Help Samsung Galaxy Tab S Retail Mode

[Summit14]

Hey guys, I just today purchased a Samsung Galaxy Tab S from Tiger Direct. They only had one model left, and it was the floor model. I said I would get it, since they knocked the price down quite a bit. They handed it over in the box etc. However, its stuck in Retail mode. I contacted them about it, they told me to factory reset the device. However, that administration retail mode prevents that, and I can't even power off the device. What do I do? Is there any way to reset it?

 

[funkylogik]

I'd take it back to them and get them to do it mate. What happens exactly when you try to factory reset it.
Have you tried resetting it from recovery mode (power home and volume up I think(hold them in for over 10 seconds to make it reboot))?

 

[Summit14]

I might have to take it back up to them, sadly it was a store closure sale so I gotta be quick. If we can figure it on here great, if not, last solution is to head to them. When doing that, nothing happens. When trying to power off, it says security error.

 

[funkylogik]

So what happens when you hold in Power for ~10-15 seconds? Does it reboot?
And when you try to factory reset from settings, does it ask for a password or what?

 

[Summit14]

So what happens when you hold in Power for ~10-15 seconds? Does it reboot?
And when you try to factory reset from settings, does it ask for a password or what?

Nothing happens when holding anything down. As for the factory settings, its just greyed out. It says there is a device administration account on it. However, when I try and deactivate it, it just is greyed out as well.

 

[funkylogik]

So you've checked in settings, security, device administrators to see if there's one there you can uncheck?
That's really weird that this mode has blocked the ability to reboot by holding in Power, I didn't think that was possible tbh

 

[Summit14]

So you've checked in settings, security, device administrators to see if there's one there you can uncheck?
That's really weird that this mode has blocked the ability to reboot by holding in Power, I didn't think that was possible tbh

There is one there I can uncheck, its Samsung Retail Mode. However, when I try and uncheck it/deactivate, it won't let me. Its SM-T700

 

[funkylogik]

Ok I found this http://www.dorylabs.com/deactivate-remove-galaxy-s5-demo-retail-mode/
And from reading that it's going to involve reflashing the tablet with factory firmware using a PC (it's loaded with a different firmware (operating system) from stock consumer units).
So they should never have sold you it in that condition and unless you're comfortable using the odin software on a PC then I'd just take it back to them.
It's very do-able if you wanna get your hands a bit dirty but they seriously saw you coming when they sold you that tablet

 

[Summit14]

Yeah, I'm on the line with Samsung help, but no luck as well . I guess I will try and ask the store for my money back, unless anyone else has ideas.

 

[funkylogik]

If you read that link and follow the info, the only thing that should be different for you is the firmware you flash using Odin (for the tab s instead of the s5) so, as I said, it's do-able and fairly safe to do

I'd at least follow the steps they say until using Odin and see if that works and even if you take the next step and try flashing it, if it fails it should just fail and you should still get your money back. If it works you've got yourself a bargain

 

[mikedt]

I should imagine that resetting from retail demo mode was made intentionally difficult, because after all they don't want people factory resetting the shop demonstration models. It can't be done just by playing with, pressing buttons, and manipulating the device itself.


Having the thing stuck in retail demo mode, could rather like buying a shirt and them not removing the anti-theft security tag. I've had that happen, and the only thing could do is take it back for them to remove it.

 

[Summit14]

Well, I finally managed to get into recovery mode. However, factory reset is blocked by MDM so I'm heading to the Samsung shop tomorrow as thats what support said to do. They said they may be able to do a full reset for me. If not, returning it.

 

[Summit14]

Update: I was able to bypass all the crap and factory reset it. So woot woot for me and thanks to command prompt. Didn't even have to root it XD

 

[funkylogik]

Update: I was able to bypass all the crap and factory reset it. So woot woot for me and thanks to command prompt. Didn't even have to root it XD

Well done mate
So did factory reset make it boot properly or did you have to reflash it?

 

[Summit14]

Well done mate
So did factory reset make it boot properly or did you have to reflash it?

Factory reset seemed to have just fixed it. No re-flash was needed

 

[funkylogik]

Nice one

 

[Tbaby651]

Update: I was able to bypass all the crap and factory reset it. So woot woot for me and thanks to command prompt. Didn't even have to root it XD

So how did you factory reset yours?? Please help...

 

[Summit14]

So how did you factory reset yours?? Please help...

For the demo mode? Make sure your device allows debugging. Download the Android SDK. Then open a command prompt in the sdk folder once its downloaded. Connect your device and make sure its noticeable by the command prompt by doing adb devices. After that, do adb reboot and hold power button, volume down, and home button while it reboots. If that doesn't work, use the command adb shell, then adb wipe data. If that doesn't work, use the first step combined with the 2nd. Meaning use the wipe data command while its reboot and hold down the buttons. Thats what worked for me.

 

[henry black]

I might have to take it back up to them, sadly it was a store closure sale so I gotta be quick. If we can figure it on here great, if not, last solution is to head to them. When doing that, nothing happens. When trying to power off, it says security error.

 

[diamonddisc]

For the demo mode? Make sure your device allows debugging. Download the Android SDK. Then open a command prompt in the sdk folder once its downloaded. Connect your device and make sure its noticeable by the command prompt by doing adb devices. After that, do adb reboot and hold power button, volume down, and home button while it reboots. If that doesn't work, use the command adb shell, then adb wipe data. If that doesn't work, use the first step combined with the 2nd. Meaning use the wipe data command while its reboot and hold down the buttons. Thats what worked for me.

Hey Summit14, could you please list step by step process to reset my Tab S 8.4 that is stuck in retail mode? I just bought the display model from the store I work at for $25 and can't figure out how to reset it.

 

[Brian706]

Hey Summit14, could you please list step by step process to reset my Tab S 8.4 that is stuck in retail mode? I just bought the display model from the store I work at for $25 and can't figure out how to reset it.

If you are unable to perform a factory reset through the settings menu,can you do it via the device's recovery?

Instructions for that can be found here.

 

[nasrollah]

For the demo mode? Make sure your device allows debugging. Download the Android SDK. Then open a command prompt in the sdk folder once its downloaded. Connect your device and make sure its noticeable by the command prompt by doing adb devices. After that, do adb reboot and hold power button, volume down, and home button while it reboots. If that doesn't work, use the command adb shell, then adb wipe data. If that doesn't work, use the first step combined with the 2nd. Meaning use the wipe data command while its reboot and hold down the buttons. Thats what worked for me.

hi Summit14
my tablet is galxy tab s 8.4 retail mod, please help me to remove retail mode step by step.
please

 

[Mikestony]

hi Summit14
my tablet is galxy tab s 8.4 retail mod, please help me to remove retail mode step by step.
please

Hello and welcome!
Have you tried @Brian706 's suggestion in the post above yours?
Or do you not want to factory reset it?

 

[nasrollah]

Hello and welcome!
Have you tried @Brian706 's suggestion in the post above yours?
Or do you not want to factory reset it?

I , several time factory reset by samsung retail app via code... but after reboot that app not removed . But i flashed new t700 original rom 5.0.2 rom sammobile.com

 

[Mikestony]

I , several time factory reset by samsung retail app via code... but after reboot that app not removed . But i flashed new t700 original rom 5.0.2 rom sammobile.com

So all is good now? No more retail mode?