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[SIZE=+1]There seems to be a lot of confusion and misunderstanding circling the forums with regards to Knox and the 4.3 OTA.
This is an attempt to clear things up[/SIZE]
UPDATE: It seems that people can find this thread, but are unable to actually READ the information presented. The most important note here is that if you are on 4.3 firmware, you can flash ANY rom you like. No, you are not tied down or locked into stock only or 4.3 roms only. AOSP roms will work fine as well. Now scroll down and READ EVERYTHING IN THIS FIRST POST.
What is Knox? Knox is both a firmware and a software component. The OS has Knox apps, and the MK3 bootloader has a Knox component too. Having Knox apps does not necessarily mean you have the Knox bootloader, or vice-versa.
How does Knox work? Because Knox is both in the OS (apps) and in the firmware (bootloader) it works in two ways. The OS components prevent attempts to obtain root access and make rooting with these Knox apps a pain in the butt. Fortunately they can be removed. In the firmware component (bootloader), Knox works to prevent the flashing of custom kernels and recoveries. If you flash a custom rom or custom recovery WHILE on the Knox bootloader, your Knox flag will be tripped and your Warranty Bit will go from 0x0 to 0x1. The Knox bootloader cannot be downgraded to, say, the MD4 bootloader because of special protections built into it. If you attempt to downgrade it, your phone will instantly brick.
Can I get root on the Knox-enabled update? Yes. For those of us who DID NOT take the official OTA and DO NOT have the Knox bootloader, we can get root on 4.3 by injecting it and removing the Knox apps. For those WITH the Knox bootloader, you will need to wait until a full stock MK3 tar is available, which we can then use to make an Odin-flashable MK3 stock rom with root injected using the de-la-vega root method.
Can I downgrade while on 4.3? You can flash roms no matter what Android version they are. That is perfectly fine. But you cannot downgrade the bootloader if you have the Knox bootloader, or else it will cause your bootloader to become corrupted and give you a fancy paperweight. Again, for those who DO NOT have the Knox bootloader, you needn't worry about this/downgrading firmware since the Knox bootloader is what prevents you from doing this. Downgrading your bootloader includes: attempting to flash full stock tar of software versions < MK3, etc.
How can I tell if I've got the Knox bootloader?
Boot into download mode (through custom reboot menu, or by powering off then holding Power+Home+VolumeDown and then VolUp when prompted). If you see a line that starts with the following, then you've got the Knox bootloader. I will insert a picture showing how it actually looks soon
Warranty Bit:
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Click to collapse
[SIZE=+1]READ THIS TOO: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1788313
It's for the Verizon S3, but it applies to all the carrier 4.3 updates[/SIZE]
I will add to this as more questions come up
I hope the above helps to clear up some confusion. Ask questions if you are still concerned and I will do my best to answer them.
is there any way to make this a sticky @kennyglass123
This is great information man!
http://i.imgur.com/qrByUGN.jpg
[Q] For now, once you have Knox you'll always have knox? What's the possibility of removing Knox?
elephant007 said:
[Q] For now, once you have Knox you'll always have knox? What's the possibility of removing Knox?
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Click to collapse
as of right now none.
elephant007 said:
[Q] For now, once you have Knox you'll always have knox? What's the possibility of removing Knox?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No way to remove bootloader Knox ATM.
I've seen several posts mention "tripping KNOX" or "voiding KNOX." What does that mean, exactly, regarding rooting a phone? Does it just mean it voids the warranty if you need to get support from Samsung/Sprint? Or are there other adverse effects?
Mostly just a visible warranty void.
Samsung bought crapple disease. So sad, but its my excuse to buy a nexus.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app
As said above, a voided Knox is mostly just a highly visible warranty void. Your local Sprint store may or may not care, or the specific Samsung rep that you deal with may not care, but it's easier just to not have to deal with it to begin with.
Does this mean there is already a touchwiz 4.3 ROM we can flash or do we still have to wait?
Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk
The biggest thing here is the fact that there is no full tar file to restore. So even if you do not care about knox or warranty. If something goes wrong with a flash or anything else you can't use an older tar file let's say MD4 or LJ7 or anything because you will end up with a brick. There is nothing to use to ODIN restore your device. Once you go 4.3 with Knox you have to stay 4.3 and even if you wanted to stay 4.3 and wanted to restore that there is no tar file at this time.
Have a great day!
I have a question I think we talked a bit about the problems the knox bootloader brings into the system. My question is the opposite what does it fix / change?
Im thinking along the lines of somebody modding the update so an old bootloader would be with the new rom would that be an issue? I think i remember hearing something about wifi being the problem but any clarification would be nice.
docnas said:
I have a question I think we talked a bit about the problems the knox bootloader brings into the system. My question is the opposite what does it fix / change?
Im thinking along the lines of somebody modding the update so an old bootloader would be with the new rom would that be an issue? I think i remember hearing something about wifi being the problem but any clarification would be nice.
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Late to the party. CNexus already has a update cooking.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk
the question im trying to ask is what do we lose if we use the old bootloader? any functionality? (besides the knox security bull$hit)
docnas said:
the question im trying to ask is what do we lose if we use the old bootloader? any functionality? (besides the knox security bull$hit)
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Click to collapse
Right now, wifi is broken with the old bootloader and 4.3 rom...happened on the other devices too (tmo s3 and sprint s4)
But there is a fix: flash at&t kernel. But it messes up screen rotation. So i'm trying to come up with another fix that will let wifi turn on properly and let screen rotation work properly too
You = rock. Or some other awesome thing.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app
CNexus said:
Right now, wifi is broken with the old bootloader and 4.3 rom...happened on the other devices too (tmo s3 and sprint s4)
But there is a fix: flash at&t kernel. But it messes up screen rotation. So i'm trying to come up with another fix that will let wifi turn on properly and let screen rotation work properly too
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So is this Knox a Sprint thing, or a Samsung thing?
I can understand the reasoning for Knox(money) but, dang, I guess it's a dog eat dog world out there.
This doesn't affect CyanogenMod does it? I'm scared...
edit... I remember reading about a brick api or command, I never executed it, sounds nasty, is this what they use to brick peoples phones if they try to "hack" it?
Edge-Case said:
So is this Knox a Sprint thing, or a Samsung thing?
I can understand the reasoning for Knox(money) but, dang, I guess it's a dog eat dog world out there.
This doesn't affect CyanogenMod does it? I'm scared...
edit... I remember reading about a brick api or command, I never executed it, sounds nasty, is this what they use to brick peoples phones if they try to "hack" it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This would be a we-can't-update-the-bootloader thing lol. And we can't do that because it has Knox, which is Samsung's doing
This shouldn't affect any AOSP roms because it uses a different kernel and builds its own WiFi libs
docnas said:
the question im trying to ask is what do we lose if we use the old bootloader? any functionality? (besides the knox security bull$hit)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From what I've read Knox is Samsung's attempt to provide strong security to their phones for the enterprise customers. As you can imagine, allowing system level access to files can be used to get around a lot of security measures that IT people would like to enforce in their client's devices. It makes sense at the enterprise level, but it's a pain for anyone who want's to mod their phone.
So I think the answer to your question is, unless you are using your phone in a locked down corporate environment then there really is no advantage to Knox. Too bad it can't be turned off, at least not officially.
My understanding is that the retail verizon wireless edition (non-DE) of this phone can still be rooted. But you will trip knox, thus voiding warranty. I also understand you don't have an unlocked bootloader either.
I don't care about warranty, but I do want root. My question then becomes about future updates. If knox is tripped, can I still get to lollipop when it is released. I know I would probably loose root again at that point, but I live in the hope that eventually that too will get rooted (I know it may be vain hope, but still).
If my phone is rooted, will it block me from ever getting lollipop? Because without a bootloader, I can't put lollipop on through a custom rom either.
So, for someone who absolutely doesn't care about warranty issues, is root still a bad idea?
Thanks
nertskull said:
My understanding is that the retail verizon wireless edition (non-DE) of this phone can still be rooted. But you will trip knox, thus voiding warranty. I also understand you don't have an unlocked bootloader either.
I don't care about warranty, but I do want root. My question then becomes about future updates. If knox is tripped, can I still get to lollipop when it is released. I know I would probably loose root again at that point, but I live in the hope that eventually that too will get rooted (I know it may be vain hope, but still).
If my phone is rooted, will it block me from ever getting lollipop? Because without a bootloader, I can't put lollipop on through a custom rom either.
So, for someone who absolutely doesn't care about warranty issues, is root still a bad idea?
Thanks
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Click to collapse
There is currently no known root method for the retail VZW Note 4.
Misterxtc said:
There is currently no known root method for the retail VZW Note 4.
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Click to collapse
Interesting, I read somewhere you can root it still, but it will just trip knox. Maybe they were wrong.
I'm seriously struggling pulling the trigger on buying this without root. But I don't care about warranty.
nertskull said:
Interesting, I read somewhere you can root it still, but it will just trip knox. Maybe they were wrong.
I'm seriously struggling pulling the trigger on buying this without root. But I don't care about warranty.
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Click to collapse
Nothing yet. It's a nice phone but if you need root go for the DE edition. I can live without root, it would be nice but it's not a big deal to me. I have other rooted phones I can mess with if I want.
nertskull said:
Interesting, I read somewhere you can root it still, but it will just trip knox. Maybe they were wrong.
I'm seriously struggling pulling the trigger on buying this without root. But I don't care about warranty.
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Click to collapse
This phone is great as is. I personally would not let no root stop me from getting this phone. But its up to you.
Sent from my SM-N910V using XDA Free mobile app
I would like to root my tablet that I just picked up today and most likely keep a stock rom that comes with it and just add root to block ads and a few other minor changes to it.
If I do that I know Knox will be tripped as there is not a way to root and not trip Knox.
What features or functions might I loose or should I have any concern about tripping knox on this device?
I know with the S5 if causes the private mode not to work but I am not really concerned with that.
And on the S6 that will most likely cause Samsung Pay not to work.
Would there be any features that stop working after Knox is tripped and device is rooted?
If you don't mind using kingroot you can root without tripping Knox - unless you install xposed or custom recovery. Look for my thread on no tether root in general section.
Hi, I wanted to know if I decide to root my A5 2017 should I do it before I update it to the latest OS? Also I'm not sure if rooting it would close me off from getting the update or connecting to the store, or if updating it after rooting it would undo the root.
Lastly, I understand that rooting the phone will void the warranty but I bought this phone off of someone I know who had it for 1 year so I don't know if I would be covered under a warranty or not.
Thanks.
Rooting usually locks you off from the updates, so you should definitely update first
Thanks, I did the main update but it now wants to install a 20MB security update. I wasn't sure if I should allow this or not since often these "updates" just block ways of rooting.
Also, does anyone know if I would even have a warranty? I bought the A5 2017 from someone else who had it for about 1 year.
Thanks
accessing google play store has never been an issue for me after rooting with latest updates , some advanced security features might get disabled but overall no big deal
i would take root anyday
i think rooting would render the warranty void by tripping the knox counter , setting "knox warranty void 0x1" , this cannot be reset , if your phone has not already been rooted at some stage before your ownership (knox 0x0) . so the question is has the warrany already been void by any previous rooting? if so .. no reason to not root a second time since warrany void cannot be undone if a new major firmware update comes out in the future for your phone or you just wish to go back to standard unrooted operation you can always re-flash manually (not OTA) with odin.
wipe data required , full clean flash with ODIN (in turn unrooting , but still knox remaining tripped 0x1 , but now with OTA re-enabled) and go back to OTA updates.
just make sure you follow the latest rooting guides after installing the latest security updates so you don't get temporarily locked out.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/sa...w-to/guide-root-install-twrp-samsung-t3747535
root and enjoy the benefits
Thanks. The previous owner had it for about 1 year and never rooted it so nox shouldn't be tripped as far as I know. Is there a way to check?
The phone is unlocked but in the developer settings "OEM Unlock" is set to disabled. Should I enable it? Will that trip nox?
I don't know if the bootloader is unlocked, if it even can be unlocked, or if that will trip nox.
Lastly, and I know this is sort of 'better late then never' but is there a site that would give me some sort of idea of what I could do with root that I can't do currently? I know I can remove bloatware but the A5 2017 seems to handle the installed software pretty well. For me it would be more about what it would open up for me for options. Running emulators for old games maybe? I dunno...
Thanks
Darkmatterx76 said:
Thanks. The previous owner had it for about 1 year and never rooted it so nox shouldn't be tripped as far as I know. Is there a way to check?
The phone is unlocked but in the developer settings "OEM Unlock" is set to disabled. Should I enable it? Will that trip nox?
I don't know if the bootloader is unlocked, if it even can be unlocked, or if that will trip nox.
Lastly, and I know this is sort of 'better late then never' but is there a site that would give me some sort of idea of what I could do with root that I can't do currently? I know I can remove bloatware but the A5 2017 seems to handle the installed software pretty well. For me it would be more about what it would open up for me for options. Running emulators for old games maybe? I dunno...
Thanks
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Click to collapse
If Samsung pay and s health work then knox isn't tripped. Doing the "OEM unlock" won't trip knox, but if you flash something nonstock, then it will. Once you do the "OEM unlock" switch bootloader is unlocked. And with root, there are a million ways to benefit from it. Just do a google search of things you can do with root and you will see a few things that are cool.(at least in my opinion) Good luck!
Sent from my SM-A520W using XDA Labs
hello everyone,
I have and use android phones last 10+ years, always rooted. But I never had samsung phone.
Now I hear only half informations from my buddy, that its dangeous to root samsung because of knox (i dunno what knox even is).
So, now I'm thinking to buy S20 and want to root it, and my question is..:
If I root it, is anything ''broken'' on the phone ? Can phone still recieve official Samsung OTA updates?
What are minuses? what to look for? What about this "knox"?
Please need informaions
Well, I've owned a couple of Samsung devices over the years and I guess I can speak a bit from experience. Here's what you should know:
1.- U.S. phones have their bootloaders locked, so avoid buying a U.S. variant if you want to root it (some people want them for their Snapdragon chips)
2.- Knox is an e-fuse in the phone motherboard. Once you trip it by flashing custom software (root it), then that fuse will be tripped forever. You cannot get your Knox your status back to official unless you change the motherboard. Even flashing stock firmware will never get you this back to official.
3.- A lot of Samsung's security apps check for this fuse and will refuse to work if they detect that you've tripped it. Samsung Pay, Pass, Secure Folder are just some examples of features that will stop working when they detect a tripped Knox fuse. Some of these have bypass with root, but some don't.
4.- You will not get OTA updates with an unlocked bootloader, let alone root. It IS possible to get them back but only after flashing stock firmware and blocking the bootloader. These don't seem to check for Knox.
Understood, Thank You alot for informations and help!
ShaDisNX255 said:
Well, I've owned a couple of Samsung devices over the years and I guess I can speak a bit from experience. Here's what you should know:
1.- U.S. phones have their bootloaders locked, so avoid buying a U.S. variant if you want to root it (some people want them for their Snapdragon chips)
2.- Knox is an e-fuse in the phone motherboard. Once you trip it by flashing custom software (root it), then that fuse will be tripped forever. You cannot get your Knox your status back to official unless you change the motherboard. Even flashing stock firmware will never get you this back to official.
3.- A lot of Samsung's security apps check for this fuse and will refuse to work if they detect that you've tripped it. Samsung Pay, Pass, Secure Folder are just some examples of features that will stop working when they detect a tripped Knox fuse. Some of these have bypass with root, but some don't.
4.- You will not get OTA updates with an unlocked bootloader, let alone root. It IS possible to get them back but only after flashing stock firmware and blocking the bootloader. These don't seem to check for Knox.
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Click to collapse
Hiiii. I currently have a Samsung S20 and I have rooted it before. Once you root it Knox security will be tripped and you will not be able to get it back. This means you will lose access to apps like Samsung Pay, Samsung Pass and Samsung Health. You will not receive OTA updates if you're rooted, but if you flash stock firmware again and lock the bootloader you can start receiving updates again. I currently have a custom ROM installed and I have my ROM rooted. To me, it's been a great experience overall. I didn't really use the Knox features, so I didn't care much about losing it. I have loved rooting my S20 and using a custom ROM !!
victoriam8a said:
Hiiii. I currently have a Samsung S20 and I have rooted it before. Once you root it Knox security will be tripped and you will not be able to get it back. This means you will lose access to apps like Samsung Pay, Samsung Pass and Samsung Health. You will not receive OTA updates if you're rooted, but if you flash stock firmware again and lock the bootloader you can start receiving updates again. I currently have a custom ROM installed and I have my ROM rooted. To me, it's been a great experience overall. I didn't really use the Knox features, so I didn't care much about losing it. I have loved rooting my S20 and using a custom ROM !!
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Actually you can use Samsung Health, just currently no version above 6.19 (2 versions behind current) until we find a way to patch it...i use it daily with my Watch 4 on Rooted S20+ 5G....
73sydney said:
Actually you can use Samsung Health, just currently no version above 6.19 (2 versions behind current) until we find a way to patch it...i use it daily with my Watch 4 on Rooted S20+ 5G....
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Ohh okay !!! Thank you for letting us know !! I don't use Samsung Health so I had not tested it myself, but I had heard that Samsung Health doesn't work with root. Thanks for telling us it works fine !!
so, when rooted there are no OTAs.. thats a nono for me heh.. but question, if no OTAs come from mobile itself, is it possible to get uprades through PC then.. (Kies) maybe ?
maxis123 said:
so, when rooted there are no OTAs.. thats a nono for me heh.. but question, if no OTAs come from mobile itself, is it possible to get uprades through PC then.. (Kies) maybe ?
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Yeah you can flash updates with something like Odin (never used Kies myself, I don't know if it still works)
maxis123 said:
so, when rooted there are no OTAs.. thats a nono for me heh.. but question, if no OTAs come from mobile itself, is it possible to get uprades through PC then.. (Kies) maybe ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ODIN
Flash HOME CSC if you want to keep your data