How To Guide Root Guide for Galaxy Tab S8/S8+/S8Ultra
- Thread starter Vinsang
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That's what I've done with my last two devices - skipped all setup until I unlocked the bootloader.
Perfect ! Thanks !
That's what I wanted to hear! Does unlocking the bootloader have problems with Samsung? (galaxy Tab s8 ultra) Or are the problems encountered only at the root?
Unlocking bootloader only shows a warning. an fuse only gets triggered upon rooting (Tripping knox)
The short version of a much longer post I could write is that I kept on bootlooping on the new X900XXU4BWD8 (SM-X900_2_20230428104940) firmware (coming from the previous SM-X900_2_20230216135940) for my Tab S8 Ultra after flashing the updated, rooted firmware except for one seemingly random time it booted successfully, but a further reboot went back into bootlooops.
I then flashed the firmware using the unrooted AP file, but still the HOME_CSC, and then it said it was corrupt and needed a factory reset after all. After that, everything behaved normally.
Edit: And I had checked MD5 hashes of the AP file on both ends of the process, both before and after rooting it.
I haven't tried reflashing the rooted AP, or re-rooting the AP file yet. I'll try re-rooting the AP file, compare the hash to the already rooted AP file I have, and then re-flash it either way that turns out.
Edit 2: I re-copied the AP file to the tablet, checking the MD5 hash after, re-rooted it using Magisk 26.1, copied it back, checking the hash before and after yet again, flashed it, and the tablet bootloops a few times after Odin passed every check, then the tablet came to Android Recovery where it says data may be corrupt. Yay, again.
Tablet booted fine after another factory reset.
My next trick will be to re-download the firmware, allow it to be re-extracted / unencrypted, then I'll compare the hash of that AP file to the one got the first time, although I don't expect that to be an issue since the new AP worked fine as long as it wasn't rooted.
Edit 3: AP file has the same hash as before after re-downloading and extracting. Argh. Anyone else able to update to the new firmware rooted on any of the S8 models?
I then flashed the firmware using the unrooted AP file, but still the HOME_CSC, and then it said it was corrupt and needed a factory reset after all. After that, everything behaved normally.
Edit: And I had checked MD5 hashes of the AP file on both ends of the process, both before and after rooting it.
Edit 2: I re-copied the AP file to the tablet, checking the MD5 hash after, re-rooted it using Magisk 26.1, copied it back, checking the hash before and after yet again, flashed it, and the tablet bootloops a few times after Odin passed every check, then the tablet came to Android Recovery where it says data may be corrupt. Yay, again.
Tablet booted fine after another factory reset.
My next trick will be to re-download the firmware, allow it to be re-extracted / unencrypted, then I'll compare the hash of that AP file to the one got the first time, although I don't expect that to be an issue since the new AP worked fine as long as it wasn't rooted.
Edit 3: AP file has the same hash as before after re-downloading and extracting. Argh. Anyone else able to update to the new firmware rooted on any of the S8 models?
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Y'all have TWRP for this device, why aren't you just flashing Magisk in TWRP?
It's been so many years since I flashed a custom recovery and rooted with it, plus I didn't know TWRP for the Tab S8 had come that far (last I paid attention, it was still early in the development), I just didn't even think of it. I'll have to give it a try, although I'm not sure if I can necessarily expect a different outcome.
I'll check it out when I get enough time to fool with it.
Thanks!
Even though the TWRP method is supposedly abandoned, it's still supported by Magisk. I've tried to root my Tab A using the "right" way of patching the AP file. Never worked properly. Flashing Magisk in TWRP on the other hand works every time.
Flashing TWRP isn't hard, you just flash the .tar in the AP slot using Odin.
I don't know if it's what made a difference on my last update, but...
I had a bootloop after flashing & the tablet rebooting. Somehow I got it back into download mode & before I flashed it, I killed the auto-reboot option in Odin. When Odin was done, I rebooted by using Vol Up & power key. Seems to have worked.
I had a bootloop after flashing & the tablet rebooting. Somehow I got it back into download mode & before I flashed it, I killed the auto-reboot option in Odin. When Odin was done, I rebooted by using Vol Up & power key. Seems to have worked.
The short version of a much longer post I could write is that I kept on bootlooping on the new X900XXU4BWD8 (SM-X900_2_20230428104940) firmware (coming from the previous SM-X900_2_20230216135940) for my Tab S8 Ultra after flashing the updated, rooted firmware except for one seemingly random time it booted successfully, but a further reboot went back into bootlooops.
I then flashed the firmware using the unrooted AP file, but still the HOME_CSC, and then it said it was corrupt and needed a factory reset after all. After that, everything behaved normally.
Edit: And I had checked MD5 hashes of the AP file on both ends of the process, both before and after rooting it.
I haven't tried reflashing the rooted AP, or re-rooting the AP file yet. I'll try re-rooting the AP file, compare the hash to the already rooted AP file I have, and then re-flash it either way that turns out.
Edit 2: I re-copied the AP file to the tablet, checking the MD5 hash after, re-rooted it using Magisk 26.1, copied it back, checking the hash before and after yet again, flashed it, and the tablet bootloops a few times after Odin passed every check, then the tablet came to Android Recovery where it says data may be corrupt. Yay, again.
Tablet booted fine after another factory reset.
My next trick will be to re-download the firmware, allow it to be re-extracted / unencrypted, then I'll compare the hash of that AP file to the one got the first time, although I don't expect that to be an issue since the new AP worked fine as long as it wasn't rooted.
Edit 3: AP file has the same hash as before after re-downloading and extracting. Argh. Anyone else able to update to the new firmware rooted on any of the S8 models?
Not that it's the most helpful information, but I just figured I'd reply to say that I updated and had no issues. Did the same exact procedure as usual. Download with Frija, wait for it to fully decrypt, extract the zip, copy the AP over, patch with Magisk, copy back, flash with Odin. let it auto reboot. It did one bootloop from the Samsung logo screen (as it does for me every time I update), sat on said logo screen for a minute or two the second time, then booted in fine. Just still annoyed that you have to press the power button to bypass their bull**** bootloader warning every single time you reboot the tablet.
So definitely try re-doing the whole procedure with a completely fresh download/decrypt/extract.
Thank you. Hopefully I have time to mess with the tablet again later today.
I think I noticed it does continue booting on its own at that screen, at least eventually (maybe 30 seconds maximum?), but yes, it's extra annoying as if the previously existing warning, which is still there, wasn't annoying enough.
Edit: By the way, out of curiosity, are you using the latest Magisk v26.1 Stable, or an older version?
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Update to post #250: I just did another update this morning, and it's Vol Down & power to force a reboot while it's in download mode.
Definitely takes more than 30 seconds to boot past the Samsung logo after an update. It can take several minutes. And yeah, I had just updated to the latest stable magisk 26.1 right before I did the firmware update.
Just flash the original rom again. Lock the bootloader again and probably Ota updates will come.
You better download the last rom, so you won't need any update.
Hello. I want to change fonts, and /system/media/audio/ui files. My X906B is fully rooted, but if i want to overwrite file in /system show me normaly: " remount system rw? " i clicked: YES, but cannot copy, cannot delete, or overwrite... Please guys help me, i want to change the files.
I dont unsertod: If rooted how to no acccess to /system with RW. I like all answer, please help me, how to do ( if you have time: step by step ) very very thank!
I dont unsertod: If rooted how to no acccess to /system with RW. I like all answer, please help me, how to do ( if you have time: step by step ) very very thank!
The system partition should not be modified directly. Any changes like that should be done in a "systemless" fashion via a Magisk module. Magisk sort of fools Android and lets you make changes to system without actually changing anything on the pristine system partition.
Go over to GitHub and get the latest release of "Fox's Mmm". That app allows you to search for Magisk modules and install them. People have cooked up some really good modules that let you do all sorts of stuff. Hopefully there's something that will come close to meeting your needs.
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I got the same update push, it will fail if you attempt it, then it'll just ask again later. I just updated it myself using the root instructions step 4. Use frija to get the update, extract, copy to tab, patch, copy back, odin, reset...viola! updated!So, I successfully rooted my Tab S8+ a couple of month ago (big thanks to the guide in post #3), and today I got a "Software Update" notification. This came as a surprise, as with all my previous rooted phones/tablets regular over-the-air updates were automatically disabled once I rooted the devices. But this time the tablet say that I can only postpone the update (not cancel) and that it will automatically install itself on Sep 1.
Granted, I left the option "Download updated firmware over WiFi" on in the settings, but again, I was under the impression that after root it won't matter.
So two questions:
- Can I really not turn off and/or skip updates?
- If I let it update on its own, it will break my root and/or cause bootloop? I absolutely need to follow the steps in the guide and update that way, otherwise I loose my root and/or have to factory reset?
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22
How to Root (or update an already-rooted device)
Prereqs
- Install the USB driver from https://developer.samsung.com/android-usb-driver
- Get the latest Odin from https://odindownloader.com/category/download and unzip it
- Get the latest Frija from https://github.com/SlackingVeteran/frija/releases OR SamFirm from https://androidmtk.com/download-samfirm-tool and unzip it
- Start Frija and begin downloading the latest firmware for your Model and CSC:
- Model Numbers
- S8 Ultra 5G: SM-X906
- S8 Ultra Wifi: SM-X900
- S8+ 5G: SM-X806
- S8+ Wifi: SM-X800
- S8 5G: SM-X706
- S8 Wifi: SM-X700
- CSC
- Settings > About Tablet > Software Information > Service provider software version
- If Frija or SamFirm complain about missing Visual C++ Runtimes, open PowerShell and run:
- winget install Microsoft.VCRedist.2008.x86
- winget install Microsoft.VCRedist.2010.x86
- Model Numbers
Step 1 - Prepare your Tablet (only necessary for first install on unrooted device)
- While Frija is downloading the firmware, prepare your device by doing the following:
- Settings > About Tablet > Software Information > Click Build Number 7 times quickly
- Developer Options (just below About Tablet on the left column)
- Turn on USB Debugging
- Turn on OEM unlocking
- NOTE: If the OEM Unlocking option doesn't appear, connect the device to the internet, wait a few minutes, then try again
- Power tablet completely off (Hold volume down + power button if you haven't changed the Bixby settings)
- While holding volume up and volume down, plug the tablet into your PC via USB
- Let go of volume keys as soon as the blue-green screen shows up
- Press and hold volume up for 5 seconds, the screen will change to a confirmation prompt
- Press volume up again to confirm, the tablet will reboot
- Unplug your tablet from USB
- Go through initial setup. Don't bother copying files or installing anything.
- Skip signing in to your Google account and Samsung account. You won't be using them for this step.
- Settings > About Tablet > Software Information > Click Build Number 7 times quickly
- Developer Options (just below About Tablet on the left column)
- Turn on USB Debugging
- Reboot the tablet
Step 2 - Patch the stock firmware to make it rooted
- Frija should have finished downloading by now, unzip the file (remember where you unzipped it to)
- Plug your tablet in to your computer via USB and click Allow if it prompts to allow data access
- If this is your first install / you're rooting the tablet for the first time:
- Download Magisk-vXX.XX.apk from the topmost release at https://github.com/topjohnwu/Magisk/releases
- Copy the Magisk-vXX.XX.apk and the AP_xxx_xxx_tar.md5 from the zip file Frija downloaded to:
- This PC > Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra > Internal Storage > Download
- Open the My Files app on the tablet and browse to Downloads
- Click the Magisk-vXX.XX.apk and it will prompt you to click Settings
- In Settings, turn on My Files, then it will give you a prompt to Install
- When Magisk is done installing, click Open
- If your tablet was already rooted, and you're just updating:
- Copy the AP_xxx_xxx_tar.md5 from the zip file Frija downloaded to:
- This PC > Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra > Internal Storage > Download
- Copy the AP_xxx_xxx_tar.md5 from the zip file Frija downloaded to:
- After the file is done copying, unplug your tablet from USB
- In Magisk, click Install in the top Magisk area, then the option for Select and Patch a file
- Click My Files > Downloads, select the AP_XXX_XXX.tar.md5 file and click Done at the bottom
- Click Lets Go -> After a few moments, it should display this (ignore 'Installation failed' at the top, it always does that):
Step 3 - Apply the rooted firmware
- Plug your tablet back in to USB, then on your PC, go back to This PC > Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra > Internal Storage > Download and copy the magisk_patched-xxx.tar file back to the folder where you unzipped the zip file from Frija
- After the copy is finished, unplug your tablet from your PC and completely power off your tablet
- While holding volume up and volume down, plug the tablet into your PC via USB
- Let go of volume keys as soon as the blue-green screen shows up
- Click volume up (the side of volume nearest the power) briefly (don't hold it) to go into download mode
- Start Odin and accept the disclaimer prompt
- Click BL and select the BL_XXX_XXX.tar.md5 file where you unzipped the zip file from Frija
- Click AP and select the magisk_patched-XXX.tar file
- If this is your first install / you're rooting the tablet for the first time (this WILL wipe your data):
- Click CSC and select the CSC_XXX_XXX.tar.md5
- If your tablet was already rooted, and you're just updating (this WILL NOT wipe your data):
- Click CSC and select the HOME_CSC_XXX_XXX.tar.md5
- Odin should now look like this:
- Click Start. When it's finished, Odin will display "PASS!" and the tablet will automatically reboot.
Step 4 - Verify and finalize
- Go through the normal setup, signing in to your Google and Samsung accounts this time
- Click on Magisk that is now pre-installed, and go through the Settings step to allow it to install again
- It should prompt you that your device needs additional setup and one more reboot, click OK
- After rebooting, your device should be fully rooted. Use a root checker app if you want to verify.
Step 5 (optional) - Get Netflix (and pay / banking apps etc) working with root
- Download the Zygisk version of Displax's (not the original kdrag0n) Saftey Net Fix from https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/module-mod-universal-safetynet-fix.4553699/
- Open Magisk, click the Gear, click Systemless hosts, and check on Zygisk, click the back button
- At the bottom of Magisk, click Modules, Install From Storage, then the .zip from 1 above, click Reboot
- After you reboot, install YASNAC from Google Play or go to Netflix, tap your user icon in the top right, app settings and then Playback Specification. Widevine L1 should be displayed, which is what you want.
21See post #3 for in depth guide !
->insert usual general disclaimer of liability
Required:
Odin3_v3.14.1 flash tool
Samsung USB Driver installed
Frija or something else, to download stock files
7zip or similar
1: Unlock bootloader (will wipe your precious data, void warranty, break Knox e-fuse and who knows what else !)
-unlock dev option (just harass your Build number in settings)
-be connected to the internet (WiFi or 5g)
-allow USB debugging
-OEM unlock
-be warned that this might cause WWIII
-Power off your device. Press Volume Up + Volume Down THEN plug your Tablet lnto a PC to boot into download mode.
-Release buttons immediately when the blue screen shows itself.
-Long press volume up to unlock the bootloader. This will wipe your data and automatically reboot
-Go through the initial setup.
-Skip through all the steps except wifi or 5g
-sign into your Google or Samsung account
-Enable Developer options & USB debugging
-reboot
-You have an unlock bootloader and have control over your device, (it is unfair that this voids your warranty as you should be able to use your hardware as you please).
2: Root install:
-Install Magisk
-use frija or something else to get the latest file according to your device and your CSC :
-patch the whole AP file with magisk (transfer of big files can be tricky, using SD card to transfer file from computer to tablet and vice versa seems like one if the easiest way)
-use odin to flash AP (the patched one), CP, BL and CSC (will wipe once again and reboot)
-Open magisk to finish install (reboot)
-You have root
3: Root update:
-use Frija or something else to get the latest file according to your device and your CSC :
-patch the whole AP file with magisk
-use Odin to flash AP (the patched one), CP, BL and Home_CSC (using CSC will wipe)
-Press and hold Vol-down and Power let go of all buttons once the screen turn on.
-You have root, data kept and update
Please let me know if something should be added or edited.5
I've found over the many years (note 4) with Samsung devices that ability to freeze apps with TiBu (debloatIng) is a huge +. I have gone to rooting for that reason almost alone. Plus now I have some apps that require root I can't do without.
Don't worry about trading in your device with Samsung after unlocking the bootloader just relock it and send it in. Been doing this since Tab s2 with no problem. I sent tab s7 back for the Tab s8 plus (had bootloader unlocked and rooted) and Samsung has never said a word... Makes me think they Easley have a way of fixing the knox blown efuse thing.
Anyway, I always root my tablets. Why would they make it possible (unlike their Snapdragon phones) to do so if they cared?
Just my 2 cents.4By @sosimple
"NOTE - This is currently only passing Widevine level 3, so Netflix is limited to SD. I'm still trying to figure out how to get L1 / full HD."
This one, keeping me away from rooting for now, as i watch a lot Netflix in the tablet.. If anyone resolve this, please post the solution..
Thanks,
****************
Hmm... Tab S8 plus.
If you haven't rooted how would you know?
This is from my Netflix app. Looks fine to me.
All I can say is follow the instructions.
4
Not sure when, but somewhere in an update, the ability to download modules from magisk directly was removed. You can download them using an app called Fox's Magisk Module Manager. You can search for modules just like you could on Magisk, and they'll be added once you install them and reboot. Also, for the netflix thing, your device may not be passing safetynet. Checking this was also remove in an update, but you can check it with YASNAC.
Edit: I just did this with my rooted Tab S7+, but it should work with the S8+ and S8U as well. Doing this should let you pass safetynet and be able to use Netflix.
1. Enable Zygisk in Magisk settings, then reboot.
2. Enable Enforce DenyList in Magisk settings, then go to Configure DenyList.
3. Enable show system apps with the menu on the top-right, then search "google play services".
4. Enable DenyList for com.google.android.gms & com.google.android.gms.unstable, then reboot.
5. Open YASNAC to run safetynet attestation, you should be passing basic integrity but failing cts profile match.
6. Download and install the latest version of the safetynet fix for zygisk module, then reboot.
7. Check YASNAC again, you should now be passing basic integrity and cts profile match.
8. Go to settings > apps, find google play service & google play store, clear data for both of them, reboot.
9. Go to the play store > settings, play protect certification should now say "device is certified".
10. Open Magisk > Configure DenyList, search for Netflix (enable show system apps if you need to), enable DenyList for everything, reboot.
11. Update Netflix if it's not up to date. If the play store is allowing you to update Netflix at all, then you're good to go.
Now you have Netflix running on your rooted tab!
Edit 2: Accidentally saved my first edit before I finished the instructions, my bad.
