The Galaxy Tab A 9.7 is one of the most popular Android tablets from Samsung. Even though there is a little development for Android tablets in the community, the Galaxy Tab A has got plenty of mods and ROMs to feast. To enjoy the complete awesomeness, you need to root Galaxy Tab A 9.7 and install a custom recovery on it. If you happen to have a Galaxy Tab A 9.7, follow the step-by-step tutorial on how to root Galaxy Tab A 9.7 and install TWRP recovery on it.
Related Post: Root Galaxy Tab A 8.0 and Install TWRP [SM-T350/ T355/ SM-P350/ P355]
Warning
This guide is intended only for the Galaxy Tab A 9.7 devices with the model numbers SM-T550/T555/SM-P550/P555, not for any other Samsung device. Be extra cautious when you choose the firmware builds as flashing wrong firmware might result in a bricked device. Though you can restore your device using stock firmware, it’s better not to get into any tricky situations. So, read the tutorial carefully before getting your hands dirty.
Preparations & Downloads
- Download Odin 3.10.7.
- Charge your Galaxy Tab A 9.7 above 60% battery level to avoid shutdowns during the process.
- Go to Settings » About phone » Build number and tap it 7 times to enable Developer options on your device. Then go back to Settings » Developer options and enable USB Debugging and OEM unlocking (if available).
- Install Samsung USB Drivers: Link
- Backup your device storage, Contacts, SMS, etc. using Google Sync service or any third-party app.
Download TWRP and SuperSU
Note: If you are not sure about the model number of your Galaxy Tab A 9.7, go to Settings> About device and check model number there.
Download TWRP 2.8.7.0 for Lollipop Firmware
SM-T550: twrp-2.8.7.1-t550.tar
SM-T555: twrp-3.0.2.1-t555.tar
SM-P550/P555: twrp-2.8.7.1-P550.tar
Download TWRP 3.1.0-1 for Marshmallow Firmware
SM-T550: twrp_3.1.0-1_sm-t550_13317.tar
SM-T555: twrp_3.1.0-1_sm-t555_13317.tar
SM-P550: twrp_3.0.2-1_SM-P550_mm_15816.tar
SM-P555: twrp_3.0.2-1_SM-P555_mm_15816.tar
Download TWRP 3.0.2.1 for Nougat Firmware
SM-T555: twrp_3.1.1-1_sm-t355_251117.tar
Download Root Package for Galaxy Tab A 9.7
CF-Auto-Root for Lollipop Firmware: sm-t550_p550_p555_cf-autoroot.tar
SuperSU for Marshmallow Firmware: SR5-SuperSU-v2.82-SR5-20171001224502.zip
We have written a quick installation guide for you to easily understand the installation process and root your device. If it’s your first time flashing things, check our detailed guide from below link before proceeding with installation guide.
Root Galaxy Tab A 9.7 and Install TWRP on Lollipop
- Download and extract the Odin package on your PC and place the TWRP recovery and CF-Auto-Root files (.tar or .tar.md5) in the same directory where you extracted Odin.
- Boot your device into the Download mode:
- Power off your Galaxy Tab A.
- Now press the Volume Down, Home and Power buttons together until you see the warning screen, use the Power button to confirm and enter Download Mode.
- Connect the device to the PC using a USB cable. When your device is detected by Odin, the ID: COM port will turn blue.
- Now, click the AP tab to load the CF-Auto-Root file and hit Start to flash the file.
- Once the CF-Auto-Root file is installed, you will get PASS! message in Odin followed by and automatic reboot.
- Your Tab will already have root access by the time it boots up. If you also want to install TWRP Recovery, download the correct .tar file from above and install it using the same steps you performed while installing CF-Auto-Root.
Done! Your Galaxy Tab A 9.7 is now rooted and has TWRP recovery installed on it.
Install TWRP and Root Galaxy Tab A 9.7 on Marshmallow
- Copy UPDATE-SuperSU-v2.76-20160630161323.zip to your device’s storage.
- Extract Odin3_v3.10.7.zip on your desktop.
- Download the TWRP file meant for your Galaxy Tab A 9.7’s model and copy it to the extracted Odin folder.
- Boot your device into the Download mode:
- Power off your Tab.
- Now press the Volume Down, Home and Power buttons together until you see the warning screen, use the Power button to confirm and enter Download Mode.
- Connect the device to the PC using a USB cable. When your device is detected by Odin, the ID: COM port will be highlighted blue.
- Click the Options tab in Odin and uncheck the Auto-Reboot option. Don’t mess with any other thing.
- Now, click the AP tab to load the TWRP.tar file and hit Start to flash the file.
- When TWRP is installed, you will get PASS! message in Odin.
- You have installed TRWP recovery on your device. Now, we’ll install the SuperSU package to gain root privilege.
- Now disconnect the USB cable and reboot your Tab A into the recovery mode by holding the Home + Volume Down + Power keys at the same time. As soon as the screen goes blank change to Volume Up while still holding the Home + Power buttons. Keep the keys press until you enter TWRP recovery.
- Now tap the Install button in TWRP, navigate to UPDATE-SuperSU-v2.76-20160630161323.zip file and select it.
- Swipe the installation confirmation button to install SuperSU.
- When it’s installed, tap Reboot> System.
When your Galaxy Tab A 9.7 boots up, it will have root access and TWRP recovery installed on it. You can now enjoy custom ROMs and mods and the benefits of Xposed Framework.
To verify root access on your Tab A, install and run Root Checker app:
[googleplay url=”https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.joeykrim.rootcheck”/]
Thanks for the tutorial ! Worked great on my SM-T550 with Marshmallow.
Hi. have some problems, when i press start at 7 stage, nothing happening ~5mins, did i need wait more? Tried with lolipop ant marshallow, drivers installed, everything ok, debugging too.
Which model do you have?
T550
If you Tab has Marshmallow, try this: https://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=745425885120714912
In case it’s running Lollipop, install this: http://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=24052804347801970
What about those of us whose tablets have already received the Android Nougat 7.1.1 update, do you have root method for us, I really wanna root my Galaxy Tab A 9.7 & my Galaxy Tab A 8.0, they are both running Android Nougat 7.1.1
i’m looking for it too, if you found anything that works, be sure to reply here
No oem unlocking!
I installed the CF AUTO ROOT thing, and it literally just put my tablet in a bootloop. Help?
You needed to unlock oem before using odin otherwise a bootloop will occcur
thanks you realy help me
Thanks for the appreciation!
I failed to follow Step 10 correctly. I was unable to get to TWRP. Now when I reboot into the recovery mode by holding the Home + Volume Down + Power keys at the same time. Thoughts?
Hi, my device is unable to detect the TWRP .tar file, but everything else is going fine. I have the file in an external SD card, and it can’t seem to find it, when it is obviously there. Any suggestions?
You have to install TWRP using Odin and flash the Update-SuperSU.zip via TWRP.
Save the TWRP.tar file either on your desktop or copy it to the Odin folder.
No, I’ve installed TWRP on my device, but can’t get the ‘twrp_3.0.2-1_sm-xxx_mm_xx.tar’ file to show up. I was referring to step 11 when I said my first statement.
Hi, just noticed that I made a mistake, Actually, you have to select UPDATE-SuperSU-v2.76-20160630161323. zip. Just corrected the mistake.
Ah, now it makes much more sense. Thanks for the help.