I purchased a used Note 4 off ebay and want to make completely sure there are no spy apps or malware on it. I know some spy apps can be installed into the system partition and survive a factory reset. I discovered an app called cerberus that could do this and could be used to spy on me and blackmail me. How do I completely clean my phone of all spy apps or malware and completely wipe everything including the system partition erasing everything.
Boughtphone said:
I purchased a used Note 4 off ebay and want to make completely sure there are no spy apps or malware on it. I know some spy apps can be installed into the system partition and survive a factory reset. I discovered an app called cerberus that could do this and could be used to spy on me and blackmail me. How do I completely clean my phone of all spy apps or malware and completely wipe everything including the system partition erasing everything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Install TWRP and format /data. Will clean OS and most writable parts of your phone. Afterwards, have stock ready to flash and flash it via Odin and you should be good to go
Boughtphone said:
I purchased a used Note 4 off ebay and want to make completely sure there are no spy apps or malware on it. I know some spy apps can be installed into the system partition and survive a factory reset. I discovered an app called cerberus that could do this and could be used to spy on me and blackmail me. How do I completely clean my phone of all spy apps or malware and completely wipe everything including the system partition erasing everything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hard reset from stock recovery or better if you flash stock rom from odin then do factory reset from recovery.
ShaDisNX255 said:
Install TWRP and format /data. Will clean OS and most writable parts of your phone. Afterwards, have stock ready to flash and flash it via Odin and you should be good to go
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do I install twrp? I don't think the phone is rooted. Is this the easiest way?
Boughtphone said:
How do I install twrp? I don't think the phone is rooted. Is this the easiest way?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You do not need to be rooted to install twrp. It's the method I trust the most, but you can just use the stock recovery to wipe everything, TWRP will erase everything including media
ShaDisNX255 said:
You do not need to be rooted to install twrp. It's the method I trust the most, but you can just use the stock recovery to wipe everything, TWRP will erase everything including media
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you send me a guide? Or tell me how?
Just download the TWRP version for your device (check model), download Odin and the Samsung USB drivers.
Turn your phone off and enter download mode, connect via USB to your PC and open Odin. Select the TWRP file from the "AP" option in Odin and just select Start
It's really a simple process.
After that, you should have TWRP installed and should now be able to enter custom recovery
ShaDisNX255 said:
Just download the TWRP version for your device (check model), download Odin and the Samsung USB drivers.
Turn your phone off and enter download mode, connect via USB to your PC and open Odin. Select the TWRP file from the "AP" option in Odin and just select Start
It's really a simple process.
After that, you should have TWRP installed and should now be able to enter custom recovery
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. Once I have TWRP what settings should I use to wipe everything.
Related
Im planning to reflash my phone back to stock as a few things are messed up, will be flashing via odin the base firmware is UEND6 and will reflash the same firmware so that I can still root w/o tripping knox, would reflashing via Odin clear user data?
i guess not
EarlZ said:
Im planning to reflash my phone back to stock as a few things are messed up, will be flashing via odin the base firmware is UEND6 and will reflash the same firmware so that I can still root w/o tripping knox, would reflashing via Odin clear user data?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess just flashing the firmware won't wipe the data.
I flashed stock over a CM install and forgot to wipe data. My stuff was still there but the install was definitely a little bit unstable with background apps crashing. It didn't wipe data, but the phone needed a data wipe afterwards to be usable...
AO7 said:
I flashed stock over a CM install and forgot to wipe data. My stuff was still there but the install was definitely a little bit unstable with background apps crashing. It didn't wipe data, but the phone needed a data wipe afterwards to be usable...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I kinda need to get my data back before wiping, I installed 3 new xposed modules and I am not 100% sure which of the 3 is causing the issue, Im stuck at the Samsung logo.
EDIT:
Im wondering if factory reset would delete camera photos stored on the internal memory, if not I have most of my impt stuff backed up online.
EarlZ said:
I kinda need to get my data back before wiping, I installed 3 new xposed modules and I am not 100% sure which of the 3 is causing the issue, Im stuck at the Samsung logo.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Install TWRP recovery (will trip knox) and make a TWRP backup of the entire phone including data partition. Once inside TWRP recovery you can also mount /data and adb pull whatever data you need from it, including the backup. Not sure what to do if you need to access embedded app data that you can not pull through adb.
When I flashed stock without wiping data my files were still there though.
AO7 said:
Install TWRP recovery (will trip knox) and make a TWRP backup of the entire phone including data partition. Once inside TWRP recovery you can also mount /data and adb pull whatever data you need from it, including the backup. Not sure what to do if you need to access embedded app data that you can not pull through adb.
When I flashed stock without wiping data my files were still there though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My data is not that important to trip knox
EarlZ said:
My data is not that important to trip knox
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In that case I would just flash stock and see what happens,
AO7 said:
In that case I would just flash stock and see what happens,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Still waiting for the download to complete. Samfirmware is only giving me 300kb/s and I dont know where else to get stock firmwares.
To close this issue with a resolved status, I would like to say one thing.
If you flash a leaked firmware - it will wipe your phone.
If you flash a stock firmware - it will NOT wipe your phone.
Factory reset will not wipe your internal SD.
Installing TWRP or anything unofficial will trip your KNOX. If your data is worth losing warranty - go for it
I was with a UEND6 firmware and just gonna flash the same to get my data back and factory reset the phone.
EDIT:
Got my data, everything seems to be perfectly working aside from the task manger, Gonna factory reset the phone and probably reflash with odin to have a clean start, would ticking repartition be necessary for a fresh install ? ( but I remember that required a PIT file )
Hello people my phone getting old i think 1.5 year so far my phone started to freeze having lags getting too hot while browsing. And bootloops started without flashing anything. First bootloop happened 2 weeks ago. Today happened again twice i wiped dalvik cache and everything is fine how can i fix it? I thought rom cause it i flashed stock firmware rooted it and removed bloatware. Still happens lags,freeze,getting too hot and bootloop. Is it lollipop update? I never had this issues with kitkat. How can fix this and keep my alive?
Orangley said:
Hello people my phone getting old i think 1.5 year so far my phone started to freeze having lags getting too hot while browsing. And bootloops started without flashing anything. First bootloop happened 2 weeks ago. Today happened again twice i wiped dalvik cache and everything is fine how can i fix it? I thought rom cause it i flashed stock firmware rooted it and removed bloatware. Still happens lags,freeze,getting too hot and bootloop. Is it lollipop update? I never had this issues with kitkat. How can fix this and keep my alive?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try a full factory reset. Be careful as this will wipe your internal storage.
GDReaper said:
Try a full factory reset. Be careful as this will wipe your internal storage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your answer but I did it after flash stock rom via odin. Wiped data / factory reset , cache partition , mounted cache , system , data , wiped dalvik cache..
Wiping data does not equal a factory reset. Wiping data does just that, wipes user installed apps. But generally leaves the internal storage alone.
A factory reset returns the phone to the settings it came out of the factory with, including a clean internal storage(If you have the stock rom). I heard that changing roms and just wiping data, dalvik and cache will still leave behind some files.
But it could also be untrue.
GDReaper said:
Wiping data does not equal a factory reset. Wiping data does just that, wipes user installed apps. But generally leaves the internal storage alone.
A factory reset returns the phone to the settings it came out of the factory with, including a clean internal storage(If you have the stock rom). I heard that changing roms and just wiping data, dalvik and cache will still leave behind some files.
But it could also be untrue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flashing stock rom is same with factory reset i think clears everything.
I don't know. Haven't flashed stock on this device yet.
But don't most guys recommend doing a wipe before going back to stock?
I dont know i'll try that when i have free time. I did research some guys saying lollipop causing these problems. I'll try wipe before flash stock rom again , if issues keep happen i'll use lates 4.4.2 custom rom. Thank you for your answers i'll report back.
Real reset
This method will wipe everything, including operating system and efs files. Before you do this:
you must root
Download twrp recovery
Install the recovery using the app from the play store
Boot into recovery mode and have twrp backup everything
save your backup to an SD card and the computer (can't hurt to have two backups)
Doing the above will preserve your phone important data like your imei and efs
in case something goes wrong.
NOW
after you have backed everything up use twrp recovery to wipe data. Have twrp wipe everything except for your SD card (don't won't to lose the backup)
After everything has been obliterated have twrp boot you into download mode.
Download Odin from XDA preferably 3.09 (most stable release) and then grab an official stock firmware from a trusted source. The latest stock firmware should be at least 4.4.2
If you have carriers other than t-mobile you will also need to find a PIT file for partitioning.
When you have all of this open up Odin with your phone connected in download mode and make sure repartitioning, clear efs and nand-erase is checked along with the defaults.
Select pda button and choose your firmware (unzipped tar.md5 format.) Then select repartitioning PIT file button and direct to where you have the PIT file downloaded.
now click start (be sure that the Com port is recognized by Odin: will be highlighted in blue or yellow.)
This will take a while depending on your computer.
when it finishes your phone should reboot with a fresh os and filesystem. If you get stuck in a bootloop reboot into recovery mode and do a wipe data and wipe cache. Reboot and your phone should be good as new.
IMPORTANT!!! It is vital you keep your TWRP backups for as long as you have your phone if you lose them and something goes wrong while flashing your phone you will lose important things such as IMEI baseband which will prevent you from connecting to your network and Sim card recognition.
Thank you so much i'll try this now.
AndroidInitiate said:
This method will wipe everything, including operating system and efs files. Before you do this:
you must root
Download twrp recovery
Install the recovery using the app from the play store
Boot into recovery mode and have twrp backup everything
save your backup to an SD card and the computer (can't hurt to have two backups)
Doing the above will preserve your phone important data like your imei and efs
in case something goes wrong.
NOW
after you have backed everything up use twrp recovery to wipe data. Have twrp wipe everything except for your SD card (don't won't to lose the backup)
After everything has been obliterated have twrp boot you into download mode.
Download Odin from XDA preferably 3.09 (most stable release) and then grab an official stock firmware from a trusted source. The latest stock firmware should be at least 4.4.2
If you have carriers other than t-mobile you will also need to find a PIT file for partitioning.
When you have all of this open up Odin with your phone connected in download mode and make sure repartitioning, clear efs and nand-erase is checked along with the defaults.
Select pda button and choose your firmware (unzipped tar.md5 format.) Then select repartitioning PIT file button and direct to where you have it downloaded.
now click start (be sure that the Com port is recognized by Odin: will be highlighted in blue or yellow.)
This will take a while depending on your computer.
when it finishes your phone should reboot with a fresh os and filesystem. If you get stuck in a bootloop reboot into recovery mode and do a wipe data and wipe cache. Reboot and your phone should be good as new.
IMPORTANT!!! It is vital you keep your TWRP backups for as long as you have your phone if you lose them and something goes wrong while flashing your phone you will lose important things such as IMEI baseband which will prevent you from connecting to your network and Sim card recognition.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Odin freeze everytime i put twrp tar.md5 file cant i use philz touch which i use for long time?
Orangley said:
Odin freeze everytime i put twrp tar.md5 file cant i use philz touch which i use for long time?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is that another custom recovery?
If so then yes just make sure you have all of your system files and most importantly your efs backed up.
Run odin as administrator if that doesnt work, try using another version of Odin.
AndroidInitiate said:
Is that another custom recovery?
If so then yes just make sure you have all of your system files and most importantly your efs backed up.
Run odin as administrator if that doesnt work, try using another version of Odin.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doesnt work another versions both twrp and odin. I'll keep my custom recovery and try it.
Orangley said:
Doesnt work another versions both twrp and odin. I'll keep my custom recovery and try it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What carrier are you using, model number of the phone, etc.
Have you backed everything up? And can you flash the custom recovery through Odin if it fails?
Try it without wiping efs first just to be safe
Look here for your device you will be able to find standalone flash able versions of twrp that should work through odin.
http://twrp.me/Devices/
Using i9500. And i did what you said and works fine thank you! Mods close thread please.
I've been reading something that interested me.
https://www.reddit.com/r/MotoX/comments/2kx2lv/how_do_you_encrypt_a_rooted_moto_x/
Specifically.
I had the same issue today. Booted into safe mode, then I was able to encrypt.
Press power button to get power off popup menu. Press and hold power off. You will get another popup offering to reboot in safe mode.
Safe mode worked. This uncomplicates my process of rooting, unrooting, encrypting, and having issues rerooting after encryption. This is also a crazy easy single step process for an issue that has given me months of headaches.
You shall be the first person ever that I have given gold to.
Thank you so much!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I enter my password in the encryption settings menu and hit the Encrypt button
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How would encryption effect flashing a new rom?
What are your guys thoughts on encryptimg a unlocked and rooted phone?
I do not want to enable it yet till it is comfirmed its ok.
Thanks.
Um I haven't had a problem and I've encrypted the software many times as I have installed many rooms and I always encrypt after setting everything up post root so it should just work without issue. Maybe they just weren't being patient and it can take a bit of time
timde9 said:
Um I haven't had a problem and I've encrypted the software many times as I have installed many rooms and I always encrypt after setting everything up post root so it should just work without issue. Maybe they just weren't being patient and it can take a bit of time
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What about unencrypting? To say to flash a new kernel or rom?
Well that's an interesting question. I am testing twrp builds from hashbang to try and get encryption fully supported for this device in twrp. Until that time you can actually still flash zips via adb sideload no problem
timde9 said:
Well that's an interesting question. I am testing twrp builds from hashbang to try and get encryption fully supported for this device in twrp. Until that time you can actually still flash zips via adb sideload no problem
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ohh. Cool. I'll have to learn adb.
@timde9
I've got twrp installed.
To get to recovrry mode, do I go into recovery mode in twrp and then the recovery button in twrp to install packages m zips from adb?
to install packages via adb is pretty simple really you just open twrp go to advanced menu and open "adb sideload" from there. Then connect your device to your computer install adb and sideload an app with this syntax
"adb sideload ***.zip"
That is radical. Ty for this.
Encryption went like a breeze.
took no more than 20 min. I feel safe now.
timde9 said:
Well that's an interesting question. I am testing twrp builds from hashbang to try and get encryption fully supported for this device in twrp. Until that time you can actually still flash zips via adb sideload no problem
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just found out after encrypting twrp fails to mount data to backup. I might restore without encryption. That way I have access to backups on my phone too.
So I am having a problem restoring a backup. Since I cannot decrypt, to get rid of data from being locked down, do I flash with a rom? I am stuck.
Ok I have to do a factory reset. But not sure if this exists and works through twrp. Or if I have to do a factory reset some otherway.
Ok I skipped trying to reinstall rom and did a little searching.
This guy but with a 6P had exact issue.
For me to wipe data I need to
Code:
fastboot format userdata
https://www.reddit.com/r/Nexus6P/comments/3qnzz0/twrp_unable_to_mount_data/
Hitti2 said:
Ok I skipped trying to reinstall rom and did a little searching.
This guy but with a 6P had exact issue.
For me to wipe data I need to
Code:
fastboot format userdata
https://www.reddit.com/r/Nexus6P/comments/3qnzz0/twrp_unable_to_mount_data/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is this ok to do? I don't want mess anything up.
Hitti2 said:
Is this ok to do? I don't want mess anything up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That will erase all your data including files, apps, etc. Anything installed to /system should be untouched.
asuhoops8628 said:
That will erase all your data including files, apps, etc. Anything installed to /system should be untouched.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for confirming this. Exactly what I need when time comes to decrypt "wipe" I will use this.
I wasn't sure if it would delete the partition or wipe, this is why I asked.
Ty.
Hitti2 said:
Thanks for confirming this. Exactly what I need when time comes to decrypt "wipe" I will use this.
I wasn't sure if it would delete the partition or wipe, this is why I asked.
Ty.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Upon reading this again, just to be safe, you might want to start with just a fastboot erase. I think format does the same thing, but I have never used it.
Since you would be specifying the partition with both commands, I do not think you are in risk of completely blowing up your user partition if you choose to use fastboot format, but once again, I have always just used fastboot erase.
Hitti2 said:
Ok I skipped trying to reinstall rom and did a little searching.
This guy but with a 6P had exact issue.
For me to wipe data I need to
Code:
fastboot format userdata
https://www.reddit.com/r/Nexus6P/comments/3qnzz0/twrp_unable_to_mount_data/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So I went to use this. I got an error.
Code:
Formatting is not supported for filesystem with type 'raw'
So now, that I am guessing, since twrp can now decrypt, I should just be able to go into twrp and do a full wipe and reinstall of the trupurexmm 2.5 And encryption should be gone?
Hitti2 said:
So I went to use this. I got an error.
Code:
Formatting is not supported for filesystem with type 'raw'
So now, that I am guessing, since twrp can now decrypt, I should just be able to go into twrp and do a full wipe and reinstall of the trupurexmm 2.5 And encryption should be gone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope. Encryption is still enabled. I flashed trupurexmm 2.5 following
5. How To Install A ROM with TWRP Recovery
Prerequisites: unlocked bootloader, TWRP recovery.
Installing a ROM is a pretty straight forward and easy process. Before you install anything you should make a nandroid backup (instructions above).
Download a ROM and appropriate Gapps package and place on your device.
Boot into your custom recovery.
Perform a full wipe.
Select the wipe option from the TWRP home screen.
Select advanced wipe.
Check the system, data, cache, and dalvik cache options.
Swipe to wipe.
Install the ROM.
Select the install option from the TWRP home screen.
Navigate to where you have the ROM zip stored on your sd card and select it.
Swipe to install.
Most ROMs will run an installer script at this point but some ROMs have what is called an Aroma Installer which allow you to choose some install options before the script runs.
You will also need to install the appropriate gapps package directly after installing the ROM.
Once you've installed all necessary zips you'll have an option to wipe cache/dalvik and an option to reboot system. Wipe the cache/dalvik, hit the back button, and hit the reboot system button.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm having an issue encrypting. Encryption will not start on my rooted moto x. I factory reset and encrypted, but could not get root working. Flashed everything via adb sideload in twrp but root refueses to work. Any ideas
Sent from my XT1575 using Tapatalk
Hi,
I set up TWRP 2.8.7.0 and cm-13.0-20160129 on my Samsung Galaxy S4 LTE-A (GT-I9506), and run into an odd problem where it would work after install, but would not work after a reboot (booting screen would just roll for ever). Installing CM again, would work, and than the problem would still be there. Mindlessly I decided to play a little anyway and set up encryption. The phone ended up rebooting, and not loading, so I'm here without a password (default_password doesent work) and with an encrypted /data that TWRP cant wipe or format
Unable to mount storage.
Unable to decrypt data
Unable to wipe '/data' -- unknown file system 'auto'
Unable to format to remove encryption
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've attempted to use ADB to format it, but it seems parted isnt installed. With that phone being a less popular variant I'm kind of afraid to just flash whatever there, but I guess I need a recovery with a least parted, or possibly one that would be able to format the drive itself. Any pointers?
Have you tried flashing a stock ROM via Odin? Is this your phone: http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/database/GT-I9506/ ?
not yet; I don't have windows, and didn't see any point in changing the soft used for flashing, will try but cant download the polish rom at the moment o0 (ends up with a dead link or a server down?)
I know of no other way to flash a stock ROM from sammobile.com other than Odin.
Did you create a free account on sammobile.com to enable the regular download?
harce said:
not yet; I don't have windows, and didn't see any point in changing the soft used for flashing, will try but cant download the polish rom at the moment o0 (ends up with a dead link or a server down?)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can also flash it with Heimdall. It's the open source variant of Odin.
aaaand I'm back, managed to download, got some windows, flashed to stock using odin, and it's still encrypted. is running 'repartition' from odin safe? I've noticed some warnings against it but without any explanations.
edit; running the same operation with repartition failed. this bloody encryption might be able to survive nuclear war.
After flashing back to stock via Odin, did you perform a factory wipe before booting the rom for the first time?
I assume you have a pit file for the phone since you repartitioned?
audit13 said:
After flashing back to stock via Odin, did you perform a factory wipe before booting the rom for the first time?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
just now, seamed to go thorough properly (no error messages) and worked!
audit13 said:
I assume you have a pit file for the phone since you repartitioned?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
never managed to do that. I wonder what advantage does the wipe from factory ROM have over custom recoveries... anyways thanks to all who helped, the issue is solved. also it seems that the problems with non-rebooting CM were my mistake of not wiping the cache/dalvik after install
I find that a wipe using a custom recovery is not always as through as a stock recovery. Can't say how or why, it's just based on my experience with Samsung and Nexus phones.
harce said:
just now, seamed to go thorough properly (no error messages) and worked!
never managed to do that. I wonder what advantage does the wipe from factory ROM have over custom recoveries... anyways thanks to all who helped, the issue is solved. also it seems that the problems with non-rebooting CM were my mistake of not wiping the cache/dalvik after install
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
audit13 said:
I find that a wipe using a custom recovery is not always as through as a stock recovery. Can't say how or why, it's just based on my experience with Samsung and Nexus phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think the difference is that a custom recovery only wipes /data partition so that the internal sdcard will not be wiped. The stock recovery formats /data partition. When you want to lose encryption you need to format /data partition.
You can also format the /data partition with a custom recovery, but that option is hidden for good reason. Because it will also format your internal sdcard and that's not something we want to do when changing roms.
I am on stock 5.1.1 (Offical) and want to hard reset everything on phone, to solve horrible lag problems.
I want to boot into recovery and wipe the- data,cache/dalvik cache & partition.
Once I delete the above, and restart the phone it will boot into clean default OS OR then I have to download & install the OS again that I presume I have to download from sammobile ? If yes, once I restrat the phone after deleting everything from recovery how to install OS... please help with complete details.
See instructions for flashing on Sammobile or in the Stickied genera section of faqs and guides .
Stock roms are flashed via odin .
Wiping from recovery should put the phone back to a factory fresh rom.
audit13 said:
Wiping from recovery should put the phone back to a factory fresh rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, so once done the cleanup via recovery as stated above, phone will re-start into exsiting OS and no further action/download is required by me... have I understood it right ?
craige said:
Okay, so once done the cleanup via recovery as stated above, phone will re-start into exsiting OS and no further action/download is required by me... have I understood it right ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, factory reset from official recovery will wipe everything clean (minus the system partition). No further action required, just reboot the phone after you've reset it.
stonedead said:
Yes, factory reset from official recovery will wipe everything clean (minus the system partition). No further action required, just reboot the phone after you've reset it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes system partiton, thats what I was thinking...
Now, say I want to even wipe partition and install the official OS all over again... how can I do that? - From what I understand, I have to download OS from sammobile, install Odin and then flash from there.... Can u guys provide more steps as I am not very confident.
you can use this as a reference..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T95Eqftb7do
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdDgaqsYrRs