Even after Odin flash stock, cannot unroot! Partial root persists. Help? - Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge Questions and Answers

Help please.
I want to fully unroot my Galaxy S7 Edge (SC-02H version, but I think this is not relevant).
I tried flashing back to stock with Odin (both latest version, as well as a previous one) but some kind of "partial root" still remains.
Always complete flash (AP, BL, CP, CSC).
I know some leftover from Root is there because whenever I open Samsung Web Browser and try to "Turn on Secret Mode", I get an error message saying "Root Detected(...)"
BUT, if I install SuperSU from Google Play, and try to run the app, it stops right after being started, saying there is NO ROOT detected.
I even tried re-flashing stock, flashing twrp, flashing supersu just for the sake of using the SuperSU App to "cleanup to unroot". When I did that, by the way, I chose "Yes" for both optional steps (try to recover stock recovery, something like that) so after the unroot cleaning process was supposedly done, the phone went into a bootloop. At that point I entered Download Mode and once more flashed stock.
But for my surprise, after initial setup, Samsung Web Browser STILL SAYS I am rooted!
How can I really completely revert back to stock?
PS- I tried installing Samsung Smart Switch, but the new version cannot reinitialize devices anymore! (And it is impossible to find an older version on the web). So with Smart Switch, there is no way of reverting back to stock anymore..

gamekill said:
Help please.
I want to fully unroot my Galaxy S7 Edge (SC-02H version, but I think this is not relevant).
I tried flashing back to stock with Odin (both latest version, as well as a previous one) but some kind of "partial root" still remains.
Always complete flash (AP, BL, CP, CSC).
I know some leftover from Root is there because whenever I open Samsung Web Browser and try to "Turn on Secret Mode", I get an error message saying "Root Detected(...)"
BUT, if I install SuperSU from Google Play, and try to run the app, it stops right after being started, saying there is NO ROOT detected.
I even tried re-flashing stock, flashing twrp, flashing supersu just for the sake of using the SuperSU App to "cleanup to unroot". When I did that, by the way, I chose "Yes" for both optional steps (try to recover stock recovery, something like that) so after the unroot cleaning process was supposedly done, the phone went into a bootloop. At that point I entered Download Mode and once more flashed stock.
But for my surprise, after initial setup, Samsung Web Browser STILL SAYS I am rooted!
How can I really completely revert back to stock?
PS- I tried installing Samsung Smart Switch, but the new version cannot reinitialize devices anymore! (And it is impossible to find an older version on the web). So with Smart Switch, there is no way of reverting back to stock anymore..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's normal.
You're probably already completely unrooted.
The reason secret mode won't work because it detect knox flag is already tripped, which happen when you root the first time.
Once Knox flag is tripped, it cannot be reverse.
Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

NonXtreme said:
That's normal.
You're probably already completely unrooted.
The reason secret mode won't work because it detect knox flag is already tripped, which happen when you root the first time.
Once Knox flag is tripped, it cannot be reverse.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh really? Nice to know that.
So Samsung says a tripped knox is "root" while that is not actually accurate. Thanks!
PS Personally I do not care about knox, have no use for that. But I am doing all this temporary unroot thing to finally maybe get my phone sim-unlocked. I have been trying with some people over the net, but the unlock always fail at the end and maybe it was failing because of custom recovery and root. Well anyway, I will try the unlock again later, now stock and unrooted. Hope it goes well.

Related

Screen not working - Unroot for warranty

My Galaxy S4 just decided to show wavy lines on the screen instead of turning on - as far as I can tell the screen and digitiser are no longer working.
**I CANNOT SEE OR DO ANYTHING ON THE SCREEN**
I have a 4.2.2 i9505 UAMDE -Stock Rom- that is rooted.
I have never flashed any other firmware to it - just rooted it.
I have Kies access and backed up my phone. Kies prompted for a firmware upgrade when I plugged in the phone.
I want to return it to stock/unroot etc so Samsung will warranty the phone without fuss (it was not dropped, just stopped working).
Some questions:
Most important:
1. Is it possible to get the phone to a state that will be warranty-ready without having a screen?
2. Do I need to Triangle away if all I have done is rooted? If so, can I do this without a working screen?
3. What is the best way to return to stock? ODIN or should I just let Kies update to latest firmware? (If either will it be enough to satisfy the first question)
4. If Kies does the update will I need access to the screen to complete it?
Thanks in advance!
1. You can flash same firmware with ODin. It will delete root access, but app will stay, so you have to uninstall it through https://play.google.com/store
2. You don't need to, unless you've made a root through Oding flash?
3. Odin
4. No, but it will udpate it to 4.3 with KNOX?
mar10o said:
1. You can flash same firmware with ODin. It will delete root access, but app will stay, so you have to uninstall it through https://play.google.com/store
2. You don't need to, unless you've made a root through Oding flash?
3. Odin
4. No, but it will udpate it to 4.3 with KNOX?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the quick reply.
1. not sure which 'app will stay' you mean?
2. Actually I cannot remember how I rooted - I will have to look this up again. Something tells me cf-autoroot and maybe ODIN... All I can remember it that I still have stock ROM just with root.
4. Agree that this might not be the best idea as I am trying to stay away from KNOX but I wonder if Samsung will automatically update to the latest ROM as part of the fix?
Kies is currently sitting on backing up "preparing" for ages and ages... hope it works in the end.
Looking back I suspect I used CF-autoroot which probably mean my counter has gone up.
Any way of resetting this without a screen?
I've managed to get some screen control using adb, screencast and teamviewer.
Triangle away says:
Counter: 0
Binary: Official
System: Official
I suspect the Official comes from the fact I was running Wanam Xposed and spoofing official.
One last question -
Given all that information I should just be able to flash
4.2.2 UAMDE Stock rom from sammobile with odin
and everything will be warranty-ready?
(will this wipe all my data and programs as well? - something I WANT to happen)
It will not wipe it. On the older devices like S3, there was a special ROM for cleaning purposes with PIT file, that was repartitioning your memory. Maybe there is something like that for S4?

Able to again get OTA updates on Sprint S5 after root - Knox flag still 0x1

So I initially rooted my Sprint S5 using the old fashioned way, which tripped my Knox flag seen at bootup in Odin mode. That part I cannot seem to get reset (going to try Triangle Away shortly).
However I now have it reloaded using the Samsung Kies Windows program with the latest firmware, and in the phone settings Device Status where it used to say "Custom" it now again says "Official". I first tried to use Odin to put the stock firmware image back on, which did not help at all.
I went into Kies version 3.2.14072_12 with my S5 plugged in and clicked Tools menu -> Firmware upgrade and initialization". It may ask you for model and serial number, which I put in for mine just fine, and then it launched saying the device will be initialized to original settings. However this is different from doing factory reset from within the phone. It reboots to odin and then recovery and performs a handful of things. When it completed I had to re-setup a bunch of things, but the phone basically unrooted itself without me telling SuperSU to do an unroot. I ran supersu and it said it couldnt run on an unrooted phone... So I checked the About info in settings and voila, back to Official status, and OTA updates work again!
Unfortunately the knox flag didnt un-set, but Im less worried about that and more worried about missing enhancement OTA patches and updates - well I was before I will update here if that Triangle program can reset the counter. I thought that counter was a hard-wired fuse piece of hardware, not flash memory, so Im not sure that it can be done, but worth a try. Hope this works for everyone and Good Luck!!
This is already known.... And FYI no known method can reset the Knox counter.
Sent from a Galaxy 5 light years away
Herby6262 said:
So I initially rooted my Sprint S5 using the old fashioned way, which tripped my Knox flag seen at bootup in Odin mode. That part I cannot seem to get reset (going to try Triangle Away shortly).
However I now have it reloaded using the Samsung Kies Windows program with the latest firmware, and in the phone settings Device Status where it used to say "Custom" it now again says "Official". I first tried to use Odin to put the stock firmware image back on, which did not help at all.
I went into Kies version 3.2.14072_12 with my S5 plugged in and clicked Tools menu -> Firmware upgrade and initialization". It may ask you for model and serial number, which I put in for mine just fine, and then it launched saying the device will be initialized to original settings. However this is different from doing factory reset from within the phone. It reboots to odin and then recovery and performs a handful of things. When it completed I had to re-setup a bunch of things, but the phone basically unrooted itself without me telling SuperSU to do an unroot. I ran supersu and it said it couldnt run on an unrooted phone... So I checked the About info in settings and voila, back to Official status, and OTA updates work again!
Unfortunately the knox flag didnt un-set, but Im less worried about that and more worried about missing enhancement OTA patches and updates - well I was before I will update here if that Triangle program can reset the counter. I thought that counter was a hard-wired fuse piece of hardware, not flash memory, so Im not sure that it can be done, but worth a try. Hope this works for everyone and Good Luck!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for th3 info. When I need ota then I know what to do. Its pretty obvious that I am new to this but I'm learning
Where can I find the numbers required for kies update ? SN is no where on the phone or under battery
MagnumPOS said:
Where can I find the numbers required for kies update ? SN is no where on the phone or under battery
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
phone info.apk

[Q] Help updating i1337m to official lollipop?

I have a Canadian Koodo Galaxy S4 (Model: SGH-i1337m) and I need help on how to update my phone to the official touchwiz android 5.0.
The phone was originally locked to Koodo, but I took it to a local phone store where they unlocked it for me. I now use the phone with another carrier (Rogers). I don't know the method they used to unlock it but after the process, my phone had become rooted and its device status was changed to "Custom". Also the Knox warranty counter became 0x1 after the unlock.
Right now the phone is on 4.4.2 and I'm unable to check for updates through the settings app as it gives me the message "Your device has been modified. Software updates are not available."
I don't really use root for anything on my phone except for xposed (which I can live without) and I need help updating this phone to 5.0. I don't mind losing my data but I really need to keep this phone unlocked. If anyone can help me out, it would be greatly appreciated.
rhwn said:
I have a Canadian Koodo Galaxy S4 (Model: SGH-i1337m) and I need help on how to update my phone to the official touchwiz android 5.0.
The phone was originally locked to Koodo, but I took it to a local phone store where they unlocked it for me. I now use the phone with another carrier (Rogers). I don't know the method they used to unlock it but after the process, my phone had become rooted and its device status was changed to "Custom". Also the Knox warranty counter became 0x1 after the unlock.
Right now the phone is on 4.4.2 and I'm unable to check for updates through the settings app as it gives me the message "Your device has been modified. Software updates are not available."
I don't really use root for anything on my phone except for xposed (which I can live without) and I need help updating this phone to 5.0. I don't mind losing my data but I really need to keep this phone unlocked. If anyone can help me out, it would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
I have the same phone, Canadian variant, SGH-i337M. Koodo.
Do you have a custom recovery installed? If not, I would suggest using TWRP.
Download it here (I have TWRP too, and always used the dd install method several times without problem. Just MAKE SURE you have the exact command!):
https://twrp.me/devices/samsunggalaxys4canada.html
Once TWRP is installed, really important to make a Nandroid backup ("Backup" menu). Would suggest copying the backup to PC as well (Backup everything, including EFS). TWRP is not needed to flash Lollipop, but it's important to keep a backup.
Next, flashing Lollipop using Odin (Doing this, your SD card/internal memory will be untouched, but you will loose your apps, SMS and stuff. Back these up before if you want. Otherwise, everything would be also in the TWRP backup you've performed earlier). Go to Sammobile to grab the update:
Koodo: http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/download/45758/I337MVLUGOC4_I337MOYAGOC4_KDO/
Rogers: http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/download/45777/I337MVLUGOC4_I337MOYAGOC4_RWC/
It doesn't matter much which one you choose - Their content remains the same, but maybe the radio/modem would differ between carriers I think. I would suggest choosing the Rogers firmware (I know that Koodo include a "Koodo" app in their firmware, for instance).
Then follow the instruction closely (Make sure to use a genuine Samsung cable, and reliable USB connection):
Instructions
Extract (unzip) the firmware file
Download Odin v3.10.6
Extract Odin ZIP file
Open Odin v.3.10.6
Reboot Phone in Download Mode (press and hold Home + Power + Volume Down buttons)
Connect phone and wait until you get a blue sign in Odin
Add the firmware file to AP / PDA
Make sure re-partition is NOT ticked
Click the start button, sit back and wait few minutes
I did the same thing myself to update to Lollipop. Worked great. But word of warning, you will loose your root access, and will have to root again (Same method worked for me, while I had problem disabling Knox on Lollipop somehow. Returned back to KitKat with my Nandroid backup).
Also, on that same Lollipop ROM, I encoutered WiFi issue, WiFi wouldn't turn ON at all (What the hell). Still haven't figured out the problem. That's why I would suggest keeping a backup of KitKat, for sure.
Also, don't worry about your unlocked phone, it will remained unlocked without problem.
Good luck

cannot update s5 software with kies, help?

my galaxy s5 model number is sm-g900t, android version is 4.4.2, ..not sure what other info might help, but anyway, i cannot update the software/firmware over the air because the device is rooted through steps on here and its been rooted awhile now. so anyway, i downloaded the kies 3 from the samsung site, it says all im supposed to do is plug the phone in, a box is supposed to pop up showing an update is needed......well, the kies box does pop up, but all it shows is current firmware version and shows my internal and external storage availabilty, and so on.... no auto update thing came up. so in kies i went into tools up a t the top, i hit firmware upgrade and initialization, then a smaller box pops up saying---does not support initializing, so now what? nothing else i can do in kies except move pic files around and such. i need to update the software. any advice? i attached 2 pics.....pic 1 is the initial message when phone is plugged in, #2 is when i go into tools and hit ugrade
knight1701 said:
my galaxy s5 model number is sm-g900t, android version is 4.4.2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Samsung has now embedded a security flag called KNOX in it's later devices. Unfortunately after you flash a package/custom ROM or whatever with a different signature than Samsungs own it trips that KNOX flag.
When your KNOX flag is tripped you can no longer update your phone via official methods. It is just the way it is, and there is nothing to be done. Once KNOX flag is tripped, there is no way to "untrip" it, so you will never be able to update via KIES again.
Im not really sure whether flashing a stock lollipop rom via odin works when KNOX is tripped, i have never tried it, so you should wait for any other member for confirmation. As far as i know, it shouldn't be a problem.
What i can tell you, if you have the time, is that you flash a ROM that is compatible with 4.4.2 (Omega v13 or AllianceROM v5.6 etc) and then flash it's ROMs lollipop update after a full wipe. It is the only thing i personally am sure about (i have done it before).
I'm by no means an expert on the matter but I'm pretty sure that if you can't get the Ota due to being rooted, then updating vIA Kies isn't going to work either.
Go to settings> about device> status
scroll to bottom of list and respond here what it says under "device status" (it's gong to say either official, or custom).
If it says official, you could unroot, maybe check that the proper drivers are installed on your computer, and try once again to apply the update via kies.
If it says custom, then knox has been tripped and I cannot help further.
The biggest issue here is that if you take the OTA update you'll lose the option to root or downgrade so you should probably use TWRP to install a ROM that's pre-rooted rather than trying to get the OTA
Akalsemann said:
Samsung has now embedded a security flag called KNOX in it's later devices. Unfortunately after you flash a package/custom ROM or whatever with a different signature than Samsungs own it trips that KNOX flag.
When your KNOX flag is tripped you can no longer update your phone via official methods. It is just the way it is, and there is nothing to be done. Once KNOX flag is tripped, there is no way to "untrip" it, so you will never be able to update via KIES again.
Im not really sure whether flashing a stock lollipop rom via odin works when KNOX is tripped, i have never tried it, so you should wait for any other member for confirmation. As far as i know, it shouldn't be a problem.
What i can tell you, if you have the time, is that you flash a ROM that is compatible with 4.4.2 (Omega v13 or AllianceROM v5.6 etc) and then flash it's ROMs lollipop update after a full wipe. It is the only thing i personally am sure about (i have done it before).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well i hear what your saying, but on my other phone, same setup, rooted and all.......updated just fine---did it about a month ago...updated to android 5 from 4.4.2..just plugged in the phone and boom it did its thing............on this other phone though, daughters phone, it wont work
Swimguy14 said:
I'm by no means an expert on the matter but I'm pretty sure that if you can't get the Ota due to being rooted, then updating vIA Kies isn't going to work either.
Go to settings> about device> status
scroll to bottom of list and respond here what it says under "device status" (it's gong to say either official, or custom).
If it says official, you could unroot, maybe check that the proper drivers are installed on your computer, and try once again to apply the update via kies.
If it says custom, then knox has been tripped and I cannot help further.
The biggest issue here is that if you take the OTA update you'll lose the option to root or downgrade so you should probably use TWRP to install a ROM that's pre-rooted rather than trying to get the OTA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok, on the phone in question, device status says--- custom, guess that ends that..........on my phone howerver, it says official which is why i guess i was able to update mine
just download a rom for your phone from sammobile and install with odin and your done

Unable to flash stock firmware

Hello, my SM-G935A is rooted, and I have 2 issues with it. Firstly, I'm unable to receive texts or phone calls (I can send them), and I've tried a factory reset and I even got a new SIM, but nothing worked. I think if I flash stock firmware, it might fix the issue. Second problem, when I go into download mode and select my AP in Odin and press start, my phone gets an error and Odin freezes at Initialization.
Any help would be appreciated. I would prefer to fix the texting issue, as I don't want to return the phone to ATT. In either case, the Odin issue needs to be fixed
I'm having a similar issue. This afternoon, 2 apps threw errors and closed. I rebooted, which apparently was the wrong thing to do. The reboot stalled on the AT&T logo and stayed that way for 5 min - the unit became very hot & the power button did not respond, even while holding it down. I got into recovery, cleared the cache and factory reset, then rebooted. The unit came back up and started reinstalling everything. I took it back down into the download status and attempted to reload 935x via Odin, only to stall at "initialzation" [sic] as you did. I got out of that after waiting for some sort of response. SuperSU was still in my apps as was Root Checker. Root Checker indicates the system is rooted. SuperSU indicates it needs the binary updated. BusyBox and TiBu indicate they cannot find root. I deleted all the root apps and tried reinstalling root via adb which completed successfully, but the same outcome with all the root apps. So I'm not sure if I'm still really rooted as Root Checker claims, or not.
EDIT: I just saw that I have 2 "Knox Settings" apps. Clicking on either returns, "Unfortunately, Container Agent2 has stopped."
use the odin from the stock firmware thread to flash it again. if it fails you can flash the u firmware and then the stock again. then you have to use a different odin if you want to flash the root api file the one you flash the firmware with wont work. also there is help in one of the threads about fixing the volte problem so you dont have to turn it off to get calls. i didnt have to do it as using the odin i mentioned fixed it for me when i came from the u firmware.
NovaEDMâ„¢ said:
Hello, my SM-G935A is rooted, and I have 2 issues with it. Firstly, I'm unable to receive texts or phone calls (I can send them), and I've tried a factory reset and I even got a new SIM, but nothing worked. I think if I flash stock firmware, it might fix the issue. Second problem, when I go into download mode and select my AP in Odin and press start, my phone gets an error and Odin freezes at Initialization.
Any help would be appreciated. I would prefer to fix the texting issue, as I don't want to return the phone to ATT. In either case, the Odin issue needs to be fixed
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was having the exact same problem you had with Odin. It seemed I was able to flash stock firmware using this version of Odin: http://www.mediafire.com/download/2t2sjqxtogbkafk/odin_3.12.3.rar
rob219 said:
use the odin from the stock firmware thread to flash it again. if it fails you can flash the u firmware and then the stock again. then you have to use a different odin if you want to flash the root api file the one you flash the firmware with wont work. also there is help in one of the threads about fixing the volte problem so you dont have to turn it off to get calls. i didnt have to do it as using the odin i mentioned fixed it for me when i came from the u firmware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
did you have any problems with the u version of the s7 edge firmware, like the fingerprint scanner not responding? i am on that version and cant get any odin version or any version of s7 edge g935a firmware to flash, tried unrooting and was forced to use the U version of the s7 edge firmware, everything works except the fingerprint scanner, cant get back to full stock firmware, need help!
im having the exact same problem, when i put my phone into download mode and flash the stock at&t firmware, Odin get stuck in "initialization" and my phone screen displays and error message.
Same stuff was happening to me, I went back to stock and took the update. When your phone stops working as an actual phone, it's time to roll it back.
I played with it for a week and my phone was so freaking hot (with hot weather) equals a wait and see if this gets more stable in the near future. I did use the Odin 3.12.3 mentioned by King James III. Honestly, I did so many things to get it back to stock I forget what actually worked (it was the wee hours of the morning and I was spent). Don't give up guys, it will and can work.
edit: It may be as simple as not right clicking Odin and running it as Administrator.
nicetucu said:
Same stuff was happening to me, I went back to stock and took the update. When your phone stops working as an actual phone, it's time to roll it back.
I played with it for a week and my phone was so freaking hot (with hot weather) equals a wait and see if this gets more stable in the near future. I did use the Odin 3.12.3 mentioned by King James III. Honestly, I did so many things to get it back to stock I forget what actually worked (it was the wee hours of the morning and I was spent). Don't give up guys, it will and can work.
edit: It may be as simple as not right clicking Odin and running it as Administrator.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used Odin_v3.12.3_Patched_SHA256 to flash the 935U Firmware then used Odin3_v3.11.2 to flash the June Firmware release.

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