Help Downgrading from 4.4.2 to 4.1.1 safely?

[netrate]

Is there a safe way I can downgrade from 4.4.2 to 4.1.1 ? (no loss of data)
Is there a how-to out there?
Also, after that is complete and I unlock my phone, can I upgrade back and not lose my data or info?

 

[mydian]

No there is not. Any version starting with 4.3 introduces Knox to the S3. Trying to downgrade to any version of firmware older than what is currently on the phone will cause a hard brick, aka paper weight.

 

[netrate]

ty

 

[jojodaboss30]

Is there a safe way I can downgrade from 4.4.2 to 4.1.1 ? (no loss of data)
Is there a how-to out there?
Also, after that is complete and I unlock my phone, can I upgrade back and not lose my data or info?

 

[dynomot]

Just posting as not to be the only voice saying you'll hard brick your S3. @mydian is 100% correct.

 

[Quentin J Meek]

Actually, I have been trying to do this with a SGH-i747M 4.4.2 (Galaxy s3) and have not been successful but also have not bricked my device. I can always go back to a stock ROM and everything is fine. I want to go back to 4.1.1 because apparently with this OS version you can network unlock the phone. When I try loading a 4.1.1 ROM with Odin it fails with an "Auth" error and then I have to reflash stock ROM.. I'm thinking I need to change permissions somewhere but have no idea where. I have tried adb sideload but it comes back with "adb: pre-KitKat sideload connection failed: closed". This is likely because I'm running 4.4.2.