Develop Bugs

What's all this Knox stuff about?

Can anyone tell me what's up with this and why should I be careful about running certain ROMs? Knox counters, etc?
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re: knox
nickstopo said:
Can anyone tell me what's up with this and why should I be careful about running certain ROMs? Knox counters, etc?
Sent from my SGH-M919 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, here are the prerequisites for not getting the KNOX POX:
#1: Don't allow the flashing of the M919 MK2 4.3 OTA update
#2: Don't Odin flash the official stock M919 MK2 4.3 TAR firmware. (SamMobile or elsewhere)
#3: Don't Odin flash the M919 MK2 4.3 NON-HLOS.BIN
#4: Don't Odin flash any bootloaders
If you have NOT done either one of those four things you will NOT catch the KNOX.
You can Odin flash the 4.3 M919 MK2 MODEM but it is completely optional.
See which one has the best signal for you.
( or keep the M919 MDL MODEM which is already in your phones.)
The phone will work just fine with either the MK2 modem or the MDL.
You can flash any cwm/twrp flashable M919 MK2 4.3 or MDL 4.2.2 zip file stock or custom roms.
If you follow these rules above you will not loose audio, signal or wifi and you will not catch KNOX POX.
Now that's not too difficult to understand right? LOL
Good luck!

Not difficult to understand at all. Thanks. I tried looking for this info on my own, but I couldn't find it.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using xda app-developers app

nickstopo said:
Not difficult to understand at all. Thanks. I tried looking for this info on my own, but I couldn't find it.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In addition to the poster above, another way to look at it if you are simply trying to avoid getting it without messing around much:
SAFE:
1) Any ROM that is flashable THROUGH CWM/TWRP/PhilZ won't include an updated bootloader. You can install 4.3 or 4.4 and still keep your bootloader and/or baseband (i.e, MDL, MDB).
UNSAFE:
1) If you ODIN flash (meaning you plug your cable into your phone, start up Odin, put your phone in download mode, then PDA a stock FW), you WILL get the KNOX bootloader.
2) If you update through KIES.
3) If you update through the OTA (in Settings -> About Device -> Software update) .

Some people believe if you trip knox then you will void your 1 year samsung warranty. I dont think it's been confirmed. And i dont think it would matter to me since it's such a short warranty and it doesnt cover accidental damage

Ok, well I've actually updated my phone through kies (4.3) the same day it was released but I was losing signal way too often so I used my 4. 2 back up and restored it... But my flash counter was 6 so I odined and did a reset on the flash counter and then used infamous (4.3) and I'm still on MDL so how do I know if I have knox?
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re: knox
lagunas11 said:
Ok, well I've actually updated my phone through kies (4.3) the same day it was released but I was losing signal way too often so I used my 4. 2 back up and restored it... But my flash counter was 6 so I odined and did a reset on the flash counter and then used infamous (4.3) and I'm still on MDL so how do I know if I have knox?
Sent from my SGH-M919 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you updated your phone using Kies/OTA or Odin flashed the official 4.3
firmware then you definitely caught the knox pox.
The way to tell if you have knox is to put your phone into download mode and
look at the top left side of the screen where you will see tiny blue writing.
You will see the knox status as either 0x0 or 0x1 if its 1 you have knox.
There is nothing you can do about it at the present time.
A lot of the developers are trying to over come the knox issue but so far no luck.
Even with the KNOX you can use your phone just like if it did not have the knox.
You can download and flash any cwm/twrp flashable custom/stock zip file roms
as well as any of the themes, mods and anything else requiring cwm/twrp flashing.
You can even odin flash the 4.3 official stock M919 rom from SamMobile
and it will work just fine. However you will still have KNOX.
KNOX is just another way for Samsung retailers to know if you have
messed around with your phone and gives them a good enough reason
why not to honor the warranty.
Good luck!

Well I went into download mode and I did not see any blue writing but I did see this in white: 0x30
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[Q] Upgrading to 4.3... some questions beforehand

Hi there,
I haven't been updated on rooting and all that jazz in a while, so please excuse my ignorance.
I have a Galaxy S3 (SGH-T999) on 4.1.2. It's stock rooted, but I don't have a custom Recovery or anything on it. I didn't (and don't) want to trip the root counter.
Is there a way to upgrade my phone to 4.3, have root working, and not trip the root counter? (Basically, what I currently have, except on 4.3)
Also, I Googled this new Knox feature I've seen people talk about, it seems like a lot of people here don't like it-- should I not want it on my phone too?
Happy holidays,
-Proxin

The counter is easy enough to reset if still on 4.1.2, so your best bet is to install a custom recovery through odin, then flash docholiday's 4.3 stock deknoxed rom and the new modem, and the at&t kernel for working wifi. This way you can use triangle away to reset the flash counter. If you install 4.3 with 4.3 firmware, you will not be able to root without tripping the knox counter.
Hope this helps
Sent from my GT-N8013 using xda app-developers app

masondoctorjt said:
The counter is easy enough to reset if still on 4.1.2, so your best bet is to install a custom recovery through odin, then flash docholiday's 4.3 stock deknoxed rom and the new modem, and the at&t kernel for working wifi. This way you can use triangle away to reset the flash counter. If you install 4.3 with 4.3 firmware, you will not be able to root without tripping the knox counter.
Hope this helps
Sent from my GT-N8013 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From what I understood back in the day when I got root, if you installed a custom recovery, you either triggered the counter or lost all your data/wiped the phone. Is that still the case?
Edit: Or was it un-tripping the counter that caused the data to wipe?

If you want 4.3 touchwiz, root, and a warranty, all at the same time, don't take the official update.
Instead, flash the 4.3 ROM zip, 4.3 modem, and a compatible kernel, using twrp or cwm recovery.
If you ever need to odin, do not use any version newer than MD5 or you are stuck with Knox and can never go back.
Sent from my T999L on PACman

Proxin said:
From what I understood back in the day when I got root, if you installed a custom recovery, you either triggered the counter or lost all your data/wiped the phone. Is that still the case?
Edit: Or was it un-tripping the counter that caused the data to wipe?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It still triggers the counter, but it can be reset. It did not wipe my data, but backup just in case. Resetting the counter did not wipe data either. But do not update to the official 4.3 if you want to root and still have a warranty.
Sent from my GT-N8013 using xda app-developers app

Uh oh. I searched around for guides on updating like you guys said, and followed the guide here which promised root, 4.3, and no root counter... and now I can't use root, even though I installed a pre-rooted ROM.
I'm on 4.3 now, but don't have the ability to use root. I don't seem to have the Knox thing though.
I don't understand why I don't have root on a rooted ROM... what should I do?
Edit: This is the exact version I used: root66_TMO_T999UVUEMJC.tar.md5

Proxin said:
Uh oh. I searched around for guides on updating like you guys said, and followed the guide here which promised root, 4.3, and no root counter... and now I can't use root, even though I installed a pre-rooted ROM.
I'm on 4.3 now, but don't have the ability to use root. I don't seem to have the Knox thing though.
I don't understand why I don't have root on a rooted ROM... what should I do?
Edit: This is the exact version I used: root66_TMO_T999UVUEMJC.tar.md5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To fix root, enable developer options by pressing build number 7 times, then enable root access for apps and adb under dev options.
MJC is TW 4.3 which includes knox. AFAIK the root66 version has knox removed from the rom, but it is impossible to remove it from the bootloader.

Adreaver said:
To fix root, enable developer options by pressing build number 7 times, then enable root access for apps and adb under dev options.
MJC is TW 4.3 which includes knox. AFAIK the root66 version has knox removed from the rom, but it is impossible to remove it from the bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I checked in developer options after pressing the build number 7 times, but I don't see anything about enabling root in there...
Do I have to re-root somehow? If so, will that throw off the counter?

Proxin said:
Uh oh. I searched around for guides on updating like you guys said, and followed the guide here which promised root, 4.3, and no root counter... and now I can't use root, even though I installed a pre-rooted ROM.
I'm on 4.3 now, but don't have the ability to use root. I don't seem to have the Knox thing though.
I don't understand why I don't have root on a rooted ROM... what should I do?
Edit: This is the exact version I used: root66_TMO_T999UVUEMJC.tar.md5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's why posts need read completely. It clearly says it will trip the Knox counter in 4.3 in the second paragraph of the first post under "4.3 notes" sorry that happened though.:banghead: Maybe someday someone will come up with a knox bypass in the bootloader.
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masondoctorjt said:
That's why posts need read completely. It clearly says it will trip the Knox counter in 4.3 in the second paragraph of the first post under "4.3 notes" sorry that happened though.:banghead: Maybe someday someone will come up with a knox bypass in the bootloader.
Sent from my SGH-T999L using xda app-developers app
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Click to collapse
I don't understand-- it seems like it says Knox is removed in order for root to stick:
4.3 Image Notes: With 4.3 images, KNOX is removed in order for root to stick. This will flag the Knox counter. Once you flash one of these 4.3 images you now have the latest factory stock bootloader, radio, etc. Flashing a prior bootloader can hard/soft brick your device. Please read and understand what you are doing.
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Click to collapse
I took it to mean root will flag the Knox counter so it has been removed from the images.
The wording is very ambiguous...
I'm pretty close to just nuking my install and starting over with CyanogenMod, not caring if I trip the counter or not. Is it possible to do so with the current setup, or will I end up with a brick/semibrick somehow? I figure I might as well, since rooting will likely trip the counter anyway.

Yes lol
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pgarcia777 said:
Yes lol
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app
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Click to collapse
"It has been removed", it being Knox haha. That's how I understood it...
So yes, it's possible to get CyanogenMod working without a brick or semi-brick coming from this version I installed?

Yes, I could have been worded better. You can flash other
ROMs but make sure they don't include an older bootloader or your device will brick from what I understand.
Sent from my GT-N8013 using xda app-developers app

masondoctorjt said:
Yes, I could have been worded better. You can flash other
ROMs but make sure they don't include an older bootloader or your device will brick from what I understand.
Sent from my GT-N8013 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I ended up just saying "eff it" and hopped onto CyanogenMod. Probably tripped the root counter, but by now I just don't care anymore.
Thanks for helping me in this thread though, I appreciate it.
Take care and happy holidays.

You did trip the Knox counter.
Just so anyone else reading this thread knows, if you value your warranty DO NOT UPDATE TO 4.3 VIA ODIN . Instead, flash the 4.3 rom , kernel, and modem zips in CWM or TWRP recovery.
Do not Odin MJC (or MK4 for you T999L people) if you want root and warranty, as once you are on the Knox boot loader you can't go back.
Sent from my T999L on PACman

Adreaver said:
You did trip the Knox counter.
Just so anyone else reading this thread knows, if you value your warranty DO NOT UPDATE TO 4.3 VIA ODIN . Instead, flash the 4.3 rom , kernel, and modem zips in CWM or TWRP recovery.
Do not Odin MJC (or MK4 for you T999L people) if you want root and warranty, as once you are on the Knox boot loader you can't go back.
Sent from my T999L on PACman
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One of the things that bugs me about forums, finding information is a pain the butt. I just want to get my device back to stock so I can get OTA updates, GPS doesn't suck, and can use Wifi. I don't care about root anymore or using custom roms. I'm learning Objective C right now to branch into iOS development. I'm sick of the Android ecosystem, to be frank.
I'm on Wicked Rom with Android v4.1.1
Baseband T999UVDMD5, Kernal 3.0.65-DeviantKernel_07
I'm downloading T999UVUEMJC_T999TMBEMJC_TMB.zip right now, along with root66_TMO_T999UVUEMJC_2.7z
Which one do I need to flash? if root66 gives me root, then cool I'll take it, but as I said, I don't care. I'll be using Mobile Odin since I'm on a mac and I sold my PC. If I need to install Windows via bootcamp then so be it, but I really don't want to.
If I need to update the rom, kernel, modem, etc all separately where do I find those files? *scratches head*

Buying S4 need help

So I may be buying a S4 soon but I need help understanding how know works with the s4. I have the tmobile s3, and I was already rooted so have yet to upgrade to 4.3 bootloader. What do I do if I buy a 4.3 S4? will it be easy to root, unknox, etc? will I be gauranteed to lose warantee and not be able to return to factory conditions? All answers are appreciated, Thank you!

This thread is good: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2441229
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Android_Monsters said:
This thread is good: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2441229
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that guide was written before the 4.3 update, since then a knox counter has been implemented which cannot be reset and therefore will most likely void warranty...
Was just wondering if there is a way to avoid setting off that counter

aamir123 said:
that guide was written before the 4.3 update, since then a knox counter has been implemented which cannot be reset and therefore will most likely void warranty...
Was just wondering if there is a way to avoid setting off that counter
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you're right about the Knox counter. Unfortunately there's no way to reset the counter right now. Beside those few things you can root and flash 4.3 custom Rom (cannot flash 4.2.2)
☞ Sent from here☜???

baseballfanz said:
Yes you're right about the Knox counter. Unfortunately there's no way to reset the counter right now. Beside those few things you can root and flash 4.3 custom Rom (cannot flash 4.2.2)
☞ Sent from here☜???
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I guess my question is what if I buy a galaxy s4 with stock 4.3 updated via ota? When I root will I be automatically be stuck with a triggered knox counter or does rooting alone not affect the knox counter? Sorry for any misunderstanding.

aamir123 said:
I guess my question is what if I buy a galaxy s4 with stock 4.3 updated via ota? When I root will I be automatically be stuck with a triggered knox counter or does rooting alone not affect the knox counter? Sorry for any misunderstanding.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as I know, rooting DOES trip the knox counter. If you can find one that's still on 4.2.2 (MDL or MDB) I'd go with that one. At least with one that's still on 4.2.2 you can reset the flash counter (knox counter is irrelevant on the m919 on pre-4.3 official) and still have the freedom to use 4.2.2 ROMs if you so desired.

I have stock 4.3 on my sgh t889

How can i root my device?
Noob here ty and merry xmass.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda app-developers app

Try this post, easiest way is option 2, after installation, try to update SuperSU from Play Store and you can disable Knox when it asked.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1955423

Mynameisbruce said:
How can i root my device?
Noob here ty and merry xmass.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please keep in mind that if you already have the factory 4.3 update you already have KNOX. If you root you flash custom firmware onto your device you will hit your KNOX warranty counter and at this time there is no way to reset it. Just looking out for you since I did not do enough research before updating and am stuck with no warranty. Good luck.

i already tripped my knox.

Sad day man. I tripped mine yesterday knowing what would happen. I just couldn't stand having stock firmware anymore. Running SlimKat now and loving it. Hopefully our wonderful devs figure out how to get past this.

The sad thing about Knox tripping is that it actually diminishes functionality.
The old flash counter that was there before merely told Samsung that you have been messing with the device. Tripping the Knox counter removes potential functionality from the device. If at some point in the future you do need it, you are out of luck.
I understand the rationale behind doing it that way. It doesn't mean I have to like it...
Hastily spouted for your befuddlement

Knox is nothing more than Sammys new way of saying you unlock its yours but your warranty is gone. I hope the great minds here on xda figure out a way to reset the knox counter but Sammy obviously threw a ton of resources into this.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using Tapatalk 2

So I assume that Knox is part of the new bootloader? And replaces the old flash counter?

[Q] Changing operating systems?

Ok yall I have a brick It was a Tmobile SGH-M919 and the rirmware was M919UVUFNB4. Question, since it only boots into download mode, not even recovery, can I change between M919UVUFN4B and M919UVUEMK2 and M919UVUAMDL?
Just wondering cause I'm trying to learn how to change an operateing system on phones
I've gotten pretty good at rooting and roms now its time to learn something new

M919UVUFN4B and M919UVUEMK2 are both knox enable firmwares. You can change between then but never go back to M919UVUAMDL. Putting on a different rom is changing the os on the phone.

Thanks. Can I simply root and remove Knox? I hate that app as much as my ex wife's cat.
Right now I have 12 hours left downloading the 4.4.2 one so after installation it will be rooted and recovery will be changed to cwm
Oh and why not go back to MDL? Is there a problem with that is or is it just incompatable?
Sent from my A200 using XDA Free mobile app

MDL is incompatible with the boatloader, if you have installed MK2 o NB4. You can brick your phone if you downgrade to MDL.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

wolfen1086 said:
Thanks. Can I simply root and remove Knox? I hate that app as much as my ex wife's cat.
Right now I have 12 hours left downloading the 4.4.2 one so after installation it will be rooted and recovery will be changed to cwm
Oh and why not go back to MDL? Is there a problem with that is or is it just incompatable?
Sent from my A200 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Knox apps and the Knox flag are 2 different things. They are both security related, but the Knox flag is what gets tripped/set if you every flash a non-stock recovery to the phone.
The Knox apps are what can be used to Shut down/wipe a phone if stolen, etc
If you have ever had the MK2 or NB4 bootloader on the phone, you now have the Knox flag. You can not go back to a bootloader that doesn't have the Knox flag. MDL bootloader doesn't have the flag, so you can't flash it once you've had MK2 or NB4.
Rob
---------- Post added at 04:28 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:23 PM ----------
wolfen1086 said:
Ok yall I have a brick It was a Tmobile SGH-M919 and the rirmware was M919UVUFNB4. Question, since it only boots into download mode, not even recovery, can I change between M919UVUFN4B and M919UVUEMK2 and M919UVUAMDL?
Just wondering cause I'm trying to learn how to change an operateing system on phones
I've gotten pretty good at rooting and roms now its time to learn something new
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just FYI, the phone has multiple bits of software. The bootloader and the recovery are in their own partitions. The firmware is like device drivers under Windows, and there is the radio(s). And then there is the OS. It's made up of the kernel and the interface/apps.
When you download the stock ROM from Sammobile, you are getting a partition table, a radio, a recovery (stock), the firmware and the OS. Which is why everyone on several threads has suggested you to download and install that with ODIN. It should get you back to a working phone.
Rob

Mine trips the counter that says I have changed to a custom rom, so that means I have the knox flag right? Cause when I rooted I uninstalled and deleted the knox app, tried that once before I was rooted and wound up doing a hard reset because of that app

wolfen1086 said:
Mine trips the counter that says I have changed to a custom rom, so that means I have the knox flag right? Cause when I rooted I uninstalled and deleted the knox app, tried that once before I was rooted and wound up doing a hard reset because of that app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, the Custom ROM flag is different than the Knox flag.
If you boot into the Bootloader, if you have a Knox bootloader, it will say the words Knox and then have a 0x0, or 0x1, next to the word Knox.
No Knox shown, you have a bootloader that doesn't have Knox.
If 0x0 shown, the the Knox counter is NOT tripped. If 0x1 is shown, then you have a Knox bootloader and the Knox flag has been tripped.
Rob

mguzman0971 said:
MDL is incompatible with the boatloader, if you have installed MK2 o NB4. You can brick your phone if you downgrade to MDL.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
THIS IS INCORRECT! I keep seeing this all the time. THIS IS WRONG. It will NOT brick your device if you try to flash MDL firmware to a NB4 firmware. Odin will simply say "fail" and nothing will get written.
About your issue OP, you need to flash the NB4 tar file in Odin to recover from your soft brick. Then you can flash a recovery or what have you to get back to however you wish. You cannot go back to the MDL firmware after taking the MK2 or higher firmwares. The bootloader will block any attempts(as stated above).

I flashed nb4. Took me all day and night yesterday to download it, but I flashed it this morning and the spare phone is now back in its box safe and sound, I put my gmail address in it simply to make sure it worked, installed cwm recovery and chain fires root, whoever (if anybody) ends up needing it, I'll just do a factory reset and load her up again.
Sent from my A200 using XDA Free mobile app