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Root [Boost Mobile] [OUTDATED][GUIDE][MD7][MG2] Rooting & Recovery for Galaxy S3(Boost)

First off, I myself have yet to see the 4.3 update pushed to me.

Further, in other threads talking about it, it has been stated that the new update requires stock recovery as well to even take at this time, and overwrites it with another one that would keep you from going back to 4.1.* even if you don't want it to.

So, it's going to take a little while to find a way to either break that so that someone can update and retain root, and/or break the need for that updated bootloader from the OTA update.

Sucks, but... it's no worse than the kind of wait there was for CFW updates for a PS3. :thumbdown:
 
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I did not have root on the 4.3 MK5 build that I made after I flashed it, and flashed SuperSU update 1.80 using philz recovery, and now I have root...so yes, your phone can still be rooted after the 4.3 update. If you did the OTA or Kies, then you have the Knox Bootloader, then you can't Odin Tar back to 4.1.2, ever. But you can root, flash custom roms, etc, etc...but my advice...read, learn, grow...Good luck!
 
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Will this still work after the 4.3 update?

I can't speak specifically for this guide and the update for Boost, but I was able to successfully root my Virgin Mobile Galaxy S3 after the update to 4.3

Initially, it was a bit tricky to allow Super SU to give me access so that I could freeze the Knox apps, but I was eventually successful.

There is a rooted flashable MK5 stock rom which would probably be an easier route to achieving root access on MK5 4.3

Hope this helps. I encourage everyone to continue to be patient, courteous, and respectful :)
 
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Maiketh, I'm sorry you felt ignored. Sometimes if no one knows the definitive answer to a question it may not be answered immediately.

I suggest we drop the issue and just move forward with a positive attitude from now on. There's no need in anyone being right or wrong and there's no reason to clutter up this thread by arguing about it. If the issue is discussed further, I feel that posts will be removed...

Thanks :)
 
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On my Galaxy S3 (for Boost) I am able to get through all of the steps just fine until it gets to the point when I need to install the zip in CWM. I get in there but when I try to mount either the internal or external memory, it won't let me. It states "E:can't mount /emmc" or E:can't mount /sdcard". What's going on? This is a fresh S3 out of the box with no installed OTA updates.
 
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I would first assume it is an issue with your sd card but since you can't mount internal as well, that's not the case.

I would try a different recovery. I personally recommend Philz Recovery because it is packed with features and works beautifully on our device. It is the only recovery that I have not experienced any issues with backups and restores.

[d2spr][CWM ADV.] OFFICIAL PhilZ-Touch Recovery 6.0 [11.24.13] - xda-developers
 
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I would first assume it is an issue with your sd card but since you can't mount internal as well, that's not the case.

I would try a different recovery. I personally recommend Philz Recovery because it is packed with features and works beautifully on our device. It is the only recovery that I have not experienced any issues with backups and restores.

[d2spr][CWM ADV.] OFFICIAL PhilZ-Touch Recovery 6.0 [11.24.13] - xda-developers

Thank you. Do you, by any chance, have an alternative download link? The one provided at XDA doesn't seem to work for me.

I kind of think it's CWM. The guys behind it are geniuses, but it's never been a solid recovery for any of the Android devices I've owned.

EDIT: About recoveries...seeing as this a Boost Mobile device, would it be okay to use any recovery for a Sprint S3 such as TWRP? I used to use it for my Sprint S3 and it was good for me.
 
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Thank you. Do you, by any chance, have an alternative download link? The one provided at XDA doesn't seem to work for me.

I kind of think it's CWM. The guys behind it are geniuses, but it's never been a solid recovery for any of the Android devices I've owned.

EDIT: About recoveries...seeing as this a Boost Mobile device, would it be okay to use any recovery for a Sprint S3 such as TWRP? I used to use it for my Sprint S3 and it was good for me.

I can upload a copy to my Dropbox if need be. In general, Boost and VM=Sprint, whether it is for ROM's or recoveries or kernels. Development for our versions is almost nonexistent, but as long as you can perform some simple functions Sprint development can be made to work just fine, since it is an identical device when it comes to the parts that matter.
 
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I guess I answered my own question as I was able to flash over TWRP recovery through Odin. But I'm running into the same problem. It shows all the options but external_sd and sdcard are empty. This is strange and I'm not sure what's going on.

When I access either in the phone in Android, they do work and I'm able to transfer files to and from the card. Both the external and internal work.

EDIT: Thanks struckn. If that's the case, I don't think that'll be necessary to have the files uploaded elsewhere. But thank you for offering.
 
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I guess I answered my own question as I was able to flash over TWRP recovery through Odin. But I'm running into the same problem. It shows all the options but external_sd and sdcard are empty. This is strange and I'm not sure what's going on.

When I access either in the phone in Android, they do work and I'm able to transfer files to and from the card. Both the external and internal work.

EDIT: Thanks struckn. If that's the case, I don't think that'll be necessary to have the files uploaded elsewhere. But thank you for offering.

You're welcome! Out of curiosity which version of TWRP did you use? Latest, 2.6.3.1, did the mount issue to me as well; try 2.6.3.0, it has worked flawlessly for me. And offer still stands, Philz Touch is freaking awesome, even for a longtime TWRP user like myself. A lot of the VM crowd has gotten on board with that one lately, myself included, for good reason.
 
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On my Galaxy S3 (for Boost) I am able to get through all of the steps just fine until it gets to the point when I need to install the zip in CWM. I get in there but when I try to mount either the internal or external memory, it won't let me. It states "E:can't mount /emmc" or E:can't mount /sdcard". What's going on? This is a fresh S3 out of the box with no installed OTA updates.

By chance are you only following the first post of this guide? Wetbiker figured out some steps have changed to root the phone since then.

Check out post 60 in this thread. It sums everything up to root the phone. The bottom steps you need to substitute in place of the originals:http://androidforums.com/boost-mobi...g-recovery-galaxy-s3-boost-2.html#post6194390
 
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You're welcome! Out of curiosity which version of TWRP did you use? Latest, 2.6.3.1, did the mount issue to me as well; try 2.6.3.0, it has worked flawlessly for me. And offer still stands, Philz Touch is freaking awesome, even for a longtime TWRP user like myself. A lot of the VM crowd has gotten on board with that one lately, myself included, for good reason.

OMG! It worked lol yeah, I used the 2.6.3.0 version and it worked flawlessly for myself. Thank you very much. I now have root status! I confirmed it in the Terminal and through root-only access.
 
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I dont know how, but I have a brand-new gs3 purchased less than a month ago directly from boost. I had to wait until my replacement laptop cooling fan came in the mail and I got the chance to rip my computer apart, which I did yesterday. I just rooted using the op in this thread, ands it worked flawlessly, no need to jump any of the hurdles so many posters have talked about. I just downloaded odin and cwm and the root zip last night. I'm guessing the fixes are now included? Anyway, thanks to everyone! Time to play!!!
 
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I dont know how, but I have a brand-new gs3 purchased less than a month ago directly from boost. I had to wait until my replacement laptop cooling fan came in the mail and I got the chance to rip my computer apart, which I did yesterday. I just rooted using the op in this thread, ands it worked flawlessly, no need to jump any of the hurdles so many posters have talked about. I just downloaded odin and cwm and the root zip last night. I'm guessing the fixes are now included? Anyway, thanks to everyone! Time to play!!!

Right on! Congratulations! Enjoy your rooted phone. Have a great weekend!
 
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