Refurb Super Luck: MDL Device! Some Qs - T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S 4

Hi folks,
I'm an ATT cellular user but I got tired of the locked bootloaders that the ATT devices have. I bought from a reputable seller on Swappa a factory unlocked unused replacement SGH-M919, since T-Mobile devices are generally compatible with ATT networks, and don't have locked bootloaders. I figured it would come with NB4, and was all prepared to Towelroot it and install a custom recovery and trip my Knox warranty counter.
Lo and behold, when I turned it on (no SIM installed yet), it has the 4.2.2 MDL firmware. <shocked happy dance> NO KNOX AT ALL! :good:
Question 1: is there any risk of the thing downloading and installing the NB4 update if it has no SIM at all, just a WIFI connection? I've disconnected it from the wifi here at home for now. In fact, it's off.
Question 2: I need to test out the "Factory Unlocked" part of the equation in the next couple days so I can complete the sale. If I put in an ATT SIM (and configure the APN manually for ATT settings), is there any risk of it downloading the NB4?
I figure it must be connected to the T-Mobile network to get an update, but just wanted to check to make sure before I accidentally mess up this godsend.
Question 3: It looks to be straightforward from here, right? Root with CF-Autoroot, install TWRP or CWM, install ROM... right? I'm no stranger to ODIN or flashing stuff (after all the messing around needed on ATT phones... safestrap.... the horror of a locked bootloader).
FWIW I'm headed straight to Dirty Unicorns ROM. Looks like a really cool ROM. So much more to choose from on the T-Mobile M919 than on the I337 ATT phone.
If I've missed anything, please let me know. I will start a thread on my "ATT User with M919 Experience"... I've missed such a thread here, and with lots of ATT folks sick of locked up boot loaders, maybe my fumblings will help someone.
Thanks in advance for any insight.
Marc

1) No, it may say there is an update but it won't download it or update without your concern
2) only if you select OK to download and update.. You can still OTA, it doesn't have to be running on T-Mobile network
3) you can use cf-auto root but its not needed. Just flash recovery with Odin, and flash ROM like you normally would

Thanks. For some reason I thought I had to have root to flash the recovery. This probably stems from my experience with an ATT phone where root was required to install SafeStrap, which was the only recovery option we had.
Awesome.
I will start a thread later this week to collect info to help other ATT users with these phones.
Marc

Related

[Q] First timer with restoring Rogers GS3 to factory but keep unlocked

Hey there!
So here's my situation: I recently got rid of a Rogers cellphone plan and decided to sell my GS3. Someone I know, immediately showed interest and decided to buy it from me. Good! At that moment, the device was locked to Rogers and was running stock Samsung GS3 (SGH-i747M) firmware.
That person decided to play with the phone, try to root it, flash Cyanogenmod or whatever it may be, and having failed several times, he decided to return the phone and get his money back. I shouldn't have accepted to reimburse him knowing how much he fiddled with it but I did.
Anyways too late now. The good thing is that I believe the phone is 100% functional (it boots, runs perfect and under system info shows everything as usual except under Status > Device Status, it shows modified.
I am not 100% sure of that what means but I believe it has something to do with a modified ROM or something like that.
That person supposedly unlocked the device because he was with another carrier.
Now I am putting the phone in the classifieds. Obviously I would like to have the phone back to 100% factory settings and ROM, no aftermarket stuff whatsoever BUT I'd like to keep it unlocked (if that's possible).
That way, it will be easier to resell.
So here's my questions:
What does "Device Status: Modified" really means?
How can I find out if the phone has been altered in any ways?
If it has been altered, is there a LINUX based procedure to restore EVERYTHING back to factory?
If I restore whatever has to be restored, will it re-lock the device?
As you can see, I am a total noob in that field. I would appreciate if someone can help me to prepare this device to be resold.
I don't want to cause any problems to anyone, that wouldn't be fair.
I appreciate. Thanks!!!
Okay a lot of questions, you can download the stock firmware from Samsung updates and if it is rooted you can get triangle away on the play store and reset the counter the using kies or the Samsung galaxy s3 toolkit from mskip's to flash the original firmware, your phone should be unlocked as none of the procedures should/could reloj the simple card
Sent from my SGH-I747M using Tapatalk 4
jimchee said:
Okay a lot of questions, you can download the stock firmware from Samsung updates and if it is rooted you can get triangle away on the play store and reset the counter the using kies or the Samsung galaxy s3 toolkit from mskip's to flash the original firmware, your phone should be unlocked as none of the procedures should/could reloj the simple card
Sent from my SGH-I747M using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok I have verified with an app called Root Checker Basic, and it said that the device wasn't rooted. I wonder if this is reliable.
I wiull check mskip's toolkit or Kies to restore the stock firmware.
What a pain..
Thanks jimchee for replying!!
Actually it's pretty easy but you can probably sell it just as easy if it's rooted and that way you can clear the counter, there is also a post in the Samsung sIII THREAD for AT&T that will walk you through restoring to stock, just make sure you download the file for your device the link is also in the att thread, if you have any trouble pm me and I can help, I am just a tinkerer but been doing it since my 1st original Motorola Droid
Sent from my SGH-I747M using Tapatalk 4
Probably the easiest approach would be to look for the Samsung S3 V7.0 toolkit post. This is a flash (programming) tool. It would easily root your phone if it needs that. Then you can use the app referred to earlier to reset the phone to an "unmodified" status.
Then finally go to the Samsung updates site as suggested and flash the phone with a stock Rogers firmware. I'd recommend a 4.1.1. version. Probably your phone will still be unlocked at this point. But if not, the stock v 4.1.1. Rogers firmware will allow you to unlock it again from an onscreen menu (search for "S3 unlock code *#197328640#"). And your phone will report an unmodified status at the end.
mrwhite0732 said:
Hey there!
So here's my situation: I recently got rid of a Rogers cellphone plan and decided to sell my GS3. Someone I know, immediately showed interest and decided to buy it from me. Good! At that moment, the device was locked to Rogers and was running stock Samsung GS3 (SGH-i747M) firmware.
That person decided to play with the phone, try to root it, flash Cyanogenmod or whatever it may be, and having failed several times, he decided to return the phone and get his money back. I shouldn't have accepted to reimburse him knowing how much he fiddled with it but I did.
Anyways too late now. The good thing is that I believe the phone is 100% functional (it boots, runs perfect and under system info shows everything as usual except under Status > Device Status, it shows modified.
I am not 100% sure of that what means but I believe it has something to do with a modified ROM or something like that.
That person supposedly unlocked the device because he was with another carrier.
Now I am putting the phone in the classifieds. Obviously I would like to have the phone back to 100% factory settings and ROM, no aftermarket stuff whatsoever BUT I'd like to keep it unlocked (if that's possible).
That way, it will be easier to resell.
So here's my questions:
What does "Device Status: Modified" really means?
How can I find out if the phone has been altered in any ways?
If it has been altered, is there a LINUX based procedure to restore EVERYTHING back to factory?
If I restore whatever has to be restored, will it re-lock the device?
As you can see, I am a total noob in that field. I would appreciate if someone can help me to prepare this device to be resold.
I don't want to cause any problems to anyone, that wouldn't be fair.
I appreciate. Thanks!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Give this a shot.........works well. I've used it a number of times on both my phones ( SH-I747M/SH-I747 )
[ROM/RESTORE][AT&T/ROGERS/TELUS/BELL]Return to UNROOTED STOCK WITH FLASH COUNT RESET
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2363882
Once the phone is unlocked it will stay that way whether you go back to stock or not.

basic question about unlocked At&t note 2

So, I have an i317 At&t note 2. It was originally on 4.3, but I wanted to unlock it. I followed some forum posts and reverted back to 4.1 and was able to unlock it. It worked with a tmobile sim on 4.1.1, but now when I try to update it (either through Kies or through update on phone), it updates but then gets stuck at the samsung galaxy note 2 display. I found another forum post (thanks, but cant find thread atm ) which had a file to download. I installed that using Odin, but that only got it to work on 4.1.1.
I guess my question is I have the note 2 running on 4.1.1 that I factory unlocked, but now it wont let me update. How do I get 4.3 on it? Thanks
Ok there's plenty of 4.3 Rom's in the development section...
Just have to search for them!
Q: »»»»
Is it rooted?
Do you have a custom recovery installed?
Are you sure your familiar flashing Rom's?
Etc etc etc......
SENT FROM MY SAMMY i317 USING TAPATALK4
Bajanman said:
Ok there's plenty of 4.3 Rom's in the development section...
Just have to search for them!
Q: »»»»
Is it rooted?
Do you have a custom recovery installed?
Are you sure your familiar flashing Rom's?
Etc etc etc......
SENT FROM MY SAMMY i317 USING TAPATALK4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is not rooted. All I have done to it is downgrade it to 4.1.1, then unlocked it. Is there a stock ROM. I want to be able to go into settings -> about phone -> and update it that way whenever a new version comes out and not have to install custom ROMS. Is that possible?
No, I don't have a custom recovery installed and I am not familiar with flashing Rom's.
I thought I could downgrade to 4.1.1, unlock, then update to the newest stock version through updates in the phone, but thats not the way it works when you unlock the note 2??
thanks
Pardon me if I sound ignorant. I am new to android (switched over from apple a month ago). The note 2 had 4.3 on it. I followed thread
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2014982
to unlock my phone, but had to revert back to 4.1.1 in order to do so. I followed posting
http://wccftech.com/guide-to-downgrade-firmware-on-samsung-galaxy-devices/
to downgrade to 4.1.1. That went successfully and I successfully unlocked the note and all was good. It was running 4.1.1 and I was using a tmobile sim. I went to updates through settings on the phone and tried to update. After that point, it just boots up to "samsung galaxy note 2" screen. I used Odin3 v3.07 to reinstall 4.1.1 and its working again.
I would ideally like to be able to go through software updates on the phone to update it and not need to use custom roms. Is the problem I am trying to update from 4.1.1 to 4.3 and I need to manually update to 4.2.x first, then go to 4.3?
I don't understand why unlocking it prevents me from updating from 4.1.1. I have tried through the phone and through Kies, which keeps getting an error. Does this make sense? Am i doing something wrong? The phone is originally At&t. Do I need an At&t sim inserted to update through the phone?
thanks for all the help and once again, sorry if these questions seems elementary. I am reading through forum posts and trying to understand what all this means. I'm not sure what rooting or flashing means and how flashing is different then unlocking.
Thanks for the help
scottrf8 said:
Pardon me if I sound ignorant. I am new to android (switched over from apple a month ago). The note 2 had 4.3 on it. I followed thread
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2014982
to unlock my phone, but had to revert back to 4.1.1 in order to do so. I followed posting
http://wccftech.com/guide-to-downgrade-firmware-on-samsung-galaxy-devices/
to downgrade to 4.1.1. That went successfully and I successfully unlocked the note and all was good. It was running 4.1.1 and I was using a tmobile sim. I went to updates through settings on the phone and tried to update. After that point, it just boots up to "samsung galaxy note 2" screen. I used Odin3 v3.07 to reinstall 4.1.1 and its working again.
I would ideally like to be able to go through software updates on the phone to update it and not need to use custom roms. Is the problem I am trying to update from 4.1.1 to 4.3 and I need to manually update to 4.2.x first, then go to 4.3?
I don't understand why unlocking it prevents me from updating from 4.1.1. I have tried through the phone and through Kies, which keeps getting an error. Does this make sense? Am i doing something wrong? The phone is originally At&t. Do I need an At&t sim inserted to update through the phone?
thanks for all the help and once again, sorry if these questions seems elementary. I am reading through forum posts and trying to understand what all this means. I'm not sure what rooting or flashing means and how flashing is different then unlocking.
Thanks for the help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What is unclear is why ware you trying unlock it, what carrier it was on and what carrier you are changing to,
You're asking if it needs an ATT SIM to update, so I'm lost on what carrier it was on.
The original carrier is at&t. I unlocked it and now am using a tmobile sim. However, when I got to settings and check for updates, it says "checking at&t servers for updates". So it is working for tmobile now, but only on 4.1.1. I don't mind downloading custom roms (and definitely appreciate the work), but I would like the option to not have to.
And when I boot up the phone, even though the network says tmobile, it shows at&t start up screen when it boots up into 4.1.1. Which is why u was thinking maybe the reason it won't do updates through the phone is cause there is no at&t sim inserted when it is "checking at&t server for updates"
scottrf8 said:
And when I boot up the phone, even though the network says tmobile, it shows at&t start up screen when it boots up into 4.1.1. Which is why u was thinking maybe the reason it won't do updates through the phone is cause there is no at&t sim inserted when it is "checking at&t server for updates"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, over my head here. I think you have figured out technically why it's not working.
You are operating on a T-mobile network and you will not see ATT servers.
Even though it's says you are on T-mobile is anything working? Like texting, surfing or cell calls?
I would imagine texting is not since the config should be pointing at ATT servers.
I would think you should be running one of these factory images
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1969551
I personally do not know if the T-889 is close to the ATT Note 2 model.
You may want to bounce over to this forum
http://forum.xda-developers.com/note-2-tmobile
See if anyone has attempted what you are doing.
In my mind you need to flash a T-mobile image to do what you want.
I am not suggesting you do this, I am merely giving you an opinion.
You may want to investigate this custom ROM
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2568537
||ROM|| Jedi MasterX2 ||4.3||MULTICARRIER
Yeah, I dunno. It's an i317 on at&t. And it was definitely on tmobile cause it let me send text messages and it showed "tmobile" across the top as well as their 4g icon.
All I was trying to do was unlock my at&t note 2. Now its unlocked but stuck to 4.1.1. Lol
scottrf8 said:
Yeah, I dunno. It's an i317 on at&t. And it was definitely on tmobile cause it let me send text messages and it showed "tmobile" across the top as well as their 4g icon.
All I was trying to do was unlock my at&t note 2. Now its unlocked but stuck to 4.1.1. Lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You may want to investigate this custom ROM
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=2568537
||ROM|| Jedi MasterX2 ||4.3||MULTICARRIER
It is customized to install for multiple carriers. It's a user configurable install. You can pick which carrier you are, which apps to install etc.
It is 4.3
hey dicksteele, the page isnt found....
scottrf8 said:
hey dicksteele, the page isnt found....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2568537
Main page
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Confused as to how to install CWM on Rogers Note 2

Firstly, I am not new to flashing or searching on XDA! I have installed custom roms/recoveries on at least 10 different android devices and have been a member here for some time. I'd like to think that I have helped more people out than I've asked for help....
but my new (to me) Note 2 has me stumped!!!
I have recently traded in my much loved Note 1 (running a rock solid AOKP KIT KAT rom) for a SGHi1317m (I believe originally from Rogers). It was unlocked and I am able to get full LTE service from my carrier (Bell Mobility) after setting the APN.
I originally upgraded in order to get greater functionality out of my Gear 1 smartwatch (better battery life with BT 4.0, among other benefits)
24 hours in and I am dieing to get back to some form of KitKat! The question is How?
I have searched this forum and have come away with the impression that because of the different variations on this phone, Knox, differing bootloaders with differing recoveries, there are many ways to brick this phone!!
I have already found out that one cannot easily update the recovery via the simple solutions offered on the playstore for CWM or TWRP. I am familiar with ODIN and have multiple versions of it running on different laptops in my house ready to try. The question is which package will give me a recovery that will allow me to flash roms and persist through a reboot?
According to my phone info, I am on bootloader i317MVLUCMK5 ( a version I have not seen in any of the tutorials) My KNOX counter reads 0x0 but when I try to search for updates ( I am presently on stock android 4.3 rogers), it says that I will not receive any as my phone has been modified (i suspect it can tell that the phone is unlocked as I am using a Bell sim in a Rogers phone).
As I have no warranty, and don't really care if my Knox counter is tripped, I am hoping someone can help me get started in flashing this phone.
i think if you look in the cwm thread you'll find instructions. mostly everything i see is a soft brick meaning it just doesnt boot into rom. i suggest cwm as it seems more maintained than twrp, and twrp gave me issues.
download a stock modem because the international roms will overwrite your modem and you'll get no signal bars and need to reflash after a upgrade. check out the n7100 form, sub forum n7105 and look for roms there. this forum is really dead. i'm running international rom nc3 with my at&t mk6 modem. mj5 bootloader because its 4.3 but unlocked from downgrading.
i too didn't care about knox or warranty, but most of the good stock roms have it stripped. i can't find anything as good as 4.3 tw stock roms and the custom roms i've tried seem to have fc's and whatnot.
i also used devil kernel and got tons of fc's so i'm using the stock kernel for now. might try agni. but back on topic your best bet is to try and find cwm odin package for philz touch. really once you get past all the noobs here you find it works just like any other samsung. you can flash a recovery via odin, cf auto root, and you're done.

[Q] A little guidance for a galaxy newbie

Hello,
I just bought my first Galaxy device (had a CDMA LG for a while, and I have a Nexus Tablet), and I am looking at how to get this new phone set up right. I bought my i747 retail, so I was unable to unlock it. However, now I'm struggling with finding the right method for upgrading, rooting, etc. I know nothing about knox or any of these Samsung intricacies. Could someone please give me a little guidance on how to go about getting to the OS and status that I'm looking for? This is what I've done so far:
Came unrooted with 4.1.2 stock rom
Unlocked using legit unlock code
Tried OTA updates, but none were available (must be because of unlock)
Rooted w/ ODIN using 4.1.1 file based of MrRobinson method. (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1739426)
Now I keep getting popups like process. ... .acore,media, etc. stopped.
I'm looking to ideally get a custom recovery (either CWM or TWRP, whichever is better) and either kitkat Touchwiz or possibly kitkat nexus stock (I read somewhere that it was possible). Also, i just bought it, and have the code still, so I don't mind deleting everything if needed. Regardless, I'd like the ability to get it back to pure stock with no flash counter (I have a manufacturer's warranty I want to use if need be).
Could someone please just give me a little guidance? I'm pretty capable with rooting, etc., so you'd only need to lead me to other threads, etc. that will take me where I want to go. Thank you very much.
Before flashing or doing anything else, confirm the bootloader on your phone. Download and install the Samsung Phone Info app from the playstore and post your bootloader.
audit13 said:
Before flashing or doing anything else, confirm the bootloader on your phone. Download and install the Samsung Phone Info app from the playstore and post your bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, the bad news is I already flashed using MrRobinson's instructions, and now my phone is barely workable, as things like process.android.media and Touchwiz keep crashing. I was able to install the info app though, and my bootloader is listed as I747UCDLK3. Thanks again though, and let me know what else you need from me.
I recommend starting over by flashing the stock AT&T 4.1.1 firmware from sammobile. Once flashed, boot the phone and make sure your phone is sim unlocked. If it isn't sim unlocked, unlock it using the free method or your unlock code.
http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/database/SGH-I747/
After sim unlocking, run OTA updates until you have the latest stock AT&T ROM on your phone. Upgrading the phone's bootloader and modem is the easiest way to do it for someone that is new to the phone and custom ROMs.
audit13 said:
I recommend starting over by flashing the stock AT&T 4.1.1 firmware from sammobile. Once flashed, boot the phone and make sure your phone is sim unlocked. If it isn't sim unlocked, unlock it using the free method or your unlock code.
http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/database/SGH-I747/
After sim unlocking, run OTA updates until you have the latest stock AT&T ROM on your phone. Upgrading the phone's bootloader and modem is the easiest way to do it for someone that is new to the phone and custom ROMs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you, but wouldn't OTA updates install Knox, which would basically void my warranty if I tried to flash anything after that? And, I've checked for OTA updates twice, once on 4.1.2 and on 4.1.1, and both times it said my software was up to date.
I spoke with StoneyJSG about my situation, and he suggested that I go to stock 4.1, root w/ saferoot, then flash a kitkat custom rom without Knox through TWRP. That way, I could use triangle away and flash stock unrooted if I needed to send it in.
Although, I'm not sure if I should do that, as I thought I read that you need to update the radio and bootloader first before you can install a custom kitkat rom from jelly bean, but I'm still not entirely sure how that works.
The most recent release of many custom ROMs will not work but you may not have a signal without an updated modem and you should not be running updated modems on an older bootloader. Doing this could brick your phone.
With a rooted system, OTA updates will not work.
Thank you again for helping walk me through the minutia around this phone.
I think I have a much better understanding of everything now. I read the following article on Knox (http://omegadroid.co/wanted-knox-void-warranty-0x1/) and with an understanding of that, I get now that there is no way to load any custom rom on 4.3 or higher without losing my warranty.
So, basically my options are to stay at 4.1 and flash whatever, using triangle away to erase my tracks. Or, I could update to 4.3, but only be able to use saferoot/towelroot, otherwise I'd trip the warranty void. But, if all I did use was towelroot (no custom recovery or rom), then I could just unroot the phone using the full unroot option in SuperSU and send it on in for service if needed, right?
Also, I did unroot my phone and did a factory reset, so it's back at 4.1.1 and unrooted. Yet, I still do not see any software updates available from Samsung. I even plugged it into Kies, and nothing (http://i.imgur.com/E0xPGpf.png). Does anyone know why this could be? Does it have something to do with my not having a carrier for the phone yet? I'm sorry for all the questions, but I do appreciate your help.
jateed said:
Thank you again for helping walk me through the minutia around this phone.
I think I have a much better understanding of everything now. I read the following article on Knox (http://omegadroid.co/wanted-knox-void-warranty-0x1/) and with an understanding of that, I get now that there is no way to load any custom rom on 4.3 or higher without losing my warranty.
So, basically my options are to stay at 4.1 and flash whatever, using triangle away to erase my tracks. Or, I could update to 4.3, but only be able to use saferoot/towelroot, otherwise I'd trip the warranty void. But, if all I did use was towelroot (no custom recovery or rom), then I could just unroot the phone using the full unroot option in SuperSU and send it on in for service if needed, right?
Also, I did unroot my phone and did a factory reset, so it's back at 4.1.1 and unrooted. Yet, I still do not see any software updates available from Samsung. I even plugged it into Kies, and nothing (http://i.imgur.com/E0xPGpf.png). Does anyone know why this could be? Does it have something to do with my not having a carrier for the phone yet? I'm sorry for all the questions, but I do appreciate your help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What is your cell service? If not AT&T, you will never get OTA.
Whether you get OTA can vary from carrier to carrier and phone to phone in my opinion.
I have a Rogers HTC One X that gets OTA updates from HTC even though I am on the Bell network.
I have a Bell S3 that is running on the Rogers network and it receives OTA updates from Bell even though it has a Rogers sim card in the phone.
I have a Telus Moto G running on the Bell network and it received the Telus KK OTA update while connected to the Bell network.
audit13 said:
Whether you get OTA can vary from carrier to carrier and phone to phone in my opinion.
I have a Rogers HTC One X that gets OTA updates from HTC even though I am on the Bell network.
I have a Bell S3 that is running on the Rogers network and it receives OTA updates from Bell even though it has a Rogers sim card in the phone.
I have a Telus Moto G running on the Bell network and it received the Telus KK OTA update while connected to the Bell network.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I have an AT&T model which I unlocked and will be putting on Cricket at the end of the week (when my plan month is set to end). Right now there's no SIM in it, and I've been doing everything over wifi. I looked up whether the carrier had something to do with the OTAs, and I was told that Samsung sent the updates out, not AT&T, so I figured that the carrier info was irrelevant. I now wonder what my options are.
Can I manually flash 4.3 stock without tripping the knox warranty void?
Does Towelroot/Xposed framework trip the Knox void flag?
If I can update to 4.3/4.4 and root without tripping the knox flag, I might just manually update and just run towelroot and xposed to modify my OS the best I can until my warranty runs out.
If I can't root it at all once I'm on 4.3+, then I'll just sit on 4.1.1 for a few months until I can't stand it anymore and just void the warranty anyway.
Thanks again everyone. This whole knox/binary counter thing is not something I dealt with on my CDMA LG or Nexus, so I was totally in the dark about how it all worked. This is also my first GSM phone, so all those intricacies are new to me too. Once I know about manually flashing stock and running towelroot/xposed, I think I'll be in good shape.
Flashing the stock 4.3 ROM should not trip the counter as long as you do not need to install a custom recovery to flash it.
Apparently, the latest KK stock ROM cannot be rooted using Towelroot.
If you want a custom ROM, use one that will work with a 4.1.1 bootloader and modem. Once on 4.3 or higher, it's a little harder to recover from a soft brick.
audit13 said:
Flashing the stock 4.3 ROM should not trip the counter as long as you do not need to install a custom recovery to flash it.
Apparently, the latest KK stock ROM cannot be rooted using Towelroot.
If you want a custom ROM, use one that will work with a 4.1.1 bootloader and modem. Once on 4.3 or higher, it's a little harder to recover from a soft brick.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Excellent. If I did flash stock, i would just use ODIN, then factory reset to wipe the caches. And that's good to know about the KK rom, as I would probably update straight to 4.4 if at all (I've read a lot of bad things about 4.3 on the S3), but not if it means I cannot root safely and cleanly.
I'll check out the custom roms for 4.1.1. I know that flashing the rom and/or a custom recovery will trip the binary counter, but I can just use triangle away to clean that up. Do you know if there is a list of custom 4.1.1/4.1.2 roms somewhere, or do I need to scour the older threads here?
Thank you very much audit13 (thanks to StoneyJSG and pre4speed as well). You have been immensely helpful and really brought me up to speed on everything surrounding S3 customization. Needless to say it's way more complicated than what I've dealt with from LG and Google/Asus. (I mean, i could root my nexus with a single click using Wugfresh's toolkit)
4.1.1 is the only complete stock ROM that AT&T released for flashing via Odin.
4.3 ROMS and higher were prepared by XDA members for flashing in either a custom recovery or Odin.
audit13 said:
4.1.1 is the only complete stock ROM that AT&T released for flashing via Odin.
4.3 ROMS and higher were prepared by XDA members for flashing in either a custom recovery or Odin.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh, so what other way can you flash a stock rom, if not through ODIN or a custom recovery? Regardless, it seems as though I really should not dive into 4.3+ until I'm ready to concede that my warranty is over. There are just too many potential pitfalls and headaches.
On the lighter side, I've found a few 4.1.2 based custom roms that have some promise. I'm going to post them here in case anyone has opinions on them, or if someone else in my situation sees this thread and wants to go custom 4.1 too:
Hyperdrive RLS16
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2176793
Slim Bean-d2
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1865262
Jedi Academy
http://www.teamandroid.com/2013/12/...oid-412-jedi-academy-jelly-bean-custom-rom/2/
Jelly ‘Beans’
http://www.teamandroid.com/2013/04/...ndroid-412-att-galaxy-s3-sgh-i747-custom-rom/
I was also torn when I got my s3 that was running 4.1.2. I downgraded to 4.1.1, sim unlocked the phone, used it on stock 4.1.2 for about a week to make sure everything was working, hardware wise, upgraded to stock 4.4.2, installed a custom recovery and a custom ROM. I wasn't too concerned about the warranty since I got the phone as a free upgrade and had no intention of using the s3 as my daily phone. I kept it as a backup until my niece needed and phone and then it went to her. It's been over a year and there are still no problems with the phone.

Install stock SM-N910W8 on SM-910V

Hi, just bought an unlocked Note 4 from USA, it's the Verizon version.
I looked on your forum to find an answer, but I can't.
I'm from Canada, and I'd like to install a stock rom of the canadian version (n910w8), to have less Verizon/Amazon bloatware, and the french language available.
Considering that the N910W8 phone is pretty identical(from what I can see..), same CPU, would I brick my phone from installing this very rom "N910W8VLU1BOE2_N910W8OYA1BOE2_N910W8VLU1BOE2_HOME.tar.md5"?
And if so, why? And what are my alternatives?
see rooting and now you can unlock bootloader too first head to this post
then after that whatever your stock rom you can uninstall the blotware
here are another post for the blot which is safe to remove
and you can use that thing
I am using Indian sim and it is working great
'and you can use that thing'
That thing? The .md5 i mentionned?
When you boot the phone it says 'custom' and has a lock/unlock symbol?
You purchased it unlocked?
Futtermax said:
When you boot the phone it says 'custom' and has a lock/unlock symbol?
You purchased it unlocked?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I purchased it unlocked, but it has a Verizon logo whenever I boot it. So, would I be able to install the n910w8 without any trouble? Or is there a way to "install it" and during the process if it is not compatible it will tell it to me?
xDanny1992x said:
I purchased it unlocked, but it has a Verizon logo whenever I boot it. So, would I be able to install the n910w8 without any trouble? Or is there a way to "install it" and during the process if it is not compatible it will tell it to me?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He's trying to make sure that "unlocked" means that your bootloader is unlocked. It's a critical point, especially if your "unlocked" is referring to being open to all carriers.
If your bootloader is unlocked, you'll see an open padlock on the first boot screen. If the bootloader isn't unlocked, you won't be able to flash any ROMs until you unlock it.
douger1957 said:
He's trying to make sure that "unlocked" means that your bootloader is unlocked. It's a critical point, especially if your "unlocked" is referring to being open to all carriers.
If your bootloader is unlocked, you'll see an open padlock on the first boot screen. If the bootloader isn't unlocked, you won't be able to flash any ROMs until you unlock it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now, after a few more research I understand what you guys were trying to make me understand haha
I'm unlocking my bootloader, but my main topic question remain unanswered.
Will my phone be able to take the n910w8 rom even if I have a n910v? (once my bootloader will be unlocked and everything..)
xDanny1992x said:
Now, after a few more research I understand what you guys were trying to make me understand haha
I'm unlocking my bootloader, but my main topic question remain unanswered.
Will my phone be able to take the n910w8 rom even if I have a n910v? (once my bootloader will be unlocked and everything..)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The ROM, maybe. Will it work? Not without some serious help.
Since the Verizon variant of this phone isn't getting much developer love... it was locked until recently and true Developer Editions were rare and in smartphone terms, it's old... people are looking at the Snapdragon development.
The biggest headache will be getting the phone and data to work. The W8 is a GSM phone while Verizon uses CDMA.
douger1957 said:
The ROM, maybe. Will it work? Not without some serious help.
Since the Verizon variant of this phone isn't getting much developer love... it was locked until recently and true Developer Editions were rare and in smartphone terms, it's old... people are looking at the Snapdragon development.
The biggest headache will be getting the phone and data to work. The W8 is a GSM phone while Verizon uses CDMA.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, I guess I could say I'm a superhero, my name, SuperStupid -_-
I finally got the padlock logo, rooted my phone, installed TWRP, tried to flash n910w8 rom, it didnt work, so I told myself, why not wipe everything, so I did.
Now I have a phone without OS, but! I kept the padlock and TWRP...
A new successful achievment for SuperStupid...
I'm currently downloading (with my superFast 1mb/s connection) the full firmware of N910V, which I didnt think prior to wipe everything, to keep a copy...
And I hope that I'll only have to put the file on my SD card, and then flash it...
I'll stay with my Verizon bloatware, as soon as I get it back, I won't try again soon to do this ****!!!
xDanny1992x said:
Ok, I guess I could say I'm a superhero, my name, SuperStupid -_-
I finally got the padlock logo, rooted my phone, installed TWRP, tried to flash n910w8 rom, it didnt work, so I told myself, why not wipe everything, so I did.
Now I have a phone without OS, but! I kept the padlock and TWRP...
A new successful achievment for SuperStupid...
I'm currently downloading (with my superFast 1mb/s connection) the full firmware of N910V, which I didnt think prior to wipe everything, to keep a copy...
And I hope that I'll only have to put the file on my SD card, and then flash it...
I'll stay with my Verizon bloatware, as soon as I get it back, I won't try again soon to do this ****!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You'll have to root again, ya know...
I have a Verizon Note 4 arriving today for use in Canada. The seller indicated that it is unlocked which I'm sure refers to the carrier and not the bootloader.
I've owned the Notes 1,2 and 3 and my most stable and satisfying experience was with the 3, not because it was the latest and greatest but because it was the only one I did not root and play around with. I'm getting older and I'm starting to value stability over features. I actually like stock touchwizz and enjoy the built in productivity of the spen. Carrier bloatware really is a minor inconvenience for me.
I've enjoyed the Note line but the Note 4 will be my last as the SD card and removable battery are very important to me. As long as this Verizon Note 4 gives me LTE coverage in the Greater Toronto area (which my research indicates it will) I'll keep it stock. A bonus would be if it shows up with Android 5.1.1 or is upgradeable via OTA or Kies. I don't really see any North American varient receiving Marshmallow and certainly not this Verizon one.
Can you flash N910W8 firmware/rom onto a N910V?
xDanny1992x said:
Hi, just bought an unlocked Note 4 from USA, it's the Verizon version.
I looked on your forum to find an answer, but I can't.
I'm from Canada, and I'd like to install a stock rom of the canadian version (n910w8), to have less Verizon/Amazon bloatware, and the french language available.
Considering that the N910W8 phone is pretty identical(from what I can see..), same CPU, would I brick my phone from installing this very rom "N910W8VLU1BOE2_N910W8OYA1BOE2_N910W8VLU1BOE2_HOME.tar.md5"?
And if so, why? And what are my alternatives?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here with a N910V wanting to know if N910W8 can flash ok to it. (but already unlocked mine with custom N910V roms on it) Been running LineageOS roms OK for a while but just too many bugs for something dependable.
Runs nice until you really need it not freezing on you lol.
Did try a custom W8 rom that was only flashable after installing TWRPCAN 3.0.2 in place of TWRP 3.2.3 and it did startup but phone ran really hot and broken WiFi so ended up going back.

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