I'm planning to root my GS4 but does unrooting wipe out the device to factory settings?
+1
Anyone?
I have AT&T model, but from what I've seen unroot requires flashing the stock ODIN package which does wipe the phone. Maybe someone can correct me though, I'm not entirely sure since I'm on MF3 and unroot isn't even an option for me.
Your question is a bit confusing -you talk about preparing to Root your phone, but then ask a question about unrooting. . .a bit odd.
In past experiences flashing a new stock rom and essentially unrooting, I still had to take the extra step to factory reset from the menu after the unroot to clear all my apps.
I suppose it depends upon the method you use to unroot, but when I have done so on my old S2 -that was the case. I have not tried unrooting on my S4, but I assume it would be the same..
good luck!
markbc01 said:
Your question is a bit confusing -you talk about preparing to Root your phone, but then ask a question about unrooting. . .a bit odd.
In past experiences flashing a new stock rom and essentially unrooting, I still had to take the extra step to factory reset from the menu after the unroot to clear all my apps.
I suppose it depends upon the method you use to unroot, but when I have done so on my old S2 -that was the case. I have not tried unrooting on my S4, but I assume it would be the same..
good luck!
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Click to collapse
I'm planning ahead in case I need to unroot my phone in case i need to send it in for repairs.
Does delete the su binaries and the superuser.apk unroot the phone?
SUDroid said:
I'm planning ahead in case I need to unroot my phone in case i need to send it in for repairs.
Does delete the su binaries and the superuser.apk unroot the phone?
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Click to collapse
If you have to return your phone just flash the stock rom in odin. You will have to do a factory reset, but if you're returning it why would you care. It'll unroot the phone and but the stock recovery on. If you send it in for repairs it most likely will be re- flashed anyway.
Ps, is chainfire ok with you using his trade mark as your avatar?
jd1639 said:
If you have to return your phone just flash the stock rom in odin. You will have to do a factory reset, but if you're returning it why would you care. It'll unroot the phone and but the stock recovery on. If you send it in for repairs it most likely will be re- flashed anyway.
Ps, is chainfire ok with you using his trade mark as your avatar?
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Click to collapse
Um idk but I see ppl using chainfire's logos. So does deleting su binaries and superuser.apk remove root?
SUDroid said:
Um idk but I see ppl using chainfire's logos. So does deleting su binaries and superuser.apk remove root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You'll end up with a bastardized system that may not even boot. See beerdroids guide in the general forum stickies on how to remove root.
jd1639 said:
You'll end up with a bastardized system that may not even boot. See beerdroids guide in the general forum stickies on how to remove root.
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Click to collapse
Sry to ask again but I only see root and no unroot guide?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2314494
SUDroid said:
Sry to ask again but I only see root and no unroot guide?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2314494
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Click to collapse
I'll tell you again, if you want to completely remove root and not end up with a phone that doesn't work, you need to flash the stock Rom with odin
SUDroid said:
I'm planning ahead in case I need to unroot my phone in case i need to send it in for repairs. Does delete the su binaries and the superuser.apk unroot the phone?
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Click to collapse
No, SU and its binaries are files needed to execute root, but not to obtain it. The process of running a root-exploit for our phone gives you the root capability and then the Developer [may] include the Su file and binaries.
- - -
However If You have the MF3 on AT&T (I am not sure from your posts about that), then it appears that your question has been asked and answered before, perhaps not as clearly as you need. . . Please look at post #381 in "New Root Method for AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 (OTA MF3)" and found at link http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=44598687&highlight=unroot#post44598687
Of course, I may have missed a better post, but it appears to me that there is NO UNROOT METHOD for the MF3 versions locked on AT&T. The locked bootloader/fixed-exploit not only prevents rom-switching but also prevents using conventional un-root methods (like using Odin to flash a stock rom) to work. (Please also see post #121 in the thread you already mentioned (above).
On the other hand, if you are NOT locked, then the advice provided by jd1639 is spot-on and will work!)
OK, sorry I can't help more, Good Luck!
Oh. . . I am not sure, but perhaps you could do a factory reset, but I am not sure that would accomplish much. (Probably just reset your rooted phone and clear out your data).
Boy do I feel stupid. I missed that you were on mf3. DO NOT use Odin. Sorry for the bad info.
jd1639 said:
Boy do I feel stupid. I missed that you were on mf3. DO NOT use Odin. Sorry for the bad info.
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Click to collapse
no no. . .this might be me. . .He actually never stated he has a MF3 phone, and since the site he mentioned was one of the MF3 root sites, and b) he is being so careful. . . I have assumed MF3.
So now *I* feel stupid, since in looking again at SuDroid's title it states he has an i337M. That's the Canadian version and should not have the locked bootloader that I have with AT&T i337. (right?) . . In which case, he can do the normal fixes and flash stock with Odin etc. etc.
The guy is using the 1337m...that is the Canadian model... No MF3. MF3 is AT&T specific.
You guys are making this stupidly complicated.
There are many ways to unroot.
You could odin. That will wipe. Or you can use SuperSU's built in unroot. That will not wipe the system.
There is really no point in keeping data if you have to send it in for repair. They normally replace the unit.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
graydiggy said:
The guy is using the 1337m...that is the Canadian model... No MF3. MF3 is AT&T specific.
You guys are making this stupidly complicated.
There are many ways to unroot.
You could odin. That will wipe. Or you can use SuperSU's built in unroot. That will not wipe the system.
There is really no point in keeping data if you have to send it in for repair. They normally replace the unit.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you very much for clearing my issue up.I would plan to use SuperSU built in unroot (which i never knew) to unroot my phone.
graydiggy said:
You guys are making this stupidly complicated.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Stupidly complicated? Wouldn't you odin back to stock if you were going to send it back to the carrier?
No. I leave it as is with no root and no root apps IF I ever have to send it off. I might do a factory reset. But I am good with just fixing it myself. Anything from software to hardware issues are fixable. The only time I would have to send it to warranty is in the case of it not turning on. If that happens, there is no point in odin.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
just flash the same firmware through odin, it will unroot, and keep data, i do it all the time
Hi. Before you read all that mess below, just answer this simple question first: Is it possible to restore to stock (as in with all bloatware and pre-loaded apps intact) on an AT&T Samsung Galaxy S4 SGH-I337 Baseband Version I337UCUAMF3 on Android Version 4.2.2? If not, just say so and disregard reading the rest lol. (If it's any help, the Kernel Version is 3.4.0-812098 and Build # is JDQ39.I337UCUAMF3).
So I have been messing around with my S4, specifically with NoBloat and rooting, trying to delete bloatware and such. And with that line, you should already know by now what has happened. Though I did backup most of the things I deleted, I think I've deleted some important things and now want my phone returned to stock. It has been rooted so I also want to get rid of the binary counter as well. Before you send me to another thread however, I want to tell you guys what I have already tried and researched, yet always encounter an obstacle in:
I have tried using Odin (3.07 AND Odin3 v1.85) and flashing (correct term?) to my phone with I337UCUAMDL_I337ATTAMDL_I337UCUAMDL_HOME.tar.md5 as the PDA, but when I pressed start, Odin would get to the first box then say FAIL!. My phone then has START [224, 1440] then under it SW REV. CHECK FAIL : fused :2, Binary : 1. I think it may be because in the ID: COM space, my phone recognizes as a 0:[COM:3], 4, or 5, but not a 6, which in a video tutorial I've watched, says it must be a COM:6 for it to work. I have tried many of the troubleshooting tips such as removing and putting the battery back in, changing usb ports, and reinstalling drivers, all of them leading to the same FAIL! screen. I know the file and the version of my phone doesn't match (wishful thinking I guess xP ), but is there any other way pr a tar.md5 file for my version to restore using Odin?
Another thing I've tried is using ADB to reupdate (?) my phone. I downloaded the adt files and put the tar.md5 file in the platform-tools folder. Then I opened a command prompt but when I type in adb sideload <filename.tar.md5>, it says it could not be read or could not start. Backtracking, I tried downloading sdk properly but got lost in that and jumped off this method completely.
Finally, giving up all hope of reverting back to complete stock, I simply wanted to reset the binary counter, and even here I had issues. I found out that AT&T is one of the carriers that locks their bootloader, so I searched and found djrbliss' LOKI method to get around it. I tried downloading at the github link, but didn't know how to download it (maybe I somehow just didn't see the download button), so sadly, I couldn't do this either.
I have reset and restored using past backups but the applications, lock screen, and a few other things did not restore properly (while the rest of it did fine, strangely).
Sooo...yeah. I think I may have exhausted almost every method possible, so this thread is really my last resort. Please help me find a way or just tell me it can't be done, so I can put this to rest.
Sorry for the long-winded message, haha, but thanks to all who'll help me find a solution to this dilemma
Go to a best buy Samsung experience. They can flash the stock mf3 firmware.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I957 using xda app-developers app
jd1639 said:
Go to a best buy Samsung experience. They can flash the stock mf3 firmware.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I957 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But because I rooted before, won't that void my warranty? Or will they just restore to mf3 stock firmware no questions asked anyway?
Also, double checking, doing this will restore all stock apps and reset binary yes?
Thanks for responding quickly. I will try this out asap. :laugh:
AquaYan said:
But because I rooted before, won't that void my warranty? Or will they just restore to mf3 stock firmware no questions asked anyway?
Also, double checking, doing this will restore all stock apps and reset binary yes?
Thanks for responding quickly. I will try this out asap. :laugh:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is void, but multiple people have taken in rooted phones and gotten them flashed. Just say it isn't, and they should. I don't know about binary but the system will be factory fresh
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
There is a thread on how to remove the 'custom' boot screen, but I am not sure if it works on mf3. Sorry, but can't find the link right now
Hello everyone-
New user for the Samsung Galaxy S4 here. I used to own both the iPhone 3GS and 4S prior. My general background was writing VB in version 3.0 for AOL back in the late 90s for all you old school people, progs/punters that may remember those days. Unfortunately, even now I'm still have issues following along with new technology. So far, I have really enjoyed the android system and have made modifications through various launchers. I did use SuperSU and rooted the phone by the automated process. I realize these may be 'noob' questions, however; everyone I suppose goes through it at some point. I do have some general questions and several of them that I have read about have conflicting information. This will be somewhat long, but I do appreciate any input:
The Galaxy S4 that I have is SPH-L720, MK2, and 4.3 version.
At this point, I backed-up and installed several Google Games, Books, and Sprint ID, Sprint Worldwide, etc.....general bloatware using Titanium Back-up. Again the root method I used was SuperSU by Chainfire. I have NOT use TWRP/Clockwork Mod or flashed any custom ROMs. I just have it rooted and diabled some bloatware, installed Xposed Installer and other root only apps. I checked my phone and its status says 'custom'.
1. Given this set-up, can I still get OTA for new Android versions ? I don't care if it removes root, but I was just wondering if I can get OTA updates to get new versions for my phone. Some threads I have read say yes, others say no. If I cannot, how can I then get new updates ? I don't want to not be able to permanently update to 4.4 in the future. I know there is a way to update via Kies to the computer.
2. The root access via Chainfire SuperSU involves 2 components from what I understand. SU.apk and busybox. I was using Terminal Emulator based on the advice from this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2565758
I could not get it to work when typing in the prompts on the screen, it just would not go through. I tried downloading Total Commander which allows root access. Can I instead of using Terminal Emulator to get rid of busybox, use Total Commander to get into the /system/xbin folder and manually delete all busybox files prior to using the permanent unroot of SuperSU feature in settings ? Or does the Full unroot remove everything ?
3. Maybe I still don't understand the flashing process, but it seems, you download Odin, then use the ROM file you need under the PDA selection then start the process while the phone is in download mode (home button, down volume, etc...) Is this how all custom ROMs and re-stores are performed ? Is this form of the restore different that the phone Samsung settings (back-up/restore) ? I've read about TWRP, custom recovery, Clockwork Mod, etc....but I dont understand what all these are. It seems easy enough to download files then put them via Odin then hit start....
At this point, I've refrained from doing anything other than back-up/uninstalling some bloatware and using some cool apps that supposed xposed installer. I'm worried that I might brick my expensive phone or render it unable to get anymore updates :crying:
Thanks for the input !
mikeprius said:
Hello everyone-
New user for the Samsung Galaxy S4 here. I used to own both the iPhone 3GS and 4S prior. My general background was writing VB in version 3.0 for AOL back in the late 90s for all you old school people, progs/punters that may remember those days. Unfortunately, even now I'm still have issues following along with new technology. So far, I have really enjoyed the android system and have made modifications through various launchers. I did use SuperSU and rooted the phone by the automated process. I realize these may be 'noob' questions, however; everyone I suppose goes through it at some point. I do have some general questions and several of them that I have read about have conflicting information. This will be somewhat long, but I do appreciate any input:
The Galaxy S4 that I have is SPH-L720, MK2, and 4.3 version.
At this point, I backed-up and installed several Google Games, Books, and Sprint ID, Sprint Worldwide, etc.....general bloatware using Titanium Back-up. Again the root method I used was SuperSU by Chainfire. I have NOT use TWRP/Clockwork Mod or flashed any custom ROMs. I just have it rooted and diabled some bloatware, installed Xposed Installer and other root only apps. I checked my phone and its status says 'custom'.
1. Given this set-up, can I still get OTA for new Android versions ? I don't care if it removes root, but I was just wondering if I can get OTA updates to get new versions for my phone. Some threads I have read say yes, others say no. If I cannot, how can I then get new updates ? I don't want to not be able to permanently update to 4.4 in the future. I know there is a way to update via Kies to the computer.
2. The root access via Chainfire SuperSU involves 2 components from what I understand. SU.apk and busybox. I was using Terminal Emulator based on the advice from this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2565758
I could not get it to work when typing in the prompts on the screen, it just would not go through. I tried downloading Total Commander which allows root access. Can I instead of using Terminal Emulator to get rid of busybox, use Total Commander to get into the /system/xbin folder and manually delete all busybox files prior to using the permanent unroot of SuperSU feature in settings ? Or does the Full unroot remove everything ?
3. Maybe I still don't understand the flashing process, but it seems, you download Odin, then use the ROM file you need under the PDA selection then start the process while the phone is in download mode (home button, down volume, etc...) Is this how all custom ROMs and re-stores are performed ? Is this form of the restore different that the phone Samsung settings (back-up/restore) ? I've read about TWRP, custom recovery, Clockwork Mod, etc....but I dont understand what all these are. It seems easy enough to download files then put them via Odin then hit start....
At this point, I've refrained from doing anything other than back-up/uninstalling some bloatware and using some cool apps that supposed xposed installer. I'm worried that I might brick my expensive phone or render it unable to get anymore updates :crying:
Thanks for the input !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can answer 1 & 3 for you.
1. No, you won't be able to take an OTA because you removed or modified system files. This will cause the update file of the OTA to abort once it encounters the modded file or can't find the file your removed. The best process to take an OTA would be to return the phone to stock before taking the OTA. The easiest method is to use Odin and install the full stock tar file that you are currently on. In your case it would be the MK2 tar file. This will return your phone to stock with the stock recovery and allow your phone to update via OTA, then you can re root.
3. Odin is used to flash things like stock tar files, modems(basebands), recoveries & firmwares. If you are installing a custom rom, that is usually done using a custom recovery like Phillz's or TWRP. These recoveries can be installed via odin or TWRP via goomanager app in playstore. Once the custom recovery is installed you copy the rom file or other mod to your sdcard and install through recovery.
cruise350 said:
I can answer 1 & 3 for you.
1. No, you won't be able to take an OTA because you removed or modified system files. This will cause the update file of the OTA to abort once it encounters the modded file or can't find the file your removed. The best process to take an OTA would be to return the phone to stock before taking the OTA. The easiest method is to use Odin and install the full stock tar file that you are currently on. In your case it would be the MK2 tar file. This will return your phone to stock with the stock recovery and allow your phone to update via OTA, then you can re root.
3. Odin is used to flash things like stock tar files, modems(basebands), recoveries & firmwares. If you are installing a custom rom, that is usually done using a custom recovery like Phillz's or TWRP. These recoveries can be installed via odin or TWRP via goomanager app in playstore. Once the custom recovery is installed you copy the rom file or other mod to your sdcard and install through recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the response....Does it matter what version of Odin I use if I were to restore the phone back to stock ? Also do I need to manually remove all rooted program and features, or can it be flashed back to stock ROM as is ? I have a lot of apps that I also don't want to lose and I've tried manually back up files on my SD card, but I didn't know if there was a way to back it up, so that it literally can be dumped right back in when stock is restored.
mikeprius said:
Thanks for the response....Does it matter what version of Odin I use if I were to restore the phone back to stock ? Also do I need to manually remove all rooted program and features, or can it be flashed back to stock ROM as is ? I have a lot of apps that I also don't want to lose and I've tried manually back up files on my SD card, but I didn't know if there was a way to back it up, so that it literally can be dumped right back in when stock is restored.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe if you are on MK2 you will want to use the latest version of odin which is ver3 3.09. If you are using the MK2 complete stock tar file it will rewrite everything in system and restore all the apps that were removed or modded so you don't need to manually remove root. Currently, the stock files available to us do not wipe the data partition so anything you have in that partition will remain there unless you do a factory reset. One thing you will want to make sure you are doing is backing up to the external sdcard and not the internal. You can then use TB to replace any files if you did a factory reset.
cruise350 said:
I believe if you are on MK2 you will want to use the latest version of odin which is ver3 3.09. If you are using the MK2 complete stock tar file it will rewrite everything in system and restore all the apps that were removed or modded so you don't need to manually remove root. Currently, the stock files available to us do not wipe the data partition so anything you have in that partition will remain there unless you do a factory reset. One thing you will want to make sure you are doing is backing up to the external sdcard and not the internal. You can then use TB to replace any files if you did a factory reset.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm using Kies 3 and using the data back-up feature ? I assume this is backing up to the computer then I was planning on using the 'restore data' feature once they phone is back to stock. Will this revert it back to the way it was previously customized before root ? So if I understand correctly, once I download Odin 3.0, I load the MK2 .tar file into the phone, enbable download mode, then hit start and the phone will be like it was out of the box and ready to be OTA and restored with prior data ? I may be confusing flashing the stock firmware with factory reset ?
I also noticed there is an update firmware feature on Kies 3, if I try using this while SuperSU is present and the phone is rooted, will I also have a failed update/issues ? Again, thanks for your help. Do appreciate it.
mikeprius said:
I'm using Kies 3 and using the data back-up feature ? I assume this is backing up to the computer then I was planning on using the 'restore data' feature once they phone is back to stock. Will this revert it back to the way it was previously customized before root ? So if I understand correctly, once I download Odin 3.0, I load the MK2 .tar file into the phone, enbable download mode, then hit start and the phone will be like it was out of the box and ready to be OTA and restored with prior data ? I may be confusing flashing the stock firmware with factory reset ?
I also noticed there is an update firmware feature on Kies 3, if I try using this while SuperSU is present and the phone is rooted, will I also have a failed update/issues ? Again, thanks for your help. Do appreciate it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have never used Kies and heard that it doesn't work with the MJA or MK2 software yet. I don't believe Kies will work if your status is custom but I could be wrong on that. If you odin the MK2 full tar file your phone will be back to stock but your data should still be there. You will only lose your data if you do a factory reset in recovery. Remember, a factory reset is just wiping the data partition and does not restore any software or apps.
cruise350 said:
I have never used Kies and heard that it doesn't work with the MJA or MK2 software yet. I don't believe Kies will work if your status is custom but I could be wrong on that. If you odin the MK2 full tar file your phone will be back to stock but your data should still be there. You will only lose your data if you do a factory reset in recovery. Remember, a factory reset is just wiping the data partition and does not restore any software or apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, I think I have the general idea. It sounds similar to putting back on the stock 'image' nothing else.........I currently have the Odin 3.0 software, but I have been having a hard time finding the stock firmware online and downloading it. I will keep looking. Once I get the .tar and flash in download mode, will I just see all the bloatware back on, but everything else the same ? I was wondering what will happen if I kept Titanium Back-up, SuperSU, and Xposed Installer on when I do this ? Does it just render them all un-useable, but the new OTA will still install anyway ? Thanks.
mikeprius said:
Ok, I think I have the general idea. It sounds similar to putting back on the stock 'image' nothing else.........I currently have the Odin 3.0 software, but I have been having a hard time finding the stock firmware online and downloading it. I will keep looking. Once I get the .tar and flash in download mode, will I just see all the bloatware back on, but everything else the same ? I was wondering what will happen if I kept Titanium Back-up, SuperSU, and Xposed Installer on when I do this ? Does it just render them all un-useable, but the new OTA will still install anyway ? Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Every thing in the data partition(titanium backup) will remain and everything in the system partition (SuperSU & stuff modified via xposed installer) will be gone and replaced with the bloatware.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk
Ok, so it appears to have worked. I flashed the 4.3 prior version however it was hooked up to wifi and automatically downloaded the new version and removed root (not a big deal). My status says custom still, but I am assuming that I can OTA after the flash b/c it updated to the most recent 4.3 in Dec 2013. I re-rooted so it is back to prior, but I know now how to do it.
Is there anything that I may delete or uninstall that cannot be replaced by flashing the stock firmware ? For example I was thinking about getting rid of the 'help' on the phone and Titanium Back up said it is odexed or something to that extent and can only be replaced by using Titanium Backup and the exact same copy ?
I figured that I might as well just try deleting the bloatware and not back up b/c worse case scenario if something happens I can just flash back the stock ROM and all is well ?
Being able to flash the stock .tar through ODIN gives me peace of mind from screw ups, even if it removes root and takes time.
mikeprius said:
I figured that I might as well just try deleting the bloatware and not back up b/c worse case scenario if something happens I can just flash back the stock ROM and all is well ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you haven't spent much time customizing, that'll work fine. Most of us use custom recoveries (like Philz or TWRP) to make "nandroid" backups of our setups. A nandroid is like a drive image on a computer, so restoring it will restore all of the customizations you've done (accounts, apps, app data, bloatware deletions, etc). Nandroids don't back up firmware (modem, bootloader,etc), but back up the ROM completely. A Titanium backup is almost as good, but requires a bit more work.
As for deciding what apps you can delete, most of the custom ROM creators post a list of the bloatware they remove. So, if it's on their list, it's almost certainly ok to delete it on your phone too.
nobody291 said:
If you haven't spent much time customizing, that'll work fine. Most of us use custom recoveries (like Philz or TWRP) to make "nandroid" backups of our setups. A nandroid is like a drive image on a computer, so restoring it will restore all of the customizations you've done (accounts, apps, app data, bloatware deletions, etc). Nandroids don't back up firmware (modem, bootloader,etc), but back up the ROM completely. A Titanium backup is almost as good, but requires a bit more work.
As for deciding what apps you can delete, most of the custom ROM creators post a list of the bloatware they remove. So, if it's on their list, it's almost certainly ok to delete it on your phone too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks being able to flash the stock .tar and use ODIN gives me peace of mind of any potential screw ups. So far I'm just using stock rom and toggling some of the features with xposed installer and titanium back up.
I'd like to explore more eventually with custom ROMs and I've heard of Clockwork mod and TWRP, Nandroid, Cyanogen, etc... but I don't know what any of that means or what it is.
Is TWRP/Philz like ODIN program then you download custom ROMS like Cyanogen the same way as the stock firmware. tar ?
As you can tell I am extremely new to this.....this is also my first time owning an Android phone as well, but I never messed with jailbreaking my past 2 iPhones in the past. I just have used VB 3.0 back in the day....
mikeprius said:
Thanks being able to flash the stock .tar and use ODIN gives me peace of mind of any potential screw ups. So far I'm just using stock rom and toggling some of the features with xposed installer and titanium back up.
I'd like to explore more eventually with custom ROMs and I've heard of Clockwork mod and TWRP, Nandroid, Cyanogen, etc... but I don't know what any of that means or what it is.
Is TWRP/Philz like ODIN program then you download custom ROMS like Cyanogen the same way as the stock firmware. tar ?
As you can tell I am extremely new to this.....this is also my first time owning an Android phone as well, but I never messed with jailbreaking my past 2 iPhones in the past. I just have used VB 3.0 back in the day....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To me, one of the hardest parts of this whole thing is getting to the point where the basic terms make sense. I've been at this for a couple of years with an HTC Evo and now the GS4 since October, and sometimes it still makes my head spin. Here is an attempt to explain my understanding of a few things:
1. Booting...you can boot into Download mode, recovery, or system. Download mode is what you use with ODIN, you need the correct drivers on your computer (which can be found lots of places), so that ODIN and your phone can communicate. In download mode, the phone just accepts whatever ODIN sends it, so it's the easiest way to totally brick your phone. Don't mess with partitions and follow the instructions for whatever you're doing very carefully, because I think this is the only way to "hard brick" your phone.
2. Recovery - something you use to create images of your phone's ROM (nandroids), flash ROMs and mods, and restore past nandroids. The stock recovery will only flash approved updates from the carrier, so to do any of the things I listed you need a custom recovery. Most people use Philz (which is based on the ClockworkMod recovery) or TWRP. To flash the custom recovery, use ODIN and follow the instructions in the thread exactly. There is a way to flash recoveries without ODIN, but I've never done it. I was using TWRP, and switched to Philz to flash the rooted stock 4.3 update because the thread suggested it. They both seem to do the same thing, and I have been happy with both. I'm sure there are technical differences, but I couldn't explain what they are. You can switch back and forth as much as you'd like between the recoveries with ODIN. Recoveries can flash a complete ROM or just partial changes (like the hotspot mod). In a custom recovery (or the stock) you can also do factory resets and cache cleaning (most ROMs suggest you do this before flashing). Factory reset doesn't return the ROM to the factory original, it just clears out all of the user data (including user apps). A nandroid is the fastest way to restore a phone if you screw it up...I always make one before making significant changes to the phone. It takes several minutes to do, but I think it's well worth it. The operating system can't be running when you make one, that's why you need to boot into recovery mode. You create a Nandroid in Philz by selecting "backup and restore" then "backup to" which will allow backup to the internal storage or external SD card.
3. ROM - the actual operating system used by the phone when you actually use it as a smartphone. There are 2 basic flavors for the GS4...touchwiz and AOSP (Android Open Source Project). Touchwiz is Samsung's "flavor" of Android, AOSP is the "pure Google" version of Android. A lot of the things the GS4 will do rely on touchwiz (multiwindow is one example...but there are several). Some people really like the AOSP ROMs (Cyanogen is AOSP), but make sure you understand their limitations. I've never used one on the GS4. There are several touchwiz custom ROMs which have various features. I've tried a few and just settled on the stock rooted touchwiz ROM, but there are lots of options from great developers. I think most custom ROMs require you to use a custom recovery to flash them, but there might be ways to do it using ODIN. I like having a custom recovery, so I've only used ODIN for flashing modems and recoveries.
4. Firmware - as far as I can tell, there are two important parts of the firmware...the modem (sometimes called "radios" or "baseband"...find your version by looking in "about device"->"Baseband version"...the different modems are described by the last 3 letters you see) and the bootloader. The modem and the version of the ROM you flash need to match or you'll have problems with the radios in the phone (wifi seems to be the biggest problem if you have a mismatch). MF9 was the last modem version based on 4.2.2, and 4.3 has had MJA and MK2 (MK2 is the latest). The bootloader is what the phone uses to initially decide how to boot up. If you have the 4.3 version of the bootloader it will include "Knox", which will prevent you from flashing older versions of the modem, so you'll have to use a 4.3 ROM. Knox also "trips" a counter if you flash a custom ROM and Samsung claims they won't honor the warranty on a phone with the "Knox flag" tripped. If you have the 4.3 bootloader you're stuck with it (for now at least). I still have the 4.2.2 bootloader, so I don't have much more to offer on this subject. There are ways to get the 4.3 modem and ROM without the 4.3 bootloader. There is a lot here (and lots on youtube) on how to navigate the Knox minefield if you care about it. If you still have the 4.2.2 bootloader you can flash older (and newer) modems as much as you'd like without getting the updated bootloader using ODIN.
Hopefully this helps...this is a great place with lots of great people. Sometimes the scale of the amount of information here is overwhelming. But, search is your friend along with lots of time! Feel free to keep asking questions.
thanks for explaining this nobody-
The information does help quite a bit and I am still learning, however; I do enjoy the process of messing with the phone. My GS4 now runs the RAM at 750-800mg instead of a bloated 1.2GB which was happening quite a bit. I had to originally not use a lot of apps I wanted to like Facebook bc the programs themselves bloated up to accomidate the existing bloatware which was also running. I did flash my phone back with the stock firmware today and it looks like it installed all the stock software. My status said 'custom' when I looked at it however I was already connected to wifi and it went from 4.3 (Oct 2013 version which I flashed) to Dec 2013 version automatically so it appears that the OTA feature works.
I assumed if I accidently delete something from the phone that I really need to affects the phone, I can always flash the stock ROM to fix it. Losing the root is not that big of an issue, but I did lose Superuser and had to re-root the phone. I suppose I do have a few more questions, one was when I was reading another carrier provider thread.
1. Is there anything I can delete from the phone that I could not eventually recover by flashing the stock firmware ? When I uninstall for example the 'help' app on the phone Titanium Backup says this only copy can be replaced by using Titanium 5.1 and it's existing copy ? Could this just be replaced by flashing the stock firmware as well ? I like being able to flash the stockfirm ware rom at any point as a fail safe.
2. The other issue is the bootloader that I heard about ? It was on a Verizon thread where the person was able to flash the stock firmware on his phone, but then after an upgrade, he was not longer able to flash the rom b/c the carrier in the most recent upgrade he did blocked ODIN ? Is this something that I should possibly be concerned about in the future not being able to flash stock firmware via ODIN ? As you can tell, I'm pretty OCD about being able to have a failsafe for my phone. LOL. Thanks again for your help, I do appreciate it.
mikeprius said:
1. Is there anything I can delete from the phone that I could not eventually recover by flashing the stock firmware ? When I uninstall for example the 'help' app on the phone Titanium Backup says this only copy can be replaced by using Titanium 5.1 and it's existing copy ? Could this just be replaced by flashing the stock firmware as well ? I like being able to flash the stockfirm ware rom at any point as a fail safe.
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Yes, you can always flash the stock firmware to fix whatever you do to the ROM (just to the ROM, use ODIN very carefully). In the case of the Help file, you could also back it up using Titanium, then delete the app, and restore it later using Titanium if you want it back. This is probably obvious, but use Titanium to delete the app, but don't delete the backup.
2. The other issue is the bootloader that I heard about ? It was on a Verizon thread where the person was able to flash the stock firmware on his phone, but then after an upgrade, he was not longer able to flash the rom b/c the carrier in the most recent upgrade he did blocked ODIN ? Is this something that I should possibly be concerned about in the future not being able to flash stock firmware via ODIN ? As you can tell, I'm pretty OCD about being able to have a failsafe for my phone. LOL. Thanks again for your help, I do appreciate it.
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Sprint is a lot more friendly toward its users modifying their phones than Verizon. But, they could change their minds any time. For now, there are no issues (other than the Knox warranty issue). But, don't presume that'll always be the case. The best precaution is to not take OTA (over the air) updates. OTAs are the ones that pop up as a notification on the phone saying "system update available, tap to install". Kit Kat should become available in the next month or two, who knows what'll come along with the OTA. Threads will start here almost immediately when the update rolls out; watch those threads and don't do the update until you're comfortable with what's inside. I will wait and flash something from the development section, even if it is just the stock ROM.
nobody291 said:
Yes, you can always flash the stock firmware to fix whatever you do to the ROM (just to the ROM, use ODIN very carefully). In the case of the Help file, you could also back it up using Titanium, then delete the app, and restore it later using Titanium if you want it back. This is probably obvious, but use Titanium to delete the app, but don't delete the backup.
Sprint is a lot more friendly toward its users modifying their phones than Verizon. But, they could change their minds any time. For now, there are no issues (other than the Knox warranty issue). But, don't presume that'll always be the case. The best precaution is to not take OTA (over the air) updates. OTAs are the ones that pop up as a notification on the phone saying "system update available, tap to install". Kit Kat should become available in the next month or two, who knows what'll come along with the OTA. Threads will start here almost immediately when the update rolls out; watch those threads and don't do the update until you're comfortable with what's inside. I will wait and flash something from the development section, even if it is just the stock ROM.
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It was good that you mentioned the Knox bootloader issue with the 4.3 upgrade. When I purchased my cell phone back in Nov, I believe it had the 4.3 (1st) version loaded, but it already had Knox features as I do recall seeing them. If I were to try and flash 4.2.2 like the version you initially had, would the phone have a bootloop error or fail to flash because there were some free wifi tethering exploits that were not yet fixed in the 4.2.2 version ? This may have been the error I read about due to the new Knox feature.
I think since my phone is currently rooted and I altered some of the bloatware system files that the update if it were made available OTA should not update anyway due to the root. Will the stock ROM/firmware .tar files eventually be posted in the developers section that can just be flashed via ODIN later on ? With that, if I were to load 4.4 and not like it, could I flash back 4.3 ? I am guessing this is the part where you mentioned that the carrier may decide differently later on.....I suppose I will just keep an eye out in the meantime.
Good good............, I'm picking up this pretty well so far.............
mikeprius said:
If I were to try and flash 4.2.2 like the version you initially had, would the phone have a bootloop error or fail to flash because there were some free wifi tethering exploits that were not yet fixed in the 4.2.2 version ?
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I'm not sure what symptoms you'd see if you installed 4.2.2 with the 4.3 bootloader. Most likely the phone would fail to boot. ODIN will flash whatever you tell it to, I don't believe it does any compatibility checking on its own. You can still get the wifi hotspot feature to work even with Knox and the 4.3 bootloader, I don't think that was what they were trying to do with the update. There are threads discussing 4.3 and what changed, but there wasn't much obvious to the user. For now you can't go back if you're on 4.3, but there might be an exploit discovered down the road that lets you get the old bootloader and go back.
Will the stock ROM/firmware .tar files eventually be posted in the developers section that can just be flashed via ODIN later on ?
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Yes, they won't be available immediately though. It can take some time for the community to re-obtain root too, depending on how big the changes are.
With that, if I were to load 4.4 and not like it, could I flash back 4.3 ?
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I think you alluded to the answer already, but it depends. It took a month or two before you could flash the stock 4.3 without the 4.3 bootloader. There were custom ROMs available that used custom kernels sooner, but there was a problem trying to use the stock kernel with the 4.2.2 bootloader. So, always read and read and read some more before flashing updates.
So far i think i got the hang of it. I have been modifying the phones original touchwhiz. I ended up freezing alot of files instead of deleting them so the ability to turn them back on is there. Some of the files while there are not meant to be frozen/disabled/turned off. I tried a few methods for keeping SuperSU over an ODIN with no luck. I do have a question though. If i turned off (but did not delete) alot of system files and were to run ODIN again will all of them including the bloatware be turned back on and restored? That would be bad if i flashed, lost root, then simultaneously had all the system files disabled with no way to turn them back on......
This also a dumb question but what exactly am i flashing with ODIN? Its a 1.5 GB file with Sprint and it is a tar that restores all bloatware and turns the phone status back to official so i can get OTA updates. Am i flashing the entire stock ROM or just the firmware? Its nice that i have not lost any existing apps or data. It just restores the bloatware and removes root
Reading the above posts im guessing firmware....along the lines of the previous question will this restore system files and apps as well that have been shut off because ive been on a roll disabling and freezing a lot of files and apps and not sure what to turn back on to restore function to some of them. If the ODIN firmware flash resets all settings then that will also be very useful as well. Thanks much
mikeprius said:
Reading the above posts im guessing firmware....along the lines of the previous question will this restore system files and apps as well that have been shut off because ive been on a roll disabling and freezing a lot of files and apps and not sure what to turn back on to restore function to some of them. If the ODIN firmware flash resets all settings then that will also be very useful as well. Thanks much
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The .tar you are flashing from sprint is what we would call stock firmware image. This is the image that shipped on the phone from the factory. I'm an avid flasher and would highly recommend installing twrp or philz touch, creating a nandroid backup and giving some debloated touchwiz roms a shot. You'll see some significant improvement in battery life and performance and some really cool upstream features. I use odin as a last resort, when I need to go back to stock for whatever reason (ie domestic sim unlock) or have fubar'd my current setup past a point of no return.
I've rooted with King Root. Since I have got troubles with GPS and need to send phone for repair, I need to completely unroot with no trace that phone was rooted. Do you know hot to do it...? I've found that after unroot via King root RW is still mentioned while booting, so it's not clean unroot... Please explain if you can step by step.
Thank you very much.
Martin
Can you just do a factory reset from the recovery menu? Before I bought mine on Ebay I asked the seller about rooting and what if it bricks, he just said I can send it back within a month with no questions asked more or less.
Droid_Nut said:
Can you just do a factory reset from the recovery menu? Before I bought mine on Ebay I asked the seller about rooting and what if it bricks, he just said I can send it back within a month with no questions asked more or less.
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Didn't try yet, in the meantime rather asking. Now did Nandroid backup and trying to find out if I can flash it without root in COS recovery or need to root again, install Nadroid backup and restore vie this app.
Also in Nandroid backup is missing script for Lenovo ZUk Z1 and no chance to find it, so I will cross fingers that it will not cause additional problem during recovering from backup...
Droid_Nut said:
Can you just do a factory reset from the recovery menu? Before I bought mine on Ebay I asked the seller about rooting and what if it bricks, he just said I can send it back within a month with no questions asked more or less.
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Tried factory reset and full wipe and still not updatable, OTA update ends with same log "system was RW mounted" so it seems it's irreversible if you root. Very bad news, so you can't then apply warranty.
Do you have anybody advice how to reset into facotry default without any trace device was rooted..?????
You could try this toolkit, but you will need stock rom. http://forum.xda-developers.com/zuk-z1/development/win-zuk-z1-toolkit-0-1-alpha-t3235964
So it seems, it's not possible to make safe root and unroot on ZUk Z1 device as far as I know. Maybe somehow very difficult. That's not great news indeed. It's my first phone ever not possible root / unroot safely. And it's giving me feeling that Z1 despite it's great device in terms of hardware is not good choice. Also quite surprised how far away from well tuned OS is current release. I can't understand, why just CM didn't develop OS with possible root right or didn't incorporate full device backup. Honestly I don't care so much and probably neither other users about root, if natively in OS is complete backup / recovery. And... If I can do root without possibility go back (reclaiming warranty or not functional OTA update), then it makes me think, if really Z1 via CM is good choice or not. Despite really nice HW and materials... Pitty
martin_cz said:
I've rooted with King Root. Since I have got troubles with GPS and need to send phone for repair, I need to completely unroot with no trace that phone was rooted. Do you know hot to do it...? I've found that after unroot via King root RW is still mentioned while booting, so it's not clean unroot... Please explain if you can step by step.
Thank you very much.
Martin
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No you should have read how to do it before you touched the phone. XDA is not a spoon feeding centre. It's for people who want to help themselves. If you had done the reading and had an issue with getting a part of the process to work, yes, but to blindly rush in and want it sorted out because of your own +++++ I must sound like a #### but you learn then act. Everyone has 4 posts and a screwed up phone wanting help. Errr there is a link between the two.
1.Flash a clean COS image via Twrp
2.Flash a clean COS recovery via twrp or adb sideload
3.Lock the bootloader