Samsung Galaxy Tab A6 (2016) SM-T280 Rooted Or Not Rooted?

[RobinG34]

Just got the above device for Christmas. While trying to figure out if I could update the version of Android, I chatted with the Samsung Smart Switch help desk and was told that since my device status is listed as "Custom," it has apparently been rooted. Except that when I downloaded Titanium BackUp, it said it couldn't find the root or the SU (the actual error message disappeared and I can't get it back). Anyway, under Root Access it says Failed.
There is no SuperUser software on the device, nor Busy Box. When I booted into recovery, I got basic Android recovery, although it included an option to update from ADB.
So, any guesses as to whether it's been rooted or not? If it has, any issues with installing TWRP, etc., as per the link here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/gal...overy-samsung-galaxy-tab-a6-sm-t280-t3475381? Or just trying to root it, per instructions here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/gal...m-samsung-galaxy-tab-7-0-lte-2016-sm-t3455788.

I would like to update my version of Android to run a couple apps that are currently incompatible, not to mention get rid of the massive bloatware. Don't have Ubuntu and found the instructions in the above two links a little confusing (how do I ' Flash with ODIN 3.10.7 in the AP slot."?) although I can research my way through it.

Or I can just return the tablet for one that hasn't been modified and hope I can update the OS via Smart Switch.

 

[jedld]

Just got the above device for Christmas. While trying to figure out if I could update the version of Android, I chatted with the Samsung Smart Switch help desk and was told that since my device status is listed as "Custom," it has apparently been rooted. Except that when I downloaded Titanium BackUp, it said it couldn't find the root or the SU (the actual error message disappeared and I can't get it back). Anyway, under Root Access it says Failed.
There is no SuperUser software on the device, nor Busy Box. When I booted into recovery, I got basic Android recovery, although it included an option to update from ADB.
So, any guesses as to whether it's been rooted or not? If it has, any issues with installing TWRP, etc., as per the link here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/gal...overy-samsung-galaxy-tab-a6-sm-t280-t3475381? Or just trying to root it, per instructions here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/gal...m-samsung-galaxy-tab-7-0-lte-2016-sm-t3455788.

I would like to update my version of Android to run a couple apps that are currently incompatible, not to mention get rid of the massive bloatware. Don't have Ubuntu and found the instructions in the above two links a little confusing (how do I ' Flash with ODIN 3.10.7 in the AP slot."?) although I can research my way through it.

Or I can just return the tablet for one that hasn't been modified and hope I can update the OS via Smart Switch.

Seems weird that the device is listed as custom out of the box. Best bet is to reflash the custom firmware using ODIN (you have to download a copy of the stock firmware of course) after that you can follow said guide to flash TWRP and then root after.

 

[RobinG34]

Seems weird that the device is listed as custom out of the box. Best bet is to reflash the custom firmware using ODIN (you have to download a copy of the stock firmware of course) after that you can follow said guide to flash TWRP and then root after.

It was an Open Box purchase - why we got it so cheap. I'm using it as my reading tablet and the Nook app is one of the two that won't work on it. I can (and will) look up ODIN on my own, but for the sake of expediency, if someone has a good link to the why's and what for's and how's, that would be appreciated.

 

[mjohnson4580]

Seems weird that the device is listed as custom out of the box. Best bet is to reflash the custom firmware using ODIN (you have to download a copy of the stock firmware of course) after that you can follow said guide to flash TWRP and then root after.

where can you find stock firmware i cant seem to find it anywhere?

 

[jedld]

where can you find stock firmware i cant seem to find it anywhere?

You can check out sammobile.com for that

 

[mjohnson4580]

You can check out sammobile.com for that

Ive tried there they have no us version for this tablet

 

[veekay]

http://updato.com/firmware-archive-select-model that is where I grabbed one for the US model