How to Unroot Samsung Galaxy E5 (SM-E500H, E500F)

Unrooting your Samsung Galaxy E5 returns the phone to its original factory state, which is necessary if you want to receive official Over-The-Air (OTA) system updates, use banking or streaming apps that block rooted devices, or send the phone in for warranty service. This guide covers two methods: using the SuperSU app for a quick unroot, and using Odin to flash the stock firmware, which is the most thorough method and works even if the first method fails. Before starting, back up any data you want to keep, because flashing stock firmware will wipe the phone completely.

What You’ll Need

• A Windows PC (Odin does not run on Mac or Linux without a virtual machine).
• The original USB cable that came with your Galaxy E5.
• Odin3 software (version 3.10 or newer is recommended).
• The correct stock firmware file for your exact model number (SM-E500H, SM-E500F, SM-E500M, etc.) and your country/region. Download from a reputable firmware site like SamMobile or Sammobile’s mirror sites. The file will be a single .tar.md5 archive.
• Samsung USB drivers installed on your PC.
• If you used SuperSU to root, you need the SuperSU app installed. If you used Magisk, you need the Magisk app installed.

Step-by-Step

There are two paths. Start with Method 1 because it is faster and does not wipe your data. If it does not work, move to Method 2.

Method 1: Unroot with SuperSU or Magisk

1. Open the SuperSU app (or Magisk) on your phone. If the app is missing, open the Play Store, install SuperSU, and open it.
2. Go to the Settings tab (SuperSU) or the top-right gear icon (Magisk).
3. Scroll down and tap “Full unroot” (SuperSU) or “Uninstall Magisk” (Magisk).
4. Read the warning that appears. It will tell you that the phone will restart and the root will be removed. Tap “Continue.”
5. Wait for the phone to reboot. The process takes one to three minutes. When it finishes, the SuperSU or Magisk app will be gone.
6. Verify the unroot by installing a root checker app from the Play Store. If it says “Root is not properly installed” or “No root access,” you are done.

Method 2: Flash Stock Firmware with Odin

1. Extract the firmware file you downloaded. It is a .zip file. Inside is a single file ending in .tar.md5. Do not extract that .tar.md5 file further.
2. Power off your Galaxy E5 completely.
3. Boot into Download Mode: Press and hold Volume Down + Home + Power buttons together. When the warning screen appears, press Volume Up to continue.
4. Open Odin3 on your PC as Administrator (right-click → Run as administrator).
5. Connect the phone to your PC with the USB cable. In Odin, the “ID:COM” box in the top-left should turn blue or yellow, and a message saying “Added!!” appears in the log box at the bottom. If it does not, reinstall the Samsung USB drivers and try a different USB port.
6. Click the “AP” button (or “PDA” on older Odin versions). Navigate to the .tar.md5 firmware file and select it. Odin will take a few seconds to parse the file.
7. Make sure only “Auto Reboot” and “F. Reset Time” are checked in the Options tab. Never check “Re-Partition.”
8. Click the “Start” button. The flashing process begins. It takes about 5 minutes. Do not unplug the phone during this time.
9. Wait for the green “PASS!” message in the top-left box. The phone will reboot automatically.
10. Set up your phone. The first boot after flashing takes longer than normal. The phone will be completely wiped, so you will see the welcome screen. Your phone is now unrooted and running the official firmware.

Common Mistakes

• Using the wrong firmware file. Flashing a firmware for the SM-E500F on an SM-E500H can brick the phone or cause a boot loop. Check your model number in Settings → About Phone before downloading.
• Not installing Samsung USB drivers. Odin will not recognize the phone without them.
• Checking “Re-Partition” in Odin. This is only for specific unbricking scenarios and will break the phone if done with a normal firmware.
• Unplugging the phone during the flash. This can permanently damage the bootloader.
• Forgetting to back up data. Method 2 wipes everything. Method 1 usually does not, but it is safer to back up anyway.

Tips

• Use a USB 2.0 port on your PC rather than a USB 3.0 port. Odin is old software and is more stable on USB 2.0.
• Disable Windows Defender or any antivirus temporarily while running Odin. Some antivirus programs block Odin’s ability to communicate with the phone.
• Keep the phone charged above 50% before starting Method 2. If the battery dies during flashing, you risk a hard brick.
• After unrooting, factory reset the phone from Settings → Backup & Reset → Factory Data Reset. This clears any leftover root files and ensures clean OTA updates.

Troubleshooting

Odin does not detect the phone. Reinstall the Samsung USB drivers, restart the PC, and try a different USB cable or port. Make sure the phone is in Download Mode, not just connected normally.

Odin fails with “FAIL!” or “SHA256 is invalid.” The firmware file is corrupted or incomplete. Delete the file, re-download it, and try again. Also, check that the file is for your exact model number.

The phone is stuck in a boot loop after flashing. This usually means the firmware does not match the phone. Download the correct firmware and flash again. If it still loops, do a factory reset from Recovery Mode (Volume Up + Home + Power) and select “Wipe data/factory reset.”

The phone is stuck on the Samsung logo for more than 10 minutes. Be patient; the first boot after flashing can take that long. If it exceeds 15 minutes, repeat the Odin flash process.

SuperSU says “Full unroot” failed. This happens when the system partition is read-only or the root is corrupted. Go directly to Method 2 with Odin.

The phone asks for a password after flashing. This is Factory Reset Protection (FRP). You must log in with the same Google account that was previously on the phone. If you do not know it, you cannot bypass this legally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will unrooting delete my photos and apps? Method 1 (SuperSU) usually does not delete data. Method 2 (Odin) wipes the phone completely. Always back up before starting.

Can I unroot without a PC? Yes, if you used SuperSU, you can use the “Full unroot” option without a PC. If that fails, you need a PC for Odin.

Will I still get Android updates after unrooting? Yes, once the phone is on stock firmware and unrooted, OTA updates will work normally. If you flashed a firmware from a different country, you will get updates for that country’s version.

Is unrooting the same as factory resetting? No. A factory reset removes your data but leaves the root in place. Unrooting removes the root software and restores the original system files.

What if I used a custom recovery like TWRP? Flashing stock firmware with Odin will replace TWRP with the stock recovery, so you do not need to remove it separately.

Can I re-root after unrooting? Yes. You can root again using the same method you used originally, but you will need to reinstall the root app and re-grant permissions.

Related

• Microsoft Phone Link App Not Working? Fixes That Work
• Windows 10 Slow After Clone? Fixes That Work
• Fix Windows Store Missing or Not Installed in Windows 10