Database Users

[Q] Getting my S4 on Tues, have some questions to rom/root it.

So I am upgrading from my beloved S3 to the Red S4 now, getting it in on Tues. Thank you employee line deals.. So anyways, I saw some stickies about to avoid the OTA otherwise can not flash a diff kernel, correct? That there are no odin files of the new update.
That being said, How will I know when I get my device in, if they already gave it to me updated or if its where I can custom rom it. Would figure its a certain thing in the status menu part for a version. Dont wanna mess this up, so doing my research now.
Also any custom roms that are super worth it? I know on my S3, I use a nice one with the multi window and floating windows. So if there is a super good one to use, IF I can use one, what is it?
Also does the toolbox program we used for the S3 work for S4? (Havent checked on updates in awhile) cause I need to least root this sucker if I wanna restore my titanium backups.
Anyways thanks for any points in the right direction, this is the part I always hated.. working with a new phone then sitting with it till I study up on all the roms and tweaking of it.

When you get your device got to settings>more>about device and if the the last three characters of the baseband is MF3 then you can only use stock kernels with safestrap recovery and if it is MDL or MDB you can have custom recovery, custom roms with motochopper root. There are some pretty good roms out there. Unfortunately i'm on MF3 cause i got the OTA and it updated overnight.

Also when you first get your box with the phone inside. Look on the outside of the box and it will show which firmware is on it. It will have the last three letters of mdb, MDL, or MF3. All I can say is HOPE for MDL which may or may not be possible. But the red colored ones do not seem to go as fast so HOPEFULLY it is MDL.
Next course of action IF it is MDL is DO NOT connect to WiFi, and I would also suggest NOT putting in the Sim card yet. Download Motochopper by Jbliss and or Casual+motochopper by Adam Outler which will root and install tarp recovery. Then read up from there and flash a ROM.
If it comes with MF3 then you will need to flash SafeStrap to be able to out "some Roms" onto your phone and have root. But safestrap is more limited than what you are used to/what I posted in the paragraph above.
I am GUESSING you are buying it from ATT? Then chances may be slim of anything other than mf3. But I did get a MDL from Walmart (they had black and white if I remember correctly, not sure about red). I got a black one with MDL about a month ago and they had two others in stock. So places like that MAY be a better bet for you.
Now this is MY opinion and take it for what it is worth. I will NEVER be buying another ATT phone due to how hard they are locking the boitloaders down. NEVER... So my next suggestion is get a T-Mobile S4 and you can use it on ATT and it does not have locked bootloaders at this time and hopefully never.
Read all the sticky threads about MF3 and prepare yourself in case you want to keep it. Good luck to you
Sent From My Spiderman,Ironman,Red,Dark Blue,Green, GreyedOut BadAss Themed I337

You will have to try out different roms and see for yourself what they have to offer.if it turns out to be MF3 take the most important advice "!!READ!!"
Sent from my GT-I9505 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Before you get your phone read a whole lot about it. Read all the pinned (stickies) threads first. Then keep reading before you do anything with it. Good luck!

RockRatt said:
Also when you first get your box with the phone inside. Look on the outside of the box and it will show which firmware is on it. It will have the last three letters of mdb, MDL, or MF3. All I can say is HOPE for MDL which may or may not be possible. But the red colored ones do not seem to go as fast so HOPEFULLY it is MDL.
Next course of action IF it is MDL is DO NOT connect to WiFi, and I would also suggest NOT putting in the Sim card yet. Download Motochopper by Jbliss and or Casual+motochopper by Adam Outler which will root and install tarp recovery. Then read up from there and flash a ROM.
If it comes with MF3 then you will need to flash SafeStrap to be able to out "some Roms" onto your phone and have root. But safestrap is more limited than what you are used to/what I posted in the paragraph above.
I am GUESSING you are buying it from ATT?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, getting from ATT dealer accounts, while I know I can use T-Mobiles stuff, I wouldnt have the "LTE" ability, which is what is happening now with my TMO S3, I have 4G, yes, but not LTE. So giving that phone to my friend for her upgrade, so she can get LTE with TMO while upgrading myself. Now if I am MDL, then woot, I take it its almost business as usual with the way I worked my roms and so of the past?
Then lets say I am MF3, now that in itself. may not be "as bad" since honestly, the S3's rom was pretty solid out of the box, just root it and go. Could I assume if I dont wanna put a diff rom on MF3, I could least root the stock rom easy enough and move on? (Plus could use titanium backup to remove the bloat) Seems abit crazy on MF3 and safe strap, sounds like its using the internal storage space to run the rom off of.
Now in regards to if I am MDL, I assume you mean download motochopper for the pc, then hook up and let it run. Now after that point, is my phone safe from OTA? Do I need to install a new rom right then and there or can I use stock rom and know that I am safe from it updating to MF3. Just making sure I got my notes right for tm morning when it comes in by fedex heh.
Qbeezy24 said:
When you get your device got to settings>more>about device and if the the last three characters of the baseband is MF3 then you can only use stock kernels with safestrap recovery and if it is MDL or MDB you can have custom recovery, custom roms with motochopper root. There are some pretty good roms out there. Unfortunately i'm on MF3 cause i got the OTA and it updated overnight.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So there is no difference in MDL and MDB? Or was MDL still better? Sounds like really the next couple days are gonna be research and testing.. thats after I put my screen protector on it heh.

Mysticales said:
Now if I am MDL, then woot, I take it its almost business as usual with the way I worked my roms and so of the past?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes it would be almost exactly business as usual. Of course READ any Roms HOW TO INSTALL section. About the only difference from the S3 flashing is if you are flashing kernels/Roms make sure the are loki'd or use Loki doki during flashing. Again read up on this.
Mysticales said:
Then lets say I am MF3, now that in itself. may not be "as bad" since honestly, the S3's rom was pretty solid out of the box, just root it and go. Could I assume if I dont wanna put a diff rom on MF3, I could least root the stock rom easy enough and move on? (Plus could use titanium backup to remove the bloat) Seems abit crazy on MF3 and safe strap, sounds like its using the internal storage space to run the rom off of.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you can flash some Roms (4.2.2 based Roms) with Safestrap. Read all about safestrap as I do not have it and don't know many if the answers since I cannot test. But the one thing is be VERY CAREFUL removing bloat with tibu, once it is gone you will NOT be able to get it back. Read many horror stories if debloating gone wrong and phone not working.
Mysticales said:
Now in regards to if I am MDL, I assume you mean download motochopper for the pc, then hook up and let it run. Now after that point, is my phone safe from OTA? Do I need to install a new rom right then and there or can I use stock rom and know that I am safe from it updating to MF3. Just making sure I got my notes right for tm morning when it comes in by fedex heh.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes download either Motochopper or I like "Casual+Motochopper" as it gives you a recovery as well. Either cwm or twrp.
No at that point it is NOT safe from OTA updates, you will need to FREEZE certain apps with tibu.
Check out the Roms section. I haven't used it but I believe there is a "neutered mf3 stock firmware" that has the ota updating parts removed already. If you do NOT freeze the apps ATT set up mf3 to Auto Download and INSTALL mf3. Most users got it while they were sleeping, even if they were only stock and rooted. But IF you have a custom recovery and a ROM on it you will not get the auto update and install.
Mysticales said:
So there is no difference in MDL and MDB? Or was MDL still better? Sounds like really the next couple days are gonna be research and testing.. thats after I put my screen protector on it heh.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
MDB was what came with the phone and MDL was updated within a few weeks if I remember correctly. I believe I still have the mdb bootloaders on my phone and my wife's came with MDL and has those bootloaders. I have seen NO DIFFERENCE as far as flashing or things working differently in my case.
Sent From My Spiderman,Ironman,Red,Dark Blue,Green, GreyedOut BadAss Themed I337

So, being on MF3 will not allow us to flash kernals and we are limited to specific Roms? Are those the major differences? Also, should we stay away from the OTA...I keep hearing about it.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

nash2000 said:
So, being on MF3 will not allow us to flash kernals and we are limited to specific Roms? Are those the major differences? Also, should we stay away from the OTA...I keep hearing about it.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I believe you cannot flash kernels with safestrap. And only 4.2.2 based Roms will work and possibly on tw Roms, but there might be one cm variant that would work. Just check out the safestrap thread for more info on all if this. I think they even have a list if tested working Roms there.
No one knows FOR SURE but I believe the new 4.3 update blows a second qfuse, this will make it so you cannot downgrade to anything lower than MJ6.
MF3 blows the first qfuse which is why you cannot downgrade to MDL bases.
Sent From My Spiderman,Ironman,Red,Dark Blue,Green, GreyedOut BadAss Themed I337

Well I have a mf3 gs4 :/ sooo now then. I don't "mind" stock really too much.. ill miss my drop down toggles I thing more from my gs3. I saw one post that explains using terminal to get root access which is something I know I need for sure. So now then those on mf3 are you too staying on stock and just rooting?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Mysticales said:
Well I have a mf3 gs4 :/ sooo now then. I don't "mind" stock really too much.. ill miss my drop down toggles I thing more from my gs3. I saw one post that explains using terminal to get root access which is something I know I need for sure. So now then those on mf3 are you too staying on stock and just rooting?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Kingo root method is an easy one click method that works also. Why stay stock when you can root easily? I was rooted but now on 4.3.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app

I just got my phone!!!! I got mine at Costco which I normally get my phone through best buy but there insurance plan stinks now.
Anyways, My phone had the MDF!! So get your phone at Costco!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app

[email protected] said:
Kingo root method is an easy one click method that works also. Why stay stock when you can root easily? I was rooted but now on 4.3.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Of course I am rooted... you think after being a pioneer with a beloved Htc G1, that I would EVER be on a device without root. =p (Man.. the reinstalling of a 100 apps manually alone without titanium backup along with its prefs, config and data would take a week to get right) I used that exFat method.
But yea, even tho I am rooted, I wouldnt "mind" a diff rom.. or least debloat this sucker. Half tempted to see which ATT apps I could get rid of, issue is... no odin to restore to if something messes up. I am sure someone will do a mf3 recovery sometime eh?
Oh... btw, how would I disable any auto OTA that could come in the future?

[Q] Is it worth rooting MK2?

Hi there. I've had many rooted phones before. DX, tablets, S3. I've yet to root my S4 since I got it in August. I was waiting until it got 4.3 to do so. After all this Knox crap I held off a bit longer. Got the MK2 update a few days after the MJA update. I'm aware that I can still root MK2 with CF-Auto but I'm just not sure if its worth it yet. I really don't care about roms or even a custom recovery. I just want to tether a little. I don't plan on messing around with any system files much so a backup isn't entirely necessary. I guess what I'm asking is, is there a way I can tether with the MK2 OTA stock rooted? It doesn't seem like the hotspot mod was updated for MK2 yet. Just MJA. Would WiFiTether-TrevEMod possibly work still? The only other thing I'd like to do is remove the Knox system files. I think I saw something before about removing Knox (system files, not bootloader) but I can't remember where. It's hard to find a whole lot on MK2 yet because devs are still focused on circumventing MJA which I sincerely thank you all for btw. I just need a straight forward root, knox app removal, and tether process for MK2. Custom recovery also isn't a bad idea. I'd just want one that works. Philz right? Also, if any of this process goes bad I can always just flash the MJA tar and start over correct? Sorry for the long winded ramble. :silly: BTW, i could care less about tripping Knox.
Thanks
Jay

Oshuaj said:
Hi there. I've had many rooted phones before. DX, tablets, S3. I've yet to root my S4 since I got it in August. I was waiting until it got 4.3 to do so. After all this Knox crap I held off a bit longer. Got the MK2 update a few days after the MJA update. I'm aware that I can still root MK2 with CF-Auto but I'm just not sure if its worth it yet. I really don't care about roms or even a custom recovery. I just want to tether a little. I don't plan on messing around with any system files much so a backup isn't entirely necessary. I guess what I'm asking is, is there a way I can tether with the MK2 OTA stock rooted? It doesn't seem like the hotspot mod was updated for MK2 yet. Just MJA. Would WiFiTether-TrevEMod possibly work still? The only other thing I'd like to do is remove the Knox system files. I think I saw something before about removing Knox (system files, not bootloader) but I can't remember where. It's hard to find a whole lot on MK2 yet because devs are still focused on circumventing MJA which I sincerely thank you all for btw. I just need a straight forward root, knox app removal, and tether process for MK2. Custom recovery also isn't a bad idea. I'd just want one that works. Philz right? Also, if any of this process goes bad I can always just flash the MJA tar and start over correct? Sorry for the long winded ramble. :silly: BTW, i could care less about tripping Knox.
Thanks
Jay
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If those are the only things you want, probably not worth rooting. You can use PDANET+ to get free tether w/o rooting, but it's either Bluetooth or wired connected. Works well, though.
And for backup, you can use Helium. Titanium Backup is available for un-rooted phones now too, so check that out here:
http://www.titaniumtrack.com/latest...supports-backups-from-non-rooted-devices.html

[Q] Att forcing update

just got s4 yesterday. Came with mf3 Now this morning att is pushing an update to my phone... how do I stop it? Anytime I use wifi it startes back to downloading. .. Dont know what it is, or if it will make my wait longe4 for a safe way in, I assume if its from att, its not good! So how can I stop it???

With MF3 your pretty much stuck already. You can root it and install safestrap for MF3 but you are limited to Touchwiz based 4.2.2 Roms. Check out the threads for WHICH ROMS work for it.
The update your getting is most likely the MK2 4.3 firmware. With it you can root and install SafeStrap for MK2, there are some Roms you can run with it but they have to be Touchwiz Roms and based on 4.3 firmwares.
So basically if I was in your shoes I would just take the 4.3 update and root and install Safestrap for MK2. Then flash ShoStock MK2 for a BETTER than Stock experience.
If you could have gotten the S4 with MDL or MDB firmwares you could have used motochopper+casual to root and install an actual full recovery and flash anything you want. But those are hard to find unless you check Swappa for one with eiher of those firmwares.
Sent From My Spiderman,Ironman,Red,Dark Blue,Green, GreyedOut BadAss Themed I337

klloyd said:
just got s4 yesterday. Came with mf3 Now this morning att is pushing an update to my phone... how do I stop it? Anytime I use wifi it startes back to downloading. .. Dont know what it is, or if it will make my wait longe4 for a safe way in, I assume if its from att, its not good! So how can I stop it???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I were u.......turn off your wifi and take your att sim card off. ....... and also take your sd card out..... format it to EXfat and follow jortex new root for MF3 firmware. .... so when u rooted. ...u can install titanium back up from play store. ...and uninstall Att software update.apk then u should be ok..... but like RockRatt said.....since from now on everything moving forward with 4.3 base rom. ..... it should be nice to have 4.3 firmware. ......as of right now u able to root using saferoot method or kingo method and u can also install Safestrap recovery v 3.71 ..... Goodluck. .... ..
SWYPED_FROM_S4_MF3_REDVENOM

Unlucky you. Man id be pissed. Good news though im pretty sure google editions work with safestrap which still gives you 4.4. That's ofcourse if kit kat interests you

Thanks guys. I knew to disable the wifi for short term fix. I went ahead and held tight with the MF3 factory software. You guys are correct it is at 4.2.2. I did the root and quarantine of the updater. I just feel that I might be best waiting... I'm afraid that what ever comes down may make everything worse. I'll keep this and hold tight till something comes along that we can odin into it easy... I'm sure it wont be too awful long as this is a popular phone.
If anyone seeing my post is looking for the same thing, its here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2387577&nocache=1
If I remove all this ATT bloat, will it harm anything? Dont know what will trip the rom up and make it a nice paper weight. There is NOTHING of att software.

klloyd said:
Thanks guys. I knew to disable the wifi for short term fix. I went ahead and held tight with the MF3 factory software. You guys are correct it is at 4.2.2. I did the root and quarantine of the updater. I just feel that I might be best waiting... I'm afraid that what ever comes down may make everything worse. I'll keep this and hold tight till something comes along that we can odin into it easy... I'm sure it wont be too awful long as this is a popular phone.
If anyone seeing my post is looking for the same thing, its here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2387577&nocache=1
If I remove all this ATT bloat, will it harm anything? Dont know what will trip the rom up and make it a nice paper weight. There is NOTHING of att software.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use titanium backup to FREEZE at&t bloat and update software. You never know what you'll need or want in the future.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

[Q] How to install CWM or TWRP?

I have tried many methods to bypass boot loader and install CWM or TWRP on i337 phones, all for which they failed, I am not sure whether because I have NC1 device
My phone is Rooted, NC1, My ultimate objective is to install T mobile Rom, so I can get Wifi-calling on my at&t, what do I need to do in order to that??? I am willing to downgrade or anything to reach my objective.
Here are some guides that I saw at
galaxys4root dot com
"How to Install GT-i9505/T-Mobile Custom ROMs on AT&T Galaxy S4!"
But i couldn't Install cwm or TWRP to proceed. Please Help.

you are post mdl build and can not run cwm or custom twrp only safestrap recovery. surprised you didn't run across that when you rooted and installed safestrap--
as far as wifi calling--don't know, but believe i have read not on an att phone

rugmankc said:
you are post mdl build and can not run cwm or custom twrp only safestrap recovery. surprised you didn't run across that when you rooted and installed safestrap--
as far as wifi calling--don't know, but believe i have read not on an att phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OH right (I did this long time ago so forgot most of it), So if I wanted to install a tmobile s4 custom rom (DARTHSTALKER) on my i337 I could use safestrap, and then flash my kernel using odin for it to work? or that would break the phone?

not sure, i don't use SafeStrap and not familiar with rom
i would make sure it is safestrap compatible and see if any other att folks have flashed it
i do that by skimming last 30 pages and in-forum search for safestrap and att
or you can ask, but have found most times you get no answer on those type of questions. it has to be TW based--

You can get full root access on NC1
devil_2 said:
I have tried many methods to bypass boot loader and install CWM or TWRP on i337 phones, all for which they failed, I am not sure whether because I have NC1 device
My phone is Rooted, NC1, My ultimate objective is to install T mobile Rom, so I can get Wifi-calling on my at&t, what do I need to do in order to that??? I am willing to downgrade or anything to reach my objective.
Here are some guides that I saw at
galaxys4root dot com
"How to Install GT-i9505/T-Mobile Custom ROMs on AT&T Galaxy S4!"
But i couldn't Install cwm or TWRP to proceed. Please Help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's very hard to achieve what I did in these screen shots... sorta lol I just got the phone delivered yesterday at 2pm and hit Red Bull for 15 hours hacking it... I have full root access in system... knox is frozen by TiBu as you can see SELiniux is permissive, SuperSU Pro in control without a popup warning... I do have a new boot screen though with the unlocked lock lol. Bye bye warranty! I bought the 2 year replacement one and they don't care if it's rooted lol.
Check out the screen captures... I had to slug it out getting one app at a time til I finally figured out how to get TiBu su access... that was the key! I'd have to write a small novel explaining it, and I'm tired as heck lol. Some shots were too big. Point is... its stable I don't think you get this with safe strap do ya? Maybe ya do... but I hacked it lol. Still stock OS with a lot of freezes. If this is something different and ya wanna know reply to the message, but it takes a while and you need to really know your adb commands and be good with terminal emulator because it' s literally all you'll have for most of the 'fight' with Knox... and it really is. Lucky it didn't boot loop lol but I wanted full root access. I'll just deodex it and get rid of the bloatware later. I still wish I could flash CWM though lol. I like AOSP roms

Lt1streconbn said:
It's very hard to achieve what I did in these screen shots... sorta lol I just got the phone delivered yesterday at 2pm and hit Red Bull for 15 hours hacking it... I have full root access in system... knox is frozen by TiBu as you can see SELiniux is permissive, SuperSU Pro in control without a popup warning... I do have a new boot screen though with the unlocked lock lol. Bye bye warranty! I bought the 2 year replacement one and they don't care if it's rooted lol.
Check out the screen captures... I had to slug it out getting one app at a time til I finally figured out how to get TiBu su access... that was the key! I'd have to write a small novel explaining it, and I'm tired as heck lol. Some shots were too big. Point is... its stable I don't think you get this with safe strap do ya? Maybe ya do... but I hacked it lol. Still stock OS with a lot of freezes. If this is something different and ya wanna know reply to the message, but it takes a while and you need to really know your adb commands and be good with terminal emulator because it' s literally all you'll have for most of the 'fight' with Knox... and it really is. Lucky it didn't boot loop lol but I wanted full root access. I'll just deodex it and get rid of the bloatware later. I still wish I could flash CWM though lol. I like AOSP roms
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would have been easier on you to use TowelRoot which would give full root access and then use safestrap for its recovery. Could of avoided the 15 hours in about 1 minute with the TowelRoot app

I did try it. Several times. Didn't work at all... It was a lot of fun doing this honestly I haven't had a good challenge in a while lol. I managed to hack knox out of my device using nothing but the device itself and knowledge I have. I really don't want multiple Roms in my device. I just want one ROM like I have in all the others, and that's what I have now and I got CWM installed last night finally... A bit glitchy and not 100% stable yet... It has issues backing up to external SD for some reason. It'll backup to internal though. I used it to flash a small and meaningless update.zip I assembled to test it and it worked with it I'm not sure it would be successful using a backup yet either to restore the device... If I just used towel root I wouldn't have ever figured any of this out, and if I can get it a bit more simplified and figure out which particular steps or combinationof steps allowed me to exploit the system and get it in tthere and I can get it stable... I can tell everyone else how to do it. A friend on XDA is working on a tool now to simple install SuperSU into system... He done it on another device and got cwm installed on a device with a locked boot loader also. I used some of the code to get an idea how to do it on the sgh-i337. Its not impossible... Just hard to figure out I think that's one of the things XDA exist for... To learn and progress and help others... Right?

Lt1streconbn said:
I think that's one of the things XDA exist for... To learn and progress and help others... Right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
Right, absolutely. Good job. We'll be curious how you do it once you get it figured out.

devil_2 said:
OH right (I did this long time ago so forgot most of it), So if I wanted to install a tmobile s4 custom rom (DARTHSTALKER) on my i337 I could use safestrap, and then flash my kernel using odin for it to work? or that would break the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why a T-Mobile rom on an AT&T phone. Why not use one for an AT&T phone?

tailgunner9 said:
Why a T-Mobile rom on an AT&T phone. Why not use one for an AT&T phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For t-mobile wifi-calling

Well Great Job then, I do applaud you for your work you done. Hopefully for those that are stuck using safestrap you can get it to the point they could use cwm. That would be awesome.

tailgunner9 said:
Why a T-Mobile rom on an AT&T phone. Why not use one for an AT&T phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I seriously would not try that using safe strap in i337 @ this point. The ROM would need to be ported as a multicarrier , which is pretty simple in and of itself... A lot of debugging I'd imagine though. You'll only get 2g speed using ATT device on TMO ya know. They have different 3g and 4g LTE bands. It just won't work. If you flash that ROM.. IIt's very likely you'll soft brick or hard brick the device. I have the ATT kernel decomped now working with it... I haven't downloaded any existing ROMS used with i337 yet, but I'll get one and check it out and see what has been done with Knox in it. Just very risky flashing a ROM not specific to your device...

[Q] Need Help Updating AT&T S.Galaxy 4 V. 4.2.2 Rooted to Newest Version AT&T

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!