Unrooting question... Sort of - AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshootin

Ok so my SGH-I337 S4 is rooted using Motochopper and is still stock ROM, just rooted. I did it so I could make Google Wallet work on AT&T, which was successful. Now AT&T has an OTA update that I want. So I will have to unroot. I already have the stock ROM download that I can flash via Odin to unroot. But what will happen to the apps I have installed that require root, like Titanium Backup, ROM manager, etc. Will they automatically be removed or just stop working? Also, has anyone had any experience with the Universal Unroot app? That would sure be easier. But my main question remains: what does Unrooting do to apps that are installed that require root privileges?
Sent from my SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 4

When you user Odin you'll have to do a factory reset or you'll get into a boot loop. So by by apps. Your tibu backup file will still be there, but just in case copy it to your pc before hand. The apps that require root will not work until you re-root.
Hi highly recommend you don't get the ota. Even though it's root able it's very dangerous to do so.

What I will say, if you want the update is to go here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=43963746 and you will have the benefit of the OTA and not lose the root and custom recovery, and all the app will work! You will not upgrade the bootloader. Once you updated the bootloader is not coming back!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app

I don't understand why you get a boot loop. I once soft bricked a phone and used Odin to flash a md5.tar of a stock ROM. The phone rebooted and I saw my wallpaper and all my apps and data intact. I have seen threads on Unrooting that describe using Odin that way. They all said that doing a factory reset afterword is if you want to delete all your apps and data like if you sell your phone or just want it as it was out of the box
Sent from my SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 4

feetr2c said:
I don't understand why you get a boot loop. I once soft bricked a phone and used Odin to flash a md5.tar of a stock ROM. The phone rebooted and I saw my wallpaper and all my apps and data intact. I have seen threads on Unrooting that describe using Odin that way. They all said that doing a factory reset afterword is if you want to delete all your apps and data like if you sell your phone or just want it as it was out of the box
Sent from my SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what device were you using?

That was my S3
Sent from my SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 4

feetr2c said:
That was my S3
Sent from my SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thats interesting. were you on stock when you soft bricked it?
many, many...many users commonly have to wipe data/factory reset after flashing stock via odin. sometimes they can get away with just a cache wipe. not often, though.

I had used (can't remember his name) Galaxy S3 Toolkit to root the phone. Interestingly, Root Checker said I was rooted, but Titanium Backup wouldn't install... It said I needed root access... Hmmm.... Later when I went to unroot using the same S3 Toolkit, I did something wrong. The phone would boot but stick at tiny little letters in the upper left of the screen that I *think* said recover. I messaged the developer of the Toolkit and he sent me a link to download the original AT&T stock ROM. He told me how to use Odin and check the PDA box. I did it and it fixed my phone.
Sent from my SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 4

I had rooted my S3 using the Galaxy S3 Toolkit by (can't remember his name). Interestingly enough, Root Checker said I was rooted but yet Titanium Backup wouldn't install... Said it needed root access... Hmmm.... When I tried to unroot using the Toolkit, I did something wrong and the phone rebooted with little Teeny letters in the upper left corner of the screen that I *think* said recover. I messaged the developer of the Toolkit and he sent me a link to the AT&T stock ROM. He told me how to use Odin and check the PDA box. I did and it fixed my phone
Sent from my SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 4

thats why i asked if you were still on stock when you used odin. most users are not, which is ultimately what requires them to factory reset in recovery.

I wonder if universal unroot is trustworthy
Sent from my SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 4

All that would happen to your rooted apps is they wouldn't have root privileges anymore, which means they ultimately won't work as expected. I would recommend uninstalling them before you update. You may also be able to do a full unroot via SuperSU or one of the other superuser apps.
NOTE: Your phone may not update even after unrooting. You may have to do a factory reset first. I don't know why, I'm not a developer. I'm just speaking out of my own experience from the past.

Related

Removing "Custom" from the boot screen for a return

Hello everyone,
I've been looking around the forum but I haven't been able to find an answer to this. Right now I have a rooted Samsung Galaxy S4 from Verizon (I rooted it using this method: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2290798). The device is currently fully rooted with the original ROM in place (I have not installed ANY custom ROM's ever). I am looking to return the phone to the store tonight but when I unroot through SuperSU and then do a factory wipe (through the settings tab not through any special program) I get the "Custom" message upon booting up again. I have tried rooting/unrooting a number of times with no success. My current position is as follows: I am rooted using the aforementioned method, I have not installed a custom ROM so I assume that I am on the stock ROM, I have installed SuperSU and TriangleAway (TriangleAway says that I have a 0 flash counter). If anyone has any advice I would greatly appreciate it as I might need to return the S4 to the store within the next 2 hours to get my refund. Thanks in advance for any information you can provide and I apologize for the quickness of my request.
Truncated link for the root method
It looks like the forum truncated my link. Here is the full address for the root method I used: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2290798 . Thanks again!
What I would do is go to the Android Development forum and download Sextape's one click restore for MDC. It will wipe everything from the internal card and reset you back to MDC. Take the OTA to MDL if you wish.
Here's the link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2258827
Pretty sure it will wipe out any custom indications. I've used the one-click methods for years on the E4GT and here on the S4. Very convenient.
I just went through the same thing. What I did is triangle away, defrost any system apps that maybe frozen disable supersu, reboot, and wallah "official". I repeated these steps twice as the first time it did not take.
P.s. when I ran a frozen system app filter in TB I saw an app called sys scope that was frozen and I don't recall ever freezing that app. Hell, i don't even know what it does but I defrosted it anyway
and all is well
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda premium
Triangle away doesn't work for MF9 just yet I believe, but it did for MDC. Can always Odin back there, then run triangle away. Ughh, i hate trips to the sprint store
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 2

failed to root, now bricked, lost in the sauce

Rooting my Galaxy S4 has been one of the biggest pains in my rear ever and now I'm bricked and need a bit of help.
Normally, when I want to root a phone, I come here, to XDA, and follow a nice well written up-to-date thread on how to do it and it works. For the S4 however, I can't find any such threads that are not either old, out-of-date, or they use so many abbreviations for things I have no clue what they are talking about.
I started out with a totally stock Samsung Galaxy S4, was a VPUAMDL.
I used ODIN to push TWRP tarball. I then used TWRP to install the CWM SuperSU zip file.
I noticed when it started up that I had no root, I had the SuperSU program however, it nor another program I got on the marketplace, could confirm root.
Bit of looking I found this: galaxys4root (DOT) com/galaxy-s4-root/sprint-vpuamdl-firmware-update-root-fix/
(sorry, can't post full links yet)
Which basically informed me that VPUAMDL needs a new kernel to remove the SetUID restrictions.
I downloaded that file, and put it on my SD card. Booted into TWRP and installed. now my phone is bricked. gets to the "Samsung Galaxy S4" startup splash screen on black background
I am looking for a kernel that will work, either the stock kernel or not.
I am also looking for a good tut on rooting the S4, as all the tuts I have used have been utter wasted time.
I have ODIN, and can boot TWRP, ODIN mode, etc on my phone.
have no clue where to go from here and Im afraid to start trying to download random files and get everything mixed and confused.
Thanks for any help at all.
CF Auto Root
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2291827
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda app-developers app
FanOfSkynyrd said:
CF Auto Root
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2291827
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I followed that page, pushed it, installed fine, 100% no errors.
still bricked at GS4 startup splashscreen.
It did finish successfully and I saw the screen with the red android.
It removed TWRP and replaced it with the stock recovery as it should have.
I am actually surprised myself that it is still bricked at the GS4 splash.
Odin stock everything. See if it boots. Then try to root after that.
Stealyourface said:
Odin stock everything. See if it boots. Then try to root after that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am failing to find stock everything to push.
I think I stated that, not sure... hmm
none the less. I do not have a stock kernel or recovery on hand. I can not find one either as there seem to be a plethora of kernels and threads and pages all for different files and downloads. Sifting through trying to find something is becoming harsh. Thus this thread.
You are not bricked if your phone can turn on and go to download mode or recovery.
Sent from my Sprint Galaxy S4 using Tapatalk 2
GiantJay said:
You are not bricked if your phone can turn on and go to download mode or recovery.
Sent from my Sprint Galaxy S4 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well then its whatever you want to call it when it wont boot the operating system and is totally un-usable as a phone or mobile device.
I would go HERE
That is the thread for stock MDL stuff.
Download and flash the kernel and full wipe rom for MDL.
Then upgrade to MF9.
+2 ^^^^ to what he said :edit:
Nice tut on rooting the s4 thanks to mudavo here http://forum.xda-developers.com/sho...to Full Stock [MF9] w/ Root & Custom Recovery
There is also a video tutorial stickied in android devolpment
Sent from myself SPH-L720 using xda app-developers
Thanks guys, going to try some of the stuff from there. Hope i get it going. Need mah phone back! lol
Wooo, those links where just what I needed. Thanks a lot.
Got my phone back on and now I have a stock file in case I muck things up again.
Just make a nand back up and restore when something bad happens ive mucked up alot and it has always saved me
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda app-developers app while smoking

[Q] (Root not happening) S4 i9500 {4.3 - I9500XXUEMJ8} {CSC - INU} {How to root now?}

Hello developers.
I'm trying to reroot my phone after the latest 4.3 update via ODIN for my Indian handset.
I'm trying using CF-AutoRoot via ODIN and the it says PASS and the phone restarts normally as it should but the root is simply not happening.
there were 2 android 4.3 updates for my device and i installed the latest (you can see the post title for the exact version)
after everything completed properly i simply tried CF-AutoRoot via ODIN and nothing is happening.
Till 4.2.2, it got rooted properly without such or any other problems.
Kindly assist me out in getting my phone rooted.
Regards.
Here too
avineshwar said:
Hello developers.
I'm trying to reroot my phone after the latest 4.3 update via ODIN for my Indian handset.
I'm trying using CF-AutoRoot via ODIN and the it says PASS and the phone restarts normally as it should but the root is simply not happening.
there were 2 android 4.3 updates for my device and i installed the latest (you can see the post title for the exact version)
after everything completed properly i simply tried CF-AutoRoot via ODIN and nothing is happening.
Till 4.2.2, it got rooted properly without such or any other problems.
Kindly assist me out in getting my phone rooted.
Regards.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, I can´t re-root it again it seems the CF-Auto-Root-ja3g-ja3gxx-gti9500.tar its not working for the i9500XXUEMJ8 versión, well time to wait to an updated CF-Auto Root :crying::crying::crying:
I9500XXUEMJ5 root working (almost working)... i cant run some app, without root all apps working great ;/
Weird. I rooted using CF Auto Root after flashing 4.3 MJ8, it always worked! I never did OTA update though, always used Odin and full wipe.
avineshwar said:
Hello developers.
I'm trying to reroot my phone after the latest 4.3 update via ODIN for my Indian handset.
I'm trying using CF-AutoRoot via ODIN and the it says PASS and the phone restarts normally as it should but the root is simply not happening.
there were 2 android 4.3 updates for my device and i installed the latest (you can see the post title for the exact version)
after everything completed properly i simply tried CF-AutoRoot via ODIN and nothing is happening.
Till 4.2.2, it got rooted properly without such or any other problems.
Kindly assist me out in getting my phone rooted.
Regards.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The rooting worked so far for me. Have you enabled KNOX? They enhanced the security features and as far as I heard KNOX-enabled devices can't get full root. Verify whether it is enabled or not. I'm not sure whether the user enables it or not but that may be the reason. I'm also not sure whether this KNOX security really affects I9500 models. I9505 models are definitely affected.
jujuburi said:
Weird. I rooted using CF Auto Root after flashing 4.3 MJ8, it always worked! I never did OTA update though, always used Odin and full wipe.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Probably I never full wiped.
The apps and all other data is retained (normally all is retained when we update rom via odin).
Factory reset (full wipe) was never required earlier to get root to work.
Knox is not on from my side though I get some notifications always that some app tried to access something and Knox blocked that. But I guess that is something else because we need to manually activate Knox after opening the Knox app.
Sent from my GT-I9500 using xda app-developers app
kci83 said:
I9500XXUEMJ5 root working (almost working)... i cant run some app, without root all apps working great ;/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It did worked for me too but only at times.
When I updated rom switcher app, root was gone and it never happened again!
Sent from my GT-I9500 using xda app-developers app
anyone with any solution for this?
anyone with any solution for this?
Solved!
Sent from my GT-I9500 using xda app-developers app
what was the solution? did you need to do a fullwipe? or used another method for rooting?
im on 4.2.2 MG9 and would like to update to 4.3 and have root without the know issue.
thanks.
Backup and Factory reset and cache clear after updating to 4.3
Then you'll get stock Samsung 4.3
Follow the same method to root (auto root) or alternatively flash super su via cwm/twrp/stock recovery.
resitm said:
what was the solution? did you need to do a fullwipe? or used another method for rooting?
im on 4.2.2 MG9 and would like to update to 4.3 and have root without the know issue.
thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
avineshwar said:
Backup and Factory reset and cache clear after updating to 4.3
Then you'll get stock Samsung 4.3
Follow the same method to root (auto root) or alternatively flash super su via cwm/twrp/stock recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you. Will this trip the knox thing?
After using CF-AUto root you need to update Super SU App on first boot.
Then Open SuperSU app and choose to install SU Binary without using a custom recovery.
Then reboot.
Then install Titanium backup pro and use it to free all Knox related files.
There are 7 of them and you need to remove all of them.
Remember you need to install a custom recovery to install busybox. (atleast in my case)
Install http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2489234 via ODIN.
Once you are on custom recovery.
Use busybox installer to install busybox.
reboot.
You are done.
resitm said:
Thank you. Will this trip the knox thing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No mate.
Wait for a future update to trip that.
In the mean time, I'm trying to trip that since it isn't very difficult just lazy to try everything since everytime 1 thing fails, I need to restore the whole data and if takes much of my bandwidth.
Hope you understand.
And the device status will also remain custom.
P.S. Touchwiz UI from Samsung will hang on a later date due to some app compatibility issue (I'm not sure which app but I can tell a large set of apps and it will hang due to any one from that list) so it is preferred to shift to some other launcher on pre hand.
Sent from my GT-I9500 using xda app-developers app
thank you both avineshwar and ajhavery.
i really wanted to update but i guess i am going to wait for a while. lots of issues seem to be happening once rooted. also dont want to lose warranty with the knox thing.
it seems the custom roms such as arrow and crash also have sound issues, FC issues on some apps.
i guess ill wait and see. maybe once the nexus 5 is out i can sell the i9500 and get the nexus 5.
resitm said:
thank you both avineshwar and ajhavery.
i really wanted to update but i guess i am going to wait for a while. lots of issues seem to be happening once rooted. also dont want to lose warranty with the knox thing.
it seems the custom roms such as arrow and crash also have sound issues, FC issues on some apps.
i guess ill wait and see. maybe once the nexus 5 is out i can sell the i9500 and get the nexus 5.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Waiting is good.
Don't sell your phone though (for obvious reasons).
You've got much to explore.
When it comes to selling, you'll get money whenever you do that so keep that option as your last bet.
Custom roms aren't really preferred from my side until you are a die hard modification fan!.
Rooting is the only problem (which is solved now I guess) on the latest firmware.
Rooting won't do any problem, believe me (except warranty).
Sent from my GT-I9500 using xda app-developers app
avineshwar said:
Waiting is good.
Don't sell your phone though (for obvious reasons).
You've got much to explore.
When it comes to selling, you'll get money whenever you do that so keep that option as your last bet.
Custom roms aren't really preferred from my side until you are a die hard modification fan!.
Rooting is the only problem (which is solved now I guess) on the latest firmware.
Rooting won't do any problem, believe me (except warranty).
Sent from my GT-I9500 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hello again, i am asking this question because i cant post in the development forum yet.
i downloaded 3 files from the OP http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2317105
the PDA, CSC and modem. all for MJ8, downloaded PDA is odex.
when i flashed 3 of the files with ODIN like shown in op my device. After i restarted i got errors for Unfortunately, the process com.google.process.gapps .
i searched on google and did what was suggested, like clearing dalvik cache, resetting default apps, uninstalling the play store update etc.
the phone was unusable, the errors popedup every second.
I had to go back to the MG9 4.2.2 firmware.
What did i do wrong?
have you guys tried the method mentioned in the post. it prerooted and knox free 4.3 firmware.
resitm said:
hello again, i am asking this question because i cant post in the development forum yet.
i downloaded 3 files from the OP http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2317105
the PDA, CSC and modem. all for MJ8, downloaded PDA is odex.
when i flashed 3 of the files with ODIN like shown in op my device. After i restarted i got errors for Unfortunately, the process com.google.process.gapps .
i searched on google and did what was suggested, like clearing dalvik cache, resetting default apps, uninstalling the play store update etc.
the phone was unusable, the errors popedup every second.
I had to go back to the MG9 4.2.2 firmware.
What did i do wrong?
have you guys tried the method mentioned in the post. it prerooted and knox free 4.3 firmware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Probably you want to upgrade to 4.3?
If so goto sammobile.com and find the latest firmware for your device from there, download and flash the same via odin.
You're now on 4.3!
Once done you can root from the auto root method by chain fire.
Sent from my GT-I9500 using xda app-developers app
avineshwar said:
Probably you want to upgrade to 4.3?
If so goto sammobile.com and find the latest firmware for your device from there, download and flash the same via odin.
You're now on 4.3!
Once done you can root from the auto root method by chain fire.
Sent from my GT-I9500 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that would be the easiest and best solution but i am worried about the knox issue, losing the warranty and also having to sell the phone later on for a lower price.

factory reset MF3 while keeping SU and SS?

Sorry if this is a repeat, I've attempted to search but it appears that that XDA's search is down atm, at least for me. I'd like to wipe all personal data and apps off my phone and my end goal is to remain on MF3, be rooted and have SS installed. I have frozen apps on my phone right now, SS is installed, I'm rooted and I'm on MF3 And I was curious what would be the easiest method to achieve this.
Would it make more sense to Odin the phone with the MF3 recovery files, reroot and SS it? Or will the factory reset in the phone maintain the root and SS? and if I were to use the second option (assuming it does work) should I unfreeze the apps and refreeze them using TiBu?
Thanks for your input!
Theoriginalgiga said:
Sorry if this is a repeat, I've attempted to search but it appears that that XDA's search is down atm, at least for me. I'd like to wipe all personal data and apps off my phone and my end goal is to remain on MF3, be rooted and have SS installed. I have frozen apps on my phone right now, SS is installed, I'm rooted and I'm on MF3 And I was curious what would be the easiest method to achieve this.
Would it make more sense to Odin the phone with the MF3 recovery files, reroot and SS it? Or will the factory reset in the phone maintain the root and SS? and if I were to use the second option (assuming it does work) should I unfreeze the apps and refreeze them using TiBu?
Thanks for your input!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Safestrap will be on your phone until you manually remove it, I can't remember if root will still be on after a factory reset but its easy to root so no worries.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
[email protected] said:
Safestrap will be on your phone until you manually remove it, I can't remember if root will still be on after a factory reset but its easy to root so no worries.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alright so just use the factory reset in the device (settings>accounts>backup and restore> factory data reset) and all will be right with the world. thanks

[Q] What? Custom Status?

I have a Samsung galaxy s4 running 4.2.2 AT&T, Recently I used triangle away and SuperSu to get rid of root and to get the official device status. I went into Odin and it said failure and I noticed that it said custom in the device status. So then I went to motorchopper how I rooted in the first place and did that and it also said "rooting... Failure" so now the questions is how do I get root access back so I can unroot it and then flash the official 4.2.2 and then get 4.4.2?
Flashing 4.2.2 in Odin will remove root. Why do you want to go to 4.4.2? You will no longer be able to use twrp or cwm if you do.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
Oh I didn't know that well thanks for the info, I'll stay on 4.2.2 then. Now my problem if when I goto motorchopper after it installs the SuperSu it waits and then fails. From what I read that means I'm still technically rooted but idk. Also idk if the status has anything to do with it but it still says custom instead of offical
OhDreamsNo said:
Oh I didn't know that well thanks for the info, I'll stay on 4.2.2 then. Now my problem if when I goto motorchopper after it installs the SuperSu it waits and then fails. From what I read that means I'm still technically rooted but idk. Also idk if the status has anything to do with it but it still says custom instead of offical
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know what the current status of your device is or what you're ultimately trying to achieve. But I would recommend you stay on 4.2.2, mdl, firmware and flash a 4.4.2 custom rom.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
Well OK here is what I want to do now, I want to re-root my 4.2.2. Thought when I use the moterchopper method it says failure right after it installs SuperSU for you. Now I'm stuck and don't really know what to do! I would love to know some way to fix this
OhDreamsNo said:
Well OK here is what I want to do now, I want to re-root my 4.2.2. Thought when I use the moterchopper method it says failure right after it installs SuperSU for you. Now I'm stuck and don't really know what to do! I would love to know some way to fix this
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does the device boot and can you check if you still have a custom recovery and whether you're rooted or not
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
jd1639 said:
Does the device boot and can you check if you still have a custom recovery and whether you're rooted or not
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The device does boot, root checker says I have not root, and I believe I don't have a custom. Recovery b/c when I do power/down volume it bring me to download mode and power/up brings me into the regular recovery menu
OhDreamsNo said:
The device does boot, root checker says I have not root, and I believe I don't have a custom. Recovery b/c when I do power/down volume it bring me to download mode and power/up brings me into the regular recovery menu
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think at this point I'd flash the stock 4.2.2 firmware from sammobile.com in Odin and start over. But watch out for the device wanting to update itself after the Odin flash. If it does you'll lose the ability to use twrp or cwm. To avoid it, root with motorchopper, but on a custom recovery and flash a custom Rom. There also three files you can freeze our delay on the device that neuteres the updates. I only remember one of them, FWUpgrade
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app

Categories

Resources