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device has been modified

A

adnan1234

Newbie
I used some photos recovery software that was installed in my pc and I had to connect my fone via data cable and during the process of recovery, the software restarted my fone twice or thrice and now Device status shows custom and I cant update the device as it says "your device has been modified. Software updates are not available"
I haven't got a memory card and I have tried factory reset and cache clearing but it hasn't helped... did that software root my fone? Whats the possible solution?
 
Hi

The software may have rooted (and maybe unrooted again) your phone. Your problem could be that the "flash counter" has been triggered. Its Samsungs way of knowing if your phone has been messed about with. If you let us know exactly what software you used, someone may be able to help. It can probably be fixed.

Roger
 
I have the same error. Says "modified" on an unrooted Galaxy S3 I9300.

Want to update the firmware but says "Your device has been modified. Software updates are not available."

Phone is currently running 4.1.2 stock

Can't connect to Kies to do the update because it gives me the whole "connecting" for eternity problem which I can't solve even though the PC can see the phone and I can copy files to and from it. (Windows 7 64bit)
No MTA driver problems (fixed those already using solutions given elsewhere)

I also had used Dr Fone to try some data recovery and it seems that it has affected the ability to do OTA updates. Can anyone provide a resolution? Thanks!
 
I went to the site to see what "Dr. Fone" Is all about.
Quick look, it appears to be some serious data recovery software.
It claims to be able to recover files like texts and photos after having been deleted, flashed, or factory reset.

My first thought is that if a program can achieve this, it would need uncompromised access to the phones internal memory for "forensic analysis", which is at a different level then the OS. This is way beyond any level the average consumer would usually have access to.

My guess is: To gain this type of access, the program uses exploits and such to access this section of the phones memory, which in turn could trigger the system flags. So yes, the program probably Is to blame.

Not sure if that can be corrected with the program designer, manufacturer, or carrier, but you can try. Most of them are quick to wash their hands of a warranty claim if they have an out.
 
The flags are their to see if the phone had been tampered with, kind of like the barrier tape on a hard drive only not physical. I don't think flashing with Odin will help otherwise what would be the point of having the flags in the first place, but obviously you can try it If you want.
 
I have heard in some cases that flashing can allow you to use OTA updates again, so you may not be left out 100%
Like my phone, which is an LG F6. Returning to stock, as I have heard, will give access to OTA. I haven't tried this so I am not sure.

This is why I can't give you a 100% answer on it.
 
Just flashed the latest 4.3 stock rom from www.sammobile.com on the s3 using Odin and all has returned to normal. Status is now "official" and I can do OTA update checks again.

All data is retained and it didn't reset my phone so all my apps, settings and everything else is still there!

Hope this helps others with the same problem.
 
Awesome. Congratulations on fixing it and thank you for verifying for those that didn't know that flashing back to stock works.
 
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