Develop Bugs

How To Update and Root to 4.4.4

Hi, sorry this is probably a noob question but I've been reading through the forums and got confused how to update my rooted s4. Normally I would just install the custom rom with the update but it seems like this isnt the case right now.
I'm currently on 4.2.2, rooted, and have wicked as my rom. How would I update to 4.4.4? From what I understand there is a new modem and firmware... something to do with NH7? Can someone explain to me what NH7 does. Thanks for all your help!

NH7 is the newest firmware based on 4.4.4 and it is recommended if you plan of using 4.4.4 tw roms. To update it just download the NH7 firmware from general thread and flash it with Odin, after that you can use cf-auto root to root, or if you're just planning to flash a ROM then just flash recovery and then flash ROM.. If you care about tripping your Knox counter then just know that flashing recovery or rooting will trip it

babexdragon said:
Hi, sorry this is probably a noob question but I've been reading through the forums and got confused how to update my rooted s4. Normally I would just install the custom rom with the update but it seems like this isnt the case right now.
I'm currently on 4.2.2, rooted, and have wicked as my rom. How would I update to 4.4.4? From what I understand there is a new modem and firmware... something to do with NH7? Can someone explain to me what NH7 does. Thanks for all your help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You mention that you want to update and that under normal circumstances you would simply flash the an updated custom ROM... yet you say you've read it isn't that simple, right?
You are correct, it isn't THAT simple, but it is ALMOST that simple. Being as that you are still on the old 4.2.2 pre-KNOX bootloader and all, you can flash and flash and flash all day long and a single use of Triangle Away is all you'd need to still be able to revert your device back to 100% stock, both firmware AND flash counters if you ever needed to for some reason. If you use Odin, Kies, or take an OTA update you will lose that ability. Anything you flash once you go through official channels to update will trip your KNOX counter... and that cannot be reset. The problems you've read about simply flashing an updated custom ROM is that you will have problems with data.
The data drops can be avoided by flashing the newest modem, which would be NH7. Understand though, that method only updates your GSM modem; your LTE modem would be unaffected. This would only be a problem though if you are having trouble receiving LTE where others with the same carrier can get it with no problem. If you aren't having any problems with LTE, then I would recommend to simply update your GSM modem and use the custom recovery of your choice (ClockWorkMod, Philz Touch, or TWRP) to flash any of the ROMs in the T-Mobile GS4 Android Development section.
To update your GSM modem, follow the instructions in this thread. That thread is for updating to the 4.4.2 NB4 modem, which that modem would actually be all you need; but if you wish to have the NH7 modem, just use the modem.bin ONLY file from this post instead of the modem package included in the tutorial thread. After that little bit of work, you can flash any Android version you want; from 4.2.2 all the way up to 4.4.4... AOSP, TouchWiz, or the Google Play Edition ROMs.

So from what I understand...
1. Update the modem not firmware
2. Flash ROM
So I don't need to re-root?

You are correct.
No need to re-root.

Information needed regarding to SGH-I747M (Rogers)

Hi guys I need some information regarding to How to root, flash Custom ROMS, flash various Recoveries and if I want to revert back to full stock ROM whenever I want to how will I do it?
My device model is SGH-I747M (Rogers Carrier) and I've updated it to the latest OTA update 4.4 KitKat
I've seen may threads regarding to the SGH-I747 but all are for AT&T carrier but not any single for the Rogers carrier why?

Do you have any warranty left on your phone? Flashing a custom recovery will trip the warranty counter and change it from 0 to 1.

audit13 said:
Do you have any warranty left on your phone? Flashing a custom recovery will trip the warranty counter and change it from 0 to 1.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't rooted/flashed nothing on my phone yet. All I'm just asking the question bro and yea I don't have any warranty for it

The easiest way to root, in my opinion, is to flash a custom recovery in Odin. After flashing a custom recovery, boot into recovery, flash supersu, boot the phone, allow supersu to update and disable knox. Then boot back into recovery, create a nandroid backup, and flash a custom ROM for the d2lte.
To flash back to stock, you can restore your nandroid backup or flash a stock ROM from sammobile.com. Just make sure to match the sammobile.com ROM with your bootloader.

The big difference between the i747 (AT&T) and the i747M (various Canadian carriers) is the bootloader and modem. They are NOT interchangeable between the i747 and the i747M. I haven't seen any of the custom ROMs for these SGS3s that flash bootloader and modem. Therefore any of the custom ROMS for the i747 will work with the i747M. Custom TouchWiz based ROMs are safe to use.
If the instructions for installing a ROM say that you must be on the NE4 or NJ1 bootloader and modem, the equivalent for the Rogers i747M are (NDx?), NF2, and NKx. From your original post I believe you are on the NKx bootloader and modem pair. This is good for any of the Kitkat and Lollipop ROMs. The only catch is that the updater-scripts for some of the older KK ROMs may not recognize the newest bootloader and modems. The ROMs are still good, it just takes a bit of work to get them installed. The same extra work would actually allow you to run a JellyBean (4.3) ROM.
Stock ROMs, those designed to return your device to factory condition (+/- root and +/- custom recovery), require much more care.
If you ever need to return to stock for your i747M, DO NOT flash a ROM that will down grade your modem and bootloader. Downgrading the bootloader and modem once you are at, or past, the 4.3.x versions will brick the i747 and I have read it will do the same for the i747M. If you can not find a stock ROM in the forums for the i747M you can find them at sammobile.com.
There are some stock ROMs available in the forums that include the AT&T bootloader and modem. DO NOT flash/install any of these.
There are stock ROMs for the i747 in the forum that do not contain bootloader and modem. These are safe for you, but BE CAREFUL. You do not want to mistakenly try to install one that does have the bootloader and modem
Also, do not flash a modem that does not match your bootloader in version number. This did not matter prior to the 4.3 bootloader and modem, it has ever since.

Can't find Bootloader & Modem

Hello,
Trying to install the custom ROM cyanogen mod 11.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2682905
First time I ever attempt to flash a custom rom.
In the guide it asks to DL Bootloader & Modem. My baseband is:
I747MVLUFOB3
I can't find any baseband corresponding to this one.
Here I found a firmware that correspond to my base band.
http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/database/SGH-I747M/
Not sure if it is useful...
Any way to install the custom room??
Cheers

Just a nickname said:
Hello,
Trying to install the custom ROM cyanogen mod 11.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2682905
First time I ever attempt to flash a custom rom.
In the guide it asks to DL Bootloader & Modem. My baseband is:
I747MVLUFOB3
I can't find any baseband corresponding to this one.
Here I found a firmware that correspond to my base band.
http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/database/SGH-I747M/
Not sure if it is useful...
Any way to install the custom room??
Cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which variant of the galaxy s3 do you have? You should be able to flash any ROM compatible with your phone using TWRP or Phil touch recovery.

I have the i747m (rogers canada). I have TWRP 2.8.7.0 & rooted with Kingo root. Somehow it was the only way to root it. Tried Towel root & odin but both were doing nothing.
TWRP was installed a long time ago. I recently made an update on kies (what a mistake sign...). I was on 4.4.2 before and after the firmware update on kies.
I got a spare S3 motherboard (with cpu etc.) I might try on that one first but I need to disassemble & assemble everything... not very tempting.

I usually just use odin and http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/ to start fresh and root again when I want to upgrade bootloader and modems.

As you saw at sammobile, OB3 is the latest official release for the i747. You do not need to do anything to your baseband (modem) to run CM11. You may want to verify that your bootloader (firmware) matches the modem. This can be done from within TWRP. Go to the advanced menu and in the terminal enter
Code:
getprop ro.bootloader
You should get a return ending in OB3.
I suspect the CM 11 updater-script has not been updated to account for the just released OB3 firmware. If that is the case, you could always edit the script in the roms zip file.

@dawgdoc
When I entered the command, it returned me:
I747MVLUFOB3
Secondly, I have not tried to install CM11 (or the newer version CM12?). I do not know if it works. I just want to make sure I can flash and not brick my phone.
My phone is not the d2att (i747), it is d2can (i747m). I believe these two are very similar but enough different to cause problem.
So, can I install CM11 or 12?
You are talking about changing a zip file... The newb I am know how to do that, but what exactly - that he doesn't know. So I would rather not mess with that. I guess TWRP checks if the firmware of the bootloader / modem matches to those from a compatible list and simply updating that list would allow me to install the build?
I was thinking about this ROM:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s3-att/development/unofficial-cyanogenmod-12-t2968854
Don't know the exact difference with the CM12 but it says d2can.
However, the BaNkS GAPPS - GAPPS link does not work... I don't know what that is.

Just a nickname said:
@dawgdoc
When I entered the command, it returned me:
I747MVLUFOB3
Secondly, I have not tried to install CM11 (or the newer version CM12?). I do not know if it works. I just want to make sure I can flash and not brick my phone.
My phone is not the d2att (i747), it is d2can (i747m). I believe these two are very similar but enough different to cause problem.
So, can I install CM11 or 12?
You are talking about changing a zip file... The newb I am know how to do that, but what exactly - that he doesn't know. So I would rather not mess with that. I guess TWRP checks if the firmware of the bootloader / modem matches to those from a compatible list and simply updating that list would allow me to install the build?
I was thinking about this ROM:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s3-att/development/unofficial-cyanogenmod-12-t2968854
Don't know the exact difference with the CM12 but it says d2can.
However, the BaNkS GAPPS - GAPPS link does not work... I don't know what that is.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The unofficial CM12 -5.1.1 by @matrixzone is good for the i747M, aka d2can. If you have any doubts, ask on that thread if it is updated to run on OB3? Matrixzone is active on the forums and should respond to your question. Also I just checked the updater-script for the latest CM11 official nightly and it is set up to run on the i747M.
So, either should run with no problems for you.

What is the bootloader and modem version needed and how do I get them without getting a locked bootloader? I'm on i747M with 4.1.1 Stock rom with DLK4 modem and bootloader. There are newer bootloaders and modems that can be flashed through recovery but some people have been getting bricks when messing with bootloader.
THey say to use Official firmwares to have it update the bootloaders but which one is the proper firmware version to get the proper bootloader and modem version to allow DATA 4g LTE after flashing CM12.1 Lollipop rom?

Chupacabra117 said:
What is the bootloader and modem version needed and how do I get them without getting a locked bootloader? I'm on i747M with 4.1.1 Stock rom with DLK4 modem and bootloader. There are newer bootloaders and modems that can be flashed through recovery but some people have been getting bricks when messing with bootloader.
THey say to use Official firmwares to have it update the bootloaders but which one is the proper firmware version to get the proper bootloader and modem version to allow DATA 4g LTE after flashing CM12.1 Lollipop rom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see audit13 is helping you in the other thread, therefore I will not confuse things and also reply here.

dawgdoc said:
I see audit13 is helping you in the other thread, therefore I will not confuse things and also reply here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But the newest firmware is bad because it has evil bootloader.

Chupacabra117 said:
But the newest firmware is bad because it has evil bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check my long post over there.

[SOLVED] I think my i747M may be soft bricked?

Hey all. I am fairly inexperienced when it comes to rooting, though I have done a few succesfully in the past. I currently have the newest version of TWRP installed on my Samsung I747M. The I747M I have is not from one of the major carriers, but as far as I am aware, the phone is factory network unlocked. Carrier is GCI, in Alaska.
I currently have a 4.4.2 Touchwiz Rom installed and started having problems after I attempted to flash the ROM Dandroid, which is 4.3 (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2121506). I had created a backup using TWRP before flashing the ROM and reverted back once I noticed the problem.
The main issue I am experiencing at this time is the Baseband Version, IMEI, and other information related to the modem is showing "Unknown" and features such as wifi will not toggle on.
I had also attempted to flash the most current version of the modem that I was able to find thru Odin. Odin showed the flash as successful. The version I flashed to the phone was I747MUMUEND3: modem_CWM_I747MUMUEND3.zip - 18.80 MB - April 3rd, 2014 (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1831898)
At this point, I can still get into recovery, download modem and I am able to boot up the phone and access most all functions. The next step I was going to try was going to be to flash back to stock firmware from sammobile's website (Was using to use the Roger's version of 4.4.2), though I don't want to cause more issues than I can handle or resolve thru software.
Any advice on how to proceed would be greatly appreciated or even just how to get the modem/wifi features functional again would be helpful. I'm just as happy staying on my current ROM at this point if I can get the phone fully functional again.

It's possible that the rom is not compatible with the kk modem and bootloader.
Flash cm12.1 to see if your imei comes back.

audit13 said:
It's possible that the rom is not compatible with the kk modem and bootloader.
Flash cm12.1 to see if your imei comes back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Forgot to mention, this is something I did try. I attempted to flash Cyanogen Mod 12.1 (Download: cm-12.1-20151017-NIGHTLY-d2att.zip (286.76 MB) ) and most recent nightly build & the most recent stable release (CM11) (Download: cm-11-20140210-SNAPSHOT-M3-d2att.zip (194.37 MB) ). When flashing these, I transferred the downloaded ZIP file to the internal storage of the phone in the root directory and attempted to run an install from TWRP. Both installs failed.

Since the phone is an i747m, I recommend flashing back to stock using Odin 3.07 and stock ROM file from here: http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/database/SGH-I747M/
The i747m versions are interchangeable between Rogers, Telus, and Bell.
After flashing back to stock, install TWRP using Odin 3007 from here: https://dl.twrp.me/d2att/twrp-2.8.7.0-d2att.img.tar
Create a nandroid backup using TWRP and then try to flash a custom ROM again.

audit13 said:
Since the phone is an i747m, I recommend flashing back to stock using Odin 3.07 and stock ROM file from here: URL REMOVED FROM QUOTE DUE TO NEW USER LIMITATIONS
The i747m versions are interchangeable between Rogers, Telus, and Bell.
After flashing back to stock, install TWRP using Odin 3007 from here: URL REMOVED FROM QUOTE DUE TO NEW USER LIMITATIONS
Create a nandroid backup using TWRP and then try to flash a custom ROM again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll give that a shot when I get home. Stock firmware was one of my next thoughts. I have it downloading at the measly 15 Kbps offered for free from sammobile so hopefully should be done by the time I get home & update this thread with any progress.

Another possibility is a custom kernel, if you are wishing to stay with TouchWiz and not wanting to upgrade your bootloader and modem past 4.3.
Some of the 4.4.2 TW roms will run on 4.3 bootloader and modems using one of ibuddler's kernels or ktoonsez's TW kernel. This was discussed most in the Likewise ROM thread and links to the various versions of ibuddler's kernel may be found there. It may have also been discussed in TMS3KK thread. The ktoonsez kernel can be found in its own thread.
But, you may really want to consider a newer ROM in order to change to something with the stagefright fixes. I think any of these may require the latest 4.4.2 bootloader and modem. (What say you @audit13?)

dawgdoc said:
Another possibility is a custom kernel, if you are wishing to stay with TouchWiz and not wanting to upgrade your bootloader and modem past 4.3.
Some of the 4.4.2 TW roms will run on 4.3 bootloader and modems using one of ibuddler's kernels or ktoonsez's TW kernel. This was discussed most in the "http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2725192"Likewise ROM thread and links to the various versions of ibuddler's kernel may be found there. It may have also been discussed in http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2725750" TMS3KK thread. The http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1756776" ktoonsez kernel can be found in its own thread.
But, you may really want to consider a newer ROM in order to change to something with the stagefright fixes. I think any of these may require the latest 4.4.2 bootloader and modem. (What say you @audit13?)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not opposed to any of this. Mostly just trying to slim down this phone to the basics as much as I can and am quite open to any recommendations. Main thing I want to maximize is battery life & simplicity since this is for my wife and those are her major wants in a phone. I figure any kind of ROM that just covers the basics should cover my bases & would prefer one with a darker/black skin to maximize battery life w/ the OLED screen. I am in the process of flashing to the Roger's stock ROM as I type this w/ my fingers crossed.
Just to add, no over clocking or anything of that nature is desired. If I remember correctly I ended up putting the ktoonsez kernel on one of my handsets, either this Galaxy S3 or my Galaxy S5, though I can't recall which since it was so long ago.

Alright! So progress! Wifi, Baseband version, IMEI and all other missing information restored & now works w/ stock rom flash. In process of reflashing TWRP now.

Let us know what happens.

Still all good with TWRP installed. Have not flashed back on a custom ROM yet. After reviewing some of the above recommendations, I am kind of liking the looks & features of TMS3KK (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2725750) and feel it would suit my needs.
I factory reset, cleared cache, and cleared Dalvik thru TWRP & then made a back up. Prior to this, I confirmed everything was still working normally w/ phone fully loaded after TWRP was installed.
One of the things mentioned on the installation instructions for that ROM is the following:
---
Do not mix and match 4.3 firmware (bootloaders/modem) with the new 4.4.2 ones. You will hard brick and I warned you. This works the same as any 4.3 or ND8port ROM with 4.3 firmware and it can use the new 4.4.2 ones also.
Link to recovery flashable i747 and i747M 4.4.2 bootloader and modem packages: http://forum.xda-developers.com/gala...hable-t2856914
---
How would I go about confirming my current bootloader/modem versions to make sure they are both 4.4.2 before flashing this ROM? At the link provided, those files/links to the files were removed because they were causing some bricked devices per a note at the top of that thread. Here's a link to the thread I am referencing since the above link looks to be broken. (http://forum.xda-developers.com/gal...mware-ne4-ne6-nf2-recovery-flashable-t2856914)

If you flashed the latest stock rom, you are running the latest 4.4.2 bootoader and modem.
You can download and run the Samsung phone info app from the play store to confirm this.
You should be good to flash any d2lte or d2att rom.
I recommend not flashing any modem or bootoader from this point forward unless the bootoader and modem are newer than the currently installed botloader and modem. Also, the botloader and modem must be matched to each other.

audit13 said:
If you flashed the latest stock rom, you are running the latest 4.4.2 bootoader and modem.
You can download and run the Samsung phone info app from the play store to confirm this.
You should be good to flash any d2lte or d2att rom.
I recommend not flashing any modem or bootoader from this point forward unless the bootoader and modem are newer than the currently installed botloader and modem. Also, the botloader and modem must be matched to each other.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much for the help and information. I guess I never realized that the bootloader & modem were installed w/ the stock rom as I always have flashed those separately through Odin when needed. Definitely good information to have and not easy information to find. I have successfully got my custom ROM on there and am now fine-tuning it for the wife.

fodor362 said:
Thank you so much for the help and information. I guess I never realized that the bootloader & modem were installed w/ the stock rom as I always have flashed those separately through Odin when needed. Definitely good information to have and not easy information to find. I have successfully got my custom ROM on there and am now fine-tuning it for the wife.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad to hear the phone is running well.
I've heard it said "Happy wife, Happy life."

Flash New bootloader and modem while on Old Rom?

I have a Canadian Galaxy S3, on 4.1.1 DLK4 Official. I rooted it, and have TWRP.
I want to upgrade my rom to a CM12/13 but of course with root and custom recovery, OTA updates are blocked.
I need newer bootloaders and modem to run the newer android versions.
Should I install them now, while on 4.1.1, and then flash CM12, or should I sequentially update each of the AT&T firmwares until I get up to 4.4.2?
Do official roms have the bootloaders and modems in them and install them automatically?
Should I use the Kies restore method?

The Canadian and att s3 phones are not the same model number. Don't flash an att bootloader to your Canadian phone as this may brick the phone.
Flash latest stock rom from Sammobile.com, flash twrp, flash cm.

audit13 said:
The Canadian and att s3 phones are not the same model number. Don't flash an att bootloader to your Canadian phone as this may brick the phone.
Flash latest stock rom from Sammobile.com, flash twrp, flash cm.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, but i can use AT&T roms tho?

The i747m will work with d2can, d2lte, and d2att Roms.

Is it safe to flash straight from 4.1.1 to 4.4.2 using a sammobile rom? will i brick due to Knox bootloader and modem?
Can I flash it using TWRP?
If someone could link a tutorial that would be very helpful.
I keep reading stuff that says to flash the newer bootloader before flashing a 4.3 firmware, and some that say the opposite. Others say that people should incrementally update.
I want to go from 4.1.1 original with Root and TWRP, to CM13.
Thank you.

Yes, you can flash the latest stock 4.4.2 rom from Sammobile.com directly to your phone. No need to do anything other than backing up your data.

audit13 said:
Yes, you can flash the latest stock 4.4.2 rom from Sammobile.com directly to your phone. No need to do anything other than backing up your data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you!
Now I just need to get the balls again to use odin. Flashing the custom recovery using the Universal Tool Kit that had step by step walkthrough was adrenaline rush enough LOL.
I could also use Kies, as that has 4.4.2 OB3 (telus), and also has "emergency firmware recovery" feature if a brick ever happens. Though ideally the only time boot.img gets flashed is only with Full Stock Firmware files.

I find kies to be unreliable when I have tried to restore firmware so I always stuck with Odin.