[Galaxy Tab S2 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] phduhblog:
How to Root Samsung Tab S2 T817T (Step-By-Step Guide)

Obligatory notices

This procedure is only for the Samsung Tab S2 SM-T817T

Performing any of the operations in this post risks bricking your device

Performing any of the operations in this post will irreversibly void your warranty

Performing any of the operations in this post will irreversibly trip Knox and make it unusable for Samsung Pay (and any other features which require Knox)

I am not using a SIM card with my device, so I have no idea how this procedure will impact that functionality. People on the XDA thread (xdaforums.com/tab-s2/help/sm-t817t-root-t3206079) where I pieced together these instructions from suggested that the SIM card still works for mobile data. UPDATE: Later in this thread people have confirmed that mobile data DOES work after rooting. Yay!

Introduction

OK, so a brief story of how/why I was forced to figure this method out. I found a listing on eBay for the Samsung Tab S2 T810N, paid $300 for it and received it into my impatient hands. Without checking the specific version of the tab I push right into the rooting procedure I had thoroughly researched for the T810N. Suddenly my tablet is in a bootloop and I am panicking that it is ruined. In the recovery mode I see that I have the T817T. Anger towards the seller aside, I frantically research how to recover the T817T. There is virtually no documentation for this procedure, so I am forced to mix-and-match. After about 5 hours, the tablet is finally up, running, and rooted!

TL;DR - verify your model number before attempting root

Files

All the files can be found here (drive.google.com/folderview?id=0BxPb6XhrMsaoa01zdjVUVWMzQWs&usp=sharing). Let me explain what each file is:

T817TUVS2AOL1_T817TTMB2AOL1_TMB.zip (drive.google.com/file/d/0BxPb6XhrMsaoeGpmbnRoeFA5MUU/view?usp=sharing) - This is an Android 5.1.1 image for Samsung Tab S2 T817T. You may not even need this, but just in case. If you use this, unzip the file to get the .md5 file!

SAMSUNG_USB_Driver_for_Mobile_Phones_v1.5.51.0.exe (drive.google.com/file/d/0BxPb6XhrMsaoc09qNm41OFhKLWc/view?usp=sharing) - Necessary Windows drivers for Samsung devices. Install this!

Odin3_v3.10.6.zip (drive.google.com/file/d/0BxPb6XhrMsaoLWtkek9UYWZGNGM/view?usp=sharing) - A flashing tool for Windows. Unzip these files!

twrp_2.8.7.1_LL_5.1.1_t810.tar (drive.google.com/file/d/0BxPb6XhrMsaoN0N6V3JzX290aGc/view?usp=sharing) - This is a custom recovery tool for Android. Although designed for the T810 series, it does work on the T817T. Do not untar these files!

Tab_S2_t817T_boot.zip (drive.google.com/file/d/0BxPb6XhrMsaob0hyME0zV2EtSnc/view?usp=sharing) - A custom bootloader for the T817T which is required to root. Do not unzip these files!

BETA-SuperSU-v2.52.zip (drive.google.com/file/d/0BxPb6XhrMsaoNk9uWkxRZ0wwTE0/view?usp=sharing) - A newer version of SuperSu which works on the T817T. Do not unzip these files!

Preparation

Download all the files above. Install, unzip, and untar (or not) as instructed.

Settings -> About device - Verify that you have the SM-T817T

Settings -> About device - Verify that you are running Android 5.1.1

Backup all your files, contacts, apps, etc.

Verify that your device has at least 80% charge

Rooting Procedure

(OPTIONAL) Flash Android 5.1.1 image.

This step is not necessarily required. If you are running Android 5.1.1, then you should be fine. However, this is what I had to do, since I got into a bootloop by not checking my version number first (yes, stupid me). Further, if you have any errors or issues below you absolutely will need to perform this step to recover and restart the rooting procedure. Anyway:

Turn off your tablet

Boot into 'download mode' by holding POWER + VOLUME DOWN + HOME. Verify by pressing VOLUME UP

Run program Odin3 v3.10.7.exe

Plug your device to the computer with a USB cable

Verify that Odin message window states "<ID:#/###> Added!!"

Click the "AP" button in Odin and select T817TUVS2AOL1_T817TTMB2AOL1_T817TUVS2AOL1_HOME.tar.md5 file

Press "Start" button and wait for Green "PASS" message to appear. This will take a long time since this is a large file

Your device will automatically reboot

Perform basic setup procedures on Android so that you can access the Settings menu

From this point onward your must perform every step in the exact order as stated. Not doing so seriously risks putting your device into a bootloop or bricking it. You should be able to recover from that, but still...

Enable developer options:

Settings -> About device - click on "Build number" like 10 times until "Developer options" are enabled and button is added to Settings menu

Settings -> Developer options - enable:

Developer options - ON

OEM unlock - ON

USB debugging - ON

Flash TWRP recovery software:

Turn off your tablet

Boot into 'download mode' by holding POWER + VOLUME DOWN + HOME. Verify by pressing VOLUME UP

Run program Odin3 v3.10.7.exe

Plug your device to the computer with a USB cable

Verify that Odin message window states "<ID:#/###> Added!!"

Click the "AP" button in Odin and select twrp_2.8.7.1_LL_5.1.1_t810.tar (drive.google.com/file/d/0BxPb6XhrMsaoN0N6V3JzX290aGc/view?usp=sharing) file

Press "Start" button and wait for Green "PASS" message to appear

Your device will automatically reboot, verify that the tablet boots properly

Copy bootloader and SuperSu to tablet:

With your tablet on, attach it to your computer with a USB cable

Navigate to the root directory of the tablet storage

Copy Tab_S2_t817T_boot.zip (drive.google.com/file/d/0BxPb6XhrMsaob0hyME0zV2EtSnc/view?usp=sharing) and BETA-SuperSU-v2.52.zip (drive.google.com/file/d/0BxPb6XhrMsaoNk9uWkxRZ0wwTE0/view?usp=sharing) files to the root directory

Detach tablet from your computer

Flash custom bootloader with TWRP:

Turn off your tablet

Boot into 'recovery mode' by holding POWER + VOLUME UP + HOME

Select "Install"

Select Tab_S2_t817T_boot.zip and click "Install"

Verify install with slider

STOP HERE!!! READ THE NEXT STEPS CAREFULLY!!!

TWRP will now offer to install SuperSu for you. DON'T DO IT!! Doing this will cause your tablet to bootloop because it is not the right version of SuperSu

Decline the SuperSu installation and restart your tablet

Verify that the tablet boots properly

REPEAT "Flash TWRP recovery software:" instructions.

This is a necessary step. Without it your tablet will go into a bootloop and you will need to start the root procedure over. Weird, I know. Just do it.

Flash SuperSu with TWRP:

Turn off your tablet

Boot into 'recovery mode' by holding POWER + VOLUME UP + HOME

Select "Install"

Select BETA-SuperSU-v2.52.zip and click "Install"

Verify install with slider

Reboot the tablet

DONE! Assuming your tablet boots properly your should now be rooted and see the SuperSu app installed on your tablet.

Recovery

If you need to recover from some error you will need to start over completely. Use the Android 5.1.1 image file T817TUVS2AOL1_T817TTMB2AOL1_TMB.zip (same as above) to perform this. You can also use this Android image to restore the device to an unrooted version. This will not restore your warranty or Knox.

Extras

To get rid of the pesky KNOX security notification which will persist, use a program like ROM Toolbox Lite (play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.jrummy.liberty.toolbox&hl=en). In the App Manager select the following apps and 'freeze' them:

SecurityLogAgent 4.1.4 (this one is critical to freeze!)

KNOX 2.3.0

KNOX 2.3.1

KNOX II 2.3.0

KNOX SetupWizardClient 2.3.0

KnoxFolderContainer 2.4.0

To get rid of the "No SIM card inserted" notification (if you aren't using a SIM card) use the build.Prop Editor in ROM Toolbox Lite. Add the following entry:

Property Name: ro.config.donot_nosim

Property Value: 1

Conclusions

I put this guide together for people who are having trouble finding a simple and easy-to-follow guide for rooting the T817T. Hopefully this can save you a number of frustrating and worrisome hours (not that rooting your Android device is ever a calm undertaking).

Please let me know if there are any errors in the procedure or if you have any suggestions regarding the steps or presentation of the material. Enjoy being a super-user!

Original content: blog.mchristian.co/blogs/post/How-to-Root-Samsung-Tab-S2-T817T/