Database Users

Un-rooting and Bootloader Question

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.

[Q] Last Resort! - Restoring to Stock on S4!

Hi. Before you read all that mess below, just answer this simple question first: Is it possible to restore to stock (as in with all bloatware and pre-loaded apps intact) on an AT&T Samsung Galaxy S4 SGH-I337 Baseband Version I337UCUAMF3 on Android Version 4.2.2? If not, just say so and disregard reading the rest lol. (If it's any help, the Kernel Version is 3.4.0-812098 and Build # is JDQ39.I337UCUAMF3).
So I have been messing around with my S4, specifically with NoBloat and rooting, trying to delete bloatware and such. And with that line, you should already know by now what has happened. Though I did backup most of the things I deleted, I think I've deleted some important things and now want my phone returned to stock. It has been rooted so I also want to get rid of the binary counter as well. Before you send me to another thread however, I want to tell you guys what I have already tried and researched, yet always encounter an obstacle in:
I have tried using Odin (3.07 AND Odin3 v1.85) and flashing (correct term?) to my phone with I337UCUAMDL_I337ATTAMDL_I337UCUAMDL_HOME.tar.md5 as the PDA, but when I pressed start, Odin would get to the first box then say FAIL!. My phone then has START [224, 1440] then under it SW REV. CHECK FAIL : fused :2, Binary : 1. I think it may be because in the ID: COM space, my phone recognizes as a 0:[COM:3], 4, or 5, but not a 6, which in a video tutorial I've watched, says it must be a COM:6 for it to work. I have tried many of the troubleshooting tips such as removing and putting the battery back in, changing usb ports, and reinstalling drivers, all of them leading to the same FAIL! screen. I know the file and the version of my phone doesn't match (wishful thinking I guess xP ), but is there any other way pr a tar.md5 file for my version to restore using Odin?
Another thing I've tried is using ADB to reupdate (?) my phone. I downloaded the adt files and put the tar.md5 file in the platform-tools folder. Then I opened a command prompt but when I type in adb sideload <filename.tar.md5>, it says it could not be read or could not start. Backtracking, I tried downloading sdk properly but got lost in that and jumped off this method completely.
Finally, giving up all hope of reverting back to complete stock, I simply wanted to reset the binary counter, and even here I had issues. I found out that AT&T is one of the carriers that locks their bootloader, so I searched and found djrbliss' LOKI method to get around it. I tried downloading at the github link, but didn't know how to download it (maybe I somehow just didn't see the download button), so sadly, I couldn't do this either.
I have reset and restored using past backups but the applications, lock screen, and a few other things did not restore properly (while the rest of it did fine, strangely).
Sooo...yeah. I think I may have exhausted almost every method possible, so this thread is really my last resort. Please help me find a way or just tell me it can't be done, so I can put this to rest.
Sorry for the long-winded message, haha, but thanks to all who'll help me find a solution to this dilemma

Go to a best buy Samsung experience. They can flash the stock mf3 firmware.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I957 using xda app-developers app

jd1639 said:
Go to a best buy Samsung experience. They can flash the stock mf3 firmware.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I957 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But because I rooted before, won't that void my warranty? Or will they just restore to mf3 stock firmware no questions asked anyway?
Also, double checking, doing this will restore all stock apps and reset binary yes?
Thanks for responding quickly. I will try this out asap. :laugh:

AquaYan said:
But because I rooted before, won't that void my warranty? Or will they just restore to mf3 stock firmware no questions asked anyway?
Also, double checking, doing this will restore all stock apps and reset binary yes?
Thanks for responding quickly. I will try this out asap. :laugh:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is void, but multiple people have taken in rooted phones and gotten them flashed. Just say it isn't, and they should. I don't know about binary but the system will be factory fresh
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app

There is a thread on how to remove the 'custom' boot screen, but I am not sure if it works on mf3. Sorry, but can't find the link right now

How to return phone to bone stock?

Anyone have a set of instructions or a link to returning my phone to completely bone stock? I know I can flash an unrooted and stock firmware, but the bootloader will still be unlocked. I need to RMA my phone and the store has turned me away in the past for having a modified firmware or bootloader.

wotan2525 said:
Anyone have a set of instructions or a link to returning my phone to completely bone stock? I know I can flash an unrooted and stock firmware, but the bootloader will still be unlocked. I need to RMA my phone and the store has turned me away in the past for having a modified firmware or bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The boot loader is not locked stock, so that's not a problem. Simply download the MF9 firmware and install using odin. Perform a factory reset in the stock recovery. Then use Triangleaway to reset the flash counter and you will be stock with no signs of tampering.

cruise350 said:
The boot loader is not locked stock, so that's not a problem. Simply download the MF9 firmware and install using odin. Perform a factory reset in the stock recovery. Then use Triangleaway to reset the flash counter and you will be stock with no signs of tampering.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
dont you have to be rooted to use TriangleAway? I would assume that using Odin to go back to MF9 would cause you to lose root, no?

Correct. You need to be rooted for TA.
What I'd do is use TA first. Then use Odin to install MF9 (or one of the older stock rom's). If the download screen still says custom, do another RTN/Factory Reset. That should clean it all up.
You could also try to just flash the stock recovery. Then run TA and see if that resets it all to Official on the Download screen. If it does, all you should need to do from there is Full Unroot from the SuperUser app.

wotan2525 said:
Anyone have a set of instructions or a link to returning my phone to completely bone stock? I know I can flash an unrooted and stock firmware, but the bootloader will still be unlocked. I need to RMA my phone and the store has turned me away in the past for having a modified firmware or bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go here: http://www.sxtpdevelopers.com/showthread.php?t=231
Download the ODIN one click for SPH-L720_MDC_Stock_Restore.exe and follow the instructions on that site.
Puts you back at original release and then if you want, you can update through Sprint for the two upgrades you'll need to get back to MF9. You'll have everything back to stock, no counter trips and everything back at zero. I wish they made the ODIN one clicks for MF9, they're so easy.

mmark27 said:
Go here: http://www.sxtpdevelopers.com/showthread.php?t=231
Download the ODIN one click for SPH-L720_MDC_Stock_Restore.exe and follow the instructions on that site.
Puts you back at original release and then if you want, you can update through Sprint for the two upgrades you'll need to get back to MF9. You'll have everything back to stock, no counter trips and everything back at zero. I wish they made the ODIN one clicks for MF9, they're so easy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you! This is what I needed....
Coming from the Galaxy S2, it seemed like there were a million 1-click ODINS. Any idea why the S4 doesn't have these?

wotan2525 said:
Thank you! This is what I needed....
Coming from the Galaxy S2, it seemed like there were a million 1-click ODINS. Any idea why the S4 doesn't have these?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I think that answer is complicated because there was some sort of fall out between users here at XDA and people that were part of the SXTP forums or they started their own forums or whatever. I don't really get into those politic things, I just look for resources that are useful and thank all those that are involved. That and there really aren't as many builds coming out for the S4 like there were for the S2 and the S3 for that matter.

Need help with proper way to update.

I have been searching both here and other forums looking for guidance on this issue. I have MF3 rooted and i would like to upgrade to 4.3. When i rooted i got a little delete happy and bkew out a lot of packages instead of freezing them as i should (i didnt have Titanium Pro, i do now) . I honestly can't remember everything i blew out but i know my phone runs a lot better without them. My issue is the OTA fails when i try to install it and with all of the issues ive read about MF3 I dont know how i should proceed. Do i need to flash back to stick MF3 with Odin? Can i factory reset, root, update and hope survival mode works?
I know this makes me look like a complete toolbag but hey, i screwed up and need a little help.
Thank you

Nizzoball said:
I have been searching both here and other forums looking for guidance on this issue. I have MF3 rooted and i would like to upgrade to 4.3. When i rooted i got a little delete happy and bkew out a lot of packages instead of freezing them as i should (i didnt have Titanium Pro, i do now) . I honestly can't remember everything i blew out but i know my phone runs a lot better without them. My issue is the OTA fails when i try to install it and with all of the issues ive read about MF3 I dont know how i should proceed. Do i need to flash back to stick MF3 with Odin? Can i factory reset, root, update and hope survival mode works?
I know this makes me look like a complete toolbag but hey, i screwed up and need a little help.
Thank you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use the ODIN MF3 files....ODIN your phone back to stock. This is what I did. I also rooted MF3 via SDCard method....restored my phone to how i want it. Used Supersu to do full unroot, then go to OTA update and wait 5+ hours to download the 727 mb file from the horrible AT&T servers, then install update.
Instead of "unrooting" you can try survival mode which has been said to keep root for some, but not for others.
Good luck!

Tremulant1 said:
Use the ODIN MF3 files....ODIN your phone back to stock. This is what I did. I also rooted MF3 via SDCard method....restored my phone to how i want it. Used Supersu to do full unroot, then go to OTA update and wait 5+ hours to download the 727 mb file from the horrible AT&T servers, then install update.
Instead of "unrooting" you can try survival mode which has been said to keep root for some, but not for others.
Good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you. Thats the method i was looking into but i was hoping there was an easier way. I've never used odin on any of my phones but i'll give it a shot. I appreciate your feedback.

rooted with update
Nizzoball said:
I have been searching both here and other forums looking for guidance on this issue. I have MF3 rooted and i would like to upgrade to 4.3. When i rooted i got a little delete happy and bkew out a lot of packages instead of freezing them as i should (i didnt have Titanium Pro, i do now) . I honestly can't remember everything i blew out but i know my phone runs a lot better without them. My issue is the OTA fails when i try to install it and with all of the issues ive read about MF3 I dont know how i should proceed. Do i need to flash back to stick MF3 with Odin? Can i factory reset, root, update and hope survival mode works?
I know this makes me look like a complete toolbag but hey, i screwed up and need a little help.
Thank you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was also stock rooted with MF3 and i used SuperSU survival mode to keep root after the update ... but i wasn't getting the OTA so I did a sideload of the update.

Questions and Help issues go in Q&A and Help section
Thread moved
Thanks
FNSM

JCrawMil said:
I was also stock rooted with MF3 and i used SuperSU survival mode to keep root after the update ... but i wasn't getting the OTA so I did a sideload of the update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How did you sideload? Ext. SD Card or ADB.

bigube said:
How did you sideload? Ext. SD Card or ADB.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ADB sideload pushes the package from your laptop to your phone.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app

bigube said:
How did you sideload? Ext. SD Card or ADB.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did an ADB sideload

Easy 2 click root: How I got to 4.2.2 Camera Update/Rooted and WP permanently Off

Are the root methods too complicated/risky for you? This is a simple solution.
Start with: original droid maxx software (12.7.7 i believe) on Verizon
1. Install motoroot 1.0 (JCase's first root method from original development section), run it, and click root (that's click #1). Make sure everything's working, reboot a few times, use rootchecker to make sure you've got root. (note you won't have write protection off and there'll be a 10-15 sec delay after booting up before you have root). But hey, it's 1 click.
2. Take 1st Verizon OTA to the 4.2.2 with camera update (12.15.15 i believe). Root should survive. Check that it did with root checker.
3. Install the write protection no more from the moto x original development section on your computer. download android-sdk and make sure adb is working, make sure fastboot is working. connect your phone to your computer and run the "write protectoin no more" app on your computer (that's click #2).
That's it. Now I have write protection permanently off, and I have root. I didn't have to use cydia impactor and mess with a tricky update to 4.4 which if it doesn't work I couldn't go back to a rooted phone. I never had to fxz anything or restore anything to stock, or lose any of my data. I didn't have to pay a dime or give someone on ebay all my phone info.
Sure I'd like to have 4.4, but pretty happy with where I am and how easily I got here. And I've read a lot of people say "the root methods are too complicated" --- well this is pretty easy cause you're just using 2 packaged apps.
I've gotten a lot from this forum, and just thought I'd share. Please don't flame. I feel like this is the best compromise of features:effort for me.

It was really easy to put an unlock code into adb.
Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

Piaband said:
It was really easy to put an unlock code into adb.
Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if i could unlock it when i had gotten it in august, sure. but it's too much effort to start over at this point. i have everything set up perfectly. never had to start over. also didn't want to pay for it and send my info to some stranger on the internet. anyway, moot point. good for you, but that option's not available for most people.

So does this work when your already updated to 4.4?
Sent from my XT1080 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

No nothing roots 4.4 at this point.

vegasdgk said:
So does this work when your already updated to 4.4?
Sent from my XT1080 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No he basically just rewrote the instructions of how to root the original firmware.

akellar said:
No he basically just rewrote the instructions of how to root the original firmware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't rewrite it. No where are there instructions for getting root AND write protection off on the 4.2.2 camera update without 1 using command line commands AND 2 that network based program (called Cydia compactor I think). There's none of those complications here. Most people don't even realize 1 click root survives the camera update.
But you are right as to kit kat. I thought my title was clear that this is for jellybean though.

mistermojorizin said:
Are the root methods too complicated/risky for you? This is a simple solution.
Start with: original droid maxx software (12.7.7 i believe) on Verizon
1. Install motoroot 1.0 (JCase's first root method from original development section), run it, and click root (that's click #1). Make sure everything's working, reboot a few times, use rootchecker to make sure you've got root. (note you won't have write protection off and there'll be a 10-15 sec delay after booting up before you have root). But hey, it's 1 click.
2. Take 1st Verizon OTA to the 4.2.2 with camera update (12.15.15 i believe). Root should survive. Check that it did with root checker.
3. Install the write protection no more from the moto x original development section on your computer. download android-sdk and make sure adb is working, make sure fastboot is working. connect your phone to your computer and run the "write protectoin no more" app on your computer (that's click #2).
That's it. Now I have write protection permanently off, and I have root. I didn't have to use cydia impactor and mess with a tricky update to 4.4 which if it doesn't work I couldn't go back to a rooted phone. I never had to fxz anything or restore anything to stock, or lose any of my data. I didn't have to pay a dime or give someone on ebay all my phone info.
Sure I'd like to have 4.4, but pretty happy with where I am and how easily I got here. And I've read a lot of people say "the root methods are too complicated" --- well this is pretty easy cause you're just using 2 packaged apps.
I've gotten a lot from this forum, and just thought I'd share. Please don't flame. I feel like this is the best compromise of features:effort for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello,
I have rooted my phone when i am in 12.7.7, then i took the OTA update 12.15.15, now my device is in a boot loop, it boots normally and after a few seconds it will reboot and it goes over and over again.
any thoughts on this and should I use RSDLite to flash it to either 12.7.7 / 12.15.15???

-Zeta- said:
Hello,
I have rooted my phone when i am in 12.7.7, then i took the OTA update 12.15.15, now my device is in a boot loop, it boots normally and after a few seconds it will reboot and it goes over and over again.
any thoughts on this and should I use RSDLite to flash it to either 12.7.7 / 12.15.15???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
which method did you use to root it? what system stuff did you change after rooting it?
a lot of people had bootloops after taking an OTA because they did the root method that had replaced their stock recovery with a write protect off mode. so in effect, they were having bootloops because they didn't have the recovery, not because they had root. it their case, there was an easy solution of just flashing a recovery. unfortunately i don't know the details of how to do that off the top of my head.'
in any case, rsd'ing to either of those software versions will likely fix all problems.
i rooted as i described with motoroot 1.0, which didn't affect my recovery and was easy to OTA without problems.
good luck

mistermojorizin said:
which method did you use to root it? what system stuff did you change after rooting it?
a lot of people had bootloops after taking an OTA because they did the root method that had replaced their stock recovery with a write protect off mode. so in effect, they were having bootloops because they didn't have the recovery, not because they had root. it their case, there was an easy solution of just flashing a recovery. unfortunately i don't know the details of how to do that off the top of my head.'
in any case, rsd'ing to either of those software versions will likely fix all problems.
i rooted as i described with motoroot 1.0, which didn't affect my recovery and was easy to OTA without problems.
good luck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the quick reply,
I used the PwnMyMoto here to root, i forgot that this method will replace / remove the stock recovery.
With a minute of panic and some google search, I'd managed to use RSD lite to flash the 12.15.15 FXZ and now my phone is back in business but kinda lost root.
Right now I am looking into the RockMyMoto method here and see if it can help me to gain root.

-Zeta- said:
Thanks for the quick reply,
I used the PwnMyMoto here to root, i forgot that this method will replace / remove the stock recovery.
With a minute of panic and some google search, I'd managed to use RSD lite to flash the 12.15.15 FXZ and now my phone is back in business but kinda lost root.
Right now I am looking into the RockMyMoto method here and see if it can help me to gain root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
glad you got your phone back in order, might want to check out slapmymoto (which is the path to rooted kit kat and involves running rockmymoto on the way) while you're at it

mistermojorizin said:
glad you got your phone back in order, might want to check out slapmymoto (which is the path to rooted kit kat and involves running rockmymoto on the way) while you're at it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure about the battery life on kitkat of the MAXX right now, so i will stick with 4.2.2 first and do a little research.
Anyway, thanks for the reply and I've gained root on 4.2.2 (12.15.15) using RockMyMoto:laugh: