yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] dferreira:
Have not had the chance to try them. Been busy 😅
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] getrwdyy:
Are there any ROMS or security measures I can perform after the phone is rooted to protect myself? I am extremely interested in buying this phone, but always avoided it due to security concerns. If I root the phone, what can I do to make the phone safer for me to use? Some people mentioned blocking certain websites from being accessed by the phone, so that seems like an option? Just for clarity, I am concerned about chinese spyware/keyloggers tracking what I input or tracking what I'm doing on the phone. I have experience rooting phones, so I don't mind putting in the extra effort to make the phone more secure, so I can log into my gmail account on it without being paranoid.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] bigwigs:
Check out -

Post in thread '[Hisense a9] Root - Reward Offered (Snapdragon 662)'

https://xdaforums.com/t/hisense-a9-root-reward-offered-snapdragon-662.4495809/post-89321131

If you don’t want to install gsi roms. You can Debloat by removing apps and adding custom dns using dns providers like nextdns.

Pls, make sure it works in area where u plan to use as LTE bands enabling other than ones supported out of box is not possible.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] getrwdyy:
It seems safer to install a GSI rom than to attempt to make the existing ROM not act maliciously, is that a safe assumption?

I would mostly be using this as a wifi device, so I'm not concerned about the LTE band issue.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] bigwigs:
Hisense touch would be good option, if you are not looking for phone. Also, Boox Palma could be an option too.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] einkys:
Thank you everyone for the information on how to root - I have succesfully rooted a hisense hi reader pro.

I am keen to try the LineageOS rom.

Excuse the naivity - but is it possible to back up the stock ROM incase it all goes wrong / I want to revert back to InkOS?

Bw
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] dferreira:
This helped! Won't believe this, but ChatGPT 4.0 actually knows how to implement this. It's now building and got no errors!
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] dferreira:
you can backup with EDL or QFIL the stock ROM :)
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] bigwigs:
Cool, share the prompt, you used :)
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] bigwigs:
check out - https://github.com/aimindseye/hisense-a9/tree/main

hopefully, most of your questions will be answered. If you have more, let me know, i will update the repository.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] damianmqr:
I think I broke my kernel somehow, wifi and bluetooth don't work on lineage despite reflashing the same boot.img I used before 🙃

Should have made a proper backup of stock OS, if anyone has one for Hi Reader Pro (or even A9 they seem pretty identical) I'd really appreciate some help
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] dferreira:
"can you give me step by step instructions on how to create a vendor system service implemented in java to include on AOSP?"
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] bigwigs:
A9 Stock rom - https://drive.google.com/drive/mobile/folders/1_5PvcvgA9TltEU_XwmiL-t2Eh0VM6C40?usp=drive_link

A9 Boot img - https://drive.google.com/drive/mobile/folders/1lSOJqfIWaUJ9EnchshKYnNoZNrFZNY9g?usp=drive_link

Check Reddit , someone did post links for stock image for hi reader pro
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] bigwigs:
Nice, that it didn’t go earlier version of Android .

Claude is also good.

I use Poe app which gives all options of choosing LLMs
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] damianmqr:
Thank you!

I will look on reddit
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] damianmqr:
I can't seem to find it anywhere on reddit, if someone has a link to the backup for the Hi Reader Pro I'd really appreciate it
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] dferreira:
Finally! I now fully understand and have AIDL generate the classes that allows me to create and integrate with a vendor app 🙌
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] einkys:
Many thanks both.

I was using @Renate ‘s Edl utility previously to achieve root. I then tried the python version linked in the GitHub repository to try and backup as per the instructions by @bigwigs . I couldn’t get the python edl utility working so decided to try @Renate utility again.

However if I run any command I get the following error

Found EDL 9008, configuring… bad xml

Any help would be appreciated on how I can get the EDL utility working again

My plan was to run

edl /r backup.img to backup the entire phone/rom

EDIT..

I think it was a problem with the loader, so I ran the below:

./edl.exe /lprog_firehose_ddr_001360E1.elf

and got

Sending prog_firehose_ddr_001360E1.elf 100% ok, starting... ok, waiting for Firehose... ok

Now if I run a command like

./edl.exe /g

I get an error:

Found EDL 9008, configuring... ok
Requesting info on LUN 0...
<log value="ERROR: Failed to open the SDCC Device slot 0 partition 0" />
<log value="ERROR: Failed to open the device:1 slot:0 partition:0 error:0" />
<log value="ERROR: OPEN handle NULL and no error, weird 203918492" />
<log value="ERROR: Failed to open device, type:eMMC, slot:0, lun:0 error:3" />
Nope

EDIT 2

My mistake .. adding the -u flag fixes this error.

I would still very much appreciate confirmation that this is the best commannd to run to perform a full backup of the rom / device so that I can return to stock if I need

edl /u0 /r backup0.img
edl /u1 /r backup1.img
edl /u2 /r backup2.img
edl /u3 /r backup3.img
edl /u4 /r backup4.img
edl /u5 /r backup5.img

I have started with the u0 partition and it is taking some time, so let's see..
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] itshenryl:
Hey @vbhai!

Thank you so much. Typing to you from the ROM you made!

How could we do steps 1-4 ourselves? For instance, I'm interested to make a build without Gapps, and will want to update to future monthly versions as they're released.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] bigwigs:
Check this out - https://androidmtk.com/download-hisense-stock-rom-for-all-models

I don’t know model number, so see if it exists.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] bigwigs:
What error do you get while running Python EDL ?

Sometimes u need just run edl on its own. I had similar issue but after running edl , edl backup command worked well.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] dferreira:
@AndyYan has published the instructions on how to do this step by step on GitHub:

GitHub - AndyCGYan/lineage_build_unified: Unified script for building GSI and device-specific LineageOS

Unified script for building GSI and device-specific LineageOS - AndyCGYan/lineage_build_unified

github.com

Using his build_bot.sh script, you can select what type of build you want, with or without Gapps. There is built in support for signature spoofing so you can use MicroG instead if you need anything Gapp without Gapps.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] bigwigs:
@dferreira are u using any of changes mentioned @vbhai post? Or ur services removes the need of them?

when u get a chance can u share ur code? I have build system setup with AndyYan instructions.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] damianmqr:
Thanks for that again,

I was able to flash A9 firmware on my Reader Pro through QFil and it seems to work perfectly fine, so they must be identical other than than mine not having a camera I guess.

So if anyone else finds themselves with a bricked Reader Pro you should be fine using these images for A9 to try and fix it.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] getrwdyy:
If we wanted to use a different ROM, what would be ideal? I'm concerned about security with the ROM thats on the phone. I'm just looking for a stock android experience, nothing special. Am I better off altering the existing rom (DNS blocking) or will a different ROM be better?
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] einkys:
All good now thanks! Managed to get both working so backups made!
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] bigwigs:
Lineage OS being customized by @vbhai or @dferreira .

If you want u can choose other Android GSIs but then u might need to customize it to run on Hisense a9
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] einkys:
On a related note, I am trying to block chinese traffic. I came across this guide - here - which seems to be the most comprehensive root option. However the mount command fails as below:

HLTE556N:/ # mount -o rw,remount /
'/dev/block/dm-0' is read-only

any thoughts or advice would be appreciated.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] vbhai:
You don't need to build the ROM from scratch. Just download a ROM, extract it and make the required changes and repackage it.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] einkys:
I am installing LiteGapps as per the guides from - using the micro package from here and magisk

https://sourceforge.net/projects/litegapps/files/litegapps/arm64/30/

I am stuck in a bootloop on reboot however. any advice would be appreciated.

I also noted the litegapps website is compromised - the links all link to malware sites.

https://androidsmart.github.io

Is it possible the files have also been compromised?
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] bigwigs:
well, it is not the only way to block traffic to unwanted sites.

Another option would be to use private dns ( free services like nextdns) and setup up deny list.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] vbhai:
System is not RW mountable. Use overlayfs magisk module and then try the command again.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] zxczxc4:
This is such good news, thank you for your determination!

I sent a small donation shortly after you first posted your ADA address, and will make another one later when all is done! Thank you 🦸

Cool for you too that you got to get more experience with low level modern Android.

I'm a professional dev but have never really touched mobile.

Personally I still want to have a look at the code and see how Hisense is hooking into the shutdown event in order to write an image to the screen to display when it's powered off.

(At least I assume they're hooking into the power off event...)
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] damianmqr:
How did you repackage it? I tried making an ext4 img, copying files over with cp -a and using tune2fs/ext2simg on it but that doesn't work sadly.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] dferreira:
Thank you 🙏 Yeah I did see some code regarding pushing an image to a screen off state. When I get there, we'll have support for the same on LineageOS.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] bigwigs:
At what step are you stuck in bootloop?

It would be helpful for you to provide details on which instructions u used and where in the process, you are stuck, so that someone can help.

i believe the popups u see are ads. they are not malware themselves but could lead to malware if you click them or install something that gets downloaded.

ppl need to make money, so u see more ads these days on free/freeium sites.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] bigwigs:
check this out - https://android.stackexchange.com/q...o-ext4-format-and-back-creates-bad-flash-file

do u have right version of make_ext4fs ?
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] dferreira:
@vbhai here's how to set the system.prop to disable HW overlay from boot:

video.accelerate.hw=1

debug.sf.hw=1

debug.performance.tuning=1

debug.egl.hw=1

debug.composition.type=gpu # Disable hardware overlays and use GPU for screen compositing

Like this, you don't need a script for it anymore.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] bigwigs:
do you set this before building gsi or downloading/unpacking gsi and then repacking gsi?
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] dferreira:
Before building!
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] vbhai:
If you have Windows, just use this tool to unpack and repack the ROM. Fairly straightforward.

CRB Android Kitchen-[Windows]-[Tool]-[V3.3.9]

Welcome to CRB Android Kitchen Screenshot Short description CRB Android Kitchen is a user-friendly software application designed to help users build custom ROMs for Android devices. It supports Android 10, 11, 12, and 13 and the Ext4, F2FS...

xdaforums.com
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Ololiuhqui:
I know i'm pretty late to the party, but how did you port TWRP on this device? Is there any guide we can follow?

or can you share your working TWRP version?
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] dferreira:
I was not able to then. But we don’t need it for GSI installs of ROMs.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] CatZem:
Howdy, does Hisense a9 supports android 11 gsi roms, and can i flash stock rom( system image ) without using edl?
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] biodbl:
You can use QFIL for stock rom,
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] dferreira:
I have hit another roadblock. I've made this fancy app that allows you to control what speed to use on a given app... However, it's using Jetpack Compose and build process requires us to download all the dependencies so that they are there when soong build is executed. Will try to sort this out.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] vbhai:
QFIL requires phone to be in EDL mode
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] vbhai:
Why flash 11 when a 14 GSI Lineage build was already posted in the thread?
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] dferreira:
I GOT IT!!!

This is Android.bp that creates a java .jar out of the service code that is then available to be called and includes a priviledged .apk that I prebuild separately so I don't have to deal with dependencies and runtime compilation since Gradle is not supported by AOSP builder soong! It's building now. If all OK, I'll release LineageOS 20 GSI and open-source the vendor folder I've worked on!

android_app_import {

name: "EinkService",

apk: "app/build/outputs/apk/release/app-release-unsigned.apk",

uses_libs: [
"com.hisense.einkservice.lib",
],

presigned: false,
privileged: true,
certificate: "platform",

dex_preopt: {
enabled: false,
},
}

java_library {
name: "com.hisense.einkservice.lib",
sdk_version : "current",
srcs : [
"app/src/main/**/*.java",
"app/src/main/**/*.kt",
"app/src/main/**/I*.aidl",
],
aidl: {
local_include_dirs: ["app/src/main/aidl"],
},

provides_uses_lib: "com.hisense.einkservice.lib",
}
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] CatZem:
Because I prefer older android, but i guess lineage 21 worth a try
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] dferreira:
Had to update the file, the post has been updated. It failed initially because I failed to say that the app uses the library and that the library is provided by com.hisense.einkservice.lib. I solved it by reading this: https://source.android.com/docs/core/runtime/art-class-loader-context. Quite the learning experience this has been!
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] biodbl:
Does it mean that the Rom is ready?
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] dferreira:
Demo: https://techhub.social/@denzilferreira/112180503097737822 no root required, baked into the build system 💪
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] dferreira:
Just need to add the button handling now to the app so that we get the UI to control the speed by double pressing, single press to clear screen.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] dferreira:
Some more progress today: https://techhub.social/@denzilferreira/112186354872585239
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] dferreira:
I've tested adding the hardware_overlay for Hisense that was shared here for brightness control etc, and that made the whole screen really slow. Something is wrong with that overlay 👀during boot, the service now sets the speed to balanced so that the animation of LineageOS is nicer than the default speed.

I've now presigned the .apk that is privileged on the build, so I can update the app .apk without having to rebuild the whole OS. This also allows us to use GitHub Actions to create a new .apk when we merge Pull Request as we add more features. Only one feature is missing, which is the button handling to show an overlay to pick a speed mode.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] dferreira:
It's done! I tried to make this as much as OOTB experience for LineageOS 20. You will see the bootanimation, and the speed is set to smooth so you can setup the phone as you would with the default ROM.

LineageOS 20 GSI: there is no root, but you can install Magisk if you wish. It comes with Gapps fully functional. There is an Eink Center app that you need to run it to grant overlay permissions and then you need to activate the accessibility service so that the refresh button works and brings the overlay. Selecting a speed or tapping somewhere else will dismiss the overlay.

Download from here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1EZliZlJ9Ss6gb3me4aENkBH1ATPBlymA?usp=sharing (unzip prior to install)

I'M NOT LIABLE FOR BROKEN PHONES. YOU DO THIS AT YOUR OWN RISK.

To install:

1- Unlock your bootloader! THIS IS A MUST.

2- follow these commands:

adb reboot fastboot

-- wait until you see a dark screen with a menu

fastboot flash system /path/to/rom.img

-- wait until it finishes flashing

fastboot -w

-- It's gonna complain it can't find cache partition, ignore that.

fastboot reboot

The first boot takes a while, but it's quick after that.

Source for the Eink Center app I'm working on. The clear and set speed overlay is ready. I'm still working on the app to allow you to set per app what speed you prefer. I'll make it so that by default it will save what is the speed you set the last time you used it.

GitHub - denzilferreira/vendor_hisense: LineageOS vendor folder for Hisense A9

LineageOS vendor folder for Hisense A9. Contribute to denzilferreira/vendor_hisense development by creating an account on GitHub.

github.com
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] biodbl:
I managed to install the rom. It's very good, but I couldn't use the play store. It says the device is not certified. Can you help me please. Thanks
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] dferreira:
Try this
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] biodbl:
On Device ID app doesnt appear google services framework code. Only Device id code I see. Can I use this?
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] biodbl:
I used device id code on device Id App and it worked. I did not use GSF code. Thanks Ferreira. I Will test the rom
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] iCloud:
I tried the lineage but the Eink centre app keep showing Welcome screen, cant proceed to the refresh screen. I enabled the accessibility for the Eink Center too, am i missing something to enable? Anyway good work!
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] dferreira:
After you enabled the accessibility service, press the refresh button :)
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] dferreira:
Doing some improvements to the app to guide setup:

1- Grant the overlay permission by tapping first card.

2- Open the accessibility services screen directly from the app on the second card.

3- Fix the overlay positioning and click handling.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] itshenryl:
Thank you so much @dferreira! Would you mind sharing a build without Gapps preinstalled, for those of us who prefer low-G or no-G?

Edit: or even better, steps for how we could make our own version of your build!
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] iCloud:
seems like SMS is not working too in GSI build? phone call is ok, but I didnt receive any SMS
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] dferreira:
Maybe we need to install IMS package from Treble settings? Try that
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] dferreira:
The steps will be more complicated and I don't have time atm. About to leave for a company retreat for a week and wanted to flush this to you before that. I just fixed Eink Center and improved it. Making a new build atm and will replace the previous .zip. Will report here when it's up.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] iCloud:
working after installing that thanks :)
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Filipexpsp1:
I installed Magisk Delta on my Hisense A9 and it looks like it has turned into a brick​

I incorrectly installed magisk delta on my device that was already rooted from magisk stock and now the device is in infinite bootloop, I have already entered recovery and tried to reset the data without success. Has anyone in the community been through this and done the same stupid thing?
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] iCloud:
same that happened to me before. Hold power and volume up to boot to bootloader mode, might take a few tries to go into bootloader. After that flash magisk patched boot.img or stock latest boot.img. Your data will still be intact if you didnt reset data.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Filipexpsp1:
When I go into recovery mode, which I understand to be the same as what you're saying, I've even clicked to reset the device and I can't, I think my problem is worse :( :(
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] NiceDone:
I had a similar problem after rooting and trying to install Gapps. (MagiskGApps-r-basicV1.1.zip) does this version work or did I do something wrong?

I tried also install NikGapps, but it said it needs recovery install, and I'm not familiar with rooting overall, so I decided to try the MagiskGApps and I think Magisk just said reboot. I also tried installing YoutubeVanced. I rebooted the device with toggle ON in MagiskGApps and maybe also in YoutubeVanced, but I think toggle was OFF in NikGApps. The phone got stuck to bootloop, and I managed to get it started again after a few tries bushing power button and power button with volume down. There was no GApps, so I did it again with only MagiskGApps toggle ON, and it got stuck again, and I finally got it to recovery mode today and erased all. I got it to open.

Now I'm asking what GApps should I install trough Magisk? I don't have the cable needed if I brick the phone, but the bootloader stuff should work in this bootloop? It was so hard to get to power ON or to recovery, last time took two hours. So am I good to try again, or should I buy and wait that the cable arrives?

I want GApps to use the phone as my main phone. I also would like to have some paying app on the phone and my bank app to work (OP in Finland). If you have some tips or something.

PS: LineageOS sounds great, but I hesitate to run it since it just got made and if there are problems I can't fix them on my own.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] ferlanero:
But @dferreira A9 LOS version doesn't already come with GAPPS pre-installed? Why do you need to install again another GAPPS?
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] dferreira:
I'm in Oulu :) If you have unlocked the bootloader, you don't need to deal with this Magisk Gapps - they don't work properly. If you flash my LineageOS 20, it comes with Google Play services and apps ready to go.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] NiceDone:
No it wasn't made yet I think (haven't read this forum else where than pages 11-13 for the rooting). I rooted the phone and got it bootlooping when trying to download GApps with Magisk. Just got it to recovery and to reboot today.

Now I saw the LOS thing but I'm not sure should I install it because if there is problems I don't have skills to fix them.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] NiceDone:
Is the version OK that is linked in this forum?
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] dferreira:
Its not perfect but works for first build. Still need to fix app that allows you to switch between speed modes. Perhaps wait a bit for next build to be safe. If the bootloader is unlocked, you can flash the system partition with LineageOS GSI image I linked - no root or Magisk or recovery involved
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] biodbl:
Just install ims service apk or is something else needed?
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] bigwigs:
IMS install is must if installing any GSI based on Lineage code line. FYI, i had issues getting back to Network once i went outside Network area, so that another thing someone needs to test with these Lineage GSIs.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] NiceDone:
Trying to flash the LineageOS. What could be the problem?