yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Galaxy S III Mini General] sveris:
Looks like we are the only two owners still following this thread. Re: T-Mobile service, I didn't think that 4G/LTE would be possible with the SM-G730A because of the frequencies used by T-Mobile. For me, H2O and Cricket seem to be the best options. If I find a couple of the 4.2.2 ones - unlocked - do you think we can root them? AFAIK, they have to be rooted AND unlocked to tether and/or use the mobile hotspot function. My old Galaxy S 4G model SGH-T959V - which I rooted and unlocked - would tether and function as a mobile hotspot on both H2O and Cricket. Probably other carriers, too, but I only tested those two.
[Galaxy S III Mini General] MasiGuru:
I believe this thread is dead since the phone is so old and nobody with the expertise wants to crack it. The Samsung Galaxy Light is still being sold by T-Mobile. $80 refurbished to existing users including the sim card. It is the same size as the S3 mini but absolutely crushes it in benchmark speed tests. I rooted it first try. I can easily get it unlocked through T-Mobile if desired.

I had the GT-I8190 but sent it back due to no 4g LTE support. That phone was easy to root.

I just double checked and the SM-G730A connects just fine to 4G LTE. I was able to use it as a mobile hot spot. It is unlocked, but not rooted. Unlocking is easy, rooting is impossible. I think that as long as the phone connects to the voice network you should be able to connect to the data network. That is the point of unlocking a phone.

Probably better to move on to another phone than to try to get the SM-G730A to root. I have given way too much of my life energy to this project. My wife is using the SM-G730A unlocked phone with no issues. 4G LTE all day long. It is the one I was playing with. I actually used it for a few weeks. Nice phone. I have given up rooting it.

Move along... Nothing to see here...
[Galaxy S III Mini General] sveris:
Well, I would really like to keep using the G730A. The networks I use now have reception in several areas of the country to which I frequently travel, whereas T-Mobile does not. Some silly business about specific frequencies being used for 4G/LTE. I'm not aware of a version of the Galaxy Light which would deliver 4G/LTE service with H2O or Cricket [or maybe some of the other GSM carriers. I do know that my G730A won't give me 4G/LTE service with T-Mobile.

Reaching and using the data network is not a problem; but using either the tethering or mobile Wi-Fi hotspot feature has not yet been possible with my phone. I've managed to find an unlocked G730A, and will give it a try to see if those functions work. From what I've been told, root is ALSO required, so I'm not terribly optimistic. But, who knows: maybe I'll be able to root it since it has 4.2.2 installed. Stay tuned.
[Galaxy S III Mini General] ghostwheel:
Still here

No, you're not alone. I'm also using a newly bought SM-G730A. I bought it on amazon. I really like it vs. the "regular" S3 mini

it replaced. I actually think they should have used a different name. Even samsung galaxy express (mini?) would have been better, since it has almost nothing to do with the S3 mini. I'm on ultra mobile, the $29 plan with 1GB (I think this is on the T-mobile network). For some reason 4G LTE was really slow, so I had to switch to just 4G, which is quite fast.

I'm on a rooted 4.2.2, and it seems I shouldn't try to go up to 4.4.2
[Galaxy S III Mini General] quakeaz:
I wouldn't say this thread is dead. The phone was only released in September 2013, it's not ancient yet.

Rooting 4.4.2 is a fairly easy process following the directions in this thread.
[Galaxy S III Mini General] MasiGuru:
Have you taken the time to read this entire thread?

Stop telling me to "FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS" I AM FOLLOWING THE ******* INSTRUCTIONS AND THEY DO NOT WORK FOR MY PHONE!!! I am a software engineer and am very anal retentive when it comes to following instructions. I know that one missed step, no matter how small, might brick my phone.

This method does not work ON ALL PHONES FROM ALL CARRIERS WITH ALL BUILD DATES even if the model number is the same.

This thread is dead because too many people have reported the exact same issue and nobody with enough experience has taken the time to figure out what is going on.

THESE ROOT INSTRUCTIONS WORK FOR SOME 4.4.2 SM-G730A PHONES BUT NOT ALL. Read the entire thread again and you will see others cannot use these instructions.
[Galaxy S III Mini General] quakeaz:
I've read and participated in much of the thread. Sorry it does not work for you.

However this thread is only in reference to one build. G730AUCUBNG3.
[Galaxy S III Mini General] sveris:
ghostwheel,

I'm not sure I know what you mean when you say the "regular" S3 Mini the SM-G730A replaced. According to Samsung, the only S3 Mini for AT&T has always been the SM-G730A. There are others for different carriers -with different subscripts on the part number - but that's what they told me. Can you tell me what you meant?

You must be an experienced rooter, because you say rooting 4.4.2 is easy if you follow the instructions in this thread. But I also received 3 replies from you via email where you say the following:

"I'm on a rooted 4.2.2, and it seems I shouldn't try to go up to 4.4.2."

"I started with 4.2.2, and am still there."

"My phone has the kernel dated July 24th, 2014."

So, I'm confused. Which OS is on your phone now: 4.2.2 or 4.4.2? I thought that the July 24th, 2014 kernel was the one for 4.4.2. That's what I have on my phone right now, but it is locked and not rooted.

One last thing: I never said I used Kingo. You must have me confused with someone else.

Thanks for your input, and in helping to keep this thread active.
[Galaxy S III Mini General] quakeaz:
Just for reference there are several S3 Minis.

GT-I8190 - the international and discontinued model, officially ended life with Jelly Bean. Released October 2012.

SM-G730A - AT&T model with updated hardware and an indicator LED, currently officially on 4.4.2 firmware. Released September 2013.

SM-G730V - Verizon model, shares most of the specs of AT&T model.

SM-G730W8 - Canadian variant, shares most of the specs of the AT&T model.
[Galaxy S III Mini General] MasiGuru:
Samsung-SM-G730A

Android 4.4.2

Baseband Verion G730AUCUBNG3

Kernal 3.4.0-16707137 July 24

Model KOTH49H.G730AUCUBNG3

AT&T. Unlocked. Country of origin unknown due to eBay purchase.

The July 24 Kernal date seems to be the key from what I have read.

The root instructions here do not work for this phone.
[Galaxy S III Mini General] MasiGuru:
Precisely. Users with 4.2.2 report success. Seems all the failed attempts come from users with 4.4.2.
[Galaxy S III Mini General] ghostwheel:
Yes, and the GT-I8190 is the phone that most threads in the 'Samsung Galaxy S III Mini' forum are about.

The GT-I8190 has a 1 GHz dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 cpu, different from our Qualcomm 1.2 GHz dual-core Snapdragon 400.

The GPU is also different: ARM Mali-400 MP vs. our Adreno (225 or 305? I'm not sure).

The SM-G730* also has 4G and LTE, which the original didn't.

The GT-I8730 (one of the versions of samsung galaxy express), on the other hand, has the same CPU, similar or same GPU,

also 4G and LTE, and just a different screen size.

So, possibly we can join forces with the GT-I8730 crowd (sadly, it seems that the samsung galaxy express has the same problem - some models are very different

from the GT-I8730)
[Galaxy S III Mini General] quakeaz:
Yes, Adreno 305 is correct. Still strange it did not work out for you, that build does have a kernel build date of July 24. Never had an issue rooting.
[Galaxy S III Mini General] ghostwheel:
I meant the GT-I8190, my previous phone, and subject of most threads in this forum, sadly.

Sorry, I think there is a confusion about who said what :) I have a rooted 4.2.2, for which there are several methods of rooting it seems.

I was trying to find out if it would be worth it to go to 4.4.2, and it seems for now the answer is NO.

I am an experienced rooter, or at least experienced enough to know that you should do it very carefully. and even then 30% of the time something

goes wrong (on a new phone). I'd say official OS updates are just as bad.

---------- Post added at 09:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:38 PM ----------

Oh, good. So for you rooting 4.4.2 worked. Did you have it long enough on 4.4.2 to tell if the upgrade is worth it?

How is the new battery life? On 4.2.2 I'm pretty happy. I regularly get 2-3 days.
[Galaxy S III Mini General] quakeaz:
Yeah, rooting worked for me. I'm not sure if it's worth it, I like some of KitKat's features, but most of them aren't critical. Battery life for me was about the same. I've been running KitKat for almost the full 6 months it has been available. I never got 2-3 days even with Jelly Bean, but our usages may differ.

I'd say if you're happy with 4.2.2, stick with it, unless you need KitKat specific features or apps. Or at least wait until (if) ATT pushes 4.4.4 or Lollipop. I always like trying Google's latest myself.
[Galaxy S III Mini General] sveris:
quakeaz,

Since you seem to be one of very few owners who have successfully rooted the SM-G730A with 4.4.2 and the July 24th kernel installed, is there any chance you could summarize the rooting steps for those of us who are less experienced?
[Galaxy S III Mini General] ghostwheel:
Sorry for being somewhat out of topic. But is our bootloader really locked?

I just tried to enter download mode (power on pressing vol up+home+power button)

and got a yellow triangle screen warning me about installing custom OS, which seems to imply that one

could install a custom OS. Except that we don't have any... but we could try CyanogenMod for GT-I8730....
[Galaxy S III Mini General] sveris:
On my phone, the sticker located under the battery shows the country of origin.

---------- Post added at 05:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:59 PM ----------

Sorry, I think there is a confusion about who said what :) I have a rooted 4.2.2, for which there are several methods of rooting it seems.

I was trying to find out if it would be worth it to go to 4.4.2, and it seems for now the answer is NO.

I am an experienced rooter, or at least experienced enough to know that you should do it very carefully. and even then 30% of the time something

goes wrong (on a new phone). I'd say official OS updates are just as bad.

---------- Post added at 09:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:38 PM ----------

Sorry about the confusion about who had successfully rooted which version : I had ghostwheel mixed up with quakeaz. My bad. :(
[Galaxy S III Mini General] quakeaz:
It is really locked. If you're on 4.4.2, and you try to flash 4.2.2 again with Odin, instant soft-brick.

Also, I build Android kernels from time to time, I compiled a kernel for this device. I was unpleasantly surprised when I flashed it and the phone would not boot. It told me to take it to an AT&T store and that unofficial software was detected. No biggie, just flash stock kernel again and it's up and running.

It's locked by request of AT&T, Knox itself does not prevent custom ROM usage, but per request of the carriers, the bootloader can be made to reject non-official images. That is the case with the SM-G730A unfortunately.

---------- Post added at 03:36 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:08 PM ----------

This contains most of the same information from the original post...

1. Enable USB debugging

- Dial *#0808#

- Select last option, DM+Modem+ADB

- The phone must prompt you to allow USB debugging. This is very important, if this does not happen, rooting will fail.

- You may need to download the Android SDK to get this prompt. http://dl.google.com/android/android-sdk_r24.0.2-windows.zip

- Extract the SDK and run /sdk/tools/ddms.bat - your phone should prompt you to allow USB debugging from your PC, make sure you check the 'Always allow this computer' box!. Press OK.

2. Reboot phone into Download mode (Volume Down + Home + Power)

- Connect phone to PC with stock USB cable

- Select PDA slot in Odin

- Place root_boot.tar.md5 in the PDA slot (extracted from Root_kernel.rar). Some people had to remove the .md5 extension and rename to 'boot.tar' to make it work.

- The device will reboot, but the display will remain black.

- Run Saferoot.

That is the only part I feel needs clarification, the rest do as the OP said... all download links are in the original post of this thread. I have a feeling step one may be what wasn't done right for some users who tried this.

Saferoot will guide you through it's process. When saferoot is ready and the su binary is installed, proceed to step 4. In step 4, extract 'Restore_display_kernel.rar' and flash the 'restore_boot.tar.md5' image as directed.

Of course this is still at your own risk...

NOTE: Other options for downloading the Android SDK: http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html

---------- Post added at 03:50 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:36 PM ----------

Those who have tried to root 4.4.2 and failed.

At what stage does it fail? What exactly happens that prevents you from finishing the process?

This would be very helpful to know to troubleshoot the issue.
[Galaxy S III Mini General] ghostwheel:
So maybe we don't a real 4.2.2 flashable rom. I bet I would have the same problem if I tried to flash 4.2.2 on mine.

So, 4.4.2 could be the safest currently. If I tried kn0x0ut on 4.4.2, and something went wrong (I think kn0x0ut manually replaces all files by the files from the rom, so you end up

with almost the same OS, except for kernel), I could always flash back to 4.4.2?
[Galaxy S III Mini General] quakeaz:
I don't know anything about kn0x0ut. But I can tell you for certain, once you've got the 4.4.2 bootloader, there is no going back. You're stuck with 4.4.2. Also, don't try any I8190 ROMs or recoveries. Completely different hardware (SoC), and mount points also I'd assume.

You can reflash 4.4.2 if something goes wrong, as long as the bootloader is undamaged and you can still boot into download mode. Only stock 4.4.2 will flash though.

---------- Post added at 04:21 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:11 PM ----------

Beware of one KitKat limitation though. If you use apps that store lots of data on your removable sdcard, KitKat has a security limitation that prevents 3rd party apps from fully utilizing the external sdcard. Stock system apps like the camera and stuff can still use it. However, once rooted, there are ways around this.
[Galaxy S III Mini General] ghostwheel:
Of course! I was thinking of GT-I8730 instead of i8190. But I don't think flashing would work. As far as I understand, kn0x0ut takes just the files of a rom,

and running as root under the normal kernel, not in download mode, just manually replaces all files by files from the rom. I have never tried it, though.

That is promising. I think kn0x0ut doesn't touch bootloader or kernel, so one should always have the option of fixing the phone....
[Galaxy S III Mini General] quakeaz:
Oh, that sounds like it could work. Kind of like using Mobile Odin to downgrade. But unfortunately our device is not supported by Mobile Odin. [emoji17]
[Galaxy S III Mini General] MasiGuru:
Been there, done that way too many times. Reflashing 4.4.2 unbricked the phone every time. Roms for any other models would not load.
[Galaxy S III Mini General] sveris:
Many thanks for the summary - especially the added notes. I'll read, re-read, and digest it over the weekend - and then give it a try. Even though I've rooted and unlocked a couple of other phones, my experience level is on the low end of the scale.

I just noticed in a later post that one can "always" re-flash the stock 4.4.2. Unless the boot loader is damaged. So, how does one tell if damage has occurred, and are there suggestions for avoiding damage? I know there are no guarantees, but I don't want to try anything really stupid.
[Galaxy S III Mini General] MasiGuru:
In my case I was able to always recover from a soft brick. Others have not been so lucky. I would not say you could "always" reflash, just that in my case it always worked. YMMV.

Just by hooking up your phone to your computer and loading software "through the back door" you are taking a risk. That is why I always play with a "non mission critical" phone before modifying my daily use phone. I never touch my phone until it is out of warranty and I have a second phone to play with first.

You do use Kies to do a full backup of your contacts and stuff before you start playing?
[Galaxy S III Mini General] sveris:
Yes, I always use Kies to create a full backup. But I've never had to use it to recover from a soft brick.

And, losing my "stuff" has never been a real concern. I keep copies of Contacts, Photos, Music, etc. on the micro SD card and also on my PC.
[Galaxy S III Mini General] MasiGuru:
I have used Kies to recover from soft bricking my Note 10.1 2014 since I could not find a stock ROM to use with Odin. Knox has been tripped, but who cares since the tablet is out of warranty anyway.

I also have moved all my personal data to the sd card. Best Buy is selling a 128 gig Sandisk micro sd card for $99. I should buy two more at that price just because I can.
[Galaxy S III Mini General] sveris:
Forgive my ignorance, but when you used Kies to recover, did you simply select the most recent OTA upgrade date or what? Plus, if your phone originally came with 4.2.2 - would there even be an OTA upgrade listed in Kies to select?

Also, which version of Kies are you using? When I opened it today, it said there was an upgrade available. Of course, I declined the upgrade - thinking that the new version might have been changed so that we could no longer use it for recovery. FYI, the new version offered this afternoon was 3.2.15013.17.

And, finally, is there anything wrong with the less expensive generic micro SD cards? Actually, a 128GB Sandisk one just went for $ 39.99 with free shipping from the USA on Ebay a minute ago.
[Galaxy S III Mini General] MasiGuru:
Every time I did a recovery I got the latest OS. You are not prompted for a choice.

For 4.2 I think you have to use Kies 2(?). For 4.4.2 you have to use Kies 3. Only you can decide if you want to use the latest version of Kies. I always use the latest software in whatever I do. I think Samsung is phasing out Kies anyway and going to something different.

There is a reason generic cards are cheaper. Absolutely yes there is something wrong with purchasing a generic card, let alone purchasing one off of FleeBay. Ask any professional photographer what the think about generic cards. You are taking a HUGE chance on getting a counterfit card with no follow on support when you purchase off of fleeBay. Who will provide warrantee support? I have had generic memory cards fail. Sandisk and Lexar have NEVER failed me. For the extra $60 I think it is well worth the piece of mind bying from an established retailer. $99 is $100 off of retail. If I have an issue or just do not want it any more within 30 days I can walk into any Best Buy and get all my money back, no questions asked.
[Galaxy S III Mini General] sveris:
My current Kies version is 3.2.14113_3 - installed in November of 2014. So, I already have Kies 3 - just not the latest version. That's why I was curious about which one you had used for your 4.4.2 recovery.

So, that Sandisk Ultra 128GB card for $39.99 in sealed manufacturer's package was a good deal, eh? Or, do you only feel comfortable buying from mayor retailers?
[Galaxy S III Mini General] MasiGuru:
Counterfeits are all over the place, not just eBay. You have absolutely no way of knowing if you just purchased a counterfeit memory card or not. Same goes for batteries for cameras and phones. There are some products I refuse to purchase off of eBay due to criminal activity or not being able to verify authenticity. When you purchase from major on line retailers you usually have follow on support.

You want to risk all your vacation pics on an unkown memory card?

http://www.ebay.com/gds/FAKE-SanDisk-Ultra-Secure-Digital-Cards-Exposed-/10000000001254879/g.html

"If the price is too good to be true, it probably is"

and

"The bitterness of cheap quality lasts long after the sweetness of a low price"
[Galaxy S III Mini General] sveris:
Thanks for the link to the information on the fake micro SD cards. The scammers are pretty sophisticated now - duplicating the factory sealed packaging. Yeah, the trouble is that it's the scammer's factory, and not Sandisk.

I'm reading and researching the rooting instructions for 4.4.2, and I imagine I will have more questions. I'd like to get it right the first time, and not have to struggle through recovering from a soft brick. Or, worse.
[Galaxy S III Mini General] hmrd:
"Allow USB Debugging" Prompt Issues and Success

A few months ago, I was trying to root my S3 mini using these instructions and had trouble getting my phone to prompt me with "Allow USB Debugging," but eventually after much effort I received the prompt.

It all came down to the method of connecting the data cable from the phone to the computer.

Originally, with no success, I had been connecting the data cable by first plugging the microUSB side into the phone and then plugging the USB side into the computer.

(The data cable was the original, brand new samsung cable that came with the phone.)

Only when I reversed the order, first plugging the USB side into the computer and then plugging the microUSB side into the phone, did the prompt finally appear.

This is a list of what I tried before changing the method of connecting the data cable:

Toggling through the USB Settings MTP and PTP etc. before I select DM+Modem+ADB

Toggling "USB Debugging" under developer options

Installing different versions of the Samsung USB drivers

Installing different versions of Kies (Used only to detect if my phone was communicating with computer, which it was)

Uninstalling/reinstalling drivers

Plugging/unplugging USB data cable

Hope this helps others who are having the same issue.

By the way, great job on these instructions.
[Galaxy S III Mini General] sveris:
Thanks for the tip about plugging in the USB cable. I've found the same thing: that the order can be very important, as well as whether or not the phone is On or Off. Were you ultimately successful in rooting your G730A? I still haven't gotten around to trying it on one of my two, identical S3 Minis. I like the 4G LTE service speeds I'm getting now, with H2O Wireless, and it would be nice to have these phones rooted. Then, if all goes well, getting them unlocked.
[Galaxy S III Mini General] 302dude:
Samsung Galaxy s3 mini sm-g730a roms and recovery

Is there any hope of getting a rom and recovery for this phone? I just got one very cheap and have rooted it but I see there are no roms because of the locked bootloader. I know this has been overcome before with safestrap and such like for the s3 verizon model. Any hope for this or should I just resell this thing?
[Galaxy S III Mini General] sveris:
Which model S3 Mini did you root? If it was the SM-G730A for AT&T - running 4.4.2 - I would be very interested to learn how you did it. After rooting, did you get rid of most bosatware? Also, are you able to use the WiFi hotspot or USB tethering with your carrier? Which carrier are you using now? AFAIK, nobody is working on the locked bootloader issue.
[Galaxy S III Mini General] 302dude:
It's is the ATT s3 mini sm-g730a with 4.4.2 I am using it on straight talk. I have not tested Hotspot or tethering but wifi and everything works

I used the method on here where you flash the 2 kernels with Odin it took me a few tries but I got it rooted I bricked it first thing out of the box but refreshed easily

There's no developer settings you have to dial *#0808# to change modem and kids doesn't support it so you have to find the right drivers before anything

Overall it's a great phone for $50 plenty of memory and power with SD card and good display. My battery stays charged all day with heavy use

I will report on tethering and Hotspot when I get a chance and yes you can remove bloat ware with a root uninstaller app or something similar because it comes with a bunch.
[Galaxy S III Mini General] 302dude:
Screenshot of root.