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[Q] New Android user with Two questions

New to Android and spent many days reading here and on other sites before recently rooting My Verizon Galaxy S3. It has TWRP Recovery, but still using Stock Rom. I don't know if I will install a custom rom or not. I do know that there will be at least one more OTA update for this phone. Which gives me two choices; block the OTA update to prevent it from being pushed to my phone OR unroot and use Odin to flash back to stock and take the OTA.
I believe that I can block the OTA by using "TB Pro" to freeze the correct update file, which I think is "SDM 1.0" - is this correct? If I go back, what is the most compatible Odin Version to use with the Verizon SG-3?

joekiv said:
New to Android and spent many days reading here and on other sites before recently rooting My Verizon Galaxy S3. It has TWRP Recovery, but still using Stock Rom. I don't know if I will install a custom rom or not. I do know that there will be at least one more OTA update for this phone. Which gives me two choices; block the OTA update to prevent it from being pushed to my phone OR unroot and use Odin to flash back to stock and take the OTA.
I believe that I can block the OTA by using "TB Pro" to freeze the correct update file, which I think is "SDM 1.0" - is this correct? If I go back, what is the most compatible Odin Version to use with the Verizon SG-3?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Idk if we'll see another OTA but I like your enthusiasm. Yes, that is correct about TB. You would use the VRBMB1 stock tar to flash in Odin to revert back to out of box factory setup. You would use Odin 3.07. Once that tar is flashed, you'll receive an OTA shortly after rebooting into the rom. It would be for VRBMF1 4.1.2 which is the latest OTA.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 4

SlimSnoopOS said:
Idk if we'll see another OTA but I like your enthusiasm. Yes, that is correct about TB. You would use the VRBMB1 stock tar to flash in Odin to revert back to out of box factory setup. You would use Odin 3.07. Once that tar is flashed, you'll receive an OTA shortly after rebooting into the rom. It would be for VRBMF1 4.1.2 which is the latest OTA.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for that information

[Q] Need a help to update 4.3

Hi friends,
I am having Verizon Samsung galaxy S3 I535.
hardware version is i535.10.
Using in india aircel gsm sim on it n works very fine 3G data,call and sms.
I don't know phone is unlocked by some method or factory unlocked phone. ( but in start up screen it shows SAMSUNG CUSTOM WITH UNLOCKED ICON)
I am not able to update to 4.3 update in my phone via Verizon utility software application.
Only OTA Update package is downaloading, update is not installing,
Pls help me to update 4.3
If u want further details i can send you screen shots

uvankarthik said:
Hi friends,
I am having Verizon Samsung galaxy S3 I535.
hardware version is i535.10.
Using in india aircel gsm sim on it n works very fine 3G data,call and sms.
I don't know phone is unlocked by some method or factory unlocked phone. ( but in start up screen it shows SAMSUNG CUSTOM WITH UNLOCKED ICON)
I am not able to update to 4.3 update in my phone via Verizon utility software application.
Only OTA Update package is downaloading, update is not installing,
Pls help me to update 4.3
If u want further details i can send you screen shots
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Download this full stock firmware http://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=23134718111254196 then use Odin to flash, once done take the OTA and it should be fine. BTW, once upgrade to 4.3 your bootloader will be locked permanently meaning you can't flash custom firmware (rom/kernel/recovery), the only thing you can do is root with saferoot. can be found here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2565758

buhohitr said:
Download this full stock firmware http://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=23134718111254196 then use Odin to flash, once done take the OTA and it should be fine. BTW, once upgrade to 4.3 your bootloader will be locked permanently meaning you can't flash custom firmware (rom/kernel/recovery), the only thing you can do is root with saferoot. can be found here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2565758
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If i use Odin to flash and installing custom firmwares, what will be the my phone status?
Again it will work with Gsm? bcz its basically verizon phone i dont want to mess up with basic features.

uvankarthik said:
If i use Odin to flash and installing custom firmwares, what will be the my phone status?
Again it will work with Gsm? bcz its basically verizon phone i dont want to mess up with basic features.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you still want to install custom firmware then DO NOT TAKE THE 4.3 OTA UPGRADE. If you decided to flash custom rom then after flash stock MF1, you need to unlock bootloader, root, flash recovery then flash custom rom (most custom rom already rooted so you probably don't need to root). Your phone status will be CUSTOM.

buhohitr said:
If you still want to install custom firmware then DO NOT TAKE THE 4.3 OTA UPGRADE. If you decided to flash custom rom then after flash stock MF1, you need to unlock bootloader, root, flash recovery then flash custom rom (most custom rom already rooted so you probably don't need to root). Your phone status will be CUSTOM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
okay i will not upgrade to 4.3 OTA. i will go for custom rom now my question is,
if am using custom rom on my unlocked i535 will it be locked again to Verizon??

uvankarthik said:
okay i will not upgrade to 4.3 OTA. i will go for custom rom now my question is,
if am using custom rom on my unlocked i535 will it be locked again to Verizon??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you can relock again if you want.

buhohitr said:
Download this full stock firmware http://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=23134718111254196 then use Odin to flash, once done take the OTA and it should be fine. BTW, once upgrade to 4.3 your bootloader will be locked permanently meaning you can't flash custom firmware (rom/kernel/recovery), the only thing you can do is root with saferoot. can be found here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2565758
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haviing only used Odin when I initially rooted my phone a year ago, I need to ask some specifics on your instructions.
1. Do I boot the phone into Download mode when flashing?
2. Do I flash it by selecting the PDA box and selecting the file there?
3. This will make my phone basically "out of the box" and back to stock recovery, correct?
Thanks in advance.

mkuhl2000 said:
Haviing only used Odin when I initially rooted my phone a year ago, I need to ask some specifics on your instructions.
1. Do I boot the phone into Download mode when flashing?
2. Do I flash it by selecting the PDA box and selecting the file there?
3. This will make my phone basically "out of the box" and back to stock recovery, correct?
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your memory stills serve you right...YES to all three.

buhohitr said:
Your memory stills serve you right...YES to all three.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your quick reply...I hope this solves my issues and gets me back to pure stock Verizon where I can blame then if I have any problems my phone and/or service. :fingers-crossed:

buhohitr said:
Yes you can relock again if you want.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
kindly share some step by step tutorial guide for installing 4.3 based custom rom
pls suggest which is good custom firmware too

uvankarthik said:
kindly share some step by step tutorial guide for installing 4.3 based custom rom
pls suggest which is good custom firmware too
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The stock root rom is probably the most stable one. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2591895 just follow the instruction on this link.

[GUIDE] Sim Unlock Canadian Galaxy S4 i337m 4.3 and 4.4.2

I have looked everywhere and collected information along the way. Yet I haven't found a guide that shows Canadian S4 owners how to sim unlock their phones. The phone I have is still at android 4.3 MK6 but with the KNOX fuse already tripped. So this procedure will trip the fuse but I think there is a workaround that can sim unlock without tripping the fuse.
Jelly Bean 4.3
Here's what I did to unlock the phone:
1. Downgrade the firmware to MDJ using ODIN. (This will trip the KNOX fuse. If you don't want it tripped, I have seen others who have downgraded only the modem.bin where the hidden menu still works.)
2. Boot directly into recovery (Vol UP + HOME + Power) and do a factory reset before booting into the system. If you don't do this, the system won't boot.
3. Use *#9090# to access the hidden menu, see this thread. I found that trying to sim unlock using this hidden menu method didn't work for my phone. This was also confirmed by another Canadian S4 user.
4. So I went on to root MDJ using saferoot as the next step requires root access. I think most Canadian S4 users are referred to the CF-Auto-Root.
5. Install and run RegionLockAway.
6. Reboot phone with other sim to verify lock is removed.
7. Go into hidden menu to renable PERSO SHA256.
8. Use ODIN to restore MK6.
KitKat 4.4.2
I found another Canadian user at version 4.4.2 commenting the RegionLockAway didn't work in that version so you will have to downgrade to make it work. There's a thread over on the TMobile Galaxy S4 section that mentions downgrading just the modem.bin from 4.4.2 to a lower version where the hidden menu still works. Details of how to extract the modem files directly from the firmware are shown in that thread. For Canadian i337m users, I would suggest downgrading to 4.2.2 MDJ modem.bin. Then root and run RegionLockAway to unlock the phone. Return the modem back to the current 4.4.2 when everything is done. This approach seems to work for TMobile S4 users and it doesn't trip the KNOX fuse. I have never tried this so try at your own risk.

what about the normal ATT s4?

pham818 said:
what about the normal ATT s4?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This thread was created for the i337m Canadian S4. There's other threads that discuss methods of sim unlocking the ATT S4. Here's one of them.

I just rooted my Samsung Galaxy S4 (I337m) phone using the CF-Auto-Root method (for Canadian models only) by Chainfire. And then installed and ran the regionlockaway.
Worked like a charm. Now I have an unlocked S4. I was on Bell. Tested it on Virgin simcard, it works

NeoSeeker123 said:
I just rooted my Samsung Galaxy S4 (I337m) phone using the CF-Auto-Root method (for Canadian models only) by Chainfire. And then installed and ran the regionlockaway.
Worked like a charm. Now I have an unlocked S4. I was on Bell. Tested it on Virgin simcard, it works
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bell & Virgin are the same network
So is Telus and Koodo , Rogers and Fido
Try with TELUS or Rogers SIM in your phone

I had a locked i337m from Telus that I unlocked using the regionlockaway method and it worked for me using a bell sim.

killadragon said:
I had a locked i337m from Telus that I unlocked using the regionlockaway method and it worked for me using a bell sim.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which version did you have when you used regionlockaway? 4.4.2? thanks

cool77 said:
Which version did you have when you used regionlockaway? 4.4.2? thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Regionlockaway doesn't work in 4.4.2. You have to downgrade to 4.2 for it to work.

k thanks

veryluckyguy said:
Regionlockaway doesn't work in 4.4.2. You have to downgrade to 4.2 for it to work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can we use a custom ROM 4.4.2 instead, like Maple Leaf (GE)? Or we have to stick with a stock rom 4.2.2 or custom rom at 4.2.2?
Also once regionlockaway done, is the unlock will work forever with any roms at any version?
I'm pretty new with this process...
Thank you again,
Cool77

cool77 said:
Can we use a custom ROM 4.4.2 instead, like Maple Leaf (GE)? Or we have to stick with a stock rom 4.2.2 or custom rom at 4.2.2?
Also once regionlockaway done, is the unlock will work forever with any roms at any version?
I'm pretty new with this process...
Thank you again,
Cool77
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as I know, regionlockaway works in 4.2.2 modem. You don't have to have the entire rom in that version, just the modem file. So if your rom uses the 4.2.2 modem then it should work. Once unlocked it should stick.

veryluckyguy said:
As far as I know, regionlockaway works in 4.2.2 modem. You don't have to have the entire rom in that version, just the modem file. So if your rom uses the 4.2.2 modem then it should work. Once unlocked it should stick.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so i have the MDJ modem, but i cant get it to stick. i tried via CWM and terminal..

kriEv said:
so i have the MDJ modem, but i cant get it to stick. i tried via CWM and terminal..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You just need to flash the modem.bin file with ODIN.

kriEv said:
so i have the MDJ modem, but i cant get it to stick. i tried via CWM and terminal..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Run Region LockAway from your phone after it has booted up, doesn't work from CWM or Terminal as far as I know. I have the SGH-I337m Canada Fido and was using 4.2.2 MDJ modem and it is now unlocked.. Then I flashed back to 4.4.2 Stock KitKat and all is well again and unlock does stick.

Harry TestTickles said:
Run Region LockAway from your phone after it has booted up, doesn't work from CWM or Terminal as far as I know. I have the SGH-I337m Canada Fido and was using 4.2.2 MDJ modem and it is now unlocked.. Then I flashed back to 4.4.2 Stock KitKat and all is well again and unlock does stick.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I try to install the modem via Odin but it fails and the phone says Bootload auth fail or something like that

veryluckyguy said:
You just need to flash the modem.bin file with ODIN.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry meant to quote you not the other guy. ODIN fails modem install as mentioned above

kriEv said:
Sorry meant to quote you not the other guy. ODIN fails modem install as mentioned above
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Perhaps try downloading the rom again and extract the modem file. Try flash with odin 3.07.

veryluckyguy said:
Perhaps try downloading the rom again and extract the modem file. Try flash with odin 3.07.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
do you have the modem file by any chance? 1.5gb re-download will bust my limit and i still got 2 weeks to go

kriEv said:
do you have the modem file by any chance? 1.5gb re-download will bust my limit and i still got 2 weeks to go
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not havin a good day here
Here is a link for the Canadian MDJ modem:
Xda forum link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2324667 for file below incase you want something else one day.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/2m3id2cx4l7vcze/modem_CWM_I337MVLUAMDJ.zip

Harry TestTickles said:
Not havin a good day here
Here is a link for the Canadian MDJ modem:
Xda forum link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2324667 for file below incase you want something else one day.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/2m3id2cx4l7vcze/modem_CWM_I337MVLUAMDJ.zip
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been trying a lot of modems... they all fail except 4.4 ones and 1 4.2.2 (MK6) but sim unlock doesnt work on MK6.
The ODIN 3.07 error is: Secure check fail

(Q) please help a retired customizer out

I have been basically flashing KitKat ROMs this whole year and due to life events have gotten fuzzy on the ins and outs of flashing OTA's. So here's my question/favor...
Can someone please tell me what I need to do to install superlite ROM? I THINK I have an unlocked bootloader because I am on ML1 firmware. I just keep seeing warning signs saying if I'm unlocked then do not install the NE1 based ROMs... I truly just want to get back to touchwiz and am thinking I will brick my phone if I even try ...
I figure this has been answered, but I'm so confused that I am asking for simple step by step instructions to go from SlimKat 7.0 stable on my Verizon S3 to the SuperLite rom
Sent from my SCH-I535 using XDA Free mobile app

You would need to be in the stock, VRUDNE1 4.4.2 OTA before you could run any VRUDNE1 based rom. The firmware on the VRUDNE1 update actively prevents it from booting on mismatching or older firmware. So you'll need to 1) Odin VRUCML1 4.3 and OTA to VRUDNE1 or Odin VRUDNE1 2) use Towel root to get root access 3) use unofficial Safestrap tool 4) flash Super lite using unofficial Safestrap.
Once on VRUCML1 stock OTA or higher, there is no bootloader unlock. There is no more using AOSP. There is no flashing custom kernels.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 4

[Q] Firmware Questions

I have a Verizon galaxy s3 running custom firmware. I am running the latest liquidsmooth lollipop build. I have the latest twrp. I bought this phone used on eBay. My baseband is on ml1. My question is that is it safe to flash a 4.2.1 stock firmware image via odin? Thanks in advance

Datboi459 said:
I have a Verizon galaxy s3 running custom firmware. I am running the latest liquidsmooth lollipop build. I have the latest twrp. I bought this phone used on eBay. My baseband is on ml1. My question is that is it safe to flash a 4.2.1 stock firmware image via odin? Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As long as your not on ML1 or NE1 basebands both which are locked bootloaders. By the sounds of it your bootloader is unlocked. There was only 4.1.2 for the android version, it then went to 4.3. If you want to keep the unlocked bootloader I wouldn't flash any stock firmware with the risk of locking it up
Sent from my N5

ShapesBlue said:
As long as your not on ML1 or NE1 basebands both which are locked bootloaders. By the sounds of it your bootloader is unlocked. There was only 4.1.2 for the android version, it then went to 4.3. If you want to keep the unlocked bootloader I wouldn't flash any stock firmware with the risk of locking it up
Sent from my N5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am on baseband ML1. Is it possible if I would flash the 4.1.1 stock that bootloader would be unlocked. The bootloader got locked and couldn't be unlocked on the 4.3 update. Am I correct?

Datboi459 said:
I am on baseband ML1. Is it possible if I would flash the 4.1.1 stock that bootloader would be unlocked. The bootloader got locked and couldn't be unlocked on the 4.3 update. Am I correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you can post a screen shot of your about phone screen, your already unlocked if your running twrp. It's only available on unlocked bootloaders. If you flash newer firmware you would indeed lock the bootloader and once that happens your stuck with it
Sent from my N5

Here is the screenshot

Datboi459 said:
Here is the screenshot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wouldn't flash old firmware. Your bootloader is unlocked as per your screenshot. Unless of course you want to lock your bootloader
Sent from my N5

Datboi459 said:
My question is that is it safe to flash a 4.2.1 stock firmware image via odin?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What is your ultimate goal, to simply be running "stock" (like) software ? If so, but you want to remain rooted and with an unlocked bootloader, use one of the rooted, "stock" ROMs from here. For example, AllianceROM (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1973982), MOAR (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2231050), CleanROM (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1832070), etc.

ShapesBlue said:
As long as your not on ML1 or NE1 basebands both which are locked bootloaders. By the sounds of it your bootloader is unlocked. There was only 4.1.2 for the android version, it then went to 4.3. If you want to keep the unlocked bootloader I wouldn't flash any stock firmware with the risk of locking it up
Sent from my N5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hallstevenson said:
What is your ultimate goal, to simply be running "stock" (like) software ? If so, but you want to remain rooted and with an unlocked bootloader, use one of the rooted, "stock" ROMs from here. For example, AllianceROM (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1973982), MOAR (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2231050), CleanROM (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1832070), etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the help guys. I just wanted to know if i flashed 4.1.2 or 4.1.1 stock firmware images if it would still be unlockable since the bootloader got locked down when the 4.3 update rolled out.

Datboi459 said:
Thanks for the help guys. I just wanted to know if i flashed 4.1.2 or 4.1.1 stock firmware images if it would still be unlockable since the bootloader got locked down when the 4.3 update rolled out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes it would still be unlockable if you only went up to the 4.1.2 firmware. Anything newer would lock it back down
Sent from my N5

ShapesBlue said:
Yes it would still be unlockable if you only went up to the 4.1.2 firmware. Anything newer would lock it back down
Sent from my N5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay that's what I wanted to know. What are some of the best touch whiz looking roms?

Datboi459 said:
Okay that's what I wanted to know. What are some of the best touch whiz looking roms?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It was mentioned by @hallstevenson a few posts above. Best bet is MOAR, Alliance ROM or CleanRom
Sent from my N5

Okay thanks to everyone that helped me in this thread.

Datboi459 said:
...if i flashed 4.1.2 or 4.1.1 stock firmware images if it would still be unlockable...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If your phone is rooted and/or has an unlocked bootloader, anything related to "flashing stock" should be avoided like the plague. Yes, on the S3 you can safely flash stock firmware with no fear, but far, far, far too many make the mistake of flashing an update the moment it's made available and quickly regret it.

So here's my question: say I wanted a stock look but instead of flashing official stock firmware I flashed any of the custom "stock" roms you have listed. That would be about as safe as flashing any custom rom? Is that correct?

hallstevenson said:
If your phone is rooted and/or has an unlocked bootloader, anything related to "flashing stock" should be avoided like the plague. Yes, on the S3 you can safely flash stock firmware with no fear, but far, far, far too many make the mistake of flashing an update the moment it's made available and quickly regret it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So here's my question: say I wanted a stock look but instead of flashing an official stock firmware I flashed any of the custom "stock" roms you have listed. That would be about as safe as flashing any custom rom? Is that correct?

Yes

hallstevenson said:
Yes
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay thanks alot for all your help I definitely don't want to lock down this bootloader

I got a message while trying to upgrade my software. Samsung Galaxy SIII SCH-I1535. Firmware upgrade ecountered an issue. Please use Software Repair Assistant & try again. Tried ODIN and follow steps. It says to click on Samsung Recovery file. I don't have that. Any suggestions?