Database Develop

[Q] Can I update? Confused by so many unclear posts.

Background information:
Bought the AT&T version when it came out right away
Got root the first time it was released
Updated root when next update came out ( Didn't know if I need to )
OTA has been Frozen since I got the phone
Is it safe for me? Should I go back to the first version and then update?
Trust me I've read the posts and since I know there have been some issues on the Verizon side I wasn't sure if that was something that was effecting AT&T too. If some one could please give me an explain of that to it would be extremely helpful as I like to know my **** so I can help others.
Thanks

Icon000 said:
Background information:
Bought the AT&T version when it came out right away
Got root the first time it was released
Updated root when next update came out ( Didn't know if I need to )
OTA has been Frozen since I got the phone
Is it safe for me? Should I go back to the first version and then update?
Trust me I've read the posts and since I know there have been some issues on the Verizon side I wasn't sure if that was something that was effecting AT&T too. If some one could please give me an explain of that to it would be extremely helpful as I like to know my **** so I can help others.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flash back to stock via RSDLite. Let it boot up. Get your gmail setup.
When the prompt comes up, DL the .54 update. Install.
Root with jcase's new root method.
Or you could just install safestrap. Install a ROM with the camera update and not worry about it until kitkat comes around.
Sent from non rooted motoX :'(

I'm not really interested in updating to another Rom unless it has the touchless controls or something really interesting. Touchless Controls is one of the main reasons I got this phone next to battery life.
Is Safestrap finally settled down? I feel like last time I check there were still messages about bugs and other issues?
matt99017d said:
Flash back to stock via RSDLite. Let it boot up. Get your gmail setup.
When the prompt comes up, DL the .54 update. Install.
Root with jcase's new root method.
Or you could just install safestrap. Install a ROM with the camera update and not worry about it until kitkat comes around.
Sent from non rooted motoX :'(
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Icon000 said:
I'm not really interested in updating to another Rom unless it has the touchless controls or something really interesting. Touchless Controls is one of the main reasons I got this phone next to battery life.
Is Safestrap finally settled down? I feel like last time I check there were still messages about bugs and other issues?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the only rom out for SS that i am aware of is just a ported tmobile rom for vzw phones that has the update built in. Basically it is just the OTA stock rom running on SS. This is what I am using currently. Not sure if it flashable for ATT phones, but I'm sure there is some workaround there. Or maybe the OP on that thread can make a ATT one if you asked him. SS is stable as of now. Haven't had any new updates to it because no one is having any problems currently (at least with moto x devices).
For your question pertaining to options for taking the OTA. There are 4 methods now.
1. SS method described above
2. use the thread called something like "keep root through the OTA." It basically takes the ota without updating the BL so you can still downgrade to your stock original FW that you are on now. It's the same thing as the SS method because SS also does not udpate the BL, but you won't be using SS for this method obviously.
3. you can flash recovery.img (and system.img if you need to) or just RSD, then install pwnmymoto without running it, then take the ota and pwnmymoto will root the phone automatically after the ota is taken. you won't be able to downgrade your FW anymore with this method.
4. you can just take the ota (also must flash or use rsd to take it obviously) and then use jcase's rockmymoto root exploit. This uses adb commands and telnet stuff. Not too difficult but if you are unfamiliar with all of that then it will take at least some reading. There is also a thread out there for windows users that simplifies it pretty well.
For future Kit kat root. it is still up in the air what will happen with that. I chose to use SS because it was easy. quick. and allows me to make nandroids. I also like knowing that I can still flash to original stock FW in case that might be necessarry for getting root on kit kat. This seems less likely now that jcase created a root method for the OTA that is out, but I'm still just playing it safe personally, even if it might be pointless now.

[Q]I'm not a noob, not yet a woman..i mean, expert.

Hello!
Recently jumped shipped to AT&T moto x and am absolutely loving it. I was perusing around the forum, and really wanted to ask some questions on a specific thread but due to the fear and anxiety of sounding dumb and wasting everyone else's time, I'm just posting a question here hoping that even stupid questions are answered with lots of love. I'm pretty comfortable with rooting, flashing.....aka I'm really good at following instructions, but would really like to expand my knowledge further and am having difficult time getting the explanations I need. SO, hoping some kind soul on here with AT&T Moto X will answer my questions in one shot.
Since my Moto X automatically updated with the new camera update via OTA when I got it four days ago, I was able to successfully root it using JCase's new RockMyMoto method. So, now I'm rooted - great. Everything is set up perfectly the way I want. Then now I find out that AT&T 4.4 is leaked, meaning it's probably going to be ready for an OTA update in the near future (I'm not planning on using the leaked one). So my questions are as follows...
1. I'm going to keep mine rooted until AT&T has 4.4 available for OTA update. Can I simply just run that update when it's available (which will break the root), then just re-root it when that's also available (which it seems like will be rather soon according to Jcase's tweet...)? Or will running the OTA update on my rooted moto x cause more issues other than simply breaking the root? Should I be going back to stock, get the OTA update, THEN re-root it?
2. My understanding is that AT&T boot loader is still locked down...so to my limited knowledge, this means I'm not able to make a NANDROID back up using CWM...am I wrong here in any way? Is there a way to make a NANDROID-like back up (which I used to back in S3 days) without having my bootloader unlocked?
3. Tethering...I was able to use FoxFi fine on my S3 (I got that good old granfathered unlimited data plan....), but it does not seem to work on my new Moto X. Is there any known work around for this? I have Titanium Backup Pro as well, so thought I could maybe just freeze the tether provision or w/e by AT&T but seems like I'm also somehow misunderstanding that there as no such thing seems to exist.
Thanks,
Yoondroid

I can only respond to your first question. You can not take an ota while rooted. The exploit breaks the stock recovery. In order to take the update, you'll have to fastboot the factory images to revert to an in rooted state and then accept the ota. It's really easy and only takes a few minutes... Assuming you have adb set up and know how to use it, if not, an hour or so if searching and reading will get you up to speed.
Sent from my XT1058 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

theraffman said:
I can only respond to your first question. You can not take an ota while rooted. The exploit breaks the stock recovery. In order to take the update, you'll have to fastboot the factory images to revert to an in rooted state and then accept the ota. It's really easy and only takes a few minutes... Assuming you have adb set up and know how to use it, if not, an hour or so if searching and reading will get you up to speed.
Sent from my XT1058 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can also just flash the recovery.img back and take the OTA update while rooted.

You can install safestrap to make a backup and WiFi tether root works with some minor changes there's a thread somewhere.

Hmm, thanks guys I'll be checking out/learning more about the fastboot option
As for tethering, I've found some good information though for the first option, I haven't figured out a way to patch the at&t apk OP posted in his thread. Seems like quite the ingenious work around though, so hopefully I'll be able to figure it out soon! The second option seems to be a quick work around to get tethering to work, but seems way less secure...and I'll be using tethering to do work which I prefer to be on a much secure network, so we'll see.
First (tricking the phone to think it's not an at&t phone when turning on tethering in native app): http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2443562
Second: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2449534&page=3

mandrsn1 said:
You can also just flash the recovery.img back and take the OTA update while rooted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
just so the OP is led astray, if you only flash the recovery.img and you have made changes to your system apps or anything in the /system then you won't be able to take the ota and it will likely through you into a BL. If you don't know what you have changed, then go ahead and flash the system.img as well as recovery and you will be good to go. If you know what you changed then uninstall all of your root apps and change everything you change in the /system back to how it was and take the ota (after flashing recovery.img of coarse).
here is a great guide to adb stuff for you as well that got me started. still go back to it for reference occasionally. its a little old but it is still good.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=872128

lollipop root on G900A discussion

On the G900A shipped from AT&T we have a locked bootloader, and there is no known existing workaround to unlock it correct?
So given that, root was achieved , then safestrap was developed so we can currently flash roms that use the stock bootloader and kernel image, however we can customize the OS as long as the kernel and loader are untouched.
If the bootloader stays locked, what is known regarding safestrap and lollipop?
Can we still rollback the stock kernel to achieve root, then roll forward and keep it?
If that is the case, then when the stock AT&T lollipop is released, some level of ROM development can occur?
I am confused somewhat by all the discussions surrounding this, and didn't see any threads to discuss it specifically.

wmunn said:
On the G900A shipped from AT&T we have a locked bootloader, and there is no known existing workaround to unlock it correct?
So given that, root was achieved , then safestrap was developed so we can currently flash roms that use the stock bootloader and kernel image, however we can customize the OS as long as the kernel and loader are untouched.
If the bootloader stays locked, what is known regarding safestrap and lollipop?
Can we still rollback the stock kernel to achieve root, then roll forward and keep it?
If that is the case, then when the stock AT&T lollipop is released, some level of ROM development can occur?
I am confused somewhat by all the discussions surrounding this, and didn't see any threads to discuss it specifically.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, if you update to lollipop then your ability to have a rooted phone will be lost. The bootloader hasnt changed since the phone was released which is the reason we have been able to rollback the rom. This was a loophole in the original firmware of the s5. When lollipop comes out then it will be a completely different bootloader and will be locked and you will not be able to roll back to kk bootloader. The loophole for this has been patched and there probably wont be another way to root the phone after lollipop considering the guy that found the loophole is now working for googles security team. Bottom line is if you want root then you cant have lollipop.
Sent from my SM-G900A using XDA Free mobile app

miller1821 said:
No, if you update to lollipop then your ability to have a rooted phone will be lost. The bootloader hasnt changed since the phone was released which is the reason we have been able to rollback the rom. This was a loophole in the original firmware of the s5. When lollipop comes out then it will be a completely different bootloader and will be locked and you will not be able to roll back to kk bootloader. The loophole for this has been patched and there probably wont be another way to root the phone after lollipop considering the guy that found the loophole is now working for googles security team. Bottom line is if you want root then you cant have lollipop.
Sent from my SM-G900A using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How does this affect our device when it gets the lollipop update?
http://www.xda-developers.com/android/supersu-beta-lollipop-root-stock-kernel/

wmunn said:
On the G900A shipped from AT&T we have a locked bootloader, and there is no known existing workaround to unlock it correct?
So given that, root was achieved , then safestrap was developed so we can currently flash roms that use the stock bootloader and kernel image, however we can customize the OS as long as the kernel and loader are untouched.
If the bootloader stays locked, what is known regarding safestrap and lollipop?
Can we still rollback the stock kernel to achieve root, then roll forward and keep it?
If that is the case, then when the stock AT&T lollipop is released, some level of ROM development can occur?
I am confused somewhat by all the discussions surrounding this, and didn't see any threads to discuss it specifically.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks to chainfire the chances of updating to 5.0 while keeping root seems more doable at this point.
However, based on recent samsung updates for other devices, safestrap may stop functioning after the update as it continues its slow death.
Once again, if having root access is important to you, do no not take the 5.0 update when released until some of us have a chance to evaluate it.

Since I am running dynamic Kat on stock slot right now, I should be safe from updates for now right?
Waiting to see what happens with all this. I did back up my stock rom to an SD card, so I can restore and unroot etc... to get an update if I choose to later.

muniz_ri said:
Thanks to chainfire the chances of updating to 5.0 while keeping root seems more doable at this point.
However, based on recent samsung updates for other devices, safestrap may stop functioning after the update as it continues its slow death.
Once again, if having root access is important to you, do no not take the 5.0 update when released until some of us have a chance to evaluate it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
was looking for a post like this. well maybe we might get 5.1 in the next few weeks or sooner so i am sure you will give it a try and a good look and hopefully you will have success in attaining root and a good SS. seems like u da man for this...:good::good:
as for 5.1 or a custom rom...well whose to say what that will bring...
will be waiting to see what happens. will check back here when it comes out. i watch for it everyday and as usual, thank you for all your great work!

miller1821 said:
No, if you update to lollipop then your ability to have a rooted phone will be lost. The bootloader hasnt changed since the phone was released which is the reason we have been able to rollback the rom. This was a loophole in the original firmware of the s5. When lollipop comes out then it will be a completely different bootloader and will be locked and you will not be able to roll back to kk bootloader. The loophole for this has been patched and there probably wont be another way to root the phone after lollipop considering the guy that found the loophole is now working for googles security team. Bottom line is if you want root then you cant have lollipop.
Sent from my SM-G900A using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not necessarily, just because (if) the S5 gets 5.0 does not mean the ability to root will be lost just go check out the Verizon S5 forums you'll see they have a method for rooting with 5.0 that in theory should work for us as well. again it is recomended to remain on a 4.4.x rom until this has been fully evaluated.
wmunn said:
On the G900A shipped from AT&T we have a locked bootloader, and there is no known existing workaround to unlock it correct?
So given that, root was achieved , then safestrap was developed so we can currently flash roms that use the stock bootloader and kernel image, however we can customize the OS as long as the kernel and loader are untouched.
If the bootloader stays locked, what is known regarding safestrap and lollipop?
Can we still rollback the stock kernel to achieve root, then roll forward and keep it?
If that is the case, then when the stock AT&T lollipop is released, some level of ROM development can occur?
I am confused somewhat by all the discussions surrounding this, and didn't see any threads to discuss it specifically.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My suggestion would be not to take any updates until the root capabilities have been evaluated.
As always, research goes a long way towards alleviating fears and stopping panic attacks before they happen. be patient there are great devs here give them time to work

Well, I stopped using the S5 and switched to a oneplus one, happily running CM12 nightlies now

the att gs5 doesn't seem like it's getting any updates..

wmunn said:
Well, I stopped using the S5 and switched to a oneplus one, happily running CM12 nightlies now
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How are you liking it? I'm seriously thinking about doing the same thing.

I have a coworker that just got the Lollipop update for his Note 3 so that means it will be coming to the S5 very soon!

There is a pre-rooted lollipop update on droid views "http://www.droidviews.com/install-rooted-lollipop-on-att-galaxy-s5-sm-g900a/" . I have updated already and it runs smoothly. The only thing is after you run the update it can take anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes to reboot so just hang tight.

silentscreamz said:
There is a pre-rooted lollipop update on droid views "http://www.droidviews.com/install-rooted-lollipop-on-att-galaxy-s5-sm-g900a/" . I have updated already and it runs smoothly. The only thing is after you run the update it can take anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes to reboot so just hang tight.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used that method as well. Sure, it worked for me, but I came from Dynamic Kat, a well debloated stock rom. Due to this, after installing the update using this method, the built-in apps restore function could not complete due to having all of the useless bloatware back, taking up the extra space I was free to use in Dynamic Kat. Even removing the apps that are safe to remove via Titanium Backup doesn't help because the space is reserved for them. I've also already moved every app that it will allow to move to SD card. I've removed unneeded apps. I've gone through my internal storage to remove any unneeded files.
I've removed most of the apps listed here
This doesn't give me the Bluetooth tether that I used to us for my Gear 1(Running Null Rom). I'd look for an app to cover this but... I can't install anything because I've got no space to do so... I hope a good debloat method comes along soon. I still have root, so I'm hopeful.

Yea, bloatware is ridiculous for this phone. Have you tried the Alliance rom, that is what I run and it's not to bad for bloatware but I have only managed to get 5.6 running. Going to try version 8 today sometime. If you like to customize that is an awesome rom.

Hi folks, new to the S5 forums on here as I just upgraded from my trusty S3 on AT&T. I'm still on the stock 4.4.2 firmware, NG3 build, and I'm wondering if I should just root from here using TowelRoot method or take the 4.4.4 OTA and root from there.

Root your 4.4.2, then use the update while saving root to lollipop and skip 4.4.4 all together.

SoCalHTCFuze said:
Root your 4.4.2, then use the update while saving root to lollipop and skip 4.4.4 all together.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried to root using TowelRoot but it said device not supported. I'll do some research though. Havent even had the phone 5 hours yet.

MetalHead66 said:
I tried to root using TowelRoot but it said device not supported. I'll do some research though. Havent even had the phone 5 hours yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You gotta downgrade theres a post on here just type it in the search bar. Pretty easy process

Yes. Follow the 4.4.2 how to root thread, it says that bit still works.

OK thanks a bunch. Getting ready to do that now.
---------- Post added at 03:27 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:53 AM ----------
Well that was quite easy and I'm a happy camper now! Just had to flash nd3 kernel with odin in order for TR to work then flash my ng3 kernel. So nice to be able to use TiBu. Helium wouldnt install all my apps. Now I can start freezing and uninstalling all the bloatware!

sm-G900A towelroot help

looking around i can not find anywhere that exactly states what versions of android and on what devices towelroot supports. My question specifically being for the S5 SM-G900A att phone. I am right now on lollipop and i realise i have to downgrade, but I only want to downgrade as little as possible to get towelroot to work. (the end goal being root access of course)
On another note I have two other questions i will ask here so as to not clutter the forum.
1. is there anyway to downgrade my android version without wiping all my data?
if not, any advice on backing up all my data before it gets wiped? mainly my photos, apps, and appdata.
2. I see the only custom recovery i can use is safestrap, i have read is some places that it can not backup your user data (videos, photos, etc.) and nowhere mention it does. question being if this is true and if so how can i back up all my data? i really like the idea of just doing weekly rom backups and being able to restore all my apps and all my data with very little lost (less then a week is good enough for me).

brazblue said:
looking around i can not find anywhere that exactly states what versions of android and on what devices towelroot supports. My question specifically being for the S5 SM-G900A att phone. I am right now on lollipop and i realise i have to downgrade, but I only want to downgrade as little as possible to get towelroot to work. (the end goal being root access of course)
On another note I have two other questions i will ask here so as to not clutter the forum.
1. is there anyway to downgrade my android version without wiping all my data?
if not, any advice on backing up all my data before it gets wiped? mainly my photos, apps, and appdata.
2. I see the only custom recovery i can use is safestrap, i have read is some places that it can not backup your user data (videos, photos, etc.) and nowhere mention it does. question being if this is true and if so how can i back up all my data? i really like the idea of just doing weekly rom backups and being able to restore all my apps and all my data with very little lost (less then a week is good enough for me).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you took the OTA update to 5.0 their is currently no way to safely downgrade and root.
Towel root only worked on 4.4.2 kernel.
Safestrap no longer works in 5.0 either.
Just have to hang tight till someone figures out root for stock 5.0.

Thank you for the help, i did not realize it was for 4.4.2 only. (why no list of working versions) as well you say no safe way to downgrade.....are there options or is it impossible? I just got the phone recently and I wasn't the one to update it, I got it second hand and well i can't control what has happened to it before me. sadly it was updated to 5.0
I may attempt a unsafe downgrade if possible, it really depends on what risk levels and if it's risk of doing something wrong and bricking or if there is a risk out of your hands and it may or may not work. else i will just wait and not update my phone in the time being.
nutt_case said:
If you took the OTA update to 5.0 their is currently no way to safely downgrade and root.
Towel root only worked on 4.4.2 kernel.
Safestrap no longer works in 5.0 either.
Just have to hang tight till someone figures out root for stock 5.0.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

brazblue said:
Thank you for the help, i did not realize it was for 4.4.2 only. (why no list of working versions) as well you say no safe way to downgrade.....are there options or is it impossible? I just got the phone recently and I wasn't the one to update it, I got it second hand and well i can't control what has happened to it before me. sadly it was updated to 5.0
I may attempt a unsafe downgrade if possible, it really depends on what risk levels and if it's risk of doing something wrong and bricking or if there is a risk out of your hands and it may or may not work. else i will just wait and not update my phone in the time being.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=3077652
The above post is the unbrick/downgrade thread for the g900a.
You'll notice it says not to attempt if you've taken the OC4 ota...I'd read through their first. At this point it looks pretty risky.
Good luck either way you go!

[q] [may 29]sgs5 at&t is rooting possible? Answer i am about to explode.

It is about time I get some straight-forward answers. I'm tired of Googling everything I can and it not being what I think it is.
It is about time I get some straight-forward answers. I'm tired of Googling everything I can and it not being what I think it is.
What I have come to you for, XDA, is some light in the cave.
WILL THERE BE A WAY TO ROOT THE AT&T SAMSUNG GALAXY S5 VARIANT?!
Towelroot doesn't work. And if quite frankly tired ****less of all the posts that still exist talking about it.
Is there anything in development? All I can see now is SafeStrap and Multi-Tool but if you aren't rooted these do nothing. I just want some information for God's sake. Will ANYONE tell me what is being done about the development of the device's rooting? Is anyone even trying anymore? And if so, tell me! More importantly, if there are people, why aren't they being talked about? With as many S5's as there are out there (at least to me since I know about 10 people who use them regularly) why wouldn't anyone be trying?
PLEASE people get it together!
I have come from only 3 devices, but I was able to root and mod all of them. Rooting and Modding is love and life to me and is pretty much all I sincerely love about Android. The fact that I can't afford a new phone at this stage is sad, and I have grown tired of the bloating of TouchWiz, especially with the Lollipop update. I know that a rooted S5 would be extremely awesome, but since there is nothing about it being worked on I suppose I'll just have to live with the rubbish they call TouchWiz.
And if by some chance someone who can develop something like this reads this thread, please, respond, PM me, do SOMETHING. TELL THE XDA WORLD, because I GUARANTEE there are more of me out there who have longed for this but have just lived with it. BE A GAME CHANGER A DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.
Don't give me the, "Knox and bootloaders are hard to pass by, especially with the new more secure versions." Because guess what, geohot did it once. Not like it lasted, but the fact is is that it worked at one point. It may be harder now, but it's still possible. PLEASE DO SOMETHING. PLEASE TRY.
Anyway, best of luck to all of the users. And anyone who has read this please leave a comment and tell me what you know. Many days I'm left alone, commentless with my threads. This is one I truly need to be acknowledged.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME

Well that's a big thread revealing nothing about your device other than its an s5. There are ways to root with towel root unless you have the 5.0 ota.

dirtydodge said:
Well that's a big thread revealing nothing about your device other than its an s5. There are ways to root with towel root unless you have the 5.0 ota.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well it's pretty obvious that it's AT&T. 5.0 L and Towelroot has never worked before.

ElectricBiskitz said:
Well it's pretty obvious that it's AT&T. 5.0 L and Towelroot has never worked before.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Towel root has worked and still does on nce. If you were on OA1 towel root wouldn't work unless you downgraded to use it then go back to OA1. And no it don't work on 5.0. There are multiple kernels and builds that att has put out that it didn't work on without downgrading. But just for future reference is always helpful if you include your build, version, etc. Like i said there are multiple builds that it didn't work on unless you downgraded is only the 5.0 that you can't downgrade.

dirtydodge said:
Towel root has worked and still does on nce. If you were on OA1 towel root wouldn't work unless you downgraded to use it then go back to OA1. And no it don't work on 5.0. There are multiple kernels and builds that att has put out that it didn't work on without downgrading. But just for future reference is always helpful if you include your build, version, etc. Like i said there are multiple builds that it didn't work on unless you downgraded is only the 5.0 that you can't downgrade.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I said that I have Lollipop so everything you're saying won't help. Plus I know you wouldn't have known anyway but I have tried all of this way before Lollipop. I tried downgrading from OA1 at the time to NCE and I ended up in a bootloop. The kernel was faulty. I had to reset my phone in a very long, aggravating process to get it back. I NEVER want to go down that road again. And like I said in the entire post, I'm just looking for a pioneer to try again and make a geohot move on Lollipop. And no offense to you, you wouldn't have known this about me anyway, but your kind of information was exactly what I was trying to steer away from. And here it comes, right back at me. I'm just tired and sick of all the people who just do, essentially, a copy/paste of common information. When in my circumstance, am looking for something difference. Again, no harm to you, but anyone and everyone that has ever responded to my threads because it's all the same.

As someone who used to reverse engineer software, updates to said software usually patch those exploits. It's not usually easy to regain a new exploit and can take massive amounts of time. I can't speak for other devs but (at the time I did this stuff and still currently) I have a demanding full time job and a family, which come first over a hobby. I can guarantee I will never buy another Samsung phone again because of this. I know it's not always feasible, but maybe look into getting an HTC phone with developer options that is unlocked from the factory. Venting on here will get your cause nowhere.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Forum is trying to help you!
ElectricBiskitz said:
Well it's pretty obvious that it's AT&T. 5.0 L and Towelroot has never worked before.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right, first things first. Calm down and please stop being so rude and angry when other members who are trying to help you. It's not their fault you are not able to root your phone. It is possible and I'm testament to this.
You need to understand the process of how to do it and you need patients. I live in the UK with an AT&T handset and my handset was never going to ever get to 5.0 because of that fact. I am now on 5.0 and it's rooted and I found out how to do it all on this forum. Further more if you search for my one and only post (yes I'm making you do some work - it's how to teach people to learn new things) I have information in there that shows you how to get to 100% rooted 5.0. What I'm prepared to do is write for you a line by line process in a Word document that will get you from your stock unrooted 5.0 handset to 5.0 rooted. You need the right files and ODIN - that's all you need to complete this. No matter what state you end up getting you handset into bootloop, failed starts..etc as long as you are able to get into download mode you are able to recover the handset. Yes, it can be annoying and yes it can take hours to get back to square one (sometimes) but you have to be prepared for that when you do something like this. It took me two whole evenings and 5 failed attempts before I got it working.
So after reading all this, if you are prepared to accept my help let me know and I will write the document for you.

Besides the fact there are already a metric ass ton of threads in this phone's forum discussing rooting the 900A.
I've been reading them for weeks now after I was overzealous and took the OTA to OC4 figuring there was a root solution already..... There wasn't, and oh well... My fault for not researching first, but it's making me keep my Note 2 until something comes up.
Hell something may already be out, but with rants like yours..... Feel free to enjoy the great advice in the links in my signature.

wwit said:
Right, first things first. Calm down and please stop being so rude and angry when other members who are trying to help you. It's not their fault you are not able to root your phone. It is possible and I'm testament to this.
You need to understand the process of how to do it and you need patients. I live in the UK with an AT&T handset and my handset was never going to ever get to 5.0 because of that fact. I am now on 5.0 and it's rooted and I found out how to do it all on this forum. Further more if you search for my one and only post (yes I'm making you do some work - it's how to teach people to learn new things) I have information in there that shows you how to get to 100% rooted 5.0. What I'm prepared to do is write for you a line by line process in a Word document that will get you from your stock unrooted 5.0 handset to 5.0 rooted. You need the right files and ODIN - that's all you need to complete this. No matter what state you end up getting you handset into bootloop, failed starts..etc as long as you are able to get into download mode you are able to recover the handset. Yes, it can be annoying and yes it can take hours to get back to square one (sometimes) but you have to be prepared for that when you do something like this. It took me two whole evenings and 5 failed attempts before I got it working.
So after reading all this, if you are prepared to accept my help let me know and I will write the document for you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So wait... You have a method to get him from ota 5.0 to a muniz method 5.0? I was under the impression that was not possible once you took the ota ( i didn't, but I'm still curious)

ota 5.0 root?
wwit said:
Right, first things first. Calm down and please stop being so rude and angry when other members who are trying to help you. It's not their fault you are not able to root your phone. It is possible and I'm testament to this.
You need to understand the process of how to do it and you need patients. I live in the UK with an AT&T handset and my handset was never going to ever get to 5.0 because of that fact. I am now on 5.0 and it's rooted and I found out how to do it all on this forum. Further more if you search for my one and only post (yes I'm making you do some work - it's how to teach people to learn new things) I have information in there that shows you how to get to 100% rooted 5.0. What I'm prepared to do is write for you a line by line process in a Word document that will get you from your stock unrooted 5.0 handset to 5.0 rooted. You need the right files and ODIN - that's all you need to complete this. No matter what state you end up getting you handset into bootloop, failed starts..etc as long as you are able to get into download mode you are able to recover the handset. Yes, it can be annoying and yes it can take hours to get back to square one (sometimes) but you have to be prepared for that when you do something like this. It took me two whole evenings and 5 failed attempts before I got it working.
So after reading all this, if you are prepared to accept my help let me know and I will write the document for you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, so I'm sorry if i've got this wrong, but as the user above stated, I too have been scouring the web and FDA searching for a way to root an at&t galaxy s5 with an OTA u5.0 lollipop update. From all the research i have done, I have found no resolution to the locked bootloader. Are you saying that you can root the stock, unrooted, locked bootloader, sm-g900a running lollipop 5.0? If so, I will gladly donate to your Paypal for detailed instructions on how to do this! I am no noob at rooting, having rooted every galaxy since the skyrocket,. But this lollipop crap is driving me crazy. Any help is greatly appreciate!!

wwit said:
Right, first things first. Calm down and please stop being so rude and angry when other members who are trying to help you. It's not their fault you are not able to root your phone. It is possible and I'm testament to this.
You need to understand the process of how to do it and you need patients. I live in the UK with an AT&T handset and my handset was never going to ever get to 5.0 because of that fact. I am now on 5.0 and it's rooted and I found out how to do it all on this forum. Further more if you search for my one and only post (yes I'm making you do some work - it's how to teach people to learn new things) I have information in there that shows you how to get to 100% rooted 5.0. What I'm prepared to do is write for you a line by line process in a Word document that will get you from your stock unrooted 5.0 handset to 5.0 rooted. You need the right files and ODIN - that's all you need to complete this. No matter what state you end up getting you handset into bootloop, failed starts..etc as long as you are able to get into download mode you are able to recover the handset. Yes, it can be annoying and yes it can take hours to get back to square one (sometimes) but you have to be prepared for that when you do something like this. It took me two whole evenings and 5 failed attempts before I got it working.
So after reading all this, if you are prepared to accept my help let me know and I will write the document for you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I need this please! I have an at&t Samsung S5 lollipop 5.0 please guide me

I have not seen any solutions for people who took Ota update. Did you make the exploit yourself? If not can you point out the source?
Thanks!

lowspeed said:
I have not seen any solutions for people who took Ota update. Did you make the exploit yourself? If not can you point out the source?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My phone just automatically downloaded the 5.0 update a few weeks ago. I attached a screenshot of my phones specs

I replied to the person who said he has instructions. ..

wwit said:
You need to understand the process of how to do it and you need patients. I live in the UK with an AT&T handset and my handset was never going to ever get to 5.0 because of that fact. I am now on 5.0 and it's rooted and I found out how to do it all on this forum. Further more if you search for my one and only post (yes I'm making you do some work - it's how to teach people to learn new things) I have information in there that shows you how to get to 100% rooted 5.0. What I'm prepared to do is write for you a line by line process in a Word document that will get you from your stock unrooted 5.0 handset to 5.0 rooted. You need the right files and ODIN - that's all you need to complete this. No matter what state you end up getting you handset into bootloop, failed starts..etc as long as you are able to get into download mode you are able to recover the handset. Yes, it can be annoying and yes it can take hours to get back to square one (sometimes) but you have to be prepared for that when you do something like this. It took me two whole evenings and 5 failed attempts before I got it working.
So after reading all this, if you are prepared to accept my help let me know and I will write the document for you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you're able to root OC4 on a G900A, i'm all ears.
so far i'm unable to install TWRP (fail auth) using odin and it seems it only works for 900F or other models, not 900A specifically that has never been previously rooted. all posts on the topic suggests you cannot downgrade from OC4 and any attempt is futile at the moment.

Rooted 5.0
tmac200913 said:
My phone just automatically downloaded the 5.0 update a few weeks ago. I attached a screenshot of my phones specs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, I'm trying to make time to create the document to show how I did it. I intend to recreate the process again on my handset and include screenshots as I go through.
Basically the only way I could get my handset to 5.0 root was to take the handset back to NCE stock firmware (by the way I have all the files on my laptop to do this) using ODIN v3.09. This took my back to G900AUCU1ANCE (4.4.2) April 2014 release. I installed Towelroot, busybox and Safestrap. Did a backup of the device (when I went back to 4.4.2 I then configured my device to look and feel how I wanted it to be because I wanted to restore the data partition once on Lollipop - but this is a required part of the upgrade). You need to use Safestrap to create a backup folder structure on the SD card so you can dump the 5.0 (OC4) rooted backup on to restore later in the upgrade process. I then installed G900AUCU2ANG3 (4.4.2) September 2014 release using Safestrap. I then installed the G900AUCU2AOA1 (4.4.4) February 2015 release and then used Safestrap to take another backup. Then I did an advanced wipe in Safestrap (excluding the SD card) and restored the OC4 rooted backup (I found online I also have this file). Once that restored I then within Safestrap selected the reboot > download mode (don't restart the handset into Lollipop before doing this process - the whole process will fail). Once the handset rebooted into Download mode I connected the handset to ODIN v.3.10.6 and installed the G900A_OC4_Stock_Partitions_wOA1_BL.tar.md5 (using the AP option in ODIN). Once that completed the handset rebooted and after 5-10 mins started to upgrade files. Once that finished the handset was on 5.0 - the same as the screenshot you've posted and it's rooted. I have SuperSU installed working fine and I used Root Checker Basic to confirm the device is rooted. More so I then went on to sideload the G900A_OC4_TetherAddOn so I could get native wifi tethering because AT&T still had this locked down in the root 5.0 I installed above.

anyone verify this?

Not sure they started out on 5.0...I don't know of anyone who has successfully downgraded once on OC4.

wwit said:
Hi, I'm trying to make time to create the document to show how I did it. I intend to recreate the process again on my handset and include screenshots as I go through.
Basically the only way I could get my handset to 5.0 root was to take the handset back to NCE stock firmware (by the way I have all the files on my laptop to do this) using ODIN v3.09. This took my back to G900AUCU1ANCE (4.4.2) April 2014 release. I installed Towelroot, busybox and Safestrap. Did a backup of the device (when I went back to 4.4.2 I then configured my device to look and feel how I wanted it to be because I wanted to restore the data partition once on Lollipop - but this is a required part of the upgrade). You need to use Safestrap to create a backup folder structure on the SD card so you can dump the 5.0 (OC4) rooted backup on to restore later in the upgrade process. I then installed G900AUCU2ANG3 (4.4.2) September 2014 release using Safestrap. I then installed the G900AUCU2AOA1 (4.4.4) February 2015 release and then used Safestrap to take another backup. Then I did an advanced wipe in Safestrap (excluding the SD card) and restored the OC4 rooted backup (I found online I also have this file). Once that restored I then within Safestrap selected the reboot > download mode (don't restart the handset into Lollipop before doing this process - the whole process will fail). Once the handset rebooted into Download mode I connected the handset to ODIN v.3.10.6 and installed the G900A_OC4_Stock_Partitions_wOA1_BL.tar.md5 (using the AP option in ODIN). Once that completed the handset rebooted and after 5-10 mins started to upgrade files. Once that finished the handset was on 5.0 - the same as the screenshot you've posted and it's rooted. I have SuperSU installed working fine and I used Root Checker Basic to confirm the device is rooted. More so I then went on to sideload the G900A_OC4_TetherAddOn so I could get native wifi tethering because AT&T still had this locked down in the root 5.0 I installed above.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is funny.......there seems to be a huge disconnect between this and the actual issue in the OP which is someone that took the 5.0 OTA and wants root access. There currently is no way for him to gain root access. Instead you quoted, almost verbatim, my origina KeepRoot method and files: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=59996087&postcount=4

muniz_ri said:
This is funny.......there seems to be a huge disconnect between this and the actual issue in the OP which is someone that took the 5.0 OTA and wants root access. There currently is no way for him to gain root access. Instead you quoted, almost verbatim, my origina KeepRoot method and files: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=59996087&postcount=4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Morning, first of all if you take a look at my first post you will see I have clearly stated your name and I have not tried to take credit for your process. Secondly I have only been replying to questions from members who have read my results and have then from my post asked how I did it. I have then simply explained again in the post you have replied to how I got to a rooted version of Lollipop.
Are ypu saying that if a handset takes the ota it is not possible to go back to NCE and then forward right through to rooted Lollipop or are just annoyed thinking I am trying to take credit for your work. I'm happy to guide a member step by step through a process if they want me to but I have already said it's not my discovery.