Hey all, been a member for a while, but lost my account... have a quick question regarding my new Galaxy SII.
I bought the phone pre-owned, and am now considering rooting it. I have read about having to flash an insecure kernel, and that it adds a yellow triangle at the bottom of the boot screen. I already have this yellow triangle, but I know for a fact that my phone isn't rooted.
Is it possible that the previous owner had it rooted, but removed the root in order to sell it, without also reverting the insecure kernel?
Also, is there a way for me to tell if the yellow triangle is because of an insecure kernel, or perhaps something else?
Thanks in advance!
What details do you have in settings/about phone ?
Took a screenshot, hope this helps.
can't post external links because I'm a "new member".
i.imgur.com/0UorK.png
Seems you're running a stock kernel now. Perhaps the previous owner did root the phone as you suggested, but didn't use a jig to reset the flash counter/reset Custom Binary in download mode to "Samsung Official".
what is your plan...
you want to make just stock look again unrooted?
or you will root it again?
just type here from about phone Kernel :
Alright, so it is still safe to install unstable kernel and root it as normal?
Yep. Go for it Use whatever root method you like.
CFRoot is pretty easy, but it it's up to you. Just make sure you read the whole first page of the thread thoroughly & make sure you understand the 10 or so steps fully. When reading the thread, pay particular attention to the bit "Help ! Which file do I use ?" & you should be fine.
Related
Hi everyone,
Im getting a sgs2 next week (finally), and want to pimp it up as soon as it is in my hands. I wanna check with you guys if I understood everything right, since this is gonna be my first android phone.
Let say I choose to flash with the latest original firmare, that would be XXKI4 or XXKI8. I get it here.
I also want it rooted. So Im supposed to flash XXKI4 first, then root it using S2 Root v1.5.1 or CF-Root 4.4 but, which one? S2 Root requires the phone to be flashed with an "insecure kernel" prior rooting. Do i need the insecure kernel from XXKI4, or from my previous firmware? After the rooting, i need to reflash the secure kernel (cause its safer and removes a yellow triangle)? So if I understand, each firmware has a kernel. To be root, you need the kernel to be unsecured.
And about the flash counter... are the latest firmwares coming (ironicly) with the old bootloader, and that means the counter won't be raised o easily set to zero afterwards?
So first i need to flash the firmware i want, then secure kernel of that one, then root, and then secure back?
Lots ob doubts, thanks for your time
I recommend CF-Root even if also SOC works well.
This because CF-Root is one step and done, while SOC asks multiple steps, and the not experienced android users got more chances to screw up and end up with a semi/full briked phone.
Read carefully the CF-Root instructions, dont forget anything in the instructions and in about 20 seconds you have your phone rooted.
Be sure to have installed Samsung KIES (this install the official samsung drivers) but to NOT have it running in background when you use odin (kill the kies process tree), because kies dosnt like ODIN and it blocks it at half flashing (with chance of semibrick the phone).
Also DONT ever never use Rom Manager, SII is not compatible with rom manager, a lot of ppl got semi/full briked phone by using it.
No need to use insecure/secure kernels with cf-root (that's why, only 1 step).
About the original firmwares, the ones in Intratech thread if im not wrong (can be, i didnt really checked deep) are with old bootloader, so yes, you can go back to 0 with a usb jig.
Another and last thing, be sure you have the 9100 international, NOT the AT&T or the 9100G/M that need other files to work.
gAbUg said:
Hi everyone,
Im getting a sgs2 next week (finally), and want to pimp it up as soon as it is in my hands. I wanna check with you guys if I understood everything right, since this is gonna be my first android phone.
Let say I choose to flash with the latest original firmare, that would be XXKI4 or XXKI8. I get it here.
I also want it rooted. So Im supposed to flash XXKI4 first, then root it using S2 Root v1.5.1 or CF-Root 4.4 but, which one? S2 Root requires the phone to be flashed with an "insecure kernel" prior rooting. Do i need the insecure kernel from XXKI4, or from my previous firmware? After the rooting, i need to reflash the secure kernel (cause its safer and removes a yellow triangle)? So if I understand, each firmware has a kernel. To be root, you need the kernel to be unsecured.
And about the flash counter... are the latest firmwares coming (ironicly) with the old bootloader, and that means the counter won't be raised o easily set to zero afterwards?
So first i need to flash the firmware i want, then secure kernel of that one, then root, and then secure back?
Lots ob doubts, thanks for your time
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just in addition to rembrandtlnx's good and correct reply:
1. Read the first post of Intratech's thread => http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1075278.
Please read the whole post and take your time to understand it.
2. Do the steps described there to flash XXKI4 to your phone.
It is non-wipe version with old bootloader (as Intratech said ... it's true).
And this will never increase the counter, as it count only custom or insecure kernels (such as CF-Root).
3. If you want to root your phone, the easiest way to do is to flash the corresponding CF-Root kernel, which is XXKI4 v4.4.
Please stick to Chainfire's description of his first post in his thread => http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1103399&highlight=CF+Root.
This will increase the counter and give you the yellow triangle when booting your phone.
4. If you want to get rid of the yellow triangle, please read Chainfire's guide in his second post.
This will not increase the counter any more, as you will flash the original / stock kernel and use CWM to re-flash the CF-Root kernel (zImage file).
5. To reset the counter, rembrandtlnx told you how to do it.
I don't bother about the counter. It's just a number on my phone.
Good luck, and don't forget to backup all important data on your phone before flashing !
I obviously don't know what I'm doing but hopefully on of you can help. Below is my current SGH-1777 in the "about phone" stats after I tried to root my phone. I didn't understand the root instructions very well (Ya stupid me) and temporarily bricked my phone because after the reboot I got the evil yellow triangle. I could see the options to chose from but none of them would respond.
So I reconnected my bricked phone to my PC and put the phone in download mode and reinstalled the stock kernel which I had saved earlier and the phone works normal again, but it looks like I still have the installs from the root first root attempt:
"about phone" Info
Android Vs 2.3.4
Base band Vs 1777UCKH7
Kernel Vs 2.6.35.7
Build number UCKH7
I was rooting my phone because I'm pis... off at Samsung and AT&T because part of the reason I bought this phone was for the NFC feature and wanted to use Google Wallet. I also read where rooting the phone improves battery life and get rid of all the bloatware AT&T stuck me with. In my software list I see where I have Superuser and the ROM manager still installed.
Do I need to start all over and how do I do that, or am I just missing a piece of the puzzle? I think one mistake I accidentally made was using the ODIN 1.82 instead of the 1.85 but when I try to PDA the 1.85 now the PDA screen flashes for a second and disappears.
Newbie needs help!
sounds like you rooted it correctly the first time. That yellow triangle doesnt mean you screwed it up. It just means you flashed a non-stock kernel and you tripped the counter. Thats all. Nothing to worry about there.
I dont think you can Google Wallet just yet from the i777. You can, however, remove bloat or better yet, just load a custom rom from one of the great devs.
If you see the superuser app, you're currently rooted. All this info is documented already in stickies.
The info in your About Phone screen is the same as stock out of the box. It would also look the same for stock rooted, and the same with custom roms based on stock. You can make these modifications without changing that info.
The I9100 boot screen with the yellow warning triangle is caused by flashing a non-stock kernel using Odin or Heimdall from a computer. That in itself does not mean the phone is soft bricked.
You can install a custom kernel with nfc support (Entropy512's latest daily driver), but it does not include support for Google Wallet. Support for Google Wallet is a fairly complex programming task that will be a long while appearing if ever.
Please read the guides linked in my signature. There is a lot of good information in there. If you still want to install custom software, a good way for a beginner is to follow the step by step guide.
creepyncrawly said:
The info in your About Phone screen is the same as stock out of the box. It would also look the same for stock rooted, and the same with custom roms based on stock. You can make these modifications without changing that info.
The I9100 boot screen with the yellow warning triangle is caused by flashing a non-stock kernel using Odin or Heimdall from a computer. That in itself does not mean the phone is soft bricked.
You can install a custom kernel with nfc support (Entropy512's latest daily driver), but it does not include support for Google Wallet. Support for Google Wallet is a fairly complex programming task that will be a long while appearing if ever.
Please read the guides linked in my signature. There is a lot of good information in there. If you still want to install custom software, a good way for a beginner is to follow the step by step guide.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
NFC isn't the kernel - it's just a permissions XML and modified Settings.apk (on I777-based ROMs. Hellraised I9100 ROMs only need the permissions XML, which is included in Hellraiser)
I am pretty much with everyone else and think you are probably rooted. I would just download TB or Root Explorer from the market and see if Superuser allows you root to access either of these apps. Having Superuser on the phone would normally mean you are rooted but to make sure you can run one of the above programs to make sure you are allowed access.
No need for a long explanation, just a link or two, and/or some terms I can google for.
And, yes, I have been reading/searching the forum, and only find old posts mentioning Odin as a technique. Is there anything like SuperOneClick out?
Thanks!
Hi, Rooting through odin currently seems to be the most reliable and safest option.
There is other methods however can cause problems with the phone.
Head over to http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1103399
Based on the current firmware download the cf root that matches it, extract it and flash using odin.
Hope this helps.
I literally just received my SGS2 about 2 hours ago and read a bit of the thread, not all considering how large it is.
I know this roots but does this unlock the BL at the same time since its installing CWM?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using xda premium
Up until recently, SGS2 bootloaders have been 'unlocked'. The easiest way to test this would be to try and use a jig to reset the flash counter on the phone after you've rooted it.
If you can't reset the counter, then the firmware that came with your phone has the locked bootloader (I'm sure someone will be along any second now & tell us exactly which version the bootloader started to be locked in . The details are somewhere on the forum).
Easy fix to this is to flash firmware that has the bootloader unlocked. Alternatively, you simply flash the old bootloader over whatever firmware you're running. This is also available on the forum *somewhere* (I don't have a link handy).
Edit to add - About halfway down the page in this thread , there's a section in bold red type which has a link to a tar of the old bootloader you can flash in Odin should you need to.
Auxilium said:
I literally just received my SGS2 about 2 hours ago and read a bit of the thread, not all considering how large it is.
I know this roots but does this unlock the BL at the same time since its installing CWM?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
MistahBungle said:
Up until recently, SGS2 bootloaders have been 'unlocked'. The easiest way to test this would be to try and use a jig to reset the flash counter on the phone after you've rooted it.
If you can't reset the counter, then the firmware that came with your phone has the locked bootloader (I'm sure someone will be along any second now & tell us exactly which version the bootloader started to be locked in . The details are somewhere on the forum).
Easy fix to this is to flash firmware that has the bootloader unlocked. Alternatively, you simply flash the old bootloader over whatever firmware you're running. This is also available on the forum *somewhere* (I don't have a link handy).
Edit to add - About halfway down the page in this thread , there's a section in bold red type which has a link to a tar of the old bootloader you can flash in Odin should you need to.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
I've rooted my sgs2 using CF-Root, i found it better than OneClickRoot, reason for that is when i used oneclickroot the phone rooted then went back after i rebooted, which is weird. So i flashed CF-Root using ODIN and its perfect.
What I want to ask if you could help me please, is how can i see my flash counter? (if there is any)
and what is a jig, does it mean usb connection or is it a device i need to buy?
Thanks
Go into download mode (switch phone off - then do 3 finger reboot - hold home, volume down & power button at the same time), if you've flashed a non-stock rom/kernel in Odin it will show Custom binary download: x, where x is the number of times you've flashed a rom or kernel in Odin.
The jig is a usb plug with a certain amount of resistance over some of the pins of the plug (301k Ω or thereabouts I believe). To use it, you switch the phone off, plug the jig into the usb port on the phone, it reboots the phone into download mode and you'll get a message saying "Erasing download information successful". It will now show Custom Binary Download as no & Custom Binary as Samsung Official.
This will also get rid of the yellow warning triangle that appears at boot as long as you're using an "old" bootloader. Samsung recently started including "locked" bootloaders with their newer firmware in the last few months that don't allow a jig to reset the flash counter.
These cost a few dollars on eBay, do a search for "Samsung Galaxy S2 jig" or similar.
ab.riyami said:
Hi,
I've rooted my sgs2 using CF-Root, i found it better than OneClickRoot, reason for that is when i used oneclickroot the phone rooted then went back after i rebooted, which is weird. So i flashed CF-Root using ODIN and its perfect.
What I want to ask if you could help me please, is how can i see my flash counter? (if there is any)
and what is a jig, does it mean usb connection or is it a device i need to buy?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Search for the zergRush method. Its the easiest one so far. I personally used odin to flash a rooted cf-kernel but used zergRush to root a friens sgs2 and its really easy. You must have the adb drivers installed for sgs3.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk
bobkoure said:
And, yes, I have been reading/searching the forum, and only find old posts mentioning Odin as a technique. Is there anything like SuperOneClick out?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wanna bet 100$ that you didn't? Paypal only.
There's a ****ing sticky with one non-Odin method, which you just missed, because you were too busy furiously searching for other methods, which were also described many times in the same forums.
Hi kinda off topic, i already rooted my SGS2 by flashing insecure kernel from Odia for DXKL3 and rooting it then flashing back the original kernel. now i want to install CWM, I see a lot of guides and searched, all looks like that need to install a CWM enabled rom or use a kernel that is compatible with CWM, thats where the part i get confused since most of the guide points you to a diffrent kernel from the insecure kernel, cant you use the insecure kernel tha odia posted specific for my DXKL3? and i dont want to install a custom ROM just for CWM it would defeat the purpose since i want to back up my stock firmware.
MistahBungle said:
Go into download mode (switch phone off - then do 3 finger reboot - hold home, volume down & power button at the same time), if you've flashed a non-stock rom/kernel in Odin it will show Custom binary download: x, where x is the number of times you've flashed a rom or kernel in Odin.
The jig is a usb plug with a certain amount of resistance over some of the pins of the plug (301k Ω or thereabouts I believe). To use it, you switch the phone off, plug the jig into the usb port on the phone, it reboots the phone into download mode and you'll get a message saying "Erasing download information successful". It will now show Custom Binary Download as no & Custom Binary as Samsung Official.
This will also get rid of the yellow warning triangle that appears at boot as long as you're using an "old" bootloader. Samsung recently started including "locked" bootloaders with their newer firmware in the last few months that don't allow a jig to reset the flash counter.
These cost a few dollars on eBay, do a search for "Samsung Galaxy S2 jig" or similar.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the explanation mate, so then the jig is a device to buy not just the normal usb wire.
I'm thinking of getting it but now that its useless if firmware wont allow counter resets using jig......
quick Q, is there another method of resetting the counter and removing the yellow triangle? (it doesnt matter to me but incase i need to take it back for warrantee id need to do that i reckon)
There's no other way to reset the counter that I'm aware of. There's another method you can use to get rid of the triangle tho. 2nd post of the CFRoot thread details how to do this.
I suggest you get a jig. For less than $5 the peace of mind having one gives you is priceless.
ab.riyami said:
Thanks for the explanation mate, so then the jig is a device to buy not just the normal usb wire.
I'm thinking of getting it but now that its useless if firmware wont allow counter resets using jig......
quick Q, is there another method of resetting the counter and removing the yellow triangle? (it doesnt matter to me but incase i need to take it back for warrantee id need to do that i reckon)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i used the zergrush exploit, worked fine
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1319653
Hi,
I've had a look around and can't find a thread that answers my question completely. I just want to gain root access to phone, I have no intention of flashing a custom firmware. My phone is a Galaxy S2 I9100 running Vodafone Australia's stock 4.0.3 ICS.
As I am new to rooting, I have browsed through this page but still have questions:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1103399
I want to be able to easily restore my phone to its stock, unrooted state for warranty purposes. I'm not quite sure how to do this, Is there a way to backup my phones kernel as it is now, and be able to flash back to the stock kernel if something were to go wrong?
Also, My kernel version is 3.0.15-I9100TDULP9-CL422302 ..... The key letters being LP9? So then which one of these 2 would I flash?
CF-Root-SGS2_XW_KPN_LP9-v5.4-CWM5.zip OR
CF-Root-SGS2_DX_SIN_LP9-v5.4-CWM5.zip
Or would either work?
(Yes still going, sorry!) I also saw something called a Binary Flash Counter which counts the amount of times a phone has been modified? Would I be affected by this by just gaining root access? And if so how do I prevent that? (My ultimate aim is to root, but still keep warranty)
Thanks in advance for any help, its really appreciated.
mkirpy22 said:
Hi,
I've had a look around and can't find a thread that answers my question completely. I just want to gain root access to phone, I have no intention of flashing a custom firmware. My phone is a Galaxy S2 I9100 running Vodafone Australia's stock 4.0.3 ICS.
As I am new to rooting, I have browsed through this page but still have questions:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1103399
I want to be able to easily restore my phone to its stock, unrooted state for warranty purposes. I'm not quite sure how to do this, Is there a way to backup my phones kernel as it is now, and be able to flash back to the stock kernel if something were to go wrong?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To get back to stock look for your firmware in Intratech's thread. It also provides links for kernel only downloads.
Also, My kernel version is 3.0.15-I9100TDULP9-CL422302 ..... The key letters being LP9? So then which one of these 2 would I flash?
CF-Root-SGS2_XW_KPN_LP9-v5.4-CWM5.zip OR
CF-Root-SGS2_DX_SIN_LP9-v5.4-CWM5.zip
Or would either work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From the thread you were referencing:
The XX and OXA identifiers are not that important. Usually a "KG1" kernel is a "KG1" kernel, and that is that. Sometimes (pretty rare) it happens there will be multiple different kernels with the same name in different firmwares, that are actually different. If this happens, they are usually only very minor changes and you should expect them to still be fully compatible. I include the "XX" and "OXA" identifiers so the very advanced users can deduce from which full firmware I have taken the kernel file.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
(Yes still going, sorry!) I also saw something called a Binary Flash Counter which counts the amount of times a phone has been modified? Would I be affected by this by just gaining root access? And if so how do I prevent that? (My ultimate aim is to root, but still keep warranty)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you will be affected (if rooting with CF-root method) and no, you can't prevent it. However you can reset things. The easiest way to do this is to use TriangleAway from the Play store.
Best thing to do if you want a backup that's as close to stock as possible is to root your phone & then do a Nandroid backup in CWM before doing anything else to the phone (flashing custom roms, other kernels, etc). That will give you a backup that is essentially stock other than the rooted kernel.
If you want to guarantee warranty service, don't mess with your phone (yes, I'm serious). Once you start messing with it, you should lose any expectation of warranty service should the worst happen (rooting your phone/running non stock firmware voids your warranty). Having said that, many people who have rooted their phones and/or run non-stock firmware have been able to get warranty service by going back to stock & resetting the flash counter either with a jig or Triangle Away before sending it in for service. However, this is never a guaranteed, rolled gold 100% certainty.
FXRB is right, before you root your phone, either download your current firmware from Intratech's thread, or use the PC version of Checkfus to download it. This will save you problems if you need to go back to stock in say, 12 mths, and you forget which firmware was originally on the phone.
Unrooting Sprint Samsung s2 ics 4.0.4 fh13
I rooted my phone but would like to unroot it back to previous or stock. Please help with any information to unroot. Thanks.
hispeed10 said:
I rooted my phone but would like to unroot it back to previous or stock. Please help with any information to unroot. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Reset binary counter using Triangle away app.
2. Download Stock firmware for your country/region here: http://www.sammobile.com/firmware/
3. Flash the firmware via Odin.
Done
hispeed10 said:
I rooted my phone but would like to unroot it back to previous or stock. Please help with any information to unroot. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In addition to what Jokesy said, you say you have a Sprint Samsung s2 ics 4.0.4 fh13. The Sprint variant is the Epic 4G Touch, and has a different forum located at http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=1281.
This forum is for the I9100, which is a GSM phone, and doesn't even work on Sprint's CDMA network.
For your own sake and future sanity, please go to and stay in that forum, and avoid flashing anything from this forum for the I9100.
I rooted my phone pushing CWM.zip and SU-busybox in recovery mode.
First CWM.zip And then su-busybox in the Clockwork orange mod. Its rooted and no yellow triangle.
So...
I was asked to root a Samsung Galaxy S II i9100 the other day...
I got the person to back up all of their stuff through Kies and then they bought the phone back to me to try and root.
(Why do they want to root it? To remove the noise on the camera when capturing video - I believe this will help narrow down which version it is..)
I managed to download and install a Siyah version, through Odin, and i have the CWM recovery mode, and also the Download mode available.
When i boot up the phone, it comes up to the Yellow triangle image, and no further...
I thought it was a pretty simple task, clearly i have messed up and not realised the extent of the process - i am clearly missing something out - or downloading the wrong things... Should i be downloading a different version - i can't find what files i should have already - and i don't know how i would be able to download apps to the phone now it's only on recovery mode...
I understand everyone asks these and you direct them to other previous threads, but i've doubted myself on everything i've done up to now, so could anyone clarify the correct steps i should be taking?
I believe the phone was on 2.3.3 before my attempted root, but i don't personally have any other details of the phone....
I don't even mind if i can't root it, but if i could possibly revert it back to stock i would be equally happy as we currently have an unusable phone.. (I don't think it's bricked is it?)
Thanks in advance,
Tom.
MrTommo said:
So...
I was asked to root a Samsung Galaxy S II i9100 the other day...
I got the person to back up all of their stuff through Kies and then they bought the phone back to me to try and root.
(Why do they want to root it? To remove the noise on the camera when capturing video - I believe this will help narrow down which version it is..)
I managed to download and install a Siyah version, through Odin, and i have the CWM recovery mode, and also the Download mode available.
When i boot up the phone, it comes up to the Yellow triangle image, and no further...
I thought it was a pretty simple task, clearly i have messed up and not realised the extent of the process - i am clearly missing something out - or downloading the wrong things... Should i be downloading a different version - i can't find what files i should have already - and i don't know how i would be able to download apps to the phone now it's only on recovery mode...
I understand everyone asks these and you direct them to other previous threads, but i've doubted myself on everything i've done up to now, so could anyone clarify the correct steps i should be taking?
I believe the phone was on 2.3.3 before my attempted root, but i don't personally have any other details of the phone....
I don't even mind if i can't root it, but if i could possibly revert it back to stock i would be equally happy as we currently have an unusable phone.. (I don't think it's bricked is it?)
Thanks in advance,
Tom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are still able to access cwm and download mode I am pretty sure that you are not bricked(but still there is always a small probability) so I recommend you flash a stock rom via Odin, read lots because I have read of an old siyah kernel which has the brick bug, be careful with ics stock as well.
For all the above recommended matters there are hundreds of threads with extensive details.
For Rooting read several threads and choose the easiest method.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda app-developers app
Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but as far as I know, the kernel you flashed ( siyah ) is not compatible with gingerbread....
So as another poster commented, flashing a firmware in Odin will be the easiest way to recover. Then you can try rooting again....
But do your research first....
Afaik. ...rooting methods for gingerbread are "not prolific". It might be advisable to flash 4.0.3 ics or 4.1.2 jellybean and then root that........
Sent from my Rooted, De bloated Stock JB powered S2 via PhilZ kernel and Tapatalk 2....
Why did you not advice him to update his phone????? You went through all that trouble of using KIES to backup and you didn't update the phone?
A firmeware update might have already solved his problems.
And how could you not read that the flashed Kernel does not support such an old Android version. Rooting has a possibility to cause your phone harm, so it should come naturally that you inform yourself on the topic and double check everything in order to minimze the risks.
I am really sorry for what I wrote, but I just can't understand such a mentality!