Database Users

Soft Bricked(Hard Bricked partially) Note4 SM-N910P

Alright, Wow a lot has changed here since I got the Note 4!! I no longer use it since I got the A9 from HTC after this one went kaput. Heres the sitch'.....I am super frustrated since the issue I have is a lot like many others ive read all over the internet with just one difference...the USB is not being recognized so I can't use Odin....yes I have tried many different computers, cables etc....the thing was and is still new bout 6 months old before i messed it up so I cant believe that something would or could have easily fried the USB port already. Nothing I have done comes to mind where that could have occurred and could be bad luck getting bad port from the start but unlikely...SO....making it worse is I can boot to stock recovery and the weirdest thing happens when I try to pick any option other than wipe cache or factory reset....it comes up and says dm verity failed, whatever option i chose is disabled!! WTH??? I have been in this awhile so this isnt my first rodeo by far and I have yet to see this.
My question is....HOW can this be fixed...counting out replacing the USB port(that may not be the major cause), I am not sure JTAG will work....most other options all require some sort of PC to Mobile connection to be working and I can't ever get QPST through QXDM to see it( i may be doing it wrong or missing a step....possible since Ive found most instructions to be missing vital information, especially for some of us who may be more green), AND Ive tried creating bootable sd card to use in download mode. The latter option is also very hard to find complete information on process and files needed to properly do so pertaining to this specific variant. The stock recovery i think woukld be the best bet but HOW CAN I ENABLE the options in recovery that are now disable???
I apologize to anyone annoyed if I am asking a question that is often asked.....bear in mind I have another handset I am working on that is completely different that takes up way more time lol, I have searched for weeks on this issue and nothing substantial can be found thanks to to much incomplete information given out AND no one seems to know how to fixed the recovery issue or even had it. Any help will be totally appreciated.....Thanks

How can I recover data from my Core Prime SM-G360G with a broken screen of death? :-o

Hello experts!
First off I do admit I have cross posted some information here. Perhaps I should have just asked here first. As a lot of research I have been doing lead me here. I am also aware of the XY problem. So I am giving what information I have on my problem and what I have done to resolve it. In a nutshell I need to recover app data from internal storage.
So here is yet another story of a dropped Samsung Galaxy BSOD. The broken screen of death! :-o
So I dropped my phone and the screen broke, fixed it then put on a screen protector that fractured the new screen in my pocket, of all things. Through that it spiraled out and it needed a new LCD as well as screen which failed to repair as LCD remains blank now. I suspect the display controller has somehow fried. Decided to give up and buy a new phone.
My broken phone is a Core Prime G360G. The digitizer doesn't respond. The LCD is blank. The side buttons, volume, power and home, work fine.
The good news. It turns on and technically still works. It has no screen lock. I can plug it in to computer via USB and it mounts over MTP. I can also install apps remotely (so to speak) from another computer from the Play site. I've installed Samsung Switch this way. Switch does work and I managed to back up files from the Windows program which is good but in my case it isn't smart enough as it doesn't back up app data which I need. I also have AirDroid installed and can reach it that way I but didn't enable mirroring before the incident. Trying to use that to download an app (~10MB in my case) just results in the browser stalling.
The bad news. It is not rooted. It has stock standard firmware. USB debugging is not enabled. Last time I tested OTG wasn't supported. At least not for OTG USB sticks.
So in effect it's rooted without being rooted! Yes, i know, I know, Android rule of thumb; before you accidentally drop your phone, even without planning it, and not being a seer, enable USB debugging for no apparent reason! It all makes sense now.
I've spent the last two weeks reading forums all over the place, blogs and watching videos about how to recover data with a broken screen. And in almost all cases they tell you to enable USB debugging. Well that's nice advice and about as useful as advising someone with a broken toilet to sit down, do their business and then flush it! And is met with equally crappy commentary pointing the conundrum out.
My computer has Windows (Vista) and Linux (Mint 64). I read all about ADB and installed this on both Windows and Linux. And tried to talk to it that way with adb and fastboot which failed. I then read of Samsung devices being different, with a download mode, and using this Odin or Heimdall program. So I could "see" the process I tested with my new phone (a J5 Prime as it happens) and learned I needed to use download mode and how to enter it on boot. Recovery mode didn't work as expected. Heimdall was the only program that would work. I managed to view the PIT on my J5. Odin did see my phone but I found the interface harder to work with at first.
I tried on my Core. Blindly got it into download mode. Heimdall could see it. But the transport was buggy as I kept getting USB errors. I ended up removing it then compiling Heimdall v1.4.2 from source. This worked better, even though it was giving empty bulk transfer warnings, but it managed to download the PIT file. So at this point I can blindly get my Core into download mode and am able to communicate with it using Heimdall.
This is where I am at. I would prefer it if a screen mirroring app could be installed that would load up and activate remotely when a client run on my computer is loaded up. I don't care if it is VNC or how it connects. But it would need to load itself up on the phone and work without needing intervention on the phone and without USB debugging. If there is an emergency mirroring app on the Play store or even an APK that can be installed remotely, using AirDroid or any other means, I would be happy to test it. I'd write one myself if knew how to write an app! LOL.
If USB debugging could be enabled by any remote means then I am welcome to hear how. It opens a window to possibility. But a window that is hard to open if it's locked.
So I would prefer to keep this at the app level if possible. Since apps can help. But if need be as long as it doesn't destroy data I am willing to install a custom recovery image. It looks like I will need to do this as I have exhausted all other possibilities. At least, when I read of the latest broken screen mirroring app, there is always a catch of it needing debugging or activating on the phone.
Although there is support for other Core Prime variants, support for my specific G360G model seems to be lacking. The information I read looks vague at best. I read about CWM and TWRP. But on the TWRP site, although there is Core Prime images, nothing is listed for exactly a G360G. There is no point to me flashing TWRP recover image only to find it doesn't work and I have bricked recovery mode. I'd look like a right twerp!
So guys, after all the info I have given you, what's the next step? Thanks.

Okay so just an update here. I have some good news and bad news on my part. I've been hacking around with customising recovery and modifying compatible recovery images in order to get debugging activated.
The good news is I got USB debugging enabled. The bad news is my computer is unauthorised.
I'm stuck at this point. I updated the adb_keys file with what was on my computer and it won't budge. I finally get somewhere and now I've once again hit a wall. This is just so annoying. :-x

The final countdown. After months of cracking and hacking I've broken in! I modded my hack to create the needed folder just to be sure and updated my RSA key. Applied the firmware patch and let it reboot. Even while booting I knew something was different. The digitizer started responding to my touch and making water noises. Which was strange as I never noticed it doing that before.
I issued an adb command and it was accepted. I could then browse around the system. I already had screen mirroring software installed and all it needed was USB debugging working and suddenly it worked. This was a blessing as I found that trying to do other things like going into a root shell or do an adb backup caused a requester to come up on screen. Had I not been able to satisfy that on a virtual screen I would have run into the same trap of circles I had just climbed out of. Having a rooted phone with no root access.
I was then able to install a backup app and extract the data out. Hooray! I had actually installed it from Google Play site remotely but found there was no space for it and it had failed. But the account said it was installed. With a view to a mobile I could then remove another app and install it from Play on the phone itself. Given how well this worked once I learned what was needed to be done I suppose I should make up a guide. An automated script to create an ADB patch wouldn't go far astray.

*[SM-910W8] Broken USB. Root via SD Card?*

Hi all,
I'm just about at my wits end here. I have a Note 4 (N910W8) with a failed USB connection and I would really like to root it. The underlying goal is to remove/disable all samsung bloatware.
WRT the USB, I have tried adjusting developer options, *#0808#, updating drivers, changing cables, changing PC's, etc. I've tried everything I could find online. Recently, I took it to a local shop and learned that the problem is not with the USB port/board, but the motherboard itself. I'm not going to pay to replace it. I have googled far and wide. As far as I can tell, this phone will never again connect to a PC via USB. So, download mode and Odin are out.
I have tried TowelRoot, KingoRoot, and other apk's, but I am on Android 6.0.1 (MMB29M/GLW-N910W8VLS1DPK1) so all of these exploits have been patched.
I am able to boot into (stock) recovery mode, so I thought I'd try recovering via SD card, however that doesn't work either. First I get a loading screen of the mascot with a spinning wireframe polygon in his belly and the message "installing system update". Then after ~15 seconds, the mascot is on his back with a red warning symbol over his belly, and the text "No Command." is displayed. I'm not sure what that's all about, because I have the latest update installed.
Any attempts to install CF-Autoroot or another recovery firmware (ie https://samsung-firmware.org/model/SM-N910W8/region/GLW/ , or https://forum.xda-developers.com/note-4/snapdragon-dev/trltecan-n910w8-aoa1-stock-rooted-t3025538, etc) from SD (in recovery mode) have been met with the same error messages:
E:footer is wrong
E:signature verification failed
I'm not sure why because at least some of these recovery firmwares claim to be official builds. Granted, they are older versions (downgrades), but are signed nonetheless.
I have tried installing TWRP or CWM so I can disable signature verification, but AFAIK the device must already be rooted to install these (which seems like a bizarre catch-22, but maybe I'm confused) so that's a no-go.
It certainly feels like I have explored every possible avenue, but I have one remaining idea. Perhaps if the phone doesn't want to downgrade, I could force its hand by carefully soft-bricking the current rom in a controlled manner, then performing a recovery from SD with an official 4.4.4 KitKat build, and finally, using the towelroot/kingoroot/etc exploit to gain root access.
I mean, why else would there be a recover-from-SD option in the stock recovery menu? There must be a way to get it to accept a recovery build...
It's a last resort. But I'm willing to try it. The phone boots up, but is so bloated and laggy that it's practically unusable. Still. Am I missing anything? Surely there's some way to skip the USB / Odin method. What do you guys think? Is it time to go hulk on this thing? Is there any hope left? Curious to see how much further this rabbithole can go.
Cheers and thanks guys.

I've searched for ways to soft-brick, but have not come across anything. The bootloader appears to be locked, which is odd because I thought that only applied to Verizon variants.
I have recently downloaded an ADB/fastboot package for windows so I could attempt ADB over WiFi, however I can't establish a connection. I thought I'd do some more poking around on the phone side, so I installed some Wireless ADB apps. They all indicate a root is required, so I think that might be a dead end. I also connected to a ubuntu machine. Nothing. The phone charges, but both the PC and Ubuntu machine show zero signs of any connection at all.
There has to be some kind of SD-based solution to this. You can boot a computer from an SD card / USB stick and use that to access files (on an unencryped partition), and I'd be happy to do that here and delete those bloatware APK's directly... but I guess phones don't behave like other computers.
I've picked all the low hanging fruit. A part of me believes that there are some sneaky hacker ways to get at this without USB (ie some sort of rootkit) but that's way beyond my abilities. I'm going to take a break and attack this again once I have fresh ideas.

I'm in the same boat (busted usb port), does your phone still fast charge? Mine stopped fast charging.

I too have the same problem, except with the Note 10.1 2014. I know that is a different forum, but if you find a solution, it might be adaptable to my problem. I too have exhausted all other options as described above. Please someone, there must be a way to root via SD card instead of Odin. Help us please!

Me too. I have a Note Pro 12.1 running Lollipop. USB is busted and I've already replaced the port and ribbon, so it must be the motherboard. I mainly need it for Titanium backup, so I don't have to reinstall large games over my limited connection.

I have the same problem. Note 4 N910H. Not recognized by pc, stopped fast charging shows usb charging in battery settings. AFAIK I just re-rooted the phone before it went bust. There is no solution except changing the motherboard. Also this problem seems to be quite common.

Tab A6 SM T580 (2016) Can't flash ROM, stuck in DL mode

Hi all
As the title says. I've run into problems trying to flash a new ROM.
I used TWRP to flash a custom ROM but didn't like it so wanted to go back to stock. I'm not sure/can't remember what happened (been up till 4am for 2 nights trying to fix it), but it's now stuck. I can get into DL mode (pale blue/turqoise screen) and have tried flashing various stock ROMS but am running into problems that may be driver related.
I don't/have nevwer has Kise installed. I have tried various Samsung USB drivers. Some seem to have been invisible, but the one I'm using now (can't remember version but it's a few vesions old) is visible in Windows 7 device manager as Samsung modem which says it's working (for what that's worth). When I plugged the device in, the taskbar popped up to say the driver was installing.
I've tried a few versions of Odin. They all say <added> in the dialogue box, and 0:[com4] is added to the little box above and changes colour. I'm assuming that means that Odin can see the device ok?
After browsing for the stock ROM BL, AP, and CSC files, they get checked for MD5 which all seems ok, and then when I start Odin, nothing much happens, a few lines of text - file analysis, setup connection, and if I'm lucky it gets to NAND write start... and then nothing. I left it in that state last night and 10 hours later nothing had happened.
I'm hoping that this is something simple but I've exhausted my knowledge and need some help.
Most important question: Is this device recoverable? If not, there's no point in banging my head against the wall.
Secondly, am I on the right track or do I need to be doing something else? (if so, please point me in the right direction)
Is this as simple as the drivers not working right and should I continue to try different driver versions along with different USB sockets and cables? (tried a few cables including what I think is the unused OEM one). Is there a way to check that the driver is actually working or is its presence in device manager the only indication?
I've tried several Odin versions also.
Nothing I've tried has got past the NAND write, and I only managed to get that far last night.
How long approx should it take to flash and is there any progress indication on either Odin or device? (There's no point in waiting an hour if I should see something happening within 2 minutes, I may as well cancel and try something else)
I'm sorry for having to ask because I know to some of you, this may seem a simple problem and you may roll your eyes, but I really have tried everything I know and need to know if there is a chance what I've been doing will suddenly work or if I need to do something else or give up entirely. I never ask for help on a forum without trying my best to research and solve the problem.
TIA
Edit
I tried again, and left it showing at NAND writing, and after annhour or two, it completed, but failed. I don't know if this is a time out thing or whether it tried and failed. Without knowing if I'm on the right track there' s no point in repeating the same actions that are going to fail.

Must admit, expected some kind of response by now.
You may not have all the answers but if you may have part of one answer. I don't have anything to lose because the device will be going into landfill unless something happens.

cecr said:
Must admit, expected some kind of response by now.
You may not have all the answers but if you may have part of one answer. I don't have anything to lose because the device will be going into landfill unless something happens.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Boot into recovery and factory reset. Then, with the latest stock ROM available, flash only the AP and BL modules. If Odin shows "added" when you plug in the cable, then the driver is working. Have you tried a different USB cable?

Did you try using the latest patched Odin? If it says added then the driver is working so it can't be a driver problem. It usually doesnt take more than 10 minutes to flash stock rom so don't wait an hour. As @lewmur said try flashing just the BL and AP files and try different USB cables and sockets also avoid using a USB hub.

Custom ROM suggestions for Samsung J7 Sky Pro SM-727VL(GP)

Could someone please point me in the direction of a custom ROM that will (or even might) work on Samsung j7 sky pro SM-272VL(GP)
Before anyone suggests, I have already read all of the information out there on rooting, ODIN, TWRP, etc for this phone. It sounds like several have tried, but no one has actually been able to gain root, although there may be hope for that due to security flaw https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/45379 mentioned in this post #21
SM-S727VL Analysis, Partition Table, and Factory
-- UPDATE #1 (11/05/18) added So I've got myself a Tracfone Variant of the Samsung J7, The "Galaxy J7 Sky Pro" [SM-S727VL] CDMA. As far as I can tell, this variant is sold on both the Tracfone and StraightTalk carriers, and it seems to just run...
forum.xda-developers.com
I have also read all of the only other thread out there on this device on the subject of rooting, or anything really:
SM-S727VL Root and Recovery
I cannot for the life of me get this phone rooted or a recovery installed. Odin always fails and ADB doesn't recognize the device. Does anyone have any info on rooting this device? I really just want to at least be able to update this thing to...
forum.xda-developers.com
However not much was accomplished in these peoples attempts other than a bricked phone or 2, and most of the participants seem to have moved onto other devices.
I however do not have any issue with needing to root as I own the device, and as it is I can boot into a recovery ODIN mode that says that FRP Lock is off, and the screen is showing a "download in progress" background to a console, waiting for me to send the updated firmware/custom ROM/whatever from the USB cable. See attached image.
I run Linux and have for the last 20 years have used too many Distros to count, but can work with most any, but prefer debian based although I have much respect for Gentoo, and their compile everything package management, and have spent considerable time on it as well. l have unlocked and installed custom ROM's of of many types on many phones, and am working with the combined experience of myself, and my friend who has done the same, except even more on more different devices than myself. But neither of us has worked on such an obscure model as this one with so little information posted publicly on the internet for anyone to find as this one. But if there is a way to do it, I'm sure between the two of us, we can and will make it happen.
Can anyone be of any help? I would really like to get something out of the phone for the $100 that it cost me. Things I would like to run would be Kali Nethunter, and/or Andrax or Cyanogenmod/LineageOS or really any other AOSP that is not google f***ed. Basically any custom ROM (whichever, whatever type and version has the best chance of working on this phone, since there are none posted publicly that are specifically made for this device that we can find for this obscure, excessively undocumented model of phone. Just getting TWRP will be a good start, and I'm pretty sure we can handle that. However in the mentioned posts even the the TWRP file that is made for this phone, people are having troubles installing in their experiences, and bricking their phones in the process, so I definitelly would prefer not to have a repeat of what happened there.
Thank you in advanced for any and all information, hints, tips, tricks, etc. I would like to not brick this phone as the only other person who attempted to do anything with this phone unfortunately had done.