Un-rooting and Bootloader Question - AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshootin

My Galaxy S4 stopped working and I'm planning to send it back to get a replacement. However, I rooted my phone before this happened and I'm planning to un-root it before sending it back. I was planning on using the Triangle Away app as well to reset the flash counter but apparently I need to unlock the bootloader first. I read in this thread that you can flash a recovery and root the phone at the same time.
Would using that tool help me in unlocking the bootloader so that I can use the Triangle Away app to reset the counter and un-root my phone using Odin afterwards? The topic creator mentioned that TWRP will auto-lok anything you flash and works as a bootloader unlock but can anyone confirm this? I bricked my Galaxy S3 two weeks ago and don't want to face the same problems with this newly aquired Galaxy S4.
Is it worth it to go through all the trouble to just reset the flash counter or would un-rooting the phone be enough to send the phone back for a replacement?

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=42320414&postcount=2

Thanks, that guide looks really helpful. I do have one question though, it seems the Triangle Away app needs the boot loader unlocked in order to run successfully on the AT&T Galaxy S4 so what would be a good and simple way to unlock the bootloader and is there a way to check whether or not mine is unlocked? Would running the CASUAL tool take care of this (even if my device is already rooted)?

What guide/method did you use to root? Did you not use the bootloader exploit at that time?

I used the Motochopper tool located on this thread. I hadn't researched enough to know about the CASUAL tool at the time

Un-Rooting
Zernell said:
I used the Motochopper tool located on this thread. I hadn't researched enough to know about the CASUAL tool at the time
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go Here to unroot without flashing
http://androidtechy.com/index.php/2013-04-28-19-55-53/how-to-diy/48

pharrisworth said:
Go Here to unroot without flashing
http://androidtechy.com/index.php/2013-04-28-19-55-53/how-to-diy/48
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm...yeah I can see that method would probably work, but that wouldn't reset the flash counter to 0 would it? If the seller happens to notice that, then they won't send me a replacement and will probably tell me my warranty is void; hence why I'm trying to get the Triangle Away app to work but need the boot loader unlocked first in order to do that.

Un-Rooting
Zernell said:
Hmm...yeah I can see that method would probably work, but that wouldn't reset the flash counter to 0 would it? If the seller happens to notice that, then they won't send me a replacement and will probably tell me my warranty is void; hence why I'm trying to get the Triangle Away app to work but need the boot loader unlocked first in order to do that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well if all you did was ROOT the flash counter shouldn't be affected. Iused the same tool. I took the additional step of replacing Superuser with SU user. to rid myself of the "custom" unlocked symbolon boot up. However, the phone was NEVER really unlocked.

Thanks for the replies! I managed to un-root the phone by just flashing the AT&T stock firmware using Odin. Hopefully the binary counter won't be an issue.

Related

[Q] Warranty still active?

It's been 8 days since i bought my s4. Second day the sim card sprint broke and today I dropped it from maybe 80cm and it cracked the screen.
I used Chainfire's CF-Auto-Root and in his post it says "This root will trigger the flash counter" Where can I see this? From download mode?
I'v done Factory reset from both stock recovery and from phone settings for other reasons afterwards.
Called customer support today and asked how they would fix it, answer i got they will send it to their own workshop.
Should i be worried about the rooting i did? From what i can tell everything looks exactly the same as when i bought it, supersu is long gone.
Will they check the flash counter? Where can I see this? From download mode?
echohack said:
It's been 8 days since i bought my s4. Second day the sim card sprint broke and today I dropped it from maybe 80cm and it cracked the screen.
I used Chainfire's CF-Auto-Root and in his post it says "This root will trigger the flash counter" Where can I see this? From download mode?
I'v done Factory reset from both stock recovery and from phone settings for other reasons afterwards.
Called customer support today and asked how they would fix it, answer i got they will send it to their own workshop.
Should i be worried about the rooting i did? From what i can tell everything looks exactly the same as when i bought it, supersu is long gone.
Will they check the flash counter? Where can I see this? From download mode?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
Get "triangle away" from the market.
I can see the app requires root, im i still rooted? I'm away from home and no way of using odin so I cant use CF-Auto-Root again.
THX worked
echohack said:
THX worked
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
congrats

[Q] Does unrooting S4 (I337M) cause a full wipe?

I'm planning to root my GS4 but does unrooting wipe out the device to factory settings?
+1
Anyone?
I have AT&T model, but from what I've seen unroot requires flashing the stock ODIN package which does wipe the phone. Maybe someone can correct me though, I'm not entirely sure since I'm on MF3 and unroot isn't even an option for me.
Your question is a bit confusing -you talk about preparing to Root your phone, but then ask a question about unrooting. . .a bit odd.
In past experiences flashing a new stock rom and essentially unrooting, I still had to take the extra step to factory reset from the menu after the unroot to clear all my apps.
I suppose it depends upon the method you use to unroot, but when I have done so on my old S2 -that was the case. I have not tried unrooting on my S4, but I assume it would be the same..
good luck!
markbc01 said:
Your question is a bit confusing -you talk about preparing to Root your phone, but then ask a question about unrooting. . .a bit odd.
In past experiences flashing a new stock rom and essentially unrooting, I still had to take the extra step to factory reset from the menu after the unroot to clear all my apps.
I suppose it depends upon the method you use to unroot, but when I have done so on my old S2 -that was the case. I have not tried unrooting on my S4, but I assume it would be the same..
good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm planning ahead in case I need to unroot my phone in case i need to send it in for repairs.
Does delete the su binaries and the superuser.apk unroot the phone?
SUDroid said:
I'm planning ahead in case I need to unroot my phone in case i need to send it in for repairs.
Does delete the su binaries and the superuser.apk unroot the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have to return your phone just flash the stock rom in odin. You will have to do a factory reset, but if you're returning it why would you care. It'll unroot the phone and but the stock recovery on. If you send it in for repairs it most likely will be re- flashed anyway.
Ps, is chainfire ok with you using his trade mark as your avatar?
jd1639 said:
If you have to return your phone just flash the stock rom in odin. You will have to do a factory reset, but if you're returning it why would you care. It'll unroot the phone and but the stock recovery on. If you send it in for repairs it most likely will be re- flashed anyway.
Ps, is chainfire ok with you using his trade mark as your avatar?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Um idk but I see ppl using chainfire's logos. So does deleting su binaries and superuser.apk remove root?
SUDroid said:
Um idk but I see ppl using chainfire's logos. So does deleting su binaries and superuser.apk remove root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You'll end up with a bastardized system that may not even boot. See beerdroids guide in the general forum stickies on how to remove root.
jd1639 said:
You'll end up with a bastardized system that may not even boot. See beerdroids guide in the general forum stickies on how to remove root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sry to ask again but I only see root and no unroot guide?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2314494
SUDroid said:
Sry to ask again but I only see root and no unroot guide?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2314494
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll tell you again, if you want to completely remove root and not end up with a phone that doesn't work, you need to flash the stock Rom with odin
SUDroid said:
I'm planning ahead in case I need to unroot my phone in case i need to send it in for repairs. Does delete the su binaries and the superuser.apk unroot the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, SU and its binaries are files needed to execute root, but not to obtain it. The process of running a root-exploit for our phone gives you the root capability and then the Developer [may] include the Su file and binaries.
- - -
However If You have the MF3 on AT&T (I am not sure from your posts about that), then it appears that your question has been asked and answered before, perhaps not as clearly as you need. . . Please look at post #381 in "New Root Method for AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 (OTA MF3)" and found at link http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=44598687&highlight=unroot#post44598687
Of course, I may have missed a better post, but it appears to me that there is NO UNROOT METHOD for the MF3 versions locked on AT&T. The locked bootloader/fixed-exploit not only prevents rom-switching but also prevents using conventional un-root methods (like using Odin to flash a stock rom) to work. (Please also see post #121 in the thread you already mentioned (above).
On the other hand, if you are NOT locked, then the advice provided by jd1639 is spot-on and will work!)
OK, sorry I can't help more, Good Luck!
Oh. . . I am not sure, but perhaps you could do a factory reset, but I am not sure that would accomplish much. (Probably just reset your rooted phone and clear out your data).
Boy do I feel stupid. I missed that you were on mf3. DO NOT use Odin. Sorry for the bad info.
jd1639 said:
Boy do I feel stupid. I missed that you were on mf3. DO NOT use Odin. Sorry for the bad info.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no no. . .this might be me. . .He actually never stated he has a MF3 phone, and since the site he mentioned was one of the MF3 root sites, and b) he is being so careful. . . I have assumed MF3.
So now *I* feel stupid, since in looking again at SuDroid's title it states he has an i337M. That's the Canadian version and should not have the locked bootloader that I have with AT&T i337. (right?) . . In which case, he can do the normal fixes and flash stock with Odin etc. etc.
The guy is using the 1337m...that is the Canadian model... No MF3. MF3 is AT&T specific.
You guys are making this stupidly complicated.
There are many ways to unroot.
You could odin. That will wipe. Or you can use SuperSU's built in unroot. That will not wipe the system.
There is really no point in keeping data if you have to send it in for repair. They normally replace the unit.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
graydiggy said:
The guy is using the 1337m...that is the Canadian model... No MF3. MF3 is AT&T specific.
You guys are making this stupidly complicated.
There are many ways to unroot.
You could odin. That will wipe. Or you can use SuperSU's built in unroot. That will not wipe the system.
There is really no point in keeping data if you have to send it in for repair. They normally replace the unit.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you very much for clearing my issue up.I would plan to use SuperSU built in unroot (which i never knew) to unroot my phone.
graydiggy said:
You guys are making this stupidly complicated.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Stupidly complicated? Wouldn't you odin back to stock if you were going to send it back to the carrier?
No. I leave it as is with no root and no root apps IF I ever have to send it off. I might do a factory reset. But I am good with just fixing it myself. Anything from software to hardware issues are fixable. The only time I would have to send it to warranty is in the case of it not turning on. If that happens, there is no point in odin.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
just flash the same firmware through odin, it will unroot, and keep data, i do it all the time

Rooting my SGS4

Dear XDA,
I come from the HTC One forum and I've sold since I've had camera issues numberous of times.
I decided to switch to an SGS 4, currently on 4.4.2. I have the i9505xxufnb9 variant.
I have a question regarding root.
1. I do not have knox installed yet, should I install it or leave it as it be when using CF-auto root? I'm currently on 4.4.2.
2. Is CF auto root compatible with my variant?
3. What version of Odin should I be running? I guess this is the most important. I don't want a sketchy Odin.exe that comes pre-set up. It might have some setting on that erases something that is crucial for my device.
4. Is there some sort of bootloader unlock I need to do first? My device is unbranded GT9505 version with the above written variant.
5. How likely am I to brick my device? I mean I come from the HTC one forum which was fairly easy. Setup fastboot and unlocking the bootloader did the job.
6. I came to understand it WILL trigger knox, does it mean voided warranty here in the Netherlands?
7. I understand that SuperSU has an option to unroot at any given time. When I want to return to stock for say warranty purposes, Can I download triangleaway, run it, and then unroot using SU app?
Thank you so much for your time!!
No one?
Cf autoroot comes with correct odin, if you do not have Knox don't install it, (you automatically get it if you took an ota). And no bootloader unlock is needed almost all Samsung devices come with an unlocked bootloader, and the only way you'll brick your device is if you flash something not meant for your phone or if you have knox and try downgrading your firmware...
And if you do have knox, rooting will permanently flag your device as modified with no way of going back. If you don't have knox you can use triangle away to reset the flash counter.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk
aryehzev said:
Cf autoroot comes with correct odin, if you do not have Knox don't install it, (you automatically get it if you took an ota). And no bootloader unlock is needed almost all Samsung devices come with an unlocked bootloader, and the only way you'll brick your device is if you flash something not meant for your phone or if you have knox and try downgrading your firmware...
And if you do have knox, rooting will permanently flag your device as modified with no way of going back. If you don't have knox you can use triangle away to reset the flash counter.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll make sure to give you your thanks tomorrow . I also got alot of help from the ask everything thread, thank you!

Root without bootloader unlock?

Good Afternoon All,
Do you think it may be possible that we can get root access without unlocking the bootloader - I'm a little reluctant to unlock the bootloader because of the QFuse blowing.
The QFuse does not blow when you unlock or relock the bootloader. Many reviews and Android news sites spouted that nonsense without having tried it. There are many screenshots of Google CSRs saying that they don't know what the QFuse is for, but unlocking the bootloader/rooting/alterring software is fine as long as it's not so bricked you can't reflash stock images before sending it in to them.
Link to a thread discussing this issue.
Scyntherei said:
The QFuse does not blow when you unlock or relock the bootloader. Many reviews and Android news sites spouted that nonsense without having tried it. There are many screenshots of Google CSRs saying that they don't know what the QFuse is for, but unlocking the bootloader/rooting/alterring software is fine as long as it's not so bricked you can't reflash stock images before sending it in to them.
Link to a thread discussing this issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 the QFuse status didn't change when unlocking the bootloader. The media exaggerated about the qfuse and nothing has happened. Everything about the phone still works properly.
Thanks very much, I wasn't aware of this, I should read more. Awesome news.
But to answer the first question.
Very few people put in effort to root a phone with an unlocked bootloader, not matter what fuses are blown.
A phone with an unlocked bootloader has root by default.
Swatto86 said:
Good Afternoon All,
Do you think it may be possible that we can get root access without unlocking the bootloader - I'm a little reluctant to unlock the bootloader because of the QFuse blowing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
last i read you have to flash a kernel in order to root the phone therefore you need to unlock the bootloader to do so, i would like to just root myself but i don't know if you can.
No answer?
I would like to get Root on my Nexus 6p but currently do not want to invest the time for full bootloader unlock/fresh install.
So... I will ask again, is it possible to get Root access on Nexus 6P with stock kernel and leaving bootloader in factory locked state? If yes... are there any guides to do this?
Why people are afraid to unlock the bootloader? Nexus devices don't lose the warranty when you unlock it, you can also lock it again.
Enviado desde mi Nexus 7 mediante Tapatalk
PetrichorXFi said:
No answer?
I would like to get Root on my Nexus 6p but currently do not want to invest the time for full bootloader unlock/fresh install.
So... I will ask again, is it possible to get Root access on Nexus 6P with stock kernel and leaving bootloader in factory locked state? If yes... are there any guides to do this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No
PetrichorXFi said:
No answer?
I would like to get Root on my Nexus 6p but currently do not want to invest the time for full bootloader unlock/fresh install.
So... I will ask again, is it possible to get Root access on Nexus 6P with stock kernel and leaving bootloader in factory locked state? If yes... are there any guides to do this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The answer is no.
To do what you want, someone would need to develop and exploit.
There is no motivation to do that when all one has to do is unlock the bootloader.
On phones where a bootloader unlock exists, root methods require unlocking the bootloader.
This is to install a custom recovery so yiou can flash SU.
Unlocked bootloader = root, no matter what.
You will need to invest the time and backup your device.
@TS, did you read the unlock/root guide in general section? It clearly states you need an unlocked bootloader + custom recovery to root your device..
Sent from my Nexus 5X using XDA-Developers mobile app
I think this should be possible now with Quadrooter vulnerabilities?
sushah23 said:
I think this should be possible now with Quadrooter vulnerabilities?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
DOA.
But nobody is going to put in time and effort.
What is the point? Unlock the bootloader and flash. It does not void the warranty.
There is even a defined method to get the monthly security update.
With the exploit, it will only work until the next OTA patches it.
I was hoping to root without unlocking the boot loader also. I am definitely not willing to do this since I believe that is what wrecked my previous 6P. It was fine until I used Nexus Root toolkit. I unlocked the boot loader, installed TWRP and rooted then minutes after this the phone locked up, rebooted and was stuck in a permanent boot loop. I couldn't get into recovery or even install any recovery. That phone is currently at the Huawei repair center in Texas and they are sending me a new device. They believe the internal ROM failed and I have suspicions of everything I did with the Toolkit did this. I am afraid to try it on my current 6P that I got from a friend. I have no root now and the phone is massively stable. 400+ hours uptime with no reboot and no slowdowns. But if I were able to root with no unlocking of the boot loader or installing any custom recovery I probably would do it. I hate that I am scared to do all that again with this other phone haha. Sorry for sounding paranoid but ****, see where am I coming from?
LiquidAlloy said:
I was hoping to root without unlocking the boot loader also. I am definitely not willing to do this since I believe that is what wrecked my previous 6P. It was fine until I used Nexus Root toolkit. I unlocked the boot loader, installed TWRP and rooted then minutes after this the phone locked up, rebooted and was stuck in a permanent boot loop. I couldn't get into recovery or even install any recovery. That phone is currently at the Huawei repair center in Texas and they are sending me a new device. They believe the internal ROM failed and I have suspicions of everything I did with the Toolkit did this. I am afraid to try it on my current 6P that I got from a friend. I have no root now and the phone is massively stable. 400+ hours uptime with no reboot and no slowdowns. But if I were able to root with no unlocking of the boot loader or installing any custom recovery I probably would do it. I hate that I am scared to do all that again with this other phone haha. Sorry for sounding paranoid but ****, see where am I coming from?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As good as toolkits are, put in the extra time and avoid using them because you are never in full control of what is being done to your device. Take a little extra time and learn adb and fastboot. It's actually really simple and you can get so much done without the need for using a toolkit.
Jammol said:
As good as toolkits are, put in the extra time and avoid using them because you are never in full control of what is being done to your device. Take a little extra time and learn adb and fastboot. It's actually really simple and you can get so much done without the need for using a toolkit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have tried that only a few times. I understand what you're saying. I guess convenience can be more destructive. :/
LiquidAlloy said:
I have tried that only a few times. I understand what you're saying. I guess convenience can be more destructive. :/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In all honesty it's not even more convenient. Once you've used the command line you'll never go back to a toolkit. It's actually easier, much faster and you have way more control over what you do.
PetrichorXFi said:
No answer?
I would like to get Root on my Nexus 6p but currently do not want to invest the time for full bootloader unlock/fresh install.
So... I will ask again, is it possible to get Root access on Nexus 6P with stock kernel and leaving bootloader in factory locked state? If yes... are there any guides to do this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use Helium app for individual apps backup. Worked great to backup a few apps/data when I changed from one Nexus 6P to another. Might be a bit buggy to get working to get the backup, but after that everything is fine.
you can do it with KINGROOT

[Q] Flash counter?

Hi.
I just bought myself a used nexus 6p and im thinking of rooting it to get some more customization done
Before i only used Samsung phones which had this flash counter thing and then knox that kept the number of flashes to void the warranty and all. Is there this kind of measure on 6p or it's just the same as it was before {no triangles or anything) when i flash stock and lock the bootloader after i change my mind?
McXred said:
Hi.
I just bought myself a used nexus 6p and im thinking of rooting it to get some more customization done
Before i only used Samsung phones which had this flash counter thing and then knox that kept the number of flashes to void the warranty and all. Is there this kind of measure on 6p or it's just the same as it was before {no triangles or anything) when i flash stock and lock the bootloader after i change my mind?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, only samjunk does stupid **** like that.
If your BL is unlocked which it should be if you are on anything other than stock, you will see a warning message each time you boot the phone. And before you act like you have ocd or something, NO that message can not be removed.
Lawlrus said:
No, only samjunk does stupid **** like that.
If your BL is unlocked which it should be if you are on anything other than stock, you will see a warning message each time you boot the phone. And before you act like you have ocd or something, NO that message can not be removed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't unlocked the bl yet as there was no point since I didn't want to root before I got the answer from you. I know how to read tutorials and I'm very familiar with flashing so that's no probs for me. Doesn't the message disappear after you lock the bootloader? (Just assume that I went to custom ROM didn't like it got back to stock ROM and locked the bl) will the message still be there? Because I think it says 'your phone can't be checked for corruption" but it says so only if the bl is unlocked not all the time after it's been unlocked doesn't it?
McXred said:
I haven't unlocked the bl yet as there was no point since I didn't want to root before I got the answer from you. I know how to read tutorials and I'm very familiar with flashing so that's no probs for me. Doesn't the message disappear after you lock the bootloader? (Just assume that I went to custom ROM didn't like it got back to stock ROM and locked the bl) will the message still be there? Because I think it says 'your phone can't be checked for corruption" but it says so only if the bl is unlocked not all the time after it's been unlocked doesn't it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right, it shows that message when the BL is unlocked, once you relock your BL that *should* go away, never tried it because I don't plan on even being back on stock with no root.
If you do any modifications to the device even root, or using a stock custom ROM like we have, it is suggested to NOT relock your BL, while on it. Keep that in mind.
You want to go back to full stock to lock it, then reflash the factory image

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