How to Deknox Samsung Galaxy S3, S4, Note 2 & Note 3

Samsung’s new security solution Samsung Knox is an awesome thing only if seen from the point of view of it’s convenience but a real pain in vein if seen from a point of view of freedom. Samsung implemented Knox in Android 4.3 Jelly Bean and first time sent it along with the Galaxy Note 3, and later on the devices that received Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update, those devices faced the Knox security solution as well.

Basically Samsung Knox allows the users to create a new profile within the phone, just like we create different users on Windows. This profile is highly secure and private, and can be accessed by applying the password that you set. Knox has a separate store as well that allows the users to install Knox compatible apps. Moreover, Knox keeps a check on the phone and makes the security of the device as strict as possible. This results in blocking root apps and other unverified apps. Samsung has implemented Knox warranty void on the bootloaders of the devices that got Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update.

Earlier, it was possible for the developers to find a way to reset the warranty of the phone and erase the binary count from the bootloader, this allowed  the people to unleash the true power of their Galaxy devices and mod em’ to the maximum possible extent as they were always able to gain the warranty back after voiding it by pushing in custom roms or simply by rooting the device. As Samsung Knox made it’s way, it closed all the doors for the developers and then the users as well. Once void and tripped Knox counter it can never be reset and will result in voiding the warranty of your device.

Not only that, there is another big issue. Knox does not let root apps to breathe in your device and keeps on giving errors like force close or app not verified etc. What’s sure is there is no solution to Knox warranty void that appears on the device’s bootloader, but there is a solution for Knox’s root apps permissions. So if you are looking to root your device, you will also have to freeze / disable Samsung Knox apps in order to get the root apps working, otherwise simply rooting will be useless.  So in the following post we are going to have a look on a method that will help you to disable and freeze all Samsung Knox apps and components and make your phone’s life easy with having the root access. Thanks to our friend Dr Ketan for making this great tool and providing us a way to get rid of Samsung Knox.

How to disable Samsung Knox:

You’ll need a TWRP or CWM Recovery installed on your device as this process involves running a tool from recovery. So in order to install a TWRP recovery, follow our guides:

Once installed TWRP Proceed here:

  • Now download Dr Ketan’s Multitool Mod v6 and copy it to the internal or external storage of your device.
  • Now boot into TWRP Recovery. To do so, turn off your device completely first. Now turn it on by pressing and holding Volume Up + Home Button + Power Key. You should see the TWRP interface now.
  • Tap Install > Select the Dr Ketan Multitool v6.zip file from the place where you placed it > Swipe to confirm flash.
  • Multi Tool will start now.
  • Hit the Next button at the bottom > Agree with the terms of use > Press Next 4 times> Proceed with MultiTool.
  • Now MultiTool will start showing you the things it can do for you.
    • In Root > Select Do Not Change > Next.
    • Here’s the thing we want actually. You’re in Deknox now.
    • In Deknox press > Deknox Device > Next.
          • Recovery > Do Not Change > Next.
          • Backup Utility > Skip Backup Utility >  Next.
          • Restore Utility > Skip Restore Utility > Next.
          • Odex Remover > Skip > Next.
          • Bloatware Remove > Skip > Next.
          • CSC Features > Skip > Next.
          • Build Prop Features > Skip > Next.
          • LockScreen > Do Not Change > Next.
          • System Push > Do Not Change > Next.
          • GPS Fix > Do Not Change Next.
      • Read to Install / Flash > Run Now.
      • Multitool Mod will run and Deknox your device in a few seconds > Reboot your device > Finish!

Phewwww! That’s All! Knox apps have vanished from your device, you can root your device and enjoy knox free phone with freedom.

In case you got any queries or you face any difficulties regarding this post, feel free to stop by the comment box below and leave us your message. We will get back to you as soon as possible. Thanks All!

This post was last modified on February 16, 2014 9:52 pm

Usama M

Usama is a software engineer by profession and at TechBeasts.com he uses his expertise to solve everyday consumer tech problems with his main areas of interest being Android, iOS and Windows.

View Comments

  • I'm working on my budget to buy a N9005 for me and other for my wife. So I have a couple questions:

    1) Can I root the phone without upsetting knox by this method?

    2) Can I put the phone back to original state for warranty claims if/when needed?

    • @renatohmdeoliveira:disqus There is method named Ralph De Vega, that roots SM N9005 without tripping Knox. But, if you want to use Custom Recovery, it will void Knox. You cannot put it back to the original state once void, new devices can't be reset.
      However if you root using Ralph De Vega, you can install Titanium Backup and remove all knox apps using that.

  • @disqus_CbA6HbkO2u:disqus not tested on Sprint. However if you've installed a custom recovery, please give it a try. It should work. let us know how it goes.

  • Hi Usama, I have already tried rooting my note 2 (GTN7100) running on android version 4.3 and tripped the Knox counter to 01. Will this solution still disable Knox?

    • @disqus_hSKZx3OrIA:disqus you can only disable knox but you cannot remove knox from bootloader. Give a try to this method, it will surely remove all knox components and give your phone a new life. Let me know how it goes.

      • Hi Usama, did the update. No longer see knox working, but still have no root access. I had already rooted the device before. Do you recommend another try at rooting as i dont want to brick this one.

    • @disqus_hSKZx3OrIA:disqus this solution will only remove knox from your phone but will not remove knox from bootloader. Removing knox is necessary if you want to use your phone normally after rooting it, so just follow the guide and disable it.

  • After several unsuccessful attempts to root my Note 2 and/or remove KNOX, I followed the instructions here and they worked perfectly! My phone still wasn't rooted so I re-ran Dr. Ketan's Multitool and used the Root function. KNOX is gone and my phone is rooted. Thanks for the help and the tool developers!

  • Hello. I have previously tripped my knox counter while rooting my n9005. If i deknox it using the above mentioned way would i be able to restore files in knox apps? I had previously saved files/images in Knox. Can i back them up?

    • @erickraeknaider:disqus you should first back them up and then wipe knox, you wil have to transfer those from knox to your normal phone profile, I haven't done it personally but will look for how to get it done and let you know as soon as possible.

      • Usama,
        I can't access Knox to back up my files. That's the problem I'm facing. After tripping the knox counter, I'm not being able to access knox software. Any help>

        • @erickraeknaider:disqus I will look into a way to backup knox files and let you know. The only solution at the moment is, Re-flash a stock firmware and wipe your phone completely, this will let knox work. Counter has no relationship with the knox applications.

          • Are you sure? I thought Knox apps stopped working because the knox counter has been tripped. I emailed Samsung about this and they said there is "no way" i can access the knox container ever again. Are you sure a stock firmware would work?

          • Are you sure? I thought Knox apps don't work whenever they read a tripped knox counter.

          • @erickraeknaider:disqus Knox counter will remain tripped now but knox apps will work when you reflash a stock firmware and use the stock firmware in it's original state only.

  • @disqus_ZHBV60RiCy:disqus we appreciate your feedback. Stay connected and your welcome :)

  • Hi, tried this tutorial, but got this error msg in recovery mode: E:SIGNATURE VERIFICATION FAILED. How to fix this? Ty in advance!

    • @gutocharles:disqus go to advanced options in the custom recovery, and disable signature verification and try it again.

      • Thanks for the reply! But my phone got only the Android system recovery (3e) with these options:

        - reboot system now
        - apply update from ADB
        - apple update from external storage
        - wipe data/factory reset
        - wipe cache partition
        - apply update from cache

        Its a S3 SVH-E210S LTE 16GB with 4.3 android
        Baseband: E210SKSML3
        Kernel: 3.0.31-2281480

        Can you help me? I need to install other ROM, because this phone didn't came in my language =/

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