Database Users

[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] Rooting my device.

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.

[Q] Updating a rooted S5 keeping root and knox 0x0

I have had an S5 since around this time last year. I rooted with towelroot so that I could stop the annoying camera shutter sounds. Recently I keep hitting a bug on Android with cq-camera-daemon process draining the battery. I keep getting OTA notifications weekly telling me that a new update is available.
Basically, I would like to update to the latest stable to get rid of that bug, but I would also like to keep root so I don't lose functionality / access. Also would like to keep knox 0x0. What is the best way to do this today? I've not visited this site since I used towelroot and it was such a long time ago I can't remember much.
thanks

Hi All,
Just signed up - you have a great community here!
I'd like to +1 this question as well.

Thanks. My problem is that I don't really know what to search for or what is new or outdated info.
I did keep searching and I've may be found the following:
- using towelroot disabled knox. Since it is disabled, the features gained with knox can no longer be used anymore anyway.
So I guess that there would be no harm now in tripping knox as the phone is out of warranty anyway? If this is the case, then I'll just follow the documented procedures to do a full flash of any stable custom ROM.

First of all, the warranty on Samsung's phones in the UK is 2 years.......
I *think* I've read that an app being developed by Chainfire (called Flashfire) will allow updating to Lollipop without tripping Knox......although I don't mind being corrected on that if I'm wrong......
Here's the thread link......
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=3075433
Sent from my rooted, debloated stocKK kn0x0 SM-G900F

keithross39 said:
Sent from my rooted, debloated stocKK kn0x0 SM-G900F
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your reply mate!
How did you manage to root and still keep kn0x0?

When I got my phone, it was running KitKat......I DIDN'T let it upgrade to Lollipop.........then I followed this guide...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2843044
Sent from my rooted, debloated stocKK kn0x0 SM-G900F

Thanks, I might give this a go today.
My Samsung is an Australian variant. I think we only have 12 month warranty here. I've not seen anything to suggest otherwise.

Just got an AT&T Android 5.0 warranty replacement for my rooted 4.4.2; options?

So I just got a 5.0 Lollipop SM-G900A, Baseband G900AUCU4B0F3 warranty replacement for my old rooted 4.4.2 SM-G900A AT&T S5.
I want to get root back. I don't care about warranty since I'm technically out of warranty now and they replaced my phone past warranty (I was really nice to the friendly female CSR I got on the phone). I believe my options are:
Live without root
downgrade to 4.4.2 and root with towelroot without tripping knox
root 5.0 but trip knox
I'd like to do number 3, but I don't know what the best method is at this point. I haven't kept up on any developments in root area since I rooted my 4.4.2 and was supremely happy with it ever since. I know that flashing an already rooted ROM is one of the options but honestly I've gone down the custom ROMs road before on previous phones and I know if I start that again I'll be going through tons of ROMs looking for the one I like best and I've been so happy with rooted vanilla stock that I don't want to take the time to go down that path right now if I can help it. Is there a way to root 5.0 directly if you don't care about Knox/warranty?
I fully realize that I could RTFF and figure out what my answer is but I'm hoping someone who is current will take pity on me and point me in the right direction and cut my RTFF down from hours to minutes. TIA for any help.

https://twitter.com/srsroot/status/634952981960597504
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using XDA Free mobile app

I don't believe it's possible to root 0F3 at this time. Sorry bro...
If root is achieved once again, I would highly recommend sticking to Muniz_ri's rooted stock roms which can be found in the "General" section of each carrier-specific S5 Thread, then running his debloat script (and installing google now launcher) to have a very clean android.

Has there been any updates on this? the "SRSroot" site seems sketchy. Google is not showing me results that I want to hear.

Frankbot said:
Has there been any updates on this? the "SRSroot" site seems sketchy. Google is not showing me results that I want to hear.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No update, still unrootable.
Sent from my Galaxy S5 using XDA Labs

Which ROM should I opt for?

Hey there
I am basically fixing my sister's Galaxy S5 (G900H) by just completely formatting the device and installing the latest software since it has slowed down considerably. The only experience I ever had with Samsung devices was with my old Galaxy S3 so I'm kind of familiar with the whole process or at least I'll do some reading to catch up, but my question is, which ROM should I go for? What is the latest and most stable? I know this is a difficult question to answer because it is subjective and based on personal preference (I'm a HTC addict so I know all about that), however I cannot really see any of the familiar ROMs like Android Revolution HD, Venom/Viper ROM, etc. so I am having a hard time deciding. I want a ROM that is as stock as possible like Android Revolution HD on many devices.
Any help is appreciated.
Thank you guys!
EDIT: On a side note, I know the best thing to do would be to go to SamMobile and download the latest official firmware, but from my experience with many Android devices I believe that custom ROMs are the best since they are debloated and customized for optimum performance and battery life, especially since Samsung seems to enjoy bloating their devices with so many unnecessary things.

Latest stock lollipop is great IMO, no need for custom at least for mine
Custom always come with problems from experience, better speed and smaller size at the expense of stability, Id opt for stability every time

Thank you for your reply. I decided I should install the latest official ROM then root the device and debloat it myself. It'll take a bit more time but it's worth it, I suppose. Thanks again!

That's what I've done, the stock ROMs are great IMO, apart from the bloat of course

Just be advised that some people are finding it impossible (or very difficult) to root the latest Lollipop firmwares......
If you have KitKat on the device, a better option would be to root that, then retain root access through and during the upgrade process.....The way to do that (so I believe) is.....
Root KitKat. ...
Use Mobile Odin or Flashfire (both apps by Chainfire) to upgrade to Lollipop while injecting root at the time of flashing.
For info......Flashfire is the newer, more up to date of the two.....
Sent from my rooted, debloated stocKK kn0x0 SM-G900F

I know this is a late reply but I recently acquired my sister's S5 after giving her my other phone, an iPhone 5S (stupid move by her, I know, but good for me), and the device is currently on Android KitKat. I already downloaded the latest Lollipop firmware from SamMobile, so from my understanding I should root KitKat using Flashfire, then upgrade and at the same time include the root file using Flashfire?
Thanks!

TarekElsakka said:
I know this is a late reply but I recently acquired my sister's S5 after giving her my other phone, an iPhone 5S (stupid move by her, I know, but good for me), and the device is currently on Android KitKat. I already downloaded the latest Lollipop firmware from SamMobile, so from my understanding I should root KitKat using Flashfire, then upgrade and at the same time include the root file using Flashfire?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No fella.....not quite.....
You can't use Flashfire unless you already have root access.....
If you are on KitKat, you have 2 options for root.......
1) Towelroot......This will give you root without tripping Knox
2) CF Root......will give you root but WILL trip Knox.
Once you have got root THEN use Flashfire to upgrade to Lollipop and retain root.....
Sent from my rooted, debloated stocKK kn0x0 SM-G900F

Awesome, @keithross39, thank you for the helpful information. This is a stupid question but what is Knox?

Knox is an eFuse that gets unalterably tripped if a custom software package is installed.......
It's primary use is to ensure that a device is safe for connection to enterprise (business) networks.....
But Samsung are also using it as a warranty flag.....
Once Knox is tripped, they refuse to supply any form of warranty repair......even if the software modifications had absolutely nothing to do with the fault......
Sent from my rooted, debloated stocKK kn0x0 SM-G900F

Thanks again, keith, you've been a great help. The device's warranty has already ended quite some time ago because it was only for one year, but I guess it's better to be safe than sorry in case a factory problem comes up somehow. Thanks again!

No problem fella....too true...better safe than sorry..
I think I read some time back that Samsung refused to repair a knox tripped device even though the phone owner offered to pay in full for the repair.....
Shows you how serious Samsung is about Knox.....
Sent from my rooted, debloated stocKK kn0x0 SM-G900F

I agree you can always run into issues with custom ROM's. Although I prefer them over stock to be honest. The inner tech nerd in me.

DigitalCorrosion said:
I agree you can always run into issues with custom ROM's. Although I prefer them over stock to be honest. The inner tech nerd in me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True.....it's fair to say that we wouldn't be here if we didn't care for the benefits of custom roms.....
But for me at least, knox has (temporarily) removed that option. When my warranty has expired, I guess I'll start to experiment.....but that's not for another 15 months yet.......
Sent from my rooted, debloated stocKK kn0x0 SM-G900F

I just tried rooting using TowelRoot but it kept giving me an error "this phone isn't currently supported". I went on Google and tried changing the code strings by tapping the "welcome" sign three times and changing the codes, but none of them worked. I guess my only option is to root using CF-Auto-Root, huh?

TarekElsakka said:
I just tried rooting using TowelRoot but it kept giving me an error "this phone isn't currently supported". I went on Google and tried changing the code strings by tapping the "welcome" sign three times and changing the codes, but none of them worked. I guess my only option is to root using CF-Auto-Root, huh?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The device probably *is* supported but the kitkat build may be too recent.....
Go to settings >> about device and check the build date.....
If it was compiled on or after July 1st 2014, then you need to download an older kernel and Odin flash it before attempting to towelroot.....
The exact steps are as follows.
1) source a copy of your current kernel and an older (device specific) Kernel.
2) odin flash the older kernel.
3) Reboot, install towelroot and run it
4) odin flash your current kernel.
5) Reboot and enjoy root access.
At stage 3, your phone will appear to be unstable, don't worry about this, it is to be expected.
For information, which build of kitkat is installed on your device as of now?
Edit.....This is the guide I followed to root....
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2843044
Sent from my rooted, debloated stocKK kn0x0 SM-G900F

Okay, let's see:
Model number: SM-G900H
Android version: 4.4.2
Kernel version: 3.10.9-2109283
[email protected] #1
Wed Jul 9 14:56:51 KST 2014
By looking at the information, I don't think I am running a recent version at all!

Ah.....900 "H"......exynos version right?
I don't have experience of that model, and I think I read that the H variant isn't compatible with Towelroot. ......
Someone correct me if I'm wrong.....
Sent from my rooted, debloated stocKK kn0x0 SM-G900F

I am not sure which version it is, to be honest. I've tried Googling but I couldn't find anything related to official kernels, just custom ones. If I were to take a wild guess, I'd have to assume that I could extract the kernel from an old firmware on SamMobile? This seems to be the oldest one for my device:
2014-04-01 Egypt 4.4.2 G900HXXU1ANCI G900HOJV1ANCH
But then again is extracting the kernel from it even possible?

Just done a bit of Googling.......
http://www.droidviews.com/root-att-and-verizon-galaxy-s5-without-voiding-knox-warranty/
If you decide to try and towelroot, you are going to go down a long and unsuccessful road....
From what I've read, CF Root is the only option.....
Sent from my rooted, debloated stocKK kn0x0 SM-G900F

It seems like I am going to go the custom ROM route since I will be tripping the knox system at any case. Thanks for all your help, man, I truly appreciate it.
I have been a HTC user for a long, long time now and my main recovery is TWRP, should I go for that on my S5? I only see Philz (CWM) recovery mentioned around here, though, so I'm not too sure. I'm also going for this ROM: AbhiDroid S6 port for S5[SM-G900H].