[Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra Guides, News, & Discu] doggydog2:
Note20 stock setup​

model used: Note20 Ultra 5G SM-N986B and Note20 SM-N980F with low performance Exynos

another article in a flagshipfest ..->V30->Note9->6T->Mi9->S10->7T->Tab S6->Tab S4->8Pro->Note20Ultra, well, OnePlus doesn't need much setup. So easy to root, so easy to update, so little adware. But omg, this is Samsung, bloated as hell. Need to treat it like Xiaomi and write down some information. This time added links for everything, good for future reference.

We want

* better battery

* better privacy

* call recording

* disk encryption

* tweaks

Rooting​

We want

encryption

. The era of TWRP encryption access is gone, but it's fine since we even have Magisk ROMs and literally all extras we need is provided in Magisk/Xposed modules.

i really hate reading too long guides, the steps are standard so let's add easy links into compact steps. The links come from here or official sources, so likely virus free (unlike here).

On yer new device in order to get root, lose warranty outside of EU, lose bit of Samsung functionality, wipe your data, abandon archaic Android 10, and get tons of benefits :

[PC] grab your Android 11 firmware in Frija as you do the next step

[mobile] unlock OEM in dev settings (need to be online for big brother to register your activation)

[PC<->mobile] when turned off and nowadays rather plugged it to your Windows PC with drivers installed or Linux PC with no drivers needed, hold Vol+ & Vol- til you see download screen, long press Vol+

[PC<->mobile] after you slap AP*tar file unpacked from step 1 on yer phone, patch it in Magisk 22+

[PC<->mobile] back in download mode, in ODIN 3.14, slap patched AP into AP slot, BL to BL, CP to CP, CSC to CSC and flash

[mobile] hold Power & Vol- to exit download mode

[mobile] install and run Magisk to finalize rooting and reboot again

[mobile] check Magisk status, enable USB debugging in dev settings like you always do, and continue the modulefest (below)

You can Magisk-hide few apps like Flow which moan about root. In case of update, we will perform similar steps with HOME_CSC added to CSC slot.

Modules​

Magisk​

In Magisk, we can get stuff from its UI but you can still click on some links FYI:

* Riru - Core, LSPosed or EdExposed -> brings XPosed to Android11. For either XPosed, you need the manager APK. LSPosed seems more stable, both now want to preselect affected apps which is highly undesirable for many plugins like XPrivacy, XPosedEdge, 3C, etc.. anything working with all apps

* Bluetooth Library Patcher -> helps us keep the bluetooth pairings

* (optional) Sui -> to run AppOpps as an alternative to XPrivacy

* (optional) Move certificates -> to install certificate for AdGuard

* (optional) F-Droid Privilleged Extension -> to make F-Droid updates easy

XPosed​

in one of the managers, we can get some plugins:

* Xposed Edge Pro -> a fantastic plugin which can do lot of popup menus, edge gestures, control hardware keys, run scripts on triggers.. unbelievable value.

* XPrivacy Lua -> must have. Disabling analytics, tracking, telephony, network, identification for all visible apps and all Google and Samsung apps with some exceptions.

* AppOps -> this is closed source alternative to XPrivacy, not bad actually. You need "Riru - Sui" Magisk extension first.

* Firefds kit -> main customization app for Samsungs. Enables the very important call recording, which is beutifully integrated into call history. Bye bye external apps.

* (optional) Xposed Dex -> some tweaks, not using it just FYI

* (optional) afWall -> not needed in Oneplus because there's a firewall, but Samsung doesn't have one. Alternatively you can use Adguard for this task and avoid some issues and too much duplicit apps in memory. This extension should be disabled, just present.

* (optional) Exi for Swiftkey -> you can make Swiftkey great again, GBoard is still the best, Samsung keyboard is very good, but too tall and leaves gap in fullscreen mode

Apps​

Root apps you can get from the web, Google Play or F-Droid:

* 3C toolbox -> too helpful not to pay for the biggest package. It is a backup solution too. It's commercial.

* or TitaniumBackup -> a must since Android was born, however died infamously. Commercial.

* or OAndBackupX -> FYI new open source backup solution

* Adaway -> a must but with AdGuard? not so.. but i use both:)

* or AdGuard -> this is way more superior adblocker and firewall. Can filter more and can amend requests.. that's a game changer. You can have a efficient proxy when rooted thanks to "Move certificates" Magisk extension. Commercial, licences can be aquired very cheaply. With its paid VPN it can solve the problem of who's first "local VPN or VPN", but this is not needed in our root setup.

* Warden -> rips the guts of apps and removes tracking and logging

* YouTube Vanced -> YouTube without ads and sponsor blocks.. now you need manager APK to install it, might not alwasys work. And Google will be happy to overwrite it:)

* (optional) MiXplorer -> best file manager, replaces spyware ES File explorer you had before. Edits root files comfortably even when other editors don't. It's a great text editor or media player too! Commercial.

* (optional) FolderSync -> best sync tool. Commercial but works well as a free version.

* (optional) Root Essentials -> a multitool, have a look, it's not huge or useful as 3C

* F-Droid -> open source apps

Debloating​

What the script does:

* choose 8 categories of app removal, in the beginning of the file

for each say 0=skip 1=remove 2=revert back

* use more switch to disable some questionable/helpful stuff

* disable up to 100 apps with possibility to revert back

* remove usage access for google (do manually)

* remove device admin backdoor "Find My Mobile", you won't recover stolen device this way lol, it doesn't work with Secure Startup! it's useful for Govt.

* revert DNS from Google if it's added at boot (minor, AdGuard can also change it btw)

Tested ok on March Android 11 firmware. Error messages will be there for non existing components, and it's ok. It's just a script.

Samsung has too much bloatware installed, and requires shocking permissions to run some basic services. We will further need to reclaim privacy. As for debloat list, i've cooked the list based on knowledge of each process, its current presence in the firmware, and what would fit the common usage. Also checked against 2 more knowledge bases. In this case, i'm leaving Samsung account, Galaxy shop, Bixby and few pen apps and we assume XPrivacy is sending these snitch services bogus personal details.

Download: (file attached)

Installation (omg! it's not an app!):

- run in su terminal once or add to any startup script (3C\Device mgr\Scheduler can assign scripts from (it needs to be /data now, and chmod +x it), or to magisk

Battery​

Battery saving:

- the key is to disable background network activity:

enable Data Saver and make exceptions for individual apps (there's "Allow data usage with Data Saver" and also nice "Allow background activity" & "Optimize battery usage" choices)

enforce it with 3C (Device Mgr\Profiler) or Adguard (App Management), vendor make exception for adwares!

disable bluetooth, wifi, nearby scanning

choose your Power Saving mode, wakelocks like {AOD, fp icon, dt2wake, raise2wake} etc based on yer preference

- nearby scanning should be off, what a useless function of finding unknown devices - once you pair the known, what's the sense? or you keep connection 10 new bt devices each week? just a drain and endless beacon

- didn't test {LSpeed, Naptime, Servicely, FDE, LKT, Universal GMS Doze, Sysconfig patcher} here. Battery looks good even on Exynos, something between S10 (poor) and 1+ (excellent), but without permakilling of apps.

Other

- didn't change ugly boot warning yet

- for call recording make sure XPosed manager whitelists call components

- no boot keys needed like on S10 generation

- not using multidisabler as i'm on stock and i do want encryption on every device ever

- don't be afraid to use another device (mobile) as USB drive.. this way you can restore your apps directly without copying it first! also Smart Switch can be used from non-Samsung phones, but it is as weak as Google backup ever was - no data restore