Database Users

[Q] Bought S4 yesterday. Have questions about rooted phone and updates..

I bought S4 yesterday.. rooted it and installed Wicked V4.
I'm not sure if my phone was updated to MF9 already.
My question is, since Wicked M4 is an MDL based ROM, if I go to "about my device" and I do in fact have MF9 installed, will it appear MDL since I have an MDL based rom installed, or will it show MF9 despite that?
Also, I read a 20+ thread and it's like half and half. Some people say it's not necessary to do a software/firmware update on your phone and to just install the newest and latest ROM, what are your thoughts?
And if I do want my phone to stay updated with the latest software/firmware, how do I do this? I did read somewhere that people said to flash a stock-based rom and do an update and then re-flash whatever custom rom, but, how do I know which is a stock-based rom? (lol) also, is that the correct way to updated your phone when you're rooted and are running a custom rom? Thanks!

Just install the latest Rom unless other wise directed in the instructions of the Rom.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda premium

And wicked is a port from Verizon I believe where MDL was an ota for both sprint and Verizon.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

dennissly said:
And if I do want my phone to stay updated with the latest software/firmware, how do I do this? I did read somewhere that people said to flash a stock-based rom and do an update and then re-flash whatever custom rom, but, how do I know which is a stock-based rom? (lol) also, is that the correct way to updated your phone when you're rooted and are running a custom rom? Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are already rooted with custom recovery everything you need to upgrade your device to rooted stock MF9 is here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2357471
Just follow the steps in post #2 and you will be current on everything.

[Q] A little behind on this but can I do 4.4 system update if I'm rooted?

I've been putting it off for a while. I'm flashed to cwm and still on TouchWiz. Is there a particular method to doing this system update? I want to get on kitkat and keep my root, or at least be able to get root access again afterwards.

Goes look in development section. .unknown has a stock rooted...random has a stock unrooted that's easy to root
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

ibcenu said:
Goes look in development section. .unknown has a stock rooted...random has a stock unrooted that's easy to root
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know what this means, in particular. Can you link me to something? I ran cyanogenmod up to 11 when my s3 died and have been out of the community for a bit. I just want to put the OTA kitkat update onto my phone and then get root.

nickgenova said:
I've been putting it off for a while. I'm flashed to cwm and still on TouchWiz. Is there a particular method to doing this system update? I want to get on kitkat and keep my root, or at least be able to get root access again afterwards.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can get on kitkat if you flash a kitkat rom or by odining stock NAE tar file (Please note that this will give you knox bootloader). If you visit Sacs Custom Rom 4.4.2 kitkat rom (link in my signature below). It will explain how to go from a previous version to his kitkat rom.
Basically, in a nutshell...you need to have the NAE modem (which is explained in the thread) and specific recoveries to use during flashing. Visit the thread to find out more

Getting a note 3 soon. Curious??

I'm looking at getting a note 3 soon. I already know about the towel root method which doesn't trip know. But if I use this method to flash the recovery will it trip it([ROOT] Rashr - Flash Tool)? Also if I use the safe strap method that has been posted can I put all the different roms on the phone or just certain ones? Can I also use the safe strap method to make backups? Only reason I ask is because it's still in the beta stage. Also if know is tripped that just for warranty purposes meaning your SOL right? Thanks guys.
** guessing for the verizon model u can't use the regular method of installing a recovery but u have to use the safe strap method. Since the bootloader still can't be unlocked on the verizon edition?

With the retail Verizon Note 3, the best way is to take OTA to NC4 or Odin flash it, use towelroot, install busybox, and install latest safestrap. Reboot to safestrap and then reboot to download mode and you will need to Odin the NC2 kernel only file to get custom ROMs to work. Then you can flash most of the ROMs in the development (not original development) section. You can flash them in the stock slot, or the latest safestrap update has additional "ROM slots" working again with the NC2 bootloader so you could retain your stock rooted ROM.
Safestrap works just like TWRP recovery in that you can backup, restore, wipe, flash, etc. None of the above will trip Knox.
Kexec is being worked on and somewhere I saw that it may be wiser to Odin to the NC2 KK leak instead of NC4 if you want the possibility of custom kernel modules in the future. I have also seen people who have used the NC2 leak say they are having poor signal issues, so it's a double edged sword. No one has really confirmed if there was a link between NC2 and signal issues or release day Note 3's and signal issues, but personally I had problems and I have used NC2 and also have a release day phone.
There is plenty of info around here and if you have questions you can always PM for help.

adoublearonn said:
With the retail Verizon Note 3, the best way is to take OTA to NC4 or Odin flash it, use towelroot, install busybox, and install latest safestrap. Reboot to safestrap and then reboot to download mode and you will need to Odin the NC2 kernel only file to get custom ROMs to work. Then you can flash most of the ROMs in the development (not original development) section. You can flash them in the stock slot, or the latest safestrap update has additional "ROM slots" working again with the NC2 bootloader so you could retain your stock rooted ROM.
Safestrap works just like TWRP recovery in that you can backup, restore, wipe, flash, etc. None of the above will trip Knox.
Kexec is being worked on and somewhere I saw that it may be wiser to Odin to the NC2 KK leak instead of NC4 if you want the possibility of custom kernel modules in the future. I have also seen people who have used the NC2 leak say they are having poor signal issues, so it's a double edged sword. No one has really confirmed if there was a link between NC2 and signal issues or release day Note 3's and signal issues, but personally I had problems and I have used NC2 and also have a release day phone.
There is plenty of info around here and if you have questions you can always PM for help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just to add to this very informative post. If you have signal issues on NC2 you can use Odin to change the modem to what works best for you. I'm on NC2 with the NC4 modem.
Sent from the Note 3 of The Afro Samurai

Softbrick/other questions

Just got my I337, using with simple mobile. Managed to sim unlock via this method, and was feeling pretty good. I think I had (have?) MK2. So using the stock ROM, it kept on asking to autoupdate. Didn't know if that would screw anything up, so attempted to install a kitkat venom ROM. I now can't get out of safestrap recovery. I'm not sure if the issue was trying to install a kitkat ROM, or if I mistakenly put it in the primary ROM slot. Anyway, I'm on a linux box without any immediate access to windows, so it looks like ODIN is out of the question. Been scouring the forums, but I have a few questions:
1. What are the limitations of the locked bootloader? Not really sure what I'm sidestepping by using a custom recovery. I had read that it limited me to TW ROMS (which is fine by me actually), but I see AOSP and other ROMs posted...
2. What exactly is meant by MK2, NC1, MF3, etc? I understand that they are progressions of SOMETHING, but not sure what--guessing it's the whole AT&T update, including ROM, modem, kernel? And I can't seem to find what exactly the progression is...
3. Is there a ROM that I should try to flash to get me back up and running before I start trying to screw with something else? Like I said, I have access to safestrap 2.71, adb, and an SD card, so I feel like this shouldn't be TOO hard to fix

nola mike said:
Just got my I337, using with simple mobile. Managed to sim unlock via this method, and was feeling pretty good. I think I had (have?) MK2. So using the stock ROM, it kept on asking to autoupdate. Didn't know if that would screw anything up, so attempted to install a kitkat venom ROM. I now can't get out of safestrap recovery. I'm not sure if the issue was trying to install a kitkat ROM, or if I mistakenly put it in the primary ROM slot. Anyway, I'm on a linux box without any immediate access to windows, so it looks like ODIN is out of the question. Been scouring the forums, but I have a few questions:
1. What are the limitations of the locked bootloader? Not really sure what I'm sidestepping by using a custom recovery. I had read that it limited me to TW ROMS (which is fine by me actually), but I see AOSP and other ROMs posted...
2. What exactly is meant by MK2, NC1, MF3, etc? I understand that they are progressions of SOMETHING, but not sure what--guessing it's the whole AT&T update, including ROM, modem, kernel? And I can't seem to find what exactly the progression is...
3. Is there a ROM that I should try to flash to get me back up and running before I start trying to screw with something else? Like I said, I have access to safestrap 2.71, adb, and an SD card, so I feel like this shouldn't be TOO hard to fix
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, fixed my problem, though still don't have all the answers to my questions. I couldn't find a way to unbork without odin. Luckily my mom was in town visiting, and had a windows box that I used--I think I would have been hosed otherwise. Anyway, managed to revert to MK2 stock, and then upgrade to Goldeneye kit kat ROM via this method (my baseband is now listed as xxxxxxMLD).
I guess that MLD/NC1/NB1/MK2 are just ROM/radio firmware versions (kernel too, or is that completely unchangeable)? Still don't know the exact order of release, and if anyone could enlighten me a bit as to my other questions, I'd appreciate it...
I'll probably hold off on trying to change anything else until I have reliable access to windoze, unless someone can give me the steps using linux/adb.

nola mike said:
Well, fixed my problem, though still don't have all the answers to my questions. I couldn't find a way to unbork without odin. Luckily my mom was in town visiting, and had a windows box that I used--I think I would have been hosed otherwise. Anyway, managed to revert to MK2 stock, and then upgrade to Goldeneye kit kat ROM via this method (my baseband is now listed as xxxxxxMLD).
I guess that MLD/NC1/NB1/MK2 are just ROM/radio firmware versions (kernel too, or is that completely unchangeable)? Still don't know the exact order of release, and if anyone could enlighten me a bit as to my other questions, I'd appreciate it...
I'll probably hold off on trying to change anything else until I have reliable access to windoze, unless someone can give me the steps using linux/adb.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The order of firmware versions with Android version - MDB(4.2.x) -> MDL(4.2.x) - > MK2(4.3)->MLD(4.4 leak)->NB1(4.4.x)->NC1(4.4.x)
The bootloader for SGH-I337 was always locked.
1. This means that the stock kernel and recovery cannot be replaced.
2, The bootloader cannot be downgraded.
But, there was a bug in the first 2 releases, that loki exploited and provided a workaround for #1.
When flashing a firmware that contains the bootloader (aboot.mbn), it does a version check. The version check is through a fuse count maintained in the bootloader. MLD and MK2 although are different Android versions, have the same bootloader version. That means you can flash one over the other (go back and forth). The same with NB1 and NC1. But, once you update to NB1, you cannot go back to MK2.
Since the kernel cannot be replaced, all the ROMs we flash have to be compatible with the kernel that we have on the phone. Hence the mention of TW only ROMS. We cannot flash CM/AOSP/AOKP/GPE (most) ROMS. The AOSP ROMS you are seeing are themed TW roms only.

jmjoyas said:
The order of firmware versions with Android version - MDB(4.2.x) -> MDL(4.2.x) - > MK2(4.3)->MLD(4.4 leak)->NB1(4.4.x)->NC1(4.4.x)
The bootloader for SGH-I337 was always locked.
1. This means that the stock kernel and recovery cannot be replaced.
2, The bootloader cannot be downgraded.
But, there was a bug in the first 2 releases, that loki exploited and provided a workaround for #1.
When flashing a firmware that contains the bootloader (aboot.mbn), it does a version check. The version check is through a fuse count maintained in the bootloader. MLD and MK2 although are different Android versions, have the same bootloader version. That means you can flash one over the other (go back and forth). The same with NB1 and NC1. But, once you update to NB1, you cannot go back to MK2.
Since the kernel cannot be replaced, all the ROMs we flash have to be compatible with the kernel that we have on the phone. Hence the mention of TW only ROMS. We cannot flash CM/AOSP/AOKP/GPE (most) ROMS. The AOSP ROMS you are seeing are themed TW roms only.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for that, very enlightening.

nola mike said:
Thanks for that, very enlightening.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just as an update, seems there's a workaround for Odin called heimdall, which is cross platform. . Haven't tried it, but looks like it should work.

[Q] About to dive into ROMing, have a couple questions

So I've got a Verizon Note 3 running android 4.3 rooted with supersu + busybox, decent amount of samsung bloatware disabled. I am wondering for starters if I were to install safestrap if I can just keep the way it currently is and then use a rom slot for any roms or should I factory wipe the stock slot, install 4.4.2 via odin then root via towelroot and then install safestrap and rom from that or what method should I take? Is it possible to use the ROM slots on the VZN3? I watched a few youtube videos and they were all factory resetting the stock slot and installing it there but I'd love to be able to just keep my current setup as is since it'd be a guranteed fallback. In case this doesnt make sense just respond as to what needs clarification and i'll respond in less than 5 minutes.

You can use only the jelly bean roms while on jb. Follow the instructions to use a kitkat rom in each roms op. You have to odin the kernal. You will retain root if following them. You dont need to use towelroot.

So can i just do a rom slot or do I have to upgrade to kit kat? What do you mean by odin the kernel?

Its really to much to explain… you probably really have to do some read up on odin software and kernels before you attempt to do anything on your phone cause no one is responsible but you… So please google search how to odin or how to flash a unified kernel NC2 or NC4… Nc2 is a older but more versatile kernel of 4.4.2 and Nc4 is the lastest kernel likely the one that your on now go to about phone and look under Baseband Version yours should say NC4 the last 3 character

waco2hot33 said:
Its really to much to explain… you probably really have to do some read up on odin software and kernels before you attempt to do anything on your phone cause no one is responsible but you… So please google search how to odin or how to flash a unified kernel NC2 or NC4… Nc2 is a older but more versatile kernel of 4.4.2 and Nc4 is the lastest kernel likely the one that your on now go to about phone and look under Baseband Version yours should say NC4 the last 3 character
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seems like saying kernel is unnecessary, isn't this just flashing the .tar or whatever format it is to the phone using odin, i've already done that. I just need to upgrade to NC4? No one is answering the question of whether i can just use the rom slots and keep the stock slot active on MJE.

Xproplayer said:
Seems like saying kernel is unnecessary, isn't this just flashing the .tar or whatever format it is to the phone using odin, i've already done that. I just need to upgrade to NC4? No one is answering the question of whether i can just use the rom slots and keep the stock slot active on MJE.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Once you upgrade to KK your MJE roms won't work so if you have a real love for a particular MJE rom stay on MJE. On KK and the updated safestrap rom slots work but with mixed results, some people have no problems and other roms in slots other than stock have seen performance issues.
You only need the NC2 kernel if you took the NC4 OTA, if you upgrade via this method you don't have to worry about it.
See here : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=55241731&postcount=2

waco2hot33 said:
Its really to much to explain… you probably really have to do some read up on odin software and kernels before you attempt to do anything on your phone cause no one is responsible but you… So please google search how to odin or how to flash a unified kernel NC2 or NC4… Nc2 is a older but more versatile kernel of 4.4.2 and Nc4 is the lastest kernel likely the one that your on now go to about phone and look under Baseband Version yours should say NC4 the last 3 character
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thegamerdarkseid said:
Once you upgrade to KK your MJE roms won't work so if you have a real love for a particular MJE rom stay on MJE. On KK and the updated safestrap rom slots work but with mixed results, some people have no problems and other roms in slots other than stock have seen performance issues.
You only need the NC2 kernel if you took the NC4 OTA, if you upgrade via this method you don't have to worry about it.
See here : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=55241731&postcount=2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't want MJE roms, I want NC4 roms, but what I mean is can I keep my stock slot as MJE and use rom slot for nc4 roms

Xproplayer said:
I don't want MJE roms, I want NC4 roms, but what I mean is can I keep my stock slot as MJE and use rom slot for nc4 roms
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No that can't happen unless there's something huge that I don't know about. They are different firmwares. But if you do the rooted upgrade you can go back if you prefer ME, if you do the OTA there's no going back to MJE.

Xproplayer said:
I don't want MJE roms, I want NC4 roms, but what I mean is can I keep my stock slot as MJE and use rom slot for nc4 roms
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No that can't happen unless there's something huge that I don't know about. They are different firmwares. But if you do the rooted upgrade you can go back if you prefer ME, if you do the OTA there's no going back to MJE.
Xproplayer said:
I don't want MJE roms, I want NC4 roms, but what I mean is can I keep my stock slot as MJE and use rom slot for nc4 roms
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Xproplayer said:
I don't want MJE roms, I want NC4 roms, but what I mean is can I keep my stock slot as MJE and use rom slot for nc4 roms
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No that can't happen unless there's something huge that I don't know about. They are different firmwares. But if you do the rooted upgrade you can go back if you prefer ME, if you do the OTA there's no going back to MJE.

Xproplayer said:
I don't want MJE roms, I want NC4 roms, but what I mean is can I keep my stock slot as MJE and use rom slot for nc4 roms
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
currently the only rom that runs with the NC4 kernel is jasmine.

the_rooter said:
currently the only rom that runs with the NC4 kernel is jasmine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you sure? I was looking at alliancerom and it says NC4 4.4.2 in the name...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2553357

Xproplayer said:
Are you sure? I was looking at alliancerom and it says NC4 4.4.2 in the name...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2553357
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes Alliance is nc2 kernel but it'll be nc4 next build..... http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=55373385

thegamerdarkseid said:
Yes Alliance is nc2 kernel but it'll be nc4 next build..... http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=55373385
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you happen to know about hyerdrive, and just to clarify i should be able to flash nc2 to my vzn3 and then install alliance over it

Both are possible; I did the latter. ROM slots do not work with SS 3.72 and above (the one you will need if you are running kit Kat). You can only flash ROMs to the stock slot, so make a nandroid first!
If you decide to stay on JB and SS 3.71, you can definitely keep a stock ROM in the stock slot and install another ROM on a custom ROM slot. Hope I could help.
Sent from my GT-I9505G using Tapatalk
---------- Post added at 07:38 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:32 AM ----------
Actually since you're on note 3 you may need SS 3.75 if you're going to flash kit Kat Roms. If you have any questions feel free to email me. And yes Hyperdrive is an extremely popular TW ROM. Just make sure whatever android version you are on, flash a compatible ROM.
Sent from my GT-I9505G using Tapatalk

marbertshere said:
Both are possible; I did the latter. ROM slots do not work with SS 3.72 and above (the one you will need if you are running kit Kat). You can only flash ROMs to the stock slot, so make a nandroid first!
If you decide to stay on JB and SS 3.71, you can definitely keep a stock ROM in the stock slot and install another ROM on a custom ROM slot. Hope I could help.
Sent from my GT-I9505G using Tapatalk
---------- Post added at 07:38 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:32 AM ----------
Actually since you're on note 3 you may need SS 3.75 if you're going to flash kit Kat Roms. If you have any questions feel free to email me. And yes Hyperdrive is an extremely popular TW ROM. Just make sure whatever android version you are on, flash a compatible ROM.
Sent from my GT-I9505G using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
its actually ss 3.75 B04

So does anyone know about hyperdrive? I looked all over the thread and couldn't find anything..

Xproplayer said:
So does anyone know about hyperdrive? I looked all over the thread and couldn't find anything..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What do you want to know about Hyperdrive? If you're on NC4 and you want to run Hyperdrive you'll have to flash the NC2 kernel after flashing the rom or it won't boot. Just flash the rom in safestrap and when you're done flashing use safestrap to boot into download mode and flash NC2 kernel in Odin in the AP slot. In all honesty I'd look into flashing @hsbadr unified kk firmware and then you could run any rom in this forum without worrying about flashing the NC2 kernel. I've done it and been able to bounce from rom to rom without any issues....

thegamerdarkseid said:
What do you want to know about Hyperdrive? If you're on NC4 and you want to run Hyperdrive you'll have to flash the NC2 kernel after flashing the rom or it won't boot. Just flash the rom in safestrap and when you're done flashing use safestrap to boot into download mode and flash NC2 kernel in Odin in the AP slot. In all honesty I'd look into flashing @hsbadr unified kk firmware and then you could run any rom in this forum without worrying about flashing the NC2 kernel. I've done it and been able to bounce from rom to rom without any issues....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm currently on 4.3 MJE, could you send some links on this unified, the only two roms I'm currently interested in are Hyperdrive and Alliance but I've been told each one has to be flashed onto specific roms etc etc.

Xproplayer said:
I'm currently on 4.3 MJE, could you send some links on this unified, the only two roms I'm currently interested in are Hyperdrive and Alliance but I've been told each one has to be flashed onto specific roms etc etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here's the link to the post look in Downloads. RE is for retail edition and DE is for Dev Edition. Don't flash the wrong one or you could brick your phone. The unified firmware is flashed in Odin in the AP slot and once you flash it you can jump from rom to rom without worrying about the NC2 kernel but since you're on MJE you'll need to do the KK upgrade before flashing unified firmware. See quote in red at the bottom of the Downloads section!! I don't want you to get the wrong impression as I'm not yelling at you or anything bro, I don't want anyone bricking their device....
Link to firmware : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=52860439&postcount=1
Links for all other things : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=55241731&postcount=2