Database Users

To Root and to Tinker--Rooting and Recovery

So, I'm new to the locked bootloader scene. The root & ROM threads, tutorials, and videos seem to root via a Terminal Emulator process, then install Safestrap. Those same sites and videos say that when you're flashing a ROM after selecting a new ROM Slot, you have to flash "whatever modules and packages are for your device", whatever that means. Since I can't find these packages anywhere, is it safe to assume that I can just root, install Safestrap, create a ROM Slot, and start flashing away as if nothing's up? Or do I need to worry about this boot patch and some "Loki Doki" thing I heard about. I'm sure these answers exist, and I've done my due diligence, but these threads have either been buried for good, or are such a common a knowledge subset that I can't find anything concrete. Even the videos I've seen talk about the "modules" you have to flash. I'm an experienced Androidist, tinkerer, and tweaker. The information I'm finding doesn't provide you with the big picture. It's all, "MJ2 read this, and follow these 9 steps", and "mk2 follow these 10 steps". But none of them tell you what to do in Safe strap recovery, and if you needs some Loki/module magic.
Help a brotha out? I'll return the favor 10-fold, I can promise you that much. I'll be quite active around here.
Thanks!
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app

First off you never said what baseband you were on but assuming that your on MK2 android 4.3 then let's start.
Use this method to root your device
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2569827
Since your on mk2 you can ONLY use safe strap 3.71 do not attempt to install safe strap 3.65 AND SAFE STRAP WILL BE THE ONLY RECOVERY YOU CAN INSTALL!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2448925
And note that 3.71 is still in beta as of right now there are still bugs and YOU CAN ONLY FLASH A COUPLE OF ROMS.
From the same thread cause I know your not going to go through the forums and read, download the attmk2module.zip that ted77usa posted
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2448925
Root your device
Install safestrap after install, install recovery in safestrap apk.
There's only a few Roms you can flash
Darthstalker x in the att android development forum
Hyperdrive 12 in the Verizon android development forum download the one that says safestrap
A few have noted that some other Roms work but I haven't tested it out do some more reading.
After you download a rom
Reboot your device and go into safestrap recovery
Create a ROM slot ON ROM SLOT 1
DO NOT MESS WITH YOUR STOCK SLOT!
After creating a ROM slot go to install and install your rom.
After successfully installing a ROM reboot then go back into recovery and install the attmk2module.zip
Reboot and instead of going into recovery this time continue
It will take awhile to load its normal.
Now you should have a ROM.
Now go tinker with that.
AT&T SGH-I337 RUNNING HYPERDRIVE 12

ATTMK2kernelmodules Original Post i don't think u would like to go over 1000 post on that thread..... and at the bottom there is SHOstock_v3.0_Safestrap_Ready link that also confirmed work by several people.......hope this help u to get start it..... .
Bootloader:................Use:...................Custom Rom:
MDL/MDB.......................LOKI.....................4.2.2......4.3.....4.4 ALL WORK (....LUCKY U....)
MF3................................SS-v3.65................ONLY FLASH 4.2.2 ROM (Slot1,Slot2 and Stock ALL WORK)
MK2................................SS-v3.71................SOME 4.3 ROM WORK (Slot1,Slot2 and Stock ALL WORK (confirmed))

[email protected] said:
First off you never said what baseband you were on but assuming that your on MK2 android 4.3 then let's start.
Use this method to root your device
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2569827
Since your on mk2 you can ONLY use safe strap 3.71 do not attempt to install safe strap 3.65 AND SAFE STRAP WILL BE THE ONLY RECOVERY YOU CAN INSTALL!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2448925
And note that 3.71 is still in beta as of right now there are still bugs and YOU CAN ONLY FLASH A COUPLE OF ROMS.
From the same thread cause I know your not going to go through the forums and read, download the attmk2module.zip that ted77usa posted
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2448925
Root your device
Install safestrap after install, install recovery in safestrap apk.
There's only a few Roms you can flash
Darthstalker x in the att android development forum
Hyperdrive 12 in the Verizon android development forum download the one that says safestrap
A few have noted that some other Roms work but I haven't tested it out do some more reading.
After you download a rom
Reboot your device and go into safestrap recovery
Create a ROM slot ON ROM SLOT 1
DO NOT MESS WITH YOUR STOCK SLOT!
After creating a ROM slot go to install and install your rom.
After successfully installing a ROM reboot then go back into recovery and install the attmk2module.zip
Reboot and instead of going into recovery this time continue
It will take awhile to load its normal.
Now you should have a ROM.
Now go tinker with that.
AT&T SGH-I337 RUNNING HYPERDRIVE 12
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're perfect in every way. ? Bromance FTW
You even answer threads like me. This helped a TON! I owe ya one.
Edit: last question. The instructions say to install the ROM, reboot, then install the modules. I assume that the reboot instruction means that we should reboot, boot into the ROM for the first time, then boot back into recovery and install the modules?
Or should I flash the ROM, power down, then boot into recovery (ensuring that the ROM is never booted before the modules are installed)-- I suppose I could just use the reboot recovery option in the Safestrap TWRP.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app

ted77usa said:
ATTMK2kernelmodules Original Post i don't think u would like to go over 1000 post on that thread..... and the on the bottom is SHOstock_v3.0_Safestrap_Ready link that also confirmed work by several people.......hope this help u to get start it..... .
Bootloader:................Use:...................Custom Rom:
MDL/MDB.......................LOKI.....................4.2.2......4.3.....4.4 ALL WORK (....LUCKY U....)
MF3................................SS-v3.65................ONLY FLASH 4.2.2 ROM (Slot1,Slot2 and Stock ALL WORK)
MK2................................SS-v3.71................SOME 4.3 ROM WORK (Slot1,Slot2 and Stock ALL WORK (confirmed))
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What's SHOStock? An alternative to the ATTMK2Module?
<3 I can see that this is a bangin' start to an awesome and new relationship, between me, my S4, and my new home...the S4 community.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app

By the way...since the ROM selection is limited, I assume heavy XPosed use is okay, and quite common?
Which ROM do you guys prefer?
I assume that sites and articles like this one: http://www.droidviews.com/best-custom-roms-for-att-samsung-galaxy-s4-sgh-i337/
aren't reliable sources--they probably don't take into account the the ATT S4 compatibility issues. This is showing CM11, Carbon, KangaBean, Infamous...am I correct in my assumption that those are for the lucky birdies that had MDL/MDB, and didn't need Safestrap?
Has someone put together a compatibility/guide megathread? I think I will if it hasn't been done.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app

Jamesyboy said:
What's SHOStock? An alternative to the ATTMK2Module?
<3 I can see that this is a bangin' start to an awesome and new relationship, between me, my S4, and my new home...the S4 community.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Welcome aboard!!!! Firstable are u on MF3 firmware or MK2 frimware......? both are using SafeStrap (SS) as custom recovery as of right now. Like i said on previous post MF3 use SS-v3.65 so that u able to install only 4.2.2 TW custom rom or 4.2.2 Google Play Edition (GPE) rom. If u are on MK2 firmware u can only use SS-v3.71 and able to install some of 4.3 custom rom (SHOstock-v3.0-Safestrap-Ready) is one of them that worked......Hyperdrive-RL12 from verizon thread also seem pretty good but u need to add your APN manually if u are on ATT network. Both firmware MF3 and MK2 are use different kernel modules, so after flashing custom Rom you NEED to flash your current firmware kernel modules also, otherwise u won't be able to connect to WiFi,bluetooth,gps etc..... hope this make sense to you......i know is kinda confusing ......but the more u read is the more it would make sense.... Check this thread for list of compatible rom Official AT&T S4 Safestrap Discussion Q/A

One more thing. My S4 will be here tomorrow. Let's say I get lucky and find MDL/MDB on my device. Do I need to hurry and avoid a software update, or avoid a data connection? Or do the updates proceed only with user interaction? The rooting is the same for all 3 devices, but if I do get MDL/MDB or the next one, I'll have to update the baseband before flashing newer ROMs, right?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app

ted77usa said:
Welcome aboard!!!! Firstable are u on MF3 firmware or MK2 frimware......? both are using SafeStrap (SS) as custom recovery as of right now. Like i said on previous post MF3 use SS-v3.65 so that u able to install only 4.2.2 TW custom rom or 4.2.2 Google Play Edition (GPE) rom. If u are on MK2 firmware u can only use SS-v3.71 and able to install some of 4.3 custom rom (SHOstock-v3.0-Safestrap-Ready) is one of them......Hyperdrive-RL12 from verizon thread also seem pretty good but u need to add your APN manually if u are on ATT network. Both firmware MF3 and MK2 are use different kernel modules, so after flashing custom Rom you NEED to flash your cureent firmware kernel modules also otherwise u won't be able to connect to WiFi,bluetooth,gps etc..... hope this make sense to you......i know is kinda confusing ......but the more u read is the more it would make sense....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It makes sense, I'm mostly just unfamiliar, as opposed to being completely useless, but you guys have been amazing...you've already shot me up to about 80% on a distribution curve.
Why would anyone stick with MF3? MK2 is an update for MF3, right? Why don't those users update, then safestrap 3.71 it, so they can use 4.3 roms? It'd seem kinda funky to me to be stuck with a 4-2 ROM by choice, unless they're doing it solely for the GPE ROM.
These firmware kernel modules...I'll have the same modules for each ROM I flash right? Or are these modules a .zip that I'll find in each ROM thread, for each carrier.
By the way, APN settings don't scare me. Here, you might actually appreciate this work--done right after ATT's LTE network came online (I believe the Note was the first device that utilized it?...If it wasn't, it was definitely the first to tax the network.)::
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=26877683
Edit: the Q&A thread for Safe strap was reasonable...but it still talks about kernel flashes, and blown QFusee (har?)
I guess I mainly need to come to grips with the kernel situation. The Q&A says that you can't use custom kernels if you've updated to OTA, but doesn't mention factory MF3 builds, and it isn't really very clear about the module/kernel module situation.
You said I need to flags my **current** firmware kernel modules: are those different if I get a device with MF3 than those for MK2? Or are these just modules that I create myself (based upon whatever's in my stock ROM slot maybe?) in recovery?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app

Jamesyboy said:
One more thing. My S4 will be here tomorrow. Let's say I get lucky and find MDL/MDB on my device. Do I need to hurry and avoid a software update, or avoid a data connection? Or do the updates proceed only with user interaction? The rooting is the same for all 3 devices, but if I do get MDL/MDB or the next one, I'll have to update the baseband before flashing newer ROMs, right?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont think u can get MDB/MDL firmware again these days.....but if u do....damn u are pretty lucky....my suggestion is Do Not insert your ATT sim card yet ....since they can do OTA update ( On The Air ).....and check your baseband....IF u do ....root it right away....install titanium back up and freeze/uninstall ATT software update.apk......install custom recovery CWM or TWRP ..... and make sure u have auto loki recovery....if not save loki.doki patch on your Sd Card....PM me for the link and all the files .....i still have the files since i used to have MDB firmware and got replacement phone from ATT when my son broke the screen....:crying:
Jamesyboy said:
It makes sense, I'm mostly just unfamiliar, as opposed to being completely useless, but you guys have been amazing...you've already shot me up to about 80% on a distribution curve.
Why would anyone stick with MF3? MK2 is an update for MF3, right? Why don't those users update, then safestrap 3.71 it, so they can use 4.3 roms? It'd seem kinda funky to me to be stuck with a 4-2 ROM by choice, unless they're doing it solely for the GPE ROM.
These firmware kernel modules...I'll have the same modules for each ROM I flash right? Or are these modules a .zip that I'll find in each ROM thread, for each carrier.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
MDB>MDL>MF3>MJ6>Mj9>MK2.......the reason of the update is ATT trying to lock bootloader so we won't be able to install custom rom or do what ever we want to the phone.......but either way.....XDA member always found away to cracked it....so some people have to upgrade not by choice.....most of them by accident....like me ( cracked my screen ) or they install wrong recovery.....(bricked) so be careful when installing custom recovery.....like i said....we need to know what kinda firmware that u have so we can help u.....LOL now i got it why u dont know yet....since u dont have the phone yet.......... but is ok.....that's the right thing to do.....get to know your stuff first before u brick your phone.....:good: so basically u need to match your kernel modules with your firmware otherwise it won't be able to connect to Wifi,bluetooth,gps,etc it doesn't matter if u OTA to MF3 or MK2.....or it come with MF3 or MK2....

ted77usa said:
I dont think u can get MDB/MDL firmware again these days.....but if u do....damn u are pretty lucky....my suggestion is Do Not insert your ATT sim card yet ....since they can do OTA update ( On The Air ).....and check your baseband....IF u do ....root it right away....install titanium back up and freeze/uninstall ATT software update.apk......install custom recovery CWM or TWRP ..... and make sure u have auto loki recovery....if not save loki.doki patch on your Sd Card....PM me for the link and all the files .....i still have the files since i used to have MDB firmware and got replacement phone from ATT when my son broke the screen....:crying:
MDB>MDL>MF3>MJ6>Mj9>MK2.......the reason of the update is ATT trying to lock bootloader so we won't be able to install custom rom or do what ever we want to the phone.......but either way.....XDA member always found away to cracked it....so some people have to upgrade not by choice.....most of them by accident....like me ( cracked my screen ) or they install wrong recovery.....(bricked) so be careful when installing custom recovery.....like i said....we need to know what kinda firmware that u have so we can help u.....LOL now i got it why u dont know yet....since u dont have the phone yet.......... but is ok.....that's the right thing to do.....get to know your stuff first before u brick your phone.....:good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Groovy! I'll check back in tomorrow! Happy New Years!
(Sent you a PM, as well.)
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app

[Q] rom Question

Hi
Im new to Android and got some questions. I ´v been reading but at this point i rather ask.
I got an I9505 Int unbranded model on 4.2.2 (UBMGA) knox free. I would like to try out some roms but be able to revert back to stock for official updates in the future.
I would like to tryout GE of the latest 4.4.2 without knox or locked bootloader is that possible?
Also if its possible to install an official 4.3 TW version without the bloatware?
Just need a push in the right direction.
Thanks

digitalsatan said:
Hi
Im new to Android and got some questions. I ´v been reading but at this point i rather ask.
I got an I9505 Int unbranded model on 4.2.2 (UBMGA) knox free. I would like to try out some roms but be able to revert back to stock for official updates in the future.
I would like to tryout GE of the latest 4.4.2 without knox or locked bootloader is that possible?
Also if its possible to install an official 4.3 TW version without the bloatware?
Just need a push in the right direction.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can start rooting your phone and then flash a Custom recovery such as Philz/TWRP/CWM and flash any 4.3 Rom's (Bloatware) you like and make sure its a knoxfree rom. and about 4.4 kitkat it wont work for us Oldbootloader (NOWIFI) since Samsung did not release any kernel source yet . so be patience . Until they relase the Official. Have a nice day.
And If you wanna go back just flash a 4.2.2 Prerooted BMGA stock > Reset binary > Flash a normal Stock 4.2.2

Repulsa said:
You can start rooting your phone and then flash a Custom recovery such as Philz/TWRP/CWM and flash any 4.3 Rom's (Bloatware) you like and make sure its a knoxfree rom. and about 4.4 kitkat it wont work for us Oldbootloader (NOWIFI) since Samsung did not release any kernel source yet . so be patience . Until they relase the Official. Have a nice day.
And If you wanna go back just flash a 4.2.2 Prerooted BMGA stock > Reset binary > Flash a normal Stock 4.2.2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great reply thanks!

digitalsatan said:
Great reply thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No worries mate , feel free to ask anything here if you got any problem , and im sure alot of xda member's will try to solve that problem "Btw if your flashing a custom rom via recovery make sure to wipe or follow their instruction in order to prevent any issue .

Repulsa said:
No worries mate , feel free to ask anything here if you got any problem , and im sure alot of xda member's will try to solve that problem "Btw if your flashing a custom rom via recovery make sure to wipe or follow their instruction in order to prevent any issue .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
is there anyway of updating to the official 4.3 without getting the new bootloader or knox?

digitalsatan said:
is there anyway of updating to the official 4.3 without getting the new bootloader or knox?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. Unless you flash a Knox-free custom ROM, but you can't do it with the official one

go back to stock everything

i have a galaxy s4 i9505ZHUDMI1 (not sure where ZHUD is from, china maybe?? cant find the origin anywhere online)
i have TWRP, i had flashed it to WanamLite rom , but things didnt work great, many problems, then i switched back to a backup of my original stock rom, but some things didnt work like whatsapp and this podcast app, things just messed up. i did a factory reset, still weird stuff going on.
how can i go back to a stock loader and stock rom, anyone know a page where they keep stock software around????

jdumont19 said:
i have a galaxy s4 i9505ZHUDMI1 (not sure where ZHUD is from, china maybe?? cant find the origin anywhere online)
i have TWRP, i had flashed it to WanamLite rom , but things didnt work great, many problems, then i switched back to a backup of my original stock rom, but some things didnt work like whatsapp and this podcast app, things just messed up. i did a factory reset, still weird stuff going on.
how can i go back to a stock loader and stock rom, anyone know a page where they keep stock software around????
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Get a 4.4.2 stock ROM for your region from sammobile.com and flash it via Odin.
Sent from my GT-I9500 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

jdumont19 said:
i have a galaxy s4 i9505ZHUDMI1 (not sure where ZHUD is from, china maybe?? cant find the origin anywhere online)
i have TWRP, i had flashed it to WanamLite rom , but things didnt work great, many problems, then i switched back to a backup of my original stock rom, but some things didnt work like whatsapp and this podcast app, things just messed up. i did a factory reset, still weird stuff going on.
how can i go back to a stock loader and stock rom, anyone know a page where they keep stock software around????
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go to SamMobile.com, sig in and select your model and zone code (CSC). In your case is Honk Kong (TGY).

ok great i downloaded the stock rom!! i havent tried it yet it's a little late, do you guys think its better to just keep the TWRP bootloader or try to go back to the stock bootloader?

jdumont19 said:
ok great i downloaded the stock rom!! i havent tried it yet it's a little late, do you guys think its better to just keep the TWRP bootloader or try to go back to the stock bootloader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont understand what you mean. You are mixing btw bootloader and recovery. I recommend u flash TWRP (coz you are using android 4.2.2 and you dont have KNOX) for flash CUSTOM ROMS in the future if your wish :highfive:

jdumont19 said:
ok great i downloaded the stock rom!! i havent tried it yet it's a little late, do you guys think its better to just keep the TWRP bootloader or try to go back to the stock bootloader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are confused between bootloader and recovery.
Twrp is a custom recovery and you don't really need to go back to stock.
Sent from my GT-I9500 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Yeah I kinda get confused, thanks so much though the things on my phone work again!!

[Q] Galaxy Note 3 9005 - Unresponsive after restoring stock firmware through Odin???

Hi guys, I'm new to this forum but have read many things on it and have gotten lots of help, but this question NEEDS a new thread!
I have been using my International Galaxy Note 3 (9005) for about 9 months, I bought it from Kogan in Australia and just recently I decided to root it using CF-Auto Root and then flash X-Note build 18.
A couple of days ago I decided that I didn't like X-Note that much so I tried and flashed Omega Rom. That all worked fine but I didn't really like any of the custom Roms and I just wanted to go back to stock.
So I download (for the first time) the newly released KitKat Australian SM-N9005 Firmware from SamMobile and tried to flash it through Odin straight over Clockwork mod recovery and over the Omega Rom that I currently had installed. When it finished it said that it had failed and something about the Ext4 not being valid, I was shocked (his had never happened to me before with Odin).
I no longer could boot into recovery and the phone said to plug it into Samsung Kies 3 and do an emergency recovery, So i plugged it in and it said that the device was not recognized, and it would not show up in the device list within the emergency recovery window.
So I did a lot of Googleing and came to the conclusion that It was probably the N9005 Australian Rom not being compatible. So after all of these errors and such I booted back into download mode and tried to install one of the other Kitkat Official firmwares that had worked fine before.
It installed just fine and Odin said reset and I unplugged it. but when it booted for the first time I was getting boot loops continually and when and now as I just start to go through the setup process the interface lags and it flashes black a few times and says I have no Sim card in (Which I DO!) and it restarts several times and IS ALL OVER THE PLACE!
It also takes about ten seconds or more after pushing the power button in to get the display to display again and it is unusable and behaving all weird.
The first few times I flash the stock firmware on it through Odin, it remembered my wallpaper, which is really weird seeing I factory reset it!
My best guess is that Flashing it through Odin and and factory reseting it is just not completely clearing it/wiping it and the system is all messed up and stuff is left over.
I don't no WHAT to do!!!! I can't even use it and it's driving me crazy can somebody, please help me!!!!
Thank you!

Look in to omega rom which version of android base it's used, flash same version of stock rom, may not available for Australian but u can flash other countries stock rom, try this & good luck.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using XDA Free mobile app

jdomadia said:
Look in to omega rom which version of android base it's used, flash same version of stock rom, may not available for Australian but u can flash other countries stock rom, try this & good luck.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi why would I have to flash the same android base as omega and what actually is Android Base?
Also will this fix it and how do I check the android base?
Thanks

If omega rom has higher bootloader version, it will not allow to downgrade if Australia stock firmware version is lower, to find out of version u must look at omega rom u flashed.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using XDA Free mobile app

jdomadia said:
If omega rom has higher bootloader version, it will not allow to downgrade if Australia stock firmware version is lower, to find out of version u must look at omega rom u flashed.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, but I was able to flash the Poland Kitkat Rom and another one but I still have the problems above, flashing Roms is not the problem?

Bro poland xeo has still OLD d3 version which release in may, try to flash LATTEST BTU UK ROM
Sent from my SM-N9005 using XDA Free mobile app

Should I try a 'Mega Wipe' to completely format it? - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2501577

And I was just reading something about no signal and IMEI, I have no signal and it says no sim card, does that mean I've lost my IMEI forever??
When I was installing x-note I thought EFS backup meant a CMR full backup

As long as I know Dr.ketan tools & utility is for SM-N 900 3g version note3, but u can read more & do it as you want.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using XDA Free mobile app

jdomadia said:
As long as I know Dr.ketan tools & utility is for SM-N 900 3g version note3, but u can read more & do it as you want.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes the original was, but this script is modified for the n9005 like the guys says in the link.
Will this mega wipe fix my phone??

I don't know about mega wipe, if I will be in your place before making case complicated I would prefer to flash LATTEST STOCK ROM.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using XDA Free mobile app

same problem if you find any solutions plz share

I will reply if I find a solution my friend and Visa Versa if you do too.
PLEASE! other users of XDA can you help me and 'hosamkrm'. I will happily donate some money to the helper and give him a big thanks!

[Q] Galaxy S4 GT-i9505 no updates & other issue

I have had my Galaxy S4 GT-i9505 for nearly a year now, it currently runs Android 4.3 and I have been trying to update it to KitKat version but it seems impossible. I have tried to search for updates using Kies and using Software update in Settings -> About Device, but it always tell me "The latest updates have already been installed", even though there is a newer update available. Any ideas?
Also: When choosing WDCMA Network Mode in Network Settings, my phone seems to weirdly to go no signal. It would function normally when the screen is on but as soon as I press the lock button, it loses signal and I can't use the phone's network. GSM works just fine though, but the speed I get with GSM is close to zero. Any idea why this would occur?

Tempt12 said:
I have had my Galaxy S4 GT-i9505 for nearly a year now, it currently runs Android 4.3 and I have been trying to update it to KitKat version but it seems impossible. I have tried to search for updates using Kies and using Software update in Settings -> About Device, but it always tell me "The latest updates have already been installed", even though there is a newer update available. Any ideas?
Also: When choosing WDCMA Network Mode in Network Settings, my phone seems to weirdly to go no signal. It would function normally when the screen is on but as soon as I press the lock button, it loses signal and I can't use the phone's network. GSM works just fine though, but the speed I get with GSM is close to zero. Any idea why this would occur?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dial *#1234# and tell me what appears.

joku1981 said:
dial *#1234# and tell me what appears.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ap : I9505xxuemk8
cp : I9505xxuamdc
csc : I9505btuemk5

Flashing a custom modem fixed the internet issue!

Your current firmware is here. Install through Odin to update, but keep in mind you will have to reinstall everything afterward. Note that installing a custom recovery will prevent OTA updates from functioning so if you have a custom recovery installed, use Odin to flash the stock recovery, then try updating.

Tempt12 said:
Flashing a custom modem fixed the internet issue!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
download your rom over Sammobile. to get 4.4.2 if you want 4.4.4 head over to the development section.

xDroidZz said:
download your rom over Sammobile. to get 4.4.2 if you want 4.4.4 head over to the development section.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How safe is flashing a custom recovery image and then flashing a custom ROM? Also, if I flash a recovery image using Odin, does it require rooting to install the ROM?
How recommended is the ROM below:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2397511
Thanks for all those who have replied so far, very very appreciated.

Tempt12 said:
How safe is flashing a custom recovery image and then flashing a custom ROM? Also, if I flash a recovery image using Odin, does it require rooting to install the ROM?
How recommended is the ROM below:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2397511
Thanks for all those who have replied so far, very very appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your warranty gets void okay?
So if you are really willing to flash a Custom Rom, TWRP/CWM Recovery and a Custom Kernel
Its not going to be so hard actually.
The MOST IMPORTANT part that you will need to do before flashing a custom rom is to ROOT AND FLASH A CUSTOM RECOVER SUCH AS TWRP
Auto-Root from Chainfire which i used also.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2219803
that doesnt include a custom recovery. you need to download and flash it for yourself over odin. go search it since i forgot where to find it. lol but a little re-search you can find it easily.
I would recommend you these 3 roms since i use them a lot.
S5 Port ROM
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2706844
Note 4 Port ROM
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4/i9505-develop/rom-albe95-rom-t2967688
Google Play Edition 5.0 ROM
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2557353&highlight=gallery
there are alot of tutorials in the internet. just search for them. good luck.

xDroidZz said:
Your warranty gets void okay?
So if you are really willing to flash a Custom Rom, TWRP/CWM Recovery and a Custom Kernel
Its not going to be so hard actually.
The MOST IMPORTANT part that you will need to do before flashing a custom rom is to ROOT AND FLASH A CUSTOM RECOVER SUCH AS TWRP
Auto-Root from Chainfire which i used also.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2219803
that doesnt include a custom recovery. you need to download and flash it for yourself over odin. go search it since i forgot where to find it. lol but a little re-search you can find it easily.
I would recommend you these 3 roms since i use them a lot.
S5 Port ROM
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2706844
Note 4 Port ROM
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4/i9505-develop/rom-albe95-rom-t2967688
Google Play Edition 5.0 ROM
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2557353&highlight=gallery
there are alot of tutorials in the internet. just search for them. good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Had the warranty for 10 months and never used it, 2 months left and I couldn't care less about voiding it. Thanks for the great reply, will surely follow your steps in case I decide to flash a custom ROM.