Hi,
Now that I finally have my Nexus 4, it is time to set it up properly and root it. I've been browsing and reading the forum thoroughly, but as I am afraid to make any mistake in the process, I need some advise to begin.
For now I want to keep it as stock as possible. Nonetheless, I need to root is and to be able to perform Nandroid backups as well. And that's why I have the following questions, which I will appreciate if you can answer them:
1) I've been searching this forum for the best way to root the phone. So far this tutorial seems to be the simplest for the job: http://www.androidrootz.com/2012/11/how-to-root-nexus-4-on-windows.html
Is there any better way to do it, or is this the best one?
2) as far as I understood, having a custom recovery (such as CWM) will prevent the automatic OTA updates from working properly. If so, how can I install a future update?
3) Is there a way to just root the phone without having a custom recovery installed? I suppose this would make it easier to receive OTA updates (although I guess that root would be lost that way)?
I appreciate any help you can provide me!
I have always found the Nexus toolkits to be very easy to use, and work very well. You can find it here - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1995688
I've never had a problem on any of my nexus devices using this method to root, restore, flash recoveries, etc.
Semantics said:
I have always found the Nexus toolkits to be very easy to use, and work very well. You can find it here - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1995688
I've never had a problem on any of my nexus devices using this method to root, restore, flash recoveries, etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply.
In the meantime I took the plunge and followed that tutorial that I mentioned before and everything is working ok.
I already had some experience with rooting and custom recovery with my old ZTE Blade, but I was afraid of doing something wrong with a brand new Nexus 4, which I had to wait for so long .
I just had a quick questions about rooting.
I rooted my phone with motorchopper and things have been working great. Got rid of all the bloatware I didn't need as well as gave my device a quick clean. I've had little to no signs of lag(made in Korea). I'm new to the whole customization route. This is my first smartphone and I couldn't be happier with it
1. I rooted my phone successfully, however, I have heard somewhere else that the device needed to be bootloader unlocked before it is rooted. Now, motochopper, allowed it to find an exploit in the device. Is this, in any way, harmful for the phone if it finds an exploit? Most likely not, just curious. Dumb question
2. Does the device need to be bootloader unlocked before I am able to flash a custom recovery, ROM ect.? If the device turns out to be bootloader unlocked later on and released can I flash custom recoveries, make backups and use most tools successfully through ROM Manager? Or would it be best to do it through Odin and do things manually? Where would I be able to find essential files? Is odin specified for a specific device? Just curious
3.What ROM's would you recommend. Cynogenmod? I just want something that is lightweight, stable and functions well throughout the device. Where would be a good source to find good roms?
4. If the device is already rooted can I just start flashing custom recoveries, ROMs ect? Or would someone need to release an unlocked bootloader? How does unlocking the bootloader work? What are ways to do it? Flashing a file or doing something else. Idk..just curious I may be wrong.
I just want to know some good methods to make sure I don't brick this device. Of course backing up and recovering would do well. I've heard clockworkmod is one of the best custom recoveries you can use.
Thanks, in advance, for you help.
I have a Samsung Galaxy S4 on AT&T. This is my first android and I'm trying to get a grasp on rooting as an ex-jailbreaker. I've tried reading and searching but unfortunately I just need to ask some specifics.
My understanding is that the current root for this phone is derived from a Motorola root and that it does not include a way to make backups. I am eager to root but I really don't want to take extra risk than is necessary. Is something like CWM required to backup your phone in a way that protects you against accidentally messing up the filesystem? And is there any way to get something like CWM on this phone yet?
I see that there is now a custom recovery for this phone on galaxys4root dot com but can I even use it without something like CWM.
I'd appreciate any info, thanks for your patience.
HardOnChairs said:
I have a Samsung Galaxy S4 on AT&T. This is my first android and I'm trying to get a grasp on rooting as an ex-jailbreaker. I've tried reading and searching but unfortunately I just need to ask some specifics.
My understanding is that the current root for this phone is derived from a Motorola root and that it does not include a way to make backups. I am eager to root but I really don't want to take extra risk than is necessary. Is something like CWM required to backup your phone in a way that protects you against accidentally messing up the filesystem? And is there any way to get something like CWM on this phone yet?
I see that there is now a custom recovery for this phone on galaxys4root dot com but can I even use it without something like CWM.
I'd appreciate any info, thanks for your patience.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We cant have CWM until bootloader is unlocked (assuming you have the US AT&T version)
That being said, seeing how there is no custom ROMs you can use ODIN as a kind of backup. It'll wipe and then install factory /system partition, leaving /data alone (you can wipe /data in stock recovery if needed).
CWM works better as it backs up YOUR phone (including mods and /data).
_Dennis_ said:
We cant have CWM until bootloader is unlocked (assuming you have the US AT&T version)
That being said, seeing how there is no custom ROMs you can use ODIN as a kind of backup. It'll wipe and then install factory /system partition, leaving /data alone (you can wipe /data in stock recovery if needed).
CWM works better as it backs up YOUR phone (including mods and /data).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would a stock firmware be enough to get me back up if I mess up my phone with root access? That's my main concern.
HardOnChairs said:
I have a Samsung Galaxy S4 on AT&T. This is my first android and I'm trying to get a grasp on rooting as an ex-jailbreaker. I've tried reading and searching but unfortunately I just need to ask some specifics.
My understanding is that the current root for this phone is derived from a Motorola root and that it does not include a way to make backups. I am eager to root but I really don't want to take extra risk than is necessary. Is something like CWM required to backup your phone in a way that protects you against accidentally messing up the filesystem? And is there any way to get something like CWM on this phone yet?
I see that there is now a custom recovery for this phone on galaxys4root dot com but can I even use it without something like CWM.
I'd appreciate any info, thanks for your patience.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The answers to all of the questions you asked are in these threads...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2261573
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2252248
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2257058
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2259933
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2261232
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2254274
I found a few of those threads, they are what prompted my additional questions. But the second to last one seems to answer my question. Thanks.
HardOnChairs said:
I found a few of those threads, they are what prompted my additional questions. But the second to last one seems to answer my question. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can use either Kies or Odin and the stock factory firmware to completely return to factory stock, but be careful with ODIN, if you check the wrong options it can hard brick your phone.
MotoChopper
I would like to know ...
I rooted my S4 with Motochopper and I realized that my boot animation changed (to the one Samsung used in older models...) Is it easy to put back the new one ?
Okay so I just have a few questions about rooting my phone before I do it, since I saw the root here that works for the most recent OTA update.
1) If someone happens with my phone (either bricking it from rooting or something inconsequential) will they not replace my phone due to it being rooted?
2) If they won't replace it due to being rooted (if it wasn't bricking), is there an easy way to unroot the phone?
3) I can't tell from the instructions, but I'm pretty sure some others have said that it might require you to restore factory settings, does this one require that?
4) The thread says that it is now impossible to unlock the bootloader, does this also mean that you can't use a custom ROM? How exactly do you add a ROM?
Sorry for all the questions, I've never rooted an android device before, and I don't have the time or energy to go running around Google/forums trying to find these answers.
Thanks in advance!
EDIT: yes I know i've already asked 2 of these questions, but I'm a stupid poop who needs validation.
wholocked10 said:
Okay so I just have a few questions about rooting my phone before I do it, since I saw the root here that works for the most recent OTA update.
1) If someone happens with my phone (either bricking it from rooting or something inconsequential) will they not replace my phone due to it being rooted?
2) If they won't replace it due to being rooted (if it wasn't bricking), is there an easy way to unroot the phone?
3) I can't tell from the instructions, but I'm pretty sure some others have said that it might require you to restore factory settings, does this one require that?
4) The thread says that it is now impossible to unlock the bootloader, does this also mean that you can't use a custom ROM? How exactly do you add a ROM?
Sorry for all the questions, I've never rooted an android device before, and I don't have the time or energy to go running around Google/forums trying to find these answers.
Thanks in advance!
EDIT: yes I know i've already asked 2 of these questions, but I'm a stupid poop who needs validation.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
first, rooting your voids the warranty, so technically, they (either VZW or Motorola) are not obligated to replace it. that being said, you can always play dumb and say that you accepted some OTA install, and now the phone won't boot up. usually, VZW will try to restore the phone, and if not, they'll replace it - no worries.
2.) I believe there is an unroot method, but I have not explored this. try doing a search on this forum for "unroot razr m"
3.) restore factory settings could unroot - check the threads
4.) you can still install a custom ROM, but you'll need to install Safestrap first. however, the custom ROMs available for SS are out-dated, and I don't think that any devs will be providing any going forward. however, I would not be too discouraged by this, as the phone is very solid stock. so rooting is the key to remove the bloatware to help increase battery life, increase performance, and reduce excess data usage.
hope this helps.
Hi all,
It's been a few yrs since I've flashed a phone (the last being my SGS1 variant) and I'm very out of practice. That being said, I just need a little help in understanding how to flash my SGS4. So far, I've had this phone for yrs and I would've jumped to custom roms as I did normally but there was the whole KNOX debacle and I didn't want to do anything to damage my phone - while within warranty. I've been out of the loop for awhile, so I need a little help in my choices here.
My phone is still running on it's original software (that's right, I completely haven't updated in yrs), so it's a 4.2.2 and the build is I9505XXUBM4 (pre-KNOX). If I am going to root, I was thinking that I should use the method from this thread: [GT-I9505 + GT-I9505G] CF-Auto-Root. Would I be right in using this method or is there something better?
Secondly, I've only ever used CWM. I'm assuming the recovery to use currently is TWRP since I've seen it brought up in a good number of threads. Can I make a nandroid with TWRP the same way it was done with CWM or do I need to find another way to backup my data?
Lastly, this is the rom I'm leaning towards; [JDCTeam][6.0.1][9 July] The Android Open Source Project MOB30M. Could I just flash this on top of my stock or do I have to update first and then flash this?
TIA for your responses.
Oniyuri said:
Hi all,
It's been a few yrs since I've flashed a phone (the last being my SGS1 variant) and I'm very out of practice. That being said, I just need a little help in understanding how to flash my SGS4. So far, I've had this phone for yrs and I would've jumped to custom roms as I did normally but there was the whole KNOX debacle and I didn't want to do anything to damage my phone - while within warranty. I've been out of the loop for awhile, so I need a little help in my choices here.
My phone is still running on it's original software (that's right, I completely haven't updated in yrs), so it's a 4.2.2 and the build is I9505XXUBM4 (pre-KNOX). If I am going to root, I was thinking that I should use the method from this thread: [GT-I9505 + GT-I9505G] CF-Auto-Root. Would I be right in using this method or is there something better?
Secondly, I've only ever used CWM. I'm assuming the recovery to use currently is TWRP since I've seen it brought up in a good number of threads. Can I make a nandroid with TWRP the same way it was done with CWM or do I need to find another way to backup my data?
Lastly, this is the rom I'm leaning towards; [JDCTeam][6.0.1][9 July] The Android Open Source Project MOB30M. Could I just flash this on top of my stock or do I have to update first and then flash this?
TIA for your responses.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For first you MUST update your phone, if you have root, update with odin on the latest firmware version and then flash flash recovery(cwm, twrp, philz) and flash the rom, because firmware request of the rom is android lollipop stock. Try cyanogenmod 13 nighty for this smartphone
Alessandro's said:
For first you MUST update your phone, if you have root, update with odin on the latest firmware version and then flash flash recovery(cwm, twrp, philz) and flash the rom, because firmware request of the rom is android lollipop stock. Try cyanogenmod 13 nighty for this smartphone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, so after I root the phone, can I go straight onto CM13 or do I still have to get lollipop first and then flash CM?
I'm still trying to avoid getting KNOX on the phone.
Oniyuri said:
Ok, so after I root the phone, can I go straight onto CM13 or do I still have to get lollipop first and then flash CM?
I'm still trying to avoid getting KNOX on the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then you install lollipop stock, make root , flash recovery and then flash cm13
Oniyuri said:
Ok, so after I root the phone, can I go straight onto CM13 or do I still have to get lollipop first and then flash CM?
I'm still trying to avoid getting KNOX on the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Knox does matter once you're on a custom ROM.
Most content creators recommend to use the latest modem and bootloader in order to avoid problems.
You don't necessarily have to update the whole ROM to have the newest modem and bootloader, there are Odin flashable packages.
I don't know if CF-Auto-Root works with 4.2. I know it works for 4.4 and above.
As long as you do your wipes (this means system, data, cache, dalvik) you can flash anything over anything.
Yes, you can do nandroid backups, but TWRP and CWM backups are not compatible with each other. Also, TWRP has a problem with TouchWiz backups, meaning you can make and restore a TouchWiz backup, but it either won't boot or will give you lots of errors.
GDReaper said:
Knox does matter once you're on a custom ROM.
Most content creators recommend to use the latest modem and bootloader in order to avoid problems.
You don't necessarily have to update the whole ROM to have the newest modem and bootloader, there are Odin flashable packages.
I don't know if CF-Auto-Root works with 4.2. I know it works for 4.4 and above.
As long as you do your wipes (this means system, data, cache, dalvik) you can flash anything over anything.
Yes, you can do nandroid backups, but TWRP and CWM backups are not compatible with each other. Also, TWRP has a problem with TouchWiz backups, meaning you can make and restore a TouchWiz backup, but it either won't boot or will give you lots of errors.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, so is there a way that I could at least get to lollipop w/o getting KNOX and have a nandroid that would work or should I just OTA all the way up to current and then root and flash?
Oniyuri said:
Ok, so is there a way that I could at least get to lollipop w/o getting KNOX and have a nandroid that would work or should I just OTA all the way up to current and then root and flash?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why are you so obsessed with Knox? I just told you that it won't be an issue on custom ROMs. There is no knox on custom ROMs. Knox is a Samsung thing. So, unless you plan on staying stock, there is no reason to be concerned about it. Even if you stay stock, there still is no reason to be afraid of it, it's just some security crap, and it won't affect you in any way. Why are you so afraid of it?
My device came with Knox pre-installed and it didn't do jack.
Just update if you want to update or flash a recovery (flashing custom ROMs doesn't require root, just a custom recovery) and flash your desired ROM.
GDReaper said:
Why are you so obsessed with Knox? I just told you that it won't be an issue on custom ROMs. There is no knox on custom ROMs. Knox is a Samsung thing. So, unless you plan on staying stock, there is no reason to be concerned about it. Even if you stay stock, there still is no reason to be afraid of it, it's just some security crap, and it won't affect you in any way. Why are you so afraid of it?
My device came with Knox pre-installed and it didn't do jack.
Just update if you want to update or flash a recovery (flashing custom ROMs doesn't require root, just a custom recovery) and flash your desired ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I've been out of the loop for a while (the last time I was active was circa late 2013/ early 2014), but I do remember there was a lot of concern regarding warranty and the flags. I do admit that there was a lot of speculation from losing a section of memory from tripping the flag to actually burning the motherboard. I originally decided to wait until the dust settled but life took over and I ended up only sporadically checking the forums before disappearing for long periods of time. I actually don't know what the end of the story is to be honest.
Oniyuri said:
Well, I've been out of the loop for a while (the last time I was active was circa late 2013/ early 2014), but I do remember there was a lot of concern regarding warranty and the flags. I do admit that there was a lot of speculation from losing a section of memory from tripping the flag to actually burning the motherboard. I originally decided to wait until the dust settled but life took over and I ended up only sporadically checking the forums before disappearing for long periods of time. I actually don't know what the end of the story is to be honest.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only concern is about the warranty. Since your phone is some years old, I doubt that is an issue for you anymore.
By losing memory you mean losing data or actually losing storage space?
Either way, I haven't heard of anyone with such a problem around here.
Nor about somebody with a fried motherboard.
There might have been some unfortunate cases, but this is to be expected when you modify your device. There always is a risk of damage, it doesn't matter if it's by rooting or by flashing a ROM.
I meant lose storage. As I understood it, KNOX worked like a container and once the flag was tripped, you'd lose whatever it contained - as in never being able to access that bit ever again.
Oniyuri said:
I meant lose storage. As I understood it, KNOX worked like a container and once the flag was tripped, you'd lose whatever it contained - as in never being able to access that bit ever again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have to use the knox app first for that to even be considered a risk.
Knox will not put anything in that container without user input.
GDReaper said:
You have to use the knox app first for that to even be considered a risk.
Knox will not put anything in that container without user input.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, so to get the steps straight:
1. I'd need to get a lollipop bootloader & modem
2. root + nandroid (CWM) + titanium for app data (non-system app data)
3. change recovery to TWRP
4. flash rom + gapps
....and then I should be ready to go, correct?
Oniyuri said:
Ok, so to get the steps straight:
1. I'd need to get a lollipop bootloader & modem
2. root + nandroid (CWM) + titanium for app data (non-system app data)
3. change recovery to TWRP
4. flash rom + gapps
....and then I should be ready to go, correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) Is not mandatory, it's just recommended. The only exception is if your device is a Verizon or AT&T phone, then don't - and I repeat - don't update or you risk losing the possibility of any custom ROM flashing or rooting due to the locked bootloaders.
2) and 3) CWM and TWRP backups do not have cross-compatibility. If you backup with CWM you have to restore with CWM.
Please tell me you haven't flashed anything yet. I can help with the entirety of the procedure.
robcore said:
Please tell me you haven't flashed anything yet. I can help with the entirety of the procedure.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No I haven't done anything yet. I found something else to occupy me for the last few nights - a chromecast that seems to hate me.
Oniyuri said:
No I haven't done anything yet. I found something else to occupy me for the last few nights - a chromecast that seems to hate me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haha I hear ya. I've been building a kernel for about a year now and finally (knock on wood) arrived at something I'm happy with. Lesson learned, electronics are definitely conspiring against us.
That said, please feel free to pm me when you're ready for the flashing process. Though it's a silly skill, it's become second nature to me and something about your situation flipped a helpful switch in me : P what's the Chromecast like?
robcore said:
Haha I hear ya. I've been building a kernel for about a year now and finally (knock on wood) arrived at something I'm happy with. Lesson learned, electronics are definitely conspiring against us.
That said, please feel free to pm me when you're ready for the flashing process. Though it's a silly skill, it's become second nature to me and something about your situation flipped a helpful switch in me : P what's the Chromecast like?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, so far, the chromecast is only plugged into my tv and basically did the setup by itself only for the google cast app on my phone to not recognize it when it said that it's ready to cast. I've ran out of things to do aside from going to the google forums (which I've already done). I'm starting to wonder if it's my phone that's causing all the issues.