SD Card Encryption - Any Solution ? - Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hello All,
I have a Galaxy S5 that I must keep encrypted because it is a work phone and my workplace requires that it be encrypted.
I recently tried to add an SD Card (tried 3 different sizes and 3 different brands) and got the dreaded cannot mount cannot encrypt error loop.
I searched the net and found numerous complaints that all seem to point to the Android OS rather than a specific phone. I am using 6.0.1 on my phone.
I did not find any solution posted anywhere.
I am wondering though, has anyone tried to decrypt the phone, unlock the screen, add the sd card, then re-lock the screen, and re-encypt the phone ?
I did not see anyone post anywhere that they tried this.
Any helpful hints appreciated.

It Is Not Fixed
I have tried every method I have found from searches including ones from later Samsung unit forums and none of them work.
The only thing I have not tried is factory reset because it is a work phone and it will blow away all of the work apps and getting them restored will take weeks.
I cannot even try to decrypt the phone because it is Marshmallow 6.0.1 and decrypt does not work. You have to factory reset the phone to start all over.
I have decided to leave the micro sd card in the phone in the hopes that next OTA update will see it and apply some fix to allow it to work.
This Encyption stuff is really a doomsday. I have an identical phone slightly older but still a Samsung Galaxy S5 with Marshmallow 6.0.1 unencrypted and it takes the micro SD card with no problems and works great.
IF YOU DO NOT HAVE TO ENCRYPT YOUR PHONE, JUST DO NOT!!!
The encryption does not really work anyway. If you connect your phone to a pc and enter your password for the lock screen, all of your internal files are visible once you tap file transfer from the notification pull down.
So encryption does nothing beyond the lock screen. If someone can bust your lock screen password, they've got everything.

Related

[Q] How to enable Fingerprint Scanner with full device encryption??

Hi,
I bought the Samsung Galaxy S5 and the fingerprint reader works reasonably well (as in it works, nothing in comparison to apple though, so don't buy it for the fingerprint reader ) for unlocking the screen...
However its a work requirement that my phone has full device encryption, as phones are regularly stolen where I travel.... it seems when I enable encryption I lose the ability to use the fingerprint reader to unlock the phone .... I bought this hoping that I could avoid having to type in my complex password just to unlock the screen, as I got so tired of doing that with my S2
Is there any mods to enable finger print reader screen unlock + full device encryption at boot time for the Galaxy S5 yet? ... I saw some references to pattern unlock / pin with device encryption... but I would think the fingerprint reader is different...
Thanks!
S5 Full disk encryption with fingerprint unlock
I also have this question. I believe on the Nexus 5 it at leasts lets you use face unlock with full device encryption. And I read on one article that you should be able to do this but i do not think the author actually tried this. I will say from my own personal experience that you can infact decrypt the device after encrypting it without doing a complete wipe of the device and you can restore the use of fingerprints to unlock your phone. It seems like for security minded people this would be a great feature but if it is unable to be used with full device encryption it seems a little pointless to me. Being forced to use a PIN or password to use encryption is a big pain point for android users who want some type of security.
Yes I can't believe that no one has really complained about this yet - but I guess encryption isn't' that important to people as I imagined
androidpleb said:
Yes I can't believe that no one has really complained about this yet - but I guess encryption isn't' that important to people as I imagined
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am having the same pain, as I use my S5 for BYOD.
It makes no sense when you can use fingerprint to make payments with paypal but not unlocking the phone when it is encrypted.
Hope Samsung can enable this feature in next update.
I'd like this too.. as well as, the iPhone has a cydia app (that a friend of mine showed me), that you can basically disable the power button from turning off the phone while it is fingerprint locked. That would definately be nice to have on the S5 (since it's done through an app). That would have stopped the person who stole my wife's S4 from turning it off when it was blasting the locator ring at them!
sorphin said:
I'd like this too.. as well as, the iPhone has a cydia app (that a friend of mine showed me), that you can basically disable the power button from turning off the phone while it is fingerprint locked. That would definately be nice to have on the S5 (since it's done through an app). That would have stopped the person who stole my wife's S4 from turning it off when it was blasting the locator ring at them!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't believe that the fingerprint sensor can't be used if encryption is enabled whatsoever. I could understand the iPhone model, requiring a pin before a fingerprint can be used, but by disabling fingerprint lockscreen, boot unlock, and SD unlock, the fingerprint sensor is now wholly useless for convenience.
It's too trivial to extract data from an unencrypted Android. By not supporting encryption with a measure of covenieve, I don't see the point in including a fingerprint sensor whatsoever given the current software limitations.
Please, someone, figure out what sqlite/settings need to be changed so we can make decent use of our phones fingerprint sensor.
After some experiments, i found out a procedure to enable FDE and fingerprint lockscreen. Root is required (or at least I guess, I didn't try with a non-rooted system...).
These are the steps:
1) set up fingerprint lockscreen
2) with a root explorer, go to /data/system folder, and backup locksettings.db, locksettings.db-shm and locksettings.db-wal to sd card
3) set up password lockscreen
4) encrypt the device
5) when encryption is done, restore the backed-up files to /data/system: you should have fingerprint lockscreen again (no reboot needed, just turn the screen off, and magically the password should be vanished )
CAVEAT 1: with my system configuration, I wasn't able to encrypt the device directly: the encryption procedure started, but after reboot nothing happened, the device just booted normally. I don't know the exact reason, in some forums they suppose that it happens on kitkat when the device is rooted. I was able to bypass the problem only adding these steps to the procedure:
...
3b) with TWRP, backup the /system partition, and restore the stock non-rooted /system
4) encrypt the device
4b) restore the original rooted /system partition
...
I don't know if steps 3b) and 4b) are always necessary, let me know...
If you need these steps, don't worry if before restoring your custom /system partition the encryption password isn't recognized, just restore the partition and all will work fine
CAVEAT 2: once encrypted, I didn't find a way to unencrypt the device, because the unencrypt ion procedure starts, but after reboot the device is still encrypted, similar to what described in caveat 1. I tried to replace the /system partition with the stock one, but the encryption password was no longer recognized.
CAVEAT 3: the current TWRP (2.7.1) isn't able to mount S5 encrypted data partition, and restoring an image made with online nandroid backup doesn't seem to work either. So, if you want to make an image of your phone (and I suggest to do it ), do it before encryption
Boot Loop
fabiokino said:
After some experiments, i found out a procedure to enable FDE and fingerprint lockscreen. Root is required (or at least I guess, I didn't try with a non-rooted system...).
These are the steps:
1) set up fingerprint lockscreen
2) with a root explorer, go to /data/system folder, and backup locksettings.db, locksettings.db-shm and locksettings.db-wal to sd card
3) set up password lockscreen
4) encrypt the device
5) when encryption is done, restore the backed-up files to /data/system: you should have fingerprint lockscreen again (no reboot needed, just turn the screen off, and magically the password should be vanished )
CAVEAT 1: with my system configuration, I wasn't able to encrypt the device directly: the encryption procedure started, but after reboot nothing happened, the device just booted normally. I don't know the exact reason, in some forums they suppose that it happens on kitkat when the device is rooted. I was able to bypass the problem only adding these steps to the procedure:
...
3b) with TWRP, backup the /system partition, and restore the stock non-rooted /system
4) encrypt the device
4b) restore the original rooted /system partition
...
I don't know if steps 3b) and 4b) are always necessary, let me know...
If you need these steps, don't worry if before restoring your custom /system partition the encryption password isn't recognized, just restore the partition and all will work fine
CAVEAT 2: once encrypted, I didn't find a way to unencrypt the device, because the unencrypt ion procedure starts, but after reboot the device is still encrypted, similar to what described in caveat 1. I tried to replace the /system partition with the stock one, but the encryption password was no longer recognized.
CAVEAT 3: the current TWRP (2.7.1) isn't able to mount S5 encrypted data partition, and restoring an image made with online nandroid backup doesn't seem to work either. So, if you want to make an image of your phone (and I suggest to do it ), do it before encryption
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I get samsung boot loop using the above instructions
Pierreseoul said:
I get samsung boot loop using the above instructions
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi guys! Did someone try this solution? I unfortunately have the same issue and unlock my device each time make me crazy!
Thanks in advance.
Same problem
I purchased a Galaxy S5 and I have the same problem, unfortunately I cannot root my phone due to security policies in my company. :crying:
I hope Samsung will solve the issue. :fingers-crossed:
Have anyone contacted to Samsung Support Center?
Pierreseoul said:
I get samsung boot loop using the above instructions
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What is the consequence of boot loop if you are using stock boot loader? Odin mode required to recover? Something less drastic? What device model are you using?
I found a possible solution that involves deactivating SuperSU and running encryption from there. Still investigating. I am thinking that the solution from @fabiokino will work in this case too.
I'm curious about this aswell.
Doesn't anyone know a working solution?...
It is really frustrating the very least. I can't believe there isn't a way (or if there is, a guide) to do this (with or without root access).
I have also heard it is doable on the Note 4. See this post for example http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=57103664&postcount=7.
I just flashed the stock Lollipop ROM and guess what: It works!!
Samsung finally did it. No tweaking needed and it also works without root access.
How?
healpowah said:
I just flashed the stock Lollipop ROM and guess what: It works!!
Samsung finally did it. No tweaking needed and it also works without root access.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you explain how please? I'm on stock lollipop as well and cannot use fingerprint scanner with FDE. Wondering if there's a process to it?
Thanks!
healpowah said:
I just flashed the stock Lollipop ROM and guess what: It works!!
Samsung finally did it. No tweaking needed and it also works without root access.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice to see this, hope it will work on my Galaxy tab S too
Did you see this?
https://www.jethrocarr.com/2013/12/29/encrypting-disk-on-android-4/
GermanDoerksen said:
Can you explain how please? I'm on stock lollipop as well and cannot use fingerprint scanner with FDE. Wondering if there's a process to it?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unluckily the trick showed in the previous link only encrytps the main device and not the micro SD
Joker87 said:
Unluckily the trick showed in the previous link only encrytps the main device and not the micro SD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well for me that really wouldn't be a problem. I don't have an SD card so I'm okay with just FDE. Thing is I really really don't want to root my phone... No particular reason other than every older android device I've done it on always ends up slow and buggy after a few months use until I reflash with stock ROM. I would like my phone to stay buttery smooth for once..
GermanDoerksen said:
Well for me that really wouldn't be a problem. I don't have an SD card so I'm okay with just FDE. Thing is I really really don't want to root my phone... No particular reason other than every older android device I've done it on always ends up slow and buggy after a few months use until I reflash with stock ROM. I would like my phone to stay buttery smooth for once..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could root then unroot it after you have encrypted it
Joker87 said:
You could root then unroot it after you have encrypted it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you're right... plus it's not really the "rooting" process that makes it slow, it's installing another ROM. Having a rooted phone doesn't necessarily have any performance impact... just opens up a few things for me. Interesting. Thanks! Unfortunately I've already encrypted so now I have to find that thread about how to decrypt lol.
Thanks!

Adopted storage nightmare on latest OTA MM upgraded X Play

Hi all,
after a good few weeks of no issue whatsover the adopted SD card in my play began failing - to the extent that it now gets checked by the system then disappears - i can see the card in linux but obv need the key to decrypt - cant get the key without rooting, cant root without wiping device.
before i bite the bullet and wave goodbye to all my stuff and start again i wanted to at least ask xda to see if there is any way to get this key otherwise
and my advice is never use the adopted storage feature
Thanks
Is your bootloader allready unlocked? If so, you can get root without wiping your data.
And yes, adopted storage is still very buggy
no boot loader not unlocked - device was relatively new so was waiting to unlock until i had a good reason :crying:

Unable to update MX4 Pro and several other issues

Hey guys,
I've bought my MX4 Pro almost a year ago, but decided only now to ask for your help. Hope you'll be able to guide me to fixing the several problems i have.
First of all, phone came with Flyme 4.5.7I and right from the start there were some features not working. Most important, the fingerprint screen unlock isnt working. After capturing my fingerprint, when i try to enable it to unlock screen it just takes me back to the home screen.
Another issue is getting sometimes (it happens randomly) a no sim error. Sometimes restarting is enough, sometimes i need to take out the sim card and insert it back.
Ever since i've tried to update firmware, hoping it would solve my problems. Nothing has worked.
Dowloaded the update.zip (no matter which version) and placed it in root directory. When i try to open it with the document app i get two options, view and extract. Can't update. Also starting the phone using volume+ and power button (update screen) has always produced the same results: Firmware corrupt. Tried doing it with clearing data, without that, no difference. Tried with a .bin file, same thing.
As far as i know the bootloader is locked, and i remember checking if the device is properly rooted and IT IS NOT.
So, the more android savvy people here can help? I'm lost and i really enjoyed the phone so far, but i dont really know what to do from now on. Is it a faulty device? (This would be the worse, since the phone was bought from China).
I can provide any additional details if needed.
Thanks in advance
P.S. I remember trying every tutorial/solution out there, nothing has seemed to work. I also may be dumb, not sure.

Nexus 6p wont recognize sim card after Rom Flash.

Hey im needing some help fixing my nexus 6p. I just decided to root the devices today and installed a custom rom onto it. Once the devices boots up and prompts me to set up settings it says it dose not recognize my sim card. Simply just says no sim. I have installed Vendor images to the correct roms and still the same issue. I have also rebooted the devices taking the sim card in and out of it multiple times. If anyone could help that would be great. If needed ill pay someone in BTC or ETH
It's an Android 8.0 thing nobody knows what the cause is. Try simple fixes first like disabling screen lock and rebooting, reflashing vendor and then the big one wiping your phone and flashing stock 8.1 . All have been successful if you read through any 8.0 ROM thread. At least 1 on every 8.0 thread page suffers from it. If you don't have access to computer for stock could always flash any 7.1.2 ROM.

Trying to retrieve pictures on S7 with broken screen and passcode/fingerprint

My wife's S7 screen cracked and she had a passcode/fingerprint set up on it.
I searched and found that adb could get me access, if I boot into a TWRP recovery. Unfortunately I never rooted her phone, so recovery is stock. I tried flashing twrp-3.2.1-0-heroqltechn.img.tar via Odin, but I get "FAIL! (Auth)". Phone is most likely on the latest firmware from our sprint carrier.
Any ideas?
I tried logging into the Samsung account that it was associated with, but it says no device is on the account. So that's also a dead end..
Did she have a micro sd card in it?
Also, twrp won't work on any us s7 phone.
Oh.. I didn't know. Yes there's a microsd but I'm also trying to access internal storage for pictures and videos.

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