Develop Bugs

samsung galaxy s3 sgh-t999v mobilicity shows up as Modified

Hi, I recently got a galaxy s3 (canadian version) 2 weeks ago from Mobilicity and just recently rooted following this method : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1771687. Before doing the rooting I was on the JB 4.1.1 update they released recently. Also used this method: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=34661189&postcount=1 to unlock the phone
I would check daily but today I just noticed my device's status was Modified and I am unable to check for updates. I'm not sure what caused the modified status. I checked in download mode and my count is still 0/No. I also checked Triangle Away and it was the same. My device was normal when I first installed and used the root, I can only remember I just updated a few apps yesterday. I tried flashing with odin the rooted system image and it's the same.
I would like to be able to use the stock rom with root and updates, and set my device to normal status (I'd rather not update through Odin every time there is an update, and I am very satisfied with the stock rom). I've already backed up my data using Titaniumbackup, all my contact info and music (the stuff I only care about). Help appreciated.
EDIT: I also have installed Openrecovery script using goomanager, could that be the issue?

Use TriangleAway from the Play Store to get rid of the modified status

adslee said:
Use TriangleAway from the Play Store to get rid of the modified status
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The counter is 0, should I still try to reset it?
Edit: just used TriangleAway, device status still modified, I can access the software update now though, but it gets stuck while checking

bump

You will not be able update via your carrier OAT if you rooted your device. The only thing you can do is to unroot the device, do the update, and re-root the device again. Visit www.galaxys3root.com on how to root and re-root.

Ganbara_Knight said:
You will not be able update via your carrier OAT if you rooted your device. The only thing you can do is to unroot the device, do the update, and re-root the device again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah I was starting think that, I'll just get the updates using odin

deadmanrevolver said:
I would like to be able to use the stock rom with root and updates, and set my device to normal status (I'd rather not update through Odin every time there is an update, and I am very satisfied with the stock rom). I've already backed up my data using Titaniumbackup, all my contact info and music (the stuff I only care about). Help appreciated.
EDIT: I also have installed Openrecovery script using goomanager, could that be the issue?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If that is all you wanted just flashing the root66 rom from mrRobinson's threat in you original post could have accomplished it.
This would not trip the flash counter if it was still 0, what did it was installing a custom recovery like open recovery.
Follow this steps to get to a 4.1.1 "unmodified" or normal stock system with only root injected to it. You will be able to check and receive OTA updates, but if you ever update your rom OTA you will loose root.
1-download root66 jellybean rom for mobilicity from mrRobinson's thread, there are instructions there how to flash it with desktop Odin. (this will keep everything in your rom and will give you the stock recovery back, so the counter does not trip again)
2-download, install and run triangle away from chainfire's thread this will reset the counter to 0. Search for it.
Now your counter is 0 again, nothing is tripping it, room is rooted but it will still say "modified" and OTA updates may still not work, to fix it you need a clean start. Do a system factory reset, start over fresh and life will be beautiful.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium

How to UpDate Modified Device?!

Hello,
I have Galaxy S3 running 4.1.1, i have perviously
rooted it. After that i done a Factory Rest to the Device,
then tried to UpDate it to the latest Version!
But it always tells me that this device is modified!
What i want is to Completely REMOVE the Root,
then UPDATE it to the latest version? Please HELP!

DaYiM said:
Hello,
I have Galaxy S3 running 4.1.1, i have perviously
rooted it. After that i done a Factory Rest to the Device,
then tried to UpDate it to the latest Version!
But it always tells me that this device is modified!
What i want is to Completely REMOVE the Root,
then UPDATE it to the latest version? Please HELP!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As long as you have a custom recovery (either CWM or TWRP), you will not be able to update. You could go back to 100% stock unrooted and then update, but this is not necessary and you'll be doing a lot more steps. More steps means more chances to mess something up.
Good news is that you can just install the stock Rom. Freeza always updates his thread with the most recent Stock Rooted Rom. A lot of times he comes out with it even before I get the OTA from Sprint. All you have to do is flash it in TWRP or CWM. In case you're not familiar with the procedure for doing this, please see this linked post.
Finally, OTAs are fairly common, so check out CNexus' thread on OTAs.

DaYiM said:
Hello,
I have Galaxy S3 running 4.1.1, i have perviously
rooted it. After that i done a Factory Rest to the Device,
then tried to UpDate it to the latest Version!
But it always tells me that this device is modified!
What i want is to Completely REMOVE the Root,
then UPDATE it to the latest version? Please HELP!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you want to go back to stock completely, you will need to odin the tar file and the latest triangle away. This will set your binary and get you back to normal and then odin the stock tar. This will put you back to completely stock with a stick recovery. You should be able to update from there. There are several links to the info you need.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2

4_Weasel said:
If you want to go back to stock completely, you will need to odin the tar file and the latest triangle away. This will set your binary and get you back to normal and then odin the stock tar. This will put you back to completely stock with a stick recovery. You should be able to update from there. There are several links to the info you need.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They don't necessarily have to use Odin and Triangle Away. Here is a thread for a recovery-flashable zip which will reset their counter and restore them back to unrooted stock.
That being said, if the only reason they want to go back to stock is to take the update, it's entirely unnecessary. Like I said before, the more steps they have to take, the more chances they have to mess something up (especially when it comes to Odin and Download mode, in my opinion). If they want to return to stock unrooted for another reason, the easiest way is to use the flashable zip.

Thanks alot for all of your help

[Q] Stupid question, because I am bone head!

I recently re-flashed my phone because I was unable to get it back to stock un-rooted so I could get the latest 4.4 update. Someone suggested using Triangle Away to reset my flash counter in order to show my phone was 'not modified'. I purchased Triangle Away installed etc, but it had a stern warning that resetting my flash counter could "hard brick" my phone.
I attempted to use the temporary disable of SU for OTA within Triangle Away to unroot my phone and apply the update, unfortunately the update didn't work and now I can not undo put back SU as enabled. My phone is unrooted without the ability to undo that feature in Triangle Away.
Question, is there a way to fix this with Triangle Away? Am I missing something or do I have to reflash my phone again?
Why would an app like Triangle Away have a feature within it's app that could cause this to happen and not a way to back out of it.
I hope someone can help me with this.:crying:

bigmtnskier said:
I recently re-flashed my phone because I was unable to get it back to stock un-rooted so I could get the latest 4.4 update. Someone suggested using Triangle Away to reset my flash counter in order to show my phone was 'not modified'. I purchased Triangle Away installed etc, but it had a stern warning that resetting my flash counter could "hard brick" my phone.
I attempted to use the temporary disable of SU for OTA within Triangle Away to unroot my phone and apply the update, unfortunately the update didn't work and now I can not undo put back SU as enabled. My phone is unrooted without the ability to undo that feature in Triangle Away.
Question, is there a way to fix this with Triangle Away? Am I missing something or do I have to reflash my phone again?
Why would an app like Triangle Away have a feature within it's app that could cause this to happen and not a way to back out of it.
I hope someone can help me with this.:crying:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe I should ask the question more simply:
How do I re-ROOT my phone without flashing? Is that possible?

bigmtnskier said:
Maybe I should ask the question more simply:
How do I re-ROOT my phone without flashing? Is that possible?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do u still have a custom recovery? If so, maybe flash the team epic root from recovery zip?

DMF1977 said:
Do u still have a custom recovery? If so, maybe flash the team epic root from recovery zip?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do have a custom recovery, TWRP. I think I have it running again and rooted, what I did was re-install Busybox and rebooted into recovery, then rebooted back into the System and then it seemed to work fine. Not sure if I will brave Triangle Away again, but thank you for responding and offering a good suggestion.:good:

bigmtnskier said:
I purchased Triangle Away installed etc, but it had a stern warning that resetting my flash counter could "hard brick" my phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you reset your flash counter? As far as I know this was put in place by the developer to warn people...Of knowing what they are doing before hand. This warning is mainly in place to try and make people read to see if their phone model is supported.
To the best of my knowledge, no one has hard bricked their phone on any of the I747(m) models using this app. This feature does work as I have used it multiple times.
And what update our ROM are you installing? You said 4.4... I used ODIN to restore back to complete stock 4.1.1 (not rooted, stock recovery included) and the OTA update to stock 4.1.2 went without a hitch. I used CF Auto Root (via ODIN) to root and then installed a custom recovery.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747

aybarrap1 said:
Did you reset your flash counter? As far as I know this was put in place by the developer to warn people...Of knowing what they are doing before hand. This warning is mainly in place to try and make people read to see if their phone model is supported.
To the best of my knowledge, no one has hard bricked their phone on any of the I747(m) models using this app. This feature does work as I have used it multiple times.
And what update our ROM are you installing? You said 4.4... I used ODIN to restore back to complete stock 4.1.1 (not rooted, stock recovery included) and the OTA update to stock 4.1.2 went without a hitch. I used CF Auto Root (via ODIN) to root and then installed a custom recovery.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was attempting to do the OTA to go from 4.0.4 ICS to 4.1.x Jellybean. BTW, I was able to re-set my count to 0! Thank you for the reassurance!

bigmtnskier said:
I was attempting to do the OTA to go from 4.0.4 ICS to 4.1.x Jellybean. BTW, I was able to re-set my count to 0! Thank you for the reassurance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would highly recommend flashing the pure stock 4.1.1 rom (including stock recovery) and then do the OTA. The 4.1.2 stock rom might be available through KIES or through other sites by now, but I can't say for certain. Since you are already using ODIN, then CF auto root will be a breeze for you to root 4.1.2.
No worries. I was a little nervous too about Triangle Away at first but searching did not net anything saying that reseting the flash counter had hard bricked someone's phone. That is what pushed me to use it.

aybarrap1 said:
I would highly recommend flashing the pure stock 4.1.1 rom (including stock recovery) and then do the OTA. The 4.1.2 stock rom might be available through KIES or through other sites by now, but I can't say for certain. Since you are already using ODIN, then CF auto root will be a breeze for you to root 4.1.2.
No worries. I was a little nervous too about Triangle Away at first but searching did not net anything saying that reseting the flash counter had hard bricked someone's phone. That is what pushed me to use it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I blew out Kies on my main machine because it doesn't work well, I had to re-set all my USB ports and re-install the Samsung USB drivers so no Kies for me. But where do I find a stock 4.1.1 rom from? My stock version is 4.0.4 (the original ROM when the S3 was released), I wonder if I can just use a custom 4.1.1 ROM instead or do you think it would work if I unroot/stock to 4.0.4 then OTA to 4.1.2?

bigmtnskier said:
I blew out Kies on my main machine because it doesn't work well, I had to re-set all my USB ports and re-install the Samsung USB drivers so no Kies for me. But where do I find a stock 4.1.1 rom from? My stock version is 4.0.4 (the original ROM when the S3 was released), I wonder if I can just use a custom 4.1.1 ROM instead or do you think it would work if I unroot/stock to 4.0.4 then OTA to 4.1.2?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1968625
Flash in Odin..

bigmtnskier said:
I blew out Kies on my main machine because it doesn't work well, I had to re-set all my USB ports and re-install the Samsung USB drivers so no Kies for me. But where do I find a stock 4.1.1 rom from? My stock version is 4.0.4 (the original ROM when the S3 was released), I wonder if I can just use a custom 4.1.1 ROM instead or do you think it would work if I unroot/stock to 4.0.4 then OTA to 4.1.2?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To ensure best results use ODIN to flash the stock ROM to 4.1.1. You should return the phone stock as if you just purchased from the store new. Then do the OTA. You can use ODIN after that to root with CF Auto root.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747

SuperSU Giving 1 Flash Counter. Trying to go back to stock rom with OTA.

Hello,
I’m looking for some guidance on getting my phone back to completely stock.
Steps I’ve done:
I have re-flashed back to the stock image using Odin. After doing so I wipe/reset. I then had a flash count of 8.
I then used Chainfires method and flashed with Odin to root device, which only installs super SU. I ran triangle away and still had a flash count as one. So I ran triangle away again and clicked the box that disables superSU for an amount of time. The rom went back to official with no flash counts.
Here is where I ran into problems. I ran super SU after seeing I had no flash counts to unroot the device. As soon as I opened superSU I got a flash count back to 1 again and could not update device from original firmware. I tried several different times including full wipe reset after I unrooted with superSU.
So what I did was re-rooted device using odin and install triangle away. I ran the exact same things as before by disabling SuperSU in triangle away and I was back to the official rom and no flash count. I then disabled superSU in manage applications and removed any notifications (force stop).
My phone was able to download the update as it recognized the stock rom, but then when I attempted to install it my phone it did its normal reboot for install and said install failed custom binary etc. Checked and again I had a 1 flash counter.
Possibly where I messed up?
Things I can gather or maybe I’m wrong. I downloaded stock image from Samsung. It was a TAR file. It is a 4.1 file. In addition I know it was for the T889 for T-mobile. Is there a possibility that this is the wrong file? Is there something else I should be flashing to phone with the PDA in any of other slots? Recovery file? Why when I attempt to run superSU unroot does it add a flash counter?
I do not have my original stock image. Phone T889 T-Mobile.
I’m usually pretty good at this stuff, but have run into a rut. I want to return my phone to completely stock and get OTA updates.
Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thank you in advance!!

RSVRMAN1 said:
...I’m usually pretty good at this stuff, but have run into a rut. I want to return my phone to completely stock and get OTA updates.
Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thank you in advance!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If the main goal is to go back to stock to get official OTAs, I'm pretty sure the binary count bit doesn't need to be a worry. What has worked for me is to
- factory reset/wipe data (can do this using custom recovery or just the official stock recovery actually)
- ODIN factory image (I tend to DL them from sammobile)
At that point I had no issue grabbing OTAs - not sure if this helps but I hope it does

dwitherell said:
If the main goal is to go back to stock to get official OTAs, I'm pretty sure the binary count bit doesn't need to be a worry. What has worked for me is to
- factory reset/wipe data (can do this using custom recovery or just the official stock recovery actually)
- ODIN factory image (I tend to DL them from sammobile)
At that point I had no issue grabbing OTAs - not sure if this helps but I hope it does
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any response will help thank you!
I downloaded from sammobile as well. Do you download the factory image and install on phone or do you flash the factory image from ODIN.
I should probably clarify I'm trying to update phone by clicking software update. When I click that currently it states. Your device has been modified. Software updates are not available.
This is why I've been going the triangle away superSU route trying to just install the original stock firmware, click update and receive the latest version.
Here some additional info on my kernal and build. I'm not sure if this is possibly wrong?
Currently phone says android 4.1.1 baseband T889UVALL4 Kernel version 3.031-598701 [email protected]#1 SMP PREEMPT Sat Jan 5 19:34:13 KST 2013
Build number JR003C.T889UVALL4
Thanks again!

RSVRMAN1 said:
Any response will help thank you!
I downloaded from sammobile as well. Do you download the factory image and install on phone or do you flash the factory image from ODIN.
I should probably clarify I'm trying to update phone by clicking software update. When I click that currently it states. Your device has been modified. Software updates are not available.
This is why I've been going the triangle away superSU route trying to just install the original stock firmware, click update and receive the latest version.
Here some additional info on my kernal and build. I'm not sure if this is possibly wrong?
Currently phone says android 4.1.1 baseband T889UVALL4 Kernel version 3.031-598701 [email protected]#1 SMP PREEMPT Sat Jan 5 19:34:13 KST 2013
Build number JR003C.T889UVALL4
Thanks again!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used ODIN - and the info looks fine. I had no issue getting the OTA from UVALK8 to UVALL4 using this approach, though is there a particular reason you want to go the click-update path? I ask because sammobile has a factory image of the most current version (UVBMD1) as well... might be a plan B at least.

dwitherell said:
I used ODIN - and the info looks fine. I had no issue getting the OTA from UVALK8 to UVALL4 using this approach, though is there a particular reason you want to go the click-update path? I ask because sammobile has a factory image of the most current version (UVBMD1) as well... might be a plan B at least.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I plan on giving the phone to my better half and buy new note 3 eventually. I feel that if I can click and have the phone update I know everything works and wont have to touch it again, while if I install the latest then on the next update I'm unsure if it will update having to flash the new stock rom again.
I love custom roms, but it requires lots of work keeping them up to date and can have various issues that I dont want her to deal with.
I'm wondering if I should try to flash a different stock recovery rom?
Here are 3 separate roms I could install do you have one you would suggest?
cant post the link but its from stockroms dot net
Do I need to install stock recovery on my phone? I guess I thought I just needed to install the factory image. Can you flash stock recovery on Odin or where do you put this into equation?
install stock image/install recovery/root/wipe/triangle away/superSU-unroot/wipe/update
Thanks again for the quick response.

RSVRMAN1 said:
I plan on giving the phone to my better half and buy new note 3 eventually. I feel that if I can click and have the phone update I know everything works and wont have to touch it again, while if I install the latest then on the next update I'm unsure if it will update having to flash the new stock rom again.
I love custom roms, but it requires lots of work keeping them up to date and can have various issues that I dont want her to deal with.
I'm wondering if I should try to flash a different stock recovery rom?
Here are 3 separate roms I could install do you have one you would suggest?
cant post the link but its from stockroms dot net
Do I need to install stock recovery on my phone? I guess I thought I just needed to install the factory image. Can you flash stock recovery on Odin or where do you put this into equation?
install stock image/install recovery/root/wipe/triangle away/superSU-unroot/wipe/update
Thanks again for the quick response.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I should clarify the factory images are from note2root DOT com

Going to keep trying to reflash: Just did it again and still keep getting a binary account right after I complete the Full unroot.
Why does it go from official to custom after this last step?
Following Chainfire
If you want to unroot for some reason :
From stock rom and root by Chainfire method all you need to do : Triangle Away app ,SuperSU / setting/ full unroot. Reboot into Recovery / Factory reset.
From custom rom : reflash stock image via Odin .reroot by CF auto root,reset counter with Triangle Away App,SuperSU/Setting/Full unroot . Recovery / Factory reset.
Can find stock firmware from here
Stock T889UVALJ1 & T889UVALK8 (Post 51) http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1969551 ( Thank , TeshXX)
Stock + root http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1975560 ( Thank , Mr.Robinson )

Tried a different stock firmware 4.1.2 T889 and now wont recognize T-mobile. Anyone have a link to the exact T889 stock firmware that I can just odin-install
Then triangle away/supersu reset and get OTA?
Really would like to get this working. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Try Mr Robinson,
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1975560
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda app-developers app

[Q] Can't Install 4.4 OTA Update

Rooted/Flashed my phone a long time. Constant bugs and errors. I really don't remember what all I did but I think I almost have it completely unrooted and back to stock. However, I can't update OTA. I've reflashed using this file, http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2658486. Fixed just about all my issues and I actually have a lot of space on my phone. When I try to do the OTA Update, it doesn't install the update. Once it boots into recovery mode to install the update it gives an error. Can someone help my to 100% fully get my phone back to stock and be able to install OTA updates? I'm clueless.

First, did the 4.4.2 ota fail after a certain percentage? If so you may actually be partially updated already. If so, flashing MJB firmware/bootloader will hard brick.
Install and open Terminal Emulator and enter this:
getprop ro.bootloader
If it says MJB, you are still on 4.3 and can refresh that. If it says NE4, do not flash MJB!
If you can still flash MJB, there is a thread in General (I think that's where) that has the Odin flashable firmware package. Flash that with Odin and factory reset. Then try the OTA.
Factory resetting with stock recovery installed will wipe internal sd card, so back up first!
There are also a few threads in General that can help you update if the OTA continues to fail.

I'm unrooted. At least im pretty sure of that. I cant run superu anumore and root checker says im not rooted. Can I still access the terminal without being rooted. I know I had clockeork mod recovery. I also had used cyanogen mod at one point. Now I have the stock recovery but when I boot into recovery I get an error. I will post the error and install percentage as soon as the ota update downloads.

Yes, you can still run getprop w/o root. Just install terminal emulator by jackpal from the play store.

Yeah it said I747UCUEMJB. Like I said my recovery gives me an error. When I try flashing at all with odin it fails. Trying to install the ota update now. After it fails ill give the error recovery gives me. OTA update fails at 24%

Ok, booting into Android system recovery gives me a no command error than it shows the list of options. When I go to reboot system now, it gives me a no command error as well. Download mode used to give me an error, might only show up when attempting to flash something. However, these are the details of my ODIN Mode right now.
Product Name: SGH-I747
Custom Binary Download: Yes (1 Counts)
Current Binary Custom
System Status: Custom
QUALCOMM SECUREBOOT: ENABLE
Warranty Bit: 1
BOOTLOADER RP SWREV: 2

When you try to flash the firmware with Odin, what does it say in the message box?
Have you tried flashing TWRP via Odin?
A lot of people seem to be having issues with the OTA failing at 20-something percent. No idea why though. I know some found that their firmware was partially updated afterwards though, which is why they couldn't flash with Odin. Need to know what odin says about the failure to know for sure though.
You might need to factory reset btw.

I've already did a factory reset when I flashed this latest rom from that thread I posted.
Point me in the right direction of the firmware I need. I've got AT&T btw.

Try MJB firmware again. Im assuming that's what you tried to flash with odin earlier right? When/if it fails again, copy the text from the message box and paste it here.

So you want me to try flashing using Odin with that firmware I provided in that link? Like I said, ODIN on the pc gives me an error. I'll provide the error later when I get off work. Before I just put the firmware on my sd card, went into refovery mode and installed it from there.

From what I can see that is for flashing in recovery only. Of in only flashes .tar and .tar.md5 files.
This is the stock MJB firmware you can use in Odin:
http://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=23329332407590581
Its from enewman17 in his how to update thread here (step 4):
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=53563776
If you still want to update to 4.4.2, that thread has had a pretty good success rate from what I've seen.
Let me know if you have any ither questions about this.

I'll try ut as soon as I get home from work and posy my results. Thanks for the help so far!

Wow I think one of the reasons I couldn't use ODIN after trying to unroot, is because I never had turned on USB Debugging mode. You wanted me to just go through Step 4 for right now right? Just to get back to stock 4.3 AT&T S3 like right out the box?

Thanks so much Doc. After following step 4 on that thread I was able to Ota update!

DocHoliday77 said:
From what I can see that is for flashing in recovery only. Of in only flashes .tar and .tar.md5 files.
This is the stock MJB firmware you can use in Odin:
http://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=23329332407590581
Its from enewman17 in his how to update thread here (step 4):
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=53563776
If you still want to update to 4.4.2, that thread has had a pretty good success rate from what I've seen.
Let me know if you have any ither questions about this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Been using my newly updated S3 and now the Touchwiz Home stops on startup and resets my default app settings repeatedly. Not sure what's the deal, tried suggestions on diff sites and am trying a factory restore, wipe date, and wipe cache partition. Any clue how to fix this?
PS: Seen in Android System Recovery it says KOT49H.I747UFNE4. Should that be I747UCEMJB since that's what mine is and recovery still gives me no command when I start it up?

You said you had updated with the OTA so NE4 would be correct.
As for recovery, if you want to keep stock recovery, enewman17 has it available in one of his threads (in development section I think). Redland that by itself and it ought to be good to go.
Otherwise, use Odin to flash TWRP recovery.
Factory reset should take care of the launcher/home issue you mentioned. You may not be able to though since it sounds like recovery is corrupted. Fix recovery as I said above and then try the reset.
If you factory reset with stock recovery installed, it will wipe your internal sd card. With custom recovery it will not.
You could also try clearing data for Touchwiz Home in application management.

I am having issues updating OTA too. It gets to 100% and then says my phone will reboot in 5 seconds, then it reboots and some at&t logo with a % counter comes up, that gets to 100% then it reboots into Android and it still says 4.3...what am I doing wrong? Anyone have any advice? Many thanks if so.

Thats a new one for me...how exactly are you going about updating? Are you using one of the threads here? Have you recently modified anything?

DocHoliday77 said:
Thats a new one for me...how exactly are you going about updating? Are you using one of the threads here? Have you recently modified anything?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am trying to update by going to settings --> more --> about device --> software update. Not using a thread, no. I was rooted and uninstalled google books and newsstand then unrooted and did a factory reset in stock recovery because I found out that if you are rooted the OTA update won't take. I am 100% bone stock now except for the 2 bloatware apps I uninstalled. I have since reinstalled them via the play store , but I hear they need to be system apps?

They do, but they also need to be the same versions that were originally included. If you get them from the store they'll be updated and will cause the ota to fail.