yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Samsung Galaxy Tab S8] Techguy777:
You can use Magisk delta I personally like it better because he fixes the mistakes topjohnwu makes. Its also better for hiding root I thought but I dont need that. I would use 26301 canary thats what I am using. You can install and switch in magisk delta manager and then you give it root permission and install with the install same as if you were updating magisk in the manager app. The latest canary 26404 might work but on my poco f3 it wouldn't allow termux SU permission so I have just avoided it.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab S8] skrowl:
I'm also waiting on a confirmed solid working Magisk (or Magisk Delta) version (with working root hiding for Netflix, etc) before I update my tablet to Android 14. There's not much upside to it, honestly, so I'm OK with staying on 13 forever if necessary.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab S8] hasenbein1966:
I now have a Galaxy Tab S8 with Android 13 on it.

Because I want to use GMD Gesture Control, I want to downgrade to Android 12.

The bootloader is unlocked, and OEM Unlocking and USB Debugging are both checked in Developer Options.

All my attempts to flash the last Android 12 version (X700XXS2AVJ4) with Odin, whether with unmodified AP or with the Magisk-patched version I made, fail.

The tablet complains "SW REV CHECK FAIL".

Is it not possible to downgrade from A13 to A12? Or do I just have to do something different??
[Samsung Galaxy Tab S8] skrowl:
The 5th character from the end of the firmware will tell you the SW Version number. You can only flash the same or higher SW Version number as what you're currently on.

That said, at least for XAR version, the Android 14 build and the latest Android 13 build are both SW version 5, so you should be able to downgrade. Make sure you have the latest Android 13 build with the 5th to last charcter "5" and it should allow it.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab S8] hasenbein1966:
Then I am out of luck. I am on one of the later Android 13 builds which have the SW version 3, and I can't downgrade to an Android 12 build which all have SW version 2... sigh!
[Samsung Galaxy Tab S8] cajolino:
Hello,

Mine is now out or warranty so I now want to root it. With my current version, is there a working path to rooting?

Thank you
[Samsung Galaxy Tab S8] sosimple:
I'm exactly to the same boat..

:)
[Samsung Galaxy Tab S8] ChrisDos:
I have a S8U that has been working fine with root and I have not been updating it, well, because it works.

I am Android 12 and build SP1A.210812.016.X900XXU1AVCD

Reading a couple of pages back, should I just stay where I am or upgrade to Android 14?

I just downloaded the latest firmware: SM-X900_2_20231207003840_dljxtf9789

Right now, after reading a bit, I'm thinking I'll stay where I am. Thoughts?
[Samsung Galaxy Tab S8] gggirlgeek:
Can someone please confirm whether Android 14, OneUI 6 is rootable for S8 tabs, please. I haven't found anyone saying they've done it successfully. Thank you.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab S8] skrowl:
At least 2 people on this thread said they've done it, literally 1 page back:

Root Guide for Galaxy Tab S8/S8+/S8Ultra

See post #3 for in depth guide ! ->insert usual general disclaimer of liability Required: Odin3_v3.14.1 flash tool Samsung USB Driver installed Frija or something else, to download stock files 7zip or similar 1: Unlock bootloader (will wipe...

xdaforums.com

Root Guide for Galaxy Tab S8/S8+/S8Ultra

See post #3 for in depth guide ! ->insert usual general disclaimer of liability Required: Odin3_v3.14.1 flash tool Samsung USB Driver installed Frija or something else, to download stock files 7zip or similar 1: Unlock bootloader (will wipe...

xdaforums.com

Try it using my root guide on page 1 of the thread and let us know your results here. If you're feeling spicy you could try Magisk Delta https://github.com/HuskyDG/magisk-files/releases as it's a little newer.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab S8] sosimple:
Thanks to everybody creating the guides here.. Just rooted my s8 ultra. Everything worked OK. Perhaps the only little missing in the list , was after flashing in odin and tablet restarted, didn't boot and go to a menu which gave an error message , giving the option to delete data , factory reset, something like this. I did it, rebooted and this time booted normally. Just had to install Magick app again.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab S8] skrowl:
If that happened, you probably accidentally flashed HOME_CSC...tar.md5. On the first time rooting a device, you must flash CSC...tar.md5 (which does a full wipe). There is no way to go from unrooted to rooted without wiping.

Just to confirm, can you tell us or post a screenshot of your Android / One UI version? A lot of people are waiting on some successful rooting stories before they try to root their devices on Android 14.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab S8] sosimple:
Android 14, one ui 6.0 tab s8 ultra European model wifi. I believe i flashed the correct file, as i was looking at the guide and following carefully exactly for not doing anything wrong. And i know the difference between the 2, i have flashed many many times. But i can't be 100% sure now.

Anyway that's because im posting it. If the same happens to anyone else, it still will work fine. You just have to delete everything there. The guide is excellent, very helpful. Thank to all again!
[Samsung Galaxy Tab S8] RagManX:
Thanks for this guide/explanation, @skrowl and @Vinsang. Just wanted to let folks know, in case anyone else ends up here from the Tab S9 forum like I did, that the detailed guide in post #3 on page 1 also works for the Tab S9+ running the Nov. 1, 2023 Security Patch Level. Just use SM-X810 instead of SM-X700 for your firmware download.

As noted above, there is no way to go unrooted to rooted without a wipe, so make sure you've at least backed up to the cloud to ease restoration of your files. Please let me know if there is any additional information/help anyone needs.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab S8] skrowl:
Updated my root guide on post #3 with current instructions for Android 14. Fully working including root hiding for Netflix / etc!
[Samsung Galaxy Tab S8] blinthor:
I just rooted Tab s8 (X700), Android 14 thanks to this guide. No problems, everything works. Thanks Skrowl.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab S8] filippesteam:
I finished the step from Odin on s8ultra, but now when it reboots enters in recovery with only "Try again, "Factory reset data" and "View recovery logs",

cause [init:1]

reason is [fs_mgr_mount_all:M02R]

[libfs_mgr] Failed to mount /sdcard: No such file or directory.

And in the last recovery log it says at the bottom

libc: Unable to set property "ro.boottime.init.mount.cache" to "0" error code: 0xb

Help pls :(

EDIT: I did it, I factory reset and Magisk was already pre-installed, I think now it's ok, thank you so much for the guide, my first time rooting anything

EDIT2: Netflix working too, so far I have as modules play integrity fix, shamiko and systemless hosts, thank you again for your time and making me happy
[Samsung Galaxy Tab S8] clydeng:
How to get Oneui 6.1 Guys? or just wait full Rom, thanks a lot
[Samsung Galaxy Tab S8] iloveco:
Can someone post the TWRP zip, tar or img file for Tab S8+ (gts8p)(x800)?
[Samsung Galaxy Tab S8] skrowl:
You can't get it until an update shows up on https://samfw.com/firmware/SM-X900/XAR etc with it. Once it comes out, just flash it as usual per my guide in post #3

EDIT - As of 13 May, X900XXU6CXE2 is up on the firmware sites, such as https://samfw.com/firmware/SM-X900/XAR/X900XXU6CXE2. It has OneUI 6.1.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab S8] umibuzu:
just used the tutoriel from skrowl to root my Tab s9 ultra, it was perfect. I got critical error after the installation, and got to do the reset factory. But after that, everything was okay. The hiding root works perfectly too.

Thank you very much!
[Samsung Galaxy Tab S8] hurray:
I updated also from Android 13 to Android 14 and have to do a factory reset.

I think the factory reset comes from the fact that under Android 13 I used a custom kernel and where unencrypted. I do not have a custom kernel for Android 14 and must use the original Samsung one which re-encrypts during the factory reset the data partition.

I made before the update a full backup with https://github.com/NeoApplications/Neo-Backup from all apps and their data which could restored without problems. I only restored user apps and no system apps!

So the current status is:

- root is running fine

- hiding root is working

- I have my user apps with their data back. :cool:

The only thing which is missing is TWRP but I can live with this as Neo Backup is enough for me for backing up my stuff.

@skrowl : Thank you very much for your nice manual! :)
[Samsung Galaxy Tab S8] shadowofdeth:
Didn't have to factory reset after updating from 13 to 14. I think I will anyway as it's a little choppy.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab S8] hypminds:
Will this work on the newest update that has A.I. build in?
[Samsung Galaxy Tab S8] sirob2077:
I had exactly the same problem after updating from OneUI 6.0 to OneUI 6.1 (AI) on my s8, but I managed to solve it without factory reset! Just make sure you add "CP" in Odin from the unpacked firmware archive, and flash it again, and it will fix the issue! It would be nice to add this to the top post, that if you have CP in your archive, never skip it!!
[Samsung Galaxy Tab S8] filippesteam:
Thank you for the input, maybe next week I ll update too
[Samsung Galaxy Tab S8] boomboxistheway:
Hi guys I bought a Galaxy Tab S9 FE 2nd hand just as new, after a couple of weeks I got the message popup from Samsung saying "this device is linked to incomplete trade in and will be locked in 72h"

I basically got screwed, more than a week later it still hasn't been locked.

would I get solve this problem and have it fully functional without it getting locked if I root it and reflash the firmware following this guide?

I'm aware it'll lose Knox fuse, but quite frankly I'd take it over ending up with a paperweight.

only issue is on developer options there is no OEM unlock, can it still be done? it's not that is greyed out, its completely missing from the dev menu.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab S8] basedbananas:
As of june 2024 NONE of this is necessary. Unlock bootloader in dev options, boot to download mode and finish unlocking bootloader. Then install Magisk app and direct install root method is available. Idk if this is new with new software updates or something but I spent all weekend finagling trying to download my firmware, only to soft brick. Finally got to patching the ap file and direct install was available 🫠

Edit to add device info : sm-x800 model xar region oneui 6.1
[Samsung Galaxy Tab S8] Gameafever:
Looking for twrp recovery.tar for sm-x700 gts8u tab s8

I'd appreciated
[Samsung Galaxy Tab S8] Ghisy:
Hi!

Any chance this method also works for the Tab S4? I'm running an older build of the OS and would like to update to the latest (which I believe is Android 11).

Thanks!
[Samsung Galaxy Tab S8] Silvock:
Hello,

I tried to update my tablet and keep root as usual.

Everything works well ... However my tablet is stuck in bootloop.

Does somebody can help to deal with my first softbrick ?

I didn't upload the CP file though Odin, this could be the cause of the problem?

Do you think relauch Odin with all the files will save my tablet?

Yes ! Problem Solved
[Samsung Galaxy Tab S8] Vinsang:
What CSC do you have currently? have you tried to flash EUX stock?
[Samsung Galaxy Tab S8] brunosilvauk:
This was the one I flashed this morning. Firmware downloaded from Sam mobile, seems to be the only one available.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab S8] Vinsang:
That's weird...

Sam mobile doesn't have the last updates it seems, probably won't change much but you could maybe try flashing X900XXU1AVCD/X900OXM1AVCD/X900XXU1AVCD instead of ***AA

with frija or on samfw
[Samsung Galaxy Tab S8] skrowl:
I uninstalled Netflix (which I had installed from .apk download), then tried this and it let me install netflix from Google Play Store, which is a step in the right direction. HOWEVER, it's not passing full Widevine / Netflix checks, because it's limiting me to SD maximum. YASNAC says Basic Integrity Pass, CTS Profile Pass, Evaluation Type BASIC.

Go into your netflix, menu, app settings, playback specifications and let me know if it shows you something like the attached.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab S8] SavXL:
Sorry for the late reply, but finally got around to reinstalling Netflix and trying this again. Not sure why your max resolution is SD, but mine shows full HD and Widewine L1. Did you make sure that everything on Netflix was enabled for the denylist and reboot? Does the Google play store say that your device is certified? Does your device say that it's current status is official rather than custom? Any if these variables could be the reason why your Netflix quality and Widewine level is so low.

Edit: Added the image showing full hd for max res and widewine level 1.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab S8] skrowl:
FYI after the root-hiding steps at the end of my guide, my S8 ultra was so confused that it offered me an OTA update to the ..AVCD firmware. I let it try, just for lols and the update immediately failed when it rebooted to start it, so I manually applied the rooted AVCD firmware.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab S8] roirraW "edor" ehT:
I would suggest going to Developer options and disabling Automatic updates. OTAs might (or might not) be offered if you manually check for updates, but as you found out, you shouldn't bother even trying to use OTAs anyway as that requires a non-modified device.

If you already knew all this, ignore me. :D
[Samsung Galaxy Tab S8] roirraW "edor" ehT:
@Vinsang & @skrowl This is mostly common knowledge, but I just tested to be sure on the S8 Ultra Wifi (SM-X900), and "OEM unlocking" wasn't even listed in "Developer options" until I connected my Wi-Fi for the first time.

...if either of you are inclined to add to your How To Guides.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab S8] skrowl:
I think I remember reading about how OEM Unlocking doesn't appear for the first 7 days after the device's first boot or something like that. Is that what you're talking about? Any way to bypass it?

EDIT - Below posts confirm the way to get the option to appear is simply connect to the internet and wait a few minutes. Post #3 updated with this information.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab S8] Vinsang:
He says that the option appeared only after being online.

I did have the option on on 1st day, as I unlocked the bootloader on day 1, as I thought I wouldn't have to wipe again to root my device.

Post #1 edited
[Samsung Galaxy Tab S8] roirraW "edor" ehT:
Exactly as @Vinsang said. I just received my device finally earlier today, and when I was doing the initial toggling of USB debugging and OEM unlocking, OEM unlocking didn't show up until I connected to my Wi-Fi (5G Ultra Wi-Fi model). I assume similar is true of a 5G version - I don't know if using the mobile data works for the same purpose - maybe - although if I had a 5G version, I'd stick with Wi-Fi in case the carrier's SIM has some unintended consequences before you unlock the bootloader, et cetera.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab S8] arlequin2k3:
Hello ,

Thank you for your help. Everything works
[Samsung Galaxy Tab S8] rappa619:
These are the steps I followed to get it working:

1. Didn't have Netflix currently installed

2. Enable Zygisk in Magisk settings, then reboot.

2. Enable Enforce DenyList in Magisk settings, then go to Configure DenyList.

3. Enable show system apps with the menu on the top-right, then search "google play services".

4. Enable DenyList for com.google.android.gms & com.google.android.gms.unstable (you have to expand the section under the play services to see the second thing), then enable it for Google play store for all of it's options, then reboot.

5. Download and install the latest version of the safetynet fix for zygisk module, then reboot.

6. Go to settings > apps, find google play service & google play store, clear data for both of them, reboot.

7. Go back into deny list and make sure both things are still enabled (mine had unchecked the play services one's)

8. Reboot again if it had become disabled

9. Go to play store, search for Netflix, install it, but don't open it.

10. Open Magisk > Configure DenyList, search for Netflix, enable DenyList for everything, reboot.

11. Wait for 1-2 mins after the reboot, then open Netflix and check that the full HD resolution is available this time and that it says L1 instead of L3.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab S8] TiTiB:
I don't even have this device (yet), but just wanted to post in appreciation of this *exquisite* guide!

It's not very often (ever?) that I laugh out loud while reading about technical stuff, but @Vinsang's OP made me chuckle several times. Also, @skrowl's post is just the kind of thing I wish other really-smart-guys-who-know-how-to-do-stuff-but-can't-be-bothered-with-communicating-knowledge-to-others would do.

I've been rooting for years, and even helped write the first rooting guide for the S5e (testing and editorial), so I know it takes a lot of 'extra' work to do right.

Much appreciated, and this will be the first place I visit when I, eventually, buy this tablet.

EDIT: Also your continued help/replies.

EDIT2: Is Google/Samsung account required? I do not have, nor want, either.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab S8] CrazyOldMaurice:
Wait, should I not update my device before I root it? Mine is coming in tomorrow, I gotta be sure I get it right.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab S8] Vinsang:
you can update and then root, I'm not sure about unlocking bootloader but i'd guess yes.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab S8] SavXL:
You can update it if you want, the process remains the same. You're going to get the latest firmware from frija or samfw or what have you. The only thing that sort of matters is if the firmware you're downloading is the latest one for your device. Is the the latest one? Cool, patch and flash away. Is it not the latest one? Still cool since the latest firmware will be available at some point, at which point you can proceed to patch and flash away, lol.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab S8] roirraW "edor" ehT:
Wah. Something in my Magisk'd (Stable 24.3) May XAR AP tar file must've been messed up for updating (originally rooted using April's firmware): Odin always got stuck on the dtbo.img.

I didn't seem to have any choice but to try the original AP tar.md5, and then everything flashed fine, but unfortunately I then it wouldn't recognize the data partition so I had to factory reset (I chose to just flash everything again using CSC instead of HOME_CSC).

Now I have to decide if I want to re-root it and potentially go through this again in the future. I wonder if I Magisk the stock AP tar.md5 more than once and compare the two resulting tar files if they would come out 100% the same. I may do some tests. If they would normally be a 100% match, for every update I might have to do that and make sure that both Magisk'd copies of the AR tar file are the same, therefore nothing should be corrupted.

Edit: I could also, at minimum, just try opening the AP tar file with 7-Zip. The one that didn't work interestingly *only* displays the dtbo.img.lz4 file as the contents, whereas opening last month's AP tar file I still have displays everything as normal.

Edit 2: It does appear I can use 7-Zip's Test Archive function as well - it's correctly identifying which AP tar is good and which isn't.

Edit 3: I can always be even more paranoid and check hashes between the original AP tar.md5 on my PC to the one I copied to the tablet. :)
[Samsung Galaxy Tab S8] CrazyOldMaurice:
I followed the guide to the letter, but after ODIN said PASS and it rebooted, I got stuck in a loop of this.

Edit: I was able to get it back in download mode, but I'm not sure what to do from here.

Edit 2: Stupid me, I used the home csc, not the normal one.

Edit 3: I got it to boot, but I still get the message from the first step.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab S8] CrazyOldMaurice:
Seperate subject so seperate post, sorry if that's not allowed: I can't seem to find Google Play in the Denylist.

Edit: Bye bye everyone, I'm off to kindergarten to learn how to read properly.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab S8] SavXL:
You have to go to the menu on the top right and enable show system apps. If that doesn't show it, then enable both show system apps and show os apps.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab S8] SavXL:
Did you ever end up getting Netflix to give you WVL1 and full hd playback? I may have some tips for you in case you haven't yet.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab S8] skrowl:
Nah, I gave up. Google Play Store says device is certified and YASNAC says Pass Pass Basic, but Netflix for some reason is limiting me to Widevine L3 / low def.

I haven't applied ..AVD6 firmware yet. Maybe that will change something.

EDIT - Applied AVD6. Same result. Google Play store and YASNAC look good, Netflix limiting. Upon double-checking the two options for Google Play Services are unchecked in Enforce Deny List after every reboot, even though I checked them. I assume that's part of the problem.

EDIT 2 - I found in other threads that Google Play Services auto-unchecking is an expected result of having the Universal SafetyNet Fix module installed and running.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab S8] roirraW "edor" ehT:
How about the MagiskHidePropsConf Magisk Module (and reboot)? I don't use streaming apps, and I don't know if it can help any, but I've been using it on both my Tab S8 Ultra and Google Pixel 6 Pro.

I do see in the Current fingerprints list there are no Tab S8 models listed. Maybe submitting it would help.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab S8] skrowl:
Installing that seems to have made matters worse. YASNAC no longer shows a CTS profile match pass with that module enabled.

EDIT - Installed a terminal emulator from f-droid, ran

props

from it and changed my device fingerprint to a Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+. YASNAC passing, google play store no longer showing device certified, Netflix still low def. Good try though!
[Samsung Galaxy Tab S8] roirraW "edor" ehT:
Whoops! Weird, everything is passing and certified for me with that module on the Tab S8 Ultra. I'll triple-check later.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab S8] roirraW "edor" ehT:
Confirmed, I'm passing everything everywhere with the MagiskHidePropsConf module plus the others.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab S8] CrazyOldMaurice:
I seem to be unable to install most Google Play Pass games, a good deal of other games, mostly paid, and for some reason I can't even attempt to change the version of Google Play I'm using, but I think uninstalling it before making the change would fix that.

I'm getting error code 7. It just says it can't download.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab S8] roirraW "edor" ehT:
I apologize for suggesting simple things, but just in case you haven't tried them, have you tried rebooting? Try clearing Google Play app cache and data and then rebooting? In the YASNAC app "Run SafetyNet Attestation", you pass both Basic integrity and CTS profile match? In the Play Store app / profile picture / Settings / About, "Play Protect certification" says "Device is certified"?
[Samsung Galaxy Tab S8] CrazyOldMaurice:
The only one I hadn't done was checking the Play Protect Certification. Which it is certified, so sadly there's no hope there.

I also screwed around now with installing different play store versions and of course clearing cache and data from Play Services. I think this could've made it worse though? I have titanium backup, but I was careless and frustrated, and didn't backup the stock Google Play for Tab S8, do you have an APK for that or a way to get one?

Not that it would likely fix my problem, on several versions of Google Play, I've noticed something odd. Some of the Play Pass apps actually do download, but others don't. So like Basketball Story from Kairosoft downloads, but Iron Marines and Monument Valley doesn't.

Edit: I notice if I try to download multiple things and at least one of them is of the group that give the error code, it crashes Google Play.

Edit 2: I managed to glitch download Northgard when I was messing around with non modded Google plays, but when I open it, it crashes.

What do I mean by glitch download? Well once it downloaded, I was unable to open that version of the Play Store again.