Which Root method if any...

[Batman8888]

Hey Batman (and anyone else reading this),

A little FYI - Last night, I was having an issue with my earphones jack. Tried several remedies and nothing worked. Saw some people suggested the good Ol' Factory Data Reset. SOOooooo, I did, from the settings menu...... Forgot to uninstall Safestrap beforehand. Totally soft bricked my phone into a bowl of Kellogg's Bootloops..LOL I ended up having to Odin the full factory image for 4.3 MJE. What a royal pain in the behind, but it worked. Totally restored my phone to out of the box status. Then rooted via Kingo, and followed above procedure to get back to KitKat. Took awhile, but all is well, and working flawlessly. So it is indeed possible to get back to 4.3 if you would ever need to and have to take your phone to Verizon for any reason.

Lefty Drummer,

I'm glad to see that the whole process worked out for you. Bootloops are a real pain in the but, and take up a lot of your time to recover from! Nevertheless, it is great to know that a process is still available that will take us back to stock 4.3 and also allows you to upgrade back to Kit Kat. As usual, thanks so much for sharing your experiences as well as for all of your help in general with this process! As I've said many times before..."these forums & the Android community ARE GREAT, and in many cases are also a life saver!"

 

[Lefty Drummer]

Without out a doubt they are! With root available seemingly for the OTA I may yet go that route. However there's no way back to 4.3 if necessary. But I guess you could always Odin NC4 from scratch if you had to. I'm quite happy here with NC2 for now. Really don't see the need to grab the OTA at this point. Cheers!

Sent from my Awesome Note 3 via Android Central Forums App

 

[Batman8888]

Lefty Drummer,

I took the plunge and updated to Kit Kat yesterday and everything went well. I followed all the steps word for word and had no problems, so I thank you again for answering all of my prep questions, that really helped a lot.

Of course I used Safestrap 3.65 as part of the process, but did not install SS 3.71 as I do not really intend on flashing any roms any time soon, and my understanding is that is where 3.71 comes in. So now my final question is, "Is version 3.65 still running, and if so, what should be done (if anything) before I ever perform a Factory Data Reset?" Do I need to uninstall 3.65, or is it just installed but not doing anything? I don't want to also end up in a bootloop if I can prevent it.

Coincidentally, I also saw that just as soon as I did the upgrade, I saw a post that the latest KK OTA has now been rooted on the Note 3! I don't know if I should or even want to bother with going through the whole process all over again, especially not knowing if there is even a real advantage to doing so. Although I hate to say that I'm still having the same data reception issues that I had before, which was my sole reason for upgrading to KK. But lots of people are now confirming that they have NO data signal problems, so with no guarantee that my data strength would even improve, I don't really want the hassles or risks of doing this all over again. I'm starting to think that Verizon has maybe made some sort of changes in my area that they won't admit to and it is affecting my data signal (giving me only 3 bars where I always used to get 5).

I also found it odd that I now see a message that the S-Voice/Voice Command that used to wake up the phone no longer works if you have your device's ringer and alerts set to vibrate, which I had never heard before AND presents a problem for me since I have ALWAYS kept my phones set to vibrate instead of ringing and making alert sounds. Other than this issue and the data signal problem I guess KK is working O.K., although I still want it FIXED.

So as usual, I welcome you (and everyone else here) to share your thoughts on this. Thanks.

 

[Lefty Drummer]

Lefty Drummer,

I took the plunge and updated to Kit Kat yesterday and everything went well. I followed all the steps word for word and had no problems, so I thank you again for answering all of my prep questions, that really helped a lot.

Of course I used Safestrap 3.65 as part of the process, but did not install SS 3.71 as I do not really intend on flashing any roms any time soon, and my understanding is that is where 3.71 comes in. So now my final question is, "Is version 3.65 still running, and if so, what should be done (if anything) before I ever perform a Factory Data Reset?" Do I need to uninstall 3.65, or is it just installed but not doing anything? I don't want to also end up in a bootloop if I can prevent it.

Coincidentally, I also saw that just as soon as I did the upgrade, I saw a post that the latest KK OTA has now been rooted on the Note 3! I don't know if I should or even want to bother with going through the whole process all over again, especially not knowing if there is even a real advantage to doing so. Although I hate to say that I'm still having the same data reception issues that I had before, which was my sole reason for upgrading to KK. But lots of people are now confirming that they have NO data signal problems, so with no guarantee that my data strength would even improve, I don't really want the hassles or risks of doing this all over again. I'm starting to think that Verizon has maybe made some sort of changes in my area that they won't admit to and it is affecting my data signal (giving me only 3 bars where I always used to get 5).

I also found it odd that I now see a message that the S-Voice/Voice Command that used to wake up the phone no longer works if you have your device's ringer and alerts set to vibrate, which I had never heard before AND presents a problem for me since I have ALWAYS kept my phones set to vibrate instead of ringing and making alert sounds. Other than this issue and the data signal problem I guess KK is working O.K., although I still want it FIXED.

So as usual, I welcome you (and everyone else here) to share your thoughts on this. Thanks.

Hey Batman,

Glad it went well for you. Check your app drawer there should be no Safestrap installed there. Once the new os was installed from Odin it was deleted. Certainly you can verify this by restarting and you'll see the Safestrap splash screen is no more. My issue occurred because I did install SS 3.72 (gave a thought to installing some roms). When I tried to fdr from inside the settings menu, it tried to restart and boot into stock recovery to finish the process. That's when the bootloop started because the Note 3 splash screen came up and up in the left hand corner in blue it said "starting recovery". After 5 seconds the screen went blank, the phone vibrated and the N3 splash screen came up again, sans little blue text. Blank again, vibrated, then the whole process would loop. I believe with SS installed it futzed everything up. Had I uninstalled SS think it would have been fine.

I'm quite happy on NC2 do not see a reason to jump to NC4 at this time. I know root is now available for the OTA but there's no way to roll back if need be to either 4.3 or NC2 KK.

Sorry you're still having problems with data signal, wish I could help you there. Probably a network issue these phones are I believe too good.

Don't use S voice either but it does seem that every once in awhile either a carrier or manufacturer will change or delete a function that we use and like. Hope you get it sorted out.

Later!

Sent from my Awesome Note 3 via Android Central Forums App

 

[Batman8888]

Lefty Drummer,

Thanks for the explanation on how you "bootlooped". I'm fine then as far as doing any FDRs if needed. Although now I'm confused. I thought it was SS that was allowing a way back to stock 4.3. So what is it, these pre rooted roms that we're running?

Also, do you know if there is much difference between NC2 and NC4? If it's possibly the radios then maybe I could actually get a better data signal with another upgrade huh (??), as long as it is, or can be rooted. I have a few rooted apps that are mandatory.

If it turns out that NC4 does in fact have better reception, AND is rooted, I hope another great tutorial comes out with good details.

Thx. B.

 

[Lefty Drummer]

Lefty Drummer,

Thanks for the explanation on how you "bootlooped". I'm fine then as far as doing any FDRs if needed. Although now I'm confused. I thought it was SS that was allowing a way back to stock 4.3. So what is it, these pre rooted roms that we're running?

Also, do you know if there is much difference between NC2 and NC4? If it's possibly the radios then maybe I could actually get a better data signal with another upgrade huh (??), as long as it is, or can be rooted. I have a few rooted apps that are mandatory.

If it turns out that NC4 does in fact have better reception, AND is rooted, I hope another great tutorial comes out with good details.

Thx. B.

The way back would be to Odin the full 4.3 stock image, which is a LARGE file. That took for freakin' ever, but worked for me to get out of my mess. SS would only become necessary to go forward with KK NC2. NC2 has something that doesn't "lock down" the phone preventing you from going back. From what I understand something changed in security if you will on NC4 that will brick your phone if you tried to go backwards for any reason. There's a loophole in NC2 that is exploitable.
Do not know the particulars on the difference between NC2 and NC4.
From what I've seen it is now possible to root NC4 with the method mentioned earlier in this thread. Perhaps over at XDA someone has details on the differences between the two.

Sent from my Awesome Note 3 via Android Central Forums App

 

[Batman8888]

Thx LD!

 

[alxarambula]

Have a quick question. If I root my note 3 using the towel root method will I be able to download Verizons future OTA updates or will it interfere somehow? Also can someone give me a link on the do's and do not's of rooting any info would be helpful.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[Lefty Drummer]

Have a quick question. If I root my note 3 using the towel root method will I be able to download Verizons future OTA updates or will it interfere somehow? Also can someone give me a link on the do's and do not's of rooting any info would be helpful.

Posted via Android Central App

You should be able to as long as you unroot when such an update becomes available. Sometimes updates will install over root sometimes not. Always better if the system is completely stock and unrooted.
Check out YouTube for loads of videos on rooting. Most rooting methods are very simple and straightforward compared to even just a couple years ago. As long as you follow any instructions provided by the root developer you should be fine.

Sent from my Awesome Note 3 via Android Central Forums App

 

[Lefty Drummer]

Thx LD!

See this PSA from developer Hash code for some info on the advantages of NC2, very first post in the thread:

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2727876

You're welcome!


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[Batman8888]

Perfect, should be able to do this easily as that is what I was on. Here's my post with links

Kitkat update failing - Android Forums at AndroidCentral.com

Sent from my Awesome Note 3 via the Android Central Forums App

I have recently run into problems with my Note 3 since going through this rooted kit kat update a few months ago. After recently experiencing terrible lag and still having connection issues for months (phone signal and data connections) I decided to do a Factory Data Reset (FDR) to clear things out and start fresh. Well at first the phone would not reset! I did it about 5 times and each time the phone would just sit saying "shutting down" but would sit there like that for an hour or more until I would pull the battery. Today, I tried it again and the phone seemed to reset but then took me to a black screen with the Samsung logo and with blue writing at the top that says "recovery booting", then a few seconds later it keeps restarting and puts the same writing on the screen...basically like a bootloop. I can't follow the instructions here exactly like I did the first time because I can't even get into recovery now to "wipe" anything or to install the odexed or deodexed files through recovery (and I MUST have root for many of my most important apps to run).

So what's the best way to at least get my phone back up and running again on kk and w/root? Since I have already performed all of those steps in the first post about a couple of months ago, is it even necessary to do them all again or can I just reflash the kit kat file in odin and still keep root?

Please help me out with some pointers please (ASAP) because I am now without my device when I normally use it for many things all day! Thanks.

** PS - Nevermind...

 

[Lefty Drummer]

That sounds like the bootloop I had. I'm afraid the only sure fire way out is to Odin the factory 4.3 image. It's a large file, takes some time but it should work. Once you're there, then you can root and install Safestrap. Beanstown over at XDA now has a rooted 4.4 KK NC4, which is the current OTA. I'm currently running with zero issues, completely rooted. Install process is like NC2, rom installed via Safestrap, then Odin the firmware.

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[Lefty Drummer]

Here's the post with link to XDA

http://forums.androidcentral.com/showthread.php?p=3790487

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[Batman8888]

Thanks so much as usual for all the info Lefty Drummer. I found that putting my device into "download" mode got me out of the bootloop (3 times) and the phone continues to remain perfectly in tack no matter how many times I try to reset it! It's like a monster that can't be killed!! Strange thing is, I'm finding now that not only can I absolutely NOT reset my device (FDR) and I have tried to 9 times now, but I also CANNOT boot into recovery. Each time I try to enter recovery, I get stuck in another bootloop. Therefore, my question is "how can I follow the instructions for upgrading to the new rooted NC4" when the early parts of the instructions say to "wipe data" which seems impossible to do? I also see that the instructions mention using Safestrap but with no mention of which version nor were any links to it provided.

I really think I need to move on to the rooted NC4 to overcome many of the issues that I'm encountering on NC2. Please help if possible in giving me a little more direction if you can (considering I need more info on Safestrap versions and links, as well as a way to wipe all data). Hopefully once running Safestrap it will allow the data wipe.

Thanks again LD!

 

[Lefty Drummer]

You're going to have to get 4.3 and install from Odin via Download mode. Does not require recovery. From there install Safestrap as before and then install 4.4 KK NC4 as per Bean's instructions.

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[Lefty Drummer]

Forgot to mention as above, you will need to root before Safestrap is installed. May try new towel root, as it's called. Click link above for post with link to Beans XDA post with all links and files (except 4.3). Gonna have to Google that one my friend.

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[Batman8888]

Hey LD, thanks for the quick response. However, I noticed Bean's instructions saying that you have to be on any rooted rom/NC2 and I am currently on rooted 4.4.2 (NC2). Do you think I really need to drop down to 4.3 first?

I do think I still have MJE and MJ7 on my HD at home and I think they are both 4.3. Hopefully, if it's really absolutely necessary to drop down, I can at least use one of them correct?

 

[Lefty Drummer]

But you do need to be able to get into Safestrap recovery, can you do that? I thought from the sound of things you weren't able to do that. If you can get into recovery then maybe you don't need to drop back. Thought you were in some sort of bootloop?

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[Lefty Drummer]

You should only need to drop back to MJE 4.3. If you either have Safestrap installed or can install it, then maybe you can stay where you are.

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[Batman8888]

I think I will at least try to install Safestrap in order to perform the NC4 upgrade from where I am (on 4.4.3). Sorry to ask so many questions, but I am EXTREMELY careful when upgrading/flashing roms, etc. in order to avoid bricking of course...so that leads me to my final question which is "does it matter which version of Safestrap I use?"

Thanks.