Rooting, OS downgrades, Knox, and backup software questions - General Questions and Answers

Hi everyone, I'm purchasing an S6 next week and I have a few questions. I'm not a Android expert, so excuse my ignorance on some of these questions. I have been a Blackberry user for over 10 years and have a samsung tablet I sometimes use so I know enough to get by.
1. From what I have read there is a Samsung Knox which is a counter that will detect if the phone is rooted and it can possibly void the warranty. I have Att and I hate bloatware on my phones, so based on a previous post i made, it appears the only way to remove these apps is by rooting. Is there a way to flash a custom rom without tripping this counter or is it too soon to tell?
2. Lets say I keep the factory OS that came with the phone and I upgrade the OS, OTA when Samsung/ATT releases the next version of android in the future, is it possible to downgrade to the older version (or current lolipop) without tripping Knox and voiding any warranty or as soon as the phone is flashed with a new OS it is not under warranty anymore?
3. If i understand correctly Knox keeps track of how many times the phone has been flashed and if it has been rooted? If the phone is flashed with an older version of android released by Samsung/ATT is it still going to keep track of this or only when it is flashed with a custom rom?
4. Lastly what is the best backup software for backing up app data? I believe I had downloaded Keiss for my tablet but that is not compatible with S6 so Smart Switch and Helium I have read are the best options unless there are others you guys recommend.
Cheers

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To Root or Not to Root

Hello Community!!
I have owned many androids over the years, and have recently got an S6, hoping to dive back into the game of rooting, modding and messing around until my phones works the way i want it to. There are MANY things that really Piss me off about my T-MObile variant of the S6, including the horrible battery life, bloatware, and lack of personality. I Really would love to root my device, but KNOX. OMG what is this?! If i Root, no Samsung pay? What other downsides are there to rooting? But recently, my phone installed "ANdroid Pay" SO I am thinking, I should just root, forget Samsung pay and just use Google pay or whatever they call it.
As you guys can tell from my sig, I have been very inactive on these forums. I am hoping someone can give me some advice here---
Thanks So much
EMilio
beforedenied said:
Hello Community!!
I have owned many androids over the years, and have recently got an S6, hoping to dive back into the game of rooting, modding and messing around until my phones works the way i want it to. There are MANY things that really Piss me off about my T-MObile variant of the S6, including the horrible battery life, bloatware, and lack of personality. I Really would love to root my device, but KNOX. OMG what is this?! If i Root, no Samsung pay? What other downsides are there to rooting? But recently, my phone installed "ANdroid Pay" SO I am thinking, I should just root, forget Samsung pay and just use Google pay or whatever they call it.
As you guys can tell from my sig, I have been very inactive on these forums. I am hoping someone can give me some advice here---
Thanks So much
EMilio
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are pros and cons to root.
The first pro is limitless customizations and personalizations.
The first con is OTA updates get disabled.
Another pro is you are able to dramatically improve battery and overall performance using various apps.
Another con is your warranty will be void, assuming you tripped KNOX.
If you trip KNOX, Samsung Pay no longer works; if you have root (even without touching KNOX) Android Pay does not work.
I obtained root just to prove to myself it could be done.
Since then there have been dramatic improvements with speed and battery life.
Package Disabler Pro can freeze a lot of the bloatware without root: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ospolice.packagedisablerpro&hl=en
Hi,
It's a highly personal decision. I myself for the first time am holding on rooting - I was the one who made the most famous Xoom rooting tool and also S4 Linux Root Script, so that tells a lot. The thing is, meanwhile my device is satisfying my needs, and I'm really curious about Samsung Pay, as it has a way wider support than Android Pay and other systems.
The best thing about rooting in my opinion was the endless system customization - specially after Xposed was released. The way better data management I had, better system control and some exclusive apps that require root or works better with root. If you are really pissed about Samsung TouchWiz apps and system "features", rooting would be a nice idea. Just keep in mind that after rooting Knox will be tripped and there's no turning back with Knox. Depending on your country, Knox trip also means warranty void, because once rooted you can unroot and make it looks like nothing happened.
Just adding what was already said, but Android Pay doesn't work with root.
All the best,
~Lord
Sent from my SM-G920I using Tapatalk
XxLordxX said:
Hi,
It's a highly personal decision. I myself for the first time am holding on rooting - I was the one who made the most famous Xoom rooting tool and also S4 Linux Root Script, so that tells a lot. The thing is, meanwhile my device is satisfying my needs, and I'm really curious about Samsung Pay, as it has a way wider support than Android Pay and other systems.
The best thing about rooting in my opinion was the endless system customization - specially after Xposed was released. The way better data management I had, better system control and some exclusive apps that require root or works better with root. If you are really pissed about Samsung TouchWiz apps and system "features", rooting would be a nice idea. Just keep in mind that after rooting Knox will be tripped and there's no turning back with Knox. Depending on your country, Knox trip also means warranty void, because once rooted you can unroot and make it looks like nothing happened.
Just adding what was already said, but Android Pay doesn't work with root.
All the best,
~Lord
Sent from my SM-G920I using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rooting doesn't allways mean tripped knox. I have my G920F rooted and knox intact. This can be done even after updrade to 5.1.1 stok firmware.
An android phone for me is worthless without root permissions. I need it for:
adaway adds
iptables (firewall)
better battery life (debloat)
titanium backup
JuanRamiro said:
Rooting doesn't allways mean tripped knox. I have my G920F rooted and knox intact. This can be done even after updrade to 5.1.1 stok firmware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was only aware of root that can be applied before upgrade to 5.1.1.
Can you advise how you applied root after 5.1.1? Thanks.
Iceman_jkh said:
I was only aware of root that can be applied before upgrade to 5.1.1.
Can you advise how you applied root after 5.1.1? Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just install de 5.0.2 engineering bootloader via ODIN. Then instal TRWP via ODIN.
After this two steps you can flash whatever you want via TRWP.
Edit: with the 5.0.2 bootloader you will loose fingerprint scanner, the rest works great, at least with the custom rom I am using.
JuanRamiro said:
Just install de 5.0.2 engineering bootloader via ODIN. Then instal TRWP via ODIN.
After this two steps you can flash whatever you want via TRWP.
Edit: with the 5.0.2 bootloader you will loose fingerprint scanner, the rest works great, at least with the custom rom I am using.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Keep in mind this engineering bootloader does not work with all variants. For example there is no Eng Bootloader for the Canadian phones.
Thank you both. I have the international SM-G920F (technically it's the dual Sim version, SM-G920FD, (from United Arab Emirates)).
So, to confirm, would the eng boot loader still work on my device variant, and allow root without tripping KNOX?
Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk
Iceman_jkh said:
Thank you both. I have the international SM-G920F (technically it's the dual Sim version, SM-G920FD, (from United Arab Emirates)).
So, to confirm, would the eng boot loader still work on my device variant, and allow root without tripping KNOX?
Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the single sim version of the G920F, so I don't know if it will work with the dual sim.
I don't think that it will strip you knox...
... and I think that if your phone doesn't work with this bootloader, you can just flash the correct one and make it work again.
But these are just guesses... you decide if you want to take the risk.
Good luck.
JuanRamiro said:
I have the single sim version of the G920F, so I don't know if it will work with the dual sim.
I don't think that it will strip you knox...
... and I think that if your phone doesn't work with this bootloader, you can just flash the correct one and make it work again.
But these are just guesses... you decide if you want to take the risk.
Good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. I did some additional research, thanks to your advice about eng boot loader, and seems like it will work ☺
Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk
JuanRamiro said:
I have the single sim version of the G920F, so I don't know if it will work with the dual sim.
I don't think that it will strip you knox...
... and I think that if your phone doesn't work with this bootloader, you can just flash the correct one and make it work again.
But these are just guesses... you decide if you want to take the risk.
Good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
I wouldn't risk that "you can just flash the correct one and make it work again". If you know how a bootloader work, if it gets broken there is no way to get to Download Mode and flash a new firmware/bootloader.
For information sake, a bootloader is a piece of software that is the first thing loaded when you boot your device, it comes before anything, be it kernel, be it recovery or anything else, that means, if you have a broken bootloader, the moment you try to boot your device up, it will try loading BL and it will fail, so it will shut down back again. I've had a broken BL once before on S4, the only way to recover was a direct flash of software in system chip using a tool called JTAG.
So, all I can say to users who still didn't get it: beware with this. It seems that many people are getting successful results, but it's an extremely risk procedure, make sure you read every single instruction and follow it, the possibility of a hard brick is high.
Even still, it's a great find, thanks for sharing with me, I didn't know of this until early today .
All the best,
~Lord
I wonder whether Samsung pay will work again after reflash stock rom after root? Is it like knox, once rooted you will never have it no mater what you do including going back to pure stock?
XxLordxX said:
Depending on your country, Knox trip also means warranty void, because once rooted you can unroot and make it looks like nothing happened.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you mean, once rooted we can unroot and install the stock firmware and hence tripped Knox will be restored as well?
Or the unrooting will only help to restore the stock but the knox will continue to remain tripped. I would like to know this as I am considering purchasing S6. The last samsung phone I owned was S2 and used that for 3 full years with out any problems.
Thanks.
coolmalayalee said:
Did you mean, once rooted we can unroot and install the stock firmware and hence tripped Knox will be restored as well?
Or the unrooting will only help to restore the stock but the knox will continue to remain tripped. I would like to know this as I am considering purchasing S6. The last samsung phone I owned was S2 and used that for 3 full years with out any problems.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Once Knox is tripped its tripped but, yes you can flash original firmware and as long as you factory reset it, it will be unrooted and ready for official updates.
jetbruceli said:
Once Knox is tripped its tripped but, yes you can flash original firmware and as long as you factory reset it, it will be unrooted and ready for official updates.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. But can you be a bit more specific of if the unrooting, flashing stock, and factory resting will finally untrip the tripped Knox as well? My question in the event I need to take this back to a service center to claim warranty for whatever reason, is there any way for them to know that I have voided warranty if I unroot, flash back the stock and factory reset?
coolmalayalee said:
Thanks. But can you be a bit more specific of if the unrooting, flashing stock, and factory resting will finally untrip the tripped Knox as well? My question in the event I need to take this back to a service center to claim warranty for whatever reason, is there any way for them to know that I have voided warranty if I unroot, flash back the stock and factory reset?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Once tripped there is no going back. Voided warranty depends on laws of your country and your retailers policy.
coolmalayalee said:
Thanks. But can you be a bit more specific of if the unrooting, flashing stock, and factory resting will finally untrip the tripped Knox as well? My question in the event I need to take this back to a service center to claim warranty for whatever reason, is there any way for them to know that I have voided warranty if I unroot, flash back the stock and factory reset?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
YOU CAN NOT UNTRIP KNOX, you can reflash your firmware from Sammobile, http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/database/SM-G920F/
use odin and then after you flash, go into recovery or use system settings and conduct a factory reset. It will say Official in the status but, since they will reflash your rom anyways, they will see the knox trip.
It depends on where you purschased your device whether or not they will warranty it with Knox tripped.
Honestly, anyone who roots should understand this information before hand. You should always know how to return to stock unroot.
Jameslwoodward said:
I wonder whether Samsung pay will work again after reflash stock rom after root? Is it like knox, once rooted you will never have it no mater what you do including going back to pure stock?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After rooting my 5.1.1 without tripping Knox, with the 5.0.2 engineering bootloader (as as described a few posts ago) I have flashed a stok rom with odin and then everything went back as it was before the rooting procedure.
1. I was on stok oficial rom with oficial bootloader.
2. I lost root.
3. Knox was still intact: 0.
4. Fingerprint scanner and MyKnox worked again.
So: after upgrade to 5.1.1, rooting with the 5.0.2 engineering bootloader seems to be safe and also easy to bo back to stock... at least for my model (G920F)

[Q]Will tripped KNOX prevent us from going to Marshmallow?

So the whole KNOX thing doesn't bother me from a warranty standpoint but the fact that Samsung could also prevent updates because I have been told that the bootloader gets marked with the flag and will not accept updating. What if Android 6.0 requires a new bootloader and we are stuck because of KNOX.
Can anyone put me at ease on this or do I have a valid concern?
PS: I am currently on 5.1.1 stock and not KNOX'ed up, but would like to try out a custom rom, but only if I know for certain that when 6 rolls out I can still upgrade.
anosis said:
So the whole KNOX thing doesn't bother me from a warranty standpoint but the fact that Samsung could also prevent updates because I have been told that the bootloader gets marked with the flag and will not accept updating. What if Android 6.0 requires a new bootloader and we are stuck because of KNOX.
Can anyone put me at ease on this or do I have a valid concern?
PS: I am currently on 5.1.1 stock and not KNOX'ed up, but would like to try out a custom rom, but only if I know for certain that when 6 rolls out I can still upgrade.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you ont get ota if you systemis modified but if you revert to stock rom unrroted but knox tripped then you wll get ota or you can directly flash marshmallow update

Galaxy S5 Root and Questions

I own a Samsung Galaxy S5 and I want to root to get full functionality from the device. I have read several root guides but they seem to be very old. Things like Towelroot I have read doesn't work anymore.
So if someone can give me a link or post and effective and up to date guide for rooting would be great.
I also have a few questions about rooting.
1. I have heard that some roots trip Samsung Knox so I need a root that wont do this
2. What does the Knox flag 0x1 actually do to the device other than void warrenty? I have heard it permanently disables Samsung services for the phone/tablet like Kies and adds warnings to the boot screen, but I don't know if this is true.
3. I want to get Android updates for security and such, will a small update cause unroot? (I will also upgrade to Android 6.0 if/when its available for the S5 and I know upgrade will unroot)
If there is a chance of tripping Knox I will not root. I also want to be able to return the phone back to exact stock software, settings and flags as before it was rooted if I choose to.
Phone info:
AT&T S5
Model: SAMSUNG-SM-G900A
Android version: 5.1.1
Baseband version: G900AUCU4COI5
Kernel version: 3.4.0-5869384
KNOX version
KONX 2.5
Standard SDK 4.5.0
Premium SDK 2.5.0
ect...
Don't root!!
I've got the same problem as you brother. I've got the same phone specs. I think we are out of luck right now. Attempting anything is probably a really bad idea.
But I second this call for help, I'm curious to know if there is anything that can be done.
@Woogoo as of now you can't root the AT&T S5 latest OS so don't try...

[Completed] OTA Updates after Root

Hi Guys,
i have some questions concerning rooting. I have a stock Galaxy S7 (SM-G930F) with T-Mobile branding. I would like to install a Custom ROM because my battery life is so bad but i love this phone (for example because of its water resistance and the fact that my hobby is diving ).
So my plan is:
1. root my device and install a custom Nougat ROM (to change the screen resolution)
2. when the official update is out i want to go back to stock Firmware
3. now my question: Is it possible to receive OTA Updates after getting back to stock firmware?
I know know is set to 0x1 after a root and im going to lose my varranty but thats no problem, i would only like to receive OTA Updates after going back to stock firmware.
Thank you for your help!
Greetings from Munich and have a great new Year 2017
Hi!
As long as your device is stock, recovery included, you should receive the ota no problem. So flashing stock firmware and recovery should do the trick. :good:
Don't accept an ota if you do happen to get an update notification, if you are not completely stock. It will fail.
Last resort too, is flashing an updated version manually. If that's possible for your device.
Good luck!
I posted i thought but don't see it i rooted an LG ls675 with king root removed a couple preinstalled apps sprint zone and 2 amazon apps I mistakenly tried ota failed found out this unrooted my phone and tried another ota that failed also running stock installed a root browser titanium bu busy box ect do i need to remove these apps or will i have to do factory reset to get this update running 5.1.1

What's the safest way to root & possibly BL Unlock my TMobile Galaxy S6 SM-G920T?

I'm new to posting to these forums, so forgive me if i don't add the right tags or do something right...
Anyway, I was given a TMobile Galaxy S6 as a hand-me-down phone from my family, and wanted to know what was the best way to root the device. I don't really care if i trip Knox, but i'd like it to be unnoticeable, and i'd love to not trip it at all, if possible. I don't want to have an "Unlocked" sign everytime i bootup. I want to be able to run Vanilla Oreo (or close to it) without touchwiz as the phone has been getting laggy, and since i already have another Rooted Device, it's not laggy when running Resurrection Remix, which i'll probably end up running that ROM on this phone as well. I've heard the TMobile version has a Bootloader unlock, but i'm not sure how to go about doing that without bricking the device. The reason i'm asking is because the last Samsung device i had, a Galaxy S5, was bricked for a number of months before i was able to flash stock again using a SD Card, and i don't want to have to go through that again with this phone. Should i just follow this tutorial? or is there a better way to flash without tripping Knox? I know how to root & BL Unlock, i've done it on a number of close-to-stock devices, but Samsung devices are a whole 'nother world of trouble that i don't even know how to deal with.
Device: T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S6 - SM-G920T
Running: Android 7.0
Build Number: NRD90M.G920TUVU5FQG3
Baseband Version: G920TUVU5FQG3
I have the same phone ,first go to developer option and allow iem unlock ,reboot to odin and flash cf auto root (choose the one for your modele and os exactly) then reboot

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