I rooted my device several months ago but have not done anything since. I would like to flash a custom ROM but I don't know if I can. I have read a few things that concerning OTA MF3. How do I determine if I have that?
On-On and Beer Near
Is this referring to the last characters of the build number? I have UCUAMDL...am I good?
On-On and Beer Near
settings > about phone. look under baseband version. the last 3 letters (MDB, MDL, MF3, etc).
Related
I'm used to my Skyrocket so I'm not too noobish, but the s4 is different so I want to do this right.
So I have been reading Haphim's thread listed below about getting his new phone and he said it came with the MDL fw.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2432816
Mine came with MDB FW. I immediately turned off the OTA updates after I rooted the phone. I had some issues trying to rename the Data Management app, so I used TBU to freeze it. Thank goodness ~wolverine~ posted a link to the 3 updates I needed to freeze. I found 2 of the 3 updates, but FWUpgrade x.x.x was not listed on my device. Is this because of the age of my firmware? This was NEW in the box, so I must have gotten one that had been sitting on a shelf somewhere, that is if the MDB fw is older..
Now if the above holds true about the MDB FW, are there any advantages of this one over any others?
What about modems? Can I update to a newer modem without upgrading my FW?
I'd like to go to a newer TW based rom (I have a Samsung TV and would prefer to use Allshare, ect). Can I do this with just flashing the rom via TWRP? Do I need a newer modem to do so? I saw some mention that an international version of TW rom is better. Why would that be? I'd like to jump to 4.3, but I'm still on 4.2.2.
Just a side question, does the CM based roms have Bluetooth issues? the Skyrocket CM based roms had connectivity issues where you'd have to reboot to get BT functionality back.
Sorry for the list of questions, I just got this phone and do not want to brick it.
I'm assuming you already found this, but if not it's a good place to start. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=42320391
Flashing roms is not as straight forward as the sr as the boot loader is locked and you need to use Loki to work around it. If it were mine I'd Odin to mdl, root it and freeze the update apps so you don't get mf3. Then do more research until you're comfortable flashing.
Thanks for the reply. The thread you linked was very informative.. but..
What about the other questions? Modems, CM issues, ect?
Okay folks I'm a newbbie here so take it easy. By trade I'm a hardware guy not a software guy by any means. And yes I've tried to google this and can't find a straight answer. Okay so after reflashing and bring a buddy's phone out of a soft brick and rooting it , i would like to do it to my my note 3 sm-n900a att phone. I know there is no real root option for KM NC2 due to the bootloader and i know i can't roll back to jelly bean which i like a hell of alot more. Kk with att has **** of a lot of bugs as far as i can tell. Anyways over the past week i managed to get MLG on the phone but still can't roll back. Bootloader is A3. After last night I got CSC to MI9 everything else is MLG. What I was thinking about was reflashing to SM-N900T firmware NB4 and rooting from there. Would this be possible to do or would the NB4 software jack up the phone as far as service or anything? Or would there be something else I would need to do along with this. I was planning on going back to a NC2 based romantic after wards. Extream Kat might be my choice. I just need to get to root to do safestrap.
Hey there everyone. I am trying to help my sister out with her (new to her) S4.
She bought an s4 and it is very cool (I'm having a blast playing with it.).
It is carrier unlocked at the moment (I believe, though I don't have a SIM to test it out with)
I believe that it is rooted.
It is advertised as having the MDB bootloader with a MF3 baseband. How do I check this?
When I go to setting I see that the baseband version is i337ucuamf3. I am assuming that since it ends in MF3 that is correct.
The rom installed is GoldenEye 38.1 XXUGNG8.
I am assuming that XXUGNG8 is the base firmware from Samsung\At&T, is that correct?
It currently has a version of TWRP installed and the person it was bought from says it doesn't need SafeStrap. Is that correct? I see a lot of posts saying that safestrap needs to be installed.
Lastly, I'm trying to figure out if she wants CM11, Stock TouchWiz or something like Goldeneye. I am assuming that the "S" apps will only work on a TouchWiz ROM, is that right?
Lastly, how would i get the phone back to a stock? HTC has RUU's, is there an equivalent for Samsung devices? Or is there a download somewhere of the plain stock ROM? I didn't see anything in the development section.
Thanks in advance for all the help, I know that I am asking a lot of questions but I am coming from the HTC side of android (which seems to be a lot less confusing) so I am doing the best I can here.
waterboy100 said:
Hey there everyone. I am trying to help my sister out with her (new to her) S4.
She bought an s4 and it is very cool (I'm having a blast playing with it.).
It is carrier unlocked at the moment (I believe, though I don't have a SIM to test it out with)
I believe that it is rooted.
It is advertised as having the MDB bootloader with a MF3 baseband. How do I check this?
When I go to setting I see that the baseband version is i337ucuamf3. I am assuming that since it ends in MF3 that is correct.
The rom installed is GoldenEye 38.1 XXUGNG8.
I am assuming that XXUGNG8 is the base firmware from Samsung\At&T, is that correct?
It currently has a version of TWRP installed and the person it was bought from says it doesn't need SafeStrap. Is that correct? I see a lot of posts saying that safestrap needs to be installed.
Lastly, I'm trying to figure out if she wants CM11, Stock TouchWiz or something like Goldeneye. I am assuming that the "S" apps will only work on a TouchWiz ROM, is that right?
Lastly, how would i get the phone back to a stock? HTC has RUU's, is there an equivalent for Samsung devices? Or is there a download somewhere of the plain stock ROM? I didn't see anything in the development section.
Thanks in advance for all the help, I know that I am asking a lot of questions but I am coming from the HTC side of android (which seems to be a lot less confusing) so I am doing the best I can here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since the phone has TWRP installed, you either have MDB or MDL bootloader since newer firmwares (bootloader) do not allow for the stock recovery to be replaced.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=52415064&postcount=1625 gives you the way to find your bootloader (the most restrictive component of the firmware).
When samsung releases firmware/update, it sets the version of all components to the same. So, on the stock firmware, all components have the same version. Baseband is actually the version of the modem.
Since you have TWRP installed, you should be able to install a lot of ROMs. All you have to ensure is that the bootloader is not updated. When you use ODIN to flash stock firmware, your bootloader will get updated. Since MF3, we are not able to replace the stock kernel and recovery. This brings in a lot of restrictions.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2616221 has a list of ROMs that can be installed.
jmjoyas said:
Since the phone has TWRP installed, you either have MDB or MDL bootloader since newer firmwares (bootloader) do not allow for the stock recovery to be replaced.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=52415064&postcount=1625 gives you the way to find your bootloader (the most restrictive component of the firmware).
When samsung releases firmware/update, it sets the version of all components to the same. So, on the stock firmware, all components have the same version. Baseband is actually the version of the modem.
Since you have TWRP installed, you should be able to install a lot of ROMs. All you have to ensure is that the bootloader is not updated. When you use ODIN to flash stock firmware, your bootloader will get updated. Since MF3, we are not able to replace the stock kernel and recovery. This brings in a lot of restrictions.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2616221 has a list of ROMs that can be installed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks.
So my bootloader is reported as i337ucuamdb (So MDB Bootleader)
My baseband is 1337ucuamf3 (MF3?)
Does this just mean that i have an older bootloader that was rooted and had newer radios installed?
That that a problem for anything? Should they be the same?
waterboy100 said:
Thanks.
So my bootloader is reported as i337ucuamdb (So MDB Bootleader)
My baseband is 1337ucuamf3 (MF3?)
Does this just mean that i have an older bootloader that was rooted and had newer radios installed?
That that a problem for anything? Should they be the same?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're on the mdb bootloader which is a good thing, don't update the firmware you can still use twrp or cwm. The baseband is the modem and does not need to be the same version as the bootloader
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
Purchased my S4 at launch, only rooted it and never really got around to tweaking it much. It has slowed down a bit so now is the time.
I'm on MDL, stock 4.2.2, and rooted with TWRP 2.5.0.2 On to the questions/clarifications, hopefully these aren't egregious. I know the info is out there but for actually finding specific information, the xda forums are a bit overwhelming and sometimes conflicting...
1) Recovery - Latest/preferred recovery for the s4 (on MDL) with auto-loki baked in? Are any of the latest versions of TWRP/CWM dangerous/incompatible or can I just install the latest/greatest with ROM Installers and go from there?
2) Modem - Flashing an updated modem, regardless of ROM/OS # should not break anything and/or lock down the bootloader any more so than it already is at MDL, correct? Updating the baseband will have no effect on the build # and thus loki is still and option (versus safestrap)? Preferred modem at this time? (ATT, SF Bay Area)
3) ROMS - Any ROM, followed by loki patch or flashed via an auto-loki capable recovery should be fine, correct? Is a ROM specifically built for safestrap applications and thus would not work with MDL, or are ROMs noted as being safestrap ready just able to be used via safestrap, but loki as well?
4) Hard to keep track of all the ROMs and the builds and branches etc - Can anyone point me in the right direction of either a) the latest stock touch-wiz 4.4.4 ROM that can be flashed over MDL without essentially updating past MDL? b) the best/most recent pure google (Play Store S4 Edition) ROM, same story with not breaking MDL?
Again, I apologize I am sure the info is all buried in here somewhere, it just gets to a point where pointed questions rather than multiple 500+ post threads are hopefully less likely to brick my phone. Ideally I just want to get on the latest software (and enable screen casting, for one). Assuming it comes quick enough, once I get this process down I will probably make the jump to 5.0 when it is ready, anticipate a couple months? Who knows.
Thanks, much appreciated.
Norcalz71 said:
Purchased my S4 at launch, only rooted it and never really got around to tweaking it much. It has slowed down a bit so now is the time.
I'm on MDL, stock 4.2.2, and rooted with TWRP 2.5.0.2 On to the questions/clarifications, hopefully these aren't egregious. I know the info is out there but for actually finding specific information, the xda forums are a bit overwhelming and sometimes conflicting...
1) Recovery - Latest/preferred recovery for the s4 (on MDL) with auto-loki baked in? Are any of the latest versions of TWRP/CWM dangerous/incompatible or can I just install the latest/greatest with ROM Installers and go from there?
2) Modem - Flashing an updated modem, regardless of ROM/OS # should not break anything and/or lock down the bootloader any more so than it already is at MDL, correct? Updating the baseband will have no effect on the build # and thus loki is still and option (versus safestrap)? Preferred modem at this time? (ATT, SF Bay Area)
3) ROMS - Any ROM, followed by loki patch or flashed via an auto-loki capable recovery should be fine, correct? Is a ROM specifically built for safestrap applications and thus would not work with MDL, or are ROMs noted as being safestrap ready just able to be used via safestrap, but loki as well?
4) Hard to keep track of all the ROMs and the builds and branches etc - Can anyone point me in the right direction of either a) the latest stock touch-wiz 4.4.4 ROM that can be flashed over MDL without essentially updating past MDL? b) the best/most recent pure google (Play Store S4 Edition) ROM, same story with not breaking MDL?
Again, I apologize I am sure the info is all buried in here somewhere, it just gets to a point where pointed questions rather than multiple 500+ post threads are hopefully less likely to brick my phone. Ideally I just want to get on the latest software (and enable screen casting, for one). Assuming it comes quick enough, once I get this process down I will probably make the jump to 5.0 when it is ready, anticipate a couple months? Who knows.
Thanks, much appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will try to help with a few of these questions, but others I am not familiar with very much. On that note DO NOT update your bootloader!!! It will be locked down further and Loki will NOT WORK. And you could NOT flash any kernels with safestrap. So with safestrap ONLY the stock kernel can be used. Now on to your questions...
1) I am using TWRP 8.1 if I remember correctly. You can find it in the Original Android Development section. It does NOT Auto Loki, so keep the loki-doki flashable zip on your sdcard OR use Roms that already have/use the boot.Loki kernels like ShoStock-i 8.1
2) Modem flashing will NOT lock anything up further as far as the bootloader. You can flash ANY or ALL of them from my modem thread. See which works BEST FOR YOU in YOUR AREA. I am in So Cal and the best for me has been either MDL. But I have and do test ALL of them. You can always flash back to whichever one works best for you.
3.) Like I said I use ShoStock-i 8.1 because it has and does EVERYTHING I need my phone to do and does it without any issues. I have NOT tried to use a Safestrap modified ROM so I have very little experience with that. Normally most devs will have two separate versions, one for safestrap compatible and one for us without safestrap. ShoStock-i is already built with Loki in the kernel so you do not NEED to flash Loki-Doki patch.
4) there are NO Touchwiz 4.4.4 Stock Roms for ATT yet. But I did try out one of the Touchwiz 4.4.4 T-Mobile based Roms and it worked perfectly. You can either get it from the ATT forums and I believe it is already lokified, or get it from the T-Mobile forum and make sure to flash Loki-Doki patch before booting up phone after flashing the ROM. Again the will NOT update your bootloader past your MDL bootloader, so you are good as you are with no worries. By the way on ShoStock-i 8.1 the screen casting to Chromecast works PERFECTLY without having to flash any other .apk's or mess with ANYTHING
This is the exact same boat I'm in. Trying to track down the answers as well. Will keep an eye here as well to watch for answers.
awesome reply thanks RockRatt, that just about covers it. I will maybe give the ShoStock ROM a go and see how I like it. As long as all the normal features are working fine, I should be good.
One last thing I forgot - Odin. I have the stock odin firmware files from when my phone was new (The MDL package). As long as I dont update the bootloader, I should be able to Odin back to the brand new in box state should something go awry or not dig the other ROMs, correct?
Thanks again,
Norcalz71 said:
awesome reply thanks RockRatt, that just about covers it. I will maybe give the ShoStock ROM a go and see how I like it. As long as all the normal features are working fine, I should be good.
One last thing I forgot - Odin. I have the stock odin firmware files from when my phone was new (The MDL package). As long as I dont update the bootloader, I should be able to Odin back to the brand new in box state should something go awry or not dig the other ROMs, correct?
Thanks again,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep. Just don't update the bootloader...So no flashing newer firmware that contains the bootloader files. Most if not all custom Roms do not have the bootloader files in them. So no problem flashing back to MDL stock if the need never arises. I still in fact have the original MDB bootloader installed that came with the phone before the MDL firmware update.
I have read a fair amount here, but I'm not getting entirely relevant info and am hoping for some help.
I THINK I have finally found the place for stock roms. sammobile.com???
Now a bit of background.
I bought this phone used a few days ago. When I had a look, it is already rooted, which I'm fine with.
It is running 4.4.2. I'd like to upgrade to 5.0.x. Gotta friend with the same model. That's what he recommends.
I can live with 4.4.2 if I have to, meaning if I can't upgrade.
Since this is new (to me) I can live with losing all user data. Only thing is my wifi password is long and random and a pain to type in, but that is about all I'll suffer.
I had removed some apps using debloater, mostly just to see, but have since restored them. Then tried to update, got the message, which essentially says "you've got a custom rom. No updates for you".
I know the phone is unlocked, but not sure if factory or by unlock code. Does it matter, and if so, how can I tell?
I know the previous owner had a fido sim, and I noticed some bell apps on here. If I've read correctly, that doesn't guarantee this was originally a bell phone. Is there any way I can tell? Right now I have no sim. I can shove in an old speakout sim that is deactivated.
So anyway
Model number SGH-I337M
Android Version 4.4.2
Baseband version I337MVLUFNI2
Kernel Version
3.4.0-2767305
[email protected] #1
Mon Sep 29 13:01:35 KST 2014
Build Number
KOT49H.I337MVLUFNI2
SE for Android Status
Enforcing SEPF_SHG-I337M_4.4.2_0032
Wed Oct 15 17:04:13 2014
Secure Boot status
Type: Samsung
I've downloaded ODIN, but not a ROM yet, since I'm not positive who's I should use.
Also, I had gone thru the guide to enable AWS. That seems to work, as it would take the sim at the wind kiosk. I'd like to keep that, but if I have to redo it, that is fine.
I trust it is not a good idea to upgrade to a "stock" 5.0.x by just flashing roms?
Thx for any help.
ok, another question. I just registered at sammobile, but they don't seem to have roms for the S4??? Are they hidden somewhere? Where can I get stock roms, if not there? Thx
Nevermind. You have to type in the device name. It just isn't on the pulldown list.
Another question you might find stupid.
If I update to (for example) the Bell Roms, do I have to have a valid Bell sim in order to do an update?
Well maybe 2 stupid questions.
I still have to use triangle away for flashing back to 4.4.2 don't I? I read somewhere that they (meaning Samsung) expected the count to be > 0 at some point but I don't remember at what version, and I can't seem to find it again.
So what do you guys do? Flash it a couple of times to get the count right?
If the phone is sim unlocked, it should remain permanently unlocked regardless of whether you flash custom or stock ROMs.
The easiest way to get to stock LP would be to flash the stock LP rom via Odin from here: http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/database/SGH-I337M/
Before the first boot with the LP ROM, the phon should be factoru reset via stock recovery.
Doesn't really matter whether you flash Bell, Rogers, or Telus. The hardware used by all 3 carriers is the same. The only difference would be in the apps that are installed with each stock ROM.
audit13 said:
If the phone is sim unlocked, it should remain permanently unlocked regardless of whether you flash custom or stock ROMs.
The easiest way to get to stock LP would be to flash the stock LP rom via Odin from here: http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/database/SGH-I337M/
Before the first boot with the LP ROM, the phon should be factoru reset via stock recovery.
Doesn't really matter whether you flash Bell, Rogers, or Telus. The hardware used by all 3 carriers is the same. The only difference would be in the apps that are installed with each stock ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thx. that should get me started anyway.
scott1256ca said:
Thx. that should get me started anyway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think I have reflashed properly. I'm downloading the update (probably to 5.0.1??) via phone now, but I noticed after I started that I have the warning triangle. So maybe the update will not install when it is done. I'll know in a couple of hours I guess.
So I should have run triangle away BEFORE the reflash? Or are you no longer supposed to run that? Or is there some android version after which you are no longer supposed to use it?
Thx
Well, phone seems to have updated to 5.0.1, which is what I wanted. With the update, the warning triangle is gone also.
So thanks again for your help. I guess I'll be on to other things here.