Are you tired of dealing with the unpredictable nature of a rooted device? Do you want to return your phone or tablet to its factory settings, free from the risks associated with rooting? Look no further! In this comprehensive guide, we’ll take you through the process of unrooting a SuperSU device, ensuring a smooth transition back to a stable and secure Android experience.
Why Unroot Your Device?
Before we dive into the unrooting process, it’s essential to understand the reasons why you might want to reverse the rooting process. Here are a few compelling reasons to consider:
- Warranty and Support: Rooting voids your device’s warranty, and unrooting can help you regain manufacturer support and warranty benefits.
- Security Risks: Rooted devices are more vulnerable to malware and other security threats. Unrooting can help you minimize these risks and ensure a more secure Android experience.
- Stability and Performance: Rooting can sometimes cause stability issues, and unrooting can help you restore your device’s original performance and smoothness.
- OTA Updates: Rooted devices often miss out on Over-the-Air (OTA) updates, which can leave them vulnerable to security exploits. Unrooting can help you receive these updates and stay up-to-date with the latest Android security patches.
What is SuperSU?
Before we begin the unrooting process, it’s essential to understand what SuperSU is and how it works.
SuperSU is a popular rooting tool developed by Chainfire, a renowned Android developer. It’s a customizable rooting solution that allows users to gain administrative access to their device, enabling them to modify system files, install custom ROMs, and access advanced features. SuperSU is known for its ease of use, flexibility, and robust features, making it a favorite among Android power users.
Preparing for the Unrooting Process
Before you start the unrooting process, make sure you have the following:
- Backup Your Data: Rooting and unrooting can erase your device’s data, so it’s crucial to back up your important files, contacts, and apps. Use a backup app or the built-in Android backup feature to ensure your data is safe.
- Enable USB Debugging: Enable USB debugging on your device to allow your computer to communicate with it. Go to Settings > Developer options > USB debugging to enable this feature.
- Install the Android SDK: Download and install the Android SDK on your computer. This will provide you with the necessary tools to interact with your device.
- Download the SuperSU APK: You’ll need the SuperSU APK file to uninstall the rooting software. You can download it from the official SuperSU website or a trusted APK repository.
The Unrooting Process
Now that you’re prepared, let’s begin the unrooting process.
Uninstalling SuperSU
- Open the SuperSU App: Launch the SuperSU app on your device.
- Tap the Settings Icon: Tap the three-dot menu icon in the top-right corner of the screen.
- Select “Full Unroot”: Tap “Full Unroot” from the dropdown menu.
- Confirm the Unroot: A warning message will appear. Read the message carefully and tap “Continue” to confirm the unrooting process.
Reverting to Stock Recovery
- Download the Stock Recovery Image: Visit your device’s manufacturer website or a trusted repository to download the stock recovery image for your device.
- ** Boot into Recovery Mode**: Press and hold the Power button and the Volume down button simultaneously until your device boots into recovery mode.
- Flash the Stock Recovery Image: Use a flash tool like Odin (for Samsung devices) or Fastboot (for non-Samsung devices) to flash the stock recovery image.
- Wipe Data and Cache: Use the recovery mode to wipe data and cache partitions. This will remove any residual SuperSU files and configuration.
Removing Root Files and Configurations
- Use the Android SDK: Use the Android SDK’s command-line tool, ADB, to remove root files and configurations.
- Open a Command Prompt or Terminal: Open a command prompt or terminal window on your computer.
- Navigate to the Android SDK Folder: Navigate to the platform-tools folder within the Android SDK directory.
- Use ADB to Remove Root Files: Use the following command to remove root files and configurations:
adb shell rm -rf /system/xbin/su - Reboot Your Device: Reboot your device to complete the unrooting process.
Verifying the Unrooting Process
After completing the unrooting process, it’s essential to verify that your device is no longer rooted.
- Check for SuperSU: Launch the SuperSU app to see if it’s still installed. If it’s not, you’ve successfully unrooted your device.
- Run a Root Checker App: Download and install a root checker app, such as Root Checker or Root Detector, to verify that your device is no longer rooted.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
During the unrooting process, you might encounter some common issues. Here are some troubleshooting tips to help you overcome them:
Issue: Unable to Uninstall SuperSU
- Reinstall SuperSU: Try reinstalling SuperSU to ensure it’s properly uninstalled.
- Use a Third-Party Uninstaller: Use a third-party uninstaller tool, such as Easy Uninstaller or Uninstaller, to remove SuperSU.
Issue: Unable to Boot into Recovery Mode
- Try Alternative Buttons: Try pressing different button combinations, such as Power + Volume up or Power + Home, to boot into recovery mode.
- Use a Bootloader Mode Tool: Use a bootloader mode tool, such as ADB or Fastboot, to boot into recovery mode.
Issue: Unable to Flash the Stock Recovery Image
- Check the Recovery Image: Ensure you’ve downloaded the correct stock recovery image for your device.
- Use a Different Flash Tool: Try using a different flash tool, such as Odin or Mi Flash Tool, to flash the stock recovery image.
Conclusion
Unrooting a SuperSU device can seem daunting, but with the right guidance, it’s a relatively straightforward process. By following this step-by-step guide, you should be able to successfully unroot your device and restore it to its factory settings. Remember to backup your data, enable USB debugging, and download the necessary tools before beginning the unrooting process. If you encounter any issues, refer to our troubleshooting tips to overcome them.
What is SuperSU and why would I want to unroot my device?
SuperSU is a popular root management tool for Android devices that allows users to gain superuser access to their device. This means that users can modify system files, install custom firmware, and access features that are not available on unrooted devices. However, rooting can also void the device’s warranty and make it more vulnerable to security risks.
If you’re looking to unroot your device, it may be because you want to restore your device to its factory settings, reclaim your warranty, or switch to a different rooting method. Whatever the reason, unrooting your SuperSU device is a relatively straightforward process that can be completed with the right tools and a bit of patience.
Is unrooting the same as factory resetting my device?
No, unrooting and factory resetting are not the same thing. Factory resetting a device will erase all of the device’s data, including apps, contacts, and settings, and return it to its original factory settings. Unrooting, on the other hand, simply removes the root access and returns the device to a stock, unrooted state.
While factory resetting may remove the root access, it’s not a reliable method for unrooting a device. In fact, a factory reset may not completely remove the root access, leaving behind residual files and settings that can cause problems with your device. To ensure that your device is completely unrooted, it’s best to follow a step-by-step guide specifically designed for unrooting.
Will unrooting my device erase all of my data?
No, unrooting your device will not erase any of your personal data, including apps, contacts, photos, or other files. The unrooting process only removes the root access and returns the device to a stock, unrooted state.
However, it’s always a good idea to back up your data before attempting to unroot your device, just in case something goes wrong. You can use cloud backup services like Google Drive or iCloud, or connect your device to a computer and transfer your files manually.
Can I unroot my device without a computer?
Yes, it is possible to unroot your device without a computer. You can use the SuperSU app to remove the root access directly from your device. However, this method may not be as reliable as using a computer, and it may not completely remove all of the root files and settings.
Using a computer to unroot your device provides more options and greater control over the process. You can use specialized software to remove the root access and ensure that your device is completely unrooted.
How long does the unrooting process take?
The unrooting process can take anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour, depending on the method you choose and the complexity of the process. If you’re using a computer to unroot your device, you’ll need to download and install the necessary software, connect your device to the computer, and follow the step-by-step instructions.
If you’re using the SuperSU app to unroot your device, the process is typically much faster and can be completed in just a few minutes. However, as mentioned earlier, this method may not be as reliable as using a computer.
Will unrooting my device affect its performance or battery life?
Unrooting your device should not affect its performance or battery life in any way. The unrooting process simply removes the root access and returns the device to a stock, unrooted state.
In fact, unrooting your device may even improve its performance and battery life, especially if you’ve installed custom firmware or apps that are not optimized for your device. By returning to a stock, unrooted state, you can ensure that your device is running with the latest official software and firmware.
Can I re-root my device after unrooting it?
Yes, you can re-root your device after unrooting it. The unrooting process does not prevent you from re-rooting your device in the future.
In fact, you can re-root your device using the same method you used to root it initially, or you can try a different rooting method altogether. Just keep in mind that re-rooting your device will void your warranty again, and you’ll need to be careful to follow the proper steps to avoid causing any damage to your device.