Database Users

MK2 Clarification

Okay, so I've been lurking these threads and I'd like to see if someone could clarify a few things. I come from the S3 which was a lot more simpler than the s4.
I recently bought a Galaxy S4 AT&T 32GB with MK2 ota installed. My understanding is that you cannot go back. I am fine with that, touchwiz is actually just fine and dandy on 4.3 (at least for me it is.) I do however, have a few questions in regards to the rooting process.
Rooting:
1. From what I understand, MK2 has a few privacy-concerned root methods. Once I root, I can proceed to the next question, correct?
Installing Roms:
2. After you root, from what I understand, you install a side strap program that creates partitions on your internal SDcard to install roms (side by side?) However, there is no currently stable SS for MK2. When a stable version of SS does come out, I can use it to install roms (particularly Virgin GPE sounds enticing to me, i love pure stock without much extra features) even with the boot loader being locked?
3. SS also voids the warranty, is that correct?
4. I am hearing knox is sort of like the new flash counter for S4, except it doesn't really count, it just voids your warranty, is that correct?
Thanks in advance to the community, you guys are doing an awesome job.

Dont try to flash a rom or recovery with mk2
itszcharlie said:
Okay, so I've been lurking these threads and I'd like to see if someone could clarify a few things. I come from the S3 which was a lot more simpler than the s4.
I recently bought a Galaxy S4 AT&T 32GB with MK2 ota installed. My understanding is that you cannot go back. I am fine with that, touchwiz is actually just fine and dandy on 4.3 (at least for me it is.) I do however, have a few questions in regards to the rooting process.
Rooting:
1. From what I understand, MK2 has a few privacy-concerned root methods. Once I root, I can proceed to the next question, correct?
Installing Roms:
2. After you root, from what I understand, you install a side strap program that creates partitions on your internal SDcard to install roms (side by side?) However, there is no currently stable SS for MK2. When a stable version of SS does come out, I can use it to install roms (particularly Virgin GPE sounds enticing to me, i love pure stock without much extra features) even with the boot loader being locked?
3. SS also voids the warranty, is that correct?
4. I am hearing knox is sort of like the new flash counter for S4, except it doesn't really count, it just voids your warranty, is that correct?
Thanks in advance to the community, you guys are doing an awesome job.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
from mf3 to mk2 you cannont flash roms.................but with hashcodes fix you only can flash 4.2.2 roms with a thing called safestrap look around and check out his blog he hasnt posted anything about an mk2 fix but he's working on it......btw im on mf3 and using safestrap and running a 4.2.2 google edition rom
http://blog.hash-of-codes.com/ <- blog
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1391900 <- safestrap recovery (not compatible with MK2 yet)
sorry bro you cant flash roms yet he's working on a fix
hope i helped

DyslexicTurtle said:
from mf3 to mk2 you cannont flash roms.................but with hashcodes fix you only can flash 4.2.2 roms with a thing called safestrap look around and check out his blog he hasnt posted anything about an mk2 fix but he's working on it......btw im on mf3 and using safestrap and running a 4.2.2 google edition rom
http://blog.hash-of-codes.com/ <- blog
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1391900 <- safestrap recovery (not compatible with MK2 yet)
sorry bro you cant flash roms yet he's working on a fix
hope i helped
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
okay so if I understand this correctly, once his 4.3 fix for mk2 is out, I am able to install GPE 4.3? Are there any downsides to this? I'm hearing you have to use the touchwiz kernel because of some kind of overwrite protection. is that the case here?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app

No at this point when he updates it to mk2....what I understand is that only 4.2.2 Roms are compatible with safestrap as of now
Sent from my SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app

DyslexicTurtle said:
No at this point when he updates it to mk2....what I understand is that only 4.2.2 Roms are compatible with safestrap as of now
Sent from my SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, it's only ROM's that work with the stock kernel. Since our stock kernel is now 4.3, we can only use 4.3 ROMs.
There is a safe rooting method and you can find the thread in the general section. Hashcode is working on Safestrap for MK2, and is close as he made it for the Verizon S4 already. When the stable version comes out you can use 4.3 Touchwiz roms and GPE since it runs on a stock S4 kernel. Technically rooting voids the warranty by itself, but people just flash their phones back to stock in order to circumvent this. KNOX is a set of security tools for businesses and such, and for us it does add a counter to the bootloader that voids warranty.

itszcharlie said:
Rooting:
1. From what I understand, MK2 has a few privacy-concerned root methods. Once I root, I can proceed to the next question, correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. There is a safe and easy method.
Here is the method: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2565758
It's for the Verizon version of our phone, but it works.
itszcharlie said:
Installing Roms:
2. After you root, from what I understand, you install a side strap program that creates partitions on your internal SDcard to install roms (side by side?) However, there is no currently stable SS for MK2. When a stable version of SS does come out, I can use it to install roms (particularly Virgin GPE sounds enticing to me, i love pure stock without much extra features) even with the boot loader being locked?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no safestrap for MK2 (which is Android 4.3) yet. I'm not familiar with the Rom you're talking about. If you look around a bit, there's a post that details the roms available for MF3. I'd imagine that list will be similar for MK2
itszcharlie said:
3. SS also voids the warranty, is that correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't know. Wouldn't worry about it. If you need your warranty, go back to stock.
itszcharlie said:
4. I am hearing knox is sort of like the new flash counter for S4, except it doesn't really count, it just voids your warranty, is that correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Knox is actually part of Samsung's Enterprise security system. They developed Knox and all this other iPhoney lock-down crap as part of a push to win government & corporate contracts. My understanding is that the Knox counter voids the Knox warranty, not the warranty on the phone. You should locate the warranty and read it for yourself.

thanks for the thorough explanation. this clears a lot of things up.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app

Newbie needs your help.

I've been wanting to have Android 4.4.2 on my Note 3 N9005 for a long time and my Carrier still hasn't released official 4.4 update. I've had enough waiting and want to root and install a custom 4.4 rom on my Note 3 N9005(international). Would anyone be so kind to give me detailed information on how to do so, or at least point me in the right direction. I've also got a few questions.
1. Is there any way to leave Knox not tripped?
2. Is there any way to downgrade from a custom ROM to my official 4.3 rom if I'll need my garrancy?
Thanks in advance! :fingers-crossed:

markslo112 said:
I've been wanting to have Android 4.4.2 on my Note 3 N9005 for a long time and my Carrier still hasn't released official 4.4 update. I've had enough waiting and want to root and install a custom 4.4 rom on my Note 3 N9005(international). Would anyone be so kind to give me detailed information on how to do so, or at least point me in the right direction. I've also got a few questions.
1. Is there any way to leave Knox not tripped?
2. Is there any way to downgrade from a custom ROM to my official 4.3 rom if I'll need my garrancy?
Thanks in advance! :fingers-crossed:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On N9005 there is no way back. Knowing that you must really analyze the benefits vs losses/risks. Which for instance for me at this point do not justify the move (but I am rooted and I already have 99% of what 4.4 brings).

xclub_101 said:
On N9005 there is no way back. Knowing that you must really analyze the benefits vs losses/risks. Which for instance for me at this point do not justify the move (but I am rooted and I already have 99% of what 4.4 brings).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you suggesting that I should stay on my stock ROM and wait for 4.4? I've read things about 4.4 and a lot of people say it's a lot better than 4.3, faster, etc. I'm really tired of waiting, my carrier sucks.

If you just want to have 4.4.2 and stay official, pick one of any released official 4.4.2 firmwares available to flash.

Spoon feeding at it's finest...
Sent from my N9005

nlatifolia said:
If you just want to have 4.4.2 and stay official, pick one of any released official 4.4.2 firmwares available to flash.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alright, but do I need to be rooted or do I need to have a custom recovery before flashing via Odin? Will flashing an official ROM trigger Knox to 0x1 or will it leave it unchanged because I don't want my garrancy void?

@markslo112 you don't need nothing but your phone, usb cable and pc to flash with odin. Flashing an offcial rom will NOT trigger Knox!
Sent from Note 3 Superphone!

ione2380 said:
@markslo112 you don't need nothing but your phone, usb cable and pc to flash with odin. Flashing an offcial rom will NOT trigger Knox!
Sent from Note 3 Superphone!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok that's good to hear. If I flash 4.4, will I still be able to install a custom recovery and then a custom Rom? I'm just asking because if I get tired of stock 4.4. Also, is it safe to flash via Odin? I don't want my phone to get bootloops or anything.
Thanks!

I think before you do anything to your phone for the good of yourself you better stop posting and do more reading instead in this forum. You will confuse yourself by asking more and seems not knowing what you are asking about.

markslo112 said:
Ok that's good to hear. If I flash 4.4, will I still be able to install a custom recovery and then a custom Rom? I'm just asking because if I get tired of stock 4.4. Also, is it safe to flash via Odin? I don't want my phone to get bootloops or anything.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You will be able to install custom recovery/rom but it will trip your knox.
It is safe but do some reading maybe even watching a video or two on youtube to familiarize yourself on which files goes to which slot. Also, you won't be able to roll back to 4.3 at this time once you go to 4.4.

nlatifolia said:
I think before you do anything to your phone for the good of yourself you better stop posting and do more reading instead in this forum. You will confuse yourself by asking more and seems not knowing what you are asking about.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I've actually rooted and installed custom ROMS on almost every other phone I had, but the Note 3 is far the best mobile I've had and I really don't want to screw anything up. I do have experience with Odin, but I've never had any experience with Knox as no other phones had it. But I will go ahead and read stuff up.
Thanks to everyone that helped though! :fingers-crossed:

UPDATE:
Alright, so I tried flashing an official 4.4.2 firmware for my region onto my Note 3 with 4.3 via Odin 3.09. It started perfectly, but then gave me an error which said "invalid ext4 image". After a long search I did manage to find a PIT file for my phone. I then tried flashing again, but this time with the PIT file that I downloaded. It flashed fine, had to factory reset and wipe cache also. :victory:

Has anything new come around in the last 6+ months?

4.2.2 / MDL here. I'm rooted to freeze the metric ton of bloatware/greenify/xposed. Didn't get into ROMs because I'm afraid of bricking my only phone.
Been sidelined for several months with health issues, wondering if there's been any new stuff down the pipeline or if I should stay at 4.2.2/MDL? TIA.

Sliced bread has come out. Jk, given the time taken for someone to answer you, nothing new has come out that's earth shaking. Other than new firmware. If everything works for you it probably isn't worth upgrading.
You're on mdl which allows you to flash a number of different roms which you aren't taking advantage of. The latest firmware, nc1, is rootable with towel root. You can flash touch wiz based roms but that doesn't seem to be an interest to you So you might consider updating to nc1 if you want the latest firmware. But many people would like to be in your shoes with mdl firmware.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app

If you have root and custom recovery (TWRP or CWM) and want to update to newer firmware I would suggest Sho-Stock-i V7.0 Then you w I uld have the newest firmware without having to use Safestrap and be limited to what you can do with your phone.
I would STAY AWAY from updating to the newest firmware (stock firmware) NC1 as right now you can do ANYTHING you want with your phone. That is why I suggested ShoStock to have the best of both worlds. Personally there is NOT MUCH different between your MDL 4.2.2 firmware and the newest 4.4.2 firmwares. Maybe a little smoother.
Sent From My ATT S3 i747 Dark Blue BadAss Theme

Would reception be better with 4.4.2? We recently took a road trip and on a very long stretch my hubby on 4.4.2 had coverage the whole time while I had 0 service for about 1/2 of the stretch. Other areas he was pulling data fine while my phone showed no service or a G and up and down arrows which was completely new to me. It's bizarre.

RockRatt said:
If you have root and custom recovery (TWRP or CWM) and want to update to newer firmware I would suggest Sho-Stock-i V7.0 Then you w I uld have the newest firmware without having to use Safestrap and be limited to what you can do with your phone.
I would STAY AWAY from updating to the newest firmware (stock firmware) NC1 as right now you can do ANYTHING you want with your phone. That is why I suggested ShoStock to have the best of both worlds. Personally there is NOT MUCH different between your MDL 4.2.2 firmware and the newest 4.4.2 firmwares. Maybe a little smoother.
Sent From My ATT S3 i747 Dark Blue BadAss Theme
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think I have recovery? I only remember rooting, no option for twrp or cwm. Am I hosed now?

Wittyusernametaken said:
I don't think I have recovery? I only remember rooting, no option for twrp or cwm. Am I hosed now?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are still in fact on MDL then you can get TWRP or CWM recovery and flash as I stated above. You can use ShoStock-i once you have a custom recovery. First VERIFY you have MDL bootloaders. Then if you do look into "Motochopper +Loki" which will give you the custom recovery. Then flash to ShoStock-i. Then you can flash any of the modems in my thread to find which works best for your phone in your area. Maybe see which "baseband" (baseband=Modem) your husbands phone has (if it is also a i337 S4).
Sent fron I337 Red BadAss Themed ShoStock 7.0

do you have a link for the Sho-Stock-i V7.0? I can't find it? Also would any version of CyanogenMod work? I can't find one that would work without me upgrading to 4.4 if my google searches are correct. Sorry for the delay in replying... health issues are a PITA.

Wittyusernametaken said:
do you have a link for the Sho-Stock-i V7.0? I can't find it? Also would any version of CyanogenMod work? I can't find one that would work without me upgrading to 4.4 if my google searches are correct. Sorry for the delay in replying... health issues are a PITA.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You do NOT need to update to run ShoStock. Just flash his newest in recovery (TWRP/ cwm/etc.) It will give you the newer firmware of 4.4.2 but NOT give you the 4.4.2 bootloader. So you can always flash back to your MDL stock firmware via odin. Like I said, the best of both worlds. Keeping the bypassed bootloader while running newer firmware. Just use ShoStock 8.1 (NOT THE SAFESTRAP VERSION)

[Q] (Noob?) question - stock 4.3 to custom 4.4 rom

I've been trying to figure this out for the last day, with no success.
I've got a rooted Note 3 N9005 (MJ7) stock. this is a 4.3 Rom. Knox status is0x0 (didn't trip it when I've rooted it ages ago).
I had enough of sammy rom, and I want to play with some of the new 4.4.4 custom roms.
I'm totally and utterly lost regarding what's tripping knox, and what are the needed steps in order to achieve that.
From what I understand, flashing TWRP (or any other custom recovery) will trip knox. I'm fine with that.
I'm not sure if I'm supposed to first upgrade my 4.3 to an official 4.4.2, and what / if is all the lock/unlock bootloader which seems to differ between versions (4.3 and 4.4). There also seem to be different versions of TWRP depending on if you're on 4.3 or 4.4?
Can I simply flash TWRP on my rooted 4.3, backup, flash new shinny 4.4.4 rom, and be happy ? Will that keep the root ?
Otherwise, do i need to upgrade to official 4.4.2 version first? will that lose root and I'll have to reroot the new version, and then flash TWRP and then flash 4.4.4 roms?
Any kind of help (or point me to an article that discusses it, even though I didn't find any, and i've searched) will be highly appreciated.
Cheers and thanks in advance.

_Noctis_ said:
I've been trying to figure this out for the last day, with no success.
I've got a rooted Note 3 N9005 (MJ7) stock. this is a 4.3 Rom. Knox status is0x0 (didn't trip it when I've rooted it ages ago).
I had enough of sammy rom, and I want to play with some of the new 4.4.4 custom roms.
I'm totally and utterly lost regarding what's tripping knox, and what are the needed steps in order to achieve that.
From what I understand, flashing TWRP (or any other custom recovery) will trip knox. I'm fine with that.
I'm not sure if I'm supposed to first upgrade my 4.3 to an official 4.4.2, and what / if is all the lock/unlock bootloader which seems to differ between versions (4.3 and 4.4). There also seem to be different versions of TWRP depending on if you're on 4.3 or 4.4?
Can I simply flash TWRP on my rooted 4.3, backup, flash new shinny 4.4.4 rom, and be happy ? Will that keep the root ?
Otherwise, do i need to upgrade to official 4.4.2 version first? will that lose root and I'll have to reroot the new version, and then flash TWRP and then flash 4.4.4 roms?
Any kind of help (or point me to an article that discusses it, even though I didn't find any, and i've searched) will be highly appreciated.
Cheers and thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you aren't concerned about KNOX, upgrade to a 4.4 ROM (Official) via ODIN which will upgrade the bootloader, then once that's all done, flash TWRP for 4.4 then download your ROMs and flash via TWRP as normal.

radicalisto said:
If you aren't concerned about KNOX, upgrade to a 4.4 ROM (Official) via ODIN which will upgrade the bootloader, then once that's all done, flash TWRP for 4.4 then download your ROMs and flash via TWRP as normal.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not concerned any more ...
Out of curiosity, what exactly kills the root? flashing a rom doesn't. upgrading via odin ? I'm assuming it has nothing to do with the system/cache, since each flash usually wipes them, so, where does it live?
Cheers

_Noctis_ said:
Not concerned any more ...
Out of curiosity, what exactly kills the root? flashing a rom doesn't. upgrading via odin ? I'm assuming it has nothing to do with the system/cache, since each flash usually wipes them, so, where does it live?
Cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Reflashing the ROM back to stock is what kills root. It's easy to re-root again once you've tripped KNOX anyways.
But tbh, once you install a custom recovery after you've upgraded your boot loader, you won't need to root. It isn't required for custom recovery
Sent from my Spectrum ZX +2
EDIT: Have you used ODIN to flash stock images before? If not, have a read around, it's pretty straight forward though.

radicalisto said:
Reflashing the ROM back to stock is what kills root. It's easy to re-root again once you've tripped KNOX anyways.
But tbh, once you install a custom recovery after you've upgraded your boot loader, you won't need to root. It isn't required for custom recovery
Sent from my Spectrum ZX +2
EDIT: Have you used ODIN to flash stock images before? If not, have a read around, it's pretty straight forward though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see ... so -> flash stock (kills root) -> flash TWRP (trips knox) -> flash custom rom without worrying about root ? (wouldn't i need it for titanium backup ,or do custom roms come with SU preinstalled?)
Yep, used odin. file on comp, download mode, couple of ticks, clicky clicky, happiness ensues ...

Yeah you're pretty much spot on. Yeah most ROMs are pre-rooted and if they aren't you can just flash superSU via your recovery. But you should be good to go and know what you're doing by the sounds of it.
Enjoy flashing them ROMs and make an efs backup and store off the device too. There's an adb script for it here (forget where but its here, development thread I think) don't use any apps from the play store as they are notorious for bricking Samsung devices.
Sent from my Spectrum ZX +2

radicalisto said:
Yeah you're pretty much spot on. Yeah most ROMs are pre-rooted and if they aren't you can just flash superSU via your recovery. But you should be good to go and know what you're doing by the sounds of it.
Enjoy flashing them ROMs and make an efs backup and store off the device too. There's an adb script for it here (forget where but its here, development thread I think) don't use any apps from the play store as they are notorious for bricking Samsung devices.
Sent from my Spectrum ZX +2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol ...notorious for bricking samsung devices ... i like it ...
i ran one already (zipped a 6MB and a 14.5MB image and tar into a 300kb zip), and been told you can do that from inside TWRP as well ...
I'll take a deep breath, and start downloading the official image and roms ...
I'll update if i'll get to the other side

out of curiosity ... does it matter which official 4.4.2 image i'm flashing ? (i'm getting the NZ one ...but i assume they should all be similar, and / or that it doesn't matter since i'll be flashing something else on it anyways, right ?

_Noctis_ said:
out of curiosity ... does it matter which official 4.4.2 image i'm flashing ? (i'm getting the NZ one ...but i assume they should all be similar, and / or that it doesn't matter since i'll be flashing something else on it anyways, right ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah try and keep to the country your device is from, otherwise you have to find the right PIT file, and the partitions vary etc

radicalisto said:
Yeah try and keep to the country your device is from, otherwise you have to find the right PIT file, and the partitions vary etc
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rubbish. ..I don't recall seeing an australian one... I'll have another look, otherwise ill look into the pit thingy. Thanks.

ATT S5 help/info

Hey everyone,
I'm new here but have a decent knowledge base on what i'm looking for. I recently acquired a Galaxy S5 (ATT). Model is : G900A. It's on Android 4.4.4. I'm having a tough time tracking down specific information for this device. What i'm looking for:
1. A root option aside form Towelroot, as it doesn't support my device and I can't seem to find another that would support the ATT version.
2. Does this root option trip knox?
3. Which Recovery software would be best suited for this device if any at all?
Any help would be appreciated. I'm hoping the information i've found is outdated and i'm just missing something but any additional info would be helpful or at least give me better insight to the position S5 rooting is at. Thanks!

Is there anyone with this knowledge?

Check the att galaxy s5 general section there are threads about this. Quick summary for you though, the only option is towelroot but you need to downgrade, towelroot does not trip knox, the only recovery availanle is safestrap and you can only flash tw based roms so no aosp or aokp or CM.
Sent from my SM-G900A using Tapatalk

Thank you so much for the rundown. I've looked further into it and had a couple more questions that can hopefully be answered for my clarity.
1. I downloaded 4.4.2 from sammobile, i'm assuming it's stock and won't trip knox.
2. Is there a certain version of Odin I should use as to again, not trip knox.
3. Once I root on 4.4.2, is there a vanilla version of a ROM w/ TW that I can install to retain most functionality that i've gotten used to?

Anima The Aeon said:
Thank you so much for the rundown. I've looked further into it and had a couple more questions that can hopefully be answered for my clarity.
1. I downloaded 4.4.2 from sammobile, i'm assuming it's stock and won't trip knox.
2. Is there a certain version of Odin I should use as to again, not trip knox.
3. Once I root on 4.4.2, is there a vanilla version of a ROM w/ TW that I can install to retain most functionality that i've gotten used to?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use the downloads from the thread, not sammobile. You cannot trio knox as far as i know on the att model. Ya tbere are a few roms, theyre all touchwiz based due to the fact that its the only roms you can flash since the bootloader is locked, just check the att s5 android development section and pick your favorite.
Sent from my SM-G900A using Tapatalk

Rakuu said:
Use the downloads from the thread, not sammobile. You cannot trio knox as far as i know on the att model. Ya tbere are a few roms, theyre all touchwiz based due to the fact that its the only roms you can flash since the bootloader is locked, just check the att s5 android development section and pick your favorite.
Sent from my SM-G900A using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What I meant was finding a legit stock ROM. I can't seem to locate any here on this site unless i'm really making a fool of myself. I'm trying to downgrade my phone to 4.4.2 and towelroot it. Then find a good rom for 4.4.4. I have no problem installing a TW ROM. There's just so much information and so many ROM's it's difficult to narrow down a process for my specific resolution. I do appreciate the patience so far and thanks again for more info! Also, do you know which verison of Odin I should grab?

bump up.

You'd better ask in the AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 5 forum for more support.

I found this by snooping around a little more.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/att...-g900aucu2aoa1-4-4-4-2-3-2015-t3021120/page19
That worked. For anyone else having trouble locating information, check the above link. Worked for me!