Develop Bugs

A5 2017 root question

Hey, so I have the Canadian A5 2017 and have not received the Oreo update yet, once Its available for my phone i was planning on switching over to a custom Rom running Oreo 8.1 (can't yet since there's no oreo modem/boot loader available for my phone as far as I know). Just curious if it would be easier to root my phone now while it's on nougat and then install a custom Oreo Rom myself once the modem/bootloader are available?, or should I wait until I receive the Oreo OTA update and then root it after? Believe I read that there s a new boot loader lock of some sort that was introduced in the new new oreo that makes it a bit of a pain to unlock the boot loader. Also my phone is completely stock
Thanks for your help

Rooting on oreo is just a bit more difficult than nougat because of the rmm state, but there're a lot of way to bypass it easily. If you're on N just root without OTA updating oreo, but I don't know how many custom roms running stable oreo 8.1 exist. I had LineageOS 15.1 unofficial for A5 2017, great features but too buggy. Just look for something more stable
Obviously to flash a custom rom you need a custom recovery, but I think you knew it yet

Custom ROM questions (no Google Apps)

Hey, all! I am very new here, although I always use this forum as reference, including for my previous smartphones: Xpera Z3 Dual and Galaxy S3.
But now I have a Pixel 2 XL (taimen) with the latest stock ROM (February 9, 2019 Android 9 Pie). I want a Custom ROM with no Google apps included whatsoever, could somebody help me out and give some directions? I have spent hours trying to flash a CarbonROM with no success. I don't want root, I just don't want Google Apps. A few questions:
- Is unlocking the bootloader mandatory to flash any Custom ROM?
- If I am on Android 9 Pie and the custom ROM is based on 8 Oreo, is it mandatory to flash the Oreo factory image from Google? If so, can I do it by simply using the OTA sideloading? I couldn't flash with the fastboot script.
- Is TWRP mandatory in this case? Is root mandatory?
I am really thankful for this community and appreciate any help you can give me.

abbluiz said:
- Is unlocking the bootloader mandatory to flash any Custom ROM?
- If I am on Android 9 Pie and the custom ROM is based on 8 Oreo, is it mandatory to flash the Oreo factory image from Google? If so, can I do it by simply using the OTA sideloading? I couldn't flash with the fastboot script.
- Is TWRP mandatory in this case? Is root mandatory?
I am really thankful for this community and appreciate any help you can give me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
- Yes
- Yes; No
- Yes, for flashing custom rom. Root is not mandatory.

How to install Q roms on a device with P fw and TWRP installed? (SM-G960F)

Hello friends
I'm trying to flash custom Q roms in TWRP on my S9 (SM-G960F), but have received the same error message for any Q rom:
ERROR:
Vendor image on the device
is NOT compatible
Expected Android 10 vendor
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've only been able to successfully flash P roms, namely the Pie-based LightRom.
Based on the error message, it seems I need to update the firmware to Q before installing custom Q roms?
I've also seen some roms note installation requirements like "ROM Firmware Required: OneUI 2.x", which is new to me (have not seen a TW/OneUI ver requirement for roms I've used on S4, S7, N8).
May I ask someone to explain the steps required to install Q roms (eg, Havoc-OS) coming from P firmware? There seems to be some assumptions in most install instructions I'm not aware of, maybe since I am on older FW. (I am asking here, since I did not find instructions in any of the Q roms I tried)
So far, all I have done to the phone since unboxing it was to install TWRP 3.4.0, following the official guide for Exynos S9.
I am guessing I need to download latest official firmware image from sammobile or something for my device, and flash it in Odin. Is this correct?
If so, can someone explain the steps so that I can have latest FW for my device while maintaining TWRP and not bricking the device?
Thank you for your help
Extra info
(Snapshot from LightRom rom)
One UI version: 1.0
Android version: 9
Baseband version: G960FXXU6CSG4
Kernel version: 4.9.59
Android security patch level: 1 October 2019
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

UPDATE:
I installed latest firmware from Sammobile, flashed it through Odin following their instructions, reinstalled TWRP, and am now able to flash Q roms.
For those who have stock rom < Q, I would suggest updating firmware through OTA before flashing TWRP. If you cannot OTA, download the latest firmware from Sammobile and flash it through Odin following their instructions, then flash TWRP, then you can flash Q roms.
So:
Update firmware through OTA or via Odin with latest firmware from Sammobile.
Flash TWRP
Flash whatever rom you want.

Question How to update to 12.5.9 ?

Hello,
My lisa came with 12.5.5 out of the box. OTA offers direct to 13.0.2. Is there anyway I can upgrade to 12.5.9 ? I don't want to upgrade to A12 atm, or anytime soon really.
Indian firware if that matters.
I see xiaomi.eu has a version of 12.5.9 which is no longer updated, but lisa isn't listed on the compatible device list.
Thanks
BB

BisonBro said:
Hello,
My lisa came with 12.5.5 out of the box. OTA offers direct to 13.0.2. Is there anyway I can upgrade to 12.5.9 ? I don't want to upgrade to A12 atm, or anytime soon really.
Indian firware if that matters.
I see xiaomi.eu has a version of 12.5.9 which is no longer updated, but lisa isn't listed on the compatible device list.
Thanks
BB
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First of all, some basics (not sure are you aware of):
1) If your phone came with Indian, you can update but only to Indian firmware without unlocking your Bootloader:
Install MIUI Recovery ROM using Stock Recovery and Updater App
Has your Xiaomi phone received a new MIUI update? Then follow this guide to easily install MIUI Recovery ROM using stock recovery and Updater app on Xiaomi devices. Any smartphone user prefers getting…
www.thecustomdroid.com
In that case you will need to download the so-called Recovery or ZIP stock firmware and use the installation as above
2) For anything else, like switching from Indian to Global or EEA (or to Russian or Chinese) - they are all stock ROMs, or switching to Xiaomi.eu - that is not stock ROM, or any other custom (ie, not stock) ROM, you would first have to unlock Bootloader
AFAIK, Xiaomi.eu has no 12.5 for Lisa, only 13.0 - hence not applicable if you insist on 12.5
To switch from Indian to Global or EEA (still stock ROMs), you will need the unlocked Bootloader, the so-called Fastboot or TGZ firmware (and MiFlash tool):
How to Flash Fastboot ROMs on Xiaomi? - xiaomiui
If you are a Xiaomi user and have installed custom ROMs on your device, then you might be wondering how to flash fastboot ROMs on Xiaomi devices. This article
xiaomiui.net
---
I don't know where do you see 12.5.9 for Lisa - I had 12.5.8 EEA) , but there should be not much difference
Anyway, install the following app and you can check which versions are available for Lisa (for stock Global, EEA, Indian, etc) or custom Xiaomi.eu:
MIUI Downloader - Apps on Google Play
MIUI upgrade app for Mi users.
play.google.com
It shows the Latest but click on Older and you will see all the previously released (stable) versions.
Btw, under Indian, I don't find 12.5.9, neither under Global or EEA (under Global there are eg 12.5.11 and 12.5.14)
From the app, you can also choose and download Recovery (zip) or Fastboot (tgz) stock ROM for the wanted version - depending on your flashing method as above

thank you very much. I did request to unlock the bootloader in the mi unlock app, but all the custom A11 roms stopped development or moved onto A12, so I didn't see much point in unlocking bootloader.
as i understand, if i am on the indian firmware, i can flash the indian rom without BL unlock. but if BL is unlocked, do i need to switch firmware as well to install say the Global ROM ?
about 12.5.9, i mistook it as the last version before they moved to 13. sorry about that.

BisonBro said:
thank you very much. I did request to unlock the bootloader in the mi unlock app, but all the custom A11 roms stopped development or moved onto A12, so I didn't see much point in unlocking bootloader.
as i understand, if i am on the indian firmware, i can flash the indian rom without BL unlock. but if BL is unlocked, do i need to switch firmware as well to install say the Global ROM ?
about 12.5.9, i mistook it as the last version before they moved to 13. sorry about that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you unlock Bootloader it does not prevent you to update India ROM by stock Recovery method
It just gives you the additional option to switch eg to Global by flashing Fastboot/tgz ROM
Its like, you can always go by foot, but if you have a car, you have the additional option to go by car
Please take your time, Google, read to acquire further knowledge and know-how.
There are tons of guides here on XDA, on the Net, Google videos, etc

How do I update starlte firmware for LineageOS 20?

I've flashed LineageOS 15.1 immediately since I bought this phone (starlte) in 2018 or 2019. Now I want to upgrade to LineageOS 20.0 but it has the following notice:
Warning: Before following these instructions please ensure that the device is currently using Android 10 firmware.
If the vendor provided multiple updates for that version, e.g. security updates, make sure you are on the latest!
If your current installation is newer or older than Android 10, please upgrade or downgrade to the required version before proceeding (guides can be found on the internet!).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have searched all over the internet for guides how to do it and I have no idea. Would temporarly flashing to LineageOS17.1 (Android 10) upgrade the firmware? Or do I need to flash official OS image? Or something else? I have no idea, things changed so much since early Android.

Android is the ROM. firmware is the baseband/modem what samsung calls CP core processor. custom ROM won't upgrade firmware, this has to be done by flashing full official ROM/firmware BL+AP+CP+CSC from Odin3.

OK thanks. Looks like this thread has all that i need https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/...as-available-oxm-for-sm-g960f-models.3765015/