Database Users

New to the S4. Need some help

Hey there everyone. I am trying to help my sister out with her (new to her) S4.
She bought an s4 and it is very cool (I'm having a blast playing with it.).
It is carrier unlocked at the moment (I believe, though I don't have a SIM to test it out with)
I believe that it is rooted.
It is advertised as having the MDB bootloader with a MF3 baseband. How do I check this?
When I go to setting I see that the baseband version is i337ucuamf3. I am assuming that since it ends in MF3 that is correct.​
The rom installed is GoldenEye 38.1 XXUGNG8.
I am assuming that XXUGNG8 is the base firmware from Samsung\At&T, is that correct?
It currently has a version of TWRP installed and the person it was bought from says it doesn't need SafeStrap. Is that correct? I see a lot of posts saying that safestrap needs to be installed.
Lastly, I'm trying to figure out if she wants CM11, Stock TouchWiz or something like Goldeneye. I am assuming that the "S" apps will only work on a TouchWiz ROM, is that right?
Lastly, how would i get the phone back to a stock? HTC has RUU's, is there an equivalent for Samsung devices? Or is there a download somewhere of the plain stock ROM? I didn't see anything in the development section.
Thanks in advance for all the help, I know that I am asking a lot of questions but I am coming from the HTC side of android (which seems to be a lot less confusing) so I am doing the best I can here.

waterboy100 said:
Hey there everyone. I am trying to help my sister out with her (new to her) S4.
She bought an s4 and it is very cool (I'm having a blast playing with it.).
It is carrier unlocked at the moment (I believe, though I don't have a SIM to test it out with)
I believe that it is rooted.
It is advertised as having the MDB bootloader with a MF3 baseband. How do I check this?
When I go to setting I see that the baseband version is i337ucuamf3. I am assuming that since it ends in MF3 that is correct.​
The rom installed is GoldenEye 38.1 XXUGNG8.
I am assuming that XXUGNG8 is the base firmware from Samsung\At&T, is that correct?
It currently has a version of TWRP installed and the person it was bought from says it doesn't need SafeStrap. Is that correct? I see a lot of posts saying that safestrap needs to be installed.
Lastly, I'm trying to figure out if she wants CM11, Stock TouchWiz or something like Goldeneye. I am assuming that the "S" apps will only work on a TouchWiz ROM, is that right?
Lastly, how would i get the phone back to a stock? HTC has RUU's, is there an equivalent for Samsung devices? Or is there a download somewhere of the plain stock ROM? I didn't see anything in the development section.
Thanks in advance for all the help, I know that I am asking a lot of questions but I am coming from the HTC side of android (which seems to be a lot less confusing) so I am doing the best I can here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since the phone has TWRP installed, you either have MDB or MDL bootloader since newer firmwares (bootloader) do not allow for the stock recovery to be replaced.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=52415064&postcount=1625 gives you the way to find your bootloader (the most restrictive component of the firmware).
When samsung releases firmware/update, it sets the version of all components to the same. So, on the stock firmware, all components have the same version. Baseband is actually the version of the modem.
Since you have TWRP installed, you should be able to install a lot of ROMs. All you have to ensure is that the bootloader is not updated. When you use ODIN to flash stock firmware, your bootloader will get updated. Since MF3, we are not able to replace the stock kernel and recovery. This brings in a lot of restrictions.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2616221 has a list of ROMs that can be installed.

jmjoyas said:
Since the phone has TWRP installed, you either have MDB or MDL bootloader since newer firmwares (bootloader) do not allow for the stock recovery to be replaced.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=52415064&postcount=1625 gives you the way to find your bootloader (the most restrictive component of the firmware).
When samsung releases firmware/update, it sets the version of all components to the same. So, on the stock firmware, all components have the same version. Baseband is actually the version of the modem.
Since you have TWRP installed, you should be able to install a lot of ROMs. All you have to ensure is that the bootloader is not updated. When you use ODIN to flash stock firmware, your bootloader will get updated. Since MF3, we are not able to replace the stock kernel and recovery. This brings in a lot of restrictions.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2616221 has a list of ROMs that can be installed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks.
So my bootloader is reported as i337ucuamdb (So MDB Bootleader)
My baseband is 1337ucuamf3 (MF3?)
Does this just mean that i have an older bootloader that was rooted and had newer radios installed?
That that a problem for anything? Should they be the same?

waterboy100 said:
Thanks.
So my bootloader is reported as i337ucuamdb (So MDB Bootleader)
My baseband is 1337ucuamf3 (MF3?)
Does this just mean that i have an older bootloader that was rooted and had newer radios installed?
That that a problem for anything? Should they be the same?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're on the mdb bootloader which is a good thing, don't update the firmware you can still use twrp or cwm. The baseband is the modem and does not need to be the same version as the bootloader
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app

Some Questions about flashing by ODIN

I brought my Samsung Galaxy S4 (China Unicom version) from China. It was unlocked and I was able to use it in my country pretty well. But I didn't get to install any of Google Apps. And then there's awful Chinese apps that I couldn't able to uninstall. So I downloaded AT&T Official Firmware 4.4.2 and decided to give it a try. I am thinking about install it via ODIN.
Now my question is as my phone is currently unlocked and if I install AT&T firmware by ODIN, will it revoke my current unlocked status? Will it take the device back to the AT&T locked status?

Installing the AT&T firmware will flat out fail. And you don't want to install it anyway, unless you like locked bootloaders.
You need to download an I9500 ROM. We should have one here, on the forums. Installing a ROM will not revoke unlocked status.

Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
Installing the AT&T firmware will flat out fail. And you don't want to install it anyway, unless you like locked bootloaders.
You need to download an I9500 ROM. We should have one here, on the forums. Installing a ROM will not revoke unlocked status.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My Model Number is GT-I9507V and Baseband version is I9507VZNUBNK1 . And even installing I9507 firmwares failed. Only I9507V firmwares are accepted.
No Google apps so far and these awful Chinese bloatwares. What do I have to do?

I forgot that the China Telecom unit had its own model number. But thank you for stressing it multiple times in bold.
Since the only stock ROMs you can install are I9507V ROMs, your options are to root and debloat the ROM and then install the Google apps, or root and install a custom ROM. This assumes a custom recovery is available for your device.

Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
I forgot that the China Telecom unit had its own model number. But thank you for stressing it multiple times in bold.
Since the only stock ROMs you can install are I9507V ROMs, your options are to root and debloat the ROM and then install the Google apps, or root and install a custom ROM. This assumes a custom recovery is available for your device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's no CWM recovery available for GT-I9507V. But is it OK to install CWM recovery of GT-I9505?

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=257785

Samsung S4 Modem Help

Hi, i need help choosing a good modem. I am currently using my samsung s4 on the o2 uk network. I dont know much about the right modem.
But how can i find the latest modem that is designed to operate on a uk network?
any help is much appreciated.

What's wrong with the modem firmware that is currently on your S4?
Under ordinary circumstances the modem firmware is only changed when the ROM itself is changed. For example, an OTA update to go from Android 4.4.2 to Android 5.0.1 would include a new modem designed for Android 5.0.1. The only time the modem firmware may need to be changed outside of an OTA update is if the device is rooted and the user is installing a custom Android 5.x ROM. This is because custom ROMs do not include updated modem firmware or bootloaders. In that case the modem would be updated manually using the Odin software.

Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
What's wrong with the modem firmware that is currently on your S4?
Under ordinary circumstances the modem firmware is only changed when the ROM itself is changed. For example, an OTA update to go from Android 4.4.2 to Android 5.0.1 would include a new modem designed for Android 5.0.1. The only time the modem firmware may need to be changed outside of an OTA update is if the device is rooted and the user is installing a custom Android 5.x ROM. This is because custom ROMs do not include updated modem firmware or bootloaders. In that case the modem would be updated manually using the Odin software.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for responding,
Before i flashed my phone to a custom rom the signal i received was very good. however, since i have flashed a few roms along with their matching baseband i have noticed that the signal is not as good as it was before the phone was flashed.
i can only assume that i have changed a baseband to one of which is not suited to the uk networks, if that is a possibilty. i was wondering which baseband would be best suited for a uk network?
that is if not using the correct baseband can cause signal issues?

The correct baseband for your device should be I9505XXUHOB7. If that isn't what you're running you can download it from the baseband thread in S4 General and flash it through Odin. If you're running something later than that though, I wouldn't bother changing it. For example, my I9505 was originally on O2 before being unlocked, and it's using a later baseband, I9505XXUHOF2, which happens to be from the unbranded German ROM. I'm having no issues using it on Straight Talk here in the United States.
While updating the baseband can help, you might also want to investigate whether the ROM itself might actually be the source of your signal woes.

Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
The correct baseband for your device should be I9505XXUHOB7. If that isn't what you're running you can download it from the baseband thread in S4 General and flash it through Odin. If you're running something later than that though, I wouldn't bother changing it. For example, my I9505 was originally on O2 before being unlocked, and it's using a later baseband, I9505XXUHOF2, which happens to be from the unbranded German ROM. I'm having no issues using it on Straight Talk here in the United States.
While updating the baseband can help, you might also want to investigate whether the ROM itself might actually be the source of your signal woes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im currently running the 4.4.2 XXUGNK4 goldeneye rom. would it still be ok if i went ahead and flashed the I9505XXUHOB7 along with it considering that is a lollipop version of the baseband?

In that case you'd want to get the latest Android 4.4.2 baseband possible from the aforementioned thread and install that. You'd cause more problems if you tried using the HOB7 baseband while still using an Android 4.4.2 bootloader.

Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
In that case you'd want to get the latest Android 4.4.2 baseband possible from the aforementioned thread and install that. You'd cause more problems if you tried using the HOB7 baseband while still using an Android 4.4.2 bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks , ill try that now.
a little of topic is it possible to flash a lollipop bootloader and then revert back to a bootloader designed for the 4.4.2 kitkat roms?

You'd have to try it and find out. I do believe it's possible since Knox is in both bootloaders, but I haven't had a reason to test it.

SGH-I337M unlocking?

Hello!
To begin I would like to apologize for my english and for creating another threat for this issue (I know there are several already existing).
My issue is the following, I got a Samsung galaxy S4 (sgh-I337M) here in my country (Colombia). I payed for it but didnt try to use it with my sim when I got it (which was really dumb). The phone is locked, it is from telcel and I have been trying to unlock it for sometimes. I have followed several procedures that I feel like im able to do, and there were some that were just too complicated for me (im tech savyy but dont have enough knowledge about cellphones).
I have tried several methods using the *#0011# and I even dare to try one that involved flashing the phone (using this rom I337MTCEFNE2) because it said it would be unlocked after it (didnt work).
I would like someone to help me with the process to unlock it (even if its with a link and some help understanding the basic concepts). Im in coombia and would like to use it here in my country.
So far i would also to know if by using a custom or official rom i would be able to unlock my phone, even if its using the rom from my country (that was not the original for the phone). Also looking at the roms available for Movistar )a carrier here in my country) I found that there are only roms for Kitkat, and I would really like to have lolipop... How does it work exactly?
Thanks to anyone who can assist me with this! And again, I apologize for creating another threath, but i already search a lot.

Is the phone running 4.4.2 or newer? This may help: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=64978235&postcount=713
You should the rom that was made for the phone's original carrier.

audit13 said:
Is the phone running 4.4.2 or newer? This may help: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=64978235&postcount=713
You should the rom that was made for the phone's original carrier.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The rom I used to flash it is running on 4.4.2. So I dont download the 2 roms that you put in that post, but the original ones for the cellphone? I think this phone was supposed to be with telcel.
There are 3 roms for that carrier:
http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/download/27549/I337MUMUENC1_I337MTCEENC1_TCE/
http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/download/22425/I337MUMUEMK6_I337MTCEEMK6_TCE/
http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/download/62872/I337MUMUGOK1_I337MTCEGOK2_TCE/
http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/download/32418/I337MUMUFNE2_I337MTCEFNE2_TCE/
The modem rom is for 4.2.2, is there a way to upgrade my android version after following this procedure?
Sorry if i ask a lot, is just that im not sure about how roms does exactly work and what do they affect the phone.
Thank you very much for the help!

The phone will not work with a stock 4.4.2 rom and a 4.2.2 modem. After running the region unlock app, flash the stock 4.4.2 rom again, factory wipe, and the phone should be sim unlocked.
I would flash the ne2 rom, then root, 4.2.2 modem, run region unlock, then flash the latest 5.01 rom, factory wipe, reboot, and check the phone.

audit13 said:
The phone will not work with a stock 4.4.2 rom and a 4.2.2 modem. After running the region unlock app, flash the stock 4.4.2 rom again, factory wipe, and the phone should be sim unlocked.
I would flash the ne2 rom, then root, 4.2.2 modem, run region unlock, then flash the latest 5.01 rom, factory wipe, reboot, and check the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did yesterday, its already unlocked! How can I root the phone now without messing the process I did?

audit13 said:
The phone will not work with a stock 4.4.2 rom and a 4.2.2 modem. After running the region unlock app, flash the stock 4.4.2 rom again, factory wipe, and the phone should be sim unlocked.
I would flash the ne2 rom, then root, 4.2.2 modem, run region unlock, then flash the latest 5.01 rom, factory wipe, reboot, and check the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ohhh, yesterday I had post letting you know that i was able to succesfully unock the phone! thank you veryyy much! You are awesome!

Did you root the phone to run the region unlock ? You can root the same way.

Samsung s4 GT-19507

Hey guys I was given this phone and it's full of bloatware I can't uninstall (running android 5.0.1). I noticed the model number of this specific type of s4 was only released in australia with optus/virgin? I have read other parts of the forum trying to find out if it is safe to put a custom rom on the phone, but all links are dead to files needed. Can anyone out there point me to a custom rom not full of bloatware that will work on this model phone? Also I have read there will be problem with the modem aswell if I do flash a custom rom on it.

steveracer said:
Hey guys I was given this phone and it's full of bloatware I can't uninstall (running android 5.0.1). I noticed the model number of this specific type of s4 was only released in australia with optus/virgin? I have read other parts of the forum trying to find out if it is safe to put a custom rom on the phone, but all links are dead to files needed. Can anyone out there point me to a custom rom not full of bloatware that will work on this model phone? Also I have read there will be problem with the modem aswell if I do flash a custom rom on it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are we talking about TouchWiz custom ROMs or normal custom ROMs?
I don't know if TouchWiz custom ROMs will work, but this should work on your model.