Database Users

You don't need to root to change firmware

It has become clear that people don't understand the reasons for rooting their phone. The only reason for needing to root your phone is if you'd like to mess around with system functionality which is normally protected.
The exception is firmware changes/updates (via ODIN or update.zip), because those are done before Android is loaded (and before your privileges are taken away). You don't need to root for that.
Very few people need to root and if in doubt try to perform the task first without it. Probably the most common valid reason for rooting, is for backup programs which also back up system settings (because you need privileges to access a lot of those configuration settings

I'm pretty sure you invalidate your warranty the second you let ODIN touch your phone.
But if this about restricting control by avoiding root I guess that has nothing to do with it.

You can reverse the rooting, therefore erasing any trace of the phone being modified.

Isn't it better to root your phone in order to install clockwork recovery mod before messing around with it?

sturmeh said:
I'm pretty sure you invalidate your warranty the second you let ODIN touch your phone.
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There aren't e-fuses or anything... Iif there is no evidence that dodgy firmware caused the issues, the technicians would probably rather spend their time working on fixing it, than wasting time on the phone arguing with a customer.

About phone status:Modified.?

I was just looking at the About Device/Status page, and this entry at the bottom that says that the phone has been modified. I did root so what does someone who hasn't rooted say? Did ATT just make it easy to determine if the phone's been rooted?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747

questions and answers, doh!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=1631

Device Status: Normal
These phones have a flash counter so they can easily tell if its been modified which voids your warranty

After doing some research on rooting the SGS3, it appears that not only there is a flash counter but also the rom itself may also contain a special flag as well. So to truly be rid of the evidence of rooting, not only would you have to reset the counter (which we don't have the ability to do yet) but it looks like you would also have to reflash the full stock firmware and wipe the phone. I got that from reading about the Triangle Away app, which won't work for the US versions of the SGS3, but I think the idea may still apply.

Thread belongs in Q&A. An that's where it's going to be

Is it possible to Re-Root and keep the warranty?

This is probably a really stupid question and many will get angry and call me a noob. However the question is this:
I rooted my phone quite soon after I got it, and now I read there is a way to do it which means I wouldn't lose the warranty. Is there a way, possibly restore and root again, that will mean I get my warranty back?
Of course you are free to answer how you like, but a simple yes or no, or with the addition of constructive advice is all I really need.

no you are f..ed
Teleported from my SM-N9005 from The Enterprise

I did the same thing, bought the phone then rooted within the hour. I should of read all the 'efuse' and knox warranty stuff before... but oh well.
Worst part is, i had installed knox and played around with it, rooted the phone, and when it rebooted i had knox in the pull down menu and couldn't get rid of it as it stopped working. I have now gone back to stock via kies and patiently awaiting for a knox 0x0 reset. Who knows..

Blizzaa said:
This is probably a really stupid question and many will get angry and call me a noob. However the question is this:
I rooted my phone quite soon after I got it, and now I read there is a way to do it which means I wouldn't lose the warranty. Is there a way, possibly restore and root again, that will mean I get my warranty back?
Of course you are free to answer how you like, but a simple yes or no, or with the addition of constructive advice is all I really need.
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Click to collapse
There is no way to restore a rooted device to factory settings whereby restoring the knox counter and enabling your warranty. Once rooted, the device warranty becomes void. You can root and install the original ROM but the problem is the device status will show "Custom". This can be reset so things look factory to the average joe (say a store employee for a return) but the problem you have is if sent for warranty, once a technician looks at the device and runs their troubleshooting techniques on the device, they'll be able to tell it has been rooted.
Hope this helps!

Need help with rooting Rogers Galaxy S4 I337M

So first off, I am have a lot of questions that I might as well ask.
First, will rooting my Rogers Samsung Galaxy S4 I337m mess anything up with the carrier? Like, will i still be able to call and text, etc?
Secondly, can my carrier track that I have a rooted phone?
And this is the most important question, how do I actually root this phone? Most of the methods I have tried don't work because the security app "KNOX" keeps denying access for the root to happen. I have tried many ways to remove KNOX from the phone, but none of them work....So how do I actually root this phone without having KNOX shut me down?
Anyways, thanks for the help!

Pellisco said:
So first off, I am have a lot of questions that I might as well ask.
First, will rooting my Rogers Samsung Galaxy S4 I337m mess anything up with the carrier? Like, will i still be able to call and text, etc?
Secondly, can my carrier track that I have a rooted phone?
And this is the most important question, how do I actually root this phone? Most of the methods I have tried don't work because the security app "KNOX" keeps denying access for the root to happen. I have tried many ways to remove KNOX from the phone, but none of them work....So how do I actually root this phone without having KNOX shut me down?
Anyways, thanks for the help!
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So ...based on the question, and the fact that this is your first post, it appears you have a fair bit of reading to get through before doing it but yes the phone does everything rooted as it did before, you just have access to the whole file system (which means you will have the ability to break things that were "roped off for your protection" before rooting)
No your carrier doesn't know or care you are rooted... unless you do break something and bring it in asking them to fix it, then they will tell you you broke it yourself tough luck. (unless of course you reverse everything back to stock first)
FIRST read all (really... read all of it) of the 2nd and 3rd thread in "AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General"
[GUIDE][INFO] The beginner's info thread (aka. the noob helper) and [HOW-TO] The ULTIMATE All-In-One Guide - I337M & MDL - MF3 - MK2
Then you can root. The "CF Auto-root" method works perfectly on all the Canadian carrier versions (they only differ in carrier bloat.), then install a custom recovery, then install a good backup utility, I suggest TiBu (which will also allow you to remove Knox).
Good luck.

robinsonj said:
So ...based on the question, and the fact that this is your first post, it appears you have a fair bit of reading to get through before doing it but yes the phone does everything rooted as it did before, you just have access to the whole file system (which means you will have the ability to break things that were "roped off for your protection" before rooting)
No your carrier doesn't know or care you are rooted... unless you do break something and bring it in asking them to fix it, then they will tell you you broke it yourself tough luck. (unless of course you reverse everything back to stock first)
FIRST read all (really... read all of it) of the 2nd and 3rd thread in "AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General"
[GUIDE][INFO] The beginner's info thread (aka. the noob helper) and [HOW-TO] The ULTIMATE All-In-One Guide - I337M & MDL - MF3 - MK2
Then you can root. The "CF Auto-root" method works perfectly on all the Canadian carrier versions (they only differ in carrier bloat.), then install a custom recovery, then install a good backup utility, I suggest TiBu (which will also allow you to remove Knox).
Good luck.
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Click to collapse
Yes, I know this is my first post, and you may think I don't know much about rooting, but I have had some experience in the past. I did root my Samsung Galaxy Tab 2, first time I soft bricked it, then actually got to root and stuff to work, so I have some knowledge on what I am doing.
Those two threads that you have linked me, I have looked over and learn't some stuff from them. I have also downloaded CF Auto-Root for the I337m version. I know how to work it, through using Odin and download mode, exact same way I rooted my tablet.
I just have one more question though, rooting it with odin through download mode, that bypasses KNOX and allows the root to work? Cause if I tried rooting with any program like motochopper, KNOX would block it.

Pellisco said:
Yes, I know this is my first post, and you may think I don't know much about rooting, but I have had some experience in the past. I did root my Samsung Galaxy Tab 2, first time I soft bricked it, then actually got to root and stuff to work, so I have some knowledge on what I am doing.
Those two threads that you have linked me, I have looked over and learn't some stuff from them. I have also downloaded CF Auto-Root for the I337m version. I know how to work it, through using Odin and download mode, exact same way I rooted my tablet.
I just have one more question though, rooting it with odin through download mode, that bypasses KNOX and allows the root to work? Cause if I tried rooting with any program like motochopper, KNOX would block it.
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Click to collapse
OK just didn't want you to brick your phone by not really understanding Odin... It is writing to the system partition and has been known to make a mess if the wrong files are dropped in the bootloader or if a download is interrupted.
I'm afraid all I really know about KNOX is from reading about the problems with the 1.x implementation and that the latest was supposed to be the solution for BYOD in a secure enterprise...
I Odined CF Auto-Root and had no issues whatsoever... I'm pretty sure KNOX can only run inside the OS, so in download mode you're outside of where it can interfere with anything. After the root and a custom recovery the first thing I did was freeze all KNOX and "enterprise" files just in case.

robinsonj said:
OK just didn't want you to brick your phone by not really understanding Odin... It is writing to the system partition and has been known to make a mess if the wrong files are dropped in the bootloader or if a download is interrupted.
I'm afraid all I really know about KNOX is from reading about the problems with the 1.x implementation and that the latest was supposed to be the solution for BYOD in a secure enterprise...
I Odined CF Auto-Root and had no issues whatsoever... I'm pretty sure KNOX can only run inside the OS, so in download mode you're outside of where it can interfere with anything. After the root and a custom recovery the first thing I did was freeze all KNOX and "enterprise" files just in case.
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Okay. Hopefully KNOX doesn't interfere with anything. I also noticed in download mode:
Product Name: SGH-I337M
Current Binary: Samsung Official
System Status: Custom
KNOX Kernel Lock: 0x0
KNOX Warranty Void: 0x0
CSB-CONFIG-LSB: 0x20
Write Protection: Enable
eMMC Burst Mode: Enabled
So which ones trip when I root it? I know that the 'Current Binary' will trip if I install a custom rom, but, what about the KNOX stuff? I know that the Warranty Void will then turn to '0x1' and I think the kernel lock will change too, but not 100% sure.
Also, what about Write Protection? Will that have anything to do with writing new software onto the phone and will block it?

Pellisco said:
Okay. Hopefully KNOX doesn't interfere with anything. I also noticed in download mode:
Product Name: SGH-I337M
Current Binary: Samsung Official
System Status: Custom
KNOX Kernel Lock: 0x0
KNOX Warranty Void: 0x0
CSB-CONFIG-LSB: 0x20
Write Protection: Enable
eMMC Burst Mode: Enabled
So which ones trip when I root it? I know that the 'Current Binary' will trip if I install a custom rom, but, what about the KNOX stuff? I know that the Warranty Void will then turn to '0x1' and I think the kernel lock will change too, but not 100% sure.
Also, what about Write Protection? Will that have anything to do with writing new software onto the phone and will block it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You may want to look at the top of this page.... http://autoroot.chainfire.eu/ states CF-auto root will trip Knox warranty... if your rooting, you should install a custom recovery and do a nand backup before you do anything else root without backup can have some ill side effects if you mess around with your files/apps... ie delete something that is critical.... of coruse custom recovery trips something else too I forget what it was but I am sure it's been discussed a couple times throughout the forum.... all I can say is read lots.... most times someone can get you out of a jam but I prefer not to go there in the first place.. so I read before I do.... most here will tell you it's the best way.... pay close attention to those who have messed up... good indication of what not to do....

One other thing I noticed was that there are locked boot loaders on certain devices.
So I have been wondering, does the Rogers Samsung Galaxy S4 come with a locked boot loader? Cause if it does, and I try and root my phone, there is a high chance that it will brick the device.

[Q] Root, Warranty, Unroot?

Hello everyone,
We all know rooting your device voids your warranty.
But if you unroot your device will the ol' techs at Samsung be aware of it?
You see I've run into this problem: I took some pictures, didn't upload them to my laptop or a cloud service and my phone RANDOMLY did a factory reset. (More like it powered off by itself and then when I turned it on everything was gone) Now in order to run decent recovery software for the pictures, I need root. But I also want to have my phone checked out for hardware faults.
I'd like to root, recover photos (or attempt to), unroot and give it to Sammy.
For the S5 is there anything I should be aware of while unrooting?
Thanks in advance!

For now unroot dont give back warrant
Sent from my SM-G900M using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

matheus_sc said:
For now unroot dont give back warrant
Sent from my SM-G900M using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
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Not quite sure what that means.

ellimistx99 said:
Not quite sure what that means.
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Click to collapse
It means that Samsung started using a protection method referred to as Knox. Rooting, installing custom ROMs or bricking your phone will usually trip the Knox counter which then burns a permanent qfuse. Trying to revert to stock after a qfuse is blown will still leave evidence that your phone was previously rooted.
If you root with Chainfire's mobile odin app, you may be able to avoid tripping the Knox counter. But it's not guaranteed. It's a cat and mouse game back and forth and whether your root is 100% revertible changes from time to time. Eventually someone will also mount a legal challenge to settle whether Samsung can void your warranty just because you rooted your phone. But in practical terms.. consider yourself warranty less if you trip the Knox counter on your phone.

fffft said:
It means that Samsung started using a protection method referred to as Knox. Rooting, installing custom ROMs or bricking your phone will usually trip the Knox counter which then burns a permanent qfuse. Trying to revert to stock after a qfuse is blown will still leave evidence that your phone was previously rooted.
If you root with Chainfire's mobile odin app, you may be able to avoid tripping the Knox counter. But it's not guaranteed. It's a cat and mouse game back and forth and whether your root is 100% revertible changes from time to time. Eventually someone will also mount a legal challenge to settle whether Samsung can void your warranty just because you rooted your phone. But in practical terms.. consider yourself warranty less if you trip the Knox counter on your phone.
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Click to collapse
Darn,
Well then I suppose is there any thing I can do to try and recover my photo's?

ellimistx99 said:
Darn,
Well then I suppose is there any thing I can do to try and recover my photo's?
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Click to collapse
Where do you live? If you live in the Netherlands they will not void your warranty because of KNOX, this is proven in real cases now. If you live in another country, I do not know if the law is the same as here, but you should find that out before rooting of course

Well, as suggested above.. if you happen to live in an European countries that has unusually strong consumer protections then it's moot. Otherwise do a search and find out whether other members with your exact firmware version are seeing their Knox counters tripped or not.
Breaking a hard drive seal would normally void a warranty. But Samsung will let authorized vendors break the seal for data recovery purposes. I'd imagine that they'd do the same for photos on a phone but only if you use an expensive third party vendor. If you're not in a Scandinavian country, not rich and have a very recent firmware.. you may have to choose between voiding your warranty and decent prospects of recovering your photos.
If you don't see any better prospects you may be able to run an ADB shell without root and possibly do a dd image of your deleted photos. It's key that it would be a raw sector by sector image, rather than a file by file process in the context of data recovery. And as an aside your phone should be turned off and collecting dust for the moment. Continuing to use your phone may dash any real recovery prospects.

fffft said:
Well, as suggested above.. if you happen to live in an European countries that has unusually strong consumer protections then it's moot. Otherwise do a search and find out whether other members with your exact firmware version are seeing their Knox counters tripped or not.
Breaking a hard drive seal would normally void a warranty. But Samsung will let authorized vendors break the seal for data recovery purposes. I'd imagine that they'd do the same for photos on a phone but only if you use an expensive third party vendor. If you're not in a Scandinavian country, not rich and have a very recent firmware.. you may have to choose between voiding your warranty and decent prospects of recovering your photos.
If you don't see any better prospects you may be able to run an ADB shell without root and possibly do a dd image of your deleted photos. It's key that it would be a raw sector by sector image, rather than a file by file process in the context of data recovery. And as an aside your phone should be turned off and collecting dust for the moment. Continuing to use your phone may dash any real recovery prospects.
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Sounds good will look into all that. I live in Malaysia at the moment so I guess I'll have to see what Samsung says about it. I suppose if I explain it to them they might understand.
Thanks man