[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge Guides, News, & Disc] lvpre:
The Non-Root Nougat Guide for the Sprint S7​

You need stock Nougat on your device. There are several ways to achieve this:

1. OTA Update​

2. Install the firmware via ODIN from Sammobile; Updato​

Why Most People Root​

1. Ad Blocker

2. Hotspot Hack

3. Youtube Ad Free

4. Remove Bloatware

5. Xposed (not right now)

6. Other tips/tricks

7. Credits

Here my tips and tricks for getting this Root feel, but keeping the stability of stock.

1. Ad Blocker

This are local hosts, meaning that your info doesn't go to a random server and then come back to you. It stays on your device for your eyes only!

1. DNS66 This one uses a hosts file, just like adaway for those of you who used it while rooting. Since everything is done via a local DNS, you the battery life it is the same as adaway, non-existent! Given that it only blocks entire host names, it cannot block as detailed as some other ad blockers. However, I haven't seen any ads in apps or browsers and no battery hit either! Just make sure the hosts files have a red dot next to them and you have to refresh before activating. Will still block ads on device even when tethering! Great support too!

2. Ad Guard. Good ad blocker. Runs everything through a VPN though, which comes at a battery hit. This one also comes with a price tag! Offers Youtube Ad Blocking, but you must enable their DNS, which puts your information to their servers and then back to you...this blocks ads about 50% of the time. Good support too!

3. Adhell Uses Samsung Knox to block ads and trackers. Blocks most things on webpages and apps (no youtube), but saves a ton a battery since it doesn't require VPN. Not as good as blocking as the first two, but does work a little. Just my opinion though. Also, it is FREE!

4. Disconnect Pro Similar to Adhell, but a paid app,but can be found for free during sales. Search the Galaxy App Store to buy it. Uses Samsung Knox too.

5. AdClear. Some have had success with this, I've had mixed results.

6. BlockThis! Works well, but caused issues on some webpages.

As with all of the above, you will need to whitelist some apps for them to work properly. Like, AdHell and Disconnect have the Google Play Music bug. If you find an app is using a ton of battery, it may need to be whitelisted...usually, google apps have this problem.

2. Hotspot Hack

1. Enable developer mode:

a. Go to settings

b. Scroll down to about phone

c. Repeatedly tap "Build number" until developer access is granted

2. Get ADB installed w/ drivers

a. https://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2588979

3. Enable USB Debugging

a. Go to settings

b. Go down to developer options

c. Scroll down to USB Debugging and turn it on

d. Connect phone with USB to PC

4. Get into ADB shell

a. Open a command prompt (windows key + R , type "cmd" in the box and press enter is my favorite way)

b. Run:

adb shell

5. Enable the bypass

a. Disable the DUN requirement

settings put global tether_dun_required 0

b. Overwrite the DUN APN

settings put global tether_dun_apn "APNDUN,n.ispsn,,,,,,,,,310,120,,default,mms,dun"

6. Turn off Mobile Data

7. Turn on HotSpot

8. Turn on Mobile Data

Every time that you want to use the hotspot you have to turn data off; turn hotspot on; turn data back on. When you disconnect your hotspot you need to do the following:

1. Turn Hotspot Off

2. Turn Mobile Data Off

3. Turn Mobile Data On

People will complain, but after you run the code the first time, turning hotspot on and off literally takes just seconds.

3. Youtube Ad Free

1. Youtube in the background, downloading, and so far ad free Youtube can be achieved with OG Youtube. Read the OP and also install this apk found in post 5592 It doesn't say, but in combination with DNS66, I haven't seen any ads after installing this and disabling the old Youtube. It will occasionally ask you to update and just hit Later.

2. If you want to use the original Youtube app, this doesn't block ads, but it does silent and auto skip them. Cygery

3. Use an VPN to route your data somewhere and back. It isn't 100%, but AdGuard offers this type of service. I believe Block This and AdClear may too.

4. Remove Bloatware

This is probably the biggest difference between root and non-root. They are all installed with the same apps. With root, you can delete the system apk or, with root and non-root, you can use a package disabler, you can disable unwanted apps. The problem is that occasionally you will disable or delete something that will cause a chain reaction leading to boot loops or excessive battery drain.

I find it best to go to the application manager and manually disable or uninstall through it. This way, the system will know what's there and what isn't...no surprises. You can uninstall the Sprint crap like TV, Tech Support, Fun and Games, Family Locator...basically every Sprint app except for voicemail. Not disable, but uninstall them completely!

You can disable the following (probably more, but I must be using them): Amazon; Kindle; Facebook; Instagram; Lookout; Messenger; Prime Stuff; S Health; S Voice; Samsung Gear; Youtube (remember the tip above); some of the Google Play apps like Movies and TV; probably more too, but I must actually use those apps.

I'm sure there are some that I'm missing too....I remember uninstalling some weather app too.

The point is that Nougat seems friendlier in terms of uninstalling or disabling software compared to Marshmallow.

5. Xposed (not right now)

Not available for Nougat at the moment. But this update is really customizable!

6. Other tips/tricks

1. Skip Tracks With Volume Keys

1. Frinky Music Controller Allows you to skip tracks with screen off.

2. Noyze Not sure if still being developed, but works. Let's you skip tracks by long pressing with screen off.

Doze Related

Remember to whitelist apps you want running in the background...like Pandora, Google Music, etc. I would leave them off at first and if it cuts off when the screen is off, you need to white list it.

I haven't used these apps in Nougat as the new doze seems fine, but to each his own:

1. ForceDoze puts your phone into doze mode without the motion detectors and 30 minute wait. Great app! Does require you to install adb (adb installer) since you have to run a command to get it to run properly. Check Disable motion sensing and turn off while charging

2. Greenify The auto hibernation works great if we had root, but we don't. It works, but can be extremely annoying at times and can drain battery because it may continuously try to force stop/close an app you greenify. Plus, it will take a few seconds to re-unlock your phone immediately after you turn off the screen. However, I use it with force doze for the aggressive doze. I saw a difference in battery life by using them both. Still need to adb a command

Other Tips

Besides the obvious of gmail/facebook/whatspp/twitter/snapchat syncing

1. Turn off wi-fi scanning

2. Back up my data for Samsung and Google under back up and reset

3. Turn off some features under advanced features in settings...for example, palm swipe to capture if you never use it

4. Location History under Location

5. Change locating method...I leave mine on GPS, wi-fi, mobile, but some people want more battery life and turn it off.

6. Turn on developer options and change animations to 0.5

7. Turn off Always on Display under settings > display. I like it, so I leave it on...but takes about 2% an hour

7. Credits

These people did all of the hard work:

[MENTION=7683955]YMNDLZ[/MENTION] -- Download link

[MENTION=6619985]julian_klode[/MENTION] -- DNS66

@ paul2112 -- Hotspot Fix

@ cygery -- AdSkip

@ OGMods -- OG Youtube

[MENTION=2564727]resident77[/MENTION] -- OG Youtube Fix

@ ssrij -- ForceDoze

@ SEVEN_AdClear -- AdClear

[MENTION=988823]daria[/MENTION] -- AdGuard

@ Snoop05 -- ADB Fast Installer

And anyone I missed, let me if you want to be added and thanks for your work!