Database Users

[Q] new to samsung. questions about S4 stuff

alright get ready for all the questions!!! lol
so i came from my HTC EVO OG. rooting over there required unlocked bootloader and was wondering if thats the case or whats different about samsung? i also saw that there is twrp and cwm recoveries for the s4 right now, which is best? im assuming there are no awesome roms out yet because the phones brand new so ill check back on that later i keep seeing talk about odin and hiemdall too, what are they?
a few other random questions too. im thinking about getting the s-view cover but i also want the wireless charging back. think i could somehow combine this with a little modding? any other cool accessories?
also love making my phone full blue/black theme. here is what i currently have my s4 looking like. https://www.dropbox.com/s/dlc3ukdjcy4tsop/2013-05-05%2019.55.47.png. so if you guys have any cool ics themes or stuff like that feel free to share. waiting for cm10 or aokp roms to use as long as everything works well.
thanks in advance

Odin is a flashing tool. Use it to flash your recovery and then use your recovery to flash superuser. Thats it now you have root.
I like twrp right now just because I can set my backup folder and do a few other things while in recovery. Once we have a fully functional cwm touch available I may switch.

i ended up rooting useing qbs motochopper method. i guess ill just wait for a fully functional cwm or one that becomes the standard most people use and some good roms to do all that.

Hey man im sort of on the same boat coming from the original EVO 4g

Go to Android development forum, and go to Shabbypenguins OUHDS recovery thread and follow the excellent instructions in there for recovery and root if you went back to stock.
Fully stable and working well, TWRP is fine too other than some touch sensitivity issues. I recommend OUDHS CWM!
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app

[Q] Sprint Galaxy s4 Recovery

Is there not a recovery for the Galaxy s4 yet on Sprint. I was able to root my phone on a mac but I was not able to get a recovery "cwm or twrp". If there is a way to get it on my phone via mac please let me know so i can reroot my pone.(unrooted because without recovery i could not flash a rom)

xArchAngelx777 said:
Is there not a recovery for the Galaxy s4 yet on Sprint. I was able to root my phone on a mac but I was not able to get a recovery "cwm or twrp". If there is a way to get it on my phone via mac please let me know so i can reroot my pone.(unrooted because without recovery i could not flash a rom)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should probably take a look around. It's a few touches away.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda app-developers app

Have you tried installing one using your phone?

There is custom recoveries available. go to the Android Development forum and go to Shabbypenguins OUHDS recovery thread, and it provides excellent instructions on installing the recovery and then on installing root on it. Then your ready to go to flash roms. Right now Unknownforce's Force Rom is the only TW rom, and Slim bean is the only AOSP rom in beta - though alpha builds for CM, PA, and AOKP are currently being worked on by a great dev and should be up and running soon enough!
EDIT: CM is actually in Beta as well at the moment!
And personally I have never had a mac, nor nothing anything about the limitations of using a mac using these methods, so you should definitely look into it if it is different at all.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app

xArchAngelx777 said:
Is there not a recovery for the Galaxy s4 yet on Sprint. I was able to root my phone on a mac but I was not able to get a recovery "cwm or twrp". If there is a way to get it on my phone via mac please let me know so i can reroot my pone.(unrooted because without recovery i could not flash a rom)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you want a recovery without a computer. Download Goo manager from the play store. This will give you twrp recovery.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda premium

Go to settings on this app and select install open Recovery script
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda premium

TWRP has a few issues with it still that they are trying to work out. Primarily some touch sensitivity problems. I recommend going with OUDHS until they get worked out.
I will also be switching to TWRP as well once it's quirk free!
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app

thanks all for the information. i was hoping cwm or twrp were stable and good to go but i will try these out until i can get a stable one. hopefully more s5 roms will be coming soon.

How did you unroot? I rooted my SG4 and want to go back to stock, ( haven't installed a rom yet) because I am giving the phone to my husband to use and I want it back to factory so he can use it the way he wants without having any issues because it is rooted If you could help I sure would appreciate it!

jb4kats said:
How did you unroot? I rooted my SG4 and want to go back to stock, ( haven't installed a rom yet) because I am giving the phone to my husband to use and I want it back to factory so he can use it the way he wants without having any issues because it is rooted If you could help I sure would appreciate it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
pretty sure stock rom is posted here just flash it.

jb4kats said:
How did you unroot? I rooted my SG4 and want to go back to stock, ( haven't installed a rom yet) because I am giving the phone to my husband to use and I want it back to factory so he can use it the way he wants without having any issues because it is rooted If you could help I sure would appreciate it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are not worrying flash counter problems. Then choose a stock rom from here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2252855
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda premium

CWM recovery

Ok so I got my AT&T S4 successfully rooted using the guide I found on here that uses the Motochopper tool. Root Checker verified I am indeed rooted. But that's it. I'm only rooted to the stock ROM. Nothing custom. Now how to I go about getting a CWM recovery thing on my phone, while still maintaining the stock ROM?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 4 Beta

On the play store, download goo manager (for twrp) or rom manager (for cwm) to install a custom recovery. Don't use either app to do anything but just install the recovery. Once it's installed, boot into recovery and make a backup, even if you're planning on staying stock. Cheers

Step 1. Go to the development forum and read about how to do it.
Step 2. Know how to do it.
Step 3. Do it.

I need more basic. I mean I know CWM means ClockWorkMod, but I don't know what that means. I also know that CWM is more popular than TWRP (I don't know what TWRP stands for) because the rom manager app has tons more downloads in the play store than the goo one does. What is a recovery mode and why do you need one? I mean if I screw up I can just use Odin to flash the AT&T stock ROM back. I wish someone would post a link to a ROMS for Dummies page.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 4 Beta

If I were you I'd be happy that your rooted and now find out what that means to you and what you want to do with a rooted phone. You don't need a custom recovery if all you're interested in is being rooted. And if you mess up, Odin back to stock may not be an option. You may permanently hard brick your phone. So really decide what you want to do with the phone before you proceed any further.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda app-developers app

feetr2c said:
I need more basic. I mean I know CWM means ClockWorkMod, but I don't know what that means. I also know that CWM is more popular than TWRP (I don't know what TWRP stands for) because the rom manager app has tons more downloads in the play store than the goo one does. What is a recovery mode and why do you need one? I mean if I screw up I can just use Odin to flash the AT&T stock ROM back. I wish someone would post a link to a ROMS for Dummies page.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you really should have read and understood this first: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2301762

These guys are correct and trying to help you avoid a brick. If you are not aware of the basics start reading. Even if you are experienced at flashing on another device.
I had extensive experience on HTC phones and feel like a noob here, but getting better. But I have read over a thousand posts, at least, and dozens of how to videos since early may. And only feel comfortable now to flash a custom rom. Not ready yet as phone stock is pretty good for me atm. And would prefer an unlocked bootloader first. I only rooted and flashed a recovery about a week ago. May be a little slower than some, but never got into a problem I couldn't get out of on my HTC phones using the same learning process.
If you come back with specific questions where they know you have researched things they will gladly help. Googling some of the terminology is a good idea too. Had to do that when I first started flashing roms. A different language for sure.
Good luck and enjoy the phone and the rooted world.

In my experience with the S4 CWM does not work as well as TWRP. I had many issues installing a few custom ROMS with CWM, but as soon as i loaded TWRP those ROMS which wouldn't install would install properly. TWRP also was able to read my ext SD when it was formatted in exFat.

Question about Hard brick theory...

I was wondering is it possible for a phone to hard brick from recovery from possible virus? I rooted and installed rome on my and my girlfriends phone with no issues at all i update mine seems like daily lol " A problem i got" anyway.... I rooted and installed a rom on my friends Sprint s3 with cwm (not touch) and Wicked Rom (The Latest) using some method and Hard Bricked it but it was crazy cuz in recovery it would scroll up and down on its own and select by it self i installed stock rom and reboot well full wipe and such. What could cause cwm to act in such a way? The side rockers seem to be fine. The power as well.... Anyone have an idea?Do you think a virus could cause that? He watches a lot on net porn so i was wondering.

Goat1378 said:
I was wondering is it possible for a phone to hard brick from recovery from possible virus? I rooted and installed rome on my and my girlfriends phone with no issues at all i update mine seems like daily lol " A problem i got" anyway.... I rooted and installed a rom on my friends Sprint s3 with cwm (not touch) and Wicked Rom (The Latest) using some method and Hard Bricked it but it was crazy cuz in recovery it would scroll up and down on its own and select by it self i installed stock rom and reboot well full wipe and such. What could cause cwm to act in such a way? The side rockers seem to be fine. The power as well.... Anyone have an idea?Do you think a virus could cause that? He watches a lot on net porn so i was wondering.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't really see a phone getting a "virus" in recovery. I'm thinking either he's using a recovery for a similar device, but not his, or there is data corruption.
as for it acting weird could also be failing hardware

Seems like the recovery is messed up. Go back to an older fully functioning recovery.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

daniel4653 said:
Seems like the recovery is messed up. Go back to an older fully functioning recovery.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I'm going to try that as soon as I unbrick it lol ...Hey know of any good stable stock roms for s3? Or is stuck just what it is? Stock like out of the box?

Goat1378 said:
Yeah I'm going to try that as soon as I unbrick it lol ...Hey know of any good stable stock roms for s3? Or is stuck just what it is? Stock like out of the box?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If for the sprint gs3 MOAR is an awesome ROM that is stable as heck and very customizable.
But strictly for stability I would go with the latest stock rooted ROM
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

daniel4653 said:
If for the sprint gs3 MOAR is an awesome ROM that is stable as heck and very customizable.
But strictly for stability I would go with the latest stock rooted ROM
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you I checked that rom out I just need something stable for him and haven't done much research for the s3

AT&T 4.4 Kitkat Update NB1 Should I install or Not?

Somewhat of a noob here so bare with me...
I have an AT&T S4 here in the US and just downloaded the 4.4 kitkat update but postponed it from installing. I imagine firmware comes with this where i wont be able to install a custom recovery and ROM, is that correct? I have my phone rooted which is running MK2 but have yet to install a recovery and ROM on it. I read on AT&T's website that i can only postpone the update 3 times for 4 hours at a time so i guess i have to figure this out soon. What do you guys think? Install the update OR immediately install a recovery and a new ROM so i am not forced to install this update? Thanks for the help fellas, this site has helped me so much already!
Here is info on the AT&T website http://www.att.com/esupport/softwareUpdateArticle.jsp?sid=KB419415&cv=820#fbid=sUc0HQQUHF_

jermo said:
Somewhat of a noob here so bare with me...
I have an AT&T S4 here in the US and just downloaded the 4.4 kitkat update but postponed it from installing. I imagine firmware comes with this where i wont be able to install a custom recovery and ROM, is that correct? I have my phone rooted which is running MK2 but have yet to install a recovery and ROM on it. I read on AT&T's website that i can only postpone the update 3 times for 4 hours at a time so i guess i have to figure this out soon. What do you guys think? Install the update OR immediately install a recovery and a new ROM so i am not forced to install this update? Thanks for the help fellas, this site has helped me so much already!
Here is info on the AT&T website http://www.att.com/esupport/softwareUpdateArticle.jsp?sid=KB419415&cv=820#fbid=sUc0HQQUHF_
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At the moment yes that is correct.. You can freeze att update to postpone things while you figure it out..

hankbizzo5 said:
At the moment yes that is correct.. You can freeze att update to postpone things while you figure it out..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well yeah i know i can postpone which i did and will continue to do, im wondering if i should hurry up and install a custom recovery and ROM to not have to install this update? Im also wondering what recovery people like the most Clockwork Recovery or Team Win Recovery?

jermo said:
well yeah i know i can postpone which i did and will continue to do, im wondering if i should hurry up and install a custom recovery and ROM to not have to install this update? Im also wondering what recovery people like the most Clockwork Recovery or Team Win Recovery?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think there is custom recovery for you.... Unless you are talking about safe strap.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

jermo said:
well yeah i know i can postpone which i did and will continue to do, im wondering if i should hurry up and install a custom recovery and ROM to not have to install this update? Im also wondering what recovery people like the most Clockwork Recovery or Team Win Recovery?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You CAN NOT install CWM or TWRP on your mk2 S4. Only Safestrap 3.71 is a recovery that works. This is common knowledge that is posted throughout the forums on XDA. Search is your friend. But here, let me give you everything you need so you can not brick your phone in the first place. Please read it & thank the op in the threads. Good luck.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2616221

Check out the "all things mk2 nb1" topic. It's in this section. It tells you which files to freeze or if you safestrap and install custom rom your fine. Postponing the update does not mean it won't do it tonight all by itself.

Dev Time Estimates?
Does anyone have an estimate on about how long it will take devs to analyze the security of the new bootloader for the possibility of custom ROMS/recoveries? We can always hope that AT&T/Samsung has opened up a new exploit while trying to fix the old one. :silly:

JTrocks said:
Does anyone have an estimate on about how long it will take devs to analyze the security of the new bootloader for the possibility of custom ROMS/recoveries? We can always hope that AT&T/Samsung has opened up a new exploit while trying to fix the old one. :silly:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If there is 1 thing I've learned here...don't ask for a time frame. It piss them off, and that's the last thing we want. Just use titanium backup to freeze the AT&T updater and wait. I've waited this long for 4.4 a few more weeks won't kill me.

beast3300 said:
I don't think there is custom recovery for you.... Unless you are talking about safe strap.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well i just installed CWM from this thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2314494
It installed fine and my phone boots into recovery and back into android just fine. after the CWM install i got to the second post in that thread where it said not to install CWM or else it will brick my phone Jesus too much to read and go through now, used to be so easy back in the day on my G1 and other phones. Now i guess i have to install the stock rom to get rid of CWM :crying:

John The Rhino said:
You CAN NOT install CWM or TWRP on your mk2 S4. Only Safestrap 3.71 is a recovery that works. This is common knowledge that is posted throughout the forums on XDA. Search is your friend. But here, let me give you everything you need so you can not brick your phone in the first place. Please read it & thank the op in the threads. Good luck.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2616221
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
an0ther said:
Check out the "all things mk2 nb1" topic. It's in this section. It tells you which files to freeze or if you safestrap and install custom rom your fine. Postponing the update does not mean it won't do it tonight all by itself.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nice thanks guys! i missed that thread, i was in a totally different one...and yeah it will do it itself here in prob 8 hours so i guess that is why i am trying to install a recovery and ROM so i dont have to update

jermo said:
nice thanks guys! i missed that thread, i was in a totally different one...and yeah it will do it itself here in prob 8 hours so i guess that is why i am trying to install a recovery and ROM so i dont have to update
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are on stock 4.3 & don't want the OTA update & just want to stop it from downloading & installing automatically, then do this.
Freeze the following applications...
AT&T Software update v42_1_1309_1_1
LocalFOTA v2_1308_1_1
wssyncmlnps v43_1309_3_1 ----> Samsung updater service
(Pulled from http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=2506101.

John The Rhino said:
If you are on stock 4.3 & don't want the OTA update & just want to stop it from downloading & installing automatically, then do this.
Freeze the following applications...
AT&T Software update v42_1_1309_1_1
LocalFOTA v2_1308_1_1
wssyncmlnps v43_1309_3_1 ----> Samsung updater service
(Pulled from http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=2506101.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i was actually reading through that right now, i went into application manager and was only able to force stop the last two. it wont let me force stop the ATT software update v42 and it wont let me turn off any of them...must be missing something

jermo said:
well i just installed CWM from this thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2314494
It installed fine and my phone boots into recovery and back into android just fine. after the CWM install i got to the second post in that thread where it said not to install CWM or else it will brick my phone Jesus too much to read and go through now, used to be so easy back in the day on my G1 and other phones. Now i guess i have to install the stock rom to get rid of CWM :crying:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are on MK2, you did not install CWM recovery. You think you did, but you actually booted back into the stock recovery. Which is the best thing that could have happened to you because a lot of people brick their phones and lose recovery completely trying to install a custom recovery (beside Safestrap) on any firmware past MDL. Fortunately, there is a method for most people to recover even if they do Derp their phone. I suggest you take time to read about what is and is not possible with your phone and the different firmwares because the next time you might not be so lucky. Good luck.

scott14719 said:
If you are on MK2, you did not install CWM recovery. You think you did, but you actually booted back into the stock recovery. Which is the best thing that could have happened to you because a lot of people brick their phones and lose recovery completely trying to install a custom recovery (beside Safestrap) on any firmware past MDL. Fortunately, there is a method for most people to recover even if they do Derp their phone. I suggest you take time to read about what is and is not possible with your phone and the different firmwares because the next time you might not be so lucky. Good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
actually i think you are right, because i was going to keep following those instructions to do a backup in CWM but there is no backup and restore option. so i guess that does mean i still have the stock recovery...whew!

jermo said:
i was actually reading through that right now, i went into application manager and was only able to force stop the last two. it wont let me force stop the ATT software update v42 and it wont let me turn off any of them...must be missing something
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need an app like Titanium Back up Pro to be able to freeze the updaters. It works, I've done it on mine.

John The Rhino said:
You need an app like Titanium Back up Pro to be able to freeze the updaters. It works, I've done it on mine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have Titanium Backup but not the Pro, is it worth the 7 bucks?

jermo said:
I have Titanium Backup but not the Pro, is it worth the 7 bucks?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Absolutely.