My Journey with Android

My journey began with getting my first smartphone back in 2015. It was a Xiaomi Redmi 2 and had its bootloader already unlocked. This was very enticing as it opened some doors for me to experiment with that device.

Then I found XDA developers – a forum dedicated to share and collaborate aftermarket operating system development based on AOSP. I quickly learnt that it was the base of all the Android powered smart devices.

After that, I came across the Linux kernel and how Android is based on it. On visiting the AOSP's website, I was mesmerized with the size and complexity of the code base and how the entirety of it is built. I also discovered something called as the Team Win Recovery Project, TWRP for short.

After getting my second smartphone, the Redmi note 4(x), I experimented further and I got addicted. Now this was bad as it took away my free time meddling with my phone. But it didn't stop me and went ahead with my next smartphone: Samsung Galaxy A30.

I wanted to get a headstart on the development so I voided it's warranty and unlocked the bootloader. Samsung is a different league altogether as it they also use to their own chipset (Exynos) and security measures (Knox) which was a hindrance. I nevertheless managed to port LineageOS. I felt great and then I joined a public Telegram group chat dedicated to this device and exchange knowledge. I eventually got fed up of this distraction and swapped my phone with my Moms’ – a Lenovo mobile. She was happy to get an upgrade in performance.

That Lenovo mobile was actually more irritating as it was older than the Galaxy A30 and had a mediatek chipset. I started to understand why Qualcomm Snapdragon is way better. It unfortunately broke and I used an even older Sony Xperia as having a phone became a necessity.

Time for another device – this time a Realme phone. I created and maintained a forum for this device. I also officially maintained the TWRP recovery for this device. The chat still exists till date with 700+ odd members. I handed over the responsibility to someone else to focus on college.

All of this might have taken away my precious time on something I do for free but I'm proud of my achievements.

That's what matters – to think about the good stuff and not crib about what one couldn't do.