Database Users

DI18 - EC05 Update - Stock App Restore Procedure for Rooted Phones

So I received the OTA Update for my Samsung EPIC 4G stock build Eclair DI18.
Unfortunately it did not install due to missing packages.
I was rooted.
I was not running any custom roms,
I did use the SDX Stock App Remover to remove "nascar",
I have seen other people having problems because they are missing the "Asphalt Demo" apk.
Unfortunately if you remove Nascar or Asphalt you will get that error message when you try to install the OTA EC05 update, as well as if you try the manual method of upgrading by copying the update.zip. This happens because the installer is trying to verify packages for the upgrade (which you no longer have).
I went nuts considering all the different methods I could take to apply this update. I wanted the quickest and easiest method, and one that would leave my data intact.
So if this matches your situation, you don't have to reflash back to stock DI18 to recover a couple of missing stock apps and you don't need Odin or the 255 mb tar ROM that's out there (SPH-D700-DI18-8Gb-REL.tar.md5) etc. with this method.
So here is the method I used to restore my Stock Sprint apps so I could get the installer to run.
Before you start, make sure you know which packages you need to restore back to your /system/app folder. (unfortunately, their is no way of knowing which package(s) you're missing if you don't remember what you removed. You could cross reference what you have with someone who has all the stock apps OR the easiest way is to try to apply the update and write down or remember which apk it is complaining about. Chances are you already know which APK you're missing and that's why you're here. If you removed multiple stock apps, then you might have already guessed that you are going to have to restore each apk one by one, and so you may need to go through this process more than once to discover exactly which apk files are missing.)
These instructions also assume that you've already copied the DI18-EC05 update.zip file found in this thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1005593 to your sdcard.
Download the stock Sprint apk packages from:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=987777
The file you are looking for that is linked from that thread is:
http://www.nubecoder.com/files/andro...store_EB13.zip (Even though these are EB13 app's it doesn't matter that you're on DI18, we just need the file to be there so we can trick the installer into running.)
Unzip this file and copy the apk's you need to your sdcard by first mounting your android phone in mass storage mode (usb debugging disabled). After you have copied the apk's to your sdcard, you will need to remount your system folder and copy the apks to that /system/apps location for the update installer to recognize it (simply installing the app to your phone won't cut it).
To continue you will need the Samsung drivers ( I am not providing links because this can be found anywhere on the web. My particular Samsung driver archive is called "usb_drivers_GalaxyS_x64.zip" (reboot your system after installing if necessary).
You will also need the "one click root" zip archive (or any other package that can give you access to the adb shell.) I used the adb shell from the "epic aio one click root" file archive "epic.aio.v1.13.zip".
Enable USB Debugging mode in your phone, and then plug your phone into usb.
Follow the instructions below to remount your /system partition as rw so that you can copy back (to /system/app) the missing apk packages that you've already copied to your sdcard.
Navigate to the location where your adb executable is installed:
1. cd C:\android-sdk-windows\tools> adb shell
2. $ su
3. # mount -o rw,remount -t yaffs2 /dev/block/mtdblock3 /system
4. # cd /system/app
5. # ls (make sure it is mounted)
6. # cd /sdcard
7. # ls *.apk (show the apk package filenames)
8. # cp "apkfilename" /system/app (copy from current working directory [/sdcard] to /system/apps)
On step 8, replace "apkfilename" with apk's you want to copy. Repeat process as many times as necessary to copy back all the default apk's that you removed.
Taken partially from http://androidforums.com/2079717-post6.html
After you have copied all of your stock apk's back, simply unplug your phone, and reboot. Once you have rebooted press and hold volume down, power and camera buttons until the recovery menu pops back up, then simply select install update.zip
This time the installer will not error out on missing packages.
If you want to root your phone after installing the EC05 Stock Update:
http://forum.androidcentral.com/epi...optional-ext4-new-updated-2-a.html#post760733

For those who only need the stock epic asphalt demo here it is.
(Note to mods, this is a 5 minute demo only, not a full game. As such I believe it is ok to post.)

I was looking inside the run.bat file and I used a run.bat file that did not remove asphalt5.apk and freeHDGamesDemo.apk.
Now I don't know if you need the freeHDGamesDemo.apk or where to find it.
I was going to reinstall the asphalt5.apk, but do I erase the /sdcard/gameloft/ folder and if I do will it be recreated again or should I leave it in?

You can get rid of the gameloft folder on sdcard, thats where it puts the file it downloads when you launch the asphalt demo and it prompts to download. Be careful though, if you have other gameloft games they will also use that folder.
I'm not sure on the free hd demo file, if the ota complains about it we should be able to pull it from the eb13 tar file. If it's not posted by time the ota rolls out I'll add it here for ease.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

rocket321 said:
You can get rid of the gameloft folder on sdcard, thats where it puts the file it downloads when you launch the asphalt demo and it prompts to download. Be careful though, if you have other gameloft games they will also use that folder.
I'm not sure on the free hd demo file, if the ota complains about it we should be able to pull it from the eb13 tar file. If it's not posted by time the ota rolls out I'll add it here for ease.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I am not a big game player so the little asphalt5 demo is about all I need - I never even opened the freeHDDemo file so I don't know what it does, I was only looking for it incase it stopped you from getting any minor updates via OTA's.
I didn't think the Odin EC05 no data loss upgrade version would remove those two apps on Androidcentral.

i did everything but when i went to the system menu to intall the update.zip i dont have that file...
where do i get it from?

Joph said:
i did everything but when i went to the system menu to intall the update.zip i dont have that file...
where do i get it from?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check this thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1005593

Problems flashing recovery image

Greetings;
I am having trouble getting a recovery image flashed. I am unable to remove the install-recovery.sh from /system/etc
I have searched far and wide and did everything I saw as solutions and that worked for other people to no avail.
More information:
- I have root
- I am primarily using ADB shell
- I have remounted /system with RW (no longer getting the 'read-only filesystem' error)
- I tried to remove it, rename it but it says operation not permitted.
- I tried to chmod 777 it, but I got the same error of operation not permitted
- I have done these under root and the root user owns the install-recovery.sh file.
Thank you in advance.

MF3
reikokuko said:
Greetings;
I am having trouble getting a recovery image flashed. I am unable to remove the install-recovery.sh from /system/etc
I have searched far and wide and did everything I saw as solutions and that worked for other people to no avail.
More information:
- I have root
- I am primarily using ADB shell
- I have remounted /system with RW (no longer getting the 'read-only filesystem' error)
- I tried to remove it, rename it but it says operation not permitted.
- I tried to chmod 777 it, but I got the same error of operation not permitted
- I have done these under root and the root user owns the install-recovery.sh file.
Thank you in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In about phone, your Baseband version is?

It is the MF3 baseband. I was using a Loki'd image but it kept on failing.

reikokuko said:
It is the MF3 baseband. I was using a Loki'd image but it kept on failing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have MF3 sadly at the moment you can not install a custom recovery.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Forum Runner

Stop before you brick your phone. There is no way to install a custom recovery to MF3.if you did read as you claim, you would know this information.
I know I am coming off in a harsh manner, but I am sure you would rather have me being mean about it than have a $650 paperweight.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

I did read, and there is supposedly a workaround to getting one installed, bypassing the locked bootloader. I am trying to use the loki flasher with a loki'd image.

reikokuko said:
I did read, and there is supposedly a workaround to getting one installed, bypassing the locked bootloader. I am trying to use the loki flasher with a loki'd image.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The work around is not for the mf3 firmware. It works on the previous versions of the firmware but not mf3. You're going to brick your phone if you keep trying.

I am having a hard time flashing a recovery image as well
This is the method i used to root my phone
New Root Method for AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 (OTA FM3)
Credits:
***Exploit adapted for AT&T by Jortex***
***Original Guide by Open1Your1Eyes0 for Verizon Galaxy S 4***
***Original Exploit by DooMLoRD***
HOWTO:
1. Format the micro SD card to exFAT (FAT32 or other formats does not work) using Windows. I haven't tried Linux or MacOS X, so they may not work.
2. Download the attached file (Root_for_ATTSG4_FM3.rar) and extract it into the root of your EXTERNAL microSD card. (You can do the extraction using WinRAR or 7-zip).
3. Download a Terminal Emulator app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=jackpal.androidterm
4. Open the Terminal Emulator app and run below 3 commands:
cd /mnt/extSdCard
./pwn
./script.sh
5. Then, open SuperSU and check everything looks good.
6. Then open a root app and it should be working properly.
7. Reboot your device once to confirm root is still working after reboot.
8. Come back to the post and press the THANKS button
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2387577
Notes:
* Remove any SuperSU apps from your phone before following the above steps. script.sh installs it automatically.
* You can use adb shell instead of a terminal app which is more convenient but requires Android SDK. Follow these steps only if you are about to use adb:
- Download and install all Samsung Galaxy S 4 drivers from http://www.samsung.com/us/support/owners/product/SGH-I337ZWAATT .
- Activate Developer options -> USB Debugging mode. To have the phone show the Developer options, go to Settings -> More -> About device. Tap on "Build number" 6 times.
* You have to use an external SD card. No other alternative have been found yet. Using the device storage, i.e. /mnt/sdcard, or /data/local/tmp, DOES NOT work.
* Warning (suggested by rushi.1986): "We have root for MF3 but we neither have a working recovery, nor an ODIN back to stock package. Be very careful what you do with your root. At this point, there is no way to recover even from a soft brick. (unless you know exactly what caused the soft brick and can correct it using adb)"
* For those who do not know how to format an SD card on Windows (thanks to jee'sgalaxy):
1. Insert micro SD into the computer (may have to use a reader or a micro SD adapter).
2. Go to "My Computer".
3. Right click on your SD card that showed up.
4. Click Format.
5. Choose exFAT as the format.
6. Click "OK".

camarodemon said:
This is the method i used to root my phone
New Root Method for AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 (OTA FM3)
Credits:
***Exploit adapted for AT&T by Jortex***
***Original Guide by Open1Your1Eyes0 for Verizon Galaxy S 4***
***Original Exploit by DooMLoRD***
HOWTO:
1. Format the micro SD card to exFAT (FAT32 or other formats does not work) using Windows. I haven't tried Linux or MacOS X, so they may not work.
2. Download the attached file (Root_for_ATTSG4_FM3.rar) and extract it into the root of your EXTERNAL microSD card. (You can do the extraction using WinRAR or 7-zip).
3. Download a Terminal Emulator app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=jackpal.androidterm
4. Open the Terminal Emulator app and run below 3 commands:
cd /mnt/extSdCard
./pwn
./script.sh
5. Then, open SuperSU and check everything looks good.
6. Then open a root app and it should be working properly.
7. Reboot your device once to confirm root is still working after reboot.
8. Come back to the post and press the THANKS button
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2387577
Notes:
* Remove any SuperSU apps from your phone before following the above steps. script.sh installs it automatically.
* You can use adb shell instead of a terminal app which is more convenient but requires Android SDK. Follow these steps only if you are about to use adb:
- Download and install all Samsung Galaxy S 4 drivers from http://www.samsung.com/us/support/owners/product/SGH-I337ZWAATT .
- Activate Developer options -> USB Debugging mode. To have the phone show the Developer options, go to Settings -> More -> About device. Tap on "Build number" 6 times.
* You have to use an external SD card. No other alternative have been found yet. Using the device storage, i.e. /mnt/sdcard, or /data/local/tmp, DOES NOT work.
* Warning (suggested by rushi.1986): "We have root for MF3 but we neither have a working recovery, nor an ODIN back to stock package. Be very careful what you do with your root. At this point, there is no way to recover even from a soft brick. (unless you know exactly what caused the soft brick and can correct it using adb)"
* For those who do not know how to format an SD card on Windows (thanks to jee'sgalaxy):
1. Insert micro SD into the computer (may have to use a reader or a micro SD adapter).
2. Go to "My Computer".
3. Right click on your SD card that showed up.
4. Click Format.
5. Choose exFAT as the format.
6. Click "OK".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have no idea why posted that whole thing from the mf3 root thread...the guys already has root...he just didn't read that mf3 blocked recovery
Sent from my SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 4

install twrp recovery from device .is it possible? i dont have a windows pc.

can anyone advise? i want to install a custom rom and root my tf300t
i have unlocked it but now i need to install the mod twrp but apparently i need a pc. is there another way? via .apk file or something...
i then need to put my rom and gapps file on sd card, reboot to recovery and install the zip files right? and i am done????

wakkaday said:
can anyone advise? i want to install a custom rom and root my tf300t
i have unlocked it but now i need to install the mod twrp but apparently i need a pc. is there another way? via .apk file or something...
i then need to put my rom and gapps file on sd card, reboot to recovery and install the zip files right? and i am done????
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you can do that, all you need is a "terminal emulator" app, there are plenty available just search for them. Depending on the custom ROM some already provide updated gapps so be sure to use the right one and not just the one given in tools like goomanager.
I would recommend the following.
1. Backup your apps + data using Titanium Backup
2. Boot into recovery and create a backup of your system
3. Wipe cache/davlik/data + system
4. be aware of the right "flashing order" FIRST the ROM file, then add more zips and choose gapps
5. enjoy your custom ROM

frankgreimes said:
Yes you can do that, all you need is a "terminal emulator" app, there are plenty available just search for them. Depending on the custom ROM some already provide updated gapps so be sure to use the right one and not just the one given in tools like goomanager.
I would recommend the following.
1. Backup your apps + data using Titanium Backup
2. Boot into recovery and create a backup of your system
3. Wipe cache/davlik/data + system
4. be aware of the right "flashing order" FIRST the ROM file, then add more zips and choose gapps
5. enjoy your custom ROM
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Something tells me he hasnt rooted yet. If im not mistaken, he can't use a terminal app with the dd command if he isnt rooted. I know you can root using adb though with debugging enabled but im not sure he can root without a pc.
Here is a good place for him to start :
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2228613
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda app-developers app

pyraxiate said:
Something tells me he hasnt rooted yet. If im not mistaken, he can't use a terminal app with the dd command if he isnt rooted. I know you can root using adb though with debugging enabled but im not sure he can root without a pc.
Here is a good place for him to start :
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2228613
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the correction, assumed he's already rooted sorry.

Prevent Sprint LG G4 [And Probably Others] From Upgrading to 6.0

If you are like me, you own an LG G4 with a bootloader that cannot be unlocked. This, at least for the moment, means that we cannot have both Android 6.0 Marshmallow and our beloved root access. We must choose one or the other. I assume that if you are reading this, that you have chosen root over marshmallow. If you did choose to stay rooted on 5.1, then I am sure you are being harassed to update. Well, I believe that I have your solution.
First, I must explain what this guide will do and what you will need.
What we're doing.
1. We will delete the update.zip.
2. We will make a dummy update.zip that will not be replaceable or modifiable, even by the root user. This fake update file will prevent a legitimate update from downloading and installing.
3. [OPTIONAL] We will remove the annoying update notification.
What is needed.
1. Root. [duh...]
2. File explorer with root privileges a.k.a. a "root explorer". (If you need one, I personally recommend the free yet feature packed ES File Explorer.)
3. A proper Busybox installation.
4. A terminal emulator.
5. A few minutes of your time.
***AS ALWAYS, I, XDA, XDA MODERATORS, XDA MEMBERS, OR ANYONE ELSE IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONSEQUENCES OF FOLLOWING THIS GUIDE. THE DEVICE YOU HOLD IS YOURS AND ANYTHING THAT HAPPENS TO IT IS YOUR FAULT. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!***
The procedure.
-Part 1.
1. Open your root explorer and make sure that it has root privileges.
2. Navigate to /cache
3. If you have a file called update.zip then delete it, if not, then just move on to part 2.
-Part 2.
4. Make a new .zip file with nothing in it and save it as update.zip (make sure it is saved to "/cache" and nowhere else, not even in a folder inside "/cache"!)
5. From here move on to your terminal emulator.
6. Once inside the terminal emulator, type the following commands.
Code:
su
cd /cache
ls
chattr +i update.zip
From here I recommend that you check that it worked by typing in
Code:
lsattr update.zip
If the command works you will see a lowercase 'i' amongst a string of letters and dashes.
-Part 3. [Optional] (I don't recommend doing this, but the harm is non-existent as far as I can tell.)
The annoying update notifications are actually Google Play Services fault. All you have to do is go to "Settings > Apps > All" and find Google play services and disable the apps ability to show you notifications.
Thats pretty much it. Now I must tell you that you will still receive notifications saying an update was downloaded, verified, and is ready to install, assuming that you did not go through with part 3. All you have to do is click the install button, and let it restart to install the bogus update. The update process will error and all you have to do now is pull and reinsert the battery and power on the phone. I have been doing this myself for a few weeks now and have not had a single issue. This also includes 4 times that it has failed to install the update from within recovery.
I hope that you find this useful and happy modding!

Reserved

Reserved.

Working root method for 5.1.1 (.264) and maybe .232

After asking some people to try this method on their phones, it turned out that you can root your xperia z2 using the latest kingroot apk (v4.8)
Tested on xperia z2 and z3 compact
The steps are really simple
Download kingroot from here http://www.kingroot.net/wap
Install the apk and open it
Try to root
If successful then congratulations
***if it fails at a certain point,,, try to use a vpn then try again***
To have better root access, install SuperSU using this method (source: w0lfdroid)
Download and install Terminal emulator app here
Download and unzip "Replace_Kingroot_With_SuperSU.zip" file here
Send the extracted folder "mrw" to the internal storage of your device and make sure that this folder contains 4 files
Open Terminal emulator and type :
su
Allow root permission
Type: sh /sdcard/mrw/root.sh
It might display some error, at the end it will launch supersu or open supersu manually.
Update su binary normal, then reboot.
I would really appreciate it if more people try this method and share the result in the comments
Thanks

kingsasha said:
After asking some people to try this method on their phones, it turned out that you can root your xperia z2 using the latest kingroot apk (v4.8)
Tested on xperia z2 and z3 compact
The steps are really simple
Download kingroot from here http://www.kingroot.net/wap
Install the apk and open it
Try to root
If successful then congratulations
***if it fails at a certain point,,, try to use a vpn then try again***
To have better root access, install SuperSU using this method (source: w0lfdroid)
Download and install Terminal emulator app here
Download and unzip "Replace_Kingroot_With_SuperSU.zip" file here
Send the extracted folder "mrw" to the internal storage of your device and make sure that this folder contains 4 files
Open Terminal emulator and type :
su
Allow root permission
Type: sh /sdcard/mrw/root.sh
It might display some error, at the end it will launch supersu or open supersu manually.
Update su binary normal, then reboot.
I would really appreciate it if more people try this method and share the result in the comments
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looks good, but better to go with installing super su trough recovery after king root. I got a bootloop while I was trying to install super su after Kingroot. And anyway, you'll need recovery for flashing, why root without TWRP. Kingroot roots. 264 in v4.6 w/o any issues.

5ageman said:
Looks good, but better to go with installing super su trough recovery after king root. I got a bootloop while I was trying to install super su after Kingroot. And anyway, you'll need recovery for flashing, why root without TWRP. Kingroot roots. 264 in v4.6 w/o any issues.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok thanks for your feedback
I never got a bootloop replacing kingroot...strange

Yes it works I was able to install existenz without connecting my phone to PC.

simplest method to get root with supersu:
1. download kingroot apk, put on internal storage
2. download (or create your own) prerooted zip, (or a ROM with supersu) put on internal sd card
3. download dual recovery to PC and unzip
4. make sure you have developer options and usb debugging enabled
5. make sure you have unknown sources enabled under settings/security
6. install kingroot apk and run it. It will say not exploit found or somesuch but you can continue from there and it will eventuall succeed
7. once you have root with kingroot connect the phone to your pc, make sure you authorize the usb debugging and run the batch file in the unzipped dual recovery
8. choose "phone rooted with supersu" and grant root access with kingroot when it pops up
9. let the dual recovery install and eventually it will reboot to twrp
10. not sure if it is necessary but I did a full wipe; data,cache, dalvik and system
11. install the the prerooted zip with twrp
12 reboot to a rooted phone with supersu