Develop Bugs

[Q] SIM Unlock, Downgrading 4.1.2, and Modified Status

So, I was given a T-Mobile SGH-T999 that someone had found a while back, but was unable to get activated. It didn't have a SIM in it, and I think it may even have been used off T-Mobile at some point (based on evidence below). Checking the IMEI it seems that it's only blocked on T-Mobile (AT&T says they do not have a block against this IMEI, and it's not showing up in any lost/stolen databases), so I'm guessing non-payment or carrier unlock. I would like to SIM unlock it, but I'm not entirely sure what has been done to this phone. I've never owned or played with a Galaxy S3, so my only knowledge has been from digging around this forum for a couple hours. Here's what I can tell you from looking through this phone. I'm hoping to get some advice on my next course of action:
Model number SGH-T999
Android Version 4.1.2
Baseband version T999UVDMD5
Kernel version 3.0.31-1128078 [email protected] #2 SMP PREEMPT Mon Apr 15 11:59:10 KST
Build number JZO54K.T999UVDMD5
Device Status Modified
Odin Mode
Product name SGH-T999
Custom Binary Download: Yes (1 counts)
Current Binary: Custom
System Status: Custom
Qualcomm Secureboot: Enable
I first tried SIM unlock, only to eventually find out that I would need to downgrade from 4.1.2 to 4.1.1. The threads I've read on downgrading indicate that to get back down to official 4.1.1 I need to be stock to begin with. I don't think this phone is rooted because I am unable to "su" when using adb shell or browse directories like /data. However, Odin saying it has a custom binary, and the device status saying modified makes me believe this phone was rooted at some point. Again, I have no experience with the GS3, so I may be way off base (I don't even know if Odin is the stock recovery).
So, before I can downgrade to 4.1.1 do I need to use Triangle Away, reset the flash counter, etc? Or, can I just use Odin to flash 4.1.1. Finally, will I also need to flash a different modem even after that?
I'd appreciate any advice and help you can give me. Thanks.

Thanks for doing some research before posting. Its refreshing to see you picked up basics even if you have never used this model before.
You didn't mention if there's a custom recovery such as TWRP or CWM. If it was there and you were brave or comfortable enough, I'd have suggested a 4.1.1 modem to flash (UVDLJC).
So to your question on unlock, essentially, your best bet is to flash a Root66 of UVDLJC version. Read the first post of Root66 completely word for word before you download and flash. Less chances of hard brick that way. A Root66 is a Galaxy S* family term for rooted stock firmware. It just has root injected in it. Everything else is just stock. So it does not trip the flash counter.
Now your counter is already tripped. So you will have to use Triangle away as you already know. So after Root66 and Triangle Away, you will be all stock and good to go. Follow the process for unlock as you have already found out and then go with ATT.
Now if you wish, after the unlock, you can flash UVDMD5 version of Root66 and you will get JB 4.2.1. Do not flash UVUEMJC version of Root66. Locked bootloader and efuse hardbrick lie in that direction.

Perseus71 said:
Thanks for doing some research before posting. Its refreshing to see you picked up basics even if you have never used this model before.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem. I work in IT, so I know the frustration of someone asking for help without even trying to do any basic research first
You didn't mention if there's a custom recovery such as TWRP or CWM. If it was there and you were brave or comfortable enough, I'd have suggested a 4.1.1 modem to flash (UVDLJC).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looks like I should have done my research a bit better. I misunderstood, thinking that Odin was some sort of recovery. Just looked up how to get into recovery, and it looks like stock to me (it just reads Android system recovery 3e). So, it is possible to just simply flash LJC modem on 4.1.2 so I can unlock, or am I misunderstanding?
So to your question on unlock, essentially, your best bet is to flash a Root66 of UVDLJC version. Read the first post of Root66 completely word for word before you download and flash. Less chances of hard brick that way. A Root66 is a Galaxy S* family term for rooted stock firmware. It just has root injected in it. Everything else is just stock. So it does not trip the flash counter.
Now your counter is already tripped. So you will have to use Triangle away as you already know. So after Root66 and Triangle Away, you will be all stock and good to go. Follow the process for unlock as you have already found out and then go with ATT.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just to make sure I understand correctly, it IS Triangle away first, then Route66 second? If I'm interpreting correctly, I can do this even if not rooted? All the devices I've ever flashed ROMs to before (even when going back to stock ROM) needed a custom recovery and/or root. But, since this device doesn't appear to be rooted, I just wanted to make sure I don't need to root before flashing Route66.
Now if you wish, after the unlock, you can flash UVDMD5 version of Root66 and you will get JB 4.2.1. Do not flash UVUEMJC version of Root66. Locked bootloader and efuse hardbrick lie in that direction.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much for the information. Once I get everything in order, and the SIM unlocked, I'll probably spend many hours researching how I want to progress (so you've already helped cut down that time). I honestly haven't come across modem flashing in previous devices, so I will definitely need to read more to fully understand the implications.
Out of curiosity, do you have any theories on how the flash counter was tripped? Everything appears to be stock, but the flash counter and device status seem to indicate otherwise. Just trying to figure out the history of this device. Again, thanks so much for the help.

Really everything Perseus said is on point, except you don't need to use triangle away because really that's just to reset the counter and its unnecessary for you.. You can either flash a custom recovery and flash the LJA or LJC modem to do the unlock, or Odin the LJA or LJC firmware and proceed with the unlock
Edit: and to answer how the counter was tripped, it looks like they may have rooted it at some point and then unrooted it and returned it to stock.. The counter does not change
Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk

YabosMcGee said:
Looks like I should have done my research a bit better. I misunderstood, thinking that Odin was some sort of recovery. Just looked up how to get into recovery, and it looks like stock to me (it just reads Android system recovery 3e). So, it is possible to just simply flash LJC modem on 4.1.2 so I can unlock, or am I misunderstanding?
Just to make sure I understand correctly, it IS Triangle away first, then Route66 second? If I'm interpreting correctly, I can do this even if not rooted? All the devices I've ever flashed ROMs to before (even when going back to stock ROM) needed a custom recovery and/or root. But, since this device doesn't appear to be rooted, I just wanted to make sure I don't need to root before flashing Route66.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes that's stock recovery. You can't flash modems with it. If you have custom recovery then the flash counter will keep on tripping at every boot. Best if use ODIN to flash LJA or LJC firmware, do the unlock and then flash MD5 firmware so you are back to JB 4.2.1. Triangle Away's purpose is to reset that flash counter you saw. I do believe it needs Root. I don't remember since I did it so long ago. I just thought you will want to it after all this flashing is done so its all squeaky clean.
YabosMcGee said:
Thank you so much for the information. Once I get everything in order, and the SIM unlocked, I'll probably spend many hours researching how I want to progress (so you've already helped cut down that time). I honestly haven't come across modem flashing in previous devices, so I will definitely need to read more to fully understand the implications.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Theoretically with android architecture, it could be done on any device. The trick lies in remounting that partition as read-write correctly. Have fun reading this.
YabosMcGee said:
Out of curiosity, do you have any theories on how the flash counter was tripped? Everything appears to be stock, but the flash counter and device status seem to indicate otherwise. Just trying to figure out the history of this device. Again, thanks so much for the help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looks like Serio beat me to it. He's spot on where the origins of the tripped counter is concerned.

Thanks Persus77 and serio22. Everything worked out great.

Chronic Mobile Data Issues with MK2 Baseband regardless of ROM

I never had any issues with my old M919, which is still sitting in a drawer awaiting a new display assembly I cannot afford. It was running CM 10 perfectly and no issues with HSPA or LTE. I was suffering for a while with an HTC Espresso which I could not S-OFF due to HBOOT being incompatible with AlphaRev. Anyway, I ended up with my old roomate's M919 about a week ago and have had nothing but issues getting mobile data to work properly.
It already had the MK2 Baseband installed-though I did not bother to check if it worked on the stock 4.3 ROM he had already installed. Nor did he ever say anything about issues. Anyway, I tried almost all of the Infamous ROM's(and all the kernels available with AROMA) as well as Cyanogenmod 10.2. All ROM's have major issues maintaining mobile data connection regardless of network mode or which cell I am on. Wi-Fi works flawlessly however. Also, to note, my fiance is running MK2 on her stock M919 so I have had a reference of which type of cell we are on and its signal strength.
So, finally I flashed the MK2 modem manually and rebooted into CM 10.2. That just made it completely unable to connect to any type of network although Wi-Fi worked just fine. So, now I am attempting to reinstall Infamous S4 from a full wipe to see if that will work, but after that I am out of ideas.

fallofredmond said:
So, finally I flashed the MK2 modem manually and rebooted into CM 10.2. That just made it completely unable to connect to any type of network although Wi-Fi worked just fine. So, now I am attempting to reinstall Infamous S4 from a full wipe to see if that will work, but after that I am out of ideas.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you checked your APN settings (versus your fiancés) to make sure they are correct? And to be completely fair, you could post in one of the many CM threads like this one here, you will target a much larger and focused support base. :good:

The whole mdl / mk2 radios are a mess. There are 2 radios, one for lte and one for hspa and below. The LTE one stays mdl and only the other is upgraded because of knox installation that some people are worried about (their warranty).
I believe what you may want to do is install the ota official for 4.3 to get all the correct radios and just forget about the warranty. There have been ways to reset the knox counter later down the road if you want to claim your warranty but I do not recall any guides.
I've started a thread here too for some clarifications on this subject so check that for answers too

POQbum said:
The whole mdl / mk2 radios are a mess. There are 2 radios, one for lte and one for hspa and below. The LTE one stays mdl and only the other is upgraded because of knox installation that some people are worried about (their warranty).
I believe what you may want to do is install the ota official for 4.3 to get all the correct radios and just forget about the warranty. There have been ways to reset the knox counter later down the road if you want to claim your warranty but I do not recall any guides.
I've started a thread here too for some clarifications on this subject so check that for answers too
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First, there is currently NO METHOD to reset your KNOX counter, please do not give wrong information (which is why we have THIS thread).
Second, a link to this thread of yours would be useful, if you only linked it.
Third, "correct" radios are already freely available on XDA without taking the 4.3 OTA. He may have flashed an improper or incompatible modem.bin file, which is why his problem is occurring.

xdapowerapps said:
First, there is currently NO METHOD to reset your KNOX counter, please do not give wrong information (which is why we have THIS thread).
Second, a link to this thread of yours would be useful, if you only linked it.
Third, "correct" radios are already freely available on XDA without taking the 4.3 OTA. He may have flashed an improper or incompatible modem.bin file, which is why his problem is occurring.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct radio's without knox means that there is still an old LTE radio which creates and has been creating lots of problems for people.
I don't care about a flash counter anyway, and sorry did not mean to spread mis-information.
My thread is here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2609962
the only answer I was given was one that told me to do the exact thing I didn't want to do, which is to flash the GSM MK2, but leave the LTE MDL.
-------------
I'm looking to see if anyone can help me find a way to flash the OTA update which contains KNOX (which includes the MK2 LTE) and also the MK2 GSM radio's.
The only downside I see to flashing KNOX (and the MK2 LTE) is this flash counter. I believe I heard somewhere you may not be able to flash new kernels, but I'm not sure if that is correct or not. If it is correct and I can not flash new kernels, I also do not care and don't know why so many people are okay with LTE radio's that go out all the time vs a flash counter+stock kernel

POQbum said:
Correct radio's without knox means that there is still an old LTE radio which creates and has been creating lots of problems for people.
I don't care about a flash counter anyway, and sorry did not mean to spread mis-information.
My thread is here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2609962
the only answer I was given was one that told me to do the exact thing I didn't want to do, which is to flash the GSM MK2, but leave the LTE MDL.
-------------
I'm looking to see if anyone can help me find a way to flash the OTA update which contains KNOX (which includes the MK2 LTE) and also the MK2 GSM radio's.
The only downside I see to flashing KNOX (and the MK2 LTE) is this flash counter. I believe I heard somewhere you may not be able to flash new kernels, but I'm not sure if that is correct or not. If it is correct and I can not flash new kernels, I also do not care and don't know why so many people are okay with LTE radio's that go out all the time vs a flash counter+stock kernel
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's okay, we are all learning about information . The modem.bin file you flash in Odin replaces your old one (which is why the name of the file HAS to be modem.bin, otherwise nothing will get replaced).
Why do you WANT KNOX? KNOX is part of the bootloader for 4.3+. The guide you linked is how almost everyone has updated their modems on 4.2.2 bootloader.
If you are on 4.2.2 bootloader, follow these steps:
1) Download the 4.3 modem.
2) Place phone in download mode (Vol Down + Home + Power)
3) Open Odin and plug into computer.
4) Select "Phone" and then choose the modem.bin file.
5) Uncheck "Auto-reboot"
6) Press Start and wait 30 seconds after it says "Passed."
7) Restart phone.
I can almost guarantee you that this will work because this has been proven to work hundreds of thousands of times. I am on 4.2.2 MDL LTE (since I am already on 4.2.2) and I just flashed the 4.3 MK2 modem. I have no problems at all with data now.
EDIT: I am also using a 4.3 MK2 modem on 4.2.2 and have no issues.

xdapowerapps said:
It's okay, we are all learning about information . The modem.bin file you flash in Odin replaces your old one (which is why the name of the file HAS to be modem.bin, otherwise nothing will get replaced).
Why do you WANT KNOX? KNOX is part of the bootloader for 4.3+. The guide you linked is how almost everyone has updated their modems on 4.2.2 bootloader.
If you are on 4.2.2 bootloader, follow these steps:
1) Download the 4.3 modem.
2) Place phone in download mode (Vol Down + Home + Power)
3) Open Odin and plug into computer.
4) Select "Phone" and then choose the modem.bin file.
5) Uncheck "Auto-reboot"
6) Press Start and wait 30 seconds after it says "Passed."
7) Restart phone.
I can almost guarantee you that this will work because this has been proven to work hundreds of thousands of times. I am on 4.2.2 MDL LTE (since I am already on 4.2.2) and I just flashed the 4.3 MK2 modem. I have no problems at all with data now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I want knox because I want the LTE radio which is tied to knox. I don't care if I have knox or not. My phone is not under warranty anyone, and if that is the only thing that is scaring people away then I have no reason to worry about knox.
I may try out this scenario but right now my phone reboots all the time and I've heard people having issues with LTE on 4.3 ROM's so I am not looking forward to spending hours configuring my phone only to wipe it all again, but it may work out better than I am thinking so I will give it a shot.
For reference, if there is a flashable full 4.3 ROM/.tar (with knox and the MK2 LTE included) out there and you could link me, I would appreciate it. I can't seem to find any which is odd.
Cheers

POQbum said:
I want knox because I want the LTE radio which is tied to knox. I don't care if I have knox or not. My phone is not under warrantly anyone, and if that is the only thing that is scaring people away then I have no reason to worry about knox.
I may try out this scenario but right now my phone reboots all the time and I've heard people having issues with LTE on 4.3 ROM's so I am not looking forward to spending hours configuring my phone only to wipe it all again, but it may work out better than I am thinking so I will give it a shot.
For reference, if there is a flashable full 4.3 ROM/.tar out there and you could link me, I would appreciate it. I can't seem to find any which is odd.
Cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are 4.3 flashable ROMs out there but they will not give you what you want. You will HAVE to Odin flash a stock file to get what you're after.
Here are some links for the stock MK2 with KNOX included (choose whichever one is faster). :good:
http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/3/?download=22280
http://samsung-updates.com/details/16429/Galaxy_S_4_T-Mobile/SGH-M919/TMB/M919UVUEMK2.html
http://rapidgator.net/file/c98247edd8cd1cee88383ceef83a8c7f
Cheers mate!

xdapowerapps said:
There are 4.3 flashable ROMs out there but they will not give you what you want. You will HAVE to Odin flash a stock file to get what you're after.
Here are some links for the stock MK2 with KNOX included (choose whichever one is faster). :good:
http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/3/?download=22280
http://samsung-updates.com/details/16429/Galaxy_S_4_T-Mobile/SGH-M919/TMB/M919UVUEMK2.html
http://rapidgator.net/file/c98247edd8cd1cee88383ceef83a8c7f
Cheers mate!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay so I load this file: http://samsung-updates.com/details/16429/Galaxy_S_4_T-Mobile/SGH-M919/TMB/M919UVUEMK2.html
How do I flash it through ODIN? Do you know what steps I need to do? Should I wipe data/cache first?
I've flashed a few things through ODIN because and am familiar with it

POQbum said:
Okay so I load this file: http://samsung-updates.com/details/16429/Galaxy_S_4_T-Mobile/SGH-M919/TMB/M919UVUEMK2.html
How do I flash it through ODIN? Do you know what steps I need to do? Should I wipe data/cache first?
I've flashed a few things through ODIN because and am familiar with it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Open up odin, select PDA, choose the tar file you just downloaded.
Then put your phone in download mode (vol down + home + power), then connect it to your computer.
Once odin detects your phone, press start. It will take 15 to 20 mins and it will restart by itself.
After it reboots and for some reason you get stuck on the tmobile screen for more than 10 mins, go into recovery and wipe/data factory reset and wipe cache. Then your phone will boot up fine. Enjoy ^_^
Sent from my SGH-M919 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

xdapowerapps said:
Have you checked your APN settings (versus your fiancés) to make sure they are correct? And to be completely fair, you could post in one of the many CM threads like this one here, you will target a much larger and focused support base. :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Both M919's are set to fast.t-mobile.com, although I haven't checked to see if the settings all match. I will definitely check that later.
As for threads here and elsewhere to solve the problem, I have tried pretty much everything I have seen. Most of what I have been reading on both CM and custom TW ROM threads is "me too" or "I don't have that problem".
POQbum said:
The whole mdl / mk2 radios are a mess. There are 2 radios, one for lte and one for hspa and below. The LTE one stays mdl and only the other is upgraded because of knox installation that some people are worried about (their warranty).
I believe what you may want to do is install the ota official for 4.3 to get all the correct radios and just forget about the warranty. There have been ways to reset the knox counter later down the road if you want to claim your warranty but I do not recall any guides.
I've started a thread here too for some clarifications on this subject so check that for answers too
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, now I just got thrown for a loop. Please use Heimdall to print your PIT and post it. On my PIT there appears to be only one partition with a radio... not 2.

xdapowerapps said:
There are 4.3 flashable ROMs out there but they will not give you what you want. You will HAVE to Odin flash a stock file to get what you're after.
Here are some links for the stock MK2 with KNOX included (choose whichever one is faster). :good:
Cheers mate!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not waiting 4-8 hours to download a ROM. Yes, I understand those estimates are ads to try to get you to buy "premium membership" but still, do you have a legit mirror?

[Q] Use ATT ROM on a Tmobile Note 2

Hello to all. Is it possible to transform a Tmobile Note 2 into an ATT Note 2 using this ROM http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2568537 ? I tried searching but couldnt find anything on it and since the ROM says its multicarrier I wanted to know if it was possible. I intend to use that Note 2 on net10 by the way. Thanks in advance!

Whatever you do, don't flash the AT&T note 2 modem. You can't make a T889 into a I317. You can make it look and mostly act like one though.
Hastily spouted for your befuddlement

Coug76 said:
Whatever you do, don't flash the AT&T note 2 modem. You can't make a T889 into a I317. You can make it look and mostly act like one though.
Hastily spouted for your befuddlement
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, If I intend to use the T889 with net10, which modem should I install in order for the phone to get LTE?

sentinel5000 said:
So, If I intend to use the T889 with net10, which modem should I install in order for the phone to get LTE?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As long as your note 2 is unlocked, you will be able to get LTE on AT&T. You can use the current ROM that you are using now... Nothing had to be done/changed. Just pop in the new SIM, put in the correct APN, and you're good to go.

kozmo21 said:
As long as your note 2 is unlocked, you will be able to get LTE on AT&T. You can use the current ROM that you are using now... Nothing had to be done/changed. Just pop in the new SIM, put in the correct APN, and you're good to go.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see. Well then problem is my T889 is not unlocked, so I was thinking about downgrading it to 4.1.1. unlock it and then upgrade to 4.3. Thing is, How do I upgrade to 4.3? Cant seem to find the 4.3 stock rom here. The instructions on the jedi rom say one needs to be on 4.3 for wifi to work.

sentinel5000 said:
I see. Well then problem is my T889 is not unlocked, so I was thinking about downgrading it to 4.1.1. unlock it and then upgrade to 4.3. Thing is, How do I upgrade to 4.3? Cant seem to find the 4.3 stock rom here. The instructions on the jedi rom say one needs to be on 4.3 for wifi to work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
UVALJ1 modem on a T889 *should* get you to the point of being able to unlock. If not, odin the whole package (UVALJ1). MrRobinson's root66 works great.
If you have the 4.3 knoxed bootloader you may have issues with reverting.
Hastily spouted for your befuddlement

Coug76 said:
UVALJ1 modem on a T889 *should* get you to the point of being able to unlock. If not, odin the whole package (UVALJ1). MrRobinson's root66 works great.
If you have the 4.3 knoxed bootloader you may have issues with reverting.
Hastily spouted for your befuddlement
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see. Well I have a T889 that had to be sent to samsung because the board died. Before it died, the phone had 4.1.2 and when it was returned fixed, the phone had 4.3. So, If I flash the UVALJ1 modem on my 4.3 T889 (stock non rooted) will I be able to unlock using this method: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2176721 or is that only for 4.1.1?

sentinel5000 said:
I see. Well I have a T889 that had to be sent to samsung because the board died. Before it died, the phone had 4.1.2 and when it was returned fixed, the phone had 4.3. So, If I flash the UVALJ1 modem on my 4.3 T889 (stock non rooted) will I be able to unlock using this method: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2176721 or is that only for 4.1.1?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dunno. You could ask in the thread, someone there may know. Good question though.
Hastily spouted for your befuddlement

Coug76 said:
Dunno. You could ask in the thread, someone there may know. Good question though.
Hastily spouted for your befuddlement
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok. So I tried flashing in Odin Mr. Robinsons 4.1.1 image in order to unlock my phone, Tried it 3 times but it always resulted in a Fail. I searched a bit and apparently the Knox thing prevents from downgrading so I flashed Mr. Robinsons 4.3 image and to my surprise the phone booted back up like it was before, all my settings, everything was there. Only new thing is that now my T889 was rooted... Which is a good thing but still I cant unlock my phone

sentinel5000 said:
Ok. So I tried flashing in Odin Mr. Robinsons 4.1.1 image in order to unlock my phone, Tried it 3 times but it always resulted in a Fail. I searched a bit and apparently the Knox thing prevents from downgrading so I flashed Mr. Robinsons 4.3 image and to my surprise the phone booted back up like it was before, all my settings, everything was there. Only new thing is that now my T889 was rooted... Which is a good thing but still I cant unlock my phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You might have luck flashing the UVALJ1 modem only. If that is successful, the unlock should work.
Hastily spouted for your befuddlement

sentinel5000 said:
Ok. So I tried flashing in Odin Mr. Robinsons 4.1.1 image in order to unlock my phone, Tried it 3 times but it always resulted in a Fail. I searched a bit and apparently the Knox thing prevents from downgrading so I flashed Mr. Robinsons 4.3 image and to my surprise the phone booted back up like it was before, all my settings, everything was there. Only new thing is that now my T889 was rooted... Which is a good thing but still I cant unlock my phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've got the same phone and, thanks to my recently flashing (with Odin) to 4.3 Stock, I think I'm in about the same situation if I were to want to revert. As I understand, once you've gone to the stock 4.3 bootloader - however you got there, via Odin flash, OTA update or factory returns phone to you with it - you can no longer use Odin to revert anything because with Odin you're flashing an entire image - bootloader, modem, ROM, Kernel - and you now need to cherry pick non-bootloader items you'll revert. You can't get rid of the locked down 4.3 bootloader at all.
I am hoping we can still use Odin to at least go back to stock 4.3. I'm actually going to try that in a bit and mess with my flash counter - it seems to not want to reset that's another subject.
I'm not sure if the 4.3 bootloader prevents going back to an older modem or not - I might try that too and see what happens. If it does not, then these steps might get you back to an unlockable state - might also trip your Knox Warranty Void along the way in case if that concerns you. Mine is tripped and I'm really not sure why or when it happened.
1) Get GooManager off Play Store and use it to install custom recovery - you need this because you can no longer just flash an entire pre-4.3 image thanks to the 4.3 bootloader
2) Using custom recovery, flash UVALJ1 modem & Odexed or Deodexed ROM from here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2102380
If it'll boot at this point, you should be able to do the unlock thing - this is how I originally unlocked mine last April - but that was pre-4.3-locked state for me. If we cannot get back to that unlockable state, I'm going to be really sorry I knowingly let myself get locked down by 4.3 - I assumed at the time last week that it wouldn't affect that much but in hindsight I'm afraid I shoulda thought about it a bit more lol.
Hope this helps!

Coug76 said:
You might have luck flashing the UVALJ1 modem only. If that is successful, the unlock should work.
Hastily spouted for your befuddlement
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, So I finally found the UVALJ1 modem and flashed it on my T889. Tried the unlock method and it worked like a charm. Thanks for all that tried to help and to Cough76, that was a great suggestion. :good:

LanceDiamond said:
I've got the same phone and, thanks to my recently flashing (with Odin) to 4.3 Stock, I think I'm in about the same situation if I were to want to revert. As I understand, once you've gone to the stock 4.3 bootloader - however you got there, via Odin flash, OTA update or factory returns phone to you with it - you can no longer use Odin to revert anything because with Odin you're flashing an entire image - bootloader, modem, ROM, Kernel - and you now need to cherry pick non-bootloader items you'll revert. You can't get rid of the locked down 4.3 bootloader at all.
I am hoping we can still use Odin to at least go back to stock 4.3. I'm actually going to try that in a bit and mess with my flash counter - it seems to not want to reset that's another subject.
I'm not sure if the 4.3 bootloader prevents going back to an older modem or not - I might try that too and see what happens. If it does not, then these steps might get you back to an unlockable state - might also trip your Knox Warranty Void along the way in case if that concerns you. Mine is tripped and I'm really not sure why or when it happened.
1) Get GooManager off Play Store and use it to install custom recovery - you need this because you can no longer just flash an entire pre-4.3 image thanks to the 4.3 bootloader
2) Using custom recovery, flash UVALJ1 modem & Odexed or Deodexed ROM from here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2102380
If it'll boot at this point, you should be able to do the unlock thing - this is how I originally unlocked mine last April - but that was pre-4.3-locked state for me. If we cannot get back to that unlockable state, I'm going to be really sorry I knowingly let myself get locked down by 4.3 - I assumed at the time last week that it wouldn't affect that much but in hindsight I'm afraid I shoulda thought about it a bit more lol.
Hope this helps!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, Flashing the UVALJ1 modem on my T889 with the Jedi Master X 4.3 custom ROM worked like a charm. There was no need to flash the whole image. Just the modem was enough. Hope it helps for those who are on 4.3 and need to unlock their Note 2.

Let me ask this using the same thread just to not open a new one. Well my new question is, After I flashed the UVALJ1 modem I was able to unlock the phone but I noticed I cant get 4GLTE anymore. So If I flash the newest modem for 4.3 will I lose Unlock on the phone? Thanks in advance!

No unlock sticks
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

sentinel5000 said:
Let me ask this using the same thread just to not open a new one. Well my new question is, After I flashed the UVALJ1 modem I was able to unlock the phone but I noticed I cant get 4GLTE anymore. So If I flash the newest modem for 4.3 will I lose Unlock on the phone? Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You'll be fine. It should stick with you.
As you found out, UVALJ1 doesn't support LTE. It gave my phone epic battery life though. The original rom was phenomenal on battery. Subsequent releases lowered battery life until LTE was support dropped then battery was relatively crappy. It always had to hunt for LTE which sucked as it released when Las Vegas was the only market tmo supported.
Hastily spouted for your befuddlement

Coug76 said:
You'll be fine. It should stick with you.
As you found out, UVALJ1 doesn't support LTE. It gave my phone epic battery life though. The original rom was phenomenal on battery. Subsequent releases lowered battery life until LTE was support dropped then battery was relatively crappy. It always had to hunt for LTE which sucked as it released when Las Vegas was the only market tmo supported.
Hastily spouted for your befuddlement
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I noticed that flashing the UVALJ1 modem gave my Note 2 excellent battery life. Since here where I'm from T mobile just has 3 small areas of LTE and none apply to me then Ill just stay with UVALJ1. Thanks again!

little more help
LanceDiamond said:
I've got the same phone and, thanks to my recently flashing (with Odin) to 4.3 Stock, I think I'm in about the same situation if I were to want to revert. As I understand, once you've gone to the stock 4.3 bootloader - however you got there, via Odin flash, OTA update or factory returns phone to you with it - you can no longer use Odin to revert anything because with Odin you're flashing an entire image - bootloader, modem, ROM, Kernel - and you now need to cherry pick non-bootloader items you'll revert. You can't get rid of the locked down 4.3 bootloader at all.
I am hoping we can still use Odin to at least go back to stock 4.3. I'm actually going to try that in a bit and mess with my flash counter - it seems to not want to reset that's another subject.
I'm not sure if the 4.3 bootloader prevents going back to an older modem or not - I might try that too and see what happens. If it does not, then these steps might get you back to an unlockable state - might also trip your Knox Warranty Void along the way in case if that concerns you. Mine is tripped and I'm really not sure why or when it happened.
1) Get GooManager off Play Store and use it to install custom recovery - you need this because you can no longer just flash an entire pre-4.3 image thanks to the 4.3 bootloader
2) Using custom recovery, flash UVALJ1 modem & Odexed or Deodexed ROM from here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2102380
If it'll boot at this point, you should be able to do the unlock thing - this is how I originally unlocked mine last April - but that was pre-4.3-locked state for me. If we cannot get back to that unlockable state, I'm going to be really sorry I knowingly let myself get locked down by 4.3 - I assumed at the time last week that it wouldn't affect that much but in hindsight I'm afraid I shoulda thought about it a bit more lol.
Hope this helps!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you provide some additional detail on how to use goo manager and which custom recovery to install? (a lost newbie)
Thanks

[Q] Safestrap on rooted Sprint Galaxy S3 OTA 4.3 MK3

I've been using a factory ROM Sprint Samsung Galaxy SPH-L710 happily for quite a while. Outside of custom launchers and Widget Locker type stuff I've been trying hard to live [happily] within the factory constraints. Then I discovered Tasker, Daily Roads Voyager, and a bunch of other really fun stuff. And down the rabbit hole I went.
So thus far I've rooted using the excellent Saferoot found here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=50744761
Now I want to be able to do nandroid backups so I can capture snapshot-in-time backups of my device. I keep seeing reference for using Snapshot on the Sprint S3 but the only sources I've seen for downloading Safestrap do not specifically reference the Sprint Galaxy S3 so I'm unsure if it's supported or not.
Safestrap site: http://blog.hash-of-codes.com/downloads/safestrap/
XDA thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2605648
Does anyone know?
Thganks.

purchafed fractobi
gastric123 said:
I've been using a factory ROM Sprint Samsung Galaxy SPH-L710 happily for quite a while. Outside of custom launchers and Widget Locker type stuff I've been trying hard to live [happily] within the factory constraints. Then I discovered Tasker, Daily Roads Voyager, and a bunch of other really fun stuff. And down the rabbit hole I went.
So thus far I've rooted using the excellent Saferoot found here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=50744761
Now I want to be able to do nandroid backups so I can capture snapshot-in-time backups of my device. I keep seeing reference for using Snapshot on the Sprint S3 but the only sources I've seen for downloading Safestrap do not specifically reference the Sprint Galaxy S3 so I'm unsure if it's supported or not.
Safestrap site: http://blog.hash-of-codes.com/downloads/safestrap/
XDA thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2605648
Does anyone know?
Thganks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You dont need safestrap on the sprint version of s3 since we dont have locked bootloaders. Its mainly for the variants with locked bootloaders. You can ODIN either TWRP, CWM or Philz.

It was my understanding that the latest OTA 4.3 release specifically locked the bootloader and installed Knox. Which is why I went with Saferoot to begin with.

The firmware only installed KNOX apps and bootloader. SO, you can remove KNOX from the phone but not the bootloader. NEVER try to downgrade the bootloader as you will brick. You are stuck on that bootloader until someone figures something out.
Edit: The bootloader is not locked.

flynhawn2002 said:
The firmware only installed KNOX apps and bootloader. SO, you can remove KNOX from the phone but not the bootloader. NEVER try to downgrade the bootloader as you will brick. You are stuck on that bootloader until someone figures something out.
Edit: The bootloader is not locked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, the conclusion is there's no work around or tool to allow nandriod backups even after rooting the OTA 4.3 update. No Safestrap viable for this particular device and factory ROM?

You can create backups from CWM, TWRP or Philz at anytime even on 4.3 MK3 without any issues. There is no safestrap for the sprint variant only ATT and Verizon (to my knowledge).

For clarification then the Sprint variant can use odin safely? Are there specific ROMs that are we are limited to? I went the SafeRoot route myself but have been petrified to try anything else because it seems every post I read contradicts the one before it. I downloaded the Online Nandroid Backup app and it seems to be working. I landed here trying to educate myself on SafeStrap. All I want is 4.1.2 back on my phone. This OTA has totally made my once silky smooth handset a laggy battery sucking pos!
JD

I have used ODIN numerous times and have had no issues! You can flash any ROM you wish just dont downgrade the bootloader or you will brick. BTW, 4.3 is silky smooth for me! I have my S3 running at least 24hrs and around 2.5 to 3hrs screen time (moderate to heavy use) per charge.

flynhawn2002 said:
I have used ODIN numerous times and have had no issues! You can flash any ROM you wish just dont downgrade the bootloader or you will brick. BTW, 4.3 is silky smooth for me! I have my S3 running at least 24hrs and around 2.5 to 3hrs screen time (moderate to heavy use) per charge.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. My stock device started freezing up intermittently and randomly locking up and rebooting. Typing is a joke because it will freeze mid sentence and then all the sudden crap out all the keystrokes like it had to stop and think about what it was doing. Also the Google Maps change and YouTube change annoy the hell out of me. Maps will not lock in on GPS unless i pull down the info bar from the top of the screen and toggle the GPS button off and on. Just a major frustration. This is the only phone I've had to date that I had absolutely no complaints about until 4.3. Sorry for the rant but thanks for the info.
JD

jdougs said:
Thanks. My stock device started freezing up intermittently and randomly locking up and rebooting. Typing is a joke because it will freeze mid sentence and then all the sudden crap out all the keystrokes like it had to stop and think about what it was doing. Also the Google Maps change and YouTube change annoy the hell out of me. Maps will not lock in on GPS unless i pull down the info bar from the top of the screen and toggle the GPS button off and on. Just a major frustration. This is the only phone I've had to date that I had absolutely no complaints about until 4.3. Sorry for the rant but thanks for the info.
JD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WOW....sorry to hear that. Go ahead and try some of the 4.3 custom roms as they are very fast, stable and smooth. Good luck!

jdougs said:
My stock device started freezing up intermittently and randomly locking up and rebooting. Typing is a joke because it will freeze mid sentence and then all the sudden crap out all the keystrokes like it had to stop and think about what it was doing. Also the Google Maps change and YouTube change annoy the hell out of me. Maps will not lock in on GPS unless i pull down the info bar from the top of the screen and toggle the GPS button off and on. Just a major frustration. This is the only phone I've had to date that I had absolutely no complaints about until 4.3. Sorry for the rant but thanks for the info.
JD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been perfectly happy with 4.3 and have had no issues, in fact it's made my S3 the first Android phone I haven't specifically hated after using an iPhone for almost 2 years. Everything works great, and it's fast, and I've loaded all sorts of custom launchers and lock screens and now have it rooted and running various Tasker automation. Great stuff. I'm finally sold on Android.
Regarding your random reboots/locks I had a Galaxy S2 with a dying power button switch that used to do that for months before I finally attributed it to the power switch specifically (when it finally died completely I finally realized it was the switch all along). That doesn't explain any other issues you're having, but it's something to consider. If you're rooted you can probably disable the power switch and assign some other hard button to work as the power button for a couple days as a test.
Good luck.

Thanks for the insight. I don't think it's hardware related since it was never an issue before the OTA but I am willing to try anything and will try it if I ever get the SuperSU to keep from randomly stopping.
JD

flynhawn2002 said:
The firmware only installed KNOX apps and bootloader. SO, you can remove KNOX from the phone but not the bootloader. NEVER try to downgrade the bootloader as you will brick. You are stuck on that bootloader until someone figures something out.
Edit: The bootloader is not locked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I really need some help here. I'm looking to switch to the s3 but all this talk of knox and stuff is really turning me away from it because rooting and using custom roms are a big thing to me, i just need a device that can support it well. So what exactly do you mean when you say downgrade the bootloader? and would i be able to flash roms that run kitkat? or would i have to update my device to kitkat and root while running 4.4?

tsmith1223 said:
I really need some help here. I'm looking to switch to the s3 but all this talk of knox and stuff is really turning me away from it because rooting and using custom roms are a big thing to me, i just need a device that can support it well. So what exactly do you mean when you say downgrade the bootloader? and would i be able to flash roms that run kitkat? or would i have to update my device to kitkat and root while running 4.4?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is what I would do if you dont have 4.4:
1 Odin the official stock ND8
2 Flash TWRP 2.6.3.0
3 Go to the dev thread and folow the direction in OP and flash Wicked X 7.3 (custom 4.4) & thank bilgerryan
If you have 4.4 then proceed with 2 & 3!
You will then have a custom 4.4 rom on your S3!

flynhawn2002 said:
This is what I would do if you dont have 4.4:
1 Odin the official stock ND8
2 Flash TWRP 2.6.3.0
3 Go to the dev thread and folow the direction in OP and flash Wicked X 7.3 (custom 4.4) & thank bilgerryan
If you have 4.4 then proceed with 2 & 3!
You will then have a custom 4.4 rom on your S3!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
2. flash Philz recovery cause that one supposedly works best with ND8

I went from 4.3 to 4.1.1 with no issues.

My note 2 has always been stable on 4.1.1 stock and I debloated it myself. So when ever an update came out rather than risking my stable phone I would just flash the new baseband from it and keep 4.1.1, until tesh stopped updating his thread. Recently my screen cracked so I used my insurance for the first time. The new phone came with 4.3 and the knox bootloader plus the CMK7 baseband. I did a cwm backup on my cracked screen phone. Used odin to flash cwm onto the new phone, which did cause knox to show I did but who really cares since the phone is so far out of warranty anyway. Then loaded my cwm backup onto the new phone. What I ended up with is my nice stable phone with everything working plus the new baseband CMK7 stayed but the bootloader is still the new knox one. Everything is working just fine, so whats the big thing with everyone saying you cant go back from 4.3? I went from 4.3 to 4.1.1 just fine via cwm.

Cool story bro

Joe333x said:
My note 2 has always been stable on 4.1.1 stock and I debloated it myself. So when ever an update came out rather than risking my stable phone I would just flash the new baseband from it and keep 4.1.1, until tesh stopped updating his thread. Recently my screen cracked so I used my insurance for the first time. The new phone came with 4.3 and the knox bootloader plus the CMK7 baseband. I did a cwm backup on my cracked screen phone. Used odin to flash cwm onto the new phone, which did cause knox to show I did but who really cares since the phone is so far out of warranty anyway. Then loaded my cwm backup onto the new phone. What I ended up with is my nice stable phone with everything working plus the new baseband CMK7 stayed but the bootloader is still the new knox one. Everything is working just fine, so whats the big thing with everyone saying you cant go back from 4.3? I went from 4.3 to 4.1.1 just fine via cwm.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you use PC Odin to go backwards there are uncomfortable results.
Hastily spouted for your befuddlement

Double0EK said:
Cool story bro
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How many of your posts are worthless? All of them? You sir are whats wrong with xda. The fact that every one thinks you cant go backwards from 4.3 just got proven wrong as long as you do it with cwm and not odin apparently.

There are multiple threads regarding your cool story.
The issue people are having is not being able to downgrade to 4.1.x OS. Its the bootloader that people were discussing and when coming from a 4.3 bootloader is impossible to downgrade to the 4.1.x bootloader/s.
Maybe doing a search in the future will get you some answers about the whole 4.3 bootloader and downgrading that you're taking about.
Good luck to you..

Ok but like I said I have the 4.3 bootloader and a 4.1 rom with no issues using cwm. So there is no issue with having a 4.1.1 rom and the 4.3 bootloader. If you have nothing constructive to add then dont post anything.

I mostly Lurk on XDA, But you sir are a different kind of stupid.
Clearly you haven't played with 4.1 long enough to see what the issues are, Its been well known that you can return to a older rom.
but knox has issues by doing so.
Joe333x said:
Ok but like I said I have the 4.3 bootloader and a 4.1 rom with no issues using cwm. So there is no issue with having a 4.1.1 rom and the 4.3 bootloader. If you have nothing constructive to add then dont post anything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

smokeingit said:
I mostly Lurk on XDA, But you sir are a different kind of stupid.
Clearly you haven't played with 4.1 long enough to see what the issues are, Its been well known that you can return to a older rom.
but knox has issues by doing so.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol long enough? How about since release day when I bought it? My phone is stable as can be with no force closes completely self deblaoted, working wifi tether, bunch of xposed modules and everything is pefect. For the most part the OS that a phone releases with is typically the most stable, there are obviously exceptions but I have been doing this since the G1 days and as soon as you start getting flash happy is when you have issues. Only thing I update is the baseband/modem. Also dont name call over the Internet its childish but then again most people on here are typically teenagers. Could you elaborate on the issues knox should be causing me but isn't?

This topic has been mentioned many times, there's no room for the useless bickering going on in here.
Thread closed
Have a great day!