Please help me downgrade my S4 (currently on 4.3) - Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I bought a Metro PCS galaxy s4 that has the T-Mobile 4.3 rom flashed to it. I'd like to downgrade to either an earlier Tmobile rom. Phone is currently not rooted. I do not care about the warranty flag. Any advice you can provide with regards to the downgrade, would be much appreciated. I've used ODIN before, but I found out that ODIN doesn't work with 4.3. Please help.

U cant come back to 4.2.2

I'm reading that I should be able to. Folks are referencing rooting and flashing the South Africa region specific 4.2.2 rom and from there i should be able to flash any rom I want. Is that not the case with my version??
Please reference below:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2529573

I guess you're stuck with trying it & see what happens. Generally speaking, Joku is right, but, if someone claims it can be done using the method in that thread, then it might be possible. If you're looking for a definite answer, ask the person who suggested the workaround in that thread whether it actually worked for them or not.

Related

Question Installation Custom Rom S4 MK2

Hello
i was trying to install a custom rom on my galaxy s4 but after going through some topics i m kind of unsure about it.
its an att phone
my model number says I337
and the baseband is MK2.
most of the roms i found say something about att i9...
with reading some topics i just have the feeling that the MK2 is "special" and i cant just use any rom.
can someone help me and let me know which roms will work (download link would be appreciated). i planned to go with either google edition 4.4 or cyanogen mod. (if there is anything better please let me know)
and if i need any other software (for backup etc).
i already rooted the phone with saferoot. i just dont know how to get a custom rom on there now.
thank you for your help it greatly appreciated.
As far as i know you can't run custom roms on the i33, AT&T has it so locked down it can't be done
ben9000 said:
Hello
i was trying to install a custom rom on my galaxy s4 but after going through some topics i m kind of unsure about it.
its an att phone
my model number says I337
and the baseband is MK2.
most of the roms i found say something about att i9...
with reading some topics i just have the feeling that the MK2 is "special" and i cant just use any rom.
can someone help me and let me know which roms will work (download link would be appreciated). i planned to go with either google edition 4.4 or cyanogen mod. (if there is anything better please let me know)
and if i need any other software (for backup etc).
i already rooted the phone with saferoot. i just dont know how to get a custom rom on there now.
thank you for your help it greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ben9000 said:
Hello
i was trying to install a custom rom on my galaxy s4 but after going through some topics i m kind of unsure about it.
its an att phone
my model number says I337
and the baseband is MK2.
most of the roms i found say something about att i9...
with reading some topics i just have the feeling that the MK2 is "special" and i cant just use any rom.
can someone help me and let me know which roms will work (download link would be appreciated). i planned to go with either google edition 4.4 or cyanogen mod. (if there is anything better please let me know)
and if i need any other software (for backup etc).
i already rooted the phone with saferoot. i just dont know how to get a custom rom on there now.
thank you for your help it greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes u can get custom rom on u r phone and on u r current firmware also.. check out this
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2448925
u need to root it before u get safestrap.. and u can get many custom roms. also.. hope it will work for u!!
ben9000 said:
Hello
i was trying to install a custom rom on my galaxy s4 but after going through some topics i m kind of unsure about it.
its an att phone
my model number says I337
and the baseband is MK2.
most of the roms i found say something about att i9...
with reading some topics i just have the feeling that the MK2 is "special" and i cant just use any rom.
can someone help me and let me know which roms will work (download link would be appreciated). i planned to go with either google edition 4.4 or cyanogen mod. (if there is anything better please let me know)
and if i need any other software (for backup etc).
i already rooted the phone with saferoot. i just dont know how to get a custom rom on there now.
thank you for your help it greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This thread gives you everything you need. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2616221

[Q] [QA] Been googling/searching... confusion on rooting AT&T i337 UCUFNI1

I'm not trying to be lazy. I've spent time searching for how to root my S4 i337, but for a newb like myself the process is extremely confusing since there seems to be so much different information out there, and not a lot about i337. From what I've discovered Towelroot no longer works as an option after I upgraded to 4.4.2 and I've tried other approaches which have failed as well. So without further ado
Is it possible to root a galaxy AT&T galaxy s4 i337 running 4.4.2 baseband I337UCUFNI1 ? If so, could someone share the links I should look at to accomplish this task?
Maybe I need to revert back to an earlier android release ? which I'm fine doing assuming something like this link should work: http://www.teamandroid.com/2014/03/30/update-att-galaxy-s4-sgh-i337-android-442-kitkat-goldeneye-rom/2/
After I revert (assuming it's needed) could someone recommend the next steps(links/threads) to get me to either a custom rom or latest 4.4.2 stock build (I'd prefer a custom rom for fun, but i'm fine with whatever is easiest.)
I have Odin installed and understanding getting to download mode, but deciding which "link" to follow out there for instructions is not easy for a beginner so any recommended 'easiest' approaches for my device would be appreciated.
TIA
rickcr said:
I'm not trying to be lazy. I've spent time searching for how to root my S4 i337, but for a newb like myself the process is extremely confusing since there seems to be so much different information out there, and not a lot about i337. From what I've discovered Towelroot no longer works as an option after I upgraded to 4.4.2 and I've tried other approaches which have failed as well. So without further ado
Is it possible to root a galaxy AT&T galaxy s4 i337 running 4.4.2 baseband I337UCUFNI1 ? If so, could someone share the links I should look at to accomplish this task?
Maybe I need to revert back to an earlier android release ? which I'm fine doing assuming something like this link should work: http://www.teamandroid.com/2014/03/30/update-att-galaxy-s4-sgh-i337-android-442-kitkat-goldeneye-rom/2/
After I revert (assuming it's needed) could someone recommend the next steps(links/threads) to get me to either a custom rom or latest 4.4.2 stock build (I'd prefer a custom rom for fun, but i'm fine with whatever is easiest.)
I have Odin installed and understanding getting to download mode, but deciding which "link" to follow out there for instructions is not easy for a beginner so any recommended 'easiest' approaches for my device would be appreciated.
TIA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Subscribe to All Thing AT&T. It has all the information needed, including how to root NI1.
root
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show...php?p=55537351
look there for instructions. it works . Flash the older kernal using odin, if it fails to flash the first time. Repeat. After u get it to flash. Then run towelroot. After u install towelroot. Flash the ni1 kernal. You will keep root. Thats how I did mine.

S5 recovery 20$ min read all please. I'm desperate

- Intro
- Done and searched so far
- My Questions. (Jump to the end unless you think I haven't search prior )
- Bounty
INTRO
Hey guys. I'm french Canadian (please understand my bad written )
and thanks to the phone I choosed (s5 active g870w telus)
I'm becoming pretty much bilingual I've checked all over
around The Web and over this forum. And can't find an accurate
answer . I know I picked the wrong phone for rooting but
as a construction worker it was a good compromise.
DONE AND SEARCHED
My Samsung Galaxy s5 Active g870w from Telus
is still on 4.4.2 since there is no and there will not be
any update for a while.
I managed to used the g900w8 version of
Chain fire auto root method using Odin 3.09
to get roots.
I have also succès to flash Unity 2.0.1 rom.
So far I figured that my version can count as
the Canadian version of the s5 small g900w8. (I may be wrong)
I found a stock Firmware (that accualy make my
lies in russian ) Wich I used a lot lately due to all
my soft brick.
My goal is to be able to upgrade to a nice custom rom
on lollipop. I was hoping Fusion. And as for the recovery
TWRP would be my choice if it was possible.
Now I am stuck trying to install TWRP. I have followed
multiple guide. I have tried to install from TWRP manager
the version 2.8.6.0 klte. I have tried 3 times and after the app
installation I tried to reboot to recovery using Quick boot,
i always end up in Odin mode.
I then tried to install using Odin flashing the same version
Downloaded from TWRP.me site. Then it let me load into
my stock version. Then if I try to reboot in recovery
it still stock.
I even tried to use safestrap both version at&t and Verizon
and both soft bricked me.
I have read or scan about every thread and none talk about
S5 a g870w. Beside the att version Wich are locked.
QUESTIONS
My Questions and I really beg for answers even if
You have only 1 answer.
1- Is my phone g870w compatible g900w8?
2-is it compatible to any other versions?
3-when looking should I only look for Canadian version or I can also
use either g870 from at&t,Verizon or international. Or I look for
International g900. Since I guess my bootloader is unlocked .
4- Since only at&t and Verizon are supposed to be lock I guess
I can't use safestrap... so are TWRP and CWM the only options?
5- Can someone help me troubleshoot my installations. ?
6- After I install my recovery a a g870w on kitkat 4.4.2
Should I be able to flash lollipop base custom rom?
7- Is it possible that there is no option for me beside
Unity and stock rom.
BOUNTY
It might not be much but I offer a 20$ minimum bounty for who ever
take me outta this non ending bulls*"t.
Thanks guys. And please I swear I have search and read a lot
just Google my model number and you'll always end up on me
Searching and I seems to be the only one g870w talking about
recovery or custom rom. All I found is how to root...
Jon
1- Is my phone g870w compatible g900w8?
No, it is different flashing anything that isn't designed for your exact model number ( even the AT&T ones which are one letter different) won't work.
2-is it compatible to any other versions?
No, only firmwares for your exact phone will work without someone modifying something specific for you.
3-when looking should I only look for Canadian version or I can also
use either g870 from at&t,Verizon or international. Or I look for
International g900. Since I guess my bootloader is unlocked .
Flashing any other model number but your own risks bootloop/bricking as they although look similar can have different firmware partitions amongst other things.
4- Since only at&t and Verizon are supposed to be lock I guess
I can't use safestrap... so are TWRP and CWM the only options?
If someone can have a look at TWRP is possible that they can make a version work for you: ideally I would say with it being so difficult as so few have your model I would go to stock: root and use xposed, and leave the rest.
5- Can someone help me troubleshoot my installations. ?
Sure, happy to help but don't know how much can help when you are trying firmwares for different versions.
6- After I install my recovery a a g870w on kitkat 4.4.2
Should I be able to flash lollipop base custom rom?
Unless someone has made I've for your model type I doubt it.
7- Is it possible that there is no option for me beside
Unity and stock rom.
Yeah unfortunately this is quite likely.
thanks for taking the time.
Now I'll go private with you for personal things.
but before maybe few extra questions will help the very few others in
the same painful situation.
about compatibility you answered no.
What made me search so bad is that I've seen
other members(g870a) claiming they we're using
g900 roms I'll search for a link.
-Does it mean even tho its risky or
it means that American version have more luck ?
-am I still able to use a recovery like safestrap?
-can I hang myself?
- and if I'd like to have TWRP and a know custom rom
would it be a lot of works for Des.
Is it "askable" are some working for money?
I hate stuck to death I miss my note 3 like crazy. .. damn

Need Help to Flash SPH-L720 Samsung S4 Sprint

I am new to Flashing Android phones and I hope someone can help me through this process. I am technical by nature but like everything else, if you have never done something before, it's always best to consult with those who have as to not brick your phone.
I have a Samsung S4 model number SPH-L720. This was purchased from Freedom Pop so it is technically their own custom ROM on the Sprint network. I later found out that their service is horrible and want to reflash my phone to a standard factory ROM, either a factory Sprint Rom or a Factory Google S4 (Non Carrier Specific) Rom.
The phone currently has Android Version 4.4.2 but I am flexible which version OS is on there.
I am confident with all the experts on this forum, someone can lead me through this process and let me know where to get the ROM's to put on here etc.
The phone already is rooted as it comes from Freedom Pop Rooted already.
Thank you all for your assistance. I will be sure to assist others in the process once I learn it myself.
I'm not a professional, but I might be able to help.... I'll try anyway
You mentioned being fine with returning to the stock ROM. Under normal circumstances that would be pretty complicated because you would need to install using ODIN and re-root afterwards. However, assuming you are running a custom recovery you should be able to install a zip from galaxys4root DOT COM, under the "galaxy s4 rooted stock roms" tab. These ROMs are all stock ROMs that are already rooted and may have a tweak or two. I recommend checking out the ROMs on that site, until you find what your looking for.
The following article should be helpful for installation via custom recovery: highonandroid DOT COM /android-roms/how-to-install-custom-rom-using-twrp-recovery-failproof-method
As I am a newbie on this forum I cannot post links, so please replace DOTCOM with appropriate extensions. Again, I'm not a professional, in fact, this is the first time I've attempted to give any advice yet so I apologize if I am lacking clarity. If I use any terms that don't make a lot of sense to you, feel free to ask any questions and I will attempt to respond in a timely manner.
Not sure how to efficiently help people when I am unable to use links. So I'm sorry if this offends any XDA mods. And I hope that any mods who read my reply will take into account that I am not spamming. I am trying to help.
Any luck?
Sent from my SPH-L720 using XDA Free mobile app

New to I337 somewhat confused

New to the I337. AT&T with NC1. Android 4.4.2. Stock ROM with the 3.4.0-1125940 kernel. Rooted, SE Linux permissive, Safestrap installed. Compared to other phones I have owned, rooted and installed custom ROMS for this one is way more complex.
Today I tried to Safestrap flash a couple of different ROM's- the Goole Play edition (jflte GPE) and the Lollipop 5.1 ROM 2015061jflte both times using Safestrap. Neither worked. In the case of the Google Play edition, it wanted to install a new kernel as well, I tried with the recommended kernel on the install GUI (wow an install GUI on Android). Both times stuck in a boot loop. I ended up using for the second time, the excellent information here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4-att/general/guide-odin-to-stock-updating-rooting-t2926642
to get back to stock NC1 (thanks again guut13 for the excellent guide and links to resources) and restored via Safestrap the present stock configuration.
My questions are as follows (I am posting this after a LOT of reading here)
1)Can I use LokiDoki ? I understand it resolves problems with the locked boot loader where one can flash pretty much any S4 ROM on the I337.Is this true?
2) I wanted to give the two ROMS I mentioned today a try. Neither worked although I followed the instructions carefully (wipe, install and reboot). I also would like to try the Phoenix ROM. Is it compatible with Safestrap? Are the two I tried today compatible with Safestrap?
3) I am on 4.4.2. I understand that 4.4.4 is out there as well as 5 but when I check either via Kies or OTA I am told this is the latest firmware for my phone. Any way to update this?
As I said earlier this phone is a lot more complex from a modding standpoint than any other I have experience with. I am unclear on which ROM's will work with the NC1. Before I knew about Safestrap and the boot loader problem I tried installing TWERP and ended up having to rebuild things with guut13's excellent thread.
With NC1 am I stuck on the stock ROM ? Can kernels be updated on NC1 using LokiDoki?
Any light or advice to be shed on my confusion wold be very much appreciated.
Expat
Look at this other excellent thread started I by guut13,î answers all.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2616221
Loki doki is not an option for you, and you can only install tw based roms.
Cats_PJ's
Thanks for the link. Have seen this thread. So I am on 4.4.2. So can I flash a 5.x ROM on the phone provided its TW --or does the phone have to be updated via OTH or another method to 5.x first? Or am I stuck on the ROMS specifically available on 4.4.2?
Thanks again very much for your interest and the link. Wish I had shopped more carefully and bought a non AT&T phone, one of the 5xxx models but I couldn't find anything other than the AT&T ones here in Ecuador.
Expat
http://forum.xda-developers.com/gal...-to-update-to-i337oc3-5-0-1-keeproot-t3075814
That will get you to 5.0.1. You can flash the lollipop roms after that.
I wish I had known more before I bought my phone too. Live and learn, I'm about do for an upgrade though. Good luck.
Cats_PJs said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/gal...-to-update-to-i337oc3-5-0-1-keeproot-t3075814
That will get you to 5.0.1. You can flash the lollipop roms after that.
I wish I had known more before I bought my phone too. Live and learn, I'm about do for an upgrade though. Good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Again many kind thanks for the help. This is the most complicated chain of BS to go through just to update a ROM thanks to the locked boot loader I have ever seen..... however you and others here deserve a lot of credit for finding workarounds...... the phone has been made needlessly complex with the BL and efforts by Google and AT&T to "protect" their turf and monetise the user. I would upgrade today were I not in Ecuador where everything costs double what it does in the US. The phone thief crop here is thick- this is the fourth phone in 2 years although the Galaxy Grand Prime I bought after the last robbery I still have. Broke the screen on that one and it was repaired improperly, I get a blank white screen on startup so can't get into recovery so its worthless to me for what I want it for..... so I have the S4 AT&T. Ah well.
Many thanks and enough of my *****ing.
Expat

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