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How to Unroot Samsung Galaxy Trend

Guide 10-35731 · Updated · Step by step

This guide walks you through removing root access from a Samsung Galaxy Trend, returning it to a stock, unrooted state. This is useful for restoring warranty eligibility, receiving official over-the-air updates, or simply returning the device to its original factory condition. The process involves using a PC and either a custom recovery or Samsung’s Odin software, depending on your current setup.

What You’ll Need

  • A Windows PC (Odin does not run on macOS or Linux natively).
  • A USB data cable for your Galaxy Trend.
  • The original Samsung USB drivers installed on your PC.
  • Odin3 software (a Windows utility for flashing Samsung devices).
  • The official stock firmware file (in .tar.md5 format) for your exact model number (e.g., GT-S7560, GT-S7562).
  • Optional but recommended: a custom recovery like TWRP or CWM, if you prefer to unroot without a PC.
  • A full backup of your important data, as the process can wipe your phone.

Step-by-Step

There are two primary methods. Use Method 1 if you have a custom recovery installed. Use Method 2 if you want a complete factory restore via Odin.

Method 1: Using a Custom Recovery (Simplest)

  1. Backup your data. Unrooting can occasionally cause app data loss. Copy photos, contacts, and other important files to a safe location.
  2. Power off the phone. Ensure the device is completely off, not just in sleep mode.
  3. Boot into Recovery Mode. Press and hold Volume Up + Home + Power buttons simultaneously. Release the Power button when the Samsung logo appears, but keep holding the other two until the recovery menu shows.
  4. Navigate the menu. Use the Volume keys to move up and down, and the Power button to select.
  5. Wipe cache partition. Select “wipe cache partition” and confirm. This clears temporary system files.
  6. Go to Advanced. Select “Advanced” and then “Wipe Dalvik Cache”. Confirm the action. This clears the app cache that root often alters.
  7. Reboot the device. Go back to the main menu and select “Reboot system now”. The phone will restart. Root access is now removed without changing the system partition.

Method 2: Flashing Stock Firmware with Odin (Full Restore)

  1. Download and prepare files. Download the correct stock firmware for your exact model number. Extract the zip file if needed. You should have a single .tar.md5 file. Also download and extract Odin3 to a folder on your PC.
  2. Enable USB Debugging. On your phone, go to Settings > Developer Options (if hidden, tap “About Phone” seven times) and enable USB Debugging.
  3. Power off the phone. Turn the device off completely.
  4. Boot into Download Mode. Press and hold Volume Down + Home + Power together. When the warning screen appears, press Volume Up to continue into Download Mode.
  5. Connect to PC. Plug the phone into your PC using the USB cable. Windows should detect it as a Samsung device.
  6. Open Odin3. Right-click the Odin3 executable and select “Run as administrator”.
  7. Verify connection. In Odin, the “ID:COM” box should turn blue or yellow, and a message like “Added!!” will appear in the log at the bottom. If not, reinstall the USB drivers and try a different USB port.
  8. Load the firmware. Click the “AP” (or “PDA” in older versions) button and select the stock firmware .tar.md5 file you downloaded.
  9. Check options. Ensure only “F. Reset Time” and “Auto Reboot” are checked. Do not check “Re-Partition” unless you are following a specific guide for your model that requires it.
  10. Start the flash. Click the “Start” button. The process will take a few minutes. Do not unplug the phone or close Odin during this time.
  11. Wait for completion. When the process finishes, the log will show “ Removed!!” and the phone will reboot automatically. The top-left box in Odin will turn green with the word “PASS!”.
  12. Disconnect. Unplug the phone once it has rebooted to the lock screen.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the wrong firmware. Flashing firmware meant for a different model (e.g., GT-S7562 instead of GT-S7560) can brick your device. Double-check your model number in Settings > About Phone.
  • Unplugging during the flash. Interrupting Odin while it is writing to the system partition can permanently damage the phone’s software.
  • Forgetting to backup. While unrooting usually preserves data, a full Odin flash can wipe the internal storage in some cases.
  • Not enabling USB Debugging. Odin may not recognize the device properly if USB Debugging is off.
  • Using a USB hub. Connecting through a hub can cause connection drops. Always plug directly into a USB port on your PC.

Tips

  • Charge your battery. Ensure your phone has at least 70% battery before starting. A power loss during flashing is catastrophic.
  • Use the original cable. A damaged or low-quality USB cable can cause the connection to fail mid-flash.
  • Close other programs. Close antivirus software and other background apps on your PC that might interfere with Odin’s USB communication.
  • Check the KNOX counter. On some Samsung devices, rooting trips a hardware fuse (KNOX warranty bit) that cannot be reset by unrooting. This is not the case for the Galaxy Trend, which predates KNOX, but it is worth knowing for other Samsung models.
  • After unrooting, clear app data. Some apps that required root may misbehave after unrooting. Clearing their data (Settings > Apps > [App] > Clear Data) often fixes this.

Troubleshooting

Odin does not recognize the phone. Reinstall the Samsung USB drivers. Try a different USB port (preferably USB 2.0). Ensure you are in Download Mode, not just connected normally. Restart your PC and try again.

The flash fails with a “FAIL!” message. This usually means the firmware file is corrupted or the wrong one. Re-download the firmware from a reliable source and verify the file size matches the listed size. Try using a different version of Odin (Odin 3.07 or 3.09 are common stable versions).

The phone is stuck in a boot loop. If the phone restarts repeatedly after flashing, boot into Recovery Mode (Volume Up + Home + Power) and perform a “wipe data/factory reset”. This clears any leftover data from the root installation.

The phone is stuck on the Samsung logo. This can happen if the flash was interrupted. Re-enter Download Mode and repeat the Odin flash process. If it still fails, try a different USB cable.

Root checker still says root is present. If you used Method 1, some root files may remain. Use a file manager with root access (if you still have it) to delete the /system/xbin/su file and the Superuser.apk or SuperSU.apk from /system/app. If you cannot access these, proceed with Method 2 for a clean slate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will unrooting delete my apps and photos? Method 1 (custom recovery) typically does not delete personal data. Method 2 (Odin flash) usually preserves data, but a factory reset may be required if the phone misbehaves. Always back up before starting.

Can I unroot without a PC? Yes, if you have a custom recovery installed, you can simply wipe the cache and Dalvik cache as described in Method 1. This removes root access without a PC.

Will I still receive OTA updates after unrooting? Yes, once the device is back to stock firmware and the system partition is verified as unmodified, official over-the-air updates should work normally.

Is unrooting the same as factory resetting? No. A factory reset clears user data but does not remove root access. Unrooting specifically removes the modified system files that grant root privileges.

What if I don’t know my exact model number? Look at the sticker under the battery or go to Settings > About Phone > Model Number. Flashing the wrong firmware is the most common cause of a bricked phone.

Does unrooting void my warranty? Unrooting typically restores the phone to a state where the warranty can be honored, unless physical damage is present. However, Samsung’s policy can vary by region, so it is best to check with your local service center.

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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