Don't know what this Kingo method is, will have to look it up after work tonight (more knowledge, always!) In the meantime, I posted this on another thread on the VM side, essentially rooting, currently, really just involves installing custom recovery and then flashing SuperSU, even for the unfortunate souls with Knox!
Edit: This WILL trip the Knox counter; I did not read thoroughly in the OP so was not aware before posting this that the author was seeking not just a way to root, but a way to leave the Knox flag intact. This is a valid rooting method, but again, this WILL trip the Knox flag!
So, unfortunately, some info, particularly with regards to rooting, has become outdated on these forums. Try this:
1. Download either TWRP 2.6.3.0 .tar file or Philz Touch 6.0.0.8 .tar file to your computer; I am currently recommending Philz
2. Download latest SuperSU update .zip file (version 1.80 as of this writing, download version 1.75 while you are at it, will explain why later)
3. Download Samsung drivers to your computer so it will recognize your phone when you plug it in with USB; downloading Kies will install the drivers as well, and then Kies itself can be uninstalled afterward (I find it to be a pretty useless program in general, and 100% worthless if you are rooted)
4. Download Odin version 3.07 to your computer
5. Plug in phone with USB, and transfer SuperSU .zip file to the phone, internal or external memory doesn't matter, as long as you know where to look for it
6. Place phone into download mode (volume down, home key, power button all at same time, wait through the vibrate until message appears on screen), then open Odin v. 3.07, uncheck "auto reboot" and then click button labelled "PDA" and then browse to the file location for the recovery .tar file you downloaded (I just put them on the desktop for ease of locating); select that file and it will show up in the dialog box next to the PDA button
7. Press "Start" and about two minutes later Odin will give you a "Pass" message
8. Unplug USB, and then remove battery from your phone (holding down power button until phone shuts off generally does the same thing, but battery pull is recommended method); replace battery after about 5-10 seconds, then hold down, at the same time, Volume Up, home key, and Power button, keep holding until after the phone vibrates and blue script appears in top left corner saying "Recovery booting"
9. Navigate to location of .zip file containing SuperSU and flash that file
10. Reboot, and you should now be rooted. There are several Root Checker apps available in Play Store that can be run after reboot to confirm root status. Alternatively, open Titanium Backup and it will let you know if you are rooted or not
So the reason for wanting both SuperSU files is that sometimes you need to let Play Store update SuperSU for you in order to achieve root. If this is the case, flash the next to most recent version, and then Play Store will detect a need for an update and take care of it for you.
Hope this helps and good luck!
Links:
Philz Touch:
[d2spr][CWM ADV.] OFFICIAL PhilZ-Touch Recovery 6.0 [11.24.13] - xda-developers
TWRP:
Techerrata Downloads - Browsing d2spr; version 2.6.3.0 should work fine, version 2.6.3.1 wouldn't mount anything for me and was really buggy, couldn't get it to work
SuperSU:
SuperSU Download
Remember, d2spr means "Sprint" and that is what VM and Boost piggyback from!
As always, hope this helps! Feel free to PM me or post with any questions, any topic!
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