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.
This is my first Android phone i have owned for a few years now and i made the mistake of doing the OTA update to 4.3. I would love to root this phone because that was a big reason why i got it. I hated waiting for a jailbreak for my iPhone and i want a phone that i have control over. is it possible to "downgrade" from the OTA update to the leaked update? or even downgrade back to 4.2.2? I have looked around but cant find anything to helpful for the galaxy s4 active. also reading around multiple people say they end up having issues after downgrading or the KNOX counter going from 0x0 to 0x1, therefore voiding warranty.
RobbieHag said:
This is my first Android phone i have owned for a few years now and i made the mistake of doing the OTA update to 4.3. I would love to root this phone because that was a big reason why i got it. I hated waiting for a jailbreak for my iPhone and i want a phone that i have control over. is it possible to "downgrade" from the OTA update to the leaked update? or even downgrade back to 4.2.2? I have looked around but cant find anything to helpful for the galaxy s4 active. also reading around multiple people say they end up having issues after downgrading or the KNOX counter going from 0x0 to 0x1, therefore voiding warranty.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
While the OTA upgraded Android to 4.3 it also included a new bootloader. The new bootloader prohibits "downgrading" to a firmware version below ML2. Currently there is no way to downgrade with the locked bootloader. However there is a new thread just started by @TransformixS4 that is looking at injecting root into the ML2 Odin files, so it may be possible in the future to root ML2. There are a couple threads in the regular S4 forums exploring ways to exploit the bootloader and flash custom kernels.
Back to your situation: you're completely stuck. Next time you see there is an update or OTA check XDA before you install it. There are a couple threads that explain the pros and cons of any updates. There is also a thread summarizing all the AT&T i537 firmwares which will be updated in the future and you may find useful.
Devo7v said:
While the OTA upgraded Android to 4.3 it also included a new bootloader. The new bootloader prohibits "downgrading" to a firmware version below ML2. Currently there is no way to downgrade with the locked bootloader. However there is a new thread just started by @TransformixS4 that is looking at injecting root into the ML2 Odin files, so it may be possible in the future to root ML2. There are a couple threads in the regular S4 forums exploring ways to exploit the bootloader and flash custom kernels.
Back to your situation: you're completely stuck. Next time you see there is an update or OTA check XDA before you install it. There are a couple threads that explain the pros and cons of any updates. There is also a thread summarizing all the AT&T i537 firmwares which will be updated in the future and you may find useful.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My issue was I kept telling it not to upgrade, and then it went ahead and did it anyway! On 4G, not wifi even. I was so mad when I got home and started reading that all the stuff I downloaded to root it *that day* would no longer work.
Caboose27 said:
My issue was I kept telling it not to upgrade, and then it went ahead and did it anyway! On 4G, not wifi even. I was so mad when I got home and started reading that all the stuff I downloaded to root it *that day* would no longer work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're only allowed to delay the update 4 or 5 times before it installed automatically. You can prevent it from upgrading in the future by freezing some system apps with Titanium Backup. I don't remember which ones right now, but if you search it's pretty easy to find.
Caboose27 said:
My issue was I kept telling it not to upgrade, and then it went ahead and did it anyway! On 4G, not wifi even. I was so mad when I got home and started reading that all the stuff I downloaded to root it *that day* would no longer work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just checking, you do have the i537 not i9295, right?
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!
Have n901t. Rooted it after being talked into 5.0.1 by Tmobile rep trying to improve it. No good. So went back down to KitKat and rooted that. Obviously I cannot receive ota update for 5.1.1 now. Do I just get the stock file and flash with the phone as it currently is? Or should I flash KitKat back to it's un rooted state before updating phone? Am still a novice in the taking control of your smart phone world and would rather not brick something if it can be easily avoided. Thank you.
KDawgEnigma said:
Have n901t. Rooted it after being talked into 5.0.1 by Tmobile rep trying to improve it. No good. So went back down to KitKat and rooted that. Obviously I cannot receive ota update for 5.1.1 now. Do I just get the stock file and flash with the phone as it currently is? Or should I flash KitKat back to it's un rooted state before updating phone? Am still a novice in the taking control of your smart phone world and would rather not brick something if it can be easily avoided. Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could get the official software and use odin to install it but there are a couple of things you need to be aware off. First once you upgrade to 5.1.1 you cannot downgrade back to kit kat and you will be stuck on that version, secondly in order to achieve root you might need to install a custom kernel before rooting. For that last part I would suggest you hit the forums since there a couple of posts about rooting this new version.
don't know if I am ready to start messing with kernals yet. Am patient. New root will show itself before we know it. Did the update through Odin. So far smooth sailing. Tested Simpsons tapped out since with 5.0.1 it lagged so bad it was unplayable. Still not as smooth as it was on KitKat but can still play it at least. Haven't tinkered with anything else yet.
Personally I'm waiting it out. I don't like not being able to go back, and I've had 0 luck with 5+.. So I'll wait until someone "fixes" it, if ever.
I'm kinda a noob at this but I'm not completely clueless. .. I've tried a couple one click apps, watched a few videos, and read countless articles without any luck. .. can someone help me? If it's even possible....
From all I've read, no, you can't. You can root NC2 (Android 4.4.2 KitKat) or OC1. You might check this post out.
An old thread, but I just wanted to leave this for others.
There aren't any public tools to directly root the OC3, OC2, or OC1 Lollipop firmwares for the N900A.
However, it is possible to achieve root by wiping the phone, installing the NC2 (KitKat) firmware, and then upgrading the OCx, while preserving root access.
I had followed the threads (at the time back then) using SafeStrap methods, but I couldn't get SafeStrap to work with OC3, so I had to abandon SafeStrap and use FlashFire to install OC3 and maintain root.
After that, I deodexed OC3, install xposed, and was up and running happy.
I'm not sure exactly what Samsung fixed, but OC3 was released a full 18 months after OC2, so I think it's a more secure software release (only 2.5 years old, instead of 4+ years, heh). I recall that on OC2, some of the stagefright CVE's still showed as vulnerable, but I just ran the Zimperium app on OC3 and see it reports that it's not vulnerable to any of the CVEs.
@digitalcandy4me thanks for the helpful info. This is one of the few times I've read this solution. It's the only one I've seen that seems promising.
Like OP I'm newb. But I've never rooted a phone. I've done plenty of other tech but I hate coding. I just want to change the dumb stock rom on this phone. Bloatware haunts me simply on principal.
I have "unlocked" att 5.0 lollipop Samsung n900a 0c3 and info on this phone is crickets. I have no idea how to downgrade to 4.4, I'm not confident it will even work but I'll try it. I paid 70$ so no big deal + it seems like I couldn't even succeed in bricking this stupid vault.
ANYWAY could you possibly give some more detail on how to do this? I know people hate getting vague questions on this board but it seems like there's no where to find answers. I really have looked.
:crying:
FluppingCrud said:
@digitalcandy4me thanks for the helpful info. This is one of the few times I've read this solution. It's the only one I've seen that seems promising.
Like OP I'm newb. But I've never rooted a phone. I've done plenty of other tech but I hate coding. I just want to change the dumb stock rom on this phone. Bloatware haunts me simply on principal.
I have "unlocked" att 5.0 lollipop Samsung n900a 0c3 and info on this phone is crickets. I have no idea how to downgrade to 4.4, I'm not confident it will even work but I'll try it. I paid 70$ so no big deal + it seems like I couldn't even succeed in bricking this stupid vault.
ANYWAY could you possibly give some more detail on how to do this? I know people hate getting vague questions on this board but it seems like there's no where to find answers. I really have looked.
:crying:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flash nc1 firmware, towel root....install busybox and safe strap and flash away.
FluppingCrud said:
@digitalcandy4me thanks for the helpful info. This is one of the few times I've read this solution. It's the only one I've seen that seems promising.
Like OP I'm newb. But I've never rooted a phone. I've done plenty of other tech but I hate coding. I just want to change the dumb stock rom on this phone. Bloatware haunts me simply on principal.
I have "unlocked" att 5.0 lollipop Samsung n900a 0c3 and info on this phone is crickets. I have no idea how to downgrade to 4.4, I'm not confident it will even work but I'll try it. I paid 70$ so no big deal + it seems like I couldn't even succeed in bricking this stupid vault.
ANYWAY could you possibly give some more detail on how to do this? I know people hate getting vague questions on this board but it seems like there's no where to find answers. I really have looked.
:crying:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Read my answer!
chrisnice906 said:
Flash nc1 firmware, towel root....install busybox and safe strap and flash away.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe u should not be modifying phones.