Loss of IMEI - Galaxy S III Q&A, (US Carriers)

Hello to all at XDA, this is my first post so please go easy. On the developers thread for JB on the S3 some people are reporting loss of IMEI after flashing a ROM. What isn't clearly being stated is what is the resultant effect. Does loss of IMEI resultant in a bricked phone?, d
or does it just mean that you would not be able to get a warranty repair but in all other respects the phone works albeit with an immature no guarantees ROM?

Not technically bricked as far as I know. Instead your phone basically turns into a media player. You have no longer access to your cell provider which means you cant make or receive calls/text messages. You won't be able to use data.
For example, its basically an iPhone turning into an iPod touch
I would recommend staying away from flashing anything atm until the guys over here at xda or other place that use their spare time to come up with a solution or conclusion on whether or not IMEI can be recovered

Intercrew said:
Not technically bricked as far as I know. Instead your phone basically turns into a media player. You have no longer access to your cell provider which means you cant make or receive calls/text messages. You won't be able to use data.
For example, its basically an iPhone turning into an iPod touch
I would recommend staying away from flashing anything atm until the guys over here at xda or other place that use their spare time to come up with a solution or conclusion on whether or not IMEI can be recovered
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Inter crew, thanks for explaining all that, as an additional question regarding your advice to wait until the IMEI issue is identified, I am in the UK in the 3 network and own a 3 branded S3, my phone is rooted, and I have used Titanium to remove TW pre installed applications that I do not use such as ChatOn, but the ROM is the original stock ROM, my follow up question, when 3 eventually issue a JB update will my phone get it in its current state? Thanks for any answer you give

I seriously doubt it. All of the other phones that I have owned have never taken an update after rooting and freezing apps. This is pure speculation on my part but I would say not able to update.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium

HHF2 said:
I seriously doubt it. All of the other phones that I have owned have never taken an update after rooting and freezing apps. This is pure speculation on my part but I would say not able to update.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium
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Click to collapse
That doesn't surprise me, would removal of root and reinstall of the removed apps on this original ROM allow me to update?

philby123 said:
That doesn't surprise me, would removal of root and reinstall of the removed apps on this original ROM allow me to update?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
probably but it might just easier to backup using titanium and then Odin back to stock if there are Odin packages for your device..
that's how I always got my SGS back to stock for anything when required
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

HHF2 said:
I seriously doubt it. All of the other phones that I have owned have never taken an update after rooting and freezing apps. This is pure speculation on my part but I would say not able to update.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not true. MyS3 was rooted when att pushed their last ota. And my captivate was rooted when they pushed the froyo update to it. But, that was on a stock Rom. Most custom roms remove the option to check for software updates.

MrHaley, thanks for weighing in, from your perspective do you think its necessary for me to reinstall the removed apps (they were backed up on Titanium) to enable my S3 to receive updates on its resident stock rom ?

philby123 said:
MrHaley, thanks for weighing in, from your perspective do you think its necessary for me to reinstall the removed apps (they were backed up on Titanium) to enable my S3 to receive updates on its resident stock rom ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You actual have two options:
1. Keep root, wait for devs to fix the issue, and then wait for the devs to improve the JB update for the S3(probably won't come will Q4-Q1(2013) anyway.
Or
2. Reinstall every stock app you deleted, froze, etc...Then you have to wait for the next OTA.
I'm hard pressed to actually recommend unrooting, since that practically goes against the whole purpose of being on XDA. IF they announce the JB update before the Devs fix the IMEI bug, then i would say unroot. However if they fix it by month's end then it would be worth the wait--I trust the devs here for than the ones making the updates. They tend to be significantly slower, no OC, Carrier-IQ, fewer patches, updates are less frequent than xda, and they come with Touchwiz.

philby123 said:
Hello to all at XDA, this is my first post so please go easy. On the developers thread for JB on the S3 some people are reporting loss of IMEI after flashing a ROM. What isn't clearly being stated is what is the resultant effect. Does loss of IMEI resultant in a bricked phone?, d
or does it just mean that you would not be able to get a warranty repair but in all other respects the phone works albeit with an immature no guarantees ROM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No it's not bricked mine actually still made calls and had data edge only though. T mobile Will replace it also at least for now lol
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium

Have you bought your phone through best buy and got there black tie protection program your golden. You $10 a month for insurance on the phone without a deductible. I haven't lost my imei at all yet and I'm not worried. If I do I'll just go in and they replace it for free.
Sent from my GALAXYSIII running Jelly Bean.

Related

WARNING T-Mobile NOT helpful! BEWARE OF UPDATE!

To get to the point, people DON'T UPDATE YOUR VIBRANTS and T-MOBILE HANDLES THE ISSUE HORRIBLY! Obviously this is not a universal problem, but if you do happen to be one of the lucky ones that bricks their phone with the update there is no saving it (at least with the help of T-mobile).
I just got off of the phone with tech support and they were less than helpful. After the regular punching in numbers, talking to two different people, and trying to re-boots that everyone with half a brain have tried, they informed me that they would replace the phone but I had to PAY for shipping. While I realize this is a normal policy when it comes to random malfunctions, which may or may not have been the users fault, this is absolutely ridiculous when the problem is 100% their fault. Seriously, T-mobile ships a top of the line phone that has some major flaws and inactivated software (media hub), then breaks the phone with it's official update, and somehow this is MY responsibility to pay to get fixed? The rep even asked if I at this point wanted to add insurance so next time I wouldn't have to pay for shipping and if I wanted to pay extra for expedited shipping! They were trying to make an add-on sale while fixing an issue THEY caused!
That's not even the end of it, because I was so irritated they sent me to a "loyalty specialist" (who sounded like a used car salesman). He rambled on about how he would waive the shipping fee (he made it sound like he just saved my first born child). I told him I appreciated that but it didn't fix the fact that T-Mobile was not handling the issue well. When a large number of phones break from an issue originating from the provider they should either 1) have re-furbished phones (or even set aside new phones if necessary) to replace these broken phones as they come up or 2) offer free over night shipping of the replacement phone. He told me that these options were too expensive for T-Mobile, and that if I like I could sign up for either of their two insurance plans, as they would allow me to do an in-store replacement (he later noted that one of them was only available within the first 14 days of owning the phone...). I couldn't believe they were trying to another add-on sale! The best part being, I later called around to all my local T-Mobile owned stores and none of them have the Vibrant available for in-store replacement (and never have).
So the Cliff-Notes of my rant:
1) DON'T UPDATE YOUR VIBRANT
2) If you did brick your phone, make sure to complain and they should refund the ridiculous shipping charge
3) If you don't own a Vibrant and are thinking about it consider the following (Don't let it stop you, just consider it):
- Still on 2.1, when Nexus One has been on 2.2 for months (and the Galaxy S 2.2 official ROM has been leaked so it does exist in some form.) => Meaning updates are super scarce and extremely late.
- T-Mobile is selling a good phone with many flaws, and their first attempt to fix it bricked many phones (do a google search I am not the only one).
- While it may be better than other companies, T-Mobiles customer service is FAR from flawless
P.S. My phone was completely stock (so please don't mention how I did this with a lag fix, etc.). I waited at least 15 mins before I pulled the battery, before which I had noted the T-Mobile sound starting without the animation (seems like a timing issue or something). And finally, I realize this is a duplicate post to many others but I want people to find this info (not be at the bottom of a really long thread) to get the word out how T-Mobile deals with their errors.
I hate when people mess with their phones then get angry at a company for "breaking" their phone. Im running stock rom with root and also got bricked, but, I manned up and knew I was in the wrong and accepted what happened. I didn't put the blame on TMo, because completely untouched vibrants that I was aware of had no issues with this OTA. If you added functionality to it after the fact that it wasn't originally on there before when you initially purchased it; then its YOUR fault that it bricked, NOT T-mobiles. Take some responsibility and stop crying.
Had the same problem but this is a pretty fix using Odin.
If you install an update from an OTA T-Mobile should be held responsible
I don't know about you guys but when you have been a customer for 10+ years, T-Mobile will pretty much suck your balls.
Either way, if you guys rooted it, then that takes the fault from T-Mobile to you. You changed the phone. The update was designed for a pristine un-edited Samsung Vibrant, if you changed anything in the system by rooting or flashing it is your fault for changing the equation. T-Mobile is NOT at fault for your actions.
Yeah why warranty the phone when you can just ODIN and fix it yourself? Do a xda search. If you're gonna use xda to complain at least use it to solve your own problems as well. Unless your phone is hardware locked it is 100 % fixable.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
starkiller86 said:
I hate when people mess with their phones then get angry at a company for "breaking" their phone. Im running stock rom with root and also got bricked, but, I manned up and knew I was in the wrong and accepted what happened. I didn't put the blame on TMo, because completely untouched vibrants that I was aware of had no issues with this OTA. If you added functionality to it after the fact that it wasn't originally on there before when you initially purchased it; then its YOUR fault that it bricked, NOT T-mobiles. Take some responsibility and stop crying.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
P.S. My phone was completely stock (so please don't mention how I did this with a lag fix, etc.). I waited at least 15 mins before I pulled the battery, before which I had noted the T-Mobile sound starting without the animation (seems like a timing issue or something). And finally, I realize this is a duplicate post to many others but I want people to find this info (not be at the bottom of a really long thread) to get the word out how T-Mobile deals with their errors
Did you not read that part?
I bricked two stock Vibrants with the update. The second one failed during Mini-Kies update and was hardware locked.
It is a known issue according to the Tech guy that I spoke to while getting my replacement.
First phone wouldn't power on after failure, second phone was hardware locked so un-fixable.
No, no.
This happened to me, I had a rooted phone I had uninstalled the inflight internet, etc on it and hadn't overclocked or anything like that. Phone kills itself. I went to the tmo store and they only make you pay for shipping if you take the overnight option.
PROTIP - DON'T ASK FOR EXTRA SPEEDY SHIPPING AND THEY'LL PAY FOR IT.
so i guess we are just SOL for the data on the phone? I just lost an entire vacation of pictures. I had not had a chance to root this phone either. this is ****ing awesome.
dechire said:
so i guess we are just SOL for the data on the phone? I just lost an entire vacation of pictures. I had not had a chance to root this phone either. this is ****ing awesome.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess this is just an example of "store your pictures on the external SD card"
Then if you brick it you can still get your pictures back ....
watcher64 said:
I guess this is just an example of "store your pictures on the external SD card"
Then if you brick it you can still get your pictures back ....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Word. That's one of the first things I did when I got the phone and was playing with the features. Switched it from phone storage to memory card.
Sorry to hear you lost photos.
Protip: Pay the damn overnight shipping fee...it'll be deducted from your bill (flex pay) which makes it free: )
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Here is the business side
If I am T mobile every time some person has a problem and I offered free shipping, the Every moron would be shipping the device back for Any problem. Way way costly, so that is not going to happen. If you Really believe the phone is factory defective then, pay the shipping and move on. If you messed with it at all then the burden to resolve is yours and be honest about that. Remember the reason people are in here is to customize the phone and improve it. Like the XDA mantra sez.......... It is not just the result... but the journey....
Like one of the other posts stated:
If you rooted it, then that takes the fault from T-Mobile to you. You changed the phone. The update was designed for a pristine un-edited Samsung Vibrant, if you changed anything in the system by rooting or flashing it is your fault for changing the equation. T-Mobile is NOT at fault for your actions.
Gr8gorilla said:
First phone wouldn't power on after failure, second phone was hardware locked so un-fixable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a hardware lock fix now, you really should flash that before you do anything else. Yeah, you run the risk of bricking with the hardware unlock, but it's probably a safer bet than flashing away.
dechire said:
so i guess we are just SOL for the data on the phone? I just lost an entire vacation of pictures. I had not had a chance to root this phone either. this is ****ing awesome.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you Odin it with the JI6 update, you might still be able to get a working system out of it. Worth a shot to see if you can get it without having to flash to stock first (which will wipe).
With all the time you spent with tech support, you could have found the thread that delineates how to fix your phone and update through odin. Its very easy and, frankly why be on a developers forum when you are not willing to tinker around a bit.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
dechire said:
so i guess we are just SOL for the data on the phone? I just lost an entire vacation of pictures. I had not had a chance to root this phone either. this is ****ing awesome.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As long as the phone still powers on you can still use ADB Pull and save the data from the /sdcard folder. This update isn't a totally bricking the phone (at least it didn't mine) just making the display and inputs not work. To quote Billy Crystal: "He's only MOSTLY dead"
Odin was really simple to reflash the stock ROM and then I was able to do a nandroid restore from there.
The T-Mobile OTA update left my phone only booting to the vibrant screen, but it was a pretty simple fix with Odin. The hardest part was getting the proper drivers installed in windows!
Mini kies wouldnt even let me update,so I rooted and flashed bionix 1.8,works great.**** tmo.
Fyi to the people with hardware lock. I did the update on my gf's phone which was hardware locked and it failed. The phone would only boot to the vibrant screen. The good news is the ota update unlocks the hardware because her phone is able to get into recovery and download mode even thought the update failed. The point is don't worry if ota fail on you because you can just use odin to fix it since it unlocks the download mode.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
mr2t32 said:
Fyi to the people with hardware lock. I did the update on my gf's phone which was hardware locked and it failed. The phone would only boot to the vibrant screen. The good news is the ota update unlocks the hardware because her phone is able to get into recovery and download mode even thought the update failed. The point is don't worry if ota fail on you because you can just use odin to fix it since it unlocks the download mode.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If the update even gets that far...

[Q] What does your About Device/Status pages say at the bottom?

Some one who hasn't Rooted, please go to the Settings/About Device/Status page and tell me what it says at the very bottom? Mine says "Device status Modified" I've rooted.
Did ATT make it very easy to tell who's rooted etc?
Mine says:
Device status: Normal
nixk said:
Mine says:
Device status: Normal
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
oh, crap. thanks. I may be stuck with this now..... or I may not get updates.
stan.s said:
oh, crap. thanks. I may be stuck with this now..... or I may not get updates.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
By this time next week you should be able to reflash the stock rom and reset the counter, or... i'll eat my invisible hat.
zmore said:
By this time next week you should be able to reflash the stock rom and reset the counter, or... i'll eat my invisible hat.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have one too?
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
zmore said:
By this time next week you should be able to reflash the stock rom and reset the counter, or... i'll eat my invisible hat.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just talked with my buddy (nakedninja) who explained what this is, apparently each individual phone ships with a specific device id, whenever modified software, ROM, kernel etc... is flashed it re issues an id. As long as its different from the original, Samsung and ATT will know that the phone had been modified. The question is, can that id be reverted or saved in some way, to Bead restored in case the phone needs to be exchanged.
Thanks nakedninja for the info, let's hope something its figured out, flash counters can be reset easy enough... But modifying, inserting editing the device id may be trickier... But with our bad ass Dev team I'm sure it will be of no concern
Sent from my SGH-I997 using xda premium
theraffman said:
flash counters can be reset easy enough...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that's not necessarily true.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1723980
I believe that all the other flash counter protocols have been defeated, given enough time for the devs to work on it, I may be wrong though, but it seems they have figured this out and that's why they worked in this secondary script to reveal modified devices... This is my speculation and based on what I have gather here on XDA. Though I can must definitely be wrong, won't be the first time and won't be the last.
Sent from my SGH-I997 using xda premium
zmore said:
By this time next week you should be able to reflash the stock rom and reset the counter, or... i'll eat my invisible hat.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hope so Though I'm thinking that a stock Samsung (rather than a stock Samsung ATT) would be nice with the motion stuff, which I like and the drivers for all the devices would be there.
theraffman said:
I believe that all the other flash counter protocols have been defeated, given enough time for the devs to work on it, I may be wrong though, but it seems they have figured this out and that's why they worked in this secondary script to reveal modified devices... This is my speculation and based on what I have gather here on XDA. Though I can must definitely be wrong, won't be the first time and won't be the last.
Sent from my SGH-I997 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you're right in that it's a matter of "when" vs "if" the counter can be reset. It really just depends on the priority of some of the talented devs with the knowhow that will determine the speed in which it's found.
I know from some of the other devices I've been following, it took a handful of folks that either wanted the challenge or the counter meant something to them (presumably for warranty purposes) to really get going.
Most likely the method will probably be the same (or very close) for all the North American variants - so with the amount of American and Canadian devs, hopefully at least one is up to the task! I'm personally really interested in the solution myself before rooting because I've had several warranty exchanges in the past on some of my phones, and I'd like to err on the side of caution.
I am coming from Sony phones my last 3 I flashed standard Sony firmware for North America, rather than the att branded ones. Two were not android. To me this is an annoying complication, since Sony would update standard firmware and there were tons of sites that had flash services and firmware.
I expect that there will be fixes released in the next two months, I don't want to be shut out just because I don't like the att software.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747

[ISSUE] I9300 not Waking up

Hi Guys,
In the past few days ive noticed that if i dont check my phone regularly it will simply refuse to wake up (screen on). I know the phone is still working as the LightFlow settings still use the notification light when needed. I have also had situations where the phone wakes up but theres no touch functions, but locking and waking up again fixes that in 1 try. Has anyone else had this issue or am I going to have to send the phone back?
Thanks
Michael
P.S. The phone is not rooted and hasnt been updated since out the box. Any suggestions to root the phone to fix this will be ignored.
Uninstall LightFlow it has been known to cause this issue.
That is all we can suggest unless your willing to root.
Lennyuk said:
Uninstall LightFlow it has been known to cause this issue.
That is all we can suggest unless your willing to root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the suggestion. I had my HTC Desire rooted and this has put me off rooting my phone at the moment, but I was waiting for the Jelly Bean AOSP anyway.
Not trying to take this too far off topic, but what do you have against root? All root effectively is is an admin mode, you don't have to flash a custom rom.
Lennyuk said:
Not trying to take this too far off topic, but what do you have against root? All root effectively is is an admin mode, you don't have to flash a custom rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont have anything against root. Its just that when I have a problem with my phone and people suggest to root it, if it doesnt work im kinda screwed over with warranty etc.
Unfortunatly removing Lightflow didnt help and its still happening
if it doesnt work im kinda screwed over with warranty etc
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's quite easy to revert back to Stock for warranty repairs.
Rooting does not brick your phone.
d4fseeker said:
It's quite easy to revert back to Stock for warranty repairs.
Rooting does not brick your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wont they reject it if its rooted? This would be the first phone ive sent for repairs. My HTC Desire never faulted in 2 years but this is starting to annoy me just a month and a half into my contract.
mtmannion said:
Wont they reject it if its rooted? This would be the first phone ive sent for repairs. My HTC Desire never faulted in 2 years but this is starting to annoy me just a month and a half into my contract.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, but u can use "triangle away" (by chainfire) to reset flash counter(found in download mode) and flash a stock rom with Odin and back is your warranty.
root...warranty...bla bla bla...why want to return just because of that? do u know that samsung software engineers sucks? i bought nexus, and i just use it for 1 week. want to know why? because it's so boring. the phone so perfect. no problem at all. nothing to tweak, nothing to fix, nothing to improve. i switch back to Samsung Galaxy because of this (before this use SGS1, now SGS3). so, if you have problem like THIS, change your kernel, or just sit and wait for update to fix it. samsung monitoring it (SLOWWWWWLYYY)
mtmannion said:
Wont they reject it if its rooted? This would be the first phone ive sent for repairs. My HTC Desire never faulted in 2 years but this is starting to annoy me just a month and a half into my contract.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ascariz said:
root...warranty...bla bla bla...why want to return just because of that? do u know that samsung software engineers sucks? i bought nexus, and i just use it for 1 week. want to know why? because it's so boring. the phone so perfect. no problem at all. nothing to tweak, nothing to fix, nothing to improve. i switch back to Samsung Galaxy because of this (before this use SGS1, now SGS3). so, if you have problem like THIS, change your kernel, or just sit and wait for update to fix it. samsung monitoring it (SLOWWWWWLYYY)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
U got a lot blablabla"s, Samsung"s phone has clearly the best hw but they don't give a s... about the sw.
About rooting, what the f... are talking about read the posts made by OP. he asked if u loose warrenty if u root and yes u do, but root is reversible and THAT is what the OP wanted to know
he asked if u loose warrenty if u root and yes u d
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Over here afaik at least within the first period the seller has to actually prove you caused the damage to refuse the claim.
Having a rooted device will not stand as having caused hardware-damage.
So far I've yet to hear about a single case of warranty being refused in this country due to software modifications.
If it was as simple as putting a "Waranty void if removed" sticker on stuff actually having any meaning, that would be the end of democraty. Fortunately the law tells otherwise and manufacturers have to obey it (or buy their own law... at least in the USA that seems to work)
However it most certainly will make repairs far easier if the device is stock since they cannot even try to blame you for incorrect configurations or bad flashes.
ascariz said:
root...warranty...bla bla bla...why want to return just because of that? do u know that samsung software engineers sucks? i bought nexus, and i just use it for 1 week. want to know why? because it's so boring. the phone so perfect. no problem at all. nothing to tweak, nothing to fix, nothing to improve. i switch back to Samsung Galaxy because of this (before this use SGS1, now SGS3). so, if you have problem like THIS, change your kernel, or just sit and wait for update to fix it. samsung monitoring it (SLOWWWWWLYYY)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
zodiaxe66 said:
U got a lot blablabla"s, Samsung"s phone has clearly the best hw but they don't give a s... about the sw.
About rooting, what the f... are talking about read the posts made by OP. he asked if u loose warrenty if u root and yes u do, but root is reversible and THAT is what the OP wanted to know
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the help guys, Im on holiday at the moment so I'll see if theres a Kernal update when I get home. If not I'll check on the Jelly Bean (or something popular thats been out for a long time) rom stability and root for that. If nothing helps from those ill use the Triangle program to get rid of the root history and send it back for repairs.
EDIT: My Kernal is from May 13th. Surprised I havent had an update come thorugh yet. There isnt even a check for update button in my "About Phone"
There isnt even a check for update button in my "About Phone"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you by any chance on Orange UK or Three UK? (Can't remember which of both was it)
They've removed that button in their bloatware-edition of the Samsung ROM - probably to prevent users from updating over 3G connectivity.
d4fseeker said:
Are you by any chance on Orange UK or Three UK? (Can't remember which of both was it)
They've removed that button in their bloatware-edition of the Samsung ROM - probably to prevent users from updating over 3G connectivity.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bingo, Orange UK.
Happy 666th post
Happy 666th post
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks =) I guess that means I'm far too much online, since I've accumulated these posts only since having my S3 =D
So that number is why I'm having such a particular foul mood today, May be related to exams too I sincerly HATE IT logic, especially Prolog -.-
Sadly there is no such thing as good-luck charms to protect against exams like the Pentagrams protect against evil. (Please noone now say it's the symbol of evil...)
Bingo, Orange UK.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just flash any Samsung- or aftermarket-ROM (I recommend CM9 or the CM9-based ParanoidAndroid) of your choice and you're good.
DXLF3 modem should work well according to what I've heard.

[Q] So I'm finally about to root my phone, a few questions!

I'm finally rooting my phone after months of messing about waiting for an unlock
My phone is international model i9300 and I've been reading this guide: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1695238
Looks really good, well detailed should be very easy with the help of chainfire!
But I've still got a few questions
1) I think I can't back up my phone until it's rooted to get access to the system files, am I right in thinking when I'm rooted I can use CWM to make a full back up of the phone?
2) Once it's rooted what is a thing that you must not do? The phone was expensive and as these threads may be annoying to all of you I just need to know before I do anything silly so apologies for all the topics
3) I'm going to wait until JB is released for official ROMs, when it comes to flashing a new ROM do I need to unroot the device?
4) Can I remove bloatware with just the standard root? The amount is ridiculous, it fills up 2 whole pages of apps and 95% of them I haven't used and don't plan on using, ever. I'm sure if I ever needed to there will be an app for it
5) any other advice on keeping my phone safe would be great, I am just really really cautious with this kind of stuff lol. Technology is really fussy I don't want to brick my phone
Thanks to everybody who posts, you guys have helped me so much since I joined and I really appreciate it
UrbanDesigns said:
I'm finally rooting my phone after months of messing about waiting for an unlock
My phone is international model i9300 and I've been reading this guide: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1695238
Looks really good, well detailed should be very easy with the help of chainfire!
But I've still got a few questions
1) I think I can't back up my phone until it's rooted to get access to the system files, am I right in thinking when I'm rooted I can use CWM to make a full back up of the phone?
2) Once it's rooted what is a thing that you must not do? The phone was expensive and as these threads may be annoying to all of you I just need to know before I do anything silly so apologies for all the topics
3) I'm going to wait until JB is released for official ROMs, when it comes to flashing a new ROM do I need to unroot the device?
4) any other advice on keeping my phone safe would be great, I am just really really cautious with this kind of stuff lol. Technology is really fussy I don't want to brick my phone
Thanks to everybody who posts, you guys have helped me so much since I joined and I really appreciate it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Answer 1: Check the link in my description (Win 8 -help) and download the adb executables. Then (Using Windows 7/8) Press and hold shift + Right mouse button in the folder and open cmd.
Once in cmd type:
Code:
adb start-server
adb devices (To check if your phone is connected properly)
adb backup -f %Userprofile%\Desktop\ADBackup\backup.ab -apk -nosystem -noshared -all
That will backup your user apps, incase you do do something wrong
Answer 2: Yes, there are a few things you shouldn't do;
Flash a ROM without making a backup
Deleting partitons in the phones' root.
Deleting system apps (APKs), when you don't know what they do, or even what they are.
Flashing a ROM/kernel, that wasn't made for your phone.
Overclocking/undervolting your phone too much.
And there are a couple more, but I don't want to waist your time ^^
Answer 3: JB is already released. No, you don't have to unroot your phone, before flashing. In fact, you probably can't, because you need the recovery program, to flash the ROM.
Answer 4: Don't flash bad stuff, don't install apps, that are reported (i.e. viruses) don't flash ROMs and kernels, that aren't for your device. And last but not least: Only use Odin, if you really have to!
Hope I could help!
UrbanDesigns said:
I'm finally rooting my phone after months of messing about waiting for an unlock
My phone is international model i9300 and I've been reading this guide: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1695238
Looks really good, well detailed should be very easy with the help of chainfire!
But I've still got a few questions
1) I think I can't back up my phone until it's rooted to get access to the system files, am I right in thinking when I'm rooted I can use CWM to make a full back up of the phone?
2) Once it's rooted what is a thing that you must not do? The phone was expensive and as these threads may be annoying to all of you I just need to know before I do anything silly so apologies for all the topics
3) I'm going to wait until JB is released for official ROMs, when it comes to flashing a new ROM do I need to unroot the device?
4) any other advice on keeping my phone safe would be great, I am just really really cautious with this kind of stuff lol. Technology is really fussy I don't want to brick my phone
Thanks to everybody who posts, you guys have helped me so much since I joined and I really appreciate it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) You are right
2) Do not unroot
3) Official JB is already available. Flashing using odin doesn't required unroot. Update via OTA or kies required unroot.
4) Read, read and read is the best way to prevent bricking your device.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app
Thank you guys!
I did not know JB was released, I saw it come out for Poland but I received no notification on my S3.
Now I'm not quite sure in which order I should do things, shall I update to JB and then root?
Can anyone link me to a guide to update for the official JB, al my search results come up with old results with leaked firmware
so I use odin for the first flash and then use CWM from there on out
UrbanDesigns said:
Thank you guys!
I did not know JB was released, I saw it come out for Poland but I received no notification on my S3.
Its only the Poland release so far .
All the rest are the old leaks .
jje
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
UrbanDesigns said:
Thank you guys!
I did not know JB was released, I saw it come out for Poland but I received no notification on my S3.
Now I'm not quite sure in which order I should do things, shall I update to JB and then root?
Can anyone link me to a guide to update for the official JB, al my search results come up with old results with leaked firmware
so I use odin for the first flash and then use CWM from there on out
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you want a Jellybean rom with bloat removed, then download Checkrom http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1738527 . It's a stock samsung rom, bloat taken out, rooted, and is ready for if you wanted themeing etc..
In his kitchen app (that comes with the rom) you can find a package with ALL the removed bloat for you to download and install (ota) but he's also separated them so you can download just the ones you want. Also in the kitchen you will find tweaks for changing the notification drawer toggles, changing the theme, different modems, kernels etc... And check in the kitchen now and again for any updates to the rom (as and when samsung release them)
It's all there and very noob friendly. It's the smoothest most stable stock rom I've tried.
So root your phone using odin (easiest method by far), pay for titanium backup and back up your apps, boot into recovery and make a nandroid, move them onto you exSd or computer, wipe your phone, install checkrom, download titanium again and restore your apps from it.
That's a good start for you, EVERYTHING you need to know has been asked and answered before, so just google or search XDA, it's all still relevant, and you won't go wrong.
I'm going to root it now, seems pretty straight-forward but I'll let you know!
Now I will be shortly rooted what's the best anti-theft to use?
edit: wow... that was possible the easiest thing I have ever done lol, i was expecting it to be hard but it's literally selecting a file and pressing start. it's so much easier then jailbreaking (easy as hell but this tops it for sure)
Just done a CWM back up I didnt expect it to take so long haha
In my opinion, Cerberus is the best anti-theft app out there. You can use for a week as a free trial, I'll bet you're gonna buy it after 15 minutes.
Note that no anti-theft protection will prevent a thief from actually using your phone. Within like 2 minutes of Googling, the thief knows that he can use Download mode to overwrite the firmware (including the "anti theft" app) and 5 minutes later he has done it.
I use one such app (Watchdroid) to find my phone when I have misplaced it and for family members to be able to locate my position through an sms in case of personal distress.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
d4fseeker said:
Note that no anti-theft protection will prevent a thief from actually using your phone. Within like 2 minutes of Googling, the thief knows that he can use Download mode to overwrite the firmware (including the "anti theft" app) and 5 minutes later he has done it.
I use one such app (Watchdroid) to find my phone when I have misplaced it and for family members to be able to locate my position through an sms in case of personal distress.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess it just depends on who finds it, there should be a password for download mode that can't be overwritten
I'm going to have it on either way, it can't hurt
d4fseeker said:
Note that no anti-theft protection will prevent a thief from actually using your phone. Within like 2 minutes of Googling, the thief knows that he can use Download mode to overwrite the firmware (including the "anti theft" app) and 5 minutes later he has done it.
I use one such app (Watchdroid) to find my phone when I have misplaced it and for family members to be able to locate my position through an sms in case of personal distress.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only a thief, who knows what he's doing will use Google. Idiots are more likely to throw the phone away, or give it back..
And Avast! Anti Virus has a lockdown feature, which forces GPS, WiFi/Data and number forwarding (Root), so my phone is pretty safe
I've just installed avast - cheers!
What happens if the SIM is replaced?
and how do I track the phone if it gets lost/stolen?
also in my notification bar it says "avast mobile security is protecting you" i renamed the app for obvious reasons like it suggested. it's pretty stupid if the app renames its self if only reported lost/stolen
UrbanDesigns said:
I've just installed avast - cheers!
What happens if the SIM is replaced?
and how do I track the phone if it gets lost/stolen?
also in my notification bar it says "avast mobile security is protecting you" i renamed the app for obvious reasons like it suggested. it's pretty stupid if the app renames its self if only reported lost/stolen
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check the anti-theft settings in the app. It lets you set up trusted numbers, so you can control your phone remotely, and you can set things up, like force GPS and Data on, that way the phone can tell you it's position..
familyguy59 said:
Check the anti-theft settings in the app. It lets you set up trusted numbers, so you can control your phone remotely, and you can set things up, like force GPS and Data on, that way the phone can tell you it's position..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've done all that, I've enabled anti-theft stealth mode where it states it will remain hidden after my next reboot.
I rebooted the phone but to no avail. It keeps showing in the notification bar and anti-theft seems useless, I've set up a pin but anybody who saw my phone would see the app straight away and would just use google on "how to remove avast samsung galaxy s3"
i don't think a thief could do it themselves but any idiot can search keywords into google to find a solid result
UrbanDesigns said:
I've done all that, I've enabled anti-theft stealth mode where it states it will remain hidden after my next reboot.
I rebooted the phone but to no avail. It keeps showing in the notification bar and anti-theft seems useless, I've set up a pin but anybody who saw my phone would see the app straight away and would just use google on "how to remove avast samsung galaxy s3"
i don't think a thief could do it themselves but any idiot can search keywords into google to find a solid result
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, but not everyone knows what the avast! symbol look like, do they? I doubt you're going to find an XDA-Member would have stolen your phone, it will probably be an Asi, or someone really retarded.
And anyways, they'll get frightened enough, when the phone rights junk to the SD, locks itself up and sounds the siren, with a personal "greeting"..
Give it a go, if your phone gets stolen, there's always the police, they'll (hopefully) help you But that's worst-case-scenario..
familyguy59 said:
Yes, but not everyone knows what the avast! symbol look like, do they? I doubt you're going to find an XDA-Member would have stolen your phone, it will probably be an Asi, or someone really retarded.
And anyways, they'll get frightened enough, when the phone rights junk to the SD, locks itself up and sounds the siren, with a personal "greeting"..
Give it a go, if your phone gets stolen, there's always the police, they'll (hopefully) help you But that's worst-case-scenario..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No but I'd still like it hidden
Anyone with google and the least bit of experience or interest will just reflash the stock Samsungrom anyway, rendering all and any (including Samsung's own) anti-theft utterly useless.
(In many cases thiefs steal to buy drugs, the dealer will certainly know someone to "freshen" up the phone.
It's very useful for finding the phone though if you have misplaced it =)
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
UrbanDesigns said:
No but I'd still like it hidden
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could remove the icon by going into avast > Settings > Notification Icon > None
Hope this helps
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2
d4fseeker said:
Anyone with google and the least bit of experience or interest will just reflash the stock Samsungrom anyway, rendering all and any (including Samsung's own) anti-theft utterly useless.
(In many cases thiefs steal to buy drugs, the dealer will certainly know someone to "freshen" up the phone.
It's very useful for finding the phone though if you have misplaced it =)
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you're saying if I left my phone on the bus or something and somebody picked it up and decided to be a thief they automatically are casual drug users who know dodgy people, all because they found my phone?
I don't see how it could be useful for finding a "misplaced" phone, what would you class as misplaced? If I left the phone under my bed or something and "misplaced" it surely avast! isn't going to show a picture of inside my house?

[Q] Help! I bricked my Verizon Note 2! (SCH-I605)

Great. I, like a dumbass, decided to try and root my new phone without a backup plan. I have had no luck using the XDA video, and now I'm stuck with the "Please select recovery mode in Kies" screen. Kies doesn't recognize it, and I have no way to restore the stock ROM. Is my only option to wait until a stock firmware ROM is released, like it was for sprint?
Based on the information we're currently provided with, I think it'd be safe to say you're screwed for now. Why you would even try to root a device that doesn't currently have any rooting methods is beyond me. You should definitely read up before you try anything you're not sure of.
The only other option you'd have at this point is taking the phone into Verizon, showing them the screen and telling them that this is how it has looked since it came out of the box. Although it's a lie, and you bricked it out of your own neglect, the reps can't really turn you away.
Can you return it?
Sent from my SCH-I605 using xda premium
I did some research, and nobody had any negative things to say about the rooting process, especially with all the videos and forums on it. I searched for how to root the Samsung note 2, versus the model number, which is different for different carriers.
MedicMillan said:
I did some research, and nobody had any negative things to say about the rooting process, especially with all the videos and forums on it. I searched for how to root the Samsung note 2, versus the model number, which is different for different carriers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Every carrier is different. You must be new here.
I am new. I have rooted phones before, but never had this problem. Would it be an option to install a custom rom like Cyanogen until there is a public release of the stock firmware?
MedicMillan said:
I am new. I have rooted phones before, but never had this problem. Would it be an option to install a custom rom like Cyanogen until there is a public release of the stock firmware?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You will need to wait until the boot loader is unlocked to flash a rom, only way I can think of.
MedicMillan said:
I am new. I have rooted phones before, but never had this problem. Would it be an option to install a custom rom like Cyanogen until there is a public release of the stock firmware?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At this point in time, you can't flash anything, you can't root, and there are no recovery images to return to stock with. You either have to wait it out, or try to exchange it at Verizon.
You can exchange, they will not know the difference
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2
Just take it to Verizon play dumb and get it replaced. It's within the 14 days so it will be swapped on the spot. They wont/don't care what's wrong with it.
The suggestion of just return it to the store, they won't notice, is a really **** move and I'm not saying that in defense of Verizon. I'm saying it that it is things like that that in the end cause more harm to the end user than good. They up costs and add charges, create obscene policies, etc. It may not negatively impact you immediately, but when multiple people do this all over the country it adds up.
DaRkL3AD3R said:
The suggestion of just return it to the store, they won't notice, is a really **** move and I'm not saying that in defense of Verizon. I'm saying it that it is things like that that in the end cause more harm to the end user than good. They up costs and add charges, create obscene policies, etc. It may not negatively impact you immediately, but when multiple people do this all over the country it adds up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have to say I agree 100%. If people just used common sense, or read up a bit, situations like these could be entirely avoided.
MedicMillan said:
Great. I, like a dumbass, decided to try and root my new phone without a backup plan. I have had no luck using the XDA video, and now I'm stuck with the "Please select recovery mode in Kies" screen. Kies doesn't recognize it, and I have no way to restore the stock ROM. Is my only option to wait until a stock firmware ROM is released, like it was for sprint?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check the development section. There is a leaked ODIN .tar file that you can flash. It is a prerelease, but at least you will have a functioning phone until a proper root/unlock solution is found.
bork.it.consulting said:
Check the development section. There is a leaked ODIN .tar file that you can flash. It is a prerelease, but at least you will have a functioning phone until a proper root/unlock solution is found.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This Odin file fails. It will not flash. Someone was trying to flash it last night with the same screen you are on.
just odin the stock image in the dev section and you will be back up and running...do not I repeat do not anybody try any root methods for the other gn2 variants!
http://samsung-updates.com/device/?id=SCH-I605
if it fails then your screwed until the latest odin image is release, which im sure wont be too long.
Nit3mare said:
I have to say I agree 100%. If people just used common sense, or read up a bit, situations like these could be entirely avoided.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not saying that everyone should go flash happy, attempt to root without knowing what they are doing destroy their phones and take them back to Verizon then rinse and repeat the process. But there have to be a few that are a tempting to get root for everyone else there is bound to be some hard bricks. Should they be out 700, and that's kinda harsh.
Check out this link for a fixed brick....
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=34862234#post34862234
mrlaigle said:
I'm not saying that everyone should go flash happy, attempt to root without knowing what they are doing destroy their phones and take them back to Verizon then rinse and repeat the process. But there have to be a few that are a tempting to get root for everyone else there is bound to be some hard bricks. Should they be out 700, and that's kinda harsh.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But with a little reading in the correct forum, people could avoid owning a $700 paperweight. It's really not that difficult, and any issues that arise from lack of research are due to their own ignorance. I can't feel sympathy for anyone who flashes blindly.
Nit3mare said:
But with a little reading in the correct forum, people could avoid owning a $700 paperweight. It's really not that difficult, and any issues that arise from lack of research are due to their own ignorance. I can't feel sympathy for anyone who flashes blindly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not disagreeing with you. If you do not know what you are doing or if this is your first time you shouldn't be attempting to root an un rooted device. But there will always be those guinea pigs...
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2
This is exactly the reason why everyone else who follows commense is punished with locked bootloader.

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