Greetings,
I'm interested in getting an Galaxy Folder2 (SM-G1650), I see that the phone comes from china and the fw is from china too.
I wonder, can there be an spyware issue with that phone? is so, is there anything I can do to remove them?'
ideally I'd like to run mircog on it without google services at all.
Thanks,
Dagg.
Lineage OS.
The best would be to flash a Custom Recovery and a Custom ROM also gapps.Unless you can't do anything.The Software that comes preinstalled is 1.5-2.5GB while the lineage is 300mb only and works faster with security updates forever.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk
Greetings,
Atifbaig786 said:
Lineage OS.
The best would be to flash a Custom Recovery and a Custom ROM also gapps.Unless you can't do anything.The Software that comes preinstalled is 1.5-2.5GB while the lineage is 300mb only and works faster with security updates forever.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't seem to find any reference that Lineage OS supports this device, how can I be sure it will work?
does gapps allows me not to connect to google services?
I've seen that there is a Lineage OS bundled with microg, what's the diff?
Unless you're e.g. an investigative journalist, a (human) rights activist etc., the best solution in my personal opinion is to follow @Atifbaig786's valid suggestion. However; if you belong to one of the groups I've mentioned in the beginning, this might not be sufficient as you can't exclude that spyware rests very deep inside of the device but outside of the ROM. Anyhow, I've also my doubts that VR China would raise such efforts for a device like the SM-G1650.
In one respect, I'm not with Atifbaig786's recommendation: For me personally, I consider all services and applications coming from Google as spyware, and in turn don't suggest GApps but a GApps-free device.
Maybe one of the threads I opened are of interest for you: https://forum.xda-developers.com/search.php?searchid=451896749
Greetings,
Oswald Boelcke said:
Unless you're e.g. an investigative journalist, a (human) rights activist etc., the best solution in my personal opinion is to follow @Atifbaig786's valid suggestion. However; if you belong to one of the groups I've mentioned in the beginning, this might not be sufficient as you can't exclude that spyware rests very deep inside of the device but outside of the ROM. Anyhow, I've also my doubts that VR China would raise such efforts for a device like the SM-G1650.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm neither of them, I just value my privacy enough to care abut such issues.
hw hardware are things I cannot address, thus I don't care much regarding this.
Oswald Boelcke said:
In one respect, I'm not with Atifbaig786's recommendation: For me personally, I consider all services and applications coming from Google as spyware,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
same here.
Oswald Boelcke said:
and in turn don't suggest GApps but a GApps-free device.
Maybe one of the threads I opened are of interest for you: https://forum.xda-developers.com/search.php?searchid=451896749
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
GApps-free device? I thought microg allows such feature.
I really don't need any of the google apps.
neither whatsapp and such.
I'm using my phone as dumb as possible.
daggs1 said:
...
GApps-free device? I thought microg allows such feature.
I really don't need any of the google apps.
neither whatsapp and such...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Affirmative, GApps-free through the use of µG! I tried to describe my way to GApps-free powered by µG from the very beginning up to now in this thread: GApps free - microG is all you need!
It's certainly easiest achievable by a custom ROM that comes absolutely without GApps. However, I haven't heard about your device before, and I don't know if any custom ROM is available. But you could certainly debloat a stock ROM (there are tools available via XDA, just search for it) or try NanoDroid (my current favourite choice) or this microG unofficial installer. This is what ale5000 says about his tool uninstalling GApps; and this is out of the NanoDroid documentation regarding that issue. Shadow53's website might also be of interest.
Last but not least because I see your approach is very similar to mine, "How did I enhance battery duration, privacy and security?" might be of interest to you, too.
Oswald Boelcke said:
Affirmative, GApps-free through the use of µG! I tried to describe my way to GApps-free powered by µG from the very beginning up to now in this thread: GApps free - microG is all you need!
It's certainly easiest achievable by a custom ROM that comes absolutely without GApps. However, I haven't heard about your device before, and I don't know if any custom ROM is available. But you could certainly debloat a stock ROM (there are tools available via XDA, just search for it) or try NanoDroid (my current favourite choice) or this microG unofficial installer. This is what ale5000 says about his tool uninstalling GApps; and this is out of the NanoDroid documentation regarding that issue. Shadow53's website might also be of interest.
Last but not least because I see your approach is very similar to mine, "How did I enhance battery duration, privacy and security?" might be of interest to you, too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
here is a thread on the device: https://forum.xda-developers.com/general/rooting-roms/root-twrp-galaxy-folder-2-dual-sim-sm-t3785752
from what I can see, there is no custom rom of this device
For those who are wondering I work for a government Health agency and mostly handle very sensitive data.For which I use a Pixel 3 XL whose hardware the agency approved recently.In my field if my phone gets stolen or hacked I'll be leaking 50-100 projects which will effect only the poor competition.So,for the past 7 years I've been teaching myself to be careful and too careful.And the chinese have sometimes holes in their hardware that helps them and others to exploit them.I have removed all the google apps along with the boot loader and the whole firmware except recovery partitions and replaced it with my own.I have an encrypted debian installation on it which runs natively and Quite well.
Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk
Atifbaig786 said:
For those who are wondering I work for a government Health agency and mostly handle very sensitive data.For which I use a Pixel 3 XL whose hardware the agency approved recently.In my field if my phone gets stolen or hacked I'll be leaking 50-100 projects which will effect only the poor competition.So,for the past 7 years I've been teaching myself to be careful and too careful.And the chinese have sometimes holes in their hardware that helps them and others to exploit them.I have removed all the google apps along with the boot loader and the whole firmware except recovery partitions and replaced it with my own.I have an encrypted debian installation on it which runs natively and Quite well.
Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
my issue with the Pixel 3 XL is the size, too big for my taste, I hate big phones.
Perfect for me.
daggs1 said:
my issue with the Pixel 3 XL is the size, too big for my taste, I hate big phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am a big man who needs big stuff.I love big phones but hated battery usage but this one is decent enough.
Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk
Atifbaig786 said:
For those who are wondering I work for a government Health agency and mostly handle very sensitive data.For which I use a Pixel 3 XL whose hardware the agency approved recently.In my field if my phone gets stolen or hacked I'll be leaking 50-100 projects which will effect only the poor competition.So,for the past 7 years I've been teaching myself to be careful and too careful.And the chinese have sometimes holes in their hardware that helps them and others to exploit them.I have removed all the google apps along with the boot loader and the whole firmware except recovery partitions and replaced it with my own.I have an encrypted debian installation on it which runs natively and Quite well.
Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd personally immediately cancel any coorporation or affiliation with an agency that allows and not clearly prohibits my personal sensitive and/or confidential data to be stored or handled on an Android or iOS device. Actually, it'd be sufficient for me to react this way if I become aware that this agency approves hardware in that respect.
Yeah But
Oswald Boelcke said:
I'd personally immediately cancel any coorporation or affiliation with an agency that allows and not clearly prohibits my personal sensitive and/or confidential data to be stored or handled on an Android or iOS device. Actually, it'd be sufficient for me to react this way if I become aware that this agency approves hardware in that respect.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't use Android or Apple OS.I use debian as my OS so I am safe and sound.
Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk
Related
from http://galaxys2.samsungmobile.com/html/feature.html it looks like it won't be...
On Device Encryption
Play it safe with a security solution that enables the protection of mobile data without the need to sacrifice speed and functionality. The Samsung GALAXY S II is the first Android smartphone to adopt powerful encrypted hardware, minimizing the use of security software and applying encryption technology to the hardware itself, greatly accelerating security protection and achieving superior performance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this looks like a bit of a deal-breaker given samsungs poor update schedule.
I really hope they're not talking about an encrypted bootloader, although I seriously doubt they would state that as a feature.
sold my n8 1 month back and waiting for s2 with nokia 6300 and 3120 classic in my hand. so its better to wait buddy
MarkusPO said:
from http://galaxys2.samsungmobile.com/html/feature.html it looks like it won't be...
this looks like a bit of a deal-breaker given samsungs poor update schedule.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is about the functionality targeted at improving security for integrated business applications.
However, The issue as I see it is that if they do not also lock bootloader and ability to install custom root-level stuff out using hardware encryption, then any hardware encryption of user-space stuff is pointless. I predict they either lock it, or if they're clever, to diffuse hackers and modders interest in cracking the encryption they might allow you to unlock it at cost of removing the ability to integrate with business apps. (or other way around or poss with a sandbox of some kind)
crypticc said:
I predict they either lock it, or if they're clever, to diffuse hackers and modders interest in cracking the encryption they might allow you to unlock it at cost of removing the ability to integrate with business apps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
of those two options, which one offers the fastest turnaround to market, so therefore cheaper to produce and faster to make money from? i wouldn't doubt samsung to completely lock this.
which imo goes against androids openness. you may as well have a custom crappy samsung operating system on it that's semi-compatible with android.
i thought google wanted to clamp down on skins completely? or is that just for tablets?
MarkusPO said:
of those two options, which one offers the fastest turnaround to market, so therefore cheaper to produce and faster to make money from? i wouldn't doubt samsung to completely lock this.
which imo goes against androids openness. you may as well have a custom crappy samsung operating system on it that's semi-compatible with android.
i thought google wanted to clamp down on skins completely? or is that just for tablets?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's true that it's probably cheaper, but at the same time not as many will buy it, so in the end it might be a loss to them.
Of course it will be flashable...theres nothing we cant set free on xda... ..really...dont worry about it.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA Premium App
rixsta said:
Of course it will be flashable...theres nothing we cant set free on xda... ..really...dont worry about it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm assuming you don't own a Milestone or a Droid X
Guys could it be possible that s2 might have nand lock plus encrypted bootloader? Any ideas?
If it is the case then it will spell lotz of trouble for us as then even rooting will be a trouble....
And if by encrypted hardware.....does that mean that it will be difficult to find suitable drivers which will make cheating the bootloader difficult and also voids the kexec method employed in bypassing the x10 bootloader?
rixsta said:
Of course it will be flashable...theres nothing we cant set free on xda... ..really...dont worry about it.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Or an atrix.......
sent from my nook color
I gave a look at xda threads of those two phones. Everything you can dream of is availlable (last RC4 of cyanogenmod 7, among a lot of other roms).
For what I understood, the only real issue is modified kernels?
If this is the kind of limitation we are talking about, that's fine with me.
qsdf55 said:
I gave a look at xda threads of those two phones. Everything you can dream of is availlable (last RC4 of cyanogenmod 7, among a lot of other roms).
For what I understood, the only real issue is modified kernels?
If this is the kind of limitation we are talking about, that's fine with me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Without kernel voodoo sound, bln, etc are not possible.
qsdf55 said:
I gave a look at xda threads of those two phones. Everything you can dream of is availlable (last RC4 of cyanogenmod 7, among a lot of other roms).
For what I understood, the only real issue is modified kernels?
If this is the kind of limitation we are talking about, that's fine with me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No custom kernels is a HUGE problem. Kernels are written for specific android versions. You can't run Android 2.3 (or even 2.2) on a 2.1 kernel (we had this problem with the motorola milestone). This means you have to wait till the manufacturer starts developing or else you are STUCK. So really, it is a huge limitation. Also, if the manufacturer doesn't support things like a swap partition, you will never be able to get it.
zwliew Kernel, flash and forget. Have a better experience without fretting over anything.
Just a quick intro to this kernel: I believe that our device is fast enough as it is. I aim to increase the potential and battery life of our device within its current CPU/GPU frequency or L2 bandwith. You don't have to do anything. Just install it and done.
Download:
http://128.199.239.125/flo/releases
Changelog:
http://128.199.239.125/flo/appfiles/changelog.html
Google+ community:
https://plus.google.com/communities/116811972020519595224
zwliew_Kernel Updater:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=zwliew.kernel
Installation:
1. Download latest version.
2. Flash img file.
3. Reboot.
Wiping cache is unnecessary unless you encounter incompatibilities like force closes.
Supported:
Stock Lollipop
Returning to stock:
1. Restore stock boot.img
Supporting my work:
I am a young student in an elite school struggling to pay the resultant hefty fees and juggle between my studies and development. A thanks button shows appreciation and really motivates me to go further. To go the extra mile, donating to me so that I won't have to worry as much about the fees and instead focus more on development will help me greatly too. Of course, you don't have to do anything. If you're a satisfied user of my kernel, I feel glad too.
XDA:DevDB Information
zwliew Kernel, Kernel for the Nexus 7 (2013)
Contributors
zwliew
Source Code: https://github.com/zwliew/flo
Kernel Special Features:
Version Information
Status: Stable
Current Stable Version: r1
Stable Release Date: 2015-01-01
Created 2015-01-01
Last Updated 2015-11-12
zK Updater
This is the mobile updater for zwliew_Kernel. It supports auto-checking and auto-updating in a nicely designed package.
Reserved
Your instructions say to flash the zip file, however, only a .img file is available, which isn't a problem as it can easily be flashed of course using something like Flashify but you might want to amend them. Thanks for the kernel.
lmulli said:
Your instructions say to flash the zip file, however, only a .img file is available, which isn't a problem as it can easily be flashed of course using something like Flashify but you might want to amend them. Thanks for the kernel.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, copy pasta from Moto X thread. Fixed. BTW, once the production release of zK Updater is out, it can auto-flash your kernels.
Downloaded fine using your app. One thing that I would suggest however is asking the user if they want to flash the kernel rather than it downloading and installing straight away followed by a reboot. I wanted to switch back to the stock kernel prior to installing this but because it auto flashed never had the chance. Apart from that it appears to be working fine despite having been installed over another non stock kernel.
One thing I have noticed since installing it is that your app no longer works and crashes out. Have cleared data and cache several times to no avail.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk
lmulli said:
Downloaded fine using your app. One thing that I would suggest however is asking the user if they want to flash the kernel rather than it downloading and installing straight away followed by a reboot. I wanted to switch back to the stock kernel prior to installing this but because it auto flashed never had the chance. Apart from that it appears to be working fine despite having been installed over another non stock kernel.
One thing I have noticed since installing it is that your app no longer works and crashes out. Have cleared data and cache several times to no avail.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you install the latest production release, v1.1.1? https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=zwliew.kernel If you are, please report the crash using the in-built Google crash report. Also, there is an option in the settings menu to disable auto-flashing.
zwliew said:
Did you install the latest production release, v1.1.1? https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=zwliew.kernel If you are, please report the crash using the in-built Google crash report. Also, there is an option in the settings menu to disable auto-flashing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Latest version installed and has sorted the issue thanks. Also seen the option to autoflash - not a problem now as its running your kernel of course!
What app do you recommend to tweak your Kernel with?
Thanks.
Comimg out of my 'retirement' to express my utter dismay that this 'developer' has taken the template for their application from the popular developer @Francisofranco and has utterly ripped off his work and branded it as his own. Don't beleive me? Check out https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.franco.kernel Your developer is nothing but a fraudster without sufficent imagination or knowledge to make his own app. The only commands this guy knows is copy and paste. A cheap Asian rip off of the original high quality production. This one has the nasty made in Singapore etshed into the platic you cant remove without getting a file and sanding down your product. Do you want that to run your device? If so you are braver than me
The Gingerbread Man said:
Comimg out of my 'retirement' to express my utter dismay that this 'developer' has taken the template for their application from the popular developer @Francisofranco and has utterly ripped off his work and branded it as his own
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looks just like another Material inspired app to me, same as hundreds of others out there. Didn't realise that Franco had cornered the market with the design!! (and yes, I do have his paid app installed but don't use his kernels as I find them lacking in features - in fairness, I don't actually use his app as I prefer KControl or Faux.)
The Gingerbread Man said:
Comimg out of my 'retirement' to express my utter dismay that this 'developer' has taken the template for their application from the popular developer @Francisofranco and has utterly ripped off his work and branded it as his own. Don't beleive me? Check out https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.franco.kernel Your developer is nothing but a fraudster without sufficent imagination or knowledge to make his own app. The only commands this guy knows is copy and paste. A cheap Asian rip off of the original high quality production. This one has the nasty made in Singapore etshed into the platic you cant remove without getting a file and sanding down your product. Do you want that to run your device? If so you are braver than me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think using Google's material design guidelines qualifies as a copy or ripoff.
I also own the paid version of FKU, but I can't see more than material design similarities.
The Gingerbread Man said:
Comimg out of my 'retirement' to express my utter dismay that this 'developer' has taken the template for their application from the popular developer @Francisofranco and has utterly ripped off his work and branded it as his own. Don't beleive me? Check out https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.franco.kernel Your developer is nothing but a fraudster without sufficent imagination or knowledge to make his own app. The only commands this guy knows is copy and paste. A cheap Asian rip off of the original high quality production. This one has the nasty made in Singapore etshed into the platic you cant remove without getting a file and sanding down your product. Do you want that to run your device? If so you are braver than me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With utmost respect for you, as we all should have for each other, if you came out of your "retirement" just to say that, you were better off retired mate. So much aggressiveness because of the app? Which isn't even is main development focus? Its just a "shortcut" to update the kernel. I respect you, I've seen you around and you seem like a good guy, but seriously mate, that wasn't cool :/
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Free mobile app
MidnightDevil said:
With utmost respect for you, as we all should have for each other, if you came out of your "retirement" just to say that, you were better off retired mate. So much aggressiveness because of the app? Which isn't even is main development focus? Its just a "shortcut" to update the kernel. I respect you, I've seen you around and you seem like a good guy, but seriously mate, that wasn't cool :/
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At first, I thought that the first version of the app ressembled a lot like the Franco's free FKU. (which was really the same thing only with a different color) I guess it was only used for a template. It then, with later updates, looked like it is a different app with its own implementations.
Looks like it was a rushed opinion to me on something not finished yet...
Envoyé de mon Nexus 7 en utilisant Tapatalk
Hi everyone,
I can't find a satisfactory answer on my favorite search engines, so I thought I'd come here and ask. Sorry if this question has already been put on the table, carved, sliced and gobbled, I couldn't find trace of it in the forum's search engine either.
My phone's a Leagoo T5c that will forever be stuck on Android 7.0, it seems, because the OEM has already lost interest, and because its SoC makes it difficult, if not downright impossible, to find a suitable custom ROM.
The latest ROM I could find and install on this phone goes back to August of 2018 (no-no, no typos), and its Security Update is even one month older (July 2018).
My question is in the title: Is it possible to install Security Updates without reinstalling/updating/upgrading the firmware itself, like you would in, say, Windows or any other OS, I presume?
UglyStuff said:
Hi everyone,
I can't find a satisfactory answer on my favorite search engines, so I thought I'd come here and ask. Sorry if this question has already been put on the table, carved, sliced and gobbled, I couldn't find trace of it in the forum's search engine either.
My phone's a Leagoo T5c that will forever be stuck on Android 7.0, it seems, because the OEM has already lost interest, and because its SoC makes it difficult, if not downright impossible, to find a suitable custom ROM.
The latest ROM I could find and install on this phone goes back to August of 2018 (no-no, no typos), and its Security Update is even one month older (July 2018).
My question is in the title: Is it possible to install Security Updates without reinstalling/updating/upgrading the firmware itself, like you would in, say, Windows or any other OS, I presume?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With android 10 were introduced Google play security updates that lets you received security updates (not all of them unfortunately, some requires to upgrade) without updating the full OS. You can't do it because you're stuck with the wrong Android version
Hopefully you won't have any issues with hacking but consider buying a new phone when you'll get a chance
Security updates get rolled out as OTA by OEM/Carrier if they consider it's necessary. You can't force it. Theoretically, all Android smartphones should get around two years of security updates. However, the reality is often very different.
The Leagoo T5c is a small-budget phone what was sold for 99 USD - so more or less a disposable item. You cannot expect OEM/Carrier to have any interest in providing updates for such a phone.
Thank you both for your explanations. I understand that Android works differently when it comes to updating itself, mostly because Google isn't the only party to have a voice in the chapter; still, it's unnerving to see that the end-user is more or less captive anyway.
It kinda defeats the very purpose of an open-source OS, to have to wait for an OEM to release (or not) an update, when you could install the patches yourself.
As for buying another phone, well, as soon as I've got the dough, I will, believe me. Not because I'm dissatisfied with this one, but because I don't like the idea of totting around with a phone that hasn't seen a security update in over two years.
I'm also seriously considering moving to Ubuntu Touch, though there again, my phone's exotic platform could be problematic. Custom ROMs seems to be as complicated an avenue as others, too.
All in all, Android isn't what they sold me: It's not secure, it's not "free", it's just another way to make you shell out bucks for new hardware every couple years.
Android is just iOS without the eye-candy, you ask me...
UglyStuff said:
Thank you both for your explanations. I understand that Android works differently when it comes to updating itself, mostly because Google isn't the only party to have a voice in the chapter; still, it's unnerving to see that the end-user is more or less captive anyway.
It kinda defeats the very purpose of an open-source OS, to have to wait for an OEM to release (or not) an update, when you could install the patches yourself.
As for buying another phone, well, as soon as I've got the dough, I will, believe me. Not because I'm dissatisfied with this one, but because I don't like the idea of totting around with a phone that hasn't seen a security update in over two years.
I'm also seriously considering moving to Ubuntu Touch, though there again, my phone's exotic platform could be problematic. Custom ROMs seems to be as complicated an avenue as others, too.
All in all, Android isn't what they sold me: It's not secure, it's not "free", it's just another way to make you shell out bucks for new hardware every couple years.
Android is just iOS without the eye-candy, you ask me...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Android isn't iOS precisely because you can break free from your OEM by flashing a custom ROM. You can develop one for almost any device as long as the OEM releases the kernel source code. And most OEM do (expect for some very unknown phones).
Custom ROMs like GrapheneOS are made to free you from google Services and are truly privacy oriented. And all of that is possible because Android is open source.
Trust me, the Android community has always worked actively to counter aging of their devices (including me).
Just buy a phone with a solid community behind and you'll be able to keep it up to date a looong time
Raiz said:
Android isn't iOS precisely because you can break free from your OEM by flashing a custom ROM. You can develop one for almost any device as long as the OEM releases the kernel source code. And most OEM do (expect for some very unknown phones).
Custom ROMs like GrapheneOS are made to free you from google Services and are truly privacy oriented. And all of that is possible because Android is open source.
Trust me, the Android community has always worked actively to counter aging of their devices (including me).
Just buy a phone with a solid community behind and you'll be able to keep it up to date a looong time
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with you in principle, but if I must take an example: I have this Early 2006 MacBook Pro with a Core Duo CPU that precludes me from even installing Mac OS X 10.7 "Lion" on it, because the CPU is 32-bit-only, and Lion requires a 64-bit CPU.
The machine itself works very well, albeit a bit slowly, but then it's got only 2 GB of RAM and a 120-GB SSD. When I got fed-up with OS X applications not updating/upgrading and Firefox addons not installing because my copy of Firefox was too old, I partitioned the SSD, installed rEFInd as boot manager, and installed Zorin 15.2 (now 15.3) Lite 32-bit.
I now spend more time on the Linux side of this Mac than on the OS X side, and updating/upgrading it is a breeze, either via the dedicated application or in Terminal. I know there'll be an end-of-the-line there too, someday, but at least I'll keep using this Mac until it truly dies on me, not when Apple tells me it's dead.
This, for me, is the very essence of open-source: Not just the fact that it's free, but that you can revive an old machine and keep it running long after Apple et al have decided that it had gone the way of the dinosaurs.
The same doesn't apply to Android, alas. Here, you must have a compatible SoC/chipset/what-have-you, a Treble-compatible device, you must have this, you must have that...
In the end, only a fraction of Android users really get to enjoy everything their device has to offer for as long as they choose; the others just pop into the nearest phone store, be it brick-and-mortar or cyber, and must produce their credit card.
My question was as much a challenge to myself as anything else. I would really like to learn how Android works, but the tutorials and articles I've found here and there are all a bit cryptic.
That's why I'm regularly prowling this forum, I guess.
"Hunting high and low", as the song goes... :laugh:
yep, good question but google & manufactures are in it for the moola not the users 2 yr old phone.
hiitsrudd said:
yep, good question but google & manufactures are in it for the moola not the users 2 yr old phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't I know it! It's true that even budget phones have decent specs nowadays, still, why dump a perfectly functioning phone simply because you can't update/upgrade the software?
I understand Google's rationale, of course: They invest tons of money year after year after year to keep the whole boat afloat, and they need a steady income. OK. Still, to not be able to keep your phone ***safe*** is a no-go for me.
I'm seriously beginning to think about installing Ubuntu Touch on the device. I think I'm going to try that next weekend.
I'll probably come back here with my eyes red, asking for help in unbricking my phone, though.
Stay tuned! :good:
A followup, if you are mindful of your own security it's conceivable to get more usage of that android. I don't use a banking app, but if need be use a good browser( thats updated of course) And update all often used apps via playstore. I'm still running Oreo on my phone. FYI you iOS ppl need to do critical updates asap
You have to trust the source where you get your os from. Its known that middlemen insert malware into smartphone firmwares before sale. But if you flash your rom yourself then you have to trust the downloadsource. I searched a lineage or /e/ os rom for galaxy s4 mini and found this site: "lineageosroms com /s4-i9192/" ( I cant post links because i am new here) I doupt that this belongs to LineageOS, because on the LineageOS site there is no download for this device. My question is, what sources are trustworthy, which not? What about the unofficial roms on XDA Forums? What can i do or should not do with a not so trustworthy rom? Insert Sim Card? Chat about personal life, take personal pictures, banking, buying stuff etc. .. And what about old firmwares which do not receive any updates anymore, are there some rules to follow which make the device save although the rom is old?
handynoobinator said:
You have to trust the source where you get your os from. Its known that middlemen insert malware into smartphone firmwares before sale. But if you flash your rom yourself then you have to trust the downloadsource. I searched a lineage or /e/ os rom for galaxy s4 mini and found this site: "lineageosroms com /s4-i9192/" ( I cant post links because i am new here) I doupt that this belongs to LineageOS, because on the LineageOS site there is no download for this device. My question is, what sources are trustworthy, which not? What about the unofficial roms on XDA Forums? What can i do or should not do with a not so trustworthy rom? Insert Sim Card? Chat about personal life, take personal pictures, banking, buying stuff etc. .. And what about old firmwares which do not receive any updates anymore, are there some rules to follow which make the device save although the rom is old?
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Click to collapse
The only official site for LOS is this one: https://download.lineageos.org/
You can find over the internet some unofficial websites, with unofficial LineageOs Builds. Idk about them being 100% safe, but Lineageos has its own privacy features, that may prevent (not at 100% obviously) virus to be silent. On XDA, and especially for popular devices (like yours), unofficial build can be trusted. Because a lot of people download them, and if there is something suspicious with the build, it will be soon called out, and the developer banned. So I'd say unofficial build in XDA can be trusted, outside of xda it's more hazardous, and the official build can be trusted eyes closed. If you don't even trust devs donc XDA, you can always make one build from your device tree in GitHub. It's free, and just requires a 64-bit Device (PC).
Thank you very much for your advice. I have a similar question. I dont like the Playstore, because i dont want to have to login in order to install an app. I use playstore download tools like "apkcombo com apk-downloader" or "apps. evozi com apk-downloader" to create download links. Or Mirrors like APKPure or appsapk.com. I know its easy to bind malware to a program, and it can be cryptet so a virus scanner is not able to detect it. Is there a way to verify these apks? The most easy way i could think of would be a list with the program versions with the correlating md5sum, then i can create the md5sum and see if its the same. Further Question: why are mostly the big phones with the big screens supported by linage os? Because the small phones arent used to surf the internet very much and an old firmware doesnt matter in this case? I like the small phones better.
handynoobinator said:
Thank you very much for your advice. I have a similar question. I dont like the Playstore, because i dont want to have to login in order to install an app. I use playstore download tools like "apkcombo com apk-downloader" or "apps. evozi com apk-downloader" to create download links. Or Mirrors like APKPure or appsapk.com. I know its easy to bind malware to a program, and it can be cryptet so a virus scanner is not able to detect it. Is there a way to verify these apks? The most easy way i could think of would be a list with the program versions with the correlating md5sum, then i can create the md5sum and see if its the same. Further Question: why are mostly the big phones with the big screens supported by linage os? Because the small phones arent used to surf the internet very much and an old firmware doesnt matter in this case? I like the small phones better.
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Click to collapse
Instead of Play Store download tools consider to use the Aurora Store (an unofficial OSS Play Store client) by @WhyOrean as I and many other privacy concerned XDA members do.
handynoobinator said:
Thank you very much for your advice. I have a similar question. I dont like the Playstore, because i dont want to have to login in
...
with the big screens supported by linage os? Because the small phones arent used to surf the internet very much and an old firmware doesnt matter in this case? I like the small phones better.
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Click to collapse
Can confirm, Aurora store is a good value.
And LineageOs (and other ROMs) support popular devices, which are now bigger screen phone. I got to say tho, I think that the mini form factor of the iPhone 12 Mini revived a nostalgic feeling for actual small phones. So I guess that in 2021 some flagships will adopt this form factor and you'll have a community, and ROMs to interact with.
And IMO, small phones have always been the more "mature taste" lol. No seriously, I miss them, and I don't wanna get myself locked in iOS (although it's a pretty good OS)
Thank you very much for this tipp! I will try Aurora store in the near future. Further Question, why is only android on XDA and not ios? I suppose Apple keeps everything closed and there is no community other than the jailbreak stuff. I have an old iphone 5c, i bought it for cheap to see what apple devices are like. I cant recommend apple, because you have to give all your data in order to install free apps, and even contact the support, this is ludicrous! You cant store files on the device, you have to use itunes to get music on the device, its really not pleasant, the only thing you can do is to download your pictures on windows or linux. I am new to smartphones and i dont know very much about them yet, is there a way to bring this iphone to use? Store files like pdfs on it and install apps without the apple appstore? Only a safe way, without the risc of viruses or malware.
handynoobinator said:
Thank you very much for this tipp! I will try Aurora store in the near future. Further Question, why is only android on XDA and not ios? I suppose Apple keeps everything closed and there is no community other than the jailbreak stuff. I have an
...
appstore? Only a safe way, without the risc of viruses or malware.
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Once there was a xda-developers' sister site called "iphone-developers.com" which is dead as of now.
But the "good" new is that XDA has its first iPhone forum recently. It's the iPhone 12 Forums.
If you're still new around xda, you may check a thread I made to introduce users (originally iPhone users) to xda (https://forum.xda-developers.com/apple-iphone-12/how-to/welcome-hello-iphone-users-quick-t4180667)
It's also very important to read the rules, make sure you do that (link is in my signature).
Also, I don't know much about it but you can jailbreak iPhones and install .ipa files on them. Idk if it's safe and virus free tho. Jailbreak uses an exploit, whereas here on android google let users do this freely, with proper tools (I'm talking about root of course).
Hi everyone,
let me preface this with saying that I have searched for similar threads to avoid redundant threads, and I didn't find anything similar to this. I apologize in case I somehow missed it and am accidentally making a duplicate thread. That said, let's continue.
I recently got a Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S. I really love the hardware - it's pretty good for its price; the battery capacity is high, I like the 90Hz refresh rate and the AMOLED screen, decent storage capacity, and the 33W fast charging is really cool too.
The software, however, is another story. Firstly, there is a lot of bloatware. Various stores, games, etc. that I never asked for. And even worse, secondly, on every corner there is a privacy violation. Every time I clicked on a different app, I needed to accept a different user agreement, privacy policy, or something similar. The camera app literally requires an internet connection and yet another ToS agreement to use. And I've looked into such an agreement to see what they do, and apparently they reserve the right to look at your screen's displayed contents. What. The. F-
I would really like to use this device as it is an upgrade over my current phone, but man, I'm not using it with the default software. For this reason I came here to ask about which custom ROMs are good for my purposes. I would like something that has few invasive features and other spyware, and is also relatively open for customization and such as I like to be in control of the hardware I own.
Thanks in advance for any replies.
I have yet to find a device specific ROM for this phone. Apparently they're hard to develop because the chip manufacturer (Mediatek) doesn't release their source code? You could try a GSI but that's beyond my skillset.
To make me feel a bit better about my privacy I've used Debloater to uninstall the bloat that I don't want on the phone at all. I then use AFWall+ to block the apps that I want to use but don't trust from accessing the internet.
Note that this requires rooting your phone, but that's straightforward these days.
Hi, thanks for the reply.
I'm new to the community. Could you please explain me what a GSI is?
Those things sound like a good idea for the time being. I'll look into them when I have more time. As for rooting, I'm sure there's countless of guides out there. If you know a good one I'd appreciate it, but I'm sure that out of everything, this is the one thing I'll easily manage myself.
Though while this is a good temporary solution, I still feel uneasy about it as it's not necessarily specific apps, but the OS itself that does the spying, so I think I'll wait and see if someone else replies with more suggestions. Perhaps someone in this forum is some kind of custom ROM genius. Despite that, I really appreciate your reply and not getting judged for being new. Have a nice day/evening/morning (depending on your time zone).
A GSI is a Generic System Image - basically it's a ROM that isn't tailored to a specific device, but will broadly work on any device. However this means that it's likely to be a little bit buggy on most devices. I don't know much about GSIs, but I'm sure there are threads on here.
I believe that the only Android 11 GSI that is still maintained is the Google GSI. You'd want the aosp_arm64_ab build for this device I think. I have no idea how well this would work, I don't even know how you'd flash it!
This is my guide for rooting this phone, it's pretty straightforward I think, once you've got the bootloader unlocked.
Root POCO M4 Pro 4G (fleur) using Magisk
Rooting the POCO M4 Pro 4G (fleur) turned out to be quite straightforward. Note, I have a 2201117PG (EEA), you may have a different experience, it's not my fault if you brick your phone etc. Backup before you start as this will wipe your phone...
forum.xda-developers.com
Well, if - as it seems - the device support GSI builds, you can go with \e\ (aka deGoogled-Lineage):
Topics tagged gsi
Topics tagged gsi
community.e.foundation
No custom rom due to mediatek chipset , should have bought snapdragon device
Aj_$tyle$ said:
No custom rom due to mediatek chipset , should have bought snapdragon device
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
BTW Generic System Images works on *any* treble-compatible (= Android 8+) SoC...
forart.eu said:
BTW Generic System Images works on *any* treble-compatible (= Android 8+) SoC...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
GSI has bugs in poco m4 pro
Aj_$tyle$ said:
GSI has bugs in poco m4 pro
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Click to collapse
What bug?
Aj_$tyle$ said:
GSI has bugs in poco m4 pro
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Click to collapse
Please report @ \e\ community then:
GSI
Find details about the work done and progress made on Generic System Image (GSI) for /e/ in this section.
community.e.foundation
Gliese 832 c said:
Hi everyone,
let me preface this with saying that I have searched for similar threads to avoid redundant threads, and I didn't find anything similar to this. I apologize in case I somehow missed it and am accidentally making a duplicate thread. That said, let's continue.
I recently got a Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S. I really love the hardware - it's pretty good for its price; the battery capacity is high, I like the 90Hz refresh rate and the AMOLED screen, decent storage capacity, and the 33W fast charging is really cool too.
The software, however, is another story. Firstly, there is a lot of bloatware. Various stores, games, etc. that I never asked for. And even worse, secondly, on every corner there is a privacy violation. Every time I clicked on a different app, I needed to accept a different user agreement, privacy policy, or something similar. The camera app literally requires an internet connection and yet another ToS agreement to use. And I've looked into such an agreement to see what they do, and apparently they reserve the right to look at your screen's displayed contents. What. The. F-
I would really like to use this device as it is an upgrade over my current phone, but man, I'm not using it with the default software. For this reason I came here to ask about which custom ROMs are good for my purposes. I would like something that has few invasive features and other spyware, and is also relatively open for customization and such as I like to be in control of the hardware I own.
Thanks in advance for any replies.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The most privacy friendly rom is GrapheneOS but it only supports Pixel devices sadly.