[Q] Rooted MDC - Wanting to OTA update before flashing ROM - Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshoot

Hey guys I'm on rooted MDC with TWRP. I want to install the OTA update before flashing ForceROM. What's the proper course of action so everything fine and dandy?
I've read that I have to unroot, OTA, reroot, THEN flash. Is that correct, or is there an easier method now?

jo0b4k4 said:
Hey guys I'm on rooted MDC with TWRP. I want to install the OTA update before flashing ForceROM. What's the proper course of action so everything fine and dandy?
I've read that I have to unroot, OTA, reroot, THEN flash. Is that correct, or is there an easier method now?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am pretty sure that's correct. I am still on MDC because I don't feel like going through all that right now and I have my phone all nice and setup.

some people have had luck installing the OTA with root but for the most part you are correct. unrooting is the only sure fire method as of now.

I just use the one click stock restore which wipes everything and start from scratch.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 2

Related

To update or not update

My husband just got his s4 and it is asking him to update. He is at stock has not routed or any thing yet. So should he update and than route. . ??
If this update fixes anything we would prefer to have the latest update but we still want to route.
What would you all recommend
Sent from my SPH-L900 using Xparent Purple Tapatalk 2
From reading, it sounds like you could still root the phone after you take the update. So I would just take the update.
Yes you can still root after the update and yes it fixes some major issues.
Sent from my SPH-L720
Thanks I had him upgrade. Will root this weekend.. thanks for the input
Sent from my SPH-L900 using Xparent Purple Tapatalk 2
Before You Root
I updated the other day while rooted and after the device rebooted I still had root access, so as far as root goes, this update is safe (it was for me at least)
I know that every root method or youtube tutorial will say this, but before you root, make sure you have all of the proper files, drivers, and applications to do a complete restore. For the GS4 this is the ODIN flashing software, and the proper tarball to flash.
Also, the current rooting methods *shouldn't* mess with the userdata on the phone, but things can always go wrong. If you have anything that isn't "in the cloud" or backed up else where, make sure you back it up somewhere.
Happy rooting!
I updated stock before rooting... was able to root without any hiccups. I am now rooted with MDL. good luck
kenshi1023 said:
I updated stock before rooting... was able to root without any hiccups. I am now rooted with MDL. good luck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Kenshi, which method did you use? I tried motochopper with MDL but kept failing. I finally just ODIN flashed stock MDC and rooted that way. I've also heard of others losing root after updating.
odin flashed recovery "shabby" cmw
cmw flashed "shabby" modified kernel / flashed supersu
pretty much like this thread: [HOW TO] Install Latest Stock MDL Firmware with Modem, Custom Recovery and Root.
note: i was not rooted before MDL; my phone updated to MDL during activation; so rooted straight from stock MDL.
i read motochop doesn't work with MDL
PS: detection information warning; i freeze seaandroid and Samsung knox... not sure what will happen down the road, but it is preventing the warning.

Flashing back to MDL with Odin?

I want to know if this is correct,I am on Stock(MDL) with Recovery and Root. If do Flash the latest OTA Firmware to MF3(from AT&T) I can not go back to my Original MDL with the Odin and the Stock.tar file? Also if I do try some of the Custom ROMs now coming out now going from my Present Stock MDL will I or won't I be able to get back to MDL Stock with Odin? One last question,once I am on mF3 no matter if it Stock or Custom my MDL Nandroids are useless?
Thanks
RonH54 said:
I want to know if this is correct,I am on Stock(MDL) with Recovery and Root. If do Flash the latest OTA Firmware to MF3(from AT&T) I can not go back to my Original MDL with the Odin and the Stock.tar file? Also if I do try some of the Custom ROMs now coming out now going from my Present Stock MDL will I or won't I be able to get back to MDL Stock with Odin? One last question,once I am on mF3 no matter if it Stock or Custom my MDL Nandroids are useless?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This thread should help answer your questions.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2357039
scott14719 said:
This thread should help answer your questions.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2357039
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks.
scott14719 said:
This thread should help answer your questions.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2357039
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
try this:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=43512474
RonH54 said:
I want to know if this is correct,I am on Stock(MDL) with Recovery and Root. If do Flash the latest OTA Firmware to MF3(from AT&T) I can not go back to my Original MDL with the Odin and the Stock.tar file? Also if I do try some of the Custom ROMs now coming out now going from my Present Stock MDL will I or won't I be able to get back to MDL Stock with Odin? One last question,once I am on mF3 no matter if it Stock or Custom my MDL Nandroids are useless?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) To flash the latest OTA you will need to get back to stock (lose recovery and root) or it will not let you update. See next 2 posts for the possibility of "temp-unrooting" in order to update to the MF3 OTA and regain root access.
2) At this point, once you go to MF3, you cannot downgrade to MDB or MDL. Maybe someone will find a way around this in the future.
3) If you stay on MDL and then try some custom ROMs, you can always go back to MDL (fully stock) if you follow the correct procedure. Since you are already rooted with custom recovery, you will have to do this same process if you decide to go to MF3 (as mentioned in #1 above).
The process is outlined here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2261573
You will probably need to perform a data wipe as well in order to be fully stock.
4) Your MDL Nandroids might contain information that you can extract at a later date to help with some issues...but generally they will not help you very much. Since you cannot go back to MDL (at least for now), you cannot restore your phone from that backup.
jeffreii said:
1) To flash the latest OTA you will need to get back to stock (lose recovery and root) or it will not let you update.
2) At this point, once you go to MF3, you cannot downgrade to MDB or MDL. Maybe someone will find a way around this in the future.
3) If you stay on MDL and then try some custom ROMs, you can always go back to MDL (fully stock) if you follow the correct procedure. Since you are already rooted with custom recovery, you will have to do this same process if you decide to go to MF3 (as mentioned in #1 above).
The process is outlined here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2261573
You will probably need to perform a data wipe as well in order to be fully stock.
4) Your MDL Nandroids might contain information that you can extract at a later date to help with some issues...but generally they will not help you very much. Since you cannot go back to MDL (at least for now), you cannot restore your phone from that backup.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not true. I flashed the OTA while keeping and retaining root with VooDoo Root Keeper (not even temp-unrooting). The custom recovery part is accurate. Also, there are MF3 ROM's out now that are working great. No need to take the OTA at this point unless you'll never explore any further than stock.
The key to successfully retaining root is to have had a full backup made right after gaining root access, restoring that backup, using VooDoo Root Keeper (some people had success with Pro-SuperSU's Root Survival Mode) to backup root, and take the OTA. After everything is said and done you'll be rebooting and restoring root with VooDoo.
Delakit said:
Not true. I flashed the OTA while keeping and retaining root with VooDoo Root Keeper (not even temp-unrooting). The custom recovery part is accurate. Also, there are MF3 ROM's out now that are working great. No need to take the OTA at this point unless you'll never explore any further than stock.
The key to successfully retaining root is to have had a full backup made right after gaining root access, restoring that backup, using VooDoo Root Keeper (some people had success with Pro-SuperSU's Root Survival Mode) to backup root, and take the OTA. After everything is said and done you'll be rebooting and restoring root with VooDoo.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're right that I forgot to offer the advice about using Voodoo to preserve root (if he wants to). I should have included that...so thank you - I will update my post.
However, it is true that you need to convince the OTA update that you are not rooted in order to proceed. Whether you actually unroot or use the "temp unroot" option in Voodoo, it's the same premise. You are losing root, whether temporarily or permanently, in order for it to work.
The caveat here, that should also be mentioned, is that others have reported mixed success when using Voodoo to preserve root through the MF3 OTA. It is definitely possible, but we don't seem to be 100% sure on exactly what conditions must exist for it to work. Some have tried the method and found up on MF3 without root, and no way to gain root or downgrade. Whether or not that is user error or some parameter that we missed, we don't know yet.
Also, note that if you do successfully preserve root after the MF3 OTA, if you ever lose it for any reason...there is currently no way to regain it. You will be stuck on MF3 without root.

[Q] Is nuke & pave the only way to update a rooted s4?

Hi,
I have OUDHS-Recovery-jfltespr-1.0.3.3 and CF-Auto-Root-jfltespr-jfltespr-sphl720 flashed on my SPH-L720, on what was stock 4.2.2
My question is, do I HAVE to nuke & pave (factory reset) to get this to 4.3 and then re-root it?
If so, why? I thought one of the big advantages to rooting an Android was the ease with which you could un-root and return to stock.. I remember having to do factory resets to update iPhones before re-jailbreaking them, what a joy! I was hoping to avoid that here, especially as I'm behind a restrictive data cap for internet (~10GB/mo, which is about 300MB/day, combined up & down).
So... any ideas?
0x6A7232 said:
Hi,
I have OUDHS-Recovery-jfltespr-1.0.3.3 and CF-Auto-Root-jfltespr-jfltespr-sphl720 flashed on my SPH-L720, on what was stock 4.2.2
My question is, do I HAVE to nuke & pave (factory reset) to get this to 4.3 and then re-root it?
If so, why? I thought one of the big advantages to rooting an Android was the ease with which you could un-root and return to stock.. I remember having to do factory resets to update iPhones before re-jailbreaking them, what a joy! I was hoping to avoid that here, especially as I'm behind a restrictive data cap for internet (~10GB/mo, which is about 300MB/day, combined up & down).
So... any ideas?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have to be on a totally stock firmware to apply these firmware updates.So you can be rooted and update, as long as you have no mods applied, like the hotspot mod, etc.
Seems the easiest path if you do have any mods applied (which would be most rooted users, I'm sure) is do a full nandroid backup and TiBu or Helium backup. Also backup anything else from internal memory that might be lost, like Nova settings, etc. Then load the MF9 stock tar via Odin. To do that, follow the directions in the following thread in the section labled "Reverting to Unmodified Stock MDL to update to Stock MF9". Just use the MF9 tar instead of the MDL one:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2277480
Use triangle away to clear your "custom" settings on the Download screen. May even have to do a 2nd factory reset to get there.
Then root using CF Auto Root and let TiBu restore all your apps. Then use the stock recovery to load the 4.3 update. If all goes well, that should give you 4.3 on a rooted phone w/o tripping the knox bit.
oops
Ironically, I had just rooted the day before 4.3 came out. The only 'mod' I have is the CWM custom recovery.. I'm guessing that's what's tripping it up?
When I try to apply the update .zip in CWM, it says,
Code:
-- Installing: /sdcard/0/Download/update_SPH-L720_MDL_CSB_user_RP_to_MF9_CSB_user_RP.zip
Finding update package...
Opening update package...
Installing update...
Verifying current system...
assert failed: apply_patch_check(" /system/app/AllSharePlay15.apk", "dae9b84dd3cb4810371f2a6136a0536cac926af5", "37b87ff87a955c98258cef2145b4b7b913eb0752")
E:Error in /sdcard/0/Download/update_SPH-L720_MDL_CSB_user_RP_to_MF9_CSB_user_RP.zip
(Status 7)
Installation aborted.
Aaaaand, I found the problem. MF9 is 4.2.2, yes? I've already got that, I need to be trying to flash MJA/4.3 :silly: For some reason I thought MF9 was 4.3, until I realized I had it already and I'm on 4.2.2. Sorry for the confusion. Now to find the 4.3/MJA download... :cyclops:
You have to be on a totally stock firmware to apply these firmware updates.So you can be rooted and update, as long as you have no mods applied, like the hotspot mod, etc.
Seems the easiest path if you do have any mods applied (which would be most rooted users, I'm sure) is do a full nandroid backup and TiBu ='Titanium Backup', I'm assuming?or Helium backup. Also backup anything else from internal memory that might be lost, like Nova settings, etc. Then load the MF9 stock tar via Odin. To do that, follow the directions in the following thread in the section labled "Reverting to Unmodified Stock MDL to update to Stock MF9". Just use the MF9 tar instead of the MDL one:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=2277480
Use triangle away to clear your "custom" settings on the Download screen. May even have to do a 2nd factory reset to get there.
Then root using CF Auto Root and let TiBu restore all your apps. Then use the stock recovery to load the 4.3 update. If all goes well, that should give you 4.3 on a rooted phone w/o tripping the knox bit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You will need to install the stock recovery, the MJA update will not install with a custom recovery.
Sent from my GT-N5110 using Tapatalk 4
cruise350 said:
You will need to install the stock recovery, the MJA update will not install with a custom recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct. And you can get the MF9 one here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2357471
Camera MJA firmware manual update - possible?
jejb said:
You have to be on a totally stock firmware to apply these firmware updates.So you can be rooted and update, as long as you have no mods applied, like the hotspot mod, etc.
Seems the easiest path if you do have any mods applied (which would be most rooted users, I'm sure) is do a full nandroid backup and TiBu or Helium backup. Also backup anything else from internal memory that might be lost, like Nova settings, etc. Then load the MF9 stock tar via Odin. To do that, follow the directions in the following thread in the section labled "Reverting to Unmodified Stock MDL to update to Stock MF9". Just use the MF9 tar instead of the MDL one:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2277480
Use triangle away to clear your "custom" settings on the Download screen. May even have to do a 2nd factory reset to get there.
Then root using CF Auto Root and let TiBu restore all your apps. Then use the stock recovery to load the 4.3 update. If all goes well, that should give you 4.3 on a rooted phone w/o tripping the knox bit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
cruise350 said:
You will need to install the stock recovery, the MJA update will not install with a custom recovery.
Sent from my GT-N5110 using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
jejb said:
Correct. And you can get the MF9 one here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2357471
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks guys. I ended up installing SAC's 4.1 (based on Android 4.3), after manually flashing the MJA modem firmware.
(Because even after flashing stock recovery, I was getting error 7 or something like that, no clue why, I tried searching a few days, but no dice. The recommendation was to flash non-destructive MF9 stock update over first and then update, so I just downloaded Sac's while I had 4G on the way back from work).
NEW QUESTION: How do I get the updated camera firmware, as Sac's modded stock camera seems not to have it. (although, maybe Sac's camera is in error and the firmware is already updated it just doesn't realize).
I can get a patched camera to not do the popup, but I want the firmware. Any way to extract it from the stock MJA OTA file and flash just that?
0x6A7232 said:
Thanks guys. I ended up installing SAC's 4.1 (based on Android 4.3), after manually flashing the MJA modem firmware.
(Because even after flashing stock recovery, I was getting error 7 or something like that, no clue why, I tried searching a few days, but no dice. The recommendation was to flash non-destructive MF9 stock update over first and then update, so I just downloaded Sac's while I had 4G on the way back from work).
NEW QUESTION: How do I get the updated camera firmware, as Sac's modded stock camera seems not to have it. (although, maybe Sac's camera is in error and the firmware is already updated it just doesn't realize).
I can get a patched camera to not do the popup, but I want the firmware. Any way to extract it from the stock MJA OTA file and flash just that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Error 7 is normally when your recovery pics up that you are rooted. Or when there is a problem with the updater script in the zip file.
If sacs used the MJA camera as a base for his nodded camera then he should have the latest camera firmware.
If you worry this much about Tue camera you can download a stock rooted MJA ROM and go into system/apps with a root explorer and extract the camera apk. Then go to where the camera apk is extracted to and move it to your internal memory under system apps. Then set permissions and reboot.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk
daniel4653 said:
Error 7 is normally when your recovery pics up that you are rooted. Or when there is a problem with the updater script in the zip file.
If sacs used the MJA camera as a base for his nodded camera then he should have the latest camera firmware.
If you worry this much about Tue camera you can download a stock rooted MJA ROM and go into system/apps with a root explorer and extract the camera apk. Then go to where the camera apk is extracted to and move it to your internal memory under system apps. Then set permissions and reboot.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The camera supposedly had some improvements, that's why I'm trying to find out. I'd ask in Sac's thread, but I don't have enough posts yet. And, I used SuperSU's uninstall to unroot the phone before trying the MJA OTA... although I did put stock recovery first, IIRC. Perhaps the root uninstall needed custom recovery to work? Anyways.
Under cce8d8a155a0602c83356e00311a1695e9a9383f.USER_L720_SPT_MF9_CSB_user_RP_to_MJA_CSB_user_RP_Update_FWD.zip\patch\system\cameradata\ there are a few items:
secimaging\PIP\rear_polaroid.png.p
RS_M10MO_OS.bin.p
RS_M10MO_SL.bin.p
RS_M10MO_SS.bin.p
I'll have to find someone who is knowledgeable about this and pick their brain if they'll let me.

[Q] Unrooting or updating

Hi, almost a year ago shortly after I got my S4 I was very eager to root it, so I came here and followed the guides. I successfully flashed the ROM and proceeded to root my phone but still didn't fully understand the process. I've been sitting on the same version of Android (4.2.2) for a while now and cannot update because there was a file I had to back up and rename. This file was the file which launched the updater, and wasn't part of the guide...
Just now I decrypted my phone, re-flashed it with TWRP, did a factory reset and still have a rooted phone with no update file. I fear the risk of bricking it if I proceed with adding ROM's. Is there an easy way to either update my phone, or unroot it? I may have naively made the only backup image the one that was rooted and with no update file. Staying rooted and updating would be prefered but I just have no idea what I'm doing, to be honest :fingers-crossed:
-Take care, Rob
tenthsun said:
Hi, almost a year ago shortly after I got my S4 I was very eager to root it, so I came here and followed the guides. I successfully flashed the ROM and proceeded to root my phone but still didn't fully understand the process. I've been sitting on the same version of Android (4.2.2) for a while now and cannot update because there was a file I had to back up and rename. This file was the file which launched the updater, and wasn't part of the guide...
Just now I decrypted my phone, re-flashed it with TWRP, did a factory reset and still have a rooted phone with no update file. I fear the risk of bricking it if I proceed with adding ROM's. Is there an easy way to either update my phone, or unroot it? I may have naively made the only backup image the one that was rooted and with no update file. Staying rooted and updating would be prefered but I just have no idea what I'm doing, to be honest :fingers-crossed:
-Take care, Rob
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@tenthsun
Could u tell me what is your firmware from about device .....If u have MDL or MDB then u just install any custom 4.4 Kitkat roms and then flash loki patch. U are pretty lucky to have that firmware. Do Not update using your phone coz u would stuck with locked BL and u won't be able to use loki patch anymore. On the other side if u like to unroot just odin to stock firmware according to your firmware.
☆Swyped From Venomous Droid Blue Chrome Edition☆
ted77usa said:
@tenthsun
Could u tell me what is your firmware from about device .....If u have MDL or MDB then u just install any custom 4.4 Kitkat roms and then flash loki patch. U are pretty lucky to have that firmware. Do Not update using your phone coz u would stuck with locked BL and u won't be able to use loki patch anymore. On the other side if u like to unroot just odin to stock firmware according to your firmware.
☆Swyped From Venomous Droid Blue Chrome Edition☆
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It seems to be MDL.
Much appreciated and I think i'll try Odin because I want to be able to update officially from Samsung for now.
Thank you

[Q] Unrooting, CWM, OTA NG2

Mulitpart question. I have a L720, rooted. I wanted to install Philz and the OTA update. Here is my question. Can I install Philz (and then backup), unroot, install the OTA and then root again? Will Philz affect the OTA install or unrooting, etc? I haven't seen any questions that specifically address these series of steps.
Thanks
You have complicated questions so i don't understand you... But you may want to unroot and take NG2 update.
You have to be official in your Android and your recovery then after that you can take the NG2.
I flashed the stock NAE tar file 2 times until all became official then i could take NG2.
anees02 said:
You have complicated questions so i don't understand you... But you may want to unroot and take NG2 update.
You have to be official in your Android and your recovery then after that you can take the NG2.
I flashed the stock NAE tar file 2 times until all became official then i could take NG2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was trying to figure out how to backup my phone before unrooting and installing the OTA. I ended up backing up using Titanium Backup. I'll try unrooting and then installing. Thanks

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