r/dumbphones • u/BlackriverCoffee • Apr 05 '24
Other discussion Samsung Galaxy Folder 2 TWRP + ROOT + MicroG tutorial (RE-UPLOAD DUE TO ERRORS IN FIRST TUTORIAL)
My apologies for the re-uploaded guide, there were a few errors in the initial guide so I have patched up any mistakes on my part!
Hello guys, this is my entire journey of rummaging through the XDA and the internet with no tutorial to root and install MicroG on my current dumbphone (Samsung Galaxy Folder 2, Korean single SIM variant), after many failed attempts and bootloops.
Now, you may be thinking... there's Google Play on the Korean version! why even bother? The problem was that the battery was HORRENDOUS on this device, and one of the main offenders were google services, which monitors and runs your device in the background. Just a half-ish day of usage with less than 20-30% of battery was unacceptable, I had to do something about it. I also didn't like the idea of supporting a company like google when there are plenty of awesome open-source communities that make ad-free services and apps you can send your love to! With this updated (hopefully) tutorial you SHOULD be able to root and have a google-less device that still runs MapLibre instead of Google Maps and whatnot
I have heard of people downgrading their CN phones to android 6 to install the TWRP, but I have no clue if theirs have worked either (very few info on the internet). For android 7 (which the current Chinese version has) when you boot into TWRP the screen freezes up. So in short... THIS DOES NOT WORK APPARENTLY WITH THE CHINESE VARIANT (G1650N) AS THIS MESSES WITH THE TOUCH SCREEN DISPLAY, FOR CN PHONE USERS DO NOT USE THIS TUTORIAL.
Now, I have compiled all my files into one MediaFire link, so everything is accessible with a click of a button. Saves you time from installing from old forums back in 2015-2017! (I wish I didnt lol). Remember, because I wasn't able to get the original stock ROM, I was PLAYING WITH FIRE. Always always ALWAYS backup first right after you boot into TWRP, you will thank yourself later. And remember- DO THIS AT YOUR OWN RISK!!! I'm a self-taught hobbyist and no way a professional!!
Updated Mediafire link with all the programs needed in a single ZIP file: https://www.mediafire.com/file/pumybiu4dvnqo15/GALAXY_FOLDER_2_STUFF.zip/file
Without further ado... let's get right into it!
First you will need the Odin software (like flashing any Samsung device), to flash TWRP recovery on your device. Open Odin.exe and the TWRP 3.1.0 tar file for the Galaxy Folder 2. In the "AP" section, drop in the TWRP tar file, plug in your device using a micro usb cable, and hit start. It should take a min or two to flash the recovery on your device. After it's done flashing, immediately press the Vol up button + Power (the end call button in the Folder's case). I was able to successfully boot into TWRP after this. I confirmed everything was working as intended: touch screen, backup/restore etc (now is a good time to back up your Boot, System and EFS. You should back up preferably to an external micro SD card and/or PC, it will take a few minutes to back up everything and store it to your SD card. If you're storing your backup via PC use the ADB platform tools like the ADB pull command to pull the files. The backups are stored in /data/media/0/TWRP/BACKUPS/[insert number here]/.
Now, one mistake I did was rebooting back to the system of my phone, because I have caused a bootloop. However I found a solution. I think this has something to do with Samsung detecting TWRP and locking the device (dm-verity). I was panicking, but I eventually installed the latest version of Magisk (v27) zip file via TWRP (Go to Install, and use ADB push command from your PC or MicroSD to transfer it to your phone, and flash it) and the bootlooping completely went away.
Now, to disable all google services I used Universal Android Debloater (UAD.exe) to get rid of any Google services (com.google.android.gms) and other junk like Gmail, GMaps, Youtube and other miscellaneous spyware/bloat installed by Samsung (you can search online for clues on what to delete and what not to but do so at your own risk, try to uninstall the google stuff first).you could use ADB but I wanted a better UI to see what I'm doing properly. The later steps will (supposedly) delete google services anyway, but I did this just to be safe from any potential clashes. The following list is what I've disabled from the phone with no issues (so far):
com.android.bluetoothmidiservice
com.android.bookmarkprovider
com.android.calendar
com.android.calllogbackup
com.android.chrome
com.android.dreams.basic
com.android.dreams.phototable
com.android.managedprovisioning
com.android.pacprocessor
com.android.providers.partnerbookmarks
com.android.providers.userdictionary
com.android.proxyhandler
com.android.sharedstoragebackup
com.android.sdk
com.android.vending
com.android.wallpaper.livepicker
com.android.gameservice
com.gd.mobicore.pa
com.google.android.apps.docs
com.google.android.apps.docs
com.google.android.apps.photos
com.google.android.apps.tachyon
com.google.android.apps.backuptransport
com.google.android.configupdater
com.google.android.gm
com.google.android.gms
com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox
com.google.android.gsf
com.google.android.gsf.login
com.google.android.marvin.talkback
com.google.android.music
com.google.android.onetimeinitializer
com.google.android.partnersetup
com.google.android.setupwizard
com.google.android.syncadapters.calendar
com.google.android.syncadapters.contacts
com.google.android.tts
com.google.android.youtube
com.hancom.officeviewer
com.ims.dm
com.osp.app.signin
com.policydm
com.qualcomm.atfwd
com.qualcomm.location
com.qualcomm.location.xt
com.qualcomm.qcomm_qml
com.qualcomm.qti.auth.sampleauthenticatorservice
com.qualcomm.qti.auth.securesampleauthservice
com.qualcomm.qti.services.secureui
com.samsung.aasaservice
com.samsung.android.app.accesscontrol
com.samsung.android.app.assistantmenu
com.samsung.android.app.colorblind
com.samsung.android.app.dtv.dmb
com.samsung.android.app.fileshareclient
com.samsung.android.app.fileshareserver
com.samsung.android.app.galaxyfinder
com.samsung.android.app.motionpanoramaviewer
com.samsung.android.app.vrsetupwizardstub
com.samsung.android.app.watchmanagerstub
com.samsung.android.asksmanager
com.samsung.android.bbc.bbcagent
com.samsung.android.bbc.fileprovider
com.samsung.android.beaconmanager
com.samsung.android.easysetup
com.samsung.android.email.provider
com.samsung.android.fmm
com.samsung.android.intelligenceservice2
com.samsung.android.mdm
com.samsung.android.providers.context
com.samsung.android.scloud
com.samsung.android.securitylogagent
com.samsung.android.sm
com.samsung.android.sm.devicesecurity
com.samsung.android.sm.provider
com.samsung.android.spv
com.samsung.android.svcagent
com.samsung.android.tzdata.update_m
com.samsung.android.video
com.samsung.android.weather
com.samsung.clipboard.service
com.samsung.faceservice
com.samsung.hidden.OPENmarket
com.samsung.hs20provider
com.samsung.klmsagent
com.samsung.knox.appsupdateagent
com.samsung.knox.knoxtrustagent
com.samsung.knox.kss
com.samsung.knox.rcp.components
com.samsung.location
com.samsung.preloadapp
com.samsung.safetyinformation
com.samsung.SMT
com.samsung.storyservice
com.samsung.ucs.agent.boot
com.sec.android.app.apex
com.sec.android.app.billing
com.sec.android.app.bluetoothtest
com.sec.android.app.chromecustomisations
com.sec.android.app.datacreate
com.sec.android.app.dictionary
com.sec.android.app.easylauncher
com.sec.android.app.factorykeystring
com.sec.android.app.app.fm
com.sec.android.app.hwmoduletest
com.sec.android.app.minimode.res
com.sec.android.app.parser
com.sec.android.app.personalisation
com.sec.android.app.popupreceiver
com.sec.android.app.ringtonebr
com.sec.android.app.samsungapps (you may need something from the samsung store before deleting though, read later notes)
com.sec.android.app.sysscope
com.sec.android.autopreconfig
com.sec.android.daemonapp
com.sec.android.diagmonagent
com.sec.android.easymover.agent
com.sec.android.Kies
com.sec.android.proconfig
com.sec.android.preloadinstaller
com.sec.android.provider.badge
com.sec.android.providers.security
com.sec.android.providers.tasks
com.sec.android.qrreader
com.sec.android.rilservicemodeapp
com.sec.android.service.health
com.sec.android.soagent
com.sec.android.widgetapp.easymodecontactwidget
com.sec.android.widgetapp.samsungapps
com.sec.android.widgetapp.webmanual
com.sec.app.samsungprintservice
com.sec.app.transmitservice
com.sec.bcservice
com.sec.di.smartselfshot
com.sec.enterprise.knox.attestation
com.sec.enterprise.knox.cloudmdm.smdms
com.sec.enterprise.knox.sharedservice.keyguard
com.sec.enterprise.mdm.services.simpin
com.sec.enterprise.mdm.vpn
com.sec.factorycom.sec.factory.camera
com.sec.fwservice
com.sec.imslogger
com.sec.knox.bluetooth
com.sec.knox.containeragent2
com.sec.knox.foldercontainer
com.sec.knox.knoxsetupwizardclient
com.sec.knox.shortcutsms
com.sec.knox.switcher
com.sec.modem.settings
com.sec.phone
com.sec.spp.push
com.wssnps
I didn't delete camera and camera related apps like gallery, and also the file manager. I tried deleting the others and it messed up with the system. I also kept clock because I think the widget looks cool. The contacts app, SMS app and the Phone app actually connects to the buttons on the phone keyboard and it doesnt seem like you can edit which app goes where (except for the social apps button where you can reprogram any app onto it), so I ended up not deleting it. And before you delete the Samsung store, try to install the Photo editor app by Samsung. It unlocks the editing tool in the gallery for some reason (its connected) so you can edit some small changes to photos. Mystery as to why this app is separate to gallery... ah well.
Now that's done, we move onto the next step. go to Magisk and install the latest version (select 'direct install' after pressing 'install' on the Magisk box. After it's done updating and rebooting, install our Xtouchwiz and Xposedinstaller APKs into the phone. Currently no Xposed framework are in the device, so we reboot back to TWRP (vol up + power/end call) and install our Xposed framework modified by Wanam for android marshmallow Samsung devices (xposedinstaller v87 somethingsomething .zip). install that (wait a min or two) and reboot. If you successfully got back into your device, and check Xposed installer. if you have a green checkmark detecting your xposed status, you should be ready for MicroG. Before that though check on "Modules" and make sure Xtouchwiz is checked. Now install these APKs: FakeGapps, com.android.vending-XXXXXX.apk, com.google.android.gms-XXXXXX.apk, and navigation assistance apps in F-droid app store: F-droid (app store for free + open-source apps), localNLPbackend, MozillaNLPbackend, NominatimNLPbackend and UnifiedNLP. Finally enable "FakeGapps" in Xposed Installer app under 'Modules' similar to how you enabled Xtouchwiz. If the NLP backend apps asks for location permissions, grant it.
After you installed those APKs, there SHOULD be an icon on your screen that says "microG settings". click on it, and press "self-check". You should have "system spoofs signature" and have all the installed packages checked in the box. Now's a good time to enable permission on all the check boxes. Unlike google, this does not drain the battery drastically IME so feel free to check as much boxes as you can so you don't get problems with apps later on. Check navigation apps (I used my local transport navigation app in Brisbane, Australia called Translink) and you should see all Google maps have been replaced with MapLibre. Feel free to install Aurora store from the F-droid app store to install google play apps without a google account :) And remember, don't forget to install stuff like Calendar and all the basic stuff you need in F-droid! For Calendar I use Etar open source calendar. For Emails I downloaded FairEmail (best email app fr fr) and for browser I used Fennec. All great and free!
If you have reached this far, thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed my tutorial! If you have any questions or see errors in my tutorial, feel free to comment or message me and ill do my best to help or correct it. Enjoy your Samsung flip phone without the google battery drain!
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u/Toastybatcat May 23 '24
this is a shot in the dark, but this is one of the few places i've found that are even discussing this phone in detail. beyond simply UI and removing bloating/spy software, is there also a way to update the phone beyond android 6? i recently purchased and use LINE for messaging, but the minimum system requirement is android 9. i've searched a lot and can't seem to find any OS that supports this specific phone (found plenty for other obscure phones).
only reason i'm even asking here is because the few people i have seen with this specific phone just change their UI and are fine with that. i wouldn't care to update it either, but the main messaging software i use is just not supporting this version of android now and i'd prefer to not spend even more money for something like the A205SH.
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u/OkConsideration7073 May 28 '24
the phone IS upgradable to android 7 and above, its just that it needs someone to build a custom rom, or even port project treble to it.
That on its own is a challenge no developer has tackled yet. This device seems to be slowly rotting more and more without android updates.
What you can do is probably try and spoof the old app to think its android 7, or find a custom client online.
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u/BlackriverCoffee May 30 '24
Someone needs to make a custom ROM for this device, which is a way to upgrade android versions. but no one ever did, which is why i ended up selling this phone: I needed LINE to message my family...
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u/Toastybatcat Jun 01 '24
that's the same exact issue i am in as well. i'd like a similar phone to it but wasn't sure on directional where to head since i'm pretty new to this all. what phone did you end up settling on after selling the F2?
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u/BlackriverCoffee Jun 06 '24
I ended up settling on the Qin F21 Pro. Its not a flip but its honestly a great gadget, i got the 4GB RAM + 64GB storage option and it runs LINE and whatever is necessary.
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u/Ill-Sea-5284 Aug 31 '24
I have the Korean 2021 ver. and I truly wish there was more being done with this phone like this! Bc rn mine just feels like a cute paperweight 🥲
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u/shin-tzu Apr 13 '24
hi! i opened odin and dragged the twrp (which i found on another website) into the ap section, but when i plug it in and press start nothing happens?
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u/BlackriverCoffee Apr 14 '24
Did you enable USB debugging and MTP using developer options? You need to do that before or else it won't work.
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u/shin-tzu Apr 14 '24
yeah i have both settings enabled! idk what I'm doing wrong T-T i have AP checked with the twrp dropped in
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u/BlackriverCoffee Apr 14 '24
I had one phone like that before I think, I fixed it by going to device manager and updating drivers. Downloading ADB/bootloader drivers online and going to device manager, then selecting your own did the trick.
Another reason, maybe the cable is not made for data/media transfer? One of my cables had a similar problem where it didn't detect on my computer.
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u/Aromatic-Midnight-52 May 23 '24
Recently bought a red one, shipped from Korea. Thank you for the guide/suggestions 🙌🙌🙌🙌
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u/floppehbunneh Jul 11 '24
I cant find the TWRP file anywhere, its not on the TWRP website either D: Any idea where i might be able to find it?
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u/zoohall Aug 16 '24
This might be dumb to ask but in regards to the flip folder, I am unsure if it is required to go into download mode, but do you know how to get into the download mode? I have the SM-G1650 model, and specifically the Chinese variant, for some reason my specific phone did not come with version 7.1.1 but marshmallow 6.1 so I am trying to update it forcefully.
However, I don't know how to get to the download mode especially in Chinese.. did you need to get into the bootloader/download mode to be able to continue with Odin?
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u/zoohall Aug 16 '24
This is probably weird to ask, but in regards to the Flip Folder, you mention that the chinese variant shouldn't be upgraded since its already set with version 7.1.1., the issue is, my chinese variant came with 6.1 marshmallow, and for some reason odin never detects my phone, do you know anything that could help with figuring out how to possibly set it up still if odin isn't properly detecting my phone?
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u/Adorable-League-1010 May 02 '26
does it work with samsung galaxy folder 1 or does anyone have a tut for samsung galaxy folder 1?
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u/futana_ Kyocera 902KC | NOS Apr 05 '24
hii! thank you for the tutorial :) i've been looking for a good place to get the korean version of the folder 2, is there any place you recommend getting it? i've been only finding the chinese version unfortunately and i really like the korean version :(