[How to]Flash latest stock, twrp and root SM-G531F Galaxy Grand Prime VE

[klausel]

I do not own the device anymore. So I can't support the thread anymore, if anyone wants to carry on just pm me. But as far as I know there are newer threads about this topic. Thank you


Hey there,
I decided to write a how-to on gaining root for the g531f Galaxy grand prime ve.
This should work for all grand prime devices based on marvel soc.
About this method:
Knox counter was not tripped for my device using this method.
The main steps, flashing latest stock and twrp, are perfomed by Odin. To gain root chainfire's supersu is flashed with twrp. If you are unsure about any step there are enough guides found on xda refering odin, twrp and supersu.
So let's get started.

I`M NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE OR WARANTY LOST ON YOUR PHONE.

1. Make sure your device drivers is installed properly
2. Get Odin v3.09 for example here:
http://www.droidviews.com/download-odin-tool-for-samsung-galaxy-devices-all-versions/
3. Get your latest firmware and extract it once
http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/database/SM-G531F/
4. Get twrp
https://dl.twrp.me/grandprimevelte/twrp-2.8.7.1-grandprimevelte.img.tar.html
5. Get supersu by chainfire
Latest beta
http://forum.xda-developers.com/apps/supersu/2014-09-02-supersu-v2-05-t2868133
Or confirmed working version 5.52 beta, if the latest doesn't work thanks to @XelSam:
https://download.chainfire.eu/743/Su...erSU-v2.52.zip
6. Backup all things you need and copy supersu to external sd card
7. Boot to stock recovery and perform a factory reset and wipe internal memory.
(power off device and keep holding volume up, home and power button)
8. Reboot to download Mode, then start odin and connect your device
(holding volume down, home and power button to get into download Mode)
9. Flash your firmware with Odin by using the AP button and hit start. Make sure repartition is NOT selected and untick auto reboot. This step takes some time
10. Boot to download Mode again. And flash twrp as mentioned above. Using AP and the same selection.
--if twrp doesn't boot you have to use another firmware (step 9) post #20-- thanks to @bluepower
11. Boot into twrp recovery. Hit install and select the supersu zip file then clean cache and dalvic.
(holding volume up, home and power button)
12. Reboot your phone and see if everything is working.
13. Go to dev settings and tick "manufacturer unlock" to prevent fap lock.
(unlock dev settings: Settings - about phone - tap build number 7 times). If that doesn't work check post #4 and #6 and say thx to @hck5
14. Make a nandroid in twrp recovery to have a clean rooted rom to return to if anything gets messed up with further modding (eg. xposed framework etc.)

10.1 100%Working firmware
If you can't find a version that allows to flash twrp (carrier lock) use this unbranded one:
http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/download/61237/G531FXXU1AOJ2_G531FDBT1AOI2_DBT/
Check gps. If it doesn't lock install this app and configure your region.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=by.zatta.agps

CREDITS and CUDOS
chainfire
Twrp team
Odin team
Samsung

If you are interested in xposed check wanams xposed thread.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/xposed/unofficial-xposed-samsung-lollipop-t3180960
The x86 version is working fine for me
For audio enhancement I'm using dolby atmos cause Viper didn't do the trick for me.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/android/apps-games/mod-dolby-atmos-t3109446

So have fun with your unchained device and hit thanks button.

 

[hck5]

Great job!

Hey there i have the same model and i'm happy that last night i've found your post
i used the pre-rooted firmware and i had the system ui rebooting problem after i uninstalled any of the apps
also i've seen guys who had that security tab problem from settings (didn't happened to me)

I am extracting the stock rom now i prepared everything
i also wanted so badly the viper fx cause the sound is pretty low
i searched for alternative but here you are with dolby atmos
i greatly thank you for the effort for posting this tuto
i will be back after i do the job!

Thanks!!!

---------- Post added at 12:46 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:25 PM ----------

Root and twrp on stock rom it's working great!!

i just flashed the wanam xposed thu twrp everything done

the only bad part is the "recovery is not seandroid" but this is just a red small message above when i enter twrp and it has no bad effect! only visual

i am clearing dalvik and cache after every flash so i keep it smooth and nice i can't wait to test modules on this phone i will post screenshots as proofs

 

[klausel]

Root and twrp on stock rom it's working great!!

i just flashed the wanam xposed thu twrp everything done

the only bad part is the "recovery is not seandroid" but this is just a red small message above when i enter twrp and it has no bad effect! only visual

i am clearing dalvik and cache after every flash so i keep it smooth and nice i can't wait to test modules on this phone i will post screenshots as proofs

Thx for your feedback and confirmation that it is working.
So have fun with your device.
BTW don't forget to make a nandroid backup before you mess around with xposed modules to get back to your rooted rom. I destroyed my system twice with xposed.... And I had to go through this procedure again (thanks touchwiz).

 

[hck5]

okay

ok. thanks for the advice i was just messing with the modules and i have no backup xD

there is a pic with all i have so far

---------- Post added at 02:25 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:08 PM ----------

custom binary locked by fap lock.... shiet... this is the google account thingie
do you know any way to bypass it? it means i can't add my google account
i just tried to reboot in recovery and it's showing up and can't boot my phone so far...

ok flashing stock fixes it

and this is the ultimate fix
"i faced the same !steps you need to follow settings>search>reactivation lock>log in into Samsung account and disable" thanks to bhavstech xda member

 

[klausel]

custom binary locked by fap lock.... shiet... this is the google account thingie
do you know any way to bypass it? it means i can't add my google account
i just tried to reboot in recovery and it's showing up and can't boot my phone so far...

ok flashing stock fixes it

Try to unlock via dev settings. Manufacturer unlock.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=3495074&d=1443947143
If that doesn't work you have to delete your Google account as far as I know.
For me it is working with Google account, but I can't remember if I ticked the dev setting option before or after adding my Google account.

 

[hck5]

for me has been this one

 

[eau4x6]

5. Get supersu by chainfire
http://forum.xda-developers.com/apps/supersu/2014-09-02-supersu-v2-05-t2868133

Probably a stupid question but why can't we just install SuperSU from Play Store?

Edit: Okay, I've noticed that the version in the xda thread is newer. Anyway why not install it the usual way (sideloading)?

 

[klausel]

Probably a stupid question but why can't we just install SuperSU from Play Store?

Edit: Okay, I've noticed that the version in the xda thread is newer. Anyway why not install it the usual way (sideloading)?

I don't know exactly what you mean with sideloading app.
But as far as I know root is needed to install supersu via Google play store. Of course you can sideload the app via adb shell when booted to twrp. But I wanted to keep the tutorial simple without setting up adb etc.
Hope your question is answered.

 

[wellaflex]

Thank's for recovery
I thing a new nice rom will coming soon for 531F

 

[eau4x6]

Of course you can sideload the app via adb shell when booted to twrp.

Transfering APK to internal storage/sd card and installing from there (by opening it in file manager) is what I had in mind.

 

[hck5]

I don't think is that easy.. You must set system read and write and I guess twrp helps it installing supers in a better way than your file manager does

---------- Post added at 12:49 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:45 PM ----------

We just need a hell of a rom

 

[Vidura Dissanayake]

finally thank you very much! ?

 

[bluepower]

Hello i have a new SM-G531F and i'm trying to install TWRP but don't result.

Version: G531FXXUAOI4
Compilation: LMY48B.G531FXXUAOI4
Lollipop 5.1.1

I have samsung drivers installed. Odin 3.10.7.

I install via ODIN the tar file of TWRP with sucess, but when i try to enter goes to stock recovery.

With volume up + home + power before enter the stock recovery i can see this message "recovery is not seandroid enforcing"

 

[klausel]

Hello i have a new SM-G531F and i'm trying to install TWRP but don't result.

Version: G531FXXUAOI4
Compilation: LMY48B.G531FXXUAOI4
Lollipop 5.1.1

I have samsung drivers installed. Odin 3.10.7.

I install via ODIN the tar file of TWRP with sucess, but when i try to enter goes to stock recovery.

With volume up + home + power before enter the stock recovery i can see this message "recovery is not seandroid enforcing"

The same strange problem is @XelSam facing, too.
I don't know why it is booting to stock recovery instead of twrp. What is written on top when you boot to dl mode? Could you post a picture, please.
Maybe it is the odin version or the recovery partition is locked.
So here is what you might try
Make sure your device is not fap locked
1. Get the odin version from op
2. Flash firmware with reboot unticked
3. Power down device and boot directly to dl mode again (do not boot the system) and flash twrp with reboot unticked.
4. Power down the device and boot try to boot to twrp
Good luck

 

[bluepower]

The same strange problem is @XelSam facing, too.
I don't know why it is booting to stock recovery instead of twrp. What is written on top when you boot to dl mode? Could you post a picture, please.
Maybe it is the odin version or the recovery partition is locked.
So here is what you might try
Make sure your device is not fap locked
1. Get the odin version from op
2. Flash firmware with reboot unticked
3. Power down device and boot directly to dl mode again (do not boot the system) and flash twrp with reboot unticked.
4. Power down the device and boot try to boot to twrp
Good luck

DL mode is written:

ODIN MODE(MULTI CORE DOWNLOAD)
PRODUCT NAME: SM-G531F
CURRENT BINARY: CUSTOM
SYSTEM STATUS: CUSTOM
KNOX WARRANTY VOID: 0x0
SECURE DOWNLOAD: ENABLED
RP SWREV: S1, L1, M1

Ok. I'm going to try again.

Thanks

 

[klausel]

DL mode is written:

ODIN MODE(MULTI CORE DOWNLOAD)
PRODUCT NAME: SM-G531F
CURRENT BINARY: CUSTOM
SYSTEM STATUS: CUSTOM
KNOX WARRANTY VOID: 0x0
SECURE DOWNLOAD: ENABLED
RP SWREV: S1, L1, M1

Ok. I'm going to try again.

Thanks

Hmm, system status should be official.
And another line that says FAP LOCK : OFF
Isn't there the newer firmware j2 available for your device? Which country are you from?
When running odin, Kies is not allowed as background service. Check your windows task manager and kill it.

 

[bluepower]

Hmm, system status should be official.
And another line that says FAP LOCK : OFF
Isn't there the newer firmware j2 available for your device? Which country are you from?
When running odin, Kies is not allowed as background service. Check your windows task manager and kill it.

The phone is brand new. I'm from Portugal, carrier MEO

I think the firmware is not avaiable.

 

[klausel]

The phone is brand new. I'm from Portugal, carrier MEO

I think the firmware is not avaiable.

I see, looks like your rom is carrier specific. I just checked for your firmwares, I even could not find your version.

To unbrand your device you can try to flash another version.
I used this one:
http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/download/61237/G531FXXU1AOJ2_G531FDBT1AOI2_DBT/
I DON'T KNOW IF THIS WILL WORK, CAUSE MY DEVICE IS UNLOCKED. SO THERE IS A SMALL POSSIBILITY THAT THIS WILL BRICK YOUR DEVICE. BUT THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE THAT FLASH THE PREROOTED ONE AND NOBODY REPORTED THAT, YOU CAN TRY THIS.
BE CAREFUL, THIS could RESULT IN WARRANTY LOSS. SO IF YOU HAVE TO SEND IN DEVICE FLASH BACK A CARRIER SPECIFIC ROM BACK.
So it is on you if you are willing to try it.

 

[bluepower]

Hmm, system status should be official.
And another line that says FAP LOCK : OFF
Isn't there the newer firmware j2 available for your device? Which country are you from?
When running odin, Kies is not allowed as background service. Check your windows task manager and kill it.

I see, looks like your rom is carrier specific. I just checked for your firmwares, I even could not find your version.

To unbrand your device you can try to flash another version.
I used this one:
http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/download/61237/G531FXXU1AOJ2_G531FDBT1AOI2_DBT/
I DON'T KNOW IF THIS WILL WORK, CAUSE MY DEVICE IS UNLOCKED. SO THERE IS A SMALL POSSIBILITY THAT THIS WILL BRICK YOUR DEVICE. BUT THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE THAT FLASH THE PREROOTED ONE AND NOBODY REPORTED THAT, YOU CAN TRY THIS.
BE CAREFUL, THIS could RESULT IN WARRANTY LOSS. SO IF YOU HAVE TO SEND IN DEVICE FLASH BACK A CARRIER SPECIFIC ROM BACK.
So it is on you if you are willing to try it.

I'm back. Thanks. I'm going to try now.

Edit: Ok, done.

I installed de G531FXXU1AOI4_G531FOXX1AOI3_TPH for Portugal.

Then get the software update to the J2.

Great job, thanks a lot.

 

[klausel]

I installed de G531FXXU1AOI4_G531FOXX1AOI3_TPH for Portugal.

Then get the software update to the J2.

Great job, thanks a lot.

Glad to know you got it and thanks for your feedback.
To rule out all misunderstandings and help other people with the same problem.
1. You flashed a rom from another carrier for your region and 2. updated it to the latest version via ota.
3. You installed twrp and 4. supersu
Is that the way you proceeded.?
Did the line for fap lock appear in dl mode?
Thanks in advance