Related
Having never had a Samsung device before, I might be turning to the S6 Edge once it's released to replace my ageing Nexus 5 but I have a few questions that can put me off and was wondering if you guys can clarify them for me.
1) Does the 'international' version come with a locked or unlocked bootloader (i.e. if I were to buy it off of Amazon UK). If locked, how easy is it to unlock the bootloader on previous Samsung phones? This probably also voids warranty unlike the Nexus and HTC right?
2) How easy has it been to root Samsung phones in the past?
3) What does having an Exynos processor mean (in terms of modding)? Will that make it harder to root? harder to unlock bootloader? Not being able to Install Stock Vanilla Android ROM?
4) Finally, I've played around with a couple of friend's Samsungs (Note 3,4, S5,S4) and I absolutely hate TouchWiz.. It just looks ugly. How easy is it to get rid of it all together, including sounds, menus, etc. (either by installing Stock Android ROM) or by removing these components from TouchWiz ROM?
5) To sum up. Ideally I'd like to have Vanilla Android Lollipop with an unlocked bootloader and root, and customize as I like; do you think this would be possible? What would the tradeoffs?
I hope my questions are clear! If they aren't please let me know to clarify them further.
ombadboy said:
Having never had a Samsung device before, I might be turning to the S6 Edge once it's released to replace my ageing Nexus 5 but I have a few questions that can put me off and was wondering if you guys can clarify them for me.
1) Does the 'international' version come with a locked or unlocked bootloader (i.e. if I were to buy it off of Amazon UK). If locked, how easy is it to unlock the bootloader on previous Samsung phones? This probably also voids warranty unlike the Nexus and HTC right?
2) How easy has it been to root Samsung phones in the past?
3) What does having an Exynos processor mean (in terms of modding)? Will that make it harder to root? harder to unlock bootloader? Not being able to Install Stock Vanilla Android ROM?
4) Finally, I've played around with a couple of friend's Samsungs (Note 3,4, S5,S4) and I absolutely hate TouchWiz.. It just looks ugly. How easy is it to get rid of it all together, including sounds, menus, etc. (either by installing Stock Android ROM) or by removing these components from TouchWiz ROM?
5) To sum up. Ideally I'd like to have Vanilla Android Lollipop with an unlocked bootloader and root, and customize as I like; do you think this would be possible? What would the tradeoffs?
I hope my questions are clear! If they aren't please let me know to clarify them further.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. We don't really know yet. As far as I know all previous international models of the Galaxy S phones had unlocked bootloaders.
2. With my S2 and S4 it has been really easy to root. I don't expect real problems here.
3. Here's where it gets tricky. Exynos processors made it harder to create AOSP roms due to the closed-source nature of the kernel. I expect there to be no change there.
4. Well, custom roms may be able to help here. They may be able to tweak the UI, remove bloatware or even change the whole UI. Perhaps a stable AOSP port will be created, it's too early to tell yet.
5. If you want an AOSP rom, I'm not sure if the S6 is what you're looking for. A Nexus device would be ideal or you can look at the HTC One M9. If you can live with a Touchwiz based rom, you shouldn't have any problems here.
This is just my view on this all. There may be others who can shed some light on it.
From what I understood, rooting your Samsung allows you to remove quite alot of the TouchWiz bloat. Is it possible to also get rid of the UI they stick ontop of Stock Android or is that baked in?
ombadboy said:
From what I understood, rooting your Samsung allows you to remove quite alot of the TouchWiz bloat. Is it possible to also get rid of the UI they stick ontop of Stock Android or is that baked in?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, there is a difference between Touchwiz and the pre-installed applications. Touchwiz is the whole look&feel with the modified applications. This means a modded email client, dialer, contacts app, settings, launcher, power menu, etc.
While you can remove some applications while rooted (for example the Samsung Store), you can't modify the looks like the power menu, settings, top bar with the clock, etc.. This is baked into the rom itself.
Regarding the email, dialer, launcher and contacts apps, you can download and use third-party apps for that. This will make it look at lot better, but it won't fix everything.
I guess now that Xposed has been released for Lollipop ART as soon as Rovo manages to fix it for Samsung ROMs, that will also allow changing the UI on the TouchWiz ROM substantially right?
well, i hate samsung when will get modify the handset
if someone will succeed root samsung device, it must be can't claim on samsung service centre
well, i just have old exynos from S4/S5, we don't know yet S6 comes with exynos 14nm
hope developers will make it later
Samsung added themes to the s6
Samsung added themes in the s6 so you can change the look and feel of the device.
ww.androidcentral.com/galaxy-s6-themes-let-you-take-control-touchwiz
Rooting Galaxy S6
Hey all,
I am new to posting on XDA. I've seen similar post throughout XDA but nothing that really answers my questions. I recently purchased the S6 and I'd like to root it. I don't want to install custom ROMs all I want is root access for mods that might require that. I have the international variant SM-G920F.
I don't really care about being able to pay using my phone.
1) Most posts claim that I won't be able to update over the air (OTA), is that true? If so is there any luck that this will change in the near future?
2) What root method do you suggest? In terms of ease of use.
3) Mods. What mods do you suggest?
Thank you,
Need to SIM unlock a Galaxy S6
I purchased my phone (Samsung Galaxy S6) from Best Buy to be used with AT&T. This was after 2 AT&T employees and a Best Buy employee told me that getting the unlock code is very easy and straightforward. I have been to the web site to request unlock codes twice. Both times failed. After that I called and they told me, effectively, that my phone is too new. Due to this they require 6 months of paid service before they will consider unlocking it. I am due to leave the country in 4 months. I need to get this phone unlocked... Can anyone tell me how to proceed?
P.S. I am a computer programmer with a lot of experience. I already have the phone in developer mode with the ADB activated. I have the android developers toolkit installed and ready to go. I mention this just so anyone responding will have some idea of the technical level they can use when replying.
AbsaLootly said:
I purchased my phone (Samsung Galaxy S6) from Best Buy to be used with AT&T. This was after 2 AT&T employees and a Best Buy employee told me that getting the unlock code is very easy and straightforward. I have been to the web site to request unlock codes twice. Both times failed. After that I called and they told me, effectively, that my phone is too new. Due to this they require 6 months of paid service before they will consider unlocking it. I am due to leave the country in 4 months. I need to get this phone unlocked... Can anyone tell me how to proceed?
P.S. I am a computer programmer with a lot of experience. I already have the phone in developer mode with the ADB activated. I have the android developers toolkit installed and ready to go. I mention this just so anyone responding will have some idea of the technical level they can use when replying.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What you will get, eventually, from ATT is a carrier unlock code that will allow you to use foreign carrier sim cards for service. This is not a bootloader unlock.
AbsaLootly said:
I purchased my phone (Samsung Galaxy S6) from Best Buy to be used with AT&T. This was after 2 AT&T employees and a Best Buy employee told me that getting the unlock code is very easy and straightforward. I have been to the web site to request unlock codes twice. Both times failed. After that I called and they told me, effectively, that my phone is too new. Due to this they require 6 months of paid service before they will consider unlocking it. I am due to leave the country in 4 months. I need to get this phone unlocked... Can anyone tell me how to proceed?
P.S. I am a computer programmer with a lot of experience. I already have the phone in developer mode with the ADB activated. I have the android developers toolkit installed and ready to go. I mention this just so anyone responding will have some idea of the technical level they can use when replying.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. This is a SIM Unlock, not a bootloader unlock. This will let you use your phone with other supported carriers, not unlock your bootloader.
2. If this is your intention, however, AT&T will only unlock the phone if you've completed your contract obligations with the line your phone is tied to. If you're under contract, you can't get it fully unlocked. However, if you tell them you need it internationally unlocked, they should be able to give you a different unlock code to get that to work. Try giving CS a ring and explain you need it unlocked for abroad, not for the US.
I have been trying the official routes to do the unlock
dandrumheller said:
What you will get, eventually, from ATT is a carrier unlock code that will allow you to use foreign carrier sim cards for service. This is not a bootloader unlock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have tried the official routes (web site and phone) and been denied. They basically told me that while I own the phone, and owe them no money of any kind, the phone is too new. They are demanding 6 months of paid service to release the phone that I already own!
Unlock 5 minute 4K recording (Docomo Galaxy S6)
Just bought me the shiny new S6 and love everything about it except one thing; the 5 minute limit to 4K recording. Are there any apps that will let me record for longer durations, or is there a mod out there I need to use?
Thanks in advance.
Japan Jay said:
Just bought me the shiny new S6 and love everything about it except one thing; the 5 minute limit to 4K recording. Are there any apps that will let me record for longer durations, or is there a mod out there I need to use?
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any chance that you could download the QCN files from your phone so that I could use it in mine? That would really be awesome for me.
I have a Note 4, international.......not working good in Japan.
Hi All,
I'm reading that root can trip knox, having never owned a Galaxy since the S2 I'm not overly familiar with knox but I've read about what it does.
What is bothering me here is that there seems to be a suggestion that once knox is tripped, that's it. There's no way to untrip it even when flashing a stock factory image again via odin?
Firstly, is this correct?
I'm worried about resale value to the point that I might not care about mobile payments etc, but others might, so a tripped knox could affect value.
If the above is correct I might cancel my pre order, I need root but I don't want a phone that's got limited resale either.
TheBlueRaja said:
What is bothering me here is that there seems to be a suggestion that once knox is tripped, that's it. There's no way to untrip it even when flashing a stock factory image again via odin?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes that is correct. Once the Knox flag is tripped you can not reverse it.
I don't think it has been confirmed yet that Knox flag breaks Samsung Pay. From what I have read it breaks software dependant on Knox security, ie the BYOD type apps. They use it as an indicator your device is insecure, so It seems reasonable to assume Pay would break too.
Damn it, What a stupid thing to do.
I can understand it being tripped if you are rooted, but to make it permanent if the situation is reverted is ridiculous.
Thanks for the info, I'll hold out a few more days to see what develops just in case, but I think I'm going to cancel my preorder as I need root but I also have to consider selling it on eventually.
Stupid, stupid decision. :crying:
TheBlueRaja said:
Thanks for the info, I'll hold out a few more days to see what develops just in case, but I think I'm going to cancel my preorder as I need root but I also have to consider selling it on eventually.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hey, why do you need rooting your phone?
I thought the same way but now I'm going to use adaway with setting up proxy settings in my wifi and mobile apn connections.
The only thing I should need root for is Titanium Backup, but I think with Helium (by ClockworkMod) backups should be performed easily
eSportler said:
hey, why do you need rooting your phone?
I thought the same way but now I'm going to use adaway with setting up proxy settings in my wifi and mobile apn connections.
The only thing I should need root for is Titanium Backup, but I think with Helium (by ClockworkMod) backups should be performed easily
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its more than Adaway / Titanium backup, its removing Facebook, Instagram and Skype, which i don't use and or want, being able to run Xposed and root explorer so that i can use MY phone the way I want it without permanently affecting the resale value even if its returned to stock.
Look at it this way, I have a lovely PC for you - top of the line, fast as hell, lots of memory, premium price, but im going to install Windows 8 on there and a bunch of FREE apps , only im going prevent you from removing them, make sure you cant put Linux or Windows 7 or Windows 10 on there until i say so, prevent you from making any change to the Windows directory otherwise we'll stop you from buying things PERMANENTLY and void your warranty on the hardware so that you'll not be able to sell it on. EVEN IF you factory reset it with my software....
Its a shame as i REALLY wanted this phone, but it looks like it may not be for me unless something crops up with regard to KNOX and root.
TheBlueRaja said:
Its more than Adaway / Titanium backup, its removing Facebook, Instagram and Skype, which i don't use and or want, being able to run Xposed and root explorer so that i can use MY phone the way I want it without permanently affecting the resale value even if its returned to stock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm absolutly with you.
For me it's not a problem because I'm using Facebook, Instagram and Skype. Didn't recognized that they're preinstalled... sry^^
Of course I prefer using the phone the way I want, but it's not as important to me as loosing the warranty. Sure this is quite stupid that Samsung wants to tell us how to use their phone.
If mobile payment will still works with triggered Knox, I'll definetivly root my S6 Edge and maybe try to slim down the stock Rom like I did with my Eragon Rom for the HTC One M7
eSportler said:
I'm absolutly with you.
For me it's not a problem because I'm using Facebook, Instagram and Skype. Didn't recognized that they're preinstalled... sry^^
Of course I prefer using the phone the way I want, but it's not as important to me as loosing the warranty. Sure this is quite stupid that Samsung wants to tell us how to use their phone.
If mobile payment will still works with triggered Knox, I'll definetivly root my S6 Edge and maybe try to slim down the stock Rom like I did with my Eragon Rom for the HTC One M7
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah - its a shame - hopefully you can still use it, time will tell.
If root comes out without KNOX trigger i'll be all over this - might be too late for day 1 though - i suppose i'll just have to be patient and keep an eye on it.
In the mean time, i'll keep my preorder until the 5th or so then cancel unless something comes up - damn shame though - still i've got my HTC One m8 keeping me happy for now.
There hasn't been solution for KNOX for so long, that it's very hard to imagine that there will ever be one.
I hate KNOX so much, I don't think I will ever purchase another Samsung phone. This is not an absolute statement of course, however it is rather so.
JuniorGG said:
There hasn't been solution for KNOX for so long, that it's very hard to imagine that there will ever be one.
I hate KNOX so much, I don't think I will ever purchase another Samsung phone. This is not an absolute statement of course, however it is rather so.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have root couldn't xposed just hook that call and return KNOX=True whenever queried? I've seen something similar in the past to make Google wallet work with root and without the secure element it required.
Chad
JuniorGG said:
There hasn't been solution for KNOX for so long, that it's very hard to imagine that there will ever be one.
I hate KNOX so much, I don't think I will ever purchase another Samsung phone. This is not an absolute statement of course, however it is rather so.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The thing is, Knox isn't just going to be a Samsung thing, after all its a Samsung and Google collaboration and i believe and it will end up spreading. To be honest, i've no objection and it think its a good idea - HOWEVER
I do think the real problem here is that IF the phone is returned to stock it should reset the KNOX flag back to being unset. Simple, everyone is happy.
If i choose to root then fair enough, trip knox as the phone isn't as secure as it should be - i don't expect to have root access or Admin privileges on my work PC normally and if i try to work round it there are logs to indicate that.
However, i DO expect to have it on my OWN computer and without the threat of the hardware being handicapped should i wish to sell it on, that's just wrong.
TheBlueRaja said:
The thing is, Knox isn't just going to be a Samsung thing, after all its a Samsung and Google collaboration and i believe and it will end up spreading. To be honest, i've no objection and it think its a good idea - HOWEVER
I do think the real problem here is that IF the phone is returned to stock it should reset the KNOX flag back to being unset. Simple, everyone is happy.
If i choose to root then fair enough, trip knox as the phone isn't as secure as it should be - i don't expect to have root access or Admin privileges on my work PC normally and if i try to work round it there are logs to indicate that.
However, i DO expect to have it on my OWN computer and without the threat of the hardware being handicapped should i wish to sell it on, that's just wrong.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The problem, from a security perspective, is that there is currently no way to ensure that a phone returned to stock is secure.
Samsung decided from that point to just say once the phone is compromised... that's it. Certain features of Knox disable and, if it's your carrier's policy, the warranty may be void.
But let's be honest from that point as well. Rooting, in most contracts and terms of use, voids the warranty anyhow.
I think many have taken that for granted and don't realize that it can't be in a secure environment.
garwynn said:
The problem, from a security perspective, is that there is currently no way to ensure that a phone returned to stock is secure.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why? I don't see how a phone flashed with Odin using a ROM with a verified cryptographic signature cant be deemed secure? Check this - unset KNOX...
This is like saying that once i've installed Ubuntu on a "Windows" laptop it can no longer be deemed secure and while we are at it, lets fry a hardware fuse?
We are SOFTWARE rooting the phone here, not hardware hacking.
I'm actually curious as to the legality of it as well as they are disabling a part of your phone permanently and on purpose because i choose to run a different OS than the one supplied, but i'm no lawyer and there's probably a loophole or a law allowing it somewhere.
TheBlueRaja said:
Why? I don't see how a phone flashed with Odin using a ROM with a verified cryptographic signature cant be deemed secure? Check this - unset KNOX...
This is like saying that once i've installed Ubuntu on a "Windows" laptop it can no longer be deemed secure and while we are at it, lets fry a hardware fuse?
We are SOFTWARE rooting the phone here, not hardware hacking.
I'm actually curious as to the legality of it as well as they are disabling a part of your phone permanently and on purpose because i choose to run a different OS than the one supplied, but i'm no lawyer and there's probably a loophole or a law allowing it somewhere.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What you may be doing is granting software access to root and you may only use root to modify things at a software level.
But you have to keep in mind that's not the only thing root access can do.
It's perfectly legal and I'll even wager they're part of the DoD specification that both they and Apple want to sell to the government.
You have to consider it from a worst case scenario. If a device has been modified in any way, how can they assure it's been reset 100% completely back to stock... both at a hardware, firmware and software level?
Without physically inspecting the phone, they can't - which is why I think this is the way it is.
The Knox team put out a blog entry a while ago about this topic, noting it's a good balance between ensuring security and allowing non-business users to root the device if they want to.
One other note: I don't know enough about the Exynos devices past N2 to say if they've fixed it... but the Note 2's Knox flag was not an e-fuse and could be reset.
garwynn said:
What you may be doing is granting software access to root and you may only use root to modify things at a software level.
But you have to keep in mind that's not the only thing root access can do.
It's perfectly legal and I'll even wager they're part of the DoD specification that both they and Apple want to sell to the government.
You have to consider it from a worst case scenario. If a device has been modified in any way, how can they assure it's been reset 100% completely back to stock... both at a hardware, firmware and software level?
Without physically inspecting the phone, they can't - which is why I think this is the way it is.
The Knox team put out a blog entry a while ago about this topic, noting it's a good balance between ensuring security and allowing non-business users to root the device if they want to.
One other note: I don't know enough about the Exynos devices past N2 to say if they've fixed it... but the Note 2's Knox flag was not an e-fuse and could be reset.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm..
Keep in mind here i'm not suggesting apps requiring KNOX are made available whilst rooted like Samsung pay etc, only that the KNOX bit is reset if the phone is flashed back to factory defaults using Samsungs own Odin program and a cryptographically signed firmware. If at that point the phone is rooted again, it would expect it to re-trip KNOX just like it did the first time.
But, lets play a game, lets say i gain root, KNOX bit set and i cant use KNOX apps. I then use that root to make modifications to firmware on the device somehow, which is what i think your insinuating above, not necessarily the Android System partition, maybe the modem firmware (even though its closed source) or something else, for whatever purpose.
IF you have that level of knowledge of the phones hardware then i don't think it would be too much of a stretch to suggest masking the KNOX bit as set would be too hard either, maybe by intercepting the system call to check its status etc but even then when you say:-
"If a device has been modified in any way, how can they assure it's been reset 100% completely back to stock, both at a hardware, firmware and software level"
The firmware and software is taken care of by Odin, that does both, say we did modify the modem firmware above, Odin would write right over it with a VERIFIED image wouldn't it?
Whether you have root or not, you cant do anything about somebody hardware hacking, that's a whole different ball game, if you hacked the hardware you could just change to always respond as the KNOX bit not being set but that would be low level stuff way beyond what pretty much anyone here could do.
Would be interested in that blog post if you have a link - I just don't see this as anything more than a way to discourage more people from rooting.
TheBlueRaja said:
Hmm..
Keep in mind here i'm not suggesting apps requiring KNOX are made available whilst rooted like Samsung pay etc, only that the KNOX bit is reset if the phone is flashed back to factory defaults using Samsungs own Odin program and a cryptographically signed firmware. If at that point the phone is rooted again, it would expect it to re-trip KNOX just like it did the first time.
But, lets play a game, lets say i gain root, KNOX bit set and i cant use KNOX apps. I then use that root to make modifications to firmware on the device somehow, which is what i think your insinuating above, not necessarily the Android System partition, maybe the modem firmware (even though its closed source) or something else, for whatever purpose.
IF you have that level of knowledge of the phones hardware then i don't think it would be too much of a stretch to suggest masking the KNOX bit as set would be too hard either, maybe by intercepting the system call to check its status etc but even then when you say:-
"If a device has been modified in any way, how can they assure it's been reset 100% completely back to stock, both at a hardware, firmware and software level"
The firmware and software is taken care of by Odin, that does both, say we did modify the modem firmware above, Odin would write right over it with a VERIFIED image wouldn't it?
Whether you have root or not, you cant do anything about somebody hardware hacking, that's a whole different ball game, if you hacked the hardware you could just change to always respond as the KNOX bit not being set but that would be low level stuff way beyond what pretty much anyone here could do.
Would be interested in that blog post if you have a link - I just don't see this as anything more than a way to discourage more people from rooting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Blog entries:
https://www.samsungknox.com/en/blog/about-cf-auto-root
https://www.samsungknox.com/en/blog/samsung’s-official-response-“towelroot”
https://www.samsungknox.com/en/blog...ox-enabled-devices-and-knox-warranty-void-bit
There are many, many more on the site, just use the search keyword root.
But that's the gist of it - they understand that some may want root for simpler reasons.
Others may want it for more nefarious ways, like trying to access the keys within the TPM.
The end result sucks for consumers; but as a IT admin I can tell you I wouldn't trust a device with sensitive corporate data if it has been rooted... ever.
Thanks very much, I'll take a look when I get a chance later.
Anyone have an idea which carriers enforce the Knox tripping for repair?
Although this looks like a great device, if the Knox trip invalidates warranty, you may be very angry if lets say the usb port or power button malfunctions and repair is not covered.
Might as well buy a Note 4 exynos since apparently warranty is not valid in usa.
bjrmd said:
Anyone have an idea which carriers enforce the Knox tripping for repair?
Although this looks like a great device, if the Knox trip invalidates warranty, you may be very angry if lets say the usb port or power button malfunctions and repair is not covered.
Might as well buy a Note 4 exynos since apparently warranty is not valid in usa.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Technically the US has a law, the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, which should limit manufacturers voiding of warranties to that damage which can reasonably be blamed on the consumer. (for example, rooting your device shouldn't void the warranty for a defective power button) However, manufacturers usually claim the opposite here and I'm not aware of successful legal challenges.
Looks like sprint at least is ok with it
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2674884
TheBlueRaja said:
Its more than Adaway / Titanium backup, its removing Facebook, Instagram and Skype, which i don't use and or want, being able to run Xposed and root explorer so that i can use MY phone the way I want it without permanently affecting the resale value even if its returned to stock.
Look at it this way, I have a lovely PC for you - top of the line, fast as hell, lots of memory, premium price, but im going to install Windows 8 on there and a bunch of FREE apps , only im going prevent you from removing them, make sure you cant put Linux or Windows 7 or Windows 10 on there until i say so, prevent you from making any change to the Windows directory otherwise we'll stop you from buying things PERMANENTLY and void your warranty on the hardware so that you'll not be able to sell it on. EVEN IF you factory reset it with my software....
Its a shame as i REALLY wanted this phone, but it looks like it may not be for me unless something crops up with regard to KNOX and root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree. My last Samsung was a note 2 which knox wasn't a factor and not a big push then. I didn't got to any Samsung's after that due to knox.
I just want root for the reason's you do and edit the phone's density.
Its a shame that we cannot just flash back to stock and "close things up" per say if we want to sell it or have a non root related warranty issue.
Knox is mainly geared toward the business side , so why not make Knox activated by a Admin when the phone is to be used for business where the security is needed. And leave it un-activated for the rest of us.
And i would think the ratio of people rooting vs people not rooting (nor even knowing what it is) is so slim that allowing it wouldn't cause a pandemic in warranty claims.
I know before i root anything i make sure all my points are covered and there are processes in place to un-brick a device. Which i haven't had to unbrick a device since my Moto X or OG Droid.
---------- Post added at 11:13 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:28 AM ----------
bjrmd said:
if the Knox trip invalidates warranty, you may be very angry if lets say the usb port or power button malfunctions and repair is not covered.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree +1
I am considering buying a new S6 in the UK. I am interested in root but reluctant to trip KNOX in case I need to return the phone.
So PingPongRoot would be ideal but of course it needs Android < 5.1.1. However as far as I can tell 5.1.1 has been out for 6 months or more.
Is there any likelihood of getting hold of a phone with 5.0.2 at this stage? Mainstream websites selling the S6 don't seem to specify the exact version. Of course there is eBay, but I am reluctant to buy a non-official phone as then I don't have a manufacturer guarantee anyway.
So I guess I am out of luck - root without KNOX is no longer available to new buyers. However if anyone has any good ideas I would certainly appreciate it.
Thanks
You could use the engineering bootloader. That's what I've been doing since release. However I don't know if it works from 5.1.1 to the 5.0.2 engineering bootloader. This is the only one that was leaked for the international version. Ymmv!
Just search engineering bootloader s6*
Edit: You cannot use the fingerprint scanner while on 5.1.1 because it's incompatible with 5.0.2, but other than that it's a fine solution and no Knox tripping ☺
@Derduden good suggestion thanks. It's certainly useful to have the engineering bootloader available as an option.
I not sure if I'll try it as there are, as you say, some restrictions and complications. Maybe I'll just accept the KNOX trip. Or maybe all this hassle with KNOX is enough to make me pick a different phone that is more friendly to rooters
Adam_PS said:
@Derduden good suggestion thanks. It's certainly useful to have the engineering bootloader available as an option.
I not sure if I'll try it as there are, as you say, some restrictions and complications. Maybe I'll just accept the KNOX trip. Or maybe all this hassle with KNOX is enough to make me pick a different phone that is more friendly to rooters
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there a reason why you want to root the device? If you are the type that flashes alot I would not get this phone.
Sent from my SM-G920T using Tapatalk
I brought a phone in to a Samsung service center with Knox Tripped, water damage, and a cracked glass back. They fixed the water damage for me for free, and Knox wasn't a problem.
@WolfsFang My reasons for root are:
Privacy/permission control: Xprivacy/app ops/cyanogen built-in
AdBlock (yes I know there are non-root options, but not as good IMO)
Good backups: Titanium and Nandroid
Firewall to control what apps get WiFi/4G
Maybe other root only tweaks, xposed apps etc
I might flash a ROM once at some stage and leave it forever. Not flashing a lot. A guess the ROM can lose some functions with Samsung closed drivers. I think I saw a thread about it but lost it now. Maybe the high res camera?
I would definitely be interested in suggestions for a similar phone . I have just created myself a post over on the device suggestion thread.
Hiyee people.
So I'm planning to go Custom ROM and I'm thinking, is it worth it? My warranty is about to lapse next month. What will I loose if knox has been tripped? Samsung Pay is not really a concern of mine since I have a feeling that it will never be implemented in my country. Enlighten me Custom ROM folks.
Personally unless you want something very specific I wouldn't say it's worth it.
You won't get magic performance or battery life enhancement from them, so just depends if you want call recording or some other strange option
One thing that will affect you if you root and custom rom the phone is selling it. I would say it's harder to sell it if you've tripped the knox counter etc.. I'd be p'd if I bought a phone and found out it had been rooted and lost functionality.
I'm just curious to know whether or not it's possible to restore from a KNOX trip after installing TWRP and a custom Rom. Does restoring stock Rom via Odin restore KNOX status to x0?
No. Once it's done it's done. It's a hardware fuse that blows. You can't undo that.....
Thanks for taking the time to reply. Damn that sucks. So if i trip KNOX and go back to stock Rom via Odin, will I experience tripped KNOX related errors and popups? Would Samsung Pay still be functional?
michel5891 said:
Thanks for taking the time to reply. Damn that sucks. So if i trip KNOX and go back to stock Rom via Odin, will I experience tripped KNOX related errors and popups? Would Samsung Pay still be functional?
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No Samsung Pay, S Health, Secure Folder, and everything that is knox related.
I just got mine in the mail. Literally 3 minutes ago. SM-G955FD.
So aster rooting I'm definitely going to see Samsung Pay related errors and if i were to attempt to resell, those errors would be dead giveaway. Correct?
I'm debating whether or not to root and put custom Rom on it.
michel5891 said:
I just got mine in the mail. Literally 3 minutes ago. SM-G955FD.
So aster rooting I'm definitely going to see Samsung Pay related errors and if i were to attempt to resell, those errors would be dead giveaway. Correct?
I'm debating whether or not to root and put custom Rom on it.
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Most definitely
The phone will be missing all those features stated above and also no warranty
Will majorly affect resale price
Not really fair to resell without stating the issues from rooting
So I guess that settles it. Not going to root. That sucks. How is Samsung getting away with this ****? Apple-like behavior. I'll miss rooting; custom roms etc.
Thats whay i will sale my s8+. Thats bored whithout custom roms.
I will back to Note 5, S7 Edge. I think the "new" note 7 will come whith the same problem like the s8. Fu()/&= KNOX !
It's Samsung's loss, modding community will move away from Samsung devices if they continue this lock down crap. I got an international variant so I can root. I don't really care about Samsung pay, S health and secure folder are nice so that sucks but there are likely alternatives in the play store.
VICosPhi said:
It's Samsung's loss, modding community will move away from Samsung devices if they continue this lock down crap. I got an international variant so I can root. I don't really care about Samsung pay, S health and secure folder are nice so that sucks but there are likely alternatives in the play store.
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You're absolutely right. I've already started looking as other devices, the only caveat is the specs -- the hardware. They're not up to par with Samsung's technology. I hope I'm wrong about this. If i am and there are other devices that are just as good or even better, I'll jump ship.
so u cant use S health in a rooted device? like heart rate monitor and running stress test? etc?
You can use those on a rooted device by hiding root. If you go back to stock, those will not work.
Well now this is confusing me a bit. There's rooting and there's installing custom recovery. Which of the two is going to trip Knox?
michel5891 said:
Well now this is confusing me a bit. There's rooting and there's installing custom recovery. Which of the two is going to trip Knox?
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Both; you need to install a custom recovery to root.
Near_07 said:
so u cant use S health in a rooted device? like heart rate monitor and running stress test? etc?
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AFAIK, S Health is the only one of the knox-related apps that can work on a rooted device. Check out this post for instructions.
zfzszt said:
Both; you need to install a custom recovery to root.
AFAIK, S Health is the only one of the knox-related apps that can work on a rooted device. Check out this post for instructions.
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I'm waiting for that mothership.:crying:
Samsung had locked devices since at least the S6 using Knox. Still one of the highest selling phones out there so I doubt they will care about a few losses in sales. Provably make up more I sales gained by corporate clients.
Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk
Lets be clear here, warranty is only lost in some countries, not all. In the EU its not, even if Samsung claim it is. You should be getting the seller to deal with any warranty claim anyway, not Samsung directly.
As for it being Samsungs loss, well the modding community is absolutely tiny, far less than 1% of sales, so they really dont care and lose nothing. Its a small price to pay for the potential security issues a hacked Knox can bring, for example.. Its possible to simulate knox, or 'secure folder' on a device, but in reality the phone is sending back all the information in that folder to a third party server. However to do this you have to root and flash custom software, this trips the real knox, which the device will then complain about. Tripping Knox has to be permanent otherwise it can be bypassed.
ChrisM75 said:
Lets be clear here, warranty is only lost in some countries, not all. In the EU its not, even if Samsung claim it is. You should be getting the seller to deal with any warranty claim anyway, not Samsung directly.
As for it being Samsungs loss, well the modding community is absolutely tiny, far less than 1% of sales, so they really dont care and lose nothing. Its a small price to pay for the potential security issues a hacked Knox can bring, for example.. Its possible to simulate knox, or 'secure folder' on a device, but in reality the phone is sending back all the information in that folder to a third party server. However to do this you have to root and flash custom software, this trips the real knox, which the device will then complain about. Tripping Knox has to be permanent otherwise it can be bypassed.
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1% is an over statement.
0.01% is probably still overkill.
Far less than 1%... Well, for giant company like Samsung is, thats lot of money.. But... where is Knox exactly located on motherboard? Can be regain by erasing all (nand erase all, efs, etc) and than flashing all partitions through BOX-Octopus Box and dongle????
zfzszt said:
Both; you need to install a custom recovery to root.
AFAIK, S Health is the only one of the knox-related apps that can work on a rooted device. Check out this post for instructions.
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Click to collapse
No. Rooting has literally nothing to do with the knox counter. Knox is protection against untrusted code.
Every single snapdragon s8 s8+ and n8 of rooted with a 0x0 counter, so it's a little more than possible