[Galaxy Note 3 Android Development] _alexndr:
[EOL][ROM][N9005][ALEXNDR] BPH2 * DevBase v3.8 * Multi CSC, Safe De-Bloat, KNOX 0x0

Important notes for Developers / ROM Chefs !!!

This ROM is NOT based on any other custom ROM. My work contains many original ideas and innovations that I introduced as the first in the ROM development (see "Changelist" in post #2). Of course, it does not mean that I do not need to thank anyone - there are a lot of people who helped / inspired me anyhow (see "Credits").

I will risk the statement that at this moment my "DevBase" is the most tuned and nuanced custom ROM available at XDA Forum :cool:

I agree to use any part of my work to create other custom ROMs, but it would be great if you add me to the credits :)

Hello :)

I have decided to create a pure base, which can be a pattern for ROM Chefs (not only for beginners) :D ROM is initially safe de-bloated (read below what does it exactly mean), but all features are present and works!

ROM can be installed by normal users as well. If you like a little de-bloated ROMs, clean, but with all working features - there is no better alternative I think ;)

ROM contains my extended CSC package, which I called N9005AXX (this is a combination OXX, OXA + some additional). Final list of available CSC is as follows:

ATO, AUT, BGL, BTU, CYO, DBT, ERO, ETL, EUR, ITV, MSR, NEE, NZC, ORX, PHE, PHN, ROM, SEB, SEE, SIO, TEB, TNZ, TOP, TPH, TRA, TSR, TWO, XEF, XEH, XEO, XSA, XSK

NEW !!! :D I present you new, unique option: "Keep current CSC", so you can install my DevBase keeping your original CSC even if it is not listed above! Note that in such case this option has some limitations, so read carefully informations below.

How does it work? Normally, if your current CSC is listed above (contained in my DevBase), this option detects it and automatically applies during install. However, if the detected CSC is not contained in my DevBase, then my new script makes a copy of all known contents associated with CSC (except so-called "CSC bloatware" placed in /system/app & priv-app, e.g brand and/or country specific apps), then installer cleans /system partition as usual, then it flashes new ROM base and then it restores backed up CSC contents instead of my multi CSC pack. It seems to be easy, but was rather laborious - I have analyzed almost all multi CSC packs and most of single CSC packs available in the world (designed to work with N9005XX... base) to make this script as accurate as possible.

As you probably noticed - in such case your CSC pack will be as complete as it was before, thus if you are currently using any custom ROM - BEFORE the first installation of my DevBase I highly recommend you to flash the latest original stock ROM released for your country, then perform "wipe data" using stock recovery and then CHECK your CSC (chage it if necessary - more information below).

For further updates you do not need to repeat it every time. You can flash directly the next (newer) version of my DevBase selecting "Keep current CSC" option again - you can repeat such update procedure for a long time. As you probably noticed again - if your CSC is not contained in my DevBase, then your CSC pack will not be updated until you flash a newer original stock ROM for your country. But don't worry - CSC updates usually bring nothing (usually the only updated thing in CSC pack is the whitelist of LTE networks). I'm not trying to say "CSC updates are completely unnecessary". It's good idea to update it occasionally (especially if you noticed that major Android update for your country has been released). When you will decide to do it - just flash temporarily again the newest original stock ROM containing your CSC, and then you can return to my the newest DevBase (this time wipe data will not be necessary).

NOTE: I do not recommend to use "Keep current CSC" option if your current PDA (build number, after the dot) is other than N9005XX... (e.g. N9005DX..., N9005VJ..., N9005ZH..., N9005ZT..., etc.).

NOTE: Do not use so called "Superwipes" and/or additional /system "formats", otherwise "Keep current CSC" option may not work properly (e.g. if detected CSC is NOT included in my multi CSC package, then it will not be possible to keep detected CSC, as there is no CSC related content to backup / restore).

How can I check my current CSC?

Install Phone INFO app from Play Store and check your CSC. If you are using stock ROM and everything is ok with your CSC - all CSC fields in Phone Info app should display the same CSC, as below (otherwise, you probably forgot about wipe data when you were installing ROM with another CSC).

[IMG="Phone Info - CSC"]https://dl.dropbox.com/s/8hovnic9pvyr411/CSC_info2.jpg[/IMG]

How can I change my current CSC?

Q: Recently I tested several ROMs, in result of it my CSC has changed. I would like to install your DevBase, but first I want to restore my country's original CSC. What should I do?

Case 1:

Your country's original CSC is available in my DevBase

No special/additional steps are needed. Just install my DevBase with edited options.prop file placed on internal sdcard or extSdCard -> type CSC=[your_csc] instead of CSC=KCSC. Remember to perform "Wipe data" in the recovery before install. Note that sometimes additional reboot is required after completing pre-configuration steps to display your CSC correctly in Phone Info app).

Case 2:

Your country's original CSC is not available in my DevBase. Your original ROM contains

single CSC

pack (ommiting parts with model name and incremental version - name of CSC package is same as product code = CSC)

Example:

Model: SM-N9005
Model name: GALAXY Note 3 LTE
Country: Papua New Guinea
Version: Android 4.4.2
Changelist: 636608
Build date: Tue, 04 Mar 2014 04:48:22 +0000
Product Code: [COLOR="red"]PNG[/COLOR]
PDA: N9005XXUENC2
CSC: N9005[COLOR="red"]PNG[/COLOR]ENC2
MODEM: N9005XXUENC2

In this case you need to flash your original ROM using PC Odin or FlashFire (see "NOTE" below), then perform wipe data using stock recovery and then check your CSC in Phone Info app (note that sometimes additional reboot is required after completing pre-configuration steps to display your CSC correctly in Phone Info app).

Now you can install my DevBase - just leave "Keep current CSC" option untouched in /options.prop (it's good idea to perform "Wipe data" again from recovery to remove potential "garbage" from /data partition like e.g app data created by CSC bloatware and CSC bloatware updates).

Case 3:

Your country's original CSC is not available in my DevBase. Your original ROM contains

multi CSC

pack (ommiting parts with model name and incremental version - name of CSC package differs from product code and usually begins with the letter "O")

Example:

Model: SM-N9005
Model name: GALAXY Note 3 LTE
Country: Thailand
Version: Android 4.4.2
Changelist: 1955971
Build date: Wed, 25 Jun 2014 12:15:26 +0000
Product Code: [COLOR="Red"]THL[/COLOR]
PDA: N9005XXUFNF4
CSC: N9005[COLOR="red"]OLB[/COLOR]FNG1
MODEM: N9005XXUFNF2

In this case you need to flash your original ROM using PC Odin or FlashFire (see "NOTE" below), then perform wipe data using stock recovery and then check your CSC in Phone Info app (note that sometimes additional reboot is required after completing pre-configuration steps to display your CSC correctly in Phone Info app). Then becomes something strange - you will see that your CSC is XTC (Philippines) instead of THL (Thailand)! It's because XTC is the default CSC in OLB multi CSC package in case of flashing it on ROM with other than OLB CSC package. To change CSC to THL you need CSC Select app from Play Store (requires root and stock recovery to perform all operations correctly!). Then check your CSC again using Phone Info app - should be OK.

Now you can install my DevBase - just leave "Keep current CSC" option untouched in /options.prop (it's good idea to perform "Wipe data" again from recovery to remove potential "garbage" from /data partition like e.g app data created by CSC bloatware and CSC bloatware updates).

NOTE:

Sometimes it's not possibe to flash your original stock ROM, e.g. in case you have already installed a major update, but it has not been released for your country yet. In such cases Samsung usually prevents downgrades - phone usually will not be able to boot after flashing or maybe you will not be able to flash it at all.

ALEXNDR.N9005XXUGBPH2 / POK2:

1. Base:

- Multi CSC (list of natively supported CSC as above) (*)

- Removed KNOX (apps, agent, container, etc..)

- Rooted (SuperSU 2.78 app + binary) (*), BusyBox 1.22.1 (bionic)

- Odexed (original stock), optionally Deodexed (*)

- All original features are present and works

- Able to write to extSdCard by all applications

- No visual changes (100% stock look)

- Stock kernel

- Safe De-Bloated (more info below) (*)

What does it mean and why is it called "safe"?

- ONLY apps available in stores are removed from DevBase, so you can easy (re)install any of these app if you like

- ONLY pre-installed system apps are removed, DevBase installer never touch any updated app nor app installed manually from store

Thus, the following conclusions can be drawn:

1. If you install my DevBase directly over stock ROM without performing "Wipe data" - in most cases almost all these apps will remain untouched, because almost all apps have been updated already (stored on /data). But then you will be able to remove any useless app using the "Application manager", like any other app. Removed manually app will not appear again until you use my DevBase while updating.

2. If you perform "Wipe data" while installing my DevBase - then all apps listed below will be removed. If you would like to use any of these apps - just install it manually from appropriate store. Installed manually app will not be removed during the next DevBase update.

Removed apps list:

Bloomberg

ChatON

Chrome

Drive

Dropbox

Evernote

Flipboard

Google+ / Photos

Group Play

Hangouts

Play Books

Play Games

Play Movies

Play Music

Play Newsstand

Samsung Hub

Samsung Link

TripAdvisor

WatchON

2. Init.d Support (*) (optional):

- Init.d support without need of use custom kernel (details)

3. CscFeature MOD (*) (enabled some built-in, hidden features):

- Added shutter sound menu in Camera

- Sending/receiving MMS without data on

- Added "Exit Internet" option to stock browser

- Added call button in Phone Logs

- Added "Call/Message block" option in Settings

- Added symbols as secondary keys in Samsung keyboard

- Call Recording (manual control, added "Record" button)

4. Xposed framework (*) (optional):

- Current version included: v86.0 by dkcldark

(*) - these options can be controlled by editing options.prop file (you can find such file in ZIP's root directory). Just place modified options.prop file (use e.g. Notepad++ to edit) in the root directory of internal emulated scdard (/data/media/0) or extSdCard (recommended if you plan to format internal emulated sdcard) and then start the installation.

NEW !!! :D Starting from DevBase v3.0 there is a new customization method - you can change most frequently switched options just by renaming installer's ZIP file name. Currently supported "strings" in the file name: "noroot" (means "do not root"), "deodex", "xposed", "initd" (no other comments are required, I hope..).

Installation:

1. CWM/TWRP (KNOX 0x1) - open file using "Install Zip" option and confirm "Yes - install..."

2. FlashFire (requires root) - open file using "Flash ZIP or OTA" option. Do not enable "Everroot" option, because the rom is prerooted with the newest SuperSu and binary! Push "FLASH". This type of installation let you keep KNOX 0x0 if you still kept this flag (thanks to Towerloot and updating ROMs via FlashFire only).

No wipe data required if you are coming from stock ROM or a previous version of my DevBase (if you leave "Keep current CSC" option untouched in /options.prop or if you choose same CSC as you are currently using). In other cases - wipe data is highly recommended!

I do not recommend using any additional superwipes or formats before install my DevBase (my installer cleans your system well enough!).

Credits: Chainfire, wanam, amarullz, dsixda, majdinj, JustArchi, Goldie, lidroid, _riddle, svadev, tdunham

Hit Thanks button if you like my work. If you really appreciate my work - feel free to buy me a beer :)