(Guide)Root +Busybox + OEM Fix + EFS backup Note 9 N960F/FD/N Exynos only

[dr.ketan]

How to ROOT Samsung Note 9 N960F/FD/N

Before trying make sure that flashing said file,

- Warranty will be void
- You won't be able to use Secure Folder/Samsung Pay forever (or may be more)
- May lose OEM unlock option
- Backup important stuff as you need to full wipe device (including internal storage)
DO IT ON YOUR OWN RISK



What is OEM fix?

Since Note8 samsung have introduced OEM unlock control remotely and flashing any custom binary removes OEM unlock option and rebooting in this state it ends with custom binary error and have to flash stock firmware. OEM patch will retain OEM unlock option in spite of having custom recovery. If you are not sure your device have OEM issue then there is nothing wrong to use 'OEM patch' option.

If you don't have OEM unlock option out of box then it may appear after 7 days, before this nothing can be done. Also this suggest, you have OEM affected device.

METHOD 1 : Root with TWRP Also works on Android Q (RECOMMENDED)

1.Enable Developer Option (settings - about phone - Software information - Tap 7 times on build number to activate developer option in settings menu)
2.Enable OEM Unlock from developer option (Currently no workaround for those who doesn't have this option)
3.Download and copy N9_S9_Root_for_OEM_issue_devices_V*.zip to Ext SD card
4.Download TWRP for N9
5.Switch Off device
6.Press Vol down + Bixby and connect to PC to reboot to download mode, press volume up when asked to continue to download mode
7.Download Odin and open it, Disable 'Auto reboot' from option menu of Odin
8.Select TWRP (tar image) with AP tab of Odin and Start
9.Once Successfully flashed, you will see 'Passed' in Odin tab
10.Disconnect device and hold Vol down + power till screen goes off, Now immediately press Vol Up + Bixby + Power to reboot to TWRP
11.Select to allow modification
12.From TWRP, Select WIPE menu - Then FORMAT DATA - You need to type 'yes' to perform wipe. WARNING : This will erase all data including Int SD storage from device
13.Once format device completes, go back and select REBOOT' Menu and then - 'RECOVERY', This will reboot to TWRP again
14A (If you are on Pie)
.Now select Install and navigate path to Ext SD card - N960_root_OEM_issue_devices_V*.zip, you have copied earlier, select desired root method and select 'OEM Patch' option if your device have OEM issue. If you are not sure about this then better select 'OEM Patch', this will prevent losing OEM unlock option and so prevent 'custom binary error'

OR
14B (If you are on Android Q)

Flash Latest magisk & then DM-VERITY, FORCED ENCRYPTION, AND DISC QUOTA DISABLER


15.Once flash successfully finish, Reboot to System
Magisk app may appear in drawer after one reboot.

Important Note for Pie - There will be OEM unlock option there in developer setting but it will be disabled and can not enabled, this is because of it is hacked. Just ignore it. You can not boot device with TWRP if it is really disabled. Also If magisk app may not appear then simply download Magisk_for_Pie.apk from below attachement and install as regular app.


Open settings - Developer option - Look for OEM Unlock option. If it is there, it is safe to reboot device.
Credits and Thanks goes to BlackMesa123 for OEM fix

METHOD 2: Root with Stock Recovery (NOT SAFE ON OEM ISSUE DEVICES)

1.Download Magisk.apk attached below
2.Download Prerooted_N960_Exynos.zip (For Oreo Only)
3. Keep stock ROM file ready in case this doesn't work
4.Download De-Knox tool attached below (optional)

Installation :
- Enable OEM unlock
- Reboot to Download mode
(Here method changed - Switch off device - connect top PC - Press Vol down + Bixby)
- Extract (Unzip) Patched kernel - you will get N960F_kernel_PreRoot_RH5_DrKetan.tar.md5
Flash it using latest Odin with AP tab
- Once file successfully flashed, device will reboot and ask to reset device.
- Reset device, keep patience, device may take 5-7 minutes to boot.
- Once device reboot - Install Magisk manager apk manually
- install De-Knox tool apk and click icon, this will remove all knox app (no more useful on rooted device). This will also remove security messages

YOU MUST BACKUP EFS AS SOON AS ROOT DEVICE, and copy it to safer place,

14.01.2019 - Added support for Pie

Credit and Thanks to breakersvd for ril patch (defex fix) and @topjohnwu for magisk

EFS Backup Tool
As soon as you root device, you must make backup of EFS and must store a copy of backup to safer place like on cloud and on a PC

XDA version - Free version, complimentary tools for XDA users attached below.

Play Store version - You can buy from Play store to support us.

Both version make same form of backup and have no difference, Paid version have additional function to make Auto Backup when you change the ROM

 

[chrispyutec]

So if we do lose OEM unlock, this means we will never be able to unlock the bootloader later on down the road, right?

I love your work and look forward to it every time I get a phone.

 

[dr.ketan]

So if we do lose OEM unlock, this means we will never be able to unlock the bootloader later on down the road, right?

I love your work and look forward to it every time I get a phone.

No, on previous device you get oem unlock option back again after 7 days
Though this is csc related and not all users will lose this option. Usually if your device have unlock option out of box then mostly you won't lose it. Though if we get root working we may need move forward to fix this

 

[geiti94]

When its a kernel parched with normal magisk it will break ril because samsung added defex to the galaxy n9. I have only a semi working root on mine with ril

 

[geiti94]

Here you see the half working root with ril. Normal magisk will break ril like i said

 

[dr.ketan]

Here you see the half working root with ril. Normal magisk will break ril like i said

Have you tried hex patch similar issue reported on A series? Tried TWRP? Or you are waiting for kernel source. We badly needed it now.

 

[geiti94]

Have you tried hex patch similar issue reported on A series? Tried TWRP? Or you are waiting for kernel source. We badly needed it now.

Twrp with stock zimage dont boots and with compiled img from s9+ source same thats why i am waiting soueces. Twrp tree is allready finished and defconfig too. Only source is missing but sammy dont released it today. And n9 defex is different from a8 one

 

[suzook]

When its a kernel parched with normal magisk it will break ril because samsung added defex to the galaxy n9. I have only a semi working root on mine with ril

Wow! Wtf Samsung!!!??

 

[siriom]

How did you manage that half working root ?

 

[geiti94]

How did you manage that half working root ?

Its a modded magisk where magisk hide and magisk manager gives fc. That means root is all time enabled and i dont need to press confirm and works only with some apps. For example es file explorer cant get root and titanium backup same

 

[siriom]

Its a modded magisk where magisk hide and magisk manager gives fc. That means root is all time enabled and i dont need to press confirm and works only with some apps. For example es file explorer cant get root and titanium backup same

If you to open a prompt and su ? would that work ?
I would like to mount or chgroot ....
This obviously blows up the whole knox deal right ?

 

[dr.ketan]

Twrp with stock zimage dont boots and with compiled img from s9+ source same thats why i am waiting soueces. Twrp tree is allready finished and defconfig too. Only source is missing but sammy dont released it today. And n9 defex is different from a8 one

It's up now

 

[dr.ketan]

FINALLY ROOTED NOTE9

May be Worlds first fully rooted Note9

Big thanks goes to @breakersvd for his special hex fix for recent samsung devices.

 

[dr.ketan]

I will re-write first post with new files soo

 

[yerebakan]

Amazing @dr.ketan ??

 

[yerebakan]

Amazing @dr.ketan ??

 

[Nasty_z]

Really appreciate this! Just to confirm, by rooting we will lose Secure Folder and Samsung Pay only (for now)?

If I unroot, will I receive ota?

 

[Anaswalikhan]

Plzz let us know how to fully root note 9 dr.ketan

Plzz update file and root process .. i am very excited to root my note 9 .. dr. Ketan u r the best.. love ur work????

 

[pankajgavri]

Really appreciate this! Just to confirm, by rooting we will lose Secure Folder and Samsung Pay only (for now)?

If I unroot, will I receive ota?

You will lose secure folder and Samsung pay forever even if you unroot. You cannot undo this once done

 

[Nasty_z]

You will lose secure folder and Samsung pay forever even if you unroot. You cannot undo this once done

Yes, I know. I asked about ota after unrooting. I can still get ota if I unroot?