[Verizon Galaxy Note 4 Android Development] DerrickLA:
Downgraded my Note 4 from Verizon Marshmallow to Lollipop 5.1

Hey everyone,

Just wanted to give you all some info. I have a Note 4 from Verizon (Model #: SM-910V) and I was able to "downgrade" from Marshmallow to Lollipop 5.1. I had too many problems with the new upgrade. It took me over half a day to figure this out so hopefully this will save some time for some of you trying to downgrade. I used this site (Thanks XDA), googled some stuff and youtubed a few things.

From youtube: how to downgrade samsung (20 min video)

I followed the youtube video and it did help me more (it is 20 minutes long) BUT helpful.

HERE is some steps I got from a few sites. I did add some details to the instructions:

1. Download, Extract and Install the Samsung USB Drivers on your PC. (I used Windows PC)

-This will let the computer recognize/communicate with your phone.

2. Enable Developer Mode on the Note 4.

If your need the site: cant post sorry. just google it

Go to Settings -- About Phone -- Click on Build Number a few times and Developer Mode will enable on Settings.

3. Enable USB Debugging on the Note 4.

Go to Settings -- Developer Option -- and enable USB Debugging.

I found these instructions on another site that help me:

Settings > Security > Reactivation Lock | Disabled! This is very important!

Settings > Security > Unknown sources | Enabled

Settings > Developer Options > USB debugging | Enabled

Settings > Developer Options > Verify app via USB | Enabled

4. Download Samsung Kies and back up your phone data. REMEMBER to BACKUP all your data. e.g.: photos, music, contacts, EVERYTHING. I just transfered all my stuff to my SD Card and then I removed the SD card when I was done, before I did a Factory Reset on the phone.

Remove the microSD card from your phone .

Factory Reset your phone: Settings -- Backup and Restore -- Factory Data Reset.

5. Download the lollipop firmware from: cant post but i googled sam mobile, its on the youtube video.

You will have to creat an account (It is FREE). When you download the firmware it will take a about 2 hours to download because it is 2.1 GBs.

Look up the firmware for your specific cell phone.

This is the firmware that I used for my Note 4 (Verizon), Model #: SM-910V: Firmware: N910VVRU2BPA1_N910VVZW2BPA1_VZW.zip

Once firmware is downloaded. Right click over it and Unzip / Extract All. Save the file to your Desktop so it'll be easier to find when you go to the next step.

When I unzipped/extracted the file I downloaded it showed up as this: N910VVRU2BPA1_N910VVZW2BPA1_N910VVRU2BPA1_HOME.tar.md5

6. Download Odin application. You can google it or use this site I found: cant post, just google.

Once you download application on your PC Extract Odin and Install software. I used Odin Version 3.10.7 and it worked for me.

7. Power down the phone.

8. Press and hold the following buttons in order: Volume DOWN + Home + Power. Keep holding them until you see a screen that says "Warning!!" at the top.

9. Press the Volume Up button to continue.

10. The next screen will show the Android logo and say "ODIN MODE" at the top left of your cell phone.

11. Go to your PC and RIGHT CLICK over Odin Software Icon and click on Run as Administrator.

12. Click the "AP" (or "PDA") box and browse for the extracted firmware file. That file is the firmware: N910VVRU2BPA1_N910VVZW2BPA1_N910VVRU2BPA1_HOME.tar.md5

On the Odin application it will take a FEW minutes to open up the firmware. It took me about 3 minutes for the Odin application to open the firmware. FYI: the program even said it wasn't responding (NOT RESPONDING) BUT I left it alone and it worked after a few minutes.

13. Now connect your phone to your computer via USB.

14. Wait until you see your phone plugged in. You will see under ID: COM that your phone is connected.

15. Go to Options and make sure Auto Reboot and F. Reset Time are checked. Re-Partion will have to be UNCHECKED/Disabled.

Press Start in Odin Application.

16. When Odin is successfully finished, you will see in the Message box "All threads completed"

(it may take several minutes to complete so be patient).

It took the software about 7 minutes to complete set up. IF it was successful you will see a PASS (Green Box) on the upper left screen.

The phone will restart and go through the start up. When I did this it kept looping, it would just restart after the Samsung/Verizon screen.

17. Don't turn on the phone, if you do it will just keep looping and not boot up.

18. Press in order: VOLUME UP + Home + Power until you see an Android screen.

19. Use Volume Down to scroll to "wipe data/factory reset" and press Power to select it. (Make sure you have backed up your phone!). You can also Clear Cache.

20. When it's done, select Reboot System now and it will reboot. NOW your phone should turn off and turn back on normal.

21. Restore your data using Samsung Kies. This will restore most of everything; you may need to re-setup the home screens and some of your settings.

To verify if the phone downgraded to Lollipop 5.1. Check the phone Settings - Android Version should be 5.1.1

Good luck with this. It took me a while to do it but hopefully this will save you some time.

-Derrick

FYI since I am a new to this Forum i cant add the websites, sorry. but it shouldnt be too hard to find.

One of the sites I just googled: how to downgrade note 4 marshmallow to lollipop AND its the 2nsd site: JUSTFORPROGRAMMERS dot com