Develop Bugs

[Q] Rooting AT&T Xperia Play (r800at)?

Hi,
Can someone please write a noob's guide to rooting the AT&T xperia play (r800at)? The phone is carrier locked and bootloader locked. Is there a easy way to just get root permissions on the stock AT&T rom (2.3.3) without unlocking bootloader? All I want to do is remove AT&T apps which I don't use and free up internal memory (I only have 40 mb left). I couldn't find a thread which clearly explains this (have been searching for more than a week now).
PS: This is my first android phone, so I don't have a very good idea about how all this works.
Thanks.

turbo789 said:
Hi,
Can someone please write a noob's guide to rooting the AT&T xperia play (r800at)? The phone is carrier locked and bootloader locked. Is there a easy way to just get root permissions on the stock AT&T rom (2.3.3) without unlocking bootloader? All I want to do is remove AT&T apps which I don't use and free up internal memory (I only have 40 mb left). I couldn't find a thread which clearly explains this (have been searching for more than a week now).
PS: This is my first android phone, so I don't have a very good idea about how all this works.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are basically in the same place i was in a few weeks ago.
First off let me link you this this thread
(http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1270295)
You'll find there that you cannot currently root the r800at without first unlocking the bootloader!
The bad news is that unlocking the bootloader is the the most difficult part
here is the bootloader unlock guide by Alejandrissimo.
(http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1232050)
Its a pain in the butt on this particular phone so i highly recommend you have Alejandrissimo remote support you. Be prepared to pay 24 bucks for the unlock since the software requires it either way.
If you have Alejandrissimo help you he will also install the CWM recovery for you.
THIS is important as it installs a custom recovery mode for your phone that you will use to backup your phone, install kernels, and ROOT your phone.
If you are going the DIY route here is the Clockwork Recovery thread
(http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1130639)
I hope this helps. After all the hard stuff is done the rest is pretty easy. Learning how to put your phone into recovery is important into jumping into all the other great things you can do with your phone.
The first like has an excellent post by xSoNiCcRaCkErSx who has basically tested many of the custom rom/kernel combinations on the r800at!
I hope this helps you and all the other r800at users out there!

Thanks DrROBschiz
From what I have read, [unlocking bootloader + applying clockwork recovery patch + Over-the-air updates] can brick the xperia play. Is this true? Have you tried OTA updates?
Also, I found another method (but I am not sure if it works with r800at). You flash 2.3.2 firmware using tools from wotanserver (cannot paste link because I am a new user). Then use gingerbreak to obtain root (this should work because of downgrading to 2.3.2) and update with OTA to get the latest version of android (claimed to retain root on the latest version). This method also doesn't seem to need unlocked bootloader.
Has someone with AT&T xperia play (r800at) tried the second method?

Also curious, can you unlock the bootloader via the process from Sony on their official site (which I cant link to right now)? Is there a downside outside of not having help (which don't get me wrong may be needed)

@8-Bit: You cannot unlock bootloader following Sony's website if you have carrier locked phone (r800at is locked to AT&T US). When I tried that, I realized that carried locked phones are not 'fastboot' enabled. Also, sim unlocking the phone using 'unlock codes' won't enable 'fastboot'. It will just make the phone capable of accepting other networks sim cards.

Also yes its important to note that if your bootloader is unlocked OTA will brick the phone.
MAKE A BACKUP!
I understand not wanting to deal with the complicated process of the current unlock method but it really is the only viable option for the AT&T version of the Play unfortunately.

I finally have root!!!
turbo789 said:
Thanks DrROBschiz
From what I have read, [unlocking bootloader + applying clockwork recovery patch + Over-the-air updates] can brick the xperia play. Is this true? Have you tried OTA updates?
Also, I found another method (but I am not sure if it works with r800at). You flash 2.3.2 firmware using tools from wotanserver (cannot paste link because I am a new user). Then use gingerbreak to obtain root (this should work because of downgrading to 2.3.2) and update with OTA to get the latest version of android (claimed to retain root on the latest version). This method also doesn't seem to need unlocked bootloader.
Has someone with AT&T xperia play (r800at) tried the second method?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried the second method. It works. But you do loose the AT&T branding (phone will be identified as r800a/r800i based on which ROM you flash). Also, when connected to mobile data it says "H" instead of "H+", though I didn't notice any difference in data speeds.
@8-Bit: if you need any details, I would be glad to help.

I just did this today. Started with stock 2.3.3 on an r800at. I used Wotanserver ( which is currently free for some reason) to flash to 2.32 as an r800a model. Then I installed gingerbreak. I now have root including wireless hotspot!
The only gotcha was I needed to load gingerbreak via my pc, a direct API download from the web would not work.
My speeds are fine as verified on speed test.org and I was able to get back to 2.3.3. Over the air.
Phone is much faster and has much more memory due to the Att bloatware being gone.
Give it a try!

Will doing this enable fastboot so you can unlock the bootloader and install custom roms?
Sent from my R800at using XDA App

tgh0wnz said:
Will doing this enable fastboot so you can unlock the bootloader and install custom roms?
Sent from my R800at using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Were you talking about the Wotanserver method? I'm not sure how it works it's magic. I think the boot loader probably was unlocked to ge the firmware on but then re locked. At least I hope so because my hope is to get thE 2.3.4 OTA update on somehow

I believe the att, and firmware update supports 4g, hence when you flash it to generic you lose that... But it's speed difference between really fast and really faster.. So it's not even noticeable. Personally I believe it's better if the phone is rooted and bloats removed.
Sent from my XPlay using XDA App.

Ok guys I told a friend I'd help him get rooted. And ive been reading here and im lost.. From what I gather. The bootloader on the att version is locked and to gain root. That needs to be unlocked.. This is where I'm lost. Why is the best method to go through someone else. What does that involve? Sorry to sound dumb I'm just really lost here. haha.
Sent from AT&T Galaxy S2

turbo789 said:
Thanks DrROBschiz
From what I have read, [unlocking bootloader + applying clockwork recovery patch + Over-the-air updates] can brick the xperia play. Is this true? Have you tried OTA updates?
Also, I found another method (but I am not sure if it works with r800at). You flash 2.3.2 firmware using tools from wotanserver (cannot paste link because I am a new user). Then use gingerbreak to obtain root (this should work because of downgrading to 2.3.2) and update with OTA to get the latest version of android (claimed to retain root on the latest version). This method also doesn't seem to need unlocked bootloader.
Has someone with AT&T xperia play (r800at) tried the second method?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It does work except you lose att bloatware which is a good thing
---------- Post added at 09:40 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:27 PM ----------
joshyy_rey said:
Ok guys I told a friend I'd help him get rooted. And ive been reading here and im lost.. From what I gather. The bootloader on the att version is locked and to gain root. That needs to be unlocked.. This is where I'm lost. Why is the best method to go through someone else. What does that involve? Sorry to sound dumb I'm just really lost here. haha.
Sent from AT&T Galaxy S2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you just want root then go to wontanserver and register and download driver and client software and follow their directions. Choose r800a 2.3.2 (3.0.A.2.184) . Now use gingerbreak1.2 (search forums) and follow direction. Now update over the air only. You have rooted 2.3.3 r800a enjoy

Okay, so I'm having problems with my phone randomly not getting a signal ever since doing this method... is there currently any way to go back to AT&T stock? Also, has anybody else been having signal issues? It says I have bars, but I can't call/text and I have to restart the phone. Very irritating.

turbo789 said:
Hi,
Can someone please write a noob's guide to rooting the AT&T xperia play (r800at)? The phone is carrier locked and bootloader locked. Is there a easy way to just get root permissions on the stock AT&T rom (2.3.3) without unlocking bootloader? All I want to do is remove AT&T apps which I don't use and free up internal memory (I only have 40 mb left). I couldn't find a thread which clearly explains this (have been searching for more than a week now).
PS: This is my first android phone, so I don't have a very good idea about how all this works.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi... first off all, sorry my bad english
If you have locked bootloader (SIM-locked) and want to root whitout unlocking bootloader, try this:
"Working Root on 2.3.3 locked bootloaders! (Works on all Xperia Plays except R800X)"
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1116090
Worked like a charm form me...
Portugal - TMN
Xperia Play R800i locked bootloader.
Gingerbreak worked very fast for me, BUT only after turning off Wifi connections and UN-plugging the USB-cable
Have froozen lots off app's (think is the correct term) with Titanium backup
Have used Link2SD to move other apps to SDcard
When I bouthg the phone it cames with 2.3.2. I made the mistake OTA upgrading before reading about root.
At beggining (2.3.2) the phone boot, from startup to PIN code, about 3-5 minutes.
After OTA upgrade (2.3.3) i noticed some diferences (about 2 minutes to boot)...
After rooting phone MAKES BOOT IN 45 SECONDS!!! (from begining to PIN CODE)
Always have about 250mb ram free
Internal storage 150mb free (Im still afraid of using Insecure ADB to move dalvik cache to SD)...
I read lots of pages on XDA forum to know about rooting and all the benefits&risk's involved, and root related tools, before rooting so advise all the others newbies like me, doing the same
Thanks to all make this possible (must thanks here because I dont have post permission in develoment area)...
Once again, thanks a lot...

shiftylock said:
Okay, so I'm having problems with my phone randomly not getting a signal ever since doing this method... is there currently any way to go back to AT&T stock? Also, has anybody else been having signal issues? It says I have bars, but I can't call/text and I have to restart the phone. Very irritating.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It might be a late reply, but it might still help some one. I had similar problems (mainly with data connectivity). I fixed it by adding APN profiles for AT&T under settings >> wireless & network setting >> Mobile networks >> Access Point Names. Let me know if you need the details of the APN profile.

guys im having the same problem, i got a friend who needs helps with his xperia play at&t, he wants to unlock the bootloader, and install a custom os, i was looking for the 1st option on the first page, but the link doesnt works anymore, any suggestion?

DrROBschiz said:
Also yes its important to note that if your bootloader is unlocked OTA will brick the phone.
MAKE A BACKUP!
I understand not wanting to deal with the complicated process of the current unlock method but it really is the only viable option for the AT&T version of the Play unfortunately.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hi bro. am new to xda new to android new to android modding.so please help. i recently purchased used xperia play r800at from ebay its carrier unlocked.now what i want to know: phone is carrier unlocked can you please say is my phones bootloader unlocked. how can i root it or just give me a link. please please pleaaaasseeee!!!! am super noob i dont even fully know what is bootloader kernel rom and suck thing i just need to overclock and free up some space. please help because i cant find answers online please ((

DrROBschiz said:
You'll find there that you cannot currently root the r800at without first unlocking the bootloader!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that isn't true. I was able to root phone without unlocking bootloader using superoneclick. do the search.

Rooting R800AT
legacygt777 said:
that isn't true. I was able to root phone without unlocking bootloader using superoneclick. do the search.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If he was anything like me, then he searched, searched, searched, and after that, searched some more. Superoneclick does not work for our phones. All the guides for xperia plays don't mention a damn thing about rolling back firmware from version 2.3.3 to 2.3.2 in order to root. I was loosing my mind trying to figure this out at the time; tried multiple PCs/multiple USB ports, thought maybe my syntax was wrong on the manual methods so I tried a couple of automated methods like superoneclick and DoomLord Root, when those didn't work I thought maybe the drivers weren't quite right so I investigated that issue for ages but couldn't find any more up to date ones than the ones I was using. I then tried messing with a few automated rooters right from my phone like z4root and Gingerbreak which didn't work either. Finally I found this thread(same one linked a couple of posts up) which did the trick (I have it saved in my favorites). It's not missing any steps and is accurate to the T. Worked for me the first time and didn't require any special hexes, voodoo, or rain dances.
I just checked and since that thread is so old, the links are now dead. I would post there, but I'm not allowed (developer's thread). Here are some links to the software needed:
Flashtool
Android 2.3.2 (.184 as referred to in that thread)
And finally Gingerbreak v1.2 - should download this from your phone and install to it's internal memory (not the SD card) prior to flashing
The other methods of rooting may have worked once downgraded to 2.3.2, but I just followed that guide and used Gingerbreak as it seemed the simplest way.

Best rooting method for T-mobile SGS3 T999?

There seem to be a couple of different methods to get root over in the android dev sections for my T-mobile T999 ... Some trip the "counter" others do not.. some seem to flash an entire rom, while others seem to do it a different way? Not being a Android veteran - I'm just a little lost and wanted to ask for guidance to avoid a goof because I'm not certain of the terms and methods being used.
ANY HELP OR GUIDANCE WOULD BE APPRECIATED.
Simply stated: What is the best method for getting ROOT? I have a T-mobile T999 which is already sim unlocked.
I have not idea what the "counter" is, and why its important (if in fact, it is important?)
In a perfect world, I'd like to get root, cmw and superuser by using something like superoneclick which was the way I rooted my last device. Doesn't get much easier than hooking up the phone and clicking a button and waiting
WHY DO I WANT ROOT?
I want to be able to flash some of the cool themes I'm seeing, the snap picture with volume key mod, get rid of carrier iq, and uninstall (debloat) some of the useless factory apps installed on my stock rom, and I'm anxiously awaiting a working Jellybean rom which I have no doubt will be available sooner or later.
THANKS.

Araltd said:
There seem to be a couple of different methods to get root over in the android dev sections for my T-mobile T999 ... Some trip the "counter" others do not.. some seem to flash an entire rom, while others seem to do it a different way? Not being a Android veteran - I'm just a little lost and wanted to ask for guidance to avoid a goof because I'm not certain of the terms and methods being used.
ANY HELP OR GUIDANCE WOULD BE APPRECIATED.
Simply stated: What is the best method for getting ROOT? I have a T-mobile T999 which is already sim unlocked.
I have not idea what the "counter" is, and why its important (if in fact, it is important?)
In a perfect world, I'd like to get root, cmw and superuser by using something like superoneclick which was the way I rooted my last device. Doesn't get much easier than hooking up the phone and clicking a button and waiting
WHY DO I WANT ROOT?
I want to be able to flash some of the cool themes I'm seeing, the snap picture with volume key mod, get rid of carrier iq, and uninstall (debloat) some of the useless factory apps installed on my stock rom, and I'm anxiously awaiting a working Jellybean rom which I have no doubt will be available sooner or later.
THANKS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Counter is a method used by Samsung to see if your phone has been modified. For example, in case you need to exchange your phone with your carrier or Samsung then they would check the counter. Your warranty will automatically be voided. If this is important to you, then i suggest using the rooting method without ticking the counter number. all the rooting methods are easy as pie, its just up to you which to use. I used the one with ticking the counter because it was the very first method. There should bea counter reset work around soon so I'm not too worried
Sent from my SGH-T999

RE: Downgrade Galaxy S3 I747 from 4.3(knox) to 4.1.2???

RE: Downgrade Galaxy S3 I747 from 4.3(knox) to 4.1.2???
Hi guys,
I've been searching online and no luck finding a good answers. I have a Galaxy S3 I747M(Canadian) that was handed to me.... Sad part is, most average users, whenever they see an update for the phone, they freaking update without research the pros or cons.
Anyhows, I was fiddling with my Galaxy Note 2 and came across on how disable KNOX to achieve Rooting and I thought***** Light Bulb*
Here's my idea, not sure if this will work but, I will root my Galaxy S3 and use the same idea by disabling KNOX using Dr Ketan multitool to rename Knox.*apk files then inject busy box and root. (By the way, I have rooted my S3 this way and it achieve rooting no problem).
Now the question is, since KNOX is disabled, would I be able to downgrade to 4.1.2? Just wondering if other people out there has ever done this route by disabling KNOX and then do downgrade....
What do you guys think?

amilayajr said:
Hi guys,
I've been searching online and no luck finding a good answers. I have a Galaxy S3 I747M(Canadian) that was handed to me.... Sad part is, most average users, whenever they see an update for the phone, they freaking update without research the pros or cons.
Anyhows, I was fiddling with my Galaxy Note 2 and came across on how disable KNOX to achieve Rooting and I thought***** Light Bulb*
Here's my idea, not sure if this will work but, I will root my Galaxy S3 and use the same idea by disabling KNOX using Dr Ketan multitool to rename Knox.*apk files then inject busy box and root. (By the way, I have rooted my S3 this way and it achieve rooting no problem).
Now the question is, since KNOX is disabled, would I be able to downgrade to 4.1.2? Just wondering if other people out there has ever done this route by disabling KNOX and then do downgrade....
What do you guys think?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dont do it. You will BRICK your phone. For the moment on android 4.3 Samsung galaxy i747M (same as mine on Rogers) therse no way to downgrade. Yon wont be able to downgrade anyway because you have the new bootloader and with the new one, you CANT downgrade, or if you try, you will Soft-Brick your phone.
(In the past, i got an HTC EVO 3D and Soft-Bricked my phone by flashing a wrong Kernel.... so i made some research on the web and i found the a JTAG may be able to unbrick my phone and flash back the good Kernel the good ROM and the good bootloader.... So I sent it to a store who was repairing smrtphones. Tey tell me that they knew what my problem is so they should be able ot fix it but... the next day when i came to get my HTC they told me that finnally EVEN with the JTAG they wasnt able to repair it...)
* All of that to tell you : dont trust JTAG sometimes it may not work...

amilayajr said:
Hi guys,
I've been searching online and no luck finding a good answers. I have a Galaxy S3 I747M(Canadian) that was handed to me.... Sad part is, most average users, whenever they see an update for the phone, they freaking update without research the pros or cons.
Anyhows, I was fiddling with my Galaxy Note 2 and came across on how disable KNOX to achieve Rooting and I thought***** Light Bulb*
Here's my idea, not sure if this will work but, I will root my Galaxy S3 and use the same idea by disabling KNOX using Dr Ketan multitool to rename Knox.*apk files then inject busy box and root. (By the way, I have rooted my S3 this way and it achieve rooting no problem).
Now the question is, since KNOX is disabled, would I be able to downgrade to 4.1.2? Just wondering if other people out there has ever done this route by disabling KNOX and then do downgrade....
What do you guys think?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the i747 canadian model too and althpugh you can't downgrade to stock 4.1.2, you can definetly flash a custom 4.1.2 rom which DOES NOT include a bootloader. Im currently running hyperdrive rls 16 which is 4.1.2 based and before that i was rooted on stock 4.3.
Sent from my SGH-I747 using Tapatalk

I have a question along the same lines, is it possible to restore a nandroid of 4.1.1 or 4.1.2 after updating the bootloader? Does restoring a nandroid affect the bootloader?
I actually haven't don't the official update yet, specifically because I don't like that it's one way. I flashed stock 4.3 without updating the bootloader and I like the improvements.
Sent from my SGH-I747M using xda app-developers app

gc84245 said:
I have a question along the same lines, is it possible to restore a nandroid of 4.1.1 or 4.1.2 after updating the bootloader? Does restoring a nandroid affect the bootloader?
I actually haven't don't the official update yet, specifically because I don't like that it's one way. I flashed stock 4.3 without updating the bootloader and I like the improvements.
Sent from my SGH-I747M using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No by restauring your phone whit nandroid if you are on 4.3 with the new bootloader you will brick your device...

Code:
[ro.bootloader]: [I747MVLUEMK5]
[ro.build.id]: [JZO54K]
[ro.build.hidden_ver]: [I747MVLDMF1]
I'm able to get 4.1.* running but none of the modems seem to work.
Am I screwed if I need to network/sim unlock this?
EDIT: Just found out about EFSv1 vs. EFSv2. Looks like I'm boned for a free unlock.

weedy2887 said:
Code:
[ro.bootloader]: [I747MVLUEMK5]
[ro.build.id]: [JZO54K]
[ro.build.hidden_ver]: [I747MVLDMF1]
I'm able to get 4.1.* running but none of the modems seem to work.
Am I screwed if I need to network/sim unlock this?
EDIT: Just found out about EFSv1 vs. EFSv2. Looks like I'm boned for a free unlock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You cannot use the free method to sim unlock the phone unless you are running a completely stock ROM, inclduing the bootloader. There were a couple of users that downgraded everything to 4.1.1 from 4.3 except the bootloader and the required unlock menu options were not available.

Because the 4.3 upgrade changes to format of the EFS partition.

Nope, its all because of the modem. You never had to flash a 4.1.1 rom, only the modem. The problem is that once you've updated to 4.3, older modems no longer function.
There is little more than factoryapp, s/n, and drm related data on the EFS partition of these devices. They are not like many others where a lot of NV data was stored there.
This is also why backing up the EFS, while not a bad idea, does not protect against many of the things people think it will, such as IMEI loss.

Hi, I need your help!
i have I747 AT&T with 4.1.1 PDA: I747UCDLK3
My main concern what will brick my device if i try downgrade from 4.3 coustm rom?!
Can anyone give my a full list of BT+MO+Ke ? what I found in XDA is short list.
4.3+ bootloader - YES! (I747UCUEMJB and Up will brick )
I being told that I747UCUEMJ2 is the higher i can get downgrade without porblems
I rellay don't know which Modems & Kernals are belong to 4.1.1 VS 4.3+
Modems - ? (will loss IMEI) can I use old modem like:I747UCDMG2/UCDLK3 on 4.3+ ?
Kernels - ?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s3-att/help/bootloaders-kernaels-modems-list-t2851857
-
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2321310&page=41#post54912358

Once on 4.3 or above you cannot flash older firmware. Only the modem belonging to each build will work.
You can flash older roms, but thats it.

[Q] P605V - unlock bootloader

So the Verizon version bootloader is locked. From what I understand, that means that I can't root it. Is there any attempt to unlock it? Or work around the lock? Do any developers actually have one of these? Should I return it and get the international version? My issue is the warranty (I tend to break stuff) and the speed and coverage of Verizon's LTE network . I am missing titanium backup, overclocking, etc.
Thanks for any info.
Sent from my SM-P605V using Tapatalk

Unlocking the bootloader and rooting are mutually exclusive. A device can be rooted without being able to unlock the bootloader.
In fact, I've found myself in the odd position once on my Tab 10.1 of replacing the bootloader and not having root access. It was easy to fix but I found that an odd spot to be in.

I can't use Odin to root it. Is there another way available?
Sent from my SM-P605V using Tapatalk

me too
I'm sure someone will come out with a root for it eventually but, who knows when. It just came out on Verizon a couple weeks ago. Srsroot says it works but, I didn't have any luck. It just rebooted a couple of times said it was rooting and did nothing. Kinda wonder if it was just a scam to get my info. Don't have anything on it yet though.

[BOUNTY] Unlocked Bootloader for P605V
I am going to offer all of our development $30 to whomever can get a working unlocked bootloader for the Verizon 4GLTE P605V Samsung Galaxy 10.1 2014 edition. It's complete nonsense that going as far back as this post (April) that there isn't a solution....

You can root 605v with towel root.. Just rooted mine. Can't install custom recovery. But things like xposed modules works fine. Ad away works.

I think TowelRoot works on 4.4.2, and according to a Tweet and their webpage, SRSRoot works on the SM-P605v 4.3 and 4.4.2. My previously rooted P605v's screen died and I'm getting a replacement sent (I didn't want a newer tablet without the stylus). I hope that whatever OS version is on it is rootable!

[Q] Unlocking an AT&T SGS3 on 4.3 (Already rooted)

Hi!
I'm sorry if this has been asked before but I just can't find a definitive answer to this and I've been trying to search for an answer for nearly a week now.
My boss received a used Samsung Galaxy S3 from a friend of his in the states. It is a locked AT&T phone (SGH-I747) and it is on 4.3.
I managed to root the phone using CF-Auto-Root, which disabled Knox (whatever that is) and also installed CWM and was planning to flash 4.1.1 so I can unlock the phone using the *#NUM# method.
After reading a bit I've seen many people saying that you can't "downgrade" from 4.3 to anything else because it will brick your phone. Hence, I did not try and flash any other rom on the phone.
So I guess I'm just trying to get a definitive answer here because I can't find anything but rumors on this subject. I mean it's weird, I'd expect if you couldn't downgrade from 4.3 than it would be a bit more documented.
Has anybody tackled this problem with success?
Thank you

The normal method for the end user to conduct software updates and upgrades is via OTA or Kies. Using Kies or OTA doesn't require the end user to know about download mode, fastboot, or recovery mode. Samsung probably did not want non-technical users to brick their phones using download mode and Odin. It would be too easy for a non-techie to use the wrong firmware, tick the wrong options in Odin, etc.
I'm sure the fact that you cannot downgrade the bootloader has been well document by Samsung and its service centres. Based on the contents of my first paragraph, there would be no need for Samsung to advertise to the end user that the bootloader cannot be downgraded.

rikonor said:
Hi!
I'm sorry if this has been asked before but I just can't find a definitive answer to this and I've been trying to search for an answer for nearly a week now.
My boss received a used Samsung Galaxy S3 from a friend of his in the states. It is a locked AT&T phone (SGH-I747) and it is on 4.3.
I managed to root the phone using CF-Auto-Root, which disabled Knox (whatever that is) and also installed CWM and was planning to flash 4.1.1 so I can unlock the phone using the *#NUM# method.
After reading a bit I've seen many people saying that you can't "downgrade" from 4.3 to anything else because it will brick your phone. Hence, I did not try and flash any other rom on the phone.
So I guess I'm just trying to get a definitive answer here because I can't find anything but rumors on this subject. I mean it's weird, I'd expect if you couldn't downgrade from 4.3 than it would be a bit more documented.
Has anybody tackled this problem with success?
Thank you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right now there is no free way to unlock your phone if it's on 4.3.(you can downgrade to older stock android, but the 4.3 bootloader remains and messes up your phones IMEI until you go back to stock 4.3)
Anyhow, the reason you can't downgrade the bootloader is because there is no method discovered to do this yet. I ended up using gsmliberty to unlock, and they have a deal that you get a free unlock if you take a video when you unlock and upload it to vimeo/youtube using the format they request.
I did that and they re-funded me very quickly. So IMO this is the best "free" method until we can downgrade from 4.3 bootloader and do the 4.1.1 free unlock.
I was in the same situation, and I had to pay for an unlock code.
If you want to see me unlock it, here is the video: http://vimeo.com/96549806

rikonor said:
Hi!
I'm sorry if this has been asked before but I just can't find a definitive answer to this and I've been trying to search for an answer for nearly a week now.
My boss received a used Samsung Galaxy S3 from a friend of his in the states. It is a locked AT&T phone (SGH-I747) and it is on 4.3.
I managed to root the phone using CF-Auto-Root, which disabled Knox (whatever that is) and also installed CWM and was planning to flash 4.1.1 so I can unlock the phone using the *#NUM# method.
After reading a bit I've seen many people saying that you can't "downgrade" from 4.3 to anything else because it will brick your phone. Hence, I did not try and flash any other rom on the phone.
So I guess I'm just trying to get a definitive answer here because I can't find anything but rumors on this subject. I mean it's weird, I'd expect if you couldn't downgrade from 4.3 than it would be a bit more documented.
Has anybody tackled this problem with success?
Thank you
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What everyone else has said here is correct. You can't safely downgrade from 4.3 to free unlock - or free unlock by any other means for that matter once you are on 4.3. Your boss' friend would have unlocked prior to shipping the phone down but perhaps this was omitted. Your only options now would be to buy an unlock code online or perhaps the friend can contact AT&T to request the unlock code. If the device was off contract and is eligible for the unlock code, they would oblige the request. Otherwise, the code could cost between $18 - $30 online.

Thank you everybody.
I will use the service posted above.
I think it would be a good idea to make a sticky in this forum explaining that it is not possible at this point to downgrade from 4.3 (or is that just the boot loader).
Thanks again.

rikonor said:
Thank you everybody.
I will use the service posted above.
I think it would be a good idea to make a sticky in this forum explaining that it is not possible at this point to downgrade from 4.3 (or is that just the boot loader).
Thanks again.
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Click to collapse
It is just the bootloader that cannot be downgraded, not the ROM.