Develop Bugs

[Q] Restore android 4.1.2 from 4.4.2

Not sure if this is the right place to post this as it is my first on this forum, I have Samsung galaxy s3 I747 d2att. Current rom...ROM][4.1.2][Sept 29] Hyperdrive RLS16...bootloader.... I747UCDLK3. Before I flash any of the 4.4.2 roms I need to know if I can restore to my current rom. I have read some threads that are adamant that once you flash to 4.4 you CANNOTgo back to a previous backup of 4.1.2...others are just as adamant that you CAN restore from a cwm or other backup if you desire to go back. I understand if you have a mjb bootloader, or have 4.3 ota update you are locked into android 4.3 or 4.4. I have neither of those. I use CWM mostly but also have & use TWRP, & have current backups of both, Can I flash a cw11 nightly rom, Quantum v3 rc4, or [ROM][4.4.2][Unofficial] Liquid Smooth v3.0 [12/14/13] [D2att] (which has no bootloader), or other 4.4.2 roms & still be able to restore from backup? I believe a lot of the comments about not being able to go back had to do with using the newest bootloader or the knox problem, but I am not sure what to think, & am trying to avoid flashing to 4.4.2 & having to stay there. Thanks

cybrgeek 45 said:
Not sure if this is the right place to post this as it is my first on this forum, I have Samsung galaxy s3 I747 d2att. Current rom...ROM][4.1.2][Sept 29] Hyperdrive RLS16...bootloader.... I747UCDLK3. Before I flash any of the 4.4.2 roms I need to know if I can restore to my current rom. I have read some threads that are adamant that once you flash to 4.4 you CANNOTgo back to a previous backup of 4.1.2...others are just as adamant that you CAN restore from a cwm or other backup if you desire to go back. I understand if you have a mjb bootloader, or have 4.3 ota update you are locked into android 4.3 or 4.4. I have neither of those. I use CWM mostly but also have & use TWRP, & have current backups of both, Can I flash a cw11 nightly rom, Quantum v3 rc4, or [ROM][4.4.2][Unofficial] Liquid Smooth v3.0 [12/14/13] [D2att] (which has no bootloader), or other 4.4.2 roms & still be able to restore from backup? I believe a lot of the comments about not being able to go back had to do with using the newest bootloader or the knox problem, but I am not sure what to think, & am trying to avoid flashing to 4.4.2 & having to stay there. Thanks
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You can flash anything that has no bootloader attached to it. You can do 4.4.2 without updating the bootloader. My wife has gone from 4.1.2 Jedi ROM, to 4.4.2 Nightlies, and back to 4.3 Jedi ROM with no issues. She stayed on the 4.1.2 bootloader MF1 believe. My phone on the other hand did update to the 4.3 stock rom and bootloader (MK5). Even after this update I was still able to go to CM11, as Cyanogenmod does not contain a bootloader that will conflict. Afterwards you can even come back down to other ROMS as long as any of these roms do not contain bootloaders in them. Post # 3 may be able to help[ you with a few of your questions as to what you can and can not flash. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2558311. Don't worry there is always a way back from 4.4.2.

BCSC said:
You can flash anything that has no bootloader attached to it. You can do 4.4.2 without updating the bootloader. My wife has gone from 4.1.2 Jedi ROM, to 4.4.2 Nightlies, and back to 4.3 Jedi ROM with no issues. She stayed on the 4.1.2 bootloader MF1 believe. My phone on the other hand did update to the 4.3 stock rom and bootloader (MK5). Even after this update I was still able to go to CM11, as Cyanogenmod does not contain a bootloader that will conflict. Afterwards you can even come back down to other ROMS as long as any of these roms do not contain bootloaders in them. Post # 3 may be able to help[ you with a few of your questions as to what you can and can not flash. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2558311. Don't worry there is always a way back from 4.4.2.
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Thanks for the quick response & the link. I have been searching & agonizing over this for 3-4 days. This is just the answer I needed!

Installing custom ROM

Hi guys, I just bought a Note 2 and rooted. Now, I want to install Phoenix Rom
Here's my setup: 4.3 MK9 preinstalled, KNOX 0x0 Rooted Baseband MJ9
If I want to install cwm (philz) I can safely flash the tar.md5 via ODIN or there's something else I must do first? I already made a backup of my efs folder

Jerry69 said:
Hi guys, I just bought a Note 2 and rooted. Now, I want to install Phoenix Rom
Here's my setup: 4.3 MK9 preinstalled, KNOX 0x0 Rooted Baseband MJ9
If I want to install cwm (philz) I can safely flash the tar.md5 via ODIN or there's something else I must do first? I already made a backup of my efs folder
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flash cwm through odin, then flash rom from there following developer instructions.
[Galaxy Note 3 - Dr.Ketan's K6 ROM]
[Galaxy Note 2 - DN3 v4 RC2]
[Xperia Neo L - Customized Stock ICS]

Jerry69 said:
Hi guys, I just bought a Note 2 and rooted. Now, I want to install Phoenix Rom
Here's my setup: 4.3 MK9 preinstalled, KNOX 0x0 Rooted Baseband MJ9
If I want to install cwm (philz) I can safely flash the tar.md5 via ODIN or there's something else I must do first? I already made a backup of my efs folder
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Click to collapse
From what I understand the boot loader is the problem just now. Custom recoveries won't work on 4.3 and above. They will result in a soft brick (I'm willing/hoping to be proved wrong)
I'm trying to read all I can about this as I'm in the same boat as you are (saferoot stopped me ripping my hair out).
I think that Safestrap might save us here but from what I've read it only works for the Verizon note 2 just now.

[Q] DN3

Hi. I am new to the forum and Note2 rom installations.
I am interested in installing Electron Teams DN3 V5. I have Upgraded my Note2 from stock 4.3 to stock 4.4.2 Kitkat (Knox not installed).
As the stock bootloader is upgraded from 4.3 to 4.4.2 is the procedure to root the DN3 the same or do i need a new bootloder other than MJ5.

Extreme_R said:
Hi. I am new to the forum and Note2 rom installations.
I am interested in installing Electron Teams DN3 V5. I have Upgraded my Note2 from stock 4.3 to stock 4.4.2 Kitkat (Knox not installed).
As the stock bootloader is upgraded from 4.3 to 4.4.2 is the procedure to root the DN3 the same or do i need a new bootloder other than MJ5.
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In order to flash the newest KK rom you don't need a newer bootloader unless you want to charge your phone by turning it off.If you are on any older bootloaders they won't let you charge your phone in the powered off state ,it turns right back on. Also the latest bootloader is KNOXED meaning warranty goes out the window and you cannot go back to 4.1.2 only 4.3 is possible. Also ND3 bootloader seems to have better wifi reception for few users compared to being on older bootloaders.
ND3 bootloader
How to flash bootloder

How to have custom recovery

Hey guys its been a week since i bought the note 2 and i rooted it. But i cannot find how to flash a custom recovery tutorial anywhere. I am on jellybean 4.1 and the rest of the details (firmware etc) can be found on the screenshots attached..
I would highly appreciate if someone can send me a link to the guide for flashing.. thanks a lot in advance
Sent from my GT-N7100 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Just simply flash via Odin
You can choose CWM, Philz touch or TWRP

RazaVakil7995 said:
Hey guys its been a week since i bought the note 2 and i rooted it. But i cannot find how to flash a custom recovery tutorial anywhere. I am on jellybean 4.1 and the rest of the details (firmware etc) can be found on the screenshots attached..
I would highly appreciate if someone can send me a link to the guide for flashing.. thanks a lot in advance
Sent from my GT-N7100 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
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Click to collapse
You got two options either root your phone while being on 4.1.2 or upgrade to official Indian 4.4.2 and then root it.Ofcourse once you root your current 4.1.2 you can try custom 4.4 ROM and if you don't like it you can go back to 4.1.2 or flash a 4.3 custom ROM. To root your 4.1.2 rom read this guide.If you decide to upgrade to 4.4.2 Indian firmware download it from here.
To flash the 4.4.2 ROM on your phone download it from the above link(there are 3 links where the ROM is uploaded) ,use any of the links and download the zip file,extract it you'll get a tar file,put your phone into download mode ,open odin v3.09 on pc and flash the official stock rom by checking the AP tab on odin.You can find tutorials on youtube on how to use odin to flash official stock firmware so just look them up if you need it.Once you flash stock ROM you can root your phone via this guide.
Okay so now things to remember.If you root your 4.1.2 ROM and want to try 4.3 or 4.4 custom ROM you need to flash MJ5 bootloader in order to have working wifi.Bootloader is flashed directly on your mother board and it cannot be downgraded only be upgraded.MJ5 is the last 4.3 bootloader which is KNOX free(what is knox ,blah blah,you can read about it on google).Advantage of MJ5 is you can try 4.1.2/4.3/4.4.2 rom and your warranty and knox remain intact but if you upgrade to official 4.3 or 4.4.2 ROM you'll be on knoxed bootlooader which means you cannot downgrade to 4.1.2 anymore plus rooting a phone with knoxed bootloader will trigger knox 0x1 and your warranty if any will be void (no way yet to reset Knox).So if you have warranty on your phone then my advise is root your 4.1.2 Rom,download any 4.3 or 4.4.2 custom ROM,you wont have wifi working then flash the MJ5 bootloader from here and read this post on how to flash bootloader.
I know it's a lot of info to you but your best guide is self reading from the above links i hooked you up with.Also read comments from people cause that's how I learned I read and read a lot before i jumped the rooting bandwagon cause wanted to make sure i don't brick my phone. Ofcourse whenever in doubt STOP RIGHT THERE and ask us.Dont attempt things that you are not sure of.Good luck.

Thanks for the help
singhpratik87 said:
You got two options either root your phone while being on 4.1.2 or upgrade to official Indian 4.4.2 and then root it.Ofcourse once you root your current 4.1.2 you can try custom 4.4 ROM and if you don't like it you can go back to 4.1.2 or flash a 4.3 custom ROM. To root your 4.1.2 rom read this guide.If you decide to upgrade to 4.4.2 Indian firmware download it from here.
To flash the 4.4.2 ROM on your phone download it from the above link(there are 3 links where the ROM is uploaded) ,use any of the links and download the zip file,extract it you'll get a tar file,put your phone into download mode ,open odin v3.09 on pc and flash the official stock rom by checking the AP tab on odin.You can find tutorials on youtube on how to use odin to flash official stock firmware so just look them up if you need it.Once you flash stock ROM you can root your phone via this guide.
Okay so now things to remember.If you root your 4.1.2 ROM and want to try 4.3 or 4.4 custom ROM you need to flash MJ5 bootloader in order to have working wifi.Bootloader is flashed directly on your mother board and it cannot be downgraded only be upgraded.MJ5 is the last 4.3 bootloader which is KNOX free(what is knox ,blah blah,you can read about it on google).Advantage of MJ5 is you can try 4.1.2/4.3/4.4.2 rom and your warranty and knox remain intact but if you upgrade to official 4.3 or 4.4.2 ROM you'll be on knoxed bootlooader which means you cannot downgrade to 4.1.2 anymore plus rooting a phone with knoxed bootloader will trigger knox 0x1 and your warranty if any will be void (no way yet to reset Knox).So if you have warranty on your phone then my advise is root your 4.1.2 Rom,download any 4.3 or 4.4.2 custom ROM,you wont have wifi working then flash the MJ5 bootloader from here and read this post on how to flash bootloader.
I know it's a lot of info to you but your best guide is self reading from the above links i hooked you up with.Also read comments from people cause that's how I learned I read and read a lot before i jumped the rooting bandwagon cause wanted to make sure i don't brick my phone. Ofcourse whenever in doubt STOP RIGHT THERE and ask us.Dont attempt things that you are not sure of.Good luck.
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Click to collapse
Wow that's a lot of info you provided there, thanks. I am not new to rooting as far it goes I have rooted and flashed many roms on my galaxy s advance and my micromax A87 before that. But note 2 was a flagship device so there are many complications that come along which got me confused. As for now, I have my rooted 4.1.2 stock rom along with cwm recovery flashed via rom manager. I am planning to flash either DN3 or the Xperia Z-ized rom. So my question is: do I have to flash mj5 bootloader to flash DN3 and xperia z-ized or can I directly flash it from cwm (with factory reset and necessary wipes of course)?
BTW, I have heard that knox is a security application that prohibits rooting on samsung phones. It also had a reward for $18k for those who can bypass the knox on the S5 and root it. If I am right, then I think I am fairly acquainted to knox.
Once again, thanks a lot for helping! Appreciate it

RazaVakil7995 said:
Wow that's a lot of info you provided there, thanks. I am not new to rooting as far it goes I have rooted and flashed many roms on my galaxy s advance and my micromax A87 before that. But note 2 was a flagship device so there are many complications that come along which got me confused. As for now, I have my rooted 4.1.2 stock rom along with cwm recovery flashed via rom manager. I am planning to flash either DN3 or the Xperia Z-ized rom. So my question is: do I have to flash mj5 bootloader to flash DN3 and xperia z-ized or can I directly flash it from cwm (with factory reset and necessary wipes of course)?
BTW, I have heard that knox is a security application that prohibits rooting on samsung phones. It also had a reward for $18k for those who can bypass the knox on the S5 and root it. If I am right, then I think I am fairly acquainted to knox.
Once again, thanks a lot for helping! Appreciate it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since you are on stock 4.1.2 MJ5 is required for wifi to work.i learned 2 weeks ago that even mj5 is not required as previously thought by us at least not while flashing 4.4.2 TW rom.When you flash 4.4.2 custom ROM you wont have wifi working,then flash custom kernel like agni or nadia and wifi works flawlessly so one doesn't need to flash mj5 bootloader.I am not sure if this would work on 4.3 ROM you could try xperia z'd 4.3 custom ROM then flash a compatible 4.3 custom kernel and see if wifi works if it does you're set.This was new to most of us so I asked the person who told me about this how did he manage to do this and he told me apparently custom kernels have some sort of wifi drivers on them so when we flash custom kernels on 4.4.2 ROM wifi works but it wont work on stock kernel unless you upgrade to MJ5 and on stock kernel.MJ5 is safe to flash anyways since its knox free bootloader.
Actually 4.3 and 4.4.2 note 2 phones and others got knox on them but we found a way to disable knox after rooting our phone SuperSu disables it but knox is triggered to 0x1 and there's no way to reset KNOX since it's concerned with the motherboard of the phone which is the heart and soul of out note 2.So that bounty you might be talking about how to reset it perhaps.Even if they succeed in reversing it doesn't necessarily mean it would work on note 3 or note 2 cause of the phones being of different hardware .i don't know the technicalities of this.

singhpratik87 said:
Since you are on stock 4.1.2 MJ5 is required for wifi to work.i learned 2 weeks ago that even mj5 is not required as previously thought by us at least not while flashing 4.4.2 TW rom.When you flash 4.4.2 custom ROM you wont have wifi working,then flash custom kernel like agni or nadia and wifi works flawlessly so one doesn't need to flash mj5 bootloader.I am not sure if this would work on 4.3 ROM you could try xperia z'd 4.3 custom ROM then flash a compatible 4.3 custom kernel and see if wifi works if it does you're set.This was new to most of us so I asked the person who told me about this how did he manage to do this and he told me apparently custom kernels have some sort of wifi drivers on them so when we flash custom kernels on 4.4.2 ROM wifi works but it wont work on stock kernel unless you upgrade to MJ5 and on stock kernel.MJ5 is safe to flash anyways since its knox free bootloader.
Actually 4.3 and 4.4.2 note 2 phones and others got knox on them but we found a way to disable knox after rooting our phone SuperSu disables it but knox is triggered to 0x1 and there's no way to reset KNOX since it's concerned with the motherboard of the phone which is the heart and soul of out note 2.So that bounty you might be talking about how to reset it perhaps.Even if they succeed in reversing it doesn't necessarily mean it would work on note 3 or note 2 cause of the phones being of different hardware .i don't know the technicalities of this.
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How do you know all this man??

RazaVakil7995 said:
How do you know all this man??
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Lurking around in xda and reading as much as I can and participating in discussions related to Knox.I was clueless to all this Knox and how it works.My previous phone was HTC HD2 so samsung note II was the first serious smartphone I owned so just wanted to be extra careful that I don't end up bricking my device so read and read and asked questions.

Can't flash Liquid Smooth ROM

Hi first of all I want to ask that I had stock 4.1.2 when I bought the phone, rooted it, flashed mj5 bootloader and successfully flashed the xperia z-ized rom based on 4.3 on my N7100. Then I wished to switch to dn3 rom but I still did not like it so I reverted back to stock 4.1.2 and updated to stock 4.4.2 via OTA updates. My question is, while updating via OTA to stock 4.4.2, can it be possible that I lost my mj5 bootloader and it was replaced by samsung's proprietary bootloader?
After using stock 4.4.2 I thought to check out the LS rom so I rooted, flashed philz recovery but the ROM does not boot at all and while trying to revert back to stock 4.1.2, ODIN displays the fail message. What did I do wrong and what should I do to overcome this? Thanks.

You've locked your bootloader because you upgraded to latest official which also comes with Knoxx.