Database Users

failed to root, now bricked, lost in the sauce

Rooting my Galaxy S4 has been one of the biggest pains in my rear ever and now I'm bricked and need a bit of help.
Normally, when I want to root a phone, I come here, to XDA, and follow a nice well written up-to-date thread on how to do it and it works. For the S4 however, I can't find any such threads that are not either old, out-of-date, or they use so many abbreviations for things I have no clue what they are talking about.
I started out with a totally stock Samsung Galaxy S4, was a VPUAMDL.
I used ODIN to push TWRP tarball. I then used TWRP to install the CWM SuperSU zip file.
I noticed when it started up that I had no root, I had the SuperSU program however, it nor another program I got on the marketplace, could confirm root.
Bit of looking I found this: galaxys4root (DOT) com/galaxy-s4-root/sprint-vpuamdl-firmware-update-root-fix/
(sorry, can't post full links yet)
Which basically informed me that VPUAMDL needs a new kernel to remove the SetUID restrictions.
I downloaded that file, and put it on my SD card. Booted into TWRP and installed. now my phone is bricked. gets to the "Samsung Galaxy S4" startup splash screen on black background
I am looking for a kernel that will work, either the stock kernel or not.
I am also looking for a good tut on rooting the S4, as all the tuts I have used have been utter wasted time.
I have ODIN, and can boot TWRP, ODIN mode, etc on my phone.
have no clue where to go from here and Im afraid to start trying to download random files and get everything mixed and confused.
Thanks for any help at all.

CF Auto Root
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2291827
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda app-developers app

FanOfSkynyrd said:
CF Auto Root
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2291827
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I followed that page, pushed it, installed fine, 100% no errors.
still bricked at GS4 startup splashscreen.
It did finish successfully and I saw the screen with the red android.
It removed TWRP and replaced it with the stock recovery as it should have.
I am actually surprised myself that it is still bricked at the GS4 splash.

Odin stock everything. See if it boots. Then try to root after that.

Stealyourface said:
Odin stock everything. See if it boots. Then try to root after that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am failing to find stock everything to push.
I think I stated that, not sure... hmm
none the less. I do not have a stock kernel or recovery on hand. I can not find one either as there seem to be a plethora of kernels and threads and pages all for different files and downloads. Sifting through trying to find something is becoming harsh. Thus this thread.

You are not bricked if your phone can turn on and go to download mode or recovery.
Sent from my Sprint Galaxy S4 using Tapatalk 2

GiantJay said:
You are not bricked if your phone can turn on and go to download mode or recovery.
Sent from my Sprint Galaxy S4 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well then its whatever you want to call it when it wont boot the operating system and is totally un-usable as a phone or mobile device.

I would go HERE
That is the thread for stock MDL stuff.
Download and flash the kernel and full wipe rom for MDL.
Then upgrade to MF9.

+2 ^^^^ to what he said :edit:
Nice tut on rooting the s4 thanks to mudavo here http://forum.xda-developers.com/sho...to Full Stock [MF9] w/ Root & Custom Recovery
There is also a video tutorial stickied in android devolpment
Sent from myself SPH-L720 using xda app-developers

Thanks guys, going to try some of the stuff from there. Hope i get it going. Need mah phone back! lol

Wooo, those links where just what I needed. Thanks a lot.
Got my phone back on and now I have a stock file in case I muck things up again.

Just make a nand back up and restore when something bad happens ive mucked up alot and it has always saved me
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda app-developers app while smoking

[Q] Safestrap TWRP Galaxy S4 MF3

I just have a few concerns after "rooting" my MF3 S4. I want to run CM.10 nightly rom, and the only way I can install the CM.10 rom is by the Safestrap TWRP method as a "temporary solution" for locked bootloader because of the OTA update to MF3. Backing up a "Rooted Stocked Rom" right after I flash the "custom recovery" (I know it's not really a real custom recovery), will I be able to "Clean Install" CM10 by wiping everything before installing CM.10? Will the backup be reliable source to recover in the Safestrap TRWP "recovery"??? Thanks for reading and thanks for any help to my question and even possible success stories in advance.

franchize1989 said:
I just have a few concerns after "rooting" my MF3 S4. I want to run CM.10 nightly rom, and the only way I can install the CM.10 rom is by the Safestrap TWRP method as a "temporary solution" for locked bootloader because of the OTA update to MF3. Backing up a "Rooted Stocked Rom" right after I flash the "custom recovery" (I know it's not really a real custom recovery), will I be able to "Clean Install" CM10 by wiping everything before installing CM.10? Will the backup be reliable source to recover in the Safestrap TRWP "recovery"??? Thanks for reading and thanks for any help to my question and even possible success stories in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can't use cm roms, only tw based roms in safestrap.

thanks for the help. is there any Roms similar to CM.10 that will work? and is a back up of the "root stock ROM" reliable to flash if there are any issues?
Sent from my BN NookHD+ using xda app-developers app

Closest you can get that I know of is the gpe 4.2.2 rom.
Sent from the other side of the Milky Way with my S4.

My MF3 S4's recovery is gone. I rooted then tried installing the TWRP Recovery through Goomanager. The phone works, but I can't factory reset it in anyway possible. Is there a way to fix my recovery image when its fine because of Loki? or, is there a way to install the twrp recovery through Goomanager? maybe keep on trying? any experience?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app

franchize1989 said:
My MF3 S4's recovery is gone. I rooted then tried installing the TWRP Recovery through Goomanager. The phone works, but I can't factory reset it in anyway possible. Is there a way to fix my recovery image when its fine because of Loki? or, is there a way to install the twrp recovery through Goomanager? maybe keep on trying? any experience?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a guy that said he took the stock images from his buddies MF3 phone and used ADB to push the image back on his MF3 phone.the thread is in the forum.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

franchize1989 said:
My MF3 S4's recovery is gone. I rooted then tried installing the TWRP Recovery through Goomanager. The phone works, but I can't factory reset it in anyway possible. Is there a way to fix my recovery image when its fine because of Loki? or, is there a way to install the twrp recovery through Goomanager? maybe keep on trying? any experience?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Took mine up to best buy. If your phone says custom status on it use my guide to fix it and you'll be good to go. All they really do is hook up your phone put it in dfu mode and flash the mf3 firmware back to stock takes only like 5-10 mins
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app

[email protected] said:
Took mine up to best buy. If your phone says custom status on it use my guide to fix it and you'll be good to go. All they really do is hook up your phone put it in dfu mode and flash the mf3 firmware back to stock takes only like 5-10 mins
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because I didn't set my phone in "download (Odin)" mode, that's why when the worker connected the phone to the Samsung Tool it read "my device is not supported."? Before the worker connects my phone to Samsung Tool, put my phone in "download" mode?
I've went to best buy Samsung to try to reflash, but somehow my "device is not supported" when they connected my phone.

franchize1989 said:
Because I didn't set my phone in "download (Odin)" mode, that's why when the worker connected the phone to the Samsung Tool it read "my device is not supported."? Before the worker connects my phone to Samsung Tool, put my phone in "download" mode?
I've went to best buy Samsung to try to reflash, but somehow my "device is not supported" when they connected my phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They can manually select your device from the list. It said my device is not supported but the girl at best buy selected the phone att sgh-i337 and than put it in download mode and ran the flash and it was up and running in 10 mins
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app

[email protected] said:
They can manually select your device from the list. It said my device is not supported but the girl at best buy selected the phone att sgh-i337 and than put it in download mode and ran the flash and it was up and running in 10 mins
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for the help. I'll try this out tomorrow and report back on this thread with my result. I just didn't want to tell the worker how to do his job, but I'll be more direct when I try again with the information I have gathered since last time. thanks.

[Q] S4 SGH-1337 Flushed Wrong Rom

Hi Everyone:
I was new to Android, not very new but I did a stupid thing.
My device is SGH-1337 but I use TWRP to install a custom ROM for I9500....now I can still access to TWRP manul and Downloading page (? press volume down and power, then volume up). But once I reboot to system it would stuck at "Galaxy S4" log.
Then I tried google something (that time I still confuse with 1337 and 9500), then I tried few time Odin, but all with 9500 tar files and all result in "Fail".
I didn't backup my system...so now what should I do? Should I download a ROM for Att then flush with TWRP?
Many thanks.

How old is your phone? If you have twrp installed then its older than mine that came with mf3 firmware locked in.one idea is to download a new rom..for the right phone and copy and paste to an micro sd card..turn the phone off and insert card....reboot back to twrp.find the zip on yhe card and install.just 1 idea...
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

jasas212 said:
How old is your phone? If you have twrp installed then its older than mine that came with mf3 firmware locked in.one idea is to download a new rom..for the right phone and copy and paste to an micro sd card..turn the phone off and insert card....reboot back to twrp.find the zip on yhe card and install.just 1 idea...
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I brought it when it released, early this year.
Thanks for your hint, let me give it try tonight.

Let me know if that works good luck
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

jasas212 said:
Let me know if that works good luck
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I flashed http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2370121
but...after reboot it says "system software not authoorized by AT&T has been found on your phone."

WWWXXX2 said:
I flashed http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2370121
but...after reboot it says "system software not authoorized by AT&T has been found on your phone."
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have to flash the loki patch after flashing a ROM. Use the search, i'm not sure what section it's in.

DeadlySin9 said:
You have to flash the loki patch after flashing a ROM. Use the search, i'm not sure what section it's in.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I was seraching it
Once I update the loki and kernal I can boot to the system..
But once I restart it would stuck at "Samsung" logo......
I tried again in following order:
Install the Rom from TWRP
"not ATT authorized software"
install new kernal
install loki

WWWXXX2 said:
Yes, I was seraching it
Once I update the loki and kernal I can boot to the system..
But once I restart it would stuck at "Samsung" logo......
I tried again in following order:
Install the Rom from TWRP
"not ATT authorized software"
install new kernal
install loki
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The TWRP got some issues, it asks about passwork which I don't know
Then it always cannot mount system once restart....

If you are stuck on the white "SAMSUNG" screen with the padlock after flashing a rom, then your issue is caused by TWRP. Flash another recovery like CWM.

Nurmi_CEO said:
If you are stuck on the white "SAMSUNG" screen with the padlock after flashing a rom, then your issue is caused by TWRP. Flash another recovery like CWM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now I am really desperate....
I install CWM from TWRP, and now I cannot boot to recovery, it would stuck at "SAMSUNG" screen with some blue line on left top conner.
Then I tried to use Odin to flush another CWM into it, then Odin said "FAILED" and phone said "SECURE CHECK FAIL"....
I did a lot of search these two days, but none of their thread is helpful....
Any help and idea would be very welcome
Thanks

Can't get Safestrap!?

So I recently had my phone die (SGS4 32GB Black mist with old BL) and had to get a replacement from AT&T. Of course the new one came with it completely updated as far as it can be to 4.4.2. I read through the info on how to do safestrap since I hadn't had to deal with it before on my other phone. Was able to downgrade it to MK2, root it, and install safestrap. Then ended up updating back up to NB1 then to NC1. Well being the flash junky I was, wasn't content with that so I tried Safestrap Golden Eye. Had issues, wiped the phone and tried to start things over. Now, no matter what I do I cant get back down to MK2 because it will never boot past the ATT sphere and the boot up sound. It just stays at that screen. SO I go back to NB1 and it boots. I can't get safestrap to install on NB1 or NC1 no matter what I do. I also cant write to my external MicroSD card. This phone is going to slam against some concrete very soon, I'm really getting annoyed. Anyone have some info on what I should try??. Here is a screen shot of what's on my phone right now.

Re: Can't get Safestrap
Check out http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2783335 (especially page 3)
This is the thread I followed to at least get rooted but it also has instructions on how to set up safestrap. The downgrade method is no longer necessary with towelroot. Just head over to http://towelroot.com/ and click the lambda to download towelroot and make it ra1n.
To get safestrap, download https://mega.co.nz/#!61hyXCgS!hxerBG...mscEBlsP0VlaWM (Thanks to @Maribou)
Install supersu (included in that zip), install SELinux, set it to permissive, and then install safestrap. All of these are included in that zip along with the kernel modules. Now if you reboot, you should have SafeStrap.
Hope that works for you.

I already have all that. I'm also already rooted. When I go to install safestrap it says installed but says Safe System not active.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

highaltitude said:
I already have all that. I'm also already rooted. When I go to install safestrap it says installed but says Safe System not active.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure SELinux is permissive? It says Enforcing in that screenshot, don't know if that was before you did it or if you missed that. The issue of it not going past the boot animation when you downgrade makes it sound like it didn't flash the MK2 kernel, but I'm not sure how or why that would occur.

DeadlySin9 said:
Sure SELinux is permissive? It says Enforcing in that screenshot, don't know if that was before you did it or if you missed that. The issue of it not going past the boot animation when you downgrade makes it sound like it didn't flash the MK2 kernel, but I'm not sure how or why that would occur.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
According to SELinux it says "permissive" Not sure if it was on at the time of the screenshot, but I have tried it quite a few times. The phone is rooted, but the safestrap never says active.
Where do I get the Mk2 kernel by itself?

highaltitude said:
According to SELinux it says "permissive" Not sure if it was on at the time of the screenshot, but I have tried it quite a few times. The phone is rooted, but the safestrap never says active.
Where do I get the Mk2 kernel by itself?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's one of the files included in the MK2 downgrade package, but I think in the MK2 ODIN thread you can also get just the kernel.

Got it all working finally, thanks for the help guys.
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[Q] Safestrap Failure

I followed the video exactly and when I get to the point of the first Restore (around 9:00), it says "Restore Complete - Failed". There is a button to Reboot System. When I tap that, the phone won't turn on. I have to pull the battery to get it back on. I guess I'll be uninstalling Safestrap. If I "Uninstall Recovery" from the stock ROM slot, will the space be freed up again and the phone be returned to the same state as before I tried using Safestrap?

Its a known issue with safestrap currently. Check out the safestrap thread in development and read through the posts to get all the answers. But yes... Once you uninstall the recovery your storage space will show accurately again.
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