First of all we should thank Samsung for their gesture of generosity, by allowing us to safely downgrade Lollipop to KitKat. Maybe this is because Lillopop is probably the last version of Android our devices will get.
But anyway, let’s stick to the topic.
The following is a step-by-step guide for unroot Lollipop and/or downgrade Galaxy S4 Active International (I9295) from Lollipop 5.0.1 (DOB4) to KitKat 4.4.2 (CNE5) without tripping Knox. At least these are the steps I performed and the firmwares I’ve used. Other might also work, but I haven’t tested.
As we know, for the moment rooting Lollipop involves flashing a custom recovery, which activates the flash counter and the System and Binary status is Custom. However in Download mode there is NO KNOX STATUS INDICATION! Again: Thank you Samsung!:))
Let’s get to work. The usual warning applied here: Do this at your own risk. I’m not responsible for any damage and/or loss of data or any other issues if something goes wrong during process. Fully charge the battery, make backup and so on, you know the drill:) In short – I tell you EXACTLY what I did and, it worked for ME without issues!
1.*Download all necessary tools: Odin, the official KitKat firmware you are downgrading to, the official Lollipop firmware currently on your phone. Ensure all drivers are up to date.
2.*Put your phone into Download mode (Turn it on while holding the Volume Down key + Home keys). In fact holding the home button turns out to be optional:)
3.*Run Odin. Ensure “Auto Reboot” and “F. Reset Time” are the only boxes checked.
4.*Connect phone to the USB.
5.*Click AP and browse for the official Lollipop firmware. (This step is necessary if you have rooted you phone and have flashed a custom recovery. If you are just downgrading, I think you can safely skip it.)
6.*Click Start.
7.*Wait. J
8.*When flashing finishes unplug your phone from USB and reset it to factory settings.
9.*Put your phone into Download mode again.
10.*Run Odin again. Same steps as above but now select the official KitKat firmware.
11.*Click Start.
12.*Wait againJ
13.*When flashing finishes, device might stuck in a Bootloop. Put it into recovery mode by turning it on while holding Volume Up key.
14.*When the phone is in recovery mode use the Factory reset option. (Can’t recall exactly what it was called, but it is the only one that will reset the phone to factory settings, so just do it).
15.*Put your phone into Download mode (not really necessary, just to check the Knox Status).
16.*Start phone. If Wi-Fi doesn’t work perform a factory reset again.
17.*You should now have successfully restored KitKat firmware on your phone
Now it is time to reset the flash counters if you need that.
18.*Root your phone with Towelroot.
19.*Install Triangle Away.
20.*Start Triangle Away and choose Reset flash counter.
21.*When device reboot, reset the counters and then a menu will ask you if you want to reboot phone normally or into download mode. Choose Download mode.
22.*When device reboots, Binary and System status and should show Official and the Knox Warranty should be 0x0.
23.*Now you can choose if you want to flash the official KitKat firmware or if you want to update to Lollipop. In both cases you will have fully unrooted phone and Samsung Official firmware.
Enjoy:)
But anyway, let’s stick to the topic.
The following is a step-by-step guide for unroot Lollipop and/or downgrade Galaxy S4 Active International (I9295) from Lollipop 5.0.1 (DOB4) to KitKat 4.4.2 (CNE5) without tripping Knox. At least these are the steps I performed and the firmwares I’ve used. Other might also work, but I haven’t tested.
As we know, for the moment rooting Lollipop involves flashing a custom recovery, which activates the flash counter and the System and Binary status is Custom. However in Download mode there is NO KNOX STATUS INDICATION! Again: Thank you Samsung!:))
Let’s get to work. The usual warning applied here: Do this at your own risk. I’m not responsible for any damage and/or loss of data or any other issues if something goes wrong during process. Fully charge the battery, make backup and so on, you know the drill:) In short – I tell you EXACTLY what I did and, it worked for ME without issues!
1.*Download all necessary tools: Odin, the official KitKat firmware you are downgrading to, the official Lollipop firmware currently on your phone. Ensure all drivers are up to date.
2.*Put your phone into Download mode (Turn it on while holding the Volume Down key + Home keys). In fact holding the home button turns out to be optional:)
3.*Run Odin. Ensure “Auto Reboot” and “F. Reset Time” are the only boxes checked.
4.*Connect phone to the USB.
5.*Click AP and browse for the official Lollipop firmware. (This step is necessary if you have rooted you phone and have flashed a custom recovery. If you are just downgrading, I think you can safely skip it.)
6.*Click Start.
7.*Wait. J
8.*When flashing finishes unplug your phone from USB and reset it to factory settings.
9.*Put your phone into Download mode again.
10.*Run Odin again. Same steps as above but now select the official KitKat firmware.
11.*Click Start.
12.*Wait againJ
13.*When flashing finishes, device might stuck in a Bootloop. Put it into recovery mode by turning it on while holding Volume Up key.
14.*When the phone is in recovery mode use the Factory reset option. (Can’t recall exactly what it was called, but it is the only one that will reset the phone to factory settings, so just do it).
15.*Put your phone into Download mode (not really necessary, just to check the Knox Status).
16.*Start phone. If Wi-Fi doesn’t work perform a factory reset again.
17.*You should now have successfully restored KitKat firmware on your phone
Now it is time to reset the flash counters if you need that.
18.*Root your phone with Towelroot.
19.*Install Triangle Away.
20.*Start Triangle Away and choose Reset flash counter.
21.*When device reboot, reset the counters and then a menu will ask you if you want to reboot phone normally or into download mode. Choose Download mode.
22.*When device reboots, Binary and System status and should show Official and the Knox Warranty should be 0x0.
23.*Now you can choose if you want to flash the official KitKat firmware or if you want to update to Lollipop. In both cases you will have fully unrooted phone and Samsung Official firmware.
Enjoy:)
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