Database Users

[Q] Need help with MF9 GS4 OTA update

Hi all. I saw this update pop up on my screen recently. I've yet to install it because I do not fully understand its effects and/or what i need to do to make sure it installs correctly.
I rooted my phone using ODIN and the Chainfire autoroot thing on June 16th 2013 (in case dates are important here). I believe i also flashed something that allowed me to use the stock wireless tethering application. I may have also flashed triangle away. I'm not exactly sure. But I at least flashed something to allow me to use the wireless tether.
Ordinarily I'd search around and try to find info about this, but one problem with these forums is that sometimes information gets scattered across posts or even threads. Also I see a lot of conflicting information. So it's very hard for me to distill the appropriate details.
Could someone help me figure out the following, as I would like to install the new update:
1.) What do I need to do prior to the update to make sure it installs correctly?
2.) What, if any effects will this have on my ability to root my phone again in the future? (if i need to, based on the answer to number one)
3.) What will i need to do POST update to get my phone back to the way it was PRE update? (again, if i need to do anything based on number 1).
Thank you all!

1) Make a nandroid in recovery. Either wipe your phone or dirty flash a stock rooted md9 ROM.
2) it will not have any affects on your ability to root. You can use cf auto root on MDL and mf9.
3) nandroid is the best way to go back to your old setup if you do not like the new mf9 update.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

daniel4653 said:
1) Make a nandroid in recovery. Either wipe your phone or dirty flash a stock rooted md9 ROM.
2) it will not have any affects on your ability to root. You can use cf auto root on MDL and mf9.
3) nandroid is the best way to go back to your old setup if you do not like the new mf9 update.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Searching would've quickly netted you these two results.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2277480
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2357471
Also, questions should be in the Q&A section, just for future reference.
Good luck.

daniel4653 said:
1) Make a nandroid in recovery. Either wipe your phone or dirty flash a stock rooted md9 ROM.
2) it will not have any affects on your ability to root. You can use cf auto root on MDL and mf9.
3) nandroid is the best way to go back to your old setup if you do not like the new mf9 update.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you very much!

Questions and help issues go in Q&A and Help section
Thread moved
Thanks
FNM

[Q] Sprint GS4 with repeated System Update

My Sprint Samsung Galaxy S4 (rooted with CF-Auto-Root) has been repeatedly downloading and notifying me of a 398.8MB update. It comes up every couple of weeks and I have allowed it to install several times.
I maintain root after the reboot, but it keeps coming back. I'm currently on Android version 4.3 (MK2 build).
Is there anything I can do to get past this update and hopefully get 4.4?
Thanks in advance.

Krosscheck NYC said:
My Sprint Samsung Galaxy S4 (rooted with CF-Auto-Root) has been repeatedly downloading and notifying me of a 398.8MB update. It comes up every couple of weeks and I have allowed it to install several times.
I maintain root after the reboot, but it keeps coming back. I'm currently on Android version 4.3 (MK2 build).
Is there anything I can do to get past this update and hopefully get 4.4?
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am not sure you can stop the update box from going away (short of a custom rom).
I believe you just have to deal with it, if you want to stay on 4.3

VandyCWG said:
I am not sure you can stop the update box from going away (short of a custom rom).
I believe you just have to deal with it, if you want to stay on 4.3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Vandy. Sorry if I wasn't clear in my question. I don't want to stay on 4.3...I want to get to 4.4 (Kit Kat), but it seems like I'm stuck on this 389.8MB update that keeps coming back even after I have allowed it to install.
I'm hoping that someone else has experienced this "repeated" update and can tell me how I can go about moving past it so that I can get to some newer updates.
Thanks - Chung in NYC

Your best option is to install the full NAE stock tar file with Odin. The update is failing because you either have a custom recovery installed, modified system files, or deleted something. OTAs can't complete unless your stock. Look for a thread from random45 in the android development thread and download the NAE stock tar from there. You won't lose any of your data, but you will have to reroot your phone afterwards.
Sent from my icrap 2 using Tapatalk HD

cruise350 said:
Your best option is to install the full NAE stock tar file with Odin. The update is failing because you either have a custom recovery installed, modified system files, or deleted something. OTAs can't complete unless your stock. Look for a thread from random45 in the android development thread and download the NAE stock tar from there. You won't lose any of your data, but you will have to reroot your phone afterwards.
Sent from my icrap 2 using Tapatalk HD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks a lot - I will try that now!
- Chung in NYC:good:

[Q] Will an OTA remove root access?

Hello there,
I've had an AT&T Galaxy S4 for about a year now and I've been on custom ROMs since January of this year. When I was last on Stock, I had Android 4.2.2 Jellybean. Recently, I've been running into a lot of problems with my ROM so I tried installing other ROMs only to find more issues that were bothering me. I decided to just go back to stock but I was curious as to whether taking an OTA update will ruin my root? I do apologize for asking this but I'm still rather new at this. I was also curious if taking the OTA will remove my custom recovery as well as re-lock my bootloader? If I'm not supplying enough information for someone to determine the answer, please let me know and I'll provide that information.

BrokeEven said:
Hello there,
I've had an AT&T Galaxy S4 for about a year now and I've been on custom ROMs since January of this year. When I was last on Stock, I had Android 4.2.2 Jellybean. Recently, I've been running into a lot of problems with my ROM so I tried installing other ROMs only to find more issues that were bothering me. I decided to just go back to stock but I was curious as to whether taking an OTA update will ruin my root? I do apologize for asking this but I'm still rather new at this. I was also curious if taking the OTA will remove my custom recovery as well as re-lock my bootloader? If I'm not supplying enough information for someone to determine the answer, please let me know and I'll provide that information.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One question my bro, what galaxy s4 do you have?
Sent from my SGH-I337 using XDA Free mobile app

I don't know the specific model name but I know it's the Galaxy S4 for AT&T

BrokeEven said:
I don't know the specific model name but I know it's the Galaxy S4 for AT&T
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you don't know what model you're on you shouldn't be rooted. The at&t version is the i337, and yes if the ota works you'll lose root.
And questions go in the q&a forum, not general
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app

you need to know your build first, so you can install right .tar
odin will replace everything. except sdcards. best to back up cards anyway and/or pull ext card.
use terminal emulator and type in
SU
getprop ro.bootloader
it will give you your build--:good:
btw your bootloader was never unlocked on an i337.
EDIT: Beat me jd

Oh really? Cuz whenever I turn my phone on it shows a pad lock unlocked. The same animation appeared on my Galaxy Nexus when I had it so I just assumed the bootloader was unlocked

No, that comes up in the rooting process. The i337 has not been unlocked. There is an exploit called loki-doki for pre MF3 builds that bypasses Sammy's security checks. It allows those of us on early build to flash custom recoveries/kernels. Otherwise you need to use SafeStrap and only TW roms. If you are not familiar with SafeStrap then you are probably on a pre MF3 build.
Some people refer to the exploit as unlocking the phone. That's incorrect though--

You should get the ota root keeper, it backs up the root, then after ota update, you can restore back.
Sent from my XT1031 using XDA Free mobile app

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

Hey guys,
I ran a search but I don't understand half the things people are writing. I would greatly appreciate it if someone could please explain to me my options. In layman's terms, as I do not understand half the abbreviations and jargons here.
I rooted my phone over a year ago and really don't remember much about the process. I can't download important apps from Google Play anymore as they require newer versions than 4.2.2... So I'm stuck on this old version and need to update ASAP.
I have ONLY rooted the phone. I haven't done any mods or installed any ROMS. It's on stock AT&T Rom. (sometimes I wonder why I even bothered in the first place).
Can someone please point me in the right direction, I want a regular STOCK AT&T newest version, whether it stays rooted or not that's fine, but a newer version, KitKat preferably. What are my options? The simplest method would help me the most.
Things I really need backed up: My Text Messages, Voicemail, Call Logs, Whatsapp Messages etc. What is the best way to back that up? If I use Titanium Backup, and I don't have root after I update, Titanium Backup would be obsolete. So what would my other option?
Please help.
Much appreciated,

Are you sure you want to update from 4.2.2. You probably have the option to flash custom roms on your phone. There are many custom roms that that'll put 4.4.4 on your phone. Since you're rooted get terminal emulator from the play store. In it type
getprop ro.bootloader
If the last three characters are mdb or mdl you have a lot of options. I can help walk you through on how to get a custom rom on your phone.
You can update your firmware and bootloader to 4.4.4 too but you'll lose the option to flash most custom roms.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app

jd1639 said:
Are you sure you want to update from 4.2.2. You probably have the option to flash custom roms on your phone. There are many custom roms that that'll put 4.4.4 on your phone. Since you're rooted get terminal emulator from the play store. In it type
getprop ro.bootloader
If the last three characters are mdb or mdl you have a lot of options. I can help walk you through on how to get a custom rom on your phone.
You can update your firmware and bootloader to 4.4.4 too but you'll lose the option to flash most custom roms.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks bud,
I got I337UCUAMF3
I'll be honest, I haven't really messed with any custom ROMS before. I just use the stock AT&T one. But I would like to upgrade to KitKat so my phone is faster and can download / upgrade the latest Apps. Lollipop isn't out for the AT&T Samsung S4 right?

Kepela523 said:
Thanks bud,
I got I337UCUAMF3
I'll be honest, I haven't really messed with any custom ROMS before. I just use the stock AT&T one. But I would like to upgrade to KitKat so my phone is faster and can download / upgrade the latest Apps. Lollipop isn't out for the AT&T Samsung S4 right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will the phone Not download the latest 4.4.4 from the phone settings?? Settings/More/About Device/Software Update. It must be connected to WiFi to download!!! Or you can get the AT&T S4 i337 to Stock 4.4.4 NJ4 Kit Kat Scroll down this page, easy to do. http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4-att/general/guide-odin-to-stock-updating-rooting-t2926642

tailgunner9 said:
Will the phone Not download the latest 4.4.4 from the phone settings?? Settings/More/About Device/Software Update. It must be connected to WiFi to download!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. My phone is rooted... Is it supposed to download to 4.4? And also couldn't there be issues with that?

I found this post. So I know this is ONE option: But I'll lose my Root. Which is fine if that's my only option.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2728462
As the OP says, I will lose ROOT. So my question would be, If I back up using Titanium Backup, how can I restore my backup if Titanium Backup works only on ROOT? This is very important.
@ jd1639 - He had mentioned there were several other options, so I will wait to hear them, and I can make a decision from there. Otherwise, I may have to fork out another $150 - $200 Bucks on a Samsung Galaxy S5 or S6. depending which suits my needs.
Many thanks for the replies!

Kepela523 said:
I found this post. So I know this is ONE option: But I'll lose my Root. Which is fine if that's my only option.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2728462
As the OP says, I will lose ROOT. So my question would be, If I back up using Titanium Backup, how can I restore my backup if Titanium Backup works only on ROOT? This is very important.
@ jd1639 - He had mentioned there were several other options, so I will wait to hear them, and I can make a decision from there. Otherwise, I may have to fork out another $150 - $200 Bucks on a Samsung Galaxy S5 or S6. depending which suits my needs.
Many thanks for the replies!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're on mf3 bootloader which doesn't really allow you to flash any roms anyway. You'd have to use safestrap.
What I'd do is flash the nb1 tar file in Odin. That'll update you to 4.4 and the device should then ota update itself from there. You will lose root, you can root it again if you want. See this http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=50912149
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app

jd1639 said:
You're on mf3 bootloader which doesn't really allow you to flash any roms anyway. You'd have to use safestrap.
What I'd do is flash the nb1 tar file in Odin. That'll update you to 4.4 and the device should then ota update itself from there. You will lose root, you can root it again if you want. See this http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=50912149
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks JD, do you know if this wipes my phone? In other words, does it factory reset my phone?

Yes Flash the NB1 Stock file as he said. But you are going to loose Root and any pictures etc. stored on phone memory, so copy them to your PC or SD card. I always like to take SD card out just in case when I flash just in case it may erase it. But after you flash NB1 Stock or the Stock Root it is like a phone and have to set it up. Then it should Update to 4.4.4 itself from the settings/ Software update. Good luck. Any problem let us now.

Ah cheers,
Last question: Do you recommend the First or second option?
I337UCUFNB1_4.4_Stock_Odin_tar
I337UCUFNB1_4.4_Rootable_Stock_Odin_tar
Just a bit confusing as why he would post two separate links? I'm interpreting the first cannot be rooted ever.
Thanks again to the both of you for helping with this.

Kepela523 said:
Ah cheers,
Last question: Do you recommend the First or second option?
I337UCUFNB1_4.4_Stock_Odin_tar
I337UCUFNB1_4.4_Rootable_Stock_Odin_tar
Just a bit confusing as why he would post two separate links? I'm interpreting the first cannot be rooted ever.
Thanks again to the both of you for helping with this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's possible to root even the 4.4.4. It just gets a little trickier to do it and you have to flash modules in Odin. In the general forum see "all things at&t....." by guut13
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app

Kepela523 said:
Ah cheers,
Last question: Do you recommend the First or second option?
I337UCUFNB1_4.4_Stock_Odin_tar
I337UCUFNB1_4.4_Rootable_Stock_Odin_tar
Just a bit confusing as why he would post two separate links? I'm interpreting the first cannot be rooted ever.
Thanks again to the both of you for helping with this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep I think you are correct. So if you want to root again use the Rootable to flash in Odin. Once you go from Jelly Bean to Kit Kat bootloaders are Locked for some .tar Same for Lollipop, they have not been able to root and unlock bootloader as yet. Just follow the steps and take your time and all will be good. Have done it several times on mine with Odin.

Hey guys, I just wanted to take the time and thank you both for the help. I finally updated today. After backing up all my data and making sure everything was safe to go. Bam! I did exactly as you suggested and had zero issues... I am now on 4.4.2
There were a couple hiccups along the way, but I figured them out without too much of a hassle.
Cheers again and best of luck to the both of you!

Is my phone rooted, if yes how do I flash?

Here's my situation. Last year I bought a Samsung Galaxy S4 unlocked AT&T (SGH-i337) phone from ebay. I am using Cricket. A few months back I tried updating it by going to the update area and checking for an update. I am on 4.2.2 and wanted to upgrade to KitKat. Well my phone tells me every single time it's up to date even though I know it's not. I decided to use Kies to see if I could update it using that instead. Kies tells me my firmware is also up to date. I gave up for a few months.
Now that Lollipop is out for my phone I tried once again doing the same things. Once again both ways say my phone is up to date. I looked through multiple forums to finally find a possible answer. My phone may have been rooted at some point and apparently if it was, it can't be upgraded. I read it needs flashed back to stock. I looked at a nice long guide on here on how to flash back to stock and saw you need to know which boot loader you have?
Please help me guys. I'm assuming my phone was rooted and have never rooted myself but I want to flash to stock so that I can upgrade to Lollipop. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Flash the nb1 tar file in Odin and then let it ota up to 5.0.1. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=50912149
Sent from my Nexus 9 using XDA Free mobile app

I flashed it successfully and am now on 4.4.2 however OTA and Kies both still say my device is up to date. At this point it doesn't look like I will ever be able to update using these two ways. I looked around trying to find a Lollipop flash but didn't know if any of them were safe. Can anybody point me toward a safe stock flash for Lollipop, or does this not exist yet?

GMLancers58 said:
I flashed it successfully and am now on 4.4.2 however OTA and Kies both still say my device is up to date. At this point it doesn't look like I will ever be able to update using these two ways. I looked around trying to find a Lollipop flash but didn't know if any of them were safe. Can anybody point me toward a safe stock flash for Lollipop, or does this not exist yet?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The ota's are rolled out in phases. You might have to wait a day or two for it to show up
Edit, alternatively you can read thru this carefully, http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=53758227
Sent from my Nexus 9 using XDA Free mobile app