Anyone else refusing the official 4.3 update? - AT&T, Rogers, Bell, Telus Samsung Galaxy S III

I'm just curious if anyone else here besides me is still on the ATT 4.1.1 or 4.1.2 only because they are still skeptical about updating or just refuse to accept it, and the reasons why. I feel like I'm the bad guy around here because I refuse to rush and play with the latest toy (Ooops, I mean the 4.3 update).
I'm even reading some of the members, and even some devs here wondering why some people are refusing to update, because you can do just about anything on the new bootloader that you can do on the old ones.
Well, I always thought that us rooters who are non-developers are not suppose to accept OTA updates from our carriers, and should only be flashing the Roms from our developers (good devs by the way). OTAs tend to fix previous issues and attempt to make the phones more secure, but at the same time, create new issues and further lock down the phones.
Look at all the posts around here right now that are just filled with 4.3 issues. One of the most common for example: (I'm having issues, have soft bricked, or just don't like the update?) Is there a way to flash back to complete 4.3 stock so that I can start over? No! And without any official firmware released from AT&T, if something goes wrong with your phone, then all you have to flash is a custom ROM, which I was taught that we should be doing any way, while avoiding the OTAs.
I just want to see here if there is anyone else thinking the same way and why, or is this just going to turn into people who OTA-ed becoming defensive.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

shortydoggg said:
I'm just curious if anyone else here besides me is still on the ATT 4.1.1 or 4.1.2 only because they are still skeptical about updating or just refuse to accept it, and the reasons why. I feel like I'm the bad guy around here because I refuse to rush and play with the latest toy (Ooops, I mean the 4.3 update).
I'm even reading some of the members, and even some devs here wondering why some people are refusing to update, because you can do just about anything on the new bootloader that you can do on the old ones.
Well, I always thought that us rooters who are non-developers are not suppose to accept OTA updates from our carriers, and should only be flashing the Roms from our developers (good devs by the way). OTAs tend to fix previous issues and attempt to make the phones more secure, but at the same time, create new issues and further lock down the phones.
Look at all the posts around here right now that are just filled with 4.3 issues. One of the most common for example: (I'm having issues, have soft bricked, or just don't like the update?) Is there a way to flash back to complete 4.3 stock so that I can start over? No! And without any official firmware released from AT&T, if something goes wrong with your phone, then all you have to flash is a custom ROM, which I was taught that we should be doing any way, while avoiding the OTAs.
I just want to see here if there is anyone else thinking the same way and why, or is this just going to turn into people who OTA-ed becoming defensive.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For starters i can't imagine why anyone who is rooted and running a custom ROM would ever dream of installing an official OTA. By the time the carrier's have had time to update their own ROM and distribute the update it will have long been incorporated into most custom ROM's. Point and case is 4.3 (which i have been running thanks to Task650 for many months)...boom all of a sudden you are stuck with a bootloader that you cannot change, or how about the case of the S4's who blindly or unknowing installed an OTA that gives them a locked bootloader that cant be downgraded (in the case of those of us with carriers who are evil bastards). The only case where i would personally find it 'acceptable' to install official OTA's is someone who has no interest in rooting or installing any custom software to their device. Yes the current S3 bootloader is rootable but one day, probably the next (if there is one) update i would imagine it will be locked down like the new devices. Its sad to say but the direction Google seems to be moving all Android devices may end up this way which will be a dark day indeed.

dntesinfrno said:
....Its sad to say but the direction Google seems to be moving all Android devices may end up this way which will be a dark day indeed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think it's Google locking the devices down. It's the manufacturers: Samsung, HTC, Motorola, etc... that are incorporating the locked bootloaders. I may be wrong, but that's the way it seems.

jack man said:
I don't think it's Google locking the devices down. It's the manufacturers: Samsung, HTC, Motorola, etc... that are incorporating the locked bootloaders. I may be wrong, but that's the way it seems.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes currently its the manufacturers, at the behest of the carriers...hence why att and verizon are locked on the s4 and up samsung devices but not sprint or tmo. I was simply stating that if things continue to go the way they seem to be with googles decisions moving forward with android it could end up that way.

They can lock em down but you know some talented dev will find a way in
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

rumrnr62 said:
They can lock em down but you know some talented dev will find a way in
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True, but that can take months, and until then, you're stuck.

Can always buy a dev version or a nexus
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

I'll wait until the dev 4.3 rom stable then flash. Not much difference IMO.

ibuddler said:
I'll wait until the dev 4.3 rom stable then flash. Not much difference IMO.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here.
I wonder if for some reason another toy (Ooops, update) comes to this phone, will the rooters who OTA-ed, and then re-rooted or flashed another ROM (and tripped their new warranty bit counters in the process) be able to receive the new update, or will it be blocked because of the counter increment, and once again, will have to rely on custom ROMs, which they should already be doing?

shortydoggg said:
I'm just curious if anyone else here besides me is still on the ATT 4.1.1 or 4.1.2 only because they are still skeptical about updating or just refuse to accept it, and the reasons why. I feel like I'm the bad guy around here because I refuse to rush and play with the latest toy (Ooops, I mean the 4.3 update).
I'm even reading some of the members, and even some devs here wondering why some people are refusing to update, because you can do just about anything on the new bootloader that you can do on the old ones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
...Anything, except flashing back to stock for reflashing purposes or for warranty service or resetting the Knox warranty bit. OTA may also damage resale value, among other downsides.
shortydoggg said:
Well, I always thought that us rooters who are non-developers are not suppose to accept OTA updates from our carriers, and should only be flashing the Roms from our developers (good devs by the way). OTAs tend to fix previous issues and attempt to make the phones more secure, but at the same time, create new issues and further lock down the phones.
Look at all the posts around here right now that are just filled with 4.3 issues. One of the most common for example: (I'm having issues, have soft bricked, or just don't like the update?) Is there a way to flash back to complete 4.3 stock so that I can start over? No! And without any official firmware released from AT&T, if something goes wrong with your phone, then all you have to flash is a custom ROM, which I was taught that we should be doing any way, while avoiding the OTAs.
I just want to see here if there is anyone else thinking the same way and why, or is this just going to turn into people who OTA-ed becoming defensive..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are diverse camps among the rooters & other members here. Through my GS1, GS2 & GS3 I've used mostly debloated stock TW roms; for work, on the road constantly & needing a maximum stable daily driver; like other stock TW enthusiasts.
Apart from user (flashing) errors, the stability, the flexibility & connectivity complaints you cited are what I measured against when deciding to flash a 4.3 rom, kernel & modem from |ROM|Bootloader|Kernel|Modem| AT&T Official 4.3 MJB |24 Nov 2013| .
What designgears, upndwn4par, loserskater & the others have posted on multiple threads I read & reread here before flashing allowed me to attempt the 4.3 upgrade with a solid backout plan & maximum control, reaching my desired result:
Stable, debloated (by me, it's personal) permission edited (using App Ops) battery optimized 4.3 using the same bootloader as on 4.1.2.
The resources exposed in that one thread I linked, plus miles of reading in prep here on XDA showed me how to have the upgrade my way, so even stock a enthusiast can get a first class passage thanks to our devs. Buy them a drink when you can!

Related

Anyone else sticking with Stock?

Coming from the Vibrant and G2X, I use to flash roms about once or twice, maybe more, a day! With this phone, I just think it's perfect the way it is. I want to run the OS the way Google intended without much intervention. I tried the HD rom last night and it looked and felt the same as the stock rom, so I quickly switched back. No offense to Mike, but if I'm gonna have something so similar to stock, might as well have stock with official support.
Anyone doing the same?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App
i refuse to stick with stock anything regardless of how 'good' it may be. even with this Nexus, i didn't like stock.
i want to be able to change things however i want them, including overclock/undervolt/etc...
the last time i stuck with 'stock' was probably when i had the original RAZR back in the day(that and the Rezound as i believe they're still waiting on root for that thing)
you'd be surprised what kind of battery life you get with a custom rom and kernel. it's a significant upgrade. that fact alone justifies going custom
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
I'm going to wait until the custom roms and kernels establish themselves before I go with a non-stock build. I will leave stock sooner or later though for sure.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App
I'm also going to be ruining rooted in stock room.
It is been a very long time since I don't see a clean stable room. Number one priority today is to support as many devices as possible, quality and stability comes last. Sad.
kangxi said:
Coming from the Vibrant and G2X, I use to flash roms about once or twice, maybe more, a day! With this phone, I just think it's perfect the way it is. I want to run the OS the way Google intended without much intervention. I tried the HD rom last night and it looked and felt the same as the stock rom, so I quickly switched back. No offense to Mike, but if I'm gonna have something so similar to stock, might as well have stock with official support.
Anyone doing the same?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How could u go from flashing multi roms a day then out of all the phones u choose not do it with the nexus that's just unheard of
I used to flash a lot of roms on my old phone, trying to stick to stock on this one. I keep getting tempted though.. especially as I haven't had the 4.0.2 update yet. It's only a minor update but just the fact that I don't have it yet keeps bugging me and making me want to root
PaulG1488 said:
How could u go from flashing multi roms a day then out of all the phones u choose not do it with the nexus that's just unheard of
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, not unheard of at all. I have the same position.
This is the first phone I like 100% stock. I will probably get a custom kernel / cm9 when it comes out.
Im sticking to stock rom till my store warrenty is up. Just wanna make sure that the phone works the way its meant to before I start messing with it.
I came from the galaxy s captivate. I used to flash a lot but with the galaxy nexus, I didn't even unlock the boot loaders. I will just stay stock forever!
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App
Waiting for things to get a bit better understood/stable before doing ROMs, but definitely will at some point for better battery life, tether etc...
I guess I'm waiting for Google to put out a very stable build that developers can go from. Google is very quick with updates so this should happen soon.
My previous flashing was done to make up for staggering shortcomings with the device and manufacturers that dragged their feet with updates. I don't think this will be, and hasn't been, the case with the Nexus.
4.0.3 is a good start for a base with roms but there are still some issues that I want officially resolved by Google before I start flashing a bunch of stuff from independent developers.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App
Mine's still stock, I'm just enjoying ICS as it is for the moment.
When I do decide to root and flash ROMs/kernal, I'm just glad that the partitions aren't like the partitions on the GSII, the recovery and kernal on the same partition had me spinning for a while on my Sprint GSII.
case0 said:
I used to flash a lot of roms on my old phone, trying to stick to stock on this one. I keep getting tempted though.. especially as I haven't had the 4.0.2 update yet. It's only a minor update but just the fact that I don't have it yet keeps bugging me and making me want to root
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe if you go Settings->About Phone->System Update, you can hit the button that says check for update and it will ping the server and ask if an update is available. You can do that if you want 4.0.2 which honestly why wouldn't you, it's just a bug fixer.
Like many others, I've rooted every other Android phone I've owned, usually within the day of purchasing it. However, in this case I don't feel a need. Maybe once a fully stable CM9 build is available I'll bother, but for now it's not worth my time and effort.
I will at least root and use wireless tether for now.
I am keeping mine stock for a few more weeks until the rooms start getting stable. I find that known issues get fixed in rooms much quicker than waiting for Samsung to address them.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
stock for now. the only reason for me to root is for wireless tether, but i dont need that right now.
I can't live without the ad blocking host file
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App

[Q] Are you Stock / CWM / Rooted / Custom Rom'd?

Hi All,
Had my HOX about a week. I have rooted my previous phones, but the current state of unlocking / rooting / CWM makes me a little nervous this time round.
Losing the ability to get OTA updates, along with the issues about getting root / installing CWM / custom roms and the number of bricked phones / issues still prevalent is giving me second thoughts.
I'm curious as to how many people think the same or how many have jumped all in!
Am I being a chicken and should I wait for the process of Unlocking/Rooting/CWM/Custom Roms to stabilize, or should I man up?
I love the XDA forums and the Rom developers, but don't want to risk my brand new HOX!
Im currently stock and waiting for s-off to be done without the need for htcdev.
agento said:
Hi All,
Had my HOX about a week. I have rooted my previous phones, but the current state of unlocking / rooting / CWM makes me a little nervous this time round.
Losing the ability to get OTA updates, along with the issues about getting root / installing CWM / custom roms and the number of bricked phones / issues still prevalent is giving me second thoughts.
I'm curious as to how many people think the same or how many have jumped all in!
Am I being a chicken and should I wait for the process of Unlocking/Rooting/CWM/Custom Roms to stabilize, or should I man up?
I love the XDA forums and the Rom developers, but don't want to risk my brand new HOX!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If YOU are confident then you unlock the bootloader and start tweaking your device. I have rooted and unlocked the device now trying out different ROM's. I for one is flash junk. So if you think you can void your warranty then go ahead have fun. Or wait until S-OFF comes. I suspect it's gonna be sooner than we think because last I heard someone is already working on it.
Staying Stock for now
Im unlooked rooted have custom rom plus touch recovery. Did everything in under half an hour. Everything works like with other phones (as far as the mass of users are concerned) but yeah you can flash everything backup and restore if anything goes wrong.. There are pleanty of instructions for windows or mac on this forum also ways for unbricking. I was worried that it was too early for this stuff yet too but everything is fine.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using XDA
agento said:
Hi All,
Had my HOX about a week. I have rooted my previous phones, but the current state of unlocking / rooting / CWM makes me a little nervous this time round.
Losing the ability to get OTA updates, along with the issues about getting root / installing CWM / custom roms and the number of bricked phones / issues still prevalent is giving me second thoughts.
I'm curious as to how many people think the same or how many have jumped all in!
Am I being a chicken and should I wait for the process of Unlocking/Rooting/CWM/Custom Roms to stabilize, or should I man up?
I love the XDA forums and the Rom developers, but don't want to risk my brand new HOX!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm totally with you on that. I'm hanging fire to check out the OTA and see if it brings better stability, battery etc. I will root eventually, especially if a really sound vanilla ROM comes along and I don't have to lose the camera features.
Of HOX users in my Google+ circles, I think about 50% have rooted, the remainder sticking with stock for now...
I rooted and went custom Rom mainly because I'm a lefty and reaching to the top right corner for settings and/or menu was a pain in the bum.
At least that's how I'm justifying it to my girlfriend
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
Stock, waiting for S-OFF and also want the banding issues on my screen fixed. Thus I don't want to void my warranty and need 1.28...
Normally root on day one bit still on stock at the mo
Sent from my HTC One X using xda premium
i was the biggest flashaholic when i had my galaxy s2..it was so easy to root as well. just flash the cf-root kernel through odin and voila that was it job done..here is my god so more complicated...so for now staying stock and enjoying sense..i just disable loads of crapware and that is it just enjoy my phone as stock...but i do miss flashing and trying different roms so i might wait for a few more weeks till i do that....wish we can get a AOKP rom though
NoobTerminator said:
i was the biggest flashaholic when i had my galaxy s2..it was so easy to root as well. just flash the cf-root kernel through odin and voila that was it job done..here is my god so more complicated...so for now staying stock and enjoying sense..i just disable loads of crapware and that is it just enjoy my phone as stock...but i do miss flashing and trying different roms so i might wait for a few more weeks till i do that....wish we can get a AOKP rom though
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol you should've seen the crap we went thorugh with the desire z / G2 with the gold cards and stuff lol.
as for me, I want to wait for the OTA patch
gdelrosario said:
lol you should've seen the crap we went thorugh with the desire z / G2 with the gold cards and stuff lol.
as for me, I want to wait for the OTA patch
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah i heard and read that the next OTA patch will help resolve some of the issues that we are facing...still like this phone though but i do not understand why they do not just release phones with an unlocked bootloader like sammy did with the s2
Guys its really not hard at all to unlock bootloader flash recovery and root this phone.
Sent from my HTC One X using XDA
I will wait for a more reliable rooting and uprooting method before switching.
My biggest reasons for rooting my last two phones was:
Internal space,
Bloatware,
Latest software,
However on this device, I have plenty of space, ability to disable bloatware and up-to-date with the latest software.
NoobTerminator said:
i was the biggest flashaholic when i had my galaxy s2..it was so easy to root as well. just flash the cf-root kernel through odin and voila that was it job done..here is my god so more complicated...so for now staying stock and enjoying sense..i just disable loads of crapware and that is it just enjoy my phone as stock...but i do miss flashing and trying different roms so i might wait for a few more weeks till i do that....wish we can get a AOKP rom though
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What are you disabling and how ?
Sent from my HTC One X using xda premium
I'm just waiting for my HOX to get it's scratched screen replaced and a stable, official CM9. For now I'm leaving it completely stock unrooted.
combat goofwing said:
Way are you disabling and how ?
Sent from my HTC One X using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Setting apps and select what you want to disable
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
NoobTerminator said:
Setting apps and select what you want to disable
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know with apps what I want running etc but what sort of background services is it ok to disable or is it best not to tinker
Sent from my HTC One X using xda premium
combat goofwing said:
I know with apps what I want running etc but what sort of background services is it ok to disable or is it best not to tinker
Sent from my HTC One X using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i basically disabled all 3 apps. do not use them so i just disabled them. then google books i do not use and the same with google movies. everything else i left it as it is
so i would presume it would be the same with t-mobile apps mate
regarding background services i would not tinker with if i was you..only disable google apps like google plus or google messenger if you do not use them and the same goes for google books and movies if you do not use that either....anything else just leave it as it is...and disable any tmobile crap
Looks like I'm in the majority, then.
Just waiting (fingers crossed) for S-Off or some other exploit from the Revolutionary team to get things going.

Why Samsung Not Allowing Downgrade?

It is a well known thing now that after updating we are not able to downgrade the modem as it alters the EFS. What could be the reason Sammies have done this? any guess? imo downgrading the modem must have been causing lots of disruptions in transmissions or the new modems may have been programmed to some new international norms. What is your opinon?:
Whatever the reason it sucks!
Nothing compares to the battery life you get on the first 4.1.1 roms and modems.
I'm glad I made a backup of the efs partition so I could get back to 4.1.1, people who didn't are kind of tied to the new modems at the moment...
victorator said:
Whatever the reason it sucks!
Nothing compares to the battery life you get on the first 4.1.1 roms and modems.
I'm glad I made a backup of the efs partition so I could get back to 4.1.1, people who didn't are kind of tied to the new modems at the moment...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you even read through those topics? The problem lies in kernels, not modems. Don't flash new kernels and you are safe, I jump around between different roms, old and new, but always flash Perseus kernel after flashing rom and never had any problem with lost IMEI. Not once had I have to restore EFS.
Beside that, with Sudden Death Syndrome, it is quite sound policy to not allow users to flash old firmware as it could result in that bug again.
The strange thing is that this problem only affects the n7100 model none of the s3 variants and n7105 had this problem with the latter kernel/modems.
mat9v said:
Have you even read through those topics? The problem lies in kernels, not modems..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No s hit sherlock.
Whatever the reason it's not right. Some people like me dont care about the SDS and I will use the vulnerable roms/kernels anyway.
it makes me remember when i had my old nokia 5800...
Sent from my GT-N7100 using xda premium
victorator said:
No s hit sherlock.
Whatever the reason it's not right. Some people like me dont care about the SDS and I will use the vulnerable roms/kernels anyway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To each it's own, I guess. I paid enough for my phone to not endanger it more than I have to. Personally I would sooner buy bigger battery than flash older firmware with known bug and hope for some miniscule battery saving advantage.
From Samsung perspective $ are more important and anything that lowers servicing costs is golden.
The incompatibilty may also be a side effect of other changes, fixing of bug(s) we, as community, are not even aware of or some other problem we know nothing of. There is no apparent reason for Samsung to close a path to flashing old firmwares unless they have some need to do it (maybe new spyware in new kernels?). We are an additional service cost because we flash and sometimes break our phones.
Changing kernel across many platforms suggest either fixing some bug (again), creating some new spyware or some strange change in software policy. Do you have a better idea?
aka_sirok said:
it makes me remember when i had my old nokia 5800...
Sent from my GT-N7100 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here mate!
This reminds me of difficulties faced flashing my Nokia N8 to lower grade firmware
victorator said:
Whatever the reason it sucks!
Nothing compares to the battery life you get on the first 4.1.1 roms and modems.
I'm glad I made a backup of the efs partition so I could get back to 4.1.1, people who didn't are kind of tied to the new modems at the moment...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You probably had a brand new battery when you where on 4.1.1 and now your battery has wear out a bit so it's not as efficient as at the begining. Thinking the battery life was better on 4.1.1 is a myth. Ask anyone who is not on XDA and use stock ROM all the time. 4.1.1 was buggy and not stable and Sammy quickly upgraded to 4.1.2. the lastest XXMDG1 is by far the most stable Rom ever released by Samsung and the battery life is superior too.
I believe they prevent downgrading because of some security patch.
about a year ago Sonyericson xperia Arc has ICS upgrade and eventually this ICS upgrade made the phone completely not functioning in the moderate use level. hardware limitations and etc....
and of course, absolute no way to downgrade unless root + flash rom
I don't really understand why either... maybe this is to force us to pay for a new phone, and abandon the most updated but not compatible nor usable old devices. Marketing strategy? :silly:
Probably to stop people being able to easily unlock their phone, especially with the the qualcomm versions there was a service menu hack that allowed it.
Same reason Sony didn't allow PSP firmware downgrades, older firmwares had exploitable holes.
There are very few hardware vendors that allow downgrades, mostly because older versions often have more bugs, so the prefer people to be on later versions. It reduces the surface area of firmwares their support staff have to troubleshoot.
If you think Samsung care that you can't downgrade, you're living in a dream world.
Evolve or die.
zabumba said:
The strange thing is that this problem only affects the n7100 model none of the s3 variants and n7105 had this problem with the latter kernel/modems.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its called different motherboards apparently. . Sorry to be blunt..
GT N7105 with XDA Premium......that is all......

How many people are waiting?

I was among the many who downloaded (immediately) the OTA, but amidst the frenzy, I ended up removing the update zip and I froze the Samsung/Google update process applications because I was wasn't willing to risk the inevitable compatability issues that arise on a new OS. I'm curious, though--how many others are wading the storm until development catches up? As it stands, this is the best phone I've ever had and I can't imagine risking functionality for the sake of being on the latest OS.
Also, when do you expect development catch up to provide a viable root method that doesn't trip knox, among other things? My guess is about 30 days.
Any thoughts?
Sent from my SM-N900T using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
rhetorician said:
I was among the many who downloaded (immediately) the OTA, but amidst the frenzy, I ended up removing the update zip and I froze the Samsung/Google update process applications because I was wasn't willing to risk the inevitable compatability issues that arise on a new OS. I'm curious, though--how many others are wading the storm until development catches up? As it stands, this is the best phone I've ever had and I can't imagine risking functionality for the sake of being on the latest OS.
Also, when do you expect development catch up to provide a viable root method that doesn't trip knox, among other things? My guess is about 30 days.
Any thoughts?
Sent from my SM-N900T using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am waiting almost indefinitely. Every now and then i restore back to stock just to make sure I'm not missing out on anything. 4K video recording? Pffft, whatever. rapid-shot? samesies. I have an 18MP DSLR that can do all of those things much better if it's that important to me. Sure, I don't always have it in my pocket, but, compared to the professional grade those features don't even qualify as also-ran to me.
can't really think of a single thing that I miss from stock.
I got this phone the second my Jump was ready and I saw CM nightlies. Been on KK for a while now.
Now, if I were a fan of TW? I'd still sit tight and ride it out. There is nothing on KK that is all that amazing compared to JB. In fact, there are quite a few deficits.
On older versions of Android (I started out on Cupcake...guh) while I was still of the "don't take OTAs unless you want to risk your phone getting stuck on the new version or locked up tight" train...and this was before that ever started happening....and back then it was hard as hell because every update added _TONS_ of functionality and improved _TONS_ of things....I can't even describe how hard it was to delay OTAs back then. Nowadays we get evolution, not revolution, from every update. Tiny incremental stuff.
I'd say sit tight and wait it out, you aren't really missing anything.
...though when the ART (Android Runtime) replaces Dalvik, officially, on stock ROMs? That'll be the next big thing that would even get me considering just doing the damned update. I've got ART running and it is awesome. It's pretty much unnoticeable at first, especially if you go looking for the massive improvement. Then over the course of using your phone for a couple days you just start realizing "holy crap, that was fast"...but only over tiny little speed improvements....all over the damned place. It smooths out Android in ways I can't even describe (and that you can't even notice if you go looking for it).
Again, be patient. Just keep in the back of your mind that you never ever know if this next OTA is the one that locks down your bootloader. Sure, this one might be safe...maybe even the next one...hell, maybe all of them. But what if the next one is the one that finally does it? Not worth it. Your phone is awesome out of the box.
I rooted both my Note 3's just to keep from getting the update. So far I am seeing lots of people complain about different issues so I am glad I did. Overall it doesn't seem like the couple of positive changes are worth the risk. I still haven't seen a straight answer on if the bootloader is actually locked or not. This is the first phone I have had that has an unlocked bootloader so I have never really looked into the difference between locked and unlocked.
chipworkz said:
I rooted both my Note 3's just to keep from getting the update. So far I am seeing lots of people complain about different issues so I am glad I did. Overall it doesn't seem like the couple of positive changes are worth the risk. I still haven't seen a straight answer on if the bootloader is actually locked or not. This is the first phone I have had that has an unlocked bootloader so I have never really looked into the difference between locked and unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't really looked into it, but, I have been on phones (or have been helping out buddies with their phones) when an update locked a previously unlocked bootloader. The forums would be a ****-show. So I feel pretty confident that this did not lock down the bootloader to prevent custom kernels and/or recoveries...those are the deal-breakers. However, you cannot roll back to 4.3 after taking this official update, so far as I understand it. It's pretty standard stuff in this day and age.
That's another reason not to take it.
I didn't update right away. I waited a couple of days until a proven root method was out. Once that came out I went for it. I'm glad I did. I was already rooted before, and tripped KNOX, so that didn't bother me. 4.3 was great, and I didn't think this phone could get much better, but after a couple of days on 4.4.2 I'm seeing some good improvements. Better battery life, less resources used, smoother overall. I'm really liking it. Plus the GEL works great. Even the hot word detection works like on Nexus devices. I know a huge issue with 4.4.2 is the SD card not having write access, but I flashed the fix, so all works like it did on 4.3. Overall a really nice update. At least for me.
I agree with daneurysm, if your happy on 4.3 jellybean there's no need to rush and flash 4.4.2 just because it's available and adds a few new features (none that I see are must have). It is always best to wait it out a bit and let the devs do their hard work on these firmware updates to provide us with a truly impressive updated rom that we can flash safely, as long as your willing to follow their directions in doing so.
I had no temptation taking the OTA or Odin to downgrade to official 4.4.2, it seems to me the update took away more vital features than it was providing. Which again is why one should wait for their favorite devs to create their masterpieces out of the official releases, and tweak/fix any mishaps that were left in official kitkat firmware so we the people can have truly great running roms for our devices.
Sent from my SM-N900T using xda premium
So, we're about a month into the update and I'm curious how many have remained idle while the folks fine tune the kitkat experience. I'm still very pleased with the functionality of my device and aside from weak LTE signal, I have no complaints.
I am hence compelled to ask again--is it worth updating yet? Or do cons continue to outweigh the pros?
Sent from my SM-N900T using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
rhetorician said:
So, we're about a month into the update and I'm curious how many have remained idle while the folks fine tune the kitkat experience. I'm still very pleased with the functionality of my device and aside from weak LTE signal, I have no complaints.
I am hence compelled to ask again--is it worth updating yet? Or do cons continue to outweigh the pros?
Sent from my SM-N900T using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just saw there's a way to root 4.4.2 without tripping knox if you're on a rooted 4.3, so I'm going to give that a go tonight. I'll post back with my thoughts.
Good things come to those who wait!
I wouldn't update if I had to do it again. My phone is bootlooped and completely unfixable at the moment after installing the OTA update on a bone stock non rooted phone. Can't get into recovery, can't downgrade, can't do anything except reflash the stock 4.4 rom which never boots.
There are tons of complaints on the TMO customer support forums citing poor battery life and loss of certain functions. This could turn your phone into a paperweight. Not worth it.
drathian1 said:
I just saw there's a way to root 4.4.2 without tripping knox if you're on a rooted 4.3, so I'm going to give that a go tonight. I'll post back with my thoughts.
Good things come to those who wait!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you sure? I noticed that kingo updated their site with an exploit that--if I'm not mistaken--roots without tripping knox.
Sent from my SM-N900T using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Honestly, Anyone that takes an ota is a noob. Anyone that is It's all you ever hear when an ota hits that there is nothing but issuesused to android knows never take an ota until it's deemed safe to reroot. It's all you ever hear when an ota hits that there is nothing but issues. I never take Ota's as a general rule. Always wait for the ok to take an update, and even then sometimes it's never ok depending on the issues.
rhetorician said:
Are you sure? I noticed that kingo updated their site with an exploit that--if I'm not mistaken--roots without tripping knox.
Sent from my SM-N900T using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It just worked for me. I'm rooted on 4.4.2 with knox 0x0.
Time to put it through the ringer!
This was my method: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=51766687&postcount=73
After some temptation to check out one of the growing number of ROMS in the dev forum, but am glad that I decided stick with Tweaked on 4.3. Probably won't update until Tweaked KK drops which doesn't sound like something that's going to be happening for quite a while.
How's that saying go?... "If it ain't broke, don't 'fix' it with a weak-ass update."

Please Pledge to the Root Cause!

Just a friendly reminder that there aren't many of us smart enough to figure out how to root this beast. If we throw a bunch of cash at them that might motivate them to work even harder. Plus, it's totally worth it! What's $50? Too much? Fine, give $5. Whatever you can afford! I bet if we got that pot up to 100k it would get solved pretty darned quick. Let's do it! Don't be a cheapskate!
Thanks for reading. I promise not to tell you what to do other than this one time. Ha!
I agree man
Just sucks so sad that ATT screwing us like this, while T-Mobile gets all the root Recovery love they want, and even Sprint is better, and dare I say Verizon not as bad as ATT is lately
I remember just two years ago, the ATT Note 2 had root and Recovery immediately after release, and the ATT XDA Note 2 forums were jammed packed with ROM's and kernels. Why did ATT make such a drastic change to lock it down so hard now ? Where as T-Mobile allows it to be unlocked with ease ?
ATT allows HTC to still be unlocked, you can buy the ATT One M8 and root it and install custom Recovery out of the box with ease. But no way is that possible with the ATT S5 or Note 4, but why ATT ?
tfpHumorBlog said:
Just a friendly reminder that there aren't many of us smart enough to figure out how to root this beast. If we throw a bunch of cash at them that might motivate them to work even harder. Plus, it's totally worth it! What's $50? Too much? Fine, give $5. Whatever you can afford! I bet if we got that pot up to 100k it would get solved pretty darned quick. Let's do it! Don't be a cheapskate!
Thanks for reading. I promise not to tell you what to do other than this one time. Ha!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just thinking out loud...but at this time shouldn't you all wait for Lollipop to be released on this beast? Word is that it has more security and will be even tougher to root. So say someone roots KitKat..claims the Bounty, then Lollipop comes along and kills root again and those buying new phones with Lollipop preinstalled would be SOL. JM2C...but I also know it takes time to build up pledges.
Umm.. iiif we gain root I'm sure people would be smart enough not to upgrade to Lollipop but wait for a dev to make a Lollipop ROM.
Android300ZX said:
Umm.. iiif we gain root I'm sure people would be smart enough not to upgrade to Lollipop but wait for a dev to make a Lollipop ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That won't help people buying phones after the update with Lollipop preinstalled though. They will be stuck without root and have to start another bounty...just thinking out loud. And you would be surprised how many just hit that "update" button while rooted and get stuck in a boot loop.
Assuming root is achieved and someone bought a new note4 it came w 5.0.. couldnt one of those just take the official NIE firmware and flash it via odin.. then they could root and install a 5.0 custom rom?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using XDA Free mobile app
xlr8shun said:
Assuming root is achieved and someone bought a new note4 it came w 5.0.. couldnt one of those just take the official NIE firmware and flash it via odin.. then they could root and install a 5.0 custom rom?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In theory..however Samsung has been matching bootloaders, basebands and OS release. So as seen on other models not having the 5.0 bootloader and baseband will cause the 5.0 ROM to be stuck in a boot loop. So it may be some time before developers crack that. Even an unlocked rootable phone like the Sprint S3 required you to Odin 4.4 before running any stock 4.4 ROMs...the wrong baseband there caused a hard brick. So it is not as simple as it sounds.
Zorachus said:
I agree man
Just sucks so sad that ATT screwing us like this, while T-Mobile gets all the root Recovery love they want, and even Sprint is better, and dare I say Verizon not as bad as ATT is lately
I remember just two years ago, the ATT Note 2 had root and Recovery immediately after release, and the ATT XDA Note 2 forums were jammed packed with ROM's and kernels. Why did ATT make such a drastic change to lock it down so hard now ? Where as T-Mobile allows it to be unlocked with ease ?
ATT allows HTC to still be unlocked, you can buy the ATT One M8 and root it and install custom Recovery out of the box with ease. But no way is that possible with the ATT S5 or Note 4, but why ATT ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Probably has everything to do with Gov't contracts... Samsung has been singing the praises of it's KNOX system to businesses and the Gov't, to to truly make KNOX effective, it needs to be locked so that you can't disable or remove it. This way if one of their phones gets lost or stolen (and they are using the enterprise security packages) it is even more difficult to get to the data.
Why not allow the folks who want them locked and secure buy special ones so the rest of us can have free and open devices you ask? Because it costs more (time as well as money) to divide up your inventory that way. you'd have to forecast how many of the secured phones you will need and order them that way. But what if that big gov't contract falls through? you are now sitting on potentially thousands of phones that your general users won't want given that they can choose to get the unlocked version. OEM won't simply take them back, unless you pay some sort of restock fee. You could re-flash them yourself with the unlocked ROM, but now you are talking about manually unboxing, flashing and then re-sealing thousands of phones. (Not optimal,)
In the end, you're better off buying an unlocked device up front as opposed to hoping that someone can crack the bootloader later on after the release. It's obviously getting harder and harder for even the truly talented DEVs to crack these bootloaders. I honestly doubt that root will be achieved on this thing prior to Lollipop beginning it rollout. There is a build for it being tested right now with very few issues remaining.
Clock is ticking.... Me? I personally could care less for root at this point. I get un-Godly battery life and performance as it is based upon my usage. Not a popular view with many in this forum, I know. I used to long for root and flash ROMs like crazy myself. It was almost like an addiction.

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