Samsung Galaxy S4 GT-I9505 received the official Android 5.0.1 Lollipop firmware update in February. But as you know that installing the official/stock firmware will remove the root access. So you might have not updated your Galaxy S4 GT-I9505 to Android Lollipop for the fear of losing root access and not sure if you would be able to root the device on the new version but those who have already updated their Galaxy S4 to Lollipop via OTA or flashed the firmware using Odin and are seeking root access then here is a good news for those people who would like to gain root without tripping Knox warranty. Follow the given step by step guide to root Galaxy S4 i9505 running official Android 5.0.1 Lollipop Firmware.
Thanks to Tyxerakias (XDA Member) for sharing a procedure to install rooted stock Android Lollipop firmware without tripping Knox warranty void counter. Follow the given instructions carefully as it is a bit complicated but will keep KNOX counter at 0 x 0. In this guide we’ll use the bootloader .tar file for Android Lollipop firmware, Mobile Odin Pro app and Odin v3.09 for Windows.
Note:
This guide containing the Android 5.0.1 Lollipop Official firmware is only working with Galaxy S4 GT-I9505 model. Do not try to install this firmware on any other device or incorrect variant. Verify the model number of your device first.
Warning:
AndroidXDA.net will not be held responsible for any kind of damage occurred to your Galaxy S4 GT-I9505 during or after the installation of this rooted official Android 5.0.1 Lollipop. Proceed at your own risk.
Before Getting Started:
- Make sure that the battery level of your Galaxy S4 is charged at least upto 80% before proceeding to the installation guide.
- Download and install proper USB Drivers for the Note 3 on PC.
- It is highly recommended to take a proper back up of your important data and settings on the phone using a custom recovery such as CWM or TWRP. In case anything goes wrong then you’ll be able to restore your data.
- Enable USB Debugging Mode on Galaxy S4 from Settings > Developer Options.
Required Files:
- Download Official Rooted Android 5.0.1 Firmware for Galaxy S4 (GT-I9505) [Mirror]
- Download SuperSU v2.46
- Download Bootloader
- Download Odin 3.09
- Download and Install SuperSU (UPDATE-SuperSU-v2.xx.zip)
- Download and Install Mobile Odin Pro on Galaxy S4.
Steps to Install Rooted Android 5.0.1 Lollipop Official Firmware on Galaxy S4 I9505 without Tripping Knox Warranty:
Follow the given instructions to install rooted Android 5.0.1 Lollipop firmware on Galaxy S4 I9505:
Step No 1:- First, download the required files from the given links on the desktop of your PC and extract the firmware file to .tar.md5 extension (If the firmware file is zipped).
Step No 2:- Transfer the Android 5.0.1 Lollipop and UPDATE-SuperSU-v2.xx.zip files to the root folder of your SD card of the phone.
Step No 3:- Navigate to Settings > Backup and Reset and perform Factory Reset on the Galaxy S4.
Step No 4:- Run Mobile Odin Pro, accept the download of the required file, once done then press OTA > Update ZIP and find the UPDATE-SuperSU-v2.46.zip file that you’ve already transferred to the root folder of your external SD Card.
Step No 5:- Next, tap on Open File and select the .tar.md5 firmware file. Mobile Odin will show you the separate different parts of the firmware.
Step No 6:- Make sure that the Enable EverRoot is checked and leave other options unchecked.
Step No 7:- Tap the Flash firmware option and install the firmware file.
Step No 8:- Click Yes if you see the prompt about md5 check. Mobile Odin will automatically start flashing the Android 5.0.1 Lollipop firmware on the Galaxy S4 GT-I9505.
Step No 9:- Galaxy S4 will be automatically rebooted and it may take about 5 minutes to boots up after installation.
Step No 10:- Turn off the device and boot it while pressing and holding Volume Down + Home + Power keys at the same time to enter into Download Mode after the device reboots.
Step No 11:- Now, connect the Galaxy S4 to the PC and run Odin 3.09 as an Administrator.
Step No 12:- In Odin, click on the BL button and choose the Bootloader file (BL_I9505XXXX.tar.md5).
Step No 13:- Install the Bootloader by pressing Start button in Odin, wait for the Pass message.
Step No 14:- Perform another Factory Reset once the device reboots.
Step No 15:- Finally, re-download SuperSU app from Play Store after initial setup
Done! You’ve successfully rooted Galaxy S4 on Android 5.0.1 Lollipop without tripping KNOX Warranty showing 0 x 0.