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[Guide][Tutorial] Root TWRP LG V20 using Dirtysanta[Most Variants][Noobfriendly]

Good day,
Here's the modified dirtysanta method to root LG V20 and install TWRP. This guide will help you in rooting your device with much easier situation.
Before you begin:​(Your phone's internal storage will be wiped or simply formatted or more simply erased)
(You will observe a static boot screen on each boot on some variants)
(These instructions are specifically done using root package 4.0. Some steps will be different if you use other version)
Read this carefully and completely. In this tutorial, I will show you how to root your LG V20 using DirtySanta method.This method is currently working for devices mentioned below in working device headings. So, you are warned not to try this on any other device (or not mentioned device) because this might brick your device. If you're on stock rom with Google's security patch of January 2017 or later then you need to flash a firmware with December 2016 or earlier security patch. This method flashes a debug bootloader, So, if you try to re-lock your bootloader it will brick your device.*
And most important before beginning, read 4th post carefully.
Currently, LS997 (Sprint Variant) cannot return to stock because there is no KDZ available for these devices (they mostly don't release TOT, KDZ).
For H910:
If your phone is on non-rootable firmware you can cross flash a H915 or US995 kdz with December 2016 patch by using Patched LGUP and then proceed to root.
If you are faced any problem you can ask help, I will try my best to help but can't promise and blamed if your device is bricked. Always process is root only if you have enough patience and experience to deal with brick and bring phones back to life.
Working Devices:
- Verizon (VS995)
- Sprint (LS997)
- ATT (H910)
- Korean(F800L)
- USS996 (BPT, UCL)
- Canadian (H915) --> Follow this Method (Specially for H915)
again don't try on others you may face a brick. But if you're so desperate to try it on others devices then tell me your experiences.. DO NOT TRY THIS ON ANY OTHER VARIANT, YOUR PHONE WILL BRICK (INCLUDING BUT NO LIMITED TO H918)
Required Things:​All things that you require for this process can be found in 2nd post.
Preparation:
1: Download files from download section. (Always download latest root package)
2: Install Terminal Emulator on your phone.
3: Extract root package.
4: Install “ADB” through “ADBSteup.exe” from Software Folder
Optional Either copy root zip (SuperSU or MAGISK) to external Sdcard (memory card) or wait till process to end so you can copy it after formatting internal storage from TWRP
6: LG Driver can be found in Software folder of root package (Install it, if not installed already)
Steps:
Bootloader Unlocking:​1: Navigate to extracted Root Toolkit
2: Run "JustRunMe.cmd".
3: Enter "1" to begin process and follow on-screen information. All steps will start automatically one-by-one.
4: When prompted open terminal emulator and perform following commands. (Commands are also described in respective scripts).
Code:
id
check it output if it says ”Context = untrusted_app”. If it say so then you're fine to go to next step or you will have to began from step 1.
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
Code:
applypatch /system/bin/atd /storage/emulated/0/dirtysanta
5: Now bring Logcat window to front and wait till it says you to start step 2.
Press any key on main "JustRunme.cmd" and it will start 2nd step automatically.
it will boot your device into bootloader after success.
When done, step2 window will close automatically. Press any key on main window to begin 3rd step.
It will flash TWRP on your device. Your phone will reboot and boot into system after some time. If it takes more than 15 minutes or your kept seeing static window then reboot back into fastboot mode.
To boot into fastboot (or bootloader) mode simply turn off phone by taking battery out then press volume down and plug-in USB cable while holding the button.
Flash Boot2 image by entering “2” then “1” from JustRunMe window. (Different for root package 6.0)
It will reboot and phone should boot now.
(If you're faced with any secure boot password then you will have to format data within TWRP. Just power-off your device and boot into TWRP)
Rooting, Removal of Encryption, Installation of SuperSU or Magisk:
​8: Now boot into recovery mode either by entering “5” then “1” or by key method,
Cancel password prompt.
To Remove Encryption Error (It'll wipe all your internal data)
9: On TWRP. Swipe to allow modification.
Click → Wipe → Format Data → type “yes” → enter.
Now you will have access to internal storage from TWRP. Connect your phone to PC with USB cable while in TWRP.
10: Now copy your Supersu or Magisk to phone (Whatever you prefer).
11: Flash this zip by
Press → Install → (Select copied zip) → swipe to flash and wait till it is finished.
12: If you're faced with any secure boot password then you will have to format data again by
Boot into TWRP –> Wipe → Format Data → yes → enter
after that
Press → Wipe → check Cache, Dalvik Cache, Data → Swipe.
Press → Home → Reboot → System.

Download Links:
1: LG V20 Root Package
Old iterations
LG V20 Root Package Here
LG V20 Root Package 3.0 Here
Current iterations:
a: LG V20 Root Package 4.0 Drive | DropBox
b: LG V20 Root Package 6.0 Drive | Mega
2: Terminal Emulator PlayStore or Mirror
3: LG Drivers Here (No need to download from here. From Root Package 4.0, driver can be found in Software folder of extracted files)
OPTIONAL FILES​Patched LGUP (If you want to cross flash firmwares. Use with extreme cautions and don't blame anyone if you hard brick the device)
extract it to "C:\Program Files (x86)\LG Electronics\LGUP" (different for 32-bit windows)
Rootable Firmware
US996 10f KDZ (rootable) (Flash it through Patched LGUP on H910 if your current firmware is not rootable, as no kdz is available for H910 by carrier)
US 996 KDZ
LG US996 KDZ all Available versions

FAQ​
Will this work on the lg v20 H918 10q and up?
Well, Short answer = No.
Long Answer = This guide is just beginner friendly. Which means that It is just more easier version of dirtysanta with FAQ, Video Tutorial (probably) and less anxiety. The reason behind creating this is simply to help new V20 user root and install TWRP more easily. This is no upgrade to method. It is just a modification. It will do only what @me2151's method can do.
Is there any way to revert my phone to a the version before att security patch. I am not super tech savvy so I wouldn't know where to start. I am very frustrated
I did it by flashing a H915 kdz on H910 which had December 16 security patch. After that phone had TWRP by this method. You can try flashing either an H915 or US996 firmware with December 2016 or earlier security patch. US996 10f kdz link is given in 2nd post which is rootable. You can try with that if you have H910 phone.
Here's the link for that tutorial to cross-flash a kdz rom on H910 using patched LGUP. (You can give a try to other variants but H918 which is highly brickable)
Here or Here
How do I find out if my firmware is rootable?
If security patch of your phone says it's December 2016 or earlier then it is rootable using dirtysanta method.
Does that mean I can flash h915 or US996 firmware on h910 even without rooting the device?
I have H910. I can confirm directly flashing H915 and US996 kdz directly using patched LGUP (in 2nd post attachments).
If yes, are there any software requirements/restrictions (be it the AT&T firmware version required, or the h915/US996 kdz I can install - eg. only install version XYZ of h915/US996 firmware if at&t firmware is before/after a certain version)?
Currently there are no software restriction. By flashing firmware from US996 or h915 firmware you can get rid of ATT bloatware and WiFi Hotspot will work without any further enhancements. If you want to root your non-rootable firmware (H910 with firmware along January 2017 or later security patch) then try flashing an US996 firmware with December 2016 (or earlier) security patch to root.
I had the latest US996 firmware (10p) installed, and it worked but I had signals problems (once 4G enabled, connection dropped randomly).
I then tried to flash h915 10e firmware, and I'm now stuck in a bootloop. I tried re-flashing the US996 firmware that worked before, but it no longer works. The phone is still detected as US996 in LGUP (even if I flash h915 firmware).
Try doing a factory reset using button method (The same used to enter TWRP).
This procedure just completely bricked my H918. Everything went perfect until step 2 finished - and then instead of rebooting to bootloader, it simply died/crashed. Now it won't respond in any way whatsoever. I have no download mode, no fastboot - the thing won't even charge. Was on 10d. So that's cool
That's really sad situation.
(No where in the OP does it say that this works on the H918 therefore you bricked your phone.)

Disclaimer
As always, this method is simplified to work more easily. It does have risks same as other rooting method (even more). There might be many problems, if you don't read thread carefully. I will try my best to assist you for any issue but still there are things about which I can't help. There can be situations which needs to be handled with patience. So, I'm not responsible for bricked, faulty or non-operational devices. SDcard not working is not my concern. Any other problem/situations that you faced after following this guide or before following it is not my problem. If you have enough patience, reading ability and the talent of asking questions with more details, and love, then you're always welcome to try, ask and share your experience. Always read FAQ first because most of your questions might be answered there. Searching thread for your issues is best as someone already may have faced and fixed that problem before you. Again Me and @me2151 or any other person isn't responsible for bad outcomes, even your friend who is doing you a favor by rooting your device for you (for free) as you are afraid or not experienced.
Anyways, have happy rooting.
Credits:
I am not author or developer of this method. A very talented XDA member @me2151 found this method. I am just writing it here. All credit goes to him and his fellows. So, if you want to donate and say thanks then he and his fellows deserve it.

Video Tutorial

will this work on the lg v20 H918 10q and up?

dudeawsome said:
will this work on the lg v20 H918 10q and up?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, Short answer = No.
Long Answer = This guide is just beginner friendly. Which means that I is just a more easy version of dirtysanta with FAQ, Video Tutorial (probably) and less anxiety. The reason behind creating this is simply to help new V20 user root and install TWRP more easily. This is no upgrade to method. It is just a modification. It will do only what @me2151's method can do.
(Let me add this to FAQ)

dksoni411 said:
Well, Short answer = No.
Long Answer = This guide is just beginner friendly. Which means that I is just a more easy version of dirtysanta with FAQ, Video Tutorial (probably) and less anxiety. The reason behind creating this is simply to help new V20 user root and install TWRP more easily. This is no upgrade to method. It is just a modification. It will do only what @me2151's method can do.
(Let me add this to FAQ)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ahh okay

phone gives that red hazard symbol (debug bootloader thing) and then boots into twrp every time i restart the phone. What should I do now? I want to install alpha rom. I apologize I guess I'm even worse than noob x(

Hi i would just like to verify my understanding of your first post .
my phone is h915 with firmware 10a (h91510a) has security patch feburary 1 2017
This Dirtysanta method will not work anymore because it is after january 2017 is that correct .
Thank you

I have an lg-ls997 and i can't get the applypatch command to work when i enter it all i get is what i think is a usage error reply any idea what i am doing wrong? Also forgive my noobness also what is the [/strike] thing? any help would be awesome as i have been banging my head against the wall trying to root this phone for months. couldn't do it the factory way because no matter what i do i can't get it into fastboot to get the device id it always just boots back to system no matter what adb reboot command i use. so this is kind of my last hope.

atomikkid said:
I have an lg-ls997 and i can't get the applypatch command to work when i enter it all i get is what i think is a usage error reply any idea what i am doing wrong? Also forgive my noobness also what is the [/strike] thing? any help would be awesome as i have been banging my head against the wall trying to root this phone for months. couldn't do it the factory way because no matter what i do i can't get it into fastboot to get the device id it always just boots back to system no matter what adb reboot command i use. so this is kind of my last hope.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you typed commands in terminal emulator correctly.
Is USB debugging on and computer set as always allowed.
Is context being shown as untrusted_app when you typed id in terminal emulator.
Check your anti-virus is disabled.
Make sure ditrycow and dirtysanta exist in extracted folder

H990ds
will this work on H990ds model? I saw the other posts that dirtysanta root works on this model too. I tried and the root processes were successful but the screen was showing white patches(like a hardware failure!!) I reverted back.

Your warning about the H910 and LS997 not being able to return to stock is no longer correct. While it is correct that they don't have KDZs, there are TWRP flashable zips that will return them to stock.
-- Brian

runningnak3d said:
Your warning about the H910 and LS997 not being able to return to stock is no longer correct. While it is correct that they don't have KDZs, there are TWRP flashable zips that will return them to stock.
-- Brian
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oops. I saw some flash-able zip but I thought even if your flash stock rom through TWRP, you can't get full stock. With full stock, I meant stock (locked) bootloader and stock recovery with no modification. If full stock is possible then please let me know, I would love to learn how to return back to full stock on H910 (and might write a guide for others)

can i root h91010m with this method ?

Is this working on v20 h910pr claro ??

Can you root F800L if you on April 2017 security patch and F800L10y? Also, If not can I downgrade?

Just bought this phone with a security patch of October 2017 (Verizon variant). So outside of Dirty Santa there is no way to root or unlock Bootloader??

Downgrade with LGUP
Download .kdz firmware file of any <=December 2016 security update & downgrade to it using LGUP.

FRP locked S7

My uncle bought 2 S7 from ebay to India for me.
One of them has FRP locked and the seller can't obviously give me his gmail to unlock it.
Is there anything I can do to bypass it or do I have to send it back to USA?

Aakarsh99 said:
My uncle bought 2 S7 from ebay to India for me.
One of them has FRP locked and the seller can't obviously give me his gmail to unlock it.
Is there anything I can do to bypass it or do I have to send it back to USA?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flash combination firmware then flash back to stock software using home csc

kpwnApps said:
Flash combination firmware then flash back to stock software using home csc
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
am not sure if it has oem unlocking enabled :3

FRP lock on B4 and DRK Issues
I'm also encounter FRP Lock. SM-G930F
After one year of flashing and modding I have it for the first time and I don't now why. I remove every account before change room.
Before thats happend I was on TeamExyKings Note FE 9 Port
But I have missing IMEI problem and I go through standard steps
(Don't do this step if you not sure what you risk) Go to revovery and clean /efs partition
Flash combination firmware I have newest with U4 COMBINATION_FA60_G930FXXU4ASA2.zip
then Flash flash latest original firmware SM-G930F_1_20190307135001_4lzy042ysi_fac.zip
but because I have DRK Issue, after firmware boot up ang go to erasing phase then reboot and show "no command" on blue screen
When that happens I usually flash go with steps below:
flash twrp
repair data to remove encryption
no-verify zip script to bypass DRK
flash some rom and have clean working phone..
Now I've done the same but after adding Google account and syncing and app updates phone reboots and show pink words ( I don't remember what they ware)
I've red on others post that usually steps were
Flash combination
factory reset from inside and flash original firmware .
Bootloader still have FRP: ON
when try to flash twrp i have : custom binary block by frp lock
Now all its run on my phone is Custom binary with wifi without root because Kongoroot and cf-root don't work.
Can some one help me ?

jaqjacek said:
I'm also encounter FRP Lock. SM-G930F
After one year of flashing and modding I have it for the first time and I don't now why. I remove every account before change room.
Before thats happend I was on TeamExyKings Note FE 9 Port
But I have missing IMEI problem and I go through standard steps
Go to revovery and clean /efs partition
Flash combination firmware I have newest with U4 COMBINATION_FA60_G930FXXU4ASA2.zip
then Flash flash latest original firmware SM-G930F_1_20190307135001_4lzy042ysi_fac.zip
but because I have DRK Issue, after firmware boot up ang go to erasing phase then reboot and show "no command" on blue screen
When that happens I usually flash go with steps below:
flash twrp
repair data to remove encryption
no-verify zip script to bypass DRK
flash some rom and have clean working phone..
Now I've done the same but after adding Google account and syncing and app updates phone reboots and show pink words ( I don't remember what they ware)
I've red on others post that usually steps were
Flash combination
factory reset from inside and flash original firmware .
Bootloader still have FRP: ON
when try to flash twrp i have : custom binary block by frp lock
Now all its run on my phone is Custom binary with wifi without root because Kongoroot and cf-root don't work.
Can some one help me ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why'd you even think clearing EFS partition is a good idea? :/

iOrpheus06 said:
Why'd you even think clearing EFS partition is a good idea? :/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know it's not good idea but if you don't have IMEI and no serial number its only way I know to have it back. Outside backup that I have but I need twrp to flash it

jaqjacek said:
I know it's not good idea but if you don't have IMEI and no serial number its only way I know to have it back. Outside backup that I have but I need twrp to flash it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't have to mess up your efs by wiping it clean just to get your IMEI back because flashing stock firmware alone is usually enough to fix IMEI issues. Posting this to prevent confusions that may lead to serious problems.

iOrpheus06 said:
You don't have to mess up your efs by wiping it clean just to get your IMEI back because flashing stock firmware alone is usually enough to fix IMEI issues. Posting this to prevent confusions that may lead to serious problems.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've edited my post to avoid any more unnecessary conversation.
My IMEI problems are not not ordinary. Before FRP lock on every rom my IMEI wen't and go back according to moon cycles. Probably hardware issues.
Now please if you have any advice how to fix FRP Lock on B4 booloader from inside COMBINATION rom or from download mode i'm all ears.

jaqjacek said:
I've edited my post to avoid any more unnecessary conversation.
My IMEI problems are not not ordinary. Before FRP lock on every rom my IMEI wen't and go back according to moon cycles. Probably hardware issues.
Now please if you have any advice how to fix FRP Lock on B4 booloader from inside COMBINATION rom or from download mode i'm all ears.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flashing all stock (CSC and not Home_CSC) has always worked for me from the beginning till today (last frp **** happened 3 weeks ago) and yeah my IMEI is still there.
Flashing old ROMs and flashing OLDER cp version can mess up your IMEI. That happened to me about a year ago and all I ever had to do was to flash stock rom (from whichever source you trust) via Odin.
It's the cleanest and safest way to get rid of FRP lock imo. I don't even know why anyone would bother using a combination rom as they require more effort to get your phone to work as intended.
Again, just put your phone into download mode, plug it into a PC, download stock firmware (from Sammobile, Samfirm, updato, or whichever source you trust), open Odin, and flash it there.
At least, this should work fine if you still have your efs partition working fine.

jaqjacek said:
Can you give some steps to follow ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You cant repair efs without a backup. If you really deleted the efs partition no go back anymore without touching the motherboard.
And flashing firmware wont reset frp

Flashed 4 different Original firmware with CSC or HOME_CSC already.
That isn't a problem. firmware show android and erasing phase
Problem is*that after 25% Erasing ste and second reboot Phone stack on "no command" screen stays on it for a while and reboot itselfs and do the same over and over again.
I've reed somewhere thats are DRK issues I'm not a expert in this but usually i flash twrp then install no-verify zip and phone goes buck to live.
Now I have something like this:
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
I't not a picture of my phone I don't have it on me right now but its very similar.
Thats why I flash Custom binary because its wipes everything and boots up. In other Guide from this forum I've reed that if you run factory reset from Custom binary FRP goes away buts probably samsung fix it in B4 bootloader.
I've don't want to go into /efs mangling because it is very dangerous I only write that I done it before and I'ts always works and If you do not need to do it don't
Now I need a way to skip "no command" screen or some twrp.img thats goes through FRP Lock to flash no-verify script or any magical way to boot up Original System.

[ROOT] [N9600] Verizon Full Rooting Guide + Detonator [WIFI Calling etc]

PREWARNING
THIS GUIDE IS !!ONLY!! FOR N9600 (INTERNATIONAL Snapdragon Model)
DO NOT ATTEMPT ON SPRINT, VERIZON, T-MOBILE, AT&T, OR ANY OTHER US (United States) MODEL PHONE.
BEWARE!! N960U or N960U1 HAS A LOCKED BOOTLOADER WHICH CAN NEVER BE UNLOCKED!
IF YOU ATTEMPT TO ROOT ON ANY US MODEL, YOU WILL BRICK YOUR PHONE!
If you have an N9600 international snapdragon model, please proceed. If not, read for your pleasure or future consideration but DO NOT attempt on a US model.
This guide can also be useful for N960F or N960FD international Exynos models, but you would have to change some things like use the right links.
==================================================================================================
Intro Notes:
I REPEAT: THIS GUIDE IS !!ONLY!! FOR N9600 (INTERNATIONAL Snapdragon Model)
If you have an N9600 international snapdragon model, please proceed. If not, read for your pleasure or future consideration but DO NOT attempt on a US model.
After much thought, research, reading, and contemplation, between Note 8, Galaxy S9+, and Note 9, I have decided on the Note 9.
Out of the available options for rooting, there are the devices, N960F, N960FD, and N9600.
Of course, N960F N960FD are Exynos. Unfortunately, these will not work on Verizon, so I would have to switch to T-Mobile. To stay on Verizon it would have to be N9600.
Ultimately, I decided on N9600. Why? Because with Detonator, I can root the N9600 on Verizon, and it's the only model that I can use on Verizon fully rooted. (There is a partial root on N960U, the US Snapdragon variant, but the root is only partial and will have bugs or may not wok.) I could root with a partial root the Note 8 US version, but it is not that much cheaper and it would only be a partial root, so I decided on N9600.
You can root fine on the Exynos versions, but you could not use Detonator for WIFI calling and other features on Verizon.
Rooting Guide
0. Battery must be above 82% before rooting.
1. Root N9600 using TWRP method (Beta)
PLEASE READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS THERE FOR ROOTING.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/ga...ecovery-twrp-galaxy-note9-snapdragon-t3845536
(Official XDA Magisk Install Guide, don't follow directly just reference)
2. RMM State Fix (Prevent "Prenormal")
IMMEDIATELY after getting into TWRP, flash the RMM-State_Bypass_Mesa_v2.zip (linked below).
If you do not, then you will get locked out for 7 days in the event you flash anything or flash a new OS or downgrade to Oreo, etc.
You have to do this EVERY TIME you flash something to prevent RMM state to going to "Prenormal" which means wait 7 days before you can flash any non-samsung firmware.
3. How to fix: Stuck on Prenormal and didn't bypass, OEM Unlock missing
You might be stuck because you didn't do the RMM bypass above. In this event, you will be blocked from flashing custom binaries including TWRP. The only thing you will be able to flash is original Samsung firmware.
How to bypass now? There are two solutions for solving Prenormal RMM state. I have done both successfully. There is a third but it rarely seems to work (date hack, available at many sites.)
METHOD 1: Long way around. Wait 7 days.
First wipe your whole device again and reflash your original OS in ODIN. If you don't do this then it's possible that after 7 days, OEM unlock will not show up.
Now wait 7 days.
Do not reboot your device, just for good measure. I did reboot my device, several times, and it still appeared after 7 days and a reboot. Don't know if you'll have the same luck.
The second time after turning on OEM Unlock, however, when it wiped my device, I did NOT reflash the whole OS again. And, after 7 days again, it did NOT show up.
METHOD 2: I waited 7 days, but no OEM unlock! Solution: Chimera application for windows. NOT FREE!
I was tired of waiting so I decided to try it, and it worked.
Activate Developer options
Activate USB Debugging (in Developer Options)
DISABLE "Verify apps via USB" (in Developer Options)
Go to https://chimeratool.com/
Buy the 3 days trial.
Download after paying in PayPal.
Install full application and all drivers. Don't customize it just install full.
Put your phone into Download mode
Turn off phone.
Hold Bixby & Volume Down
Plug phone into PC.
Press volume up at prompt. Download mode will be activated.
Now in Chimera application in Windows it will find your phone.
Choose the option "UNLOCK".
Choose the sub option, "RMM Unlock".
SUCCESS!! NO WAITING!! OEM Unlock activated. Worth every penny in my opinion (because it wasn't too many pennies).
Proceed to install TWRP and DO NOT FORGET TO INSTALL RMM BYPASS AFTER EVERY SINGLE FLASHING OF ANYTHING!!
4. After rooted, flash Detonator
File: Verizon EFS/CSC Detonator: Detonator v3 for Oreo 8.1 (linked in file list below)
(There is no Detonator for Pie on Verizon as of this writing, only Oreo)
0. Download DETONATOR_XXX_OREO_VZW_EFS-CSC_vx.x_INT_TEKHD.zip to your phone.
Maybe just copy to your SD card, easiest way.
In order to flash detonator, in TWRP select every box on the Mount screen (OTB will not be available unless you have one connected, but everything else).
Backup all partitions via TWRP.
Then go to Install (in TWRP) and flash the zip file for Detonator which applies to you. (Do NOT flash right after flashing a ROM!; First boot ROM at least one time… then go back to TWRP and flash Detonator)
After you successfully flash detonator and there are no errors, now if you want to remove the Verizon boot screen now go ahead and flash (through Install screen in TWRP) the Samsung BootAnimation zip on the Detonator website. This will replace your boot with the stock black samsung boot.
After doing these, please remember to flash the RMM State zip file. Always do this again after every flash of anything in TWRP!
Detonator features (from the website):
*With the Verizon Detonator you will get:
– VoLTE, Wifi-Calling /4G/LTE/ONLINE services & features.
– AdAway
– AppLock
– OperaMax (VPN/Data Saving)
– Caller ID & Spam Protection
– Phone and messaging Firewall
– Floating Messages
– Screencast/ScreenRecorder
– Ultra Data Saving Mode
– When booting for the first time… turn off “Confirm Network Connection” Under Settings -> Connections… (*IF AVAILABLE*) (see image below)
Changelog for Verizon Detonator:
v3 – CSC Features added / Wi-Fi Calling APK Update
vPRE-2.2 – Smart Manager Device Security Fix
vPRE-2.1 – Added Mobile Data Toggle to Power Menu.
vPRE-2 – Fixed XML Code / Features Added
vPRE-1 – Initial Release. (Test Phase)
NOTE: After installing Detonator, WIFI Calling button disappeared. I confirmed that I do NOT have WIFI calling, sadly. It doesn't work.
Test it by turning on airplane mode, then connecting to WIFI, then try to make a call. You will get a popup with option to turn on WIFI calling. If you try, it will result in an error, "Unable to activate WIFI Calling at this time, please try again later".
There is presently no solution I am aware of, but maybe someone else knows how, search the forums. Also maybe it has to do with the particular OS I decided to use. I could start over from scratch and try again, but it would be a lot of work and I am out of time for now.
Keep in mind you have to activate on Verizon (see below) before trying to make a call.
5. ACTIVATE ON VERIZON:
Activating on Verizon cannot be done through their site, it will result in an error that your device is incompatible, so don't bother with that.
0. In order to activate you just need an already working SIM card.
Activate a new Verizon SIM card on your PREVIOUS device.
If you need an excuse say you need it for your new phone and YOU will activate it yourself right in the store. Then say it's not working let's try activating on my old phone first.
After the new SIM is working on your OLD phone, leave the store and go home. Now, at your leisure remove the SIM from your old phone and now insert it into your N9600.
Reboot. Now you will be activated on Verizon! (NOTE: YOU MUST ALREADY HAVE DONE DETONATOR, FOLLOW ALL STEPS ABOVE FIRST.)
After you do the rooting below, you'll get messages from SecurityLogAgent saying "security error your device was modified, reboot to revert the changes". You can eliminate this by going into Titanium Backup and FREEZE the following:
SecurityLogAgent
Security policy updates
Software update
Configuration Update
6. Magisk Manager
Boot into phone. If you see Magisk Manager it means you are rooted, probably.
To check it open the Magisk Manager app on your phone.
Feel free to update Magisk. I updated it in the app to 19.3 for Magisk and the installer (flashed from the zip in TWRP) is 7.2
Tap to start safetynet, and accept all prompts.
Reboot
Test if rooted by installing Titanium Backup. If it asks for SuperSU permission then Grant, and it means you are rooted!
7. After rooted, install Xposed
Download xposed from the link in the files section below. If you have a Note 9 on Oreo 8.1 then your file is the SDK 27 for Arm64.
In TWRP, flash the zip file.
Now flash the RMM State zip file. Always do this again after every flash of anything in TWRP!
Backup if desired.
Boot your phone.
Go to the xposed links and get the APK file for xposed. This will be the app you use to manage xposed.
WARNING:
One or more of the settings in the xposed module GravityBox [O] causes bugs and removes your Verizon compatibility. In order to solve the error "No SIM card inserted" (but it is inserted!), what you have to do is to go back into TWRP, and do all steps for the Detonator instructions that I wrote above (it will NOT wipe your device, so don't worry). Once you re-flash Detonator, your Verizon will work again and the SIM card message will be gone.
WARNING 2:
There was another xposed module that caused a similar issue but worse. The issue in reference is you get a black screen at the lock screen but nothing can come up but the reboot menu. You cannot get into the phone. I was about to consider having to factory reset before I solved the issue. Since the issue was an xposed module, then the solution is to:
Download the most recent arm64 xposed uninstaller .zip file from here: https://dl-xda.xposed.info/framework/uninstaller/
Boot into TWRP, flash the xposed uninstaller zip.
Clear the cache and dalvik cache like it suggests using that button on the screen there.
Now flash the RMM State zip file. Always do this again after every flash of anything in TWRP!
Reboot into your phone, your problem is now solved!
Finally, go into Xposed Installer and find the Module that was causing the issue, long-press on it and choose uninstall. I know you want to keep it, but it's too bad, you can re-download it later, you will be unable to simply unselect it. You have to uninstall it.
Now you can go back into TWRP and reinstall xposed.
Last step: flash the RMM State zip file. Always do this again after every flash of anything in TWRP!
Files Needed
ODIN: https://odindownload.com/
- Odin 13.3.1
TWRP: https://forum.xda-developers.com/devdb/project/?id=29220#downloads
- TWRP_3.2.3-0_N9600_beta3.tar.md5
- boot.img (he recommends to use this, see tutorial)
- Encryption disabler.zip
MAGISK: https://forum.xda-developers.com/apps/magisk/official-magisk-v7-universal-systemless-t3473445
- Magisk 16.7 19.3 (can I use latest version 19.3? Answer: YES, I used 19.3 without any problems.)
USB DRIVERS: https://developer.samsung.com/galaxy/others/android-usb-driver-for-windows
- SAMSUNG_USB_Driver_for_Mobile_Phones.zip
BYPASS RMM STATE: https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=75360965
- RMM-State_Bypass_Mesa_v2.zip
DETONATOR: http://tekhd.com/detonator-o/
- DETONATOR_N9_OREO-8.x_VZW_EFS-CSC_v3_INT_TEKHD.zip
DIRECT LINK (VZW v3): https://androidfilehost.com/?fid=11410963190603842742
MIRROR: https://mega.nz/#!cP52EYKS!L9Oc7nihQ2RoXddZPAPXCPdVLvzhXq3VZtaZXGzBtDQ
(link is was down but I have the file which I uploaded for you: [EDIT: TekHD link is back up now! The domain was expired but I spent some time on the phone with GoDaddy trying to renew their domain for them, maybe the dev was able to see it since I told them to reach out to him specifically. GoDaddy refused to let me donate to renew his domain for him. Again update it appears the site is down again. But not expired this time, it just says "pageok". I do have all the data from that site so I will upload it for the community sometime.]
XPOSED (for Oreo 8.1): https://dl-xda.xposed.info/framework/sdk27/arm64/
- xposed-v90-sdk27-arm64-beta3.zip
XPOSED UNINSTALLER (to fix a bad module. See Warning 2.): https://dl-xda.xposed.info/framework/uninstaller/
- xposed-uninstaller-20180117-arm64.zip
OREO 8.1 FIRMWARE (for downgrade):
- N9600ZHS1ASB1 / N9600OWA1ARL5 (N9600 8.1 Oreo 2019-02-01 Chile) https://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/galaxy-note9/SM-N9600/CHL/download/N9600ZHS1ASB1/259310/
- N9600ZHU1ARG6 / N9600OWA1ARG6 (N9600 8.1 Oreo 2018-07-01 Dom Rep) https://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/galaxy-note9/SM-N9600/CDR/download/N9600ZHU1ARG6/231741/
- N9600ZHU1ARG6 / N9600OWE1ARG6 (N9600 8.1 Oreo 2018-07-01 Ecuador) https://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/galaxy-note9/SM-N9600/ALE/download/N9600ZHU1ARG6/231755/
** These three files have been removed from sammobile as of today 2019-05-25, because they were there yesterday. You can still view directly but they will no longer show on the page for the N9600 because sammobile is no longer showing any Oreo (8.0, 8.1) firmwares for the N9600 on their site, only Pie firmwares (9). It's likely these will be removed soon, so I will upload mirrors to the firmwares once they are finished downloading.
(NOTE: DO NOT download firmware N9600ZHS1ASA7_N9600OWT1ARK1_SAM because it will after initializing forcefully change your boot branding to a bright baby blue screen with Movistar carrier branding instead of a normal black samsung boot screen. This will be removed by re-flashing so it's harmless, just annoying. Instead use the above linked. So far I have only tested N9600ZHS1ASB1 above which is fine, it is on the Clara carrier and installs minimal carrier bloat which can be removed after rooting. I linked the other two which I will try as they use pre-August 2018 firmware so hopefully I can get the OEM Unlock to show since I didn't know about the RMM state fix before flashing Pie down to Oreo.)
UPDATE:
This guide is now completed and released. The steps are fully working to get your N9600 working on Verizon.
Someone asked me if regular calling works if they don't have WIFI. Of course. Your phone will fully work on Verizon as normal. In addition to fully working, WIFI calling also works (for some firmwares).
UPDATE 2:
DEAR EVERYONE:
Sorry it took so long for me to upload the files. It appears that TekHD website is now dead for good. It's been down for months. So, since I already had downloaded all the content from the website, including the website pages themselves, I'm now uploaded everything from TekHD for your use. I'm also including all of my rooting files for your use and enjoyment.
Will update the links here when the uploads complete. Enjoy!
EDIT: Here's the link!
https://mega.nz/#F!UbZFSAwC!FObELw39ZmADygAJOFVlyw
-

[moved content from here into original post]
[reserved]

I used a exynos S9+ and I'm using a note 9 exynos on Verizon. You don't need to flash anything because if you use shortcutmaster to bring up Ims settings, with root of course, you can enable all you need.

But you don't have wifi calling or several other things right?

I also had to do a RMM state flash. But I didn't know and now I am blocked from doing anything for a week after downgrading OS. Wish someone would have told me ahead of time. The hacks to change date to bypass and re-enable OEM lock DOES NOT WORK. Trying many things, wasted my whole saturday needlessly.

I finally got the OEM unlock to show.
STEPS:
1. Using Odin flash the whole OS from sammobile. I used 8.1 which is compatible with Detonator.
2. During setup, DO NOT CONNECT TO INTERNET.
3. Choose a date some time in the past like a month or even a year ago. I chose a year ago.
4. finish setup disabling everything.
5. General Management → Date and time. DISABLE Automatic date and time.
6. Enable developer options.
a. Settings > About phone
b. tap seven times on ‘Build number’
7. Settings > Developer options > DISABLE Auto update system
8. It will not work unless you also log into a samsung account.
a. Connect to internet now.
b. Cloud and accounts > Accounts > Add account
c. Sign in or create a new Samsung account.
d. You have to log in and add the account, go back and it should say added.
9. DISCONNECT FROM INTERNET
10. Go to date and time. Choose a date in the future. I chose a few months in the future.
11. Settings > Software update > tap on Download updates automatically (it will error because not connected. It's fine. Don't connect!)
12. REBOOT
13. Settings > Developer options. The OEM unlock option should be visible now.
I think the above is what I did. I might have the order above wrong because I tried so many times I can't remember if that's the exact order. I think it is, but if it doesn't work try a few different ways and eventually you'll get it.
EDIT: When I tried again, above does not work so I must not have remembered what I did perfectly, OR for some reason it just didn't work the second time.

[.]

Before I bust out the Type-C cable, I must ask, will this work on the Sprint variant?

Any plan to ad sprint to the list

eastside08 said:
Before I bust out the Type-C cable, I must ask, will this work on the Sprint variant?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
NO!!! BEWARE, N960U or N960U1 HAS A LOCKED BOOTLOADER.
IF YOU ATTEMPT TO ROOT ON ANY US MODEL, YOU WILL BRICK YOUR PHONE!
The ONLY Snapdragon model that can be rooted is the INTERNATIONAL N9600. I specifically bought the N9600 for this. This N9600 has an unlocked bootloader.
I was planning on running Detonator on the Oreo 8.1 since the developer TekHD has not yet developed a Detonator for Pie on Verizon. Plus, I read that many people prefer Oreo over Pie. Moreover, Oreo will have more dev support than Pie since Pie is still very new.
I am still working on this so will continue progress updates.
Right now I am stuck because I didn't know about the RMM State so I am stuck on Prenormal, which means 7 days waiting. I had gotten the OEM unlock to show because I was going to disable and re-enable OEM unlock, and when I proceeded it wiped, and then changed to Prenormal preventing from installing TWRP again.
If I had known ahead of time, I could have flashed the RMM fix zip while I had TWRP on there and could have avoided this fiasco. If I get OEM unlock to show again then I will use that to avoid future lockouts.
Right now I am downloading a July 2018 version of Oreo 8.1. I tried flashing several Oreo 8.1 and that is easy with Odin, but could not get the OEM unlock to show up again no matter what I tried. According to this page** (link below), the method of switching the time doesn't work on pre- August 2018 firmwares. That's not entirely accurate as I got it to show up the first time, but I may be stuck now.
So in an effort to try anything, I am downloading and will flash the earlier version of 8.1 from July. Then will try the date method to try to get it to show up. Hopefully it works.
** NOTE: link from above is https://www.thecustom droid.com/prenormal-rmm-state-on-samsung-galaxy-guide/ (remove the space between custom and droid)

For future reference, guides go in the guides section, not development.

Update: I can't get OEM unlock to show up and ran out of time. So, I have to take the long way around and wait a week for it to show up. So, I'll be back on Sunday if OEM unlock shows up.

Im guessing this trips knox ?

why put 'Verizon Full Rooting Guide' when rooting has nothing to do with carriers.
the guide is to get verizon csc on a n9600. you should change the way you named the thread if you dont want to get a gazilion questions from n960u uers.

i sure am confused.
are you able to root a international note9 and use it on verizon network in the usa, or not?
i know elliwigy is working on getting root for a specific model of note9, i think for the usa unlocked or verizon locked model, but it's not useable on stock firmware yet.

UPDATE:
After 7 days, a reboot, and pressing check for updates (but not updating), then checking for the OEM unlock, it did in fact show up.
Unfortunately, enabling OEM unlock also factory resets your phone which AGAIN puts the 7 day lock - which is f*ing ridiculous.
So now I have to wait ANOTHER 7 days before proceeding, so that Prenormal will be able to go to Normal and I can flash TWRP and custom binaries.
Will update again in another week.

bober10113 said:
why put 'Verizon Full Rooting Guide' ... if you dont want to get a gazilion questions from n960u uers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please note the tag [N9600], if N960U users fail to read the full title, that's their fault. I put all the disclaimers in red anyway just in case, so they can know.
This indeed is about using an international N9600 on Verizon in the USA. I am still working on this and as per my previous post, in another week once the 7 day wait period is over again so I can finish the root and flashing, then I will continue to update about how to get the N9600 working on Verizon.
It is worth noting that you are required to root the N9600 in order to use Detonator.
siriom said:
Im guessing this trips knox ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The answer to this is Yes. It trips Knox. You cannot root without tripping Knox.
dumbfone said:
are you able to root a international note9 and use it on verizon network in the usa, or not?
i know elliwigy is working on getting root for a specific model of note9, i think for the usa unlocked or verizon locked model, but it's not useable on stock firmware yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The answer to this is hopefully yes, and I have known others to get the N9600 working on Verizon. But I have to wait another week before I can proceed, so please check back next week to see my progress and additional instructions.

Hello everyone,
I have wonderful and amazing news. I have completed fully rooting my Note 9 N9600 and also getting it fully working on Verizon. I am updating the original post now with the details and remaining steps.
It's worth noting that after the second 7 days, OEM unlock would NOT show up. I waited hours more, but still no luck. Instead, I used an application called Chimera which I actually paid for in order to get OEM unlock to finally show up, and it worked.

Update: See the above completed and updated guide.

zxzxzxzxzxzxzxzxzx said:
Update: See the above completed and updated guide.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so the way to do it is just flashing the latest detonator?
http://tekhd.com/detonator/
(apparently with full wifi calling support too..)
http://tekhd.com/detonator-o/#vzwdetonator
(or go to detonator telegram channel for possibly modded comunity version...rumor i heard)
implicitly, people probably already know how to root by following the steps outlined from the snapdragon thread..

[Root] [guide] Samsung Galaxy A20 rooting guide

Read the first 3 posts before you proceed.
For Android 10 go here
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-a20/how-to/android-10-q-guide-a20-t4095589
For a20e go here
A20e Root,Kernel, TWRP and custom ROM
Root & TWRP from Xyn XDotnest https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-a20/development/recovery-twrp-3-4-0-0-galaxy-a20e-a202f-t4141767 Orange Fox Recovery from @Royna...
forum.xda-developers.com
WARNING: Rooting your phone may be dangerous.
Rooting a device may void the warranty on the device. It may also make the device unstable or if not done properly, may completely brick the device. XDA-Developers or the author does not take any responsibility for your device. Root at your own risk and only if you understand what you are doing!

Advantages of rooting:
Once you root your device you can install flashable zip files and custom ROMs.
You can backup all your apps and data using Titanium Backup.
You can customize your device according to your needs by deleting unwanted system apps and using Deathly Adiutor to modify the kernel.
View attachment 4802662
Disadvantages of Rooting:
Once you root your device, your device warranty will be void.
After rooting yourndevice may become unstable.
You may not be able to upgrade OTA in the future.

This method should root your Samsung Galaxy SM-A205X (all models except SM-A205U and SM-A205DL).
It was developed for the U2 bootloader (June 2019 firmware)
This method does not work for the a20s (A207X)
This method can be used to root other Samsung phones including the a20e( post#77 post#180, post#256)
Quick Root and TWRP for A205xx
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-a20/how-to/guide-quick-root-twrp-galaxy-a20-t4069423
You'll find it much quicker.
Repair Firmware
This site contains
1. Full repair firmware
2. Combination firmware
3. Fix dm verify
4. Root instructions and unpatched boot images
https://www.full-repair-firmware.com/search?q=A20
More firmware (some are even prerooted)
https://www.needromarab.com/1/122/SAMSUNG
Samfirm Tool for really fast downloads
https://samfirmtool.com/samfirm-v0-5-0

Useful videos
Instructions
A. Prepare boot image
1. Download magisk manager apk
2. Download the exact firmware (including upgrade date) for your device from https://samfrew.com or https://www.samfirmware.net/ or https://www.full-repair-firmware.com/search?q=A20 or
https://samfw.com/
3. Use zarchiver to copy AP_20xxxxxxxx.md5 to download directory. It will extract it from the zip.
4. Rename AP_20xxxxxxxx.md5 to AP_20xxxxxxx.tar and extract using zarchiver
5. Copy boot.img.Iz4 to download directory and extract (resulting in boot.img)
6. Use magisk manager to patch boot.img (use top install) result magisk_patched.img
(If using Magisk (Canary) patch, options should be remove dm-verity and not via recovery, but allowing Persist Encrypt.)
7. Rename magisk_patched.img to boot.img
9. Use zarchiver to compress boot.img to boot.tar. If you have a A205xx June firmware (U2 bootloader), you can use my one of you're willing to take a risk. View attachment boot.zip. Just unzip it first.
9a. For a20e users, try this boot.img https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=81649257&postcount=260
10. Copy boot.tar to Windows pc or Windows Virtualbox.
11. On phone developer options in settings unlock OEM and enable usb debugging
(If using Linux
9. Don't compress `boot.img`
10. install heimdall flash with `sudo apt install heimdall-flash`, if you want front-end install it with `sudo apt install heimdall-flash-frontend`)
B. Unlock bootloader
Useful video
12. Backup data. It will be wiped.
13. Turn phone off
14. Hold vol- and vol+ and plug in power cable attached to pc then release vol up to enter unlock screen.
15. Follow the instructions to unlock
(You might need to long press vol up to unlock bootloader)
vol + to select yes to confirm.
17. Press power key to unlock bootloader.
18. Reboot and reactivate developer options and enable usb debugging. Don't enter too much data at this stage as you will lose it again later.
C. Flash boot image.
19. Turn phone on in bootloader (download) mode (Hold power and vol+ to enter recovery mode then select bootloader download mode)
20. Connect phone to computer.
21. Use Odin in Windows to add boot.tar to phone. (Select AP). Some people recommend adding the other firmware parts to their slots at the same time.
22. Restart phone
23. select bootloader
24. Select factory reset (this will wipe data)
25. Restart phone
26. install data
26. install magisk manager
27. If green phone is rooted.
View attachment 4802665
28. Of red select install/direct install
29. Advanced tick both.
30. Install root checker and verify root
If Something Goes Wrong
Go here
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-a20/how-to/crash-recovery-t4068369
If you get a DTBO error after updating Magisk, flash this vbmeta https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-dogButfxKGlx_x2tSROOBDiq90SDlmc/view
(If using Linux
To flash:
20. Detect device with `heimdall detect`
21. Flash the `boot.img` with `heimdall flash --BOOT {location of the boot.img, you can also just drop the file into terminal and terminal should auto-fill it}` ex: `heimdall flash --BOOT '/home/utku/Programlar/ext/boot.img'`
P.S: an easy way to boot into download mode is `adb reboot bootloader`)
If you want to remove the warning messages on the boot screen
try this.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-a30/how-to/hide-bootloader-warning-unlocked-t3954589
The images shown on the A30 thread aren't suitable for the A20 so I have included some better ones here.
View attachment 4803752
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
You can use this param.tar to make these changes easier.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=80169262&postcount=91
You can now move on to install TWRP
This TWRP was originally designed for Android 9 but works perfectly with Android 10 and also has MTP built-in.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/ga...overy-twrp-3-3-1-0-galaxy-a10-exynos-t4013481
physwizz collection
A collection of guides, kernels and ROMs. Guides Complete Guide to the A20 GSIs for the A20 Quick Root and TWRP for the A20 Making my First Kernel for the A20 A20 Rooting Guide Making Your Own ROM Making Your Own Version of QwizzROM-a20...
forum.xda-developers.com

Mine
Discussion page.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/samsung-galaxy-a20

On the lighter side of rooting....
From the A30 forum:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-a30/how-to/hide-bootloader-warning-unlocked-t3954589
Works for A20 too

jajk said:
On the lighter side of rooting....
From the A30 forum:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-a30/how-to/hide-bootloader-warning-unlocked-t3954589
Works for A20 too
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Another reason to merge. This is a procedure for removing those annoying error messages on startup screens.

A205U owners complaining about not being able to oem unlock bootloader might want to study this:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/android/software/patched-odin-3-13-1-t3762572
It looks like a way to switch to another unlockable firmware version.

Please, need magisk_patched.img file for SM-A205F.

jajk said:
A205U owners complaining about not being able to oem unlock bootloader might want to study this:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/android/software/patched-odin-3-13-1-t3762572
It looks like a way to switch to another unlockable firmware version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah tried that option. Samsung has our model on a bootloader 2, means our device won't accept flashing from any other firmware but the original non-modded firmware only.
Tried prince Odin,patched Odin all versions, tried Heimdall etc..
Error is ...boot secure check failed..
I've tried to flash firmware a205G only with fail error Everytime.
Psa I've had my a205u for 10 days no OEM unlock option.
Main reason why I'm not buying another Samsung phone.
Bought a Moto g7 and the g7 power ..I rooted both within 10 min from purchase. Motorola emailed me my bootloader unlock code . Fastboot flashed and Bam good to go. I'm done .

jhjhjhjhjhjh said:
Bought a Moto g7 and the g7 power ..I rooted both within 10 min from purchase. Motorola emailed me my bootloader unlock code . Fastboot flashed and Bam good to go. I'm done .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^THIS ALL DAY. I swapped mine out for the G7 Power and already done rooted, flashed, and wrote a guide while all the 205u users are waiting for the mythical OEM Unlock to magically appear which it ain't gonna. Sammy can kiss my techie ass...we are officially divorced. I won't even go back and buy an old Sammy like I wanted to (was thinking about getting that S7 edge). It's me and Moto for now.

jhjhjhjhjhjh said:
Yeah tried that option. Samsung has our model on a bootloader 2, means our device won't accept flashing from any other firmware but the original non-modded firmware only.
Tried prince Odin,patched Odin all versions, tried Heimdall etc..
Error is ...boot secure check failed..
I've tried to flash firmware a205G only with fail error Everytime.
Psa I've had my a205u for 10 days no OEM unlock option.
Main reason why I'm not buying another Samsung phone.
Bought a Moto g7 and the g7 power ..I rooted both within 10 min from purchase. Motorola emailed me my bootloader unlock code . Fastboot flashed and Bam good to go. I'm done .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe Samsung has an issue with US tariffs.

Samsung have certainly turned an essentially good piece of hardware into a pile of rubbish with mega-invasive bloatware. I have barely started to strip back the garbage and the phone is springing to life. Need a working TWRP before getting too keen as the path back to functionality is long and arduous without a way of restoring partitions if anything gets screwed up. Here is what the phone looks like with Google Play junk removed plus a bit of Samsung bloat removed - not everyone is ready to kick the Alphabet addiction I know, but it has become an absolute monster that eats battery and cpu cycles....apart from the privacy invasion side of it
I am finding that many unknown, non-visible apps with innocent sounding names or "security" inferred in the name are likely to be ad server or data mining software - I got wise to this with my first and last Xiaomi device

jajk said:
Samsung have certainly turned an essentially good piece of hardware into a pile of rubbish with mega-invasive bloatware. I have barely started to strip back the garbage and the phone is springing to life. Need a working TWRP before getting too keen as the path back to functionality is long and arduous without a way of restoring partitions if anything gets screwed up. Here is what the phone looks like with Google Play junk removed plus a bit of Samsung bloat removed - not everyone is ready to kick the Alphabet addiction I know, but it has become an absolute monster that eats battery and cpu cycles....apart from the privacy invasion side of it
I am finding that many unknown, non-visible apps with innocent sounding names or "security" inferred in the name are likely to be ad server or data mining software - I got wise to this with my first and last Xiaomi device
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used titanium backup first. Now I'll debloat.

physwizz said:
Maybe Samsung has an issue with US tariffs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The US doesn't have an issue with South Korea on tariffs, despite Trump's big mouth.
The problem is that Sammy wants to be essentially Apple Android. And that is what's driving this crap in the same of "security". Knox has been like the devil and even sentient since it came to power almost like Skynet. And all of this started when Verizon offered Sammy big bucks to lock it down ala Kyocera with the S5 era - which coincidentially is the last great breath of air they had to give.
They don't care about the developer models either - look in the forums, many of them are just as locked down.
Sammy knows ain't that many phone companies left in the US; Tmobile done bought out half the cell companies and AT&T got the other half in a duopoly, meaning they and other companies can continue this path of nanny phones on the general public that are going for more personalized computers they can't control than actual phones that work. Most Americans aren't going to turn to GooPhone nor will many XDA devs develop any type of TWRP or rom for those types. And that means they can dangle a bells and whistle carrot while their demographic signs their privacy away.
I ain't a fan of Lenovo-Moto, but at least they let half the phone companies unlock the variant to their devices. Sammy, on the other hand, does not and is playing Xiaomi type of games on that bootloader.

Articul8Madness said:
The US doesn't have an issue with South Korea on tariffs, despite Trump's big mouth.
The problem is that Sammy wants to be essentially Apple Android. And that is what's driving this crap in the same of "security". Knox has been like the devil and even sentient since it came to power almost like Skynet. And all of this started when Verizon offered Sammy big bucks to lock it down ala Kyocera with the S5 era - which coincidentially is the last great breath of air they had to give.
They don't care about the developer models either - look in the forums, many of them are just as locked down.
Sammy knows ain't that many phone companies left in the US; Tmobile done bought out half the cell companies and AT&T got the other half in a duopoly, meaning they and other companies can continue this path of nanny phones on the general public that are going for more personalized computers they can't control than actual phones that work. Most Americans aren't going to turn to GooPhone nor will many XDA devs develop any type of TWRP or rom for those types. And that means they can dangle a bells and whistle carrot while their demographic signs their privacy away.
I ain't a fan of Lenovo-Moto, but at least they let half the phone companies unlock the variant to their devices. Sammy, on the other hand, does not and is playing Xiaomi type of games on that bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I find it strange that the US version is the only one that can't unlock the bootloader.
The rest of us are all unlocked and rooted.

physwizz said:
I find it strange that the US version is the only one that can't unlock the bootloader.
The rest of us are all unlocked and rooted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It aint strange, its common. Before it was locked exclusively to Verizon; after the S3 it became more and more carriers. Then the dev models started being locked up but "open".

Articul8Madness said:
It aint strange, its common. Before it was locked exclusively to Verizon; after the S3 it became more and more carriers. Then the dev models started being locked up but "open".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine is locked to Vodafone but I can still unlock the bootloader.

physwizz said:
Mine is locked to Vodafone but I can still unlock the bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here.
Did you mod your param.tar (to change the warnings at startup) file by any chance? Would you be able to attach it at all? I was gonna download the firmware but it's taking 9 hours.
Thanks.

burningcreation said:
Same here.
Did you mod your param.tar (to change the warnings at startup) file by any chance? Would you be able to attach it at all? I was gonna download the firmware but it's taking 9 hours.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've downloaded the 2 pics and I modified one to contain my name.
I will try the mods shortly.

[GUIDE] AN ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR G935F/FD

AN ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR G935F/FD​
DISCLAIMER☆THIS WILL BE A HUGE WORD WALL, SO DON'T BOTHER WITH THIS IN ADVANCE IF YOU MIND READING LARGE AMOUNTS OF WORDS ON SCREEN
☆THIS ISN'T A ROOT GUIDE EXACTLY BUT WHEN YOU READ THIS TILL THE END, ROOTING WILL BE AS EASY AS BREATHING FOR YOU (LITERALLY)
NOTE : THIS GUIDE DOESN'T APPLIES TO YOU IF YOU ALREADY KNOW BASICS AND/OR ARE ADVANCED USER WHO KNOWS GUTS OF ANDROID. THIS IS EXPLICITLY FOR NOOBS LIKE MYSELF WHO ACCIDENTALLY MESS THEIR DEVICES AND GET A BRICK !
WARNING : THIS DOESN'T APPLIES FOR ANY OTHER MODEL THEN G935F/FD, AND IS JUST FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES, I WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE CAUSED TO YOUR DEVICE FOLLOWING THIS GUIDE.
P.SHERE I PRESENT MY FIRST GUIDE FOR S7 SERIES, YOU CAN SAY ITS A BASIC ROOTING GUIDE AND SUCH GUIDES ARE EVERYWHERE HERE ON S7 FORUMS BUT THIS ONE CONTAINS VITAL INFORMATION WHICH I COLLECTED FROM VARIOUS SOURCES AND TRIED KEEPING IT AT ONE PLACE AND FOR THE NOOBS LIKE ME WHO DON'T KNOW WHERE TO SEARCH FOR THESE THINGS
ALSO AS I RECEIVE HUNDREDS OF PM'S FOR HELP REGARDING PEOPLE ACCIDENTALLY TURNING OEM UNLOCK OFF AND MESSING THEIR DEVICES, I HAD TO MAKE A GUIDE NOW SO EVERYONE CAN BENEFIT FROM THIS
AND YEAH I CANNOT HELP ANYONE REMOTELY NOW, SORRY LIFE SUCKS IN AT TIMES
AND YOU GUYS KNOW THAT S7 SERIES ARE ALMOST EOL BY SAMSUNG SO I TRIED MAKING AN EOL GUIDE TOO
--------------------------------------------------------------------​
INTRODUCTION
EFS :
EFS (encrypting file system) is the partition which stores nv data of your phone, that is a read only partiton and it contains nv data (non-volatile data) memory which stores all the vital data from the manufacturer which is non volatile or in other words.. not to be removed/modified in any way.. and So, this nv data kinda makes your phone a 'phone'
UFS :
The UFS is universal flash storage chip also known as nand memory in older terms, your internal memory chip on the s7 edge series.. it contains all the android partitions of your phone i.e everything your smartphone has to be a 'smartphone' ..
DM-VERITY :
Device-Mapper verification is a new security measure in latest samsung devices, it basically checks system integrity i.e to check if system partition is modified by any method .. if your system partition is modified even willingly by yourself by any method like non-systemless root/mod/custom binaries etc, dm-verity will kick in and prevent your phone from booting normally. DM-verity is explicitly present in recovery partition which prevents boot on activating and it kicks in through a check inside the stock kernel which activates it.. apparently, removing dm-verity in recovery or kernel makes the device boot-able again.
DRK :
DRK or device root key is present in efs partition of your phone, DRK is a device-unique asymmetric key pair that is signed by Samsung's root key through an X.509 certificate, this certificate proves that the DRK was produced by Samsung. DRK is explicitly present in EFS partition. If due to any reason your drk gets corrupted/deleted, you get a permanent type of dm-verity error and your phone will not boot even stock samsung roms without dm verity disabler zips ..
NV DATA :
Non-volatile data is present on efs partition and includes, device specific vital manufacturer binaries which are never to be modified/removed in anyway. This includes device specific network certificates, IMEIs, SERIAL numbers, bluetooth ids/mac addresses, DRK, nfc parameters and others etc ..
PARTITIONS :
Android adopts linux like partitions and file tables, but most of the partitions present on samsung phones are not to be modified/messed up in any way, other then backing them up. The most common partitions to modify/format include :
1. DATA
2. CACHE
3. DALVIK CACHE
4. SYSTEM
But system partition is often recommended to not modify/format for the reasons I will explain further down in the guide ..
A partitions screenshot of s7 edge G935F running a stock rooted rom on version 8 binary
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The highlighted ones in yellow contain your nv data..
NOTE : ITS A VITAL STEP TO BACKUP ALL NV DATA PARTITIONS AFTER ROOTING (SHOULD BE THE FIRST THING TO DO AFTER ROOTING! )
PARTITION STYLE/IMAGE TYPE :
S7 series (exynos) partition table is A type on oreo stock firmware and until pie based custom roms.. one ui 2.0 introduced A/B style partitioning. Only difference between them is about how hard magisk implementation is in A/B and also the absence of ramdisk. You can get more info in magisk's documentation on github.
FIRMWARE TYPES :
All firmwares before the 10th binary update are called as A firmwares, the 10th or 0 one being called as A and after onwards from that we call the binaries as B firmwares i.e all firmwares from G935FXX1XXXXX to G935FXX9XXXXX will be called A firmwares simply, the 10th one being G935FXXAXXXXX and after that B firmware starts as G935FXXBXXXXX and then binaries continue like C/D/E/F if samsung wanted to update the device further.. S7 exynos are currently on 8th version binary.. where the binary number is actually the bootloader number and you cannot downgrade to lower version binaries from a higher version ..
Also the B firmwares are a very special case, will explain later further down later.
BOOTLOADER VERSION :
Refer to the above paragraph. Numbers/alphabets after XX and before XXXXX denote the version number of the binaries or in other words the bootloader version, which after upgrading to a higher version cannot be downgraded to a lower bootloader version ..
WHAT IS AP/CP/CSC/BL/PIT?
AP is Application Processor, known as PDA in older terms, the core android of the flashing package, CP being the Core Processor also known as modem, while CSC is Consumer Software Customization which contains regional/country based settings for your phone which includes network settings and custom preloaded software, also to mention that CSC has two types CSC and HOME_CSC ..
CSC contains the pit file which partitions and formats the phone before flashing in odin, while HOME_CSC doesn't include pit file and is meant to upgrade/dirty flash without wiping data in odin.. PIT means partition information table, if you are flashing CSC you don't need to manually extract and place pit file in odin as this is automatically done when flashed using CSC..
ODIN :
Odin, the lord of the dead as known in norse mythology is actually a lord of dead samsung phones too you already know what this is, but in case if you really don't; then this is a flashing software for samsung phones and you don't need to select any advanced options in odin when flashing.. just select auto-reboot and f.reset when flashing stock firmwares - all other options are obsolete and/or have no use for s7 series devices. Also when flashing any recovery don't tick auto reboot just f.reset and manually force reboot from download mode to custom recovery using key combinations
DOWNLOAD, RECOVERY MODE, SAFE MODE AND FORCE REBOOT :
While phone is turned off, holding vol down+home+power buttons will make you go in download mode.
And while phone is off, holding vol up+home+power buttons will make you go in recovery mode ..
Holding vol down after samsung animation comes during boot would make you enter in safe mode (this option is obsolete since in most bootloops we cannot go in safe mode because phone isn't booting properly to accept safe mode key input)
Hold vol down+home+power buttons on any screen to force reboot phone ..
DOWNLOAD MODE INFO :
There are details written in download mode which are very useful for diagnosing various issues.
Such as :
>Real Model Number : displays real phone's hardware model.
>System Status : displays intact-ness of /system partition.
>Binary Status : displays intact-ness of other partitions like boot (kernel) or recovery etc.
>KNOX Status : displays the hardware e-fuse status for warranty purposes. Anything other then 0x00 means its tripped.
>Letters B/K/S : letter B means bootloader version number, K for kernel's and S for system's version number. You cannot flash any firmware with lower numbers then displayed here because secure bootloader will always block it.
UPLOAD MODE :
There is not much info on this or any info at all for the matter. All I know per my personal experience is that it happened due to SBL (secure bootloader) error after flashing an incompatible firmware. It can be due to any other software or hardware reasons, but my guess is that it protects phone from becoming a complete brick in case of bootloader error or corruption. But again, its so scarce that hardly any reliable information exists about it and I'm not gonna brick my phone just to see if it really 'works'
FRP LOCK :
FRP lock is the factory reset protection, it kicks in two ways.
1. You had oem unlock off and you forgot to delete your/last google account on device before factory resetting it and for some reason you also forgot that google account's password, so this frp lock kicks in and you need to login with that last google account to regain access to your phone, this is basically an anti-theft measure, also ironically there were/are ways to bypass it too ..
2. If you disable oem unlock after rooting/modifying/installing custom binaries or you try to root/modify/install custom binaries without enabling oem unlock first, you get custom binary blocked by frp on next boot, for solving this you just need to flash back stock rom.. and login with last google account password if required ..
3. Its a bit same like no. 2, but this one is a dreaded and notorious issue.. happens when your drk or efs gets corrupted due to any reason and you also "Accidentally" turn OEM Unlock OFF (lmao) . Now when you flash custom binary you get the same frp lock as no. 2, BUT you cannot boot stock rom back to Enable OEM Unlock due to drk error/efs corruption (which prevents even stock rom from booting up because of dm-verity error) and you cannot fix drk/dm-verity error by flashing no verity zips.. because custom binary block by frp error.......
So now you know its not a good idea to do "Accidents"
COMBINATION BINARIES :
Combination binaries are troubleshooting firmwares developed specially for repairing by samsung which don't have dm-verity checks as well as no developer options either, which mainly can be used to fix imei/efs issues AFTER restoring a backup which you are SURE to be WORKING and taken from an earlier/working environment..
Sometimes combination roms can fix efs/imei and network issues without restoring a working earlier backup (in case of some software bug), though this only works if the original factory efs of your phone is intact ..
NOTE : AS OF NOW, LATEST COMBINATION ROMS FOR VERSION 7 AND 8 BINARIES AREN'T AVAILABLE ON THE POPULAR AND TRUSTWORTHY SOURCES - NOT EVEN ON PAID ONES. SO EITHER DON'T UPGRADE YOUR PHONES TO LATEST BINARIES OR DON'T MESS THEM UP SO THEY DON'T REQUIRE COMBINATION ROMS TO FIX THEM
--------------------------------------------------------------------​
MAIN GUIDE AND ISSUES TROUBLESHOOTING
NOW THAT YOU HAVE READ MY ENCYCLOPEDIA, I WILL BEGIN WITH MY DARWIN PHILOSOPHIES
1. DEVELOPER OPTIONS AND OEM UNLOCK :
Developer options are the first step when you want or even think of modifying/rooting your device in anyway. You go in about section of your phone and tap build number 8 times to enable developer options and then you need to ENABLE OEM UNLOCK BEFORE MODIFYING/ROOTING YOUR DEVICE IN ANYWAY POSSIBLE
FLASHING ROMS AFTER ENABLING OEM UNLOCK DOES NOT CHANGE ITS STATE
BE WARNED : CLEARING DATA OF SETTINGS APP OR FOLLOWING ANY GUIDE ON INTERNET TO DISABLE DEVELOPER OPTIONS AFTER ROOTING/MODIFYING YOUR PHONE CAN RESULT IN OEM UNLOCK BEING TURNED OFF AND YOU GETTING THE CUSTOM BINARY BLOCKED BY FRP MESSAGE
AND YES PLEASE DON'T ACCIDENTALLY TURN OEM UNLOCK OFF FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE
2. USB DEBUGGING :
Although not vital, but usb debugging is needed for using adb from your pc and adb has many useful commands if you like digging in the linux shell, plus many no-root apps require adb commands to make them run some useful functions without root.. I recommend keeping it on just in case.
3. DM-VERITY ERRORS :
Ah yes, I hate this one, this is one of the most notorious errors I have ever seen, DM verity as told above is a system integrity check for modifications, but this dm-verity thing on occasion can make a hard brick coupled with some kind of encryption in the kernel/bootloader, Master @Chainfire describes such behaviour in one of his posts here, it was on nougat though and I can only expect it to be worse on oreo ..
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=72204306&postcount=978
In simple terms a s7 can become a partial hard brick IF user had no access to a working rom (due to dm-verity) and custom recovery is broken/can't be flashed (due to OEM Unlock being turned off) ..
What worries me most, is that I could not get my device in any sort of booting state without formatting /data and /cache in recovery (something that you would normally be able to do through ODIN by flashing empty images). This means that if you end up in this broken state and for any reason recovery isn't functional, your device may be unrecoverable and essentially bricked. It is certainly not unheard of to have a broken recovery, especially on Samsung devices. Combine the two, and it is a certainty that some users will eventually end up bricked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, if anyone modifies their system partition after root without disabling dm-verity check in the stock kernel or they root using non-systemless method or they did a swipe for system modifications in twrp or they installed any non-systemless mod, they get dm-verity error.. For most part a dm-verity error due to a modified system partition on a rooted phone can be easily fixed by flashing no-verity zips in twrp recovery ..
OR by flashing a stock firmware of matching binary through odin ..
Even if you have accidentally turned oem unlock off, you simply reflash stock firmware and go in developer options to re-enable oem unlock. This is what I call type 1 dm-verity which is the easy one to fix ..
NOW, lets see another scenario where some people accidentally turned oem unlock off (yeah believe me there are tons of users doing this these days lol) and for those people dm-verity was not going away even after a stock firmware reflash and because they turned OEM UNLOCK OFF they could NOT flash custom binaries to bypass dm-verity either.. HENCE THEIR DEVICE WAS IN A STATE OF SEMI-PERMANENT HARD-BRICK..
My search revealed that a corrupted/missing DRK in EFS partition was actually the root cause of this type of dm-verity error, such unfortunate users CANNOT EVER REVERT BACK TO A STOCK UNMODIFIED ROM (without restoring an intact DRK backup) and they ALWAYS HAVE TO FLASH NO VERITY ZIPS TO USE/BOOT STOCK ROM..
But if OEM UNLOCK IS TURNED OFF, they get STUCK BADLY because device rejects any custom binaries like no-verity zips and twrp etc ..
My further search concluded that since the stock recovery kicked in dm verity, So if the AP file of firmware is extracted and stock recovery is deleted from it, while the boot.img is renamed as recovery.img and only system.img alongwith renamed recovery.img is repacked and flashed alongwith BL, CP and CSC, it allows users to BOOT into stock rom to ENABLE OEM UNLOCK AGAIN and use their device with custom binaries, and so their device is back to the living once more
The exact steps are as follow :
1. Extract the correct matching-binary firmware package.. then extract the AP file, and copy boot.img and system.img to a new separate folder ..
2. Rename boot.img to recovery.img and repack this renamed recovery.img alongwith system.img (only these 2) using autotar tool (I've posted the link to autotar tool now although it gets detected as a virus, So download at your own risk) or any other tar packing utility ..
AutoTar Tool
3. Flash this modified AP using latest odin along with BL, CP and CSC (not HOME_CSC) and only tick auto reboot and f.reset in odin options ..
Your phone should boot now and you can ENABLE OEM UNLOCK to flash custom binaries and make your phone usable again.. personally tested that this method works ..
BE WARNED THAT THIS METHOD REQUIRES ATLEAST 10% BATTERY FOR FLASHING AND BOOTING
Since many devices had been hard bricked for months and battery being drained completely, they couldn't boot or complete flash due to their phone becoming dead in the middle of flashing process or booting process ..
I recommend charging phone by a wireless charger in this state (since wireless charger is said to be working even in bricked state, also connecting it to a charger while in download mode may give it some charge) or simply try continously to boot it, if flash using above method is successful then don't reflash anymore just try to boot phone while putting it on charger ..
And hopefully your device will get out of this dreaded dm-verity + frp lock due to custom binary ..
Here's my original post for such dm-verity fix : https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=82294339&postcount=11
WARNING : MULTIPLE INTERRUPTED/INCOMPLETE FLASHES DUE TO NO BATTERY OR BATTERY DYING IN THE MIDDLE OF FLASHING PROCESS CAN CAUSE PERMANENT UFS CHIP HARDWARE DAMAGE !!
END NOTE : ALL OF DM-VERITY ISSUES ONLY HAPPEN ON A FULLY STOCK ROM WITH STOCK BOOT/KERNEL AND STOCK RECOVERY, ONCE A CUSTOM ROM OR CUSTOM BOOT/KERNEL AND CUSTOM RECOVERY ARE FLASHED, THEN THERE MAY NOT BE A NEED TO FLASH NO VERITY ZIPS, BECAUSE DM-VERITY MAY ALREADY BE DISABLED IN THE CODE. REFER TO YOUR RESPECTIVE ROM THREAD FOR THE REQUIRED INFO.
4. FORCED ENCRYPTION :
My personal experience and testing with root on android 8.0 stock oreo made me conclude that for some reason, the latest twrp as well as tkkg's modified twrp (which only supports quota) fails to mount /data even after formatting, when we reboot first time into system after formatting data and then go again in twrp, twrp fails to see /data again ..
Well, this is not a huge problem BUT if due to any reason your phone got in a non-fixable bootloop and you still got valuable data on it, then there's no practical way to recover it, except copying and moving it from twrp to external sd card/usb otg ..
So yeah an accessible /data is a big factor for me to have it working ..
Tkkg's post on encryption : https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=77296095&postcount=2228
link where he says he hasn't added encryption support : https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=77314388&postcount=1251
I first thought that latest official/tkkg's twrp would have fixed this problem, but even when forced encryption is disabled using zips, every twrp I tried could not see /data partition ..
EDIT : OFFICIAL TWRP 3.3.1+ WORKS BUT WE NEED TO FLASH MAGISK RIGHT AFTER BOOTING TWRP FOR FIRST TIME AFTER DOING A FORMAT DATA UNDER WIPE OPTIONS, AFTER THIS REBOOT TO SYSTEM, AND ENCRYPTION WON'T COME BACK AND YOU WOULD BE ABLE TO ACCESS DATA AFTER EVERY REBOOT IN TWRP !!! SEEMS LIKE IF NO MAGISK = NO /DATA ACCESS IN TWRP OR IN OTHER WORDS "FORCED ENCRYPTION"
5. ODIN ISSUES :
Many users on the forums reported issues with flashing via odin, my own experience and research tells me it can be due to :
》You're using a wrong model firmware.
》You're using a counterfeit/modified phone whose real hardware model is different then what's displayed.
》Your phone's internal nand storage hardware got faulty and fails to write anything on it.
》Odin's version is wrong and/or you got a fake software (can happen when downloading odin from fishy webs)
》Either your PC/Samsung usb drivers/usb cables/usb ports got some bugs/issues.
》Smart switch is running in background processes and it is known to mess with odin flashing (often that's the culprit)
You can try to download odin from a reputable web, re-verify that you're using correct firmware and smart switch isn't running as a background process. Also try checking with some other usb cables/ports or PC. Also verify that your phone isn't a counterfeit product (hardware modified)
If you were already rooted or flashed a custom rom before, and you're sure that OEM Unlock is enabled in developer options, you can try flashing twrp in odin and then a custom rom through twrp - as a last resort. But if you haven't rooted/enabled OEM Unlock before, this won't work either and you may had to take your phone to a repair shop
Heads Up : Incase you didn't knew, but if odin fails a flash or flash gets interrupted at or during sboot.bin (the bootloader flashing step) or you flash a wrong bootloader which unfortunately download mode couldn't stop from getting flashed, it can cause hard bricking due to corrupted bootloader (no download mode) and can only be fixed via UART interface using a hardware repair box. Ofcourse this doesn't include failed flashes at sboot which are due to download mode blocking the flash (its actually protecting itself from flashing a wrong/incompatible bootloader)
6. ROOTS AND SYSTEM-LESS ROOTS :
I guess in all my rant you must have noticed that the biggest problem comes in when efs partition becomes corrupted specifically, now when i searched countless pages of users and their issues I came to conclusion that somehow ROOTS using system modifications and also TWRP with system modifications enabled HAVE A HIGHER CHANCE TO MESS/CORRUPT EFS PARTITION, specifically the FULLY MODIFIED CUSTOM ROMS OUT THERE (AND NO I AM NOT BLAMING ANY CUSTOM ROM OR DEV, JUST THAT A FULLY ACCESSIBLE SYSTEM PARTITION HAVE MORE RISK OF CORRUPTING EFS PAR MY OBSERVATION- I hope to be wrong lol)
Now, thats where system-less roots come in !!
THEY ARE SIMPLY AWESOME AND NOT BECAUSE I AM A FANBOY OF MAGISK BUT BECAUSE THEIR ACCESS TO SYSTEM PARTITION IS TOTALLY INDIRECT WHICH INTURN PASSES SAFETY NET CHECKS TOO.
SYSTEM-LESS ROOTS ARE ONE OF THE BEST EVOLUTION OF ROOTS, IN MY VIEW SYSTEM-LESS ROOT AND SYSTEM-LESS CUSTOM ROM DEV BASE ARE ONE OF THE BEST ROOT AND ROM RESPECTIVELY NOT BECAUSE IT ONLY PERFORMS WELL AND FEELS STABLE BUT BECAUSE IT HAS THE LEAST TENDENCY TO CORRUPT EFS BECAUSE IT IS MUCH MORE CLOSER TO STOCK ROM! A BIG SHOUT OUT TO @_alexndr FOR HIS SUPERB SYSTEM-LESS DEV BASE.. AND THE BEST THING IS THAT DOWNLOAD MODE REPORTS SYSTEM AS OFFICIAL AND PASSES SAFETY NET EVEN WHEN YOU'RE ROOTED AND USING EDXPOSED !
THAT BEING SAID, THE BIGGEST REASONS OF EFS CORRUPTIONS ARE NOT DUE TO CUSTOM ROMS, BUT DUE TO THE VARIOUS MODS AND INCORRECT FOLLOWING OF FLASHING/INSTRUCTIONS WHICH CAUSE THIS.. AND SOMETIMES FAULT/ERROR OF THE HARDWARE TOO.. AND VERY RARELY ITS A MISTAKE ON DEV'S PART ..
Moving on to root types, you got Super SU along with its system-less root option and Magisk (has system-less root as default); both have hiding root options as well, you just need to choose your preference and flash it in twrp.. I really don't recommend king root or any other root types !!
FOR USING SYSTEM-LESS ROOT KEEP SYSTEM READ ONLY IN TWRP!!! (DO NOT SWIPE TO ALLOW SYSTEM MODIFICATIONS WHEN BOOTING IN TWRP FOR FIRST TIME AND TICK DON'T ASK ME AGAIN)
BE AWARE ! CHOOSING SYSTEM MODIFICATIONS IN TWRP WILL AUTOMATICALLY CAUSE NON-SYSTEMLESS ROOT METHOD !
ALSO : WITH MAGISK ONE NEEDS TO FLASH IT AFTER FLASHING NO VERITY ZIPS IN TWRP (IF USING MAGISK IN NON-SYSTEMLESS MODE OR DUE TO DRK BEING CORRUPTED)
Please note that CF Auto root is now obsolete for s7 series on version 5+ binaries ..
7. BOOTLOADER EXCEPTION BUG (SBL ERRROR) :
Another rare and possibly dangerous bug, ironically I encountered it on my first days of getting this device
That screen was terrifying for a noob like me at that time lol, now how did I got it in first place ?
Yeah I tried to be a smart-ass and flashed a normal bootloader along with a combination firmware in odin lol (tried to bypass bootloader blocking flash of lower binary version), flash was successful and when phone booted it caused bootloader exception bug ..
And what I did to solve it ? Simply hold home button until you see upload mode and then force reboot by combination keys and then immediately hold download mode combination keys to go in download mode and reflash stock rom
Seems like other people on forums weren't that lucky to get out of this error easily
Possibly, this error can also be caused by some hardware fault/bug.
Further investigation revealed that SBL error (secure bootloader error) is particularly a semi-corrupted bootloader which in reality would cause the device to become a hard brick which can only be recovered through UART interface using a hardware box (which essentially requires us to open phone's guts), but instead it caused bootloader to get in a fail-safe 'UPLOAD MODE' which is surprising actually because any wrong bootloader flash is sure to make your device a permanent brick.
So better NOT cross-flash firmwares or bootloaders not designed for your phone, specially which are apparently made for same hardware as yours but you may not be that lucky to get in upload mode after that, So :
>Don't try to flash a G935F (global) bootloader on a G935W8 (Canada variant) or G935V/T/A/U (US variants) or G9350/K/L/S (Chinese/Korean/Hongkong variants etc) and vice versa.
>Don't try to flash a G9350/K/L/S (Chinese/Korean/Hongkong variants etc) bootloader on G935V/T/A/U (US variants) or G935F (global) or G935W8 (canada variant) and vice versa.
>The above instructions includes both normal and combination firmwares. Also don't try to flash normal firmware's bootloader with combination firmware or vice versa.
>Don't try to downgrade bootloader by 'any method'..
>Don't use any 'patched odin' to flash an incompatible firmware.
>Don't try to flash bootloader using flashfire/twrp or any other mobile flashing utility.
8. NETWORK AND IMEI'S ISSUES :
Regarding loss of network signals, there are 2 possibilities, either that your imei got deleted/corrupted due to a bad efs partition or your phone's imei was changed and a network certificate patch was used to make it working, and you reflashed your phone through odin or any other flashing method which removed that network certificate patch and you lost your signals ..
Now both can be fixed only by a box or box-like alternative see this thread link for more info :
1. https://forum.xda-developers.com/s7-edge/how-to/fix-imei-downgrading-g935f-fd-t3947911
Remember : There's always a risk of bricking your device or screwing it further by using such (box-free) tools ..
Moreover, signals can be lost when flashing old modem on newer bootloader, it can be fixed by reflashing correct firmware (matching bootloader version) for your phone ..
Signals can also be lost by a bugged out csc (probably due to a bad efs), for solving this you can try changing your csc code by flashing different csc firmware with matching bootloader version (preferably a single csc firmware like dbt/xeu) and then reflashing your original csc to revert back and applying the fix mentioned in No. 1 thread link above.
A bugged out/corrupted efs is often the main culprit for signals issue, which needs combination rom with matching bootloader version and/or an earlier working efs backup to fix it.
See this thread link below for more on this :
2. https://forum.xda-developers.com/s7-edge/how-to/guide-how-to-fix-check-drk-imei-issues-t3379516
Another option is if you got an older working efs backup, just restore it and then give appropriate permissions and then flash combination rom for your rom, but problem is.. you need quite a bit of linux command knowledge and updating the permissions according to your own phone and android version (originally it was done on note 4) plus combination roms for latest binaries are not getting released into public now !!
Please refer to this thread link of note 4 below :
3. https://forum.xda-developers.com/note-4/general/fix-drk-dm-verity-factory-csc-serial-t3422965
As a token I provide my phone's DRK, the prov_data folder (for getting rid of dm-verity error by following No. 3 thread link of note 4 above).. if anyone experienced and interested enough wants to experiment to fix their drk/dm-verity errors permanently ..
NOTE : As policy of xda, I'm not sharing any imei/personal phone data, but just a DRK encrypted key which could benefit users with dm-verity and drk errors, if anyone finds it against xda's terms or rules, feel free to report my shared prov_data (but it has already been shared before for note 4)
BUT EVEN WITH THIS PROV DATA AND SUCCESSFULLY GIVING PERMISSIONS YOU WOULD STILL NEED COMBINATION ROM TO FIX DRK AND SIGNALS/IMEI AS STATED IN NOTE 4 THREAD !
ALSO THIS WILL ONLY WORK ON DEVICES BEING ROOTED AND IN WORKING CONDITION !
TIP : WELL, SOMETIMES YOU TRAVEL ALL THE WORLD TO FIND SOMETHING WHEN ITS ALREADY THERE IN YOUR HOME OR NEIGHBOURHOOD AND SAME THINGS CAN HAPPEN WITH THESE ISSUES TOO, IN THE END YOU DID EVERYTHING YOU CAN TO TRY AND GET YOUR SIGNALS FIXED WHEN YOU JUST HAD TO REPLACE YOUR SIM CARD LOL
SO YEAH SIM CARD CAN BE FAULTY TOO, ALWAYS TRY CHANGING SIM CARDS FIRST IF YOU GET ANY NETWORK ISSUES. ALSO, SOMETIMES ITS THE PHONE'S MODEM HARDWARE THAT'S FAULTY AND YOU CAN'T DO ANYTHING ON THE SOFTWARE SIDE.
9. BATTERY DRAIN ISSUES :
Ever since the version 7 binary update i.e december 2019 security patch and later, I noticed my phone draining battery heavily due to android system and kernel.. and I lost almost 50% of s.o.t and also created this warning thread here :
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=81410317
SO YEAH. I RECOMMEND USERS TO NOT UPDATE TO VERSION 7 BINARIES OR LATER !! IT WILL ONLY CAUSE A DELIBERATE SAMSUNG CREATED BATTERY DRAIN TO PUSH USERS FOR UPGRADING THEIR PHONES !
10. BINARY UPDATES :
Since samsung has officially made s7 series eol, the updates they will now push would always to some extent, try to limit device in some ways - like the huge battery drains with version 7+ binaries and the fact that you cannot downgrade, the whole point is that they want users to upgrade their phones and hence they will push such updates which will further limit our device !
Also let me tell you, once S7 reaches Version 11 or in other words 'B' binary, its stated that twrp will not work and I think even root will be much harder to achieve and sustain.. if I'm wrong then I request someone to please correct me
ALL IN ALL, UPGRADING BINARIES WILL ONLY CAUSE YOU TO BE STUCK ON EVEN WORST FIRMWARES !!
I REALLY RECOMMEND TO NOT UPDATE YOUR PHONES ANYMORE !!
11. PERSONAL RECOMMENDS :
I am not the one to recommend anyone something but if you do want to get root but want stability, unmodified system-partition, less risks of your phone being messed up or simply you care for your phone's health; this is still a great phone
I heavily recommend alexndr's custom devbase rom or if you don't want that debloated stock rom, you can just use his system-less devbase root option too.. along with system-less Magisk ..
AND MY BIGGEST RECOMMENDATION IS :
ALWAYS BACKUP YOUR EFS AND NV DATA PARTITIONS FIRST THING AFTER ROOT !!!
This is it from this noob guide of mine, thanks for reading such a long "rant", I hope it would benefit you. My original aim was to create an END OF LIFE GUIDE for S7 series combining various info, and I think I'm partially successful in it
I'm always open to add new info and/or correct anything which I mentioned wrong, also if you need any help feel free to post a reply.. I'm not able to help remotely anymore though
But no matter, all the info I learned remains archived in this thread till the end of times
USEFUL LINKS :
ODIN
ODIN
SAMSUNG STOCK ROMS
SAMSUNG USB DRIVERS
OFFICIAL TWRP
SUPER SU
SUPER SU
MAGISK
MAGISK
SYSTEM-LESS ROOT DEVBASE
SYSTEM-LESS DEVBASE ROM
NoVerityOptEncrypt
NoVerityForceEncrypt
ALL CREDITS TO THEIR RESPECTIVE CONTRIBUTORS​

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shah22 said:
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
https://www.reddit.com/r/GalaxyS7/comments/qn5q99
What do you think about that problem?