I have Android Marshmallow on my smartphone and would like to install LineageOS onto it.

I have bought a new microSD card for my phone and this can be put into a USB adapter to connect to my PC.
I haven't rooted a phone before so I will need some real basic help.

Firstly, how do I backup my current rom onto my SD card?

Secondly, how can I be certain the LineageOS rom I download from a 3rd party site is legit?
Is there a sha256sum (checksum) I can do?

Hi,

This is LinuxQuestions site for ... Linux Questions.
Why don't you post in its sister site AndroidQuestions?
Had you tried Google?

xda developers -- I'd go there, do an extensive search on the phone I owned (make and model) to see if it is supported within that sight for root, and new ROMS and restores before rooting my phone.

1 members found this post helpful.

This is the Linux Mobile forum on LQ.
The forum describes itself thusly:

''This forum is for the discussion of all topics relating to Mobile Linux. This includes Android, Tizen, Firefox OS, Sailfish OS, Maemo, MeeGo, Ubuntu Mobile, WebOS, Open Mobile Alliance and other similar projects and products.''
You can see this info at the top of this webpage.

Android uses the Linux kernel.
This is why this forum exists on LQ.

I refer you to my previous answer.

But that's just a search engine.
We join forums to get help from people who want to help others.
Thank you for your reply.

1 members found this post helpful.

Yep, I saw it.
I was registering for the site but there's a captcha you have to pass.
Only problem is NoScript add-on on Firefox will only show the captcha if you allow 'goggle.com'.

Interestingly, it's the same when registering with LQ.
You need to pass a captcha - but you can only see it if you enable NoScript to allow goggle to show its script on the webpage.
Of course, this is the same webpage where you've just input your username and password.

Ha ha. I really shouldn't care about such coincidences!

The best secure rom on android is apparently 'Replicant' (it's funded by the Free Software Foundation).
But it only works on a few phones - like the Samsung Galaxy S3!.

I don't mind buying a 2012 phone today cos the S3 still does the job (IMO).
However, I bought a different phone and it doesn't support Replicant.

1 members found this post helpful.

I'd like to root Android more easily as well. Nobody's really focusing on that. I'd really like full functionality on the terminal without having to plug into a computer.

The install part is easy and you should be able to move everything in it around using a terminal or file manager on your computer. Save what you want and implant the new OS on the card just like it was a USB stick.

I dislike Android. Leave it in a drawer under a speaker and even then its got tape on the cameras. Worse than Windows. Looking into replacements.

An if there's a checksum, the site will have it right under the iso download. Again, do it from a computer. Android is useless.

Good luck on that.

Edit:

Got me curious so I rooted mine. Strange process. I used an app called Kingoroot. Tried it out on a Huawei and an Oppo and worked on one of two (the Oppo). Just a dice throw really. Decent odds though. Not on Google Play (probly' 'cuz its an exploit).
Found Busybox and Smanager on my way though the jungle as well. Pretty cool. The phone is much more interesting now.

Are you saying install a full linux distro onto a microSD, insert the microSD into your android phone and then boot from microSD?

Because that would be a great idea!
Unfortunately, I don't think it's possible due to politics.

When you download Kingroot or any files, is there a checksum you can do?
How do we know the downloads are secure and legit?
Also, how do we know rooting your phone doesn't make you an even easier target for mass surveillance?
Thanks for your reply, btw.

What do these programs do on a rooted phone?

? 1. Yes. But its a special modem-like hard-boot using a key combination for your make and model. One example is to hold both the up volume and the power simultaneously. You will get a menu that will be able to run a fresh install from the card. Get your model number and surf for your combo.

Politics? Maybe in the states, but there are very legit reasons for doing it. Changing a language. Clean installs. You can get factory Androids or customized. All kinds. 'Probly illegal there but screw them.

? 2. Can do, but its still an issue of trust with the proprietor of Kingoroot. He is regularly updating new updates and they are exploits. He could well put anything in there.
Honestly, rooting your phone using any methods I've seen are no doubt a bad idea if your phone has things you wish to keep private. I am only messing with mine because its easy for me to reinstall and my phone is taped and stays home under the speaker where its drowned in dubstep and raggae. It has nothing on it, stays home and is blind, deaf and dumb.
If there was any value in it at all, I wouldn't root it. I would access and change it from the terminal in a linux system on a pc. Even then I wouldn't give it much trust. Stupid phones are what you want for security. Play your games on a PSX or something if you gotta.

? 3. I happen to have this up now : http://smanager.wikidot.com/docs:smanager-manual for Smanager.
Busybox is a nice rooted applet manager. Both require rooting to work.

They are fun to mess with and you can always just reinstall after you've learned your way around and had your fun. It is a weird Linux. Definitely not the secure way to go though. Only playtime.

And thats pretty much everything I know thats Android-specific. Hope it helps.

1 members found this post helpful.

If I can boot my phone from an OS on microSD, then that is something!
Is there a Youtube tutorial showing this?

The linux OS for the phone must be a special one so it still allows phone calls to be made.

Is there a website with more info on this?

AFAIK ubuntu touch is the main linux project that might work on some phones not all
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Touch/Devices

XDA forum is still the best place for you to go....sorry but its true!

one of the main issues is this....some makes of android do not publish their kernel headers...a breach I believe of the GPL
if you do not have the headers for your specific device a number of things won't work so you risk have a linux pc on the phone but
no---sim radio/wifi/touch screen (ouch), proximity sensor, accel sensor (for rotation) the list goes on.

good luck

1 members found this post helpful.

It was helpful for me.
I did it successfully.
Thank you...

You can't install a custom rom on your phone if it is not compatible. LineageOS has a list of mobiles for which it produces roms - it has to be the exact make and model - and yes, it has check so you can satisfy yourself that the rom is legit.

Kingroot is hit and miss at rooting but you need to root so you can add a custom recovery (like twrp, the best IMHO). You can then boot to recovery and backup your existing system (a must) and install the new rom.

Oops! I didn't notice this was so old.