Develop Bugs

[GUIDE] 100% KNOX Free 4.3, NO data drops AND call audio! here's how! [Noob friendly]

IMPORTANT
Follow these steps if you want a fully working 4.3 ROM on your Galaxy S4 (M919) with all the benefits of the 4.3 update, WITHOUT KNOX. These steps should provide you with a 100% KNOX free setup so you can continue to keep root and flash new ROMs to your heart's content! THIS GUIDE WILL ONLY WORK FOR YOU IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY UPDATED TO 4.3 USING THE OTA UPDATE AND ARE STILL USING THE 4.2 BOOTLOADER. IF YOU HAVE THE NEW BOOTLOADER THAT READS "KNOX WARRANTY" THEN THIS WILL NOT WORK FOR YOU. STANDARD DISCLAIMER APPLIES! YOU KNOW THIS CAN BREAK YOUR PHONE, THERE ARE PLENTY OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD NO ISSUES, THERE ARE SOME WHO HAVE. THIS IS A RISK YOU, AND YOU ALONE TAKE, I HAVE NOT HELD A GUN TO YOUR HEAD AND TOLD YOU TO FOLLOW THESE STEPS.
shiamatsu said:
KNOX free means that you won't need to install the new bootloader, which includes a new "KNOX counter" that instantly breaks your warranty the moment you root or attempt to downgrade.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Welcome one and all to my first ever guide post. I'm going to be as straightforward as I can while trying to be as helpful as I can with the information provided, if I've missed anything, please do not hesitate to let me know!
Most of these steps are pretty standard, so I'll just run through them in a short list here and then elaborate below where needed.
SETUP
1. HAVE A ROOTED S4 4.2, with CWM or TWRP installed already
2. Download ODIN (It is NOT RECOMMENDED to use Mobile ODIN for the ODIN steps, Successful report of using Mobile Odin to flash the baseband. Thanks, @tylerholbrook! (It has been mentioned that Mobile ODIN can mess things up, so use it at your own risk!) (post) Linux Heimdall has been confirmed. Thanks, @Sym_Link! (post) Mac Heimdall untested, anyone want to try and provide findings?)
3. Download this Radio package
4. Download a kernel, I use KToonsez (Just in case)
STEPS
1. Boot into Recovery, make a FULL BACKUP of your phone before you proceed!
2. Make sure you followed step 1, verify your new backup by successfully restoring it and rebooting into the phone.
3A. Boot the phone into download mode, using ODIN (any version from the package download linked above) flash the Radio_UVUAMDL.tar.md5 as instructed in the Radio thread (Use Phone(CP) on ODIN) -- This step appears to be optional. I would recommend doing it if you're coming from another radio Thanks, @roadster92 (post) -- If you DO perform this step, IMMEDIATELY reboot into download mode, do NOT boot into recovery or normal modes, proceed immediately with step 3B. Thanks, @lordcheeto03 (post)
3B. Reboot the phone into download mode, using ODIN flash the modem.bin as instructed in the Radio thread (Use Phone(CP) on ODIN) -- This step is most certainly needed, do not skip this step at all, otherwise your 4.3 or 4.4 with the MDL baseband is gonna have a bad time.
4. Boot the phone normally, confirm your baseband version has upgraded to MK2 before proceeding, don't upgrade to 4.3 ROM until it shows in Settings->About->Phone! (If it hasn't upgraded, follow the instructions on the Radio thread twice)
5. Once you've confirmed your baseband upgrade, reboot into recovery and upgrade to any 4.3 or 4.4 ROM on the forums (make sure it's KNOX Free), follow any procedures the new ROM requires you follow to complete installation.
6. Reboot and test your data, if you're still experiencing data drops or slow wifi, try flashing a new Kernel like the one linked in order to resolve. I have success with KToonsez and recommend it for this purpose. (WiFi is faster than I've ever seen it before with this radio+kernel, connects almost instantly now where it used to drag for up to a minute before connecting)
7. ENJOY!
NOTES
I took a shortcut, I already had the ROM with the Kernel installed at one point but couldn't deal with the data dropping so I just made a backup and restored back to 4.2.2 for my sanity. After installing the new radio, I was able to restore my backup of the 4.3 ROM I use (GoldenEye 9.0.1 MJ5), and all was well. The provided steps should approximate getting to this same point, however, if it's discovered there are any extra steps required, please reply to this thread and then PM me as well with the information so I can update OP.
Any Kernel that is 4.3 should work perfectly fine to match to the radio, 4.2.x kernels still interact slowly with the radio/wifi despite the upgrade. I haven't experienced a data drop-out since upgrading the radio and restoring my previous 4.3 backup, and I go through a 'large' (half-mile or so) dead-zone and was streaming netflix without a single hiccup, normally Pandora would even crash.
HOW THIS WORKS
I've seen a LOT of people complaining that this won't work, there's still KNOX, but I think they're confused and thinking we're talking about a full ODIN or OTA flash of 4.3, when we're not. We're talking about picking out the parts of 4.3 that we want and need and combining them with our MDL setup. Here's what you should end up with if you follow these instructions accordingly.
MDL (4.2) Bootloader (KNOX-Free)
MK2 (4.3) Baseband (KNOX-Free)
MDL (4.2) LTE radio (KNOX-Free)
MK2 (4.3) ROM (Something from XDA that has KNOX stripped out) (KNOX-Free)
This amalgamation of components comes together in order to provide us with the baseband we so desperately needed in order to correct the loss of audio and data drop-outs we experienced on 4.3 ROMs with the MDL (4.2) Baseband, keeping the KNOX-Free MDL LTE radio (the MK2 LTE radio appears to have ties into the KNOX bootloader, flashing it without the bootloader ends up with NO data at all). This keeps us free of tripping the KNOX WARRANTY "eFuse" because our bootloaders are still MDL without KNOX. I hope this clarifies for those doubters.
POSSIBLE PROBLEMS
Reports of tethering not working.
Reports of data still being dropped on deep-sleep.
Reports of data dropping while on a call (you should at least get 3G).
THANKS
Thanks go out to @ktoonsez for his kernel, and @LuigiBull23 for maintaining the thread. @shiamatsu for his radio thread with the steps to get MK2 baseband + MDL LTE radio installed which was key to keeping solid data and keeping sound on phone calls. @j_r0dd for the 4.3 modem, @mrvirginia for the 4.2.2 modem, and the devs over at the i9505 section for figuring out the trick that shiamatsu summarized for us. And @daerragh for maintaining the ODIN thread.
RECOMMENDED ROMS NEW
★[ROM] [STOCK] M919UVUEMK2 | 4.3 | Deodexed | CIQ Free | KNOX Free ☆
[ROM|TW|4.3|MK2] Modified Stock M919UVUEMK2 v1.2 [APPS2SD|WIFI-CALLING]
►►[AOSP]Official 4.3- S4 Google Edition- Finaly v2.0 - Feel the Experience of Nexus◄◄
[ROM] Google Edition 4.3 [Clean][Deodex][Slim]
[ROM] CyanogenMod 11.0 | Android 4.4 KitKat [UNOFFICIAL]
REQUESTING YOUR FEEDBACK
I'd like to request everyone's help in getting feedback on working ROM & Kernel combinations so we can try to figure out why some people are still having problems while others are not. There's more reports of failures than successes, but, the typical trend is that people don't bother to post at all if everything works, only to either complain or request further assistance when something is broken. Now, I'm requesting your feedback either way. Once you've completed your radio and ROM flash according to these steps, go to your Settings->More->About device, scroll all the way to the bottom and screenshot your Model, Android version, Baseband version, Kernel version, Build number, and SELinux status. Please provide a small blurb after the image explaining any trouble you may be having or if everything is working perfectly fine. If your status changes shortly after your initial post (within 3-4 days), just edit and update your original reply. Otherwise if it's been a week and it's a page or two later, just post a new reply so we can see the freshest feedback. I NEED YOUR HELP WITH THIS, EVERYONE'S HELP. WHILE WE'RE MAKING GREAT STRIDES FORWARD, WE'RE STILL NOT COMPLETELY OUT OF THE WOODS HERE. YOUR FEEDBACK IS IMPORTANT, THINK OF HOW MUCH INFORMATION OTHER XDA MEMBERS HAVE SHARED WITH YOU, JUST SHARE THIS LITTLE BIT AND PAY IT FORWARD, PLEASE!
Mods: Formally requesting a sticky once I get some reports of working phones.
Users: Requesting you post your results!

So is this what you would do if you wanted to keep root? And if you didn't want root, you'd just update it through kies?
Sent from my SGH-M919 using xda app-developers app

kevinrubio1 said:
So is this what you would do if you wanted to keep root? And if you didn't want root, you'd just update it through kies?
Sent from my SGH-M919 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is if you want to keep root, and be 100% KNOX free.

Cynagen said:
This is if you want to keep root, and be 100% KNOX free.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the quick reply, what does it mean to be KNOX free exactly?
Sent from my SGH-M919 using xda app-developers app

kevinrubio1 said:
Thanks for the quick reply, what does it mean to be KNOX free exactly?
Sent from my SGH-M919 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
KNOX free means that you won't need to install the new bootloader, which includes a new "KNOX counter" that instantly breaks your warranty the moment you root or attempt to downgrade.

Booooo I have a Mac. Was hoping mobile odin would be okay
Sent from my GT-I9505G using xda app-developers app

tylerholbrook said:
Booooo I have a Mac. Was hoping mobile odin would be okay
Sent from my GT-I9505G using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can TRY Mobile Odin, or Heimdall if you have it, however, I wouldn't recommend Mobile Odin as we're dealing with radios here, and I don't think you can flash just the modem.bin without it being .tar'd, if you want to risk it, go for it, but no guarantee. Let us know!

thanks for the mention and for making a n00b friendly guide
cheers

mrvirginia said:
thanks for the mention and for making a n00b friendly guide
cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, thank you for your help getting us to this point with your contributions!
LuigiBull23 said:
Thanks a ton for this @Cynagen and all who have contributed in making this possible! Will definitely be upgrading now using this method!
Subscribed and will be referring people here. :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you too for all of your contributions as well! Just wanted to be helpful and share my steps that worked well for me. Always sharing knowledge, that's the XDA way!

Thanks a ton for this @Cynagen and all who have contributed in making this possible! Will definitely be upgrading now using this method!
Subscribed and will be referring people here. :good:

Cynagen said:
You can TRY Mobile Odin, or Heimdall if you have it, however, I wouldn't recommend Mobile Odin as we're dealing with radios here, and I don't think you can flash just the modem.bin without it being .tar'd, if you want to risk it, go for it, but no guarantee. Let us know!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I never could figure out heimdall lol. I have read people mobile odin'd. I guess 4.3 isn't that necessary for me for now until there's more support. Patience is bliss. Actually the first time new stuff rolls out and I don't immediately start flashing lol. Thanks though
Sent from my GT-I9505G using xda app-developers app

tylerholbrook said:
I never could figure out heimdall lol. I have read people mobile odin'd. I guess 4.3 isn't that necessary for me for now until there's more support. Patience is bliss. Actually the first time new stuff rolls out and I don't immediately start flashing lol. Thanks though
Sent from my GT-I9505G using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not a problem!
Just borrow somebody's computer, or get Parallels or Oracle VM and set up a windows machine you can mod your phone with safely.
I would like to see somebody make an ODIN flashable TAR file with the modified radio setup, plus a KNOX-free, debloated copy of the official release that we can just use. I might have to embark on this journey.

Thanks will try this tonight
Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk 2

Anybody want to share their results?

Cynagen said:
Anybody want to share their results?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Everything's honky dory over here. I didn't use Heimdall, I just booted into my Windows 7 partition and fired up ODIN but I'll give it a try next time I flash something and document the steps for everyone else.

I'll attempt heimdall tonight after work I think If I have energy
Sent from my GT-I9505G using xda app-developers app

The Pope of Dope said:
Everything's honky dory over here. I didn't use Heimdall, I just booted into my Windows 7 partition and fired up ODIN but I'll give it a try next time I flash something and document the steps for everyone else.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You followed my steps using ODIN and all is well? HUZZAH! HUZZAH!
tylerholbrook said:
I'll attempt heimdall tonight after work I think If I have energy
Sent from my GT-I9505G using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you could do that, it would be awesome as I'm sure it'll be helpful for other Mac users.

I was on Wicked V8 with MDL boot loader and base bands.
I used Mobile Odin and flashed the new MK2 GSM radio (modem.bin)
After that flashed the new knox free 4.3 rom and Ktoonsez 4.3 Kernel.
Everything works fine.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using xda app-developers app

roadster92 said:
I was on Wicked V8 with MDL boot loader and base bands.
I used Mobile Odin and flashed the new MK2 GSM radio (modem.bin)
After that flashed the new knox free 4.3 rom and Ktoonsez 4.3 Kernel.
Everything works fine.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome, so it seems like the UVUAMDL radio flash is unneeded. I'll update the OP, I thought this might be the case.

Cynagen said:
Awesome, so it seems like the UVUAMDL radio fIash is unneeded. I'll update the OP, I thought this might be the case.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought that might be the case if the device is still totally MDL (ie never took the OTA), but I asked someone this and he said that both Odin flashes were necessary no matter what. And this dude is quite accomplished. So... I'm going to keep on reading before I do anything I suppose.
Thanks for this guide, great stuff.

How to flash 4.3 or 4.4 roms

I just got this phone and its running liquid smooth 4.2.2. i wanted to flash beanstalk 4.4 but it kept failing the flash. can someone point me in the right direction lol. i have the sgh 1747.

Need more information, carrier specific, model, error message when trying to flash
Sent from my SGH-I747M using Tapatalk

jimchee said:
Need more information, carrier specific, model, error message when trying to flash
Sent from my SGH-I747M using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i have the att version. its the sgh i747 version. after searching i think it won't flash those because i need to update to 4.3. but i don't know how.

pitbullmommy45245 said:
i have the att version. its the sgh i747 version. after searching i think it won't flash those because i need to update to 4.3. but i don't know how.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't do it if you think you might ever want to be able to use Odin as a recovery option. Once you upgrade to 4.3 on AT&T you're stuck if something bad happens to your phone you're going to have a hard time fixing it.
If yours sure you want to do it then Odin your phone back to an early firmware as soon as it boots it will force you to take an update. It may be 4.1.2 or it may be 4.3? Not sure but you just let the phone update through ota. Or alternately there are files with instructions in threads labeled with names similar to 4.3 OTA official.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app

Well right now there are some disadvantages, imho, to upgrading to 4.3 stock, once the bootloader is updated you cannot downgrade to any other build at this time, but that is a call for u to make, if you want to ota to 4.3 you have to get on stock 4.1.2 which you do through odin and then ota, not what I would do at this time just to many horror stories for my taste on 4.3 right now
Sent from my SGH-I747M using Tapatalk

theramsey3 said:
Don't do it if you think you might ever want to be able to use Odin as a recovery option. Once you upgrade to 4.3 on AT&T you're stuck if something bad happens to your phone you're going to have a hard time fixing it.
If yours sure you want to do it then Odin your phone back to an early firmware as soon as it boots it will force you to take an update. It may be 4.1.2 or it may be 4.3? Not sure but you just let the phone update through ota. Or alternately there are files with instructions in threads labeled with names similar to 4.3 OTA official.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
jimchee said:
Well right now there are some disadvantages, imho, to upgrading to 4.3 stock, once the bootloader is updated you cannot downgrade to any other build at this time, but that is a call for u to make, if you want to ota to 4.3 you have to get on stock 4.1.2 which you do through odin and then ota, not what I would do at this time just to many horror stories for my taste on 4.3 right now
Sent from my SGH-I747M using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so should i not do it? lol. mine is unlocked too. i'm using it on cincinnati bell. will this erase the unlock?

No once a phone is unlocked it cannot be relocked
Sent from my SGH-I747M using Tapatalk
---------- Post added at 02:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:01 PM ----------
I wouldn't do it if it involves updating the bootloader at this time but that is just my opinion and am not a developer just an advanced tinkerer
Sent from my SGH-I747M using Tapatalk

if i understand your question correctly, you're trying to flash a 4.3/4.4 AOSP-based ROM? but it keeps failing?
i'm sorta having the same problem too, whenever i flash any ROMs based off 4.3/4.4 AOSP, i get constant reboots, about 2-3 an hour.
i am using CWM for recoery, but i don't think i tried BeanStalk 4.4

jimchee said:
No once a phone is unlocked it cannot be relocked
Sent from my SGH-I747M using Tapatalk
---------- Post added at 02:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:01 PM ----------
I wouldn't do it if it involves updating the bootloader at this time but that is just my opinion and am not a developer just an advanced tinkerer
Sent from my SGH-I747M using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i mean is it really hard lol? can someone give me a link to the guide.

pitbullmommy45245 said:
so should i not do it? lol. mine is unlocked too. i'm using it on cincinnati bell. will this erase the unlock?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is all up to you. I have 4.3 and am happy with it. It is very stable and has decent battery life. It isn't without issues though. I have problems with it giving me the weak wifi signal message or that my Internet is too slow (10Mbps DSL? Slower than some but certainly no slouch) when it does this it disconnects and I have to manually tell it to reconnect. The other thing is in my battery stats built in the rom not all of the apps are being logged only things like screen on time, cell standby, wifi, bluetooth, basic phone stuff but none of the apps???
Why I wish I hadn't done it? Because I lost the ability to be able to recover my phone with Odin and the ability to do whatever it is I want to with the bootloaders.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app

I just want to flash beanstalk 4.4. I depend on wifi. So does WiFi work?
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app

pitbullmommy45245 said:
i mean is it really hard lol? can someone give me a link to the guide.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Read the stickys here and in the general section it will have nearly all of the information and tools you need. Then you can get firmware to flash in Odin from http://www.sammobile.com go there register for an account click firmwares in the top bar of the site and search for your phones model number such as mine is SGH-I747 and a Canadian phone or Mexican phone would be SGH-I747M.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app

theramsey3 said:
Read the stickys here and in the general section it will have nearly all of the information and tools you need. Then you can get firmware to flash in Odin from http://www.sammobile.com go there register for an account click firmwares in the top bar of the site and search for your phones model number such as mine is SGH-I747 and a Canadian phone or Mexican phone would be SGH-I747M.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
can i root though after i get on 4.3. i was reading and it says don't do it if you want root.

pitbullmommy45245 said:
can i root though after i get on 4.3. i was reading and it says don't do it if you want root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try these links they might be of some use, I assume you have read the stickys and have a general idea of what you are up against. click below if you're sure you want to do this to your phone.
4.3 ota Rom http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2387423 Follow the instructions exactly and understand once you do this there is no turning back. You can run different roms but you have to have the 4.3 bootloaders you cannot for any reason EVER download the bootloaders
This will get you root, I had to use method #2 http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2538991
I take absolutely no responsibility of any bad things that happen if you use the above links. make sure you understand the tasks you are wanting to preform and the risks associated with such, 4.3 has caused MANY HARD BRICKS.

ok i just did this but i think i might of messed up. i did just as the op said and i was at the downgrading part and now my screen is on the samsung screen and just flashing

pitbullmommy45245 said:
ok i just did this but i think i might of messed up. i did just as the op said and i was at the downgrading part and now my screen is on the samsung screen and just flashing
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Give it a few minutes to try to boot then pull the battery, boot to recovery and do a factory reset. if that doesn't work then flash the odin file again.
When you do get the 4.3 it will take several minutes to boot it will look like its stuck on the boot screen but be patient it will likely boot eventually.

theramsey3 said:
Give it a few minutes to try to boot then pull the battery, boot to recovery and do a factory reset. if that doesn't work then flash the odin file again.
When you do get the 4.3 it will take several minutes to boot it will look like its stuck on the boot screen but be patient it will likely boot eventually.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
how long does it take? like 10 plus min?

pitbullmommy45245 said:
how long does it take? like 10 plus min?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No it shouldnt take ten minutes but 4.3 takes considerably longer than all the roms I have used in the past.
You are still at the stage of flashing 4.1.1 correct? if it didnt boot just reflash it(uncheck the box for auto reboot so you have to pull the battery out after you flash it) then go to recovery and do a factory reset, then reboot the phone, it should boot this time.
You did check to make 100% sure you downloaded the correct 4.1.1 file for the phones model? right?
Don't mean to make anybody sound silly just trying to figure out exactly whay is going on.

theramsey3 said:
No it shouldnt take ten minutes but 4.3 takes considerably longer than all the roms I have used in the past.
You are still at the stage of flashing 4.1.1 correct? if it didnt boot just reflash it(uncheck the box for auto reboot so you have to pull the battery out after you flash it) then go to recovery and do a factory reset, then reboot the phone, it should boot this time.
You did check to make 100% sure you downloaded the correct 4.1.1 file for the phones model? right?
Don't mean to make anybody sound silly just trying to figure out exactly whay is going on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i got passed it. i guess i wasn't patient enough lol. i'm on 4.3 now. now time to try to root and flash beanstalk lol.

pitbullmommy45245 said:
ok i got passed that. i got to the part where you flash 4.3. it was going through the flash then it got to a part where two errors came up in red (i couldn't see what they were it rebooted right after) and then it rebooted but got stuck on the att ball and wouldn't reboot. then i went into recovery and it was all red and blue and the android had a triangle with a red exclimation mark. i just tried to reflash but it keeps doing the same thing. it gets stuck on the att ball.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you still have custom recovery (Which one do you have) or do you have the stock recovery?
Edit: I see you edited your post after I quoted you to respond, glad you got it going, now just follow the guides as written for root, I had to use method #2, but you should try method 1 first.
Good luck

[Q] Galaxy S3 downgrade from android 4.3 to 4.1.2

I have a T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S3 (SGH-T999) and I made the mistake of allowing an upgrade??? to android 4.3 which has been very unstable for me. T-Mobile, Samsung, and Google all say that there are no updates to 4.3 and I can’t downgrade, so basically I’m out of luck.
Can I downgrade 4.3 to 4.1.2 without bricking my phone and hopefully without voiding my warranty? If so, please give me some instructions. I downloaded Odin 3.07 and firmware: root66_TMO_T999UVDMD5.7z. Thanks a million.

I don't think it's possible to downgrade anymore due to Knox. There was a thread talking about it
Maybe you should check it out.
Sent from my C6916

You cannot downgrade without voiding your warranty
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk

Dont flash md5root66 after update!
newbee123 said:
I have a T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S3 (SGH-T999) and I made the mistake of allowing an upgrade??? to android 4.3 which has been very unstable for me. T-Mobile, Samsung, and Google all say that there are no updates to 4.3 and I can’t downgrade, so basically I’m out of luck.
Can I downgrade 4.3 to 4.1.2 without bricking my phone and hopefully without voiding my warranty? If so, please give me some instructions. I downloaded Odin 3.07 and firmware: root66_TMO_T999UVDMD5.7z. Thanks a million.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you flash the root66 of the md5 firmware via odin after you have already upgraded to 4.3 you will HARD BRICK your phone. Taking the 4.3 ota updates your bootloader and flashing anything other than 4.3 in odin will wreck your life.
You need to download the root66mjc firmware here:
http://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=23212708291682181
And flash it in odin. Then from there install a custom recovery and download a rom of your choosing and the compatible modem. I recommend you download the md5 modem. Then you're gonna wanna boot into recovery and flash the rom and the modem only (kernels are ok of course) JUST NO BOOTLOADERS. I don't even know if you can do that in recovery but trying to mess with the new BL will brick your face I mean phone.

full steps?
so does anyone have any full list of steps and links on where to get the modems and all to downgrade 4.3 with knox down to 4.1.2

pamma83 said:
so does anyone have any full list of steps and links on where to get the modems and all to downgrade 4.3 with knox down to 4.1.2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would you try reading the thread before posting ? Its not that long. You will see your answer provided by 3 different individuals.

Perseus71 said:
Would you try reading the thread before posting ? Its not that long. You will see your answer provided by 3 different individuals.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this thread had 4 posts before i posted and only 1 talks about what to do..where are you seeing 3 different people saying what to do and how???
and i asked where to get the modems and all.. do you see anyone saying where to get them??

pamma83 said:
this thread had 4 posts before i posted and only 1 talks about what to do..where are you seeing 3 different people saying what to do and how???
and i asked where to get the modems and all.. do you see anyone saying where to get them??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was referring to the 3 persons who responded to the OP's question similar to yours. @jtl_777's response is pointing to the 4.3 Firmware.

Its more implied in this thread than stated matter of factly. This thread is several months old, and I know your question has been asked countless times in many different threads, much more recently than in this one.
I suggest you read the stickies in each section. Just by doing that you will find all firmware and modems and more. You will also find that the answer is no, you cannot downgrade your full firmware from 4.3. And you never will be able to.
If your having problems I suggest flashing the latest 4.3 build via Odin, then factory resetting. Start over clean with minimal restoring of backups (only the essentials).
Every time an update comes out there are people who have problems. The majority are solved by doing what I just said because most bugs are caused by using old data created by old apps on the new build.
Even if you could downgrade, chances are youd run into even more issues and still have to factory reset.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk

DocHoliday77 said:
... You will also find that the answer is no, you cannot downgrade your full firmware from 4.3. And you never will be able to.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks but I read online and some youtube videos showing that people have gone from 4.3 back to 4.1.2, just trying to make the phone the way it was before any updates were done and wondering if anyone knows the proper steps without bricking the phone.

They probably just flashed a rom. It is simply not possible to downgrade the firmware though.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk

so i found this post: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=48758977&postcount=1412 and i have the same case as Christopher4tw with a stock 4.3 T999UVUEMJC and just want to get back to T999UVDMD5 so its running the 4.1.2 version of android
so do i just download the below file, extract and flash via odin then do a wipe via recovery? If not can you please explain how to go about this so i can have 4.1.2 running on the phone
April 2013 - 4.1.2 JellyBean
Note: This is based off of the stock image TMO T999UVDMD5
Perm Mirror: Download - root66_TMO_T999UVDMD5.7z

You cannot downgrade your firmware.
Flash an older rom with cwm or twrp if you need to be running md5
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk

DocHoliday77 said:
You cannot downgrade your firmware.
Flash an older rom with cwm or twrp if you need to be running md5
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so can I use this http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2276645 and flash via cwm or twrp recovery and it will make the phone run 4.1.2 without bricking or having issues with knox or does that have the bootloader issue with it as well?

Yes, that one you can flash.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk

DocHoliday77 said:
Yes, that one you can flash.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
great thanks so much for your help, can I flash the recovery via odin mobile app or is it safer to do it via pc?

Safer via PC.
It is possible via Mobile Odin. But that's one of the partitions I don't want to mess with when Phone is Booted/

If you know how to use Mobile Odin then it should be fine. I agree that its better to use pc odin if youre not familiar with Mobile Odin. However, it actually doesnt flash the recovery while booted. It flashes the flash kernel which is MO's temp recovery. It then boots to this and flashes. (So, perseus is right in that regard. But I personally love Mobile Odin and find it extremely useful and consider it safe unless you are brand new to all of this).
In fact Mobile Odin is another way you can flash 4.1.2. Itll flash the firmware, but only the system, kernel, recovery and modem. (I didnt bring this up previously because I didnt want to confuse, or go too far too fast).
If youre thinking about flashing recovery via MO, though, you can also instead just flash the rom you found. No need to flash the recovery unless you just want to. Put the rom in the update.zip slot and itll flash just fine.
If any of this is confusing, just stick with the original plan for now. The rest will come easy if you dont rush things.
One more thing, while you can usually update stock without wiping, you may find you have to factory reset after downgrading as the old system was not built for using data created on a new version.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk

thanks for all the help.. had to do the wipe since it kept showing the samsung logo but after that it booted just fine.

t999L
I have tried so many times to downgrade to 4.1.2 using odin but I havent be able to. I always get an error message

[BootLoader] [MODEM] Test Odin UVUCNB4

UPDATED BOOTLOADER POSTED.
********************** THIS IS A TEST FIRST. DO NOT, I REPEAT DO NOT TRY TO ODIN THIS BOOTLOADER IF YOU ARE NOT EXPERIENCED. BRICKING YOUR PHONE, FLASH FLOODS, AUDITS, AND EX-GIRLFRIENDS KEYING YOUR CAR ARE NOT MY FAULT. YOU TRY TO ODIN BL OF YOUR OWN FREE WILL. **********************************************
ANY WHO,
Can somebody please flash this via Odin and make sure that it finishes the process. I'm still researching to see if you need a pit to flash the BL by itself.
THanks guys.
DOWNLOAD
LOAD bootloader.tar.md5 INTO BL ON ODIN
START
BL_N900TUVUCNB4
MD5SUM:b9424697d6a75dba43f019825c45a006
CP_N900TUVUCNB4_Modem This CP only contains modem.bin
MD5SUM:52d72b098819991ab88101757d8e2a8a
CP_N900TUVUCNB4_modem2x This CP contains both modem.bin and Non-Hlos
MD5SUM:82ec4cdaff1492439673391902439604
Dev-Host
cp_N900TUVUCNB4_modem.tar.md5 - 53.49 MB​

I'm getting stuck at the first part sli.mbn, but i already have the updated bootloader. From what i've been reading, this new bootloader my not let you downgrade as it's locked (or partially locked, not sure)
So somebody on old baseband looking to upgrade to new baseband should try this out.

has anyone tried this? id do it myself but i'm in the middle of the gulf with slower than slow internet ,took me five min just to write this reply

dragonstalker said:
I'm getting stuck at the first part sli.mbn, but i already have the updated bootloader. From what i've been reading, this new bootloader my not let you downgrade as it's locked (or partially locked, not sure)
So somebody on old baseband looking to upgrade to new baseband should try this out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not locked. It's rollback-protected.
Read this whole thread and you will understand why (except in a few unique situations) you cannot downgrade the bootloader: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2642207
Upgrading the bootloader and stock ROMs is a one-way street for the majority of us.

dragonstalker said:
I'm getting stuck at the first part sli.mbn, but i already have the updated bootloader. From what i've been reading, this new bootloader my not let you downgrade as it's locked (or partially locked, not sure)
So somebody on old baseband looking to upgrade to new baseband should try this out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ill try it for you
edit: failed sdi.mbn

deeznutz1977 said:
Ill try it for you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I doubt it will work for you either Deezothernutz. You will probably get the same (cannot xmit) error i ended up getting.
However, i did not change the file to a .zip and try running it in recovery

dragonstalker said:
I doubt it will work for you either Deezothernutz. You will probably get the same (cannot xmit) error i ended up getting.
However, i did not change the file to a .zip and try running it in recovery
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im still on the old bootloader

deeznutz1977 said:
Im still on the old bootloader
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awwww ok. well hopefully it works. It will take some of the strain off the people that can't get the full update.zip. Although, they know eventually they will need to download a rom based off NB4. Don't know what's going to happen when they try to update bootloader while still being on an MI7 rom.

What's the benefits of the new bootloader anyway?

^^^what he said
Sent from my SM-N900T using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

I think the focus is on the wrong thing . Everyone wants the modem not the bootloader. And from past experince with note 2 specifically the modem was made into a flashable zip.
The Demon Galaxy!

diamantericos said:
I think the focus is on the wrong thing . Everyone wants the modem not the bootloader. And from past experince with note 2 specifically the modem was made into a flashable zip.
The Demon Galaxy!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no,
some of us need the updated bootloader because the current wave of custom kernels doesnt play nicely with wifi calling and you cant run a KitKat kernel without the KitKat bootloader

3/7/14
dragonstalker said:
OK, people have been asking me for this, and I said I would extract the Bootloader and post it.
********************** THIS IS A TEST FIRST. DO NOT, I REPEAT DO NOT TRY TO ODIN THIS BOOTLOADER IF YOU ARE NOT EXPERIENCED. BRICKING YOUR PHONE, FLASH FLOODS, AUDITS, AND EX-GIRLFRIENDS KEYING YOUR CAR ARE NOT MY FAULT. YOU TRY TO ODIN BL OF YOUR OWN FREE WILL. **********************************************
ANY WHO,
Can somebody please flash this via Odin and make sure that it finishes the process. I'm still researching to see if you need a pit to flash the BL by itself.
THanks guys.
DOWNLOAD
RENAME BY REMOVING THE .md5
LOAD INTO AP ON ODIN
START
BL_N900TUVUCNB5
MD5SUM:ed3330d84eb5893f1235c71d581dfdda​
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
not finishing-fails

XmentalX said:
no,
some of us need the updated bootloader because the current wave of custom kernels doesnt play nicely with wifi calling and you cant run a KitKat kernel without the KitKat bootloader
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know about Wi-Fi calling but you can run Kitkat kernels with the old bootloader. Everything seems fine to me.

Techniques said:
I don't know about Wi-Fi calling but you can run Kitkat kernels with the old bootloader. Everything seems fine to me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That kernel does not work with wifi calling
Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk

Techniques said:
What's the benefits of the new bootloader anyway?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only "benefit" is running the new TouchWiz kitkat builds with WiFi calling on the TMO network. The new bootloader is otherwise considered a downgrade.

diamantericos said:
I think the focus is on the wrong thing . Everyone wants the modem not the bootloader. And from past experince with note 2 specifically the modem was made into a flashable zip.
The Demon Galaxy!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
Would like to run the new modem if possible on the old bootloader.
If I have to update the bootloader to run the new modem, then I will do so...but MY main desire is to have the new modem. - I run AOSP, and those all work for either bootloader.

idtheftvictim said:
+1
Would like to run the new modem if possible on the old bootloader.
If I have to update the bootloader to run the new modem, then I will do so...but MY main desire is to have the new modem. - I run AOSP, and those all work for either bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i'll look into the flashable modem then sense people only want that. still trying to figure out why forcing the bootloader is not seeming to work

would like to see this bootloader working as I am planning to flash 4.4.2 via mobile odin and this bootloader via odin pc and hope that knox is not tripped while retaining root. Currently on 4.3 rooted with RDLV.
Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk

hamsup1o said:
would like to see this bootloader working as I am planning to flash 4.4.2 via mobile odin and this bootloader via odin pc and hope that knox is not tripped while retaining root. Currently on 4.3 rooted with RDLV.
Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I keep seeing that mobile odin says it will trip the counter. Can anybody confirm that for me please.

updating bootloader and modem

i have att s3 i747. under baseband it says i747ucdlk3.
I want to install and experience with more roms, especially the lollipop nightlies. but they require an updated bootloader! Otherwise, my phone doesnt read the sim card. i have read so many threads on how to update the bootloader and modem/firmware, but half of the threads i read result in many people bricking their device! How do i update the bootloader properly? that is, without bricking my phone of course! should i do incremental updates? or jump from lk3 to the latest one? im lost on what to do, like i said so many people got bricked. can anyone help me out? it would be greatly appreciated!

i used this to get to NE4 with no problems.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2789917
always , read read read. make a backup. good luck.
"all i can really do , is stay out of my own way and let the will of heaven be done"

mrrocketdog said:
i used this to get to NE4 with no problems.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2789917
always , read read read. make a backup. good luck.
"all i can really do , is stay out of my own way and let the will of heaven be done"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks I'll read up on it right now. I agree, I always read on forums first, which is why I found so many posts about how people had bricked their phones.
One question: did u use this to update from lk3?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using XDA Free mobile app

Is your phone sim unlocked? If it isn't, you could flash back to a stock AT&T 4.1.1 ROM, unlock, and run OTA updates until your have the latest ROM on your phone. This approach requires more time but it is the simplest and least risky in my opinion.

So basically you're saying to flash back to unrooted stock. And then keep using att updates until I get to the latest one, and then I should be on ne4 automatically?? Not sure if I'm understanding this correctly.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using XDA Free mobile app

Yes, flash back to stock and keep running ota until you hit the latest release.
If you have warranty left on your phone, updating, rooting, and loading a custom recovery will change the warranty bit from 0 to 1 which voids the remaining warranty.

audit13 said:
Yes, flash back to stock and keep running ota until you hit the latest release.
If you have warranty left on your phone, updating, rooting, and loading a custom recovery will change the warranty bit from 0 to 1 which voids the remaining warranty.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
K will do when chance the chance. Btw. Isn't there a requirement to not go past a certain firmware if I wanted to revert back to stock or else it'll brick? I thought it was if I go past 4.3. Any ideas?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using XDA Free mobile app

You will have no choice but to flash to 4.4.2 bootloader and modem if you want to run the latest d2lte ROMs.
True, once you are on 4.3 or higher bootloader, you cannot go back to stock 4.1.1.

audit13 said:
You will have no choice but to flash to 4.4.2 bootloader and modem if you want to run the latest d2lte ROMs.
True, once you are on 4.3 or higher bootloader, you cannot go back to stock 4.1.1.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Isn't the 4.1.1 bootloader lk3? Cuz for some reason I'm on a 4.4.4 ROM with a baseband that ends in lk3....does that mean anything?
Sorry guys I'm clueless when it comes to modems and bootloaders and all that stuff. Thanks for these replies btw.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using XDA Free mobile app

Are you running a custom rom?

audit13 said:
Are you running a custom rom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. CROM
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using XDA Free mobile app

Some kk roms will run on a 4.1.1 bootloader while others will not. I know some of the newer cm11 roms will work but you will not have any signal with older modems and bootloaders.

audit13 said:
Some kk roms will run on a 4.1.1 bootloader while others will not. I know some of the newer cm11 roms will work but you will not have any signal with older modems and bootloaders.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i had read of some people have to use ktoonz kernel to get wifi , but that is usually in the OP.
thank you once again @audit13 for coming to the rescue. i am now M8 and losing what little i747 now-how i had. lmao.
"all i can really do , is stay out of my own way and let the will of heaven be done"

So since I'm on lk3.. I should still be able to flash black to 4.1.1 stock via Odin and then use the ota right? Or should I flash back to 4.3. Which one is the safe option? Im thinking about using the ota option mentioned earlier in this thread.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using XDA Free mobile app