yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Verizon Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] zapdad:
Downgrading to lp

Umm, I'm fairly new to this, have down this a few times but in order to downgrade, don't you have to be ROOTed? I will have to look into doing this I guess. My problem is I just bought the phone brand new and it is my only phone. I have had much luck with other Galaxy S5s and Notes on other networks and am pretty familiar with ODIN so this was the first thing I tried. Could you explain a bit more the root.bat method? If it has to do with ADB, that doesn't seem to give me authorization when I connect it and use the adb devices command. It gives the serial number and says unauthorized. I have USB debugging enabled in the phone but still no luck with that either.
[Verizon Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] awanderingponderer:
The first post in that thread I linked has directions. Read it carefully a few times. I don't know if it will work or not. The first step is to flash the pb1 firmware in that first post with the Odin version in that same post. If that works the rest probably will to. Read the section called 'installing pb1'
[Verizon Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] zapdad:
SM-S903VL

I will give it a try when I have a chance, however I'm in the same boat, a daughter and in the middle of a move. Thanks I really do appreciate it.
[Verizon Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] mortj19:
More on this?
[Verizon Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] awanderingponderer:
http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=3290370

Try it. It's for the g900v. The s903vl has the same fcc id as a verizion s5 with a busted digitizer I have,so I think it is a 900v just with straight talks firmware on it.
[Verizon Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] awanderingponderer:
Unfourtunately, no joy. Couldn't downgrade to lollipop. Odin says auth-fail. If we can figure out how to downgrade than maybe that method will work. Anyone have any other ideas?
[Verizon Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] awanderingponderer:
Kind of an update... just tried the newest version of srsroot (v5.1)and it went through as successful. But root checker says I'm not rooted. No more time to mess with it tonight.
[Verizon Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] mortj19:
lol I tried srsroot too... It angers me...
[Verizon Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] awanderingponderer:
I found on srsroot twitter feed that sm-s903vl support had been added. Wonder why it doesn't work even though the program says success?
[Verizon Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] qkzoo:
What is srsroot and could you post links or more information on it please? I'd like to follow this as well.
[Verizon Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Brandon.Black:
I'm having the same issue. I have tried SRSRoot and it goes through the process saying it was a success and then when my phone boots back up, nothing has happened... Their website is saying that this phone is supported. :confused:
[Verizon Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] mortj19:
I also tried srsroot and failed even though it says success and restarts the phone :confused:
[Verizon Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] mortj19:
I have these files. Anyone know what to do to make it into root?

AP_S903VLUDU4APH3_CL8867563_QB10607737_REV00_user_low_ship_MULTI_CERT.tar.md5

AP_S903VLUDU4APH3_CL8867563_QB10607737_REV00_user_low_ship_MULTI_CERT.tar.md5

CP_S903VLUDU4APH3_CL8867563_QB10607737_REV00_user_low_ship_MULTI_CERT.tar.md5

CSC_TFN_S903VLTFN4APH3_CL8867563_QB10607737_REV00_user_low_ship_MULTI_CERT.tar.md5

KLTE_USA_TFNVZWFRP.pit
[Verizon Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] mortj19:
I have these files. Anyone know what to do to make it into root?

AP_S903VLUDU4APH3_CL8867563_QB10607737_REV00_user_ low_ship_MULTI_CERT.tar.md5

AP_S903VLUDU4APH3_CL8867563_QB10607737_REV00_user_ low_ship_MULTI_CERT.tar.md5

CP_S903VLUDU4APH3_CL8867563_QB10607737_REV00_user_ low_ship_MULTI_CERT.tar.md5

CSC_TFN_S903VLTFN4APH3_CL8867563_QB10607737_REV00_ user_low_ship_MULTI_CERT.tar.md5

KLTE_USA_TFNVZWFRP.pit
[Verizon Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] spikeyetter:
Have this same problem

Hey guys. I Have this same phone. Really need your help rooting it to use without Straight Talk. Thanks. Love you guys
[Verizon Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] mario24601:
so the ST version cant be rooted yet?
[Verizon Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] charliepop:
Not as of yet. I just bought the phone a few days ago and have been researching it for about a week. From what I have been reading nobody has successfully rooted it yet. From some of the failed roots in Odin I have read , it looks like the bootloader is locked.
[Verizon Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] charliepop:
I just tried it too. No dice. I'm thinking it's the bootloader.
[Verizon Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] mario24601:
Too bad, guess this one going the way of the att version
[Verizon Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] omgitsMATT:
towelrootv3 > no success

Kingo Root > no success

KingRoot > no success

this thread linked earlier > no success

SRSroot > no success

Thoughts: Unless we get the bootloader unlocked we're not going to see anything done with this seemingly popular phone. A lot of us are interested in some development unlike a lot of other ST phones (which dont' seem to get a lot of interest for some reason). Also, I think SRSroot may have once been legitimate but I have a sneaking suspicion they're not now? They claimed to root a ST Huawei H710VL too and nothing happened. I took it back and traded for the S5.

Finally, I'm going to try DC-unlocker and see if they can unlock my bootloader. They want 4 euros to try. Anyone have any thoughts on that? I think if they can do it than maybe one of the above methods I tried might actually work.

edit,

I think SRSroot's entire business model is to claim to root every phone it can and then redirect you to their website to generate ad revenue. Probably farming phone data too.

---------- Post added at 08:41 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:12 AM ----------

Being as no one has had the phone for more than 12 months as the phone is a new model we dont' qualify for this:

https://www.tfwunlockpolicy.com/wps/portal/home
[Verizon Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] gbnm88:
I have the sm-s903vl straight talk phone on 6.0.1. there's an option under developer options for oem unlocking. I'm guessing that's to unlock the bootloader?
[Verizon Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] omgitsMATT:
It's just the first step of a few steps you need to take. I think it was introduced to most Android devices after 5.0. It doesn't mean much that it's there. :(
[Verizon Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] gbnm88:
Oh ic well dang I hope someone finds away to root this model. hope it's not like the g900v or g900a.
[Verizon Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] mortj19:
I found a root method, kind of... https://xdaforums.com/galaxy-s5/general/downgrade-to-4-4-2-factory-test-t3530449
[Verizon Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] judgeduck:
From what I read from quick googling, OEM Unlocking is literally unlocking the bootloader and it

has

to be checked in order to root. I guess that's still unverified though.
[Verizon Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] omgitsMATT:
Checking OEM Unlocking in Developer Options just means you can start the bootloader unlocking process. It doesnt' mean it's unlocked.
[Verizon Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] judgeduck:
I figured they wouldnt make it that easy lol.
[Verizon Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] omgitsMATT:
I've been reading about Safestrap. With mortj19's root method by downgrading to 4.4.2 factory test firmware and rooting via Kingroot maybe we can use some type of Safestrap to flash a custom rom? For ATT and Verizon Galaxy S5, you used to not be able to install the standard CWM or TWRP recovery through ODIN. Instead, you can use SafeStrap Recovery, which will allow you to install custom ROMs even with a locked bootloader. That seems relevant because we can't unlock our bootloader.

Root is required to install Safestrap and then we need BusyBox and an external SD card. After rooting I installed the BusyBox and Safestrap apk but I dont' have an external SD card anymore as I lost mine. I'll have to wait a week to see if it's possible.

Here's a thread on more information on Safestrap:

https://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2793891
[Verizon Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] charliepop:
Off topic , but have any of you guys had problems with your sim card ? Only had my phone 5 days and lte service was gone by day 2.
[Verizon Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] mario24601:
I don't have this version but try different apn. The older tfdata one sometimes works better than reseller apn.
[Verizon Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] charliepop:
I was going to try that , but it won't let me add one. Customer service said it was my sim , but probably take them 2 weeks to get me another one. Thought about taking it back and getting another one being I'm still within 14 days.
[Verizon Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] mortj19:
safestrap didnt work on mine, forgot what version i tried, try some and tell us if it works
[Verizon Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] mario24601:
Wow didn't know they even lock down adding an apn. Seems the St s5 is just too limited. At least for now. I'm still looking for new phone and would get this in heart beat if I could have unlocked bootloader. If it were me I'd take back. Not having ability to change rom is bad, not bring able to change apn is just unacceptable in my view.
[Verizon Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] judgeduck:
I haven't been around the forums for a year or so, but the last thing I remember reading about Kingroot was that it was very insecure and sending data to a IP based in China. Was it ever proven to be safe?
[Verizon Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] omgitsMATT:
No, but it hasn't been explicitly proven unsafe either. Nothing concrete against it, just really compelling and convincing guesses that it farms your data and sells it. I use it when I have no other option.
[Verizon Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] daverobinson88:
Don't forgot the ST S5 is CDMA so the tfdata APN won't work. It uses a Verizon APN. Honestly I think it's nearly identical to the Verizon variant so I expect to have to same rooting issues. Screenshots are the APN. If you used tfdata or tried getting the PRL you will need a new SIM.
[Verizon Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] mario24601:
Sorry keep asking but anyone with T3 version successfully root? Thanks
[Verizon Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] thefinisher66:
Must have just came out?

LMAO...you must have just came out or something, because this smartphone is 3 years old this month.
[Verizon Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] qkzoo:
That is neither helpful, nor appropriate.

edit:

The Android security patch level for this device (mine at any rate) is August 1, 2016, running Android 6.0.1, the kernel is 3.4.0-8867563 from 9-10-16.

This is a much updated version of the original S5s.
[Verizon Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Brandon.Black:
I'm not too experienced in rooting phones but I do understand that this phone does have a locked bootloader. I have checked the developer options and it seems to have an option that says "OEM Unlock"... am I correct when I say that this unlocks the bootloader?

Here is some backup info on this subject:
[Verizon Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] mortj19:
No that will not unlock it, I tried. I have since moved on to a different phone.
[Verizon Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] mortj19:
LMAO you idiot this is a newer version of the s5. Nice job, you tried to make me sound like an idiot and instead proved yourself to be one. G.F.Y. :laugh:
[Verizon Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Cinephile 74:
Regarding the SM-S903VL

I recently spent nearly two hours on the phone with Samsung regarding issues with this model, and I'm not entirely sure that even Samsung knows the deal with this phone. First the tech tried quite fervently to convince me that I was after all, not in fact A Galaxy S5 owner at all. She didn't believe me when I told her where, and when I bought it just two days prior. Then, like sunlight filtering it's rays through a fog bank at dawn, the light came into her eyes: The SM-S903VL is not technically, or rather I should say, is NO LONGER a bona fide Galaxy S5, because Wal-Mart actually bought the rights to the phone. Samsung has pulled their typical manufacturer's warranty and Wal-Mart has picked up slack in the warranty coverage. I'm not sure what the repercussions are, if any, but I think it can safely be said that this is one tough nut to crack. This is my introduction to rooting so, thank you Murphy's Law for that little gem. I don't even know if posting this makes a bit of difference, but there seems to be a lot of mystery surrounding this model, and as an owner, if like a fix ASAP I've had it barely two weeks, and I'm already cannibalizing apps for internal device storage space, when there's a perfectly good SD card in there that should be doing ITS job. Thanks for all you folks do! ?
[Verizon Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] qkzoo:
Yes, storage is definitely an issue.
[Verizon Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] amarrus:
Sorry for the bumpzz

Hey guys,

I've been lurking the shadows on this forum silently for years now, (anti-socail). Out of curiosity, are you guys strictly trying to use twrp on this s903vl? Has anyone tried using philztouch or compiling a custom recovery? I had the previous international version of this phone rooted by downgrading baseband to a previous version (sadly it died a horrible death beneath a dually tire) but this seems to be the og version and no downgrade is aviable other than a 4.2.2 test version... Anyone tried compiling a custom recovery yet? Also any chance this may be compatible with the 902L? Any help is appriceated, I'd really love to see what this thing can do running nougat...
[Verizon Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] brekstar:
Debrick Image SM-S903VL

Can someone help me PLEASE. I need a Debrick Image For This SM-S903VL

Got it fixed!!
[Verizon Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] DeepPurple72:
There's a link to 6.01 firmware for sm-903vl on the other thread here: https://xdaforums.com/galaxy-s5/general/downgrade-to-4-4-2-factory-test-t3530449

link to firmware: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B4...mkyZkNIMVhrOUk

i think this is the android 6.01 ( it might be the one that has a locked bootloader, idk )

good luck!
[Verizon Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] brekstar:
Make Debrick sdcard using Odin 3.07

- Run Odin3.exe flasher.

- Click on PIT button and select: KLTE_USA_TFNVZWFRP.pit

- Click on BL button and select: BL_S903VLUDU4APH3_CL8867563_QB10607737_REV00_user_low_ship_MULTI_CERT.tar.md5

- Check T Flash option at Odin3 flasher.

- Insert the microSD card inside a working Galaxy S5 (Dont have to be the same phone thats Hardbricked) mobile phone.

- Put the working Galaxy S5 mobile phone into Download Mode

- Connect the S5 mobile phone to the computer using the USB cable.

- When Odin3 flasher detects the device, Click on Start button.

- After Odin3 do his job, You will get the PIT and Bootloader files on the microSD card.

- Remove the microSD card from the working S5 and insert it inside the Dead Galaxy S5 mobile phone.

- Press and Hold the Volume Down key + Home key + Power key.

- If the recovery process completed successfully, You will get the dead Galaxy S5 device into Download Mode.

- Now you have to flash your device with full firmware package, Pit, Bootloader, AP, CP, And CSC files.

- Ill post my debrick.img for the SM-S903VL soon! Yeh! Man!!

- Thanks parrotgeek1 for the files to do this!
[Verizon Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] qkzoo:
brekstar, how did this workout for you? you're leaving us in suspense!
[Verizon Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] brekstar:
SM-S903VL Mixed Feelings

Yes I was able to get my S5 up and running just like new!!!!! Made my own debrick.img worked great, been trying to get it off my sd-card but the image I come up with is like 40 gig? using the read mode in win32diskcreator. I hope i left good instructions for ya all to create one on your own tho. Whats the deal with the only rom for this phone so far, besides the factory. I would really like to be rooted, But that rom i install and patch and hack sucks...(COMBINATION_TFN_FA44_S903VLUDU4APH1._TFN4APH1_.3556547_.REV00_user_mid_noship_MULTI_CERT.tar)

I did get most of it working but never my contacts. Im still messing around with it, i must have hard bricked that S5 20 times trying to flash custom roms thru safestrap/TWRP version...

As of right now I'm not rooted or rommed

P.S

Would like to get my hands on this Android 4.4.4 rom for the SM-S903VL

http://romup.com/search?model=sm-s903VL
[Verizon Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] qkzoo:
Well that stinks. We are all rooting for you! (Pun intended).

If you need our help with anything, please ask, sounds like you've accomplished more than we have so far.
[Verizon Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Josnic66:
Bootloader is not unlocked like on other ST Samsung's we have seen I take it.. So we can't just flash recovery.. I really want this phone rooted, just got killa deal on brand new device and was happy to see its running 6.1.2 marshmallow. Any help would be dreqtly appreciated.. Thanks
[Verizon Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] qkzoo:
Josnic66, your phone has 6.1.2? All ours have 6.0.1.
[Verizon Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] brekstar:
I LOVE MY SM_S903VL Again!

First of all, my heart goes out to DeepPurple and parrotgeek1 for making this happin. i bought a new S5 from Walmart (straight talk) its a SM_S903VL yes it had Marshmallow on it android 6.01. and no way to kingroot or rom or no way to TWRP it with a hard core LOCKED BOOT LOADER. I did downgrade to that CRAPPY TEST FIRMWARE that when installed nothing really worked any longer. Sure i could ROOT but working with SAFESTRAP is like walking on thin ICE! and yes I hard bricked my S903 many times.Yes i did get in there and change premissions and delete files to try to patch things together but it never was a complete working S5. Like my ole SM-S902l was.. After i download a factory rom for a SM-S902L and took that ROm apart to get SYSTEM.IMG AND CACHE.IMG and ADB shelled it to my S903VL thats when my eyes and my heart were filled with JOY once again! Now mySM-S903VL is ROOTED (with Towel v.3 works) im on android ver. 4.4.2 All functions work great like:

ViperFX

WIFI tether

Xposed

and i have full access to edit any system files (to turn up my volume!)

At first i did have errors just with:

shealth.apk and context

just ignore and they will update and fix themselfs.

I dont have any custom RECOVERY installed but I dont plan on changing this firmware out for any reason.. Im very happy to say my SM-S903VL is now a SM-S902L and I love it!!

If anyone is having trouble with there SM-S903VL p.m me and I would be glad to help!

THANKS XDA FORUMS for being there for all of us!
[Verizon Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] qkzoo:
brekstar,

That's incredible! :D We are all going to want instructions, so a good write up may be in order? This is great news! Will we be stuck on KitKat or will we be able to re-up back to Marshmallow?
[Verizon Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] bjf189:
I found the same thread he did. You can have root and safestrap is what I got so far. I already habe links created and a tutorial made. I will post it tomorrow and my thread is going to be specific but simplified so you don't have to worry about any converting that some find confusing. Oh and far as I know no you can't go back to marshmallow. It just changes the system and cache. If you go to download mode or recovery it still says it's a sm-903vl

---------- Post added at 12:34 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:30 AM ----------

How did you get xposed or wifi tether to work? I edited the build prop and turned the tethering denied part to false but it still fails to tether and xposed I haven't started testing yet. I got safestrap installed and a rom slot made. I'll look into what roms will work. Also don't try to install any custom recovery other then safestrap. You will get that unauthorized software error and have to start over. I believe the bootloader is locked
[Verizon Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] keyleroy:
Been waiting for a solution for quite some time and I'm thankful for the time and effort put forth to figure out a way to root this 903VL. Like others, I'll be standing by for that tutorial so that I can get crack'n! Thanks again for all those involve at making this happen... Truly grateful!
[Verizon Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] bjf189:
just posted the tutorial under "general" on the S5. have a look
[Verizon Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] DeepPurple72:
Bought the SM-903VL less than 2 months ago.... Android 6.01, impossible to root, unlockable bootloader.

Guess what? I am now running KITKAT 4.4.2 STOCK ROM ROOTED + XPOSED + ViperFX/ViperXHifi !

Using Straight-Talk (Verizon) carrier.... Wifi , Bluetooth, LTE data ALL WORKING.

HOW???? By downgrading to Factory Test 4.4.2 ROM, Rooting via KINGROOT PC version, then

using SIMG2IMG to convert SM-902L KitKat 4.4.2 Stock ROM's system & cache to .img files,

and some ADB shell commands to put the system & cache on phone, converting Factory Test to FULL 4.4.2 STOCK ROM.

Then Simply use the TR.APK ( TowelRoot 3.0 ) app to ROOT it! ( Fingerprint scanner not working for me, but i dont use it )

Im luvn my ROOTed 903vl now! It has been FREED from the EVIL CHAINS !!!!

Yeah, the locked bootloader is hopeless, so no custom roms - But with ROOT, you can debloat it!

( Based on what I'm hearing, "SAFESTRAP" isnt really that "SAFE" to use. But possible with root )

See here for directions: https://xdaforums.com/galaxy-s5/general/downgrade-to-4-4-2-factory-test-t3530449/page8

*** A VERY SPECIAL THANKS TO BREKSTAR!!!!!! BLESS YOU !!!!

I've posted some other good info about how to fix APN and stuff there too.

XDA is the BEST @#$%#$%# WEBSITE 3V3R !!!!!
[Verizon Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] bjf189:
you say "unlockable bootloader" but exactly how can i get it unlocked for this variant? it doesnt exactly match up with the G900V and i have the CID 15XXX....
[Verizon Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] DeepPurple72:
i think only the CID 11xxx can be BL unlocked currently, not the 15xxxxx. Mine is 15xxxxx and cannot be.

The SM-903vl says its a "SM-G900V" under the battery where there's an FCC ID sticker.

I read there were 2 different chips used in these phones, the one with CID 11xxxxx and 15xxxxx

The best you could do it use a different STOCK firmware from these variants, assuming it is rootable.

In the case of the SM-903VL, you can get root, but will be on the SM-S902L firmware KitKat 4.4.2 ( Everything works, except NO MOBILE HOTSPOT TETHERING and FingerPrint Scanner doesnt work) - Everything else seems to work. WIFI, LTE DATA, MMS, BLUETOOTH, etc

If you are willing to experiment and possibly brick your S5, you could try a SM-G900V rom instead of the SM-S902L rom

in the instructions used. Just make sure the ROM version is ROOTable first!

I am considering this, but maybe at a later date. Right now I'm rooted, XPOSE, VIPER, Lucky Patcher, etc and content with that.

It took a while to download the stuff needed. Takes Kingroot a little while to root the Factory Test rom.

I dont enjoy setting up new rom, having to create accounts, root, install APKs, run playstore updates, etc.

But if you want to give it a try, download a G900V firmware instead of the S902L and attempt it.

Link to SM-G900V firmwares: https://samsung-firmware.org/model/SM-G900V/
[Verizon Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] charliepop:
This is the thread for the Verizon S5 bootloader. I believe the CID 15 is the only one that can be unlock. There was some people working on the CID 11 , but I think they gave up on it. My S903VL has the CID 11 .

https://xdaforums.com/verizon-galaxy-s5/development/rd-unlocking-galaxys-s5-bootloader-t3337909