[J5108/J7108][GUIDE]how to root the Galaxy J5/J7 2016 models J5108/J7108 - Samsung Galaxy J7 ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth

Hi Evryone.
Because I didn't found CWM or TWRP Recovery or any root method for the galaxy J5 J5108 and the J7 J7108, I made a pre-rooted firmwares for those models.
This firmware base on the hong kong firmware which include the Google apps, this a full firmware exactly like the original, except the root.
After flash you will see the SuperSU app in the app drawer.
Also, this firmware contains the bootloader from the china firmware which doesn't have frp lock.
The root include the binary files in the system, and a pathed boot. (from Android 6.0 or samsung 5.1.1 pathing the boot is necessary for the root work properly)
Flashing this firmware will not wipe data automaticly. you should not lose anything.
This file will work on any firmware/baseband/csc. you can always flash it like a stock firmware.
J5 - base on - J5108ZHU1APD2.
Android version: 5.1.1
J7 - base on - J7108ZHU1APD1.
Android version: 5.1.1
Downloads
J5
http://www.mediafire.com/download/o8hfu81j3j4irjt/J5108ZHU1APD2_Rooted_by_avicohh.exe
J7
http://www.mediafire.com/download/z7bh4sdmzqer6nb/J7108ZHU1APD1_rooted_by_avicohh_v2.exe
Installation instructions
Before flashing check the CROM Service status in Download mode, if it locked you will need to unlock the bootloader first with the app attached.
Install samsung usb drivers from here.
Download the self extracting 7z file above and extract it (just double tap) to some folder, you should receive a tar.md5 file.
Open odin 3 (attached in the zip)
Put the tar.md5 file in AP.
Put the device in download mode. (vol down + home + power button, and then click on vol up)
Connect your phone to usb and wait for odin detect the device.
Click start.
After it finish choose reboot system now in recovery.
Enjoy.
If you want to thank me for this work, you can do this by donating.. :good:

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Thanks a lot avicohh. This was simple and painless. I now have google services on my mainland China phone. And root too! And like you said - I did not loose anything.

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well now i am stuck. I enabled my google account, installed and updated my apps through google play, shutdown and now I can't boot. The message in red on the top of the boot screen is:
"KERNEL IS NOT SEANDROID ENFORCING
Custom Binary blocked by FRP lock."
I also cannot reflash the same HK rooted firmware using Odin
apparently I should have enabled developer options then enabled OEM unlocking before rebooting. But I didn't know that so for now I am bricked
Also apparently, the fix for it is to reflash the original firmware using Odin. I am now downloading the firmware from http://updato.com/firmware-archive-select-model?record=1F170CA05E5611E6B055FA163EE8F90B but it is still another 2-3 hours to complete the download (yes, poor internet connection here.)... So I'll see how that goes...

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OK, that didn't work. Now the message on the download mode screen says:
SW REV. Invalid type.
FRP is enabled, not allow download non FRP bootloader binary

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Well..
I just recently had the same problem in another device.
I don't think the "Oem unlock" has nothing to do with this. the problem is that when you're adding Google account the frp (factroy reset protection) is automaticly enabled, and then it blocks the pathed boot.
The reason reflash the original firmware didn't work for you is because you tried to flash the china version, that doesn't have google service and also doesn't have frp in the bootloader. (apparently once frp is enabled this kind of operation is not allowed because you are actually trying to remove the frp lock by flashing bootloader..)
I think the solution will be to flash the original hong kong firmware with the frp bootloader and original boot. (or just the original boot)
http://updato.com/firmware-archive-select-model?record=5C13445B54D811E6B055FA163EE8F90B
Then, try to enable the "Oem unlock" option and finally flash the rooted firmware again.
maybe it will work, I'm not sure about it but I would like to know.
If this won't work, I'll try to combine the rooted hong kong firmware with the non-frp bootloader from the china firmware.

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Thanks so much for replying avicohh
avicohh said:
Well..
The reason reflash the original firmware didn't work for you is because you tried to flash the china version, that doesn't have google service and also doesn't have frp in the bootloader. (apparently once frp is enabled this kind of operation is not allowed because you are actually trying to remove the frp lock by flashing bootloader..)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This makes sense. I was actually suspecting this and was considering trying the 6.01 HK version since that is the only one I could find: http://updato.com/firmware-archive-select-model?record=5C13445B54D811E6B055FA163EE8F90B
Now that you've posted a link to your original 5.1 HK firmware I'll try what you suggest. I'll wait to get home before I start the download.
But I still wonder if the 6.01 would work on my phone?

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It's a mistake.
This link above is 5.1.1, not 6.0.1.
There is no 6.0.1 fro this model for now.

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yes, I see, the website says its 6.01, but its actually 5.1.1. How do I know? BECAUSE IT WORKED!!! It took 7 hours to download but when I got up this morning it was done, I flashed and it worked!!!
I'm going to read up some more on this FRP business before flashing the rooted version again. My old phone (very old) had no such thing. I'd never heard of it till this unpleasant way of learning about it.

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downloading
Same problem downloading the stock firmware from http://forum.xda-developers.com/gal...108-how-to-root-galaxy-j7-2016-model-t3426967
I hope this works....
---------- Post added at 12:27 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:26 AM ----------
Tukuvai said:
Same problem downloading the stock firmware from http://forum.xda-developers.com/gal...108-how-to-root-galaxy-j7-2016-model-t3426967
I hope this works....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I meant http://updato.com/firmware-archive-s...55FA163EE8F90B

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Hi guys.
Thanks for your replies.
I've just checked it now on another device.
As it turn out after a several tests, this "custom binary blocked by frp lock" problem occurs only if the oem unlock option is disabled.
Here is what I did, step by step:
First, I enabled the oem unlock option and then I added Google account - nothing happened. frp lock in Download mode is still off and everything working fine.
I removed the google account, turned off the oem unlock option and finally added the google account again - frp lock in download mode immediately switch to on, and when I tried to restart, the device has stuck on the boot. (custom binary..)
I flashed stock firmware (from the link above), the device now bootup normally but the frp lock in download mode is still on. (I didn't remove the google account yet)
Final check - I enabled the oem unlock again, and the frp lock in download mode switch to off.
So..
I can safely say that all you need to do is just enable oem unlock in developer options, and then flash the rooted firmware.
Anyway, to be even more sure, I made a new firmware with the china bootloader, frp now is not even exist in download mode.
You can download the new firmware from here
http://www.mediafire.com/download/z7bh4sdmzqer6nb/J7108ZHU1APD1_rooted_by_avicohh_v2.exe
Good luck!

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avicohh said:
Hi guys.
Thanks for your replies.
I've just checked it now on another device.
As it turn out after a several tests, this "custom binary blocked by frp lock" problem occurs only if the oem unlock option is disabled.
Here is what I did, step by step:
First, I enabled the oem unlock option and then I added Google account - nothing happened. frp lock in Download mode is still off and everything working fine.
I removed the google account, turned off the oem unlock option and finally added the google account again - frp lock in download mode immediately switch to on, and when I tried to restart, the device has stuck on the boot. (custom binary..)
I flashed stock firmware (from the link above), the device now bootup normally but the frp lock in download mode is still on. (I didn't remove the google account yet)
Final check - I enabled the oem unlock again, and the frp lock in download mode switch to off.
So..
I can safely say that all you need to do is just enable oem unlock in developer options, and then flash the rooted firmware.
Anyway, to be even more sure, I made a new firmware with the china bootloader, frp now is not even exist in download mode.
You can download the new firmware from here
http://www.mediafire.com/download/z7bh4sdmzqer6nb/J7108ZHU1APD1_rooted_by_avicohh_v2.exe
Good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey, How do I enable OEM unlock when I can't even boot my device. it simply refuses to boot.

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Hi
First flash the original HK firmware from here. the device should boot up normally.
http://updato.com/firmware-archive-select-model?record=5C13445B54D811E6B055FA163EE8F90B
Then, enable oem unlock.

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Thanks for making the root version of mainland firmware. I'm going to stick with the HK version as I want to have google services. and thanks for testing the oem unlock
I informed myself some more about FRP and OEM unlock and I am now feel safe to use the rooted HK firmware. Except, I came across one note for which I want further clarification before proceeding. The note is from http://www.androidcentral.com/factory-reset-protection-what-you-need-know and it says:
"A couple notes need added here. This doesn't undo Samsung's (or anyone else's) version of Reactivation Lock. If you've enabled data reset protection through your Samsung account, you'll need to turn that off in your Security settings. You can find the switch under the "Find My Mobile" section."
So, I want to be sure I don't have this samsung Reactivation Lock enabled. and that I am in no danger of it auto-enabling. I believe I am safe but I would like to know if anyone has more clear information.
What I do know is before I flashed to HK ROM, when I went into download mode, there displayed a setting:
"REACTIVATION LOCK: OFF"
now, using the HK ROM, it is gone, but in that exact same location is the setting:
"FRP LOCK: OFF"
I think, that means the mainland version of the FRP lock (Samsung Reactivation Lock), is now replaced with the google FRP lock and as I don't have to worry about the samsung reactivation lock anymore. Is that so?
even so, as the article says, I look in "Settings" >> "Lock screen and security" >> "Find my mobile" >> log into Samsung Account when prompted, then it does not display the "Reactivation Lock" option that is shown in at least one guide that I found. I really think this is further proof I don't have to worry about Samsung Reactivation Lock. Can anyone confirm?

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Yes I can confirm.
But pay attention that because of the FRP, is not possible to make a pre-rooted firmware for Android 6.0 and above or 5.1.1 Samsung devices, from firmware contains FRP protection like the HK one.
From those android versions (and above), a pre-rooted firmware (or any root method) must include a patched kernel.
Due to the FRP protection, once it turn on, it detect the custom kernel (boot) and not allow the device to boot. (custom binary blocked by FRP lock)
That's the reason I had to replace the HK bootloader which contain FRP protection, with the China bootloader which contain the Samsung reactivation lock. (instead of FRP, because china firmwares doesn't include any google services)
I don't know what the policy of the Samsung reactivation lock, about custom kernels.
And also I don't know if the Samsung reactivation lock turns on automaticly if you are adding Samsung account. (Like the FRP lock)
And one more thing, I beleive most people don't use Samsung account at all.
So after all this,
If it come to decision what to use, the FRP lock or the Samsung one (depends only in the bootloader), I'm pretty sure that in this case (custom boot), the best is to use the Samsung lock, and just dont add Samsung account, or add Samsung account if needed but turn off the Reactivation lock in the Find my mobile settings.
I hope it help you a bit.
Good luck.
btw, If you can check the Samsung lock after root and report here, it would be great.

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avicohh said:
Anyway, to be even more sure, I made a new firmware with the china bootloader, frp now is not even exist in download mode.
You can download the new firmware from here
http://www.mediafire.com/download/z7bh4sdmzqer6nb/J7108ZHU1APD1_rooted_by_avicohh_v2.exe
Good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh, at first I thought you meant you rooted the mainland firmware. Now, based on your later post, I believe what you did was to put the mainland bootloader in the rooted HK firmware. Is this the case? If so, that means I can still have google services, and root, and no possibility of FRP issues because its a mainland bootloader. OK, I will try tonight. The Samsung reactivation lock is off by default. Even adding a Samsung account does not turn it on, you have to go into "find my phone" to turn it on. So it should be safe. I will confirm tonight after I download your new firmware.

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Yes, this is exactly what i did.
Thanks for testing the samsung account. so it is pretty safe.

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yes, this new version with mainland bootloader is good. It seems almost impossible to lock.
Now when I go to download mode, there is no more "FRP LOCK: OFF". in its place is "REACTIVATION LOCK: OFF".
Just for fun I tested by going inter developer options and turned off OEM unlock - then I tried to reboot = success. Enter download mode = still "REACTIVATION LOCK: OFF". Of course I turned it back on again after the test.
and in settings, find my mobile, there is still not a setting for "REACTIVATION LOCK". I have seen an example on the web that this reactivation lock setting should be at the bottom of the options under find my mobile. So, actually now I cannot find any way to turn on the reactivation lock - this is good, its what we want.
Of course to even enter the "find my mobile" section I can do nothing at all (in fact it does not even show me what the options are) untill I give my samsung account credentials. Once I give credentials I can see the options but there is no option to turn on reactivation lock. There is just one thing, maybe, is that in "find my mobile", there a place that says: for more information go to findmymobile.samsung.com. When I go there I have 2 options:
-1) FIND - Find, Lock, Wipe my device
-2) PREPARE - Ready device for Find my Mobile
this "prepare" option I am afraid to try, I am afraid it may be the one to enable reactivation lock. Clearly it is not required to actually find my mobile because I just click the "Find" button and it it finds it for me. So, what would be the use of "prepare"?
At any rate, we know that just creating a samsung account does not activate the lock. I never had a Samsung account before. When I set up this new phone I never did enter developer mode to turn on oem unlock but i did create the samsung account. It was after that I flashed version 1 of avicohh's rooted firmware and when I went into download mode, it said REACTIVATION LOCK: OFF, so creating the Samsung account does not turn it on.

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avicohh said:
Hi Evryone.
Because I didn't found CWM or TWRP Recovery or any root method for the galaxy J5 J5108 and the J7 J7108, I made a pre-rooted firmwares for those models.
This firmware base on the hong kong firmware which include the Google apps, this a full firmware exactly like the original, except the root.
After flash you will see the SuperSU app in the app drawer.
Also, this firmware contains the bootloader from the china firmware which doesn't have frp lock.
The root include the binary files in the system, and a pathed boot. (from Android 6.0 or samsung 5.1.1 pathing the boot is necessary for the root work properly)
Flashing this firmware will not wipe data automaticly. you should not lose anything.
This file will work on any firmware/baseband/csc. you can always flash it like a stock firmware.
J5 - base on - J5108ZHU1APD2.
Android version: 5.1.1
J7 - base on - J7108ZHU1APD1.
Android version: 5.1.1
Downloads
J5
http://www.mediafire.com/download/o8hfu81j3j4irjt/J5108ZHU1APD2_Rooted_by_avicohh.exe
J7
http://www.mediafire.com/download/z7bh4sdmzqer6nb/J7108ZHU1APD1_rooted_by_avicohh_v2.exe
Installation instructions
Before flashing check the CROM Service status in Download mode, if it locked you will need to unlock the bootloader first with the app attached.
Install samsung usb drivers from here.
Download the self extracting 7z file above and extract it (just double tap) to some folder, you should receive a tar.md5 file.
Open odin 3 (attached in the zip)
Put the tar.md5 file in AP.
Put the device in download mode. (vol down + home + power button, and then click on vol up)
Connect your phone to usb and wait for odin detect the device.
Click start.
After it finish choose reboot system now in recovery.
Enjoy.
If you want to thank me for this work, you can do this by donating.. :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sir, you are awesome!!

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I'll try to install in my J5108. I will give to my daughter. Is there a form to unroot the phone? Thanks!

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Yes.
Just install stock rom.
http://updato.com/firmware-archive-select-model?record=A097D215549D11E6B055FA163EE8F90B