Updating Bootloaders? Please read this first - AT&T, Rogers, Bell, Telus Samsung Galaxy S III

Since the new Jelly Bean bootloaders have shown up, I see a lot of people talking about updating them. There are a few things I would recommend to do when flashing them. The first is the small, but present, danger that you can hard brick your phone. And I mean the "Need jtag to make it work" hard brick. Typically the cause of these bricks is an error or interruption of communications between the device and the computer. The other is mismatched or outright improper bootloaders.
Below is a list of things to decrease the possibility of permaborking. Keep in mind that following this list will not 100% remove the danger of flashing bootloaders, but will increase the chances of a successful flash.
Flashing bootloaders is dangerous. They are one of the few things that has the possibility of hard bricking your phone. For that reason, here are some good things to do to prepare for flashing them.
Have a good, reliable data cable. Interruption of communication between your phone and pc will most likely cause a hard brick with bootloaders.
Use a usb port on the back of your computer (or #1 on a laptop). Communication, again.
Have a jig. Not much help if you hard brick, but if you soft brick its very nice to have.
I personally flash bootloaders from a good laptop with a fully charged battery. If there is a power outage, the battery in the laptop will have saved my phone.
When flashing bootloaders,or anything with Odin, don't touch your phone after you connect it in dl mode until the phone reboots. Goes back to the communication issue.
For problems/tips on connection issues, look HERE

To determine which bootloader you have, check out this app:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.freeandroidtools.root_checker
To check your bootloader version
(thanks to KorGuy123 for the link)
For those that like to use Terminal Emulator, just type this:
HTML:
su
getprop ro.bootloader

Hi,
I know this is close to impossible, but still want to bring it up to see if anyone here knows.
My s3's USB port seems damaged physically or something. It charges fine, but it always shows unrecognized USB device when connecting to PC. No matter it is in download mode or booted mode and how hard I try(install updated USB driver, change PC etc. )
No the question comes - can I upgrade boot loader without USB? If not I will be stuck with older version of cm10.1 for ever
TIA
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium

xlj1000 said:
Hi,
I know this is close to impossible, but still want to bring it up to see if anyone here knows.
My s3's USB port seems damaged physically or something. It charges fine, but it always shows unrecognized USB device when connecting to PC. No matter it is in download mode or booted mode and how hard I try(install updated USB driver, change PC etc. )
No the question comes - can I upgrade boot loader without USB? If not I will be stuck with older version of cm10.1 for ever
TIA
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, you need a usb port to do it. You might try using Heimdall, as it uses a different driver. If you use heimdall, you will need to do a lot of research as it operates a little differently than Odin.

Flashing Bell Galaxy S3 Bootloader on AT&T phone
Would it be possible to flash a SGH-I747M (Bell) bootloader on a SGH-I747 (AT&T). I would like to have the option to toggle LTE off when I am in a non LTE area without going through the Network Control option discussed on xda, as I have been doing.

If it's not the exact bootloader for your phone, don't flash it.

mrhaley30705 said:
No, you need a usb port to do it. You might try using Heimdall, as it uses a different driver. If you use heimdall, you will need to do a lot of research as it operates a little differently than Odin.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe use Mobile Odin?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app

It is not recommended to write bootloader with Mobile Odin. Furthermore, it just won't do it:
From Chainfire:
All partitions are supported, as are loose files, .tar files and .tar.md5 files. Mobile ODIN will even check the MD5 signatures before flashing. While in theory Mobile ODIN can repartition and flash EFS and bootloaders, it will cowardly refuse to do so, for your own safety.

mrhaley30705 said:
It is not recommended to write bootloader with Mobile Odin. Furthermore, it just won't do it:
From Chainfire:
All partitions are supported, as are loose files, .tar files and .tar.md5 files. Mobile ODIN will even check the MD5 signatures before flashing. While in theory Mobile ODIN can repartition and flash EFS and bootloaders, it will cowardly refuse to do so, for your own safety.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome, gotcha. Learn something new every day.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app

mi modelo is i747m telcel mexico which should flash

Obridgenut said:
Would it be possible to flash a SGH-I747M (Bell) bootloader on a SGH-I747 (AT&T). I would like to have the option to toggle LTE off when I am in a non LTE area without going through the Network Control option discussed on xda, as I have been doing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have no idea why you would have to do that. If you have your setting correct it will do it automatically. My does on Telus. Or did you follow some of the instuctions here and loaded a bad image to your phone. Best to flash a stock image to your phone that has been rooted and then use rom manger or goomanager to flash a recovery to your phone if you want one. I have a rooted stock rom and I no recovery as they are a waste of time. I used triangle to reset the trip and I can update OTA with no issues and it states my devise status is normal. I had used some other rom on my phone and it drained the battery all the time. Now it works like a charm. I can even use back track or other linux distro's on it,
As for the other guy having an issue, you can update your phone over Kies. Your issues sound like its a bad rom you put on your phone. And you can never brick your phone. Its what people to say to scare you to get you to use their methods.

Is it possible that installing a custom rom would have installed the latest bootloader. I didn't install myself and it looks like I have the latest per the device info app I downloaded from the play store
Sent from my SGH-I747 using xda premium

osmxgohan said:
mi modelo is i747m telcel mexico which should flash
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The correct firmware from your provider should have bootloader in then

andy_d0 said:
Is it possible that installing a custom rom would have installed the latest bootloader. I didn't install myself and it looks like I have the latest per the device info app I downloaded from the play store
Sent from my SGH-I747 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's possible that the ota update to jelly bean pushed the latest bootloader to your phone.

TheStrokerace said:
I have no idea why you would have to do that. If you have your setting correct it will do it automatically. My does on Telus. Or did you follow some of the instuctions here and loaded a bad image to your phone. Best to flash a stock image to your phone that has been rooted and then use rom manger or goomanager to flash a recovery to your phone if you want one. I have a rooted stock rom and I no recovery as they are a waste of time. I used triangle to reset the trip and I can update OTA with no issues and it states my devise status is normal. I had used some other rom on my phone and it drained the battery all the time. Now it works like a charm. I can even use back track or other linux distro's on it, ]
The AT&T SGH-I747 does not offer the option to toggle LTE off under the Settings Menu, as do the Bell, Telus etc SGH - I747Ms. And although I can and have flashed all sorts of different ROMs, the AT&T modem is RAT locked and I so far have been unsuccessful flashing any modems other than AT&T modems. I am not sure whether this is a software issue or whether it is to do with the AT&T bootloader, hence the question about flashing a Bell bootloader. Any time that I try to flash a non-AT&t MODEM, I temporarily lose my IMEI number and the phone will not work at all. But there is a work around by entering into the Phone Control settings as discussed on xda, ( http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2116346) which I have been using successfully.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

I don't think changing the bootloader will change that for you.

mrhaley30705 said:
I don't think changing the bootloader will change that for you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK, Thanks anyway for your help.

How can I tell what version my bootloader is?
Hey all~
1st, my internet is so sluggish today, I can almost do nothing on the forums, so if this is a repeat question, forgive me, simply reply with the link please.
What I would like to know is how can I find out what version my bootloader is?
I am running CM 10.0 Stable on my Galaxy S3 i747 [AT&T]
I want to update to 10.1 RC4, but I've read warnings relating to the old version of the bootloader, but nothing saying how to tell what version bl I have ...
suggestions?
Thanks
~Jason

ubuntujason said:
Hey all~
1st, my internet is so sluggish today, I can almost do nothing on the forums, so if this is a repeat question, forgive me, simply reply with the link please.
What I would like to know is how can I find out what version my bootloader is?
I am running CM 10.0 Stable on my Galaxy S3 i747 [AT&T]
I want to update to 10.1 RC4, but I've read warnings relating to the old version of the bootloader, but nothing saying how to tell what version bl I have ...
suggestions?
Thanks
~Jason
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Install this, hit check, goto second screen and it'll say bootlader
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app

Easiest way to check is install terminal emulator.
Type
su
Grant it permission
Now type:
getprop ro.bootloader
These commands are case sensitive, so type carefully

Related

[HELP] Bricked my S3 i747M.

Hey guys, im new to the scene, and while fiddling around with my Galaxy S3, i have managed to brick it! Here is what happened.
I rooted the phone using a tutorial from here:
http://galaxys3root.com/galaxy-s3-r...gh-t999sgh-i747sph-l710-fail-proofnoob-proof/
Everything worked fine and the phone successfully rooted. But than i came across roms ... and i found a tutorial that told me how to install CyanogenMod 9:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1778165
I tried to follow the instructions, but i would get (Error 7), and i realized that this tutorial instructed me to install the ClockworkMod Recovery version 5.8.4.7. So i downloaded the file from ClockworkMod's website, and it was in a .img format. When i had rooted my phone and installed ClockworkMod i used a .tar version via Odin, and this time i had a .img. After going through many tutorials, i found someone that showed how to install the .img varient via Android Terminal Emulator. So i followed the instructions:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1363132
After i was finished following the instructions i rebooted the phone. And boom, it would not turn on. I tried all variants of holding the external buttons etc. Than i plugged the phone into a Windows PC. and the phone shows up in device manager as "QHSUSB DLOAD". So after tirelessly researching, i finally found the drivers for this and installed them. And know the phone shows up in Odin as COM10 in yellow. So i tried to flash the stock Image. I fire up Odin, select PDA, than the stock image, and click start. This is all that happens in the "Message Log":
<ID:0/010> Added!!
<ID:0/010> Odin v.3 engine (ID:10)..
<ID:0/010> File analysis..
<ID:0/010> SetupConnection..
(I have attached a screenshot of the above)
Please guys, i just got the phone and now it is bricked, any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!
First download the correct version of Odin and drivers for s3's here ;
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1722686
Then download and flash the full stock rom from here;
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1752729
Hopefully that will get your phone to boot.
Then once you have reapplied the rooted system image download "rom manager" from the market and flash the updated recovery from there to avoid the error you encountered when attempting to flash cm9.
Good luck!
Hi, Thanks for your reply. I tried using a "Jig" and it did not put the S3 into download mode. LIke i said previously. When the S3 is connected to my PC it shows up as "QHSUSB DLOAD". And no Samsung drivers would work with it. I had to research and find the drivers that finally worked and allowed Odin v1.85 to see the phone as "COM10", and i select the ROM under the PDA and click the "Start" button. But than it does not go past SetupConnection. I thought maybe the "Jig" was faulty and didnt work, but i tested it with another working Samsung Galaxy S2, and it worked exactly as it was supposed to. Should i still try your suggestion or is it pointless?
neubauej said:
First download the correct version of Odin and drivers for s3's here ;
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1722686
Then download and flash the full stock rom from here;
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1752729
Hopefully that will get your phone to boot.
Then once you have reapplied the rooted system image download "rom manager" from the market and flash the updated recovery from there to avoid the error you encountered when attempting to flash cm9.
Good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ouch.
It sounds like your bootloaders might be borked, so kinda pointless.
I would get ahold of Josh at www.mobiletechvideos.com as it sounds like jtag might be required.
Hey, Thanks for the info. But the image i flashed via the Android mobile terminal app on the phone, i was flashing a ClockworkMod v5.4.8.1, that was made for the AT&T i747 (I have the Bell i747M, which i am told is the same thing?) , is that the bootloader? I know someone here that is local that does the jTag repair. But im not sure if the problem i have is in relation to the bootloader. Please let me know. As the phone still does show up when connected to the PC.
neubauej said:
Ouch.
It sounds like your bootloaders might be borked, so kinda pointless.
Get ahold of Josh at as it sounds like jtag might be required.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried your solution. The phone when connected to the PC with does not show up in Odin 3.07 (Correct version for my phone, from your link), But if i turn on Odin 1.85, the phone shows up fine in that as COM10 in yellow. So does my phone need a jTag? Samsung Canada told me to send the phone in for service and they will reset it and send it back. At the moment the phone does not turn on or go into download mode, and when connected to the computer it shows up as HS-USB QDLoader. So my question is: If i send it to Samsung, will they discover that i have Rooted it and void my warranty and not fix the phone?
neubauej said:
First download the correct version of Odin and drivers for s3's here ;
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1722686
Then download and flash the full stock rom from here;
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1752729
Hopefully that will get your phone to boot.
Then once you have reapplied the rooted system image download "rom manager" from the market and flash the updated recovery from there to avoid the error you encountered when attempting to flash cm9.
Good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you send it to Samsung its unlikely they will notice or care that its rooted.
I have sent them 2 devices that I wanted them to reflash after I did stupid things and hardbricked, fully expecting to pay for it, and it was returned to me flashed and at no charge. This was after I told the customer service rep that I was flashing custom firmware and i screwed it up.
YMMV.
The worst case scenario there is they void your warranty and charge you a minimal fee to reflash it.
As for your bootloaders, you pushed a custom recovery that failed, corrupted, or was an incorrect application. The recovery lies in the bootloader..
If it doesn't power up, won't go into download mode, and Odin won't flash it I'd say its jtag or send it to sammy time.
I see, well i do not care if they charge me anything. Money is not an issue, Ok well i just got the email from Samsung with the shipping label. Thanks for your information.
neubauej said:
If you send it to Samsung its unlikely they will notice or care that its rooted.
I have sent them 2 devices that I wanted them to reflash after I did stupid things and hardbricked, fully expecting to pay for it, and it was returned to me flashed and at no charge. This was after I told the customer service rep that I was flashing custom firmware and i screwed it up.
YMMV.
The worst case scenario there is they void your warranty and charge you a minimal fee to reflash it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Goodluck!
Fyi 5.4.8.7 is the clockwork version I'm running.
After doing some more research, i found that another person with a different Samsung phone. Followed the same instructions to flash ClockworkMod via Android Mobile Terminal using the same instructions i did and got the same problem. On his post somebody told him that the flash was made to the wrong partition or something like that. So ... Lesson for next time. READ EVERYTHING BEFORE TRYING IT!
neubauej said:
Goodluck!
Fyi 5.4.8.7 is the clockwork version I'm running.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah just go to Samsung. Its too bad u never read that the newer versions of CWM recovery don't work on the 747m. The 747 and our m variants are close but still a bit different in a few ways although when coming here for rooms and stuff we have to use this at&t 747. Section. There is a great rooting post under the development stickies and it mentions the UNICERSAL VERSION OF CWM RECOVERY FOR 747m phones and that is the one I used and all of us 747m users should install. 5.4.0.4 or something like that. Definitely not 5.8.x.x. I could have told u that would brick your phone and most proper posts would too. And unfortunately yes the recovery resides in the boot loader area so it can cause a brick.. so keep that in mind when u get your phone fixed. Either use the earlier cwm rec version or just change to TWRP RECOVERY which I just did and many recommend now anyways.
Good luck and I'll come back to post the link with the best root and cwm rec install forOUR 747M phones and remember there are some differences and not all 747 mods will work for us so please read up first
Sent from my SGH-I747M using xda premium
pchemerys said:
Yeah just go to Samsung. Its too bad u never read that the newer versions of CWM recovery don't work on the 747m. The 747 and our m variants are close but still a bit different in a few ways although when coming here for rooms and stuff we have to use this at&t 747. Section. There is a great rooting post under the development stickies and it mentions the UNICERSAL VERSION OF CWM RECOVERY FOR 747m phones and that is the one I used and all of us 747m users should install. 5.4.0.4 or something like that. Definitely not 5.8.x.x. I could have told u that would brick your phone and most proper posts would too. And unfortunately yes the recovery resides in the boot loader area so it can cause a brick.. so keep that in mind when u get your phone fixed. Either use the earlier cwm rec version or just change to TWRP RECOVERY which I just did and many recommend now anyways.
Good luck and I'll come back to post the link with the best root and cwm rec install forOUR 747M phones and remember there are some differences and not all 747 mods will work for us so please read up first
Sent from my SGH-I747M using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think the version he used was the issue as other Canadian users report that 5.8.x.x works fine.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=29664739
Edit: the link with instructions for terminal emulator on the op is for the lg thrill which writes the recovery onto block 6. On this phone it needs to be written to block 18.
Sent from my HTC One S using xda app-developers app
Frowben said:
I don't think the version he used was the issue as other Canadian users report that 5.8.x.x works fine.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=29664739
Edit: the link with instructions for terminal emulator on the op is for the lg thrill which writes the recovery onto block 6. On this phone it needs to be written to block 18.
Sent from my HTC One S using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah yes..that makes sense. That would pooch the phone. As for cwm it appears I was mislead as I read on few posts that newest versions don't work or not recommended for Canadian variant but it appears u might be right and I'm now seeing more and more report that it is installable. I'll have to check it out. Thanks
You flashed a recovery for the LG Thrill 4G. At what point in time did you assume it was the same phone as the I747M? You have bricked your phone. It needs JTAG service. Samsung will probably cover it under warranty, or you can pay someone that has the equipment to do it. You have no other options at this point. When you get it back from repairs, make sure you only flash AT&T/Bell/Telus/Rogers I747(M) software to the phone....
Ya i got the phone back from Samsung after waiting 3 weeks. They had to change the motherboard on the phone. Yes, it was the wrong instructions i followed which screwed me over! Since than i re-rooted how i did the first time i got the phone. Just a few days ago i saw the new CyanogenMod 10 M1 Rom, which i wanted to install. And again like last time in order to install it i had to upgrade my CWM to the newest version. This time i did not rush into it like last time and consulted with my buddy who is an expert in Android. The problem i had last time was i downloaded the new CWM in an .img file, and this time i ended up finding the newest CWM in a .tar and used Odin to flash it successfully. Than i just installed the rom and was good to go. My main reason for wanting to install a custom rom was i was getting absolutely HORRIBLE battery life from my S3. I ended up buying a juice pack which greatly helped me out. But now that i have CM10 my battery life is phenomenal, + the juice pack i now go maybe 2 days without having to charge. Now my sister who has the Wind Mobile S3 T999V wants me to upgrade her rom to the same as mine. I have found the T-Mobile CWM for her phone, and all the relevant software, but i am still hesitant to install the CWM on her phone. The T-Mobile CWM 6.0.1.2 is compatible with the Wind Mobile S3 T999V right? Or do i have to use a different version?
just to be clear about where you went wrong (im sure its been said already)
the guide you followed to install cwm is from the lg thrill forum. so the command dd if=... of=... had the wrong device id which is the most common cause of a brick
its actually pretty difficult to mess up your phone as long as you don't use mods designed for other devices
jefferson9 said:
just to be clear about where you went wrong (im sure its been said already)
the guide you followed to install cwm is from the lg thrill forum. so the command dd if=... of=... had the wrong device id which is the most common cause of a brick
its actually pretty difficult to mess up your phone as long as you don't use mods designed for other devices
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, i know that. I realized after i had done everything that the instructions where for another phone. Now im trying to find the CWM 6.0.1.2 for my sister phone T-Mobile S3 T999V that is in a .tar file already. Any suggestions on where i can get it?
I use cwm 5.8 .0.4 i think and it works fine go to the dev stickies and its there
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium
JB calhoun said:
I use cwm 5.8 .0.4 i think and it works fine go to the dev stickies and its there
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ya for my sisters phone i have that version as a flashable tar, however to install CM 10 M1 i need to install CWM 6.0.1.2.
Did u try rom manager
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium

[Q] Completely stuck on sgh-t999v (wind) root job...ughhh

Hey all,
So I've checked as much as I could to try and help myself before posting, so hoping some kinds souls can help out with my issue.
Got a samsung galaxy s3 SGH-T999V on Wind Mobile (Canada), android 4.3. My aim is to root the phone, then play with some roms later on, but at least get the rooting part done. I started with this hxxp://theunlockr.com/2012/07/23/how-to-root-and-install-clockworkmod-recovery-on-the-samsung-galaxy-s3-sgh-t999v-canadian-version guide, but the CMW didn't get installed when I went into recovery mode, just had the stock phone recovery options.
So then, went on to try pretty much the exact same procedure but with the root66_GLW_T999VVLALH2.7z..but Odin gave me the failed sbl2 error or something like that. Now i didn't have anything to backup so I didn't really care wiping the phone to factory default so I did so ( as well as the cache partition using the default android recovery menu.) But even still, no luck. When I tried again, it (Odin that is) just seemed to hang at the phase that stated "get PIT" or something like that (apologies I'm pulling this all from memory).. Had no real choice but to interrupt it restart, try again, back to the sbl2 error again. Doing this from a Win7x64 Ultimate OS (if that's relevant). I HATE the phone the way it is, I cannot stand the bloatware and I have a lot in mind to have fun with if I can ever get this bloody thing to root.
I think that's about all I can mention atm, did the usual stuff like try different usb ports, the phones USB cable 'seems' to be ok and working, I'm just beyond frustrated and finally at the part where I need to ask for help. Any and all help is deeply appreciated. Cheers
i also want help rooting my T999v version 4.1.2 cant seem to find a tutorial for rooting of version 4.1.2
ksec said:
Hey all,
So I've checked as much as I could to try and help myself before posting, so hoping some kinds souls can help out with my issue.
Got a samsung galaxy s3 SGH-T999V on Wind Mobile (Canada), android 4.3. My aim is to root the phone, then play with some roms later on, but at least get the rooting part done. I started with this hxxp://theunlockr.com/2012/07/23/how-to-root-and-install-clockworkmod-recovery-on-the-samsung-galaxy-s3-sgh-t999v-canadian-version guide, but the CMW didn't get installed when I went into recovery mode, just had the stock phone recovery options.
So then, went on to try pretty much the exact same procedure but with the root66_GLW_T999VVLALH2.7z..but Odin gave me the failed sbl2 error or something like that. Now i didn't have anything to backup so I didn't really care wiping the phone to factory default so I did so ( as well as the cache partition using the default android recovery menu.) But even still, no luck. When I tried again, it (Odin that is) just seemed to hang at the phase that stated "get PIT" or something like that (apologies I'm pulling this all from memory).. Had no real choice but to interrupt it restart, try again, back to the sbl2 error again. Doing this from a Win7x64 Ultimate OS (if that's relevant). I HATE the phone the way it is, I cannot stand the bloatware and I have a lot in mind to have fun with if I can ever get this bloody thing to root.
I think that's about all I can mention atm, did the usual stuff like try different usb ports, the phones USB cable 'seems' to be ok and working, I'm just beyond frustrated and finally at the part where I need to ask for help. Any and all help is deeply appreciated. Cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you're on 4.3 stock you'll have to deal with this new thing they added called "Knox". Also you cannot downgrade to older versions of official firmware if you have updated to 4.3 stock. Root66 won't work for you unless there's a version of root66 firmware that is 4.3 (which there isn't). Here's a thread that should solve this problem for you: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2563955
dorian2kx said:
i also want help rooting my T999v version 4.1.2 cant seem to find a tutorial for rooting of version 4.1.2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since you haven't updated to 4.3 yet, you don't have to deal with Knox, so use the root66 method here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1949687
adslee said:
If you're on 4.3 stock you'll have to deal with this new thing they added called "Knox". Also you cannot downgrade to older versions of official firmware if you have updated to 4.3 stock. Root66 won't work for you unless there's a version of root66 firmware that is 4.3 (which there isn't). Here's a thread that should solve this problem for you: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2563955
Since you haven't updated to 4.3 yet, you don't have to deal with Knox, so use the root66 method here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1949687
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey adslee, thnks for the reply. I noticed the Knox app. Well then, that explains somethings. It did give me the impression that something was inhibiting the process. I'll check out the link you provided and let you know. Cheers
Thanks bro but can u please tell me how can i know what type my phone is, i mean is it a wind, videotron etc? Or it doesn't matter? Are they the same
dorian2kx said:
Thanks bro but can u please tell me how can i know what type my phone is, i mean is it a wind, videotron etc? Or it doesn't matter? Are they the same
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Look Under the Battery on thw White Sticker. What do you have in there for a Model Name?
i have there a SGH-T999V
dorian2kx said:
i have there a SGH-T999V
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well then that's the Device you have. Anything said in Settings > Model is suspect. If I modify ro.device in Build.prop then My Galaxy S3 will appear instantly as S4 or Nexus 5. That does not mean it is one.
You always go by what's under the Battery and not by Settings > Model.

[Q] SGH-t999n bricked?? HELP!

I just bought this metro s3 and wanted to root it, well supersu was giving error everytime I tapped it so I decided to try an unroot with many of the methods on here and along the way ended up where my phone will not get past the galaxy siii sgh-t999n boot screen.
I used odin to do this, my phone is not being recognized under auto play but pc makes the connection sound when I plug usb in to my pc.
anyways I'm stuck at that screen and can only enter odin recovery on my phone and I have tried factory reset and still end up at the same boot screen and left it like that all night an woke up to the same screen.
I'm hoping this is not not a $300. brick.
I did download the files from a thread that described the files below were for the "T999l & T999n" and IF there was any difference int he files then the OP would point that out he said and I tripple checked to make sure in the section of the listed files to download did not mention the T999n was not for those specific files but there was nothing mentioned..
Please link the said thread.
You have not specified the firmware and android version you had before all this happened. Please specify that. Next Course of action depends on as much information you could provide about previous setup, Bootloader, Rom, Kernel & Baseband.
I think you only have a Non-Bootable Rom. I'd call that as a soft-Brick and not Hard-Brick. So there's no chance of you getting a $300 Paperweight. :laugh:
Having said that, given that all you want is Root, then
1. Flash Root66 version of your Firmware.
Perseus71 said:
Please link the said thread.
You have not specified the firmware and android version you had before all this happened. Please specify that. Next Course of action depends on as much information you could provide about previous setup, Bootloader, Rom, Kernel & Baseband.
I think you only have a Non-Bootable Rom. I'd call that as a soft-Brick and not Hard-Brick. So there's no chance of you getting a $300 Paperweight. :laugh:
Having said that, given that all you want is Root, then
1. Flash Root66 version of your Firmware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I have solved my boot issues my installing CWM (which before would not stick after boot) and flashing 3 files from Docholiday on a thread but now the phone boots up as a T999L 4g LTE and has changed the model number under about phone. I have to unlock the phone as I only have a tmobile sim for this said Metropcs T999N device so I will see what happens after I try to unlock it.
thanks you for your prompt response!!
If Settings > About > Model is the only problem you have, then use Build.prop Editor from Playstore and change the value for RO.BUILD.DISPLAY.ID. Set it to what your device is.
Im not bothered by it myself as long as it wont effect my device?? also effect any future updates or when a program tries to sync with my device or anything other??
I don't believe there would be issues of this nature.

Please help fast

I have a Tmobile Galaxy S4 SGH-M919, I have tried every rooting method I can fine and so far all I have done is made a brick, I need this phone working asap, and rooted so I can go onto Crickets service
PLEASE HELP
I can root Sprint, but when it comes to Tmobile apparently I'm an idiot
wolfen1086 said:
I have a Tmobile Galaxy S4 SGH-M919, I have tried every rooting method I can fine and so far all I have done is made a brick, I need this phone working asap, and rooted so I can go onto Crickets service
PLEASE HELP
I can root Sprint, but when it comes to Tmobile apparently I'm an idiot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This the method I used for rooting when I had 4.3
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2611175
Check my signature for a link to how I rooted with 4.4.2
Depending on the version of Android you have on that phone, it will trip the Knox flag. Which won't affect the performance of the phone, but will indicate you messed with your phone. There may be other rooting methods that work, but this one worked for me.
BTW, I found that method by using Search on this forum and Google.
Rob
wolfen1086 said:
I have a Tmobile Galaxy S4 SGH-M919, I have tried every rooting method I can fine and so far all I have done is made a brick, I need this phone working asap, and rooted so I can go onto Crickets service
PLEASE HELP
I can root Sprint, but when it comes to Tmobile apparently I'm an idiot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The safe root method is how i rooted with 4.3 but it is my understanding that you need your phone to be unlocked to use a different carrier. Unlocked and rooted are 2 different things.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Unlocked sop I can use whatever carrier I want.
Rooted Because I want control over my pohone and not somebody else saying what I can and cant do with it.
I can get it to bot in cwm recovery but thats all it won't rot the rom so I can see it its rooted or not. I followed eth entire instructions provided and used oden like it said to and all I suceded in doing was makeing a damn brick out of a phone I got to have running tomorrow morning
rlichtefeld said:
This the method I used for rooting when I had 4.3
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2611175
Check my signature for a link to how I rooted with 4.4.2
Depending on the version of Android you have on that phone, it will trip the Knox flag. Which won't affect the performance of the phone, but will indicate you messed with your phone. There may be other rooting methods that work, but this one worked for me.
BTW, I found that method by using Search on this forum and Google.
Rob
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Problem is I'm with Tmobile, my phone is a SGH-M919
wolfen1086 said:
Unlocked sop I can use whatever carrier I want.
Rooted Because I want control over my pohone and not somebody else saying what I can and cant do with it.
I can get it to bot in cwm recovery but thats all it won't rot the rom so I can see it its rooted or not. I followed eth entire instructions provided and used oden like it said to and all I suceded in doing was makeing a damn brick out of a phone I got to have running tomorrow morning
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you can get into Download mode (Power Off, then Volume Down+Power Button), then you'll need to download the Stock Rom and transfer it to your phone via ODIN. Do you know if you were 4.2, 4.3, or 4.42 before you bricked it? You can download the images from Sammobile.com
Rob
rlichtefeld said:
If you can get into Download mode (Power Off, then Volume Down+Power Button), then you'll need to download the Stock Rom and transfer it to your phone via ODIN. Do you know if you were 4.2, 4.3, or 4.42 before you bricked it? You can download the images from Sammobile.com
Rob
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I do I was 4.3
going to Samsung now to try to get the stock rom and start over, the only thing I have not tried yet is CF autoroot, if that don't work I guess its back on t mobile with their payment lies
wolfen1086 said:
Yes I do I was 4.3
going to Samsung now to try to get the stock rom and start over, the only thing I have not tried yet is CF autoroot, if that don't work I guess its back on t mobile with their payment lies
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have access to ClockWork Mod Recovery, wipte the cache and dalvik and see if that lets it boot.
If not, just download a rom, any rom from the dev section that you want to try and put it on a micro SD card. Put the SD card in your phone.
Do a full wipe (data, system, cache, dalvik) in recovery and flash the downlaoded ROM file. Your phone should boot right up.
You'll want a TouchWiz based rom if you still need to perform the SIM unlock proceedure so you can use it on the Cricket network. But once step at a time here...
wolfen1086 said:
Unlocked sop I can use whatever carrier I want.
Rooted Because I want control over my pohone and not somebody else saying what I can and cant do with it.
I can get it to bot in cwm recovery but thats all it won't rot the rom so I can see it its rooted or not. I followed eth entire instructions provided and used oden like it said to and all I suceded in doing was makeing a damn brick out of a phone I got to have running tomorrow morning
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok. You didn't mention your phone was unlocked in the OP.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
wolfen1086 said:
Problem is I'm with Tmobile, my phone is a SGH-M919
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you look at my signature, you'll see that I've got a SGH-M919 also and I'm on T-Mobile with a phone purchased from T-Mobile.
I've provided links that worked for me.
Rob
Kriptik210 said:
Ok. You didn't mention your phone was unlocked in the OP.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats cause it wasn;t rooted before, hopefully it is now, cause my wife just went to Cricket to see if she can get her Iphone and mine on their network
I finally got the phone rooted but I screwed it up so bad I had to install a different rom to make it work, so not I'm roted and running wicked rom .Next I installed, updated and ran region away, it said it didn;t know if it worked or not, but I was told that it does unlock so hopefully it did.
I havea different S4 here ( SGHM919) that I'm gonna try the cf auto root on when the battery is fully charged, cause both my sons have S4's and they want to keep the rom they have now just be unlocked
If you were looking at cwm recovery then you most likely have root.
Pp.
Sent from my Touchwiz device that never forgets apps.
PanchoPlanet said:
If you were looking at cwm recovery then you most likely have root.
Pp.
Sent from my Touchwiz device that never forgets apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And if you don't you can easily get root with CWMrecovery
Sent from your phone. You should be more careful where you leave that thing.
wolfen1086 said:
Thats cause it wasn;t rooted before, hopefully it is now, cause my wife just went to Cricket to see if she can get her Iphone and mine on their network
I finally got the phone rooted but I screwed it up so bad I had to install a different rom to make it work, so not I'm roted and running wicked rom .Next I installed, updated and ran region away, it said it didn;t know if it worked or not, but I was told that it does unlock so hopefully it did.
I havea different S4 here ( SGHM919) that I'm gonna try the cf auto root on when the battery is fully charged, cause both my sons have S4's and they want to keep the rom they have now just be unlocked
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I used Region away it says somewhere that it doesn't unlock your phone to where you can use other carriers. So you might want to find out lol
Sent from my SGH-M919 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Google is your friend.
Pp.
Sent from my Touchwiz device that never forgets apps.
Thank you gentlemen, my phone is working again, rooted, currently running wicked rom, all the other phones are rooted with the stock roms for the kiddies unless they want to have a better rom
Region away works perfectly on mine even though it says it doesn't know if it did.
I was going to use triangle away, but it says something about bricking my phone and I really don't give a damn about the counter so ........
PanchoPlanet, Google is NOT my friend when it comes to phones XDA id my friend when it comes to phones
Now to go look for the stock memo pad that comes with the S4, I like that one best its simple and works
I too prefer Memo Pad, it's quick and simple, my reference to Google was that its quicker than the XDA search and more accurate. Good to hear your back on track.
Pp.
Sent from my Touchwiz device that never forgets apps.
wolfen1086 said:
Thank you gentlemen, my phone is working again, rooted, currently running wicked rom, all the other phones are rooted with the stock roms for the kiddies unless they want to have a better rom
Region away works perfectly on mine even though it says it doesn't know if it did.
I was going to use triangle away, but it says something about bricking my phone and I really don't give a damn about the counter so ........
PanchoPlanet, Google is NOT my friend when it comes to phones XDA id my friend when it comes to phones
Now to go look for the stock memo pad that comes with the S4, I like that one best its simple and works
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If Google is not your friend, then maybe his big brother may be - Google Advanced Search:
https://www.google.com/advanced_search
where you can seach specific sites, specific words or phrases.
Rob
I found Smemo on line, took a while since I'm on oxycodone for pain due to a hernia operateing, but I got it, placed it in eth rom and reflashed it
Now I'd love to find a theme for Wicked V10 that would change teh color of the phone dialpad, I HATE white dialers, makes me remember when I was a kid back in teh 60' when my mom had nothing but white so she could see if it was clean, and sanitized, degermed, and all that, ( yes I was an outside type, and brought it all inside )
Oh and all I can say guys, is thanks for trying to help me I WILL figure it out for the firmware and hardware and software that I have, experimenting with a phone that I totally bricked today, gotta re-instal the entire os on it, so I'm gonna experiment with various versions of the SGH-M919 software, if I find out what works on what I'll post it for you guys to check and make sure I did right

[Q] Stock Firmware

Hello everyone i am in a peculiar situation i recently got s3 from my friend he said that it is I9300 but when i received it i came to know that it is T999 and not I9300 . My problem here is it came with android version 4.1.1 build number : I9300ZSEMC1 i didn't understand why it came with i9300 firmware ( i cannot ask my friend as he does not have much technical knowledge ) everything is working fine occasionally touch does not respond and i have bit of hard time switching on wi fi and weird battery drain problems what i want to know is , is these because of the i9300 firmware being present in t999 and whether is it advisable to update it further from 4.1.1 version to t999 latest stock firmware or to stick with the present version . If it is advisable to update to t999 based stock firmware i want to know whether it will work in indian carriers and wont have any problems and also can someone guide me for the right firmware link / build number to go with. :fingers-crossed:
I didn't know the firmware would actually flash across models.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk
tokenpoke said:
I didn't know the firmware would actually flash across models.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But it did ! Its a dual core version with 2 gb ram i verified it in download mode it stated as T999 and yet i wonder how is it running I9300 firmware !
toxicated2 said:
But it did ! Its a dual core version with 2 gb ram i verified it in download mode it stated as T999 and yet i wonder how is it running I9300 firmware !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Isn't the I9300 the 1gbp ram version?
Anyway, if certified in download mode you could just flash t999 firmware.
If that doesn't sound safe you can also put a t999 recovery on it and try doing a backup and installing a t999 rom
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk
tokenpoke said:
Isn't the I9300 the 1gbp ram version?
Anyway, if certified in download mode you could just flash t999 firmware.
If that doesn't sound safe you can also put a t999 recovery on it and try doing a backup and installing a t999 rom
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was thinking of using root_66 firmware for t999 will i end up locking the phone or will it work in indian network carriers after flashing tmobile firmware ?
toxicated2 said:
I was thinking of using root_66 firmware for t999 will i end up locking the phone or will it work in indian network carriers after flashing tmobile firmware ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds kinda like some of the "frankenphones" we've heard about over the last several months. Or it could also be a fake/chinese knock off. If I were you, I would see if there were any way to send it back to whoever sold it. If you plan to keep it though, understand anything you do is AT YOUR OWN RISK! The only absolutely safe course of action is to do nothing to it. If you try to flash it via Odin, and it allows it to flash, but you chose the wrong firmware, it WILL brick. There is honestly no possible way to know for sure what is up with the device.
If I had to guess, something is lying to you about what you are running. If your current firmware version is from an I9300, then that is most likely what you have. That firmware WILL NOT work on any Qualcomm, US model S3's. This tells me that its probably an I9300, and someone screwed with something, (or was careless when trying to copy Samsung), in the bootloader. Because it tells you it is a T999 in download mode, it will probably not let you flash the I9300 firmware. But if you try to flash the T999 firmware, there is a very good possibility you will brick it.
It is up to you what you want to try, but understand you are taking a bigger than normal risk since you already know the device isnt normal to begin with.
One way you can try to determine what motherboard it uses, (though this is by no means a for certain way to know), is go to the SIM unlock thread in General and try to follow those instructions. Also try the GPS fix thread in the Q&A sticky roll up. If I am not mistaken, both use dialer codes that are specific to Qualcomm devices. If they work, its a better chance of it being a T999. If they do not work, its more likely to be an I9300.
DocHoliday77 said:
Sounds kinda like some of the "frankenphones" we've heard about over the last several months. Or it could also be a fake/chinese knock off. If I were you, I would see if there were any way to send it back to whoever sold it. If you plan to keep it though, understand anything you do is AT YOUR OWN RISK! The only absolutely safe course of action is to do nothing to it. If you try to flash it via Odin, and it allows it to flash, but you chose the wrong firmware, it WILL brick. There is honestly no possible way to know for sure what is up with the device.
If I had to guess, something is lying to you about what you are running. If your current firmware version is from an I9300, then that is most likely what you have. That firmware WILL NOT work on any Qualcomm, US model S3's. This tells me that its probably an I9300, and someone screwed with something, (or was careless when trying to copy Samsung), in the bootloader. Because it tells you it is a T999 in download mode, it will probably not let you flash the I9300 firmware. But if you try to flash the T999 firmware, there is a very good possibility you will brick it.
It is up to you what you want to try, but understand you are taking a bigger than normal risk since you already know the device isnt normal to begin with.
One way you can try to determine what motherboard it uses, (though this is by no means a for certain way to know), is go to the SIM unlock thread in General and try to follow those instructions. Also try the GPS fix thread in the Q&A sticky roll up. If I am not mistaken, both use dialer codes that are specific to Qualcomm devices. If they work, its a better chance of it being a T999. If they do not work, its more likely to be an I9300.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I decided to go ahead with flashing root66 firmware and selected the latest 4.3 can't express how nervous i was to find out the outcome of it and then finally when the process was over to my surprise i did not face any bootloops or any other problem infact the network seemed to be working well and no problems as far now happy !! Thanks for the help @DocHoliday77 @tokenpoke
toxicated2 said:
I decided to go ahead with flashing root66 firmware and selected the latest 4.3 can't express how nervous i was to find out the outcome of it and then finally when the process was over to my surprise i did not face any bootloops or any other problem infact the network seemed to be working well and no problems as far now happy !! Thanks for the help @DocHoliday77 @tokenpoke
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a chance that someone modified the model number in the phone to access certain apps or something.
I remember modifying a phone to do that go some exclusive app a couple years ago.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk

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