[Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge (Exynos) ROMs, Kernels, Rec] _alexndr:
Hello :)

Do you remember my custom ROMs for older devices? Do you remember my "DevBase" and its idea? If not - please read hidden content below:

>> [ROM] DevBase for Note 3 (SM-N9005) <<

>> [ROM] DevBase for Note 4 (SM-N910F) <<

>> [ROM] DevBase for S5 (SM-G900F) <<

>> [ROM] DevBase for S5 Duos (SM-G900FD) <<

Since I created these custom ROMs - many things have changed. Main idea of my previous work was the ability to flash these ROMs over stock ROM without wipe data - to let users simply jump between official ROM and DevBase with most necessary modifications for advanced users. It was relatively simple to implement until Samsung introduced both: dm-verity's boot prevention + forced /data encryption (starting from S7/S7edge series). What does it mean? If you disable /data encryption - you are able to use TWRP like in older devices, you are able to flash custom ROMs available in this section, but you are not able simply switch to official stock ROM. Since I bought my S7 edge I realized, that the most reasonable way is to go in the "systemless direction".

Are you tired with traditional custom ROMs?

Do you miss custom ROMs but do not want to decrypt your device (for privacy/security reasons)? (!)

You are in the right place! :cool: I present you SYSTEMLESS DevBase - an SYSTEMLESS equivalent of my previous work (see hidden content above) :cool:

SYSTEMLESS DevBase is developed and physically tested on S7 Edge (G935F). However, it should work on ALL UNLOCKED SAMSUNG DEVICES running Android 6.x/7.x/8.x. Exynos? Snapdragon? NO MATTER !!! :cool:

Prerequisites:

- Samsung device running stock or stock-based Android 6.x or newer (7.x/8.x)

- Rooted device - Magisk v12+ or SuperSU v2.76+ installed in SYSTEMLESS mode (!)

- Stock, untouched /system partition (not mandatory, but recommended for OTA)

(!) WARNING (related to installing TWRP and/or rooting Nougat - e.g. ZPLN, DPLT or newer): There are confirmed reports that installing TWRP and/or rooting encrypted phones running stock Nougat causes bootloop (even if you just flash TWRP, without rooting). You will need to restore both - stock recovery and stock kernel (if you e.g. tried to flash SuperSU or other ZIP which might modify the kernel) to make your device bootable. You need to remove stock encryption (by formatting /data after rooting). If you need data encryption - you can easy re-encrypt already rooted device (by setting "KEEPFORCEENCRYPT" flag to "true" before (re)flashing Magisk or SuperSU).

SYSTEMLESS DevBase v2.0:

1. Benefits / main features:

- Works with encypted /data partition (**) (!)

- Working official OTA updates! (see Tips & Tricks - post #4)

- Does NOT perform any phisical modifications in /system

- Does NOT perform any additional changes/patches to the kernel

- Removed KNOX warnings (systemlessly removed SecurityLogAgent)

- It contains SYSTEMLESS BusyBox (bionic, the most stable and respected release)

- It allows you to easily modify most of files & apps in your /system - SYSTEMLESSLY (see Tips & Tricks)

2. Systemless Safe De-Bloat (more info below):

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

- ONLY apps available in stores will be systemlessly removed from the ROM, so you can easily (re)install any of these app if you like

- ONLY pre-installed system apps are will be systemlessly 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 SYSTEMLESS DevBase directly over working stock ROM - 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" -> [Name_Of_App_To_Remove] -> MORE -> Uninstall updates. NOTE: App will disappear arter reboot and will be visible even in Titanium Backup! :cool:

2. If you perform "Wipe data" directly before installing SuperSU and my SYSTEMLESS DevBase (before you let to install app's updates) - 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 or re-install.

Removed apps list (depends on the device, should cover all devices starting from Galaxy S5):

ChatON

Chrome

Drive

Dropbox

EditorsDocs

Evernote

Excel

Facebook

FB Messenger

FB Pages Manager

Flipboard

Google+ / Photos

Group Play

Hangouts

Instagram

OneDrive

OneNote

PEN.UP

Play Books

Play Games

Play Movies

Play Music

Play Newsstand

PowerPoint

Skype

Smart Remote

WhatsApp

Word

NEW! Safe De-Bloat feature automatically detects and systemlessly removes apps not listed above, but present in your CSC package :cool:

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

- Added shutter sound menu in Camera app

- Sending/receiving MMS without data on

- Show SMS/MMS sending time instead of receiving

- 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 (**)

- Added 4G/3G network support (master/slave SIM card - applies to Duos variants)

- Call Recording (added "Record" button, auto record calls - starting from Nougat)

- Enabled "Recent App Protection" feature

(**) may not work starting from Android 7.0 Nougat

Installation:

1. TWRP recovery:

- Tap "Keep Read Only" on the Welcome screen [extremely important for working OTA!]

- Open file using "Install" option (use extSdCard or OTG storage in case of encrypted /data)

- Confirm flash by swiping right

- Tap "Reboot System" (DO NOT wipe /cache after flashing in case of encrypted /data!)

2. FlashFire app (***):

- Open file using "Flash ZIP or OTA" option

- UNTICK "Mount /system read/write" [extremely important for working OTA!]

- Tap "FLASH"

NOTE1: One additional auto-reboot may be performed at first boot. It is not a bug (may be required for systemless build.prop support - see Tips & Tricks for more explanations)

NOTE2: Do not worry about red "mount /data failed..." messages displayed in TWRP in case of encrypted /data (installer will do the work anyway!)

(***) As far as I know - FlashFire is the only flashing tool with full access to /data during flash in case of encrypted devices (!). It is also the only tool which allows you to perform full backup/restore of partitions, including encrypted /data (!). It does NOT require custom recovery to work!

Credits:

@Chainfire for systemless SuperSU and a lot of inspiration

@topjohnwu for Magisk, another inspiration & some binaries used separately

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