[Q] [i9505G] Back up stock before rooting - Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

This is perhaps a general Android question and one I have not found the magic search terms to find an answer. Before I mess with this phone, I'd like stock images of boot.img, recovery.img, and the OS itself. Is this possible without root?
I did a full adb backup (including shared stuff, system) but it's unclear if that will restore the phone to a factory state including the images above.
If anyone has any direction for me, much appreciated. Not getting far on my own. Thanks!

jaymzz said:
This is perhaps a general Android question and one I have not found the magic search terms to find an answer. Before I mess with this phone, I'd like stock images of boot.img, recovery.img, and the OS itself. Is this possible without root?
I did a full adb backup (including shared stuff, system) but it's unclear if that will restore the phone to a factory state including the images above.
If anyone has any direction for me, much appreciated. Not getting far on my own. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its not possible to create a nandroid backup without root. Remember, you can always odin the stock firmware after rooting if you'd like to return to stock. Hope that helps

C.Sweat said:
Its not possible to create a nandroid backup without root. Remember, you can always odin the stock firmware after rooting if you'd like to return to stock. Hope that helps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If anyone has that I9505G stock firmware to flash with Odin, I'd love to have it...

C.Sweat said:
Its not possible to create a nandroid backup without root. Remember, you can always odin the stock firmware after rooting if you'd like to return to stock. Hope that helps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks - this is what I'd like to do, but I don't have the stock images to be able to do this. Also I don't have the ability to use Odin - I'm limited to its Linux counterpart heimdall which may explain the disconnect if Odin offers that service and heimdall does not. This is my first serious foray into Samsung - I'm missing some context I think.
I did locate "S4GE_v4_422.zip" which is supposed to be the stock ROM but it's obviously de-odexed and rooted. That may be fine for my use, but not necessarily a way back to day 0.
And I'd be happy to share the stock firmware if I can locate or download it from my phone.
Thanks for your help!

ack154 said:
If anyone has that I9505G stock firmware to flash with Odin, I'd love to have it...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, but im not sure where to find an Odin flashable Google Edition stock firmware (I can only find the flashable rom). Good luck
jaymzz said:
Thanks - this is what I'd like to do, but I don't have the stock images to be able to do this. Also I don't have the ability to use Odin - I'm limited to its Linux counterpart heimdall which may explain the disconnect if Odin offers that service and heimdall does not. This is my first serious foray into Samsung - I'm missing some context I think.
I did locate "S4GE_v4_422.zip" which is supposed to be the stock ROM but it's obviously de-odexed and rooted. That may be fine for my use, but not necessarily a way back to day 0.
And I'd be happy to share the stock firmware if I can locate or download it from my phone.
Thanks for your help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem at all. Heimdall, like Odin, can flash the stock firmware as well. You can find the carrier specific flashable firmwares here

I think this is it...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=43500355
Not in a position to mount from work and see if it's rooted or not, but if I were bricked I don't think I'd care!

jaymzz said:
I think this is it...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=43500355
Not in a position to mount from work and see if it's rooted or not, but if I were bricked I don't think I'd care!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's as close as we have right now. And yes, it is rooted. Mine prompted for SuperSU install as soon as it booted.

ack154 said:
And yes, it is rooted. Mine prompted for SuperSU install as soon as it booted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Related

Does flashing a rom unroot a rooted phone???

So I rooted my phone with one click method, changed rom, also because I wanted an unrooted phone again, but it seems that even though I flash a new room I always stay rooted??? Am I doing something wrong??? I thought that flashing a new rom was supposed to restore factory defaults including an unrooted device. Am I wrong??? I started with a XXJID whent to XWJJ4 to XXJK1 and back to XXJID, but it always stays rooted... I want to unroot my phone can anyone help me out please
yes it does, once the custome roms are created they will generally be released rooted to save you the effort.
retroqwe said:
yes it does, once the custome roms are created they will generally be released rooted to save you the effort.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, so what must I do to unroot my phone?? tried the one click metod and it does not work...
Curious as to why you want to un-root it?
shollywood said:
Curious as to why you want to un-root it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because i am curios as well and should the need arise I see it is not as simple as all that.
There is no reason whatsoever to unroot. But yes, flashing a new firmware will unroot your tab as it would any other device.
ftgg99 said:
There is no reason whatsoever to unroot. But yes, flashing a new firmware will unroot your tab as it would any other device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not true, I have flashed many roms and always stays rooted
That, my man, is because the roms you were flashing already included su permissions... a new firmware will completely replace the entire filesystem, all settings included. And there are no customised firmwares for the tab atm.
EDIT: just realised you are attempting to answer your own question lol
ftgg99 said:
That, my man, is because the roms you were flashing already included su permissions... a new firmware will completely replace the entire filesystem, all settings included. And there are no customised firmwares for the tab atm.
EDIT: just realised you are attempting to answer your own question lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wait a moment, I dont get it???? Are you telling me that whoever flashes a Rom from Samfirmware is in fact installing a firmware with root access already installed??? I didn't realize this, but looking at the results of my flashes I guess you must be right
I had to manually root my JK1 ROM after flashing.
I'm saying this shouldn't be happening. Probably its the recovery you need to replace. I'm not sure if its partition gets wiped with Sammy firmwares. I'm not doing any flashing yet as I see no point.
The rom XWJJ4/XXJK1 uses a different partition schema as XXJID used, where XWJJ4 and its successors uses "P1" .PIT file, and XXJID uses "816" .PIT file. Maybe the issue comes from this.
Zeron.Wong said:
The rom XWJJ4/XXJK1 uses a different partition schema as XXJID used, where XWJJ4 and its successors uses "P1" .PIT file, and XXJID uses "816" .PIT file. Maybe the issue comes from this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Perhaps, but from what I understand the XXJID uses "no repartition" to install, so the pit is actually not used when putting on this firmware... I wonder which firmware actually uses this same repartition. I used JHA before putting on JID, and I would have thought this used the same repartition, but still signs of a rooted phone. From what "ftgg99" said I wonder where the roms from samfirmware come from. I guess other devices from were the roms have been extracted, and to extract a rom from a device I think you need root acess, so that is why I am getting leftovers of rooted phones on these roms, namely the SU file which gives me the rom as rooted when I go and check the firmware. I saw that Kies fortunately sees my device as normal so I hope that when an official update will come along there will be no problems with the official upgrade...
Well, flashing a ROM outside of OTA updates invalidates the warranty, so does rooting, if we believe this article:
MOD EDIT:Wait until further instructions.DO NOT EDIT THE POST W/O MY PERMISSION.
Hack only if you can afford the consequences !
Moddage ftw. Super one click modifies the recovery partition, so to lose root you will have to replace it with the original.
So, can we please get the original recovery?
Superoneclick has a unroot function that we may wish it will "restore the original one". While a root guide posted by "chowdarygm" indicated that after unrooting the device that was rooted by superoneclick before, he can't root it again by using the same tool, and have to reflash the rom to make it under control. Given this, the root tool itself is not as perfect as we wished yet, especially with the "rollback" mechanism.
Thanks for this thread you guys, i have Samsung A9 PRO 2016 and flashed magisk patched rom to it, but i have problem the Magisk don't detect instalation and Banking app don't work cause magisk can't hide no settings to do it. Also my apps starts breaking and stopping.

[Q] regarding: Loki + TWRP + Motochopper CASUAL

Hey folks.
I attempted to ask this in the most relevant thread, but as a new user I can not.
My question pertains to the CASUAL root tool for the S4.
Developed by AdamOutler.
Described in the thread "[ROOT[RECOVERY] Loki + TWRP + Motochopper CASUAL-R527b release"
The tool looks pretty amazing.
But I do have some questions.
Please forgive me in advance I am an UBER NEWBIE.
Many of the terms thrown around here are completely foreign to me.
(Yes, I've searched for that knowledge - but perhaps you are underestimating my noobness. )
(Yes, I have read the "[HOW-TO] The All-In-One Root/Backup/Flash Guide - [I337 & I337M]" thread as well... it helped but... yeah still a noob.)
FYI: The only reason I want to root my S4 (AT&T) is so I can remove the crappy bloatware, and also configure the anti-theft/find-phone features of the avast! app.
Ok so on to the questions...
1) Once this is done what's to stop some update from my carrier un-doing it all?
2) If that were to happen how much pain would I be in for?
3) If the only way to protect one's self from this is to somehow disable OS/firmware updates... is the only way to get future OS updates through a ROM?
4) This TWRP thing seems to be a backup/recovery tool?
I gather that it also enable ROMs flashing, etc?
I've read others like "Titanium Backup" because it can freeze/remove the bloatware.
Are they both kinda the same thing?
Will the two conflict?
5) This "Nandroid" is another backup tool?
Am I correct in my understanding that the TWRP leverages nandroid - or are they comepeting solutions.
6) Is Nandroid a system function or some other tool that needs installed?
Thanks a bunch folks!
~Doug
DougYITBOS said:
Hey folks.
I attempted to ask this in the most relevant thread, but as a new user I can not.
My question pertains to the CASUAL root tool for the S4.
Developed by AdamOutler.
Described in the thread "[ROOT[RECOVERY] Loki + TWRP + Motochopper CASUAL-R527b release"
The tool looks pretty amazing.
But I do have some questions.
Please forgive me in advance I am an UBER NEWBIE.
Many of the terms thrown around here are completely foreign to me.
(Yes, I've searched for that knowledge - but perhaps you are underestimating my noobness. )
(Yes, I have read the "[HOW-TO] The All-In-One Root/Backup/Flash Guide - [I337 & I337M]" thread as well... it helped but... yeah still a noob.)
FYI: The only reason I want to root my S4 (AT&T) is so I can remove the crappy bloatware, and also configure the anti-theft/find-phone features of the avast! app.
Ok so on to the questions...
1) Once this is done what's to stop some update from my carrier un-doing it all?
2) If that were to happen how much pain would I be in for?
3) If the only way to protect one's self from this is to somehow disable OS/firmware updates... is the only way to get future OS updates through a ROM?
4) This TWRP thing seems to be a backup/recovery tool?
I gather that it also enable ROMs flashing, etc?
I've read others like "Titanium Backup" because it can freeze/remove the bloatware.
Are they both kinda the same thing?
Will the two conflict?
5) This "Nandroid" is another backup tool?
Am I correct in my understanding that the TWRP leverages nandroid - or are they comepeting solutions.
6) Is Nandroid a system function or some other tool that needs installed?
Thanks a bunch folks!
~Doug
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) Once this is done what's to stop some update from my carrier un-doing it all?
If you root you will not be able to get updates any longer.
2) If that were to happen how much pain would I be in for?
Its not going to happen because you are rooted.
3) If the only way to protect one's self from this is to somehow disable OS/firmware updates... is the only way to get future OS updates through a ROM?
The only way you will get updates is ODIN back to stock. Again, no worries.
4) This TWRP thing seems to be a backup/recovery tool?
I gather that it also enable ROMs flashing, etc?
I've read others like "Titanium Backup" because it can freeze/remove the bloatware.
Are they both kinda the same thing?
Will the two conflict?
TWRP - is a recovery, so you can perform nandroid backups, and to flash roms, and to restore backups. Nothing more, nothing less.
Titanium Backup is a app you use within the rom, to backup and restore apps with, you can read more on this going to the market, it will explain this app's features and what it does.
They are not the same, 2 different programs, that do 2 different things.
Question 5 & 6 answered in #4 answer.
Hope this helps, kinda down and dirty, try and do some reading on all of the above.
Appreciate the thanks.
Thank you and good luck.
Thanks a bunch TheAxman
You said...
TheAxman said:
1) Once this is done what's to stop some update from my carrier un-doing it all?
If you root you will not be able to get updates any longer.
3) If the only way to protect one's self from this is to somehow disable OS/firmware updates... is the only way to get future OS updates through a ROM?
The only way you will get updates is ODIN back to stock. Again, no worries.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So does the Root tool (in this case the CASUL script by Adam) do something to shut down carrier updates or I need to do something extra?
Also if one were to ODIN back to stock... and get an update... and then re-root...
I assume you could get an old backup from an external storage area and try to get all your "stuff" back?
DougYITBOS said:
Thanks a bunch TheAxman
You said...
So does the Root tool (in this case the CASUL script by Adam) do something to shut down carrier updates or I need to do something extra?
Also if one were to ODIN back to stock... and get an update... and then re-root...
I assume you could get an old backup from an external storage area and try to get all your "stuff" back?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Once you root,, it changes the rom status to custom, so the update see's that and does NOTHING. if you odin back to stock, un-root, you can force updates, but be careful with updates, carriers are patching things so we can not do what we do, and that is to run custom roms on phones THAT WE OWN!
And btw, if this person xBeerdroiDx gives me a thanks, he is saying I did ok... If you seem to have anymore questions, his guide is one of the best....
[HOW-TO] The All-In-One Root/Backup/Flash Guide - [I337 & I337M]
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=2314494
Thanks to xBeerdroiDx - For this great Startup Guide
Thanks again!
DougYITBOS said:
Thanks again!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your quite welcome, if you have any other questions, feel free to ask them in the thread I gave you or mine.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2295557
Sorry to hijack the thread, but I figured Axman may know.
In the past on my S2, I would flash a lot of roms. maybe after every 5 or 10 I would odin back to stock, boot it up, re-root, re-twrp, then flash another rom. just to get a very clean slate in a sense.
If I were to do this with the S4, you dont think the ATT update would get pushed in the 30 mins to an hour that the phone is in its stock state, do you? I dont want to get mf3'd.
orlandoxpolice said:
Sorry to hijack the thread, but I figured Axman may know.
In the past on my S2, I would flash a lot of roms. maybe after every 5 or 10 I would odin back to stock, boot it up, re-root, re-twrp, then flash another rom. just to get a very clean slate in a sense.
If I were to do this with the S4, you dont think the ATT update would get pushed in the 30 mins to an hour that the phone is in its stock state, do you? I dont want to get mf3'd.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hehe it could, but highly unlikely, and if you feel that it may happen, do what I do, remove the sim until you get rooted, and then put the sim back in and complete the setup. Your not going to get calls in that time period anyways.
Good luck.
btw..this is cool, name please.
Dog: [Pitbull Sharpei Mix] Rom: Stock
TheAxman said:
hehe it could, but highly unlikely, and if you feel that it may happen, do what I do, remove the sim until you get rooted, and then put the sim back in and complete the setup. Your not going to get calls in that time period anyways.
Good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ah good idea. i suppose airplane mode would accomplish the same thing as well
orlandoxpolice said:
Sorry to hijack the thread, but I figured Axman may know.
In the past on my S2, I would flash a lot of roms. maybe after every 5 or 10 I would odin back to stock, boot it up, re-root, re-twrp, then flash another rom. just to get a very clean slate in a sense.
If I were to do this with the S4, you dont think the ATT update would get pushed in the 30 mins to an hour that the phone is in its stock state, do you? I dont want to get mf3'd.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm just throwing my limited experience out. I have never went back to stock via Odin simply to get a "clean slate." Completing a full wipe including a system format in recovery will be sufficient for a clean OS. I would reserve Odin flashing as a last resort for when problems aren't being remedied by a full wipe and format via recovery.
CamFlawless said:
I'm just throwing my limited experience out. I have never went back to stock via Odin simply to get a "clean slate." Completing a full wipe including a system format in recovery will be sufficient for a clean OS. I would reserve Odin flashing as a last resort for when problems aren't being remedied by a full wipe and format via recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you sir, appreciate the help, and yes, good idea.
TheAxman said:
Thank you sir, appreciate the help, and yes, good idea.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
might have been a placebo effect for me, lol.
TheAxman said:
1) Once this is done what's to stop some update from my carrier un-doing it all?
If you root you will not be able to get updates any longer.
2) If that were to happen how much pain would I be in for?
Its not going to happen because you are rooted.
3) If the only way to protect one's self from this is to somehow disable OS/firmware updates... is the only way to get future OS updates through a ROM?
The only way you will get updates is ODIN back to stock. Again, no worries.
4) This TWRP thing seems to be a backup/recovery tool?
I gather that it also enable ROMs flashing, etc?
I've read others like "Titanium Backup" because it can freeze/remove the bloatware.
Are they both kinda the same thing?
Will the two conflict?
TWRP - is a recovery, so you can perform nandroid backups, and to flash roms, and to restore backups. Nothing more, nothing less.
Titanium Backup is a app you use within the rom, to backup and restore apps with, you can read more on this going to the market, it will explain this app's features and what it does.
They are not the same, 2 different programs, that do 2 different things.
Question 5 & 6 answered in #4 answer.
Hope this helps, kinda down and dirty, try and do some reading on all of the above.
Appreciate the thanks.
Thank you and good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct me if I'm wrong, but its my understanding if you're rooted and still stock the MDL will still update to MF3 unless you either completely flash a custom ROM or rename the OTA files that At&t have on our devices.
where you end up, depends on where you start.
AT&T SGH-I337 32G
lilbigdude1 said:
Correct me if I'm wrong, but its my understanding if you're rooted and still stock the MDL will still update to MF3 unless you either completely flash a custom ROM or rename the OTA files that At&t have on our devices.
where you end up, depends on where you start.
AT&T SGH-I337 32G
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
somewhat, but as soon as you root, your phone status is custom correct? therefor how can it update? Yes, it is better to do a custom rom, but you can still stay on MDL and never get updates, freezing the samsung update will work, but I gave the easiest way in his situation.
TheAxman said:
Once you root,, it changes the rom status to custom, so the update see's that and does NOTHING. if you odin back to stock, un-root, you can force updates, but be careful with updates, carriers are patching things so we can not do what we do, and that is to run custom roms on phones THAT WE OWN!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi...I'm another noob with a question about this. I also just used CASUAL to root my phone yesterday. I am definitely rooted but my Device Status actually still shows Official. Following the info in another thread, I used ES File Explorer's Root Manager to rename the wssyncmldm.apk.
Info from: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2268946
The thread was actually written for a previous update, but renaming the apk should still be relevant.
Maybe this was overkill, but...
texasniteowl said:
Hi...I'm another noob with a question about this. I also just used CASUAL to root my phone yesterday. I am definitely rooted but my Device Status actually still shows Official. Following the info in another thread, I used ES File Explorer's Root Manager to rename the wssyncmldm.apk.
Info from: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2268946
The thread was actually written for a previous update, but renaming the apk should still be relevant.
Maybe this was overkill, but...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was just rooted and it showed custom status after, so no updates, you must check the status. just flashing a kernel will change the status, if you are going to root and install a recovery, some things are to go without saying.
Btw, I have learned, that nothing with information is an overkill, if you haven't notice xda is a bunch of peoples ideas and such, and many do not work for others, it is a hit miss.
TheAxman said:
I was just rooted and it showed custom status after, so no updates, you must check the status. just flashing a kernel will change the status, if you are going to root and install a recovery, some things are to go without saying.
Btw, I have learned, that nothing with information is an overkill, if you haven't notice xda is a bunch of peoples ideas and such, and many do not work for others, it is a hit miss.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah...maybe I am referring to the wrong thing, but I was surprised that Settings > More > About Device > Status > Device Status still said "Official" on mine. I know CASUAL succeeded. TWRP is installed, SuperUser is installed. And I was able to use ES File Explorer's Root Manager to change system to R/W and rename the apk. So even though I'm very much an android novice, I'm pretty certain I'm rooted. I don't necessarily plan to flash a rom yet...but since I was still on MDL I wanted to retain the current ability to do so!
Is there some other place that it would show Custom as opposed to Official? That's actually why I went ahead and renamed that file.
texasniteowl said:
Yeah...maybe I am referring to the wrong thing, but I was surprised that Settings > More > About Device > Status > Device Status still said "Official" on mine. I know CASUAL succeeded. TWRP is installed, SuperUser is installed. And I was able to use ES File Explorer's Root Manager to change system to R/W and rename the apk. So even though I'm very much an android novice, I'm pretty certain I'm rooted. I don't necessarily plan to flash a rom yet...but since I was still on MDL I wanted to retain the current ability to do so!
Is there some other place that it would show Custom as opposed to Official? That's actually why I went ahead and renamed that file.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did not mean to confuse anyone. Yes you did the right thing by renaming the the file. if your device says official then this step is needed. mine said custom. umm i stand corrected fellows..another step is needed. thanks for the oversight. i am only human..im not a animal.
TheAxman said:
I did not mean to confuse anyone. Yes you did the right thing by renaming the the file. if your device says official then this step is needed. mine said custom. umm i stand corrected fellows..another step is needed. thanks for the oversight. i am only human..im not a animal.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you are paranoid then there are 3 files you can freeze. i cant remember which ones, but one is att update something something, thats all i can remember.
im no help
I think everyone gets the picture.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda premium

Hi new user here- need some help

Hello everyone-
New user for the Samsung Galaxy S4 here. I used to own both the iPhone 3GS and 4S prior. My general background was writing VB in version 3.0 for AOL back in the late 90s for all you old school people, progs/punters that may remember those days. Unfortunately, even now I'm still have issues following along with new technology. So far, I have really enjoyed the android system and have made modifications through various launchers. I did use SuperSU and rooted the phone by the automated process. I realize these may be 'noob' questions, however; everyone I suppose goes through it at some point. I do have some general questions and several of them that I have read about have conflicting information. This will be somewhat long, but I do appreciate any input:
The Galaxy S4 that I have is SPH-L720, MK2, and 4.3 version.
At this point, I backed-up and installed several Google Games, Books, and Sprint ID, Sprint Worldwide, etc.....general bloatware using Titanium Back-up. Again the root method I used was SuperSU by Chainfire. I have NOT use TWRP/Clockwork Mod or flashed any custom ROMs. I just have it rooted and diabled some bloatware, installed Xposed Installer and other root only apps. I checked my phone and its status says 'custom'.
1. Given this set-up, can I still get OTA for new Android versions ? I don't care if it removes root, but I was just wondering if I can get OTA updates to get new versions for my phone. Some threads I have read say yes, others say no. If I cannot, how can I then get new updates ? I don't want to not be able to permanently update to 4.4 in the future. I know there is a way to update via Kies to the computer.
2. The root access via Chainfire SuperSU involves 2 components from what I understand. SU.apk and busybox. I was using Terminal Emulator based on the advice from this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2565758
I could not get it to work when typing in the prompts on the screen, it just would not go through. I tried downloading Total Commander which allows root access. Can I instead of using Terminal Emulator to get rid of busybox, use Total Commander to get into the /system/xbin folder and manually delete all busybox files prior to using the permanent unroot of SuperSU feature in settings ? Or does the Full unroot remove everything ?
3. Maybe I still don't understand the flashing process, but it seems, you download Odin, then use the ROM file you need under the PDA selection then start the process while the phone is in download mode (home button, down volume, etc...) Is this how all custom ROMs and re-stores are performed ? Is this form of the restore different that the phone Samsung settings (back-up/restore) ? I've read about TWRP, custom recovery, Clockwork Mod, etc....but I dont understand what all these are. It seems easy enough to download files then put them via Odin then hit start....
At this point, I've refrained from doing anything other than back-up/uninstalling some bloatware and using some cool apps that supposed xposed installer. I'm worried that I might brick my expensive phone or render it unable to get anymore updates :crying:
Thanks for the input !
mikeprius said:
Hello everyone-
New user for the Samsung Galaxy S4 here. I used to own both the iPhone 3GS and 4S prior. My general background was writing VB in version 3.0 for AOL back in the late 90s for all you old school people, progs/punters that may remember those days. Unfortunately, even now I'm still have issues following along with new technology. So far, I have really enjoyed the android system and have made modifications through various launchers. I did use SuperSU and rooted the phone by the automated process. I realize these may be 'noob' questions, however; everyone I suppose goes through it at some point. I do have some general questions and several of them that I have read about have conflicting information. This will be somewhat long, but I do appreciate any input:
The Galaxy S4 that I have is SPH-L720, MK2, and 4.3 version.
At this point, I backed-up and installed several Google Games, Books, and Sprint ID, Sprint Worldwide, etc.....general bloatware using Titanium Back-up. Again the root method I used was SuperSU by Chainfire. I have NOT use TWRP/Clockwork Mod or flashed any custom ROMs. I just have it rooted and diabled some bloatware, installed Xposed Installer and other root only apps. I checked my phone and its status says 'custom'.
1. Given this set-up, can I still get OTA for new Android versions ? I don't care if it removes root, but I was just wondering if I can get OTA updates to get new versions for my phone. Some threads I have read say yes, others say no. If I cannot, how can I then get new updates ? I don't want to not be able to permanently update to 4.4 in the future. I know there is a way to update via Kies to the computer.
2. The root access via Chainfire SuperSU involves 2 components from what I understand. SU.apk and busybox. I was using Terminal Emulator based on the advice from this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2565758
I could not get it to work when typing in the prompts on the screen, it just would not go through. I tried downloading Total Commander which allows root access. Can I instead of using Terminal Emulator to get rid of busybox, use Total Commander to get into the /system/xbin folder and manually delete all busybox files prior to using the permanent unroot of SuperSU feature in settings ? Or does the Full unroot remove everything ?
3. Maybe I still don't understand the flashing process, but it seems, you download Odin, then use the ROM file you need under the PDA selection then start the process while the phone is in download mode (home button, down volume, etc...) Is this how all custom ROMs and re-stores are performed ? Is this form of the restore different that the phone Samsung settings (back-up/restore) ? I've read about TWRP, custom recovery, Clockwork Mod, etc....but I dont understand what all these are. It seems easy enough to download files then put them via Odin then hit start....
At this point, I've refrained from doing anything other than back-up/uninstalling some bloatware and using some cool apps that supposed xposed installer. I'm worried that I might brick my expensive phone or render it unable to get anymore updates :crying:
Thanks for the input !
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Click to collapse
I can answer 1 & 3 for you.
1. No, you won't be able to take an OTA because you removed or modified system files. This will cause the update file of the OTA to abort once it encounters the modded file or can't find the file your removed. The best process to take an OTA would be to return the phone to stock before taking the OTA. The easiest method is to use Odin and install the full stock tar file that you are currently on. In your case it would be the MK2 tar file. This will return your phone to stock with the stock recovery and allow your phone to update via OTA, then you can re root.
3. Odin is used to flash things like stock tar files, modems(basebands), recoveries & firmwares. If you are installing a custom rom, that is usually done using a custom recovery like Phillz's or TWRP. These recoveries can be installed via odin or TWRP via goomanager app in playstore. Once the custom recovery is installed you copy the rom file or other mod to your sdcard and install through recovery.
cruise350 said:
I can answer 1 & 3 for you.
1. No, you won't be able to take an OTA because you removed or modified system files. This will cause the update file of the OTA to abort once it encounters the modded file or can't find the file your removed. The best process to take an OTA would be to return the phone to stock before taking the OTA. The easiest method is to use Odin and install the full stock tar file that you are currently on. In your case it would be the MK2 tar file. This will return your phone to stock with the stock recovery and allow your phone to update via OTA, then you can re root.
3. Odin is used to flash things like stock tar files, modems(basebands), recoveries & firmwares. If you are installing a custom rom, that is usually done using a custom recovery like Phillz's or TWRP. These recoveries can be installed via odin or TWRP via goomanager app in playstore. Once the custom recovery is installed you copy the rom file or other mod to your sdcard and install through recovery.
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Click to collapse
Thanks for the response....Does it matter what version of Odin I use if I were to restore the phone back to stock ? Also do I need to manually remove all rooted program and features, or can it be flashed back to stock ROM as is ? I have a lot of apps that I also don't want to lose and I've tried manually back up files on my SD card, but I didn't know if there was a way to back it up, so that it literally can be dumped right back in when stock is restored.
mikeprius said:
Thanks for the response....Does it matter what version of Odin I use if I were to restore the phone back to stock ? Also do I need to manually remove all rooted program and features, or can it be flashed back to stock ROM as is ? I have a lot of apps that I also don't want to lose and I've tried manually back up files on my SD card, but I didn't know if there was a way to back it up, so that it literally can be dumped right back in when stock is restored.
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I believe if you are on MK2 you will want to use the latest version of odin which is ver3 3.09. If you are using the MK2 complete stock tar file it will rewrite everything in system and restore all the apps that were removed or modded so you don't need to manually remove root. Currently, the stock files available to us do not wipe the data partition so anything you have in that partition will remain there unless you do a factory reset. One thing you will want to make sure you are doing is backing up to the external sdcard and not the internal. You can then use TB to replace any files if you did a factory reset.
cruise350 said:
I believe if you are on MK2 you will want to use the latest version of odin which is ver3 3.09. If you are using the MK2 complete stock tar file it will rewrite everything in system and restore all the apps that were removed or modded so you don't need to manually remove root. Currently, the stock files available to us do not wipe the data partition so anything you have in that partition will remain there unless you do a factory reset. One thing you will want to make sure you are doing is backing up to the external sdcard and not the internal. You can then use TB to replace any files if you did a factory reset.
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Click to collapse
I'm using Kies 3 and using the data back-up feature ? I assume this is backing up to the computer then I was planning on using the 'restore data' feature once they phone is back to stock. Will this revert it back to the way it was previously customized before root ? So if I understand correctly, once I download Odin 3.0, I load the MK2 .tar file into the phone, enbable download mode, then hit start and the phone will be like it was out of the box and ready to be OTA and restored with prior data ? I may be confusing flashing the stock firmware with factory reset ?
I also noticed there is an update firmware feature on Kies 3, if I try using this while SuperSU is present and the phone is rooted, will I also have a failed update/issues ? Again, thanks for your help. Do appreciate it.
mikeprius said:
I'm using Kies 3 and using the data back-up feature ? I assume this is backing up to the computer then I was planning on using the 'restore data' feature once they phone is back to stock. Will this revert it back to the way it was previously customized before root ? So if I understand correctly, once I download Odin 3.0, I load the MK2 .tar file into the phone, enbable download mode, then hit start and the phone will be like it was out of the box and ready to be OTA and restored with prior data ? I may be confusing flashing the stock firmware with factory reset ?
I also noticed there is an update firmware feature on Kies 3, if I try using this while SuperSU is present and the phone is rooted, will I also have a failed update/issues ? Again, thanks for your help. Do appreciate it.
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Click to collapse
I have never used Kies and heard that it doesn't work with the MJA or MK2 software yet. I don't believe Kies will work if your status is custom but I could be wrong on that. If you odin the MK2 full tar file your phone will be back to stock but your data should still be there. You will only lose your data if you do a factory reset in recovery. Remember, a factory reset is just wiping the data partition and does not restore any software or apps.
cruise350 said:
I have never used Kies and heard that it doesn't work with the MJA or MK2 software yet. I don't believe Kies will work if your status is custom but I could be wrong on that. If you odin the MK2 full tar file your phone will be back to stock but your data should still be there. You will only lose your data if you do a factory reset in recovery. Remember, a factory reset is just wiping the data partition and does not restore any software or apps.
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Ok, I think I have the general idea. It sounds similar to putting back on the stock 'image' nothing else.........I currently have the Odin 3.0 software, but I have been having a hard time finding the stock firmware online and downloading it. I will keep looking. Once I get the .tar and flash in download mode, will I just see all the bloatware back on, but everything else the same ? I was wondering what will happen if I kept Titanium Back-up, SuperSU, and Xposed Installer on when I do this ? Does it just render them all un-useable, but the new OTA will still install anyway ? Thanks.
mikeprius said:
Ok, I think I have the general idea. It sounds similar to putting back on the stock 'image' nothing else.........I currently have the Odin 3.0 software, but I have been having a hard time finding the stock firmware online and downloading it. I will keep looking. Once I get the .tar and flash in download mode, will I just see all the bloatware back on, but everything else the same ? I was wondering what will happen if I kept Titanium Back-up, SuperSU, and Xposed Installer on when I do this ? Does it just render them all un-useable, but the new OTA will still install anyway ? Thanks.
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Click to collapse
Every thing in the data partition(titanium backup) will remain and everything in the system partition (SuperSU & stuff modified via xposed installer) will be gone and replaced with the bloatware.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk
Ok, so it appears to have worked. I flashed the 4.3 prior version however it was hooked up to wifi and automatically downloaded the new version and removed root (not a big deal). My status says custom still, but I am assuming that I can OTA after the flash b/c it updated to the most recent 4.3 in Dec 2013. I re-rooted so it is back to prior, but I know now how to do it.
Is there anything that I may delete or uninstall that cannot be replaced by flashing the stock firmware ? For example I was thinking about getting rid of the 'help' on the phone and Titanium Back up said it is odexed or something to that extent and can only be replaced by using Titanium Backup and the exact same copy ?
I figured that I might as well just try deleting the bloatware and not back up b/c worse case scenario if something happens I can just flash back the stock ROM and all is well ?
Being able to flash the stock .tar through ODIN gives me peace of mind from screw ups, even if it removes root and takes time.
mikeprius said:
I figured that I might as well just try deleting the bloatware and not back up b/c worse case scenario if something happens I can just flash back the stock ROM and all is well ?
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Click to collapse
If you haven't spent much time customizing, that'll work fine. Most of us use custom recoveries (like Philz or TWRP) to make "nandroid" backups of our setups. A nandroid is like a drive image on a computer, so restoring it will restore all of the customizations you've done (accounts, apps, app data, bloatware deletions, etc). Nandroids don't back up firmware (modem, bootloader,etc), but back up the ROM completely. A Titanium backup is almost as good, but requires a bit more work.
As for deciding what apps you can delete, most of the custom ROM creators post a list of the bloatware they remove. So, if it's on their list, it's almost certainly ok to delete it on your phone too.
nobody291 said:
If you haven't spent much time customizing, that'll work fine. Most of us use custom recoveries (like Philz or TWRP) to make "nandroid" backups of our setups. A nandroid is like a drive image on a computer, so restoring it will restore all of the customizations you've done (accounts, apps, app data, bloatware deletions, etc). Nandroids don't back up firmware (modem, bootloader,etc), but back up the ROM completely. A Titanium backup is almost as good, but requires a bit more work.
As for deciding what apps you can delete, most of the custom ROM creators post a list of the bloatware they remove. So, if it's on their list, it's almost certainly ok to delete it on your phone too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks being able to flash the stock .tar and use ODIN gives me peace of mind of any potential screw ups. So far I'm just using stock rom and toggling some of the features with xposed installer and titanium back up.
I'd like to explore more eventually with custom ROMs and I've heard of Clockwork mod and TWRP, Nandroid, Cyanogen, etc... but I don't know what any of that means or what it is.
Is TWRP/Philz like ODIN program then you download custom ROMS like Cyanogen the same way as the stock firmware. tar ?
As you can tell I am extremely new to this.....this is also my first time owning an Android phone as well, but I never messed with jailbreaking my past 2 iPhones in the past. I just have used VB 3.0 back in the day....
mikeprius said:
Thanks being able to flash the stock .tar and use ODIN gives me peace of mind of any potential screw ups. So far I'm just using stock rom and toggling some of the features with xposed installer and titanium back up.
I'd like to explore more eventually with custom ROMs and I've heard of Clockwork mod and TWRP, Nandroid, Cyanogen, etc... but I don't know what any of that means or what it is.
Is TWRP/Philz like ODIN program then you download custom ROMS like Cyanogen the same way as the stock firmware. tar ?
As you can tell I am extremely new to this.....this is also my first time owning an Android phone as well, but I never messed with jailbreaking my past 2 iPhones in the past. I just have used VB 3.0 back in the day....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To me, one of the hardest parts of this whole thing is getting to the point where the basic terms make sense. I've been at this for a couple of years with an HTC Evo and now the GS4 since October, and sometimes it still makes my head spin. Here is an attempt to explain my understanding of a few things:
1. Booting...you can boot into Download mode, recovery, or system. Download mode is what you use with ODIN, you need the correct drivers on your computer (which can be found lots of places), so that ODIN and your phone can communicate. In download mode, the phone just accepts whatever ODIN sends it, so it's the easiest way to totally brick your phone. Don't mess with partitions and follow the instructions for whatever you're doing very carefully, because I think this is the only way to "hard brick" your phone.
2. Recovery - something you use to create images of your phone's ROM (nandroids), flash ROMs and mods, and restore past nandroids. The stock recovery will only flash approved updates from the carrier, so to do any of the things I listed you need a custom recovery. Most people use Philz (which is based on the ClockworkMod recovery) or TWRP. To flash the custom recovery, use ODIN and follow the instructions in the thread exactly. There is a way to flash recoveries without ODIN, but I've never done it. I was using TWRP, and switched to Philz to flash the rooted stock 4.3 update because the thread suggested it. They both seem to do the same thing, and I have been happy with both. I'm sure there are technical differences, but I couldn't explain what they are. You can switch back and forth as much as you'd like between the recoveries with ODIN. Recoveries can flash a complete ROM or just partial changes (like the hotspot mod). In a custom recovery (or the stock) you can also do factory resets and cache cleaning (most ROMs suggest you do this before flashing). Factory reset doesn't return the ROM to the factory original, it just clears out all of the user data (including user apps). A nandroid is the fastest way to restore a phone if you screw it up...I always make one before making significant changes to the phone. It takes several minutes to do, but I think it's well worth it. The operating system can't be running when you make one, that's why you need to boot into recovery mode. You create a Nandroid in Philz by selecting "backup and restore" then "backup to" which will allow backup to the internal storage or external SD card.
3. ROM - the actual operating system used by the phone when you actually use it as a smartphone. There are 2 basic flavors for the GS4...touchwiz and AOSP (Android Open Source Project). Touchwiz is Samsung's "flavor" of Android, AOSP is the "pure Google" version of Android. A lot of the things the GS4 will do rely on touchwiz (multiwindow is one example...but there are several). Some people really like the AOSP ROMs (Cyanogen is AOSP), but make sure you understand their limitations. I've never used one on the GS4. There are several touchwiz custom ROMs which have various features. I've tried a few and just settled on the stock rooted touchwiz ROM, but there are lots of options from great developers. I think most custom ROMs require you to use a custom recovery to flash them, but there might be ways to do it using ODIN. I like having a custom recovery, so I've only used ODIN for flashing modems and recoveries.
4. Firmware - as far as I can tell, there are two important parts of the firmware...the modem (sometimes called "radios" or "baseband"...find your version by looking in "about device"->"Baseband version"...the different modems are described by the last 3 letters you see) and the bootloader. The modem and the version of the ROM you flash need to match or you'll have problems with the radios in the phone (wifi seems to be the biggest problem if you have a mismatch). MF9 was the last modem version based on 4.2.2, and 4.3 has had MJA and MK2 (MK2 is the latest). The bootloader is what the phone uses to initially decide how to boot up. If you have the 4.3 version of the bootloader it will include "Knox", which will prevent you from flashing older versions of the modem, so you'll have to use a 4.3 ROM. Knox also "trips" a counter if you flash a custom ROM and Samsung claims they won't honor the warranty on a phone with the "Knox flag" tripped. If you have the 4.3 bootloader you're stuck with it (for now at least). I still have the 4.2.2 bootloader, so I don't have much more to offer on this subject. There are ways to get the 4.3 modem and ROM without the 4.3 bootloader. There is a lot here (and lots on youtube) on how to navigate the Knox minefield if you care about it. If you still have the 4.2.2 bootloader you can flash older (and newer) modems as much as you'd like without getting the updated bootloader using ODIN.
Hopefully this helps...this is a great place with lots of great people. Sometimes the scale of the amount of information here is overwhelming. But, search is your friend along with lots of time! Feel free to keep asking questions.
thanks for explaining this nobody-
The information does help quite a bit and I am still learning, however; I do enjoy the process of messing with the phone. My GS4 now runs the RAM at 750-800mg instead of a bloated 1.2GB which was happening quite a bit. I had to originally not use a lot of apps I wanted to like Facebook bc the programs themselves bloated up to accomidate the existing bloatware which was also running. I did flash my phone back with the stock firmware today and it looks like it installed all the stock software. My status said 'custom' when I looked at it however I was already connected to wifi and it went from 4.3 (Oct 2013 version which I flashed) to Dec 2013 version automatically so it appears that the OTA feature works.
I assumed if I accidently delete something from the phone that I really need to affects the phone, I can always flash the stock ROM to fix it. Losing the root is not that big of an issue, but I did lose Superuser and had to re-root the phone. I suppose I do have a few more questions, one was when I was reading another carrier provider thread.
1. Is there anything I can delete from the phone that I could not eventually recover by flashing the stock firmware ? When I uninstall for example the 'help' app on the phone Titanium Backup says this only copy can be replaced by using Titanium 5.1 and it's existing copy ? Could this just be replaced by flashing the stock firmware as well ? I like being able to flash the stockfirm ware rom at any point as a fail safe.
2. The other issue is the bootloader that I heard about ? It was on a Verizon thread where the person was able to flash the stock firmware on his phone, but then after an upgrade, he was not longer able to flash the rom b/c the carrier in the most recent upgrade he did blocked ODIN ? Is this something that I should possibly be concerned about in the future not being able to flash stock firmware via ODIN ? As you can tell, I'm pretty OCD about being able to have a failsafe for my phone. LOL. Thanks again for your help, I do appreciate it.
mikeprius said:
1. Is there anything I can delete from the phone that I could not eventually recover by flashing the stock firmware ? When I uninstall for example the 'help' app on the phone Titanium Backup says this only copy can be replaced by using Titanium 5.1 and it's existing copy ? Could this just be replaced by flashing the stock firmware as well ? I like being able to flash the stockfirm ware rom at any point as a fail safe.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, you can always flash the stock firmware to fix whatever you do to the ROM (just to the ROM, use ODIN very carefully). In the case of the Help file, you could also back it up using Titanium, then delete the app, and restore it later using Titanium if you want it back. This is probably obvious, but use Titanium to delete the app, but don't delete the backup.
2. The other issue is the bootloader that I heard about ? It was on a Verizon thread where the person was able to flash the stock firmware on his phone, but then after an upgrade, he was not longer able to flash the rom b/c the carrier in the most recent upgrade he did blocked ODIN ? Is this something that I should possibly be concerned about in the future not being able to flash stock firmware via ODIN ? As you can tell, I'm pretty OCD about being able to have a failsafe for my phone. LOL. Thanks again for your help, I do appreciate it.
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Click to collapse
Sprint is a lot more friendly toward its users modifying their phones than Verizon. But, they could change their minds any time. For now, there are no issues (other than the Knox warranty issue). But, don't presume that'll always be the case. The best precaution is to not take OTA (over the air) updates. OTAs are the ones that pop up as a notification on the phone saying "system update available, tap to install". Kit Kat should become available in the next month or two, who knows what'll come along with the OTA. Threads will start here almost immediately when the update rolls out; watch those threads and don't do the update until you're comfortable with what's inside. I will wait and flash something from the development section, even if it is just the stock ROM.
nobody291 said:
Yes, you can always flash the stock firmware to fix whatever you do to the ROM (just to the ROM, use ODIN very carefully). In the case of the Help file, you could also back it up using Titanium, then delete the app, and restore it later using Titanium if you want it back. This is probably obvious, but use Titanium to delete the app, but don't delete the backup.
Sprint is a lot more friendly toward its users modifying their phones than Verizon. But, they could change their minds any time. For now, there are no issues (other than the Knox warranty issue). But, don't presume that'll always be the case. The best precaution is to not take OTA (over the air) updates. OTAs are the ones that pop up as a notification on the phone saying "system update available, tap to install". Kit Kat should become available in the next month or two, who knows what'll come along with the OTA. Threads will start here almost immediately when the update rolls out; watch those threads and don't do the update until you're comfortable with what's inside. I will wait and flash something from the development section, even if it is just the stock ROM.
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Click to collapse
It was good that you mentioned the Knox bootloader issue with the 4.3 upgrade. When I purchased my cell phone back in Nov, I believe it had the 4.3 (1st) version loaded, but it already had Knox features as I do recall seeing them. If I were to try and flash 4.2.2 like the version you initially had, would the phone have a bootloop error or fail to flash because there were some free wifi tethering exploits that were not yet fixed in the 4.2.2 version ? This may have been the error I read about due to the new Knox feature.
I think since my phone is currently rooted and I altered some of the bloatware system files that the update if it were made available OTA should not update anyway due to the root. Will the stock ROM/firmware .tar files eventually be posted in the developers section that can just be flashed via ODIN later on ? With that, if I were to load 4.4 and not like it, could I flash back 4.3 ? I am guessing this is the part where you mentioned that the carrier may decide differently later on.....I suppose I will just keep an eye out in the meantime.
Good good............, I'm picking up this pretty well so far.............
mikeprius said:
If I were to try and flash 4.2.2 like the version you initially had, would the phone have a bootloop error or fail to flash because there were some free wifi tethering exploits that were not yet fixed in the 4.2.2 version ?
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Click to collapse
I'm not sure what symptoms you'd see if you installed 4.2.2 with the 4.3 bootloader. Most likely the phone would fail to boot. ODIN will flash whatever you tell it to, I don't believe it does any compatibility checking on its own. You can still get the wifi hotspot feature to work even with Knox and the 4.3 bootloader, I don't think that was what they were trying to do with the update. There are threads discussing 4.3 and what changed, but there wasn't much obvious to the user. For now you can't go back if you're on 4.3, but there might be an exploit discovered down the road that lets you get the old bootloader and go back.
Will the stock ROM/firmware .tar files eventually be posted in the developers section that can just be flashed via ODIN later on ?
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Click to collapse
Yes, they won't be available immediately though. It can take some time for the community to re-obtain root too, depending on how big the changes are.
With that, if I were to load 4.4 and not like it, could I flash back 4.3 ?
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Click to collapse
I think you alluded to the answer already, but it depends. It took a month or two before you could flash the stock 4.3 without the 4.3 bootloader. There were custom ROMs available that used custom kernels sooner, but there was a problem trying to use the stock kernel with the 4.2.2 bootloader. So, always read and read and read some more before flashing updates.
So far i think i got the hang of it. I have been modifying the phones original touchwhiz. I ended up freezing alot of files instead of deleting them so the ability to turn them back on is there. Some of the files while there are not meant to be frozen/disabled/turned off. I tried a few methods for keeping SuperSU over an ODIN with no luck. I do have a question though. If i turned off (but did not delete) alot of system files and were to run ODIN again will all of them including the bloatware be turned back on and restored? That would be bad if i flashed, lost root, then simultaneously had all the system files disabled with no way to turn them back on......
This also a dumb question but what exactly am i flashing with ODIN? Its a 1.5 GB file with Sprint and it is a tar that restores all bloatware and turns the phone status back to official so i can get OTA updates. Am i flashing the entire stock ROM or just the firmware? Its nice that i have not lost any existing apps or data. It just restores the bloatware and removes root
Reading the above posts im guessing firmware....along the lines of the previous question will this restore system files and apps as well that have been shut off because ive been on a roll disabling and freezing a lot of files and apps and not sure what to turn back on to restore function to some of them. If the ODIN firmware flash resets all settings then that will also be very useful as well. Thanks much
mikeprius said:
Reading the above posts im guessing firmware....along the lines of the previous question will this restore system files and apps as well that have been shut off because ive been on a roll disabling and freezing a lot of files and apps and not sure what to turn back on to restore function to some of them. If the ODIN firmware flash resets all settings then that will also be very useful as well. Thanks much
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Click to collapse
The .tar you are flashing from sprint is what we would call stock firmware image. This is the image that shipped on the phone from the factory. I'm an avid flasher and would highly recommend installing twrp or philz touch, creating a nandroid backup and giving some debloated touchwiz roms a shot. You'll see some significant improvement in battery life and performance and some really cool upstream features. I use odin as a last resort, when I need to go back to stock for whatever reason (ie domestic sim unlock) or have fubar'd my current setup past a point of no return.

[Q] My GS5 is acting up

So I first rooted my phone yesterday and it went smoothly. Then, I had an option to software update and it was late at night so I just did it without thinking and now I'm missing my download app that comes stock. Also, I can't root anymore to fix it because it updated my kernel version but I still get the custom logo on the galaxy s5 splash screen. Can anyone help me with this? I have already factory reset my phone many times. BTW it's the verizon version.
fdfvh said:
I'm missing my download app that comes stock. Also, I can't root anymore to fix it because it updated my kernel version
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Click to collapse
Well, had you done a search, you'd already have answers to your questions. There is a wealth of information in existing threads.
Software updates almost always break root. So that is expected behaviour. You didn't give us much information about your missing download app, but if that is a system app then writing the full stock firmware image would restore that. And if you choose a pre June 3rd build of your firmware, it should be amenable to the Towel root exploit.
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fffft said:
Well, had you done a search, you'd already have answers to your questions. There is a wealth of information in existing threads.
Software updates almost always break root. So that is expected behaviour. You didn't give us much information about your missing download app, but if that is a system app then writing the full stock firmware image would restore that. And if you choose a pre June 3rd build of your firmware, it should be amenable to the Towel root exploit.
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Click to collapse
Thing is, I don't know how to do that and I don't want to break my phone further. The app is missing from the app drawer. I can access it by downloading something off of the browser but that's the only way I can use it on stock touchwiz. I use Nova launcher and one of my backups happened to have the downloads app on my home screen so I can get to it that way but it's still missing from my app drawer. If you can, can you lead me to a trusted post so I can fix this because I don't want to screw up my phone anymore. I can't use odin to flash a stock firmware so I don't know how else I can do it.
Option 1:-
Try flashing a custom recovery first via download mode.
Then try flashing a custom rom.
Option 2:-
Download an older version of the stock rom.
Flash it via odin
Gl and I hope you can root again
la2o said:
Option 1:-
Try flashing a custom recovery first via download mode.
Then try flashing a custom rom.
Option 2:-
Download an older version of the stock rom.
Flash it via odin
Gl and I hope you can root again
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How can I do this exactly?
uh oh... Doesn't sound too good. Sorry for the bad fortune.

How to restore back to PB1 from Verizon logo

Hi all!
I need to restore phone back to latest stock. Problem is that it is stuck on Verizon logo screen.
This is my old phone that I gave to my daughter while back. It was rooted and was asking for update. Because I thought it will be easy to unroot, I simple went into SU and tried to uninstall from there. Little did i know how it will end up.
I've looked around and cannot find latest stock that is ODIN flushable.
Could someone be so kind and point to download location?
Another question is how to restore system status. OTA fails because of this, i guess. Currently bootloader shows it as custom. I guess because root. I'm I right? Would flushing stock allow to get updates again?
Sorry for lame questions. It was long time ago and I totally forgot what was on that phone. Recovery shows BOK3. So, this stock will be OK too.
Any suggestions how to return it back to life will be appreciated! If possible preserving data. But I do not care about root, bootloader etc. I only want it to be latest and greatest because kid has no clue what is safe or not, so I want it be patched and secure as much as possible.
Hello,
You can find an Odin flashable tar file at the bottom of the OP here. This will restore it to stock PB1. No root or anything.
chaoticyeshua said:
Hello,
You can find an Odin flashable tar file at the bottom of the OP here. This will restore it to stock PB1. No root or anything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for quick reply! However it is not exactly stock, correct me if I'm wrong. The idea was to get stock, so all updates in the future will be OTA.
After heavy google I found a couple of links.
http://www.galaxys5update.com/galaxy-s5-stock-firmware/
http://www.idroidspace.com/official-stock-rom-for-samsung-galaxy-s5/
Both have stock roms links for multiple providers.
Download speed is crazy low!
So, I will still appreciate if someone has something direct/faster
CNemo7539 said:
After heavy google I found a couple of links.
http://www.galaxys5update.com/galaxy-s5-stock-firmware/
http://www.idroidspace.com/official-stock-rom-for-samsung-galaxy-s5/
Both have stock roms links for multiple providers.
Download speed is crazy low!
So, I will still appreciate if someone has something direct/faster
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
https://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=24438995911970571
which can be found in the 2nd post of this thread right here in the general section:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/verizon-galaxy-s5/general/root-method-og5-ok3-t3290370

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