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Root [International] Q's before Rooting

A

andybog

Guest
Hi all, I am finally going to take the plunge and root my phone via the Cf-Autoroot method as I want to use so many apps that require root permissions. I will also flash PhilZ recovery to take nandroid backups.

BUT before I go ahead I just want to ask a few things...

1) If I wish to return my phone back to complete stock, recovery and all, for warranty reasons, how would I do this?

2)Is there any way to create an image of the phone, similar to a nandoird, before I root? In case for some reason rooting causes problems in certain apps?

3) Do I need to install busy box? if so how?
 
You defo can make the phone look untouched if you need to mate. Ive never done it but theres probably guides.
Nah the phone has to be rooted to fully back it up unfortunately but dont worry, itl be fine :)
The root method youre using will install Busybox and Super SU.
Dont worry mate itl be fine. Just dont check any boxes on Odin that you shouldnt :thumbup:

Just noticed youre on the 91305, make sure the method youre using is compatible with it mate.. it may work just the same as the 91300 but i honestly dont know :thumbup:
 
Download your original firmware from sammobile, and once rooted install Chainfire's Triangle Away app. Then it's pretty easy to return to stock with these tools. Only slight complication may be if you have a newer boatloader, but this can also be overcome by flashing older ICS one (think there's a link on xda in root SU's sudden death thread sticky in S3 general). Recommend you read the first post in this thread as its very relevant if you're going to root to understand the SDS issue and what you can do to minimise risk.

Never tried it but Carbon backup tool might be able to backup your apps plus data before you root.

As long as the Cf root method is compatible with your phone then don't worry too much, it's easy process and more importantly works with practically no risk of any problems. You're doing the right thing by asking questions first anyway, plenty of folk in here who can help.
 
To get your correct firmware from Sammimobile downloaded from there you need your CSC and PDA numbers. To get the actual numbers dial *#1234# for an explanation of what the numbers all mean (which will help you) there is a an explanation on the Galaxy S2 forums which is totally relevant to the S3 here :

http://androidforums.com/samsung-galaxy-s2-international/387520-understanding-csc-kernel-etc.html

I have a "GS3" folder on my PC with all information, firmwares, ROMS etc on my laptop. I can if needed get it back to a "stock fresh, out of the box" state in literally seconds if need be. Best to encrypt such a folder if others have access to your PC, and copy any Nandroid backups there too, along with EFS backups and for your apps Titanium back ups. A belt and braces approach, than can save massive headaches if things go pear shaped (they won't).

You did exactly the right thing asking about things first.
 
Thanks all. The thread on xda, root SU's sudden death thread sticky in S3 general, makes for an interesting read and ive checked my emmc and I think I'm safe and also as I'm staying stock the kernel has addressed the problem.

My only concern is the recovery I'm thinking of using, philz. From what I understand this also has a kernel and needs to be sudden death syndrome safe, anyone know if the latest version of philz for the i9305 is sds safe? Maybe rootSU knows?

I have started to create a s3 folder with lots of stuff in, stock rom, odin, usb drivers etc, and instructions on how to do and use each part, did this with my old HTC Desire and is well worth it.
 
Yep Philz recovery is safe. I had a Desire as well, you'll find rooting the S3 much easier especially no faffing about gaining S-Off :)
 
saltire said:
no faffing about gaining S-Off :)
Click to expand...

Once rooted do i have full access to /system and can delete/view things from within es file explorer? When i say things im not just going wade in and delete random stuff.
 
Yep - usual caveats apply though. With the internal space the S3 has you shouldn't need to, I just install bloatwate free rom and freeze stuff in Titanium.
 
Nearly finished asking question before I root :)

One last question....I am going to install PhilZ recovery and if I decide to go back to stock for warranty reason will installing my firmware via odin, from sammobile, overwrite and install the stock recovery??

Ive had a look inside the .tar.md5 file and it shows as in the pic, so im guessing that it will?? Just want to confirm that it will though.
 

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andybog said:
Once rooted do i have full access to /system and can delete/view things from within es file explorer? When i say things im not just going wade in and delete random stuff.
Click to expand...

Instead of deleting random stuff, first rename it with a bak extension. Reboot the phone and if you have problems change it back to the original name. If no problems then you can delete the file.
 
Was about to root my phone and I went to the cfroot web page and it says this...

UNLOCK BOOTLOADERS
If you have locked bootloaders, flashing one of these will probably brick your device - with the exception of Nexus devices, which will*usually*automatically "OEM unlock" andwipe your data !

So....how can i tell if my bootloader is locked or not?

I have the i9305 running 4.1.2, all official and nothing messed with, totally stock.
 
andybog said:
Was about to root my phone and I went to the cfroot web page and it says this...

UNLOCK BOOTLOADERS
If you have locked bootloaders, flashing one of these will probably brick your device - with the exception of Nexus devices, which will*usually*automatically "OEM unlock" andwipe your data !

So....how can i tell if my bootloader is locked or not?

I have the i9305 running 4.1.2, all official and nothing messed with, totally stock.
Click to expand...

I think that your bootloader will be unlocked already. It is on the I9300 so I don't see why it wouldn't on yours. I would maybe wait for a second confirmation just to be sure though ;)
 
Do any of the internationals have locked bootloader mate?
I did a search for an app to check status of the bootloader but couldnt find anythin
 
Yeah, in the past, id only ever heard/read americans even talk about the bootloader tbh.. i had to google it lol :)
 
success!!

Finally found time to root my i9305. Went smoothly and was very easy.
Rooted using CF-autoroot and then installed the lastest PhilZ recovery, took a nandroid back up, and copied it to PC, and now im free to explore.

Thanks all for the replies.
 
Excellent news. Well done andybog.:)

I'm not being sarcastic or patronising, it takes guts to invalidate the warranty and at the same time, with the same process, possibly turn your expensive phone into a shiny paper weight.

Now you are free to do what you like with it, a decent file manager would be one of the first things on my list. I think "Root Explorer" is one of the best. it is here :

https://play.google.com/store/apps/...sImNvbS5zcGVlZHNvZnR3YXJlLnJvb3RleHBsb3JlciJd
 
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