[GUIDE] How to root Salaxy Tab S2 T817T

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phduhblog

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May 21, 2016
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May 21, 2016 at 10:16 PM
How to Root Samsung Tab S2 T817T (Step-By-Step Guide)

Obligatory notices

  • This procedure is only for the Samsung Tab S2 SM-T817T
  • Performing any of the operations in this post risks bricking your device
  • Performing any of the operations in this post will irreversibly void your warranty
  • Performing any of the operations in this post will irreversibly trip Knox and make it unusable for Samsung Pay (and any other features which require Knox)
  • I am not using a SIM card with my device, so I have no idea how this procedure will impact that functionality. People on the XDA thread (forum.xda-developers.com/tab-s2/help/sm-t817t-root-t3206079) where I pieced together these instructions from suggested that the SIM card still works for mobile data. UPDATE: Later in this thread people have confirmed that mobile data DOES work after rooting. Yay!

Introduction

OK, so a brief story of how/why I was forced to figure this method out. I found a listing on eBay for the Samsung Tab S2 T810N, paid $300 for it and received it into my impatient hands. Without checking the specific version of the tab I push right into the rooting procedure I had thoroughly researched for the T810N. Suddenly my tablet is in a bootloop and I am panicking that it is ruined. In the recovery mode I see that I have the T817T. Anger towards the seller aside, I frantically research how to recover the T817T. There is virtually no documentation for this procedure, so I am forced to mix-and-match. After about 5 hours, the tablet is finally up, running, and rooted!

TL;DR - verify your model number before attempting root

Files

All the files can be found here (drive.google.com/folderview?id=0BxPb6XhrMsaoa01zdjVUVWMzQWs&usp=sharing). Let me explain what each file is:
  • T817TUVS2AOL1_T817TTMB2AOL1_TMB.zip (drive.google.com/file/d/0BxPb6XhrMsaoeGpmbnRoeFA5MUU/view?usp=sharing) - This is an Android 5.1.1 image for Samsung Tab S2 T817T. You may not even need this, but just in case. If you use this, unzip the file to get the .md5 file!
  • SAMSUNG_USB_Driver_for_Mobile_Phones_v1.5.51.0.exe (drive.google.com/file/d/0BxPb6XhrMsaoc09qNm41OFhKLWc/view?usp=sharing) - Necessary Windows drivers for Samsung devices. Install this!
  • Odin3_v3.10.6.zip (drive.google.com/file/d/0BxPb6XhrMsaoLWtkek9UYWZGNGM/view?usp=sharing) - A flashing tool for Windows. Unzip these files!
  • twrp_2.8.7.1_LL_5.1.1_t810.tar (drive.google.com/file/d/0BxPb6XhrMsaoN0N6V3JzX290aGc/view?usp=sharing) - This is a custom recovery tool for Android. Although designed for the T810 series, it does work on the T817T. Do not untar these files!
  • Tab_S2_t817T_boot.zip (drive.google.com/file/d/0BxPb6XhrMsaob0hyME0zV2EtSnc/view?usp=sharing) - A custom bootloader for the T817T which is required to root. Do not unzip these files!
  • BETA-SuperSU-v2.52.zip (drive.google.com/file/d/0BxPb6XhrMsaoNk9uWkxRZ0wwTE0/view?usp=sharing) - A newer version of SuperSu which works on the T817T. Do not unzip these files!

Preparation

  1. Download all the files above. Install, unzip, and untar (or not) as instructed.
  2. Settings -> About device - Verify that you have the SM-T817T
  3. Settings -> About device - Verify that you are running Android 5.1.1
  4. Backup all your files, contacts, apps, etc.
  5. Verify that your device has at least 80% charge

Rooting Procedure

(OPTIONAL) Flash Android 5.1.1 image. This step is not necessarily required. If you are running Android 5.1.1, then you should be fine. However, this is what I had to do, since I got into a bootloop by not checking my version number first (yes, stupid me). Further, if you have any errors or issues below you absolutely will need to perform this step to recover and restart the rooting procedure. Anyway:
  1. Turn off your tablet
  2. Boot into 'download mode' by holding POWER + VOLUME DOWN + HOME. Verify by pressing VOLUME UP
  3. Run program Odin3 v3.10.7.exe
  4. Plug your device to the computer with a USB cable
  5. Verify that Odin message window states "<ID:#/###> Added!!"
  6. Click the "AP" button in Odin and select T817TUVS2AOL1_T817TTMB2AOL1_T817TUVS2AOL1_HOME.tar.md5 file
  7. Press "Start" button and wait for Green "PASS" message to appear. This will take a long time since this is a large file
  8. Your device will automatically reboot
  9. Perform basic setup procedures on Android so that you can access the Settings menu

From this point onward your must perform every step in the exact order as stated. Not doing so seriously risks putting your device into a bootloop or bricking it. You should be able to recover from that, but still...

Enable developer options:
  1. Settings -> About device - click on "Build number" like 10 times until "Developer options" are enabled and button is added to Settings menu
  2. Settings -> Developer options - enable:
    • Developer options - ON
    • OEM unlock - ON
    • USB debugging - ON

Flash TWRP recovery software:
  1. Turn off your tablet
  2. Boot into 'download mode' by holding POWER + VOLUME DOWN + HOME. Verify by pressing VOLUME UP
  3. Run program Odin3 v3.10.7.exe
  4. Plug your device to the computer with a USB cable
  5. Verify that Odin message window states "<ID:#/###> Added!!"
  6. Click the "AP" button in Odin and select twrp_2.8.7.1_LL_5.1.1_t810.tar (drive.google.com/file/d/0BxPb6XhrMsaoN0N6V3JzX290aGc/view?usp=sharing) file
  7. Press "Start" button and wait for Green "PASS" message to appear
  8. Your device will automatically reboot, verify that the tablet boots properly

Copy bootloader and SuperSu to tablet:
  1. With your tablet on, attach it to your computer with a USB cable
  2. Navigate to the root directory of the tablet storage
  3. Copy Tab_S2_t817T_boot.zip (drive.google.com/file/d/0BxPb6XhrMsaob0hyME0zV2EtSnc/view?usp=sharing) and BETA-SuperSU-v2.52.zip (drive.google.com/file/d/0BxPb6XhrMsaoNk9uWkxRZ0wwTE0/view?usp=sharing) files to the root directory
  4. Detach tablet from your computer

Flash custom bootloader with TWRP:
  1. Turn off your tablet
  2. Boot into 'recovery mode' by holding POWER + VOLUME UP + HOME
  3. Select "Install"
  4. Select Tab_S2_t817T_boot.zip and click "Install"
  5. Verify install with slider
  6. STOP HERE!!! READ THE NEXT STEPS CAREFULLY!!!
  7. TWRP will now offer to install SuperSu for you. DON'T DO IT!! Doing this will cause your tablet to bootloop because it is not the right version of SuperSu
  8. Decline the SuperSu installation and restart your tablet
  9. Verify that the tablet boots properly

REPEAT "Flash TWRP recovery software:" instructions. This is a necessary step. Without it your tablet will go into a bootloop and you will need to start the root procedure over. Weird, I know. Just do it.

Flash SuperSu with TWRP:
  1. Turn off your tablet
  2. Boot into 'recovery mode' by holding POWER + VOLUME UP + HOME
  3. Select "Install"
  4. Select BETA-SuperSU-v2.52.zip and click "Install"
  5. Verify install with slider
  6. Reboot the tablet
  7. DONE! Assuming your tablet boots properly your should now be rooted and see the SuperSu app installed on your tablet.

Recovery

If you need to recover from some error you will need to start over completely. Use the Android 5.1.1 image file T817TUVS2AOL1_T817TTMB2AOL1_TMB.zip (same as above) to perform this. You can also use this Android image to restore the device to an unrooted version. This will not restore your warranty or Knox.

Extras

  • To get rid of the pesky KNOX security notification which will persist, use a program like ROM Toolbox Lite (play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.jrummy.liberty.toolbox&hl=en). In the App Manager select the following apps and 'freeze' them:
    • SecurityLogAgent 4.1.4 (this one is critical to freeze!)
    • KNOX 2.3.0
    • KNOX 2.3.1
    • KNOX II 2.3.0
    • KNOX SetupWizardClient 2.3.0
    • KnoxFolderContainer 2.4.0
  • To get rid of the "No SIM card inserted" notification (if you aren't using a SIM card) use the build.Prop Editor in ROM Toolbox Lite. Add the following entry:
    • Property Name: ro.config.donot_nosim
    • Property Value: 1

Conclusions

I put this guide together for people who are having trouble finding a simple and easy-to-follow guide for rooting the T817T. Hopefully this can save you a number of frustrating and worrisome hours (not that rooting your Android device is ever a calm undertaking).

Please let me know if there are any errors in the procedure or if you have any suggestions regarding the steps or presentation of the material. Enjoy being a super-user!

Original content: blog.mchristian.co/blogs/post/How-to-Root-Samsung-Tab-S2-T817T/
 
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androidcues

androidcues

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May 22, 2016 at 8:29 AM
phduhblog said:
Long time user, first time poster.

First off, let me say, THANK YOU XDA! You guys have been a crazy valuable resource over the years.

However, with regard to the T817T, the documentation is lacking severely. I have created a comprehensive step by step guide to rooting the T817T. Unfortunately, as a first time poster, I cannot post links or anything like that so...if somebody could fix that I would appreciate it. I spent a long time formatting the posting and adding file download links with the XDA formatter so that it wouldn't look like I was link whoring to my blog, just to be told to **** off... :( . Seeing as that's not possible, here is the url to my blog with the rooting instructions:

blog.mchristian.co/blogs/post/How-to-Root-Samsung-Tab-S2-T817T
Click to expand...
http://blog.mchristian.co/blogs/post/How-to-Root-Samsung-Tab-S2-T817T


Thanks my friend

Edit: Completely professional and well done how to.. written just the way I like it, fantastic!! I think you should just edit your first post and paste all this in here on XDA... and ill be happy to carry your url link for you.
 
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patrioticparadox

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May 23, 2016 at 1:03 PM
An excellent guide. I'd spent the last few hours reading post after post gathering the correct information for the T817T specifically. I had come to the same basic conclusion as your guide states but its great to have some confirmation! I have a few differences in my install process than you did though. I did things in this order:
Enable developer options:
Copy bootloader and SuperSu to tablet:
THEN
Flash TWRP recovery software:
and between 6 and 7
Uncheck AutoReboot in the Options tab
7. Press "Start" button and wait for Green "PASS" message to appear
8. Use Power+VolumeDown+Home to reboot from bootloader and AS SOON as the screen goes black slide your finger from VolumeDown to VolumeUp
This should boot you into TWRP
Flash custom bootloader with TWRP:
after 4:
press "add another zip" and select the SuperSU zip as well.
5. Verify install with slider
6. Reboot
Done

By booting directly into TWRP the stock recovery doesn't have a chance to overwrite it. It won't need to be flashed a second time. You can also flash the kernel (...boot.zip) and SuperSU zip in the same pass. Saves a couple steps.

Either way I can confirm this works and all of the files are correct!

Thanks again for organizing all of this and making this great guide!
 
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phduhblog

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May 21, 2016
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May 24, 2016 at 2:34 AM
patrioticparadox said:
An excellent guide. I'd spent the last few hours reading post after post gathering the correct information for the T817T specifically. I had come to the same basic conclusion as your guide states but its great to have some confirmation! I have a few differences in my install process than you did though. I did things in this order:
Enable developer options:
Copy bootloader and SuperSu to tablet:
THEN
Flash TWRP recovery software:
and between 6 and 7
Uncheck AutoReboot in the Options tab
7. Press "Start" button and wait for Green "PASS" message to appear
8. Use Power+VolumeDown+Home to reboot from bootloader and AS SOON as the screen goes black slide your finger from VolumeDown to VolumeUp
This should boot you into TWRP
Flash custom bootloader with TWRP:
after 4:
press "add another zip" and select the SuperSU zip as well.
5. Verify install with slider
6. Reboot
Done

By booting directly into TWRP the stock recovery doesn't have a chance to overwrite it. It won't need to be flashed a second time. You can also flash the kernel (...boot.zip) and SuperSU zip in the same pass. Saves a couple steps.

Either way I can confirm this works and all of the files are correct!

Thanks again for organizing all of this and making this great guide!
Click to expand...
I'm glad you have figured out another way! This is turning into what a proper thread on rooting should look like :D

I had actually tried the non-auto-reboot from Odin method too, but couldn't time the change to VOLUME UP correctly. After a couple times I just gave up and tried things the long way around. Never thought to flash the zip files in the same TWRP session though. I generally like doing things the long way around and getting confirmation that things still work after each and every step. Whatever works though!

Thanks for the reply
 
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androidcues

androidcues

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Jun 10, 2016 at 10:28 PM
Yeah... Ive fully unrooted and gone back to samsung for a bit.. wont be long because I automatically gravitate back to CM. hehe.

vibration doesnt work on CM... that was a big thing because i rely on tactile vibration for notifications.... (i am deaf so.. the noisy parts are useless ?)

but anyway... taking a moment to thank you again for your writeup...i really needed that...soon after i read your blog i was rooted and rocking!

But Samsung sucks bro... i cant stand all these ****ty apps on my tablet so maybe I'll come back sooner.

0x1

Sent from my Nexus 5X using XDA Premium HD app
 
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phduhblog

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May 21, 2016
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Jun 11, 2016 at 12:18 PM
androidcues said:
Yeah... Ive fully unrooted and gone back to samsung for a bit.. wont be long because I automatically gravitate back to CM. hehe.

vibration doesnt work on CM... that was a big thing because i rely on tactile vibration for notifications.... (i am deaf so.. the noisy parts are useless )

but anyway... taking a moment to thank you again for your writeup...i really needed that...soon after i read your blog i was rooted and rocking!

But Samsung sucks bro... i cant stand all these ****ty apps on my tablet so maybe I'll come back sooner.

0x1

Sent from my Nexus 5X using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Yep, I can definitely see why vibration notifications would be important for you!

As much as I dislike bloatware, from any company, Samsung just makes the most powerful tablets/phones. My best solution is to root and disable all the bloatware.

I'm glad the guide was well received and it seems to work for people. :)
 
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patrioticparadox

Senior Member
Oct 16, 2012
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Texas
Jul 6, 2016 at 1:00 AM
phduhblog said:
Awesome! That is weird it didn't work for the other guy. Did you flash the provided Android version first or just go straight into the rooting? Thanks for the update!
Click to expand...
Sorry for the late reply. I Odined the latest firmware to reset everything to a stock base before then flashing as your steps suggest (with the noted exceptions from my first post). My mobile data has worked flawlessly and I have had zero SIM related issues. In fact, I have had no issues what-so-ever. (I did think I had an issue with my volume rocker not working but that was user error. I have my tablet in a case of sorts and was not pressing hard enough). @phduhblog and @androidcues are you both still experiencing mobile data and SIM issues as of now?
 
Last edited:
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phduhblog

Member
May 21, 2016
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Jul 6, 2016 at 1:38 AM
patrioticparadox said:
Sorry for the late reply. I Odined the latest firmware to reset everything to a stock base before then flashing as your steps suggest (with the noted exceptions from my first post). My mobile data has worked flawlessly and I have had zero SIM related issues. In fact, I have had no issues what-so-ever. (I did think I had an issue with my volume rocker not working but that was user error. I have my tablet in a case of sorts and was not pressing hard enough). @phduhblog and @androidcues are you both still experiencing mobile data and SIM issues as of now?
Click to expand...
Wording changed! Thanks for the update. :eek:
 
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[email protected]

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Jul 10, 2016 at 4:14 AM
One question pls. I have the T817V tab 9.7 w/OEM bootloader option button. Is any of this available to use for my tab? TWRP recovery maybe? Any files? Any reply is appreciated. Novice seeking knowledge. Thank you so much.
 
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