[Verizon Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] DeepPurple72:
Originally I had SUCCESSFULLY rooted using the Factory Test 4.4.2 ROM ( Which is useless for anything other than test )

and followed these instructions to end up with rooted SM-902VL 4.4.2 ROM. But STRAIGHT-TALK/TRAC-FONE has disabled WIFI HOTSPOT, so only USB tether would work.

I followed the SAME EXACT STEPS, but used the G900V KitKat 4.4.4 ROM (NK2) instead of the 902VL,

and sucessfully got a ROOTED G900V KitKat 4.4.4 ROM, with XPOSED, and other stuff + WIFI HOTSPOT works!

Here is a link to the ORIGINAL rooted S902 4.42 rom instructions: https://xdaforums.com/galaxy-s5/general/downgrade-to-4-4-2-factory-test-t3530449/page8

**** USE THE G900V 4.4.4 NK2 ROM instead of the S902 4.42 ROM in these instructions.

================================================== =================

The Steps I used to go from SM-903VL MM 6.01 to ROOTED G900V 4.4.4 KK

================================================== =================

download the official stable version of ODIN 3.12.3 here: http://samsungodin.com/

download the SM-903vl 6.01 stock image ( in case you need to recover / de-brick ) from page 1

Download & downgrade to the factory test 4.4.2 SM-903vl Firmware from page 1 ( Using ODIN , use "AP" button for the .MD5 file )

root using KINGROOT PC version (windows) - INTERNET REQUIRED for KR to work! here: https://kingroot.net/thank-you-for-d...t-for-windows/

*** NOTE: May take a couple or few attempts to root phone. Exit & run KR again if no root.

(Also, try restoring 6.01 firmware, then try to downgrade again & root)

after ROOT successful, manually install stericson version of busybox: here: https://www.apk4fun.com/apk/6139/

( copy apk to internal SD via PC mtp & install it from MY FILES )

install the PhoneInfo.apk and FIX the APN for LTE data to work (Link on this page FIX APN SETTINGS post)

*** Phoneinfo worked on the S902L rom, but stealth mode doesnt work on g900V rom.

If your 4G/LTE data does NOT work, use phoneinfo BEFORE putting G900V system files on phone!

( *Phoneinfo was not tested on Factory Test ROM. I ran it when I originally used the 902L KK rom.

My data did not work, so I had to use this app to fix the APN --- There is NO other way to add APN on this phone )

Open Phone Info app Click on Secret Codes Click launch STEALTHMODE Click LTE APN SETTINGS Hit the + to add APN

Enter the follow information;

Name=Verizon Internet APN=TRACFONE.VZWENTP Proxy=(LEAVE BLANK) Port=(LEAVE BLANK) Username=(LEAVE BLANK) Password=(LEAVE BLANK) Server=(LEAVE BLANK) MMSC=(LEAVE BLANK) Multimedia message proxy=(LEAVE BLANK) Multimedia message port=(LEAVE BLANK) MCC=311 MNC=480 Authorization type=None Click menu in right hand corner and save Select new APN APN type=default,dun Bearer=Unspecified Mobile virtual network operator type=None

Click menu in right corner save. Select new APN reboot phone.

download the G900V 4.4.4 NK2 Firmware

(Windows use simg2img https://github.com/KinglyWayne/simg2img_win)

(Linux use a package manager to install simg2img)

Unzip the G900V KitKat Files to a folder, and then

use simg2img on cache.img.ext4 also ( *** temporarily rename it to system.ext4.img)

put the ext4 files in the same folder as simg2img.exe

open terminal or CMD prompt, then type:

simg2img system.img.ext4 system.img

simg2img cache.img.ext4 cache.img

then copy the system.img & cache.img to your INTERNAL SD card

next run these commands from linux terminal ( or Windows CMD prompt ):

adb shell

su

stop

dd if=/sdcard/cache.img of=/dev/block/platform/msm_sdcc.1/by-name/cache bs=10485760

dd if=/sdcard/system.img of=/dev/block/platform/msm_sdcc.1/by-name/system bs=10485760

**** Then exit the adb shell by typing exit (enter) 2 times to get back to command prompt, then

adb reboot recovery

let recovery do its thing, then when it reboots and is on the samsung boot screen

quickly do another

adb reboot recovery

then do a wipe data (Factory reset), then reboot

( I downloaded these APKS manually on PC, & copied to SD. WIFI will work on phone, but not DATA until you fix APN! )

install TR.APK ( Towelroot 3.0 ) and ROOT your phone https://towelroot.com/tr.apk

install stericson busybox-free ( found it here: https://www.apk4fun.com/apk/6139/ )

install XPOSED INSTALLER 2.6.1 ( KITKAT ) if you want xposed - google it

install SElinuxToggle.apk from XDA to be able to change SElinux to Permissive - google it

install SuperSu from playstore, upgrade binary & disable knox - Normal Mode ( as theres no custom recovery )

install ViperFX & ViperXHifi ( The BEST AUDIO MOD by far! Nothing can touch this! ) - google it

install a file manager with root capabilites: Rename the ContextProvider.apk in /system/priv-app/ folder to ContextProvider.apk.old

you should have ROOTED G900V normal KK 4.4.4 rom with XPOSED & Viper4Android Audio

Everything should work, EXCEPT for the FINGERPRINT SCANNER

*** I DO NOT TAKE CREDIT FOR THIS... I PUT ALL THE PIECES TOGETHER FROM DIFFERENT SOURCES ***

But, did want to share the steps used in more detail to do this! Thanks XDA Members!!!!

I have Been using the G900V KK 4.4.4 rooted rom for awhile now, and I'm very happy to have root, and

that it seems to be running quite well. I was considering literally throwing this phone away due to the

locked down bootloader that cannot be unlocked because its Toshiba emmc, and the original MM 6.01 isnt rootable.

I wish bootloader could be unlocked to run custom recover/roms, but at least ROOT is possible on the SM-903VL ( fcc id: SM-G900V )