[Q] galaxy s4 mf3 rooting - AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshootin

hi i have the at&t galaxy s4 with the mf3 baseband and i would like to root it.
i was wondering if there be any way to restore back to stock? like if i dont want it rooted anymore or i mess it up can take it off and go back to complete stock?
i know "Odin" wont work with the mf3 but how bad can you mess it up to actually need to use a recovery tool? is it easy to ruin it by doing to rooting process?
i want to root my galaxy to be able to install the tmobile rom on it to use wifi calling. and use the safestrap recovery to install the rom
if everything goes well and works will i be able to remove it all and go back to stock?
or if everything goes bad and i ruin it can i recover back to stock?
im curious if its worth the risk at all? or is there not a big risk?
thanks

Odin does work on MF3, and you CAN restore your phone to stock, you just need to download the tar files. General section, mf3 md5 files thread.
General section, SafeRoot thread will take care of your root requests. It's so easy a monkey could do it.
You won't get T-Mobile wifi calling on a non T-Mobile phone unless big changes have been made since I left the company last year, but you can flash roms with SafeStrap.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

Related

[Q] I want to install ROMs too

I bought my phone after MF3 was released. I know i can't go back to MD5 but is there any chance or way i don't know? I really want to install those cool theme with performance improved ROMs. Is it possible to unlock MF3 someday? And one more question. Is MF3 Odin flashable stock released?
ryujeff said:
I bought my phone after MF3 was released. I know i can't go back to MD5 but is there any chance or way i don't know? I really want to install those cool theme with performance improved ROMs. Is it possible to unlock MF3 someday? And one more question. Is MF3 Odin flashable stock released?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right now the only option to install other roms on MF3 is safestrap... read those topics..
ryujeff said:
I bought my phone after MF3 was released. I know i can't go back to MD5 but is there any chance or way i don't know? I really want to install those cool theme with performance improved ROMs. Is it possible to unlock MF3 someday? And one more question. Is MF3 Odin flashable stock released?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm sure MF3 will be unlocked eventually, but for now use Safestrap to flash your device. Make sure you follow the steps carefully or you could end up bricking it. As for Odin, I don't believe so. Samsung Kies it self isn't even updated yet for the MF3 Kernel support; it doesn't even recognize it for emergency restores.
I'm so scared about getting hard bricked again. i sent for JTAG before and they took 60 bucks for repair. i will wait untill MF3 stock comes out for Odin.
I just installed safestrp on mine less than 10 minutes ago, it worked like a charm. The instructions are pretty easy as long as you pay attention to what you are doing its a snap
ryujeff said:
I'm so scared about getting hard bricked again. i sent for JTAG before and they took 60 bucks for repair. i will wait untill MF3 stock comes out for Odin.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Safestrap WILL NOT brick your phone as it does not touch the MF3 and makes a whole nother partition instead, also bestbuy can unbrick your phone free.
Still be careful cause people are not following instructions in that thread either and are flashing over there stock rom slot.it can be done just dont do it.i use Safestrap and MDOB rom and works like it did before I chose to take the MF3 update.so easy
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda premium
Drake9897 said:
Safestrap WILL NOT brick your phone as it does not touch the MF3 and makes a whole nother partition instead, also bestbuy can unbrick your phone free.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've seen a couple people brick their phones already with safestrap because they didn't read and flashed a rom on top of their stock rom. but yes, safestrap itself can't brick your phone

[Q]how to restore MF3 to stock before selling phone? Without going to beat buy?

I have a S4 rooted with Safe Strap installed, i want to sell it and retuirn it back to stock but i can't seem to find a good answer anywhere, is it possible to do at home and not best buy?
How can i restore MF3 back to stock????
Thx
Odin and the search feature of xda/Google should be of use. Best of luck
Sent from my AT&T Galaxy S4 I337
Yes I have looked all over google and can't seem to find any solid answers.. I've read that Odin cannot be used With the MF3 version?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4
mattfox27 said:
I have a S4 rooted with Safe Strap installed, i want to sell it and retuirn it back to stock but i can't seem to find a good answer anywhere, is it possible to do at home and not best buy?
How can i restore MF3 back to stock????
Thx
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, there is a way if you can't find the odin files. You could use root explorer and delete busybox files, go to superSU, and do a permanent unroot (uninstall SS first of course) then run a complete factory reset. And if you really want it to seem legit (but the person you're selling it to might hate you for life) you could update to 4.3 via OTA. To do that you just go to Settings > More > About Phone > Software Update > Check for Software Updates.
Please note that if you haven't unrooted before updating it WILL break root (if it still updates) and possibly will leave a Custom stain when you boot if you don't delete busybox files so be sure to remove SS, delete busybox files then full unroot via superSU.
BEFORE UPDATING CHECK THE BOOT SCREEN FOR CUSTOM.
If I helped press thanks
EDIT : Delete any other ROM slots before uninstalling SS
mattfox27 said:
Yes I have looked all over google and can't seem to find any solid answers.. I've read that Odin cannot be used With the MF3 version?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe Odin can be used fine. You can't downgrade to MDL, but you should be able to reflash MF3 or move up to MJ9
Sent from my AT&T Galaxy S4 I337
You absolutely can use Odin. Google "mf3 tar files xda" for the file to use in Odin.
Oh cool, I thought Odin couldn't be used on mf3, sweet... thx
Is the 4.3ota being pushed out yet? Or do u have to download and Odin it?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4

To Root and to Tinker--Rooting and Recovery

So, I'm new to the locked bootloader scene. The root & ROM threads, tutorials, and videos seem to root via a Terminal Emulator process, then install Safestrap. Those same sites and videos say that when you're flashing a ROM after selecting a new ROM Slot, you have to flash "whatever modules and packages are for your device", whatever that means. Since I can't find these packages anywhere, is it safe to assume that I can just root, install Safestrap, create a ROM Slot, and start flashing away as if nothing's up? Or do I need to worry about this boot patch and some "Loki Doki" thing I heard about. I'm sure these answers exist, and I've done my due diligence, but these threads have either been buried for good, or are such a common a knowledge subset that I can't find anything concrete. Even the videos I've seen talk about the "modules" you have to flash. I'm an experienced Androidist, tinkerer, and tweaker. The information I'm finding doesn't provide you with the big picture. It's all, "MJ2 read this, and follow these 9 steps", and "mk2 follow these 10 steps". But none of them tell you what to do in Safe strap recovery, and if you needs some Loki/module magic.
Help a brotha out? I'll return the favor 10-fold, I can promise you that much. I'll be quite active around here.
Thanks!
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app
First off you never said what baseband you were on but assuming that your on MK2 android 4.3 then let's start.
Use this method to root your device
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2569827
Since your on mk2 you can ONLY use safe strap 3.71 do not attempt to install safe strap 3.65 AND SAFE STRAP WILL BE THE ONLY RECOVERY YOU CAN INSTALL!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2448925
And note that 3.71 is still in beta as of right now there are still bugs and YOU CAN ONLY FLASH A COUPLE OF ROMS.
From the same thread cause I know your not going to go through the forums and read, download the attmk2module.zip that ted77usa posted
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2448925
Root your device
Install safestrap after install, install recovery in safestrap apk.
There's only a few Roms you can flash
Darthstalker x in the att android development forum
Hyperdrive 12 in the Verizon android development forum download the one that says safestrap
A few have noted that some other Roms work but I haven't tested it out do some more reading.
After you download a rom
Reboot your device and go into safestrap recovery
Create a ROM slot ON ROM SLOT 1
DO NOT MESS WITH YOUR STOCK SLOT!
After creating a ROM slot go to install and install your rom.
After successfully installing a ROM reboot then go back into recovery and install the attmk2module.zip
Reboot and instead of going into recovery this time continue
It will take awhile to load its normal.
Now you should have a ROM.
Now go tinker with that.
AT&T SGH-I337 RUNNING HYPERDRIVE 12
ATTMK2kernelmodules Original Post i don't think u would like to go over 1000 post on that thread..... and at the bottom there is SHOstock_v3.0_Safestrap_Ready link that also confirmed work by several people.......hope this help u to get start it..... .
Bootloader:................Use:...................Custom Rom:
MDL/MDB.......................LOKI.....................4.2.2......4.3.....4.4 ALL WORK (....LUCKY U....)
MF3................................SS-v3.65................ONLY FLASH 4.2.2 ROM (Slot1,Slot2 and Stock ALL WORK)
MK2................................SS-v3.71................SOME 4.3 ROM WORK (Slot1,Slot2 and Stock ALL WORK (confirmed))
[email protected] said:
First off you never said what baseband you were on but assuming that your on MK2 android 4.3 then let's start.
Use this method to root your device
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2569827
Since your on mk2 you can ONLY use safe strap 3.71 do not attempt to install safe strap 3.65 AND SAFE STRAP WILL BE THE ONLY RECOVERY YOU CAN INSTALL!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2448925
And note that 3.71 is still in beta as of right now there are still bugs and YOU CAN ONLY FLASH A COUPLE OF ROMS.
From the same thread cause I know your not going to go through the forums and read, download the attmk2module.zip that ted77usa posted
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2448925
Root your device
Install safestrap after install, install recovery in safestrap apk.
There's only a few Roms you can flash
Darthstalker x in the att android development forum
Hyperdrive 12 in the Verizon android development forum download the one that says safestrap
A few have noted that some other Roms work but I haven't tested it out do some more reading.
After you download a rom
Reboot your device and go into safestrap recovery
Create a ROM slot ON ROM SLOT 1
DO NOT MESS WITH YOUR STOCK SLOT!
After creating a ROM slot go to install and install your rom.
After successfully installing a ROM reboot then go back into recovery and install the attmk2module.zip
Reboot and instead of going into recovery this time continue
It will take awhile to load its normal.
Now you should have a ROM.
Now go tinker with that.
AT&T SGH-I337 RUNNING HYPERDRIVE 12
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're perfect in every way. ? Bromance FTW
You even answer threads like me. This helped a TON! I owe ya one.
Edit: last question. The instructions say to install the ROM, reboot, then install the modules. I assume that the reboot instruction means that we should reboot, boot into the ROM for the first time, then boot back into recovery and install the modules?
Or should I flash the ROM, power down, then boot into recovery (ensuring that the ROM is never booted before the modules are installed)-- I suppose I could just use the reboot recovery option in the Safestrap TWRP.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app
ted77usa said:
ATTMK2kernelmodules Original Post i don't think u would like to go over 1000 post on that thread..... and the on the bottom is SHOstock_v3.0_Safestrap_Ready link that also confirmed work by several people.......hope this help u to get start it..... .
Bootloader:................Use:...................Custom Rom:
MDL/MDB.......................LOKI.....................4.2.2......4.3.....4.4 ALL WORK (....LUCKY U....)
MF3................................SS-v3.65................ONLY FLASH 4.2.2 ROM (Slot1,Slot2 and Stock ALL WORK)
MK2................................SS-v3.71................SOME 4.3 ROM WORK (Slot1,Slot2 and Stock ALL WORK (confirmed))
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What's SHOStock? An alternative to the ATTMK2Module?
<3 I can see that this is a bangin' start to an awesome and new relationship, between me, my S4, and my new home...the S4 community.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app
By the way...since the ROM selection is limited, I assume heavy XPosed use is okay, and quite common?
Which ROM do you guys prefer?
I assume that sites and articles like this one: http://www.droidviews.com/best-custom-roms-for-att-samsung-galaxy-s4-sgh-i337/
aren't reliable sources--they probably don't take into account the the ATT S4 compatibility issues. This is showing CM11, Carbon, KangaBean, Infamous...am I correct in my assumption that those are for the lucky birdies that had MDL/MDB, and didn't need Safestrap?
Has someone put together a compatibility/guide megathread? I think I will if it hasn't been done.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app
Jamesyboy said:
What's SHOStock? An alternative to the ATTMK2Module?
<3 I can see that this is a bangin' start to an awesome and new relationship, between me, my S4, and my new home...the S4 community.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Welcome aboard!!!! Firstable are u on MF3 firmware or MK2 frimware......? both are using SafeStrap (SS) as custom recovery as of right now. Like i said on previous post MF3 use SS-v3.65 so that u able to install only 4.2.2 TW custom rom or 4.2.2 Google Play Edition (GPE) rom. If u are on MK2 firmware u can only use SS-v3.71 and able to install some of 4.3 custom rom (SHOstock-v3.0-Safestrap-Ready) is one of them that worked......Hyperdrive-RL12 from verizon thread also seem pretty good but u need to add your APN manually if u are on ATT network. Both firmware MF3 and MK2 are use different kernel modules, so after flashing custom Rom you NEED to flash your current firmware kernel modules also, otherwise u won't be able to connect to WiFi,bluetooth,gps etc..... hope this make sense to you......i know is kinda confusing ......but the more u read is the more it would make sense.... Check this thread for list of compatible rom Official AT&T S4 Safestrap Discussion Q/A
One more thing. My S4 will be here tomorrow. Let's say I get lucky and find MDL/MDB on my device. Do I need to hurry and avoid a software update, or avoid a data connection? Or do the updates proceed only with user interaction? The rooting is the same for all 3 devices, but if I do get MDL/MDB or the next one, I'll have to update the baseband before flashing newer ROMs, right?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app
ted77usa said:
Welcome aboard!!!! Firstable are u on MF3 firmware or MK2 frimware......? both are using SafeStrap (SS) as custom recovery as of right now. Like i said on previous post MF3 use SS-v3.65 so that u able to install only 4.2.2 TW custom rom or 4.2.2 Google Play Edition (GPE) rom. If u are on MK2 firmware u can only use SS-v3.71 and able to install some of 4.3 custom rom (SHOstock-v3.0-Safestrap-Ready) is one of them......Hyperdrive-RL12 from verizon thread also seem pretty good but u need to add your APN manually if u are on ATT network. Both firmware MF3 and MK2 are use different kernel modules, so after flashing custom Rom you NEED to flash your cureent firmware kernel modules also otherwise u won't be able to connect to WiFi,bluetooth,gps etc..... hope this make sense to you......i know is kinda confusing ......but the more u read is the more it would make sense....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It makes sense, I'm mostly just unfamiliar, as opposed to being completely useless, but you guys have been amazing...you've already shot me up to about 80% on a distribution curve.
Why would anyone stick with MF3? MK2 is an update for MF3, right? Why don't those users update, then safestrap 3.71 it, so they can use 4.3 roms? It'd seem kinda funky to me to be stuck with a 4-2 ROM by choice, unless they're doing it solely for the GPE ROM.
These firmware kernel modules...I'll have the same modules for each ROM I flash right? Or are these modules a .zip that I'll find in each ROM thread, for each carrier.
By the way, APN settings don't scare me. Here, you might actually appreciate this work--done right after ATT's LTE network came online (I believe the Note was the first device that utilized it?...If it wasn't, it was definitely the first to tax the network.)::
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=26877683
Edit: the Q&A thread for Safe strap was reasonable...but it still talks about kernel flashes, and blown QFusee (har?)
I guess I mainly need to come to grips with the kernel situation. The Q&A says that you can't use custom kernels if you've updated to OTA, but doesn't mention factory MF3 builds, and it isn't really very clear about the module/kernel module situation.
You said I need to flags my **current** firmware kernel modules: are those different if I get a device with MF3 than those for MK2? Or are these just modules that I create myself (based upon whatever's in my stock ROM slot maybe?) in recovery?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app
Jamesyboy said:
One more thing. My S4 will be here tomorrow. Let's say I get lucky and find MDL/MDB on my device. Do I need to hurry and avoid a software update, or avoid a data connection? Or do the updates proceed only with user interaction? The rooting is the same for all 3 devices, but if I do get MDL/MDB or the next one, I'll have to update the baseband before flashing newer ROMs, right?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont think u can get MDB/MDL firmware again these days.....but if u do....damn u are pretty lucky....my suggestion is Do Not insert your ATT sim card yet ....since they can do OTA update ( On The Air ).....and check your baseband....IF u do ....root it right away....install titanium back up and freeze/uninstall ATT software update.apk......install custom recovery CWM or TWRP ..... and make sure u have auto loki recovery....if not save loki.doki patch on your Sd Card....PM me for the link and all the files .....i still have the files since i used to have MDB firmware and got replacement phone from ATT when my son broke the screen....:crying:
Jamesyboy said:
It makes sense, I'm mostly just unfamiliar, as opposed to being completely useless, but you guys have been amazing...you've already shot me up to about 80% on a distribution curve.
Why would anyone stick with MF3? MK2 is an update for MF3, right? Why don't those users update, then safestrap 3.71 it, so they can use 4.3 roms? It'd seem kinda funky to me to be stuck with a 4-2 ROM by choice, unless they're doing it solely for the GPE ROM.
These firmware kernel modules...I'll have the same modules for each ROM I flash right? Or are these modules a .zip that I'll find in each ROM thread, for each carrier.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
MDB>MDL>MF3>MJ6>Mj9>MK2.......the reason of the update is ATT trying to lock bootloader so we won't be able to install custom rom or do what ever we want to the phone.......but either way.....XDA member always found away to cracked it....so some people have to upgrade not by choice.....most of them by accident....like me ( cracked my screen ) or they install wrong recovery.....(bricked) so be careful when installing custom recovery.....like i said....we need to know what kinda firmware that u have so we can help u.....LOL now i got it why u dont know yet....since u dont have the phone yet.......... but is ok.....that's the right thing to do.....get to know your stuff first before u brick your phone.....:good: so basically u need to match your kernel modules with your firmware otherwise it won't be able to connect to Wifi,bluetooth,gps,etc it doesn't matter if u OTA to MF3 or MK2.....or it come with MF3 or MK2....
ted77usa said:
I dont think u can get MDB/MDL firmware again these days.....but if u do....damn u are pretty lucky....my suggestion is Do Not insert your ATT sim card yet ....since they can do OTA update ( On The Air ).....and check your baseband....IF u do ....root it right away....install titanium back up and freeze/uninstall ATT software update.apk......install custom recovery CWM or TWRP ..... and make sure u have auto loki recovery....if not save loki.doki patch on your Sd Card....PM me for the link and all the files .....i still have the files since i used to have MDB firmware and got replacement phone from ATT when my son broke the screen....:crying:
MDB>MDL>MF3>MJ6>Mj9>MK2.......the reason of the update is ATT trying to lock bootloader so we won't be able to install custom rom or do what ever we want to the phone.......but either way.....XDA member always found away to cracked it....so some people have to upgrade not by choice.....most of them by accident....like me ( cracked my screen ) or they install wrong recovery.....(bricked) so be careful when installing custom recovery.....like i said....we need to know what kinda firmware that u have so we can help u.....LOL now i got it why u dont know yet....since u dont have the phone yet.......... but is ok.....that's the right thing to do.....get to know your stuff first before u brick your phone.....:good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Groovy! I'll check back in tomorrow! Happy New Years!
(Sent you a PM, as well.)
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app

Try new firmware on S4 without rooting possible?

Hi All,
Am using an i337M S4 from Rogers here in Canada and was wondering if it was possible to use ODIN and try out the new leaked 4.4 firmware. Is rooting required to achieve this?
rsarwar said:
Hi All,
Am using an i337M S4 from Rogers here in Canada and was wondering if it was possible to use ODIN and try out the new leaked 4.4 firmware. Is rooting required to achieve this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First you must be certain the leak is for i337m model becuase there is the international version and the US version which are both different from the model you have (I have the same but Telus). Now as far as the files, if they are in .tar format then you can flash via Odin, if thet are .zip then you need a custom recovery to flash them. I know for certain you need to root to go the custom recovery route, I think you need to be rooted to flash they system files in Odin also (which if it is a stock rom you are flashing would loose root following the flash). Depending of the root method you choose be aware also that you may trip the Knox counter also, definately if you install a custom recovery. There a number of 4.4 roms for the i337m already that are not stock and are rooted, you may want to look at these also. Most importantly... before you attempt anything read...read ... read... there are pity falls you can end up in if you don't pay close attention......
Gage_Hero said:
First you must be certain the leak is for i337m model becuase there is the international version and the US version which are both different from the model you have (I have the same but Telus). Now as far as the files, if they are in .tar format then you can flash via Odin, if thet are .zip then you need a custom recovery to flash them. I know for certain you need to root to go the custom recovery route, I think you need to be rooted to flash they system files in Odin also (which if it is a stock rom you are flashing would loose root following the flash). Depending of the root method you choose be aware also that you may trip the Knox counter also, definately if you install a custom recovery. There a number of 4.4 roms for the i337m already that are not stock and are rooted, you may want to look at these also. Most importantly... before you attempt anything read...read ... read... there are pity falls you can end up in if you don't pay close attention......
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply .. actually I had a S2 before which was rooted and I used many different ROMs on it. I did root the S4 once as well but then lost it when I did the 4.3 update. Since then I never tried to re-root, is there an easy way too root right now for the i337M with 4.3?
If you are on stock unrooted 4.3 you should get official 4.4 update soon.
Also, questions go in the qna section not the development section
Sent from my SGH-I337 using Tapatalk
RK said:
If you are on stock unrooted 4.3 you should get official 4.4 update soon.
Also, questions go in the qna section not the development section
Sent from my SGH-I337 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you wait for the update you will likely be waiting longer for a root solution... if you want to root the phone, look up chainfire's CF-auto root for i337m

[Q] NJ4/Safestrap-Easiest way to return to stock recovery/remove root?

I have an S4 that is rooted with safestrap recovery (3.72). Still the stock ROM. What is the easiest way to return to full stock and be able to receive OTA upgrades? The first thing I always do with my android devices is root and flash custom recovery. Now that I did all of that, I realize I will probably not flash that many roms as I don't want to take up that much internal storage and such.
I know how to remove Safestrap recovery, but don't quite know what the best way to return to full stock would be.
Thanks for any help!
John
crash447 said:
I have an S4 that is rooted with safestrap recovery (3.72). Still the stock ROM. What is the easiest way to return to full stock and be able to receive OTA upgrades? The first thing I always do with my android devices is root and flash custom recovery. Now that I did all of that, I realize I will probably not flash that many roms as I don't want to take up that much internal storage and such.
I know how to remove Safestrap recovery, but don't quite know what the best way to return to full stock would be.
Thanks for any help!
John
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flash the nb1 tar file in Odin. Then ota to nj4. See the general forum
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
Thank you. That was the direction I was going to go, but wanted to make sure there wasn't an easier route.

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