Develop Bugs

[Q] Root counter stuck to 1 and update questions

Hi guys,
I know this may not be the best place to ask this, but I don't have an high enough postcount to reply on the developer section, so... here we go
I've rooted my Note 2 using the procedure 1 shown here : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=31801060&postcount=2 . The problem is, even after I run Triangle away, my device si marked as "modified" ( aka, I guess the counter is not properly reset).
I've no idea why, and the thing doesn't really bother me that much, if it wasn't for the next question :
Can I update my firmware using keis with a rooted phone, or that means looking for trouble?I'l stuck with the LJ1 firmware and afaik a new version should be avaible ... and again, in case I have to somehow reset the phone to install the update, is it worth it?
Thanks

I guess the counter is not properly reset......
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should post in Q/A thread
Anyway
Not properly reset means?
counter is 'No' or non zero?
which method you have used? 1 or 2
if counter is zero, you have used method 1 then factory reset, status should turn to 'official'

dr.ketan said:
Not properly reset means?
counter is 'No' or non zero?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The counter is 1 even after Triangle Away
which method you have used? 1 or 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used method 1 ( I don't plan on using modded firmwares)
if counter is zero, you have used method 1 then factory reset, status should turn to 'official'
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At the moment, the device status is "modified", and yet, as I said, I carefully followed method 1 and I've tried to reset the counter using Triangle Away ( without success)
PS : thanks for your fast reply

You should get your rom from samfirmware.com and flash it using odin. If you're gonna rely on OTA or Kies, then you'll be outdated all the time. Also, counter stuck at 1 usually means you have custom recovery or custom rom installed. Factory resetting will usually remove Modified status, although I don't see the point of it, since like I said you needn't rely on OTA or Kies when there is a much better alternative.

kaharas said:
The counter is 1 even after Triangle Away
I used method 1 ( I don't plan on using modded firmwares)
At the moment, the device status is "modified", and yet, as I said, I carefully followed method 1 and I've tried to reset the counter using Triangle Away ( without success)
PS : thanks for your fast reply
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are on stock rom and just rooted with method 1, then just reset counter again. And let boot it normally once before checking counter.
Sent from my GT-N7100 using xda premium

dr.ketan said:
If you are on stock rom and just rooted with method 1, then just reset counter again. And let boot it normally once before checking counter.
Sent from my GT-N7100 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks again for your time I am on a stock pre-rooted rom, but I've rooted a month or so ago, and I've already tried to reset the counter multiple times ( and I've restarted a lot of times too). Still, no success in changing my phone status.
MohJee said:
cut
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your reply too. Yet, the same questions stand :
1) If I download a newer firmware from the website you linked, can i flash it without bricking the phone, or I need to somehow unroot the phone before flashing
2) I've looked for firmwares of my country ( Italy ), and it looks like not even October's update is here yet -.- Should I just search using a foreign country ( US, UK or whatever) ? and if so ... which one?
PS: I'm sorry for the probably trivial questions, I'm a total noob

kaharas said:
Thanks again for your time I am on a stock pre-rooted rom, but I've rooted a month or so ago, and I've already tried to reset the counter multiple times ( and I've restarted a lot of times too). Still, no success in changing my phone status.
Thanks for your reply too. Yet, the same questions stand :
1) If I download a newer firmware from the website you linked, can i flash it without bricking the phone, or I need to somehow unroot the phone before flashing
2) I've looked for firmwares of my country ( Italy ), and it looks like not even October's update is here yet -.- Should I just search using a foreign country ( US, UK or whatever) ? and if so ... which one?
PS: I'm sorry for the probably trivial questions, I'm a total noob
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can flash without unrooting. Only adverse thing that will happen is that you'll lose root and will have to root again.
Yes, your country seems to be late to the update cycle. You can wait for the update or if you really want it now you can flash to another countries' rom.. As long as it is an international version rom. So USA is a no-no.

MohJee said:
You can flash without unrooting. Only adverse thing that will happen is that you'll lose root and will have to root again.
Yes, your country seems to be late to the update cycle. You can wait for the update or if you really want it now you can flash to another countries' rom.. As long as it is an international version rom. So USA is a no-no.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any advice about which one is international?
And, while we are at it ... how can I make triangle away work? this whole counter thing is setting a feud between me and my note 2

Read sticky thread by me in android original development section.
You can flash any stock rom.
Sent from my GT-N7100 using xda premium

I do hope this is relevant here, since I'm having much the same problems. I'm a bit of a noob, but I've done my research, as you may see from the post.
I plan to have stock ROM/Recovery with Mobile Odin and the RedPill kernel. I'm kind of stuck. Let me run you through what I did so far, to clarify:
Rooted with method 2 almost w/o update or modification.
Wanted back in on OTA, so flashed stock recovery from here.
Used TriangleAway, but it told me it couldn't get/set the counter. Told it to reboot and do it, but just powered off the phone and didn't turn into the mentioned "special boot mode".
Can't get into recovery after attempting TriangleAway, that just powers off the phone. Recovery bricked? Download mode works, though.
Here's what I want to do:
Stock recovery/ROM (latest) with OTA and root, and Kies updatability.
Working stock recovery.
RedPill Kernel (optional since don't know how it may react with OTA/Kies)
Mobile Odin
Titanium Backup for preserving my Apps
I'm ready to use Titanium Backup for preserving my Apps, but will it preserve my settings/alarms? Or are those backed up to Samsung/Google?
You can refer me to the rooting post, if needed. Just give me an overview of what needs to be done and I'll do the rest.
EDIT: Came up with a possible solution.
Titanium Backup
Ketan's Thread
Stock ROM
Root: Method 1.
Mobile Odin
Optional
Convert Redpill to *.tar.md5 using Toolkit
Flash using mobile Odin
Titanium Backup (Restore)
What are the chances of this succeeding? Can I do the "optional" ones and not lose OTA?
Thanks a lot to any effort anyone may make to answer.

Thanks again everybody for your replies
I was wondering if anybody else had any idea about how to solve my main problem, that seems to have gone unnoticed for a while now : my counter is still at 1.
I've tried using triangle and restart teh device once before checking the status, but nothing has changed.
As I've already said, I used method one, and flashed a prerooted stock rom, but it looks like the counter is increased from 0 to 1 everytime I reboot.

kaharas said:
Thanks again everybody for your replies
I was wondering if anybody else had any idea about how to solve my main problem, that seems to have gone unnoticed for a while now : my counter is still at 1.
I've tried using triangle and restart teh device once before checking the status, but nothing has changed.
As I've already said, I used method one, and flashed a prerooted stock rom, but it looks like the counter is increased from 0 to 1 everytime I reboot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i have the same situation, always shows 1, dr. recommend me flash stock via pc odin and do a full wipe, but i havent try it yet,
currently i just use custom kernel and triangle away set it reset on boot

emprize said:
i have the same situation, always shows 1, dr. recommend me flash stock via pc odin and do a full wipe, but i havent try it yet,
currently i just use custom kernel and triangle away set it reset on boot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
NOTE: I have the LTE version (n7105) but I assume the following also applies to the n7100
I had the very same issue as the OP: I rooted the device using PC Odin with dr.ketan's method #1 but couldn't reset the counter with Triangle Away.
I then downloaded the firmware for my model from samfirmware and flashed it using Mobile Odin Pro with all the EverRoot options and all the wipes selected.
Now the device is rooted and the counter is back to zero
Hope this helps.

[Q]need help unrooting,might have done something terribly wrong

hey guys,
previously i rooted with the first method(the cf-auto-root). which has a stock recovery. however, recently my phone would prompt to check for updates. when it checks, it goes on and on forever, without a result.
since i noticed that the jellybean 4.1.2 is out, i thought that this could be it. but because i rooted, i thought that it might interfere with the OTA update.
therefore i went to superSU>full unroot
does this fully unroot my device? what else should i do if not?
then, i did something terribly stupid. from my previous end point,(the full unroot from superSU), i rerooted my phone using the exynos abuse.
now, seeing that i've done something really wrong, im lost. can you guys shed a light on this? what should i do if i want to unroot and back to stock?
if i want to update my phone to 4.1.2, do i revert back to stock and update? or should i just flash the firmware now from samsung-updates.com?

Your asking too many questions at the same time.
If im correct,you want to get back to stock rom. Download the stock rom from your country and flash it via ODIN.
That should do it,
report back.

zeeshanonlyme said:
Your asking too many questions at the same time.
If im correct,you want to get back to stock rom. Download the stock rom from your country and flash it via ODIN.
That should do it,
report back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for the reply mate.
sorry for asking too many questions at once lol. disregard those.
i do have a new question now.
i did fully unroot with the superSU->full unroot, and then i rooted again using the exynos abuse.
if i flash the 4.1.2 firmware now, does it remove the patch by the exynos abuse?
my next reply will be late im having an exam at 2.

niekehecv said:
thanks for the reply mate.
sorry for asking too many questions at once lol. disregard those.
i do have a new question now.
i did fully unroot with the superSU->full unroot, and then i rooted again using the exynos abuse.
if i flash the 4.1.2 firmware now, does it remove the patch by the exynos abuse?
my next reply will be late im having an exam at 2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To the best of my knowledge, the patch would be removed when you flash 4.1.2 .
Good Luck for the exam

zeeshanonlyme said:
To the best of my knowledge, the patch would be removed when you flash 4.1.2 .
Good Luck for the exam
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks sir.
before i flash the 4.1.2, may i know what else am i required to do? do i need to perform any wipes?

niekehecv said:
thanks sir.
before i flash the 4.1.2, may i know what else am i required to do? do i need to perform any wipes?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are flashing via ODIN , do make a backup of contacts and messages if necessary as they will be lost while flashing.
Other than that via ODIN, you dont need to do anything else.

zeeshanonlyme said:
If you are flashing via ODIN , do make a backup of contacts and messages if necessary as they will be lost while flashing.
Other than that via ODIN, you dont need to do anything else.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
one more question lol
my flash counter is always 1, even after reset. i unrooted from superSU and rerooted again using exynos abuse. could it be becasue i rooted using exynos and patched it, therefore the flash counter is 1? my status is custom as well.

Not quoting every post but reply to most post above
1.what easiest way i can say is download ROM you want to flash (see 1st line on my signature post#1) and flash using Odin.
-This won't erase anything, but i recommend backup of your imp data, as anything goes wrong and you may need to wipe.
then use Cf auto root (1st line on my signature post#2) to root, as latest release exynose app won't work
then use triangle away to reset counter.
2.Short way
backup your data, use triangle away to reset counter (provided you dont have custom ROM/Recovery/Kernel)
disable exploit (both place) in exynose application
Unroot from exynose application
reboot to recovery and wipe cache and data
Now you may get OTA, update it and root using CF auto root as link shown you in option1 above
still you didn't get OTA, you can always go with option 1 above.

dr.ketan said:
Not quoting every post but reply to most post above
1.what easiest way i can say is download ROM you want to flash (see 1st line on my signature post#1) and flash using Odin.
-This won't erase anything, but i recommend backup of your imp data, as anything goes wrong and you may need to wipe.
then use Cf auto root (1st line on my signature post#2) to root, as latest release exynose app won't work
then use triangle away to reset counter.
2.Short way
backup your data, use triangle away to reset counter (provided you dont have custom ROM/Recovery/Kernel)
disable exploit (both place) in exynose application
Unroot from exynose application
reboot to recovery and wipe cache and data
Now you may get OTA, update it and root using CF auto root as link shown you in option1 above
still you didn't get OTA, you can always go with option 1 above.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
alrighty, thanks drketan. however i do have a question. how do i wipe cache and data from a stock recovery?

Reboot to recovery with volume up +home +power
Release power once you see samsung logo, but keep pressing rest two
You will see option to wipe cache. And wipe data (factory reset)
Sent from my GT-N7100 using xda premium

Help for a somewhat new person.

I am new with rooting my phone. I have used Rooted phones before, I followed http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2258633 Motochopper how to. I ran into a problem. I click the superuser app that was installed onto my phone, and it tells me that "The Superuser binary (su) must be updated. Please choose an installation method. Recovery mode installation is recommended for HTC devices." I click install and it tells me there was an error. I would like to root my phone along with potentially installing CWM so that I can easily install Cyanogenmod when they release a stable verison for the S4. Also would love to install titanium backup along with some Adfree apps.
Any help would be very much appreciated.

OK, so it looks like you already have it rooted.
When super SU asks that question, dont install via CWM, tell it to just install normally.
Once you have SuperSU working, Download Rom Manager from the play store and install CWM Recovery right from within the ROM Manager app.
It will give you the option to pick between two types of CWM(ClockWorkMod). The Touch version, like its name gives you the ability to use the touch screen and not only the volume up/down + Power button.

Telling it to install normally causes it to just tell me there was an error, it also tells me it is out of date as well. Titanium Backup tells me that it cant get root access and I was never asked about it.

OK, so your phone is not rooted then.
Your going to have to try rooting it again or flashing an already rooted rom with Odin.

I just tried it again, this time it said failure after the install of the superuser.apk. I just read that one of the later updates by samsung can make it harder to root. I just got my phone and i was fully updated. What Roms, are already rooted for the S4. I am actually enjoying some of the default apps that came with the phone.

Wicked (and most ROMs that don't include the [STOCK] tag) are pre-rooted...but you'll need to ODIN a custom recovery first then flash the ROM.
If you want to stay on rooted stock, follow the steps in the "root May 7 MDL" thread to ODIN a rooted kernel, and you'll be good to go.
(You don't need root access to get a custom recovery flashed)
Basically, any of your options are pretty straightforward, but they're going to involve Odin-ing stuff.

So there isn't really a way to just root my phone without installing a custom rom?

There was before the second update, with the second update rooting got just a little bit more steps
Sent from my SGH-M919 using xda premium

movieaddict said:
There was before the second update, with the second update rooting got just a little bit more steps
Sent from my SGH-M919 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So is there a way to keep it stock but root it? What are the other steps I would have to take. Why does Samsung not like people rooting their phones, I thought carriers were the ones that hated people rooting their phones

Spud37 said:
So is there a way to keep it stock but root it? What are the other steps I would have to take. Why does Samsung not like people rooting their phones, I thought carriers were the ones that hated people rooting their phones
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you still on the MDB firmware or have you done any over the air updates? Specifically the May 7 update which is MDL. Motochopper is specifically for then older firmware (MDB) and it won't work if you are already on the updated. MDL firmware. In which case you would have to follow these instructions to acquire root.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=41162041
I usually use a market app called root checker to quickly check if I do have root.
And yes you can be rooted on stock.
Sent from my SGH-M919

lazaro17 said:
Are you still on the MDB firmware or have you done any over the air updates? Specifically the May 7 update which is MDL. Motochopper is specifically for then older firmware (MDB) and it won't work if you are already on the updated. MDL firmware. In which case you would have to follow these instructions to acquire root.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=41162041
I usually use a market app called root checker to quickly check if I do have root.
And yes you can be rooted on stock.
Sent from my SGH-M919
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Root checker says no root. I believe it does have that over the air update installed. T Mobile updated it when they gave me the phone, because they thought I didn't really know anything about phones. I assume this means I have to follow another method to root my phone?

If you have the MDL update you have to root using the steps listed here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2268880
Easily done, just a few more steps.

ronin4740 said:
If you have the MDL update you have to root using the steps listed here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2268880
Easily done, just a few more steps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is going to sound like a dumb question but from reading all of that I need to use ODIN to install the ROOT_M919?UVUAMDL onto the phone? that should root the phone and allow me to install ROM Manager and install CWM from there right?
Also would doing this delete everything I have on my phone right now?

Spud37 said:
This is going to sound like a dumb question but from reading all of that I need to use ODIN to install the ROOT_M919?UVUAMDL onto the phone? that should root the phone and allow me to install ROM Manager and install CWM from there right?
Also would doing this delete everything I have on my phone right now?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, you use Odin to install one of the recoveries. You use the recovery to install the zip ROOT_M919?UVUAMD. Personally I didn't use that file. I installed the kernel in recovery and SuperSU in recovery. And no, it won't delete things on your phone.

Atmazzz said:
No, you use Odin to install one of the recoveries. You use the recovery to install the zip ROOT_M919?UVUAMD. Personally I didn't use that file. I installed the kernel in recovery and SuperSU in recovery. And no, it won't delete things on your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much, I am about to go and do this. I will use the kernel you suggested since that looks like a better option, after flashing the kernal should i reboot and just use it normally for a bit and then go to recovery and flash SuperSU?
EDIT: The steps on the thread for ODIN are for installing a rooted ROM, I am assuming its still the same steps for installing a recovery instead of a rooted ROM

Spud37 said:
after flashing the kernal should i reboot and just use it normally for a bit and then go to recovery and flash SuperSU?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I remember right I just flashed them both at the same time. Just make sure you do the kernel first.
---------- Post added at 02:01 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:59 PM ----------
Spud37 said:
EDIT: The steps on the thread for ODIN are for installing a rooted ROM, I am assuming its still the same steps for installing a recovery instead of a rooted ROM
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The steps for Odin are for the stock rom, but yes, you use it the same way for a recovery.

Atmazzz said:
If I remember right I just flashed them both at the same time. Just make sure you do the kernel first.
---------- Post added at 02:01 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:59 PM ----------
The steps for Odin are for the stock rom, but yes, you use it the same way for a recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay I didn't get any error using ODIN, however when I try and boot into CWM using Volume Up + Power it just goes to android recovery. Which doesn't have any of the options I need. Am I just booting up the wrong way, or did I do something wrong. I tried both the touch version and the non-touch version

Spud37 said:
Okay I didn't get any error using ODIN, however when I try and boot into CWM using Volume Up + Power it just goes to android recovery. Which doesn't have any of the options I need. Am I just booting up the wrong way, or did I do something wrong. I tried both the touch version and the non-touch version
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
2 options. uncheck auto reboot in Odin. When Odin is done, unplug your phone, pull your battery, then boot into recovery. Or .. when Odin is done and it reboots your phone, keep holding volume up to get to recovery.

Atmazzz said:
2 options. uncheck auto reboot in Odin. When Odin is done, unplug your phone, pull your battery, then boot into recovery. Or .. when Odin is done and it reboots your phone, keep holding volume up to get to recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank You so much. However it now seems like I have both Super User and SuperSU installed.

How did you root? Did you install the ROOT_M919?UVUAMDL zip and install SuperSU?

[GUIDE] how to root Sph-L710/L710T S3 4.4.2 (updated as of 8/19/2015)

I'm sorry i had the wrong links and because of this i had miss information. So i formally apologize by updating with the proper links.
this first method doesn't work with the Sph-L710T or the Sph-L710 on NJ2/NJ3
First method: You can root the stock 4.4.2 ND8/NDC:laugh:
1st. Make sure your on 4.4.2 ND8 or NDC
2nd. Download Towel Root
3rd. Place Towel Root in sdcard or internal storage
4th. With any file manager find and install Towel Root
5th. Open Towel Root and well root
6th. Go to play store and download https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=eu.chainfire.supersu&hl=en and also https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=stericson.busybox&hl=en let super user update the binary
7th. Flash any recovery you want {personally i went with PhilZ Touch (this was before PhilZ had a root Option)}
8th. Enjoy your rooted stock 4.4.2 ND8/NDC
Down below is one more way too root Stock ND8/NDC/NJ2/NJ3 or NF4/OA3 (L710T) and basically any other update
(link to the almighty ODIN)
Second Method: mostly recommended
1st. Odin flash TWRP
2nd. In Odin choose PDA, PA or AP then select the TWRP Tar you just downloaded
3rd. Make sure Auto reboot is unchecked (also at this time your s3 should be in download mode)
4th. Hit start and let Odin let it finish!!
5th. Hold power button to turn off your S3, after it turns off about 10 seconds later it will turn back on to the battery charging screen so before that quickly hold Volume+ and Home, to boot into recovery
6th. now your in TWRP
7th. so to root your stock rom with TWRP flash the following file SuperSU.zip by Chain fire (pro tip. Install any other custom recovery the same way I did for TWRP above if it is in .tar format)
and here is Philz recovery for the D2Lte 6.48.4 ( which you must flash in TWRP)
and here is TWRP that was made specifically for the D2Rephersher/triband/L710T TWRP (which you must flash in a recovery)
Third method Most recent.
Hidyman said:
This is in reference to Samsung Galaxy S3 for Boost Mobile SPH-L710.
Just want to let anyone out there that updated their Boost S3 to L710VPUC0J1 know that you can still root and/or ROM your phone.
Use the instructions to (use Odin to) update the recovery to TWRP first (in the second set of instructions). I had trouble trying to go right to PhilZ Recovery (which I believe is based off of ClockWorkMod). I Had to do the TWRP (twrp-2.8.7.0-d2spr.img.tar) first.
It was the only way to get it to actually accept the recovery, not sure why, maybe because the latest Samsung firmware fixed an exploit or two.
This is an older phone, but it is still a viable one.
I hope this helps someone out there.
It took me a while to figure this quandary out.
As always this WILL flag KNOX, but I'm sure this won't be an issue at this date and time (8/2016).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

work on ND8 rom? sprint phone?

Tekone said:
work on ND8 rom? sprint phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i want to say yes but towel root does come with a warning that it might brick your device.....but i want to say yes since most things that can be done to the ND8 can be done to the NDC and also in reverse order.....so try it and report back it will be good to know if it works on both bootloaders

Sprint S3 Android 4.4.2 ND8-It works!
I just used this method to root my Sprint S3 running Android 4.4.2 and ND8, since my USB port is on the fritz, and it worked successfully. I have root, and was able to do a full apps backup with Titanium Backup, and gained root access in ES File Explorer. Next, download and install a custom backup. Thanks, great job, and could not have been made easier to do!

oops
Rooted the phone in one click. Unfortunately, I lost all data (no 3G or 4G connection). Did I goof? I'm looking in the stickies and can't seem to find an answer. I'd appreciate any help I can get.

henhun said:
Rooted the phone in one click. Unfortunately, I lost all data (no 3G or 4G connection). Did I goof? I'm looking in the stickies and can't seem to find an answer. I'd appreciate any help I can get.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ND8 or NDC? have you tried updating your profile/PRL?

6th_Hokage said:
ND8 or NDC? have you tried updating your profile/PRL?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ya know. People keep talking about ND8 and ND___. I have no idea what that means. I know I should be embarrassed.
UPDATE: FIGURED IT OUT, BASEBAND VERSION. GOTCHA. IT IS NDC.
I was JUST coming back to update my post. I DID update the PRL and restarted my phone. That seems to have done the trick. Thank GOD I got my data connection back!! It worked. Even though I found the info somewhere else, thank you so much for the quick reply. PRL update fixes the problem. You're awesome.

I used it before i had a custom recovery. And on reboot i wouldnt have root. After i ran it root checker told me i was rooted then reboot killed. I installed philz and all was ok
Sent from my SPH-L710 using XDA Free mobile app

jbnorton0524 said:
I used it before i had a custom recovery. And on reboot i wouldnt have root. After i ran it root checker told me i was rooted then reboot killed. I installed philz and all was ok
Sent from my SPH-L710 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
many users of basically the same phone report different things with every root method out there. If it worked for you that's great tell other users what you did for it to work and if it didn't work, then ask for help and you will get help; some people don't have success with any method while others do with all of the methods.....my phone falls under every method.....

Successful Towelroot on VM Galaxy S3 4.4.2.NDC
6th_Hokage said:
you can root the stock 4.4.2
first step make sure your on 4.4.2
second step download Towel Root
third step place Towel Root in sdcard or internal storage
fourth step with any file manager find and install Towel Root
fifth step root
sixth step go to play store and download Superuser (Chainfire) and also Busy Box (Stericson) let super user update the binary
seventh step flash any recovery you want personally i went with Philliz Touch
eighth step if you want flash a custom rom now if not enjoy your rooted stock 4.4.2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Straight forward, fast and easy. I did notice the following:
1) Updating binary reported it did not successfully install. I've seen this before on other devices, but everything worked well. Ext SD and Camera all OK. Everything works fine so far - Titanium, Nandroid, Root Browser, etc.
2) At one point, I was directed to install Busy Box. Having done this on other devices, I said "Yes" and installed it.
3) I see that my device now shows Device Status as Custom ( was Normal before, if I remember correctly). Is this due to Busy Box?
4) Is Device Status the only way to know the KNOX Status? I see no yellow triangle as I did on my Galaxy Reverb.
5) I got a Google warning to uninstall Towelroot since it is usafe and a security exploit. I understand that.
I would like to verify the KNOX status and if tripped in the Towelroot process, to let potential users know of that possibility.
Thank You! And thanks to everyone who has continued to work on keeping root free!
Dave

dave260 said:
Straight forward, fast and easy. I did notice the following:
1) Updating binary reported it did not successfully install. I've seen this before on other devices, but everything worked well. Ext SD and Camera all OK. Everything works fine so far - Titanium, Nandroid, Root Browser, etc.
2) At one point, I was directed to install Busy Box. Having done this on other devices, I said "Yes" and installed it.
3) I see that my device now shows Device Status as Custom ( was Normal before, if I remember correctly). Is this due to Busy Box?
4) Is Device Status the only way to know the KNOX Status? I see no yellow triangle as I did on my Galaxy Reverb.
5) I got a Google warning to uninstall Towelroot since it is unsafe and a security exploit. I understand that.
I would like to verify the KNOX status and if tripped in the Towelroot process, to let potential users know of that possibility.
Thank You! And thanks to everyone who has continued to work on keeping root free!
Dave
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Knox only notifies Samsung that your device isn't stock anymore not necessarily rooted like with a custom recovery and then flashed mods and what not but if you Odin the stock rom it resets the counters so Samsung will never know....and that i have noticed TowelRoot doesn't trip that counter.....only the recoveries and when you update the binary (<---completely forgot to fix that) you must hit the option normal not TWRP/CWM

churninern said:
I just used this method to root my Sprint S3 running Android 4.4.2 and ND8, since my USB port is on the fritz, and it worked successfully. I have root, and was able to do a full apps backup with Titanium Backup, and gained root access in ES File Explorer. Next, download and install a custom backup. Thanks, great job, and could not have been made easier to do!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's great news because same boat here. It worked on 4.3 as well.
I had the phone hacked before and something must not be fully stock so the Ota fails.
I downloaded a package and mobile odin should flash it properly and then I can root it with this again and install a nice modified TouchWiz rom.

Darkangels6sic6 said:
That's great news because same boat here. It worked on 4.3 as well.
I had the phone hacked before and something must not be fully stock so the Ota fails.
I downloaded a package and mobile odin should flash it properly and then I can root it with this again and install a nice modified TouchWiz rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
just a quick add on Mobile Odin and stock ND8/NDC don't mix at all

Knox Counter and "Device Status"
6th_Hokage said:
Knox only notifies Samsung that your device isn't stock anymore not necessarily rooted like with a custom recovery and then flashed mods and what not but if you Odin the stock rom it resets the counters so Samsung will never know....and that i have noticed TowelRoot doesn't trip that counter.....only the recoveries and when you update the recovery you must hit the option normal not TWRP/CWM
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your response. I may be over thinking these indicators. All I did was Towelroot, successfully. On the phone, the "About Device, Status" now says CUSTOM (was "Official"). The Knox counter according to app "Phone Info" shows Knox Counter at 0x0. As you said, since the counter is not tripped, should be no problem on warranty. So then Device Status CUSTOM is not a problem? I'm not really worried about warranty at this point, but I think I'll hold off further mods for another 6 moths.
Thanks again for your help!

6th_Hokage said:
just a quick add on Mobile Odin and stock ND8/NDC don't mix at all
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. I tried the md8 and mk3 "mk3 is what it's on". Both just restart and get stuck on splash screen :/.
I have to go to download mode and and restart it that way to boot system back up.
Do you have any other suggestion. I'm not sure what part of the system is altered. It seems like a stock recovery and it's stock firmware "now rooted". Maybe the kernel.
I can't use USB at all.
I'm guessing maybe I should install twrp. Then install a stock zip or try out a 4.3 rom that way. I would like to get to md8 one way or another. Most md8 Roms want you to odin or flash an md8 base.

Darkangels6sic6 said:
Thanks. I tried the ND8 and MK3 "MK3 is what it's on". Both just restart and get stuck on splash screen :/.
I have to go to download mode and and restart it that way to boot system back up.
Do you have any other suggestion. I'm not sure what part of the system is altered. It seems like a stock recovery and it's stock firmware "now rooted". Maybe the kernel.
I can't use USB at all
I'm guessing maybe I should install TWRP. Then install a stock zip or try out a 4.3 rom that way. I would like to get to md8 one way or another. Most ND8 Roms want you to Odin or flash an md8 base.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
cause they need the ND8 base to work as intended...my suggestion would be to get the usb port on your phone fixed but i don't know how expensive that will be

6th_Hokage said:
just a quick add on Mobile Odin and stock ND8/NDC don't mix at all
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
6th_Hokage said:
cause they need the ND8 base to work as intended...my suggestion would be to get the usb port on your phone fixed but i don't know how expensive that will be
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was afraid you would say that.

Holy crap. May I say, I am quite impressed. I never planned on rooting my S3 (I like it that much!) but this just looked so damn easy to do and it was!
For the curious! I have a Virgin Mobile S3, and I'm on Kitkat 4.4.2, baseband NDC. Verified root with Root Checker Basic. No problems with mobile data.
Many thank yous, 6th_Hokage!

strangelady said:
Holy crap. May I say, I am quite impressed. I never planned on rooting my S3 (I like it that much!) but this just looked so damn easy to do and it was!
For the curious! I have a Virgin Mobile S3, and I'm on Kitkat 4.4.2, baseband NDC. Verified root with Root Checker Basic. No problems with mobile data.
Many thank yous, 6th_Hokage!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
your welcome strangelady and if you want check out the links in my signature area for other cool stuff

added two more t=root methods

Systemless Root: SuperSU v2.64... No (custom) Kernel needed

**IGNORE POST #1 ONLY FOLLOW POST #2-#4!!!**
Info and DL on SuperSU v2.6x and Systemless Root
1. MUST flash a 100% stock (Odin) firmware.
2. DL SuperSU v2.6x
3. Install custom recovery
4. Install new SuperSU zip
5. Let it run through the process then reboot.

Hey Joe, your link about the info is broken. Also your 'click source' on #2. is not a link.

balistic2 said:
Hey Joe, your link about the info is broken. Also your 'click source' on #2. is not a link.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think that this is the link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/apps/supersu/wip-android-6-0-marshmellow-t3219344
If I read Chainfire's notes correctly, this is only for systems running Marshmallow, which would let us out for a while. But....
Once Samsung updates our OS to Marshmallow or they get CM 13 working on our phones (currently a work in progress) this could allow us to use Android Pay on a rooted phone.

balistic2 said:
Hey Joe, your link about the info is broken. Also your 'click source' on #2. is not a link.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Fixed!

koop1955 said:
I think that this is the link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/apps/supersu/wip-android-6-0-marshmellow-t3219344
If I read Chainfire's notes correctly, this is only for systems running Marshmallow, which would let us out for a while. But....
Once Samsung updates our OS to Marshmallow or they get CM 13 working on our phones (currently a work in progress) this could allow us to use Android Pay on a rooted phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do not believe it is MM only bc it's posted in the international S6 general forum too (and they obviously aren't on MM yet either).

JoeFCaputo113 said:
I do not believe it is MM only bc it's posted in the international S6 general forum too (and they obviously aren't on MM yet either).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wasn't sure if CM13 is already working on International phones.
I only know what I read....
From Chainfire's post:
Rooting procedure:
- flash/upgrade to Marshmellow
- flash modified boot.img
- flash/boot TWRP and sideload latest...
Joe, be careful if you try this. Looks like you need to Odin back to stock.

Does this still void knox?

1619415 said:
Does this still void knox?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is the key question. Also, would Google detect the phone as being rooted.
For the Knox part, someone with a "virgin" phone would need to test. Both Joe and I have already rooted using the current method, so Knox is already tripped.

koop1955 said:
That is the key question. Also, would Google detect the phone as being rooted.
For the Knox part, someone with a "virgin" phone would need to test. Both Joe and I have already rooted using the current method, so Knox is already tripped.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seems to work on Note 5, just flashed TWRP with ODIN and then flashed SuperSu and there is no text while booting
---------- Post added at 09:19 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:29 PM ----------
Thank you for posting this, now we have a method of rooting that A: Does not require custom kernels #Marshmallow and B: May not trip Knox

1619415 said:
Seems to work on Note 5, just flashed TWRP with ODIN and then flashed SuperSu and there is no text while booting
---------- Post added at 09:19 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:29 PM ----------
Thank you for posting this, now we have a method of rooting that A: Does not require custom kernels #Marshmallow and B: May not trip Knox
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well Merry Christmas!

JoeFCaputo113 said:
Well Merry Christmas!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You to
---------- Post added at 01:52 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:01 PM ----------
Has anyone tried rooting with this method and trying samsumg pay?

Decided to give this a try. Odin flashed OL1. Booted OL1 with no problem. Odin flashed TWRP, without reboot. Rebooted directly into TWRP and flashed SU beta 2.65. It booted without problem with root access. When I go into SU, it says there is an update available, but I just cancel out.
I was hoping android pay would work as I could never get it to work except stock unrooted. I started android pay and got the message "android pay cannot be used." I realized I needed to unroot in SU. I did that and still get the same message.
EDIT: Tried it again. Odined OL1, rebooted and android pay worked fine. Odined TWRP, booted into TWRP, fine. Rebooted into rom, bootlooped at Samsung logo, over and over. Rebooted into recovery and flashed SU 2.65. Rebooted into rom with no problem. Android Pay no longer works.

todivefor said:
Decided to give this a try. Odin flashed OL1. Booted OL1 with no problem. Odin flashed TWRP, without reboot. Rebooted directly into TWRP and flashed SU beta 2.65. It booted without problem with root access. When I go into SU, it says there is an update available, but I just cancel out.
I was hoping android pay would work as I could never get it to work except stock unrooted. I started android pay and got the message "android pay cannot be used." I realized I needed to unroot in SU. I did that and still get the same message.
EDIT: Tried it again. Odined OL1, rebooted and android pay worked fine. Odined TWRP, booted into TWRP, fine. Rebooted into rom, bootlooped at Samsung logo, over and over. Rebooted into recovery and flashed SU 2.65. Rebooted into rom with no problem. Android Pay no longer works.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try Number 15

1619415 said:
Try Number 15
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. Been there done that.
Sent from my SM-T710 using Tapatalk

For those asking about whether this root method trips knox or not. Yes this will trip knox. Anytime you use odin to flash non official Samsung firmware/software then it forever trips knox. Therefore flashing any custom recovery will absolutely trip knox... forever.
Samsung and Android pay apps will not work on rooted devices. Period. The pay apps are intended for official factory software for obvious reasons. Security is the main focus with these types of apps that deal with your personal banking/credit card information. Hence a rooted device is not considered "secure".

using this method and my S6 is rooted without custom kernel which i prefer.
however, it seems like i cant use titanium backup to restore any backed up apps. Titanium app just runs endlessly.

yaibakt said:
using this method and my S6 is rooted without custom kernel which i prefer.
however, it seems like i cant use titanium backup to restore any backed up apps. Titanium app just runs endlessly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try installing/updating busybox and try removing titanium backups root access them regrant it

JoeFCaputo113 said:
**IGNORE POST #1 ONLY FOLLOW POST #2-#4!!!**
Info and DL on SuperSU v2.6x and Systemless Root
1. MUST flash a 100% stock (Odin) firmware.
2. DL SuperSU v2.6x
3. Install custom recovery
4. Install new SuperSU zip
5. Let it run through the process then reboot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice work will give this a go soon.

1619415 said:
Try installing/updating busybox and try removing titanium backups root access them regrant it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank you. ill give it a try. :good:

This may be a weird question, but we don't have a stock kernel to flash. Would there be a way to make a zip of a stock kernel and then use this to get root? I'd like to have a custom ROM but with the stability of a stock Kernel. This is the first phone I can think of that I've owned that didn't have a stock kernel with root.