[Q] What ROM will get me back to stock, but not lock my bootloader. - Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III

So the power button on my phone is working intermittently and I took it to Bestbuy for them to replace it with my insurance. The dude there wanted to wipe and do a factory reset on my phone, because it was part of the procedure they had to do. (Why they do this, I have no idea,) This had never happened to me before, so I didn't backup my phone and flash back to stock like I usually do if I have to get a phone serviced. I told him I would back it up at home, and be back another day.
So basically what I need is a ROM for the Galaxy S3 that is as close to stock as possible so this dude can reset my phone (for no reason)? This ROM needs to be able to stand up to a little scrutiny from a Geeksquad employee.I would just flash back to stock 4.3, but that will lock my bootloader. I need a stock 4.3 ROM that doesn't lock bootloader, and will reset the "Verizon way".

Just odining to stock won't lock your bootloader. You'd have to actually download and install the update. But if you're getting a replacement why do you care? You're not going to have the phone any longer anyway. But just as an FYI, if you do replace your phone, chances are you'll get one with the updated firmware and a locked bootloader.
Good luck.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app

I don't think I will get an update phone, as I had a cracked screen in mid January and received a phone on 4.1.2
I'm having of a hell time getting into download mode as well. For some reason after I go to download mode, the screen goes away after a few seconds.

To do a factory reset the "Verizon way" you need a stock recovery. If you really want to, load cleanrom 8, then use ez-recovery to flash the stock recovery to the phone. But if you have to turn it in to get a new phone you might have to Odin back to stock anyway, and could get in trouble having a custom rom loaded.
They can do a factory reset through the stock recovery and probably won't notice you're custom, and you won't have to worry about it updating to 4.3.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

Don't get a new s3. Most likely it'll come preloaded with 4.3 and you'll be stuck on TW ROMs only.
Watch, as I combine all the juice from my mind...

If vzw store has some of the older s3 it wnt come preloaded but will load wen u set up. So u might be lucky and get a 4.1 or 4.2 s3
Sent from my d2lte using Tapatalk

Related

[Q] GS3 Samsung screen with "custom" and un unlocked lock on start up

Hello. I have been using the Route66 rom for quite some time as my daily problem free, but suddenly whenever I restart the first screen to pop up is a black Samsung screen with a custom and an unlocked lock on it. Everything thing is still working, but the screen is now always there on startup. The only thing I recently added was the Nova launcher from the market. It asked for superuser permissions but I don't think that would have done anything. Any body know anything about this screen??
it just means the system software is modified on your device. To get it back to normal, you would have to flash a stock rom. It does nothing to effect the device though.
Yea I got that after flashing a recovery. So I flashed stock and factory reset and it was gone.:thumbup:
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
disambl IMD,
Yup, it's harmless. I have noted that since I'm running Synergy 1.7 (which is based on the G1 radio) but am still using the F2 stock radio, it appears. This is despite Synergy supposedly disabling Samsung's checks. I need to update my radio and see if it still appears. Regardless, there are methods of resetting your flash counter if you ever need to make a warranty claim and want to be careful.

[Q] Lost service and never came back

I was sitting on BART listening to pandora and reading news on pulse when suddenly I lost service. It has not come back at all no matter how many times I turn on airplane mode or take out battery.
I searched and found some Nexus one users with a similar problem but theirs all came back when they rebooted.
I thought it might haves something to do with the ota update so I posted the problem in one of those threads and someone suggested I check the IMEI. It has not reset to 0.
My phones history: I rooted about a month ago and tried to install a new ROM but bricked. I used Odin to flash back to stock and the phone has worked since. That said, even though I though I flashed back to unrooted stock, when I turn on the phone it still shows the open lock and says "custom" under samsung. So from my limited knowledge, this could mean that the bootloader is still unlocked?
If I try to do a factory reset and there is something still tweaked from when I tried to root, is that risky to the phone? At this point I don't care much about the data. I just really need the phone to ring when people call me.
When you odined back to stock did u do a factory reset after? In my experience a factory reset after a major change always cured the issues.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
Go back to stock via ODIN if you're not on it already, dial *2767*3855# after backing up anything you may want on internal storage (like photos, etc) because it will be wiped.
I ended up switching from cmda auto Perl to lte and it worked
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

Need help flashing back to stock with dead screen (Solved, Kinda)

Hi Everyone, I was wondering if I could get a little help -
I've had my S3 for a little over a month, rooted, stock kernel, cm 10.1. The other day the display suddenly went haywire, shifted green, and is now completely fubar (all black except for a little flickering strip up at the top).
Verizon sent me a replacement and I have to send the old one back, but I need to find a way to reset the flash counter and flash un-rooted stock rom before doing so...without a working screen.
The phone seems to work fine (pc recognizes it as well), I just can't see the damn thing and so can't install Traingle Away or any other apps that would help me.
Could anyone help me figure out a way to clear the flash counter and restore this thing to stock so I can send it back? I have 5 days and am getting kinda desperate...thank you in advance!
UPDATE: Lucky me, the screen turned on again after a day without functioning. It was green and had extremely low resolution, but it was enough to see what I was doing to unroot/return to stock. I wonder if this problem could have been caused by CM 10.1? I'm asking because touchwiz is the ugliest, clunkiest interface since the abacus and I want to root/flash the new phone right away...but I'm not sure if the gpu instability (I'm guessing that's what it was) was related to me flashing a custom rom and new firmware...any thoughts?
...Could I take the motherboard out of the broken phone, put it into the replacement, perform the necessary steps to return it to factory stock, and then put the motherboard back? I hope there's a less intimidating option...
id be shocked if they investigated it further after the device screen wont turn on as you describe.
especially if its not just ablack screen and it still sorta functions.
ddurandSGS3 said:
id be shocked if they investigated it further after the device screen wont turn on as you describe.
especially if its not just ablack screen and it still sorta functions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But won't it become an issue when they replace whatever's defective with the screen/gpu and see that it boots to CM when they try to refurbish it?
If your computer recognizes it and your phone is indeed functional. Try to get into download mode on your phone and flash a stock unrooted image. That should do the trick!
Sent from my Galaxy S3
TheKucho said:
If your computer recognizes it and your phone is indeed functional. Try to get into download mode on your phone and flash a stock unrooted image. That should do the trick!
Sent from my Galaxy S3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can I do that through ODIN? I've always used clockwork for flashing roms, and I can't see the screen even in recovery. Also, would that reset the flash count?
Still kind of a noob at this, so sorry if any of the questions seem obvious. Thanks again for all your feedback
Exactly what thekucho said.
I had this exact problem, my screen took a crap while I was rooted and I needed to get back to stock before I sent it back. I was able to get it into download mode and Odin back to stock. I didn't even bother with resetting the flash counter and I haven't heard anything about it.
Boot into download mode (vol down + home + power), Odin back to stock, and you're good!
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
I just threw mine in a microwave for 4 seconds... :silly:

Safe Way to Downgrade from LL to KK SM-N900

:good: you may know that when u flashed a new firmware mean you'll flash a new bootloader with protect boot you'll MOD EDIT when you flash something wrong with that bootloader you're phone will completely dead my experience of my two device xperia Z1 and Samsung Grand 2 :cyclops: there only one way to unbrick it is to go to phone repair service change motherboard (because we cannot write any programme on it anymore)
Now if you flash LL you want to Downgrade KK
DO NOT CHECK AUTO REBOOT IN ODIN PROCESS !!
Download this clear warranty bootloader :
http://www.mediafire.com/download/d0fw56n3ucj66oh/BL_HA3GZS_CLEAR_WARRANTY_BIT-4.tar
if you flash it success but not see any change of bootloader logs you have to flash it again it'll work
LL bootloader be like :
PRODUCT NAME : SM-N900
CURRENT BINRAY : CUSTOM
SYSTEM STATUS : Custom
REACTIVATION LOCK(KK) : OFF
Secure Download : Enable
KNOX WARRANTY VOID : x
AP SWREV :A4
IF YOU SEE CHANGE OF BOOTLOADER LOGS YOU CAN FLASH KK Firmware without any risk and you're device will reset knox to 0 auto unless you're root or install custom recovery :laugh:
Wow...BRILLIANT GUIDE...that means my note 3 is long ago dead and what I am typing on is a BLOODY GHOST or ZOMBY?
Bcoz I don't know how many times have I reverted to kit kat after flashing lollipop...only first time I had to flash lollipop bootloader and it's still there..it allows me to switch back and forth both android versions...Can't say about knox warranty Bcoz I never cared...but it's nothing that terrifying as ur guide says Bro.
Sent from my beloved Galaxy Note 3
one week ago i flashed the LL for my N900 and i revert back to KK with latest firmware but nothing happen .. all went well .. and the successful almost every time when i tried ..
unisol107 said:
Wow...BRILLIANT GUIDE...that means my note 3 is long ago dead and what I am typing on is a BLOODY GHOST or ZOMBY?
Bcoz I don't know how many times have I reverted to kit kat after flashing lollipop...only first time I had to flash lollipop bootloader and it's still there..it allows me to switch back and forth both android versions...Can't say about knox warranty Bcoz I never cared...but it's nothing that terrifying as ur guide says Bro.
Sent from my beloved Galaxy Note 3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@UniSol
Would you please share the steps to revert back to Kk ? Can I just restore KK back up to revert to KK form android L safely ?
Micheal86 said:
@UniSol
Would you please share the steps to revert back to Kk ? Can I just restore KK back up to revert to KK form android L safely ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah buddy...just restore from recovery your kitkat backup and you are good to go. Unless u flash kitkat bootloader again...you can safely switch between lollipop and kitkat...i had NL4 bootloader installed which allows switching...dont know about NL8 bootloader.
Note 3 sm-n9005
Hi. I installed the leak android 5.0 onto my note 3. I let it on about 85% charge and when i woke up only 60% chargin was left. Now this is not usual as on my kitkat it only use to drain about 3 to 4% in whole night.
I tried to revert back to 4.4.2 but offcourse it gets stuck on the samsung screen and then restarts over and over. Just wanted to know if there is a safe way to get back to 4.4.2 on the sm-n9005 without tripping the knox?
Btw i am now back to android 5.0 so currently running fine.
Just curious to know the way to get back to 4.4.2.
any advise would be greatly appreciated.
aqi1992, you'll need to do a factory reset and a partition wipe from the recovery menu (power off, hold volume UP+home+power buttons to enter). After that it'll boot fine but you'll have to reinstall everything.
Hi. So basically i will need to do the above before flashing the stock 4.4.2?
That means once i have wipes the cache and factory data reset it then after i dont let it restart and straight away flash it with 4.4 2 stock?
Sent from my SM-N9005 using XDA Free mobile app
aqi1992 said:
Hi. So basically i will need to do the above before flashing the stock 4.4.2?
That means once i have wipes the cache and factory data reset it then after i dont let it restart and straight away flash it with 4.4 2 stock?
Sent from my SM-N9005 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, I was stuck where you are now. I had flashed 4.4.2 successfuly but it wouldn't boot. So I did what I mentioned in my previous post (AFTER flashing) rebooted, and everthing was fine.
Ok. I get it. I did try factory data reset but didnt do partition wipe. I will try that and feed back on it.
One last question, will i be able to get ota if i put stock 4.4.2 when android l comes out?
My knox is not tripped yet.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using XDA Free mobile app
I expect you will be, but I wouldn't know for a fact.
Well thank you. I will give android 5 a couple of more days and if it still drains battery then i might revert back.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using XDA Free mobile app
Right on.
no one
no one will downgrade to that fail kit kat
Fail kitkat?! Now that's subjective.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using XDA Free mobile app
q8peace said:
no one will downgrade to that fail kit kat
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
rofl
As per my experience (read about it here), at least I'm downgrading.
I have to say that i have tried android 5 on my oneplus. I have had note 4 which i recently sold and currently using the note 3 with android 5.
The thing is i wont call kitkat a joke or neither i think the colors here are bad looking. I think the samsung implementation is much better than plain android. But again hey thats just me.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using XDA Free mobile app
Tried to wipe cache partition and factory data reset but no luck!
WhiskeyCobra said:
aqi1992, you'll need to do a factory reset and a partition wipe from the recovery menu (power off, hold volume UP+home+power buttons to enter). After that it'll boot fine but you'll have to reinstall everything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey i have just tried above and it doesn't work.
The phone goes to either samsung logo or sometimes even before that it's just in bootloop. It went to the upgrading android only once when it was stuck on 72 out of something and i had to restart it but after that it never worked.
Also when i flashed android 5 i also flashed the .pit file that came with that. and also the bootloader file so it might be the bootloader file that is initiating this problem.
first attempt at this seemed to be going ok. after flashing with odin i tried to restart manually (think i pulled battery cause i couldnt reboot via PB).
immediatley went to recovery mode to flash new rom. didnt wipe nothing but flashed ketan k12 rom, and got stuck at samsung logo. went to reboot and got weird red screen (of death) i thought but continued on into download mode, where i saw the change you mention. Anyways cause of the many reboots i did to see if the dam thing was stuck i reverted trying to flash kit kat via odin (didnt work). went back to download mode after more failed attempts to boot correctly, i decided to flash lollipop back onto my phone via odin. still didnt reset factory in recovery, and now im back to square one lol.
so my guess is that i messed up cause i didnt factory reset for a new rom, but answer me this please... is it normal to have that red screen cause i didnt restart download mode correctly. you did mention not to have it check, so how am do i restart correctly? thankyou in adavnced (unless i figure it out before your reply LOL).
unisol107 said:
Yeah buddy...just restore from recovery your kitkat backup and you are good to go. Unless u flash kitkat bootloader again...you can safely switch between lollipop and kitkat...i had NL4 bootloader installed which allows switching...dont know about NL8 bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@UniSol
Thanks. It works. I had NL4 bootloader installed.
Now I just want to know that can I flash any other KK rom through CWM with this above said bootloader safely, as I did earlier when I had KK bootloader installed ?
Thank you once again for your suggestion.

Question Recently got a Pixel 6a and...

I just got a 6a. I have an older Pixel 3A XL that I am trying to trade in. The phone was rooted (but I just uninstalled Magisk) and I never took most updates so the phone is still on Android 10. I am wondering which stock firmware I should download to get this back to factory settings so I can lock the boot loader?
Do I need to download the newest Android 12 OTA update and then flash a stock rom or should I just download an Android 10 stock from and flash that?
Android 10 has less "surprises" in it... scoped storage will be fully enforced in 12.
dr0832 said:
I just got a 6a. I have an older Pixel 3A XL that I am trying to trade in. The phone was rooted (but I just uninstalled Magisk) and I never took most updates so the phone is still on Android 10. I am wondering which stock firmware I should download to get this back to factory settings so I can lock the boot loader?
Do I need to download the newest Android 12 OTA update and then flash a stock rom or should I just download an Android 10 stock from and flash that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are trading it in, just back up anything you want from it, factory reset it and flash a factory image to it. Then run the OEM bootloader lock command. You can also go into Developer Options and turn off bootloader unlock and reset it again. Doesn't matter which factory image because you are not keeping the phone or selling it. When they get the phone, they will likely reflash the latest factory image to it anyway.
To reiterate, flash the factory image, not the OTA image. Factory images contain everything, including the modem/bootloader/etc. That way everything is likely to work together properly. Mismatched firmware/modem/bootloader from flashing an OTA can be a bad day.
So if I had my 4a rooted a couple years ago, but went back to stock, I should be able to just factory reset, right? No flashing needed? Does it matter if you send it back with bootloader unlocked?
tcat007 said:
So if I had my 4a rooted a couple years ago, but went back to stock, I should be able to just factory reset, right? No flashing needed? Does it matter if you send it back with bootloader unlocked?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you should re-lock the bootloader, just to be on the safe side; it's an easy thing to do. I had to do a warranty replacement for my Pixel 4 XL a few years ago and the google technician told me to relock the bootloader when returning the 'defective' device.
Google is not going to deny your trade in due to being rooted. This is not a warranty replacement! The only requirements are that the screen turns on and is not cracked.
Just go into settings and do a "factory reset" and turn the phone in. Doing anything more is simply a waste of time.
sic0048 said:
Google is not going to deny your trade in due to being rooted. This is not a warranty replacement! The only requirements are that the screen turns on and is not cracked.
Just go into settings and do a "factory reset" and turn the phone in. Doing anything more is simply a waste of time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, Im sure all our old devices are just promptly going in the trash or possibly to a donation project so theyre not going to care.
The best way to return your device to bone stock is with the Android Flash Tool. Ensure you check the "Force flash all partitions" and "Wipe device" boxes, as well as "Lock bootloader' if desired.

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