Database Users

AT&T Rooting and Warranty

I just picked up an s4 from att today. Ive been playing with it for about an hour and I definitely want to root the phone and remove all of the bloatware. Ive read online that there is no way to fully remove all traces of rooting this phone when needed for warranty reasons. Ive also read that att will still honor the warranty even if the phone is rooted. Does anyone have any info on this? Im experiencing a little lag here and there with the phone and am honestly not as jazzed about it as I thought I would be. If I root the phone will I still be able to switch for another phone if I choose to within 14 days and will att honor my warranty if I keep the phone and something goes wrong with it? Im in the US.

Well I had the s4 from release day,and have both root and a custom ROM.a couple weeks ago my WiFi decided it didn't wanna live no more so I flashed stock ROM through Odin and WiFi was still not working so I took my phone into the warranty center he flashed stock ROM again and it still didn't work so he just swapped it out for a new phone right there....
Long story short just unroot and flash stock ROM and you should be good to go
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 4

ignaciocazares said:
Well I had the s4 from release day,and have both root and a custom ROM.a couple weeks ago my WiFi decided it didn't wanna live no more so I flashed stock ROM through Odin and WiFi was still not working so I took my phone into the warranty center he flashed stock ROM again and it still didn't work so he just swapped it out for a new phone right there....
Long story short just unroot and flash stock ROM and you should be good to go
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That can only be done if the phone hasn't been updated to mf3. There is no flashable firmware for that one.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 4

Yes forgot to mention that .also for anybody with mf3 firmware try to get a warranty exchange if you don't mind getting back a refurbished device and there's a possibility you will get a non mf3 phone
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 4

ignaciocazares said:
Yes forgot to mention that .also for anybody with mf3 firmware try to get a warranty exchange if you don't mind getting back a refurbished device and there's a possibility you will get a non mf3 phone
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have heard that some members received replacements w MF3 so it is pretty much luck of the draw.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Forum Runner

norcal61 said:
... Ive also read that att will still honor the warranty even if the phone is rooted. Does anyone have any info on this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I asked ATT customer service if rooting voided the warranty. I was told rooting does not void the warranty unless rooting caused the damage. The example the rep gave me was: If you root and phone overheats as a result of rooting, then they wouldn't cover that.

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Thanks for all of the replies! They're very helpful. How can I tell if my s4 has the mf3 firmware and what exactly is the difference between mf3 and the other?

Just wanted to add that the last three digits for my baseband are mdl so im assuming I dont have the mf3 software as of yet. I have a software update available. Should I update or just root the phone as it is now?

norcal61 said:
Just wanted to add that the last three digits for my baseband are mdl so im assuming I dont have the mf3 software as of yet. I have a software update available. Should I update or just root the phone as it is now?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do not update, root and rename the files associated with updating.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app

norcal61 said:
Just wanted to add that the last three digits for my baseband are mdl so im assuming I dont have the mf3 software as of yet. I have a software update available. Should I update or just root the phone as it is now?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you want to be able to root AND flash ROMs, do not update to MF3. There is no method for loading a custom recovery for phones that have updated to MF3.
There is a thread in the General section about rooting an MF3 phone, but at this point you won't be able to flash a ROM.

HiTideBlastoise said:
Do not update, root and rename the files associated with updating.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you, forgive my ignorance but could you tell me exactly which files I need to rename and what I should rename them to?

norcal61 said:
Thank you, forgive my ignorance but could you tell me exactly which files I need to rename and what I should rename them to?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2268946
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app

I cracked my screen and the replacement S4 came with MF3.
Sent from my GT-P5110 using XDA Premium HD app

[Q] help my bricked galaxy S4 MF3

Installed https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.jrummy.font.installer&hl=en tried a custom font... BRICK
Things I tried to unbrick with
1.flashing a pit file in odin
Not tried
1. BestBuy, gonna trip out there after my college classes.
2. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Unbrick-Ser...t-/271267344770?ssPageName=ADME:X:AAQ:US:1123 would like to do this only as a last resort as i am broke right now.
I'm posting on XDA for some help/suggestions on what i should do. (please note I have no custom recovery)
Also I saw someone say they put their phone on T-Mobile and took a T-Mobile OTA to replace the MF3 and then bootloader unlocked the T-Mobile update.
Edit: I do have the SGH-1337 sim unlocked currently running on airvoice going to make the switch to T-Mobile sometime this week.

Don't mess with the pit file. Best case, it didn't do anything, worst case I'd it messes up your phone worse that it is. You never mentioned what state your phone is in. Did it boot? Boot into download or what.
I think your best bet is best buy. They seem to be able to flash the mf3 firmware. It's basically the same thing jtag would do and it's free.

jd1639 said:
Don't mess with the pit file. Best case, it didn't do anything, worst case I'd it messes up your phone worse that it is. You never mentioned what state your phone is in. Did it boot? Boot into download or what.
I think your best bet is best buy. They seem to be able to flash the mf3 firmware. It's basically the same thing jtag would do and it's free.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wasn't thinking straight, it bootloops at the AT&T logo so I can hit download and stock recovery. tried factory reset from recovery, no dice. I'll be hitting up best buy asap. and do you anything about OTA'ing to T-Mobile and possibly unlocking that build?

Drake9897 said:
Wasn't thinking straight, it bootloops at the AT&T logo so I can hit download and stock recovery. tried factory reset from recovery, no dice. I'll be hitting up best buy asap. and do you anything about OTA'ing to T-Mobile and possibly unlocking that build?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can use the Samsung kies program to do an emergency recovery. It should work. I'd try that before bestbuy.
Sent from my HTC One using xda app-developers app

galaxyjeff said:
You can use the Samsung kies program to do an emergency recovery. It should work. I'd try that before bestbuy.
Sent from my HTC One using xda app-developers app
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Click to collapse
thanks for the suggestion, just put my phone in download I'm guessing?
Samsung sure does think they're protecting me by locking my bootloader. locked bootloader just creating problems ;-;

Kies just sorta sits here...

galaxyjeff said:
You can use the Samsung kies program to do an emergency recovery. It should work. I'd try that before bestbuy.
Sent from my HTC One using xda app-developers app
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Click to collapse
Except kies doesn't have mf3...and more often than not makes the phone worse than before as it does a partial flash of (older) MDL until it gets stopped due to bootloader
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 4

You'd probably be better off going to a Best Buy that has a "Samsung Experience" booth. They can flash it back to stock MF3. The normal BB service counter will have no clue what your talking about.

~wolverine~ said:
You'd probably be better off going to a Best Buy that has a "Samsung Experience" booth. They can flash it back to stock MF3. The normal BB service counter will have no clue what your talking about.
Click to expand...
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that's what I'm doing

Drake9897 said:
that's what I'm doing
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Click to collapse
Just cam back from my local Breast Boy. Phone got returned to perfect stock. The guy knew what he was doing and tried a few different things to get my phone on MDL/MDK like i asked and hes said the program wouldn't allow it. (I watched over his shoulder, no hope sadly :/)

Drake9897 said:
Just cam back from my local Breast Boy. Phone got returned to perfect stock. The guy knew what he was doing and tried a few different things to get my phone on MDL/MDK like i asked and hes said the program wouldn't allow it. (I watched over his shoulder, no hope sadly :/)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad you got it back working. There's no way it'll ever be able to be downgraded.

To Root Or Not To Root, This Is The Question

I have the Verizon Note 3, and want to know what it is that Verizon did to detect that you have rooted the phone, that no one can seem to find a development to slip by this detection? I want to root, but I pay for insurance each month, and for something to go wrong with my phone, and then for them to tell me that my phone is no longer under warranty because I rooted it, concerns me.
AM

I am rooted, have insurance and am on my replacement device. no problem, no questions. it would not power on, so there was nothing to see, if it's broken they replace it and I did mine at the store.

am2354 said:
I have the Verizon Note 3, and want to know what it is that Verizon did to detect that you have rooted the phone, that no one can seem to find a development to slip by this detection? I want to root, but I pay for insurance each month, and for something to go wrong with my phone, and then for them to tell me that my phone is no longer under warranty because I rooted it, concerns me.
AM
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as I am aware what we are actually able to do with our retail Note 3's won't trip any warranty voiding detectors. While rooting may technically void the warranty from Samsung, Verizon's extra insurance has it's own stipulation, and from what I've read on these forums, people who have rooted and flashed multiple roms have gotten replacements from both services. Besides, I'm sure the company Verizon uses for it's insurance (Assurion I believe) probably doesn't care if you're will to pay the $100 deductible.
Because we don't have an unlocked bootloader I'm not sure we can even trip the Knox counter (Samsung's built in warranty void detector). Rooting by it self won't trip this, only flashing custom roms, kernels, etc., however the wonderful Safestrap is the only way we have to flash custom roms and this method bypasses the bootloader so there is nothing to trip Knox. On top of this Knox can be disabled or completely removed.
If you ever need to get a replacement you can always return your phone back to stock, unrooted.
I hope this helps, and if you have any other questions just ask.

Ok, I am now ready to root, which is the best way to root my Verizon Note 3?

am2354 said:
Ok, I am now ready to root, which is the best way to root my Verizon Note 3?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check out Beans thread : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2787627
Check first and second post.
Sent by Darkseid from Apokolips

am2354 said:
Ok, I am now ready to root, which is the best way to root my Verizon Note 3?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh there's absolutely no contest here: TowelRoot - http://towelroot.com
It's worth it just for the label on the "activate" button: "Make It Rain!"
I've had no issues with it. You don't have to screw around with Odin or download any multi-gigabyte files. You don't even have to reboot. It's great.

Question About Samsung Pay And Root

I know that rooting causes samsung pay to quit working. My question is that if
i decide to return back to stock using odin, W/O knox tripped, will samsung pay
start working again? i checked the threads, and couldn't find a clear answer. thought
a thread about it, in itself, would help.
thanks!

paoloroeseke said:
I know that rooting causes samsung pay to quit working. My question is that if
i decide to return back to stock using odin, W/O knox tripped, will samsung pay
start working again? i checked the threads, and couldn't find a clear answer. thought
a thread about it, in itself, would help.
thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes it will.
Sent from my VK815 using XDA-Developers mobile app

Need to un-root phone, can't open apps or anything

First of all, this is my first post and I don't know it it's in the right place. If not could someone please move it to the right area? Alright, so, my issue is that I rooted and installed a custom ROM on my Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge and then the screen broke. I was lucky enough to be able to re-flash the phone with a stock ROM (Even with the bloatware!(Only time I think I will say that in a good way!)). I still need a way to remove the root so I can send it in and try to cash in on the warranty. I would be okay with paying for the repair but Samsung is currently closed to all non warranty repairs at the moment and really need my phone back. The phone is pretty much unusable, as whenever I open an app the screen goes all green and I cant see anything. It is definitely a hardware issue so please don't try to tell me to try things to fix it. I will be able to post all information needed by anyone that thinks they can help. It is a Verizon Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge.

If you reflashed to stock rom, it'd mean you are no longer rooted.
If not, did you root using CF-Autoroot? If so, just download SuperSU from playstore and go to the settings and select full unroot.
But since you've rooted it in the past, you have already tripped your Knox counter and there's no way (that XDA knows about) to change that.
So if your samsung store check this, you're pretty much stuffed unless you take it to 3rd party repairs.

kevinwu128 said:
If you reflashed to stock rom, it'd mean you are no longer rooted.
If not, did you root using CF-Autoroot? If so, just download SuperSU from playstore and go to the settings and select full unroot.
But since you've rooted it in the past, you have already tripped your Knox counter and there's no way (that XDA knows about) to change that.
So if your samsung store check this, you're pretty much stuffed unless you take it to 3rd party repairs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The root was supposed to not trip KNOX and I even was able to download an app that checked KNOX and the app said it was intact. I am going to send it in and see what happens.

sml132 said:
The root was supposed to not trip KNOX and I even was able to download an app that checked KNOX and the app said it was intact. I am going to send it in and see what happens.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no no-knox root, so either you haven't been rooted or that app was lying to you

Go here and read the title.

Interesting, did not know about that! Thanks