OS it's a good place to stay and get acquainted.
There's nothing wrong with Nougat. Root and TWRP are possible, as well advancing us further than what the Marshmallow OS offered.
I can understand Custom Rom wise, your wanting to "Is there a way to get The Marshmallow BaseBand?" but, consider that's just water under the bridge now - never to be the same for you. In anything you'd do to achieve this would just put your device in a Mixed-State, and where an advanced user would be better adapted of dealing with that.
That's why in my 1st. post to you I was trying to encourage you to read more, let it go awhile and sink-in, and read some more getting a mental picture as you understand the depth of everything related.
Or simply sell off your now XT1575 Nougat OS device and what to look for in a stock-locked bootloader of a Marshmallow OS XT1575 device and stay there not taking an OTA of Nougat.
Even in some Custom Rom's built for a Stock Nougat Kernel and Modem there have been changes related to the TWRP version needed to be used of them.
Here gives abit about that information.
I use the NucleaROM on one XT1575 and kind of bias towards it as I've stayed with it in my first flashing of a custom rom when OTAing up to Nougat that is after failing with LOS of the jumbled up thread for clark it uses.
[ROM][OFFICIAL] LineageOS 14.1 Nightlies for the Moto X Pure 2015 (clark)
Trying to decipher this LOS thread posts of Official versus Unofficial builds, versus using Modems of MM and Nougat and talking about LOS 14.1 and 15.1 builds along the way and all the different involved posts of each Official - Unofficial unlabeled subjects there of all the posts.
It's no place for an inexperienced user to go and easily understand it.
These are the posts https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=75763876&postcount=1303%22]https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=75763876&postcount=1303 that clearly pointed out the specific information in details that helped me to know of the differences to the posts while I was active in that thread.
I like the NucleaROM because it's being based on LOS, then I can and do - do it without Google for the most part. I've not flashed any g-apps what so ever, play store is not a concern for me to use - there are other less invasive places that don't have the requirements Googles PS imposes. (F-Droid)
Even running a root file explorer I don't see anything Google related - with the way I've installed NR
Besides running an apk through Virus Total gives me peace of mind.
Android is by Google and that's were G stops with me...
NucleaROM - (root - g-apps), all are optional for the two NucleaROM builds out.
Note:It's the wakeblock app or it's folder that is mandatory to do something with in NucleaROM.
In disabling it's app in phone settings (Apps) after 1st. boot, or removing it's folder in NucleaROM's root directory via TWRP before your very 1st boot into OS where you initially setup the OS.
Did any of this help?
aybarrap1 said:
I don't know if it is possible to downgrade any parts successfully but from what little I read a month ago on it, I did not remember anything staying how to do so.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't take this as Gospel and I don't advise it since we're Post Nougat now.
As it was Pre-Nougat - but, still don't hold me to it...
A stock firmware downgrade (in the terms of) Recovery, Kernel and OS may be performed without any noticeable adverse affects.
This was prior to Nougat, every OS update changes something with a deep impact.
So I'd advise you to check in whatever thread of a Custom Rom using Marshmallow base that your interested in. To finding out any facts before hand. Notably kernel and modem related THERE IN downgrading from Nougat to using it...
As too with what's been said - Once bootloader.img and gpt.bin are updated - there is no reverting them back (DOWNGRADING) without a serious likelihood in risk to having a hard-bricked device. You'd need to skip those parts in the downgrade commands used of your flashing sequence.
I have no real world practical application of experience doing this - just reading about it or book knowledge - that ain't squat to help in a time of trouble if that's what it yields...
ResistanceIsFutile said:
Don't take this as Gospel and I don't advise it since we're Post Nougat now.
As it was Pre-Nougat - but, still don't hold me to it...
A stock firmware downgrade (in the terms of) Recovery, Kernel and OS may be performed without any noticeable adverse affects.
This was prior to Nougat, every OS update changes something with a deep impact.
So I'd advise you to check in whatever thread of a Custom Rom using Marshmallow that your interested in. To finding out any facts before hand. Notably kernel and modem related THERE IN downgrading from Nougat to using it...
As too with what's been said - Once bootloader.img and gpt.bin are updated - there is no reverting them back (DOWNGRADING) without a serious likelihood in risking to having a hard-bricked device. You'd need to skip those parts in the downgrade commands of your flashing sequence.
I have no real world practical application of experience doing this - just reading about it or book knowledge - that ain't squat to help in a time of trouble if that's what it yields...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. As I mentioned earlier, I had planned on potentially using custom ROMs but I have decided to stay stock rooted. I just don't get that much into customization so a custom ROM just doesn't make sense for my purposes.
There's a change in the wind with Oreo...
aybarrap1 said:
Thanks. As I mentioned earlier, I had planned on potentially using custom ROMs but I have decided to stay stock rooted. I just don't get that much into customization so a custom ROM just doesn't make sense for my purposes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your happy with the stock Nougat - as I've said there's nothing wrong with it.
I get it and respect your decision to do just that in staying with a stock Nougat.
Custom ROMs aren't merely for customization's, back in the day especially with the array of cheaper devices it was the norm though. To make it in ones liking of a polished look or for performance enhancements.
The added themes and applications preinstalled by a manufacturer were reduced to almost nothing. This saved a lot of memory space and increased the device's performance, then with being able address the questionable UI design decisions that a manufacturer had made.
Besides with the XT1575 Moto X Pure, you needn't worry much about Motorola's manufacturers bloat and being skinned to something hideous and repulsive. By that, I mean your not dealing with and like the other manufacturers (tweaking Androids OS) add/remove/change the interface and apps to make it their own highly styled branded system.
Customization's was a way to truly make a phone your own and still is...
After installing a Custom ROM on Android you are the Admin of your Device which means no Objections, no Restrictions, and basically nothing hampering you as your free to do anything with your Android device.
But, customization's is only one facet in the equation to consider with a custom rom.
Taking a view of all devices in the realm of Custom ROM's offered to each (not just an MXP), there's something more also to be gained.
Updates:
One of the most frustrating things about owning an Android device is waiting for your manufacturer to push an update to your phone, so you can get the latest features. The newer versions of Android are not only interesting because they bring new features but, also because they fill security gaps.
Often times manufacturers will even cut support for your device entirely (thinking of Motorola's support for the MXP). This leaves you stuck with a phone on an older version of Android and less secure. The solution is a custom ROM on the newest or a newer Android version for it.
Privacy and Security:
The recent alarming News surrounding data collected by OnePlus devices (along with a second claim that the company has denied), having highlighted the amount of trust we have to place in our phones by the manufacturer itself now.
This doesn't apply more to budget phones in that they may have security problems. And even the world’s second largest smartphone manufacturer, Huawei, has recently found its US ambitions blocked by US security agencies over concerns about it's spying.
And even once you get past this, every Android user is handing over vast amounts of personal data to Google and others (App's) every single day.
[[Like I pointed out in post #7, I like the NucleaROM because it's being based on LOS, then I can and do - do it without Google for the most part. I've not flashed any g-apps what so ever.]]
Lineage OS has numerous privacy controls built in, including a Privacy Guard that restricts how apps can use your data. Plus, you can use it without Google apps if you prefer !
A custom ROM can help address your security and privacy concerns. ROMs are, or should be open source. The code is available for anyone to scrutinize. Even if you don’t have the skills to analyze it yourself, you can be assured someone will flag any privacy concerns to it's custom rom using community.
Other Benefits:
Then one can benefit possibly with Performance, Battery Life. In some cases, you might even be able to unlock new functions or find features from newer flagships ported back to older devices. These are the types of phones that rarely get updated, and are often not as well optimized as their higher end siblings.
Disadvantages:
Sure Custom ROMs have their own, it's not going to be a sunny days walk in the park everyday. Expect some rain too, like in adding an app, tweaking hidden settings of the Android's OS and like-
"many phone cameras have dual lens setups nowadays, fancy HDR effects, and high frame rate 4K video. They all need special tools to drive them, and these are all part of the phone’s manufacturers firmware. There’s no one app that you can simply lift and install on another device. Nor can you replace all of the cameras functionality with a third-party camera app."
Closing thoughts:
One of the biggest draws of custom ROMs used to be that you could install the stock Android experience on any device. You could replace the bloated software from Samsung, Huawei, or HTC and other manufacturers with a ROM based on the open source version of Android. Throw in the suite of Google apps, and you’d have something akin to a pure Android device. This is the principle around which Google’s Nexus phones were built. {In reality, Android is but one of the parts of your phone's software today, not the total sum of those parts as manufacturers hardware needs it's own drivers to function.}
But, that makes the stock Android no longer the best version of Android, even Google admits this. The best parts of the company’s Pixel phones aren’t Android. The camera app, Google Assistant, and the fast streamlined launcher are all proprietary software. They’re developed and owned by Google. In fact, on the product pages for the Pixel phones, Android barely even gets a mention there.
Custom ROMs can be wonderful for older devices but, before you decide to change your device's original manufacturers firmware you should familiarize yourself with the disadvantages of the process.
Custom ROMs are perfect for those who love a good challenge. But if this doesn't sound like you then you won't like custom ROMs. Between the devices need for security updates that custom roms can offer. Comes a need to unlock the bootloader, install a custom recovery, gain system root and dealing with unstable versions being pushed to a device, and having an active ROM maintainer.
Those are some of the things where your patience could reach its limits fast.
Not forgetting, third-party firmware (as in custom roms) comes with very few or no Google apps. The Play Store application has to be installed again if you use that source for you add-on apps.
Then hardware specific software (drivers) to make a devices hardware function properly.
So is it Your device because you've paid for it, or is it a manufacturers device with their own branded apps, style and the flair they choose for you of the price you've paid for it.
It's Your choice and decision to change it or not... :good:
PS: Devices that started to ship with OREO installed will change the custom rom landscape.
There's a change in the wind with Oreo...
Project Treble has some interesting implications for the revival of the custom ROM scene.
XDA community members are excited about the prospect that we may be edging closer to a time where Android software can be easily ported across a range of devices.
Other developers have also already shown off a single system image capable of booting on different devices with different processors.
ResistanceIsFutile said:
Not quite sure what's meant by your own meaning of Baseband. Your more than likely going to be answered by people still using the phone in different degrees of knowledge.
The experienced with a real practical application of this XT1575 device mostly have moved on to another device by now - but will any left on it be answering you. I'm glad to see @aybarrap1 has answered.
@stevejohnson42 uses the XT1575 too, and reports here and there of his flasholic tendencies on this device - might be helpful in any Nougat based ROM's to use the search box there and see if he's added anything in it.
Custom ROM Marshmallow development was always greater cause the XT1575 stayed on the Marshmallow OS for so long and because of Motorola not releasing Nougat sooner for it.
There are some Custom ROMS based on Nougat - just read their OP's to understand what's being required to using each one of them...
Nougat ROMs built for a Stock Nougat Kernel and Modem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not much to add - I share @ResistanceIsFutile comment - once you have updated - don't try to go back to earlier modem / baseband on this phone
Here is another collection that gives you choices and very clear which version to use for
https://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-x-style/development/collection-random-projects-t3662970
Personally - I flashed the stock ROM that is here ( make sure you have correct variant before doing ) :
https://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-x-style/general/xt1575-moto-x-pure-edition-factory-t3704142
to move from Marshmellow modem - as noted above ; much more development on the original modem -- but I had a nagging issue with the Fly Delta app that could be duplicated but not something developers of custom ROMs should have spent time on - going to Nougat stock cleared it - then I went to NucleaROM almost immediately and everything worked fine
I have never tried - but , by searching xda-- you will find many active developers noting it is a good way to brick the phone .. I do not pretend to fully understand -- but have learned long ago to do research , carefully read OPs and safest to follow instructions of those who have much greater knowledge than me .
The phone is still my daily driver - I am currently on rooted stock that was installed by the method noted in the thread above. I have been on NucleaROM as DD and a good ROM ..and have flashed many posted by obsolete1. I have found with many back to back clean flashes - reflashing stock can eliminate issues that you might run into ( don't remember them all - but do recall having an issue wiping phone once )
Also - check carefully what TWRP to use - some of the ones using the Nougat modem require the unofficial TWRP that Hashbang developed for the earliest ROMs that worked on it.
We had a pretty good run on this phone and it appears there still might be a few developers looking at it .. but I understand ; most of them have moved on to other phones or the reality of life has required them to leave development for awhile
Regards
@ResistanceIsFutile
Thanks for the run down and I'm quite aware of many of these things. The MXPE in itself is a great phone with the few added features for Moto being actually somewhat useful.
I am not overly concerned with updates. If I were I would get a pixel or Android one phone.
Prior to the MXPE I had carrier branded phones and found custom ROMs to be quite useful in terms of bloat and better performance.
@aybarrap1
Only meant it peaceably - didn't mean by steps on any toes or persuade - crowd you or anyone at all.
The Moto X style/pure devices age has probably 3rd, 4th even 5th generation owners by now that have no ideal what we're talking about at times.
I then see it as a funneling effect, when I answer one it spreads out to others not knowing, especially in a threads topic as this. If you prefer I'll answer generally and not address anymore to you - I'm easy and would like to make friends on XDA - not loose any prospects.
I like and see your posts as helpful as I hope mine are, and it's encouraged to answer if you can at any experience level on XDA. So please forgive any misunderstanding or intentions on my part.
Thank you.
Everything is beneficial but not useful to all
@ResistanceIsFutile
Thanks. Reading back I see how the "tone" came across. I'm good and only intended to put out my reasons. I do have to say it is good you post this info as it was posts like yours that helped me a lot when I first started looking into rooting and custom ROMs some many years ago (LOL...7 or 8 years only but in terms of phone tech that is a very long time).
I just bought an S5E, and having owned two previous Samsung devices, I expected a fair amount of bloat, but not nearly the amount I discovered. It makes my previous two Samsungs look downright slender. Particularly loathsome, in my view, is the way SS has hijacked Find My Mobile and Google Messages, the latter of which, as a Google Fi customer, I have to use for SMS.
Hence, I am going to root, and cleanse this otherwise delightful device with the fire of 1000 suns. I have rooted Android devices before, but it's been a while, and my memory hasn't improved with age, so I have several questions, some about rooting in general, and some specific to this device. I should add that, while I am not opposed to performance gains and newer versions of Android and suchlike, my only pressing concern is to de-Samsungize the bejeebers out of this thing. Other than that, something like a stock version of Android and an otherwise low-maintenance tablet will make me very happy. So, here goes:
I have the PewPewk method bookmarked, and believe I have one or two others using various combinations of ADB and Magisk and suchlike bookmarked. I imagine I can handle them, but they look complicated. Are any of the apparently simpler approaches found here effective, sufficient to achieve my goals, and unlikely to brick me?
What are the advantages of Custom Android Recoveries relative to the stock Android, and if they add much in the way of complications, can I live without them?
Do I need a custom ROM, and more specifically, do I need one to give me non-Samsungized versions of Find My Mobile and Google Messages? At a minimum, I need the garden-variety version of Google Messages so I can text like a normal person, not a Samsung zombie.
Again, I don't really need tweaks for performance or new versions of Android, but I do need to get bug fixes and security patches with a minimum of fuss. How do I find that minimal sweet spot?
If the answers to one or more of these question are that yes, I need a custom recovery and/or ROM - I suspect this will be the case - then can anyone recommend good candidates that will get me the outcomes I'm looking for without perplexing me too greatly and making me want to cuss?
Can anyone identify the questions which I should be asking, but which didn't occur to me, and then pose them and answer them?
I'm confident that I'm in the right forum to get the answers I need, so all advice will be greatly appreciated.
smilejack1 said:
I just bought an S5E, and having owned two previous Samsung devices, I expected a fair amount of bloat, but not nearly the amount I discovered. It makes my previous two Samsungs look downright slender. Particularly loathsome, in my view, is the way SS has hijacked Find My Mobile and Google Messages, the latter of which, as a Google Fi customer, I have to use for SMS.
Hence, I am going to root, and cleanse this otherwise delightful device with the fire of 1000 suns. I have rooted Android devices before, but it's been a while, and my memory hasn't improved with age, so I have several questions, some about rooting in general, and some specific to this device. I should add that, while I am not opposed to performance gains and newer versions of Android and suchlike, my only pressing concern is to de-Samsungize the bejeebers out of this thing. Other than that, something like a stock version of Android and an otherwise low-maintenance tablet will make me very happy. So, here goes:
I have the PewPewk method bookmarked, and believe I have one or two others using various combinations of ADB and Magisk and suchlike bookmarked. I imagine I can handle them, but they look complicated. Are any of the apparently simpler approaches found here effective, sufficient to achieve my goals, and unlikely to brick me?
What are the advantages of Custom Android Recoveries relative to the stock Android, and if they add much in the way of complications, can I live without them?
Do I need a custom ROM, and more specifically, do I need one to give me non-Samsungized versions of Find My Mobile and Google Messages? At a minimum, I need the garden-variety version of Google Messages so I can text like a normal person, not a Samsung zombie.
Again, I don't really need tweaks for performance or new versions of Android, but I do need to get bug fixes and security patches with a minimum of fuss. How do I find that minimal sweet spot?
If the answers to one or more of these question are that yes, I need a custom recovery and/or ROM - I suspect this will be the case - then can anyone recommend good candidates that will get me the outcomes I'm looking for without perplexing me too greatly and making me want to cuss?
Can anyone identify the questions which I should be asking, but which didn't occur to me, and then pose them and answer them?
I'm confident that I'm in the right forum to get the answers I need, so all advice will be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello there
Your questions are really deep, maybe that is why no answers so far
I'm not an expert at all, so I can't give you comprehensive answers. But I rooted Tab S5e successfully (on stock ROM) and I've read a lot about modifying it, so I can share just few hints.
I wouldn't bother of any other rooting method than Magisk. However, this tab isn't as easy to root as most of the other devices... By far the best and comprehensive guide to root the stock ROM is here:
Galaxy Tab S5e (SM-T720) - Root Instructions (Release 1.0) | XDA Developers Forums (xda-developers.com)
If you follow it closely, you shouldn't have problems. I did it and can confirm it's working fine.
I haven't used custom ROM on this device, but there are some available, especially LineageOS from the recognized developer and one of the LineageOS team member. You can take a look on those threads:
[ROM][OFFICIAL][gts4lvwifi][10] LineageOS 17.1 | XDA Developers Forums (xda-developers.com)
[ROM][UNOFFICIAL][gts4lvwifi][11] LineageOS 18.1 | XDA Developers Forums (xda-developers.com)
In order to flash custom ROM you need custom recovery. There is TWRP available:
Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e WiFi (twrp.me)
Again, I did not try to flash it, I've heard it's tricky, so you need to dig dipper inside those threads and articles.
Alternatively, there is a method to debloat stock ROM without root. It is described in this thread:
[Guide] Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e Debloat Without Root-Info | XDA Developers Forums (xda-developers.com)
Hope it helps!
Thank you for your input. By the time you offered it, I had plunged ahead with the rooting method you suggested. Overall, it went well, but I'm having a few issues with the tablet since getting Lineage 17.1 installed.
I have made a new post requesting help with those issues, which can be found here. If you can offer any advice thereupon, I would be greatly appreciative, and if not, thank you for your efforts above.