Android Enthusiasts
Q&A for enthusiasts and power users of the Android operating system
Latest Questions
1
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1
answers
612
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How easy is it to return to stock after rooting?
How difficult is it to go back to unrooted once you've rooted a device with Unrevoked?
How difficult is it to go back to unrooted once you've rooted a device with Unrevoked?
acmshar
Sep 13, 2010, 10:52 PM
• Last activity: Jul 31, 2025, 05:19 AM
-3
votes
1
answers
1595
views
Accidentally deleted WhatsApp without backup — any way to recover data without rooting? (Android 14, Samsung A53)
I accidentally uninstalled WhatsApp on my Samsung Galaxy A53 (running Android 14 / One UI 6) and unchecked "Keep app data" during the process. Unfortunately, I had neither a Google Drive backup nor a local WhatsApp backup at that time. However, about a month before this happened, I had created a Sam...
I accidentally uninstalled WhatsApp on my Samsung Galaxy A53 (running Android 14 / One UI 6) and unchecked "Keep app data" during the process. Unfortunately, I had neither a Google Drive backup nor a local WhatsApp backup at that time.
However, about a month before this happened, I had created a Samsung Smart Switch backup to my Mac. I explored the backup folder but couldn't find any com.whatsapp directory or .crypt14 database files, so it seems Smart Switch didn't include WhatsApp’s app data.
I am primarily looking to recover:
1. WhatsApp chat history
2. Photos, videos, and documents shared via WhatsApp
I would prefer to avoid rooting my device, but I am open to it only as a last resort. So far, I’ve encountered paid tools like Dr.Fone, iMyFone D-Back, and Tenorshare UltData, but I'm not sure if they can help me out.
Is there any realistic method to recover deleted WhatsApp data without rooting, especially using Smart Switch, or file recovery tools?
If not, what’s the safest and most effective way to proceed with rooting and data recovery?
Any guidance or verified success stories would be much appreciated.
Ayush Somani
(1 rep)
May 9, 2025, 11:57 AM
• Last activity: May 12, 2025, 05:30 AM
2
votes
0
answers
130
views
How run Android in an emulator without allowing apps to know that it is rooted?
I have tried only the android emulator in the android sdk, and waydroid until now. Apps installed into both say that they are running on a rooted device, what is right - having access to their image files I could actually do there what I want. However, I would be more happy to run seamlessly also th...
I have tried only the android emulator in the android sdk, and waydroid until now.
Apps installed into both say that they are running on a rooted device, what is right - having access to their image files I could actually do there what I want.
However, I would be more happy to run seamlessly also them.
Is there a solution, ideally free but also paid might be fine, where I can execute these apps and they do not know that the phone is "rooted"?
peterh
(1176 rep)
Apr 7, 2025, 06:01 PM
• Last activity: Apr 7, 2025, 09:28 PM
0
votes
0
answers
51
views
Unroot Samsung Galaxy Tab Active2 previously used in a company
I was recently given Samsung Galaxy Tab Active2 by a friend, who said it was given to him by his job. When he left, the boss said he could keep the tablet as it was an older model. The tablet is rooted in the company software, and his credentials were disabled, so I can't log in. The software automa...
I was recently given Samsung Galaxy Tab Active2 by a friend, who said it was given to him by his job. When he left, the boss said he could keep the tablet as it was an older model.
The tablet is rooted in the company software, and his credentials were disabled, so I can't log in. The software automatically starts up as soon as it is turned on, and I'm unable to access Android settings as the software has disabled that. However, I'm able to get into recovery mode.
How would I remove the rooted software and revert it to a normal Android tablet for everyday use?
Miku Shion Hatsune
(1 rep)
Jan 6, 2025, 06:04 AM
• Last activity: Jan 7, 2025, 02:44 AM
1
votes
0
answers
113
views
Does boot image get updated with build updates?
This [article](https://android.gadgethacks.com/how-to/first-10-things-do-after-rooting-your-phone-0384195/) talks about saving a copy of your stock boot image. It was last updated in 2021. > So as you might imagine, if you ever want to **unroot**, you'll need to re-flash the stock version of your bo...
This [article](https://android.gadgethacks.com/how-to/first-10-things-do-after-rooting-your-phone-0384195/) talks about saving a copy of your stock boot image. It was last updated in 2021.
> So as you might imagine, if you ever want to **unroot**, you'll need to re-flash the stock version of your boot image. Since you just downloaded a copy of that stock boot image before you patched it and flashed it, now's the time to stash it away for future use.
Is this valid? If I ever decide to unroot, can't I download the official build image again from Lineage OS website?
It may be a different version by then and work differently, isn't it? Or, **as you update your build version, any changes to the boot image get applied as well**, or is the boot image not affected by OS updates?
And on the other end, should I store the patched version of the boot image if I am currently running it for superuser privileges?
Kamil
(39 rep)
Oct 24, 2024, 01:55 PM
0
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1
answers
137
views
Will unrooting an Android phone remove the virtual RAM created while rooted?
I have a 4yr old phone and it's CPU processor can take up to 6GB RAM, but I have the model with 3GB of RAM and it's somewhat slow in doing some tasks that are high demanding. So, after I root the phone using Magisk and use Roehsoft RAM Expander and my SD card to expand it to 6GB RAM, if I unroot my...
I have a 4yr old phone and it's CPU processor can take up to 6GB RAM, but I have the model with 3GB of RAM and it's somewhat slow in doing some tasks that are high demanding. So, after I root the phone using Magisk and use Roehsoft RAM Expander and my SD card to expand it to 6GB RAM, if I unroot my phone back, will the virtual RAM still remain or will it get left behind?
Adekunle Goodness
(28 rep)
Nov 30, 2023, 11:42 AM
• Last activity: Nov 30, 2023, 04:18 PM
0
votes
1
answers
193
views
Unroot hacked Xiaomi Poco C40
My Xiaomi Poco C40 was hacked and rooted by a stranger. How to restore to factory settings?
My Xiaomi Poco C40 was hacked and rooted by a stranger. How to restore to factory settings?
Macan
Nov 29, 2023, 11:13 AM
• Last activity: Nov 29, 2023, 03:20 PM
1
votes
2
answers
1738
views
Android device ID while unrooting phone
If I perform below steps, 1. I root Android phone, 2. From third party apps available on Play Store, I change 16 digit Android device id(Let say from **aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa** to **bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb**) 3. And then again unroot the phonne. Will unrooting the phone also change Android device id again or it...
If I perform below steps,
1. I root Android phone,
2. From third party apps available on Play Store, I change 16 digit Android device id(Let say from **aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa** to **bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb**)
3. And then again unroot the phonne.
Will unrooting the phone also change Android device id again or it will remain bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb only?
Thanks in advance.
Spectra Testing
(13 rep)
Nov 3, 2018, 04:25 AM
• Last activity: Jun 12, 2023, 01:19 PM
0
votes
0
answers
237
views
How can i tell if my phone has ever been rooted?
Banking apps can be not running when they think the phone is not safe even the phone is “not” rooted . And factory reset or OTA update after rooting can make root access botched. Just like unrooting phone. So root checker apps can’t detect rooting after factory reset. Then can i tell whether my phon...
Banking apps can be not running when they think the phone is not safe even the phone is “not” rooted .
And factory reset or OTA update after rooting can make root access botched. Just like unrooting phone. So root checker apps can’t detect rooting after factory reset.
Then can i tell whether my phone has ever been rooted before factory reset without checking knox?
(Cuz broken knox doesnt necessarily mean rooting.)
My phone is reset . Root checking apps say its not rooted. But banking apps dont work.
Is thery any way to check..?
user381864
Dec 8, 2022, 07:34 AM
4
votes
3
answers
7372
views
Formating and reinstaling OS on Galaxy S4
Someone put CyanogenMod on my T-Mobile Galaxy S4. So I tried to unroot and return to the original by watching [this Youtube video](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEJSv9MrVAg) and using this method.This is what I have gotten from the phone: Odin Mode Product Name: SGH: M919 Current Binary: Custom Sys...
Someone put CyanogenMod on my T-Mobile Galaxy S4. So I tried to unroot and return to the original by watching [this Youtube video](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEJSv9MrVAg) and using this method.This is what I have gotten from the phone:
Odin Mode
Product Name: SGH: M919
Current Binary: Custom
System Status: Custom
Knox Kernel Lock: 0X0
Knox Warranty Void: 0X1
Write protection: Enable
eMMC Bust: Mode: Enable
Start [224, 1440] in red
SW REV. CHECK FAIL : fused : 4, Binary: 1 in red.
On the PC screen, in red, it says **Fail!**
In the message box, the last line read: All threads completed: (succeed 0 / failed 1).
Now I tried to reboot the phone, I got the same Odin Mode thing plus:
CSB-CONFIG-LSB: 0X30 minus the two lines in red.
In the middle of the screen, a phone, a yellow triangle with an ! mark in the center, a PC screen.
Below says: "Firmware upgrade encountered an issue. please select recovery mode in Kies & try again."
I have no phone now. I know I didnt reset binary flash. So people told me to format and reinstall the OS. Please help me to go back to stock version.
user51787
(41 rep)
Jan 27, 2014, 02:19 AM
• Last activity: Nov 10, 2022, 07:05 PM
1
votes
1
answers
784
views
Root to set a battery limit and unroot again?
I dont have any practical experience with rooting my phone. There is one thing that's been bugging me for a very long time: I need to be able to set a charging limit on my Pixel 2 since I dont feel like replacing the battery soon and destroying the water resistance. My question is: if I root and set...
I dont have any practical experience with rooting my phone. There is one thing that's been bugging me for a very long time: I need to be able to set a charging limit on my Pixel 2 since I dont feel like replacing the battery soon and destroying the water resistance.
My question is: if I root and set a charging limit and unroot again, will this setting be erased? As I said, I am not too familiar with the risks of having my OS more vulnerable towards viruses, thus the only thing I want to do is to set the battery charging limit and then just go back to unroot.
Thanks,
Alex
Alex
(11 rep)
Nov 6, 2019, 02:57 PM
• Last activity: May 29, 2022, 10:07 AM
1
votes
0
answers
91
views
Android admin/root privilege without voiding warranty?
is it possible to enable root without voiding warranty, at least for temporarily so power users can change hidden settings, access to root files for backup or customisation purposes etc and then disable root when needed? I think that would be great to have root/unroot option builtin on android like...
is it possible to enable root without voiding warranty, at least for temporarily so power users can change hidden settings, access to root files for backup or customisation purposes etc and then disable root when needed? I think that would be great to have root/unroot option builtin on android like enabling/disabling developer options. Otherwise it takes extra time to root/unroot a device with 3rd party tools and has risks of bricking device, voiding warranty etc?
Having root/unroot option would be really good for many power users and developers out there. Cheers
devmet34
(21 rep)
Mar 5, 2022, 09:46 PM
• Last activity: Apr 29, 2022, 11:50 PM
0
votes
3
answers
1538
views
Rooting failed, superSU remains
I tried to root my Galaxy Core 2 Duos using Kingo root, which installed SuperSU. Unfortunately rooting failed all of a sudden, but still SuperSU remains. How can I remove SuperSU from my device?
I tried to root my Galaxy Core 2 Duos using Kingo root, which installed SuperSU. Unfortunately rooting failed all of a sudden, but still SuperSU remains.
How can I remove SuperSU from my device?
Maaiz
(1 rep)
Mar 15, 2015, 09:58 AM
• Last activity: Feb 26, 2022, 01:03 PM
0
votes
1
answers
2147
views
How to unroot and remove a custom kernal on android
I have had my Samsung s5 mini (G800F) for some time now and am looking to sell it. I rooted the phone and used a custom kernal that allowed OTG support for the phone. How do I remove the root and the kernal to the absolute original state? (very simple instructions would be helpful - I'm a noob with...
I have had my Samsung s5 mini (G800F) for some time now and am looking to sell it. I rooted the phone and used a custom kernal that allowed OTG support for the phone.
How do I remove the root and the kernal to the absolute original state?
(very simple instructions would be helpful - I'm a noob with android :D)
AGanz
(11 rep)
Dec 3, 2015, 04:14 PM
• Last activity: Feb 24, 2022, 02:06 AM
0
votes
1
answers
2184
views
Unrooting Nvidia Shield Tablet
I have rooted my Nvidia Shield Tablet successfully, using [this guide][1]. It installs CWM recovery, and I have also installed Link2SD. I am not planning on unrooting it now but if I wanted to then how would I do this, removing root and cwm recovery, without losing any data? Also would I have to get...
I have rooted my Nvidia Shield Tablet successfully, using this guide .
It installs CWM recovery, and I have also installed Link2SD.
I am not planning on unrooting it now but if I wanted to then how would I do this, removing root and cwm recovery, without losing any data?
Also would I have to get rid of Link2SD as well, and how would I move all my apps back if so?
G12350
(51 rep)
Jul 25, 2015, 07:57 AM
• Last activity: Feb 20, 2022, 12:01 PM
0
votes
1
answers
1644
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Can't remove Half-root caused by KingoRoot
I have a Huawei AT&T Fusion 3 (Y536A1) with Android 4.4.3 which I attempted to root with KingoRoot but it ended up giving me a half-root after testing it with the Freedom app. I tried uninstalling it using the KingoRoot Superuser, but it just deletes the Superuser app and restarts but doesn't delete...
I have a Huawei AT&T Fusion 3 (Y536A1) with Android 4.4.3 which I attempted to root with KingoRoot but it ended up giving me a half-root after testing it with the Freedom app.
I tried uninstalling it using the KingoRoot Superuser, but it just deletes the Superuser app and restarts but doesn't delete the root itself. I tried manually deleting the su files (with Root Explorer and ES File Explorer), but I don't have the right permissions to do so. I also tried using SuperSU but the binaries always failed to update and when I tried full unroot it still didn't unroot. I also tried to install KingRoot over KingoRoot but it said that it couldn't root (even though the device is compatible).
How do I remove this half root so I can fully root?
kprovost7314
(99 rep)
Nov 27, 2016, 11:07 PM
• Last activity: Jan 24, 2022, 10:01 AM
0
votes
1
answers
1906
views
Will a factory reset unroot Android?
If I do a factory reset on a rooted Samsung/Android phone will it remove the root? Factory reset will return the phone to its out-of-the-box state, right?
If I do a factory reset on a rooted Samsung/Android phone will it remove the root? Factory reset will return the phone to its out-of-the-box state, right?
mario8
Jan 20, 2022, 05:26 PM
• Last activity: Jan 20, 2022, 09:45 PM
0
votes
1
answers
1150
views
Unroot phone without root access
I remember rooting my LG G3 like two years ago with Stump Root. Now I don't use root anymore. My bank app doesn't work because my phone is rooted. Now I want to remove root from my phone. I found out that I can remove root access from my phone when I remove the su binaries from the phone. I download...
I remember rooting my LG G3 like two years ago with Stump Root. Now I don't use root anymore. My bank app doesn't work because my phone is rooted. Now I want to remove root from my phone. I found out that I can remove root access from my phone when I remove the su binaries from the phone. I downloaded ES Explorer to do so. ES Explorer told me that I don't have root access. Now I can't remove the su binaries.
How do I unroot my phone now? And why thinks my bank app that I have root even though ES Explorer and root checker both tell me that I don't have root access?
Aaronmacaron
(101 rep)
Apr 17, 2017, 11:50 AM
• Last activity: Dec 19, 2021, 12:04 AM
18
votes
4
answers
204475
views
How to re-lock Android bootloader?
I've unlocked my Nexus 5 by using CF-Auto-Root. I want to undo my actions and return the device to its original state: unrooted and locked. How can I do this?
I've unlocked my Nexus 5 by using CF-Auto-Root. I want to undo my actions and return the device to its original state: unrooted and locked.
How can I do this?
Kebin Liu
(333 rep)
Dec 6, 2013, 01:32 PM
• Last activity: Nov 28, 2021, 01:23 AM
1
votes
0
answers
218
views
Soft bricked my Samsung Galaxy j2 Prime. I need help!
First of all, I must clarify I'm not tech savy, I have some really basic knowledge but it's the same as nothing. I will do however try to follow up. **The problem:** I followed [this guide][1] on how to quickly and effortlessly root my Samsung J2 Prime G532M. What I ended up getting was that [system...
First of all, I must clarify I'm not tech savy, I have some really basic knowledge but it's the same as nothing. I will do however try to follow up.
**The problem:**
I followed this guide on how to quickly and effortlessly root my Samsung J2 Prime G532M. What I ended up getting was that 
, making my device inaccesible through home screen, slowing it down and making it almost unusable.
I have looked into tutorials but I just get completely lost, and *all of them require to wipe all data, which I really don't want to*. In case it's not possible, how do I know which one of these stock firmware will work on my device?
**The main goal**
Is it possible to restore my firmware to how it was before without loosing my data? I didn't do a firmware backup because the tutorial never mentioned to.
I tried moving files to my PC from a USB cable, but most folders appear as empty when they clearly shouldn't (my Whatsapp stickers folders for example)
, making my device inaccesible through home screen, slowing it down and making it almost unusable.
I have looked into tutorials but I just get completely lost, and *all of them require to wipe all data, which I really don't want to*. In case it's not possible, how do I know which one of these stock firmware will work on my device?
**The main goal**
Is it possible to restore my firmware to how it was before without loosing my data? I didn't do a firmware backup because the tutorial never mentioned to.
I tried moving files to my PC from a USB cable, but most folders appear as empty when they clearly shouldn't (my Whatsapp stickers folders for example)
Cristóbal
(11 rep)
Nov 19, 2021, 06:43 PM
• Last activity: Nov 19, 2021, 06:56 PM
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