Database Users

Just bought my S4 (I9505)

Hi guys!
Yesterday I've received my new S4 and obviously I'm really happy!
I'm planning to root my S4 after some tests (just to be sure the device has not problems) and I'm thinking to flash the Google Edition ROM.
Now some questions:
- Is there some test,stuffs to check or common warrenty problem to check/wait before root my S4?
- Just rooting the device will invalidate the KNOX? Is there a way to restore the KNOX or may I root my device only when I'm sure I really want invalidate my warrenty?
- After rooting decision/time... I live in Italy but I've bought an EU S4: do you suggest me to change the CSC (I9505OXXBMG3) to ITV and flash Italy sotck/mod ROM or it doesn't matter and I can stay on the actual CSC?
- In your opinion, Is it really worth to flash the Google Edition 4.3 or may I wait for the official 4.3 from Samsung (I saw the leaked ROM so maybe it's time for official!)
Thanks guys!

If your device has the older bootloader you're fine for flashing as it doesn't have KNOX implemented. If it has the new bootloader with KNOX, flashing a custom rom will void your warranty forever. It flags it in download mode and you can't remove it even if you went back to fully stock, so you still wouldn't have any warranty

Someone posted this on one of the BLOG.
chiragnarasimha on 4 October 2013 at 14:52 said:
Incase the above method failed, then i am sad to tell you that there is a long process that is probably going take more than an hour to complete the downgrade process.
First of all, remember that when you upgraded to 4.3, you also upgraded stuff like BL(bootloader), AP(formerly known as pda which can be downloaded from this site), CP (modem of the phone) and finally CSC. So, the trick is to download the BL of 4.2.2, AP(PDA) of your region, CP of your region or your carrier, and the CSC of your region. Trust me, finding these stuff can be hard depending on the popularity of your region and the popularity of your carrier.
Hopefully, you were able to download all the above mentioned stuff. Now go ahead and flash these things with odin. Also note that wiping the device with the stock recovery ( vol up + home Key + Power button) might be necessary. While flashing with odin, DO NOT CHECK ANYTHING APART FROM AUTO REBOOT AND F. RESET TIME.
OR THE EASIEST IS PROBABLY TO WAIT FOR THE OFFICIAL RELEASE AND THEN FLASH IT WITH ODIN. YOU CAN DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL RELEASE WHEN IT IS AVAILABLE IN THIS WEBSITE ANYWAYS
will this work?? splitting the firmware? anyone?

imlgl said:
If your device has the older bootloader you're fine for flashing as it doesn't have KNOX implemented. If it has the new bootloader with KNOX, flashing a custom rom will void your warranty forever. It flags it in download mode and you can't remove it even if you went back to fully stock, so you still wouldn't have any warranty
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for response!
I've just reboot in download mode and my S4 printout:
ODIN MODE
PRODUCT NAME: gt-I9505
CURRENT BINARY: Samsung Official
SYSTEM STATUS: Offical
CSB-CONFIG-LSB: 0x30
WRITE PROTECTED: Enabled
Have I the older bootloader? I can't see any knox strings...
If yes, that means that if I want to flash the 4.3 Google Edition ROM it's better to flash it now before Samsung send me the OTA update of the official 4.3 ROM or I didn't understand well?
In which ROMs Samsung has introduces the KNOX.... I'm little bit confused because someone of you has KNOX but my S4 says to me via OTA thet there is no new update...

Markino said:
Thanks for response!
I've just reboot in download mode and my S4 printout:
ODIN MODE
PRODUCT NAME: gt-I9505
CURRENT BINARY: Samsung Official
SYSTEM STATUS: Offical
CSB-CONFIG-LSB: 0x30
WRITE PROTECTED: Enabled
Have I the older bootloader? I can't see any knox strings...
If yes, that means that if I want to flash the 4.3 Google Edition ROM it's better to flash it now before Samsung send me the OTA update of the official 4.3 ROM or I didn't understand well?
In which ROMs Samsung has introduces the KNOX.... I'm little bit confused because someone of you has KNOX but my S4 says to me via OTA thet there is no new update...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup you have older bootloader, it's the same as mine except my says custom instead of official.

[HELP] Soft-bricked i9505 Snapdragon

Alright, fellow S4 owners.
My stupidity has caused some serious issues.
I have the GT-i9505, everything was going great. Had Jamal's Nexus ROM on there, went to flash another ROM. BAM, first mistake. Didn't make a backup (Yes, I know about my signature).
Second mistake, wiped everything including firmware. I'm currently downloading UK firmware which was originally on the phone, however I'm not even quite sure I have the correct region code for this one as it is unbranded.
Tried connecting to Kies, said something along the lines of "Device does not support initialising".
All I have right now is the download screen, just going down the list:
ODIN MODE
Product Name: GT-I9505
Current Binary: Custom
System Status: Custom
Knox Kernel Lock: 0x0
Knox Warranty Void: 0x1
CSB-CONFIG-LSB: 0x30
Write Protection: Enable
The big message says: Firmware upgrade encountered an issue. Please select recovery mode in Kies & try again.
Any help would be appreciated.

Just flash any latest stock firmware in Odin and you'll be up and running again mate.
You can find firmware on Sammobile
BTU is unbranded UK firmware I believe.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using XDA Premium HD app

Well, I'm certainly hoping. I have been downloading the firmware for about 3 hours now. Damn you Terafile.
EDIT: Alright, got the S4 back up and running, however I downloaded UK firmware, but I don't believe it's the BTU as suggested. Are there any immediate side effects of this?

Cyanidex00 said:
Well, I'm certainly hoping. I have been downloading the firmware for about 3 hours now. Damn you Terafile.
EDIT: Alright, got the S4 back up and running, however I downloaded UK firmware, but I don't believe it's the BTU as suggested. Are there any immediate side effects of this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
- This is latest BTU for u phone: HERE
- When u finish of flash with ODIN u can root it
- Conect it to KIES 3, maybe it will tell ya u have the latest firmware installed. If no take a look close the word CSC and btw () u will have ur phone code
- If u need change it:
- Make a SD Internal Backup
- For change CSC only download this program HERE.
- If works, enjoy it :highfive:

[Q] who can anwser my questions and get a special THANKS :)

Hi everybosy
i'm new from sonyericsson, so have so many question and its appreciated if anyone answer me
1- witch customized kernel (( all the things works and without lag )) for CSC: N9005OJVDMJ4 and AP : N9005XXUDMJ7 (( i don't know what is ap and csc , just searched on kernel sessions and found out some kernel are working on N9000..... AP or CSC ... ))
2- is there any apk the manage cpu cores when the display is off ? when i has xperia play , i remember that was an apk to manage cpu sleep ...
i want to increase my battery life .
3- i root my n9005 LTE by "de la vega" , how can i make sure mu knox counter is still 0x0
4- what happening if i remove all knox pks (( knox 1 , 2 " update" , agent ...))
5 - now i'm rooting , i think i can't update next month to 4.4 via OTA ? is n't it ?
6- if i flash the original firmeware that downloaded before from sammobile , everythings will back to the first day ? can i use ota update ? will my knox rested to 0x ?

mehdi.moha said:
Hi everybosy
i'm new from sonyericsson, so have so many question and its appreciated if anyone answer me
1- what is the best customized kernel (( all the things works and without lag )) for CSC: N9005OJVDMJ4 and AP : N9005XXUDMJ7 (( i don't know what is ap and csc , just searched on kernel sessions and found out some kernel are working on N9000..... AP or CSC ... ))
2- is there any apk the manage cpu cores when the display is off ? when i has xperia play , i remember that was an apk to manage cpu sleep ...
i want to increase my battery life .
3- i root my n9005 LTE by "de la vega" , how can i make sure mu knox counter is still 0x0
4- what happening if i remove all knox pks (( knox 1 , 2 " update" , agent ...))
5 - now i'm rooting , i think i can't update next month to 4.4 via OTA ? is n't it ?
6- if i flash the original firmeware that downloaded before from sammobile , everythings will back to the first day ? can i use ota update ? will my knox rested to 0x ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1: Not supposed to ask whats the best to use (edit it quick ) mod will shut it down otherwise. I personally use CivZ but it's best to try for yourself to find the best for you.
2: If you use a custom kernel you can use Kernel Tuner, or Trickster Mod to set CPU values
3: You cannot use a custom kernel and keep KNOX 0x0 - Once you install a recovery you lose KNOX
4: Removing KNOX = 0x1 = you lose warranty and cannot use KNOX properly if you wish to do so
5: You can update yes, either flash back to Stock and update, or flash the updated ROM manually
6: Nope, your KNOX stays 0x1 forever currently as there is no known fix. - OTA will work again so long as you revert to full stock.
Read around the forum, you need to read up on KNOX and REACTIVATION lock etc, make sure you read properly or you WILL end up with an expensive Samsung paper weight.
Good luck

radicalisto said:
1: Not supposed to ask whats the best to use (edit it quick ) mod will shut it down otherwise. I personally use CivZ but it's best to try for yourself to find the best for you.
2: If you use a custom kernel you can use Kernel Tuner, or Trickster Mod to set CPU values
3: You cannot use a custom kernel and keep KNOX 0x0 - Once you install a recovery you lose KNOX
4: Removing KNOX = 0x1 = you lose warranty and cannot use KNOX properly if you wish to do so
5: You can update yes, either flash back to Stock and update, or flash the updated ROM manually
6: Nope, your KNOX stays 0x1 forever currently as there is no known fix. - OTA will work again so long as you revert to full stock.
Read around the forum, you need to read up on KNOX and REACTIVATION lock etc, make sure you read properly or you WILL end up with an expensive Samsung paper weight.
Good luck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank u so ooooooooooooooooo much @radicalisto
you made my day !

System status custom?

I am selling my i9500 so trying to get all back to stock. I have installed stock ROM but it says
Product name : GT - I9500
Current Binary : Samsung Official
System Status : Custom
Knox Warranty Void : 1
How do I change System status to Samsung Official?

slugger09 said:
I am selling my i9500 so trying to get all back to stock. I have installed stock ROM but it says
Product name : GT - I9500
Current Binary : Samsung Official
System Status : Custom
Knox Warranty Void : 1
How do I change System status to Samsung Official?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi ,
You cant , Knox bit has been trip there is no way back (yet).....sorry .
Any how that only affects the person you are selling it to if you are selling it with a warranty, otherwise the phone is 100% functional.
Here is a guide if you want to leave it as original as possible
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2265477

[Q] About kernel and ChainFire auto root

Hello
i have the SM-N910C running the official lollipop firmware,
days ago i've rooted it using CF auto root through the odin,
And it was successful, but the question is the CF auto root
replacing the stock Kernel to another one while flashing ?
cause when i reset flash counter using triangle away even without restarting the phone it still shows in triangle away:
counter: 1
Binary: custom
system: official
but in bootloader it says:
current binary: samsung official
system status: official
secure download : enabled
knox warranty void: 1
rp swrev: 1
and the reactivation lock is off in the settings and the bootloader
i just need the software updates after root
and resetting the flash counter to Zero
and to know the kernel is it stock or custom
anyone could help ?
and sorry for any bad english, thanks.

Mr.3bood said:
Hello
i have the SM-N910C running the official lollipop firmware,
days ago i've rooted it using CF auto root through the odin,
And it was successful, but the question is the CF auto root
replacing the stock Kernel to another one while flashing ?
cause when i reset flash counter using triangle away even without restarting the phone it still shows in triangle away:
counter: 1
Binary: custom
system: official
but in bootloader it says:
current binary: samsung official
system status: official
secure download : enabled
knox warranty void: 1
rp swrev: 1
and the reactivation lock is off in the settings and the bootloader
i just need the software updates after root
and resetting the flash counter to Zero
and to know the kernel is it stock or custom
anyone could help ?
and sorry for any bad english, thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, cf autoroot doesnt replace your kernel, so u should still have stock kernel.
and also as far as i know, triangle away doesnt work on note 4 ... so right now there is no way to reset the counter to zero.
and 1 more thing is you may have posted this question in the wrong thread, you should have posted it in the Q&A thread. ^^

randykzc said:
Hi, cf autoroot doesnt replace your kernel, so u should still have stock kernel.
and also as far as i know, triangle away doesnt work on note 4 ... so right now there is no way to reset the counter to zero.
and 1 more thing is you may have posted this question in the wrong thread, you should have posted it in the Q&A thread. ^^
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks a lot , i'll try different ways to reset it, if i succeed i'll wrrite a thread about it

Mr.3bood said:
Thanks a lot , i'll try different ways to reset it, if i succeed i'll wrrite a thread about it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good luck trying to figure out how to reset that counter permanently - so far no one managed to find a way to do that since the introduction of KNOX back in 2013.