4.3 OTA ML2 Root Method!

Hello there fellow XDA peeps. I figured out the way to root the OFFICIAL OTA 4.3 Update. Build Number UCUBML2.

1. Download the the following file http://www.mediafire.com/download/x4n952wzyr3eobd/pwnedkernel.tar.md5 and flash it with odin under PDA. I pulled the boot.img from the 4.3 leak and as we all know it is vulnerable to saferoot and other root method around.

2. After phone reboots enable USB debugging mode try using saferoot or Vroot..google it... it will work .

3. Because this is an older kernel, wifi and some other stuff dont work but dont panic. Flash the next file https://www.mediafire.com/?08j1wqn0x7igjq0 with odin under PDA . This is the stock ML2 kernel.

4. After phone reboots launch Supersu and allow the binary to get updated. Also disable that pesky Knox :laugh:

5 .???

6. Profit. Enjoy your rooted apps and safestrap :good::good:

P.S. I have the 4.2.2 modem because I had to repair the imei of the phone..but just ignore it. and again enjoy

Credits to all the people that came up with the kernel exploits like Saferoot etc.

I guess I only partially answered your question, so I'll go through your post line by line to make sure I convey what I was unable to last time.

namitutonka said:

So you prefer a rooted 4.3 rather than an official AT&T 4.4? I thought 4.4 had improvements over 4.3.

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I don't think it's a matter of preference for people whether they choose 4.3 or 4.4, on some phones 4.4 just flat out doesn't work so they are forced to use 4.3 if they want a working phone.

namitutonka said:

I assume you will upgrade to official 4.4 OTA after you find how to root it, correct? AND I assume you downgraded to 4.3 because root provides you with more flexible choices as to how and what your phone runs.

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As I tried to say in my previous post, the 4.4 OTA was released on April 16 and subsequently pulled by AT&T on April 19 due to bugs. This OTA was captured and anybody who wants update to 4.4 manually is able to do so. Additionally root has been achieved on 4.4 and there are many people who are running rooted 4.4.2 right now. You can find more information on downloading and rooting the 4.4.2 update in the i537 Firmware Thread. So it's not so much that 4.3 provides more flexibility (both 4.3 and 4.4 have been rooted), but the fact that on some phones 4.4 doesn't work properly.

namitutonka said:

I'm 63 and haven't ever had a smartphone except for the last two weeks or so, and I bricked a rooted 4.2.2, then I had to bring it back to AT&T to resurrect it to their official AT&T 4.3. I'm both enthusiastic about rooting my official 4.3 on my I537, but am afraid that (because of my android inexperience) I'll have to drag it back to AT&T to fix it a second time. Such a plethora of rooted tweaking information makes tweaking choices a very chancy business for me.

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It sucks that you bricked your phone, but for future reference you can always flash the 4.3 ML2 Odin package and it should save your phone. Again you can find links to more information about ML2 and the Odin packages in the i537 Firmware Thread. If you're worried about bricking your phone after rooting, I would suggest looking into SafeStrap. To summarize what it does, it basically creates a second ROM on your phone that is independent of your original (stock) ROM. This way you can mess with your second ROM and do pretty much anything you want to it, even completely corrupt it, and you'll still be able to fall back to your working stock ROM and still have a working phone. It's a really great alternative to having a locked phone and not being able to flash custom ROMs. I would do a bit of research about SafeStrap, how to use it and how it works, it could save you headaches in the future.

namitutonka said:

sagi232123 recommended your "sunderwear method" here: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?p=52412047.

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Root methods for every version of firmware is linked to in the i537 Firmware Thread.

namitutonka said:

I'm going to turn off OTA updates after I root with your method, but if a root method for the official OTA 4.4 comes along, do you know if I could turn OTA updates back on and upgrade to the official 4.4 version? I will hold off rooting with your "sunderwear method" until I'm reassured of this.

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Just so you're aware, once you change your system files in any way (i.e. rooting) you will no longer be able to receive OTA updates. For some people this is a deal breaker, but you can always flash the 4.3 ML2 Odin package to return to a stock, untouched system that will be able to receive OTA updates again. The only downside to this is that the Odin package will completely wipe your phone when you flash it.

I hope this answered your questions, but my suggestion again is to look at all the links in the i537 Firmware Thread and read everything 3 or 4 times before you do anything. People have done everything you are trying to do and have run into the problems that you will inevitably run into. There are solutions for everything posted in this forum you just need to make sure you read about what you're going to attempt before you actually do it to minimize your risk.

the instructions its very clear dont need to some one make a video first download the the file 4.3 ML2 then unzip the file you will see 4 files open Odin go to the download mode press volume up & power botton
BL. goes to the bootloder
AP. goes to the PDA
CP.goes to the phone
CSC . goes to the CSC
about root 4.3 ML2 .. download the 2 files first flash pwnedkernel via Odin put in PDA then download saferoot on you computer unzip it then open the file go to the install open it ..you will see command put your phone on USB debugging plug on you computer press enter a few mints your phone will reboot when your phone get root flash the originalkrenel same thing on PDA your done... sorry about my English

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using xda app-developers app

confirmed root access for 4.3 OTA Ml2 worked perfect .. thank you man you are amazing

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using xda app-developers app

DL2000820 said:

I have my S4A 4.3 ML2 rooted and all that but now it's pestering me to update to 4.4.2 and i know is i update it i will lose root. Is there a way to stop the notification from popping up or upgrade to 4.4.2 and have it still rooted?

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Rename wssyncmldm.apk and wssyncmldm.odex to wssyncmldm.apk.bak and wssyncmldm.odex.bak respectively.

Or just update to 4.4.2 and root with towelroot. It's a lot easier than you think.