Database Users

[Q] any other way to update to MF3?

I unrooted my phone and went back to stock. Everything downloaded perfectly with no problem. I even updated through Kies, however, I'm still on MDL and when I try OTA it says my phone is up to date. Whats the deal?

if you want root, custom recovery, or custom roms you may not want MF3. you can stop the OTA update and flash MF3 roms without losing root/recovery.

Do you still have a custom recovery? The OTA will not install unless you restore you entire phone, including the recovery partition. Just be aware that once you go to MF3, there is no way back (yet).

Slade8525 said:
if you want root, custom recovery, or custom roms you may not want MF3. you can stop the OTA update and flash MF3 roms without losing root/recovery.
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i dont care about root i'll stick with stock, thats why I want the latest

No everything is stock, weird right?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda premium

MoReNitO303 said:
I unrooted my phone and went back to stock. Everything downloaded perfectly with no problem. I even updated through Kies, however, I'm still on MDL and when I try OTA it says my phone is up to date. Whats the deal?
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Click to collapse
Last I saw, Kies isn't updating MF3 yet. So if you use Kies, you can't use it for MF3 yet.

MoReNitO303 said:
I unrooted my phone and went back to stock. Everything downloaded perfectly with no problem. I even updated through Kies, however, I'm still on MDL and when I try OTA it says my phone is up to date. Whats the deal?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OTA update is comming in waves., so looks like is puled for now.

I'm trying to get MF3 OTA as well. I unrooted, but I still have custom recovery. I'm on MDL as well. Is it really necessary to flash the stock ROM? I was hoping the update would just overwrite it with its own recovery. Will flashing the stock ROM increase the binary counter?

dark5577 said:
I'm trying to get MF3 OTA as well. I unrooted, but I still have custom recovery. I'm on MDL as well. Is it really necessary to flash the stock ROM? I was hoping the update would just overwrite it with its own recovery. Will flashing the stock ROM increase the binary counter?
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Click to collapse
You could always flash a MF3 based ROM from the development section. I'm currently running SHOstock 2.1.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda premium

New phone, MDB and rooted, should try to upgrade?

I just purchased a new AT&T Galaxy S4 via Amazon. Came with MDB software installed. I used the CASUAL root procedure and was successful. That left me with rooted MDB + TWRP recovery.
I am intending to stay with a stock ROM, not a complete custom ROM.
My question is: Should I try to update to a newer version of software? I believe right now I am two releases behind (MDB -> MDL -> MF3?)
I haven't been able to find much talking about the MDL version, so I don't know if there is anything useful in it (perhaps radio updates?). I did see some references to a performance enhancement which is always good.
I'm assuming I want to stay away from MF3 as there seems to be a lot of rapidly changing/conflicting information at this point about if and how one can get to that release (and keep root).
If I wanted to go to the MDL version, how would I go about it? I found two threads here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2348859&highlight=mdl
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2307157&highlight=mdl
Preferably, this would be done just as an update instead of wiping what I have now. But neither of those threads indicate if a wipe is necessary or if they can simply be installed on top of the stock MDB.
Appreciate any feedback!

cabadam said:
I just purchased a new AT&T Galaxy S4 via Amazon. Came with MDB software installed. I used the CASUAL root procedure and was successful. That left me with rooted MDB + TWRP recovery.
I am intending to stay with a stock ROM, not a complete custom ROM.
My question is: Should I try to update to a newer version of software? I believe right now I am two releases behind (MDB -> MDL -> MF3?)
I haven't been able to find much talking about the MDL version, so I don't know if there is anything useful in it (perhaps radio updates?). I did see some references to a performance enhancement which is always good.
I'm assuming I want to stay away from MF3 as there seems to be a lot of rapidly changing/conflicting information at this point about if and how one can get to that release (and keep root).
If I wanted to go to the MDL version, how would I go about it? I found two threads here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2348859&highlight=mdl
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2307157&highlight=mdl
Preferably, this would be done just as an update instead of wiping what I have now. But neither of those threads indicate if a wipe is necessary or if they can simply be installed on top of the stock MDB.
Appreciate any feedback!
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Click to collapse
You cannot OTA update to MF3 without ODINing back to stock - your custom recovery will prevent the update from working.
If you want to update to MDL, you can ODIN the stock MDL package and redo the CASUAL script.
I would suggest you stay on MDL until MF3 has not only root, but also custom recovery. At this point it's still too early to take the risk, even with a root access exploit now available.
If you want the updates, there are several ROMs available that incorporate updates...there's one that is almost completely stock MF3 without the bootloader (which is the main problem with it)...there's multiple based off of stock MF3 with some optimizations...and even some based on the latest Galaxy S4 International firmware which is several updates ahead of MF3.
Of course all that requires your willingness to install a custom ROM.

+1

I think you confirmed most of what I gathered - thanks for the clarifications.
jeffreii said:
If you want to update to MDL, you can ODIN the stock MDL package and redo the CASUAL script.
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I did this, and it didn't do quite what I expected (although maybe it is better than I expected). I downloaded the MDL firmware from:
http://galaxys4root.com/galaxy-s4-stock-firmware/
AT&T Galaxy S4 SGH-I337 UCUAMDL (Android 4.2.2)
After flashing it with Odin, and my phone rebooted, I was surprised to note that it didn't actually WIPE my device. Everything was still in place, except now the device reports that it is in fact updated to MDL.
Is that right? I was expecting it to basically be in factory-new state after flashing.

cabadam said:
I think you confirmed most of what I gathered - thanks for the clarifications.
I did this, and it didn't do quite what I expected (although maybe it is better than I expected). I downloaded the MDL firmware from:
http://galaxys4root.com/galaxy-s4-stock-firmware/
AT&T Galaxy S4 SGH-I337 UCUAMDL (Android 4.2.2)
After flashing it with Odin, and my phone rebooted, I was surprised to note that it didn't actually WIPE my device. Everything was still in place, except now the device reports that it is in fact updated to MDL.
Is that right? I was expecting it to basically be in factory-new state after flashing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes that's normal. It doesn't wipe your internal or external sd card. The parts you store info on

jd1639 said:
Yes that's normal. It doesn't wipe your internal or external sd card. The parts you store info on
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Click to collapse
Too easy, that basically gave me exactly what I wanted. I think I'm squared away until MF3 settles down.
Thanks for your time!

cabadam said:
Too easy, that basically gave me exactly what I wanted. I think I'm squared away until MF3 settles down.
Thanks for your time!
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Click to collapse
When you ODIN an upgrade to the same firmware, you don't get a wipe. It's nice to keep your settings in those situations!
Now just make sure you root/recovery so you can avoid the OTA...otherwise make sure you freeze the OTA apps.

jeffreii said:
When you ODIN an upgrade to the same firmware, you don't get a wipe. It's nice to keep your settings in those situations!
Now just make sure you root/recovery so you can avoid the OTA...otherwise make sure you freeze the OTA apps.
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Click to collapse
Haha yeah, I had spent some time backing up some settings via TB, nice to know I don't have to deal with that (at least for now )
Already re-applied the CASUAL root process. I froze the "AT&T Software Update" app. Is there anything other than that?

cabadam said:
Haha yeah, I had spent some time backing up some settings via TB, nice to know I don't have to deal with that (at least for now )
Already re-applied the CASUAL root process. I froze the "AT&T Software Update" app. Is there anything other than that?
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Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=44022554&postcount=74

Hmm, so I went and also froze LocalFOTA, but I dont have anything called FW Upgrade
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app

Good post.
I'm also on MDB. Do you think it's actually worth it to install the MDL update?
I'm currently running Kangabean with 4.3, if it matters.

Do not update ota may bypass mdl and go to mf3
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app

deron37129 said:
Do not update ota may bypass mdl and go to mf3
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
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Nope. Would flash the MDL through Odin and immediately run Motochopper. Just trying to figure out if it's even worth it.

trunzoc said:
Nope. Would flash the MDL through Odin and immediately run Motochopper. Just trying to figure out if it's even worth it.
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Definitely worth it. MDL irons out the issued that the S4 had upon release.
Sent from my SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 4

sd_N said:
Definitely worth it. MDL irons out the issued that the S4 had upon release.
Sent from my SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 4
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Click to collapse
Thanks!.
Here goes nothing
***EDIT***
Flashed the MDL image. I pulled the SIM to avoid any kind of OTA crap and booted. Got stuck at the AT&T logo though.
I had to go into stock recovery and do a factory reset. Did that and it booted up. Ran Motochopper fine and was able to boot into TWRP.
I restored by backup, but wouldn't boot past the Samsung Logo. Did another factory reset, but still wouldn't boot. Restored a backup I had of rooted stock. That worked.
Reset again and reinstalled Kangabean from scratch. That worked. Went back to recovery again and just restored my data partition. that worked too. yay
Pain in the arse, but let's see if MDL has any noticeable differences.

Thank you ALL!! I am also on MDB firmware and was wondering about all of this.
I do have some questions if you don't mind. (sorry for the thread hijack)
On MDB firmware, can you install a stock modded rom w/o updating the firmware?(such as MDOB and Goldeneye)
Is the MDB modem compatible with these roms or will I have to flash to a newer firmware to use them?
Knowing its working perfectly now, I'd like to stick with my current setup, but Id like the ability to use a stock modded TW rom, as I have a Samsung smart TV and use most of the Samsung bloatware.
Is there really any reason to go to MDL over MDB?

custommx3 said:
Thank you ALL!! I am also on MDB firmware and was wondering about all of this.
I do have some questions if you don't mind. (sorry for the thread hijack)
On MDB firmware, can you install a stock modded rom w/o updating the firmware?(such as MDOB and Goldeneye)
Is the MDB modem compatible with these roms or will I have to flash to a newer firmware to use them?
Knowing its working perfectly now, I'd like to stick with my current setup, but Id like the ability to use a stock modded TW rom, as I have a Samsung smart TV and use most of the Samsung bloatware.
Is there really any reason to go to MDL over MDB?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check the roms you want to use. Most of them require mdl firmware.

[Q] Should I update?

I rooted my S4 when it first came out and I have never updated it. It won't let me install the OTA updates, but I was wondering if there are any benefits to the updates and should I unroot and update? Much appreciated!

No need to unroot! Just do a system wipe and flash a custom ROM that has the newest version of 4.3 incorporated in it.
Sent from my SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app

scaryfaces said:
I rooted my S4 when it first came out and I have never updated it. It won't let me install the OTA updates, but I was wondering if there are any benefits to the updates and should I unroot and update? Much appreciated!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wouldn't update/take the OTA for MF3 if you are currently running AMDL firmware or previous older firmwares. The MF3 OTA update updates your bootloader and thus seals an exploit that blocks your device from using custom recoveries/kernels.
If you do take the OTA for MF3 for what ever reason do know that you can still flash custom ROM's by using safestrap after rooting it. Just don' attempt to flash any recoveries other than that provided by the app safestrap.
As for benefits on MF3? I haven't noticed many improvements IMO other than the official ability to use apps2sd. App2sd can be easily replaced by third party solutions. I suggest you stay rooted and install a custom recovery such as Philz touch, lastly, flash an MF3 based ROM via our android development section.
Good luck! =)

The Official Leaked MJ7 build.

Does this link of the latest Official MJ7 build apply to us on at&t MF3? Can we flash this using Odin? http://www.kpopstarz.com/articles/4...3-jelly-bean-update-samsung-galaxy-s4-lte.htm
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

That is the update for GT-19505 which is the LTE International version of the S4. Unless you really want to brick your device, go ahead with the odin flash.
The official 4.3 build for the SGH-I337 will come out in a couple of days and I advise you to wait until you get the OTA update for it.
EDIT: Plus this is not a leak, the official MJ7 build for the International versions were released a couple of days ago.

emckai said:
That is the update for GT-19505 which is the LTE International version of the S4. Unless you really want to brick your device, go ahead with the odin flash.
The official 4.3 build for the SGH-I337 will come out in a couple of days and I advise you to wait until you get the OTA update for it.
EDIT: Plus this is not a leak, the official MJ7 build for the International versions were released a couple of days ago.
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Just as I figured, just wanted to be sure. Really appreciate the quick response. Thanks a lot!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

troybklyn said:
Does this link of the latest Official MJ7 build apply to us on at&t MF3? Can we flash this using Odin? http://www.kpopstarz.com/articles/4...3-jelly-bean-update-samsung-galaxy-s4-lte.htm
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
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Click to collapse
A little reading would show you that an MJ6 leak (4.3 specifically for the AT&T SGH-I337) is available and posted in the "General" section. But as the last poster in this thread mentioned, you should wait until the official version is released in a couple of weeks. Flashing the firmware of another phone will guarantee you a brick.
I suggest you read all of the "pinned" threads in the "General" and Q & A sections and then read the first page or two worth of threads in the same sections in order to get a better idea of what it is you should or should not put on your phone before you do anything to it. It doesn't matter what experience you do or do not have with prior phones, it is important to learn about this one specifically if you are going to be modding it or even just using it. Good luck.

I'm on the mj6 leak and its very stable but there are bugs that need to be worked out first. Wait a couple more weeks if you do not care about root and want 4.3 if you can't wait than try the leak out for yourself.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app

emckai said:
That is the update for GT-19505 which is the LTE International version of the S4. Unless you really want to brick your device, go ahead with the odin flash.
The official 4.3 build for the SGH-I337 will come out in a couple of days and I advise you to wait until you get the OTA update for it.
EDIT: Plus this is not a leak, the official MJ7 build for the International versions were released a couple of days ago.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe it's just me, but I wouldn't be updating via OTA anytime soon. Last thing you need is to go from MF3 w/safestrap to MJ7 wo/safestrap. Might want to wait a bit until someone can have a look at it to make sure it doesn't break anything. Maybe i'm just paranoid though.
Samsung OTA's.........................increasing the value of my MDL phone every time they appear.

Well it all depends on the user of the phone. Maybe he doesn't care about root or custom recovery.

emckai said:
Well it all depends on the user of the phone. Maybe he doesn't care about root or custom recovery.
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Click to collapse
Why come to a development site if you don't care about root or recovery. Or why ask about "leaked" firmware? The phone will update itself to the next firmware as soon as it is available just fine on its own for people that don't care about modding. The problem is that people are interested in root recovery and modding, but unfortunately, they don't take time to read about things before they try them.
So warnings like the ones in this thread about not having root or custom recovery available or what happens when the wrong firmware is flashed to a phone have to keep being repeated again and again.

I am betting that the other problem for those that took the "Leaked MJ6" may have issues updating as well once the OFFICIAL update from ATT comes out. The phone will think it is on the newest firmware at that time and probably won't automatically update. Next will be to see IF we get a OFFICIAL tar of the MJ6 for those that did the MJ6 leak so they can update to a less buggy/bugless version. So to me it would be best to wait for the update if you want MJ6. Or keep MF3 and use safestrap until the OFFICIAL is in a tar format or has a safestrap version.
Look how long it took for someone to upload a MF3 OFFICIAL tar.
Sent From My Spiderman,Ironman,Red,Dark Blue,Green, GreyedOut BadAss Themed I337

RockRatt said:
I am betting that the other problem for those that took the "Leaked MJ6" may have issues updating as well once the OFFICIAL update from ATT comes out. The phone will think it is on the newest firmware at that time and probably won't automatically update. Next will be to see IF we get a OFFICIAL tar of the MJ6 for those that did the MJ6 leak so they can update to a less buggy/bugless version. So to me it would be best to wait for the update if you want MJ6. Or keep MF3 and use safestrap until the OFFICIAL is in a tar format or has a safestrap version.
Look how long it took for someone to upload a MF3 OFFICIAL tar.
Sent From My Spiderman,Ironman,Red,Dark Blue,Green, GreyedOut BadAss Themed I337
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Click to collapse
The problem with MF3 was that there was no leak. All of the files were available to create a TAR except for the bootloader files. You see, once the OTA is dl'd to the phone the bootloader becomes useless to anyone else. The bootloader file(s) have to come from an official firmware source (even if it is a leak of official firmware). It took a leak of the SMART restore MF3 file to obtain the bootloaders. Ofcourse, the SMART leak had all of the files needed so nothing had to be created. Hopefully, the difference with MJ6 is that a leak already exists that includes the official bootloader files. In theory, all that should need to be done is to take the bootloader files from the leak and put them with the OTA files from the official OTA (before it is installed to the phone) and then create the Odin-able TAR file. Basically, creating an official TAR for the AT&T 4.3 release. This all assumes that the official OTA doesn't include a method to block the leakes MJ6 bootloader files...basically, a double q-fuse increment situation. I don't see that happening. In the past, leaked firmware updates have always had compatible bootloader files with their official counterparts. but anything is possible. This should be all we need. Of course, another SMART leak of the 4.3 SMART files would always help. Also, if 4.3 becomes available for the the AT&T version via KIES3, it should be possible to pull the needed files from it, but MF3 was not available, maybe 4.3 won't be either.

Has anything new come around in the last 6+ months?

4.2.2 / MDL here. I'm rooted to freeze the metric ton of bloatware/greenify/xposed. Didn't get into ROMs because I'm afraid of bricking my only phone.
Been sidelined for several months with health issues, wondering if there's been any new stuff down the pipeline or if I should stay at 4.2.2/MDL? TIA.

Sliced bread has come out. Jk, given the time taken for someone to answer you, nothing new has come out that's earth shaking. Other than new firmware. If everything works for you it probably isn't worth upgrading.
You're on mdl which allows you to flash a number of different roms which you aren't taking advantage of. The latest firmware, nc1, is rootable with towel root. You can flash touch wiz based roms but that doesn't seem to be an interest to you So you might consider updating to nc1 if you want the latest firmware. But many people would like to be in your shoes with mdl firmware.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app

If you have root and custom recovery (TWRP or CWM) and want to update to newer firmware I would suggest Sho-Stock-i V7.0 Then you w I uld have the newest firmware without having to use Safestrap and be limited to what you can do with your phone.
I would STAY AWAY from updating to the newest firmware (stock firmware) NC1 as right now you can do ANYTHING you want with your phone. That is why I suggested ShoStock to have the best of both worlds. Personally there is NOT MUCH different between your MDL 4.2.2 firmware and the newest 4.4.2 firmwares. Maybe a little smoother.
Sent From My ATT S3 i747 Dark Blue BadAss Theme

Would reception be better with 4.4.2? We recently took a road trip and on a very long stretch my hubby on 4.4.2 had coverage the whole time while I had 0 service for about 1/2 of the stretch. Other areas he was pulling data fine while my phone showed no service or a G and up and down arrows which was completely new to me. It's bizarre.

RockRatt said:
If you have root and custom recovery (TWRP or CWM) and want to update to newer firmware I would suggest Sho-Stock-i V7.0 Then you w I uld have the newest firmware without having to use Safestrap and be limited to what you can do with your phone.
I would STAY AWAY from updating to the newest firmware (stock firmware) NC1 as right now you can do ANYTHING you want with your phone. That is why I suggested ShoStock to have the best of both worlds. Personally there is NOT MUCH different between your MDL 4.2.2 firmware and the newest 4.4.2 firmwares. Maybe a little smoother.
Sent From My ATT S3 i747 Dark Blue BadAss Theme
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Click to collapse
I don't think I have recovery? I only remember rooting, no option for twrp or cwm. Am I hosed now?

Wittyusernametaken said:
I don't think I have recovery? I only remember rooting, no option for twrp or cwm. Am I hosed now?
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If you are still in fact on MDL then you can get TWRP or CWM recovery and flash as I stated above. You can use ShoStock-i once you have a custom recovery. First VERIFY you have MDL bootloaders. Then if you do look into "Motochopper +Loki" which will give you the custom recovery. Then flash to ShoStock-i. Then you can flash any of the modems in my thread to find which works best for your phone in your area. Maybe see which "baseband" (baseband=Modem) your husbands phone has (if it is also a i337 S4).
Sent fron I337 Red BadAss Themed ShoStock 7.0

do you have a link for the Sho-Stock-i V7.0? I can't find it? Also would any version of CyanogenMod work? I can't find one that would work without me upgrading to 4.4 if my google searches are correct. Sorry for the delay in replying... health issues are a PITA.

Wittyusernametaken said:
do you have a link for the Sho-Stock-i V7.0? I can't find it? Also would any version of CyanogenMod work? I can't find one that would work without me upgrading to 4.4 if my google searches are correct. Sorry for the delay in replying... health issues are a PITA.
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Click to collapse
You do NOT need to update to run ShoStock. Just flash his newest in recovery (TWRP/ cwm/etc.) It will give you the newer firmware of 4.4.2 but NOT give you the 4.4.2 bootloader. So you can always flash back to your MDL stock firmware via odin. Like I said, the best of both worlds. Keeping the bypassed bootloader while running newer firmware. Just use ShoStock 8.1 (NOT THE SAFESTRAP VERSION)