Develop Bugs

[Q]A few questions about rooting/odin/recovery

Thank you for taking time out of your day to help.
I just got an s4 on tmobile and I have some questions. I tried rooting it and ran into an error. I found an answer online, which was to flash a stock 4.3 rom via odin, then try the CFT autoroot. So it's all good and I'm rooted. I just have some questions:
1. Why was I able to flash a rom via odin, when all the rom installation guides I see require a CWM or some other recovery?
2. When I try to boot up into recovery I think it's the stock recovery and not a custom recovery that allows me to install a zip. When I used CFT auto root, I saw it booted into a custom recovery to root, did it just get deleted after that?
3. How will my root work with the 4.4 ota? When I check for software updates it says my phone has been modified so they aren't available. So how can I get the ota? Am i better off flashing a custom 4.4 rom? I want closest to stock as possible, so if you have any recommendations for stock 4.4 roms that would be great. Or can I flash the 4.4 stock rom as I did with odin?
4. How does tethering work with root? If I have unlimited data with 2.5gb tethering data, now that I'm rooted, can tmobile tell I'm tethering if I'm using a root tethering app?
Again thank you very much for your help.

1. You did not flash a ROM with Odin, it was firmware.. Very different
2. Yes, I believe that's what cf-auto root does
3. Yes you can flash a 4.4 firmware like you did with 4.3 as long as its for your device, or flash a custom recovery and then a 4.4 ROM
4. Not too familiar with this, but it might be possible to get around it
Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk

serio22 said:
1. You did not flash a ROM with Odin, it was firmware.. Very different
2. Yes, I believe that's what cf-auto root does
3. Yes you can flash a 4.4 firmware like you did with 4.3 as long as its for your device, or flash a custom recovery and then a 4.4 ROM
4. Not too familiar with this, but it might be possible to get around it
Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
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Awesome thank you. If I flash the official 4.4 firmware for my device, will I keep my root?

gregorina said:
Awesome thank you. If I flash the official 4.4 firmware for my device, will I keep my root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No if it is an untouched fully stock rom/firmware but there will be rooted versions of the stock firmware/rom.

Stay with root, you will be better off, custom roms are usually available within a day after ota updates
Sent from my customizable brickable device

TMO Kit Kat Update Q&A Thread

In an attempt keep thread questions down to a minimum and let it be used for development specific questions. I ask that you post general update questions here. I will keep this updated as best I can.
1. Q: How do I update to official T-Mobile release?
A: You can go back to stock and accept the OTA. Or you can download the Update.zip HERE . There are other links from Tesh and Allenjthomsen on their individual threads. (thanks Allen for the update.zip and Dirtybudha for the ftp server)
2. Q: Should I flash the update so I can have the new bootloader?
A: At this time we are waiting for the release of more custom kernels and there are 2 recoveries that will work with the new bootloader
3. Q: Can I go back to 4.3 once I flash?
A: If you flash the new bootloader, you will not be able to odin back to use 4.3 roms. But you can custom flash 4.3 with new Mi7 bootloader and kernels made for that purpose.
4. Q: If I update my N3 will I still have root?
A: At this time, you can gain root using CF-Auto root, but you will lose custom recovery
5. Q: Will flashing the update trip Knox if I originally rooted using De-La Vega?
A: No, flashing the update will simply update your phone to 4.4.2. But trying to flash a custom recovery will trip Knox to 0x1. kingoapp.com does not work as per a user that tried it
6. Q: Can I load TMO Kit Kat without updating bootloader?
A: Yes. You can flash any rom.zip from the dev thread using custom 4.3 Kit Kat Kernels that allow 4.4.2 to run off the 4.3 bootloader.
7. Q: Are there any TMO Kit Kat kernels already in circulation?
A: . Yes. Check the Original Android Development thread.
8. Q: I tried flashing the new posted Odexed and Deodexed roms but get stuck at boot. What's wrong?
A: The new boot.img (Kernel) included in these roms are based off the Kit Kat kernel release. They will not work on the 4.3(Jellybean MI7) bootloader unless you usea custom kernel
9. Q: After I update to official release, how do I get root back?
A: You will need to ODIN CF-Autoroot once you have updated. WARNING: YOU WILL TRIP KNOX USING CF-AUTOROOT
10. Q: Has anyone found a custom recovery that works with the NB4 Bootloader?
A: Yes, it has been noted that Philz recovery and the N9005 TWRP is being tested as per BigBiff's recommendation and is noted as working.
11. Q: Can I flash just the bootloader and the modem?
A: Yes, but you will have compatibilty issues unless you flash one of the two Kit Kat compatible recoveries.
12. Q: I Odined the NB4 file and my phone just sits at black screen with blue recovery on it. Did I do something wrong?
A: NO, there seems to be a glitch in the Odin process. Reboot your phone into download mode and re-Odin the file and it will complete successfully.
13 Q: I have read that there is a way to root Kit Kat without tripping Knox. Is this true?
A: Yes, there is a process that can be used but is not recommended as you can brick your phone and my not be able to recover from the brick.

Kit Kat Kernels :
Wootevers Kernel (TMO Original Android Development thread)
Civato's Kernel (N9005 Original Android Development Thread)
ColonelX R13 (CURRENTLY BEING BUILT AND TESTED)

If anybody see's a Frequently asked question i'm missing. please let me know. Trying to keep up with all 4 threads.
Thanks

If you use the official update, you will get the extSDCard read/write errors back, as they are part of Kit Kat .
to fix, once rooted on the official rom, Open the platform.xml file just like in the custom Kit Kat roms and make it look like this
Code:
<permission name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE">
<group gid="sdcard_r"/>
<group gid="sdcard_rw"/>
<group gid="media_rw"/>
</permission>
That "SHOULD" fix the read/write problems. Kit Kat is made to only read and write to the internal storage to keep Android running smoothly as people sometimes by cheap laggy sdcards.

dragonstalker said:
If anybody see's a Frequently asked question i'm missing. please let me know. Trying to keep up with all 4 threads.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think the big one is people looking for clarification on whether the bootloader is locked or not.
I see a lot of conflicting posts. Mainly from those who don't understand kernel dependencies as they pertain to the boot process.

rjohnstone said:
I think the big one is people looking for clarification on whether the bootloader is locked or not.
I see a lot of conflicting posts. Mainly from those who don't understand kernel dependencies as they pertain to the boot process.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That we cannot confirm until Biff gets home and has had a chance to compile a kernel specifically for this bootloader.

Has anyone tried the TWP recovery for the international device? I did the over the air update and am rooted but would like to get the recovery installed. Any ideas?

jimmydigital00 said:
Has anyone tried the TWP recovery for the international device? I did the over the air update and am rooted but would like to get the recovery installed. Any ideas?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
BigBiff has suggested in one of Ax's threads to try that recovery. If it works for you. please post back so we can get the word out. Right now Philz CWM is confirmed working

tried downloading but asking for username and password...what am i doing wroing...any help is appreciated...thanks,

Will kingo root method work?
Sent from my SM-N900T using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

so dragon i will be able to flash my phone with tar file from SamMobile flashing the phone stock and with 4.4.2 bootloader then being able to root the phone and being able to flash Philz CWM to get custom recovery?

dragonstalker said:
BigBiff has suggested in one of Ax's threads to try that recovery. If it works for you. please post back so we can get the word out. Right now Philz CWM is confirmed working
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can confirm that the recovery located here works
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2671039&page=5

rockinandroid said:
tried downloading but asking for username and password...what am i doing wroing...any help is appreciated...thanks,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
changed download server. try now.

blacklabel2020 said:
so dragon i will be able to flash my phone with tar file from SamMobile flashing the phone stock and with 4.4.2 bootloader then being able to root the phone and being able to flash Philz CWM to get custom recovery?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you know how to use the tar file yes. Everything else you are spot on.

Although I've seen some ask this question, I would like some clarification as there is still some conflicting info being spread throughout 4 or 5 threads
From what I gather:
The new 4.4 bootloader now has custom recovery through use of either the TWRP biff posted or the new PhilZ. Both confirmed working.
My question is, does this affect us now being able to custom flash 4.3 roms without having to Odin back to 4.3 just to flash 4.3 roms...if that even is something that is 100% true that we can do since some people say yes we can odin back to 4.3 and some say no.
And with the new bootloader, we should theoretically be able to flash all of the custom 4.4 N9005 ROMs just fine?

dragonstalker said:
changed download server. try now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
same thing..asking for username and passwordl

_INSPIREed said:
Although I've seen some ask this question, I would like some clarification as there is still some conflicting info being spread throughout 4 or 5 threads
From what I gather:
The new 4.4 bootloader now has custom recovery through use of either the TWRP biff posted or the new PhilZ. Both confirmed working.
My question is, does this affect us now being able to custom flash 4.3 roms without having to Odin back to 4.3 just to flash 4.3 roms...if that even is something that is 100% true that we can do since some people say yes we can odin back to 4.3 and some say no.
And with the new bootloader, we should theoretically be able to flash all of the custom 4.4 N9005 ROMs just fine?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry. No, you cannot flash 4.3 roms via custom recovery once you use the new bootloader. But, yes technically you should be able flash Int. Roms now.

A lot of people are desperate. Chill, wait 2, 3 days everything should be gooood it's only been a day
Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk

chuko303 said:
A lot of people are desperate. Chill, wait 2, 3 days everything should be gooood it's only been a day
Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know, It's not like your phones will stop working unless you update to KitKat today.

beowolf said:
I know, It's not like your phones will stop working unless you update to KitKat today.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm personally going to wait for evil to release Wicked kit kat! Pumped for that one
Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk

[q] kernel is not seandroid enforcing

I've installed the latest Tmobile 4.4.2 Firmware via SamMobile. I came from M17 4.3. Updated via Odin to Tmobile 4.4.2, I then rooted via CF Auto root (Don't care about Knox at this point) successfully and following that flashed Philz recovery with success.
Everything is all good, as I am familiar with other devices and rooting and booting into recovery. At this point I downloaded the latest SlimKat and Lean Kernel to flash onto my system. Reboot into recovery, flash is a success, however when I reboot the system I start to get a bootloop saying Kernel is not seandroid enforcing set warranty bit: Kernel..I've tried to JUST flash SlimKat with the same results. Following this It continues to bootloop so I am forced to Odin from my PC back to Tmobile stock 4.4.2.
Can someone assist me with a solution? TLR, Custom ROMs/Kernels are not allowing me to boot due to Kernel is not seandroid enforcing set warranty bit: Kernel bootloop

My guess would be that slimkat doesn't support 4.4 bootloader yet.

Oh wow, if it was that simple the whole time..Lol, is there a list of ROMs that do?

Custom kernels will ALWAYS show that on boot.
Dev's turn off the SEANDROID permission crap because not all root apps deal with that permission properly.
Bootloop on the other hand would be a different issue doubtfully related to this.

t3tr1s_ said:
Oh wow, if it was that simple the whole time..Lol, is there a list of ROMs that do?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have to read the op of the rom you're interested in. If it doesn't say it supports both bootloaders then it's most probably for 4.3 bl only.
Anthem here says it supports both bl.

I'm confused, can a 4.4.2 ROM only be on a 4.3 BL?

t3tr1s_ said:
I'm confused, can a 4.4.2 ROM only be on a 4.3 BL?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am not a technical person but how I understand it is that custom recovery/rom flashes doesn't load/replace the bl.
Cm and aosp-based roms were dev'd for 4.3 until a month or two ago when they start supporting both bl and even then not all roms do.

t3tr1s_ said:
I'm confused, can a 4.4.2 ROM only be on a 4.3 BL?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, it sure can.
If you're fully upgraded to the KK package completely, ex: through odin, you have to use a KK rom that has the 4.4.2/Kernel bootloader components.
If you don't fully want to commit to KK completely you can flash a KK rom that has a kernel with the older boot loader. That will allow you to go back to 4.3.
I suspect given time, 4.3 support will be slowly dropped in favor of a full KK implementation on this forum. In the transition period, be careful what you pick and choose to install.
I, like many others, have gone full KK inc. bootloader, etc for full compatibility with everything. When you go full update, you get the updated firmware and bits for the modems, etc.

Thank you very much for all your help, it was the bootloader issue. Just me not reading into things fully, very glad that I asked. I am now running Beanstalk on my Note!
Now that I have all of that cleared up, my next question is the S-PEN. I'm assuming all CM/AOSP ROMs will not support it, thus making me switch to TouchWiz. Is that true? Or are there Apps that I can still use in conjunction with my S-PEN?
As far as TouchWiz is concerned, is Xnote updated to the KK BL and compatible with our Tmobile version? I searched the thread but did not find any answer. If not, what is a suitable replacement to maintain funcionality of the S-PEN while having bloatware removed?

There are apps but it won't give you the full Samsung spen experience like on stock.
Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk

As long as I have a note taking app I think i would be good to go. It's really the only feature I use.

also having this problem

[Q] advice on KitKat rom

Can anyone recommend a rom that is not custom which allows me to have have the official OTA kitkat update on my at&t s3. Please tell me where I would find it and if it is stable.

At this time, there is no official KitKat update for the s3. The custom kk ROMS here are ports from other devices

Do you have an i747m or i747? What bootloader is currently on your phone?

audit13 said:
Do you have an i747m or i747? What bootloader is currently on your phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a Sgh 1747 I don't know how to check the bootloader.

mrhaley30705 said:
At this time, there is no official KitKat update for the s3. The custom kk ROMS here are ports from other devices
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok what's the closest rom I can get. That you recommend as the best

dougy.boi said:
I have a Sgh 1747 I don't know how to check the bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Boot into download mode and let us know what it says on the screen. The version of your bootloader will greatly influence the manner in which you restore a stock ROM on your phone.

audit13 said:
Boot into download mode and let us know what it says on the screen. The version of your bootloader will greatly influence the manner in which you restore a stock ROM on your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is it the part that says 'Qualcomm secureboot:Enable' It also says Current binary: Custom and System status: Custom. Custom binary download
yes (4 counts)

dougy.boi said:
Is it the part that says 'Qualcomm secureboot:Enable' It also says Current binary: Custom and System status: Custom. Custom binary download
yes (4 counts)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is that all it says? Anything about warranty bit?

audit13 said:
Is that all it says? Anything about warranty bit?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope. Does that mean that something is wrong with my phone

dougy.boi said:
Nope. Does that mean that something is wrong with my phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not at all. It just means that you do not have the 4.3 bootloader on your phone and you do not have Knox installed. Do you have any warranty left on your phone?
Installing the 4.3 OTA update will automatically install Knox and the 4.3 bootloader. The 4.3 bootloader can make it difficult to recover from a soft-bricked status.
If you want to have the OTA KK update, I recommend you flash a stock 4.1.1 ATT ROM, unlock your phone using the free method, and upgrade your phone using ATT's OTA upgrader.
If I were you, I would not load any stock ATT ROM beyond 4.1.1. Once my phone was unlocked, I would install a custom recovery and install a custom AOSP ROM such as GZ's Validus.

audit13 said:
Not at all. It just means that you do not have the 4.3 bootloader on your phone and you do not have Knox installed. Do you have any warranty left on your phone?
Installing the 4.3 OTA update will automatically install Knox and the 4.3 bootloader. The 4.3 bootloader can make it difficult to recover from a soft-bricked status.
If you want to have the OTA KK update, I recommend you flash a stock 4.1.1 ATT ROM, unlock your phone using the free method, and upgrade your phone using ATT's OTA upgrader.
If I were you, I would not load any stock ATT ROM beyond 4.1.1. Once my phone was unlocked, I would install a custom recovery and install a custom AOSP ROM such as GZ's Validus.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you sooo much for your recommendation

To check your bootloader download "Terminal Emulator".
Open app, type "su" and give root rights
Close app with the " X"
Open app again
Then type "su" without the quotation marks
Then type "getprop ro.bootloader" again without the quotation marks
Look at the first line and see what it reads???
As you can see in my screenshot where it read I337UCUAMDB shows I have the MDB bootloader on my ATT S4. Yours should read something like I747xxxxxxx which will be what bootloader you have on your phone
Sent From My Spiderman,Ironman,Red,Dark Blue,Green, GreyedOut BadAss Themed I337

audit13 said:
Not at all. It just means that you do not have the 4.3 bootloader on your phone and you do not have Knox installed. Do you have any warranty left on your phone?
Installing the 4.3 OTA update will automatically install Knox and the 4.3 bootloader. The 4.3 bootloader can make it difficult to recover from a soft-bricked status.
If you want to have the OTA KK update, I recommend you flash a stock 4.1.1 ATT ROM, unlock your phone using the free method, and upgrade your phone using ATT's OTA upgrader.
If I were you, I would not load any stock ATT ROM beyond 4.1.1. Once my phone was unlocked, I would install a custom recovery and install a custom AOSP ROM such as GZ's Validus.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which is the best kitkat based rom, Gz's vladius or Cyanogenmod version C11 or is there an even better one?

I prefer Validus because it is based on aosp and I love the dark theme.

All ROMs are in the development section
As mentioned Official has not been released yet so there will be no stock KK
Please research all other choices there to find what is BEST for you
There are no shortcuts by asking the opinions of all the members here
As they all have done their research and found what is best for them

Q: How To Root?

i just got this phone and i need to know how to root lol. i'm on 4.3 and the mjb modem. is there a way to root it?

pitbullmommy45245 said:
i just got this phone and i need to know how to root lol. i'm on 4.3 and the mjb modem. is there a way to root it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, there are a number of ways to root on ver. 4.3. First, you could try CF-Auto Root. Doesn't always work with this version but it's worked for several people. Secondly, you could flash custom recovery via Odin and then flash the pre-rooted and de-knoxed MJ2 ROM as long as you retain your MJB bootloader and modem. You can ensure this by flashing the MJB bootloader and modem at the same time. Thirdly, you could flash TWRP custom recovery (this method doesn't always work with CWM) via Odin. Then flash SuperSU zip via custom recovery. Download and install SuperSU from the Play Store. Run it and install the binary when prompted. The fourth and my preferred method is Safe Root. This option won't trip your warranty bit in case this matters and has worked for me all the time. You can check the SafeRoot download link and installation instructions via the thread below ...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2565758

A search of this forum for 4.3 root would have brought you the answer.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2538991 You can fond your solution here.
Ian

w98seeng said:
A search of this forum for 4.3 root would have brought you the answer.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2538991 You can fond your solution here.
Ian
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank you i was kinda wary of cf auto root. i tried it on a verizon one that i had and it always failed lol. but it worked on this one! lol. i had a s3 that was verizon and updated to 4.3 and i couldn't download any aosp roms and could only install i think it was mlb. with it being rooted this way can i install any rom? and do i need to install cwm or a recovery?

pitbullmommy45245 said:
thank you i was kinda wary of cf auto root. i tried it on a verizon one that i had and it always failed lol. but it worked on this one! lol. i had a s3 that was verizon and updated to 4.3 and i couldn't download any aosp roms and could only install i think it was mlb. with it being rooted this way can i install any rom? and do i need to install cwm or a recovery?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just rooted yesterday again (after being on stock 4.3 touchwiz for the longest time, what a disaster). I used the CF auto-root method as well. I downloaded + flashed TWRP recovery using odin, and was all set to install AOSP roms. You can use CWM if you want but a few devs recommend TWRP so that's what I have stuck with.

DarthDerron said:
I just rooted yesterday again (after being on stock 4.3 touchwiz for the longest time, what a disaster). I used the CF auto-root method as well. I downloaded + flashed TWRP recovery using odin, and was all set to install AOSP roms. You can use CWM if you want but a few devs recommend TWRP so that's what I have stuck with.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
are there any roms that you would recomend that are up kept up to date.

pitbullmommy45245 said:
are there any roms that you would recomend that are up kept up to date.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm using tasks aokp right now, he always provides stable and reliable releases. Quantum, SlimKat and LiquidSmooth are all ones I've enjoyed back in 4.2 days so I'm sure those are good as well
Sent from my SGH-I747M using Tapatalk

pitbullmommy45245 said:
are there any roms that you would recomend that are up kept up to date.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also crom and validus are good choices.
Sent from my SM-T310 using Tapatalk

jasvncnt1 said:
Also crom and validus are good choices.
Sent from my SM-T310 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i flashed carbons 6-1 nightly. its running super smooth.