Develop Bugs

[REQ] 3-way Reboot menu for 4.3 update

Hey all,
I'm looking for an extended reboot menu thats flashable for the new 4.3 update thats been rolling out. I'm on Telus (Canadian carrier) stock rom NOT rooted but with custom recovery. (Can't root due to work restrictions). Does anyone know of one or if the ones for ex the GS3 would work?
Thanks!

If you are not Rooted but with a custom recovery you flashed an unlocked bootloader correct?
As far as I know the 4.3 update for I317m bootloader has not yet been unlocked. I think if you accept the update to stock 4.3 you would lose your custom recovery until the unlocked 4.3 bootloader has been cracked. I don't think you would be able to flash any mods at that point.
Don't quote me.

SpikeDrums said:
If you are not Rooted but with a custom recovery you flashed an unlocked bootloader correct?
As far as I know the 4.3 update for I317m bootloader has not yet been unlocked. I think if you accept the update to stock 4.3 you would lose your custom recovery until the unlocked 4.3 bootloader has been cracked. I don't think you would be able to flash any mods at that point.
Don't quote me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A bit of background information on my set up.
Previosuly I was unlocked, rooted and custom rom on 4.1. Then my work began no longer allowing rooted phones to receive company email so in SuperSU I clicked "unroot" and kept the custom recovery and custom rom with all the tweaks but lost root access. Then my phone got messed up somehow so I decided to wipe it and install a new rom as it had been a few months. I installed a 4.3 rom and proceeded to unroot it. Apparently in 4.3 something has changed and simply clicking unroot removed my root access but the company program (Good for Enterprise) could still detect that it had been rooted. So I grabbed the Telus stock 4.3 firmware from a mirror (Sammobile still doesn't have it due to hotfile being shut down) and flashed it through Odin. This put me back to stock recovery and stock firmware, not rooted. I then flashed TWRP over the stock recovery in Odin and here we now are. I can confirm that the recovery flash did take and I am able to get into it, etc. Just looking for some .zips to flash now to bring things back to a custom rom state minus the root.

I think your stuck until some one comes out with a stock deodexed version as the reboot options are in the androidpolicy.jar file . Skynote 10 is based on the latest Canadian 4.3 and has the reboot option., just pull your csc folder and put it in the zip before flashing. But it is rooted and not sure if you can use cf-root to unroot as i have never tried to unroot you could also use xposed and wanam but you will need root for them to work hope i didn't confuse you

[Q] Downgrading CM11 to stock 4.3 on i747M

I know there are a few threads regarding this issue but I can't seem to find a definitive answer.
I am currently running stock 4.3 jellybean (rooted). My phone hasn't received the 4.4 KitKat update yet, so I wanted to install CM11 in order to get KitKat on my s3. However, I heard CM11 can be buggy on the s3, so in case things go south, I want to be able to revert back to the stock 4.3 rom. Some people have said that you can easily flash the stock ROM via ODIN. However, others said that downgrading from 4.4.2 to 4.3 will hard brick the device since installing CM11 updates the boot loader. So downgrading to 4.3 stock with a 4.4.2 boot loader will cause a hard brick according to other threads I've seen. My question is, how can I downgrade from CM11 to stock 4.3 safely without bricking? Thanks in advance.

If you are sure you are using a Canadian version of the i747m, you can flash back to stock in Odin using a stock 4.3 ROM for the phone's original carrier (Bell, Rogers, Telus).

audit13 said:
If you are sure you are using a Canadian version of the i747m, you can flash back to stock in Odin using a stock 4.3 ROM for the phone's original carrier (Bell, Rogers, Telus).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I got the phone from Rogers, it's most definitely i747M. But do I have to worry about any issues with the bootloader? I'm assuming installing CM11 will install the 4.4.2 bootloader, so if I choose to downgrade to the stock 4.3 rom, will it cause any issues seeing as I'm running a 4.3 rom with a 4.4.2 bootloader? I just want to make sure because I heard it can cause some serious problems if the bootloader is newer than the rom.

Mzrz said:
Yes I got the phone from Rogers, it's most definitely i747M. But do I have to worry about any issues with the bootloader? I'm assuming installing CM11 will install the 4.4.2 bootloader, so if I choose to downgrade to the stock 4.3 rom, will it cause any issues seeing as I'm running a 4.3 rom with a 4.4.2 bootloader? I just want to make sure because I heard it can cause some serious problems if the bootloader is newer than the rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have never come across a custom ROM that touches the bootloader. A compatible bootloader has to be loaded on the phone before you attempt to install the custom ROM. Supported bootloaders can be found in the ROM's updater script.
I assume your phone has no warranty since you rooted it on stock 4.3. Did you root it by installing a pre-rooted ROM?
You could copy a ROM to your external SD card, install Philz Touch via Odin, reboot directly to recovery, create a nandroid backup, wipe cache, Dalvik, data, and install your KK ROM.

audit13 said:
I have never come across a custom ROM that touches the bootloader. A compatible bootloader has to be loaded on the phone before you attempt to install the custom ROM. Supported bootloaders can be found in the ROM's updater script.
I assume your phone has no warranty since you rooted it on stock 4.3. Did you root it by installing a pre-rooted ROM?
You could copy a ROM to your external SD card, install Philz Touch via Odin, reboot directly to recovery, create a nandroid backup, wipe cache, Dalvik, data, and install your KK ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, I was just making sure because I know OTA updates can change the bootloader, so I just wanted to make sure the custom roms don't do that. As for the custom recovery, are you recommending Philz Touch over CWM and TWRP? Do you know which custom recovery is installed from the CM installer?

audit13 said:
I have never come across a custom ROM that touches the bootloader. A compatible bootloader has to be loaded on the phone before you attempt to install the custom ROM. Supported bootloaders can be found in the ROM's updater script.
I assume your phone has no warranty since you rooted it on stock 4.3. Did you root it by installing a pre-rooted ROM?
You could copy a ROM to your external SD card, install Philz Touch via Odin, reboot directly to recovery, create a nandroid backup, wipe cache, Dalvik, data, and install your KK ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh and one more question, my phone was originally carrier locked to Rogers and unrooted on 4.3 jelly bean. I brought it in to a cell store for them to carrier unlock it for me, but they used a rooting method to unlock it (because SuperSU was installed on it when I brought it back). They didn't unlock it with a code, so I'm guessing they used something like Samsung Tool or z3x shell. If I install CM11, will I lose the unlock, considering it's more of a "soft unlock", or is the unlock permanent regardless of how many roms I flash? Thanks for your help!

Mzrz said:
Okay, I was just making sure because I know OTA updates can change the bootloader, so I just wanted to make sure the custom roms don't do that. As for the custom recovery, are you recommending Philz Touch over CWM and TWRP? Do you know which custom recovery is installed from the CM installer?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Philz is based on the latest release of CWM and I prefer CWM over TWRP because I had problems flashing ROMs. Once I switched to Philz/CWM, no more problems.
Mzrz said:
Oh and one more question, my phone was originally carrier locked to Rogers and unrooted on 4.3 jelly bean. I brought it in to a cell store for them to carrier unlock it for me, but they used a rooting method to unlock it (because SuperSU was installed on it when I brought it back). They didn't unlock it with a code, so I'm guessing they used something like Samsung Tool or z3x shell. If I install CM11, will I lose the unlock, considering it's more of a "soft unlock", or is the unlock permanent regardless of how many roms I flash? Thanks for your help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The unlock should be permanent. I unlocked it using the free method when on 4.1.1 and no ROM has ever caused it to re-lock. Reflashing a completely stock ROM, including the bootloader, did not relock the phone.
Please remember that flashing and changing ROMs will always carry a risk of soft bricking or hard bricking your phone. Make sure you read all of the guides and be prepared for disaster.
Good read here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2201860

[Q] APN not listed and cannot add

I was on CM 10.2.1
I upgraded to CM11 - I get no wireless data. My phone works but I have no APNs and I could not add them.
I tried SlimKat 9.0 same issue with the APN
I upgraded my CWM to 6.4.0.7 as I heard that caused issues when upgrading to CM11.
I bought Mobile Odin and flashed that way as I thought it might help.
Ive done the following to fix my APN
1) Loaded an old one from working CM 10.2.1
2) Run Root Tweak with the fix APN for CM11 checked
3) Done the airplane mode trick
4) Attempt to add one manually
Does anyone know why this is happening and more importantly how to correct this issue?
Yes I did pore through other threads on how to fix this but no avail.
Thank you

What is your bootloader and modem? Do you get data if you re-install your previous ROM?

audit13 said:
What is your bootloader and modem? Do you get data if you re-install your previous ROM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bootloader = I747UCDLK3
Modem = I747UCDLK3
Yes I get data when I load a backup of CM 10.2.1
Thanks

Data does not work on ROMs beyond cm10.2 because your bootloader and modem to too old.
I recommend flashing back to stock 4.1.1, sim unlock your phone if it is not already sim unlocked, and run OTA updates to at least 4.3, then install recovery and CM11.

audit13 said:
Data does not work on ROMs beyond cm10.2 because your bootloader and modem to too old.
I recommend flashing back to stock 4.1.1, sim unlock your phone if it is not already sim unlocked, and run OTA updates to at least 4.3, then install recovery and CM11.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the quick reply. That sounds hard. From what I'm reading going back is treacherous.
So these are the steps.
1. Load this firmware via ODIN -> I747UCDLK3_I747ATTDLK3_I747UCDLK3_HOME.zip -- What about gapps? Is that in this zip?
2. Run triangle away. (Do I need to do this?)
3. Contact my carrier to unlock my sim. (If this is carrier unlocking ie taking my att phone to Sprint etc, why is this needed?)
4. Get OTA updates. Will this come automagically because I'm on 4.1.1 and does it matter if my flash counter is gt 1?
5. Root phone via Odin with this file CF-Auto-Root-d2att-d2uc-samsungsghi747.tar.md5.
6. Install CWM if it went away when I went back to firmware - Of course it would because I'll factory reset my phone in step 1.
7. Flash away to a 4.4.4 Rom
Did I miss anything?
Step 4 is the one that scares me -- That one is out of my control. Either I get the OTA or I dont. Anyway I can "request" the OTA?
Thanks again
Be Well

From your custom ROM, run triangle away to reset counter and change things back to official.
Now flash back to stock 4.1.1 using Odin. If your phone does not boot, you need to get into recovery, do a factory reset, and reboot the phone and go through the set up routine.
After loading stock 4.1.1, do this to sim unlock your phone for free: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2529200. If you have a code from ATT, you must be running a stock ROM or a custom ROM that is based on a stock Samsung ROM in order to enter the unlock code.
You must be on a stock ROM in order to take OTA updates. OTA updates are the safest way to obtain an updated bootloader and modem.
After updating to 4.3, you cannot downgrade the bootloader as doing so may brick the phone.
The choice is yours in terms of what you want to do. As you found out, some ROMs will not function properly without an updated bootloader and modem. Mixing modem and bootloader versions may also result in a bricked phone.

audit13 said:
From your custom ROM, run triangle away to reset counter and change things back to official.
Now flash back to stock 4.1.1 using Odin. If your phone does not boot, you need to get into recovery, do a factory reset, and reboot the phone and go through the set up routine.
After loading stock 4.1.1, do this to sim unlock your phone for free: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2529200. If you have a code from ATT, you must be running a stock ROM or a custom ROM that is based on a stock Samsung ROM in order to enter the unlock code.
You must be on a stock ROM in order to take OTA updates. OTA updates are the safest way to obtain an updated bootloader and modem.
After updating to 4.3, you cannot downgrade the bootloader as doing so may brick the phone.
The choice is yours in terms of what you want to do. As you found out, some ROMs will not function properly without an updated bootloader and modem. Mixing modem and bootloader versions may also result in a bricked phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To stick with 10.2 or not to that is the question. Everytime I flash or do anything like this on my phone - I get a small lump in my throat knowing I'm dancing in the razors edge of bricking it.

I know how you feel, but I've done it enough times and just accept the fact that I may brick the phone. Jtag service would cost me around $75 so I'm willing to take the chance. I'd be less willing if the phone still has warranty.
Flashing back to stock and running OTA updates is the safest route.
If you don't sim unlock while on stock 4.1.1 and you want to sim unlock your phone in the future, you will need to be on a stock or virtually stock ROM in order to enter the unlock code.

Used ODIN to go back to stock 4.1.1.
Got the OTA update to 4.3
I have my MMS and cellular data back
I'll stick on stock, unrooted 4.3 for a minute.
I should be available to root and update to CM11 or SlimKat or any 4.4 rom whenever I so desire and still keep cellular data.
My baseband is I747UCUEMJB. How can I find out my bootloader and modem versions on UNROOTED device?
Your help is much appreciated and your instructions were flawless.

ddunleavy2 said:
Used ODIN to go back to stock 4.1.1.
Got the OTA update to 4.3
I have my MMS and cellular data back
I'll stick on stock, unrooted 4.3 for a minute.
I should be available to root and update to CM11 or SlimKat or any 4.4 rom whenever I so desire and still keep cellular data.
My baseband is I747UCUEMJB. How can I find out my bootloader and modem versions on UNROOTED device?
Your help is much appreciated and your instructions were flawless.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In a terminal or adb shell you can enter this to check your bootloader:
Code:
getprop ro.bootloader
In a terminal or adb shell you can enter this to check your modem (should match the baseband your phone reports in About):
Code:
getprop gsm.version.baseband
I don't believe either of these commands require root unless stock has getprop locked down tighter that AOSP ROMs; I just entered them in a user shell.
There are a couple of firmware updates for your device beyond MJB, NE4 and NJ1. Some users, myself included, had GPS problems that were a bit of a pain to fix on newer 4.4 AOSP based ROMs with the MJB firmware, but data was ok with MJB. Also, you'll need newer firmware if you decide to test drive the lollipop alphas that are floating around. There are custom recovery flashable firmware updates on XDA from a trusted developer if you decide you need that, or you might want to take a couple more OTAs if you're more comfortable going that route. You're already on MJB so there's no going back

The terminal worked
Bootloader and baseband = I747UCUEMJB
What???? I might need more updates for all the roms out there.....ugggh.
"There are custom recovery flashable firmware updates on XDA from a trusted developer if you decide you need that, or you might want to take a couple more OTAs if you're more comfortable going that route."
If I decide to use these flashable firmware updates on XDA from a trusted developer or OTA its same as this: going forward and NEVER going backward when getting firmware updates?, yes?

yes. downgrading bootloader will almost certainly cause a brick.
"all i can really do , is stay out of my own way and let the will of heaven be done"
---------- Post added at 10:09 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:07 PM ----------
audit13 said:
Data does not work on ROMs beyond cm10.2 because your bootloader and modem to too old.
I recommend flashing back to stock 4.1.1, sim unlock your phone if it is not already sim unlocked, and run OTA updates to at least 4.3, then install recovery and CM11.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
"all i can really do , is stay out of my own way and let the will of heaven be done"

You guys are on point.
Last night I received another OTA to 4.4.2.
Baseband now at NE4.
Thanks again for taking the time to answer all this -- Really really appreciate it.
EDIT: Can I still use this to root my phone via ODIN or is there a different process for this baseband?
CF-Auto-Root-d2att-d2uc-samsungsghi747.tar.md5
I load this into ODIN, plug my phone in download mode and root away. Does either the file I use change or do I have to use something other than ODIN?
Thanks again

To get root, I would flash a custom recovery and flash supersu from recovery, then let supersu disable know.
The file you named looks to be outdated as it refers to the s3 as d2att. Since unified builds were released, the s3 is now referred to as the d2lte.

I have ROM Manager installed. It has an option to "Flash Clockworkmod Recovery". I just tried it and it failed and I think thats because I dont have root. In the past I've had to root my phone via ODIN, then flash custom recovery then MOD away.
In the past I rooted the S3 via ODIN. With this new 4.4.2 version do I still root via ODIN provide I find the correct file because -> CF-Auto-Root-d2att-d2uc-samsungsghi747.tar.md5 this one is probably for a 4.1.1 version phone?

I would not flash anything for the d2att at this point.
Try this:
Download the latest tar.md5 file from here: https://goo.im/devs/philz_touch/CWM_...Edition/d2lte/
Download supersu zip from here and place it onto an external SD card or copy it to the phone's internal storage: http://download.chainfire.eu/695/SuperSU/
In Odin, uncheck everything except f.reset time. Flash Philz. When you see reset in the status window, remove USB cable, pull battery, replace battery, boot into recovery, flash supersu, reboot.

I am fairly certain that AOSP, or at least CM, de-unified in the past few months. Not that it matters much, other than for the confusion it causes.

Downgrading from Android 5.1.1 to Android 4.1

I have Pac Rom Android 5.1.1 installed on my rooted sg3 and I need to do a carrier unlock. I contacted ATT to get the unlock code and the code they provided didn't work. Now I want to downgrade to Android 4.1 and try the UMTS menu trick as described here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2176719
I have tried Odin many times (with many versions, different computers, USB cables, etc) and every time Odin fails to flash Android 4.1. with a Fail AUTH error. I have used Odin successfully in the past many times with this phone but am unable to get it to work this time around.
Does anyone know how to downgrade the sg3 from 5.1.1 to 4.1? Or even better does anyone how to carrier unlock the sg3 when it has 5.1.1 installed on it?
Thanks!

Odin is probably failing because you have a 4.3 or 4.4.2 bootloader on your phone. I recommend you not flash anymore ROMs using Odin as repeat attempts to flash the 4.1.1 ROM via Odin may hard brick the phone.
Once a phone is running and 4.3 or 4.4.2 bootloader, you cannot use the free/hidden menu method to unlock the phone.
You cannot use a custom ROM to enter an unlock code. You'll have to go back to a stock ROM, enter the code, and return to a custom ROM.

Thanks for the reply. Do you know how I can go back to stock 4.1.1 without using Odin?

You need the 4.1.1 bootloader in order to use the free method. Once a phone is on 4.3 bootloader or higher, you can't go back to 4.1.1. Don't try because attempts to do so could brick the phone.
A stock 4.1.1 rom on a 4.3 bootloader will not work.

So you're saying once the sg3 is on a version above 4.3 there is no way to go back to 4.1.1?

slipnslider said:
So you're saying once the sg3 is on a version above 4.3 there is no way to go back to 4.1.1?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Once it is on the 4.3 or higher bootloader, there is no going back to an older bootloader and it is the older 4.1.1 bootloader and stock 4.1.1 ROM that is required to unlock using the free method.
Since you have the code, you can flash a stock ROM from recovery.

audit13 said:
Once it is on the 4.3 or higher bootloader, there is no going back to an older bootloader and it is the older 4.1.1 bootloader and stock 4.1.1 ROM that is required to unlock using the free method.
Since you have the code, you can flash a stock ROM from recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. What do you mean by free method?
Also you suggesting if I put the 4.1.1 stock rom .zip on my sg3 I can flash it via CWM just like I would the latest 5.1.1 Pac Rom release?

The free method is the method you linked in your original post. This is the only free method available and it requires a 4.1.1 bootloader that your phone doesn't have. Installing 4.1.1 via cwm is not going to help you unlock it.

Since you have the code, you can flash a stock ROM from recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How would I do this? Do I just flash 4.1.1 from cwm?

Flashing 4.1.1 onto your phone will not allow you to enter the code.
Before flashing anything, you need to verify the bootloader that is running on your phone. Until you do that, I would not flash any bootloaders or modems. An incompatible modem/bootloader combination can also brick your phone.

Sorry, one last question.
You'll have to go back to a stock ROM, enter the code, and return to a custom ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How can I go back to the stock rom?

You can flash a stock rom from the general thread using twrp or cwm.

Awesome, thanks again. I was worried about going that route since I'm on 5.1.1 but I'll give it a shot

slipnslider said:
Awesome, thanks again. I was worried about going that route since I'm on 5.1.1 but I'll give it a shot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you pick a stock ROM, make sure you pick one with the same bootloader and modem that are currently on your device. You probably have either the NE4 or NJ1 bootloader and modem pair. You DO NOT have a 5.1.1 bootloader and modem, they do not exist for the SGS3. Check your versions from a Terminal Emulator app or check them with the Phone Info - Samsung - app from the PlayStore.
Both NE4 and NJ1 stock ROMs are available in the forum. enewman17 posted them form image dumps, they have been used successfully by many.
The Terminal Emulator commands are:
Code:
getprop ro.bootloader
getprop | grep version.baseband

Thanks, I did this and both the bootloader and modem ended with NJ1 so I downloaded UCUFNJ1_Rooted.zip from enewman17's thread using CWM 6.0.4. The flash was successful but now the phone is frozen at the AT&T logo when I turn it on.
Any thoughts as to why its stuck booting up?

slipnslider said:
Thanks, I did this and both the bootloader and modem ended with NJ1 so I downloaded UCUFNJ1_Rooted.zip from enewman17's thread using CWM 6.0.4. The flash was successful but now the phone is frozen at the AT&T logo when I turn it on.
Any thoughts as to why its stuck booting up?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
More than once I have seen reports of this happening when going from a 5.x.x ROM back to 4.4.x. The most common solution has been to include formating the internal sdcard before flashing the stock ROM.

If I flash the sd card as well I will lose the UCUFNJ1_Rooted.zip file. So in that case should I use adb via CWM to flash it?

slipnslider said:
If I flash the sd card as well I will lose the UCUFNJ1_Rooted.zip file. So in that case should I use adb via CWM to flash it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Put the zip file on the external sdcard and then flash it with your recovery.

I actually didn't have an external SD card. I wound up taking it to the ATT store that had an ATT repair shop inside it and they reset it back to stock 4.4 for me and now everything works great! After unlocking the carrier on the phone I did have to manually enter the t-mobile APN to get the data connection working but that was simple (the info is listed on t-mobile's site)

slipnslider said:
I actually didn't have an external SD card. I wound up taking it to the ATT store that had an ATT repair shop inside it and they reset it back to stock 4.4 for me and now everything works great! After unlocking the carrier on the phone I did have to manually enter the t-mobile APN to get the data connection working but that was simple (the info is listed on t-mobile's site)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad to see you are up and running. Also glad to hear the AT&T guys helped out.

How do you unlock an i747M locked to Fido? [OctOS L 5.1.1]

So I'm planning to switch carriers and I'm wondering how I can unlock my i747M locked to Fido that's running OctOS L 5.1.1. If I have to downgrade, how do I transfer all my current app data and pic's. Also, is it possible to keep the unlock if you were to update you phone to a higher version or install a custom ROM or install the nandroid backup you made before unlocking? Please leave me with some important things to know about while unlocking your phone if possible!

If the phone is running a 4.3 or newer bootloader, you'll have to buy an unlock code.
In order to enter the unlock code, the phone should be running a stock samsung ROM from sammobile.
I suggest creating a nandroid backup with TWRP, copy the backup to your computer, flash the stock ROM, perform a factory reset after flashing stock, unlock, flash TWRP, restore nandroid.

audit13 said:
If the phone is running a 4.3 or newer bootloader, you'll have to buy an unlock code.
In order to enter the unlock code, the phone should be running a stock samsung ROM from sammobile.
I suggest creating a nandroid backup with TWRP, copy the backup to your computer, flash the stock ROM, perform a factory reset after flashing stock, unlock, flash TWRP, restore nandroid.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so, in a nutshell, i just need to downgrade my phone to a stock rom of 4.3 or below and just search up a video of how to unlock it using the keypad method?
than if i wanted to, i could use the nandroid backup i did before and flash it and still have an unlocked phone?

You cannot use the free method once the phone is running a 4.3 or newer bootloader because you cannot properly run the 4.1.1 modem on a 4.3 or 4.4.2 bootloader and the 4.3 or 4.4.2 bootloader cannot be downgraded to a 4.1.1 bootloader.
Before flashing anything, which bootloader is on the phone?

audit13 said:
You cannot use the free method once the phone is running a 4.3 or newer bootloader because you cannot properly run the 4.1.1 modem on a 4.3 or 4.4.2 bootloader and the 4.3 or 4.4.2 bootloader cannot be downgraded to a 4.1.1 bootloader.
Before flashing anything, which bootloader is on the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry for the noob question, but how do i found out my bootloader?
If this helps, my baseband is I747MVLUFOB3

I actually just logged on to get similar clarification. I have an unlock code, but it does not work when I enter it using OctOS-M. Do I need to be on a stock rom to unlock? Can I easily jump back to a stock rom, then back again to a marshmallow rom?

JoshMcMadMac said:
I actually just logged on to get similar clarification. I have an unlock code, but it does not work when I enter it using OctOS-M. Do I need to be on a stock rom to unlock? Can I easily jump back to a stock rom, then back again to a marshmallow rom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From what ive heard, you have to be on a stock rom. As of google, even then, some users have problems or cant, which from what ive heard, can be fixed by downgrading to 4.3 (make sure ur bootloader is the same or your phone WILL be bricked).
Please note that this is from what ive heard and may not be accurate.

Install the Samsung phone info app from the play store as it will tell you a lot.

audit13 said:
Install the Samsung phone info app from the play store as it will tell you a lot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My boot loader seems to be the same as my baseband.

What is the bootloader version?

GamingDevilsCC said:
From what ive heard, you have to be on a stock rom. As of google, even then, some users have problems or cant, which from what ive heard, can be fixed by downgrading to 4.3 (make sure ur bootloader is the same or your phone WILL be bricked).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That sounds problematic...I am on NJ2. I am not having any luck finding anything about getting back to stock on the newest bootloader.

audit13 said:
If the phone is running a 4.3 or newer bootloader, you'll have to buy an unlock code.
In order to enter the unlock code, the phone should be running a stock samsung ROM from sammobile.
I suggest creating a nandroid backup with TWRP, copy the backup to your computer, flash the stock ROM, perform a factory reset after flashing stock, unlock, flash TWRP, restore nandroid.
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Do you think this one would work?
https://z3x-team.com/forum/topic.php?id=9505
Whats a CWM anyways?

CWM is Clockworkmod with is a custom recovery. CWM is outdated as it has not been updated for quite some time. Many recent custom ROMs now require TWRP.
You may be able to software unlock the phone but you'll probaby need a UART cable and Samsung Pro tools. I don't believe Pro Tools is free.
The linked thread is from 2014 and, in 2014, many phones were running 4.1.2 which meant the phone could be downgraded to 4.1.1 using and sim unlocked using the dialler's menu options.