Develop Bugs

Should I take the OTA if I'm not rooted yet

Just got my S3. Should I take the initial OTA or will that make it harder for me to root?
I've done my initial homework by searching but I'm still a little unclear. I'm so accustomed to HTC with their OTAs changing Hboot and preventing s-off, etc. I found the guide on how to root but does the bootloader need to be unlocked?
This is my first Samsung device so please be gentle to this noob.

clankfu said:
Just got my S3. Should I take the initial OTA or will that make it harder for me to root?
I've done my initial homework by searching but I'm still a little unclear. I'm so accustomed to HTC with their OTAs changing Hboot and preventing s-off, etc. I found the guide on how to root but does the bootloader need to be unlocked?
This is my first Samsung device so please be gentle to this noob.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your safe to take it, initial root process will be the same regardless. You'll most likely root flashing cwm recovery or a insecure kernel in odin so the system wont matter.only the vzw model has a locked bootloader. doesnt apply to us
If you are at n00b status i personally reccomend mskips toolkit found here:http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1746680 ---guys a genius, has everything you need.

you can't OTA update a phone that's rooted or has CWM on it, so definitely update before you root.

Exactly, it will download but will fail on the install because CWM is installed. You must have the Samsung stock recovery installed in order to update. Depending on what ROM you are running, you can re-install stock recovery, install OTA update, re-install CWM, then root again. That is what I did, but I am running Rooted Stock.

BrandonEnr7 said:
Exactly, it will download but will fail on the install because CWM is installed. You must have the Samsung stock recovery installed in order to update. Depending on what ROM you are running, you can re-install stock recovery, install OTA update, re-install CWM, then root again. That is what I did, but I am running Rooted Stock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really the ota's don't matter ne way as the only important parts are the modems which can be dl'd here and applied in cwm anyway

Thanks fellas. My only concern was with the ability to root and staying unlocked after taking an OTA. I'm traumatized by the EVO 3D's OTA that updated the Hboot and was just a pain in the ass.

What's the current OTA address anyway?
BrandonEnr7 said:
Exactly, it will download but will fail on the install because CWM is installed. You must have the Samsung stock recovery installed in order to update. Depending on what ROM you are running, you can re-install stock recovery, install OTA update, re-install CWM, then root again. That is what I did, but I am running Rooted Stock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

[Q] Rooting

I have stock ROM installed and stock recovery and I want to keep that way.
So my questions is, is it possible to root my device while keeping everything stock and get OTA updates without problems.
The only thing I need rooting for is to use Market Enabler.

You need to flash a custom recovery to root your phone but that won't enable your phone to get OTA udates (only notification), so when you get an update notification you have to reflash your stock recovery and unroot your phone to apply OTA updates.

omar_bazaraa said:
You need to flash a custom recovery to root your phone but that won't enable your phone to get OTA udates (only notification), so when you get an update notification you have to reflash your stock recovery and unroot your phone to apply OTA updates.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you wanted to unroot and so flash a stock recovery, how would you know which one to use? Is there a set recovery for each version of the phone, or is it the software version? So you'd just get the latest version you can find? For the phone of course. Thanks.

Slaxington said:
If you wanted to unroot and so flash a stock recovery, how would you know which one to use? Is there a set recovery for each version of the phone, or is it the software version? So you'd just get the latest version you can find? For the phone of course. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flash the stock recovery of the software version your on
sent from my One X using xda venom premium

Read the portal news, http://www.xda-developers.com/android/root-many-ics-and-jelly-bean-android-devices/
A dev just release exploit based rooting method, you might wanna to try it since you wish to keep stock recovery.
However, you might loose root access after OTA as they always patch the root access back. Simply use some root keeper or method from above(if working) to gain back root access.
UPDATES: seems we have solid devices, LINK. You may try it, though.

[Q] How to root

Hi guys, I just got a galaxy s4 for t mobile and it came with 4.2.2 version of android. I'm scared to brick the phone but I really want to root it. Can someone point me to the right direction? Been reading some tutorials but they are for different versions of android. How do I root my phone without bricking it or tripping Knox?

itsfredo said:
Hi guys, I just got a galaxy s4 for t mobile and it came with 4.2.2 version of android. I'm scared to brick the phone but I really want to root it. Can someone point me to the right direction? Been reading some tutorials but they are for different versions of android. How do I root my phone without bricking it or tripping Knox?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
4.2.2 doesnt have Knox. Use CF-Auto Root by Chainfire to root.

The Sickness said:
4.2.2 doesnt have Knox. Use CF-Auto Root by Chainfire to root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! Now it seems that cf auto root comes with a stock kernel and recovery. Is this changeable? Can I install a custom recovery and kernel after using cf auto root? Or should I find a different method of rooting for this? Are there any safe ones out there. It seems that a lot is outdated and I'm afraid of installing the wrong thing.

itsfredo said:
Thanks! Now it seems that cf auto root comes with a stock kernel and recovery. Is this changeable? Can I install a custom recovery and kernel after using cf auto root? Or should I find a different method of rooting for this? Are there any safe ones out there. It seems that a lot is outdated and I'm afraid of installing the wrong thing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know if towelroot will root 4.2.2, but it doesn't install a recovery.
Rob

itsfredo said:
Thanks! Now it seems that cf auto root comes with a stock kernel and recovery. Is this changeable? Can I install a custom recovery and kernel after using cf auto root? Or should I find a different method of rooting for this? Are there any safe ones out there. It seems that a lot is outdated and I'm afraid of installing the wrong thing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're calling a rooting method outdated while using the exact "outdated" software it was meant to root in the first place. CF-autoroot is as safe as safe can be. In fact, I know it still works for 4.3 and I THINK 4.4.2; it just trips the KNOX counter on them... still gets the job done though.
As far as your concern of installing the recovery; it first flashes its own recovery so it can use an exploit, then reverts it back to stock. I believe the kernel is untouched.
If your end goal is to move on to custom recoveries and custom ROMs you can bypass the rooting process altogether and go straight for the recovery/ROM.

lordcheeto03 said:
You're calling a rooting method outdated while using the exact "outdated" software it was meant to root in the first place. CF-autoroot is as safe as safe can be. In fact, I know it still works for 4.3 and I THINK 4.4.2; it just trips the KNOX counter on them... still gets the job done though.
As far as your concern of installing the recovery; it first flashes its own recovery so it can use an exploit, then reverts it back to stock. I believe the kernel is untouched.
If your end goal is to move on to custom recoveries and custom ROMs you can bypass the rooting process altogether and go straight for the recovery/ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This.
You really don't need CF Auto Root at all until all you want to do is root the stock rom.
If you want to install a customer rom, use Odin to install a custom recovery and flash whatever you want from there.

lordcheeto03 said:
If your end goal is to move on to custom recoveries and custom ROMs you can bypass the rooting process altogether and go straight for the recovery/ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's precisely my end goal. And I guess my question is how to do this safely with the Android version I have.
I didn't mean the root method was outdated; I was talking about some of the information that's on the general forum regarding root. There is even a post on one of the stickies asking for updated info in May. This scares me because for all I know I can follow one of these methods to root or install a custom recovery/rom and end up with a brick because something is no longer compatible.
I guess my question is: what is the best (updated) method of installing a custom rom/recovery for my tmobile s4 with android 4.2.2?

Use cf autoroot and flash clockworkmod through Odin. Download rommanager. Download a rom. Hit install rom from SD card. Pick your ROM from downloads.

itsfredo said:
That's precisely my end goal. And I guess my question is how to do this safely with the Android version I have.
I didn't mean the root method was outdated; I was talking about some of the information that's on the general forum regarding root. There is even a post on one of the stickies asking for updated info in May. This scares me because for all I know I can follow one of these methods to root or install a custom recovery/rom and end up with a brick because something is no longer compatible.
I guess my question is: what is the best (updated) method of installing a custom rom/recovery for my tmobile s4 with android 4.2.2?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I understand your apprehension, i really do. What I've said to do has worked for me when i got the phone over a year ago, and has worked here recently when i did it again. I'm trying to tell you there is no need for an updated way of doing what you want. If you want root, use CFauto root. Like i said, that method was done specifically for MDB and MDL firmwares, there is no better choice. Newer yeah, but better? Not a chance. Your firmware is equally outdated and it's worked for millions of users without fail.
As far as a custom ROM goes, find one you want to use, put it on your SD card, pick a recovery (CWM, Philz, or TWRP), flash that in Odin, boot to recovery (power+volume up) , do a full wipe (system, data, and cache) select the ROM, and flash. No need to root at all if you want to go straight to a custom ROM.
EDIT: Obviously, you might want to perform a nandroid backup once you flash your recovery... but that's really optional as long as you have the stock Odin-flashable firmware. Totally up to you.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

About Knox Warranty

So i got a tab s 8.4 lte
rooted it
it disabled knox and tripped my knox warranty
then i installed kitkat sd fix
now i have undone the sd fix and unrooted my phone
but it didnt ask me to reenable knox
so will i get ota updates now or not

You can check by clicking 'update now'.

It says that the software on your device has been modified by an unauthorised way
Please visit the service centre

That means you can't.
I don't know whether knox bit is checked or some changes in the ROM. To make sure you could try to re-flash full stock ROM. But my bet would be, that you can't OTA with knox tipped.

So can anyone tell me how i can flash an incremental ota update via odin
or can i do so via TWRP
or is my last hope just flashing a full custom rom

just download the official firmware of your device and flash it with odin... after that if got any OTA update it will run. OTA only run with stock official firmware. no matter if you got knox 0x1 or not.

Just flashed TWRP
I think i'll flash a custom rom instead
BTW is your Selamba rom stable edan????????????

What does OTA require exactly? I am on stock ROM, rooted, skyhigh kernel. No OTA. Is it the kernel preventing OTA?
Instead of using Odin, you can as well use Kies, it does the update automatically.
But OTA is most convenient.

Pallavgarg10 said:
Just flashed TWRP
I think i'll flash a custom rom instead
BTW is your Selamba rom stable edan????????????
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It just a basic rom. 1.0.2 is stable. Or try the new one by THEDEVIOUS1
Sent from my SM-T705 using Tapatalk

Pallavgarg10 said:
So can anyone tell me how i can flash an incremental ota update via odin
or can i do so via TWRP
or is my last hope just flashing a full custom rom
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
KIES. Don't forget KIES. We all hate it but it works when you want everything back to stock. I don't think the Knox bit alone will prevent you from getting OTA updates.

mhannigan said:
KIES. Don't forget KIES. We all hate it but it works when you want everything back to stock. I don't think the Knox bit alone will prevent you from getting OTA updates.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apparently it does

Pallavgarg10 said:
So can anyone tell me how i can flash an incremental ota update via odin
or can i do so via TWRP
or is my last hope just flashing a full custom rom
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's always been my understanding from previous versions of tabs/Android that once you have installed a custom recovery, OTAs will fail. Download sure but fail to install.

pibach said:
What does OTA require exactly? I am on stock ROM, rooted, skyhigh kernel. No OTA. Is it the kernel preventing OTA?
Instead of using Odin, you can as well use Kies, it does the update automatically.
But OTA is most convenient.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Kernel will trip Knox, as well as flashing a custom rom or installing a custom recovery (safestrap is ok). A custom kernel or pretty much any customizations will stop ota updates unless you do them via Odin as suggested. If knox doesnt block ota, you can Odin to stock ncg, take ota flash back to NCG kernel to reroot on towelroot and then flash new official ota kernel to keep root while ota updated. Personally I went to ne9 and ran back to ncg.. Won't be flashing anything until android L. NE9 was worthless, just killed root.

[Q] Quick root question

Is there a way to get root on this device without tripping the Knox counter? Don't want a full custom ROM. Just simple root to be able to run some other software.
Thanks!
~Vol

Vol4Ever said:
Is there a way to get root on this device without tripping the Knox counter? Don't want a full custom ROM. Just simple root to be able to run some other software.
Thanks!
~Vol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
to run "other software" i think you mean to flash other roms. From my understanding, rooting your tablet wont trip the Knox, but flashing a custom recovery like TWRP will trip knox. You MUST flash a custom recovery to flash a custom Rom.

moabizzi said:
i think you mean to flash other roms
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I *may* fully flash the tablet someday (which I'm fairly positive trips Knox regardless) if a Lollipop ROM comes along that looks interesting. However, for now all I am wanting to do is use Titanium Backup to remove some of the bloat that the factory OS won't allow me to delete or freeze. I've used CF-AutoRoot in the past. Is that still the easiest / recommended method on this particular tablet?

Vol4Ever said:
I *may* fully flash the tablet someday (which I'm fairly positive trips Knox regardless) if a Lollipop ROM comes along that looks interesting. However, for now all I am wanting to do is use Titanium Backup to remove some of the bloat that the factory OS won't allow me to delete or freeze. I've used CF-AutoRoot in the past. Is that still the easiest / recommended method on this particular tablet?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep.