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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

Quick Q: Should I update my phone to Lollipop?

Hello,
like the topic name says, should I update my phone to Lollipop?
I've read on older topics there are a lot of issues with stock 5.0.1, like lower battery life, lags and other stuff.
There have probably been a few OTA updates that might have fixed those issues?
What are you're guys experience so far with stock 5.0.1?
I'm still on 4.4.2 btw, so far it works great.

If you have i9505. Is recommend updating and flashing @Albe95 S6 Port which is the best current rom for S4
Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

What about stock 5.0.1, yours and other peoples experience?
I just got the phone, so I'd like to keep it stock for now.

No and never update anything your phone in any way!
Update = Problems. Lollipop already proved that.
Hope you have not yet updated !

I haven't updated yet.
So I guess I should stay on 4.4.2 then.

Stay where you are. If you want lollipop go custom or gpe.

I too is still on 4.4.2, might try a custom lollipop

Erroneous91 said:
Hello,
like the topic name says, should I update my phone to Lollipop?
I've read on older topics there are a lot of issues with stock 5.0.1, like lower battery life, lags and other stuff.
There have probably been a few OTA updates that might have fixed those issues?
What are you're guys experience so far with stock 5.0.1?
I'm still on 4.4.2 btw, so far it works great.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Stay where you are ,Lollipop has battery drain!!!

Thanks for all your input on this guys, I really appreciate it.
Hopefully Samsung will fix it through future updates.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using XDA Free mobile app

Don't count on Samsung fixing anything in a timely fashion. At this point it's highly unlikely the S4 will ever see Android 5.1.1, especially if Samsung can't even be bothered to update the Google Play Edition S4 to 5.1.1 despite every other GPE phone already receiving it.
If you want a stock-ish custom Android 5.x ROM for your S4, there are at least three decent ones in the I9505 Development section: Imperium ROM, Lollirom, and Albe95's S6 port. Currently I'm using the S6 port as it's the only one of the three that is running Android 5.1.1.

BUMP'ing my old thread a month later because I don't need to create a new one.
Same question, there probably have been a lot of OTA updates after the first 5.0.1 came out on the S4,
is it worth now updating to 5.0.1?
Have the battery issues/lags/whatever problems been fixed?
I'm still on 4.4.2 and I'm tempted to update but I don't wanna get any problems.
The looks and feel of 5.0.1 are nothing if in expense of performance/battery.
Thank you for your time.

Erroneous91 said:
BUMP'ing my old thread a month later because I don't need to create a new one.
Same question, there probably have been a lot of OTA updates after the first 5.0.1 came out on the S4,
is it worth now updating to 5.0.1?
Have the battery issues/lags/whatever problems been fixed?
I'm still on 4.4.2 and I'm tempted to updated but I don't wanna get any problems.
The looks and feel of 5.0.1 are nothing if in expense of performance/battery.
Thank you for your time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, don't do it. I tried recently. Still crappy (clean install). So I'm back and will stay on KK for this devise. Faster, more reliable and fewer bugs.

DON'T, as others said stay at kitkat or older ,but if need lollipop so badly one of the following (both requires updating to lollipop)=
1.CyanogenMod or cm based ROMs(for touchwiz haters,half stable,recommended=CyanogenMod itself)
2.touchwiz based roms(for touchwiz fans or the people who are trying to be original, sometimes fully stable, sometimes half stable,recommended=able's s6 port or able's lollirom)
Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

Flash Stock ROM [Q/A]

Hey Guys,
today i got a Galaxy s4 black edition and there is a ROM called: Phoenix Rom. So i want to flash back to Stock ROM but im really not sure which one i want to flash on it because i dont want to brick my phone or something. Can i flash this http://www.handy-faq.de/forum/galaxy-s4-i9505xxugng8-kk-4-4-odin-kies-dbt-1t-23-07-2014-t306745/ without any problems?
Phone: GT-I9505
Basisbandversion: I9505XXUGNG8
Buildnumber: KOT49H.I9505XXUGNF1

That ROM will work without a problem. However, that may not have the added wallpapers and sounds the black edition devices have. Is there a reason you're not wanting Android 5.0.1 on your device?

Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
That ROM will work without a problem. However, that may not have the added wallpapers and sounds the black edition devices have. Is there a reason you're not wanting Android 5.0.1 on your device?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your Answer, i flashed that rom and it works perfectly. There is also an OTA update for Lollipop but im not sure to do that because i heard that lollipop has a lot of bugs like battery draining and so on. Im afraid if i upgrade it to lollipop i cannot downgrade it to KK. But do u think i should update?

I'm inclined to believe Samsung patched the battery drain bug, but you'd have to try it and find out. If you end up not liking it, going back down to the earlier version shouldn't be an issue, especially as you already have a Knox-enabled bootloader on your S4. There are tutorials on the forums here that I believe walk you through the process. Take a look at them before doing the OTA update.

Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
I'm inclined to believe Samsung patched the battery drain bug, but you'd have to try it and find out. If you end up not liking it, going back down to the earlier version shouldn't be an issue, especially as you already have a Knox-enabled bootloader on your S4. There are tutorials on the forums here that I believe walk you through the process. Take a look at them before doing the OTA update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is it really that my knox bootloader is enabled or not if i do the OTA update? And how can i see that it is enabled or not? Anyway can i root my phone if im on lollipop with CF auto root trough odin ?

You installed Android 4.4.2. 100% positive you have Knox, as all Samsung firmware from 4.3 on has it. Installing the OTA update will restore the Knox apps. Fortunately, CF-AutoRoot still works so you'll have no issues rooting if you install the update.

Ok thank you for your helpful advises, i will flash a kernel on my s4 to stop this overheating issue.

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.

Note Upgrade Questions

1. Should I upgrade my note 3 to lollipop or marshmallow. I heard marshmallow isn't a good choice right now as there are allot of issues.
2. Got 4.3 rooted without knox triggered.
How can i upgrade the device to the update chosen above. Do i need to flash any kernel, boot loader, etc.
Thanks for the reply and apologies if it has been asked before.

Google
- upgrade note 3 to android 5.0
- turn note 3 into Note 5/S7
Sent from my SM-G925F

djEthen said:
1. Should I upgrade my note 3 to lollipop or marshmallow.
>>>
Your choice
heard marshmallow isn't a good choice right now as there are allot of issues.
>> then whoever you heard this from should give you more information .But nor MM has not been released by Samsung for N9005 .
Thanks for the reply and apologies if it has been asked before.
877655
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