I am not responsible for anything that may happen or does happen to your device, as a result of following this tutorial. You are choosing to install this yourself and thus accept any/all risks involved.
What is KNOX
http://www.samsung.com/pl/business/solutions-services/mobile-solutions/security/samsung-knox
In my opinion KNOX has noble goal and the platform itself is helpful for businesses and IT admins.
Sadly current hardware solution comes down to setting flag 0-1, the flag which can be changed only once.
In case of unauthorized changes in system it is marked as 0x1 and KNOX platform stops functioning. Still, I can agree with this.
After buying Samsung Galaxy S5 I've come to know about possibility that devices with KNOX flag ``0x1`` will not be fixed by Samsung. So when you flash CyanogenMod (to be precise - during flashing) we can bid farewell to our warranty.
Tripping KNOX 0x1
To my knowledge the bootloader manages KNOX flag (in PC world it would be LILO, GRUP, NTDLR - the program which answers question what to do to start a system.)
In this context Download mode is ran by bootloader too.
Bootloader KNOX checks whatever kernel and recovery (and possibly bootloader itself) are valid. If not - the 0x1 bit is set.
There is no possibility to flash custom recovery or kernela, even from download mode.
Help
Without flashing custom recovery there is no possibility for rooting a device. Happily for Samsung Galaxy S5 owners kernel used in stock Roms has a loophole, you could call it a bug even :) Thanks to towelroot and with using accordingly old firmware you still have a way to root your device!
towelroot homepage: https://towelroot.com/
Let's begin
Install towelroot and try to root your device. Next, if you now have:
Device without root
You can find original tutorial at http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s5/development/rom-neatrom-v1-t2828562
We start at Installation Instructions: If you're coming from a Samsung stock NON-Rooted NG2/NG7/NG9/NH4/NH6/NJ1 ROM (KNOX 0x0).
It describes how to flash older firmware which suffers from bug used by towelroot.
Available firmwares: http://samsung-updates.com/device/?id=SM-G900F
In this example I've used G900FXXU1ANCE_G900FXEO1ANC7_G900FXXU1ANCE_HOME.tar.md5, after flashing you can root device with towelroot.
Go to Rooted device below.
Rooted device
Reboot and install SuperSu, after starting it confirm disabling KNOX.
You will have to buy Mobile Odin Pro, it allows to flash firmware in zip form easily without tripping KNOX.
For flashing I've choosen: http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s5/development/rom-ane4-kitkat-4-4-2-multi-csc-t2813628
Flashing zip file comes down to finding it in Mobile Odin Pro through OTA/Update ZIP. Remember to read installation steps for your choosen ROM, in my case you need to untick Everroot option.
Push Flash Firmware".
After reboot and at the end of system installation, untick Reboot Device. You should be soon in Download Mode.
Firmware update
If your bootloader or modem needs an update you can do it from Download Mode.
Install PC Odin, connect phone in download mode to the PC. Modem add as CP, bootloader as BL. Flash choosen files.
At this moment available were:
BL_G900FXXU1ANK7.tar.md5CP_G900FXXU1ANK1.tar.md5
Flashed system was based on ANK7 version so I can assure that flashing bit older CP doesn't change anything.
Finishing
Go to Settings/Security:
untick Reactivation lock
untick Send security reports
Go to Security policy updates and untick Automatic updates.
The End, you have now a rooted device :)
Removing unnecessary apps
To remove applications listed below I've used System App Remover by Jumobile.
Software Update
ANT HAL Service
ANT Radio Service
ANT+ Plugins
Application Kontyngent SCloud
Beaming Service
BlurbCheckout
Addon for Samsung Print Services
FWUpdate
HealthService
Samsung Account
Additional Module HP Print Service
Samsung Settlements
S Search
S Calendar (12MB)
S Calendar (908KB)
S Voice
Samsung Apps
Samsung Celandar SyncAdapter
Samsung Cloud Data Relay
Samsung Contact SyncAdapter
Samsung Galaxy
Samsung GALAXY Apps Widget
Samsung Link Platform Connectivity
Samsung Memo SyncAdapter
Samsung Push Service
Samsung SBrowser SyncAdapter
Samsung SNote3 SyncAdapter
Samsung Syncadapters
