[1]Each day a large quantum of people are becoming root users because they have learned the distinct advantages that a root user has over the Android operating system in comparison to the non-rooted user. While the non-rooted user can bask in their additional layers of security, it is the root user who can revel in the full system access that gives them the power to uninstall and install anything that they should choose. Most of that has to do with either removing the apps that are already on the Android operating system put there by the manufacturer or the phone carrier networks and not Android themselves, or installing additional apps to bolster the features that you already possess.
One of the root apps that you can choose to install after you complete the guide below is the Disk Digger Undelete [2] app—arguably the best way to recover deleted files on the Android operating system. Most of us have deleted something and later wished that we had not. If you have ever thought to yourself that it seems a bit critical that you are not able to undelete files, that is because you can turn back the clock and fix your mistakes. You just need the right tools to do. The FBI has those tools and now you do too!
Here is everything you need to root Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 8.0 SM-T331 tablets when they are running on the Android 5.1.1 Lollipop software updates you can install root apps like the Disk Digger Undelete:
REQUIREMENTS
- You must have the Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 8.0 tablet that comes with the SM-T331 model number to use this guide. Any other model numbered variant of the Samsung Galaxy Tab devices get bricked when you flash the file in this tutorial.
- You need to have a computer that is running on the Windows operating system because the Odin flashing app that we use to flash the CF-Auto-Root tool is only available for Microsoft’s Windows environment.
BEFORE WE BEGIN
- Note that Chainfire was running on the LMY47X.T331XXU1BOJ1 firmware build number when he created the CF-Auto-Root tool versions that are available in this guide but you don;t have to be running on that same firmware version. In fact, you can get away with running any firmware version so long as it is running on the Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop) software updates and you have the SM-T331 model number.
- The Developer Options need to be unlocked on the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 smartphone before you can use this guide. You can unlock it on the Note 5 by pointing to the Menu > Settings > About Device > Build Number seven times. Keep tapping until the screen says you are now using the device as a developer and that means that the Developer Options menu is now unlocked.
- Enter the Developer Options menu and turn on the USB Debugging Mode now by pointing to the Menu > Settings > Developer Options and then tapping on the box next to the USB Debugging option. Leave the Developer Options menu for Android to remember your preferences.
- You need to install the Samsung USB Drivers on the computer [3] if you do not have them running already. The USB Drivers are what allows the Samsung Galaxy Tab to connect with the Odin flashing tool on the computer so the two can communicate. Without the drivers, there is no flashing of the rooting files.
- Note that there can be some Android software updates that roll out that bring new bootloaders with them, and a new bootloader can sometimes stop the CF-Auto-Root tool from working. Those cases are rare in our guides because we based our guides on a particular Android version and thus eliminate the chance of the new bootloaders which usually arrive for new Android versions. Still, if you find a device that is not booting after flashing the CF-Auto-Root tool is likely because a new bootloader is present. To fix this issue, Chainfire relies on people like you to submit the new recovery image found in the new firmware creating the issues to the CF-Auto-Root tool thread made at the XDA-Developers website [4].
HOW TO ROOT SAMSUNG GALAXY TAB 4 8.0 SM-T331 RUNNING ON ANDROID 5.1.1 LOLLIPOP SOFTWARE UPDATES
- Log into the Windows computer using the administrator’s account so that the Odin flashing tool has sufficient permissions to run.
- Download the CF-Auto-Root [5] tool for the Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 8.0 SM-T331 running Android 5.1.1 Lollipop software updates.
- Open the Downloads folder and extract the rooting file to the Downloads folder and the flashing tool executable (.exe) and the rooting file (CF-Auto-Root) will now be there in the Downloads folder.
- Double-click on the Odin flashing app executable file so that the flashing app opens is you are greeted with the user interface.
- Boot the Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 8.0 SM-T331 into download mode (Power + Home + Volume Down when started with the device off) and then connect it to the computer with the USB cable.
- Check Odin gives a yellow or blue box and the added message on the screen which is both there to let you know that the device is ready for the flashing. (No color and no message mean that the drivers are not yet working, or you are not using the Odin app running as an administrator).
- Click the Ap button from Odin and browse through to the Downloads folder and click on the MD 5 file to upload to Odin.
- Click the Start button and the rooting of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 8.0 tablet begins.
- You know it is complete when the Odin flashing tool shows a new green box available with the pass message inside.
In conclusion, that is how to root Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 8.0 SM-T331 tablets running on the Android 5.1.1 Lollipop software updates using Chainfire’s super popular one-click rooting tool he calls CF-Auto-Root. The SuperSU app is now installed thanks to the CF-Auto-Root tool that just automatically installed and enabled it so you can open the Google Play Store immediately and begin installing the new root apps that could not run before.