My phone may stop working next year - General Questions and Answers

Hello,
I have a LG L90 D415 that I bought back in 2014 and is working perfectly. I was using it with the last official update sent by the manufacturer (Andorid 5.1.1 Lollipop), but one single APP stop working and when I check for that APP, for it to work I needed to have Android 6 Marshmallow. Problem was that the manufacturer stop supporting the unit and they decided not to provide any other update beyond 5.1.1. Luckily I found that there was version 7 Nougat for my unit as an AOSP with Linange OS. Me, being an ignorant of android configuration, had a hard time installing it but finally was able to make it work. If not for that APP that stop working I would never change the OS but at the end I was happy, it was like having a new phone. I was able to install the APP and make it work. Then few days ago I read this article:
Devices may stop working next year: Here's why
The article is talking about devices that won't be able to work due to outdated security certificates. Specifically about andorid devices using Android version 7 Nougat (the one that I recently install on the phone), the article says:
The most vulnerable devices
Helme said users of Windows computers won't need to worry, as Microsoft has built in constant updating of certificates. Web browsers on most platforms get certificate updates regularly. And because iPhones get system updates so frequently, "I wouldn't be too concerned about this problem if I was an iOS user (I am)."
"But it looks like Android users might have some concerns in the not too distant future," Helme added.
That's because as of April 2020, nearly 40% of all Android devices visible to Google were using now-unsupported Android versions such as Nougat or earlier. (These statistics don't include Amazon Fire tablets, Xiaomi Mi phones or other devices that run non-Google versions of Android.) Many of those older devices may soon lose the ability to connect to most app servers and websites.​
Since I have an old unit it seems that there is no interest from the LinageOS people to build at least version 8 of Android for the LG L90. So I need to ask, What are my options? Is there a way to find updated security certificates?
Please advise.

3d1l said:
Hello,
I have a LG L90 D415 that I bought back in 2014 and is working perfectly. I was using it with the last official update sent by the manufacturer (Andorid 5.1.1 Lollipop), but one single APP stop working and when I check for that APP, for it to work I needed to have Android 6 Marshmallow. Problem was that the manufacturer stop supporting the unit and they decided not to provide any other update beyond 5.1.1. Luckily I found that there was version 7 Nougat for my unit as an AOSP with Linange OS. Me, being an ignorant of android configuration, had a hard time installing it but finally was able to make it work. If not for that APP that stop working I would never change the OS but at the end I was happy, it was like having a new phone. I was able to install the APP and make it work. Then few days ago I read this article:
Devices may stop working next year: Here's why
The article is talking about devices that won't be able to work due to outdated security certificates. Specifically about andorid devices using Android version 7 Nougat (the one that I recently install on the phone), the article says:
The most vulnerable devices
Helme said users of Windows computers won't need to worry, as Microsoft has built in constant updating of certificates. Web browsers on most platforms get certificate updates regularly. And because iPhones get system updates so frequently, "I wouldn't be too concerned about this problem if I was an iOS user (I am)."
"But it looks like Android users might have some concerns in the not too distant future," Helme added.
That's because as of April 2020, nearly 40% of all Android devices visible to Google were using now-unsupported Android versions such as Nougat or earlier. (These statistics don't include Amazon Fire tablets, Xiaomi Mi phones or other devices that run non-Google versions of Android.) Many of those older devices may soon lose the ability to connect to most app servers and websites.​
Since I have an old unit it seems that there is no interest from the LinageOS people to build at least version 8 of Android for the LG L90. So I need to ask, What are my options? Is there a way to find updated security certificates?
Please advise.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If the manufacturer stops supports a device and if the device is no longer supported by custom development in the android user community and if security updates are no longer supported by the manufacturer or by custom android developers, the only other options are to support the software development yourself, if possible, or get a new device. You obviously won't be able to do the software/security support yourself so that leaves you only the option of getting a new device.
By the way, whoever wrote that article is an idiot iOS user. Yes, Apple will continue to release security updates, but, not for all Apple devices, they don't offer updates/support on their older devices. Apple doesn't want its users to use Apple devices more than a year or two, for this reason, they discontinue support on those older devices to force its users to buy newer devices.
Sent from my SM-S767VL using Tapatalk

Droidriven said:
If the manufacturer stops supports a device and if the device is no longer supported by custom development in the android user community and if security updates are no longer supported by the manufacturer or by custom android developers, the only other options are to support the software development yourself, if possible, or get a new device. You obviously won't be able to do the software/security support yourself so that leaves you only the option of getting a new device.
By the way, whoever wrote that article is an idiot iOS user. Yes, Apple will continue to release security updates, but, not for all Apple devices, they don't offer updates/support on their older devices. Apple doesn't want its users to use Apple devices more than a year or two, for this reason, they discontinue support on those older devices to force its users to buy newer devices.
Sent from my SM-S767VL using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks,
I definitively won't be able to built my own, I'm just a dumb ignorant normal user, I don't even know how I was able to pull it out, I'm talking about rooting with magisk and installing the Linage version 14 ROM. I read and read, ask a lot of questions that were never answered (nobody seems to be interested). It was like my android lifetime achievement and something that you are able to do only once in your life.
I was checking the phone status and it says that the last uptade that I have installed is Linage OS 14.1 (Andorid 7.1.2), with android security patch level 2019-01-05. I hope that that helps somehow. I also found that there is another ROM of Linage OS using Android 8 (Oreo), for the LG L90 but it says that it is unofficial, so I feel uneasy installing it. It's a shame, the phone is working so fine, it is my first and only smartphone and has been with me... well... more than seven years.

Related

[Q] Are we depended on Viewsonic or Android?

New to Android. But long time user of Linux/RH/Fedora. Are there “distro's” on Android? Can users easily add/remove software with a RPM type management system? In Linux if you don't like TnT you would just uninstall it. Viewsonic g tablet seems to be ok if you manually change a few things. I'm assuming that this is generally a temporary problem due to Viewsonic being behind in their updates. But what I would like to know is there going to be any long term “distro” type leadership going forward? When the new Android Tablet OS is released will it work with most hardware (Viewsonic) like a Linux distro or are we depended on Viewsonic. If Viewsonic let us down can we divorce them and go directly to Android or someone else for automatic updates? Thinking about buying. Can wait for Flash update hopefully in December. Don't see screen as a problem, basically the same as most laptops/netbooks. Can add market manually till it become official with new OS.
.
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Android is not like normal distros.
Being primarily an OS aimed at mobile devices (IE phones) with limited memory and proprietary layouts and internal set-ups, all drivers can not be provided in one overall install. Confliction between drivers would be an issue as well. Also look at many phones (like the nexus one) the Firmware controlling the cellular radio also controls the camera and encoding of videos and images. There is some common ground, but one ROM will not work on all devices without tweaking for the perticular device. CyanogenMOD ROM is a good example, it works on many devices but you must install the proper version for the device you have.
Also remember that we do not have Root on these devices out of the box, 99% of the time we must find an exploit to gain full access to the device. The Nexus one and the G tablet are the only devices I know of off hand without locked down bootloaders. Cellular carriers want the devices looked down so the users can not use the device in ways that the carriers do not want. (like free tethering)
We are dependant on the manufacturer often times to release source code for the device so Devs can rip out the proper drivers and framework for the device. Often times drivers cross over between android versions making updating easier for the ROM devs.
If you want a device that you can truly tinker with, stick to devices that Google has as Developer models. The old G1 the Nexus One and the upcoming Nexus S. Maybe they will release a Dev tablet as well.
The N900 is more open in that regard as far as being like a true Linux, though the future of that branch seems uncertain. It will defiantly be more niche.
Thanks for the reply. I guess I was thinking Android was Linux lite. Not sure where I stand on a tablet now. Think I want a Linux pc in a tablet form. Fedora on a tablet would be fine for me. Like you say tablets with MeeGo (Intel/Nokia/Linux Foundation) may or may not appear any time soon. Have to wait and see what happens.
tktim said:
Thanks for the reply. I guess I was thinking Android was Linux lite. Not sure where I stand on a tablet now. Think I want a Linux pc in a tablet form. Fedora on a tablet would be fine for me. Like you say tablets with MeeGo (Intel/Nokia/Linux Foundation) may or may not appear any time soon. Have to wait and see what happens.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Android is running on top of Linux, and given programs compiled for ARM you can install about anything, but there's no X... Framebuffer stuff could potentially work..
But no, if you're looking for a typical Linux desktop environment, this isn't the place to look. Although some of the dual boot Windows/Android tablets makes me wonder how difficult it would be to get it Linux/Android.
Thanks for the additional information.

I wish Android was more like iOS or GNU/Linux.

First, let me unravel what I mean by the title...
Apple offers updates to most if not all iOS devices when a new version of iOS comes out. I can be mistaken about this, but it really doesn't make my coming point invalid.
Most major GNU/Linux distributions supports a **** ton of hardware via the Linux kernel and can thus be installed on a lot of different computer configurations. Arch and others manage to have a rolling release, while Ubuntu and others can be updated to the latest version every time there is a new one.
Now, the Android kernel is a fork of the Linux kernel.... yet to my knowlegde, Cyagen Mod is the closest thing we have to an "Android Distrobution" that works on several devices... yet the latest stable release for my Optimus 2X was in October 2011 (Android 2.3).
My guess is that, as of 2012, the number of Android users has far surpassed the number of Linux Desktop Users.
So my question is, why can't I have an up to date Android experience on my phone?
One simple answer would be to blame NVIDIA for not updating their tegra-drivers... I might be extremely uninformed, but I believe I had a working tegra driver in my stock android 2.3 version. So why not patch the same driver for 4.1? Is Android 4.1 really that different? Why arn't more people working on this? No commercial interest? Has that ever grinded the linux community to a halt?
I want 10 stable Android distibutions by Friday afternoon... Go!
No, but seriously... I understand there are a lot of developers working on bringing the latest Android experience to all sorts of devices.

Blackberry Z30 Bootloader?

Hi
I have a Blackberry Z30 lying in my drawer, and I have been thinking of trying to make an Android build for it. Yes, I realise this would be a massive undertaking, but considering the parts in it are fairly standard, drivers shouldn't be an issue. The larger issue is the bootloader. My particular Z30 is a little special, in that it is a pre production device. However, I have no idea how to even check if it has a locked bootloader. Has anyone seriously tried to look at any BB10 devices, and how one might go about loading an Android build onto one? I'm looking at this as a long term side project for learning and to have fun.
very nice try
Xaiux said:
Hi
I have a Blackberry Z30 lying in my drawer...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the same BlackBerry Z30 device, waiting for 10.3.3 to see what's changed in the OS. Do you think it's possible to build for it an updated Android runtime based on Marshmallow or Nougat with Google services that works alongside BB10 OS instead of old Android 4.3 runtime that our devices have now?
VBBoston said:
I have the same BlackBerry Z30 device, waiting for 10.3.3 to see what's changed in the OS. Do you think it's possible to build for it an updated Android runtime based on Marshmallow or Nougat with Google services that works alongside BB10 OS instead of old Android 4.3 runtime that our devices have now?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To be perfectly honest, I would think that's much harder than building Android for it.
I think that would be hard too. you might take a look at Blackberry Link app and find how it works with this Qualcom device, I have no idea how to, but someone might know, that aplication loads the firmware when you get a BB bricked. But in my personal opinion its a great device, the BB10 OS is perfect for my needs, so I think tha would be better finding solutions for Google services on the BB10. a lot of them can be patched but there are a lot of bugs on them. In my opinion that will be a good start.

Sailfish OS

Hi all. Anyone had any luck getting Sailfish to swim? I can get it up and running but there doesn't appear to be any Android support. Sailfish is an excellent OS and I love the way it works but there simply aren't enough apps for it so for me Android support is a must but it doesn't seem to exist.
Doing a hefty duck session (and falling back to google search) suggests a variety of methods to kick Android support off but they would appear to be for older versions of Sailfish. Anyone out there with any light to shed on this?
Okay. Answering my own questions but for those of you who consider XDA developers the major source of information on mobile apps (as I tend to do) if it ain't here it ain't known! Wrong of course but for those who share my fallacy:
The Sailfish version you can get as of now (summer 2018) is a community edition not the full blown version. It does not come with various bits. Chief amongst these is Android support. There is talk of a full version "real soon now." Beta in Sept and full version "at the end of the year" which probably means Feb 2019.
Watch this space....
jez3652 said:
Hi all. Anyone had any luck getting Sailfish to swim? I can get it up and running but there doesn't appear to be any Android support. Sailfish is an excellent OS and I love the way it works but there simply aren't enough apps for it so for me Android support is a must but it doesn't seem to exist.
Doing a hefty duck session (and falling back to google search) suggests a variety of methods to kick Android support off but they would appear to be for older versions of Sailfish. Anyone out there with any light to shed on this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Android One

Hello everyone,
I was searching for Android One topics here and unfortunately found nothing ( probably because of the confusing name)
So can someone explain what's up with this Android One software overlay.
I read some info on wiki but still have some questions:
Is it like normal firmware that only comes with certain smartphones, or you can flash it yourself?
It's a near stock android but, which version is it based on,
does it come out every time new android version rolls out, or it just gets updated to the new one.
and lastly let's say I have android one phone, and after three years they stopped regular updates,
it's still android one compatible phone right, so I can update to the new version myself?
Thank you.
avoup said:
Hello everyone,
I was searching for Android One topics here and unfortunately found nothing ( probably because of the confusing name)
...
and lastly let's say I have android one phone, and after three years they stopped regular updates,
it's still android one compatible phone right, so I can update to the new version myself?
Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, Android One are phones that run a lite weight version of Android for budget phones with small specs (under 2Go of RAM, entry level processor,...) called Android Go. It's supposed to give a fluid experience to phones with limited capacity. Each Android Go version (for each Android One device) is in consequences very specific to the device, in order to use efficiently all of what the different specs has to offer.
You can still build ROMs/TWRP for those devices, and use it as a normal device, but the experience will be much slower. So to answer your 3 questions:
1)It's firmware that only comes with certain phones, it's build to use perfectly the SoC and memory, so it's very specific (not generic like GSI)
2) Android One are phones, Android Go is the Android version. Your phone may or may not receive an update to the Next Android version, on that side it's the same as other phones. If it receives an update, you'll run (for example) Android 10 Go Version. So update exists for Android One phones, they won't stay for ever at the same Android version they had at the beginning.
3) when your phone won't be supported anymore, you won't be able to update your phone to another version of Android Go. You'll still be able to flash ROMs or stuff like that, but since Android Go builds are very specific to each devices, you can't flash them "cross devices".
PS: at the moment I've not heard of Android 10 Go Edition, it's still at Android 9 if I'm correct. But it will be updated, the goal of Android one is to support cheap and often not long lasting phone over time.
Read more here : https://www.android.com/versions/go-edition/

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