Downgrade from Lollipop to Kitkat without tripping knox SM-G900F - Galaxy S 5 General

Hi all!!
After spending a huge amount of hours, searching the forum, I still have doubts...
Is it possible to downgrade from Lollipop, to kitkat, without tripping knox (warranty void) in the S5???
Some say, that flashing with Odin it's ok, others say that will go in a loopboot, others say that the bootloader is not compatible, and flashing a new rom will trip knox, others say that if the rom is official, will not trip knox...
What to believe??????
If there is a way to downgrade, safely and without tripping knox, please show me how, in a step-by-step process, I really appreciate it.
Here are the mobile phone data:
SM-G900F
Firmware: G900FXXU1BOD3
Thanks in advance!

Downgrade away, I have the G900F, and flashing KK over LP works fine and does not trip KNOX
You only trip KNOX by flashing custom stuff, stock ROMs are signed by Samsung so do not trip KNOX
The only issue I had was having to flash KK twice, first flash worked but wouldn't boot, flashed again, booted first time

*Detection* said:
Downgrade away, I have the G900F, and flashing KK over LP works fine and does not trip KNOX
You only trip KNOX by flashing custom stuff, stock ROMs are signed by Samsung so do not trip KNOX
The only issue I had was having to flash KK twice, first flash worked but wouldn't boot, flashed again, booted first time
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Detection!
Thank you for your enlightement, but tell me, you flashed your device using Odin, right?
Thanks!

Yep, ODIN 3.10.6

*Detection* said:
Yep, ODIN 3.10.6
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, will give it a go!
Thanks Detection!

And how did it go?? Did You safely downgraded to KK?? I was thinking about it, got my S5 with pre-installed Lollipop but without root I can't block adds and stuff - it's rather annoying.

cichy20a said:
And how did it go?? Did You safely downgraded to KK?? I was thinking about it, got my S5 with pre-installed Lollipop but without root I can't block adds and stuff - it's rather annoying.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can root lollipop, but it'll trip KNOX
CF Auto Root

Yeah i know that CF-AutoRoot works on lolly but I'd rather keep my warranty void Guess no new method on gaining root w/o tripping knox was introduced to S5 design If i recall S6 is rootable now without knox messed up but no go for S5

I flashed my S5 a few months ago from 5.0 back to 4.4.2, and last week the same thing, but on my gf's Note3.
It's kind of easy and safe to do, if you do some research in advance:
- find exactly which ROM you need (the wrong one won't work and make ur phone temporarily unusable).
- download the official stock ROM
- KNOX won't trip if it's an official stock ROM.
- Boot the phone in recovery mode to wipe the cache partition and do a factory reset (after backing up the important data).
- Flash with Odin. There's many youtube tutorials on that one.
Enjoy.
If you didn't do a factory reset, wipe cache partitions etc you'll almost certainly get stuck in bootloop after flashing. In that boot up in recovery mode again, do those wipes and then restart.

*Detection* said:
Downgrade away, I have the G900F, and flashing KK over LP works fine and does not trip KNOX
You only trip KNOX by flashing custom stuff, stock ROMs are signed by Samsung so do not trip KNOX
The only issue I had was having to flash KK twice, first flash worked but wouldn't boot, flashed again, booted first time
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
gluecks said:
I flashed my S5 a few months ago from 5.0 back to 4.4.2, and last week the same thing, but on my gf's Note3.
It's kind of easy and safe to do, if you do some research in advance:
- find exactly which ROM you need (the wrong one won't work and make ur phone temporarily unusable).
- download the official stock ROM
- KNOX won't trip if it's an official stock ROM.
- Boot the phone in recovery mode to wipe the cache partition and do a factory reset (after backing up the important data).
- Flash with Odin. There's many youtube tutorials on that one.
Enjoy.
If you didn't do a factory reset, wipe cache partitions etc you'll almost certainly get stuck in bootloop after flashing. In that boot up in recovery mode again, do those wipes and then restart.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi all!
Tell me something, after flashing KK, software update is allways trying to update to LP... is there a way of avoiding this, without root access?
Thanks in advance!

you need to disable the FOTA processes, but I'm not sure you can do that without root

Ok guys so let me get this straight - I only need proper KK image, provided by Samsung (their signature and so on) with my CSC (in my case Polish XEO)? Then connect my phone with PC, start ODIN (any particular version?) and what to choose, what check and what not? Sorry for this only had HTC before (and Sony and LG but those are wifes phones) and flashing on it was a bliss, especially when You had S-OFF.

dicemaster said:
Hi all!
Tell me something, after flashing KK, software update is allways trying to update to LP... is there a way of avoiding this, without root access?
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not stop, but you can delay it indefinitely by clearing the cache in recovery each time it has the update ready for you to install
Then boot back into droid, and hit the install button, which will fail because you just deleted the update in recovery
Rinse and repeat
You can root KK without tripping KNOX though, so no reason to not root it really

*Detection* said:
Not stop, but you can delay it indefinitely by clearing the cache in recovery each time it has the update ready for you to install
Then boot back into droid, and hit the install button, which will fail because you just deleted the update in recovery
Rinse and repeat
You can root KK without tripping KNOX though, so no reason to not root it really
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Detection!
I know we can root without tripping knox, but I am afraid of doing something wrong...
Can you tell me how to do it, in a safe way???
Thanks in advance!

dicemaster said:
Hi Detection!
I know we can root without tripping knox, but I am afraid of doing something wrong...
Can you tell me how to do it, in a safe way???
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Either make sure your KK ROM is a pre June 2014 build, if not, either flash with ODIN, or read up on how to downgrade only the Kernel to a pre June 2014 KK kernel, then use towelroot app to root it, and flash your original Kernel back
All the info you need is here on XDA, might take a bit of reading, but you should really learn as much as you can before blindly flashing things anyway

I read in another thread, someone said that if your S5 came with LP out of the box, you can't downgrade to even official samsung KK without tripping knox. I'm not sure how true is this or whether that person is just blowing smoke.

Related

[Q] rooting 4.3

Hi,
Few months ago I've upgraded my 9305 to 4.3 and rooted it without a problem (and disabled KNOX)
Bulid: JSS15JI9305XXUEML8
BASEBAND:I9305XXUEMK1
KERNEL:3.0.31-2051278 [email protected]#1
Todat, I have returned to factory default, but this time I could not perform any root: Using ODIN 3.07/3.09 and CF-Auto-Root-m3-m3zh-gti9305, as well as Kingo, did not help.
Rooting process was fine and the device has restarted, but the phone was not rooted and KNOX cannot be removed
I've tried it several times, while all rooting process were reported by odin as "success" but actually, nothing.
Please advice. I'm nearly desperate...
Thanx
bubulit2000 said:
Hi,
Few months ago I've upgraded my 9305 to 4.3 and rooted it without a problem (and disabled KNOX)
Bulid: JSS15JI9305XXUEML8
BASEBAND:I9305XXUEMK1
KERNEL:3.0.31-2051278 [email protected]#1
Todat, I have returned to factory default, but this time I could not perform any root: Using ODIN 3.07/3.09 and CF-Auto-Root-m3-m3zh-gti9305, as well as Kingo, did not help.
Rooting process was fine and the device has restarted, but the phone was not rooted and KNOX cannot be removed
I've tried it several times, while all rooting process were reported by odin as "success" but actually, nothing.
Please advice. I'm nearly desperate...
Thanx
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey don't know whether this might help as i am total noob but i am trying to catch up with it all. but with all the reading i have been doing to root i9305 i think this might be the best way.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/gal...covery-i9305-cwm-philz-twrp-versions-t2694249 . if i am totally off with my help i do apologise.
Good luck
Have you tried flashing a recovery and installing SuperSU
bubulit2000 said:
Hi,
Few months ago I've upgraded my 9305 to 4.3 and rooted it without a problem (and disabled KNOX)
<SNIP!>
Thanx
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, long time lurker, been on hiatus for a bit since knox came in, but looking at trying to root my current phone.
Can I ask where and how you manage to disable KNOX? I've got 4.3 with KNOX after sending in my phone for warranty repair, and didn't wish to accidently screw things up messing with KNOX.
If you can point me to the right direction so I can disable KNOX it would be awesome. as my current stock rom is crap.
Cheers,
grungypoo said:
Hi, long time lurker, been on hiatus for a bit since knox came in, but looking at trying to root my current phone.
Can I ask where and how you manage to disable KNOX? I've got 4.3 with KNOX after sending in my phone for warranty repair, and didn't wish to accidently screw things up messing with KNOX.
If you can point me to the right direction so I can disable KNOX it would be awesome. as my current stock rom is crap.
Cheers,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He means disabling the Knox security features I believe. Supersu does this automatically after installing and activating it.
To the best of my knowledge I still dont think anyone has found a way to disable the Knox flag in the Booltloader. So if you already have stock Samsung 4.3 on the phone, then you will get a Knox warranty void flag if you mod it.
^ Thanks for the clarification. I totally thought I missed something... lol.

[Q] Need help with backup, rooting and kernel.

Hey guys, I have a 64GB stock T-Mobile Galaxy S6 that I have (somewhat) debloated and so far the battery is okay.
I've heard promising reviews about XtreStoLite G920T Pure Edition ROM.
First, I want to make a backup of the STOCK ROM I currently have, but IIRC, you cannot back it up unless you root first?
I was looking into PingPongRoot so I could go back to stock just in case anything would happen but I need to know how to back it up first.
Second, I want to install the ROM and I'm pretty sure I'm correct. Do I need Odin if I use PingPongRoot?
Third, I want to install Ktoonzes kernel as well but I don't know anything about that.
So, pretty much I need help with:
1. Backup current stock ROM before rooting
2. Root with PingPong
3. Install XtreStoLite
4. Install Ktoonzes
Also, if there is anything else I should be cautious of let me know. Thanks guys!
While all of this info is easily accessible, in the spirit of giving... Here you go.
To backup, you need root.
Install SuperSu from play store, open SuperSu at least one time, then download Ping Pong Root APK and run it. It may take two tries, that's normal.
Then, to back up, either install TWRP with Flashify (downloadable from Play Store) or via Odin (Either method will trip Knox in bootloader and void Samsung warranty, will not harm phone in any way) and back up
To install ROM, Flash in TWRP recovery (if you installed TWRP in last step Knox is already tripped)
Then, use TWRP to flash Ktoonzes kernel (I recommend letting ROM boot at least once fully then going back to recovery to flash kernel)
norcalsfinest said:
While all of this info is easily accessible, in the spirit of giving... Here you go.
To backup, you need root.
Install SuperSu from play store, open SuperSu at least one time, then download Ping Pong Root APK and run it. It may take two tries, that's normal.
Then, to back up, either install TWRP with Flashify (downloadable from Play Store) or via Odin (Either method will trip Knox in bootloader and void Samsung warranty, will not harm phone in any way) and back up
To install ROM, Flash in TWRP recovery (if you installed TWRP in last step Knox is already tripped)
Then, use TWRP to flash Ktoonzes kernel (I recommend letting ROM boot at least once fully then going back to recovery to flash kernel)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
jeffreylin_ said:
If you don't want to void your warranty, you could back up using Chainfire's FlashFire, but note that it is an app and therefore you need to have a semi-working system to restore! Which is fine since you can flash stock using Odin, then root using PingPong and install FlashFire again. Just slightly more of a hassle.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks guys!
jeffreylin_ said:
If you don't want to void your warranty, you could back up using Chainfire's FlashFire, but note that it is an app and therefore you need to have a semi-working system to restore! Which is fine since you can flash stock using Odin, then root using PingPong and install FlashFire again. Just slightly more of a hassle.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So wait... flashfire and pingpong root i can flash a new rom without tripping knox????
frettfreak said:
So wait... flashfire and pingpong root i can flash a new rom without tripping knox????
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, only if you don't flash a kernel with the new ROM. You have to edit the zip and remove the boot.IMG , then edit the updater script to remove the command to wipe and flash boot.img. if this sounds too difficult to you don't try it
norcalsfinest said:
Yes, only if you don't flash a kernel with the new ROM. You have to edit the zip and remove the boot.IMG , then edit the updater script to remove the command to wipe and flash boot.img. if this sounds too difficult to you don't try it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So how do you flash a custom ROM without a custom recovery? Recovery trips Knox...
I'm gonna need to look into this one. Been a while since I did anything with a Samsung device.
Marine6680 said:
So how do you flash a custom ROM without a custom recovery? Recovery trips Knox...
I'm gonna need to look into this one. Been a while since I did anything with a Samsung device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think chain fire has been to open about how flashfire works (not a problem his choice). So if you want a good idea how it works look into safestrap, I'm sure it's close other than the fact safestrap doesn't need a app in a working system.
ThePagel said:
I don't think chain fire has been to open about how flashfire works (not a problem his choice). So if you want a good idea how it works look into safestrap, I'm sure it's close other than the fact safestrap doesn't need a app in a working system.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Needs a zip without the kernel... I remember seeing a ROM that mentioned not having a kernel, I guess for this reason.
I don't think any of the t-mobile ROMs come setup like that though. So I would need to go through the trouble of repackaging the ROMs myself.
May not bother and just trip the counter and flash normal. Custom kernels are often the way to go for battery life and performance.
Marine6680 said:
Needs a zip without the kernel... I remember seeing a ROM that mentioned not having a kernel, I guess for this reason.
I don't think any of the t-mobile ROMs come setup like that though. So I would need to go through the trouble of repackaging the ROMs myself.
May not bother and just trip the counter and flash normal. Custom kernels are often the way to go for battery life and performance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh I thought you meant how flashfire boots into its recovery mode without tripping knox, yeah custom kernels and recoveries will trip knox but if the demand is high enough there are ways to use custom kernels without flashing them and someone is bound to bring it to the s6, but I'm sure the demand has to be high enough.
ThePagel said:
Oh I thought you meant how flashfire boots into its recovery mode without tripping knox, yeah custom kernels and recoveries will trip knox but if the demand is high enough there are ways to use custom kernels without flashing them and someone is bound to bring it to the s6, but I'm sure the demand has to be high enough.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its an interesting alternative to full root flashing. Preserving the warranty is good for some people.
Ever since I did pingpong root, I have been having odd issues with pandora bluetooth streaming to my car. Hopeing a custom ROM will solve this.

Planning to root my t815. How easy is it to go back to total stock? Will Sammy know?

Well actually it seems fairly straighfoward to go back to stock, if you have the appropriate stock image to flash with Odin. I'm just used to do the whole "unlock bootloader, flash recovery, flash autoroot/rom/whatever" process on other devices and it feels weird to just load up Odin and do everyhing. So that's an insecurity.
I'm more interested in knowing whether Samsung "knows" that you rooted/unlocked the device, for warranty reasons. If sometime I decide to go back to full stock and at some point I need to return/send the device for some service, I want to know if they can tell whether the device had been previously rooted. On my motorola xt1092 unlocking the bootloader requires some sort of code from Moto itself, so even if you go back totally stock you can't get rid of the "unlocked bootloader" msg, let alone that they have you already registered on their system as having non-valid warranty.
YES. Atm there is no root method that won't trip knox and if knox is 0x1 samsung will always know. Some providers don't care about that and will fix ur phone/tablet. Especially if it don't even boot or some mechanic problem, just flash stock firmware with odin. My personally was very insecure when flashed firmware 5.1.1 then kernel and then root with odin (always used TWRP on S4) but all worked ok, just read the guide, real all post and all will be ok. If u wan't then go go stock just flash the same stock firmware and you will have it stock with no root stock recovery but knox will be 0x1
mk89pwnz said:
YES. Atm there is no root method that won't trip knox and if knox is 0x1 samsung will always know. Some providers don't care about that and will fix ur phone/tablet. Especially if it don't even boot or some mechanic problem, just flash stock firmware with odin. My personally was very insecure when flashed firmware 5.1.1 then kernel and then root with odin (always used TWRP on S4) but all worked ok, just read the guide, real all post and all will be ok. If u wan't then go go stock just flash the same stock firmware and you will have it stock with no root stock recovery but knox will be 0x1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the info! I found out there was a piece of software called "Triangle Away" which helped reset counter to 0x0 when going back to full stock, but i can't find out if it would work on the Tab S2... http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s2/orig-development/2014-01-15-triangleaway-v3-26-t1494114
kokotron said:
Thanks for the info! I found out there was a piece of software called "Triangle Away" which helped reset counter to 0x0 when going back to full stock, but i can't find out if it would work on the Tab S2... http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s2/orig-development/2014-01-15-triangleaway-v3-26-t1494114
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It was flash counter not knox. Knox is literally impossible to reset. Triangle Away only works on older devices. List can be found here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s2/orig-development/2014-01-15-triangleaway-v3-26-t1494114
mk89pwnz said:
YES. Atm there is no root method that won't trip knox and if knox is 0x1 samsung will always know. Some providers don't care about that and will fix ur phone/tablet. Especially if it don't even boot or some mechanic problem, just flash stock firmware with odin. My personally was very insecure when flashed firmware 5.1.1 then kernel and then root with odin (always used TWRP on S4) but all worked ok, just read the guide, real all post and all will be ok. If u wan't then go go stock just flash the same stock firmware and you will have it stock with no root stock recovery but knox will be 0x1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just to reconfirm that, since I was also a little concerned about that (I have a T810 btw, not a T815): While the stock firmware on my device works 'well enough', there are certain things i'd rather it was able to do. Knox however has me holding off (at least until the warranty expires). Does the same apply to the T810? (There is no root method that won't trip knox.)
ATM no. The only way to root Tab s2 is to trip Knox. King root will root your device with no Knox tripping but it will last until you reboot

Question about going back to stock

Been on Xtrestolite for months now and at first it was great, but the battery drains quickly now, can't answer phone calls and fast charging doesn't work (works on other devices).
Basically, I want to use this thread to go back to stock: http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s6/general/stock-firmware-official-stock-firmware-t3086387
The MM update for T-mobile is coming out soon so I am interested in the stock version of that (so my phone calls work).
My question is basically that I updated the modem and the bootloader to the Xrestolite ROM and the ROM thinks my phone is an S6 edge (just a regular S6).
If I use ODIN to flash stock on my device, does it also flash the stock modem and bootloader for my cell phone provider as well? (USA T-Mo.)
Are there any additional steps I need to do to go back to the stock modem/bootloader/anything else? Will I be able to update to MM OTA?
darklime said:
Been on Xtrestolite for months now and at first it was great, but the battery drains quickly now, can't answer phone calls and fast charging doesn't work (works on other devices).
Basically, I want to use this thread to go back to stock: http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s6/general/stock-firmware-official-stock-firmware-t3086387
The MM update for T-mobile is coming out soon so I am interested in the stock version of that (so my phone calls work).
My question is basically that I updated the modem and the bootloader to the Xrestolite ROM and the ROM thinks my phone is an S6 edge (just a regular S6).
If I use ODIN to flash stock on my device, does it also flash the stock modem and bootloader for my cell phone provider as well? (USA T-Mo.)
Are there any additional steps I need to do to go back to the stock modem/bootloader/anything else? Will I be able to update to MM OTA?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can restore original firmware using Samsung Kies or Smartswitch.
cwhiatt said:
You can restore original firmware using Samsung Kies or Smartswitch.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I plan on using ODIN to flash the original firmware. Does the original firmware include the original bootloader and modem or do I have to do those separately?
darklime said:
I plan on using ODIN to flash the original firmware. Does the original firmware include the original bootloader and modem or do I have to do those separately?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have no idea. I always restored via Kies.
darklime said:
I plan on using ODIN to flash the original firmware. Does the original firmware include the original bootloader and modem or do I have to do those separately?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The full stock firmware package will have bootloader and modem. It will take you to basically like you just bought it except Knox will stay tripped.
Sym_Link said:
The full stock firmware package will have bootloader and modem. It will take you to basically like you just bought it except Knox will stay tripped.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply! Since knox is tripped, will I be able to do OTA updates or download apps like Samsung Pay or Android Pay? I heard there is a method like using the app called "Triangle Away" to remove the knox tripped counter.
darklime said:
Thanks for the reply! Since knox is tripped, will I be able to do OTA updates or download apps like Samsung Pay or Android Pay? I heard there is a method like using the app called "Triangle Away" to remove the knox tripped counter.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You will be able to get OTA update with tripped knox if fully stock. Samsung Pay will not work if knox is tripped. Android Pay will work if not rooted( it will also work with systemless root and a couple changes to su file but then you are no longer stock and no OTA). There is currently no way of resetting knox short of replacing phone.
s89281b said:
You will be able to get OTA update with tripped knox if fully stock. Samsung Pay will not work if knox is tripped. Android Pay will work if not rooted( it will also work with systemless root and a couple changes to su file but then you are no longer stock and no OTA). There is currently no way of resetting knox short of replacing phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm going to try to use triangle away as an attempt to reset knox. Should I flash the stock firmware first then try Triangle away or vice-versa?
darklime said:
I'm going to try to use triangle away as an attempt to reset knox. Should I flash the stock firmware first then try Triangle away or vice-versa?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
S6 is not listed as a supported device for triangle away. I would not waste my money trying it. Just flash stock firmware. Only loss is Samsung pay.
s89281b said:
S6 is not listed as a supported device for triangle away. I would not waste my money trying it. Just flash stock firmware. Only loss is Samsung pay.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That sucks. I really wanted to try it out. MM is coming out for my S6 in my country soon so I'm hoping battery and RAM management is better because recently on my ROM that was oh-so popular drains the hell out of my standby time and I cannot make/answer phone calls at times. At least I can try Android Pay. Thanks for answering my questions.

TWRP/Root & Official Stock Firmware

Hi.
Is it possible to flash TWRP and root with magisk, and then flash relevant stock firmware updates from Samsung using Odin as and when they come?
If so, would flashing said firmwares remove root and TWRP, and/or wipe data? Requiring re flashing TWRP and rooting again after each update?
Basically I'd like to stay relatively stock, just with root and TWRP. But I want to be able to keep the phone up to date without having to use custom ROMs.
And yes, I know once TWRP or root are used Knox is tripped and there's no way to get it back or magically make the warranty valid again. I don't care about that.
beta546 said:
Hi.
Is it possible to flash TWRP and root with magisk, and then flash relevant stock firmware updates from Samsung using Odin as and when they come?
If so, would flashing said firmwares remove root and TWRP, and/or wipe data? Requiring re flashing TWRP and rooting again after each update?
Basically I'd like to stay relatively stock, just with root and TWRP. But I want to be able to keep the phone up to date without having to use custom ROMs.
And yes, I know once TWRP or root are used Knox is tripped and there's no way to get it back or magically make the warranty valid again. I don't care about that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One month no answer, this forum is quite dead
dryspuri said:
One month no answer, this forum is quite dead
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, it's not great...
Instead of waiting, you could do a search on your own. This stuff is not from yesterday.
The answer is in s8, s8+, note8, s8, s9+ section. Basically someone has discussed it since Sammy introduced 7 days oem lockout, and ways to circumvent it... Those that know, don't feel like repeating endlessly, when time and search do the job.
The rest discuss wallpapers, screen protectors, cases, and justifications why root is no longer necessary (this from North American users, as if they could).
Sent from my phone

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