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Downloade Mode - Write Protection : Enable- safe flash with Odin?

I have Galaxy S4 i9505. I downloaded latest MEA firmware from sammobile I wanna update via odin. WHen I get into download mode. It says Write Protection : Enable. Will this effect from flashing via odin? Is it safe to flash? I have not rooted my phone, original stock rom doesn't give me the latest update of firmware. So I would like to update it myself. Even kies doesn't have it.
Please assist me. Thank you all.
I really don't want an expensive brick.

Yep just flash newest firmware whit odin
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda premium

Mine said exactly the same... nothing to worry about, just flash as normal through Odin

I tried flashing CWM recovery instead. it says success but I still do not get CWM recovery. What did I do wrong?

yvliew said:
I tried flashing CWM recovery instead. it says success but I still do not get CWM recovery. What did I do wrong?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
for boot into CWM , you hold "power + volume up + home" after shutdown phone

I have a "GT-I9505". I was able to Odin TWRP. My objective is actually to turn it into an SGH-I337M, a bootloader unlocked version of SGH-I337, which is locked. All 3 are S4 variants. The mainboard of my SGH-I337M recently died. Since I couldn't find a replacement I337M board anywhere, and my research shows the mainboard of these 2 variants are interchangeable, hardware-wise, I bought an I9505 mainboard and dropped it in. An I9505 certainly comes with I9505's bootloader and baseband. Since I live in the U.S., I'd like to replace at least the baseband to North America, ie. my original I337M baseband. However, when I tried to Odin either the entire I337M stock ROM or just the baseband alone, it kept failing due to (AUTH). Since I was able to Odin TWRP, does it not imply the bootloader of my I9505 is unlocked? If it is unlocked, why is it preventing the baseband or the entire ROM from being flashed? I do have this "WRITE PROTECTION: Enable" message on my download mode screen too, but you guys have determined it can be ignored. Thank you in adv for any tips.

luckysoul777 said:
Since I live in the U.S., I'd like to replace at least the baseband to North America, ie. my original I337M baseband. However, when I tried to Odin either the entire I337M stock ROM or just the baseband alone, it kept failing due to (AUTH).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The I9505 is bootloader unlocked and comes that way by default; it's the US that loves locking bootloaders. Regardless, you CANNOT mix and match boards and basebands, as the low-level firmware in the S4 will detect the mismatch and reject the change. I know, as I attempted it with a flashable zip on my I9505. The device refused it and would not install it. Odin will reject it as well, for the same reason.
You would have to re-program the cellular radio's low level firmware to accept North American bands. People have tried it, including myself, but most of them were unsuccessful, including me. There is a thread in the forums here explaining what to do. Read it, and good luck.

Cant access mainmenu of servicemode for unlock

Could someone help me out please,
I've tried to unlock my phone but I can't get to the main menu of the service mode.
I accessed *#0011#
tapped menu, select back
tapped menu, select input, inputted 1, ok
waited as well as tapped menu, select back
it doesn't go anywhere or changes menu.
Any ideas?

guitaoo7 said:
Could someone help me out please,
I've tried to unlock my phone but I can't get to the main menu of the service mode.
I accessed *#0011#
tapped menu, select back
tapped menu, select input, inputted 1, ok
waited as well as tapped menu, select back
it doesn't go anywhere or changes menu.
Any ideas?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What firmware, modem, rom are you using? Most likely is the modem causing it.

I bought it from eBay but i'm sure those things have not been tampered with.
It is locked onto UK's three mobile network.
It's on I9505XXUBMEA

guitaoo7 said:
I bought it from eBay but i'm sure those things have not been tampered with.
It is locked onto UK's three mobile network.
It's on I9505XXUBMEA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The modem doesn't allow to access the service menu. You need XXUAME2 or older modem to get access to service menu.
This thread has all modems available to download.
As for the phone being carrier-locked, I'm not sure how to solve that. All phone sold in my country are unlocked.

so, i cant unlock the phone via the servicemode then?
and since it's carrier locked, i can't downgrade the modem? or can i?

guitaoo7 said:
so, i cant unlock the phone via the servicemode then?
and since it's carrier locked, i can't downgrade the modem? or can i?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can downgrade the modem. This can be done by downloading modem from the thread I told you, and flashing it through Odin.
Edit: Be sure to follow the instructions on how to properly flash modem.

changing the modem will not affect the carrier lock will it?
I'm worried I might not be able to use any sim after changing the modem XD

guitaoo7 said:
changing the modem will not affect the carrier lock will it?
I'm worried I might not be able to use any sim after changing the modem XD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you're scared, you can always do a full system backup using custom recovery. If any problem occurs, just restore the backup.

Also, I just realized i can't find the settings to enable debugging on my S4
Can i still use customer recovery, my phone's not rooted and it boots with the three mobile logo

guitaoo7 said:
Also, I just realized i can't find the settings to enable debugging on my S4
Can i still use customer recovery, my phone's not rooted and it boots with the three mobile logo
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Custom recovery does NOT need root. It replaces the stock recovery of the phone. Same goes for modem.
Did you have developer options at your settings? If not, go to settings>about device. Press the 'Build Number' 7 or 8 times. (Cannot remember exactly how many times). The developer option will then be available.

yeah, just figured it out. ok i'm going to try it now using ME2 like you said... hopefully nothing bad happens

changed modem and can access menu now. thanks a bunch dude

guitaoo7 said:
changed modem and can access menu now. thanks a bunch dude
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem.
Next time use the search function if possible. There's actually quite alot of threads and posts about this.

lzk123 said:
No problem.
Next time use the search function if possible. There's actually quite alot of threads and posts about this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have used the search function, but fear is killing me.
wherever I go, I find that the flashing process requires that the phone is unlocked.
can you please let me know how to go about it?
I downloaded the 02 modem firmware now. and Odin, but can't go any further

Hello, sorry to bring back this thread, but I have a weird problem.
I tried every possibility and variants of this unlock method (*#0011#) but nothing changes. It still asks for the network code.
I flashed a ME2 modem, and same thing ..
Is there anything I missed ?

[Q] Help! Error Updating from MJA to MK2 on Sim Unlocked Phone

Hi,
I have looked all over this website and others for the solution to my problem. If there is a thread for this then I am sorry, but I couldnt find it.
I recently moved from the US to Mexico. I took my SPH-L720 to a phone technician to get my SIM unlocked and am now using it on the Iusacell network. Everything was working fine until I tried to install the MK2 update. The OTA update downloaded just fine, but when it is installing it gets about halfway and then displays a dead Android robot with a red triangle and an exclamation mark and the word "Error".
I do not believe that the phone technician rooted my phone. I think he flashed my modem to MDC. My build number is MJA. My software version is MDC.
Can anybody help me? My phone seems quirky after the MJA update, especially battery life. I am hoping MK2 will fix everything. Also, I have a Mac and not a PC.

newyorkcfc said:
Hi,
I have looked all over this website and others for the solution to my problem. If there is a thread for this then I am sorry, but I couldnt find it.
I recently moved from the US to Mexico. I took my SPH-L720 to a phone technician to get my SIM unlocked and am now using it on the Iusacell network. Everything was working fine until I tried to install the MK2 update. The OTA update downloaded just fine, but when it is installing it gets about halfway and then displays a dead Android robot with a red triangle and an exclamation mark and the word "Error".
I do not believe that the phone technician rooted my phone. I think he flashed my modem to MDC. My build number is MJA. My software version is MDC.
Can anybody help me? My phone seems quirky after the MJA update, especially battery life. I am hoping MK2 will fix everything. Also, I have a Mac and not a PC.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds like there is a whole lot going on with your phone setup with so many inconsistancies.
If the Modem(baseband) is MDC - which it woul probably have had to be to do the SIM unlock stuff, and your build is MJA but your software version is MDC you've got a lot of stuff to look at.
How did the tech flash your phone? PC Odin? or via a zip/recovery. If it was flashed via a custom recovery (meaning you have one on your phone) then the OTA will fail/error. Same thing with a custom kernel - failure of OTA. Stock boot/kernels are required for OTAs to work.
The latest update is actually MK2 and not MJA by the way.
You can flash a .tar using Heimdal. Sammobile has the full MK2 one here.
BUT you'll probably need to do some fancy stuff with you APNs to get it to work on your current network - time to see tech who helped you again.

leaderbuilder said:
Sounds like there is a whole lot going on with your phone setup with so many inconsistancies.
If the Modem(baseband) is MDC - which it woul probably have had to be to do the SIM unlock stuff, and your build is MJA but your software version is MDC you've got a lot of stuff to look at.
How did the tech flash your phone? PC Odin? or via a zip/recovery. If it was flashed via a custom recovery (meaning you have one on your phone) then the OTA will fail/error. Same thing with a custom kernel - failure of OTA. Stock boot/kernels are required for OTAs to work.
The latest update is actually MK2 and not MJA by the way.
You can flash a .tar file using Heimdal. Sammobile has the full MK2 one here.
BUT you'll probably need to do some fancy stuff with you APNs to get it to work on your current network - time to see tech who helped you again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for replying so quickly! I am very new to all of this stuff. If I flash the .tar file will that fix everything? Do I need to root my phone to flash the .tar file? Also, will my SIM remain unlocked or will it relock?
As for the APN, I think I already know all of the necessary info to input because when the tech unlocked the SIM he didn't input the APN info.
BY the way I know MK2 is the latest build and that is why I am trying to update from MJA to MK2. I'm sorry if I didn't make that clear in the OP.

Sorry, I also forgot to mention that I don't know if the technician flashed it with Odin or a zip/recovery because I left my phone there for a few hours. Is there a way to check?

newyorkcfc said:
Sorry, I also forgot to mention that I don't know if the technician flashed it with Odin or a zip/recovery because I left my phone there for a few hours. Is there a way to check?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See if you have a custom recovery.
Boot to recovery - Power off. Then Power on+Volume Up+Home button and see if something like CWM, TWRP or Philz recovery loads.
If it is just Spring/Samsung recovery then he flashed the modem via Odin and not a custom recovery. Either way just power off to boot again.

leaderbuilder said:
See if you have a custom recovery.
Boot to recovery - Power off. Then Power on+Volume Up+Home button and see if something like CWM, TWRP or Philz recovery loads.
If it is just Spring/Samsung recovery then he flashed the modem via Odin and not a custom recovery. Either way just power off to boot again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is the stock Samsung recovery. I guess he used Odin.

Help unlocking I337 not letting me access umts or any service menu

Long story short i bought 2 preowned phones for Christmas at game stop. One of the phones I sent it out for service and the mobo was replaced. The phone lost it unlocking and I've being trying to unlock it for 1 month now. I've tried all the different menus nothing can be accessed in the services menu. I have gone to every retailer possible paid for the unlock codes several times. I paid $500 for this phone and i can't even sell it on ebay everyone wants it unlock-able. I even had Samsung re install the software at best buy. Still can't put in any code cause still get "Network Unlock Request Unsuccessful". I paid 3 code unlocks for $30 a piece and the phone sell for eBay from $380-$420. I was going to wait for kit kat update to try the unlock codes but by then the phone will be worth $200. I Don't want brick the phone or root it I just need someone that knows this stuff to fix it so i can sell it ASAP.
Please help me I've being dealing with this for a month

Root, flash mdl modem, access the service menu, and disable network lock. Then restore to stock. The unlock threads are in this section of the forum.
For umts/aws bands, follow the aws guide in this section once you have rooted. Root guides also in this section.
Sent from my Hyperdriven S4

i did exactly what you said rooted device, then installed rockrat flash modem bin still won't let me acess the umts menu
HORiZUN said:
Root, flash mdl modem, access the service menu, and disable network lock. Then restore to stock. The unlock threads are in this section of the forum.
For umts/aws bands, follow the aws guide in this section once you have rooted. Root guides also in this section.
Sent from my Hyperdriven S4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Did you flash the MDL modem? That's the only version that has the service menu unlocked in.
Sent from my Hyperdriven S4

do you have the link of the one i need to download
i used this one
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=46762296&postcount=1
1/26/14 build
HORiZUN said:
Did you flash the MDL modem? That's the only version that has the service menu unlocked in.
Sent from my Hyperdriven S4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

No don't flash that one. That's the one from the newest leak.
You need the old mdl version.
http://d-h.st/6j8
Then go to the dialer, *#0011#
The modem above will help you sim unlock the phone.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2291589
The thread above will help enable aws/umts frequencies. Hope this helps.
Sent from my Hyperdriven S4

do i use oden 3.09 to flash the files? cause i'm getting error messages fail to authorize
<ID:0/005> FAIL! (Auth)
<ID:0/005>
<ID:0/005> Receive Response from boot-loader
<OSM> All threads completed. (succeed 0 / failed 1)

No. Use safestrap. That's the easiest way. (if you're using the rockratt version I linked to) There are odin flashable versions however. I used safestrap when I unlocked mine.
Use method 2 in the first post.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2595457
Here are the unlock steps once you install the MDL modem.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2285431
Sent from my Hyperdriven S4

andresmurcia said:
i did exactly what you said rooted device, then installed rockrat flash modem bin still won't let me acess the umts menu
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it still gave me a unable to unlock phone now i can acess the umts menu but now the phone has no sound

i flashed it and gained utms menu but phone has no sound and still the same error message

Follow the steps to unlock the phone, activate the aws bands, then flash back to stock with odin.
Sent from my Hyperdriven S4

I'm on 4.4 and unrooted. My phone has the longest startup time ever. It used to be fast and I haven't done anything out of the ordinary to have probably caused the issue. It boots normally, but then when the att logo appears, it does the little animation but then vibrates once slightly, then usually follows another slight vibrate some seconds later. This usually occurs for about 45 seconds to a minute until my lockscreen appears. I factory reset, and I tried powering off and on right after the reset. It was back to normal. However after I downloaded all my apps again and reinstated my settings, the problem reappeared. Is it simply because of the number of apps I have? I don't remember this happening before the update. I thought it was because I had downloaded and used zooper widget, but I uninstalled that app and tried the booting. It was the same duration (1 minute on att screen)
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

HORiZUN said:
Root, flash mdl modem, access the service menu, and disable network lock. Then restore to stock. The unlock threads are in this section of the forum.
For umts/aws bands, follow the aws guide in this section once you have rooted. Root guides also in this section.
Sent from my Hyperdriven S4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey man i want to do this with my s4 m919v variant can i flash that mdl modem on my phone? Would it brick my phone by any chance?

zee24 said:
Hey man i want to do this with my s4 m919v variant can i flash that mdl modem on my phone? Would it brick my phone by any chance?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flashing a modem won't brick the phone, but your phone only allows flashing modems through odin. Won't work through recovery.

HORiZUN said:
Flashing a modem won't brick the phone, but your phone only allows flashing modems through odin. Won't work through recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey thanks man perfect so I'll flash different modems and see if they work once I find my original one or if I can take mine out of my phone somehow that would be great dunno how though

Can't Unlock my S4 MDL AT&T i337 in 4.4.2 please

Hi everybody here, well, i purchase my S4 AT&T model i337, "the baseband finish in MDL" from a seller in ebay, the phone is locked, and comes with cyanogenmod 4.4.2 kitkat, i cannot access at the SERVICE MODE,
I have tried this method
*#27663368378#
*#0011#
*#197328640#* but nothing happens,
And the RegionLockAway does not work, it says "could not locate CSC data"
I dont know what to do, my phone is rooted... i read a lot of threads of information but nothing works for me...
i'm from Argentina, thanks everybody...
Please if someone knows how to unlock please comment in this thread!

TheMechanics said:
Hi everybody here, well, i purchase my S4 AT&T model i337, "the baseband finish in MDL" from a seller in ebay, the phone is locked, and comes with cyanogenmod 4.4.2 kitkat, i cannot access at the SERVICE MODE,
I have tried this method
*#27663368378#
*#0011#
*#197328640#* but nothing happens,
And the RegionLockAway does not work, it says "could not locate CSC data"
I dont know what to do, my phone is rooted... i read a lot of threads of information but nothing works for me...
i'm from Argentina, thanks everybody...
Please if someone knows how to unlock please comment in this thread!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I read in a forum here in XDA that you need to be on stock firmware in order to unlock your phone.

Oncet said:
I read in a forum here in XDA that you need to be on stock firmware in order to unlock your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok but how? because i read here that, i cannot downgrade from 4.4.2 to 4.2.2!!

Keep your custom and buy an unlock code.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app

TheMechanics said:
ok but how? because i read here that, i cannot downgrade from 4.4.2 to 4.2.2!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's if you're on the stock 4.4.2. You can Odin the MDL files and root and make sure to freeze the updater apps while you unlock, and then flash back to CM.
Sent from my SGH-I337 running Blackbox 3.0

DeadlySin9 said:
That's if you're on the stock 4.4.2. You can Odin the MDL files and root and make sure to freeze the updater apps while you unlock, and then flash back to CM.
Sent from my SGH-I337 running Blackbox 3.0
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for answer, them i can flash the stock rom 4.2.2 from sammobile with odin? or i need to flash only the MDL files?

DeadlySin9 said:
That's if you're on the stock 4.4.2. You can Odin the MDL files and root and make sure to freeze the updater apps while you unlock, and then flash back to CM.
Sent from my SGH-I337 running Blackbox 3.0
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks a lot, the phone has a BACKUP of the Stock FW 4.2.2, well, i restore that BACKUP and my phone comes to the factory version, so i tried this method to unlock:
Originally Posted by kaleido View Post
Hi Everyone said:
UMTS
In "UMTS MAIN MENU", select [1] DEBUG SCREEN
In "DEBUG SCREEN", select [6] PHONE CONTROL
In "PHONE CONTROL", select [6] NETWORK LOCK
In "NETWORK LOCK", select [3] PERSO SHA256 OFF
It should show:
SHA256_ENABLED_FLAG[1]
SHA256_OFF => SHA256_ON
Now touch the first line SHA256_ENABLED_FLAG[1]
It should show:
MENU NOT EXIST
PRESS BACK KEY
Current Command is 116631
Now press the menu button and select "Back"
It should show:
SHA256_ENABLED_FLAG[0]
SHA256_OFF => Not Change
Again, press the menu button and select "Back", and you're back in the "NETWORK LOCK" screen
Press the menu button and select "Back", and you're in the "PHONE CONTROL" screen
Press the menu button and select "Back", and you're in the "DEBUG SCREEN" screen
Finally, press the menu button and select "Back", and you're back in the "UMTS MAIN MENU" screen
Select [6] COMMON
In "COMMON" screen, select [6] NV REBUILD
Now you are in the "NV REBUILD" screen, you should see the following text:
------------------------------
Golden-Backup exist
You can Restore Cal/NV
------------------------------
Now for the final step.
In "NV REBUILD" screen, select [4] Restore Back-up
The button lights for menu and back should come on, and the phone will auto reboot in a few seconds.
Note: chavxxx's post of selecting "[1] Load default NV" DID NOT work for me.
Congratulations, your phone is now unlocked.
Stick in a sim card from a different carrier and try it out.
Please post followups of your experience with this unlock method.
Thanks, and good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AND MY PHONE IS UNLOCKED THANKS EVERYBODY!!!! I ONLY NEED TO RESTORE MY PHONE TO FACTORY FIRMWARE AND UNLOCK!! :good::good::good::good::good::good::good:

Jesus. you don't want to flash the 4.4.2 Odin package if you're on mdl. Then you can't custom rom your phone. stay on a touchwiz rom and use the region lockaway App and it will unlock your phone. Worked for my mdl phone.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

hi
TheMechanics said:
Thanks a lot, the phone has a BACKUP of the Stock FW 4.2.2, well, i restore that BACKUP and my phone comes to the factory version, so i tried this method to unlock:
AND MY PHONE IS UNLOCKED THANKS EVERYBODY!!!! I ONLY NEED TO RESTORE MY PHONE TO FACTORY FIRMWARE AND UNLOCK!! :good::good::good::good::good::good::good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hey my phone cant go to umts mode this code wont for to my i337 on 4.4.2 any solution?

nadirghazi said:
hey my phone cant go to umts mode this code wont for to my i337 on 4.4.2 any solution?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are in stock rom? i need more details of your phone!

So what's the solution?
I have been reading so much about this that I dont even know where to begin ... I hope someone could do us noobs a favor and give us a step by step procedure of unlocking S4 on android version 4.4.2 ...

Batsie said:
I have been reading so much about this that I dont even know where to begin ... I hope someone could do us noobs a favor and give us a step by step procedure of unlocking S4 on android version 4.4.2 ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In reply to you and @nadirghazi
If you want to unlock it on 4.4.2 then use the downgrade method, root, and use the "possible unlock for MK2" thread. The OP in this thread meant to put 4.2.2, which is what MDL is, so those instructions don't work.

Solutions Unlock I337 4.42 NB1
TheMechanics said:
Hi everybody here, well, i purchase my S4 AT&T model i337, "the baseband finish in MDL" from a seller in ebay, the phone is locked, and comes with cyanogenmod 4.4.2 kitkat, i cannot access at the SERVICE MODE,
I have tried this method
*#27663368378#
*#0011#
*#197328640#* but nothing happens,
And the RegionLockAway does not work, it says "could not locate CSC data"
I dont know what to do, my phone is rooted... i read a lot of threads of information but nothing works for me...
i'm from Argentina, thanks everybody...
Please if someone knows how to unlock please comment in this thread!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I337 4.42 NB1 update OTA
1.downgrade Basebank MDL (wifi not working)
2.use SPT Box unlock---> done
3.use Odin flash Baseband NB1---->(wifi working)
4.Unlock done I337 4.42 NB1 successfull

Another noob here. Is there any way to keep all of your phone data and settings when you downgrade?
My Galaxy S4 (SGH-I337) is on NC1, and I already downgraded once to root it (and re upgraded afterwards). It's quite troublesome to redownload all of my apps and change all of my settings again, so I'd like to know if it's avoidable.
Also if someone could link me to the baseband files, that would be great.

can also try this method
worked for me:good:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/gal...aranteed-free-sim-unlock-mk2-nb1-nc1-t2852979

TheMechanics said:
You are in stock rom? i need more details of your phone!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please help, I am on i337 and can get to Debug screen but there is no 6th option.... I am on tmobile with a poopie phone and want to use my old s4 but cannot unlock it and i have NOOO idea how to root.

I have the galaxy s4, locked with rogers, i have a bell sim and want to unlock.. how can i? Ive rooted previously then updated when i forgot and cant seem to unroot but i have no root features. Phone still says custom. Thanks