Disable retail mode on Samsung ( works on any device)

If it happens to own a Samsung Tab S2 demo tablet that runs the retail app, you can easily turn it into a regular gadget by following the instructions below. While the steps are fairly simple, there is still a chance that something might go wrong when rewriting the software so by following this procedure you will be responsible for all risks.

Retail Mode is installed on Samsung products that are not listed for sale but instead used as demo units in stores. Retail Mode automatically displays ads and presentations, making it impossible for the end user to use a tablet set on Retail Demo. How do you disable Retail Demo mode on a Samsung Tablet?

Step by step guide on how to disable Samsung’s Retail Mode

The first step is to bypass reset protection on Samsung Tab S2

To reset the tablet, you need to access the Retail App.

Tap on the app icon from the upper screen ribbon and you will get the Retail Mode window.

Go to configuration settings where you will enter 5444 to get access to settings. Select “Disable Factory Reset” and enter the following passkey: M729Q16K8546. Now you’ll be asked if you want to reset the tablet, but don’t do this yet. Just exit.

Now, you need to enable USB Debugging- this mode makes Android devices receptive to download and send data over USB cable connection.

Follow these steps:

Go to Settings> About Device.

Scroll down to find Build number and tap it 7 times.

You will see a toast message that “Developer mode has been enabled” on your device.

Go back to the Settings screen and you will find a new item called Developer options there. Tap it and go to USB debugging option and enable it.

The last step is to get your software version as you need it for the next step – go to the Settings/About menu and write down software, model and all the data provided.

Shut down the tablet for now.

 

Get Odin

Download Odin, which will let you rewrite the software of the Samsung Tab S2. Careful! From this point on, you assume all risks by following the procedure, as there is a chance the tablet will become bricked.

You can download Odin here.

To run a stock firmware version, you need to flash the tablet.

Download new firmware

You can download the stock firmware for Samsung Tab S2 from Sammobile or similar hosting platforms.

Be careful when choosing the version to download. Use the tablet to go to Settings/About and check out the product version.

Then, download only the firmware that matches the name and region of the tablet.

If you can’t find an appropriate firmware version you can risk and download a different Samsung Tab S2 software version. It should generally work fine as long as it’s a stock version.

I’ve chosen an Android 6 firmware that I’ve also downloaded from Sammobile.

Once the download is complete it’s time for the final step: flash device using Odin

Carefully follow the next steps to flash the firmware on your Tab S2:

Extract the firmware from the archive on a separate folder, then open Odin.

 

Start the tablet in recovery mode by pressing Volume Down + Power + Home buttons at the same time

Odin will now detect the tablet as in the screenshot below

Press AP and choose the new firmware, then press Start.

When Odin will display a “Pass” message ( green box) unplug the USB cable from tablet. Your tablet will auto restart.

 

Your tablet should enter Recovery mode after a few seconds. Sometimes it will show Error and then will enter Recovery menu.

If this doesn’t happen, you will have to do it manually:

Boot in to Recovery mode by pressing Volume Up + Power+Home, and when tablet vibrates then release Power.

Choose Wipe data + Factory Reset from recovery menu. Then choose Reboot.

Final step

It will take about 4-5 minutes for tablet to start ( logo screen). You should now have a standard Samsung Tab S2 without the Retail Mode and with a stock Android instead.

If your device won’t reboot

You should press Volume Down+ Home+Power and put your tablet on download mode once again. You should download and use other firmware from Sammobile or other website, because the firmware you downloaded is not good for your tablet – check again your software version.