[Port] Unmodified port of SM-N910W8 Lollipop firmware

Search This thread

chenxiaolong

Senior Member
Sep 29, 2011
2,993
7,482
Because the SM-N910W8's hardware is identical to the SM-N910T (they're both labeled SM-N910T under the battery), with some slight changes, the SM-N910W8 stock firmware will run flawlessly on our T-Mobile variant.

There two parts to this post: the first part has a pre-made flashable version for those who just want something working. The second part explains how to port it yourself starting from the stock Odin tar.md5 archive.

Enjoy!

Flashable version

  1. Factory reset
  2. Flash the flashable Canadian N910W8VLU1BOC4 stock ROM from https://mega.co.nz/#!Qwp3WQAC!c_CaIGo-1HOjiRQYfJjC2PYc5il3mgAEctNW52YBK_U
  3. Flash SuperSU
  4. Reboot
  5. Set up the T-Mobile APN (see: https://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-14688#apn_settings) OR flash the T-Mobile CSC (see below).

Porting and installing manually

  1. Download the Canadian N910W8VLU1BOC4 stock ROM from https://mega.co.nz/#!hxYXzYhJ!M_KCVikSc4iETI4mjAzlZSqHXCrtXYJeElzv9xZpPgI

    If you want, you can download a different version from http://sammobile.com or http://samsung-updates.com because we will discard the CSC carrier modifications.
  2. Extract cache.img.ext4 from the Odin tar.md5 archive and extract recovery/sec_csc.zip from that ext4 image.

    On Windows, you can do this by using CacheRipper: http://xdaforums.com/galaxy-s3/orig-development/tool-cache-ripper-unpack-cache-img-t1702861

    On Linux, you can do this by downloading simg2img (or compiling it from AOSP) and then running:

    Code:
    simg2img cache.img.ext4 cache.img
    mkdir mnt
    sudo mount -o ro cache.img mnt
    cp mnt/recovery/sec_csc.zip .
    sudo umount mnt
    rmdir mnt
  3. Open sec_csc.zip and remove the following directories and files. We don't want any of the carrier customizations, so only the language files are kept. They are needed for SNote and Action Memo.
    • system/csc
    • system/etc
    • system/CSCVersion.txt
    • system/SW_Configuration.xml
  4. Open META-INF/com/google/android/updater-script from sec_csc.zip and add the following to the top.
    Code:
    mount("ext4", "EMMC", "/dev/block/platform/msm_sdcc.1/by-name/system", "/system", "");
  5. Remove all images except for "system.img.ext4" from the Odin tar.md5 archive (keeping the *.mbn files will hard brick your device! Don't do it!)
  6. Factory reset
  7. Flash the new tar.md5 (containing only system.img.ext4) using either Odin or Heimdall
  8. Reboot into recovery
  9. Flash the modified sec_csc.zip
  10. Flash my patched kernel from https://noobdev.io/canada/Kernel_N910W8VLU1BOC4_Patched.zip.

    This is the stock kernel, but with tima and dmverity disabled, the CONFIG_SEC_RESTRICT_* options disabled, and a patch from CyanogenMod added to allow brightness adjustment on our old 4.4 bootloader. The GPL kernel source is linked below.
  11. Flash SuperSU
  12. Reboot
  13. Set up the T-Mobile APN (see: https://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-14688#apn_settings) OR flash the T-Mobile CSC (see below).
  14. Set "ro.securestorage.support" to false in /system/build.prop (or else WIFI passwords won't persist across a reboot)
  15. Disable SecurityLogAgent with TitaniumBackup or delete /system/app/SecurityLogAgent to remove the KNOX notification.

GPL Kernel source is here: https://github.com/chenxiaolong/Note4Kernel

T-Mobile CSC

NOTE: Please do not flash this if you've already booted into the ROM once. The OS doesn't seem to like the IMS settings being changed behind its back (ie. you'll see some force closes for the IMS daemon).

By flashing the T-Mobile CSC, this ROM will act as close to the stock T-Mobile firmware as possible. This means APNs, VoLTE network settings, and so on will automatically be configured. Note that because of carrier customizations, some features will disappear, such as the +/- 5 auto brightness adjustment and foreign language sorting in the Contacts app. It is NOT required to flash this package if you don't want to.

This package will also change the build.prop to read "trltetmo" and "SM-N910T" instead of "trltecan" and "SM-N910W8", respectively.

TMB CSC Download: https://mega.co.nz/#!dhghAQRa!aKetMD6FjzfyR6gCyDSdHF1972NrUUTXvS9hP1Yjw-8

Source files: https://github.com/chenxiaolong/Note4CSC

Screenshots:



XDA:DevDB Information
Unmodified port of SM-N910W8 Lollipop for SM-N910T, ROM for the T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 4

Contributors
chenxiaolong
Source Code: https://github.com/chenxiaolong/Note4Kernel

ROM OS Version: 5.0.x Lollipop
ROM Kernel: Linux 3.10.x

Version Information
Status: Testing

Created 2015-04-05
Last Updated 2015-04-04
 
Last edited:

AlkaliV2

Senior Member
Jun 12, 2012
1,506
1,700
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Google Pixel 5
You deserve a LOT of thanks. I'll start. :good:

I'm running this build on my T-Mobile N910T right now and I can confirm three things:

1.) There are no issues with SuperSU prompt
2.) After install I only had to add my APN (chenxiaolong edits securestorage to false during install for WiFi passwords)
3.) Auto-brightness is working perfectly

There are no issues that I have encountered on this build with a clean wipe on TWRP 2.8.6.0 (latest). :good:
 
Last edited:

AlkaliV2

Senior Member
Jun 12, 2012
1,506
1,700
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Google Pixel 5
Tips for Best Results
-Clean install (no dirty flashing between builds, Lollipop or not)

- Download latest flashable SuperSU HERE and install it after the ROM and before you reboot!
After it boots let the screen turn off on its own before running setup and logging in

- Add an APN to fix "No data" for US T-Mobile users: Go to Settings > More Networks > Mobile Networks > Access Point Names and click the "+" in the upper right. Follow the link in step 5 of the OP for filling in the boxes.

-Freeze S-Voice and clear data with your favorite app to get back "OK Google" command.

-Activate and use Viper4Android and Wakelock Detector with Root privilege (credit: Mcdavid)
Install SELinuxModeChanger and change to "permissive"

I'll add more as I find them.
 
Last edited:

mcdavid

Senior Member
Apr 5, 2010
1,141
563
SF Bay Area
Tips for Best Results
-Clean install (no dirty flashing between builds, Lollipop or not)
- Download latest flashable SuperSU HERE and install it after the ROM and before you reboot!
- After it boots let the screen turn off on its own before running setup and logging in
- Add an APN to fix "No data" for US T-Mobile users: Go to Settings > More Networks > Mobile Networks > Access Point Names and click the "+" in the upper right. Follow the link in step 5 of the OP for filling in the boxes.
-Freeze S-Voice and clear data with your favorite app to get back "OK Google" command.

I'll add more as I find them.
Installing SELinuxModeChanger and changing to "permissive" makes Wakelock Detector and Viper work right on this.....
 

hurrpancakes

Senior Member
Jul 23, 2010
713
120
What recovery are y'all using? Just now getting around to rooting so I can install, and would like to use whatever is most reliable.
 

AlkaliV2

Senior Member
Jun 12, 2012
1,506
1,700
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Google Pixel 5
No issues at all wifi work? Cell strength good? Battery and speed excellent?

I wouldn't mislead you. Other than Google Now not working (and we know now how to fix it) this is the best stock version of BOC4. If you want a modded system you will want Ax's Lollipop thread for BOC4. Otherwise, just install this by following the OP's instructions and all will be well.

Do you lose Root with this ROM?

Nope, you flash root in the 3rd step of the install.

What recovery are y'all using? Just now getting around to rooting so I can install, and would like to use whatever is most reliable.

TWRP 2.8.6.0 is what I used and is currently they only recovery for the Note 4 that you should be using (because PhilZ is discontinued). Most people will be using TWRP version 2.8.5.0, but I like to be bleeding edge.
 
Last edited:

Top Liked Posts

  • There are no posts matching your filters.
  • 79
    Because the SM-N910W8's hardware is identical to the SM-N910T (they're both labeled SM-N910T under the battery), with some slight changes, the SM-N910W8 stock firmware will run flawlessly on our T-Mobile variant.

    There two parts to this post: the first part has a pre-made flashable version for those who just want something working. The second part explains how to port it yourself starting from the stock Odin tar.md5 archive.

    Enjoy!

    Flashable version

    1. Factory reset
    2. Flash the flashable Canadian N910W8VLU1BOC4 stock ROM from https://mega.co.nz/#!Qwp3WQAC!c_CaIGo-1HOjiRQYfJjC2PYc5il3mgAEctNW52YBK_U
    3. Flash SuperSU
    4. Reboot
    5. Set up the T-Mobile APN (see: https://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-14688#apn_settings) OR flash the T-Mobile CSC (see below).

    Porting and installing manually

    1. Download the Canadian N910W8VLU1BOC4 stock ROM from https://mega.co.nz/#!hxYXzYhJ!M_KCVikSc4iETI4mjAzlZSqHXCrtXYJeElzv9xZpPgI

      If you want, you can download a different version from http://sammobile.com or http://samsung-updates.com because we will discard the CSC carrier modifications.
    2. Extract cache.img.ext4 from the Odin tar.md5 archive and extract recovery/sec_csc.zip from that ext4 image.

      On Windows, you can do this by using CacheRipper: http://xdaforums.com/galaxy-s3/orig-development/tool-cache-ripper-unpack-cache-img-t1702861

      On Linux, you can do this by downloading simg2img (or compiling it from AOSP) and then running:

      Code:
      simg2img cache.img.ext4 cache.img
      mkdir mnt
      sudo mount -o ro cache.img mnt
      cp mnt/recovery/sec_csc.zip .
      sudo umount mnt
      rmdir mnt
    3. Open sec_csc.zip and remove the following directories and files. We don't want any of the carrier customizations, so only the language files are kept. They are needed for SNote and Action Memo.
      • system/csc
      • system/etc
      • system/CSCVersion.txt
      • system/SW_Configuration.xml
    4. Open META-INF/com/google/android/updater-script from sec_csc.zip and add the following to the top.
      Code:
      mount("ext4", "EMMC", "/dev/block/platform/msm_sdcc.1/by-name/system", "/system", "");
    5. Remove all images except for "system.img.ext4" from the Odin tar.md5 archive (keeping the *.mbn files will hard brick your device! Don't do it!)
    6. Factory reset
    7. Flash the new tar.md5 (containing only system.img.ext4) using either Odin or Heimdall
    8. Reboot into recovery
    9. Flash the modified sec_csc.zip
    10. Flash my patched kernel from https://noobdev.io/canada/Kernel_N910W8VLU1BOC4_Patched.zip.

      This is the stock kernel, but with tima and dmverity disabled, the CONFIG_SEC_RESTRICT_* options disabled, and a patch from CyanogenMod added to allow brightness adjustment on our old 4.4 bootloader. The GPL kernel source is linked below.
    11. Flash SuperSU
    12. Reboot
    13. Set up the T-Mobile APN (see: https://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-14688#apn_settings) OR flash the T-Mobile CSC (see below).
    14. Set "ro.securestorage.support" to false in /system/build.prop (or else WIFI passwords won't persist across a reboot)
    15. Disable SecurityLogAgent with TitaniumBackup or delete /system/app/SecurityLogAgent to remove the KNOX notification.

    GPL Kernel source is here: https://github.com/chenxiaolong/Note4Kernel

    T-Mobile CSC

    NOTE: Please do not flash this if you've already booted into the ROM once. The OS doesn't seem to like the IMS settings being changed behind its back (ie. you'll see some force closes for the IMS daemon).

    By flashing the T-Mobile CSC, this ROM will act as close to the stock T-Mobile firmware as possible. This means APNs, VoLTE network settings, and so on will automatically be configured. Note that because of carrier customizations, some features will disappear, such as the +/- 5 auto brightness adjustment and foreign language sorting in the Contacts app. It is NOT required to flash this package if you don't want to.

    This package will also change the build.prop to read "trltetmo" and "SM-N910T" instead of "trltecan" and "SM-N910W8", respectively.

    TMB CSC Download: https://mega.co.nz/#!dhghAQRa!aKetMD6FjzfyR6gCyDSdHF1972NrUUTXvS9hP1Yjw-8

    Source files: https://github.com/chenxiaolong/Note4CSC

    Screenshots:



    XDA:DevDB Information
    Unmodified port of SM-N910W8 Lollipop for SM-N910T, ROM for the T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 4

    Contributors
    chenxiaolong
    Source Code: https://github.com/chenxiaolong/Note4Kernel

    ROM OS Version: 5.0.x Lollipop
    ROM Kernel: Linux 3.10.x

    Version Information
    Status: Testing

    Created 2015-04-05
    Last Updated 2015-04-04
    11
    The OP now contains a flashable zip for the T-Mobile CSC, which will update the build.prop file and add the T-Mobile carrier customizations. This means the APNs are automatically added and some network configuration added that might fix SMS/MMS issues and VoLTE. Don't take my word for it though. :)

    Note that by flashing this, the build.prop will be set to have "ro.product.name=trltetmo". TouchWiz will recognize this as an American device and disable the +/- 5 auto brightness adjustment feature. If you want that back, you'll have to set "ro.product.name=trltecan".

    It is NOT required to flash this.
    7
    A temporary mirror is available here: https://noobdev.io/stock/N910W8VLU1BOC4_Flashable_r2.zip

    I will take down the link in 24 hours because the server is used for other things and has limited disk space :)