Database Users

[Q] Root for a live demo unit ?

Hi everyone,
I got a live demo unit Galaxy S5 (g900x) from work, and I've never used a Samsung for rooting / flashing purpose before. I was wondering if I could in fact flash a stock rom, and root the device, in order to use it as a full multimedia device ?
Thanks

If Samsung continued the demo unit path as per the Galaxy S4 then the S5 demo units will be missing important hardware components, a physical connection between the Sim port and the system board being one of them. It was impossible to use an S4 demo unit as a phone for example. It was also impossible to flash a standard stock rom without the device refusing to boot, the partition table was also different.
Of course, this all might not be the case with the S5 demo units and they might simply be stock units with a modified firmware. But, if not, you have little more than a small tablet on your hands.

Thank you for your answer, I knew I couldn't use as a phone, but at least I wanted it as, like you said, a small tablet. The problem is the retail mode app that keeps launching itself and wiping the device, even if I disabled it. That's why I was hoping to flash a stock rom or at least root the device.

dhunzi10 said:
Thank you for your answer, I knew I couldn't use as a phone, but at least I wanted it as, like you said, a small tablet. The problem is the retail mode app that keeps launching itself and wiping the device, even if I disabled it. That's why I was hoping to flash a stock rom or at least root the device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Definitely sounds like a similar situation to the S4 demo units, I remember they would wipe anything on the data partition on every boot. I'm not sure if the issue was ever overcome.
Check out the following post, not sure if it could be applied to the S5 model.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=50393029&postcount=7

dhunzi10 said:
Thank you for your answer, I knew I couldn't use as a phone, but at least I wanted it as, like you said, a small tablet. The problem is the retail mode app that keeps launching itself and wiping the device, even if I disabled it. That's why I was hoping to flash a stock rom or at least root the device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do not flash a stock rom on it because most probabably you will end up in bootlooping
Try this (PLEASE BACKUP EVERYTHING BEFORE FLASHING)
-root it with CF auto root
-make a nandroid backup (THIS IS ESSENTIAL) of everything
-maintain pit, modem and bootloader files from the demo rom (from your backup) and pick other parts from a stock rom (european open rom will do)
-flash all parts with odin
-now you should have a full working mini tablet without gsm and gps signal
This method is similar to the one used on Galaxy Note 3 and i think it will work, just do the backup before for safety and i'm nor responsible from any damaged caused
Let me know

Are you sure I can root it ? It is SM-G900X, which is not on the list on chainfire's website.

Mobile data stuck on EDGE

Hello everyone, i'm new to XDA forums and hopefully i'll find a solution to my problem here.
I am always stuck on EDGE (E) when it comes to mobile network usage, regardless of where i am. I've tried using my SIM card in another phone and it instantly goes to HSPA+ (H+).
My phone is pretty much new and i didnt mess much with it as i dont know enough about phones to play with them in that way, it has been like this ever since i took it. There is one thing that i think its most likely causing it and that is that my phone was rooted when i bought it. >>> I dont know anything about advantages/disadvantages of rooted phone and if this may or may not cause any problems but i've never had this kind of an issue before with any phone and none of my phones before were rooted. <<<
I wanted to try and unroot the device by using Mobile ODIN Pro from Google Play Store but i stopped before i even started as the PRO version that is needed for this to be done says my device is not supported and therefore i cannot buy it. I had the Lite version and there are like 4-5 features that require PRO version in order for them to be used.
I have a GT-I9505 running on 4.4.2 android version, i'm from Serbia with mts as provider for what it matters.
P.S. My network mode is set to WCDMA/GSM (auto connect), if i change it to WCDMA only i lose network completely and if i put GSM only its again back on EDGE.
Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Let's make sure you actually have an I9505. Try to enter download mode (shut the S4 off, then hold volume down, home, and power). The model at the top of the screen with the green Android on it is the actual model of your S4.

Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
Let's make sure you actually have an I9505. Try to enter download mode (shut the S4 off, then hold volume down, home, and power). The model at the top of the screen with the green Android on it is the actual model of your S4.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is I9505 as i said. How do i leave this mode now? It says "Downloading... Do not turn off target !!" across the screen. :v

I strongly suggest you check that attitude of yours. Just because you said it doesn't mean it actually is. There have been too many instances of counterfeit phones as well as phones from another carrier being installed with I9505 ROMs and IMEI numbers and sold to the unsuspecting. The question is thus a valid one.
If you're looking to exit download mode, simply pull the battery. If you're looking to reinstall a stock ROM, then you're on the right screen. Simply connect your S4 to your computer and use the desktop version of Odin to flash the stock ROM. Now, how do you know which stock ROM you should be using? Simply tell us your carrier.

Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
I strongly suggest you check that attitude of yours. Just because you said it doesn't mean it actually is. There have been too many instances of counterfeit phones as well as phones from another carrier being installed with I9505 ROMs and IMEI numbers and sold to the unsuspecting. The question is thus a valid one.
If you're looking to exit download mode, simply pull the battery. If you're looking to reinstall a stock ROM, then you're on the right screen. Simply connect your S4 to your computer and use the desktop version of Odin to flash the stock ROM. Now, how do you know which stock ROM you should be using? Simply tell us your carrier.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no attitude mate, i just told you that it is what i earlier wrote after checking it the way you told me to. Nothing more than that.
By carrier you mean my mobile provider or whatever its called? If so, Telekom Srbija (mts).

The latest ROM for your device is here. The page gives instructions on how to use the file as well as download links.

Few questions:
Will that install lollipop? If yes, is lollipop worth getting? I recently heard opposite while i was actually trying to get it. It's the only opinion that i can sort of take in count so idk if its true or not.
Will it fix the problem?
"Add the firmware file to AP / PDA"
- What is(are) AP / PDA?
"Make sure re-partition is NOT ticked"
- This is an option in Odin i suppose, if it is disregard it. If not please explain.
Edit: I've downloaded PC version of Odin and i only see AP among other boxes for files to be added. Is PDA another name for it or..?
Should i also check the little box next to where it says AP? (picture below)
There's another zip file in odin folder "S1PlugIn.bundle_141117", i suppose i shouldnt touch this as you havent mentioned it?
P.S. Sorry if my questions appear stupid but i'm facing all of this for the first time and i'm just being extra careful as i dont want to mess up something.

This is the latest ROM for your device, so it will install Android 5.0.1. I believe it to be worthwhile, but if you want Android 4.4.2 instead a download is also available for it at the same site. Will it fix the problem? It should. If it doesn't then a hardware problem is more likely.
AP and PDA are two different names for the same thing. Older versions of Odin used PDA. Checking the box next to it won't hurt, and that other file isn't something you touch.

So i need to turn off my phone, go to download mode, connect pc and phone with USB, wait for some "blue sign" from ODIN and then add the file and run Start? Re-partition is disabled by default.

Everything went smooth but the problem persists... I even changed the network mode to the new options that i got (which includes 4g if i'm not wrong).
What to do?
P.S. 5.0.1 runs really slow for me, takes double more RAM than 4.4.2 and it almost filled up my whole phone memory

Try a different sim in your phone. if you still don't get 4g then you probably have a hardware failure.

Lennyz1988 said:
Try a different sim in your phone. if you still don't get 4g then you probably have a hardware failure.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Aye... Still the same even with another sim card. I guess its hardware problem in the end. Any idea what would it cost to fix, if you know what the problem could be at all?

Did I make jewellery out of my s7 edge? :S

I have the S7 Edge SM-G935F, which is the exynos version I believe.
It starting with unrooting, which boot looped my device. I have tried samsung kies firmware recovery but the download always stopped at a certain percentage saying an error was found in the dowloaded file. I tried to fix it by flashing what I believed was the stock bootloader with odin but that made my problem worse.
It turns on and shows a red coloured screen, and the voice assistant kicks in to babble but seems to not respond to touch at all. I think I can go into download mode, because I've seen a shop assistant get into it when I took it to see if they can fix it. Unfortunately It would cost 230 euros, which I cannot afford. And in case you are wondering, no I didn't buy the phone. I got it as a birthday gift, as I never owned a smartphone before that.
I loved trying out apps and tweaking the phone with root, but unfortunately I wasn't careful enough.
Is there any hope for me? Thanks in advance if anyone could help me out.
EDIT: Thank you to both replies! I did as you said and I downloaded the correct firmware. It seems the one I flashed before was actually incompatible. Everything works now thought, I lost all data but better than having no phone.

LuckIsWithMe said:
I have the S7 Edge SM-G935F, which is the exynos version I believe.
It starting with unrooting, which boot looped my device. I have tried samsung kies firmware recovery but the download always stopped at a certain percentage saying an error was found in the dowloaded file. I tried to fix it by flashing what I believed was the stock bootloader with odin but that made my problem worse.
It turns on and shows a red coloured screen, and the voice assistant kicks in to babble but seems to not respond to touch at all. I think I can go into download mode, because I've seen a shop assistant get into it when I took it to see if they can fix it. Unfortunately It would cost 230 euros, which I cannot afford. And in case you are wondering, no I didn't buy the phone. I got it as a birthday gift, as I never owned a smartphone before that.
I loved trying out apps and tweaking the phone with root, but unfortunately I wasn't careful enough.
Is there any hope for me? Thanks in advance if anyone could help me out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go to sammobile.com, create an account & download the latest firmware for SM-G935F. Install Samsung Drivers on pc. Boot device into download mode. Extract the downloaded firmware and use odin to flash it.

In case you don't know there are 2 S7 phones, S7(930F) and S7 Edge(935F) and their firmware files are not exactly interchangeable.
I think you might flash s7 firmware on your s7e since red screen is the same symptoms when you flash S7flat kernel on S7 Edge. The fix is easy, just reflash again with the correct file.
Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

Galaxy A500FU - the phone doesnt turn on

Hello, im new to this forum
Ive bought a Samsung Galaxy A5 back in September 2015 to my girlfriend.
At the time i opened the case to see if it was everything ok with it before giving it to her. unfortunately i installed oficial updates in the phone after connecting the device to the internet.
Wanting to give the phone just like ive bought it, i started to making all things wrong. i tried to reset the phone back to the factory reset (using the volume up + home + power buttons) but after that the version that was still installed was the updated one and not the factory one.
Then i tried to download the factory version from here htt p://updato.com/firmware-archive-select-model?r=&v=&q=Galaxy+A5+205 using odin and this guide htt p://updato.com/how-to/how-to-install-an-official-samsung-stock-firmware-using-odin
it was installed but when the phone restarted it never turned back on again. despite being the correct version for my region i believe i installed a variant version and not the factory reset version.
I tried turning the phone on, using recovery mode and download mode keys but the phone never gave any signal again. plugin in the usb in the pc didnt work either.
I ended up buying the same phone since i wasnt able to solve the problem and her anniversary was close and ended up with an extra but damaged phone.
i never tried to get the phone to the warranty because i knew that i was losing the it the moment i tried to use odin.
is there anything else i can try to solve the phones problem? or is this problem unrecoverable?
thanks in advance

I can't tell you if your phone is unrecoverable but I think you had flashed other variant's rom causing your mobile not turning on. I don't see any a500fu on the website you posted. If possible, could you tell me which variant you had flashed. I had ever experienced a hard-brick when my device was accidentally removed while odin was flashing aboot.mbn. The solution was changing the motherboard which didn't cost much. I would recommend you to flash firmware from sammobile and do NOT use 4.4.4 firmware as few friends on this forum had experienced hard-bricks. If you want, try a usb jig.
Try warranty, you can have the chance of getting it repaired.

akil777 said:
I can't tell you if your phone is unrecoverable but I think you had flashed other variant's rom causing your mobile not turning on. I don't see any a500fu on the website you posted. If possible, could you tell me which variant you had flashed. I had ever experienced a hard-brick when my device was accidentally removed while odin was flashing aboot.mbn. The solution was changing the motherboard which didn't cost much. I would recommend you to flash firmware from ="htt p://www .sammobile.com/"]sammobile and do NOT use 4.4.4 firmware as few friends on this forum had experienced hard-bricks. If you want, try a usb jig.
Try warranty, you can have the chance of getting it repaired.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It must have been other variant rom.
http s://gyazo. com/7ac9dfe107976eeb802cae50a23b23a1 - here is a screenshot
Samsung Galaxy-A500FU - to get there you need to go to "updato" site (first link), place on the search "Galaxy A5" and select Portugal as "region"
There are 7 options, 6 are for locked phones to the main Portuguese operators and one for unlocked phones (i assume), because it says "Porgugal TPH" - TPH means the phone house witch is a store that sells phones and other electronic equipment.
Despite the phone not being bought at the phone house i assumed it was this rom since there was no other one and the phone is not locked to a particular operator.
Ive checked the site you provided and it as almost the same rom´s as updato and the only one that is not locked to a particular operator is TPH one.
So my only option is to use a usb jig to force the phone into download mode? will that work with or without a motherboad change?
please have in mind that the phone does not respond to any other button or combination of buttons comand and trying to charge the phones battery only produces heat at the phone and charger, nothing else happens.

Samsung Galaxy Sky J3 SM-S320VL TracFone not flashing....

Here is the issue. A friend of mine had gone a bought a Galaxy Sky SM-S320VL from TracPhone. And had been using the phone without any problems until a couple of weeks ago. Then he decided to do a Factory Reset. Instead of doing the software reset, from with in Settings, he went and did a HARD Reset without unlocking the google account. And guess what, he can't remember the account information for that phone. And came to me to reset the phone. (As I had to deal with this problem in the past with other people and their phones.)
I have downloaded the only stock rom I can find for this phone and flashed it with Odin3. But for some reason the flashing of the rom is never done. By this I mean, the phone downloads the rom as Odin sends it. Odin reports a Success with the flashing. But, when the phone reboots. The system has not been reset and FRP is still active.
I have flashed only the AP, and the phone reboots directly into setup and shows a message about an unauthorized Factory Reset.
I have flash all 4 files in the ROM set (BL, AP, CP, and CSC). and Odin states the flash was a success. The phone reboots, goes to recovery and states Starting System Update. Goes so far into the update, then stops and shows Erasing. After a short time of showing Erasing it reboots to setup. Where again the phone shows the message about authorized Factory Reset.
I have used Odin3 v3.9.0, v3.11.1, v3.11.2, v3.12.5. And I have updated to the latest USB drivers from Samsung.
So my question is this. Has anyone had come across this behavior before? And how can I get past this?
The phones particulars:
Name: Samsung Galaxy Sky
Model #: SM-S320VL(GP)
OS v: 6.0.1
Firmware #: S320VLUDU2APJ3
Model #, as reported by Downloader: SM-S320VL
Note: As a strange side effect of when I flash all 4 rom files. For some reason once the phone has failed the system update, erased and has reboot. I have complete access to the phones User data area from within my computer. But, I am unable to access the phone with adb.

Hey folks,
I'm having the exact same issue as the OP. Odin does a successful install on the phone but I get the unauthorized reset message and then Wifi does not work when prompted on the next screen.
Is there a tracfone version of the rom or a fix that anyone here knows of? Thanks!

@drasnah
I have yet to get any kind of reply from anyone on this. Either now one knows, and is not stating so, or doesn't care.

I have seen the wi- fi fix in another thread.
Modify /system/build.prop:
ro.securestorage.support=true to false
Hope that helps!

20eyes said:
I have seen the wi- fi fix in another thread.
Modify /system/build.prop:
ro.securestorage.support=true to false
Hope that helps!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First this is not a wi-fi problem it is a re-flashing of the rom problem.
Second, I do not have access, root or otherwise, to any of the system files on the phone.
Third, with the first two in mind this possible solution is of no help.
Fourth, Re-read my original post. I have given complete detailed information as to what I have access to and what I have done.

Can someone send me a download think for this phone i downloaded one but it won't flash it keeps failing

This device has been locked down by Tradphone and Samsung. It gives errors flashing even the correct stock firmware. It's a piece of garbage. NEVER buy anything from Tracphone. Garbage company. You'll never fix this issue. Only pushed updates will flash via software from sammy and tracphone that is built into the rom..

Curtis1973 said:
This device has been locked down by Tradphone and Samsung. It gives errors flashing even the correct stock firmware. It's a piece of garbage. NEVER buy anything from Tracphone. Garbage company. You'll never fix this issue. Only pushed updates will flash via software from sammy and tracphone that is built into the rom..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure if that's correct? It depends on the firmware and odin version being used.
---------- Post added at 10:00 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:58 PM ----------
Nate1k904 said:
Can someone send me a download think for this phone i downloaded one but it won't flash it keeps failing
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Post more details on the error, screenshots, firmware and odin version used.

Need to know if works. Or if needing to settle for a different route.
The_WABBIT said:
Here is the issue. A friend of mine had gone a bought a Galaxy Sky SM-S320VL from TracPhone. And had been using the phone without any problems until a couple of weeks ago. Then he decided to do a Factory Reset. Instead of doing the software reset, from with in Settings, he went and did a HARD Reset without unlocking the google account. And guess what, he can't remember the account information for that phone. And came to me to reset the phone. (As I had to deal with this problem in the past with other people and their phones.)
I have downloaded the only stock rom I can find for this phone and flashed it with Odin3. But for some reason the flashing of the rom is never done. By this I mean, the phone downloads the rom as Odin sends it. Odin reports a Success with the flashing. But, when the phone reboots. The system has not been reset and FRP is still active.
I have flashed only the AP, and the phone reboots directly into setup and shows a message about an unauthorized Factory Reset.
I have flash all 4 files in the ROM set (BL, AP, CP, and CSC). and Odin states the flash was a success. The phone reboots, goes to recovery and states Starting System Update. Goes so far into the update, then stops and shows Erasing. After a short time of showing Erasing it reboots to setup. Where again the phone shows the message about authorized Factory Reset.
I have used Odin3 v3.9.0, v3.11.1, v3.11.2, v3.12.5. And I have updated to the latest USB drivers from Samsung.
So my question is this. Has anyone had come across this behavior before? And how can I get past this?
The phones particulars:
Name: Samsung Galaxy Sky
Model #: SM-S320VL(GP)
OS v: 6.0.1
Firmware #: S320VLUDU2APJ3
Model #, as reported by Downloader: SM-S320VL
Note: As a strange side effect of when I flash all 4 rom files. For some reason once the phone has failed the system update, erased and has reboot. I have complete access to the phones User data area from within my computer. But, I am unable to access the phone with adb.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
J3 sm s320vl... tracfone root availability? Just bought phone hopefully got a good one to root? Or maybe someone knows who maybe be able to... please help

No updates? Interested, I have the same phone.

There is no solution for this phone. It will forever be a Trac-phone.
Yes, it nice to imagine what could had been. If there was a fix for the locked bootloader. Its encrypted, and is highly unlikely to be broken by anyone.
Do not flash the boot.image that some people have suggested
Although that method works on some devices such as the AT&T Samsung Galaxy S5. In this case flashing the boot.image from an unlocked device does nothing but places the phone into an even more precarious situation, that makes it unusable even as a Trac phone.
While its true that this very low budget phone could had been decent with a custom Rom ,
You will not be able to get it working.
I have one that belonged to my daughter a couple of years ago and I managed to get it boot into the system again.
Its only function is as a calculator, or preschool game, the cellular reception and Wifi connections are highly unstable and will not stay connected.
Now it serves as my nieces play toy. I would donate to some poor person at the Salvation Army it if it was useable.
By the way, for anyone reading this.
If you have an old phone that is useable. You could dramatically help a Homeless people, by gifting them with a phone especially, if it has some minutes on it.
This gift will help them schedule job interviews, doctors appointments , etc and you will feel good knowing that you helped someone in need.
I have done this before, and will be dropping off a Blu phone, and Kindle Tablet this week.

tsongming said:
There is no solution for this phone. It will forever be a Trac-phone..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is possible to gain root on this device.

ashyx said:
It is possible to gain root on this device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have permissible SE Status but can not achieve root on this device. Also, I have not found that anyone has had success rooting this exact model.
To be clear my device is the 2016 TracFone Samsung Galaxy J3 Sky model : SM-S320VL
Build S320VUDU1APG2
Hardware Version S320 VL04
I have found reports of people with S320VLUDU2API3 stating that the were able to achieve root and then assumed that it must also be possible with S320VUDU1APG2.
I am usually the guy that can figure these things out, very often before others. But I have had no success gaining root on this device using published methods. Also, I have not seen one example of someone with this identical device who gained root.
You are apparently the Wizard of these Samsung phones, so if you know of a definite way to root it, please point me towards the solution. I would really appreciate it.
I would love to root this phone, get it working again, and gift it to lady who was beaten by her husband and she is now living in a homeless shelter with her two children. She could use a phone to help with her job search. She would appreciate it.
At the moment this phone can will not keep a signal and I can't attempt the build prop solution without root.
Thank you.

tsongming said:
I have permissible SE Status but can not achieve root on this device. Also, I have not found that anyone has had success rooting this exact model.
To be clear my device is the 2016 TracFone Samsung Galaxy J3 Sky model : SM-S320VL
Build S320VUDU1APG2
Hardware Version S320 VL04
I have found reports of people with S320VLUDU2API3 stating that the were able to achieve root and then assumed that it must also be possible with S320VUDU1APG2.
I am usually the guy that can figure these things out, very often before others. But I have had no success gaining root on this device using published methods. Also, I have not seen one example of someone with this identical device who gained root.
You are apparently the Wizard of these Samsung phones, so if you know of a definite way to root it, please point me towards the solution. I would really appreciate it.
I would love to root this phone, get it working again, and gift it to lady who was beaten by her husband and she is now living in a homeless shelter with her two children. She could use a phone to help with her job search. She would appreciate it.
At the moment this phone can will not keep a signal and I can't attempt the build prop solution without root.
Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See the thread below. Root was gained, albeit temporary. However I believe this is due to kernel panics which may be solved by a few build.prop edits. We had to do the same on the J327T1.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-j3-2016/help/samsung-galaxy-j3-sm-s320vl-rooted-t3561762
Also if you firmware S320VUDU1APG2 then why not just update it to the firmware that has been reported to work?

I have found one these phones left on a table of a food truck area, screen was cracked - the device was only getting the android guy with triangle on it, I done some research and found the stock rom and flashed it with odin; as some have mentioned in comments above I also experienced wifi issue, so I thought I had installed incorrect rom - downloaded a different one this was a combination file that was the factory repair rom used for testing the device, but wifi worked - it wasn't a fully working telephone it didnt have the app store, well it really didnt have any apps, but I found I could copy over apk files from my PC to the device and then install them, so the phones not completely useless or junk --- it could be used for something. I myself am using that device as a security camera using IP CAM app works great. I was actually using this device for quiet some time as my roku tv remote, because my actual roku remote grown legs and walked off... i havent tried this, but I am sure you could install a launcher apk such as "apex launcher"
well i wasted enough of your time today...