yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Sprint Galaxy S 5 General] zmag:
Option 2: **According to the latest info from towelroot thread, this will only work with Kernels dated prior to June 3rd, 2014. May work on newer but chances are not good due to Google supposedly patching the exploit**

---

According to Root Explorer, some folder and file dates are dated April 04, 2014 - My build is KOT49H.G900PVPU1AND2

I'm wondering if I can run towelroot? and if so, should i run it without the modstrings for "Newer Samsung phones"?

FWIW: I did NOT accept any System or Software OR Security updates. I have used Turn Off on all the apps I could so far (which I believe is everything BUT the Security updates) but ATM there are no notifications popping up on me every 5 min. like before. And I just received this phone via Ting.com/Fed Ex. As like my HTC Evo 4G LTE, I followed the same rules and did NOT accept any updates after activation. (I assumed the newest updates would patch any root methods, that's why I didn't apply them) I believe the Software update (140 mb) was downloaded automatically when I turned on Wi-Fi, but I did not apply it. I have not Powered Off/Rebooted my phone since, in fear that if I do, it will apply the Software update. Am I wrong? Do I manually have to press the Apply Software Update button (or w/e it is called in the Software Update app) ? Sorry, I just wanted you to know what steps I have taken as much as possible.

I would rather not have to use the CF-Auto-Root method, my desktop (Windows XP Pro SP3) didn't always play well with my HTC Evo 4G LTE... (but it -did- allow me to root it and install TWRP)

I just don't like attempting root without being very, very sure of what I'm doing!

Any input is greatly appreciated! - zmag
[Sprint Galaxy S 5 General] CCallahan:
File dates do not matter. Just the kernel date. ND2 was released before NE5. Towelroot should work on both builds without issue or use of strings.

You can do one of two things.....

1) Take the official update to NE5 and then run towelroot to obtain root. Unless Sprint has done something to the kernel in this build we don't know about since everyone else has updated then towelroot should work fine.

2) If you are worried about taking the OTA and then not being able to get root just root your ND2 build and then update to a rooted NE5 build manually. Just check the thread HERE or flash one of the many custom roms.

Really there should be no problem with obtaining root going either route. The only version I know of having issues currently is the Sport S5 because the kernel has been patched.

The OTA update you downloaded is on your phone and you can just go and delete the files it downloaded if you want. Can't remember exactly which folder it downloads to but might check the /cache folder.

Just make sure you download towelroot from the link in the OP and not from the towelroot site.
[Sprint Galaxy S 5 General] zmag:
Thank you CCallahan, I feel confident about running towelroot now knowing a little history about the builds and build names

And you're right about going by file/folder dates (newb move on my part)

One more question: I was talking to another xda member, and was told if I try and install a custom recovery, I will trip Knox - and I should just leave the stock recovery; is this true? (Edit: I also just saw the giant red Disclaimer in your OP)

I ask because I read that SuperSU has an "Uninstall Knox" feature - just wondering if that works?/any new news on the subject?

I would prefer to install TWRP, as I am familar with it already from using it on my HTC Evo 4G LTE - but I saw the post saying I can use Mobile ODIN to install a recovery, and i dont think it mentioned anything about Knox...

Anyway, I am going to charge my phone fully then try and run towelroot (which I downloaded from the OP after seeing the post about towelroot.com's version not working with any build anymore.) Thanks for that btw, I would've never known! I noticed that the two versions have totally different md5s/sizes so it seems totally possible!

I will post later if towelroot worked or not. Thanks again! - zmag

P.S. I was shocked to find out that since Android 4.4, the external sd card is read only. WTF GOOGLE! I was happy with my oldschool JB Rom I ran, because I read so much crap about the early KK builds. I have to root to fix this anyway, but it just made me think that Google is trying to "dumb down" newer builds. (Sounds like something Apple would do!) *frustrated grunt* lol

---

Edit 2: SUCCESS!

Well, towelroot ran smoothly and has granted root access. Remarkable app, 1 click root; who woulda thunk it? :)

And SuperSU Pro v2.02 detected Samsung KNOX and asked if I wanted to remove it; 1st try, didn't work. After rebooting and starting SuperSU again, same dialog popped up asking if I wanted to remove it: 2nd try it worked.

Took some screenshots for giggles...
[Sprint Galaxy S 5 General] electricallew:
Towelroot was the easiest root so far.
[Sprint Galaxy S 5 General] asd.sparky:
Do I understand correctly, that I can root my phone to use the root-only apps without tripping Knox, as long as I don't flash the custom recovery? I don't necessarily want to void the warranty just yet but I have several root-only apps from my S3 I would like to continue to use now that I've upgraded to the S5.
[Sprint Galaxy S 5 General] sand1303:
I have to say I totally agree. I did mine with towel root not even touching my pc. Easiest root on any phone I have ever done and I have done about a dozen devices.
[Sprint Galaxy S 5 General] CCallahan:
Yes. If all you do is use towelroot to obtain root then Knox should not be tripped and device status should stay as "Official". Don't forget to install SuperSU after achieving root.
[Sprint Galaxy S 5 General] asd.sparky:
Thanks for the reply. I went ahead and ran towelroot as directed and it appeared to work...until I ran root checker. Root Checker says I am not successfully rooted. I ran SupeSU but could not update the binary without removing Knox. I assume removing Knox will void the warranty. Is there another way around this? Maybe another superuser app that will not try to remove Knox? Any Ideas? Thanks guys.
[Sprint Galaxy S 5 General] CCallahan:
Allowing SuperSU to update the binary is not supposed to trip Knox. You should be fine. Then, if you want to do other things with Knox still on your phone (such as install Xposed and other mods) then can use Titanium Backup and freeze all the Knox services. Then you can un-freeze if you ever need to take advantage of your warranty.
[Sprint Galaxy S 5 General] vlx600d:
maybe a silly question

when i downloaded philz recovery, the file is listed as philz_touch_6.26.6-klte.zip.md5

odin gives error

<OSM> Enter CS for MD5..

<OSM> Check MD5.. Do not unplug the cable..

<OSM> Please wait..

<OSM> MD5 hash value is invalid

<OSM> philz_touch_6.26.6-klte.zip.md5 is invalid.

<OSM> End...

do i need to alter the file name or something? i know im missing something stupid.

edit, yeah it was stupid, same link every OTHER time i went to the download link it gave me the.tar.md5...
[Sprint Galaxy S 5 General] 2006ducatis4r:
Unroot Sprint S5 with Super Su

Hello,

Can you please assist me?

- I rooted my Sprint S5 with the towel root method 2 months ago. Everything works great BUT i would like to know how to UNROOT it and restore it back to factory in case I would like to sell my phone in the future.

- I didn't install any ROMS. It's just a basic towel root method so I can tether my phone.

* Please assist.

Thank you!

2006Ducatiss4r
[Sprint Galaxy S 5 General] m20120:
I presume that you installed SuperSU after you rooted? If not, you should have to control what apps get root permissions.

You can use the option "Full unroot" from SuperSU to remove root access on your phone.
[Sprint Galaxy S 5 General] 2006ducatis4r:
**Unroot Sprint S5 ** Towel Root

Hello,

Yes, I installed SuperSU and I see the option for "Unroot" BUT will I soft brick my phone once I do this? If I do this "SuperSU" method of pressing "Unroot", Do I do a factory reset?

Thank you for your help,

2006ducatis4r
[Sprint Galaxy S 5 General] CCallahan:
You don't need to do a factory reset unless you want. Obviously any apps that rely on root access will not be able to run. You may also have to remove the SuperSU app after doing the unroot as it may still be on there.

As for soft bricking the device this should not happen. The device should reboot normally without issue with exception to possible FCs (depends on the rom).
[Sprint Galaxy S 5 General] CCallahan:
OP updated with root option for Sport S5. :victory:
[Sprint Galaxy S 5 General] brejzek:
Does anyone know if there is Any working method for root on 4.4.4
[Sprint Galaxy S 5 General] CCallahan:
Since Sprint has not rolled out 4.4.4 to our device yet how would we know? One of the existing root methods might work but there is no way to know until the package is available.

Assuming you are still on 4.4.2 why does it even matter at this point? Just sayin.
[Sprint Galaxy S 5 General] brejzek:
Idk I got an update today so I guess its 4.4.3 idk I dont want to lose basic root when I take the update..I used towel root so I can tether my phone and delete some bloatware
[Sprint Galaxy S 5 General] fbavnova:
I think you put the wrong disclaimer for the Sport s5 section (should be about triggering knox, no?)

So right now there is no way to root sport s5 without voiding warranty? :(
[Sprint Galaxy S 5 General] CCallahan:
Changed the disclaimer wording for the 860. And yes, since towelroot does not work on the newer kernels there is only one way to root which will trip Knox.

Just got your first thanks. :good:
[Sprint Galaxy S 5 General] nelson1200:
TowelRoot APK link no longer working

Does anyone have a mirror link for the TowelRoot apk?

Clicking on the original link leads to a dropbox page with the following message:

"Restricted Content

This file is no longer available. For additional information contact Dropbox Support."

Thanks in advance!

*Edit*

FYI - I ended up downloading the apk directly from https://towelroot.com/ and it worked fine for my version NE5. I was able to root, install SuperSU, and even did the hotspot mod.
[Sprint Galaxy S 5 General] CCallahan:
Thanks for the report. Will change the link back to the original dl since it is confirmed to still work. **EDIT....FIXED.**
[Sprint Galaxy S 5 General] VDub2625:
So I did method 2, and this happened:

AnNd my warranty is now void :( I'm 0x1. I can't run updates of profile or PRL either. Am I screwed now?
[Sprint Galaxy S 5 General] 5oo:
can i unroot my phone and not to brick it after i already update it ? can i use this method?

http://gs5.wonderhowto.com/how-to/unroot-your-galaxy-s5-other-android-device-0156117/
[Sprint Galaxy S 5 General] CCallahan:
What do you mean you already updated it? If you originally rooted with towelroot than using that method should work fine.
[Sprint Galaxy S 5 General] CCallahan:
Yes...rooting using CF Autoroot voids the warranty (hence the disclaimer). If you are trying to take OTA updates then need to do that through Odin or flashing a rom via custom recovery. You should still be able to update your profile or PRL though so not sure what is causing that issue. But no, you are not "screwed."
[Sprint Galaxy S 5 General] 5oo:
Well I rooted like 6months ago and today morning came update and my phone doesn't work?
[Sprint Galaxy S 5 General] CCallahan:
The options in the OP have changed in that time. Did you use CF Autoroot or towelroot to acheive root status?

When you say your phone doesn't work what exactly does not work? The PRL and profile update? Assume there was an OTA update pushed to your device and you tried to take it but it failed? Please be specific.

EDIT...If you have a custom recovery installed can flash the stock rom to solve any issues: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2788722

Or, can use Odin to restore your phone to factory and then re-root if so desired.
[Sprint Galaxy S 5 General] 5oo:
Yes at that time I used cf auto root via Odin

After update can't make a phone call won't go thru and texting

Yes I have stock recovery and I stayed on stock rom I was just using hot spot

I sent that phone to my friend in Indiana so don't have access to that phone at this point :/
[Sprint Galaxy S 5 General] CCallahan:
At this point I'd say to install a custom recovery and then just flash a rom. Problem solved.
[Sprint Galaxy S 5 General] VDub2625:
I'm pretty sure it said "may" void warranty before, and says "will" now. If I knew it definitely would, I wouldn't have done it :( I suppose it doesn't really matter, since I was planning on (eventually) installing a recovery anyway.

I don't know why there are prl and profile errors, at the time the cf-autoroot was the only thing I had done. I would say it might have been sprint, but it happened for several days afterwards.
[Sprint Galaxy S 5 General] :
Hey,

You should not be that worried about th3 voided warrenty. I had a Galaxy S3 and I had it rooted and everything. The usb port was going out, so I brought it in they looked at it and gave me another. I truly do not think sprint really cares, at least that is what I think.

RH

Sent from my SM-G900P
[Sprint Galaxy S 5 General] VDub2625:
Thanks for the reassurance. I've been into technology for a long time but they seem to be good at creating new ways to get us scared lol.
[Sprint Galaxy S 5 General] :
I know exactly what you mean! Hey, if you have a chance, could you thank me! I know I did not do much, but trying to start some kind of rep. Thanks :)

RH

Sent from my SM-G900P
[Sprint Galaxy S 5 General] JollyGrnReefer:
LOL, you can't ask for a thanks, plus, maybe your advice wasn't helpful. But here's one from me, welcome to the forum.
[Sprint Galaxy S 5 General] :
Well thank you kind, sir, for your kindness and as well as for welcoming me to the forum.

RH
[Sprint Galaxy S 5 General] penguin_ninja:
No way around tripping knox?

So im rooting the towelroot way, when i run superSU it asks if i have custom recovery like twrp or cwm. i dont so i click normal correct? it says installing and brings up the next window samsung KNOX has been detected...try to disable KNOX. i thought towelroot was a way around tripping knox?

Thanks for any help!
[Sprint Galaxy S 5 General] :
It is, BUT when you are root you are going to automatically trip Knox no matter what. I say just disable it. It is not going to do you any harm. :)
[Sprint Galaxy S 5 General] wolverinexc:
GS5 Sport ROM

So with the fact that GS5 ROMs and Recoveries don't work for the GS5 Sport (SM-860P) - has anyone found any ROMs or recoveries being developed for this device?

I have been searching and unable to find any threads.... :(
[Sprint Galaxy S 5 General] ParrSt:
NO Rooting alone does not trip knox. I am rooted and have done several small mods without tripping knox. Custom ROM or Kernel will trip it. My next test will be to see if I can Odin a de-odexed stock rom without tripping knox. If so, I will probably be able to create/mod my way to exactly what I want without tripping knox... but I am pretty sure the odex-ed rom will trip it.
[Sprint Galaxy S 5 General] :
When you install supersu or any su app it going to trip Knox no matter what. That the way Samsung designed it.
[Sprint Galaxy S 5 General] ParrSt:
I am rooted with Super SU and I have NOT tripped my knox.
[Sprint Galaxy S 5 General] SeanRinVA:
Deleted...redundant question...I found the posts above this explaining that there is no custom recovery for the SM-G860P, Sprint's Galaxy S5 Sport.

Awesome. Hoping someone develops one. I don't really care about the Knox trip...I want a NANDroid backup.
[Sprint Galaxy S 5 General] ckatlanta:
How to root Sprint G900PVPU1ANE5 without tripping knox?

never mind, figured out towelroot works just fine on Sprint G900PVPU1ANE5
[Sprint Galaxy S 5 General] just1n:
I've been trying to do Auto Root and keep running into problems:

<ID:0/003> Odin v.3 engine (ID:3)..

<ID:0/003> File analysis..

<ID:0/003> SetupConnection..

<ID:0/003> Initialzation..

<ID:0/003> Set PIT file..

<ID:0/003> DO NOT TURN OFF TARGET!!

<ID:0/003> Get PIT for mapping..

<ID:0/003> Firmware update start..

<ID:0/003> recovery.img

<ID:0/003> NAND Write Start!!

<ID:0/003> cache.img.ext4

<ID:0/003> Complete(Write) operation failed.

<OSM> All threads completed. (succeed 0 / failed 1

I had originally done it w/o the PIT file but I found one for the G900P and tried adding that. It got further with the PIT file but I am still having a problems. Any idea?
[Sprint Galaxy S 5 General] CCallahan:
Use towelroot.
[Sprint Galaxy S 5 General] raivyn:
if i use towelroot to root my phone can i unroot it after? my screen is cracked and i want to get it replaced but by rooting phone it voids warranty btw my phone is a sprint gs5
[Sprint Galaxy S 5 General] msarro:
I just wanted to chime in - the Best Buy 1$ GS5s for sprint have a kernel dated may 30th, 2014. Towelroot worked like a gem!

I'm going into the Sprint store to verify that everything they did at best buy is correct (the website can take a few days to fully update), but once that's done I'll be putting on a custom recovery.
[Sprint Galaxy S 5 General] sander999:
what method did you use please explain I'm interested thanks
[Sprint Galaxy S 5 General] Tewlman252:
I'm curious as well. I'm on 4.4.4 NK4 and cannot get root. Keeps failing at recovery reboot. I pulled the battery and tried again, same results. Please advise. Does this work on NK4?
[Sprint Galaxy S 5 General] ParrSt:
Step 2 option 1 from the Original post. Is the one I used. But if your phone is newer I don't know.
[Sprint Galaxy S 5 General] sander999:
I just got my phone from best buy here is a pic and thanks for your reply
[Sprint Galaxy S 5 General] cruise350:
Use Bryanu's method found here, works great. Since one of you are already on NK4 you just need to do the kernel swap to accomplish root with towel root. Here is the post, and you can find the kernels he used a few posts later.

http://xdaforums.com/sprint-galaxy-s5/general/android-4-4-4-sprint-s5-rolling-t2893243/page8
[Sprint Galaxy S 5 General] FusionX:
New to rooting Samsung (very versed with HTC) but here is the experience I had to go through, which may be completely normal but just posting in case anyone is like me.

1. Followed CF autoroot method with Odin. The device rebooted after running and went into "booting into recovery" and just hung there. (again maybe normal??)

2. Tried again as the instructions suggested, had to do a battery pull before device would go back into download mode for me.

3. Same result, just hung in booting into recovery.

4. Decided to try and flashing CWM via Odin, this worked.

5. From CWM I found an option to root, applied that and rebooted into android.

6. Downloaded SuperSU and updated binary

Is this the way the process is supposed to go?

Device is NK4 with 4.4.2, $1 Best Buy phone that came in yesterday.
[Sprint Galaxy S 5 General] jdsingle76:
The second method you used is the one I use exclusively. I use Philz recovery to root and then download SuperSU from play store, update binary, profit. Glad you got it working.
[Sprint Galaxy S 5 General] Ragnar:
Will confirm just received new S5 in the mail yesterday, fired it up installed Towel root and all rooted. Thanks for this simple and easy way. By far the easiest root I have ever achieved, no computer, no cables, no Odin...

Can't beat that. Thank you for putting this thread together [MENTION=3081342]CCallahan[/MENTION]

Have a great day!
[Sprint Galaxy S 5 General] jdsingle76:
+1..fyi, if you're still on NE5 and take the NK4 OTA you lose root, but Tr gets it right back :)
[Sprint Galaxy S 5 General] dmolavi:
Towelroot can re-root NK4 if you take the OTA? I'm tired of the stupid notification, even though I have the auto-update disabled..If I can take the update and re-towelroot to get root back, that'll be fine.

My wife's GS5 was not rooted when she took the OTA and towelroot said it couldn't root the phone.
[Sprint Galaxy S 5 General] jdsingle76:
I thought it could but it's telling me now that I have NK4 that it's not supported. If you don't care about tripping Knox you can always root through CWM and install SuperSU from play store.
[Sprint Galaxy S 5 General] dmolavi:
SHe let's the kids mess around on her phone, so warranty is important :) I found another method here that doesn't trip knox. I'm gonna try it on hers first before i do it on mine. sssh don't tell her she's the guinea pig :)
[Sprint Galaxy S 5 General] Tewlman252:
Anyone notice since rooting that gsiff_daemon is running high like the GS3 use to?

I had to .bak that sucker like before to keep it from killing my battery.
[Sprint Galaxy S 5 General] cruise350:
Towelroot will work with NK4, you just have to odin the NE5 kernel, run towelroot, then reinstall the NK4 kernel via odin. No Knox trip and rooted, done!
[Sprint Galaxy S 5 General] view9234:
Quick question...

Just got my GS5 from sprint (currently on GS3) and want to root so I can return to the awesomeness of MOAR.

I've been using TWRP on GS3 and prefer it over CWM, unless there's an issue. I see the OP recommends CWM, however that post was last updated in October. Are there any issues with using TWRP instead of CWM now?
[Sprint Galaxy S 5 General] wc4r:
Towelroot won't work on Android 5.0

Galaxy S5 with Android 5.0 flash (Sprint) SM-G900P; towelroot.apk is not compatible :(
[Sprint Galaxy S 5 General] CCallahan:
Did you flash the NE5 kernel before trying towelroot? If not then yes, towelroot will not be compatible.
[Sprint Galaxy S 5 General] mikeramrod:
Official NK5 link

I'm trying to download the official SPR-G900PVPU1ANK4 file. I tried going to samMobile but they send me to a link that fails downloading it. It downloads for 2 hours or so and always fails, Any help would be greatly appreciated... I'm rooted on NE5 btw
[Sprint Galaxy S 5 General] xSpaceGhost:
I just got a sprint s5. It updated to the 4.4.4 firmware (nk4) right away. And I wasn't rooted. When I try to "odin flash" the June 2014 firmware (ne5) it flashes and then goes into a bootnloop. The only way to stop it is to flash back the 4.4.4 nk4 firmware. I'm at a loss on how to root my s5. Any help? Any suggeations? At this time my s5 has NEVER been rooted.
[Sprint Galaxy S 5 General] jdsingle76:
You can't flash back to a lower bootloader. You're lucky you didn't brick! You can, however, flash the NE5 kernel that's floating around and then use towel root to root your Or even simpler, if you don't care about tripping Knox, just flash Philz recovery, root through CWM, then install supersu in play store, update binaries, profit :) Good luck!

---------- Post added at 11:10 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:03 PM ----------

https://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=95832962473396444

This is straight from Kies. I have the Boost variant of the S5 but it's an update so it doesn't really matter. Enjoy. I'll be making an OP soon.

---------- Post added at 11:12 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:10 PM ----------

Most folks like CWM, especially Philz's version. My suggestion, flash TWRP...try it for awhile. If it's buggy, flash Philz :)
[Sprint Galaxy S 5 General] xSpaceGhost:
So you're saying just flash philz and then root through the recovery?
[Sprint Galaxy S 5 General] jdsingle76:
Yep, that's exactly what I'm saying :). Easy cheesy!
[Sprint Galaxy S 5 General] steveokinevo:
for options #2 for rooting does that matter what kernel you are on? i DO NOT want to trip anything and void warrenty. i have NK4 and the date says nov. 8.
[Sprint Galaxy S 5 General] cruise350:
Yes, option #2 trips Knox and voids your Samsung warranty. If you don't want to trip Knox, you will need to use towel root. The problem is towel root only works with older kernels. So, since you are on NK4 already you will have to downgrade your kernel by using Odin to install the NE5 kernel, run towel root, then Odin the nk4 kernel. Install SuperSU and update binaries. Then you are rooted without tripping Knox.
[Sprint Galaxy S 5 General] steveokinevo:
got it, thx for the help! tis all rooted now
[Sprint Galaxy S 5 General] xSpaceGhost:
Where do you get the kernel? All i have is the ne5 firmware. And that doesn't work. Causes a boot loop.