Can anyone help me with unrooting a Galaxy Note 4?

[TubeTote]

Hey all,

Been a long time since I have been on here...maybe that is why I don't seem to know shit anymore about current tech

Anyway, I have a Galaxy Note 4 with T-Mobile, model is SM-N910T. I got the device about 18 months ago, and my friend and renter at the time convinced me to let him f*** with it and root the phone. Since then, it has never really worked very well. I only trusted him because he made my Note 3 run awesome by doing so; but this experience has been more of a nightmare (flakey performance, dropped calls, battery nowhere near what the indicator says, ect.).

My lease on this thing is coming up, and I need to do something. I don't want to keep the device in its current state, and I cannot return it rooted. Since I have had a falling out with my previous friend and renter, I am stuck trying to figure out how to unroot the device and bring it back to stock on my own.

I have researched online to find some hopefully helpful info...but it also is a bit intimidating and technical compared to what I have done with cell phones. Here are my main questions:

1) What is the correct firmware to install? I have found many for my exact model, but still there are so many versions and dates associated that I have no idea. I am currently downloading the following (which was VERY difficult to find without paying) - TMB-N910TUVS2EPK2-20161219133209.zip

Is this going to work with my device, keeping in mind that it is rooted and it is about 18 months old? I don't know if I need to use the exact firmware that came with the model to begin with, or if an updated version will work better.

2) The tutorials I have read say that I need to use a program called 'Odin' in order to 'flash' the firmware. This is getting a bit beyond my technical understanding, and I don't want to ruin my device. Is this just a simple program for PC for installing new firmware unto a smart phone? Is it easy to use, or is there a better way?


If anyone can help me out here, I would be very greatly appreciative. Keep in mind that I don't know much about the smart phone lingo...I can build my own PCs but I don't understand smart phone tech so much.

Thanks much!

UPDATE: that download for the firmware just crashed Firefox...and it has taken hours just to get part of a 2 GB file, that is because I am not a paying member of the website. Do people really need to pay for firmware for a device they already own?? This is so frustrating that I am considering just selling the Note 4 on Ebay as is, even rooted they fetch a decent amount. But sure would like to see this run like it should. Ugh. Any suggestions or help would be very appreciated. Thanks again.

 

[Raduque]

Follow the instructions in this thread https://forum.xda-developers.com/note-4-tmobile/general/odin-firmware-epj2-tw-6-0-1-note-4-t3486992

 

[TubeTote]

Thanks, I am giving this a try though the firmware version is different than what I saw listed in my posting. One thing, if you have time to answer...what is an MD5? It seems important according to the link you sent but I have no idea what that means. Thanks again.

 

[Raduque]

MD5 is signature that's used to verify a file as being corrupt or tampered with. You compare the file you downloaded's MD5 hash vs a known good MD5 hash - if it matches, it's good.

 

[TubeTote]

Thanks for letting me know about that. I finally feel like I am making some progress today (after so many calls to tech support people who unbelievably seemed to know less than myself). Hope this works, and thank you either way, I appreciate it.

 

[Raduque]

Good luck! Tech support is not going to be able to help you. As far as they're concerned, the device (even if less than a year old) is out of warranty as soon as it was rooted.

 

[TubeTote]

I'm doing this as I write this reply. It seems to be working (I haven't done this myself so not entirely certain). My phone says 'downloading' with the android character. This has been the state for close to a couple of hours...is that normal? The last thing that the Odin program has said is the following:

<ID:0/003> Added!!

Again, whether this works or not, I'm appreciative of your feedback and help.

 

[TubeTote]

In fact, here is everything that is showing in Odin since I started:


<OSM> Enter CS for MD5..


<OSM> Check MD5.. Do not unplug the cable..

<OSM> Please wait..

<OSM> Checking MD5 finished Sucessfully..

<OSM> Leave CS..

<OSM> All threads completed. (succeed 0 / failed 0)

<ID:0/003> Added!!

 

[Raduque]

Once the files are added and you are in download mode, you need to click "Start" in Odin.

 

[TubeTote]

I hate to be such a bother...but the Odin program says 'pass' while the phone is just sitting there with a white screen and T-Mobile logo...is it completed? Can I disconnect and start up the device, or is there another step I need to do?

 

[TubeTote]

Perhaps a factory reset? I saw that in some of the tutorials I read.

 

[TubeTote]

Not so sure it worked, unfortunately. The phone seems stuck in a cycle of rebooting and saying 'installing system update'. Here is what the Odin App said in the log:


<ID:0/003> Added!!


<OSM> Enter CS for MD5..

<OSM> Check MD5.. Do not unplug the cable..

<OSM> Please wait..

<OSM> Checking MD5 finished Sucessfully..

<OSM> Leave CS..

<ID:0/003> Odin engine v(ID:3.1101)..

<ID:0/003> File analysis..

<ID:0/003> SetupConnection..

<ID:0/003> Initialzation..

<ID:0/003> Get PIT for mapping..

<ID:0/003> Firmware update start..

<ID:0/003> SingleDownload.

<ID:0/003> aboot.mbn

<ID:0/003> NAND Write Start!!

<ID:0/003> sbl1.mbn

<ID:0/003> rpm.mbn

<ID:0/003> tz.mbn

<ID:0/003> sdi.mbn

<ID:0/003> NON-HLOS.bin

<ID:0/003> boot.img

<ID:0/003> recovery.img

<ID:0/003> system.img.ext4

<ID:0/003> cache.img.ext4

<ID:0/003> modem.bin

<ID:0/003> RQT_CLOSE !!

<ID:0/003> RES OK !!

<ID:0/003> Remain Port .... 0

<ID:0/003> Removed!!

<OSM> All threads completed. (succeed 1 / failed 0)


Not really sure what else I can do at this point...any advice?

Thanks

 

[TubeTote]

Note...while in this cycle, there is a message on the phone saying 'recovery booting'. I have tried redoing this a few times now but I get the same result.

 

[Raduque]

Sorry for the late reply.

Have you tried a factory reset? Pull the battery, press and hold Home and Volume Up and put the battery in. The phone will boot directly into recovery, where you can do the factory reset and then reboot from there. It should work. If not, you will probably need a different firmware file.

Without knowing exactly what your friend did, it's hard to get you back to stock.

 

[TubeTote]

Hey no worries, just glad you responded. I tried that but got the same result...it starts to boot, with a message in the upper right corner saying 'recovery booting'. It then goes to a screen with the android pic and says 'installing update'...then it just turns off and does the same thing over again. If the cord is plugged in, it continues automatically, and without the cord, it just shuts off after one pass. Ugh. All I can say is that he put 'maximum overdrive V2xx' and it was booting in beanstalk version 6.xx. Terrible performance on many levels, as stated previously, otherwise I would just keep the device as is.

Maybe I did something wrong in the process, but I tried really hard to follow the directions exactly. It seems like as though it is stuck in some sort of booting loop. Any other things you can think of trying, I will gladly do so.

 

[Raduque]

It sounds like an incorrect CSC. Are you 100% certain it's a T-Mobile branded phone? Maybe it's an unlocked phone? What's the model number under the battery?

It looks like this is the latest FW version for the 910T. https://forum.xda-developers.com/no...firmware-galaxy-note-4-n910tuvs2eqb1-t3569911

Try using Odin to flash that firmware. You can get back into Download mode by pulling out the battery, putting it back in and then hold Volume Down and Home and press the power button till it vibrates. Press Volume Up to get into the download mode itself.

 

[TubeTote]

I'm not sure what CSC means...but it is absolutely a T-Mobile phone, I bought it at the T-Mobile store and the model on the back under the battery says 'N910T'.

I will try the firmware you recommend and see what happens. I haven't seemed to have any problems getting the phone into download mode...it just doesn't seem to want to reboot after the download for some reason, it just keeps restarting or not if I don't have it plugged in. Weird shit.

Thanks again for your help.

 

[sweenish]

This reminds of a reddit thread I saw on /r/Nexus5 just the other day. Someone was asking what ROM was best so they could flash it to their tech-illiterate mom's phone. Utterly stupid. I'm not blaming OP, it's the person pushing the idea that's to blame. Because this is what happens. It's not their phone, so they're never left holding the bag.

Hope you get it sorted out, OP.

EDIT: It will be worth verifying the MD5's of the firmwares you're downloading, especially if your connection is a bit flaky.

 

[WelshBloke]

Can't you just use Samsung Kies to restore the phone to stock?

 

[TubeTote]

My knowledge of smart phone tech is obviously quite limited...but from what I have researched it seems that my best option was what Raduque explained, even though it isn't working as of yet. I believe I followed all of the steps accurately and have tried multiple times, but still no dice as the phone won't boot. If using Samsung Kies is an option, I have nothing to lose by trying...but can you or anyone else help me out a bit with it since I have no idea how to use it? I really appreciate any help at this point...my lease is up on Monday so I am willing to try about anything.

 

[TubeTote]

This reminds of a reddit thread I saw on /r/Nexus5 just the other day. Someone was asking what ROM was best so they could flash it to their tech-illiterate mom's phone. Utterly stupid. I'm not blaming OP, it's the person pushing the idea that's to blame. Because this is what happens. It's not their phone, so they're never left holding the bag.

Hope you get it sorted out, OP.

EDIT: It will be worth verifying the MD5's of the firmwares you're downloading, especially if your connection is a bit flaky.

Believe me, had I could have known that his actions would have created this much frustration, it never would have happened. I didn't realize that rooting voided the warranty on the phone. In the past, I allowed him to do this to my Note 3 and it actually ran terrific...that is why I thought 'why not?'...I will never make the same mistake again! I will stick to what I know which is building PCs, I am not really so good with software / firmware types of issues, ugh.

 

[WelshBloke]

My knowledge of smart phone tech is obviously quite limited...but from what I have researched it seems that my best option was what Raduque explained, even though it isn't working as of yet. I believe I followed all of the steps accurately and have tried multiple times, but still no dice as the phone won't boot. If using Samsung Kies is an option, I have nothing to lose by trying...but can you or anyone else help me out a bit with it since I have no idea how to use it? I really appreciate any help at this point...my lease is up on Monday so I am willing to try about anything.

I'll reinstall Kies later and have a look.

 

[WelshBloke]

Right this is a bit from memory.
Download Kies. Remove the battery and make a note of the model number and serial number. Run Kies and plug your turned on note into your pc.
When it's been recognised hit tools at the top of Kies, then firmware upgrade and initialisation. Then fill in the model number and serial number when it asks and it should (if I remember rightly) download the correct firmware, wipe and restore your phone.

 

[TubeTote]

Off topic, but I visited your area a couple of years ago (Wales, perhaps The Mumbles being the most memorable)...magical place. My father, brother in law and myself really enjoyed our visit.

I will give this a try a bit later today...my head is hurting at the moment so I need a little break, but I thank you for your input and will update what happens.

 

[WelshBloke]

Off topic, but I visited your area a couple of years ago (Wales, perhaps The Mumbles being the most memorable)...magical place. My father, brother in law and myself really enjoyed our visit.

West Wales is lovely if you get the chance, rains a lot though!

I will give this a try a bit later today...my head is hurting at the moment so I need a little break, but I thank you for your input and will update what happens.

If you get stuck post back and I'll dig out an old phone and try to walk you through it.

Also, good plan taking a break when it gets frustrating!