4.4 and 4.3 Sticky Roll-Up Thead
Do not use EZ-Unlock! You will instantly hard brick your phone and you will have to go through a painstaking hardbrick repair or get a JTAG repair.
Thread Purpose
The official 4.3 touchwiz update brought significant changes to the Verizon Galaxy S3. Once you took the update, the phone is completely stuck on the 4.3 or 4.4 base and any attempt to change the rom (unless using safestrap) will brick the device. Previous rooting and unlocking methods will no longer work on the update and will cause bricks if used. However, there are great threads going around regarding the update but are fragmented all over the device sections. We need a place to have all the information available on the new update. The old sticky roll-up thread should be used for anyone who still has an unlocked bootloader, meaning you did not take the 4.3 or 4.4 OTA update or your phone did not come with it pre-installed.
If you have 4.4 NE1 baseband you are unable to go back to any version of the 4.3 updates. Running any kind of 4.3 rom in safestrap will not work, and installing a stock 4.3 rom will brick your phone. You are limited to using a modified safestrap located in this thread, with no current modified custom roms.
This thread should strictly be for reference only, meaning posts should only be made if you believe a specific thread should be linked in the OP. If you want to discuss any aspects of this update that you're confused about, please use the 4.3 discussion thread (first linked sticky) or post your question in the Q&A forum. Keeping post counts low will make it easier for new members to access the information they need, so please post appropriately.
How can I tell if I have the official 4.3 or 4.4 update if I bricked my device?
It's important to know what base you're on so you can fix a brick. In any circumstance except a hard brick, once you boot into download mode you will see one of three possibilities:
If you're on a 4.3 or 4.4, you're in the right place:
4.3
Product Name: SCH-I535
Custom Binary Download: No
Current Binary: Samsung Official
System Status: Custom
Qualcomm Secureboot: Enable
Warranty Bit:0
Bootloader RP Swrev: 0
4.4
Product Name: SCH-I535
Current Binary: Samsung Official
System Status: Custom
Qualcomm Secureboot: Enable
Bootloader RP Swrev: 0
If you're on the 4.1 baseband, you're in the wrong place and you should head here: Stickied Threads [9.2.13]
The information displayed in download mode will look like this:
4.1
Product Name: SCH-I535
Custom Binary Download: No
Current Binary: Samsung Official
System Status: Custom
Qualcomm Secureboot: Enable
Stuck Threads
https://towelroot.com
Only tool available that will root 4.4 NE1 and 4.3 NC1 basebands. Will also root 4.3 ML1.
Touchwiz 4.3 (VRUCML1 and NC1) update discussion thread
Great resource with plenty of helpful people roaming the thread constantly. Use this thread to discuss any aspect of the 4.3 update you want.
[ROOT] Saferoot: Root for VRUEMJ7, MK2, and Android 4.3
A tool that will root the 4.3 VRUCML1 base.
Will not work on NC1 or NE1 basebands.
[RECOVERY LOCKED] Safestrap Recovery v3.71 [2014-01-10 Alpha]
Only custom recovery that will work on the 4.3 VRUCML1. Do not try to use any other custom recovery, you will brick your phone. Right now you can only install custom Touchwiz 4.3 roms, so follow the directions in the thread.
Will not work on the VRUCNC1 baseband, lacks kernel modules for WIFI connectivity. Will not work at all on the NE1 baseband.
[RECOVERY LOCKED/NE1] Unofficial Safestrap Recovery v3.75 [2014-06-27 KK B01]
Only recovery that will work on the NE1 baseband.
[HOWTO]Comprehensive IMEI/EFS Backup
Old thread, but a good one. This should be done immediately after you root, steps A and B (if still possible).
[INDEX] TW 4.3 Download List (5-24-14)
Everything you can install on 4.3 basebands NC1 and ML1.
[INDEX] TW 4.4 Download List (7-10-14)
Everything you can install on 4.4 baseband NE1.
[GUIDE Win/Linux/Mac] Debrick 4.3 with Odin or Verizon Utility + PIT [SOFT BRICK]
Use this if you bricked your device, and you're still able to access download mode. You can also use this guide to return completely to stock if you need to.
For NE1 you need to use an appropriate NE1 stock rom, not the 4.3 rom listed.
[GUIDE] Debrick your bricked SCH-I535! [BOOTLOADER/HARDBRICK]
Use this if you bricked your device and can't enter download mode. Computer will recognize device as QHSUSB-DLOAD, but other than that you have no other sign of life. You can also fix this problem with a JTAG repair if you can't get this method to work.
Useful Information
If you have 4.3 VRUCNC1 baseband, since wifi modules aren't available it is recommend to Odin flash the Stock 4.3 VRUCML1 rom then root and install safestrap. That way you will have working wifi after rom installations.
[FAQ] KNOX and you
Very useful information on KNOX that everyone should understand. However, we have a locked bootloader and the sprint device doesn't, so don't listen to what he's telling you about flashing AOSP roms. If you do it you'll brick the phone, just understand what he's saying about what knox is.
[FIRMWARE] (MODEM/RPM/TZ/SBL) Verizon SGS3 (SCH-I535)
Good information on the locked bootloader and why it can't be downgraded to a previous modem. Do not flash any files from this thread if you're on the 4.3 base.
I think that's all I can think of, hope this helps everyone who needs it!
