Opinions and guidance on what to do with new device - Samsung Galaxy S10 Questions & Answers

Opinions and guidance on what to do with new device - Samsung Galaxy S10 Questions & Answers

Hi
I am fairly new to this. I flashed some iPhones in the beginning when they arrived Europe, but haven't done anything like that since. I want to try my ways around this s10 when it arrives in a few days.
I want to use the tech of this phone, but I still want to clean it up as much as possible to get rid of as much proprietary software as possible.
Where do I start and what are the advantages and disadvantages of installing your own ROM (hope I use the terminology right)?

Welcome to XDA
Stay with Android 10 or 9. I run stock N10+'s and simply use a package disabler and Karma Firewall. I like Samsung's UI so I don't disable everything in sight. It's not necessary or even desirable. I deal with problem apps on a case by case basis. I also lock down OTA updates completely, upgrades tend to break things especially after Android 10.
My current stock Android 9* load is over 1.5 yo, still fast, stable and fulfilling its mission with minimal maintenance. Functionality, stability and ease of maintenance are some of the reasons I run stock. Plan and simple though I not willing to risk bricking a valuable device to yield a time sucking device that likely will need extensive troubleshooting.
Also worth noting is if you root you will trip the Knox efuse. Can't go back from there. You'll lose some of Knox's core features like Secure Folder or Samsung Pay if they're any value to you. I don't use these.
Of course many here do root, design and run custom roms. If you choose to do so, XDA is like a candy store for you
*this stock version has proven to be fairly secure in spite of no updates... unless you do something stupid.

blackhawk said:
Welcome to XDA
Stay with Android 10 or 9. I run stock N10+'s and simple use a package disabler and Karma Firewall. I like Samsung's UI so I don't disable everything in sight. It's not necessary or even desirable. I deal with problem apps on a case by case basis. I also lock down OTA updates completely, upgrades tend to break things especially after Android 10.
My current stock Android 9* load is over 1.5 yo, still fast, stable and fulfilling its mission with minimal maintenance. Functionality, stability and ease of maintenance are some of the reasons I run stock. Plan and simple though I not willing to risk bricking a valuable device to yield a time sucking device that likely will need extensive troubleshooting.
Also worth noting is if you root you will trip the Knox efuse. Can't go back from there. You'll lose some of Knox's core features like Secure Folder or Samsung Pay if they're any value to you. I don't use these.
Of course many here do root, design and run custom roms. If you choose to do so, XDA is like a candy store for you
*this stock version has proven to be fairly secure in spite of no updates... unless you do something stupid.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks!
First thing that comes to mind is: Oh, is NFC not gonna work?
Is it the s10 that you got? What do you like the curved screen? I am having second thoughts on choice of modell because of that. Everything else is perfect though.

larshallen said:
Thanks!
First thing that comes to mind is: Oh, is NFC not gonna work?
Is it the s10 that you got? What do you like the curved screen? I am having second thoughts on choice of modell because of that. Everything else is perfect though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
NFC, not sure about as I never use that feature anyway. Banking apps can be an issue.
Note 10+, my weapon of choice.
The curve screen is ok once you understand how to use for side screen apps like One Handed Operation plus and Edge. Doesn't interfere watching vids but occasionally gets in the way with cut/paste.
The square display corners and the AMOLED display plus it's 7mm thickness are some of its physical features I like. No cam hump like the N20U.

The other answers are good of course, so I'll try to spare everyone an essay and sorry if you've mentioned something already despite me reading the above. I'll also try to order this by what I personally think is the most important info.
1. Exynos and Snapdragon.
Two versions of the S10 series (and others):
Exynos -> non-USA (mostly) | SD -> USA.
-- Exynos is more open and has less disadvantages to modifications --
These refer to the two different CPUs across regions. This is important regardless of any major modifications like installing a custom ROM (I'll get to that). Even on this forum, people will post apps that they've made and state which model it's for. Apps that make use of S10 specific hardware like Camera apps (e.g. GCAM) may have one or two versions for the CPUs.
You said you ordered the phone, so I recommend you look up what CPU it is given its origin (seller might have gotten it elsewhere too).
2. Difficulty. This is not to discourage, just inform.
Samsung phones are relatively difficult to extensively modify.. in fact the company is known for being malicious about this; very annoying to be honest and people shouldn't tolerate it (but this is a political tangent with lots of varying opinions, haha).
Depending on your level of computer literacy making changes will go from seeming impossible and freaky... to just sometimes being tedious and irritating. Expect to make a mistake and have to factory reset the phone if you go hard in mods...
3. Knox (mentioned above). In simple terms, think of the Knox as an internal switch that flicks on if you make changes 'outside' the official Samsung ROM (i.e. One UI). Mainly rooting and custom ROMs. This is a permanent change.
It tells (only Samsung apps..), so general rule is it only matters if you care about Samsung apps as many will throw a tantrum over "tripping the Knox" :^(
IMO: It makes no difference unless you really do care about say using the Samsung pay app instead of Google pay. Honestly everything I can think of is done just as well or better by other companies. And it's a phone from 2019, not a Mustang (haha) so it's going to be worthless very soon, so don't stress and just do what you think you'll have more fun with.
4. Everything else! You'll have to look things up as it's extensive. Rooting = making yourself the highest user (aka admin / super user). Custom ROM = community built different versions of the Android OS, with ASOP (Pixel like) being the most common (yes there are non-android ROMs, but that's not in this scope, haha). Side-loading apps = installing .apk files you find on the internet instead of the Google Play Store or other major stores (won't trip Knox). Theming the official One UI ROM can be done with Samsung's theme park software, or with apps known as Hex and Synergy.
Enjoy!! Hope this post helps.

Oh and Custom Recovery = ... In simple terms a BIOS like software (what you can use when you start a computer to install an OS), you use these on phones for backups and installing Custom ROMs. Samsung has an official one called 'download mode' that you can use with either PC software Odin or Heimdall.
And pro-tip: if you change app settings to black (not just dark) where possible you'll save battery thanks to the amoled screen.
And do try to disable Samsung apps where possible even without modifications to the OS, they do drain battery power over time and you will see a difference if you compare several months from now.
Oh and not all SD versions are exclusive to the USA.. but that is mostly the rule. As a heads up.

With Samsung's many free icon packs and themes at the Galaxy Store you can customize your device, a lot and easily.
Use the Good Lock family of apps to customize the pull down notifications and more.
This is what my N10+ looks like on One UI with the free Galaxy Store add ons.
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}

blackhawk said:
NFC, not sure about as I never use that feature anyway. Banking apps can be an issue.
Note 10+, my weapon of choice.
The curve screen is ok once you understand how to use for side screen apps like One Handed Operation plus and Edge. Doesn't interfere watching vids but occasionally gets in the way with cut/paste.
The square display corners and the AMOLED display plus it's 7mm thickness are some of its physical features I like. No cam hump like the N20U.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why would banking apps be an issue?

blackhawk said:
With Samsung's many free icon packs and themes at the Galaxy Store you can customize your device, a lot and easily.
Use the Good Lock family of apps to customize the pull down notifications and more.
This is what my N10+ looks like on One UI with the free Galaxy Store add ons.
View attachment 5502931View attachment 5502933
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great advice. Thanks

Grimslade said:
Oh and Custom Recovery = ... In simple terms a BIOS like software (what you can use when you start a computer to install an OS), you use these on phones for backups and installing Custom ROMs. Samsung has an official one called 'download mode' that you can use with either PC software Odin or Heimdall.
And pro-tip: if you change app settings to black (not just dark) where possible you'll save battery thanks to the amoled screen.
And do try to disable Samsung apps where possible even without modifications to the OS, they do drain battery power over time and you will see a difference if you compare several months from now.
Oh and not all SD versions are exclusive to the USA.. but that is mostly the rule. As a heads up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there good versions of Odin or Heimdall on Mac as well? I do not have a PC.
Saving battery with black setting on AMOLED is a freaking great advice!
I would mostly like to find a SD-version with 256 gb drive and 8 gb RAM of the s10e. I live in Europe though and I can’t find it, at least not reasonably priced. But if do find this version I guess I can gCam it, yeah?

Grimslade said:
The other answers are good of course, so I'll try to spare everyone an essay and sorry if you've mentioned something already despite me reading the above. I'll also try to order this by what I personally think is the most important info.
1. Exynos and Snapdragon.
Two versions of the S10 series (and others):
Exynos -> non-USA (mostly) | SD -> USA.
-- Exynos is more open and has less disadvantages to modifications --
These refer to the two different CPUs across regions. This is important regardless of any major modifications like installing a custom ROM (I'll get to that). Even on this forum, people will post apps that they've made and state which model it's for. Apps that make use of S10 specific hardware like Camera apps (e.g. GCAM) may have one or two versions for the CPUs.
You said you ordered the phone, so I recommend you look up what CPU it is given its origin (seller might have gotten it elsewhere too).
2. Difficulty. This is not to discourage, just inform.
Samsung phones are relatively difficult to extensively modify.. in fact the company is known for being malicious about this; very annoying to be honest and people shouldn't tolerate it (but this is a political tangent with lots of varying opinions, haha).
Depending on your level of computer literacy making changes will go from seeming impossible and freaky... to just sometimes being tedious and irritating. Expect to make a mistake and have to factory reset the phone if you go hard in mods...
3. Knox (mentioned above). In simple terms, think of the Knox as an internal switch that flicks on if you make changes 'outside' the official Samsung ROM (i.e. One UI). Mainly rooting and custom ROMs. This is a permanent change.
It tells (only Samsung apps..), so general rule is it only matters if you care about Samsung apps as many will throw a tantrum over "tripping the Knox" :^(
IMO: It makes no difference unless you really do care about say using the Samsung pay app instead of Google pay. Honestly everything I can think of is done just as well or better by other companies. And it's a phone from 2019, not a Mustang (haha) so it's going to be worthless very soon, so don't stress and just do what you think you'll have more fun with.
4. Everything else! You'll have to look things up as it's extensive. Rooting = making yourself the highest user (aka admin / super user). Custom ROM = community built different versions of the Android OS, with ASOP (Pixel like) being the most common (yes there are non-android ROMs, but that's not in this scope, haha). Side-loading apps = installing .apk files you find on the internet instead of the Google Play Store or other major stores (won't trip Knox). Theming the official One UI ROM can be done with Samsung's theme park software, or with apps known as Hex and Synergy.
Enjoy!! Hope this post helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. I think I will reorder the phone, like suggested in the last message. I have noticed that I am annoyed by the idea of having a curved edged screen. So I will go with the s10e instead, I think. But I don’t like the fact that it has less RAM. I have an idea that I will use the MHL-support and use the phone as a simple workstation and my feeling is that 8gb RAM will get me much further on a project like that. What’s your opinion on this?
2. The question lingers in me if rooting the device is necessary. I would surely like to get rid of bloatware and optimize the phone for longevity and then I am curious about integrity in terms of sharing information. What is really necessary and how far can I go without rooting?
3. Can you verify that NFC and Phone Pay-options still work if KNOX is switched? This is vital information for me.
4. Good info.
Addition: You have mentioned gCam and I wonder if gCam can be used on both SD-version of these phones AND Exynos?

Oh come on, man you're picky Mr Fancy "I don't like curved phones"... I was just about to ask what the hell are you doing? And recommend the Oppo X rollable, but I guess "screw me" right? Pffft. Whatever. Fine... I don't care.
I'm messing around obviously. Lol. You do you.
Banking apps can be an issue if you root your phone (people can confuse this, but keep in mind that's not the same thing as a custom ROM). It completely depends on the bank, I've used three [Australian] banks on a rooted phone that I didn't bother hiding (this is known as passing the safety-net, means Google can't detect you've rooted the phone and as I said I wasn't bothering at that point).
And it's not that hard to pass the safety-net anyway.
Rooting a phone can be quite glamourous (haha) but it does require some technical literacy to maintain it at a level with no disadvantages.
You can install a custom ROM and not root it. For example, Pixel Experience is highly regarded and it will pass the safety-net by default, just as if you bought the phone with it installed by default.
Honestly though if you are concerned I'd suggest just sticking with the default ONE UI rom.. at least for a couple of weeks and then decide if you want to use a custom ROM.
I can't in good faith recommend a recent Samsung phone if you're interested in modifications and it's your first time doing so.. they're arguably the most aggressive manufacturer with regard to all this.
HOWEVER, if you're simply worried about bloated system apps, you can get a boost with legitimate apps like CCleaner that help automate force stopping them. And that's with no modifications. You can use what's known as ADB commands which is essentially just hooking it up to your Mac and granting yourself slightly elevated user access. I'm pretty sure you can even uninstall some proprietary apps that you couldn't otherwise.
- Yes, Heimdall works on Mac.
- as for a workstation though, are you referring to using DEX? If so, I'd stick to ONE UI. DEX is proprietary and it currently isn't included in any non-ONE UI ROM.. I believe custom ONE UI ROMs have DEX, but you'd have to double check.. again at that point though I really seeing you having a bad time given your lack of experience... Jesus man, slow down you hectic maniac!! Ha, no, you can do whatever you like but it's just a friendly word of warning. I mean, that's why you posted this on the first place, right?
Yes, you can use desktop mode on other phones and ROMs but it's not a mainstream official process, you have to set it up and tinker yourself, in constrast to ONE UI in which it is literally propriety software that's covered in the cost of your Samsung phone.
... Let me put it in perspective, if you root your phone at times it's like using Linux PC, you'll even very likely have to come across having to use a command line (and this is especially the case with recent Samsung phones). Android does use the Linux kernel after all, and you're forcing your way into root (admin) access. Just a custom ROM without root is a bit easier, but you'll have to decide if something like Pixel Experience is a better fit for you than ONE UI. Which is going to a bit of effort that I personally see as unnecessary stress for someone who's just bought a new phone. You know my opinion anyway, I'd say chill for a few weeks first.
What else?... Oh! GCAM and Snapdragons.. I haven't looked into it, but I can at least tell you that if there is a SD fork it will not be the same .apk installer as the Exynos one.
I would recommend Exynos models... "Would"... I mean, I'm not going to because I don't want to argue with obsessed nerdy weirdos that spend way too much time writing gigantic messages on tech forums, ewww ...... Oh wait
.. hope this is informative!! Now if you excuse me... I'm off to rethink my life and cry myself to sleep.... Again!
Cheers.

Ah forgot to answer about NFC. In short yes. You'd just have to make sure whatever ROM you use has NFC support. And it very likely would so long as you install one that's been designed with your phone model in mind... That's what these forums are for!
The only maniacal company that checks for Knox is Samsung. So you can't use Samsung's pay app with a Knox tripped or other brand of phone. But!! That doesn't stop you using Google Pay. You just have to follow a guide on hiding that you've rooted the phone, IF of course you do root it.
Wow.. it is a lot of info huh? But I think that about covers it.

I'll write you later, bro! You are funny.

Related

[Q] Is Captivate/Android Experience for Me?

All,
I am new here and to SmartPhones. I like Captivate because it has low radiation.
I am impressed with the activities I see here and on CyanogenMod. However, these give me cause for concern regarding the energy level required to accomplish them. Linux is good but I am returning to graduate school in the fall so I am concerned regarding the requirement of these phones and OS's. I would appreciate it if some of you could explain why so much work occurs with Android. Is much of this activity born out of the decision of carriers to control OS releases to specific phones? I see this as a major factor presently.
With that said, it does appear Samsung blew it with regard to v2.2 and the Galaxy S phones. I am nearly embarrassed to inform you that I own two Samsung LCD monitors after learning of this negative experience.
Clearly, I void the warranty if I embrace the activities here but this just rationalizes the choice of a refurbished phone!
Please attempt to characterize the time requirement for becoming involved with these Samsung Galaxy phones and Android. I know I am not the type of person to be interested in continually working with my phone to make it better. However, I also know my limited perspective can be biasing reality with this OS and these SmartPhones unnecessarily negative.
Oddly, my wife is considering the Focus because it would give her the MS support she needs with work. Regardless, it does appear we have found a few excellent Internet resources for these choices...I just want to ensure I am not getting in over my head.
Thanks,
Rick

by radiation I assume you mean the head tumors

RAVC1 said:
All,
I am new here and to SmartPhones. I like Captivate because it has low radiation.
I am impressed with the activities I see here and on CyanogenMod. However, these give me cause for concern regarding the energy level required to accomplish them. Linux is good but I am returning to graduate school in the fall so I am concerned regarding the requirement of these phones and OS's. I would appreciate it if some of you could explain why so much work occurs with Android. Is much of this activity born out of the decision of carriers to control OS releases to specific phones? I see this as a major factor presently.
With that said, it does appear Samsung blew it with regard to v2.2 and the Galaxy S phones. I am nearly embarrassed to inform you that I own two Samsung LCD monitors after learning of this negative experience.
Clearly, I void the warranty if I embrace the activities here but this just rationalizes the choice of a refurbished phone!
Please attempt to characterize the time requirement for becoming involved with these Samsung Galaxy phones and Android. I know I am not the type of person to be interested in continually working with my phone to make it better. However, I also know my limited perspective can be biasing reality with this OS and these SmartPhones unnecessarily negative.
Oddly, my wife is considering the Focus because it would give her the MS support she needs with work. Regardless, it does appear we have found a few excellent Internet resources for these choices...I just want to ensure I am not getting in over my head.
Thanks,
Rick
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Rick,
To answer your question - why so much work occurs with Android, I would like to take the liberty of rephrasing the question - why so much work occurs with Android phones? There isnt one correct answer for this.
You are correct in saying that carriers and service providers like to cripple the phone before they hand it over to the consumer. So when you buy the phone you really are not using these wonderful pieces of technology to their fullest extent. Thanks to our developers here at XDA because of whom we can in reality free the phones that we paid much moolah for, so that we maybe able to use all of the fones features that have been designed to work in conjunction with the wonderful Android OS.
Secondly, the reason why so much work goes into the phones and development to improve the functionality of the phone is because that is what Android has been designed for. Consumer can customize the phone to their liking and does not have to get stuck with the proprietary, grid like systems like the ones iphone has. Phone manufacturers, and not just Samsung, obviously design the phones software in such a way so that there is always room for improvement. They bet their dollar on the fact that an average consumer will eventually buy a newer product when its released and marketed in the future. There is always something lacking in the product that is in the market right now and that is where all this work comes into play.
Now, whether you shud buy a samsung captivate or not and what the time requirement is, is totally dependent on what you want to use the phone for and what kind of functionality you would like to get out of it.
From what you said that ur not a person who wud like to spend a lot of time modifying or playing around with your phone, you wud still like the captivate. Samsung Captivate is a very nice phone overall. Its got almost everything that you cud want in a phone. In regards to apps included with the phone, you've got a decent selection along with loads of bloatware.... If there is anything missing you can easily find it on the android market.
If you're expecting that your GPS would work right out of the box, then the answer is, maybe - maybe not. and its not android's fault, its a samsung issue. There are multiple fixes for the GPS that you can find on the forum, that being said, if you plan on utilizing those fixes, like you said not only will you void your warranty but you alone will be venturing into that experiment on your phone and dev will not be responsible for any damage that may or may not happen to your phone. But then again no guts, no glory.
So all in all, if you do end up getting the captivate, i dont think you'll be utterly disappointed, but at the same time i dont think you'll be able to sit back either when you see all these new developments posted here.
Hopefully i helped you a little and if i said too much then i apologize.
I welcome any senior member of the forum to correct me if im wrong and/or make any additions to what ive said above..
happy forumming....

My brother has a Samsung focus. It's buggy as hell, completely counter intuitive, and incomplete. Theres also no apps at all. He has like 3 different crappy youtube apps and sound boards.
And there's no CM7 to one day fix it.
Sent from my Captivate.

anandsamuel,
An excellent response; truly what I was looking for to understand the issues involved regarding Android and SmartPhones. You did not say too much.
I guess I need to start reading so I understand how to root a Captivate!
Rick

Also, that font is irritating to read.

RAVC1 said:
All,
I am new here and to SmartPhones. I like Captivate because it has low radiation.
I am impressed with the activities I see here and on CyanogenMod. However, these give me cause for concern regarding the energy level required to accomplish them. Linux is good but I am returning to graduate school in the fall so I am concerned regarding the requirement of these phones and OS's. I would appreciate it if some of you could explain why so much work occurs with Android. Is much of this activity born out of the decision of carriers to control OS releases to specific phones? I see this as a major factor presently.
With that said, it does appear Samsung blew it with regard to v2.2 and the Galaxy S phones. I am nearly embarrassed to inform you that I own two Samsung LCD monitors after learning of this negative experience.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok lets slow you down there. first android is linux BASED not linux. there is no need to worry about OS/ device compatibility. the most interaction between the phone and PC are just file copying like through a usb thumb drive.
the next part regarding carriers/updates/samsung. you answered yourself, kinda, and backwards. Samsung didnt blow it.
Google android updates as much as any software does - to make things better.
they release to manufacturers so they can make it work with their hardware.
Samsung released on time, BUT TO THE CARRIERS.
the carriers then take what samsung gave them and add their carrier specific settings (APN ect) and applications (bloatware).
ATT blew the update timeline.
Sometimes manufacturers release their finished product as "source code" untouched by carriers.
the long process is necessary in each step to (attempt) to make a perfect software package that will work with each phone/carrier out of the box for the end user. so it is unfair to say "born out of the decision of carriers to control OS releases to specific phones"
XDA works off of source codes and carrier releases to make our custom updates.
Clearly, I void the warranty if I embrace the activities here but this just rationalizes the choice of a refurbished phone!
Please attempt to characterize the time requirement for becoming involved with these Samsung Galaxy phones and Android. I know I am not the type of person to be interested in continually working with my phone to make it better. However, I also know my limited perspective can be biasing reality with this OS and these SmartPhones unnecessarily negative.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
there are ways to return your phone without them knowing what you did. dont worry too much about your "voided" warranty.
before i felt comfortable flashing I took about 3 days reading my A$$ off! and currently im off on workers comp. so that was 3 FULL days. even then i had issues and mistakes and my phone was out of service a few nights! but that is part of the fun.
you do not need to be the type of person to constantly update your phone to buy it. tens of thousands of people have this phone on stock firmware and it fully works. the extra effort and time that we here at XDA and cyanogenMOD do is more out of fun, and customization. Many would argue function as well, as we do sometimes fix things *better* than google/samsung/carriers. but things willl *usually* still function on stock even if on a basic level.
you only need to put in as much as you want to get out of it
so timeline,
flashing custom roms/themes PROPERLY - under a week
cutting and pasting roms frankenROMS - under a month or 2
creating - vast back knowlege of programming, ect YEAR(S)
regarding wanting to update often, not every update on XDA to your rom is necessary unles it fixes something you didnt have.
Each Android/Carrier update, would be recomended (or the XDA counterpart) as each new android version (not rom) contains the most updates/fixes. so if you were running a 2.2 (custom or stock) rom it WOULD be worth upgrading to 2.3 when available (custom or stock). but you dont NEED to update your custom rom every couple weeks when they put out their minor update on the same base rom (2.2 for eg.)
Oddly, my wife is considering the Focus because it would give her the MS support she needs with work. Regardless, it does appear we have found a few excellent Internet resources for these choices...I just want to ensure I am not getting in over my head.
Thanks,
Rick
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no comment. best regards

Trusselo,
Excellent, thoughtful response; it helped characterize this activity further for me. My concern is now recognized (and conveyed to others...) as not wanting to be required to become a developer to make my involvement with a SmartPhone constructive. Samsung, Android, XDA looks very good to me. As you mentioned, my reading has begun.
Yes, something is not right with my traditional Comic Sans Serif font here; it seems to compress it horizontally, but my aging eyes typically need this font.

It's back to Oreo and this time it's forever

I've given Samsung (and Google) the benefit of the doubt and tried their new phone and new UI software. I returned my S10 and reverted my Note 9 back to Oreo. Now life makes sense again for me. I'm also someone who's guilty of impulse purchases. I'm trying to be better about that. Mobile tech can be addicting.
The new UI on the Note 9 feels like it's been crippled. Like Google, and to a certain extent Samsung, are inching closer and closer to Apple territory. Meaning that they are removing more and more features away and pushing users into tighter boxes. Call recording apps, theming apps, greater control over GPS settings, greater control over camera settings, easier to understand camera settings, and just other faux improvements that leave users feeling like they're using a half-baked OS.
The S10 was fine enough but without the features and apps that I've grown to dearly depend on my Oreo Note 9, I couldn't live with it. It makes me realize that there is no hope that such apps and features will ever make it to the new Note later this fall either.
Not without root. And that means that unless I want to keep this Oreo Note 9 for the rest of its life, any future Note device will have to be Exynos. Which makes me a bit disappointed because the SD chips have been bringing some great features to these phones. But we will never be able to count on reliable unlocking of SD Samsung phones here in North America so from now on it's Exynos for me because I will be relying on root access to get the features that I want but more importantly the features that I NEED.
I'm curious if anyone else feels the same way about this. About Oreo and the direction Samsung and Google are moving from here. I just wish we could stay on Oreo and continue getting security patches and other bug fixes along the way. Without being forced to switch to Pie. I will never understand this need among some users to quickly update to the latest OS version. They feel content to live with bugs in order to use some new features? An OS that's not fully baked in? That's good for them? I don't get it. Not that I'm supposed to get it. Just saying, it seems irrational to me. But that's me.
Something needs to change. Samsung and other parties need to come together and agree to let us unlock and root our phones. If we buy these phones outright, unlocked and outside of carriers, we deserve to do whatever we want with them. And that includes unlocking and rooting. Something needs to give. For a while there, Samsung seemed to be looking at the things people were rooting for and introducing them on their next phones.
But now, it feels like they've moving in the opposite direction. I fear that Samsung will no longer be known as the manufacture that gives its users more features than they need and more options to customize their smartphone experience. It feels as if those days are now over and we will be forced to just accept whatever Samsung gives us out of the box.
Not unlike what iPhone users are forced to do with their smartphone experience.
Long live Oreo! Long live the Note 9!

Why not sell it and get n9600? Snapdragon and rootable.
Best of both worlds.

roaduardo said:
I've given Samsung (and Google) the benefit of the doubt and tried their new phone and new UI software. I returned my S10 and reverted my Note 9 back to Oreo. Now life makes sense again for me. I'm also someone who's guilty of impulse purchases. I'm trying to be better about that. Mobile tech can be addicting.
The new UI on the Note 9 feels like it's been crippled. Like Google, and to a certain extent Samsung, are inching closer and closer to Apple territory. Meaning that they are removing more and more features away and pushing users into tighter boxes. Call recording apps, theming apps, greater control over GPS settings, greater control over camera settings, easier to understand camera settings, and just other faux improvements that leave users feeling like they're using a half-baked OS.
The S10 was fine enough but without the features and apps that I've grown to dearly depend on my Oreo Note 9, I couldn't live with it. It makes me realize that there is no hope that such apps and features will ever make it to the new Note later this fall either.
Not without root. And that means that unless I want to keep this Oreo Note 9 for the rest of its life, any future Note device will have to be Exynos. Which makes me a bit disappointed because the SD chips have been bringing some great features to these phones. But we will never be able to count on reliable unlocking of SD Samsung phones here in North America so from now on it's Exynos for me because I will be relying on root access to get the features that I want but more importantly the features that I NEED.
I'm curious if anyone else feels the same way about this. About Oreo and the direction Samsung and Google are moving from here. I just wish we could stay on Oreo and continue getting security patches and other bug fixes along the way. Without being forced to switch to Pie. I will never understand this need among some users to quickly update to the latest OS version. They feel content to live with bugs in order to use some new features? An OS that's not fully baked in? That's good for them? I don't get it. Not that I'm supposed to get it. Just saying, it seems irrational to me. But that's me.
Something needs to change. Samsung and other parties need to come together and agree to let us unlock and root our phones. If we buy these phones outright, unlocked and outside of carriers, we deserve to do whatever we want with them. And that includes unlocking and rooting. Something needs to give. For a while there, Samsung seemed to be looking at the things people were rooting for and introducing them on their next phones.
But now, it feels like they've moving in the opposite direction. I fear that Samsung will no longer be known as the manufacture that gives its users more features than they need and more options to customize their smartphone experience. It feels as if those days are now over and we will be forced to just accept whatever Samsung gives us out of the box.
Not unlike what iPhone users are forced to do with their smartphone experience.
Long live Oreo! Long live the Note 9!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so what apps made it so that you had to go back to a device supporting oreo?

bober10113 said:
so what apps made it so that you had to go back to a device supporting oreo?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Call recording being the biggest one and overall smaller ways in which the OS is laid out. Like with the camera settings and notifications work.

Not with you on this.
I quite like OneUI.

HuStLaZ said:
Not with you on this.
I quite like OneUI.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's fair. We're all different.

Bought my Note 9 when One UI was just released. Had a lot of trouble with several key apps (banking, mail, weather and some news apps). Had crashes and graphical glitches almost every day and every week a "fatal" crash were I had to restart my Note with a button combination. I was thinking about returning my device. Kept is and installed the latest Oreo 8.1 version. Almost all software problems are gone. For 3 days not a single crash. Keep my fingers crossed

dont know if you guys side loaded the beta update but on a fresh pie install, not updated, i dont have any of the issues reported.

i have to say my experience is totally different. I think OneUI is fantastic and a major differentiator. i think samsung has taken the OS and built on it. I am a phone junkie and regularly look to buy other devices, but this is the first time im sticking to Samsung not only because of HW but now SW.

I'm a happy camper with One UI. Not gonna lie, I loved how Oreo on note 9 looked. But I'm guilty of upgrading phones twice every year. A fresh look gives me no reason to upgrade to S10 lol. I'll wait till note 10 comes out.

bober10113 said:
dont know if you guys side loaded the beta update but on a fresh pie install, not updated, i dont have any of the issues reported.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. My Note upgraded to Pie/One UI immediately after talking it out of the box and setting it up. My user experience with the Note is One Ui only. I've factory reset (deleting data and settings) my Note four times (installed a different set of apps every time) and didn't use a backup (coming from an iPhone) so it was a 100% fresh install. The problems started the same evening, the first crash was within a few hours. With Oreo i'm missing a few features (night mode and lift to wake for example). One Ui is definitely looking more polished.

Friendly reminder, the only constant in the technology world is change. Anyway, Pie takes some getting use to and my biggest complaint is notifications have stopped while my screen is off. I still get calls and texts, but everything else stopped. Android called it Doze and change is inevitable.
https://developer.android.com/training/monitoring-device-state/doze-standby

I like one UI a lot. It's very modern and fluid. I don't have many issues with it. I've disabled updates, though, hoping for root to come soon so I can flash even better customized one UI roms and remove the crap they include permanently instead of just disabling it. That way the phone is lighter and the processor wouldn't have to work as hard.
I get your points, though.

I think I'll go back to Oreo also can't stand not to have my notifications play through the phone when connected to Bluetooth miss way to many notifications. I have to turn off media playback on bluetooth to have notifications play on the phone, and when playing Spotify the notifications interrupt the music hate that.

bligui said:
I think I'll go back to Oreo also can't stand not to have my notifications play through the phone when connected to Bluetooth miss way to many notifications. I have to turn off media playback on bluetooth to have notifications play on the phone, and when playing Spotify the notifications interrupt the music hate that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Finally someone else that has this issue. I thought I was only one..lol
SM-N960U ONE UI PEACAN PIE

butchieboy said:
Finally someone else that has this issue. I thought I was only one..lol
SM-N960U ONE UI PEACAN PIE
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did, too, but never paid attention to it and I like it actually. I think it was done purposely so people don't text or check their social media and drive. Phone calls come through no problem.
---------- Post added at 12:53 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:36 PM ----------
butchieboy said:
Finally someone else that has this issue. I thought I was only one..lol
SM-N960U ONE UI PEACAN PIE
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And you of all people shouldn't be texting while driving, and you know why. [emoji23]

K-alz said:
I did, too, but never paid attention to it and I like it actually. I think it was done purposely so people don't text or check their social media and drive. Phone calls come through no problem.
---------- Post added at 12:53 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:36 PM ----------
And you of all people shouldn't be texting while driving, and you know why. [emoji23]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol...I dont kind sir.
SM-N960U ONE UI PEACAN PIE

butchieboy said:
Lol...I dont kind sir.
SM-N960U ONE UI PEACAN PIE
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mhm. I "believe" you. Then why were you concerned about the notifications going through your BT in the car? Haha

To each their own. I'm too old and way too busy now to deal with rooting, customizing, etc. Used to spend hours on it when I was in my 20s, the results were always disappointing. I have only a few requirents. The phone has to be secure (my corporate access apps and email account will not work on a rooted phone), reliable, and I have to have a way to set default apps. Camera has to be good but I don't care much for too many camera features or pro mode. I have a full frame dslr for when I want to take real pictures. And I really don't give a crap about filters. Never used them and never will.
So, apple is out of the question mainly because I can't set default apps (open Google maps instead of Apple maps for example), but I honestly think they are overpriced for substandard tech. And I can't think of any iPhone that comes close to the battery life of the note 9.
In summary, looking back, I don't miss having an unlocked bootloader phone. In fact, I can't think of a single good reason to root anymore. None of the custom roms or kernels are actually an improvement, and in my experience, they never have been. I actually like the new android.

sputnik767 said:
To each their own. I'm too old and way too busy now to deal with rooting, customizing, etc. Used to spend hours on it when I was in my 20s, the results were always disappointing. I have only a few requirents. The phone has to be secure (my corporate access apps and email account will not work on a rooted phone), reliable, and I have to have a way to set default apps. Camera has to be good but I don't care much for too many camera features or pro mode. I have a full frame dslr for when I want to take real pictures. And I really don't give a crap about filters. Never used them and never will.
So, apple is out of the question mainly because I can't set default apps (open Google maps instead of Apple maps for example), but I honestly think they are overpriced for substandard tech. And I can't think of any iPhone that comes close to the battery life of the note 9.
In summary, looking back, I don't miss having an unlocked bootloader phone. In fact, I can't think of a single good reason to root anymore. None of the custom roms or kernels are actually an improvement, and in my experience, they never have been. I actually like the new android.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not disagreeing with you but there certainly are still some good reasons (in my opinion) for rooting.
Disabled high volume warrning with headphones (I personally found this very annoying)
System wide ad blocking
More efficient kernels
Use of Samsung's built-in call recorder
Battery charge limiting
The option to install AOSP based ROMs (Although the lack of HWC means battery life is poor)
Biometric unlock after reboot
More theming options
Use any app with the dual app tool

General ABOUT ALL THE PROBLEM YOU HAD/HAVE

Im so tired to read all the comment about bad things about this phone , i mean i personally doesnt habe the perfect phone , i came with some problems too but then i realize u will NEVER find this phone good enough when you only looking for it mistakes . Dude u should be happy own this phone , since the others can only dream for it . No phone is perfect ? You think iphone is better ? Or any other brand ? Well please use the others , and im sure you will do the same , you will found that all phones have their own problem , probably to make the phone perfect for you , you just have to accept what it is and be happy with it . Or buy a new phone that you consider better , and lets see did u complain too or no .
imo phone will get better in updates

As with everything else from phones to cars you'll only find people posting about the faults, you never get people posting about the good things. That's fine though.

Get better with updates?
You're in for some surprises.
Like a bad gf updates just keep giving

Well, tbh there's no such thing as perfect in this universe. Everything has flaws, flaws that make it unique.
Considering a phone, i believe, mobile companies tend to provide us with best of their hardware, however they do still lack behind when it comes to software. It may be appealing but it always lack certain features, tweaks, mods.
That is where custom roms comes in place.
We have Resurrection Remix - tweaking at it's extreme.
We have Lineage OS - stability at it's extreme.
For me, my perfect phone would be the flagship phone with a custom rom. What else you want huh? Consider Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G with Ressurection Remix, regardless of the fact that it has such a huge name XD.

I have bad delayed notification problems with my S21 Ultra.

felloffthetruck said:
I have bad delayed notification problems with my S21 Ultra.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try disabling -all- power management... destroyer of worlds
Developer options>standby apps, all buckets should show as active otherwise power management is active.
Be careful what apps you limit background data to and -don't- allow background battery usage as well.
It's most likely a settings misconfiguration... play with it.

I share the same feelings with this post. I think that moaning without really looking for any solution is useless.

eleven.co said:
Well, tbh there's no such thing as perfect in this universe. Everything has flaws, flaws that make it unique.
Considering a phone, i believe, mobile companies tend to provide us with best of their hardware, however they do still lack behind when it comes to software. It may be appealing but it always lack certain features, tweaks, mods.
That is where custom roms comes in place.
We have Resurrection Remix - tweaking at it's extreme.
We have Lineage OS - stability at it's extreme.
For me, my perfect phone would be the flagship phone with a custom rom. What else you want huh? Consider Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G with Ressurection Remix, regardless of the fact that it has such a huge name XD.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where did you find ressurection and lineage for the s21? :O

babyboy3265 said:
Where did you find ressurection and lineage for the s21? :O
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol, there aren't any atm. But, but. They will be in near future. So, you know, it will be really fun.

eleven.co said:
Lol, there aren't any atm. But, but. They will be in near future. So, you know, it will be really fun.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea for sure... Only sadly the cameras wouldn't function at their max potential... Which kinda makes the mentioned roms unnecessary. :/

babyboy3265 said:
Yea for sure... Only sadly the cameras wouldn't function at their max potential... Which kinda makes the mentioned roms unnecessary. :/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea. You are right. They should import the stock camera apps in those roms for that to work.

blackhawk said:
Try disabling -all- power management... destroyer of worlds
Developer options>standby apps, all buckets should show as active otherwise power management is active.
Be careful what apps you limit background data to and -don't- allow background battery usage as well.
It's most likely a settings misconfiguration... play with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I've already done of this with no positive results at all.

felloffthetruck said:
Thanks, I've already done of this with no positive results at all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Keep playing with it. Took me close to a year to fully sort out my Note 10+.
It runs extremely well now.

I have the perfect smartphone!
Does it have an SD card slot?
Yes!
Is it micro-SD format?
Yes
Does it support up to 1TB of SD memory?
Yes!
Does it support UFS 3.1?
Yes!
Is the SD slot on the bottom of the phone?
Yes! ... ?
Can the SD card be inserted face down?
No...? Why?
Doesn't sound perfect to me. My last phone before my last phone allowed you to insert the SD card upside down!
It's not the phones or the manufacturers, it's us!

Hi guys! I'm a new user of s21 Ultra. My last Android phone was LG G2.
I am using the Snapdragon version. The stock camera, the image it produce has too much contrast and doesn't seem natural to me. I am a hobbyist photographer so I could say what is good or what. And it isn't for me.
My version is up to date. All software update installed. Am i missing something here or it is what it is?

marshygeek said:
Hi guys! I'm a new user of s21 Ultra. My last Android phone was LG G2.
I am using the Snapdragon version. The stock camera, the image it produce has too much contrast and doesn't seem natural to me. I am a hobbyist photographer so I could say what is good or what. And it isn't for me.
My version is up to date. All software update installed. Am i missing something here or it is what it is?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check your display settings>screen mode.
Not sure what your options are but the "natural" setting produces truer rendering.
The vivid mode looks way oversaturated.
You may have more options in Developer options but probably not.

blackhawk said:
Check your display settings>screen mode.
Not sure what your options are but the "natural" setting produces truer rendering.
The vivid mode looks way oversaturated.
You may have more options in Developer options but probably not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello, thanks for the reply. Unfortunately, i am only using the "Natural" option. There is just too much noise on the image even though there is enough light not to force the phone to use high ISO.

marshygeek said:
Hello, thanks for the reply. Unfortunately, i am only using the "Natural" option. There is just too much noise on the image even though there is enough light not to force the phone to use high ISO.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try resetting camera data and clearing system cache.
Any case or cover that could be interfering?
Otherwise it may be a firmware or hardware issue.

SOLUTION TO DELAYED-NOTIFICATIONS:
Enable USB debugging on the phone.
You just unzip the file provided here in your PC: https://www.xda-developers.com/install-adb-windows-macos-linux/
Navigate to it via terminal.
Then, after you connect the phone to your PC, run:
./adb devices
./adb shell dumpsys deviceidle disable
That'll fix it for sure.
I simply cannot recommend Android to my normie friends and family.
Let me restate this: It is not our job to fix Google's bugs.
This is a US-centric view.
If you can't tell: I am a bit aggravated right now.
I could not get my GMail, GCal, and other notifications to come through properly on Pixel 5's Android 11 OR S21 Ultra's Android 11.
This has apparently been an issue that many an Android user suffers through silently -- and, some don't even know that this is happening to them. I guess they're embarrassed to publicly state that their mobile OS is subpar.
When you get an e-mail or if a calendar event reminder is coming up, and even if your phone's screen is OFF/locked: you should get an *instant* notification. No delay whatsoever.
Well, if my screen was off/locked, I wouldn't get these notifications or it would take 10+ minutes to show. But, once I unlocked my phone: boom, notifications. And, sometimes even if my screen wasn't locked, there would be a serious delay or no notification.
After spending loads of time trying to fix this problem, me and my friend finally stumbled upon a solution: ./adb shell dumpsys deviceidle disable
A reboot eliminates this setting modification, by the way.
Do not tell me that instant e-mail notifications are not necessary. Many of us work jobs that require them to be instant.
No end user should ever have to go through this. iPhone users certainly don't go through this.
If Google doesn't care about Android users, then, why should I, as an Android user, care about Android too? Just switch to iPhone, I guess.
Google pays Apple $10bn+ every year and makes better software for iOS than it does for Android.
Just look at the damn widgets that iOS users get.
So, $10bn/year plus the cost of the software developed to cater to iOS users.
This makes Google a simp cuck to Apple, nothing else.
Would Apple ever return this favor? No.
Therefore, Google management is a simp cucked by Apple, nothing more.
We are fools to be using this OS.
If Google is willing to subsidize my iOS software updates and experience to the tune of billions of dollars every single year -- then, why not just switch?
Clearly, my experience has shown me that Android can be cheaper -- if I don't value my time.
Statistic after statistic bears it out: iPhone users are wealthier.
I am tired of being an Android luser -- why should I take on such abuse and neglect by the main author of my mobile OS?
Before you start patronizing me: YES, I tried every other bloody trick in the book to fix this issue.
No end user should ever have to go through this! No end user should have to run adb commands to enable basic functionality.
There are some basic things that modern smartphones should just be able to do: instant notifications, 3rd party camera support, functioning RCS or some other form of E2EE messaging built-in, reliable local backups, a nationwide network of repair facilities, etc.
Android fails on all of these.
iPhone ordered. Glad to leave this Android ghetto behind.
Hey Google, if you have some self-respect: then, instead of paying Apple $10bn an year and doing iOS development, how about you actually work on some basic Android functionality instead?

nixnixnixnix4 said:
I simply cannot recommend Android to my normie friends and family.
No end user should ever have to go through this! No end user should have to run adb commands to enable basic functionality.
There are some basic things that modern smartphones should just be able to do: instant notifications, 3rd party camera support, functioning RCS or some other form of E2EE messaging built-in, reliable local backups, a nationwide network of repair facilities, etc.
Android fails on all of these.
iPhone ordered. Glad to leave this Android ghetto behind.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wish you all the best, and a happy life with your new iPhone. Life is short and there's no point putting up with what you hate.
I can see you're really upset about a lot of stuff on Android. You do make some very valid points about what's broken in Android. And I guess any of those can trigger a person ebough to make them switch to iOS. But I think it also has something to do with the user's requirement and not the OS alone. If there was just one "best" OS, nobody would spend more than a thousand dollars on an alternative. It's good to have a choice, and in your case, I'm glad you've exercised that in favor of what you think with add more value to your life.
I've had both iPhones and Android phones for years and both of them offer 90% of the same functions that you'd expect from a good smartphone. The remaining 10% is where you have to make a choice. There are many things to choose from: stability vs experimental features, customisation vs familiarity, update cycle, longevity, resale value, tinker-ability (I know that's not a word ), app support (there are some apps that only support one or the other OS), and the list goes on.
My childhood friend and me bought matching MacBook Pros when we jumped ship into the Apple ecosystem with an iPhone and an iPad. We were "sick" of android, and wanted a taste of the premium life that the fruit promised to offer. Five years on, he still uses all his Apple gadgets and has added a homepod, an apple watch and airpods to his growing apple inventory, whilst upgrading the the latest idevices every two years. Me on the other hand, went from MacOS to a bootcamped Windows installation after a year of purchase and don't even boot into MacOS unless I have to use Final Cut Pro. My workflow goes best with Windows, no matter how good MacOS may be. On the other hand, his doesn't - he's completely iin love with the Apple way, and that's fine.
Same with iOS. I kept the iPhone for 2 years before trading it in for a OnePlus because I hated being told that there was a "correct" way of doing something and only that way was allowed. I couldn't live with an OS that denied me access to my device's filesystem! That, in my opinion is a basic requirement - but this may not be the case for everyone. I like a robust notification system and I've found the Android implementation head and shoulders above what Apple offers. I like third party app stores and the ability to sideload apps on my phone. I can't get that on iOS. And the best part - if I don't like something on Android, it's possible I can fix it with some workaround (like the one you posted). I agree with you that no end user should have to do that, but regardless, it can be done if you want to. No such possibility exists on the other side of the fence. So I chose to live with the shortcomings of Android as opposed to the shortcomings of iOS - simply becasuse the former were more acceptable to me than the latter, not because Android is better or worse that iOS. It just offers me what "I" want in a mobile operating system.
It may be the opposite in the next person's case - someone who values the other side of the equation more, like yourself. That's why it's good to have a choice.
But i sincerely believe that it's not so bad on the Android side of things. It is a very versatile and stable operating system offering a lot of flexibility and customisability on par with a full fleged desktop class operating system. In the end, it boils down to a blend of the OS and the user, not either one in isolation.
I wish you the best with your new device. They are arguably beautiful pieces of technology. Have fun!
Hope to see you back on XDA in the future.

Question Should I Unlock the bootloader?

First off, yes i have searched thru the forums for an answer but none of those that I found are direct to my questions...
I just placed an order for S21 Ultra Exynos. Should be arriving within the next 2 days or so..
My questions are: (this will be my first Samsung phone)
1) Is one UI good enough? or is it worth it to flash a custom from (previously I used to flash custom from for better battery life and also advance customization.
2) If I unlock the bootloader, will I still receive firmware updates?
I'm basically buying this particular phone for its excellent battery life, camera, and performance.
And also because Samsung promised 3-4 years for firmware updates. I believe this phone will last for at least 3 years.
And I'm thinking of unlocking the bootloader on day 1 itself before even setting up anything. That way I would save my time from losing stuff by resetting after unlocking BL.
3) and also, did anyone get the Samsung care+ extended warranty? Is it worth it?
I have never broken a phone before in my life thus far. But since this is gonna be the most expensive phone I have ever bought, I would prefer to secure my investment. (another reason why I'm considering not to unlock bootloader/root as of yet).
Thank you soo much.
Have not done rooting for a long time. Lost touch will all this stuff.
Hence the noobie questions.

1. One UI is quite good. There aren't a ton of custom ROMs out there for this phone. Even the most popular ones that exist are still based on one UI.
2. and 3. contradict each other. If you're bothered about warranty AT ALL, don't unlock your bootloader. You can never return to 100% stock on Samsung. Knox will remain tripped so bye bye warranty. Unless of course your country has laws allowing this and you can fight Samsung. They tend to deny warranty if you've modified your phone software. YMMV. I don't have Samsung Care so I don't know about that.
Since you asked for suggestions, mine would be not to be hasty and play around with the device to see if you need to unlock/root/flash etc.
Rooting on day 1 just so you can avoid having to set up phone again is pretty lazy and dangerous. Especially since you've been out of the game for a while.
Baby steps buddy. Better safe than sorry.

enigmaamit said:
1. One UI is quite good. There aren't a ton of custom ROMs out there for this phone. Even the most popular ones that exist are still based on one UI.
2. and 3. contradict each other. If you're bothered about warranty AT ALL, don't unlock your bootloader. You can never return to 100% stock on Samsung. Knox will remain tripped so bye bye warranty. Unless of course your country has laws allowing this and you can fight Samsung. They tend to deny warranty if you've modified your phone software. YMMV. I don't have Samsung Care so I don't know about that.
Since you asked for suggestions, mine would be not to be hasty and play around with the device to see if you need to unlock/root/flash etc.
Rooting on day 1 just so you can avoid having to set up phone again is pretty lazy and dangerous. Especially since you've been out of the game for a while.
Baby steps buddy. Better safe than sorry.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Isn´t it sad, that we spent more than 1000 bucks on a device, that in the end, we will never truly own?
I´ve been thinking about this issue since i got my Note 9 (3 years ago)...
The balance between, what we want the device to do for, and what we are allowed to do in the device, without losing support in case of hardware failure...
I, mainly, used to root for 3 reasons: 1 - Ads removal from software; 2 - Control/modification of the system files and 3 - Easy backup and restore with TWRP
And as we all are aware, a few changes in a system file, can avoid the installation of a third party software (e.g. Call Recording) so it seems to be more efficient to root... but then come the brands claming that we can´t do it because that would ruin the user experience that they planned for the device...
The Knox feature as been buffed up to a point that is increasingly harder to install a custom recovery. Something that a few years ago was a solution for a big number of users, now its just a work for those "geeks" that live for the challenge... The risks of brincking a VERY EXPENSIVE device are becaming bigger than the advantages that we would get with root... I guess we are playing into brands plans...
To be fair, brands also understood that they would have to give what users wanted if they wanted to avoid software alterations (except maybe Apple, who just gives what Apple consideres users should have)...
Customizations and bigger control of the software are trends that are growing up in Android skins (like OneUi).
I got my S21 Ultra a few weeks ago, and normally it would rooted and with a custom recovery by now, but the problems i faced with that in my Note 9, are still present in my mind... and i don´t want to face them again...
I manage to get my basic needs with some non-root software, and with GoodLock and Bixby Routines and can do almost everything i would do with the root... Still can´t avoid to have to install a third party software to record calls, something that could be done better with the native system, but that´s it...
In the end, you do you...
Just keep in mind the risks, and be ready to take responsability when something goes wrong... and the possibility of that happen is getting bigger every time they launch a new device...
RSGI

RSGI said:
Isn´t it sad, that we spent more than 1000 bucks on a device, that in the end, we will never truly own?
I´ve been thinking about this issue since i got my Note 9 (3 years ago)...
The balance between, what we want the device to do for, and what we are allowed to do in the device, without losing support in case of hardware failure...
I, mainly, used to root for 3 reasons: 1 - Ads removal from software; 2 - Control/modification of the system files and 3 - Easy backup and restore with TWRP
And as we all are aware, a few changes in a system file, can avoid the installation of a third party software (e.g. Call Recording) so it seems to be more efficient to root... but then come the brands claming that we can´t do it because that would ruin the user experience that they planned for the device...
The Knox feature as been buffed up to a point that is increasingly harder to install a custom recovery. Something that a few years ago was a solution for a big number of users, now its just a work for those "geeks" that live for the challenge... The risks of brincking a VERY EXPENSIVE device are becaming bigger than the advantages that we would get with root... I guess we are playing into brands plans...
To be fair, brands also understood that they would have to give what users wanted if they wanted to avoid software alterations (except maybe Apple, who just gives what Apple consideres users should have)...
Customizations and bigger control of the software are trends that are growing up in Android skins (like OneUi).
I got my S21 Ultra a few weeks ago, and normally it would rooted and with a custom recovery by now, but the problems i faced with that in my Note 9, are still present in my mind... and i don´t want to face them again...
I manage to get my basic needs with some non-root software, and with GoodLock and Bixby Routines and can do almost everything i would do with the root... Still can´t avoid to have to install a third party software to record calls, something that could be done better with the native system, but that´s it...
In the end, you do you...
Just keep in mind the risks, and be ready to take responsability when something goes wrong... and the possibility of that happen is getting bigger every time they launch a new device...
RSGI
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Agree. The trend for Android devices aping the Apple philosophy is disturbing. But for lack of good alternatives, we are left without too many choices. OnePlus seemed to be doing well on this front but lately they've also gone rogue. So we have to live with what we have, whether we like it or not...

guyderam said:
I'm basically buying this particular phone for its excellent battery life
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Okay so who's gonna tell him?
To be perfectly honest, the battery life is the only gripe I have with this phone. It's quite mediocre for a 5000mAh battery. Of course everyone's usage is different, but I expected better battery life. If you're not a "heavy" user you should be fine though!!
As for bootloader unlocking: I've had 2 S21 Ultras. I had the first one unlocked for a dumb reason, wanted to flash some magisk module to enable all lenses in Google Camera ports basically. Which is kinda funny because now with OneUI 4.0 all the lenses are available in GCam
back to the actual topic, now that I have my second S21U, I don't see a reason to unlock the bootloader. From what I've seen there's only one or two Exynos custom ROMs that are regularly updated. That's the first thing. The 2nd thing is, I just don't wanna trip Knox again and void my warranty.
For me unlocking the BL is not worth it (at the moment). You should consider the pros and the cons of unlocking and hopefully it'll be easier to decide then.
With that being said, enjoy your S21 Ultra, man.

jericho246 said:
Okay so who's gonna tell him?
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Thank you so much for the feedback guys.... got my questions answered. Doubt ill be doing anything for now. Gonna use it as it is and see how it goes.
Sadly yes, androids used to be fully customizable and this was the main reason people used to buy them. Unfortunately, phone companies seem to be making it harder and harder for us to do anything to our phones anymore these days.
Oh well....

guyderam said:
Thank you so much for the feedback guys.... got my questions answered. Doubt ill be doing anything for now. Gonna use it as it is and see how it goes.
Sadly yes, androids used to be fully customizable and this was the main reason people used to buy them. Unfortunately, phone companies seem to be making it harder and harder for us to do anything to our phones anymore these days.
Oh well....
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But really, what do you want to do with your phone that's not already in-built. I was thinking the same but over the years Android (and it's custom OEMs) have gotten a lot better with companies baking a lot of the magisk modules (their versions) into their ROMs...I didn't root my OnePlus 7Pro, neither the S21U..don't see the need to (at least for the time being)...

A few things, updates are forfeited after root and also be aware Android 12, One UI 4.0 is far from stable. If it hasn't been preinstalled you should consider ignoring the update until the numerous bugs are addressed. I've had a number of S Series devices, only the S8+ was a Exynos variant, all others had the Snapdragon SoC's and never had a warranty issue. I wouldn't buy the Samsung Care+ but it's like any other insurance, you hate paying for it but happy you did if you ever need it. Unless you're a power user battery life shouldn't be an issue but if it is you can review numerous posts for corrective solutions. Based on what you've shared it's probably best you hold off on unlocking the bootloader, to me there aren't many compelling reasons when one considers all the consequences. I think you'll be OK with the stock device.

I consider myself as a relatively advanced user and was always playing rooted with all of the S devices I had. There were always workarounds for root detection by apps and samsung itself BUT now things have changed and I regret having rooted my S21.
As samsung is enforcing its restrictions against root, I find myself (while being rooted) unable to connect my GW4, unable to use latest Samsung Health app, unable to use Samsung Pay and lately even the samsung account keeps disconnecting for "security reasons" several times a day... What a mess !
As previously said, returning to stock with locked bootloader won't give a 100% functional device as the tripped Knox will still be there preventing you from using some samsung apps and features !
If it gets more complicated, I only have 2 choices : get a "virgin" S21 or say goodbye to Samsung.
With that said, you now know where you're going if you choose to go that way

Question Things i will lose if i root my s21 ultra

Hello friends
as the title says what exactly i will lose if i root my device (S21Ultra exynos) ? All i know knox will be tripped. What exactly happens to it? Can i still get updates when im in stock version? I heard like some samsung apps stop working is there a way to bypass them?

Welcome to XDA
Well if you're in the US you lose warranty... that could get expensive. Given there's no track record for that phone yet and that all the variable refresh rate displays suffer a greater failure rate... you could be painting yourself into a corner. I keep it stock for at least a few months.
Personally my opinion is, I have two stock Note 10+'s that are optimized and run great. I don't update them. They are Snapdragon's which are notoriously hard to root.
It's simply not worth the risk of bricking them or the trouble. As they are they will last for years will minimal maintenance.

Many banks apps or payments apps won't work
No chance of trading your phone in and if you want to sell it privately its value is lower

blackhawk said:
Welcome to XDA
Well if you're in the US you lose warranty... that could get expensive. Given there's no track record for that phone yet and that all the variable refresh rate displays suffer a greater failure rate... you could be painting yourself into a corner. I keep it stock for at least a few months.
Personally my opinion is, I have two stock Note 10+'s that are optimized and run great. I don't update them. They are Snapdragon's which are notoriously hard to root.
It's simply not worth the risk of bricking them or the trouble. As they are they will last for years will minimal maintenance.
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Thankss

alessandro_xda said:
Many banks apps or payments apps won't work
No chance of trading your phone in and if you want to sell it privately its value is lower
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What about samsung apps? If so, can i bypass it?

How about I root my phone...change csc and flash back the stock rom.
Still samsung apps won't work ?

In addition to Banking apps, Samsung Pass and Samsung Heath won't work. Secure Folder will also be gone.
Flashing stock rom will not repare it.
Some tricks (eg root masking) may allow certain apps to be used.
The question is more: what does one really gain by rooting the phone...

OnnoJ said:
In addition to Banking apps, Samsung Pass and Samsung Heath won't work. Secure Folder will also be gone.
Flashing stock rom will not repare it.
Some tricks (eg root masking) may allow certain apps to be used.
The question is more: what does one really gain by rooting the phone...
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Having access for everything? System files, etc...i know you can have some of it with ADB. you will be able to customize apps for example with Xposed modules.

Great thread!
This is the first phone I've owned where I'm actually OK being without root. Using Adb Appcontrol, I was able to debloat the snot outta this phone and have exceptional performance & battery life on A11. It's tempting to root, but the tradeoffs seem a little high this go around. I'm staying unrooted.

burnxtc said:
Great thread!
This is the first phone I've owned where I'm actually OK being without root. Using Adb Appcontrol, I was able to debloat the snot outta this phone and have exceptional performance & battery life on A11. It's tempting to root, but the tradeoffs seem a little high this go around. I'm staying unrooted.
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If you could disable scoped storage by rooting it might be worth it, but not sure it's possible to do even in a rooted phone.
Prior to the Gookill scoped storage turd dropping you could get good functionality with a stock Samsung running on Android 9 and a bit less so with Android 10 by optimizing it.
Android 12 is very restrictive and authoritarian... no one likes a big sister.

blackhawk said:
If you could disable scoped storage by rooting it might be worth it, but not sure it's possible to do even in a rooted phone.
Prior to the Gookill scoped storage turd dropping you could get good functionality with a stock Samsung running on Android 9 and a bit less so with Android 10 by optimizing it.
Android 12 is very restrictive and authoritarian... no one likes a big sister.
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Totally with you on this. And with you on your prior comments of not taking updates. For the last 20 years or so, I've always been on the cusp of firmware, driver, software etc. updates but lately? If it ain't broke, don't fix it. My current build (4AUJ7) is nearly flawless. Only things I miss are the stock camera updates & battery configuration abilities. I've learned to live without them.

burnxtc said:
Totally with you on this. And with you on your prior comments of not taking updates. For the last 20 years or so, I've always been on the cusp of firmware, driver, software etc. updates but lately? If it ain't broke, don't fix it. My current build (4AUJ7) is nearly flawless. Only things I miss are the stock camera updates & battery configuration abilities. I've learned to live without them.
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Any more updates seem like more giving shiny trinkets to the native girls... than giving real tangible benefits for all the trouble they will bring.
Google hype of evolving vulnerabilities is sounding more like the covid bs hype every day.
In actual usage with care, Pie remains relatively secure. This N10+ in my hand OS load will be 2 yo in June with minimal maintenance, still fast, stable and fulfilling its mission. I keep wifi disabled (not needed), use Karma Firewall, Package Disabler, use only vetted apps, keep email in the cloud, and hawk all downloads which are kept in the download folder until vetted.
All thing users should be doing anyway; a currently updated Android doesn't mean you're impervious to malware at all. Most users install the malware themselves inadvertently by ineptitude. No WhatsApp, Tic-tok, FB or any trashware on my N10+'s!!!
I'm still slowly shaking down the new N10+ running on Android 10, it will never be upgraded more than likely. My impression so far is it's less capable than the Pie variant but usable.
Android 11 and certainly 12 would break it.
No trinkets are worth that... I'm prepared to do a factory reset at anytime if needed.
The fact that I am and have a hair trigger on the nuke option affords me a zero tolerance for any malware that can't be fully eradicated within an hour or two.
Any odd behavior is easy to spot because I'm not constantly changing the playing field with updates/upgrades; I know exactly how this load behaves. It's expendable but the critical data is not which is why that is redundantly backed up with multiple time staggered backups on multiple isolated drives.
I'm not one bit pleased with either Samsung's or Google Android's products in the last 2-3 years; they suck. This 3 yo N10+ is only marginally slower then the S22U and in some instances faster. It has better SOT/screen off battery life, expandable storage (data drive!), a better color rendering index/white point, and a proven track record of reliability. It has a better form factor, higher display bevel ratio and is a better looking phone. It's usability and functionality on Android 9/10 exceeds all the newer Samsung flagships.
WTF Samsung, Gookill? blah, keep your trinkets, no sale!
Feel the wuv...

lunatix01 said:
Hello friends
as the title says what exactly i will lose if i root my device (S21Ultra exynos) ? All i know knox will be tripped. What exactly happens to it? Can i still get updates when im in stock version? I heard like some samsung apps stop working is there a way to bypass them?
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Perderai tutte le funzionalità di SamsungPass!!!
Mod translation via GT: You will lose all the features of Samsung Pass !!!

Database Develop

welcome