yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Galaxy Note 4 Android Development (Snapdragon)] AnonVendetta:
So, I'm currently building a new ROM zip. It is deodexed, same as original zip, but also debloated/de-knoxed. I removed a fair bit more than what my safe debloat script zip deletes. Nothing has been added. This leaves the system partition with about 38% free space (2.2GB used). I've tried to limit the removals to what I feel won't affect system usability/stability. So, here's what's removed:

/system/app/Books (Google Books)

/system/app/Chrome

/system/app/Drive (Google Drive)

/system/app/Dropbox_zero (Dropbox app)

/system/app/Flipboard (news app)

/system/app/FlipboardBriefing (news app)

/system/app/Gmail2

/system/app/Hangouts

/system/app/Maps (Google Maps)

/system/app/Photos (Google Photos)

/system/app/Music2 (Google Play Music)

/system/app/Newsstand (Google Play Newsstand)

/system/app/PlayGames (Google Play Games)

/system/app/PlusOne (Google+)

task manager and associated widget (who uses a task manager these days?)

/system/app/Videos (Google Play Movies/TV)

/system/app/YouTube

lots of apps related to facebook/instagram/whatsapp/evernote

Samsung print service plugin

PEN.UP

Peel Smart Remote (constantly bombards the **** out of your phone with ads like every minute, and when you unlock screen, it had to ****ing go...never seen a more annoying app)

S Note

Galaxy Apps widget (Galaxy apps store not removed, only its' useless widget)

stock email/exhange app (there are way better email apps out there)

Hancom office

stock calculator

S Health (left S Health service intact, you can reinstall S Health if you want, it will work)

stock voice recorder (way better stuff out there)

bubbles/phase beam stock wallpapers

knox:

/system/app/BBCAgent

/system/app/Knox

/system/app/MDMApp

/system/app/RCPComponents

/system/app/SamsungDLPService

/system/app/SecurityLogAgent

/system/app/SecurityProviderSEC

/system/app/SysScope

/system/app/UniversalMDMClient

/system/container

/system/etc/secure_storage/com.sec.knox

/system/preloadedmdm

/system/priv-app/KLMSAgent

/system/priv-app/SPDClient

Knox has got to be the most annoying POS security system Samsung has ever made, it likes to block root stuff. I've always just ripped it out by the balls, never had a loss in functionality because of this.

Most of what i've removed can be reinstalled from Play Store/Galaxy Apps, except Knox. The rest is generally useless junk that I feel most people won't miss. The whole point is to decrease the installed footprint of the system partition, while saving battery/CPU/RAM.

I'll spend the rest of tomorrow testing, then upload. This will very likely be the last released zip, I don't intend on turning this into a full-on custom ROM. In fact, I mainly created this topic to help out [MENTION=10891995]prkfsz[/MENTION] with a deodexed ROM that he could easily install MicroG onto. So far he hasn't reported whether it works. But then I realized I'd be doing the community a small service, so I created this topic. With that said, I'm not inclined to do much more free work, I'm a very busy guy most of the time. But I'll still stick around to answer questions.
[Galaxy Note 4 Android Development (Snapdragon)] prkfsz:
[MENTION=7441667]AnonVendetta[/MENTION] - thank you for all the work. Sorry for not answering before, as i said, i was away and just recently got back. Will not have time to try your ROM untill next week.

I did manage to deodex stock ROM before with that APKtool you suggested, and it was a breeze with your instructions. Even here your instructions are very clear. You should be writing manuals.. ;)

Glad to see that there still is an interest for this great device. Personally i am going to run it as long as it works. And then i have a backup or five.. ;)

Am gratefull also for this ROM you are working on. That is almost exactly what i was looking for to begin with. I just sortof don't really get why you would remove S Note from the stock rom - that is basically one of the greatest advantages of this phone. I know there are other writing apps out there, i guess Squid is ok but in my opinion no apps come close to original SNote.

Looking forward to trying out your creations! :)
[Galaxy Note 4 Android Development (Snapdragon)] AnonVendetta:
[MENTION=10891995]prkfsz[/MENTION]: I removed S Note and PEN.UP because I very rarely use the pen. Both of these are installable from Play Store/Galaxy Apps, so you're not really losing them. I have always considered them to be bloat. Another reason is that the versions Samsung includes in the ROM are old and not up to date.

You could have deodexed the entire ROM with APKTool, but it would have taken forever compared to the Kitchen. On my powerhouse PC, deodexing takes about 15 mins.
[Galaxy Note 4 Android Development (Snapdragon)] prkfsz:
Still running N4 as a daily driver, but just like you, with only minilmalist setup. I have another phone for apps i want to have secured. I want it this way, it's not just because i want to keep N4. On the N4 i am still running your clean version of Marshmallow. Been rock solid for 1½ years now, never had any problems. Thank you again for that!

So for me it's ok to continue running N4 a while longer, quite sufficient for my needs in this setup. I even replaced motherboard on it before i started using it on it so it's also a bit fun to see how far it will run like this. Perhaps i will try and run some LOS or /e/ version i managed to get hold of. I tried those before and got severe issues with sim-card, but i think i know how to fix them. Discharging issue while off i can live with, besides i discovered that it doesn't discharge if you just plug it in the charger for a moment.

That said, i am still considering replacement for the old soldier, and Samsung Note 9 looks like it might fit the bill. Last of the Notes with headphone jack and without the hole in the screen that makes my face twitch. I guess i am writing this to you in hope you will choose that phone. It is couple of years old but still powerfull enough, and there is still development for it. Should you also get involved in the development, that would be a reason more for me to get it. Like i said, i have used your creations for a while now and came to trust your work and admire your meticulousness.
[Galaxy Note 4 Android Development (Snapdragon)] AnonVendetta:
Well, theoretically if you kept replacing the motherboard, you could keep the N4 running forever. But eventually that part will no longer be available anywhere. So, not viable long term.

I actually considered the Note 9 and decided against it. Because it doesn't support 5g.
[Galaxy Note 4 Android Development (Snapdragon)] RDionysus:
Hey Anon, thank you for all the work you've done and information you've provided over time. While you're currently faced with the sad decision to retire your Note 4, I just started using one! While going through some old stuff packed away during a move several years ago, my brother came across an NIB Note 4 that he never used (I think he may have gotten it as part of some promotion). Since he's no longer on T-Mobile, he gave the phone to me. While I already had a recent-model Android device, I love the Note 4! I don't know if it will be my #1 daily driver, but it will certainly make an excellent "project" or backup phone. The only "problem" I'm having is deciding how to update it. Yes, there are custom ROM's that can bring the device up to Pie or even beyond, but I don't want to lose the S-pen functionality. I can live with certain apps not being able to run on Marshmallow, since I can still run them on my other phone or several tablets I have.

Anyway, I got the letter from T-Mobile regarding the elimination of the 3G network (see attached). I'm assuming--hoping--this will not affect the Note 4, as it does have VoLTE.

BTW, if I use your kernel with the stock ROM, I assume the S-pen capabilities will be unaffected? I do intend to root the device with Magisk, and afterward install Apps-to-SD so I can use a custom-partitioned MicroSD card to supplement the paltry 32GB of internal storage.

I wish you lots of luck with your phone endeavors, but hope you remain involved somehow with Note 4 development!
[Galaxy Note 4 Android Development (Snapdragon)] AnonVendetta:
I will probably retire it, but use it as wifi only. It does still have its' uses. I've owned many phones over the years, the Note 4 is the one I will miss the most when I have to stop using it entirely (hardware failure). Samsung created a legend when they released this phone. I'm not surprised to see that it still has devs/active users long past its' prime. I've had about 5 Note 4s since it was released in 2014. My first which was stolen, the 2nd which died due to a shattered screen, the 3rd which died horrifically in a battery fire while charging. And then there are the 2 I have now.

If you have an N910F and want to update the firmware, you can use one of my 68 zip packages on my Androidfilehost profile. All are pure stock, downloaded from SamMobile, not changed at all. They should be the latest versions. You'll need Odin to flash them. Some of them (the carrier branded ones) will also need a particular pit file or you will get a flashing error.

If you want to use my deodexed ROM from this thread, I suggest that you flash the UK BTU package first, then latest TWRP, then the ROM zip, followed by wiping data and cache. The kernel is stock, but you can also flash Emotion/Flashpoint kernels on top of the ROM if you want. Just be aware that Magisk won't work with Emotion unless you use my modified zip which has SuperSU removed. You will have to use Magisk 21.4 and never update it. Of course, you can always just not root too.

As for the S Pen, it's guaranteed to work on stock firmware. If you use a custom ROM which isn't based on stock, the pen will still work, but Android will recognize it as being a mouse pointer. There are some apps on Play Store you can try:

Squid

S Pen Toolbox

GMD Gesture control

And possibly a few others I've tried but forgot about. There's also GNote, you can find the APK on XDA.

A custom kernel shouldn't affect the pen at all.

My understanding on VoLTE is that the Note 4 hardware supports it, and N910F in particular. But I also think it's partly dependent on the installed firmware and what active carrier SIM card is in the phone (of course, their network must support it too). I know for sure that it doesn't work on UK BTU firmware. In the past few days I've also tried Germany T-Mobile and UK EVR EE firmware. Google searches said VoLTE should work on these, but I've had no luck with them.

Still hoping I get some testers that will report back...
[Galaxy Note 4 Android Development (Snapdragon)] RDionysus:
Thank you for the additional info!
[Galaxy Note 4 Android Development (Snapdragon)] AnonVendetta:
I have a small bit of news:

We're no longer forced to use Magisk 21.4 on the stock ROM. I just tried the latest debug channel build, everything is working fine except Zygisk. When toggling Zygisk on and rebooting, the Magisk app still shows that Zygisk isn't enabled, even though the switch for it is set to "on". Maybe future builds will address this, it's not a big deal to me.

Also, the modules repo doesn't work, it was removed months ago. But you can still manually install module zip files. If you want to download modules with an app, use Fox's Magisk Module Manager.

To install the debug builds, download this apk file:

https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/gh/topjohnwu/magisk-files@eb166b87765ad8755df859e1e6d8749a28cc06cb/app-debug.apk

Also note that this link isn't guaranteed to work forever, but it's up for now.

Rename app-debug.apk to app-debug.zip. Boot into TWRP, flash the zip. It may take a few minutes, just wait. Reboot into Android, hopefully Magisk should work as expected. I tested this with Emotion kernel.

Magisk stable version 24.3 still doesn't work, but it's a few months old by now. Soon I will test the beta/canary build channels to see if those versions work.

You must also remember that beta/canary/debug builds may be unstable. So if this is a problem to you then stay with 21.4 for now.

Edit: I just now tested Magisk 24.3 stable version again. It works now, but didnt in my tests a few months ago. You can get it by Googling "magisk github releases", it should usually be the 1st link that appears. Download the apk, then rename the "apk" part of the file to "zip". So it would be Magisk-v24.3.zip. If it doesnt work, you can always try the debug builds with my instructions. Or the canary/beta channel builds.
[Galaxy Note 4 Android Development (Snapdragon)] Werve:
I am pleased that we may be in the same boat (along with probably everyone still using the Note 4 as their primary device) so I want to share some thoughts and findings that may help.

I too have been looking for a similar replacement to the Note 4 for years, for me the removable battery is critical because I want to keep the device as long as possible because it should be my choice to change it and not because the battery has degraded and is difficult to replace (you need special tools to open recent phones now) or you can't find that replacement part anymore.

So probably my next phone will be a Fairphone or Shiftphone, which are the only brands I have found that are still creating phones with removable battery by being mindful of the issue of environmental sustainability.

However, I would prefer an Amoled display for the contrast and power saving issue (also to replace the probable lack of the notification led with always-on notification apps).

Regarding the current state, and of the Note 4 being old now, I tried to mitigate the gap like this:

- for performance/battery: May I suggest using these apps depending on the desired level of customization Lspeed / KTweaker / FDE.AI (Unfortunately it does not seem to work with the stock kernel and Flashpoint probably due to 'samsung lock') and SmartPack-Kernel Manager

- for storage: I use App2SD (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=in.co.pricealert.apps2sd) and a microsd with two partitions one of which is used by this app to move (link) some heavy apps. Unfortunately, I noticed that it is not a complete solution to the reduced internal storage because if you move too much data, the Note 4's Android Settings-App menu crashes after opening it for a few seconds.

I have the Note 4 N910F but my carrier doesn't support voLTE yet so I can't try it... (also I doubt the custom ROM I'm using supports it , Apocalypse Premium, but the RamROM v10 claim it works) and I haven't received any communication of incompatibility so far. EDIT: I found and app that could enable voLTE on some Samsung devices https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ljh.openimssettingssamsung but on my current ROM it says no CSC found for IMS.

But from the research I've done I understand that if it wasn't compatible the calls would still work on 3G or 2G network.

The 3G network I have read regarding my country, Italy, that they are decommissioning it but the 2G network will continue to work.

Since for Android 6 unfortunately Shamiko is not compatible and I haven't found any other ways to hide root status from apps, I think the only compatible one is the old MagiskHide which since version 24 is no longer present.

Should anyone need it there is a version of Magisk 24 (not open source) https://github.com/TheHitMan7/Magisk-Files which also includes the removed features (like MagiskHide) and is not compatible with the official one (you have to uninstall it).
[Galaxy Note 4 Android Development (Snapdragon)] AnonVendetta:
After another test, Magisk 24.3 stable is working fine, with both the stock kernel and my modded Emotion kernel. I don't know why this version didn't work in my previous tests, but now it does.

Zygisk also works. However, if you flash Xposed while Zygisk is enabled, or if you enable it after flashing Xposed, you will get stuck in an endless boot cycle. So, you can use Magisk and Xposed together, but not Zygisk too. If you want working Zygisk then you will have to go without Xposed.
[Galaxy Note 4 Android Development (Snapdragon)] AnonVendetta:
So, after being sidetracked for a long time with other things, I'm about to begin working on a new ROM build. I brought this up before but never got around to it. I've been testing MicroG on my Galaxy Tab S7+, it's working really well. I'm not having any of the issues I encountered before. This encourages me to try it again on the Note 4. I had serious problems awhile back, but MicroG has gotten some big updates, so I'd like to give it one last shot on this old phone. If it works out, I'll probably release 2 ROM builds, one with GApps, another with MicroG, and maybe a 3rd that has most Google components removed but very little added back (no MicroG).

After many months, I've finally decided that my "new" replacement phone for the Note 4, will be the Note 20 Ultra 5G, SM-N986N, South Korean variant. Bought on ebay, new in factory sealed box. I've placed the order and it's being shipped now. I hope it works out, I've done a lot of research. I could have got something a bit newer like the Note 22 Ultra, but I prefer to have a MicroSD slot.

I still plan on keeping this old horse kicking until it dies, lots of good times with it. It's just not my primary device anymore. It was just getting too old and too slow for my needs, incompatible with more and more software. But most seriously, it started to become incompatible with my cellular provider (T-Mobile). My mobile data kept cutting out and turning back on repeatedly, despite me inserting a fresh sim card.
[Galaxy Note 4 Android Development (Snapdragon)] gwm121:
So interesting, best luck, with its huge alert led removable batt sd card etc etc note 4 is imo a better fone than the new ones ive bought ...

xiomi note 9t £150 has no permenant message alert led and the 3rd party aod notify breaks often.

Im completely self taught on custom roms, appreciate understanding more.pls.

………………………………

but MicroG has gotten some big updates,

You mean an old version compatable with note 4 snapdragon ?

maybe a 3rd that has most Google components removed but very little added back (no MicroG).

So you can still add new apps with playstore ??

If my requirement from note 4 is to be able run all modern playstore apps, like bose soundbar imstaller, fake gps, tindr, (MANY wont run on pre android 6) will your deoxed stock rom do this ???

..what is deoxed..

………….

When twrp and a custom rom is installed what “partitions” in the fone have not been overwritten.. … kernel ? bootloader ? modem? And if these haven’t been overwritten can they be reloaded. .. how!

…………………………

My issue is

Loaded twrp

Loaded aicp rom (everytyting worked but battery drained when fone switched off)

Loaded other roms

Loaded pixel rom with integral gapps No twrp then unable to restart for 3 days

Reloaded other custom rom cant restart after close fone for 3days ..same twrp

Reloaded aicp image cant restart fone for 3 days cant load twrp for 3 days

Now if any rom or image (immediately or after a while ) is powered off the fone wont restart but will restart after 3 days.

Im thinking pixelrom altered something that twrp and custom roms and images don’t rewrite, or gaps runs an update and upsets something.

……………

shouldI reload stock gingerbread/marshmallow rom, “bootloader” “modem” .. how! Where doI find these files? Do I use odin with ap

Thankyou for any comment on above, appreciated……
[Galaxy Note 4 Android Development (Snapdragon)] gwm121:
. I then flashed full stock official firmware with Odin...

May I have link to stockfirmware and method with odin THANKYOU
[Galaxy Note 4 Android Development (Snapdragon)] AnonVendetta:
@gwm121: I have tried to explain to you the best I can. But it seems that you either don't want or can't understand what I've tried to tell you. I suggest you read everything I've said, from the beginning.

And stop cluttering up my topic with questions that are unrelated to what I'm providing. There are other places on XDA that you can ask for help.

Maybe I will try to answer your other questions later, but I have very little patience.
[Galaxy Note 4 Android Development (Snapdragon)] AnonVendetta:
I've finished my tests with the latest version of MicroG on the Note 4. It's a big fail. MicroG keeps losing its' settings, cloud messaging sometimes switches off after rebooting. Apps may register for cloud messaging, then mysteriously disappear from the list later. MicroG crashes when I try to add a Google account from within the app, it also crashes if I try to add it from Play Store. And even when I'm not doing anything in particular, it still crashes randomly sometimes. On top of that, it crashes when I tap the Safetynet setting in the app. It's weird that MicroG works great on my Samsung tablet, but not on the note 4, nothing but issues here.

This is the last time I'll test MicroG on this device, since I'm having pretty much the same issues I had a few years ago. From now on, all future ROM builds will use GApps only. More bloated, but at least it's more reliable. I may also release builds with GApps completely removed. I will still include the signature spoofing patch, just in case someone else wants to try MicroG. But considering the experiences I've had, I advise against it and will not support a MicroG setup.
[Galaxy Note 4 Android Development (Snapdragon)] AnonVendetta:
I've devised a new method for rooting this ROM with the latest Magisk. It's not so straightforward, but at least it works. It involves upgrading from a lower version of official Magisk, to a newer version of unofficial Magisk Delta. Delta has both MagiskHide and Zygisk. However, in my tests to date, Zygisk can be enabled but it will still show as being disabled. Toggling on MagiskHide causes the Magisk Delta app to "softbrick" in that it will freeze forever when you open it. Either way, I still think my upgrade approach is worth it, because it will give you a newer Magisk that is compatible with the latest modules. I don't think Zygisk/MagiskHide is that important anyways, since you probably wont be able to pass SafetyNet anyway.

Will post the details laters once I've tested more.

I've also privately released a few test ROM builds in the past few days. They're not ready yet and therefore not available to my users, still more work to do.
[Galaxy Note 4 Android Development (Snapdragon)] RDionysus:
A big thanks to you for your continuing work on the Note 4! As someone who's still using the phone it's much appreciated.

I'm just curious: why the tinkering with Magisk? Is the only rationale to be able to run the newest custom modules, or are there other benefits? If so I understand that, however I've been content to utilize the older Magisk and forego the new modules in exchange for stability.
[Galaxy Note 4 Android Development (Snapdragon)] AnonVendetta:
Magisk Delta is very stable, at least as stable as 21.4. I at least want the possibility of running the latest modules, and that can't be guaranteed with older Magisk versions. If you're just needing root only without modules (so called "core only mode"), old or new will work essentially the same. To my knowledge there are no other benefits.
[Galaxy Note 4 Android Development (Snapdragon)] RDionysus:
Got it, thanks. However you will lose MagiskHide with Delta, correct?
[Galaxy Note 4 Android Development (Snapdragon)] AnonVendetta:
It seems so, yes. I'll have to test again to double confirm. Delta does have Hide and Zygisk, but it seems to be unusable on the Note 4.
[Galaxy Note 4 Android Development (Snapdragon)] AnonVendetta:
Due to AndroidFileHost deleting most of the files I uploaded, work has been temporarily suspended. Fortunately I still have backup copies of all the important files, so this won't prevent me from progressing. As it turns out, AFH has a policy that any file that's downloaded less than 10 times in a calendar year, is subject to automatic deletion. I have a workaround for this to stop it from happening again. So for now, I'm deleting everything from AFH and uploading from scratch as I go along. I just need to get some things organized first, then I can resume.