If you have a Samsung smartphone, you probably might have come across the KLMS Agent app in the device admin area. You’re not sure if it’s a security app, virus, or spyware.
Well, in this article, I’ll explain everything about KLMS Agent, whether it’s safe or not, should you use it or not, and if you don’t want to use it then how you can remove it.
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What is KLMS Agent?
KLMS Agent is a preinstalled system application associated with Samsung’s proprietary security framework KNOX Security. KLMS Agent only allows users with eligible authorized access to use the system. It provides real-time device protection, user privacy and enhanced productivity for work related data files on your Samsung device. It blocks system access for all unauthorized users.
KLMS agent is only available in Samsung devices using the Android Operating System. All the data from the KLMS Agent is stored in an Android com file com.samsung.klmsagent.
KNOX is a security software designed for organizations to manage their work devices like smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, etc., and keep them secure. KNOX devices are built using a special hardware chip that isolates, encrypts, and secures data like passwords, credit card transactions, confidential work data, etc.
KNOX provides both hardware and software capabilities in work devices similar to Android Enterprise. It allows users to use both a personal profile and work profile on the same device.
The software capabilities of KNOX include Real-Time Kernel Protection, Security Enhancements for Android, Secure Boot, One Time Password(OTP), SIM PIM Management, Over-The-Air Firmware updates, and Virtual Private Network(VPN).
Another Samsung system app that is part of the KNOX security framework is the BBCAgent app.
Is KLMS Agent a Virus?
No, KLMS Agent is not a Virus. It is a part of Samsung’s security framework KNOX. It is a very useful application that stores the user’s confidential work-related data securely and prevents access to unauthorized users.
It is not Malware because it doesn’t cause any intentional damage to your device. You can install an Antivirus app or a Malware detector like Malwarebytes and scan the KLMS Agent app to be doubly sure.
Is KLMS Agent a Spyware?
No, KLMS Agent is not Spyware and it doesn’t spy on your data or sell your data to other third parties. It is completely safe to use as it provides data security and keeps your data secure from hackers other spyware apps. However, most people consider it as Bloatware because it runs in the background consuming valuable system resources like CPU and RAM.
What is KLMS Agent doing on my phone?
A lot of users are concerned about what this KMLS agent is doing on their phones even though they haven’t installed it manually. There is nothing to worry about because the KLMS agent comes pre-installed on Samsung devices as security software that ensures data protection and security.
Does KLMS Agent (KNOX) Use System Resources?
The KNOX App is a system app that runs in the background so it definitely consumes system resources like CPU and RAM. The KNOX app is also said to cause battery draining issues on Samsung devices that don’t have a powerful battery.
Most Samsung users are concerned about the system resources that the KNOX app uses which is why they want to remove it from them their device. Removing the KNOX app doesn’t cause any harm to your device however, it might cause some KNOX features to stop working.
Another thing to keep in mind is that KNOX is not the only system app in Samsung that runs in the background and consumes system resources. There are a lot of unwanted system apps on Samsung devices that consume resources and are considered as Bloatware.
Can You Remove KLMS Agent?
Yes, you can remove KLMS Agent from your Samsung device both with and without gaining Root Access. However, as I mentioned earlier, KLMS Agent is a system app so if you disable or uninstall it then some KNOX features may stop working.
How to Uninstall KLMS Agent (KNOX)?
You can remove KLMS Agent by uninstalling the KNOX app in two ways. The first way is without gaining Root Access and the second way is by gaining Root Access. Both methods are mentioned step-by-step below.
1. Uninstall KLMS Agent (KNOX) without Root Access
Here are the steps to uninstall the KLMS agent and KNOX without gaining root access to your Samsung smartphone.
Step 1 – Open the “Knox” app on your Samsung device and tap on “Settings.”
Step 2 – Go to the “Knox Settings” section.
Step 3 – Tap on the “Uninstall Knox” option.
Step 4 – You will get a popup asking you to back up Knox data. Tap on “Backup Now” and then tap on “OK.”
That’s all. You have successfully uninstalled KLMS Agent and Knox app from your Samsung device without gaining Root Access to your device.
2. Uninstall KLMS Agent Using ADB Without Rooting
ADB is a command line tool that allows you to bring up a Unix shell so you can issue commands directly on the Android device. You can use it to install, uninstall, debug and disable apps by connecting your device to a Windows PC.
1. Go to Settings > System > About phone.
2. Tap on the Build number 7 times to activate Developer Options.
3. Go back to the main Settings menu and tap on Developer Options to open it.
4. Enable USB debugging by tapping on it.
5. Download ADB on your PC.
6. Extract the ZIP file into a folder.
7. After extracting the ZIP file, open that folder.
8. Press and hold the shift button and right-click in a blank area.
9. Click on “Open Powershell window here.”
10. Enter the command adb devices
11. Connect your Android device to the PC using a USB data cable.
12. Type the command adb shell pm uninstall –user 0 com.samsung.klmsagent and press Enter to run this command. Wait for a few seconds and you’ll notice the app has been uninstalled from your device.
3. Uninstall KLMS Agent (KNOX) With Root Access
Here are the steps to uninstall the KLMS agent and KNOX app by gaining root access to your Samsung smartphone.
Step 1 – Download and install the Titanium Backup app from Google Play Store.
Step 2 – Launch the Titanium Backup app.
Step 3 – Type “Knox” in the search bar and you’ll get the list of all related Knox apps.
Step 4 – Select all the apps mentioned below and tap “Un-install” to completely remove the KLMS Agent app and the associated KNOX apps.
- KNOX
- KNOX Store
- KLMS Agent
- Knox Notification Manager
- com.sec.knox.eventsmanager
- com.sec.enterprise.knox.attestation
After the uninstallation process is complete, just reboot your device, and you will find that all the KNOX app features including KLMS Agent are removed from your Samsung device.
How to Root Your Android Device?
If you run into any problems while uninstalling KLMS Agent from your device without gaining Root Access, you should root your device to get more control and easily uninstall any system app.
Most Android devices can be rooted easily with an Android app while some new generation Android devices don’t allow it. In that case, you’ll need to root your devices using a computer running the Windows Operating System.
I’ll recommend you first try rooting your device without a computer using an Android app like Kingo Root. If it doesn’t work then you can root your device by connecting it to a Windows computer and using an app like Dr.Fone or Kingo Root PC.
How to Root an Android device without using a PC
Here are the steps involved in rooting your Android device using an Android app without having to use a Windows PC.
Step 1 – Download and install the Kingo Root app on your Android device.
Step 2 – Launch the app and tap on the “OneClickRoot” button.
Step 3 – The rooting process will start. You will need to wait for the rooting process to complete.
If rooting fails, then you will have to root your Android device by connecting it to a Windows computer using the Dr.Fone software or the Kingo Root PC software.
How To Root An Android Device using A PC
Here are the steps involved in rooting your Android device using a Windows PC.
Step 1 – In your Android device, Go to Settings > System > About phone.
Step 2 – Tap on the “Build number” option 7 times to activate “Developer Options.”
Step 3 – Once Developer Options is activated, go back to the previous menu and tap on “Developer Options.”
Step 4 – Turn on “USB debugging” and “OEM unlocking.”
Step 5 – Download and install the Dr.Fone software on your Windows PC.
Step 6 – Connect your Android device to your PC using a USB cable.
Step 7 – Launch the Dr.Fone software and click on the Start button.
Step 8 – Wait for the software to detect your phone and find a proper way to root your phone.
Step 9 – Once Dr.Fone is ready to root your Android phone, click on the “Root Now” button to begin rooting your phone.
Step 10 – After your device is successfully rooted, you can disconnect it from the PC.
How To Disable KLMS Agent
KLMS Agent cannot be simply disabled by going to the App Settings because it is a preinstalled system application. To disable KLMS Agent, you’ll need to download a Package Disabler app like the Package Disabler Pro app.
Package Disabler Pro is a package disabler app that can disable built-in system apps which cannot be disabled normally. To use this app you’ll have to root your device and once the device is rooted, follow these steps to disable this app.
- Download and Install the Package Disabler Pro app on your Android device.
- Search for “KLMS Agent” using the Search button in the top bar.
- Select the KLMS Agent app and tap Disable.
- Confirm your decision by selecting “Yes.”
Features of KNOX app (KLMS Agent) Android
The KNOX app has several hardware and software features which are mentioned below.
Data Storage Protection
Devices with KNOX use a special hardware chip that isolates, encrypts, and secures data like passwords, credit card transactions, confidential work data, etc.
Network Protection
KNOX provides network encryption that keeps your device safe while using networking features like WiFi, Cellular Network, and Bluetooth. KNOX also has a VPN feature that protects your device when it’s connected to the Internet.
Automated App Deployment
KNOX prevents users with authorized access from uninstalling apps and changing their icons and names.
Specialized User Experience
KNOX allows authorized users to hide notifications, extend screen timeout, prevent sleep mode when the device is plugged in, easy switching between personal and business applications, protection from malicious code, Single Sign-On, One Time Password(OTP), SIM PIM Management, and Over-The-Air Firmware updates.
Block/allow listing
The KNOX app allows users to access limited URLs and install apps only from known and trusted sources. It blocks access to unknown URLs and prevents the installation of apps from unknown sources.
Device Feature Restriction
The KNOX app has several device feature restrictions in place to protect your device which are mentioned below.
- Blocks app downloads from unknown sources.
- Prevents users from using screen capture apps.
- Prevents users from using camera and microphone.
- Allows disabling connectivity settings like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Airplane mode, GPS.
- Allows disabling software update, device power off, factory reset, safe mode, etc.
- Allows disabling biometric authentication features like the fingerprint scanner and iris scanner.
Conclusion
KLMS Agent is a part of Samsung’s security framework that protects your device and keeps your files secure. It is a part of the KNOX app that comes pre-installed and runs in the background.
It is not a Virus or Spyware. You can easily remove KLMS Agent with or without gaining Root access to your device.
Thanks for the info?
How to remove it from the stockrom? All the Knoxx things. After a factory reset it is back.
I have unlocked the bootloader, removed the Knoxx crapp.
Now I want to make a backup and replace that as stock rom on the phone.
Is that possible?
Not possible to remove it from the stock ROM unless you’re using a custom ROM. If you do end up resetting your device you’ll have to remove the Knoxx apps from your Samsung device