So I recently purchased the AT&T S6 Edge and it's my first Samsung phone. I have previously used Motorola devices ranging from the OG Droid, the Bionic and both 1st and 2nd gen Moto X. I've also rooted, installed custom roms and such on these devices. I am considering rooting my S6 Edge however there are a few things I am curious about before I do so.
From what I've read so far I can currently use FlashFire to install custom rom's but it doesn't replace the kernel as the bootloader is locked. I also understand I'd have to use ODIN to get back to stock if I want to get back on the update track.
If I root the device and install say a 5.1.1 rom (when one is eventually created) will I be able to flash either kernel or modem updates through ODIN? or will I have to stick with the current kernel and modem? Would this work but trip Knox? Does installing a rom via flashfire trip Knox?
When the 5.1.1 ODIN image is released for my phone, would wiping the device and installing it via ODIN have any advantages to say installing the update and doing a factory reset?
Thanks in advance for any assistance.
Related
Hello So I have a brand new, unlocked, Samsung Note 3 (SN-900A - AT&T variety) that I bought from Best Buy. In the next few days I'll be switching to T-Mobile (no comments on carrier switch please), but since the GSM phone is unlocked I can use it on T-Mobile's network
Here is the current status of my phone:
Used Odin to flash back to stock AT&T 4.4.2 ROM from installed NL1 4.4.4
Rooted device on 4.4.2 and then upgraded to rooted/stock AT&T ROM 4.4.4 using SuperSU, BusyBox, and SafeStrap as explained here, here, and here (did not update to Lollipop)
Used Root App VIP to manually disable AT&T bloatware now that I have the phone rooted on 4.4.4
So in its current form my phone is rooted on 4.4.4 and working pretty well. I'm happy thus far and don't want to get too greedy since it works.
However I have a few questions about how to backup my current ROM and about geeting some better understanding about the root and ROM process. I would be quite appreciative if someone could assist me with the answers please!
It appears the original Dev of Safestrap (the core app at the heart of rooting and upgrading the Note 3 in my process) has moved onto greener pastures. Since SafeStrap does not work on 4.4.4 (can't boot into recovery or do backups), what is the replacement tool/utility? Should I use Odin for everything? OdinMobile? CWM? TWRP? FlashFire? I've read a bunch of threads on the differences and I'm having a hard time making heads or tails of it all. The main thing I want to be able to do now is backup my current ROM like you could previously with Safestrap, and update to a new ROM if I so choose.
I never wanted the bloatware - do you think I flashed the wrong ROM? Should I have used a stock ASOP ROM if I didn't want bloatware or is this not possible on the 900A?
Ironically if I had to have bloatware I would have preferred to have T-Mobile's since I will be on their network. Could I have put a T-Mobile ROM image on an AT&T variant of the phone? (just curious)
I used a AT&T stock ROM apparently from those links I posted which propogated the bloatware to 4.4.4, however at least I'm rooted. I believe this was all done to not disturb the KNOX flag. I have a warranty from BestBuy I would like to keep (1 year), but I can't go to AT&T for warranty service (they are not my carrier) and I didn't buy the phone from T-mobile either, so is the warranty worth anything anyway?
I keep reading that the AT&T variant of Note 3 has a 'locked bootloader' and that's what's with going to all the trouble with SafeStarp was about. Essentially it loads an alternate image/ROM not disturbing the stock one so that the KNOX flag is never triggered. Is there a way to unlock the bootloader on this phone or should I even care?
I'm early enough in this process that if I went down the wrong path I could do something different. Any or all help/assistance is greatly appreciated!
atconway said:
Hello So I have a brand new, unlocked, Samsung Note 3 (SN-900A - AT&T variety) that I bought from Best Buy. In the next few days I'll be switching to T-Mobile (no comments on carrier switch please), but since the GSM phone is unlocked I can use it on T-Mobile's network
Here is the current status of my phone:
Used Odin to flash back to stock AT&T 4.4.2 ROM from installed NL1 4.4.4
Rooted device on 4.4.2 and then upgraded to rooted/stock AT&T ROM 4.4.4 using SuperSU, BusyBox, and SafeStrap as explained here, here, and here (did not update to Lollipop)
Used Root App VIP to manually disable AT&T bloatware now that I have the phone rooted on 4.4.4
So in its current form my phone is rooted on 4.4.4 and working pretty well. I'm happy thus far and don't want to get too greedy since it works.
However I have a few questions about how to backup my current ROM and about geeting some better understanding about the root and ROM process. I would be quite appreciative if someone could assist me with the answers please!
It appears the original Dev of Safestrap (the core app at the heart of rooting and upgrading the Note 3 in my process) has moved onto greener pastures. Since SafeStrap does not work on 4.4.4 (can't boot into recovery or do backups), what is the replacement tool/utility? Should I use Odin for everything? OdinMobile? CWM? TWRP? FlashFire? I've read a bunch of threads on the differences and I'm having a hard time making heads or tails of it all. The main thing I want to be able to do now is backup my current ROM like you could previously with Safestrap, and update to a new ROM if I so choose.
I never wanted the bloatware - do you think I flashed the wrong ROM? Should I have used a stock ASOP ROM if I didn't want bloatware or is this not possible on the 900A?
Ironically if I had to have bloatware I would have preferred to have T-Mobile's since I will be on their network. Could I have put a T-Mobile ROM image on an AT&T variant of the phone? (just curious)
I used a AT&T stock ROM apparently from those links I posted which propogated the bloatware to 4.4.4, however at least I'm rooted. I believe this was all done to not disturb the KNOX flag. I have a warranty from BestBuy I would like to keep (1 year), but I can't go to AT&T for warranty service (they are not my carrier) and I didn't buy the phone from T-mobile either, so is the warranty worth anything anyway?
I keep reading that the AT&T variant of Note 3 has a 'locked bootloader' and that's what's with going to all the trouble with SafeStarp was about. Essentially it loads an alternate image/ROM not disturbing the stock one so that the KNOX flag is never triggered. Is there a way to unlock the bootloader on this phone or should I even care?
I'm early enough in this process that if I went down the wrong path I could do something different. Any or all help/assistance is greatly appreciated!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I'm on a 4.4.4 Rom, I use AT&T OC1,NL1,NJ5 SafeStrap Work Around http://forum.xda-developers.com/note-3-att/general/att-nj5-safestrap-t2957471 install the Kernel Flasher http://forum.xda-developers.com/note-3-att/development/nc2-flasher-app-unsafe-t2989141/ grant it Supersu and tap to reboot, it will boot to Safestrap and do your backup or whatever you are doing. Once done you MUST flash the kernel may it be the NL1 or OC1, but you must flash it with Safestrap. The NL1 kernel (SM-N900A_NL1_KERNEL_RecoveryFlashable.zip) is for NL1 and NJ5 Roms and the OC1 kernel (SM-N900A_N900AUCUEOC1_KERNEL_Recovery-Flashable.zip) is only for OC1 Roms. I don't use Mobile Odin or FlashFire. Even though you are on T-Mobile the phone is AT&T which has a locked boot loader, so you can not use CWM or TWRP and you are stuck using only AT&T Roms. You can use Titanium Backup to remove any bloatware (Backup first saves on headache, case something goes wrong or you can freeze it). This is a T-Moible Rom that is ported for AT&T; T-Mobile Alliance Lollipop Rom on ATT Note 3 http://forum.xda-developers.com/note-3-att/general/t-mobile-alliance-rom-att-note-3-t3065127 and since you are on T-Mobile, you wouldn't have to "After the phone came up, I went to settings..general..applications...running .... and found every Tmobile app and cleared cache and disabled them. The real important one here is the Visual Voicemail. Otherwise it will keep on trying to contact Tmobile and then you will get text messages saying there is an error." It is a OC1 Rom (Lollipop) so you would need the SM-N900A_N900AUCUEOC1_KERNEL_Recovery-Flashable.zip because you would flash this in Safestrap once you have used the Kernel Flasher to access Safestrap. [How-To] Update to N900A_NL1 - 4.4.4 and Keep Root (12-24-2014) http://forum.xda-developers.com/note-3-att/general/how-to-root-n900aucudnl1-4-4-4-12-24-t2983357 is just the plain AT&T Rom that's been rooted, that's why you got all that bloatware. I go right here for any Rom I wish to install, Android development for the AT&T Galaxy Note 3 http://forum.xda-developers.com/note-3-att/development Forgot to say, write down your APN settings, so you can still get data. T-Mobile Network: Samsung Galaxy Note 3 (N900) https://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-11447 in case.
Rooted i747 said:
This is a T-Moible Rom that is ported for AT&T; T-Mobile Alliance Lollipop Rom on ATT Note 3 http://forum.xda-developers.com/note-3-att/general/t-mobile-alliance-rom-att-note-3-t3065127 and since you are on T-Mobile...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This had all been really helpful, thank you. I've read the post a bunch and followed all the steps. The NC2 flasher is awesome and works great!
However, I'm trying to make heads or tails though of the T-Mobile Alliance ROM version to use (reminder I want a T-Mobile ROM on my AT&T Note 3 since I'm on T-Mobile's network). The underlying link that has the T-Mobile Alliance ROM to actually download states that KNOX is removed and activated (0x1). However the link provided by you to the T-Mobile Alliance flashing instructions page has multiple replies saying KNOX remains undisturbed and is at 0x0 after completion. I'm probably asking the wrong questions, but is the process of using Safestrap regardless of the ROM I'm using prevent KNOX from being tripped? Or is it that the newest version of the Alliance ROM is what would trip KNOX (i.e. should I use an older version of the ROM that doesn't remove KNOX)?
I have everything backed up, downloaded and ready to flash and install. I just want to flash this T-Mobile Alliance ROM but not trip KNOX. Once I can get a clear understanding this I'm ready to move forward and complete it.
atconway said:
This had all been really helpful, thank you. I've read the post a bunch and followed all the steps. The NC2 flasher is awesome and works great!
However, I'm trying to make heads or tails though of the T-Mobile Alliance ROM version to use (reminder I want a T-Mobile ROM on my AT&T Note 3 since I'm on T-Mobile's network). The underlying link that has the T-Mobile Alliance ROM to actually download states that KNOX is removed and activated (0x1). However the link provided by you to the T-Mobile Alliance flashing instructions page has multiple replies saying KNOX remains undisturbed and is at 0x0 after completion. I'm probably asking the wrong questions, but is the process of using Safestrap regardless of the ROM I'm using prevent KNOX from being tripped? Or is it that the newest version of the Alliance ROM is what would trip KNOX (i.e. should I use an older version of the ROM that doesn't remove KNOX)?
I have everything backed up, downloaded and ready to flash and install. I just want to flash this T-Mobile Alliance ROM but not trip KNOX. Once I can get a clear understanding this I'm ready to move forward and complete it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Safestrap will not stop Knox from tripping. If you are not sure, if you Knox will trip or not then I say don't flash it. I never flashed that Rom, so I can't say. The Roms I have used and my Knox still 0X0. Currently on FireKat Deodex NC2 KK V19N3/V19N4 http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2786666 AllianceROM Lollipop v9.1 http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2778933 Note 4 Port Evolution 3.0 http://forum.xda-developers.com/note-3-att/development/rom-note-4-port-evolution-1-0-t2982296 Note 4 Port Evolution 3.0 you will have to flash extra things in Safestrap to make it work right.
atconway said:
This had all been really helpful, thank you. I've read the post a bunch and followed all the steps. The NC2 flasher is awesome and works great!
However, I'm trying to make heads or tails though of the T-Mobile Alliance ROM version to use (reminder I want a T-Mobile ROM on my AT&T Note 3 since I'm on T-Mobile's network). The underlying link that has the T-Mobile Alliance ROM to actually download states that KNOX is removed and activated (0x1). However the link provided by you to the T-Mobile Alliance flashing instructions page has multiple replies saying KNOX remains undisturbed and is at 0x0 after completion. I'm probably asking the wrong questions, but is the process of using Safestrap regardless of the ROM I'm using prevent KNOX from being tripped? Or is it that the newest version of the Alliance ROM is what would trip KNOX (i.e. should I use an older version of the ROM that doesn't remove KNOX)?
I have everything backed up, downloaded and ready to flash and install. I just want to flash this T-Mobile Alliance ROM but not trip KNOX. Once I can get a clear understanding this I'm ready to move forward and complete it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Got bored so I tried it. Did not trip Knox and I really didn't see a different from AllianceROM Lollipop v9.1 http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2778933 Well, I don't care for it, so back to FireKat! :silly:
Thanks for trying it out and your assistance I did the same on my phone immediately after you did and got the same results. It works great and should be a viable option for those like me that have an AT&T phone, but want to load a T-Mobile based ROM.
I'll be curious if that Alliance ROM though stays up to date with the newer versions of Android (i.e. 5.0.2, etc.) It appears to be based on 5.0.0 from what I can tell. Only reason I ask is because my experience with 5.0 on my old S4 has been awful. Fells like I'm back on Android Gingerbread with 500mb of ROM. :S There are so many memory leaks on my S4 now it stinks. 4.4.4 was way better.
Good news is I haven't seen that same issue thus far with the Alliance ROM, so hopefully is worked out whatever shortcomings the OS had.
Few days ago I bought the Samsung Galaxy S5 G900A unlocked. There was Android 5.0 preinstalled whith baseband vOC4! I tried to make the downgrade to 4.4.2 because of the root, and always gettin the brick. Saw the post about flasjing G900A_OC4_Stock_Partitions and it helped me a lot with unbricking! I tried all the ways of downgrades: recovery ZIP update (including OC4 firmware w/ OA1 bootloader) , ODIN flashing different stock roms, custom roms, kernels etc. Can I make a downgrade with that baseband? I've read somewhere that it's impossible to do in this case...
Really confused now after all this.
No need for confusion. There is no way known to humanity that will allow you to downgrade from 5.0 to anything else.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk
RK said:
No need for confusion. There is no way known to humanity that will allow you to downgrade from 5.0 to anything else.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, that's a shame..... Any chances of developing the 5.0 root for g900a?
Im in the same situation let me know if anything changes im about to return mine and hopefully get one still on kitkat or get a tmobile version
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using XDA Free mobile app
ODIN back to OC4 to unbrick and remember; if you can't root you, can't do anything but wait for root or buy a different model phone.
ODIN back to OC4?
There is no way at this time to ODIN back to OC4, OA1, or whatever.
There is only a ".exe" file for OC4.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2QQ1ShKpLTtYjU0aDJCLVFFSFk/view
similar situation
Hello guys,
my situation is quite similar to the posters one. i've bought the S5 active (AT&T) with some custom TMS5 rom, when i boot i sie unlocked lock icon.
the version is 5.0: the kies is showing info like: G900FXXU1BOC7/G900AATT3BOC4/G870AUCU1BOC5/G900FXXU1BOC7 (ATT)
the question is can i get somehow to the STOCK firmware? maybe upgrading to the 5.1.1 will get rid of this "custom stuff"?
if so, what's the best way to do it?
I purchased a new G870A Galaxy S5 Active this week, which was preloaded with OC5 (5.0, Lollipop) firmware. I was able to root the device by downgrading to 4.4.2; the guide here was very helpful: http://www.droidviews.com/update-att-galaxy-s5-active-to-lollipop-root-it-and-enable-wifi-tethering/
The exact procedure I used:
1. Flash NE4 firmware with Odin (The latest heimdall from git didn't work; I had to boot Windows 7 and install Odin & Samsung USB drivers)
2. Reboot the phone in recovery (power+volume up+home). Use the options to clear cache & reset to factory default
3. Reboot the phone normally. It might appear bricked & take up to 5 minutes to get past the AT&T logo.
4. Root with Towelroot
5. Follow the instructions on the linked page to install pre-rooted OF3 (Lollipop) firmware and the OC5 bootloader.
6 (important). Kill OTA updates by renaming /etc/security/otacerts.zip & /system/priv-app/wssyncmldm and then rebooting. Delete anything in /data/fota for good measure. (Use your favorite root-enabled file explorer or shell.)
Note that this will not work if the phone has received OTA updates beyond OC5. See this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/att...w-to-update-to-g870aoc5-5-0-keeproot-t3083841
Ok so first let me apologize if I overlooked a similar post but I've been having root issues for weeks now and haven't found my exact situation yet.
Here's the background. I have an AT&T Note 3 N900A. When I got the phone I had no issue using towel root to root the device. Worked first try. I'm new to rooting and I was in love with all the new options. I started small playing with xposed and fonts overclocking etc. Then started researching custom Roms. Discovered cwm twrp wouldn't work with my locked boot loader so researched and got safestrap. Did the backup made my new Rom slot and with a guide I attempted my 1st custom Rom flash. FAIL. bootloop. Revert to stock Rom via Odin. Download towel root. Rooted. No problem.
2nd attempt at custom Rom flash with safe strap. fail. Download another stock firmware (at this point I was still dumb to the difference between NL1 NC2 OC2 etc). And in still dumb to oxed and deoxed. But apparently I got out of bootloop with a different firmware version this time around. First I decided to run lollipop 5.0. Towel root said device not suported. Now I'm running 4.4.4 NL1. device not supported. Also can't get kingoroot king root(pc or non pc) cf or anything else I've tried to work. From what I've read I need to go back to the NC2 4.4.2 and run towel root from there.
My current issue is I have no windows pc to run Odin on and my wife's MacBook refuses to install the Mac version correctly nor will it load the Web based version on the casual page.
I just figured out that I can't use safe strap to flasthe nc2 until I'm rooted. And without Odin to revert I'm scared to try any other method without some guidance.
First off... Is there any way to root my current 4.4.4 without going to the nc2 or if I allow my phone to upgrade to 5.o again is there a non pc root method on lollipop yet?
Or would I be able to download a nc2. Zip to my phone save to sd and use the note 3 stock recovery to revert? ?
I'm open to any suggestions you guys may have even if I haven't mentioned it in my post. Hope to get some answers asap and thanks in advance!!
I'm not familiar with the Note 3 for AT&T but Heimdall (in place of Odin on a PC) may work on your mac to flash ROMs.
http://glassechidna.com.au/heimdall/
Yeah I tried that a while back but it was b4 I knew this much. Maybe j can get it working now. I was just hoping there was an easier way.
Any way to root 6.0.1 G920AUCS5DPJ1 yet? Did some research but could not find a way to root for this particular build. Any update?
I've been searching for an easier method to root my phone and I'm shocked at how few options there are to root my s6. I've always been able to come across more than enough information to root all the previous galaxy phones but for some reason there doesn't seem to be an easy method (like ping-pong root or something automated) I'd appreciate if anyone has any feedback on rooting the new build after the November security patch the build number is G925AUCS5DPK1
Hidd3nD3Ath said:
I've been searching for an easier method to root my phone and I'm shocked at how few options there are to root my s6. I've always been able to come across more than enough information to root all the previous galaxy phones but for some reason there doesn't seem to be an easy method (like ping-pong root or something automated) I'd appreciate if anyone has any feedback on rooting the new build after the November security patch the build number is G925AUCS5DPK1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Feedback is, there is no root for the new builds.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk
And is there any way to go back to old builds flashing with ODIN an old stock firmware?
I confirm: once you get the phone on a newer version, you can't downgrade it. I tried to go from 6.0.1 to 5.1.1 flashing with ODIN. The ODIN process went well, but after the phone took the older load, it got stuck in the ANDROID screen
To get it back to life i had to flash again its original stock version at 6..0.1
So the question is if there will be any developement on S6 ATT 6.0.1 to get it rooted or TWRP. RIght now it seems we are stuck. No root, No custom rom I will keep my S4 that performs like a charm with root and custom roms!
ronniler said:
I confirm: once you get the phone on a newer version, you can't downgrade it. I tried to go from 6.0.1 to 5.1.1 flashing with ODIN. The ODIN process went well, but after the phone took the older load, it got stuck in the ANDROID screen
To get it back to life i had to flash again its original stock version at 6..0.1
So the question is if there will be any developement on S6 ATT 6.0.1 to get it rooted or TWRP. RIght now it seems we are stuck. No root, No custom rom I will keep my S4 that performs like a charm with root and custom roms!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Development has been essentially dead on the ATT version for many months.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk
Thanks @dandrumheller for the reply
I am debating myself to try something even i know is highly possible i break the phone. I really need a rooted phone and this s6 is a replacement for my s6 given to me by ATT. If i can't get it rooted, it will sit there forever. So probably i will take the risk to try to root/load anything experimental
:S
End result I would like is TWRP and custom ROMs. Not new to flashing but I just received the phone today and am used to the open world of the Nexus 6. Seems there are a few guides on here for both older and newer firmwares, the phone I got has COD6 on it right now. What's my best course of action? I'm thinking the newer roms need the newer baseband but I want to make sure I can get TWRP on there. Thank you in advance.
Odin to latest firmware and start from there. You decide to root or not. Here https://forum.xda-developers.com/no...firmware-galaxy-note-4-n910tuvs2eqb1-t3569911
Keep in mind once you upgrade past 5.0.1 there's no going back....5.1.1 will be the lowest you can go..I prefer 5.1.1 but that's just me