Database Users

[Poll]Should I root My Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 ?

Should I root My Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 ?
Model : GT-N8000
Country : Malaysia
BTW will root cause the Tab to become slow ?
Do I need stock recovery to get OTA ?

As always if you have to ask then the answer is no .
You root when apps or mods require root only .
Root voids warranty ..
This is not the Tab forum do not use any firmware or mods from here on a Tab .
Do I need stock recovery to get OTA
Yes stock and original with no root for OTA .
jje

If you are happy with your Note, than it's not necessary.
I rooted mine, because it was still on 4.0.3, and that is the reason for the many bad reviews on the internet.
After upgrading to 4.1.2, it was like a whole new tablet.

JJEgan said:
As always if you have to ask then the answer is no .
You root when apps or mods require root only .
Root voids warranty ..
This is not the Tab forum do not use any firmware or mods from here on a Tab .
Do I need stock recovery to get OTA
Yes stock and original with no root for OTA .
jje
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is not the Tab forum
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What you mean ? I tot I am at the correct forum ?

ic3tea said:
What you mean ? I tot I am at the correct forum ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're from Malaysia..me too.
Btw you're in correct forum.When you wrote tab people will confuse it with galaxy tab and root will not slowing down your note.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium

I actually liked my Note even at 4.0.3.. but I rooted so I could use the Multiwindow manager for multiwindow.. EVERYWHERE!

asdfuogh said:
I actually liked my Note even at 4.0.3.. but I rooted so I could use the Multiwindow manager for multiwindow.. EVERYWHERE!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So that I will try and root but BTW just asking is HighXXXXXXXX CMW Recovery good or Darkman Recovery Good ?
TWRP is only for stock rom right ?

There are many benefits to root. All the flashable files here require it.
But technically you will void your warranty.
However there are ways to get back to stock and "unroot" so mostly no one will know the difference if you have to return it.
Both recoveries are good, but HighOnAndroid supported a couple ROMs that Darkman didn't, though I'm not sure this is still the case

blud7 said:
There are many benefits to root. All the flashable files here require it.
But technically you will void your warranty.
However there are ways to get back to stock and "unroot" so mostly no one will know the difference if you have to return it.
Both recoveries are good, but HighOnAndroid supported a couple ROMs that Darkman didn't, though I'm not sure this is still the case
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How about TWRP Recovery ? TWRP Recovery only work in stoock rom ?

ic3tea said:
So that I will try and root but BTW just asking is HighXXXXXXXX CMW Recovery good or Darkman Recovery Good ?
TWRP is only for stock rom right ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You will need to flash the HighXXXXXXXX CMW in ODIN to get root and cwm. You can then flash either darkman recovery with CWM, TWRP recovery or stay as is..
TWRP recovery isa modified recovery like the other 2 and requires root to use. If you look around you'll find the stock recovery too.

I root my tab with Darkman Recorvey is easy then I tot . Thx you guys .
Sent from my GT-N8000 using XDA Premium HD app

Yes! Rooting is the way to go. There are ways around the warranty issues.
My main reason for rooting is for these essential apps:
Titanium Backup
Ad Blocker
Mobile ODIN
Triangle Away
ROM Toolbox Pro
and many more apps that have useful extended capabilities once rooted.

Some Con's of rooting
1) good mobile app no longer works after rooting.
So if u use good mobile for checking corporate emails, rooting device will break this.
2) there will be some overhead for you to upgrade device when any new firmwares are released. If u are a very busy professional, then this is an overhead you can live without.
3) there are and there always will be chances that you may brick your device.
4) I think u legaly void warranty on device by unlocking it. (I am assuming u want to root to load different firmware)
I am not discouraging.. just givin you other side of the coin.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk

smrsxn said:
Some Con's of rooting
1) good mobile app no longer works after rooting.
So if u use good mobile for checking corporate emails, rooting device will break this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry to bump a three month old thread, but would anyone know whether the Lotus Traveler app used for syncing corporate email and calendar works after rooting? Good is trash, so I'm not surprised it wouldn't work. There's not much of a downside finding out for myself by rooting my Note 10.1 because I intend to keep flying stock on my Note 2; but I thought someone might save me the time and trouble.

JasW said:
Sorry to bump a three month old thread, but would anyone know whether the Lotus Traveler app used for syncing corporate email and calendar works after rooting? Good is trash, so I'm not surprised it wouldn't work. There's not much of a downside finding out for myself by rooting my Note 10.1 because I intend to keep flying stock on my Note 2; but I thought someone might save me the time and trouble.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For Lotus Traveler - I have no idea. I am unlucky enough to have Lotus Domino for our corporate e-mail and I hate it with a passion.
I have installed and configured Aqua Mail to connect to our Domino server (IMAP) and I can confirm that it works perfectly after rooting. You just need your IT guys to ensure that you have web access enabled. I set mine to check for mail every 15 minutes, if it's more urgent than that then why is it an email anyway.

Rom Noob tips, from a noob, please feel free to correct, add or expand on any points
General rooting options
Titbits
- rooting under normal circumstances shouldnt slow your system, in fact most devs i believe will attempt to make their roms bring out the best performance from that particular tab/phone you may own, throught software optimizations, in cojunction with working as best as it can with your specific hardware, although, sometimes you may have a N8013(american wifi version), the dev may have the n8000(3g version).......n810 is the european wifi version...................weve been mixing and matching rom versions here, i.e. using a n8000 rom on a n8010 hardware, ive done it, as far as i know, no adverse effects, well at least no obvious signs of em
- Usually, the process of flashing a rom will first involve rooting your tablet, and then flashing a recovery, which replaces the official one that may already be on your tab, the official one is usually pretty limited in what you can do, the custom RECOVERY is flashed because it gives you these options, but not limited
-factory reset
used when, flashing new rom, best to use the recovery when ever you wanna factory reset, i dont know if this was a oje of, or just specific to my situation, but ive used the android factory reset on my tf201 asus prime, after having rooted, custom recovery and been running a custom rom for some time, and it soft brick, since thats happenened ive been shy to do it on any android device, which is cool, as the custom recovery is a beatiful thing.......maybe someone can expand on or correct that suspicion
- wipes
cache- wipe your app cache
Davlik - someone gonna have to chime in there
factory/data reset- brings back your android back to its original state, wipes your data, that means, all apps installed, all settings changed
format - allows you to format the different seperate sections of your android rom, example of the different sections would be......kernel, os, sd hardrive ........
nandroid - the best part of a custom recovery in my opinion, the ability to completely back up your rom, settings, apps, homescreens, widgets......essentially, restoring your android EXACTLY where you left off, the few seconds before, it takes to boot into recovery and start the backup procedure..........you can also backup and restore only certain sections of your rom, so you may decide to back up just the kernel, or you may decide to restore, JUST the kernel from a FULL previous backup (that is, all sections backed up, minus, the sd hardrive,
Unless you specifically FORMAT the sd card, it usually wont be touched......id advice caution and reading up, before making a decision to format sd harddrive, with a custom RECOVERY, that may not know the requirements to your android device, i.e. a custom kernel ported from another android device from another company....plus, formatting sd harddrive is not really a thing done all the time, not unless you are thinking about starting from scratch, i mean, REALLY fresh, disclaimer:this would wipe any files you have stored on your android devices, specifically, documents, pics, vids so on so forth
- stock rom
the original android OS shipped with the device
- stock based rom
tweaked stock rom, speed, battery other mods
-CM (CynogenMod)
third party rom, built from the ground up, kinda....there are other different flavors of third party roms, CM is one of them
-when flashing a new rom, it is strongly advised by most devs to wipe cache/davlick and factory reset....before flashing, this helps avoid any conflicts with the previous rom and the new rom......at this point, if you were to reboot, rather then flash the rom, you would have essentially reset the rom to its original state, that means re-entering your wifi, changing settings, installing apps, generally a pain in the ass, if you find your self having to do it to many times in a short period.....titanium backup(root) is your friend, does a good job at backing up your apps and wifi.....havent figured out how to backup the settings i change in the android setting
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.keramidas.TitaniumBackup
-quick boot
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.siriusapplications.quickboot
This free app, is a life saver when your new rom doesnt give you the option to reboot into your recovery, sometime found in hold power button/restart/recovery.......just more quicker then the manual way......especially when your having to google up the hardware method because you've not done it in a while and forgotten......which i believe is power off/hold volume down key/then press hold power button/wait for samsung logo/then let go of all buttons and reapettedly press volume up key untill the recovery shows up.......if you end up in DOWNLOAD mode, hold power to switch off, and repeat the process, changing the volume key, its one or the other, one takes you to the recovery, the other to download mode......so just reverse the volume keys, same method, just up instead of down
- supersu/superuser
installable app, that hands out root permission to apps that ask for root, if you dont expresly give persmision, using a supersu app, the app asking for root permission most likely will not work.... .....this app is installed as part of the rooting process
- afwall+ (free)
third party wifi/3g firewall, requires root........allows you to control what apps are able to use your wif/3g......i think its a passive firwall, as in, it uses very little of your resources, in the way it operates
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=dev.ukanth.ufirewall
- rom flashing
sometimes, if you have already flashed a custom rom, and the dev has released the next version of his custom rom, as long as no drastic changes have been made between the two versions, you are able to flash the new version over the old version, keeping all your settings/apps/homescreen/widgets.......although a cache and davlik wipe is usually suggested if doing so
ive forgotten half of what i was originally going to write, so ill just leave it there before i rack my brains .......goodluck whatever you decide

Yes :good:

if it was me?
yea i would do it. it brings life to an old tablet. the 80XX tablets were abandoned by samsung. there are custom roms for Oreo the latest Android OS for N8000. i have a 8020 but no custom roms at the moment.

Good been waiting a whole 5 years for a reply .

[Q] TWRP wont install (complete newbie about custumizing android device)

Hello, everybody.
First I'd like to thank xda for existing and providing for such a great place for customization of phones, getting information and giving great tools.
Now, I'm a complete and utter newbie when it comes to this, this is my first android device ever and I haven't bothered doing any customization with phones ever since I retired my old Motorolla a925 in 2007 or so.
So I'm trying to be really cautious when installing a new ROM and have some questions:
First one is concerning TWRP. I cannot install it. I downloaded Goomanager like I was told, pushed the 'install OpenRecoveryScript' but it says that "No recoveries were found for your device". I suspect this is because the phone I bought was already rooted. My friends visited Dubai previous week and brought it for me from there.
If this helps, my build is N9005XXUMBMI7. Also, I cannot update my device because "Your device has been modified. Software updates are not available."
Do I have to install updates and TWRP manually or change my build?
Second, what kind of ROM would you guys suggest? What are the most popular ones?
There are so many of them and since I'm so new about all of this I have barely any idea how they differ from one another. Someone told me that Cyogenmod is really great for Android devices and suggested Slim Bean but after searching a bit on the net it seems that they are not available for Note 3. Does anyone know if they are developing them for Note 3 yet and when they will be available?
My personal criteria for custom ROMs go like this: improving the performance and batter as much as possible. Removing as much as possible of bloatware, freeing up as much as possible space.
Third,
reading the installation guides I'm not certain if when I'm installing a custom ROM should I keep the ROM files on the computer, connect the phone and then install. Or should I put the files in the internal memory? Or do I put them on the SD card, put the SD card into the phone and install from there?
Thanks for reading this, I apologize if I made an impasse. I tried to search a little bit but couldn't find answers.

DkayBlack said:
Hello, everybody.
First I'd like to thank xda for existing and providing for such a great place for customization of phones, getting information and giving great tools.
Now, I'm a complete and utter newbie when it comes to this, this is my first android device ever and I haven't bothered doing any customization with phones ever since I retired my old Motorolla a925 in 2007 or so.
So I'm trying to be really cautious when installing a new ROM and have some questions:
First one is concerning TWRP. I cannot install it. I downloaded Goomanager like I was told, pushed the 'install OpenRecoveryScript' but it says that "No recoveries were found for your device". I suspect this is because the phone I bought was already rooted. My friends visited Dubai previous week and brought it for me from there.
If this helps, my build is N9005XXUMBMI7. Also, I cannot update my device because "Your device has been modified. Software updates are not available."
Do I have to install updates and TWRP manually or change my build?
Second, what kind of ROM would you guys suggest? What are the most popular ones?
There are so many of them and since I'm so new about all of this I have barely any idea how they differ from one another. Someone told me that Cyogenmod is really great for Android devices and suggested Slim Bean but after searching a bit on the net it seems that they are not available for Note 3. Does anyone know if they are developing them for Note 3 yet and when they will be available?
My personal criteria for custom ROMs go like this: improving the performance and batter as much as possible. Removing as much as possible of bloatware, freeing up as much as possible space.
Third,
reading the installation guides I'm not certain if when I'm installing a custom ROM should I keep the ROM files on the computer, connect the phone and then install. Or should I put the files in the internal memory? Or do I put them on the SD card, put the SD card into the phone and install from there?
Thanks for reading this, I apologize if I made an impasse. I tried to search a little bit but couldn't find answers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First your device must be rooted. to check if it is rooted get Root checker from playstore and run it. Go to main page of TWRP, search for your device ie Samsung galaxy Note 3, choose your device code ie International hlte or whatever your device code may be. Click it then go down the list of servers to download the file to your computer. once the file has been downloaded, use Odin to flash it under PDA then reboot.
After you have Custom Recovery installed, you can Flash any ROM written for your device model ie N9005 or N900 etc...To flash ROMs you need to have the ROM zip file in either your internal storage or your external SD Card. I most of the time download them straight into my my SD Card to save myself from transferring the file from my computer to my phone.
Good luck.

doodydood said:
First your device must be rooted. to check if it is rooted get Root checker from playstore and run it. Go to main page of TWRP, search for your device ie Samsung galaxy Note 3, choose your device code ie International hlte or whatever your device code may be. Click it then go down the list of servers to download the file to your computer. once the file has been downloaded, use Odin to flash it under PDA then reboot.
After you have Custom Recovery installed, you can Flash any ROM written for your device model ie N9005 or N900 etc...To flash ROMs you need to have the ROM zip file in either your internal storage or your external SD Card. I most of the time download them straight into my my SD Card to save myself from transferring the file from my computer to my phone.
Good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks.
My device is definately rooted. I didn't root it myself though. I checked with the rootchecker and even have few apps istalled which need root, like
Adaway.
The TWRP installation through Goomanager seemed to be the most retard-proof so I'm concerned that if I get error messages doing it that way there might be something wrong with my phone so I didn't try other methods (even though I was aware of them)
To clarify, 'External SD card' is the normal card which you can put in and out of the phone (like SIM)? Because when I heard 'external' I tend to think about something that is outside the phone connected by usb.

Ok guys, can someone explain me how to use Odin? Assume that I'm a complete retard.
What version do I use for Note 3 n9005? I searched around but couldn't find any versions that explicitly said that they are compatible with my phone. I am talking about the desktop version of course not the mobile one.
How do I use it? Could I get step by step instructions, please? I downloaded the TWRP file from their site, now what?
There are guides and videos on the net and I watched/read some of them but none for my device. I am (understandably) nervous about my very first attempt at installing a custom ROM. Don't want to turn my expensive phone into a brick. Still, I'm willing to take chances to remove all the bloatware and improve the battery life.
Also could I get answers for my previous questions about ROMs?

Use mobile odin pro. Purchase if needed. Its all you need for flashing. Didnt look at pc eversince. Anyway back to topic. Download .tar file for twrp for ur phone model. Open mobile odin. Download whatever needed by mobile odin. Load the twrp recovery.tar file and flash away.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

hayabusa08 said:
Use mobile odin pro. Purchase if needed. Its all you need for flashing. Didnt look at pc eversince. Anyway back to topic. Download .tar file for twrp for ur phone model. Open mobile odin. Download whatever needed by mobile odin. Load the twrp recovery.tar file and flash away.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was hoping on doing this without using any money. Is doing it with the mobile version the safest method? If it is really much safer than other variants, I'll spend some money just for that.

DkayBlack said:
I was hoping on doing this without using any money. Is doing it with the mobile version the safest method? If it is really much safer than other variants, I'll spend some money just for that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
here you are have a look and all will come clear
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcWkKuU9Fyo

Apps on SD

Hi!
I bougth a Tab A T550. I already rooted it but can't find how to put apps on SD. I don't know if it's because of root or it was "as it" when bought because I didn't try it before. My last tablet was able to let me change apps to SD from the same apps config but this one hasn't the option. Is this an error or a change on MarsMallow?
I also tried to use App Master, but it closes just on opening, don't know why. Not compatible with MM?
Thanks!
Pepa

PepaBCN said:
Hi!
I bougth a Tab A T550. I already rooted it but can't find how to put apps on SD. I don't know if it's because of root or it was "as it" when bought because I didn't try it before. My last tablet was able to let me change apps to SD from the same apps config but this one hasn't the option. Is this an error or a change on MarsMallow?
I also tried to use App Master, but it closes just on opening, don't know why. Not compatible with MM?
Thanks!
Pepa
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Adoptable storage

ashyx said:
Adoptable storage
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What's this? What does it mean?

ashyx said:
Adoptable storage
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok! I found it on Google (as usual ). But other devices had internal and external SD. I understand the internal was a partition but, where? Inside the device mem? Or on the SD? First option seems stupid so must be second. And why change a way that lets you choose where to put apps and data? I was comfortable by choosing by myself where to store each thing...

The internal SD is nothing but a partition of the flash rom the T550 uses. If you want the external SD to be used as a flash card you can use as a sepearte, removable storage, you have to modify a file in your system folder. This of course means your device needs to be rooted. If you know how to root your Tab A6, I will post a way to give your wanted applications read and write access to the external. I have to warn you though, that the development on the T550 has not advanced very much yet because of the brand (Samsung) trying to make their devices exclusive and the new processor architecture. I have found only one way to root the device in a stable way but that makes it impossible to backup and recover my current configuration. TWRP wasn't able to break the encryption of the DATA partition which holds the specific user settings and personal data.

ShonkaiDJ said:
The internal SD is nothing but a partition of the flash rom the T550 uses. If you want the external SD to be used as a flash card you can use as a sepearte, removable storage, you have to modify a file in your system folder. This of course means your device needs to be rooted. If you know how to root your Tab A6, I will post a way to give your wanted applications read and write access to the external. I have to warn you though, that the development on the T550 has not advanced very much yet because of the brand (Samsung) trying to make their devices exclusive and the new processor architecture. I have found only one way to root the device in a stable way but that makes it impossible to backup and recover my current configuration. TWRP wasn't able to break the encryption of the DATA partition which holds the specific user settings and personal data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I already rooted my tablet (In fact, I said on my first post). Even when Adaway app says it's not rooted! :silly: But one another adblocker app works correctly so I don't know what to believe. At least, with root explorer I can see folders locked before rooting...

Well. i had it working with the DM13 on my Tab 2. But I tested it on the Tab A and it doesn't seem to work that way anymore...
Still tweaking I am.

What is DM13?

Sorry, I meant CM13 (CyanogenMod)
Verstuurd van mijn SM-T585 met Xposed Modules

PepaBCN said:
Hi!
I bougth a Tab A T550. I already rooted it but can't find how to put apps on SD. I don't know if it's because of root or it was "as it" when bought because I didn't try it before. My last tablet was able to let me change apps to SD from the same apps config but this one hasn't the option. Is this an error or a change on MarsMallow?
I also tried to use App Master, but it closes just on opening, don't know why. Not compatible with MM?
Thanks!
Pepa
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For this problem's solution, use Root Essentials from the Google Play Store and give it root access. Then look through the app until you see adoptable storage. After you go to that button, press adopt to internal if you want more storage for the phone (computers cannot access the sd card anymore!). If you want to change back to making the SD Card being read for computers, go to that adoptable storage page and press migrate. Your GBs or MBs should be back to normal on the SD Card.
Hope I helped.

ParadoXGodzillA said:
For this problem's solution, use Root Essentials from the Google Play Store and give it root access. Then look through the app until you see adoptable storage. After you go to that button, press adopt to internal if you want more storage for the phone (computers cannot access the sd card anymore!). If you want to change back to making the SD Card being read for computers, go to that adoptable storage page and press migrate. Your GBs or MBs should be back to normal on the SD Card.
Hope I helped.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I take note of your advice, but I'm not sure of liking this "adopting" mode.
I also am not sure if this tab is doing well. The screen needs to be more or less al 25% of bright to be able to look at it without "eyeache". Too bright in white! And more in the center of the screen than in corners which show a little gray (just a little, but it makes me feel as I was looking at a curve screen).
I'm very disappointed because my old tab is just it: old. And battery drains easy. But I prefer it to anyone sold today! :crying: I love it and I'm right doing it, because it's a Galaxy Tab S, the best tab ever made, at least, to me. So, what can I do?
Sorry for explaining my personal drama, but I'm getting really mad with all this...

PepaBCN said:
I take note of your advice, but I'm not sure of liking this "adopting" mode.
I also am not sure if this tab is doing well. The screen needs to be more or less al 25% of bright to be able to look at it without "eyeache". Too bright in white! And more in the center of the screen than in corners which show a little gray (just a little, but it makes me feel as I was looking at a curve screen).
I'm very disappointed because my old tab is just it: old. And battery drains easy. But I prefer it to anyone sold today! :crying: I love it and I'm right doing it, because it's a Galaxy Tab S, the best tab ever made, at least, to me. So, what can I do?
Sorry for explaining my personal drama, but I'm getting really mad with all this...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If your device is rooted, and you want it to have the latest updates, download Samsung Smart Switch on your Windows PC. Reply back if you want to hear the full advice to change back to stock rom when you sell it to anyone.
(Nobody wants to buy a rooted tablet from the previous owner)

ParadoXGodzillA said:
If your device is rooted, and you want it to have the latest updates, download Samsung Smart Switch on your Windows PC. Reply back if you want to hear the full advice to change back to stock rom when you sell it to anyone.
(Nobody wants to buy a rooted tablet from the previous owner)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't know which latest updates you're referring to. And either don't understand which tablet you're talking about to sell.
I'm not yet sure if I'll return the tab A to seller (here we have 14d days of return policy) or not. Because buying an S2 is more expensive and I'm not sure this difference to be useful to me (taking apart the screen). Anyway, to be able to return the tab A, I already flashed the stock ROM. I didn't change the ROM when I rooted it, but rooting seems to break the possibility to make a factory reset, either from bootloader or from Android. So, I thank your try to help me but, as you can see, I already did it.
There are lots of things I don't know, but I've rooted all my Android devices, from first till now. And I even had an iPad 2 and jailbraked it. I'm a little bit freaky! LOL

PepaBCN said:
Don't know which latest updates you're referring to. And either don't understand which tablet you're talking about to sell.
I'm not yet sure if I'll return the tab A to seller (here we have 14d days of return policy) or not. Because buying an S2 is more expensive and I'm not sure this difference to be useful to me (taking apart the screen). Anyway, to be able to return the tab A, I already flashed the stock ROM. I didn't change the ROM when I rooted it, but rooting seems to break the possibility to make a factory reset, either from bootloader or from Android. So, I thank your try to help me but, as you can see, I already did it.
There are lots of things I don't know, but I've rooted all my Android devices, from first till now. And I even had an iPad 2 and jailbraked it. I'm a little bit freaky! LOL
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok. Thanks for the clarification on that but, flashing a stock rom won't do anything. The device will still say Custom, not Official in the Status of the device. So, what I mean by the Samsung Smart Switch, is to download it on a Windows PC and open it up then go to Device Reinitialization in the More tab and then press the second tab in that, then put your device model number then the serial number. Give it Administrator access and then the latest updates should install and also the custom binary and custom device should turn back to official. (FLASHING STOCK FILES ON ODIN WON'T SOLVE ANYTHING! IT STILL VOIDS YOUR WARRANTY!! SO YOU GOT TO TURN IT BACK TO NORMAL BY USING SAMSUNG SMART SWITCH.)

ParadoXGodzillA said:
Ok. Thanks for the clarification on that but, flashing a stock rom won't do anything. The device will still say Custom, not Official in the Status of the device. So, what I mean by the Samsung Smart Switch, is to download it on a Windows PC and open it up then go to Device Reinitialization in the More tab and then press the second tab in that, then put your device model number then the serial number. Give it Administrator access and then the latest updates should install and also the custom binary and custom device should turn back to official. (FLASHING STOCK FILES ON ODIN WON'T SOLVE ANYTHING! IT STILL VOIDS YOUR WARRANTY!! SO YOU GOT TO TURN IT BACK TO NORMAL BY USING SAMSUNG SMART SWITCH.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Totally incorrect on several points.
Stock ODIN flashable firmware is official and does NOT void your warranty.
It WILL return your device back to official status and remove custom status.
The files downloaded via Smartswitch are identical.

ashyx said:
Totally incorrect on several points.
Stock ODIN flashable firmware is official and does NOT void your warranty.
It WILL return your device back to official status and remove custom status.
The files downloaded via Smartswitch are identical.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True that, but I mean, if you want the latest updates and the newest kernel, etc. Then you might want to download the SmartSwitch waty. Let's say, you have a Lollipop rom and then you want a Marshmallow one for that device. Then it would be better to get it the Samsung SmartSwitch way because the Odin flashable version is not out yet.

ParadoXGodzillA said:
True that, but I mean, if you want the latest updates and the newest kernel, etc. Then you might want to download the SmartSwitch waty. Let's say, you have a Lollipop rom and then you want a Marshmallow one for that device. Then it would be better to get it the Samsung SmartSwitch way because the Odin flashable version is not out yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They pretty much come out at the same time.
Sites like Sammobile download direct from Samsungs update server, same as Smartswitch connects to.
Release dates are usually posted with the firmware.

ashyx said:
They pretty much come out at the same time.
Sites like Sammobile download direct from Samsungs update server, same as Smartswitch connects to.
Release dates are usually posted with the firmware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, I can understand that but it takes forever for the person who wants to download that .tar file in order to get that Odin file. Plus, SmartSwitch can install the updates and files within 30 minutes without 8 hours of waiting. (I don't use money for websites such as FileGator, etc.)

ashyx said:
They pretty much come out at the same time.
Sites like Sammobile download direct from Samsungs update server, same as Smartswitch connects to.
Release dates are usually posted with the firmware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The problem with Sammobile is that just this days is having problems with free downloads... But it's easy to find the same stock ROM anywhere in the net if you take the CSC code to Google. Isn't it so? I found it in this way...

ParadoXGodzillA said:
True that, but I mean, if you want the latest updates and the newest kernel, etc. Then you might want to download the SmartSwitch waty. Let's say, you have a Lollipop rom and then you want a Marshmallow one for that device. Then it would be better to get it the Samsung SmartSwitch way because the Odin flashable version is not out yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what I thounght and what I understood. I don't write usually here but I read a lot! :highfive:

Rooting SM-S920L

Tracfone version
I'm having no luck with Kingroot. It says no root available for device.
According to 'one-click-root' website, the device has no way of rooting it.
Is there any updated information?
.
device specifics:
model: SM-S920LZAATFN
android: 5.0.2
build: LRX22G.S920LUDU1APK2
hardware version: S920L.03
.
[edit: was hoping to change the title to reflect that this post is about the tracfone version]

TWRP recovery method?
TWRP recovery method?
I've read that a phone may possibly be able to be rooted by using odin to download a TWRP recovery, then booting into that new recovery using hardware keys, instead of rebooting normally. And this results in a rooted phone?
I think I have seen a TWRP that may work with this phone. Any help is appreciated. I'd like to be able to update this thread to include a step by step approach to this and other versions of the same model 920.
I'll continue to post updates as I discover more information.

DIY time : crash course in brain surgery
Ok, so I've read a bit of stuff in the forums on the SM-S920L, mostly about the StraightTalk variant, which apparently uses the same system rom, though I'm not so sure.
At any rate, rather than just throw carp at the phone and hope it sticks, I'm going to teach myself how to do it all myself, a-z, 1,2,3... etc., starting with making stock images of the various components, for recovery purposes. Perhaps the phone can be used as a TracFone again someday, though I have no desire to do so, having already bought another for cheaper that even works better, though not as fancy, just newer.
So, I'll leave it here for now and just update the primary with new information as I discover it, starting with the extraction of the stock images, hopefully without goofing up the phone, lol.
This is an unpopular phone, at least for hackers. But it will be a good tool for expanding my knowledge.
Any help appreciated, such as, 'Is this even necessary? There are files here here and here that will do it all'.
(lol, nope... so far I've discovered there is no root option, kingroot no work, etc. There seems to be no posts with information specifically regarding the TracFone 'variant' of this model. It suggests that i can use the StraightTalk files for it, which may work, but there are many questionable unanswered problems.)

friimynd said:
Ok, so I've read a bit of stuff in the forums on the SM-S920L, mostly about the StraightTalk variant, which apparently uses the same system rom, though I'm not so sure.
At any rate, rather than just throw carp at the phone and hope it sticks, I'm going to teach myself how to do it all myself, a-z, 1,2,3... etc., starting with making stock images of the various components, for recovery purposes. Perhaps the phone can be used as a TracFone again someday, though I have no desire to do so, having already bought another for cheaper that even works better, though not as fancy, just newer.
So, I'll leave it here for now and just update the primary with new information as I discover it, starting with the extraction of the stock images, hopefully without goofing up the phone, lol.
This is an unpopular phone, at least for hackers. But it will be a good tool for expanding my knowledge.
Any help appreciated, such as, 'Is this even necessary? There are files here here and here that will do it all'.
(lol, nope... so far I've discovered there is no root option, kingroot no work, etc. There seems to be no posts with information specifically regarding the TracFone 'variant' of this model. It suggests that i can use the StraightTalk files for it, which may work, but there are many questionable unanswered problems.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Definitely don't use kingroot.
Do you have a laptop or pc? If so I can help you out. I have the same phone. Mine is straight talk, but it's sm-s920l a tracefone just through straight talk.

c3p0u812 said:
Definitely don't use kingroot.
Do you have a laptop or pc? If so I can help you out. I have the same phone. Mine is straight talk, but it's sm-s920l a tracefone just through straight talk.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ya I got the straight talk, I have been using king root but I totally bricked and wiped my phone on purpose because I wanted to start fresh and let it update. Having a problem though I used twrp and nuked all my ****, or so I thought. I'm trying to OTA update I'm currently on 5.0.2 and it's saying I have a system update and even after I checked everything to be deleted it still says error and one of my files is modified or some**** like that. I think it's like admin.prop so **** it. I do however want to go systemless root. What do you suggest is the best root and rom for our device?
To answer op question yes your phone is the same as ours. Mine even shows tracphone on boot.

Inuyashian said:
Ya I got the straight talk, I have been using king root but I totally bricked and wiped my phone on purpose because I wanted to start fresh and let it update. Having a problem though I used twrp and nuked all my ****, or so I thought. I'm trying to OTA update I'm currently on 5.0.2 and it's saying I have a system update and even after I checked everything to be deleted it still says error and one of my files is modified or some**** like that. I think it's like admin.prop so **** it. I do however want to go systemless root. What do you suggest is the best root and rom for our device?
To answer op question yes your phone is the same as ours. Mine even shows tracphone on boot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well for our phone there is only one custom ROM and it's LineageOS 13.0 https://forum.xda-developers.com/grand-prime/development/unofficial-cyanogenmod-13-0-galaxy-t3491494 It's android 6.0 and it can be rooted too. It's not being updated anymore for our device as far as I know. There is Lineage 14.* but not for our variant.
For systemless root you'll want to go with Magisk. https://forum.xda-developers.com/apps/magisk/official-magisk-v7-universal-systemless-t3473445 I had Lineage, and don't get me wrong it's worth checking out, but I downgraded back to stock and went with Magisk. You can even get Xposed throughMagisk.
If I was you, I would flash back to stock. You can go to this thread https://forum.xda-developers.com/apps/magisk/official-magisk-v7-universal-systemless-t3473445 and download the first two, Stock Boot and Stock Recovery. Make sure to unzip them because you need the md5 files they extract. I'd wipe everything again and then get into download mode. On your PC fire up Odin, I'm using version 3.10 http://odindownload.com/download/clean/Odin_3.10.0.zip Click BL use the stick boot md5 and then under ap use the stock recovery md5. When it reboots and you set it up do not turn reactivation lock on.
If you don't already have Magisk on your sd card get it on there and install through twrp. It will ask if you want to root. Might make a back up after. I always make backups and then transfer from sd to my pc. I can restore to like 6 different versions of my phone right now lol I'm no expert, I haven't been messing around with all this for long so I hope that all makes sense. :fingers-crossed:

c3p0u812 said:
Well for our phone there is only one custom ROM and it's LineageOS 13.0 https://forum.xda-developers.com/grand-prime/development/unofficial-cyanogenmod-13-0-galaxy-t3491494 It's android 6.0 and it can be rooted too. It's not being updated anymore for our device as far as I know. There is Lineage 14.* but not for our variant.
For systemless root you'll want to go with Magisk. https://forum.xda-developers.com/apps/magisk/official-magisk-v7-universal-systemless-t3473445 I had Lineage, and don't get me wrong it's worth checking out, but I downgraded back to stock and went with Magisk. You can even get Xposed throughMagisk.
If I was you, I would flash back to stock. You can go to this thread https://forum.xda-developers.com/apps/magisk/official-magisk-v7-universal-systemless-t3473445 and download the first two, Stock Boot and Stock Recovery. Make sure to unzip them because you need the md5 files they extract. I'd wipe everything again and then get into download mode. On your PC fire up Odin, I'm using version 3.10 http://odindownload.com/download/clean/Odin_3.10.0.zip Click BL use the stick boot md5 and then under ap use the stock recovery md5. When it reboots and you set it up do not turn reactivation lock on.
If you don't already have Magisk on your sd card get it on there and install through twrp. It will ask if you want to root. Might make a back up after. I always make backups and then transfer from sd to my pc. I can restore to like 6 different versions of my phone right now lol I'm no expert, I haven't been messing around with all this for long so I hope that all makes sense. :fingers-crossed:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haha ya it does I just wish they didn't treat our phone like it has Ebola or some****. All kinds of **** for the other ones. I agree on the magisk because I really want to try that out. Alright thanks for all the helpful links I come to this site to find **** for ours and I end up looking at a bunch of cool stuff I can't have.
I'm waiting on the pixel 2 XL before I upgrade. We just missing out on too much stuff. I think magisk will keep me busy in the meantime though. Thanks again man I'm Soo add once I get here on all the stuff then I wonder well will this work or this work and by then just like awwww **** it.

Inuyashian said:
Haha ya it does I just wish they didn't treat our phone like it has Ebola or some****. All kinds of **** for the other ones. I agree on the magisk because I really want to try that out. Alright thanks for all the helpful links I come to this site to find **** for ours and I end up looking at a bunch of cool stuff I can't have.
I'm waiting on the pixel 2 XL before I upgrade. We just missing out on too much stuff. I think magisk will keep me busy in the meantime though. Thanks again man I'm Soo add once I get here on all the stuff then I wonder well will this work or this work and by then just like awwww **** it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey, I thought I'd let you know LineageOS 14.1 is available to us now. I can't find a specific thread on it, but you can download it from http://grandprime.ddns.net/jenkins/job/LOS_Builds/# Flash it with twrp. You will want to flash that and then flash open gapps [ARM - 7.1] and then whichever from here http://opengapps.org/ I did all that first, set it up rebooted and then installed Magisk.
It has Substratum pre-installed and it let's you theme it nicely. There is only an unofficial xposed version so far.
Anywho, thought I'd throw that out there.

thanks for the replies, gives me inspiration to keep on trying; the phone is pretty ho-hum with default stuff and the general blah blah of social media, etc.;
thanks for the tips, feel free to post more details as they come in

My Turn
I'm about to try and put 14.1 and Magisk on mine. Wish me luck!

downloading twrp recovery and rooting
in google search up twrp click on the first link then click on devices on the top right corner then search up your phone download the twrp.img.tar file
power off your phone and press volume down + home button + power button to boot into download mode
in odin select AP then select the twrp.img.tar you downloaded then press start
your phone will reboot then download the SuperSU zip file
then go to settings then go to find my mobile you have to get a samsung account then you will see reactivation lock option turn that off
then power off your phone then press volume up + home button + power button to reboot into twrp recovery
once booted tap the install option then select where you downloaded the supersu zip file swipe to flash it once done flashing you will see the reboot system option to reboot your phone
then your phone should be rooted!

Hi all. I'm new to rooting can any one please help and point me to the right tutorial to root a samsung s7

Hi All
Looking for a best tutorial to follow and the right one for my phone really don't want to brick it, obviously :/. as there seems to be a few versions for the S7
I have the following: S7 android 8.0.0 SM-G930F not sure what else I need to know! I'm in the UK so I assume UK phones come with Exynos cpu's
and as far as I am aware android 8 is Oreo! but when they say Stock Rom I assume they mean the same as what came with the phone the original rom?
if so is there an alternative stable rom without the crap included or is it just as simple to delete every thing you don't want now it's rooted! and does that mean if I reset the phone its back to normal with all the crap included! or is there a way to keep it rooted even after reset! and should anything be disabled I.e prepare the phone before attempting to root like any kind of auto encryption that needs disabling and just one more question
if at anytime the rooting process hangs for a ridiculous amount of time when should I throw in the towel! and what are the chances of retrieving the phone back to original state! or does a dirty shutdown brick it?.
I started the root process but failed at first hurdle!, followed instructions install Odin3_v3.13.1 but when I connected the phone nothing showed up in Odin? though I will have another go just to confirm I followed it correctly, I'll update this when it's done.
this was the tutorial I followed:
Easy 4 Newbie [Root Guide]SM-G930F, G935F, G930FD, G935FD (Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge)
Warning ! Please note that the official TWRP for Nougat on Galaxy S7/ S7 Edge is not available yet but based on my experience the Marshmallow version is working on Nougat. By installing a custom recovery on your S7 and S7 Edge and rooting it...
forum.xda-developers.com
I know alot of questions I would really appreciate any help and clarification on the above.
many thanks
Regards
Daz

Look pal, rooting the phone is just like being an adult, it means you will get rid of Samsung's "Child Care".
Yes, UK models use Exynos chip, but you have to be sure, look at your baseband version, if it is G930FXXX, then you are good.
ROMs are in two shapes:
Stock-based: These are just like the one you are using, or other Samsung phones does, like Samsung Experience, One UI, TouchWiz. Maybe MIUI and FlymeOS will come into account, as there are ROMs based on them + Samsung's.
AOSP: These are pure Android ROMs, with few modifications to the core, but keeping the UI as close to the source as possible, Google & OnePlus phones come with a near-to-pure operating systems.
Changing a ROM is not risky, as long as you follow the instructions, without any unaccounted improvising.
Before you install a ROM, read the working and bug list, to make sure you are installing something you have an idea of.
You need to install TWRP recovery (or any other one you like), and format data, in order to be able to travel among ROMs and/or root your device.
Formatting is only required because the phone is forcibly encrypted, and TWRP can not decrypt it, at least not for this device.
Rooting is simply about flashing a 5-MB file, Magisk, then rebooting to system, no need to wipe data.
No need to do any additional steps, unless you are trying to hide root from some apps and/or pass SafetyNet.

Mohamedkam000 said:
Look pal, rooting the phone is just like being an adult, it means you will get rid of Samsung's "Child Care".
Yes, UK models use Exynos chip, but you have to be sure, look at your baseband version, if it is G930FXXX, then you are good.
ROMs are in two shapes:
Stock-based: These are just like the one you are using, or other Samsung phones does, like Samsung Experience, One UI, TouchWiz. Maybe MIUI and FlymeOS will come into account, as there are ROMs based on them + Samsung's.
AOSP: These are pure Android ROMs, with few modifications to the core, but keeping the UI as close to the source as possible, Google & OnePlus phones come with a near-to-pure operating systems.
Changing a ROM is not risky, as long as you follow the instructions, without any unaccounted improvising.
Before you install a ROM, read the working and bug list, to make sure you are installing something you have an idea of.
You need to install TWRP recovery (or any other one you like), and format data, in order to be able to travel among ROMs and/or root your device.
Formatting is only required because the phone is forcibly encrypted, and TWRP can not decrypt it, at least not for this device.
Rooting is simply about flashing a 5-MB file, Magisk, then rebooting to system, no need to wipe data.
No need to do any additional steps, unless you are trying to hide root from some apps and/or pass SafetyNet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Mohamedkam000
Thanks for replying. I'm not confused about why I want to root the phone. I'm just trying to understand the inner workings and the risks as I'm not as clued up with phone OS's as I am windows. I don't care about warrantees or hiding the the fact it's rooted I just want a clean rooted phone free of big brother well inside at least I know you will never completely keep them out but making it hard is a start lol.
Thank you very much for all the above especially on clarifying about the roms and the reason TWRP formats due to encryption nice one
My Baseband version slightly different though it's G930FXXU8ETI3 not sure if having a U instead of a third X makes any difference!
and I posted wrong tutorial I'm actually following this one below again not sure if that matters.
Guide How to root Android 8.0 Oreo Stock ROM on Galaxy S7 ( 100% Working )
Hi . i see too many peoples have problem on rooting Android 8.0 Oreo Stock Rom on Galaxy S7 ( edge ) and they cant get passed from the verification field error ! ok its bcuz they do only 1 step wrong , here i just wanna tell you all the steps 1...
forum.xda-developers.com
Again many thanks for clarifying that lot up very informative and much appreciated.
Kind regards
Daz

CitizenSmith said:
Hi Mohamedkam000
Thanks for replying. I'm not confused about why I want to root the phone. I'm just trying to understand the inner workings and the risks as I'm not as clued up with phone OS's as I am windows. I don't care about warrantees or hiding the the fact it's rooted I just want a clean rooted phone free of big brother well inside at least I know you will never completely keep them out but making it hard is a start lol.
Thank you very much for all the above especially on clarifying about the roms and the reason TWRP formats due to encryption nice one
My Baseband version slightly different though it's G930FXXU8ETI3 not sure if having a U instead of a third X makes any difference!
and I posted wrong tutorial I'm actually following this one below again not sure if that matters.
Guide How to root Android 8.0 Oreo Stock ROM on Galaxy S7 ( 100% Working )
Hi . i see too many peoples have problem on rooting Android 8.0 Oreo Stock Rom on Galaxy S7 ( edge ) and they cant get passed from the verification field error ! ok its bcuz they do only 1 step wrong , here i just wanna tell you all the steps 1...
forum.xda-developers.com
Again many thanks for clarifying that lot up very informative and much appreciated.
Kind regards
Daz
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It doesn't matter which version of Android you are using, root is the same.
However, on stock ROMs, it might sometimes get rough, as you may end up with Wi-Fi not working (happened to me Q1 2020).
If you really want to learn how Android OS works, then rooting the stock ROM is not your way.
Try AOSP ROMs, preferably start with Oreo ones, you can root in 3 common way, LineageOS SU Add-on, Magisk, Super SU.
But before you tickle your phone, you have to make a backup of your current device, of every partition, EFS is the most important partition, so make sure it is safe.
Baseband version doesn't matter a lot, unless you're paranoid with updates, it is sorted alphabetically, each string on its own.
The phone is more similar to a linux machine than to a Windows PC.
Edit: To root stock ROM, you have to flash dm verity, so you don't end up encrypted again.

Mohamedkam000 said:
It doesn't matter which version of Android you are using, root is the same.
However, on stock ROMs, it might sometimes get rough, as you may end up with Wi-Fi not working (happened to me Q1 2020).
If you really want to learn how Android OS works, then rooting the stock ROM is not your way.
Try AOSP ROMs, preferably start with Oreo ones, you can root in 3 common way, LineageOS SU Add-on, Magisk, Super SU.
But before you tickle your phone, you have to make a backup of your current device, of every partition, EFS is the most important partition, so make sure it is safe.
Baseband version doesn't matter a lot, unless you're paranoid with updates, it is sorted alphabetically, each string on its own.
The phone is more similar to a linux machine than to a Windows PC.
Edit: To root stock ROM, you have to flash dm verity, so you don't end up encrypted again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks again for clearing quite a few things up I thought rooting stock rom would have been far safer way forward wow how wrong was I! but I guess I am just trying to find any kind simile to windows in any way but as you pointed out again it's more like Linux which again I've only played around with ubuntu and mint for a short period so again not to up on Linux lol.
It's funny I was just reading up on AOSP ROMs then got your message. I see they have a stable but not complete! Android 10 not that I would consider it need as I need a stable OS so Oreo is fine for me.
I have backed up phone using Smart Switch on the PC I assume that copy's every thing that's needed, I reset the phone in anticipation all be it prematurely but at least it restored all my data so if anything that was a good test of the back up at least .
I will have look at some AOSP ROMs and see what's involved there, I'll check out their tutorial hopefully it will include the whole process including root.
I gather by your comment using a AOSP ROM you don't need to use dm-verity or will that still be needed!.

The first thing to do is to flash (install) TWRP, it's a custom recovery (think of it as a mini OS that can boot before Android), that will be the base for any of your future tinkering.
Here is the thread, read the FP carefully: [Recovery][Exynos] Official TWRP for Galaxy S7 (herolte)
Once TWRP installed, you can do many things:
Install addons like Magisk. Magisk is the tool you use to obtain root. Forget SuperSU, its outdated, and don't works in modern versions of Android.
Install a custom ROM (this subforum is the perfect place to find them).
Backup & restore an image of your current ROM (very useful).

mooms said:
The first thing to do is to flash (install) TWRP, it's a custom recovery (think of it as a mini OS that can boot before Android), that will be the base for any of your future tinkering.
Here is the thread, read the FP carefully: [Recovery][Exynos] Official TWRP for Galaxy S7 (herolte)
Once TWRP installed, you can do many things:
Install addons like Magisk. Magisk is the tool you use to obtain root. Forget SuperSU, its outdated, and don't works in modern versions of Android.
Install a custom ROM (this subforum is the perfect place to find them).
Backup & restore an image of your current ROM (very useful).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks Mooms for the input
I tried to follow your links tutorial which he gives three options only one is any good to me and that was installing twrp using Odin but I'm having issues at every turn!. I can't even get Odin to recognise my phone it just wont pick it up I have Samsung driver installed and I have reinstalled many times I found an article claim to have a workaround but that was BS just selling some other app I even change the driver as described on there page,
7 Tips to Fix Odin Not Detecting Phone
Are you using Odin flash tool to flash your Samsung phone but it is not recognized by Odin? Here are 7 tips to fix Odin not detecting phone.
www.imyfone.com
.
but that did nothing so reinstall normal driver again.
feels like it's just not meant to be :/
Thanks again.

CitizenSmith said:
Thanks again for clearing quite a few things up I thought rooting stock rom would have been far safer way forward wow how wrong was I! but I guess I am just trying to find any kind simile to windows in any way but as you pointed out again it's more like Linux which again I've only played around with ubuntu and mint for a short period so again not to up on Linux lol.
It's funny I was just reading up on AOSP ROMs then got your message. I see they have a stable but not complete! Android 10 not that I would consider it need as I need a stable OS so Oreo is fine for me.
I have backed up phone using Smart Switch on the PC I assume that copy's every thing that's needed, I reset the phone in anticipation all be it prematurely but at least it restored all my data so if anything that was a good test of the back up at least .
I will have look at some AOSP ROMs and see what's involved there, I'll check out their tutorial hopefully it will include the whole process including root.
I gather by your comment using a AOSP ROM you don't need to use dm-verity or will that still be needed!.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AOSP ROMs are pure, you can't say they are not complete. They are complete, and what OEMs do, like Samsung and Xiaomi is just a customization that you can do, too.
It is preferred that when you take a backup, take it with TWRP, just to ensure you backed up phone's partitions, along with "EFS".
The root procedure on Android 6+ is done by patching the Kernel (boot.img), so unless you take backup of that, you cannot keep root.
There are stable custom ROMs, custom ROMs are meant for custom adjustments, however the stability depends on your phone, and the way you use it, you can compare AOSP vs. Stock and see the difference.
AOSP ROMs doesn't need dm verity, well, at least not if the developer did not mention the encryption part.

Mohamedkam000 said:
AOSP ROMs are pure, you can't say they are not complete. They are complete, and what OEMs do, like Samsung and Xiaomi is just a customization that you can do, too.
It is preferred that when you take a backup, take it with TWRP, just to ensure you backed up phone's partitions, along with "EFS".
The root procedure on Android 6+ is done by patching the Kernel (boot.img), so unless you take backup of that, you cannot keep root.
There are stable custom ROMs, custom ROMs are meant for custom adjustments, however the stability depends on your phone, and the way you use it, you can compare AOSP vs. Stock and see the difference.
AOSP ROMs doesn't need dm verity, well, at least not if the developer did not mention the encryption part.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some of the roms I have looked at mention external touch buttons at bottom of phone do not work or something else in the phone I'm just reading their comments.
I understand about the stock & custom rom's now that's not my problem at least not at the moment as I am miles away from choosing a rom! as I can't even get out the starting gate!. I can not get TWRP on my phone as the only way I can see to get it on a unrooted! phone is to use Odin but as I said Odin doesn't work at least not for me it does not see my phone. I would love to take a back up using twrp but that won't happen until I find a way to get TWRP on a unrooted phone. what crazy paradox is this!. you can't root phone without twrp installed and twrp won't install on a unrooted phone!. that makes perfect sense.

CitizenSmith said:
Some of the roms I have looked at mention external touch buttons at bottom of phone do not work or something else in the phone I'm just reading their comments.
I understand about the stock & custom rom's now that's not my problem at least not at the moment as I am miles away from choosing a rom! as I can't even get out the starting gate!. I can not get TWRP on my phone as the only way I can see to get it on a unrooted! phone is to use Odin but as I said Odin doesn't work at least not for me it does not see my phone. I would love to take a back up using twrp but that won't happen until I find a way to get TWRP on a unrooted phone. what crazy paradox is this!. you can't root phone without twrp installed and twrp won't install on a unrooted phone!. that makes perfect sense.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does your phone allow MTP communication? I mean can you transfer files when the phone is turned on?
Does the phone show any notification about a usb connection?
If not, then you have probably a bad USB cable, at least, or you have a hardware issue that can go as deep as a burned charging port.
If yes, then either your USB cable is not as fast as the phone requires, or you haven't installed the Samsung USB Drivers on your PC.
Unfortunately, you cannot root your device without PC, at least not since Lollipop.

CitizenSmith said:
Thanks Mooms for the input
I tried to follow your links tutorial which he gives three options only one is any good to me and that was installing twrp using Odin but I'm having issues at every turn!. I can't even get Odin to recognise my phone it just wont pick it up I have Samsung driver installed and I have reinstalled many times I found an article claim to have a workaround but that was BS just selling some other app I even change the driver as described on there page,
7 Tips to Fix Odin Not Detecting Phone
Are you using Odin flash tool to flash your Samsung phone but it is not recognized by Odin? Here are 7 tips to fix Odin not detecting phone.
www.imyfone.com
.
but that did nothing so reinstall normal driver again.
feels like it's just not meant to be :/
Thanks again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which version of Odin are you using ?
Use this version (latest): Odin v3.14.4
Which version of the Samsung USB drivers are you using ?
Use this version (latest): https://developer.samsung.com/mobile/android-usb-driver.html

Mohamedkam000 said:
Does your phone allow MTP communication? I mean can you transfer files when the phone is turned on?
Does the phone show any notification about a usb connection?
If not, then you have probably a bad USB cable, at least, or you have a hardware issue that can go as deep as a burned charging port.
If yes, then either your USB cable is not as fast as the phone requires, or you haven't installed the Samsung USB Drivers on your PC.
Unfortunately, you cannot root your device without PC, at least not since Lollipop.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi
Yes I can transfer files.
Yes phone asks to allow or block file transfer and it ohone shows up in Devices and Drives list and I can access the phone directory and shows up as Samsung s7 icon.
I will try another USB lead but the one I'm using is new and wasn't cheap but still a possibility I have had leads that weren't suitable for other things I was trying so it is worth a try.
Thanks

mooms said:
Which version of Odin are you using ?
Use this version (latest): Odin v3.14.4
Which version of the Samsung USB drivers are you using ?
Use this version (latest): https://developer.samsung.com/mobile/android-usb-driver.html
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I downloaded Odin this was latest one Odin3_v3.13.1 though I have doubts that one version update will fix this issue as I did not see many if any people having my issue so they all used Odin and I believe theirs are fine even with older versions! but as I said Mohamedkam it's worth a try I will down load that version and give it a try.
As for the Samsung usb driver I believe that is where I got mine
SAMSUNG_USB_Driver_for_Mobile_Phones no version visible under properties on file version 1.7.23.0.
The USB connection seems to be fine I have uninstalled then re-download and reinstalled a couple of times.
I can transfer files no problem it shows up as Galaxy S7 Icon with card and phone drive inside.
I'll update shortly thank you.
Update:
I just went to try new Odin and whilst checking my phone have seen I have Offical TWRP app installed? I have no clue as to how that's got in there! as Odin did not show phone so I could select nothing!.
In the phone I open app and if i select backup existing recovery it opens and Select Folder tab and under that Selected Folder: /sdcard Filename: Recovery .img and at the bottom of screen Root access required.
I just hope it's installed correctly!. it is showing in playstore my apps as well just to confirm. if this is now installed what should I do next Now not sure what tutorial to start following.
I am just going to try the new odin and see if it picks up the phone back soon.

OK Seem that it now shows up in the new Odin. at least I think it has! in the log window I see this: <ID:0/004> Added!!
I didn't see that before.
Would be grateful if you could tell me how to proceed from here!

Correct, you don't need he latst version of Odin or the Samsung drivers, bit it was just to be sure.
You need to be in download mode, but before, you must have checked OEM unlock & USB debug in developer options (mandatory).
I've written a tutorial with images here (in French):
Samsung Galaxy S7 (edge) - Mangez un Oreo! [Topic Unique] - Page : 487 - Téléphone Android - Technologies Mobiles - FORUM HardWare.fr

mooms said:
Correct, you don't need he latst version of Odin or the Samsung drivers, bit it was just to be sure.
You need to be in download mode, but before, you must have checked OEM unlock & USB debug in developer options (mandatory).
I've written a tutorial with images here (in French):
Samsung Galaxy S7 (edge) - Mangez un Oreo! [Topic Unique] - Page : 487 - Téléphone Android - Technologies Mobiles - FORUM HardWare.fr
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As I said the older version did not show any kind of data what's so ever and the phone was in download mode. phone displayed "Downloading" which I believe it says that even if it's not doing anything! so a tutorial explained. I think it must have installed the Official TWRP app even though phone did not show up in Odin everything was blank however when I installed the new version of Odin like you suggested it then showed up as <ID:0/004> Added!!. so your suggestion work thanks for that and I did enable OEM unlock & USB debug I did long time ago.
I would check out your tutorial but unfortunately I don't speak French and translating instructions is too risky but thank you for the offer but I'll carry on look around still undecided on what custom rom to go for as I said some comments point out small issues and the developers also state certain things are not working so that is making it hard to consider one if you know what I mean.
Again Thank you for your input very much appreciated.

CitizenSmith said:
As I said the older version did not show any kind of data what's so ever and the phone was in download mode. phone displayed "Downloading" which I believe it says that even if it's not doing anything! so a tutorial explained. I think it must have installed the Official TWRP app even though phone did not show up in Odin everything was blank however when I installed the new version of Odin like you suggested it then showed up as <ID:0/004> Added!!. so your suggestion work thanks for that and I did enable OEM unlock & USB debug I did long time ago.
I would check out your tutorial but unfortunately I don't speak French and translating instructions is too risky but thank you for the offer but I'll carry on look around still undecided on what custom rom to go for as I said some comments point out small issues and the developers also state certain things are not working so that is making it hard to consider one if you know what I mean.
Again Thank you for your input very much appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Take a note that, when you flash TWRP, you have to boot immediately to the recovery, so as to enforce its existence, cause I remember they phone has an original recovery backed up somewhere, and gets triggered when you reboot directly to system instead of the unofficial binary.
I advise you to watch guides on YouTube, it's more .. understandable.

CitizenSmith said:
still undecided on what custom rom to go for as I said some comments point out small issues and the developers also state certain things are not working so that is making it hard to consider one if you know what I mean.
Again Thank you for your input very much appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I recommend to go with ALEXNDR ROM: zero bugs, everything works perfectly (it's based on stock ROM).
[ROM][G930F/FD][ALEXNDR] * U8EUE1 * DevBase v7.4 * Encryption support [Jul-10]
Important notes for Developers / Chefs !!! This ROM is NOT based on any other custom ROM. My work contains many original ideas and innovations that I introduced as the first in the ROM development (see "Changelist" in post #2). Of course, it...
forum.xda-developers.com

Mohamedkam000 said:
Take a note that, when you flash TWRP, you have to boot immediately to the recovery, so as to enforce its existence, cause I remember they phone has an original recovery backed up somewhere, and gets triggered when you reboot directly to system instead of the unofficial binary.
I advise you to watch guides on YouTube, it's more .. understandable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yer I read that but I've ended up with TWRP installed and did not do that process because I was unaware it installed until it showed up.
As I said I'll just keep looking for now I know I'll find one that works for me from start to finish.
and I've been checking youtube but wouldn't want to use any links their providing but it may help familurise myself with the whole process if i watch enough of them.
Thanks again for your help.

mooms said:
I recommend to go with ALEXNDR ROM: zero bugs, everything works perfectly (it's based on stock ROM).
[ROM][G930F/FD][ALEXNDR] * U8EUE1 * DevBase v7.4 * Encryption support [Jul-10]
Important notes for Developers / Chefs !!! This ROM is NOT based on any other custom ROM. My work contains many original ideas and innovations that I introduced as the first in the ROM development (see "Changelist" in post #2). Of course, it...
forum.xda-developers.com
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Mooms
I will check that out many thanks. I wonder if you could help me here. I am in the middle of the rooting process but have hit a snag. again!
I have now installed TWRP successfully then no-verity-opt-encrypt-3.1 all went fine and I'm at point of flashing Magisk but have an issue when I swipe to flash is gives me a error in red saying "invalid zip file format !"
I downloaded it from github here.
GitHub - topjohnwu/Magisk: The Magic Mask for Android
The Magic Mask for Android. Contribute to topjohnwu/Magisk development by creating an account on GitHub.
github.com
I click on "code" tab and then "download zip" and I placed that in a download folder on my sd card when I select it I get the above error any ideas as to why I am getting this am I downloaded the correct file?
thanks for any assistance you could give.