Remove Jio, get firmware 17 and use KaiStore on Indian Nokia 8110 4G
by SayantanRC
(extreme/unsafe method that blocks updates)
In a country where KaiOS is under the monopoly of a single operator, Nokia 8110 4G is the only hope for an aspiring developer and researcher who wants to improve his skills and at the same time contribute to the growth, for the software and experience.
I would never have spent so much time writing this page, like the whole website, if it hadn't been for the fact that I care about freedom of choice and equal consumer rights, so that everyone can have equal opportunities, regardless of brand and country of origin.
Extreme changes should not be taken seriously, but it would be more constructive to pay attention to the end user who wants to become a KaiOS developer, helping him in his needs, rather than putting him on his knees in front of absurd OEM decisions that create moodiness, disappointment and frustration.
KaiOS was born on purpose to bridge the digital divide. Please stop dividing the world and help us grow it together!
Install v17 (KaiOS 2.5.1) on Indian 8110
by SayantanRC on Reddit and Google Groups
Disclaimer:
You need to wipe your data. This involves flashing a separate system and boot image to the device. As of now (19th Feb 2020) I have not faced any problem, but in the long term, this may affect the hardware. I am not responsible for getting your device bricked in the process.
What works?
Calls and mostly everything is working. Kai store works too.
What isn't working?
GPS is still unreliable just like GerdaOS. No VoLTE. Since replacing the modem overheats the device, so I have not changed the original modem image, offered to us by Vishnu Prasaath). And the original ROM/modem in v10.05 also doesn't have VoLTE.
Requirements
Download Gerda Recovery (with ADB root support) and clean v17 global dumps:
Proceedings
1. Extract the dumps. Are needed only system.img and boot.img;
2. Prepare the recovery image file by copying it to the SD card, using a temporary root access, get a backup of your existing recovery (just in case) and install the new one:
adb shell dd if=/dev/block/bootdevice/by-name/recovery of=/sdcard/recovery-backup.img bs=2048
adb shell dd if=/sdcard/v13recovery_gerdaos.img of=/dev/block/bootdevice/by-name/recovery bs=2048
3. Insert the system.img and boot.img files on your SD card, from the Terminal you can simply use these commands:
cd <path to extracted system and boot img>
adb push system.img /sdcard/system.img
adb push boot.img /sdcard/boot.img
4. Shutdown the phone. Boot to Gerda recovery by power + vol up, or just use the command:
adb reboot recovery
5. From Gerda Recovery you must replace /system and /boot, then DO NOT REBOOT until you have made the Gerda recovery permanent. Else if your new system doesn't boot properly but manages to replace Gerda recovery with stock recovery, you won't be able to flash anything, bricking your device. From the Terminal run these commands:
adb shell
busybox mount /dev/block/bootdevice/by-name/userdata /sdcard
dd if=/sdcard/system.img of=/dev/block/bootdevice/by-name/system
dd if=/sdcard/boot.img of=/dev/block/bootdevice/by-name/boot
busybox mount /dev/block/bootdevice/by-name/system /system
cp -a /system/bin/install-recovery.sh /system/bin/install-recovery.sh.bak
echo '#!/system/bin/sh' > /system/bin/install-recovery.sh
echo 'exit 0' >> /system/bin/install-recovery.sh
sync
6. Remove the copied images (optional) and unmount the partitions:
rm /sdcard/system.img
rm /sdcard/boot.img
busybox umount /sdcard
busybox umount /system
7. Wipe data/cache on Gerda recovery.
8. Reboot now and enjoy. First boot may take some additional time, maybe hanging a bit. Also, screen timeout maybe low.
Here's to hoping that Nokia will one day release 2.5.2 for Nokia 8110 4G and we will get the dumps and they can be booted just as easily as this one.
GerdaOS (firmware v13, KaiOS 2.5)
GerdaOS doesn't have any pre-installed apps that are proven to track you, including but not limited to KaiStore, FOTA updater, Gameloft games and all Google apps. Also, it has analytics disabled and "Do Not Track" header enabled by default, and the default browser search engine is set to DuckDuckGo.
GerdaOS comes with a file manager and a package installer. Evolved since the first days of 8110 jailbreaking, this installer, GerdaPkg, allows you to install any KaiOS-compatible application from a local ZIP package you choose in the file manager (just like .apk files in Android). All alternative store and other third-party apps (see the full list here) are also compatible with GerdaOS.
Since the very first public alpha, GerdaOS provides screenshooting and app switching capabilities (to the extent allowed by underlying B2G architecture) by using intuitive controls to overcome hardware limitations of Nokia 8110 4G keypad: pressing Power button with different slide lid position performs different actions. With full-open slide, Power minimizes the app. With half-open slide, Power takes a screenshot. With closed slide, Power acts normally.
All GerdaOS installations include a developer menu, hidden in stock KaiOS, and root ADB access by default. Also, Gerda Recovery also has root ADB access for you to be able to repair the system in any unfortunate situation.
Being a community ROM, GerdaOS is open to public audit. Everyone can report bugs, contribute new features or express their desires about them. We are listening. Future ports to other KaiOS-based phones beyond Nokia 8110 4G are also planned. Also, see our FAQ page to get answers to more of your questions.
Requirements
Proceedings
1. Put all the downloaded files (v13recovery_gerdaos.img, gerda-install-221edb8.zip and modem-backup.img) on the SD card;
2. Using a temporary root access, get a backup of your existing recovery (just in case) and install the new one:
adb shell dd if=/dev/block/bootdevice/by-name/recovery of=/sdcard/recovery-backup.img bs=2048
adb shell dd if=/sdcard/v13recovery_gerdaos.img of=/dev/block/bootdevice/by-name/recovery bs=2048
3. Shutdown the phone. Boot to Gerda recovery by power + vol up, or just use the command:
adb reboot recovery
4. From Gerda Recovery select "Apply update from SD card" and run the GerdaOS installer "gerda-install-221edb8.zip" and wait until the installation is not finished, then DO NOT REBOOT YET;
5. From Gerda Recovery select "Apply update from ADB", and use this command to replace the "modem" partition:
dd if=/sdcard/modem-backup.img of=/dev/block/bootdevice/by-name/modem
This because the global version (the same used from GerdaOS) will lead to overheating the device
6. Wipe data/cache on Gerda recovery.
7. Reboot and enjoy your freshly installed GerdaOS! First boot may take some additional time, maybe hanging a bit. Also, screen timeout maybe low.