How to downgrade from Lollipop 5.0 to Kitkat 4.4.4

[n2locarz]

You have a Verizon Samsung Galaxy 5 SM-G900V running Lollipop 5.0 builds BOA8 BAC4
Your goal is to root and install Safestrap and then run one of the amazing custom roms here on XDA.
Do the following:

1) Download Stock Kitkat Rom NI2 located here:

https://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=23622183712474060

2) Download Odin 3.09 from here:

http://androidhost.org/PVAIv

3) You may need the Samsung drivers. If so they are here:

http://androidhost.org/XIVsA

4) Power off your phone.
5) Hold the Volume Up + Home + Power to boot to recovery
6) Wipe Data and the Cache (This will erase everything on your phone). Then power it off
7) Hold the Volume Down + Home + Power to boot into Download Mode
8) Then follow this guide using the Stock Kitkat Rom NI2 you downloaded earlier :

http://forums.androidcentral.com/sa...wngrade-samsung-galaxy-s5-5-0-4-4-kitkat.html

9) Once that's done you can follow this guide to Root:

http://droidmodderx.com/how-to-root-verizon-galaxy-s5-nk2-ota-update/

Hope this helps. It worked for me!

 

[moonsbabe]

You have a Verizon Samsung Galaxy 5 SM-G900V running Lollipop 5.0 builds BOA8 BAC4
Your goal is to root and install Safestrap and then run one of the amazing custom roms here on XDA.
Do the following:

1) Download Stock Kitkat Rom NI2 located here:

https://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=23622183712474060

2) Download Odin 3.09 from here:

http://androidhost.org/PVAIv

3) You may need the Samsung drivers. If so they are here:

http://androidhost.org/XIVsA

4) Power off your phone.
5) Hold the Volume Up + Home + Power to boot to recovery
6) Wipe Data and the Cache (This will erase everything on your phone). Then power it off
7) Hold the Volume Down + Home + Power to boot into Download Mode
8) Then follow this guide using the Stock Kitkat Rom NI2 you downloaded earlier :

http://forums.androidcentral.com/sa...wngrade-samsung-galaxy-s5-5-0-4-4-kitkat.html

9) Once that's done you can follow this guide to Root:

http://droidmodderx.com/how-to-root-verizon-galaxy-s5-nk2-ota-update/

Hope this helps. It worked for me![/QUOTE


Is Lollipop worth it? Or should I un root and update?

 

[TePhEr94]

Does it work with build BOC4? Sorry if its a stupid question, not super learned about these things.

 

[Rapunzl]

Does it work with build BOC4? Sorry if its a stupid question, not super learned about these things.

Yes, but towelroot doesn't work with 4.4.4, so it's better to download and install NCG retail stock instead of 4.4.4 in step one. Once you're rooted, you can use the 4.4.4 kernel to get to Safestrap from Lollipop.

 

[royta]

My wife and I have both have S3's and have been running BoneStockROM v3.4 for quite some time. Her phone is on it's way out, so I can simply follow these steps to root if I buy her a new S5 from the Verizon store?

Thanks.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

 

[skeeterpro]

My wife and I have both have S3's and have been running BoneStockROM v3.4 for quite some time. Her phone is on it's way out, so I can simply follow these steps to root if I buy her a new S5 from the Verizon store?

Thanks.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

It's what I did when I retired my S3. But I bought my S5 from Swappa (to keep unlimited data and month-to-month)....just swap SIM card and you're done!

 

[royta]

It's what I did when I retired my S3. But I bought my S5 from Swappa (to keep unlimited data and month-to-month)....just swap SIM card and you're done!

She and I both have unlimited so I was planning on paying retail for hers. I'll buy pre-owned for mine.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

 

[kjkop13]

Yes, but towelroot doesn't work with 4.4.4, so it's better to download and install NCG retail stock instead of 4.4.4 in step one. Once you're rooted, you can use the 4.4.4 kernel to get to Safestrap from Lollipop.

Where can I download NCG retail stock?

 

[The Grand Pooh-Bah]

Where can I download NCG retail stock?

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2784880

 

[fukenbiker]

thank you! It worked! I got root!

I used ODIN to flash my new SM-G900V running Lollipop back to baseband version: G900VVRU1ANI2 Android version 4.4.4
Then I used ODIN to flash the NCG kernel
After flashing the NCG kernel with ODIN the phone restarted and began with "Android is upgrading" after getting past the verizon splash screen. 337 apps "optimizing app".
starting apps
opened my files and found towelroot and clicked to install
apps force closed so I clicked each one as they popped up as the towelroot APK was installing. Opened Towelroot
and
hit the make it rain button... success!
pulled the battery
volume down, home, power button held, to go to download mode, I hit volume up
put the NC2 kernel in ODIN and flashed
optimizing app 154
phone turned on and I went to play store and installed my purchased app Root Explorer and tested it and was able to use Root Explorer to browse the contents of my phone.
Thank you very much! I sent twenty bucks to the towelroot folks

 

[farhanahmed5645]

Already on NI2 4.4.4build how can i root pls help

 

[wantpizza]

Okay

So I have not taken the latest OTA from Verizon. But I am at 5.0 android version and 3.4.0somethin Kernal. My build is LRX21Tsomethin

What do I need to double check before I step through this process?
Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[buhohitr]

Already on NI2 4.4.4build how can i root pls help

You need to download Towelroot, then use Odin to flash NCG kernel. Bootup (there will will app FC, but just click ok to bypass) and run Towelroot. Install latest SuperSU from playstore, power back down to download mode, reflash your NI2 kernel that's it. You have many options, once rooted, you could install safetrap and flash Lollipop 5.0 if you like. Check here for links and details instructions:
http://droidmodderx.com/how-to-root-verizon-galaxy-s5-nk2-ota-update/

---------- Post added at 02:44 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:40 PM ----------

Okay

So I have not taken the latest OTA from Verizon. But I am at 5.0 android version and 3.4.0somethin Kernal. My build is LRX21Tsomethin

What do I need to double check before I step through this process?
Thanks in advance for any help.

We need the last letters/numbers from your rom build, like BOA8, BAC4, BOC4 etc.. Remember, this thread is for Verizon phone.

 

[wantpizza]

Okay - My baseband is G900VVRU1BOA8.
And Build number ends with BOA8 too.

Thanks,

UPDATE:
Thanks again Buhohitr - I see what/why you were asking now...
I reread the first post

You have a Verizon Samsung Galaxy 5 SM-G900V running Lollipop 5.0 builds BOA8 BAC4
Your goal is to root...

Thanks for helping me realize that my phone is a candidate.
Regards!!

 

[wantpizza]

That Works!! Thanks for the hints. Hunting around for a new ROM for the S5 now.
Not sure why this post isn't more prevalent. Reading the sticky at the main forum it sounds like there is nothing you can do if you are already at BOA8 and Android 5.0.

Anyway – thanks again,

 

[trom spirit]

I know that it's different, but would this process work that same on a att model to downgrade from stock unrolled lollipop to kitkat?

 

[packetjunkie]

can ff be used to downgrade 5.0 to 4.4.4 if i am rooted?

 

[rdefino]

Hi guys, looking to downgrade my wife's s5 from lollipop to kitkat. she wants to be able to connect to the cars bluetooth and 5.0 will not work. I see you mentioning using safe strap. Can I just not use SS and flash with odin the stock 4.4.4. rom? not even looking to root at this time.

thanks for any pointers.

 

[ldeveraux]

Hi guys, looking to downgrade my wife's s5 from lollipop to kitkat. she wants to be able to connect to the cars bluetooth and 5.0 will not work. I see you mentioning using safe strap. Can I just not use SS and flash with odin the stock 4.4.4. rom? not even looking to root at this time.

thanks for any pointers.

Hey, I remember you from the other thread! You can follow the first post, and just not move on to step 9, stop after 8. The "recovery" mentioned in that post is not the same as Safestrap, you don't need to install SS if you don't want to.

 

[PrivFaith]

Will this work with the BOC4 baseband?

Also, If this will derail the topic I apologize. My phone is currently unlocked (I have T-Mobile service). Will tossing a new rom onto this thing removed my unlocked status?