Greetings XDA,
Recently my AT&T Galaxy S4 took the MF3 update without my permission.
Questions I have:
1. Is it possible to remove this update?
2. Is it possible to unroot the S4 with this update?
3. How limited does this update make my device?
it's also worth mentioning I've had issues with getting audio in basic phone calls.
p.s Thank you for reading and responding,
-Nightfrost-
Nightfrost95 said:
Greetings XDA,
1. Is it possible to remove this update?
2. Is it possible to unroot the S4 with this update?
3. How limited does this update make my device?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. No, as of right now, there is no way to downgrade from MF3
2. Unroot, I don't believe so. Root, yes. Go here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2473747
3. Pretty limited, at least as far as custom ROMs go. You can only install TW based ROMs for right now. You can still do all the awesome stuff that a normal rooted phone can do, but if you screw something up, there's no way to flash a clean, stock version of TW without taking it to Best Buy and having them restore it.
Have you tried supersu and triangle away it. Supersu has the option to full unroot after you use triangle away.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
DO NOT USE TRIANGLE AWAY ON MF3.
I flashes a temporary recovery.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Related
Hello, I want to root the Sprint S4 without unlocking it and still be able to receive OTA updates. Is this possible? I can do it on an ASUS table I have.
What do you mean without unlocking? And if you are asking if you can root your S4 with your Asus tablet you don't need anything but your phone. Just download Mobile Odin and use it to root.
Sent from my Sprint Galaxy S4 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
yes you can root and still get ota no problem. just don't install a custom recovery or modify any system apps.
not sure why anyone would want this however.
jj4201998 said:
Hello, I want to root the Sprint S4 without unlocking it and still be able to receive OTA updates. Is this possible? I can do it on an ASUS table I have.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Sprint GS4 doesn't have a locked bootloader, if that's what's you're referring to. No unlocking needed.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda premium
maxpower7 said:
The Sprint GS4 doesn't have a locked bootloader, if that's what's you're referring to. No unlocking needed.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just want to be able to Root my phone and still receive my OTAs from sprint. Is this possible?
When you say modify system apps are you referring to removing any apps that came with the phone?
lafester said:
yes you can root and still get ota no problem. just don't install a custom recovery or modify any system apps.
not sure why anyone would want this however.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you say modify system apps are you referring to removing any apps that came with the phone?
Basically yes. Also when you take an ota you will need to root again.
Honestly otas are the worst possible way to update your phone.
lafester said:
Basically yes. Also when you take an ota you will need to root again.
Honestly otas are the worst possible way to update your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The reason I am looking into this is because my S3 is 32gb and the S4 is only 16gb. I always like the ability to use the OTAs and then use Voodo to restore root. If I go the full root, what roms do you recommend? I always like to keep it stock with the ability to do whatever I want.
jj4201998 said:
The reason I am looking into this is because my S3 is 32gb and the S4 is only 16gb. I always like the ability to use the OTAs and then use Voodo to restore root. If I go the full root, what roms do you recommend? I always like to keep it stock with the ability to do whatever I want.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I run stock as well at least lately.
Just root with cf auto root and then use goo manager to load twrp recovery. When new updates are released someone always posts a rooted version rather quickly. Flash that in recovery and use odin to update modem (and bootloader if necessary).
Custom roms would follow pretty much the same procedure no need to limit yourself to stock if you want to try them out. You can odin back to 100% bone stock unrooted at any time if you want to. I think you are confusing the s3/s4 with the asus transformer where you can't go back once you run custom and unlock. that is not the case here at all.
Well I am on the horrible MF3 that requires the safestrap recovery to flash any compatible file. So I am not on a custom ROM I am only rooted.
I recently saw the notification that the new 4.3 update is ready to download .
My question is if I update will it still update and just take the root away? Or will I have to unroot and then upgrade?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
VeryCoolAlan said:
Well I am on the horrible MF3 that requires the safestrap recovery to flash any compatible file. So I am not on a custom ROM I am only rooted.
I recently saw the notification that the new 4.3 update is ready to download .
My question is if I update will it still update and just take the root away? Or will I have to unroot and then upgrade?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am still waiting on an answer for this also. I do know that it has been confirmed working to retain root when upgrading to 4.3 using "survival mode" in SuperSU. I purchased SuperSU Pro and enabled "survival mode". Then I defrosted the AT&T software updater (had it frozen previously to avoid the update) and Let the update to 4.3 download. I tried this twice and both times the 4.3 update failed to install at 25%. Maybe because I had previously uninstalled some of the AT&T BS apps. So I think I wasted $2.50 for SuperSU Pro. I have searched the forum and there are many people talking about having upgraded and retained root via this method, but nobody seems to want to clarify the steps of the process.
Some I am guessing maybe if you haven't removed any of the bloatware from your phone, you can use survival mode in SuperSU to retain root and take the 4.3 OTA update as normal. If you try it, let me know your mileage.
If I had any idea about MF3 and the locked bootloader I never would have gotten this phone. I hated iOS 7 and decided to come over to Android thinking modification would be much easier on the platform. With carriers locking bootloaders now, it's actually WORSE than having to wait for a jailbreak for an iOS version.
I accidently ota to mk2 from mf3 and re rooted with the mj6 method on att s4
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
jsgates said:
I am still waiting on an answer for this also. I do know that it has been confirmed working to retain root when upgrading to 4.3 using "survival mode" in SuperSU. I purchased SuperSU Pro and enabled "survival mode". Then I defrosted the AT&T software updater (had it frozen previously to avoid the update) and Let the update to 4.3 download. I tried this twice and both times the 4.3 update failed to install at 25%. Maybe because I had previously uninstalled some of the AT&T BS apps. So I think I wasted $2.50 for SuperSU Pro. I have searched the forum and there are many people talking about having upgraded and retained root via this method, but nobody seems to want to clarify the steps of the process.
Some I am guessing maybe if you haven't removed any of the bloatware from your phone, you can use survival mode in SuperSU to retain root and take the 4.3 OTA update as normal. If you try it, let me know your mileage.
If I had any idea about MF3 and the locked bootloader I never would have gotten this phone. I hated iOS 7 and decided to come over to Android thinking modification would be much easier on the platform. With carriers locking bootloaders now, it's actually WORSE than having to wait for a jailbreak for an iOS version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Take a chill pill bro. This phone is still better than an iPhone. There is a safe root method now so no need to use survival mode just have to find a way to get to 4.3 which is all over the discussion boards.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
I'm interested in flashing the Google Play Edition Rom to my Galaxy S4 I9505.
The walk throughs seem simple enough.
I've noticed that you need to root your phone it install the roms. After install is it possible to Unroot your device once your running the GPE rom? As I know some apps such as banking apps don't run on rooted devices.
Thanks
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda app-developers app
grifflee said:
I'm interested in flashing the Google Play Edition Rom to my Galaxy S4 I9505.
The walk throughs seem simple enough.
I've noticed that you need to root your phone it install the roms. After install is it possible to Unroot your device once your running the GPE rom? As I know some apps such as banking apps don't run on rooted devices.
Thanks
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you need to lock ur phone back I mean unroot
Just use triangle away app then flash the stock odin version of your phone with specific region.
And you can get it from sammobile
Sent from my SM-N900 using Tapatalk
You don't necessarily have to run stock to run "unrooted", because even some custom ROMs come without superuser priviledges. If you're talking about a specific ROM that comes stock rooted (which most are), then you might be able to get by if you simply disallow root access to that specific program. Otherwise, there are apps like Hide My Root which are supposed to help you do what you're trying to accomplish. If I were you, I would set it up and try it out on the actual program(s) you're worried about. It would be a shame to stay on stock just because you weren't sure if it would work.
You can temporarily unroot your device using super user app itself.. check it out in settings
Thanks a lot for all of the replies, you've been a great help.
I've not got round to rooting or flashing the GPE rom yet might do it this week.
This is my 1st time doing this so a little uncertain on some little things.
I know about uprooting, getting TWRP running, using Odin, then flashing the ROM. but just read that the ROM needs a new modem file flashing. Can you do this through TWRP or as I'm thinking do it through Odin after I've got the ROM up and running?
Thanks again for all your responses guys, been a great help
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda app-developers app
I do not have an S4. I ordered one from Swappa expecting to use it on Straighttalks LTE service. Already ordered the sim card as well.
However, of course right after this I started digging a bit more and found that it is currently impossible to root an S4 after it's updated to 4.4.2. The one I ordered is updated.
I'd highly prefer to have root. I don't "need" it. But, if I can achieve root without much issue I'd prefer it.
I did find a few posts about using something called Odin and safestrap. I didn't read fully through them yet. But, I'm curious if doing these methods actually work for downgrading? If they do what are the "limits"? Can I put any Rom in or is it only a specific Rom?
Will I likely run into issues doing this while using the ST LTE settings?
Just trying to cover my bases before I start on this phone. It's not here yet and I'd rather resell it if I'm better off doing that.
I am curious what would be suggested purchase for the ST LTE service since it seems the AT&T S4 is out of question if I can't even update the damn thing. I'd rather be capable of updates and having root. I don't care about being able to do Roms and stuff.
Dude, you can have root on any firmware but it may not be easy to get it. Do you know what firmware your device will have?
Odin flashes the stock firmware onto your device. Safestrap is a custom recovery that you'll need to flash custom touch wiz roms
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
jd1639 said:
Dude, you can have root on any firmware but it may not be easy to get it. Do you know what firmware your device will have?
Odin flashes the stock firmware onto your device. Safestrap is a custom recovery that you'll need to flash custom touch wiz roms
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been reading nonstop that the 4.4.2 AT&T Galaxy s4 is not rootable? If this is inaccurate can you lead me to a post that shows the method for rooting this version?
I do not know anything about the phone other than it being updated to 4.4.2.
GamerXavier said:
I've been reading nonstop that the 4.4.2 AT&T Galaxy s4 is not rootable? If this is inaccurate can you lead me to a post that shows the method for rooting this version?
I do not know anything about the phone other than it being updated to 4.4.2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It can be rooted. You'll need to downgrade thru Odin to mk2 firmware, root it with saferoot then instill safestrap and flash a 4.4.2 rooted rom Start here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=49562527
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
And keep asking questions. You're limited to the roms you can flash but you can get root
jd1639 said:
It can be rooted. You'll need to downgrade thru Odin to mk2 firmware, root it with saferoot then instill safestrap and flash a 4.4.2 rooted rom Start here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=49562527
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
And keep asking questions. You're limited to the roms you can flash but you can get root
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm curious about Cyanogenmod? If it's worth it or possible atm?
Once I get the phone probably later this week I'll get started on the process.
GamerXavier said:
I'm curious about Cyanogenmod? If it's worth it or possible atm?
Once I get the phone probably later this week I'll get started on the process.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, cm is not possible. Only touch wiz based roms
Edit, as an fyi, if your phone is on 4.4.2 it'll be on nb1 or nc1 firmware. Read up on how to downgrade to mk2. Look in the general forum. Also look at rebel1699's venom magic tool kit. There's a lot of reading and studying to do before you get your phone
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
http://www.androidpolice.com/2014/0...ve-and-maybe-almost-any-other-current-device/
Is this going to work on the ATT S4? It's stated that it would. Would save me the trouble of doing all of this other stuff.
GamerXavier said:
http://www.androidpolice.com/2014/0...ve-and-maybe-almost-any-other-current-device/
Is this going to work on the ATT S4? It's stated that it would. Would save me the trouble of doing all of this other stuff.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes it does if you're on nc1 firmware. Seems it didn't work on nb1
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
I shall hope to get lucky and have the NC1 firmware
Hey guys,
I ran a search but I don't understand half the things people are writing. I would greatly appreciate it if someone could please explain to me my options. In layman's terms, as I do not understand half the abbreviations and jargons here.
I rooted my phone over a year ago and really don't remember much about the process. I can't download important apps from Google Play anymore as they require newer versions than 4.2.2... So I'm stuck on this old version and need to update ASAP.
I have ONLY rooted the phone. I haven't done any mods or installed any ROMS. It's on stock AT&T Rom. (sometimes I wonder why I even bothered in the first place).
Can someone please point me in the right direction, I want a regular STOCK AT&T newest version, whether it stays rooted or not that's fine, but a newer version, KitKat preferably. What are my options? The simplest method would help me the most.
Things I really need backed up: My Text Messages, Voicemail, Call Logs, Whatsapp Messages etc. What is the best way to back that up? If I use Titanium Backup, and I don't have root after I update, Titanium Backup would be obsolete. So what would my other option?
Please help.
Much appreciated,
Are you sure you want to update from 4.2.2. You probably have the option to flash custom roms on your phone. There are many custom roms that that'll put 4.4.4 on your phone. Since you're rooted get terminal emulator from the play store. In it type
getprop ro.bootloader
If the last three characters are mdb or mdl you have a lot of options. I can help walk you through on how to get a custom rom on your phone.
You can update your firmware and bootloader to 4.4.4 too but you'll lose the option to flash most custom roms.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
jd1639 said:
Are you sure you want to update from 4.2.2. You probably have the option to flash custom roms on your phone. There are many custom roms that that'll put 4.4.4 on your phone. Since you're rooted get terminal emulator from the play store. In it type
getprop ro.bootloader
If the last three characters are mdb or mdl you have a lot of options. I can help walk you through on how to get a custom rom on your phone.
You can update your firmware and bootloader to 4.4.4 too but you'll lose the option to flash most custom roms.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks bud,
I got I337UCUAMF3
I'll be honest, I haven't really messed with any custom ROMS before. I just use the stock AT&T one. But I would like to upgrade to KitKat so my phone is faster and can download / upgrade the latest Apps. Lollipop isn't out for the AT&T Samsung S4 right?
Kepela523 said:
Thanks bud,
I got I337UCUAMF3
I'll be honest, I haven't really messed with any custom ROMS before. I just use the stock AT&T one. But I would like to upgrade to KitKat so my phone is faster and can download / upgrade the latest Apps. Lollipop isn't out for the AT&T Samsung S4 right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will the phone Not download the latest 4.4.4 from the phone settings?? Settings/More/About Device/Software Update. It must be connected to WiFi to download!!! Or you can get the AT&T S4 i337 to Stock 4.4.4 NJ4 Kit Kat Scroll down this page, easy to do. http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4-att/general/guide-odin-to-stock-updating-rooting-t2926642
tailgunner9 said:
Will the phone Not download the latest 4.4.4 from the phone settings?? Settings/More/About Device/Software Update. It must be connected to WiFi to download!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. My phone is rooted... Is it supposed to download to 4.4? And also couldn't there be issues with that?
I found this post. So I know this is ONE option: But I'll lose my Root. Which is fine if that's my only option.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2728462
As the OP says, I will lose ROOT. So my question would be, If I back up using Titanium Backup, how can I restore my backup if Titanium Backup works only on ROOT? This is very important.
@ jd1639 - He had mentioned there were several other options, so I will wait to hear them, and I can make a decision from there. Otherwise, I may have to fork out another $150 - $200 Bucks on a Samsung Galaxy S5 or S6. depending which suits my needs.
Many thanks for the replies!
Kepela523 said:
I found this post. So I know this is ONE option: But I'll lose my Root. Which is fine if that's my only option.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2728462
As the OP says, I will lose ROOT. So my question would be, If I back up using Titanium Backup, how can I restore my backup if Titanium Backup works only on ROOT? This is very important.
@ jd1639 - He had mentioned there were several other options, so I will wait to hear them, and I can make a decision from there. Otherwise, I may have to fork out another $150 - $200 Bucks on a Samsung Galaxy S5 or S6. depending which suits my needs.
Many thanks for the replies!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're on mf3 bootloader which doesn't really allow you to flash any roms anyway. You'd have to use safestrap.
What I'd do is flash the nb1 tar file in Odin. That'll update you to 4.4 and the device should then ota update itself from there. You will lose root, you can root it again if you want. See this http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=50912149
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
jd1639 said:
You're on mf3 bootloader which doesn't really allow you to flash any roms anyway. You'd have to use safestrap.
What I'd do is flash the nb1 tar file in Odin. That'll update you to 4.4 and the device should then ota update itself from there. You will lose root, you can root it again if you want. See this http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=50912149
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks JD, do you know if this wipes my phone? In other words, does it factory reset my phone?
Yes Flash the NB1 Stock file as he said. But you are going to loose Root and any pictures etc. stored on phone memory, so copy them to your PC or SD card. I always like to take SD card out just in case when I flash just in case it may erase it. But after you flash NB1 Stock or the Stock Root it is like a phone and have to set it up. Then it should Update to 4.4.4 itself from the settings/ Software update. Good luck. Any problem let us now.
Ah cheers,
Last question: Do you recommend the First or second option?
I337UCUFNB1_4.4_Stock_Odin_tar
I337UCUFNB1_4.4_Rootable_Stock_Odin_tar
Just a bit confusing as why he would post two separate links? I'm interpreting the first cannot be rooted ever.
Thanks again to the both of you for helping with this.
Kepela523 said:
Ah cheers,
Last question: Do you recommend the First or second option?
I337UCUFNB1_4.4_Stock_Odin_tar
I337UCUFNB1_4.4_Rootable_Stock_Odin_tar
Just a bit confusing as why he would post two separate links? I'm interpreting the first cannot be rooted ever.
Thanks again to the both of you for helping with this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's possible to root even the 4.4.4. It just gets a little trickier to do it and you have to flash modules in Odin. In the general forum see "all things at&t....." by guut13
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
Kepela523 said:
Ah cheers,
Last question: Do you recommend the First or second option?
I337UCUFNB1_4.4_Stock_Odin_tar
I337UCUFNB1_4.4_Rootable_Stock_Odin_tar
Just a bit confusing as why he would post two separate links? I'm interpreting the first cannot be rooted ever.
Thanks again to the both of you for helping with this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep I think you are correct. So if you want to root again use the Rootable to flash in Odin. Once you go from Jelly Bean to Kit Kat bootloaders are Locked for some .tar Same for Lollipop, they have not been able to root and unlock bootloader as yet. Just follow the steps and take your time and all will be good. Have done it several times on mine with Odin.
Hey guys, I just wanted to take the time and thank you both for the help. I finally updated today. After backing up all my data and making sure everything was safe to go. Bam! I did exactly as you suggested and had zero issues... I am now on 4.4.2
There were a couple hiccups along the way, but I figured them out without too much of a hassle.
Cheers again and best of luck to the both of you!