Galaxy Note 3 running 4.4

[time2split]

I just bought a used unlocked Note 3 a couple of weeks ago. I have just come to realize that it is running 4.4. Is this Kit Kat? How would this get on the phone if it isn't even released? Can it be removed and replaced with Jelly Bean? I am not a phone tweaker and Like my electronics to be stock and follow proper channels for updates. If I can and elect to back peddle the OS could I be opening a whole new can of worms?

 

[Rukbat]

Does the phone work? If yes, don't "fix" it. If no, get your money back.

Will you be opening a can of worms? Possibly, especially if it's the 900A or 900V.

 

[dibblebill]

If it's working 100% and it's got Kit-Kat, leave it.

 

[time2split]

Yes the phone works. I was just concerned that I might run into issues down the road with future updates from Android.

 

[funkylogik]

Post a screenshot of "about phone" mate. It will be a custom rom so you wont get official updates (which could be a good or bad thing depending on how you look at it lol).
You can return it to official firmware if you want.
What carrier are you on? I think rom development for the note3 is still very young
P.s, if it is running unofficial firmware then the warranty is void

 

[dibblebill]

Post a screenshot of "about phone" mate. It will be a custom rom so you wont get official updates (which could be a good or bad thing depending on how you look at it lol).
You can return it to official firmware if you want.
What carrier are you on? I think rom development for the note3 is still very young
P.s, if it is running unofficial firmware then the warranty is void

I've sent tablets to Samsung with completely customized ROMs, recoveries, and kernels and gotten hardware warranty repairs done. They just won't help with the software

 

[CDPlant]

Moved to Note 3 forum

 

[funkylogik]

I've sent tablets to Samsung with completely customized ROMs, recoveries, and kernels and gotten hardware warranty repairs done. They just won't help with the software

Cool. I read a post by Chainfire saying that service centers had been advised to decline devices with the efuse tripped because they class it as "hardware damage caused by the user" lol.
Nice to see that isnt being implimented :beer:

 

[dibblebill]

Cool. I read a post by Chainfire saying that service centers had been advised to decline devices with the efuse tripped because they class it as "hardware damage caused by the user" lol.
Nice to see that isnt being implimented :beer:

It's possible that happened after I sent mine in

 

[time2split]

Post a screenshot of "about phone" mate. It will be a custom rom so you wont get official updates (which could be a good or bad thing depending on how you look at it lol).
You can return it to official firmware if you want.
What carrier are you on? I think rom development for the note3 is still very young
P.s, if it is running unofficial firmware then the warranty is void

Here is a screen shot. Can you tell me if this is the official firmware or what has been changed in order to install 4.4. I am with KOODO

 

[BlueBiker]

OP, was the phone advertised as having been updated to 4.4? If not, you'd be entitled to return it.

If you're willing to learn the ins and outs of a rooted phone w/non-standard firmware then you might consider it an advantage and keep it. Otherwise it may be a headache you're not willing to endure, due to the inability or difficulty of installing standard updates and the fact that certain functions may not work.

Does all of the S-Pen stuff work as it should? WiFi, GPS, and NFC?

 

[time2split]

OP, was the phone advertised as having been updated to 4.4? If not, you'd be entitled to return it.

If you're willing to learn the ins and outs of a rooted phone w/non-standard firmware then you might consider it an advantage and keep it. Otherwise it may be a headache you're not willing to endure, due to the inability or difficulty of installing standard updates and the fact that certain functions may not work.

Does all of the S-Pen stuff work as it should? WiFi, GPS, and NFC?

Yes as far as I know the phone works as it should. I am not sure if there are missing functions though.

 

[evohicks]

Is that the Non LTE version?
If so were you aware at purchase?

 

[time2split]

So then what is involved with reinstating the phone to factory condition? Is it something I can do? This was purchased privately and a refund is not possible.

 

[Puppa]

Kies can help you restore factory firmware, but you may have to do some digging to find it. There are also sites around that host factory firmware, but Kies is probably your first, best route. Good luck.

Since it's a Rooted device, you may want to ask questions in the All Things Root section of the Note 3 forums.

 

[drexappeal]

I'm so confused. If it's an International version, Kitkat was released already, depending on what region
Galaxy Note 3 Android 4.4 KitKat update released, changelog detailed

Now, the only question is, was it Kitkat when you first purchased and are you sure it didn't have an OTA update this week, and you just didn't realize it was installing?

 

[evohicks]

Kitkat is only available in Poland right now afaik, I have the international model and nothing yet.

 

[dan330]

if it is running a custom ROM.. with Kit Kat.
then it is rooted.

then it is outside the carrier's control.
you SHOULD NOT take updates from the carrier!!!! It will mess up your phone!
may even make it un-useable till fixed. (software brick)
you have to find custom ROMs for future updates...
which is better.. because your phone will get new versions of androids longer.
longer phone useable lifetime.

if you want.. you can put it back to factory.
but that requires you find the right instructions
unroot and put back on OEM firmware. Correctly

 

[funkylogik]

Yeah you can use the Odin software for PC to put official 4.3 firmware on it mate.
Find the firmware on sammobile.com/firmware.
Make sure its for your version of note3 (model number) and dont use anything below 4.3.
That will unroot the phone and everything should be like a normal note 3 (except that the knox flash counter is tripped)
Google "odin guide" for info.
Good luck :thumbup:

 

[ocnbrze]

if this is the international version i can move this thread to the international note 3 forum, where folks there can help you out better.

 

[breadnatty08]

OP, can you check and be sure you are actually rooted? One of the many free apps in Google Play can tell you.

 

[The_Chief]

It's my understanding that if one tries to Odin back to a firmware version earlier than the current one, the phone will softbrick. Which means the OP can't Odin back to Jelly Bean because of the Knox crap.

If this device is working and has KitKat (it apparently does), I see little choice but to leave it there. Root Checker in Play will likely verify what I expect: that it is NOT rooted. Afaik, Android 4.4 seals up current root exploits. That's why it's so tricky for developers to update their ROMs to it.

Am I wrong in this?


EDIT: Apparently I am. The screenshot says the baseband version is MI3, meaning that an Odin to MJ7 should work all day long.

 

[Andrewtst]

Here is a screen shot. Can you tell me if this is the official firmware or what has been changed in order to install 4.4. I am with KOODO

From your screen shot, this is fake Note 3.

• 1st - They is no N9000 that run 4.4 and Samsung already use 4.4.2
• 2nd - The kernel version is too high where Samsung never use before.
• 3rd - Your battery icon is in wrong color if this is KitKat and your Network icon is confirm not Samsung design.
• 4th - After Legal Information should be Device Name which is editable.
• 5th - Build number is wrong, MI3 impossible is KitKat.
• 6th - This is not CM/AOKP/AOSP custom ROM as I seen your multi window.
• 7th - The header color is wrong and tone is wrong as well.
• 8th - Is Software Update not Updates and no description for it.
• 9th - Status description is different.

All above show it is fake and I don't think got custom Touchwiz ROM developer ever that free go change those About device description.

Attached here the real Note 3 About device that running KitKat for references. Ignore my screen shot font as I use custom font.

In market now plenty of fake Note 3 which look like real one but the spec is totally different and Kies won't detect it and you can't use any Note 3 stock or custom ROM because it is not a Note 3.

One of the Facebook site that selling all clone (fake) phone include Note 3 and even iPhone 5S

https://www.facebook.com/HPKlonTerbaik

 

[time2split]

I installed a Root Verification app which did confirm that the phone is rooted. Well I am confused and quite possibly bummed after reading the last response. Can anyone verify where I am at with this fiasco?

 

[dan330]

take some pics of the phone.. the physical phone. post it.. so we can see what you got