yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Kerem48:
Bu yöntem samsung galaxy tab a 2019 sm-t297 için çalışacak mı çünkü anladığım kadarıyla yazılım aynı, sm-t290 global bir versiyonken sm-t297'nin TR versiyonu frimiware indiriyor ve yanında TR yazıyor.

Mod Edit: English Translation Below

Will this method work for samsung galaxy tab a 2019 sm-t297 because as far as I understand the software is the same, sm-t290 is a global version while TR version of sm-t297 downloads frimiware and it says TR next to it.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Minionguyjpro:
English please.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Minionguyjpro:
It might work on that model, but I am not sure. I can't test as I only have an SM-T290.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] ajaysing:
I have smt290 I thought I could root it or flash custom firmware but it was already on latest bootloader 😭😭, I really wanted a lightweight daily use tablet because on latest firmware it's so laggy , even using it is disaster , I have tried all non root method like debloat but still no use , if there is any way to root it on latest firmware please tell me.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Skycreedph:
OEM IS GONE how do i fix it
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] V0latyle:
Is this a T290 or T295?

Perform a factory reset, skip through setup wizard, connect to the Internet, check for a software update (no need to actually download and install), then enable Developer Options and see if the OEM Unlocking toggle is there.

If not, disconnect from the Internet and manually set your time ahead 1 week.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Skycreedph:
T-295 im trying samFwtool maybe later

im trying this one https://xdaforums.com/t/twrp-root-w...a-8-0-2019-updated-25-september-2023.4250193/

im on android 11

can you help me with oem unlock I've been trying to fix this issue for over 1 year
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] V0latyle:
Try what I described above.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Skycreedph:
I have the latest android 11.

"Perform a factory reset, skip through setup wizard, connect to the Internet, check for a software update (no need to actually download and install), then enable Developer Options and see if the OEM Unlocking toggle is there.

If not, disconnect from the Internet and manually set your time ahead 1 week."

I tried this before. but it still didn't work.

edit: i tried it again stil ldidnt work
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] V0latyle:
Unfortunately I don't think there's a solution. You can try downgrading the firmware but I don't know whether that will help, as you can only downgrade to the same binary version
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Skycreedph:
okay iwill downgrade and root it thanks
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Skycreedph:
Should i try adb command fastboot oem unlock? But i haven't try downgrading the firmware
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] V0latyle:
Samsung devices don't have fastboot; unlocking the bootloader is done via a menu similar to Download Mode.

Instructions

The first step is to enable OEM Unlocking. If you are unable to do this, you cannot unlock the bootloader.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Glitch31415:
Just tried this on my tablet, everything looks like it worked, but now it's just stuck on the "SAMSUNG" loading screen. It was like this for about 5 minutes when I flashed the CVG3 version to the tablet (because before it was an earlier version), but it eventually started up. This time, it's been stuck for 15-30 minutes and nothing has changed. Any ideas? It's an SM-T290.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Minionguyjpro:
Try formatting and/or wiping the DATA partition. It will wipe your data, but it could fix issues like this.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Glitch31415:
I ended up just loading LineageOS which was much easier to root and the base Android version was upgraded from 11 to 13, so it was a triple win
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] V0latyle:
Well, let's make sure we are talking about the same thing:

"Root", to me, means superuser permissions have been obtained, by means of Magisk or other SU managers.

Other people might mean bootloader unlock and/or custom recovery, neither of which ARE root, but can be used to obtain root.

To answer your question, I am on Magisk patched T290XXU3CVG3, and root works. TWRP is working for me too.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Minionguyjpro:
I also know that ROOT is where you can get very high permissions, qnd so ver high cintrol about your device. I also know that TWRP is a custom recovery, with moreoptions and featurew. It can be used to obtain ROOT.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] V0latyle:
Yes, that is what I said.

"Root" means you're able to get what are essentially "God mode" permissions, where you are able to access and modify everything down to the root of the system - as in, the very core of the kernel.

Recovery mode is a kernel in of itself that allows flashing software to the device, such as installing the Magisk patch.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Talich52:
Well, why is the theory, it is so! You can flash the AP,CP,CSC parts and not flash the BL part with bootloaders. The device will be updated and working. In general, of course, our device is strange, since smartphones do not work, they do not start at all if the bootloader version is lower than the system version :). But we can use it...

P.S. On my T295, I change the BL part, namely, I replace 2 files aboot.mbn & vaultkeeper.mbn taken from the BL 9 part of the android and use this corrected BL when updating. Therefore, I have the latest firmware T295XXU4CVG3 and rooted;
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] V0latyle:
I'm honestly kind of surprised that someone hasn't come up with some sort of unpacker/repacker that's able to replace the bootloader and recovery image for those who want to keep root. But given all the effort it would take, it's probably more convenient to reflash TWRP (and the old recovery) after updating.

Are other Samsung devices that also require older bootloaders in order to flash TWRP? As in, has this been a common theme? I'm most familiar with Nexus/Pixel devices and haven't been in the Samsung scene since my Galaxy S6 more than 7 years ago.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Minionguyjpro:
So this means you can keep the TWRP after flash update? If not, please explain, because it maybe good to know.

Is is not possible to use the latest bootloader with TWRP? Or is it needed to be Android 9 for some reason? Otherwise, i can ask if the developer will upgrade it to Android 11. As this device doesn't get another OS upgrade, it will stay on Android 11 and so does the bootloader if upgraded. The charging problem should also be fixed then, right?
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] V0latyle:
Sort of. This is the update method I've been using:

Before you begin, ensure you have the Multidisabler zip on your SD card.

Flash update via Odin. Do not allow the device to boot normally; use key combo to boot into download mode.

Reflash TWRP. Boot into TWRP using key combo. Do not allow device to boot normally. Flash the Multidisabler in TWRP.

Reboot to system. Android should boot normally.

I honestly do not know. Since it's relatively simple to test this, I can do so later.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Minionguyjpro:
I have 2 things:

1. Will Magisk root stay?

2. I asked on the TWRP thread if they could upgrade to the bootloader of Android 11 if this is possible. But I don't think so, because the name of the flashable image has 11 in it, which means it was made for Android 11. I think there maybe a reason why Android 9 is used. But you can still test it, just for sure.

EDIT: check image below to see why it maybe doesn't work.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] V0latyle:
No - Magisk patches the boot image, which is overwritten when you flash an update.

I will see what I come up with. I'm by no means a Samsung expert. I personally dislike the necessity of using software like Odin to flash entire packages that contain partition images, when my Pixel allows me to flash the partitions directly. When there's an update available, the only thing I have to do on my Pixel is patch the new boot image and flash it via ADB.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Minionguyjpro:
So you need to reflash like Multidisabler?
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] V0latyle:
Multidisabler is necessary because it disables various security features which either prevent root or interfere with root, such as Vaultkeeper. Every time the device is flashed with new firmware, these features are re-enabled on boot, and must be disabled again.

If this is not done, the device will replace TWRP with stock recovery, and will likely fail to boot if any of the images are modified, such as a Magisk patched boot image.

This is why I really dislike Samsung.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] V0latyle:
So, I tried flashing both the CUK4 and CVG3 bootloaders with the same result - device comes up with Secure Check: Fail screen. So it appears that the Android 9 bootloader is required in order to flash custom binaries, at least on this device.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Talich52:
Well, here you come to this :) You can root T290/T295 on the latest Android 11 firmware, but with the Android 9 bootloader. And here is a claim to Samsung - the bootloader of Android 10 and 11 is unblocked, but it is impossible to flash a custom kernel file or recover. :(

But then it turned out that even android 11 works with the android 9 loader, except for the charging mode of the switched-off device. This is so nonsense, the system has never been started with a loader below the android version... Another paradox of T290/T295, there is no KNOX counter in it, so by installing stock firmware and locking the bootloader, no one will say that the device was rooted ;)
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Minionguyjpro:
So this means that Android 9 BL is required, because Android 10 and 11 bootloader have a protection which disallows flashing/loading of custom binaries?
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] V0latyle:
That seems to be the case, yes.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Talich52:
Yes, so. But it is enough to replace 2 files aboot.mbn & vaultkeeper.mbn with those taken from the android BL 9 file. It is worse for users of the T295 model, for which the latest firmware is with version 4 of the bootloader and it cannot be downgraded to version 3 of Android 9...
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Viggen66:
I also have a T290 Samsung, where you get black screen after flashing twrp, now it doesn't appear the unlock oem option, is there a way to unlock this damn tablet?
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Talich52:
KG STATUS: PRENORMAL - No custom files can be installed in this mode. It is necessary to install stock firmware, do update checks,reboots, so that the status changes to CHECKING. Next, we see OEM LOCK: ON(U1) , the letter U means that factory unlock is enabled in the Developer section, but since OEM LOCK:ON, the bootloader is not unlocked, the second step of unlocking is not performed. Only after unlocking the bootloader and KG STATUS: CHECKING will it be possible to install TWRP and root the device. Good luck!
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Viggen66:
What about installing bootloader from Android 9.0, will it turn out to a black screen, Samsung has no business on telling what I want to do with my device
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Talich52:
Some users got a black screen when installing the android bootloader 9. This depends on the time the T290 was manufactured. In this case, just flash the BL part from the current firmware ...
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Minionguyjpro:
Maybe it is possible...
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Talich52:
Do you want to install TWRP and get Root rights with android 11 bootloader, specifically with T290XXU3CVG3? Have no illusions, this is impossible - even after unlocking the bootloader of 10 and 11 android, it is impossible to flash custom kernel and recovery files. We need files with the original Samsunga digital signature, which cannot be bypassed, not forged. And Samsung will not remake the bootloader of 10 and 11 android - Device support is over.

The solution is only to install the bootloader 9 android, since the system and the device start up and work ...
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Telek:
Hi Team - thanks for all the help here! I've been reading through all the posts in this and the other original thread.

I'm a bit confused about which version to start with. This guide says that update to the latest 11, which I have done, but I can't get the stupid unlocker screen to appear. I'm on One UI Core 3.1 if that matters, and have the same problem that @V0latyle had where vol up+dn and USB just shows the charging screen. I've tried the cable from the tablet and the PC. I've tried up first then both then cable, also down first then both then cable, tried pressing and holding both at exactly the same time then cable. No matter what I do, it just shows the charging status. Yes, allow OEM unlock is enabled in developer options. Fastboot mode does show OEM Lock: On (U) in this case. I've even tried cycling it off and on again. I can "adb reboot download" when the tablet is fully booted, but it just goes straight to the downloading screen and doesn't present with unlock screen as described here. I have multiple of these tablets and they all do the same thing. I also tried downgrading to Android 9, same problem.

Any ideas?
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Talich52:
The second step of unlocking the bootloader is done as follows: turn off the device, clamp both volume buttons (it's better to do without a case), connect the cable that is already connected to the USB of the computer. Sometimes the result is better if you connect it directly to the device, and after pressing the buttons, connect to the computer. A blue screen should appear, press the Volume Up button for a long time (more than 8 seconds), release and briefly press the Volume Up button - the device will go into reboot with data reset.After restarting with the Internet connected, we will see that the bootloader is unlocked...

P.S.What is the model and what is the current firmware?..
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Minionguyjpro:
THERE IS A NEW VERSION OF TWRP FOR THIS DEVICE (3.7.0). I WILL UPDATE THE THREAD IN AFTERNOON. It has the newest kernel, so maybe the charging issue is resolved!
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Telek:
Hi, thanks for the reply!

As I tried to explain, the screen that you expect does not appear. Regardless of how I press the buttons, I just get the charging indication screen. I have clamped both buttons (no case) and tried both connecting the cable already attached to the PC to the tablet, or having the cable already attached to the tablet then connected to the PC. The blue screen just does not appear, I only get the charging status indicator.

It's a T290 and I've tried both freshly installed Android 9 and Android 11 via Odin Patched, and also a tablet that had 9 and "naturally" upgraded all the way through 11 (I have many tablets). V0latyle had the same problem, but he apparently fixed it by having the USB cable plugged into the tablet and pressing both buttons then connecting to the PC. However that isn't working for me.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Minionguyjpro:
Turn it completely off, and then hold ALL the 3 buttons at the same time. After a certain time, the blue bootloader screen appears asking whether you want to unlock the bootloader.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Minionguyjpro:
@V0latyle TWRP 3.7.0 was released for SM-T290 yesterday, because I requested. The charging issue is not solved, but the kernel is updated to the latest release (T290XXU3CVG3).
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] V0latyle:
On the T290, it doesn't quite work this way. The device has to be powered off, then leave it for about a minute to let everything truly power down; then, while holding Vol Up and Down simultaneously (no Power), plug the USB cable in.

Booting into download mode with the Power button seems to depend on what firmware is installed. Some will do it, others won't. The USB method seems to be the only way that does it every time.

Neat...although I don't know if this will make any difference for me?
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Talich52:
So ... Can you enter the Downloading firmware mode? Interested in the KG STATUS status bar? If there is PRENORMAL, then it will not be possible to unlock the bootloader, you need the CHECKING state, or the absence of this line ... You need to install the full stock firmware and wait 168 hours (7 days), periodically checking for updates and rebooting the device.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Minionguyjpro:
Yeah, could be possible. Tried to get into bootloader one hour ago with 3 buttons. BUT IT DIDNT WORK ANYMORE.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Telek:
Doesn't work. Holding all 3 buttons (and continuing) just causes it to keep powering off and restarting after a random amount of time between 0 and 12 seconds it seems. If I let go of power, even momentarily, it will boot as normal.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Telek:
I can enter "download mode !!" by going to recovery (vol up+power) and then reboot to bootloader, or just using "adb reboot bootloader". It shows "KG STATUS: CHECKING" and "OEM LOCK: ON (U)". Note that in this mode ODIN will download.

I can enter the other downloading mode by doing "adb reboot download" which brings me to a cyan screen that has a big down arrow logo and "Downloading..." "Do not turn off target". This also works for ODIN downloading. I assume that this is the screen that is supposed to show me my unlock option. I even tried holding down vol up+dn and issuing the "adb reboot download" command, no change.

Note that "adb reboot fastboot" just does a normal boot, as expected.

I just tried one of the devices that has been unplugged for more than a day. Vol Up+Dn at exactly the same time, then plugged in the USB. Only brought up the circle with charging indicator and then a few seconds later showed me the battery percentage.

Note that the OEM Unlocking option is in the developer menu, and it's turned on. This even survives reinstalling the firmware (even a different version) via odin. I've even tried turning it off, rebooting, then turning it on again, and trying the cycle. No change.

I've tried both android 9 and 11 with no change to the behavior.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Telek:
Does it, in any way, depend on the drivers loaded on the computer? The computer doesn't even detect a device plugged in when the charging indicator is shown, so I wouldn't think so.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Minionguyjpro:
First turn it off. Wait for a minute then. Then connect the device to the PC with a usb cable. And then holding all 3 buttons may do the working. I saw a youtube videocwhich i watched earlier. So is this the fix?
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Talich52:
You may need to change the cable.You can check the current one by connecting the switched-on device to the computer, there should be a request for access to the storage, then you can view the built-in memory and memory card on the computer. Does it work? For charging, two cores of USB cables are enough, charging will be, but data exchange, including unlocking, is impossible... Check it out.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Minionguyjpro:
@Telek This should work. I also was unable to get into bootloader last time, but when i connected the device to the pc, and holding all 3 buttons on the tablet, i managed to successfully get into the bootloader with the warning (no downloading text, just some text with instructions where you need device unlock mode.)
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Telek:
This cable works fine for loading ODIN firmware, and is recognized when the device is turned on, so there's no problem there. Plus I have already tried other cables.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Telek:
How long do you hold all 3 buttons for? If I hold for more than 10 seconds the device just powers off again since that's what a long-press of power does. If I let go, it just boots like normal.

When you connect the device to your PC and before you press the buttons what do you see on the screen?
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Minionguyjpro:
First off, then connect the device to the PC. And THEN hold all 3 buttons at the same time. At me, it won't reboot, and the bootloader screen appears when holding the 3 buttons for 5-10 seconds.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Telek:
Yup, still no dice.

Ok, so I just pulled out another tablet. Hasn't been powered on in months. Booted into recovery from the get-go via vol-up and power. Factory reset. Boot into device. Connect WiFi. Skip google and samsung accounts. Skip pin.

Go into info, has T290XXU3CVD3. One UI Core 3.1, Android 11. SE for Android status - Enforcing. SEPF_SM-290_11_0004. Service provider SAOMC_SM-T290_OXM_XAR_RR_0002 XAR/XAR/ . Security software VSKM v4.5 Release 20200806. ADP v3.0 Release 20191001. SMR Apr-2022 Release 1.

Go into developer options. Turn OEM unlocking on. ADB on. Check with PC - can see the device and authorized connection. Power device off. Unplug USB cable.

Wait 2 minutes. Press and hold vol up+dn. Plug in USB cable. Circle appears on screen with lightning bolt. After a few seconds, battery percentage counts up. Keep holding, nothing changes. After about 20 seconds the battery percentage disappears and screen turns off.

Power up into OS. Once fully booted, Hold vol up+dn and send command "adb reboot recovery". Once in recovery, look at the logs - shows VOL UP and VOL DOWN button presses as registered in the boot log.

Reboot to bootloader.

CURRENT BINARY: Samsung Official
OEM LOCK: ON (U)
KG STATUS : CHECKING
QUALCOMM SECUREBOOT: ENABLE (CSB)
AP SWREV: S1, T1, R1, A3, P3
AP SWREV: K 3, S 3
SECURE DOWNLOAD : ENABLE
DID : 000062f004ff
download mode !!

So, exactly the same as the others 🤣
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Minionguyjpro:
Weird.... I first connect it to pc which is powered on. Tablet isn't. Then i press all 3 buttons at the exact same time and it boots into bootloader with a blue warning. Try to wait until the charging disappears and then press all 3 buttons. Just think of something curious to boot into it!!!
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Telek:
Yeah I'm stumped lol. There has got to be something in these that is disabling this mode.

How long do you press all 3 buttons for?
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Minionguyjpro:
I just keep these pressing, until i see a blue screen with a white warning. Telling about a custom OS.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Telek:
Does the same thing happen if you use "adb reboot download" ?
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Minionguyjpro:
No... it boots directly to download mode with a 'dowloading...' logo there. It doesn't ask for the unlock.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Telek:
Damn. I was hoping that was an indicator. I'm stumped then. I'm sure there's some setting somehow that has disabled this. Perhaps previous MDM? I wonder if there are any apps, tools, or commands that can be run to check the status of being able to unlock.