Develop Bugs

[Q] Samsung S3 (cyanogenMod) unlock

Hi,
I bought a locked Samsung S3 (At&t). It is rooted with cyanogenMod 10.2 Android 4.3.1. All i was trying to do is unlock it so i can use it with other carrier. So i bought the unlock codes for 30 bucks but later i found out that the unlock codes only work with Stock rom. I am not an expert at this Root, Custom Rom...stuff, but not idiot either i can follow step by step directions if anyone knows how to make this work. I would like to use the custom rom though, so do i have to recover in stock rom, unlock the phone using the code and than install the custom rom again?
Plz help

Hi!
zeshanlahoria said:
[...] do i have to recover in stock rom, unlock the phone using the code and than install the custom rom again?
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Click to collapse
Yes, that is what you will need to do. As you can only enter an unlock code on a stock ROM (or one of the numerous custom ROM based on the stock one), you won't be able to make it work on CyanogenMod or any AOSP derivatives. You will have to revert back to stock, then (if you want to try a cutom ROM) install another custom ROM of your choice, be it CM or anything else.
Though if you currently have CM installed in your device, you most certainly already have a custom recovery (TWRP, CWM, PhilZ Touch...), which make it even easier for you to flash ROMs at your will -- the step of installing a custom recovery is already done. So browse the AT&T SIII Android Development forum, choose a stock-based ROM, install it -- pay close attention to the installation instructions in the ROM's thread --, unlock your phone; then repeat those steps to install another ROM if you want to.

Alexandre-P said:
Hi!
Yes, that is what you will need to do. As you can only enter an unlock code on a stock ROM (or one of the numerous custom ROM based on the stock one), you won't be able to make it work on CyanogenMod or any AOSP derivatives. You will have to revert back to stock, then (if you want to try a cutom ROM) install another custom ROM of your choice, be it CM or anything else.
Though if you currently have CM installed in your device, you most certainly already have a custom recovery (TWRP, CWM, PhilZ Touch...), which make it even easier for you to flash ROMs at your will -- the step of installing a custom recovery is already done. So browse the AT&T SIII Android Development forum, choose a stock-based ROM, install it -- pay close attention to the installation instructions in the ROM's thread --, unlock your phone; then repeat those steps to install another ROM if you want to.
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Click to collapse
Could you please direct me to how to unroot? I am able to go into the recovery mode but not really sure how to go on from there. I appreciate the help.

zeshanlahoria said:
Could you please direct me to how to unroot? I am able to go into the recovery mode but not really sure how to go on from there. I appreciate the help.
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Click to collapse
Before you flash a stock ROM, you would need to check what bootloader your phone is currently on as flashing the wrong one could cause your phone to brick or become unusable. Custom ROMs like the CM you currently have do not have their own bootloaders but rely on manufacturer's bootloader to run. The bootloader, quite simply, is a small application that loads the operating system and all other applications & systems required for the phone to run once it is powered on. Therefore, with a faulty bootloader, your phone can not gather all the resources required to power on successfully. If your phone is running on the 4.3 bootloader which would be the case if it was on 4.3 before the update to a custom ROM, then you would have to return to stock Android 4.3 which is the latest OS available for the AT&T GS3. However, if it has an older bootloader, then you can flash Android 4.1.1 via Odin.
There are different sets of instructions for either system so I would suggest you check your phone's settings and advise the OS parameters you can see there so we can steer you in the correct direction.

zeshanlahoria said:
Could you please direct me to how to unroot? I am able to go into the recovery mode but not really sure how to go on from there. I appreciate the help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did the phone originally have 4.3? or did it have an older version before you installed CM 10.2. This would determine how you would go about it.
Also is there a custom recovery like clockworkmod installed?

[Q] Downgrading CM11 to stock 4.3 on i747M

I know there are a few threads regarding this issue but I can't seem to find a definitive answer.
I am currently running stock 4.3 jellybean (rooted). My phone hasn't received the 4.4 KitKat update yet, so I wanted to install CM11 in order to get KitKat on my s3. However, I heard CM11 can be buggy on the s3, so in case things go south, I want to be able to revert back to the stock 4.3 rom. Some people have said that you can easily flash the stock ROM via ODIN. However, others said that downgrading from 4.4.2 to 4.3 will hard brick the device since installing CM11 updates the boot loader. So downgrading to 4.3 stock with a 4.4.2 boot loader will cause a hard brick according to other threads I've seen. My question is, how can I downgrade from CM11 to stock 4.3 safely without bricking? Thanks in advance.

If you are sure you are using a Canadian version of the i747m, you can flash back to stock in Odin using a stock 4.3 ROM for the phone's original carrier (Bell, Rogers, Telus).

audit13 said:
If you are sure you are using a Canadian version of the i747m, you can flash back to stock in Odin using a stock 4.3 ROM for the phone's original carrier (Bell, Rogers, Telus).
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Yes I got the phone from Rogers, it's most definitely i747M. But do I have to worry about any issues with the bootloader? I'm assuming installing CM11 will install the 4.4.2 bootloader, so if I choose to downgrade to the stock 4.3 rom, will it cause any issues seeing as I'm running a 4.3 rom with a 4.4.2 bootloader? I just want to make sure because I heard it can cause some serious problems if the bootloader is newer than the rom.

Mzrz said:
Yes I got the phone from Rogers, it's most definitely i747M. But do I have to worry about any issues with the bootloader? I'm assuming installing CM11 will install the 4.4.2 bootloader, so if I choose to downgrade to the stock 4.3 rom, will it cause any issues seeing as I'm running a 4.3 rom with a 4.4.2 bootloader? I just want to make sure because I heard it can cause some serious problems if the bootloader is newer than the rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have never come across a custom ROM that touches the bootloader. A compatible bootloader has to be loaded on the phone before you attempt to install the custom ROM. Supported bootloaders can be found in the ROM's updater script.
I assume your phone has no warranty since you rooted it on stock 4.3. Did you root it by installing a pre-rooted ROM?
You could copy a ROM to your external SD card, install Philz Touch via Odin, reboot directly to recovery, create a nandroid backup, wipe cache, Dalvik, data, and install your KK ROM.

audit13 said:
I have never come across a custom ROM that touches the bootloader. A compatible bootloader has to be loaded on the phone before you attempt to install the custom ROM. Supported bootloaders can be found in the ROM's updater script.
I assume your phone has no warranty since you rooted it on stock 4.3. Did you root it by installing a pre-rooted ROM?
You could copy a ROM to your external SD card, install Philz Touch via Odin, reboot directly to recovery, create a nandroid backup, wipe cache, Dalvik, data, and install your KK ROM.
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Click to collapse
Okay, I was just making sure because I know OTA updates can change the bootloader, so I just wanted to make sure the custom roms don't do that. As for the custom recovery, are you recommending Philz Touch over CWM and TWRP? Do you know which custom recovery is installed from the CM installer?

audit13 said:
I have never come across a custom ROM that touches the bootloader. A compatible bootloader has to be loaded on the phone before you attempt to install the custom ROM. Supported bootloaders can be found in the ROM's updater script.
I assume your phone has no warranty since you rooted it on stock 4.3. Did you root it by installing a pre-rooted ROM?
You could copy a ROM to your external SD card, install Philz Touch via Odin, reboot directly to recovery, create a nandroid backup, wipe cache, Dalvik, data, and install your KK ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh and one more question, my phone was originally carrier locked to Rogers and unrooted on 4.3 jelly bean. I brought it in to a cell store for them to carrier unlock it for me, but they used a rooting method to unlock it (because SuperSU was installed on it when I brought it back). They didn't unlock it with a code, so I'm guessing they used something like Samsung Tool or z3x shell. If I install CM11, will I lose the unlock, considering it's more of a "soft unlock", or is the unlock permanent regardless of how many roms I flash? Thanks for your help!

Mzrz said:
Okay, I was just making sure because I know OTA updates can change the bootloader, so I just wanted to make sure the custom roms don't do that. As for the custom recovery, are you recommending Philz Touch over CWM and TWRP? Do you know which custom recovery is installed from the CM installer?
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Click to collapse
Philz is based on the latest release of CWM and I prefer CWM over TWRP because I had problems flashing ROMs. Once I switched to Philz/CWM, no more problems.
Mzrz said:
Oh and one more question, my phone was originally carrier locked to Rogers and unrooted on 4.3 jelly bean. I brought it in to a cell store for them to carrier unlock it for me, but they used a rooting method to unlock it (because SuperSU was installed on it when I brought it back). They didn't unlock it with a code, so I'm guessing they used something like Samsung Tool or z3x shell. If I install CM11, will I lose the unlock, considering it's more of a "soft unlock", or is the unlock permanent regardless of how many roms I flash? Thanks for your help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The unlock should be permanent. I unlocked it using the free method when on 4.1.1 and no ROM has ever caused it to re-lock. Reflashing a completely stock ROM, including the bootloader, did not relock the phone.
Please remember that flashing and changing ROMs will always carry a risk of soft bricking or hard bricking your phone. Make sure you read all of the guides and be prepared for disaster.
Good read here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2201860

Sim Unlock Rogers S3 on CM11 M10 (4.4.4) [SOLVED]

Hi everyone,
I am looking for a way to sim unlock my S3 so my girlfriend can use it on Telus (I just got an OPO )
Before I purchase a code, I have a few questions, if anyone knows the answer
1- Will an unlock code work with my setup? (I am seeing reports of it only working on Stock 4.1 and whatnot)
2- Where is a good place to purchase a code? (Rogers a crooks with a 50$ fee and I don't wanna get ripped off online either)
Thanks!
XC3N

You will need to be running a stock or close to stock ROM in order to use the unlock code. You do not need to be on stock 4.1.1 to use an unlock code. You need to be running stock 4.1.1 if you want to unlock using the free method. You may be able to unlock it using a code if you are running a stock dialler.
What bootloader or baseband is on your phone?

audit13 said:
You will need to be running a stock or close to stock ROM in order to use the unlock code. You do not need to be on stock 4.1.1 to use an unlock code. You need to be running stock 4.1.1 if you want to unlock using the free method. You may be able to unlock it using a code if you are running a stock dialler.
What bootloader or baseband is on your phone?
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Click to collapse
I managed to get a code from Rogers for half the price, which is "not that bad" I guess...
I have yet to try it as I don't have the SIM card with me atm.
Baseband: I747MVLUEMK5
it's my understanding that downgrading from this will brick your phone...
Thanks for all the info!

Yes, trying to downgrade from mk5 will brick your phone.
Find the stock Rogers ROM from sammobile.com and flash it via Odin. Flashing back to stock will wipe all user data and files so make sure you backup everything you need before flashing back to stock.

audit13 said:
Yes, trying to downgrade from mk5 will brick your phone.
Find the stock Rogers ROM from sammobile.com and flash it via Odin. Flashing back to stock will wipe all user data and files so make sure you backup everything you need before flashing back to stock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok I tried the code and it didn't work.
I'll read up on the Odin procedure... I've done it before on another phone but I wanna make sure I don't end up with a brick! Thanks!
Sent from my A0001 using XDA Free mobile app

ah one more thing... since I'm using the unlock code (I don't believe the free method works on Rogers phone anyway) should I flash to stock MK5?
If I go to stock MK5, eill I be able to come back to CM afterwise?
Thanks!

The free method will only work if you are running an i747 or i747m on stock 4.1.1 including the bootloader.
If you flash back to stock mk5, you should be able to re-install cwm and CM11. There are many threads on disabling knox and install CWM.

audit13 said:
The free method will only work if you are running an i747 or i747m on stock 4.1.1 including the bootloader.
If you flash back to stock mk5, you should be able to re-install cwm and CM11. There are many threads on disabling knox and install CWM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi! Reporting back, everything worked well flashing stock rom using this method:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1739426
I had a slight problem after the Odin flash where I had to boot to recovery and factory reset to get out of a boot loop, but everything went fine after that.
I managed to unlocked the phone, changed the recovery using the aforementioned thread and got back up and running on CM11 M10 in no time!
Thanks a lot for your help sir =)
Francis // XC3N

How do you unlock an i747M locked to Fido? [OctOS L 5.1.1]

So I'm planning to switch carriers and I'm wondering how I can unlock my i747M locked to Fido that's running OctOS L 5.1.1. If I have to downgrade, how do I transfer all my current app data and pic's. Also, is it possible to keep the unlock if you were to update you phone to a higher version or install a custom ROM or install the nandroid backup you made before unlocking? Please leave me with some important things to know about while unlocking your phone if possible!

If the phone is running a 4.3 or newer bootloader, you'll have to buy an unlock code.
In order to enter the unlock code, the phone should be running a stock samsung ROM from sammobile.
I suggest creating a nandroid backup with TWRP, copy the backup to your computer, flash the stock ROM, perform a factory reset after flashing stock, unlock, flash TWRP, restore nandroid.

audit13 said:
If the phone is running a 4.3 or newer bootloader, you'll have to buy an unlock code.
In order to enter the unlock code, the phone should be running a stock samsung ROM from sammobile.
I suggest creating a nandroid backup with TWRP, copy the backup to your computer, flash the stock ROM, perform a factory reset after flashing stock, unlock, flash TWRP, restore nandroid.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so, in a nutshell, i just need to downgrade my phone to a stock rom of 4.3 or below and just search up a video of how to unlock it using the keypad method?
than if i wanted to, i could use the nandroid backup i did before and flash it and still have an unlocked phone?

You cannot use the free method once the phone is running a 4.3 or newer bootloader because you cannot properly run the 4.1.1 modem on a 4.3 or 4.4.2 bootloader and the 4.3 or 4.4.2 bootloader cannot be downgraded to a 4.1.1 bootloader.
Before flashing anything, which bootloader is on the phone?

audit13 said:
You cannot use the free method once the phone is running a 4.3 or newer bootloader because you cannot properly run the 4.1.1 modem on a 4.3 or 4.4.2 bootloader and the 4.3 or 4.4.2 bootloader cannot be downgraded to a 4.1.1 bootloader.
Before flashing anything, which bootloader is on the phone?
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Click to collapse
Sorry for the noob question, but how do i found out my bootloader?
If this helps, my baseband is I747MVLUFOB3

I actually just logged on to get similar clarification. I have an unlock code, but it does not work when I enter it using OctOS-M. Do I need to be on a stock rom to unlock? Can I easily jump back to a stock rom, then back again to a marshmallow rom?

JoshMcMadMac said:
I actually just logged on to get similar clarification. I have an unlock code, but it does not work when I enter it using OctOS-M. Do I need to be on a stock rom to unlock? Can I easily jump back to a stock rom, then back again to a marshmallow rom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From what ive heard, you have to be on a stock rom. As of google, even then, some users have problems or cant, which from what ive heard, can be fixed by downgrading to 4.3 (make sure ur bootloader is the same or your phone WILL be bricked).
Please note that this is from what ive heard and may not be accurate.

Install the Samsung phone info app from the play store as it will tell you a lot.

audit13 said:
Install the Samsung phone info app from the play store as it will tell you a lot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My boot loader seems to be the same as my baseband.

What is the bootloader version?

GamingDevilsCC said:
From what ive heard, you have to be on a stock rom. As of google, even then, some users have problems or cant, which from what ive heard, can be fixed by downgrading to 4.3 (make sure ur bootloader is the same or your phone WILL be bricked).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That sounds problematic...I am on NJ2. I am not having any luck finding anything about getting back to stock on the newest bootloader.

audit13 said:
If the phone is running a 4.3 or newer bootloader, you'll have to buy an unlock code.
In order to enter the unlock code, the phone should be running a stock samsung ROM from sammobile.
I suggest creating a nandroid backup with TWRP, copy the backup to your computer, flash the stock ROM, perform a factory reset after flashing stock, unlock, flash TWRP, restore nandroid.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you think this one would work?
https://z3x-team.com/forum/topic.php?id=9505
Whats a CWM anyways?

CWM is Clockworkmod with is a custom recovery. CWM is outdated as it has not been updated for quite some time. Many recent custom ROMs now require TWRP.
You may be able to software unlock the phone but you'll probaby need a UART cable and Samsung Pro tools. I don't believe Pro Tools is free.
The linked thread is from 2014 and, in 2014, many phones were running 4.1.2 which meant the phone could be downgraded to 4.1.1 using and sim unlocked using the dialler's menu options.

Unlock code not working on rooted/6.0.1 rom

I've been using my tmobile sim in my tmobile note 3 for some time now.. it's rooted and has 6.0.1 rooted rom on it.. i gave the phone to my dad who has verizon.. I called Tmobile and they gladly sent me the unlock code but it's not working. Will it only work on a stock rom? Does it need to be a specific one? I'm prefer to leave Marshmallow .. I don't have a problem going back to stock but don't want to do it if it's not necessary. Any help here would be great before I wipe .. thanks!

Unlock codes must be entered using a stock Samsung dialler which means the phone needs to be flash with a stock ROM or a custom ROM based off a stock TW ROM.
You could create a nandroid backup of the existing ROM, flash stock ROM, enter unlock code, flash TWRP, and restore nandroid.