yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series ROMs, Kernels, Recover] SunSlide:
Yeah, i dunno..... I feel like this tab should do better then it does. I think the processor may be the culperate? Something that helps is setting the governor to userspace and setting frequancy to max so it doesn't fluctuate. Had todo that through termux cause i dont know another way. I think any newer tablet is gonna run better though.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series ROMs, Kernels, Recover] V0latyle:
Well, it's only got 2GB of RAM, and with 19.0 it's averaging less than 500MB free; anything moderately intensive overloads it, so it spends a lot of time swapping back and forth between working memory and flash, which takes up processor time.

Has anyone been able to get GApps working on 18.1?
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series ROMs, Kernels, Recover] usitsupport:
Instead of GApps and if you don't need Google baggage, why not try MicroG? Install all pieces of them. Use Lucky Patcher to patch kernel to spoof signature (after installing su manager of course). MicroG settings will show up all checked! You can use F-Droid, ApkPure, Aptoide etc. to download apps. I also use KillApps to kill everything except MicroG stuff, su, AFWall+ on startup and get about 800MB free on 19.1.

https://microg.org/
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series ROMs, Kernels, Recover] SunSlide:
Ill have to investigate what microg is. I use aurora store but it wont let me play the games I download it for. I have most of the apps I use in .apk form so the store isn't necessary. Just use a dedicated device for that. where do you get killapps?

running 18 it says i have little over 600 free no gapps. Kill everything apps may help, but gapps really seems to put a performance hit on it which is why I settled wihout for now.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series ROMs, Kernels, Recover] V0latyle:
So it sounds like the only thing that would really benefit this severely neutered device would be an extremely lightweight build - perhaps something close to barebones AOSP with minimal Gapps. If we can keep system CPU and memory usage to a minimum while still retaining a basic platform for Google services, it would probably work OK for casual use - web browsing, Kindle, social media, etc. Forget doing anything moderately intensive.

But that's what you get for a budget tablet.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series ROMs, Kernels, Recover] usitsupport:
You can get killapps from Apkpure, aptoide etc.

https://apkpure.com/killapps-close-all-apps/com.tafayor.killall

https://killapps.en.aptoide.com/app

Contrary to V0latyle, the GSI rom perform very well, no crashes so far. The reason why using MicroG, AFwall+ or Bromite System Webview (enable in Developer mode after install) is privacy!

https://www.bromite.org/system_web_view

The only issue is AppManager (to disable trackers) doesn't work so far because its API to su (rather old) interface is broken.

https://github.com/MuntashirAkon/AppManager

https://github.com/MuntashirAkon/AppManager/issues/606
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series ROMs, Kernels, Recover] SunSlide:
Thank you, I've been needing other sources for apps. I just realized you said you got 800mb free on 19.1, hows that running? Do you have a tap delay when coming out of sleep or after the device has set for 10 seconds or so? It'll register my taps but takes a second and I've been trying to figure out how to make it a little more responsive. I also want to get into asop building or really like the idea of porting linux to this device. The fact lineageos runs on it gives me hope of a somewhat easy port.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series ROMs, Kernels, Recover] usitsupport:
I have customized this ROM beyond recognition. I replaced the default font with ovo font, changed the boot animations, changed the launcher from default trebuchet, removed those extraneous locale fonts from /system/fonts to free up some space for adaway /system/etc/hosts file...and so on. No lags. The only other issue is when shutdown and left plugged in, the "Samsung Galaxy Tab A" logo lit up forever...
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series ROMs, Kernels, Recover] JonnyBoy1984:
Is it able to flash it on SM-T295, too?
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series ROMs, Kernels, Recover] SunSlide:
Its a GSM image i believe so you should be able to flash it to most anything newer. Ive had success(somewhat) flashing these images on other devices. I believe when I looked it up before the sm-t295 is just a different version of the t290 so it should work. If you try it then let us know because this was already asked. Keep in mind that no one is responsible for what you do to your stuff.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series ROMs, Kernels, Recover] Dharmtej:
Dude I am on android 11 in this device and I am not able to root the device can you tell how did you root your device don't need to go too deep . you can tell me in two lines
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series ROMs, Kernels, Recover] Austcool:
https://xdaforums.com/t/rooting-any...ed-bootloader-android-oreo-and-above.4477597/
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series ROMs, Kernels, Recover] Umut Nas:
Where exactly is the TWRP file? I'm going to install it on my table, but I couldn't find it. Can you link to it?
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series ROMs, Kernels, Recover] SunSlide:
xdaforums.com/t/recovery-unofficial-twrp-3-6-1-for-2019-galaxy-tab-a-8-0-sm-t290.4185235/

Should be it. Look for "sm-t290" when your trying to search, it should provide better results.

Also, to anyone just reading this thread, andy yan has updated since the original posts so make sure you grab the updated versions.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series ROMs, Kernels, Recover] SunSlide:
Let us know how dot os runs, i might try it tonight. Id like to make my own custom asop but aint gonna try it on only 8 gigs of ram. Im runnin los 19 but it really doesnt do good with anything but running termux and gapps just makes it useless.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series ROMs, Kernels, Recover] NoSkill4U:
Hi everyone, I was just given this tablet by a friend. It’s running android 11 and I was wondering if there were any better roms. I’m really just going to try and use it for N64 emulators. Mainly Zelda OOT
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series ROMs, Kernels, Recover] SunSlide:
Dunno if you got any help with this but I suggest reading this tread. I settled on the latest lineage os 19 build without gapps. I use aururo store (how ever its spelled) to download stuff from the playstore. I use termux, vmware horizon, and accasionaly play baulders gate on it. It wont play newer games though. Ie: i know diablo wont run on it.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series ROMs, Kernels, Recover] NoSkill4U:
Thank you for replying. Now I just have to figure out how to do all that lol😅 thank again I really appreciate it
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series ROMs, Kernels, Recover] SunSlide:
No problem. i believe the process is mentioned several times but ask if you need help.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series ROMs, Kernels, Recover] oatMeal22:
I used a different image since that one doesn't exist but it did still work (y)
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series ROMs, Kernels, Recover] V0latyle:
I'm trying to use Magisk wtih this, it's not happy about the "competing SU binary". Is there a way to either remove the SU binary or flash a stock kernel?
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series ROMs, Kernels, Recover] SunSlide:
Can you not just start with the vanilla version?
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series ROMs, Kernels, Recover] V0latyle:
I thought this was vanilla...

I'm going to try flashing the OEM kernel for CVG3 after patching it with Magisk. Sorry If I sound dumb, I'm not great with Samsung devices
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series ROMs, Kernels, Recover] SunSlide:
Hey now, i aint even tried messin with magisk so your a step ahead of me. I believe there was two or three different versions although its been a minute since ive looked. Maybe the vanilla was already rooted but ive always had to add the supersu apk. I was thinking there was an unrooted version though.

Whats cvg3?
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series ROMs, Kernels, Recover] V0latyle:
I thought you were taking about LineageOS, although in this context I don't know what "vanilla" means.

The unrooted version would be perfect, because I could then patch with Magisk.

As far as I know, all the images linked in this thread are rooted with the SuperSU binary. They don't have the app; the SU manager (app) and the binary (the actual root) are separate. Magisk works the same way; you have the Magisk app (used to be Magisk Manager) which allows the user to manage root permissions as well as modules; and you also have the Magisk binary that "hooks" into the kernel to allow root permissions (su).

On an unrooted system, only the system itself has root permissions, and no ability is provided to grant root permissions to any app process, because any process with root could then compromise the entire system.

CVG3 is the latest stock firmware for the T290.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series ROMs, Kernels, Recover] SunSlide:
That sounds right but i was thinking there was an unrooted version. Maybe not in the direct links but if you poke around i thought there was one. To be honest i was thinking wrong, vanilla in this context means 'no gapps' huh? My bad. Let us know how your endevor turns out!
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series ROMs, Kernels, Recover] V0latyle:
Well, it didn't quite work.

I used the CVD3 firmware I already had downloaded. I uzed 7zip to extract boot.img.lz4 from the AP.tar, then I used this to extract the boot.img from the LZ4 archive. Patched in Magisk, then flashed to /boot in TWRP. Tablet booted and is running fine.

However, I'm still getting the "Abnormal State" message in Magisk. So, I'm not sure what's going on...maybe LineageOS includes other su components?
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series ROMs, Kernels, Recover] SunSlide:
Like i said i dont know much but im pretty interested in this. So with out doin any searchin, let me point something out and make sure im understanding you right. You extracted the CVD4 boot img, modded it and then tried to flash it over an installed linageos boot, correct? I would exspect that to fail. I would try to flash all of the new CVD4 firmware and then flash your modded boot img? Unless your wanting linageos with magisk, in which case i think theres a different path to take. Where did you get the new firmware? I might take a shot at this this weekend.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series ROMs, Kernels, Recover] V0latyle:
Yep, flashed via TWRP

Seemed to work just fine. Let me double check the kernel build

SamMobile, T290XXU3CVG3 9/6/22

I did find there are some "secure" LineageOS builds that have SU removed here so I'm going to try one of those and patch via Magisk through TWRP
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series ROMs, Kernels, Recover] SunSlide:
So great news! I think :) I have lineageos 20 running with magisk root working. Since I've come this far I'll provide a quick run down on it. I had to use os 20 because the only other one of andy's that doesn't have the supersu we have talked about is os 16. It didn't work on this tab last time I tried it, so we're avoiding it for now.

So this was super simple. I assume you have twrp as mentioned. I also assume you have a way to unzip .xz files. I'm using linux so I just downloaded xz from the repo. You need 2 other items:

Andy Yan's build: lineage-20.0-20221023-UNOFFICIAL-gsi_arm64_vN.img.xz

notice the N signifies no root stuff applied -------------------------------------^

Andy Yan's personal builds // GSI - Browse /lineage-20-light at SourceForge.net

sourceforge.net

Latest Magisk build:

Releases · topjohnwu/Magisk

The Magic Mask for Android. Contribute to topjohnwu/Magisk development by creating an account on GitHub.

github.com

click on Magisk-25.2.apk

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-- extract lineage-20.0-20221023-UNOFFICIAL-gsi_arm64_vN.img.xz

-- rename Magisk-25.2.apk to Magisk-25.2.zip

-- copy the resulting lineage.img and Magisk.zip files to the sdcard

-- boot into twrp -> flash -> find your linage.img file and flash the system partition

-- before you reboot, back out and go to wipe-> format data-> type yes

-- this step maybe optional but I rebooted and made sure the device booted into the os - if you want gapps, my understanding is that you do that before your first boot.

-- reboot to twrp -> flash -> flash the magisk.zip also to the system if it asks

-- reboot system and observe that you have a magisk icon in app draw

-- once in app, click the app install button, I also installed under the magisk title but i think that it is unnecessary and worked fine with out doing it.

-- observe that the icon changed, that it says installed under magisk, and use your favorite root checker to make sure that it works.

Hope this helps!
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series ROMs, Kernels, Recover] retiredtab:
For those who want a real LineageOS 18.1/19.1 rom built from source and not a GSI, see

https://xdaforums.com/t/rom-unofficial-12l-lineageos-19-1-for-the-sm-t290-gtowifi.4535635/

I've been using this build for a few days now and it meets my requirements. I'm not running gapps and use AuroraStore.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series ROMs, Kernels, Recover] SGX22:
In my case it messed up my whole device. now it always boots into download mode and says partion vbmeta. after installing the lineage image in twrp, how do you reboot into system. in my case the device does not boot into lineage system...
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series ROMs, Kernels, Recover] SunSlide:
Oh no! so a quick google search reveals that the vbmeta partition has something todo with the secure boot and I really know nothing about that. which partition did you flash the image to? it should have been the system partition and If I remember it shouldnt have touched the vbmeta. what image did you flash over? you might have to restore the stock firmware to get your partitions back then try again. I've had no problem at all flashing back and forth between all the lineage os builds using twrp and have probably done so 20 times or better.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series ROMs, Kernels, Recover] SGX22:
Thank you very much for the help, SunSlide. I am not shure what I did wrong before. But my tablet was not on Android 11 on my first try. It was on Android 10. Yes, I reinstalled stock firmware (T290XXU3CUK4) with ODIN and even updated in Android to the newest firmware. After that I started all over (until 8:00 am in the morning) :giggle: The instruction from you (SunSlide) is working perfectly fine. I am now on LineageOS 20 with my SM-T290. I used this image: lineage-20.0-20230109-UNOFFICIAL-gsi_arm64_vN.img.xz . Everything is working perfectly, I have absolutley no issues.

I am very happy now. :):) Am I right that after the installation I should not lock the bootlocker again? On LineageOS the bootloader has to be kept unlocked, right?
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series ROMs, Kernels, Recover] 2faraway2:
Yipp, stay with an unlocked boatloader !
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series ROMs, Kernels, Recover] SunSlide:
Good deal! good deal. I'm really glad that worked cause other wise I was at a loss. I've found that the one you got works really good but you can flash any of the images to play around. or should be any GSI for that matter. Just make sure to only flash the system partition and I've been able to recover from any boot loops.

If you use any magisk module let us know that they work, I don't use magisk for anything but root powers.

Where did you get the stock image? I havn't looked for one but others that do the same may want to know.

I personally would like to find a way to relock the boot loader but the one attempt I tried caused a boot loop. Just because we're customizing, doesn't mean we can't be safe. Or it actually might, I dunno lol. Is there any reason we should not seek this out?
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series ROMs, Kernels, Recover] 2faraway2:
Yes, because there are only a few devices where you can lock the bootloader without risking a brick (or at least bootloops ..).

Afaik with Samsung devices you should/could only relock the bootloader when on stock rom
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series ROMs, Kernels, Recover] SGX22:
Stock Firmware for the SM-T295 and many other Samsung devices are available here:

Samsung SM-T290 Galaxy Tab A 8.0 - Sfirmware.com

Kostenlos laden Sie die neueste Firmware für Samsung SM-T290 für Ihre Region herunter.Bitte gehen Sie zur Scan-Seite.

sfirmware.com

I have no problems with the unlocked bootloader. I now try to flash my sm-t295, but it is on Bootloader V4 so it might not be possible, because there I can't install TWRP.... :unsure:
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series ROMs, Kernels, Recover] SunSlide:
I would just like to demonstrate security on the device if posible and if nothing else get rid of the annoying "push the power button to continue" display. but all is unnessicary.

See retiredtab's post above about the non-gsi custom rom. They where talking about flashing the sm-t295. Might give you a starting point.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series ROMs, Kernels, Recover] retiredtab:
20 is now up for those want to try it. Bluetooth isn't working right now, but it's been reported and solution is proposed.

https://xdaforums.com/t/rom-unofficial-13-lineageos-20-0-for-the-sm-t290-gtowifi.4535635/

The 18.1, 19.1 and 20 builds are built from source and NOT a GSI.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series ROMs, Kernels, Recover] retiredtab:
20 is now official LineageOS and bluetooth is fixed in the first official build.

See post #84 at

https://xdaforums.com/t/rom-officia...-sm-t290-gtowifi.4535635/page-5#post-88109245
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series ROMs, Kernels, Recover] akashwadode:
There is problem in my Tab,

First I install lineage OS 19, but some features not worked correctly.

So I then install another version, but after that it doesn't work.

When I install any ROM it firstly it show Logo page then it restarts and boot in download mode or recovery mode.

I tried many of Rom like Lineage Os 19, 20, 18, 17. But not a single OS boot system.

I dont know what to do, anyone help.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series ROMs, Kernels, Recover] SunSlide:
What images specifically are you trying to flash and from what version stock did you try to flash from? I assume you have successfully flashed twrp? If I remember right, 17 doesn't work. 18 had to have the right img. This is a fairly sturdy device so if you have to, flash stock rom and start over. Follow everything exactly. Everything worked on the first try for me.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series ROMs, Kernels, Recover] SunSlide:
It appears that we may have an offical version now, it at least says signed on the .zip file. Install directions with link to downloads:

Install LineageOS on gtowifi | LineageOS Wiki

wiki.lineageos.org

I just tried it and everything seems to be working. Downloaded nightly build and installed with twrp
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series ROMs, Kernels, Recover] mityman50:
SM-T290 checking in and confirming this worked perfectly. Exactly what a simpleton like me needed, thank you!

Note that after installing the Lineage recovery and doing the first reboot, the instructions make a point of switching from Power+VolDown to Power+VolUp immediately after the screen goes black lest the new recovery get overwritten. You do have to be fast, but note you'll still see the "SAMSUNG Galaxy Tab A ... Powered by Android" splash screen and the warning that the bootloader is unlocked even if you're successful. Just give it a minute... I thought I was messing up and kept trying more button combos.

This tablet doesn't have that much use on it but it was still annoyingly slow, just slow to respond to touches mainly. With LOS and Gapps it was better but still annoying. RAM usage was at 1.4gb of 1.9gb right after completing setup. So it's no surprise but after reinstalling without Gapps performance is way better, totally worth the trade off to not having the Play Store. RAM usage is at 1.2gb. With all the performance tweaks- no logging, no location services, animations off, wifi scan throttling - this thing is super snappy now.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series ROMs, Kernels, Recover] SunSlide:
No thanks to me! lifehackerhansol is the member doing all the work on this! Yeah I haven't quite figured out android tweaking yet and have had 0 luck with Gapps. It is much snapper and a simple counting program I wrote and compiled in termux was hitting numbers not far from my Ryzen 5 in the laptop.

To bad Samsung locked the updated boot loaders down!
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series ROMs, Kernels, Recover] SunSlide:
I agree with what lifehackor said on this. I have neither the skills to find or exploit said vulnerability. If it's there I'm sure some one can exploit the situation. I might look a little deeper later.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series ROMs, Kernels, Recover] LUCID_DREE:
True bro, I also was quite happy that we might get root control, at leaast no need of twrp atleast for now, but like what lifehackor shed light on that in absence of info hidden by companies like Samsung we cant do anything until we find some more detail. Hope that my sm-t290 tab doesnt lie like a brick in a corner for rest of its life. I hope that a root privilege attack is succcessful before the tab's death. Really hope for it. Lets see. But i was really hopeful as I didnt know about the official Lineage OS Custom ROM support for this tab until the very end till it was locked by sasmung through update. Full of despair that I coudnt try a custom rom for this machine and speed it up during my needs when it was horribly painful for doing anything on it with its stock rom which was quite sslugggish and laaggy. I think this was the reason that Samsung blocked through an update to stop more community software support for this tab to buy more of their devices. Distressing to see a device greater possibilities being forcibly choked to death. Companies(even the best ones) are now intentionally forcing users to bend to their wills which is alarming today as your phone will be in control of some else entity in just few years (just like a stranger living in your home without your knowledge) , in fact just now at the advent of android 13-14 which is even more locked down i guess from factory. Hope that i may be able to taste the custom rom for t290 and for it to happen i hope some workaround for TWRP arrives , if not that then atleast magisk should be a minimum.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series ROMs, Kernels, Recover] SunSlide:
I mean, your not getting anything unless someone(or you) find the exploit. The method should be fairly easy with the right tools. All you have to do is find the point where a string is takin without being checked and then figure out how to inject a payload into said string. That is the general attack of a buffer overflow attack. I would think a disassembler and debugger may be needed. I don't know if you would attack the machine or update files though.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series ROMs, Kernels, Recover] LUCID_DREE:
I was thrilled when when you touched the backend process lightly.Would want to learn more myself. Can you link me to some tutorial where i can learn these 3 things basics- string-takin (buffer overflow attack), disassembler,debugger and then i would try to understad deep to do what i can for this tab sm-t290. As I want to learn more about this and do it myself.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series ROMs, Kernels, Recover] LUCID_DREE:
(repeat message deleted)
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series ROMs, Kernels, Recover] SunSlide:
Unfortunately no. I've only dabbled with assembly debugging in my teens, 15+ years ago. I bet with some patience and googling on how to find and exploit jail break cues might yield some results. Just the little I read from a link or two u posted it does seem that it's a "buffer overflow" attack youll end up trying to perform. Other then that, there are a few books on android hacking that may cover the subject, I don't know.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series ROMs, Kernels, Recover] LUCID_DREE:
Thanks that will do