Hi,
my warranty ran out and now I do not care about keeping knox 0x0 anymore.
I would like to install the most clean android version on my cell and keep the
stock os aswell.
1. How do I do that?
2. What is the best recovery?
My Phone: SM-N9005
Android: 5.0
Baseband: N9005XXUGBOA1
Kernel Version: 3.4.0-3643614
Build Number: LRX21V.N9005XXUGBOA5
Also since updating to 5.0 with mobile odin my cell keeps rebooting itself several times a day by itself.
It has nothing to do with the battery. I think that while updating I kept my old baseband and thats causing
these issues.
3. How do I fix that?
Thanks
By updating the baseband, kernel and bootloader, you dont lose the Knox thing. I dont know if Knox is worth it to have a decent and simple way to root (if that is the main cause you kept it your way).
Odin is a Samsung tool, hence why it doesnt touch our warranty, it's a leaked tool and safe to use in this aspect (for as long as you flash official stuff).
someone please help me
You should use latest philz cwm recovery. And visit Audax L n9005 Rom's first page.
You should follow steps which is in this page. Do not forget that you have to install Android 5 modem, boot loader and persist lp with odin before flash any Android 5.0 rom.
I did not know that i have to install android 5 modem, back when i updated that was not mentioned in the post! Now how do I go about it now? Can you like me to a guide for it?
Its weird for me since I have 5.0 rooted right now with knox 0x0 but I do not care anymore about knox 0x0 since my phone is 2 years old.
.....
Never made any difference to me. The most common situation is to drop on water or break the screen, which isn't covered by warranty. After two or three months of use I think it's safe to void the warranty, don't be naive, samsung will not make a cellphone that needs any kind of warranty within a year.
My opinion: make your way to a totally better and customizable ROM and feel free to use and abuse of your hardware to the last fried chip! I'm very happy with my 2 times tripped Knox!
Enviado de meu SM-N9005 usando Tapatalk
Related
i have a galaxy s4 i9500 with android 4.2.2 and i read that if i update to 4.3 i will get a security feature called KNOX which tracks your custon kernel flashes and cannot be reset. and also you can't flash back to 4.2.2. is that true?
if it is so:
1.what will happen if you'll try to flash 4.2.2 with odin?
2.what other disadvantages KNOX have?
3.shoiuld i really care about KNOX if my phone's warranty is already void?
4.can KNOX harm my device by any way?
please answer the question by order!
i am thankful for any help i can get in this forum and appriciate everyone who answers my questions beacause i wanna know if i should update or not.
P.S.:if i have 4.2.2 can i install cyanogenmod 11 (unofficial) or i need to update to 4.3 to do that?
Knox doesn't track custom kernel flashes specifically, it detects if you flash anything non-samsung (whether it's cf-autoroot, custom recovery or whatnot). It just says knox 0x0 or 0x1, if it's 0x1 your warranty is void. There is another counter detecting number of flashes, but that can be reset with TriangleAway. Knox cannot be reset. EDiT: TriangleAway only works on i9505, sorry.
1. If you don't have a knox-enabled bootloader you can flash an older rom version. Boot into recovery mode, if you see a knox counter there you cannot flash older firmwares than the one you already have (on i9505 there was one knox-enabled fw before 4.3). If you don't see anything knox related you can flash what you want, but once you flash a knox enabled rom you cannot downgrade to older official samsung roms.
2. Besides not being able to reset the knox counter there isn't really anything special. Atleast none that I have noticed. SuperSU asks if you want do disable knox-features upon first run.
3. No, then it doesn't really matter. Unless you really want to flash an older firmware from samsung.
4. No, it's a samsung feature.
If I were you I'd flash official 4.3 builds anyway, as they're generally much faster and much more stable, atleast for me on i9505. And the improvements outweigh the downsides of knox. 4.3 feature list: http://www.sammobile.com/2013/10/18...al-android-4-3-update-for-galaxy-s4-gt-i9500/
Hey guys,
maybe you guys can help me.
I'm coming from my Nexus 5 to Note 3 (because of the bigger screen). I've always been satisfied with my N5 that was rooted, custom faux123 kernal and some xposed framework modules. Didn't see any need to flash any ROM. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong somewhere.
I would like to have a similar setup except the Samsung bloatware :crying: Here are my
Requirements
- Should be based on KitKat, because I want as Xposed, but Android L still has some bugs/problems with Lollipop on Samsung devices. I'd liked to sit out those bugs, because I use my device as a daily driver and should be stable!
- Don't really want to use TouchWiz, just Nova Launcher, but still have S-Pen features in place.
- To have all S-Pen feature available e.g. Multiwindow (extra karma points for Note 4 S-Pen feature)
- Custom kernel for battery saving modes (faux-based kernel would be great)
Questions
- If you do recommend going down the route of a custom ROM, which of these ROM's would you recommend in terms of stability and requirements I have? X-Note vs Tweaked S5 BASE / N4 STYLE vs Echoe Rom
- What are roughly the differences between these 3 ROM's without looking at all the 100s of features (e.g. ROM A is more for overclocking and ROM B more of productivity etc.)?
- What is currently the best rooting method for the Note 3? If you do NOT recommend a custom ROM for me, is there a root that keeps my warranty in place? This is not so important to me, but I can keep it in place, that would be nice. (I'm aware that flashing ROM will void the warranty )
- Which kernel is "better"? Ultimate Kernel or AEL Kernel in terms of being lag-free, smooth, fast and adding features like sound quality improvement, thermal manager etc.? Note: I will not be overclocking my device at all and I don't game either.
- And which kernel management app do you recommend? I currently use the faux app on my N5. Could I continue to use that with other kernels?
Find my device details for reference as I know these are sometimes important.
Phone Infos
GENERAL INFO
Manufacturer: samsung
Brand: samsung
Phone Model: SM-N9005
Device Type: hlte
Product Name: hltexx
Country of Origin: MADE IN VIETNAM
Manufacturing Date: 2014.12.17
Knox Warranty Void: 0x0
CSC INFO
Original CSC Code: DBT
Firmware's CSC Code: DBT
Active CSC Code: DBT
CSC Country: Germany
CSC Country ISO: DE
Product Code: SM-N9005ZKEDBT
DEVICE ID
IMEI: xxxxxxxx
Serial Number: xxxxxx
Samsung Serial Number: xxxx
FIRMWARE INFO
Bootloader Version: N9005XXUGNG1
Baseband Version: N9005XXUGNG1
PDA Version: N9005XXUGNG1
CSC Version: N9005DBTGNG1
Kernel Version: 3.4.0-1955971, [email protected] #1
OS INFO
Build Number: KOT49H.N9005XXUGNG1 (N9005XXUGNG1)
Build Fingerprint: samsung/hltexx/hlte:4.4.2/KOT49H/N9005XXUGNG1:user/release-keys
Build Description: hltexx-user 4.4.2 KOT49H N9005XXUGNG1 release-keys
Build Date: Mon Jul 28 21:56:29 KST 2014
Android Version: 4.4.2
MISC INFO
Colour: Black
Internal Storage: 32 GB
Board: MSM8974
Platform: msm8974
Chip: MSM8974
Modem Board: MSM8974
Hardware Revision: REV1.0
SIM LOCK FREE
Maybe I should add that I don't use stock apps, except the Samsung note taking apps.
No one?
Ghost town in here headed by dead skeleton called 'Dejan'.
Lol, he might pay you a visit soon.
LOL
Sent from my N9005
Gotta say, people here sure are helpful...
formeriphoneuser said:
Gotta say, people here sure are helpful...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Personally I love X-Note and MultiX as these 2 are multidpi roms. Of course they're not the best, maybe just for me.
You could try each of them. It's too general to say which is the best. Maybe different tweaks, different features, different interface but they're all TW based , so should be almost the same.
GNG1 probably not rootable with TowelRoot anymore so the only option of rooting would void the warranty. However as far as i remember MultiX for example is Mobile Odin friendly so you don't have to worry about losing warranty. It's not going to touch knox.
Don't really use custom kernel. Even if I flash it, I didn't use any app to control it. Just using it like a stock.
Rosli59564 said:
GNG1 probably not rootable with TowelRoot anymore so the only option of rooting would void the warranty. However as far as i remember MultiX for example is Mobile Odin friendly so you don't have to worry about losing warranty. It's not going to touch knox..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good info on that! I guess there would be no harm in trying TowelRoot, right? If it doesn't work, just try another root method..
formeriphoneuser said:
Good info on that! I guess there would be no harm in trying TowelRoot, right? If it doesn't work, just try another root method..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right. If you don't want to lose warranty yet try MultiX. Flash with Mobile Odin.
And I'm sure you're aware that you don't have to root to flash custom rom. Just flash custom recovery and flash the rom of your choice.
Rosli59564 said:
Right. If you don't want to lose warranty yet try MultiX. Flash with Mobile Odin.
And I'm sure you're aware that you don't have to root to flash custom rom. Just flash custom recovery and flash the rom of your choice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, that's just the thing. I do want and need root (Greenify, TiBackup etc., Xposed). So that probably means I'll lose warranty, assuming that TowelRoot does not work. But it's interesting that you don't lose warranty when flashing recovery or ROM. I thought that trips up the KNOX thingy...But then again, I'm not too concerned about the warranty.
I just wish things were easier like on a Nexus : ) Danm you Samsung!
If you're not concerned with the warranty, do look at Phoenix ported S5 rom by tyre777. Stable, good looking, everything working. My favorite kk rom.
Just look, no need to flash.
Sent from my N9005
Dejan Sathanas said:
If you're not concerned with the warranty, do look at Phoenix ported S5 rom by tyre777. Stable, good looking, everything working. My favorite kk rom.
Just look, no need to flash.
Sent from my N9005
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How does this ROM differ, in short, with Tweaked S5 BASE / N4 STYLE ROM?
So I just read that you can use TowelRoot with my device: http://www.galaxynote3update.com/safety-root-n9005xxugng1-galaxy-note-3-without-knocking-knox-counter-0x0/
Am I right that installing a custom kernel WILL trip the KNOX?
you should look at my rom V26 or V19.....it's exactly what you want....
OK, just succeeded rooting my device with Towelhead....I mean root without tripping KNOX! :good:
So, flashing a ROM doesn't trip KNOX either? And SuperSU asks me if I want to remove KNOX. What exactly are the implications of this? Will the KNOW counter continue to show up as 0x0? Has anyone tried this?
P.S. F*ck you Samsung! My money, my device!
formeriphoneuser said:
OK, just succeeded rooting my device with Towelhead....I mean root without tripping KNOX! :good:
So, flashing a ROM doesn't trip KNOX either? And SuperSU asks me if I want to remove KNOX. What exactly are the implications of this? Will the KNOW counter continue to show up as 0x0? Has anyone tried this?
P.S. F*ck you Samsung! My money, my device!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flashing custom recovery trips knox. So does flashing custom rom as it's prerooted.
Hello,
I want to flash cyanogenmod or any other custom rom on my Galaxy s4. (1 year old)
I'm too scared to trip my knox and void my warranty if it ever breaks.
Is there any way to install a custom rom without tripping it?
Thanks!
No way to install AOSP rom without tripping knox. However, you can install custom touchwiz rom without tripping knox.
we are in the same boat. My warranty has only three months remaining. I will only trip knox if ktoonsez kernel come for official TW lollipop.
ha966 said:
Hello,
I want to flash cyanogenmod or any other custom rom on my Galaxy s4. (1 year old)
I'm too scared to trip my knox and void my warranty if it ever breaks.
Is there any way to install a custom rom without tripping it?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tripped knox 2 months after purchase.
Chances are low that a brand new device malfunctions. Even so, there are reported cases where people who tripped knox said that they were still able to send the device to be serviced in warranty conditions.
I'm going to try it, I will let you guys know if it worked.
Flashed cyanogenmod, works like a charm.
I have 0x1 but that seems that i still have warranty.
ha966 said:
Flashed cyanogenmod, works like a charm.
I have 0x1 but that seems that i still have warranty.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your warranty is void.
ha966 said:
Hello,
I want to flash cyanogenmod or any other custom rom on my Galaxy s4. (1 year old)
I'm too scared to trip my knox and void my warranty if it ever breaks.
Is there any way to install a custom rom without tripping it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You cannot flash cyanogenmod (or other AOSP roms), but you can flash other Samsung-based custom roms without tripping knox.
The method is quite complex though. Generally you have to downgrade your kernel, root with towelroot, use Mobile Odin Pro to flash a new rom preserving root, update bootloader to have wifi.
The risk of mistakes is quite high.
But if you want to have a deeper look, jump here
As you will see the first step is rooting without tripping knox, which is already a challenge.
Once you achieve that, you will find that root gives you already enough mod opportunities, so you may not feel the need to flash custom roms.
khsh97 said:
Your warranty is void.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Incorrect. He lives in the Netherlands. Tripping knox never voids your warranty in the Netherlands. Samsung made an official statement about it.
It depends entirely in which country you live. In the EU for example, tripping Knox can never void your consumer rights.
Lennyz1988 said:
Incorrect. He lives in the Netherlands. Tripping knox never voids your warranty in the Netherlands. Samsung made an official statement about it.
It depends entirely in which country you live. In the EU for example, tripping Knox can never void your consumer rights.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is awesome. But as far as I know Samsung are not the ones who will handle the warranty, but the store from where you bought it the phone.
I bought mine from DOMO (an electronics store here in my country), which means that they will handle the warranty, not Samsung.
Either way, warranty is void once you temper with the software (rooting and changing roms), it is even stated in the "Warranty will be void if" clause. Unless you change back to stock before sending it in.
GDReaper said:
That is awesome. But as far as I know Samsung are not the ones who will handle the warranty, but the store from where you bought it the phone.
I bought mine from DOMO (an electronics store here in my country), which means that they will handle the warranty, not Samsung.
Either way, warranty is void once you temper with the software (rooting and changing roms), it is even stated in the "Warranty will be void if" clause. Unless you change back to stock before sending it in.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Samsung gives warranty to their product. They do that freely. But that's completely separate from your consumer rights.
The store where you bought it from has a legal obligation to fix the phone within a certain period of time. You can even pull the device apart, put it back together and you still have your rights. As longs as the fault is not caused by you. I'm talking about countries within the EU. The warranty void message has absolutely zero consequences.
Compare it with a pc. You can reinstall Windows, install a different Windows version, install Linux and when your motherboard breaks down, it will never void your warranty because you installed different software.
So you basically have two options. You can send it directly to Samsung or send it to the store you bought it from.
In the Netherlands Samsung made an announcement that tripping Knox, flashing your phone will NEVER void your warranty. Even if you manage to brick it, they will fix it free of charge.
Hello,
I am new to samsung and knox and really I am lost with so much information specially because I have a original version.
I have a i9505 without any upgrade, so I still have the Apr 12 kernel with I understand doesn't have knox.
Can I install any custom rom?
Can I then revert back to stock? And to stock without knox?
If I install custom roms in the forum they will upgrade my kernel and knox will be installed?
What is the best approach to continue knox free?
Thanks
Custom roms or GPE roms are your best bet if you want knox free roms.
Better upgrade to the latest software and root, then install a custom rom.
If you want stock without knox, you can install a knox-free (knox has been removed by the dev) touchwiz rom.
Thanks for replying.
If I upgrade the software first it will also upgrade the kernel to a version with knox with I will not be able to remove again. Isn't correct?
If I install a custom rom will it also upgrade my kernel to a version with knox?
filtragem said:
Thanks for replying.
If I upgrade the software first it will also upgrade the kernel to a version with knox with I will not be able to remove again. Isn't correct?
If I install a custom rom will it also upgrade my kernel to a version with knox?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) Yes.
2) Kernel has nothing to do with knox. Knox is in the bootloader and the rom. Custom roms do not upgrade your bootloader.
So what is the advantage of upgrading first?
Isn't best to install a custom rom as is without having knox even close to my phone?
My previous question about returning to stock was if I need to send my phone for repair (I am still on warranty) can I be stock again but remain knox free, after installing a custom rom?
Thanks and sorry for probably so basic questions
Please read this thread and gain knowledge from Chainfire (developer of CF-Auto-root, SuperSU). Many of the questions asked have answer there.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=45666586
AFAIK from reading the referenced thread only Knox-apps and libs are removed. That isn't truly Knox-free when bootloader is still holding the Knox features.
Even Chainfire hasn't been able to remove Knox.
Please give example what custom ROM is truly Knox free.
Lennyz1988 said:
Incorrect. He lives in the Netherlands. Tripping knox never voids your warranty in the Netherlands. Samsung made an official statement about it.
It depends entirely in which country you live. In the EU for example, tripping Knox can never void your consumer rights.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what about Asian countries?
O-T said:
Please read this thread and gain knowledge from Chainfire (developer of CF-Auto-root, SuperSU). Many of the questions asked have answer there.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=45666586
AFAIK from reading the referenced thread only Knox-apps and libs are removed. That isn't truly Knox-free when bootloader is still holding the Knox features.
Even Chainfire hasn't been able to remove Knox.
Please give example what custom ROM is truly Knox free.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I will read it.
I don't know if any custom rom is knox free.
I am still knox free because I have an old bootloader, and didn't install any update.
It's possible to install a new rom without updating the bootloader?
If I install a CM rom will it install a bootloader with knox? If not, can I later reinstall a samsung rom with a bootloader without knox?
filtragem said:
Thanks, I will read it.
I don't know if any custom rom is knox free.
I am still knox free because I have an old bootloader, and didn't install any update.
It's possible to install a new rom without updating the bootloader?
If I install a CM rom will it install a bootloader with knox? If not, can I later reinstall a samsung rom with a bootloader without knox?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any version CM/AOSP rom don't include bootloader or modem/non-hlos firmware as @GDReaper reply 2). Most Deodexed TouchWiz (TW-based) usually neither. Mind there can be exceptions for TW-based roms.
CWM or TWRP recovery isn't the same as bootloader hence it don't trip Knox.
I had previously CWM 6051, changed to TWRP 2840 and CM11. Updated to complete Samsung stock 501 lollipop directly from that state using PC Odin 3.07. Recovery back to stock and unrooted in one single Odin flash with preserved state Knox 0x0. Phone is GT-I9295 hardware 95% identical to GT-I9505 (some buttons +screen/camera difference).
Downgrade to Samsung TouchWiz rom with Knox-free bootloader =< MH1 when bootloader is newer (N** =kitkat or O** =lolipop) will trip Knox. Because Knox featured bootloader can't be downgraded without trip 0x1.
Updating to any Samsung TouchWiz rom with bootloader don't trip Knox.
Find version:
ADB or Terminal command: getprop ro.bootloader
It's common to press XDA Thanks Button sometimes.
Okay so I'm fairly new to the forums but I'm somewhat knowledgeable when it comes to rooting and flashing custom Roms.. At least one the Galaxy S3. So I now have a note 3 and I'd like to root and install a custom recovery and then from there a custom Rom after a little more research.. Because.. Eff touch Wiz. Now I got the note from a friend and it's been fully updated knox hasn't been enabled but has been fully updated and I believe the same thing for the security policies. Now this is where my question comes in I found a method on google (galaxynote3root.com) to root and install the recovery I just wanna know if anyone can confirm this method is safe with the new updates and what not? I'd rather not brick the phone obviously lol anyways the phone model is sm-n9008w unlocked but was a Rogers phone.. Android 5.0 stock firmware and recovery knox 2.3 any help would be appreciated
Which note 3 do you have? Are you sure it's not the sm-n900w8? Depending on the ROM you install, you may need to update to the latest bootloader and modem.
Edit: read your post again. Since stock LP is on the phone, Knox has been installed and the phone would be running the doc4 or doh1 firmware.
The simplest way to root would be to install TWRP and flash supersu from TWRP. You're going to trip the knox counter from 0x0 to 0x1. Also, make sure reactivation lock has not been enabled.
OK. I just bought this new thing and am looking for some feedback before I even think about installing custom recoveries, ROMs, APP's, etc.
On GSMArena.com my device is listed as the i9505. Everything matches up except the model version under "About device" where it states it as being the SPH-L720T (Baseband L720TVUJOH2).
Now what I want to know is, is that just carrier branding or is my phone indeed the i9505 and will all of the i9505 stuff work on it? It may seem like a silly question but I just paid $300 for this thing and the last thing I want to do is brick it.
The reason why I am asking all of this is because Samsung seem incapable of releasing a fully functioning or secure ROM (Stage-fright issues, widgets draw crashing on "Touchwiz" UI, etc). The current Android version I am running is "Lollipop" build 5.0.1 (official).
Which brings me to my next question: I noticed that my device has "KNOX" installed. Is there any way to install custom ROMs and/or recoveries without tripping it? I want to try to avoid voiding the warranty if possible.
Also this is an unlocked device so will flashing custom ROMs disable that?
Thanks.
I have an s4 with i9500 on it but i reality its an SPH-720T. You can know for sure in the bootloader
So far I had no problem installing i9505 ROMs like 'Super WizCyan, Albe95 S6, Imperium LL Rom' and i am corrently using Albe95 LolliROM 6.0 and it works fine :good: with the latest SPH-720T carnal (OH1) an the Imperium Karnal works too (v2.6)
It is rooted with CF-Auto-Root for SPH-720 and I have TWRP Recovery instaled
Grumpy Cat said:
OK. I just bought this new thing and am looking for some feedback before I even think about installing custom recoveries, ROMs, APP's, etc.
On GSMArena.com my device is listed as the i9505. Everything matches up except the model version under "About device" where it states it as being the SPH-L720T (Baseband L720TVUJOH2).
Now what I want to know is, is that just carrier branding or is my phone indeed the i9505 and will all of the i9505 stuff work on it? It may seem like a silly question but I just paid $300 for this thing and the last thing I want to do is brick it.
The reason why I am asking all of this is because Samsung seem incapable of releasing a fully functioning or secure ROM (Stage-fright issues, widgets draw crashing on "Touchwiz" UI, etc). The current Android version I am running is "Lollipop" build 5.0.1 (official).
Which brings me to my next question: I noticed that my device has "KNOX" installed. Is there any way to install custom ROMs and/or recoveries without tripping it? I want to try to avoid voiding the warranty if possible.
Also this is an unlocked device so will flashing custom ROMs disable that?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Boot into download mode. What does it say your model is in download mode?
The SPH-L720T is just carrier branding. It should be an I9505.
Installing a custom recovery will trip knox. You will have to stay stock if you don't want to trip knox. But beware, knox doesn't like root. Meaning that you will have random reboots if you root your phone and knox is installed.
I recommend reading your warranty document to see what kind of damages it covers. I read mine and it concluded that my warranty covers excrements. So I tripped knox after the first month.
Lennyz1988 said:
Boot into download mode. What does it say your model is in download mode?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It says SPH-L720T. But according to GDReaper (and the online specs) it is carrier branding.
GDReaper said:
The SPH-L720T is just carrier branding. It should be an I9505.
Installing a custom recovery will trip knox. You will have to stay stock if you don't want to trip knox. But beware, knox doesn't like root. Meaning that you will have random reboots if you root your phone and knox is installed.
I recommend reading your warranty document to see what kind of damages it covers. I read mine and it concluded that my warranty covers excrements. So I tripped knox after the first month.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Crap, I might have already tripped it installing SuperSU (through Play Store, and that's all it took to root it). Under download mode it says "Knox warranty void 0x1". Does that mean I tripped it?
That said, no random reboots the only issue I have is that I can't access the widgets app draw on Touchwiz UI without an FC (but I use a Nova Launcher anyway), and i9505 stuff should work with mine, right? I am thinking about installing EchoeROM, provided it doesn't have the problems the "official" one does.
Knox default status is 0x0
Any modifications done to the bootloader will make it 0x1 which means knox has been triggered.
Since it is already tripped, you might as well flash a custom recovery.
The SPH-L720T has the same specs as the normal GT-I9505 S4. You can compare them yourself.
It is just a rebranded I9505.
I get that it is just a rebranded version of the GT-i9505 but I had to make absolutely sure. In other threads some are saying they have issues. And since I have "screwed the pooch" and tripped KNOX (unless Chainfire's "Triangle Away" can reset the counter), I might as well start flashing then.
I was just reading over this article on how to deal with KNOX and it doesn't seem to cause any issues for me since I am already rooted via Super SU. Will I have to remove it anyway or can I just go ahead and flash TWRP via Odin (can you recommend any version?) without any issues? And is CF-Auto-Root really necessary? I have some experience with all of this from rooting and flashing my old S3 MINI, KNOX and CF-Auto-Root are the only two I'm not sure about.
Oddly enough, while it does say that KNOX (and KNOX II) is installed I can't find the shortcut as described in the article. This is a refurbished phone so god knows what has been done to it.
Thanks.
CF-Auto-Root is only needed for rooting. Since you are already rooted, you don't need it.
As far as I know, Knox status 0x1 is permanent. It can't be changed back to 0x0. The flash counter is a different thing. It shows how many times a firmware has been flashed on the device. I'm not sure if stock roms cout towards your flash counter.
If you have no issues with Knox and root then there is no reason to remove knox.
You can simply flash twrp from their site. The variant you're looking for is for the Qualcomm S4. I used Odin 1.85 and 3.09 with success in the past.