Database Info

[Q] how to check if my bootloader is unlockeed if not how do i

i rooted my gs3 from verizon how to i flash custom roms and unlock my boot loader: note my samsung unlock padlock img boots up first and i have superuser thx

bennyboy2120 said:
i rooted my gs3 from verizon how to i flash custom roms and unlock my boot loader: note my samsung unlock padlock img boots up first and i have superuser thx
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to tell us what rom version you're running? Go into settings->about phone and report the rom version.(like 4.1.2 or 4.3 etc..)

buhohitr said:
You need to tell us what rom version you're running? Go into settings->about phone and report the rom version.(like 4.1.2 or 4.3 etc..)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
4.3

bennyboy2120 said:
4.3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have a locked bootloader, and you can't unlock it.
You can only root, install safestrap, and flash touchwiz 4.3 roms only.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

bennyboy2120 said:
i rooted my gs3 from verizon how to i flash custom roms and unlock my boot loader: note my samsung unlock padlock img boots up first and i have superuser thx
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you the same user that just posted in the Xposed framework thread about not being able to install Xposed?
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 4

Unfortunate. This confirms what I was worried about. :/
Sent from my Ñ£×Ú$ 5

BadUsername said:
You have a locked bootloader, and you can't unlock it.
You can only root, install safestrap, and flash touchwiz 4.3 roms only.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is this true for all 4.3 or just those with Knox? Last night I was trying to update from cm10.2 to cm11 and realised that trwp needed an update. After a some failed boots pf cm10 and 11 I decided to just go back to stock since I need it during the day..and unknowingly put the dreaded 4.3 on via odin. I understand how to get root...but what I really want is my bootloader again. Did I screw myself by putting 4.3 on? Thanks.

naikoo said:
Is this true for all 4.3 or just those with Knox? Last night I was trying to update from cm10.2 to cm11 and realised that trwp needed an update. After a some failed boots pf cm10 and 11 I decided to just go back to stock since I need it during the day..and unknowingly put the dreaded 4.3 on via odin. I understand how to get root...but what I really want is my bootloader again. Did I screw myself by putting 4.3 on? Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're stuck on 4.3 now, your bootloader is locked. Using Odin to load a stock 4.3 firmware is the exact same thing.
You should've odin'd a stock 4.1.2 firmware, but it's too late now.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

Safestrap Help
BadUsername said:
You have a locked bootloader, and you can't unlock it.
You can only root, install safestrap, and flash touchwiz 4.3 roms only.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm in the same boat with 4.3 - rooted with saferoot, but when I went to download safestrap to flash the only customs roms I can (TW), I don't see a download for the SCH-i535. The closest I see is for S4. Where can I get the right Safestrap download?
Thanks for your help.

Ahartless3 said:
I'm in the same boat with 4.3 - rooted with saferoot, but when I went to download safestrap to flash the only customs roms I can (TW), I don't see a download for the SCH-i535. The closest I see is for S4. Where can I get the right Safestrap download?
Thanks for your help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here u go:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2605648

S3 Safestrap
buhohitr said:
Here u go:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2605648
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome. This is exactly what I was looking for. I'm pretty set on doing this now, but I'm trying to find a solid rom to flash once I get Safestrap. Any suggestions? All I've found so far are S4 roms. The Google Play Edition rom looks pretty good.
Thanks again for your help.

I hear good word from users on old&slow tw rom over on Android development section
Sent from my unknown using Tapatalk

Ahartless3 said:
Awesome. This is exactly what I was looking for. I'm pretty set on doing this now, but I'm trying to find a solid rom to flash once I get Safestrap. Any suggestions? All I've found so far are S4 roms. The Google Play Edition rom looks pretty good.
Thanks again for your help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't flash any ROMs for the S4 onto your S3. Through safestrap you can flash almost any of the 4.3 TW (ML1) ROMs found in this section:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s3-verizon/development

landshark68 said:
Don't flash any ROMs for the S4 onto your S3. Through safestrap you can flash almost any of the 4.3 TW (ML1) ROMs found in this section:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s3-verizon/development
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Perfect! Thanks for the info! I'm downloading Wicked Sensations for ML1 right now. Hopefully that works out.

A friend of mine root his phone but he don't know how to unlock the bootloader he is on 4.1.2

android-incredible said:
A friend of mine root his phone but he don't know how to unlock the bootloader he is on 4.1.2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If he rooted his Verizon S3 on VRBMF1 4.1.2, then he could use EZ Unlock v1.2 to unlock the bootloader. Or he could use Casual.

SlimSnoopOS said:
If he rooted his Verizon S3 on VRBMF1 4.1.2, then he could use EZ Unlock v1.2 to unlock the bootloader. Or he could use Casual.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks I unlock the bootloader with the EZ-UNLOCK v1.2

android-incredible said:
Thanks I unlock the bootloader with the EZ-UNLOCK v1.2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great. Now if they accidentally or intentionally take the 4.3 VRUCML1 OTA, using EZ Unlock will cause a bootloader hard brick. Please make sure your friend understands this.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 4

Brand New Warranty replacement S3 4.3 - Am I screwed?

So my last s3 stopped working and I got a new one sent via my extended warranty. Previously I had an unlocked bootloader and root running gummy 4.4 which was awesome! My new phone came stock with 4.3 touchwiz which I am reading might be bad news. So here are my questions:
1) Is there really no way to unlock the bootloader on 4.3?
2) What are my alternatives to installing custom roms?
3) Is safestrap a stable/safe option even though its in beta?
4) Can safestrap be reversed if a method for unlocking the bootloader is revealed?
5) Where can I find a rooting tutorial for 4.3? Can I lose root easily/ corrupt my phone if a Samsung update is applied?
6) Should I wait for a downgrade option? Slash is it supposedly possible (twitter update)?

jl2222 said:
So my last s3 stopped working and I got a new one sent via my extended warranty. Previously I had an unlocked bootloader and root running gummy 4.4 which was awesome! My new phone came stock with 4.3 touchwiz which I am reading might be bad news. So here are my questions:
1) Is there really no way to unlock the bootloader on 4.3?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope.
2) What are my alternatives to installing custom roms?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As of this minute, one option: Saferoot then Safestrap.
3) Is safestrap a stable/safe option even though its in beta?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup. Read the replies in Safestrap if you need reassurance.
4) Can safestrap be reversed if a method for unlocking the bootloader is revealed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup, you could even Odin flash VRUCML1 4.3 tar and be back to "normal" again. However, don't count on the 4.3 bootloader being unlocked. There's no guarantee anyone is even utilizing their time to find an exploit and its entirely possible no one is.
5) Where can I find a rooting tutorial for 4.3? Can I lose root easily/ corrupt my phone if a Samsung update is applied?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Read me. Use Saferoot, then SafeStrap. Yes, much worse could happen in a future update as well.
6) Should I wait for a downgrade option? Slash is it supposedly possible (twitter update)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's your call. It's possible, but whether it comes to fruition is entirely different.

Will xposed module work using safestrap safe ROM? Gotta get my greenify experimental features back! And keep chat!
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app

jl2222 said:
Will xposed module work using safestrap safe ROM? Gotta get my greenify experimental features back! And keep chat!
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They should
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 4

SlimSnoopOS said:
They should
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im in the same situation as OP.. Xposed works. I'm on alliance 23.
I was wondering can we flash custom kernels then flash the dependencies or are we stuck with the safestrap kernel?
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

omair2005 said:
Im in the same situation as OP.. Xposed works. I'm on alliance 23.
I was wondering can we flash custom kernels then flash the dependencies or are we stuck with the safestrap kernel?
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think flashing a custom kernel isn't suggested with SafeStrap. I don't know the specifics, maybe @BadUsername or someone else can expand on that? I thought I read that you are still running the stock kernel even if you flash a custom kernel when using SafeStrap. Someone was discussing this before but it was not explicitly proven they were in fact running the custom kernel.

omair2005 said:
Im in the same situation as OP.. Xposed works. I'm on alliance 23.
I was wondering can we flash custom kernels then flash the dependencies or are we stuck with the safestrap kernel?
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good deal! Glad xposed works. How you liking alliance by the way? I'm torn between that and clean rom. I'm actually not the most familiar with TW roms currently. Before this replacement phone I was all ASOP.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app

jl2222 said:
Good deal! Glad xposed works. How you liking alliance by the way? I'm torn between that and clean rom. I'm actually not the most familiar with TW roms currently. Before this replacement phone I was all ASOP.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've come to the conclusion I want to use my partitions to the full capacity so I'm sticking with stock rom + xposed for any modifications I need..
Yeah same here, I was AOSP for awhile soon as I discovered Quantum Kernels..

omair2005 said:
I've come to the conclusion I want to use my partitions to the full capacity so I'm sticking with stock rom + xposed for any modifications I need..
Yeah same here, I was AOSP for awhile soon as I discovered Quantum Kernels..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Quantum Kernels huh. Not familiar with those kernels. Ill have to check them out. I would use the stock rom as well Im just worried about a random automatic update that would kill root and make my replacement phone even more useless than it already is without an unlocked bootloader. Do you know if there a way to disable the Samsung update center on the stock rom using root?

jl2222 said:
Quantum Kernels huh. Not familiar with those kernels. Ill have to check them out. I would use the stock rom as well Im just worried about a random automatic update that would kill root and make my replacement phone even more useless than it already is without an unlocked bootloader. Do you know if there a way to disable the Samsung update center on the stock rom using root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use TiBu and freeze SDM, FWupgrade

[FIRMWARE 4.4.2] VRUDNE1 full wipe tar + NE1 Update Zip

For d2vzw SCH-I535 ONLY
This is the official tar ball for VRUDNE1. DO NOT DOWNLOAD THIS FILE UNLESS YOU ARE 100% SURE YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING. Any locked bootloaders are not my fault.
THIS WILL LOCK YOUR BOOTLOADER FOREVER
4.4.2 VRUDNE1 full wipe tar download HERE
No Wipe HERE​
4.4.2 Update Zip
For reasons that should be obvious I recommend not to update yet unless you really cant wait. This zip was ripped out of the ota download folder I have not applied it myself so use at your own risk.
There has been successful upgrades using this update zip.
I am assuming you must be on a untouched version of nc1 for this to work (no root) apply update zip in stock recovery.
Download the 4.4 update zip from HERE

techfreak243 said:
i played the stupid card and softbricked my S3. i was in a curious mood and wanted to go back to a fresh 4.3 to get to a fresh 4.4.2. is there anyway for me to unbrick it with or without losing my data (preferrably losing because i want a fresh start). Does anybody know when a tar will be ready or when the file will be available through the Verizon Repair Assistant?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
flash this via odin if you bricked your bootloader!
contain: tz.mbn sbl3.mbn sbl2.mbn rbm.mbn aboot.mbn
flash on VRUDNE1 kitkat tw only

Thanks @ThePagel! Can't wait for the Tar file

I'm on the newest clean Rom but badly want tw kit Kat. I don't care about losing the ability to flash aosp or flash kernels. So when the tar comes out I will be able to just load that into Odin and put on my phone?
Sent from my SCH-I535 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

yonith said:
I'm on the newest clean Rom but badly want tw kit Kat. I don't care about losing the ability to flash aosp or flash kernels. So when the tar comes out I will be able to just load that into Odin and put on my phone?
Sent from my SCH-I535 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes sir

yonith said:
I'm on the newest clean Rom but badly want tw kit Kat. I don't care about losing the ability to flash aosp or flash kernels. So when the tar comes out I will be able to just load that into Odin and put on my phone?
Sent from my SCH-I535 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You really can't wait a few more days for a new CleanROM?
Are you really that desperate to permanently lock down your phone in such a way that only a hard-wired JTAG procedure can undo?
If you lock your bootloader, you are stuck with SafeStrap and needlessly wasting space on your phone to accommodate ROM slots.

LLStarks said:
You really can't wait a few more days for a new CleanROM?
Are you really that desperate to permanently lock down your phone in such a way that only a hard-wired JTAG procedure can undo?
If you lock your bootloader, you are stuck with SafeStrap and needlessly wasting space on your phone to accommodate ROM slots.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed.

It worked for me. Thank you
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

I messed something up, now I can't odin back to 4.3 and all I get is the firmware upgrade encoundered an issue... when I try to odin back to 4.3 it fails.. oops.

reno218 said:
I messed something up, now I can't odin back to 4.3 and all I get is the firmware upgrade encoundered an issue... when I try to odin back to 4.3 it fails.. oops.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Were you on KitKat? Cuz that's not possible to do.

LLStarks said:
You really can't wait a few more days for a new CleanROM?
Are you really that desperate to permanently lock down your phone in such a way that only a hard-wired JTAG procedure can undo?
If you lock your bootloader, you are stuck with SafeStrap and needlessly wasting space on your phone to accommodate ROM slots.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My understanding is that this is going to be similar to the gs4 where there are frankenkernels and frankenroms hacked together to keep our bootloader unlocked. This isn't as reliable as the straight kernel. Correct me if I'm wrong that was just the impression I got.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

I have a locked boot loader, I took t the 4.3 ota. If I take this new ota is there a way to root once it updates?
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

greatdaneduke said:
I have a locked boot loader, I took t the 4.3 ota. If I take this new ota is there a way to root once it updates?
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes - search for Towelroot in this forum, works great - and super easy.

yonith said:
My understanding is that this is going to be similar to the gs4 where there are frankenkernels and frankenroms hacked together to keep our bootloader unlocked. This isn't as reliable as the straight kernel. Correct me if I'm wrong that was just the impression I got.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is FUD. You've been misled. Custom roms do not touch unlocked bootloaders or require exotic engineering to keep things that way.
If you've unlocked your bootloader anytime within the past 2 years, you're set. You don't need to do anything. Just don't take the damn OTA. You should be on a custom rom or have already disabled such OTA functionality manually. If you take the OTA, you are screwed no matter what.
There's no frankenkernels or frankenroms. If you want to make a rom based on the update for normal folks who were smart enough to keep their bootloader unlocked, you simply remove the bootloader files altogether from the OTA tar/zip and begin customizing. You can use the stock kernel or compile your own using the source Samsung provided. For the poor souls who are locked down, they are stuck with the stock kernel and SafeStrap. Only thing they can modify is the system partitions they create.
There's nothing "franken" about either approach.
The only people with weird bootloader configurations are those who dipped in and out of OTA sequencing. Maybe their SBL or RPM/TZ partitions are stuck at LF2 or something just as ancient.
Ideally, every binary partition should be at firmware MF1 except for the aboot at LE6. My modem is at ML1 for the hell of it since flashing modems (even from the locked down 4.3 OTA) is safe.
tl;dr The unlocked rom scene is not impacted by Knox or anything OTAs lock down. It exists outside of the walled garden Verizon and Samsung are trying to create.

Well thanks for enlightening me! I will hold out until one of or beloved devs cook up a rom.

If I were everyone in this thread...
I would just chill out for a while...

scrosler said:
If I were everyone in this thread...
I would just chill out for a while...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This man right here...listen to this man.

Woot woooooooo.
Chillin like it's my job.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using XDA Free mobile app

open1your1eyes0 said:
This man right here...listen to this man.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good to see your still floating around the s3 threads which device are you using as of late
Sent from my SCH-I535 using XDA Free mobile app

MIKEYSAKZ said:
Good to see your still floating around the s3 threads which device are you using as of late
Sent from my SCH-I535 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm currently on the S5 as my daily driver but I bought an S3 again a few months ago as a backup phone/desk clock if something happens to my daily. It's really nice to see how far this device progressed over this time (it beat a Nexus as far as OS updates...namely Galaxy Nexus) so I just had to get it again after hearing it would get KitKat. From 4.0.4 all the way to 4.4.2 now. That is a beautiful thing to experience. :good:

S3 Options w/ unlocked bootloadert

I need some help here, I have an unlocked bootloader S3 with CleamRom 8. It's been sitting around unused for many months. I gave my S5 to my uncle in exchange for his upgrade and ordered a Note 4. In the meantime, now I am using this S3 again. I almost don't care about root anymore, can I just flash the 4.4.2 tar and have Kit Kat? If anyone ever uses this again after me, it would be someone in my family that busted their phone. I am guessing stock kit kat is far more stable than these AOSP roms. I have been out of the S3 game for atleast a year. Any feedback would be appreciated.

fillyo said:
I need some help here, I have an unlocked bootloader S3 with CleamRom 8. It's been sitting around unused for many months. I gave my S5 to my uncle in exchange for his upgrade and ordered a Note 4. In the meantime, now I am using this S3 again. I almost don't care about root anymore, can I just flash the 4.4.2 tar and have Kit Kat? If anyone ever uses this again after me, it would be someone in my family that busted their phone. I am guessing stock kit kat is far more stable than these AOSP roms. I have been out of the S3 game for atleast a year. Any feedback would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you want to keep your bootloader unlocked, you need to flash a modified version of the stock firmware so your bootloader does not re-lock. I am using the official cyanogenmod rom and I have been for months. So far so good. No glitches or jumps or jitters.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using XDA Free mobile app

poppers162 said:
If you want to keep your bootloader unlocked, you need to flash a modified version of the stock firmware so your bootloader does not re-lock. I am using the official cyanogenmod rom and I have been for months. So far so good. No glitches or jumps or jitters.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
4.3 Stock rooted, UNLOCKED boot loader, no Knox can be found here:
http://www.scottsroms.com/downloads.php?do=cat&id=72
Don't know if there's an equivalent for 4.4
Sent from my SCH-I535 using XDA Free mobile app

XdrummerXboy said:
4.3 Stock rooted, UNLOCKED boot loader, no Knox can be found here:
http://www.scottsroms.com/downloads.php?do=cat&id=72
Don't know if there's an equivalent for 4.4
Sent from my SCH-I535 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not at this point there isn't no, I don't think there ever will be one for 4.4
From my Wicked S3 on SOKP

I need help

Guys I just recovered my Galaxy S3 Verizon variant and I see if I install twrp, it would brick my device because I'm on 4.4.2 bootloader.
I want to install Lineageos how can I do it?

yoahmad1995 said:
Guys I just recovered my Galaxy S3 Verizon variant and I see if I install twrp, it would brick my device because I'm on 4.4.2 bootloader.
I want to install Lineageos how can I do it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can't, once you took the 4.4.2 update you've got a permanently locked bootloader, period. You will never be able to use TWRP/CWM or AOSP/CM based ROM or LineageOS and that's all there is to it, don't even waste your time continuing to search for away around the bootloader because it can't be done.
Your only option is root and Xposed or Safestrap recovery and modified stock ROMs.
Sent from my SM-S903VL using Tapatalk

Droidriven said:
You can't, once you took the 4.4.2 update you've got a permanently locked bootloader, period. You will never be able to use TWRP/CWM or AOSP/CM based ROM or Lineages and that's all there us to it, don't even waste your time continuing to search for away around the bootloader because it can't be done.
Your only option is root and Xposed or Safestrap recovery and modified stock ROMs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh got it. But it was 4.3 and I read even 4.3 is locked. Thank you for explaining!
Sent from my Galaxy S5 using XDA Labs

yoahmad1995 said:
Oh got it. But it was 4.3 and I read even 4.3 is locked. Thank you for explaining!
Sent from my Galaxy S5 using XDA Labs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a 4.3 build that wasn't locked(I think it was the ML1 build), then there was a 4.3 update that had locked bootloader, once that 4.3 is taken everything after that is locked.
If you have the original 4.3 and not the locked 4.3 update then you can use TWRP and custom ROMs
Sent from my SM-S903VL using Tapatalk