[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] ljgjm:
more fluent thanks to chatgpt

Before you begin, you will need the following:

1Stock Firmware for your device. You can download it for the T500, T505, or T507 from the following links: https://samfw.com/firmware/SM-T500, https://samfw.com/firmware/SM-T505, and https://samfw.com/firmware/SM-T507, respectively. Once downloaded, copy the AP file to an SD card.

2Samsung USB Drivers. You can download and install them from https://developer.samsung.com/android-usb-driver. Don't forget to restart your computer after installing them.

3TWRP custom recovery. Although it was made for the T500, it should work on other versions as well. You can download it from https://xdaforums.com/t/updated-rec...axy-tab-a7-10-4-sm-t500.4358595/post-87038713 and copy it to an SD card.

4Magisk Delta Canary, which you can download from https://huskydg.github.io/magisk-files/. Copy it to your SD card.

5DynaPatch, which you can download from https://xdaforums.com/attachments/dynapatch-v1-5-zip.5772529/. Copy it to your SD card.

6A GSI image that is under 3.3GB after extraction. It is usually provided as an img.xz file, and once extracted, it should be in .img format. You can download the slim variant of this GSI from https://github.com/ponces/treble_build_pe/releases.

7If your GSI doesn't have Google Apps, or if you want to flash a system mod, use a vndklite variant of your GSI. This is because system is RW in vndklite GSI.

8Odin, version 3.13.1B, which you can download from https://xdaforums.com/t/patched-odin-3-13-1.3762572/.

9SmartPack Kernel Manager apk, which you can download from https://github.com/SmartPack/SmartPack-Kernel-Manager/releases. Copy it to your SD card.

10VBmeta Disabler, which you can download from https://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=14655340768118441211.

11Brightness and watchdog fix module, which you can download from https://xdaforums.com/attachments/sm-t505-brightness-watchdog-fix-zip.5772935/. Copy it to your SD card.

12 (Optional): If you don't want your internal storage encrypted, download the following two zips and move them to your SD card:

[Pie/10/11] [System-as-root] Multidisabler: disables encryption, Vaultkeeper, auto-flash of stock recovery, proca, wsm, cass, etc.

The multi-disabler started life on the Exynos S10 range, the first Samsung devices to launch with Android 9 (Pie). Since then, it has grown to support a great many Samsung devices running either Android 9, 10 or 11, and with either an Exynos or a...

xdaforums.com

https://zackptg5.com/downloads/archive/Disable_Dm-Verity_ForceEncrypt_11.02.2020.zip

To install a GSI, you need to follow the steps below:

1Unlock the bootloader: You can follow the instructions given in this guide: https://xdaforums.com/t/guide-sm-t5...4-unlock-bootloader-root-with-magisk.4185993/.

2Patch the stock AP image: Follow the steps given in the same guide as step 1 (https://xdaforums.com/t/guide-sm-t5...4-unlock-bootloader-root-with-magisk.4185993/).

3Turn off your tablet, hold both the volume up and volume down buttons simultaneously, and connect it to your PC. Click the volume up button once when prompted to enter download mode.

4Once you're in download mode, select BL, CP, CSC (not HOME_CSC), and the vbmeta_disabled_r.tar files in the userdata section. Then, select the patched AP file and click start on Odin.

5After the flash is successful, reboot your device, set it up, and install the Magisk Canary APK from the micro SD card. If it fails, flash the stock ROM and try again.

6Open Magisk Canary, click OK on the additional setup prompt, and wait for the device to reboot.

7Install the Smart Pack Kernel Manager APK from the SD card, and navigate to Tools > Backup > swipe to the right where it says "boot partition" > it changes to the recovery partition > click on the plus symbol > two options show up, select the flash recovery option > select the TWRP image from the SD card > click on "select" and then flash it.

8Open Magisk Delta app and reboot to recovery. After rebooting to recovery, flash dynapatch and reboot to recovery.

9(Optional) Flash multidisabler and disable dm Verity to disable FBE on integral storage. If you intend to disable encryption, flash both the zips.

10Select Install > Micro SD Card > Install Image > select GSI image you downloaded > select System Image > swipe to flash, then factory reset and wipe data from within TWRP.

11Boot to your GSI and set it up as fast as possible, as a watchdog crash is triggered every 30-50 seconds, causing a reboot. Install the Magisk Delta Canary APK from the SD card and reboot.

12Go to Magisk Delta and patch directly into the system partition, be quick, and then click reboot.

13After reboot, open Magisk and install the brightness and watchdog fix module, then reboot.

14Your GSI is now ready to use.

Whats Working: Boot, Touchscreen, Sound, WiFi, Bluetooth, Mobile data, Camera, Microphone, Doze, OTG, Power buttons, Volume buttons, Charging, Rotation, Gyroscope, Calling (works with VoIP).

Whats Not working: VoLTE, In call audio (in case of SIMs), Auto brightness, Offline charging.

Untested: Cast, USB tethering, MTP.

If your GSI has phh settings, enable double tap to wake and tick "Use alternate way to detect headsets" under Phh Treble settings. Also, enable "Disable Bluetooth A2DP hardware offload" under developer options.

1. If your GSI has phh settings, do the following...

Enable double tap to wake

Settings>Phh Treble settings>Samsung features >Tick "Enable difficult tap to wake" For making headphones work,

Settings>Phh Treble settings>Misc features>Tick "Use alternate way to detect headsets"

Also, Enable developer options>Enable "Disable Bluetooth A2DP hardware offload" and restart when prompted

2. If the gsi ROM you're attempting to flash is too big for the current system partition, then you'll need to follow these steps:

*This process will wipe your system partition and will reset your recovery, so, keep the dynapatch zip and gsi image on hand, you will need it!*

Download latest platform tools from AOSP site, link below

SDK Platform Tools release notes | Android Studio | Android Developers

Android SDK Platform-Tools is a component for the Android SDK.

developer.android.com

https://xdaforums.com/t/recovery-un...xy-tab-a7-10-4-sm-t500.4371123/#post-86050459

a) download the product.img from above link

b)Reboot to recovery from magisk app, then, in twrp, click on 'Reboot' button

c) click 'fastboot'

d) the device will now reboot and then after a few seconds, a twrp ui will appear with the text 'fastboot'

e) connect your device to a pc with the latest version of platform tools and drivers installed

f) run these commands in order

fastboot flash product product.img

fastboot erase system

fastboot resize-logical-partition system 3940000000

fastboot reboot recovery

g) after doing so, again reboot to recovery, flash dynapatch zip first

h) again reboot to recovery and flash your gsi image

i) this time images up to 3.9GB will be flashable

j) no need to format data if you're flashing same rom

And that's it you'll be able to enjoy bigger GSIs on your Galaxy Tab A7!

3: Some users have reported that enabling zygisk after installing a module can break the brightness fix. If this happens, try flashing permissiver_v5 from the link below in TWRP:

Permissiver_v5.zip | by erfanoabdi for Generic Device/Other

Download GApps, Roms, Kernels, Themes, Firmware, and more. Free file hosting for all Android developers.

androidfilehost.com

4. Please avoid relying on extra dim.

5. Please refrain from using any modules that spoof the device identity as they cause the phh Treble app to not display "Samsung features". At this point, you won't be able to use DT2W.

6. Recommended settings in Magisk Delta are as follows:

Hide Magisk app by going to magisk delta > settings > hide magisk app. You'll be prompted to allow Magisk Delta to install apps. Allow it and start hiding the Magisk app under an alias of your choosing.

Enable Zygisk by going to magisk delta > settings > Zygisk.

Enable bootloop protection by going to magisk delta > settings > Bootloop Protection.

Enable Magisk hide by going to magisk delta > settings > Magisk Hide.

7. To pass safetynet on Gapps GSIs, follow these steps:

Go to magisk delta > settings > Configure MagiskHide.

a)Tap on the three dots and select "show system apps".

b)Tick the boxes next to the following apps: Google Play Store, Google Play Services, Google Services Framework.

c)Install the Magisk module "shamiko" version 0.5.2 from the link below. Warning: the later version causes Google services to crash, and it no longer works with Magisk Delta. So, use magiskhide present in the delta version.

d) https://github.com/LSPosed/LSPosed.github.io/releases/tag/shamiko-120

e) Optional: Install this module after installing shamiko for a higher chance to pass safetynet randomly.

f) https://github.com/kdrag0n/safetynet-fix/releases

c) Once you have installed the module, remember to reboot your device.

d) To ensure smooth operation, it is recommended that you clear the data and cache for Google Play Store, Google Play Services, and Google Services Framework.

e) If you have followed the previous steps correctly, you should now pass the safetynet test without any issues.

8: Please note that you should only download Generic System Images (GSIs) from the list provided by @phhusson on their GitHub page, which can be found at the link below. Be wary of individuals who claim to offer the "best GSIs" and only consider donating to developers whose work you appreciate and wish to support.

Generic System Image (GSI) list

Notes about tinkering with Android Project Treble. Contribute to phhusson/treble_experimentations development by creating an account on GitHub.

github.com

9: Some ROMs may have an incorrect taskbar height, but you can use the magisk module provided in the link below to fix this issue. Thanks to @wEER1234 for bringing this to our attention and to @Coxxs for developing the module.

Releases · Coxxs/hide-tablet-taskbar

A Magisk module to hide tablet gesture bar and more [Android 12.1+] - Coxxs/hide-tablet-taskbar

github.com

10: To extend the lifespan of your battery, install the "acc" magisk module, reboot your device, open a root terminal, and run the following commands:

acc -s mcc=200

acc -s mcc=3900

The first command limits the charging current to 200 mA and charges the battery at a power of 1.8W, which significantly reduces the strain and heat generated by the battery. The second command only allows your battery to charge up to 3.9v (52%), as maintaining the voltage between 3.9 and 3.7v can help to achieve maximum cycles according to Battery University.

12.2 To reduce the power and heat generated by the processor, install the Smart Pack Kernel Manager, grant root access, go to the CPU section, and adjust the settings as follows:

Big CPU cores:

Maximum frequency: 1056Hz

Minimum frequency: 902Hz

Little CPU cores:

Maximum frequency: 1017Hz

Minimum frequency: 864Hz

Now, let's give credit where it's due:

We would like to express our appreciation to the XDA team for maintaining a thriving forum, as well as to

@phhusson for developing GSI images that made this possible,

@topjohnwu for creating Magisk,

@agreenbhm for the TWRP image and for their assistance,

@duyfken for correcting the firmware links and reminding us to specify the type of GSI for this device,

@shorty9210 for their correction,

@huskydg for their Magisk Delta development,

@Hausemaster for making this possible for us,

@ljgjm (that's me!) for pointing out that you need to flash an empty vbmeta in the userdata section when flashing a patched Magisk delta image

This is an updated method that specifically applies to Android 13 GSIs with Magisk Delta. It only works with these steps because Magisk Delta Canary did not patch vbmeta.