Database Develop

When does the S5 mini become dead as far as OS upgrades or security updates?

I am curious. I assumed lollipop was going to be the last one I would see, since the phone is over 2 years old. I love Android 6.0.2 now. I am curious how long I might expect to keep getting updates on the phone? I cannot find any "end of life" lists for the S5 mini so I am unsure.
Also, what would a worthy successor to the S5 mini be to be more up to date?

Morthawt said:
I am curious. I assumed lollipop was going to be the last one I would see, since the phone is over 2 years old. I love Android 6.0.2 now. I am curious how long I might expect to keep getting updates on the phone? I cannot find any "end of life" lists for the S5 mini so I am unsure.
Also, what would a worthy successor to the S5 mini be to be more up to date?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Depending on the range of the smartphone, the manufacturers give support of about 2 years, after that they are totally forgotten (except samsung, they forget the mid-range smartphones at 4 months LOL)
To tell you the truth, we s5 mini users, we are very lucky that samsung has remembered us, almost never happens

jimmy999x said:
Depending on the range of the smartphone, the manufacturers give support of about 2 years, after that they are totally forgotten (except samsung, they forget the mid-range smartphones at 4 months LOL)
To tell you the truth, we s5 mini users, we are very lucky that samsung has remembered us, almost never happens
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Click to collapse
Thanks. I thought it was weird when I saw an update come up for a whole new OS... I love my S5 mini again, although I am looking for an upgrade to save for that's similar size but better than what I have in the S5 mini. Closest I can figure is A3 2017 but not sure.
For now, till I get more info I will enjoy my renewed S5 mini with, now, epic battery life in comparison.

Morthawt said:
Thanks. I thought it was weird when I saw an update come up for a whole new OS... I love my S5 mini again, although I am looking for an upgrade to save for that's similar size but better than what I have in the S5 mini. Closest I can figure is A3 2017 but not sure.
For now, till I get more info I will enjoy my renewed S5 mini with, now, epic battery life in comparison.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doze works very well in the s5 mini, is very good no doubt, personally I recommend using some custom rom, do not have samsung applications and are extremely fast, also have new versions of android (7.1.1 in this case) Of course they are in beta and contain bugs, but they are still very good

jimmy999x said:
Doze works very well in the s5 mini, is very good no doubt, personally I recommend using some custom rom, do not have samsung applications and are extremely fast, also have new versions of android (7.1.1 in this case) Of course they are in beta and contain bugs, but they are still very good
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well a while back I tried to get a standard rom that was not from DBT (my handset is german, from ebay and it was cheaper) but it would not boot up. So I had to re-flash stock DBT firmware to get it to work. I remember trying Cyanogen mod on my old S4 mini but the compass did not work and a few other things. I cannot use a rom if basic phone features don't work. But with my experience of trying a different rom on my S5 mini, I bet custom roms would not work. I did get it rooted a couple times though although now I stick with unrooted so more standard apps work.

Morthawt said:
Well a while back I tried to get a standard rom that was not from DBT (my handset is german, from ebay and it was cheaper) but it would not boot up. So I had to re-flash stock DBT firmware to get it to work. I remember trying Cyanogen mod on my old S4 mini but the compass did not work and a few other things. I cannot use a rom if basic phone features don't work. But with my experience of trying a different rom on my S5 mini, I bet custom roms would not work. I did get it rooted a couple times though although now I stick with unrooted so more standard apps work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How strange, it is normal that the cyanogenmod build does not work well at first, since it is a progressive development, even let me guess, you have the variant g800h?

jimmy999x said:
How strange, it is normal that the cyanogenmod build does not work well at first, since it is a progressive development, even let me guess, you have the variant g800h?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
F I believe.

Morthawt said:
F I believe.
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Click to collapse
That is very strange, since the custom rom of this forum work very well for the variants F / M / Y, since they are the same device but dedicated to different markets (M in my case since I am in South America), The problem lies in the H variant, since it assembles a totally different processor and it is difficult to compile some custom rom for that variant, you should try some, I personally recommend this rom, very very good, you still have to polish one or another detail, But can be used daily
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s5-mini/development/rom-aicp-12-1-nougat-t3565009
And if you are one of those who like to customize your android to the fullest, I recommend this rom
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s5-mini/development/rom-resurrection-remix-n-5-8-2-t3562523
Both are based on the latest version of android, greetings

jimmy999x said:
That is very strange, since the custom rom of this forum work very well for the variants F / M / Y, since they are the same device but dedicated to different markets (M in my case since I am in South America), The problem lies in the H variant, since it assembles a totally different processor and it is difficult to compile some custom rom for that variant, you should try some, I personally recommend this rom, very very good, you still have to polish one or another detail, But can be used daily
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s5-mini/development/rom-aicp-12-1-nougat-t3565009
And if you are one of those who like to customize your android to the fullest, I recommend this rom
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s5-mini/development/rom-resurrection-remix-n-5-8-2-t3562523
Both are based on the latest version of android, greetings
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. I have bookmarked it. Although it seems every rom I have seen has issues for some reason. Whether in my experience with Cyanogen where the compass stops working and something else which I care about, or that one and tethering and hotspot etc. I just have been kind of burned from the excitement of my first custom rom failing me on the feature front and seeing big known issues with other custom ones I have seen. Not to mention I would want to avoid having some apps refuse to work like my banking app, google apps or Android Pay etc. But I have bookmarked it though in case because it seems cyanogen mod's site has gone down, which is not a good sign and any way they never supported S5 mini which was depressing. Are there any roms that are feature-perfect with no show stoppers on the S5 mini?

Morthawt said:
Thanks. I have bookmarked it. Although it seems every rom I have seen has issues for some reason. Whether in my experience with Cyanogen where the compass stops working and something else which I care about, or that one and tethering and hotspot etc. I just have been kind of burned from the excitement of my first custom rom failing me on the feature front and seeing big known issues with other custom ones I have seen. Not to mention I would want to avoid having some apps refuse to work like my banking app, google apps or Android Pay etc. But I have bookmarked it though in case because it seems cyanogen mod's site has gone down, which is not a good sign and any way they never supported S5 mini which was depressing. Are there any roms that are feature-perfect with no show stoppers on the S5 mini?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cyanogen mod died, now called lineage os, is basically the same, the s5 mini, does not have official support by cyanogen (lineage os), but fortunately in this forum we have developers who take the trouble to create custom roms for We, those 2 roms that I left in the links are extremely functional, maybe one or the other does not work, but what if

jimmy999x said:
Cyanogen mod died, now called lineage os, is basically the same, the s5 mini, does not have official support by cyanogen (lineage os), but fortunately in this forum we have developers who take the trouble to create custom roms for We, those 2 roms that I left in the links are extremely functional, maybe one or the other does not work, but what if
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Click to collapse
If I was unable to use a different country code or what ever (Like mine is DBT) firmware for the same actual legit firmware for my S5 mini, doesn't that mean a third party rom would equally fail to boot as well?

Morthawt said:
If I was unable to use a different country code or what ever (Like mine is DBT) firmware for the same actual legit firmware for my S5 mini, doesn't that mean a third party rom would equally fail to boot as well?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do not understand exactly what you mean, but if the question is, if custom roms may or may not work in one country or another, as far as I know, they would have to work without any problem, as long as the bootloader is unlocked , A common problem is the loss of line, ie the device can not communicate with the operator, therefore no calls or sms, but that is solved using odin and flashing the baseband (there is also a post In this forum on that)

Firmware has various ones you can get based on the carrier or country or what ever. My phone needs me to download the DBT firmware. I tried choosing one someone recommended which was also a stock genuine rom for my phone but not DBT, it was one that they said was as close to raw Android possible. I flashed it and it would not boot. They gave me reasons and all kinds of complex more indepth things I would have to do all kinds of hacky piecemeal techniques to get the other rom to work. I was not interested, using odin, selecting a file and waiting is nerve racking enough for me without having to go 3 levels more complex than that. So the only thing I could do was flash the DBT version back on the phone and it worked again.

DBT is a very clean firmware in regard to branding so no need to switch to anything else, it has only 3 apps which can be uninstalled without rooting.
As for the updates I believe that Marshmallow is the final official update we're getting, there could be a couple security patch updates though. Like many users I was pleasantly surprised that we're getting 6.0.1 considering that we're talking about a 3 year old midrange Samsung which in smartphone years is a long time.

kom-pakt said:
DBT is a very clean firmware in regard to branding so no need to switch to anything else, it has only 3 apps which can be uninstalled without rooting.
As for the updates I believe that Marshmallow is the final official update we're getting, there could be a couple security patch updates though. Like many users I was pleasantly surprised that we're getting 6.0.1 considering that we're talking about a 3 year old midrange Samsung which in smartphone years is a long time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks.
I certainly was shocked when I saw 6.0.1 or Marshmallow or what ever it said on the screenshot. Jaw dropped with excitement.

I don't know how guys can use Samsung's BS. KitKat, Lolipop or Marshmallow they all run poorly on my mini, and there's a lot of annoying slowdowns even when just scrolling twitter.

inejco said:
I don't know how guys can use Samsung's BS. KitKat, Lolipop or Marshmallow they all run poorly on my mini, and there's a lot of annoying slowdowns even when just scrolling twitter.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I highly recommend you factory reset your device. Prior to this Marshmallow update my phone was a constipated donkey. Just slow and sluggish as hell even doing the most basic of things. I got the Marshmallow update and it did feel a lot better. I factory reset and put my crucial apps back on and my phone is perfect again.

I would really like to see video showing how quick it is. Because I believe it will still be slower than Slim6.
And when scrolling is slow I get triggered as f.

inejco said:
I would really like to see video showing how quick it is. Because I believe it will still be slower than Slim6.
And when scrolling is slow I get triggered as f.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have no idea what Slim6 is. What I do know is I was getting ready to throw my phone in the trash and save up for a new phone, till I got the Marshmallow update. Now my phone feels like a brand spanking new upgrade after the crap experience I have been having. Snappy, responsive, everything is working well. Perfect. Pshhh not to mention idle battery life has vastly improved.

It's custom rom for F variant of S5 mini. Battery was never a problem for me on marshmallow from Samsung though.

TWRP

Anyone work atm on a port of TWRP for Note 8? I cannot wait anymore for a custom rom hehe

Can we use the twrp from S8??
I think its the same hardware. Only more RAM.

Why would you want it on a note? If you want to root and run other os, get a s8+. Wouldn't the s pen become a paperweight?

ZiprLips said:
Why would you want it on a note? If you want to root and run other os, get a s8+. Wouldn't the s pen become a paperweight?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Huh? Why would that be? I haven't had a note for a while but had twrp and root on my note 4, spen worked perfectly and saw daily use.
Edit: oh I see what you mean. You mean ported version from the s8 right?

ZiprLips said:
Why would you want it on a note? If you want to root and run other os, get a s8+. Wouldn't the s pen become a paperweight?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
TWRP is a recovery image and a direct S8 TWRP port wouldn't affect the operating skin, so no S-Pen functionality would be lost.

But twrp don't give root.. I say let start a bounty

ZiprLips said:
Why would you want it on a note? If you want to root and run other os, get a s8+. Wouldn't the s pen become a paperweight?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you've either misunderstood the question or don't understand the concept.
TWRP doesn't affect the OS at all but you can use TWRP to install a customised version of the OS that has more features, less bloat and still keeps all of the functionality of the official OS.
Before I had to move to a Lineage OS based ROM on my Note 3, I used ROMs that were based on Samsung firmware and the S-pen worked just fine.

Torquemada288 said:
I think you've either misunderstood the question or don't understand the concept.
TWRP doesn't affect the OS at all but you can use TWRP to install a customised version of the OS that has more features, less bloat and still keeps all of the functionality of the official OS.
Before I had to move to a Lineage OS based ROM on my Note 3, I used ROMs that were based on Samsung firmware and the S-pen worked just fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess I've just been relatively happy with touch wiz so I never considered going that route. The last phone I ran a diff OS on was the n3 or n4.
My only complaints would be I'd like to be able to download torrents right to the sd card, and for them to fix the vpn bug.

ZiprLips said:
I guess I've just been relatively happy with touch wiz so I never considered going that route. The last phone I ran a diff OS on was the n3 or n4.
My only complaints would be I'd like to be able to download torrents right to the sd card, and for them to fix the vpn bug.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If the stock software suits you, that's all good. But you have to understand that it doesn't suit everyone and many people want to have more control over how their device looks and behaves based on their needs and personal preferences.
I'll probably keep my Note 8 stock until I either get fed up with TouchWiz or some fancy custom ROM catches my eye, but even then, I'll probably root it and install TWRP as soon as the opportunity arrives.

Torquemada288 said:
I think you've either misunderstood the question or don't understand the concept.
TWRP doesn't affect the OS at all but you can use TWRP to install a customised version of the OS that has more features, less bloat and still keeps all of the functionality of the official OS.
Before I had to move to a Lineage OS based ROM on my Note 3, I used ROMs that were based on Samsung firmware and the S-pen worked just fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Torquemada288 said:
If the stock software suits you, that's all good. But you have to understand that it doesn't suit everyone and many people want to have more control over how their device looks and behaves based on their needs and personal preferences.
I'll probably keep my Note 8 stock until I either get fed up with TouchWiz or some fancy custom ROM catches my eye, but even then, I'll probably root it and install TWRP as soon as the opportunity arrives.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your absolutely right. This is one of those moments when I commented without anything of substance to add. My bad, carry on gents lol.

How many retarded Noobs are going to post and ask questions and rooting and roming on a locked bootloader N8? It's locked down, don't buy it than. ****, I ****ing can't stand members that don't read. We might get root in a couple months.....maybe. roming, well pretty much forget about it. I've been with xda for 10+ yrs, modding phones for 12 yrs, android for 7 yrs and haven't been without root for pretty much more than a couple hrs. But this note 8, even stock is amazing.

Death-Dealer said:
How many retarded Noobs are going to post and ask questions and rooting and roming on a locked bootloader N8? It's locked down, don't buy it than. ****, I ****ing can't stand members that don't read. We might get root in a couple months.....maybe. roming, well pretty much forget about it. I've been with xda for 10+ yrs, modding phones for 12 yrs, android for 7 yrs and haven't been without root for pretty much more than a couple hrs. But this note 8, even stock is amazing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm getting the international Note 8, so I'll be having all the modding fun.

Death-Dealer said:
How many retarded Noobs are going to post and ask questions and rooting and roming on a locked bootloader N8? It's locked down, don't buy it than. ****, I ****ing can't stand members that don't read. We might get root in a couple months.....maybe. roming, well pretty much forget about it. I've been with xda for 10+ yrs, modding phones for 12 yrs, android for 7 yrs and haven't been without root for pretty much more than a couple hrs. But this note 8, even stock is amazing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I could not agree more. Every new phone I buy I don't expect a BL unlock. Especially Samsung. I expect someone will come up with a root method for the Note 8 eventually but if not, I'm still happy with my Note 8. I still have my unlocked Pixel XL to play with for ROM testing etc. I just wish Samsung would push Oreo out. I was in the beta and I think Oreo is much better than Nougat. I know it will likely be a month or more before we see it on the Note 8.

Death-Dealer said:
How many retarded Noobs are going to post and ask questions and rooting and roming on a locked bootloader N8? It's locked down, don't buy it than. ****, I ****ing can't stand members that don't read. We might get root in a couple months.....maybe. roming, well pretty much forget about it. I've been with xda for 10+ yrs, modding phones for 12 yrs, android for 7 yrs and haven't been without root for pretty much more than a couple hrs. But this note 8, even stock is amazing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why locked... I use the exynos version? crapdragon US version is locked, but with the F exynos version, bootloader is open and no problem to install TWRP / Custom rom so far^^

TWRP should be literally around the corner. Release date is this week, so TWRP and ROOT should be very close. ONLY FOR N950F and N950FD versions, EXYNOS. Snapdragon or USA or Canada variants are out of luck, just like the S8 snapdragons.

Brava27 said:
TWRP should be literally around the corner. Release date is this week, so TWRP and ROOT should be very close. ONLY FOR N950F and N950FD versions, EXYNOS. Snapdragon or USA or Canada variants are out of luck, just like the S8 snapdragons.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This sound great. Many thanks for your info.
Do you have a link there we can check the availability of TWRP and/or Root for N950F/FD?
Or can you post an update here then it is available?

maverickluke said:
This sound great. Many thanks for your info.
Do you have a link there we can check the availability of TWRP and/or Root for N950F/FD?
Or can you post an update here then it is available?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wait 4 thread in Rom development hope twrp comes soon

Every phone I have had with a locked boot loader has gotten root eventually. Someone will get it running. Be patient the phone has not even official been released.
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

What about my 950N? I'd hope that development for the European models would work on all the Exynos variants...

Bushido1992 said:
Why locked... I use the exynos version? crapdragon US version is locked, but with the F exynos version, bootloader is open and no problem to install TWRP / Custom rom so far^^
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well im on Sprint, and I'm not stupid enough to spend $1000+ on a phone I can't get insurance on and switch carriers too. Voiding warranty I can care less about cause I always rooted n romed right away, but no insurance......hell no. Root will be good enough when it eventually comes long. Also I like SD chips over Exynos anyways. What we need is more of the old school devs back. The Chad Goodman's of xda. I wish Samsung would offer an unlock code that we would agree voiding warranty too like HTC did before.

[N960U/U1/W][DISCUSSION][Close to rooting]

Hello Fellow XDA Users!
Some of you might remember me from over the years or maybe just from SamPWND root on the S8/S8+. I have had a number of devices since SamPWND with a few being Sammy's. I have been real busy with life and work but of course every spare time I get has been breaking Samsung devices!
I've found some exploits I never released publicly due to the devices being "unpopular" but figured since I am close now as well as what I have found so far most likely works on most Samsung devices (I've only tested on Tab S4 and N9 from Big Red) that I wouldn't keep this one away from everyone.
With that being said, I do not have FULL root yet but am very close. I wanted to create this thread as I don't have let's of free time these days to hopefully bounce ideas around to achieve our end goal a lot faster.
I am going to spare all the specific details to the masses but will let you know what I got so far. I prefer to collaborate over other applications that are more "real time" if there are any developers that read this then PM me and we can share contact info. If you just want to toss ideas in here then that is ok. I just don't want to have someone potentially take my hard work and claim it as their own before I can achieve root. I have been almost non stop since the N9 was released so you can understand hopefully why I want to be the one to bring root to you all!
With that being said, I will begin telling my story and what I have so far.
Some time last year I was working on another Sammy device after SamPWND as I wanted root of course. I spent weeks and weeks trying to find exploits until I finally did! For this time I wanted to see what Sammy would offer for it as it was a tablet, the XDA forum was deserted etc. They did pay out a 2500$ reward so it was ok.
The reason I bring this up is because the exploit plays a factor here as well. The exploit was a mix of SamPWND and SamFAIL as I used the same rooting script as SamPWND but with a custom partition that wasn't checked for integrity when flashing in ODIN.
On this partition there were some init rc scripts. I noticed these scripts could be executed on combo firmware as root user. This means I could mount the partition in Linux, modify the scripts to my liking, sparse it back up and flash in ODIN. Then I could execute them. Believe it or not, they were executed by entering a simple setprop command in ADB. So from start to finish I simply extracted this partition, modified the scripts to install root as well as packaged the root package in with the image, flash it and then execute an adb command and viola! I felt like a loser it took me so long to find yet was so simple to exploit.
This ties in to where I am at now. I spent months looking through various attack vectors with no luck due to enhanced security not just with Sammy but Android also. So one day last week I decided to take a look at combo firmware again. In no time I found something interesting and then I slapped myself for spending months again when I should have looked at init scripts first.
I found it on my Tab s4 initially but wanted to see if the same file was on my N9 on combo and it was!
The first script runs as system user. For some reason the entire folder it is in is world readable/writable which means there is a script I can modify. This one is not an init script but is a script none the less that runs as system user that I can modify and execute with a simple adb command. Of course we want root, not system so I keep looking.
So I started writing all sorts of scripts/commands and executing it as system user since it's better than running as shell user right? One day I decide I am going to try and change permissions on the entire device. To my surprise it actually changed permissions to ALOT of partitions/files including EFS. I start messing with efs but don't want to break my phone so I settled with backing it up, enabling hidden menu, changing my sales code, enabling factory test mode etc. Etc.
One day I decided to see if I could access the same scripts I used previously. The partition was not readable (perms denied) so initially I thought it was a dead end. Then for some reason I tried to go into the sub-directory where I knew the scripts were and guess what!? The parent directory perms were not changed but its sub directories were! Now I am somewhere I have been before and now I have some scripts that I know are executed by init and as root and how to trigger them.
I spent over a week and all my spare time trying to gain full root but progress is slow moving due to new security. I can make a script that backs up every partition on the device, mounts "most" partitions as rw, dd magisk boot images (of course secure check fail due to locked bl but I had to try lol), create folders and push files to roots etc. Etc. Its basically like having full root but you have to run it in a script for everything you do.
Since we have locked bootloaders, we cannot boot modified boot.img. There's also more security causing me to have issues with system root. One of those issues is the fact that system, vendor and odm partitions cause the kernel to panic instantly as soon as they are mounted.
I managed to force some stuff quickly before the crash but they also have something called "secure write protect" which basically backs out anything you might have written before it reboots. I have tried installing chains systemless root and even tried to install magisk without modifying the boot but I am just getting frustrated and tired.
One thing I am currently trying is a safestrap recovery. The end goal is to try and get a GSI on that is pre rooted. Yes, I also tried to dd a gsi and tried with a file manager... it appears to write but it doesn't. I think there is some security going on as it along with odm and vendor are "protected" partitions.
I can modify rootfs and just about every other partition on the device with ease but haven't successfully gained root via su or magisk etc. Some stuff will cause device to boot with good old custom unlock splash screen and even say custom and custom binary in ODIN. That plus it being project treble certified indicates we shouldn't have any issues using GSI's and more soon as we can get ot nailed down!
So in a nutshell, I now have the ability to do almost anything as root user using init scripts on our locked bootloader devices but we only have a little bit left to go in figuring out how to get su binaries onto the device thanks to sammy and googs enhanced security updates.
Hopefully this gets the convo going and I wanted everyone to know that it's not "impossible" and now seems like a guarantee! Let's get some ideas going in here on this last hurdle! If you are a developer please also PM me as I tend to forget to check xda sometimes plus I like a more real time conversation when it comes to this stuff.
We are almost there!
Donation Link: https://forum.xda-developers.com/donatetome.php?u=3812611

Forgot as a reminder that I can confirm the scripts there on tab s4 and n9 combos.. it's very likely they are present on S9/S9+ also and potentially other devices but they will need to be confirmed once we get to that point.

Was just barely reading up on Samsung defex security.. hope that's not the problem since only fix I can find requires hex patching the boot.img

so i noticed you gave quite a lot of info without going too much into details. i understand that you don't want anyone to steal your ideas and take credit.
would be a shame to get root.
and not get the credit where it is due..
now, that being said, isn't making these statements public open up the door for samsung to notice these possible exploits and patch them up for good? thus rendering all your efforts in vain? As even if the details were kept at a minimum from kangers to use them, the samsung devs can probably read through the lines quite easily.
anyways, hope your effort will bare fruit for as long as it is possible.( samfail lasted what 3 or 4 months? before patches made it too difficult to keep up)
Regards

bober10113 said:
so i noticed you gave quite a lot of info without going too much into details. i understand that you don't want anyone to steal your ideas and take credit.
would be a shame to get root.
and not get the credit where it is due..
now, that being said, isn't making these statements public open up the door for samsung to notice these possible exploits and patch them up for good? thus rendering all your efforts in vain? As even if the details were kept at a minimum from kangers to use them, the samsung devs can probably read through the lines quite easily.
anyways, hope your effort will bare fruit for as long as it is possible.( samfail lasted what 3 or 4 months? before patches made it too difficult to keep up)
Regards
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can see where youre coming from but I dont think they can glean exactly what I have as theres are probably hundreds of scripts throughout the system.
Also, this approach is far from new. People have been using init scripts for rooting purposes for many years.
I also tried it with newer firmware and it actually didnt work. So it already requires an older frmware and I expect Sammy will increment bootloaders soon making it unavailable to those who have updated at that poimt in time. I figured best to put out the word on progress now and those can choose to wait or not.
Exploits never last very long. The only way to ensure longevity is to remain on old firmware. There was SamPWND before there was SamFAIL. This could be the perfect time. Unless I am the only one working on this device there will be other exploits to be found.
With that being said, only you have posted all day and no devs have reached out to join in the fun so at this rate by the time full root is achieved it most likely will already be patched.
Thats just my thoughts though.

elliwigy said:
I can see where youre coming from but I dont think they can glean exactly what I have as theres are probably hundreds of scripts throughout the system.
Also, this approach is far from new. People have been using init scripts for rooting purposes for many years.
I also tried it with newer firmware and it actually didnt work. So it already requires an older frmware and I expect Sammy will increment bootloaders soon making it unavailable to those who have updated at that poimt in time. I figured best to put out the word on progress now and those can choose to wait or not.
Exploits never last very long. The only way to ensure longevity is to remain on old firmware. There was SamPWND before there was SamFAIL. This could be the perfect time. Unless I am the only one working on this device there will be other exploits to be found.
With that being said, only you have posted all day and no devs have reached out to join in the fun so at this rate by the time full root is achieved it most likely will already be patched.
Thats just my thoughts though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the note 9 kinda missed the party bus.
ive had almost all Sammy's devices and i have to unfortuanly say this is by far the most bleek state of development ive ever experienced.
but back in the day, there was far less android competition.
edit:
and i think that if not the competition, the fact that alot of people feel content with what stock samsung is offering. when the device came out, the forums were littered with Shakespearean: 'to root or not to' type of threads.

This is great news. Hopefully some devs contact you. Loved your work with the S8.

Yeeeeeeeesssssss!
Very exciting! If we're updated to Pie, are we out of luck then though, regarding the firmware?
I remember you doing some great stuff but I don't recall the phone... Galaxy S3? Note5? Note7? Note8? HTC M8? EVO 4G LTE? OG EVO? Anyway, I am excited to see you here. ?

Wow, this is very interesting, and I loved reading your detailed post. I am super exited, and can't thank you enough for all your work elliwigy! :good:

Full on beast!
Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

PsiPhiDan said:
Yeeeeeeeesssssss!
Very exciting! If we're updated to Pie, are we out of luck then though, regarding the firmware?
I remember you doing some great stuff but I don't recall the phone... Galaxy S3? Note5? Note7? Note8? HTC M8? EVO 4G LTE? OG EVO? Anyway, I am excited to see you here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wanna say s8/+ and the note 8.. both of which root solutions I used.
Word brotha ?? thank you for your diligence. I love that your hobby can help out so many who don't have the time, will, or discipline to learn it.

PsiPhiDan said:
Yeeeeeeeesssssss!
Very exciting! If we're updated to Pie, are we out of luck then though, regarding the firmware?
I remember you doing some great stuff but I don't recall the phone... Galaxy S3? Note5? Note7? Note8? HTC M8? EVO 4G LTE? OG EVO? Anyway, I am excited to see you here. ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you should be fine as long as you remain on rev1 firmware..

PsiPhiDan said:
Yeeeeeeeesssssss!
Very exciting! If we're updated to Pie, are we out of luck then though, regarding the firmware?
I remember you doing some great stuff but I don't recall the phone... Galaxy S3? Note5? Note7? Note8? HTC M8? EVO 4G LTE? OG EVO? Anyway, I am excited to see you here. ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol ive had a lot of devices thats for sure but most my work is on samsung

teknowiz23 said:
I wanna say s8/+ and the note 8.. both of which root solutions I used.
Word brotha ?? thank you for your diligence. I love that your hobby can help out so many who don't have the time, will, or discipline to learn it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeeeeeeeesssssss!
You are always the loveliest "Rev1 firmware baby"

elliwigy said:
you should be fine as long as you remain on rev1 firmware..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So.. I had to get a replacement via Asurion, and before setting it up I installed the earliest unlocked firmware. Sm-n960u on Verizon plan. I understand that this should work as long as I don't update, correct?

teknowiz23 said:
So.. I had to get a replacement via Asurion, and before setting it up I installed the earliest unlocked firmware. Sm-n960u on Verizon plan. I understand that this should work as long as I don't update, correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, just make sure you stay away from anything that says N960UxxU2 or S2

Jammol said:
Yes, just make sure you stay away from anything that says N960UxxU2 or S2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine says Rev 1.1. Does that mean game over for me?

PsiPhiDan said:
Mine says Rev 1.1. Does that mean game over for me?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No that's for hardware revision. Is normally for when a device has had a hardware fix that changed something from the original design. So if they realized the fingerprint readers on rev1 were crappy and changed it out for future ones, they would show rev1.1 or whatever numbers they want to classify it as.
I'm not sure what they may have changed on the Note 9 though. Could have been camera or even something internal such as memory or radio chip.

What you want to stay away from is any changes to the attached image. Don't update to anything that says U2 or S2 at that section of the firmware.

Thank you for your hard work on this .

Which Note 9 variant is most compatible with ROMs/kernels/mods and most futureproof?

Hello. I am thinking of getting a Note 9 as my daily driver for the next several years, but I am a bit confused because of the many variants available. I want to use this thing for as long as I can, and modding is quite important to me on Android, so I want to ensure that the device variant I get will be most supported by 3rd party developers writing custom ROMs and other modifications. I am coming from a Xperia Z3, of which there are at least two main variants, and only the main single-sim variant (D6603) has had (and has) the most attention by developers, so this is where my concern is coming from.
On the forum the general line seems to be that if you want to do modding, then the Exynos devices are the way to go. I am buying from Europe so that is not an issue, but even then there are versions with 6GB or 8GB of RAM, and those come in single sim (N960F) and dual sim (N960F/DS) variants. I am reading that all variants are technically dual sim, so that probably also means that any custom software will be compatible with both variants, but I am most concerned about the difference between 6GB and 8GB devices. I am most interested in the 6GB variant, but I wonder wether one has been more supported than the other in existing custom ROMs and mods, and if there are any indications of that happening when future versions of Android will be ported over to the Note 9.
I would also like to know if the dual sim variants can mount two sim cards in addition to the MicroSD card, or if you necessarily have to swap one sim card to use the MicroSD.
Thank you

@omarelhajj97 there is no difference between the 6GB and 8GB models other than the obvious 128/512GB storage and 6/8GB RAM thing. Both versions have exactly the same firmware. If you want future proofing - get the 8GB model like I did
About your other question if you can use both sim cards and a microsd - by default no, you choose either 2 sims or 1 sim and 1 sd. But thanks to the following method you can use 2 sims + sd: https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-note-9/themes/xposed-unlock-dual-sim-sd-card-t4085559
My advice would be against rooting the Note9 when you get it. It will be on the latest Android 10 OneUI 2.1 version which won't be outdated at least 2 years from now. And if you want customization try the official app GoodLock (since you're in Europe, get NiceLock or FineLock from play store and download and install GoodLock modules manually from apkmirror).

I am with @koragg97 on this one. Even if you leave your Note 9 running Pie with all the latest security updates, you have a excellent android experience. Rooting your device voids the warranty and you will loosing access to the Secure Folder and S Health

iceepyon said:
I am with @koragg97 on this one. Even if you leave your Note 9 running Pie with all the latest security updates, you have a excellent android experience. Rooting your device voids the warranty and you will loosing access to the Secure Folder and S Health
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Secure folder and shealth can be patched though.

Rosli59564 said:
Secure folder and shealth can be patched though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rooting android these days are only beneficial to developers, who require Admin access to the entire directory of android. For everyday users modern releases of android right out the box is perfectly fine.

iceepyon said:
Rooting android these days are only beneficial to developers, who require Admin access to the entire directory of android. For everyday users modern releases of android right out the box is perfectly fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think rooting is still worth it. For example I need the stock call recorder which you can't get without root on EU model and any other recording apps are nothing compared to the stock one. Also I like how Dr.Ketan provides quite some optimizations for his custom rom and I've always used his roms both on N8 and N9.
There are some great reliable developers here in xda imo.

xchatter said:
I think rooting is still worth it. For example I need the stock call recorder which you can't get without root on EU model and any other recording apps are nothing compared to the stock one. Also I like how Dr.Ketan provides quite some optimizations for his custom rom and I've always used his roms both on N8 and N9.
There are some great reliable developers here in xda imo.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The first reason I root my phone within 2 weeks after I bought it was to get rid of ugly stock look. Just looking at the status bar is enough to make my eyes sore. Samsung never change it, just with android 9 they allow us to move the clock to the right, but that's all about it.
At the end everyone on each own. We have different views when we see things. Just because I think something is ugly doesn't means it is for others.

Great to join the club!!

Hey guys! I have been scouting around for Note 8 help but thought it was time to join myself.
Hopefully if I am able to solve my specific problem or get my questions asked it can help someone else.
Specifically, right now, I picked up and refurbished a Samsung Galaxy Note 8 since I have one currently that is phenominal, and wanted one in the back pocket in case anything happens but it is locked to ATT, which isnt the real problem. The real problem is that it is still on Android 7.1.1 and I would like to get it to Android 9 Pie.
I am unsure of a few things like whether I need all updates between 7 and 9, or if I can jump straight to it. But things of that sort.
It sucks that its ATT locked but I feel its worse that its on old Android since I refurbed it, (fixed screen and replaced with fresh samsung battery) but its being held back in certain functional capabilities. Either way, I am a techy, not yet able to solder, but definitely able to troubleshoot my way around a Windows Blue screen of death.
Looking forward to learnin more!

MethudMann said:
Hey guys! I have been scouting around for Note 8 help but thought it was time to join myself.
Hopefully if I am able to solve my specific problem or get my questions asked it can help someone else.
Specifically, right now, I picked up and refurbished a Samsung Galaxy Note 8 since I have one currently that is phenominal, and wanted one in the back pocket in case anything happens but it is locked to ATT, which isnt the real problem. The real problem is that it is still on Android 7.1.1 and I would like to get it to Android 9 Pie.
I am unsure of a few things like whether I need all updates between 7 and 9, or if I can jump straight to it. But things of that sort.
It sucks that its ATT locked but I feel its worse that its on old Android since I refurbed it, (fixed screen and replaced with fresh samsung battery) but its being held back in certain functional capabilities. Either way, I am a techy, not yet able to solder, but definitely able to troubleshoot my way around a Windows Blue screen of death.
Looking forward to learnin more!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Welcome to XDA! As for updating your phone, could you please tell me your model number?

ethical_haquer said:
Welcome to XDA! As for updating your phone, could you please tell me your model number?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, sorry for long response time.
For the important info:
Model: SM-N950U
Android. 7.1.1
Build:NMF26X.N950USQU1AQH7
CSC: ATT

I'll monitor more closely so let me know if you need any other info

MethudMann said:
Yeah, sorry for long response time.
For the important info:
Model: SM-N950U
Android. 7.1.1
Build:NMF26X.N950USQU1AQH7
CSC: ATT
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alright, there are two versions of firmware available for your device. One is "branded" and has carrier bloat, whereas the other does not have carrier bloat but might have issues with VoLTE (probably not, but there is a chance). What one would you prefer? Let me know if you have any questions regarding the difference.

ethical_haquer said:
Alright, there are two versions of firmware available for your device. One is "branded" and has carrier bloat, whereas the other does not have carrier bloat but might have issues with VoLTE (probably not, but there is a chance). What one would you prefer? Let me know if you have any questions regarding the difference.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the research and yes I do have questions if its not too much of an issue:
1.) Carrier bloat is like the usual and can just be deleted anyways correct?
2.) In what scenarios (in case everything was working fine with OTA updates) would the phone have downloaded a version without bloat?
3.) Would updating to the non-bloated version cause any issues since the phone is still carrier locked?
4.) Lastly, for the firmware, would I need to download multiple updates until that point or just straight to the firmware?
If not, I can research the answers as I have been on it on and off for a month with research but other than that, you're a god send.
By the way, if #1 is true, I'll just take the bloatware no doubt just to be as safe as possible.

Thanks again for all the help @ethical_haquer
Been busy researching in the Samsung Note 8 ATT threads and I was able to find the answer to number 4 in that using Full ODIN files is a complete flash and different than just an update which requires the previous updates.
The answer to number 3 from what I have seen no. The only thing is that certain features may NOT work such as VoLTE; pretty much you already answered 3 and I was literally too dumb to see that until I started writing this message. *face palm
Question 2 is pretty much inconsequential so don't worry answering that. Its was just curiosity. But for anyone who does see this possibly, my speculation is that NO, the carrier version would never download the non-carrier version. The non-branded update is for those unlocked phones that receive over-the-air (OTA) updates that were not associated with any carrier, in other words buying a phone directly from samsung's website.
For 1, I am guessing it is "Yes" since I was able to do that in the past with all my other phones. But either way it is not a make it or break it so it doesn't matter.
I have been able to find some full ODIN files for the updates I was looking for, so will be attempting my first flash soon. Will be posting all my findings to the thread I was reading just to potentially help anyone else (though rare since this device is getting real old) who has the same questions I had and I can get them up to speed without having to search everything

Just finished flashing the ATT Note 8 to and the Answer to Number 1 is that NO, you cannot Uninstall the bloatware
Again, will post all these findings to the proper thread in after completed

Sorry for the late reply! I would try installing the firmware for the SM-N950U1 (notice the 1). It should work and won't have carrier bloat.

ethical_haquer said:
Sorry for the late reply! I would try installing the firmware for the SM-N950U1 (notice the 1). It should work and won't have carrier bloat.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're all good!
I may but I actually have to find one more update I am looking for (Full ODIN FILES). My daily driver note 8 is on N950USQS7DTE5 and it is a T-Mobile Version (though it bein g TMO is inconsequential at the moment. Just thought I might mention it).
That is the update I would like for ATT just so that I know there wont be any differences (or less differences) between my daily driver and this.This is me being picky at this point but isn't the point of life getting what you want? I found one update above that but different bootloader. So for whatever reason may happen, no going back.
What I currently flashed to was N950USQS3BRA8 so it's still on Android 7.1.1 but I did this just to test to the process (my first flashing). Now I am ready.
So I will look for that then flash it and update as usual

Just found, or couldnt find, that ATT has the same update so will just go with what I have. Close as I can get