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
Related
Does anyone know how i can obtain the stock rom that came with my canadian virgin mob s2? I had to root it to unlock it and now that its done, I'd like to have it back on the original rom. Reason for this is to get rid of triangle on boot and have everything on factory settings.
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using XDA Premium App
It hasn't been released yet. We're all in same boat in regards to rooting/unlocking.
Sent from my GT-I9100M using XDA App
thats the main reason why I'm running the stock bell rom. I want to be able to return to stock should I need to with ease.
Plus the device is really very good out of the box, I just but ADW EX on for customizing it and that was it.
Thanks for the reply guys. I'm a total noob to this. How would I know if I'm even running a different Rom other than stock? In order to unlock my device I had to root it. Does rooting install a new Rom or does it just give admin privileges?
If I was with Bell then this wouldn't be an issue, though I'd still want my device unlocked. The reason I'm asking is coz that yellow triangle at boot drives me crazy.
Any ideas when the stock Rom will be available?
Thanks for the help.
ps. So far this phone absolutely rocks. Not too crazy with the batter life, but they can't all be perfect can they
Rooting only gives you root privileges, installing a different ROM is a separate endeavour.
SndChsr said:
If I was with Bell then this wouldn't be an issue, though I'd still want my device unlocked. The reason I'm asking is coz that yellow triangle at boot drives me crazy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/sho...highlight=virgin+firmware+canada#post16153680
Pretty much all you have to know about the Canadian SGS2. To figure out if you have the stock firmware type *#1234# and compare that info to the one provided in the post. There's also a link to a guide to remove the yellow triangle.
SndChsr said:
Any ideas when the stock Rom will be available?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Follow this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1075278
Alternatively just browse the forum from time to time and you'l find at when it pops up.
I have done some reading and finally decided I will be using the Casual method to root my S 4, but I am stock with not wanting to end up with the custom lock pad permanently, and I have seen many people have not been able to get rid of it.
So here is my question... After using Casual, what would be the way to get back to stock? This method installs custom recovery, so I am not sure how to go back if indeed to....
Can some one point me in the right direction?
Appreciated!
Before we move forward here, have you updated? As it stands the update released yesterday effectively blocks root and more then likely also blocks Loki. O and it blocks Odin so you can't downgrade. This is like first and foremost if you even wanna run casual now.
no update on my phone yet...
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2314494
post #1 is about rooting/flashing. post #2 addresses returning to stock, which literally is about as simple as flashing stock firmware via odin and factory resetting. cheers
Awesome.. I read that post but forgot completely about it.. most appreciated!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337
genesiss said:
Awesome.. I read that post but forgot completely about it.. most appreciated!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
as Thermalwolf stated, your firmware version is important. make sure you dont have the latest MF3
No.. MDL still
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337
If you're still on MDL I recommend rooting now before your phone tries to force MF3 on you as it blocks root and possibly loki.
Thermalwolf said:
If you're still on MDL I recommend rooting now before your phone tries to force MF3 on you as it blocks root and possibly loki.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea, talk about making it just under the wire, your lucky you decided to root today and that your phone hadn't already updated.
I feel for those poor souls that updated, personally I think loki is patched and I remember sitting around for months and months while people tried and failed to unlock the rezound bootloader, locked bootloaders can be a b***h
Take care of your non MF3 Galaxy S4's everyone, they just became more valueable ...
movielover76 said:
Yea, talk about making it just under the wire, your lucky you decided to root today and that your phone hadn't already updated.
I feel for those poor souls that updated, personally I think loki is patched and I remember sitting around for months and months while people tried and failed to unlock the rezound bootloader, locked bootloaders can be a b***h
Take care of your non MF3 Galaxy S4's everyone, they just became more valueable ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right?! This guy could not have picked a better day too root. Also I'm damn sure Loki is patched, we can't Odin back to MDL so that should speak for itself.
OP, Root and block the OTA APKs immediately! If your phone starts downloading just rip the battery out lol
Thermalwolf said:
Right?! This guy could not have picked a better day too root. Also I'm damn sure Loki is patched, we can't Odin back to MDL so that should speak for itself.
OP, Root and block the OTA APKs immediately! If your phone starts downloading just rip the battery out lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just rooted last night. I keep postponing the update. I did some searching and found that I should rename wssyncmldm.apk and reboot to block the OTA update. Is this correct? Is there another file that should be renamed?
Thanks!
ok just did it.. had some issues with Windows drivers but it turns out MAC worked just fine.. i am currently doing nandroid back up..
thanks to all for replies..
ok everything works just fine.. now.. what would be my next step
. how can I avoid update? so far I am interested in staying stock. maybe remove some apps and add some.. but how can I assure I will not update?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337
genesiss said:
ok everything works just fine.. now.. what would be my next step
. how can I avoid update? so far I am interested in staying stock. maybe remove some apps and add some.. but how can I assure I will not update?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to read the existing threads. Go to the 'General" section read the stickies and then read the threads about the new OTA. ALL of your questions are answered in detail in those threads. Good luck.
Hopefully this works for me
I Bought my S4 yesterday and the sales rep at AT&T pressed the update button before handing it to me. I didn't think anything of it because as far as I knew android was designed to be open and easily rooted. Man was I mad when I got home. So today I went back and complained that the "phone was glitchy" and was handed another one. This time I told them not to touch it. Hand over the box and nobody gets hurt (keep in mind I paid full price for it too so i was extra mad). This one is on MDL. Now to root and block update. Hooray!
I have found all the guides on the new root process as well as many other related topics, but no download to the latest OTA. Can anyone help
?
DrSeussFreak said:
I have found all the guides on the new root process as well as many other related topics, but no download to the latest OTA. Can anyone help
?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you sue you actually want that? Loki will not work on MF3.
Ol' Dirty Bastard said:
Are you sue you actually want that? Loki will not work on MF3.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All I need is http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2387577 - I do not run a custom ROM I simply root for root access.
DrSeussFreak said:
All I need is http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2387577 - I do not run a custom ROM I simply root for root access.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since MF3 hasn't been released over KIES, the OTA hasn't been pulled, and packaged into a flashable zip. Somone has pulled their own system dump of MF3, but I suggest you want until you get the OTA notification.
Ol' Dirty Bastard said:
Since MF3 hasn't been released over KIES, the OTA hasn't been pulled, and packaged into a flashable zip. Somone has pulled their own system dump of MF3, but I suggest you want until you get the OTA notification.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since rooting my phone, I am unable to do OTA. I have never done any custom ROMs but when I click software update on my phone nothing happens. I also cannot find any resolution to this. I was guessing that some setting in motochopper did something to break it, and I did a full phone restore to default settings after running triangle away and unrooting with no success.
DrSeussFreak said:
Since rooting my phone, I am unable to do OTA. I have never done any custom ROMs but when I click software update on my phone nothing happens. I also cannot find any resolution to this. I was guessing that some setting in motochopper did something to break it, and I did a full phone restore to default settings after running triangle away and unrooting with no success.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nah, it's nothing you've done wrong, or because it was rooted. The OTA still hasn't been given out to some yet. They seem to be taking their sweet time.
Ol' Dirty Bastard said:
Nah, it's nothing you've done wrong, or because it was rooted. The OTA still hasn't been given out to some yet. They seem to be taking there sweet time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I understand they are rolling it out slowly, but my OTA is broken. I push it and literally nothing happens, it does not check for an update, it just does nothing at all. Something broke the functional altogther
just found http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=24435867, giving it a shot
DrSeussFreak said:
just found http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=24435867, giving it a shot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's for your Samsung acct, not the ATT MF3 OTA... Do what you want man, but that's not going to force your phone to fetch an update.
Ol' Dirty Bastard said:
That's for your Samsung acct, not the ATT MF3 OTA... Do what you want man, but that's not going to force your phone to fetch an update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do get it, what you are saying. I just don't think you understand what I am saying.
I realize I may not have the OTA yet, fine, no big deal. What I am saying is that my phone's "Software Update" button does absolutely nothing, it does not check for an update and tell me I am at the latest version, it literally does nothing.
I am trying to fix this.
moved this questions to - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=44688059#post44688059
DrSeussFreak said:
I do get it, what you are saying. I just don't think you understand what I am saying.
I realize I may not have the OTA yet, fine, no big deal. What I am saying is that my phone's "Software Update" button does absolutely nothing, it does not check for an update and tell me I am at the latest version, it literally does nothing.
I am trying to fix this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok I understand, have you tried ODIN back to stock, and not just a phone reset?
Ol' Dirty Bastard said:
Ok I understand, have you tried ODIN back to stock, and not just a phone reset?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this is what I am trying now, got a few hours to download the stock firmware though.
No any places to get stock firmware faster than http://samsung-updates.com/details/9839/Galaxy_S_4_AT&T/SGH-I337/ATT/I337UCUAMDL.html?
DrSeussFreak said:
this is what I am trying now, got a few hours to download the stock firmware though.
No any places to get stock firmware faster than http://samsung-updates.com/details/9839/Galaxy_S_4_AT&T/SGH-I337/ATT/I337UCUAMDL.html?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I saw a mirror in another thread somewhere... I'll try to find it... dev-host is fast, but it wont let me upload anything that big for some reason... same with dropbox and 4shared... I have lightning fast internet, so if you know of a place to host it, I'll upload it...
Ol' Dirty Bastard said:
I saw a mirror in another thread somewhere... I'll try to find it... dev-host is fast, but it wont let me upload anything that big for some reason... same with dropbox and 4shared... I have lightning fast internet, so if you know of a place to host it, I'll upload it...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Found this link, http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2263533, and it is downloading much faster!
DrSeussFreak said:
Found this link, http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2263533, and it is downloading much faster!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nvm
DrSeussFreak said:
Found this link, http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2263533, and it is downloading much faster!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good deal... Post your results, maybe someone else has the same issue... and remember that you may have to go into the Samsung 3e recovery and factory reset and wipe cache for it to boot...
Ol' Dirty Bastard said:
Good deal... Post your results, maybe someone else has the same issue... and remember that you may have to go into the Samsung 3e recovery and factory reset and wipe cache for it to boot...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will, I couldn't find many answers, so hopefully others can benefit from my troubleshooting steps
DrSeussFreak said:
I will, I couldn't find many answers, so hopefully others can benefit from my troubleshooting steps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Plz post results. I have a rooted mf3 and my OTA is broken as well. Not sure what did it. I don't really care about getting updates as much as I'm not sure if its broken and still set to auto update with no way to turn it off. That would suck.
The frist thing I did when I got the phone was make a adb backup so I have an .ab file but I have not tried it yet. And my phone was refurbed so I think it came with MF3 anyways. I may try reinstall that backup but I really hate to mess with it with no clockwork recovery options. Great phone to bad att is making it suck so bad.
alkmie said:
Plz post results. I have a rooted mf3 and my OTA is broken as well. Not sure what did it. I don't really care about getting updates as much as I'm not sure if its broken and still set to auto update with no way to turn it off. That would suck.
The frist thing I did when I got the phone was make a adb backup so I have an .ab file but I have not tried it yet. And my phone was refurbed so I think it came with MF3 anyways. I may try reinstall that backup but I really hate to mess with it with no clockwork recovery options. Great phone to bad att is making it suck so bad.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
*Fixed
For this interested in the solution it went like this
backup with titan
booted into recovery and factory reset
Checked OTA (worked) checked root (worked)
restored user apps in titan
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--
So after a bunch of searching, apparently going to a Samsung Experience store inside Best Buy, they can and usually will downgrade from MK2. I've checked and my local BB has the Samsung Exp. So I'm going to call after work and see if this is true...
What, if anything could I do right after I get it done, to possibly help others to do this...
like make an image or a recovery file or what ever would be necessary for others...
I won't have a lot of time as this is my only phone and I'll need to get it up and running ASAP. but I can do what I can to help if possible.
Please provide app names & or exact steps necessary to do what you suggest. Thanks.
Will let you know tonight if it gets done & what I can provide.
Will ask for this thread to be deleted if I can't get downgraded.
MoodSwinger said:
So after a bunch of searching, apparently going to a Samsung Experience store inside Best Buy, they can and usually will downgrade from MK2. I've checked and my local BB has the Samsung Exp. So I'm going to call after work and see if this is true...
What, if anything could I do right after I get it done, to possibly help others to do this...
like make an image or a recovery file or what ever would be necessary for others...
I won't have a lot of time as this is my only phone and I'll need to get it up and running ASAP. but I can do what I can to help if possible.
Please provide app names & or exact steps necessary to do what you suggest. Thanks.
Will let you know tonight if it gets done & what I can provide.
Will ask for this thread to be deleted if I can't get downgraded.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No one can downgrade from MK2. Not you, not AT&T, and not Best Buys. The only way Samsung can do it is to switch motherboards. It is possible to downgrade from NB1 to MK2...sort of. There is a thread about it in the general section. For all applicable purposes, it is downgrading back to MK2, though the bootloader isn't actually reverted, it just excepts the MK2 files with a few modifications.
scott14719 said:
No one can downgrade from MK2. Not you, not AT&T, and not Best Buys.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This makes me feel useless (which I probably am)
Dabreaker9 said:
This makes me feel useless (which I probably am)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why? Samsung / ATT made it this way. The Devs here at XDA have done an amazing job of finding a way to put MK2 system files back with the NB1 bootloader. It has made things possible that otherwise couldn't be done at this point...and others are still working on other possibilities.