Can I unroot GS3 without installing a different ROM

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Kiwi1971

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#138768 16-Jan-2014 09:44

I have a rooted Galaxy S3 but have kept the stock ROM installed. I now want to unroot it and reset the flash counter to check for any official OTA updates but the online guides all seem to include downloading official stock ROM as part of this process. As I still have my original ROM installed, I don't want to install a different one, so is there a way to just unroot using the ROM I already have?

Oh if you are wondering why I rooted and still have the official ROM, it's because I tried a few custom Kit-Kat ROMs but none would show up my SD card as available storage, just the internal storage and I didn't want to lose the extra 16GB SD space.

TIA

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#967989 16-Jan-2014 10:02

You can do a full unroot using SuperSU if you have it, under settings near the bottom. then use triangle away to reset the flash counter.

timmmay

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#968054 16-Jan-2014 11:17

Read up on Samsung Knox. From Android 4.3 up the firmware comes with Knox, which is some kind of a locked bootloader. I think you can still root it, but it can cause all sorts of problems. My S4 is still on 4.2.2 because of this, and I'll only upgrade once Echoe ROM take Knox out of the official S4 4.2.2 ROM. Probably Feb or March this year I guess - no hurry 4.2.2 works fine.

Edit - I don't think the S3 gets Knox, so you're safe. Source.

uglyb0b

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#968055 16-Jan-2014 11:22

Triangle away needs root so run that first before unrooting.

KevinL

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#968070 16-Jan-2014 11:38

I've never had any problems receiving OTAs while rooted, for what it's worth - it's only when you install a custom recovery that OTAs are blocked (although I guess it would depend on how you rooted your device).

Kiwi1971

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#968099 16-Jan-2014 12:24

KevinL: I've never had any problems receiving OTAs while rooted, for what it's worth - it's only when you install a custom recovery that OTAs are blocked (although I guess it would depend on how you rooted your device).

Thanks all, I was getting the "Device modified, updates disabled" warning, but after using TriangleAway, I can now contact the update server again and it says that the 4.1.2 version I have, is the latest update for my phone.

Shame as I liked the Kit-Kat ROM I tried, just the annoying issue of not being able to use the SD slot.

The last time I tried to run the update check after using TriangleAway, it just kept saying "Contacting update server" without connecting, so I assumed that I had somehow prevented OTA updates by rooting. Seems to be working again. Thanks Kevin for making recheck.

Wonder if there will be a Kit-Kat update for my phone. I bought it through Expert Infotech in Auckland, think it originally came out of Romania.

timmmay

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#968107 16-Jan-2014 12:40

i9300 has 4.3 available, check here. There's no NZ version but one of the others should work - research before you try it.

The S3 is meant to get 4.4, and hopefully it'll be released by the NZ carriers. If not, use Echoe, Cyaogenmod, etc.

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jeffnz

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#968109 16-Jan-2014 12:51

Kiwi1971:
KevinL: I've never had any problems receiving OTAs while rooted, for what it's worth - it's only when you install a custom recovery that OTAs are blocked (although I guess it would depend on how you rooted your device).

Thanks all, I was getting the "Device modified, updates disabled" warning, but after using TriangleAway, I can now contact the update server again and it says that the 4.1.2 version I have, is the latest update for my phone. Shame as I liked the Kit-Kat ROM I tried, just the annoying issue of not being able to use the SD slot.

The last time I tried to run the update check after using TriangleAway, it just kept saying "Contacting update server" without connecting, so I assumed that I had somehow prevented OTA updates by rooting. Seems to be working again. Thanks Kevin for making recheck.

Wonder if there will be a Kit-Kat update for my phone. I bought it through Expert Infotech in Auckland, think it originally came out of Romania.

try the 4.3 Roms the kitkat ones are still buggy and mostly CM based but workable. Sammy has leaked NA1 Kitkat for the S4 so won't be long for the updates to follow and the devs do their thing.

I never worry about the modified thingy if its a warranty its a warranty I'll use the CGA, I think people get too concerned over the modified status and warranty, more so those overseas that don't have the same protection we do, having said that it is modified so would need to show that it wasn't reason for claim.

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kiwitrc

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#968112 16-Jan-2014 13:00

I have been using Imperium 21.1 (4.3) for about a month and its been faultless. Battery is great, everything is smooth. I used Wanamlite Roms for a couple of years before that but am unlikely to go back now. Highly recommend it.

Kiwi1971

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#968266 16-Jan-2014 16:01

kiwitrc: I have been using Imperium 21.1 (4.3) for about a month and its been faultless. Battery is great, everything is smooth. I used Wanamlite Roms for a couple of years before that but am unlikely to go back now. Highly recommend it.

Are you able to see your SD card? The Cyanogen based ones I tried only show the internal storage both in the phone Explorer and connected to the PC.