[Android Stick & Console AMLogic based Computers] Downunder35m:
This is my first attempt of creating any Android Rom myself, so don't expect too much.

Changes to the original OTA update which was the base for all:

Removed Superuser in favour for a fully integrated SuperSU by Chainfire.

Changed some root related settings in the kernel to allow a full root instead of factory default.

Keyboard bug fixed for all included keyboards and added a definition for those cheap wireless keyboards with touchpad you often get with the box.

This means pressing ENTER or OK really does just that instead of only producing unwanted characters.

Several versions for download (once I managed to test and upload all), all include a power menu for Kodi to shut down the box without the need for the IR remote.

General instructions:

Download the RAR archive of your choice and unpack the contents to a micro SD formatted in FAT32.

Insert SD into box and press the little button inside the AV port while you power the box up.

Once the logo appears release the button.

TWRP recovery will start and you should do a full backup of your box first!

I do recommend a full wipe after the backup to avoid conflicts after the firmware installation.

Install the ZIP and reboot once done.

Take your time as the initial boot will take quite some time, especially for the versions with more added programs.

Just the recovery image

- for those who need it.

X96 stripped down...

In this version I removed all content from the OTA update that might be considered to be a concern in legal terms.

So no Kodi addons, no streaming apps, just a naked system with the standard Google apps and a modified Kodi.

The crappy file browser was replaced by the FX filebrowser.

For those with the need for more than the Media Box Launcher I added the ADW Launcher as well as the XMBC Launcher to have Kodi as the homescreen.

After the boot is finnished I strongly recommend to update the SuperSU binary.

I left this part manual as a confirmation that the first boot and setup really completed.

Only then can SuperSU update the binary in normal mode with success.

After that reboot to clear the memory and all leftovers.

Once you are done with all modifications and app installations you might need do a full backup trough TWRP again to safe you the time if something goes wrong.

Download RAR

After a lot of swearing, flashing, more swearing and flashing I finally managed to create a fully unbranded system that can be installed through TWRP.

If you still know how the original X96 looks with the original firmware you will be surprised :)

What has changed from the branded firmware:

Bootlogo original S905X.

Google bootanimation - that was the hardest part, allowing for a custom animation...

Media Box Launcher unbranded and with unbranded theme.

Unbranded Kodi completely removed so the rom will comply with all piracy laws and restrictions - more in the added apps section.

OTA updater removed.

All programs from the branded version removed, so no social media, Chrome, Netflix and so on.

Apart from the naked system with Google apps I included:

AdAway

ADW Launcher

XMBC Laucher for Kodi

File browser replaced by FX filemanager

Power Menu added - still requires to root the box! More under added apps.

Added apps and modifications:

Kodi was removed, but the install script for the addon packs is still valid.

The script no longer refers to the system folder but to /sdcard/apps

This means if you decide to install Kodi you can place the tar.gz archive for the addons in the apps folder of the internal SD.

Kodi itself is not included.

The additional apps I thought to be of use will be in the apps folder of the internal SD.

In FX file explorer it is called "Main Storage".

Here you will find:

Chrome

Facebook

Film On (from the branded firmware)

Lucky Patcher

Mobdro (from the branded firmware)

Netflix (from the branded firmware)

Showbox (from the branded firmware)

Skype

SuperSU by Chainfire

Twitter

VLC for Android

Three different Youtube apps to choose from, including a TV version.

How to install SuperSU:

All modifications to the boot image, scripts, libraries and so on are done and included.

This means the system is rooted except for the actual Superuser app.

Install from the apps folder and let the binary update, once done reboot and enjoy.

Ads...

Not all ads in programs or while surfing can be disabled by AdBlock.

For example everything coming from "trusted sources" like Google will still be allowed.

This is the only reason I included Lucky Patcher as it can be of use for some apps to enjoy without ads.

Install and use at your own risk!

Installation of the ROM:

As before wipe all through TWRP then install the ZIP file from extracted RAR archive - so unpack the RAR first to your SD card.

Installation through TWRP does take a few minutes due to the hash verification.

Since all included apps are integrated into the system the first boot is a bit faster compared to the above ROM.

And the additional apps land on the internal SD for everyone to choose or delete if not wanted.

Please allow about 5 minutes after after the launcher selection appeared before you actually start using the apps - some things are still installing in the background!

Once you finnished the network and personal setup of accounts and such bott into TWRP and make a full backup in case you need it.

A factory reset will set you back to the point of the installation of the rom - so no SuperSU and the added apps folder might be gone too.

Known bugs:

Just noticed the WiFi is not available at first activation.

As the chipset is identified during activation you might have to select the network twice until you see WiFi available.

Watch the boot on Youtube

Download from Filefactory

Beta2 with shutdown using F12 on the Wifi Keyboard and some other fixes.

- This is just with the most basic apps.

I finally found a neat way to use the WiFi remote to shut down the box the same way the power button on the IR does.

Just press F12 and you will be asked if you want to power down :)

Will upload the Beta2 with this fix soon.

What's left to do?

Well, now that there is an unbranded and working S905x system out there it means someone could use it to make a ROM that works on all S905X systems out there...

Just needs including WiFi and where existant BT drivers, libraries and calls....

And of course a recovery capable of working on all boxes but that should not be too hard actually ;)

Update: 12/05/2017:

Beta 3

and a

Fully Naked Rom

is available now.

The Fully Naked Rom has the FX File Explorer and SuperSU included, apart from that it is a naked Android without any Google apps left - great if you want to play around with different GAPPS packages.

The Beta 3 has some minor fixes and most apps moved into the system area instead of the user space.

If you need more apps or launchers then please check the Playstore.

Both have a system partition inflated to 1536mb, which is the same size as the factory OTA update.

On the Fully Naked Rom you can only install apps through the filemanager as no store of any kind is included.

Update 17/07/2017:

A new firmware was released and finally we have a navbar and notification shade "out of the box".

Other changes include the launcher and Kodi, now you find KD Launcher and KD Player...

The OTA can be found

here

, just unpack to the SD and use as usual, either with the supplied original recovery or your favourite TWRP.

Only downside is we have a locked bootanimation again :(

A cleaned rom with the usual fixes for keyboard and root can be found

here

as my Beta 4.

All removed and some additional apps can be found in this

archive

, just unpack to your SD and install with FX.

Those with just 1GB system memory or wanting to customise all themself can try the

Beta 5

, which is made small enough to fit on 1GB systems.

Use the above archive to add the programs you need.

Libreelec

for SD or USB install.

Unpack the archive to your PC and use Rufus to get the tar.gz image to your SD/USB stick - all existing data will be wiped.

Copy the dtb.img to the SD, overwriting the existing file.

Plug in the box and boot using a toothpick.

Once Libreelec is set up it will work with the SD/USB inserted without you boot the normal Android from the internal memory.

Videoboot

With this version you can use a MP4 video file instead of a bootanimation.

Works with sound of course and should support every MP4 video the normal video player can play.

For your own video simply replace the bootvideo.mp4 in the systems media folder.

Update 04/06/2017: Finally with Open GAPPS!

The X96 showed some real resistance to overcome the chinese limitations and to allow a working installation of updated Google Apps.

As I already spent a lot of days trying to get it to work I only focussed on Open GAPPS but no manual install or the XIAOMI Gapps installer.

With the troubles in the beginning I created a way of installing it all that worked with no errors for me - I suggest to follow it before you try other ways.

This Beta is right now considered to be in an experimental stage until users provided enough feedback to confirm it indeed works fine.

All is based on a naked and slightly modified Beta 5.

The system itself is pretty much naked except for the usual fixes, everything that could make troubles was removed, this includes:

Camera, video and music, wallpapers and so on - install what you want and need through the playstore once all is working.

Main reason for this was to avoid problems with the GAPPS package and to allow the use on 1GB systems as well.

How to install:

Unpack the RAR archive to your favourite SD card or USB stick.

Plug into the box and start with a toothpick - TWRP will show up.

Go to Wipe, Advanced Wipe and wipe Dalvik/Art cache, Data, Internal Storage and Cache.

Go back and install the X96-no-gapps archive and add the opend gapps archive into the line.

Upgrading the neural network takes a few minutes, once the AI is fully operational the GAPPS package will install.

Simply ignore the fact that some of the listed apps will not be available, like Faceunlock - this is due to the removed camera and other things but also because of our harware platform.

After that reboot.

If all goes well and the intial boot goes well you can simply follow the on screen instructions from the wizard.

In case after 10 minutes the Google animation is still going you have to try again but with a different approach (50/50 chance for the first to work).

Start over with a another wipe as above, then install only the X96-no-gapps firmware.

Reboot and do your usual setup of network and screen settings - don't start any apps or mess with SuperSu yet!

Once all is good reboot into the TWRP recovery and install the Open GAPPS package.

Reboot.

Now all should go according to plan.

Troubleshooting and additional infos:

If neither the first nor the second way of installing works for I suspect that your previous ROM was not based on mine or the OTA firmware.

In this case try one of my other beta firmwares if the included firmware itself already failed to boot.

The initial connection to Google can take 4-5 minutes instead of the advertised 2 minutes, so please allow 5 minutes before you panic.

The additional Google apps are not available at this stage and the loading will stay on the screen until you click next - simply add whatever Google app you need from the playstore.

This included Google Music and Google Play TV.

Again: no additional apps of any kind are included, I suggest to use VLC for audio and video or simply whatever you prefer.

Oh, before you ask: Navbar and notification shade are active and working.

Allow some time and check the notification shade for the updates once the system is running, I did not include all updated versions at this stage.

Download the new

Beta 6

- Open Gapps version.

Update 15/11/2017:

They finally released another update, got available two days ago but file date is a bit older.

You can check on the Baidu servers yourself if you like Baidu X96 Downloads

Password there is: hp7u

Download as a RAR from Filefactory

.

Once I find some time I will check if and what fixes are needed that I can do.