Samsung Galaxy J7 (samsung-j7elte)

From postmarketOS
OUTDATED! Since my development device became totally unusable for development purposes, this is why I'm leaving the postmarketOS development scene. It has been fun, but please if anybody has this device then please contribute on making the experience atleast more usable.. --KrakinTheKonsole

Samsung Galaxy J7 (codenamed j7elte) was a popular entry-level smartphone from 2015. It had many different iterations over the years and ports to postmarketOS has been made to them. This is my attempt on the original J7.


Samsung Galaxy J7
This is a Image of a pretty badly destroyed Samsung Galaxy J7 running pmOS...
This is a Image of a pretty badly destroyed Samsung Galaxy J7 running pmOS...
Manufacturer Samsung
Name Galaxy J7
Codename samsung-j7elte
Released 2015
Category testing
Pre-built images no
Original software Android
Original version 5.1.1
Extended version 6.1
postmarketOS kernel 3.10.108
Hardware
Chipset Samsung Exynos 7580 Octa
CPU 8x ARM Cortex-A53 @ 1500 MHz
GPU ARM Mali-T720 MP2 @ 600 MHz
Display 720x1280 SuperAMOLED
Storage 16 GB
Memory 1.5 GB LPDDR3
Architecture AArch64
Type handset
Features
USB Networking
Works
Flashing
Partial
Touchscreen
Works
Display
Partial
WiFi
FDE
Mainline
Battery
Partial
3D Acceleration
Audio
Partial
Bluetooth
Camera
GPS
Mobile data
Internal storage
SMS
Calls
USB OTG
Works
Sensors
Accelerometer
Magnetometer
Ambient Light
Proximity
Hall Effect
Barometer
Power Sensor
Misc
Built-in DVB
Camera Flash
Ir RX
Stylus
Memory Card
Haptics
Ethernet


Contributors

Users owning this device


Development status

Sources used

Lineage OS kernel sources for Exynos 7580 Devices

Compiles

  • Linux kernel 3.10.108
  • Device information

What's working

  • Hardcoded kernel arguments
  • Making a PMOS Recovery zip
  • Flashing using custom recovery
  • Showing splash screen during boot
  • Starting full X-Session and using the UI with USB-OTG Keyboard and Mouse
  • Running LXQt or SXMO

What's wrong

  • When the phone boots it shows the splash screen meaning the rendering is working. But it crashes and force reboots soon after. - This is probably caused due to the fact that the init is messed up because the bootloader passes the wrong kernel arguments. The ones that are used to boot android. - But this issue has been fixed
  • Being unable to mount the system partitions in TWRP to check logs or modify the system. - This is a common issue in many PMOS builds.
  • Display manager not showing up after starting up
  • WiFi and Bluetooth hardware not being detected or initialized.
  • LightDM Failing to start properly. Causing it to not boot into desktop automatically

How to enter flash mode

Power down the device first.

ODIN/Heimdall Mode

To enter ODIN/Heimdall flashing mode, press and hold Power + Home + Volume Down buttons until a warning screen pops up. Then press Volume Up button to enter ODIN mode.

Recovery (Stock/Custom) Mode

To enter Recovery (Stock/Custom) mode, press and hold Power + Home + Volume Up buttons until the Recovery splash screen pops up.

Installation

Perform the standard installation method provided by PostMarket OS Installation Guide

But keep in mind that...

Icon WARNING: Installation with Heimdall partially works. It is recommended to use the custom recovery method provided by PMOS Wiki to install it.
Note Remember to add these packages into the rootfs when asked in 'pmbootstrap init' :
  • mkbootimg (For building boot images)
  • msm-fb-refresher (Required for other DEs to render properly).

See also

Lineage OS kernel sources for Exynos 7580 Devices

Samsung J7 T-Mobile device page

Device package

Kernel package