[Q] Downgrading Canadian Galaxy S4 & a Q about Knox - AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshootin

Hello,
I recently picked up a Canadian Galaxy S4. This is my first android device after using an iPhone 4 for the last 3 years. I'm a tinkering kind of guy so when I heard about the whole custom ROM community for the s4, I was excited. I've been reading up on this for the last 3 weeks and I still have a couple questions that I haven't really seen a solid answer for specifically regarding the 1337m model.
1) If I root it would be nice to be able to reverse things should I need to send it in for warranty repair. I understand that triangle away isn't working on the latest MG1 firmware (which my device came with). I know that the ME7 update on the US version included a bootloader that no longer allowed downgrading firmware. Is this the case with the Canadian models as well? If it is possible to downgrade are there any special steps that need to be taken, or can I just flash a stock MDJ image via odin/heimdall
2) I have read the whole thread about the issues with the knox warranty void efuse. I checked the download mode on my phone and it does not have any of the knox info on it, so as I understand it, knox isn't enabled and therefore as long as I don't update to new stock firmware and I shouldn't trip the efuse. I have disabled auto-update in the settings. Is there anything else that I should do or be aware of to make sure that my phone doesn't update and force the knox stuff on my phone.
At the end of the day, if my warranty is permanently void, that's fine, but if there's a way that I can still keep the ability to restore my phone to 100% stock without tripping and binary counters or efuses I'd like to make sure that I know and understand how to do that before I start flashing custom roms rather than trying to figure it out in a panic if something goes wrong on my device.

Related

[Q] Rooting Unrooting Installing Only Official Roms on I9500 to Reclaim Warranty

Before anything, I have searched and searched on this topic, although I have found information on unrooting and reclaiming warranty, it seems to be focused on the I9505 version, so here goes the question:
I have the I9500 variant of the S4; I've always rooted my old phones and reclaimed warranty with Triangle Away and so on. Apparently, the Triangle Away app will never work for the I9500 variant. I would like to know if I can Root and Unroot my galaxy s4 I9500 variant without losing warranty. In addition, if I root, I will then only be able to update by downloading official firmware from the sammobile site. If I root my phone and eventually update to the official 4.4 firmware from the sammobile website using ODIN and then decide to unroot to reclaim warranty, will that be possible? Will installing the official firmware through ODIN cause the binary flash counter to change?
I really want to root my phone and maintain updates even if I have to download manually from the site and update through ODIN, but I also want to keep my 1-year official warranty and my extra 1-year extended warranty.
Nothing?
iancarvalho said:
-SNIP-
I also want to keep my 1-year official warranty and my extra 1-year extended warranty.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't flash anything on your phone if you want the above guaranteed.
Though this wasn't a primary intention so far as Knox is concerned, making it difficult to dud Samsung on warranty claims (I.E where you've clearly used the phone in a manner which breaches the warranty conditions) post-Knox is a nice little bonus for them (and frankly, I don't blame them).
The moment you start flashing stuff to your phone, you should lose all expectations of any warranty.
It depend on in what country you bought the phone if you even will lose warranty by rooting and flashing.
And if you already have a knox bootloader. If you don't have knox bootloader, then just go ahead, root, flash etc. If you do have a knox bootloader, then rooting and flashing will trip the counter. Then it depends on in which country you live if you will get warranty again

[Q] Rooting options

Hey,
I have recently acquired SGS4 in place of my SGS3. I have used to change a rom every week, but now all I would like is a stable, rooted and .
I just discovered all the fuss about Knox and I am even more dissapointed. I really didn't want to buy another Samsung device (Exynos resources, SDS and their horrible overlay) but the offer on it was just insanely good compared to everything else to I took it.
Anyway, below are my current bootloader/firmware information:
http://i.imgur.com/G5pThnv.png
http://i.imgur.com/sl7M1VC.png
As you can see it is 4.3 from T-Mobile from november.
Now would you be so kind and tell me:
Can I root and modify my rom and bootloader on any custom without loosing my warranty?
If not, can I root and change the rom to the google edition?
If nope again, hopefuly I can at least use root with one of the latest Samsung roms? (without T-Mobile bloatware)
You live in the EU. That means that even if Samsung doesn't want to fix your device because you tripped Knox (unlikely that they won't fix it), the store you bought it from still has to fix it even with Knox tripped. That is consumer law which should also apply in Poland.
You can only root without tripping Knox.
You can not flash a recovery without tripping Knox, thus you cannot flash custom roms without tripping it.
So just root and flash the rom you want. You can even skip the part of rooting and just flash a custom recovery.
There are no downsides if you tripped Knox.

[Q] SG Note 3 Showing Custom Software

If some one can help me with my troubles it will be greatly appreciated, I recently purchased a SG Note 3 Brand new sealed and brought it to a store to unlock and the person tried and said this phone was new and was not able to be software unlocked unless by code which was more expensive so i declined.While waiting in the mean time i started reading xda forums for info on rooting my note 3,Where i discovered Canadian SM-900W8's weren't locked to a specific carrier.I proceeded to get my phone rooted and then discovered my phones knox was tripped and shows i have an custom software on it,other then bringing it to the store i haven't done anything else to my phone.
So my questions:
1.Should i do an EFS back up then Restore to official then re-root? while reading forums read somewhere sometimes restoring to official can also damage the EFS partition?
2.Should i proceed rooting my phone in the state its in or do i restore with official Firmware then proceed to root?
3.Is update 4.4.2 able to be rooted if yes,should i restore my phone straight to 4.4.2 then root?
4.if i update to 4.4.2 do i loose the ability to switch between Canadian carriers.
5.Is Knox 0X1 able to be reset for Qaulcomm yet?
6.Am i missing anything else before i begin ?
Samsung Galaxy Note 3 (Model:SM-900W8 / Rogers)
Android Version:4.3
Baseband version:N900W8VLUBMJ4
Build number :JSS15J.N900W8VLUBMJ4
-
Current Binary:Custom
System Status :Custom
-
Knox Kernel Lock:0X0
Knox Warranty Void:0X1
D_01 said:
If some one can help me with my troubles it will be greatly appreciated, I recently purchased a SG Note 3 Brand new sealed and brought it to a store to unlock and the person tried and said this phone was new and was not able to be software unlocked unless by code which was more expensive so i declined.While waiting in the mean time i started reading xda forums for info on rooting my note 3,Where i discovered Canadian SM-900W8's weren't locked to a specific carrier.I proceeded to get my phone rooted and then discovered my phones knox was tripped and shows i have an custom software on it,other then bringing it to the store i haven't done anything else to my phone.
So my questions:
1.Should i do an EFS back up then Restore to official then re-root? while reading forums read somewhere sometimes restoring to official can also damage the EFS partition?
2.Should i proceed rooting my phone in the state its in or do i restore with official Firmware then proceed to root?
3.Is update 4.4.2 able to be rooted if yes,should i restore my phone straight to 4.4.2 then root?
4.if i update to 4.4.2 do i loose the ability to switch between Canadian carriers.
5.Is Knox 0X1 able to be reset for Qaulcomm yet?
6.Am i missing anything else before i begin ?
Samsung Galaxy Note 3 (Model:SM-900W8 / Rogers)
Android Version:4.3
Baseband version:N900W8VLUBMJ4
Build number :JSS15J.N900W8VLUBMJ4
-
Current Binary:Custom
System Status :Custom
-
Knox Kernel Lock:0X0
Knox Warranty Void:0X1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. You don't need to restore something that's not broken.
2. Since you already tripped KNOX, yes.
3. 4.4.2 can be rooted.
4. 4.4.2 doesn't prevent you from doing anything related to carriers when compared to 4.3.
5. No
6. Flash stock using Odin by updating to 4.4.2 official Sammy NB7 ROM. Then begin there.
nicholaschum said:
1. You don't need to restore something that's not broken.
2. Since you already tripped KNOX, yes.
3. 4.4.2 can be rooted.
4. 4.4.2 doesn't prevent you from doing anything related to carriers when compared to 4.3.
5. No
6. Flash stock using Odin by updating to 4.4.2 official Sammy NB7 ROM. Then begin there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
will I be able to downgrade back to 4.3 if ever i decide 4.4.2 is not for me ?
D_01 said:
will I be able to downgrade back to 4.3 if ever i decide 4.4.2 is not for me ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Follow my guide in my signature. If you update to NA2 bootloader, you are able to downgrade.

Rooting Note 3 need confirmation

Okay so I'm fairly new to the forums but I'm somewhat knowledgeable when it comes to rooting and flashing custom Roms.. At least one the Galaxy S3. So I now have a note 3 and I'd like to root and install a custom recovery and then from there a custom Rom after a little more research.. Because.. Eff touch Wiz. Now I got the note from a friend and it's been fully updated knox hasn't been enabled but has been fully updated and I believe the same thing for the security policies. Now this is where my question comes in I found a method on google (galaxynote3root.com) to root and install the recovery I just wanna know if anyone can confirm this method is safe with the new updates and what not? I'd rather not brick the phone obviously lol anyways the phone model is sm-n9008w unlocked but was a Rogers phone.. Android 5.0 stock firmware and recovery knox 2.3 any help would be appreciated
Which note 3 do you have? Are you sure it's not the sm-n900w8? Depending on the ROM you install, you may need to update to the latest bootloader and modem.
Edit: read your post again. Since stock LP is on the phone, Knox has been installed and the phone would be running the doc4 or doh1 firmware.
The simplest way to root would be to install TWRP and flash supersu from TWRP. You're going to trip the knox counter from 0x0 to 0x1. Also, make sure reactivation lock has not been enabled.

Questions About The Samsung Galaxy S4 LTE SPH-L720T (Sprint version)

OK. I just bought this new thing and am looking for some feedback before I even think about installing custom recoveries, ROMs, APP's, etc.
On GSMArena.com my device is listed as the i9505. Everything matches up except the model version under "About device" where it states it as being the SPH-L720T (Baseband L720TVUJOH2).
Now what I want to know is, is that just carrier branding or is my phone indeed the i9505 and will all of the i9505 stuff work on it? It may seem like a silly question but I just paid $300 for this thing and the last thing I want to do is brick it.
The reason why I am asking all of this is because Samsung seem incapable of releasing a fully functioning or secure ROM (Stage-fright issues, widgets draw crashing on "Touchwiz" UI, etc). The current Android version I am running is "Lollipop" build 5.0.1 (official).
Which brings me to my next question: I noticed that my device has "KNOX" installed. Is there any way to install custom ROMs and/or recoveries without tripping it? I want to try to avoid voiding the warranty if possible.
Also this is an unlocked device so will flashing custom ROMs disable that?
Thanks.
I have an s4 with i9500 on it but i reality its an SPH-720T. You can know for sure in the bootloader
So far I had no problem installing i9505 ROMs like 'Super WizCyan, Albe95 S6, Imperium LL Rom' and i am corrently using Albe95 LolliROM 6.0 and it works fine :good: with the latest SPH-720T carnal (OH1) an the Imperium Karnal works too (v2.6)
It is rooted with CF-Auto-Root for SPH-720 and I have TWRP Recovery instaled
Grumpy Cat said:
OK. I just bought this new thing and am looking for some feedback before I even think about installing custom recoveries, ROMs, APP's, etc.
On GSMArena.com my device is listed as the i9505. Everything matches up except the model version under "About device" where it states it as being the SPH-L720T (Baseband L720TVUJOH2).
Now what I want to know is, is that just carrier branding or is my phone indeed the i9505 and will all of the i9505 stuff work on it? It may seem like a silly question but I just paid $300 for this thing and the last thing I want to do is brick it.
The reason why I am asking all of this is because Samsung seem incapable of releasing a fully functioning or secure ROM (Stage-fright issues, widgets draw crashing on "Touchwiz" UI, etc). The current Android version I am running is "Lollipop" build 5.0.1 (official).
Which brings me to my next question: I noticed that my device has "KNOX" installed. Is there any way to install custom ROMs and/or recoveries without tripping it? I want to try to avoid voiding the warranty if possible.
Also this is an unlocked device so will flashing custom ROMs disable that?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Boot into download mode. What does it say your model is in download mode?
The SPH-L720T is just carrier branding. It should be an I9505.
Installing a custom recovery will trip knox. You will have to stay stock if you don't want to trip knox. But beware, knox doesn't like root. Meaning that you will have random reboots if you root your phone and knox is installed.
I recommend reading your warranty document to see what kind of damages it covers. I read mine and it concluded that my warranty covers excrements. So I tripped knox after the first month.
Lennyz1988 said:
Boot into download mode. What does it say your model is in download mode?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It says SPH-L720T. But according to GDReaper (and the online specs) it is carrier branding.
GDReaper said:
The SPH-L720T is just carrier branding. It should be an I9505.
Installing a custom recovery will trip knox. You will have to stay stock if you don't want to trip knox. But beware, knox doesn't like root. Meaning that you will have random reboots if you root your phone and knox is installed.
I recommend reading your warranty document to see what kind of damages it covers. I read mine and it concluded that my warranty covers excrements. So I tripped knox after the first month.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Crap, I might have already tripped it installing SuperSU (through Play Store, and that's all it took to root it). Under download mode it says "Knox warranty void 0x1". Does that mean I tripped it?
That said, no random reboots the only issue I have is that I can't access the widgets app draw on Touchwiz UI without an FC (but I use a Nova Launcher anyway), and i9505 stuff should work with mine, right? I am thinking about installing EchoeROM, provided it doesn't have the problems the "official" one does.
Knox default status is 0x0
Any modifications done to the bootloader will make it 0x1 which means knox has been triggered.
Since it is already tripped, you might as well flash a custom recovery.
The SPH-L720T has the same specs as the normal GT-I9505 S4. You can compare them yourself.
It is just a rebranded I9505.
I get that it is just a rebranded version of the GT-i9505 but I had to make absolutely sure. In other threads some are saying they have issues. And since I have "screwed the pooch" and tripped KNOX (unless Chainfire's "Triangle Away" can reset the counter), I might as well start flashing then.
I was just reading over this article on how to deal with KNOX and it doesn't seem to cause any issues for me since I am already rooted via Super SU. Will I have to remove it anyway or can I just go ahead and flash TWRP via Odin (can you recommend any version?) without any issues? And is CF-Auto-Root really necessary? I have some experience with all of this from rooting and flashing my old S3 MINI, KNOX and CF-Auto-Root are the only two I'm not sure about.
Oddly enough, while it does say that KNOX (and KNOX II) is installed I can't find the shortcut as described in the article. This is a refurbished phone so god knows what has been done to it.
Thanks.
CF-Auto-Root is only needed for rooting. Since you are already rooted, you don't need it.
As far as I know, Knox status 0x1 is permanent. It can't be changed back to 0x0. The flash counter is a different thing. It shows how many times a firmware has been flashed on the device. I'm not sure if stock roms cout towards your flash counter.
If you have no issues with Knox and root then there is no reason to remove knox.
You can simply flash twrp from their site. The variant you're looking for is for the Qualcomm S4. I used Odin 1.85 and 3.09 with success in the past.

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