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so from what i understand about updating the bootloader to MJB, i can only flash custom ROMs based off TouchWiz 4.3 and up, correct?
but AOSP/CM based ROMs can be any version? as long as the bootloader is supported on that ROM? and worst case scenario, i can flash CM10.1.3 (Android 4.2.2)?
currently i'm on S3Rx 2.2, which uses Android 4.1.2. there would be no point in making a nandroid backup, since the bootloader would be updated and i could no longer use this ROM, correct?
i was going to follow this guide:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2321310
and then use this ROM:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2252932
***************SOLVED:***************
flash the MJB bootloader via custom recovery following the above guide.
then flash the MJB modem via custom recovery with this guide:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1831898
reboot to phone (i did, not sure if necessary tho)
then reboot to recovery, flash new custom ROM.
done.
a mistake i did was i only flashed the bootloader first. rebooted, then flashed new ROM. in which case i had no wifi and data. so i flashed the modem, rebooted, no wifi and data still. rebooted into recovery, factory reset, wipe cache, wipe dalvik, and everything worked fine after that.
mrhomiec said:
so from what i understand about updating the bootloader to MJB, i can only flash custom ROMs based off TouchWiz 4.3 and up, correct?
but AOSP/CM based ROMs can be any version? as long as the bootloader is supported on that ROM? and worst case scenario, i can flash CM10.1.3 (Android 4.2.2)?
currently i'm on S3Rx 2.2, which uses Android 4.1.2. there would be no point in making a nandroid backup, since the bootloader would be updated and i could no longer use this ROM, correct?
i was going to follow this guide:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2321310
and then use this ROM:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2252932
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could install the MJ2 bootloader and MJB modem which would allow you the ability to go back. Once you are on MJB bootloader, there is not going back without bricking. If you ever find that you need to revert back for any reason you will be stuck. If this does not bother you, then go for it.
aybarrap1 said:
You could install the MJ2 bootloader and MJB modem which would allow you the ability to go back. Once you are on MJB bootloader, there is not going back without bricking. If you ever find that you need to revert back for any reason you will be stuck. If this does not bother you, then go for it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i read somewhere that MJ2 was unstable or something. cause it was a preview leak?
but back to my first question, MJB makes it so i can only flash TouchWiz-based ROMs 4.3 and up? so i will be good to use AOSP-based ROMs of any version?
For clarification purposes:
If you upgrade to MJB you will have the 4.3 KNOX apps (OS) and KNOX bootloader (Firmware). You can easily root following this guide: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2538991
Once rooted by following the guide noted above you will have the 4.3 KNOX (OS) removed BUT not the KNOX bootloader. With the KNOX bootloader you will never be able to downgrade the bootloader. What that means is that you can never use odin to flash an older firmware or you will brick!
Now that your MJB is rooted you can flash any ROM you want 4.1.2, 4.2.2, 4.3, 4.4.2 since most custom ROMS dont include the bootloader in the ROM package.
Hope this clears things up?
flynhawn2002 said:
For clarification purposes:
If you upgrade to MJB you will have the 4.3 KNOX apps (OS) and KNOX bootloader (Firmware). You can easily root following this guide: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2538991
Once rooted by following the guide noted above you will have the 4.3 KNOX (OS) removed BUT not the KNOX bootloader. With the KNOX bootloader you will never be able to downgrade the bootloader. What that means is that you can never use odin to flash an older firmware or you will brick!
Now that your MJB is rooted you can flash any ROM you want 4.1.2, 4.2.2, 4.3, 4.4.2 since most custom ROMS dont include the bootloader in the ROM package.
Hope this clears things up?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes it does! Thank you!!
I'm on the latest bootloader and modem and I haven't had any trouble flashing any aosp based roms. Only thing I was told you might have to take the bootloader line out of the update script, but so far I haven't had to at all.
flynhawn2002 said:
If you upgrade to MJB you will have the 4.3 KNOX apps (OS) and KNOX bootloader (Firmware). You can easily root following this guide: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2538991
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
just wanted to clarify, i'm already rooted, so i was going to follow the guide from my first post (since this guide has ZIP files i can flash in CWM):
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2321310
Flashing in recovery
If you've downloaded a flashable .ZIP from above, copy it to your SD card or internal storage. Reboot your phone into recovery mode (you can do this by holding "Volume Up" and "Home" while powering on your device; let go of the buttons when you see "Recovery booting..." in blue text in the top left of the screen) and install the .ZIP as an update. Reboot, and you're done.
Note: After flashing in recovery, you need to reboot before you (and ROM installers) actually see the new version number.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
would i reboot first, then flash a new ROM?
or should i flash the bootloader, then immediately flash the new ROM?
UPDATE: so i ended up just following the ZIP file guide:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2321310
and now i don't have data or wifi. i flashed the modem from here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1831898
ANOTHER UPDATE:
after i went into recovery, factory reset, wipe cache, wipe dalvik. the phone is recognizing wifi and data now. woo!
So, I'm not a complete noob to flashing roms/rooting devices. I flashed cm 11 to my s3, and decided I wanted to go back to stock via Odin. For some reason when I tried to turn on my device it was still showing the cm 11 splash screen and wouldn't proceed any further. It isn't technically bricked. I guess this would be classified as a boot loop to the nth degree. I tired to boot in recovery mode and wipe the cache partition and all user data to the same cm 11 robot taunting me. When I tried the process (flashing stock vi Odin) again to possibly fix whatever might have been a miss, I got the error message on the download screen "secure check fail: sb12." On the download mode screen it also says I am running the official system rom. I don't know what steps I need to take from here to get my phone to actually boot via the stock rom. Has anybody else had this issue or similar? Any help in resolving this would be greatly appreciated.
Is your phone a i747? If you are you running a stock 4.3 bootloader on your i747, you can't use Odin to flash back to stock unless the ROM was specifically designed to be flashed in Odin.
What is shown on the screen in download mode?
audit13 said:
Is your phone a i747? If you are you running a stock 4.3 bootloader on your i747, you can't use Odin to flash back to stock unless the ROM was specifically designed to be flashed in Odin.
What is shown on the screen in download mode?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was under the impression the rom I was attempting to flash was indeed intended for Odin. It is the SGH-I747.
The download screen states,
Product Name: SGH-I747
Custom Binary: Custom
System Status: Official
Qualcom Secure Boot: Enable
Warranty Bit: 1
Bootloader AP SWERV: 2
Here is an added bit of fun, in the midst of the process I accidentally checked "Nand erase all," in Odin at one point.
Based on the information provided, your phone is running a stock ATT 4.3 bootloader. The CM11 splash screen is still showing up because the flash did not actually happen. You're lucky your phone was not bricked in the process of using Odin. I recommend not using Odin to flash a ROM that tries to alter the bootloader.
I recommend flashing a custom recovery such as Philz Touch in Odin and flashing a different KK ROM such as Valudis.
If you want to get back to stock, try this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2658486
audit13 said:
Based on the information provided, your phone is running a stock ATT 4.3 bootloader. The CM11 splash screen is still showing up because the flash did not actually happen. You're lucky your phone was not bricked in the process of using Odin. I recommend not using Odin to flash a ROM that tries to alter the bootloader.
I recommend flashing a custom recovery such as Philz Touch in Odin and flashing a different KK ROM such as Valudis.
If you want to get back to stock, try this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2658486
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My next question would be how can I move the zip files I download to the internal storage of my phone to flash them through Philz Touch?
Have you tried using kies?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2088809
sjthuss said:
Have you tried using kies?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2088809
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did. It said the the device couldn't be updated, or something to that effect.
Kies will not work without a stock recovery or a rooted phone from my experience.
I would be surprised if kies can restore your phone as ATT never released a full 4.3 stock ROM. ATT only made 4.3 available via an OTA update.
audit13 said:
Kies will not work without a stock recovery or a rooted phone from my experience.
I would be surprised if kies can restore your phone as ATT never released a full 4.3 stock ROM. ATT only made 4.3 available via an OTA update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know about AT&T, but I'm on Telus in Canada and I used kies to revert back to stock 4.3 with CWM recovery and phone rooted, and it worked no problem.
audit13 said:
Based on the information provided, your phone is running a stock ATT 4.3 bootloader. The CM11 splash screen is still showing up because the flash did not actually happen. You're lucky your phone was not bricked in the process of using Odin. I recommend not using Odin to flash a ROM that tries to alter the bootloader.
I recommend flashing a custom recovery such as Philz Touch in Odin and flashing a different KK ROM such as Valudis.
If you want to get back to stock, try this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2658486
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, I know there is a "thanks," button but I feel like that would be a little too informal for how much I appreciate your help! I downloaded ADB to move the rom (I went with AOKP because it was the first one that worked) to my phone, flashed it using TWRP and...BAM! We are back in business. Thanks for the direction, I thought I had a nice, new, shiny brick on my hands for about two days.
sjthuss said:
I don't know about AT&T, but I'm on Telus in Canada and I used kies to revert back to stock 4.3 with CWM recovery and phone rooted, and it worked no problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Canadian carriers use the i747m while att users get the i747.
The Canadian carriers did release a full 4.3 ROM unlike att who did not.
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).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
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?
Click to expand...
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
I have Pac Rom Android 5.1.1 installed on my rooted sg3 and I need to do a carrier unlock. I contacted ATT to get the unlock code and the code they provided didn't work. Now I want to downgrade to Android 4.1 and try the UMTS menu trick as described here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2176719
I have tried Odin many times (with many versions, different computers, USB cables, etc) and every time Odin fails to flash Android 4.1. with a Fail AUTH error. I have used Odin successfully in the past many times with this phone but am unable to get it to work this time around.
Does anyone know how to downgrade the sg3 from 5.1.1 to 4.1? Or even better does anyone how to carrier unlock the sg3 when it has 5.1.1 installed on it?
Thanks!
Odin is probably failing because you have a 4.3 or 4.4.2 bootloader on your phone. I recommend you not flash anymore ROMs using Odin as repeat attempts to flash the 4.1.1 ROM via Odin may hard brick the phone.
Once a phone is running and 4.3 or 4.4.2 bootloader, you cannot use the free/hidden menu method to unlock the phone.
You cannot use a custom ROM to enter an unlock code. You'll have to go back to a stock ROM, enter the code, and return to a custom ROM.
Thanks for the reply. Do you know how I can go back to stock 4.1.1 without using Odin?
You need the 4.1.1 bootloader in order to use the free method. Once a phone is on 4.3 bootloader or higher, you can't go back to 4.1.1. Don't try because attempts to do so could brick the phone.
A stock 4.1.1 rom on a 4.3 bootloader will not work.
So you're saying once the sg3 is on a version above 4.3 there is no way to go back to 4.1.1?
slipnslider said:
So you're saying once the sg3 is on a version above 4.3 there is no way to go back to 4.1.1?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Once it is on the 4.3 or higher bootloader, there is no going back to an older bootloader and it is the older 4.1.1 bootloader and stock 4.1.1 ROM that is required to unlock using the free method.
Since you have the code, you can flash a stock ROM from recovery.
audit13 said:
Once it is on the 4.3 or higher bootloader, there is no going back to an older bootloader and it is the older 4.1.1 bootloader and stock 4.1.1 ROM that is required to unlock using the free method.
Since you have the code, you can flash a stock ROM from recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. What do you mean by free method?
Also you suggesting if I put the 4.1.1 stock rom .zip on my sg3 I can flash it via CWM just like I would the latest 5.1.1 Pac Rom release?
The free method is the method you linked in your original post. This is the only free method available and it requires a 4.1.1 bootloader that your phone doesn't have. Installing 4.1.1 via cwm is not going to help you unlock it.
Since you have the code, you can flash a stock ROM from recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How would I do this? Do I just flash 4.1.1 from cwm?
Flashing 4.1.1 onto your phone will not allow you to enter the code.
Before flashing anything, you need to verify the bootloader that is running on your phone. Until you do that, I would not flash any bootloaders or modems. An incompatible modem/bootloader combination can also brick your phone.
Sorry, one last question.
You'll have to go back to a stock ROM, enter the code, and return to a custom ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How can I go back to the stock rom?
You can flash a stock rom from the general thread using twrp or cwm.
Awesome, thanks again. I was worried about going that route since I'm on 5.1.1 but I'll give it a shot
slipnslider said:
Awesome, thanks again. I was worried about going that route since I'm on 5.1.1 but I'll give it a shot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you pick a stock ROM, make sure you pick one with the same bootloader and modem that are currently on your device. You probably have either the NE4 or NJ1 bootloader and modem pair. You DO NOT have a 5.1.1 bootloader and modem, they do not exist for the SGS3. Check your versions from a Terminal Emulator app or check them with the Phone Info - Samsung - app from the PlayStore.
Both NE4 and NJ1 stock ROMs are available in the forum. enewman17 posted them form image dumps, they have been used successfully by many.
The Terminal Emulator commands are:
Code:
getprop ro.bootloader
getprop | grep version.baseband
Thanks, I did this and both the bootloader and modem ended with NJ1 so I downloaded UCUFNJ1_Rooted.zip from enewman17's thread using CWM 6.0.4. The flash was successful but now the phone is frozen at the AT&T logo when I turn it on.
Any thoughts as to why its stuck booting up?
slipnslider said:
Thanks, I did this and both the bootloader and modem ended with NJ1 so I downloaded UCUFNJ1_Rooted.zip from enewman17's thread using CWM 6.0.4. The flash was successful but now the phone is frozen at the AT&T logo when I turn it on.
Any thoughts as to why its stuck booting up?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
More than once I have seen reports of this happening when going from a 5.x.x ROM back to 4.4.x. The most common solution has been to include formating the internal sdcard before flashing the stock ROM.
If I flash the sd card as well I will lose the UCUFNJ1_Rooted.zip file. So in that case should I use adb via CWM to flash it?
slipnslider said:
If I flash the sd card as well I will lose the UCUFNJ1_Rooted.zip file. So in that case should I use adb via CWM to flash it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Put the zip file on the external sdcard and then flash it with your recovery.
I actually didn't have an external SD card. I wound up taking it to the ATT store that had an ATT repair shop inside it and they reset it back to stock 4.4 for me and now everything works great! After unlocking the carrier on the phone I did have to manually enter the t-mobile APN to get the data connection working but that was simple (the info is listed on t-mobile's site)
slipnslider said:
I actually didn't have an external SD card. I wound up taking it to the ATT store that had an ATT repair shop inside it and they reset it back to stock 4.4 for me and now everything works great! After unlocking the carrier on the phone I did have to manually enter the t-mobile APN to get the data connection working but that was simple (the info is listed on t-mobile's site)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad to see you are up and running. Also glad to hear the AT&T guys helped out.
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?
Click to expand...
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.