Cheatsheet for Setting up Android Smartphones

(updated 2026/07/26) Device Setup Cheatsheets
Development Android Edge Device
Table of Contents

This cheatsheet reflects my development needs, which focus on AI computing tasks and running DNNs in a Linux-like environment. It may not suit you if you are primarily interested in app development and GUI debugging.

First Boot

Register

Register your new device to activate the warranty (if you are not going to root the system).

Root the System

Root access is required for advanced system control as the superuser.

Magisk 中文网教程

This section uses a OnePlus device as an example because the brand is relatively root-friendly in China.

Requirements:

Unlock Bootloader

Magisk 中文网教程

  1. Enter developer mode
  2. OEM unlock (depends on vendors)
  3. Connect to the host PC with USB debugging
  4. Enter bootloader: adb reboot bootloader
  5. Unlock the bootloader: fastboot flashing unlock
  6. On the smartphone, select “unlock the bootloader” and confirm.

Root with Magisk

Magisk 中文网教程

  1. On the host PC, download the matching ROM package and extract
  2. Extract init_boot.img from the ROM with the payload dumper
    • Usage: payload-dumper-go -p init_boot <extracted>/payload.bin
  3. Connect to the smartphone with USB debugging
  4. Transfer init_boot.img to the smartphone’s “Download” folder
  5. Install the Magisk app on the smartphone
  6. In the Magisk app, select “Install” and patch init_boot.img to obtain magisk_patched-xxx.img
  7. Transfer magisk_patched-xxx.img back to the host PC
  8. Enter bootloader: adb reboot bootloader
  9. Flash the patch: fastboot flash init_boot magisk_patched-xxx.img
    • You should see “Okay” if it succeeds.
  10. Reboot the system: fastboot reboot

After rebooting, open the Magisk app and check the displayed version to confirm successful root access.

System Settings

Developer Options

  • Turn on developer options
  • Turn on USB debugging
  • Turn on wireless debugging (if you prefer)

System Update

It is recommended to turn off all settings that might influence system performance and version stability. Specifically:

  • Turn off unnecessary background services
  • Turn off system auto-update and auto-download
  • Remove auto-installed apps

Battery Management

  • Turn on “performance mode” in system-wide battery settings
  • Turn on “allow background” in per-app battery settings
  • Select “acquire wakelock” for Termux and similar processes

Apps

How to install:

  • Install from app stores (Google Play, F-Droid, etc.)
  • Install a downloaded APK (Android Application Package)
  • Install from host PC by ADB (APK required)

Proxy

For a system-wide proxy, use MetaCubeX/ClashMetaForAndroid.

F-Droid

F-Droid is an installable catalog of FOSS (Free and Open Source Software) Android applications and an alternative to Google Play.

Termux

Installation through F-Droid is recommended.

Check out the Termux Setup Cheatsheet.

Microsoft Edge

Use it as an alternative to the system browser, which may have limited functionality.

I recommend Edge because it is widely available in Chinese app stores.