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Root failed, can't use some apps.

El Fil

Lurker
A Little White Ago, I tried to root my Galaxy S6 Edge (SM-G925F) using ODIN.

However, the root failed and I just kept using the phone as normal. I just realized that neither Netflix, Samsung Pay, or Samsung Health work with a rooted device. (Even though the root failed, I cannot use them)

Will a factory reset solve this, or is there something else I have to do to fix this?

Build number (idk if that's important):
NRD90M.G925FXXU6ERF5

Android version: 7.0

Thanks for any answers!


EDIT: When I rooted my phone using ODIN, the green PASS sign was there and I do not know what went wrong during the process.
I did not get root access, though.
 
Last edited:
So something obviously is messed up during the attempt to root your device, but how did you determine that your device isn't successfully rooted? Given that those apps you referred to indicate it is rooted that adds some murkiness as to the current state of your phone. Did you run a root checker app to confirm it is or isn't rooted? If not, try using:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.joeykrim.rootcheck
But if you did, there's a lot of added variables that make things really confusing -- i.e. with the Netflix app, it will run on a rooted device, the issue is you can't install the Netflix app using Google's Play Store so it also won't get automatically updated via the Play Store either. If it was already installed on your device it will still work but if you want to install it or keep it updated you have to do it all manually by installing its apk file obtained from a trusted apk repository site. (Note this involves researching on your own and validating those sites that you use, plus a little faith that you're not just compromising your own device.). But that's just regarding Netflix, as you've discovered a lot of banking apps/services just fail to function on rooted devices.

As for trying a Factory Reset to fix this problem. That 'may' work out as it isn't definitely determined if your device is or isn't rooted. Just be sure to back up all your data. Just keep in mind how a Factory Reset works -- your phone's internal storage is divided into several partitions. Most of them are protected, system-only partitions, and there's one user data partition. That's where all your data, your apps settings, your config files reside, in that data partition. A Factory Reset wipes just that data partition, it does not affect any of those system partitions so a rooted device that gets Factory Reset remains rooted. The operating system resides in those system partitions so there's no magic re-install of the OS involved, it's just the user data gets wiped.
If your device is rooted and you want to get it back to it's original un-rooted state, if during the rooting process you tried you installed a root management utility like SuperSU, in its settings menu there's a 'Full unroot' option that might work for you.
https://www.techrepublic.com/article/pro-tip-how-to-unroot-your-android-device-so-you-can-update/
But this is a big 'maybe' so don't be surprised if it doesn't work. In that case, you just need to go through the process of re-flashing your phone with an appropriate, stock Samsung ROM. Since you're already familiar with using the Odin utility this isn't such a big deal. But it is important that you obtain the correct ROM for your device. ROMs are not interchangeable with each other. Go here:
https://updato.com/firmware-archive-select-model/?q=SM-G925F&exact=1&r=&v=&rpp=100
or here:
https://www.sammobile.com/samsung/galaxy-s6-edge/firmware/SM-G925F/
Again, be sure to select the ROM that matches just your device and your carrier.
Also note these two sites require you to register for an account with them to be able to download ROMs at faster speeds. For non-registered users they intentionally restrict the download bandwidth (drastically) so take that into consideration (a typical ROM will be 1GB or so in size. There are of course a lot of sites that provide ROMs but you do need to research their validity. Sammoble and Updato are reputed to validate the ROMs they provide.
By flashing a stock ROM this will install a new, clean OS and this includes a new, stock Recovery so if you want to root it again, be sure that's what you want to do.
https://phandroid.com/2019/02/23/5-reasons-why-you-shouldnt-root-your-android-smartphone/
 
So something obviously is messed up during the attempt to root your device, but how did you determine that your device isn't successfully rooted? Given that those apps you referred to indicate it is rooted that adds some murkiness as to the current state of your phone. Did you run a root checker app to confirm it is or isn't rooted? If not, try using:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.joeykrim.rootcheck
But if you did, there's a lot of added variables that make things really confusing -- i.e. with the Netflix app, it will run on a rooted device, the issue is you can't install the Netflix app using Google's Play Store so it also won't get automatically updated via the Play Store either. If it was already installed on your device it will still work but if you want to install it or keep it updated you have to do it all manually by installing its apk file obtained from a trusted apk repository site. (Note this involves researching on your own and validating those sites that you use, plus a little faith that you're not just compromising your own device.). But that's just regarding Netflix, as you've discovered a lot of banking apps/services just fail to function on rooted devices.

As for trying a Factory Reset to fix this problem. That 'may' work out as it isn't definitely determined if your device is or isn't rooted. Just be sure to back up all your data. Just keep in mind how a Factory Reset works -- your phone's internal storage is divided into several partitions. Most of them are protected, system-only partitions, and there's one user data partition. That's where all your data, your apps settings, your config files reside, in that data partition. A Factory Reset wipes just that data partition, it does not affect any of those system partitions so a rooted device that gets Factory Reset remains rooted. The operating system resides in those system partitions so there's no magic re-install of the OS involved, it's just the user data gets wiped.
If your device is rooted and you want to get it back to it's original un-rooted state, if during the rooting process you tried you installed a root management utility like SuperSU, in its settings menu there's a 'Full unroot' option that might work for you.
https://www.techrepublic.com/article/pro-tip-how-to-unroot-your-android-device-so-you-can-update/
But this is a big 'maybe' so don't be surprised if it doesn't work. In that case, you just need to go through the process of re-flashing your phone with an appropriate, stock Samsung ROM. Since you're already familiar with using the Odin utility this isn't such a big deal. But it is important that you obtain the correct ROM for your device. ROMs are not interchangeable with each other. Go here:
https://updato.com/firmware-archive-select-model/?q=SM-G925F&exact=1&r=&v=&rpp=100
or here:
https://www.sammobile.com/samsung/galaxy-s6-edge/firmware/SM-G925F/
Again, be sure to select the ROM that matches just your device and your carrier.
Also note these two sites require you to register for an account with them to be able to download ROMs at faster speeds. For non-registered users they intentionally restrict the download bandwidth (drastically) so take that into consideration (a typical ROM will be 1GB or so in size. There are of course a lot of sites that provide ROMs but you do need to research their validity. Sammoble and Updato are reputed to validate the ROMs they provide.
By flashing a stock ROM this will install a new, clean OS and this includes a new, stock Recovery so if you want to root it again, be sure that's what you want to do.
https://phandroid.com/2019/02/23/5-reasons-why-you-shouldnt-root-your-android-smartphone/

Thank you so much for your answer, and sorry for my late response.

I have run root checker apps, which tell me my device is not rooted. When i ran SuperSU, to try the 'Full unroot', it said "Root undetected" when launching it, and I could not do anything in the app.

I am not very familiar with this area, so if you could show me some guide for flashing a ROM on my device, that would be highly appreciated. I am pretty sure I do not want my device rooted if it means I cannot use services like Samsung Pay or Samsung Health.
Regarding Netflix; I already had it installed and it was working fine before the root attempt. However, now, it gives me an error when trying to watch movies.
This is the same error many others with rooted devices receive.

Thanks in advance.
 
.....
I am not very familiar with this area, so if you could show me some guide for flashing a ROM on my device, that would be highly appreciated. I am pretty sure I do not want my device rooted if it means I cannot use services like Samsung Pay or Samsung Health.
...
If you re-read my previous posting there are a couple of sites on obtaining a valid, stock, Samsung ROM for your device, and when you choose the appropriate ROM to download either site includes instructions on the flashing process. An example being:
https://updato.com/how-to/how-to-install-an-official-samsung-stock-firmware-using-odin/
It may appear a bit daunting the first time but take things one step at a time and follow the instructions as stated, Don't experiment. And be sure to backup your saved data to start off with. Using the Odin utility to flash a stock ROM should not wipe the data partition but just in case there's a problem you want to be able to restore your files and things. Try using Samsung's Smart Switch utility to do a full backup (and it will install the latest Samsung driver when you install it, one of the steps involved when getting ready to flash your phone):
https://www.samsung.com/us/smart-switch/
 
If you re-read my previous posting there are a couple of sites on obtaining a valid, stock, Samsung ROM for your device, and when you choose the appropriate ROM to download either site includes instructions on the flashing process. An example being:
https://updato.com/how-to/how-to-install-an-official-samsung-stock-firmware-using-odin/
It may appear a bit daunting the first time but take things one step at a time and follow the instructions as stated, Don't experiment. And be sure to backup your saved data to start off with. Using the Odin utility to flash a stock ROM should not wipe the data partition but just in case there's a problem you want to be able to restore your files and things. Try using Samsung's Smart Switch utility to do a full backup (and it will install the latest Samsung driver when you install it, one of the steps involved when getting ready to flash your phone):
https://www.samsung.com/us/smart-switch/

I successfully flashed my device, and both Samsung Pay and Netflix started working again! However, strangely, Samsung Health does still not work.
Access denied: ("Unauthorized changes were made to your phone. Contact Customer Service for more information. (0x04#0x1100500066N2130)")
This is the same error I got in Samsung Pay, but I can use Pay now, so that is very strange.
Thank you so much for your help, though.
 
Try going into your Settings >> Apps menu, find and open the Samsung Health app, and use the Clear data button. Using Clear data will wipe that app's cache and any previous settings/configurations, essentially returning the app to its first time-used state. If the app was retaining any kind of config data from that previous failed root session it should be be a 'clean' start now. When you start up Samsung Health again, you might have to re-enter any login/password.
 
Try going into your Settings >> Apps menu, find and open the Samsung Health app, and use the Clear data button. Using Clear data will wipe that app's cache and any previous settings/configurations, essentially returning the app to its first time-used state. If the app was retaining any kind of config data from that previous failed root session it should be be a 'clean' start now. When you start up Samsung Health again, you might have to re-enter any login/password.

This did not work. I tried re-installing it, too. Same error.

Thank you for the suggestion, though.
 
Well bummer. Maybe it's time to just contact Samsung directly. Just be upfront about the situation and perhaps there's a solution to this on their end, or they can provide some tips on what needs to be done to get this working again for you. At the bottom of this page there's an 800 number to call or initiate a live chat session.
https://www.samsung.com/us/support/answer/ANS00062423/
 
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