[Q] Rooting my device. - Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hello,
First, let me introduce myself, I have just registered myself. I am Demy, seventeen years old and I live in The Netherlands. I've got a Samsung Galaxy SIV, previous I had a Samsung Galaxy SII.
I have seen some people talking about 'rooting' your phone. It makes to get the 'superuser' status, which means I can do everything I want with my device which I could not do previously. My questions are as follows.
When I root, will my device lose it's warranty? If so, can I unroot it in order it getting it's warranty back?
What will be the benefits, and what are the downsides?
I understood that there are multiple 'stocks'(?) What is the difference in those?
I hope you can help me.
Demy.

Hi and welcome to the xda.
Which model of s s4 do you own? ( i9500, i9505, etc)
The answer of all of those questions depends on the model of your s4.
I almost forgot, which version of android are you running on your device?

arminale said:
Hi and welcome to the xda.
Which model of s s4 do you own? ( i9500, i9505, etc)
The answer of all of those questions depends on the model of your s4.
I almost forgot, which version of android are you running on your device?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you.
I am owning a GT-I9505, running android 4.3. I read that android 4.4.2 has been released for the Galaxy S4, but mine has been branded. The update for android 4.3 was really late, also. When I root my phone, will brand go away?
Demy.

Demy. said:
Thank you.
I am owning a GT-I9505, running android 4.3. I read that android 4.4.2 has been released for the Galaxy S4, but mine has been branded. The update for android 4.3 was really late, also. When I root my phone, will brand go away?
Demy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Demy, well i got the same phone just recently updated from stock to 4.3 and it is all the same i used the safe root took maybe 3-5min and it was done and it does not void your warranty either as the laws of eu says that rooting does not void warranty, after you rooted you can install root explorer or es fileexplorer and easily de-bloat your phone

Hagis2k said:
Hi Demy, well i got the same phone just recently updated from stock to 4.3 and it is all the same i used the safe root took maybe 3-5min and it was done and it does not void your warranty either as the laws of eu says that rooting does not void warranty, after you rooted you can install root explorer or es fileexplorer and easily de-bloat your phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello Hagis2k,
If I understand correctly, de-bloat is unrooting my phone?
I saw a guide on YouTube where people are using the Chainfire method, it look really easy to me. What is the difference between different rooting methods?
Demy.

Demy,
Hi im jeremy (mejakola97) you can call me meja, jeremy, mejakola, jak, whatever you like,
Im in the usa and I am 17 as well AWESOME!!!
Ok you know those apps that you never use that came with the phone and you cant uninstall? Debloating is where you use your root access to bypass your carriers "block" and uninstall it anyway. the block is kinda like a firewall, ill talk more about that later in this novel
Debloat is NOT unroot. it is removing apps preloaded to the phone by your carrier that you normally would not be able to uninstall
I have the i337 (at&t) running 4.3 mk2 build,
In settings>more>about phone
Under the phone info, scroll down to the build number and what are the last three characters? Also tap on it about 5 times in a row to enable devoper mode if you haven already done so. This just gives you some cool settings that you can use, you will need to turn on usb debugging of course.
Going back,those three characters can help determine what method to use to root,
Saferoot is a good way to go because of KNOX
Knox is the new security feature that came with 4.3 with the soul purpose to make our live harder and piss us all off. XD
Anyway it has a "trip wire" that is supposed to "void" your warrenty
However, I have heard people who have a problem and the company fixes it for them anyways, they just wipe the phone beforehand. All the tripwire is is it changes a number in the download mode display in the top left from "0x0" to 0x1
If you had a problem idk if you have a BestBuy store there but they are miraculously good at fixing Samsung, I had a friend that didnt know what he was doing and flashed an old htc rom on his gs4active, and of course bricked it... they fixed it for free flashed the stock firmware for free.
So to talk about stock, stock refers to "the origanal" the real copy, of your firmware, so there is one set of stock files per phone per update. Your stock 4.3 is different from mine even though we both have gs4.
It would be a good idea to go to the samsung website and download 4.3 stock firmware and keep it on your computer just in case you need it. make sure you get the one for your i9505
So, for rooting, each way is different, they all try to find loopholes "exploits" on the phone to try and get around like the phones personal firewall. its put there so we dont do anything dumb like when uninstalling system apps that are bloatware, accitentally uninstalling the phone app and no longer being able to make phone calls, in fact now i wonder if i actually can do that,
Then they install superuserSU developed by chainfire and copied by many. And superuser acts as an on off switch to allow certain things through the firewall to the root side of the phone, (someone should really buy that guy a beer, chainfire is such a badass)
Now with knox people are worried about it messing up the warranty but I mean you can get away with it im sure,
So there is saferoot, 1st choice even though I couldnt get it to work
Second choice, kingo root, you put it on your computer, install the phone drivers, (I would just install kies since its got it all the drivers), enable usb debuging, plug it in, wait, click root.
There were some rumors about kingo sending imei's to like a chinese database but idk... it was also rumored that kingo tripped knox but im still 0x0 so...
Third preferred methood is a little trickier, odin.
This is where you flash a file with your computer and it roots your phone, again it didnt work for me but im weird.
Now there is a chinese rooting methood called "vroot"... DONT DOWNLOAD IT!!! Just dont, it bricked my phone by trying to root it when I already had root capabilities... that was a nightmare!
there are other ways for older phones such as downloading an apk like gingerbreak for gingerbread or framaroot... but there arent very many of those now that dont need a computer i think.
Um I know I jumped around on the answering part but thers a lot of info here for you to digest im sure, ill be willing to give you as much knowledge as I have, I know its hard to learn everything at once so its nice to be able to have questions answered.
so what else you got for us?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
Jeremy, mejakola97
ps you should totally hit the thanks button for me, it'll be my first like.

mejakola said:
Demy,
Hi im jeremy (mejakola97) you can call me meja, jeremy, mejakola, jak, whatever you like,
Im in the usa and I am 17 as well AWESOME!!!
Ok you know those apps that you never use that came with the phone and you cant uninstall? Debloating is where you use your root access to bypass your carriers "block" and uninstall it anyway. the block is kinda like a firewall, ill talk more about that later in this novel
Debloat is NOT unroot. it is removing apps preloaded to the phone by your carrier that you normally would not be able to uninstall
I have the i337 (at&t) running 4.3 mk2 build,
In settings>more>about phone
Under the phone info, scroll down to the build number and what are the last three characters? Also tap on it about 5 times in a row to enable devoper mode if you haven already done so. This just gives you some cool settings that you can use, you will need to turn on usb debugging of course.
Going back,those three characters can help determine what method to use to root,
Saferoot is a good way to go because of KNOX
Knox is the new security feature that came with 4.3 with the soul purpose to make our live harder and piss us all off. XD
Anyway it has a "trip wire" that is supposed to "void" your warrenty
However, I have heard people who have a problem and the company fixes it for them anyways, they just wipe the phone beforehand. All the tripwire is is it changes a number in the download mode display in the top left from "0x0" to 0x1
If you had a problem idk if you have a BestBuy store there but they are miraculously good at fixing Samsung, I had a friend that didnt know what he was doing and flashed an old htc rom on his gs4active, and of course bricked it... they fixed it for free flashed the stock firmware for free.
So to talk about stock, stock refers to "the origanal" the real copy, of your firmware, so there is one set of stock files per phone per update. Your stock 4.3 is different from mine even though we both have gs4.
It would be a good idea to go to the samsung website and download 4.3 stock firmware and keep it on your computer just in case you need it. make sure you get the one for your i9505
So, for rooting, each way is different, they all try to find loopholes "exploits" on the phone to try and get around like the phones personal firewall. its put there so we dont do anything dumb like when uninstalling system apps that are bloatware, accitentally uninstalling the phone app and no longer being able to make phone calls, in fact now i wonder if i actually can do that,
Then they install superuserSU developed by chainfire and copied by many. And superuser acts as an on off switch to allow certain things through the firewall to the root side of the phone, (someone should really buy that guy a beer, chainfire is such a badass)
Now with knox people are worried about it messing up the warranty but I mean you can get away with it im sure,
So there is saferoot, 1st choice even though I couldnt get it to work
Second choice, kingo root, you put it on your computer, install the phone drivers, (I would just install kies since its got it all the drivers), enable usb debuging, plug it in, wait, click root.
There were some rumors about kingo sending imei's to like a chinese database but idk... it was also rumored that kingo tripped knox but im still 0x0 so...
Third preferred methood is a little trickier, odin.
This is where you flash a file with your computer and it roots your phone, again it didnt work for me but im weird.
Now there is a chinese rooting methood called "vroot"... DONT DOWNLOAD IT!!! Just dont, it bricked my phone by trying to root it when I already had root capabilities... that was a nightmare!
there are other ways for older phones such as downloading an apk like gingerbreak for gingerbread or framaroot... but there arent very many of those now that dont need a computer i think.
Um I know I jumped around on the answering part but thers a lot of info here for you to digest im sure, ill be willing to give you as much knowledge as I have, I know its hard to learn everything at once so its nice to be able to have questions answered.
so what else you got for us?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
Jeremy, mejakola97
ps you should totally hit the thanks button for me, it'll be my first like.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello Jeremy,
Thank you so much for your novel! Do you also have a GT-I9505?
I liked your post, although I would've liked to like it for another 10 times. It is really nice to see you putting so much effort in this, for me. Thank you!
I would love to remove all the apps I can't remove, because I don't use like 95% of them. Just to make sure, when I have rooted my phone, I can remove those? (De-bloat)?
The last digits are MKF. I also activated developer mode, what can I do with this?
We don't have a BestBuy store in The Netherlands, as far as I know. But there are more stores. Let's pretend I will never have to go there, shall we? Haha
When I root my phone, I will get a custom stock, right? I saw a custom ROM called cyanomen 11 or something. A stock is something else than a ROM right?
The Chainfire root looks pretty easy to me, would you recommend this for me?
Thank you again for this comprehensive post!
Demy.
Verstuurd van mijn GT-I9505

Demy. said:
Verstuurd van mijn GT-I9505
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rooting your phone using chainfire's magic trick can void your warranty .. Anyways Your country is part of EU... so no need for a warranty if something happen to your phone . Such as Hardware failure . (The Best thing you can do is call your provider about it. ) Im sure you have 2 years warranty for your phone but if any chance you broke your screen , your warranty is now gone. that's what my Provider told me

Repulsa said:
Rooting your phone using chainfire's magic trick can void your warranty .. Anyways Your country is part of EU... so no need for a warranty if something happen to your phone . Such as Hardware failure . (The Best thing you can do is call your provider about it. ) Im sure you have 2 years warranty for your phone but if you broke the screen , your warranty is now gone. that's what my Provider told me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello Repulsa,
I had my screen broken one time, but I had to pay for it. I think my phone does not have warranty, so that is not a problem.
Verstuurd van mijn GT-I9505

Demy. said:
Hello Repulsa,
I had my screen broken one time, but I had to pay for it. I think my phone does not have warranty, so that is not a problem.
Verstuurd van mijn GT-I9505
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well if you think your phone doesnt have warranty then feel free to do what you want with your Phone such as Rooting/flashing custom rom etc.. But Remember do it at your own risk . Always follow the Dev's tutorial on how to do it .Goodluck and Have a nice day.

Repulsa said:
Well if you think your phone doesnt have warranty then feel free to do what you want with your Phone such as Rooting/flashing custom rom etc.. But Remember do it at your own risk . Always follow the Dev's tutorial on how to do it .Goodluck and Have a nice day.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yet another question, I'm such a nooby haha. What is flashing a ROM?
Verstuurd van mijn GT-I9505

Demy. said:
Yet another question, I'm such a nooby haha. What is flashing a ROM?
Verstuurd van mijn GT-I9505
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flashing rom is an alternative name for the device firmware, basically means to load a different version of the Android OS.It is the process used to change/Modify/Tweaks Such as completely changing the user interface/auto root/providing additional features and such Feel free to visit this website . and Please use the search button or ask first before you do something with your Phone. So once again "Do it at your Own risk"

Can I unbrand my phone when I have rooted it, so I will get the newer android versions earlier? T-mobile is very late with the new android versions. If yes, is this done when rooting, or do I have to do this myself?

Ok so to explain stock another way, you have stock firmware right now, stock refers to the original, is this case its the original firware,
If you flash a custom rom for your phone then that would be a custom firmware essentially.
Sometimes people refer to stock as "official firmware".
So when you root your phone you will still have the same firmware, and thus still have stock.
I have a sgh-i337, its almost the same as yours except for I cant update as frequently because my carrier is mean.
Check out this page, hopefully it wont still be blank, I just made it last night.http://forum.xda-developers.com/wiki/samsung
Just look at the bottom one, I have the at&t version, you have the international version.
---------- Post added at 02:26 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:22 PM ----------
Chainfires way is definitely the way, I mean he made superuserSU.
I would still rather use kingo, because I dont have to do any thing, just install the drivers and king on my computer.

mejakola said:
Ok so to explain stock another way, you have stock firmware right now, stock refers to the original, is this case its the original firware,
If you flash a custom rom for your phone then that would be a custom firmware essentially.
Sometimes people refer to stock as "official firmware".
So when you root your phone you will still have the same firmware, and thus still have stock.
I have a sgh-i337, its almost the same as yours except for I cant update as frequently because my carrier is mean.
Check out this page, hopefully it wont still be blank, I just made it last night.http://forum.xda-developers.com/wiki/samsung
Just look at the bottom one, I have the at&t version, you have the international version.
---------- Post added at 02:26 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:22 PM ----------
Chainfires way is definitely the way, I mean he made superuserSU.
I would still rather use kingo, because I dont have to do any thing, just install the drivers and king on my computer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What is the point in rooting my phone, when I keep the same stock?
My phone is T-mobile branded, the update for Android 4.3 came like 2 months later than other carriers. That why I want to unbrand my phone.
Demy.

Demy. said:
What is the point in rooting my phone, when I keep the same stock?
My phone is T-mobile branded, the update for Android 4.3 came like 2 months later than other carriers. That why I want to unbrand my phone.
Demy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The point is that you gain full rights of what you own, imagine you bought a new car but they locked the hood for you so you can not check
your oil and fill windscreen wiper fluid and so that pretty stupid ?
I have the same MKF too believe my phone was imported from france by swedish reseller anyway there is a special saferoot for the s4 that works like a charm, and the EU laws says that if you root your device does not void warranty it is up to the manufacturer to prove that your "rooting" has caused the issues and lets say your battery fails happens sometimes... then they can't just come and say hey you rooted your device your out of warranty if the service center tell you that then just call samsung
This guide i followed:
http://www.w0lfdroid.com/2013/12/Safe-Root-Android-4.3-Galaxy-S3-S4-Note-No-Warranty-Void.html
And i have de-bloated my phone a lot runs smother and less garbage in it

Hagis2k said:
The point is that you gain full rights of what you own, imagine you bought a new car but they locked the hood for you so you can not check
your oil and fill windscreen wiper fluid and so that pretty stupid ?
I have the same MKF too believe my phone was imported from france by swedish reseller anyway there is a special saferoot for the s4 that works like a charm, and the EU laws says that if you root your device does not void warranty it is up to the manufacturer to prove that your "rooting" has caused the issues and lets say your battery fails happens sometimes... then they can't just come and say hey you rooted your device your out of warranty if the service center tell you that then just call samsung
This guide i followed:
http://www.w0lfdroid.com/2013/12/Safe-Root-Android-4.3-Galaxy-S3-S4-Note-No-Warranty-Void.html
And i have de-bloated my phone a lot runs smother and less garbage in it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That was a good comparison! That video looked really easy, thank you!
Correct me if I'm wrong, but when I have rooted my phone I can flash(?) a custom rom, like Cyanogenmod 11, to my phone?
I want to do a factory reset, so my phone is clean when rooted. Do I have to do this myself or is this happening when rooted?
Demy.

Demy. said:
That was a good comparison! That video looked really easy, thank you!
Correct me if I'm wrong, but when I have rooted my phone I can flash(?) a custom rom, like Cyanogenmod 11, to my phone?
I want to do a factory reset, so my phone is clean when rooted. Do I have to do this myself or is this happening when rooted?
Demy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
neither.
if you do a true factory reset then you WILL lose root.
i think i know what your wanting to do, when you go to flash a custom rom, your supposed to wipe the phone,
a factory wipe using safestrap bootloader, wipes everything on the phone except media, pictures etc.
if you want i can get you all set up with what you need to root and flash.

mejakola said:
neither.
if you do a true factory reset then you WILL lose root.
i think i know what your wanting to do, when you go to flash a custom rom, your supposed to wipe the phone,
a factory wipe using safestrap bootloader, wipes everything on the phone except media, pictures etc.
if you want i can get you all set up with what you need to root and flash.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would really appreciate it if you're willing to do that!
Demy.
Verstuurd van mijn GT-I9505

Demy. said:
I would really appreciate it if you're willing to do that!
Demy.
Verstuurd van mijn GT-I9505
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so you know where to get saferoot from. download all that and should be pretty simple.
if it doesnt work, just google kingo and try that. way...
next this one has got to be the most important out of all of them, DOWNLOAD TITANIUM BACKUP from google play. i would recomend the pro version.
open it and grant it SU access, it will tell you to enable 'install from unknown sources' and 'enable usb debuging' if you have not already done so.
hit your menu button, and then select preferences, then change the backup folder location to your external sd card (/storage/extSdCard)
now in the main screen of TB hit the checkmark in the top right corner, for the first time find 'backup all user apps + system data' and hit RUN, it will take a while, then do the same thing except for this time run "create 'update.zip' from app+data backups"
make sure its on your external sd card and that you can find it... I would also recommend FREQUENTLY putting the copies of both the TB backup and the .ZIP file on your computer... just in case...
now we can start having some fun.
download safestrap: custom recovery for locked devices.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2448925
follow the instructions and flash SS.
IF YOU HAVE AT&T I337 YOU MUST DO THIS STEP!!!
now i337 users (not you demy) you have a locked bootloader so you must use loki. or check this out...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2291956
again this is only for i337 users, and also i337 users as stated in the above thread, dont even try any other custom recovery, they wont work with our locked bootloaders.
next go into the safestrap app and click 'reboot to recovery' and in the top left corner hit that button, not sure exactly what it says off the top of my head but... then hit rom one and hit create. note that the only thing that you should flash is the update.zip file you created in TB else you run the risk of soft bricking like i did two days ago.
so go find your rom and make sure it is supposed to work with your phone and also with SafeStrap. follow any extra instructions on how to flash the rom that are given in the thread, and you should be good to go there.
last, download TB if its missing, and restore your missing apps ONLY .... this applies to in a rom.
if you just went back to stock and have a wiped phone what i do is restore missing apps and data and system apps too.
any questions about this just let me know. or if you brick it and get stuck in a bootloop or something stupid like i did the other day while attempting to flash ShoStock, lol let me know gs4 users, BUT REMEMBER YOU DID IT AND ITS NOT MY FAULT
if you arent a gs4 user, i may be able to help you just not as quickly most likely.

Related

New to S4

How's it going? I am upgrading to the S4 coming from the e4gt on Thursday. I've flashed just about everything there is for the e4gt, but would like to know what is recommended for starting out with this phone. What recovery do you recommend? I've downloaded the cf autoroot which I plan on using, and also the cwm jfltespr 6.0.3.6. Is this the best route for getting started? Thanks in advance.
Welcome over bt.
If you're going to stay on 4.2 then TWRP 2..5.0.2 has proven best for me and most others. TWRP-Recovery-jfltespr-2.5.0.2
If you're going to jump in to 4.3 (and I suspect you will) then use Philz CWM based recovery. philz_touch_5.18.2-jfltespr.tar
Just know that if you take the OTA or Odin 4.3 there is NO going back to 4.2 because of the Knox bootloader.
You can however run 4.3 on 4.2 firmware (non Knox tripped bootloader).
Many of the usual Sammy stuff caveats are the same. biggest difference is that Kernels are seperated from Recoveries. Making it easy to mix and match.
Flashing is a breeze, developers here are great - many came from the e4gt and S3. Same with the contributors and others.
Take some time to read through the posts and you'll soon get a good handle on it.
Have fun!
Hey, i remember you. It's great to see you here. How do I avoid the ota? Can I freeze system updates in tb or for toolbox? Also, what rom do you recommend that I try first? I was looking at the carbon rom, but will try 4.2 first because it looks like they have the save data issues on 4.3 like the e4gt. I will miss all the guys on project x.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda app-developers app
btvolta said:
Hey, i remember you. It's great to see you here. How do I avoid the ota? Can I freeze system updates in tb or for toolbox? Also, what rom do you recommend that I try first? I was looking at the carbon rom, but will try 4.2 first because it looks like they have the save data issues on 4.3 like the e4gt. I will miss all the guys on project x.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you install a custom recovery and kernel you won't be able to take the OTA - it may download but shouldn't install. I use TB to freeze Sprint Installer and Sprint Zone. Sprint Installer is a really sneaky app - it goes out and grabs all their crapware and just loads it up!.
I'd recommend Any of the 4.2 ROMs if you'd like to mess around - Sac, Unknownforce, Negamann's and of course rujelus22's.
For 4.3 I'd say give those guys a go too; just be sure to do it without tripping the Knox counter - using custom recovery and flashing ROM that has the knox bootloader removed.
For CM/AOSP type there are some pretty good ones too.Carbon, Sniper and Garwynn have some builds up. I like to try them but I'm a TW guy - I have to have everything working flawlessly for business so even small things like no 4G, no sms or the like make using them for my daily driver still out of the question for now.
leaderbuilder said:
If you install a custom recovery and kernel you won't be able to take the OTA - it may download but shouldn't install. I use TB to freeze Sprint Installer and Sprint Zone. Sprint Installer is a really sneaky app - it goes out and grabs all their crapware and just loads it up!.
I'd recommend Any of the 4.2 ROMs if you'd like to mess around - Sac, Unknownforce, Negamann's and of course rujelus22's.
For 4.3 I'd say give those guys a go too; just be sure to do it without tripping the Knox counter - using custom recovery and flashing ROM that has the knox bootloader removed.
For CM/AOSP type there are some pretty good ones too.Carbon, Sniper and Garwynn have some builds up. I like to try them but I'm a TW guy - I have to have everything working flawlessly for business so even small things like no 4G, no sms or the like make using them for my daily driver still out of the question for now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there a chance my phone will come with the 4.3 already installed?
btvolta said:
Is there a chance my phone will come with the 4.3 already installed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A friend of mine just bought the S4 two days ago and maybe he was lucky but it was still on 4.2 But don't know if that's the case with all of them.
GS4 Stock Rooted MJA 4.3,Philz Touch CWM,HotSpot Mod,Transparent Weather Widget,8SMS(Stock Messaging,KitKat)
btvolta said:
Is there a chance my phone will come with the 4.3 already installed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
as @BIGSAMDA1ST said, there is that possibility. Really depends on the supplier and how deep their inventory is.
If is on 4.2, after initial setup it will surely try and update to 4.3 if you let it - I wouldn't. But that's just me. I'd keep it 4.2 and go the 'non-knox' route to 4.3.
btvolta said:
Is there a chance my phone will come with the 4.3 already installed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Welcome!
I just got mine on Monday Pre Balck Friday Sale, been on E4GT bricked 3, 4th the power button broke and the E4GT was BO so the bumped me to GS3 was rooted running Cyan 11 4.4 kitkat, PA Gapps, Xposed 128 DPI then the Pre Sale .96 cent's upgraded to this GS4. Monday got it and a hour later the 4.3 OTA was pushed to the phone.
I do have to say this is a Big Learning Curve because a lot of the customization i was used to do on my phone is already stock on this phone.
Been researching trying to figure what exactly to do but also been running tests to see what improvements Sprint and or the phone has made for me. I agree with Leaderbuilder " I have to have everything working flawlessly for business so even small things like no 4G, no sms or the like make using them for my daily driver still out of the question for now".
Everything has seemed to be running great my wife upgraded from Galaxy S "GB" love ginger just not as a OP. Spending a lot of time finding how things work for her and have yet to set my phone up or let it settle in. I say all this to say "what I've read" in all different posts is there is possibly 1 stable 4.4 rom and just now trying to compare the benefit for me rooting. I know removing bloatware but it doesn't seem to be messing the phone up like it did on E4GT, battery life? What I've seen this is pretty good. So take your time get your phone and get used to it I think those of us who came from E4GT was used to having a "fairly good" phone and rooting to make it better however this seems to be at a different level.
I just moved from the Epic 4G to an S4. Still really missing my slide-out keyboard...
I bought my S4 a week ago and it came with 4.2.2. I had NO clue about the Knox BS, and doing a quick Google for 4.3 issues did not bring it up, so I took the OTA update. BIG mistake... Especially since I need to root to run ARLiberator.
Thankfully, my Sprint dealer is great, and after finding they could not roll it back, gave me a direct exchange to a new S4 with 4.2.2. If they would not have done that, I would have exchanged it for a white one to get back to 4.2.2.
Sooo, to sum it up, as of yesterday, it was possible to still get an S4 with 4.2.2 without Knox on it.
VaderSS said:
I just moved from the Epic 4G to an S4. Still really missing my slide-out keyboard...
I bought my S4 a week ago and it came with 4.2.2. I had NO clue about the Knox BS, and doing a quick Google for 4.3 issues did not bring it up, so I took the OTA update. BIG mistake... Especially since I need to root to run ARLiberator.
Thankfully, my Sprint dealer is great, and after finding they could not roll it back, gave me a direct exchange to a new S4 with 4.2.2. If they would not have done that, I would have exchanged it for a white one to get back to 4.2.2.
Sooo, to sum it up, as of yesterday, it was possible to still get an S4 with 4.2.2 without Knox on it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Chalk it up to me being an old 48 gray haired (although consider myself pretty good searcher) What exactly is Knox and why/not want or want it?What is the issue with taking the OTA update? Layman's terms? My sprint store has really cool tech's but they know nothing about rooting and all different issues. Always like playing with my phone for a bit and never get pissed if I get an issue they can't resolve.
Should I not have done the OTA update? I'm trying to determine if I actually want to root or not because things have seemed good so far.
Main 4.4 item i wanted was "OK Google" but I've got that on my stock phone, sure 128 dpi would be great but if it really worth it for me? I'm still out to lunch on that one.
VaderSS said:
I just moved from the Epic 4G to an S4. Still really missing my slide-out keyboard...
I bought my S4 a week ago and it came with 4.2.2. I had NO clue about the Knox BS, and doing a quick Google for 4.3 issues did not bring it up, so I took the OTA update. BIG mistake... Especially since I need to root to run ARLiberator.
Thankfully, my Sprint dealer is great, and after finding they could not roll it back, gave me a direct exchange to a new S4 with 4.2.2. If they would not have done that, I would have exchanged it for a white one to get back to 4.2.2.
Sooo, to sum it up, as of yesterday, it was possible to still get an S4 with 4.2.2 without Knox on it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you saying you can't root it because of the update? I believe you still can.
btvolta said:
Are you saying you can't root it because of the update? I believe you still can.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
jtsv said:
Chalk it up to me being an old 48 gray haired (although consider myself pretty good searcher) What exactly is Knox and why/not want or want it?What is the issue with taking the OTA update? Layman's terms? My sprint store has really cool tech's but they know nothing about rooting and all different issues. Always like playing with my phone for a bit and never get pissed if I get an issue they can't resolve.
Should I not have done the OTA update? I'm trying to determine if I actually want to root or not because things have seemed good so far.
Main 4.4 item i wanted was "OK Google" but I've got that on my stock phone, sure 128 dpi would be great but if it really worth it for me? I'm still out to lunch on that one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The OTA update installs the Knox boot loader which cannot be rolled back. Once on it, you are on it for good, at least at present.
Knox adds a tattle-tale, so that if you root in the conventional, "fully rooted" manner, install a custom recovery, rom, or kernel, it will trip a flag, titled "Knox Warranty Void" which cannot, at present, be reset. which also breaks certain functionality in the phone. If you don't care about tripping this flag, it looks like you can still mod your phone as before.
There is a way to partially root in spite of Knox, without tripping the flag, but this method may open your phone up in ways you don't want to do. This is still under investigation.
Personally, I did not want a non-resetable flag telling Sprint/Samsung that I had modded my phone... That in itself was enough to make me return the phone.
Thank you for explaining now you have given me more to think about. Why do they care since warranties still cover rooting? Also makes me have something else to add to the puzzle do I root or not. Most things I was rooting for are now stock so I will continue to think about now knowing about the Knox.
Hello BTVOLTA...looking fwd to being here as well. Coming from the E4GT myself this evening and am looking forward to the stuff this thing has the ability to do:thumbup:
btoddweber said:
Hello BTVOLTA...looking fwd to being here as well. Coming from the E4GT myself this evening and am looking forward to the stuff this thing has the ability to do:thumbup:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm waiting in line right now
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Xparent BlueTapatalk 2
jtsv said:
Thank you for explaining now you have given me more to think about. Why do they care since warranties still cover rooting? Also makes me have something else to add to the puzzle do I root or not. Most things I was rooting for are now stock so I will continue to think about now knowing about the Knox.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well the knox bootloader is big if you are worried about warranty issus and if may need to run 4.2 ROMs.
If you don't think you ever will have either of those situations then that shouldn't matter.
Knox also does have some cool stuff for the corporate world - high security container for applications etc. It's essentially a secure 'sandbox'. I think you'll find many more corps. insisting on an using it. I know my brothers company gave him an S4 with knox for just that reason - secure email/CRM container and connection. This guy had the need too.
But for me I really am pissed that, if needed, I could not set my device to factory original.
Just one more thing an entity will use to keep from supporting a hardware problem they should own by blaming me.
I've had phones with bad radios (GPS part) that needed warranty replacement and one time was told no because I had a custom ROM and the problem was my ROM or my fault for 'destroying' the chip. I promplty went back around the corner flashed a stock .tar and walked back in and proved it to be the hardware.
All that being said this is so far the best phone I've had. And the developers and support folks here are great.
Welcom over y'all and have some fun.
Just got mine and I guess while I was looking foe a case they pushed the update while setting up my s4.
Any advice on what to do?
Depending on the inventory your new one may come with MF9. If so you can just use cf-autoroot to root install a custom recovery and go from there. There is a thread on how to update that firmware (modem and radio) without tripping the knox counter.
To keep it from updating don't take any 'Sprint Firmware updates' during install. You can root right away and then use Titanium to freez the sprint installer and sprint zone to keep the update at bay.
If it comes with MJA you can still root and then install custom recovery. You will just not be able to run a 4.2 ROM stock (using Odin).
Yeah thats the issue part says dont care othet says dont need security issue but its nice to be safe amd secure. Bricked 3 E4GT andb4th power button broke but all covered by insurance when they upgraded me to GS3 and then I needed a new phone and got the Gs4.
My 3 was running Cyan 11 w/4.4 kitkat and Xposed 128 dpi. I have almost everything I was used to with root with this stock except the 128 dpi so Im trying to figure if I just need to play it safe for a while or not.
I'm irritated by the play store every time I try to install with it pulling 1 of 3 error codes ever since upgraded to 4.3 so part of me wants to just root to 4.4 since I know how it runs but Ive only found 1 stable 4.4 available and not too familiar of roms since my experience is from E4GT and Gs3 days.
My first thoughts are if I know I may have issues and create more issues with my phone with Knox then why even bother?
Last clarification if I root Knox then acts like the old odin counter and or it also will keep me from flashing unroot back to stock? Kinda if can't reboot back to stock then if I softbrick and need help im on my own where as in past I still got help from sprint tech support and insurance because they couldn't prove I rooted an csused the issue.
Knox makes it permanent like water damage sticker with iOs?
btoddweber said:
Just got mine and I guess while I was looking foe a case they pushed the update while setting up my s4.
Any advice on what to do?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was all over it, made sure they didn't push the update. I now have it frozen, and I flashed beanstalk. It's running great so far. It seems though that none of the nice features that come with this phone are on this ROM. Next I will look to flash another kernel and then comadose. BTW, the recovery I installed B is Philz. It appears that if you want to use some of the nice stock options, probably need flash a TW ROM.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Xparent BlueTapatalk 2

[Q] Just bought an S4 and did the 4.3 OTA and have Knox, should I return the phone?

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

[Q] GT-I9505, rooting and custom roms

I know this is probably been asked 100 times already, but while I've found a lot of comprehensive guides about rooting the Nexus 7 I can't find the same thing for the S4. I'm going to buy one soon, and since I'm in italy it should be the GT-I9505 version.
I want to root the telephone, install a custom rom (I don't know which one, I'll have to check later) and be able to revert to the stock settings/rom so that I can avoid to void the warranty. Every guide I checked used a different software, or was specifically about the AT&T or Verizon model, or just didn't include how to do all the things aforementioned, so please, someone link me the best guides on rooting the S4 and being able to revert the telephone to stock settings (I imagine installing custom roms has specific guides for every rom, so no need for that).
Really, really thanks to anyone who answers.
Hi..
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2419762
AnaMajhol said:
Hi..
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2419762
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks but I read the FAQ already, that's partially why I felt stupid opening this thread, not even the noob-friendly FAQ answered everything.
So, I use chainfire auto-root to root the device, and then with Odin I can eventually unroot it in case I need the warranty?
Soory for the double post, but I need new answers about this topic.
I'll use CF auto root to root the device, but this trips the knox flag and nullifies warranty. How do I avoid that? I heard of a Triangle awayy app which resets the Triangle Counter or something like that and I don't think it's the same thing. How do I root while keeping my warranty?
Also, how is the app which reverts the device custom rom to the stock rom called? I always hear different names, it's a bootloader, or recovery mode or now another thing all together, I just need to eventually revert the custom rom to the original rom in order to avoid breaking the warranty if possible.
Last question, feel free to disregard this one because I can search it somewhere else: if I use a custom rom, how do I keep up to date with the official Android builds/functions? Ie, 4.5 comes out and I have Cyanogen, do I have to wait for a new Cyanogen update which brings the Android 4.5 features or am I missing the point entirely?
Again, thanks.
cloudropis said:
Soory for the double post, but I need new answers about this topic.
I'll use CF auto root to root the device, but this trips the knox flag and nullifies warranty. How do I avoid that? I heard of a Triangle awayy app which resets the Triangle Counter or something like that and I don't think it's the same thing. How do I root while keeping my warranty?
Also, how is the app which reverts the device custom rom to the stock rom called? I always hear different names, it's a bootloader, or recovery mode or now another thing all together, I just need to eventually revert the custom rom to the original rom in order to avoid breaking the warranty if possible.
Last question, feel free to disregard this one because I can search it somewhere else: if I use a custom rom, how do I keep up to date with the official Android builds/functions? Ie, 4.5 comes out and I have Cyanogen, do I have to wait for a new Cyanogen update which brings the Android 4.5 features or am I missing the point entirely?
Again, thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't avoid tripping the knox flag. And you can't reset it. If your phone has Knox and you want to root it, you have to trip the knox flag. Period.
Here is everything you could possibly ever want to know about Knox.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2470635
And yes, you have to keep updating the custom roms to get the latest features. Odds are VERY strong that the custom roms will have the updates before the carrier based ROMs OTA's come out.
Skipjacks said:
You don't avoid tripping the knox flag. And you can't reset it. If your phone has Knox and you want to root it, you have to trip the knox flag. Period.
Here is everything you could possibly ever want to know about Knox.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2470635
And yes, you have to keep updating the custom roms to get the latest features. Odds are VERY strong that the custom roms will have the updates before the carrier based ROMs OTA's come out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Got it. So a lot of people still root their phones even if it voids their warranty huh? I guess that the benefits must be greater then the cons (for one, being able to use my Dualshock 3 without cables is way enough, maybe the eventual repair centre won't notice, or maybe I'll just keep a freaking eye on my phone).
Again, I couldn't find an answer in the Rooting thread's first post, so to be safe rather than sorry I'll ask here: The device update is ready, it upgrades Android to 4.4.2 (currently 4.3, but if I got it right the KB shouldn't give me problems because I am not changing rom), does CF autoroot work anyway? Knox flag or not? I dropped the idea of using a custom rom, so I just need to know if I can still root it with CF.
cloudropis said:
Got it. So a lot of people still root their phones even if it voids their warranty huh? I guess that the benefits must be greater then the cons (for one, being able to use my Dualshock 3 without cables is way enough, maybe the eventual repair centre won't notice, or maybe I'll just keep a freaking eye on my phone).
Again, I couldn't find an answer in the Rooting thread's first post, so to be safe rather than sorry I'll ask here: The device update is ready, it upgrades Android to 4.4.2 (currently 4.3, but if I got it right the KB shouldn't give me problems because I am not changing rom), does CF autoroot work anyway? Knox flag or not? I dropped the idea of using a custom rom, so I just need to know if I can still root it with CF.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It strongly depends on which part of the world you live.
In the EU the store you bought it from still has to fix it. Samsung in the Netherlands has stated that rooted phones etc will still have warranty.
Lennyz1988 said:
It strongly depends on which part of the world you live.
In the EU the store you bought it from still has to fix it. Samsung in the Netherlands has stated that rooted phones etc will still have warranty.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I live in italy and I highly doubt warranty is intact after rooting, so heh.
In case someone missed it, this is the last question before I'm satisfied and can let this thread be closed: if I do the official update which brings the device's Android version to 4.4.2, can I still root it? I'm not saying the upgraded Android is a problem, I'm just asking if that specific update perhaps brought some security changes or something which don't allow rooting or make it harder.
Sorry but I'm bumping again I really need this.
Bump again
You can root it.

New to Note 3 modding

Hi everyone, I'm a new poster on XDA, long time lurker. I am an Android users, previous owner of several 'classic' android phones, such as GS3.
I've always flashed on my own, but now that I own a 9005 Note 3, I thought I'd jump on here and request some info before checking, due to the whole Knox thing and the higher degree of complexity involved in the process.
I have tried looking for the help posts on my own but I usually found 2 or more different versions for things like rooting and rom flashing which left me a bit dubious, so I decided to open one thread:
I would like to flash either the Hyperdrive ROM or the XNote one, can someone help me through the process directing me to a clear post about all the required steps for an SM 9005?
I am obviously updated to 4.4.2 Android version, and my Kernel is 3.4.0-1168347.
Thanks in advance to anyone who will answer, and congrats to everyone who contributes to the forum, your work is astonishingly helpful!
+1 im in the same predicament as you and im sure theres more..
Sent from my SM-N9005 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
I suggest you go to the relevant rkm thread and read up. There shpuld be tutorial ln what you need and how to do it.
xdm9mm said:
I suggest you go to the relevant rkm thread and read up. There shpuld be tutorial ln what you need and how to do it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rkm? Is that the user who opened the thread you're suggesting?
Are you guys worried about the warranty, if not then i can help as i just flashed mine 2 days back.
You need to flash CF Root using ODIN(do a search) pretty easily done. Post that flash Philz latest recovery(search) using ODIN.
Take a EFS backup using any tool on playstore and rom back up. Download xnote and then keep it in your internal sd card.
Go to recovery menu(search howto) either manually follow the clearing process or use the flash a new room menu item. and then go ahead and flash ur new rom.
aayushjoshi said:
Are you guys worried about the warranty, if not then i can help as i just flashed mine 2 days back.
You need to flash CF Root using ODIN(do a search) pretty easily done. Post that flash Philz latest recovery(search) using ODIN.
Take a EFS backup using any tool on playstore and rom back up. Download xnote and then keep it in your internal sd card.
Go to recovery menu(search howto) either manually follow the clearing process or use the flash a new room menu item. and then go ahead and flash ur new rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't really mind voiding my warranty, I just want to be sure the ROM flashing is successfull and I am able to restore the phone to the original status if needed. If there isn't a way to keep from tripping the knox flag, so be it.
Kratoshine said:
I've always flashed on my own, but now that I own a 9005 Note 3, I thought I'd jump on here and request some info before checking, due to the whole Knox thing and the higher degree of complexity involved in the process.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thewelt1 said:
+1 im in the same predicament as you and im sure theres more.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey,
I was in the same position as you guys. Been with android and flashed for years without issue. If you don't mind voiding your warranty (depending on the country you live in) start here, I'm sure you have heard of chainfire and know of his awesome work, just follow the install instructions, it's too easy. Like chainfire says if it takes you more than 30 seconds you need practice. Next you need a custom recovery, my suggestion is Chenglu's CWM, this was one thing I had issues with. When flashing certain ROMs I had issues (apps crashing or built in apps not installing while flashing etc...), I later found out that it was due to the recovery I was using, I switched to Chenglu's CWM and haven't had an issue. I've since flashed just about everything on offer with no problems. Just make sure you do plenty of reading and you will be fine.
Good luck.
PS: Depending on what firmware you are on now you maybe able to RDLV, take a look here. I just noticed you said about restoring to the original state. If you trip Knox, at present there is no way to un-trip it, meaning your Knox status will always show 0x1 warranty void and gives Samsung service centres the right to refuse warranty claims. Like I said it depends on where you live (in Australia we have laws that protect consumers from stupid things like Knox, as long as it is a manufacturer fault). The only thing I didn't like about the idea of RDLV is, you can't install a custom recovery, stopping you from doing all the fun stuff having a rooted device allows you to do. But each to there own. Hope this helped.

"New" comer here, I need some help please

Hey guys, I have been out of the android world for a couple of years, I would appreciate some guidance.
I I'm currently living in US
T-mobil
Model number: SM-G935T
Android version: 6.0.1
Updated right now
So my question is, since I don't have any backup or anything, can someone provide me with the steps to get me started? Like what post to root it on this specific carrier and how everything? please
Thanks
Arturofm2 said:
Hey guys, I have been out of the android world for a couple of years, I would appreciate some guidance.
I I'm currently living in US
T-mobil
Model number: SM-G935T
Android version: 6.0.1
Updated right now
So my question is, since I don't have any backup or anything, can someone provide me with the steps to get me started? Like what post to root it on this specific carrier and how everything? please
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Of course we can get your started but see
But first you must answer us these question three.
Why do you want root?
Do you have a computer? (This is a must for root.)
Are you ready to be disappointed?
https://forum.xda-developers.com/tmobile-s7-edge/how-to/how-to-root-s7-edge-t3410470
follow this (use odin to flash rooted kernel) ......you should search before posting things like this.....google is your friend bro.
GOOD LUCK - BTW use flash fire app in play store to make backups and flash roms
Okay okay.
A quick glance at T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge Guides, News, & Discussion would have led you to the "How to root the S7 EDGE" thread.
I'd take a look in there if I were you.
Binary100100 said:
Of course we can get your started but see
But first you must answer us these question three.
Why do you want root?
Do you have a computer? (This is a must for root.)
Are you ready to be disappointed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well while I was waiting I just rooted it. So what do you think that would be the next step towards installing a rom? To answer your survey questions :laugh: :
1- Because a phone without being rooted is like a bird without wins.
2- I do
3- Oh well... tell me more
Arturofm2 said:
Well while I was waiting I just rooted it. So what do you think that would be the next step towards installing a rom? To answer your survey questions :laugh: :
1- Because a phone without being rooted is like a bird without wins.
2- I do
3- Oh well... tell me more
EDIT: I just checked and the root didn't go through... even though ODIN said it was successful
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well then.
Rooting the phone (as I'm sure you had already found out) was fairly easy.
BUT... since we do not have an unlocked bootloader then we cannot have any custom recovery. Which means we can only (for now) use adb and Fireflash to flash any custom firmwares. And while we're on the subject of that... there is only one custom rom. Well... technically there are two but only one for you since you updated to the latest firmware.
Echoe ROM which was updated (ummm...) September 9th (not including the Verizon version which might work but with no promises)
Tekxv2 which was updated back in July. Unfortunately, that is flashed by adb (computer required) and only supports G935TUVS3APD8 which is... pretty old.
Things that you may notice with root.
Battery life may be shorter.
Strange icons on your status bar.
Might start to have random reboots for absolutely no reason.
Can't use Samsung Pay and some other apps.
Phone might be laggy.
Phone might feel hot.
Some of those can be resolved by flashing the only custom rom that we have (Echoe ROM... which is a rather nice rom) but it's not "there" yet.
Or you can use the guide in my signature to resolve issues like the lag and the strange icons. Yet even after the "fix" you might still experience both again from time to time.
You might even have the IMS force close issue which I used to get about once a month. It would piss me off because no sooner that you click the button, it'll pop up again and you don't have time to do anything. You're pretty much forced to reflash stock, wipe, re-root, restore a latest backup... which can take hours and is rather inconvenient if it happens to you while you're at work like it always seemed to happen for me.
SO...
All in all... root is okay. It's better than nothing I suppose. But until we get more developer support for this phone then in my opinion it's kinda pointless in my opinion.
Too many drawbacks. I eventually unrooted two weeks ago and I love my phone now. I'm using the heck out of Samsung Pay especially since their promotions are pretty nice right now! Plus a few members are testing the Nouget update which probably won't be getting root at all since rooting requires an engineering kernel which we don't have and might not get. Or an unlocked bootloader which we've pretty much given up on.
A lot of members that are testing the Nouget beta firmware are extremely satisfied with it so if we can't root Nouget then having a rooted S7 will probably fade away as more people update to Android 7+. That's where I see this going anyway.
Binary100100 said:
What you wrote above
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So for what I understood the dev support for this phone is very limited... I know the issues I may encounter, I had them with the galaxy note. but any way... If something I'll unroot it but I want to try it out Thank for you time. I've rooted it.
EDIT: Damn... I really don't like the visual style of Echoe... is that one the only one I can flash??
Binary100100 said:
Well then.
Rooting the phone (as I'm sure you had already found out) was fairly easy.
BUT... since we do not have an unlocked bootloader then we cannot have any custom recovery. Which means we can only (for now) use adb and Fireflash to flash any custom firmwares. And while we're on the subject of that... there is only one custom rom. Well... technically there are two but only one for you since you updated to the latest firmware.
Echoe ROM which was updated (ummm...) September 9th (not including the Verizon version which might work but with no promises)
Tekxv2 which was updated back in July. Unfortunately, that is flashed by adb (computer required) and only supports G935TUVS3APD8 which is... pretty old.
Things that you may notice with root.
Battery life may be shorter.
Strange icons on your status bar.
Might start to have random reboots for absolutely no reason.
Can't use Samsung Pay and some other apps.
Phone might be laggy.
Phone might feel hot.
Some of those can be resolved by flashing the only custom rom that we have (Echoe ROM... which is a rather nice rom) but it's not "there" yet.
Or you can use the guide in my signature to resolve issues like the lag and the strange icons. Yet even after the "fix" you might still experience both again from time to time.
You might even have the IMS force close issue which I used to get about once a month. It would piss me off because no sooner that you click the button, it'll pop up again and you don't have time to do anything. You're pretty much forced to reflash stock, wipe, re-root, restore a latest backup... which can take hours and is rather inconvenient if it happens to you while you're at work like it always seemed to happen for me.
SO...
All in all... root is okay. It's better than nothing I suppose. But until we get more developer support for this phone then in my opinion it's kinda pointless in my opinion.
Too many drawbacks. I eventually unrooted two weeks ago and I love my phone now. I'm using the heck out of Samsung Pay especially since their promotions are pretty nice right now! Plus a few members are testing the Nouget update which probably won't be getting root at all since rooting requires an engineering kernel which we don't have and might not get. Or an unlocked bootloader which we've pretty much given up on.
A lot of members that are testing the Nouget beta firmware are extremely satisfied with it so if we can't root Nouget then having a rooted S7 will probably fade away as more people update to Android 7+. That's where I see this going anyway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How are you doing with the ads? Like youtube, pandora, spotify? I just installed xposed and the phone feels very hot, and If I unroot it (which I'm thinking to do) I won't be able to get things without ads (I know about vpns and browsers). Also how can I install teaks for apps? Installing apks from pages that promise you this and you have to log in is very untruthful. Any suggestions to all this?
Arturofm2 said:
How are you doing with the ads? Like youtube, pandora, spotify? I just installed xposed and the phone feels very hot, and If I unroot it (which I'm thinking to do) I won't be able to get things without ads (I know about vpns and browsers). Also how can I install teaks for apps? Installing apks from pages that promise you this and you have to log in is very untruthful. Any suggestions to all this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just put up with them.
In all reality, I don't use my phone for the purposes that require my viewing of ads to begin with.
Sure when I was rooted I had adblocker. But honestly, I had completely forgotten all about that benefit of being rooted until now.
I suppose if you absolutely need to be rid of ads then by all means, retain root. However ads don't effect my daily use one bit.
Binary100100 said:
I just put up with them.
In all reality, I don't use my phone for the purposes that require my viewing of ads to begin with.
Sure when I was rooted I had adblocker. But honestly, I had completely forgotten all about that benefit of being rooted until now.
I suppose if you absolutely need to be rid of ads then by all means, retain root. However ads don't effect my daily use one bit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you help me unroot it? I was following a guide here to unroot it and downloaded the firmware but when I click flash, it didn't work, I'm having travel reverting it, can you help me? The model is: SM-G935T
Arturofm2 said:
Could you help me unroot it? I was following a guide here to unroot it and downloaded the firmware but when I click flash, it didn't work, I'm having travel reverting it, can you help me? The model is: SM-G935T
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just flash the appropriate firmware that you had prior to rooting with ODIN.
Never had any issues. Which "guide" are you referring to?
Binary100100 said:
I just flash the appropriate firmware that you had prior to rooting with ODIN.
Never had any issues. Which "guide" are you referring to?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
bro now I'm friking out, I followed this guide and when I click in flash it says Fail. I followed it step by step, I don't don't what's going on and when I reset the phone it says custom and doesn't even load, so tmobil would know that I rooted it...
fff.... can you give me the link, guide, whatever you used to revert it?
Arturofm2 said:
bro now I'm friking out, I followed this guide and when I click in flash it says Fail. I followed it step by step, I don't don't what's going on and when I reset the phone it says custom and doesn't even load, so tmobil would know that I rooted it...
fff.... can you give me the link, guide, whatever you used to revert it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're probably trying to flash a firmware with a V3 bootloader over G935TTMB4APK1.
If you were seriously following that (outdated) guide step by step then you tried flashing TMB_G935TUVU3APG1.zip over a PK1 firmware. Yeah... that doesn't work.
Download the latest firmware from sammmobile.
https://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/database/SM-G935T/
Try it again.
IF that doesn't work... try using Smart Switch.
I haven't done it before but I think it's the Emergency Software Recovery and Initialization.
forum.xda-developers.com/tmobile-s7-edge/how-to/odin-apk1-tmobile-tmbg935ttmb4apk1-t3494724
Odin this to return to stock firmware.
Binary100100 said:
You're probably trying to flash a firmware with a V3 bootloader over G935TTMB4APK1.
If you were seriously following that (outdated) guide step by step then you tried flashing TMB_G935TUVU3APG1.zip over a PK1 firmware. Yeah... that doesn't work.
Download the latest firmware from sammobile.
https://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/database/SM-G935T/
Try it again.
IF that doesn't work... try using Smart Switch.
I haven't done it before but I think it's the Emergency Software Recovery and Initialization.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have no idea the help you gave me. I went to sammobil before but since it said that the download speed was too slow, I didn't do it through that page. Now I did it and it's working fine thanks bro.
But when I start it, it says: custom in the log in, how can I totally put it original?
tduquefjc said:
forum.xda-developers.com/tmobile-s7-edge/how-to/odin-apk1-tmobile-tmbg935ttmb4apk1-t3494724
Odin this to return to stock firmware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I want to remove everything and just leave it plain how it comes from factory when you buy it, do I just flash the AP file?
Arturofm2 said:
You have no idea the help you gave me. I went to sammobil before but since it said that the download speed was too slow, I kept it. Now I did it and it's working fine thanks bro.
But when I start it, it says: custom in the log in, how can I totally put it original?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Arturofm2 said:
If I want to remove everything and just leave it plain how it comes from factory when you buy it, do I just flash the AP file?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should flash everything.
BL= Bootloader (which should be V4 since you updated to the latest firmware already. Anything less than V4 will fail.)
AP= Is for System, Cache, kernel, etc.
CP= Is for modems
CSC is for your HOME_CSC_TMB_G935TTMB4APK1_CL9507190_QB11413830_REV02_user_low_ship_MULTI_CERT.tar.md5 file.
Important! If you use the CSC_TMB_G935TTMB4APK1_CL9507190_QB11413830_REV02_user_low_ship_MULTI_CERT.tar.md5 (doesn't have the word "HOME" in the name) then it'll wipe your phone!
If your phone still says "CUSTOM" on it then make sure that reboot and check again. If it still says custom then make sure that you don't still have the engineering kernel. Re-flash the AP files again if so. It shouldn't though if it's 100% stock. Also note if you saw the unlocked padlock on the S7 Edge splash screen (before the bootanimation).
Good luck and happy New Year.
Binary100100 said:
You should flash everything.
BL= Bootloader (which should be V4 since you updated to the latest firmware already. Anything less than V4 will fail.)
AP= Is for System, Cache, kernel, etc.
CP= Is for modems
CSC is for your HOME_CSC_TMB_G935TTMB4APK1_CL9507190_QB11413830_REV02_user_low_ship_MULTI_CERT.tar.md5 file.
Important! If you use the CSC_TMB_G935TTMB4APK1_CL9507190_QB11413830_REV02_user_low_ship_MULTI_CERT.tar.md5 (doesn't have the word "HOME" in the name) then it'll wipe your phone!
If your phone still says "CUSTOM" on it then make sure that reboot and check again. If it still says custom then make sure that you don't still have the engineering kernel. Re-flash the AP files again if so. It shouldn't though if it's 100% stock. Also note if you saw the unlocked padlock on the S7 Edge splash screen (before the bootanimation).
Good luck and happy New Year.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Perfect! All I did was reboot it, and the unlocked padlock went away, thank you very much for all your help! Happy new year!

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