[WARNING][You MUST Reset Google Wallet When Switching ROMs!]

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siraltus

Senior Member
Jan 26, 2010
1,997
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If you're doing a factory reset, switching to another ROM, or restoring to stock and you're currently using Google Wallet, you MUST reset your Google Wallet app by going into Settings --> Reset Google Wallet in the Wallet app, or you will permanently lock out your secure element and will never be able to use Google Wallet again - you will have to get a new phone!

This is because your Google Wallet app is married to the secure element with a unique crypto key when you first set up Google Wallet on your phone and if you wipe your phone without first resetting Google Wallet, that key will be lost forever, rendering the secure element useless.

Performing a Google Wallet reset will unmarry the app from the secure element and reset it to its original state so that it can accept a new Google Wallet installation when you wipe your phone and then restore it to stock.

I had to get a new Note 2 because of this, thankfully I had phone insurance. If mods could sticky this, it would be great!

Google "secure element has stopped responding" if you don't believe me.

Engadget article explaining the problem: http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/29/google-wallet-factory-reset-problem/

Android Community article on the issue: http://androidcommunity.com/more-google-wallet-problems-phone-reset-bricks-service-20120529/

Phandroid article explaining the problem: http://phandroid.com/2012/05/28/and...allet-a-factory-reset-could-break-it-forever/

AndroidCentral: http://forums.androidcentral.com/ht...here-google-wallet-root-unlock-sensitive.html

A PSA thread on XDA warning of the issue: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?p=26587822

Another XDA thread where Google and the Money Network both say you need a new phone if this happens: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1472117

Yet another XDA thread where someone bricked their phone: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1721222

For the naysayers, just because you've never seen something happen, doesn't mean it's not true or it will never happen to you. I just bricked my Note 2 and had to get it replaced under phone insurance. Went from the NoWiz ROM to MA7 stock rooted, wiped the phone in the process (my guess is Wallet stores the crypto key in /.android.secure, which gets wiped when you do a factory reset), installed Wallet on the clean MA7 ROM and got the dreaded "The secure element has stopped responding E00" error. NOTHING could make it reset. At all.

Also, to those who say Wallet stores things in the cloud now - false. Wallet stores its very own virtual card number in the secure element, which is what gets transmitted via NFC when you touch your phone to the reader. That number is then linked in the cloud to your actual credit cards, so your actual card numbers are not transmitted to the retailer. If Wallet stored nothing on the phone, it simply wouldn't work, period. Also, if Wallet stored nothing in the secure element, then it would work without it and not throw the "secure element not responding" errors, so it definitely stores something there, which is why it's important you don't brick it!
 
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KEYofR

Senior Member
Jun 14, 2010
595
221
We don't know what kills secure element yet.

Sometimes it dies even when you do reset.

Sometimes it dies for no reason at all overnight by itself when you made no change at all.

And usually it doesn't die even when you do flash and/or factory reset without clearing first.

Nice sounding theory but doesn't fit the facts.

Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda premium
 

thunderwagn

Senior Member
Sep 26, 2010
351
202
Loveland, Colorado
We don't know what kills secure element yet.

Sometimes it dies even when you do reset.

Sometimes it dies for no reason at all overnight by itself when you made no change at all.

And usually it doesn't die even when you do flash and/or factory reset without clearing first.

Nice sounding theory but doesn't fit the facts.

Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda premium


Yeah, I agree. I'd like some type of proof that this is indeed a fact.
I've never had a single issue on either my gs3 or my gn2 flashing or upgrading firmware and being able to use google wallet. Even with the gn2 and Wallet not being "officially" supported. I have a hard time believing any of this is true...it certainly hasn't been in my case. I'll toss my Nexus 7 in there as well. Flashed plenty roms and upgraded firmware...no issues whatsoever.
 

jamice4u

Senior Member
I agree with the original poster the fact that he received a new phone and now his Google Wallet works is not proof enough? What kind of evidence do you need. My google will never work on my phone no matter what Rom I use. I am convinced I need a new phone to get Google Wallet working on your phone. If you are a nay-sayer why don't you wipe your phone to disprove his theory and then try to see if your Google Wallet works.

Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda premium
 
I agree with the original poster the fact that he received a new phone and now his Google Wallet works is not proof enough? What kind of evidence do you need. My google will never work on my phone no matter what Rom I use. I am convinced I need a new phone to get Google Wallet working on your phone. If you are a nay-sayer why don't you wipe your phone to disprove his theory and then try to see if your Google Wallet works.

Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda premium

What error do you get when launching it? Since google starting storing the info on the cloud instead of the secure element I have wiped 100s of times on my Evo lte and now Note 2. I did it on the Ma5 update and Ma7. When I was on ljc and lk8 I used Vipers tool and I just wiped in recovery and flashed a different rom with no issues. Only thing it says is unsupported device but that can be fixed by disabling super user or hiding root during set up but that still has no effect on the app.

Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk 2
 

bp328i

Senior Member
May 22, 2010
2,154
1,196
Tampa Bay
I agree with the original poster the fact that he received a new phone and now his Google Wallet works is not proof enough? What kind of evidence do you need. My google will never work on my phone no matter what Rom I use. I am convinced I need a new phone to get Google Wallet working on your phone. If you are a nay-sayer why don't you wipe your phone to disprove his theory and then try to see if your Google Wallet works.

Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda premium

I have wiped my phone maybe 10 - 15 times since I first got Google Wallet working on MA5 and NEVER once reset wallet before wiping my phone.

No problem with secure element here.

Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda app-developers app
 

KEYofR

Senior Member
Jun 14, 2010
595
221
I agree with the original poster the fact that he received a new phone and now his Google Wallet works is not proof enough? What kind of evidence do you need. My google will never work on my phone no matter what Rom I use. I am convinced I need a new phone to get Google Wallet working on your phone. If you are a nay-sayer why don't you wipe your phone to disprove his theory and then try to see if your Google Wallet works.

Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda premium

I have wiped my phone without clearing wallet a bunch of times dumbass. That's what I said. It still works fine.

And as I also said, the inverse also happens. People have lost their secure element when they didn't flash anything or do anything. How would clearing wallet have helped them since they weren't even flashing anything? Should they clear wallet every night before bed and setup again every morning?

My wallet and yours and anyone's may break any time no matter what we do or don't do.

No one knows what the cause is yet. The prevailing theory is completely disproven by facts.

Repeating random unproven ideas is not helping anyone. Learning how to debug would help people.

Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda premium
 

mr pnut

Senior Member
Oct 20, 2011
1,371
486
Compton Ca.
I never had any problems with my Google wallet when going to different roms just make a back up with tb and send your back up with data to your dropbox so when your on a different rom you can just download your google wallet from dropbox and install with no problems

Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda app-developers app
 
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mexiking713

Senior Member
Sep 2, 2010
1,518
282
Houston, TX
I never had any problems with my Google wallet when going to different roms just make a back up with tb and send your back up with data to your dropbox so when your on a different rom you can just download your google wallet from dropbox and install with no problems

Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda app-developers app

Havent had a problem with my wallet.

I like your sig btw. Seems we've had the same phones :D
 

_-Jay-_

Senior Member
Feb 24, 2011
365
74
NJ
I am unable to use my wallet app. I was once able to but switching back and forth from aosp and tw borked it somehow.

Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda premium

This. I lost my secure element when I tried to install JB v13. Now it doesnt work on any rom.

Sent from my SPH-L900 using Xparent Tapatalk 2
 

siraltus

Senior Member
Jan 26, 2010
1,997
1,734
We don't know what kills secure element yet.

Sometimes it dies even when you do reset.

Sometimes it dies for no reason at all overnight by itself when you made no change at all.

And usually it doesn't die even when you do flash and/or factory reset without clearing first.

Nice sounding theory but doesn't fit the facts.

Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda premium

I have wiped my phone without clearing wallet a bunch of times dumbass. That's what I said. It still works fine.

Your post provides absolutely zero "facts." How about you do a google search for "Secure element has stopped responding" instead of calling people names. What are you, 14? This isn't XBOX LIve.

Google Wallet FAQ that explains what is stored on the secure element: http://www.google.com/wallet/faq.html

XDA thread discussing the issue: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1721222
 
Last edited:

siraltus

Senior Member
Jan 26, 2010
1,997
1,734
Yeah, I agree. I'd like some type of proof that this is indeed a fact.
I've never had a single issue on either my gs3 or my gn2 flashing or upgrading firmware and being able to use google wallet. Even with the gn2 and Wallet not being "officially" supported. I have a hard time believing any of this is true...it certainly hasn't been in my case. I'll toss my Nexus 7 in there as well. Flashed plenty roms and upgraded firmware...no issues whatsoever.


See this XDA thread discussing the issue: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1721222

Also Google "secure element has stopped responding."
 
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KEYofR

Senior Member
Jun 14, 2010
595
221
Your post provides absolutely zero "facts." How about you do a google search for "Secure element has stopped responding" instead of calling people names. What are you, 14? This isn't XBOX LIve.

Google Wallet FAQ that explains what is stored on the secure element: http://www.google.com/wallet/faq.html

XDA thread discussing the issue: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1721222

Since you, admirably, avail yourself of search, I must assume you've seen the same secure element reports I have, and so you have the data. I can't help you with your less admirable inability to deduce from it.

For instance that google doc doesn't say anything about what might brick an element or how to avoid it other than the meaninglessly unspecific "tampering".

Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda premium
 

swalter718

Senior Member
Jan 21, 2013
172
73
Nice sounding theory but doesn't fit the facts.

I completely agree. Causality has not been determined, and recommending a "fix" without knowing the cause is irresponsible. I've flashed my phone dozens of times, moving from one system to another. I've never performed the steps described in the OP, and my secure element (and GW) continue to run flawlessly.

The potential for the secure element problem exists. That is a fact. But, as far as I know, there's no definitive explanation for the cause, and nobody has demonstrated a cause by replicating the problem.

Sent from an evil, dark place...
~ ROM: JellyBomb v14.0
~ Radio: L900VPAMA7
~ Kernel: Perseus alpha32
 

siraltus

Senior Member
Jan 26, 2010
1,997
1,734
Since you, admirably, avail yourself of search, I must assume you've seen the same secure element reports I have, and so you have the data. I can't help you with your less admirable inability to deduce from it.

For instance that google doc doesn't say anything about what might brick an element or how to avoid it other than the meaninglessly unspecific "tampering".

Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda premium

I updated my OP with more descriptive links. Not my problem if you eventually brick your phone, I'm not going to try to convince you, since you clearly are here to argue, not to discuss.
 

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  • 7
    If you're doing a factory reset, switching to another ROM, or restoring to stock and you're currently using Google Wallet, you MUST reset your Google Wallet app by going into Settings --> Reset Google Wallet in the Wallet app, or you will permanently lock out your secure element and will never be able to use Google Wallet again - you will have to get a new phone!

    This is because your Google Wallet app is married to the secure element with a unique crypto key when you first set up Google Wallet on your phone and if you wipe your phone without first resetting Google Wallet, that key will be lost forever, rendering the secure element useless.

    Performing a Google Wallet reset will unmarry the app from the secure element and reset it to its original state so that it can accept a new Google Wallet installation when you wipe your phone and then restore it to stock.

    I had to get a new Note 2 because of this, thankfully I had phone insurance. If mods could sticky this, it would be great!

    Google "secure element has stopped responding" if you don't believe me.

    Engadget article explaining the problem: http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/29/google-wallet-factory-reset-problem/

    Android Community article on the issue: http://androidcommunity.com/more-google-wallet-problems-phone-reset-bricks-service-20120529/

    Phandroid article explaining the problem: http://phandroid.com/2012/05/28/and...allet-a-factory-reset-could-break-it-forever/

    AndroidCentral: http://forums.androidcentral.com/ht...here-google-wallet-root-unlock-sensitive.html

    A PSA thread on XDA warning of the issue: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?p=26587822

    Another XDA thread where Google and the Money Network both say you need a new phone if this happens: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1472117

    Yet another XDA thread where someone bricked their phone: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1721222

    For the naysayers, just because you've never seen something happen, doesn't mean it's not true or it will never happen to you. I just bricked my Note 2 and had to get it replaced under phone insurance. Went from the NoWiz ROM to MA7 stock rooted, wiped the phone in the process (my guess is Wallet stores the crypto key in /.android.secure, which gets wiped when you do a factory reset), installed Wallet on the clean MA7 ROM and got the dreaded "The secure element has stopped responding E00" error. NOTHING could make it reset. At all.

    Also, to those who say Wallet stores things in the cloud now - false. Wallet stores its very own virtual card number in the secure element, which is what gets transmitted via NFC when you touch your phone to the reader. That number is then linked in the cloud to your actual credit cards, so your actual card numbers are not transmitted to the retailer. If Wallet stored nothing on the phone, it simply wouldn't work, period. Also, if Wallet stored nothing in the secure element, then it would work without it and not throw the "secure element not responding" errors, so it definitely stores something there, which is why it's important you don't brick it!
    7
    Considering the only thing stored in the secure element now is your unique encryption algorithm that every NFC app uses to identify your device, and absolutely nothing to do with wallet is stored in the element any longer, everything you've said is false. The element gets borked when you lose your encryption algorithm and nothing else, it happens when you NV data or partitions get corrupted. For one thing the secure element isnt even in a user accessible partition its in a secured "read only" partiton similar to your efs and NV data which means any wipes from recovery will have 0 effect on the element. Wallet has nothing to do with the element breaking since google patched the app to store to cloud.

    I like to break stuff! :D

    Hey I have a Secure Element that is not responding and have spent the last week going through the google wallet v96 reversed "source code". To say that it is a "Read-only" memory partition I believe to be false. I will explain more in an edit to follow.

    Edit: So the Secure Element has 4 states, ACTIVATED, CLEAR, LOADED, LOCKED, determined by a Byte Value stored in the SE memory. Also depending on which version you downloaded of the newest release of the app (there are two version I have found a ~5mb app and an almost 11mb version that TrevE sent to me while he was helping me troubleshoot this.) The fact that the SE has 4 states determined by a byte string that is pulled during Reset, proves that the SE is not read only, also the fact that nfc_extras is the key to access and having rw permissions to the SE also proves that it is not read only. While some of your info is stored in the cloud (which is the fifth item that is cleared out during reset with method TSA_NOTIFY_WALLET_RESET) there is still data being written to the SE.

    I am currently working on modifying the Wallet app to attempt to hard restore a working state of the SE based on the permissions and items that the Wallet has access to changing.

    So as to the legitimacy of whether the Wallet is what locks you out, all I can speak on is my own experience (locked out) and the research I have done. I was on MA5 and setup wallet, did not do any transactions just setup cards and stuff, did a wipe to flash my latest Synergy test build and afterwards was Secure Element Stopped responding which is a sting that is thrown during WAIT_SECURE_ELEMENT_UNLOCKED method.

    You're welcome to your own beliefs though. It's America

    Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda premium
    4
    And yet you will not cite even a single word or sentence of mine that's actually wrong. Welcome to my ignore list.

    Considering the only thing stored in the secure element now is your unique encryption algorithm that every NFC app uses to identify your device, and absolutely nothing to do with wallet is stored in the element any longer, everything you've said is false. The element gets borked when you lose your encryption algorithm and nothing else, it happens when you NV data or partitions get corrupted. For one thing the secure element isnt even in a user accessible partition its in a secured "read only" partiton similar to your efs and NV data which means any wipes from recovery will have 0 effect on the element. Wallet has nothing to do with the element breaking since google patched the app to store to cloud.

    I like to break stuff! :D
    4
    Just wanted to say.....those links are before google switched to storing the info on the cloud....wallet was updated in Aug 2012 to start storing on the cloud...ive used Billards restire without wiping wallet several times and it still works. I thank you OP for trying to help but if you look at the link I posted earlier google switched to storing the info on the cloud.

    Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk 2
    3
    We don't know what kills secure element yet.

    Sometimes it dies even when you do reset.

    Sometimes it dies for no reason at all overnight by itself when you made no change at all.

    And usually it doesn't die even when you do flash and/or factory reset without clearing first.

    Nice sounding theory but doesn't fit the facts.

    Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda premium