Database Users

Can't get back to stock firmware on Galaxy S4?

I had sprints official 4.3. Then i rooted and had cyanogenmod 4.4.2. I wanna go back to stock so I downloaded 4.2.2 from galaxys4root.com and tried flashing through odin but it keeps failing. Someone please help me! it's driving me crazy

Search a bit more. You cannot go back to an earlier version of android through odin. you have to get a 4.3 tar. Either MJA or MK2.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

Android Regression
daniel4653 said:
Search a bit more. You cannot go back to an earlier version of android through odin. you have to get a 4.3 tar. Either MJA or MK2.
Could you please elaborate? I'm a noob (and a dweeb) but I just got updated to KitKat and it sucks. I'm a photographer and I use several photo editing apps that suddenly are not allowed to write to my SD card. I need Jellybean back.
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th_rab said:
daniel4653 said:
Search a bit more. You cannot go back to an earlier version of android through odin. you have to get a 4.3 tar. Either MJA or MK2.
Could you please elaborate? I'm a noob (and a dweeb) but I just got updated to KitKat and it sucks. I'm a photographer and I use several photo editing apps that suddenly are not allowed to write to my SD card. I need Jellybean back.
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Click to collapse
Once updated to kitkat using ota then your stuck with kitkat you can downgrade back to jelly bean. Only way would be flashing a mk2 or mja rom. But you would still be in kitkat nae.
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ROMANTiC KiD said:
th_rab said:
Once updated to kitkat using ota then your stuck with kitkat you can downgrade back to jelly bean. Only way would be flashing a mk2 or mja rom. But you would still be in kitkat nae.
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But where would I get the stock 4.3? im sorry i dont know what mk2 and mja is. I just wanna get sprints stock 4.4. i understand i can't downgrade back to 4.2.2, but what should I do? where do i download? im desperate for help lol
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Click to collapse

Like he already stated, best you could do now is install a custom recovery after rooting your phone, then flash a Jellybean ROM from there. You familiar with doing any of that?
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

JustinB410 said:
ROMANTiC KiD said:
But where would I get the stock 4.3? im sorry i dont know what mk2 and mja is. I just wanna get sprints stock 4.4. i understand i can't downgrade back to 4.2.2, but what should I do? where do i download? im desperate for help lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a one line edit needed to restore full write capability to the sdcard with kit kat. It takes about 10 seconds to accomplish but you must be rooted. There is no way to odin back to 4.3 if you OTA to 4.4.2, like stated earlier, you can install a stock like 4.3 rom but I don't think you need to do that. Search for the sdcard write problem in these forums and edit the platform.xml file and all your stuff will write to the sdcard again.
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"Upgrade" from MLG to NC2 (leaked KK to OTA KK)

so upgraded to the leaked KK for my att note 3, and my wife just got the note3 as well and hers had an OTA to KK - versions are different and the bugs im experiencing are not on her version... i know i cant downgrade but how can i flash that update (official) since when i got to do an update it says im at the latest?
thanks !

amendolaro1 said:
so upgraded to the leaked KK for my att note 3, and my wife just got the note3 as well and hers had an OTA to KK - versions are different and the bugs im experiencing are not on her version... i know i cant downgrade but how can i flash that update (official) since when i got to do an update it says im at the latest?
thanks !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I want to upgrade from MLG to NC2 too. However, there is no direct way to do it at the moment.
However, if you are still at A2, you can use Safestrap to switch between MJ5 and NC2 (Please don't flash NC2 aboot.mbn!!!!!!)

Yes there is just do the mj5 restore that is in this section then follow one of the guides on how to install the ota
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk

As Jerrycoffman said. . . .
Restore back to MJ5 using this guide - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2559715
Don't root using the last part. It removes knox which will block you from being able to update the phone.
Next there will be a OTA to install its around 60mb. This is NB4
Lastly, just download kitkat OTA that's available. This may take sometime because it is a larger file size.
A lot of people have had issues installing the Kitkat OTA (including me). It fails at a certain percentage.
If you have this problem just follow this guide to fix it - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2701062
Make sure you back up any apps and files you need before starting this

Honestly instead of upgrading to official KK, why don't you just root and flash of of the available KK rom which is so much better than stock. Unless you don't care about the custom rom and root, you can follow what other has suggested to get the official OTA. Once you update thought, no way to get it root anymore
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk

Agree 100%!!!
mutantblack said:
Honestly instead of upgrading to official KK, why don't you just root and flash of of the available KK rom which is so much better than stock. Unless you don't care about the custom rom and root, you can follow what other has suggested to get the official OTA. Once you update thought, no way to get it root anymore
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk
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There is absolutely NO reason, if you follow instructions correctly, to accept the official update. Been there, done that. Glad I returned my OFFICIAL 4.4.2 phone and got another one to keep root on!!!

jreed3786 said:
There is absolutely NO reason, if you follow instructions correctly, to accept the official update. Been there, done that. Glad I returned my OFFICIAL 4.4.2 phone and got another one to keep root on!!!
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i was under the impression that i cannot root once i am on KK? also i use ISIS on a daily basis... do the new custom KK roms support ISIS?

amendolaro1 said:
i was under the impression that i cannot root once i am on KK? also i use ISIS on a daily basis... do the new custom KK roms support ISIS?
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Click to collapse
As far as I know, that's a NO.

amendolaro1 said:
i was under the impression that i cannot root once i am on KK? also i use ISIS on a daily basis... do the new custom KK roms support ISIS?
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Click to collapse
Isis can work on kit kat. I had it working but changed to wallet out of principal
Sent from my SM-N9005 using xda app-developers app

Best solution:
Go to Best Buy and ask one of the Samsung people to get you to stock, in less than 10 to 15 minutes you'll be in OTA Kit Kat.

No reason to have OTA kitkat when you lose root.
I use ISIS daily with the following mod
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2425346

[Q] 4.4.2 ROM back to Hyperdrive

I am already rooted on the 4.4.2 KK ROM. During this process, I installed the KK bootloader as advised. Can I install the Hyperdrive ROM from here w\Safestrap or do I need to Odin\flash stock back down to ICS which Hyperdrive is based on?
Thanks much!
CMD

CMDPrompt said:
I am already rooted on the 4.4.2 KK ROM. During this process, I installed the KK bootloader as advised. Can I install the Hyperdrive ROM from here w\Safestrap or do I need to Odin\flash stock back down to ICS which Hyperdrive is based on?
Thanks much!
CMD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You would have to Odin back to 4.3 Jellybean to run Hyperdrive. Although sbreen said he will be updating the build to 4.4.2 shortly. So if your on the leaked rooted kitkat build just hang tight a bit longer.

Harleydroid said:
You would have to Odin back to 4.3 Jellybean to run Hyperdrive. Although sbreen said he will be updating the build to 4.4.2 shortly. So if your on the leaked rooted kitkat build just hang tight a bit longer.
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Thanks Harleydroid! I will probably just hang for awhile.

CMDPrompt said:
Thanks Harleydroid! I will probably just hang for awhile.
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As it turns out, he released the new version. I've flashed to it and it seems to be working well.

Seeking best advice

I just recently purchased a Verizon Note 3 and would like some takeoff advice with this device. It came loaded with JB 4.3 and MJE baseband. I would like to upgrade the present stock JB 4.3 to KK 4.4.2 utilizing the best tools for the job. With root, a new recovery, and a reliable wifi hotspot apk too. I have found that it helps to get advice from an experienced user before potentially taking a wrong first step in unknown territory... Been there, done that.

Lexus One said:
I just recently purchased a Verizon Note 3 and would like some takeoff advice with this device. It came loaded with JB 4.3 and MJE baseband. I would like to upgrade the present stock JB 4.3 to KK 4.4.2 utilizing the best tools for the job. With root, a new recovery, and a reliable wifi hotspot apk too. I have found that it helps to get advice from an experienced user before potentially taking a wrong first step in unknown territory... Been there, done that.
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Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2543386
This is the method I used it worked perfectly, I came from sprint sammy GS3 so this was a bit different but its great now! if you go under your devices and go to the android development forum you will see how to update to 4.4.2 after you obtain your 4.3 root with safestrap. this is the safest method so follow the link i posted and you should have no problems:good: also if you miss the aosp feel the eclipse rom is amazing..Good Luck
---------- Post added at 06:11 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:08 PM ----------
Lexus One said:
I just recently purchased a Verizon Note 3 and would like some takeoff advice with this device. It came loaded with JB 4.3 and MJE baseband. I would like to upgrade the present stock JB 4.3 to KK 4.4.2 utilizing the best tools for the job. With root, a new recovery, and a reliable wifi hotspot apk too. I have found that it helps to get advice from an experienced user before potentially taking a wrong first step in unknown territory... Been there, done that.
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Click to collapse
Oh also I stayed on the NC2 firmware when I went to kit kat from what I gathered in research its better than the NC4 for now

More importantly, is there anything that I MUST do while running JB4.3 that I can't do afterwards on 4.4.2? Like root with survival mode or something? Otherwise (from JB4.3) it looks like I could just install the OTA to 4.4.2 NC4 ... run Towelroot, install busybox, and then SafeStrap 3.72. So, is this a good or bad idea ???

Lexus One said:
More importantly, is there anything that I MUST do while running JB4.3 that I can't do afterwards on 4.4.2? Like root with survival mode or something? Otherwise (from JB4.3) it looks like I could just install the OTA to 4.4.2 NC4 ... run Towelroot, install busybox, and then SafeStrap 3.72. So, is this a good or bad idea ???
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Click to collapse
There is nothing special you need to do while on 4.3. You can do just as you said but you also need to install SuperUser.

Update, run the alpha root, install busybox, su, and safestrap. Download your ROM and flash it on the stock slot.
Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

leyvatron said:
Update, run the alpha root, install busybox, su, and safestrap. Download your ROM and flash it on the stock slot.
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Click to collapse
Could you help me find the "alpha root" method? I don't see it anywhere.

Lexus One said:
Could you help me find the "alpha root" method? I don't see it anywhere.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
its not called alpha. [emoji12]
http://towelroot.com/
Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

I've been doing some reading in various places and have noticed that there are a good many people complaining about the 4.4.2 upgrade. Things like reception and battery issues...and the list goes on. They basically are saying that things were better before the update.
Would it be better (less problems overall) to upgrade via odin to 4.4.2 NC4...or just take the OTA route from the retail version 4.3 MJE...or should I stay on 4.3 and put up with the alleged GPS headaches...and bypass all the reception and battery issues?

Lexus One said:
I've been doing some reading in various places and have noticed that there are a good many people complaining about the 4.4.2 upgrade. Things like reception and battery issues...and the list goes on. They basically are saying that things were better before the update.
Would it be better (less problems overall) to upgrade via odin to 4.4.2 NC4...or just take the OTA route from the retail version 4.3 MJE...or should I stay on 4.3 and put up with the alleged GPS headaches...and bypass all the reception and battery issues?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't use the NC4 Odin or the OTA, root MJE then install a 4.4.2 ROM. That way you have the ability to go back to MJE if you want to, you can also try the different modems once you're on NC4 and find the one that works best for you.

airmaxx23 said:
Don't use the NC4 Odin or the OTA, root MJE then install a 4.4.2 ROM. That way you have the ability to go back to MJE if you want to, you can also try the different modems once you're on NC4 and find the one that works best for you.
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Click to collapse
Thanks airmaxx, but I thought I read that I could use odin to go back if I wanted to after rooting the OTA NC4 with towelroot. Besides, if there are problems (as I've read) with 4.4.2 NC4, then it would make more sense not to upgrade at all. Or is NC4 really that much better even with the poorer reception and battery issues? Now I'm wondering what makes the NC4 upgrade worth the time and effort. Thanks again for your thoughts.

Lexus One said:
Thanks airmaxx, but I thought I read that I could use odin to go back if I wanted to after rooting the OTA NC4 with towelroot. Besides, if there are problems (as I've read) with 4.4.2 NC4, then it would make more sense not to upgrade at all. Or is NC4 really that much better even with the poorer reception and battery issues? Now I'm wondering what makes the NC4 upgrade worth the time and effort. Thanks again for your thoughts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can downgrade from 4.4.2 (NC4) if you root MJE and install a pre-rooted version (ROM). The OTA and NC4 tar file have a different bootloader which prevents downgrading. I've had no problems with battery or signal on NC4, keep in mind that people usually post when they have problems but rarely pay when things are working fine.

airmaxx23 said:
You can downgrade from 4.4.2 (NC4) if you root MJE and install a pre-rooted version (ROM). The OTA and NC4 tar file have a different bootloader which prevents downgrading. I've had no problems with battery or signal on NC4, keep in mind that people usually post when they have problems but rarely pay when things are working fine.
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Now that is good to know. Thanks. So I can assume that the bootloader from retail 4.3 MJE is what I want to keep...even if I move to a 4.4.2 NC2 or NC4 rom?

Lexus One said:
Now that is good to know. Thanks. So I can assume that the bootloader from retail 4.3 MJE is what I want to keep...even if I move to a 4.4.2 NC2 or NC4 rom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The NC2 bootloader is really the one to be on. The basic steps can be found in the install instructions in this ROM thread, you can use any ROM, it doesn't have to be Jasmine. Just use steps 1-12. More detailed instructions can be found in this thread but use the Odin files from the first thread.

Please explain like I'm five...

Hey guys I'm currently running CleanROM on MJE 4.3. It's been a while since I've flashed anything and obviously, a lot has happened while I've been away. How can I safely get from 4.3 MJE to Kit Kat with a custom ROM? Thanks!!!

MrWilliams2 said:
Hey guys I'm currently running CleanROM on MJE 4.3. It's been a while since I've flashed anything and obviously, a lot has happened while I've been away. How can I safely get from 4.3 MJE to Kit Kat with a custom ROM? Thanks!!!
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Click to collapse
Go here > http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2727876

cam30era said:
Go here > http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2727876
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Awesome man. Thanks!