You have a Samsung galaxy tab bound to an operator and you want to unlock it.
I’ve been through a thorough search in the internet and finally I got a solution. My tab is now free. It’s a bit complex, but not impossible.
Below, I’ll give a very clear and detailed description of the whole procedure you have to go through to unlock your tablet.
I you follow all the steps, you will be sure to get the expected result.
Step 1: Root your tab
[ why root the tablet: unlocking the tablet requires access to hidden system files in the root. The root is not normally made accessible to the standard users]
- From the web, search a Root package (easy to find on the web, just google ‘galaxy’ ‘root zip’ you’ll get a small zip file, it may be root.zip, root2.zip, doesn’t matter),
- download the root zip file,
- Copy it to your tab and remember exactly the folder where you paste it.
- Turn off you tab,
- Press simultaneously the volume (-) and power buttons and continue pressing until you got a system screen with two items menu (download, and …),
- Press the volume (-) again to navigate through the two items of the menu, select upgrade,
- In the top of the screen, you’ll get a list menu with 4 items. Scroll to item “install from SDCard” (use volume (-) and (-) to scroll),
- Press power button to select,
- You’ll have to select the root zip folder, navigate through the folder structure using volume (-) (+) buttons,
- Press the power button to execute the zip file,
- Rooting operation will start, you’ll see many progress messages, just wait until the whole process finishes, it takes few seconds.
- Navigate back the menu item “reboot the tab”, press power button.
[ Your tablet will reboot now, you will notice no change, but the change is there, your tablet is now rooted]
Step 2: Preparing to unlock
- From the market, install the free app “super user”,
- Open the newly created shortcut “super user” and validate any message you get, close if necessary, [the SuperUser is an app that will work in the background and grant permissions –when necessary- to other applications to access root. Without it, rooting a tab is meaningless],
- From the market, install “root manager”,[root manager is now your file manager that can go deep through the folder structure and access root folders],
- Launch the “root manager”, the first time you do that, you’ll be prompted to allow “Super User” to grant permissions to “root manager”, allow that,
- Take some time to make yourself familiar with “root manager”, it’s a very simple but powerful file manager,
- Now go back to serious work, locate the folder \efs at the root, [efs folder is very important, it holds all the information to validate your tablet to the GSM/3G operator, it validates the authenticity of your IMEI]
- Just make a copy of the whole folder and save it in a safe place – your PC or a memory stick-. We’ll be back later to this copy, continue now on the tab,
- Open \efs folder, locate the file nv_data.bin,
- Make a copy of nv_data.bin in the same folder \efs and rename the file eg: ORIGINAL_nv_data.bin,
- Delete all the files in the \efs folder except nv.log. Don’t delete the sub folders ( you should normally have the following sub folders .files, imei, gyro….),
- Now leave the tablet powered on (don’t turn off) and move to your PC to continue job,
Step 3: Molding the nv_data.bin file
- In the copy of the \efs folder that you previously made, locate the original file nv_data.bin,
- Make a copy of this file somewhere in your PC. That’s the copy you will be working on,
- Edit nv_data.bin with HexEdit.[ If you are not familiar with depths of binary files, don’t be daunted by the array of codes and bytes],
- Locate the byte 0x181469, it should read 01 value, just edit it to 00 value, do nothing more, just save and exit,
- Now you have created the molded copy of nv_data.bin,
- You need to move this copy of nv_data.bin onto your tablet, either using a memory stick or by USB cable. Paste the file in the \efs folder,
Step 4: tweaking the molded nv_data.bin file
- Now that you pasted the molded nv_data.bin to \efs folder, it needs some minor adjustments before being used,
- In the “root manager”, press and hold on the newly pasted nv_data.bin,
- You’ll get a menu, select properties,
- In the properties box, check all the 9 options (read, write, execute), leave the others,
- Save and exit root manager,
- Go the market and install the free app “terminal emulator”,
- Launch the terminal emulator, accept any message for super user permission,
- In the terminal emulator, execute the following commands [press enter after each line of command]:
o su
o chown 1001:radio \efs\nv_dat.bin
o reboot
- It’s done, your tablet will reboot unlocked.
Verification to make sure everything is OK
- Go to settings, about device, status. Make sure you have a valid IMEI number, the one you have printed on the back of your tablet, not the fake one: 00004**********,
- Insert a valid SIM module, you’ll be promted to enter PIN code if configured so,
- Enter PIN code,
- Enter the APN provided by your operator (necessary to access internet 3G),
ENJOY FREELY
I have rooted AT&T version of tab 8.9, and there is no \efs\nv_dat.bin file on it...
hi
sir can you post an edited nv_data.bin? i cant hex it.. it says it cannot find the bytes you provide TIA
Same for me, /efs folder is completely empty?
no nv-data.bin at all, i tried everything with no luck.
efs folder has some files but no nv_data.bin
I know this is an old post but install from SD card doesn't work in my recovery mode because there is no SD slot. How else can I install the files?
Force enable lockscreen rotation
Code:
setprop lockscreen.rot_override true
Force disable lockscreen rotation
Code:
setprop lockscreen.rot_override false
On devices that already can rotate, this does nothing.
Code should work on all AOSP ROMs with lockscreens that don't rotate, unless the code there has been modified.
Resets on reboot though I think
Great find. Thanks!
Thanks man, I have a DIY dock for mine and the fact I had to enter my PIN sideways everytime I unlock my device driving me insane.
Can this code be used on the fly? I'm using a app at the moment (called Rotate) which can enable, disable lockscreen rotation. however this is heavy on memory and I want to simply do this with a script in Tasker.
---------- Post added at 04:58 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:37 PM ----------
Just ran this from terminal emulator as root and it worked! Awesome - but it is lost on reboot so I need to be able to run this as a script in tasker - scripting looks tricky in Tasker though. Open to ideas!
I have enabled rotation by modifying bools.xml file and now I get to know that JB 4.2 has different rotation texts to enable rotation!
How about Launcher?
privatesam said:
Just ran this from terminal emulator as root and it worked! Awesome - but it is lost on reboot so I need to be able to run this as a script in tasker - scripting looks tricky in Tasker though. Open to ideas!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you run it from a terminal emulator, it's temporary. If you want it to be permanent, add lockscreen.rot_override=true to /system/build.prop
manumanfred said:
I have enabled rotation by modifying bools.xml file and now I get to know that JB 4.2 has different rotation texts to enable rotation!
How about Launcher?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On 4.1.2, you could add launcher.force_enable_rotation=true to make the default launcher rotate, but some say that doesn't work in 4.2 (I use Apex Launcher, so I haven't tried the stock launcher) and you have to modify bools.xml, as you stated. I don't know if it requires both the bools.xml edit and build.prop entry or not, though.
The build.prop change for the lockscreen works without the bools.xml edit, though.
Awesome. This worked for me on 4.1.2 as well. Thanks!
Really useful in the car since I don't have the official car dock. No more unlocking sideways!
Cilraaz said:
If you run it from a terminal emulator, it's temporary. If you want it to be permanent, add lockscreen.rot_override=true to /system/build.prop
On 4.1.2, you could add launcher.force_enable_rotation=true to make the default launcher rotate, but some say that doesn't work in 4.2 (I use Apex Launcher, so I haven't tried the stock launcher) and you have to modify bools.xml, as you stated. I don't know if it requires both the bools.xml edit and build.prop entry or not, though.
The build.prop change for the lockscreen works without the bools.xml edit, though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know that, that's why I have modified bools.xml file to enable rotation on launcher + lockscreen.
I think JB 4.2.x have also the changed code for launcher rotation...
manumanfred said:
I know that, that's why I have modified bools.xml file to enable rotation on launcher + lockscreen.
I think JB 4.2.x have also the changed code for launcher rotation...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does anyone have an answer to whether they have changed the code in 4.2? I can't find a bools.xml file anywhere - and no one seems to point at it. Also, no one says exactly where the suggested code should sit in the build.prop file - at the end, in the 'build' section, at the front? And it doesn't work on android 4.2.2 as far as I can tell although the terminal emulator temporary method works. And while you're firguring that out - can you tell me a way (without an app) to get the screen to stay awake after rebooting? Why won't that option remain set in Developer Options?
dosent work for me
xaueious said:
Force enable lockscreen rotation
Code:
setprop lockscreen.rot_override true
Force disable lockscreen rotation
Code:
setprop lockscreen.rot_override false
On devices that already can rotate, this does nothing.
Code should work on all AOSP ROMs with lockscreens that don't rotate, unless the code there has been modified.
Resets on reboot though I think
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried this command in the terminal and no error message came.i.e it got executed properly Then when i see the lock-screen it is always in portrait mode.
Cant manage to get it to landscape mode. My auto rotation is on.
I am on 4.2.2 and using NOVA launcher. Xperia S OPENSEMC ROM.
Any idea y i am not able to rotate my lockscreen ??
siddharthisback said:
I tried this command in the terminal and no error message came.i.e it got executed properly Then when i see the lock-screen it is always in portrait mode.
Cant manage to get it to landscape mode. My auto rotation is on.
I am on 4.2.2 and using NOVA launcher. Xperia S OPENSEMC ROM.
Any idea y i am not able to rotate my lockscreen ??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Run Terminal as root, type "su" (no quotes), then enter, then the command.
Cilraaz said:
... If you want it to be permanent, add lockscreen.rot_override=true to /system/build.prop
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you, this works perfectly with 4.2.2 (CM 10.1).
Here are the steps to do this, if someone is not too familiar with editing a file in the /system file system:
1. Install app "ES File Explorer", new version 3.0.0
2. In ES File Explorer, go into Tools > Root Explorer, Option Mount R/W
3. Choose /system to be mounted RW
4. Allow (permanent) Superuser permissions for this app
5. Go to /system and open file build.prop with ES Notice-Editor (this Editor will ask for superuser permission, others won't)
6. Choose "Edit" from the upper right Options in Editor
7. Scroll to the end of the file and add the line lockscreen.rot_override=true, beware of syntax corruption due to automatic grammar correction
7. Exit ES Notice-Editor, answer question "Do you want to save build.prop" with "Yes"
8. Leave ES File Explorer and restart the phone
That's it, - check after reboot that the logon lockscreen turns while you turn the phone (maybe with some delay while turning)
dark0shark said:
Thank you, this works perfectly with 4.2.2 (CM 10.1).
Here are the steps to do this, if someone is not too familiar with editing a file in the /system file system:
1. Install app "ES File Explorer", new version 3.0.0
2. In ES File Explorer, go into Tools > Root Explorer, Option Mount R/W
3. Choose /system to be mounted RW
4. Allow (permanent) Superuser permissions for this app
5. Go to /system and open file build.prop with ES Notice-Editor (this Editor will ask for superuser permission, others won't)
6. Choose "Edit" from the upper right Options in Editor
7. Scroll to the end of the file and add the line lockscreen.rot_override=true, beware of syntax corruption due to automatic grammar correction
7. Exit ES Notice-Editor, answer question "Do you want to save build.prop" with "Yes"
8. Leave ES File Explorer and restart the phone
That's it, - check after reboot that the logon lockscreen turns while you turn the phone (maybe with some delay while turning)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for this. I wasn't sure if there was a specific spot in build.prop where I had to insert the line. The temporary fix in Terminal Emulator worked for me, but now it sticks after boot! I was sick of having to unlock my device sideways when it was in my car mount. The only weird thing is that it smooshes my wallpaper instead of switching to the landscape orientation, but I can live with that.
laur3n.newm4n said:
... I was sick of having to unlock my device sideways when it was in my car mount.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, the car mount in heads up position with the cables (USB-power and 3,5 audio jack) to the bottom were exactly my reason to add this option permanently, too. The position of this environment variable in the configuration file build.prop does not matter, it is just common sense to add additional lines at the end, so you can find them easily.
dark0shark said:
Thank you, this works perfectly with 4.2.2 (CM 10.1).
Here are the steps to do this, if someone is not too familiar with editing a file in the /system file system:
1. Install app "ES File Explorer", new version 3.0.0
2. In ES File Explorer, go into Tools > Root Explorer, Option Mount R/W
3. Choose /system to be mounted RW
4. Allow (permanent) Superuser permissions for this app
5. Go to /system and open file build.prop with ES Notice-Editor (this Editor will ask for superuser permission, others won't)
6. Choose "Edit" from the upper right Options in Editor
7. Scroll to the end of the file and add the line lockscreen.rot_override=true, beware of syntax corruption due to automatic grammar correction
7. Exit ES Notice-Editor, answer question "Do you want to save build.prop" with "Yes"
8. Leave ES File Explorer and restart the phone
That's it, - check after reboot that the logon lockscreen turns while you turn the phone (maybe with some delay while turning)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for outlining this -- it helped me remember what to do!
and kaferei
Jeffreycat said:
Thank you for outlining this -- it helped me remember what to do!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Indeed -- very helpful and worked for me as well!
basic build.prop editing to enable pie on sgh-i747m
Shibang said:
Indeed -- very helpful and worked for me as well!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for providing the info on this basic build prop prop editing !
Ive been reading CyanogenMod 10.1 – A Complete Hands-On Review & Guide
by Haroon Q Raja and really wanted to enable Pie,etc on my rooted Samsung SGH I747m. With your help I was able to edit my build prop as was suggested by a comment I picked up on to:
ro.product.manufacturer=LGE
ro.product.model=Nexus 4
This didnt make any difference. Is there something else that needs to be changed?
Samsung G3 SGH-I747M Rogers
Cilraaz said:
...
On 4.1.2, you could add launcher.force_enable_rotation=true to make the default launcher rotate, but some say that doesn't work in 4.2 (I use Apex Launcher, so I haven't tried the stock launcher) and you have to modify bools.xml, as you stated. I don't know if it requires both the bools.xml edit and build.prop entry or not, though.
The build.prop change for the lockscreen works without the bools.xml edit, though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Redscorpian said:
Does anyone have an answer to whether they have changed the code in 4.2? I can't find a bools.xml file anywhere - and no one seems to point at it. Also, no one says exactly where the suggested code should sit in the build.prop file - at the end, in the 'build' section, at the front? And it doesn't work on android 4.2.2 as far as I can tell although the terminal emulator temporary method works. And while you're firguring that out - can you tell me a way (without an app) to get the screen to stay awake after rebooting? Why won't that option remain set in Developer Options?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No one can tell?
Some users who flashed the leaked JWR66N on their N4's report there is no full app rotation anymore in the Camera app, just the icons. So another change to feel optimistic about 4.3.
madd0g said:
Some users who flashed the leaked JWR66N on their N4's report there is no full app rotation anymore in the Camera app, just the icons. So another change to feel optimistic about 4.3.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Speaking of the camera, I played around with a iPad yesterday at the local store, i felt that Apple's shutter button have a better placement as compared to Google's. The shutter button is placed by the right side of the app, falls just nice of my thumb.
Beamed from my Grouper
I've been having a frustrating issue on cm12 based roms and it appears some other users have run into the same problem.
The issue renders itself in the form of a permanent 'circle' mouse cursor that your are forced to move around the screen in order to make your selections (as if a mouse was plugged in), this appears to be an issue with certain M9 devices that were shipped with a different panel type.
This seems to happen as there is a file missing from: DEVICE\SYSTEM\USR\IDC\
Named: 'max1187x_touchscreen_0.idc'
To fix:
Create a new .txt file on your desktop.
Re-name the file to EXACTLY match this: max1187x_touchscreen_0.idc (making sure the extension is .idc not txt)
IF you are unable to change the extension, please make sure 'view file extensions' is turned on in windows.
Edit the .idc file in notepad, paste the following text EXACTLY and save/close:
Code:
touch.deviceType = touchScreentouch.orientationAware = 1
Copy this file to your device and using a file manager place it into: DEVICE\SYSTEM\USR\IDC\, reboot your device and the cursor should be no more.
Please note, due to the location this file needs to go, you will root permissions in order to successfully paste it in place.
voila