Develop Bugs

[Q] "Knox" firmware and the m919 version?

I have read (<here> and <here>)
about new firmware versions that will not allow resetting the counter (warranty flag) to initial conditions when restoring to stock after after unlocking or rooting.
If the phone developed a hardware problem, warranty repair could be denied.
The firmware version "MGG" and beyond are reported to have this problem.
Questions:
Does this also apply to the m919 T-Mobile version?
Has anybody seen it on an m919?
Is it going out with an OTA update?
Or is MGG specific to the i9505?
I am shopping for a GS4 m919, and I want confirm that it has the "pre-MGG" firmware version before purchase.
Questions:
Is the ID contained in the "Baseband" ID string in the phone information?
Are there different identifier strings used on the M919?

The T-Mobile S4 has not received the KNOX Bootloader, it will most likely come with the 4.3 update. If anyone is on stock, I would recommend you guys disable OTA updates as you may get automatically updated to 4.3 with the KNOX bootloader.

for once...im dreading an update from tmobile

If I've already rooted and installed a custom recovery (Clockwork Mod), and nothing else, does anyone know if the 4.3 update with KNOX will still be usuable? In other words, will the phone still get an automatic OTA update and will that update install correctly?
Sent from my SGH-M919 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

DigitalHeretic said:
If I've already rooted and installed a custom recovery (Clockwork Mod), and nothing else, does anyone know if the 4.3 update with KNOX will still be usuable? In other words, will the phone still get an automatic OTA update and will that update install correctly?
Sent from my SGH-M919 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It wont let you get the update it will pop a box up saying unable to uodate your device has been modified. . Try to check for an uodate youll see what im talking about... I went back to stock just to see if there was anything for updates which there wasnt andbwent to reroot and installed su abd it didn't flash correctly thru odin said to heck with it till the am checked for an update for giggles in the am and wouldn't even check
Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk

i'm glad I read this thread. i was going to wait until i tried the stock 4.3 update before deciding to root and install custom ROMs. With KNOX coming, I'm just going to root ASAP. I like PA on my Nexus4, so I'll probably go with that for my S4.

So you guys are saying the new update with "knox" won't allow you to reset the counter and only that or will it stop you from completely rooting and installing custom roms?
Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk

futty said:
So you guys are saying the new update with "knox" won't allow you to reset the counter and only that or will it stop you from completely rooting and installing custom roms?
Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Let me clarify some things. The KNOX processes and functions are already on the stock ROM, most devs remove them, though. So many of you with custom ROMs haven't seen anything related to KNOX.
What the new T-Mobile update (when it gets pushed out) is most likely to come with is a "KNOX Bootloader" which will introduce a thing called "KNOX Flag" which is similar to the old counter we're all used to. This is the counter that @Chainfire was successful in resetting with his app, Triangle Away.
Unfortunately, @Chainfire or anyone else for that matter, has not been able to reset the KNOX flag.
The KNOX flags is this:
0x0 = You have not tripped the KNOX flag.
0x1 = You have tripped the KNOX flag.
Again, once you trip that flag, rooting, flashing a custom recovery, etc.. there is NO way to reset it as of now. And any KNOX functionality on your phone will not work. But the worst part is Samsung will refuse warranty on your device if they see a 0x1 in your bootloader.
Another thing.. on the new bootloader, if you try to downgrade, even with an official Samsung firmware, it will fail and you will trip the KNOX flag.
So once you're on the new bootloader, there's no going back.
There's been speculation that there's an eFuse at play here.
Anyway, this is the reason why I am suggesting you all disable OTA updates and wait until a ROM is built without the new bootloader and all the functions (Wifi, MMS, etc.) are working.

mgbotoe said:
for once...im dreading an update from tmobile
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Click to collapse
Hey, its sammy we have to blame for this one :/ Not T-Mobile lol.
PSSSST! Don't let them know you are dreading it, or they might put it off longer xD
As to the OP.
The KNOX Warranty counter is rumored to be what is called an eFUSE. If this is true, then resetting the KNOX warranty counter will be impossible without taking apart your phone and replacing that specific eFUSE.
However, there are rumors that some root methods DO NOT trip this new counter. Is that good? Yes, is that bad? Yes. For those users who like stock kernels and just wanna root, this is okay for them. But for 99.999999 percent of us who love to flash new kernels and get more from our devices, then it trips the counter.
I personally congratulate Samsung as well as hate them at the same time for this. I congratulate them because what seems to be happening a lot is users flash a million and 2 things to their device having not one single clue what they are doing, thus bricking their 500+ dollar smartphone then claiming it as a warranty claim and getting another one. I also feel they are trying to flex their ego muscles too -.-
I also believe that if you have insurance, this does not apply. It is only for warranty claims. Which like you stated OP, it only means Samsung can choose to deny to repair or replace it. I have read a lot of thread before where users tripped the older binary flash counter, and still were given a new device. I honestly don't know how this is going to play out for the lot of us. For me, my warranty is over in a few months anyhow so i don't really care. But its still kind of a dickish thing Samsung is doing.
I am also hoping that we can extract the contents of the new update and keep our older bootloaders and create a flashable zip with the new update stuff and have it still work. I know there were some issues with the international S4 4.3 update but im not sure if it was entirely caused by the bootloader.

Exel said:
Anyway, this is the reason why I am suggesting you all disable OTA updates and wait until a ROM is built without the new bootloader and all the functions (Wifi, MMS, etc.) are working.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where do you disable OTA updates on a stock S4?
Hitting "Software Update" takes me to a Boolean"Update Now" popup with no other option than choosing Yes, No or Wifi. No option to defeat future updates is offered.
Going into developer mode doesn't seem to add any pertinent options either (correct me if I'm wrong).
Clearly, Samsung doesn't want us to be able to disable updates unless or until we root, which I'm doing this weekend on the basis of this thread.

Reignogleph MMXI said:
Where do you disable OTA updates on a stock S4?
Hitting "Software Update" takes me to a Boolean"Update Now" popup with no other option than choosing Yes, No or Wifi. No option to defeat future updates is offered.
Going into developer mode doesn't seem to add any pertinent options either (correct me if I'm wrong).
Clearly, Samsung doesn't want us to be able to disable updates unless or until we root, which I'm doing this weekend on the basis of this thread.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You indeed have to root to disable OTA updates.

Once the update hits im going to extract the system.img to get all the files.
Then explore where all of the Knox crap is and get rid of it.
I know I want be alone in doing this...all who develop for the S4 will be on top of it.
Someone will figure out a way to get around this Knox BS...
Sent from a Insane S4
SICK MADE DEVELOPMENT

alloycowboy said:
Once the update hits im going to extract the system.img to get all the files.
Then explore where all of the Knox crap is and get rid of it.
I know I want be alone in doing this...all who develop for the S4 will be on top of it.
Someone will figure out a way to get around this Knox BS...
Sent from a Insane S4
SICK MADE DEVELOPMENT
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thats fine and dandy for us with existing phones.. I already removed all the knox crap from my phone, and will update but not kernel and do the same..
But what about all future phones.. If indeed the kernel is locked with knox and there is no way to remove it we are screwed for new phones coming out.

lgkahn said:
thats fine and dandy for us with existing phones.. I already removed all the know crap from my phone, and will update but not kernel and do the same..
But what about all future phones.. If indeed the kernel is locked with knox and there is no way to remove it we are screwed for new phones coming out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree. If thats the case....then alot of people will ditch Samsung.
But I have a feeling we will figure out Knox. Its man made so it can be hacked. Who when and how is the question.
Sent from a Insane S4
SICK MADE DEVELOPMENT

that's also why I paid 400 bucks for a T-Mobile sgs 4 and I am using it on at&t... I refuse to pay or support a phone with a locked bootloader.. matter of principle...i would ditch att if T-Mobile had decent service in my area.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk 2

Questions about root, ROMs and this KNOX thing.

So i bought a Note 3 and as I do with all my devices i want to root it, but i am hearing some news things like Knox and alternate root methods.
I have some questions.
1. With knox i understand it voids your warranty if you root, but doesnt rooting always void your warranty regardless?
2. Followup question, if i root and the knox flag is tripped, will it affect me on t mobile 6 months from now when i want to upgrade since i have JUMP?
3. Is the rom flashing and recovery flashing the same as always or has anything important changed?
4. Would you recommend I root now or just hold off?
Thank you in advance.

thehobs94 said:
So i bought a Note 3 and as I do with all my devices i want to root it, but i am hearing some news things like Knox and alternate root methods.
I have some questions.
1. With knox i understand it voids your warranty if you root, but doesnt rooting always void your warranty regardless?
2. Followup question, if i root and the knox flag is tripped, will it affect me on t mobile 6 months from now when i want to upgrade since i have JUMP?
3. Is the rom flashing and recovery flashing the same as always or has anything important changed?
4. Would you recommend I root now or just hold off?
Thank you in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can answer number one for you, since yes it does void it no matter what but each flash you do adds to a counter in the phone. Most phones you can just reset it to zero and I believe most roms do flip it back to zero, so they can't see it was rooted. Now with knox efuse the number goes 0x0 to 0x1 and right now you can't reset it and it sounds like you may not be able to ever. I do remember seeing a way to root and not flip it but the moment you do a custom rom it's all over.
With the jump program I don't even think they will look at the phone past does it turn on and is it beat to hell or not, I think the jump program is stupid but that is just me. It's like renting to me. But in short yeah samsung is a ****.

Few questions from Sammy Newb

So I got the S8 on BOGO last night, my dad got the S8+, mine is SM-G950U from Costco, it was placed on TMobile network, it's got the T-Mobile firmware I believe as there are about 5 TMO apps pre-installed.
I'm a bit confused, it seems that there are root options for this phone, other threads say TMo won't unlock bootloaders, yet I see there are a few ROMs floating around.
Thus far I did 2 system updates and am currently running on G950USQU1AQEF.
I see that there's a AQFJ already downloading, and the patch notes say "Device Security Enhancements"
Now I don't want to update this device to the point of not being able to root, even though I am not even sure if there's a root available.
Can someone clear up the rooting situation for me?
I don't see any rooting guides, yet I see some ROMs around. (most/all are for G950F/FD/N) - Is the version of the device unrootable?
Does rooting break warranty?
Also, i read somewhere that there are Knox counter re-setters, would that prevent void warranty?
Thanks!

Shemploo said:
So I got the S8 on BOGO last night, my dad got the S8+, mine is SM-G950U from Costco, it was placed on TMobile network, it's got the T-Mobile firmware I believe as there are about 5 TMO apps pre-installed.
I'm a bit confused, it seems that there are root options for this phone, other threads say TMo won't unlock bootloaders, yet I see there are a few ROMs floating around.
Thus far I did 2 system updates and am currently running on G950USQU1AQEF.
I see that there's a AQFJ already downloading, and the patch notes say "Device Security Enhancements"
Now I don't want to update this device to the point of not being able to root, even though I am not even sure if there's a root available.
Can someone clear up the rooting situation for me?
I don't see any rooting guides, yet I see some ROMs around. (most/all are for G950F/FD/N) - Is the version of the device unrootable?
Does rooting break warranty?
Also, i read somewhere that there are Knox counter re-setters, would that prevent void warranty?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no root for the Snapdragon variant of the S8 or S8+, it's not T-Mobile it's Samsung. Yes rooting will trip Knox and void your warranty, even flashing stock firmware won't untrip Knox. So update away, the chances of root are slim to none. I have had 14 or so android smartphones since 2009 and they were all rooted on day one. You can use Package Disabler Pro to get rid of the bloat. If you want some more customization you can use layers from this thread. And there's even Subsratam for Samsung here. I sincerely doubt that the bootloader will be unlocked in the near future.

OTA updates after rooting and unlocking bootloader

If I unlock my bootloader, root with magisk and install twrp, the what is step by step process to get official OTA updates when one gets released.
I don't have problem setting up my device from square 1.
But I want to avoid bootloops and bricking my device

fizzingbees said:
If I unlock my bootloader, root with magisk and install twrp, the what is step by step process to get official OTA updates when one gets released.
I don't have problem setting up my device from square 1.
But I want to avoid bootloops and bricking my device
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Theres no way to do all things at once.
Unlocked bootlooder and rooting it means youll not get updates anymore as security has been broken. Youll have to flash manually or leave it as it is.

chirogan said:
Theres no way to do all things at once.
Unlocked bootlooder and rooting it means youll not get updates anymore as security has been broken. Youll have to flash manually or leave it as it is.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So if I flash stock rom via odin, will it be possible to get OTA updates.
Of course I will loose my unlocked bootloader and root and twrp. Wouldn't I?

fizzingbees said:
So if I flash stock rom via odin, will it be possible to get OTA updates.
Of course I will loose my unlocked bootloader and root and twrp. Wouldn't I?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Someone correct me if im wrong. My previous root experience was a year ago already with my s6 edge.
You'll still get OTA updates provided youre on official firmware and your bootloader is locked.
But a tripped knox will never return. You will never be able to use samsung pay and other features requiring knox.
Its up to you what you like. OTA updates or full feature of a rooted phone.

chirogan said:
Someone correct me if im wrong. My previous root experience was a year ago already with my s6 edge.
You'll still get OTA updates provided youre on official firmware and your bootloader is locked.
But a tripped knox will never return. You will never be able to use samsung pay and other features requiring knox.
Its up to you what you like. OTA updates or full feature of a rooted phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I know about knox. Currently using rooted Samsung note 4 and all knox related apps removed.got Samsung health working by changing tima.
I dont care about knox tripping and not being able to use Samsung pay.
But since Samsung A70 is a new phone and unlike my note 4 still bound to get Ota updates and security patches, I would like to have this option.
I am seeing on forums to not lock the bootloader after rooting as it can cause bootloops. Something to do with magisk changing firmware of your phone.
I guess the only option is manual firmware download and flashing and then redoing rooting and patching.
Or stay on current firmware

chirogan said:
Theres no way to do all things at once.
Unlocked bootlooder and rooting it means youll not get updates anymore as security has been broken. Youll have to flash manually or leave it as it is.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bro send me please the recovery and how to flash it because it stays in download mode for hours and doesn't flash anything

help/info about samsung rooting

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.
Click to expand...
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 !!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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 ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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