Hello everyone-
New user for the Samsung Galaxy S4 here. I used to own both the iPhone 3GS and 4S prior. My general background was writing VB in version 3.0 for AOL back in the late 90s for all you old school people, progs/punters that may remember those days. Unfortunately, even now I'm still have issues following along with new technology. So far, I have really enjoyed the android system and have made modifications through various launchers. I did use SuperSU and rooted the phone by the automated process. I realize these may be 'noob' questions, however; everyone I suppose goes through it at some point. I do have some general questions and several of them that I have read about have conflicting information. This will be somewhat long, but I do appreciate any input:
The Galaxy S4 that I have is SPH-L720, MK2, and 4.3 version.
At this point, I backed-up and installed several Google Games, Books, and Sprint ID, Sprint Worldwide, etc.....general bloatware using Titanium Back-up. Again the root method I used was SuperSU by Chainfire. I have NOT use TWRP/Clockwork Mod or flashed any custom ROMs. I just have it rooted and diabled some bloatware, installed Xposed Installer and other root only apps. I checked my phone and its status says 'custom'.
1. Given this set-up, can I still get OTA for new Android versions ? I don't care if it removes root, but I was just wondering if I can get OTA updates to get new versions for my phone. Some threads I have read say yes, others say no. If I cannot, how can I then get new updates ? I don't want to not be able to permanently update to 4.4 in the future. I know there is a way to update via Kies to the computer.
2. The root access via Chainfire SuperSU involves 2 components from what I understand. SU.apk and busybox. I was using Terminal Emulator based on the advice from this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2565758
I could not get it to work when typing in the prompts on the screen, it just would not go through. I tried downloading Total Commander which allows root access. Can I instead of using Terminal Emulator to get rid of busybox, use Total Commander to get into the /system/xbin folder and manually delete all busybox files prior to using the permanent unroot of SuperSU feature in settings ? Or does the Full unroot remove everything ?
3. Maybe I still don't understand the flashing process, but it seems, you download Odin, then use the ROM file you need under the PDA selection then start the process while the phone is in download mode (home button, down volume, etc...) Is this how all custom ROMs and re-stores are performed ? Is this form of the restore different that the phone Samsung settings (back-up/restore) ? I've read about TWRP, custom recovery, Clockwork Mod, etc....but I dont understand what all these are. It seems easy enough to download files then put them via Odin then hit start....
At this point, I've refrained from doing anything other than back-up/uninstalling some bloatware and using some cool apps that supposed xposed installer. I'm worried that I might brick my expensive phone or render it unable to get anymore updates :crying:
Thanks for the input !
mikeprius said:
Hello everyone-
New user for the Samsung Galaxy S4 here. I used to own both the iPhone 3GS and 4S prior. My general background was writing VB in version 3.0 for AOL back in the late 90s for all you old school people, progs/punters that may remember those days. Unfortunately, even now I'm still have issues following along with new technology. So far, I have really enjoyed the android system and have made modifications through various launchers. I did use SuperSU and rooted the phone by the automated process. I realize these may be 'noob' questions, however; everyone I suppose goes through it at some point. I do have some general questions and several of them that I have read about have conflicting information. This will be somewhat long, but I do appreciate any input:
The Galaxy S4 that I have is SPH-L720, MK2, and 4.3 version.
At this point, I backed-up and installed several Google Games, Books, and Sprint ID, Sprint Worldwide, etc.....general bloatware using Titanium Back-up. Again the root method I used was SuperSU by Chainfire. I have NOT use TWRP/Clockwork Mod or flashed any custom ROMs. I just have it rooted and diabled some bloatware, installed Xposed Installer and other root only apps. I checked my phone and its status says 'custom'.
1. Given this set-up, can I still get OTA for new Android versions ? I don't care if it removes root, but I was just wondering if I can get OTA updates to get new versions for my phone. Some threads I have read say yes, others say no. If I cannot, how can I then get new updates ? I don't want to not be able to permanently update to 4.4 in the future. I know there is a way to update via Kies to the computer.
2. The root access via Chainfire SuperSU involves 2 components from what I understand. SU.apk and busybox. I was using Terminal Emulator based on the advice from this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2565758
I could not get it to work when typing in the prompts on the screen, it just would not go through. I tried downloading Total Commander which allows root access. Can I instead of using Terminal Emulator to get rid of busybox, use Total Commander to get into the /system/xbin folder and manually delete all busybox files prior to using the permanent unroot of SuperSU feature in settings ? Or does the Full unroot remove everything ?
3. Maybe I still don't understand the flashing process, but it seems, you download Odin, then use the ROM file you need under the PDA selection then start the process while the phone is in download mode (home button, down volume, etc...) Is this how all custom ROMs and re-stores are performed ? Is this form of the restore different that the phone Samsung settings (back-up/restore) ? I've read about TWRP, custom recovery, Clockwork Mod, etc....but I dont understand what all these are. It seems easy enough to download files then put them via Odin then hit start....
At this point, I've refrained from doing anything other than back-up/uninstalling some bloatware and using some cool apps that supposed xposed installer. I'm worried that I might brick my expensive phone or render it unable to get anymore updates :crying:
Thanks for the input !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can answer 1 & 3 for you.
1. No, you won't be able to take an OTA because you removed or modified system files. This will cause the update file of the OTA to abort once it encounters the modded file or can't find the file your removed. The best process to take an OTA would be to return the phone to stock before taking the OTA. The easiest method is to use Odin and install the full stock tar file that you are currently on. In your case it would be the MK2 tar file. This will return your phone to stock with the stock recovery and allow your phone to update via OTA, then you can re root.
3. Odin is used to flash things like stock tar files, modems(basebands), recoveries & firmwares. If you are installing a custom rom, that is usually done using a custom recovery like Phillz's or TWRP. These recoveries can be installed via odin or TWRP via goomanager app in playstore. Once the custom recovery is installed you copy the rom file or other mod to your sdcard and install through recovery.
cruise350 said:
I can answer 1 & 3 for you.
1. No, you won't be able to take an OTA because you removed or modified system files. This will cause the update file of the OTA to abort once it encounters the modded file or can't find the file your removed. The best process to take an OTA would be to return the phone to stock before taking the OTA. The easiest method is to use Odin and install the full stock tar file that you are currently on. In your case it would be the MK2 tar file. This will return your phone to stock with the stock recovery and allow your phone to update via OTA, then you can re root.
3. Odin is used to flash things like stock tar files, modems(basebands), recoveries & firmwares. If you are installing a custom rom, that is usually done using a custom recovery like Phillz's or TWRP. These recoveries can be installed via odin or TWRP via goomanager app in playstore. Once the custom recovery is installed you copy the rom file or other mod to your sdcard and install through recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the response....Does it matter what version of Odin I use if I were to restore the phone back to stock ? Also do I need to manually remove all rooted program and features, or can it be flashed back to stock ROM as is ? I have a lot of apps that I also don't want to lose and I've tried manually back up files on my SD card, but I didn't know if there was a way to back it up, so that it literally can be dumped right back in when stock is restored.
mikeprius said:
Thanks for the response....Does it matter what version of Odin I use if I were to restore the phone back to stock ? Also do I need to manually remove all rooted program and features, or can it be flashed back to stock ROM as is ? I have a lot of apps that I also don't want to lose and I've tried manually back up files on my SD card, but I didn't know if there was a way to back it up, so that it literally can be dumped right back in when stock is restored.
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Click to collapse
I believe if you are on MK2 you will want to use the latest version of odin which is ver3 3.09. If you are using the MK2 complete stock tar file it will rewrite everything in system and restore all the apps that were removed or modded so you don't need to manually remove root. Currently, the stock files available to us do not wipe the data partition so anything you have in that partition will remain there unless you do a factory reset. One thing you will want to make sure you are doing is backing up to the external sdcard and not the internal. You can then use TB to replace any files if you did a factory reset.
cruise350 said:
I believe if you are on MK2 you will want to use the latest version of odin which is ver3 3.09. If you are using the MK2 complete stock tar file it will rewrite everything in system and restore all the apps that were removed or modded so you don't need to manually remove root. Currently, the stock files available to us do not wipe the data partition so anything you have in that partition will remain there unless you do a factory reset. One thing you will want to make sure you are doing is backing up to the external sdcard and not the internal. You can then use TB to replace any files if you did a factory reset.
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Click to collapse
I'm using Kies 3 and using the data back-up feature ? I assume this is backing up to the computer then I was planning on using the 'restore data' feature once they phone is back to stock. Will this revert it back to the way it was previously customized before root ? So if I understand correctly, once I download Odin 3.0, I load the MK2 .tar file into the phone, enbable download mode, then hit start and the phone will be like it was out of the box and ready to be OTA and restored with prior data ? I may be confusing flashing the stock firmware with factory reset ?
I also noticed there is an update firmware feature on Kies 3, if I try using this while SuperSU is present and the phone is rooted, will I also have a failed update/issues ? Again, thanks for your help. Do appreciate it.
mikeprius said:
I'm using Kies 3 and using the data back-up feature ? I assume this is backing up to the computer then I was planning on using the 'restore data' feature once they phone is back to stock. Will this revert it back to the way it was previously customized before root ? So if I understand correctly, once I download Odin 3.0, I load the MK2 .tar file into the phone, enbable download mode, then hit start and the phone will be like it was out of the box and ready to be OTA and restored with prior data ? I may be confusing flashing the stock firmware with factory reset ?
I also noticed there is an update firmware feature on Kies 3, if I try using this while SuperSU is present and the phone is rooted, will I also have a failed update/issues ? Again, thanks for your help. Do appreciate it.
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Click to collapse
I have never used Kies and heard that it doesn't work with the MJA or MK2 software yet. I don't believe Kies will work if your status is custom but I could be wrong on that. If you odin the MK2 full tar file your phone will be back to stock but your data should still be there. You will only lose your data if you do a factory reset in recovery. Remember, a factory reset is just wiping the data partition and does not restore any software or apps.
cruise350 said:
I have never used Kies and heard that it doesn't work with the MJA or MK2 software yet. I don't believe Kies will work if your status is custom but I could be wrong on that. If you odin the MK2 full tar file your phone will be back to stock but your data should still be there. You will only lose your data if you do a factory reset in recovery. Remember, a factory reset is just wiping the data partition and does not restore any software or apps.
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Click to collapse
Ok, I think I have the general idea. It sounds similar to putting back on the stock 'image' nothing else.........I currently have the Odin 3.0 software, but I have been having a hard time finding the stock firmware online and downloading it. I will keep looking. Once I get the .tar and flash in download mode, will I just see all the bloatware back on, but everything else the same ? I was wondering what will happen if I kept Titanium Back-up, SuperSU, and Xposed Installer on when I do this ? Does it just render them all un-useable, but the new OTA will still install anyway ? Thanks.
mikeprius said:
Ok, I think I have the general idea. It sounds similar to putting back on the stock 'image' nothing else.........I currently have the Odin 3.0 software, but I have been having a hard time finding the stock firmware online and downloading it. I will keep looking. Once I get the .tar and flash in download mode, will I just see all the bloatware back on, but everything else the same ? I was wondering what will happen if I kept Titanium Back-up, SuperSU, and Xposed Installer on when I do this ? Does it just render them all un-useable, but the new OTA will still install anyway ? Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Every thing in the data partition(titanium backup) will remain and everything in the system partition (SuperSU & stuff modified via xposed installer) will be gone and replaced with the bloatware.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk
Ok, so it appears to have worked. I flashed the 4.3 prior version however it was hooked up to wifi and automatically downloaded the new version and removed root (not a big deal). My status says custom still, but I am assuming that I can OTA after the flash b/c it updated to the most recent 4.3 in Dec 2013. I re-rooted so it is back to prior, but I know now how to do it.
Is there anything that I may delete or uninstall that cannot be replaced by flashing the stock firmware ? For example I was thinking about getting rid of the 'help' on the phone and Titanium Back up said it is odexed or something to that extent and can only be replaced by using Titanium Backup and the exact same copy ?
I figured that I might as well just try deleting the bloatware and not back up b/c worse case scenario if something happens I can just flash back the stock ROM and all is well ?
Being able to flash the stock .tar through ODIN gives me peace of mind from screw ups, even if it removes root and takes time.
mikeprius said:
I figured that I might as well just try deleting the bloatware and not back up b/c worse case scenario if something happens I can just flash back the stock ROM and all is well ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you haven't spent much time customizing, that'll work fine. Most of us use custom recoveries (like Philz or TWRP) to make "nandroid" backups of our setups. A nandroid is like a drive image on a computer, so restoring it will restore all of the customizations you've done (accounts, apps, app data, bloatware deletions, etc). Nandroids don't back up firmware (modem, bootloader,etc), but back up the ROM completely. A Titanium backup is almost as good, but requires a bit more work.
As for deciding what apps you can delete, most of the custom ROM creators post a list of the bloatware they remove. So, if it's on their list, it's almost certainly ok to delete it on your phone too.
nobody291 said:
If you haven't spent much time customizing, that'll work fine. Most of us use custom recoveries (like Philz or TWRP) to make "nandroid" backups of our setups. A nandroid is like a drive image on a computer, so restoring it will restore all of the customizations you've done (accounts, apps, app data, bloatware deletions, etc). Nandroids don't back up firmware (modem, bootloader,etc), but back up the ROM completely. A Titanium backup is almost as good, but requires a bit more work.
As for deciding what apps you can delete, most of the custom ROM creators post a list of the bloatware they remove. So, if it's on their list, it's almost certainly ok to delete it on your phone too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks being able to flash the stock .tar and use ODIN gives me peace of mind of any potential screw ups. So far I'm just using stock rom and toggling some of the features with xposed installer and titanium back up.
I'd like to explore more eventually with custom ROMs and I've heard of Clockwork mod and TWRP, Nandroid, Cyanogen, etc... but I don't know what any of that means or what it is.
Is TWRP/Philz like ODIN program then you download custom ROMS like Cyanogen the same way as the stock firmware. tar ?
As you can tell I am extremely new to this.....this is also my first time owning an Android phone as well, but I never messed with jailbreaking my past 2 iPhones in the past. I just have used VB 3.0 back in the day....
mikeprius said:
Thanks being able to flash the stock .tar and use ODIN gives me peace of mind of any potential screw ups. So far I'm just using stock rom and toggling some of the features with xposed installer and titanium back up.
I'd like to explore more eventually with custom ROMs and I've heard of Clockwork mod and TWRP, Nandroid, Cyanogen, etc... but I don't know what any of that means or what it is.
Is TWRP/Philz like ODIN program then you download custom ROMS like Cyanogen the same way as the stock firmware. tar ?
As you can tell I am extremely new to this.....this is also my first time owning an Android phone as well, but I never messed with jailbreaking my past 2 iPhones in the past. I just have used VB 3.0 back in the day....
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Click to collapse
To me, one of the hardest parts of this whole thing is getting to the point where the basic terms make sense. I've been at this for a couple of years with an HTC Evo and now the GS4 since October, and sometimes it still makes my head spin. Here is an attempt to explain my understanding of a few things:
1. Booting...you can boot into Download mode, recovery, or system. Download mode is what you use with ODIN, you need the correct drivers on your computer (which can be found lots of places), so that ODIN and your phone can communicate. In download mode, the phone just accepts whatever ODIN sends it, so it's the easiest way to totally brick your phone. Don't mess with partitions and follow the instructions for whatever you're doing very carefully, because I think this is the only way to "hard brick" your phone.
2. Recovery - something you use to create images of your phone's ROM (nandroids), flash ROMs and mods, and restore past nandroids. The stock recovery will only flash approved updates from the carrier, so to do any of the things I listed you need a custom recovery. Most people use Philz (which is based on the ClockworkMod recovery) or TWRP. To flash the custom recovery, use ODIN and follow the instructions in the thread exactly. There is a way to flash recoveries without ODIN, but I've never done it. I was using TWRP, and switched to Philz to flash the rooted stock 4.3 update because the thread suggested it. They both seem to do the same thing, and I have been happy with both. I'm sure there are technical differences, but I couldn't explain what they are. You can switch back and forth as much as you'd like between the recoveries with ODIN. Recoveries can flash a complete ROM or just partial changes (like the hotspot mod). In a custom recovery (or the stock) you can also do factory resets and cache cleaning (most ROMs suggest you do this before flashing). Factory reset doesn't return the ROM to the factory original, it just clears out all of the user data (including user apps). A nandroid is the fastest way to restore a phone if you screw it up...I always make one before making significant changes to the phone. It takes several minutes to do, but I think it's well worth it. The operating system can't be running when you make one, that's why you need to boot into recovery mode. You create a Nandroid in Philz by selecting "backup and restore" then "backup to" which will allow backup to the internal storage or external SD card.
3. ROM - the actual operating system used by the phone when you actually use it as a smartphone. There are 2 basic flavors for the GS4...touchwiz and AOSP (Android Open Source Project). Touchwiz is Samsung's "flavor" of Android, AOSP is the "pure Google" version of Android. A lot of the things the GS4 will do rely on touchwiz (multiwindow is one example...but there are several). Some people really like the AOSP ROMs (Cyanogen is AOSP), but make sure you understand their limitations. I've never used one on the GS4. There are several touchwiz custom ROMs which have various features. I've tried a few and just settled on the stock rooted touchwiz ROM, but there are lots of options from great developers. I think most custom ROMs require you to use a custom recovery to flash them, but there might be ways to do it using ODIN. I like having a custom recovery, so I've only used ODIN for flashing modems and recoveries.
4. Firmware - as far as I can tell, there are two important parts of the firmware...the modem (sometimes called "radios" or "baseband"...find your version by looking in "about device"->"Baseband version"...the different modems are described by the last 3 letters you see) and the bootloader. The modem and the version of the ROM you flash need to match or you'll have problems with the radios in the phone (wifi seems to be the biggest problem if you have a mismatch). MF9 was the last modem version based on 4.2.2, and 4.3 has had MJA and MK2 (MK2 is the latest). The bootloader is what the phone uses to initially decide how to boot up. If you have the 4.3 version of the bootloader it will include "Knox", which will prevent you from flashing older versions of the modem, so you'll have to use a 4.3 ROM. Knox also "trips" a counter if you flash a custom ROM and Samsung claims they won't honor the warranty on a phone with the "Knox flag" tripped. If you have the 4.3 bootloader you're stuck with it (for now at least). I still have the 4.2.2 bootloader, so I don't have much more to offer on this subject. There are ways to get the 4.3 modem and ROM without the 4.3 bootloader. There is a lot here (and lots on youtube) on how to navigate the Knox minefield if you care about it. If you still have the 4.2.2 bootloader you can flash older (and newer) modems as much as you'd like without getting the updated bootloader using ODIN.
Hopefully this helps...this is a great place with lots of great people. Sometimes the scale of the amount of information here is overwhelming. But, search is your friend along with lots of time! Feel free to keep asking questions.
thanks for explaining this nobody-
The information does help quite a bit and I am still learning, however; I do enjoy the process of messing with the phone. My GS4 now runs the RAM at 750-800mg instead of a bloated 1.2GB which was happening quite a bit. I had to originally not use a lot of apps I wanted to like Facebook bc the programs themselves bloated up to accomidate the existing bloatware which was also running. I did flash my phone back with the stock firmware today and it looks like it installed all the stock software. My status said 'custom' when I looked at it however I was already connected to wifi and it went from 4.3 (Oct 2013 version which I flashed) to Dec 2013 version automatically so it appears that the OTA feature works.
I assumed if I accidently delete something from the phone that I really need to affects the phone, I can always flash the stock ROM to fix it. Losing the root is not that big of an issue, but I did lose Superuser and had to re-root the phone. I suppose I do have a few more questions, one was when I was reading another carrier provider thread.
1. Is there anything I can delete from the phone that I could not eventually recover by flashing the stock firmware ? When I uninstall for example the 'help' app on the phone Titanium Backup says this only copy can be replaced by using Titanium 5.1 and it's existing copy ? Could this just be replaced by flashing the stock firmware as well ? I like being able to flash the stockfirm ware rom at any point as a fail safe.
2. The other issue is the bootloader that I heard about ? It was on a Verizon thread where the person was able to flash the stock firmware on his phone, but then after an upgrade, he was not longer able to flash the rom b/c the carrier in the most recent upgrade he did blocked ODIN ? Is this something that I should possibly be concerned about in the future not being able to flash stock firmware via ODIN ? As you can tell, I'm pretty OCD about being able to have a failsafe for my phone. LOL. Thanks again for your help, I do appreciate it.
mikeprius said:
1. Is there anything I can delete from the phone that I could not eventually recover by flashing the stock firmware ? When I uninstall for example the 'help' app on the phone Titanium Backup says this only copy can be replaced by using Titanium 5.1 and it's existing copy ? Could this just be replaced by flashing the stock firmware as well ? I like being able to flash the stockfirm ware rom at any point as a fail safe.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, you can always flash the stock firmware to fix whatever you do to the ROM (just to the ROM, use ODIN very carefully). In the case of the Help file, you could also back it up using Titanium, then delete the app, and restore it later using Titanium if you want it back. This is probably obvious, but use Titanium to delete the app, but don't delete the backup.
2. The other issue is the bootloader that I heard about ? It was on a Verizon thread where the person was able to flash the stock firmware on his phone, but then after an upgrade, he was not longer able to flash the rom b/c the carrier in the most recent upgrade he did blocked ODIN ? Is this something that I should possibly be concerned about in the future not being able to flash stock firmware via ODIN ? As you can tell, I'm pretty OCD about being able to have a failsafe for my phone. LOL. Thanks again for your help, I do appreciate it.
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Click to collapse
Sprint is a lot more friendly toward its users modifying their phones than Verizon. But, they could change their minds any time. For now, there are no issues (other than the Knox warranty issue). But, don't presume that'll always be the case. The best precaution is to not take OTA (over the air) updates. OTAs are the ones that pop up as a notification on the phone saying "system update available, tap to install". Kit Kat should become available in the next month or two, who knows what'll come along with the OTA. Threads will start here almost immediately when the update rolls out; watch those threads and don't do the update until you're comfortable with what's inside. I will wait and flash something from the development section, even if it is just the stock ROM.
nobody291 said:
Yes, you can always flash the stock firmware to fix whatever you do to the ROM (just to the ROM, use ODIN very carefully). In the case of the Help file, you could also back it up using Titanium, then delete the app, and restore it later using Titanium if you want it back. This is probably obvious, but use Titanium to delete the app, but don't delete the backup.
Sprint is a lot more friendly toward its users modifying their phones than Verizon. But, they could change their minds any time. For now, there are no issues (other than the Knox warranty issue). But, don't presume that'll always be the case. The best precaution is to not take OTA (over the air) updates. OTAs are the ones that pop up as a notification on the phone saying "system update available, tap to install". Kit Kat should become available in the next month or two, who knows what'll come along with the OTA. Threads will start here almost immediately when the update rolls out; watch those threads and don't do the update until you're comfortable with what's inside. I will wait and flash something from the development section, even if it is just the stock ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It was good that you mentioned the Knox bootloader issue with the 4.3 upgrade. When I purchased my cell phone back in Nov, I believe it had the 4.3 (1st) version loaded, but it already had Knox features as I do recall seeing them. If I were to try and flash 4.2.2 like the version you initially had, would the phone have a bootloop error or fail to flash because there were some free wifi tethering exploits that were not yet fixed in the 4.2.2 version ? This may have been the error I read about due to the new Knox feature.
I think since my phone is currently rooted and I altered some of the bloatware system files that the update if it were made available OTA should not update anyway due to the root. Will the stock ROM/firmware .tar files eventually be posted in the developers section that can just be flashed via ODIN later on ? With that, if I were to load 4.4 and not like it, could I flash back 4.3 ? I am guessing this is the part where you mentioned that the carrier may decide differently later on.....I suppose I will just keep an eye out in the meantime.
Good good............, I'm picking up this pretty well so far.............
mikeprius said:
If I were to try and flash 4.2.2 like the version you initially had, would the phone have a bootloop error or fail to flash because there were some free wifi tethering exploits that were not yet fixed in the 4.2.2 version ?
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Click to collapse
I'm not sure what symptoms you'd see if you installed 4.2.2 with the 4.3 bootloader. Most likely the phone would fail to boot. ODIN will flash whatever you tell it to, I don't believe it does any compatibility checking on its own. You can still get the wifi hotspot feature to work even with Knox and the 4.3 bootloader, I don't think that was what they were trying to do with the update. There are threads discussing 4.3 and what changed, but there wasn't much obvious to the user. For now you can't go back if you're on 4.3, but there might be an exploit discovered down the road that lets you get the old bootloader and go back.
Will the stock ROM/firmware .tar files eventually be posted in the developers section that can just be flashed via ODIN later on ?
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Click to collapse
Yes, they won't be available immediately though. It can take some time for the community to re-obtain root too, depending on how big the changes are.
With that, if I were to load 4.4 and not like it, could I flash back 4.3 ?
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I think you alluded to the answer already, but it depends. It took a month or two before you could flash the stock 4.3 without the 4.3 bootloader. There were custom ROMs available that used custom kernels sooner, but there was a problem trying to use the stock kernel with the 4.2.2 bootloader. So, always read and read and read some more before flashing updates.
So far i think i got the hang of it. I have been modifying the phones original touchwhiz. I ended up freezing alot of files instead of deleting them so the ability to turn them back on is there. Some of the files while there are not meant to be frozen/disabled/turned off. I tried a few methods for keeping SuperSU over an ODIN with no luck. I do have a question though. If i turned off (but did not delete) alot of system files and were to run ODIN again will all of them including the bloatware be turned back on and restored? That would be bad if i flashed, lost root, then simultaneously had all the system files disabled with no way to turn them back on......
This also a dumb question but what exactly am i flashing with ODIN? Its a 1.5 GB file with Sprint and it is a tar that restores all bloatware and turns the phone status back to official so i can get OTA updates. Am i flashing the entire stock ROM or just the firmware? Its nice that i have not lost any existing apps or data. It just restores the bloatware and removes root
Reading the above posts im guessing firmware....along the lines of the previous question will this restore system files and apps as well that have been shut off because ive been on a roll disabling and freezing a lot of files and apps and not sure what to turn back on to restore function to some of them. If the ODIN firmware flash resets all settings then that will also be very useful as well. Thanks much
mikeprius said:
Reading the above posts im guessing firmware....along the lines of the previous question will this restore system files and apps as well that have been shut off because ive been on a roll disabling and freezing a lot of files and apps and not sure what to turn back on to restore function to some of them. If the ODIN firmware flash resets all settings then that will also be very useful as well. Thanks much
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The .tar you are flashing from sprint is what we would call stock firmware image. This is the image that shipped on the phone from the factory. I'm an avid flasher and would highly recommend installing twrp or philz touch, creating a nandroid backup and giving some debloated touchwiz roms a shot. You'll see some significant improvement in battery life and performance and some really cool upstream features. I use odin as a last resort, when I need to go back to stock for whatever reason (ie domestic sim unlock) or have fubar'd my current setup past a point of no return.
Hey everyone,
I put a stock image of 4.3 on my phone - T Mobile to remove root, update to 4.4.2; then realized that it's really not worth the issues I'm dealing with in customizing the phone. I really regret doing this!!! I have no idea how to roll it back because when I do so in odin 3.07 or 3.09 with UVUEMK2 I have to reflash the "stock boot img" in order to get my S4 back alive as trying to roll it back that way "FAILS" in odin and breaks the stock boot and the phone asks me to plug it in and use kies to troubleshoot; when I just flash the bootloader and it's fine again.
ULTIMATELY:
1- Can ANYONE tell me how I can roll it back to 4.3 until I JUMP to my S5 in April?
2- If not how does one go about removing - ROOT - by Chainfire or CF-AutoRoot?
=> so I can at least trade in my phone for the 5 and be done with this mess in a month.
Reason I want 4.3 is because I had much more control over the system and was able to perform tethering tasks and APN tricks that have been blocked by the Kitkat update.
Thank you to whomever has the capacity to help me I've spent all day trying to figure it out and I have a 4 page grad paper I'm postponing because I gotta figure this out first, for some apparent reason. So any help APPRECIATED!!
I may be giving you bad news but last time I checked the ota notice said you cannot roll back ... I have yet yo see anyone roll back from KitKat official on the 9500
The new boot loader is pretty persistent at rollback prevention.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk
How about in terms of Unrooting? CF-Autoroot has the option in SuperUser app to unroot. I'm guessing this will do the trick for when I hand the phone back over to T-Mo? Or have they added things to circumvent removing SU?
I basically don't want to do it now (Figure out how to unroot) if I don't have to quite yet.
Gillion said:
I may be giving you bad news but last time I checked the ota notice said you cannot roll back ... I have yet yo see anyone roll back from KitKat official on the 9500
The new boot loader is pretty persistent at rollback prevention.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
zz1049 said:
Hey everyone,
1- Can ANYONE tell me how I can roll it back to 4.3 until I JUMP to my S5 in April?
2- If not how does one go about removing - ROOT - by Chainfire or CF-AutoRoot?
=> so I can at least trade in my phone for the 5 and be done with this mess in a month.
Reason I want 4.3 is because I had much more control over the system and was able to perform tethering tasks and APN tricks that have been blocked by the Kitkat update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Once you have installed 4.4.2 with the matching boot loader, you cannot install 4.3 with Odin. However you can restore an Nandroid backup of your old 4.3 setup from recovery, so the phone will be back to how it was before the upgrade.
If you want to unroot, you can fire up SuperSU and select the "Full Unroot" option from the settings tab.
In order to restore APN settings on 4.4.2, I have always taken a backup of them on earlier versions using this great app:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.riteshsahu.APNBackupRestore
In order to make it work on 4.4.2, you move the APK from /Data/App to /System/priv-app using Root Explorer or similar, then reboot. Disable the ICS check in the settings section of APNBackupRestore, and you're good to go!
For tethering by USB, this works very well for me:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.koushikdutta.tether
Good Luck!
Nandroid recovery
Hi VogonP0et,
I have a Sprint S4. I also upgraded OTA to 4.4.2 and am regretting it. I was not rooted when upgrading. Haven't been rooted for a few months. I do not like 4.4.2 restrictive sd card. Screwed up my Doc's to Go and Sygic nav.
I do have a nandroid recovery back up from last summer. MDL i believe.
Do I understand you correctly, I can root 4.4.2 reinstall TWRP. Then do a recovery back to my earlier version. Is this correct?
Thanks in advance.
Jim
Clean install rooted 4.4.2
BrickBait said:
Hi VogonP0et,
I have a Sprint S4. I also upgraded OTA to 4.4.2 and am regretting it. I was not rooted when upgrading. Haven't been rooted for a few months. I do not like 4.4.2 restrictive sd card. Screwed up my Doc's to Go and Sygic nav.
I do have a nandroid recovery back up from last summer. MDL i believe.
Do I understand you correctly, I can root 4.4.2 reinstall TWRP. Then do a recovery back to my earlier version. Is this correct?
Thanks in advance.
Jim
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Jim
You can only restore a 4.3 or 4.4.2 backup, not an earlier version.
I have an International i9505 jfltexx, although I believe the process would be the same for you. Here's what I did:
- Nandroid backup to the external SD card first job! Copy to the PC for safety.
- Power off the phone, and manually re-start in Download mode.
- Flash original factory KitKat 4.4.2 firmware of choice using Odin (I used V3.09), which will include the matching boot loader.
- Allow the phone to start up, which will take some time.
- Power off the phone, and manually re-start in Download mode.
- Use Chainfire's CF-Auto-Root to root it, using the Odin that comes in the package. Find it here (3rd post):
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2219803
- phone will re-start when the process is complete
- I did a full wipe at this point, and although it's a bit of a pain to restore all your data with Titanium backup it gives a problem-free start.
- Full wipe made my Sygic work properly again!
- Before you drop in a custom recovery, it is a good idea to use Chainfire's Triangle Away to reset the flash counter. It seems that the Flash Counter needs to be zero for successful operation of Mobile Odin in future.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=eu.chainfire.triangleaway
- once you have set up your Google Play account, download SGS4Flasher here:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nl.bvgemert.flasher
- SGS4Flasher will drop in the recovery of your choice. I use and recommend TWRP personally.
- You're good to go, and Flash Counter is still zero!
- Now you can restore an earlier Nandroid backup of a 4.3 ROM, or install a new custom 4.3 or 4.4.2 ROM
After this I installed the custom ROM of my choice, which is Echoe V16 based on 4.4.2. Echoe makes all the limitations and restrictions of 4.4.2 go away, but there must be a custom ROM suitable for you. I don't think you can use Echoe on your phone, but you may have a favourite. I have to say that doing the full wipe was an important step to make it all work well, so worth the hassle.
The only concern I have is that your backup at version at MDL may actually be Android 4.2, which I don't think you can use directly. However Titanium Backup can extract the data from a Nandroid backup to restore. I have spent quite a bit of time understanding the 4.4.2 limitations and restrictions, and found ways to make it do what I want now. Overall I'm happy, but it has taken some time to get there.
Good Luck!
Hello,
Samsung Note 3
I REALLY want to root my phone to help test out the beta of f.lux. You can look it up if you want, should take you a a peachy orange page. Anyway, I really want that on my phone, and it needs root, and I've NEVER rooted a phone before, and I'm not sure what I'm doing.
I want to follow [this guide](http://www.phonearena.com/news/How-to-Root-the-Verizon-Samsung-Galaxy-Note-3_id48247) PhoneArena link, but it doesn't say what android version it needs, and that worries me.
One more thing, I downloaded a file called "fastboot" and it has something to do with ADB that disables certain apps so that I'm not nagged to update. I'm on 4.4.4, and I can't find that file, I think it's in the root of C:\ but I ran them and it didn't work. So if I could reenable those apps to get on lollipop or marshmallow, if rooting would be easier, I'd do that. I've searched the forum, but I need baby steps.
Thanks.
timpster said:
Hello,
Samsung Note 3
I REALLY want to root my phone to help test out the beta of f.lux. You can look it up if you want, should take you a a peachy orange page. Anyway, I really want that on my phone, and it needs root, and I've NEVER rooted a phone before, and I'm not sure what I'm doing.
I want to follow [this guide](http://www.phonearena.com/news/How-to-Root-the-Verizon-Samsung-Galaxy-Note-3_id48247) PhoneArena link, but it doesn't say what android version it needs, and that worries me.
One more thing, I downloaded a file called "fastboot" and it has something to do with ADB that disables certain apps so that I'm not nagged to update. I'm on 4.4.4, and I can't find that file, I think it's in the root of C:\ but I ran them and it didn't work. So if I could reenable those apps to get on lollipop or marshmallow, if rooting would be easier, I'd do that. I've searched the forum, but I need baby steps.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you're just looking to try out f.lux you could give Cf.lumen a try first. It has a non-root mode.
If you want to root you can just flash a custom recovery like TWRP with Odin.
Sjant said:
If you're just looking to try out f.lux you could give Cf.lumen a try first. It has a non-root mode.
If you want to root you can just flash a custom recovery like TWRP with Odin.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You say, just flash, as if there is no risk. I want to get it right, no bricking. I'm on 900V (V for verizon), and I want a quick safe way to root. Also, thank you for mentioning Cf.lumen, I do have it, and the nonroot looks like ****, yes it works, but it's not remotely the same.
timpster said:
You say, just flash, as if there is no risk. I want to get it right, no bricking. I'm on 900V (V for verizon), and I want a quick safe way to root. Also, thank you for mentioning Cf.lumen, I do have it, and the nonroot looks like ****, yes it works, but it's not remotely the same.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I recommend visiting TWRP's website and pick out the latest version for your device and then flash the latest non-beta version of SuperSU which you can find here on XDA. Flash TWRP with Odin and then boot into recovery and simply reboot, it will then ask you if you'd like to root your device.
What model do you have? Find your model first then download TWRP recovery. Use odin to flash the recovery, then flash super su.
Odin - http://www.droidviews.com/download-odin-tool-for-samsung-galaxy-devices-all-versions/
Supersu - https://download.chainfire.eu/743/SuperSU/BETA-SuperSU-v2.52.zip
Complete edit.
O.K., so I see that TWRP has a backup option. If I use this option, and should I "brick" my phone, could I flash the TWRP in odin, and figure out how to restore the backup, and unbrick the phone if I screw up the root process? Because that would be ****ing amazing, and I'd root IMMEDIATELY if that's the case, because, no worries -- I'd always have a backup! I love backups.
You need Root for TWRP to backup .
Suggest you read the stickeid FAQS and guides .
timpster said:
Complete edit.
O.K., so I see that TWRP has a backup option. If I use this option, and should I "brick" my phone, could I flash the TWRP in odin, and figure out how to restore the backup, and unbrick the phone if I screw up the root process? Because that would be ****ing amazing, and I'd root IMMEDIATELY if that's the case, because, no worries -- I'd always have a backup! I love backups.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First things first, EXACTLY what Note 3 model do you have? Go to Settings -> About -> Device model. If it is SM-N9005, that would be quite surprising, because we didn't get a 4.4.4 build.
American Note 3s got a 4.4.4 build, N900A, N900V (AT&T Note 3 and Verizon Note 3 respecitevly), and the methods for rooting THEM has nothing in common with the way a N9005 or N900 is rooted.
900V. Verizon, 4.4.****ing4. I had .3 but it kept nagging me to update like trial software and that was probably the end of my chances as I recall I most likely have a locked bootloader so I may not be able to do any of this.
Why can't I make a full backup on stock android anyway, seems like the responsible thing to do.
Verizon then use the verizon forum anything from here is wrong and may brick your phone .
Full backup requires a modified recovery therefore no longer stock .
Ah so it's the stock recovery that is used. So why do you think that lacks options for a full backup?
When you say use Verizon forums is that a section here or a dedicated Verizon forum?
Hi Guys,
I received my unlocked 900F today, and have been prepping to do some work on it. Already downloaded Odin, USB drivers, etc, getting ready to backup, flash CWM Recovery. All looks pretty straight forward. A couple things I'm not sure about though...
Much to my surprise, its already rooted with Kingroot present on the system. Cant say I'm real fond of it, is it wise to replace it with a 'normal' SU setup? Any caveats?
Second thing, is that the system is saying there is an update available. Is this wise, or do I risk messing up root, or anything else?
Thanks for any suggestions, advice, info.
K
KetoSoi said:
Hi Guys,
I received my unlocked 900F today, and have been prepping to do some work on it. Already downloaded Odin, USB drivers, etc, getting ready to backup, flash CWM Recovery. All looks pretty straight forward. A couple things I'm not sure about though...
Much to my surprise, its already rooted with Kingroot present on the system. Cant say I'm real fond of it, is it wise to replace it with a 'normal' SU setup? Any caveats?
Second thing, is that the system is saying there is an update available. Is this wise, or do I risk messing up root, or anything else?
Thanks for any suggestions, advice, info.
K
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If your rooted updates won't install. Not sure what you want as an end result but if you want the latest Samsung official update then you will need to either use one of the latest debloated ROMs here in XDA development under S5 or download from Sam Mobile and use Odin to install. But personally I recommend either xXx or _Axelandr ROMs which are latest stock with root and other support. King root isn't the way to go because it doesn't use official super su. Also king root uses spyware... Not a great option. Also BACKUP YOUR EFS FOLDER NOW! DO IT! you'll only cry later when things go wrong. What model phone and firmware are you running now?!
RuffBuster said:
If your rooted updates won't install. Not sure what you want as an end result but if you want the latest Samsung official update then you will need to either use one of the latest debloated ROMs here in XDA development under S5 or download from Sam Mobile and use Odin to install. But personally I recommend either xXx or _Axelandr ROMs which are latest stock with root and other support. King root isn't the way to go because it doesn't use official super su. Also king root uses spyware... Not a great option. Also BACKUP YOUR EFS FOLDER NOW! DO IT! you'll only cry later when things go wrong. What model phone and firmware are you running now?!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, that was my concern. I didnt want to install the Samsung update if it will cause me root issues down the road. So best to NOT install it then?
I was surprised Kingroot came with the phone, what reading I did on it indicates its sketchy at best. Going to toss that quickly then.
At this point, my plan of attack is:
1. Flash CWM recovery.
2. Backup as it is now.
3. Backup EFS.
4. Remove Kingroot, install normal SU.
I'll start looking into other ROM's afterwards, when I have more time.
The phone is a SM-G900F, Build # LRX21T.G900FZHU1BOA1. Not sure if thats the firmware #, or something else. Nothing else jumps out at me.