4.2.2 / MDL here. I'm rooted to freeze the metric ton of bloatware/greenify/xposed. Didn't get into ROMs because I'm afraid of bricking my only phone.
Been sidelined for several months with health issues, wondering if there's been any new stuff down the pipeline or if I should stay at 4.2.2/MDL? TIA.
Sliced bread has come out. Jk, given the time taken for someone to answer you, nothing new has come out that's earth shaking. Other than new firmware. If everything works for you it probably isn't worth upgrading.
You're on mdl which allows you to flash a number of different roms which you aren't taking advantage of. The latest firmware, nc1, is rootable with towel root. You can flash touch wiz based roms but that doesn't seem to be an interest to you So you might consider updating to nc1 if you want the latest firmware. But many people would like to be in your shoes with mdl firmware.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
If you have root and custom recovery (TWRP or CWM) and want to update to newer firmware I would suggest Sho-Stock-i V7.0 Then you w I uld have the newest firmware without having to use Safestrap and be limited to what you can do with your phone.
I would STAY AWAY from updating to the newest firmware (stock firmware) NC1 as right now you can do ANYTHING you want with your phone. That is why I suggested ShoStock to have the best of both worlds. Personally there is NOT MUCH different between your MDL 4.2.2 firmware and the newest 4.4.2 firmwares. Maybe a little smoother.
Sent From My ATT S3 i747 Dark Blue BadAss Theme
Would reception be better with 4.4.2? We recently took a road trip and on a very long stretch my hubby on 4.4.2 had coverage the whole time while I had 0 service for about 1/2 of the stretch. Other areas he was pulling data fine while my phone showed no service or a G and up and down arrows which was completely new to me. It's bizarre.
RockRatt said:
If you have root and custom recovery (TWRP or CWM) and want to update to newer firmware I would suggest Sho-Stock-i V7.0 Then you w I uld have the newest firmware without having to use Safestrap and be limited to what you can do with your phone.
I would STAY AWAY from updating to the newest firmware (stock firmware) NC1 as right now you can do ANYTHING you want with your phone. That is why I suggested ShoStock to have the best of both worlds. Personally there is NOT MUCH different between your MDL 4.2.2 firmware and the newest 4.4.2 firmwares. Maybe a little smoother.
Sent From My ATT S3 i747 Dark Blue BadAss Theme
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think I have recovery? I only remember rooting, no option for twrp or cwm. Am I hosed now?
Wittyusernametaken said:
I don't think I have recovery? I only remember rooting, no option for twrp or cwm. Am I hosed now?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are still in fact on MDL then you can get TWRP or CWM recovery and flash as I stated above. You can use ShoStock-i once you have a custom recovery. First VERIFY you have MDL bootloaders. Then if you do look into "Motochopper +Loki" which will give you the custom recovery. Then flash to ShoStock-i. Then you can flash any of the modems in my thread to find which works best for your phone in your area. Maybe see which "baseband" (baseband=Modem) your husbands phone has (if it is also a i337 S4).
Sent fron I337 Red BadAss Themed ShoStock 7.0
do you have a link for the Sho-Stock-i V7.0? I can't find it? Also would any version of CyanogenMod work? I can't find one that would work without me upgrading to 4.4 if my google searches are correct. Sorry for the delay in replying... health issues are a PITA.
Wittyusernametaken said:
do you have a link for the Sho-Stock-i V7.0? I can't find it? Also would any version of CyanogenMod work? I can't find one that would work without me upgrading to 4.4 if my google searches are correct. Sorry for the delay in replying... health issues are a PITA.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You do NOT need to update to run ShoStock. Just flash his newest in recovery (TWRP/ cwm/etc.) It will give you the newer firmware of 4.4.2 but NOT give you the 4.4.2 bootloader. So you can always flash back to your MDL stock firmware via odin. Like I said, the best of both worlds. Keeping the bypassed bootloader while running newer firmware. Just use ShoStock 8.1 (NOT THE SAFESTRAP VERSION)
Related
I just purchased a new AT&T Galaxy S4 via Amazon. Came with MDB software installed. I used the CASUAL root procedure and was successful. That left me with rooted MDB + TWRP recovery.
I am intending to stay with a stock ROM, not a complete custom ROM.
My question is: Should I try to update to a newer version of software? I believe right now I am two releases behind (MDB -> MDL -> MF3?)
I haven't been able to find much talking about the MDL version, so I don't know if there is anything useful in it (perhaps radio updates?). I did see some references to a performance enhancement which is always good.
I'm assuming I want to stay away from MF3 as there seems to be a lot of rapidly changing/conflicting information at this point about if and how one can get to that release (and keep root).
If I wanted to go to the MDL version, how would I go about it? I found two threads here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2348859&highlight=mdl
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2307157&highlight=mdl
Preferably, this would be done just as an update instead of wiping what I have now. But neither of those threads indicate if a wipe is necessary or if they can simply be installed on top of the stock MDB.
Appreciate any feedback!
cabadam said:
I just purchased a new AT&T Galaxy S4 via Amazon. Came with MDB software installed. I used the CASUAL root procedure and was successful. That left me with rooted MDB + TWRP recovery.
I am intending to stay with a stock ROM, not a complete custom ROM.
My question is: Should I try to update to a newer version of software? I believe right now I am two releases behind (MDB -> MDL -> MF3?)
I haven't been able to find much talking about the MDL version, so I don't know if there is anything useful in it (perhaps radio updates?). I did see some references to a performance enhancement which is always good.
I'm assuming I want to stay away from MF3 as there seems to be a lot of rapidly changing/conflicting information at this point about if and how one can get to that release (and keep root).
If I wanted to go to the MDL version, how would I go about it? I found two threads here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2348859&highlight=mdl
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2307157&highlight=mdl
Preferably, this would be done just as an update instead of wiping what I have now. But neither of those threads indicate if a wipe is necessary or if they can simply be installed on top of the stock MDB.
Appreciate any feedback!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You cannot OTA update to MF3 without ODINing back to stock - your custom recovery will prevent the update from working.
If you want to update to MDL, you can ODIN the stock MDL package and redo the CASUAL script.
I would suggest you stay on MDL until MF3 has not only root, but also custom recovery. At this point it's still too early to take the risk, even with a root access exploit now available.
If you want the updates, there are several ROMs available that incorporate updates...there's one that is almost completely stock MF3 without the bootloader (which is the main problem with it)...there's multiple based off of stock MF3 with some optimizations...and even some based on the latest Galaxy S4 International firmware which is several updates ahead of MF3.
Of course all that requires your willingness to install a custom ROM.
+1
I think you confirmed most of what I gathered - thanks for the clarifications.
jeffreii said:
If you want to update to MDL, you can ODIN the stock MDL package and redo the CASUAL script.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did this, and it didn't do quite what I expected (although maybe it is better than I expected). I downloaded the MDL firmware from:
http://galaxys4root.com/galaxy-s4-stock-firmware/
AT&T Galaxy S4 SGH-I337 UCUAMDL (Android 4.2.2)
After flashing it with Odin, and my phone rebooted, I was surprised to note that it didn't actually WIPE my device. Everything was still in place, except now the device reports that it is in fact updated to MDL.
Is that right? I was expecting it to basically be in factory-new state after flashing.
cabadam said:
I think you confirmed most of what I gathered - thanks for the clarifications.
I did this, and it didn't do quite what I expected (although maybe it is better than I expected). I downloaded the MDL firmware from:
http://galaxys4root.com/galaxy-s4-stock-firmware/
AT&T Galaxy S4 SGH-I337 UCUAMDL (Android 4.2.2)
After flashing it with Odin, and my phone rebooted, I was surprised to note that it didn't actually WIPE my device. Everything was still in place, except now the device reports that it is in fact updated to MDL.
Is that right? I was expecting it to basically be in factory-new state after flashing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes that's normal. It doesn't wipe your internal or external sd card. The parts you store info on
jd1639 said:
Yes that's normal. It doesn't wipe your internal or external sd card. The parts you store info on
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Too easy, that basically gave me exactly what I wanted. I think I'm squared away until MF3 settles down.
Thanks for your time!
cabadam said:
Too easy, that basically gave me exactly what I wanted. I think I'm squared away until MF3 settles down.
Thanks for your time!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you ODIN an upgrade to the same firmware, you don't get a wipe. It's nice to keep your settings in those situations!
Now just make sure you root/recovery so you can avoid the OTA...otherwise make sure you freeze the OTA apps.
jeffreii said:
When you ODIN an upgrade to the same firmware, you don't get a wipe. It's nice to keep your settings in those situations!
Now just make sure you root/recovery so you can avoid the OTA...otherwise make sure you freeze the OTA apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haha yeah, I had spent some time backing up some settings via TB, nice to know I don't have to deal with that (at least for now )
Already re-applied the CASUAL root process. I froze the "AT&T Software Update" app. Is there anything other than that?
cabadam said:
Haha yeah, I had spent some time backing up some settings via TB, nice to know I don't have to deal with that (at least for now )
Already re-applied the CASUAL root process. I froze the "AT&T Software Update" app. Is there anything other than that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=44022554&postcount=74
Hmm, so I went and also froze LocalFOTA, but I dont have anything called FW Upgrade
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
Good post.
I'm also on MDB. Do you think it's actually worth it to install the MDL update?
I'm currently running Kangabean with 4.3, if it matters.
Do not update ota may bypass mdl and go to mf3
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
deron37129 said:
Do not update ota may bypass mdl and go to mf3
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope. Would flash the MDL through Odin and immediately run Motochopper. Just trying to figure out if it's even worth it.
trunzoc said:
Nope. Would flash the MDL through Odin and immediately run Motochopper. Just trying to figure out if it's even worth it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Definitely worth it. MDL irons out the issued that the S4 had upon release.
Sent from my SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 4
sd_N said:
Definitely worth it. MDL irons out the issued that the S4 had upon release.
Sent from my SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks!.
Here goes nothing
***EDIT***
Flashed the MDL image. I pulled the SIM to avoid any kind of OTA crap and booted. Got stuck at the AT&T logo though.
I had to go into stock recovery and do a factory reset. Did that and it booted up. Ran Motochopper fine and was able to boot into TWRP.
I restored by backup, but wouldn't boot past the Samsung Logo. Did another factory reset, but still wouldn't boot. Restored a backup I had of rooted stock. That worked.
Reset again and reinstalled Kangabean from scratch. That worked. Went back to recovery again and just restored my data partition. that worked too. yay
Pain in the arse, but let's see if MDL has any noticeable differences.
Thank you ALL!! I am also on MDB firmware and was wondering about all of this.
I do have some questions if you don't mind. (sorry for the thread hijack)
On MDB firmware, can you install a stock modded rom w/o updating the firmware?(such as MDOB and Goldeneye)
Is the MDB modem compatible with these roms or will I have to flash to a newer firmware to use them?
Knowing its working perfectly now, I'd like to stick with my current setup, but Id like the ability to use a stock modded TW rom, as I have a Samsung smart TV and use most of the Samsung bloatware.
Is there really any reason to go to MDL over MDB?
custommx3 said:
Thank you ALL!! I am also on MDB firmware and was wondering about all of this.
I do have some questions if you don't mind. (sorry for the thread hijack)
On MDB firmware, can you install a stock modded rom w/o updating the firmware?(such as MDOB and Goldeneye)
Is the MDB modem compatible with these roms or will I have to flash to a newer firmware to use them?
Knowing its working perfectly now, I'd like to stick with my current setup, but Id like the ability to use a stock modded TW rom, as I have a Samsung smart TV and use most of the Samsung bloatware.
Is there really any reason to go to MDL over MDB?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check the roms you want to use. Most of them require mdl firmware.
If I am on AT&T with MDL can I upgrade to 4.3 without going to MF3?
dtronx said:
If I am on AT&T with MDL can I upgrade to 4.3 without going to MF3?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No.
However, I suggest you just install one of the 4.3 ROMS (there is at least one available already) from the development section instead of taking the full update so you can still use a custom recovery and LOKI'd ROMs..
scott14719 said:
No.
However, I suggest you just install one of the 4.3 ROMS (there is at least one available already) from the development section instead of taking the full update so you can still use a custom recovery and LOKI'd ROMs..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks will do that
I would check out ShoStock-i MF3 or Venoms or Ax's International Roms. At all cost keep your MDL Bootloaders and have access to custom recoveries and flash WHATEVER you want. Safestrap is nice IF your stuck on MF3 but it has its limitations on what you can flash with it. Plus I am sure once the official tar drops for the ATT MJ9 firmware you will see some Roms based on ATTs stock firmwares and STILL have the ability to go back to other older firmwares if you want. With SafeStrap you are limited to 4.2.2 Roms at this time
Sent From My ATT S3 i747 Dark Blue BadAss Theme
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.
I have a S4 on MK2 on AT&T
The fact that I am stuck on TW is depressing. And to top things off AT&T has disabled WIFI tethering, which I was using occasionally.
Is it possible to ODIN back to stock and the firmware the phone came with a year ago?
Is it correct that the originally firmware would allow me to flash Cyanogen / Task etc?
What firmware do I need to get? I understand MF3 is also bad?
You cannot downgrade.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
wavemaster00 said:
I have a S4 on MK2 on AT&T
The fact that I am stuck on TW is depressing. And to top things off AT&T has disabled WIFI tethering, which I was using occasionally.
Is it possible to ODIN back to stock and the firmware the phone came with a year ago?
Is it correct that the originally firmware would allow me to flash Cyanogen / Task etc?
What firmware do I need to get? I understand MF3 is also bad?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As stated above, you can't downgrade. You can enable tethering by the thread in the general section and use Safestrap to change to other TW ROMs like Foxhound which has AOSP theming.
Sent from Black<3's I337 running Hyperdrive
You could only downgrade from 4.3 if you were using the leaked 4.3 ROM with the MJB bootloader. The official OTA 4.3 updates cannot be downgraded as Samsung blew a "qfuse" with this major (4.3) update preventing reversion of the bootloader.
However, you can change or downgrade the actual ROM filesystem, provided that you keep your MK2 boot loader in place. That means that you can't revert to a pre 4.3 stock ROM but you can use custom ROMs that are 99% stock while restoring the functionality that you'd like to restore.
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Hello,
What is the best way to get back to complete stock (including locked bootloader). I'm done with playing with custom ROMs (running CM11 right now). I want stock and guaranteed stability then nightmare dealing with nightlies etc.
artisticcheese said:
Hello,
What is the best way to get back to complete stock (including locked bootloader). I'm done with playing with custom ROMs (running CM11 right now). I want stock and guaranteed stability then nightmare dealing with nightlies etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm guessing you're on an I337 since you mentioned locked bootloader. If I were you I'd just flash a 4.4.2 stock ROM so that you can keep the possibility to use AOSP ROMs like the Google Edition ROMs and others. You can flash the ROM from HERE, use the version that doesn't say wBL at the end. Then just flash one of the 4.4.2 modems in RockRatt's I337 modem thread and it should work just fine. You could even reflash the MDL firmware before all of this to make it clean, or even just freeze the updater and stay on MDL.
If you really want to get rid of all possibility of running more than themed and modded TouchWiz ROMs, you can simply go to the General section, find the NB1 ODIN files, and flash them. If you want root after that, take the OTA to NC1 or sideload it and then use towelroot.
DeadlySin9 said:
I'm guessing you're on an I337 since you mentioned locked bootloader. If I were you I'd just flash a 4.4.2 stock ROM so that you can keep the possibility to use AOSP ROMs like the Google Edition ROMs and others. You can flash the ROM from HERE, use the version that doesn't say wBL at the end. Then just flash one of the 4.4.2 modems in RockRatt's I337 modem thread and it should work just fine. You could even reflash the MDL firmware before all of this to make it clean, or even just freeze the updater and stay on MDL.
If you really want to get rid of all possibility of running more than themed and modded TouchWiz ROMs, you can simply go to the General section, find the NB1 ODIN files, and flash them. If you want root after that, take the OTA to NC1 or sideload it and then use towelroot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So if I flash one of NB1 ODIN files my phone will looks like something I get from ATT store if I walk in there today, right? That's what I want to achieve, completely something unadultered.
artisticcheese said:
So if I flash one of NB1 ODIN files my phone will looks like something I get from ATT store if I walk in there today, right? That's what I want to achieve, completely something unadultered.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, it will be just like the others in every way, knox bootloader and settings and all, no custom flags or anything.