Downgrading advice

[zambeezi]

Hi.

I need to unlock the sim on my wife's S4 mini via samsung remote server. In order to do so I need to downgrade the phone. I am trying not to loose any data and was hoping if I do a full backup, then downgrade and unlock that I could then just flash the backup.
If it was my phone I would just go a head and do it...

 

[fburgos]

What's you're current firmware, can you post your download screen

 

[zambeezi]

What's you're current firmware, can you post your download screen

I'm at work at the moment and will post the screenshot tonight. This is the remote server log, if it helps.

09:01:47 - Starting ADB Server
09:01:47 - ADB Device: GT-I9195
09:01:47 - SW Version: I9195XXUCNH5 (Android: 4.4.2)
09:01:47 - Checking SU Root Access..
09:01:51 - ROOT Access: True (SuperUser) Processing..
09:01:51 - Searching modem on COM4 Please Wait..
09:01:51 - Backupping NVM Now Please Wait..

09:03:05 - Backupping Blocks to SDCard..

ERROR: Failed to Read Imei.. Restart device and try again.. if it keeps failing flash other firmware to device

-- Operation done in 88 seconds --

As soon as it starts backing up NVM, the phone disconnects from the mobile network (wifi is still on) and after a reboot it connects again without issues.

 

[Mortitheon]

You can flash another 4.4.2 firmware regardless it's date.
You cannot flash another 4.2.2 firmware and restore the data, you will have crashes.
If you want to downgrade, take a firmware with the same KNOX version as the one you currently have, otherwise you will have problems.

 

[fburgos]

Can't downgrade bootloader I think only 4.4.2 ROMs have Knox 2.0 bootloader

 

[zambeezi]

You can flash another 4.4.2 firmware regardless it's date.
You cannot flash another 4.2.2 firmware and restore the data, you will have crashes.
If you want to downgrade, take a firmware with the same KNOX version as the one you currently have, otherwise you will have problems.

Can't downgrade bootloader I think only 4.4.2 ROMs have Knox 2.0 bootloader

OK, thank you. I'll have to look around the forums. Like I said if it was my phone I would be more willing to experiment... I've got a S4 and is not up to date with the S4 mini version.