Database Users

[Q] Downgrading Canadian Galaxy S4 & a Q about Knox

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

[Q] Rooting Verizon S5 With Towel Root And Edge Program?

So i'm fairly new to the android rooting world coming from a ( Iphone 4S ). I had a upgrade so I said what the heck and I switched over to the "edge" program up to the S5. So now this phone is on the Verizon edge plan and I have questions about rooting it.
1. If I use towel root will it set off knox?
2. Will I be able to install a custom recovery after its rooted with towel root without setting off knox?
3. Will I be able to set the phone to stock firmware (for warranty,edge up etc)?
4. After the phone is on original software will Verizon and/or Samsung know if it was rooted?
5 How would I set it back to stock firmware if I use towel root?
6. Anybody root a S5 that's on the Verizon edge up program?
I would like to avoid setting off knox
Thanks fellas I know I sound like a full on N00b lol. I look forward to hearing back from you folks.

PSM 6.4 said:
this phone is on the Verizon edge plan and I have questions about rooting it.
.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There have been 76,104 posts asking these questions, so consider doing a forum search next time. Not only would you get a faster answer, but existing threads are a wealth of useful information.
Towel root has not incremented Knox in the past. However a recent OTA update - if your phone downloaded it - blocks the Towel root exploit. The workaround to that is to use a program called Odin to install an older, pre-update (pre June 3rd) version of the firmware to the phone. Then Towel root will work.
Most carriers do not lock phone bootloaders. Verizon is one of the few that does. This means that you cannot install a custom recovery or kernel directly. You can use the Safestrap program to emulate a custom recovery though. Attempting to install a conventional custom recovery may increment Knox.
Accepting any OTA firmware updates will likely deactivate root on your phone, meaning that it would have to be rooted again.
If you completely remove root and install stock firmware on your phone, the carrier should not be able to tell provided that you have not incremented the Knox counter. Knox is, in practical terms, irreversible. You aren't going to be able to decrement it anytime soon.
If you read the forums, you'd learn a lot more about your phone and the options available.
.

fffft said:
There have been 76,104 posts asking these questions, so consider doing a forum search next time. Not only would you get a faster answer, but existing threads are a wealth of useful information.
Towel root has not incremented Knox in the past. However a recent OTA update - if your phone downloaded it - blocks the Towel root exploit. The workaround to that is to use a program called Odin to install an older, pre-update (pre June 3rd) version of the firmware to the phone. Then Towel root will work.
Most carriers do not lock phone bootloaders. Verizon is one of the few that does. This means that you cannot install a custom recovery or kernel directly. You can use the Safestrap program to emulate a custom recovery though. Attempting to install a conventional custom recovery may increment Knox.
Accepting any OTA firmware updates will likely deactivate root on your phone, meaning that it would have to be rooted again.
If you completely remove root and install stock firmware on your phone, the carrier should not be able to tell provided that you have not incremented the Knox counter. Knox is, in practical terms, irreversible. You aren't going to be able to decrement it anytime soon.
If you read the forums, you'd learn a lot more about your phone and the options available.
.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi fffft thanks for your reply I really appreciate it. I wasn't sure if Odin would set off knox. I have rooted and installed custom OS's and recoveries a lot of galaxy/android phones in the past but not on a Verizon Android/ S5. Wasn't sure of the procedures were any different. I have read a lot of threads pertaining to this subject before I even started this thread and I have learned a lot on the new S5. I just wanted to get my "specific" questions answered. I'll be sure to research a little more before I start new threads. Thanks again.

fffft said:
There have been 76,104 posts asking these questions, so consider doing a forum search next time. Not only would you get a faster answer, but existing threads are a wealth of useful information.
Towel root has not incremented Knox in the past. However a recent OTA update - if your phone downloaded it - blocks the Towel root exploit. The workaround to that is to use a program called Odin to install an older, pre-update (pre June 3rd) version of the firmware to the phone. Then Towel root will work.
Most carriers do not lock phone bootloaders. Verizon is one of the few that does. This means that you cannot install a custom recovery or kernel directly. You can use the Safestrap program to emulate a custom recovery though. Attempting to install a conventional custom recovery may increment Knox.
Accepting any OTA firmware updates will likely deactivate root on your phone, meaning that it would have to be rooted again.
If you completely remove root and install stock firmware on your phone, the carrier should not be able to tell provided that you have not incremented the Knox counter. Knox is, in practical terms, irreversible. You aren't going to be able to decrement it anytime soon.
If you read the forums, you'd learn a lot more about your phone and the options available.
.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Best answer, what a guy.
Sent from my SM-G900V using XDA Free mobile app

[Q] First time note user need help

hello guys, im new to this forum.and first time user of note 3, i have couple of questions regarding installing new firmwares and rooting.
i had S3 before this and installing new firmware was not a problem and roooting as well no problem at all, i know when rooting it increases flash count, i want to know what will happen if i root note 3 using auto cf root? i heard about KNOX what will happen if it gets triggered?
anyway to install new stock firmware and root without touching knox or increasing its flash count?
kindly help.
thanks.

mostwantedd said:
yes because u needed it. again u couldve answered.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use search next time..
Knox is build in in the last generation of Samsungs phone. if you flash something custom, the Knox warranty will be void.
Which means;
No Warranty, and there is no going back if you voided it. If you don't want this you might want to check the root de la vega.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2479952
Yet everything works like it should when the Knox is void. you just don't have warranty.

thread cleaned.
Also this:

[Q] I9505 rooting !! Serious help needed........!!!!

Hi,
My cousin owns a Galaxy s4 i9505 LTE and he wanted to root it. Since i was using custom rom on my S3 i9300, He asked me to root his phone and i told him that the knox security will mess things up. Anyway i rooted it with CF Autoroot and root was successful but the phone started restaring periodically and he wanted me to restore it back to stock rom (Unroot). He bought it from UAE and the build version was I9505XXUGNH8. Since we didn't find any firmware for UAE from sammy site, he searched the google and found a link (samfirmware) and downloaded the firmware. Then i flashed it via odin. All is good.
Now he want to root it again but the SElinux status says Enforced. Tried towel root,kingoroot and other stuffs.. No hope. The Knox says 0x0 and knox void is 0x1. Android version is 4.4.2. please help me to root this phone.
Thanks in advance...

Use cf auto root. It's the only root method that works.
Afterwards make sure to delete everything knox related. There are plenty of guides out here that tell what to delete.

Thanks for the help.. and if you don't mind, can you please tell me where to find those threads about deleting knoz files and what should i do to get a custom recovery in i9505?????

azharkhalid said:
Thanks for the help.. and if you don't mind, can you please tell me where to find those threads about deleting knoz files and what should i do to get a custom recovery in i9505?????
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nex time use SEARCH BUTTON.
- About the Knox files: HERE.
- Custom Recovery (for ex. TWRP): HERE.

S5 from kitkat to lolipop info

hi guys my name is mike i have S5 G900F model with stock 4.4.2 kitkat rooted with towelroot method Knox (0x0)
if i flashed with stock rom again to lolipop i lost root ? if yes can u tell me other way to do it without tripped know of course
ty in advance

nwmn said:
hi guys my name is mike i have S5 G900F model with stock 4.4.2 kitkat rooted with towelroot method Knox (0x0)
if i flashed with stock rom again to lolipop i lost root ? if yes can u tell me other way to do it without tripped know of course
ty in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Mike, search the forums before asking any questions. Search google. Don't expect everyone to do your job for you. Post your threads in the right section. This question has been asked and answered a million times and you'd know this if you took 5 minutes to search a little bit.
Here's your answer https://www.reddit.com/r/galaxys5/comments/2ubsbs/guide_rooted_android_50_for_the_international/

out of curiosity, why dont you want to trip knox flag
"This question has been asked a million times and you'd know this if you took 5 minutes of your precious time to search a little bit."
Ironic for a man that follows people around *****ing at them to post in Q&A

Sorry guys i have spend many hours on forums to find a anwser but i dont find anything thanx for time anyways the link give me lingo is not exactly what i want i ask if can upgrader via odin in last lolipop stock filmware without loosing root exackly the way i do downgrade and other question is i have unlocked bootloader ? how can find that
i dont want void knox cuz phone is new

nwmn said:
Sorry guys i have spend many hours on forums to find a anwser but i dont find anything thanx for time anyways the link give me lingo is not exactly what i want i ask if can upgrader via odin in last lolipop stock filmware without loosing root exackly the way i do downgrade and other question is i have unlocked bootloader ? how can find that
i dont want void knox cuz phone is new
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What model do you have? Find out in phone settings in system / phone info. Sm-g900a has locked bootloader. I think verizon's phone also has a locked bootloader.
The link I gave you shows how to upgrade to lollipop, root it and keep knox 0x0.
Isn't that what you're looking for?

lingowistico said:
What model do you have? Find out in phone settings in system / phone info. Sm-g900a has locked bootloader. I think verizon's phone also has a locked bootloader.
The link I gave you shows how to upgrade to lollipop, root it and keep knox 0x0.
Isn't that what you're looking for?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i have G900F i think i write it in first post , anyway well that i looking for but not exactly i wanna know if g900f have unlocking bootloader or how can find it and if i upgrade stock rom from kitkat to lolipop i lost root without change modem or anything else downgrade was easy my s5 was braned vodafone germany i download stock rom from samsung mobile and i made unbrand greece whymi must flash modem and why i must use moblile odin that is some questions turture me ty for ur time
ps. always i must put image verification to post this change after 10 post ?

nwmn said:
i have G900F i think i write it in first post , anyway well that i looking for but not exactly i wanna know if g900f have unlocking bootloader or how can find it and if i upgrade stock rom from kitkat to lolipop i lost root without change modem or anything else downgrade was easy my s5 was braned vodafone germany i download stock rom from samsung mobile and i made unbrand greece whymi must flash modem and why i must use moblile odin that is some questions turture me ty for ur time
ps. always i must put image verification to post this change after 10 post ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
my bad, you did. 900f has an unlocked bootloader. when you upgrade to stock lollipop through OTA or Kies (or odin) it already includes bootloader and modem. When you do it the way described in that reddit link you flash the lollipop firmware, modem and bootloader separately. Apparently that method of updating needs it to be done so.
Honestly I have Knox 0x1 so I never cared for those methods, btw if you live in Germany then there's no need to care about Knox. In EU we're allowed to flash whatever we want and the guarantee stays intact even if you have Knox 0x1
ps. yes =p

lingowistico said:
my bad, you did. 900f has an unlocked bootloader. when you upgrade to stock lollipop through OTA or Kies (or odin) it already includes bootloader and modem. When you do it the way described in that reddit link you flash the lollipop firmware, modem and bootloader separately. Apparently that method of updating needs it to be done so.
Honestly I have Knox 0x1 so I never cared for those methods, btw if you live in Germany then there's no need to care about Knox. In EU we're allowed to flash whatever we want and the guarantee stays intact even if you have Knox 0x1
ps. yes =p
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Click to collapse
thats is awesome news u r sure bootloader is unlock with all G900F models?
two more questions ty for your petions
1)i still have OTA if upgrade with SuperSU survival mode to last lolipop i keep root/data?
2)if upgrade with odin last lolipop i keep root/data?

nwmn said:
thats is awesome news u r sure bootloader is unlock with all G900F models?
two more questions ty for your petions
1)i still have OTA if upgrade with SuperSU survival mode to last lolipop i keep root/data?
2)if upgrade with odin last lolipop i keep root/data?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Honestly, I don't know. That reddit link I gave you, I haven't read the guide myself. I just skimmed though it to be sure it was real but I don't know the details of it. Yes all G900Fs have an unlocked bootloader. :good:

nwmn said:
thats is awesome news u r sure bootloader is unlock with all G900F models?
two more questions ty for your petions
1)i still have OTA if upgrade with SuperSU survival mode to last lolipop i keep root/data?
2)if upgrade with odin last lolipop i keep root/data?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you mean ota stock firmware notification? If yes then you will have it if Knox is still 0x0 if Knox however is 0x1 you will no longer be able to update via ota.
If you want to upgrade from KitKat to lollipop you must wipe data from recovery to avoid any issues. It is also not recommended by me to use titanium backup to restore apps because some might not be compatible with lollipop yet or some of the app data made for KitKat may have a conflict with lollipop system, however lots of apps have compatibility with lollipop and there is a chance you will have no issues at all when using titanium backup. Even if I said I don't recommend restoring data after such a major upgrade I do recommend having a backup whether it's with titanium backup or nandroid etc because you're able to restore apps one by one and make sure that what you restore won't be problematic.
Edit - if you update with flashfire app, there is an option to keep root when flashing from rooted KitKat to lollipop and users have reported that that feature does work for them (I personally haven't tried it).
Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

Here's a version of the method on XDA
http://forum.xda-developers.com/gal...2nd-method-t2843044/post54719865#post54719865