Hi there. I've had many rooted phones before. DX, tablets, S3. I've yet to root my S4 since I got it in August. I was waiting until it got 4.3 to do so. After all this Knox crap I held off a bit longer. Got the MK2 update a few days after the MJA update. I'm aware that I can still root MK2 with CF-Auto but I'm just not sure if its worth it yet. I really don't care about roms or even a custom recovery. I just want to tether a little. I don't plan on messing around with any system files much so a backup isn't entirely necessary. I guess what I'm asking is, is there a way I can tether with the MK2 OTA stock rooted? It doesn't seem like the hotspot mod was updated for MK2 yet. Just MJA. Would WiFiTether-TrevEMod possibly work still? The only other thing I'd like to do is remove the Knox system files. I think I saw something before about removing Knox (system files, not bootloader) but I can't remember where. It's hard to find a whole lot on MK2 yet because devs are still focused on circumventing MJA which I sincerely thank you all for btw. I just need a straight forward root, knox app removal, and tether process for MK2. Custom recovery also isn't a bad idea. I'd just want one that works. Philz right? Also, if any of this process goes bad I can always just flash the MJA tar and start over correct? Sorry for the long winded ramble. :silly: BTW, i could care less about tripping Knox.
Thanks
Jay
Oshuaj said:
Hi there. I've had many rooted phones before. DX, tablets, S3. I've yet to root my S4 since I got it in August. I was waiting until it got 4.3 to do so. After all this Knox crap I held off a bit longer. Got the MK2 update a few days after the MJA update. I'm aware that I can still root MK2 with CF-Auto but I'm just not sure if its worth it yet. I really don't care about roms or even a custom recovery. I just want to tether a little. I don't plan on messing around with any system files much so a backup isn't entirely necessary. I guess what I'm asking is, is there a way I can tether with the MK2 OTA stock rooted? It doesn't seem like the hotspot mod was updated for MK2 yet. Just MJA. Would WiFiTether-TrevEMod possibly work still? The only other thing I'd like to do is remove the Knox system files. I think I saw something before about removing Knox (system files, not bootloader) but I can't remember where. It's hard to find a whole lot on MK2 yet because devs are still focused on circumventing MJA which I sincerely thank you all for btw. I just need a straight forward root, knox app removal, and tether process for MK2. Custom recovery also isn't a bad idea. I'd just want one that works. Philz right? Also, if any of this process goes bad I can always just flash the MJA tar and start over correct? Sorry for the long winded ramble. :silly: BTW, i could care less about tripping Knox.
Thanks
Jay
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If those are the only things you want, probably not worth rooting. You can use PDANET+ to get free tether w/o rooting, but it's either Bluetooth or wired connected. Works well, though.
And for backup, you can use Helium. Titanium Backup is available for un-rooted phones now too, so check that out here:
http://www.titaniumtrack.com/latest...supports-backups-from-non-rooted-devices.html
Related
Hi everyone, I have about 7 days left on my "14 day return policy" from the Sprint store. I love XDA and it's been a HUGE help to me in the last few years. I like the phone, it's pretty snappy, and the camera is great. But I can't use a phone without root (who can??) and eventually Samsung will stop pushing updates to this phone so I'm going to need to flash custom ROMs (cyanogenmod did wonders on my last phone, the Galaxy S1). I also know that I can't mount SMB or CFS shares without flashing a kernel that supports it and I'm not sure if the S4's official firmware supports the ability to do so (which I believe requires root anyway, so I guess I answered my own question.
I have a couple of questions about the S4 that I'm hoping someone who has experience can tell me about this.
1) Can I root using VRoot and NOT trip the Knox warranty bit?
2) After rooting, can I install a recovery (I've read that Philz CWM recovery works but can't find definitive answers on this).
3) Should I even care about the Knox software?
I don't need to use the phone in an enterprise environment, but I also don't want the phone's bootloader locked to Samsung firmwares if it means I won't be able to install custom FW's or kernels.
Should I return the phone? I'll pay the $35 restocking fee just to save myself from having to deal with Samsung's (and this my opinion) bonehead move of abandoning its developer userbase.
Any and all responses would be appreciated. Thanks for reading and helping!
epi4gtn said:
Hi everyone, I have about 7 days left on my "14 day return policy" from the Sprint store. I love XDA and it's been a HUGE help to me in the last few years. I like the phone, it's pretty snappy, and the camera is great. But I can't use a phone without root (who can??) and eventually Samsung will stop pushing updates to this phone so I'm going to need to flash custom ROMs (cyanogenmod did wonders on my last phone, the Galaxy S1). I also know that I can't mount SMB or CFS shares without flashing a kernel that supports it and I'm not sure if the S4's official firmware supports the ability to do so (which I believe requires root anyway, so I guess I answered my own question.
I have a couple of questions about the S4 that I'm hoping someone who has experience can tell me about this.
1) Can I root using VRoot and NOT trip the Knox warranty bit?
2) After rooting, can I install a recovery (I've read that Philz CWM recovery works but can't find definitive answers on this).
3) Should I even care about the Knox software?
I don't need to use the phone in an enterprise environment, but I also don't want the phone's bootloader locked to Samsung firmwares if it means I won't be able to install custom FW's or kernels.
Should I return the phone? I'll pay the $35 restocking fee just to save myself from having to deal with Samsung's (and this my opinion) bonehead move of abandoning its developer userbase.
Any and all responses would be appreciated. Thanks for reading and helping!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am not worried about the Knox bit. Mine is tripped and it's not preventing anything, AFAIK. I can still install Sammy firmwares, ROM's that are at the correct version/level, mods, apps, etc. It seems it's really only a flag for enterprise users. I agree it kind of sucks, and I'm not a fan of it, but it doesn't seem to be causing any real harm at this point warranty or service wise. Some say it may prevent Samsung from honoring the warranty, but I'm not sure that's true, based on reading the forums.
As far as Samsung stopping pushing firmwares to this phone, that should be a long way off since this is their flagship smartphone at this point. It's a great phone and I've been very happy with mine, which I got the weekend they were released. Rooted, stock rom, hotspot mod. So much better phone than my old HTC Androids!
jejb said:
I am not worried about the Knox bit. Mine is tripped and it's not preventing anything, AFAIK. I can still install Sammy firmwares, ROM's that are at the correct version/level, mods, apps, etc. It seems it's really only a flag for enterprise users. I agree it kind of sucks, and I'm not a fan of it, but it doesn't seem to be causing any real harm at this point warranty or service wise. Some say it may prevent Samsung from honoring the warranty, but I'm not sure that's true, based on reading the forums.
As far as Samsung stopping pushing firmwares to this phone, that should be a long way off since this is their flagship smartphone at this point. It's a great phone and I've been very happy with mine, which I got the weekend they were released. Rooted, stock rom, hotspot mod. So much better phone than my old HTC Androids!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is just a thought... but... check your phone, when I got mine not too long back it still came with 4.2 on it. If yours still has 4.2 you wouldn't have to worry about knox as long as you didn't take the OTA. You could root it and rom it all you wanted.
Yes you should return the phone. That way you **** all the people who return their phones for legitimate warranty/insurance reasons with higher costs.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk
frostedunit said:
Yes you should return the phone. That way you **** all the people who return their phones for legitimate warranty/insurance reasons with higher costs.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't done any type of rooting or modification to the phone yet. That's the reason I'm asking, I haven't tripped the counter. I'm just aggravated by not having root and being able to remove this crapware. I wouldn't be ****ing anyone. Please don't be a ****.
jejb said:
I am not worried about the Knox bit. Mine is tripped and it's not preventing anything, AFAIK. I can still install Sammy firmwares, ROM's that are at the correct version/level, mods, apps, etc. It seems it's really only a flag for enterprise users. I agree it kind of sucks, and I'm not a fan of it, but it doesn't seem to be causing any real harm at this point warranty or service wise. Some say it may prevent Samsung from honoring the warranty, but I'm not sure that's true, based on reading the forums.
As far as Samsung stopping pushing firmwares to this phone, that should be a long way off since this is their flagship smartphone at this point. It's a great phone and I've been very happy with mine, which I got the weekend they were released. Rooted, stock rom, hotspot mod. So much better phone than my old HTC Androids!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is great news, can you point me to the tool you used to root the phone? I've read the Chinese VRoot method doesn't trip the counter, but installs "Superuser" which can subsequently be removed and replaced with SuperSU. I think using SuperSU and something like DroidWall to monitor the device to make sure nothing fishy is going on will help us determine whether or not VRoot is really malware (I've read comments saying that it's some kind of spyware but I'm not sure of the technical prowess of those commenters).
What recovery are you using to flash custom ROMs?
And as asked in a previous post-- Did you root before taking the OTA? Or did you take the OTA and do you see the Knox Warranty Bit marked as 0x1 in the stock recovery?
Thanks for the replies, appreciate all the info guys!
epi4gtn said:
I haven't done any type of rooting or modification to the phone yet. That's the reason I'm asking, I haven't tripped the counter. I'm just aggravated by not having root and being able to remove this crapware. I wouldn't be ****ing anyone. Please don't be a ****.
This is great news, can you point me to the tool you used to root the phone? I've read the Chinese VRoot method doesn't trip the counter, but installs "Superuser" which can subsequently be removed and replaced with SuperSU. I think using SuperSU and something like DroidWall to monitor the device to make sure nothing fishy is going on will help us determine whether or not VRoot is really malware (I've read comments saying that it's some kind of spyware but I'm not sure of the technical prowess of those commenters).
What recovery are you using to flash custom ROMs?
And as asked in a previous post-- Did you root before taking the OTA? Or did you take the OTA and do you see the Knox Warranty Bit marked as 0x1 in the stock recovery?
Thanks for the replies, appreciate all the info guys![/QUOTE
I used an app from thePlayStore called Triangle Away to reset the counter. You have to be rooted, but it works perfectly. Just an FYI.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
epi4gtn said:
I haven't done any type of rooting or modification to the phone yet. That's the reason I'm asking, I haven't tripped the counter. I'm just aggravated by not having root and being able to remove this crapware. I wouldn't be ****ing anyone. Please don't be a ****.
This is great news, can you point me to the tool you used to root the phone? I've read the Chinese VRoot method doesn't trip the counter, but installs "Superuser" which can subsequently be removed and replaced with SuperSU. I think using SuperSU and something like DroidWall to monitor the device to make sure nothing fishy is going on will help us determine whether or not VRoot is really malware (I've read comments saying that it's some kind of spyware but I'm not sure of the technical prowess of those commenters).
What recovery are you using to flash custom ROMs?
And as asked in a previous post-- Did you root before taking the OTA? Or did you take the OTA and do you see the Knox Warranty Bit marked as 0x1 in the stock recovery?
Thanks for the replies, appreciate all the info guys!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dont use vroot. Until some dev can pin point what the chinese root method actually does. And if your on 4.2.2 your ok but once ota to 4.3 then you have knox bootloader meaning you cant downgrade firmwares. It wont stop you from changing kernels and roms. Knox flag just voids your warranty with samsung but if you have insurance with sprint they can care less about it tripped. I updated to 4.3 and tripped the knox amd I havent seen no problems really. Btw please make research this has been talked about lately too much.
SoFaKiNgStOkeD said:
epi4gtn said:
I haven't done any type of rooting or modification to the phone yet. That's the reason I'm asking, I haven't tripped the counter. I'm just aggravated by not having root and being able to remove this crapware. I wouldn't be ****ing anyone. Please don't be a ****.
This is great news, can you point me to the tool you used to root the phone? I've read the Chinese VRoot method doesn't trip the counter, but installs "Superuser" which can subsequently be removed and replaced with SuperSU. I think using SuperSU and something like DroidWall to monitor the device to make sure nothing fishy is going on will help us determine whether or not VRoot is really malware (I've read comments saying that it's some kind of spyware but I'm not sure of the technical prowess of those commenters).
What recovery are you using to flash custom ROMs?
And as asked in a previous post-- Did you root before taking the OTA? Or did you take the OTA and do you see the Knox Warranty Bit marked as 0x1 in the stock recovery?
Thanks for the replies, appreciate all the info guys![/QUOTE
I used an app from thePlayStore called Triangle Away to reset the counter. You have to be rooted, but it works perfectly. Just an FYI.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That only works if your on 4.2. It wont reset the knox bootloader counter.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
epi4gtn said:
This is great news, can you point me to the tool you used to root the phone? I've read the Chinese VRoot method doesn't trip the counter, but installs "Superuser" which can subsequently be removed and replaced with SuperSU. I think using SuperSU and something like DroidWall to monitor the device to make sure nothing fishy is going on will help us determine whether or not VRoot is really malware (I've read comments saying that it's some kind of spyware but I'm not sure of the technical prowess of those commenters).
What recovery are you using to flash custom ROMs?
And as asked in a previous post-- Did you root before taking the OTA? Or did you take the OTA and do you see the Knox Warranty Bit marked as 0x1 in the stock recovery?
Thanks for the replies, appreciate all the info guys!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, my Knox bit it tripped/set. It is 0x1 on the download screen. Can't view it in recovery. I just used CF Auto Root after going to 4.3. Should be easy to search and find that thread. I'm on the stock rom with tweaks.
Using TWRP recovery, but I've tried several, including Philz and OUDHS. It seems Philz is the flavor of the month, so you might want to go with that just to be safe.
I did not root before taking the OTA. I don't think I'd try it that way. I was rooted, but went back to stock to take the update. If you get back to stock, reset the custom bits on your download screen (triangle away and RTN's seem to do that, but might have to do more than one), recover your apps/data and then take the OTA, it should be the most sure fire method. Then root, custom recovery, nandroid backup and play from there.
jejb said:
Yes, my Knox bit it tripped/set. It is 0x1 on the download screen. Can't view it in recovery. I just used CF Auto Root after going to 4.3. Should be easy to search and find that thread. I'm on the stock rom with tweaks.
Using TWRP recovery, but I've tried several, including Philz and OUDHS. It seems Philz is the flavor of the month, so you might want to go with that just to be safe.
I did not root before taking the OTA. I don't think I'd try it that way. I was rooted, but went back to stock to take the update. If you get back to stock, reset the custom bits on your download screen (triangle away and RTN's seem to do that, but might have to do more than one), recover your apps/data and then take the OTA, it should be the most sure fire method. Then root, custom recovery, nandroid backup and play from there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you, I plan to just use CF-Auto-Root to root the phone. I'm starting to care less about the Knox bit getting tripped.
I came across this post by rawintellect that seems to have everything I'd need out of the phone, rooted/deodexed MK2 with all the bloat removed, BUT it says in the description that the Knox Bootloader is removed *EDIT: After thinking about the statement some more, I think he means the Knox bootloader is NOT included in the rom, but this raises another question, can I install it on a phone WITH the knox bootloader?), so I'm afraid of attempting to flash it because as I understand it, it's impossible to replace the knox bootloader.
Here's the post: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=48516106
This individual seems to have gotten everything working: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=48516106&postcount=88
Do you know if anyone is able to flash Philz through Odin successfully on the MJA/knox bootloader?
I took mine back after I took the OTA. I was honest about why I was returning it, that the firmware introduces restrictions and annoying features (I cited the multiple WiFi security warnings in particular) I was not willing to accept, and the independent store I was dealing with gave me an exchange to a new phone with 4.2. I first asked if they could downgrade the phone to 4.2, including the bootloader, they researched that option, finding it impossible.
If they had not given me the exchange, I would have picked a different color and done it that way.
Try this Guide
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2572000
MrTasselhof
Picking up an "un-used" Sprint S4, what software/baseband/bootloader is ideal?
Going to meet person at a Sprint store so I will confirm ESN is clean of course, but person claims phone has not been used so my question is what software/baseband and bootloader is ideal to have?
Basically I want to see if phone is pre Knox and if so I am not going to update it until I read up on here, but I am not sure what versions are pre knox.
Phone will be for my wife and I will be rooting it and I need it to be able to have the hacked/free wifi tether or built in tether, but I will want her to have the latest stock rom.
Thanks
MDC, MDL, and MF9 are the pre Knox. As these are 4.2.2 and below. MJA and MK2 are Knox being 4.3.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk
daniel4653 said:
MDC, MDL, and MF9 are the pre Knox. As these are 4.2.2 and below. MJA and MK2 are Knox being 4.3.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
is there any advantage?
You can open the hotspot on any version. All the knox bootloader does is trip the warranty flag so if you root it you want be able to get warranty service from Samsung. In my opinion, the newest firmware just works better than the old. If you're getting a good deal on the phone then it shouldn't matter. Just know that if you root it which you will need to do to hack the hot-spot then you do void the Samsung warranty.
Sent from my GT-N5110 using Tapatalk
cruise350 said:
You can open the hotspot on any version. All the knox bootloader does is trip the warranty flag so if you root it you want be able to get warranty service from Samsung. In my opinion, the newest firmware just works better than the old. If you're getting a good deal on the phone then it shouldn't matter. Just know that if you root it which you will need to do to hack the hot-spot then you do void the Samsung warranty.
Sent from my GT-N5110 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought there was a difference w
between the Knox warranty and the Samsung phone warranty for any malfunctions or such.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk
cruise350 said:
You can open the hotspot on any version. All the knox bootloader does is trip the warranty flag so if you root it you want be able to get warranty service from Samsung. In my opinion, the newest firmware just works better than the old. If you're getting a good deal on the phone then it shouldn't matter. Just know that if you root it which you will need to do to hack the hot-spot then you do void the Samsung warranty.
Sent from my GT-N5110 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did a good amount of reading last night and what I think I have learned is the following:
Rooting MK2 doesn't always stick and I must be using Philz recovery on 4.3, some say CF auto root does work on MK2 but some say it does not. Been reading that there are some wifi issues on 4.3 after flashing/rooting/recovery but not sure exactly what the issue is. Also, not completely sure if I can flash the MJA hotspot mod on MK2, I think one person said it worked but that is all.
I bought the phone used off of CL so I really don't care about warranty because I have no proof of purchase or even original purchase date. I think the guy had his receipt but he did not give it to me. I just don't want any rooting headaches once on the knox bootloader which I have been reading there are a lot of.
Raistlin1 said:
I did a good amount of reading last night and what I think I have learned is the following:
Rooting MK2 doesn't always stick and I must be using Philz recovery on 4.3, some say CF auto root does work on MK2 but some say it does not. Been reading that there are some wifi issues on 4.3 after flashing/rooting/recovery but not sure exactly what the issue is. Also, not completely sure if I can flash the MJA hotspot mod on MK2, I think one person said it worked but that is all.
I bought the phone used off of CL so I really don't care about warranty because I have no proof of purchase or even original purchase date. I think the guy had his receipt but he did not give it to me. I just don't want any rooting headaches once on the knox bootloader which I have been reading there are a lot of.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mk2 roots just fine if you use the newest cf-autoroot files. Sometimes you have to install superSU from the play store afterwards but much easier than HTC. There is an MK2 hot spot mod. It is in post #337 in the hot spot mod thread. Also you can use twrp or philz recovery. Just make sure you are on the latest one. As far as WiFi issues. Some experience it some don't. I'd you do them just reinstall the mk2 modem with Odin and it should clear up. Good luck.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk
cruise350 said:
Mk2 roots just fine if you use the newest cf-autoroot files. Sometimes you have to install superSU from the play store afterwards but much easier than HTC. There is an MK2 hot spot mod. It is in post #337 in the hot spot mod thread. Also you can use twrp or philz recovery. Just make sure you are on the latest one. As far as WiFi issues. Some experience it some don't. I'd you do them just reinstall the mk2 modem with Odin and it should clear up. Good luck.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the info, I am thinking that I may just take OTA to MK2 or flash to the latest (I think I just saw a thread that someone posted a flashable Odin file that is just like getting the OTA, Knox and all) and not care if I trip Knox or not.
The only possible reason I may not do this is if I can get insurance on this phone when I activate it on my wifes line (this is why I played the no flash count game on my E4GT). I am not sure if I even want the insurance but if I do then I have to worry about Knox.
Thanks again for the help and especially for the post number for the hot spot mod, that is very helpful.
Raistlin1 said:
Thanks for the info, I am thinking that I may just take OTA to MK2 or flash to the latest (I think I just saw a thread that someone posted a flashable Odin file that is just like getting the OTA, Knox and all) and not care if I trip Knox or not.
The only possible reason I may not do this is if I can get insurance on this phone when I activate it on my wifes line (this is why I played the no flash count game on my E4GT). I am not sure if I even want the insurance but if I do then I have to worry about Knox.
Thanks again for the help and especially for the post number for the hot spot mod, that is very helpful.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The warranty flag is for warranty, specifically the Samsung factory warranty. It will not affect your ability to use TEP, Assurian, Square Trade, or the Best Buy insurance. Rooting and custom roms have always voided the factory warranty on all manufacturers. In the past, we usually had a way to reset the phone and hide the fact that we rooted it. The Knox flag at this point can not be reset so now Samsung knows you rooted it. As long as you never need a warranty repair you are fine if its tripped.
On my Sprint Galaxy S4 (SPH-L720). I want to upgrade to the newest OTA, keep root, get rid of KNOX, and unlock it for domestic use. I also want a really safe backup option that assures me an easy recovery in case of softbrick (flashed enough to know, expect it).
I read around, but it seems a little bit more complicated than the other devices I've had. Just want to make sure I do it in the right order, so I won't mess anything up and get stuck.
Tapatalkin' from my SGS4
DizturbedOne said:
On my Sprint Galaxy S4 (SPH-L720). I want to upgrade to the newest OTA, keep root, get rid of KNOX, and unlock it for domestic use. I also want a really safe backup option that assures me an easy recovery in case of softbrick (flashed enough to know, expect it).
I read around, but it seems a little bit more complicated than the other devices I've had. Just want to make sure I do it in the right order, so I won't mess anything up and get stuck.
Tapatalkin' from my SGS4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Start with this guide that Mudavo wrote... http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2277480 it tells you how to keep the MF9 bootloader. All the Knox headache comes with upgrading the bootloader. After that read around theres plenty of opinions on backups.
DizturbedOne said:
On my Sprint Galaxy S4 (SPH-L720). I want to upgrade to the newest OTA, keep root, get rid of KNOX, and unlock it for domestic use. I also want a really safe backup option that assures me an easy recovery in case of softbrick (flashed enough to know, expect it).
I read around, but it seems a little bit more complicated than the other devices I've had. Just want to make sure I do it in the right order, so I won't mess anything up and get stuck.
Tapatalkin' from my SGS4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been using Philz touch recovery, very easy to use nice interface. Just my opinion.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
I think I just did exactly what you want to do. I was on rooted, stock, MF9, and went to rooted stock MK2 using the info in this thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2586586
It's just 2 steps...flash the ROM and flash the MK2 modem (instructions provided in the thread). The ROM is already rooted.
Definitely make a nandroid of your current setup at minimum before moving on. Because this method avoids the MK2 (or MJA) bootloader, you can go back to MF9 if you don't like the results, by flashing your nandroid and the MF9 modem.
I have a Sprint GS4 with MK2 (SPH-L720), waited a while to root and saw Towel discussed, tried and it worked 100%. My experience rooting is mostly with HTC products so this was my first rooting with the GS4 and it couldn't have been easier. Added SU, verified root, all seems good!
I have an update that was downloaded over the past month or so that I have denied installing and glad I did since it seemed very easy to root!
So what's next? I'm used to installing a recovery and ROMing away.. I have ROM Toolbox installed (pro) and noticed they have the option to flash a recovery for you and wonder if that will work? If so, what recovery is good for this phone? I'm very used to TWRP and hope that is still a good recovery choice. My main goals are to be able to take the updates and keep root. Im fine with the stock look and feel but want that option to add the bling and speed when I'm ready..
I'm not too worried about the Knox being tripped but confident it was disabled during Towel root.
I always search, just can't find specific information on my phone and there are many many differences it seems. I figured compiling some answers would benefit others that bought the GS4 a while ago and never rooted until now. Any help or direction is appreciated!
Thanks!
For anyone in the same situation, I was able to avoid using Oden by utilizing ROM Toolbox, it flashed the newest version of TWRP successfully.
To summarize:
Sprint GS4, MK2 and never took an update for almost a year since purchase. Full root with Towelroot, installed Super User, granted and installed Root Checker to validate. Downloaded ROM Toolkit and flashed TWRP newest version. No issues, no crashes, no tripping KNOX. All good.
Seems there are a lot of people asking for help and while 'search' is useful, there are so many variables, so many threads to sift through its almost impossible to find what you need. Hopefully this helped someone.
Still determining how to take updates and if I will lose root. Still running stock but I am about to try my first custom ROM on this cell.
to my knowledge u can root every varient easily but even if u flashed twrp without tripping knox have u actually loaded it yet to see if recovery flag trips? and once u flash a rom it would deff trip the counter.. but who cares about knox anyway.. i tripped every counter within the hour of getting this phone
I have and it didnt but like you said, I didn't care if I tripped kmox etc. Thanks for the reply! So you believe it is safe to take the updates? Im really just trying to have tether working. Thanks!
If you're wanting to update via OTA, you'll have to unroot first.
There is no native hot spot hack for the NG2 update as of yet and Towelroot doesn't work yet either
I've had my SGS4 on Sprint since release date. Rooted immediately, and have had it that way ever since. Looks like many of the root methods no longer work for the later build phones.
So... Can someone please point me in the direction of the root method for a new NG2 firmwared phone? I'm about to go get my replacement phone, and I don't want to even imagine staying on the Stock Sprint ROM...
I'd still like to know, for others that have a new post-MDL firmware phone...
But I got lucky. My replacement phone from Geek Squad was MDL. So CF Auto-Root, Install TWRP, Install NG2 Modem Only TAR file, and then load my favorite ROM. Restore my TWRP backup. And I'm right back where I was before the switch. Yay!
Cf auto root has worked for all updates. From MF9 to NG2.
long_tall_texan said:
Looks like many of the root methods no longer work for the later build phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think maybe you're confused with the Knox warranty flag? Knox was introduced post-MF9 and if it is tripped (by rooting with CF for example), Samsung claims that they won't honor the warranty (although I still don't think we know of a case where this has actually happened?).