[Q] No-Wipe Return to Stock / Unroot? - AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshootin

I'm currently rooted on the 4.3 MK2 build. I want to OTA update to 4.4, but can't because the phone is rooted. I'm aware that these are the files I need to return to stock however I was hoping that there would be a way that does not wipe my internal memory.
Is the above firmware guaranteed to wipe my phone? If so, is there any other 4.3 firmware out there that is no-wipe? I'm still a little new to rooting, so thanks for the help.

You got the right firmware and yes, it will wipe your device. Check out the app helium

SoccerSpartan said:
I'm currently rooted on the 4.3 MK2 build. I want to OTA update to 4.4, but can't because the phone is rooted. I'm aware that these are the files I need to return to stock however I was hoping that there would be a way that does not wipe my internal memory.
Is the above firmware guaranteed to wipe my phone? If so, is there any other 4.3 firmware out there that is no-wipe? I'm still a little new to rooting, so thanks for the help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you're rooted and didn't modify anything in the system partition, you can unroot using SuperSU. You'll have to search how to do this, as I have no experience doing this.

Assuming you rooted with saferoot. The second post of this thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2565758. Will walk you through doing a complete and thorough unroot. Basically everything saferoot does it undoes in reverse.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

CAG-man said:
Assuming you rooted with saferoot. The second post of this thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2565758. Will walk you through doing a complete and thorough unroot. Basically everything saferoot does it undoes in reverse.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. I forgot about this and was able to successfully unroot.
However my 4.4 update is still failing at around 28%. Is there anything else that could prevent you from updating?

Related

[Q] Should I install the OTA update if I want to root?

Got a new S4. First time I start up, it asks if I want to install OTA update. Will this stop me from rooting the device after? If I root first, can I apply the update after root? What has been the best practice?
Still extremely easy to root the mdl update
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda premium
Agree. Take the update and then easily install custom recovery/kernel/root without to much trouble.
easy to root with MDL easy to revert back to stock. Ultra noobs :silly: with no patience who can't read would be the only people I could think of that could brick this install...
Ok I'll break it down to it's most easy form. Rooting MDL involves this:
1) Take the update from sprint. That will get you to all MDL (radio, rom and kernel)
2) flash a custom recovery. I really don't care which.
3) flash a custom kernel. Shabbys works well.
4) flash busybox/supersu zips
5) profit.
It's not hard to root MDL. if you think this is hard you should have tried rooting the HTC 4g LTE. with a locked bootloader. THAT was hard.
Oh, so even if we accepted the OTA, everything is fine? I thought there was a kernel issue?
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 2
eyecon82 said:
Oh, so even if we accepted the OTA, everything is fine? I thought there was a kernel issue?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is, hence why rawintellect stated that you need to "flash a custom kernel."

Rooting with MK2?

I have a new S4, and I haven't found a tutorial on how to root with the new Mk2 update. Can I use tutorials from previous updates, or is there something out there that I haven't seen yet? Thanks a lot!
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda app-developers app
Search more. Use cf auto
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk
Ok, I found this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2291827
I'm seeing a lot of people having issues, losing wifi, etc., and having to revert to previous updates. Will I have to do that even though I've not rooted yet?
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda app-developers app
jordan8201 said:
Ok, I found this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2291827
I'm seeing a lot of people having issues, losing wifi, etc., and having to revert to previous updates. Will I have to do that even though I've not rooted yet?
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's it. Just make sure to read everything and understand it..
And about wifi loss and issues, people have been reporting it, although I'm still on MJA Stock Rooted with no issues whatsoever...
GS4 Stock Rooted MJA 4.3,Philz Touch CWM,HotSpot Mod,Transparent Weather Widget...
jordan8201 said:
I have a new S4, and I haven't found a tutorial on how to root with the new Mk2 update. Can I use tutorials from previous updates, or is there something out there that I haven't seen yet? Thanks a lot!
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
rooted my mk2 2 days ago. and the best flawless way to do it is. push philz recovery thru odin. and flash superuser.zip reboot and your done (i did have to go into the playstore and update super user to get it to work)
Philz recovery http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2201860
Stock Mk2 Deodexed Rom with working Hotspot http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2567353
Super User https://www.dropbox.com/s/6qu70s3dq0kv3en/UPDATE-SuperSU-v1.65.zip
If you're not rooted, you should be able to just take the update. IMO, most of the issues are coming from rooted devices that may not have been totally clean (stock rom, stock recovery, total factory reset) when the update was taken. That's not a worry for a stock phone.
If you want to root afterwards, the CF Auto Root is the way to go for sure.
jejb said:
If you're not rooted, you should be able to just take the update. IMO, most of the issues are coming from rooted devices that may not have been totally clean (stock rom, stock recovery, total factory reset) when the update was taken. That's not a worry for a stock phone.
If you want to root afterwards, the CF Auto Root is the way to go for sure.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome. Thanks guys. I'll definitely use the auto root as soon as I can get access to a Windows pc.
jordan8201 said:
I have a new S4, and I haven't found a tutorial on how to root with the new Mk2 update. Can I use tutorials from previous updates, or is there something out there that I haven't seen yet? Thanks a lot!
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you take the 4.3 OTA and have the Knox bootloader on it?
epi4gtn said:
Did you take the 4.3 OTA and have the Knox bootloader on it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure. How would I find out?
jordan8201 said:
I'm not sure. How would I find out?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Two ways. Go to the Download screen and see if there's a line for Knox. It will be either 0x0 or 0x1.
The other way is to go to About Device and see if your at 4.3
jejb said:
Two ways. Go to the Download screen and see if there's a line for Knox. It will be either 0x0 or 0x1.
The other way is to go to About Device and see if your at 4.3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I'm definitely at 4.3.
jordan8201 said:
Yes, I'm definitely at 4.3.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One thing to keep in mind. If you take the MK2 OTA, some stuff has not been updated for it yet. Like the free wifi hotspot/tether mod.
jejb said:
One thing to keep in mind. If you take the MK2 OTA, some stuff has not been updated for it yet. Like the free wifi hotspot/tether mod.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure what you mean. I already have MK2. Are you saying if I root now, I won't be able to use the hotspot?
hotspot mod
jordan8201 said:
I'm not sure what you mean. I already have MK2. Are you saying if I root now, I won't be able to use the hotspot?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have searched, read, searched, read and search and read and there seems to not be a hotspot mod for rooted mk2 stock rom
Regarding Hotspot on MK2, I found this here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=48516106
And this individual was able to get hotspot working on MK2: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=48516106&postcount=88
BUT I can't figure out if this person had the OTA 4.3 MJA/Knox Bootloader beforehand or not because I can't post in the dev forum.
I don't even think I'm able to send PM's, I tried to PM him but don't see the message in my sent items folder. If anyone can figure out if rawintellect 's post is accurate, I'll flash my phone immediately, to hell with the Knox bit.
I probably wouldn't keep the stock rom anyway, so I don't think this would affect me.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda app-developers app

Lost root after flashing to 4.4 from stock rom

Hey people it seems as though I lost root or at least "don't have proper root access" after flashing CMB rc3 ROM. I somehow updated SU binary but still am having issues gaining full root. If anybody has any information on how to help me it will be greatly appreciated.. I am also willing to go back to stock ROM and see if that works somehow but I forgot to backup stock ROM(I know I'm a moron) lol. I had the 4.2.2 OTA D80110g version prior to flashing to CMB.. Would greatly appreciate any help.
Sent from my LG-D801 using xda app-developers app
DurbanPoison24 said:
Hey people it seems as though I lost root or at least "don't have proper root access" after flashing CMB rc3 ROM. I somehow updated SU binary but still am having issues gaining full root. If anybody has any information on how to help me it will be greatly appreciated.. I am also willing to go back to stock ROM and see if that works somehow but I forgot to backup stock ROM(I know I'm a moron) lol. I had the 4.2.2 OTA D80110g version prior to flashing to CMB.. Would greatly appreciate any help.
Sent from my LG-D801 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Download this and flash it in recovery http://download.chainfire.eu/376/SuperSU/UPDATE-SuperSU-v1.89.zip?retrieve_file=1
It is the supersu.zip, it will reroot your device :good:
Originally Posted by DurbanPoison24
Hey people it seems as though I lost root or at least "don't have proper root access" after flashing CMB rc3 ROM. I somehow updated SU binary but still am having issues gaining full root. If anybody has any information on how to help me it will be greatly appreciated.. I am also willing to go back to stock ROM and see if that works somehow but I forgot to backup stock ROM(I know I'm a moron) lol. I had the 4.2.2 OTA D80110g version prior to flashing to CMB.. Would greatly appreciate any help.
Sent from my LG-D801 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Download this and flash it in recovery http://download.chainfire.eu/376/SuperSU/UPDATE-SuperSU-v1.89.zip?retrieve_file=1
It is the supersu.zip, it will reroot your device :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey thanks for your assistance but I wound up just downloading the rooted stock OTA ROM and re-flashing it and I'm fully rooted again. But do you by any chance know how to fix the issue of losing root after upgrading to 4.4? Does what you told me to do fix that completely and keeps me fully rooted on 4.4? Sorry I'm pretty new to this stuff.
Sent from my LG-D801 using xda app-developers app
DurbanPoison24 said:
Hey thanks for your assistance but I wound up just downloading the rooted stock OTA ROM and re-flashing it and I'm fully rooted again. But do you by any chance know how to fix the issue of losing root after upgrading to 4.4? Does what you told me to do fix that completely and keeps me fully rooted on 4.4? Sorry I'm pretty new to this stuff.
Sent from my LG-D801 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you flash to 4.4 aosp rom, you have to go into developer settings and set root as apps and adb. this will give you root access.
Assuming that you know what you have done, this is the very first case, not only in this G2 subforum but entire XDA site, that I've heard installing custom ROM and lost root.
The first reply hit the nail on the head, some ROM don't have root for example Omni ROM in originaaal android development....you flash supersu zip after ROM and gapps....looks like you have everything going good, good luck man!
votinh said:
Assuming that you know what you have done, this is the very first case, not only in this G2 subforum but entire XDA site, that I've heard installing custom ROM and lost root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I may have misinterpreted. I wound up re-flashing stock ROM. Too nervous to go back to 4.4 because I don't fully understand what happned and I'll be damned if mess my phone up when I just got it yesterday. Lol, really want 4.4 though. Oh well I guess
Sent from my LG-D801 using xda app-developers app
DurbanPoison24 said:
I may have misinterpreted. I wound up re-flashing stock ROM. Too nervous to go back to 4.4 because I don't fully understand what happned and I'll be damned if mess my phone up when I just got it yesterday. Lol, really want 4.4 though. Oh well I guess
Sent from my LG-D801 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey man if you want 4.4 is simple just download the supersu.zip and when your in recovery do the correct wipe then flash ROM and gapps then supersu zip then reboot!
Most Roms have root already like Paranoid android, Mahdi, aokp......Roms like the one you used and omni you need to flash the supersu zip afterward that's it
Yeah check developer settings for root or flash super su zip, also slimkat and others have working root.
Sent from my LG-D802
it works
DurbanPoison24 said:
Hey thanks for your assistance but I wound up just downloading the rooted stock OTA ROM and re-flashing it and I'm fully rooted again. But do you by any chance know how to fix the issue of losing root after upgrading to 4.4? Does what you told me to do fix that completely and keeps me fully rooted on 4.4? Sorry I'm pretty new to this stuff.
Sent from my LG-D801 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know this is a little old but im sure there are ppl with this problems, i am a newbie here and just trying to share, i flashed the suggested file and i got my root back, XDA its a really good site to learn and solve our problems, Thank you XDA!

[Q] Updating from 4.3 to Kitkat without Root.

I have a Samsung Galaxy S4 ATT Base: 1337UCUEMK2. My phone is rooted but I am looking to update to KitKat with or without root. I am not against loosing root to get the update. I have searched for a couple of days now and have not found any concrete answer to what the process would be for me to unroot and update. As of now I have the apps that are recommended to be frozen through TB to stop OTAs. Is it as simple unfreezing those apps, unrooting and getting the OTA, or do I have to prescribe to a more intricate process. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
I would Odin the nb1 tar file then ota to nj4. See this on how to root it.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=56453100
Sent from my Nexus 9 using XDA Free mobile app
jd1639 said:
I would Odin the nb1 tar file then ota to nj4. See this on how to root it.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=56453100
Sent from my Nexus 9 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply. I've read that post in the past but for my own understanding, what I would need to do would be to use the Odin tool to install NB1 version, which is not rooted, then upgrade to the latest version of Android like you would normally upgrade via the software updates? I just want to make sure I am understanding correctly what the course of action would be if I were to partake. Thanks again.
Saritone said:
Thanks for the reply. I've read that post in the past but for my own understanding, what I would need to do would be to use the Odin tool to install NB1 version, which is not rooted, then upgrade to the latest version of Android like you would normally upgrade via the software updates? I just want to make sure I am understanding correctly what the course of action would be if I were to partake. Thanks again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You've got it down. Odin will wipe your device so make sure any pic, music,etc you want to keep are backed up off the device or on your external sdcard. Also, it's a good idea to use titanium backup for your apps and their data
Sent from my Nexus 9 using XDA Free mobile app

[Q] Galaxy s4 in a weird Not-Rooted/Rooted state

I recently rooted my Galaxy S4 using the Towel Root method. but a week ago or so while driving ATT forced an update and updated to the new version. The problem is I do not have Root active, but I can't use certain apps due to getting a message saying that they can't be used on a Rooted device. I am not sure how to remove this odd state I am in. Has anyone had this issue and know how to remove it?
Device: Samsung Galaxy S4
Carrier: AT&T
Model: SAMSUNG-SGH-I337
Android Version 4.4.2
Build Number: KOT49.I337UCUFNI1
darxval said:
I recently rooted my Galaxy S4 using the Towel Root method. but a week ago or so while driving ATT forced an update and updated to the new version. The problem is I do not have Root active, but I can't use certain apps due to getting a message saying that they can't be used on a Rooted device. I am not sure how to remove this odd state I am in. Has anyone had this issue and know how to remove it?
Device: Samsung Galaxy S4
Carrier: AT&T
Model: SAMSUNG-SGH-I337
Android Version 4.4.2
Build Number: KOT49.I337UCUFNI1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What is it that you really want - to regain root or to unroot?
1. To regain root - read the root section of All Things AT&T thread
2. To unroot
a. Without losing data -- I am not sure exactly how to do this
One way would be to re-root and then unroot using the superSu app.
b. With losing data -- Oding NB1 stock and update to latest. Follow Return to Stock
I would like to have it go back to unrooted status. I was hoping for a data safe method. But at this point whichever will work. I am assuming i'll have to root, then unroot. But I didnt know if this causes problem as apps believe it to be rooted but the system says I am not.
I'm having the same dilemma
I rooted my s4 using towelroot. Later att forced an update to 4.4.2 which i thought wouldn't work because it was tooted. But it actually did work and updated. Now the phone is not rooted but it seems that there are some files that are still somewhere that pretty much makes it be partially rooted but with not real root access. Now that the next update is being forced by att for version 4.4.4 it doesn't work. It stores installing at 27% with a failed message. I uninstalled towel root and super user but with no success. I whiped the partition and no success. I did a factory reset which i thought it would work and remove the files that maked look rooted and no success. What should i do exactly to unroot it?
JaureguiRoberto said:
I rooted my s4 using towelroot. Later att forced an update to 4.4.2 which i thought wouldn't work because it was tooted. But it actually did work and updated. Now the phone is not rooted but it seems that there are some files that are still somewhere that pretty much makes it be partially rooted but with not real root access. Now that the next update is being forced by att for version 4.4.4 it doesn't work. It stores installing at 27% with a failed message. I uninstalled towel root and super user but with no success. I whiped the partition and no success. I did a factory reset which i thought it would work and remove the files that maked look rooted and no success. What should i do exactly to unroot it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could use Odin since nothing else is working
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
jd1639 said:
You could use Odin since nothing else is working
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What version of odin? Is there a link with special instructions for this situation? Will i be using odin to install 4.4.2 again? Or 4.4.4? Is there a direct link for at&t 4.4.4 so i can install using odin?
Thanks
JaureguiRoberto said:
What version of odin? Is there a link with special instructions for this situation? Will i be using odin to install 4.4.2 again? Or 4.4.4? Is there a direct link for at&t 4.4.4 so i can install using odin?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You would have to Odin the nb1 tar file, it's the only version that exists. Then ota to 4.4.4, nj4. Any version of Odin works. It will wipe your device and you'll have to start over setting it up.
Sent from my Nexus 9 using XDA Free mobile app
jd1639 said:
You could use Odin since nothing else is working
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
jd1639 said:
You would have to Odin the nb1 tar file, it's the only version that exists. Then ota to 4.4.4, nj4. Any version of Odin works. It will wipe your device and you'll have to start over setting it up.
Sent from my Nexus 9 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you i will start looking for the files.
JaureguiRoberto said:
Thank you i will start looking for the files.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Start here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=56453100
Sent from my Nexus 9 using XDA Free mobile app

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