Related
if your have issues with the update not finishing 100% this will work
http://www.4shared.com/file/3skyGV3V/Verizon-GTab-Stock.html
download the zip using heimdall flash like normal
factoryfs-factoryfs.rfs
zimage-zimage
param.lfs-param.lfs
cache-cache.rfs
recovery-zimage
ignore the rest of the files
then before first boot wipe data and cache reboot
manually use update.zip or just let it download itself
install update and your done
you can verify by going to "about device" build number will be SCH-I800.EC02
use superoneclick for root z4mod not working keep getting f/c's
it seems like anybody who used z4mod to root or flashed recovery "back to stock" is having problems a 100% fix is just download the files from my post and flash like normal then use superoneclick for root
***for it to work you must download the recovery files from my post***
the files in my post are created using a temp. root so the files are a pure clone of unrooted rom 100% stock that is why you have to use superoneclick to root I tried everything and have done this to 6 tabs with no errors
EC02 stock ota update.zip download
http://www.4shared.com/file/qIHEta11/update.html
Thanks, I noticed you posted this on the other thread too. I have never used Heimdall so I was REALLY trying to avoid this but I guess I will have to take the plunge and figure it out.......
this works
I have tried every which way and this way has worked every time for me
Finally worked
works 100% just followed the steps and no problems finally updated!!!!!
It works, 100% Thank you so much for this
This does work, 100%, but please note that it DOES NOT WIPE THE DEVICE. It will boot up with all your stuff. This is not neccessarily practical, but it will probably be fine. If you have any root dependent mods, such as set cpu or lcd density, they wont work and it may operate funny/slow until you reroot and set them back up.
stock restore files download
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/21215221/Verizon-GTab-Stock.zip
or
http://www.4shared.com/file/3skyGV3V/Verizon-GTab-Stock.html
Download Mode (Volume down and power)
Download Heimdall from Here:
http://www.glassechidna.com.au/products/heimdall/
Also just below version 1.1.0 is Microsoft C++ This also needs installed on your machine because it has .dll files Heimdall uses.
Launch download mode on your tab that is already connected to your PC.
unzip heimdall and go into the drivers folder where you will see zadig.exe. Run this.
At the top you see options. Click "list all devices"
Then in the dropdown select Android USB composite device or might say it other ways
Click start and let heimdall download the drivers. Once its finished, close zadig and launch heimdall front end leaving Tab plugged in and in download mode
Unzip the stock files.
the zImage goes in both the Kernel AND Recovery slot.
The factoryfs.rfs goes in Factoryfs
The Param.lfs goes in Param.lfs make sure you use param.ifs not param.rfs
and the cache.rfs goes in the cache slot.
ignore the rest of the files in the zip and just use these
After you have the files in place click start to flash. ALWAYS make sure your battery is sufficiently charged or you will have MAJOR problems.
After this runs you will more then likely have to Power down, wait a few seconds and hold power and up volume to boot into recovery. (NOTE, do not hold power too long, just long enough to turn it on, then continue holding up volume till you see recovery. WIPE DATA AND CACHE. Tab should boot.
then let update download install it and you can use superoneclick if you want root back
This worked!
Thank you lexriley! That seemed to work. I forgot to wipe data/cache before i applied the update.zip, it still worked anyway. I should probably have wiped the data/cache.
Thank you !!!!!! Great Work!
Thanks so much. I rooted using Z4 and the update failed. I used your instructions and got up and running again! You saved my Tab!
I'm happy its working for everyone like it worked for me
100% fully working!!!!!!!
thank you lexriley your guide is easy to follow and do your the man!!!!!!
This should be a sticky!!!!
Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk
Anyway to turn off the nagging update notification?. I have my tab where I want it, while your walk through is detailed and obviously a good solution, seems like an awful alot of time just for a minimal upgrade in software?.
oldmacnut said:
Anyway to turn off the nagging update notification?. I have my tab where I want it, while your walk through is detailed and obviously a good solution, seems like an awful alot of time just for a minimal upgrade in software?.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well let me tell you what I have noitced with the upgrade
1) Stock browser speed is faster, but I dont use the stock so that wasnt much help
2)There is now a item in the top of settings for you to activate your device through verizon (like you would using *228 or whatever it is from your phone)
3)The wifi searching thing. I often forget to turn wifi off so when I drive it drains battery searching, the drain is significantly less now.
4) BLUETOOTH HID SUPPORT! Sorry for the caps but I have been wanting this one for quite some time now. First thing I did was try my MX5500 at home and it paired up and worked perfectly.
5)Hyperlinks in emails issue. Constantly many hyperlinks were cut off and I wasnt able to click them, this has now been resolved.
If none of these things are appealing to you then by all means you have no need to upgrade. But I found that most of this was a welcomed change. The tab seems faster, but I believe that is just due to the fact that I do not have LCD density changing the density, which I find slows down many things on the tab.
lexriley said:
I'm happy its working for everyone like it worked for me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At first it didn't work for me. I got "failed to access device. Error: -12". But that was my fault. I had forgotten to load the zagdig drivers for Heimdall. So I did that following the instructions in this thread and tried again. First try, I simply got a "fail", second try worked like a charm. When finished the Tab rebooted on its own.
As soon as it rebooted, I got the message that an update was waiting to be installed (EC02). Since I had already wiped the cashe (twice) on earlier attempts, I just went ahead and let the update install. Worked like a charm and now I've got EC02 update.
As a help to other noobs, I will add this.... The reason the update would not install in the first place is that I had deleted the VZW Vcast bloatware. Lexriley's fix here reinstalled all that VZW junk, which is what ultimately solved the problem. LESSON LEARNED: If you want future updates NEVER delete pre-installed apps. Either rename them and back them up to the SD, or better yet, "freeze" them with Titanium Backup.
Now to begin the task of re-rooting, installing ADW, and putting my Tab back into shape the way I had it.
BIG THANKS goes out to lexriley!! (And by all means, make this thread a sticky.)
Robin
Excellent work! This worked perfectly.
Got it, installed the newest Keis for drivers.
i hate to be that guy but is it possible to get odin files too? i can never get heimdall to work but odin works just fine
Robin M said:
As a help to other noobs, I will add this.... The reason the update would not install in the first place is that I had deleted the VZW Vcast bloatware. Lexriley's fix here reinstalled all that VZW junk, which is what ultimately solved the problem. LESSON LEARNED: If you want future updates NEVER delete pre-installed apps. Either rename them and back them up to the SD, or better yet, "freeze" them with Titanium Backup.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So if I just restore the vcast stuff then I should be able to update without doing all the recovery stuff? I just renamed them all with a .bak at the end instead of deleting just incase I needed them again so I still have them all.
Edit: apparently yes, removed the .bak I added to the files names, un-rooted, clicked update and it worked fine
shiltz said:
Edit: apparently yes, removed the .bak I added to the files names, un-rooted, clicked update and it worked fine
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're welcome. ...Isn't it great when you answer your own questions? I find myself doing that more frequently now, as I learn more about Android and my Tab - mostly from this forum.
PS... Now that you've successfully updated, take a look at the recovery.log file in your /cashe/log folder. I was amazed at the number and the variety of files this upgrade patched.
I'm using a HTC Magic,
SAPPHIRE PVT 32A ENG S-OFF H
HBOOT - 1.76.2007 (SAPP10000)
CPLD - 12
RADIO - 6.35.10.18
recovery-RA-sapphire-v1.5.2H and a CursorSense32A-1.2.4.
Can anyone help, and tell me if based on this specifications, I have at least one chance to upgrade to another custom ROM, like smoki, cyanogen (with or without Sense UI), etc...and how tot do that? I've tried the "search" function, but I'm blocked somewhere, so please, anybody help me? I know, I'm a noob...
I have the same as you (except recovery) and I am using
CM7(2.3.4) you can find it here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1011384
You will need to change your recovery as stated in the OP.
Let me know if you need any specific help.
Thank you very much Sleepy for your answer. I need all the directions you can give me.
That is because I dont wanna brick my phone. You need patience with me, very specific
instructions, verifyed link, etc...but at the very end, I'll send you a big, big THANK YOU.
I notice that here is another custom ROM pretty much compatible
with my specs, but anyway I need help from someone with experience.
I'm open, it doesn't matter what ROM I should use, Clockworkmod or smoki...
I just need specific instructions to do that. I noticed in both cases I need to
change radio...so you think you can help me?
Once again, thank you!
Later edit:
I managed to update my radio to 6.35.16.19 to be on Clockworkmod requirements, but
how to do the rest?
You need to be able to use fastboot to flash the clockwork recovery. I am on my phone now so I can't find the links very easily right now. But there is a sticky thread either here or in the dream section on how to use and get fastboot setup.
Basically you need to boot into fastboot (hold back while you power on). Connect your phone to your pc. Download clockwork recovery and unzip the img file to your pc's folder that has fastboot. Open a command prompt on your pc and go to the folder that has fastboot. Then the command is fastboot flash recovery clockwork.img
Then reboot to recovery and flash the rom like normal.
Let me know if you need more help and I will try to get to my pc and get all of the links etc.
Sent from my Dream/Sapphire using XDA Premium App
I'm like a pain in the ass...Yes, I need more specific directions, but...I found this
"Clockworkmod-Carz-recovery-v3.1.0.1-05-23-2011.zip". Is that all I need?
Or after that I need another ".img"? I think, if you have little more time and of course,
if you want to help me, please go to your PC and get me al the instructions and links...
I don't know, whatever I need to finish this "headache"...Thank's again!
Do you have fastboot working?
"Clockworkmod-Carz-recovery-v3.1.0.1-05-23-2011.zip" is the recovery that you need, unzip it and it will contain an .img file. Place that img where your fastboot is located (usually C:\AndroidSDK\tools).
Boot your phone into the boot loader (back + power on)
Open a command prompt on your pc and go to C:\AndroidSDK\tools
Then type fastboot flash recovery clockwork.img
Then just reboot into the recovery, wipe/factory reset (this will delete all your apps and settings) then flash the rom.
Let me know where you need help.
Sleeepy2 said:
Boot your phone into the boot loader (back + power on)
Open a command prompt on your pc and go to C:\AndroidSDK\tools
Then type fastboot flash recovery clockwork.img
Then just reboot into the recovery, wipe/factory reset (this will delete all your apps and settings) then flash the rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In fact, what I don't understand is "then flash the rom". Sorry, with? Another "img", or what? This is the reason I asked for help from you.
Can you provide me those two "img", if there are two, or three, of course...
I'm pretty sure that you're not happy with such a noob that I am, but...please.
Okay, first "ïmg" is called "Clockworkmod-Carz-recovery-v3.0.2.8-05-23-2011", but
the second one? The "ROM" who I need to flash at the final? Wich one is it?
Oh sorry.
In the thread download "update-cm-CyanogenCARZ-7.1.0-05232011-6355Sapphire"
put it on your sd card (don't unzip it).
in recovery select "install zip from sdcard"
select "choose zip from sdcard"
select update-cm-CyanogenCARZ-7.1.0-05232011-6355Sapphire.zip
then select yes and wait until it finishes.
If you want gmail, market etc... you also need to download gapps it's in the op look for gapps if you see New Nightlies you went to far, its just above that.
After the rom finishes installing, do the same steps as above and select the gapps zip file this time.
Once it's done just reboot and wait. It could take a while.
So to sum it up you need 1 .img file and that is the recovery needs to be updated with fastboot
Then 1 zip that is the rom, it is installed with the recovery
Then 1 last zip that is gapps (google applications). it is installed the same as the rom.
Don't worry about being a noob, I was there once
Let me know if you have any other questions, no big deal.
Finally, I've done it! Thank's Sleepy2, you're the man. Anyway, I missed something
from CursorDroid I've had, it's called "HTC Sense Weather Widget", a very beautiful and usefull application.
I already get the HTC Sense Weather Widget.rar but I haven't found any references how to push the ".apk and .obex",
there are inside that .rar file into the system. Do you have any knowledge about that?
I also don't know if the ROM CyanogenCARZ-7 is compatible with Live wallpapers. Do you know something about that?
Finally and very important is, I don't have "Google Maps", even if I installed "gapps" that you've mentioned before.
Can you help me again, or much better said, can you continue help me?
Thanks again!
The Sense Weather widget wont work (I don't think) you need as sense rom for that (the sense frame work isn't in this rom). Try some other weather widgets.
Live wallpapes work however the magic doesn't really have enough ram to keep them running, they keep disappearing.
Do you have the market app? Just download the latest one from the market.
Thank you very much for your help! I've had the Market app, but I don't know the
reason why I couldn't find Google Maps. However, I found the Google Maps.apk on
other site. Once again, thank you!
I would download Google Maps from the Market, that way it will update when it is available.
I've tried with Opera Mini too, I've found it, but for no reason, the install didn't
worked. That was before I've downloaded from another site. This is the reason
for searching the .apk file.
Can you tell me if you have same issue that I have with Gallery or 3D Galery in carz CM7?
Seems that I cannot zoom in/out a photo with two fingers. It is normal or it's a bug?
Hello. I have a few questions on rooting this phone. (My first time rooting)
First off, Is this the same model as the ze550kl (I assume so but not 100% sure). I have attempted to root this phone through the instructions provided in posts on this website for model ze550kl but I must be doing something wrong with the programs ect. I have never rooted a phone and so this is my first try and I would really like a full in detail screenshot follow through if available to do with the programs once downloaded and any other programs you may need on windows 10 to get to where I need to be. I dislike the zenui so much that is my main reason to root the phone is to remove this and other bloatware as well as some of my friends have some apps that are pretty neat that I would like that are only available through root.. I have also tried other methods posted on YouTube but I think I'm doing something wrong on all of my attempts. I would also like to know if there is a way to make a backup of the original files prior to rooting so I can send my phone in because I have a 2 year warantee if something was to happen (dropped, broken, ect.). In relation to the screenshots if there is any files that have to be placed on the phones hard drive from something I download off the internet please state this specifically, I believe that one or 2 ways I have seen required this but it seems vauge and I don't think it was done correctly by me. I am great at following detailed instructions but I don't know what exactly it is I need to do as I have never done this before so if something has to have a specific name please note that.
Thank you for the help.
My ZF2L should be showing up any minute now, so I'll let you know when it gets here. I'm no expert, but I've been rooting my Android devices since 2009. I think I can help you out.
HampTheToker said:
My ZF2L should be showing up any minute now, so I'll let you know when it gets here. I'm no expert, but I've been rooting my Android devices since 2009. I think I can help you out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you, I think I'm just missing an important step. The zenui just isn't my style. Will be nice to be able to remove
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
---------- Post added at 02:07 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:28 PM ----------
Yeah, I think you just need more comprehensive instructions. It happens from time to time. From what I can tell so far, it's a pretty straightforward process for those that are familiar with root, but to a beginner it can be a bit much. As soon as mah lazah is dunna chargin' I'll walk you through the steps I took to root it, install custom recovery, and make a backup of your entire system just in case you ever need to restore your phone to a stock-rooted-but otherwise unmodified state. I should have something up in the next couple hours ?
Updated, rooted, and installed custom recovery. I'll post a short write-up shortly.
First off, I'm going to answer your questions since I didn't previously.
Sorvas33 said:
First off, Is this the same model as the ze550kl (I assume so but not 100% sure).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, they're different, but I'm not entirely sure by how much. I'm 100% sure that they're probably maybe 90% or so compatible, but there are differences. I just don't know them without checking. I wouldn't go flashing anything that doesn't explicitly state that it's for the 551 or is compatible or has had a 551 user test and report success. There are some things that are kind of universal (and we'll get into that a little), but for now let's just stick with using caution.
Sorvas33 said:
I would also like to know if there is a way to make a backup of the original files prior to rooting so I can send my phone in because I have a 2 year warantee if something was to happen (dropped, broken, ect.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We'll make a backup using TWRP, but you'll have to be rooted. A TWRP backup (or nandroid backup) is like a snapshot of your current system. You can customize it and only backup certain parts of the system as well as restore certain parts, but I wouldn't worry about that. Most of the time you'll want a complete backup, anyway. But, to answer your question, no, you'll have to be rooted, but you can always unroot from the phone using the Supersu app. If the damage is physical an unrooted backup wouldn't matter anyway.
So, here's my (hopefully) brief write-up to acquire root, install recovery, make a backup, and ,optionally, install the Xposed framework. Before getting started be sure to have plugged your phone into your computer for Windows to download and install drivers for your ZF2L. Also, you will need to download and install adb in order to use command prompt to flash files to your phone. This link will take you to a thread here at XDA for Minimal ADB and Fastboot. This is the easiest way to install and use adb and fastboot on your computer. Once you have it installed you can proceed to the next steps.
First, you'll need to unlock your bootloader using the app found here. It's in a .zip files for whatever reason, so you'll need to use 7zip or WinZip or WinRAR or something on your computer to extract it and install to your phone. You can plug your phone in and place the extracted app on your external or internal storage or use a cloud storage app like Dropbox or Google Drive to transfer it to your phone. If you plug it in and place on your internal or external storage, then you'll need to use File Manager (it's a stock app) to find and install it. Once installed just run the app. It's extremely user friendly and straightforward. Your phone will reboot when it's done.
Next, you'll have to temporarily boot a modified boot.img using Minimal adb and fastboot. Once this step is completed and the phone boots up you'll need to go to the Play Store and install Supersu as well as Busybox if you want your root apps to work properly.
Go here on your computer and download the modified boot.img named boot_200007.img and place it in the Minimal adb and fastboot folder. As you can see in this screenshot:
my adb and fastboot folder is located at C:\Windows\Minimal ADB and Fastboot. Once you have the boot.img copied to the right folder go ahead and connect your phone, if it isn't already. Hold the power button and restart the phone. As soon as the screen goes off hold the volume up button until the phone boots into fastboot mode. If you have trouble with this, you can just turn the phone off, and then press and hold power and volume up until it boots into fastboot mode. Right click the Minimal adb and fastboot icon and select run as administrator. As long as it's installed correctly, the following commands shouldn't give you any error messages. Before we go further, let me briefly explain what we're doing at this point. We have two options: we can flash the boot.img which will physically write it to the proper partition on your phone, or we can simply boot the phone while the modified boot.img remains on your computer and unwritten to the phone, which is what we want to do in this case. To do this we enter the following command:
fastboot boot boot_200007.img
Your phone should reboot on it's own and once it does open the app drawer and check to see if Supersu is installed. If it isn't, open Play and install it, as well as Busybox. Open Supersu and make sure you have root. Once your done, open Busybox and install Busybox to /system/xbin and reboot when finished. At this point, you can disconnect your phone and ensure the Supersu does give you any errors. Test it by installing your favorite root apps, and since you're new to root, I'll give you some suggestions. You can do a google search to find Adaway. It isn't available in the Play Store because it's an adblocker and ads are Google's bread and butter, but it sure is nice to use apps without intrusive apps trying to sell you something no matter where you go. Root + Adaway have been solving that problem for years. Next we have Root Explorer which is my root file manager of choice. Another community favorite is ES File Manager. Both are great. Titanium Backup, Flashify (install it for the next step), and Viper4Android (not in Play search XDA) are all must have apps for root users. Install and open some of those (especially Flashify) just to verify that they work and let's move on the next step.
Download TWRP here and place it on either internal or external storage. Open Flashify and select Recovery Image and then find and select recovery551_200431.img. This will write the TeamWinRecoveryProject custom recovery to the recovery partition of your phone which will allow you to view, backup, restore, and modify all the relevant partitions that make up the Android operation system. At this moment, it's important to understand that you are now more than capable of completely and totally bricking your phone...but you're also capable of recovering from most problems that can arise from flashing mods and using root apps. This is where we'll make a complete backup for just that very reason.
After you've flashed TWRP using Flashify, you'll be prompted to reboot. Do so, and your phone will reboot into recovery. You'll see a message one the first run with a check box to disable modifications to system or something along those lines (can't remember exactly what it says lol), just don't check it. Leave the box uncheck and swipe the bar to allow modifications to system. Now, you should see the main menu. Select Backup and make sure that Boot, System, Data, and Cache are selected and rename the backup to something along the lines of "stock_rooted" or "stock_backup" if you wish and you're ready to create a nandroid backup. Swipe the button and give it a few minutes. Once done, just reboot and you're good to go.
Now to install Xposed, you'll first need to install the Xposed Installer .apk on your phone from here. To flash Xposed, reboot into recovery (turn off then hold power + volume down) and select Install then select the Xposed .zip package xposed-v80-sdk21-arm64.zip that you downloaded and placed on your internal (preferrably) or external storage beforehand. Once finished just reboot and you're done. Be warned that the first boot after installing Xposed will take a long time (approx. 5-10 minutes). Greenify, Gravitybox (LL), Youtube Adaway, Flat Style Bar Indicators, MaxLock, and NotifyClean are just a few of my favorite Xposed modules. Be sure to read the descriptions for these modules carefully and do not forget that Xposed modules can be tricky and cause problems if they're not compatible with your phone. Honestly, you should ask here before installing any modules that I haven't already mentioned.
Anyway, that's my brief write-up lol. Hopefully, that isn't too hard to follow. Don't hesitate to reply back if you encounter a problem, have any questions, or simply want to report your success and ask for tips. I'll leave you with this little tip: don't give up on ZenUI. It definitely doesn't hold a flame to stock Android, but if you use a third party launcher like Nova Launcher and use Developer Options to increase animation speed to .5 seconds (or turn them off entirely) it's really not so horrible, in my opinion. It's damn sure not TouchWiz.
HampTheToker said:
So, here's my (hopefully) brief write-up to acquire root, install recovery, make a backup, and ,optionally, install the Xposed framework. Before getting started be sure to have plugged your phone into your computer for Windows to download and install drivers for your ZF2L. Also, you will need to download and install adb in order to use command prompt to flash files to your phone. This link will take you to a thread here at XDA for Minimal ADB and Fastboot. This is the easiest way to install and use adb and fastboot on your computer. Once you have it installed you can proceed to the next steps.
First, you'll need to unlock your bootloader using the app found here. It's in a .zip files for whatever reason, so you'll need to use 7zip or WinZip or WinRAR or something on your computer to extract it and install to your phone. You can plug your phone in and place the extracted app on your external or internal storage or use a cloud storage app like Dropbox or Google Drive to transfer it to your phone. If you plug it in and place on your internal or external storage, then you'll need to use File Manager (it's a stock app) to find and install it. Once installed just run the app. It's extremely user friendly and straightforward. Your phone will reboot when it's done.
Next, you'll have to temporarily boot a modified boot.img using Minimal adb and fastboot. Once this step is completed and the phone boots up you'll need to go to the Play Store and install Supersu as well as Busybox if you want your root apps to work properly.
Go here on your computer and download the modified boot.img named boot_200007.img and place it in the Minimal adb and fastboot folder. As you can see in this screenshot:
my adb and fastboot folder is located at C:\Windows\Minimal ADB and Fastboot. Once you have the boot.img copied to the right folder go ahead and connect your phone, if it isn't already. Hold the power button and restart the phone. As soon as the screen goes off hold the volume up button until the phone boots into fastboot mode. If you have trouble with this, you can just turn the phone off, and then press and hold power and volume up until it boots into fastboot mode. Right click the Minimal adb and fastboot icon and select run as administrator. As long as it's installed correctly, the following commands shouldn't give you any error messages. Before we go further, let me briefly explain what we're doing at this point. We have two options: we can flash the boot.img which will physically write it to the proper partition on your phone, or we can simply boot the phone while the modified boot.img remains on your computer and unwritten to the phone, which is what we want to do in this case. To do this we enter the following command:
fastboot boot boot_200007.img
Your phone should reboot on it's own and once it does open the app drawer and check to see if Supersu is installed. If it isn't, open Play and install it, as well as Busybox. Open Supersu and make sure you have root. Once your done, open Busybox and install Busybox to /system/xbin and reboot when finished. At this point, you can disconnect your phone and ensure the Supersu does give you any errors. Test it by installing your favorite root apps, and since you're new to root, I'll give you some suggestions. You can do a google search to find Adaway. It isn't available in the Play Store because it's an adblocker and ads are Google's bread and butter, but it sure is nice to use apps without intrusive apps trying to sell you something no matter where you go. Root + Adaway have been solving that problem for years. Next we have Root Explorer which is my root file manager of choice. Another community favorite is ES File Manager. Both are great. Titanium Backup, Flashify (install it for the next step), and Viper4Android (not in Play search XDA) are all must have apps for root users. Install and open some of those (especially Flashify) just to verify that they work and let's move on the next step.
Download TWRP here and place it on either internal or external storage. Open Flashify and select Recovery Image and then find and select recovery551_200431.img. This will write the TeamWinRecoveryProject custom recovery to the recovery partition of your phone which will allow you to view, backup, restore, and modify all the relevant partitions that make up the Android operation system. At this moment, it's important to understand that you are now more than capable of completely and totally bricking your phone...but you're also capable of recovering from most problems that can arise from flashing mods and using root apps. This is where we'll make a complete backup for just that very reason.
After you've flashed TWRP using Flashify, you'll be prompted to reboot. Do so, and your phone will reboot into recovery. You'll see a message one the first run with a check box to disable modifications to system or something along those lines (can't remember exactly what it says lol), just don't check it. Leave the box uncheck and swipe the bar to allow modifications to system. Now, you should see the main menu. Select Backup and make sure that Boot, System, Data, and Cache are selected and rename the backup to something along the lines of "stock_rooted" or "stock_backup" if you wish and you're ready to create a nandroid backup. Swipe the button and give it a few minutes. Once done, just reboot and you're good to go.
Now to install Xposed, you'll first need to install the Xposed Installer .apk on your phone from here. To flash Xposed, reboot into recovery (turn off then hold power + volume down) and select Install then select the Xposed .zip package xposed-v80-sdk21-arm64.zip that you downloaded and placed on your internal (preferrably) or external storage beforehand. Once finished just reboot and you're done. Be warned that the first boot after installing Xposed will take a long time (approx. 5-10 minutes). Greenify, Gravitybox (LL), Youtube Adaway, Flat Style Bar Indicators, MaxLock, and NotifyClean are just a few of my favorite Xposed modules. Be sure to read the descriptions for these modules carefully and do not forget that Xposed modules can be tricky and cause problems if they're not compatible with your phone. Honestly, you should ask here before installing any modules that I haven't already mentioned.
Anyway, that's my brief write-up lol. Hopefully, that isn't too hard to follow. Don't hesitate to reply back if you encounter a problem, have any questions, or simply want to report your success and ask for tips. I'll leave you with this little tip: don't give up on ZenUI. It definitely doesn't hold a flame to stock Android, but if you use a third party launcher like Nova Launcher and use Developer Options to increase animation speed to .5 seconds (or turn them off entirely) it's really not so horrible, in my opinion. It's damn sure not TouchWiz.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you man, I will try this when I get a chance (working 14 hour days ATM) but I will let you know how it goes.also what model member do you have. Because the box I have is we're I got my model number. I can't find the one listed on my box in the device itself.
Exact same model...ZE551KL.
In About Phone the model number is ASUS_Z00TD.
HampTheToker said:
Exact same model...ZE551KL.
In About Phone the model number is ASUS_Z00TD.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly what I have. Sweet. I'll update you once I'm done. Thank you for your help and assistance. Any app advice? For uninstalling and cleaning hdd/ram. And theme?
Come on, bro...I gotta know if that's friendly enough to get you squared away...
HampTheToker said:
Come on, bro...I gotta know if that's friendly enough to get you squared away...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I should have time either tomorrow or next weekend all depending and I'll let you know then. Depends on how much I have to work. I check this post about once to twice a day. Thank you for your effort and time. I really do appreciate it.
Now I do have one more question on my mind. Does the Asus zenfone that we have keep a flash tracker? Meaning that it keeps track if a phone was rooted. The reason I ask is that I have a 2 year warantee and I know that this will "void" it unless I flash it back. But if they have a tracker then I need to make sure there is a way to reset that as well. From what I have read personally it is only Samsung that is keeping track in this way. Thanks for your help Mr.Toker
Yeah, that's mostly a Sammy thing. I'm coming from a Galaxy S4 that's been passed down to my six year old. I'm all too familiar with flash counters and KNOX security. Thankfully, I don't believe Asus has anything like that. That's one of the many reasons I chose this phone over anything Cricket had to offer. I don't care how good the hardware is, if it can't be unlocked and rooted, then I don't want it.
But, to answer your question more directly, no, I don't believe your warranty will be affected.
Also, I'm going to paste this warning from the developer that built TWRP for us.
Warning
Do not try to fix permission, if you do not know exactly what this is ?
Home > Advance > Fixpermission
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just figured I'd add that I believe I read unlocking your boot loader voids the warranty. As of right now, I'm pretty sure there's no way to root without unlocking it, and no way to re-lock it after unlocking.
Sent from my ASUS_Z00TD using Tapatalk
CKtheProblem said:
Just figured I'd add that I believe I read unlocking your boot loader voids the warranty. As of right now, I'm pretty sure there's no way to root without unlocking it, and no way to re-lock it after unlocking.
Sent from my ASUS_Z00TD using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"oem relock bootloader" should do the trick, but I haven't tried it. Sure, technically unlocking your bootloader and rooting voids your warranty, but it's not like either sends a message to Asus in the background stating that you've voided your warranty. The only way they'd know is if you sent it to them for a claim while still rooted. Even then, if it's bricked, it's bricked. They still won't know. If it's not bricked and it's just hardware, then you should be able to unroot.
Honestly, rooting your device has always been a risk to your warranty, but I've yet to have any issues with it since I started rooting my devices in 2009.
HampTheToker said:
"oem relock bootloader" should do the trick, but I haven't tried it. Sure, technically unlocking your bootloader and rooting voids your warranty, but it's not like either sends a message to Asus in the background stating that you've voided your warranty. The only way they'd know is if you sent it to them for a claim while still rooted. Even then, if it's bricked, it's bricked. They still won't know. If it's not bricked and it's just hardware, then you should be able to unroot.
Honestly, rooting your device has always been a risk to your warranty, but I've yet to have any issues with it since I started rooting my devices in 2009.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah you're probably right. Luckily, I've never had to send a phone I rooted back in for repairs so I can't say anything about the process.
Sent from my ASUS_Z00TD using Tapatalk
Thanks for those root/recovery instructions, just got this same phone and model number yesterday and just now found the files needed ! You rock! What roms do you suggest?
tmjm28 said:
Thanks for those root/recovery instructions, just got this same phone and model number yesterday and just now found the files needed ! You rock! What roms do you suggest?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
at present we have only stock rom, no custom rom is available for zenfone laser.
Credit goes to dbgr for finding this:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/idol-4s/how-to/6055u-root-method-t3598947
Link to download .rar:
https://mega.nz/#!U24zwYbQ!MwbIX_D01OyHHldd8c_9iCmht6wzcw1duNpGO-PRyWI
This is just a simpler, more detailed guide on how to root this phone.
Forgive me for the lack of pictures, its pretty straightforward anyways. I have included a .rar with this post that has all the essential files you will need.
(I only compressed the .rar, everything else credit goes to the creators)
1. Download the rootpackage.rar i have included, and decompress to somewhere safe.
2. Install SugarQct and install the drivers that came with it. (In the SugarQct installer, not the usb driver folder)
3. After that has finished, open the usb driver folder and run the setup.vbs script there. It should only take a second or two to run.
4. Plug phone into pc.
5. Place supersu.zip onto phone. You can put this anywhere, doesn't really matter.
6. Turn phone off and place into download mode. (Phone must be plugged in to allow download mode)
4. Open sugar with phone plugged in. Be sure to upgrade sugar if you can't see the 6055u in the list.
Set to 6055u, go to options, select save user data. Now press upgrade.
5. While sugar is downloading overwrite the r*****.mbn in bin/6055-*****. This folder appears once you start to download to the phone. You must rename the twrp_recovery_idol4_6055.img to the name of the r*****.mbn.
6. Overwrite again while files are being written. Do this as many times as you please. I only overwrote it more than once as a safety precaution.
7. Before sugar has completed fully, but after files are written, this should be around the time when it starts to download more files. As long as the writing completes you are good to go.
8. Turn phone on and enter recovery mode (power + volume up).
9. In the custom recover menu tap install and install the supersu.zip from the directory you placed it in.
10. Give it a couple of seconds (mine took 30 or so)
11. Allow phone to be rebooted and its now rooted!
Now I've had some interest in using magisk instead of supersu, but i haven't been able to install it after supersu. Choose your rom to flash wisely, as its a pain in the ass to go back from.
Please enjoy your newly rooted Alcatel Idol 4!
Thanks all!
P.S. If someone can dump their standard rom before they flash supersu.zip onto their phone, i'd like to try and find a way to get a custom rom goin and that would help.
I'm not seeing the download for the .RAR file. Am I missing something?
SeanMcCarte said:
I'm not seeing the download for the .RAR file. Am I missing something?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought i attached it to the thread, give me a second and i'll try again.
Edit:
It seems my rar is too large, i'm headed to work now, but i'll try and get something uploaded in a bit.
Thank you. Much appreciated. Also,can I unplug the phone before rebooting to recovery,or does it have to be plugged in!
SeanMcCarte said:
Thank you. Much appreciated. Also,can I unplug the phone before rebooting to recovery,or does it have to be plugged in!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as i know it doesn't have to be, but when i was successful i believe i had the phone plugged in. I did try to do somethings earlier today and unplugged the phone, and it was not successful. I do not know if it was because i unplugged the phone or if it was because i had failed to rewrite the recovery flash.
Thank you. I actually didn't want to wait for .rar so I just pieced the files from the forum here. Thank you anyway,at least somebody else will get the RAR. Also,my phone was plugged in when it worked.
I got magisk working for me I unistalled super super went into twrp and installed magisk ( I needed magisk to play fire emblem heroes lol) I'm not sure if I did something else but that's what I remember doing
Is this guide working for all the idol 4 variants or just for the cricket one? I've got the 6055k and I'm wondering if this guide works for my phone too.
scofield119 said:
Is this guide working for all the idol 4 variants or just for the cricket one? I've got the 6055k and I'm wondering if this guide works for my phone too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Theres another guide for the 6055k, i'm not sure if this will work for that one. I know it works for the cricket version and i see no reason why it wouldn't work for the 6055k, but it is a better idea to follow the guide made for the 6055k.
link22534 said:
I got magisk working for me I unistalled super super went into twrp and installed magisk ( I needed magisk to play fire emblem heroes lol) I'm not sure if I did something else but that's what I remember doing
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would you mind checking if snapchat works on magisk? I know it doesn't work on supersu, and i've unrooted my phone because i was having troubles getting it installed after supersu.
NeonWhitey said:
Would you mind checking if snapchat works on magisk? I know it doesn't work on supersu, and i've unrooted my phone because i was having troubles getting it installed after supersu.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep it works I had to change a setting to get magisk hied working it was magisk core only mode and I pass the netsaftey check
link22534 said:
Yep it works I had to change a setting to get magisk hied working it was magisk core only mode and I pass the netsaftey check
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the info, but funnily enough i'm having difficulties getting the damn thing rooted again.
Thanks for the write up, I've flashed and reflashed many times... you have to be carefully about when you interrupt the process. Also know that a newer version is out. Cheers mate.
I'm not sure if it's the latest version of Sugar, but I've been trying so many times, but to no avail. Has anyone had any luck on the new version?
SUGAR QCT_SP V11.3.0
I've gotten to the point that when I start the upgrade with Sugar, it says my phone is already rooted. However, when I try to access Recovery, there is no option to install TWRP. It looks like it just loaded the same old recovery...no matter how fast and how many times I replace the Rxxxxxx.mbn file.
Cheers,
Wickster
6055p
is there any guide to root 6055p model
no luck getting this to work guys, could really use some help
Having the same problems as PizzaG - tried all the timing tips no TWRP
Having the same situation as PizzaG - same Cricket version, using the newer version of Sugar QCT 11.1.3. I've tried starting right after it reaches the last written file (4095M), Ive even tried waiting until you get the vibrate and Alcatel logo (which happens at the very end of the download, but was someone's tip), same story, boots into Android recovery. Any other tips?
Possible Solution to Rooting Troubles
I was having the same troubles as the above posters. What seemed to be the problem was that I had set a pin code to unlock my device, which made it encrypted. Unfortunately, the only way to remove a pin is to do a factory reset. Anyway, I did a factory reset and ran sugar immediately after - making sure to start the phone before sugar finished - and it worked! Perhaps there is something simpler to do and I didn't have to do a factory reset, but I don't know what that is, and this worked.
Someone have try with the 6055A?
hmm, im noticing mine says encrypted as well but i never set anything for security. just the swipe. @ ThisEndsInTears did you do a factory reset from stock recovery or from withing the phone settings? Thanks much, hopefully one step closer to getting this rooted. Y has nobody developed cm for 6.0.1 for this? cm13 im pretty sure it is
N00b w/ "new SGH-I337 that is running original kernel & 4.2.2 & needs to be updated
I am going to apologize from the start. I've read through a lot of threads here and have ended up more confused (and somewhat scared lol). I am a tad more skilled than average when it comes to PCs but I'm a complete mess when it comes to phones!
For various reasons, I like my old ATT Samsung S4 SGH-I337 but am hard on them and need to replace them about every 2 years (I usually wear out the power port among other things). I buy a replacement, copy over my apps, etc, maybe run a minor update and I'm good to go. This time, I bought a "new" open box S4 on Ebay for a great price but when I went to install all my apps, discovered that it was STILL (since it was "brand new") running Android 4.2.2 and the original kernel from the release in 2013! Ok, no big I thought, I will just run the ATT update and I will be good. Nope. Too far out of date and no one at ATT or Samsung is willing to help. I did learn that if I can get 4.4.4 on the phone, then I should be able to update it via ATT to 5.0.1 but I can't even find those files (or at the least any links to them that are still any good!)
Due to life issues, it is critical that I get this phone updated ASAP. Please, can someone spell out step by step in N00b-speak where I can get the needed files and how I update this phone to 5.0.1 or better? I'd really rather not root it if I can avoid it but will do what is needed. I'll buy you a beer (or reasonable beverage of your choice! )
Samsung Galaxy S4 (ATT) SGH_I337
Android 4.2.2
Baseband ver: I337UCUAMDL
Kernel ver: 3.4.0-453947
[email protected]#1
Sat April 27 17:06:05 KST 2013
SilkRoadDog said:
I am going to apologize from the start. I've read through a lot of threads here and have ended up more confused (and somewhat scared lol). I am a tad more skilled than average when it comes to PCs but I'm a complete mess when it comes to phones!
For various reasons, I like my old ATT Samsung S4 SGH-I337 but am hard on them and need to replace them about every 2 years (I usually wear out the power port among other things). I buy a replacement, copy over my apps, etc, maybe run a minor update and I'm good to go. This time, I bought a "new" open box S4 on Ebay for a great price but when I went to install all my apps, discovered that it was STILL (since it was "brand new") running Android 4.2.2 and the original kernel from the release in 2013! Ok, no big I thought, I will just run the ATT update and I will be good. Nope. Too far out of date and no one at ATT or Samsung is willing to help. I did learn that if I can get 4.4.4 on the phone, then I should be able to update it via ATT to 5.0.1 but I can't even find those files (or at the least any links to them that are still any good!)
Due to life issues, it is critical that I get this phone updated ASAP. Please, can someone spell out step by step in N00b-speak where I can get the needed files and how I update this phone to 5.0.1 or better? I'd really rather not root it if I can avoid it but will do what is needed. I'll buy you a beer (or reasonable beverage of your choice! )
Samsung Galaxy S4 (ATT) SGH_I337
Android 4.2.2
Baseband ver: I337UCUAMDL
Kernel ver: 3.4.0-453947
[email protected]#1
Sat April 27 17:06:05 KST 2013
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I too was lucky enough to snag a S4 off ebay with the original kernel still on it. So with that said....do NOT update your phone! You're on the very special Android 4.2.2 jelly bean MDL bootloader! If you update, you will lose the ability to boot AOSP ROMs and install a custom recovery like TWRP.
AOSP ROMs can take you past Android 5.0.x lollipop and give you Android 6.0.x marshmallow or 7.0.x nougat. You can also boot custom touchwiz ROMs that will take you to Android 5.0.x lollipop. Use the towel root app to root the phone and then freeze any OTA with the titanium backup app. You can also benefit from my guide here:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4-att/general/how-to-one-guide-to-mdl-bootloader-t3584122
StoneyJSG said:
I too was lucky enough to snag a S4 off ebay with the original kernel still on it. So with that said....do NOT update your phone! You're on the very special Android 4.2.2 jelly bean MDL bootloader! If you update, you will lose the ability to boot AOSP ROMs and install a custom recovery like TWRP.
AOSP ROMs can take you past Android 5.0.x lollipop and give you Android 6.0.x marshmallow or 7.0.x nougat. You can also boot custom touchwiz ROMs that will take you to Android 5.0.x lollipop. Use the towel root app to root the phone and then freeze any OTA with the titanium backup app. You can also benefit from my guide here:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4-att/general/how-to-one-guide-to-mdl-bootloader-t3584122
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your reply. So I root it, then where do I go from there? How do I know what ROM is what and which one will give me at the least what I had on the old phone (less bloatware would be nice but right now I am so up a creek that I would be ok with stock)? Also, do you have good links to the tools you recommend? One issue I have been having searching here is that the 3-4-year-old posts here have sketchy or dead links.
SilkRoadDog said:
Thank you for your reply. So I root it, then where do I go from there? How do I know what ROM is what and which one will give me at the least what I had on the old phone (less bloatware would be nice but right now I am so up a creek that I would be ok with stock)? Also, do you have good links to the tools you recommend? One issue I have been having searching here is that the 3-4-year-old posts here have sketchy or dead links.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem, I always try to help when possible. After rooting you can follow my guide to get Loki doki installed. Then you can install a custom recovery like TWRP or clock work mod. My guide gets you clock work mod recovery installed but it's an old version. I use it though and it works fine for me. If you want TWRP recovery, you will have to search the web on how to install it with loki doki.
After a custom recovery is installed you can choose to boot touchwiz based ROMs or AOSP based ROMs like cyanogen mod. Custom touchwiz ROMs will look just like stock only modified (deodex, debloated, etc.) and AOSP ROMs will look like bone stock Android only with added features.
You can find AOSP ROMs in the original Android development forum here in the s4 forums. You can find touchwiz ROMs in Android development which is right under original Android development forum. Sorry, but I don't have any links to tools handy except for the link to my guide which I posted above in my last post. I use golden eye ROM on my s4 which is a stock based touchwiz ROM on Android 5.0 lollipop.
When booting ROMs, be sure that they do not have a bootloader update or else it'll override everything and will patch the loki doki exploit and lock down everything for good.
StoneyJSG said:
No problem, I always try to help when possible. After rooting you can follow my guide to get Loki doki installed. Then you can install a custom recovery like TWRP or clock work mod. My guide gets you clock work mod recovery installed but it's an old version. I use it though and it works fine for me. If you want TWRP recovery, you will have to search the web on how to install it with loki doki.
After a custom recovery is installed you can choose to boot touchwiz based ROMs or AOSP based ROMs like cyanogen mod. Custom touchwiz ROMs will look just like stock only modified (deodex, debloated, etc.) and AOSP ROMs will look like bone stock Android only with added features.
You can find AOSP ROMs in the original Android development forum here in the s4 forums. You can find touchwiz ROMs in Android development which is right under original Android development forum. Sorry, but I don't have any links to tools handy except for the link to my guide which I posted above in my last post. I use golden eye ROM on my s4 which is a stock based touchwiz ROM on Android 5.0 lollipop.
When booting ROMs, be sure that they do not have a bootloader update or else it'll override everything and will patch the loki doki exploit and lock down everything for good.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much for the reply. While I am very grateful, with all due respect, I understood only about half of it. Here is the deal. I'm an older guy N00b with chronic pain issues under an extreme amount of stress, and my cognitive abilities are not what they should be. There was a step by step guide posted back in 2015 that is what I need but most of the links are bad or sketchy. Like I said above, I really need something along the lines of "go here and here to get this software and put it in "X" place. Then press these keys and do "Y", then press those keys and do "Z". I'm really sorry to be so difficult but I am trying my best to get it.
SilkRoadDog said:
Thank you so much for the reply. While I am very grateful, with all due respect, I understood only about half of it. Here is the deal. I'm an older guy N00b with chronic pain issues under an extreme amount of stress, and my cognitive abilities are not what they should be. There was a step by step guide posted back in 2015 that is what I need but most of the links are bad or sketchy. Like I said above, I really need something along the lines of "go here and here to get this software and put it in "X" place. Then press these keys and do "Y", then press those keys and do "Z". I'm really sorry to be so difficult but I am trying my best to get it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I gotcha, no problem. Okay so what's the status of your phone now? Rooted? Not rooted? To root, goto https://towelroot.com on your phone and click the big red thing in the middle of the page. Make sure you have a Wi-Fi or data connection to the internet, as this will root your phone. Then goto https://galaxys4root.com/galaxy-s4-...tt-or-verizon-galaxy-s4-sgh-i337sch-i545/amp/ to get loki doki installed and clockwork mod recovery. You can also install TWRP recovery instead of clockwork mod recovery, I THINK this is the link: https://galaxys4root.com/galaxy-s4-...rp-on-rooted-galaxy-s4-using-goo-manager/amp/
Galaxys4root.com is a reputable site ran by Mr. HIGH ON ANDROID himself, Xedomax aka Max Lee. The tools you need should be on his site for download and the links shouldn't be dead. He also has a YouTube channel with videos on how to do different things with your phone. My guide I wrote that I linked before, has step by step instructions on how to root and install a custom recovery and how to boot custom ROMs.
StoneyJSG said:
I gotcha, no problem. Okay so what's the status of your phone now? Rooted? Not rooted? To root, goto https://towelroot.com on your phone and click the big red thing in the middle of the page. Make sure you have a Wi-Fi or data connection to the internet, as this will root your phone. Then goto https://galaxys4root.com/galaxy-s4-...tt-or-verizon-galaxy-s4-sgh-i337sch-i545/amp/ to get loki doki installed and clockwork mod recovery. You can also install TWRP recovery instead of clockwork mod recovery, I THINK this is the link: https://galaxys4root.com/galaxy-s4-...rp-on-rooted-galaxy-s4-using-goo-manager/amp/
Galaxys4root.com is a reputable site ran by Mr. HIGH ON ANDROID himself, Xedomax aka Max Lee. The tools you need should be on his site for download and the links shouldn't be dead. He also has a YouTube channel with videos on how to do different things with your phone. My guide I wrote that I linked before, has step by step instructions on how to root and install a custom recovery and how to boot custom ROMs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, It's not rooted yet so I will start down the path laid out. What do you recommend as a source for Touchwiz (wth is that anyway? lol) ROMs? I don't know enough about Android 6.0.x marshmallow or 7.0.x nougat to make the call there but I do want to be able to access the Google apps and play store as before.
SilkRoadDog said:
Ok, It's not rooted yet so I will start down the path laid out. What do you recommend as a source for Touchwiz (wth is that anyway? lol) ROMs? I don't know enough about Android 6.0.x marshmallow or 7.0.x nougat to make the call there but I do want to be able to access the Google apps and play store as before.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your instructions say " Next, you're going to want to freeze the OTA update so the phone won't update off the MDL bootloader (after installing SuperSU of course). You can do this via the Titanium Backup app or the MyBackup Root app (now called just MyBackup I think).
Let's recap...you will need a copy of the towel root app, then SuperSU, then TB or MyBackup Root app. SuperSU will kill the evil KNOX for you." Do I do that before "loki doki installed and clockwork mod recovery."? If so, where is a good source for them? If not, when do I do I install them?
".
StoneyJSG said:
I gotcha, no problem. Okay so what's the status of your phone now? Rooted? Not rooted? To root, goto https://towelroot.com on your phone and click the big red thing in the middle of the page. Make sure you have a Wi-Fi or data connection to the internet, as this will root your phone. Then goto https://galaxys4root.com/galaxy-s4-...tt-or-verizon-galaxy-s4-sgh-i337sch-i545/amp/ to get loki doki installed and clockwork mod recovery. You can also install TWRP recovery instead of clockwork mod recovery, I THINK this is the link: https://galaxys4root.com/galaxy-s4-...rp-on-rooted-galaxy-s4-using-goo-manager/amp/
Galaxys4root.com is a reputable site ran by Mr. HIGH ON ANDROID himself, Xedomax aka Max Lee. The tools you need should be on his site for download and the links shouldn't be dead. He also has a YouTube channel with videos on how to do different things with your phone. My guide I wrote that I linked before, has step by step instructions on how to root and install a custom recovery and how to boot custom ROMs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, forget anything I typed here in the last hour lol. Somehow there were two locals and I was in the wrong one. So far so good. So back to the other question above. " " Next, you're going to want to freeze the OTA update so the phone won't update off the MDL bootloader (after installing SuperSU of course). You can do this via the Titanium Backup app or the MyBackup Root app (now called just MyBackup I think).
Let's recap...you will need a copy of the towel root app, then SuperSU, then TB or MyBackup Root app. SuperSU will kill the evil KNOX for you."" I still need to do that, right? if so, where do I find those apps?
Thank you so much.
SilkRoadDog said:
Ok, It's not rooted yet so I will start down the path laid out. What do you recommend as a source for Touchwiz (wth is that anyway? lol) ROMs? I don't know enough about Android 6.0.x marshmallow or 7.0.x nougat to make the call there but I do want to be able to access the Google apps and play store as before.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Touchwiz is the "skin" user interface that Samsung puts on top of Android. It is the stock SAMSUNG rom. Just Google touchwiz then Google stock Android, you'll see a difference. I like touchwiz so I am running a custom ROM called "Golden eye". You can download it from the Android development forum here in the S4 section. Other people like stock Android. The magic of being on the MDL bootloader is that you can boot touchwiz and bone stock Android ROMs. Most custom ROMs both stock Android and touchwiz based will let you access Google apps and the play store.
---------- Post added at 10:36 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:21 PM ----------
SilkRoadDog said:
Ok, forget anything I typed here in the last hour lol. Somehow there were two locals and I was in the wrong one. So far so good. So back to the other question above. " " Next, you're going to want to freeze the OTA update so the phone won't update off the MDL bootloader (after installing SuperSU of course). You can do this via the Titanium Backup app or the MyBackup Root app (now called just MyBackup I think).
Let's recap...you will need a copy of the towel root app, then SuperSU, then TB or MyBackup Root app. SuperSU will kill the evil KNOX for you."" I still need to do that, right? if so, where do I find those apps?
Thank you so much.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can get all those app except towel root on the play store. Once installed you can use ES file explorer to back them up to apk files then use the my files app that's on ya phone to move them to your SD card for use with your new ROM or keep them where they are since my guide tells you how to keep your data in tact...well for touch wiz ROMs anyway.
StoneyJSG said:
Touchwiz is the "skin" user interface that Samsung puts on top of Android. It is the stock SAMSUNG rom. Just Google touchwiz then Google stock Android, you'll see a difference. I like touchwiz so I am running a custom ROM called "Golden eye". You can download it from the Android development forum here in the S4 section. Other people like stock Android. The magic of being on the MDL bootloader is that you can boot touchwiz and bone stock Android ROMs. Most custom ROMs both stock Android and touchwiz based will let you access Google apps and the play store.
---------- Post added at 10:36 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:21 PM ----------
You can get all those app except towel root on the play store. Once installed you can use ES file explorer to back them up to apk files then use the my files app that's on ya phone to move them to your SD card for use with your new ROM or keep them where they are since my guide tells you how to keep your data in tact...well for touch wiz ROMs anyway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since this is a "new" phone and I have nothing to back up yet, do I need to run a backup or can I follow your guide from that point, clean things up and install the ROM of choice?
SilkRoadDog said:
Since this is a "new" phone and I have nothing to back up yet, do I need to run a backup or can I follow your guide from that point, clean things up and install the ROM of choice?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's always good to make a backup in case anything goes wrong with your phone down the road you can get back to where you started without having to flash the MDL stock Rom in ODIN by connecting your phone to your computer. You should though keep a copy of ODIN and the MDL bootloader .tar ODIN file. However, it's entirely optional to make a back up so you could just follow the guide from that point and clean up for a ROM install if you don't want to make a backup.
You can also boot a ROM and then make a backup after you have everything set up. You can back up the stock Rom or any ROM you boot/install. That's the magic of having a custom recovery like TWRP or clock work mod.
StoneyJSG said:
It's always good to make a backup in case anything goes wrong with your phone down the road you can get back to where you started without having to flash the MDL stock Rom in ODIN by connecting your phone to your computer. You should though keep a copy of ODIN and the MDL bootloader .tar ODIN file. However, it's entirely optional to make a back up so you could just follow the guide from that point and clean up for a ROM install if you don't want to make a backup.
You can also boot a ROM and then make a backup after you have everything set up. You can back up the stock Rom or any ROM you boot/install. That's the magic of having a custom recovery like TWRP or clock work mod.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately, since I already started the install before seeing this, I have no idea what I backed up or where it is. :crying:
First off, I want to thank you so much for the help. I owe you and would like to buy you a beer or the like. I have my phone back now! There were issues with the Golden Eye install (it froze at the Samsung logo for over an hour) and I had to wipe everything and start over then I was able to get it up and running. Is this the right one? https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2313469
Quick question: Do you know if that ROM supports an external SD card larger than 32gig?
I am having some issues and so far am not thrilled with this ROM and am wondering if it's the right one or if I screwed up. It hasn't been worked on since 2015 and the dev is hasn't been responsive in years. On my phone, it's really buggy. It boots slow, apps hang when loading, a few don't work right, the screen can flash or freeze and TouchWiz keeps crashing like it was doing at the end on my old phone's life. Any ideas as to why?
SilkRoadDog said:
Unfortunately, since I already started the install before seeing this, I have no idea what I backed up or where it is. :crying:
First off, I want to thank you so much for the help. I owe you and would like to buy you a beer or the like. I have my phone back now! There were issues with the Golden Eye install (it froze at the Samsung logo for over an hour) and I had to wipe everything and start over then I was able to get it up and running. Is this the right one? https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2313469
Quick question: Do you know if that ROM supports an external SD card larger than 32gig?
I am having some issues and so far am not thrilled with this ROM and am wondering if it's the right one or if I screwed up. It hasn't been worked on since 2015 and the dev is hasn't been responsive in years. On my phone, it's really buggy. It boots slow, apps hang when loading, a few don't work right, the screen can flash or freeze and TouchWiz keeps crashing like it was doing at the end on my old phone's life. Any ideas as to why?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you made a nandroid backup with TWRP recovery or clockwork mod recovery, then the backup file will be on your phone SD card or internal memory. Use the my files app to find it. It should be under a folder called TWRP or clockwork mod.
Hey no problem man, I know how it is to goto a forum and have 87,000 people view your post yet nothing is said. Yes that link is the correct link to golden eye ROM. When booting a ROM for the first time it will get stuck at the Samsung logo for awhile, this is normal but it shouldn't be more than 20 minutes. I think the S4 can handle SD cards up to 128GB, it might only be 64GB though.
Very odd golden eye ROM is giving you issues, I have only had one problem with it and that was the text message app acting up every so often. When you booted golden eye did you use the Aroma installer so it just asks you questions and you pick what you want? If not wipe and start over using aroma, it's built into the ROM. Also be sure to tell Aroma you want to use the "imperium kernel". That's the kernel I am using. Golden eye ROM doesn't have a bootloader update in it, so you'll stay on MDL and not have to worry about your phone patching the loki exploit.
I think you can also use the hybrid max kernel, but I don't think it's in the Aroma installer so if you want it you will have to download it from the forums here and flash it separately.
Another thing you can try is just "nuking your phone" as explained in my guide that wipes everything and gives you a nice clean install. The only reason I included the "keep your data" method in my guide is because I just stumbled upon it by doing it on my phone.
If all else fails and as a last ditch effort, you could send the phone to me and I will see if I can get it up and running with golden eye ROM, then send it back. No guarantees though as I'm no developer or anything, just a guy that knows the basics of Android ROMs and root.
Final report. It turns out the problems I've been having were related to the SU Super App. There have been complaints about the recent version. I thought that it was a corrupt install of Golden Eye so got a clean DL from another mirror and was getting ready to start all over. This time I was going to follow the dev's install instructions step by step instead of yours and his. However, I couldn't install TWRP as he instructed. It hung at 100% and never completed. I thought that maybe Super SU was the issue there so I uninstalled it and all of my other problems went away! So happy. Thank you for everything. I do owe you a drink!
SilkRoadDog said:
Final report. It turns out the problems I've been having were related to the SU Super App. There have been complaints about the recent version. I thought that it was a corrupt install of Golden Eye so got a clean DL from another mirror and was getting ready to start all over. This time I was going to follow the dev's install instructions step by step instead of yours and his. However, I couldn't install TWRP as he instructed. It hung at 100% and never completed. I thought that maybe Super SU was the issue there so I uninstalled it and all of my other problems went away! So happy. Thank you for everything. I do owe you a drink!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey glad it finally worked out for you. You will need superSU though, try a different version of it and that might fix the issue you're having with the latest version. That is unless you have the kingroot super user app, then you can use that but it's not as good as superSU. I had problems with it authorizing my root apps so I got rid of it and installed superSU. No problem glad to help and no thanks needed but if you really wanna buy me a beer go for it lol.