Database Users

[Q] Help with some of the basics (root&unroot)

Ok so i know i am a newbie to this sort of thing but i wanted to wrap my head around everything and also specifically to my phone before i decide to do something and the results are permanent.
Firstly ill start off with saying im a Canadian Virgin Mobile customer and i just got the Galaxy S4 (SGH-i337m).
Ok so i want to root my device but i am confused about some of the basic concepts. I saw the tutorial video posted for my specific phone by the smoking android (link for those who havent seen it: youtube. com/watch?v=cI9r5dEcNo4) and i understand that the rooting process is fairly simple.
What i am confused about though is my options once i am a root user and if i ever chose to revert back to original. Lets say i went ahead and rooted my phone. Will i be able to software update through the updates that virgin sends me? also if i am able to then will i maintain root acess?
my second biggest question is lets say for whatever reason i want to go back to the way my phone is now, with the stock virgin firmware. is this possible? and with no trace of the root before (is this the same as achieving original status instead of a custom one)? i know that you can remove the root and then reset the binary counter but im not too sure how all of this works, its a lot to take in at once.
im just trying to clear things up and yes i am quite new to all this (got my s4 yesterday) but i am a quick learner and im just trying to get a grip on everything.
thanks in advance for bearing with me

shibby123 said:
Ok so i know i am a newbie to this sort of thing but i wanted to wrap my head around everything and also specifically to my phone before i decide to do something and the results are permanent.
Firstly ill start off with saying im a Canadian Virgin Mobile customer and i just got the Galaxy S4 (SGH-i337m).
Ok so i want to root my device but i am confused about some of the basic concepts. I saw the tutorial video posted for my specific phone by the smoking android (link for those who havent seen it: youtube. com/watch?v=cI9r5dEcNo4) and i understand that the rooting process is fairly simple.
What i am confused about though is my options once i am a root user and if i ever chose to revert back to original. Lets say i went ahead and rooted my phone. Will i be able to software update through the updates that virgin sends me? also if i am able to then will i maintain root acess?
my second biggest question is lets say for whatever reason i want to go back to the way my phone is now, with the stock virgin firmware. is this possible? and with no trace of the root before (is this the same as achieving original status instead of a custom one)? i know that you can remove the root and then reset the binary counter but im not too sure how all of this works, its a lot to take in at once.
im just trying to clear things up and yes i am quite new to all this (got my s4 yesterday) but i am a quick learner and im just trying to get a grip on everything.
thanks in advance for bearing with me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Read these threads...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2301762
and
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2312444
Information that isn't in those threads are definitely linked to in those threads. Good luck.

scott14719 said:
Read these threads...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2301762
and
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2312444
Information that isn't in those threads are definitely linked to in those threads. Good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok so i read the threads an i understand a lot more now. It seems to me like i have the ability to easily root and then go back to the stock firmware if i please with no consequences. i just have to flash the with the correct rom [and modem?] to put it back to stock and everything should work fine.
i hope i have this straight

shibby123 said:
ok so i read the threads an i understand a lot more now. It seems to me like i have the ability to easily root and then go back to the stock firmware if i please with no consequences. i just have to flash the with the correct rom [and modem?] to put it back to stock and everything should work fine.
i hope i have this straight
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why modem? is that really necessary, I think you mean kernel.
if you flash back to stock, modem and kernel will be included.
Have you tried this thread also? you do have a i337m
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2269304
Good Luck

Is there a way to unroot my AT&T S4 with a Mac?

blbeesley said:
Is there a way to unroot my AT&T S4 with a Mac?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
flash the latest at&t official firmware via heimdall

TheAxman said:
Why modem? is that really necessary, I think you mean kernel.
if you flash back to stock, modem and kernel will be included.
Have you tried this thread also? you do have a i337m
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2269304
Good Luck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so if i just flash to that stock firmware in the link you gave me everything will be back to normal? how would i achieve original and not "custom" status if i have to send the phone back to samsung. would i have to unroot then flash then reset the binary counter? would that be it and im back to the very original state i got my phone in?

shibby123 said:
so if i just flash to that stock firmware in the link you gave me everything will be back to normal? how would i achieve original and not "custom" status if i have to send the phone back to samsung. would i have to unroot then flash then reset the binary counter? would that be it and im back to the very original state i got my phone in?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
also check out this post

xBeerdroiDx said:
flash the latest at&t official firmware via heimdall
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will heimdall use the zip downloaded from sammobile or do you have to extract the .tar.md5 from the zip?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda app-developers app

xBeerdroiDx said:
also check out this post
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
your good sir, you got 2 thanks from me today...no more for you actually, I'm out of thanks, get you tomorrow.
Good help.

TheAxman said:
your good sir, you got 2 thanks from me today...no more for you actually, I'm out of thanks, get you tomorrow.
Good help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
:highfive:
community
cheers, buddy

[Q] brand new s4 on MDL baseband, need help rooting

hey everyone I just went into att and got my new s4 today, well im on the MDL baseband it looks like and I've tried the motochopper root method but its still not rooted, im not sure what I need to do to get it rooted? does anyone have any input or ideas to help me out here? all I've seen are root methods for MF3 and im not sure if I need to update to that version? im not seeing it as an update on my phone either

Use casual root method works like a charm. Be sure to unlock dev option first to allow debugging all instruction are included in thread look for CASUAL ROOT
Sent from my SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Start here. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=42320391

[Q] AT&T S4 4.3 root possibilities?

Hello everyone,
I just got me new AT&T S4 today, connected to wifi, and update installed on my phone. So now I'm on 4.3 mk2. Is there a way that I can still root, install cwm, and so forth? I tried factory reset and still ended on the same 4.3 mk2.
Thanks in advance, and I can't wait for root, root, root. Otherwise this phone will be for sale. Sad

gokusayin said:
Hello everyone,
I just got me new AT&T S4 today, connected to wifi, and update installed on my phone. So now I'm on 4.3 mk2. Is there a way that I can still root, install cwm, and so forth? I tried factory reset and still ended on the same 4.3 mk2.
Thanks in advance, and I can't wait for root, root, root. Otherwise this phone will be for sale. Sad
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's already an answer to this question. I don't want to come off as rude but you need to search first. The answer is root is attainable but not through any means here on XDA. also no CWM and so forth on MK2.

That was nicer than I could have said it.

Tremulant1 said:
There's already an answer to this question. I don't want to come off as rude but you need to search first. The answer is root is attainable but not through any means here on XDA. also no CWM and so forth on MK2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply. I wasn't aware of that there was an answer. I just saw people posting updates and so forth. But I will keep in mind to do that. Thanks!

[Q] How to unroot 4.3 so I can update to 4.4.2

Hello!
I am new to this and I rooted my phone to 4.3. There is now an update for 4.4.2 and I want to update to it. I have tried uninstalling my root and apparently, I still can't update to 4.4.2. How do I completely uninstall the root so I can go to 4.4.2. I have even tried factory resetting my phone.
Thanks!

irokatcod4 said:
Hello!
I am new to this and I rooted my phone to 4.3. There is now an update for 4.4.2 and I want to update to it. I have tried uninstalling my root and apparently, I still can't update to 4.4.2. How do I completely uninstall the root so I can go to 4.4.2. I have even tried factory resetting my phone.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you rooted you shouldn't be new to this. Return to stock. See the general forum and look for the mk2 tar files.
Sent from my Nexus 5

jd1639 said:
If you rooted you shouldn't be new to this. Return to stock. See the general forum and look for the mk2 tar files.
Sent from my Nexus 5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What do I do when I find the MK2 tar files? I used an easy way to root my phone and I don't know how to completely unroot it. How do I return to stock?

Search for how to return to stock using Odin
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

jd1639 said:
If you rooted you shouldn't be new to this. Return to stock. See the general forum and look for the mk2 tar files.
Sent from my Nexus 5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so obviously you're a very experienced user on this site. I just wanted to know what is the point of your comment? Do you think that the op will suddenly know what to do because you told him that he should know it?

Update
miamibeachlife said:
so obviously you're a very experienced user on this site. I just wanted to know what is the point of your comment? Do you think that the op will suddenly know what to do because you told him that he should know it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My Galaxy S4 was rooted and I got and installed Kit Kat 4.4.2 yesterday with No Problem. Some roots maybe different. I did not have CWM installed.

miamibeachlife said:
so obviously you're a very experienced user on this site. I just wanted to know what is the point of your comment? Do you think that the op will suddenly know what to do because you told him that he should know it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here's the point:
You don't buy/get a high end phone and just take the quick way to doing everything. I have seen dozens and dozens of folks get into trouble that way. I spent a month just reviewing how to root my Nexus One before I even got it. That may have been overkill but was awaiting back surgery and wanted something to do while recuperating. You need to take the time to learn not only what to do, but why you are doing it. If not, you guys see the consequences. XDA asks that you search before asking questions and this one has been addressed numerous times. By the question itself, you know whether the OP made any attempt at all to look for answers or just wants spoon fed.
That said, we all feel bad when someone messes up their phone and if asked properly they will get help. Just reminded that they need to research some before asking or jumping into something. I know it is water under the bridge at this time, just FYI--
Do hope you all get it sorted. Also, it can get confusing when others hijack the OP's thread. I see that a lot too. Makes it hard to follow and give correct answers to the OP.
BTW, if you unroot and update, you are not re-rooting at this time--
Good Luck on it--:good:
Nothing meant personal here, just trying to get some advice out that can take time to get on your own--

[Q] Root method for 4.4.2 OTA?

Are the old root methods for 4.3 still valid after taking the 4.4.2 OTA? I tried using kingo root but it will not work. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

DJ0224 said:
Are the old root methods for 4.3 still valid after taking the 4.4.2 OTA? I tried using kingo root but it will not work. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The way I understand it is they changed something in the code that broke the old roots. Were you rooted before the 4.4.2 OTA? There were many threads here warning against taking the OTA for the risk of loosing root. You may be without it for a while until someone finds a work around for the new code...

SomeFknGuy said:
The way I understand it is they changed something in the code that broke the old roots. Were you rooted before the 4.4.2 OTA? There were many threads here warning against taking the OTA for the risk of loosing root. You may be without it for a while until someone finds a work around for the new code...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, I was not rooted beforehand. I just recently got the phone and love it. But man I would love to get root access for bloatware, adblock, ect. I guess i'll have to just keep an eye out for a new method when one drops.
Thanks for the quick reply though! :good:

Yeah, in the same boat here. I just got the phone on the day KK dropped, so I assumed the update when i first powered the phone on was an old one. If only I had known! LOL

Same here! Hope someone comes up with a solution soon.