Database Users

[Q] Help with some of the basics (root&unroot)

Ok so i know i am a newbie to this sort of thing but i wanted to wrap my head around everything and also specifically to my phone before i decide to do something and the results are permanent.
Firstly ill start off with saying im a Canadian Virgin Mobile customer and i just got the Galaxy S4 (SGH-i337m).
Ok so i want to root my device but i am confused about some of the basic concepts. I saw the tutorial video posted for my specific phone by the smoking android (link for those who havent seen it: youtube. com/watch?v=cI9r5dEcNo4) and i understand that the rooting process is fairly simple.
What i am confused about though is my options once i am a root user and if i ever chose to revert back to original. Lets say i went ahead and rooted my phone. Will i be able to software update through the updates that virgin sends me? also if i am able to then will i maintain root acess?
my second biggest question is lets say for whatever reason i want to go back to the way my phone is now, with the stock virgin firmware. is this possible? and with no trace of the root before (is this the same as achieving original status instead of a custom one)? i know that you can remove the root and then reset the binary counter but im not too sure how all of this works, its a lot to take in at once.
im just trying to clear things up and yes i am quite new to all this (got my s4 yesterday) but i am a quick learner and im just trying to get a grip on everything.
thanks in advance for bearing with me

shibby123 said:
Ok so i know i am a newbie to this sort of thing but i wanted to wrap my head around everything and also specifically to my phone before i decide to do something and the results are permanent.
Firstly ill start off with saying im a Canadian Virgin Mobile customer and i just got the Galaxy S4 (SGH-i337m).
Ok so i want to root my device but i am confused about some of the basic concepts. I saw the tutorial video posted for my specific phone by the smoking android (link for those who havent seen it: youtube. com/watch?v=cI9r5dEcNo4) and i understand that the rooting process is fairly simple.
What i am confused about though is my options once i am a root user and if i ever chose to revert back to original. Lets say i went ahead and rooted my phone. Will i be able to software update through the updates that virgin sends me? also if i am able to then will i maintain root acess?
my second biggest question is lets say for whatever reason i want to go back to the way my phone is now, with the stock virgin firmware. is this possible? and with no trace of the root before (is this the same as achieving original status instead of a custom one)? i know that you can remove the root and then reset the binary counter but im not too sure how all of this works, its a lot to take in at once.
im just trying to clear things up and yes i am quite new to all this (got my s4 yesterday) but i am a quick learner and im just trying to get a grip on everything.
thanks in advance for bearing with me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Read these threads...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2301762
and
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2312444
Information that isn't in those threads are definitely linked to in those threads. Good luck.

scott14719 said:
Read these threads...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2301762
and
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2312444
Information that isn't in those threads are definitely linked to in those threads. Good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok so i read the threads an i understand a lot more now. It seems to me like i have the ability to easily root and then go back to the stock firmware if i please with no consequences. i just have to flash the with the correct rom [and modem?] to put it back to stock and everything should work fine.
i hope i have this straight

shibby123 said:
ok so i read the threads an i understand a lot more now. It seems to me like i have the ability to easily root and then go back to the stock firmware if i please with no consequences. i just have to flash the with the correct rom [and modem?] to put it back to stock and everything should work fine.
i hope i have this straight
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why modem? is that really necessary, I think you mean kernel.
if you flash back to stock, modem and kernel will be included.
Have you tried this thread also? you do have a i337m
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2269304
Good Luck

Is there a way to unroot my AT&T S4 with a Mac?

blbeesley said:
Is there a way to unroot my AT&T S4 with a Mac?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
flash the latest at&t official firmware via heimdall

TheAxman said:
Why modem? is that really necessary, I think you mean kernel.
if you flash back to stock, modem and kernel will be included.
Have you tried this thread also? you do have a i337m
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2269304
Good Luck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so if i just flash to that stock firmware in the link you gave me everything will be back to normal? how would i achieve original and not "custom" status if i have to send the phone back to samsung. would i have to unroot then flash then reset the binary counter? would that be it and im back to the very original state i got my phone in?

shibby123 said:
so if i just flash to that stock firmware in the link you gave me everything will be back to normal? how would i achieve original and not "custom" status if i have to send the phone back to samsung. would i have to unroot then flash then reset the binary counter? would that be it and im back to the very original state i got my phone in?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
also check out this post

xBeerdroiDx said:
flash the latest at&t official firmware via heimdall
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will heimdall use the zip downloaded from sammobile or do you have to extract the .tar.md5 from the zip?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda app-developers app

xBeerdroiDx said:
also check out this post
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
your good sir, you got 2 thanks from me today...no more for you actually, I'm out of thanks, get you tomorrow.
Good help.

TheAxman said:
your good sir, you got 2 thanks from me today...no more for you actually, I'm out of thanks, get you tomorrow.
Good help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
:highfive:
community
cheers, buddy

Questions on rooting

Hi everyone, first time posting, but I usually look around the forums every now and again. I was planning to root my s4 from Fido. I never rooted or had experience with it but I'd like to do it. I have a few questions about it first though. Since I already downloaded the Mf3 update, is the newest root method safe? I also got the protection plan from future shop which I'd like to keep since my old phone did break and i used it to get my s4. I doubt it covers a rooted phone, so is there any way to reset it back to original factory settings or make it look like it, if i need to bring it back to them. (my last phone stopped recognizing micro sd cards) And are custom roms better than the stock? I read about how they are like a complete new OS for the phone and completely changes how the device feels. Thanks for any help.

michael9441 said:
Hi everyone, first time posting, but I usually look around the forums every now and again. I was planning to root my s4 from Fido. I never rooted or had experience with it but I'd like to do it. I have a few questions about it first though. Since I already downloaded the Mf3 update, is the newest root method safe? I also got the protection plan from future shop which I'd like to keep since my old phone did break and i used it to get my s4. I doubt it covers a rooted phone, so is there any way to reset it back to original factory settings or make it look like it, if i need to bring it back to them. (my last phone stopped recognizing micro sd cards) And are custom roms better than the stock? I read about how they are like a complete new OS for the phone and completely changes how the device feels. Thanks for any help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure about the MF3 update. I think it probably is still rootable as the Canadian devices don't have a locked bootloader, but somebody else should confirm this. I never updated my Bell S4, because i know on the MDL it atleast works for sure, and when installing custom ROMS, you can atleast be always updated to the build of the custom ROM regardless.
I think you are fine though, i would look for the motochopper thread, and i think it would have a warning if there was any incompatibility with a certain build.
And for removing root, its simple. Use triangle away to reset your flash counter, and you can just unroot (if on stock) or odin flash to go back to stock.

Monkz said:
I'm not sure about the MF3 update. I think it probably is still rootable as the Canadian devices don't have a locked bootloader, but somebody else should confirm this. I never updated my Bell S4, because i know on the MDL it atleast works for sure, and when installing custom ROMS, you can atleast be always updated to the build of the custom ROM regardless.
I think you are fine though, i would look for the motochopper thread, and i think it would have a warning if there was any incompatibility with a certain build.
And for removing root, its simple. Use triangle away to reset your flash counter, and you can just unroot (if on stock) or odin flash to go back to stock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes there is a new method that came out about 2 weeks ago. Can any issues arise with it being such a new method? Sorry I'm more familiar with pc software and new sometimes has bugs, problems, etc. Motochopper doesn't work, I tried it but it just says root successful and when i try to use a rooted app it says my phone isn't rooted. As for flashing roms with odin do you know any good websites that have have a list of them and reviews, etc. Also what happens if i accept an ota update when rooted?

Questions go in Q&A. Check out this guide. Read up. Cheers.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2314494

Rooting ATT Galaxy S4 But Why Bother?
michael9441 said:
Hi everyone, first time posting, but I usually look around the forums every now and again. I was planning to root my s4 from Fido. I never rooted or had experience with it but I'd like to do it. I have a few questions about it first though. Since I already downloaded the Mf3 update, is the newest root method safe? I also got the protection plan from future shop which I'd like to keep since my old phone did break and i used it to get my s4. I doubt it covers a rooted phone, so is there any way to reset it back to original factory settings or make it look like it, if i need to bring it back to them. (my last phone stopped recognizing micro sd cards) And are custom roms better than the stock? I read about how they are like a complete new OS for the phone and completely changes how the device feels. Thanks for any help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apparently ATT has locked the bootloader which means essentially that you can root all you want BUT you can't flash anything to the phone without bricking the phone. At this point, there is no way to flash this phone how you want it for the average Joe. But I ran across an article that describes how ATT has programmed this to prevent the average Joe meaning probably 98% of us from messing with the firmware. Apparently someone has succeeded in cracking this. Why can't our illustrious developers do the same? No disrespect intended here because we have some of the best such as Chainfire and Mark Skippen and others. Anyway here is the link to the article I ran across. Hope this info helps someone.:good:
http://threatpost.com/researcher-unlocks-samsung-galaxy-s4-bootloader-for-att-verizon-android-phones
Developers please take note! :good:

AHLASSICH said:
Apparently ATT has locked the bootloader which means essentially that you can root all you want BUT you can't flash anything to the phone without bricking the phone. At this point, there is no way to flash this phone how you want it for the average Joe. But I ran across an article that describes how ATT has programmed this to prevent the average Joe meaning probably 98% of us from messing with the firmware. Apparently someone has succeeded in cracking this. Why can't our illustrious developers do the same? No disrespect intended here because we have some of the best such as Chainfire and Mark Skippen and others. Anyway here is the link to the article I ran across. Hope this info helps someone.:good:
http://threatpost.com/researcher-unlocks-samsung-galaxy-s4-bootloader-for-att-verizon-android-phones
Developers please take note! :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"Why can't our illustrious developers do the same"
Developers please take note!
Why are you posting an old topic. You should take note... LOKI was the method used to side step the locked bootloader on MDB and MDL firmware. This was well known in this forum and there is information about it all over. Loki still works with MDB and MDL firmware, however, the MF3 OTA (AT&T) patched the exploit that was used with LOKI. There are entire threads dedicated to the subject in the AT&T S4 forums. Trying to help people is a good thing but spreading completely out of date information can do nothing but cause confusion and harm.
I can only suggest that you start in the "General" and "Q & A" sections and read the "pinned" threads so you can update yourself on information before you make any other posts. You can find links to important posts in those "pinned" threads that will help bring you up to speed.
To the OP, only AT&T and Verizon S4s have a locked bootloader, you said you are on 'FIDO", so are you sure you are on MF3?

My Sincere Apologies!
scott14719 said:
"Why can't our illustrious developers do the same"
Developers please take note!
Why are you posting an old topic. You should take note... LOKI was the method used to side step the locked bootloader on MDB and MDL firmware. This was well known in this forum and there is information about it all over. Loki still works with MDB and MDL firmware, however, the MF3 OTA (AT&T) patched the exploit that was used with LOKI. There are entire threads dedicated to the subject in the AT&T S4 forums. Trying to help people is a good thing but spreading completely out of date information can do nothing but cause confusion and harm.
I can only suggest that you start in the "General" and "Q & A" sections and read the "pinned" threads so you can update yourself on information before you make any other posts. You can find links to important posts in those "pinned" threads that will help bring you up to speed.
To the OP, only AT&T and Verizon S4s have a locked bootloader, you said you are on 'FIDO", so are you sure you are on MF3?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for setting me straight. I will take your advise seriously. I have read and read through the forums and I never saw this information. I suppose I will get the hang of it. I will try to be a little more diligent in my research from now on. I did not realize what a pinned thread was and I will certainly check there first from now on. I dare say it is very difficult to follow the tracks on the different posts to arrive at a correct conclusion. Very convoluted especially for a noob like me!

AHLASSICH said:
Thank you for setting me straight. I will take your advise seriously. I have read and read through the forums and I never saw this information. I suppose I will get the hang of it. I will try to be a little more diligent in my research from now on. I did not realize what a pinned thread was and I will certainly check there first from now on. I dare say it is very difficult to follow the tracks on the different posts to arrive at a correct conclusion. Very convoluted especially for a noob like me!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem. Part of the difficulty (as you stated) is the fact that this forum (AT&T S4) is fragmented and hard to follow. There are several different carriers with several different firmwares all being represented in one forum. That is why the pinned threads are so important. The people who maintain those threads put a lot of time into them and make sure they are constantly updated. The Q & A forum is nearly useless (besides the pinned threads in it) due to the repetitive questions clogging it up. And people not following forum rules make the other sub forums difficult to use.
Most (99%) of all of the questions people come here to ask have already been addressed (usually several times) but people don't take the time or effort to read the answers, they come here to make another post about the same stuff over and over again, which causes even more confusion.
So, if you follow the pinned threads, and a few of the threads that tend to stay towards the top of the "General" section, you will be up to date on most things dealing with the S4s covered in this forum. Good luck.

scott14719 said:
"Why can't our illustrious developers do the same"
Developers please take note!
Why are you posting an old topic. You should take note... LOKI was the method used to side step the locked bootloader on MDB and MDL firmware. This was well known in this forum and there is information about it all over. Loki still works with MDB and MDL firmware, however, the MF3 OTA (AT&T) patched the exploit that was used with LOKI. There are entire threads dedicated to the subject in the AT&T S4 forums. Trying to help people is a good thing but spreading completely out of date information can do nothing but cause confusion and harm.
I can only suggest that you start in the "General" and "Q & A" sections and read the "pinned" threads so you can update yourself on information before you make any other posts. You can find links to important posts in those "pinned" threads that will help bring you up to speed.
To the OP, only AT&T and Verizon S4s have a locked bootloader, you said you are on 'FIDO", so are you sure you are on MF3?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think I am on mf3 since i got the most recent update from Fido. I thought that all updates are the same for the carriers that use the spectrum.

michael9441 said:
I think I am on mf3 since i got the most recent update from Fido. I thought that all updates are the same for the carriers that use the spectrum.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check and see what your baseband / firmware says it is in "about phone" in the settings.

S3 to S4 am I stupid I can't understand what im doing trying to ROOT!!

I swear I read up on the phone but im confused I didn't check what my phone had before I updated it I bought it form SAMS last week. Its a S4 and its MK right now after update.
So does that mean I can't use the normal root method and have to use SD root method?
Mk2 is what says android ver 4.3 so its jellybean still not kitkat correct?
Its I337 and Mk2 .... android version 4.3
Now I read that if you mess (mod edit) this up you can't go back? is this true? How do I backup the phone right now? Like a full backup so if I brick it I can fix it? Do we still use odin? I rocked my S3 and still have it (I had mobile odin on my S3) if that helps... I dunno...
Can anyone link me a few threads to show me how to root this phone? Im not happy about SD card way of rooting it because its difficult ... how can I go back to the orignal version that came with the phone before I updated it? I heard its easy to root it that way then update? Thats what I want to do? So I assume I need a tar? But I read that there are no backups for this phone so if you brick your dead is that true? Any information be great I read starter threads but didn't seem give me easy information also whats OTA stand for? OTA Mk2? I dunno I been out loop for awhile my S3 broke 3 months ago cracked so stopped flashing it... Guess im rusty thanks for help sorry for repeat questions I know there repeats but I can't find exact information I need.

start here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2283918
then do some more reading of the threads...in general and in development...
Users are expected to do their own research and as XDA is not, in fact, a support site. I am going to close this thread.
Take the time to learn and understand before you turn your expensive device into a paperweight. If it is too difficult, then perhaps you (and all users) leave well enough alone.

[Q] 1st step with S4

I'm new to rooting, and have a 16GB AT&T S4 that is as you know bloated. I have been told I wanted to root it in order to have a better experience with the phone, what is my 1st step?

Find your build number and read all you can on rooting that build. Threads are in General Section. You will probably be moved to Q&A also--

GlockandRoll said:
I'm new to rooting, and have a 16GB AT&T S4 that is as you know bloated. I have been told I wanted to root it in order to have a better experience with the phone, what is my 1st step?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
rugmankc said:
Find your build number and read all you can on rooting that build. Threads are in General Section. You will probably be moved to Q&A also--
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Absolutely. If someone needs to tell you to do something or not to do it, your not ready for it. Reading the Pinned threads in general and Q&A is a great starting place.

Can I root and install custom rom?

I have a SM-900V from Verizon and am wondering if:
I can root it
I can install a custom rom, and if so, some ideas on good roms
If the answer to 1 or 2 is yes, please post instructions or links as I have never rooted or installed a custom rom. I am running Android 5.0 and am tired of the bloatware and inability to use external sd card. I keep running out of space on my internal ~10GB storage.
Thanks.

d3fkn1ght said:
I have a SM-900V from Verizon and am wondering if:
I can root it
I can install a custom rom, and if so, some ideas on good roms
If the answer to 1 or 2 is yes, please post instructions or links as I have never rooted or installed a custom rom. I am running Android 5.0 and am tired of the bloatware and inability to use external sd card. I keep running out of space on my internal ~10GB storage.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Read literally any of the stickies. At the very least, search for the 98347324874 other threads with the same title.

ldeveraux said:
Read literally any of the stickies. At the very least, search for the 98347324874 other threads with the same title.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did and am still confused. I was hoping someone could help point me in the proper direction.

I got my answer from reading another post.
Thank you for the help.