yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] spectar1981us:
I am sorry if this has already been answered, I have use the search feature and have been reading up on the issue for a couple of weeks now, but still have a couple of questions that I can’t seem to find a clear answer for. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I have an att Samsung galaxy s4

Model # samsun-sgh-I337

Android version 4.2.2

Baseband version I337UCUAMDL

Kernel version 3.4.0-46#1

Build # JDQ39.I337UCUAMDL

My questions are:

1.	Will this method work for my phone? I mainly just want root access for a few apps. I am not interested m installing new roms or custom recovery’s (although If this installs a custom recovery I guess it wouldn’t hurt me one way or the other)

2.	Is there a way to undo this if I ever have to do a warranty repair?

3.	Will this erase my personal info on the phone (apps, data, contacts, etc.)?

Thank you in advance for your help and for all you have done for the android community!
[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] Jah0n:
Great post. Thanks!
[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] xBeerdroiDx:
1. yes, this guide, followed step-by-step, will take you from start to finish on the entire process. if you just want root access without a custom recovery, check out the video guide by TheSmokingAndroid under step 2. if you want a custom recovery in order to make a backup or flash a rom, check out Adam's "Casual" root method, also under step 2.

2. if you want to unroot the device for any reason, download the at&t stock firmware (available in the android development section and sammobile.com) and flash it via Odin. then boot into custom recovery and wipe date/factory reset.

3. just rooting will not wipe anything off your device. when you get into flashing other roms, etc, the various levels of wiping required for the various stock/non-stock roms will determine what is and isnt erased. when flashing, make backups in your custom recovery. if you want a quick app/data restore after flashing a new rom, check out titanium backup.

cheers
[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] thanhngo:
hmm...

i have one think want to ask but hope u can understand cuzz my english is not good :D, i want to flash a custom rom but i have see some ROM have Ads-on i just to know how to install those ads-on for that ROM tks for reading this, i'm a newbie :D
[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] :
Edit: Posted question in the questions thread!
[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] xBeerdroiDx:
add-on zips are flashed from recovery.

the top rom is simply the stock rom that came on your device.

when it comes to loki, if a rom has been loki'd already you simply flash it. if the developer says it is not loki'd, you need to flash the loki-doki zip immediately after flashing the rom or flash a loki'd kernel. its not difficult at all.

if you prefer the look and feel of stock android, there are plenty of stable ones in the original android development section. cheers
[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] :
Great! Thanks for the help. Yea, I much prefer the look and feel of stock, vs the one that came on the phone. Would that be the ROM that I posted in the 3rd link (http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2349077)?

Are there any steps I need to to before or after flashing this one?
[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] xBeerdroiDx:
yes, those GE roms have that aosp look you prefer. the link you provided has a 4.2.2 and 4.3 google edition rom to choose from. i prefer that look/functionality as well and have been using task's 4.2.2 rom and KT's kernel together for a couple months now.

for installing, just follow the dev's instructions in the OP. be sure to make a backup. be sure you're on the MDL baseband (per that dev). while you're wiping in recovery, i would also wipe cache and dalvik cache. cheers
[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] :
Great, done! Everything looks great.

2 more questions:

All my old data is still on my phone, just taking up space (waiting for a restore or something). I'm fine with wiping everything and starting from scratch, is it OK to do a complete factory reset, then mount the ROM?

Are the features like smart scroll and smart pause still available somehow?
[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] :
Best to read OP and first and last 20 pages of rom thread before doing anything

I think smart scroll and pause are only not available on KT's newer kernels--someone can confirm that

there was some build that doing factory reset wiped internal sd. so, i don't do that at all. just wipe data/cache/system/dalvik cache and you are good

forget which rom that was on wiping internal
[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] caanda45:
Hey Guys just got my SGS4, charging and unlocking the device first then will root. So what is the prevailing attitude here on TWRP or CWM? I have used both and like both. What I would like to know is does the SGS4 like one better than the other? I found that when I had my SGS3, it did not matter, when I had a LG Optimus G it liked the CWM better on some roms.......say any adivce would be appreciated!!!!!!
[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] xBeerdroiDx:
pick the one you prefer or give them both a shot. i have used both custom recoveries on my s4 without any problems from either. cwm is my preference, though, so that's what i have been running on the last month or so.

cheers and welcome to the s4 boards
[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] NoobDude:
Just to be 100% clear, this if my first Sammy device, can i still use this tool/guide if the phone already has the MF3 update? Please don't flame me I did search but found no definitive answer.
[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] xBeerdroiDx:
This is a flame-free thread, buddy.

Unfortunately there is no root method for those on MF3 yet. I'm sure something is in the works. I will post an update as soon as there is new information. Cheers
[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] drWIDOWMAKER:
I have been trying to install Triangle Away on my AT&T s4 SGH-1337. It keeps telling me that my sdcard is being used by another program. Is the is a bootloader issue? If so, how do I unlock the bootloader on this device?

Sorry for being a NOOB!:(
[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] bo8:
Couldn't post in bhp090808's thread ([TOOL](OneClick)UPDATED 7-8-13 CANADIAN I337m ROOT & RECOVERY) but successfully rooted my Telus I337M.

So quick and easy! Thank you!
[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] castle0612:
My galaxy S4 updated to the latest build MF3 if im not mistaken, before i was able to root for the first time, and now as I understand root is not possible at this point.. Do we have an ETA or where can I know when this is up and running.. searching multiples forums with no answer :(
[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] xBeerdroiDx:
Post #65 above.

Cheers
[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] msd24200:
Figures, picked up my s4, sales clerk had it for a long time. Handed it to me and said there was already an update for it so he let it update for me. Now mine is on mf3
[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] force70:
I would have handed it back to him and said no thanks!
[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] xBeerdroiDx:
There is a 14 day return policy.
[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] TornSack:
Thanks

Very helpful guide
[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] Taboltini:
Today I've got my new s4 from att =) Now it's on MDL. I just said that I don't like the color and I want to exchange it. Purposely I didn't take my SIM card with me and said that I will finish with my phone at home.At the time of first start I didn't activate WiFi to stop firmware update. Then after root, I installed Titanium Backup and frozen 3 app below:

1. AT&T Software update Vxx_x_xxxx_x_x

2. FWUpgrade x.x.x

3. LocalFOTA vx_xxxx_x_x

It was easy and no more MF3
[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] Mr Strange:
Good idea.

Another way is to order the phone online. You do the whole set up when you buy online. Simply follow the steps Taboltini posted.
[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] fageria:
thnx for it :good::fingers-crossed:
[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] jon199021:
Super helpful, and I'm definitely a fan of the effort that you put into the thread; graphics look good man!
[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] xBeerdroiDx:
Welcome to all those that are coming across this thread. I'm glad it's a useful tool along the rooting road. As you visit the different rooting and unlocking threads linked here, please remember to thank the awesome folks that made it all possible. They put a lot of effort into this. Cheers
[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] AstronomicaI:
If I rooted my phone, installed CWR and a ROM, then wanted to go back to stock and unroot, would it be ok to install the stock ROM over the custom ROM, shouldn't I do a clean flash?
[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] xBeerdroiDx:
Yes, it's best to perform a wipe whenever changing roms. If you're restoring a nandroid in order to return to stock, perform the necessary wipes, restore and then wipe data/factory reset again. If you're returning to stock via Odin, wipe data/factory reset in recovery the bit into download mode as you prepare for Odin. When its done flashing, but back into recovery and wipe data & cache then reboot. Cheers
[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] chimmani:
thank you
[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] AstronomicaI:
Would this just return me to stock ROM? Would this method completely unroot me along with removing the custom recovery?
[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] xBeerdroiDx:
Updated Post #2. Cheers :good:
[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] MrKal_El:
Love this thread....helped a lot!

---------- Post added at 05:30 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:24 AM ----------

One thing I noticed is when I followed all the steps and flashed my first ROM (a 4.3 based ROM), my total space is only 9.72 GB (not close to 16GB).... Does this have to do with the back up I did with CWM?

Should I remove it from my internal memory by hooking it up to my computer?
[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] xBeerdroiDx:
this 9+ gigs is common for all S4's, including those that are stock/unrooted. nothing to worry about. one of the many reasons its a good idea to nab a micro sd card to keep in your device. leave your backup on your device in the event you need it.

cheers
[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] MrKal_El:
Thanks so much for the update!
[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] MrKal_El:
Another quick question guys...

If flashing an update to a ROM that is already installed (same maker) do you all Wipe everything again? I've heard some people say to wipe just Dalvik and Cache...but not user data

...and some say Wipe everything and start from scratch...

Any help would be great fellows!
[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] :
Usually OP will say if OK to flash over. Go by that first. If small incremental changes and version is say 2.1 to 2.2 a flash over usually is OK. A 2.1 to 3 may require a wipe of some type. If there are framework changes usually a full wipe is best. Wiping caches never hurts. Even if you are not updating. Have a nandroid on phone and pc. An sdcard bu on pc too and you can get out of most problems. Also, to me a full wipe includes System.
[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] MrKal_El:
Once again...thanks for the quick response!
[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] :
NP
[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] gsar:
I just wanted to drop in and say thanks for compiling this guide! I used it in my process of rooting and flashing my new S4.

I did have one issues, but it was self-inflicted, along the way. When I was wiping the S4 I did the system wipe where I had to type "YES", the ROM install went fine but on the first reboot the phone was stuck in a boot loop issue. I had to ODIN back to factory then start again.

Other than that, I'm enjoying my Flashed Rom S4 now.

Thanks again
[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] anaxagorasbc:
so i just got my phone back from repairs at samsung (new digitizer) and it now has MF3, this means I can root, but not install a new bootloader or custom rom?
[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] jd1639:
You're correct. To root http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?p=44324634
[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] jrodsep:
What would be the proper way to unroot/return to stock + remove the padlock screen and flash counter? That's the only thing keeping me from root/flashing right now.

Haven't found a definite answer. Thanks.
[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] xBeerdroiDx:
i just want to throw out a word of caution to all those who have found themselves on MF3 for 1 reason or another: if you have no idea how to navigate your way back from a soft brick on this specific firmware, it may be wise to avoid rooting at the moment and wait until other exploits and a custom recovery are available. i understand many users wish to get their devices rooted ASAP (i would be foaming at the mouth too) but i dont wish to see any more people (noobs and flashaholics alike) stuck waiting around for a fix because, since rooting MF3, they've found themselves up a creek. simply put, if you arent sure how to fix it, dont attempt modding it.

cheers
[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] jd1639:
Agreed, and with no easy way to return via nandroid you should be extra cautious. If you're not sure what your doing, don't do it.
[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] BLKWIDOW:
looks like a solid guide to me. Tested an works
[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] doesntmatterx:
How do I determine if my phone is using MF3 firmware?
[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] xBeerdroiDx:
settings > about phone > baseband version. read up.

cheers
[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] :
that's a tough one to bite lip on :)
[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] force70:
And then some...wow, just wow. I.smell a brick on the way...

sent from my i337m, i317m or i747m
[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] doesntmatterx:
Thanks I actually did know that, I have done multiple roots on S2 and installed many custom roms, however I couldnt tell based on the baseband version if that particular baseband was MF3. My new S4 says "1337UCUAMDL" What options do I have with this baseband? Im assuming after a quick google search, since this baseband has no MF3 in it, I can essentially root it, install touch wiz, then install a custom rom as normal correct?
[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] :
First off I am no expert on Android terminology. But, I will go back to your original term of firmware for your phone with MDL. MF3 is the latest firmware or OTA out. I am on 1337 att as I assume you are. The baseband is the radio. So, you can be on MDL firmware and flash the MF3 radio (baseband) and still be MDL firmware. Just don't take any MF3 OTA's to your phone from ATT.

As you are, you can root, flash recoveries and custom roms along with kernels and radios. Since our phone as a locked bootloader you will need to flash loki-doki zip or a loki'd kernel after flashing a non-loki'd rom. Which are all international and some US. The loki-dolki zip bypasses the signature verification by Samsung on allowing the recovery and kernel to boot.

That said, it is confusing on this phone coming from an HTC One S and Nexus One.

Not sure how far a long in this rooting process you are, but reading a lot is more important on this phone than some others imho. With two different processors and several variants easy to get confused on what to flash.

BD and others are great at helping all folks new to the phone get going safely. More good guides here than I can remember on my other phones.

More info on loki can be found in Dev Original Section and Google

Enjoy :)
[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] xBeerdroiDx:
this guide is here for a reason.

1. you can spend your time googling this firmware/root/flash/etc information and use 11 different sources to hopefully accomplish your goal without downloading the wrong files or using incorrect techniques.

2. or, you can follow this 5-step guide, complete the process in the safe & secure order which it should be accomplished and all the while stay on the xda site and keep from being confused by the world wide web's He said-She said root techniques.

i mean the best for everyone here. cheers
[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] doesntmatterx:
Thanks guys, its a no brainer, I will follow the guide here to the T and hope I come out on top (as I usually do knock on WOOD!):good:
[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] MrKal_El:
Great advice for people new to rooting etc (like me)...

-Sent from my Kangabean Google Ed S4
[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] walletless:
After completing step 4 (Make a Nandroid), I selected reboot device and my device is now bricked.. It stays on the "Samsung Galaxy S4" screen.. can I do anything? I could not get an EFS backup before this happened.. just the data/system/boot backup.. This is with the I337UCUAMDL .

edit 1

Tried ODIN restore, but it failed..

<OSM> Enter CS for MD5..

<OSM> Check MD5.. Do not unplug the cable..

<OSM> Please wait..

<OSM> I337UCUAMDB_I337ATTAMDB_I337UCUAMDB_HOME.tar.md5 is valid.

<OSM> Checking MD5 finished Sucessfully..

<OSM> Leave CS..

<ID:0/011> Added!!

<ID:0/011> Odin v.3 engine (ID:11)..

<ID:0/011> File analysis..

<ID:0/011> SetupConnection..

<ID:0/011> Can't open the serial(COM) port.

<OSM> All threads completed. (succeed 0 / failed 1)

edit 2

Killed kies and retried.. odin completed restore successfully, but device is still soft bricked and stuck on Samsung Galaxy S4 boot image...

edit 3

Went back to recovery and did a device wipe/factory reset.. that seems to have done the trick.. back in stock AT&T... phew!

Still no idea what I did wrong, but atleast I don't have a $500 brick!!
[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] xBeerdroiDx:
i am not sure what caused your soft brick in this case. step 4 is merely creating a backup. are you sure you didnt create the backup, do the wiping steps next and then reboot? also, the guide does not call for a reboot until you have completed the steps.
[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] walletless:
Nope.. it was step 4 only.. the last sub-step in step 4 says

so I selected reboot instead of staying in recovery.
[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] xBeerdroiDx:
you are correct. i had assumed you were wishing to continue through the guide and wipe/flash.

odd. i have never seen someones device bootloop or brick after booting into recovery and making a backup only. i'm glad you got it worked out.
[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] think0011:
Help got moved to baseband i337UCUAMF3 and I cannot use my TMO SIM anymore

New to this arena.

Accidental OTA update to baseband i337UCUAMF3.

Is there any help out there to unlock/root the phone?
[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] :
Checkout this page a few back and BD's comments--:)
[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] walletless:
Root - yes. See the 2nd post in this thread.

SIM Unlock - You will need to contact AT&T for that... MF3 blocks the backdoor way of unlocking

Bootloader unlocking - Unfortunately there is no known way to do that in MF3.. you will have to wait till someone claims the huge bounty!
[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] xBeerdroiDx:
rugmankc is a wise fellow: http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=44363359&postcount=95 :good:
[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] gpscar:
Totally confused noob

I have an AT&T GS4 on MF3 and I was wondering if it was possible to root it for a week and then unroot it. I know when I unroot it I will lose everything I unlocked during my root but I want to know if it was at all possible.
[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] jd1639:
What do you mean by unlock? There is a lot of information in the forums and you should read a bunch of it before you decide to root since you're on mf3. Right now it is dangerous to do, if you mess up your phone there is now no easy way to recover it.
[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] gpscar:
By unlock I meant anything I do while root.
[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] jd1639:
There are a lot of things you could do that would make it unusable, and no, you probably can't recover from them. I would recommend that you don't root.
[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] gpscar:
How to unroot MF3

I want to know how someone would go about unrooting an AT&T GS4 on the MF3 build. I don't care about loss of data or anything like that. I just wanna know how someone would do it. If someone could link a good tutorial for me to follow that would be great as I cannot find one.
[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] mikecantreed:
When you lose your keys check where's the first place you look... The OP.
[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] :
The OP talks about Odin. You can't use it--

If you go to jortex's thread linked in Op and to last page

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?p=44598687&highlight=unroot#post44598687

there appears to be no unroot available atm

I have not researched much on this as I am not in your situation. Would read that thread if you haven't--:)
[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] cj1221:
sorry for the unconveniance, but is this thread showing me how to flash my galaxy s4 rooted with a custom recovery on mf3??
[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] xBeerdroiDx:
Negative. Post 1 (for at&t users) is for those still on MDB or MDL. if you are an at&t i337 user on MF3 then please refer to the section in post #2. Cheers
[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] fukenbiker:
wait DO NOT FLASH!!! read the xda fine print!

I see your section in post #2:

►►AT&T SGH-I337 USERS - MF3 OTA & ROOT SUPPORT◄◄

There has been a lot of questions and information flooding the forums lately concerning AT&T's latest [MF3] firmware. This small section is to address, in brief, the proper channels for each user in the 3 circumstances listed below. This section will be maintained and updated daily as new details and methods surface. Be sure to thank these guys as you visit their threads.

►I want the MF3 firmware:

If you have received notification of the MF3 update and wish to proceed while still retaining root and recovery, refer to this guide by [MENTION=1124755]Aou[/MENTION].

►I want to block the MF3 OTA altogether:

Check out this method by [MENTION=426561]scrosler[/MENTION] to block the OTA update and remain on stock/rooted MDB or MDL firmware.

►I have already received the OTA update / My device shipped with MF3:

In this scenario, visit [MENTION=4399896]jortex[/MENTION]'s recent root guide here in order to achieve root access. Although there is now a root method for the MF3 firmware, please understand there is no custom recovery, no option to revert to older firmware and no current MF3 Odin-flashable firmware image. Proceed at your own risk.

that's IT?

An excited new owner of an SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 on AT&T wants to flash their S4 and try out some new Roms and they come here and see this. And they don't read real careful, and having had some past experience, gets root and then tries installing a custom recovery with Goo manager or what ever. Next thing you know, they're making a new "help me" thread in the Q & A help and troubleshooting section.

Where is the big bold text about how important it is to make sure to check your baseband version or something? The title of the OP is drawing them in like a pied piper and only a small font description of what's the matter.

Just trying to help with my recent point of view as a noob.
[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] xBeerdroiDx:
Thanks for your insight, [MENTION=3571284]fukenbiker[/MENTION]. Your points are valid but your approach sucks. Private messaging would have been a more constructive route. When I get home tonight from my 12 hour shift, I'll get started on some thread adjustments in order to eliminate as many future bricks as possible.

-The Pied Motherf*¢#ing Piper
[AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] fukenbiker:
I have yet to try a "private" message. Why bother? The NSA records every click with PRISM and what not. Beg pardon if I embarrassed your Motherf*¢#ing highness. Review TheSmokingAndroid counterpart to your earth shaking revelations in the General Section about getting root. I saw his warning was a bit better, but felt it lacking so I laid it out biker style in a new post in his rooting thread.