The AT&T Galaxy S5 Active received an OTA update with “Reactivation lock enhancements” and “Android security improvements” about a week ago with build number G870AUCU2BOF2. And as is the case with all security updates on Samsung devices, this one comes with an updated bootloader, and thus also breaks root access on the device.
The updated bootloader locks you down from any downgrade option to get back to 5.0 OC5 build, if need be. But thankfully, it’s possible to update your AT&T S5 Active to the latest OF2 build without upgrading the bootloader and also keep root access while doing that.
Developer muniz_ri over at XDA has developed pre-rooted stock OF2 ROM for the AT&T S5 Active which you can easily flash via TWRP recovery or FlashFire.
For those of you who haven’t tripped the Knox counter yet on their AT&T S5 active, installing the ROM via FlashFire would be the best way to keep root and the knox counter untouched.
We’ll guide you through the FlashFire way of installing the pre-rooted OF2 ROM in the steps below.
[icon name=”download” class=”” unprefixed_class=””] Download AT&T S5 Active G870A Rooted OF2 ROM [icon name=”download” class=”” unprefixed_class=””] Download G870A OC5 bootloader└ Skip this if you’re already running Android 5.0 Lollipop OC5 build on your AT&T S5 Active.
Step 1: Flash Pre-Rooted OF2 ROM using FlashFire
- Download and transfer the G870A_OF2_Stock_Rooted_ROM.zip from the link above to your AT&T S5 Active G870A.
- Install FlashFire beta app from the Play Store. For this, join the app’s Google+ community first to get into the beta program, become a tester and then finally be able to download/install the app from Play Store.
- Open FlashFire app, Grant it root access and Agree to its disclaimer note.
- Now tap on the + floating icon on the FlashFire app » select “Flash ZIP or OTA” from there and then select the G870A_OF2_Stock_Rooted_ROM.zip rom file that we transferred to device in Step 1 above.
- Keep “Auto-mount” checkbox unchecked under the “Options” menu and tap the right checkmark on the top-right corner of pop-up screen.
- Now from the main menu, make sure to uncheck all options under the “EverRoot” option and set “Reboot” option to “Download” (Do this only if you’re NOT running the OC5 build already). But if you’re already on OC5 Lollipop, then leave “Reboot” option to “Normal” only.
- Now tap the + icon again, select “Wipe” » tick the “Dalvik cache” and “Cache partition” checkboxes and untick/uncheck all the other checkboxes on the screen, then tap the right checkmark on top-right corner.
- And now finally hit the Flash button on bottom of the screen to begin flashing.
- Once FlashFire is done flashing, it’ll reboot your device. Now if you selected reboot normal in the Step 6 above, then that means you’ve the OC5 bootloader installed and thus your phone will simply reboot with the OF2 ROM without any issues. However, if you selected the Reboot option to download in Step 6, then your phone will reboot to Download mode and now you need to flash the OC5 bootloader using Odin. Get a PC.
- Flash the OC5 bootloader you downloaded above via Odin 3.10.6 now, use the AP slot for flashing the bootloader. If you need help with Odin, check out this guide over here.
└ Just saying it again, flashing OC5 bootloader is only necessary if your AT&T S5 Active isn’t already on Lollipop 5.0 OC5 build. If your device is already on Lollipop OC5, then just reboot your phone. No need to flash the bootloader via Odin.
That’s all. Hope the instructions above helped you update your AT&T S5 to OF2 update with root and downgrade capability.
via xda
I tried to root my S5 Active G870A (Android 5.0) using towelroot & odin. In that process my phone got stuck on the logo screen. When I tried to fix it it was stuck in recovery mode. I did not back up my phone properly & somehow I managed to wipe my phone. I tried all the options in recivery mode, been researching the internet all day long since yesterday on how to fix this. So I thought I got somewhere trying to unbrick it & install a ROM. But I keep getting “FAIL” on Odin. I wish I would have left the phone as it was. I only wanted root to uninstall apps that I didnt use & to have full control over my phone. Can you help me please? I’ve left comments on threads all over the internet & no one is responding. And those who do respond, tell me to restore factory, or cache, etc. I’ve tried all that & come down to the fact I need to reinstall the system. Please help.
Try my fix on YouTube
Galaxy S5 Active 5.0 lollipop G870A Flashed Wrong Kernel Soft Brick Fix
I tried to root my S5 Active G870A (Android 5.0) using towelroot & odin. In that process my phone got stuck on the logo screen. When I tried to fix it it was stuck in recovery mode. I did not back up my phone properly & somehow I managed to wipe my phone. I tried all the options in recivery mode, been researching the internet all day long since yesterday on how to fix this. So I thought I got somewhere trying to unbrick it & install a ROM. But I keep getting “FAIL” on Odin. I wish I would have left the phone as it was. I only wanted root to uninstall apps that I didnt use & to have full control over my phone. Can you help me please? I’ve left comments on threads all over the internet & no one is responding. And those who do respond, tell me to restore factory, or cache, etc. I’ve tried all that & come down to the fact I need to reinstall the system. Please help.
Try my fix on YouTube
Galaxy S5 Active 5.0 lollipop G870A Flashed Wrong Kernel Soft Brick Fix
I foolishly accepted the OTA update for OF2 and now I can’t downgrade to any previous version using odin. I have a 100% stock unrooted Galaxy S5 Active (G870A) and after the update I am stuck with it.
Odin log (downgrade from OF2 to NE4):
Added!!
Enter CS for MD5..
Check MD5.. Do not unplug the cable..
Please wait..
G870AUCU1ANE4_G870AATT1ANE4_G870AUCU1ANE4_HOME.tar.md5 is valid.
Checking MD5 finished Sucessfully..
Leave CS..
Odin engine v(ID:3.1005)..
File analysis..
SetupConnection..
Initialzation..
Get PIT for mapping..
Firmware update start..
SingleDownload.
aboot.mbn
NAND Write Start!!
FAIL! (Auth)
Complete(Write) operation failed.
All threads completed. (succeed 0 / failed 1)
The phone says:
UDC START
SW REV CHECK FAIL : [aboot]Fused 2 > Binary 1
I foolishly accepted the OTA update for OF2 and now I can’t downgrade to any previous version using odin. I have a 100% stock unrooted Galaxy S5 Active (G870A) and after the update I am stuck with it.
Odin log (downgrade from OF2 to NE4):
Added!!
Enter CS for MD5..
Check MD5.. Do not unplug the cable..
Please wait..
G870AUCU1ANE4_G870AATT1ANE4_G870AUCU1ANE4_HOME.tar.md5 is valid.
Checking MD5 finished Sucessfully..
Leave CS..
Odin engine v(ID:3.1005)..
File analysis..
SetupConnection..
Initialzation..
Get PIT for mapping..
Firmware update start..
SingleDownload.
aboot.mbn
NAND Write Start!!
FAIL! (Auth)
Complete(Write) operation failed.
All threads completed. (succeed 0 / failed 1)
The phone says:
UDC START
SW REV CHECK FAIL : [aboot]Fused 2 > Binary 1
I had to factory reset my s5 active and after all of the updates I have 0f3. Are you saying that it’s not possible to reset back to ne3 and then use towel root to root?
I don’t think so I tried many time to go back to NE4 but no success if you a way let us know
As of now. If you are on OF2 or OF3 you cannot downgrade at all. We just have to wait for a new solution.
I had to factory reset my s5 active and after all of the updates I have 0f3. Are you saying that it’s not possible to reset back to ne3 and then use towel root to root?
I don’t think so I tried many time to go back to NE4 but no success if you a way let us know
As of now. If you are on OF2 or OF3 you cannot downgrade at all. We just have to wait for a new solution.
Tried it on my rooted S5active just a few minutes ago, seems ok so far. i did have an issue with the flashfire though, i used it to make a back up, which it did, and when phone rebooted, everything stopped working. booted into recovery, ran recovery from flashfire folder, rebooted ok, phone ok, so then i tried this. so far so good, went from 4.4.4 to 5.0. phone looks stock like my wifes S5, (she wont let me mess with hers, lol). ill check it out once it stops updating apps and stuff.
update. ever since i got my S5 Active i rooted it the towelroot way, i have neve been able to connect S5 to computer, always got an error, had to transfer stuff via wifi app. now connects like it should, and so far set up is going smooth, apps, email, contacts, etc. Thanks to devs…
Update. Been 2 days now and phone works better than ever. Still getting used to the changes from firmware level, but other than that, runs great. Thanks again.
Tried it on my rooted S5active just a few minutes ago, seems ok so far. i did have an issue with the flashfire though, i used it to make a back up, which it did, and when phone rebooted, everything stopped working. booted into recovery, ran recovery from flashfire folder, rebooted ok, phone ok, so then i tried this. so far so good, went from 4.4.4 to 5.0. phone looks stock like my wifes S5, (she wont let me mess with hers, lol). ill check it out once it stops updating apps and stuff.
update. ever since i got my S5 Active i rooted it the towelroot way, i have neve been able to connect S5 to computer, always got an error, had to transfer stuff via wifi app. now connects like it should, and so far set up is going smooth, apps, email, contacts, etc. Thanks to devs…
Update. Been 2 days now and phone works better than ever. Still getting used to the changes from firmware level, but other than that, runs great. Thanks again.