Related
**NOTE** For the SM-P900! However steps should be the same for SM-P905 EXCLUDING THE FILE TYPES (THEY ARE DIFFERENT DO NOT ATTEMPT TO USE THE FILES FOR THE SM-P900 OR BYE BYE TO YOUR NOTE 12.2 Pro because now you have a problem that may or may not be repairable/reversible). You just have to make sure you have the coordinating files for the process!
If anyone else has issues try this and these steps to complete the Root/Custom ROM/TWRP Recovery installations successfully for a "First time go":
1. Remove Kies and Kies3 files, related files, folders, and everything that has anything to do with the primary installation of either the two programs on your PC and your devices. When/if prompted, select the checkable box and elect not save any type of files... if you want to keep them save them OFF your main PC on a flash or removable storage device.
2. REMOVE ALL SAMSUNG DRIVERS AND REPLACE WITH ONLY OFFICIAL SAMSUNG DRIVES!!! THIS IS A BIG MUST!
3. Using your USB 2.0 cable and ports Install the Custom Rom "P900XXUANB3-RecoveryImg.tar" FIRST and flash it via ODIN 3.07 under the PDA checkbox that is "fixed" (so you noobs don’t make any soft bricks if this is your first attempt at rooting), and only use the ODIN 3.07 THAT COMES W/ CHAINFIRES AUTO ROOT .zip file and then unzip the folder to open ODIN 3.07 ONLY! This is only because I have read that there have been issues installing the SU via Chain Fires Auto Root Process... the file is called (currently as of 25 JUNE 2014) "P900XXUANB3-RecoveryImg.tar" PDA select it and then start when in DOWNLOAD MODE on your device. Manually select DOWNLOAD MODE if you have to BEFORE PRESSING START! Otherwise, one is just going to sit there and not accomplish anything.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=2591013&d=1392923580
http://forum.xda-developers.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=2591159&d=1392930654
http://forum.xda-developers.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=2775098&d=1401644348
4 Reboot back into DOWNLOAD MODE. Flash in ODIN 3.07 with the PDA section and select this file next to install: "openrecovery-twrp-2.7.1.0-v1awifi.img.tar"
5. In DOWNLOAD MODE and flash the file under the PDA box TWRP (OR CURRENT RECOVERY OF YOUR CHOICE THAT IS AVAILABLE)
6. AGAIN... Restart your device into DOWNLOAD MODE via ODIN 3.07 and select PDA and then finally root this: "CF-Auto-Root-v1awifi-v1awifixx-smp900.tar.md5" Then you can backup, restore, flash anything, and be happy! YOU SHOULD FINALLY HAVE A SUCCESSFUL ROOT! Turn off and REBOOT into RECOVERY to see if TWRP stuck and then reboot to see if the SU stuck. IF everything stuck reboot back into TWRP to flash whatever rom is available MAKE SURE TO BACK UP EVERY FILE BEFORE YOU FLASH ANY NON-STOCK ROMS. If not successful rinse wash and repeat until it does!
http://download.chainfire.eu/384/CF-Root/CF-Auto-Root/CF-Auto-Root-v1awifi-v1awifixx-smp900.zip
7. That’s it you should have root and a custom rom and recovery if you followed these instructions for flashing via ODIN 3.07 and Chainfires AutoRoot files. If you still have an issue repeat until root/recovery/Rom sticks. If you have to update the Binary for the SU just go to the Google Play Store and install the app and then try it again till it works. GOOD LUCK it worked for me this way!
**IMPORTANT**
BACK UP BACK UP BACK UP BACK UP after every flash that is possible to back up. If you can, back up the NON-SU stock ROM BEFORE installing SU, after installing the recovery and/or back up.
***IF I HELPED YOU OUT THANK ME***
DISCLAIMER - all research was observed via comments on the thread according to issues people have been having during ROOTING the device I simply have compiled the data and made a check list!
Need a link to the files you mentioned.
Thanks. Very helpful.
I have a P900. Is there a way to unroot and bring a unit back to stock? My main concern is if Samsung sends out a software/firmware update, and a device is already rooted, can the update be applied?
sstea said:
Thanks. Very helpful.
I have a P900. Is there a way to unroot and bring a unit back to stock? My main concern is if Samsung sends out a software/firmware update, and a device is already rooted, can the update be applied?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Read THIS
But still one quiestion, why the heck you root your device if you are going to update it via Samsung's official ways. Ah and one more question.. why the heck would you want to update your device if it's rooted?
A new update from Samsung can patch all known security holes and make your device unrootable, and since you are rooted now, one would think that you don't want to loose it. Or where do I know if you rooted because it sounded nice and cool, without knowing what you did and most importantly WHY you did.
Spere said:
Read THIS
But still one quiestion, why the heck you root your device if you are going to update it via Samsung's official ways. Ah and one more question.. why the heck would you want to update your device if it's rooted?
A new update from Samsung can patch all known security holes and make your device unrootable, and since you are rooted now, one would think that you don't want to loose it. Or where do I know if you rooted because it sounded nice and cool, without knowing what you did and most importantly WHY you did.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. I appreciate the reply. I have rooted many devices before. I have to admit that it was more of following posted instructions and not fully understanding the details. What gives me pause is how extremely limited the support is for this tablet. I want to root my note if I can make it more responsive, get rid of bloatware, enable more apps for multi-window, titanium backup, etc. I want to make sure that if I root that I don't get stuck with on an old release. So will previously rooted Notes be able to get the necessary files to easily update and maintain root, or does rooting now mean that a tablet may be stuck at the current release? Thanks
sstea said:
Thanks. I appreciate the reply. I have rooted many devices before. I have to admit that it was more of following posted instructions and not fully understanding the details. What gives me pause is how extremely limited the support is for this tablet. I want to root my note if I can make it more responsive, get rid of bloatware, enable more apps for multi-window, titanium backup, etc. I want to make sure that if I root that I don't get stuck with on an old release. So will previously rooted Notes be able to get the necessary files to easily update and maintain root, or does rooting now mean that a tablet may be stuck at the current release? Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can always flash stock firmware via odin
I was just wondering if everyone was having a much easier time with achieving root now? Kies caused me to "Hang" a lot during the Root and custom rom to stick w root... as of right now i can not get the only ONE custom ROM that looks promising, i have found by GWatts (correct me if i am wrong and i apologize if i have typed the wrong screen name handle) i believe his handle is... at this point im not sure what i am doing wrong as of yet but im sure i am missing a step or i just need to start back at unroot back to stock firmware and try and try again lol. not saying anything is wrong with his work at all by any means because people other than me with the same device have gotten it to stick and im just wishing i could as well because its sweet looking ROM! NOT TO MENTION THE ONLY ONE THAT IS OUT (that is which i know about. i haven't been on in a few months idk), SO KUDOS TO WATTS i just haven't been successful at installing his custom rom just yet... Im hoping that its just going to need to be erased again and then reformatted after a factory reset and what not, i pray it sticks because his incorporation of the aroma installer was a nice touch and his ROM really looks good... Now if i can just get it not to stick at samsung boot logo and freeze id be good lol!
sanvara said:
Need a link to the files you mentioned.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok
I followed your instructions but while flashing the cf-auto-root file my screen got all distorted (speckled grains of color), and nothing else happened for about 15 minutes, until I just unplugged it and shut it off.
Now when I power it on it gives me the error "Firmware upgrade uncountered an issue. Please select recovery mode in Kies & try again."
I wonder what I did wrong.
pnuker said:
I followed your instructions but while flashing the cf-auto-root file my screen got all distorted (speckled grains of color), and nothing else happened for about 15 minutes, until I just unplugged it and shut it off.
Now when I power it on it gives me the error "Firmware upgrade uncountered an issue. Please select recovery mode in Kies & try again."
I wonder what I did wrong.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
**Edit**
I went back and reflashed the twrp file and it got me out of the error screen. I installed supersu, and then re-flashed the cf-auto-root file, and it worked like a charm. I'm not sure if it was the installation of supersu, or just repeating the process that fixed it, but I'm happy either way...
Thank you! I succesfully rooted my SM-P900 after all mentioned problems ( hanging in the cache.img and after a while a disturbed screen etc.) with your guide. I am a very happy rooter now.
Thanks,
Thanks to the poster. I tried rooting with the instructions from a few other sites and thought I bricked it,
Followed your instructions, and presto.. Rooted! :good:
Rooted!
Thanks for your post. This is my first time ever rooting a device. Your method worked perfectly!
your welcome!
frankiecxyz said:
Thanks for your post. This is my first time ever rooting a device. Your method worked perfectly!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
your very welcome! it took me a bit to get it down but i eventually figured it out and at the time information on rooting the device was hard to find with this specific model. then i discovered what the issues where and felt the need to post it! im glad i could help!:laugh:
Flash SU with TWRP not ODIN
Here's my story...
Received my new UK spec SM-P900 Note Pro 12.2, ran through the initial setup, performed two OTA upgrades to KOT49H.P900XXUANI1, then attempted to flash SU using Odin 3.07 using the various instructions on this forum. Result: failed cache flash and soft brick!
Used Keis 3 to recover the tablet which took two hours! After more reading I discovered the quick boot recovery flash method, so re-attempted on a different PC, with exactly the same result. Re-flashed the boot, tried again, fail, again, fail, etc, etc. Various permutations of PCs, Odin versions and USB ports were tried.
Concluded that the Odin method was NEVER going to work, so had a rethink. Used Odin to flash TWRP v2.8. Downloaded the latest SU-BETA v2.7 flash for TWRP (not Odin), copied it to the root of the tablet SD and then flashed it with TWRP. Worked first time with no messing about!!!
Booted, ran SU and upgraded to Premium, disabled KNOX from within SU. Tablet locked up. Booted, re-ran SU, disabled KNOX again, this time successfully. Ran Titanium, filtered with KNOX and froze all occurrences, then de-installed KNOX completely. :good:
Lesson learnt... DO NOT use Odin to flash SU on a P900 !
soft bricked
Hello!
First of all let me say that I'm a complete newbie, this is my first android device. I tried to root my SM-P900 (P900XXUANI1) using an online guide (image with URL attached, as I am not allowed to paste URLs)
Unfortunately at Step 10 (flashing with Odin) the operation failed and now I ended up with a soft bricked device (I assume this is the correct definition). It will only show the message asking me to connect it to KIES to recover it.
I know i can try to use KIES 3 and restore it, but before that i would like to ask if there is any alternative which will allow me to unbrick the device without losing all my data... (yeah i know...).
If i follow this guide will this help? I'm not sure if I can even put the device in download mode again as it shows the error message about connecting it to KIES...
At this point I don't care about rooting, I just want to unbrick the device.... I understand the guide up to (and including) step 3. But for the rest of the steps I'm lost Could anyone please explain them in a bit more detail? I don't want to install any custom firmware, just to unbrick it...
Any help would be very appreciated!
Thank you
Yemble said:
Here's my story...
Received my new UK spec SM-P900 Note Pro 12.2, ran through the initial setup, performed two OTA upgrades to KOT49H.P900XXUANI1, then attempted to flash SU using Odin 3.07 using the various instructions on this forum. Result: failed cache flash and soft brick!
Used Keis 3 to recover the tablet which took two hours! After more reading I discovered the quick boot recovery flash method, so re-attempted on a different PC, with exactly the same result. Re-flashed the boot, tried again, fail, again, fail, etc, etc. Various permutations of PCs, Odin versions and USB ports were tried.
Concluded that the Odin method was NEVER going to work, so had a rethink. Used Odin to flash TWRP v2.8. Downloaded the latest SU-BETA v2.7 flash for TWRP (not Odin), copied it to the root of the tablet SD and then flashed it with TWRP. Worked first time with no messing about!!!
Booted, ran SU and upgraded to Premium, disabled KNOX from within SU. Tablet locked up. Booted, re-ran SU, disabled KNOX again, this time successfully. Ran Titanium, filtered with KNOX and froze all occurrences, then de-installed KNOX completely. :good:
Lesson learnt... DO NOT use Odin to flash SU on a P900 !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you got a link to the odin rwrp 2.7 you used and the su 2.7 flash for twrp please?
VenomousViper said:
**NOTE** For the SM-P900! However steps should be the same for SM-P905 EXCLUDING THE FILE TYPES (THEY ARE DIFFERENT DO NOT ATTEMPT TO USE THE FILES FOR THE SM-P900 OR BYE BYE TO YOUR NOTE 12.2 Pro because now you have a problem that may or may not be repairable/reversible). You just have to make sure you have the coordinating files for the process!
If anyone else has issues try this and these steps to complete the Root/Custom ROM/TWRP Recovery installations successfully for a "First time go":
1. Remove Kies and Kies3 files, related files, folders, and everything that has anything to do with the primary installation of either the two programs on your PC and your devices. When/if prompted, select the checkable box and elect not save any type of files... if you want to keep them save them OFF your main PC on a flash or removable storage device.
2. REMOVE ALL SAMSUNG DRIVERS AND REPLACE WITH ONLY OFFICIAL SAMSUNG DRIVES!!! THIS IS A BIG MUST!.......
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When i trying root, my SGN freeze in "cache". Odin show error and tablet goes to Emergency Firmware Recovery. Аnd it does not matter what program I use and how I do it.
Mine Reboots Constantly
I rooted my SM-900 about two weeks ago.
It worked great for a week until the device started rebooting by itself.
The first time a couple times a day, now it does it whenever as often as twice in 5 minutes.
Is there a way to see which app is causing this or does anyone know why this might be happening?
Though I rooted I haven't been poking around. I figured it'd be like using Linux but now I see it's not quite like that.
Thanks in advance.
sunnykhs said:
I rooted my SM-900 about two weeks ago.
It worked great for a week until the device started rebooting by itself.
The first time a couple times a day, now it does it whenever as often as twice in 5 minutes.
Is there a way to see which app is causing this or does anyone know why this might be happening?
Though I rooted I haven't been poking around. I figured it'd be like using Linux but now I see it's not quite like that.
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you cleared dalvic cache and cache in TWRP recovery? Be forewarned the process takes a while for cache wipe.
Sent from my SM-P900 using Tapatalk
first I'd read several topics about what should be done in these cases, but until now I still have the same problem.
The info:
I received yesterday a N8013ZW in a bootloop, read several sites and tried to reflash the tablet.
With Odin 3 v1.85 [just auto reboot option selected] installed the file KIES_HOME_N8013UEALI3_N8013XARALI3_1081475_REV00_user_low_ship.tar.md5 but from a bootloop passed to a bricked state in the Samsung logo.
Went to the Internet and read that I need to clean up the Cache, so I should install a recovery that allow me to do this.
With Odin again, with auto reboot and f.reset time, installed philz_touch_6.00.8-n8013.tar.md5 but after trying to boot to recovery didn't work.
So can please somebody help me to figure it out what I'm doing wrong here.
Maybe my files are incorrect or I should select another option.
Please someone point me in the right direction.
Regards
Tried last night with TWRP 2.8.7.0 touch and the same, the installation when just alright but not new recovery installed. Power button + volume up.
In 99.9% of cases it's not possible to boot into recovery mode is a hardware problem. Probably faulty controller or died flash memory. You need to contact the service center to replace the motherboard.
Tried this guide as per AndriiG suggestion, but did not worked.
Let's see if I can find something else.
Nehemoth said:
Let's see if I can find something else.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, if you want yourself to continue attempts to recover a tablet, try a SERVICE firmware. First, it has the pit file, and secondly, in the CSC-file laid a full wipe of the device. Download directly from Samsung servers can program SamFirm (note highlighted):
ViAlexSt said:
Well, if you want yourself to continue attempts to recover a tablet, try a SERVICE firmware. First, it has the pit file, and secondly, in the CSC-file laid a full wipe of the device. Download directly from Samsung servers can program SamFirm (note highlighted):
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Indeed I will try, thank you.
I just followed the instructions provided by codified in this thread and proceed to download the file GT-N8013_XAR_1_20130927111406_k23qt8fzd7.zip.enc2, the I'd proceed to select Check CRC32 and Decrypt automatically and got the file GT-N8013_XAR_1_20130927111406_k23qt8fzd7.zip and the uncompressed this file to have KIES_HOME_N8013UEUCMI3_N8013XARCMI3_813049_REV00_user_low_ship.tar.md5 which looks like the first file that I tried with some subtle differences KIES_HOME_N8013UEALI3_N8013XARALI3_1081475_REV00_u ser_low_ship.tar.md5
I will try this tonight as soon as I arrive home.
Thank you @ViAlexSt
N8013UEALI3_N8013XARALI3 -> Android 4.0.4
N8013UEUCMI3_N8013XARCMI3 -> Android 4.1.2
I guess now to find the service firmware 4.0.4 is hardly possible. And to revive the tablet it doesn't matter
But I still think hardware problem......
Update
The day before last night I tried the Prerooted UEALH2 Firmware Package by Entropy512 with the same result as before, stuck at Samsung Logo.
Today I'd just tried the method recently provided by @ViAlexSt and sadly the result was the same.
So, I supposed that this is a hardware issue as specified before.
Thank you
Nehemoth said:
this is a hardware issue as specified before
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately, you're not the first with this problem. On the Russian forum 4PDA enough of your "brothers in misfortune". The key point of the problem is inability to boot into recovery mode. And one solution - replace the motherboard.....
desperately trying to un brick my note 5. I've been trying for weeks now to recover my phone after a rooting mishap had caused loss of imei and baseband. in the process of attempting to repair that issue I have managed to completely soft brick the damn thing. I have been to the deepest corners of google in search of this specific 4 file repair download and can not find anything that is free. I've even signed up for accounts on gsm flash and the like only to be disappointed that signing up wasn't enough to get the files I need... if anyone has a link or the files themselves I would be very thankful for there help. to be clear I can not flash standard stock rom through Odin. the process completes and the phone boots but than erases at 32 percent and will only boot to recovery with dm verity error or download mode. I've tried a few different official stock roms. I've tried flashing the one file home.tar as well as un packing and flashing boot, system, modem, cache neither of which have worked. I can't find a hidden image file to remove before flashing so unless I'm missing something im out of ideas.. the repair. firmware seems to be my last hope... also to hell out anyone trying to assist. I flashed a. efs file when trying to restore imei and that in turn re enabled frp lock.. so I believe both frp lock and oem lock are enabled. so any combination file or modified at all is out of the question... I believe it's repair or nothing. there are a few free 4 file repair downloads out there but they aren't the same number im not sure if there are any compatible enough that I could flash one of them and they work? so if any one knows of other models compatible. with the SM-N920TUVU4EQJ3 let me know so I can try to get this mess sorted out. I apologize if this has been asked somewhere els or if I'm in the wrong forum. but this seemed the most suited for my case. thank you to anyone who may be able to help
anybody?
is anyone able to help me out?
thatspideyguy said:
desperately trying to un brick my note 5. I've been trying for weeks now to recover my phone after a rooting mishap had caused loss of imei and baseband. in the process of attempting to repair that issue I have managed to completely soft brick the damn thing. I have been to the deepest corners of google in search of this specific 4 file repair download and can not find anything that is free. I've even signed up for accounts on gsm flash and the like only to be disappointed that signing up wasn't enough to get the files I need... if anyone has a link or the files themselves I would be very thankful for there help. to be clear I can not flash standard stock rom through Odin. the process completes and the phone boots but than erases at 32 percent and will only boot to recovery with dm verity error or download mode. I've tried a few different official stock roms. I've tried flashing the one file home.tar as well as un packing and flashing boot, system, modem, cache neither of which have worked. I can't find a hidden image file to remove before flashing so unless I'm missing something im out of ideas.. the repair. firmware seems to be my last hope... also to hell out anyone trying to assist. I flashed a. efs file when trying to restore imei and that in turn re enabled frp lock.. so I believe both frp lock and oem lock are enabled. so any combination file or modified at all is out of the question... I believe it's repair or nothing. there are a few free 4 file repair downloads out there but they aren't the same number im not sure if there are any compatible enough that I could flash one of them and they work? so if any one knows of other models compatible. with the SM-N920TUVU4EQJ3 let me know so I can try to get this mess sorted out. I apologize if this has been asked somewhere els or if I'm in the wrong forum. but this seemed the most suited for my case. thank you to anyone who may be able to help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thatspideyguy said:
is anyone able to help me out?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi I had the same issue with my note 5 SM-N920T I managed to fix it by downloading a pre rooted with SU rom from xda I also had the twrp custom bootloader installed first for some reason my pc still picked up my phone and I was still able to upload the rom to the twrp location on the device. having done that I was the able to copy the zip file over to my device and flash it.
When I had the rom installed I was then able to download the original android rom (android 5 in my case) from sam mobile they also had the most up-to-date android 7 rom as well for the device then it was just a case of using android repair to un root the bootloader and install the original android bootloader this was also on sam mobile.
Then make sure the phone has a full battery as flash the stock firmware as you would normally with odin and have the latest Samsung drivers installed on yore system or it will fail.
After the flash has taken place the first boot will take some time my note 5 took around 45 min's and then when fully back up and running I had to spend a good 2 hours reinstalling and updating all my software and OTA updates.
Hello,
the long and short of it is that I tried to root my phone and then install Lineage, but ended up with no OS and now I can't use my phone. I simply want any OS so that I can use my phone. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I am a bit new to this kind of stuff, so I apologize in advance if I don't know some of the technical terms.
I am using a Samsung Galaxy S7 SM-930W8.
A bit more in detail:
I used two videos on youtube. 1 to teach my how to root, which got me into an OS. Then I used a video to teach me how to install Lineage, and that's when it all failed. After this, my phone was stuck in a never-ending loop of a circle going across a line and it never recovered.
I still have access to the TWRP when I hold down Vol-Up, Power and Home but when I try to reboot, it tells me there is no OS installed. I can't even use the recovery option, since I believe I deleted all the previously installed recoveries.
I feel silly for being in this predicament, but I would be so grateful for any help, folks!
-New2S7
New2S7 said:
Hello,
the long and short of it is that I tried to root my phone and then install Lineage, but ended up with no OS and now I can't use my phone. I simply want any OS so that I can use my phone. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I am a bit new to this kind of stuff, so I apologize in advance if I don't know some of the technical terms.
I am using a Samsung Galaxy S7 SM-930W8.
A bit more in detail:
I used two videos on youtube. 1 to teach my how to root, which got me into an OS. Then I used a video to teach me how to install Lineage, and that's when it all failed. After this, my phone was stuck in a never-ending loop of a circle going across a line and it never recovered.
I still have access to the TWRP when I hold down Vol-Up, Power and Home but when I try to reboot, it tells me there is no OS installed. I can't even use the recovery option, since I believe I deleted all the previously installed recoveries.
I feel silly for being in this predicament, but I would be so grateful for any help, folks!
-New2S7
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello, no need to panic, the blue circle over the line was Lineage first boot up, it can take 10-15 mniutes on the first time. If you waited longer than this then maybe there was a problem.
If the Lineage ROM is on your SD card you can try to flash it again and see if it boots this time, sometimes it needs to be flashed twice to work. You must make sure it's the right one for your device.
If it still doesnt work then you will need to flash the stock firmware back to your device with ODIN. This is the firmware for your device >>>>HERE<<< Pick your network provider or an "unknown" version which is unbranded stock firmware. The download is a little slow but it's free.
There's lots of guides how to flash firmware with Odin, it's very easy.
I forgot to mention TWRP is a much better Recovery Option so yes when you instal TWRP the stock recovery won't boot.
cooltt said:
Hello, no need to panic, the blue circle over the line was Lineage first boot up, it can take 10-15 mniutes on the first time. If you waited longer than this then maybe there was a problem.
If the Lineage ROM is on your SD card you can try to flash it again and see if it boots this time, sometimes it needs to be flashed twice to work. You must make sure it's the right one for your device.
If it still doesnt work then you will need to flash the stock firmware back to your device with ODIN. This is the firmware for your device. Pick your network provider or an "unknown" version which is unbranded stock firmware. The download is a little slow but it's free.
There's lots of guides how to flash firmware with Odin, it's very easy.
I forgot to mention TWRP is a much better Recovery Option so yes when you instal TWRP the stock recovery won't boot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello cooltt,
I was able to fix my problem an hour or so ago, but thank you for your calming post anyway.
For future threads, here is what I did:
1. I downloaded a stock OS and then extracted all the md5 files. (There is an md5 file for the "BL", "AP", "CP" and "CSC" fields in Odin.)
2. I then used Odin and after it detected my device, I plugged the 4 files in the appropriate fields.
3. I then hit start and it restored my phone back to a functional state.
Though I spent the last 20ish hours in a panic, I actually managed to achieve the goals that prompted me to try and install a custom rom: fewer stock apps and no Samsun Account bothering me all the time.
Thank you all for your concern.
-New2S7
(P.S. I do not know how to mark this as solved. If an admin comes across this, please mark this as solved!)
** PLEASE DO YOUR PART AND READ / SEARCH / RESEARCH BEFORE POSTING AND/OR ATTEMPTING ANY MODIFICATIONS TO YOUR DEVICE. THIS GUIDE ASSUMES YOU ALREADY KNOW HOW TO OR HAVE ALREADY UNLOCKED YOUR BOOTLOADER, ALREADY ROOTED YOUR DEVICE, HOW TO FIX KG STATE ISSUES, HOW TO USE ODIN, 7-ZIP, LZ4 TOOL, ETC. THIS POST IS SIMPLY MY OBSERVATIONS AND STEPS TO UPDATE THE FIRMWARE WHILE ROOTED WITH MAGISK, WITHOUT LOSING DATA / REQUIRING A WIPE. MODIFYING YOUR DEVICE COMES WITH INHERENT RISKS, AND IT'S NOT MY RESPONSIBILITY IF YOU LOSE YOUR DATA. THE STEPS I SHARE HAVE WORKED WITHOUT FAIL FOR ME, BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN YOU MAY NOT RUN INTO PROBLEMS. BACKUP YOUR DATA.**
The reason I decided to write up this guide is because of the extremely large amount of misinformation, as well as general noob-ness (no offense to anyone, just my observations to be completely honest), that I seem to come across when it comes to the Samsung sub-forums around here. I've seen many people state that updating the firmware on this particular device (Galaxy Tab S6 LITE) will REQUIRE a data wipe, which is simply not true in my experience. However, I will admit that the procedure is extremely bass ackwards when it comes to this particular device, so maybe that's why people have been claiming this.
This guide only applies to stock Samsung firmware users.
Spoiler: Boring Backstory (click to read):
I ditched Samsung a long time ago, after the Galaxy S5 (not TAB, but the phone) days, when they really started locking up the bootloaders on the USA variants. Only T-Mobile was excluded on that particular model, but from what I understand, pretty much all Snapdragons since then have been completely locked down, across all carriers. So first of all, F*CK Samsung for being dickholes. Other than that, I recently decided I wanted to start using an Android tablet again, so at first I bought a Galaxy Tab S6 Lite several months ago. Eventually I got the Galaxy Tab S7 Plus, after hearing (and it's true) that the S7 series tablets actually kept Widevine L1 status after unlocking bootloader / rooting. Heck yeah.
Anyway, my Tab S6 Lite just gathered dust over the last few months, but now that I'm donating it to a friend of mine who's in school, I reloaded it with stock firmware, but rooted and heavily modified (he's an art student, so having all the stock Samsung / S-Pen integrations will be very useful for him). I finally decided to take some rough notes (written and mental, lol) about the process of updating the firmware WITHOUT losing data. As in updating your device as if like taking a standard OTA, but needing to do it manually because we're rooted and modified.
Unfortunately, like I said this device is freaking weird. Not sure if it's because it's Exynos (it's my first Exy device) or what, but it doesn't follow the same procedure as I've been used to back in the Galaxy phone days, other Tabs I've come across, nor with the Galaxy Tab S7 Plus I now own... Which is to literally follow the instructions as the creator of Magisk himself, @topjohnwu, published on his Github (see the Samsung section): https://topjohnwu.github.io/Magisk/install.html
But following those official Magisk instructions will result in this particular device not being able to boot, and you will need to wipe and start over. tl;dr - normally for sammy devices, you need to patch the full AP file in Magisk Manager and flash that in the AP slot in Odin because it also patches vbmeta to work around AVB. But for this device, this doesn't seem to be the case. At least in my experience.
Spoiler: Technical Rantings; Still Worth A Read IMO (click to read):
For some reason, on this particular device, you can't just patch the entire AP file. That will result in your device not booting, and eventually requiring a clean (wipe it all) Odin flash. Instead you need to flash the full, unmodified AP file (which normally would screw you over and is completely advised against), and then some extra steps... Anyway, I've outlined those steps below, as well as some preparation you'll need to do beforehand, which really just involves patching the boot image itself and placing in a .tar archive, which I would hope you already know how to do to be perfectly honest.
Not sure WTF is going on, as on other Samsung devices, you want to patch the entire AP file because Magisk will also automatically patch the vbmeta image thus working around AVB restrictions. It's really freaking weird to me because normally failing to patch vbmeta should normally result in inability to boot and subsequent SOL situation where you need to wipe... but with this device, it's ass backwards. And Magisk does indeed patch the vbmeta image when patching the full AP for this device... Why instead you need to skip patching the full AP file and flash just the patched boot image separately (thus skipping patching vbmeta) makes little sense to me. Not sure why this tablet is different, but again I'm not usually a huge fan of Samsung anyway so I really don't give AF. But they make the best Android tablets, so now that I've recently bought them (though I won't have this model S6 Lite for much longer), well I wanted to share with you guys; here are my working update instructions for the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite, without losing data. At least it works for me.
FOLLOW THIS GUIDE AT YOUR OWN RISK! AND BACKUP YOUR CRAP BEFORE ATTEMPTING, JUST IN CASE.
I'm not responsible for any problems you incur, etc. etc. blah blah.
(BTW, this is for the SM-P610 - WiFi USA version. Not tested on LTE, and if you try on LTE, you'll also have a CP file to flash, fyi. I have no experience with the LTE model either). This guide assumes you already have your bootloader unlocked, know how to use Odin, aren't a complete noob, and can at least restore back to stock if crap goes sideways.
Below are some bonus resources anyway, to hopefully clear up some silly questions before they come up.
* Please thank the devs and OP's of these posts if you find them helpful and/or use their tools. It's the least you can do! *
[FRIJA] USE THIS TO DOWNLOAD THE LATEST FIRMWARE: https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/tool-frija-samsung-firmware-downloader-checker.3910584/
[ODIN *PATCHED*] I RECOMMEND VERSION "Odin3 v3.14.1_3B_PatcheD": https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/patched-odin-3-13-1.3762572/
[LZ4 TOOL] DECRYPTS LZ4 EXTENSION'D FILES: https://github.com/lz4/lz4/releases
[BL WARNING TEXT REMOVAL] TO REMOVE UGLY WARNING TEXT AT BOOT: https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/...tock-firmwares-modded-bl-warningtext.4195829/
* Please thank the devs and OP's of these posts if you find them helpful and/or use their tools. It's the least you can do! *
***************************** STEPS TO UPDATE FIRMWARE: *****************************
Use Frija (download thread provided above), or download firmware from somewhere like samfw.com
Open / unzip the firmware, and then open the AP archive and pull boot.img.lz4.
Using LZ4 tool (download thread provided above), decrypt boot.img.lz4 to boot.img
* you can just simply drag and drop the boot.img.lz4 file over the lz4.exe binary in Windows explorer
Copy boot.img to your tablet. Open Magisk (Manager) and patch the file.
Copy the Magisk Patched boot file back to your PC. Rename it as boot.img
Create .tar file (tar file name doesn't matter) containing ONLY boot.img - do not use compression (if using 7-Zip, add the boot.img to archive, select archive format as "tar", and use compression level as "Store"). While the .tar file name doesn't matter, IT SHOULD ONLY CONTAIN A SINGLE FILE - boot.img
Reboot to download mode. Hook up your tablet to your PC.
**IT MAY GET SCARY HERE ON SOME STEPS, BUT CONTINUE FOLLOWING THIS EXACTLY**
(Use Odin3 v3.14.1_3B_PatcheD, link provided above)
Flash new stock firmware, using BL / AP / HOME_CSC (must use HOME_CSC to not wipe data, DO NOT USE THE REGULAR CSC FILE OR IT WILL AUTOMATICALLY WIPE). If you have LTE version, also flash the CP file in CP slot. WiFi version does not have CP file.
Using default Odin options is fine (F. Reset Time, Auto Reboot). In fact, I would recommend it for the sake of following this guide.
It'll be scary, but it will reboot a few times and eventually boot into recovery mode. Don't interrupt the process and let it eventually settle on its own into recovery mode (after a few seemingly failed boot attempts).
It'll make you think you're screwed and must factory wipe the device. DON'T FREAK OUT. Options will be:
Try again
Factory data reset
View recovery logs
While USB cable is still plugged into the tablet and computer, select Try again (tap power button, but don't hold the button down) and then immediately hold down volume up and down at the same time so that and until it goes back to download mode. As prompted, press volume up to continue.
Using Odin, flash ONLY the magisk patched boot image tar file (uncheck BL / CSC boxes if Odin is still open from before). Also you can flash the modified bootloader splash tar as well at this time, might as well kill 2 birds with 1 stone. Again, you can just leave default options enabled (F. Reset Time, Auto Reboot).
Again, this will be very scary. It won't boot to system, but rather bootloader again. Probably an error at the bottom, something like "failed to load locales from the resource files" / "failed to compare" / whatever. However, the normal recovery options should now be available.
YOU WILL ONLY WIPE CACHE PARTITION (scroll down to "Wipe cache partition", and then confirm yes. Then select "Reboot system now".
It will take a while to boot, but this time you should eventually get to the lone "SAMSUNG" boot logo (this is a great sign), and then eventually get the "Tablet is updating..." box which shows the progress as it re-optimizes all of your apps.
That's it, and once it finishes optimizing your apps, should continue to load to your lockscreen! If so, congratulations, you've now updated to the latest firmware while retaining root without losing your data!
**********************************************************
Even with a heavily modified tablet, this has worked over several months, including the jump from A10 to A11. SafetyNet still passes (using kdrag0n's module), YouTube Vanced (my module), LSposed with Firefds kit and GravityBox R, and a bunch of other Magisk modules.
I'm very much aware you can save time by tweaking the above process, but this was the very safest exact procedure I could think of, so I recommend following it exactly as I wrote above.
Good luck, I hope it works for you, and enjoy your tablets!
just in case
and another
Damn, thanks dude. I'd just about given up clean flashing and thought I'll give your suggestion a go and it worked like a Boss! Im using the LTE version and not a single hiccup. Thank you for saving me a huge hassle. Only things i didn't follow was use frija, paid$2.99 and got the firmware. Everything else was exactly what you did. Worked man! Thank you so much again.
If anyone wants the latest. ACR firmware for SM-P615, lemme know and I'll share my drive link with you.
Cheers! Kudos. On latest may update now.
Didn't do the 2 birds one stone thing, was scared. I'm gonna do that later. Again, just to clarify, i run Magisk only for and root level file brousing, does it really matter if i don't pass the test? Everything runs as it should, just curious if there was a benefit to it.
Thanks a lot for this detailed guide!
It worked perfectly on my Galaxy tab S7, I updated it successfully with magisk already installed.
didnt work for me on the CUH2 update
sunmybun said:
didnt work for me on the CUH2 update
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I actually just tried it and it does still work for CUH2. I am happy for this firmware as I was having a weird system reboot every time I unlock with PIN.
shattacrew said:
I actually just tried it and it does still work for CUH2. I am happy for this firmware as I was having a weird system reboot every time I unlock with PIN.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it mightve not worked for me because i decrypted my data partition by factory reset and disabling the system to encrypt and check the partition before booting.
one of the tablets is encrypted and is using the KOO firmware, and the updating steps doesnt work either.
Ive flashed the tablets that were originally XAR firmware to KOO firmware.
im giving my inputs with my situation.
if anyone can find a way for my situtation, let me know =)
So I haven't updated my rooted tablet since the September 2020 update. Can I still jump to the latest version and still root or do I need to do some additional steps first?
still hasnt worked for me. I even went back to the tablet being encrypted.
for people who updated to DUL9 and rooted. please tell me the steps because it doesnt work for me
Can you specify the process of creating the TAR file? I patched the boot file from AP in Magisk already.
I used WinRar to make a .zip containing boot.img, then renamed it from AP-SLOT.zip to AP-SLOT.tar. Don't know if that's acceptable. I also used the "Store" compression method.
Afterwards what slot in Odin do you upload the .tar file to? I tried the AP slot but it hangs at "File analysis.....". It seems like it want a .tar.md5 file
TheCoryGuy said:
Can you specify the process of creating the TAR file? I patched the boot file from AP in Magisk already.
I used WinRar to make a .zip containing boot.img, then renamed it from AP-SLOT.zip to AP-SLOT.tar. Don't know if that's acceptable. I also used the "Store" compression method.
Afterwards what slot in Odin do you upload the .tar file to? I tried the AP slot but it hangs at "File analysis.....". It seems like it want a .tar.md5 file
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you cant just rename from zip to tar. you have to use a diff program like 7zip to make into .tar
Great instruction. Everything is up and running and that stupid splash screen is gone. Great job, @i5lee8bit.
Late for the party...
I've found a python utility to download Samsung firmware at full speed.
It's quite easy to use:
SamLoader
[Tool] Samloader (SamFirm / Frija replacement)
Hello, I recently wanted to download some firmware for my Samsung device, but I realized that there is no 100% open source program to do so. In fact, all the tools that claim to do so require a library that is packed by Themida (so it is...
forum.xda-developers.com
Thank you @i5lee8bit this worked like a charm.
One question though, using a patched Odin is a not a requirement, is it?
Thank you @eddiefive for samloader link.
I just completed this to upgrade to Android 13 on my Tab S6 Lite. It worked perfectly. Thanks so much. I'm always amazed at the community support here.
awtompson said:
I just completed this to upgrade to Android 13 on my Tab S6 Lite. It worked perfectly. Thanks so much. I'm always amazed at the community support here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had successfully used this method to update to Android 12 (SM-P610_2_20221024120141_tk8omuwosv_fac)
I just tried updating to Android 13 (SM-P610_3_20230118120131_f9h5nltlpa_fac) and after wiping the cache step and rebooting to system, it goes into bootloop.
I tried twice, and in fact I re-downloaded everything and did all the steps just in case there was any corruption in any step or I missed something. Same thing. bootloop.
Had to re-apply Android 12 to recover the tablet.
I used Odin3 v3.14.1_3B_PatcheD
Any ideas?
badabing2003 said:
I had successfully used this method to update to Android 12 (SM-P610_2_20221024120141_tk8omuwosv_fac)
I just tried updating to Android 13 (SM-P610_3_20230118120131_f9h5nltlpa_fac) and after wiping the cache step and rebooting to system, it goes into bootloop.
I tried twice, and in fact I re-downloaded everything and did all the steps just in case there was any corruption in any step or I missed something. Same thing. bootloop.
Had to re-apply Android 12 to recover the tablet.
I used Odin3 v3.14.1_3B_PatcheD
Any ideas?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not really. I did not use the patched Odin but I don't think that'st the problem. The boot after wiping cache did take long time, but no boot loops. The trickiest part is getting it to reboot into download mode after the "Try again" step. Wish I could be more help.
awtompson said:
Not really. I did not use the patched Odin but I don't think that'st the problem. The boot after wiping cache did take long time, but no boot loops. The trickiest part is getting it to reboot into download mode after the "Try again" step. Wish I could be more help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, rebooting to download was easy for me, but the damn thing almost immediately would go into bootloop after the wipe, no long wait.