[A5 2017] to root or not to root - Samsung Galaxy A3, A5, A7 (2017) Questions & Answe

Hi guys,
Just came from a rooted OnePlus X and looking for some advice.
One of the first things I noticed using the A5 are the ads. Being used to no ads this is becoming annoying.
So I'm considering the pros and cons of rooting.
Pros are obvious but I might miss some cons.
Knox will be tripped when installing Trwp. Besides being tripped, are there any downsides? Will it have effect when reverting to stock?
I owned a Tab10 which would show a big yellow triangle when booting. Is this still the case?
Triangle away is no longer an option
Any other cons I'm missing except for the warranty?

You can use DNS66 from F-Droid to block ads without rooting (it uses a local on-device VPN connection to accomplish this).

lejohn said:
Hi guys,
Just came from a rooted OnePlus X and looking for some advice.
One of the first things I noticed using the A5 are the ads. Being used to no ads this is becoming annoying.
So I'm considering the pros and cons of rooting.
Pros are obvious but I might miss some cons.
Knox will be tripped when installing Trwp. Besides being tripped, are there any downsides? Will it have effect when reverting to stock?
I owned a Tab10 which would show a big yellow triangle when booting. Is this still the case?
Triangle away is no longer an option
Any other cons I'm missing except for the warranty?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Once Knox tripped there is no return... warranty will be lost.
What I did is to have root and just install AdHell2 (https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s8/themes/adhell-2-rootless-ad-blocking-t3663559)...

jolas said:
Once Knox tripped there is no return... warranty will be lost.
What I did is to have root and just install AdHell2 (https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s8/themes/adhell-2-rootless-ad-blocking-t3663559)...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I'll give it a try.

What ads are we talking about? I haven't seen any so far.

Sn0w0nS said:
What ads are we talking about? I haven't seen any so far.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any ads, in any application. He wants to use a low level domain filter to stop apps and webpages from reaching their ad service providers.

I'm new on Samsung. Got A520W on Nougat a few days ago and considering root too. I read people using Magdsk but not sure if it will work on Nougat. Reason I wanna root is to install Xposed, custom kernel and recovery.

kenship said:
I'm new on Samsung. Got A520W on Nougat a few days ago and considering root too. I read people using Magdsk but not sure if it will work on Nougat. Reason I wanna root is to install Xposed, custom kernel and recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It will work. U just need to flash twrp through odin a install magisk. Before that,check if u have oem unlock.

BlasterSK said:
It will work. U just need to flash twrp through odin a install magisk. Before that,check if u have oem unlock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I come from LG so I'm new to Samsung. I used app to root and install superuser then used flashify to install TWRP.
OEM Unlock is already set to On.
Correct me if I'm wrong.
I use magisk to root, then install TWRP using odin.

Dont worry, im coming from lg device aswell.
Before the root, consider if u want really to root your device, because u will loose your warranty.
U need to download zip file of magisk 13.3,put it to the storage/sd card and then flash twrp through odin. Once u did that, u will flash magisk .zip file in twrp.
Complete tutorial here:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/sa...ficial-nougat-release-download-guide-t3654413

BlasterSK said:
Dont worry, im coming from lg device aswell.
Before the root, consider if u want really to root your device, because u will loose your warranty.
U need to download zip file of magisk 13.3,put it to the storage/sd card and then flash twrp through odin. Once u did that, u will flash magisk .zip file in twrp.
Complete tutorial here:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/sa...ficial-nougat-release-download-guide-t3654413
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! I did some research today and finally come to know what odin, magisk is about.
I'll certainly consider the pros and cons before making the move. For now I don't see kernel for nougat yet so maybe root is not most important. Xposed is another one but only to allow youtube background play, other than that, maybe some actions provided by secure setting and ad block. Thanks for the guide!

kenship said:
Thanks! I did some research today and finally come to know what odin, magisk is about.
I'll certainly consider the pros and cons before making the move. For now I don't see kernel for nougat yet so maybe root is not most important. Xposed is another one but only to allow youtube background play, other than that, maybe some actions provided by secure setting and ad block. Thanks for the guide!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem mate. Glad to help u.
I dont think its worth to lose warranty because of the root. But its everybody decision. On the other hand,root is a good thing and it will let u do whatever u want with the device. If u need AdBlock,i can reccomend u Adhell2,which is rootless ad blocker and it is working fine. Atleast for me. And if u meant custom nougat kernel,then there is a one.
Link for the kernel: https://forum.xda-developers.com/samsung-a-series-2017/development/kernel-alphabet-kernel-t3697372

Wow thanks! Will take a look. On warranty, I thought Odin can take me back to stock firmware and therefore allowing OTA and for warranty, am I wrong?
Sent from my SM-A520W using XDA-Developers Legacy app

kenship said:
Wow thanks! Will take a look. On warranty, I thought Odin can take me back to stock firmware and therefore allowing OTA and for warranty, am I wrong?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could put it back to stock and get OTAs, yes.
But when you unlock the bootloader it trips a physical circuit inside the device which makes it impossible to trick Samsung into giving you warranty. There's a tiny fuse that burns out when you unlock the bootloader that prevents you from ever changing the unlock status back to official.

lejohn said:
Hi guys,
Just came from a rooted OnePlus X and looking for some advice..........
Triangle away is no longer an option
Any other cons I'm missing except for the warranty?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My advice don't root. Not yet. Give it at least a year.
I was a flashoholic/rootaholic. Not anymore. Recently bought a5 2017 (dual sim). My primary reasons for rooting(previous devices) were themes+viper4android+firewall. Nowadays we have almost at par (90%) solutions without root. Another reason was to save some battery life. But our a5 2017 is pretty good at it by default. Also dont forget secure folder+samsung pay+ any future updates or similar. This r my opinions. BUT you may have different priorities. Thanks for reading.

Looks we have similar requirements for root. But I do not want root to brick functionalities like you mentioned.
Theming was not available in LineageOS but I have an S7 from work which has a nice theming engine which made me choose for the A5 12107 as personal phone.
Only thing I was missing was the ad blocking. AdHell seems to do a nice job on this so for now no need to root. If it could also block the youtube adds it would be perfect.
Did you tackle this?

matesurano said:
My advice don't root. Not yet. Give it at least a year.
I was a flashoholic/rootaholic. Not anymore. Recently bought a5 2017 (dual sim). My primary reasons for rooting(previous devices) were themes+viper4android+firewall. Nowadays we have almost at par (90%) solutions without root. Another reason was to save some battery life. But our a5 2017 is pretty good at it by default. Also dont forget secure folder+samsung pay+ any future updates or similar. This r my opinions. BUT you may have different priorities. Thanks for reading.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Absolutely agree with every word! I was also flashoholic/rootaholic before. But A5 2017's firmware is bug-free (for me), that's why I don't need to do those root-thingz. For blocking some Ads on webpages I use Samsung Browser with extenisons:
Adblock Fast
AdBlock for Samsung Browser
Adblock Plus for Samsung browser
AdClear for Samsung Internet
Crystal
All these blockers are working at the same time, so if one doesn't filter Ad, another in order does. But of course, if someone wants to block in-app Ads, root is necesarry

lejohn said:
Looks we have similar requirements for root.Only thing I was missing was the ad blocking. AdHell seems to do a nice job on this so for now no need to root. If it could also block the youtube adds it would be perfect.
Did you tackle this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
.......
Well m not that much into YouTube. But the channels i browse are mostly ad free. But i think you might wanna check out adhell 2( never tried the adblocking part). It needs Samsung knox sdk license( easy to get...just follow google search). Apart from system wide adblocker it has a package disabler too. Also i heard about an app called youtube auto ad skip or something like that.....don't recall the name. Tell us how it goes.

I too will probably wait until warranty is gone. I'm able to freeze most of the apps that I don't use. Will be nice if able to ad block without using VPN. The Xposed Youtube background play is good but I guess I can live w/o it.

the root is not necessary for block the add in ALL app's.
you just install blokada ,the best adblocker NON ROOT!
for the app,search in xda or in google

Related

A new thread for some knox only question. Maybe in thisvone place for reference. Beca

So... This knox @$€&s.
Please confirm the following so that people will be confident in upgrading.
1. You can rwmove it. It is not still stealthy hidden in background to shaft you.
2. Once removed you can do whatever you want to the phone like before.
Anymore questions.
Knox locked bootloader not only app u can uninstalled it what ever u like
Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk
This is one point of confusion I had. Various post say its a bootloader but then if you google it on the samsung supports page it details a way to dsiable it in a similar way as one would disable an app.
If its a bootloader aswell, would it mean a extra step to flash a compatible booloader as well as disabling the app.
Is there a guide on how to do all this, other than that vroot stuff which is said to be spyware.
It is everytime a new ota comes out we talk about rooting. Why cant they just give us root for everyone.
emgluon said:
So... This knox @$€&s.
Please confirm the following so that people will be confident in upgrading.
1. You can rwmove it. It is not still stealthy hidden in background to shaft you.
2. Once removed you can do whatever you want to the phone like before.
Anymore questions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The way I understand it:
once you have KNOX and get rid of it, you will NEVER be able to use KNOX again
Hope this is correct?
http://www.samsung.com/global/business/mobile/solution/security/samsung-knox

[Q] Newbie with security concerns

Hi,
I just bought the lg g3 d852 in Canada. It's my first smart phone and I'm concerned with apps requiring so many permissions. I know appops is no longer open on 4.4.2. Have to root to control apps but voids warranty.
Is there an easy way to remove root if I need warranty work?
Does installing appops after root work well enough to control permssions on apps?
What other security measures can I use? I downloaded Eset trial for android. But is there anything else?
Is there a way to provide proper security in general and also from the apps wanting permission without rooting?
Thank you!
Mechif said:
Hi,
I just bought the lg g3 d852 in Canada. It's my first smart phone and I'm concerned with apps requiring so many permissions. I know appops is no longer open on 4.4.2. Have to root to control apps but voids warranty.
Is there an easy way to remove root if I need warranty work?
Does installing appops after root work well enough to control permssions on apps?
What other security measures can I use? I downloaded Eset trial for android. But is there anything else?
Is there a way to provide proper security in general and also from the apps wanting permission without rooting?
Thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i cant understand why you worry so much about the permissions. If you re so afraid you can login with fake accounts and just dont put any personal information.
To unroot you have to flash back to stock. Autoprime who has developed purple drake root has posted here hot to restore back to stock http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=54254062&postcount=2
Mechif said:
Hi,
I just bought the lg g3 d852 in Canada. It's my first smart phone and I'm concerned with apps requiring so many permissions. I know appops is no longer open on 4.4.2. Have to root to control apps but voids warranty.
Is there an easy way to remove root if I need warranty work?
Does installing appops after root work well enough to control permssions on apps?
What other security measures can I use? I downloaded Eset trial for android. But is there anything else?
Is there a way to provide proper security in general and also from the apps wanting permission without rooting?
Thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you worry about your personal information being out there in 2014 there is one way you can't stop that. DON'T USE A PHONE or any device that connects to the Internet ?
katsika said:
i cant understand why you worry so much about the permissions. If you re so afraid you can login with fake accounts and just dont put any personal information.
To unroot you have to flash back to stock. Autoprime who has developed purple drake root has posted here hot to restore back to stock http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=54254062&postcount=2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. I'm new at this. I don't understand what to log into and make a fake account? It's a concern of personal data accessible by apps that ask for too many permissions.
Can this be lessened somehow without rooting? What apps are good for security?
katsika said:
i cant understand why you worry so much about the permissions. If you re so afraid you can login with fake accounts and just dont put any personal information.
To unroot you have to flash back to stock. Autoprime who has developed purple drake root has posted here hot to restore back to stock http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=54254062&postcount=2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Still_living714 said:
If you worry about your personal information being out there in 2014 there is one way you can't stop that. DON'T USE A PHONE or any device that connects to the Internet ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. I'm not looking for a nuclear solution of don't use the Internet then you dont have to worry about security. I'm aware that we are all at risk. I'm just looking for some solutions that work well to minimize the inherent risks on the LG G3.
Mechif said:
Thanks. I'm not looking for a nuclear solution of don't use the Internet then you dont have to worry about security. I'm aware that we are all at risk. I'm just looking for some solutions that work well to minimize the inherent risks on the LG G3.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
its not really a risk. almost every app asks for some shady permissions. the only way to protect yourself is to not download them. other than that you cant do much
If you're willing to root, and are seriously concerned about this, install Xposed and XPrivacy. It can take some time to set up, but it's far more powerful than AppOps.
meyerweb said:
If you're willing to root, and are seriously concerned about this, install Xposed and XPrivacy. It can take some time to set up, but it's far more powerful than AppOps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. That's what I'm thinking of doing. I don't mind the way LG set up the launcher and software. If I root, does this change that? The only thing I don't like is I can't view the home screen and apps in landscape mode. I know there are launchers for that but I haven't found one I like...
Comments?

Samsung's software update 31st October

Hello guys and gals, we are coming closer to the update which I strongly believe will mess around with our phones to force a return. How can we stop this update on a device already up to date? Do far I have tried package disabler but it doesn't show system update 1 and system update 2... Any suggestions?
seriousc said:
Hello guys and gals, we are coming closer to the update which I strongly believe will mess around with our phones to force a return. How can we stop this update on a device already up to date? Do far I have tried package disabler but it doesn't show system update 1 and system update 2... Any suggestions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could root your phone
LightningJay said:
You could root your phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am rooted and I know usually that would help but do we know that just by being rooted this would stop the update? Would a custom rom also stop this update? How well do we know samsung's tactic here I mea if they REALLY wanted to could they ignore root or custom rom an overwrite or is this not possible?
seriousc said:
I am rooted and I know usually that would help but do we know that just by being rooted this would stop the update? Would a custom rom also stop this update? How well do we know samsung's tactic here I mea if they REALLY wanted to could they ignore root or custom rom an overwrite or is this not possible?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm really not sure...
I installed a custom ROM so I would think that Samsung couldn't push an update to it, but I’m new to Samsung/Android (Note7 is my first Android) so I could be mistaken.
LightningJay said:
I'm really not sure...
I installed a custom ROM so I would think that Samsung couldn't push an update to it, but Iâ??m new to Samsung/Android (Note7 is my first Android) so I could be mistaken.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same. I installed Hydra-Rom (excellent rom btw) and then uninstalled all update packages with Titanium Backup. I think that'll cover it. People are pretty confident in freezing the same packages with Package Disabler if still on unrooted stock. I think rooting and a custom rom is a good idea at this point as it opens up more options if Samsung keep doing crappy things from here on in.
Karnax_ said:
Same. I installed Hydra-Rom (excellent rom btw) and then uninstalled all update packages with Titanium Backup. I think that'll cover it. People are pretty confident in freezing the same packages with Package Disabler if still on unrooted stock. I think rooting and a custom rom is a good idea at this point as it opens up more options if Samsung keep doing crappy things from here on in.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For me one of the coolest features is the secure folder, and to my knowledge all the custom roms so far break that because they break knox. That's a big minus for me.
Karnax_ said:
Same. I installed Hydra-Rom (excellent rom btw) and then uninstalled all update packages with Titanium Backup. I think that'll cover it. People are pretty confident in freezing the same packages with Package Disabler if still on unrooted stock. I think rooting and a custom rom is a good idea at this point as it opens up more options if Samsung keep doing crappy things from here on in.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What do you mean by "uninstalled all update packages with Titanium Backup"? Could you explain this point please.
---------- Post added at 10:29 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:28 AM ----------
Chippy_boy said:
For me one of the coolest features is the secure folder, and to my knowledge all the custom roms so far break that because they break knox. That's a big minus for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a private mode with HydraRom
LightningJay said:
What do you mean by "uninstalled all update packages with Titanium Backup"? Could you explain this point please.
---------- Post added at 10:29 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:28 AM ----------
There is a private mode with HydraRom
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's an app on the store which backs up any and everything (requires root). It also allows you to freeze/disable packages (like package disabler does) or flat out remove them from phone, which is probably overkill and can cause issues if you do it to the wrong packages.
Seeings I'll never use the updater again I opted to go with that. Hasn't caused me any issues so far and can still get OTA updates via Hydra-Rom's inbuilt OTA app if it did happen to get updated again.
Karnax_ said:
There's an app on the store which backs up any and everything (requires root). It also allows you to freeze/disable packages (like package disabler does) or flat out remove them from phone, which is probably overkill and can cause issues if you do it to the wrong packages.
Seeings I'll never use the updater again I opted to go with that. Hasn't caused me any issues so far and can still get OTA updates via Hydra-Rom's inbuilt OTA app if it did happen to get updated again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you give me the name of the packages you disabled?
Chippy_boy said:
For me one of the coolest features is the secure folder, and to my knowledge all the custom roms so far break that because they break knox. That's a big minus for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah pretty sure one of the devs said it'll never work sadly. It doesn't really affect me as I've never really kept much in the way of sensitive data on my phone.
LightningJay said:
There is a private mode with HydraRom
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks - I missed that.
I hope this isn't too OT, but having never flashed a custom rom before, is this something achievable (or sensible to try) for a noob like me? I am computer literate, but I know very little about phone workings and roms etc. I wouldn't want to chance bricking my device.
Karnax_ said:
There's an app on the store which backs up any and everything (requires root). It also allows you to freeze/disable packages (like package disabler does) or flat out remove them from phone, which is probably overkill and can cause issues if you do it to the wrong packages.
Seeings I'll never use the updater again I opted to go with that. Hasn't caused me any issues so far and can still get OTA updates via Hydra-Rom's inbuilt OTA app if it did happen to get updated again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm tempted to try hydra but the downfall for me is I like everything to be as stock as possible. There's always a feature in custom roms which isn't added and it irritates me. What did you disable? Are you running hydra old kernel for the 100% battery or which kernel did you choose?
Chippy_boy said:
Thanks - I missed that.
I hope this isn't too OT, but having never flashed a custom rom before, is this something achievable (or sensible to try) for a noob like me? I am computer literate, but I know very little about phone workings and roms etc. I wouldn't want to chance bricking my device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its pretty simple, download twrp recovery, put the newest su binary on the Sd card, flash the twrp with odin using the ap button, one in recovery allow modifications, then install Su binary, then reboot to recovery, then install hydra rom it will give you options of what you want added to the rom etc. If ever you mess up just open Samsung smart switch go to the "more" tab then click second tab and insert your model number and seriel and it does the rest for you (this is if you want to revert back to stock)
Chippy_boy said:
Thanks - I missed that.
I hope this isn't too OT, but having never flashed a custom rom before, is this something achievable (or sensible to try) for a noob like me? I am computer literate, but I know very little about phone workings and roms etc. I wouldn't want to chance bricking my device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm like you, this was my first time rooting, and flashing a costom ROM on a phone. I followed these steps and it worked fine for me.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/note-7/development/recovery-official-twrp-galaxy-note-7-t3446047 to root
http://forum.xda-developers.com/note-7/development/rom-hydra-rom-v1-0-t3447611 Costum Rom (HydraRom) and Kernel
---------- Post added at 11:04 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:56 AM ----------
seriousc said:
I'm tempted to try hydra but the downfall for me is I like everything to be as stock as possible. There's always a feature in custom roms which isn't added and it irritates me. What did you disable? Are you running hydra old kernel for the 100% battery or which kernel did you choose?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hydra is very very similar to stock. I didn't activate any extra features in the setup process. What I liked about it is that all the bloat wear is not installed, and phone is smother than with stock and has better battery life.
I am running the new Hydra on a replacement Note7 (green battery and 100%)
Thanks guys.
seriousc said:
I'm tempted to try hydra but the downfall for me is I like everything to be as stock as possible. There's always a feature in custom roms which isn't added and it irritates me. What did you disable? Are you running hydra old kernel for the 100% battery or which kernel did you choose?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm also othe latest hydra-kernel and replacement Note. The installer is pretty comprehensive so you can retain most of the stock functionality. If you're sticking close to stock the most suitable options are labelled as such so it's reasonably straight forward.
I'm going to make a full guide with all information in including changing country code for WiFi calling etc if you bought a different network device to what you are on.
Chippy_boy said:
Thanks - I missed that.
I hope this isn't too OT, but having never flashed a custom rom before, is this something achievable (or sensible to try) for a noob like me? I am computer literate, but I know very little about phone workings and roms etc. I wouldn't want to chance bricking my device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have made a full guide if your interested
http://forum.xda-developers.com/note-7/how-to/everything-n930f-fd-rooting-flashing-t3488573/page1
seriousc said:
I have made a full guide if your interested
http://forum.xda-developers.com/note-7/how-to/everything-n930f-fd-rooting-flashing-t3488573/page1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks - very useful.
I am still considering this since I am not sure I want to live without knox and the Samsung secure folder. I plan on returning the phone in a month or so anyway, so maybe better to simply put up with Samsung's INCREDIBLY INFURIATING battery restriction. Boy they are really p1ssing me off by doing this!
Chippy_boy said:
Thanks - very useful.
I am still considering this since I am not sure I want to live without knox and the Samsung secure folder. I plan on returning the phone in a month or so anyway, so maybe better to simply put up with Samsung's INCREDIBLY INFURIATING battery restriction. Boy they are really p1ssing me off by doing this!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are returning it then out touch it. As far as secure folder goes you can get hydra rom for example it has secure folder built in. Knox though is more of a burden than useful.

Bounty for rooting method for A5 2017 (SM-A520F), bounty insidie.

Hey, so I really want to root my A5 as I have a few issues with it unrooted (mostly with wakelocks) and just generally dislike using it unrooted but as far as I can see there's isn't an option yet.
I'm offering a $50 bounty in BTC to whoever creates the tools and a short guide to root it without tripping Knox.
I know it's not much but others might chip in as well.
There is already root available since yesterday.
Unfortunately only with cwm look at this link.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YtvJU9aDnHM&feature=youtu.be
bassbounce said:
There is already root available since yesterday.
Unfortunately only with cwm look at this link.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YtvJU9aDnHM&feature=youtu.be
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see, nice. And do we know who made it?
I'll wait for a few replies if it's really works without tripping Knox though.
I'm out of the loop why people hate CWM.
bathrobehero said:
I see, nice. And do we know who made it?
I'll wait for a few replies if it's really works without tripping Knox though.
I'm out of the loop why people hate CWM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
CWM will trip knox for sure. Only way without knox tripped would probably be to get a hold of engineer sboot/boot combination from samsung and be able to root it through ADB.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/sa.../samsung-sm-a520f-2017-kernel-source-t3557622
I used this method today ive also used in the past the twrp method prefer the cwm one though far less steps found though cwm has a lot more chance of bootlooping but far easier ... so to sum up cwm version easy 2 steps really but very finicky... twrp lot more stable but a little more complicated dmverity etc... will again comment in a couple of days let you know how cwm is going now i have stabilized it....
https://forum.xda-developers.com/sa.../samsung-sm-a520f-2017-kernel-source-t3557622 is thread for twrp method

Unrooting S20 Plus

Hi all
Hope this is the correct area...
My hubby bought me a S20 plus for my birthday through a local dealer.
I noticed a few issues like not being able to use biometrics or install certain apps.
I've since found out the phone has been rooted.
I've tried to do a factory reset, but this hasn't helped.
I've downloaded root checker and it confirms the phone is rooted. I've downloaded SuperSU yet is won't work as ver 2.82 claims it's for an older Version of Android.
I've downloaded solid explorer to delete the root access files such as Busybox and SU however I cannot find these files in the system folder or the system/bin folder.
Can anyone advise on how I can unroot my phone? I am unable to install certain needed apps due to this.
Phone details below. Sorry am unable to upload pics.
UI Version = 1
Android Version = 10
Let me know if other info is needed.
I've even tried calling the Samsung Center and they are unable to assist...
Thanks all
Lee
Lee KZN said:
Hi all
Hope this is the correct area...
My hubby bought me a S20 plus for my birthday through a local dealer.
I noticed a few issues like not being able to use biometrics or install certain apps.
I've since found out the phone has been rooted.
I've tried to do a factory reset, but this hasn't helped.
I've downloaded root checker and it confirms the phone is rooted. I've downloaded SuperSU yet is won't work as ver 2.82 claims it's for an older Version of Android.
I've downloaded solid explorer to delete the root access files such as Busybox and SU however I cannot find these files in the system folder or the system/bin folder.
Can anyone advise on how I can unroot my phone? I am unable to install certain needed apps due to this.
Phone details below. Sorry am unable to upload pics.
UI Version = 1
Android Version = 10
Let me know if other info is needed.
I've even tried calling the Samsung Center and they are unable to assist...
Thanks all
Lee
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Click to collapse
You will need to get hold of the stock firmware from somewhere like Sammobile and flash back to stock using ODIN. There's tons of guides knocking about on here for the step by step. The damage is done though as far as any Knox related features go, it's like a fuse that blows when you root and you can never fix that.
Having said that, biometrics should have never been affected by rooting so that's a bit unusual. Flash stock and set up from scratch then go from there, could be faulty also
Thanks for the guidance Dave. I'll search the forums for the steps.
For clarity, when I say biometrics didn't work, it works allow me to record etc, but when I tried to enable it, like on my banking app, it wouldn't allow me. This is how I eventually figured out my phone was rooted. While I know the benefits of being rooted, a normal everyday user like myself, certainly won't benefit from it.
I've had a Samsung my entire life, and always saw the secured by knox logo... When you say damage has been done, does this mean that all my security in the device, such as my banking details etc, may be compromised?
Jees. I hope not. As this would really freak me out...
Ok so Finding the firmware wasn't to difficult. Sanmobile quite easy to navigate.
Just a query please... My phone base band version lists g985fxxu1atb2 however the closest I could find to this is G985FXXU1ATBM
Is this ok or does it have to be the exact same description?
Shoo. Lol. Really hope I'm going to be able to get this right **insert nervous smile emoticon here**
Lee KZN said:
Ok so Finding the firmware wasn't to difficult. Sanmobile quite easy to navigate.
Just a query please... My phone base band version lists g985fxxu1atb2 however the closest I could find to this is G985FXXU1ATBM
Is this ok or does it have to be the exact same description?
Shoo. Lol. Really hope I'm going to be able to get this right **insert nervous smile emoticon here**
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The last letters are the region/operator of the Rom. Not necessarily has to be the exact description, the really important are the first that indicate model number.
Ok. So have downloaded Odin and am busy downloading the flash firmware.
May I please be so bold as to ask someone on here to please share a link tot he step by step guide that I will need to follow in order to flash my phone back to the original boot thingie :silly::silly::silly:
I have tried to search but seem to only come up with a nexus thread with no mention of Odin.
~Sorry to ask, but little overwhelmed LOL and want to make sure I do this properly and not screw up my phone.
REAL noob here, so apologies if I come across lazy and getting others to do the work, but am really grateful for the help.
Maybe I'm searching incorrectly???
I found this somehow....
Is this it?
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s20/how-to/howto-root-s20-series-upgrade-firmware-t4079353
**fingers crossed**
Can you unlock your phone with biometrics? Im guessing only the banking apps don't work because it's rooted. If i remember correctly most banking apps and maybe Google pay(not sure about that) stop working after rooting because the phone is "compromised" and it's not safe. You have to hide your root status from these apps and they will work properly then. Maybe someone else can help you with that because i do not remember how to do it.
Hi Marto
Yes, biometrics does work, although not really good. But that's probably due to the hectic screen protector.
Correctly so, it's mostly the banking / payment apps that won't work, and I can't check or download any software updates... Although I belive this can also be done manually....
But wow, there's an app that hides the root status? That might be a whole lot easier than re flashing. Truthfully I'm Sh!tting myself at the thought of attempting this ????
Hi Marto
Yes, biometrics does work, although not really good. But that's probably due to the hectic screen protector.
Correctly so, it's mostly the banking / payment apps that won't work, and I can't check or download any software updates... Although I belive this can also be done manually....
But wow, there's an app that hides the root status? That might be a whole lot easier than re flashing. Truthfully I'm Sh!tting myself at the thought of attempting this ????
if the phone was bought as new, go back to the dealer and demand a new one that is not rooted.
could also be that your husband rooted the phone and installed software that keep tabs on what you do.

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