If you have a smartwatch Samsung Galaxy Gear you should know, if you did not already know, that an official update has been launched to pass the operating system of this model to Tizen (replacing Android). Of course, if you were root, you will have lost these privileges. We show you how to recover them in the following article.
The point is that we already explained in [sitename] how to perform the migration process to Tizen using Kies, which seems to us the safest and most comfortable way for everything to go smoothly. Therefore, if you would not have done this, follow the steps in this link before proceeding to follow the steps to root the Samsung Galaxy Gear, since otherwise this will be impossible and you could render the smartwatch unusable.
If you have already achieved this, you will be able to be root and, therefore, access every corner of your device. Of course, as we always indicate, doing everything we indicate below is the sole responsibility of the user. Furthermore, it is highly recommended to back up all the information on the Samsung Galaxy Gear, since it is normal for it to be lost. Furthermore, the warranty may be invalidated and it is convenient Install Samsung USB/ADB Drivers before connecting the watch to the PC to avoid detection failures.
Requirements and essential preparation
Before flashing anything, make sure you do the following to minimize errors and risks:
- Install the official USB/ADB drivers from Samsung on the computer so that the Gear is recognized correctly.
- Download the odin app (link) and have the root file that you are going to flash via PDA/AP (You can download it at this link; you must unzip it until you get the file that ends in img.tar).
- Have the original firmware (.md5) from the Gear to be able to restore it to factory settings if necessary (you can find it on reputable technical sources). It's not mandatory for rooting, but it's highly recommended.
- Connect the watch with your cargo base/hood using a good quality USB cable and a direct port on the PC.
- Make sure you have at least 50% battery on the watch and on the PC, and performs a Backup complete your data.
- If you are going to modify system files after root, download the Tizen SDK (link) to use sdb with superuser permissions.
Steps to follow to root the Samsung Galaxy Gear with Tizen
The truth is that it is not particularly difficult to come to fruition, especially if you have carried out a similar process with another Samsung device in which the odin app. The fact is that you must obtain this (link) and, also, the corresponding file to install and that provides the smartwatch unlocking service. In this link you can download it (you must unzip it). These are the steps to follow:
- Once everything is downloaded, you have to start Odin
- Now, you must put the charging "hood" on the Samsung Galaxy Gear and connect it to the computer
- Once the connected message appears, click on the PDA button and look for the file that you downloaded and unzipped (it is the one that ends in img.tar)
- Click on Start and wait for the process to finish. Once completed, you will have access to every corner of the Samsung Galaxy Gear
If Odin does not detect the device, enter Download Mode: Reboot the Gear by holding the side button until you see “Rebooting”, press repeatedly to enter “Select REBOOT MODE”, choose “Download”, hold for 3 seconds to confirm and repeat the flashing from Odin.
As you can see, it is not exactly very complicated to root the Samsung smartwatch with the Tizen operating system, although you may wonder what you can do now with it. Well, simple, access all the partitions that are included in it, modify them and, for example, ensure that the device does not make noise when a photo is taken. Also, you should know that this will allow independent developers generate ROMs custom that can be the most interesting.
What you can achieve by being root
As we have said, one of the things that can be done is to eliminate the sound that the Samsung Galaxy Gear emits when a photo is taken. To do this you have to do a more complicated process than the previous one, so we recommend that if you do not have any experience in this type of process or you are not sure, it is better not to "try". The responsibility is always the user, we remember.
The first thing to get is the Tizen SDK (link) and once downloaded and executed after the corresponding installation, in the code panel that appears, you have to write the following:
- sdb root on
- sdb shell mount -o remount, rw /
- sdb shell mv / usr / share / sounds / mm-camcorder / / usr / share / sounds / mm-camcorder_bak /
- sdb shell mv /usr/apps/com.samsung.w-camera-app/res/sounds /usr/apps/com.samsung.w-camera-app/res/sounds_bak
With these active lines root access, you remount the system in reading writing and renaming the sound folders prevents the shutter. At any time you can reverse the change renaming the folders again _bak to their original names. You can also install binaries, enable advanced debugging, or adjust permissions on system directories.
How to unroot and restore factory settings
If you want to remove root access or need to recover your watch after a crash, you can restore the stock firmware with Odin. This process delete your content and it is best to use it only when necessary.
- Connect the Gear to your PC using its charging base.
- If it is on (booting or not), hold the right button until you see “Samsung Galaxy Gear Rebooting” and press quickly several times until “Select REBOOT MODE” appears.
- Select “Download” with the button.
- Hold the button for 3 seconds and release it: it will enter Download Mode.
- Unzip the ODIN firmware .zip corresponding until obtaining the file .md5.
- Open Odin, click on PDA/AP and select the .md5 firmware.
- DON'T CHANGE ANYTHING ELSE in Odin.
- press Start and wait for it to finish. The Gear will be as good as new and unrooted.
Nota: make sure you have the ADB/USB drivers installed and use the correct firmware for your model/region.
Risks, guarantees and good practices
- Warranty and support: Rooting may void the manufacturer's warranty.
- Data loss: Some processes require formatting; always make backup copies.
- Safety: With root access, apps and services could gain critical permissions if you're not careful.
- Updates: You may stop receiving or installing future OTA updates normally.
- Soft-brick risk: A wrong configuration in Odin or a short circuit during flashing can leave the watch inoperable until restored.
Alternative methods and comparison with Samsung mobile phones
On Samsung phones, many users turn to solutions like iRoot (APK) to root without a PC by activating “Unknown Sources” and pressing “Root Now”, or CF-Auto-Root with Odin (PC) by uploading BL/AP/CP/CSC files and, in certain cases, a PIT. There are also one-click tools such as Kingo Root, Towelroot, Framaroot, Universal Android o Kingroot compatible with different versions of Android (from 2.2 to 7.0), some with unroot option (for example, Framaroot) and others that lack unroot or try to install unwanted apps. These alternatives serve as a reference to understand the rooting ecosystem on Android, but are not applicable to the Galaxy Gear with Tizen, where the valid method goes through Odin and specific files for the watch.
In some Gear that kept Android it was used Cydia Impactor to push su from SuperSU to /system/xbin; however, after migrating to Tizen the procedure changes completely and you must follow the Odin-based flow described in this guide.
Vía: XDA Developers.
By following these recommendations, with the right tools and paying attention to every detail, it is possible Root the Samsung Galaxy Gear with Tizen safely, revert changes if something doesn't go as planned, and take advantage of advanced features like full partition access, system tweaks, and advanced customization—always with caution and up-to-date backups.
