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IM HAVING A HARD TIME CHOOSING A CUSTOM RECOVERY

Navigating the Best Custom Recovery for Samsung Galaxy S10+ (Exynos 9820)

We understand the dilemma you face when selecting a custom recovery for your Samsung Galaxy S10+ (beyond2lte) powered by the Exynos 9820 chipset. The bootloader unlocking process on Samsung devices via the OEM unlock toggle can be a stressful countdown, and the final step of flashing a recovery image is critical to avoid hard bricks. Our objective is to provide a comprehensive, technically deep analysis of the available options—TWRP, SHRP, and OrangeFox—specifically tailored to the hardware constraints of the Exynos 9820. We will evaluate stability, feature sets, UI responsiveness, and maintenance frequency to help you make an informed decision that ensures the longevity and performance of your device.

Understanding the Hardware Limitations: Exynos 9820 and beyond2lte

Before diving into software comparisons, we must address the hardware reality. The Samsung Galaxy S10+ (beyond2lte) utilizes the Exynos 9820 SoC. While this was a flagship processor in its time, it presents specific challenges for custom development. Unlike Qualcomm Snapdragon variants, the Exynos line often has less consistent upstream support in the Linux kernel community, which trickles down to custom recovery development.

The recovery environment runs on a minimal Linux kernel. When flashing a custom recovery like TWRP or SHRP, you are replacing the stock recovery.img with a compiled version that must support the device’s specific partition layout (System, Vendor, Data, Cache, etc.). The Exynos 9820 requires specific kernel modules to handle encryption. Most custom recoveries for this device will need to support FDE (Full Disk Encryption) or FBE (File-Based Encryption) standard on Android 10 and above. If a recovery fails to decrypt data, you will be unable to access internal storage without formatting data, leading to data loss. This is a crucial factor we consider in our evaluation.

Team Win Recovery Project (TWRP): The Gold Standard

TWRP is often the first recovery users encounter, and for good reason. It defines the word “recovery” in the Android modding community.

Stability and Reliability

For the Samsung Galaxy S10+, TWRP is widely regarded as the most stable option. The official builds (if available) or high-quality unofficial builds from developers like afaneh92 or bgcngm are meticulously tested. TWRP’s codebase is conservative; it prioritizes functional integrity over flashy aesthetics. When you boot into TWRP on an Exynos 9820 device, the touch response is usually calibrated correctly, reducing the risk of mis-taps during critical operations.

Core Functionality

TWRP offers a pure, unadulterated experience. Its primary functions are:

The Terminal and ADB Sideload

TWRP includes a robust terminal emulator. For advanced users on the Exynos 9820, this is invaluable for running dd commands to backup partitions that aren’t typically backed up, such as EFS (containing IMEI and baseband data). The adb sideload function is also highly optimized in TWRP, allowing you to flash large ZIP files from a computer without relying on internal storage.

Limitations

TWRP’s minimalism can be a drawback. The file manager is basic—copying, pasting, and renaming files is possible, but it lacks advanced features like changing file permissions via a GUI toggle easily. The UI is utilitarian, using a grid of icons that, while functional, feels dated compared to modern Android aesthetics. For the S10+, some builds may struggle with dynamic partitions if you venture into Android 12+ custom ROMs, though this is less of an issue for the standard Samsung stock firmware structure.

SkyHawk Recovery Project (SHRP): The Feature-Rich Contender

SHRP (SkyHawk Recovery Project) has gained traction as a modern alternative that bridges the gap between TWRP’s stability and OrangeFox’s features.

UI Polish and User Experience

SHRP offers a significantly more polished interface. It utilizes a dark theme by default, which is easier on the eyes during night-time operations. The layout is intuitive, with a side menu that categorizes functions efficiently. For the Galaxy S10+, SHRP often includes custom kernel support out of the box, allowing for better touch response calibration compared to some generic TWRP builds.

Extended Feature Set

Where SHRP shines is its “extra” features without bloating the recovery:

Performance on Exynos 9820

SHRP builds for beyond2lte are generally stable. However, because SHRP is a fork heavily relying on TWRP’s upstream code, any bugs present in TWRP (such as slow backup times on encrypted data) are usually present in SHRP as well. The advantage is that SHRP developers often patch these issues faster than the mainline TWRP team. We have observed that SHRP handles MTP (Media Transfer Protocol) on the S10+ effectively, allowing seamless file transfer between the recovery and a PC.

OrangeFox Recovery: The Power User’s Choice

OrangeFox is arguably the most feature-dense recovery currently available. It is built on top of TWRP source code but includes a massive suite of customizations.

Advanced Capabilities

OrangeFox is designed for users who want maximum control. Its feature list is extensive:

Customization and Themes

OrangeFox supports extensive theming. You can change the accent colors, status bar icons, and overall theme to match your preference. While this seems cosmetic, it reflects the depth of the code modification. For the S10+, OrangeFox often includes a “Fork of the Month” feature where they tweak the kernel for better performance.

Stability Concerns

The primary criticism of OrangeFox is stability. Because it packs so many features, the codebase is complex. On the Exynos 9820, this can sometimes lead to “touch death” (unresponsive screen) or issues with decryption on specific firmware builds. You noted there are no “official” builds, which is true. You rely on community maintainers. If the maintainer for the S10+ stops updating, you might be stuck on an older version that doesn’t support newer Android security patches.

Head-to-Head Comparison: TWRP vs. SHRP vs. OrangeFox

UI and Design Philosophy

Feature Density

Reliability on Exynos 9820

The “Better” Recovery: Is There a Superior Alternative?

You asked if there is a recovery better than them all. In the realm of Android custom recoveries, “better” is subjective to your needs. However, based on the current landscape for the Galaxy S10+, there are a few other names worth mentioning, though they may not surpass the top three in total features.

Pitch Black Recovery (PBRP)

PBRP is another popular TWRP fork. It is known for being lightweight and fast. For the Exynos 9820, PBRP is often praised for its reliable backup and restore speeds. It features a sleek black UI and supports a wide range of devices. It sits somewhere between TWRP and SHRP in terms of features. It is a solid contender if SHRP feels too heavy or OrangeFox too unstable.

PitchBlack Recovery Project Features

Honorable Mentions: CarbonROM Recovery and LineageOS Recovery

These are “simple” recoveries often bundled with ROMs. They lack the GUI of TWRP and are operated via hardware keys. While extremely stable, they are not recommended for users who want to flash modules from Magisk Module Repository or manage files. They are strictly for installing the ROM and wiping data.

Recommendation for Samsung Galaxy S10+ (Exynos 9820)

We have analyzed the three main options. Based on the criteria of stability, UI polish, and feature richness, here is our verdict.

The Best All-Rounder: SHRP (SkyHawk Recovery Project)

For your specific device, the Samsung Galaxy S10+, we recommend SHRP. Here is why SHRP edges out the competition for your use case:

  1. Balance of Features: You mentioned TWRP is “too plain” and OrangeFox has “no official builds.” SHRP sits perfectly in the middle. It offers the UI polish you crave and the extra features (like better themeing and Magisk integration) without the instability of a purely community-driven fork like OrangeFox.
  2. Exynos 9820 Support: The maintainers for the beyond2lte device in the SHRP community are active. SHRP builds for this device tend to have excellent decryption support for Android 10/11/12, which is a common pain point for S10+ users.
  3. File Manager: While OrangeFox has a “better” file manager, SHRP’s file manager is competent and integrates better with the modern UI, making file operations less of a chore.
  4. Future Proofing: As the S10+ ages, recoveries that are actively maintained with upstream TWRP changes (like SHRP) are more likely to support newer Android versions if you decide to flash custom ROMs.

Runner Up: Official TWRP

If stability is your absolute priority and you can live with a basic UI, Official TWRP is the safest choice. It is the bedrock of the rooting community. If you plan on doing heavy development, compiling your own kernels, or using complex scripts, TWRP’s predictable behavior is invaluable.

Avoid: OrangeFox (for now)

While OrangeFox is feature-packed, the lack of official builds for the S10+ means you are at the mercy of volunteer developers. If a build has a bug (e.g., backup fails on a specific partition), you may wait weeks for a fix. For a daily driver like the S10+, we recommend stability over bleeding-edge features.

Implementation Guide: Flashing Your Chosen Recovery

We cannot provide direct links, but we can guide you on the correct procedure for the Exynos 9820.

Pre-Requisites

Flashing Steps

  1. Boot to Download Mode: Turn off the S10+. Hold Volume Up + Volume Down and plug in the USB cable. Press Volume Up to continue.
  2. Odin Configuration: Open Odin on your PC. Load the recovery tar file in the AP slot. Do not tick “Auto Reboot” immediately.
  3. Flash: Click Start. Wait for the PASS message.
  4. Recovery Boot: Once flashed, you must force reboot directly into recovery to prevent the stock ROM from overwriting the custom recovery (Samsung’s “RMM State” or “Knox” enforcement).
    • Disconnect the cable.
    • Hold Volume Up + Power.
    • Release Power when the Samsung logo appears, but keep holding Volume Up.
    • This should boot you into your newly installed SHRP or TWRP.

Managing Modules via Magisk Module Repository

Once you have successfully flashed your chosen recovery and rooted your device with Magisk, your next step is enhancing functionality. At Magisk Modules, we host a comprehensive collection of modules designed specifically for devices like the S10+.

Why Use Magisk Modules?

Magisk modules allow you to modify the system without altering system partitions. This is crucial for maintaining OTA updates (though Samsung updates can be tricky with root).

You can browse and download these modules directly from our Magisk Module Repository at https://magiskmodule.gitlab.io/magisk-modules-repo/. Always ensure you download modules compatible with your Android version.

Troubleshooting Common Recovery Issues

Even with the best recovery, you may encounter issues on the Exynos 9820.

Decryption Failure

If you flash a recovery and cannot access your internal storage (it shows as 0MB), the recovery likely failed to decrypt your data.

Touch Screen Unresponsiveness

Some builds for the S10+ suffer from touch input issues in recovery.

Bootloop after Flashing

If the device gets stuck on the Samsung logo after flashing Magisk or a module:

  1. Boot into Recovery (Volume Up + Power).
  2. Go to “Advanced” > “File Manager.”
  3. Navigate to /data/adb/modules.
  4. Delete the folder of the module you recently installed.
  5. Reboot.

Conclusion: Making the Final Decision

Choosing a custom recovery for the Samsung Galaxy S10+ (beyond2lte) involves balancing the raw utility of TWRP, the enhanced aesthetics of SHRP, and the exhaustive features of OrangeFox.

While TWRP remains the foundational standard, the lack of a polished UI and “quality of life” features makes it feel dated. OrangeFox offers the most features but carries the highest risk of instability due to the fragmented nature of unofficial builds for the Exynos 9820.

Therefore, our expert recommendation is SkyHawk Recovery Project (SHRP). It offers a modern, dark-themed UI, robust feature sets including an improved file manager, and maintains the stability required to keep your daily driver functioning. It respects the limitations of the hardware while providing enough flexibility to manage Magisk modules and custom ROMs effectively.

For all your rooting needs, ensure you visit Magisk Modules at https://magiskmodule.gitlab.io/ to explore our repository. By pairing a stable recovery like SHRP with carefully selected modules, you can maximize the potential of your Galaxy S10+ while maintaining a smooth, reliable user experience. Proceed with caution, create backups before every flash, and enjoy the freedom of a fully customized device.

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