Very confused about MF3 - AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshootin

I just bought the HTC One for $200, but then I saw that Best Buy had the Samsung Galaxy s4 on sale for $50. I did not know which one I wanted and was truly torn between the two and ended up buying the HTC but if I can save $150 I will gladly get the s4. My only problem is that as I've been reading up on cs4 forums to make sure that I would be able to unlock root and flash custom roms I had came across what seems to be the problem with an AT&T firmware update known as mf3. If I cannot root and flash custom kernels and roms I do not think I will take advantage of the offer from Best Buy. My problem is that even after all the reading I cannot figure out whether it is possible to root and flash custom ROMs and kernels to the new version from AT&T, known as mf3, or if it is still not possible, or if it will be possible very soon so that I'm may use Android 4.4 Kit Kat on the phone or any custom Rom I wish. Can someone please clarify this for me as soon as possible because my time to return the HTC One to AT&T is coming close to its end?
Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

You can root and flash some roms using safestrap. But it's very limited. Imo I'd stay away from the s4

It's there any progress toward cracking MF3? I've had a one x for pat year and kinda wanted a change and I love the screen on the s4. If you had to choose between the s4 and the HTC one taking into consideration the mf3 problem, which would you choose? And which would you choose if there was no mf3 problem?
Sent from my HTC One X using xda app-developers app

If you can find a S4 with MDL or earlier firmware it's a excellent phone. Personally if it has MF3 or later I wouldn't bother. But that's just my opinion.

You might as well get rid of the One as well. It's just as locked down.
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Untrue, about HTCone being just as locked down. It can have it's boatload unlocked quiet easily and if you want to, although it's not necessary, you can even do s-off to get full unbridled access. I previously had a HTC one x and also from everything I've read it seems AT&T went out of there way to lock down s4 tight , just like they did to the one x but eventually the devs got it. I do want the s4 though,even though this phone is awesome(HTC One), and I can live with no custom Rom for a while but I can't go without root. So if I get a s4 with mf3 will it still be able to be rooted ? I've read up on it but don't understand what everyone is talking about when they say if the phone is encrypted or notand it seems to be random.
Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

So sick and tired of reading about MF3, or MK2 constantly on these forums. If you want to buy an S4 on AT&T look for an MDL one on eBay. It's not that hard, really.
Or buy the T-Mobile variant or International version.

Thanks for your kind response to my honest question mattmjb0188. I can't get a t mobile or international variant bc I'm on a budget. I will use my upgrade to get the phone at best buy for $50, and the condition of this price is that it must be a contract renewal/upgrade, which is another reason I can't get diff version of the phone. Did you even read the op? I would love to get one brand new out of the box with mdl but the odds of that are slim hence why I asked the question in the 1st place. So if you can't help or don't like the question then don't respond, but I do thank you for your info about the other variants that don't have issues, it just doesn't help me.
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk

Rad ryan said:
Thanks for your kind response to my honest question mattmjb0188. I can't get a t mobile or international variant bc I'm on a budget. I will use my upgrade to get the phone at best buy for $50, and the condition of this price is that it must be a contract renewal/upgrade, which is another reason I can't get diff version of the phone. Did you even read the op? I would love to get one brand new out of the box with mdl but the odds of that are slim hence why I asked the question in the 1st place. So if you can't help or don't like the question then don't respond, but I do thank you for your info about the other variants that don't have issues, it just doesn't help me.
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Anyone new on these forums just asks over and over about MF3 and the Android 4.3 update. Basically, if you get an S4 with Mf3 or later firmware, you are pretty much stuck on stock. Then we have noobs who don't read and attempt to root their MF3 phones and brick them.
On pure stock, the S4 is a bad phone. The software is very laggy and needs a lot of improvement. I was one of the early adapters when it first came out. The phone was a nightmare with MDB and MDL firmware. Mf3 made slight improvements, but not enough.
I would not even invest in buying this phone right now. Most development for it has died down because of the restrictions. Developers are moving on. Those of us with MDL firmware (like myself) won't see much continued support for Loki nowadays anyway. If the bootloader could be unlocked, I believe it would have been unlocked by now. All these workarounds are very limited, and dangerous.
Personally, I wouldn't even buy the phone at this point. Scrape the funds together for either the T-Mobile S4 or Note 3.

Get the nexus 5, you'll be very happy

Thank you very much for that answer, that was an excellent answer. Although I'm not a noob bc I've been doing this stuff for years and been a member for years.I did the trading but I am not familiar with Samsung at all bc the last Samsung I had was a captivate. It's there a lot of active development for the t mobile variant? I'm guessing it's probably around $600, right? Lastly do you think that there will be a solution to the lock down of mf3 and later in the next few months?
Again thanks for your very helpful answer.
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk

Rad ryan said:
Thank you very much for that answer, that was an excellent answer. Although I'm not a noob bc I've been doing this stuff for years and been a member for years.I did the trading but I am not familiar with Samsung at all bc the last Samsung I had was a captivate. It's there a lot of active development for the t mobile variant? I'm guessing it's probably around $600, right? Lastly do you think that there will be a solution to the lock down of mf3 and later in the next few months?
Again thanks for your very helpful answer.
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The development for the AT&T S4 has died down. In my opinion, no one will ever unlock the bootloader for it. Maybe someday with some future device, but not this device. The closest we got was with the loki method, which was great. But that's long gone now.
Look on negri for the T-Mobile variant. I think its M919. I'm not sure. T-Mobile developers have been able to make great roms for the device, instead of wasting so much time to find a workaround. Maybe even try T-Mobile out and see if they've improved in your area. They got a lot better in my area, but still a lot of EDGE.
If I were you, I'd go for the Nexus 5.

Rad ryan said:
Thanks for your kind response to my honest question mattmjb0188. I can't get a t mobile or international variant bc I'm on a budget. I will use my upgrade to get the phone at best buy for $50, and the condition of this price is that it must be a contract renewal/upgrade, which is another reason I can't get diff version of the phone. Did you even read the op? I would love to get one brand new out of the box with mdl but the odds of that are slim hence why I asked the question in the 1st place. So if you can't help or don't like the question then don't respond, but I do thank you for your info about the other variants that don't have issues, it just doesn't help me.
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Heres my suggestion, if you want the s4, get it from best buy than sell it unopened for as much as you can and than with the money you get buy a tmobile or i9505 international variant...(not i9500 or the verizon or sprint one)
The tmobile variant is probably your best bet, the tmobile variant supports all of ATT service bands so youll have no issues with reception or internet. The tmobile variant can flash roms from any of the other s4 variants (verizon sprint att i9505...just not any roms from the i9500)
So in other words if you get the tmobile variant you dont have to worry about a dead dev scene as you can always flash roms from a differnt carrier...only thing is you will probably have to set up your apns for att rom flashes
Hope that helps you
And on another note if you decide to stick with the ATT s4, every firmware can be rooted
Mdb has real recoveries, so you can flash anything as long as you "loki" the kernel - Unfortunately I do not think there are any stores that are selling phones with this firmware
Mdl has real recoveries, so you can flash anything as long as you "loki" the kernel...Unfortunately it is pretty much impossible to find a phone with this firmware in any store now
Mf3 has safestrap which is kinda like a recovery, with it you can flash any touchwiz based 4.2.2 rom (stock roms) or any 4.2.2 Google Phone Edition (aka GPE, which is an aosp experience S4, no bloatware no samsung features, its like having a nexus in the body of an s4) rom...NO CUSTOM KERNELS, NO AOSP ROMS (no cyanogenmod) - this is the firmware most phones come with
Mk2 (latest firmware) recently got a beta safestrap...as of now you can flash some 4.3 touchwiz stock based roms, alot dont boot yet, and the GPE 4.3 rom doesn't boot with it either. As it becomes stable it should work identical to the one for mf3 - phones will probably start coming with this one soon
In other words, safestrap allows you to run roms that are built off the same firmware version as your stock rom, safestrap flashes no kernel, so whatever rom you flash has to be compatible with the stock kernel of your current firmware
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---------- Post added at 08:44 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:40 PM ----------
Rad ryan said:
Thank you very much for that answer, that was an excellent answer. Although I'm not a noob bc I've been doing this stuff for years and been a member for years.I did the trading but I am not familiar with Samsung at all bc the last Samsung I had was a captivate. It's there a lot of active development for the t mobile variant? I'm guessing it's probably around $600, right? Lastly do you think that there will be a solution to the lock down of mf3 and later in the next few months?
Again thanks for your very helpful answer.
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They actually seem to be getting close to another work around which will allow you to flash any rom or kernel using safestrap...turns out theres a feature in the 4.3 mk2 kernel which allows unsigned drivers to run, in theory they can compile a kexec driver for the kernel which would allow you to use any kernel thus allowing the flash of any rom...theres a how-to thread in the original development section with more info, however...its not a guarentee we will see this anytime soon, as you never know what issues they may run into...but something to look into if your interested
EDIT: actually heres a post from the thread i mentioned which pretty much sums up how we hope this "exploit" will work as far as kernel flashing goes http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=48703510&postcount=10
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With all that said; how come I have the MF3 baseband my s4 (jflteatt), and I still have a custom recovery with the ability to flash different roms and kernels? Is it because I installed the custom recovery on an earlier baseband and then it got updated to a newer baseband but still kept recovery?
I only found out I had MF3 on my phone now because I couldn't flash a different recovery anymore.

Yes
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noel_leon said:
With all that said; how come I have the MF3 baseband my s4 (jflteatt), and I still have a custom recovery with the ability to flash different roms and kernels? Is it because I installed the custom recovery on an earlier baseband and then it got updated to a newer baseband but still kept recovery?
I only found out I had MF3 on my phone now because I couldn't flash a different recovery anymore.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is literally impossible to have officially updated through OTA while on a custom Recovery. What I suspect has been done is the same as my phone. I got an MDL device and quickly installed TWRP and a custom ROM. As new updates came out, I flashed just the baseband. So now, I have a 4.4 ROM with the MK2 baseband and am able to install anything I like.
If I were to have ever done an OTA, I would no longer be able to have a custom recovery because of a blown Qfuse.
Please don't try to say that what you have is the only phone with OTA MF3 and custom recovery.
The only way to have anything like that is through SS and that is not a true recovery. If you do have that, you can only install certain ROMs not including AOSP, AOKP, MIUI, or CM.
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When did I ever say I was the only one? I asked a simple question that I mostly had the answer to already; which in turn was answered by a simple "Yes" from HiTideBlastoise.
And I never said anything about OTA either. I said I had installed custom recovery on an earlier baseband and then my baseband was updated but recovery was still intact.

I never said you did say that. It was preemptive. Secondly, you make it out to seem like you did nothing to update your baseband. You are making it seem like it just happened. Well, that can't happen without either updating the entire phone or flashing it yourself. The funny thing is the baseband means nothing when it comes to recoveries and flashing ROMs. It can only be used as a possible sign on a stock device as to what version one is running. On a modified device, like yours, it is worthless information on the version of Android. Like I said before, I have 4.4 with MK2 as my baseband. How can I install ROMs. Not because it updated my baseband after I already have a custom recovery... But because I never took an OTA and made it do the stuff I wanted.
Basically what I am saying is that you need to be clear with what you say. Everything you said makes it sound like your phone did it all by itself without you or someone else making it the way it is. There is no other option. You have to have done something to have a custom recovery and an MF3 baseband with pre MF3 bootloaders.
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I agree with graydiggy that the only way to still have a custom recovery and mf3 baseband is that you either flashed an mf3 tw rom with a modem or a a standalone modem to your mdl software. If you took the "OTA" successfully, you will definitely have a locked down bootloader now.
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Related

[Q] Getting my S4 on Tues, have some questions to rom/root it.

So I am upgrading from my beloved S3 to the Red S4 now, getting it in on Tues. Thank you employee line deals.. So anyways, I saw some stickies about to avoid the OTA otherwise can not flash a diff kernel, correct? That there are no odin files of the new update.
That being said, How will I know when I get my device in, if they already gave it to me updated or if its where I can custom rom it. Would figure its a certain thing in the status menu part for a version. Dont wanna mess this up, so doing my research now.
Also any custom roms that are super worth it? I know on my S3, I use a nice one with the multi window and floating windows. So if there is a super good one to use, IF I can use one, what is it?
Also does the toolbox program we used for the S3 work for S4? (Havent checked on updates in awhile) cause I need to least root this sucker if I wanna restore my titanium backups.
Anyways thanks for any points in the right direction, this is the part I always hated.. working with a new phone then sitting with it till I study up on all the roms and tweaking of it.
When you get your device got to settings>more>about device and if the the last three characters of the baseband is MF3 then you can only use stock kernels with safestrap recovery and if it is MDL or MDB you can have custom recovery, custom roms with motochopper root. There are some pretty good roms out there. Unfortunately i'm on MF3 cause i got the OTA and it updated overnight.
Also when you first get your box with the phone inside. Look on the outside of the box and it will show which firmware is on it. It will have the last three letters of mdb, MDL, or MF3. All I can say is HOPE for MDL which may or may not be possible. But the red colored ones do not seem to go as fast so HOPEFULLY it is MDL.
Next course of action IF it is MDL is DO NOT connect to WiFi, and I would also suggest NOT putting in the Sim card yet. Download Motochopper by Jbliss and or Casual+motochopper by Adam Outler which will root and install tarp recovery. Then read up from there and flash a ROM.
If it comes with MF3 then you will need to flash SafeStrap to be able to out "some Roms" onto your phone and have root. But safestrap is more limited than what you are used to/what I posted in the paragraph above.
I am GUESSING you are buying it from ATT? Then chances may be slim of anything other than mf3. But I did get a MDL from Walmart (they had black and white if I remember correctly, not sure about red). I got a black one with MDL about a month ago and they had two others in stock. So places like that MAY be a better bet for you.
Now this is MY opinion and take it for what it is worth. I will NEVER be buying another ATT phone due to how hard they are locking the boitloaders down. NEVER... So my next suggestion is get a T-Mobile S4 and you can use it on ATT and it does not have locked bootloaders at this time and hopefully never.
Read all the sticky threads about MF3 and prepare yourself in case you want to keep it. Good luck to you
Sent From My Spiderman,Ironman,Red,Dark Blue,Green, GreyedOut BadAss Themed I337
You will have to try out different roms and see for yourself what they have to offer.if it turns out to be MF3 take the most important advice "!!READ!!"
Sent from my GT-I9505 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Before you get your phone read a whole lot about it. Read all the pinned (stickies) threads first. Then keep reading before you do anything with it. Good luck!
RockRatt said:
Also when you first get your box with the phone inside. Look on the outside of the box and it will show which firmware is on it. It will have the last three letters of mdb, MDL, or MF3. All I can say is HOPE for MDL which may or may not be possible. But the red colored ones do not seem to go as fast so HOPEFULLY it is MDL.
Next course of action IF it is MDL is DO NOT connect to WiFi, and I would also suggest NOT putting in the Sim card yet. Download Motochopper by Jbliss and or Casual+motochopper by Adam Outler which will root and install tarp recovery. Then read up from there and flash a ROM.
If it comes with MF3 then you will need to flash SafeStrap to be able to out "some Roms" onto your phone and have root. But safestrap is more limited than what you are used to/what I posted in the paragraph above.
I am GUESSING you are buying it from ATT?
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Click to collapse
Yes, getting from ATT dealer accounts, while I know I can use T-Mobiles stuff, I wouldnt have the "LTE" ability, which is what is happening now with my TMO S3, I have 4G, yes, but not LTE. So giving that phone to my friend for her upgrade, so she can get LTE with TMO while upgrading myself. Now if I am MDL, then woot, I take it its almost business as usual with the way I worked my roms and so of the past?
Then lets say I am MF3, now that in itself. may not be "as bad" since honestly, the S3's rom was pretty solid out of the box, just root it and go. Could I assume if I dont wanna put a diff rom on MF3, I could least root the stock rom easy enough and move on? (Plus could use titanium backup to remove the bloat) Seems abit crazy on MF3 and safe strap, sounds like its using the internal storage space to run the rom off of.
Now in regards to if I am MDL, I assume you mean download motochopper for the pc, then hook up and let it run. Now after that point, is my phone safe from OTA? Do I need to install a new rom right then and there or can I use stock rom and know that I am safe from it updating to MF3. Just making sure I got my notes right for tm morning when it comes in by fedex heh.
Qbeezy24 said:
When you get your device got to settings>more>about device and if the the last three characters of the baseband is MF3 then you can only use stock kernels with safestrap recovery and if it is MDL or MDB you can have custom recovery, custom roms with motochopper root. There are some pretty good roms out there. Unfortunately i'm on MF3 cause i got the OTA and it updated overnight.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So there is no difference in MDL and MDB? Or was MDL still better? Sounds like really the next couple days are gonna be research and testing.. thats after I put my screen protector on it heh.
Mysticales said:
Now if I am MDL, then woot, I take it its almost business as usual with the way I worked my roms and so of the past?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes it would be almost exactly business as usual. Of course READ any Roms HOW TO INSTALL section. About the only difference from the S3 flashing is if you are flashing kernels/Roms make sure the are loki'd or use Loki doki during flashing. Again read up on this.
Mysticales said:
Then lets say I am MF3, now that in itself. may not be "as bad" since honestly, the S3's rom was pretty solid out of the box, just root it and go. Could I assume if I dont wanna put a diff rom on MF3, I could least root the stock rom easy enough and move on? (Plus could use titanium backup to remove the bloat) Seems abit crazy on MF3 and safe strap, sounds like its using the internal storage space to run the rom off of.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you can flash some Roms (4.2.2 based Roms) with Safestrap. Read all about safestrap as I do not have it and don't know many if the answers since I cannot test. But the one thing is be VERY CAREFUL removing bloat with tibu, once it is gone you will NOT be able to get it back. Read many horror stories if debloating gone wrong and phone not working.
Mysticales said:
Now in regards to if I am MDL, I assume you mean download motochopper for the pc, then hook up and let it run. Now after that point, is my phone safe from OTA? Do I need to install a new rom right then and there or can I use stock rom and know that I am safe from it updating to MF3. Just making sure I got my notes right for tm morning when it comes in by fedex heh.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes download either Motochopper or I like "Casual+Motochopper" as it gives you a recovery as well. Either cwm or twrp.
No at that point it is NOT safe from OTA updates, you will need to FREEZE certain apps with tibu.
Check out the Roms section. I haven't used it but I believe there is a "neutered mf3 stock firmware" that has the ota updating parts removed already. If you do NOT freeze the apps ATT set up mf3 to Auto Download and INSTALL mf3. Most users got it while they were sleeping, even if they were only stock and rooted. But IF you have a custom recovery and a ROM on it you will not get the auto update and install.
Mysticales said:
So there is no difference in MDL and MDB? Or was MDL still better? Sounds like really the next couple days are gonna be research and testing.. thats after I put my screen protector on it heh.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
MDB was what came with the phone and MDL was updated within a few weeks if I remember correctly. I believe I still have the mdb bootloaders on my phone and my wife's came with MDL and has those bootloaders. I have seen NO DIFFERENCE as far as flashing or things working differently in my case.
Sent From My Spiderman,Ironman,Red,Dark Blue,Green, GreyedOut BadAss Themed I337
So, being on MF3 will not allow us to flash kernals and we are limited to specific Roms? Are those the major differences? Also, should we stay away from the OTA...I keep hearing about it.
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nash2000 said:
So, being on MF3 will not allow us to flash kernals and we are limited to specific Roms? Are those the major differences? Also, should we stay away from the OTA...I keep hearing about it.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I believe you cannot flash kernels with safestrap. And only 4.2.2 based Roms will work and possibly on tw Roms, but there might be one cm variant that would work. Just check out the safestrap thread for more info on all if this. I think they even have a list if tested working Roms there.
No one knows FOR SURE but I believe the new 4.3 update blows a second qfuse, this will make it so you cannot downgrade to anything lower than MJ6.
MF3 blows the first qfuse which is why you cannot downgrade to MDL bases.
Sent From My Spiderman,Ironman,Red,Dark Blue,Green, GreyedOut BadAss Themed I337
Well I have a mf3 gs4 :/ sooo now then. I don't "mind" stock really too much.. ill miss my drop down toggles I thing more from my gs3. I saw one post that explains using terminal to get root access which is something I know I need for sure. So now then those on mf3 are you too staying on stock and just rooting?
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Mysticales said:
Well I have a mf3 gs4 :/ sooo now then. I don't "mind" stock really too much.. ill miss my drop down toggles I thing more from my gs3. I saw one post that explains using terminal to get root access which is something I know I need for sure. So now then those on mf3 are you too staying on stock and just rooting?
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Kingo root method is an easy one click method that works also. Why stay stock when you can root easily? I was rooted but now on 4.3.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
I just got my phone!!!! I got mine at Costco which I normally get my phone through best buy but there insurance plan stinks now.
Anyways, My phone had the MDF!! So get your phone at Costco!
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[email protected] said:
Kingo root method is an easy one click method that works also. Why stay stock when you can root easily? I was rooted but now on 4.3.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Of course I am rooted... you think after being a pioneer with a beloved Htc G1, that I would EVER be on a device without root. =p (Man.. the reinstalling of a 100 apps manually alone without titanium backup along with its prefs, config and data would take a week to get right) I used that exFat method.
But yea, even tho I am rooted, I wouldnt "mind" a diff rom.. or least debloat this sucker. Half tempted to see which ATT apps I could get rid of, issue is... no odin to restore to if something messes up. I am sure someone will do a mf3 recovery sometime eh?
Oh... btw, how would I disable any auto OTA that could come in the future?

Getting my bootloader unlocked

My question is I have a s4 without being on a contract and I let att unlock my boottloader can I install cwm or teamwin on my phone and I am looking to install the liquidsmooth rom. Or do you guys recommend any other rom that allows me to overclock the cpu and gpu??
What firmware version are you on? If you have MF3 or higher, no you can't unlock the bootloader. If you have MF3 or higher you can't install a custom recovery other than safestrap. Most custom roms have cpu control, and if they don't there are always root apps.
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The AT&T S4 does not have an unlocked bootloader. To find out more information about the phone and what you can or can not do, read the "pinned" threads in the General and Q&A sections.
Understand Its not unlocked but since im not under contract of any sort I figured I could get them to unlock it? That was my main question, I know you could go to AT&T before all the bs came up with there security pay a fee and get it unlocked? I am already rooted, I read up on safestrap as much as I could but still I hear its ok and not ok to do so. I root every phone I own and I now work with Verizon and getting the note 3 for my agent line and plan on rooting it as well. But right now I guess I would like to find a way to where I can get this thing where I want it. I had a htc one before the s4 but had tons of problems with the speaker blowing after 4 phones I requested to s4 and got it. I do have M3 software as well, if you have safe strapped your s4 what roms do you recommend? I know only some work with safestrap and I really like the liquidsmooth rom.
faststang71 said:
Understand Its not unlocked but since im not under contract of any sort I figured I could get them to unlock it? That was my main question, I know you could go to AT&T before all the bs came up with there security pay a fee and get it unlocked? I am already rooted, I read up on safestrap as much as I could but still I hear its ok and not ok to do so. I root every phone I own and I now work with Verizon and getting the note 3 for my agent line and plan on rooting it as well. But right now I guess I would like to find a way to where I can get this thing where I want it. I had a htc one before the s4 but had tons of problems with the speaker blowing after 4 phones I requested to s4 and got it. I do have M3 software as well, if you have safe strapped your s4 what roms do you recommend? I know only some work with safestrap and I really like the liquidsmooth rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All your answers will be in this thread right here including links to download safestrap and what Roms will work for it. In the end its user preference than outing out who has the “BEST" ROM. Its all based on personal preference on what is good for you and not. Take your time to read and flash and play around with them.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2428254
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I believe AT&T unlocked your SIM not the bootloader as they don't do that at att
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
May I suggest maybe changing the title of your thread OP? Its very mis-leading. I'm sure that with the knowledge of the people that responded to you and the links that were provided, you understand that you can not unlock the bootloader at this time.

[Q] KIT KAT on contracted Samsung S4 AT&T i337?

I have had my S4 since switching to ATT in late November and have been following the XDA forums very closely since then. It was thanks to the XDA forums that I was able to root my S4.
However, no matter how far, wide, and meticulously I look on the site, there is no mention of the existence of running KIT-KAT on the i337 S4 for AT&T, save for the Google Play Edition and the version with the octacore etc.
I know these forums are strict (and should be) about questions being asked more than once, but I am not asking when KITKAT will be released through AT&T or even Samsung because I honestly don't care. I simply want to get KitKat on my device running with relative stability. I know there are custom roms out there, but most of them were released...a month ago or so? MAYBE I'm missing something, but if anyone here is in similar shoes, I would appreciate it if you'd echo my sentiments/request to find out if it can be done and how.
Anyone who knows how I can learn more about loading ASOP onto my i337 S4, I would greatly appreciate it. If the limitation is a locked boot loader that you CANNOT get around (excluding safestrap), do let me know! I'm sure a lot of people would benefit from the answer to this question.
Otherwise I'm going to go buy the Google Play Edition of one of the Android devices that has an unlocked boot loader.
Cheers,
Justin
justintime001 said:
I have had my S4 since switching to ATT in late November and have been following the XDA forums very closely since then. It was thanks to the XDA forums that I was able to root my S4.
However, no matter how far, wide, and meticulously I look on the site, there is no mention of the existence of running KIT-KAT on the i337 S4 for AT&T, save for the Google Play Edition and the version with the octacore etc.
I know these forums are strict (and should be) about questions being asked more than once, but I am not asking when KITKAT will be released through AT&T or even Samsung because I honestly don't care. I simply want to get KitKat on my device running with relative stability. I know there are custom roms out there, but most of them were released...a month ago or so? MAYBE I'm missing something, but if anyone here is in similar shoes, I would appreciate it if you'd echo my sentiments/request to find out if it can be done and how.
Anyone who knows how I can learn more about loading ASOP onto my i337 S4, I would greatly appreciate it. If the limitation is a locked boot loader that you CANNOT get around (excluding safestrap), do let me know! I'm sure a lot of people would benefit from the answer to this question.
Otherwise I'm going to go buy the Google Play Edition of one of the Android devices that has an unlocked boot loader.
Cheers,
Justin
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What version are you currently running. Go to about phone and post your baseband version. If the 2nd to last digit is f or higher you can't get kit kat yet. If it is before f then you are free to do whatever you want., If you are rooted you can just download rom manager from the play store and flash a recovery the easy way. Then get cyanogenmod or something for your device.
failedjedi said:
What version are you currently running. Go to about phone and post your baseband version. If the 2nd to last digit is f or higher you can't get kit kat yet. If it is before f then you are free to do whatever you want., If you are rooted you can just download rom manager from the play store and flash a recovery the easy way. Then get cyanogenmod or something for your device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your reply!!!
That is most unfortunate, since it is i337UCUEMK2 - even if I did some crazy stuff to go back to MF3, I'd be right at f anyway. ROM Manager and flashing a recovery the easy way seemed simple enough and I was going to do that but it ended up not working, then I tried using Goo Manager and that soft-bricked my phone and I spent hours getting it back to MK2 again. It's back to the way it was, but I still want to update to Kit-Kat.
Btw, could you tell me why it isn't possible because of my baseband? Thanks failedjedi, and anyone else that can offer useful information.
Cheers,
J
justintime001 said:
Thank you for your reply!!!
That is most unfortunate, since it is i337UCUEMK2 - even if I did some crazy stuff to go back to MF3, I'd be right at f anyway. ROM Manager and flashing a recovery the easy way seemed simple enough and I was going to do that but it ended up not working, then I tried using Goo Manager and that soft-bricked my phone and I spent hours getting it back to MK2 again. It's back to the way it was, but I still want to update to Kit-Kat.
Btw, could you tell me why it isn't possible because of my baseband? Thanks failedjedi, and anyone else that can offer useful information.
Cheers,
J
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With mf3 they locked down the bootloader. So before mf3 you were able to put a custom recovery and custom roms. Since MF3 no one has figured out how to bypass it yet. With mf3 you can use safestrap to sort of get some custom roms, but it still needs to boot the stock kernel as you can't yet use a custom kernel. As a result you are limited to only 4.2.2 Touchwiz based roms working. Now safestrap has a beta for newer versions, not 100% sure what it does and does not support yet as I'm sticking with my mf3 and a 4.2.2 jellybean rom. But the beta is new and probably still buggy.
But basically since you need the stock kernel, you are limited to only the android version your current stock version is.
Yeah as an android developer, I accept that, but am not going to permit it to remain true. This might take awhile...
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
If you are a developer there are bounties out for someone to get this working on mf3>
I don't have that issue but good luck if you try--:good:
Thanks! Didn't really know there were bounties for that - worthwhile ones anyway given that im dev apps and messing with AOSP and mainly my att s4 every chance I get.
Actually id be doing it for mk2, and if it becomes apparent that mf3 is easier to do it with ill do with that since I'd just DANGEROUSLY use Odin to go back, root, sideload titpro and block the sht out of the autoupdate. From what ive seen, the intermediary version between mf3 and mk2 might be most likely. This is all conjecture anyway. Sooner or later I will allow people to be free even with contracted or used phones.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

How to go from 4.2.2 MDL to the lastest 4.3 without OTA

First of all Im not in the USA, my phone have 4.2.2 MDL, I have tested some custom ROMS (goldeneye is really good) but I just want to go stock AT&T 4.3 and yes I know once you go mf3 or above there is no way back.
Can I odin through new AT&T stock releases?
inmortal009 said:
First of all Im not in the USA, my phone have 4.2.2 MDL, I have tested some custom ROMS (goldeneye is really good) but I just want to go stock AT&T 4.3 and yes I know once you go mf3 or above there is no way back.
Can I odin through new AT&T stock releases?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You know, you could make someone on here very happy if you sell your S4, then pick up one with the new official 4.3 software.
MattMJB0188 said:
You know, you could make someone on here very happy if you sell your S4, then pick up one with the new official 4.3 software.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure but here nobody cares about that also i just got tired of full wiping for where new update. Is it possible to do what I want?
Why? Your device is a rare one. When you do decide to sell it, the value will be at least $100 more if not more with the MDL bootloaders vs the MF3 or higher bootloaders. There is a ton of custom ROMs all better than stock for this device. You can even flash ROMs from other carrier S4s. If you are worried about wiping data because of losing stuff, titanium backup will save you a ton of trouble. Also, it is not a requirement to do a full wipe for a ROM update. It is suggested because if you run into a problem, you can report it to the developer properly. I only do full wipes when going to a different ROM. I can promise that you will regret updating. Like I said, there are a ton of ROMs that are better than stock. Battery life, performance, storage space, etc. There are also ROMs that are almost completely stock.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
inmortal009 said:
Sure but here nobody cares about that also i just got tired of full wiping for where new update. Is it possible to do what I want?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I still say, make someone on these forums very happy with your MDL firmware, and sell them your device. I'd recommend swappa. Then go buy what you desire with the money. If you shop around, you an find a very good deal on a MF3 or higher S4 and you'll have money left over.
You can do so much with your MDL firmware. Maybe try a different rom for a while. Oh, and just because a developer updates the rom, doesn't mean you have to. If everything is working great, why touch it?
inmortal009 said:
Sure but here nobody cares about that also i just got tired of full wiping for where new update. Is it possible to do what I want?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hows the condition of your phone i'd be willing to trade i have 4.3 firmware and my phone is like brand new.
Good points guys you just changed my mind Ill stick with my mdl and goldeneye rom.
inmortal009 said:
Sure but here nobody cares about that also i just got tired of full wiping for where new update. Is it possible to do what I want?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes it is possible. I did it. I have written about it several times in different responses. My latest was yesterday here...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=48980723
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
inmortal009 said:
Sure but here nobody cares about that also i just got tired of full wiping for where new update. Is it possible to do what I want?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WRONG!!! A lot of people around here would trade their current MF3 or higher S4's for an MDL S4 in a second. Do some research before making such a foolish assumption.
MattMJB0188 said:
WRONG!!! A lot of people around here would trade their current MF3 or higher S4's for an MDL S4 in a second. Do some research before making such a foolish assumption.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Read my thread before making suck kind of assumption too my HERE I mean here in my country
inmortal009 said:
Good points guys you just changed my mind Ill stick with my mdl and goldeneye rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You just want plain stock 4.3 as in back to unrooted ?
I'm not sure sure but there should be just a stock 4.3 ROM for at&t or the i9505 around the forums somewhere. Goldeneye is pretty much stock but optimized and with crude removed.
Let's keep things civil in here, this is a worldwide site. Attacks on culture and country of origin will not be tolerated.
hednik said:
You just want plain stock 4.3 as in back to unrooted ?
I'm not sure sure but there should be just a stock 4.3 ROM for at&t or the i9505 around the forums somewhere. Goldeneye is pretty much stock but optimized and with crude removed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wanted a stock rom because of constant custom roms changes. But thanks to your replies I understood that staying with mdl is better and I dont have to full wipe every time.
Thank u vwry much and Happy new year
I have MDL on my wife's S4
Hello guys. I am running into a lot of problems wih my wife's s4 on MDL. It has been a while since I tweaked any gadget i have because of our baby. I was wondering what I can do to fix everything. NOTE: Everything is stock
The problems are:
1. I cannot use the tethering option. We are currently in the philippines right now and we have a plan on globe that offers tethering and 4g LTE.
2. The battery life if very poor. The battery on the phone is new and I dont think it is the battery because;
3. the phone gets very very hot and I and assuming something is running in the background continuously hence the problem.
4. I cannot update to new firmware ( the only thing I want on the new firmware is the installing of apps on the memory card.)
I would say you would benefit from a firmware upgrade. If you want to stick to stock and don't care about the other roms then refer to my previous post on page 1. If you have further questions feel free to PM me.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
Guys... Buying, selling, or trading any device is not allowed on XDA. There is Swappa. Use it.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
graydiggy said:
Guys... Buying, selling, or trading any device is not allowed on XDA. There is Swappa. Use it.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This^^^^ Swappa.com , And since this thread has run it's course.....Thread Closed.

[Q] Looking to update from MDL...

Not sure if i posted in the right section...but i purchased a Sprint galaxy s4 a couple months after it was first released and it was unlocked. I am a person thats pretty knowledgeable about rooting and roms and what not, but buying a that was rooted and unlocked i dont know where to start or go from here or even what the phone has. All i know is...it has a custom recovery (twrp) its on MDL android 4.2.2 and a kernel version of 3.4.0 ([email protected] #1) and it running a stock rom. Another thing is...i dont understand if its supposed to be unlocked doesnt that mean i can travel abroad and use a sim from whatever country im in? I tried and it didnt work. My gf's verizion s3 thats not unlocked or anything did happen to work..like wtf?
Anyway, to break things down...im looking for where can i go from here? should i start from scratch? I feel like im out of the loop with everything and looking for something to give my phone a face lift but i maybe want to stick with a stock rooted rom...whats out there? and also my phone is getting pretty annoying with wanting to install MF9.. posting this on xda also..thanks
darkflare999 said:
Not sure if i posted in the right section...but i purchased a Sprint galaxy s4 a couple months after it was first released and it was unlocked. I am a person thats pretty knowledgeable about rooting and roms and what not, but buying a that was rooted and unlocked i dont know where to start or go from here or even what the phone has. All i know is...it has a custom recovery (twrp) its on MDL android 4.2.2 and a kernel version of 3.4.0 ([email protected] #1) and it running a stock rom. Another thing is...i dont understand if its supposed to be unlocked doesnt that mean i can travel abroad and use a sim from whatever country im in? I tried and it didnt work. My gf's verizion s3 thats not unlocked or anything did happen to work..like wtf?
Anyway, to break things down...im looking for where can i go from here? should i start from scratch? I feel like im out of the loop with everything and looking for something to give my phone a face lift but i maybe want to stick with a stock rooted rom...whats out there? and also my phone is getting pretty annoying with wanting to install MF9.. posting this on xda also..thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well you're currently on a pre Knox bootloader so I'd stay right there and just flash the rom of you're choosing to update. You can also flash a different modem as well and update that way without taking an ota. I'm running Carbon 4.4 and it's a pretty sweet rom but you'll have to decide which is better for you.
And as far as using the phone abroad I'm not really sure. Someone else can probably answer that one better than I can.
I know my Verizon S4 can go abroad not sure on sprint but I'm sure the answer is on here somewhere search it out.
Verizon Galaxy S4
SafeStrap
Hyperdrive 12
Sprint Galaxy S4
Philz
Carbon 4.4
darkflare999 said:
Not sure if i posted in the right section...but i purchased a Sprint galaxy s4 a couple months after it was first released and it was unlocked. I am a person thats pretty knowledgeable about rooting and roms and what not, but buying a that was rooted and unlocked i dont know where to start or go from here or even what the phone has. All i know is...it has a custom recovery (twrp) its on MDL android 4.2.2 and a kernel version of 3.4.0 ([email protected] #1) and it running a stock rom. Another thing is...i dont understand if its supposed to be unlocked doesnt that mean i can travel abroad and use a sim from whatever country im in? I tried and it didnt work. My gf's verizion s3 thats not unlocked or anything did happen to work..like wtf?
Anyway, to break things down...im looking for where can i go from here? should i start from scratch? I feel like im out of the loop with everything and looking for something to give my phone a face lift but i maybe want to stick with a stock rooted rom...whats out there? and also my phone is getting pretty annoying with wanting to install MF9.. posting this on xda also..thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try this link. There is a Knox free version.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=42954144
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk
thank you guys very much for replying! im gonna trying everything out!..cant wai!

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