Newb question on mf3 - AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshootin

if i bought an s4, can i stop it from updating the firmware (avoiding mf3)?
i'm thinking about making the move from the skyrocket but don't want to get stuck with stock but dont want to hasily goto a custom without at least trying stock.
thanks!

Yes, read post #2. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=42320414

jd1639 said:
Yes, read post #2. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=42320414
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Much thanks. I just pulled the trigger. If it's delivered with mf3, I'll probably send it back. Otherwise I'll probably stick around.

Related

Got ATT to switch me to a 32GB, what do I need to do to return to stock?

I used motochopper to root my S4. I got the 16GB version obviously 26 days ago.
I got ATT to let me exchange it for a 32GB model.
What do I need to do to return this back to stock so I can ship it back to ATT?
THANKS
Well you need to read...that would be a start
Check the dev section and follow the guide
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Sent from my AT&T Galaxy S4 - Stock 4.2.2 Rooted
I did look for it, didnt see it.
Thanks for your pleasing response.
On second thought, forget it.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2261573
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
billinaz said:
I did look for it, didnt see it.
Thanks for your pleasing response.
On second thought, forget it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are barely any threads in the Dev section so far. I could have simply stated that you didn't read carefully and moved on, but I at least directed you on where to get the information you seek. My post wasn't all bad . Follow the guide posted above me and you will be all set
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Sent from my AT&T Galaxy S4 - Stock 4.2.2 Rooted
Thanks.
I saw that but I thought there may have been something else we needed to do because the bootloader wasnt unlocked yet. I didnt know if this would reset the flash counter back....
billinaz said:
Thanks.
I saw that but I thought there may have been something else we needed to do because the bootloader wasnt unlocked yet. I didnt know if this would reset the flash counter back....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure on the counter or even if it was tripped by rooting to be honest. In recovery you should be able to see the counter. At least I was able to on my Skyrocket. If my memory serves me right, the counter only increases when flashing things via odin, but someone more knowledgable than me could give better insight. That's how it was on the gs2 Skyrocket anyway. You are returning to ATT with a fully functional device and not Samsung for a repair of some kind, so it should be irrelevant for them. I doubt anyone working there even knows what the counter is never mind how to check it *good*
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Sent from my AT&T Galaxy S4 - Stock 4.2.2 Rooted
Mike on XDA said:
There are barely any threads in the Dev section so far. I could have simply stated that you didn't read carefully and moved on, but I at least directed you on where to get the information you seek. My post wasn't all bad . Follow the guide posted above me and you will be all set
-------------------------------------------------------
Sent from my AT&T Galaxy S4 - Stock 4.2.2 Rooted
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup...... that would have been good!
I did read Adams thread and I already thought of using ODIN but I thought that the flash counter also needed something done to revert that back.
Mike on XDA said:
Not sure on the counter or even if it was tripped by rooting to be honest. In recovery you should be able to see the counter. At least I was able to on my Skyrocket. If my memory serves me right, the counter only increases when flashing things via odin, but someone more knowledgable than me could give better insight. That's how it was on the gs2 Skyrocket anyway. You are returning to ATT with a fully functional device and not Samsung for a repair of some kind, so it should be irrelevant for them. I doubt anyone working there even knows what the counter is never mind how to check it *good*
-------------------------------------------------------
Sent from my AT&T Galaxy S4 - Stock 4.2.2 Rooted
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very true. I cant believe I got them to process an exchange after 26 days!.....
billinaz said:
Yup...... that would have been good!
I did read Adams thread and I already thought of using ODIN but I thought that the flash counter also needed something done to revert that back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The official firmware you will be flashing won't increase it or shouldn't anyway. Just remembered mine on the rocket only increased once because the stock image I flashed back to had been modified in some particular way. The stock images on sammi mobile and those extracted from kies for your use should not trip it
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Sent from my AT&T Galaxy S4 - Stock 4.2.2 Rooted
Mike on XDA said:
Well you need to read...that would be a start
Check the dev section and follow the guide
-------------------------------------------------------
Sent from my AT&T Galaxy S4 - Stock 4.2.2 Rooted
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 for great advice
rexxcastle said:
+1 for great advice
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 for an ignorant post.
Mike on XDA said:
Well you need to read...that would be a start
Check the dev section and follow the guide
-------------------------------------------------------
Sent from my AT&T Galaxy S4 - Stock 4.2.2 Rooted
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
rexxcastle said:
+1 for great advice
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
billinaz said:
+1 for an ignorant post.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not ignorant at all. If you would have read the "root" and the "return to stock" posts you would have found the answers and maybe learned a little more along the way. Getting pissed off at others because you didn't take the time needed to find the answer is just sad. And claiming you read a post (when you obviously didn't or you would have found the answer) is sadder. I'm not trying to bust your balls here, but you are wrong for not searching for the answer in the first place and then wrong again for acting pissy when someone took the time to tell you what you needed to do to find the answer. Good luck if you don't learn anything from this and decide to keep doing things to your phone, because you are going to need it.
scott14719 said:
Not ignorant at all. If you would have read the "root" and the "return to stock" posts you would have found the answers and maybe learned a little more along the way. Getting pissed off at others because you didn't take the time needed to find the answer is just sad. And claiming you read a post (when you obviously didn't or you would have found the answer) is sadder. I'm not trying to bust your balls here, but you are wrong for not searching for the answer in the first place and then wrong again for acting pissy when someone took the time to tell you what you needed to do to find the answer. Good luck if you don't learn anything from this and decide to keep doing things to your phone, because you are going to need it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually it is, and calling people liars when you have only your assumption is even worse.
At least one person in this thread was helpful...... and even realized the appearance of the post way be harsher than intended.
You sir, are just a troll.

I can barely see, please help me restore to stock!

OK, I've tried searching, but it's very, very difficult. I have a terrible eye infection and can barely see right now. It'll be a couple of weeks before my vision is better. (I'm having surgery tomorrow.) I need to return my ATT S4 due to a mechanical problem. It has the stock MDL rom, but is rooted with TWRP recovery. I used the casual method to root and add the recovery. I only have 2 days left too return & exchange my S4. Could somebody PLEASE help me restore stock recovery & unroot? I'm hoping there are simple instructions I can follow, as just typing this is difficult & painful. Thanks!
What firmware are you on? You mention mdl. If you're still on that Odin the stock firmware.
as said above, use Odin to flash the factory firmware/recovery to your device.
here's a link to check out: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2261573
here's the MDL firmware: http://storagecow.eu/index.php?dir=Xda/AT&T+S4/Stock+Odin/AMDL/
cheers
jd1639 said:
What firmware are you on? You mention mdl. If you're still on that Odin the stock firmware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I'm still on the stock MDL firmware. I hate to ask this, but I really need links & instructions to everything. I'm wearing high power magnifying glasses which make searching and reading both difficult and very painful. Just doing this is a very trying experience. Normally, I'd just search & figure it out. I tried that, but it's just too hard. I'm typing with my eyes closed for the most part. I'm basically begging somebody to wlak me through this with links... I don't have odin on my PC, I used the Casual Java app to root & add recovery.
xBeerdroiDx said:
as said above, use Odin to flash the factory firmware/recovery to your device.
here's a link to check out: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2261573
here's the MDL firmware: http://storagecow.eu/index.php?dir=Xda/AT&T+S4/Stock+Odin/AMDL/
cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks!
I see the link to Odin I think. I already have the MDL firmware on, do I flash it again to get back stock recovery & unroot?
Nakel said:
Thanks!
I see the link to Odin I think. I already have the MDL firmware on, do I flash it again to get back stock recovery & unroot?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, you get both. Beerdroid was nice to link you
Cool. Thanks so much guys!!!!!!!!
I'm truly sorry to bug everyone again, but what do I check, and what do I leave unchecked in Odin? I know it is a big deal, but I can't remember which boxes are important? I feel like an ass for not finding this on my own,; I'm sorry.
Nakel said:
I'm truly sorry to bug everyone again, but what do I check, and what do I leave unchecked in Odin? I know it is a big deal, but I can't remember which boxes are important? I feel like an ass for not finding this on my own,; I'm sorry.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just check auto-reboot. The file should be in the PDA slot.
Edit, when it boots you'll most likely have to boot into recovery and do a factory reset or it will boot loop.
Woo Hoo!
Success. Thanks so much you guys! Back to Costco it goes and a new one in exchange in 3 days. About a week or 2 before I can set it up though...
Nakel said:
Woo Hoo!
Success. Thanks so much you guys! Back to Costco it goes and a new one in exchange in 3 days. About a week or 2 before I can set it up though...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad to see you got it like new again.
Nakel said:
Woo Hoo!
Success. Thanks so much you guys! Back to Costco it goes and a new one in exchange in 3 days. About a week or 2 before I can set it up though...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wouldn't be to excited cause if they replace it you might end up with an updated version.MF3 woo hoo!!!!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda premium

[Q] Relock Bootloader

I've done a search and the threads that came up were a bit old and did not provide an answer.
I have a AT&T S4 and looking to sell it and would like to put everything back to stock. Currently when it boots up, you get the unlocked padlock icon on the splash screen. I am looking to get rid of that. Can anyone point me to a method or thread to cover that?
Thank you and sorry if I missed it already listed.
I do not know the answer but I do know that there is a subforum specifically for questions.
That being said, don't you just flash stock firmware with Odin?
fourdigit said:
I do not know the answer but I do know that there is a subforum specifically for questions.
That being said, don't you just flash stock firmware with Odin?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think so - just want to confirm.
My apologies if in the wrong forum.
msherman123 said:
I think so - just want to confirm.
My apologies if in the wrong forum.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2502003 read this thread how to back to 100% stock.

[Q] How do i unlock my bootloader for the at&t samsung galaxy s4

I need to unroot my bootloader to get the app triangle app and reset my binary counter to unroot my phone
Kraxio said:
I need to unroot my bootloader to get the app triangle app and reset my binary counter to unroot my phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This makes absolutely no sense. Please explain what you need in proper terms otherwise no one will be able to help you. Also, you might want to read the pinned threads in the general and q&a sections to help you better understand terms and definitions. Good luck.
Kraxio said:
I need to unroot my bootloader to get the app triangle app and reset my binary counter to unroot my phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
...I read this post 5 times trying to figure out exactly what you want to do, or even think you can do! Honestly if you don't know anything about rooting then this particular phone will end up as a brick. The bootloader is locked on AT&T S4. No way around it unless you are NOT on MF3 or later... Is your phone actually rooted?? You can't reset the counter anyway.
scott14719 said:
This makes absolutely no sense. Please explain what you need in proper terms otherwise no one will be able to help you. Also, you might want to read the pinned threads in the general and q&a sections to help you better understand terms and definitions. Good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok i dont want to sound rude but dude we have the same phone and you seem to have it rooted! please please help me i have like 8 threads open in my browser while downloading like 12 things that i was told to download but its just too much for me to do by myself! i did a root before on an s3 and i ended up with a bricked phone for 3 days until i finally fixed it! this time around i dont have a backup phone that i can use if i screw this up and also my brother wants to do his phone too but he said he will give it to me once i can show him that i have CM working properly on my phone.
i have an i337 32 gb with fnb1 on it. from what i heard i have to down grade and then root and then some other complicated stuff that i need visuals to learn and understand. or at least someone willing to help me!
please if you can ill be waiting
You won't be able to get CM on your phone. Search safe strap.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
Aiowire said:
ok i dont want to sound rude but dude we have the same phone and you seem to have it rooted! please please help me i have like 8 threads open in my browser while downloading like 12 things that i was told to download but its just too much for me to do by myself! i did a root before on an s3 and i ended up with a bricked phone for 3 days until i finally fixed it! this time around i dont have a backup phone that i can use if i screw this up and also my brother wants to do his phone too but he said he will give it to me once i can show him that i have CM working properly on my phone.
i have an i337 32 gb with fnb1 on it. from what i heard i have to down grade and then root and then some other complicated stuff that i need visuals to learn and understand. or at least someone willing to help me!
please if you can ill be waiting
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The bootloader is locked on our phone. You wont be able to downgrade your firmware. What firmware are you current on? I can exlain to you how to get back to stock and rooted with Safestrap and the TWRP version that works for it.
Kraxio said:
I need to unroot my bootloader to get the app triangle app and reset my binary counter to unroot my phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2616221
Everything you need should be here.
megamanDJ said:
The bootloader is locked on our phone. You wont be able to downgrade your firmware. What firmware are you current on? I can exlain to you how to get back to stock and rooted with Safestrap and the TWRP version that works for it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you need a walkthrough ill help you with it.
megamanDJ said:
If you need a walkthrough ill help you with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm hoping this is everything you need?
Aiowire said:
I'm hoping this is everything you need?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Start by reading this http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=50667360 Then this http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=51067706
Sent from my Nexus 5
jd1639 said:
Start by reading this http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=50667360 Then this http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=51067706
Sent from my Nexus 5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
seen these thread and downloaded everything just dont know ho to go about doing it, like i know what going in the pit but which one goes in the ab
ahh scratch that lol
---------- Post added at 07:48 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:08 PM ----------
jd1639 said:
Start by reading this http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=50667360 Then this http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=51067706
Sent from my Nexus 5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yayy i got it all now how do i install cm
Aiowire said:
seen these thread and downloaded everything just dont know ho to go about doing it, like i know what going in the pit but which one goes in the ab
ahh scratch that lol
---------- Post added at 07:48 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:08 PM ----------
yayy i got it all now how do i install cm
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The recovery that works with Safestrap is TWRP. And depending on which firmware you just flashed it will either be version that is specific for that firmware. Do you have Safestrap installed yet?
Aiowire said:
seen these thread and downloaded everything just dont know ho to go about doing it, like i know what going in the pit but which one goes in the ab
ahh scratch that lol
---------- Post added at 07:48 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:08 PM ----------
yayy i got it all now how do i install cm
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can't install cm, only twrp based roms
jd1639 said:
You can't install cm, only twrp based roms
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok so i got everything working and i followed the directions to get hyperdrive and the phone. they mentioned that it would take like 10 mins to boot up all the way but its been like 30 mins and its stuck on a samsung screen that has the unlock icon that says custom..did i do something wrong? i followed the directions to the t
Aiowire said:
ok so i got everything working and i followed the directions to get hyperdrive and the phone. they mentioned that it would take like 10 mins to boot up all the way but its been like 30 mins and its stuck on a samsung screen that has the unlock icon that says custom..did i do something wrong? i followed the directions to the t
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It should have booted past that screen before waiting the ten minutes. Can you still get in Safestrap? Sometimes you can have a bad download. Try one of the mirrors for the rom link and download again. Or you can try to wipe and flash it again. I had problems with hyperdrive when i tried using it. (Some roms just don't work on some people's phone). Can you try another rom like. Deadly Venom or Google Play? Seems most people have fewer problems getting those installed.
megamanDJ said:
It should have booted past that screen before waiting the ten minutes. Can you still get in Safestrap? Sometimes you can have a bad download. Try one of the mirrors for the rom link and download again. Or you can try to wipe and flash it again. I had problems with hyperdrive when i tried using it. (Some roms just don't work on some people's phone). Can you try another rom like. Deadly Venom or Google Play? Seems most people have fewer problems getting those installed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you send me some links because I dont have my computer on me right now
Aiowire said:
Can you send me some links because I dont have my computer on me right now
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, which firmware are you on and ill find the links. Also what exactly do you want links to? Safestrap, root, or custom roms?
megamanDJ said:
Yeah, which firmware are you on and ill find the links. Also what exactly do you want links to? Safestrap, root, or custom roms?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok so i cant get into TWRP i had it running all night thinking that maybe it will work in the morning but nothing. also i went into stock recovery and wiped all data and partitions but still nothing. i cant figure out hoe to go back a step and put in the right hyperdrive rom. if you can walk me through the process to get back in my phone then send me a link of a hyperdrive rom that actually works that would be awesome. i feel so close but at the same time so far away! lol thanks in advance
Aiowire said:
ok so i cant get into TWRP i had it running all night thinking that maybe it will work in the morning but nothing. also i went into stock recovery and wiped all data and partitions but still nothing. i cant figure out hoe to go back a step and put in the right hyperdrive rom. if you can walk me through the process to get back in my phone then send me a link of a hyperdrive rom that actually works that would be awesome. i feel so close but at the same time so far away! lol thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your best option, and proven to work would be to just reflash your current firmware or downgrade back to MK2. Then root it easily with Saferoot. Then Safestrap it, which comes with TWRP recovery. Once that is done you can either restore a backup of the rom... if you have one on the SD card. Or download the rom again for the firmware you are on.
That's what I would do, (have done) when that happened. None of which is very hard to do either. So... what firmware are you on?
---------- Post added at 09:41 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:32 AM ----------
I really wouldn't know how to correctly walk you through with installing Safestrap through ADB because because of the different way it mounts.
megamanDJ said:
Your best option, and proven to work would be to just reflash your current firmware or downgrade back to MK2. Then root it easily with Saferoot. Then Safestrap it, which comes with TWRP recovery. Once that is done you can either restore a backup of the rom... if you have one on the SD card. Or download the rom again for the firmware you are on.
That's what I would do, (have done) when that happened. None of which is very hard to do either. So... what firmware are you on?
---------- Post added at 09:41 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:32 AM ----------
I really wouldn't know how to correctly walk you through with installing Safestrap through ADB because because of the different way it mounts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
for all of this i was on MK2 but now i cant even see it since i cant get into the system ill try everything over again from the beginning and see what happens

[Q] Is the newest firmware rootable?

I'm about due for upgrades on my account and trying to decide which phone to buy for my wife. Deciding between the Galaxy S5, HTC One M8, and LG G3. I prefer the S5 because my wife is more familiar with Samsung phones, but I need to know if it's still rootable or if Verizon has managed to completely lock this thing down.
I apologize for asking a question that's probably answered multiple places, but despite my best searching, I'm unable to determine the newest firmware version available for this phone, nor if there is any root method available for it that doesn't require an unlocked bootloader (presumably impossible with a "new" phone now).
I'd greatly appreciate a quick answer or a nudge in the right direction to look for this information.
flamadiddle said:
I'm about due for upgrades on my account and trying to decide which phone to buy for my wife. Deciding between the Galaxy S5, HTC One M8, and LG G3. I prefer the S5 because my wife is more familiar with Samsung phones, but I need to know if it's still rootable or if Verizon has managed to completely lock this thing down.
I apologize for asking a question that's probably answered multiple places, but despite my best searching, I'm unable to determine the newest firmware version available for this phone, nor if there is any root method available for it that doesn't require an unlocked bootloader (presumably impossible with a "new" phone now).
I'd greatly appreciate a quick answer or a nudge in the right direction to look for this information.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have to downgrade to NGC to root. Then you can upgrade and keep root.
OD5 is the latest firmware. See down in the notes to see how to root.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/ver...w-to-update-to-g900vod5-5-0-keeproot-t3136945
Tulsadiver said:
You have to downgrade to NGC to root. Then you can upgrade and keep root.
OD5 is the latest firmware. See down in the notes to see how to root.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/ver...w-to-update-to-g900vod5-5-0-keeproot-t3136945
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm going to assume you meant NCG.
Nandr0idC0nsumer said:
I'm going to assume you meant NCG.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes
Tulsadiver said:
You have to downgrade to NGC to root. Then you can upgrade and keep root.
OD5 is the latest firmware. See down in the notes to see how to root.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/ver...w-to-update-to-g900vod5-5-0-keeproot-t3136945
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the info. That's encouraging. I found that thread earlier but it says that method is only possible if you are already rooted...?
flamadiddle said:
Thanks for the info. That's encouraging. I found that thread earlier but it says that method is only possible if you are already rooted...?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Look further down. In the bottom of the notes.
Tulsadiver said:
Look further down. In the bottom of the notes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah! Duh. I completely missed that part. Thank you!

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