galaxy s4 now on 4.4.2

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nzrock

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#143502 17-Apr-2014 07:15

hi all

my telecom galaxy s4 is has just received a firmware update to android 4.4.2
a 366meg download

Greg

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#1026561 17-Apr-2014 07:48

Same happening for my 2Degrees S4

timmmay

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#1026572 17-Apr-2014 08:23

Can it be rooted without tripping knox?

Edit - yes, seems simple. Guides here and here. Disclaimer: could either root or stuff your phone ;) Unsure about knox status.

Question - my Telecom S4 doesn't get updates. Is that because it's rooted and/or have a custom recovery? If I unroot (which I presume google will tell me how to do) will it pick up the updates? Or do I need to get rid of the custom recover too? Should I just upgrade with Odin? Should I just flash a pre-rooted ROM?

stuzz

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#1026598 17-Apr-2014 08:58

I'm non rooted, so I couldn't answer that.

tanivula

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#1026639 17-Apr-2014 09:36

Awesomesauce, can someone on the NZ 4.4.2 check using one of the many GPS tools to see if you get a lock with GLONASS as well as the normal GPS satellites please?

@timmay - it depends if you care about knox or not. Seems the easiest way if you want NZ firmware (ie CSC and PDA) would be to flash using ODIN3 and root. No need to wait for an OTA?

timmmay

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#1026656 17-Apr-2014 09:43

I would prefer not to trip knox, but I have no plans to ever have my phone use the knox app for a secure work email or anything. If work wants me to have mobile access to email they can buy me a phone.

So I should just apply this firmware using Odin? Do I have to do anything else, I hear things about modems and such occasionally.

Not sure what CSC/PDA are but they're on that page, along with the modem.

johnr

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#1026672 17-Apr-2014 09:50

Also out for the Vodafone NZ Samsung S4 i9505

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#1026744 17-Apr-2014 10:52

timmmay: Can it be rooted without tripping knox?

Edit - yes, seems simple. Guides here and here. Disclaimer: could either root or stuff your phone ;) Unsure about knox status.

Question - my Telecom S4 doesn't get updates. Is that because it's rooted and/or have a custom recovery? If I unroot (which I presume google will tell me how to do) will it pick up the updates? Or do I need to get rid of the custom recover too? Should I just upgrade with Odin? Should I just flash a pre-rooted ROM?

You will need to reflash to bone stock and factory reset if you want OTA updates. Root and custom recovery or kernel will prevent the device from authenticating with Samsung's servers (The OTA wouldn't work even if it didn't).

However, given how fast the various firmware hosting sites are at uploading full builds, it'd be easier just to flash that through Odin when available (Or better yet, Mobile Odin, which preserves root & doesn't require a custom recovery. Much tidier solution).

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#1026781 17-Apr-2014 11:20

What's the difference? Thanks

timmmay

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#1026788 17-Apr-2014 11:25

NikT: However, given how fast the various firmware hosting sites are at uploading full builds, it'd be easier just to flash that through Odin when available (Or better yet, Mobile Odin, which preserves root & doesn't require a custom recovery. Much tidier solution).

Interesting. I probably trust Odin more then Mobile Odin, but not having to re-root sounds useful. Unsure what you mean about not requiring custom recovery - I have one already.

Has anyone flashed 4.4.2 (or an earlier ROM) using mobile Odin on the S4 and kept root?

NikT

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#1026791 17-Apr-2014 11:35

timmmay:
NikT: However, given how fast the various firmware hosting sites are at uploading full builds, it'd be easier just to flash that through Odin when available (Or better yet, Mobile Odin, which preserves root & doesn't require a custom recovery. Much tidier solution).

Interesting. I probably trust Odin more then Mobile Odin, but not having to re-root sounds useful. Unsure what you mean about not requiring custom recovery - I have one already.

Has anyone flashed 4.4.2 (or an earlier ROM) using mobile Odin on the S4 and kept root?

Mobile Odin was built by one of the most trusted Android developers, Chainfire. It's essentially an on-device version of the Odin desktop tool, so you don't need a PC/USB cable at all - don't even need to boot into recovery. Just download the tar file direct to the device. Has a built-in root injection tool as well.

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Yabanize

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#1026807 17-Apr-2014 12:03

I reflashed back to stock 4.2.2 BMG4 and did OTA from there

I havnt got 4.4 yet, i only just got telecom 4.3 yesterday

Ive rooted my 4.3 telecom without changing knox to 0x1. I wonder If I can do the same with 4.4.2. I was an ADB based root

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timmmay

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#1026838 17-Apr-2014 12:56

NikT: Mobile Odin was built by one of the most trusted Android developers, Chainfire. It's essentially an on-device version of the Odin desktop tool, so you don't need a PC/USB cable at all - don't even need to boot into recovery. Just download the tar file direct to the device. Has a built-in root injection tool as well.

True, I'll give it a shot after I do a Nandroid and titanum backup, thanks :)

Yabanize: I reflashed back to stock 4.2.2 BMG4 and did OTA from there

I havnt got 4.4 yet, i only just got telecom 4.3 yesterday

Ive rooted my 4.3 telecom without changing knox to 0x1. I wonder If I can do the same with 4.4.2. I was an ADB based root

Interested in a link to the ADB based root?

uglyb0b

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#1026846 17-Apr-2014 13:14

Keep in mind that once you have flashed a firmware with the knox bootloader there is no going back. If anyone is worried about this, you can always flash a custom 4.4.2 rom that is compatible with the old bootloader and avoid the knox flag entirely.

I have played around with a few and am currently using wanamlite (very close to stock). Everything is working perfectly. There are some rom/kernel combinations that break sound and wifi on the old bootloader, but this has been fixed with a kernel (by jeboo I think) and this fix has been implemented in most custom kernels now.

timmmay

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#1026862 17-Apr-2014 13:33

uglyb0b: Keep in mind that once you have flashed a firmware with the knox bootloader there is no going back. If anyone is worried about this, you can always flash a custom 4.4.2 rom that is compatible with the old bootloader and avoid the knox flag entirely.

I have played around with a few and am currently using wanamlite (very close to stock). Everything is working perfectly. There are some rom/kernel combinations that break sound and wifi on the old bootloader, but this has been fixed with a kernel (by jeboo I think) and this fix has been implemented in most custom kernels now.

Good point. So Wanamlite is basically stock touchwiz 4.4.2, but with Odin removed and a few tweaks? Can I go straight there from 4.2.2? Are there any downsides, risks, etc?

Is it easily rooted, or is root built in?

I notice on the download page it calls the modem and bootloader "optional" - why is it in quotes? Is it really optional?

timmmay

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#1026864 17-Apr-2014 13:36

This makes mobile odin to 4.4.2 seem complicated...

Though from here...

"As far as i know the only way right now to root 4.4.2 without tripping knox is to use Mobile odin and then flash only the bootloader with the PC Odin. But in order to use mobile odin you must have a rooted 4.3 , The Good thing is that 4.3 can be rooted without tripping knox"

So I guess I need to take my phone up to 4.3 on the way to 4.4... though I'm more likely to go for WanamLite now, completely without Knox including the bootloader I hope.

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