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technodragon · 5 years ago

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Installing MicroG On Odexed Devices

NOTE: MicroG is software that restores the Google functionality in degoogled devices in a manner that the user has more control over, its goal is to achieve a better balance between control/privacy and functionality. Yes, it gives the user more control over what data Google has access to and transmits less data to Google, but some data is transmitted during the use of MicroG, this is unavoidable. Whether or not you choose to use MicroG should be a cost vs. benefits analogy. At any rate whether you choose to use it or not is up to you to decide.

DISCLAIMER

I am not responsible for anything resulting from installing MicroG or required software, I can only say that this installation works for me. MicroG is a compromise that implements open source versions of proprietary code from Google. MicroG will still send data to Google, just not nearly as much as Google Services Framework. Not everything will work with MicroG but most things that require Google Services Framework should work. If your goal is full privacy then you can skip this chapter, if your goal is a balance between usability and privacy that leans more toward functionality then MicroG may be a good alternative to Google Services Framework. There are multiple steps in installing MicroG but don’t worry, it should be easy if you use Magisk Manager to install some of the main components.

CHECKING TO SEE IF YOUR ANDROID ROM IS ODEXED

Using a file explorer with root access, navigate to the /system/app directory. Do a search there for “*.odex”

If there are results found for that search, your android ROM is odexed. But don;t worry, there is a workaround.

INSTALLING PREREQUISITES

In order to use MicroG properly on an odexed system, you will have to install Xposed Framework. But first, Xposed Framework requires Busybox. The fastest and most reliable way to install them (and a couple of other cool things) involves using Magisk Manager.

First, open Magisk Manager. Tap on the menu icon at the top left of the screen, then tap on Downloads.

Tap the magnifying glass icon at the top right to search. Search for Busybox.

Now, tap the arrow beside Busybox to install it. Wait for the file to download but leave Magisk Manager open to ensure that the file is installed.

Magisk Manager will automatically start installing, it will display a screen with text indicating what is going on and the word Flashing animated at the top. Magisk Manager has finished installing when you see the word Done at the top and a yellow reboot button at the lower right of the screen. Tap this button to reboot.

While you’re at it, you could use Magisk to install F-Droid Privileged Extension, this will allow F-Droid to install things automatically.

The next step is to install F-Droid. You will use this app to install Xposed Installer and unifiednlp back ends. Don’t install Unified NLP from F-Droid.

You can download F-Droid from https://f-droid.org

Install and run F-Droid. At first the main screen will be empty, just give it a few minutes to update its repositories. You will know that F-Droid is done updating its repositories when you see the screen cluttered with apps.

Tap on the green search icon at the lower right of the screen. Search for Xposed Installer.

Tap on Xposed Installer and then tap on Install to install it. If you did not install F-Droid Privileged Extension, you will have to wait for the file to download (if this is your first time installing anything in F-Droid you would be prompted to grant it permission to install apps, do so). When it is done the installation dialog should open (or the Install button will just turn into an Open button with F-Droid Privileged Extension).

Install FakeGapps in the same manner that you installed Xposed Installer.

Now, tap on the text box at the top of the screen and search for “nlp”

Install of the nlp back ends you would be comfortable with using. Or, just install them all and decide later.

Ignore Unified NLP (Gapps) and Unified NLP (NoGapps) Legacy because there are better versions that will be installed later.

Search for and install satstat. This app will be used to verify that the location back ends are working later.

Do a search for and try to install Xposed using Magisk. If that fails, try installing Xposed Dalvik (if your Android version is 6 or earlier).

If both installations fail, search for Riru Core in Magisk, install Riru Core, then search for Edxposed and install both of the versions found there.

Now is the time to check the installation. Open Xposed Installer.

A warning will be displayed on the screen warning you that installing Xposed could brick your device. Tap on the check box beside “Don’t show this again” and OK to continue.

There should be a green box with a check mark with the Exposed version listed below it. If not, you can still skip the rest of this part and install MicroG but it will not fully work.

Tap on the menu at the top left and tap on Download, tap the magnifying glass icon and search for UnifiedNLP, install XposedGmsCoreUnifiedNLP.

(If you do not want to install Google Play Games later if prompted due to privacy concerns, you can optionally install No Play Games in the same manner. Games that actually require it will not work but at least games that can work without it will not insist so intently that it be installed.)

Tap the menu button at the upper left, then tap on Modules.

Tap the check box beside Fake Gapps and XposedGmsCoreUnifiedNLP (and No Play Games, if you desire to block use of that app). This will activate these apps next time you restart your phone.

Restart your phone.

(You can, if desired, open Magisk and go to Modules in the menu, then uninstall any versions of Xposed Framework that did not work leaving only the working version.)

INSTALLING MICROG

Open your web browser, navigate to https://microg.org/download.html

Hold your finger on the link on this page. When a menu pops up, choose Copy.

Open F-Droid. This time, tap on the Settings icon.

Now, tap on Repositories. Then, tap the + sign at the top right corner.

You will see that the MicroG repository was automatically filled in. Tap on Add to add this repository.

Tap your phone’s back button and then tap on Latest or Categories.

Drag your finger downwards on the screen to reload repositories.

Search for “microg”

Install any app labelled as MicroG (there should be 3 of them) and FakeStore.

Tap the back button, select Latest or Categories. Search for and install Aurora Store. Aurora Store is a good replacement for Google Play Store and you can use anonymous throwaway Gmail accounts, set it to have root access, install into another profile and automatically update apps. The only thing missing is the ability to purchase paid apps but don’t worry, most apps are free and you can download the ones you bought with your Google account (if you use it).

Use Magisk Manager to download and install MicroG Installer. Somehow this helps to fix an issue with using the UnifiedNLP back end for location and occasional MicroG crashes (and possibly other issues?)

CONFIGURING LOCATION SETTINGS IN UNIFIED NLP OR MICROG

First, open the Settings app. Navigate to Security & Location > Location

Make sure Use Location is enabled. Then, tap on App Level Permissions.

Enable location for all of the location back ends you installed.

Tap the Back button, then Scanning. Here, you will decide whether or not you want Google’s location services to scan wifi and Bluetooth even when those services are turned off. If your goal is privacy, you can turn these off to use only the UnifiedNLP back ends you selected.

Tap the back button, then Advanced > UnifiedNLPSettings > Configure location back ends.

Select the location back end(s) you want to use by tapping the check boxes. Tap on the gear icons beside the check boxes for additional settings.

Here is a brief description of the location back ends:

GSM Location Service requires selecting desired areas but may use an offline database. The Mozilla Location Services option is the only one that works at first but you can register with OpenCellID and use an API from there to use that service.

Wifi Location Service requires you to separately grant it location access by tapping on “Tap To Grant Location Permission” but honestly I am not even sure if it works.

Apple Wi-Fi is self explanatory, any data comes from Apple and is not stored offline so Apple would know your location.

Mozilla UnifiedNLP Back end will send data to Mozilla and you can install Mozilla Stumbler in order to record and contribute data to the Mozilla Location Service database.

Radiocells.Org Unified Network Location Provider Back end can work online or offline, you can download catalogues for different areas.

Tap the Back button, then Configure Address Lookup Back ends

Tap the check box beside Nominatim. Tap the gear icon.

You will see OSM (Open Street Map) set as the default Nominatim API server. This is more private but less accurate, If you want to have greater accuracy at the expense of privacy, you can sign up as a developer for Mapquest and then tap on OSM, select Mapquest, then tap on Mapquest Developer API Key and enter the API key associated with your Mapquest developer account.

Tap the Back button and then tap on Self Check.

There may be some check boxes that are empty and a message requesting permissions, tap the message and grant any permissions.

Tap on Battery Optimizations Ignored. When prompted, choose to allow this app to run in the background.

Scroll down the rest of the way through the list, if configured correctly with all permissions all boxes should be checked. Of course, if you are using MicroG then you can just disable those permissions if you want to.

There may be a couple of error messages at the bottom of this list. Don’t worry, this is a common false positive and we will be testing Unified NLP using Satstat.

TESTING UNIFIED NLP

Open Satstat. Tap on the map icon at the upper right of the screen.

Zoom in on the location you see on the screen by using the normal zoom method for Android apps (placing 2 fingers on the screen and moving them away from each other)

If the UnifiedNLP back ends are working, you should see 2 points with 2 circles, a red circle and a blue circle.

If UnifiedNLP or its back ends are not working, you will only see 1 point with a red circle.

CONFIGURING MICROG SETTINGS

Open the MicroG settings app.

Select a Google account if you want to use one. You must have an active Google account on your device already (in Accounts in your normal Settings app) before you can use it.

The next option is Google Device Registration. This option is off by default, turning it on registers your device to Google and gives you a unique identifier.

Google Cloud Messaging is the next option in the list, you must have Device Registration turned on to use it but people concerned about privacy can keep it and Device Registration off until they are needed.

Google Safety net, a device certification system, is off by default. This is used by some apps for security reasons.

More has 2 toggled options: Allow Connecting to Google Servers and Connect to Google via Tor Network. These Options are greyed out if you have not set a Google account. The option to connect to Tor network requires Orbot and I have not installed it because Tor network is not really private but feel free to do so if you prefer that option since it can prevent Google from associating apps with your phone’s IP address.

Congratulations, you now have MicroG installed and running. The majority of apps that were not working without Google Play Services will now work.

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technodragon · 5 years ago

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How To Remove Google Services Framework (On Android 9) - For Rooted Devices

As a followup to my previous article, for those who want to degoogle their devices, here is how to remove Google Services Framework.

WARNING: I am not responsible for what you do, only follow these instructions if you decided this is what you wnat to do.

You will lose some functionality as a result. Alternative software was mentioned in my previous article.

Make sure you know how to flash the ROM to unbrick your phone because factory reset will not work after removing system files or in case something goes wrong.

STEPS TO FOLLOW BEFORE REMOVING GOOGLE SERVICES FRAMEWORK

The first steps you should take are backing up your data and making sure you know how to flash the stock (or custom) ROM just in case things go wrong. Also, keep in mind that you must factory reset your device if you flash the ROM to avoid malfunctions.

Before you can uninstall Google Services Framework, you would have to disable its device admin privileges first. To do so:

Open Settings, then go to Apps & Notifications > Advanced > Special App Access > Device Admin Apps.

If the toggle switches beside Find My Phone is in the on position, tap it.

On the next screen that appears, tap on the words Deactivate This Device Admin App.

Do the same for Google Pay (if it is on).

For all of the apps listed on the next page, disable them first and when prompted uninstall any updates. (Be sure to enable the Phone app if you disable it)

REQUIRED SOFTWARE

The Easier Way: Do a web search on “best system app remover” or “best system app uninstaller” and try using what people recommend. There are many fake apps that claim to do this and you would want to use the best apps to get the job done so I suggest accepting only suggestions from reputable web sites. After you finish, reboot and then check to see if the app did its job. If it worked, the system apps will no longer be listed.

The Harder Way: If the system app removers do not do the job, you can use a file browser with root access (I recommend ES File Explorer but if you are not comfortable with using an adware/spyware app then Total Commander is another good option). The reason why this is harder is because the apps can be stored in directories with names that are different from their system app names which can make finding a particular system app a little bit harder. You also would have to look in two places for the system apps: /system/app, /system/priv-app. Most system apps that can be removed safely have their own icons so if you can not find it you can try searching for “*apk” in the /system directory and look for the listed item with the app’s icon. (Note: some apps have the same icon and some have no designated icon at all) You can then navigate to where you can find the app’s directory and delete it. Of course, be sure to reboot when you are done.

In many cases an app will be stored in /oem instead of /system/app or /system/priv-app. You may not be able to delete anything in the oem directory. However, there are various methods for blocking these apps which will be covered later in this document.

Another note: Some file explorers may delete the files but unable to delete the directories. I have run into this problem with Total Commander but leaving the directories without the files in the /system directory did not seem to cause any issues. ES File Explorer seemed to be able to remove them.

STEPS TO FOLLOW BEFORE REMOVING GOOGLE SERVICES FRAMEWORK

Before you can uninstall Google Services Framework, you would have to disable its device admin privileges first. To do so:

-- Open Settings, then go to Apps & Notifications > Advanced > Special App Access > Device Admin Apps.

-- If the toggle switches beside Find My Phone is in the on position, tap it.

-- On the next screen that appears, tap on the words Deactivate This Device Admin App.

-- Do the same for Google Pay (if it is on).

WHAT TO REMOVE

When removing Google Services Framework there are other apps that will cause issues without it if thy are not removed. Don’t worry, your device should function properly without them.

Play Store

(Need confirmation but it seems like a part of Google Play Services in Android 9, not counting the update for it)

You can get notification spam if you leave this installed

Play Auto Install Configuration

/system/app/PlayAutoInstallConfig

Not needed or used for anything after uninstalling Google Services Framework

GMS Policy Sidecar Aps (also called Android Platform or com.google.android.gms.policy_sidecar_aps)

/system/priv-app/AndroidPlatformServices

This is no longer needed after removing Google Services Framework and might still be spyware

Carrier Services

/system/priv-app/CarrierServices

Leaving this app installed will prevent SMS messaging after uninstalling Google Services Framework

ConfigUpdater

/system/priv-app/ConfigUpdater

Not needed or used for anything after uninstalling Google Services Framework

Google Media Services (or GMS Services)

/system/priv-app/GmsCore

You can get notification spam if you leave this installed

Google Services Framework

/system/priv-app/GoogleServicesFramework

This is what you are uninstalling, it will not work without the other apps

Google Play Services

/system/priv-app/Phonesky

This may crash repeatedly without the other components affecting use of the android device

Google Assistant (AKA Google)

/system/priv-app/Velvet

This will not work after Google Services Framework is removed (Keep it if you want to use it and are going to install MicroG)

THE NEXT STEPS

Open the Settings app, navigate to Apps & notifications > See all apps

Scroll through the apps that have been installed, see if Google Play Store, Google Play Services or any of the other apps you removed when uninstalling it are listed.

If you find any of them listed, tap on it and then tap on Uninstall. This will remove any installed updates to the apps you just removed so they do not run in the background and cause issues.

While you are at it, uninstall the update to the phone app.

Reboot your device.

You can optionally download and install an update for the phone app that will work from apkmirror.com (the latest version that works without Google Services Framework in Android 9 is 37).

Install alternatives to any other Google software that you need which stopped working when uninstalling Google Services Framework. (See previous article for some suggestions)

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technodragon · 5 years ago

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Can I Live Without Google Services Framework Without Gimping My Phone?

I decided to write a separate article for this question because it is a complex topic.

WARNING: If you will remove Google Play Services you must root your device first. I am not responsible for anything you do after reading this article, it is provided for informative purposes only. If you are going to remove Google Play Services then make sure you can flash the stock (or custom) ROM to unbrick it if something goes wrong, if you do that and back up data you want to keep then you have nothing to fear.

One question that people who are debloating their devices would ask is, Can I live without Google Services Framework?

The short answer is Yes, if I do not play games and do not mind using alternative software and making a few compromises. But, those compromises are not as drastic as you think and there is a middle ground that can be achieved by installing MicroG if you feel that the compromises are too drastic.

The long answer: Some software depends on Google Services Framework to function and will not work but only 5 to 10% of software that is supposed to be dependent on Google Services Framework will function without it. This software is also needed for Chromecast and using the latest versions of Google apps, you can not fully replace the phone app in a stock ROM with a non Google alternative due to the phone apps being tailored to specific installations of Android in most cases so you will have to downgrade the phone app which should not really affect the ability to make calls or use your device. You also will lose the ability to use Google Assistant, that app that speaks and accepts voice commands to do searches and perform a couple of functions you could do yourself. But, in the end, you can still have a fully functioning device and while some features are lost some features can also be gained using alternative software. The benefits to removing Google Services Framework are less data used on your cell phone plan which could in some cases allow switching to a phone plan with less data to save money, much higher battery life and some peace of mind for those who are concerned about privacy. The main downside is many games rely on Google Services Framework and related components for online functionality and some require it to function at all but for every app I have tested that is supposed to be dependent on Google Services Framework that did not work there were 10 that worked without any issues. The Google software seems to be the most impacted by removing Google Services Framework and related components, most of it stop working without it but there are alternatives for most of it.

I should also point out that there is an alternative to Google Services Framework called MicroG. MicroG is an open source implementation of Google APIs and can mostly replace Google Services Framework and in the majority of cases allow all apps that you use which actually need it to work but do not expect it to be a full replacement because there may be the occasional app that does not yet work with it. However, MicroG has proven in field testing and general use to be reliable and gives the user more control than Google Services Framework allows. Oh, and for those using a stock ROM or one that is odexed, don’t worry, there is a way to install it in a manner that will work, it just will involve some extra steps.

Software That Restores Lost Functionality After Removing Google Services Framework:

MicroG

-- Should run on most stock/odexed Android installations with a few extra installation steps, runs on deodexed Android installations.

-- Replaces Google Media Services/Google Play Services

-- Less than 5% of software that requires Google Services Framework will not work

-- Google apps seem to work without any issues

-- This is a middle ground. Google will not get all of your data but will get a portion of it. Less data will be used but not as little as the amount if neither Google Play Services nor MicroG are installed. You can install and use location backends to supplement the GPS on your phone but they mostly still are sending data to somebody, just not sending it to Google.

QKSMS (F-Droid version is better for those who are concerned about privacy)

-- Able to perform the tasks the Messages app with Carrier Services is able to perform

-- Themeable

-- Able to send scheduled messages

Aurora Store

-- Replaces Play Store.

-- Allows easy anonymous logins using throwaway Google accounts.

-- Can spoof your device as another device easily which can allow accessing some software not available on your device (Note that you will have to experiment to find out which devices to select in spoofing, select the wrong device and software will not install or will fail to work until you select another device or disable spoofing)

-- Can perform almost all functions of Play Store flawlessly.

-- Can be set to automatically install and automatically update on rooted devices.

-- When browsing through a list of search results, tells you which apps contain ads and which are dependent on Google Services Framework (Note that most apps listed with this dependency will still work without Google Services Framework, in most cases this is only for ads and tracking but in the case of games it can affect online features)

-- If you scroll down the app’s page before installing, you can see what trackers are in the app before installing it (If Exodus has that information for the app, not available in every case)

-- The only downside is if you want to purchase paid apps you must purchase them through a web browser first and then download them using the same Google account through Aurora Store.

Android Back Ups to Google Accounts

I can use Syncthing for this purpose.

-- Can be used to back up user data (basically anything stored in /storage/emulated/0) and data on an SD micro card to another device.

-- May not be able to back up call logs, contacts and messages unless they are exported by an app.

Chromecast

There is various software that can replace Chromecast, I just lack a Chromecast device and TV to test it on so I can not try out the software to find the best options. Perhaps somebody else could offer some feedback in this area?

What About Games?

Without Google Play Services, many games may not work properly. Online features may not work,m this is usually not a big deal but you may miss out on some daily or online rewards in the games. Some games will refuse to work at all without an internet connection.

There are four solutions for getting your game on after removing Google Play Services.

You can accept that some games will not work and enjoy the games you can play. This is the most privacy friendly legal option.

You can install emulators to play games from older game systems. This is a legal grey area and may or may not be legal in your area but can provide a great experience. Just be sure to get a cell phone controller because, let’s face it, touch screen controls for games meant to be played with physical controls are inadequate. Fortunately, you can find a cheap controller for phones online. This is a privacy friendly option that can provide plenty of enjoyment but you would be stuck playing games from the past.

You can install MicroG. MicroG is a compromise, instead of Google getting all of your data they will just get a portion of your data. This is good for those who were aiming for a reduction in data transfers and improved battery life without losing much in the process. Most games that did not work before should work with MicroG.

You can purchase an Android game system. Yes, they often feel cheap, but they work rather well, usually have physical controls and in some cases allow mapping the physical controls to positions on the screen in different games. You can keep WIFI turned off on the game system without affecting your phone and keep your sensitive data separate from all the spyware in the games as a result. For games that require online play you can use the tethering feature on most Android phones to use your phone as a portable WIFI hot spot.

Apps That Lack Proper Replacements:

-- Google Assistant (There are apps that will allow long pressing the home button to be used for other things and search apps but I do not know of any good software that responds to voice commands and performs the same functions)

-- Phone App (It will work if you uninstall updates for it and only use versions that will function without Google Services Framework, in Android 9 version 37 will function without Google Services Framework.)

-- Factory Reset (Not an app but should be noted again, if something goes wrong with your phone then you must flash the stock (or custom) ROM onto your device. Removing any system apps can result in being unable to complete the initial setup after a factory reset so being able to restore your system to the state it was in when you purchased it (or installed that custom ROM) is essential.)

Google Maps Replacements

Here WeGo

-- Can use offline maps.

-- Intuitive.

-- Accurate enough, no issues with address navigation.

-- Address look ups from Google or Bing can be used with this app by tapping the android button in a web browser.

-- Not privacy friendly, has tracking code from Google and Facebook, seems to try to get around any software meant to block trackers or internet access.

-- Points of interest database is far from complete.

OSMAnd~ (F-Droid Version)

-- Privacy friendly, will not send your location data anywhere.

-- Can use offline maps.

-- Allows the user to add points of interest.

-- Can do an online search for points of interest.

-- Contains the ability to use various maps besides just road maps including contour lines, nautical maps, bike trails (where available), etc.

-- The online search button is below listed search results, the stored database of POIs is not complete.

-- Since the address format is different in OSMAnd~ you can not tap a button in the web browser to send the address of a place to OSMAnd~ from Google Maps and Bing.

-- The address lookup can at times be inaccurate to the point of being 2 to 3 houses away from the desired address.

Or, just get a dedicated GPS unit, a dedicated GPS unit will be more accurate than a phone and contain as many POIs as Google Maps.

Apps That Can Partially Replace Google Assistant:

CircleLauncher

-- Can be set to launch instead of Google Assistant when you hold the home button or swipe from points on the screen.

-- Instead of asking Google Assistant to do things you select the apps that are available and select the app to use.

-- Can make multi tasking and launching desired apps easy and effective, easier to use than Google Assistant for that purpose once apps are selected.

-- Themeable, many options for look and feel.

-- Sorry, does not respond to voice commands.

Home Bot

-- Launches a single app you select when you hold the home button, good if you want one app available at any time without selecting from a menu.

-- Sorry, does not respond to voice commands.

Simple Search

-- When launched with Home Bot or CircleLauncher, can perform web searches using the search engine of your choice.

-- Sorry, does not respond to voice commands.

In conclusion, yes, your Android device can operate without Google Services Framework. It can perform most of the functions it can perform with Google Services Framework installed. But, you would have to accept that compatibility with apps (that can run on your device) is reduced to closer to 90% of what it was and make some compromises in a few areas. Your device will not be gimped and will not be about as functional as a flip phone, you can still have a decent digital life without it. Using alternative software to restore features, you would end up with a device that has different features and 90 to 95% compatibility compared to its former state, not a device that has less features. Well, that is, unless you ant to play games on your device or use voice commands, these areas of functionality are gimped. Of course, there would be a slight learning curve to using the alternatives to what would not work without Google Play Services. The only question that remains is whether or not the trade off is worth it for you for having higher battery life, more available data in your cell phone service (or the ability to switch to cheaper service with less data to save money) and better privacy but each individual has different needs and only you can answer this question.

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technodragon · 5 years ago

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ROOTING ANDROID DEVICES AND INSTALLING CUSTOM ROMS: WHAT PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW BEFORE DOING SO

NOTE: I will not tell you how to root your device or install a custom ROM because different methods are required for different devices and can usually be found online with a web search. Using the wrong method for rooting your device has a small chance of soft bricking it or causing other problems.

I have written this because there are a number of things people are not told about rooting an Android device in most cases, many people who write articles about rooting a device assume that the person reading the article has done his research and knows what he is getting into. Don’t worry, where I address errors that could occur they sound scarier than they really are and they are only there to scare people out of using custom ROMS and using a device with an unlocked boot loader.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE ROOTING OR INSTALLING A CUSTOM ROM

Do research to find custom ROMs and a stock ROM for your device before rooting. Most, but not all, devices these days have software that can flash the stock ROM if things go wrong. Also, just because a custom ROM exists does not mean it works properly on your device, be prepared to do some testing after installing a custom ROM.

If there is data on your device, back it up. You will likely lose it if you do not, especially when installing a custom ROM. I do not mean rely on Google’s backup, I mean export and copy everything you can and make a note of everything you can not copy.

Make sure you have recorded information for any networks under Access Point Names, there is always a chance that you will have to enter this information after installing a copy of the stock ROM and especially when installing a custom ROM. Open the Settings app and navigate to Network & internet > Mobile Network > Advanced > Access Point Names. For each entry there, tap on it and then write down all of the information that is listed or take a screen shot of it.

If you are thinking of just rooting your device, before unlocking the boot loader check the update schedule for the device. Unlocking the boot loader can lead to your device refusing to install security updates (this is the manufacturer’s decision, nothing is damaged by unlocking it). Some devices have a new version of Android scheduled for a future update and that might be worth waiting for.

First, you must unlock the boot loader to install a custom ROM or root the device. The method used depends on the device you are using so search for and follow the instructions for unlocking the boot loader on your device online.

Unlocking the boot loader will void the warranty on your device.

Sometimes after unlocking the boot loader on a device you could get a black screen with an error message like “bad key” or “signature corrupted or missing” every time the device is booting up. Do not panic, nothing is wrong. Just give your device a minute and it will boot properly on its own. I do not know why this happens on some devices, I assume it is a scare tactic to try to prevent people from unlocking the boot loader.

After unlocking the boot loader, when you boot into recovery (assuming that you did not install custom recovery software) you could get a screen of the Android mascot laying down and the words “No Command” displayed. This will seem scary but nothing is wrong, pushing a key combination (often holding the power button and pushing volume up or volume down) will load the recovery menu. Again, could just be a scare tactic.

The first thing you should do after unlocking the boot loader is search for and try out ways to flash the stock (or custom) ROM on your device. Also, get a copy of the stock (or custom) ROM and try it out. Seriously, if you do any debloating this will be necessary to recover from soft bricking your device.

You should do a factory reset after flashing a stock (or custom) ROM on your device. Not doing so could lead to malfunctions later on.

If the root (or custom ROM installation) method involves installing TWRP, before you install it test it out using Fastboot by typing “fastboot boot [NAME OF TWRP .img file]” If your device boots into TWRP, you can flash TWRP onto your device. If your device does not boot into TWRP, search for another method to try.

Practice good security on a rooted device. Only use an app that requires root access if you are certain that it is free of malware, from a trusted source and is recommended. Do a web search on the best secure web sites for android apps and try to get apps that require root access from the sites that are recommended in the search results.

If you are not happy with the features in a stock ROM or would like to deal with less spyware or there is a custom ROM that gets regular updates, you can install a custom ROM and then root it. In fact, installing a custom ROM is usually the better option because spyware is oftentimes so baked into the system in a stock ROM that disabling it can cause problems.

If you can not install a custom ROM or you like the features that are included in the stock ROM, you can just keep the stock ROM and root your device.

Before you install a custom ROM and/or root your device, some rooting methods and custom ROMs can contain malware so do some research before using them. So far, at the time of my writing this document, Lineage OS seems to be the most Google free custom ROM that is actively maintained while Magisk seems to be the most trusted methods for rooting your device when it is an option. If you plan on using a one click root method, search for the best one click root methods on XDA Developers.

When installing a custom ROM, if you do not get internet access over data, be sure to create entries in Access Point Names enter the information you copied from this section before installing the custom ROM.

Sometimes when you install a custom ROM you could end up with the device displaying a message that says your device is uncertified and going into a loop where it just repeatedly checks itself and renders your device impossible to use. Play Protect is the cause of this issue, just skip connection to wifi during the one time initialization sequence on first boot and when prompted choose not to use Play Protect to correct this issue.

This is the first article on what will be a series of articles regarding gaining greater control over your Android device. Feel free to offer feedback, I am mainly using Tumblr as a platform for getting stuff I am writing online where people can offer criticism and suggestions.

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