[MOD][PORT] Samsung Gear 360 Manager for all devices [Updated: 21/Jan/21, v1.4.00.4-FW]

Quinny899 · Jan 21, 2021

Samsung Gear 360 Manager ported for use on (almost) all devices

LAST UPDATED: 21st January 2021, Version 1.4.00.4-FW

Requirements:
- A Gear 360 2016 or 2017 (BOTH work with the same app)
- Android 5.0 or above
- A decently powerful phone. The Live View will not work on any phones with the equivalent or lower power than a Galaxy S5, but try it anyway

Latest Version Download:
Download
(-FW indicates this version has the mirrored firmware and options to configure a custom download URL)
NOTE: Version 1.4.00.9 is available for Samsung phones, but cannot be ported. More info.

Firmware updates and Firmware source code
As of January 2021, Samsung have taken down the server that contained the firmware update config files for both models of the camera. Through the use of the Wayback Machine and some reverse engineering of the XML syntax read by the app, I was able to fully reproduce the firmware XMLs on GitHub. There is a new version (1.4.00.4-FW) of the app which can use these XMLs and download the binary files of the update from this forum post and install them on the camera. You need to set the firmware you want to use (or latest) in the settings (after connecting your camera) before the app will be able to download an update.

The Source Code is still available on Samsung's website at the time of writing, but has been mirrored on the same forum post in case they also get removed. More info on what the files contain can be found on the GitHub repository linked above.

Screenshots:
Click a screenshot to enlarge it

Known Issues:
- Live View does not work on slow/older devices. This is unlikely to be fixed, but I am looking at implementing the "no live view" mod (which still works on 2016 cameras) as an option

- App is slow, downloads take ages. Probably down to the proprietary/disabled code from Samsung in the app for checking CPU speed. May be fixed soon

- Live Broadcast doesn't work on 2016 camera or when using Soft AP. Latter cannot be fixed, former may be able to be ported with enough time (not sure)

- WiFi Direct is buggy. Probably down to the app's mode being made for Samsung's modified WiFi direct, unlikely to be fixed

- WiFi doesn't automatically connect/gets disconnected. This is down to Android's smart detection of networks, it connects to a network with a known good internet connection instead. You can disable this with ADB/Root, see here

FAQ:

Q: What's the difference between WiFi direct/non WiFi Direct (Soft AP) mode?
A: WiFi Direct uses an experimental modification for enabling the Samsung WiFi Direct mode for all devices. It's quite buggy right now, but in theory allows you to update the camera's firmware (known to be dangerous, be careful). It also means you don't disconnect from the internet when using the app

Q: It's stuck on "Installing Samsung accessory service"
A: Install it manually

Q: I'm trying to use Live View/Gallery but the app gets stuck on loading
A: (If in Soft AP/WiFi Mode): Open Settings > WiFi and connect to the Gear 360 network. Disable your mobile data and any VPNs you may be using, and disconnect from any Bluetooth headphones or speakers (turn them off). Return to the app
A: (If in WiFi Direct Mode): Open Settings > WiFi > Advanced > WiFi Direct, and remove any old remembered groups. Wait for the Gear 360 to appear and tap it to connect. If it returns to available, tap it, delete it and repeat until connected. Then press back until you return to the app

Q: I have a 2017 camera and don't know the password for its WiFi!
A: Switch your camera to iOS mode (on the camera itself, using the menu). It will display a password, write that down. Switch back to the normal mode and continue as normal, entering the WiFi password you wrote down when prompted

Q: Does Live Broadcast work?
A: On the 2017 camera, when in WiFi direct mode apparently so. I've not tested it, and it doesn't work on any other configuration however

Q: What do the mod settings do?
A: See the "Mod Settings" section below

Q: There's a new version of the app on the Play Store, when will you update?
A: Check the last few pages of the thread. If the original APK has been posted already, the mod will be updated soon™. If it hasn't been, and you have a Samsung device compatible with the original app, please grab the APK and post it (the original APK is hard to get hold of)

Q: I found a crash!
A: Please post it in the thread, WITH A LOGCAT (don't know how to logcat? See here)

Mod Settings:
Since version 1.0.00.18, the mod has built in settings to allow a single unified APK. They can be found in the app's settings, under Mod Settings

WiFi Direct
Enable WiFi direct mode. Disabled by default as it's fairly buggy

Override Camera Recognition
Force your camera to appear to the app as a certain model. This isn't actually that useful, as it just causes crashes because of incompatible settings (default: don't override)

Always Show Live Broadcast
This is NOT aimed at allowing broadcast on 2016 cameras (they can't do it), but at countries where Live Broadcast is hidden. Enable this to always show it (disabled by default)

Automatically Open Settings
Automatically open the WiFi Settings/WiFi Direct settings when connecting to save you time (enabled by default)

Porting Guide:
I don't plan to stop updating the mod any time soon, but if you want to port it yourself I have a rough guide available Here

Old Versions:
You probably shouldn't use these, they have bugs

Thanks to:
- Bin4ry for the original port

Tools used:
- Apktool
- V10 Studio/Notepad++ for smali editing
- JEB for viewing Java code in APK

Disclaimer: You are responsible for your Gear 360 when using this app. Updating the firmware, whilst possible in WiFi Direct mode, may brick your device. It's recommended you find a compatible Samsung device and use that to update

Quinny899 · Dec 31, 2017

Thanks to @Bin4ry for the original port, this is his OP from before work was transferred to me:

Deprecated archived post:

Disclaimer: I am not responsible for anything that happens to your hardware.

Best Regards

efassbender · Jun 17, 2016 at 10:52 PM

My Note 4 completely died today. No power, not even with USB cable connected. Not sure if the installation of the app has caused this but I thought I'd mention it. I haven't had any issues with the phone before. Could be a total coincidence, of course. Will have to send the phone in for repair

billford22 · Jun 18, 2016

I have attempted to use this software with the Note 3, but I am running into some issues.

Whenever I click on live view it seems to freeze up and I keep viewing a black screen with the camera options. After about 10 seconds, the screen turns black and then returns to the app after 10 more seconds. I am unsure if I am connecting through wifi direct.

When I try to share a gear 360 pic or video from my phone, it takes me to the flipboard share screen.

I can't view images or videos from the camera. Whenever I click on the media it attempts to stitch the images together, but only gets about 60% done.

I am able to view images and videos which have already been stitched and transferred from the computer, but it is pretty glitchy and doesn't always work.

Thanks for your work thus far, Bin4ry. This will be amazing if it works on many different phones.

Bin4ry · Jun 18, 2016 at 9:14 AM

efassbender said:
My Note 4 completely died today. No power, not even with USB cable connected. Not sure if the installation of the app has caused this but I thought I'd mention it. I haven't had any issues with the phone before. Could be a total coincidence, of course. Will have to send the phone in for repair

Hey,
that sounds very strange. But i cannot imagine how the app can cause such problems, because this is a normal userspace app and it does not have any access to relevant system files, bootloader or such. I can only think of a strange coincidence. Hope you will get your phone repaired soon. Maybe you some things, this guy tells a few tricks about the issue:
http://thedroidguy.com/2015/07/how-...hat-wont-turn-on-troubleshooting-guide-108854

billford22 said:
I have attempted to use this software with the Note 3, but I am running into some issues.

Whenever I click on live view it seems to freeze up and I keep viewing a black screen with the camera options. After about 10 seconds, the screen turns black and then returns to the app after 10 more seconds. I am unsure if I am connecting through wifi direct.

When I try to share a gear 360 pic or video from my phone, it takes me to the flipboard share screen.

I can't view images or videos from the camera. Whenever I click on the media it attempts to stitch the images together, but only gets about 60% done.

I am able to view images and videos which have already been stitched and transferred from the computer, but it is pretty glitchy and doesn't always work.

Thanks for your work thus far, Bin4ry. This will be amazing if it works on many different phones.

Hey, thanks for the feedback. Can you please provide me a logcat of the problems, like mentioned in the first post i really need such thing to be able to help.

Best Regards

blacksrv · Jul 27, 2008 11 0 0

I just tested on a nexus 4, it connect ok, but I can't see 360 folders or anything, I'll try to upload the log later.

Hasmax78 · Jun 18, 2016 2 3 0

Bluetooth settings crash

After installing the modded app everything worked fine. But now everytime i try to access the android bluetooth settings it crashes. Has anyone experienced the same problem?

Bin4ry · Jun 18, 2016 at 2:56 PM

blacksrv said:
I just tested on a nexus 4, it connect ok, but I can't see 360 folders or anything, I'll try to upload the log later.

Please provide the log

Bin4ry · Jun 18, 2016 at 2:57 PM

Hasmax78 said:
After installing the modded app everything worked fine. But now everytime i try to access the android bluetooth settings it crashes. Has anyone experienced the same problem?

Strange thing. Try to uninstall the app and Samsung accessory service. This should not really happen!

ThomasKru · Jun 19, 2016 at 9:39 AM

The 2K versions opens on a Motorola X (2014), it connects to the Gear 360. Clicking on live view begins to load the gui with all the buttons and then the screen goes black.
The log is from the app aLogcat, hope it helps:

Code:

--------- beginning of main
W/InputEventReceiver(26907): Attempted to finish an input event but the input event receiver has already been disposed.
I/WebViewFactory(26907): Loading com.google.android.webview version 51.0.2704.81 (code 270408100)
I/cr_LibraryLoader(26907): Time to load native libraries: 15 ms (timestamps 5548-5563)
I/cr_LibraryLoader(26907): Expected native library version number "51.0.2704.81", actual native library version number "51.0.2704.81"
V/WebViewChromiumFactoryProvider(26907): Binding Chromium to main looper Looper (main, tid 1) {3448aa18}
I/cr_LibraryLoader(26907): Expected native library version number "51.0.2704.81", actual native library version number "51.0.2704.81"
I/chromium(26907): [INFO:library_loader_hooks.cc(143)] Chromium logging enabled: level = 0, default verbosity = 0
I/cr_BrowserStartup(26907): Initializing chromium process, singleProcess=true
E/ApkAssets(26907): Error while loading asset assets/natives_blob_64.bin: java.io.FileNotFoundException: assets/natives_blob_64.bin
E/ApkAssets(26907): Error while loading asset assets/snapshot_blob_64.bin: java.io.FileNotFoundException: assets/snapshot_blob_64.bin
I/Adreno-EGL(26907): <qeglDrvAPI_eglInitialize:410>: EGL 1.4 QUALCOMM build: AU_LINUX_ANDROID_LA.AF.1.1_RB1.05.00.02.006.020_msm8960_LA.AF.1.1_RB1__release_AU ()
I/Adreno-EGL(26907): OpenGL ES Shader Compiler Version: E031.25.03.06
I/Adreno-EGL(26907): Build Date: 03/30/15 Mon
I/Adreno-EGL(26907): Local Branch: mybranch8688311
I/Adreno-EGL(26907): Remote Branch: quic/LA.AF.1.1_rb1.16
I/Adreno-EGL(26907): Local Patches: NONE
I/Adreno-EGL(26907): Reconstruct Branch: AU_LINUX_ANDROID_LA.AF.1.1_RB1.05.00.02.006.020 + 9b2699f + 2215637 + 60aa592 + f2362e6 + 5c64f59 + 82411a1 + 1f36e07 +  NOTHING
W/cr_media(26907): Requires BLUETOOTH permission

Bin4ry · Jun 19, 2016 at 11:02 AM

ThomasKru said:

The 2K versions opens on a Motorola X (2014), it connects to the Gear 360. Clicking on live view begins to load the gui with all the buttons and then the screen goes black.
The log is from the app aLogcat, hope it helps:

Code:

--------- beginning of main
W/InputEventReceiver(26907): Attempted to finish an input event but the input event receiver has already been disposed.
I/WebViewFactory(26907): Loading com.google.android.webview version 51.0.2704.81 (code 270408100)
I/cr_LibraryLoader(26907): Time to load native libraries: 15 ms (timestamps 5548-5563)
I/cr_LibraryLoader(26907): Expected native library version number "51.0.2704.81", actual native library version number "51.0.2704.81"
V/WebViewChromiumFactoryProvider(26907): Binding Chromium to main looper Looper (main, tid 1) {3448aa18}
I/cr_LibraryLoader(26907): Expected native library version number "51.0.2704.81", actual native library version number "51.0.2704.81"
I/chromium(26907): [INFO:library_loader_hooks.cc(143)] Chromium logging enabled: level = 0, default verbosity = 0
I/cr_BrowserStartup(26907): Initializing chromium process, singleProcess=true
E/ApkAssets(26907): Error while loading asset assets/natives_blob_64.bin: java.io.FileNotFoundException: assets/natives_blob_64.bin
E/ApkAssets(26907): Error while loading asset assets/snapshot_blob_64.bin: java.io.FileNotFoundException: assets/snapshot_blob_64.bin
I/Adreno-EGL(26907): <qeglDrvAPI_eglInitialize:410>: EGL 1.4 QUALCOMM build: AU_LINUX_ANDROID_LA.AF.1.1_RB1.05.00.02.006.020_msm8960_LA.AF.1.1_RB1__release_AU ()
I/Adreno-EGL(26907): OpenGL ES Shader Compiler Version: E031.25.03.06
I/Adreno-EGL(26907): Build Date: 03/30/15 Mon
I/Adreno-EGL(26907): Local Branch: mybranch8688311
I/Adreno-EGL(26907): Remote Branch: quic/LA.AF.1.1_rb1.16
I/Adreno-EGL(26907): Local Patches: NONE
I/Adreno-EGL(26907): Reconstruct Branch: AU_LINUX_ANDROID_LA.AF.1.1_RB1.05.00.02.006.020 + 9b2699f + 2215637 + 60aa592 + f2362e6 + 5c64f59 + 82411a1 + 1f36e07 +  NOTHING
W/cr_media(26907): Requires BLUETOOTH permission

Thanks. But the logcat is not complete it is cut after the first startup lines. I need a full one where the error of the gear360 manager is shown.
If alogcat don't give you a full one please use adb logcat and reroute output to a file.

Adb logcat > mylog.txt

This creates the log file in your current directory.

Thanks and best regards

VicTH · Jun 19, 2016 1 0 0

could it work on a tablet ?
(like the NVIDIA SHIELD Tablet K1 ?)
Thanks !
- sorry for my english, a french guy

Bin4ry · Jun 19, 2016 at 1:00 PM

VicTH said:
could it work on a tablet ?
(like the NVIDIA SHIELD Tablet K1 ?)
Thanks !
- sorry for my english, a french guy

Could be you need to test, i really cannot tell you.

Best Regards

ThaiM · Jun 19, 2016 at 1:53 PM

It works on Galaxy Tab S.

angila · Nov 30, 2009 6 1 0

such you go with the theme of passing the videos to mobile and able to share editarles and from the phone?
I have the note 4 (sm-n910C) and trying to get photos and videos closes.

ThaiM · Jun 19, 2016 at 3:25 PM

angila said:
such you go with the theme of passing the videos to mobile and able to share editarles and from the phone?
I have the note 4 (sm-n910C) and trying to get photos and videos closes.

Saving and sharing stitched photos works. I do find that after viewing a few photos it won't complete the stitch or transfer. It almost seems like a buffer or memory issue of some sort. Restarting the app makes it work again. Video transfer still doesn't work (yet).

Bin4ry · Jun 20, 2016 at 12:55 PM

I have updated to version today (20.06.2016), please test and report back WITH logcats in case of problems.
With this version i am able to fully download and stich 4k Videos on my Xperia Z5, the stiching is as fast as on a Galaxy S7, i cannot see any difference there.
Also i cannot find any more bugs which are important

If on your device bugs occur please report them and DO A LOGCAT!
Without the logcat i cannot fix it!

Best Regards

caulius · Jun 20, 2016 1 0 0

Firmware-Update

Hello,

it is running on my nvidia shield. Thank you! But I have problems to use it to update the firmware of the gear 360. I can download the update from the net, put trying to intsall results only in endless "searching for update". Is there a solution?

Best regards

Caulius

Bin4ry · Jun 20, 2016 at 2:54 PM

i have heard that people are having some issues until the update starts, make sure that you are properly connected in wifi and bt to the camera.

Best Regards

ThaiM · Jun 20, 2016 at 3:02 PM

Installed your latest June 20th 2k version on my Note 4 (Marshmallow).

When I save a video from the Gear 360 to my device, it crashes at 100% and nothing shows up in My Device tab after app restart.

However, if I browse to DCIM/Gear 360/ in file manager, I see the newly stitched video there. Now if I 'open with' and select Samsung Gear 360 Manager app, it opens and plays the 360 video in all its glory.

And then after a little while, when I reopen the app, it finally shows it there in the My Device tab.

There was one instance where in file manager, the final stitched video was appended with ".MP4.TEMP". I removed the .TEMP and "open with: Samsung Gear 360 Manager" and it worked.

logcat:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B-lAyfkO-k_GNWkwVGVBS3J5Mkk

Thanks!

[MOD][PORT] Samsung Gear 360 Manager for all devices [Updated: 21/Jan/21, v1.4.00.4-FW]

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