Samsung Tablet guru needed

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PJ1678

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#303030 11-Jan-2023 13:50

Hello, I have a Samsung SM-T325 and wish to repurpose it as a motorcycle navigation device. The application I want to use is DMD2 (Drive Mode Dashboard 2) which requires Android V7 or higher. External storage - Micro SD would preferred for map storage, the rest of the usual tablet functions (phone, camera etc) would be nice but not essential. I have attempted to follow various YouTubes to update but I've done something wrong as when attempting to power on, "Samsung Galaxy Tab pro SM-T325" briefly appears then blank screen. SO - Any one interested in getting having a look and hopefully getting this working with ver 7.0 or better? Cash, beer, reimbursement? I'm in Wellington.

Thanks

tripp

3848 posts

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#3020069 11-Jan-2023 14:26

The last version of supported android from samsung for that device is Android 4.4.2

You would need to use some kind of unofficial rom for it. Link below to one and how too

https://androidbiits.com/samsung-galaxy-tab-pro-8-4-sm-t325-android-7-1-1-nougat-cm14-1-unofficial-rom/

Wise

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Huntakillaz

264 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3020191 11-Jan-2023 17:13

Check Xda forums for roms and issues https://forum.xda-developers.com/c/samsung-galaxy-tab-pro-12-2-10-1-8-4.2778/

PJ1678

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#3020195 11-Jan-2023 17:28

Completely understood that the last supported (official) version was 4.4. something and an unofficial version would be required.

I have been to the XDA forums and, while the information given there probably makes perfect sense to some, I was just hoping to make life a little easier for myself by trying to find someone who 1/ knows what they are doing and 2/ would be willing to help me out and 3/ I am more than happy to pay for this service.

rgds

Huntakillaz

264 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3020401 12-Jan-2023 11:53

looks like lineage 18 is the last version with lineage 20 being nightlys under development

https://forum.xda-developers.com/search/54993215/?q=T325&o=date

The problem with doing custom roms is there's always the risk of bricking the device or something not working, it becomes difficult when you're asking someone to take responsibility of that so you'll rarely find people willing to do it for others even if paid.

But the tutorials at XDA are pretty good and or making a thread and asking for help.

I've done a HTC One M8 and a Galaxy S3 update, they were pretty easy, using old phones to learn the processes is a good way to get more comfortable with flashing roms

PJ1678

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#3020404 12-Jan-2023 12:02

I appreciate the process involves risk and possible damage. The tablet is not new and owes me nothing. After all if the upgrade process is successful and I can use it as intended, there's every chance of it being damaged in an off-road bike crash, which I why I'm not keen to go and buy a brand new device. ok thanks.

1024kb

1160 posts

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#3021481 15-Jan-2023 10:30

SM-T325 is a fairly high-spec device for its age - screen resolution of 1600 x 2560 is very respectable even today. I recently recycled one of these - they're from the time when Samsung encouraged developer modification & improvement, unlike today's constant attempts to obfuscate & frustrate - so it's a really quick & easy task to install Lineage or any other custom ROM. Most people go Lineage because it's clean & simple, leaving system tweaks to the individual user.

On top of the Lineage ROM, you'll need a GApps package - mainly for the background services that Android largely depends upon. By downloading an Aroma GApps, you'll be able to select / deselect any service / app you choose. All other versions - pico, nano, micro, mini, micro etc. - simply install without the option to deselect any part of the package.

The owner of the recycled SM-T325 is stoked with the new life that the tablet has - he's using it every day.

Megabyte - so geek it megahertz

robjg63

4087 posts

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#3021499 15-Jan-2023 11:36

The process of installation is not necessarily difficult, but I would agree that those 'support' forums get wound up in their terminology and dont really provide "the idiots guide to..." sort of instructions that we all need (at least the first time we try doing something like this).

Maybe something like this youtube clip explains it :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64m3VWjdAws

The process is going to be:

Get the tab into download mode,

Connect to it from a PC

Install TWRP

This tools supports clearing the existing OS etc and get it ready to be able to download the new OS (Lineage in this case) from either an SD card or from your connected PC.

The lineage OS will not contain any of the playstore stuff. So when you see them mentioning installation of Gapps - Those are the basic google apps inc. the play store functionality. There are various packages of gapps - from real basic functionality to huge packages. You need to load/install Gapps along with the Lineage OS in order for it to all work.

Yes - You can brick the device - But usually this is only if you get impatient and pull the power out or something.

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

PJ1678

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#3021558 15-Jan-2023 12:15

Hi, that's a very encouraging reply. Unfortunately I think I might have, if not killed, then mortally wounded the tablet. I d/l and copied to a 16Gb MicroSD the following:

BitGAPPS-arm-13.0.0-v1.8_signed

lineage -20 20230105-185205-unofficial-mondrianlite

lineage -20 20230107-unofficial-mondrianlite

TWRP-3.7.0_9-0 mondrianlite-fota

platformtools _r33.0.3-windows

Put the SD in the tablet and booted with main/vol up/power.

Cannot exactly recall the sequence (I know I should have written it down) but I believe I selected options that would reimage from the SD card. More fool me. Anyway now it has rebooted to a screen that shows the green android figure and "downloading, do not power off" It's been on that for several days soI guess it's not going anywhere. Rebooting with the main/vol up/power button gets me to a screen that shows "reboot system now/ Apply update / Factory reset /Advanced. The screen heading is Version20.0 (20230105_185205) so I guess this is the MondrianLite that has loaded. I have tried every option available under this menu and the Advanced option but everything comes back to the "downloading..." and goes no further. Beyond salvage?

1024kb

1160 posts

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#3021567 15-Jan-2023 12:27

No, not beyond salvage. It's only a software error. I'll PM you soon.

hotsupes

161 posts

Master Geek

#3021777 16-Jan-2023 09:04

PJ1678:

Hello, I have a Samsung SM-T325 and wish to repurpose it as a motorcycle navigation device. The application I want to use is DMD2 (Drive Mode Dashboard 2) which requires Android V7 or higher. External storage - Micro SD would preferred for map storage, the rest of the usual tablet functions (phone, camera etc) would be nice but not essential. I have attempted to follow various YouTubes to update but I've done something wrong as when attempting to power on, "Samsung Galaxy Tab pro SM-T325" briefly appears then blank screen. SO - Any one interested in getting having a look and hopefully getting this working with ver 7.0 or better? Cash, beer, reimbursement? I'm in Wellington.

Thanks

I've got the T-320, and I use LineageOS and i'm Android 10 on it, got everything working incl. Camera. I used the files on XDA forums to complete it and then i think there was a guide in that Lineage thread IIRC.

PJ1678

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#3026657 24-Jan-2023 20:03

Update. I received quite a bit of assistance online from user 1024K, even to the point of using Anydesk and allowing Brett to look at it from afar.

That wasn't a screaming success so I sent the tablet to him and hoped for the best.

Very happy to say its back here today running Android 11 and I have been able to load the DMD2 navigation app. There was a cost but I have no issue paying for time and knowlege that I don't possess.

I'm sure the Tab is running faster than it did with the old OS version.

Thanks to all who responded to my query.