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After weeks of hard work we (Setmov and uncle Fab) proudly present you the first Una ROM for the galaxy Grand 2 I7102, based on 4.3 XXUANG4.
DISCLAIMER
As usual, your phone your responsability, we won't take any responsability if it flies out of the window or if your girlfriend/boyfriend runs away with it.
PLEASE, DO READ OP COMPLETELY AND CAREFULLY BEFORE ASKING ANY QUESTIONS, ANSWERS TO MOST PROBLEMS ARE THERE
WHAT IS UNA?
Una is a new concept that takes security to a new level.
Are you tired of seeing so much blatant, outrageous and shameless invasion of your privacy and data mining hidden behind nice sentences like "enhanced use experience" or "complete integration with the system"? We decided to develop secure ROMs where privacy means just that – Private!.
It’s free of charge, we are a non profit structure and we are not here to make big bucks
WHAT UNA ISN'T
UNA isn't a way to help you to stealthily buy massive destruction weapons to foment a coup d'etat in your favorite banana republic or to prepare the third world war.
UNA secures what leaves from your phone (ie your personnal data doesn't leak and no app can look over your shoulder to spy your activities), but it can't completely secure what comes into your phone.
Why is that?
Because it's just not possible to fully secure a phone from what comes into it, and anyone claiming to be able to do it is either a liar, or an ignorant, or both.
There are too many attacks, some not well documented, if documented at all, and some unknown to the public, and there are too many ways to hack a phone, especially if the user doesn't use his/her common sense.
If you are the type of person that installs apps from shaddy source and/or warez web sites (sites offering cracked paid apps) chances are that at some point you will unknowingly install a malware or a spyware. The same applies if you click on any link, specially on SMS' and emails, if you let any pop out window appear or if you don't protect your lockscreen with a password/pin/pattern and let anyone get physical access to your phone.
A bit of judgment and common sense can save you a lot of trouble, but there's unfortunately nothing UNA can do about it.
Then, if you use your phone to call through GSM your provider will know where you are. If he didn't you wouldn't be able to make any call, the signal has to find you and there's nothing UNA or anyone can do about it.
The only way to prevent that is to disable the phone functions (but then your phone will turn into a wifi only device) and reenable them when needed, head to the scripts section to learn how to do it.
Last but not least, bear in mind that the agencies have armies of tech savvy henchmen and 10 storeys computers, and tricks we can't even imagine, so think twice and use your brain before you attempt to outsmart them...
UNA IS FOR YOU IF:
. You are willing to learn how to use an unconventional ROM and generally speaking to understand how things work, even if it sometimes requires a little effort to fix this or that little problem (bear in mind that it took us a lot of work to develop Una to where it is now),
. You don't mind a few little occasional bugs here and there that come from all the restrictions the ROM contains,
. You want to take back ownership of your phone from google’s claws.
UNA IS NOT FOR YOU IF:
. All that you care about is the latest gimmick in the latest OS,
. You can't live without the google’s apps,
. You are the kind of person that never reads through the OP and only scroll down to the download section, and then complain that things don't work and/or ask stupid questions that have already been answered in OP.
An example? One guy makes a mod and writes clearly in OP that it's specifically for 4.2.2. Then some people complain: "it doesn't work on 4.4.2"...
ARE WE PARANOID TIN FOIL HATS? OR TERRORISTS? OR CARTEL BOSSES?
Nope, we only are people that don't see why we shouldn't be in control of our phones. Or why our phones can be wiped remotely, why apps or updates or who knows what can be downloaded and installed without asking for our consent, why SMS' can be sent without us to know, why we should pay for the bandwidth used for data mining and unwanted downloads, and why all those activities should deplete our battery and kill our RAM.
You think we are overreacting here?
You don't have to take our word for it, just download and install Network Log from here:
https://f-droid.org/repository/browse/?fdfilter=network+log&fdid=com.googlecode.networklog
Give it root permission, start logging and open some web pages. Come back to Network Log after a few minutes and see for yourself, you'll be surprised (or maybe horrified?) to find out that your android system, your settings, your kernel etc. connect to all sorts of funny IPs, including and foremost google’s.
Now you see what we mean?
It's time to go for Una
UNA'S FEATURES
. Rooted.
. Deodexed.
. Zipaligned.
. Busybox and sqlite installed.
. Init.d support and scripts.
. Auto start disabled for most apps.
. About 120 system apps, 40 framework jars, 30 permissions xmls and 25 libs removed, plus files here and there.
. Very low RAM and CPU consumption, more than 8 hours screen time with the WIFI on, 1% battery decrease every 10-12 hours while in stand by.
. Heavily and extensively modified system, in order to make it secure and prevent it from leaking your data.
. App Settings, Firewall and Xprivacy built-in, and already applied out of the box to make sure you are well protected.
. Xprivacy is a fantastic tool but it has one big limitation, it can't restrict the Android System from accessing your serial numbers and leaking it. For that reason these IDs have been edited as follows:
build.serial (androidboot.serialno), ro.boot.serialno and ro.serialno are both set to "1",
android id is set to "id",
net.hostname is set to "1".
. Wlan serial number set to "00000001" (this number identifies you everytime you connect to the internet, and Xprivacy can't do anything about it).
. USB ID (iSerial) set to 1.
. Unreadable cp access.
. Vulnerabilities patched thanks to Master Key Multi Fix.
. ADB disabled (can be re-enabled, see below).
. By default ADB, all google access (including youtube, blogspot and google search), the Live Wallpaper Picker and the Media Storage are disabled. You can re-enable some or all of them, instructions are in the "HOW TO USE THE ROM" section.
. Plenty of under the hood modifications to make the ROM fast and fluid.
. Multi-purpose navigation keys.
. Call button in contacts.
. Because secure doesn't mean ugly, the whole ROM has been themed with a beautiful green color (if there are enough requests other themes will follow), transparency, and Lollipop HD wallpapers.
. Multiwindows have been revamped, they are no longer only static in Samsung style but now they can float and be resized/minimized too, like on a computer.
. All apps can be opened in floating mode.
. KK style quad view multiwindows.
. Heaps of hand picked and carefully scrutinized open source apps.
There are 2 non open source apps (Greenify and Quick Pic) but they are safe, believe me, I have thoroughly examined them. Still, you can always uninstall them if you feel like it.
In time we will develop our own apps, but first we want to see how people respond to the Una concept...
Installed apps/tools
. 920 Editor, to create and edit scripts or text files.
. AF+ Firewall.
. Alarm clock.
. APG, to encrypt messages.
. App Settings, to restrict apps' permissions, change DPI on a per app basis and more.
. Arity, a calcultor.
. Conversations, a secure and encrypted chat, modded by uncle Fab for increased security.
. Fdroid, an alternative to the Play Store, and all the apps are open source!
. Floating stickies, to make small notes on the fly.
. FTP Server, to copy files to/from your phone wirelessly.
. Ghost Commander, a very powerful dual panel root file manager.
. Gravity Box, a theming engine.
. Greenify, to make apps behave by hibernating them when not in use.
. K9 Mail, an email client.
. Kernel Adiutor, if you feel like playing with kernel tweaks (but you have to know what you are doing).
. Lightning, a fast and light weight browser.
. Master Key Multi Fix, a patch to some vulnerabilities.
. Network Log, to check where your apps connect and chase unwanted connections.
. Open Camera.
. Tor (Orbot) for Android, modded by uncle Fab for increased security.
. OS Monitor, to monitor and kill your phone's processes, and more.
. Pale Moon, based on Firefox for Android, for a full desktop experience with Mozilla add-ons preinstalled for enhanced security.
. PDF Reader.
. Preferences Manager, to edit the otherwise difficult to read shared_prefs files in data/data.
. Quick Dic, a good selection of free dictionaries.
. Quick Pic, a Gallery app.
. Rmaps, a maps app where you can download maps from various sources for offline use.
. Search Light, a torch.
. Terminal Emulator, fire up your commands and show your phone who is the boss!
. Text Secure, a secure and encrypted SMS app, modded by uncle Fab for increased security.
. Tint Browser, another fast web browser.
. Urecord, to record sounds with different sample rates.
. USB Mass Storage Enabler, to connect your phone to any computer (note that it only mounts the external SD).
. Viper4Android FX, a powerful sound enhancer.
. Viper4Android XHiFi, some more sound enhancements.
. VLC, a video and music player favourite.
. WI-Fi Privacy Police, to secure your connections even better than they already are.
. Xposed Installer, a great framework that enables apps like App Settings or Xprivacy to work.
. Xprivacy, last but not least, the best privacy app.
WHY DO WE USE A 4.3 ROM AS BASE INSTEAD OF THE LATEST 4.4.2?
Because when it comes to privacy Kit Kat 4.4.x is a complete
disaster, the newer the android version the more buit-in spying there is (and the more difficult it is to remove it), despite google's sweet talk about "enhanced user's experience.
Lollipop seems to be even worse, but that's another story.
INSTALLATION
As usual, make a backup first!
Do backup your contacts and whatever is important because all your apps and data will be erased (your sd card contents won't be deleted though).
Do backup your /system/csc folder, in case you need it for later.
Do backup your efs folder (VERY IMPORTANT).
Open an android terminal from your phone and type:
su
enter, then type:
busybox dd if=/dev/block/mmcblk0p11 of=/sdcard/efs.img
enter, this will create an efs backup caled efs.img in your sd card.
To restore it, first make sure the efs.img is in your internal sd card, then type:
su
enter, then type:
busybox dd if=/sdcard/efs.img of=/dev/block/mmcblk0p11
enter, your efs will be restored in no time.
If that sounds like too much work you can use the scripts provided to backup/restore your efs, instructions are in the scripts section.
To install the ROM you need a Custom Recovery and Philz' comes highly recommended.
We chose Philz since AFAIK it's the only one that allows you to lock you recovery with a password (if your recovery is not password protected it wouldn't take more than 2 minutes for someone to disable your pattern or pin protected lockscreen and access all your personal data on the phone).
I'm not sure whether there's a Philz recovery or not for the Grand 2, if there isn't then CWM or TWRP will do.
Custom recovery installation instructions
You need to have Samsung drivers installed.
Boot your phone into download mode (press volume down and power at the same time).
Open Odin 3.07 and connect your phone.
Click on the PDA slot, navigate to where the Custom Recovery is located and select it.
DOUBLE CHECK AND MAKE SURE THAT "RE-PARTITION" IS UNTICKED (only "Auto Reboot" and "F.Reset Time" should be selected).
Click start and wait while Odin flashes the Recovery.
If everything went well your phone will now auto-reboot into the system. Go into recovery, you should see your brand new Custom Recovery.
If you are still on stock recovery then repeat the above steps, but this time untick “Auto Reboot” in Odin.
When in recovery, if before you reboot you see a text on the screen displaying “yes – disable flash recovery”, select it to avoid stock recovery overwriting the Custom Recovery.
Download Una for Grand 2 from here (click on the menu at the top right and go to the download section):
http://unaos.com
Unzip the ROM and copy it to the backup folder that is inside the clockworkmod folder in your sd card (if there's no backup folder create it by choosing "mkdir" in Ghost Commander).
Boot into recovery.
Go to restore from sdcard, choose 1970-01-01.10.06.02, and go for it!
IMPORTANT!!!
If you are on Kit Kat (4.4.2) you must downgrade first to stock 4.3 before you attempt to install Una ROM, otherwise you may end up with a bricked phone.
Here are 2 threads to assist you in the downgrading process:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-grand-2/general/how-to-downgrade-galaxy-grand-2-sm-t2857767
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-grand-2/help/downgrade-to-4-3-t2857183
If it works please report here so that other people will know, thanks in advance!
Once it's done reboot, congratulations, you have installed Una ROM on your phone!
HOW TO USE THE ROM
. Swipe down to access the applications drawer.
. Swipe up to turn off the screen.
. Go to settings and set a stong password/pin/pattern protected lockscreen (recommended).
. Go in recovery and set a recovery password (recommended).
. Long pressing on the menu key toggles expanded desktop (full screen, no more navigation bar and no more status bar).
. Double pressing the menu key kills and hibernates the current application.
. Long pressing the recent key brings you back to the last application (convenient to switch from one app to another).
. Between the home and the back key there's a supplementary key that can display up to 12 apps (editable in gravity box).
Double pressing that key shows the sound panel, long pressing it shows the reboot menu (note that there's an option to take screenshots in the reboot menu).
. You can open an app in full screen mode by dragging it from the Flash Bar (the side bar), then you can drag and add more windows to the view (up to 4 on the same screen).
Or, you can open apps in resizable and movable floating mode by clicking on them (double tapping the top bar minimizes them into a bubble, double tapping the bubble restores them).
. Go to /system/etc/security/cacerts, check the certificates that are there (you'll find the certificate's name approximately by the middle of the file), and erase the ones you don't need/like.
When you want to transfer files to/from your phone open the USB Mass Storage Enabler app and enable mass storage, that's it. When you are done, don't forget to eject your phone from the computer and to reenable MTP from the app.
. When you install a new application, by default it will be fully restricted in both Xprivacy and the Firewall.
Before you open the newly installed app wait until the Xprivacy icon appears in the status bar, then and only then can you open it.
Most likely the app will crash.
Go to Xprivacy, open its settings and then usage data, you will see what restrictions caused the crash. Re enable some, provided that they are not too invasive.
Many apps require "load.Library" to be allowed in the shell section, that's ok.
Others may need to access the sd card, that's in the storage section and it's ok to allow it for apps that really need to access the storage, like players, cameras or file managers (for other apps try to keep it restricted).
Root apps obviously need "su" and/or 'sh", and sometimes "exec", in the shell section.
Always try to enable as few fields as possible, and bear in mind that data requested by an app is not necessarily needed for that app to work (especially true for identification, internet and mcc/mmc access).
Lastly, give the app internet access in the Firewall if, and only if, it needs it, and restrict some more permissions in App Settings.
If you can't tame the app consider uninstalling it and look for a similar one that has less built-in spyware.
SCRIPTS
. As said above, by default ADB, all google access (including youtube, blogspot and google search), the Live Wallpaper Picker and the Media Storage are disabled.
If you want to re-enable some or all of them, open the script folder located in system/etc.
Click on the desired script and choose edit.
Copy the whole text and paste it into the Android Terminal, voila, the script is automagically executed.
. You will see more scripts to disable/enable the Bluetooth, the FM Radio and the Phone.
If you disable the Phone and later want to re-enable it do as follows:
untick App Settings in Xposed's modules section, re-enable Phone, reboot, then enable App Settings again.
. Some scripts will enable you to backup/restore your efs partition and flash a recovery.img (to restore or flash an .img, make sure it's in your internal sd and execute the script).
. Other scripts can enable/disable am and pm, but don't play with it unless you know what you're doing.
. You can uninstall the Live Wallpaper Picker, the Wallpaper Chooser and the Media Storage if you want, or keep them disabled and resurrect them when needed.
. If you are very privacy concerned you should consider using the "uncle's phone lite" mod because it enables you to call with only the Phone and the Telephony Provider apps (CSC, Contacts, Contacts Storage, Logs Provider and STK are completely de-activated). That's the method I use to make calls, but you have to know that the dialler forces close after you complete the call (not a big deal in my opinion but still, I may look into it one of these days). You'll find the mod in the add-ons section.
ENCRYPTION
If encryption is your thing we have you covered with the following installed apps:
APG, Conversations, K9 Mail and Text Secure.
BUGS
. Quick Dic won't download any dictionary, actually it's not a bug but a Una restriction since Quick Dic downloads from a google owned web site.
If you need to download dictionaries, temporarly enable google by running the "enable_google" script (don't forget to disable it again when you're done). After you've run the script go to the firewall, open its settings, go to "Set custom script" and click "OK" (do the same if you decide to disable again google's stuff).
. For some reason the ADW Launcher doesn't allow transparency in the navigation bars while in portrait, I'm working on that.
. You can't download anything from Lightning and Tint Browser, that's because the Download Manager and the Download UI have been uninstalled. If you need to download something, copy the link and paste it in Pale Moon, it has its own download engine.
. I didn't have time to properly and restrictively set Text Secure (the SMS app), because I don't own this phone and the person I borrowed it from wanted it back ASAP. Sorry about that, you'll have to do it on your own (if you want to make it simple just restrict its internet access).
. All the installed apps work, but other apps you install may crash. I call that kind of apps "google’s henchmen", they only work if the play store services or the bla bla app are installed and of course they won't on Una since all that garbage has been removed.
If I install your app, why do you want to force me to install your boss' app too? Forget about those apps and search Fdroid, you'll find what you need...
. Depending the way you use your phone you may have to fine tune Xprivacy and reenable some permissions, I'm sorry for the inconvenience but it's impossible to set Xprivacy for all users since we all have different ways to use our phone.
ADD-ONS
. Sony Xperia Keyboard, flash it in recovery.
Credits KristianCarl for porting it, and unclefab for theming it in green.
It's not open source and that's why it's not included in the rom by default, but it's my every day keyboard because it works fine and because I themed it to make it look nice.
Don't give it internet access in the Firewall.
In Xprivacy, only allow "loadLibrary" in the shell section. You may have to enable a few fields in the contacts section depending your phone's configuration.
In App Settings, restrict "Read_Phone_State" and "Record_Audio".
I removed the Chinese Keyboard, tell me if you want it and I'll readd it.
. Universe Wallpapers
If there are enough users' requests then I'll upload the following:
. Uncle's phone lite (with clipboard and dialer) for hardcore users. It's safer than using the regular phone configuration, but the dialer forces close when you hang up the call. Flash it in recovery, wipe dalvik-cache, reboot.
. Completely disable internet access for the Android System. Lightning and Tint Browser won't connect anymore since they use the same web engine as the Android System, but Pale Moon still works thanks to its build-in web engine. Flash it in recovery, wipe dalvik-cache, reboot.
RECOMMENDED NON OPEN SOURCE APPS
. Pri-fy, from chainfire the root master:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2631512
. Logging Test:
http://androidsecuritytest.com/
UPDATES?
I'm working on some improvements on kernel and system level to make Una even more secure, but I will release them for the Grand 2 if, and only if, there are enough users' feedback for the current version, because it's a lot of work to implement such stuff in a ROM.
No ETA though, you'll have to be patient because now we have to design and release Una for many other phones.
Still, any suggestions/comments/bug reports are welcome, help us to improve Una!
FEATURE REQUESTS
Yeah, sure, we'll see what we can do but we don't promise anything
SCREENSHOTS
I didn't have time to make screenshots since I ran short of time, so the ones you'll see here come from another phone.
They are very similar in shape, layout and color though, and you'll get the idea.
That's all for now, enjoy the ROM!!!
The Una team
CREDITS
Big thanks to:
F-Droid
M66B (Xprivacy)
Rovo89 (Xposed)
Tungstwenty (App Settings, Master Key Multi Fix)
Ukanth (AF+Firewall)
Jecelyin (920 Editor)
Kraigsandroid (Alarm Klock)
Thialfihar (APG)
Arity (Arity calculator)
Siacs (Conversations)
Ppareit (FTP)
Ghost Squared (Ghost Commander File manager)
Mohammad Adib (Floating Stickies)
C3C076(Gravity Box)
Oasisfeng (Greenify)
K-9 Dog Walkers (K9 Mail)
Grarak (Kernel Adiutor)
Anthonycr (Lightning)
Xperiacle (Multiwindows Manager)
Pragmatic Software (Network Log)
Mdwh2(Open Camera)
The Guardian Project (Orbot)
Eolwral (OS Monitor)
Moon Child and Cyansmoker (Pale Moon)
Droidapps (PDF Reader)
Simon Marquis (Preferences Manager)
Thad Hughes (Quick Dic)
Q-Supreme team (Quick Pic)
Robert.Developer (Rmaps)
Search Light (Search Light)
Jackpal (Terminal Emulator)
Anasthase (Tint Browser And Tint Browser Adblock Addon)
Thomasebell (Urecord)
Mohammad Abu-Garbeyyeh (USB Mass Storage Enabler)
Zhuhang (Viper4Android FX and Viper4Android XHiFi)
Videolan.org (VLC)
Brambonne (Wi-Fi Privacy Police)
i dont own a galaxy grand 2 , although i may have to get one , but thank you for sharing your work. i'm not a developer so i can only imagine ( which probably falls way short ) of what this took to build.:thumbsup:
"all i can really do , is stay out of my own way and let the will of heaven be done"
Please do a 4.4.4/4.4.2 version. What about the security? Like anyone can hack into your phone....
salimtn said:
4.3 ?! Not interrested
Sent from my SM-G7102 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Laurisss said:
Please do a 4.4.4/4.4.2 version. What about the security? Like anyone can hack into your phone....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your useful feedbacks.
PLEASE, DO READ OP COMPLETELY AND CAREFULLY BEFORE ASKING ANY QUESTIONS, ANSWERS TO MOST PROBLEMS ARE THERE
WHY DO WE USE A 4.3 ROM AS BASE INSTEAD OF THE LATEST 4.4.2?
Because when it comes to privacy Kit Kat 4.4.x is a complete disaster, the newer the android version the more buit-in spying there is (and the more difficult it is to remove it), despite google's sweet talk about "enhanced user's experience.
Lollipop seems to be even worse, but that's another story.
And NO, not anyone can hack into your phone, but many can and google already did it!
salimtn said:
4.3 ?! Not interrested
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you soooooo much to take time to reply and show how much consideration and respect you have for someone that worked about 100 hours to build a rom and share it for free with the community.
It feels sad to know that you won t run Una rom on your phone, and thanks again for informing us that we won t count such a great person like you amongst our users, but maybe next time you should read OP:
UNA IS NOT FOR YOU IF:
. All that you care about is the latest gimmick in the latest OS,
. You can't live without the google’s apps,
. You are the kind of person that never reads through the OP and only scroll down to the download section, and then complain that things don't work and/or ask stupid questions that have already been answered in OP.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You see guys?
It s thanks to that kind of person that so many devs have left, leave, or will leave the forum...
Please do a 4.4.4/4.4.2 version
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As written in OP there might be updates:
I'm working on some improvements on kernel and system level to make Una even more secure, but I will release them for the Grand 2 if, and only if, there are enough users' feedback for the current version, because it's a lot of work to implement such stuff in a ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, time will tell, but so far if you were me what would you think/do?
Thanks for your valient efforts.
But most of the phones would have been upgraded
to k.k. and downgrading them to 4.3 is rather risky.
Even I wonder whether I can downgrade to 4.3 add you rightly mentioned
about 4.4 and 5 android versions.
Even then I will try to down grade to 4.3 and also
try this room. I am willing to take the risk for the developer.
salimtn said:
4.3 and a cute dev. ?! Still not interested ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Still not interested?
Such a pity, people like you are every devs' dream and it would have been a real honour to count such a VIP like you amongst our users.
Thanks for letting us know, next time we ll try to do our best to satisfy demanding users like you...
wrishaba said:
Thanks for your valient efforts.
But most of the phones would have been upgraded
to k.k. and downgrading them to 4.3 is rather risky.
Even I wonder whether I can downgrade to 4.3 add you rightly mentioned
about 4.4 and 5 android versions.
Even then I will try to down grade to 4.3 and also
try this room. I am willing to take the risk for the developer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your support. With this attitude you are definitely repaying every effort made.
wrishaba said:
But most of the phones would have been upgraded
to k.k. and downgrading them to 4.3 is rather risky.
Even I wonder whether I can downgrade to 4.3 add you rightly mentioned
about 4.4 and 5 android versions.
Even then I will try to down grade to 4.3 and also
try this room. I am willing to take the risk for the developer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I really dislike 4.4 because it s full of spying, but on the other hand I definitely could build a 4.4 rom for the Grand 2 cuz I can understand that not many people want to take the risk to downgrade.
The only problem is that I don t own the phone, and that the person I borrowed it from doesn t want me to install 4.4 on it, because of knox and because 4.3 runs well.
One thing you have to bear in mind is that latest android version doesn t mean best version, and since 4.1 it s actually been quite the opposite.
Google install 2-3 gimmicks to "enhance users' experience" bla bla, and at the same time strengthens its grip on android.
It got particularly bad with 4.4, and I read reports that it went even worse with 5x...
unclefab said:
I really dislike 4.4 because it s full of spying, but on the other hand I definitely could build a 4.4 rom for the Grand 2 cuz I can understand that not many people want to take the risk to downgrade.
The only problem is that I don t own the phone, and that the person I borrowed it from doesn t want me to install 4.4 on it, because of knox and because 4.3 runs well.
One thing you have to bear in mind is that latest android version doesn t mean best version, and since 4.1 it s actually been quite the opposite.
Google install 2-3 gimmicks to "enhance users' experience" bla bla, and at the same time strengthens its grip on android.
It got particularly bad with 4.4, and I read reports that it went even worse with 5x...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
spying? Meh. 80% of people are on kitkat and a few are on lollipop. No reports of something hack-ish.
Laurisss said:
spying? Meh. 80% of people are on kitkat and a few are on lollipop. No reports of something hack-ish.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most people don t realise they are being spyied.
Do one test.
Download network log from here:
https://f-droid.org/repository/browse/?fdfilter=network+log&fdid=com.googlecode.networklog
Install it, open it, give it root access and start logging by clicking "logging on" on the top.
Then do some browsing, going to this or that site, but don t go to any google related web site (no search, no youtube etc.).
Come back to network log, you will see that your phone connected to many funny addresses, including of course google, and that quite a lot of data has been transfered both inbound and outbound.
That s just a small test, there s actually much more than that but you ll get the idea.
You could make another test with xprivacy, and if you do so you ll see that all apps request various private data like ids and cell towers location.
The thing is that the higher the android version the more difficult it is to prevent that data mining, data mining that is little more than spying by looking over your shoulder.
Una roms have been designed to prevent that, and more (see OP), but it s up to everybody to install it or not.
I really appreciate your Hard work , I can imagine how much hard work you would have done by working on a phone which you do not own , borrowing it again and again , testing the ROM on someone else's phone and the fear of bricking it . But as someone mentioned in the thread many users are on 4.4 . Many here fear bricking there devices while downgrading it. The mere fact that you have to downgrade your device to use the ROM is what cause of lack of users . personally I really liked what your ROM offers. Just to help you for further development H6 is the most stable and without Knox count firmware. Some 60-70 % users who flash custom ROM are on this firmware and even many custom Roms use it as a base . Hope to see this ROM on kk .
Best of luck.
unclefab said:
I really dislike 4.4 because it s full of spying, but on the other hand I definitely could build a 4.4 rom for the Grand 2 cuz I can understand that not many people want to take the risk to downgrade.
The only problem is that I don t own the phone, and that the person I borrowed it from doesn t want me to install 4.4 on it, because of knox and because 4.3 runs well.
One thing you have to bear in mind is that latest android version doesn t mean best version, and since 4.1 it s actually been quite the opposite.
Google install 2-3 gimmicks to "enhance users' experience" bla bla, and at the same time strengthens its grip on android.
It got particularly bad with 4.4, and I read reports that it went even worse with 5x...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Definitely I wanna going to try this rom. I never said 4.4. Or 5 is best versions of android.
But the fact is downgrading is some what risky. Eben then I am going to try.
No need to pay me for taking sweet.
wrishaba said:
Definitely I wanna going to try this rom. I never said 4.4. Or 5 is best versions of android.
But the fact is downgrading is some what risky. Eben then I am going to try.
No need to pay me for taking sweet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn t read everything about the downgrade procedure, but of what I have read you have to odin flash a specific KK version first, and then a specific 4.3.
Anyway, if it s really that risky maybe you shouldn t try and wait until we manage to release a 4.4 Una rom.
The problem is that the person that owns that phone uses it for business purposes, so I have to be very careful not to loose all the whatsapp, bbm etc. contacts and settings, and if it was ok to backup her rom, work on making una during nights and then restoring her original rom in the early morning, it would be a different story to switch from 4.3 to 4.4 to again 4.3 every night...
Let s see if I can convince her to use 4.4 as her daily rom, but I can t lie and tell her that 4.4 is better than 4.3, and I don t think she will accept to sacrifice her phone.
I meet her again next month and I ll keep you informed in case she accepts.
For now what you can do if you want to make your phone more private and secure is to follow what I explain in my security thread (check my signature "how to secure your phone").
unclefab said:
I didn t read everything about the downgrade procedure, but of what I have read you have to odin flash a specific KK version first, and then a specific 4.3.
Anyway, if it s really that risky maybe you shouldn t try and wait until we manage to release a 4.4 Una rom.
The problem is that the person that owns that phone uses it for business purposes, so I have to be very careful not to loose all the whatsapp, bbm etc. contacts and settings, and if it was ok to backup her rom, work on making una during nights and then restoring her original rom in the early morning, it would be a different story to switch from 4.3 to 4.4 to again 4.3 every night...
Let s see if I can convince her to use 4.4 as her daily rom, but I can t lie and tell her that 4.4 is better than 4.3, and I don t think she will accept to sacrifice her phone.
I meet her again next month and I ll keep you informed in case she accepts.
For now what you can do if you want to make your phone more private and secure is to follow what I explain in my security thread (check my signature "how to secure your phone").
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All builds prior to NK1 are without KNOX.
NH6 is good and speedy.
I'm a dev too, and I don't recommend the over-VIP experience you're using to grab customers. I ain't sure, but it looks humiliating to you to give picky users a VIP experience.
Just tell them to get the hell off the thread if they hate the idea (I really like it and would've upgraded if I was a TW user. I use AOSP CM).
Also, the screenshots are from a Grand 1, and our device is SM-G7102, not I7102. You mixed up with the Grand 1 i9082.
Oah you know, customers is maybe not the right word, unless they pay which is not the case!
Then I don t know if that can be called a vip experience, but I understand your point, maybe sometimes I m too nice, what to do...
For the screenshots, I didn t mix 'em, I explained in OP that I didn't have time to make any since I ran short of time, and that the ones I put here come from another phone.
A galaxy grand i9082, yep, well done, you have a sharp eye!
They are very similar in shape, layout and color (apart from the cascade icon to minimize windows that Samsung has removed after 4.2.2, a big mistake to my opinion), so people can get the idea.
WaseemAlkurdi said:
I'm a dev too, and I don't recommend the over-VIP experience you're using to grab customers. I ain't sure, but it looks humiliating to you to give picky users a VIP experience.
Just tell them to get the hell off the thread if they hate the idea (I really like it and would've upgraded if I was a TW user. I use AOSP CM).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In some ways you are right, but we think that being professional is not a bad thing, despite the fact that the forum is full of picky users, ready to make bad comments even without trying the product. Of course, we can and we will also give a VIP experience, but it is reserved for the ones that will earn it.
In any case we appreciate your support. Thank you
WaseemAlkurdi said:
All builds prior to NK1 are without KNOX.
NH6 is good and speedy.
I'm a dev too, and I don't recommend the over-VIP experience you're using to grab customers. I ain't sure, but it looks humiliating to you to give picky users a VIP experience.
Just tell them to get the hell off the thread if they hate the idea (I really like it and would've upgraded if I was a TW user. I use AOSP CM).
Also, the screenshots are from a Grand 1, and our device is SM-G7102, not I7102. You mixed up with the Grand 1 i9082.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When downgrade strucked at boot logo "samsung".
Thai version. 4.3. What to do wasim? Any idea.
Odin flash failed. Again flashed NH6. Again boot loop.
Pllllzzzzz download link
Sent from my SM-G7102 using XDA Free mobile app
wrishaba said:
When downgrade strucked at boot logo "samsung".
Thai version. 4.3. What to do wasim? Any idea.
Odin flash failed. Again flashed NH6. Again boot loop.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As I recall, wiping (data/cache/Dalvik cache) from recovery worked.
You're lucky you ain't in a hard brick
Note that you need ClockWorkMod Recovery to wipe Dalvik.
Hey Guys! I bring to you, a collection of steps and tweaks, as well as something to make your Lollipop Note III the most fastest and cleanest possible.
In order to do this, we are gonna need some tools, and Roms, and follow this steps exactly to avoid errors.
For this guide, you are going to need:
A Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Sprint
A Computer
Common Sense
A Working Custom Recovery [TWRP/Philz]
So lets Continue...
First thing first... You must be on lollipop OC5 firmware, stock and no other, in order to follow this guide... please refer to several tutorials that can be found in order to do that..
Also all credits for the tweaks, and roms and mods, are for the respective owners/creators, each link refer to the original post... be sure to thank him/her if this was useful!
Now.. Grab this.. STOCK_DEODEXED_N900PVPUEOC5.zip
This ROM is stock based, and you can find all the info on the original thread here ----> Here
Once you flash this rom, your phone will have
Root Access
Init.d Support
Busybox Installed
Knox Fully Removed
Now.. i don't know you... but i personally hate ADS... everywhere...anywhere...anytime.... so.. why don't we get rid of those shall we?
Flash This
This is Mother Of All Ad Block.. which is just a HUUUUGGEEEEE file with all the IP and Domains names redirected to localhost or 127.0.0.1 in order to NOT DISPLAY THE ADS.. and its beautiful... and you can find all the info Here
Lets Move on... clearly we still have alot of bloat to remove from our Note, Lets use This
This is a Smart De-bloater! and its aroma based! it will remove the thing that you actually select, as a friendly note, i always select in this debloater EVERYTHING, AND I MEAN EVERYTHING! except for the LWP "Live Wallpaper Picker".
You can find the original Thread Here
Now you have:
Removed Most of the Bloat on your Phone
Most? Why most? why not all? easy there.. the debloater its outdated, and it does not remove fully the sprint stuff.. will take care of that later, ok?
Moving on.... we need to tweak the system a little.. for that lets pump the audio ok? , for that we are going to need This
This is "Extreme Audio Mod" aka as "Muses", basically it adds some functions to the way that the device outputs the audio... for more info about that MOD, visit the original thread Here
After flashing that... you will have added:
Pon-3 Audio
AwesomeBeats
PureAudio Engine
HTC Beats Audio
Harmon Kardon Audio
xLoud
Sony Clear Audio + Sony Clearphase
Dolby Audio
SRS WOW + SRS TRU BASS + SRS DEFINITION ENHANCER @ 30% Intensity
48000Khz Sampling @ 24bit
eXtremeBeats™ xPress Engine Smartly Enhances Your Call Quality
eXtrabass Libs
Render Frequencies Lower Than 20Hz on Headphones
Render Frequencies Lower Than 150Hz on Built In speaker
Increased Volume Levels Throughout System
Warmer Clearer Sound Via Built In Speaker, Headphones or Bluetooth
Wider Soundstage
Converts Low Quality MP3's To 320Kbps When Possible
Less Noise With Updated Libs
NEW! MEGABASS Mod For Powerful, Lower and clearer more optimized bass
Bass Optimizations For Punchier Clearer Bass
NEW! Alsa+Beats Allows for faster sound processing, and better quality audio
New Treble Optimizations For Even An Even Clearer High End Listening Experience
Moving On! lets tweak now the system a little in order to get battery life and some others bonus,
We are going to flash This
This is eXtremeBoost™ V2.5.1, and all the thing it does and how it works it can be found on the original thread Here
In order for that mod to work, we need init.d support, that is why we flashed the modded rom at first.
After flashing the eXtremeBoost package, the changed supposed to be this:
Better signal over wifi and 3g
Google dns for faster internet
Network tweaks and script
Battery tweaks and scripts
General performance tweaks
Super smoth scrolling and more fluidity
More sd-card read/write speed
Ram tweaks and scripts
Dalvick-cache tweaks and scripts
Cpu cores tweaks and scripts
Kernel tweaks and scripts
Play video with hardware acceleration
Ad bloking
Defrag system database
Optimize sqlite database at every boot
Clean cache at every boot
Zipalign apk at every boot (not re-zipalign if already zipaligned)\
Now... if you finished all of this on your phone.... congrats.. turn it on and access to the system itself.... BUT WAIT THERES MORE!, we need to gt rid of those fishy apps that we still got there.. for that, you can use ANY App Uninstaller, but the easiest one is This one.. it does what its supposed to do.. nothing more.. nothing less, it requires root obviously... but it does remove the apps you don't need in a single tap.. and also lets you backup them.. i had issues with titanium backup pro, and some others that i have used in the past.. this one seems working for now..
Now.. for the last Mod.. and this is fully optional... this is the "Surround Sound"
You can Find the original thread Here!
Here, download this..
I don't fully accept the title the author give to it, but its his mod, so i cant complain. basically what this does, its turns the ear piece speaker, into a normal speaker... there are 3 setting for this mod..
They are:
Low - Stock And Loud sounds....
The one i attached is Stock Mod... so it does not go like cracking your earpiece or something... after trying the LOUD one.. i can confirm that its not great.. and its not good on max volume.. trust me... dont...
and there is the Revert to Stock... in case you did not like... you can flash This to go back!
So basically that's all... You got your phone:
Rooted
Fully Debloated
With init.d Support
With Busybox
Powered Amp Sound
Zipaligned
With all the ADS blocked
Battery tweaks and scripts
Google DNS set
Knox Fully Removed
And the surround Sound!
Your Note 3, Should Look Like This!
Get a 404 on:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/musbd9tfaz...round.zip?dl=0
Sent from my A1-840FHD using Tapatalk 2
ScarletDreamz said:
Hey Guys! I bring to you, a collection of steps and tweaks, as well as something to make your Lollipop Note III the most fastest and cleanest possible.
/QUOTE]
You forgot to mention best battery life that I have seen.
One weird oddity getting the file explorers to be able to navigate to the top folder of the sdcard. I DON'T show a file picker when that pops up. Just a button that says recent. Can't click on it.
Any clues? Alternative ways to force my root Explorer to own my sdcard?
And if your a new doing this, each flash requires that you reboot to the main android screen and let it do its magic.
I did mine slightly different this time.
I used App Share and shared out my applications listing and emailed it to myself. Link at the bottom.
Then I wiped the data and followed the first rom instructions.
I told it to restore password BUT NOT APPLICATIONS.
I Rebooted 3 Times to let the sprint stuff fully install.
When it came time to install my apps I installed last app Switcher (link at bottom).
Turned it on, opened up my email to the one where I had shared out my list of applications.
I clicked on the first application I wanted to install and then it launched play store and I selected install and accepted permission.
Then I used last application Switcher to switch back to the email and selected the next application. And so on. Worked very nice.
I am going to do my wife's with the exception of I'll be leaving in the Samsung account so she can restore her fitness tracking.
App Share - Facebook/G+/Email
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=mobi.infolife.appshare
LAS: Last App Switcher
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.abhi.lastappswitcher
Sent from my SM-N900P using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This worked quite well! It's been a long time since I've been on something other than AOSP and this guide has helped me trim off thousands of pounds of fat of Samsung's crapware! Love the mods too. The surround sound is boss. Do you have any ideas about resizing apps? DPI stuff?
EDIT: Please direct any development questions, queries, etc. to the new thread in the Development Forum, concerning all development-y things.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/grand-prime/development/unofficial-cyanogenmod-12-1-g530w-t3424761
============================================================
I've recently started working on a custom ROM for the Samsung Grand Prime G530W [gprimeltevl/gprimeltecan], and so far I have built a somewhat working ROM (without any radio/wireless capability or audio for now).
If there is interest in this project (which I think there is; the lack of any kind of love shown for the G530W is annoying), I'll continue hacking away at it until I (hopefully) have a working ROM.
I'm new to Android ROM building in general, and there have been several bumps along the way, so any help would be appreciated.
Thanks.
I will be uploading images daily to my Drive storage, in folders named by date (if the date today is not there, then the image had not been built or uploaded yet), and will be compressing the system.tar images with either gzip or xz to reduce the image size.
I will also be updating this area with issues and fixes as necessary.
What I have managed to get working so far (23/07/2016)
Limited mobile connectivity [ sending/receiving texts ].
- Calls can be received or made but there is no audio (speaker or microphone).
- Mobile data is not working.
- Currently the system does not show the mobile connection as active, but texts can still be sent and received.
Bluetooth is working
Audio is working (microphone, speaker)
Multimedia playback working
GPS is working
Wifi is working
Screen brightness controls working
Sensors are working (magnetic, rotation/gyro,proximity)
App installation is now working
Camera is kinda working - only back camera works, and the image is distorted.
Issues
Radio [ modem ] is not working properly
NFC is not working
MTP is not working
Cameras are not working
Here is a link to the system.tar, boot.tar and recovery.tar flashable by ODIN or fastboot (when unpacked).
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B-bYwctD_MoDaWJGcUQ4eWtzRTQ
Project GitHub Repositories:
https://github.com/vince2678/android_device_samsung_gprimeltecan
https://github.com/vince2678/android_vendor_samsung_gprimeltecan
If there are any other issues I missed, let me know.
Great effort
vince2678 said:
I managed to compile and get an image working for the G530W.
What I have managed to get working so far
Bluetooth is working
Audio is working (microphone, speaker)
Multimedia playback working
GPS is working
Sensors are working (magnetic, rotation/gyro,proximity)
Issues
Device fails to unlock and heats up [only once, so far]
Wifi is not working
Radio [ modem ] is not working
User interface crashes periodically
Screen brightness controls not working
MTP is not working
Cameras are not working
Here is a link to the system.tar, boot.tar and recovery.tar flashable by ODIN or fastboot (when unpacked).
https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B-bYwctD_MoDVzd0eS1aaDV6RW8&usp=sharing
I'll be working at it to get at least the Wifi working, if there are any other issues I missed, let me know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good work so far!
I recently purchased a g530w and I would love to boot the stock ROM.
However, I am still busy researching and reading up on this device before I attempt to flash anything. Actually, I did create an update zip file to remove Skype and tried applying it while not rooted but it failed because it was not properly signed.
Anyway, I will watch your progress with keen interest!
Zippy Dufus said:
Good work so far!
I recently purchased a g530w and I would love to boot the stock ROM.
However, I am still busy researching and reading up on this device before I attempt to flash anything. Actually, I did create an update zip file to remove Skype and tried applying it while not rooted but it failed because it was not properly signed.
Anyway, I will watch your progress with keen interest!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds interesting. Did you try rooting your phone and using Link2SSD to remove the app(s)? It works pretty well, and you don't have to go through the whole effort of packing and unpacking the ROM.
vince2678 said:
Sounds interesting. Did you try rooting your phone and using Link2SSD to remove the app(s)? It works pretty well, and you don't have to go through the whole effort of packing and unpacking the ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here's my plan for my new phone:
Reading and research (in progress)
Setting up Odin on a virtual machine (I am a Linux user) and testing a restore of the stock ROM. Do you have a good link to such a ROM? I briefly looked at http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/ and this site looks a little sketchy to me.
Root the device. I believe the method described in this G530T thread has worked for our G530W.
Debloat the crapware. Surprisingly, there is not all that much on the device - mostly some Micro$oft crap, Skype, and an old, old version of Chrome which I cannot uninstall. As root, I'll just go in and delete the unwanted stuff from /system/app using a terminal emulator.
Once it get this far, I can probably live with stock Lollipop. Question, if you are learning how to port a ROM, have you considered starting with Marshmallow? I'm keen to move up.
Build the ROM myself and then attempt to build it with my Linaro toolchain which I built from scratch myself.
Questions, with what you know so far, will the G530H ROM in this thread work on our phone? Is this what you started from? What differences between the 2 devices what preclude it from working on ours - different hardware? software - i.e. different bootloader?, etc?
Zippy Dufus said:
Here's my plan for my new phone:
Reading and research (in progress)
Setting up Odin on a virtual machine (I am a Linux user) and testing a restore of the stock ROM. Do you have a good link to such a ROM? I briefly looked at http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/ and this site looks a little sketchy to me.
Root the device. I believe the method described in this G530T thread has worked for our G530W.
Debloat the crapware. Surprisingly, there is not all that much on the device - mostly some Micro$oft crap, Skype, and an old, old version of Chrome which I cannot uninstall. As root, I'll just go in and delete the unwanted stuff from /system/app using a terminal emulator.
Once it get this far, I can probably live with stock Lollipop. Question, if you are learning how to port a ROM, have you considered starting with Marshmallow? I'm keen to move up.
Build the ROM myself and then attempt to build it with my Linaro toolchain which I built from scratch myself.
Questions, with what you know so far, will the G530H ROM in this thread work on our phone? Is this what you started from? What differences between the 2 devices what preclude it from working on ours - different hardware? software - i.e. different bootloader?, etc?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey Zippy,
That sounds like a good idea.
That website does seem kinda sketchy, and their downloads take millenia, but it's the only option available and their images actually work (just make sure to get the correct one).
Setting up a virtual machine is a good idea, because heimdall doesn't work with this device and I'm not keen on bricking my device trying to force it.
Rebooting between builds to test firmwares because of a lack of a good recovery was becoming a pain. (CyanogenMod Recovery is still missing critical features but it's better than stock).
You can use CF-Auto-Root to root the device (so simple) at:
https://download.chainfire.eu/774/C...uto-Root-gprimeltecan-gprimeltevl-smg530w.zip
Yup, debloating is good, i wanted to do so at first but I wanted to be done away with KNOX and have an su binary which worked flawlessly for good so I decided to start from scratch.
I've considered starting from M, but that will be a task for later. It is troublesome to start from a fimware above what your device is at when you're porting, because the vendor libraries and binaries you copy might not work in the newer version of Android because of linking errors.
You can copy the binaries fine but obscure errors due to missing references will pop up in the logs which will stop the modules from loading or binaries from running.
I'm having these issues with a build ID that is just a few apart from the one used on the stock ROM - LMY49J on the cm build versus LMY47X on the stock).
My Git repos are above - you can get yourself a cm12.1 source tree, pull my device_ and vendor_ trees, pull proprietary files using the scripts in the vendor tree, build from source and then flash the resultant images to your device.
The G530H ROM might, in theory flash without issue and actually boot, but whether it will be usable is another thing.
The thing that differs between the devices, as far as I'm aware, is mostly the baseband, some other device hardware (e.g the G530W has 1.5GB RAM instead of 1GB as most G530 devices), and the device bootloader. As such, the kernels and modules used might differ slightly in terms of modules compiled in, even though they're built from the same kernel source.
And yes, indeed, I started from a G530 device and vendor tree, though whether it was that one, or perhaps one for the G530FZ, I don't remember (though I think it's the G530FZ, it's the device closest to the G530W).
Finally something for this variant, I've been waiting for ages. Huge thumbs up dude, from a thankful Canadian. I don't use this phone as my daily driver so I'll be flashing this without delay. Mind if I trouble you for the order of operations? I've never used Odin to flash a custom ROM before.
Some more questions ...
Hi again @vince2678, I have more questions:
Do you have a local_manifest.xml that drives your build? ... I have a single-purpose Fedora24 virtual machine which I use to build android ROMs.
Does your build actually produce a CM12.1 zip installation package? ... And do you simply harvest the system.img, etc afterwards to put into a flashable this tar file?
What is the command line that do you use to create the flashable tar files? ... I'm just curious.
What version of the firmware does your device have? ... Mine has G530WVLU1AOFB. Apparently, this is the Tanzanian version! WTF? I purchased my phone from a Costco in Oakville, Ontario, Canada. It was purported to be unlocked for all Canadian carriers. My carrier is Virgin Mobile (owned by Bell) and it works fine. But, my understanding is that device actually locks to your SIM card upon first use so you can't use it for other SIM cards, but I haven't proven this yet. BTW, I got over half of the stock ROM DL'ed from SamMobile before it stopped due to a "network error". Yeah right! I'll try again later.
Have you (or are you) cherry-picking patches from the G530H CM12.1 ROM? ... android_device_samsung_fortuna3g I suggest DL'ing their key files and comparing them to yours. They appear to be in the final exhilarating phase of perfecting their ROM.
So you have totally removed the KNOX software without in deleterious consequences? ... I thought that I read in an XDA thread where somebody did this and then had issues such as connecting to WIFI, etc. It appeared that there may be a dependency in the BIOS.
Did you trip the KNOX e-fuse hence void the warranty? ... Not that I care about the warranty, I only worry about bricking the device.
Unlike @Pbotelho, this is my daily driver so I will be proceeding slowly and cautiously and look forward to his experience flashing it.
Pbotelho said:
Finally something for this variant, I've been waiting for ages. Huge thumbs up dude, from a thankful Canadian. I don't use this phone as my daily driver so I'll be flashing this without delay. Mind if I trouble you for the order of operations? I've never used Odin to flash a custom ROM before.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Pbotelho, thanks man. You will have to enable Developer Mode on your phone and unlock the bootloader from the settings. I don't remember what exactly in the settings that option is, but it should be in the Debugging area for sure.
Once done, reboot into Download Mode [Press Power+Volume Down+Home].
Once you've done that, grab the boot.tar, system.tar.xz and recovery.tar from the links above. Extract the system.tar.xz with 7zip or `xz -d system.tar.xz` if under Linux to get a system.tar file, and flash the recovery, boot, and system, one after the other, in whatever order, by booting into download mode as soon as it is done flashing a file.
You will need to wipe your cache and data partitions, which can be done by rebooting into recovery [Power+Volume Up+Home].
The button options are built into the hardware so they can be used at any point after the phone is on.
When all that is done, you can report any problems here [or on the github page] and post logcats and I'll look at them if there's any issue I've missed.
Zippy Dufus said:
Hi again @vince2678, I have more questions:
Do you have a local_manifest.xml that drives your build? ... I have a single-purpose Fedora24 virtual machine which I use to build android ROMs.
Does your build actually produce a CM12.1 zip installation package? ... And do you simply harvest the system.img, etc afterwards to put into a flashable this tar file?
What is the command line that do you use to create the flashable tar files? ... I'm just curious.
What version of the firmware does your device have? ... Mine has G530WVLU1AOFB. Apparently, this is the Tanzanian version! WTF? I purchased my phone from a Costco in Oakville, Ontario, Canada. It was purported to be unlocked for all Canadian carriers. My carrier is Virgin Mobile (owned by Bell) and it works fine. But, my understanding is that device actually locks to your SIM card upon first use so you can't use it for other SIM cards, but I haven't proven this yet. BTW, I got over half of the stock ROM DL'ed from SamMobile before it stopped due to a "network error". Yeah right! I'll try again later.
Have you (or are you) cherry-picking patches from the G530H CM12.1 ROM? ... android_device_samsung_fortuna3g I suggest DL'ing their key files and comparing them to yours. They appear to be in the final exhilarating phase of perfecting their ROM.
So you have totally removed the KNOX software without in deleterious consequences? ... I thought that I read in an XDA thread where somebody did this and then had issues such as connecting to WIFI, etc. It appeared that there may be a dependency in the BIOS.
Did you trip the KNOX e-fuse hence void the warranty? ... Not that I care about the warranty, I only worry about bricking the device.
Unlike @Pbotelho, this is my daily driver so I will be proceeding slowly and cautiously and look forward to his experience flashing it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Zippy,
I do not have a local_manifest, if you want you can just manually pull the device and vendor trees into your build area, or you can make one yourself if you wish.
I will probably make one though, because the build has dependencies on some qcom sources.
I just use 'make -j8' to build everything, though you can use 'make otapackage' to build a flashable zip [You'll need the CMR recovery from here though, the images can't be flashed by stock recovery]
For creating flashable tar files, you can just use `tar`. You don't need to make .md5 verifiable archives, those are just to ensure a download wasn't corrupted [I provide md5sums for checking].
The system.img in the output directory will have to be renamed to 'system.img.ext4' and then archived, as so:
Code:
cd out/target/product/gprimeltecan
ln system.img system.img.ext4
tar cf system.tar system.img.ext4
tar cf boot.tar boot.img
tar cf recovery.tar recovery.img
Then you can move the files wherever and flash them with Odin.
Yes the gprimeltevl/gprimeltecan baseband is indeed G530WVLU1AOFB, though this should work with all G530WXXXXXXXs (not sure how many different ones are out there].
I'm not sure about the SIM locking thing, I cannot confirm this, someone might have to try to check.
I did consider sourcing from that repository, though ultimately i ended up using another one [I don't remember the name]. I might take a look at their source to see what I can do about mine though.
I did trip KNOX, though that was back when I was still trying to root my phone with CF-Root, so I'm not sure if flashing this will trip KNOX. And yes, KNOX is completely gone from this device, with no problems from the phone.
vince2678 said:
Hi Pbotelho, thanks man. You will have to enable Developer Mode on your phone and unlock the bootloader from the settings. I don't remember what exactly in the settings that option is, but it should be in the Debugging area for sure.
Once done, reboot into Download Mode [Press Power+Volume Down+Home].
Once you've done that, grab the boot.tar, system.tar.xz and recovery.tar from the links above. Extract the system.tar.xz with 7zip or `xz -d system.tar.xz` if under Linux to get a system.tar file, and flash the recovery, boot, and system, one after the other, in whatever order, by booting into download mode as soon as it is done flashing a file.
You will need to wipe your cache and data partitions, which can be done by rebooting into recovery [Power+Volume Up+Home].
The button options are built into the hardware so they can be used at any point after the phone is on.
When all that is done, you can report any problems here [or on the github page] and post logcats and I'll look at them if there's any issue I've missed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got impatient with it so I took a gamble and inferred with some background knowledge. Got it up and running several hours ago. Performance wise, it seems dead on perfect. There's no lag, no force closing of apps. Everything runs as snappy as it should. Its fast as f***. Now I even installed xposed framework and added in a few modules, one of those being the Android N-ify project, and it works really well with it, so kudos on this area. I'll be sure to uninstall xposed when it comes to error reporting and logcats.
The only issues I'm seeing besides the ones you've already outlined are graphical in nature. I'm not home at the moment but I'll upload some logcats when I get the chance.
1) What I'm seeing is a blackout out lock screen. I have a theme installed and used it to apply a custom lock wallpaper to test this out. The wallpaper only shows once you've accessed the Pattern input by swiping up. Haven't tried it with a pin. If you're only using swipe, it'll stay black until unlocked.
2) When unlocked and swiping down to access the notifications panel and quick settings, the same blackout effect is present. This is present only while you're looking at your notifications or tiles, and returns to normal when swiped back up.
3) The first half of this part is only noticed when using the material glass theme. When swiping down to access the notification panel without notifications, the "no notifications" text will be present as it should be, however, when swiped down again to access the quicksettings tiles, the "no notifications" text isn't cleared away. It sits behind the brightness slider. This isn't noticeable on the stock theme because its opaque, while material glass features transparency as their main selling card. If using the battery saver, the text from this persistent notification will appear instead.
Edit: Upon further analysis, it seems that the notification content is linked to the bottom of the header instead of the bottom of the quicksettings tiles, and that's why it works this way. When expanding or shrinking the header, the notification also moves directly with it.
Second half: whether on the stock theme or not, the "no notifications" text will continue to stick and be viewable on the lockscreen, retaining its position that is viewed in the notification panel. It sits directly above the clock. The persistent battery saver notification works the same way. I'm no expert, but I believe that since the notification panel and lockscreen both go to black, that this might be linked in some way.
4) Sometimes when using the stock theme and toggling options in the quick settings tiles, it'll glitch out and turn into what I can only describe as a zombie menu. The pixels of the status bar are replaced by that proportionate area of the quick settings menu, and when swiping down to use the menu, access is disabled (it can't be touched) and it closes itself when attempted. Only way I've been able to fix it was to toggle the theme to material glass and all was restored, still subject to the above three points.
Edit: 5) when using kernel adiutor to try to adjust the CPU frequencies, the only option that comes up for both minimum and maximum is 0MHz. The button seems to work as well, bringing the clock max speed down to 0 for a split second before it reverts to a a maximum of 200MHz. Adjusting the governor after the fact won't restore the maximum, seems only a reboot will get it done. I'm slightly amazed to be honest as before on Touchwiz, it was impossible to get it to hold onto a lower maximum. It would jump all over the place as it pleased.
Edit: 6) The recents hardware button is disabled. Touching it, holding it, nor double tapping brings up a function. It also isn't present in settings when trying to map the button functions. Its the only one that's missing. Power, home, back, and volume are all there.
That's all I got for the moment, I tried to be as descriptive as possible as I won't be able to get the logcats up for awhile. Let me know if you have any questions about what I've said here.
And also, are you taking feature requests?
Pbotelho said:
I got impatient with it so I took a gamble and inferred with some background knowledge. Got it up and running several hours ago. Performance wise, it seems dead on perfect. There's no lag, no force closing of apps. Everything runs as snappy as it should. Its fast as f***. Now I even installed xposed framework and added in a few modules, one of those being the Android N-ify project, and it works really well with it, so kudos on this area. I'll be sure to uninstall xposed when it comes to error reporting and logcats.
The only issues I'm seeing besides the ones you've already outlined are graphical in nature. I'm not home at the moment but I'll upload some logcats when I get the chance.
1) What I'm seeing is a blackout out lock screen. I have a theme installed and used it to apply a custom lock wallpaper to test this out. The wallpaper only shows once you've accessed the Pattern input by swiping up. Haven't tried it with a pin. If you're only using swipe, it'll stay black until unlocked.
2) When unlocked and swiping down to access the notifications panel and quick settings, the same blackout effect is present. This is present only while you're looking at your notifications or tiles, and returns to normal when swiped back up.
3) The first half of this part is only noticed when using the material glass theme. When swiping down to access the notification panel without notifications, the "no notifications" text will be present as it should be, however, when swiped down again to access the quicksettings tiles, the "no notifications" text isn't cleared away. It sits behind the brightness slider. This isn't noticeable on the stock theme because its opaque, while material glass features transparency as their main selling card. If using the battery saver, the text from this persistent notification will appear instead.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Pbotelho,
I'll try to answer everything as completely as I can.
The blackout lock screen thing seems to be an issue with Trebuchet. I found that using a different lock screen app solves this issue.
As for the blackout on the notification area, I'm not sure what exactly is causing this, though I think this may be a problem with the cm-12.1 source and not necessarily the device port itself.
Second half: whether on the stock theme or not, the "no notifications" text will continue to stick and be viewable on the lockscreen, retaining its position that is viewed in the notification panel. It sits directly above the clock. The persistent battery saver notification works the same way. I'm no expert, but I believe that since the notification panel and lockscreen both go to black, that this might be linked in some way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This seems to be an issue with Trebuchet again, and using a different lock application fixes this.
Sometimes when using the stock theme and toggling options in the quick settings tiles, it'll glitch out and turn into what I can only describe as a zombie menu. The pixels of the status bar are replaced by that proportionate area of the quick settings menu, and when swiping down to use the menu, access is disabled (it can't be touched) and it closes itself when attempted. Only way I've been able to fix it was to toggle the theme to material glass and all was restored, still subject to the above three points.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm aware of this one, for now you can fix this by disabling Brightness Control in the settings ( Settings->Status Bar->Brightness Control).
This again might be an issue with the cm-12.1 source, though it'll need some checking to confirm.
Edit: when using kernel adiutor to try to adjust the CPU frequencies, the only option that comes up for both minimum and maximum is 0MHz. The button seems to work as well, bringing the clock max speed down to 0 for a split second before it reverts to a a maximum of 200MHz. Adjusting the governor after the fact won't restore the maximum, seems only a reboot will get it done. I'm slightly amazed to be honest as before on Touchwiz, it was impossible to get it to hold onto a lower maximum. It would jump all over the place as it pleased.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm using Kernel Adiutor and frequency setting is fine. Did you try using a tunable governor like interactive? That may be the issue.
Edit: 6) The recents hardware button is disabled. Touching it, holding it, nor double tapping brings up a function. It also isn't present in settings when trying to map the button functions. Its the only one that's missing. Power, home, back, and volume are all there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm aware of this, you can blame this on my bad arithmetic skills . I had set the wrong bit field mask for the button settings in the device frameworks.
I'll be pushing a fix addressing this shortly.
And also, are you taking feature requests?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That depends on what the features are, if they're reasonable and within my capabilities, then yeah .
PS: I would appreciate any help I can get, and if you have any coding skills and time to compile builds, you can help me polish up the device port.
Thanks!
vince2678 said:
Hi Pbotelho,
I'll try to answer everything as completely as I can.
The blackout lock screen thing seems to be an issue with Trebuchet. I found that using a different lock screen app solves this issue.
As for the blackout on the notification area, I'm not sure what exactly is causing this, though I think this may be a problem with the cm-12.1 source and not necessarily the device port itself.
This seems to be an issue with Trebuchet again, and using a different lock application fixes this.
I'm aware of this one, for now you can fix this by disabling Brightness Control in the settings ( Settings->Status Bar->Brightness Control).
This again might be an issue with the cm-12.1 source, though it'll need some checking to confirm.
I'm using Kernel Adiutor and frequency setting is fine. Did you try using a tunable governor like interactive? That may be the issue.
I'm aware of this, you can blame this on my bad arithmetic skills . I had set the wrong bit field mask for the button settings in the device frameworks.
I'll be pushing a fix addressing this shortly.
That depends on what the features are, if they're reasonable and within my capabilities, then yeah .
PS: I would appreciate any help I can get, and if you have any coding skills and time to compile builds, you can help me polish up the device port.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) Aww man I love using Trebuchet, I like to keep my install as small as possible so I'm not one for installing additional apps. I'm a resource junkie though, so its just a matter of personal preference.
2) Again, I'm not an expert, but I suspect it might be the device port. Previously, I've had an unofficial version of CM12.1 installed on a Galaxy Tab 3 as well as a CM12.1 based Pac-rom installed on a Galaxy S4. I'm not sure if this is something those developers corrected on their own or not when building their ROMs, so it could be the source. That's the best of my knowledge on the topic.
3) Will do for the brightness slider, but again, it isn't something I experienced on the other devices with CM12.1 and the sister project.
4) Yeah I played around with the governors and tried all of them. They all list 0MHz as the only option. Maybe its a CPU hotplug issue? I didn't try playing around with those so I'll have to get back to you on that one.
5) Look forward to the update I have a question regarding it though. I'm really familiar with updating custom ROMs through recovery using the zip file format, but this is the first time I'm using Odin to do the job. Will flashing an update with Odin this way cause a factory reset? Or will it update as expected?
6) A couple more graphical hiccups I remembered. The blackout also happens when going to About Phone>Status. In About Phone, the device field says unknown (doesn't bother me, I just don't know if its significant or not), the illumination for the hardware buttons isn't working (I usually keep them off to save battery anyways, but someone out there probably uses it). And finally, when switching recents by holding the home button, only the title bars of the individual apps are viewable. The content of the windows themselves is completely transparent so it looks like a series of floating title bars.
(Apologies if some of these features are already included, I didn't get the opportunity to check, I just think they're awesome)
Feature requests:
1) When phone is off and charging, percentage is displayed inside battery symbol.
2) CPU and GPU undervolting built into the kernel. These custom ROMs are much better than the stock ROM in terms of functionality, but the battery life on the stock Samsung experience is no joke.
3) If possible, more steps for CPU frequency adjustments, every 100MHz or so. I remember the stock ROM had limited options. My S4 is the example I'm going to use here, it has a step for every 108MHz.
4) USB fast charging, aka setting USB to "charge only".
5) Wakelock Blocker. Its built into the latest Resurrection Remix for the S4, not sure if that could be of viable use to you. It'll certainly help out with battery improvements.
6) Boot Manager. Decide which apps get to start at boot. Its built into Marshmallow and an xposed module also exists for this purpose, so really low priority on this one, for me at least.
7) This one is a doozy. Absolutely the one I care most about, but most likely asking for too much. USB tethering. Already exists, I know, but not the way I hope it to. I have an old WRT54G router with DD-WRT installed. My goal is basically this: Phone's network connection>USB Tether>Micro-USB-LAN adapter>WAN port of router. In this sense, the phone would be acting as the modem in a regular home network. I know its possible to do this if the router has a USB port, but mine doesn't, and I also know its possible if you have an intermediate device that bridges the connections for you. Like a laptop, PC, or raspberry pi. Cost efficiency as a student is what I'm working towards though, so this one is a wishlist request.
Ps. The only coding skills I have are from high school's Visual Basic and HTML, truly beginner stuff, and that was about 10 years ago. I'm running Ubuntu on a core i5-2500k with 16GB of RAM and about a terabyte of space though, so compiling is definitely a possibility with some instructions.
Pbotelho said:
5) Look forward to the update I have a question regarding it though. I'm really familiar with updating custom ROMs through recovery using the zip file format, but this is the first time I'm using Odin to do the job. Will flashing an update with Odin this way cause a factory reset? Or will it update as expected?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, this should be pretty much the same as flashing a zip from recovery. If you modified the system partition though (like by flashing GApps for example) your changes will be lost.
Pbotelho said:
6) A couple more graphical hiccups I remembered. The blackout also happens when going to About Phone>Status. In About Phone, the device field says unknown (doesn't bother me, I just don't know if its significant or not), the illumination for the hardware buttons isn't working (I usually keep them off to save battery anyways, but someone out there probably uses it). And finally, when switching recents by holding the home button, only the title bars of the individual apps are viewable. The content of the windows themselves is completely transparent so it looks like a series of floating title bars.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I fixed this in the device tree, once I've built a new image this should be corrected.
Pbotelho said:
(Apologies if some of these features are already included, I didn't get the opportunity to check, I just think they're awesome)
Feature requests:
1) When phone is off and charging, percentage is displayed inside battery symbol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll be looking into this one.
Pbotelho said:
2) CPU and GPU undervolting built into the kernel. These custom ROMs are much better than the stock ROM in terms of functionality, but the battery life on the stock Samsung experience is no joke.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm still using the stock kernel in my builds, once the builds are stable I'll start compiling the kernel from source and I'll see if I can do something about this.
Pbotelho said:
3) If possible, more steps for CPU frequency adjustments, every 100MHz or so. I remember the stock ROM had limited options. My S4 is the example I'm going to use here, it has a step for every 108MHz.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
According to the configurations, this is already how it is.
PS: I changed the governor under Kernel Adiutor to performance from interactive and switched back, and became unable to change the frequencies (like you were experiencing). I'll need to play around more with this to see why.
Pbotelho said:
4) USB fast charging, aka setting USB to "charge only".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is already available under the Settings->Storage->USB Computer Connection menu
Pbotelho said:
5) Wakelock Blocker. Its built into the latest Resurrection Remix for the S4, not sure if that could be of viable use to you. It'll certainly help out with battery improvements.
6) Boot Manager. Decide which apps get to start at boot. Its built into Marshmallow and an xposed module also exists for this purpose, so really low priority on this one, for me at least.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure I could do this, I'll check.
Pbotelho said:
7) This one is a doozy. Absolutely the one I care most about, but most likely asking for too much. USB tethering. Already exists, I know, but not the way I hope it to. I have an old WRT54G router with DD-WRT installed. My goal is basically this: Phone's network connection>USB Tether>Micro-USB-LAN adapter>WAN port of router. In this sense, the phone would be acting as the modem in a regular home network. I know its possible to do this if the router has a USB port, but mine doesn't, and I also know its possible if you have an intermediate device that bridges the connections for you. Like a laptop, PC, or raspberry pi. Cost efficiency as a student is what I'm working towards though, so this one is a wishlist request.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't quite understand what you mean by this, how does it differ from the normal USB tethering?
Pbotelho said:
Ps. The only coding skills I have are from high school's Visual Basic and HTML, truly beginner stuff, and that was about 10 years ago. I'm running Ubuntu on a core i5-2500k with 16GB of RAM and about a terabyte of space though, so compiling is definitely a possibility with some instructions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you can't code, that's fine, you could set up a build environment on your computer for creating images from the source.
vince2678 said:
Nope, this should be pretty much the same as flashing a zip from recovery. If you modified the system partition though (like by flashing GApps for example) your changes will be lost.
I fixed this in the device tree, once I've built a new image this should be corrected.
I'll be looking into this one.
I'm still using the stock kernel in my builds, once the builds are stable I'll start compiling the kernel from source and I'll see if I can do something about this.
According to the configurations, this is already how it is.
PS: I changed the governor under Kernel Adiutor to performance from interactive and switched back, and became unable to change the frequencies (like you were experiencing). I'll need to play around more with this to see why.
This is already available under the Settings->Storage->USB Computer Connection menu
Not sure I could do this, I'll check.
I don't quite understand what you mean by this, how does it differ from the normal USB tethering?
If you can't code, that's fine, you could set up a build environment on your computer for creating images from the source.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds awesome, I'll flash it as soon as possible and continue testing it for you.
I uploaded a logcat to the other thread in development. The performance governor is set up as the default for me so I'm set up with that situation from the get go.
It technically isn't different from regular USB tethering, but it seems that no one has done it successfully before. There are adapters that you can use to provide a wired Ethernet connection to an android device over micro USB, but no one has been able to do it the other way around. Google results don't turn up any answers.
And I'm willing to learn how to code, but I fear that I may slow you down with this project as I get past the learning curve. That being said, I can definitely set up a build environment and compile it from source for you. That'll be a learning experience on its own. Just point me towards a noob guide and I'll get it done.
Pbotelho said:
Sounds awesome, I'll flash it as soon as possible and continue testing it for you.
I uploaded a logcat to the other thread in development. The performance governor is set up as the default for me so I'm set up with that situation from the get go.
It technically isn't different from regular USB tethering, but it seems that no one has done it successfully before. There are adapters that you can use to provide a wired Ethernet connection to an android device over micro USB, but no one has been able to do it the other way around. Google results don't turn up any answers.
And I'm willing to learn how to code, but I fear that I may slow you down with this project as I get past the learning curve. That being said, I can definitely set up a build environment and compile it from source for you. That'll be a learning experience on its own. Just point me towards a noob guide and I'll get it done.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The USB tethering thing sounds interesting, though I would need to have one of the adapters to test that, and time at hand as well.
As for the build environment, the best source of information is the CM wiki. You can look at these links below on how to get started:
https://wiki.cyanogenmod.org/w/Development#Learning_To_Build_CM
https://wiki.cyanogenmod.org/w/Doc:_Building_Basics
https://docs.omnirom.org/Setting_Up_A_Compile_Environment
https://wiki.cyanogenmod.org/w/Build_for_captivatemtd
http://jira.omnirom.org/browse/OMNI-1263
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2329228
The guides above are just outlines to detail the general build process - you will need to do things slightly differently from the steps above to get the proper source and device trees.
The attached local_manifest can be used with repo when obtaining the cm-12.1 source.
Remember you'll be getting the cm-12.1 source - not anything else.
vince2678 said:
The attached local_manifest can be used with repo when obtaining the cm-12.1 source.
Remember you'll be getting the cm-12.1 source - not anything else.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So if I add in your device tree and provide a toolchain, I should be good to go? (I think so.)
Thanks!!
EDIT: Not so fast! I'll have to find a kernel as well.
Pbotelho said:
Edit: 5) when using kernel adiutor to try to adjust the CPU frequencies, the only option that comes up for both minimum and maximum is 0MHz. The button seems to work as well, bringing the clock max speed down to 0 for a split second before it reverts to a a maximum of 200MHz. Adjusting the governor after the fact won't restore the maximum, seems only a reboot will get it done. I'm slightly amazed to be honest as before on Touchwiz, it was impossible to get it to hold onto a lower maximum. It would jump all over the place as it pleased.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've test Kernel Adiutor and I too got the O MHz only window for both as the only option. Though Now I wonder if it is because I used the latest beta Kernel Adiutor, I'll further check with the normal stable version. Pretty sure it'll fix it if it worked normally for Vinc. --- Update; As strange as it might look while re opening kernel adi to take a screenshot, the list of normal MHz values is there and working properly.. Strange.. Magic? Huh technology, you're so unpredictable.
Zippy Dufus said:
So if I add in your device tree and provide a toolchain, I should be good to go? (I think so.)
Thanks!!
EDIT: Not so fast! I'll have to find a kernel as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Zippy,
The kernel source was included there as well (it's just a dummy source so that the build can get the necessary source files for libraries which need them). The build still uses the default prebuilt kernel though.
vince2678 said:
Hi Zippy,
The kernel source was included there as well (it's just a dummy source so that the build can get the necessary source files for libraries which need them). The build still uses the default prebuilt kernel though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As an experiment, why don't you try downloading the G530H ROM, unzip, take the boot.img, and flash it over top of your stock kernel? See if it boots and how it performs.
Meanwhile, I plan to hack at putting together complete manifest, possibly with the G530H kernel and my Linaro 4.9 toolchain and see if I can build a complete ROM.
Have you extracted the firmware?
However, I don't want to flash anything until I see your ROM's modem working because it is my daily driver. But I'm keen though!!
I've managed to download the stock ROM from SamMobile but I'm now thinking of going straight to your ROM once it is a bit more complete and stable.
Hi, I really need some advice and help, please!
Someone hacked my galaxy note 8 (latest update of OS) using Bluetooth. Thereafter when I had Bluetooth turned off all the time I would sometimes found it had turned on again and at times a pic would randomly appear in my camera roll folder. I was targeted by a group of people and having recalled looking back I was encouraged to message through WhatsApp and I believe that chrome and Andoid webview extension were involved. They also got into my gmail and tried to delete my contacts and wipe my phone and whatsapp history. Aftert this I saw that a Linux device had been attached to my gmail account.
I then went to an iphone and received a whatsapp from someone and a pic appeared again in my camera roll. I believe they were trying to do the same again and not sure how effective it is on iOS.
But now I have a new galaxy note 8 and someone has sent me a pic and video. I don't know that they are involved and I think I'm being overly cautious, but I need to understand what they did before and what I can do to check if they have hacked my new phone and doing the same thing again, and what I can do now to ensure they don't do it. I'm worried now that if they have got into my new phone and WhatsApp, will they have been able to get my IMEI and is my new phone now permanently susceptible to attack?
If I wipe my phone back to factory settings and reinstall everything again and start a new whatsapp with a new number, will that work?
My MS surface has also been acting up and I'd like to know if there's an easy sign to check on there too.
Thanks so much in advance!
phoenix79802 said:
Hi, I really need some advice and help, please!
Someone hacked my galaxy note 8 (latest update of OS) using Bluetooth. Thereafter when I had Bluetooth turned off all the time I would sometimes found it had turned on again and at times a pic would randomly appear in my camera roll folder. I was targeted by a group of people and having recalled looking back I was encouraged to message through WhatsApp and I believe that chrome and Andoid webview extension were involved. They also got into my gmail and tried to delete my contacts and wipe my phone and whatsapp history. Aftert this I saw that a Linux device had been attached to my gmail account.
I then went to an iphone and received a whatsapp from someone and a pic appeared again in my camera roll. I believe they were trying to do the same again and not sure how effective it is on iOS.
But now I have a new galaxy note 8 and someone has sent me a pic and video. I don't know that they are involved and I think I'm being overly cautious, but I need to understand what they did before and what I can do to check if they have hacked my new phone and doing the same thing again, and what I can do now to ensure they don't do it. I'm worried now that if they have got into my new phone and WhatsApp, will they have been able to get my IMEI and is my new phone now permanently susceptible to attack?
If I wipe my phone back to factory settings and reinstall everything again and start a new whatsapp with a new number, will that work?
My MS surface has also been acting up and I'd like to know if there's an easy sign to check on there too.
Thanks so much in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do strongly advice you to do a full factory reset or go to the nearest technician if you don't know how to do it, to flash the phone from scratch inmediatly. Also try the best security app for android once you setup your device again. That's enough.
Enviado desde mi SM-G550T1 mediante Tapatalk
---------- Post added at 12:58 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:52 PM ----------
I would also report the issue to the tech support of WhatsApp, if there's any. Also, change every passwords on your Google devices with more secure passwords, Google, banking, social. And do place a secure password to block your device. Good luck.
Enviado desde mi SM-G550T1 mediante Tapatalk
This is why I dislike Touchwiz, it's so outdated and vulnerable.
Just reflash your whole system, you can find guides on YouTube on how to flash a new firmware.
I would also recommend changing to a custom ROM with up to date security patches.
Edit: You should also change all your passwords to something very difficult like 'nJfi8t%Nc178c'
If you have difficulties remembering there's a lot of apps out there that can help, I personally use last pass, you should check it out.
davidzam said:
I would also report the issue to the tech support of WhatsApp, if there's any. Also, change every passwords on your Google devices with more secure passwords, Google, banking, social. And do place a secure password to block your device. Good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you were conned into downloading a webextension then this has nothing to do with whatsapp it has to do with the user. Conntact google security to change your account. In general if they hacked a phone the phone only is the problem but if they have access to all your info then it can always be a problem. About bluetooth always have at least a code between the devices (some BT keyboards do not even have this). Also look at the security update on the device if it is not the latest then swith to one of the custom roms here which are always secure.
As for passwords think of a sentence and use the first letters of each word incorperate numbers capital letters and a symbol this helps you to remember it.
For example
I Have A Dog Who Name Is Henry And I Love Him=IHADWNIHAILH
now change A for the & symbol one I for 1 and A for 4=1H4DWNIH&ILH
mix it up with some upper case and lower case (names)=1h4dwniH&Ilh
you can now add in other symbols or spell words such as [email protected] (too big so we will use only part @m )add ! after Henry and [] around &Ilh [email protected]![&ILH]
now you have a random easy to remember password. This password is the basis for all the security on android (at the current time) so even if you use a code it still unlocks with this and encrypts.
Applied Protocol said:
If you were conned into downloading a webextension then this has nothing to do with whatsapp it has to do with the user. Conntact google security to change your account. In general if they hacked a phone the phone only is the problem but if they have access to all your info then it can always be a problem. About bluetooth always have at least a code between the devices (some BT keyboards do not even have this). Also look at the security update on the device if it is not the latest then swith to one of the custom roms here which are always secure. As for passwords think of a sentence and use the first letters of each word incorperate numbers capital letters and a symbol this helps you to remember it. For example I Have A Dog Who Name Is Henry And I Love Him=IHADWNIHAILH now change A for the & symbol one I for 1 and A for 4=1H4DWNIH&ILH mix it up with some upper case and lower case (names)=1h4dwniH&Ilh you can now add in other symbols or spell words such as [email protected] (too big so we will use only part @m )add ! after Henry and [] around &Ilh [email protected]![&ILH] now you have a random easy to remember password.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for clarifying that fact for me.
Thanks so much! Would a custom firmware allow me to keep the use of knox? I'm thinking to flash it back to factory and only install and use everything from within knox.
Zep0th said:
This is why I dislike Touchwiz, it's so outdated and vulnerable.
Just reflash your whole system, you can find guides on YouTube on how to flash a new firmware.
I would also recommend changing to a custom ROM with up to date security patches.
Edit: You should also change all your passwords to something very difficult like 'nJfi8t%Nc178c'
If you have difficulties remembering there's a lot of apps out there that can help, I personally use last pass, you should check it out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Applied Protocol said:
If you were conned into downloading a webextension then this has nothing to do with whatsapp it has to do with the user. Conntact google security to change your account. In general if they hacked a phone the phone only is the problem but if they have access to all your info then it can always be a problem. About bluetooth always have at least a code between the devices (some BT keyboards do not even have this). Also look at the security update on the device if it is not the latest then swith to one of the custom roms here which are always secure. As for passwords think of a sentence and use the first letters of each word incorperate numbers capital letters and a symbol this helps you to remember it. For example I Have A Dog Who Name Is Henry And I Love Him=IHADWNIHAILH now change A for the & symbol one I for 1 and A for 4=1H4DWNIH&ILH mix it up with some upper case and lower case (names)=1h4dwniH&Ilh you can now add in other symbols or spell words such as [email protected] (too big so we will use only part @m )add ! after Henry and [] around &Ilh [email protected]![&ILH] now you have a random easy to remember password.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just another question regarding Knox Secure Folder.
If I were to install and run everything through the secure folder and I were to be compromised again through a web extension, would that then all hackers to view everything on my phone again regardless of whether it's in the knox environment or outside? Would a backdoor like that work into the secure environment as it did in my normal android system?
Thanks again!
phoenix79802 said:
Just another question regarding Knox Secure Folder.
If I were to install and run everything through the secure folder and I were to be compromised again through a web extension, would that then all hackers to view everything on my phone again regardless of whether it's in the knox environment or outside? Would a backdoor like that work into the secure environment as it did in my normal android system?
Thanks again!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If your knox is still working and not tripped then that would be a good idea. However understand that the way to get in and out of knox still relies on encryption methods see CVE-2016-1919 as well as the kernel level security CVE-2016-6584 see also https://googleprojectzero.blogspot.com/2017/02/lifting-hyper-visor-bypassing-samsungs.html, this means that if the key or encryption method is faulty you can get around it and the kernel is more complicated but will also do the same thing. The last way is to access a shared resource such as a clipboard that has access to both places a example of this is CVE-2016-3996. And CVE-2018-9142. Granted most of these are 2017 and 2018 and a quick look at the samsung CVA at https://www.cvedetails.com/vulnerability-list/vendor_id-822/Samsung.html does not have anything for Oreo this can be since until recently only the 9s' had it. But their is a recurring theme that the CVAs' are repeated out of the last 5 4 are repeated and some are simple mistakes (look at Googles project zero above in KALSAR). The question is is this enough and the answer is probably but a security orientated Rom might be a better bet. (I know this is not fair since they do not have CVAs). But a full wipe and fresh install should be enough. Add in a firewall too if you did not have that already.
phoenix79802 said:
Thanks so much! Would a custom firmware allow me to keep the use of knox? I'm thinking to flash it back to factory and only install and use everything from within knox.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry for the late reply, but Knox, in my opinion is super vulnerable, new android versions are safe enough.
And no, using a custom ROM would not have Touchwiz integrated nor Knox. Why? Because it will most likely be running stock android vanilla.
More secure than Samsung's Touchwiz, recommend something like LineageOS.
Zep0th said:
Sorry for the late reply, but Knox, in my opinion is super vulnerable, new android versions are safe enough.
And no, using a custom ROM would not have Touchwiz integrated nor Knox. Why? Because it will most likely be running stock android vanilla.
More secure than Samsung's Touchwiz, recommend something like LineageOS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Look this depends on your perspective
FACT: knox is a hardware based security system which is unique to Samsung
FACT: Samsung phones are the most sold
FACT: The maker of the hardware has the resources to secure it better
Therefore Samsung knox is more secure and yes more users using the phone make it more advantageous to crack it. However Samsung to their credit does try to increase security in other ways such as using the TrustZone more and SEAndroid policy strengthening. Lineage is a great choice however knox which will be tripped and ever if not it needs custom software to run AFAIK. Also samsung is DoD approved see DoD list and news article. This is not necessarily a good indication of overall security but it dos put things in a good perspective (DoD do not patch themselves rather rely on the developers and stay on top of things) Really high security Android OS such as copperhead also have such improvements as Knox (way better if you look carefully) but they are limited on what phones it will work on. Also Android 8 is a lot more secure but fact of the matter is the best party that can secure a Samsung phone is Samsung but I am not saying they do. I would recommend Stock Samsung but if you need a custom rom lineage is a good choice this is true also in terms of power (used to be snapdragon charging on a rooted phone is only up to 80% but I think there is a fix) but in versatility a custom rom always wins and power saver settings can be better than the original.
I recently upgraded to the S23 Ultra and discovered that there's no option to unlock the bootloader. The root functions I value most are:
A firewall that will block apps from phoning home and/or accessing the internet without using the Android vpn (not sure if I could do that even if rooted...I just want to block apps from phoning home and use a vpn at the same time))
A call recorder (currently using Cube ACR, which actually works pretty good)
A way to 'image' the entire phone (i.e., like TWRP back up/restore)
A way to uninstall the bloatware that doesn't have an uninstall function.
Barring some method that will unlock the bootloader on this phone, what are methods/apps that will help me get as close to a rooted state as possible?
Well your first point is solved with what I use for privacy and adblocking. NextDNS (free option or $12/yr) you get a private DNS server and you control what is blocked and what isn't with all the customization you want. As for call recording, I've used skvalex (free with paid pro option but pro only adds automatic backup) for years whether rooted or not and it always works just fine. Though I will admit when it's connected to my car with Bluetooth it only records my side but I rarely talk while in the car so not a deal breaker for me. Thirdly, you could use adb to make a backup (from what I've read) but I use shizuku to give swift backup more permissions and it backups everything for me.
Thanks for your comments, spart0n.
I looked over NextDNS. It seems to have a lot of features. I do use my vpn's DNS, but they're various US servers are slow, plus NextDNS seems to have more features.
One thing I'm not clear on is can it slectively block apps from connecting to the internet, both on mobile /and/or wifi connection, much like a firewall?
I also did a quick perusal of skvalex, but I'm not sure how it's different from Cube ACR? One concern with cube is security...are they doing nefarious things with my data.
Cube also won't record the other side of a conversation when I'm using a bluetooth device (earbuds, car).
Is skvalex ' more respecting of privcy? In what ways do you deem it superior to other options such as Cube?
I'll be looking into Shizku and Swift backup, but am I correct in that it seems to be more of a 'Titanium' type app than a complete phone backup?
I really appreciate the pointers.
Sam Sung said:
Thanks for your comments, spart0n.
I looked over NextDNS. It seems to have a lot of features. I do use my vpn's DNS, but they're various US servers are slow, plus NextDNS seems to have more features.
One thing I'm not clear on is can it slectively block apps from connecting to the internet, both on mobile /and/or wifi connection, much like a firewall?
I also did a quick perusal of skvalex, but I'm not sure how it's different from Cube ACR? One concern with cube is security...are they doing nefarious things with my data.
Cube also won't record the other side of a conversation when I'm using a bluetooth device (earbuds, car).
Is skvalex ' more respecting of privcy? In what ways do you deem it superior to other options such as Cube?
I'll be looking into Shizku and Swift backup. I really appreciate the pointers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've tried cube in the past and it had a lot of denied connections in the background but over the years skvalex has worked perfectly even if I completely block all internet connectivity even from the start of installation except for checking for pro version.
As for NextDNS it does work on wifi and cellular. Personally I pay for the pro and have it setup on my home router plus all my phones too
Try freezing the Apps you cannot uninstall - e.g. SuperFreezZ or SD Maid.
Have a look here for some other goodies that may be useful:
https://alternativeto.net/list/28655/the-ultimate-f-droid-setup/
elmor0 said:
Try freezing the Apps you cannot uninstall - e.g. SuperFreezZ or SD Maid.
Have a look here for some other goodies that may be useful:
https://alternativeto.net/list/28655/the-ultimate-f-droid-setup/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's no such thing as not able to uninstall. With adb commands you can uninstall literally any app, even system apps.
spart0n said:
There's no such thing as not able to uninstall. With adb commands you can uninstall literally any app, even system apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My understanding is that the system apps don't get truly uninstalled but are effectively disabled (frozen)......?
spart0n said:
I've tried cube in the past and it had a lot of denied connections in the background but over the years skvalex has worked perfectly even if I completely block all internet connectivity even from the start of installation except for checking for pro version.
As for NextDNS it does work on wifi and cellular. Personally I pay for the pro and have it setup on my home router plus all my phones too
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The problem I've seen with Cube is that it sometimes randomly ends a recording before the call is finished.
Your earlier comment about using ABD to backup the phone - I found this and several other similar articles/guides outlining the method I think you alluded to. Seems pretty straight-forward. I also turned up info on uninstalling. Thanks for that - ABD seems the way to go.
The link:
How To Create a Full Android Phone or Tablet Backup Without Rooting or Unlocking Your Device
Android includes a built-in way to back up and restore the contents of your phone or tablet. All you need is a computer and a device running Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) or newer.
www.howtogeek.com
Adding this link:
How to uninstall carrier/OEM bloatware without root access
If you want to get rid of carrier/OEM apps from your phone, here's how you can uninstall bloatware from your device without root access!
www.xda-developers.com
elmor0 said:
My understanding is that the system apps don't get truly uninstalled but are effectively disabled (frozen)......?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They do get uninstalled, but they remain inside the recovery partition so that when you reset the device they get reinstalled. You can disable or uninstall from Android any system app, even breaking the system, but the app will not get deleted from recovery unless you flash twrp or another custom recovery which deletes the stock recovery
Sam Sung said:
The problem I've seen with Cube is that it sometimes randomly ends a recording before the call is finished.
Your earlier comment about using ABD to backup the phone - I found this and several other similar articles/guides outlining the method I think you alluded to. Seems pretty straight-forward. I also turned up info on uninstalling. Thanks for that - ABD seems the way to go.
The link:
How To Create a Full Android Phone or Tablet Backup Without Rooting or Unlocking Your Device
Android includes a built-in way to back up and restore the contents of your phone or tablet. All you need is a computer and a device running Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) or newer.
www.howtogeek.com
Adding this link:
How to uninstall carrier/OEM bloatware without root access
If you want to get rid of carrier/OEM apps from your phone, here's how you can uninstall bloatware from your device without root access!
www.xda-developers.com
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Those are okay but dated guides for bloatware removal. There's 2 easy ways right now. One open source and not as feature rich and then there's a free/pro app that has more features.
Open source is universal android debloater gui (unless you want command line) from GitHub really easy to find with Google.
Or adb app control from cybercat. He's very active in his telegram support group and helpful
spart0n said:
Those are okay but dated guides for bloatware removal. There's 2 easy ways right now. One open source and not as feature rich and then there's a free/pro app that has more features.
Open source is universal android debloater gui (unless you want command line) from GitHub really easy to find with Google.
Or adb app control from cybercat. He's very active in his telegram support group and helpful
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So they are. Not stuck on terminal. I've found and bookmarked AppControl download page.
Looking again, the ADB guide I linked to is aged too...is that still the best method? A Windows GUI would be nice for that too. Is there a reliable app or is ADB still my best bet?
Sam Sung said:
So they are. Not stuck on terminal. I've found and bookmarked AppControl download page.
Looking again, the ADB guide I linked to is aged too...is that still the best method? A Windows GUI would be nice for that too. Is there a reliable app or is ADB still my best bet?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah there's a gui for adb, it's called universal android debloater from GitHub and in the release section they have a gui version
GitHub - 0x192/universal-android-debloater: Cross-platform GUI written in Rust using ADB to debloat non-rooted android devices. Improve your privacy, the security and battery life of your device.
Cross-platform GUI written in Rust using ADB to debloat non-rooted android devices. Improve your privacy, the security and battery life of your device. - GitHub - 0x192/universal-android-debloater:...
github.com
spart0n said:
Yeah there's a gui for adb, it's called universal android debloater from GitHub and in the release section they have a gui version
GitHub - 0x192/universal-android-debloater: Cross-platform GUI written in Rust using ADB to debloat non-rooted android devices. Improve your privacy, the security and battery life of your device.
Cross-platform GUI written in Rust using ADB to debloat non-rooted android devices. Improve your privacy, the security and battery life of your device. - GitHub - 0x192/universal-android-debloater:...
github.com
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rereading, I can see I wasn't clear at all. I should have specified 'for backup'. I'm doing a bit of searching for something now and this week. I doubt I can image the entire phone, but I'm hoping to find as complete and 'nandroid-like' backup solution as I can. If you know of anything, I'd appreciate it. Or maybe my best bet actually is ABD and commandline.
Sam Sung said:
Rereading, I can see I wasn't clear at all. I should have specified 'for backup'. I'm doing a bit of searching for something now and this week. I doubt I can image the entire phone, but I'm hoping to find as complete and 'nandroid-like' backup solution as I can. If you know of anything, I'd appreciate it. Or maybe my best bet actually is ABD and commandline.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Honestly I don't know any good ones, I use swift backup with shizuku. That's all I really know of. It works like titanium backup did but without root, even with shizuku, is somewhat limited.
adb pull /sdcard will get your files
Sometimes adb pull will fail on a specific file or folder and just puke on itself and refuse to continue. If that happens, you just have to delete the file/folder and try again. I've only had this happen once though.
Swift Backup with shizuku will back up apps and their downloaded data but not user data. Pair it with Google Backup and Google will restore *some* app data... Realistically though, you'll be losing some or a lot of app data, depending on app policies.
Thanks for your responses. Regrettably, there's no option in Dev options to unlock the boot-loader., so I'm stuck with whatever is available. Now I know. I should have either switched carriers or bought an unlocked phone, which I think comes with its own caveats.
User data, photos and such isn't too much of an issue here. My client data from apps is backed up to PC regularly, as are any photos I want to keep etc.
I like Nandroid backups because they backup everything including texts, call logs and OS (nice in case something happens and the OS bites the dust or gets crippled).
The real issue is my texts and call logs, moreso the texts..
How reliable is Swift (which is looking more and more attractive) compared to ABD, and can ABD back up more?
Also, side note, but my late wife's phone is an S7. I lost a previous phone and ergo my texts, so the texts on her phone are all I have of our texts over the years.
I was thinking I'd use Smart Switch or something to transfer the texts from her phone over to the S10 I just upgraded from. Is that practical?
I appreciate your remarks. Thanks!
Sam Sung said:
Thanks for your responses. Regrettably, there's no option in Dev options to unlock the boot-loader., so I'm stuck with whatever is available. Now I know. I should have either switched carriers or bought an unlocked phone, which I think comes with its own caveats.
User data, photos and such isn't too much of an issue here. My client data from apps is backed up to PC regularly, as are any photos I want to keep etc.
I like Nandroid backups because they backup everything including texts, call logs and OS (nice in case something happens and the OS bites the dust or gets crippled).
The real issue is my texts and call logs, moreso the texts..
How reliable is Swift (which is looking more and more attractive) compared to ABD, and can ABD back up more?
Also, side note, but my late wife's phone is an S7. I lost a previous phone and ergo my texts, so the texts on her phone are all I have of our texts over the years.
I was thinking I'd use Smart Switch or something to transfer the texts from her phone over to the S10 I just upgraded from. Is that practical?
I appreciate your remarks. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As for bootloader unlocking anything Samsung, you can't buy the north America models, any other country model will have the option for unlocking. As for swift vs adb without root? Swift does call logs and text backups locally on the device and on several cloud services of your choice if you wish.
spart0n said:
As for bootloader unlocking anything Samsung, you can't buy the north America models, any other country model will have the option for unlocking. As for swift vs adb without root? Swift does call logs and text backups locally on the device and on several cloud services of your choice if you wish.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, sprt0n. I'll give Swift a try, along with Shizuku. Regarding the old S7 texts...do you recommend Swift there as well? WIll there be an issue transfering texts between the s7 and s10 given their age? S10 is Android 12, S7 is Android 8.
Sam Sung said:
Thanks, sprt0n. I'll give Swift a try, along with Shizuku. Regarding the old S7 texts...do you recommend Swift there as well? WIll there be an issue transfering texts between the s7 and s10 given their age? S10 is Android 12, S7 is Android 8.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can try it says on the Google Play store listing page that supports Android 6 and up so it should work
I'll do that, Thx.
Y'all have given me direction regarding uninstalling apps and back up, and even firewalling, if NextDNS allows.
I may be back for future questions after I research this stuff. I appreciate all your comments, particularly spart0n.