Database Users

Radio/Baseband question

I have a question, that I've had trouble finding the answer to.
Is there a need to flash a new radio to my phone? Are there benefits to flashing a new one?
I currently use my N4 with Straight Talk (AT&T).
Thanks.

wvcadle said:
I have a question, that I've had trouble finding the answer to.
Is there a need to flash a new radio to my phone? Are there benefits to flashing a new one?
I currently use my N4 with Straight Talk (AT&T).
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Depends. If you are updating your rom to 4.2.2, it's probably a good idea to flash the corresponding radio as well. If you are on 4.2.1, there are reports of incompatibility with 4.2.2 radio, so don't update. Otherwise, different radios may give you better signal/connection speeds, but it's hard to say.
Also, 4.2.2 radio disables lte, but since you're on straight talk it doesn't matter.

Do the ROMs not flash the appropriate radio for the android version? I updated to 4.2.2 before flashing MoDaCo, so do I have the correct radio?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

wvcadle said:
Do the ROMs not flash the appropriate radio for the android version? I updated to 4.2.2 before flashing MoDaCo, so do I have the correct radio?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, ROMs generally contain only the kernel and system images. Updated bootloader and basebands need to be flashed separately.
Edit: The above applies to custom ROMS. If you flashed stock 4.2.2, you may have the updated radio. You can check by going into settings->about phone->baseband version. For 4.2.2, the number should end in 48, 4.2.1 ends in 33.

halluci293 said:
No, ROMs generally contain only the kernel and system images. Updated bootloader and basebands need to be flashed separately.
Edit: The above applies to custom ROMS. If you flashed stock 4.2.2, you may have the updated radio. You can check by going into settings->about phone->baseband version. For 4.2.2, the number should end in 48, 4.2.1 ends in 33.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great. So I do have the correct one for 4.2.2. Are there different versions for the same ROMs, or do we only need to make sure we have the correct radio for the version of android we have?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

wvcadle said:
Great. So I do have the correct one for 4.2.2. Are there different versions for the same ROMs, or do we only need to make sure we have the correct radio for the version of android we have?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Radio and bootloader version are generally linked with your Android version. AFAIK, no one makes custom radios/bootloaders, so they're always stock.

halluci293 said:
Radio and bootloader version are generally linked with your Android version. AFAIK, no one makes custom radios/bootloaders, so they're always stock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No one make custom radios/bootloaders because they're closed source. Its impossible to make a custom radio/bootloader unless you are LG/Google (and its respective manufacturers for that phone).

MF3, MD5, 4.3...Ive gotten myself lost

I purchased my S4 shortly after its release...around the beginning of the summer.
I immediately rooted it and, at the advice of these forums, froze with Titanium Backup the service that calls for OS updates (so I wouldnt loose the ability to roor, custom backup and ROM). I am running stock ROM on a rooted phone and for now dont intend to put anything custom on.
I know since then there have been a number of updates, none of which I have received as I have frozen my update service.
Im totally unaware of what improvements, if any, these updates may have brought and am wondering whether I should allow AT&T to update my phone (and get whatever benefits come from 4.3, etc.) or whether I should stick to my 4.2.2 which (I think) is the MF3 that people recommended Id want to preserve.
Advice?
Thanks.

lirong said:
I purchased my S4 shortly after its release...around the beginning of the summer.
I immediately rooted it and, at the advice of these forums, froze with Titanium Backup the service that calls for OS updates (so I wouldnt loose the ability to roor, custom backup and ROM). I am running stock ROM on a rooted phone and for now dont intend to put anything custom on.
I know since then there have been a number of updates, none of which I have received as I have frozen my update service.
Im totally unaware of what improvements, if any, these updates may have brought and am wondering whether I should allow AT&T to update my phone (and get whatever benefits come from 4.3, etc.) or whether I should stick to my 4.2.2 which (I think) is the MF3 that people recommended Id want to preserve.
Advice?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you really have no interest in roms then you can go ahead and update. I'm on mf3 on a rom, so am not 100% sure on root, but it looks like some people have been able to upgrade and keep root, you might want to look more into that. But if you have no interest in roms and you can update and still root then I would say go for it.
However, if you are pre mf3 that's when it becomes tricky. If you are pre mf3 and update you lose a lot of freedom with ROMs. So if you have interest in other roms and are currently pre mf3, I would stick with pre mf3 and not update.

lirong said:
I purchased my S4 shortly after its release...around the beginning of the summer.
I immediately rooted it and, at the advice of these forums, froze with Titanium Backup the service that calls for OS updates (so I wouldnt loose the ability to roor, custom backup and ROM). I am running stock ROM on a rooted phone and for now dont intend to put anything custom on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm kind of in the same position, and I've been wondering the same thing.
I got my S 4 in May 2013. It came with 4.2.2 on MDL. I immediately rooted and froze the update service. I installed a custom recovery with the intention of exploring newer roms at some point, but I'm not sure what I'm missing by staying on 4.2.2 vs. 4.3. So much of the activity now surrounds the capabilities of 4.3, that I am feeling a bit left out!

mikew99 said:
I'm kind of in the same position, and I've been wondering the same thing.
I got my S 4 in May 2013. It came with 4.2.2 on MDL. I immediately rooted and froze the update service. I installed a custom recovery with the intention of exploring newer roms at some point, but I'm not sure what I'm missing by staying on 4.2.2 vs. 4.3. So much of the activity now surrounds the capabilities of 4.3, that I am feeling a bit left out!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Youre one of the few that actually still have a custom recovery! Use it to your advantage to flash a MK9 rom, as I think thats the latest software version from samsung
Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk 2

bennyboy78 said:
Youre one of the few that actually still have a custom recovery! Use it to your advantage to flash a MK9 rom, as I think thats the latest software version from samsung
Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All Canadian variants can run custom recovery. No locked bootloaders in canada. However doing so, does trip knox. If you don't care about knox, and have an sgh-i337m then custom recovery away. This includes latest mk6 jb4.3
Sent from my SGH-I337M

Here's my $.02
If you STILL have MDB or MDL bootloaders that CAME on your phone keep the same bootloaders and DO NOT UPDATE with the OTA's.
You can find Roms JUST LIKE YOUR ON that are PURE STOCK 4.2.2 MF3 or PURE STOCK 4.3 MK2 without losing any of the functionality of those on the 4.3 or 4.2.2 stock firmwares.
OR you can use some STOCK BASED Roms Like ShoStock-MF3 that has some added benefits WITHOUT sacrificing anything. Or try even NEWER 4.3 Roms Like ShoStock-i 4.3 MK8 with all the added benefits of stock firmwares with some slight added benefits as well. Basically if you keep your original bootloaders you CAN DO anything you WANT without sacrificing what those users lost by upgrading or buying with MF3 or newer already installed.
Sent From My Spiderman,Ironman,Red,Dark Blue,Green, GreyedOut BadAss Themed I337

And like "RockRatt" +$.02
I know for myself I haven't been on MDL for a long time so until this nut gets cracked I'm up to date .those that are pre MF3 should hold on to what you have. cause like I tell most normal people that don't mess with there phones like we at XDA do that have a problem with there stock phone.Samsung devs do the same thing as XDA devs do minus the mad improvements/mods , so expect bugs of any sort from either. What I'm getting at is pre MF3 you have the option to find perfection using "Loki".
I will add that the newest update (MK2) runs pretty good
ROOTED ATT MK2 using Tapatalk

[Q] Revert to stock rom

ok so i have installed JellyBeans rom and im not liking it. im on base version JSS15J.N900VVRUBMJE.
how do i get back to the most updated stock rom on note 3?

Am assuming that you are using SafeStrap. If so, boot to recovery. Go into boot options and activate the "stock" slot. Then, if you want to, you can go in and delete rom slot that you have beans installed on.
Once you activate the stock slot, you'll know it because it will tell you with red text across the top of the screen.
Then just reboot.
IF YOU INSTALLED BEANS ROM ON THE STOCK SLOT, you need to download a copy of the stock odex or deodex rom that beans put together in the dev thread. If this is the case, let us know if you need help before going any further!
♢NoteIII♢

Yes I made a new slot for beans and still have the stock one open. Thanks ill just use the stock slot. Now what about me getting the latest updated stock rom and still keep root, how would I do that?
Sent from my SM-N900V using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

spetzuu said:
Yes I made a new slot for beans and still have the stock one open. Thanks ill just use the stock slot. Now what about me getting the latest updated stock rom and still keep root, how would I do that?
Sent from my SM-N900V using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So the rooted rom on your stock slot is what version?
♢NoteIII♢

LeftyGR said:
So the rooted rom on your stock slot is what version?
♢NoteIII♢
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
MI9

spetzuu said:
MI9
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Eh...
Best way would mean you'd need to redo root. And that way would be with odin. Unless someone else has a better way?
♢NoteIII♢

ive tried finding out the benefits of the updates that have rolled on on the note 3 and i cant seem to find any... although i have seen people complaining about the battery life and what not.
do you know where i could get a complete list of what the updates bring to phone? because if its nothing major ill just stick to MI9

Honestly, it will be different for every person. Because even though we all have the same phone, Every Phone is just a little different. For example, I am on the current update and felt I needed to because I was having issues with wifi. But if you are on the original firmware, which you are, and you can find no problem with your phone that you would like to see fixed then I honestly don't see any point in updating your firmware if you do not want to. I know that the current version addresses problems people were having with wifi. Along with some other minor changes.
Now having said that... If you encounter any quirks or problems with any current custom ROMs that are listed in the development section, it may be due to the fact that they are built on the current firmware version while you are still two versions behind.
♢NoteIII♢

Considering official update

I have had an update notification showing for the past week or so on my phone that doesn't go away. Not sure if they just rolled out 4.4.3 or I am just now seeing it..
Either way my concern is 2 fold, I would love to do the update, but had concerns:
1. Would performing this update upgrade my baseband to one that would become unflashable? I had been on MDL and liked the idea that I was not locked down from flashing. (*More involved question into that below)
2. Does an OTA update like this require you to start from scratch with what is on your phone? Will I lose my apps, messages, photos that are not saved to ext sd? Etc...
*My follow up question about the baseband, with the current ROM I am on I have experienced signal drop, frequently. I flashed a new radio and it now shows I am on baseband MK2. I read and was pretty certain that doesn't actually update your boot loader to MK2, that I am still on MDL but I don't know how you check that. Just wanting to understand more about this so I don't mess something up down the road.
Thanks
Sent from my GT-I9505G using Tapatalk

To check you bootloader use a terminal emulator on your phone and type in the commands
su
getprop ro.bootloader
It sounds like you still are on mdl. I would not recommend updating as you will lose the ability to flash many roms. I would just flash an updated rom of your choice with the latest firmware baked into it
You could also try different radios for you signal issue. Flash those just like a rom but do not do any wipes.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app

i too am on the amdl bootloader.. what rom could i down load that will move me up to 4.4.2 tw or is that not possible. currently iam running nemesis project 2.5, but unfortunatly the dev drop the project for greener pastures.
Thanks for you help

galaxyuser88 said:
i too am on the amdl bootloader.. what rom could i down load that will move me up to 4.4.2 tw or is that not possible. currently iam running nemesis project 2.5, but unfortunatly the dev drop the project for greener pastures.
Thanks for you help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are lots of them. Go here http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4-att/development and here http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4-att/orig-development

Can we still change APN settings without root?, other ST&T phones for ST LTE?

I do not have an S4. I ordered one from Swappa expecting to use it on Straighttalks LTE service. Already ordered the sim card as well.
However, of course right after this I started digging a bit more and found that it is currently impossible to root an S4 after it's updated to 4.4.2. The one I ordered is updated.
I'd highly prefer to have root. I don't "need" it. But, if I can achieve root without much issue I'd prefer it.
I did find a few posts about using something called Odin and safestrap. I didn't read fully through them yet. But, I'm curious if doing these methods actually work for downgrading? If they do what are the "limits"? Can I put any Rom in or is it only a specific Rom?
Will I likely run into issues doing this while using the ST LTE settings?
Just trying to cover my bases before I start on this phone. It's not here yet and I'd rather resell it if I'm better off doing that.
I am curious what would be suggested purchase for the ST LTE service since it seems the AT&T S4 is out of question if I can't even update the damn thing. I'd rather be capable of updates and having root. I don't care about being able to do Roms and stuff.

Dude, you can have root on any firmware but it may not be easy to get it. Do you know what firmware your device will have?
Odin flashes the stock firmware onto your device. Safestrap is a custom recovery that you'll need to flash custom touch wiz roms
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app

jd1639 said:
Dude, you can have root on any firmware but it may not be easy to get it. Do you know what firmware your device will have?
Odin flashes the stock firmware onto your device. Safestrap is a custom recovery that you'll need to flash custom touch wiz roms
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been reading nonstop that the 4.4.2 AT&T Galaxy s4 is not rootable? If this is inaccurate can you lead me to a post that shows the method for rooting this version?
I do not know anything about the phone other than it being updated to 4.4.2.

GamerXavier said:
I've been reading nonstop that the 4.4.2 AT&T Galaxy s4 is not rootable? If this is inaccurate can you lead me to a post that shows the method for rooting this version?
I do not know anything about the phone other than it being updated to 4.4.2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It can be rooted. You'll need to downgrade thru Odin to mk2 firmware, root it with saferoot then instill safestrap and flash a 4.4.2 rooted rom Start here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=49562527
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
And keep asking questions. You're limited to the roms you can flash but you can get root

jd1639 said:
It can be rooted. You'll need to downgrade thru Odin to mk2 firmware, root it with saferoot then instill safestrap and flash a 4.4.2 rooted rom Start here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=49562527
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
And keep asking questions. You're limited to the roms you can flash but you can get root
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm curious about Cyanogenmod? If it's worth it or possible atm?
Once I get the phone probably later this week I'll get started on the process.

GamerXavier said:
I'm curious about Cyanogenmod? If it's worth it or possible atm?
Once I get the phone probably later this week I'll get started on the process.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, cm is not possible. Only touch wiz based roms
Edit, as an fyi, if your phone is on 4.4.2 it'll be on nb1 or nc1 firmware. Read up on how to downgrade to mk2. Look in the general forum. Also look at rebel1699's venom magic tool kit. There's a lot of reading and studying to do before you get your phone
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app

http://www.androidpolice.com/2014/0...ve-and-maybe-almost-any-other-current-device/
Is this going to work on the ATT S4? It's stated that it would. Would save me the trouble of doing all of this other stuff.

GamerXavier said:
http://www.androidpolice.com/2014/0...ve-and-maybe-almost-any-other-current-device/
Is this going to work on the ATT S4? It's stated that it would. Would save me the trouble of doing all of this other stuff.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes it does if you're on nc1 firmware. Seems it didn't work on nb1
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app

I shall hope to get lucky and have the NC1 firmware