Reverting to Android 8.0 from 9.0 with SM-J737R4 - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hello, everyone. Im pretty new to all of this stuff so please bear with me. I was trying to root an old phone and as I learned more and more about rooting processes (wanting to use majisk) I realised the particular phone (SM-J737R4) is a crackhead and not a lot of stuff is available for it. Anyways I saw that someone with the same model was able to do it using this thread even though it's for a different model. But to use this guide I needed to have android 8.0 and when I got the phone it already had 9.0. I knew downgrading via Odin was possible on samsungs but when I tried googling the Stock firmware the baseband version for the 8.0 downloads were always different. Current Baseband: J737R4TYS8BTE1. And apparently trying to flash a stock firmware that doesnt exactly match your device bricks your phone, so I'm kinda confused on what to do next. And I may be confused on other things as well. Hopefully someone can help.
Tl;Dr: Trying to flash back to 8.0 from 9.0 on SM-J737R4 but stock firmware downloads dont match device.

Any Samsung device what comes with unlocked boot-loader - or whose boot-loader can get unlocked - can easily get rooted. Rooting a phone's Android doesn't depend on Android version.

jwoegerbauer said:
Any Samsung device what comes with unlocked boot-loader - or whose boot-loader can get unlocked - can easily get rooted. Rooting a phone's Android doesn't depend on Android version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah but when I was trying to root with majisk the flash failed and when I looked up a TWRP one didnt exist for this model. The forum was a twrp for my model, but it was made for 8.0.

danalexcoro said:
yeah but when I was trying to root with majisk the flash failed and when I looked up a TWRP one didnt exist for this model. The forum was a twrp for my model, but it was made for 8.0.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
TWRP is a Custom Recovery used to flash a Custom ROM. Installing TWRP prevents Android to receive OTA updates.
You don't need TWRP, but only the "Magisk Manager" app to root phone's Android.. And, of course phone's boot-loader must got unlocked before.
By means of "Magisk Manager" you create a patched boot.img what you then flash via "ODIN" what requires you have installed latest Samsung USB drivers on Windows computer.
Important: The "patched_boot.img" comes in .ZIP-file format. You have to convert it into .TAR-file format using Windows app "7ZIP" before you can use it with "ODIN".
Load .TAR-file into ODIN's AP-section, flash it.

Related

Need help with root for Galaxy SM-J320VPP / android 6.0.1

i know this is a newer phone but i'm still pretty surprised i haven't been able to find anyone that's rooted it yet. i've been all over the internet it seems. this is the :
Samsung Galaxy J3(6)
SM-J320VPP
Android 6.0.1 Marshamllow
Verizon pre-paid plan/network
i see lots of videos and guides for other j320f or j320p (close but no cigar) and nothing works. what i've tried so far:
- Dev mode enabled, USB debugging and OEM unlocked.
- any/all 1 click root apps. none worked, and i'd like to avoid these anyway unless you know it works 100% for my version. at this point i'll try anything.
- recovery / flash superSU. only i haven't even gotten past flashing a recovery. i've tried several different versions of Odin with several different versions of recovery .tar's and for each combination i've tried Odin simply fails. big red FAIL button in upper left corner. sadness. this seems like what i need help with. i have SuperSU downloaded so if i can just get a custom recovery working for my phone i'm hoping it's a simple process from there of booting into the custom recovery and then installing the SuperSU. presto.
is there no hope? is there no tested, confirmed working recovery that i can flash to my phone using Odin? i've tried Odins 3.07, 3.09, and 3.11.1. various custom recovery .tars but the only one i know for sure is the J2 version official from TWRP's website (yes i know it says J2 but someone on another thread said it's similar enough to someone ELSE's model "j320f" or something so i gave it a shot) the other recovery .tars i tried are suspect since they had generic names "recovery.tar" and were downloaded from links provided in many different "guides" that i've googled.
internet, you have failed me. thus do i issue this challenge to all those mighty phone hackers of the land. come forth and slay the evil giant that is my phone's ludicrous security (seriosuly how is this even a thing still in 2016. my phone can do so much more, so much better but for these shenanigans).
thanks so much in advance!
EDIT: not sure about the bootloader. i may be a complete idiot. yes. ok. i'm onto something. gonna post this anyway for any other poor soul that has this version phone, but i think Odin's probably failing because the bootloader is still locked. and Samsung doesn't make this easy like motorola or HTC. T_T. once more into the fray! i'll see if i can't track down a method for unlocking the bootloader on my phone. should i return victorious i'll go ahead and share my steps with the rest of the class.
EDIT2: there is no waking from this nightmare. i dig and dig and dig and can find no root. *sigh*
-- i've got android studio installed. and the java SDK platform-tools which contains the adb.exe, fastboot.exe, etc.
-- something i should explain here: in all these guides whenever there's a step that requires the phone to be connected to the PC, it simply says to, you know...connect your phone. but MY phone by default only uses the cable for battery charging. i have to (on my phone) swipe down from the top, select the "connected for charging" message bringing up "Use USB For" options, then select "Transferring media files" option. THEN my phone shows up both in my windows explorer and displays as a device when i run "adb devices".
--when i run "adb reboot bootloader" this does the same thing as holding down pwr/home/vol down - phone boots up into a blue (teal?) background with a large down arrow in center, below that it says "downloading...do not turn off target". in the upper left are several lines of system font style text:
ODIN MODE
PRODUCT NAME: SM-J320VPP
CURRENT BINARY: Samsung Official
SYSTEM STATUS: Official
FRP LOCK: OFF*
QUALCOMM SECUREBOOT: ENABLE (CSB)
RP SWREV: S1, T1, H1, R1, A1, P1*
SECURE DOWNLOAD: ENABLE
*the R's above may be A's or vice versa...hard to read font. sorry
--but as soon as i've rebooted into this mode, my phone disappears from adb devices' list of devices attached. regardless when i run the "fastboot oem unlock" command from the adb shell on my PC at this point i get the infamous "waiting for any device" message and then, of course, nothing....forever. i've also installed PDAnet but i think it's hitting the same road block where my phone is only using the cable for battery charging and i can't toggle that option from ODIN MODE. there's also a "USB Configuration" choice under development options on the phone that has the same options as "Use USB for" but this doesn't stick when booting into ODIN MODE. sadness. i need to retire my brain thoughts at this point. will post TL;DR. you're a saint of geeks if you've made it through my WoT to here.
EDIT3: just an observation - the only thing (so far) that will detect my phone in ODIN MODE is ODIN itself. is there a way to use ODIN to unlock the bootloader?
TL;DR: i think odin is failing when attempting to flash because of locked bootloader. need help with unlocking bootloader first? phone defaults to use USB cable for charging only so i CAN change that to MTP while phone is on normal and then run "adb reboot bootloader" but then phone vanishes from adb devices list once it reboots (and cable is then only charging). thus, cannot run "adb fastboot oem unlock" cuz it hangs displaying "waiting for any device" -- can i unlock the bootloader on this phone? or did i buy a phone that's IMPOSSIBLE TO ROOT!?!?
I have the same problem! I need to root it to install the Patch to change from CDMA to GSM! Because I tried without root and it tells me "E: Signature verification failed"
Thanks
Still nothing?
This is starting to look hopeless
we need the stock recovery.img to be able to mod it and flash it through odin. the recovery for the verizon version does not match so odin wont allow it. i asked on sammobile and they said verizon only releases ota on the device. so idk what to do. perhaps someone with knowledge on this will help.
so far what ive figured out our situation is:
we need root to get root.
more specifically we need root to pull the recovery and then mod that recovery with twrp and use twrp to gain root. The root methods that worked for the other variant SM-J320P dont appear to work for ours, probably due to having android 6.0.1
till we get root we are stuck. the rest is easyish
News?
There is nowbody that had been rooted his J3 Verizon yet?? We need help with this trouble!
In this forum (http://forum.xda-developers.com/android/help/galaxy-j3-sm-j320vpp-configuring-cdma-t3414049) Sergio said:
" try root with this root is only for Snapdragon 410 MSM8916
http://forum.gsmhosting.com/vbb/f723...t1994-1946985/ "
The J320VPP has a "1.2 GHz, Quad-Core". There is no place that sais it's a "Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 Msm:8916" processor. You think this suggestion could work?
NerdmastaX said:
we need the stock recovery.img to be able to mod it and flash it through odin. the recovery for the verizon version does not match so odin wont allow it. i asked on sammobile and they said verizon only releases ota on the device. so idk what to do. perhaps someone with knowledge on this will help.
so far what ive figured out our situation is:
we need root to get root.
more specifically we need root to pull the recovery and then mod that recovery with twrp and use twrp to gain root. The root methods that worked for the other variant SM-J320P dont appear to work for ours, probably due to having android 6.0.1
till we get root we are stuck. the rest is easyish
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think I've managed to get the recovery.img with KIES... However flashing the image I've extracted doesn't work but if anyone is ready to help me port a recovery I might try !
Whusky said:
I think I've managed to get the recovery.img with KIES... However flashing the image I've extracted doesn't work but if anyone is ready to help me port a recovery I might try !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
im gonna try and do a reflash with kies and grab that file myself, ill work a bit on it because i love this phone but no basic root is driving me insane. if you can beat me to posting tell me how you got the file, otherwise ill post here once i find out. I'm not a top of the line developer but i can work my way around and try my best since nobody else is offering to help.
wish me luck.
sorry for the double post but got the files via the verizon software assistant no problem. it ended up in C:\Users\YOURNAME\AppData\Roaming\Verizon_AR\SM-J320VPP_J320VPPVRU1APC3_FACTORY for me, and even decrypted and unzipped itself for me, now we just need to mod a custom thingy into those files and we can work towards rooting. so as i sit here and watch my phone finish flashing back to factory i will look into how we can mod the recovery. if someone is capable of doing it faster i can upload the files very quickly as its only 1.4 gb
well turns out verizon locks the flashing with signature verfication. so unless verizon changes or root is found for marshmellow there will be zero possible root for this phone.
NerdmastaX said:
sorry for the double post but got the files via the verizon software assistant no problem. it ended up in C:\Users\YOURNAME\AppData\Roaming\Verizon_AR\SM-J320VPP_J320VPPVRU1APC3_FACTORY for me, and even decrypted and unzipped itself for me, now we just need to mod a custom thingy into those files and we can work towards rooting. so as i sit here and watch my phone finish flashing back to factory i will look into how we can mod the recovery. if someone is capable of doing it faster i can upload the files very quickly as its only 1.4 gb
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi I'm currently rooted with TWRP 3.0.2 recovery and mabey this might help http://forum.xda-developers.com/general/help/samsung-galaxy-j3-sm-j320fn-how-to-root-t3369511
Sparko612 said:
Hi I'm currently rooted with TWRP 3.0.2 recovery and mabey this might help http://forum.xda-developers.com/general/help/samsung-galaxy-j3-sm-j320fn-how-to-root-t3369511
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
verizon blocks flashing of modified recoveries. so unless someone finds a root exploit for marshmallow we will have no luck.
Has the kingroot method worked for root on your device ??
NerdmastaX said:
we need the stock recovery.img to be able to mod it and flash it through odin. the recovery for the verizon version does not match so odin wont allow it. i asked on sammobile and they said verizon only releases ota on the device. so idk what to do. perhaps someone with knowledge on this will help.
so far what ive figured out our situation is:
we need root to get root.
more specifically we need root to pull the recovery and then mod that recovery with twrp and use twrp to gain root. The root methods that worked for the other variant SM-J320P dont appear to work for ours, probably due to having android 6.0.1
till we get root we are stuck. the rest is easyish
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi to all, im new here and i am having the exact same problem! You say that there has to be a root specifically for the 6.0.. So i found that in the Chainfire page they have this https://download.chainfire.eu/986/CF-Root/CF-Auto-Root/CF-Auto-Root-j3lteusc-j3lteusc-smj320r4.zip already (i dont know if i can post links, so if i cant, sorry), it is marshmallow but the model is J320R4, so i was wondering if this could be the solution. i'll be waiting here for a response, i seriously love this phone :c
MetAJFA said:
Hi to all, im new here and i am having the exact same problem! You say that there has to be a root specifically for the 6.0.. So i found that in the Chainfire page they have this https://download.chainfire.eu/986/CF-Root/CF-Auto-Root/CF-Auto-Root-j3lteusc-j3lteusc-smj320r4.zip already (i dont know if i can post links, so if i cant, sorry), it is marshmallow but the model is J320R4, so i was wondering if this could be the solution. i'll be waiting here for a response, i seriously love this phone :c
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, this is not the solution. When using a utlity like CF Auto Root, it must be specific to your model / carrier. Trying to install that will do 1 of 2 things.
1) Just fail in Odin
or
2) Soft brick your device
Since VZW doesn't bother to put out the full firmware files to reflash the device, it's not worth attempting without having the backup plan of the original firmware to flash via Odin.
an twrp is already available for j320p u can try to root your device using it
es0tericcha0s said:
No, this is not the solution. When using a utlity like CF Auto Root, it must be specific to your model / carrier. Trying to install that will do 1 of 2 things.
1) Just fail in Odin
or
2) Soft brick your device
Since VZW doesn't bother to put out the full firmware files to reflash the device, it's not worth attempting without having the backup plan of the original firmware to flash via Odin.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Understood, thank very much you for clearing that out. Since all this is pretty much a kick in the butt, do you think there will be some kind of solution to this or should we just lose hope? :/
can Someone here help me with this.
someone wrote:
I have the same problem, I already got 4G LTE data with the correct APN and also I change to lte/gsm with the help of a network app and with commands in adb shell :
pm clear com.android.providers.telephony
settings put global preferred_network_mode 9
settings put global preferred_network_mode1 9
settings put global preferred_network_mode2 9
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
but i dont know how to initiate this adb mode in the phone. anyone?
anyone fix ?
i have few units J320VPP same problem .. searching for service .
That's a Verizon device with a locked bootloader, you cannot try twrp or modified files meant for 320f or other models on this one.
Sent from my SM-N920G using Tapatalk
So has anyone found any luck with this device? It's driving me crazy not having root

Rooting an Alcatel 3v?

Hello there xda members, I am somewhat familiar with rooting android phones, however the last time I had done so was with was older HTC and I believe maybe it was a Sony about 2-3 years ago. I now have an Alcatel 3v and I've come to learn that rooting seems to be different on newer phones and the newer Android Oreo. I have managed to unlock the bootloader on my phone, and I have also downloaded the android sdk on my windows computer and am somewhat familiar with adb and Fastboot Commands, although I have only barely begun to understand Linux terminal commands. There is no version of twrp for my phone and I have not been able to find a stock firmware anywhere to go with the magisk method, as well none of the one click solutions have worked for my phone, including the ones requiring use of a pc and developer mode enabled. Im wondering if I can access the system folders and write to them through adb or fastboot using push / pull commands or if there is a way to make a stock boot. Img straight from my phone so I can patch it? If not is there any other possible way to root this phone? Any help would be appreciated.
Laney613 said:
Hello there xda members, I am somewhat familiar with rooting android phones, however the last time I had done so was with was older HTC and I believe maybe it was a Sony about 2-3 years ago. I now have an Alcatel 3v and I've come to learn that rooting seems to be different on newer phones and the newer Android Oreo. I have managed to unlock the bootloader on my phone, and I have also downloaded the android sdk on my windows computer and am somewhat familiar with adb and Fastboot Commands, although I have only barely begun to understand Linux terminal commands. There is no version of twrp for my phone and I have not been able to find a stock firmware anywhere to go with the magisk method, as well none of the one click solutions have worked for my phone, including the ones requiring use of a pc and developer mode enabled. Im wondering if I can access the system folders and write to them through adb or fastboot using push / pull commands or if there is a way to make a stock boot. Img straight from my phone so I can patch it? If not is there any other possible way to root this phone? Any help would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The phone is project treble compatible so you could try flashing a GSI just make sure the GSI is A-only not A/B as the phone dosen't support seamless updates. There are tons of GSIs out there with root and gapps just choose which one you like but I would highly recommend taking a backup of your stock ROM as they haven't really got firmware downloads for this phone. Also after you have rooted I would recommend locking the bootloader again so any repair shops wont find out that the phone has been rooted. There is another way which is you could dump the boot image from the phone and install the magisk manager apk. Then patch your boot image through it and flash it with fastboot and now your stock rom is rooted.
I've been having difficulty finding a way to backup my stock rom without a rooted phone... I have looked into miracle box and sp flash tool and other programs but they so far seem either dated, contain viruses or don't do what they advertise / incompatible with my phone, or need root access to show partitions etc. also, with flashing a generic system image, are they device specific or is that the whole point of project treble, how they are universally supported? I want to keep my phone as close to stock as possible but with root access. If I could find a way to backup my boot image I could go the magisk method...
Laney613 said:
I've been having difficulty finding a way to backup my stock rom without a rooted phone... I have looked into miracle box and sp flash tool and other programs but they so far seem either dated, contain viruses or don't do what they advertise / incompatible with my phone, or need root access to show partitions etc. also, with flashing a generic system image, are they device specific or is that the whole point of project treble, how they are universally supported? I want to keep my phone as close to stock as possible but with root access. If I could find a way to backup my boot image I could go the magisk method...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Generic system images are universal because basically project treble separates the files that make the phone work such as the camera and fingerprint into a vendor partition which means manufacturers don't have to make new drivers to work with the new os update. The only issue on my phone which is the 3v 5099y (single sim with nfc) is that pie is very slow and laggy but everything works however oreo is very fast. I tried looking for a way to dump the boot.img but all i could find was tutorials for phones which either were rooted or had twrp. But i did find this tutorial which dumps the entire firmware although its very complicated https://android.stackexchange.com/q...nd-full-rom-without-root-for-mediatek-devices
For the cpu part though I would select mt6735 as the mt8735 is basically a rebrand
im so tired to root my alcatel 3v phone many try all method to rooting but almost field please help me

Root/Unroot frustrations

I'd like to keep this simple. I tried rooting and not a single tutorial on here has ended with root privileges for various reasons. I'm done with it. I flashed stock firmware in hopes of removing any trace of files that may have been altered during the various root tutorials I followed, but Samsung Pass says the device is still rooted.
What do I need to do to return to 100% stock?
noxarcana said:
I'd like to keep this simple. I tried rooting and not a single tutorial on here has ended with root privileges for various reasons. I'm done with it. I flashed stock firmware in hopes of removing any trace of files that may have been altered during the various root tutorials I followed, but Samsung Pass says the device is still rooted.
What do I need to do to return to 100% stock?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I assume you unlocked the bootloader. Try Relocking and flash the firmware again.
Weather that will work is anybodys guess.
Rooting is a pretty simple procedure I can't think of any reason it didn't work except user error.
This method works perfectly on T860.
***********************
https://forum-xda--developers-com.c...-to/root-guide-t860-root-twrp-method-t4095677
jhill110 said:
I assume you unlocked the bootloader. Try Relocking and flash the firmware again.
Weather that will work is anybodys guess.
Rooting is a pretty simple procedure I can't think of any reason it didn't work except user error.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, this isn't the first time I've rooted a device and I followed every step of every tutorial I found on here and, for some reason, it would not root. This is the first, and only, device I've had this much trouble with.
The tutorial for rooting without TWRP: I made the patched AP file and flashed it; however, I could not boot into recovery or download mode and it always stuck on the boot logo.
The tutorial for installing TWRP didn't have a link for the encryption disabler and the one I found did absolutely nothing and the folders in storage just showed as a string of numbers and letters.
Maybe, if someone could put together a full tutorial with the files being used within the tutorial, it would have worked.
noxarcana said:
Well, this isn't the first time I've rooted a device and I followed every step of every tutorial I found on here and, for some reason, it would not root. This is the first, and only, device I've had this much trouble with.
The tutorial for rooting without TWRP: I made the patched AP file and flashed it; however, I could not boot into recovery or download mode and it always stuck on the boot logo.
The tutorial for installing TWRP didn't have a link for the encryption disabler and the one I found did absolutely nothing and the folders in storage just showed as a string of numbers and letters.
Maybe, if someone could put together a full tutorial with the files being used within the tutorial, it would have worked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you get the bootloader unlocked?
Unlocking the bootloader:
https://www.getdroidtips.com/how-to...to_Unlock_Bootloader_on_Samsung_Galaxy_Tab_S6
To get to download mode it's volume up and volume down then plug your pc into device. NOT POWER AND VOLUME DOWN. This can be a pain in the back side.
If you do it this way you'll get the option unlock / lock bootloader or go to bootloader mode.
If you follow the instructions perfectly and then follow the instructions for rooting it will work.
Move on to root.
ROOTING :
https://forum-xda--developers-com.c...-to/root-guide-t860-root-twrp-method-t4095677
AP SLOT = PATCHED FILE
BL SLOT = BL FILE
CP SLOT = CP FILE (T865) NOT T860... T860 HAS NO CP FILE
CSC SLOT =HOME CSC FILE
DON'T forget to setup WiFi before installing magisk manager. ^^^^^^^^^
Install TWRP.
TWRP :
https://forum-xda--developers-com.c...b-s6/development/recovery-twrp-3-3-1-t3975587
I hope this helps you out.
If you have anymore questions just ask.
Disable DM VERITY ENCRIPTION DISABLER
PATCHED ODIN
jhill110 said:
Did you get the bootloader unlocked?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, bootloader unlock was easy. I'll give root another try with your steps in a couple of days when I'm off work. Sorry if I came across a bit aggressive in my previous posts; I have a tendency to do so even when I'm not frustrated.
This has been so frustrating to me because I know rooting is usually a simple process; as you said previously.
jhill110 said:
ROOTING :
https://forum-xda--developers-com.c...-to/root-guide-t860-root-twrp-method-t4095677
AP SLOT = PATCHED FILE
BL SLOT = BL FILE
CP SLOT = CP FILE (T865) NOT T860... T860 HAS NO CP FILE
CSC SLOT =HOME CSC FILE
DON'T forget to setup WiFi before installing magisk manager. ^^^^^^^^^
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, yea, I'm a bit late getting around to this. Sorry.
This is where things get hung up. Everything flashes just fine and I can even get into TWRP; however, when I try to boot the tablet i get the Galaxy Tab S6 screen, then the warning about the bootloader being unlocked, and back to the Galaxy Tab S6 screen but with a "unofficial software" warning....and repeat. It just boot loops and this is where I've since I started this thread.
Also, returning to stock doesn't completely remove root traces as I can't use Samsung Pass and I simply get a warning about the device seemingly being rooted even though it isn't.
If you installed TWRP, then you tripped Knox tripping Knox will permentally disable Samsung Pay as far as I'm aware. You'll never get it back, regardless of root or no root access.
Also, I'm not sure why you're installing TWRP AND trying to flash a Magisk patched OS. It's one or the other, you don't need to do both. Unless something has changed in Android 10?
If you're flashing TWRP, you just need to flash Magisk in TWRP(along with the other files!), no need to patch AP.
bartleby999 said:
If you installed TWRP, then you tripped Knox tripping Knox will permentally disable Samsung Pay as far as I'm aware. You'll never get it back, regardless of root or no root access.
Also, I'm not sure why you're installing TWRP AND trying to flash a Magisk patched OS. It's one or the other, you don't need to do both. Unless something has changed in Android 10?
If you're flashing TWRP, you just need to flash Magisk in TWRP(along with the other files!), no need to patch AP.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not Samsung Pay, I couldn't care less about that, but Samsung Pass; I guess it looks for knox being tripped now too. That sucks, but I'll make do without it.
I was following the guides posted above. The root guide said to flash a Magisk patched OS and then there was a guide for installing TWRP. I never had this many issues or this much confusion with my 1st gen Tab S; maybe I just haven't kept as close of an eye on these things since I've been without a tablet for awhile before getting the Tab S6.
Anyway, for clarification, all I need to do is flash TWRP and then flash magisk from within TWRP? Or, just install the magisk apk after booting into Android?
noxarcana said:
Not Samsung Pay, I couldn't care less about that, but Samsung Pass; I guess it looks for knox being tripped now too. That sucks, but I'll make do without it.
I was following the guides posted above. The root guide said to flash a Magisk patched OS and then there was a guide for installing TWRP. I never had this many issues or this much confusion with my 1st gen Tab S; maybe I just haven't kept as close of an eye on these things since I've been without a tablet for awhile before getting the Tab S6.
Anyway, for clarification, all I need to do is flash TWRP and then flash magisk from within TWRP? Or, just install the magisk apk after booting into Android?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My bad for some reason I just read that as Samsung Pay. But yeah Samsung Pass also doesn't work with root, I'm not sure if that is permanent though as I've never used Samsung Pass, but did come across this thread https://forum.xda-developers.com/general/rooting-roms/samsung-pass-knox-tripped-devices-t3687977 it is possible to get some components of Knox to function again, (I have a working Secure Folder) so might be worth taking a look.
As for you question...
You should give this thread a good read... https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-tab-s6/development/recovery-twrp-3-3-1-t3975587
Basic steps are... Unlock the bootloader and then boot into system and ensure it's unlocked in settings. You may need to connect to the web, I can't remember tbh
First you need to install TWRP, once that is done you need to reboot but YOU HAVE TO boot directly back into TWRP. You cannot boot into system, or TWRP will be overwritten by stock recovery and you'll need to start over again. Once TWRP is installed, boot into TWRP and format data then reboot recovery, flash Kernel then flash encryption disabler then unmount the system and flash Magisk 20.4 - Finally reboot to system.
I'd seriously and strongly suggest reading that TWRP thread to ensure things go smoothly.
bartleby999 said:
First you need to install TWRP, once that is done you need to reboot but YOU HAVE TO boot directly back into TWRP. You cannot boot into system, or TWRP will be overwritten by stock recovery and you'll need to start over again. Once TWRP is installed, boot into TWRP and format data then reboot recovery, flash Kernel then flash encryption disabler then unmount the system and flash Magisk 20.4 - Finally reboot to system.
I'd seriously and strongly suggest reading that TWRP thread to ensure things go smoothly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll give those threads a thorough reading over tonight and tomorrow night while at work and then see if I can get this all sorted out Monday when I'm off. I remember Pass still working with root on the original Tab S so I'm hoping it hasn't changed.
Thanks for jumping in to try and help me with this. I'll update within a few days instead of months like my last update. ?
noxarcana said:
I'll give those threads a thorough reading over tonight and tomorrow night while at work and then see if I can get this all sorted out Monday when I'm off. I remember Pass still working with root on the original Tab S so I'm hoping it hasn't changed.
Thanks for jumping in to try and help me with this. I'll update within a few days instead of months like my last update. ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It has definitely changed. Pass doesn't work on my Tab S6 and I'm rooted, I guess Knox is now integrated with alot of Samsung apps now. Not sure if it's possible or not to get it working again though, I've never bothered to research it as I don't need it for anything - But as I said, I got Secure Folder working again, so there's some hope for Pass I guess - That first thread I linked looked promising, but I only skimmed it, because frankly I'm not interested.
If you need anymore help, report back -I'll try my best. Also, the TWRP thread I linked is full of helpful people. :good:
bartleby999 said:
It has definitely changed. Pass doesn't work on my Tab S6 and I'm rooted, I guess Knox is now integrated with alot of Samsung apps now. Not sure if it's possible or not to get it working again though, I've never bothered to research it as I don't need it for anything - But as I said, I got Secure Folder working again, so there's some hope for Pass I guess - That first thread I linked looked promising, but I only skimmed it, because frankly I'm not interested.
If you need anymore help, report back -I'll try my best. Also, the TWRP thread I linked is full of helpful people. :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Perhaps I'm just not meant to have root with this device. Flashing that kernel causes Wifi not to work, but it does boot. Not flashing the kernel also booted, but I couldn't install Magisk Manager. Other than the bootloader still being unlocked, I'm back on stock firmware.
noxarcana said:
Perhaps I'm just not meant to have root with this device. Flashing that kernel causes Wifi not to work, but it does boot. Not flashing the kernel also booted, but I couldn't install Magisk Manager. Other than the bootloader still being unlocked, I'm back on stock firmware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What firmware are you running?
I remember seeing something about one of the newer Kernels effecting WIFI on Android 10. Assume you're running that?
If that's the case, give the TWRP thread a browse - You maybe able to find an older version of the Kernel that'll work - As far as I'm aware, an older Kernel than what you currently installed will work, but a newer version than currently installed will possibly cause bootloop.
I can't help much with Android 10 specific stuff as I'm still running Android 9 because it's stable.
bartleby999 said:
What firmware are you running?
I remember seeing something about one of the newer Kernels effecting WIFI on Android 10. Assume you're running that?
If that's the case, give the TWRP thread a browse - You maybe able to find an older version of the Kernel that'll work - As far as I'm aware, an older Kernel than what you currently installed will work, but a newer version than currently installed will possibly cause bootloop.
I can't help much with Android 10 specific stuff as I'm still running Android 9 because it's stable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am definitely on the latest Android 10 update so I'll see if I can find an earlier version that will work. I'll see what I can find out on the TWRP thread.
noxarcana said:
I am definitely on the latest Android 10 update so I'll see if I can find an earlier version that will work. I'll see what I can find out on the TWRP thread.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you can't find an older Kernel (I'm not sure there is one for Android 10), it may be the case that you'll need to wait for the Kernel to be updated.
bartleby999 said:
If you can't find an older Kernel (I'm not sure there is one for Android 10), it may be the case that you'll need to wait for the Kernel to be updated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea, it looks like Samsung made some "wifi improvements" in OneUI 2.5 and that's causing some kernel issues preventing wifi from working. I think I could find a kernel fairly easily, but I think I'm just going to wait for a kernel update. If it never comes, I'll find an older kernel. Thanks for the help!

Unlocking/rooting an A21?

I have a brand new Galaxy A21 (SM-S215DL). In Developer Options, there is NO OEM Unlock toggle (not even a grayed out one; it simply does NOT exist anywhere in settings). I have tried several different variants of the date/time trick to try to get it to appear, and none of them worked. But while in Download Mode, KG Status is shown as `CHECKING`, so doesn't that mean it should at least be visible? Do I even need to unlock my bootloader? Is it even possible?
Using Frija, I managed to get what I believe to be the correct stock firmware for my device. I also grabbed both of the latest official and patched versions of Odin. Flashing the stock firmware works, but flashing the patched Magisk AP fails with an AUTH error for file `vbmeta.img`, which leads me to believe that I actually DO need to unlock my bootloader... but if that's the case, I'm having trouble figuring out how to do so without the OEM toggle.
Is there anything else can I try?
SpectreCular said:
I have a brand new Galaxy A21 (SM-S215DL). In Developer Options, there is NO OEM Unlock toggle (not even a grayed out one; it simply does NOT exist anywhere in settings). I have tried several different variants of the date/time trick to try to get it to appear, and none of them worked. But while in Download Mode, KG Status is shown as `CHECKING`, so doesn't that mean it should at least be visible? Do I even need to unlock my bootloader? Is it even possible?
Using Frija, I managed to get what I believe to be the correct stock firmware for my device. I also grabbed both of the latest official and patched versions of Odin. Flashing the stock firmware works, but flashing the patched Magisk AP fails with an AUTH error for file `vbmeta.img`, which leads me to believe that I actually DO need to unlock my bootloader... but if that's the case, I'm having trouble figuring out how to do so without the OEM toggle.
Is there anything else can I try?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also have the Samsung A21 from T Mobile (SM-A21UZKATMB). The phone is unlocked by T Mobile but there is no OEM bootloader unlock button under the Developer mode. Changing the date (forward and backward in time), then run the software update did not solve the OEM bootloader unlock button problem. I suspect the carrier (T Mobile) has disabled this function. You will need to unlock the bootloader to install the stock firmware.
To those who have enabled the OEM bootloader in the A21. Is your phone locked to a carrier in the USA like Verizon or T Mobile?
I also have the SM215DL, using straight talk utilizing verizon service, I also cannot unlock the bootloader. Everything you guys did, I did. Nothing worked.
samsung has done this to all A series phones intended for the U.S. from what i understand
Where there's a will, there's a way... someone has messed with my phone too do doesn't that mean that they're altering the data/data partition to r/w. Did you guys try fastboot flashing unlock vs. fastboot oem unlock. I'm going to contact Samsung about this and let u all know what's up.
And also why would there be a usb debugging port if this phone can't be modded? Idon't know the answer but maybe someone more expediency could come in and help us out. I also wonder if the flash_image command or just dd it would bypass it?
... there is NO way, to root the A21(s), see here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/root-possibility.4130739/page-12#post-84944589
MaBo2020 said:
... there is NO way, to root the A21(s), see here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/root-possibility.4130739/page-12#post-84944589
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I confirm that I have rooted my A21S sucessfully using this modified magisk (U3 Rom). No need to patch the whole AP.tar file, just patch boot.img file only. I upload my patched boot.img for those who need it. Just flash it via odin in AP slot. Thank you very much @grccorps.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/attachments/boot-tar.5299081/
thatha said:
I confirm that I have rooted my A21S sucessfully using this modified magisk (U3 Rom). No need to patch the whole AP.tar file, just patch boot.img file only. I upload my patched boot.img for those who need it. Just flash it via odin in AP slot. Thank you very much @grccorps.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/attachments/boot-tar.5299081/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
... exactly Step-by-Step, how u do it with downloadlinks of all Software, what u used !
Many Peoples writes, that they have rooted the A21s, but no one shows, how ! With the newest Firmware u cant rooted the Phone, because there is no working TWRP, SuperSU or MAGISK - Version out for this Phone !
MaBo2020 said:
... exactly Step-by-Step, how u do it with downloadlinks of all Software, what u used !
Many Peoples writes, that they have rooted the A21s, but no one shows, how ! With the newest Firmware u cant rooted the Phone, because there is no working TWRP, SuperSU or MAGISK - Version out for this Phone !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Extract boot.img from AP.tar, then use modified-magisk to patched it
... this Methode is not working, i try it many Times, no RootAcess ! Again: if u have newer Firmware on this Phone (End 2020 - until now) u cant root this Phone ! Maybe on ure Phone an older Firmware ...
And this is my U5 patched boot.img
MaBo2020 said:
... this Methode is not working, i try it many Times, no RootAcess ! Again: if u have newer Firmware on this Phone (End 2020 - until now) u cant root this Phone ! Maybe on ure Phone an older Firmware ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have just made a post here, you can try it
[SHARING] HOW TO ROOT A21S STOCK ROM WITH MAGISK
Hello friends I just want to share how to root A21S stock rom in case anybody needs it: 1. Unlock bootloader 2. (On PC) Extract boot.img.lz4 from AP...tar file, then copy it to phone 3. (On phone) Install ZArchiver to extract boot.img from...
forum.xda-developers.com
... and u shure, it its for the A21s or for A21 ?
The only hope of getting root on this phone is if you find a Dev who's interested enough to build a bootstrap recovery. I've not looked at the firmware & have no idea if there's an exploit that would work for that purpose.
Bootstrap recovery was the only way of getting root/custom recovery back in the days of Motorola D2 & Droid X, the original Droid X. Motorola was THE phone for development... Liberty ROM, Gummy ROM, Simply Stunning, etc.
I would not hold out hopes for that to happen here.
Peace - MS
Seriousfreedom said:
samsung has done this to all A series phones intended for the U.S. from what i understand
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, Samsung has done this to ALL North American models ever since the Galaxy S8. The bootloaders are not user-unlockable, like they are on international models. However, some models can be rooted via a software exploit if they're running very old firmware, or some models can even be bootloader unlocked via special files, if their firmware version is old enough
SpectreCular said:
I have a brand new Galaxy A21 (SM-S215DL). In Developer Options, there is NO OEM Unlock toggle (not even a grayed out one; it simply does NOT exist anywhere in settings). I have tried several different variants of the date/time trick to try to get it to appear, and none of them worked. But while in Download Mode, KG Status is shown as `CHECKING`, so doesn't that mean it should at least be visible? Do I even need to unlock my bootloader? Is it even possible?
Using Frija, I managed to get what I believe to be the correct stock firmware for my device. I also grabbed both of the latest official and patched versions of Odin. Flashing the stock firmware works, but flashing the patched Magisk AP fails with an AUTH error for file `vbmeta.img`, which leads me to believe that I actually DO need to unlock my bootloader... but if that's the case, I'm having trouble figuring out how to do so without the OEM toggle.
Is there anything else can I try?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine is rooted. But you have to buy a token.
o.class.jav said:
Mine is rooted. But you have to buy a token.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what token??
[email protected] said:
what token??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The one generated by the SamPwns steady.bin flash.
{Mod edit: Quoted post removed}
and where does one get 'TWRP' for the Samsung Galaxy A21S?? Thanks for the post its very detailed with very clear instructions, and i agree with you this is the tried and tested and perfect way of rooting your phone, only problem is that this is an unperect world a world where 'TWRP' for the SM-A217F does not exist
I just received a refurbished SM-S215DL (A21,) not as my provider's solution to the VoLTE soon to be required for 4G devices thing and right now it's a pretty severe downgrade for me since it lacks a lot of basic functionality I'm used to from my 2017 phone running LineageOS. Obviously it's pretty unlikely or probably outright impossible to ever see a real LineageOS ROM for this thing (and even if someone ever does it probably would be insanely unstable or incomplete,) but if I could at least root it (even if I have to manually patch or something) it would really help me out a lot. Has just nothing really been found short of sending some unknown person online some very very key device details and money (which I don't have or I'd be buying something else anyway)? (Also kind of suspicious that whatever method they're using isn't something available to the public anyway...)

How To Guide Downgrade US OEM (DE2117) Android 12 firmware to Android 11 BEFORE installing Lineage!

Lineage installation on N200 REQUIRES that you are running Android 11 or phone will soft loop after installing the Lineage boot.img
If you are updated to Android 12 firmware and want to install Lineage, you MUST downgrade first to:
DE2117 OEM Android 11 FINAL OTA
WARNING: This WILL erase all user data.
1. Place the firmware .zip file in the user root of internal phone storage.
2. Sideload OnePlus firmware Downgrade Tool on phone and use tool to flash the Android 11 firmware.
There is an Emergency Firmware install tool that OnePlus posted to the OP forum that does NOT check root status when the need to downgrade back to A11 was first acknowledged due to modem issue with first A12 OTA release.
This file was removed in a few days when they posted the official Downgrade tool replaced it.
I have used this tool to upgrade DE2117 C_16 to DE2117 C_17 while rooted and the built in upgrade tool failed at 37%.
Nice, first thanks for the hard work you're putting in. Second, is there an advantage to converting first to DE2117 then installing lineage as opposed to just installing lineage from DE2118 that you know of? I know in the other post you answered my other question stating that the Lineage will install on either so I wasn't sure if I'd get any benefit from starting over and converting my DE2118. TIA
Link575 said:
Nice, first thanks for the hard work you're putting in. Second, is there an advantage to converting first to DE2117 then installing lineage as opposed to just installing lineage from DE2118 that you know of? I know in the other post you answered my other question stating that the Lineage will install on either so I wasn't sure if I'd get any benefit from starting over and converting my DE2118. TIA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lineage is using own kernel and boot.img on A11 so in the short run it is not going too make any difference, but when Lineage moves forward to A12 the OEM Firmware has newer drivers and is updated sooner, has more OEM features and bugfixes as well as no carrier bloatware.
It is possible that OP will neuter the Carrier firmware with an OTA update to prevent cross flashing device away from the Carrier rom in the next OTA update by preventing fastbootd from flashing the us oem from a carrier phone.
They have already removed fastboot boot command to boot a boot image without flashing it for test before you flash and to allow Magisk to make a backup of the original boot.img before adding Magisk.
I would convert NOW, before they decide to slam the door on this ability with a future OTA that will not allow you to downgrade and prevent this as they are under contract with the carriers to not allow this to be done.
Ok, thank you for the explanation. Guess I'll back everything up and convert it.
scanman0 said:
Lineage installation on N200 REQUIRES that you are running Android 11 or phone will soft loop after installing the Lineage boot.img
If you are updated to Android 12 firmware and want to install Lineage, you MUST downgrade first to:
DE2117 OEM Android 11 FINAL OTA
WARNING: This WILL erase all user data.
1. Place the firmware .zip file in the user root of internal phone storage.
2. Sideload OnePlus firmware Downgrade Tool on phone and use tool to flash the Android 11 firmware.
There is an Emergency Firmware install tool that OnePlus posted to the OP forum that does NOT check root status when the need to downgrade back to A11 was first acknowledged due to modem issue with first A12 OTA release.
This file was removed in a few days when they posted the official Downgrade tool replaced it.
I have used this tool to upgrade DE2117 C_16 to DE2117 C_17 while rooted and the built in upgrade tool failed at 37%.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This worked perfectly after following your convert guide and upgrading to 12. Downgraded back to 11 so I could install lineageOS. Thanks again!
This reddit post has a link to an English version of the downgrade apk which makes it a little easier.
keeps saying verification failed
weirdfate said:
keeps saying verification failed
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you remove root (Restore boot.img) and then factory reset?
You will loose all data doing this anyway.
I m trying as well .. but stuck with verification failed message just as scanman0 I m on stock android12 no root if anyone know how to fix it ... please assit
I just downgraded. Make sure you remove root via magisk. Then proceed to rollback to Android 11. Everything worked fine. I'll install lineage tonight when I get home.
radekmazur said:
I just downgraded. Make sure you remove root via magisk. Then proceed to rollback to Android 11. Everything worked fine. I'll install lineage tonight when I get home.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did not have to remove root. I used the version posted that does not check for root but maybe there's a different reason.
Does the downgrade apk have to be sideloaded via ADB?
T3CHN0T33N said:
Does the downgrade apk have to be sideloaded via ADB?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just place apk in phones working directory, same path where your downloads folder is. Then install from there like any other apk and run. I also kept the FW file in the same directory but I'm not sure if that was necessary.
So, just to confirm, I press "local install" and select the firmware zip and it closes? Is the tool supposed to do anything else or am I good to flash LineageOS?
T3CHN0T33N said:
So, just to confirm, I press "local install" and select the firmware zip and it closes? Is the tool supposed to do anything else or am I good to flash LineageOS?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ummm if I remember correctly hit local install and then it will prompt to point towards which FW to use. After you hit it, it will go back to the previous screen, I think verify and unpack it, then install it. Mine did appear like it was doing nothing after picking the FW and so I picked again which screwed things up so just wait after picking, it should start.
After its done it will give a message saying to restart phone I think for it to take effect, then after you restart it should ask to wipe phone, then restart again and you'd be in A11 presumably. Once in A11 your good to follow the normal procedure to install Lineage. This is all from memory though so I MAY have missed something but I don't think I did.
Link575 said:
Ummm if I remember correctly hit local install and then it will prompt to point towards which FW to use. After you hit it, it will go back to the previous screen, I think verify and unpack it, then install it. Mine did appear like it was doing nothing after picking the FW and so I picked again which screwed things up so just wait after picking, it should start.
After its done it will give a message saying to restart phone I think for it to take effect, then after you restart it should ask to wipe phone, then restart again and you'd be in A11 presumably. Once in A11 your good to follow the normal procedure to install Lineage. This is all from memory though so I MAY have missed something but I don't think I did.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you say "screwed things up" what do you mean? How did it effect the install?
T3CHN0T33N said:
When you say "screwed things up" what do you mean? How did it effect the install?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nothing major, caused the UI to glitch out and made it seem like the process was stuck at 81% but when I closed the app and tried to do it again it jumped to 100 and said to restart the device.
I've downgraded a second time (I'm very indecisive on which OS I want to use) and that one went as expected since I knew to give it a second to start doing its thing.
Link575 said:
Nothing major, caused the UI to glitch out and made it seem like the process was stuck at 81% but when I closed the app and tried to do it again it jumped to 100 and said to restart the device.
I've downgraded a second time (I'm very indecisive on which OS I want to use) and that one went as expected since I knew to give it a second to start doing its thing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Weird, for me it just closes the app and does nothing, both the official and emergency ones. I even tried adding it to magisk's deny-list.
But I just restored the boot image via magisk (didn't restart) and it works now...
scanman0 said:
Did you remove root (Restore boot.img) and then factory reset?
You will loose all data doing this anyway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I factory restored the phone and tried again. Still fails every time
Has anybody had any luck figuring out the verification failed message? I too have tried both the official and emergency apps, of course I can't read the actual message in what I presume is Chinese, but it doesn't do anything and the other version says verification failed. Have not rooted. Kind of at a loss right now and all I want to do is install Lineage! I've already got my unlock token from OnePlus, but my understanding is that the phone still needs to be on A11 before installling Lineage.

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