Unrooting your Samsung Galaxy Infinite restores it to its original factory state, removing root access and reinstalling the official Samsung firmware. This is useful if you need to send the device for warranty service, install official OTA updates, or simply want to return to a stock, unmodified Android experience. Before you start, back up any important data, as the process will wipe your phone. You will also need a Windows PC, the original USB cable, and enough patience to follow the steps carefully.
What You’ll Need
- A Windows PC (Windows 7, 8, 10, or 11)
- The original Samsung USB cable (or a high-quality third-party one)
- Odin3 software (a Windows flashing tool for Samsung devices) – download version 3.09 or newer
- The official stock firmware for your exact Galaxy Infinite model (check your model number in Settings > About Phone; common models are SCH-R720, SCH-R730, or SPH-M830)
- Samsung USB drivers installed on your PC (available from Samsung’s website)
- A full backup of your personal data (contacts, photos, etc.)
Step-by-Step
- Back up your data. Since unrooting wipes the phone, save contacts, photos, and other files to your PC or cloud storage. You can use Samsung Smart Switch or manually copy files.
- Download and install Samsung USB drivers on your PC. If you already have Smart Switch installed, the drivers are likely included.
- Download the stock firmware for your exact model. Visit a reliable firmware repository (like SamMobile or Sammobile’s mirror) and search for your model number. Make sure the firmware is for your specific carrier/region (e.g., Verizon, Sprint, unlocked).
- Extract the downloaded firmware ZIP file. Inside you should find a file with a name like
AP_...tar.md5orCODE_...tar.md5. Also note the CSC and CP files if present. - Download and extract Odin3. You’ll get an executable file (e.g.,
Odin3 v3.09.exe). - Power off your Galaxy Infinite completely.
- Boot into Download Mode. Press and hold Volume Down + Home + Power simultaneously. When the warning screen appears, press Volume Up to continue. Your phone should show a green Android robot and “Downloading…” text.
- Launch Odin3 as Administrator. Right-click the Odin executable and select “Run as administrator.”
- Connect your phone to the PC via USB cable. Odin should show a blue or yellow box in the “ID:COM” section, indicating the device is detected. If not, reinstall drivers or try a different USB port.
- In Odin, click the “AP” button (or “PDA” in older versions) and select the firmware file (the
.tar.md5file). If your firmware package includes separateBL,AP,CP, andCSCfiles, load each into its corresponding slot. For a single-file package, only AP is needed. - Ensure only “F. Reset Time” and “Auto Reboot” are checked in Odin’s Options tab. Do not check “Re-Partition” unless you are using a PIT file (which you usually don’t need).
- Click the “Start” button in Odin. The flashing process will begin. Do not disconnect the phone or touch the cable during this time. It may take several minutes.
- Wait for the green “PASS” message in Odin and the phone to reboot automatically. Once you see the Samsung logo, you can unplug the phone.
- Set up your phone. The first boot will take longer than usual. You’ll be greeted with the Android setup wizard. Complete it as you would with a new phone.
- Verify root is gone. After setup, check that root access is removed. You can use an app like “Root Checker” from the Play Store, or simply try to open a root-requiring app (like SuperSU or Magisk) – they should fail or not be present.
Common Mistakes
- Using the wrong firmware. Flashing firmware meant for a different model or carrier can brick your phone. Always double-check your exact model number and carrier.
- Not installing Samsung USB drivers. Without proper drivers, Odin won’t recognize your device, and the process can’t proceed.
- Disconnecting the phone during flashing. This can cause a soft brick. Keep the cable secure and avoid touching the phone until Odin shows PASS.
- Checking “Re-Partition” without a PIT file. This can corrupt the partition layout. Only enable it if you have a specific PIT file and know what you’re doing.
- Using a USB hub or front-panel port. These can be unstable. Use a direct USB port on the back of your PC.
- Assuming unrooting via an app is enough. While apps like SuperSU have a “Full unroot” option, they don’t restore the stock ROM. If you want to remove all traces of root and get official updates, Odin is the reliable way.
Tips
- Charge your phone to at least 70%. A low battery during flashing can cause a brick.
- Use the original USB cable if possible. Third-party cables may have data transfer issues.
- Disable antivirus or Windows Defender temporarily. They might interfere with Odin’s driver installation or the flashing process.
- Take note of your current Android version. If you’re on a newer version, ensure the firmware you download is compatible (same or newer Android version).
- If you have a custom recovery (like TWRP), consider flashing the stock recovery first, but Odin will overwrite it anyway if you flash the full firmware.
- Keep the firmware file in a simple path (e.g., C:\firmware) to avoid any path length issues.
Troubleshooting
Odin doesn’t recognize my phone. Reinstall Samsung USB drivers, try a different USB port, or use a different cable. Ensure your phone is in Download Mode (not just connected normally).
Odin gets stuck at “SetupConnection” or “NAND Write Start”. This often indicates a driver issue or a poor USB connection. Unplug, restart Odin, and try again. If it persists, try a different PC.
Odin fails with “FAIL” or “Kernel panic”. This usually means the firmware file is corrupted or incompatible. Re-download the firmware and verify its MD5 checksum if provided. Also, make sure you’re using a recent version of Odin.
Phone is stuck in a boot loop after flashing. This can happen if the firmware didn’t flash completely or if the data partition is corrupted. Boot into Recovery Mode (Volume Up + Home + Power) and perform a factory reset (wipe data/factory reset). If that doesn’t help, re-flash the firmware.
Phone is bricked (won’t turn on, no download mode). If you can’t get into Download Mode, try holding Volume Down + Home + Power for a longer time, or use a JIG (a special USB plug) if available. If nothing works, you may need professional repair.
After unrooting, OTA updates still fail. This can happen if the system partition wasn’t fully restored. Re-flash the firmware with the “Re-Partition” option checked (but only if you have the correct PIT file). Otherwise, manually flash the update via Odin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will unrooting void my warranty? Unrooting restores the phone to factory state, so it should not void the warranty. However, if the bootloader is still unlocked (which is rare on Samsung devices), it might be flagged. Check with your carrier.
Do I need to unroot to install OTA updates? Yes, official OTA updates usually fail on rooted devices because the system partition is modified. Unrooting via Odin will allow updates to install normally.
Can I unroot without a PC? Some root management apps (like SuperSU) offer a “Full unroot” option, but this only removes root access, not the modified system files. To fully restore stock, you need Odin and a PC.
What if I don’t know my exact model number? Go to Settings > About Phone > Model Number. It’s usually a string like SCH-R720 or SPH-M830. Do not guess – using the wrong firmware can brick your device.
Will unrooting delete my apps and data? Yes, flashing stock firmware wipes the data partition. That’s why backing up before starting is critical.
Is it safe to unroot? If you follow the steps correctly and use the correct firmware, it’s safe. The main risk is using wrong firmware or interrupting the process, which can cause a brick.
Related
General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.
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