[Q] Downgrade MF3 to MDL? - AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshootin

Hey all. I have an at&t GS4 running MF3. I remember when MF3 first came about how everyone was saying it will be impossible to downgrade this firmware. My question is has someone figured out a way to do it yet? I don't understand why this "qfuse?" would stop us from downgrading our devices. My main goal with a downgrade is to be able to install GPE KitKat. I currently have safestrap but i believe it is still limited by not being able to use roms that are not 4.2.2. Hope to get some help soon. Please don't be rude and thank you for your help.
Oh! Also if there is another way to run GPE KitKat on MF3 please let me know! Maybe safestrap can do that now! idk.
Again thanks for all the help.

WezzleD said:
Hey all. I have an at&t GS4 running MF3. I remember when MF3 first came about how everyone was saying it will be impossible to downgrade this firmware. My question is has someone figured out a way to do it yet? I don't understand why this "qfuse?" would stop us from downgrading our devices. My main goal with a downgrade is to be able to install GPE KitKat. I currently have safestrap but i believe it is still limited by not being able to use roms that are not 4.2.2. Hope to get some help soon. Please don't be rude and thank you for your help.
Oh! Also if there is another way to run GPE KitKat on MF3 please let me know! Maybe safestrap can do that now! idk.
Again thanks for all the help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no way yet to downgrade to a lower version with the locked bootloader. The fuse count is stored in the aboot and when flashing in download mode, it checks if the one being written has same or higher count. If not, it will fail the write and hence we wont be able to downgrade.
The locked bootloader puts the restriction on safestrap. We can only successfully boot a ROM that matches the base firmware version. This is because we cannot flash a kernel that doesnt match the bootloader. So, if you are on MF3, you can boot roms that are based on 4.2.2 only.

So basically no one has yet to find a way to boot anything higher than 4.2.2? That sucks :/ oh well then. Will just do gpe 4.2.2 with the Google home app.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app

WezzleD said:
So basically no one has yet to find a way to boot anything higher than 4.2.2? That sucks :/ oh well then. Will just do gpe 4.2.2 with the Google home app.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I assume since your on MF3 that your in reference to running custom 4.2.2 ROM"s via Safestrap...
You can move up to running custom 4.3 ROM's if you update to the MK2 firmware and use the latest version of Safestrap. This is currently the best option for a non-MDL device. I suggest updating to MK2 and loading a 4.3 ROM like Hyperdrive.
Alternatively, you can upgrade to MK2 and use the Deadly Venom Kitkat Tool to run 4.4 ROM's...
I'd HIGHLY suggest reading this thread...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2616221

Related

SGH-I337 AT&T 4.2.2 MF3 Rooted (Motochopper) - best route to AT&T 4.3?

Hi all,
My Google-fu is failing me and I'm not certain of the best route to take a Galaxy S4 SGH-I337 AT&T 4.2.2 MF3 (Rooted with Motochopper) up to the new AT&T 4.3 firmware.
Can anyone point me in the direction of a guide for doing this? Everything I'm reading seems like I'll have to sacrifice my root, flash to stock with Odin, and then wait for AT&T to re-release the OTA update to 4.3. Am I off base?
Motochopper cannot root MF3. We're you able to hold root when you upgraded and are hoping to keep root again?
At the moment yes you will have to sacrifice root. I did. Root keeper does not support android 4.3 and keeping with SuperSU does not work either.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
CAG-man said:
Motochopper cannot root MF3. We're you able to hold root when you upgraded and are hoping to keep root again?
At the moment yes you will have to sacrifice root. I did. Root keeper does not support android 4.3 and keeping with SuperSU does not work either.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My phone is still rooted at this moment, though I'm on 4.2.2. I haven't upgraded anything yet. I was hoping there was a custom rom or something I could flash to get to 4.3 and retain root.
I'm just gonna wait until a stock 4.3 rom comes out that supports safestrap so I can keep root
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
mrpeters said:
My phone is still rooted at this moment, though I'm on 4.2.2. I haven't upgraded anything yet. I was hoping there was a custom rom or something I could flash to get to 4.3 and retain root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since you are rooted with a custom recovery you CAN flash 4.3 now without losing root. Just use ShoStock-i MJ9 4.3http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2468860
Or VisionX MJ9 4.3 http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2391142
Or Deadly Venom MJ9 4.3 http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2503692
and POSSIBLY a couple other 4.3 Touchwiz firmwares that are found in the Android Development Section
These are all from he International MJ9 firmwares but to me are better than the ATT firmwares for 4.3. The ATT 4.3 removed the Data Toggle completely from the pulldown menu and now you have to go into settings each time to turn it on or off. Plus other changes that are solely LACKING compared to the international firmwares. I have tried two of the above and they are both great and the third from what I have read works great as well. They are all great devs. Try them out and I suggest using the Jeboo 3.0 kernel for best results.
Sent From My Spiderman,Ironman,Red,Dark Blue,Green, GreyedOut BadAss Themed I337
I concur with RockRatt. Shostock-I is smooth. It is bundled with jeboos 3.0 kernel. Love it. Biased, though. I've been using Sho's roms since my/his s2 days..
Sent from my TARDIS
If "mrpeters" is MF3 he can't and shouldn't try flashing a 4.3 rom cause our MF3 Safestrap don't support it at the moment.
Sent from my ATT S4 MF3 using Tapatalk
mrpeters said:
Hi all,
My Google-fu is failing me and I'm not certain of the best route to take a Galaxy S4 SGH-I337 AT&T 4.2.2 MF3 (Rooted with Motochopper) up to the new AT&T 4.3 firmware.
Can anyone point me in the direction of a guide for doing this? Everything I'm reading seems like I'll have to sacrifice my root, flash to stock with Odin, and then wait for AT&T to re-release the OTA update to 4.3. Am I off base?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
mrpeters said:
My phone is still rooted at this moment, though I'm on 4.2.2. I haven't upgraded anything yet. I was hoping there was a custom rom or something I could flash to get to 4.3 and retain root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
jball said:
If "mrpeters" is MF3 he can't and shouldn't try flashing a 4.3 rom cause our MF3 Safestrap don't support it at the moment.
Sent from my ATT S4 MF3 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I only gave the advice above because he said he is ROOTED WITH MOTOCHOPPER ON MF3. As we know MF3 cannot be rooted with motochopper. So I was guessing that he rooted while on MDL or MDB with motochopper and used a ROM to upgrade to MF3.
So unless he is/was mistaken with those comments and he meant to say rooted on MF3 with safestrap then I would of told him to look at the safestrap threads.
Hopefully he clears things up with that as I WON'T want to give him Bad Advice.
Sent From My Spiderman,Ironman,Red,Dark Blue,Green, GreyedOut BadAss Themed I337
I didn't quote anybody for a reason.just stating facts based on my reading the OP post.its all good
Sent from my ATT S4 MF3 using Tapatalk
Yea there's a difference between having a phone shipped with MF3 and having upgraded to MF3
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
My phone stock was MDL and I took the OTA to MF3.
MF3 is MF3
Every time I read a thread anyone starts I also read the profiles of all the people in the threads posted.no clear mention of his base in his profile
Sent from my ATT S4 MF3 using Tapatalk
My phone was not MF3 stock. It got upgraded sometime after I rooted. To be completely honest, I'm not sure how. Kies maybe?
All I know is I still have root If I have to wait where I'm at, no big deal!
mrpeters said:
My phone was not MF3 stock. It got upgraded sometime after I rooted. To be completely honest, I'm not sure how. Kies maybe?
All I know is I still have root If I have to wait where I'm at, no big deal!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well my touch screen has stopped working, so now this phone gets to go back to AT&T for repairs.
whats the best way to remove root and factory default it?
sorry to bump an old thread, but I wanted to see if anything had changed so I could upgrade from my rooted 4.2.2 I337UCUAMF3 to one of the newer OS versions that are out. This phone was a warranty replacement, but I had no trouble rooting it with Motochopper when I got it so I don't think it came stock with MF3, but its been 6 months so I can't say for certain.
mrpeters said:
sorry to bump an old thread, but I wanted to see if anything had changed so I could upgrade from my rooted 4.2.2 I337UCUAMF3 to one of the newer OS versions that are out. This phone was a warranty replacement, but I had no trouble rooting it with Motochopper when I got it so I don't think it came stock with MF3, but its been 6 months so I can't say for certain.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could flash the md3 tar and return it to stock. Then let out update itself. You'll lose root and you'll want to read some of the threads on the general section dealing with mk2 and nb1 before you do so so you know what you're getting in to
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727
jd1639 said:
You could flash the md3 tar and return it to stock. Then let out update itself. You'll lose root and you'll want to read some of the threads on the general section dealing with mk2 and nb1 before you do so so you know what you're getting in to
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
10-4. I don't want to lose root, so that's key. I should have clarified that. I use too many apps (LightFlow, NoBloat, Titanium, etc.) that I wouldn't want to give up.
mrpeters said:
10-4. I don't want to lose root, so that's key. I should have clarified that. I use too many apps (LightFlow, NoBloat, Titanium, etc.) that I wouldn't want to give up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could flash 4.3 MK2 with odin then root with saferoot.
The 4.3 tar can be found here http://d-h.st/wH3 The pit here http://d-h.st/5gz
Saferoot can be found here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2565758
jball said:
My phone stock was MDL and I took the OTA to MF3.
MF3 is MF3
Every time I read a thread anyone starts I also read the profiles of all the people in the threads posted.no clear mention of his base in his profile
My MDL updated itself when I went back to stock and forgot to disable OTA. Now that I'm locked into TW, is there a reason NOT to update to MK2? I know that it will install KNOX but with saferoot and safestrap, I'll have the same functionality of my rooted MF3?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am at the same place in my phone. Were you ever able to update to 4.3 I need to do the same to have access to certain options and apps

[Q] 4.3 update

sorry if this is an old question.
well im using an sgh i337 at&t,
im in 4.2.2 MF3, it's rooted an using safestrap
my problem is that whenever i try to flash a 4.3 TW rom
(Goldeneye) in another rom slot, it just seems its not working, is not even booting. i also tried flashing an aosp based room. p.a.c or dirty unicorn rooms, same result.
so i just saw a post saying at&t has 4.3 since november 13, i would like to know how to get it. i mean, maybe im doing something wrong with safestrap. what if i try ota upgrading and it briks my phone? i dont even know if 4.3 worths loosing my root, which i dont know if i could achieve to use in 4.3
so resumeing my questions are.
am i missunderstanding safestrap flashing procedures?
is there a root for 4.3?
how can i get 4.3 for my phone? (safestrap room, odin upgrade, ota upgrade)
is there a custom recovery for 4.3?
any help please?
AT&T pulled the 4.3 update to smooth out some "issues." ETA for the re-released update is anyone's guess but will probably happen "soon."
You can only use TouchWiz-based 4.2.2 ROMs on MF3 with Safestrap.
I'd never flash anything more recent than MF3 if you have any desire to ever run custom ROMs or unlock the bootloader. This is pretty much the rule of thumb with any new release with a locked bootloader.
It's a safe assumption each new release from AT&T will only lock this phone down *more.* Unless Samsung comes up with an official bootloader unlock process similar to HTC, it will only get harder to customize the phone after an upgrade.
GRGC25 said:
sorry if this is an old question.
well im using an sgh i337 at&t,
im in 4.2.2 MF3, it's rooted an using safestrap
my problem is that whenever i try to flash a 4.3 TW rom
(Goldeneye) in another rom slot, it just seems its not working, is not even booting. i also tried flashing an aosp based room. p.a.c or dirty unicorn rooms, same result.
so i just saw a post saying at&t has 4.3 since november 13, i would like to know how to get it. i mean, maybe im doing something wrong with safestrap. what if i try ota upgrading and it briks my phone? i dont even know if 4.3 worths loosing my root, which i dont know if i could achieve to use in 4.3
so resumeing my questions are.
am i missunderstanding safestrap flashing procedures?
is there a root for 4.3?
how can i get 4.3 for my phone? (safestrap room, odin upgrade, ota upgrade)
is there a custom recovery for 4.3?
any help please?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Update ypu trying to use in slot is not full rom, just like you say UPDATE. This is patch to 100% stock rom. This will not work in SS slot.
auch
i feel like something died inside of me
GRGC25 said:
i feel like something died inside of me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It was that taco bell burrito you ate
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda premium
[email protected] said:
It was that taco bell burrito you ate
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol. no taco bell in mexico, but i like carnaza tacos

4.2.2 mf3 recovery??

Hey guys,
I have been doing alot of research but cannot seem to come up with anything. I have a i-337. 4.2.2 mf3 firmware. I have seen the safestrap recovery but did not want to use safestrap. Is there any other custom recovery that I can use to flash a custom rom? Thanks for the help.
atripp13 said:
Hey guys,
I have been doing alot of research but cannot seem to come up with anything. I have a i-337. 4.2.2 mf3 firmware. I have seen the safestrap recovery but did not want to use safestrap. Is there any other custom recovery that I can use to flash a custom rom? Thanks for the help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As of now no, only way is with Safestrap and can only be Touchwiz roms 4.2.2
Sent From My Galaxy S4 SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 Running On New Deadly Venom v1.3.6 Jelly Bean 4.3
4.2.2 TW and 4.2.2 GPE ROMs on SS
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Thats what I figured. Everything I read is from september, so I was just trying to get the latest word. Is 4.3 out for us I-337 users? And if so, Can someone point me in the direction of the tar file to install using ODIN, if that's possible yet? Thanks a bunch.
atripp13 said:
Thats what I figured. Everything I read is from september, so I was just trying to get the latest word. Is 4.3 out for us I-337 users? And if so, Can someone point me in the direction of the tar file to install using ODIN, if that's possible yet? Thanks a bunch.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No Odin tar for 4.3 yet, but search through the 4.3 thread in the General forum and you'll find links and instructions buried in there on sideloading 4.3 via ADB, (if you don't simply want to wait for the OTA). Note that you must have a pretty clean stock phone to get it to work. If you want root, I would suggest rooting MF3 first, then enabling survival mode in SuperSU Pro, as that's the safest way to get root on 4.3. One more thing: no custom ROMs, recovery, anything is available on 4.3, just root.

[Q] MDL Firmware

Currently have a AT&T S4 rooted with MDL firmware. I have flashed other 4.3 loki roms without any problems (using Goldeneye 20 now). From the reading that I have done on the forums, it is my understanding that certain roms require a newer firmware version, for example, Hyperdrive. Is that a correct statement? If so, will that continue to be the trend with later releases? Can anyone provide any additional information to help me understand this better? Thanks in advance!
beefwilliams said:
Currently have a AT&T S4 rooted with MDL firmware. I have flashed other 4.3 loki roms without any problems (using Goldeneye 20 now). From the reading that I have done on the forums, it is my understanding that certain roms require a newer firmware version, for example, Hyperdrive. Is that a correct statement? If so, will that continue to be the trend with later releases? Can anyone provide any additional information to help me understand this better? Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For MDL, that does not apply. Basically people with MF3+ phones need to upgrade to 4.3 to have 4.3 ROMs. All you need to do is continue to use loki and never upgrade your bootloaders.
DeadlySin9 said:
For MDL, that does not apply. Basically people with MF3+ phones need to upgrade to 4.3 to have 4.3 ROMs. All you need to do is continue to use loki and never upgrade your bootloaders.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unless he wants a 4.4.2 rom then he needs the new bootloader....which is locked! so stay away of 4.4.2 for now
Flashing roms (unless stated by OP) will not update your bootloader correct? Since I am one of the lucky ones to have the MDL, I don't want to jeopardize it.
daraj said:
Unless he wants a 4.4.2 rom then he needs the new bootloader....which is locked! so stay away of 4.4.2 for now
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not true, he can flash a 4.4.2 ROM with the MDL bootloader as long as he gets a loki 4.4.2 kernel. Otherwise the 4.4.2 Google Edition thread wouldn't get much attention
beefwilliams said:
Flashing roms (unless stated by OP) will not update your bootloader correct? Since I am one of the lucky ones to have the MDL, I don't want to jeopardize it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flashing ROMs will not touch your bootloaders. Just never take any OTA updates to the stock ROM, and never ODIN any firmware except MDL. OTA updates on custom ROMs will only work in some cases (GE doesn't because they're ported from a different model, Hyperdrive will because it has a specialized system).
I'm MDL on 4.2.2, how did you upgrade to 4.3 but keep your MDL?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 2
Wittyusernametaken said:
I'm MDL on 4.2.2, how did you upgrade to 4.3 but keep your MDL?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can use the StockUp ROM, it's just MK2 with bloat removed and you can even flash the bloat back on if you want.
DeadlySin9 said:
You can use the StockUp ROM, it's just MK2 with bloat removed and you can even flash the bloat back on if you want.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting yeah, no bloat love here, I've got a metric ton of it frozen with Titanium. I was thinking that the only thing I could try was http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2356276 . I haven't actually flashed any roms yet, only rooted and have twrp. Thank you for the info
I'm on MDL firmware (AT&T) running Hyperdrive RSL13 with KTs kernel. I've had 4.2.2 and 4.4.2 roms on this phone. You can bounce around with no problem. My recovery auto lokis...using shabby penguins recovery.

[Request] Update from NB1 to NC1

currently I am outside us i want NC1 Frimware to upgrade with out rooting my device
ٍSorry i but it on wrong place i want to move it to question sections i am sorry for that
The NC1 update is provided by your carrier. You should just be able to do a check for updates on your device and it'll find it. Please know that it's a very recent update and not much is known about how it affects custom ROMs or the rooting process. I updated to it and I'm waiting to see what the experts here say.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
5erv0 said:
The NC1 update is provided by your carrier. You should just be able to do a check for updates on your device and it'll find it. Please know that it's a very recent update and not much is known about how it affects custom ROMs or the rooting process. I updated to it and I'm waiting to see what the experts here say.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My carrier is At&t and they don't allow any update out the US
There was another thread I posted this to but for some reason the OP wanted the thread deleted.
So here is the link to the file I was pushed.
https://mega.co.nz/#!oYp13KoL!iM-Wr_M4ix22OeLw6cne0G1WXH7BjuN9i0Fr995G6lQ
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
0o0nano0o0 said:
My carrier is At&t and they don't allow any update out the US
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Currently living in Japan and my i337 took the 4.3 and 4.4 updates just fine prior to rooting.
Sent from my SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
0o0nano0o0 said:
currently I am outside us i want NC1 Frimware to upgrade with out rooting my device
ٍSorry i but it on wrong place i want to move it to question sections i am sorry for that
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I honestly do not trust the update and I will explain. I believe the update was pushed to prevent us, the custom ROM users, from downgrading back to mf3. We all know that in mf3 there is an exploit where we can change the kernel inside the memory or something like that. I am rooted on nb1 and am running a bootloader that lets me downgrade back to mf3. It would make sense to me that they are trying to prevent that exploit. I know they probably fix a stability issue or something but I would not flash to nc1 if you don't want custom roms here in the near future.
braindead444 said:
I honestly do not trust the update and I will explain. I believe the update was pushed to prevent us, the custom ROM users, from downgrading back to mf3. We all know that in mf3 there is an exploit where we can change the kernel inside the memory or something like that. I am rooted on nb1 and am running a bootloader that lets me downgrade back to mf3. It would make sense to me that they are trying to prevent that exploit. I know they probably fix a stability issue or something but I would not flash to nc1 if you don't want custom roms here in the near future.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We could never downgrade to mf3, only a partial downgrade to MK2 from nb1. And jeboo already said the nc1 bootloader does not increment the q fuse counter so you can still go back to nb1 if you want...
braindead444 said:
I honestly do not trust the update and I will explain. I believe the update was pushed to prevent us, the custom ROM users, from downgrading back to mf3. We all know that in mf3 there is an exploit where we can change the kernel inside the memory or something like that. I am rooted on nb1 and am running a bootloader that lets me downgrade back to mf3. It would make sense to me that they are trying to prevent that exploit. I know they probably fix a stability issue or something but I would not flash to nc1 if you don't want custom roms here in the near future.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
dmc2359 said:
We could never downgrade to mf3, only a partial downgrade to MK2 from nb1. And jeboo already said the nc1 bootloader does not increment the q fuse counter so you can still go back to nb1 if you want...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On top of that, the exploit is at the kernel level. We can still get the MK2 kernel so we can still get the exploit. That's why bypasslkm still works on the downgrade.
Sent from my SGH-I337 running Blackbox 3.0
I was Odining back to stock MK2 and after it was finished I set it up then went outside real quick. Came back and phone said it was updated to this NC1 firmware and this happens when looks like potential progress on the "serious about unlocking bootloader" thread f u ATT.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Free mobile app
Thread moved :good:
raulz28 said:
I was Odining back to stock MK2 and after it was finished I set it up then went outside real quick. Came back and phone said it was updated to this NC1 firmware and this happens when looks like potential progress on the "serious about unlocking bootloader" thread f u ATT.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't worry, chances are exploits will function still if one is found, and if Hashcode implements kexec you'll still be fine.
0o0nano0o0 said:
My carrier is At&t and they don't allow any update out the US
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you should be able to connect through a proxy and download the update over wifi that way. Note that the update will only work over WiFi... not mobile data. I hope you get it worked out.
CAG-man said:
There was another thread I posted this to but for some reason the OP wanted the thread deleted.
So here is the link to the file I was pushed.
https://mega.co.nz/#!oYp13KoL!iM-Wr_M4ix22OeLw6cne0G1WXH7BjuN9i0Fr995G6lQ
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sir,
Download the OTA package I337UCUFNC1 19MB Zip File
This Link Not Working : https://mega.co.nz/#!oYp13KoL!iM-Wr_M4ix22OeLw6cne0G1WXH7BjuN9i0Fr995G6lQ
Unavailable To Download
Plz Give Fresh Link :
Plz Upload Official NC1 Update 19MB ... I Can't Download Plz Upload Another Link I Need Sir
Plz Help Me :crying:

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