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Short question: how can I downgrade or FRP unlock a S8+ G955F that is FRP locked and on very recent firmware?
Here are the details:
I am trying to assist a family member with a Galaxy S8+ (SM-G955F) that they have just purchased online. When purchasing it they were not told that FRP lock is on (FRP LOCK: ON) and OEM lock is on (OEM LOCK: ON). It was running Bootloader v2 on very recent stock firmware. It has been successfully flashed with BL_G955FXXU2CRED and AP_G955FXXU2CRED...
It was on G955FXXU2CRED firmware. I was able to successfully able to flash the Combination ROM COMBINATION_FA70_G955FXXU2ARE1 (full name COMBINATION_FA70_G955FXXU2ARE1_CL12792727_QB18097821_REV00_user_mid_noship.tar)
With combination rom, it seemed that I could enable USB Debugging, and also follow the steps for *#0808# IME to enable the appropriate mode for adb codes to be entered. I was able to find the device with 'adb devices', and I thought that the FRP unlock codes on the command line worked. But after re-flashing to the current Stock Firmware again, FRP lock was still there.
It seems I need to downgrade to Nougat 7.0, but I am on Bootloader V2. Odin identifies it by a FAIL with binary not matched (2 vs 1). So it seems that if I could get a method to keep Bootloader V2 and install Stock Firmware for Android 7.0 Nougat, I would be halfway there to fixing the FRP problem. However, I can't find any firmware or ROMs for G955F that includes Bootloader V2. This is identified by a U2 in the firmware name, like: G955FXXU2CRED . Is there a way to keep the BL Bootloader V2 but install AP ROM from Nougat?
I have spent many hours on this so far, and I just wanted to say thank you to all you guys who are helping on XDA, I really appreciate it. I have read about 7 day waiting periods for OEM UNLOCK but I don't see how it applies, as I can't do anything aside from use Combination ROM, use Odin, or go to the FRP locked FW which seems to be a dead end?
If there was a reliable method for rooting this G955F device with this G955FXXU2CRED firmware, I would be open to trying it.
details
Another note: AP SW Rev is identified as B:2 K:1 S:1
I don't think once a phone has the boot loader CRED, that the phone can be downgraded. Hope I am wrong.
JeffDC said:
I don't think once a phone has the boot loader CRED, that the phone can be downgraded. Hope I am wrong.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you are right. The combination ROM seems to built on selinux version 7.
I think I need to root with twrp. But first I need to enable OEM unlock. I'm not sure if that will be possible with combination ROM or if I should flash latest stock and then wait 7 days??
same problem here... If an solution available pls write here
anonan said:
I think you are right. The combination ROM seems to built on selinux version 7.
I think I need to root with twrp. But first I need to enable OEM unlock. I'm not sure if that will be possible with combination ROM or if I should flash latest stock and then wait 7 days??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flashing stock rom and waiting 7 days would be the safe option.
I am not exactly sure what you are trying to achieve.
https://www.samsung.com/us/support/frp/
anonan said:
I think you are right. The combination ROM seems to built on selinux version 7.
I think I need to root with twrp. But first I need to enable OEM unlock. I'm not sure if that will be possible with combination ROM or if I should flash latest stock and then wait 7 days??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think I read someone on CarHDRom who flashed the rom via TWRP, and then when the phone booted into system for the first time at setting up, they changed the date to 8 days earlier, and when the phone setup was completed and booted into system, the OEM unlock was available.
Re: CRED I believe once it has been installed on a phone, you can not go back to a previous version (pre CRED).
JeffDC said:
I think I read someone on CarHDRom who flashed the rom via TWRP, and then when the phone booted into system for the first time at setting up, they changed the date to 8 days earlier,.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wonder if I can do this date trick with combination FW to enable OEM unlock.
anonan said:
I wonder if I can do this date trick with combination FW to enable OEM unlock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It seems there are a few solutions to frp if you can selectively restore flash files. It looks like Samsung tool Pro can do this, but is there any free adb method?
http://forum.gsmhosting.com/vbb/f453/new-solution-remove-frp-s8-plus-sm-g955f-last-security-2422242/
Especially this http://forum.gsmhosting.com/vbb/f453/g955f-rev-2-frp-100-no-box-2417931/
Hi, could you send me a link of the combination firmware please Can't find it anywhere My email address is [email protected] I currently have similar experience of yours I thought everythings gonna be okay but it was too good to be true Help
anonan said:
Short question: how can I downgrade or FRP unlock a S8+ G955F that is FRP locked and on very recent firmware?
Here are the details:
I am trying to assist a family member with a Galaxy S8+ (SM-G955F) that they have just purchased online. When purchasing it they were not told that FRP lock is on (FRP LOCK: ON) and OEM lock is on (OEM LOCK: ON). It was running Bootloader v2 on very recent stock firmware. It has been successfully flashed with BL_G955FXXU2CRED and AP_G955FXXU2CRED...
It was on G955FXXU2CRED firmware. I was able to successfully able to flash the Combination ROM COMBINATION_FA70_G955FXXU2ARE1 (full name COMBINATION_FA70_G955FXXU2ARE1_CL12792727_QB18097821_REV00_user_mid_noship.tar)
With combination rom, it seemed that I could enable USB Debugging, and also follow the steps for *#0808# IME to enable the appropriate mode for adb codes to be entered. I was able to find the device with 'adb devices', and I thought that the FRP unlock codes on the command line worked. But after re-flashing to the current Stock Firmware again, FRP lock was still there.
It seems I need to downgrade to Nougat 7.0, but I am on Bootloader V2. Odin identifies it by a FAIL with binary not matched (2 vs 1). So it seems that if I could get a method to keep Bootloader V2 and install Stock Firmware for Android 7.0 Nougat, I would be halfway there to fixing the FRP problem. However, I can't find any firmware or ROMs for G955F that includes Bootloader V2. This is identified by a U2 in the firmware name, like: G955FXXU2CRED . Is there a way to keep the BL Bootloader V2 but install AP ROM from Nougat?
I have spent many hours on this so far, and I just wanted to say thank you to all you guys who are helping on XDA, I really appreciate it. I have read about 7 day waiting periods for OEM UNLOCK but I don't see how it applies, as I can't do anything aside from use Combination ROM, use Odin, or go to the FRP locked FW which seems to be a dead end?
If there was a reliable method for rooting this G955F device with this G955FXXU2CRED firmware, I would be open to trying it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
anonan said:
It seems there are a few solutions to frp if you can selectively restore flash files. It looks like Samsung tool Pro can do this, but is there any free adb method?
http://forum.gsmhosting.com/vbb/f453/new-solution-remove-frp-s8-plus-sm-g955f-last-security-2422242/
Especially this http://forum.gsmhosting.com/vbb/f453/g955f-rev-2-frp-100-no-box-2417931/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It worked! Flashed the Comb file with Odin and do what he does in the video, then flashed the Stock G955FXXU2CRED and now its unlocked I dont know how i did this but its worked!
darknagel said:
It worked! Flashed the Comb file with Odin and do what he does in the video, then flashed the Stock G955FXXU2CRED and now its unlocked I dont know how i did this but its worked!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Excellent.
I still can't get this to work. Have you purchased Samsung tool Pro to do the flashing of individual boot files? What version?
Hi there. I already bypassed the frp.. If you need. Hp with android 8.0 even with the binary 2. I have some comb files and working stock roms through odin. Feel free to pm me via my email [email protected]. Thanks!
how
darknagel said:
It worked! Flashed the Comb file with Odin and do what he does in the video, then flashed the Stock G955FXXU2CRED and now its unlocked I dont know how i did this but its worked!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi
Can you let me know the steps as i am trying but i cant flash the stock firmware after the factory binary
thx
oz_ezekiel said:
Hi
Can you let me know the steps as i am trying but i cant flash the stock firmware after the factory binary
thx
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Download latest odin and try again. I too got stuck in similar situation. Realised the issue is due to Odin. If you are using latest and encountered this error, try one version earlier.
I too can confirm that the combination-ROM works like a charm with odin. FRP kinda unlocked itself
OEM unlock does not come up, regardless of what I have tried. Therefore, I cannot install TWRP.
Model:SM-G955F
Firmware: G955FXXU3CRGH
Samsung Official
RMM state: Normal
OEM Lock: Off
TWRP 3.2.3-0 dream2lte
I have tried to get TWRP installed using 2 different computer, 3 different cords (including original).
Odin 3.12.3, 3.13.1, and Prince Comsy Odin
Tried resetting date but when phone restarted, date was automatically updated (deleted Samsung and Google accounts, unchecked automatic setting, for clock, used only Wi-Fi, only data, and then airplane).
Nothing has worked. Continually says, "Custom binary(RECOVERY) blocked due to remaining installment balance"
Any help resolving this would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Edit #1 - still having the same problem even after flashing official firmware. Phone says, "installment balance: outstanding". Bought the phone though Swappa and said IMEI was good (looked yesterday, to confirm).
Seeing I am not the only person having this problem and Samsung support is not very helpful.
If anyone has figured out how to resolve this, please let me know. Love this phone but need to be rooted.
I had one with the same problem, I never found a solution to this: /
it will show up after a week...
gerber.chua said:
it will show up after a week...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Even though RMM state shows as normal, now?
Once your RMM state is normal you should remove it by script cause sometimes it become prenormal again and about OEM it should appear after 7 days once RMM = normal
archillect said:
Once your RMM state is normal you should remove it by script cause sometimes it become prenormal again and about OEM it should appear after 7 days once RMM = normal
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How remove RMM by script?
gerber.chua said:
it will show up after a week...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Still has yet to show up...
RMM state has never said prenormal but no OEM unlock, even after installing official firmware. And cannot get combination file to flash, as it hangs on boot screen.
Truly ready to move on from this phone and possibly Samsung.
Greetings, ever since i tried rooting my phone, i knew something went wrong (i used cf autoroot).
So the first thing i noticed, i was asked to reset the phone or something similar to that, meaning i would lose all my data.
I tried to find a workaround as this had never happened to me before while rooting a phone, and someone had said that i was supposed to download twrp
and change some partition and then change it back. I dont remember what else he mentioned and what exactly i tried doing, i realised it was formatted either way and i had to start fresh. As i setup my phone i went and switched the oem unlock back to "off", as i did not wanna attempt to root again, but i hadn't realised that my phone was infact rooted sucessfully, leading me to my first error after restarting. "Custom binary blocked by frp lock", with absolutely no access to recovery mode at all anymore. Again, trying to find a workaround, i download some stockfirmware that i atleast had hoped was the right one for my phone, after a couple failed attempts of flashing with odin, ( i had gotten various different error messeges on download mode screen such as (REV Check fail device 7 binary 0 and others witch i cannot remember), now im getting a new error screen, stating that an error has occured while updating the device software. I cant flash twrp recovery as the frp lock is on, and the only thing i can guess is that im flashing the wrong firmware, but i cant find a matching code at all.
Its the following: sm-g930fzkadbt
IMEI: 35214310282955
on the back of the phone it says uk yateley, although the phone was purchased in germany.
Im not sure what to do anymore, any advice would be greatly appreciated.
PS: I have managed to get back to the old error screen with the custom binary info, this time with bootloop, by checking the deviceinfo box on odin
Yep you've now learned the hard way not to mess about and read the proper guides.
Anyway "dbt" is just unbranded german firmware. Download UK "BTU" and flash with Odin, it's UK unbranded.
FRP lock means you'll need to unlock the phone with the google account and password that was on it before you started messing about with it.
If you don't know the google email and password you need to read up on how to bypass FRP lock and it's a nightmare.
cooltt said:
Yep you've now learned the hard way not to mess about and read the proper guides.
Anyway "dbt" is just unbranded german firmware. Download UK "BTU" and flash with Odin, it's UK unbranded.
FRP lock means you'll need to unlock the phone with the google account and password that was on it before you started messing about with it.
If you don't know the google email and password you need to read up on how to bypass FRP lock and it's a nightmare.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your reply, just a question, will any btu update work? Should i download latest android version btu firmware?
(Also yes, it was stupid of me to try and do it quick but i had rooted 3 different samsung galaxy phones in the past without issues, either i did something wrong or it took something way too specific to do the job, perhaps the phone's unrootable, but thank you either way) :fingers-crossed:
Elef244 said:
Thanks for your reply, just a question, will any btu update work? Should i download latest android version btu firmware?
(Also yes, it was stupid of me to try and do it quick but i had rooted 3 different samsung galaxy phones in the past without issues, either i did something wrong or it took something way too specific to do the job, perhaps the phone's unrootable, but thank you either way) :fingers-crossed:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You'll likely only find the last version of BTU think it was August 2019. It isn't updated officially anymore but it'll be fine to use.
cooltt said:
You'll likely only find the last version of BTU think it was August 2019. It isn't updated officially anymore but it'll be fine to use.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've found android 6 to android 8 with all the monthly updates, im just trying the latest of the latest though i dont remember my android version, ill try android 7 and 6 if that doesn't work, thanks again. I'll make sure to reply if this works or doesn't.
cooltt said:
Yep you've now learned the hard way not to mess about and read the proper guides.
Anyway "dbt" is just unbranded german firmware. Download UK "BTU" and flash with Odin, it's UK unbranded.
FRP lock means you'll need to unlock the phone with the google account and password that was on it before you started messing about with it.
If you don't know the google email and password you need to read up on how to bypass FRP lock and it's a nightmare.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK so i thought it worked but i can only enter recovery mode now and download mode, but cant actually boot the system, it just boots up the battery screen whenever i plug the charger, and never shows the actual battery info, just the thunder icon. Formatting from recovery mode doesn't help either (Note whenever i launch recovery mode it says installing update, then says no command and brings me to the recovery menu) Any ideas?
PS: It fixed itself. Sorry for the pointless edit.
I have tried everything, I have flashed 4 different firmware versions in odin. Did all the updates, followed the guides and all that yet the OEM unlock option does not appear and kg status is still prenormal. You are probably wondering how I got here. I flashed a GSI rom that I did not like, I flashed back my firmware INCLUDING the bootloader. Flashing the bootloader reset it's state to locked. That in it self was no problem ill just wait 7 days and it will be unlockable again. But no KG state is still prenormal and oem is not unlockable. I just reflashed my firmware and I am going to start waiting *again* hoping that a miracle will happen. How hopeless is the situation with my phone, is it worth hoping it can fix this or will i have to just use the preloaded non rooted firmware? I had a hope to port lineage 18.1 to this phone but I am losing any hope of it happening.
Hi ...... I have stucked in the same situation did you find any solution ?????
Bazzazi said:
Hi ...... I have stucked in the same situation did you find any solution ?????
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No there is absolutely no solution, trust me. EDL method does not work anymore due to the security patch from last year having an new system. Unfortunately there is no working leaked firehose file since then. Don't even try any of the methods on youtube, rewritting the storage with the file from the factory was the only method.
thanks for your reply bro !!!!
I think 7 days up time and internet connect should fix the problem
i'm gonna try it.....
Bazzazi said:
thanks for your reply bro !!!!
I think 7 days up time and internet connect should fix the problem
i'm gonna try it.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you get it fixed?
I think we already have a solution here on XDA portal
[GUIDE][17.06.2019] RMM/KG bypass - Root/Install TWRP on Exynos Samsung after 2018
UPDATE 17.06.2019 - NEW RMM/KG bypass patch UPDATE 23.02.2019 - Pie and more Please take some time and read carefully the whole post. I am not and i won`t be responsable for anything. Disclaimer I am not responsible for bricked devices, dead...
forum.xda-developers.com
hi, can you tell me the exact model and carrier? (csc)
Hi XDA, first time poster and I could not find a similar thread with the answers I was looking for, if that thread exists I apologize!
So basically I started a job in a retail phone shop a few months back. We have a drawer in store that has a bunch of old demo units in there that, once they have been removed from display, just sit there unused. There is phones in there from almost 10 years ago. They are never given back or requested back, nor are they logged in any way.
Well I noticed there was an almost perfect condition S21+ in there so I asked my manager if we could use it as a sales incentive and he replied saying the phones are useless because of the software on them. I said I was pretty sure you could remove the retail software and use it as a normal phone and he said if I can do that and get it working, I can take the phone for myself.
Well, I took it home and did some digging / experimenting. The phone has a proper IMEI already, you can put a SIM into the phone and it registers to the network. The problem is, the phone has security restrictions on data sharing and it does not have the playstore on it and there is no factory data reset option in the settings, nor in recovery mode.
I have tried flashing a stock firmware on using Odin which I thought worked, however when the phone restarts and you go through set up, Samsung Knox pops up and installs settings which forces the phone to set up in retail mode again with the same restrictions as previous (no play store, factory reset etc).
Any idea how to get around this issue? I would have thought flashing stock software would be the obvious work around but something on the phone forces it to install on retail mode every time.
Any advice on this is much appreciated.
Frostyb said:
Hi XDA, first time poster and I could not find a similar thread with the answers I was looking for, if that thread exists I apologize!
So basically I started a job in a retail phone shop a few months back. We have a drawer in store that has a bunch of old demo units in there that, once they have been removed from display, just sit there unused. There is phones in there from almost 10 years ago. They are never given back or requested back, nor are they logged in any way.
Well I noticed there was an almost perfect condition S21+ in there so I asked my manager if we could use it as a sales incentive and he replied saying the phones are useless because of the software on them. I said I was pretty sure you could remove the retail software and use it as a normal phone and he said if I can do that and get it working, I can take the phone for myself.
Well, I took it home and did some digging / experimenting. The phone has a proper IMEI already, you can put a SIM into the phone and it registers to the network. The problem is, the phone has security restrictions on data sharing and it does not have the playstore on it and there is no factory data reset option in the settings, nor in recovery mode.
I have tried flashing a stock firmware on using Odin which I thought worked, however when the phone restarts and you go through set up, Samsung Knox pops up and installs settings which forces the phone to set up in retail mode again with the same restrictions as previous (no play store, factory reset etc).
Any idea how to get around this issue? I would have thought flashing stock software would be the obvious work around but something on the phone forces it to install on retail mode every time.
Any advice on this is much appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried following the steps in a video such as this?
DO THIS COMPLETELY AT YOUR OWN RISK! I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE IF ANYTHING GOES WRONG, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO BRICKING YOUR DEVICE, GETTING A VIRUS OR STARTING A LITERAL WAR.
Everything i was able find on the subject was kind of sketchy-looking (probably because doing this without permission would probably be illegal) so I included a warning.
BloodyFruitDestroyer said:
Have you tried following the steps in a video such as this?
DO THIS COMPLETELY AT YOUR OWN RISK! I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE IF ANYTHING GOES WRONG, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO BRICKING YOUR DEVICE, GETTING A VIRUS OR STARTING A LITERAL WAR.
Everything i was able find on the subject was kind of sketchy-looking (probably because doing this without permission would probably be illegal) so I included a warning.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply!
So I also came across this same video on the subject last night, it seems to be a workaround for bypassing Knox but I couldnt find any further info on what kind of state that leaves the phone in after, if it can still get official updates and such or if it triggered to eFuse that causes you to lose access to Samsung Pay and other official apps.
I'm aware this is at my own risk, the phone will sit in a drawer if I cant figure it out any way so no harm no foul as far as I can see. I've thought about rooting the device (I know this will trigger the eFuse) but I cant find any info on if that would get around the specific issue I'm having of Knox forcing the phone to install in retail settings or not so do not want to go down that road just yet.
Frostyb said:
Thanks for the reply!
So I also came across this same video on the subject last night, it seems to be a workaround for bypassing Knox but I couldnt find any further info on what kind of state that leaves the phone in after, if it can still get official updates and such or if it triggered to eFuse that causes you to lose access to Samsung Pay and other official apps.
I'm aware this is at my own risk, the phone will sit in a drawer if I cant figure it out any way so no harm no foul as far as I can see. I've thought about rooting the device (I know this will trigger the eFuse) but I cant find any info on if that would get around the specific issue I'm having of Knox forcing the phone to install in retail settings or not so do not want to go down that road just yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd say that the Knox workaround would probably (do not quote me on that) leave you with un-tripped Knox (=e-fuse intact) if it even still is. Even if Knox would be tripped, you would still most likely be able to get software updates. But because you said that you have already used Odin successfully on the device, that would lead me to believe that OEM unlocking might already be on in which case there probably isn't any more to lose by rooting the device. On a rooted device there are instructions o WikiHow on how to remove the Knox , but I haven't personally tested them. If I were you, I'd check with a Knox warranty checker app or through recovery mode, etc
whether the e-fuse is already triggered before continuing with anything.
And if I confused you, feel free to ask anything!
With the root approach you would also have to worry about passing Safety Net, but that'll only be relevant if you decide to go with that path.
BloodyFruitDestroyer said:
I'd say that the Knox workaround would probably (do not quote me on that) leave you with un-tripped Knox (=e-fuse intact) if it even still is. Even if Knox would be tripped, you would still most likely be able to get software updates. But because you said that you have already used Odin successfully on the device, that would lead me to believe that OEM unlocking might already be on in which case there probably isn't any more to lose by rooting the device. On a rooted device there are instructions o WikiHow on how to remove the Knox , but I haven't personally tested them. If I were you, I'd check with a Knox warranty checker app whether the e-fuse is already triggered before continuing with anything.
And if I confused you, feel free to ask anything!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting, I may give the workaround a shot when I get home later then.
So I have used Odin but it was with official firmware obtained through Frija and, according to reading, that does NOT trip the eFuse. I did turn on OHD in dev options but from what I can tell, the fuse is only tripped when you load an unofficial image onto the device which I havent done yet. I can check when I get home by booting into recovery mode and checking the warranty line AFAIK it will say either 1 or 0 indicating if it's been tripped or not.
So my issue with rooting is I dont know if I root, will the phone still install in the retail setup that it does currently. I know I can run apps or code to remove Knox once rooted, but I dont know if then just reinstall firmware and it will be back to default like I want, or if I'll then need to figure out how to get the playstore loaded, if the security issues persist etc. Also as far as I can tell to root, I need to install Magisk on the device first to alter one of the image files, then move that file back to the PC to flash with Odin, and I'm not sure I can do that with the retail settings enabled.
Frostyb said:
Interesting, I may give the workaround a shot when I get home later then.
So I have used Odin but it was with official firmware obtained through Frija and, according to reading, that does NOT trip the eFuse. I did turn on OHD in dev options but from what I can tell, the fuse is only tripped when you load an unofficial image onto the device which I havent done yet. I can check when I get home by booting into recovery mode and checking the warranty line AFAIK it will say either 1 or 0 indicating if it's been tripped or not.
So my issue with rooting is I dont know if I root, will the phone still install in the retail setup that it does currently. I know I can run apps or code to remove Knox once rooted, but I dont know if then just reinstall firmware and it will be back to default like I want, or if I'll then need to figure out how to get the playstore loaded, if the security issues persist etc. Also as far as I can tell to root, I need to install Magisk on the device first to alter one of the image files, then move that file back to the PC to flash with Odin, and I'm not sure I can do that with the retail settings enabled.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am interested in how this develops. Please keep me updated with the warranty byte status and whether the workaround is successful!
BloodyFruitDestroyer said:
I am interested in how this develops. Please keep me updated with the warranty byte status and whether the workaround is successful!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So quick update on this: none of the workaround videos on youtube seem to be capable of doing anything. They all rely on being able to connect to Wifi then get around the device before Knox settings apply, however on my build as SOON as you connect to wifi, it immediately starts applying knox settings and cannot be skipped.
I am wondering if this is because the version of software I flashed on using Odin was the most recent firmware, being android 12, and most of these workarounds are for android 11? Is it safe to locate the original firmware for the S21+ somewhere and flash that on to the device instead do you think?
Also the eFuse is still currently in tact.
Frostyb said:
So quick update on this: none of the workaround videos on youtube seem to be capable of doing anything. They all rely on being able to connect to Wifi then get around the device before Knox settings apply, however on my build as SOON as you connect to wifi, it immediately starts applying knox settings and cannot be skipped.
I am wondering if this is because the version of software I flashed on using Odin was the most recent firmware, being android 12, and most of these workarounds are for android 11? Is it safe to locate the original firmware for the S21+ somewhere and flash that on to the device instead do you think?
Also the eFuse is still currently in tact.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could flash an older Android version, but if and only if it has the same bootloader version as the current one, otherwise it won't work and might even brick your device. I am unsure though if the downgrade would help but if the bootloader versions match, you can try!
On SamMobile.com you can see older versions of firmware. Just check the bootloader version before flashing!
BloodyFruitDestroyer said:
You could flash an older Android version, but if and only if it has the same bootloader version as the current one, otherwise it won't work and might even brick your device. I am unsure though if the downgrade would help but if the bootloader versions match, you can try!
On SamMobile.com you can see older versions of firmware. Just check the bootloader version before flashing!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So this may seem like a dumb question but how do I check to make sure the bootloader version matches?
Frostyb said:
So this may seem like a dumb question but how do I check to make sure the bootloader version matches?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's most likely as simple as comparing the bootloader filenames between the Odin flashable files for the old and new software. I could verify whether that's the case if you send the filenames for both bootloader files here. (The file that goes into the BL slot in Odin)
BloodyFruitDestroyer said:
It's most likely as simple as comparing the bootloader filenames between the Odin flashable files for the old and new software. I could verify whether that's the case if you send the filenames for both bootloader files here. (The file that goes into the BL slot in Odin)
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So the first image is of the current firmware that successfully flashed to my device via Odin.
The second is firmware from August 2021 that is on a build of Android 11. You can also see by the file modification dates.
What were your exact model and region again? Probably won't matter, please wait a minute
BloodyFruitDestroyer said:
What were your exact model and region again?
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BloodyFruitDestroyer said:
What were your exact model and region again? Probably won't matter, please wait a minute
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SM-G996B
Region is Ireland (CSC is MET)
Yeah, it seems like the current bootloader is version 4 while the Android 11 one is version 3 so these versions seem, unfortunately, incompatible.
Frostyb said:
SM-G996B
Region is Ireland (CSC is MET)
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Hi there, I can help you out! I have some experience with Samsung.
So first off, I take it this is an Exynos model? Snapdragons require the use of a paid service to get an unlock.
It seems you've flashed stock firmware before but it didn't work out due to Knox. Did you flash all the files including the CSC (wipe all data) file? Also, you could try flashing TWRP and that would trip Knox, at which point Knox is disabled due to detecting system modifications or it will try to rollback your modifications.
So the only thing I personally can think of to get rid of the problem is going the TWRP route, but this will trip the Knox warranty byte to 0x1, so think about it. There might be someone more experienced than me that might be able to help without tripping Knox, but this is right now the only thing I can personally suggest to fix the problem.
Edit: It seems like someone more experienced appeared while I was writing this! Sweet!
BloodyFruitDestroyer said:
So the only thing I personally can think of to get rid of the problem is going the TWRP route, but this will trip the Knox warranty byte to 0x1, so think about it. There might be someone more experienced than me that might be able to help without tripping Knox, but this is right now the only thing I can personally suggest to fix the problem.
Frostyb said:
SM-G996B
Region is Ireland (CSC is MET)
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Click to collapse
Are you able to enable developer options? If so, you might be able to use ADB commands to disable the Retail Mode app. I doubt they're enabled though.
BloodyFruitDestroyer said:
Yeah, it seems like the current bootloader is version 4 while the Android 11 one is version 3 so these versions seem, unfortunately, incompatible.
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Dammit, so it seems I'm stuck on Android 12 and there is no way to get back to a previous version then I take it?
Frostyb said:
Dammit, so it seems I'm stuck on Android 12 and there is no way to get back to a previous version then I take it?
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With official firmware, I'd be pretty certain that you can't. By the way, please look at the latest messages as there is someone else with fresh ideas here, too.