Update with root - AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshootin

My AT&T GS4 rooted and got the Kit Kat update notification is it safe to update while rooted or do I have to unroot? And if so can someone give me a link to how to unroot.

There are going to be a [email protected]#t load of post like this for a while .. Hate when updates roll out on xda.. There are about five post and a stickey that will guide you on your way ..

D4V3Y said:
My AT&T GS4 rooted and got the Kit Kat update notification is it safe to update while rooted or do I have to unroot? And if so can someone give me a link to how to unroot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You'll have to unroot and you may never get root back. Afaik, there is not currently a root method for 4.4.2
Sent from my Nexus 5

hankbizzo5 said:
There are going to be a [email protected]#t load of post like this for a while .. Hate when updates roll out on xda.. There are about five post and a stickey that will guide you on your way ..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, it's unfortunate that people don't or can't read. Most of the posts will come from people that shouldn't be doing anything to their phones in the first place.

Related

the implications of ROOT

hello!
i just got my N4 a few days ago...
didnt even change a ringtone yet... just downloaded some apps, and costumized the phone a-bit.
i do want to root, because some advanced actions such as recording calls (legal in my country) require root.
i was about to root using the Nexus 4 ToolKit posted here:
forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1995688
but when i run it it always says its tookit ver v1.3.0, and a 1.6.0 is avilable, i update but when i re-run it, it says its 1.3 again...
and even if i go past this step and get to the "What build do you have?
the only answer i can pic is 4.2 (JOP24C)
and i own JOP24D (2.4.1) - will this be an issue?
and also - if i root my phone, and lets say androud 4.2.2 comes out a day later, does the phone still update? or do i stop getting updates as soon as im rooted?
TY!
Caniv said:
hello!
i just got my N4 a few days ago...
didnt even change a ringtone yet... just downloaded some apps, and costumized the phone a-bit.
i do want to root, because some advanced actions such as recording calls (legal in my country) require root.
i was about to root using the Nexus 4 ToolKit posted here:
forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1995688
but when i run it it always says its tookit ver v1.3.0, and a 1.6.0 is avilable, i update but when i re-run it, it says its 1.3 again...
and even if i go past this step and get to the "What build do you have?
the only answer i can pic is 4.2 (JOP24C)
and i own JOP24D (2.4.1) - will this be an issue?
and also - if i root my phone, and lets say androud 4.2.2 comes out a day later, does the phone still update? or do i stop getting updates as soon as im rooted?
TY!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you get the donate version it will update it so that you can do the 4.2.1 build. I think it was like $5. Well worth supporting the dev
ctowne said:
If you get the donate version it will update it so that you can do the 4.2.1 build. I think it was like $5. Well worth supporting the dev
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
alright cool i don't mind paying 5USD...
but what about the most important things?
does rooting 100% erase evetyhing?
Do i keep getting updates to my phone? or when a new version comes out i have to re-root or something?
It will erase EVERYTHING and you would have to go back to stock to get the OTA or wait for a build to be flashable
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
If the ROM got OTA (over the air) you can update i guess, not really populair with OTA, but you can download 4.2.2 stock ROM or custom ROM when it comes out.
Sent From My Rooted Samsung Galaxy S2 JB 4.1.2 (GT-I9100)
Why don't you unlock and root using fastboot. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2018179
Check my signature for my reasons why.
You might even learn something!
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
El Daddy said:
Why don't you unlock and root using fastboot. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2018179
Check my signature for my reasons why.
You might even learn something!
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
might? i bet ill learn ALOT!
i just have one more question - that i didnt understand.
as of now, unrooted, if 4.3(lets say) comes out tommorow, my device updates, bam.. im 4.3
if i root now, at 4.2.1, the above will not happen? meaning in order to update to 4.3 i will have to lose all my data again?
ty!
Caniv said:
might? i bet ill learn ALOT!
i just have one more question - that i didnt understand.
as of now, unrooted, if 4.3(lets say) comes out tommorow, my device updates, bam.. im 4.3
if i root now, at 4.2.1, the above will not happen? meaning in order to update to 4.3 i will have to lose all my data again?
ty!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are only rooted and having modified any system files you can OTA successfully.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
El Daddy said:
If you are only rooted and having modified any system files you can OTA successfully.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ashamed to say i didnt really get it.. lol.
you said OTA is "Over the Air", right?
so if i rooted at 4.2.1 (just rooted, no rom or anything), and 4.3 came out do i
1. Have to delete everything AGAIN and re-root on 4.3 to get the update
2. have to find the 4.3 file online and install it somehow
3. do nothing, the phone automatically gets updated
ty =)
Caniv said:
ashamed to say i didnt really get it.. lol.
you said OTA is "Over the Air", right?
so if i rooted at 4.2.1 (just rooted, no rom or anything), and 4.3 came out do i
1. Have to delete everything AGAIN and re-root on 4.3 to get the update
2. have to find the 4.3 file online and install it somehow
3. do nothing, the phone automatically gets updated
ty =)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Getting root on your device does not delete anything. What deletes everything is unlocking the bootloader (which, at the present time, is required to obtain root). You only have to unlock the bootloader once. Once it is unlocked, getting root is trivial.
Every time you receive an over-the-air update, it will remove your root access, BUT, as I mentioned earlier, getting it back is trivial when your bootloader is unlocked.
efrant said:
Getting root on your device does not delete anything. What deletes everything is unlocking the bootloader (which, at the present time, is required to obtain root). You only have to unlock the bootloader once. Once it is unlocked, getting root is trivial.
Every time you receive an over-the-air update, it will remove your root access, BUT, as I mentioned earlier, getting it back is trivial when your bootloader is unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i should pay you for toleraring my silly questions... many thanks
since i think i saw u said u do not recommend tool kits to root..
can u direct me to a step by step instruction thread to root, in a way you support? i totally trust your opinion
Caniv said:
i should pay you for toleraring my silly questions... many thanks
since i think i saw u said u do not recommend tool kits to root..
can u direct me to a step by step instruction thread to root, in a way you support? i totally trust your opinion
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you read the stickies in the General and Q&A sections? There is a couple of stickies by me in the General section (the "Basics" and "Root" links in my signature), and there is also a sticky by Jubakuba in the Q&A section.
efrant said:
Have you read the stickies in the General and Q&A sections? There is a couple of stickies by me in the General section (the "Basics" and "Root" links in my signature), and there is also a sticky by Jubakuba in the Q&A section.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did not!
I will do so as soon as I'm done with work.
Will prolly open a thread titled "rooted 4.2, how do i update to 4.2.1" unless its in the stickies..
Caniv said:
I did not!
I will do so as soon as I'm done with work.
Will prolly open a thread titled "rooted 4.2, how do i update to 4.2.1" unless its in the stickies..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The easiest way is to wait for the OTA notification to appear on your device. Then just accept it, and then root again.
I've written up something for the Galaxy Nexus (sticky in the GNex General section), but nothing yet for the N4. The basic premise (and most of the commands) are the same. You can browse through it for some background info.

Ok.. So i am ready to do root.. Just one question

I have done some reading and finally decided I will be using the Casual method to root my S 4, but I am stock with not wanting to end up with the custom lock pad permanently, and I have seen many people have not been able to get rid of it.
So here is my question... After using Casual, what would be the way to get back to stock? This method installs custom recovery, so I am not sure how to go back if indeed to....
Can some one point me in the right direction?
Appreciated!
Before we move forward here, have you updated? As it stands the update released yesterday effectively blocks root and more then likely also blocks Loki. O and it blocks Odin so you can't downgrade. This is like first and foremost if you even wanna run casual now.
no update on my phone yet...
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2314494
post #1 is about rooting/flashing. post #2 addresses returning to stock, which literally is about as simple as flashing stock firmware via odin and factory resetting. cheers
Awesome.. I read that post but forgot completely about it.. most appreciated!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337
genesiss said:
Awesome.. I read that post but forgot completely about it.. most appreciated!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
as Thermalwolf stated, your firmware version is important. make sure you dont have the latest MF3
No.. MDL still
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337
If you're still on MDL I recommend rooting now before your phone tries to force MF3 on you as it blocks root and possibly loki.
Thermalwolf said:
If you're still on MDL I recommend rooting now before your phone tries to force MF3 on you as it blocks root and possibly loki.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea, talk about making it just under the wire, your lucky you decided to root today and that your phone hadn't already updated.
I feel for those poor souls that updated, personally I think loki is patched and I remember sitting around for months and months while people tried and failed to unlock the rezound bootloader, locked bootloaders can be a b***h
Take care of your non MF3 Galaxy S4's everyone, they just became more valueable ...
movielover76 said:
Yea, talk about making it just under the wire, your lucky you decided to root today and that your phone hadn't already updated.
I feel for those poor souls that updated, personally I think loki is patched and I remember sitting around for months and months while people tried and failed to unlock the rezound bootloader, locked bootloaders can be a b***h
Take care of your non MF3 Galaxy S4's everyone, they just became more valueable ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right?! This guy could not have picked a better day too root. Also I'm damn sure Loki is patched, we can't Odin back to MDL so that should speak for itself.
OP, Root and block the OTA APKs immediately! If your phone starts downloading just rip the battery out lol
Thermalwolf said:
Right?! This guy could not have picked a better day too root. Also I'm damn sure Loki is patched, we can't Odin back to MDL so that should speak for itself.
OP, Root and block the OTA APKs immediately! If your phone starts downloading just rip the battery out lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just rooted last night. I keep postponing the update. I did some searching and found that I should rename wssyncmldm.apk and reboot to block the OTA update. Is this correct? Is there another file that should be renamed?
Thanks!
ok just did it.. had some issues with Windows drivers but it turns out MAC worked just fine.. i am currently doing nandroid back up..
thanks to all for replies..
ok everything works just fine.. now.. what would be my next step
. how can I avoid update? so far I am interested in staying stock. maybe remove some apps and add some.. but how can I assure I will not update?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337
genesiss said:
ok everything works just fine.. now.. what would be my next step
. how can I avoid update? so far I am interested in staying stock. maybe remove some apps and add some.. but how can I assure I will not update?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to read the existing threads. Go to the 'General" section read the stickies and then read the threads about the new OTA. ALL of your questions are answered in detail in those threads. Good luck.
Hopefully this works for me
I Bought my S4 yesterday and the sales rep at AT&T pressed the update button before handing it to me. I didn't think anything of it because as far as I knew android was designed to be open and easily rooted. Man was I mad when I got home. So today I went back and complained that the "phone was glitchy" and was handed another one. This time I told them not to touch it. Hand over the box and nobody gets hurt (keep in mind I paid full price for it too so i was extra mad). This one is on MDL. Now to root and block update. Hooray!

4.4 and SlapMyMoto

Ok I'm trying to sift through all the information availble on multiple threads to figure this out. So if I use SMM and root my phone, I can then flash the 4.4 OTA and IF it goes through I am on 4.4 and rooted. Now if the OTA flash fails, I have to enter a bunch of adb commands to recover the phone on 4.4. If this happens am I still able to attain root with SMM?
Also I am on the original firmware, not even the 12.15 firmware. Can I flash straight to 4.4 after running SMM? Thanks in advance. After these questions are answered, I will be happy to make a guide for everyone to follow to safely get from stock firmware to 4.4 rooted.
I believe you have to take the 12.15.15 update. No once on 4.4 you can't root as of now.
bigv5150 said:
I believe you have to take the 12.15.15 update. No once on 4.4 you can't root as of now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay I'm certian that others have 4.4 and root. They used slap my moto. I'm just curious about if the 4.4 flash fails, if I can still get root.
seh6183 said:
Okay I'm certian that others have 4.4 and root. They used slap my moto. I'm just curious about if the 4.4 flash fails, if I can still get root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you can have root I have root on 4.4 you have to start the root process on 4.2.2. You have to root 12.15.15 then get permanent write off protection. Then use slap my moto take 4.4 update then finish the slap my moto exploit and your rooted.
Or buy a Dev edition
Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk
arcanexvi said:
Or buy a Dev edition
Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOL your never going to let that go to be honest I agree it is getting ridiculous anymore root is getting harder and harder. And as much as I love SS the roms with kexec kernels never measure up they always end up running slow and lag. My next phone will be a dev phone buy a reg phone on subsidize sell it and pick up a dev.

How to preserve root from 4.1.2 to kit kat 4.4

Hello, I was wondering for those who kept root going from 4.1.2 to kitkat 4.4, how did you do it? My phone is currently locked but rooted and I just downloaded the OTA kit kat update but haven't installed it yet. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!
No current method so don't upgrade if root is essential. Only unlocked bootloaders can get root back.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
We haven't seen anybody maintain root on a locked device across the OTA yet.
RikRong said:
We haven't seen anybody maintain root on a locked device across the OTA yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what about on a device that is unlocked?
voodoo?
On an unlocked device you can just flash SuperSU in recovery...
And Voodoo won't work with a KitKat OTA.
how do you flash if root was lost when updated..im unlocked and had twrp but heard that is no longer working..and what is stranger is that developers option in settings s not there
Sent from my KFTHWI using Tapatalk
davekaz said:
how do you flash if root was lost when updated..im unlocked and had twrp but heard that is no longer working..and what is stranger is that developers option in settings s not there
Sent from my KFTHWI using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First off, in regards to TWRP, there is a newer version of CWM recovery that works with KK. Use that.
Second, the developer options have been hidden, but you have to pay me to get the info.
JUST KIDDING!
Here is what you do:
Go to settings.
Click on "About Phone"
Scroll down and then start mashing on "Build Number". It will inform you that you have so many presses before going to developer mode.
After that, it will give you a toast saying developer mode has been activated. You're done!
If someone could kindly put together a walk thru on
How to go from stock, rooted, and unlocked to kit Kat w/root
That would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
I am in the same boat, rooted on stock ROM. I don't want to lose root, but my phone keep popping up the update installer request. My phone has kept me so happy for so long that I have not kept up with the forums. I just haven't had any problems, and I'd like to keep it that way. So, is there no root for 4.2.2 yet? Or there just isn't a way to preserve it across the OTA? Should I go back to stock unrooted, update and re-root? I've been reading around the forums and I am just not seeing a whole lot of info about this yet.
gadsden said:
I am in the same boat, rooted on stock ROM. I don't want to lose root, but my phone keep popping up the update installer request. My phone has kept me so happy for so long that I have not kept up with the forums. I just haven't had any problems, and I'd like to keep it that way. So, is there no root for 4.2.2 yet? Or there just isn't a way to preserve it across the OTA? Should I go back to stock unrooted, update and re-root? I've been reading around the forums and I am just not seeing a whole lot of info about this yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this has been discussed many times.
if you have a LOCKED phone, there is NO way to have or preserve root going to KK
if you have a UNLOCKED phone, update to KK, flash the KK cwm, flash su zip in cwm, profit!
those are the only 2 options PERIOD.
bweN diorD said:
this has been discussed many times.
if you have a LOCKED phone, there is NO way to have or preserve root going to KK
if you have a UNLOCKED phone, update to KK, flash the KK cwm, flash su zip in cwm, profit!
those are the only 2 options PERIOD.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, well, I am not unlocked. So is there a way to stop the OTA?
gadsden said:
Ok, well, I am not unlocked. So is there a way to stop the OTA?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you can freeze the updater. i dont recall the exact file name(s).
someone else can jump in, or you could google it.
bweN diorD said:
you can freeze the updater. i dont recall the exact file name(s).
someone else can jump in, or you could google it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are correct, just freeze the updater.apk. Well, it's worked for me anyway.
RikRong said:
You are correct, just freeze the updater.apk. Well, it's worked for me anyway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some people say it's better to rename System > etc>security > otacerts.zip. Equal amount of people say to freeze updater. I'll follow you and freeze updater for now.
I'm itching to update to KK, and I can almost part with a rooted phone since I am running stock ROM anyway. But life without Titanium Backup just doesn't seem like a life at all.
Thanks again for the tips.
Speaking of freezing the update app, I have been doing that since before the last update so I'm currently running 4.1.2 9.16.6.XT926 does anyone know if it will cause me any trouble skipping an OTA?
Thanks.
sheep348 said:
Speaking of freezing the update app, I have been doing that since before the last update so I'm currently running 4.1.2 9.16.6.XT926 does anyone know if it will cause me any trouble skipping an OTA?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you should unlock the bootloader first if you havent already. after you update you will no longer be able to ever.
as for the update, if you flash it with rsd there shouldnt be any issue that im aware of. if you unfreeze the updater and take the actual ota(s), it will not skip any, it will pull the next in line each time until you get to the most current.
however, you will still need to use rsd before taking or sideloading the KK ota or root will cause it to fail.
bweN diorD said:
you should unlock the bootloader first if you havent already. after you update you will no longer be able to ever.
as for the update, if you flash it with rsd there shouldnt be any issue that im aware of. if you unfreeze the updater and take the actual ota(s), it will not skip any, it will pull the next in line each time until you get to the most current.
however, you will still need to use rsd before taking or sideloading the KK ota or root will cause it to fail.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the help but I don't have a lot of knowledge about rooting. If I don't care about keeping root can I just take the OTAs or are you saying they will they fail if I don't first unlock the boot loader?
"after you update you will no longer be able to ever" What will I not be able to update again? The bootloader?
Thanks.
sheep348 said:
Thanks for the help but I don't have a lot of knowledge about rooting. If I don't care about keeping root can I just take the OTAs or are you saying they will they fail if I don't first unlock the boot loader?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He's saying you could probably find someone who would be willing to pay you handsomely to trade phones.
Once you update your phone, the bootloader can't be unlocked....as far as we know, ever again. If you don't care, which it sounds like you don't, go ahead and update your phone.
sheep348 said:
Thanks for the help but I don't have a lot of knowledge about rooting. If I don't care about keeping root can I just take the OTAs or are you saying they will they fail if I don't first unlock the boot loader?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
most people who dont unlock the bootloader when they had the chance regret not doing it. its not a problem if you dont want to, i was just giving you a heads up more or less.
as for the updates,(this has nothing to do with the bootloader) im pretty sure the first 2 will install fine but im positive the 3rd, KK, will fail because you had root before.
so if you want to go to KK, you really have no other option but to use rsd first to return your phone to stock.
gadsden said:
He's saying you could probably find someone who would be willing to pay you handsomely to trade phones.
Once you update your phone, the bootloader can't be unlocked....as far as we know, ever again. If you don't care, which it sounds like you don't, go ahead and update your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks bweN diorD and gadsden,
I appreciate the help. I only use my root access for killing music apps and I have some bloatware frozen. So personally I think I'll go ahead and update to KK since the benefits should outweigh the loss of root access for me. Should I do a factory reset first or should I be good to go taking the OTA?
Thanks again I'm always hesitant to do things to my phone because I don't have the knowledge to fix it or the money to replace it.
---------- Post added at 06:18 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:15 PM ----------
bweN diorD said:
most people who dont unlock the bootloader when they had the chance regret not doing it. its not a problem if you dont want to, i was just giving you a heads up more or less.
as for the updates,(this has nothing to do with the bootloader) im pretty sure the first 2 will install fine but im positive the 3rd, KK, will fail because you had root before.
so if you want to go to KK, you really have no other option but to use rsd first to return your phone to stock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Again thanks, I guess I'll have to look into finding out how to use rsd and go back to stock.

[Q] Root method for 4.4.2 OTA?

Are the old root methods for 4.3 still valid after taking the 4.4.2 OTA? I tried using kingo root but it will not work. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
DJ0224 said:
Are the old root methods for 4.3 still valid after taking the 4.4.2 OTA? I tried using kingo root but it will not work. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The way I understand it is they changed something in the code that broke the old roots. Were you rooted before the 4.4.2 OTA? There were many threads here warning against taking the OTA for the risk of loosing root. You may be without it for a while until someone finds a work around for the new code...
SomeFknGuy said:
The way I understand it is they changed something in the code that broke the old roots. Were you rooted before the 4.4.2 OTA? There were many threads here warning against taking the OTA for the risk of loosing root. You may be without it for a while until someone finds a work around for the new code...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, I was not rooted beforehand. I just recently got the phone and love it. But man I would love to get root access for bloatware, adblock, ect. I guess i'll have to just keep an eye out for a new method when one drops.
Thanks for the quick reply though! :good:
Yeah, in the same boat here. I just got the phone on the day KK dropped, so I assumed the update when i first powered the phone on was an old one. If only I had known! LOL
Same here! Hope someone comes up with a solution soon.

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