[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 5] markbnj:
my pain with downgrading/rooting my SM-G900A

I really take issue with his not searching. I've had multiple windows open for 3-5 days (about 2 hrs/day) searching for this info to get my S5/AT&T working right

As an FYI, I am keeping track, and writing a list of steps that I take to get this right, and will post it as a How-to, when I get it successfully finished,

My AT&T G5 is brand new, with a kernel build date of 1/9/2015.

What I've found so far is:

a) SafeStrap requires root.

b) Root (towel-Root v3) does NOT work on roms AFTER june 3rd 2014.

c) there is a very complicated (and I've been a unix administrator over 30+ years) thread that was pointed to HERE, that I am attempting to download/follow):

http://xdaforums.com/att-galaxy-s5/general/g900and3tong3keeprootota-zip-t2862299

which says:

1. Take the NG3 OTA update.

-->> I don't think I need this. but have downloaded it.​

2. Download and install Towelroot-v3.apk(this version does not require internet access).

--> THIS WILL NOT work for builds after 6/3/14!!!​

ALSO NOTE that this will trigger Antivirus and Android alarms when downloading!

3. Place your phone into "Download Mode" (press and hold the Home, Volume Down, and

Power keys until the phone powers on and displays warning screen, then press Volume Up key) and flash the G900A_ND3_Stock_Kernel using Odin's PDA slot(AP in Odin v3.09+).

---> Geez.. THAT's a lot to decipher if you're not a power user.

I show that step to say: (and please correct me if I'm wrong):

3a) DOWNLOAD Odin's PDA slot(AP in Odin v3.09+).​

3b) Run/install odin's pda slot.. (I didnt search this on HOW yet...)​

3b.1 test reboot/download/ the ODIN app​

3c) (forgotten step: copy your G900a_ND3_Stock Kernel to your memory card!
​

3d) Place your phone into "Download Mode" (press and hold the Home, Volume Down, and

Power keys until the phone powers on and displays warning screen, then press Volume Up key) and flash the G900A_ND3_Stock_Kernel​

If I am correct, this will downgrade your G900A ROM from the current version (mine is Build # KTU84P.G900AUU2A0A1 to the stock version from before june 3rd.

4. Open the Towelroot app from your app drawer and press "Make it Rain" to root your device.

5. Power off then boot into "Download Mode" again and flash the G900A_NG3_Stock_Kernel also using Odin's PDA slot(AP in Odin v3.09+).

6. Install SuperSU to manage root access. Done!

Please comment and add/subtract to this, so I can see if this will work.

NB: New note:

After much more searching, just found this (didn't find before)

VERY GOOD guide on restoring a bricked G900A/or downgrading it

(WHICH is what we need to do to get root and then a new ROM!)

SIGH...

-----------UPDATES-----------

I did FINALLY successfully downgrade my phone from jan version 4.4.4 to a a kernel dated mar-14-2014.

IT was SIGNIFICANTLY painful, and I did think I softbricked my phone for 2 days, before getting it correct!

Here are the steps I did for success:

a) downloaded odin version 3.09 (didn't try 3.10)

b) downloaded towel-root apk (see above for comments, and pain involved)

c) downloaded (apparently, a bad) version of the software

c.1) CORRECT version that worked like a charm was here

Linky to download HERE:

I did use odin, and the original file discussed, did NOT work.

d) After getting 4.4.2 installed, towel-root worked like a champ,

e) next I will install safestrap, and then try and figure out which ROM to finally install.

----------------------

Bottom LINE? if you Don'T already have a Samsung Galaxy S5, RUN!!! don't walk, and buy a unlocked LG3 or something else for around the same $$$$!!!

I already hate this phone..

(and my new otterbox case for the S5 is LESS sturdy then my old otterbox for the SII!)

I am quite upset I didn't choose a LG G3 (or G4) instead of this piece of JUNKQUE!

sigh

A full guide will follow (search for my name) when I finish my upgrade (I am writing it as I upgrade to make it very step-by-step, and am essentially attempting to follow the above guide to restore a bricked G900A to download a lower version of the ROM.