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Samsung Galaxy J3 2016 (samsung-j3xnlte)

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Samsung Galaxy J3 2016
Manufacturer Samsung
Name Galaxy J3 2016
Codename samsung-j3xnlte
Released 2016
Type handset
Hardware
Chipset Spreadtrum SC9830I
CPU 4 x 1.5 GHz Cortex-A7
GPU Mali-400 MP
Display 720 x 1280 AMOLED
Storage 8 GB
Memory 1.5 GB
Architecture armv7
Software
Original software
The software and version the device was shipped with.
Android (TouchWiz) 5.1.1
Extended version
The most recent supported version from the manufacturer.
Android (TouchWiz)
postmarketOS
Category downstream
Mainline
Instead of a Linux kernel fork, it is possible to run (Close to) Mainline.
no
pmOS kernel
The kernel version that runs on the device's port.
3.10.100
Device package device-samsung-j3xnlte
Kernel package linux-samsung-j3xnlte
Features
Flashing
Whether it is possible to flash the device with pmbootstrap flasher.
Works
USB Networking
After connecting the device with USB to your PC, you can connect to it via telnet (initramfs) or SSH (booted system).
Works
Battery
Whether charging and battery level reporting work.
Works
Screen
Whether the display works; ideally with sleep mode and brightness control.
Works
Touchscreen
Works
Multimedia
3D Acceleration
Untested
Audio
Audio playback, microphone, headset and buttons.
Works
Camera
Untested
Connectivity
WiFi
Broken
Bluetooth
Broken
GPS
Untested
Modem
Calls
Untested
SMS
Untested
Mobile data
Untested
Miscellaneous
FDE
Full disk encryption and unlocking with unl0kr.
Untested
USB OTG
USB On-The-Go or USB-C Role switching.
Partial
Sensors
Accelerometer
Handles automatic screen rotation in many interfaces.
Broken
Note Note: This page is about Spreadtrum SC9830 variants of Samsung Galaxy J3.

The Samsung Galaxy J3 (2016) (also called Samsung Galaxy J3 6) is an Android smartphone which was developed by Samsung Electronics and was released on January 15, 2016.

Contributors

  • Ster Please contact me on Matrix if you are at any step of the process, either by mentioning my username @sterrss:matrix.org or simply message me directly, I'd love to hear any success, failures, difficulties. I'm not necessarily going to be able to help you, since I've still got lots to learn but it'd be nice to chat.
  • 37nx Contact me at matrix @121212121212_:matrix.org if you have any questions i will try to help you. or even message me if you have discovered something i respond fast

kind of...

Users owning this device

  • 0d (Notes: SM-J320FN)
  • 37nx (Notes: i have 2 one running postmarketos other one broken screen. testing what does work?)
  • Alone-Wolf13785 (Notes: Currently on lineage os but wanna try pmOS)
  • Andrisas
  • BruninTech (Notes: Running Android?, 8GB, Broken display, no battery)
  • Kcxt (Notes: x2 Borked)
  • Kolja (Notes: I have J320F, I've tried running the J320FN version but it didn't work.)
  • LegoLivesMatter (Notes: Running LineageOS 14.1)
  • Little-miss-synth (Notes: runs lineageOS may try postmarketOS on it at some point)
  • MettleSphee
  • Mtek89 (Notes: Stock Android, broken screen, mother's phone)
  • Nomz
  • Owen
  • Paulth67 (Notes: J320FN)
  • Ptesarik (Notes: free to develop)
  • Shadowsvanish (Notes: J320M variant, missing display)
  • Speedyes (Notes: SM-J320F, LineageOS)
  • Stelle (Notes: no battery, powered by a USB cable, runs pmOS edge kernel 3.10)
  • Ster (Notes: Ported to postmarketOS)
  • UltrasonicMadness (Notes: 3×SM-J320FN, 2×SM-J320F - all but one of the FNs have varying degrees of screen burn)
  • W4trmelon (Notes: working !)
  • ZBookCMD (Notes: Radical Experience; Reserve)
  • Zillion (Notes: J320F, Currently running dotOS)

Initial comments

Note that there are different models of the Samsung Galaxy J3. To see which one you have, if you still have the original recovery image on your device, power it off and then hold down the home button, power button and volume up button. See at the top of the phone's screen for the model code. If it's J320FN(string of characters) you're probably good to go. If yours is J320F it will probably be very similar to port.

Alternatively, simply remove the back cover and battery. The sticker underneath should read: MODEL: SM-J320FN.

How to enter flash mode

Hold down home button, power button and volume down button for a number of seconds. Then once a prompt appears on screen, press volume up. You are now in download mode (it will say so on the screen).

Installation

Flashing works since pmaports!4315, so the image can be installed normally.

you can also flash it via zip from recovery pmbootstrap install --android-recovery-zip and then running pmbootstrap export

TWRP

Firstly, download TWRP from the XDA developers page. The download is in the section labelled "Attachments".

Use heimdall to flash recovery.img to the recovery partition of your device:

  • Put it in download mode (see above)
  • Connect to computer
  • Run heimdall detect to see if heimdall can see it.
  • Run heimdall flash --RECOVERY recovery.img, making sure you are in the directory with recovery.img

Charging-related recommendation

Note Information in this section may be outdated.

Disconnect the cable when you turn the device off. The device freezes on the charging splash screen if it's not disconnected also trying to charge the phone will boot it.

Mainlining

Hardware type Chip Mainline status Notes
WiFi chip Spreadtrum SC2331 N
Charging IC Silicon Mitus SM5701 N
Fuel gauge Spreadtrum SC27x3 P SC27xx driver present, maybe it can be used
GNSS Broadcom BCM47250 N
NFC NXP PN547 P PN544 driver present
Proximity sensor Capella Microsystems CM36672P N
Accelerometer Bosch BMA2xx P BMA220 driver present
Touchscreen Imagis Technology IST3038C Y IST3038C driver present
Display panel S6E8AA5X01 N
MUIC Silicon Mitus SM5504 Y Fully supported
GPU Mali-400 P Supported only in kernels 5.2+
Legend
Y Mainline driver present
P Mainline driver for (possibly) similar IC present
N Mainline driver not present at all

SoC uses a custom hardware timer, which has to be ported before mainline can be booted.

Interfraces

Note Some info might not be accurate.

Its recomended to use lxqt as it has working touchscreen. Also for some reason SXMO Stops working some after boot and touch dosent work. some interfraces dont work like example: Buffyboard

OTG status

Note Please message me at @121212121212_:matrix.org if it works for you this might just be my usb.

Mouse seems to work but usb gets recognized but dosent appear on file manager.

installing .apk files

Since wifi isnt working You can use scp to transfer the files and then install example:j3$:apk add filename.apk and its done! but some apks wont install.

See also