Administration Guide

Samsung Galaxy A50 (SM-A505F)

Contents
1.- Unlock Bootloader.................................................................................................2
2.- Boot into Download Mode.....................................................................................3
3.- Enable OEM Unlocking & USB Debugging..........................................................4
4.- Firmware Installation.............................................................................................5
5.- TWRP Recovery Installation..................................................................................7
6.- Root Process through Magisk............................................................................10
7.- Software Update...................................................................................................15
8.- Lock Bootloader...................................................................................................18
9.- Troubleshooting Tips...........................................................................................19

1
1.- Unlock Bootloader.
Warning: It is recommended to perform Unlock Bootloader process at the beginning when the
Smartphone boots at first time.

Warning: Before proceed is recommended to backup all local information (photos, data or apps)
through Samsung Smart Switch App because this action perform a Factory Data Reset.

<<<The following activities must be performed on Smartphone>>>

Step 1. Power off the Smartphone.

Step 2. Press and hold “Volume Up + Volume Down” buttons and connect USB C
Cable to PC.

Step 3. Once the green screen appears, release all keys.

Step 4. Press “Volume Up” button at least 3 seconds in order to get into the
Device Unlock Mode.

Step 5. Other green screen shows the question “Unlock bootloader?”.

Step 6. Press “Volume Up” button in order to confirm and procced with the action.

2
2.- Boot into Download Mode.
<<<The following activities must be performed on Smartphone>>>

Method 1

Step 1. Power off the Smartphone.

Step 2. Press and hold “Volume Up + Volume Down” buttons and connect USB C
Cable to PC.

Step 3. Once the green screen appears, release all keys.

Step 4. Press “Volume Up” button once in order to get into Download Mode.

Method 2

Step 1. Power off the Smartphone.

Step 2. Press and hold “Volume Up + Power” buttons.

Step 3. Once Samsung Logo appears release “Power” button only keep pressing
“Volume Up” button until Android Recovery Mode appears.

Step 4. Press “Volume Down” or “Volume Up” buttons to select the “Reboot to
bootloader” option.

Step 5. Press the “Power” button to confirm.

Step 6. The Smartphone will boot up into Download Mode.

Note: To cancel this operation and restart the Smartphone, press “Volume Down + Power” buttons for
more than 7 seconds.

3
3.- Enable OEM Unlocking & USB Debugging.
<<<The following activities must be performed on Smartphone>>>

Step 1. Keep the battery charge minimum with 50%.

Step 2. Go to Settings App and follow the path “About Phone  Software
information”.

Step 3. Locate the “Build number” option and tap for 7 times at least, this will
enable the Developer Mode.

Step 4. Go back to Settings App.

Step 5. At the bottom, press on the “Developer options” option.

Step 6. Locate and enable “OEM unlocking” and “USB debugging” options.

4
4.- Firmware Installation.
Step 1. Connect the Smartphone to the PC using USB C Cable.

<<<The following activities must be performed on Smartphone>>>

Step 2. Enable OEM Unlocking & USB Debugging.

Step 3. Boot into Download Mode.

<<<The following activities must be performed on PC>>>

Step 4. Download the latest Firmware from one of the following links:

https://samfrew.com/es/model/SM-A505F/
https://samsung-firmware.org/es/model/SM-A505F/
https://www.sammobile.com/samsung/galaxy-a50/firmware/SM-A505F/

Step 5. Uncompressed the downloaded Firmware file to get the “AP”, “BL”, “CP”,
“CSC” and “HOME” files.

<<<The following activities must be performed on PC using Odin3 App>>>

Step 6. Run “Odin3 v3.13.3.exe” file as Administrator.

Step 7. Odin3 App will show “Added!!” message in the “Log” tab and also show a
blue box at the top with “0:[COMX]” message.

Step 8. Click on the “Options” tab and make sure only checked options are “Auto
Reboot” and “F. Reset Time” (no other options should be ticked).

Step 9. Click on the “Log” tab.

Step 10. Click on the “BL” button and add the “BL” file.

Step 11. Click on the “AP” button and add the “AP” file.

Step 12. Click on the “CP” button and add the “CP” file.

Step 13. Click on the “CSC” button and add the “CSC” file if a factory reset is
needed or add the “HOME” file if it is not needed to wipe something.

Step 14. Click on the “Start” button.

Step 15. Odin3 App will start installing the Firmware, follow the sequence in the
“Log” tab and see the dark green bar at the top (above the blue box with “0:
[COMX]” message) until it is full. Above this dark green bar will be shown a
big clear green box with “RESET!” message first, then “PASS!” message.
This action should take about 5 or 7 minutes.

Warning: Do not remove or operate the Smartphone until the flashing process to be completed. Once
this process is completed, the Smartphone is safe to remove or disconnect.

<<<The following activities must be performed on Smartphone after booted up>>>

Step 16. Do the usual initial setup until it is finished.

5
Step 17. Verify the Firmware installed following this path “About Phone  Software
information”.

6
5.- TWRP Recovery Installation.
<<<The following activities must be performed on Smartphone>>>

Step 1. Unlock Bootloader.

Step 2. Enable OEM Unlocking & USB Debugging.

Step 3. Make sure the Smartphone is not RMM Locked (in “Developer options”
the “OEM unlocking” option is visible) and power off.

Step 4. Press and hold “Volume up + Power” buttons.

Step 5. Once Samsung Logo appears at second time release “Power” button only
keep pressing “Volume Up” button until Android Recovery Mode appears.

Step 6. Press “Volume Down” or “Volume Up” buttons to select the “Wipe
data/factory reset” option.

Step 7. Press “Power” button.

Step 8. Press “Volume Down” button to select “Yes” option.

Step 9. Once finished the wipe action, go to “Reboot to bootloader” option.

Step 10. Press “Power” button in order to boot into Download Mode.

Step 11. Connect the Smartphone to the PC using USB C Cable.

<<<The following activities must be performed on PC using Odin3 App>>>

Step 12. Run “Odin3 v3.13.3.exe” file as Administrator.

Step 13. Odin3 App will show “Added!!” message in the “Log” tab and also show a
blue box at the top with “0:[COMX]” message.

Step 14. Click on the “Options” tab and make sure only checked option is “F. Reset
Time” (no other options should be ticked).

Step 15. Click on the “Log” tab.

Step 16. Click on the “AP” button and add the “TWRP Recovery v3.3.1-2.tar” file.

Step 17. Click on the “Start” button.

Step 18. Odin3 App will start installing the Firmware, follow the sequence in the
“Log” tab and see the dark green bar at the top (above the blue box with “0:
[COMX]” message) until it is full. Above this dark green bar will be shown a
big clear green box with “RESET!” message first, then “PASS!” message.
This action should take about 15 seconds.

Warning: Do not remove or operate the Smartphone until the flashing process to be completed. Once
this process is completed, the Smartphone is safe to remove or disconnect.

<<<The following activities must be performed on Smartphone still into Download Mode>>>

7
Step 19. Press and hold “Volume Down + Power” buttons.

Step 20. Once the screen blanks (this means the Smartphone is temporary power off
almost 1 second), immediately press and hold “Volume Up + Power”
buttons.

Step 21. Once Samsung Logo appears at second time, release “Power” button only
keeps pressing “Volume Up” button until TWRP Recovery Mode appears.

<<<The following activities must be performed on Smartphone into TWRP Recovery Mode>>>

Step 22. Do “Swipe to Allow Modifications” action.

Step 23. Press “Wipe” button (to decrypt data partition).

Step 24. Press “Format Data” button and type “yes”.

Step 25. Press “Blue Tick” button at the right bottom screen.

Step 26. A new screen appears showing “Formatting Data...” message. When data
format is completed, a “Successful” message appears at the top screen.

Step 27. Press “Home” button.

Step 28. Press “Reboot” button.

Step 29. Press “Recovery” button.

Step 30. Press “Do Not Install” button.

Step 31. Wait until the Smartphone reboots and TWRP Recovery Mode appears
again.

Step 32. Do “Swipe to Allow Modifications” action.

Step 33. Press “Install” button.

Step 34. Press “Select Storage” button.

Step 35. Select “Micro SD card” option.

Step 36. Press “OK” button.

Step 37. Locate “RMM-State_Bypass_Mesa_v2.zip” file.

Step 38. Do “Swipe to confirm Flash” action.

Step 39. A new screen appears installing the Zip file. When flash action is completed
a “Successful” message appears at the top screen.

Step 40. Press “Home” button.

Step 41. Press “Advanced” button.

Step 42. Press “File Manager” button.

8
Step 43. Locate and press “system” folder.

Step 44. Locate and press “system” folder again.

Step 45. Locate and press “recovery-from-boot.p” file.

Step 46. Press “Rename File” button and type “recovery-from-boot.p.bak”.

Step 47. Press “Blue Tick” button at the right bottom screen.

Step 48. A new screen appears in order to “Confirm Action”.

Step 49. Do “Swipe to Confirm” action.

Step 50. Press “Home” button

Step 51. Press “Install” button

Step 52. Locate “Disable_Dm-Verity_ForceEncrypt_05.21.2019.zip” file.

Step 53. Do “Swipe to confirm Flash” action.

Step 54. A new screen appears installing the Zip file. When flash action is completed
a “Successful” message appears at the top screen.

Step 55. Press “Home” button.

Step 56. Press “Reboot” button.

Step 57. Press “System” button.

Step 58. Press “Do Not Install” button.

Step 59. Wait until Smartphone is rebooted from the scratch.

Step 60. After Smartphone is booted up, do the usual initial setup and reboot (or
power off/on) it, in order to verify this action does not take the Smartphone to
TWRP Recovery Mode and take it to the normal beginning session again.

Note: In order to rooting or installing custom ROMs on the Smartphone, reboot it from TWRP
Recovery Mode.

Step 61. Power off the Smartphone.

Step 62. Press and hold “Volume Up + Power” buttons.

Step 63. Once Samsung Logo appears at second time, release “Power” button only
keeps pressing “Volume Up” button until TWRP Recovery Mode appears.

9
6.- Root Process through Magisk.
Step 1. Connect the Smartphone to the PC using USB C Cable.

<<<The following activity must be performed on Smartphone>>>

Step 2. Unlock Bootloader.

<<<The following activities must be performed on PC>>>

Step 3. Download the latest Firmware from one of the following links:

https://samfrew.com/es/model/SM-A505F/
https://samsung-firmware.org/es/model/SM-A505F/
https://www.sammobile.com/samsung/galaxy-a50/firmware/SM-A505F/

Step 4. Uncompressed the downloaded Firmware file to get the “AP”, “BL”, “CP”,
“CSC” and “HOME” files.

Step 5. Copy the “AP” file together with the “Magisk Manager v7.3.2.apk” file to
the Smartphone SD Card.

<<<The following activities must be performed on Smartphone>>>

Step 6. Locate and run the “Magisk Manager v7.3.2.apk” file.

Step 7. Press “Settings” option.

Step 8. Enable “Allow from this source” option.

Step 9. At the screen left top press “arrow” button to turn back to “Install unknown
apps”.

Step 10. Press “Install” option.

Step 11. Press “Open” option in order to see the Magisk Manager App installed.

Step 12. Look at the “Magisk is not installed” message and press “Install” option.

Step 13. On the pop-up window press “Install” option.

Step 14. Press “Select and Patch a File” option.

Step 15. Press “Allow” option.

Step 16. At the screen left top press the “3 bars” button.

Step 17. Select the storage (SD Card) containing the “AP” file.

Step 18. Locate the “AP” file and press on it.

Step 19. A black screen appears with a “Flashing...” message at the top showing
bellow the log events patching the “AP” file.

10
Step 20. Once finished the previous flashing process a “Done!” message is shown at
the top and “All done!” message is shown at the bottom of the log events.

Warning: Do not press “Reboot” option, just exit this screen pressing “arrow” button.

Note: The “AP” file patched is called now “magisk_patched.tar” and it is placed in the path
“/storage/emulated/0/Download/”.

Step 21. Copy the “magisk_patched.tar” file from the Smartphone to the PC.

<<<The following activities must be performed on Smartphone>>>

Step 22. Power off the Smartphone without disconnect it.

Step 23. Press and hold “Volume up + Power” buttons.

Step 24. Once Samsung Logo appears at second time, release “Power” button only
keeps pressing “Volume Up” button until Android Recovery Mode
appears.

Step 25. Press “Volume Down” or “Volume Up” buttons to select the “Wipe
data/factory reset” option.

Step 26. Press “Power” button.

Step 27. Press “Volume Down” button to select “Yes” option.

Step 28. Once finished the wipe action, go to “Reboot to bootloader” option.

Step 29. Press “Power” button in order to boot into Download Mode.

<<<The following activities must be performed on PC using Odin3 App>>>

Step 30. Run “Odin3 v3.13.3.exe” file as Administrator.

Step 31. Odin3 App will show “Added!!” message in the “Log” tab and also show a
blue box at the top with “0:[COMX]” message.

Step 32. Click on the “Options” tab and make sure only checked option is “F. Reset
Time” (no other options should be ticked).

Step 33. Click on the “Log” tab.

Step 34. Click on the “BL” button and add the “BL” file.

Step 35. Click on the “AP” button and add the “magisk_patched.tar” file.

Step 36. Click on the “CP” button and add the “CP” file.

Step 37. Click on the “CSC” button and add the “CSC” file.

Step 38. Click on the “Start” button.

Step 39. Odin3 App will start installing the Magisk patched Firmware, follow the
sequence in the “Log” tab and see the dark green bar at the top (above the

11
 blue box with “0:[COMX]” message) until it is full. Above this dark green bar
will be shown a big clear green box with “RESET!” message first, then
“PASS!” message. This action should take about 5 or 7 minutes.

Warning: Do not remove or operate the Smartphone until the flashing process to be completed. Once
this process is completed, the Smartphone is safe to remove or disconnect.

<<<The following activities must be performed on Smartphone still into Download Mode>>>

Step 40. Press and hold “Volume Down + Power” buttons.

Step 41. Once the screen blanks (this means the Smartphone is temporary power off
almost 1 second), immediately press and hold “Volume Up + Power”
buttons.

Step 42. Once Samsung Logo appears at second time, release “Power” button only
keeps pressing “Volume Up” button in the Android Logo screen with text
“Erasing”.

Step 43. Once the screen blanks again (this means the Smartphone is temporary
power off almost 1 second), immediately press and Hold “Volume Up +
Power” buttons.

Step 44. Once Samsung Logo appears at second time again, release “Power” button
only keeps pressing “Volume Up” button until Android Recovery Mode
appears.

Step 45. Press “Volume Down” or “Volume Up” buttons to select the “Wipe
data/factory reset” option.

Step 46. Press “Power” button.

Step 47. Press “Volume Down” button to select “Yes” option.

Step 48. Once finished the wipe action, go to “Reboot system now” option.

Step 49. Press “Power” button.

Step 50. Once the screen blanks again (this means the Smartphone is temporary
power off almost 1 second), immediately press and Hold “Volume Up +
Power” buttons.

Step 51. Once Samsung Logo appears at second time again, release “Power” button
only keeps pressing “Volume Up” button about 3 seconds then release it.

Note: After this step, the Smartphone has a short reset before completely booting up.

<<<The following activities must be performed on Smartphone after booted up>>>

Step 52. Do the usual initial setup until it is finished.

Step 53. In app drawer the Magisk Manager App will be shown, if not, install it
manually.

Note: Even if Magisk Manager App is already installed, uninstall it, and reinstall it through official
APK file.

12
Step 54. Connect the Smartphone to Internet.

Step 55. Open Magisk Manager App and it will ask to do additional setups. Let it do
its job and the app will automatically reboot the Smartphone.

Step 56. Once the screen blanks again (this means the Smartphone is temporary
power off almost 1 second), immediately press and Hold “Volume Up +
Power” buttons.

Step 57. Once Samsung Logo appears at second time again, release “Power” button
only keeps pressing “Volume Up” button about 3 seconds then release it.

Step 58. After Smartphone is booted up, open Magisk Manager App and verify the
green tick on “Magisk is up to date” and “Magisk Manager is up to date”
options.

Note: In order to prevent losing Magisk root privileges, perform the next steps with Magisk
Manager App still opened.

Step 59. At the screen left top press the “3 bars” button.

Step 60. Press “Modules” option.

Step 61. At the screen right top press the “3 points” button.

Step 62. Press “Reboot” option.

Note: While Smartphone is booting up, do not press any button, just wait until the session is started
again.

Step 63. Open Magisk Manager App and verify the green tick on “Magisk is up to
date” and “Magisk Manager is up to date” options. Perform this
verification even after powering off/on the Smartphone.

Note: If above steps do not work, every time Smartphone is rebooted, perform the next steps. Only
doing the following actions ensure Smartphone is properly started with root privileges.

Step 64. Once the screen blanks (this means the Smartphone is temporary power off
almost 1 second), immediately press and Hold “Volume Up + Power”
buttons.

Step 65. Once Samsung Logo appears at second time again, release “Power” button
only keeps pressing “Volume Up” button about 3 seconds then release it.

Note: If above steps do not work and Smartphone is powered off, every time Smartphone needs to
power on, perform the next steps. Only doing the following actions ensure Smartphone is
properly started with root privileges.

Step 66. Press and Hold “Volume Up + Power” buttons.

Step 67. Once Samsung Logo appears at second time again, release “Power” button
only keeps pressing “Volume Up” button about 3 seconds then release it.

Note: Once ensured Smartphone is properly started with root privileges, perform the last steps.

13
Step 68. Download, install and open Root Checker Basic App.
Step 69. Press “Verify Root” option in order to see the green message
“Congratulations! Root access is properly installed on this device!”.

14
7.- Software Update.
Warning: Before proceed is recommended to backup all local information (photos, data or apps)
through Samsung Smart Switch App because this action perform a Factory Data Reset.

Step 1. Connect the Smartphone to the PC using USB C Cable.

<<<The following activities must be performed on PC>>>

Step 2. Download the latest Firmware from one of the following links:

https://samfrew.com/es/model/SM-A505F/
https://samsung-firmware.org/es/model/SM-A505F/
https://www.sammobile.com/samsung/galaxy-a50/firmware/SM-A505F/

Step 3. Uncompressed the downloaded Firmware file to get the “AP”, “BL”, “CP”,
“CSC” and “HOME” files.

Step 4. Copy the “AP” file to the Smartphone SD Card.

<<<The following activities must be performed on Smartphone with Magisk Manager App opened>>>

Step 5. Look at the “Magisk is up to date” message and press “Install” option.

Step 6. On the pop-up window press “Install” option.

Step 7. Press “Select and Patch a File” option.

Step 8. Select the storage (SD Card) containing the “AP” file.

Step 9. Locate the “AP” file and press on it.

Step 10. A black screen appears with a “Flashing...” message at the top showing
bellow the log events patching the “AP” file.

Step 11. Once finished the previous flashing process a “Done!” message is shown at
the top and “All done!” message is shown at the bottom of the log events.

Warning: Do not press “Reboot” option, just exit this screen pressing “arrow” button.

Note: The “AP” file patched is called now “magisk_patched.tar” and it is placed in the path
“/storage/emulated/0/Download/”.

Step 12. Copy the “magisk_patched.tar” file from the Smartphone to the PC.

Step 13. Follow Boot into Download Mode (Method 1).

<<<The following activities must be performed on PC using Odin3 App opened>>>

Step 14. Odin3 App will show “Added!!” message in the “Log” tab and also show a
blue box at the top with “0:[COMX]” message.

Step 15. Click on the “Options” tab and make sure only checked options are “Auto
Reboot” and “F. Reset Time” (no other options should be ticked).

Step 16. Click on the “Log” tab.

15
Step 17. Click on the “BL” button and add the “BL” file.

Step 18. Click on the “AP” button and add the “AP” file.

Step 19. Click on the “CP” button and add the “CP” file.

Step 20. Click on the “CSC” button and add the “CSC” file.

Step 21. Click on the “Start” button.

Step 22. Odin3 App will start installing the Firmware, follow the sequence in the
“Log” tab and see the dark green bar at the top (above the blue box with “0:
[COMX]” message) until it is full. Above this dark green bar will be shown a
big clear green box with “RESET!” message first, then “PASS!” message.
This action should take about 5 or 7 minutes.

Warning: Do not remove or operate the Smartphone until the flashing process to be completed. Once
this process is completed, the Smartphone is safe to remove or disconnect.

<<<The following activities must be performed on Smartphone after booted up>>>

Step 23. Do the usual initial setup until it is finished.

Step 24. Verify the Firmware installed following this path “About Phone  Software
information”.

Step 25. Follow Boot into Download Mode (Method 1).

Step 26. Follow the Root Process through Magisk from Step 30 to Step 69.

Step 27. Perform the following basic checks through System Apps:

Apps Checks
 Connection to Wi-Fi.
 Customize Display, Face recognition and
Language.
 Registered Accounts: Email, Gmail and Samsung.
Settings  Add remaining Accounts.
 Access to download Wallpapers and themes.
 Software update.
 Phone name.
 Enable “Developer options” option.
Galaxy Store  Update Samsung Apps.

Step 28. From Google Play App download and install the following Apps and
perform its respective Checks:

Apps
AppHider+
System App Safe Remover
Solid Explorer File Manager
Checks
 Customize this new App.
 Use this App in order to remove all Apps that will
not be used.
 Remove App by App and every time this happens
power on/off the Smartphone.
 After booted up, verify the App removed now is
located in the Recycle bin.
 Remove My Files App through System App Safe
Remover.
 Customize this new File Management App.
 Grant read and write permissions for microSD

16
 Card.
 Remove Samsung Keyboard App through System
SwiftKey Keyboard App Safe Remover.
 Customize this new Keyboard App.
 Remove Video Player App through System App
VLC Safe Remover.
 Customize this new Audio & Video App.

Step 29. Connect the Smartphone to the PC using USB C Cable.

<<<The following activity must be performed on PC>>>

Step 30. Restore to the Smartphone all local information backed up to PC previous to
Step 1 through Samsung Smart Switch App, except the following Apps:

AppHider+
Booking.com
Facebook
Magisk Manager
Root Checker Basic
System App Safe Remover
Solid Explorer File Manager
SwiftKey Keyboard
VLC

17
8.- Lock Bootloader.
Warning: Before proceed is recommended to backup all local information (photos, data or apps)
through Samsung Smart Switch because this action perform a Factory Data Reset.

<<<The following activities must be performed on Smartphone>>>

Step 1. Power off the Smartphone.

Step 2. Press and hold “Volume Up + Volume Down” buttons and connect USB C
Cable to PC.

Step 3. Once the green screen appears, release all keys.

Step 4. Press “Volume Up” button at least 3 seconds in order to get into the
Device Unlock Mode.

Step 5. Other green screen shows the question “Lock bootloader?”.

Step 6. Press “Volume Up” button in order to confirm and procced with the action.

18
9.- Troubleshooting Tips
<<<The following activities must be performed on Smartphone>>>

Recovery from ROM Stuck

Note: Normally this happen after a failed root process and there is no way to power off the
Smartphone.

Step 1. Connect the Smartphone to the PC using USB C Cable.

Step 2. Press “Volume Down + Power” buttons in order to reboot it.

Step 3. Once the screen blanks (this means the Smartphone is temporary power off,
almost 1 second), immediately press “Volume Up + Volume Down”
buttons.

Step 4. Once the green screen appears, release all keys.

Step 5. Press “Volume Up” button once in order to get into Download Mode.

19