Develop Bugs

Factory Restore an Encrypted Galaxy S3

Model: Samsung Galaxy S3 AT&T i747
Hi!
I was forced to encrypt my galaxy s3 in order to receive corporate emails on my phone using the stock email app. However I never imagined that encrypting the phone would literally lock the memory and options to customize the phone.
I tried to root the phone to benefit from more flexibility and also debloat the phone. However during the rooting process, I could not mount /emmc/ when using ClockWorkRecovery in the startup menu. Based on what I found on the web, I figured it was due to the encryption.
I then tried to factory reset the phone to get rid of the encryption but I simply can't hard reset the phone from the OS or the startup menu. When doing the reset from the startup menu, the errors are "Can't mount /sdcard/". The reset continues but when the phone reboots, all my applications and personal data are there and the phone is still encrypted.
I read a lot about flashing a custom recovery via flashboot or ADB but I am reluctant to do it without guidance from the experts (you guys).
I deleted my corporate email account (It is my personal phone, I am not required to install exchange on it).
I tried to use an external sd card but as soon as the phone recoginizes it, I have to encrypt the card as well as a result from the corporate policies. I ejected the card and did not encrypt it.
I am new to android (long time iPhone user) and I would really appreciate your guidance on the methods to factory reset my phone or a different technique to get rid of the encryption because I am really stuck right now.

I have never encrypted an Android phone before. But maybe your response to these questions will serve as a "bump" to this thread.
1) What method did you use to encrypt the phone? Stock or 3rd party encryption?
2) Doesn't that same method also offer you the offer to unencrypt the phone?
3) If you used a stock method of encrypting the phone, then I'd assume your provider (AT&T?) tech support should be able to help you unencrypt it.

Eddie,
Thanks for your response.
1) I used stock method for encryption
2) Decrypt the phone is not possible apparently,only way is to factory restore the phone apparently
3) I went to the AT&T store and they were unable to factory restore (using the standard methods). They offered an exchange but since I purchase over the phone at a discounted price, I have to do the exchange using that method. Before shipping back the phone, I was wondering if I could fix it myself with the help of knowledgeable people.
CZ Eddie said:
I have never encrypted an Android phone before. But maybe your response to these questions will serve as a "bump" to this thread.
1) What method did you use to encrypt the phone? Stock or 3rd party encryption?
2) Doesn't that same method also offer you the offer to unencrypt the phone?
3) If you used a stock method of encrypting the phone, then I'd assume your provider (AT&T?) tech support should be able to help you unencrypt it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

I have never used the encryption but if the phone can turn on and is usable, cant you go into the encryption settings and turn encryption off? then you should be able to do anything (may be best to start with a factory restore first just so you have a fresh slate to work with)

1ofAKind said:
Model: Samsung Galaxy S3 AT&T i747
Hi!
I was forced to encrypt my galaxy s3 in order to receive corporate emails on my phone using the stock email app. However I never imagined that encrypting the phone would literally lock the memory and options to customize the phone.
I tried to root the phone to benefit from more flexibility and also debloat the phone. However during the rooting process, I could not mount /emmc/ when using ClockWorkRecovery in the startup menu. Based on what I found on the web, I figured it was due to the encryption.
I then tried to factory reset the phone to get rid of the encryption but I simply can't hard reset the phone from the OS or the startup menu. When doing the reset from the startup menu, the errors are "Can't mount /sdcard/". The reset continues but when the phone reboots, all my applications and personal data are there and the phone is still encrypted.
I read a lot about flashing a custom recovery via flashboot or ADB but I am reluctant to do it without guidance from the experts (you guys).
I deleted my corporate email account (It is my personal phone, I am not required to install exchange on it).
I tried to use an external sd card but as soon as the phone recoginizes it, I have to encrypt the card as well as a result from the corporate policies. I ejected the card and did not encrypt it.
I am new to android (long time iPhone user) and I would really appreciate your guidance on the methods to factory reset my phone or a different technique to get rid of the encryption because I am really stuck right now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1ofaKind,
Had EXACTLY the same thing happen to me. Encrypted my S3 in order to access work exchange server. Tried CWM but cannot mount /emmc/ problem after booting into recovery. Have not tried to factory reset yet as I am wanting to learn more before I go that route. But basically I am in the same boat as you. The only difference is I was not required to encrypt an external SD card when I put it in my phone. Read about flashboot as well...maybe the only way to actually factory reset after encryption??
Sorry I cannot offer any solutions at the moment...but I will keep scouring the forums looking for a way.
If I learn something valuable, I will try to post it here to help ya out.
EDIT: Maybe you have read these threads, but there is some decent info in them. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1451655 & http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1392037
good luck

Look into using Odin to restore a factory image.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium

I'm in the same boat here - had to encrypt my GS3 in order to receive corporate (Exchange Server) emails. Now can't update the OS on the phone which is more important to me than receiving corporate emails on the device.
Can someone tell me how to decrypt (UN-encrypt) the phone? Everything I've read says that a factory reset won't do it.
Please help!

CZ Eddie said:
Look into using Odin to restore a factory image.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Has anyone tried this? If so, did it work?

I clicked install rom from sd card in cwm selected f/w which i had copied into internal memory. Did factory reset in recovery.

Odin it back to stock.

This might be too late to help you guys, but here's what worked for me. I odined it back to stock. Then I went into recovery (volume down, power and home button) and selected wipe data/factory reset. This does of course erase all your data, so try to copy whatever you can onto a computer or something before doing this. You should end up with an unencrypted storage.

sid9102 said:
This might be too late to help you guys, but here's what worked for me. I odined it back to stock. Then I went into recovery (volume down, power and home button) and selected wipe data/factory reset. This does of course erase all your data, so try to copy whatever you can onto a computer or something before doing this. You should end up with an unencrypted storage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ODIN will not recognize my phone when it is in download mode ...

tamon77 said:
ODIN will not recognize my phone when it is in download mode ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After you hit start, unplug then replug the usb from the computer. I had some issues with it not recognizing it either to flash stock, but when i messed with the cord, it made the noise that i unplugged and it started working. Same thing with the root injected, only this time i fully unplugged it when the fiddling with it didnt work. Make sure you replace it into the same com port.
so, i seem to be having the same problem as all of you, only i encrypted to protect my data from agents. So, right now, i am *hopefully* :fingers-crossed: installing the root injected JB now. I had many issues. TWRP and CWM were no help, couldnt see phone to add new roms to it. ODIN was the only hope. I booted into recovery after going back to stock, did a new factory reset and am installing the stock with root. When i let it boot, it didnt go to encryption this time, but the first time i flashed the stock, it did. This is a mess to say the least.
EDIT: YEAH! done. No encryption and i got root. i used the image from here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1968625 DLK3 worked for me. Good luck. i hope this helps. Ill be happy to explain more if you want.

tamon77 said:
ODIN will not recognize my phone when it is in download mode ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ODIN (for me at least) wont see anything since im using Windows 8. On Windows 7, however, it works just fine.

Factory reset encrypted phone
hi,
I'm using CM11 as a rom.
I didn't want to reinstall stock rom, just to root it again later.
Installing updated version from external SD didn't work (updated the ROM but no decryption)
Tried to factory reset from recovery - didn't work, as the internal storage is encrypted it can't mount /sdcard/
however, from within settings menu, in backup&restore there's an option to do a factory reset - this is formatting internal memory altogether.
worked like a charm.

oxidase said:
After you hit start, unplug then replug the usb from the computer. I had some issues with it not recognizing it either to flash stock, but when i messed with the cord, it made the noise that i unplugged and it started working. Same thing with the root injected, only this time i fully unplugged it when the fiddling with it didnt work. Make sure you replace it into the same com port.
so, i seem to be having the same problem as all of you, only i encrypted to protect my data from agents. So, right now, i am *hopefully* :fingers-crossed: installing the root injected JB now. I had many issues. TWRP and CWM were no help, couldnt see phone to add new roms to it. ODIN was the only hope. I booted into recovery after going back to stock, did a new factory reset and am installing the stock with root. When i let it boot, it didnt go to encryption this time, but the first time i flashed the stock, it did. This is a mess to say the least.
EDIT: YEAH! done. No encryption and i got root. i used the image from here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1968625 DLK3 worked for me. Good luck. i hope this helps. Ill be happy to explain more if you want.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I understand this is very old but I am going to make a note here in case anyone else gets into this problem. When you go back to stock, do the factory reset using the STOCK recovery. Don't install TWRP or anything else until you have cleared the encryption. At least, that's what worked for me.

[Q] Urgent help recovering my data...

Hi everyone,
I'm at a loss at the moment as I do not know which way to turn, any help would be greatly appreciated.
so the last 2 years have been pretty eventful for me. I had a number of close relatives pass away and various other important family events take place and all my pictures and videos surround them seem to have disappeared from my HTC One X.
I had the phone connected to a laptop and was in the process of backing up the entire collection when the phone got incredibly hot, froze and restarted on me, to my shock all my videos and pictures where gone once the phone booted back up. I have removed the battery and have not used the phone since, in fear that it may delete/write over any data structures, or remove any chance I have at recovering my files.
Now I am of course a newbie to the HTC one X when it comes to rooting etc but I have done this sorta thing with previous phones in the past so I can work through a guide/root/update if needed.
Having tried many of these generic "recover your data" type software they all seem to require USB Mass Storage Mode. from what I have found and and experienced I can not do this as my android version is 4.1.1 and the option was removed in an update. MTP connection type is how it connects to a PC ( i hope im making sense here as im not sure if im saying that right).
I've spent the last week trying to figure out a way to get the phone to work with mass storage mode but my understanding is a little sketchy.
Is there anyway to recover my data and if so what is the best course of action?
Should I root and upgrade to a custom firmware?
If i do this will this wipe the existing internal storage/ or perhaps remove any chance I have at recovery after the upgrade? I haven't used the phone since as ive read on several threads that the best chance of recovery is to ensure that very little data / no new data is written to the phones internal memory.
I've even considered paying professional data recovery services however they simply do not provide enough information as to what/how they do it and im scared that they may return the phone with no results and also wipe any chance I have at recovery.
any help at all would be greatly appreciated, as at this point i really don't know what else to do.
if someone has a tried and tested method or recovery service they have used please let me know. If it really is too difficult to attempt a recovery myself id be willing to pay for any assistance beyond that.
thanks for any assistance in advance.

.Xenon- said:
Hi everyone,
I'm at a loss at the moment as I do not know which way to turn, any help would be greatly appreciated.
so the last 2 years have been pretty eventful for me. I had a number of close relatives pass away and various other important family events take place and all my pictures and videos surround them seem to have disappeared from my HTC One X.
I had the phone connected to a laptop and was in the process of backing up the entire collection when the phone got incredibly hot, froze and restarted on me, to my shock all my videos and pictures where gone once the phone booted back up. I have removed the battery and have not used the phone since, in fear that it may delete/write over any data structures, or remove any chance I have at recovering my files.
Now I am of course a newbie to the HTC one X when it comes to rooting etc but I have done this sorta thing with previous phones in the past so I can work through a guide/root/update if needed.
Having tried many of these generic "recover your data" type software they all seem to require USB Mass Storage Mode. from what I have found and and experienced I can not do this as my android version is 4.1.1 and the option was removed in an update. MTP connection type is how it connects to a PC ( i hope im making sense here as im not sure if im saying that right).
I've spent the last week trying to figure out a way to get the phone to work with mass storage mode but my understanding is a little sketchy.
Is there anyway to recover my data and if so what is the best course of action?
Should I root and upgrade to a custom firmware?
If i do this will this wipe the existing internal storage/ or perhaps remove any chance I have at recovery after the upgrade? I haven't used the phone since as ive read on several threads that the best chance of recovery is to ensure that very little data / no new data is written to the phones internal memory.
I've even considered paying professional data recovery services however they simply do not provide enough information as to what/how they do it and im scared that they may return the phone with no results and also wipe any chance I have at recovery.
any help at all would be greatly appreciated, as at this point i really don't know what else to do.
if someone has a tried and tested method or recovery service they have used please let me know. If it really is too difficult to attempt a recovery myself id be willing to pay for any assistance beyond that.
thanks for any assistance in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If all you need to do to salvage your data is USB mount storage then I suggest flashing a custom recovery, CWM and TWRP both enable USB mount storage.
Sent from my HTC One X using xda app-developers app

Craiglivesey94 said:
If all you need to do to salvage your data is USB mount storage then I suggest flashing a custom recovery, CWM and TWRP both enable USB mount storage.
Sent from my HTC One X using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok so I've used CWM a few years back and I have a rough idea of what to do (i can search around for a decent guide) but I just want to confirm that flashing a custom recovery will not force me to reformat or format the internal memory in its entirety before/during/after the installation itself?
Would this be the best way to recover data from the device as its not currently rooted or had any custom firmware flashed to it
ie: install CWM>enable mass storage mode>use generic software to scan the drive and attempt to recover
thank you

.Xenon- said:
ok so I've used CWM a few years back and I have a rough idea of what to do (i can search around for a decent guide) but I just want to confirm that flashing a custom recovery will not force me to reformat or format the internal memory in its entirety before/during/after the installation itself?
Would this be the best way to recover data from the device as its not currently rooted or had any custom firmware flashed to it
ie: install CWM>enable mass storage mode>use generic software to scan the drive and attempt to recover
thank you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
unlocking your bootloader will wipe all your data. I would try recovery software first, if your pc can see your phone I don't see why the software won't.

nogotaclue said:
unlocking your bootloader will wipe all your data. I would try recovery software first, if your pc can see your phone I don't see why the software won't.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
there are a number of reputable recovery software applications on the market, almost all of which require that you are using mass storage mode (when attempting to recover from a mobile device). I've used 14 different programs so far and none of them can recognize my HTC one x when its plugged into the PC.
my htc works fine and is showing up as "portable media device" in the windows browser however none of the programs ive tried can locate the storage with there respective disk/file browsers.

.Xenon- said:
there are a number of reputable recovery software applications on the market, almost all of which require that you are using mass storage mode (when attempting to recover from a mobile device). I've used 14 different programs so far and none of them can recognize my HTC one x when its plugged into the PC.
my htc works fine and is showing up as "portable media device" in the windows browser however none of the programs ive tried can locate the storage with there respective disk/file browsers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
doesn't really like you have much of a choice now then. You should prepare yourself for the possibility that, because data is missing, the sdcard may be corrupted and not recoverable at all. having said that, I have recovered data from hard drives and sdcards that have been formatted multiple times, with minimal loss. I would wait till tomorrow night before you decide anything, give more people a chance to see the post through tomorrow

nogotaclue said:
doesn't really like you have much of a choice now then. You should prepare yourself for the possibility that, because data is missing, the sdcard may be corrupted and not recoverable at all. having said that, I have recovered data from hard drives and sdcards that have been formatted multiple times, with minimal loss. I would wait till tomorrow night before you decide anything, give more people a chance to see the post through tomorrow
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah im hoping someone may know of a why to get either usb mass storage mode working or perhaps just a good recovery service anyone could recommend.

.Xenon- said:
Yeah im hoping someone may know of a why to get either usb mass storage mode working or perhaps just a good recovery service anyone could recommend.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is the device rooted? Do you have CWM Recovery installed on it?

MrT69 said:
Is the device rooted? Do you have CWM Recovery installed on it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no unfortunately not, just wish i had now and I woulda have saved myself alot of hassle.
I think if i understand it correctly now if i root and install CWM recovery now it actually reformats/wipes the storage.

.Xenon- said:
no unfortunately not, just wish i had now and I woulda have saved myself alot of hassle.
I think if i understand it correctly now if i root and install CWM recovery now it actually reformats/wipes the storage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok. Currently I'm on the way home from work but I guess I will need aprox. 1 hour.
1. DO NOT install a custom ROM
2. You need to install CWR Recovery for this Action
3. Don't care if the device will boot or not - you need only CWR Recovery installed on it
4. Do not try to do stupid things like using public bull**** recovery crap Tools
It will take up to two hours and your data will be back. Ok. lets say most of them.
To do:
1. Unlock your device bootloader
2. Install CWM Recovery
3. Let me know when it's done
And most important - leave the device as it is. Do not restart or boot the device to much times

MrT69 said:
Ok. Currently I'm on the way home from work but I guess I will need aprox. 1 hour.
1. DO NOT install a custom ROM
2. You need to install CWR Recovery for this Action
3. Don't care if the device will boot or not - you need only CWR Recovery installed on it
4. Do not try to do stupid things like using public bull**** recovery crap Tools
It will take up to two hours and your data will be back. Ok. lets say most of them.
To do:
1. Unlock your device bootloader
2. Install CWM Recovery
3. Let me know when it's done
And most important - leave the device as it is. Do not restart or boot the device to much times
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for your help!
Im at work at the moment too so I will try to do this as soon as I get home.
just a quick question though, does unlocking the bootloader and installing CWM recovery format the storage? nogotaclue said unlocking the bootloader would wipe/reformat the memory again. (I am trying to avoid this as it could potentially write over the data im trying to recover)

.Xenon- said:
thanks for your help!
Im at work at the moment too so I will try to do this as soon as I get home.
just a quick question though, does unlocking the bootloader and installing CWM recovery format the storage? nogotaclue said unlocking the bootloader would wipe/reformat the memory again. (I am trying to avoid this as it could potentially write over the data im trying to recover)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't care about if the SDCard will be formated or not.
On the one Hand it seems you have already formated or lost the partion on it and on the other Hand there is no other way to get the data back.
I promise to you that this is OK even when the unlock procedure Format your SDCard This is not the first time that I recover some data. And I do this Job since more than 15 years.
It's up to you to decide.

Sorry I didn't mean to offend you. Just worried that's all. I was called away for work so I'm back this weekend. Will root and install the recovery as soon I can.
Thanks again for your help.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda app-developers app

MrT69 said:
Don't care about if the SDCard will be formated or not.
On the one Hand it seems you have already formated or lost the partion on it and on the other Hand there is no other way to get the data back.
I promise to you that this is OK even when the unlock procedure Format your SDCard This is not the first time that I recover some data. And I do this Job since more than 15 years.
It's up to you to decide.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then i have a question to you Mr T, what software is "best" or at least very good to use to recover lost/formatted data ?
As you seem to know much about that
sent from my venomized piece of technology

Re: Recover deleted pictures and videos
It is very good that you did not use your phone after deletion of photos and videos so there will be no matter of overwriting. You said that you have tried many Recovery Tools but I think they might be free of cost. I have also tried so many free data recovery tools to recover my photos but all are of no use. Then my friend suggested me Remo recover Android tool after employing the tool I successfully recovered all my data from my HTC one.

[SOLVED] How can I reset my rooted KF2 running 10.2.4?

When I first bought my Kindle Fire 2 a couple years ago I followed the instructions in the thread "[Root][Working 10.3.1]Kindle Fire 2 Root made easy" by Jordan011. I'm rooted on 10.2.4 but don't have TWRP or a backup, and I don't have a fastboot cable. I mainly use my KF2 for reading and browsing the net so I'm happy with the stock ROM.
My wife decided she wants a Kindle and was cool enough to suggest that I buy the new 7" HD and give her my Fire 2. So my question is, how can I reset my KF2 while keeping root so it'll be fresh for her to install what she wants? Since I'm keeping the stock ROM is there any benefit (bug fixes, performance increases, etc) to upgrading it to a newer version with root? Lastly, do I need a fastboot cable in order to install TWRP so I can make a backup?
Many thanks,
KindofBlues71

SOLVED! I simply used the Factory Reset in the settings menu and was still able to maintain root. It wiped the "SD Card" partition and it's running great.

HTC One M8 - Soft brick on unrooted phone (apart from OS upgrades)

I've had my M8 since about the end of 2014. Originally on Android 4, have since done OTA upgrades to 5 and 6 as they were flagged as available by my carrier (UK, O2).
I've never managed to get HTC Backup on my PC to recognise the phone, even with the original USB cable, so have never done a proper backup (Yes. I know). Fortunately for me, my Gmail contacts list was almost up to date, and apart from my calendar, that was the most important thing to save, so I've just had to grin and bear it.
Because of the lack of proper backup and therefore the facility to restore from one, I'd never done a factory reset after the various OS upgrades, which I've been told might have avoided my present situation, which is that I can't get any further than a bootloop situation. Other than that, I can get into recovery mode, but no further.
I've tried clearing the cache, I've tried a factory reset. Neither of those have got me anywhere.
I've no great desire (at present) to go fiddling with rooting or anything clever with the phone, I'd just like to get it working again. I've downloaded Android Studio to get the SDK for ADB but don't really know what I'm doing, and if I mess around without expert advice I could end up with a hard brick - which is why I'm here.
Can anyone give me some guidance about what I need to do to get my phone working again?
Thanks in advance...

Hi, I have the same problem, started a few days ago when I was trying to download VLC from the play store, the phone rebooted and said optimizing apps.... It has been in an optimizing apps bootloop since - it gets to the end, then says starting android then freezes and reboots, then starts again... I tried clearing the cache and doing the factory reset as well but nothing helps. We could really use some expert help on this :S

If a stock phone isn't booting, and factory reset doesn't help, the OS is possibly damaged or corrupted in some way; and needs to be restored.
If your version has RUU, you can try to run that.
If no RUU for your version, then probably your only choice is to unlock the bootloader, install custom recovery, so you can restore a stock TWRP backup from the following thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/htc-one-m8/help/tutorial-how-to-stock-stock-twrp-t3086860

I am in a very similar situation, apparently because of a botched automatic system update, almost same symptoms as airick94. I haven't tried a factory reset yet though, because I want to try to recover what I can from the internal storage first. Can I do that through ADB even if my phone is not recognised as a device by the computer?

Accidentally restored original stock rom backup - how to get back to CM?

Hey!
So my girlfriend owns a Fire Phone, on which I installed CM-11 for her. Now she accidentally entered Safestrap (4.01) and restored the backup of the original stock rom I created when I installed CM-11 for the first time. When I restart the phone now, the original Fire OS boots.
Now I'd like to reinstall CM-11, but I don't want to lose all the data (App Data, Pictures...). What would be the best way to do this?
Is it possible to access the data on the phone while in safestrap? In the File Manager I can see it's still there, but when I connect the phone to my PC via USB nothing happens.
Could I simply transfer the CM-11 Image and flash it, without doing a factory reset? How can I transfer the CM-11 Image to the phone storage?
Or could I simply boot into the Fire OS, try to transfer the data via USB from there and go on from there? She doesn't want to lose her App Data, if that is possible.
**edit: Actually the original CM-11 image I once flashed is still on the phone. Could I simply re-flash it?
Thanks for your help!!

Bjoernsson said:
Hey!
So my girlfriend owns a Fire Phone, on which I installed CM-11 for her. Now she accidentally entered Safestrap (4.01) and restored the backup of the original stock rom I created when I installed CM-11 for the first time. When I restart the phone now, the original Fire OS boots.
Now I'd like to reinstall CM-11, but I don't want to lose all the data (App Data, Pictures...). What would be the best way to do this?
Is it possible to access the data on the phone while in safestrap? In the File Manager I can see it's still there, but when I connect the phone to my PC via USB nothing happens.
Could I simply transfer the CM-11 Image and flash it, without doing a factory reset? How can I transfer the CM-11 Image to the phone storage?
Or could I simply boot into the Fire OS, try to transfer the data via USB from there and go on from there? She doesn't want to lose her App Data, if that is possible.
**edit: Actually the original CM-11 image I once flashed is still on the phone. Could I simply re-flash it?
Thanks for your help!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can get it by mounting sdcard within safestrap.. use mtp, adb.. lots of choices.