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Will Samsung Galaxy S4 I9505 converted to GE get OTA?

something i didnt found an answer on?
will the I9505 flashed with stock vanilla rom from google edition receive it's updates like an original I9505GE?

nielsvg said:
something i didnt found an answer on?
will the I9505 flashed with stock vanilla rom from google edition receive it's updates like an original I9505GE?
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Click to collapse
If you flash the Platform + CSC file from the Odin firmware, yes.
But everyone must stay stock (kernel,recovery etc)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2343709

Mate, you're on XDA, why bother with OTA's? ^^

Aerys said:
If you flash the Platform + CSC file from the Odin firmware, yes.
But everyone must stay stock (kernel,recovery etc)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2343709
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Click to collapse
so: if google plans rollout to GE edition phone for official release 4.3 of KLP you will receive it also on your standard I9505?
i dont get why this is? thats why there are nexus phone but other phones that you flash like this wont get the ota like a nexus?

Theshawty said:
Mate, you're on XDA, why bother with OTA's? ^^
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Click to collapse
just asking myself the question PLUS i use a company phone. if i brick it i pay it so....

nielsvg said:
so: if google plans rollout to GE edition phone for official release 4.3 of KLP you will receive it also on your standard I9505?
i dont get why this is? thats why there are nexus phone but other phones that you flash like this wont get the ota like a nexus?
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Click to collapse
Because we are using the exact same I9505G system,kernel,csc,recovery and its official firmware so thats why.

Aerys said:
Because we are using the exact same I9505G system,kernel,csc,recovery and its official firmware so thats why.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How does this differ from say flashing the stock rom zip and a stock recovery? That way, you'd be on the stock odexed rom, with the stock kernel and the default CSC. No hassling with Odin.

So does that mean we will be able to get the OTA Updates and have a 100% GE S4?
Because my Father would really like the Google Edition S4 but he already got the Standard one and he doesn't know ANYTHING about flashing but if it would be possible to flash he could get the OTA Updates.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda app-developers app

AdisR said:
So does that mean we will be able to get the OTA Updates and have a 100% GE S4?
Because my Father would really like the Google Edition S4 but he already got the Standard one and he doesn't know ANYTHING about flashing but if it would be possible to flash he could get the OTA Updates.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OTA will brick your phone atm because the bootloader can't be flashed from the GE on the 9505

so installing the android 4.2.2 google edition (not 4.3 because it is not possible with odin) you still wont receive OTA updates?

MichelN said:
OTA will brick your phone atm because the bootloader can't be flashed from the GE on the 9505
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Click to collapse
Usually ota updates doesn't flash bootloader unless there's a bootloader update ofc. So you can get updates but it's recommended to not do ota updates for your phone. Specially not when it can brick your device but it's you're choice if you want to

wrapping my head around GE
Sorry for the noobness;
I have an i9505; ever since it was announced, I was looking forward to flashing my i9505 into a GE.
Some initial roms have appeared. I just wanted to better understand some of the terms thrown around to make an informed decision;
The ROM seems to be pretty similar between all those who have thrown their hat into the ring: jamal2367, janjan, samuel2607, Hazanwar, m3dd0g, and maybe a few others. Is there any major difference between these ROMs? Q: Should all these ROMs be identical? They all have the same origin, and all are trying to go for the pure/vanilla GE experience
I think each of the ROM modders are using different kernels, or kernels slightly modified. Again; what is the official kernel for GE? is the "stock kernel" for GE the same "stock kernel" for all S4 i9505? My device is Model number SGH-I337M; Kernel v3.4.0-518267; is this the GE kernel? I know kernels can be tweaked to overclock or undervolt a phone, getting performance or better battery, respectively. I'm trying to turn my i9505 into a GE clone. Which kernel should I be looking for?
Some people have mentioned CSC. This is where I'm completely lost. From what I understand, CSC is the way phone manufacturers classify and differentiate phones model for specific countries and specific carriers. Is this correct?
Either way; how does CSC help or hurt my goal of emulating fully a GE phone? Would I need to change the currrent CSC in my phone to a second CSC? What would that accomplish?
also; someone has mentioned recovery. Should I interpret that as the bootloader? are these things related, or the actual same thing referred differently? how does the bootloader (and/or) recovery help me clone a i9595GE?

I have a question. Why are there many people working on GE Rom, and there's no actualy GE firmware (without bugs) like TW firmwares to be flashed on the phone?

Piero88 said:
I have a question. Why are there many people working on GE Rom, and there's no actualy GE firmware (without bugs) like TW firmwares to be flashed on the phone?
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bump

Piero88 said:
I have a question. Why are there many people working on GE Rom, and there's no actualy GE firmware (without bugs) like TW firmwares to be flashed on the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
there are actually pretty stable (at least the 4.2 one) however why they work on it its mostly due to its easier when you get all the libraries for the device to something they've waited for. pure AOSP can be good if you wouldn't miss the features s4 gives.
Piero88 said:
bump
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i suggest you shouldstop doing so, bumping a thread is not allowed and specially not after one hour and some minutes

It was 11 hours... Anyways ok
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda premium

how to flash Stock Rom using ODIN?!?!

I have owned samsung phones since the original s1 and it's always been easy to flash a stock rom using odin.whenever I had a problem with my current rom or soft bricked I just downloaded the tar odin file flashed pda in odin and went back to 100% stock. But I cannot for the love of God seem to find this easy on at&t s4. A buddy gave me his s4 to update it to latest 4.3 but cannot find any odin tars for any of the 4.3 updates..and when I find it why is it split up by recovery/bootloader etc? So my question is how do i go from 4.2.2 to 4.3 using odin, because he cannot do it via kies or ota

euklid said:
I have owned samsung phones since the original s1 and it's always been easy to flash a stock rom using odin.whenever I had a problem with my current rom or soft bricked I just downloaded the tar odin file flashed pda in odin and went back to 100% stock. But I cannot for the love of God seem to find this easy on at&t s4. A buddy gave me his s4 to update it to latest 4.3 but cannot find any odin tars for any of the 4.3 updates..and when I find it why is it split up by recovery/bootloader etc? So my question is how do i go from 4.2.2 to 4.3 using odin, because he cannot do it via kies or ota
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no 4.3. First off, if he's on MDL then you should root and get recovery and use the StockUp ROM, because that way he'll get 4.3 MK2 but also be able to change ROMs to something like Cyanogemnod. If he already has MF3 then there's a nice clear thread with "UPDATE.ZIP" in the title you can find in the general section with all the information you should need.

DeadlySin9 said:
There is no 4.3. First off, if he's on MDL then you should root and get recovery and use the StockUp ROM, because that way he'll get 4.3 MK2 but also be able to change ROMs to something like Cyanogemnod. If he already has MF3 then there's a nice clear thread with "UPDATE.ZIP" in the title you can find in the general section with all the information you should need.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what do you mean there's no 4.3, you mean an odin image of 4.3?? thats what I meant why is it that on my t-mobile s4 they have the complete image of the stock rom, is it because att version has a locked bootloader?? I never had to mess with update.zip files ever on a samsung phone, excuse my ignorance.

euklid said:
what do you mean there's no 4.3, you mean an odin image of 4.3?? thats what I meant why is it that on my t-mobile s4 they have the complete image of the stock rom, is it because att version has a locked bootloader?? I never had to mess with update.zip files ever on a samsung phone, excuse my ignorance.
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Click to collapse
He told you where to look.

scott14719 said:
He told you where to look.
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I know where to look now thanks, my originally question is why we even have to bother with update.zip instead of just flashing 1 odin file that has complete stock rom like in all other samsung phones.

euklid said:
I know where to look now thanks, my originally question is why we even have to bother with update.zip instead of just flashing 1 odin file that has complete stock rom like in all other samsung phones.
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Click to collapse
Locked bootloader. There is tons of informative threads about it in the general, q&a, development, original development. and developer's only sub-forums.

euklid said:
what do you mean there's no 4.3, you mean an odin image of 4.3?? thats what I meant why is it that on my t-mobile s4 they have the complete image of the stock rom, is it because att version has a locked bootloader?? I never had to mess with update.zip files ever on a samsung phone, excuse my ignorance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, i meant no ODIN image. There's a locked bootloader and they're trying so hard to keep us from modifying it they make it so you can only get repairs through the Samsung centers and such where they check if you tried to mod it and are supposed to not do anything to help you if you did. As scott said, you can find plenty more information around and probably better explanations than my theories.

I think the last full stock rom was I337UCUAMDL or just MDL. Since then though, each update has been just merely that, an update or patch. So there isnt a full rom of 4.3 MK2. Your best bet, which i just did yesterday, is to use Ted77USA's thread on the bricked MK2, third post in his thread. Follow this link. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2573080&nocache=1 Again pay attention to it all. Worked out very well for me and my issue. Sure it should be as easy for you.

[Q] (Noob?) question - stock 4.3 to custom 4.4 rom

I've been trying to figure this out for the last day, with no success.
I've got a rooted Note 3 N9005 (MJ7) stock. this is a 4.3 Rom. Knox status is0x0 (didn't trip it when I've rooted it ages ago).
I had enough of sammy rom, and I want to play with some of the new 4.4.4 custom roms.
I'm totally and utterly lost regarding what's tripping knox, and what are the needed steps in order to achieve that.
From what I understand, flashing TWRP (or any other custom recovery) will trip knox. I'm fine with that.
I'm not sure if I'm supposed to first upgrade my 4.3 to an official 4.4.2, and what / if is all the lock/unlock bootloader which seems to differ between versions (4.3 and 4.4). There also seem to be different versions of TWRP depending on if you're on 4.3 or 4.4?
Can I simply flash TWRP on my rooted 4.3, backup, flash new shinny 4.4.4 rom, and be happy ? Will that keep the root ?
Otherwise, do i need to upgrade to official 4.4.2 version first? will that lose root and I'll have to reroot the new version, and then flash TWRP and then flash 4.4.4 roms?
Any kind of help (or point me to an article that discusses it, even though I didn't find any, and i've searched) will be highly appreciated.
Cheers and thanks in advance.

_Noctis_ said:
I've been trying to figure this out for the last day, with no success.
I've got a rooted Note 3 N9005 (MJ7) stock. this is a 4.3 Rom. Knox status is0x0 (didn't trip it when I've rooted it ages ago).
I had enough of sammy rom, and I want to play with some of the new 4.4.4 custom roms.
I'm totally and utterly lost regarding what's tripping knox, and what are the needed steps in order to achieve that.
From what I understand, flashing TWRP (or any other custom recovery) will trip knox. I'm fine with that.
I'm not sure if I'm supposed to first upgrade my 4.3 to an official 4.4.2, and what / if is all the lock/unlock bootloader which seems to differ between versions (4.3 and 4.4). There also seem to be different versions of TWRP depending on if you're on 4.3 or 4.4?
Can I simply flash TWRP on my rooted 4.3, backup, flash new shinny 4.4.4 rom, and be happy ? Will that keep the root ?
Otherwise, do i need to upgrade to official 4.4.2 version first? will that lose root and I'll have to reroot the new version, and then flash TWRP and then flash 4.4.4 roms?
Any kind of help (or point me to an article that discusses it, even though I didn't find any, and i've searched) will be highly appreciated.
Cheers and thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you aren't concerned about KNOX, upgrade to a 4.4 ROM (Official) via ODIN which will upgrade the bootloader, then once that's all done, flash TWRP for 4.4 then download your ROMs and flash via TWRP as normal.

radicalisto said:
If you aren't concerned about KNOX, upgrade to a 4.4 ROM (Official) via ODIN which will upgrade the bootloader, then once that's all done, flash TWRP for 4.4 then download your ROMs and flash via TWRP as normal.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not concerned any more ...
Out of curiosity, what exactly kills the root? flashing a rom doesn't. upgrading via odin ? I'm assuming it has nothing to do with the system/cache, since each flash usually wipes them, so, where does it live?
Cheers

_Noctis_ said:
Not concerned any more ...
Out of curiosity, what exactly kills the root? flashing a rom doesn't. upgrading via odin ? I'm assuming it has nothing to do with the system/cache, since each flash usually wipes them, so, where does it live?
Cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Reflashing the ROM back to stock is what kills root. It's easy to re-root again once you've tripped KNOX anyways.
But tbh, once you install a custom recovery after you've upgraded your boot loader, you won't need to root. It isn't required for custom recovery
Sent from my Spectrum ZX +2
EDIT: Have you used ODIN to flash stock images before? If not, have a read around, it's pretty straight forward though.

radicalisto said:
Reflashing the ROM back to stock is what kills root. It's easy to re-root again once you've tripped KNOX anyways.
But tbh, once you install a custom recovery after you've upgraded your boot loader, you won't need to root. It isn't required for custom recovery
Sent from my Spectrum ZX +2
EDIT: Have you used ODIN to flash stock images before? If not, have a read around, it's pretty straight forward though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see ... so -> flash stock (kills root) -> flash TWRP (trips knox) -> flash custom rom without worrying about root ? (wouldn't i need it for titanium backup ,or do custom roms come with SU preinstalled?)
Yep, used odin. file on comp, download mode, couple of ticks, clicky clicky, happiness ensues ...

Yeah you're pretty much spot on. Yeah most ROMs are pre-rooted and if they aren't you can just flash superSU via your recovery. But you should be good to go and know what you're doing by the sounds of it.
Enjoy flashing them ROMs and make an efs backup and store off the device too. There's an adb script for it here (forget where but its here, development thread I think) don't use any apps from the play store as they are notorious for bricking Samsung devices.
Sent from my Spectrum ZX +2

radicalisto said:
Yeah you're pretty much spot on. Yeah most ROMs are pre-rooted and if they aren't you can just flash superSU via your recovery. But you should be good to go and know what you're doing by the sounds of it.
Enjoy flashing them ROMs and make an efs backup and store off the device too. There's an adb script for it here (forget where but its here, development thread I think) don't use any apps from the play store as they are notorious for bricking Samsung devices.
Sent from my Spectrum ZX +2
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Click to collapse
lol ...notorious for bricking samsung devices ... i like it ...
i ran one already (zipped a 6MB and a 14.5MB image and tar into a 300kb zip), and been told you can do that from inside TWRP as well ...
I'll take a deep breath, and start downloading the official image and roms ...
I'll update if i'll get to the other side

out of curiosity ... does it matter which official 4.4.2 image i'm flashing ? (i'm getting the NZ one ...but i assume they should all be similar, and / or that it doesn't matter since i'll be flashing something else on it anyways, right ?

_Noctis_ said:
out of curiosity ... does it matter which official 4.4.2 image i'm flashing ? (i'm getting the NZ one ...but i assume they should all be similar, and / or that it doesn't matter since i'll be flashing something else on it anyways, right ?
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Click to collapse
Yeah try and keep to the country your device is from, otherwise you have to find the right PIT file, and the partitions vary etc

radicalisto said:
Yeah try and keep to the country your device is from, otherwise you have to find the right PIT file, and the partitions vary etc
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Click to collapse
Rubbish. ..I don't recall seeing an australian one... I'll have another look, otherwise ill look into the pit thingy. Thanks.

App ops on 4.2.2? Or upgrade to 4.3 then root?

I want app ops. Is it possible on 4.2.2? Or do I need to upgrade to 4.3 and then root my device?
Dont know the codenames for firmware. But I would like to make sure I dont brick my phone.

galaxys4.2.2 said:
I want app ops. Is it possible on 4.2.2? Or do I need to upgrade to 4.3 and then root my device?
Dont know the codenames for firmware. But I would like to make sure I dont brick my phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are on the Android 4.2.2 MDL firmware, I suggest flashing a rom to get it. Otherwise if you upgrade you will lose your ability to boot custom recovery, roms, and kernels.

StoneyJSG said:
If you are on the Android 4.2.2 MDL firmware, I suggest flashing a rom to get it. Otherwise if you upgrade you will lose your ability to boot custom recovery, roms, and kernels.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do I flash a rom?
Sounds like I should never change from 4.2.2? Kinda the same situation on my ipod, Haha. Almost The same version numbers too

galaxys4.2.2 said:
How do I flash a rom?
Sounds like I should never change from 4.2.2? Kinda the same situation on my ipod, Haha. Almost The same version numbers too
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right now on the MDL firmware the bootloader is locked, but you can use LOKI to bypass the lock and boot custom roms and kernels. If you upgrade to any other firmware you will lose the ability to do this forever.
This link should help you: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2301762
This one too: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2413746

Sprint Galaxy S4 Rooting

I've spent hours searching and I know this is an old phone. Is ther anyway to root the Lollipop and download Jelly Bean (custom or stock) to it? I'm not worried about Warranties. I'm not exactly a newb and I don't like Lollipop at all. I don't mind KitKat, but what I hate is the front facing camera can't be flipped. Dumbest thing ever.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4-sprint
Search for CF-Autoroot.

Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4-sprint
Search for CF-Autoroot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm supposedly rooted. I used KingRoot and then switched over yo SuperSU. But I can't seem to get the Rom's to install. This is where I'm probably going wrong. I'm assuming it has to do with the Bootloader.

BikerSk8rKid said:
I'm supposedly rooted. I used KingRoot and then switched over yo SuperSU. But I can't seem to get the Rom's to install. This is where I'm probably going wrong. I'm assuming it has to do with the Bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ask the right questions if you want the right answer.
You said you're not a newb. So what exactly was the procedure used to to install those ROMs?

Well, you should be using CF-Autoroot, as it's the recommended method to root these devices. That said, unless you have a frankenphone, only AT&T and Verizon models have locked bootloaders. Enter download mode and verify your device's model number please?

GDReaper said:
Ask the right questions if you want the right answer.
You said you're not a newb. So what exactly was the procedure used to to install those ROMs?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was half asleep and stressed out when I posted this. It's been a couple weeks or longer since I messed with the phone. Damn forums weren't resetting my password. When I mean I'm not a newb I mean I'm not like brand new to this and I know how to research. I guess you could say I'm not THAT stupid. haha
I'mma have to try this again and figure out what path's I kept trying. I'm so spaced out I can't remember hard any of it. Just that I tried to flash a stock and rooted rom with old odin and new odin. Spent 2 days straight messing with it and trying to get around it. But I kept getting blocked. I didn't come across CF-Autoroot. So I'll try that.
Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
Well, you should be using CF-Autoroot, as it's the recommended method to root these devices. That said, unless you have a frankenphone, only AT&T and Verizon models have locked bootloaders. Enter download mode and verify your device's model number please?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Of all the researching I've done (I couldn't login) that one never showed up in my searchs. haha I'll have to give that one a try. It's been a couple weeks or longer. SPH-L720. I had a few Tri-Bands, but it seemed those were limited compared to the standard model.

Update: I went the CF-AutoRoot route and then tried to use Odin to flash stock mk2 rom. Now that I remember it kept failing everytime and then it would corrupt the current rom. I also tried using TWRP and couldn't get it to work properly.

That's a Sprint device, so your bootloader is unlocked.
Here's something you should note: If you want to flash a ROM, of any kind, you don't necessarily have to be rooted.
Stock ROMs require Odin and custom ROMs require a custom recovery. None of them require root.
Your flash to an older version fails most probably due to the fact that you're trying to downgrade the bootloader (Any stock ROM flash also modifies the bootloader and modem partitions).
But your windows, cable, USB port and windows can also be at fault here.

GDReaper said:
That's a Sprint device, so your bootloader is unlocked.
Here's something you should note: If you want to flash a ROM, of any kind, you don't necessarily have to be rooted.
Stock ROMs require Odin and custom ROMs require a custom recovery. None of them require root.
Your flash to an older version fails most probably due to the fact that you're trying to downgrade the bootloader (Any stock ROM flash also modifies the bootloader and modem partitions).
But your windows, cable, USB port and windows can also be at fault here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For some reason I kept reading that it was locked or thinking it was locked because of not being able to downgrade.
So that's what I thought and I guess that's what I was trying to get at in my first post. Trying to go from Lollipop 5 to Jelly Bean 4.3 or so. Is it possible to do that whether it's custom or not?
I just hate the Lollipop and the KitKat. My Galaxy S2 had the JB and Power Button took a crap. So I ended up getting a S3 and now been sitting on an S4.
I know it's not the cable or at least it shouldn't be because it works to flash the stock current rom everytime I corrupt it. The computer is like brand new and running Windows 8.1

BikerSk8rKid said:
For some reason I kept reading that it was locked or thinking it was locked because of not being able to downgrade.
So that's what I thought and I guess that's what I was trying to get at in my first post. Trying to go from Lollipop 5 to Jelly Bean 4.3 or so. Is it possible to do that whether it's custom or not?
I just hate the Lollipop and the KitKat. My Galaxy S2 had the JB and Power Button took a crap. So I ended up getting a S3 and now been sitting on an S4.
I know it's not the cable or at least it shouldn't be because it works to flash the stock current rom everytime I corrupt it. The computer is like brand new and running Windows 8.1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Downgrading sometimes succeeds. There are also guides on how to downgrade, though there aren't any special procedures. Maybe the bootloader version of the firmware-to-be-flashed matters.
With custom ROMs it's definitely possible, as they do not change the bootloader.

GDReaper said:
Downgrading sometimes succeeds. There are also guides on how to downgrade, though there aren't any special procedures. Maybe the bootloader version of the firmware-to-be-flashed matters.
With custom ROMs it's definitely possible, as they do not change the bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess I'm more of a newb with this than I expected. :/ It's been years since I've been on the forums or even tinkered with phones. HTC Touch Pro 2 was the last one I believe. haha
So... With that being said. Custom Roms are typically to the current stock rom, correct? or is it possible to get a Custom Jelly Bean and flash/overwrite it to the Lollipop/current? Since I just tripped wit the Knox Warranty with the CF-AutoRoot. LoL

BikerSk8rKid said:
I guess I'm more of a newb with this than I expected. :/ It's been years since I've been on the forums or even tinkered with phones. HTC Touch Pro 2 was the last one I believe. haha
So... With that being said. Custom Roms are typically to the current stock rom, correct? or is it possible to get a Custom Jelly Bean and flash/overwrite it to the Lollipop/current? Since I just tripped wit the Knox Warranty with the CF-AutoRoot. LoL
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you can find some viable download links, then yes, you should be able to flash custom jelly bean ROMs. But you need a custom recovery in order to do that.
The recovery can be flashed with Odin. Or, since you're rooted, you can also flash a recovery by using an app called Flashify.
Odin requires a .tar file and Flashify requires a .img file.
Oh, and you also need the gapps package for the Google Apps. You need a package for that specific android version, so it should be jelly bean gapps.

GDReaper said:
If you can find some viable download links, then yes, you should be able to flash custom jelly bean ROMs. But you need a custom recovery in order to do that.
The recovery can be flashed with Odin. Or, since you're rooted, you can also flash a recovery by using an app called Flashify.
Odin requires a .tar file and Flashify requires a .img file.
Oh, and you also need the gapps package for the Google Apps. You need a package for that specific android version, so it should be jelly bean gapps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll look into that and give it a shot. Thank you! I knew it wasn't THAT easy. LOL