Database Users

[Q] Can I upgrade to 4.4?

So when I first got my note I imediately used this guide to flash kitkat and completely ****ed it up, it just stuck on the Samsung n9005 screen.
This was a link to C4ETech's video called "Galaxy Note 3 - Samsung Official Kitkat 4.4.2 - How to Flash/Install" but I had to remove it.
I assumed it was something to do with the CSC code (mine being BTU) so I installed a BTU rom using this guide.
This was a link to TheSmokingAndroid's video called "HOW TO UNBRICK & UNROOT SAMSUNG GALAXY NOTE 3" but I had to remove it.
Now I want to install a kitkat rom preferably a stock one but there isn't one for BTU. So I looked at the custom roms as some support BTU but require the device to be on 4.4 already. How can I get onto 4.4 if every 4.4 rom requires a 4.4 phone? Will I have to wait until an official BTU update comes out?
I've attached a screenshot of my About Phone page (which doesn't have BTU anywhere, I don't get it).
I probably have the complete wrong end of the stick so sorry for wasting everyone's time but if you have a minute to help I'd really appreciate it.

HelloMyNamesTom said:
So when I first got my note I imediately used this guide to flash kitkat and completely ****ed it up, it just stuck on the Samsung n9005 screen.
This was a link to C4ETech's video called "Galaxy Note 3 - Samsung Official Kitkat 4.4.2 - How to Flash/Install" but I had to remove it.
I assumed it was something to do with the CSC code (mine being BTU) so I installed a BTU rom using this guide.
This was a link to TheSmokingAndroid's video called "HOW TO UNBRICK & UNROOT SAMSUNG GALAXY NOTE 3" but I had to remove it.
Now I want to install a kitkat rom preferably a stock one but there isn't one for BTU. So I looked at the custom roms as some support BTU but require the device to be on 4.4 already. How can I get onto 4.4 if every 4.4 rom requires a 4.4 phone? Will I have to wait until an official BTU update comes out?
I've attached a screenshot of my About Phone page (which doesn't have BTU anywhere, I don't get it).
I probably have the complete wrong end of the stick so sorry for wasting everyone's time but if you have a minute to help I'd really appreciate it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try *#1234# might come up there. Anyways, go over to Sammobile and grab any of the latest 4.4.2 KitKat ROMs for your device (9005) as you said. And it should work fine.
Advice: Wipe your phone, not compulsory but advisable. Cheers!

I have a canadian variant note 3 900w8 and i want to flash 4.4.2 as well but i was hoping to flash the t-mobile version as i have heard of issues with the 9005 rom compatibility, just wondering if anyone has had experience yet, or if it has been done.

stanley08 said:
Try *#1234# might come up there. Anyways, go over to Sammobile and grab any of the latest 4.4.2 KitKat ROMs for your device (9005) as you said. And it should work fine.
Advice: Wipe your phone, not compulsory but advisable. Cheers!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your help but I've already done that and the newest version I can get is 4.3 I'll just wait until my phone gets the update, Thanks anyway

I've managed to get onto 4.4 now by flashing a polish ROM after reading that they support BTU, I don't know how to delete this thread so I'm just letting everyone know my issue is resolved

Jagerfarts said:
I have a canadian variant note 3 900w8 and i want to flash 4.4.2 as well but i was hoping to flash the t-mobile version as i have heard of issues with the 9005 rom compatibility, just wondering if anyone has had experience yet, or if it has been done.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you want the ability to flash back to 4.3 from 4.4, install custom recovery and roms and keep your Knox 0x0, head over here and do some reading ( if you haven't been there already ).

[Q] Should I update from 4.3 JB to 4.4.2 KK ?

Hello
I recently got my S4 i9505. I'm planning to root it
I have Android version 4.3
I used to flash costum roms on my s2 but I'm not really planning to do much flashing on my S4. not soon anyway
So as I connected the phone to Kies to make sure the drivers were downloaded so I can proceed with rooting
Firmware update popped up
I'm not sure what the best option for me now.
Should I root now and then I'd be able to flash a costume KK rom? and are there any stable ones that are better than the stock?
Can I use kies to update my rooted phone?
Maybe I should stick with JB 4.3? Which one is better 4.3 or 4.4.2?
I remember facing some issues when I update my s2 back. So I searched for the KK Update for the s4 and some people weren't so happy with their KK update
I know that doesn't represent the majority but still it could happen to me
So I confused myself
What is your advice to me?
sorry for the long post
Also I have an extra question What is KNOX? and do I need it?

egy_b0y said:
Hello
I recently got my S4 i9505. I'm planning to root it
I have Android version 4.3
I used to flash costum roms on my s2 but I'm not really planning to do much flashing on my S4. not soon anyway
So as I connected the phone to Kies to make sure the drivers were downloaded so I can proceed with rooting
Firmware update popped up
I'm not sure what the best option for me now.
Should I root now and then I'd be able to flash a costume KK rom? and are there any stable ones that are better than the stock?
Can I use kies to update my rooted phone?
Maybe I should stick with JB 4.3? Which one is better 4.3 or 4.4.2?
I remember facing some issues when I update my s2 back. So I searched for the KK Update for the s4 and some people weren't so happy with their KK update
I know that doesn't represent the majority but still it could happen to me
So I confused myself
What is your advice to me?
sorry for the long post
Also I have an extra question What is KNOX? and do I need it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First, the most problems in 4.4.2 are fixed, so if you flash the officical, latest firmware of your country you shouldn't have any problem.
An important thing: if you flash a custom rom, your warranty will be set 0x1, that means, you lost your garanty if you flash a custom rom, that's the so called KNOX. You can use knox like a second system on your phone, with all secure data in it, you can only access with a passwort and all datas are locked without this passwort.
Root your phone after the software update if you want to root it.

Tkkg1994 said:
First, the most problems in 4.4.2 are fixed, so if you flash the officical, latest firmware of your country you shouldn't have any problem.
An important thing: if you flash a custom rom, your warranty will be set 0x1, that means, you lost your garanty if you flash a custom rom, that's the so called KNOX. You can use knox like a second system on your phone, with all secure data in it, you can only access with a passwort and all datas are locked without this passwort.
Root your phone after the software update if you want to root it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the fact is that 4.4.2 GNG8 international version cannot be rooted....

christty31 said:
the fact is that 4.4.2 GNG8 international version cannot be rooted....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's wrong, just not with towelroot.

thank you for your input

Samsung S5 - Lollipop - can i downgrade back to KitKat

Hi Guys,
I stupidly got excited and installed the official Lollipop (S5 on THREE UK network) update when i was notified.
BUT...
I want to go back to KitKat as i preferred it (i wont go into reasons why)
Is there a downgrade path for me, either officially or unofficially?> I dont think there is at the moment.
Thanks guys!

Yep, this forum is literally packed with instructions on how to do it, a simple search will bring up what you need

hi thanks, i thought with the new protected bootloader i didnt think it possible.
this is what i read:
Note: The G900FXXU1BNL9 Android 5.0 Lollipop update comes with a protected bootloader it is clearly emphasize that the “SE for Android Status – Enforcing” that might cause issues when you try to downgrade to the old software updates. This also applies if you are planning into rooting and installs any custom recovery and any unsigned firmware once you are on Android 5.0 Lollipop , so please be aware with that.

manikm303 said:
hi thanks, i thought with the new protected bootloader i didnt think it possible.
this is what i read:
Note: The G900FXXU1BNL9 Android 5.0 Lollipop update comes with a protected bootloader it is clearly emphasize that the “SE for Android Status – Enforcing” that might cause issues when you try to downgrade to the old software updates. This also applies if you are planning into rooting and installs any custom recovery and any unsigned firmware once you are on Android 5.0 Lollipop , so please be aware with that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yesterday I tried out AllianceROM 6.0 and a few hours ago I went back to 4.4.2 'cause I liked it better than Lollipop. Here's what I did :
1. Enter Download Mode and flash STOCK 4.4.2 KitKat firmware in Odin (I used 3.10.6) and let it start booting.
2. It won't boot, this is normal (I panicked when this happened though ).
3. Go to recovery and factory reset/wipe data your phone.
4. Now hit reboot in recovery and your phone will boot up again (YAY :sun.
5. OPTIONAL : If you've made a nandroid backup before going to 5.0 you can now flash TWRP and restore it over your STOCK 4.4.2 KitKat firmware.
Hope I helped Let me know if it works out for you!

SUCCESS!!!
All sorted.
The hardest part was finding a link to the rom. sammobile kept giving me a gateway 502 error.
im now back to kitkat, AND no THREE UK rubbish.

manikm303 said:
SUCCESS!!!
All sorted.
The hardest part was finding a link to the rom. sammobile kept giving me a gateway 502 error.
im now back to kitkat, AND no THREE UK rubbish.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol.....so which firmware did you flash? I'm with 3 as well......though for me, all the 3 c**p was frozen with TiBu as soon as I rooted (along with 100+ other 'system' apps too)......I don't want/need all that knox/Samsung/Google rubbish either.......lol
Sent from my rooted kn0x0 SM-G900F S5

I used a stock Samsung 4.4.2 btu mate...took me forever to find a good link though
Still got the Samsung rubbish on it though but I prefer an official rom to a 3rd party one.

Guide me Please
manikm303 said:
I used a stock Samsung 4.4.2 btu mate...took me forever to find a good link though
Still got the Samsung rubbish on it though but I prefer an official rom to a 3rd party one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okey so i want to downgrade mine s5 from Lolipop to Kitkat 4.4.2. But i wonder if i breaks my varanty and can you make like an min guide and add the links you used also please
Would be really helpful since i'm not sure on where to download the things required. And can i get the Stock samsung 4.4.2, whitout messing up anything, incase i turn my phone in for repairs some time and what not. (cause they can complain that you have touched up stuff in the programs ect )
i appriciate any help peace

answer
hey guys i just followed this tutorial to downgrade it was so easy took several minutes now im running kitkat again yaaay
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glNRCuH4Yyw

How can I return to stock firmware from CM 12.1 (Android 5.1)

Hi,
My Device is:
SM-N9005 LTE (32GB)
It was running 4.4. Kitkat and I tried to flash Android 5.0 via Odin. Everything went fine except wifi which did not turn on at all. While searching I found out that many users faced this and there isn't a best fix available yet. Probably I flashed a wrong firmware which may have caused some csc mismatch or kernel issue. I definitely needed the wifi back so i went on to try and experiment more on the device which brought me to CM 12.1 and I flashed it via TWRP. It brought back my wifi but now i miss some of my staple apps on this device especially S Pen Stylus & S health. I tried the simple method - downloading a firmware from sammobile and flashing it through Odin but it failed in Odin. Is there any way I can go back to to Stock firmware? My knox is at 0x1 but it doesn't matter much.
Thanks a lot in advance.

Redmax! said:
Hi,
My Device is:
SM-N9005 LTE (32GB)
It was running 4.4. Kitkat and I tried to flash Android 5.0 via Odin. Everything went fine except wifi which did not turn on at all. While searching I found out that many users faced this and there isn't a best fix available yet. Probably I flashed a wrong firmware which may have caused some csc mismatch or kernel issue. I definitely needed the wifi back so i went on to try and experiment more on the device which brought me to CM 12.1 and I flashed it via TWRP. It brought back my wifi but now i miss some of my staple apps on this device especially S Pen Stylus & S health. I tried the simple method - downloading a firmware from sammobile and flashing it through Odin but it failed in Odin. Is there any way I can go back to to Stock firmware? My knox is at 0x1 but it doesn't matter much.
Thanks a lot in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes, download smartswitch from samsung and use the emergency feature ...you need your model # and SN # for it

djlilyazi said:
yes, download smartswitch from samsung and use the emergency feature ...you need your model # and SN # for it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
I already tried that but it gives this error.

Maybe you have updated your bootloader that's why you can't downgrade. Try lollipop roms. Or try a tw based custom rom with twrp.

What is the baseband and bootloader on your phone?
Match the last 4 characters to firmware here: http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/database/SM-N9005/

I'm sorry for hijacking this post, but something fairly similar happened to me.
I've got an SM-N900, decided to update to Lollipop but despite all my efforts I've been getting awful battery life so I'd like to go back to KK.
Right now I'm using
Bootloader & PDA: N900UBUEBOF1
CSC: N900PGUEBOF2
Baseband: N900UBUEBOC3
and would like to go back to
PDA: N900UBUDND1
CSC: N900UWADND3
I've been reading and found that you need to flash this if your bootloader is on Lollipop, this is where my doubts begin. How do I know if my bootloader has been updated to Lollipop? If my BL is on Lollipop and I flash that file, can I install any KK rom?
Thank you for reading this, and I apologize for hijacking this thread.

A few simple questions

I have 7 questions, I will +Thank you for all your answers.
1. I'm still on 4.4.2 [XXUFNB9], is that even the latest KitKat? Since people keep telling me to stay on KitKat, not to update to 5.0.1.
2. Second question, since my CSC is [NEEFNB2] which should be NEE region, that should mean that the latest 5.0.1 via OTA is [XXUHOD7] which was released on 2015-May-01. Isn't that outdated?
Source: http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/database/GT-I9505/NEE/
3. Now if I look at the latest releases, starting from DBT region which is Germany and a lot of others, the latest 5.0.1 for the i9505 is [XXUHOH2] released 2015-September-01. Compared to my NEE region release date, my 5.0.1 update would be outdated right?
4. Last few questions, if I were to update to 5.0.1 via OTA, is going back to KitKat as easy as flashing PDA via Odin including the factory wipe in recovery? Will that trigger Knox?
5. Going back to KitKat from Lollipop I would still be using the Lollipop modem on KitKat, is that bad and why?
Source: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=62947457&postcount=11
6. I've read a lot about Knox 0x1 and there are a lot of weird explanations about it.
Someone use to say is that you stop receiving OTA updates. Others say is that Knox can't make a container? Whatever that means.
Is the only negative thing Knox 0x1 that you lose your warranty? I dont have that anyway, so why all the fuss about 0x1 if it's only warranty?
7. What's the experience on the latest 5.0.1 [XXUHOH2] OR latest for NEE region [XXUHOD7] if someone has it?

Erroneous91 said:
I have 7 questions, I will +Thank you for all your answers.
1. I'm still on 4.4.2 [XXUFNB9], is that even the latest KitKat? Since people keep telling me to stay on KitKat, not to update to 5.0.1.
2. Second question, since my CSC is [NEEFNB2] which should be NEE region, that should mean that the latest 5.0.1 via OTA is [XXUHOD7] which was released on 2015-May-01. Isn't that outdated?
Source: http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/database/GT-I9505/NEE/
3. Now if I look at the latest releases, starting from DBT region which is Germany and a lot of others, the latest 5.0.1 for the i9505 is [XXUHOH2] released 2015-September-01. Compared to my NEE region release date, my 5.0.1 update would be outdated right?
4. Last few questions, if I were to update to 5.0.1 via OTA, is going back to KitKat as easy as flashing PDA via Odin including the factory wipe in recovery? Will that trigger Knox?
5. Going back to KitKat from Lollipop I would still be using the Lollipop modem on KitKat, is that bad and why?
Source: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=62947457&postcount=11
6. I've read a lot about Knox 0x1 and there are a lot of weird explanations about it.
Someone use to say is that you stop receiving OTA updates. Others say is that Knox can't make a container? Whatever that means.
Is the only negative thing Knox 0x1 that you lose your warranty? I dont have that anyway, so why all the fuss about 0x1 if it's only warranty?
7. What's the experience on the latest 5.0.1 [XXUHOH2] OR latest for NEE region [XXUHOD7] if someone has it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The answer to all your questions:
You worry to much. Region is not that important. And who tells you to stay on Kitkat? I wouldn't want to run outdated software on my phone. So just upgrade and you can always downgrade. There are guides in the general section on how to do that. For questions about knox there is a whole thread about it. Also not really important in your case.
Even better would be to flash the CM so you are really on the latest Android version 5.1.1.

Hey,
these people told me not to update: http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4/help/quick-q-update-phone-to-lollipop-t3163097
Thank you for your answer.
I am still open for suggestions if there are any, of not. I'll consider trying 5.0.1 soon and hopefully I'l like it.
EDIT:
I have updated to 5.0.1 [XXUHOD7] just now.
I can report my experience after some usage.

Erroneous91 said:
Hey,
these people told me not to update: http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4/help/quick-q-update-phone-to-lollipop-t3163097
Thank you for your answer.
I am still open for suggestions if there are any, of not. I'll consider trying 5.0.1 soon and hopefully I'l like it.
EDIT:
I have updated to 5.0.1 [XXUHOD7] just now.
I can report my experience after some usage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why don't you try the GPE rom or a CM based rom. Way better then stock imo.

Lennyz1988 said:
Why don't you try the GPE rom or a CM based rom. Way better then stock imo.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because for some reason this this one is actually running perfectly, I have no complains yet.
The thing is it is running better than my last KitKat rom, faster in opening apps and smoother scrolling without skipping frames as much.
Battery life? It's repporting 3 days left atm, so I suppose it's the same as it was on KitKat, but will see.