Database Users

[GUIDE] The Beginner's Guide to Rooting Galaxy S3 and installing your first ROM

The Galaxy S3 being my first android (or smartphone for that matter), I had a tough time trying to figure out how to root my phone, which methods to use and which ROM to install. So I've compiled this from other threads here on xda after 2 days of heavy reading, for other noobs like me
FOLLOW THIS GUIDE TO THE LETTER. DO NOT TOUCH ANYTHING, PRESS ANYTHING, CHECK ANY BOXES UNLESS TOLD TO DO SO OR YOU WILL END UP WITH A 600$ BRICK
[/COLOR]Rooting
So what is rooting? Rooting basically gives you administrator privileges on your phone, allowing you to install a host of programs that allow you to, for e.g. use firewalls, remove bloatware, change themes, install improved kernels, install custom roms with improved boot and memory performance, the list is really endless.
ROOTING VOIDS YOUR WARRANTY
However, it IS possible to reverse the process and cover your tracks, should you need to claim warranty. Read on to find out how.
Here is some good prereading to help you understand the basic flashing process and apps involved, even if it was written for the S2:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1125282
Before we begin, its a good idea to note down the details under Settings -> About Phone, for future reference. Also note that under Status, if you root your phone, it changes to 'Modified'. This is, as stated before, reversible.
This guide is for the GT-I9300 Model. If your model number has a suffix (other than T) this may not work.
Step 1: Flashing CF-Root with Odin
This is an easy method to root your phone and I haven't needed to use any other. It comes with the added benefit of also installing Clockwork Mod and CWManager which we will use to make backups, flash our first ROM and cover our tracks. For those of you who want to install the newer clockworkmod touch look here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1719744
Guide compiled from here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1695238
1. Install Samsung Kies and plug your phone into your PC via USB so that all the appropriate phone drivers are installed
2. Download and extract Odin3-vX.X.zip from the download link below
3. Download and extract CF-Root-SGS3-vX.X.zip ONCE (you will end up with CF-Root-SGS3-vX.X.tar
CF-Root for SGS3 v6.4:
http://download.chainfire.eu/196/CF-Root/SGS3/CF-Root-SGS3-v6.4.zip
4. Disconnect your phone from your computer, close Samsung Kies and any antivirus/firewall that may interrupt the flashing process
5. Run Odin, click PDA and navigate to your CF-Root-SGS3-vX.X.tar file
6. Power off your phone and then boot it into download mode (Hold Volume Down + Home + Power button until the screen fires up)
7. Note the warning and continue.
8. Connect the phone to your PC via USB and allow drivers to install.
9. Make sure 'Re-partition' is NOT checked in Odin
10. Click Start button and wait for android to boot
11. If you see a green 'PASS' message in Odin, everything went as intended. Done!
Step 2: Make a NANDroid Backup
This is a precautionary measure that backs up your phone's current state, should you have any problems with custom Roms. It is also a step in reversing the root process, should you need to claim warranty.
1. Power off your phone and boot into recovery mode (Hold Volume Up + Home + Power button untill the screen fires up). This starts up ClockworkMod.
2. Use Volume Up/Down to navigate and the Power button to select
3. Navigate to Backup/Restore->Backup and wait for backup to finish
4. Go back and select 'Reboot System Now'
5. Connect your phone to your computer and copy the backup folder from /sdcard/clockworkmod/backups/
6. Done! Now you can restore this backup by booting into recovery mode and hitting Restore!
Step 3: Installing your first ROM
After hunting for a good ROM that was fast and bloatware free, I ended up with the nightly build of the popular CyanogenMod 9 and I don't intend to go back!! I haven't had any problems with it whatsoever but if you prefer, you could instead install the RC version.
Note: The camera's flash feature cannot and will not work on any version of cyanogenmod until samsung releases source code for their camera.
Here's how to flash the ROM. This is also the basic method of installing any other ROM or kernel, though the ROM/kernel developer would give you more tailored instructions.
1. Download the desired version of CyanogenMod 9 from here:
http://get.cm/?device=i9300
2. Download Gapps from here. I used the 20120429 version. This may not be necessary for other roms.
http://goo.im/gapps
3. Copy both files to your phone's internal sd card
4. Boot into recovery mode
5. Select 'wipe/factory reset' and confirm
6. Select 'wipe cache partition' and confirm
7. Go to Advanced -> wipe dalvik cache and confirm.
Now we're ready to flash the ROM!
8. Select 'install zip from sd card'
9. Select 'install zip from internal sd card and navigate to the cyanogenmod file and confirm
10. When done, use the same method to install the gapps file
11. Do a wipe/factory reset again (needed for google calendar sync to work)
12. Go back and select 'Reboot system now'
13. The boot screen of the new ROM will show up. Wait about 10 seconds, remove the battery and put it back in.
14. Power on and setup your phone. Done!
More on CyanogenMod:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1714354
Step 4: Installing your modem
With CyanogenMod 9, people report that the first call made doesn't work, but every subsequent call will. If, however, you are still unable to make calls, you may have to install your phone's specific modem driver which you should have noted under Baseband version before we began (under Settings->About Phone).
1. Go here to download your specific modem and copy it to your phone's internal sd card:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1740061
In my case, it was XXLFB.
2. Boot into Recovery Mode
3. Install .zip from internal sdcard and navigate to your modem.zip file
4. Done!
Step 5: Covering your tracks
So your phone is broken and you need to claim warranty? Not with your rooted phone you don't! The S3 uses a flash counter that tells it how many times the phone has been flashed, and your rooted phone appears as 'modified' under status information. Here's how to cover your tracks.
1. Download your phone's stock firmware for your region from here and copy it to your phone
http://www.sammobile.com/firmware/?page=3
2. Download TriangleAway from the download link below or consider buying it from googleplay to support the hardworking developers, extract it and copy it to your phone:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1494114
3. Install TriangleAway by opening the .apk your phone's file explorer (Mine's ES File Explorer)
4. Run TriangleAway and select 'Reset Flash Counter'. Your phone will Reboot into a special mode. Reset the flash counter here and pull the battery immediately after reboot.
5. Boot into Recovery Mode and do a factory reset, cache wipe and dalvik cache wipe.
6. Flash the stock Firmware, reboot and setup the phone without any logins.
7. Check that Settings -> About Device -> Status is not 'Modified'
8. Done!
[
More on TriangleAway:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1494114
Optional: Upgrade to CM10
1. Make a Nandroid backup so you can restore if you dont like cm10/if its too buggy.
2. Download CyanogenMod 10, Gapps and your modem from here and copy it to your internal sd card:
http://www.clockworkmod.com/rommanager/device/i9300/developer/daniel.hillenbrand%40codeworkx.de?manifest=http%3A%2F%2Fdeveloper.clockworkmod.com%2Fdeveloper%2Fdaniel.hillenbrand%40codeworkx.de%2Fmanifest&name=codeworkx&deviceName=Samsung%20Galaxy%20S3
3. Boot into Recovery Mode and install cm10 then gapps then modem using 'install zip from sd card -> choose zip from internal sd card'
4. Do a factory reset/wipe then reboot
5. Done!
More on CyanogenMod 10:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1779578
Please point out any errors/suggestions so I can make the appropriate changes. Also report any issues for the benefit of other noobs out there
Admins: If my formatting is inappropriate I apologize but I'm by no means an expert at this
Credits:
Chainfire
Teamhacksung
willk22
UpInTheAir
and All contributors without whom none of this would be possible
Download

I'm afraid to root mine in case something goes wrong.

Thus is the best root guide I have read thank you so much , will do thus when cm10 is more everyday user friendly. Can not thank you enough.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium

Awesome guide mate.
I'm too big a wuss to flash a custom rom at the moment but this is pushing me to try it!

good thread man just moved from sgs2 to this and what an improvement! Cheers

I spent an entire day researching heavily before I was comfortable doing this and since everything is compiled here, I'm glad to see it having the same effect on you guys

Triangle Away is a payed app. Offered for free by chainfire on his thread for xda members. He specifically asked not to post it elsewhere. I think you are not permitted to attach it on other thread. At least ask for permission to do it.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2

Phil3759 said:
Triangle Away is a payed app. Offered for free by chainfire on his thread for xda members. He specifically asked not to post it elsewhere. I think you are not permitted to attach it on other thread. At least ask for permission to do it.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have posted this thread only on xda and like chainfire believe it should be available for free. People won't buy the app unless theyve tried it and know it works. But since you complained I've removed the attachment and people will have to visit chainfire's thread in order to download it.
Thanks for feedback!

Use Clockworks Touch
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1719744
Can be found here

Updated to include clockwork touch option.

Awesome stuff jbonetwo :good:
Question though? Rooted & installed Cyanogen 9 as above, followed all steps all rebooted and set up phone as if 1st time user. Now I've lost all apps, contacts, messages etc and nothing has synced?
How can I get all contacts back? Not sure why it hasn't synced as I've linked my Gmail account and sync is on?
Please excuse an Android noob....

Updated with CM10 Instructions

FinGerS o FuDgE said:
Awesome stuff jbonetwo :good:
Question though? Rooted & installed Cyanogen 9 as above, followed all steps all rebooted and set up phone as if 1st time user. Now I've lost all apps, contacts, messages etc and nothing has synced?
How can I get all contacts back? Not sure why it hasn't synced as I've linked my Gmail account and sync is on?
Please excuse an Android noob....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You will lose your apps when switching to a new rom. One good way to reinstall apps is with titanium backup pro (batch reinstall).
If you had your contacts sync;d with google, syncing with your google account on your new rom should (supposedly) restore your contacts. I didnt have to do this though since i added contacts after installing cm9.

Thank you for the guide, worked first time for me

[Q] Rooting questions

1. My S4 installed SuperSU when I linked my Google account because I had it installed on my rooted S3. This doesn't actually mean that the device is rooted though, right?
2. When I root, will it become impossible for me to get OTA updates?

Youre not rooted just because superuser installed on your s4 because it automatically downloaded it from it from the play store. You will need to root, look on the forums there are step by step guides
So far there has been one ota since I got the phone (MDC to MDL). While rooted on MDC I made the transition to mdl pretty easy with the basic knowledge of Odin and recovery. While I can't say it will be just as easy to install future ota I am confident that the community will figure out an easy way to update.
Sent from my Nexus 10 using xda app-developers app

jjkjustin said:
1. My S4 installed SuperSU when I linked my Google account because I had it installed on my rooted S3. This doesn't actually mean that the device is rooted though, right?
2. When I root, will it become impossible for me to get OTA updates?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dude, i am a straight newb at this and i got a nice easy way to get it done. This is my very first root i have ever done! I'm quit proud of myself! Seems like a long process but once you get into recovery its a cake walk!
Make a folder on your desktop and drag all files into it. Make sure your drivers are up to date. I put everything on my external sd card. Other than odin..lol.
Odin V3.07 (Download)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2189539
Recovery (TWRP) Dowload tar (Ablsolute Best Recovery)
http://techerrata.com/browse/twrp2/jfltespr (I did the one with most downloads obviously)
Force Rom 1.0 (Force Rom 1.1 update...i had to used the mirror one on the update)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2261943
Shaggy Kernel (GONNA NEED IT FOR WIFI)
http://www.shabbypenguin.com/OUDstuf...ble-spr-TW.zip
UnZip Odin and open up the app inside. Once opened uncheck autoreboot and anything else that's checked. Select PDA and click on it and select the tar file from above. once you get the green pass unplug your phone from pc and take out the battery. Put battery back in press and hold the VOLUME UP, HOME, AND POWER buttons at the same time or as i do volume up and home and make sure i got those nice and pushed then i will hold power. Once you see the blue writing in top left hand corner LET GO OF ALL THE BUTTONS!! This will take you to the TWRP Recovery. Once in recovery hit install then hit storage close to the top and select your micro sd. In there you will flash the Force Rom 1.0. After that flash the update 1.1. When those are done flash the shaggy kernel. Reboot and you done. I love how easy these guys have made it for us!!!!!

Root Xperia SP in one click!

Hello All! As you know rooting is an important and first step for a person to step into developer world. Our Android devices have many methods to root them, so as our Xperia SP too.Today I am gonna tell you step by step how to root your Xperia SP in the easiest way possible.!
This is for JB 4.3 firmware 12.1.A.205. Root your phone in one click!
Steps for rooting
Pre Rooting Instructions
Backup each and everything on your Android phone as follows :
Backup all your important contacts
Backup all your important sms messages.
Backup all your important call logs,
Backup all your important media content manually. (Copy to your PC.)
Make sure that you read the instructions carefully and applied all precautionary measures. Let’s go ahead.
***WARNING***
I WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DEAD OR BRICKED DEVICES, ROOTING IS FOR YOUR OWN NEED DO IT AT YOUR OWN RISK, IF YOU BLAME ME I'LL LAUGH AT YOU! ALSO YOU WILL VOID YOUR WARRANTY
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) Download DoomLord Advance stock kernel file (.elf file) (thanks to him) ----> http://doomlord.xperia-files.com/download.php?dlid=U1BfRG9vTUxvUkRfQWR2U3RrS2VybmVsX0ZXLTIwMV92MDM= (links are in blue mostly)
2) Download Stock kernel for your device C5302 : - [SIZE="5"https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B6OcGH8yjAPOaFRJRFBHUVk4QXM/edit][/SIZE][/COLOR][/U][/B][/U][/B][/COLOR][/SIZE][/B]
[B][U]C5303 : - [B][U][COLOR="Blue"]https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B6OcGH8yjAPONzdxR0k0T0k5MGs/edit
4) Download latest version of root exploiter from here (click on the lambda icon to start download) ----> www.towelroot.com
Install the apk to your phone. Make sure your unknown sources option and the development options is enabled and you have ticked usb debugging option. If not then go to settings then about phone , scroll down and click 5-6 times on the build version of the device and you will have development option available.
Make sure you are connected to internet, open the root exploiter you downloaded and click on the tab which says
make it ra1n
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
and that's it you're done rooting
Now time to install SuperSU on your phone
Go to play store and search for SuperSU and download it. Open it. After opening it will ask to update binary script Select continue and now it will ask for installation of the file. One you will have as normal mode other one would be TWRP/CWM. We don't have CMW/TWRP installed for now so select Normal mode and application will update itself!
In case if you have rooted and installed any recovery manually install the updater script from recovery. Place it in SD card reboot into recovery and install it. Download here
Installing the Recovery (CWM for those who haven't installed recovery) (With Unlocked Bootloaders)
1) Download Flashtool to your PC -- http://www.flashtool.net/download.php
2) Install it and open it.
3) Go to where you have downloaded flash tool zip file and locate "driver" there. Open it and install the C5302/03/06 driver for your phone. After installation of drivers open Flashtool.
4) Connect your Xperia SP to your PC now. Make sure that the connection is up to the mark.
5) Hit the smart lightening button on the right upper left side and select “Fastboot Mode.”. Make sure that usb debugging is on when you connect to PC
6)On the right side, click on “Reboot Device into Fastboot Mode.”
(If this doesn’t work for you, manually put your device into Fastboot Mode and connect it to your PC. To do so, turn off your Xperia device and now connect to your PC while keeping the Volume Up key pressed. As soon your PC detects your device,the blue LED will turn on showing fastboot mode.)
7) Now click on “Select Kernel to flash”.
8)In the format selection, by default it will be “*.sin”. Change it to *.elf.
Now select the DoomLord Advanced Stock Kernel.elf file that you downloaded first of all and flash it.
9)This kernel will flash CWM recovery in your device. Disconnect your device now.
Turn it on, as soon as you see the Sony Logo, press Volume – Key 5 to 6 times and you should see the CWM recovery interface now.
Install Recovery on Locked Bootloaders
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2352920
Go to this link and follow the instructions (Thanks to Dimtrov)
That's IT! Congrats! You rooted your Xperia SP!
Stock Kernel you downloaded keep it as if anything goes wrong during flashing the DoomLord's Kernel you can flash your original Kernel back to your device!
If anyone wants Unlocking Bootloader Tutorial just reply below
Hit thanks! ;D I definitely helped
***My Works***
Most Beautiful and Mesmerizing bootanimation for Xperia SP! ---> [http://forum.xda-developers.com/xpe...zing-boot-animation-xperia-sp-t2831628/COLOR]
]Official Android L boot animation for Xperia SP in two variants PURE WHITE AND ORIGINAL BLACK ---> [http://forum.xda-developers.com/xpe...id-l-boot-animation-xperia-sp-t2833128/COLOR]
UP movie boot animation for Xperia SP! ---> http://forum.xda-developers.com/xperia-sp/themes-apps/bootanimation-disney-studios-movie-boot-t2832873
Request your bootanimations here! ---> http://forum.xda-developers.com/xperia-sp/themes-apps/boot-animation-request-desired-t2833559
EDIT : Animation compelete check this threadhttp://forum.xda-developers.com/xperia-sp/themes-apps/bootanimation-playstion-2-boot-t2834872
It requires lots of time and fund in order to create these files. Me being alone as a developer is really impossible to manage alone.! Please consider a small amount of donation and help me as it can help me get my resources Thank you!

1. There's no need to change kernel to root
2. U can't install custom kernel with locked bootloader,u're ure giving instructions to brick phones
3. There's no need for towelroot to have internet acces to work
4. And talking about Towelroot, there's a thread with towelroot in this forum (about three actually)
5. There are recoveries for locked booleaders, also there's an index with it in general
5. What with all ad f.ly and ad links? are u trying to make money? put a link to the original thread or the links of creators if is not your work
6. Red is a really bad color to be the main in the thread
just sayin'

QBerto said:
1. There's no need to change kernel to root
2. U can't install custom kernel with locked bootloader,u're ure giving instructions to brick phones
3. There's no need for towelroot to have internet acces to work
4. And talking about Towelroot, there's a thread with towelroot in this forum (about three actually)
5. There are recoveries for locked booleaders, also there's an index with it in general
5. What with all ad f.ly and ad links? are u trying to make money? put a link to the original thread or the links of creators if is not your work
6. Red is a really bad color to be the main in the thread
just sayin'
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apologies on first part for letting adfly links on the tutorial wasn't aware of this rule.
Secondly towelroot gave error on my Xperia SP that "Please make sure you are connected to internet" that's why I advised to stay connected likewise SuperSU would take Internet connetion to download then why not to be on safe side
As considered with that custom kernel flashing thing thank you for correcting me! You saved a blunder mishap and prevented it from happening thanks a LOT!:highfive::angel:
I always give credits to the one who created the original stuff! I NEVER TAKE CREDITS FOR OTHER'S WORK
And RED is a color that is easily hilighted and people actually pay more attention to words written in red rather than any other color
Just Saying

:good:
Wut? Towelroot now needs internet conection? D: maybe sounds paranoic, but don't like xD
and one more thing, you can install SU from the zip w/o recovery, just open the zip with a file manager and look into 'common' folder, there's a Superuser.apk in there, install as normal APK, and you can update binaries with the zip w/o internet too (just open SU app and click normal, the same as you said)

QBerto said:
:good:
Wut? Towelroot now needs internet conection? D: maybe sounds paranoic, but don't like xD
and one more thing, you can install SU from the zip w/o recovery, just open the zip with a file manager and look into 'common' folder, there's a Superuser.apk in there, install as normal APK, and you can update binaries with the zip w/o internet too (just open SU app and click normal, the same as you said)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As for being paranoic check this out http://www.shadowandy.net/2014/06/geohots-towelroot-features-one-click-root-many-kitkat-devices.htm and read cooment of guy named Alin guess I am not the only one facing this issue
As far as SU is considered I told both the method stop daydreaming and check the post clearly

There is an existing thread for this.
[LB/UBL] Root Your device with just an app!
Please use this existing thread for further posting.
@Tech N You Please search for existing threads before creating new threads.
In case you have not read the XDA Rules yet here is a link.....
The XDA Rules
Thread closed

[Q] In need of some serious help and advice primarily with rooting

Model# SM-N900T
Android Version# 4.4.2
Baseband# N900TUVUENK3
Kernel# 3.4.0-2587359
Build# K0T49H.N900TUVUENK3
Security Software# MDF v1.0 Release 3
I'm kinda new to this whole XDA developers website (don’t let when I joined fool you) I’ve always heard that the XDA community are very helpful and I am in need of some serious help. I've had my Samsung Galaxy Note 3 for quite some time now, but now it has started to crash and slow down I was wondering if rooting it might fix this problem.
If so then how and where do I even begin? Do I even need to root it?
Also if and when I root I want to get rid of all of the bloat ware apps how do I do this?
Please someone teach me I’m willing to learn, so be detailed and dumb it down as much as possible.
I want to say thank ahead of time to anyone that responds! :highfive:

First off, rooting is nothing to be scared off. As long as you have a little bit of knowledge and some common sense it's pretty straight forward.
To root you just need a couple of things, and this will trip knox too if I remember rightly, but if your phone is out of warranty then it doesn't really matter to much.
Firstly you will want odin - this will put the files onto the phone using a PC and USB cable.
Secondly you'll need the .tar file that contains the "root" files. I used CF-Auto-Root by Chain fire.
Head to http://autoroot.chainfire.eu and find the right file for your phone model.
This also contains Odin too.
So unzip the CF-Auto-Root zip file on your PC, and you'll find odin.exe and the CF-Auto-Root.tar.md5 files along with a couple of dll files and an ini file.
Open the odin.exe and you'll have a screen pop up which may look pretty daunting but fear not, it's not bad, it's actually really easy and you'll love it.
Now turn off your phone and once it's completely powered off, hold volume down button, the home button together and then hold the power button. The phone will boot into download mode... You'll see a screen saying to press volume up to continue or cancel by pressing volume down. You'll need to continue so hit volume UP.
Now plug the phone into the PC and wait a few minutes while the drivers are installed. You will notice on the odin program that at the top, a bar has lit up saying "comxxx" (where xxx is will be a number. This is the com port your phone is connected to)
Now comes the bit you need to get right....
Click the PDA or AP button (depending on version of odin) on the right side of odin and then select the CF-Auto-Root.tar.md5 file. It will load it into odin ready to flash across to the phone.... Make sure auto reboot and f reset time are the only boxes checked on the left side.
Now comes the really difficult bit, you need to pay attention here...
Click the "START" button.
Thats pretty much it. The phone will reboot and once it's rebooted, go into your apps and see if supersu is there. If it is just open it up and update the binaries if it asks you to.
Congratulations, your phone is now rooted.
I recommend using a custom recovery like philz or TWRP and make nandroid backups before you do anything else, so if something goes wrong you can always go back and restore.
You can also flash custom roms which may help your phone go fast again. I recommend audax roms or echoe roms.

OMG!! Thank you!!! so simple!!!!! Just a few more questions before I start.
1. What is a "custom recovery" and how do I use it?
2. What are "Custom Roms" for and how do I flash them?
3. What is supersu for? (I've been reading that everywhere)[/B]
4. Do you recommend buying titanium backup?

EstradaKing said:
OMG!! Thank you!!! so simple!!!!! Just a few more questions before I start.
1. What is a "custom recovery" and how do I use it?
2. What are "Custom Roms" for and how do I flash them?
3. What is supersu for? (I've been reading that everywhere)[/B]
4. Do you recommend buying titanium backup?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Custom Recovery is a recovery where you can a lot of stuffs which are not supported in stock recovery. Like flashing a zip package to be able to install it, be it a ROM or a small mod or whatever. Then you can take Nandroid backups too from it, along with so many other options.
2. Custom ROMs, same. ROMs which have a lot of customisation ability unlike stock ROMs, some custom ROMs come with some more pre bundled.
3. SuperSU is an app which is a must for rooted devices. It gives administrative level permission to apps, without it you won't be able to run some apps which needs root access. It can be found on Play Store, but better way to install it from a custom recovery after downloading the latest zip package of SuperSU.
4. Yes, very much, that is one of those apps which is a must have for Android.
Also one thing about XDA, when you are thanking someone, just use the Thanks button. I could not care less about it but believe me a lot of people prefer that.

[GUIDE] Systemless Root of your Nook Tab S2 710

With Barnes & Noble now selling the Galaxy Tab S2 710 (32gb) for $299 in the U.S. (and an extra 10% off if you're a B&N member), I picked one up yesterday and immediately came here to research rooting and set up. What I found were a lot of guides written a while ago, and a lot of confusing (at least to me) information. So I thought I would consolidate, in one place, in a new thread, what I eventually did, on the assumption that there might be a lot of new Tab S2 owners in the coming weeks. Obviously, you undertake these steps at your own risk, and YMMV. Also, hopefully equally obviously, none of the fantastic tools here are original with me -- credit goes to all those, like chainfire, ashyrx, wanam, engine95 and many more who have built and/or developed them.
1. If your Tab comes with anything but 5.1.1 XXU2BPB1, feel free to take the OTA update. In the US, it's the most current build as of 4.30.16 and you will still be able to root.
2. If you don't already have it, download Odin 3.10.7. You can find it here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2711451
When you run Odin in Windows, probably better to run it in administrator mode (right click on the icon), although I haven't always found that to be necessary.
3. Flash a Custom Recovery using the PDA tab of Odin. Put your Tab into Download mode by turning it off, then pressing and holding the Home, Power and Volume Down buttons all at the same time. When the download screen comes up, press the Volume Up button to continue. Now you're ready to attach your Tab to your PC. Load TWRP 3.0.2-1 from Ashyx's thread here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/tab-s2/development/recovery-twrp-2-8-7-x-lollipop-5-1-1-t3205686 into Odin. Follow his instructions carefully -- once the custom recovery flashes, you have to manually reboot into the new recovery (so untick the auto-reboot option in Odin) or else your new custom recovery gets overwritten and you go back to your stock recovery.
4. Backup your Stock Rom -- While you're still in TWRP (or if you've already rebooted, go back to it), it would make sense to do a full backup of your stock ROM. That way you can restore your Tab to its original state if you ever need or want to.
5. Root -- Here's where I found the most confusion on these forums. You can do a systemless root -- i.e., keeping a stock, SE Enforcing, kernel (as opposed to flashing a permissive kernel and always getting the red SE Noneforcing Kernel message on a reboot and/or needing to use CF-Auto-Root). All you need to do is install Super SU 2.71 (BETA). Get the zip from here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/apps/supersu/2014-09-02-supersu-v2-05-t2868133 and put it on your Tab. Then flash using the "Install" choice within your TWRP recovery. Reboot -- and when TWRP asks you whether you want to install SuperSU because you're not rooted -- you have to say "NO" (OK, that's counterintuitive, but chainfire's instructions are clear).
5. Debloat -- That's beyond this thread's scope, but I recommend Titanium Backup from the Play Store. If you want to get rid of the "Nook" logo on reboot, flash the zip file from post #2 of Engine95's thread (using TWRP) found here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/tab-s2/development/rom-neked-nook-oj1-5-1-1-710-t3317823
6. SD Card Fix -- if you find your third party apps can't write to your SD Card, the attachment below describes how to fix it. If this type of editing scares you (make a backup first!), the Play Store app SD Card Fix supposedly still works with Lollipop and you can try that.
7. Netflix Fix -- for some reason, Netflix doesn't like root on the Nook Tab. The fix for this is as simple as renaming the file "system/lib/liboemcrypto.so" (using a root explorer of your choice) as "system/lib/liboemcrypto.so.bak"
8. Xposed -- I happen to like Xposed and don't find it messes up anything, while giving you a ton of customization options. Installation is a two-step process. First, find the correct version of wanam's Xposed zip from here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/xposed/unofficial-xposed-samsung-lollipop-t3180960, and flash it using TWRP. For Lollipop on the S2, I used his SDK 22-arm version (SDK 23 is for Marshmallow). Don't worry if the reboot takes a long time -- that's normal. Then, once rebooted, simply install wanam's Xposed apk (XposedInstaller_3.0_Alpha4) that's available in the same thread.
That's it. I hope this saves some of you a lot of my trial and error, and, if it does, please press the "thanks" button.
EDIT -- Here's a #9 I just discovered --- Microsoft Office apps, although pre-installed on the device, will not open once you're rooted (or maybe it's just flashing TWRP that does it). Moreover, if you uninstall and try a re-install from the Play Store, if you're like me, you'll get a device not compatible message. My solution was to sideload the apks (e.g., Word, Excel and Powerpoint) from my Note 4, but I suspect you could also change your device ID within your build.prop file (backup first!) and get a similar result.
ANOTHER EDIT (5.2.16) -- #10 -- I can't get Google Play Movies to work at all on my T710 after rooting. Tried renaming libemcrypto.so without luck. Tried editing boot.prop to disguise myself as a Nexus 10. Tried the Xposed module Root Cloak. All no good. Any suggestions welcome!

Thanks! I just got a new nook and have started to come into these forums and also noticed the old and randomly updated threads. I appreciate the clear instructions. Are there any roms right now that you are recommending?

rawdikrik said:
Thanks! I just got a new nook and have started to come into these forums and also noticed the old and randomly updated threads. I appreciate the clear instructions. Are there any roms right now that you are recommending?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, I'm trying to stick with stock. Engine95's rom seems to have some happy users though....

how do you manual reboot to recovery mode after download mode? i have tried the (pwr+vol up+home) but it does not work at all.. once i reboot normally the TWRP which i flashed cannot get installed at all. I need HELP!