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[request]Papyrus side button usage?

So, in Papyrus there is an option to use the side button for some really handy things.
However, Samsung doesn't allow it.... DAMN SAMSUNG!
Papyrus help says
Unfortunately, Samsung does not currently allow third party applications to access the S Pen side button. We really hope Samsung will change this in the future.
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But then again.. it's android, there should always be a way, right??
Did anyone find a way to get this fixed? Would installing a custom ROM work? I would rather not as I give courses at workplaces and I don't want people to start installing cutom ROMs... any other ways?

Would a custom ROM fix it? As samsung is the one blocking the gestures, would a custom ROM make a difference?
Could anyone try? I can't install a custom ROM's as I have to use this tablet as an example for work.

hi there, have you found a solution to the problem?
http://papyrus.uservoice.com/forums/177239-general/suggestions/3688573-enable-s-pen-button
apparently a lot of others have the same issue. I wonder if we can just delete the function using Titanium backup.

Is there a way to "vanillalize" Android?

A lot of manufacturers customize Android, some just put a custom skin on it, some even redesign it to the point where people can't even recognize Android. So, my question is: is there a way to delete all bloatware (even the manufacturer updating app), and change every customized system app to their Vanilla counterparts (even SystemUI, Settings etc.)? Without, of course, installing a Custom ROM.
Why I want all this is the following: I have a device (I don't want to name it, because I want to keep this a General Question) that has a pretty big camp here on XDA, but the specific MODEL I have, does not. They didn't even figure out how to unlock the Bootloader for it, which is a shame, because now I cannot install Custom ROMs on it. It even uses completely different firmwares, than the other models, so no compatibility beetween the devices.
So, is there a way to do all this? I have root, of course, so that's no problem. Oh, and another thing: I can't install Xposed. I don't know why, but I can't.
Android 5.0.1

smileyhead said:
A lot of manufacturers customize Android, some just put a custom skin on it, some even redesign it to the point where people can't even recognize Android. So, my question is: is there a way to delete all bloatware (even the manufacturer updating app), and change every customized system app to their Vanilla counterparts (even SystemUI, Settings etc.)? Without, of course, installing a Custom ROM.
Why I want all this is the following: I have a device (I don't want to name it, because I want to keep this a General Question) that has a pretty big camp here on XDA, but the specific MODEL I have, does not. They didn't even figure out how to unlock the Bootloader for it, which is a shame, because now I cannot install Custom ROMs on it. It even uses completely different firmwares, than the other models, so no compatibility beetween the devices.
So, is there a way to do all this? I have root, of course, so that's no problem. Oh, and another thing: I can't install Xposed. I don't know why, but I can't.
Android 5.0.1
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debloating can be done rather easily using root. many apps such as rom toolbox and titanium can aid with that.
as far as basically de-themeing the phone, im sure it would require a reasonable amount of developmental knowledge to even attempt.
even if i knew what device you had, im sure i couldnt help, but the level of possibility and difficulty could certainly vary from one device to another.

debloating can be done rather easily using root. many apps such as rom toolbox and titanium can aid with that.
as far as basically de-themeing the phone, im sure it would require a reasonable amount of developmental knowledge to even attempt.
even if i knew what device you had, im sure i couldnt help, but the level of possibility and difficulty could certainly vary from one device to another.
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Could flashing system apps work?

smileyhead said:
Could flashing system apps work?
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i assume you mean changing system apps.
that would depend on weather the app is themed, or there is some external themeing going on.
if its the app, and you want to change it, you will need to find apps compatible with your device and version, or they wont work.

It completely depends on the device. There is a huge diff between a themed os and a custom distro like you see on Samsung and HTC devices. I think only one oem makes a themed version and that is the oxygen os. The rest can't be done as it is not really a theme but a complete distro where system files and drivers have been replaced or re-written completely. The only way to truly do it is to flash a rom based on pure aosp code. Made you doing this removes just about all features from a device but as your bootloader is on unlocked and with no bypass you are kinda stuck.

i assume you mean changing system apps.
that would depend on weather the app is themed, or there is some external themeing going on.
if its the app, and you want to change it, you will need to find apps compatible with your device and version, or they wont work.
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Some clarification: I meant deleting the themed system apps (Dialer, Settings, etc.), then flashing Gapps, and the other stuff that's not included in it (Settings, FaceUnlock, etc.).
It completely depends on the device. There is a huge diff between a themed os and a custom distro like you see on Samsung and HTC devices. I think only one oem makes a themed version and that is the oxygen os. The rest can't be done as it is not really a theme but a complete distro where system files and drivers have been replaced or re-written completely. The only way to truly do it is to flash a rom based on pure aosp code. Made you doing this removes just about all features from a device but as your bootloader is on unlocked and with no bypass you are kinda stuck.
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Well, this firmware is pretty much just a reskin with some additional functions (a really ugly reskin), so I thought about what I mentioned above. I can always reflash the firmware, if something goes wrong, without data loss.

I would look in your system partition. The easiest give away will be if there are extra frameworks. If there is you can bet that they replaced the apks instead of just theming them. Give it a shot and I hope it works.

Empty ROM

Hello everyone,
Im here for a long time now, enjoy my different android cellphone with different ROMs you proposed.
But now I wish one thing : a empty ROM with nothing in it for my Z3.
Is it existing and/or valuable? Indeed I want it to put a modded Store and add everything I want with nothing else.
Well I think Im not the only one in this quest and and maybe It's already discuss elsewhere.
Well thanks for all of your work its really amazing what you can do in here.

What do you mean by an "empty ROM" ?
You can always take a rom .zip and modify it the way you think it suits you best,
but I don't think many users here want to have a bootable rom with nothing in it.
Please specify what you mean by empty.
Do you mean no system at all, no apps, no bloat, no extra features besides AOSP?

he basically means no apps/widgets at all, just the rom itself

The rom itself functions because of the system apps or am I missing something?
But like I said he could use every rom zip and modify it, which would be in fact the same
as getting an "empty" one, where he had to add many apps for basic things like phone, settings etc.

Richy99 said:
he basically means no apps/widgets at all, just the rom itself
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Yes That's what i am talking about.
I have just seen in android development ROMs with lot of apps.
I install ROM til the SGS and now I own a Z3.
Between I took a break with Android for iPhone.
Well I am again in android stuff and there are changes.
I mean when I installed ROM back in the days I had to flash the kernel, etc.
Now there's only a zip to flash in Recovery with all already configured.
How can I configure more? Choose what i want in the ROM.
Obviously I need Phone app (didn't know that's an app in fact) but for the rest, I can use for example Retrica for APN, Box for email etc. I don't advertise it's just examples.
Well are the cyanogen ROM nightlies what I am looking for?
I want to personalize all.
Thanks for the interest.

Well I understand the need to configure it yourself, but theres definitely no such rom. I for myself never saw something like that on xda. But like I said if you don't want the pre-installed apps you can open the rom zip and delete those you don't want and replace them with the ones you got.
But beware: like I already said there's a whole lot of apps for basic phone features which may not appear as an app with an actual interface on your device but rather work in the background. Deleting such could end in a brick in the worst case.
CyanogenMod has all the standard apps pre-installed like every other major custom rom out there.
It's designed to be flashed and used right away.

Asking for opinion regarding customizing tablet for nursing staff

Hi,
I'm currently programming an app for a hospital as a bachelorsproject. Now I've discussed with my mentor about the fact we want the devices to be used only as pupose for the app I'm making, apps we preinstall and future apps that are made for the personel thats using them.
Currently I'm working with a Galaxy Tab A 10.1 (2016) running android 6.0.1 without it being rooted.
So what do you guys suggest with this I've done some reading along how to root whats possible and seen some guides for my device on how to root it.
What I want to do is actually have like a stock android so no samsung bloatware and microsoft apps etc, even chrome doesn't need to be installed as they don't need acces to browsing. And then pre install specific apps like my app, the one from the hospital itself, future apps and others we specifically need.
Also I'm new to android in general so can I create like a nurse user, and a IT-desk user so the IT desk user can log on the tablet and install an app, while the nurse doesn't even have acces to settings maybe.
Would love to hear what you guys think along what to do, and maybe some general steps like root it, flash a stock rom, create your (2)users, and install apps.

Tommyboy500 said:
Hi,
I'm currently programming an app for a hospital as a bachelorsproject. Now I've discussed with my mentor about the fact we want the devices to be used only as pupose for the app I'm making, apps we preinstall and future apps that are made for the personel thats using them.
Currently I'm working with a Galaxy Tab A 10.1 (2016) running android 6.0.1 without it being rooted.
So what do you guys suggest with this I've done some reading along how to root whats possible and seen some guides for my device on how to root it.
What I want to do is actually have like a stock android so no samsung bloatware and microsoft apps etc, even chrome doesn't need to be installed as they don't need acces to browsing. And then pre install specific apps like my app, the one from the hospital itself, future apps and others we specifically need.
Also I'm new to android in general so can I create like a nurse user, and a IT-desk user so the IT desk user can log on the tablet and install an app, while the nurse doesn't even have acces to settings maybe.
Would love to hear what you guys think along what to do, and maybe some general steps like root it, flash a stock rom, create your (2)users, and install apps.
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You could build an AOSP ROM for that model number with only the apps and features you choose, it would require AOSP source code and your stock source code.
Then, yes, android natively supports setting up user profiles, with root access you can set it so that the "nurse user" profile can only use the device and an "admin user" would have exclusive permissions to make whatever changes are needed. You can set it so that the "nurse user" would not be able to install new apps, wouldn't be able to browse the web or even set it so they could browse if needed but would be limited in what they can access on the web, and you'd be able to set it so they would be locked out of all settings.
What you want is very possible, the most difficult part would be compiling the ROM if you go that route, you may not need or want to though because with root, you can strip down the existing stock firmware to remove the extras you don't want or need.
Mind you, there would be some details and specifics to deal with that would require trial and error along the way, obviously.

General question on changing ROM in device

Hi there,
Few months ago, I was told in XDA site that nowadays changing the ROM is not anymore the best way to de-google a device. Now it is better to de-bloat and tweak the device.
Do you agree with this statement?
Did you change the ROM in your device or only de-bloated it? Tell me your experience. Easy to install, need to root, unblock the bootloader, update, what is NOT working, speed, battery, ...?
I own a Samung Tablet S5e LTE few months old, under guaranty and would like to de-google it. I was thinking to change the ROM, is tit the best way?
What is your advice? If needed, what ROM to use? What way, software to de-bloat?
Many thanks

MrNice said:
Hi there,
Few months ago, I was told in XDA site that nowadays changing the ROM is not anymore the best way to de-google a device. Now it is better to de-bloat and tweak the device.
Do you agree with this statement?
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Fully agree with this.

Thank you for your fast answer.
Could you be more specific and tell me why, how (big picture) and if you have experience what tools did you use?

People most times use terms "De-google" and "De-bloat" not knowing what they are really speaking of.
The Vanilla Android ( read: AOSP - today often called GSI ) is totally free of apps developed by Google ( topic: GMS ) and the service ( GFS ) they need to run, this because NOBODY basically needs these to operate a phone. But the overwhelming majority of the users of mobile devices want an Android what is extended by features, so they can download & install more apps, play games, listen to music, watch porn videos. OEMs respect this wish - they want to sell their products - and therefore typically add GMS & GFS to their Android OS, so it in reality becomes a Custom ROM.
Resume: Vanilla Android - and all ROMS that are based on Vanilla Android ( like Lineage OS and many others ) must not get "De-googled".
Bloatware ( or Potentially Unwanted Programs - PUP ) is software users don’t want, that burdens and slows down a mobile device. It usually comes pre-installed by vendors, manufacturers or carriers. IMO "De-bloating" is the first thing a user should do when starting up a new device.
Bloatware typically is installed as system-app, hence phone's Android must got rooted before you can start "De-bloating".

As I am not very skilled in Android, I appreciate your post.
I installed LineageOS 17.1 on my Samsung S6, it working fine, I am happy for the usage but the only issue I have is that I can't update. This is another story in another XDA forum.
My need are usual plus
Read books, music sheets, social networks, Internet TV, news, training, conference (low bit-rate), email, messaging, GPS travel, basic pictures,
some specific app for music practice (tuner, metronome), veg gardening (I need to find one suitable for me).
but no game, no HD movie (download or stream), no large download
Backup locally (I need to learn more), no cloud usage.
As I run GNU/Linux for around 20 y, I hate to have to register for account in any app from GAFAM and I don't want as much as possible give them my data. I try to select the app without tracker, FOSS and I block the permissions as much as possible.
If I can de-google this is the best for my mindset.
I understand that de-google or de-bloat, I 'll have to root so break Knox. Right?
I don't know if I need GMS and/or GFS for my use. Could you tell me? For what app it is mandatory?
With my S5e I want to be more cautious, I need a way as secure as possible to not brick it.
With all these info, what do you advice?

MrNice said:
Hi there,
Few months ago, I was told in XDA site that nowadays changing the ROM is not anymore the best way to de-google a device. Now it is better to de-bloat and tweak the device.
Do you agree with this statement?
Did you change the ROM in your device or only de-bloated it? Tell me your experience. Easy to install, need to root, unblock the bootloader, update, what is NOT working, speed, battery, ...?
I own a Samung Tablet S5e LTE few months old, under guaranty and would like to de-google it. I was thinking to change the ROM, is tit the best way?
What is your advice? If needed, what ROM to use? What way, software to de-bloat?
Many thanks
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Click to collapse
For the Tab S5e de-googling it is next to impossible with stock samsung rom. LOS works great on it and not too difficult to install, CRDroid works well on it but is better with google installed, /e/ rom was being developed for it but I don't know if they are still working on it. I built an /e/ rom locally for my Tab S5e last year and it worked very well. If you want to get away from google you need to ditch the OneUI or whatever they are calling it.

tek3195 said:
For the Tab S5e de-googling it is next to impossible with stock samsung rom. LOS works great on it and not too difficult to install, CRDroid works well on it but is better with google installed, /e/ rom was being developed for it but I don't know if they are still working on it. I built an /e/ rom locally for my Tab S5e last year and it worked very well. If you want to get away from google you need to ditch the OneUI or whatever they are calling it.
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Thanks for you advice, I'll work on it soon.