Should I update modem/BB/BL/radio? - Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hi all.
So, the CM13 shapshot has arrived for the i9505 and I'm considering upgrading my phone. I've been running cm on it since I bought it from new a few years back. Stock android got rooted and replaced without ever upgrading it and as such the modem/baseband/radio (are these 3 words in fact covering the same?) and bootloader has never been updated either. Currently running CM11 M8. According to the app phone info, both baseband and bootloader is I9505XXUBMGA. As far as I can tell from a few searches, this is the latest pre-knox bootloader and from 4.2.2.
I'd prefer to leave the bootloader alone in order to not accidentally tripping knox later on. Should I update the modem/baseband/radio before flashing CM13 (as in do I need to?) or can I just leave it as it is?
Thanks.
I9505/jfltexx (International LTE)
Baseband: I9505XXUBMGA
Bootloader: I9505XXUBMGA

Is the phone under warranty? If not, tripping knox does not matter in my opinion. Also, many of the latest ROMs require an up-to-date bootloader and modem to function properly.

audit13 said:
Is the phone under warranty? If not, tripping knox does not matter in my opinion. Also, many of the latest ROMs require an up-to-date bootloader and modem to function properly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I appreciate your reply.
No, there's no warranty left on the device. Just thinking that the device might be easier to sell eventually if knox is not tripped.
Do you know if the update is needed for 6.x to run properly?
Thanks

If you were looking to resell, you should have done so earlier. A quick look on Swappa shows the S4 can be bought, depending on version, for anywhere from 85-120USD, with the Exynos I9500 available for 180USD. That's a far cry from the 350USD I spent at the end of 2014 for my I9505. In fact, with the exception of the I9500, no international devices are available on Swappa at this time. All available units are either from US carriers or are the I337M, a Canadian model.
Being Swappa, most of these units likely have had Knox tripped. I know the device I purchased did, and I was quite relieved I wouldn't have to deal too much with that headache.

Yes, many 6.x ROMs require an up-to-date bootloader and modem. Ihave seen many posts from s4 and note 3 users where the baseband and imei were null after flashing an MM ROM without an updated bootloader and modem.
As for re-sale, the s4 is not commanding good prices as previously mentioned. The last used s4 sgh-i337m I purchased was in excellent condition for $120 CAD. An advantage with the i337m, i9505, and i9500 over the ATT i337 is an unlocked bootloader.

@audit13: I made a mistake buying my I9505, and focused too much on avoiding the locked bootloader. It's still a good little phone, and it's my backup device still, but if I paid more attention I would have had an I337M instead.

Yeah, the phone in it self is overall fine, just not super aosp compatible.
My I9505's bootloader is not locked, though, been running CM on it since I bought it.
Looks like I am going to look into updating bootloader and baseband before flashing CM13 then.
I appriciate your replies.

The i337m and i9505 are very similar and the same ROMs can often be flashed to both phones. I believe the jfltexx work for both models. The biggest difference between the phones are the frequency bands.
None of the s4 phones have a locked bootloader other than models from AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon as far as I know.

AT&T and Verizon. Sprint doesn't lock bootloaders.

Related

[Q] Just bought i9505 from China with i337 bootloader

Hi community I got my SGs4 from China and it is i9505 but came with i337 bootloader and Baseband,TW 4.3MK2
I got this from the phoen info app:
GENERAL INFO
Phone model:GT-i9505
Device type:jflteatt
Product Name:jflteuc
FIRMWARE INFO
Bootloader version: I337UCUEMK2
Baseban version: I337UCUEMK2
PDA version: I9505ZHUEMK2/i337UCUEMJ6
CSC version: i9500ZSUEMJ6
OS INFO
Build number: JSS15J.I9505ZHUEMK2(I337UCUEMJ6)
I want to know what firmware can I flash( because I want to update to 4.4.2 but dont know the right firmware),is my bootloader locked,can TWRP be install or do i need SS? and anything you can add will be appreciated
Well I think this info is important if you need more just ask me,if you need my build.prop I´ll upload ,looks like a hybrid firmware between I9505&i337
This seems like a definite Frankenstein. AT&T bootloader and device type, I9505 PDA and phone model, and I9500 CSC.
Your first task will be to download the AT&T firmware and install it. Then you need to borrow a friend's AT&T SIM and test to see if you're getting LTE. If you get LTE, then you have an AT&T phone, regardless of what anything else says. Unfortunately, that will mean you have to use Safestrap.
How much did you spend on the phone?
Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
This seems like a definite Frankenstein. AT&T bootloader and device type, I9505 PDA and phone model, and I9500 CSC.
Your first task will be to download the AT&T firmware and install it. Then you need to borrow a friend's AT&T SIM and test to see if you're getting LTE. If you get LTE, then you have an AT&T phone, regardless of what anything else says. Unfortunately, that will mean you have to use Safestrap.
How much did you spend on the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right Now I'm on mexico with Telcel, my friends are on USA T-mobile,Verizon, Try to use Telcel LTE data and it connect to 4G, LTE logo dont appears.
I went to sammobile and download the 4.4.2 from hong kong, I'll flash trough odin to see what happens
I Got it on ebay for 255 dlls when it arrive home the phone was sealed
The fact it was sealed doesn't mean much. You're the second or third person I've seen on the forum asking about this, and in the case of the first user he was able to get his device working perfectly using the AT&T firmware. Regardless, the fact you weren't able to pick up LTE is a clue. It leads me to believe that in this case the phone may be correct but the firmware wrong. Here's why.
If you had an AT&T phone, as I suspected, your phone should have picked up LTE if it was unlocked for use on any carrier, as both Telcel and Nextel use band 4, while Movistar supposedly uses band 2, bands which an AT&T phone supports (bands 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, and 17). Check Telcel's coverage map to be certain you have LTE coverage in your area.
Neither an I9500 nor an I9505 would pick up those LTE bands. The I9500 doesn't have LTE at all, and the I9505 has LTE bands 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, and 20. Neither phone will get LTE in North America (including Mexico). The best those phones will do is HSPA+, which on the AT&T firmware would be labeled as 4G.
Try the firmware you downloaded, but I suspect you're going to want to return the phone if you want LTE service.
this phone.....
Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
Neither an I9500 nor an I9505 would pick up those LTE bands. The I9500 doesn't have LTE at all, and the I9505 has LTE bands 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, and 20. Neither phone will get LTE in North America (including Mexico). The best those phones will do is HSPA+, which on the AT&T firmware would be labeled as 4G.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is the scenario with my *chinese* version of the i9505.
I downloaded CPU-Z and it shows hardware: i9505, however, kernel build is a AT&T one.
I am REALLY SKEPTICAL to flash CM11 on it because I am very afraid to brick this phone. paid 300$ for it.
The funny thing is, I have the EXACT same phone as OP.
Anything I could try? please note AT&T doesn't work in Canada, nor I can borrow someone's AT&T sim card.
HOWEVER, I do have experience with a previous confirmed i337, and with bell it picked up LTE waves.
However this one doesn't.
Probably safe to flash?
I think my pat response to anyone purchasing these phones from now on will be to return them and purchase one through a Samsung-authorized retailer if Swappa isn't an option. For example, as of the time and date I write this, on Swappa there are currently 32 of the AT&T Galaxy S4 available, with prices ranging from $184 to $500US. The T-Mobile version, which doesn't have the locked bootloader of the AT&T model, has 8 devices available with prices ranging from $255-$310US. That doesn't include the Active variants or the MVNO-branded phones.
Purchasing a cell phone through eBay is, to be blunt, dangerous. You have no guarantee that the phone will be clean for activation, no guarantee that you won't have to do additional work to get the phone working, and no guarantee that the phone is even legitimate. Couple that with the buyers not doing their homework before purchasing and you get a clusterf**k of major proportions.
So, return the phone. If the seller doesn't accept returns, do a chargeback on your credit card. Or else put it up for sale as a parts phone.
Albie_Stark said:
Right Now I'm on mexico with Telcel, my friends are on USA T-mobile,Verizon, Try to use Telcel LTE data and it connect to 4G, LTE logo dont appears.
I went to sammobile and download the 4.4.2 from hong kong, I'll flash trough odin to see what happens
I Got it on ebay for 255 dlls when it arrive home the phone was sealed
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Albie, can you please let me know when you get home if the phone picks up AT&T LTE waves? I am convinced this is the i9505 due to the baseband and specific board details (which correspond to the i9505 model rather than the i337, but not GPE)
VladimirMan93 said:
Albie, can you please let me know when you get home if the phone picks up AT&T LTE waves? I am convinced this is the i9505 due to the baseband and specific board details (which correspond to the i9505 model rather than the i337, but not GPE)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not a AT&T user my apologies, I used to be Cleartalk wireless user(took my verizon SGS4-i545 and flashed with them) but I drop the contract sell my phone to buy this SGS4-i9505, I'll be hard to get a AT&T sim, I download from Sammobile the i9505 4.4.2-NK2 firmware from hongkong and then try to flash through Odin,because 4.3 has a poor battery life in my case,but before I flash it I'm making a Flashable Zip for safestrap to extrac the "build.prop" and see what is in there, because may be this update fix some problems :fingers-crossed:
Albie_Stark said:
Right Now I'm on mexico with Telcel, my friends are on USA T-mobile,Verizon, Try to use Telcel LTE data and it connect to 4G, LTE logo dont appears.
I went to sammobile and download the 4.4.2 from hong kong, I'll flash trough odin to see what happens
I Got it on ebay for 255 dlls when it arrive home the phone was sealed
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Albie_Stark said:
I'm not a AT&T user my apologies, I used to be Cleartalk wireless user(took my verizon SGS4-i545 and flashed with them) but I drop the contract sell my phone to buy this SGS4-i9505, I'll be hard to get a AT&T sim, I download from Sammobile the i9505 4.4.2-NK2 firmware from hongkong and then try to flash through Odin,because 4.3 has a poor battery life in my case,but before I flash it I'm making a Flashable Zip for safestrap to extrac the "build.prop" and see what is in there, because may be this update fix some problems :fingers-crossed:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did some more snooping around desperately trying to find out more information about this phone and the last thing I remember reading about before going to bed was:
No matter what we try, this phone is with a locked bootloader after the knox 4.3 update.
Unofficial firmware can and will brick this phone resulting either in a soft-brick OR, for the more unlucky ones, even a hard brick.
BUT, I also found other contradictory posts claiming that regardless the presence of the knox update, the bootloader IS infact unlocked.
It's hard to take a side due to the lack of tools to verify if the bootloader is in fact locked.
Could you please do me a HUGE favor?
if yes:
Go to your download mode and if possibly post a snapshot of the screen. I've included mine.
For some stupid reason, even though it's a i9505, it is recognized as AT&Ts SGH-I337.
Since I don't have my camera lying around, I'll write word for word what's on my screen:
ODIN MODE
PRODUCT NAME: SGH-I337
CURRENT BINARY: Samsung Official
System Status: Official
Knox Level Lock: 0x0
Knox Warranty Void: 0x0
CSB-Config-LSB: 0x30
Write Protection Enable
eMMC Brust Mode: Enabled
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If this flash works for you, please let me know.
If the BL is unlocked in the Firmware you're trying to flash to it, Please let me know.
I want to go out of this nightmare and continue with my work.
and if you could share links in a PM to me or here, that would be simply perfect.
Cheers and thanks for everything
We have the same download mode screen -_- u.u ,I try to flash the NK2 and it fail than t means we have a locked bootloader :'( ,couple of minutes ago I dowload the mk2 & NB2 for i9505 from Hongkong I would flash them at 10 pm pacific time I will keep you updated my last resource will be to flash mk2 for the AT&T variant in my case I can live with that if root is available ooo! just found a threat to get 4.4.2 NB1 but it is for the i337 anyway Let me see what happens with the 2 Downloaded firmwares
Ps:I don't really care about the warranty so if there is a good dev reading this helpme.to install the i9505 official firmware from any country,
Albie_Stark said:
We have the same download mode screen -_- u.u ,I try to flash the NK2 and it fail than t means we have a locked bootloader :'( ,couple of minutes ago I dowload the mk2 & NB2 for i9505 from Hongkong I would flash them at 10 pm pacific time I will keep you updated my last resource will be to flash mk2 for the AT&T variant in my case I can live with that if root is available ooo! just found a threat to get 4.4.2 NB1 but it is for the i337 anyway Let me see what happens with the 2 Downloaded firmwares
Ps:I don't really care about the warranty so if there is a good dev reading this helpme.to install the i9505 official firmware from any country,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Anxiously waiting your progress!
It's simple.
You got an SGH-I337.
You probably got a rom installed that is ported from I9505 and they didn't edit the build.prop.
I'd crack open the phone and look for the model number on the motherboard. That would eliminate any and all confusion.
MK2 & NB2 for i9505 HKong version give "secure check Fail:system" cant find answer for that......with the 4.42 firmware it gave me "secure check fail:aboot"
Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
I'd crack open the phone and look for the model number on the motherboard. That would eliminate any and all confusion.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
man ,following your advice,flashin mk2 for i337 I done with this, Should hear you since the begining now odin is flashing
"Damn you 15's :Joey Tribbiani Quotes"
Hope this help you
@VladimirMan93 Sorry man I fail on my quest our hope is flash mk2 for i337 and if You want to update to 4.4.2 or 4.4.4
follow this threat is very usefull you will find MK2 ,the updates,rooting& safestrap
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4-att/general/guide-odin-to-stock-updating-rooting-t2926642 :good:
Do not do anything stupid my friend!!
Albie_Stark said:
@VladimirMan93 Sorry man I fail on my quest our hope is flash mk2 for i337 and if You want to update to 4.4.2 or 4.4.4
follow this threat is very usefull you will find MK2 ,the updates,rooting& safestrap
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4-att/general/guide-odin-to-stock-updating-rooting-t2926642 :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ALBIE!
DO NOT DO ANYTHING STUPID!!!
I just rooted my phone with success man!
Here is the link. literally took me 5 minutes. just be sure to:
1) no a-v on the phone!!! <- Very important!!!
2) use high quality USB cable
3) be patient.
4) have a VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY big nerdgasm like I did when my 4.3 pos was rooted!
Code:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2565758
here is the link my friend enjoy your rooted HongKong version of the i9505
PS: Are you willing to experiment a little more with it? Let me know I have something in mind.
VladimirMan93 said:
ALBIE!
DO NOT DO ANYTHING STUPID!!!
I just rooted my phone with success man!
Here is the link. literally took me 5 minutes. just be sure to:
1) no a-v on the phone!!! <- Very important!!!
2) use high quality USB cable
3) be patient.
4) have a VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY big nerdgasm like I did when my 4.3 pos was rooted!
Code:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2565758
here is the link my friend enjoy your rooted HongKong version of the i9505
PS: Are you willing to experiment a little more with it? Let me know I have something in mind.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks man ,but I follow that threat the first day my phone arrive with success, install "Samsung phone info" to look deeper,that was the moment when I realize that my phone was a mess. tried to install the custom recovery,when I went to download mode I saw the screen you posted before, try to flash official firmware from samsun gi9505 -odin giveme the "aboot fail" wich means lock bootloader so I start this threat. the rest is history.... this afternoon I check the hardware and surprise!!! "I337" was all over the phone except for the sticker in the battery slot......
Flash 4.3MK2 for i33 via Odin,it intalled super fast with no problems then follow the threat I recommend you to take the update to 4.4.4NJ4 root,intall safestrap I´m so happy with my new improve battery life and maybe tomorrow I flash wanamlite,If I was able to flash it before on mi SGS4 from verizon I guess I can flash on my new phone wich has the same hardware that i9505,becsuse I read this on te forum:
"I337,i9505 & M919 have the same hardware except for the bootloader. any way I keep looking and experiment until I can install i9505 firmware through Odin
Albie_Stark said:
Thanks man ,but I follow that threat the first day my phone arrive with success, install "Samsung phone info" to look deeper,that was the moment when I realize that my phone was a mess. tried to install the custom recovery,when I went to download mode I saw the screen you posted before, try to flash official firmware from samsun gi9505 -odin giveme the "aboot fail" wich means lock bootloader so I start this threat. the rest is history.... this afternoon I check the hardware and surprise!!! "I337" was all over the phone except for the sticker in the battery slot......
Flash 4.3MK2 for i33 via Odin,it intalled super fast with no problems then follow the threat I recommend you to take the update to 4.4.4NJ4 root,intall safestrap I´m so happy with my new improve battery life and maybe tomorrow I flash wanamlite,If I was able to flash it before on mi SGS4 from verizon I guess I can flash on my new phone wich has the same hardware that i9505,becsuse I read this on te forum:
"I337,i9505 & M919 have the same hardware except for the bootloader. any way I keep looking and experiment until I can install i9505 firmware through Odin
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only reason I buy the S4 is because Cyanogen mod 12. I am so excited to figure out how to put it on this phone. And they have compatible ROM!!! :C
Which is how this is so much more intense.
I WANT IT, I WANT IT! I paid 400$ for my freedom, I want it!! D:
VladimirMan93 said:
The only reason I buy the S4 is because Cyanogen mod 12. I am so excited to figure out how to put it on this phone. And they have compatible ROM!!! :C
Which is how this is so much more intense.
I WANT IT, I WANT IT! I paid 400$ for my freedom, I want it!! D:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OMG I paid 255$ !!! I belive Isaw you in other forum asking right??
Hope they find how to unlock the BL or AT&T give us Unlock BL with the Lolipop update

[Q] Unlocked Metro PCs Galaxy S5 on AT&T Network

Hey guys,
Quick overview: 2 Questions: How to update to lollipop and benefits of KNOX.
I just got a new Metro PCs Galaxy S5 unlocked and am using it on the AT&T network as the title suggests. I was looking around to try and find an answer but was unsuccessful. My question is how do I update this phone since it's a Metro PCs phone (which is apparently same as T-Mobile) to lollipop and i'm on AT&T? Since I'm on the AT&T network, there is no update for lollipop yet, but from what I've read the phone itself should be compatible and ready for the T-Mobile lollipop update...AT&T is the only carrier that hasn't released lollipop update AFAIK. Here's the current information on the device:
Model: SM-G900T1
Android: 4.4.2
Baseband: G900T1UVU1ANK1
Kernel: 3.4.0-1616453
Build: KOT49H.G900T1UVU1ANK1
If I try to do the OTA Software update from the "About Device" settings screen, it says up to date. Is my only option to root it and do a custom ROM (or wait for AT&T to come out with the lollipop update...which may not be very soon)? Though if i root it I'll trigger the KNOX stuff i've been reading about. I don't think the KNOX stuff has anything useful to me from what I read, because it seems to be for business stuff only, whereas i'd only be using this phone for personal use. Which brings me to my second question: Is there any reason for me to care about keeping KNOX 0x0? Seems like it will void any software warranty if i trigger it and I'd lose any OTA updates? That's the only fall back? Because if it isn't a big issue then I can just root and custom rom my phone (recommendations on ROMs? looking for mostly performance and battery life). Lemme know if you have other questions for me or if i need to provide more info. Thanks for any help!
Im only seeing KitKat ROMs on Sammobile and Samsung Updates, for the SM-G900T1, and they generally have all ROMs available for each device
Looks like a Custom ROM might be your only way if there is no official Lollipop update for you, but Custom ROM = Custom Recovery = KNOX tripped
*Detection* said:
Im only seeing KitKat ROMs on Sammobile and Samsung Updates, for the SM-G900T1, and they generally have all ROMs available for each device
Looks like a Custom ROM might be your only way if there is no official Lollipop update for you, but Custom ROM = Custom Recovery = KNOX tripped
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yah, I was really confused by this as well. I checked Sammobile and they didn't even have the T-Mobile version which seems odd to me?
*Detection* said:
Im only seeing KitKat ROMs on Sammobile and Samsung Updates, for the SM-G900T1, and they generally have all ROMs available for each device
Looks like a Custom ROM might be your only way if there is no official Lollipop update for you, but Custom ROM = Custom Recovery = KNOX tripped
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you send me a link to where you see those updates? I couldn't find it myself for my model (SM-G900T1).
Also, would i be able to update my phone with the latest T-Mobile Variant? I was thinking that since (from what i've been reading) it sounds like the T-Mobile phone and the Metro PCS phones are supposedly the exact same phone (T-Mobile = SM-G900T, Metro PCS = SM-G900T1) and my phone is unlocked, that perhaps I can update my phone to the latest Samsung signed T-Mobile update with lollipop and not trip Knox. Any ideas / thoughts on this?
airyip77 said:
Can you send me a link to where you see those updates? I couldn't find it myself for my model (SM-G900T1).
Also, would i be able to update my phone with the latest T-Mobile Variant? I was thinking that since (from what i've been reading) it sounds like the T-Mobile phone and the Metro PCS phones are supposedly the exact same phone (T-Mobile = SM-G900T, Metro PCS = SM-G900T1) and my phone is unlocked, that perhaps I can update my phone to the latest Samsung signed T-Mobile update with lollipop and not trip Knox. Any ideas / thoughts on this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should be able to flash any ROM for your exact model phone
Links to sammobile are banned on XDA, just go to sammobile dot com - enter your model number into the firmware section
Need a free account to download
KNOX will not be tripped flashing stock ROMs with ODIN
*Detection* said:
You should be able to flash any ROM for your exact model phone
Links to sammobile are banned on XDA, just go to sammobile dot com - enter your model number into the firmware section
Need a free account to download
KNOX will not be tripped flashing stock ROMs with ODIN
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thx, i was dumb and kept searching with "samsung galaxy" instead of the exact model number so couldn't find it there at first :silly:
I get that i can flash any ROM for my exact model, but was hoping to find out if i can install the SM-G900T (T-Mobile) update on the SM-G900T1 (Metro PCS)? From what I'm reading they appear to be the exact same phone, but i haven't seen any hard evidence of that fact...like i've read in other threads and other sites that people have put t-mobile roms/etc on a metro-pcs galaxy s5, and that essentially they're the exact same phone, but just nothing i've seen/read that makes it definitively so...unless that in and of itself proves their statement that they installed the TM roms on the MPCS phone. I'm cautious cause i keep reading about being careful because of all the different variants and the possibility of bricking. i guess in the meantime i'll look around more then to see if i can install the t-mobile one on my metropcs.
Ive no idea, I wouldn't want to advise flashing a ROM for a different model phone - best wait to hear if anyone else has the same phone and done the same thing
Someone here saying they are exactly the same phone
http://forum.xda-developers.com/tmobile-galaxy-s5/help/smg900t-smg900t1-t2964392
*Detection* said:
Ive no idea, I wouldn't want to advise flashing a ROM for a different model phone - best wait to hear if anyone else has the same phone and done the same thing
Someone here saying they are exactly the same phone
http://forum.xda-developers.com/tmobile-galaxy-s5/help/smg900t-smg900t1-t2964392
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yah, i've seen that thread and it's what i meant by "i've heard things", but not really "confirmed things" hahaha
I searched a bit more and found this thread, and it looks like might be possible because someone did it on an older firmware from TM -> MPCS
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2733529
I may look a little more, but i think i'll try it and see what happens. when/if i do, i'll post back with results.
...although, would that nullify my unlock? Phone is like I said, MPCS and unlocked, running on AT&T. Switching to the T-Mobile firmware shouldn't have any affect on the unlock right?
airyip77 said:
...although, would that nullify my unlock? Phone is like I said, MPCS and unlocked, running on AT&T. Switching to the T-Mobile firmware shouldn't have any affect on the unlock right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No it won't make any changes to your SIM/carrier unlock status. Once you permanently SIM unlock your phone, that is it.

Samsung I9505

I recently purchased a new samsung s4 i9505 and it came pre installed with the knox bootloader. i have previosuly owned a samsung device when knox did not exist and rom flashing was good fun.
i understand if i decide to flash roms , then knox will void my warranty.
apart from that is thier any other concerns which i should make note off should i go down the route of flashing custom roms? also, is it still worth it to flash custom roms for improved performance? or has samsung's own firmware become good enough?
You won't receive any more OTA updates from Samsung. Not that there are any for the S4 anymore..
I believe custom roms still offer better performance than touchwiz.
Driver15 said:
I recently purchased a new samsung s4 i9505 and it came pre installed with the knox bootloader. i have previosuly owned a samsung device when knox did not exist and rom flashing was good fun.
i understand if i decide to flash roms , then knox will void my warranty.
apart from that is thier any other concerns which i should make note off should i go down the route of flashing custom roms? also, is it still worth it to flash custom roms for improved performance? or has samsung's own firmware become good enough?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flashing roms via ODIN don't void your warranty. Flashing custom recovery, yes.
GDReaper said:
You won't receive any more OTA updates from Samsung. Not that there are any for the S4 anymore..
I believe custom roms still offer better performance than touchwiz.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for the reply.
My phone came out of the box with 4.4.2 pre installed. I have had a notification for OTA update which i believe would likely be 5.0 lollipop. However, i thought i would withold until i can understand any advanatages on my current firmware.
i seem to be bothered by the slight lag and stutter on my current os, i hope that the world of flashing roms would resolve this but there seems to be a large variety of roms available, which would you recommend, although i plan on randomly selecting a few.
Joku1981 said:
Flashing roms via ODIN don't void your warranty. Flashing custom recovery, yes.
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Thanks for the headsup, would i still be able to flash a custom kernel without voiding warranty? or is that out the question due to be on a locked bootloader?
If you have a locked bootloader you either have an AT&T or Verizon S4. The locked bootloader makes root virtually impossible, so you wouldn't be flashing much of anything. There are ways to work around the bootloader in the AT&T and Verizon S4 forums.
With that out the way, a custom kernel will trip Knox as the custom kernel changes SEAndroid from Enforcing to Permissive.
Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
If you have a locked bootloader you either have an AT&T or Verizon S4. The locked bootloader makes root virtually impossible, so you wouldn't be flashing much of anything. There are ways to work around the bootloader in the AT&T and Verizon S4 forums.
With that out the way, a custom kernel will trip Knox as the custom kernel changes SEAndroid from Enforcing to Permissive.
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I have a uk version of the samsung s4 so i am asuming that i dont have a locked bootloader. is thier any way of checking to be sure that i dont have a locked bootloader?
Sure. Check Download Mode. As long as you don't have either of the following model numbers you should be good to go: SGH-I337, SCH-I545.
Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
Sure. Check Download Mode. As long as you don't have either of the following model numbers you should be good to go: SGH-I337, SCH-I545.
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ive entered download mode but thier does not seem to be any mention of the bootloader version?.
Bootloader version is irrelevant. Unless you have one of the two devices mentioned in my previous post, your bootloader is unlocked. Going into Download Mode will give you the model number of your S4.
Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
Bootloader version is irrelevant. Unless you have one of the two devices mentioned in my previous post, your bootloader is unlocked. Going into Download Mode will give you the model number of your S4.
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thanks for the clarifying. So in summary i can flash roms and kernels freely without issues , regardless of my phone coming with the knox bootloader from factory on 4.4.2.
It definetly is not linked with either network AT&T or Verizon
So the only issue i will face is the chance of tripping knox.
Knox is the only thing you have to deal with. So flash away.

Got A S4 AT&T model for cheap. questions a plenty!

Since I just got A S4 I have some questions. I mainly am used to nexus/moto devices in terms of roms/etc, and I know the process is entirely different with the S4.
The model is a AT&T S4. Updated to 5.0.1
I know I won't be able to unlock the bootloader, which is okay as long as I CAN have some hopes of running another firmware on it.
All I require is Root/Xposed, and maybe CM13..or any other android 6.0 based ROM. How feasible are my options? I won't know until I physically have it, but what should I look out for in terms of firmware/bootloader codes?
You cannot run any custom ROM unless the rom is based on a Samsung kernel which means no cm or aosp ROMs.
audit13 said:
You cannot run any custom ROM unless the rom is based on a Samsung kernel which means no cm or aosp ROMs.
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that sucks. Guess I will sell it for a bit higher than I bought it and grab something else. Thank you.
I have an s4 (Canadian version, i337m) which doesn't have a locked bootloader and I find the phone okay with stock unrooted LP. I used to based my phone decisions on whether there was an XDA forum but my flashaholic days are behind me

Galaxy S4 variant confusion

Hello! I have a project that I am working on that involves a handful of Galaxy S4 devices. They were all purchased on ebay, so they are all different models with different versions of android. The goal is to get them running as close to the same software as possible.
The models that i have - as shown in the about phone settings - are
GT-I9505
GT-I9500
SGH-I337
SGH-M9194N
SGH-M919N
SGH-M919
From my understanding, all of these other than I9500 are qualcomm based and should therefore be able to run the unified jfltexx build from lineageOS. IF this is the case - and i am not ENTIRELY sure i understood all of that correctly - I am still out a build for the I9500. Are there any CM or lineageOS builds that will run on this hardware?
The i337 cannot run lineage if the bootloader is locked. I believe att locked the bootloader with the ota update for android 4.3.
The question about the I9500 and LineageOS has been seemingly asked at least once a week for the last several weeks. Unless you can provide an I9500 to a developer to develop upon, you will not see a properly functioning LineageOS build on the device.
Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
The question about the I9500 and LineageOS has been seemingly asked at least once a week for the last several weeks. Unless you can provide an I9500 to a developer to develop upon, you will not see a properly functioning LineageOS build on the device.
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I do not have access to the devices, I just have a client who asked me some questions about the devices, and I admit that these Samsung devices confuse the hell out of me. This wasnt a "Damnit, gimme lineage now!" post, but more just me trying to get a handle on all the different models and their differences.
audit13 said:
The i337 cannot run lineage if the bootloader is locked. I believe att locked the bootloader with the ota update for android 4.3.
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Click to collapse
Samsung still has not provided an OEM bootloader unlock? I havent dealt with a non unlocked phone for years, so im actually asking. Is there no bootloader hacks, even a third party exploit that allows the bootloader to be reflashed?
As for the other models, if they all run a unified lineage build, how does that work with all the various carriers supported? do you have to reflash the correct radio after, or does lineage just not touch that when flashing?
I believe AT&T requested the bootloader lock as they have with the note 3, G2, etc. and there is no hack or way to unlock the AT&T s4 bootloader.
audit13 said:
I believe AT&T requested the bootloader lock as they have with the note 3, G2, etc. and there is no hack or way to unlock the AT&T s4 bootloader.
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Click to collapse
Great, thank you.

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