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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

G900A Stuck on samsung logo then black screen D:

Hello everyone, I have a SM-G900A (Samsung Galaxy S5 ATT Model) Ok so it had 4.4.4 version of android on it. I wanted to put 4.4.2 on it so I could use towel root to root it. So I opened up Odin got the stock firmware from sammobile and tried flashing it, gave me a revision check error, so after doing some research downloaded the stock from here and put it in odin. Ok so from then I added the ap, csc, and cp. Odin looks like its installing right. So now when the phone starts it looks like its doing an update. So after that finishes it starts the samsung logo but freezes and goes to a black screen with the blue notification led pulsing, any ideas? I've tried looking stuff up and still no avail D:

coreyjhowe said:
Hello everyone, I have a SM-G900A (Samsung Galaxy S5 ATT Model) Ok so it had 4.4.4 version of android on it. I wanted to put 4.4.2 on it so I could use towel root to root it. So I opened up Odin got the stock firmware from sammobile and tried flashing it, gave me a revision check error, so after doing some research downloaded the stock from here and put it in odin. Ok so from then I added the ap, csc, and cp. Odin looks like its installing right. So now when the phone starts it looks like its doing an update. So after that finishes it starts the samsung logo but freezes and goes to a black screen with the blue notification led pulsing, any ideas? I've tried looking stuff up and still no avail D:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the exact same issue from trying to downgrade the firmware to 4.4.2 and my screen is blank with the blue LED light on. I've flashed at least a dozen times and reset factory settings and wiped cache partition with no improvement. If anybody can provide a solution, it would be much appreciated!

waqas1988 said:
I have the exact same issue from trying to downgrade the firmware to 4.4.2 and my screen is blank with the blue LED light on. I've flashed at least a dozen times and reset factory settings and wiped cache partition with no improvement. If anybody can provide a solution, it would be much appreciated!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had the same issue. I reflashed the 4.4.4 OA1 kernel and was able to boot the phone back up. Still can not update device. Currently stuck on:
System Status: Official
Current Binary: Official
Knox Warranty Void: 0X0
Android version 4.4.2,
Baseband version G900AUCU1ANCE,
Build number KOT49H.G900AUCU1ANCE,
Kernel version 3.4.0-3116194,
SE for Android status Enforcing SEPF_SAMSUNG-SM-G900A_4.4.4_0033
At least I got the phone working again. FYI I had a similar issue in the past, went to best buy with an att note 3 and told them every time I try to ota update my phone it fails. And they re flashed my phone with no questions asked and I was able to ota update after that. I haven't got a chance to go to best buy yet but hopefully they can re flash my s5 like my other device and I can get the ota update.

alphamik3 said:
I had the same issue. I reflashed the 4.4.4 OA1 kernel and was able to boot the phone back up. Still can not update device. Currently stuck on:
System Status: Official
Current Binary: Official
Knox Warranty Void: 0X0
Android version 4.4.2,
Baseband version G900AUCU1ANCE,
Build number KOT49H.G900AUCU1ANCE,
Kernel version 3.4.0-3116194,
SE for Android status Enforcing SEPF_SAMSUNG-SM-G900A_4.4.4_0033
At least I got the phone working again. FYI I had a similar issue in the past, went to best buy with an att note 3 and told them every time I try to ota update my phone it fails. And they re flashed my phone with no questions asked and I was able to ota update after that. I haven't got a chance to go to best buy yet but hopefully they can re flash my s5 like my other device and I can get the ota update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think I had the same problem as you and used the 4.4.4 OA1 Kernal to get it working again. Next I flashed the G900A_Downgrade_to_NCE.tar.md5 and am working and se the last line as 4.4.2 where you have 4.4.4 . I'm guessing you have a mix of 4.4.2 and 4.4.4.

alphamik3 said:
I had the same issue. I reflashed the 4.4.4 OA1 kernel and was able to boot the phone back up. Still can not update device. Currently stuck on:
System Status: Official
Current Binary: Official
Knox Warranty Void: 0X0
Android version 4.4.2,
Baseband version G900AUCU1ANCE,
Build number KOT49H.G900AUCU1ANCE,
Kernel version 3.4.0-3116194,
SE for Android status Enforcing SEPF_SAMSUNG-SM-G900A_4.4.4_0033
At least I got the phone working again. FYI I had a similar issue in the past, went to best buy with an att note 3 and told them every time I try to ota update my phone it fails. And they re flashed my phone with no questions asked and I was able to ota update after that. I haven't got a chance to go to best buy yet but hopefully they can re flash my s5 like my other device and I can get the ota update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm having this same black screen/blue led problem too after I tried to flash back to the stock NCE 4.4.2 from a rooted 5.0 on a g900a. Where did you get the file for the 4.4.4 OA1 kernel? or should I try flashing back to 5.0? I have no idea where to go next at this point. I'm afraid I need to bring my phone to a specialist...

t_maier23 said:
I'm having this same black screen/blue led problem too after I tried to flash back to the stock NCE 4.4.2 from a rooted 5.0 on a g900a. Where did you get the file for the 4.4.4 OA1 kernel? or should I try flashing back to 5.0? I have no idea where to go next at this point. I'm afraid I need to bring my phone to a specialist...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check the at&t s5 section for files and probably better help since its for your model.
Sent from my twi5ted SM-G900A using Tapatalk

alphamik3 said:
I had the same issue. I reflashed the 4.4.4 OA1 kernel and was able to boot the phone back up. Still can not update device. Currently stuck on:
System Status: Official
Current Binary: Official
Knox Warranty Void: 0X0
Android version 4.4.2,
Baseband version G900AUCU1ANCE,
Build number KOT49H.G900AUCU1ANCE,
Kernel version 3.4.0-3116194,
SE for Android status Enforcing SEPF_SAMSUNG-SM-G900A_4.4.4_0033
At least I got the phone working again. FYI I had a similar issue in the past, went to best buy with an att note 3 and told them every time I try to ota update my phone it fails. And they re flashed my phone with no questions asked and I was able to ota update after that. I haven't got a chance to go to best buy yet but hopefully they can re flash my s5 like my other device and I can get the ota update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you very much!
I literally tried everything for 2 days and nothing worked.

i have the same exact issue, any help please???

Just joined the club today and spent already 6h+ trying to get the phone booting up again - is there really no solution to this?

Downgrade SM-G531H to KitKat?

Since the G531H can't be rooted yet, I've tried to downgrade to KitKat using odin and a image for the G530H. It failed. Can it be done?
PS> I am a noob.

LMAA420 said:
Since the G531H can't be rooted yet, I've tried to downgrade to KitKat using odin and a image for the G530H. It failed. Can it be done?
PS> I am a noob.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It can't be done, since the g531h has another hardware specifications, you will ended with a bricked phone.
Send from Tapatalk

galaxy
Plz help me

LMAA420 said:
Since the G531H can't be rooted yet, I've tried to downgrade to KitKat using odin and a image for the G530H. It failed. Can it be done?
PS> I am a noob.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Imposible .-.
531H 4.4.4 never had since its launch has been 5.1.1:fingers-crossed:

How can I downgrade from lollipop 5.0.2 to kitkat 4.4.4 stock rom
I am on galaxy grand prime G530H, I tried downgrading using Odin but failed
CAN ANYONE HELP ME?
THANKS IN ADVANCED

novinmia said:
How can I downgrade from lollipop 5.0.2 to kitkat 4.4.4 stock rom
I am on galaxy grand prime G530H, I tried downgrading using Odin but failed
CAN ANYONE HELP ME?
THANKS IN ADVANCED
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go here, find the proper OS and country for your device >> http://samsung-firmware.org/model/SM-G530H/page/1
Many pages, 11+..then use Odin..I personally havent reverted to KK from LP..but I have reverted to an earlier version of 5.1.1..because I'm new to Samsung..and my Grand Prime, from box with 5.1.1
Dont know if you can revert to 4.4.4
The reason being, is a possible bootloader version change..in my past experiance with Moto devices, once the bootloader version changes, reverting cannot be done..
Research this..which may be your flash failure cause..or maybe a bad download or incorrect OS for your device..the country code MUST match..
sent by my: SM-531M-57 Grand Prime (or) my: SM-N910C Note 4 (Lollipop 5.1.1)

Thanks for your response, but still it didn't work. I did as you suggested; I downloaded
the correct firmware for my device, flashed it via Odin but failed. On device it shows "SW REV CHECK FAIL : (aboot) Fused 2 Binary 1" error
I recently updated to lollipop 5.0.2 via Odin, my phone model SM-G530H baseband G530HXXU2BOH5.
I think the reason I can't downgrade to Kitkat 4.4.4 is because of bootloader update.
I want to downgrade to Kitkat because most of the apps which used to work on Kitkat don't work on lollipop anymore, and also its very slow.
if anyone out there could help downgrade to Kitkat, plz do it. I would greatly appreciate it.

I'm sorry it didnt work for you..
Make sure you are flashing the correct OS for your device..I cant say for sure, new to Samsung..but probably a bootloader update issue..Maybe research which bootloader version with KK and LP..I think you may find your revert issue..I hope I'm wrong..please someone correct me if I'm wrong..
sent by my: SM-531M-57 Grand Prime (or) my: SM-N910C Note 4 (Lollipop 5.1.1)

since no one can tell me how to downgrade to Kitkat, it feels like I 'm stuck on lollipop forever. I 'm desperate to go back to Kitkat ; kindly let me know if you come up with something.
regards

novinmia said:
since no one can tell me how to downgrade to Kitkat, it feels like I 'm stuck on lollipop forever. I 'm desperate to go back to Kitkat ; kindly let me know if you come up with something.
regards
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here >> http://samsung-firmware.org/model/SM-G531H/page/1
Go down this list..do you see 4.4.4 anywhere.?
You are asking for something that doesnt exist..and also..bootloader will PROBABLY be an issue..Dont think you realize what you are asking for..
If you MUST have 4.4.4 then sale your device and purchase a device on 4.4.4..SOLUTION..

Note Edge bootloop: phone screen goes black after Samsung logo, what are my options?
i have a galaxy note edge, but couple of days back when i unpluged my phone from the charger and tried to turn it on it would not boot up properly;even if it did it would turn itself off at different times. so i had decided to flash stock rom, thinking this could solve the problem. i downloaded stock rom from sammobile, flash it via odin,and it was successful;but when the phone rebooted with rebooting recovery on the top left of the screen then the screen went black. to turn the the device on again i have to pull the battery out and put back in after 10-15 seconds. and now whenever i try to turn the device on, it boots up with 'rebooting to recovery' on the top left of the screen but goes black as soon as the samsung logo shows up. i don't know what's causing this problem.
if anyone out there could help me get out of this problem,i would greatly appreciate it
thanks in advanced

Wanted to ask if it is safe to flash build number LMY48B.G531HXXU0AOK2 with build date of Nov 2015 over the build LMY48B.G531HXXU0APC2 with build date in March 2016.
Tl;dr is it safe to flash an older lollipop build over a new one using odin

N910C any kitkat rom ? failed to flash stock kitkat by odin :(

hey guys , I have a lil problem, I used to use galaxy s4 now few days ago I got note4 N910C , its cool and all using 5.1.1 rom wirh root by space karnel......the problem tho is I really miss kitkat for some root apps privilege that don't run on 5.1.1 , I got the stock kitkat rom from samfirmware yet each time I try to flash it by odin ....it gives me the fail red signal , idk wats the story with all note4 bootloaders and all I see here it was simple in s4 , and I don't find any custom kitkat rom here tho except 2 with dead links.......any help wat am I missing? Should I flash a specific bootloader 1st or something? thx for any help in advance

So after searching more and more the actual question is ....is there any way to downgrade the COJ5 bootloader ?

flashknight33 said:
So after searching more and more the actual question is ....is there any way to downgrade the COJ5 bootloader ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no, you can not downgrade coj5

Upgrading ancient 4.3--->5.0 OF1 questions

Hi everyone
i've been out of the loop for ages, and still rocking the ancient 4.3 rooted "root-de-la-vega" version
My questions are thus:
1- will updating to 5.0 OF1 via keys even work? or am i risking a brick/other fudge-up?
2- if the above is not supposed to work, what's the best way to go about this?
3- is it possible to use the wifi hotspot on the new OF1 build after rooting? i'm not a verizon client.
I searched the forums a lot, doesn't seem like anybody stayed on 4.3 for so long he'll have to do 4.3-->5 as well
Any answer is much appreciated. thanks

I can't tell you anything about Kies, sorry.
I unlocked my bootloader on 4.3 / MJ7 using the same binary from the bootloader unlock thread (@donc113's from post #318 or something) . It would probably work for you on your current ROM as well.
I kept the MJ7 firmware ( still have it! )
The M* series (MI9/MJ7/MJE) firmware will not boot the N* (4.4) or O* (5.0) stock ROMs. Similarly you have to use the TWRP -4.3 variant in the custom recovery for the same reasons if you retain M* series booting firmware.
Curiously, however MJ7 bootloader will boot the CM13 custom ROM, as will later bootloaders. I suppose that means the later bootloaders are backwards-compatible to the older DTB (Device Tree) meta data format used in booting 4.3 ROM kernels.
I am a VZW subscriber, so I don't know if there are issues using the CM13 ROM on other carriers.
good luck
PS CM13 has WiFi and USB hotspot/tethering built in. I would be using that ROM right now were it not for some GPS issues - the whole reason I stayed on rooted MJ7 for so long was because of the hot spot bug/"feature".