Hey there, I've got an AT&T GS4 running MK2 4.3. I hate it, it's basically the worst update ever as it's managed to make using my phone a chore in pretty much every way.
I was trying to upgrade to 4.4 GPE or really even 4.3 GPE, but after managing to root my device, I found that the only way to flash a ROM is via Safestrap, and I haven't been able to find anything at all in terms of information on (a) how to flash a ROM via Safestrap 3.71 on MK2, and (b) which ROMs are even compatible with doing so.
So, barring that, my other option was to downgrade back to 4.2.2. I understand Knox screwed everything in this regard, but I'm wondering if anyone's managed to do it without a Custom Recovery? Or how I'd even go about it?
If it's impossible, someone just please rip the bandage off and tell me so I can resign myself to my fate of having turned my amazing phone into a piece of crap. Thanks!
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I THOUGHT what I wanted was simple enough but apparently with Samsung nothing is ever simple.
I have the i9505 S4 and am currently on the Pre-Rooted I9505XXUBMGA rom. That means 4.2.2, Stock Recovery and PRE-KNOX bootloader.
My custom flash counter is also 0 as I've only ever flashed the pre-rooted stock kind of roms. No triangle has ever appeared on my screen.
What I want to do is install a 4.3 TW rom WITHOUT flashing a custom recovery (so probably through Odin) and WITHOUT having to flash the KNOX-enabled bootloader.
The reasons should be obvious enough, I want this phone kept as close to stock as possible with what I do being completely reversible without having to rely on Triangle Away as with every new firmware Samsung appears to be even more hell-bent on breaking it.
Obviously I'd want said rom to actually function correctly as I've read things like sound and/or wifi breaking or mobile data dropping with/without the phone being on sleep etc...
So, any takers?
KeyperOS said:
I THOUGHT what I wanted was simple enough but apparently with Samsung nothing is ever simple.
I have the i9505 S4 and am currently on the Pre-Rooted I9505XXUBMGA rom. That means 4.2.2, Stock Recovery and PRE-KNOX bootloader.
My custom flash counter is also 0 as I've only ever flashed the pre-rooted stock kind of roms. No triangle has ever appeared on my screen.
What I want to do is install a 4.3 TW rom WITHOUT flashing a custom recovery (so probably through Odin) and WITHOUT having to flash the KNOX-enabled bootloader.
The reasons should be obvious enough, I want this phone kept as close to stock as possible with what I do being completely reversible without having to rely on Triangle Away as with every new firmware Samsung appears to be even more hell-bent on breaking it.
Obviously I'd want said rom to actually function correctly as I've read things like sound and/or wifi breaking or mobile data dropping with/without the phone being on sleep etc...
So, any takers?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
From where I am,I can see 3 options.
1.Stay where you are on 4.2.2
You just need to flash stock firmware ,and you are back to out-of-the-box state.
But....you want 4.3.... so,
2.Flash a custom recovery,and you have the choice of every custom ROM in the DEV section.4.22,4.3 ,TW,AOSP , you get my drift.As long at it does not contain the new knox bootloader,you can get back to out-of-the-box state in 2 easy steps:
Triangle Away.
Flash stock firmware.
3.Try to flash the new knox-pox 4.3 ROM and be stuck there.(because there is no coming back)
Look HERE
The [OP] explains it well.
And this is probably the ROM you would choose.(close to stock)
It seems the samsung is determined to mess things up for the user who wants to easily mod their own phones.
It has gotten so bad,that the [OP] has even jumped ship to the Z1.
He says he will maintain that ROM,but for how long,because they have already moved the goalposts twice...
I am on 2.
And I intend to stay there,because I like to be in charge of what goes on my phone.
Devs will almost certainly maintain their ROMS,and updates like 4.4 will come along in time.
Only you can make the choice.
Hopefully,I have given you some options.
Yeah, that's the thread I flashed my current 4.2.2 rom from. I saw him throw the towel and decided this just wasn't gonna work.
I guess I need to take the plunge and install Philz recovery.
Somewhat subjective I know but, which 4.3 TW custom ROM seems to work best when the OLD Pre-KNOX bootloader is being kept and with which modem? (I've seem answers vary wildly on this one).
KeyperOS said:
Yeah, that's the thread I flashed my current 4.2.2 rom from. I saw him throw the towel and decided this just wasn't gonna work.
I guess I need to take the plunge and install Philz recovery.
Somewhat subjective I know but, which 4.3 TW custom ROM seems to work best when the OLD Pre-KNOX bootloader is being kept and with which modem? (I've seem answers vary wildly on this one).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
The reason you have seen such wild variations on this,is because it is so subjective.
This is where the fun begins.
Trying out different ROMS,and seeing which is best suited to you,and your requirements.
Best advice...read the first post of a ROM,and see if it has what you want from a ROM...especially the bit about new knox bootloader removed.
And remember to make a nandroid!
As for modem,if you are having no issues or signal problems at the moment,stick with the one you are on.
Haven't played with custom rom for awhile as well as rooting/recovery.
Now that Samsung implemented Knox, I'm reading this is changing how to implement roms and upgrading/downgrading stock roms.
I am currently on MDJ from MG1 and did not want to go to 4.3 because of the full blown Knox implementation.
So my questions are:
1. Can I still downgrade from 4.3 to 4.2.2 (MDJ)? I read some in one thread you can but others you can't. Have to make sure which thread I read for I337 vs I337M which seem quite different. Reason is that I can still easily repair/modify stuff on MDJ firmware.
2. I am also considering installing Google Edition 4.4.2 ROM as I believe it does not have Knox. Can I easily revert back to 4.2.2 MDJ from a custom rom?
I've been reading for awhile and I can't seem to figure this out. Must be old age. TIA.
lg777 said:
Haven't played with custom rom for awhile as well as rooting/recovery.
Now that Samsung implemented Knox, I'm reading this is changing how to implement roms and upgrading/downgrading stock roms.
I am currently on MDJ from MG1 and did not want to go to 4.3 because of the full blown Knox implementation.
So my questions are:
1. Can I still downgrade from 4.3 to 4.2.2 (MDJ)? I read some in one thread you can but others you can't. Have to make sure which thread I read for I337 vs I337M which seem quite different. Reason is that I can still easily repair/modify stuff on MDJ firmware.
2. I am also considering installing Google Edition 4.4.2 ROM as I believe it does not have Knox. Can I easily revert back to 4.2.2 MDJ from a custom rom?
I've been reading for awhile and I can't seem to figure this out. Must be old age. TIA.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The safest thing to do is stay on a version without the knox bootloader. I know for sure I337 can't downgrade, and i think the bootloader isn't downgradeable but the system is or something for the I337M. I'm not sure, but either way the safest bet is to stay without the 4.3 bootloader. That way you can root and use recovery and flash without worrying about knox and you'll easily be able to revert from any custom ROM back to stock as long as you either keep a nandroid backup or the ODIN files for the firmware.
DeadlySin9 said:
The safest thing to do is stay on a version without the knox bootloader. I know for sure I337 can't downgrade, and i think the bootloader isn't downgradeable but the system is or something for the I337M. I'm not sure, but either way the safest bet is to stay without the 4.3 bootloader. That way you can root and use recovery and flash without worrying about knox and you'll easily be able to revert from any custom ROM back to stock as long as you either keep a nandroid backup or the ODIN files for the firmware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I think I'll do that. I also understand the issue with Knox is tripping the counter voiding the warranty but I don't care about my warranty. Going to try Goldeneye when I get the chance or look at some 4.4 roms.
I don't know why Samsung or any other manufacturer just let corporate users enforce Knox or whatever and let the rest of the users alone.
its completely fine flashing custom roms with the 4.3 bootloader for us canadians. the only downside is, you will trip a knox flash counter, it cannot yet be reset. you only see this flash counter in download mode. AND if you have a non-official kernel, or recovery, you get a little yellow message in upper left corner during the first bootscreen.
BUT. if you do not upgrade to 4.3 modem, you will experience data drops (loss of signal randomly) with any custom 4.3 or 4.4 rom.
so you dont have to upgrade to 4.3 bootloaders, but you will need to get the modem, its around, if you are already on 4.3... just flash the phone as normal, you cant go back, but its not stopping you from going forward.
I have the bell smartphone protection plan, if i break the phone, they replace it, and dont care about custom software or booloader flash counters ect. So i dont care either.
For the modem, find a copy of MK6 modem assuming your in Canada, flash it through odin from your pc. If you get a fail, chances are you have a bad download (happened to me) download from a different source then. Before you flash any rom... root.... install custom recovery.... nand backup your current "stock but rooted rom" If you flash a 4.4 rom (not sure if this applies to 4.3) do a full wipe... System/cache/dalvic.... then factory reset... then flash.... I flashed 4.4 the first 2 times without wiping system and though the phone worked fine, data was inconsistant at times.....
lg777 said:
Yeah, I think I'll do that. I also understand the issue with Knox is tripping the counter voiding the warranty but I don't care about my warranty. Going to try Goldeneye when I get the chance or look at some 4.4 roms.
I don't know why Samsung or any other manufacturer just let corporate users enforce Knox or whatever and let the rest of the users alone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a Bell S4 with Google Play Edition 4.4.2 running perfectly so far. I had an MDJ modem, and tried flashing many custom ROMs on it. All 4.3 ROMs worked fine, and only AOSP 4.4 ROMs also worked fine. The only problem was the GPE 4.4 ROMs that gave me constant signal drops. So I tried to upgrade my modem to MK6 to fix the issue. Even when I upgraded to Samsung's stock 4.3 through Odin, it still didn't upgrade my modem. I had to manually flash the modem in Odin to get it to upgrade successfully. Then I just flashed a GPE ROM and everything went well.
Hello
I recently got my S4 i9505. I'm planning to root it
I have Android version 4.3
I used to flash costum roms on my s2 but I'm not really planning to do much flashing on my S4. not soon anyway
So as I connected the phone to Kies to make sure the drivers were downloaded so I can proceed with rooting
Firmware update popped up
I'm not sure what the best option for me now.
Should I root now and then I'd be able to flash a costume KK rom? and are there any stable ones that are better than the stock?
Can I use kies to update my rooted phone?
Maybe I should stick with JB 4.3? Which one is better 4.3 or 4.4.2?
I remember facing some issues when I update my s2 back. So I searched for the KK Update for the s4 and some people weren't so happy with their KK update
I know that doesn't represent the majority but still it could happen to me
So I confused myself
What is your advice to me?
sorry for the long post
Also I have an extra question What is KNOX? and do I need it?
egy_b0y said:
Hello
I recently got my S4 i9505. I'm planning to root it
I have Android version 4.3
I used to flash costum roms on my s2 but I'm not really planning to do much flashing on my S4. not soon anyway
So as I connected the phone to Kies to make sure the drivers were downloaded so I can proceed with rooting
Firmware update popped up
I'm not sure what the best option for me now.
Should I root now and then I'd be able to flash a costume KK rom? and are there any stable ones that are better than the stock?
Can I use kies to update my rooted phone?
Maybe I should stick with JB 4.3? Which one is better 4.3 or 4.4.2?
I remember facing some issues when I update my s2 back. So I searched for the KK Update for the s4 and some people weren't so happy with their KK update
I know that doesn't represent the majority but still it could happen to me
So I confused myself
What is your advice to me?
sorry for the long post
Also I have an extra question What is KNOX? and do I need it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First, the most problems in 4.4.2 are fixed, so if you flash the officical, latest firmware of your country you shouldn't have any problem.
An important thing: if you flash a custom rom, your warranty will be set 0x1, that means, you lost your garanty if you flash a custom rom, that's the so called KNOX. You can use knox like a second system on your phone, with all secure data in it, you can only access with a passwort and all datas are locked without this passwort.
Root your phone after the software update if you want to root it.
Tkkg1994 said:
First, the most problems in 4.4.2 are fixed, so if you flash the officical, latest firmware of your country you shouldn't have any problem.
An important thing: if you flash a custom rom, your warranty will be set 0x1, that means, you lost your garanty if you flash a custom rom, that's the so called KNOX. You can use knox like a second system on your phone, with all secure data in it, you can only access with a passwort and all datas are locked without this passwort.
Root your phone after the software update if you want to root it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the fact is that 4.4.2 GNG8 international version cannot be rooted....
christty31 said:
the fact is that 4.4.2 GNG8 international version cannot be rooted....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's wrong, just not with towelroot.
thank you for your input
Purchased my S4 at launch, only rooted it and never really got around to tweaking it much. It has slowed down a bit so now is the time.
I'm on MDL, stock 4.2.2, and rooted with TWRP 2.5.0.2 On to the questions/clarifications, hopefully these aren't egregious. I know the info is out there but for actually finding specific information, the xda forums are a bit overwhelming and sometimes conflicting...
1) Recovery - Latest/preferred recovery for the s4 (on MDL) with auto-loki baked in? Are any of the latest versions of TWRP/CWM dangerous/incompatible or can I just install the latest/greatest with ROM Installers and go from there?
2) Modem - Flashing an updated modem, regardless of ROM/OS # should not break anything and/or lock down the bootloader any more so than it already is at MDL, correct? Updating the baseband will have no effect on the build # and thus loki is still and option (versus safestrap)? Preferred modem at this time? (ATT, SF Bay Area)
3) ROMS - Any ROM, followed by loki patch or flashed via an auto-loki capable recovery should be fine, correct? Is a ROM specifically built for safestrap applications and thus would not work with MDL, or are ROMs noted as being safestrap ready just able to be used via safestrap, but loki as well?
4) Hard to keep track of all the ROMs and the builds and branches etc - Can anyone point me in the right direction of either a) the latest stock touch-wiz 4.4.4 ROM that can be flashed over MDL without essentially updating past MDL? b) the best/most recent pure google (Play Store S4 Edition) ROM, same story with not breaking MDL?
Again, I apologize I am sure the info is all buried in here somewhere, it just gets to a point where pointed questions rather than multiple 500+ post threads are hopefully less likely to brick my phone. Ideally I just want to get on the latest software (and enable screen casting, for one). Assuming it comes quick enough, once I get this process down I will probably make the jump to 5.0 when it is ready, anticipate a couple months? Who knows.
Thanks, much appreciated.
Norcalz71 said:
Purchased my S4 at launch, only rooted it and never really got around to tweaking it much. It has slowed down a bit so now is the time.
I'm on MDL, stock 4.2.2, and rooted with TWRP 2.5.0.2 On to the questions/clarifications, hopefully these aren't egregious. I know the info is out there but for actually finding specific information, the xda forums are a bit overwhelming and sometimes conflicting...
1) Recovery - Latest/preferred recovery for the s4 (on MDL) with auto-loki baked in? Are any of the latest versions of TWRP/CWM dangerous/incompatible or can I just install the latest/greatest with ROM Installers and go from there?
2) Modem - Flashing an updated modem, regardless of ROM/OS # should not break anything and/or lock down the bootloader any more so than it already is at MDL, correct? Updating the baseband will have no effect on the build # and thus loki is still and option (versus safestrap)? Preferred modem at this time? (ATT, SF Bay Area)
3) ROMS - Any ROM, followed by loki patch or flashed via an auto-loki capable recovery should be fine, correct? Is a ROM specifically built for safestrap applications and thus would not work with MDL, or are ROMs noted as being safestrap ready just able to be used via safestrap, but loki as well?
4) Hard to keep track of all the ROMs and the builds and branches etc - Can anyone point me in the right direction of either a) the latest stock touch-wiz 4.4.4 ROM that can be flashed over MDL without essentially updating past MDL? b) the best/most recent pure google (Play Store S4 Edition) ROM, same story with not breaking MDL?
Again, I apologize I am sure the info is all buried in here somewhere, it just gets to a point where pointed questions rather than multiple 500+ post threads are hopefully less likely to brick my phone. Ideally I just want to get on the latest software (and enable screen casting, for one). Assuming it comes quick enough, once I get this process down I will probably make the jump to 5.0 when it is ready, anticipate a couple months? Who knows.
Thanks, much appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will try to help with a few of these questions, but others I am not familiar with very much. On that note DO NOT update your bootloader!!! It will be locked down further and Loki will NOT WORK. And you could NOT flash any kernels with safestrap. So with safestrap ONLY the stock kernel can be used. Now on to your questions...
1) I am using TWRP 8.1 if I remember correctly. You can find it in the Original Android Development section. It does NOT Auto Loki, so keep the loki-doki flashable zip on your sdcard OR use Roms that already have/use the boot.Loki kernels like ShoStock-i 8.1
2) Modem flashing will NOT lock anything up further as far as the bootloader. You can flash ANY or ALL of them from my modem thread. See which works BEST FOR YOU in YOUR AREA. I am in So Cal and the best for me has been either MDL. But I have and do test ALL of them. You can always flash back to whichever one works best for you.
3.) Like I said I use ShoStock-i 8.1 because it has and does EVERYTHING I need my phone to do and does it without any issues. I have NOT tried to use a Safestrap modified ROM so I have very little experience with that. Normally most devs will have two separate versions, one for safestrap compatible and one for us without safestrap. ShoStock-i is already built with Loki in the kernel so you do not NEED to flash Loki-Doki patch.
4) there are NO Touchwiz 4.4.4 Stock Roms for ATT yet. But I did try out one of the Touchwiz 4.4.4 T-Mobile based Roms and it worked perfectly. You can either get it from the ATT forums and I believe it is already lokified, or get it from the T-Mobile forum and make sure to flash Loki-Doki patch before booting up phone after flashing the ROM. Again the will NOT update your bootloader past your MDL bootloader, so you are good as you are with no worries. By the way on ShoStock-i 8.1 the screen casting to Chromecast works PERFECTLY without having to flash any other .apk's or mess with ANYTHING
This is the exact same boat I'm in. Trying to track down the answers as well. Will keep an eye here as well to watch for answers.
awesome reply thanks RockRatt, that just about covers it. I will maybe give the ShoStock ROM a go and see how I like it. As long as all the normal features are working fine, I should be good.
One last thing I forgot - Odin. I have the stock odin firmware files from when my phone was new (The MDL package). As long as I dont update the bootloader, I should be able to Odin back to the brand new in box state should something go awry or not dig the other ROMs, correct?
Thanks again,
Norcalz71 said:
awesome reply thanks RockRatt, that just about covers it. I will maybe give the ShoStock ROM a go and see how I like it. As long as all the normal features are working fine, I should be good.
One last thing I forgot - Odin. I have the stock odin firmware files from when my phone was new (The MDL package). As long as I dont update the bootloader, I should be able to Odin back to the brand new in box state should something go awry or not dig the other ROMs, correct?
Thanks again,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep. Just don't update the bootloader...So no flashing newer firmware that contains the bootloader files. Most if not all custom Roms do not have the bootloader files in them. So no problem flashing back to MDL stock if the need never arises. I still in fact have the original MDB bootloader installed that came with the phone before the MDL firmware update.
Hey Guys,
today i got a Galaxy s4 black edition and there is a ROM called: Phoenix Rom. So i want to flash back to Stock ROM but im really not sure which one i want to flash on it because i dont want to brick my phone or something. Can i flash this http://www.handy-faq.de/forum/galaxy-s4-i9505xxugng8-kk-4-4-odin-kies-dbt-1t-23-07-2014-t306745/ without any problems?
Phone: GT-I9505
Basisbandversion: I9505XXUGNG8
Buildnumber: KOT49H.I9505XXUGNF1
That ROM will work without a problem. However, that may not have the added wallpapers and sounds the black edition devices have. Is there a reason you're not wanting Android 5.0.1 on your device?
Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
That ROM will work without a problem. However, that may not have the added wallpapers and sounds the black edition devices have. Is there a reason you're not wanting Android 5.0.1 on your device?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your Answer, i flashed that rom and it works perfectly. There is also an OTA update for Lollipop but im not sure to do that because i heard that lollipop has a lot of bugs like battery draining and so on. Im afraid if i upgrade it to lollipop i cannot downgrade it to KK. But do u think i should update?
I'm inclined to believe Samsung patched the battery drain bug, but you'd have to try it and find out. If you end up not liking it, going back down to the earlier version shouldn't be an issue, especially as you already have a Knox-enabled bootloader on your S4. There are tutorials on the forums here that I believe walk you through the process. Take a look at them before doing the OTA update.
Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
I'm inclined to believe Samsung patched the battery drain bug, but you'd have to try it and find out. If you end up not liking it, going back down to the earlier version shouldn't be an issue, especially as you already have a Knox-enabled bootloader on your S4. There are tutorials on the forums here that I believe walk you through the process. Take a look at them before doing the OTA update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is it really that my knox bootloader is enabled or not if i do the OTA update? And how can i see that it is enabled or not? Anyway can i root my phone if im on lollipop with CF auto root trough odin ?
You installed Android 4.4.2. 100% positive you have Knox, as all Samsung firmware from 4.3 on has it. Installing the OTA update will restore the Knox apps. Fortunately, CF-AutoRoot still works so you'll have no issues rooting if you install the update.
Ok thank you for your helpful advises, i will flash a kernel on my s4 to stop this overheating issue.