[Q] I think I soft bricked my S4 - AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshootin

I have a Samsung Galaxy S4 SGH-I337M from Koodo (Telus). And I wanted to get the latest 4.3 android on my phone, so I installed Cyanogenmod 10.2, and flashed my phone using that. I then realised that I didn't like the new display and wanted my old phone's display and firmware.
So I then proceeded to flash my phone with my Stock firmware using Odin 3.07. My phone didn't start up normally and is stuck on the part where the phone shows the Samsung logo. I can turn off the phone and boot into download mode, and I can access the recovery using Volume Up + Home + Power button. I have also tried to us the Firmware upgrade and initialization using Samsung Kies, but that doesn't change anything. Odin recognises my device, and Kies lets me flash using firmware emergency recovery, but I cannot open the files using the directory on my computer
At Odin Mode it shows the following:
ODIN MODE
PRODUCT NAME: SGH-I337M
CURRENT BINARY: Samsung Official
SYSTEM STATUS: Official
CSB-CONFIG-LSB: 0x30
WRITE PROTECTION: Enable
I backed up all my data prior to flashing using Cyanogenmod, so I don't care if I lose my data. (Also my constant flashing will definitely stop once I fix my phone). Is this phone soft bricked or hard bricked? How do I fix this? Thank you in advance.
Edit: I was also using Clockworkmod Recovery. AND YAY! I can actually boot into Android system recovery. Sorry, I simply was not holding the buttons correctly. Should I do a factory reset?

Try jusy volume+ and ppower then do a factory reset
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

deron37129 said:
Try jusy volume+ and ppower then do a factory reset
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I booted into recovery and pressed "wipe data/factory reset" and then pressed "reboot system now" but nothing changed when the phone rebooted.

U may have to re flash the stock kernel did double check if you have the correct firmware
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deron37129 said:
Try jusy volume+ and ppower then do a factory reset
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please disregard my above post. It works perfectly! Yay! Thank you:cyclops:

soft bricked s4
MegaTerminatorz said:
Please disregard my above post. It works perfectly! Yay! Thank you:cyclops:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi i have a Samsung galaxy s4 that is stuck in the samsung with a lil unlocked lock screen it will go into download mode but thats all it will not go into recovery... im having a difficult time trying to fix it. im a noob as well

camarodemon said:
Hi i have a Samsung galaxy s4 that is stuck in the samsung with a lil unlocked lock screen it will go into download mode but thats all it will not go into recovery... im having a difficult time trying to fix it. im a noob as well
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What firmware are you on? What were you trying to do?
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Do a factory reset in the stock recovery. It'll work

Im trying fix the soft brick. Firmware mf3 I had safestrap on it as well I went to flash a ROM and it reset on me and is stuck on the Samsung logo with the unlock symbol the will go into download mode but not recovery. Thanks for any help you can give
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---------- Post added at 03:38 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:29 PM ----------
I can't get into stock recovery
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camarodemon said:
Im trying fix the soft brick. Firmware mf3 I had safestrap on it as well I went to flash a ROM and it reset on me and is stuck on the Samsung logo with the unlock symbol the will go into download mode but not recovery. Thanks for any help you can give
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---------- Post added at 03:38 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:29 PM ----------
I can't get into stock recovery
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd recommend taking it to a best buy where they can reflash mf3 at this point.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app

HiTideBlastoise said:
I'd recommend taking it to a best buy where they can reflash mf3 at this point.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HiTide's right, this may be your best bet... I just hope your best buy is more helpful than mine.

Life Savor
Thanks for this thread you really help me out a lot. I was trying everything kies emergency recovery and everything thanks again for this thread.

hi i need help as well i soft bricked my phone and cant get into recovery mode. i have a locked one. could i odin back to an earlier os?

tshaulis said:
hi i need help as well i soft bricked my phone and cant get into recovery mode. i have a locked one. could i odin back to an earlier os?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What firmware are you on? You can only Odin that version or a newer one.
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jd1639 said:
What firmware are you on? You can only Odin that version or a newer one.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i was on 4.4.2, i have a I337 NC1 baseband

tshaulis said:
i was on 4.4.2, i have a I337 NC1 baseband
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to Odin the nb1 tar file. Then do the nb1 to nc1 update to get back to where you were. Did you try to install a custom recovery, twrp or cwm? You can't do that safestrap is the only recovery you can use.
Look in the general forum for index, all things at&t.....
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app

jd1639 said:
You need to Odin the nb1 tar file. Then do the nb1 to nc1 update to get back to where you were. Did you try to install a custom recovery, twrp or cwm?
Look in the general forum for index, all things at&t.....
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok and odin will let me go back to NB1? if i wanted to stay at nb1 could i, or would you recommend going back to nc1? and i don't know if i did a custom recovery. i did a nandroid on safestrap which i believe will be gone when i revert back to stock. but could you elaborate on your last question. and sorry im extremely new to this, as you can see i soft bricked it. well i did get hyperdrive flashed and working but the thing is that i didn't have service or wifi and i forgot to download and flash the modules that go along with it so now we are here.
---------- Post added at 02:02 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:06 AM ----------
jd1639 said:
You need to Odin the nb1 tar file. Then do the nb1 to nc1 update to get back to where you were. Did you try to install a custom recovery, twrp or cwm? You can't do that safestrap is the only recovery you can use.
Look in the general forum for index, all things at&t.....
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok so i downloaded the NB1 .tar file and doing the odin restore right now. everything seems to be going according to plan. wow im so excited. ok so after this does its thing, obviously ill have a fresh new stock gs4 nb1. so is there any way i could get it back to what it was ie. apps via titanium backup or safestraps nandroid backup that i had on it?

tshaulis said:
Ok and odin will let me go back to NB1? if i wanted to stay at nb1 could i, or would you recommend going back to nc1? and i don't know if i did a custom recovery. i did a nandroid on safestrap which i believe will be gone when i revert back to stock. but could you elaborate on your last question. and sorry im extremely new to this, as you can see i soft bricked it. well i did get hyperdrive flashed and working but the thing is that i didn't have service or wifi and i forgot to download and flash the modules that go along with it so now we are here.
---------- Post added at 02:02 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:06 AM ----------
ok so i downloaded the NB1 .tar file and doing the odin restore right now. everything seems to be going according to plan. wow im so excited. ok so after this does its thing, obviously ill have a fresh new stock gs4 nb1. so is there any way i could get it back to what it was ie. apps via titanium backup or safestraps nandroid backup that i had on it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do the nb1 to nc1 update then root will towel root. Then install safestrap and tibu. Should be able to use your nandroid and and your tibu backups.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app

jd1639 said:
Do the nb1 to nc1 update then root will towel root. Then install safestrap and tibu. Should be able to use your nandroid and and your tibu backups.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok i will do this, and you are sure that for one my recovery will still be on safestrap and that my backup will still be on titanium back up? how is this?

Related

stuck in odin mode I337 At&T

Hello there. i have samsung I337 with stuck in odin mode menu. when you power it in normal mode it has "could not do normal boot. odim mode"
trying to flash it with ODIN,but always has FAIL and error. I need some help, what can i do with that?
Sorry for posting with no answer but I have the same issue with my tmobile sgs4 (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2441509). It looks like I tried everything and nothing is working :/
kviaff said:
Hello there. i have samsung I337 with stuck in odin mode menu. when you power it in normal mode it has "could not do normal boot. odim mode"
trying to flash it with ODIN,but always has FAIL and error. I need some help, what can i do with that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What happened in the first place? What firmware were you on?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
HiTideBlastoise said:
What happened in the first place? What firmware were you on?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
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Click to collapse
1st i rooted it, then make recovery. 3. i unzip firmware to phone main folder.and when i reboot it i had this problem.
phone has MF3
No offense to anyone......but can nobody read that comes to this site?
kviaff said:
1st i rooted it, then make recovery. 3. i unzip firmware to phone main folder.and when i reboot it i had this problem.
phone has MF3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You cannot flash a recovery to MF3. Your options see J-tag on mobiletechvideos.com or go to best buy with Samsung experience to reflash MF3
Edit: glad that is solved
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OMG it was so easy....you just take Power+home+Vol down, and then you see message Vol up and Vol down...choose Vol down!!!!
kviaff said:
OMG it was so easy....you just take Power+home+Vol down, and then you see message Vol up and Vol down...choose Vol down!!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You still do not have a recovery, by flashing a custom recovery and it failing, you lost stock recovery.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
HiTideBlastoise said:
You still do not have a recovery, by flashing a custom recovery and it failing, you lost stock recovery.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
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Click to collapse
and what about Goomanager method?
kviaff said:
and what about Goomanager method?
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Click to collapse
That will not work! There is no custom recovery for mf3. You still have no recovery, you will need to find a best buy with Samsung experience to reflash MF3 if you want stock recovery. Once again, you cannot install a custom recovery. Your phone booted fine but you will not be able to go into recovery since you don't have one. I believe you will go into Odin downloadable mode.
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HiTideBlastoise said:
That will not work! There is no custom recovery for mf3. You still have no recovery, you will need to find a best buy with Samsung experience to reflash MF3 if you want stock recovery. Once again, you cannot install a custom recovery. Your phone booted fine but you will not be able to go into recovery since you don't have one. I believe you will go into Odin downloadable mode.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
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Click to collapse
so i havent any chance to make my phone Russian language?
kviaff said:
so i havent any chance to make my phone Russian language?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That I can answer, if the only is through a custom recovery, then no.
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Can't update OTR after flashing back original

I rooted my phone and install a custome rom but today I tried to flash back my original rom I backup and tried to update my phone through kies and it says my firmware can't update due to a change in my firmware. My phone is still rooted and I still have a custome recovery install. Is that causing the problem? Sorry I'm new to all this. Thanks.
shinryu204 said:
I rooted my phone and install a custome rom but today I tried to flash back my original rom I backup and tried to update my phone through kies and it says my firmware can't update due to a change in my firmware. My phone is still rooted and I still have a custome recovery install. Is that causing the problem? Sorry I'm new to all this. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's exactly the issue. If your device status is listed as modified, then Kies will not work. You basically forfeit your option to update through that program. I think unrooting would help, or just wait and flash the new 4.3 ROM that will be available soon.
This should have been posted in q&a. It would be helpful to know what specific phone you have. You say you've flashed back to the stock Rom but you still have a custom recovery? How did you flash back to stock?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda app-developers app
I have a Samsung galaxy s4 Im377. What I did was, I used twrp to restore back my original firmware I don't think that will restore back Odin back to my phone.
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jd1639 said:
This should have been posted in q&a. It would be helpful to know what specific phone you have. You say you've flashed back to the stock Rom but you still have a custom recovery? How did you flash back to stock?
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you want to restore back to stock and remove the custom recovery you should use Odin. That should let you get the ota firmware upgrade.
So I have to use Odin to put back my original firmware? Also I'm not to sure how to put back Odin to stock recovery.
Sent from my SGH-I337M using xda app-developers app
jd1639 said:
If you want to restore back to stock and remove the custom recovery you should use Odin. That should let you get the ota firmware upgrade.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you flash the stock firmware with odin it'll put the stock recovery back on at the time. You don't have to do anything special.
shinryu204 said:
So I have to use Odin to put back my original firmware? Also I'm not to sure how to put back Odin to stock recovery.
Sent from my SGH-I337M using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry for the newbie question. How do I use Odin to flash my original backup which I use trwp to create?
Sent from my SGH-I337M using xda app-developers app
jd1639 said:
When you flash the stock firmware with odin it'll put the stock recovery back on at the time. You don't have to do anything special.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't flash the backup with odin. Get the stock firmware from sammobile.com for your specific device and carrier.
So I would download Odin to my pc than download and install the original firmware with odin? Do you have a step by step on flashing with odin? Thanks!
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shinryu204 said:
So I would download Odin to my pc than download and install the original firmware with odin? Do you have a step by step on flashing with odin? Thanks!
Sent from my SGH-I337M using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The attached guide is not for the i337 but the process is the same. Just don't use any linked files, except for Odin. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=26056924
Thank you all for all your help. Awesome forum.
Sent from my SGH-I337M using xda app-developers app
shinryu204 said:
Thank you all for all your help. Awesome forum.
Sent from my SGH-I337M using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're welcome

Root Fail

Sorry for the lack of detail..I first got the S4 when it came out...got it home..within minutes it was rooted on TWRP...just got a replacement S4 running 4.2.2. MF9...cant get root or twrp to flash with Odin...Fails...if twrp takes..and I flash cfauto root zip in recovery...fails...Does anyone have any advice???ive downloaded the root and recovery zip and tar files numerous times from different sources with tbe same outcome...is something triggered that is stopping it?? HELP
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XjJeepers said:
Sorry for the lack of detail..I first got the S4 when it came out...got it home..within minutes it was rooted on TWRP...just got a replacement S4 running 4.2.2. MF9...cant get root or twrp to flash with Odin...Fails...if twrp takes..and I flash cfauto root zip in recovery...fails...Does anyone have any advice???ive downloaded the root and recovery zip and tar files numerous times from different sources with tbe same outcome...is something triggered that is stopping it?? HELP
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How did you get TWRP to install successfully? What error messages are you getting?
Not sure if it's a requirement, but did you enable Developer Options and check the USB Debugging box?
Only twrp 2.5 will flash..but takes a few flashes with Odin...if twrp flashes OK...n I flash cfauto root with odin...I gain root and lose twrp..stock recovery.. try n flash twrp n I lose root...Its so crazy ive never seen anything do this..ive been flashing on the S1..S2..S3..and S4...I know what im doing..
Sent from my SPH-L720 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
It will also freeze in download mode and say..something about the bar percentage..then I have to connect to kies and when it recognizes it I can flash with odin again
Sent from my SPH-L720 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Jeez......have u tried to reinstall the drivers on ur computer? Are u opening Odin with admin privileges? I would start over from scratch and re download the tar file and go back to stock and try to Odin cf auto root and then install goo manager and install the custom recovery. I hope u get it worked out.
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---------- Post added at 06:15 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:14 PM ----------
Maybe even downgrade back to mdl.....and start from there. What version of Odin r u using?
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Yes I have admin priv....ive used odin 3.04 and 3.07...dont like so I use 1.85..ill give mdl ago..
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So I was able to flash mdl tar file.with Odin..get phone booting..Factory reset in stock recovery..Then Flash 4.3 and cf auto root....NO PROBS. .at all everything is good again
Sent from my SPH-L720 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
That's great news. Well done...
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Need Help to restore build.prop on i337 NC1 firmware

Well, this is my problem: Last day I was trying to delete carrier name from top left notifications bar, so I found a thread that shows how to do it, specifically modifying 3 lines of build.prop system file. After doing this my phone won't boot up anymore. It shows Samsung Galaxy S4 logo an then stays black.
My phone has stock firmware i337UCUFNC1, and rooted with towelroot.
Actually I am only able to get to stock recovery and download mode.
I've tried some options but getting no results since bootloader its locked I guess.
I made a backup of the original build.prop, but unfortunately I had no external sdcard at that moment, so the backup its on internal memory.
Any ideas where to get this solutions? Adb? Flashing bootloader?
There's always Odin. You're not going to be able to use adb with the stock recovery.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
jd1639 said:
There's always Odin. You're not going to be able to use adb with the stock recovery.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your answer.
Well, I bet I did'nt use the proper stock firmware via odin, it fails at begining. I've tried with MDB and NB1 stock but get fail after NAND writes start (Auth). Until now I Can't find NC1 stock to flash it.
Any other suggestion to bring my phone back?
j3ssipr said:
Any other suggestion to bring my phone back?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you use the nb1 tar file from this
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=53758227
It's the only firmware that'll work
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
Yes, actually I'm downloading that NB1 to test it.
jd1639 said:
Did you use the nb1 tar file from this
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=53758227
It's the only firmware that'll work
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Everything good now. My phone it's back with NB1 fw. Thanks a lot.
How yoy knew this one will work?
j3ssipr said:
Everything good now. My phone it's back with NB1 fw. Thanks a lot.
How yoy knew this one will work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad your got it working I knew because I've been around
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app

Updating S4 Question

Hi everyone,
I have a Samsung Galaxy S4 with AT&T. I'm on Android 4.2.2 and my phone is rooted. I wanted to update to Android 4.4.2 (KitKat) so I went to SuperSU and selected the unroot option. Everything appears to be unrooted (apps that require root access no longer work and I downloaded an app called Root Checker which confirmed that my phone is no longer rooted). My only concern before I proceed with the update is that, when I power on the phone, it shows the unlocked padlock with the words "Custom" underneath it. With that said, is it safe to proceed with the update?
Thanks in advance.
Are you on mdb or mdl firmware I would highly recommend you don't update. You have the ability to flash 4.4.2 roms
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jd1639 said:
Are you on mdb or mdl firmware I would highly recommend you don't update. You have the ability to flash 4.4.2 roms
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
MF3 but I just want to update the device.. I should be okay accepting the update, right?
I also have the same problem i want to unroot so that i can update
I don't know anything about root
I'm looking in about device and i see my base band and my build number both end in MDL
I'm on android 4.2.2
At&t carrier
Thats all i know
trekklee said:
I also have the same problem i want to unroot so that i can update
I don't know anything about root
I'm looking in about device and i see my base band and my build number both end in MDL
I'm on android 4.2.2
At&t carrier
Thats all i know
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I were in your shoes I'd use a custom recovery and flash a 4.4.2 rom. See this http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=42320391
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
---------- Post added at 12:03 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:02 PM ----------
HiDEFF said:
MF3 but I just want to update the device.. I should be okay accepting the update, right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since you're on mf3 I'd Odin the stock nb1 tar file then take the ota to nl1
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
jd1639 said:
If I were in your shoes I'd use a custom recovery and flash a 4.4.2 rom. See this http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=42320391
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
---------- Post added at 12:03 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:02 PM ----------
Since you're on mf3 I'd Odin the stock nb1 tar file then take the ota to nl1
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So I shouldn't accept the OTA from AT&T?
HiDEFF said:
So I shouldn't accept the OTA from AT&T?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wouldn't. But I like to have the ability to flash custom roms in a real custom recovery, twrp
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
jd1639 said:
If I were in your shoes I'd use a custom recovery and flash a 4.4.2 rom. See this http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=42320391
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
---------- Post added at 12:03 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:02 PM ----------
Since you're on mf3 I'd Odin the stock nb1 tar file then take the ota to nl1
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can someone tell me what all this custom recovery and roms please? All i know is i am rooted and i think i have clockwork recovery But i don't anything else.
trekklee said:
Can someone tell me what all this custom recovery and roms please? All i know is i am rooted and i think i have clockwork recovery But i don't anything else.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Start here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=42320391
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
jd1639 said:
Start here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=42320391
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now my question is how do i check if i backed up my stock recovery ?
trekklee said:
Now my question is how do i check if i backed up my stock recovery ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you don't know you probably didn't back it up. But try to restore in cwm and see if there is a backup there. I'd backup up the device with cwm first though
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app

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