Database Users

Mdl vs. Mf3???

Hey guys i just got my s4 yesterday and am wondering what the difference between the 2 firmwares is. Is one better then the other? My phone downloaded an update last nite but I havent installed it yet. Was going to root this afternoon.
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MF3 locks the boot loader, so if you want to flash ROMS, don't update. It also has some software tweaks and adds Knox and the ability to easily store apps on SD card. There is a root, but not a boot loader unlock, yet.
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S4 (SGH-i337) via Tapatalk 4

Ahh, I do want to flash roms. This update wont install itself will it?
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gho5t82 said:
Ahh, I do want to flash roms. This update wont install itself will it?
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do yourself a favor and search and read through the first page or so of the general and Q&A sub forums. The information you need is there, especially the "pinned" threads in the general section. Read the "software update" thread and the "new root method for MF3" thread also. Good luck.

Will do scott thanks! Im coming from an iphone and forgot how big the android world is! Had an inspire 4g prior to my 4s
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gho5t82 said:
Ahh, I do want to flash roms. This update wont install itself will it?
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Click to collapse
Some say it has auto installed

It will auto install. You should root and put a custom Rom on asap. Check your firmware first though, if it's already installed you can brick your phone trying to root the way you would with mdl. If it's mf3 you've got the update and you'll have to use a different method.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I957 using xda app-developers app

I had Knox on MDL, not sure what your talking about.
Mf3 locks the boot loader but fixes bugs and make the camera take sharper pictures. Plus better cell signal.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 2

I got lucky. It tried to auto instal so i yanked the battery and quickly rooted and threw a custom rom on it.
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[Q] Bootloader

This must have been asked before in other threads, but just to get up to speed here ...
Do we know if the bootloader on the SPH-L720 can be flashed?
I know AT&T and Verizon haven't been cracked yet, but I'm hoping the Sprint model has.
Any details? Thanks!
-- Andy

The boot loader is cracked by default. No worries. With sprint you can crack flash until device blows up.

No
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 4

None of the bootloaders are cracked. We received a leak and sprint hasn't messed with us since. There is a big difference between cracked and leaked.
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eskomo said:
None of the bootloaders are cracked. We received a leak and sprint hasn't messed with us since. There is a big difference between cracked and leaked.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda app-developers app
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Click to collapse
The Sprint GS4 has an unlocked bootloader. No leaks required. The fact that you can Odin a custom recovery and flash a rom right out of the box without even rooting should tell you everything you need to know.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

maxpower7 said:
The Sprint GS4 has an unlocked bootloader. No leaks required. The fact that you can Odin a custom recovery and flash a rom right out of the box without even rooting should tell you everything you need to know.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So I can go ahead and get the L720 and do all the rooting and custom bootloading,
without having to worry if it's possible, like those Verizon folks?
This is awesome! I hope Josh is working on an S4 JellyBomb.

andyistic said:
So I can go ahead and get the L720 and do all the rooting and custom bootloading,
without having to worry if it's possible, like those Verizon folks?
This is awesome! I hope Josh is working on an S4 JellyBomb.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is the easiest phone I've ever rooted (out of 11 phones), hands down.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

S4 Updates, Flashing...

Hello,
I have been trying to figure out a few things with the S4 and read a lot of stuff but I have a few unanswered question.
I come from using NExus phones since Nexus 1. Unlock Phone, install CWM and then use it to flash roms or rooting scripts.
Now, I have S4. I am still with their STOCK on I337M (Canadian Model) and I rooted using CF-Auto-Root and ODIN.
What I don't understand, is:
- Can I flash CWM and then just use CWM and SuperSU-vx.xx.zip to root? Why Use Odin?
- Now that I am rooted, if I new SAMSUNG firmware comes along, I am assuming it will fail, I will have to unroot and then apply firmware and then root again? How do I unroot? "Full Unroot" from the option in the app just like the Nexus phones?
- S4 has a counter from what I read, but lot's of warning about bricking phone is that only active on Samsung stock? What if I flash a google stock?
- Can I just use Rom Manager Pro as I used to with Nexus devices...
if I flash CWM, is it replacing ODIN? Is odin a recovery like Odin! If anyone can point out and explain the difference between CWM , ODIN, Nexus phones and S4 it would be great...
I know that now when I go to download mode (Is that like fastboot?) it shows binary as being custom, but I don't get a yellow triangle when I boot...
Thanks for any info regarding explaining what ODIN is...
I also noticed although I have 16GB phone, 6.38GB is system! That is huge! Is that normal?
There are some nice features that I would not like to lose, so I stuck with samsung and just use NOVA home screen...

This is actually the "ATT Galaxy S4Active" forum. S4 forum will have answers to all your S4 questions.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537

Opps will get in trouble now.. now sure if I can move it or delete amd repost..
Thanks...
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ssss25 said:
Opps will get in trouble now.. now sure if I can move it or delete amd repost..
Thanks...
Sent from my SGH-I337M using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
It seems that you have been around the houses.
The place you are looking for is HERE

Thanks.. I will do some more reading to try to find answers.. looks like my post just got moved.
Thanks
Sent from my SGH-I337M using Tapatalk 2

Thanks. I found a lot of info at..
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2301762
Only thing I still wonder is about updates that samsung releases. It will remove root? I guess I have to wait till chainfire has a rooting script then update.
Thx.
Sent from my SGH-I337M using Tapatalk 2

ssss25 said:
Thanks. I found a lot of info at..
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2301762
Only thing I still wonder is about updates that samsung releases. It will remove root? I guess I have to wait till chainfire has a rooting script then update.
Thx.
Sent from my SGH-I337M using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just went through the un root because I was only using it for one thing. I ended up flashing the original ROM using Odin then doing a factory reset and cache wipe. Now waiting for the update not sure I will root until S4 is not longer updated by Samsung.
Sent from my GT-N5110 using Tapatalk 4

ssss25 said:
Thanks. I found a lot of info at..
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2301762
Only thing I still wonder is about updates that samsung releases. It will remove root? I guess I have to wait till chainfire has a rooting script then update.
Thx.
Sent from my SGH-I337M using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
Look HERE
OTA will remove root,and the latest will lock down your bootloader.

Hi
I have AMG1... I think this is the latest one but I was able to root.. Will locking boot loader prevent rooting.. Could it be another one for at only?
Thanks
Note: yes. I did notice chainfires note.. But he doesn't say what load is the latest.. There are so many Samsung s4 models devices.. Each with different models its so confusing
Sent from my SGH-I337M using Tapatalk 2

I just installed CWM on latest version of Canadian I337M AMG1... Its good so far.
Xda modder.. There are differences between i337 att and Canadian i337m.. No forum specific to the Canadian folks?
Thanks...
Sent from my SGH-I337M using Tapatalk 2

Can a new S4 from ATT carrier be rooted?

Saw a good deal for a new Galaxy S4 for $79 + $70 trade in on my old HTC One. So only $10 for the New S4: )
But reading around people saying the New S4 firmware has a hard lock on it and not easy to root and only one or two roms working on it?
I was gonna root it and put the Google Play Edition ROM on it but some say that's not possible on new S4 from ATT carriers now?
Sent from my LG-D800 using xda app-developers app

You should do some searching but the s4 with mf3 can be rooted. I know they're not going to have the the new 4.3 update on it yet. But I'd say get the s4 and use the kingo root method.
Use this guide for rooting
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2473747
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2428254
Use this guide for your ROMs
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Root doesn't mean unlocked. You can be rooted and still have a locked bootloader.did you read before posting? I'm not trying to come off rude.
Sent from my GT-I9505G using xda premium

re: AT&T Rooting
Zorachus said:
Saw a good deal for a new Galaxy S4 for $79 + $70 trade in on my old HTC One. So only $10 for the New S4: )
But reading around people saying the New S4 firmware has a hard lock on it and not easy to root and only one or two roms working on it?
I was gonna root it and put the Google Play Edition ROM on it but some say that's not possible on new S4 from ATT carriers now?
Sent from my LG-D800 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You will be able to root the AT&T Galaxy S4 easily, almost everyone here in this AT&T S4 forum
already has rooted their phones and have flashed custom roms without any issues.
Good luck!

MF3 can be rooted but you can't flash a custom recovery (TWRP, CWM) If you're asking if you can root the device and flash a custom rom, it all depends on your AT&T store. Try and go to your AT&T store and before they unbox the S4 and start activating everything, make sure you tell them you want a phone with the firmware MDL on it. If they don't have any with the firmware MDL, tough luck. If you get an S4 with MF3, you can only root.

Not only root.
Root it and install Safestrap to install most TW based ROMs that run 4.2.2
Most important is to lube your eyes and
READ/SEARCH all info to do with your build or you will be a victim of the I bricked my phone cause I can't read.you can Google anything to do with your phone and ad "xda" to the search and you will find what you are looking for.
Sent from my GT-I9505G using xda premium

Last two phones I had, the Nexus 4, and Note 2 on ATT, were easy as pie to root and install recovery, and that was it, you were done forever, just flash a ROM + Kernel, reboot and bam you had a fresh new ROM to enjoy, and was so easy and fast to do get it installed, was a no brainer. What happened in the past year with phones being so locked down so hard, where you can't just do that anymore ?
Wish all Android phones were as simple as a Nexus to flash rom's on. But I don't want the Nexus 5 phone with tiny battery, I like bigger batteries or removable, and more storage options, etc...

Yes it can be rooted using the external sd card method. Its actually easy to do.
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aarond1004 said:
Yes it can be rooted using the external sd card method. Its actually easy to do.
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Click to collapse
The is an even easier method called kingo root that was previously stated.
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graydiggy said:
The is an even easier method called kingo root that was previously stated.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
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Click to collapse
Thank you. So I can root it no problem, but then it's a matter of very select ROM's available due to my firmware ? And none of them can be 4.3 based ? Which the S4 doesn't even officially have yet, but not even the Google Play Edition ROM that is 4.3 can be installed on this firmware, only the older 4.2.2 version ?
Ok, so I root with using 'Kingo' method
Then install the safestrap .apk, and install that
And then install only a ROM on the provided list, which will all be 4.2.2 based only ? Still rather have any of those, than just stock TW out of the box unrooted

All correct
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Zorachus said:
Thank you. So I can root it no problem, but then it's a matter of very select ROM's available due to my firmware ? And none of them can be 4.3 based ? Which the S4 doesn't even officially have yet, but not even the Google Play Edition ROM that is 4.3 can be installed on this firmware, only the older 4.2.2 version ?
Ok, so I root with using 'Kingo' method
Then install the safestrap .apk, and install that
And then install only a ROM on the provided list, which will all be 4.2.2 based only ? Still rather have any of those, than just stock TW out of the box unrooted
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can put Google play edition ROMs on but not the 4.3 as stated in the guide. The only real problem for me is that it seems to use more battery than tw roms. And you don't have all the features as your tw based ROMs on the gpe ROMs. Some tw ROMs are just as fast if not faster. Fast speeds and great battery life can't go wrong with that.
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You guys recommend a new S4, or the LG G2 ?
Thing is the G2 development is very sparse, and cases and accessories few and little for the G2. And what about resale down the road in a year or 18 months ? Which will fetch better trade in money the S4 or G2 ?
Thanks.
Sent from my LG-D800 using xda app-developers app

Can someone please me a link

Please send me rooting link for Verizon Samsung galaxy note 3 that is the most current update. I having bad luck finding one. I'm on the stock jelly bean 4.3 waiting on dumb verizon to release the 4.4 kit katt.i can no longer wait so I want to root

Use kingo.

Third sticky thread in this General section.

So how do I find this link. Can't find it
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monkeyjjk said:
So how do I find this link. Can't find it
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2518808

If i root my note 3. Can I change roms since the boot loader is locked?
Sent from my SM-N900V using xda app-developers app

monkeyjjk said:
If i root my note 3. Can I change roms since the boot loader is locked?
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After rooting, install hashcode's SafeStrap (in android development section). Then you'll be able to install any TouchWiz based ROM (Verizon).

monkeyjjk said:
If i root my note 3. Can I change roms since the boot loader is locked?
Sent from my SM-N900V using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use this link and it will tell you everything you need to know to root the verizon. and load custom roms. It is what i followed.
However if you have any troubles with kingo not rooting your phone, then try Kingo 1.1.6 version. Look at My sig down below at exactly what i did.