[ROM]QC6 Lite Rom: De-Bloated/De-Knoxed/De-Odexed/Rooted Stock Nougat Rom + Security

[bogarty]

​

NOTE: For those asking about an update of this rom to the latest QK1 baseband, it appears that you can now manually update this rom to QK1 in Settings without adding any stock bloat or damaging the rom. For more info, please refer to this post HERE.

UPDATE: The Xposed Framework works with this rom. You can find more info on that HERE.

Hey guys! I thought I'd make this super lite version of the new "N920TUVU4EQC6" Nougat stock firmware for all my fellow T-Mobile Note 5-ers out there. It's much smaller than the official stock firmware package, but please note that I didn't get rid of all the Samsung or Gapps stuff like many debloated roms do. I basically tried to make the rom as lite as possible without reducing any functionality of the S Pen, networking, Settings & Quick Settings options, image & video editing capabilities, S Health heartbeat sensor functionality, S Voice and TTS stuff, etc., so I left all the necessary stuff to do that. I left the Play Store installed too, so no one has to flash a Gapps package just to download apps. Any other Google apps you want you can just download from HERE or you can actually still install a Gapps package if you really want too. I've tested the ones from OpenGapps btw and they work fine with this rom.(Just make sure you're selecting "ARM64", "7.0" & whatever Gapps package you want.) Keep in mind too that anything Google you add increases your online footprint, releases a lot more data over the web and decreases your own level of security.

The main thing I focused on for this rom though was the personal security of the user.

Security Features:
- VPN/TOR support For Online Anonymity.(via Orbot)

To get started using this feature right away and secure yourself just:
1) Make sure you've updated to the newest version of "Orbot" from the Play Store.(Contains some fixes for some crashes that were happening for some.)
2) Open Orbot from the "Security" folder on the home page.
3) Hit the "Start" button.
4) Click the top left menu and switch on "Apps VPN Mode".
5) Click "Proxy All" Button at the bottom of the next page.
That's it. You're done.

NOTE: Some users have reported experiencing force closes in Orbot for some reason when trying to apply the above settings for the first time. If this happens then just open android Settings and go to Apps>Orbot and click on "Force Stop" Then click on "Storage" below and tap "Clear Data". Should fix the issue. The latest version in the Play Store says that it fixes some crashes, so make sure Orbot is fully up to date.

- More Secure Web Browsing & Web Search Options.(via Orfox & DuckDuckGo)

Orfox browser comes with Tor already built in and is best for remaining anonymous online. DuckDuckGo is good for private searches and doing things that Orfox may block for security purposes. You can enable Tor in the DuckDuckGo browser settings if you want too, though all your apps should already be running on a private connection(VPN) as it is if you followed the Orbot steps above.

- Private Calls & SMS/MMS Text Messaging.(via Signal)

INSTRUCTIONS(To See Your Text Messages):
1) Open the Signal app at the bottom of the home page.

2) Enter your phone #.
3) Click the "Register" button.
Your texts will then appear and will be private/encrypted from now on. You can make private calls through the app too.

NOTE: If you must have the stock messaging app, then please refer to this post HERE.

- A Secure Password Manager For Creating & Storing Encrypted Passwords For All Your Accounts.(via Keepass2Android)

- 2-Factor Authentication Support For Your Accounts Providing The Ability To Generate 2 Step Verification Codes For Secure Log Ins.(via Authy)

You will have to sign up for 2 Step Verification with your account provider(Facebook, Google or wherever) first before you can use this service. Then you will have to authenticate it with the app. Afterwards when you try and log into your account it will ask you for a 6 digit token # to access your account which this app provides. Makes it so no one else can access your account even if they had your password because they would need to have your device as well to access it.

- Functionality To Block The Camera From Being Opened Secretly For Anti-Spyware Protection.(via Camera Blocker)

Camera Blocker Instructions

- Real-Time Connection Monitor For Tracking Exactly Where Your Apps Are Connecting To Visually On A Map.(via SpyMonitor)

I just added this one as a fun little extra security feature. It is good to check from time to time where all your data is going though.

- Best of all though, if you don't really want any of that stuff and just want to further debloat, I added an option for people to delete whatever system or user apps they want.(via System App Safe Remover)

NOTE: These are all important features for protecting your identity online, for more information on all the features listed above, please just look the corresponding apps up in the Play Store. If anyone wants more information about deleting apps or restoring some of the stock apps to the rom for whatever reason, then they should read this comment HERE.

Other Features:
Aroma Installer
Roots With No-Verity-Opt-Encrypt & SuperSU on install.
Init.d Support
Deodexed
Deknoxed
Debloated
Custom QC6 Lite Boot & Shutdown Animations
Custom Anonymous/Guy Fawkes Theme
Latest Version of the S8 TouchWiz Launcher
Latest Version of Bixby

Known Issues(and their fixes):
Bixby- Needs to update ICS(Interactive and Customized Services), but won't when you try to update. This is an issue on Samsung's end that came about recently. To get it to work you just have to install Personalization Service Client from HERE. You can always just touch and hold on the homescreen and toggle the switch to turn off Bixby if you don't want it too.
Orbot- If you experience any force closes, then make sure you've fully updated it in the Play Store. Latest version contains some important crash fixes.
Gear VR Function- I removed this stuff originally just to further debloat some of the extra Samsung stuff, but if anyone has Gear or a Gear VR device and wants those files back, then just flash the restore file from the Downloads page in TWRP. Thanks!.
Voice Typing- To enable the microphone in Samsung Keyboard, then just check out this post HERE
Netflix- This app is not included with the rom, but just as an honorable mention, Netflix doesn't work right out of the box. This is not a rom issue. This is a Netflix issue. You may not even find Netflix in the Play Store because it is not technically supported for the Note 5 on the new Nougat SDK yet. To fix this though, then just first download the newest Netflix app(version 4.16.1 build 15145 or newer) from HERE and then use ES File Explorer to find and delete the file "liboemcrypto.so" from "/system/lib/" so you don't experience any service interruption.

Prerequisites:

Root
Custom Recovery https://dl.twrp.me/noblelte/twrp-3.1.0-0-noblelte.img.tar.html
SM-N920T Only!!!

DISCLAIMER: I Am Not Responsible For What You Do To Your Device. Flash At Your Own Risk.

Installation:

1) Download Rom To Device.
DOWNLOAD HERE
2) Wipe
3) Flash Rom In TWRP (root and SuperSU included) & Reboot
4) WAIT!(See note below.)
5) Hit the "Thanks" button or feel free to Donate for my time.


NOTE: First boot may take several minutes(possibly as much as 5-10 mins even). It may reboot a few times as well as it roots and installs SuperSU...If you prefer Magisk for whatever reason, then just download the Magisk app and open it. I believe it should guide you through the process of switching over. Personally, I prefer the functionality & simplicity of SuperSU though.

Happy flashing guys! If you like the rom, then be sure to tap either the THANKS or DONATE buttons below. Thank you!

Update Details:

v.1.0 -
Added: Custom Boot/Shutdown Animations, Automatic Root By SuperSU On Install, Multiple Security Apps, Mobile Data Toggle In Quick Settings, New Apps & Widgets Set On The Homescreen By Default To Help You Get Started.
Updated: Bixby Instead Of Flipboard, TouchWiz Updated To S8 Version, Google Search Changed To DuckDuckGo Search, S Browser replaced with Orfox Tor Browser, Stock Text Messaging App Replaced With Signal Private Messenger App, Limited Stock File Browser Replaced With ES File Explorer
Fixed: Samsung Health Not Working On Rooted Nougat Device Issue

XDA:DevDB Information
QC6 LITE ROM, ROM for the T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note5

Contributors
bogarty
ROM OS Version: 7.x Nougat
Based On: Stock

Version Information
Status: Stable
Current Stable Version: QC6 Lite Rom v1.0
Stable Release Date: 2017-04-29

Created 2017-04-30
Last Updated 2017-04-30

 

[bogarty]

Reserved

 

[voyagerair]

thanks, heard of TOR. will try tonight. hopefully super fast too. anyway to unlock tethering hotspot, Audio mod.

 

[bogarty]

thanks, heard of TOR. will try tonight. hopefully super fast too. anyway to unlock tethering hotspot, Audio mod.

Well, I don't know about about Audio Mod, though it looks like you can just flash the file from here if this is the one you meant:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/tmobile-galaxy-note5/themes-apps/mod-tmon5surroud-sound-t3187359
Hadn't thought about tethering hotspot either, though, depending on what you want to do, I did leave the mobile Hotspot app in the rom for doing hotspot over wifi. There is always the Android Beam function if you just want to transfer files or share links, contacts, etc. from one device to another. It's not the same as tethering though I know. Maybe I'll look into incorporating that if I can at some point later on down the road if/when I get some more extra time.

 

[voyagerair]

thanks for the link.
I meant unlimited tethering hotspot. Tmobile limit 5 GB at 4GLTE, after that still can tether ...but at 2G speed which is useless nowadays.
Anyways...after reboot, ROM is still at very 1st screen. haven't SAMSUNG logo yet. 10 pass already

---------- Post added at 10:05 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:52 AM ----------

3rd flash; made it to boot screen
HARKformat
flash
don't reboot
clean davidcatch/catch
reboot system
thanks

 

[bogarty]

thanks for the link.
I meant unlimited tethering hotspot. Tmobile limit 5 GB at 4GLTE, after that still can tether ...but at 2G speed which is useless nowadays.
Anyways...after reboot, ROM is still at very 1st screen. haven't SAMSUNG logo yet. 10 pass already

---------- Post added at 10:05 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:52 AM ----------

3rd flash; made it to boot screen
HARKformat
flash
don't reboot
clean davidcatch/catch
reboot system
thanks

As it says in the OP, you may have to wait awhile for the 1st boot to complete. Possibly even 5-10 minutes. Also, it may reboot up to 3 times or so on 1st boot while it roots. Believe me, it works really good. Using it right now in fact. Just have to be patient the 1st boot up.

1) Wipe.
2) Reflash.
3) Wait!

 

[voyagerair]

followed all of your steps to activate Orbot...but keeps FC

 

[bogarty]

followed all of your steps to activate Orbot...but keeps FC

Strange. Try clearing the data on it in Settings and reboot.

 

[waelzubaidi]

does it support multilanguages ??

 

[bogarty]

does it support multilanguages ??

Yes. Multi-language is actually quite built in now. Just go to "Settings>General Management>Language and Input, Language", then click on "Add Language" and add whatever language you desire.

Note: Click top right menu and click on "All Languages" to see more languages if yours doesn't appear.

 

[rmarinella]

View attachment 4132658​

Hey guys! I thought I'd make this super lite version of the new "N920TUVU4EQC6" Nougat stock firmware for all my fellow T-Mobile Note 5-ers out there. It's much smaller than the official stock firmware package, but please note that I didn't get rid of all the Samsung or Gapps stuff like many debloated roms do. I basically tried to make the rom as lite as possible without reducing any functionality of the S Pen, networking, Settings & Quick Settings options, image & video editing capabilities, S Health heartbeat sensor functionality, S Voice and TTS stuff, etc., so I left all the necessary stuff to do that. I left the Play Store installed too, so no one has to flash a Gapps package just to download apps. Any other Google apps you want you can just download from here: https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/google-inc/

The main thing I focused on for this rom though was the personal security of the user.

Security Features:
- VPN/TOR support For Online Anonymity.(via Orbot)

To get started using this feature right away and secure yourself just:
1) Open Orbot from the "Security" folder on the home page.
2) Hit the "Start" button.
3) Click the top left menu and switch on "Apps VPN Mode".
4) Click "Proxy All" Button at the bottom of the next page.
That's it. You're done.

- More Secure Web Browsing & Web Search Options.(via Orfox & DuckDuckGo)
- Private Calls & SMS/MMS Text Messaging.(via Signal)
- A Secure Password Manager For Creating & Storing Encrypted Passwords For All Your Accounts.(via Keepass2Android)
- 2-Factor Authentication Support For Your Accounts Providing The Ability To Generate 2 Step Verification Codes For Secure Log Ins.(via Authy)
- Functionality to block the camera from being opened secretly For Anti-Spyware Protection.(via Camera Blocker)
- Real-Time Connection Monitor For Tracking Exactly Where Your Apps Are Connecting To Visually On A Map.(via SpyMonitor)
- Best of all though, if you don't really want any of that stuff and just want to further debloat, I added an option for people to delete whatever system or user apps they want.(via System App Safe Remover)

NOTE: These are all extremely important features for protecting your identity online, for more information on all the features listed above, please just look the corresponding apps up in the Play Store.

Other Features:
Aroma Installer
Roots With No-Verity-Opt-Encrypt & SuperSU on install.
Init.d Support
Deodexed
Deknoxed
Debloated
Custom QC6 Lite Boot & Shutdown Logos
Custom Anonymous/Guy Fawkes Theme
Latest Version of the S8 TouchWiz Launcher
Latest Version of Bixby

Known Bugs:
Bixby- Needs to update ICS(Interactive and Customized Services). It takes MANY tries to get it to update, but when it finally does, everything works fine. https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=72084170&postcount=11
This is an issue on Samsung's end that came about recently. You can always just touch and hold on the homescreen and toggle the switch to just turn off Bixby if you want too.

Prerequisites:

Root
Custom Recovery https://dl.twrp.me/noblelte/twrp-3.1.0-0-noblelte.img.tar.html
SM-N920T Only!!!

DISCLAIMER: I Am Not Responsible For What You Do To Your Device. Flash At Your Own Risk.

Installation:

1) Download Rom To Device.
DOWNLOAD HERE
2) Flash Rom In TWRP (root and SuperSU included)
3) Reboot
4) WAIT!(See note below.)

NOTE: First boot may take several minutes(possibly as much as 5-10 mins even). It may reboot a few times as well as it roots and installs SuperSU...If you prefer Magisk for whatever reason, then just download the Magisk app and open it. I believe it should guide you through the process of switching over. Personally, I prefer the functionality & simplicity of SuperSU though.

Happy flashing guys! If you like the rom, then be sure to hit either THANKS or DONATE buttons below. Thank you!

Update Details:

v.1.0 -
Added: Custom Boot/Shutdown Animations, Automatic Root By SuperSU On Install, Multiple Security Apps, Mobile Data Toggle In Quick Settings, New Apps & Widgets Set On The Homescreen By Default To Help You Get Started.
Updated: Bixby Instead Of Flipboard, TouchWiz Updated To S8 Version, Google Search Changed To DuckDuckGo Search, Stock Text Messaging App Replaced With Signal Private Messenger App, Limited Stock File Browser Replaced With ES File Explorer
Fixed: Samsung Health Not Working On Rooted Nougat Device Issue

XDA:DevDB Information
QC6 LITE ROM, ROM for the T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note5

Contributors
bogarty
ROM OS Version: 7.x Nougat
Based On: Stock

Version Information
Status: Stable
Current Stable Version: QC6 Lite Rom v1.0
Stable Release Date: 2017-04-29

Created 2017-04-30
Last Updated 2017-04-30

Nice job!

 

[daegaa]

no message app
thanks nice rom

 

[bogarty]

no message app
thanks nice rom

Signal is the messaging app. It says that in the OP. Just type in your phone number and press register and then you will see your text messages. I replaced it for more security because it is a way of getting text messages(and making calls) privately.

 

[TrayDays]

followed all of your steps to activate Orbot...but keeps FC

Same happens with me as well, But I assure you the settings are still working if you changed anything. The only thing would be clearing the data and doing everything over again if you want to change your settings. I don't know why it does this but it's the only way that's been working for me so far.

As for the bixby ICS, just install the Personalization Service Client from APKMIRROR LINK and it will update it.

The only thing I'm having problem with is the bixby vision not being recognized on photos. I don't know if it have to do with installing the updated bixby files from apkmirror before updating the app, as I should of just left it as default since bogarty said it was on latest. So i'm unsure of that as scrolling to left works though, just not bixby voice and vision. Gonna Dirty Flash ROM and see if it fixes the problem.

Other than that, the ROM is pretty nice, enjoy the security done with this ROM.

 

[bogarty]

Same happens with me as well, But I assure you the settings are still working if you changed anything. The only thing would be clearing the data and doing everything over again if you want to change your settings. I don't know why it does this but it's the only way that's been working for me so far.

As for the bixby ICS, just install the Personalization Service Client from APKMIRROR LINK and it will update it.

The only thing I'm having problem with is the bixby vision not being recognized on photos. I don't know if it have to do with installing the updated bixby files from apkmirror before updating the app, as I should of just left it as default since bogarty said it was on latest. So i'm unsure of that as scrolling to left works though, just not bixby voice and vision. Gonna Dirty Flash ROM and see if it fixes the problem.

Other than that, the ROM is pretty nice, enjoy the security done with this ROM.

Thanks Tray! You're right. Personalization Service does fix Bixby. I'll add the link to the OP. I haven't tried installing Bixby Vision yet, it's possible it may only work with the newest camera 7.0.x. I tried adding that camera to the rom actually, but it wasn't compatible.

 

[TrayDays]

Thanks Tray! You're right. Personalization Service does fix Bixby. I'll add the link to the OP. I haven't tried installing Bixby Vision yet, it's possible it may only work with the newest camera 7.0.x. I tried adding that camera to the rom actually, but it wasn't compatible.

Ah, makes sense. Good to get a confirmation on it. Also thanks, appreciate it man.

 

[bogarty]

followed all of your steps to activate Orbot...but keeps FC

Same happens with me as well, But I assure you the settings are still working if you changed anything. The only thing would be clearing the data and doing everything over again if you want to change your settings. I don't know why it does this but it's the only way that's been working for me so far.

You might also check and see if you need to update the app in the Play Store too. The latest update lists:
* Fixes for app selection screen layout and crash bugs.
* Fixes for native code crashes for some devices.

EDIT: By the way, if you guys ever want to change your Tor identity on the fly too, then you can just open the app and swipe the green onion picture in any direction.

 

[Recoiler]

Thanks for this dev. Has anyone gotten a hang on Install upon completion? After "Installation completed successfully", when I clicked NEXT, I got a full freeze. Waited 15 mins, nothing...

*Edited for keyboard battery dying, LOL.
I was able to hard reset and get back into TWRP. Tried installing again, this time I did it w/safe wipe and it seems to be working. Will keep you posted on results after light use. Thanks again.

 

[bogarty]

Thanks for this dev. Has anyone gotten a hang on Install upon completion? After "Installation completed successfully", when I clicked NEXT, I got a full freeze. Waited 15 mins, nothing...

If it completed successfully, then just hold down the power button and reboot. Should be fine. First boot will take awhile.

 

[bogarty]

Just went through and further explained all the security features in the OP. Added some images too as a guide. Hope this helps those who want to fully take advantage of those features.