Develop Bugs

only half rooted?

I attempted to root my phone using 1-click root app and it looked like everything went well. I was able to tether, titanium backup could access what it needed to, etc. As I continued to try new apps I started to see an error message more and more "<app name> as been denied super user permissions". At first I thought nothing of it but now Im starting to question it my phone is fully rooted.
I down loaded Root check basic which tells me that my SPH-710 is not rooted as I once thought. Now Im not sure what I should do?
It should be noted that when I go into recovery mode sometimes I have issues when attempting to boot. (I know this isnt much to go on but I havent exactly documented whats happening and Im paranoid to try it right now).
So here I am looking to you phone gurus for advice. I should have the correct drivers and development kit installed, but again this isnt something I do on a daily basis and would rather not go into this blind and brick my phone. The last phone I rooted was my EVO 4G and once I got that configured where I wanted it I never touched it again.
Anway.. any links, apps, sites, etc, that you could provide would be appreciated.
Thank you.

The easiest way is to flash a rooted kernel in odin, download a ROM and install it through the recovery if you want to after that.

ryedunn said:
I attempted to root my phone using 1-click root app and it looked like everything went well. I was able to tether, titanium backup could access what it needed to, etc. As I continued to try new apps I started to see an error message more and more "<app name> as been denied super user permissions". At first I thought nothing of it but now Im starting to question it my phone is fully rooted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you were able to run Titanium you were rooted. You probably got an OTA update recently which disables your root. Just re-run the rooting package and you'll have it back.

Re-root Post OTA
+1, got the update a couple nights ago and also lost root even though I still had the Superuser app and could run the allowed programs there as root.
I used sfhub's method to root again and it was a snap:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1342728
Bonus is s/he now supports a way to turn off CIQ!

Why do I keep losing root?

My Verizon GNex is rooted, I have CWM, superuser etc, even installed this rom, but I keep losing root after an hour or so. I use root explorer, open a terminal, su, do things, do it again in a few minutes and it suddenly won't log in as root.
When this happens, my wifi also craps out. It shows signal strength too low to connect when I'm standing next to the router. Reflashing CWM or superuser does nothing. Last night I wiped and went back to stock and it worked for a while, but I've found I can also flash that rom and it will work for a while and that is easier. Root survives multiple reboots but just stops working for no reason after a while.
Example: I flashed that rom this morning and rebooted 2-3 times, went to the mall and kept opening root explorer to see if root was working. I sat and watched my daughter play at the mall for nearly an hour. When she wanted something to drink, I checked and root was still working. I went to the store nearby, got a water, sat back down and no longer had root.
I'm not getting any OTA notification or anything, it just stops being rooted out of the blue.
Any ideas?

Darn, halfway down page two already and no replies...

same issue here

I'm glad I'm not the only one. How did you root?

followed this until step 5 http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1392310

Me too. I used a different guide, but it looks like it was exactly same.

Do you use root explorer? I was only using it to check if I had root yesterday -it opens when rooted, doesn't when root is lost- and after losing root I noticed its battery usage was nearly as high as the displays although I had only opened it for 2 seconds several times.
Last night I rerouted before bed and didn't touch root explorer and im still rooted ten hours later. May not be related, and I could lose root at and time, but I was losing it every hour or two, so I'm starting to get optimistic that root explorer may have had something to do with it.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

fubaya said:
Do you use root explorer? I was only using it to check if I had root yesterday -it opens when rooted, doesn't when root is lost- and after losing root I noticed its battery usage was nearly as high as the displays although I had only opened it for 2 seconds several times.
Last night I rerouted before bed and didn't touch root explorer and im still rooted ten hours later. May not be related, and I could lose root at and time, but I was losing it every hour or two, so I'm starting to get optimistic that root explorer may have had something to do with it.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haven't seen this specific issue much with the Galaxy Nexus yet. I had this problem 1.5 yrs ago with an older Samsung Android device though. Solution was a bit complex, but haven't seen this issue in a long while.
I know root can be a bit hidden from Android unless adb is connect or using a terminal application. For this reason, m root check application is generally a good program to run a simple diagnostic of the root configuration on the device.
The Pro version, 99 cents in the Market and free on XDA has a widget which will update at the interval you pick, 1-24 hrs with the root status and gives a more thoroughly diagnostic output of the system su binaries and their properties.
Hope that helps!

Try putting the su binary in /system/xbin. I lost root after the OTA update to ITL41F, but busybox in /system/xbin survived.

I have root checker and when I lose root, it still says everything is OK. Superuser logs also show that apps have been allowed, but the apps just don't get root. When it happens, everything loses root, terminals root explorer, titanium backup etc. even the superuser app can't update the su binary.
I still have root after 11+ hours (crossing fingers)
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

motopig said:
Try putting the su binary in /system/xbin. I lost root after the OTA update to ITL41F, but busybox in /system/xbin survived.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The su binary will have also remained after an OTA, same as busybox. The difference is their permissions. Every OTA re-sets the binary direction permissions as 755 stripping out the setuid attribute required by su, but not required by busybox.
This would explain why after using an OTA the user will lose "root" access but maintain busybox access. Both binaries persist, but the su binary loses the setuid attribute required to elevate access for root.
fubaya said:
I have root checker and when I lose root, it still says everything is OK. Superuser logs also show that apps have been allowed, but the apps just don't get root. When it happens, everything loses root, terminals root explorer, titanium backup etc. even the superuser app can't update the su binary.
I still have root after 11+ hours (crossing fingers)
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well the key here, as I stated above, would be to see whether or not the su binary still has the setuid attribute and UID/GID set as root.
Any of those changes could remove the ability of the su binary to esclate permissions as root. In theory, any application which has been granted root access through Superuser, could remove root access for the whole system.
I can't imagine any reason why a developer would intentionally write an application to do that under a different title which you would be using.
Hope the technical details help!

I never had an OTA update after rooting, at least there were no notifications or anything. I do agree it acted as if the binary permissions got screwed up somehow, I don't know why I didn't check. Reflashing the su.zip didn't help. I assume flashing would set the permissions.
Well, nearly 24 hours and I still have root so, whatever it was, I'm happy now.

I just realized i no longer have root and i did the ota update recently. Problem is i cant get root back no matter what i try. I reinstalled the latest superuser from market with no luck. Any advice?
I forgot to mention i am completly stock on 4.0.1 and ITL41F. All i did with this phone is unlock the bootloader and the guide i used i think pdanet put SU apk automatically installed. My apps like root explorer all showed they did have root access. But now i tried to use root explorer and it claimed it had access, but couldnt get root.
My SU apk was updated to latest from the market. I just uninstalled the update and still no luck. Reinstall update and still no luck..

When it happened to me, the only thing that worked was to reflash the rom and go through the rooting process again. There is a thread in the development section about going back to stock where you can find the stock rom. you'll lose apps and things and may want to back them up first.
You could probably flash a new rom instead. I don't remember which one it was, but I was using a 4.0 rom that had su and didn't require wiping anything so reflashing was painless.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus

Crap ok thanks. I cant backup anything with titanium cause it cant get root, so i guess i jyst have to lose everything. Might as well go with one of the roms i guess. I kinda was just enjoying stock with root.
Oh the other problem i have is i'm getting a fastboot error. Boot into bootloader and at the bottom of the screen says "fastboot FAILstatus" below. Any idea what thats about?

Some apps can export their settings the sdcard so don't forget to check them. I know when I lose everything there's really only 4-5 apps that require much setup while the others just require a login, but luckily those 4-5 apps can export their settings.
I don't know about the error, I'm not very good with fastboot. I use it when I get a new phone then go a couple of years without using it.

i finally got rooted again. For some reason it just wouldnt take. I had to use superboot over and over and over again and then finally it just took successfully even though i didnt anything differently. Very strange.

Please help me understand what I did wrong

Okay, I want to be out in the open. I have never rooted a phone, nor ever wished to do it for myself. Unfortunately, I have a father who believes everything is a 1-2-3 clicks away from perfection, which is why he prefers not to do it himself.
Anyways, he requested that I root his phone because he believe it will make it run faster
I tried following the steps on this website, from a link which was for the phone SMG-M919(T-mobile S4)(Ver. 4.3) . This is the link, http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2294005
So I did finish all the steps required. I got my phone rooted, i checked by downloading "Root Checker". SuperSU even asked for permission, to my limited knowledge that means the phone is rooted.
Anyways, the problem seems to be that when I first opened the SuperSU app, it asked to be updated, it just kept loading and loading, 20 minutes must have passed. The loading screen said it it takes too long, just try again by restarting phone. I did that, but the app never asked me to update again, which is weird. Under the APP or the Logs tab in the SuperSU, it just shows a circle loading pic.
Can someone help me to understand what is going on. Also, apologies in advance if this is the wrong place to post about this in this forum.

xjlxking said:
Okay, I want to be out in the open. I have never rooted a phone, nor ever wished to do it for myself. Unfortunately, I have a father who believes everything is a 1-2-3 clicks away from perfection, which is why he prefers not to do it himself.
Anyways, he requested that I root his phone because he believe it will make it run faster
I tried following the steps on this website, from a link which was for the phone SMG-M919(T-mobile S4)(Ver. 4.3) . This is the link, http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2294005
So I did finish all the steps required. I got my phone rooted, i checked by downloading "Root Checker". SuperSU even asked for permission, to my limited knowledge that means the phone is rooted.
Anyways, the problem seems to be that when I first opened the SuperSU app, it asked to be updated, it just kept loading and loading, 20 minutes must have passed. The loading screen said it it takes too long, just try again by restarting phone. I did that, but the app never asked me to update again, which is weird. Under the APP or the Logs tab in the SuperSU, it just shows a circle loading pic.
Can someone help me to understand what is going on. Also, apologies in advance if this is the wrong place to post about this in this forum.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rooting doesn't make your phone faster. In any way. Just gives you "admin" rights to delete crap and change stuff you normally couldn't.
Changing roms and kernels can tho.
You're fine. Make sure it's updated thru the playstore, if up to date and pop up doesn't come back don't worry about it.

ShinySide said:
Rooting doesn't make your phone faster. In any way. Just gives you "admin" rights to delete crap and change stuff you normally couldn't.
Changing roms and kernels can tho.
You're fine. Make sure it's updated thru the playstore, if up to date and pop up doesn't come back don't worry about it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I definitely know that Rooting wont make it faster ;D but he doesn't despite my nagging.
Anyways, so if I want to delete apps like the T-Mobile App or those Samsung apps, how can I do it
Also, if I click on things like Clear Logs, the loading circle just loads.... never stops.. Is this really how SuperSu functions

xjlxking said:
Yeah, I definitely know that Rooting wont make it faster ;D but he doesn't despite my nagging.
Anyways, so if I want to delete apps like the T-Mobile App or those Samsung apps, how can I do it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Download a file Explorer with root access, I use Root Explorer, but there's free ones like root browser, I think es file Explorer has root, open it up, navigate to system/app delete what you don't want, and go to system/priv-app and delete what you don't want.
You can delete all tmo apps without affecting anything, pretty much all Samsung apps, travel crap, yahoo, etc. Just be careful, delete something like your home launcher you're screwed.
If anything, install TWRP or cwr and make a back up of the system to play it safe.
Or say screw all that, and download a touchwiz rom in Android Development and flash it. If you want latest greatest version both Sickness and myself have some 4.4.4 roms up. Take your pick
Orrrr aosp rom. I don't usually recommend roms but I will say I love nameless rom....

Rooting lg optimus V SIMPLE

Was looking through the forums and seeing all these complicated instructions on how to root your optimus v device and decided to post this for the not so tech savvy users. Note rooting has its dangers such as bricking and voiding warranties wich i am NOT responsible for. You proceed at your own risk. Please read COMPLETELY BEFORE ATTEMPTING ROOT.
Heres what youll need. An internet connection, your phone, and its web browser. Thats it, no computer, cables, etc, etc.
First go to settings > security and check unknown source. Then open the phones browser and search for stumproot.apk download and install it from a trusted source. (I believe theirs links floating around on here somewhere if your dead set on finding one thats trusted by others) once installed open the app and press the grind button. You will most likely get a popup saying your device isnt natively supported. Just press the force root button. Your phone should be restarted after its done.
Once your phone starts back up go to the playstore and download supersu by chainsfire. Open it and you will be prompted to update. Press the normal update button and wait for it to update, in the mean time go ahead and get some root tools from the playstore. I reccomend root browser, and a backup tool such as titanium backup. Also grab rootchecker as this is how we will verify root.
Once supersu updates restart the phone again. (Reccomended by supersu's distributer) then open your root checker. You should get a popup asking you to grant rootchecker root access. If you get the popup congratulations you have rooted your device.
After this delete stumproot from your device. (Again reccomended by apps distributer) and set up your back up.you can find several guides on this topic depending on your chosen backup manager. Remember some managers can flash roms and/or do other actions that could brick the phone if not done properly so make sure to read any/all instructions carefully.
This method has been personally tested and confirmed on my optimus. Lg ls720ZV8. this can be checked on your phones settings > phone information/about phone > software information > software version if your not sure what yours is.
Note tho my device runs on virgin mobile this method should work on a wide veriety of optimus devices and carriers.
All due credit to makers and distributers of aformentioned apps.

Wow 79 views in 5 days. I hope people are finding this helpful. Anyway any and all feedback is welcome.

Bumping. ^^

New Tab S 10.5 Owner! Need Help/Suggestions

I just ordered this beautiful tablet. I've never owned a tablet before. I've actually always wanted a laptop, but things are changing. I have an Amazon Kindle Fire HD from many years ago. It's actually worked pretty well for me for ebook reading, limited web browsing and email using. But, the last few months it's really started acting funny and not working right. So I've decided it's time to upgrade. Did a week's worth of research and decided this is my best option. I haven't received it yet, but I'm really excited to dig in and do a lot more than I can with my Kindle.
So that brings me here. I don't remember where, but through my research on which tablet to buy, this website was mentioned as a major resource. To be completely honest, I'm 100% lost. There are things I want to do but I don't even know where to start. I love tinkering and figuring things out, but I need a little push in the right direction.
One of the biggest things I want to be able to do is make a complete low level backup of the entire system to store on my home server should anything happen and I need to restore it.
The other big thing I want to do is remove all the excess junk that comes pre-installed that I'll never use. With such a small area of space available, having half or so used up in unnecessary stuff is just pointless.
I'm sure there are other things I can do and may want to do in the future, but for now, these are the major keys. So... any help? Did I make the right choice? What other features/functions should I be looking at or considering?
Thanks guys! Looking forward to getting a lot of great use out of my new tablet and this site.

ChewVodka said:
I just ordered this beautiful tablet. I've never owned a tablet before. I've actually always wanted a laptop, but things are changing. I have an Amazon Kindle Fire HD from many years ago. It's actually worked pretty well for me for ebook reading, limited web browsing and email using. But, the last few months it's really started acting funny and not working right. So I've decided it's time to upgrade. Did a week's worth of research and decided this is my best option. I haven't received it yet, but I'm really excited to dig in and do a lot more than I can with my Kindle.
So that brings me here. I don't remember where, but through my research on which tablet to buy, this website was mentioned as a major resource. To be completely honest, I'm 100% lost. There are things I want to do but I don't even know where to start. I love tinkering and figuring things out, but I need a little push in the right direction.
One of the biggest things I want to be able to do is make a complete low level backup of the entire system to store on my home server should anything happen and I need to restore it.
The other big thing I want to do is remove all the excess junk that comes pre-installed that I'll never use. With such a small area of space available, having half or so used up in unnecessary stuff is just pointless.
I'm sure there are other things I can do and may want to do in the future, but for now, these are the major keys. So... any help? Did I make the right choice? What other features/functions should I be looking at or considering?
Thanks guys! Looking forward to getting a lot of great use out of my new tablet and this site.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Root with chain fire root, flash via Odin.
This will allow you to have root access allowing you to remove unwanted app amongst other things
Flash via Odin: TWRP Recovery for Chagallwifi (assuming it's a Samsung T800)
This will allow you to create a back up.
I believe the order of this can be inverted. IE. Flash recovery with Odin and then have TWRP flash the CFAutoroot zip and the SuperSU (the app that will "manage" your root)
Install Titanium Back up and freeze/uninstall unwanted apps. There are lists of removable apps on the forums. I prefer to freeze but it's up to you.
!!!Make a backup prior to this step!!!
Will update post when I am home with more suggestion's.

Thanks, that's somewhat helpful. At least it give me the names of programs. I have no idea what I'm doing though. Can you give me a link to a step-by-step guide, or at least explain what the different things are and what they do? Sorry for being such a noob with this.

Instructions
MAKE SURE TO DOWNLOAD THE FILES FOR YOUR SPECIFIC DEVICE (T700, T705, T800, T805, etc.)
You will need Odin (This is the software that will allow you to install the root and other files [FLASHING])
CF-AutoRoot (Will provide Root access for your device): You will be flashing this with Odin
Optional: Install custom recovery TWRP. This is also done with Odin. This will allow you to make backups and flash .zip files, including custom roms, apps, etc.
Just google for guides on rooting Samsung Galaxy Tab S. They will show you step by step on how to do the Odin flashing, PDA, settings, autoreset or not, etc.
I recommend backing up your device at this point. Reboot into recovery (instructions will be in the rooting guides), go to backup and backup everything for now. In the future when you feel comfortable enough that you can/will select to only backup what you deem necessary.
Your device is now rooted, the first boot after installing CFAutoRoot will take awhile +/-3 - 5 minutes.
Now download Titanium Backup, and you can google or search XDA for a list of "safe" things to uninstall. Just go into TitaniumBackup and look for the app you want to Freeze (This will prevent the app from running but it will NOT delete it, thus it will still take up space) or Remove.
Busybox: Will be required by certain apps.
Optional:
Link2SD App, this allows you to install/move/link your apps to the SD Card, it essentially frees up your internal memory of the device and tricks the device into installing apps and their data files onto your second partition of your External SD Card (Google or Search XDA for guides on Link2SD). This will allow you to install a lot more apps than you normally would be able to. (Example: Vice City, San Andreas, Plants vs Zombies, etc. I mention these because of their large data size). Not all apps will work when linked, just trial and error. I can't seem to get Word, Excel, Powerpoint linked to my SD Card without at least one of the failing, same with Facebook. You will have to test each app and see what files you can link/bind and which you can't.
Adblock Plus: Self explanatory
Xposed: A bunch of customization options for your device
ES File Explorer Pro: The best file management/directory app IMO
Greenify: Battery saver
Aptoide: Secondary App Store
Hancom Apps: I feel these work better on occasion then the Microsoft Office apps (Example large excel files with multiple formulas and filters)
NovaLauncher: Custom launcher, a lot more customizations then TouchWiz will provide you. (Your home screen)
Tasker: Limitless possibilities with this app (Search google/XDA for info)
TWRP Manager: TWRP Recovery app.
VLC: Video player
4way_multiwindow: This will allow you to have 4 apps open at a time and 3 apps "minimized", this also allows floating windows (Moveable apps running in "windowed mode" essentially.) There is an aesthetic bug when minimized, I have not found a fixed version of this yet, maybe others can provide link. Just load up TWRP manager and choose install, and select the .zip file and it will reboot into recovery and install the file for you. Or you can boot your device into recovery and install it the same way. I am attaching the .zip file.
If you are happy with your device up to this point, I would create another backup after you are done with the initial set up and have installed the apps of your choosing. Save a copy on the device, PC, NAS, etc. just in case you lose one of your copies. Some TWRP versions do not allow you to backup directly to the external SD Card, you may have to backup into the Internal and then transfer the information over to the external SD Card.
Good Luck.

xLima said:
Root with chain fire root, flash via Odin.
This will allow you to have root access allowing you to remove unwanted app amongst other things
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is this the link I should be using? I'll know for sure what it's model number is once I receive the tablet. http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-tab-s/development/root-cf-autoroot-twrp-t800-t3079488
xLima said:
Flash via Odin: TWRP Recovery for Chagallwifi (assuming it's a Samsung T800)
This will allow you to create a back up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doesn't installing Chain Fire Root via the previous link also contain the TWRP Recovery? Or is this a special version I need to install after running the first root through Odin? What is Chagallwifi?
xLima said:
I believe the order of this can be inverted. IE. Flash recovery with Odin and then have TWRP flash the CFAutoroot zip and the SuperSU (the app that will "manage" your root)
Install Titanium Back up and freeze/uninstall unwanted apps. There are lists of removable apps on the forums. I prefer to freeze but it's up to you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is just an app I get from the Google Play store right? Or is there a special version I need to get, or install manually? I think I saw in a YouTube video that I need to install something called GApps if I want install something from there after rooting, is this correct? Also, if Titanium Backup IS an app, how can I get a backup of the entire system when I'm booted into the OS? I think I read somewhere, or saw screenshots that show this basically creates backups of your installed programs, so you can easily restore them without having to re-download them. Maybe I'm wrong, as I said I'm completely new this and probably don't know what I'm talking about.
My biggest concern is that I'll screw something up and find myself with a tablet I can't use, without having had it no more than a couple days, and having spent nearly $600 for it and the accessories. I know that rooting/etc voids the warranty, but I also have seen where people are able to put the whole system back to factory default for repairs, etc. That sounds like something I really need to learn how to do and be confident I can do should something happen.
Thanks again for any help!

http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-tab-s/development/root-cf-autoroot-twrp-t800-t3079488
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This link works, although there are newer versions of TWRP, you can install these after however, no big deal.
Doesn't installing Chain Fire Root via the previous link also contain the TWRP Recovery? Or is this a special version I need to install after running the first root through Odin? What is Chagallwifi?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The previous link contains TWRP, read above. The normal CF Autoroot comes with CWM Recovery I believe (A custom recovery similar to TWRP). You can use the link you posted. Chagallwifi is the "nickname" of the Galaxy Tab S 10.5 WiFi, it is one way to search for a device, the other being the model number T800, for instance or the long commercial name.
This is just an app I get from the Google Play store right? Or is there a special version I need to get, or install manually? I think I saw in a YouTube video that I need to install something called GApps if I want install something from there after rooting, is this correct? Also, if Titanium Backup IS an app, how can I get a backup of the entire system when I'm booted into the OS? I think I read somewhere, or saw screenshots that show this basically creates backups of your installed programs, so you can easily restore them without having to re-download them. Maybe I'm wrong, as I said I'm completely new this and probably don't know what I'm talking about.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You get the app from the playstore, correct. I am not sure about GApps, I want to say it isn't necessary unless you will be installing a custom rom (you can double check this on the rooting guides, if it asks for GApps, then flash the GApps)
The system back up is done via TWRP or CWM, boot into recovery and choose backup.
Titanium Backup allows you to back up the app and its data file. So you don't lose the progress of your games. Also backs up email, WiFi passwords, etc.
My biggest concern is that I'll screw something up and find myself with a tablet I can't use, without having had it no more than a couple days, and having spent nearly $600 for it and the accessories. I know that rooting/etc voids the warranty, but I also have seen where people are able to put the whole system back to factory default for repairs, etc. That sounds like something I really need to learn how to do and be confident I can do should something happen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most of the errors cause soft bricks, you can recover from these. I would recommend you backup after rooting, in case you mess something up toying with Titanium, Link2SD, SuperSU, etc. You can always use SamMobile and find a Stock Rom to flash back onto the device, again via Odin. Not sure if the KnoxTrip flag will still show up, you can trying Googling how to root without tripping Knox, I know there are methods, however I have never used them. I have soft bricked my device before, I deleted everything with TWRP, I wanted to factory reset, and I selected erase System..... scary times.
Stock Rom: SamFirm (Outdated) or Updato

Thanks for all your help and advice. I just got my tablet today. Still kinda playing around with it. I probably won't do anything for a couple of days. At least till my next day off from work (Thursday) so I can concentrate on what I'm doing. I was really scared when I first turned it on, everything was in Korean. I had to find a YouTube video showing how to go through the initial setup to change the language. All good now. Once I got it fully running, it downloaded a 350mb update and rebooted. I'm now running Lolipop 5.0.2. Is that going to cause any issues? Also, I can now confirm that it is model SM-T800.
Thanks again!

ChewVodka, once your past the learning curve rooting etc. can be done in your sleep. After some research, I rooted a 10.1 tab 4 a while back with no problem. Definitely better o have more control over the device, I think. Just got a new 10.5 also, and am looking around for the best way to administer the Android system - the Galaxy Tab S for Dummies book seems to me to be actually a good place to start. I'll check back here with any choice info I find on the 10.5.
Also, I have this case for my 10.1, and this is the best under $20 case you can get for the 10.5 - so cheap I bought two of them! Type in search: Xtra-Funky Exclusive Samsung Galaxy Tab S, 10.5 -- the black and navy blue are cool -- the others kinda garish.

Easy Way, allow installation of 3rd party apps in settings download this for android https://kingroot.net/ run it select install anyway when you get the pop up, and root device , open Playstore download flashify for root users, run it allow it access , click recovery image then download twrp choose the 3.0.2-0 release and install to your tab and reboot into recovery, at this point you can use it to make a backup of your current rom or install a custom rom (following the directions on the page for the rom that you choose), this is easier method if you aren't familiar with odin and don't have the drivers and all set up on pc. You can also change kingroot over to super user in a few different ways can download and use supersume from play store and run it or, just flash the newest superuser in twrp and remove whats leftover from kingroot manually after reboot. If you intend on doing a custom rom i suggest choosing first and having all files available before you start. However if you intend on using odin You might want to install this first http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2317790 so you have full communication with the device in case anything does go wrong there will be other options. This is of course if you are not already setup with this already. Also I would like to note there are a few roms here based on the stock firmware if you like it just look through the forum see what you like, and read everything.

What are the benefits to a custom ROM? I assume you're talking about things like Cyanogenmod. There are some people in another forum I visit that like it, but I don't know what it is or why I would want it. Does it allow installing pirated software or something? It's probably not allowed to be discussed here, and I'm not saying I would purposely do something like that (not that I wouldn't if possible lol). It all comes down to the fact that I'm completely new to the tablet world, other than the fact that it's a bigger and better Kindle Fire that I can get more usage out of by not being limited to Amazon's ROM and store for apps. The biggest things I'm looking to do is get rid of bloatware that came preinstalled (of which a lot was added with the update) and the ability to make backups of the entire system should something screw up.
It sounds like "rooting" is essentially giving you the administrative control access to the system (like in Windows) instead of being limited to a generic "user". That allows you to install more system accessible programs, where a generic user would get a UAC prompt and then be told and Administrator needs to preform that action. As for "recovery", it sounds like that is sort of like the CMOS/BIOS of a PC. It's the first "program" that runs when you boot up (even requiring a specific keypress to enter). This allows you to access the system before the system boots, to get you backup/restore functions, and the ability to install new OS's. It also sounds like the built in version from Samsung is what is getting changed (like updating the BIOS of the PC) to allow more functionality (like backups, etc). The only thing you don't have access to is stuff like disk drives, but things like RAM and CPU can be adjusted once you have ROOT.
The more I learn about it, the more I'm eager to do it. I really don't like feeling confined to a predetermined set of available things to do, and I really don't like having somebody decide to install software I'll never use on my system that just takes up space. I especially hate that said programs can't even be uninstalled. Looks like this is what I'm gonna have to do!

Decided not to wait and rooted it tonight. I have the freedom now to play, though I'm not sure where to start. Currently I have the CF-Autoroot thing done, and it installed SuperSU. Then I did the TWRP recovery, and made a backup of all the partitions. I was kinda hoping I could backup remotely (like on the computer) rather than stored on the same device. I have a microSD card ordered and on the way, so my next task will be to back up to that. There is a tool I use on my Kindle Fire called ES File Explorer. I'll see if I can get that on this. Then I can find the backup and transfer it over the wifi.
I'll check out your other recommended apps as I have time. Thanks again!

Now I'm having a bunch of trouble. I was able to get the Chainfire root to go through, and verified it with a Root Checker. I then installed the TWRP recovery so I could make a backup. I even have a few backups. Then I went and installed an app called TWRP Manager, that was supposed to enable me the option of making backups LIVE (without having to boot into TWRP). It wasn't working, so I went to do a "Classic Backup" which reboots into TWRP and starts the backup then reboots normally. Well, TWRP never booted. I just had a black screen. Nothing seemed to work. I couldn't power on with the power button, and I couldn't manually boot into TWRP. The only option that did anything was ODIN (Download) Mode. I'm really freaking out at this point. I found a way to connect to XDA's IRC Channel and talked with some really nice guys and was told to try re-flashing the stock. I did that, and it worked. But now I'm stuck again. Basically starting from scratch with a stock system, I went through to install the Chainfire root again. It seemed to work ok, and SuperSU showed up. Ran the Root Verifier and it confirmed it was successful. I then went to flash TWRP. ODIN says it passed, but I still can't boot into it. Here's the kicker.. even if it appears that it's not working, if I do the keypresses on my tablet correctly and wait like 2-3 minutes then try again, TWRP will actually be up but the screen locked. WTF??
So did I something wrong? I'm really lost. Like I told the guys in the chatroom, I'm going on blind faith here, not really knowing what I'm doing. I figured once I have stock installed, I'm basically back to square one and can go through the whole process again. Doesn't seem to be working. I have to go to work now but hopefully somebody has something of a suggestion I can try by the time I get home.

xLima said:
4way_multiwindow: This will allow you to have 4 apps open at a time and 3 apps "minimized", this also allows floating windows (Moveable apps running in "windowed mode" essentially.) There is an aesthetic bug when minimized, I have not found a fixed version of this yet, maybe others can provide link. Just load up TWRP manager and choose install, and select the .zip file and it will reboot into recovery and install the file for you. Or you can boot your device into recovery and install it the same way. I am attaching the .zip file.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Before I try this myself and bootloop, would I be safe flashing the 4way multiwindow on the new stock 6.0.1 ROM? (SM-T805)