Develop Bugs

[Q] Will I receive t-mobile 4.1.2 update?

I am curious if I will receive the new S3 update, as I am rooted on stock rom. I have not received any update notifications yet, but I know other people that have. Pressing "software update" in settings just waits saying "Checking for software updates". What do I need to do to get the update?

TyIsOwned said:
I am curious if I will receive the new S3 update, as I am rooted on stock rom. I have not received any update notifications yet, but I know other people that have. Pressing "software update" in settings just waits saying "Checking for software updates". What do I need to do to get the update?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are rooted, my guess is that you most likely tripped the modified counter. By default if you are not using a work around, Samsung has certain methods in place that detect when you modifiy your phone or boot loader. Once tripped, you will most likely not get any ota updates. To check, first ensure that you dont have a yellow exclamation mark while your phone is booting, second, go to settings about phone and there is a string that she either read normal or modified. If you are rooted though, why dont you just flash one of the new roms with android 4.1.2? That is the update.

re: flashing
TyIsOwned said:
I am curious if I will receive the new S3 update, as I am rooted on stock rom. I have not received any update notifications yet, but I know other people that have. Pressing "software update" in settings just waits saying "Checking for software updates". What do I need to do to get the update?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Forget waiting for the OTA update, why not download the full Samsung T999 S3 stock-rooted
deoxidized firmware and flash your phone with it. Since your phone is already rooted, it's easy.
Good Luck!

tp2215 said:
If you are rooted, my guess is that you most likely tripped the modified counter. By default if you are not using a work around, Samsung has certain methods in place that detect when you modifiy your phone or boot loader. Once tripped, you will most likely not get any ota updates. To check, first ensure that you dont have a yellow exclamation mark while your phone is booting, second, go to settings about phone and there is a string that she either read normal or modified. If you are rooted though, why dont you just flash one of the new roms with android 4.1.2? That is the update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Misterjunky said:
Forget waiting for the OTA update, why not download the full Samsung T999 S3 stock-rooted
deoxidized firmware and flash your phone with it. Since your phone is already rooted, it's easy.
Good Luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, it appears I am modified. I used triangle away in the past. I havn't done any phone mods in a long time, and I basically have root for apps requiring SU. I did not want to have to break out the USB cable and download a 700MB file if I could just run the update tool (call me lazy).

re: update
TyIsOwned said:
Yes, it appears I am modified. I used triangle away in the past. I havn't done any phone mods in a long time, and I basically have root for apps requiring SU. I did not want to have to break out the USB cable and download a 700MB file if I could just run the update tool (call me lazy).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well in that case, why not just wait for the OTA update... (you will never see one unless your phone is 100% stock) LOL

Misterjunky said:
Well in that case, why not just wait for the OTA update... (you will never see one unless your phone is 100% stock) LOL
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right, I went ahead and updated using cwm and the stock rom and am now on 4.1.2. Flashing was just scary to me when I havnt done it in a very long time

If you wish to do it the easy way I'd say TWRP it. But another way is Odin back to complete stock UVDLJC so that your status is normal and not modified. I'm pretty sure TriangleAway doesn't need to be used to reset your binary for an OTA. Just the ROM itself can't be detected as modified for the OTA to work.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app

TyIsOwned said:
Right, I went ahead and updated using cwm and the stock rom and am now on 4.1.2. Flashing was just scary to me when I havnt done it in a very long time
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you don't mind me asking, how exactly did you go about that? I was on CM, tried changing the rom, messed up, ended going to my backup of touchwiz 4.1.1 and don't mind it but I'd like to go to 4.1.2. I'm a noob at this so if you can help me out that would be awesome. Thank you.

Go to my firmware thread stickied in development. You will find firmware and instruction there.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium

[Q] help changing status from modified to normal/original

hey guys I'm having some issue changing my phone back to stock, i did some digging around and found some stuff on different models though. I'm on a t-mobile galaxy s3 sgh-t999, i rooted my phone to get WiFi tethering. found out later that the new jellybean firmware blocks it so its pretty much useless now. i unrooted my phone using mobile odin, triangle away to rest count and cwm recovery to do so. wiped cache partition and did a factory reset. the unroot was successful but my phone says modified now instead of normal or original like its supposed to. the stock rom that i flashed takes me back to 4.0.4 ics when it goes to download updates it stops at 4.1.1 after that i get a message saying my phone is modified and updates are not available. all i want is my phone back to normal like i just bought it, I'm thinking about exchanging it and I'm pretty sure they wont take it if the status reads modified. i read this thread about a root66_TMO_T889UVALL4 rom with odin that keeps everything stock and keeps the count at zero thought the whole wipe and boot process. is that something i could use on my phone? any info on how i can fix this is extremely appreciated guys thanks.

Do not flash anything.
Open the battery compartment of your phone, take the battery out, and tell us what the model number says.

Aerowinder said:
Do not flash anything.
Open the battery compartment of your phone, take the battery out, and tell us what the model number says.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
tmobile SGH-T999

Use the firmware from this page, so you don't brick your phone: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1949687

Aerowinder said:
Use the firmware from this page, so you don't brick your phone: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1949687
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
one more question, like i said i just unrooted my phone do i have to root it again in order to flash the rom you liked me to?

You don't need to be rooted to flash a ROM.

4.4.2 OTA trouble?

Hey all,
I caught wind of the 4.4.2 update, so I decided to see how it is. I had used saferoot to gain root access to it, but all I did was use Xposed to modify my phone. No recoveries or anything, and the warranty bit is 0 on the download mode screen. Just to be safe, I wiped data/factory reset to make sure everything was gone, then I started the OTA download. All goes as it should until it reboots to install it, where it gets stuck at 25%, then says "update failed". Phone reboots, and then a window pops up saying the update was interrupted. Anyone else having this issue? Anyone know any workarounds? Because if this phone just won't update, there it no reason for my to keep my warranty bit, since I have less than a week on the warranty left anyhow.

TH3F4LL3N said:
Hey all,
I caught wind of the 4.4.2 update, so I decided to see how it is. I had used saferoot to gain root access to it, but all I did was use Xposed to modify my phone. No recoveries or anything, and the warranty bit is 0 on the download mode screen. Just to be safe, I wiped data/factory reset to make sure everything was gone, then I started the OTA download. All goes as it should until it reboots to install it, where it gets stuck at 25%, then says "update failed". Phone reboots, and then a window pops up saying the update was interrupted. Anyone else having this issue? Anyone know any workarounds? Because if this phone just won't update, there it no reason for my to keep my warranty bit, since I have less than a week on the warranty left anyhow.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you try re-downloading it?

BWolf56 said:
Did you try re-downloading it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is my 3rd attempt to re-download it. It's currently at 94%, so I'll let you know how it goes.

TH3F4LL3N said:
This is my 3rd attempt to re-download it. It's currently at 94%, so I'll let you know how it goes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After my 3rd attempt, without my sd card inserted this time, the update failed again! This is starting to get irritating. Maybe I should just flash CM11 or something like that.

TH3F4LL3N said:
After my 3rd attempt, without my sd card inserted this time, the update failed again! This is starting to get irritating. Maybe I should just flash CM11 or something like that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's kinda odd that it still fails after so many downloads (and so close to being complete).
If there's only a week left to your warranty, you can start looking at custom ROM you might like (AOSP or TW). By the time you find one you really like and understand how to flash it (without any issue), you will have time to give the OTA another shot. Will be some good knowledge reading in the meantime
Little advice: Don't flash a custom ROM while annoyed/mad. That's how 80% of bricks happen.

BWolf56 said:
It's kinda odd that it still fails after so many downloads (and so close to being complete).
If there's only a week left to your warranty, you can start looking at custom ROM you might like (AOSP or TW). By the time you find one you really like and understand how to flash it (without any issue), you will have time to give the OTA another shot. Will be some good knowledge reading in the meantime
Little advice: Don't flash a custom ROM while annoyed/mad. That's how 80% of bricks happen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok thanks for the advice, mate. I heard if I take it to Best Buy, they can update it. Do you know if it's free?

TH3F4LL3N said:
Ok thanks for the advice, mate. I heard if I take it to Best Buy, they can update it. Do you know if it's free?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Imo it should be but you can always give them a call to make sure.
Just make sure you aren't rooted when going there lol.

BWolf56 said:
Imo it should be but you can always give them a call to make sure.
Just make sure you aren't rooted when going there lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haha I know the basics of rooting. If I go, my phone will be the way it is right now: stuck on stock 4.3 with nothing on it but the bloatware from Sammy and AT&T

TH3F4LL3N said:
Haha I know the basics of rooting. If I go, my phone will be the way it is right now: stuck on stock 4.3 with nothing on it but the bloatware from Sammy and AT&T
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just noticed that the device status is custom, even though I've wiped data. Is that what is causing this trouble? If so, is there a way to fix it?

Yea when you modify the system at all it trips the modified flag and that's probably where its failing (not the warranty bit flag that's at 0 but the one that's in the system itself) try to Odin to full stock and try it again this should revert it back to official
Sent from my ATT Samsung Galaxy SIII using TapaTalk

TH3F4LL3N said:
I just noticed that the device status is custom, even though I've wiped data. Is that what is causing this trouble? If so, is there a way to fix it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to run Triangle Away whiule rooted to change it back to official

audit13 said:
You need to run Triangle Away whiule rooted to change it back to official
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will this work for 4.3?

I never tried it on 4.3, only on 4.1.2. Since you have Knox, rooting and installing SU may trip the knox counter. Did you try uninstalling Xposed and running the update?

TH3F4LL3N said:
I just noticed that the device status is custom, even though I've wiped data. Is that what is causing this trouble? If so, is there a way to fix it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
crazymonkey05 said:
Yea when you modify the system at all it trips the modified flag and that's probably where its failing (not the warranty bit flag that's at 0 but the one that's in the system itself) try to Odin to full stock and try it again this should revert it back to official
Sent from my ATT Samsung Galaxy SIII using TapaTalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One thing, don't downgrade bootloaders doing so. That will result in a brick.

audit13 said:
I never tried it on 4.3, only on 4.1.2. Since you have Knox, rooting and installing SU may trip the knox counter. Did you try uninstalling Xposed and running the update?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have, and I've wiped the phone at least 3 or 4 times!
BWolf56 said:
One thing, don't downgrade bootloaders doing so. That will result in a brick.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How would I go about this? I have the stock 4.1.1 tar file, and I can't get the 4.3 file because AT&T's update was OTA only, and I can't find the 4.3 tar file anywhere!

TH3F4LL3N said:
I have, and I've wiped the phone at least 3 or 4 times!
How would I go about this? I have the stock 4.1.1 tar file, and I can't get the 4.3 file because AT&T's update was OTA only, and I can't find the 4.3 tar file anywhere!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is your current baseband LK3? If so, 4.1.1 should be fine.

BWolf56 said:
Is your current baseband LK3? If so, 4.1.1 should be fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am in the about device section of the settings, and it says the baseband version is I747UCUEMJB. Is this the right one?

TH3F4LL3N said:
I am in the about device section of the settings, and it says the baseband version is I747UCUEMJB. Is this the right one?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That would be the 4.3. You can't downgrade from those bootloaders. Therefor, you need stock 4.3

BWolf56 said:
That would be the 4.3. You can't downgrade from those bootloaders.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well that's just great. I'm stuck on 4.3. Could I possibly flash something like CM11 to get to kitkat? Of course, I'd like to back up the stock rom in case something goes wrong, but it would be wonderful if I could use CM on my phone again! I used the saferoot method to gain root access in the first place, which disabled KNOX if that means anything.

TH3F4LL3N said:
Well that's just great. I'm stuck on 4.3. Could I possibly flash something like CM11 to get to kitkat? Of course, I'd like to back up the stock rom in case something goes wrong, but it would be wonderful if I could use CM on my phone again! I used the saferoot method to gain root access in the first place, which disabled KNOX if that means anything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you can, it's fairly simple too. Just gotta follow their instructions (don't skip anything).
As for recovery, I recommend TWRP, which you can get on the Play Store.

Second Hand Note II, cannot get cellular data

I apologize if i am not as clear in this post as I need to be. My dad tried to root his note 2 sgh i371 using odin but said that once he did this, he was unable to access the internet outside of connecting to wifi, he could not get any cellular data. Because of this issue, he tried to then un-root his phone by flashing 4.1.2 stock rom. Unfortunately, the issue of not being able to get cellular data persists. In his frustration, my dad bought a note 3 and gave his note 2 to me saying that if I could fix it I could keep it. This is my first android and I would like to make it my primary phone if possible. what I would like to simply to reset the phone to factory default settings by flashing the latest stock rom for the phone. I have Odin, I was hoping that someone could tell me where I could get the latest stock rom and, if they believed that flashing it would fix the cellular data issue. I do not believe my dad made a backup at all. Thank you in advance.

GreatGrizzwald said:
I apologize if i am not as clear in this post as I need to be. My dad tried to root his note 2 sgh i371 using odin but said that once he did this, he was unable to access the internet outside of connecting to wifi, he could not get any cellular data. Because of this issue, he tried to then un-root his phone by flashing 4.1.2 stock rom. Unfortunately, the issue of not being able to get cellular data persists. In his frustration, my dad bought a note 3 and gave his note 2 to me saying that if I could fix it I could keep it. This is my first android and I would like to make it my primary phone if possible. what I would like to simply to reset the phone to factory default settings by flashing the latest stock rom for the phone. I have Odin, I was hoping that someone could tell me where I could get the latest stock rom and, if they believed that flashing it would fix the cellular data issue. I do not believe my dad made a backup at all. Thank you in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sammobile has all the stock firmwares for our phones, check there. Also check in about phone to see what it says, if it says Baseband unknown, then the EFS folder (and subsequently IMEI #, etc) have been corrupted. It's possible flashing the latest stock firmware will fix it (it includes a new modem and all), so try that first.
http://www.sammobile.com/

absinthesummer said:
Sammobile has all the stock firmwares for our phones, check there. Also check in about phone to see what it says, if it says Baseband unknown, then the EFS folder (and subsequently IMEI #, etc) have been corrupted. It's possible flashing the latest stock firmware will fix it (it includes a new modem and all), so try that first.
Thank you very much for the advice. I am downloading the firmware now. baseband version is showing i317ucama4. Right now the phone is not activated with AT&T, is there a way I could test if I will be able to get cellular data before going to AT&T and activating it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Well you're baseband is good. Just get a little cheap prepaid sim card for testing purposes. The stock firmware should fix anything in the modem or system that could have been corrupted... So flash that and have a cheap at&t Sim handy for testing.

Just use your father's sim card. Either it connects to the GSM network or it doesn't.

absinthesummer said:
Well you're baseband is good. Just get a little cheap prepaid sim card for testing purposes. The stock firmware should fix anything in the modem or system that could have been corrupted... So flash that and have a cheap at&t Sim handy for testing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I attempted to flash the stock rom via odin v. 307 but I get a failed message. The phone shows I have a custom binary download (12 counts), official Samsung binar but, my system status is custom and my knox warranty is void: 1. Then there is a red message stating "unsupported version" at the bottom. The date for the stock rom was Jan 2013 AT&T, US on the sammobile site. I can no longer boot into the phone's OS, I am stuck in download mode until I manually restart and then it displays a message that I need to connect to Kies recovery. Thank you for the help so far, Any chance I can salvage this phone still? I did try going into Kies, but it cannot connect with my phone for some reason?

1425
rangercaptain said:
Just use your father's sim card. Either it connects to the GSM network or it doesn't.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately, I got the phone when I was visiting home, I currently live a few states away from him. It would definitely make things much simpler if I didn't right now though.

GreatGrizzwald said:
I attempted to flash the stock rom via odin v. 307 but I get a failed message. The phone shows I have a custom binary download (12 counts), official Samsung binar but, my system status is custom and my knox warranty is void: 1. Then there is a red message stating "unsupported version" at the bottom. The date for the stock rom was Jan 2013 AT&T, US on the sammobile site. I can no longer boot into the phone's OS, I am stuck in download mode until I manually restart and then it displays a message that I need to connect to Kies recovery. Thank you for the help so far, Any chance I can salvage this phone still? I did try going into Kies, but it cannot connect with my phone for some reason?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It sounds like the phone was updated previously to either 4.3 or 4.4.2, which have Knox and that pesky counter. Technically you can't directly downgrade, so be sure you're downloading firmware that is 4.3 or higher. I didn't realize sammobile only went to MA4 for US AT&T. (In a pinch you can use Canadian firmware, but we have other links for stock firmware). Also, don't worry too much about Kies. It can be helpful, but honestly I could never get my note 2 recognized by kies either.
When I get back from taking my kids to school, I'll gather some links that will help you revive this phone Links below:
@GreatGrizzwald:
More recent links to stock firmware: STOCK PACKAGES TO MK6 This is LJ2 (4.1.2), MK6 (4.3) and up. He's got all the stock firmwares, available for flashing either in recovery on via odin. I've highlighted the one I would use in the attached screenshot (MK6- ODIN)
He also has a thread for NE5 (The latest firmware, 4.4.2) HERE
So if MK6 doesn't work, try NE5. One of those two has to work. You're dad already updated to either 4.3 or 4.4.2, I don't know which so start with 4.3 (MK6) and if it doesn't work try 4.4.2 (NE5)
On those two threads, he has a TON of links that will be helpful to you in getting back to stock also.
And here's a reference page with some useful links: One Stop Shop
This one is dedicated to downgrading back to LJ2 (4.1.2) from 4.3+, it MIGHT come in handy for you: Downgrade Instructions
If you have trouble with the stock firmware, you can also try Chainfire's CF Auto Root. It's stock firmware but it's rooted. Try the other firmwares by Zen Arcade first though CF AUTO ROOT
We'll get it going for you The stock firmware will re-flash the modem and all the configuration files so you're data should work again. Then you can do whatever you want, root, recovery, flash other stuff, or leave it stock. You got this
---------- Post added at 07:51 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:09 AM ----------
GreatGrizzwald said:
Unfortunately, I got the phone when I was visiting home, I currently live a few states away from him. It would definitely make things much simpler if I didn't right now though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also you have to figure out if it's software or hardware. I'm inclined to believe it's software so I think if you get it back to stock you'll be good. If it was hardware, it wouldn't even recognize a sim being inserted (recently repaired an htc one mini with this problem, it needed a new Sim tray, thankfully it was only $20).
But it sounds more like a bad flash corrupted some of those important files and configurations controlling data connections, it's all good, if it's software it can definitely be fixed. If it were hardware it could still be fixed it would just be a bit more time consuming.

One more thing, after you flash the stock firmware, and you have a sim card to test with, make sure your apn settings are correct for whichever carrier you're using. If the apn is wrong, or there is no apn listed, it won't connect. If you need assistance with that, let me know.

absinthesummer said:
One more thing, after you flash the stock firmware, and you have a sim card to test with, make sure your apn settings are correct for whichever carrier you're using. If the apn is wrong, or there is no apn listed, it won't connect. If you need assistance with that, let me know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for all this, I will start working with it today. You have been a huge help.

GreatGrizzwald said:
Thank you for all this, I will start working with it today. You have been a huge help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem, I know how much of a pain it can be when things just don't seem to be working. But you have all the resources you need now and I'm gonna talk to my friend who runs the one-stop shop page to see if he will update it and add some of these resources to make it easier for you, and others with similar problems, to find what they need. Good luck!

1100
absinthesummer said:
One more thing, after you flash the stock firmware, and you have a sim card to test with, make sure your apn settings are correct for whichever carrier you're using. If the apn is wrong, or there is no apn listed, it won't connect. If you need assistance with that, let me know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey, I was able to flash the stock rom you recommended, everything is working fine. Took the phone to AT&T and got a new sim card, everything seems to be working perfectly. Thank you again for all your assistance. could not have done this without your help.

GreatGrizzwald said:
Hey, I was able to flash the stock rom you recommended, everything is working fine. Took the phone to AT&T and got a new sim card, everything seems to be working perfectly. Thank you again for all your assistance. could not have done this without your help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is great news! I'm so glad it's working for you. Enjoy your (new-to-you) note 2 and keep those files on hand in case you need them in the future!

absinthesummer said:
No problem, I know how much of a pain it can be when things just don't seem to be working. But you have all the resources you need now and I'm gonna talk to my friend who runs the one-stop shop page to see if he will update it and add some of these resources to make it easier for you, and others with similar problems, to find what they need. Good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I can ask one more question, the phone keeps trying to download and install a software update however, it is unable to complete the update. Could this be because my counter was tripped? or could I be missing something that I should have flashed along with the stock firmware?

GreatGrizzwald said:
If I can ask one more question, the phone keeps trying to download and install a software update however, it is unable to complete the update. Could this be because my counter was tripped? or could I be missing something that I should have flashed along with the stock firmware?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are a few reasons it won't flash. If it still says custom in download mode, for instance, from when your dad tried to root it. You can check in your about phone section to see if it says modified or official. It should say official there but when you're in download mode it will tell you your status:custom.
Something like
Model : SGH-i317
Binary count:
Firmware: Samsung official
Status: Custom (it should say official to receive OTA)
Knox warranty bit: 0x1 (from where your dad tried to root)
^Either of those last two can prevent an OTA from completing. The update checks for certain things and then continues or rejects based on those checks.
Also (and this shouldn't apply to you) if you have a custom recovery installed or you've rooted and removed pre-installed apps, it won't flash. Check those things and your OTA should work. If it still doesn't, you can download the ne5 firmware I linked you to before. That's official 4.4.2 firmware and it will update you to the latest via Odin if you can't take the OTA for whatever reason.
The firmware you flashed should have taken everything back to stock for you, but it wouldn't really reset the Knox counter & custom status... and that very well could would an OTA. It seems it does anyway, so just update yourself with Odin.
Lastly, if you really want to reset completely, and be able to OTA, you can do that downgrade method I linked before to completely reset your phone and allow you receive OTAs again. (It would take you ALL the way back to 4.1.2 and you would OTA back to 4.3-4.4.2. Personally, I wouldn't do all that unless I planned to sell it, because the firmwares that are released for OTAs are usually available on here to flash with Odin within a day of release, so you'll always be able to have the latest firmware regardless.
Hope that helps you didn't miss anything, it's just the nature of the OTA.
---------- Post added at 09:08 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:02 PM ----------
Edited to add, you can also go about it another way: root it and use triangle away to reset your custom status & flash counter and then reflash the same firmware you did yesterday. Then you should be able to OTA. (Although I'm not 100% on whether or not the Knox counter will interfere with the OTA update, I think it's just the flash counter that trips it).
And if you want the OTA notice to stop completely, you can root it and turn off the notifications entirely. I wasn't sure on whether you wanted to take the update or not... if you do, I'd just update with the latest via Odin. It's the simplest way to update and you wouldn't have any issues or surprises that people tend to get with OTAs.

absinthesummer said:
There are a few reasons it won't flash. If it still says custom in download mode, for instance, from when your dad tried to root it. You can check in your about phone section to see if it says modified or official. It should say official there but when you're in download mode it will tell you your status:custom.
Something like
Model : SGH-i317
Binary count:
Firmware: Samsung official
Status: Custom (it should say official to receive OTA)
Knox warranty bit: 0x1 (from where your dad tried to root)
^Either of those last two can prevent an OTA from completing. The update checks for certain things and then continues or rejects based on those checks.
Also (and this shouldn't apply to you) if you have a custom recovery installed or you've rooted and removed pre-installed apps, it won't flash. Check those things and your OTA should work. If it still doesn't, you can download the ne5 firmware I linked you to before. That's official 4.4.2 firmware and it will update you to the latest via Odin if you can't take the OTA for whatever reason.
The firmware you flashed should have taken everything back to stock for you, but it wouldn't really reset the Knox counter & custom status... and that very well could would an OTA. It seems it does anyway, so just update yourself with Odin.
Lastly, if you really want to reset completely, and be able to OTA, you can do that downgrade method I linked before to completely reset your phone and allow you receive OTAs again. (It would take you ALL the way back to 4.1.2 and you would OTA back to 4.3-4.4.2. Personally, I wouldn't do all that unless I planned to sell it, because the firmwares that are released for OTAs are usually available on here to flash with Odin within a day of release, so you'll always be able to have the latest firmware regardless.
Hope that helps you didn't miss anything, it's just the nature of the OTA.
---------- Post added at 09:08 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:02 PM ----------
Edited to add, you can also go about it another way: root it and use triangle away to reset your custom status & flash counter and then reflash the same firmware you did yesterday. Then you should be able to OTA. (Although I'm not 100% on whether or not the Knox counter will interfere with the OTA update, I think it's just the flash counter that trips it).
And if you want the OTA notice to stop completely, you can root it and turn off the notifications entirely. I wasn't sure on whether you wanted to take the update or not... if you do, I'd just update with the latest via Odin. It's the simplest way to update and you wouldn't have any issues or surprises that people tend to get with OTAs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome, that makes a lot more sense now. Thanks again.

Hey I forgot you don't have custom recovery. Anyway, I sent you PMs,and you can do a search of this very forum- use the search term "update" or "ota" and you will find a LOT of threads on boot failures after OTA. Most people got their phones back.
If you can't get into DL mode (Vol-, Home, Power), try getting into the stock recovery (Vol+, Home, Power) because you should/could be able to factory reset the device from there. Also hold the button combo longer than usual. If one recovery option (DL mode) isn't working, than theoretically the other should still be accessible, through which you can adb sideload to the device or try factory reset. I know it's frustrating, but you're not the first nor the last to have an OTA go wrong ;/ We'll get ya back up & running.
You're not the only one in trouble after that update: http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-note-2-att/help/todays-update-soft-bricked-phone-t2939649

Unable to update S3 past 4.1.1

Hi. A few months ago I received a phone for my daughter from my mom. I reset the phone back to factory settings and it's working fine. I had to reset it back to factory again after locking myself out recently but other than that there hasn't been any issues until now. I picked up an activity tracker for my daughter recently and it wasn't connecting to the phone like it should even though it was listed as a compatible device.
Turns out the phone is at Android 4.1.1 and when I try to update it OTA it says there are no updates to download. So I tried updating through Kies and it isn't connecting the phone. At this time I started to do some more research.
The knox counter is at 2 and the device status is modified, which I have never rooted the phone and my mother can't even set up her wifi printer and most certainly can't root a phone. I installed triangle away but the phone needs to be rooted in order to do it's magic.
Do I need to root the phone in order to get the knox counter back to 0? Will this put the phone back where I can get android updates for it? I don't know where to start.

Boot into download mode. Do you see anything about warranty bit? If you do, the updates are working because it sounds like the phone has a stock 4.1.1 rom on a 4.3 or newer bootloader.

sarie15 said:
Hi. A few months ago I received a phone for my daughter from my mom. I reset the phone back to factory settings and it's working fine. I had to reset it back to factory again after locking myself out recently but other than that there hasn't been any issues until now. I picked up an activity tracker for my daughter recently and it wasn't connecting to the phone like it should even though it was listed as a compatible device.
Turns out the phone is at Android 4.1.1 and when I try to update it OTA it says there are no updates to download. So I tried updating through Kies and it isn't connecting the phone. At this time I started to do some more research.
The knox counter is at 2 and the device status is modified, which I have never rooted the phone and my mother can't even set up her wifi printer and most certainly can't root a phone. I installed triangle away but the phone needs to be rooted in order to do it's magic.
Do I need to root the phone in order to get the knox counter back to 0? Will this put the phone back where I can get android updates for it? I don't know where to start.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you would to reset the knox counter to 0x0... yes, you have firstly to root your phone, then install triangle away.

delete

Knox cannot be reset to 0x0 once it has been changed to 0x1.
Since the word "modified" appears in download mode, this leads me to conclude that the phone may be rooted and cannot receive ota updates.
It is strange that the phone is running 4.1.1 with Knox as Knox was not introduced until 4.3.
Before flashing anything, you need to confirm the phone's current bootloader and modem.

audit13 said:
Knox cannot be reset to 0x0 once it has been changed to 0x1.
Since the word "modified" appears in download mode, this leads me to conclude that the phone may be rooted and cannot receive ota updates.
It is strange that the phone is running 4.1.1 with Knox as Knox was not introduced until 4.3.
Before flashing anything, you need to confirm the phone's current bootloader and modem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do I confirm the bootloader and modem? I literally am learning all the language and how all of this works as I go. All I know is I have a phone that is running 4.1.1 and won't update and when I went to the download odis (I think that's what it is called) said it was tripped 2 times where I was supposed to read the knox number.
I ran to the mobile store it's connected to and they said the T Mobile Galaxy S3 phone that I-Wireless puts out was never given an update past 4.1.1 Not sure how true that is. If that's the case, I probably need to root the phone anyway to force an update (Is that what I would need to do to get it at least to 4.3?

there is an app in the playstore called samsung info. download it and it should tell you bootloader and modem.
pretty sure it is true that 4.1.1 was the last.
heres the link to the xda thread , which of course will lead you to the playstore ; but will tell more detail about the app :
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2609045
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Bootlegger version: T999UVDLJA
Modem Board: MSM8260A
Some other info that might help
Root Existence: No
Latest Firmware: Not Found
Knox Warranty Void: Warranty bit not found

Try flashing the stock lja firmware from here: http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/database/SGH-T999/

way way off topic. @audit13 , is your avatar your cat & is its name audit13.
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Avatar is a cat named Arthur.

I've never flashed something. Sorry if I ask a hundred questions as I go through this.
So you want me to flash the 4.1.1 that's already on the phone? Is that correct? Can I ask why? (I'm just wanting to know the meaning behind the action so understand what your thought process is so I can understand for next time.)
Just follow the directions underneath?

Is this what we're doing?
[GUIDE] How-To Completely Unroot Your Galaxy SIII |Zero Flash Counter|"Normal" Status http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2136921

if i'm guessing right about what @audit13 & @ arthur (lol) are asking you to do is flash that firmware since the samsung info app said "firmware not found".
you might be confusing firmware version with android version. you say your on 4.1.1 which is the android version.
also if i'm not mistaken that firmware will match your bootloader which is a good thing.
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Ah! That makes sense. In the process of it now. We'll see what happens and if I'm successful with it.

Success. It has auto updated to Android 4.3 after this. Thanks for your help.

good to hear.
that @ arthur (a.k.a. @audit13) knows his androids/tech/uhh...stuff.:good:
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