[Q] Downgrading OTA 4.3 to 4.1.2? - Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III

Hello all,
I've been going down rabbit holes looking for a definitive solution or answer to the issue of downgrading my 4.3 i535 on Verizon back down to 4.1.2. I don't particularly care about actually rooting the phone (would be nice but not necessary). I'm having no end of Bluetooth and audio-when-docked issues with my phone that were never there on 4.1.2 and would desperately like to (a) revert back and (b) somehow tell the phone to never do an OTA software upgrade again.
I am not really all that technically adept, although I can follow instructions fairly well--provided they're valid for my device at the current time. I have never attempted any sort procedure like this and I'm usually quite content to be a good little sheep and do what I'm told by Verizon/Sammy. But when I can no longer reliably pair my device with my Alpine aftermarket car audio system, nor have it properly play back audio directions when using navigation software like Waze or Google Maps through the BT-attached speakers, then I need to do whatever it takes to re-enable this lost functionality.
Any directions or comments greatly accepted. Again, please, I respectfully ask that if there's anything that can be done, that a kind soul here would post directions for a complete n00b, not an experienced phone expert. Frankly, if there were shops near me that I could bring it to to have done, I'd have done so already <grin>. Many thanks in advance.
Device name: SCH-i535
Android Version: 4.3 (received OTA, directly from 4.1.2)
Baseband version: i535VRUMCL 1
Lernel version: 3.0.31
Hardware version i535.10
Thanks in advance.

Tormund Giantsbane said:
Hello all,
I've been going down rabbit holes looking for a definitive solution or answer to the issue of downgrading my 4.3 i535 on Verizon back down to 4.1.2. I don't particularly care about actually rooting the phone (would be nice but not necessary). I'm having no end of Bluetooth and audio-when-docked issues with my phone that were never there on 4.1.2 and would desperately like to (a) revert back and (b) somehow tell the phone to never do an OTA software upgrade again.
I am not really all that technically adept, although I can follow instructions fairly well--provided they're valid for my device at the current time. I have never attempted any sort procedure like this and I'm usually quite content to be a good little sheep and do what I'm told by Verizon/Sammy. But when I can no longer reliably pair my device with my Alpine aftermarket car audio system, nor have it properly play back audio directions when using navigation software like Waze or Google Maps through the BT-attached speakers, then I need to do whatever it takes to re-enable this lost functionality.
Any directions or comments greatly accepted. Again, please, I respectfully ask that if there's anything that can be done, that a kind soul here would post directions for a complete n00b, not an experienced phone expert. Frankly, if there were shops near me that I could bring it to to have done, I'd have done so already <grin>. Many thanks in advance.
Device name: SCH-i535
Android Version: 4.3 (received OTA, directly from 4.1.2)
Baseband version: i535VRUMCL 1
Lernel version: 3.0.31
Hardware version i535.10
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A. You can't revert back. You're stuck with 4.3 now.
B. You can stop future Ota updates with root access by freezing sdm1.0.apk and fwupdater.apk with titanium backup.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

BadUsername said:
A. You can't revert back. You're stuck with 4.3 now.
B. You can stop future Ota updates with root access by freezing sdm1.0.apk and fwupdater.apk with titanium backup.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I'm stuck with 4.3 then I think rooting is probably a case of closing the barn door after the horses are gone. The phone is basically useless to me when driving--i.e. when I actually need a mobile phone--since it won't reliably work with my truck radio, and the manufacturer has indicated that the VZW 4.3 update has caused them nothing but headaches and it's not their equipment that's too blame.
I've been solidly behind Android since my first Droid, then X, then HTC Incredible, then Razr and now the S3, but I'm seriously having to reconsider doing the unthinkable and switching platforms unless I can find another high-performance Android-based pone that allows tethering (so long HTC) and that will play nicely with the radio. Any suggestions? As for "freezing sdm1.0.apk" etc, that is far beyond my knowledge at this time, I'm sad to say. I'm just a J-random-user who needs -- and is willing to pay whatever it takes -- to own a phone that plays as close to 100% reliably with my truck radio as possible.
I live on the road; I need BT pairing, BT music from my SD card and GPS directions to be heard over the engine/road-noise. At this point I'm in tech support hell between Alpine and Verizon, each blaming the other--and meanwhile all the guys in my company who use "that other platform" haven't had a single issue. This one has me completely dead in the water. I don't want to go back to AM/FM on long hauls, not when I have 30+ GB of music on my device...and not to mention my GPS that can't be heard. I'm not ready to jump ship, nor do I want to, but....help??
Thanks in advance, guys. Color me frustrated....

Tormund Giantsbane said:
If I'm stuck with 4.3 then I think rooting is probably a case of closing the barn door after the horses are gone. The phone is basically useless to me when driving--i.e. when I actually need a mobile phone--since it won't reliably work with my truck radio, and the manufacturer has indicated that the VZW 4.3 update has caused them nothing but headaches and it's not their equipment that's too blame.
I've been solidly behind Android since my first Droid, then X, then HTC Incredible, then Razr and now the S3, but I'm seriously having to reconsider doing the unthinkable and switching platforms unless I can find another high-performance Android-based pone that allows tethering (so long HTC) and that will play nicely with the radio. Any suggestions? As for "freezing sdm1.0.apk" etc, that is far beyond my knowledge at this time, I'm sad to say. I'm just a J-random-user who needs -- and is willing to pay whatever it takes -- to own a phone that plays as close to 100% reliably with my truck radio as possible.
I live on the road; I need BT pairing, BT music from my SD card and GPS directions to be heard over the engine/road-noise. At this point I'm in tech support hell between Alpine and Verizon, each blaming the other--and meanwhile all the guys in my company who use "that other platform" haven't had a single issue. This one has me completely dead in the water. I don't want to go back to AM/FM on long hauls, not when I have 30+ GB of music on my device...and not to mention my GPS that can't be heard. I'm not ready to jump ship, nor do I want to, but....help??
Thanks in advance, guys. Color me frustrated....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm
I'm still on 4.1.2, so I can't really comment on the bluetooth quality. I do know it's a common 4.3 problem.
There may be some fixes out there somewhere, or there might be xposed modules that will improve bluetooth related signals. Either way you're going to need to do a little research on it, I can't specifically think of anything I've seen or read.
Freezing is super easy, titanium backup makes it very simple. Another update could lock the phone down even further and preventing it could pay off. Rooting on 4.3 is also very simple. It's not a complete loss being stuck on 4.3.
Also you can install custom 4.3 TouchWiz roms with safestrap, bluetooth might work better for you on one of those roms.
Those would be my suggestions.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

BadUsername said:
Hmm
I'm still on 4.1.2, so I can't really comment on the bluetooth quality. I do know it's a common 4.3 problem.
There may be some fixes out there somewhere, or there might be xposed modules that will improve bluetooth related signals. Either way you're going to need to do a little research on it, I can't specifically think of anything I've seen or read.
Freezing is super easy, titanium backup makes it very simple. Another update could lock the phone down even further and preventing it could pay off. Rooting on 4.3 is also very simple. It's not a complete loss being stuck on 4.3.
Also you can install custom 4.3 TouchWiz roms with safestrap, bluetooth might work better for you on one of those roms.
Those would be my suggestions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow. OK. Hmmm.
So what is the process to do this, where does one find the images, support files, and so on? I've managed to find Odin 3.09 and the USB drivers are loaded in my laptop and Developer Mode is active, but I don't know what to do beyond that.
Again, I'm absolutely green at this and deathly afraid of bricking it. I'm dead in the water without a phone, even one that's barely functional, so any instructions will need to be clear and unambiguous.
Failing that, is there such a thing as an S3 or S4 that can be purchased clean with ICS on it, rooted and protected from OTA upgrades easily, and that will work on VZW?

OK.
Well Rooting 4.3 is extremely safe, I'd say pretty near 100% success rate with nearly no chance for a brick.
Even with a brick in nearly every scenario, it is always possible to fix it as long as you have access to Odin.
Regardless, you'll want to start here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2639337
That has everything laid out for you, access to the rooting methods, using safestrap as a recovery, and download list for everything you can use on the phone. Also has recovery methods for bricked scenarios, but if you follow those threads you shouldn't brick.
As far as buying a phone goes, you may be able to find a 4.1.2 galaxy s3 on swappa or somewhere. But it's going to be hard finding one.
All s4's are in the same boat as the s3, all are on 4.3 with locked bootloaders.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

Related

Is my Samsung Infuse DEAD?

Hey, guys. Hoping some of you experts can help me diagnose what's wrong with my Samsung Infuse. I bought it off Craigslist at the end of May, and the guy had the phone with the original screen protector on it, with the original case and all accessories, so I had no reason to believe it had any problems. He told me the phone was already rooted & unlocked, which I wanted since I signed up with Straight Talk. I used it for June & July and had a host of problems, so I put on the CM10 ROM last week to see if it helped. It didn't. Here are the problems I continuously encounter:
1. When going to unlock my phone with a pattern, once in awhile it won't detect my finger-presses. Sometimes nothing shows up at all, sometimes one of the dots will highlight as I pass over it, but it won't draw. Eventually the screen turns off, and I turn it on and try it again. Usually it ends up working.
2. The battery dies much quicker than I expect it should. I tried running JuiceDefender and not running JuiceDefender, and it doesn't seem to make a difference. Even without using my phone much for anything, even with the screen off, the battery will run out before the day is out. It's like if you were driving and had a hole in your tire... seems like some sort of a leak.
3. The cell radio seems flaky. Sometimes I won't get texts on time. A lot of the time I can't access any data, which is very important as I use Google Voice for lots of my texting, so I send a text and it won't go out. Loading web pages or reloading my email shows that it is a data problem.
Those are the primary problems, and I suspect that somehow they are all related. I'm not sure if the Craigslist guy sold me a lemon, or there is some other problem that came up. I've tried multiple ROM's and disabling every app I can think of. Can anyone think of anything that would cause these problems & any way to fix it? Or do I just own a broke phone that I have to throw in the garbage?
Thanks in advance for reading!
a whole slew of problems can lead to a whole slew of possibilities for your issues.
first, i wasnt aware that you could do any of this on a straight talk phone, but i could be wrong. i am not the "expert" you may be looking or hoping for, though one i am sure will show up.
second, i think the response you may get is......did you go to JB straight from Gingerbread??? that will cause HUGE problems.
dd you read OP and follow to a tee??? again HUUUUGGEE problems.
the "never fail" here.....READ READ READ. feel confident as to what you are doing and follow steps one at a time. UNDERSTAND steps one at a time.
first thing that never hurts.....return to stock and start from scratch.
"super everything thread" under development.
Odin "stock-root & modded 3e rcovery.
follow all directions TO THE TTT.
if that doesnt work, you might have to get some mortar, you've got yourself a BRICK.
i know almost everyone else here is more of a expert than i am, but i do believe that is where they will tell you to start
good luck and be sure and thank the experts
captemo said:
first, i wasnt aware that you could do any of this on a straight talk phone, but i could be wrong. i am not the "expert" you may be looking or hoping for, though one i am sure will show up.
second, i think the response you may get is......did you go to JB straight from Gingerbread??? that will cause HUGE problems.
dd you read OP and follow to a tee??? again HUUUUGGEE problems.
first thing that never hurts.....return to stock and start from scratch.
"super everything thread" under development.
Odin "stock-root & modded 3e rcovery.
follow all directions TO THE TTT.
if that doesnt work, you might have to get some mortar, you've got yourself a BRICK.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
While I have no idea what you're getting at by your Straight Talk comment, as ST is little more than AT&T service that's sold through a 3rd party at a discounted rate, the fact that he's using ST may be part of his problems, at least in regards to the network issues. I'm also having an unbelievable amount of data issues on ST. ST is having some network problems that are affecting a decent amount of customers who are on their AT&T network.
One thing that the OP may want to try is this: Download DNS Changer from the Play Store, and change your primary and secondary DNS to OpenDNS1 and OpenDNS2. Or try different settings, as there are a bunch that are available. That has made at least some difference with my data connectivity issues.
Based on my own experience, having tried to go to JB directly from GB, is that if it's going to affect your radio, it's likely to completely wipe out your EFS data so you won't have ANY cellular or data networking capabilities. As stated, that's simply based on how it worked out for me, and there could easily be other side-effects that just didn't happen to show up for me.
I agree with returning completely to stock UCLB3, with the GB bootloaders. Then flash Entropy's 4.4.2012 Kernel, which will also install CWM Recovery. I'd personally reccomend Heimdall, as it seems to be somewhat simpler. Detailed information on returning to stock via Heimdall can be found in this thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1629079&highlight=heimdall+uclb3
If you use it, be sure to thank qkster for making it available. He's probably the most helpful person you're likely to find on this forum, especially where us noobs are concerned.
I would take it back to stock and start all over.
Here is a very helpful thread.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1700416
I agree with parrot head. When issues arise go back to stock. That's the best part of our phones. They are damn near impossible to really mess up. Just have to be ware of bootloader flash going wrong. If you got your gb rom from keis your good to go though.
Sent from my SGH-I997 using xda app-developers app
Appreciate the response, guys. I guess it doesn't hurt to try to start from scratch... AGAIN! It just seems like I'm putting an awful lot of hours into putting new ROM's and bootloaders on this phone. Going to be especially frustrating if I go through all the steps and it still doesn't fix my issues, which would mean my phone is broke. Oh well, guess I have little other choice.
All of the issues sound related..
It shouldn't take long to drop to stock and flash up to JB.. I've bobbled and missed steps here and there and have had to return from stock more times than I care to admit.. even rooting and flashing up the ladder only take about 20 minutes if even that..
Good luck!
drnecropolis said:
All of the issues sound related..
It shouldn't take long to drop to stock and flash up to JB.. I've bobbled and missed steps here and there and have had to return from stock more times than I care to admit.. even rooting and flashing up the ladder only take about 20 minutes if even that..
Good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, the flashing process isn't that long, it's getting back my phone to all of my customized settings that ends up taking weeks. Home screen icon positioning, logging in to every app, system settings, etc.
Didn't create a backup?
drnecropolis said:
Didn't create a backup?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've always created backups with Titanium Backup, but when I restore the apps, a lot of them ask me to re-login or re-verify myself.
Thanks for the advice guys.
Spent a whole day going back to stock, then CWM red, then ICS, then Jellybean. Things seem to be markedly better, but the phone still seems laggy in a few places. Is this just because it's not the latest and greatest processor?
Also, the GPS just does not work right. It's still identifying me as being in Missouri even though I'm in Nevada. Consistently. Do I just have to live with that?
veeRob said:
Thanks for the advice guys.
Spent a whole day going back to stock, then CWM red, then ICS, then Jellybean. Things seem to be markedly better, but the phone still seems laggy in a few places. Is this just because it's not the latest and greatest processor?
Also, the GPS just does not work right. It's still identifying me as being in Missouri even though I'm in Nevada. Consistently. Do I just have to live with that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you still using the Trebuchet Launcher that comes built-in to the JB ROM? If so, that may be part of your lag problems. I just use ADW EX launcher. Here's an excerpt from the Paranoid Android JB OP:
******* EVERYONE: If you experience a sudden lag for no reason, IT is due to Trebuchet. GOOD NEWS though... From reading the log cat on my end, there is a very simple fix... Go to settings -Launcher - Homescreen - And Check "Resize any widget" and you are good to go! Instantly fixes the lag problem that a few have been experiencing. I have located the source code that needs to be changed and this will be enabled by default on future builds. ********
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as the GPS goes, I think Samsung just used ****ty receivers in the Infuse. My GPS isn't quite as bad as yours seems to be, but it's nowhere near as accurate or reliable as the GPS chipset in my crummy little Optimus V.

To Root, or not to Root?

Right, I'm getting sick of waiting for the official JellyBean update for my S2, will it be worth it for me to root the fone myself? If so, how do I go about doing it?
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda app-developers app
Yes it is worth it. Check the international s2 forums and search it up.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app
Yes it's definately worth it to root. A little risky at first but if you get rooted, your home free and will be loading custom roms almost daily. Many apps will only run on rooted phone. Go for it!
mr
yes it`s worth it.so you can install custom roms.good luck.
It's only "worth it" if you have a reason to.
It's like... "is it worth buying a 30 gallon aquarium for $10" ? Sure, if you actually want a 30 gallon aquarium, it would be - but if you don't, it's just going to sit there unused and taking up space (and in the case of root access, opening up potential vulnerability).
Some people are flash-happy, but I only update mine maybe every few weeks because it's kind of a pain. And I only rooted and flashed a custom ROM on my tablet because it's no longer supported by the manufacturer - meaning a custom ROM was the ONLY way to get updates. I rooted my phone because I wanted to install Google Wallet and that required some work-arounds since my carrier is blocking it.
If you get into unofficial ROMs of updated Android versions, unless it's a leak, there are often problems - various things won't work, bugs, et cetera. It can still be fun, but don't expect it to be perfect.
Find something that you want to do with your device that requires root access and then worry about it.
Banksy1892 said:
Right, I'm getting sick of waiting for the official JellyBean update for my S2, will it be worth it for me to root the fone myself? If so, how do I go about doing it?
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you own an Android device, chances are you’ve probably heard of the term “rooting” or “rooted.” If you have and are wondering if it’s for you, this post is perfect, as we break down the major pros and cons of rooting your Android smartphone.
Before we go any further though, what exactly is “rooting”? Rooting refers to gaining access to the "root" user or command prompt of your Android phone. Root access gives users full access to the device and allows for other low-level tasks to be run. Rooting an Android phone is similar to "jail breaking" an iPhone or the "unlocking" of a Windows Phone.
When you root your Android device, you gain access to the entire file system, with full admin rights. You can customize your own boot image, create a full backup of your phone, or install a full-blown Linux distro. Basically, you can do whatever you want.
So, should you root your phone? For me, the answer to that question is a resounding yes, but before you decide, read on to see our list of the major pros and cons of rooting.
Pros of Rooting
Some of the best reasons to root your Android phone include:
1. "Tethering" your 4G/3G internet connection to a laptop computer or tablet via USB cable, Hotspot or Bluetooth. While I don’t recommend this, you will essentially be able to tether for free without paying your carrier a fee.
2. Installing custom themes, mods, and ROMS. This is probably the reason most people root their phone. The ability to deeply customize your own device and upgrade software is very appealing to a lot of rooters.
3. Backing up all the data and apps on the device.
4. The ability to install any application or game, including those "blocked" or Tegra-only games.
5. The ability to underclock the processor to conserve power. This is huge for a lot of people as Android devices are real battery hogs. I have been able to squeeze out days of battery life on a medium-sized battery by underclocking, which is pretty significant.
6. The ability to remove bloatware from your carrier-branded Android device. We all know that carriers love putting quite a bit of crap on their phones and rooting is one way to get rid of it.
Cons of Rooting
Some of the major reasons not to root your Android device include:
1. If the rooting process fails you may permanently "brick" your phone, rendering it unusable for anything other than, well, a brick. Basically, your phone will be useless.
2. Rooting your phone typically voids any manufacturer and carrier warranties. This is pretty crappy, honestly, but some OEMs won't cover certain things. It is really up to the manufacturer. You could lose out big, though, if something major breaks and you have to pay the full repair price.
3. Other drawbacks are more specific to what is done after the device is rooted, such as burning out your smartphone CPU due to overclocking, wearing out the SD card prematurely and burning out pixels in the screen. Additionally, the potential monetary costs that your carrier might apply if they see you've downloaded several gigs of data to your laptop could be big.
4. Rooting usually causes general instability of your Android smartphone. This is a given, as you are basically beta testing modifications and ROMS before they become daily drivers. Expect great performance, but a lot of bugs.
So, is Rooting really for You?
If you're a hacker or tinkerer and don’t mind bugs, I’d say yes. If you’re not, I’d say hold off and make sure it’s really what you want. You must remember that with most phones, once you root, you can’t go back. It is very difficult, in most cases, to completely reset your device to factory conditions, which is definitely something to consider before you decide.
However, if you’re like me--happy with your device as is, but just love pushing the envelope--I'd say wait until your warranty expires. After your warranty runs up, which is usually a year after purchase, there is really nothing to lose.
If you have any additional pros or cons to rooting, leave them in the comment below.
If your warranty is over, definitely root.
Galaxy s2 is a pretty safe and easy device to flash. No need to mess with bootloaders and all. There are many guides in the forum, check them out. If something does go wrong, you will most probably find the solution in this forum itself.
You might might end up waiting indefinitely for the official update for your country from samsung. Flashing it yourself will keep you up to date.
But its time consuming if you are new to all this. There is a LOT to read. I know because I was there. It was after a lot of reading that I felt confident enough to root my phone. But now I flash a little bit to often!
Try a custom ROM based on the latest official samsung. I use NeatROM Lite 4.3, based on LSD. Stable, fast and bloatware free. There are a lot of them, pick the one that suits your need. Or if you're feeling adventurous, try most of them like I did!
Help With Rooting My Verizon Galaxy S3
I Am New To Rooting And I Would Like To Know If It's At All Possible To Install Android 4.2 On My Verizon Galaxy S3, I Feel My Phone Is Very Sluggish And I Would Like To Uninstall All The Bloatware On The Phone. Any Positive Help Would Be Greatly Appreciated Thanks In Advance!
Root
I was feeling the same way on my Atrix HD. Now i am glad i did it, its worth doing, you have greater access to apps, programs, and other things. IT was also simple to me.
#newbie
Harley Malvado said:
I Am New To Rooting And I Would Like To Know If It's At All Possible To Install Android 4.2 On My Verizon Galaxy S3, I Feel My Phone Is Very Sluggish And I Would Like To Uninstall All The Bloatware On The Phone. Any Positive Help Would Be Greatly Appreciated Thanks In Advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google is your friend, try using it.
Root!!!! I rooted my s2 the first day of having it. Best thing ever. I only update every 2 months or so, make sure bugs are out. I am on ga10 right now which 4.1.2. Even did it to the wife's phone. Original software is not good and slow updates. I am planning on rooting whatever new I get.
definetely root, because with root you can use many hidden capabilities like reverse tethering, free wifi tethering and so on

Galaxy S4 i9507 (Aus/HK only) custom firmware success!

Hi all, made an account in anticipation of my night spent mucking around with my new Galaxy S4 i9507. I had been reading about people who have had success and some who have had less success with getting custom ROMs on their devices. None said what methods they used, so I decided to compile together what I did today.
UPDATE 3/6/14
I installed a snapshot of CM 11 (KitKat) onto my device with little issues. I'll update this guide with the links to that firmware, and also update the existing links because of changes CyanogenMod made to how they aggregate their S4 devices now. They are treating them all as derivatives of 'jftle', so basically one firmware fits all devices, including the i9507! (even if not official yet).
Please read the bottom of this post if you wish to install KitKat on your device.
CUSTOM FIRMWARE ON SAMSUNG GALAXY S4 i9507 - Aus/HK
Tonight I have managed to root the device's stock firmware (I have the Australian Optus/Virgin device); install ClockworkMod Recovery on the stock firmware, and then use it to install CyanogenMod 10.2.0 (jfltexx) on the device.
If you're looking to root this device, I found that by treating it essentially as an international i9505 I was able to fulfil all three of the things I mentioned above.
UPDATE: THIS WILL VOID YOUR WARRANTY AND RESULT IN 'KNOX WARRANTY VOID 0x1' BEING DISPLAYED WHEN YOU ENTER DOWNLOAD MODE ON THE DEVICE. PLEASE BE SURE YOU ARE OKAY WITH THIS HAPPENING BEFORE TRYING THIS FOR YOURSELF. AS IT STANDS, KNOX CANNOT BE RESET, IT IS AT A HARDWARE LEVEL.
[ROOT i9507]
Using Chainfire's guide to CF-Auto-Root in the Galaxy S 4 i9505 Original Android Development section of this forum; I was able to root my device despite it being an i9507. Being a new user, I wasn't sure exactly what things to test out whether the root worked/was permanent, but I did install AdBlock Plus and it asked me for Superuser privileges, then proceeded to work. I also restarted the device and tested whether the root was still present; it was.
[INSTALL CLOCKWORKMOD]
I decided to install CyanogenMod as I have heard from friends that have it; and read online about it being one of the more stable custom ROMs available. It has been a while since I last owned an Android device! So, continuing with my theme of treating this device as being an international i9505, I obtained CM 10.2.0, a stable release of the jfltexx CM, based on from their website (as of December 2013, this was the most recent). Their custom installer app on Windows did not support my phone, so I had to use their guide for manual installation.
Their guide contained steps to installing ClockworkMod Recovery as well as the ROM installation. Following the guide, I installed it without a hitch. When rebooting the phone from ClockworkMod, it prompted me about the fact that the phone may reflash its own recovery tool, but this did not happen. Once again, a success.
[INSTALL CYANOGENMOD]
The last task was to install CM. This was quite an endeavour as I decided to use someone else's Windows 8 laptop (being the only Windows device I had access to at the time) and I forgot how much of a struggle it can be! Again, I used CM's guide to installing 10.2.0 (which by the way is Android 4.3.1, whereas the stock firmware is bloated and heavy at 4.2.2). This went off without a hitch once I reminded myself how the ADT works. I also did as CM suggested and installed the Google Apps pack alongside the ROM.
So, currently this is where I'm at. The device boots and reboots fine. Some users in certain threads had issues with loading 4.4 (KitKat) ROMs or custom ROMs that they didn't allude to the names of, so I don't know if they were having issues with CM or not. There are other threads, but that was the one that kickstarted my attempts to get this all to work. Their issues with the custom ROMs seemed to be related to the 4.4 ROM not recognising the modem of the i9507; I'm not sure why this is but the i9507 was made specifically for Australian/Hong Kong networks so perhaps 4.4 has not been updated yet or something of the like. Anyway, on 4.3.1, or CM 10.2.0, my SMS, calling, and internet are working fine (it displays Virgin Mobile as my carrier). My 4G reception is somewhat iffy in this town (or in particular my house), and the reception seems to be switching between 3G and H so whether that is indicative of 4G not working, I'm not sure. LTE is definitely checked in the settings, however, and my area does have 4G, but my parents' iPhone 5Ss sometimes do not have 4G in this house either. I'll report back tomorrow after having tested the phone for a day to see if the 4G does activate.
As it stands, however, the phone seems to be functioning well. Oddly the Settings report that the phone is an i9505, I assume that's normal as I'm using a ROM for that particular phone!
[CONCLUSION]
So, I hope that anyone who has been looking for a way to remove the carrier/Samsung bloat from their i9507 device will have a good time using the guides I've used. I followed them to the letter and I had no issues.
DISCLAIMER: I had no troubles, but that's not to say you won't either. Please be careful, as you may potentially risk affecting your phone negatively. I'm simply telling you what I did, not giving you a 100% correct and flawless guide that will work no matter what.
Also if you're looking for a 4.4 ROM then you might be out of luck, least till some dev or coder takes notice of this device's existence and helps out to develop a specific way of rooting this phone/installing custom ROMs for this phone. Overall though, it seems to all work fine so perhaps the 4.3.1 CM isn't such a bad thing.
If you try this and want the original firmware back on your phone, use this link. I believe that OPS is the Australian firmware, the other one is for Hong Kong. So, for the second link, HK is Hong Kong, and the one without is for Aus.
UPDATE 3/6/14
I've successfully managed to install a Nightly build of CM 11, based on KitKat. Read my latest post in this forum for more info. I essentially found that upgrading from within the phone itself caused a number of issues so I did a fresh flash. Please note that such a flash of a new OS wipes all personal data but not things like images, videos, etc. I lost all my contacts, SMS, browsing history, apps etc. But my Gallery, Downloads folder, etc remained intact.
I followed my guide to flashing the phone again, but I used a Nightly build of CM 11, based on KitKat. As I write this, there are actually stable versions of CM that you can use in place of the CM 10.2.0 I used in the above guide. If you follow those steps but use this firmware you'll find no issue. Feel free to use CM's guide, but don't, under any circumstances, forget to flash Google Apps to your phone!!!
If you need a hand or want a question answered, feel free to post here and I'll do my best to help you out. Thanks!
kaiserwatson said:
Hi all, made an account in anticipation of my night spent mucking around with my new Galaxy S4 i9507. I had been reading about people who have had success and some who have had less success with getting custom ROMs on their devices. None said what methods they used, so I decided to compile together what I did today.
Tonight I have managed to root the device's stock firmware (I have the Australian Optus/Virgin device); install ClockworkMod Recovery on the stock firmware, and then use it to install CyanogenMod 10.2.0 (jfltexx) on the device.
If you're looking to root this device, I found that by treating it essentially as an international i9505 I was able to fulfill all three of the things I mentioned above.
[ROOT i9507]
Using Chainfire's guide to CF-Auto-Root in the Galaxy S 4 i9505 Original Android Development section of this forum; I was able to root my device despite it being an i9507. Being a new user, I wasn't sure exactly what things to test out whether the root worked/was permanent, but I did install AdBlock Plus and it asked me for Superuser privileges, then proceeded to work. I also restarted the device and tested whether the root was still present; it was.
[INSTALL CLOCKWORKMOD]
I decided to install CyanogenMod as I have heard from friends that have it; and read online about it being one of the more stable custom ROMs available. It has been a while since I last owned an Android device! So, continuing with my theme of treating this device as being an international i9505, I obtained the latest stable release of the jfltexx CM from their website (it was the most recent stable release at the time, may be out of date by the time you get to doing this yourself). Their custom installer app on Windows did not support my phone, so I had to use their guide for manual installation.
Their guide contained steps to installing ClockworkMod Recovery as well as the ROM installation. Following the guide, I installed it without a hitch. When rebooting the phone from ClockworkMod, it prompted me about the fact that the phone may reflash its own recovery tool, but this did not happen. Once again, a success.
[INSTALL CYANOGENMOD]
The last task was to install CM. This was quite an endeavour as I decided to use someone else's Windows 8 laptop (being the only Windows device I had access to at the time) and I forgot how much of a struggle it can be! Again, I used CM's guide to installing 10.2.0 (which by the way is Android 4.3.1, whereas the stock firmware is bloated and heavy at 4.2.2). This went off without a hitch once I reminded myself how the ADT works. I also did as CM suggested and installed the Google Apps pack alongside the ROM.
So, currently this is where I'm at. The device boots and reboots fine. Some users in certain threads had issues with loading 4.4 (KitKat) ROMs or custom ROMs that they didn't allude to the names of, so I don't know if they were having issues with CM or not. There are other threads, but that was the one that kickstarted my attempts to get this all to work. Their issues with the custom ROMs seemed to be related to the 4.4 ROM not recognising the modem of the i9507; I'm not sure why this is but the i9507 was made specifically for Australian/Hong Kong networks so perhaps 4.4 has not been updated yet or something of the like. Anyway, on 4.3.1, or CM 10.2.0, my SMS, calling, and internet are working fine (it displays Virgin Mobile as my carrier). My 4G reception is somewhat iffy in this town (or in particular my house), and the reception seems to be switching between 3G and H so whether that is indicative of 4G not working, I'm not sure. LTE is definitely checked in the settings, however, and my area does have 4G, but my parents' iPhone 5Ss sometimes do not have 4G in this house either. I'll report back tomorrow after having tested the phone for a day to see if the 4G does activate.
As it stands, however, the phone seems to be functioning well. Oddly the Settings report that the phone is an i9505, I assume that's normal as I'm using a ROM for that particular phone!
[CONCLUSION]
So, I hope that anyone who has been looking for a way to remove the carrier/Samsung bloat from their i9507 device will have a good time using the guides I've used. I followed them to the letter and I had no issues.
DISCLAIMER: I had no troubles, but that's not to say you won't either. Please be careful, as you may potentially risk affecting your phone negatively. I'm simply telling you what I did, not giving you a 100% correct and flawless guide that will work no matter what.
Also if you're looking for a 4.4 ROM then you might be out of luck, least till some dev or coder takes notice of this device's existence and helps out to develop a specific way of rooting this phone/installing custom ROMs for this phone. Overall though, it seems to all work fine so perhaps the 4.3.1 CM isn't such a bad thing.
If you try this and want the original firmware back on your phone, use this link or this one. I believe that OPS is the Australian firmware, the other one is for Hong Kong. So, for the second link, HK is Hong Kong, and the one without is for Aus.
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. I'll post later tomorrow when I've tested the phone for a day to see if it's still working, and to see if the 4G/LTE does actually work. Fingers crossed nothing goes wrong in the meantime!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've had my i-9507 rooted for about a month now with foxhound rom, also on the optus variant.
One thing i've noted is, its next to impossible to update the MODEM for it.
I think because our latest modem for this variant is the one we have stock. And new updates haven't been put in terms of modem specifically for our variant yet.
We should keep this thread stickied for Australian OPTUS GT-i9507 discussion.
OR open up a sub forum for it.
kaiserwatson said:
I'll post later tomorrow when I've tested the phone for a day to see if it's still working, and to see if the 4G/LTE does actually work. Fingers crossed nothing goes wrong in the meantime!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Firstly, thank you for creating this complete description of your experiences with customising the i9507.
Secondly, just wanted confirmation that you do now have the pesky "KNOX WARRANTY VOID: 0x1" displayed when your device is in Download mode, right?
Lastly, any updates, issues? All still working, including 4G/LTE?
Hey sorry its been more than a day, I've been swamped with work, that Christmas time feel.
I do have the Knox 0x1, which I assume means my warranty is void. There's conjecture as to whether that will actually affect warranty for this device in Australia, as I've read up on the Knox system but i think the ACCC would have serious issues with this system actually affecting the warranty. But yes, it would seem my warranty is void, let's hope the phone lasts two years!
I have been able to access 4G, the phone says 4G or LTE, sometimes switching between the two. Again, the reception in the town I'm currently staying in is pisspoor so I can't say for certain whether the antenna/modem is fully functioning to the degree it would be on the stock firmware, but I can definitely access the Optus 4G network.
One issue I did have was that I sent an SMS then immediately turned my screen off, 40 minutes later the message was still 'sending'. I have recreated the same scenario but I haven't been able to get it to happen again, perhaps just a weird tower-side quirk. I know people were having issues with the modem and the phone sleeping but this doesn't seem to be related. Overall I'm really happy with how this has all gone. My battery life has been increased by at least 40% and the phone is so much faster. Very pleased.
kaiserwatson said:
Hey sorry its been more than a day, I've been swamped with work, that Christmas time feel.
I do have the Knox 0x1, which I assume means my warranty is void. There's conjecture as to whether that will actually affect warranty for this device in Australia, as I've read up on the Knox system but i think the ACCC would have serious issues with this system actually affecting the warranty. But yes, it would seem my warranty is void, let's hope the phone lasts two years!
I have been able to access 4G, the phone says 4G or LTE, sometimes switching between the two. Again, the reception in the town I'm currently staying in is pisspoor so I can't say for certain whether the antenna/modem is fully functioning to the degree it would be on the stock firmware, but I can definitely access the Optus 4G network.
One issue I did have was that I sent an SMS then immediately turned my screen off, 40 minutes later the message was still 'sending'. I have recreated the same scenario but I haven't been able to get it to happen again, perhaps just a weird tower-side quirk. I know people were having issues with the modem and the phone sleeping but this doesn't seem to be related. Overall I'm really happy with how this has all gone. My battery life has been increased by at least 40% and the phone is so much faster. Very pleased.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That occurs because the modem signal cuts out after you switch your phone off, or lock it.
This issue can be resolved by updating our modems, but with our current variant we can't update it yet apparently, until the correct new modem for our specific variant has been released.
Hi guys,
I thought I would also post here.
I have the optus 9507 and I tried a couple of different kitkat 4.4 roms. They all worked perfectly except for the fact that they lost data completely as soon as the phone went to sleep. the weird thing is, the phone showed 0 bars but i could take calls just fine, just had data issues.
i tried the slimkat rom and the echoe rom with the same issue
i went back to stock firmware, rooted, ran a debloat script i found on xda, removed a bunch more apps, then unrooted again because i need to run good for enterprise for work.
im getting decent battery life with the debloated stock rom but i would like to move to 4.4 if theres a rom that works. ive been watching the optus and sammobile site hoping there will be a newer modem for the hk version because i think optus will take their time releasing 4.3 for this model.
kaiserwatson said:
Hi all, made an account in anticipation of my night spent mucking around with my new Galaxy S4 i9507. I had been reading about people who have had success and some who have had less success with getting custom ROMs on their devices. None said what methods they used, so I decided to compile together what I did today.
Tonight I have managed to root the device's stock firmware (I have the Australian Optus/Virgin device); install ClockworkMod Recovery on the stock firmware, and then use it to install CyanogenMod 10.2.0 (jfltexx) on the device.
......
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your experience sharing,
I also started with Cyanogen and shared about the same experience.
Just didn't know the Knox thing before I started.. should had read up more before doing it.
So you did the Recovery with Heimdall also? What has made you switch to the customized Rom camp
kaiserwatson said:
Hey sorry its been more than a day, I've been swamped with work, that Christmas time feel.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey, no worries at all, anyone who works weekends can take all the time they need...
But yes, it would seem my warranty is void, let's hope the phone lasts two years!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea, I've done some reading also and you're right, it seems to be all conjecture, I really doubt handset warranty refusal can be based on the KNOX Warranty chip. I think the Samsung Enterprise Security Group VP explains it well here.
Overall I'm really happy with how this has all gone. My battery life has been increased by at least 40% and the phone is so much faster. Very pleased.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great to hear, based on this I can ge ahead and 'burn out' my eFuse, happy in the knowledge that my Knox warranty has gone to a good cause. :fingers-crossed:
---------- Post added at 08:49 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:40 PM ----------
opelcalibra said:
then unrooted again because i need to run good for enterprise for work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can only assume your "enterprise for work" has nothing to do with KNOX, right? Coz that option would be closed for you now...
CuriosityBrah said:
That occurs because the modem signal cuts out after you switch your phone off, or lock it.
This issue can be resolved by updating our modems, but with our current variant we can't update it yet apparently, until the correct new modem for our specific variant has been released.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That odd message not sending was the only issue I've had with this sort of thing; I can still download things, receive messages and calls just fine while my phone is sleeping, how do you know if the modem signal is cutting off? Perhaps it's just a selective thing, not sure. Don't know how to test if it's happening to me because it doesn't seem to be, lol.
opelcalibra said:
I have the optus 9507 and I tried a couple of different kitkat 4.4 roms. They all worked perfectly except for the fact that they lost data completely as soon as the phone went to sleep. the weird thing is, the phone showed 0 bars but i could take calls just fine, just had data issues.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey mate if you check the forum that I linked to the Knox issue; someone on there posted a fix for sound/WiFi issues post-Knox voiding, maybe that fix'll work for you. Sorry I can't link you to the exact post but it was about 10-20 pages in.
opelcalibra said:
i went back to stock firmware, rooted, ran a debloat script i found on xda, removed a bunch more apps, then unrooted again because i need to run good for enterprise for work.
im getting decent battery life with the debloated stock rom but i would like to move to 4.4 if theres a rom that works. ive been watching the optus and sammobile site hoping there will be a newer modem for the hk version because i think optus will take their time releasing 4.3 for this model.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I reckon they'll take ages, they have pretty much left everyone who's getting this phone in the next couple of months in the dark because of the (as I can tell) severe lack of devs etc in Aus who have Samsung phones and are willing to hack them to the ****. I wish I could help out somehow, but I don't have the time to learn so I figured I'd help out by putting up my experiences. I'm still learning as I go haha.
As for your KitKat problem, I have read that 4.4 didn't do so well in terms of battery life and bloat, what are your reasons for wanting to go to it? I wanted the most recent build also but I figured that if they're still having issues with it then it was better to go with something I knew would work (ie. 4.3.1).
phileasx said:
Thanks for your experience sharing,
I also started with Cyanogen and shared about the same experience.
Just didn't know the Knox thing before I started.. should had read up more before doing it.
So you did the Recovery with Heimdall also? What has made you switch to the customized Rom camp
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I followed the Windows process on the CM wiki to the letter, so yeah I did the Heimdall also.
Mate legitimately I went from my stock firmware taking up so much space on the hard drive to the real lightweight CM, seeing as I haven't bought a micro SD yet that was a big deal. Also battery life was a major reason for me buying the S4 so to be able to further improve it is just hella.
siganid said:
Hey, no worries at all, anyone who works weekends can take all the time they need...
Yea, I've done some reading also and you're right, it seems to be all conjecture, I really doubt handset warranty refusal can be based on the KNOX Warranty chip. I think the Samsung Enterprise Security Group VP explains it well.Great to hear, based on this I can ge ahead and 'burn out' my eFuse, happy in the knowledge that my Knox warranty has gone to a good cause. :fingers-crossed:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In Australia I think we're pretty good. Funny that Samsung and Optus have given us this nice present and it's only a matter of time before someone cracks it open and remains above the warranty voiding
I have read that Knox may be software-based, which would make sense, and maybe it's a matter of time before someone cracks that too. Hehe.
Go ahead, post here if you have any issues and I'll see if I can help you out. What ROM would you be planning on using? A 4.3.x one?
kaiserwatson said:
I followed the Windows process on the CM wiki to the letter, so yeah I did the Heimdall also.
Mate legitimately I went from my stock firmware taking up so much space on the hard drive to the real lightweight CM, seeing as I haven't bought a micro SD yet that was a big deal. Also battery life was a major reason for me buying the S4 so to be able to further improve it is just hella.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Welcome to the rom flashing side
After read up more, I realize Odin is a more popular method for Galaxy S4 flashing,
Besides that, Stock rom battery life should also be all right. Samsung did quite some efforts to make the software user friendly.
Anyway, the Bloatware chunk are really irritating have to say.
because i cant keep still i have flashed my phone again lol.
i flashed the official CM 11 (4.4.2) and gapps for kitkat and all is working awesome so far.
no issues with losing signal when going to sleep. seems very fast. right now im happy with it.
Could someone please find new links for the original software posted in the OP?
Links are dead, would be greatly appreciated! =)
Also, Opelcalibra, you have no issues with network/signal on CM 4.4.2 with the Optus i9507?
I better give it a try then lol
RE: Signal issues
Hi,
I also have the AU i9507 Opus S4, I flashed the Omega based 4.4.2 KitKat (i9505 version) and had wifi problems (Greyed out) I tried various fixes and went back to 4.3 based Omega, this had its problems with cell signal being lost when locking the mobile.
I fixed this by going into settings and experimented with mobile networks i.e. Settings, more networks, mobile networks, network mode and tried all 4x options with (for me at least) the GSM ONLY option selected, great rom and worth losing the 4g which is very patchy in my part of Melbourne.
D
Anyone else had any sort of success rooting this phone without tripping Knox.
Also, is it just me, or does it suck pretty hard that we Aussies get stuck with an inferior version of a phone? (Snapdragon 600 in the I9507 vs the 800 in the other international versions)
Update
Hi
Just wondering if anyone has an update on this? Success or otherwise...
One of the main reasons I'm looking to root is to boost volume levels - I find the volume to be way too low. Does anyone know of a way to do that without rooting? Of course I'd like to remove bloatware but could live with it if volume was fixed.
Thanks in advance.
thestuntman80 said:
Anyone else had any sort of success rooting this phone without tripping Knox.
Also, is it just me, or does it suck pretty hard that we Aussies get stuck with an inferior version of a phone? (Snapdragon 600 in the I9507 vs the 800 in the other international versions)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey bro, no one has cracked without tripping Knox yet because as far as I can tell it's a phone specific fix/hack. So, because our phone is a different and 'rare' model, I doubt that the major heads in the Knox-proofing scene (CF comes to mind) will have the time to make a fix for the knox trip. So for now, either suffer in your jocks (QQ) get a different phone (uh, not likely) or wait for the minute chance that someone actually cares about Aussies )
As for your second point, yeah, it does suck. We get shafted with all sorts of things like prices, release dates, localization...the list goes on. Unfortunately the people who make these ploys know we're desparate and will pay the exorbitant prices anyway :/
jameshef said:
Hi
Just wondering if anyone has an update on this? Success or otherwise...
One of the main reasons I'm looking to root is to boost volume levels - I find the volume to be way too low. Does anyone know of a way to do that without rooting? Of course I'd like to remove bloatware but could live with it if volume was fixed.
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey mate, the rooting was probably the easiest part of the whole situation. You can follow my guide in the OP if you're having trouble. Just be aware about the warranty issues etc because your audio issue may be hardware related rather than software? Is the volume issue in the headphones or the speaker? Some apps may not utilise the phones full volume and also be sure to go into the settings of the phone and make sure the volume limiter is turned OFF. This **** me to tears for the longest time but once I figured out what the issue was, all good!
The only thing I'd say is just make sure its not a hardware issue because you don't want to root your phone, find out that it wasn't a software issue, take your phone into Samsung and have them tell you that your warranty is voided because you rooted. Obviously that's a worse case scenario but just be on the safe side.
I hope I helped you guys!
kaiserwatson said:
Hey mate, the rooting was probably the easiest part of the whole situation. You can follow my guide in the OP if you're having trouble. Just be aware about the warranty issues etc because your audio issue may be hardware related rather than software? Is the volume issue in the headphones or the speaker? Some apps may not utilise the phones full volume and also be sure to go into the settings of the phone and make sure the volume limiter is turned OFF. This **** me to tears for the longest time but once I figured out what the issue was, all good!
The only thing I'd say is just make sure its not a hardware issue because you don't want to root your phone, find out that it wasn't a software issue, take your phone into Samsung and have them tell you that your warranty is voided because you rooted. Obviously that's a worse case scenario but just be on the safe side.
I hope I helped you guys!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm fairly certain it's a software issue. I've done a fair bit of reading on it and the low volume is a very common complaint about the S4. My volute limiter is turned off - thanks for that tip though!
I'm going to try to root this weekend. I really hope that it works and I don't have any issues with reception dropping when the phone goes to sleep! Feels risky.
I've changed my firmware from Optus to XSA, but am still on 4.2.2, how do I upgrade now?
Kies says I have the latest release.
has anyone got links to newer modem files for this phone? been given one to update it to 4.4, but i know from experience that doing so without at least a 4.4 GSM modem, it wont behave right.
to the people without working wifi after updating: flash the Ktoonz kernel, he has a fix for that.
Hi All,
I recently updated to the new official 4.3 update from optus in order to update my baseband etc.
Then i immediately updated to the i9505 Goldeneye 4.4.2 rom. Ran a ebloat script to get rid of alot of the extras and its running very nicely.
Since updating the modem I get 4g at home which i never did before.
optus rom here
http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/3/?download=27109
flashed via odin (will lose root and custom recovery). re-root and install recovery after flashing this room.
goldeneye rom here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2313469
obviously this will flag knox, mine was flagged long ao

TouchWiz 4.3 update - WHY

Okay, we got the 4.3 update we all been waiting for. Now comes the magic question - WHY.
I'm not trying to troll here, I think I have a valid question. It's got features taken out, a lot of stuff is different now, some things work, some things don't. It looks different, but - is it better? I am yet to find what is it that it does better than original 4.1 firmware.
I guess what I'm trying to ask is : "give me a reason not to revert back to where it was"
galets said:
Okay, we got the 4.3 update we all been waiting for. Now comes the magic question - WHY.
I'm not trying to troll here, I think I have a valid question. It's got features taken out, a lot of stuff is different now, some things work, some things don't. It looks different, but - is it better? I am yet to find what is it that it does better than original 4.1 firmware.
I guess what I'm trying to ask is : "give me a reason not to revert back to where it was"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because you can't. Once you take the 4.3 OTA, you're stuck with it.
McDastardly said:
Because you can't. Once you take the 4.3 OTA, you're stuck with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have to say, it was incredibly disappointing that Samsung decided to sneak device lock-down disguised as a software update. Very lame. I was under impression that Samsung does value community building mods for its overpriced phones, understands the value of such community. Apparently, they don't. I agree with someone who said it will be the last Samsung device he purchased, I think it's time for me to join the boycott.
But coming back to the issue at hand: lets imagine I was lucky enough not to trust Samsung to deliver me an update and instead took a hacked one. Is there any reason whatsoever to stay on 4.3? And by that I mean:
- does 4.3 solve some problem in original firmware, that anyone should care about?
- does 4.3 implement some new feature, which was not in original 4.1 firmware that I should be excited about?
galets said:
Okay, we got the 4.3 update we all been waiting for. Now comes the magic question - WHY.
I'm not trying to troll here, I think I have a valid question. It's got features taken out, a lot of stuff is different now, some things work, some things don't. It looks different, but - is it better? I am yet to find what is it that it does better than original 4.1 firmware.
I guess what I'm trying to ask is : "give me a reason not to revert back to where it was"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What features were taken out? Anything that can be replaced with better apps on the market shouldnt count. In my opinion the new stock task manager makes it worth it.
---------- Post added at 01:17 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:11 PM ----------
Well if I could go back in time I would have just waited for a custom 4.3 tw rom. But at least I don't feel the need to flash a new rom every day now.
ThePagel said:
What features were taken out?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At this time, my biggest issue is that codes do not work, and i cannot get into hidden menu, so no QPST. I'm on PagePlus, so updating PRL is a manual process, and without putting phone into modem mode I cannot do that.
There are a few other annoying things, such as: can't turn off warning against increasing volume on headphones (i think there's some add-ons which let you do it though)
galets said:
At this time, my biggest issue is that codes do not work, and i cannot get into hidden menu, so no QPST. I'm on PagePlus, so updating PRL is a manual process, and without putting phone into modem mode I cannot do that.
There are a few other annoying things, such as: can't turn off warning against increasing volume on headphones (i think there's some add-ons which let you do it though)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can understand your annoyance with the hidden menu being gone. But that wasn't a "feature" it was a "hidden menu" after all and with root there are ways to get rid of the volume warning. That bugs the crap out of me as well but not to the point to change it yet.... YET!
galets said:
I have to say, it was incredibly disappointing that Samsung decided to sneak device lock-down disguised as a software update. Very lame. I was under impression that Samsung does value community building mods for its overpriced phones, understands the value of such community. Apparently, they don't. I agree with someone who said it will be the last Samsung device he purchased, I think it's time for me to join the boycott.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nah, Samsung hasn't been overwhelmingly developer friendly for awhile. There's a bit of dislike for them due to Exynos processors.
Additionally, it wasn't that sneaky. The phone was intended to have a locked bootloader from the beginning. It was expected that the update would patch the loophole we found from the leaked aboot step. That's why it was mentioned multiple times to not accept the 4.3 update in case it locked the bootloader.
Samsung hasn't been developer friendly for a long time. Anytime you take an OTA update you can expect it to prevent the use of custom firmware unless a trusted source says it doesn't.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
BadUsername said:
Additionally, it wasn't that sneaky. The phone was intended to have a locked bootloader from the beginning. It was expected that the update would patch the loophole we found from the leaked aboot step.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I still maintain it's been sneaky. The boot loader was not patched for a long time, you even get an icon which indicates custom firmware. Many folks understood it as if Samsung quietly endorses modding. The S3 has had a reputation of phone friendly for modders. Many purchased this very model specifically because they intended to mod it. Also don't forget, people look up to tinkerers, so a lot of sales were made because "this guy who knows the phones has samsung"
galets said:
I still maintain it's been sneaky. The boot loader was not patched for a long time, you even get an icon which indicates custom firmware. Many folks understood it as if Samsung quietly endorses modding. The S3 has had a reputation of phone friendly for modders. Many purchased this very model specifically because they intended to mod it. Also don't forget, people look up to tinkerers, so a lot of sales were made because "this guy who knows the phones has samsung"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Samsung isn't as nice as you think. HTC will often allow you to unlock the phone by signing an agreement that you are voiding the warranty. Verizon has had a history of locking bootloaders that other carriers wouldn't.
This bootloader lock is mostly Verizon's implementation anyway. They're the ones who changed the bootloader and patched our loophole. Other devices on the 4.3 OTA update (sprint and T-Mobile) still have unlocked bootloaders.
The custom icon was only stating we had a custom recovery installed. Didn't have anything to do with firmware checking.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
It's hard to call it sneaky if you look back at the thread that was all about waiting for the update it was repeated daily, if not a couple of times a day that if the OTA hits your phone not to take it because it would lock your bootloader. Taking my early upgrade from the Bionic this didn't really surprise me lol. It just clinched it that, I'll maintain my unlocked bootloader and rom away until its time for my next phone, which will be a nexus or amazingly enough a moto if i can let go of my bionic anger lol....
If you purchase a phone to be modded, after you mod it, why would you ever take a manufacturer OTA?
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
galets said:
I have to say, it was incredibly disappointing that Samsung decided to sneak device lock-down disguised as a software update. Very lame. I was under impression that Samsung does value community building mods for its overpriced phones, understands the value of such community. Apparently, they don't. I agree with someone who said it will be the last Samsung device he purchased, I think it's time for me to join the boycott.
But coming back to the issue at hand: lets imagine I was lucky enough not to trust Samsung to deliver me an update and instead took a hacked one. Is there any reason whatsoever to stay on 4.3? And by that I mean:
- does 4.3 solve some problem in original firmware, that anyone should care about?
- does 4.3 implement some new feature, which was not in original 4.1 firmware that I should be excited about?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Samsung probably does value it, however we need to keep in mind it doesn't HAVE to be their fault.
Android is released from Google, then Samsung gets a hold of it, adds their own skin/features/framework, then hands it off to Verizon, where Verizon locks everything down and adds crap things to it. Verizon is EXTREMELY against community mods and such.
We need to figure out if other carriers are having issues with the 4.3 rollout (if it exists) then we might be able to decide who dropped the ball
SGS3 running Android 4.4 KitKang
XdrummerXboy said:
Samsung probably does value it, however we need to keep in mind it doesn't HAVE to be their fault.
Android is released from Google, then Samsung gets a hold of it, adds their own skin/features/framework, then hands it off to Verizon, where Verizon locks everything down and adds crap things to it. Verizon is EXTREMELY against community mods and such.
We need to figure out if other carriers are having issues with the 4.3 rollout (if it exists) then we might be able to decide who dropped the ball
SGS3 running Android 4.4 KitKang
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its samsung. Every version of the s3 is locked on 4.3 the only difference is nobody is complaining about it on the other forums. samsung wants to be able to have there phones used in government agencies and the like so they locked the phone down. I accidentally upgraded and haven't complained once because its not that big of a deal. I am just not buying from samsung from now on (unless they make the tablet that folds into a phone). Someone can correct me if I am wrong but everything I have read says every s3 on 4.3 has been locked down. If you do say I am wrong please give me a link so I can educate myself.
XdrummerXboy said:
Samsung probably does value it, however we need to keep in mind it doesn't HAVE to be their fault.
Android is released from Google, then Samsung gets a hold of it, adds their own skin/features/framework, then hands it off to Verizon, where Verizon locks everything down and adds crap things to it. Verizon is EXTREMELY against community mods and such.
We need to figure out if other carriers are having issues with the 4.3 rollout (if it exists) then we might be able to decide who dropped the ball
SGS3 running Android 4.4 KitKang
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahhh I forgot about the Knox or whatever they call it. I thought you were able to switch between using it and not though.
But I guess maybe they have to make sure EVERYTHING is secure, then build the "non" secure stuff on top of that framework.
SGS3 running Android 4.4 KitKang
XdrummerXboy said:
Ahhh I forgot about the Knox or whatever they call it. I thought you were able to switch between using it and not though.
But I guess maybe they have to make sure EVERYTHING is secure, then build the "non" secure stuff on top of that framework.
SGS3 running Android 4.4 KitKang
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can still root the OTA by using saferoot. Once rooted, superSU will ask if you want to disable knox. You can then load safestrap which will allow you to load other 4.3 roms and multi-boot your phone etc. Read ALL the threads on saferoot and safestrap before you install them.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
galets said:
Okay, we got the 4.3 update we all been waiting for. Now comes the magic question - WHY.
I'm not trying to troll here, I think I have a valid question. It's got features taken out, a lot of stuff is different now, some things work, some things don't. It looks different, but - is it better? I am yet to find what is it that it does better than original 4.1 firmware.
I guess what I'm trying to ask is : "give me a reason not to revert back to where it was"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
App access to notifications. That is my killer app for 4.3

ANY way to keep root when updating to 23.4.A.0.546?

So my phone is now prompting me to update (and I can't even tell it to got to hell like I could on my S4 Mini ) but I refuse to do so until I know I can keep my root intact (or until Kingroot becomes capable of rooting that version).
Is there ANY way of keeping my root intact? Maybe by using the PC companion to update (this used to work before ICS didn't it?)? Or doing something to the phone (besides flashing firmware) to preserve the root ahead of the update?
I don't want to be installing a custom rom (and yes, I still count generic stock as a custom rom because it would get onto my phone just like any other custom rom) just to update and I absolutely need root for Link2SD so if I can't keep root in some way and Kingroot doesn't catch up then I'm going to stay on my current version forever, security be damned.
SCHUMI_4EVER said:
So my phone is now prompting me to update (and I can't even tell it to got to hell like I could on my S4 Mini ) but I refuse to do so until I know I can keep my root intact (or until Kingroot becomes capable of rooting that version).
Is there ANY way of keeping my root intact? Maybe by using the PC companion to update (this used to work before ICS didn't it?)? Or doing something to the phone (besides flashing firmware) to preserve the root ahead of the update?
I don't want to be installing a custom rom (and yes, I still count generic stock as a custom rom because it would get onto my phone just like any other custom rom) just to update and I absolutely need root for Link2SD so if I can't keep root in some way and Kingroot doesn't catch up then I'm going to stay on my current version forever, security be damned.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. You can make prerooted 546 and flash it in recovery and it's only way how to retain root. As soon as you update using OTA you will loose root as system will be overwritten.
Sent from my D6603 using Tapatalk
Thanks, guess I'm waiting then.
Any way to temporarily disable the update message/get it out of my notification bar?
SCHUMI_4EVER said:
Thanks, guess I'm waiting then.
Any way to temporarily disable the update message/get it out of my notification bar?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe you can disable the Software Update app in settings...
By the way, however it`s your decision, I don`t understand reasons behind why not flashing latest software with Flashtool. There are sometimes nasty issues with upgrades, like people loosing LTE with OTA upgrades to 5.1.1 and so on. I would just backup everything and flash latest .570/.580 firmware (yes, even .546 is now getting outdated as upgrade to .580 becomes available to address MMS based vulnerabilities). Flashing software in flashmode is the same like flashing it through PC Companion and provides for clean way how to do system updates. You can even download version intended directly for your market/provider instead of generic one.
Flash the pre-rooted .546 zip. It has been posted weeks ago.
ondrejvaroscak said:
Maybe you can disable the Software Update app in settings...
By the way, however it`s your decision, I don`t understand reasons behind why not flashing latest software with Flashtool. There are sometimes nasty issues with upgrades, like people loosing LTE with OTA upgrades to 5.1.1 and so on. I would just backup everything and flash latest .570/.580 firmware (yes, even .546 is now getting outdated as upgrade to .580 becomes available to address MMS based vulnerabilities). Flashing software in flashmode is the same like flashing it through PC Companion and provides for clean way how to do system updates. You can even download version intended directly for your market/provider instead of generic one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because the phone isn't even two weeks old. Nowhere near time yet to risk bricking it doing non-standard things, I've already tested my luck enough by rooting it. And my region doesn't have 580 yet anyways. The inability to remove the battery makes me even more nervous about this sort of stuff, and yes I know there is a simulated battery pull, but that's still software and software gets fudged up which is the whole reason to actually physically remove the battery from your phone.
Not gonna happen thank you very much. Besides I'm never in a hurry with updating Android, it's always 2 steps forward one step back, never an all-round improvement. Some monkey of a programmer inevitably always rips out some base function every device should have, just look at ICS and the mess it's caused by choosing to ignore SD cards. Even Lollipop lacks things prior Android versions had for utterly no reason. Stagefright can kiss my you know what. Not gonna update till I can root with the click of a button avoiding almost all risk (in my mind anyways).
SCHUMI_4EVER said:
Because the phone isn't even two weeks old. Nowhere near time yet to risk bricking it doing non-standard things, I've already tested my luck enough by rooting it. And my region doesn't have 580 yet anyways. The inability to remove the battery makes me even more nervous about this sort of stuff, and yes I know there is a simulated battery pull, but that's still software and software gets fudged up which is the whole reason to actually physically remove the battery from your phone.
Not gonna happen thank you very much. Besides I'm never in a hurry with updating Android, it's always 2 steps forward one step back, never an all-round improvement. Some monkey of a programmer inevitably always rips out some base function every device should have, just look at ICS and the mess it's caused by choosing to ignore SD cards. Even Lollipop lacks things prior Android versions had for utterly no reason. Stagefright can kiss my you know what. Not gonna update till I can root with the click of a button avoiding almost all risk (in my mind anyways).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, seems you are new to XPERIA`s because there is hardly any way you can brick it. Battery pull is not a problem, because in addition to Power+VolUp reste, there is a push button hidden on the side of SIM card that triggers hard reset and switches the phone off.
But I aknowledge that you have your rights for your fears. However I wonder that with all your fears you would allow to install and run undocumented chinese app, that although roots your phone, may do other things and you will never know. Everyone is responsible for his own luck.
ondrejvaroscak said:
Well, seems you are new to XPERIA`s because there is hardly any way you can brick it. Battery pull is not a problem, because in addition to Power+VolUp reste, there is a push button hidden on the side of SIM card that triggers hard reset and switches the phone off.
But I aknowledge that you have your rights for your fears. However I wonder that with all your fears you would allow to install and run undocumented chinese app, that although roots your phone, may do other things and you will never know. Everyone is responsible for his own luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes and no. I had a neo but that was a very different device and I never felt the need to do anything custom to it (although I did check XDA for it) so it remains stock even today. Then I went to Samsung cuz everything Sony sucked at the time, at least in my price range. And now I'm back with Sony cuz there's something wrong with Samsung, dunno what, but I just don't like them so unless they're far ahead on paper I won't touch them again. (unless Sony tanks).
I didn't know about that button but I'd still rather not.
And I don't have anything sensitive on my phone so Kingroot can spy all it wants to. Of course I'd prefer it didn't, but if they absolutely have to then they're welcome to any and all info. Simply running an APK on my phone (that thousands have run before me) just seemed like the least brickable way of getting root (since I didn't have to do anything special like stuff up in the recovery or mess up an ADB command or anything like that). When I'd read about there being no root methods for 5.1.1 yet I erroneously took that to be all of Lollipop so I thought my phone was unrootable anyways when I turned it on and found it had lollipop (it was sealed so I thought it would still be on KitKat and easily rootable) so Kingroot was basically just a hail mary at the time. And since it worked so well I see no reason to ever do anything else.

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