Help on buying modifiable At&t SGS 4 - AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshootin

Im Looking to buy an At&t SGS 4 On Popular bid Site and the listing says its an MDL software stock Version. I can provide the item number if Xda allows it. Just need to know if Its ok for root and Loki and stuff.

If it's mdl you're good to go to root it, put a custom recovery on it and flash roms with Loki.

Like jd said, you should be good. I do suggest you read ALL of the information available about it in these forums before you buy it, so you don't end up being one of the people that didn't read and now need run back here to have people fix it for you. You definitely don't want to be one of those people. There are already way too many of them. So read up, learn, plan, buy, modify, and enjoy.

I second what Scott says because it's going to want to update itself the minute you get it and if it does you'll be sorry. If it was me the first thing I'd do is put a custom recovery on it and a custom Rom to keep it from updating. Read all about that before you even turn it on. Also, look for how to keep it from updating. There are files you can freeze.

Related

Getting a tab soon, looking for info.

So i jumped on the deal on sellout.woot today, and i'll be getting a verizon galaxy tab, hopefully next week, and wanted to get a few things together and start reading up.
I'll probably look at just updating it out of the box and playing around with the stock firmware, but i know i'll probably want to stick some kind of custom firmware on it. So are there any recommendations on a good custom firmware? I'd like one that enable the ability to connect to ad-hoc networks (which the few in the development section i saw did not seem to mention). Should any rom for the VZW tab work? or are there different versions of this tab that i need to be aware of?
As far as flashing goes, what is hiemdal and odin? do they do basically the same thing? what about the clockwork mod, what exactly does that do? I've done a bit of rooting of devices before, but nothing major, so are there good tutorials or guides that explain a bit more about flashing custom roms? I'd like to not have a paperweight when all is said and done.
Any info you can provide or link me to is greatly appreciated.
dav3yb said:
So i jumped on the deal on sellout.woot today, and i'll be getting a verizon galaxy tab, hopefully next week, and wanted to get a few things together and start reading up.
I'll probably look at just updating it out of the box and playing around with the stock firmware, but i know i'll probably want to stick some kind of custom firmware on it. So are there any recommendations on a good custom firmware? I'd like one that enable the ability to connect to ad-hoc networks (which the few in the development section i saw did not seem to mention). Should any rom for the VZW tab work? or are there different versions of this tab that i need to be aware of?
As far as flashing goes, what is hiemdal and odin? do they do basically the same thing? what about the clockwork mod, what exactly does that do? I've done a bit of rooting of devices before, but nothing major, so are there good tutorials or guides that explain a bit more about flashing custom roms? I'd like to not have a paperweight when all is said and done.
Any info you can provide or link me to is greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are not very many custom ROMs that have been developed for the Verizon Tab. Galaxy Cubed seems to be a good one. The same Dev created a stock rooted gingerbread ROM so you may want to start with that one. Some of the Sprint ROMs also work. The Sprint and Verizon are both CDMA and very similar. NEVER flash a GSM ROM to this device!
Odin and Heimdall both have the capability to flash ROMs to Samsung devices. Odin is leaked Samsung software and Heimdall is newly written software based on Odin code. I recommend you use Heimdall version 1.1.1, it is free and easy to use. Just do a google search and you will find their website.
Clockworkmod is a custom recovery that does what the stock recovery does only more. It adds the ability to flash various mods to the ROM from recovery and to do backups. But once it's installed you can only get to it by software on your system. If you try to get to it by booting, you get into the stock recovery.
Just be careful when flashing things to your Tab, it is easy to bork it up. There are a lot of tutorials here on XDA, so read them carefully.
I jumped on the same deal! Got a question too, if you don't mind the piggyback...
I chose the Verizon model and I'm interested in using a bluetooth keyboard... I understand that upon release not all keyboards would work but that Verizon put out an update and now all do work.
How do I know other than trial and error if this unit has been upgraded?
My plan is to root and go with a basic gingerbread upgrade and then pretty much leave it be. But if this is a Verizon specific update I'm wondering if I don't need to do a one month data deal in order to get the upgrade.
Any help is appreciated!
rouxdy said:
I jumped on the same deal! Got a question too, if you don't mind the piggyback...
I chose the Verizon model and I'm interested in using a bluetooth keyboard... I understand that upon release not all keyboards would work but that Verizon put out an update and now all do work.
How do I know other than trial and error if this unit has been upgraded?
My plan is to root and go with a basic gingerbread upgrade and then pretty much leave it be. But if this is a Verizon specific update I'm wondering if I don't need to do a one month data deal in order to get the upgrade.
Any help is appreciated!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you install the stock vanilla rooted ROM by dsb9938 you will have the latest Verizon upgrade, only rooted. Look on settings, about device, and the latest says EI04. Even if your unit comes with the latest ROM, you may want to flash the rooted vanilla since that is the easiest way to get rooted. Most of the other methods fail or are very difficult to implement on EI04.
No need to subscribe to data unless you want to. I personally like having data everywhere.
Lagfix ASAP
Sent from my HTC Desire S using xda premium
leapinlar said:
If you install the stock vanilla rooted ROM by dsb9938 you will have the latest Verizon upgrade, only rooted. Look on settings, about device, and the latest says EI04. Even if your unit comes with the latest ROM, you may want to flash the rooted vanilla since that is the easiest way to get rooted. Most of the other methods fail or are very difficult to implement on EI04.
No need to subscribe to data unless you want to. I personally like having data everywhere.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! That was very helpful!
I have a droid 3 with data and it looks like there are ways to tether the Tab to the droid... I'd only need to send a few files via email a few times a month and even then it's not a necessity so much as it is a convenience.

[Q] First time Tablet/Android buyer.

Hello all,
I just ordered a new Note 10.1 from Costco.com (32 gig) and from reading reviews and such I was thrown into the world of rooting. For my job, we were given iPhones so I've really only had an iPhone and am used to the iOS. Not a fan. Have always wanted to try Android but have never been thrown into it.
Are there any good guides out there to help me better understand rooting, etc.? I understand that you have to unlock it, then flash a custom ROM. What happens when the newer version of that ROM comes out? Do you lose all of your Data? Can any mod be installed on any ROM? I just don't have a good understanding of how or what to do. Granted, I don't even have the tablet yet, however, I don't want to be completely lost when I get it. I do like the idea of rooting, given that you can install powerful apps that are only offered to rooted tablets.
This is my first post here and am hoping for some helpful responses of maybe some threads that I should read to help me understand things better.
Also, where do you find custom ROMS? Is there a certain section you have to go? Or are all the custom ROMS under the ANDROID DEVELOPMENT forum?
Thanks for the help.
Rooting gives you access to the base files of your device. Your device does not need to be "unlocked." That term refers to modifying the device to work with other carriers (i.e. Sprint, ATT, etc) other than the one it was built to work with. Basically, in order to root, you must first install a custom "recovery." CWM (Clockwork Mod Recovery) is probably the best one for our Notes. The recovery files can be downloaded in the development forums. Along with the program (Odin) that you use to get the recovery installed onto your Note. Once you have CWM installed you can then use a couple of different methods to root or install a custom rom that is already rooted (again look for these roms in the development areas of this forum). Make sure that you read and re-read the instructions that each developer lists on their forum until you feel comfortable and then follow the instructions to the letter! Not doing so can result in your Note really getting messed up. I have not rooted my note yet, however I have rooted and installed custom ROMs to several android phones that I have or have had and it can be really worth it to do so. Personally I am waiting for awhile with my Note for some easier and more reliable methods and ROMs to become available. Right now, I have a Samsung Infuse phone with CM10 installed and a Samsung Captivate with Slim Rom-Jellybean on it. I believe that early versions of both of these ROMs are already available for the Note 10.1. Of the two ROMs, I would probably go with CM10 - (Cyanogen Mod) as it seems to be more stable on my phones. Also, when you install a custom ROM on the Note 10.1, there is a binary counter that advances, that lets anyone who would have to work on it (like for warranty service), know that a custom ROM was installed and that would violate your warranty. There is already a modification available (again, in the development section), that resets this counter, so make sure that you research that too! Good Luck!!!
wd4oay said:
Rooting gives you access to the base files of your device. Your device does not need to be "unlocked." That term refers to modifying the device to work with other carriers (i.e. Sprint, ATT, etc) other than the one it was built to work with. Basically, in order to root, you must first install a custom "recovery." CWM (Clockwork Mod Recovery) is probably the best one for our Notes. The recovery files can be downloaded in the development forums. Along with the program (Odin) that you use to get the recovery installed onto your Note. Once you have CWM installed you can then use a couple of different methods to root or install a custom rom that is already rooted (again look for these roms in the development areas of this forum). Make sure that you read and re-read the instructions that each developer lists on their forum until you feel comfortable and then follow the instructions to the letter! Not doing so can result in your Note really getting messed up. I have not rooted my note yet, however I have rooted and installed custom ROMs to several android phones that I have or have had and it can be really worth it to do so. Personally I am waiting for awhile with my Note for some easier and more reliable methods and ROMs to become available. Right now, I have a Samsung Infuse phone with CM10 installed and a Samsung Captivate with Slim Rom-Jellybean on it. I believe that early versions of both of these ROMs are already available for the Note 10.1. Of the two ROMs, I would probably go with CM10 - (Cyanogen Mod) as it seems to be more stable on my phones. Also, when you install a custom ROM on the Note 10.1, there is a binary counter that advances, that lets anyone who would have to work on it (like for warranty service), know that a custom ROM was installed and that would violate your warranty. There is already a modification available (again, in the development section), that resets this counter, so make sure that you research that too! Good Luck!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What are some of the main benefits to rooting then? I would think that if you have rooted a lot of phones you would for sure want your tablet rooted..?? Can you still perform mods to your tablet if it's NOT rooted? I saw someone with a cube on their homescreen with all their apps on it. It was 3D and pretty sweet looking. Will I be able to do stuff like that if I keep it stock.
Another thing, I read that you can't put apps on the expandable storage unless you root it...That is something I would like to do because I plan on putting games on it and such. Seems crappy you can't install some of the bigger apps on your 64 gig sd.
A lot is going to depend on which version of software you get initially on your tablet. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT let your tablet update the software when you first get it. The reason I say this is, if you have the older version of the software there is a very simple way to root your device. It's a simple install of one program and pushing a button. Very very easy.
If you get lucky and you get the older software and then root using the program I'm talking about, the next step is to spend $5 and buy Mobile Odin Pro. You can then download from here the latest software for your device and flash it using Mobile Odin with the ever root option. This will keep root on your new software. This will put you on the latest stock software and keep you rooted.
Custom ROMs can be nice. But I'd get my feet wet with the stock ROM before you start to jump into the Customs. First, stock on the Note 10.1 is pretty damn good. Second, you need to have some familiarity with what you want to be able to choose the right custom ROM to suit your needs. Finally, you'll give yourself some time to learn about your device so that you don't make a fatal mistake flashing, though most can be flashed using Mobile Odin.
Alas, if you get your Note and it turns out to have the latest ROM already, you can pretty much ignore everything I wrote.
just to give you one more thing to think about.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1957002
stock is nice btw
midas69 said:
A lot is going to depend on which version of software you get initially on your tablet. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT let your tablet update the software when you first get it. The reason I say this is, if you have the older version of the software there is a very simple way to root your device. It's a simple install of one program and pushing a button. Very very easy.
If you get lucky and you get the older software and then root using the program I'm talking about, the next step is to spend $5 and buy Mobile Odin Pro. You can then download from here the latest software for your device and flash it using Mobile Odin with the ever root option. This will keep root on your new software. This will put you on the latest stock software and keep you rooted.
Custom ROMs can be nice. But I'd get my feet wet with the stock ROM before you start to jump into the Customs. First, stock on the Note 10.1 is pretty damn good. Second, you need to have some familiarity with what you want to be able to choose the right custom ROM to suit your needs. Finally, you'll give yourself some time to learn about your device so that you don't make a fatal mistake flashing, though most can be flashed using Mobile Odin.
Alas, if you get your Note and it turns out to have the latest ROM already, you can pretty much ignore everything I wrote.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's good to know. Thank you.
jaydubbbbs said:
just to give you one more thing to think about.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1957002
stock is nice btw
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you. I'll check that out. Now, the process that you linked me to, will that give me the latest version ROM (4.2.1?). Another thing, once I root it, will I be able to have the Tablet automatically update and download 4.3, 4.4, etc. and so on? or will I have to manually download and install the new one every time it comes out?
I read in sammobile that samsung will launch Note 8.0, it is true?
What do you think?
rooting
deeselcyde said:
That's good to know. Thank you.
Thank you. I'll check that out. Now, the process that you linked me to, will that give me the latest version ROM (4.2.1?). Another thing, once I root it, will I be able to have the Tablet automatically update and download 4.3, 4.4, etc. and so on? or will I have to manually download and install the new one every time it comes out?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have rooted several phones but not this tablet. Why? because for me the stock rom is good enough that I personally dont see an advantage to rooting it. Some like to root and install roms for the fun of it but I need the tablet to work and dont have time to futs around with getting to know a new rom.
I also have the impression,correct me if I'm wrong, that with custom roms you loose some of the multiscreen functionality and some of the pen functionality? If true that alone would keep me on stock.
optimus43 said:
I have rooted several phones but not this tablet. Why? because for me the stock rom is good enough that I personally dont see an advantage to rooting it. Some like to root and install roms for the fun of it but I need the tablet to work and dont have time to futs around with getting to know a new rom.
I also have the impression,correct me if I'm wrong, that with custom roms you loose some of the multiscreen functionality and some of the pen functionality? If true that alone would keep me on stock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's more reasons to root other than just flashing custom ROMs. As a matter of fact, you really don't even have to root to install a custom ROM, you just need a custom recovery installed.
Personally I'm fine with the stock ROM on this tablet even though I run custom ROMs on my phones. I did have a custom ROM installed for a few weeks that was little more than the stock ROM with a few tweaks. It didn't lose any functionality with regards to multi-screen or pen. But some of the other more customized ROMs do lose functionality.
optimus43 said:
I have rooted several phones but not this tablet. Why? because for me the stock rom is good enough that I personally dont see an advantage to rooting it. Some like to root and install roms for the fun of it but I need the tablet to work and dont have time to futs around with getting to know a new rom.
I also have the impression,correct me if I'm wrong, that with custom roms you loose some of the multiscreen functionality and some of the pen functionality? If true that alone would keep me on stock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only thing I care about is having the ability to install Google Apps that can only be installed on rooted ROMS. I've read that there are a lot of great apps for rooted ONLY tablets. Also, some of those 3D cube thingy's that have all the app icons on it are kind of cool. I don't know if you can install those on a stock ROM..??
deeselcyde said:
That's good to know. Thank you.
Thank you. I'll check that out. Now, the process that you linked me to, will that give me the latest version ROM (4.2.1?). Another thing, once I root it, will I be able to have the Tablet automatically update and download 4.3, 4.4, etc. and so on? or will I have to manually download and install the new one every time it comes out?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no, it leaves the firmware as is and it simply gives you root access, i.e. administrative control over just about all processes that the tablet is capable of. It also allows you to flash custom ROMS. that method, along with the exynos exploit method ( not possible on 4.1.2), leave you as close to stock as possible . and leaves the official recovery. Someone will undoubtedly correct me if I am wrong, but so long as you don't flash a custom ROM, I believe you can still update through OTA. I know you can through KIES. If you do go with a custom ROM, I'm pretty sure you lose all the touch wiz goodies, like multi screen as another noted above. and likely would have to use ODIN or mobile ODIN to update.
deeselcyde said:
What are some of the main benefits to rooting then? I would think that if you have rooted a lot of phones you would for sure want your tablet rooted..?? Can you still perform mods to your tablet if it's NOT rooted? I saw someone with a cube on their homescreen with all their apps on it. It was 3D and pretty sweet looking. Will I be able to do stuff like that if I keep it stock.
Another thing, I read that you can't put apps on the expandable storage unless you root it...That is something I would like to do because I plan on putting games on it and such. Seems crappy you can't install some of the bigger apps on your 64 gig sd.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Custom apps such as multi window manager. Custom roms if you wish. Overclock cpu with tegrak on stock rooted, it does sometimes come in handy to be safely overclocked. personally this tablet is so good off the shelf you dont NEED a custom rom but that overclock is good. Ability to access and change root files such as dolphin preference in order to make it work with flash player. More reliable backups of apps and data with titanium backup. There are a plethera of reasons for rooting a tablet. But do be cautious.
Don't forget you need root for AdAway. You also need root if you want to play around (very dangerous) with the build.prop file to try to install programs that the Play Store says aren't compatible.
deeselcyde said:
The only thing I care about is having the ability to install Google Apps that can only be installed on rooted ROMS. I've read that there are a lot of great apps for rooted ONLY tablets. Also, some of those 3D cube thingy's that have all the app icons on it are kind of cool. I don't know if you can install those on a stock ROM..??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The 3d cube things I think your talking about are scroll effects, like cube, sphere or card stack. You dont need to be rooted for these, you can just download a launcher (nova, apex, adw) from the play store and change the effects in there.
Sent from my GT-N8010 using xda app-developers app
jaydubbbbs said:
just to give you one more thing to think about.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1957002
stock is nice btw
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One more question about that link. So once I follow the instructions provided in the link to root my Note 10.1, will I still have the custom ROM? And, will I be able to auto update from Samsung or whoever whenever a new version of the Android ROM comes out? I don't necessarily care about having someones custom ROM, I just want the benefits of using the GAPPS that I wouldn't be able to use if I wasn't rooted.
Thanks.

Am I rootable?

Im brand new to the android world. Finally left apple and switched to the better side. Been doing some research before rooting and installing a rom on my device. I just want to check and see if this is okay.
I see that if you have MF3 you cant do any of these.
I believe this does mean I have mf3 but i want to double check.
under about device it says my baseband version is I337....MF3
and my build number is ...........MF3.
So is there nothing I can do to my phone just yet?
dankify said:
Im brand new to the android world. Finally left apple and switched to the better side. Been doing some research before rooting and installing a rom on my device. I just want to check and see if this is okay.
I see that if you have MF3 you cant do any of these.
I believe this does mean I have mf3 but i want to double check.
under about device it says my baseband version is I337....MF3
and my build number is ...........MF3.
So is there nothing I can do to my phone just yet?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With MF3 only option is root only
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Forum Runner
dankify said:
So is there nothing I can do to my phone just yet?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
welcome to android. glad to have you here but sorry on such poopy circumstances. to answer your question, at the moment there is little you can do. the MF3 build is in fact rootable, but i do not recommend it to anyone, especially a new user. if you were to root your device and have any problems at all with it, there is no way to unroot or even really get your problem straightened out. without going into all the details, it's just too risky at this point for me to recommend rooting your device on this build number simply to allow you to remove a few apps you dont want on the phone. you cannot even install a custom recovery or flash any ROMs. sorry your entry into android had to begin this way. i've seen several users that are still within their 14-day return window, take their devices to at&t to exchange for a different color S4. when doing that, they have the rep check 1 or more S4's and make sure they're getting a device with MDL (if the store even has any).
stay posted as there will be a fix for this at some point. cheers.

New to s4 flashing few quick questions

Hi, sorry to sound like a noob, but I have read so much and am trying to keep up with what works now but didn't work when some of the old posts I read were posted, and just some general questions to clear things up. My s4 comes tomorrow and I want to be clear I have this down, seems like a much bigger pain than my S3 at least upfront.
So lets assume it comes with mf3 out of the box. I assume it will, is this still the issue? Safestrap is what I do, there still isn't an unlocked bootloader?
So assuming it is mf3 this is what I gather I need to do. I will root by doing the thing with terminal and a micro sd. This still works? It's still as easy as the guide I found says it is? Just have the files on root of micro sd and run the command in terminal?
Ok, so after I root I install the safestrap apk (turn on all sources of course first) and then install it or hit install recovery or whatever it says. Then boot and when I see the splash screen hit the recovery option.
At this point is the most confusion. There is a lot of talk in older posts about creating ram slots and not over writing stock rom. However some more recent posts I read mention over writing stock rom with a custom rom. So what do I do here. Assuming I create a few rom slots can I essential dual boot between roms? Can I have a google play edition and a TW edition just a reboot away?
After I do whatever with a rom then flash the kernal from the safestrap post.
Then reboot into said rom.
Then that's it? Going forward I can overwrite a rom slot with whatever custom rom I want?
Is there any limitations to roms or anything?
Lastely, is there any progress in unlocking the bootloader to just put a custom recovery on and have it be like other devices, or with safestrap has everyone just given up on that?
Thanks.
You need to read this from the beginning of the page.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2428254
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
[email protected] said:
You need to read this from the beginning of the page.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2428254
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That doesn't really answer anything and in fact just seems to add to my issues.
"Also, at this time, only TW based ROMs will work with SS. CM, AOSP, AOKP, MIUI, etc will not work. "
is stated. However there are million other posts about people saying they are on CM or other AOSP roms.
It seems so much has changed over the past few months and sifting through all these posts and figuring what still applies now and what's old information seems impossible.
Plus I saw no post with actual discussion about overwriting stock rom. Just following along the safestrap thread all of a sudden people were saying don't do it, then all of a sudden people are doing it.
failedjedi said:
That doesn't really answer anything and in fact just seems to add to my issues.
"Also, at this time, only TW based ROMs will work with SS. CM, AOSP, AOKP, MIUI, etc will not work. "
is stated. However there are million other posts about people saying they are on CM or other AOSP roms.
It seems so much has changed over the past few months and sifting through all these posts and figuring what still applies now and what's old information seems impossible.
Plus I saw no post with actual discussion about overwriting stock rom. Just following along the safestrap thread all of a sudden people were saying don't do it, then all of a sudden people are doing it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay let me clear this up for you. A guy that worked at best buy got the mf3 tar files from the Samsung smart that they use at best buy to fix peoples phones. So with the newer posts saying do it, is because you have the tar files to Odin back to stock in case anything happens. So older posts we weren't able to do that because we didn't have the tar files.
Now there are 4.2.2 Google edition roms that are based on tw but has the aosp feel to it you can have as one slot, than you can have a tw in another slot and flash back and fourth, which you can have up to 3 or 4 Roms slots as long as you have the storage for it you can make it. It use to be that you could only make 1,2, or 3 gig ROM slots for safestrap but I think you can partition more gigs now.
The people that are saying that they're on cm, aosp Roms are people who have the MDL firmware which there was an exploit for the boot loader, once mf3 hit Samsung and att locked that exploit up and its been so locked down people are getting rid of their s4's.
If your phone comes with mf3 first thing to do is not to set up WiFi yet and don't take an update. Root the device via the SD card method or kingo root method, than get safestrap installed and flash whatever ROM two based ROM for 4.2.2 you want. Hope that clears up some things
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
[email protected] said:
Okay let me clear this up for you. A guy that worked at best buy got the mf3 tar files from the Samsung smart that they use at best buy to fix peoples phones. So with the newer posts saying do it, is because you have the tar files to Odin back to stock in case anything happens. So older posts we weren't able to do that because we didn't have the tar files.
Now there are 4.2.2 Google edition roms that are based on tw but has the aosp feel to it you can have as one slot, than you can have a tw in another slot and flash back and fourth, which you can have up to 3 or 4 Roms slots as long as you have the storage for it you can make it. It use to be that you could only make 1,2, or 3 gig ROM slots for safestrap but I think you can partition more gigs now.
The people that are saying that they're on cm, aosp Roms are people who have the MDL firmware which there was an exploit for the boot loader, once mf3 hit Samsung and att locked that exploit up and its been so locked down people are getting rid of their s4's.
If your phone comes with mf3 first thing to do is not to set up WiFi yet and don't take an update. Root the device via the SD card method or kingo root method, than get safestrap installed and flash whatever ROM two based ROM for 4.2.2 you want. Hope that clears up some things
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, thanks for clearing that app. So when browsing ROMS I just have to make sure I get a TW based one, or even within touchwiz is there specific ROMS for mf3?
failedjedi said:
Ok, thanks for clearing that app. So when browsing ROMS I just have to make sure I get a TW based one, or even within touchwiz is there specific ROMS for mf3?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you would have bothered to read the thread that was linked for you (that you claimed didn't help you) you would have seen a list of ROMs in the OP.
scott14719 said:
If you would have bothered to read the thread that was linked for you (that you claimed didn't help you) you would have seen a list of ROMs in the OP.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see the list, does it say "these are the only working roms" - no.
It also says TW roms work, so do roms beyond those listed work. Or rather even if not confirmed "should" they work?
And lastly, the reason I made the original post in the first place, how current is that info. There is conflicting info all over the place, and so many posts like the one linked don't date updates and changes consistently.
If that was the definitive list 3 months ago, but more are widely accepted as working since then, I have no way of no way of knowing that.
There is no single post that has properly dated updated information all in one place. I appreciate there are people that have been doing this and keeping up with this stuff for a while now, but as a new s4 owner, this mf3 stuff is not only different, but all the proper info is spread out all over the place and not dated.
failedjedi said:
I see the list, does it say "these are the only working roms" - no.
It also says TW roms work, so do roms beyond those listed work. Or rather even if not confirmed "should" they work?
And lastly, the reason I made the original post in the first place, how current is that info. There is conflicting info all over the place, and so many posts like the one linked don't date updates and changes consistently.
If that was the definitive list 3 months ago, but more are widely accepted as working since then, I have no way of no way of knowing that.
There is no single post that has properly dated updated information all in one place. I appreciate there are people that have been doing this and keeping up with this stuff for a while now, but as a new s4 owner, this mf3 stuff is not only different, but all the proper info is spread out all over the place and not dated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is why you need to take time to learn and read. It sounds as if you are wanting someone else to do all of the research for you. If the information is spread out to you, than it is to others also. Search, read, and learn...that is the only way to get the information you need. I'm really not sure what else you are looking for? If you are looking for someone to tell you exactly what ROMs (out of every ROM available) will work 100% in your situation you are, that person doesn't exist. So like I asked, what is it you are looking for? Maybe if you clarify your request you can get more help, but remember, not that you will do this, but don't ask for anything that you should be able to do yourself.
scott14719 said:
That is why you need to take time to learn and read. It sounds as if you are wanting someone else to do all of the research for you. If the information is spread out to you, than it is to others also. Search, read, and learn...that is the only way to get the information you need. I'm really not sure what else you are looking for? If you are looking for someone to tell you exactly what ROMs (out of every ROM available) will work 100% in your situation you are, that person doesn't exist. So like I asked, what is it you are looking for? Maybe if you clarify your request you can get more help, but remember, not that you will do this, but don't ask for anything that you should be able to do yourself.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"It also says TW roms work, so do roms beyond those listed work. Or rather even if not confirmed "should" they work?"
That's what I'm looking for.
Can I in theory flash any TW ROM without risk of bricking, or am I actually limited to those confirmed. And follow up, how up to date is the confirmed list?
I can see all the information, I can do all the research, the problem is none of the information is dated, I read something about not overwriting stock rom slot, then I read something about doing it, and when nothing is dated for edits just the date of the original post shown, I don't know which piece of information is relevant and which piece to ignore.
If that list was dated and it was dated recently, I wouldn't have asked, I would have trusted it as an up to date list. But what if that list is 2 months old and there other roms now that are more relevant.
failedjedi said:
"It also says TW roms work, so do roms beyond those listed work. Or rather even if not confirmed "should" they work?"
That's what I'm looking for.
Can I in theory flash any TW ROM without risk of bricking, or am I actually limited to those confirmed. And follow up, how up to date is the confirmed list?
I can see all the information, I can do all the research, the problem is none of the information is dated, I read something about not overwriting stock rom slot, then I read something about doing it, and when nothing is dated for edits just the date of the original post shown, I don't know which piece of information is relevant and which piece to ignore.
If that list was dated and it was dated recently, I wouldn't have asked, I would have trusted it as an up to date list. But what if that list is 2 months old and there other roms now that are more relevant.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is probably the best answer you are going to get (though others might be able to help you). The thread states to only use 4.22 TW ROMs. That means, that in theory, any 4.22 TW based ROM should work. However, if the ROM isn't specifically listed in that thread, it is your own risk to try it. There is always risk. No one can guarantee anything even if it somehow worked for them them. So if you try a ROM that is not in the list, you are taking a risk. There is no other way to put it. If you want to know about a specific ROM not on the list, and it meets the requirements, you will need to search the ROMs development thread to see if it is mentioned as working with SafeStrap and if it hasn't been mentioned, then ask in that specific thread. The information in the SafeStrap thread's OP is generally current but it is also important to read the entire thread to see what has changed from early on. It doesn't matter what anyone else claims to be running or doing, if it says to do or not do something in the OP, then listen to it. It you choose to do something different than what the OP states, it is your risk. Good luck.
scott14719 said:
This is probably the best answer you are going to get (though others might be able to help you). The thread states to only use 4.22 TW ROMs. That means, that in theory, any 4.22 TW based ROM should work. However, if the ROM isn't specifically listed in that thread, it is your own risk to try it. There is always risk. No one can guarantee anything even if it somehow worked for them them. So if you try a ROM that is not in the list, you are taking a risk. There is no other way to put it. If you want to know about a specific ROM not on the list, and it meets the requirements, you will need to search the ROMs development thread to see if it is mentioned as working with SafeStrap and if it hasn't been mentioned, then ask in that specific thread. The information in the SafeStrap thread's OP is generally current but it is also important to read the entire thread to see what has changed from early on. It doesn't matter what anyone else claims to be running or doing, if it says to do or not do something in the OP, then listen to it. It you choose to do something different than what the OP states, it is your risk. Good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"it is also important to read the entire thread to see what has changed from early on"
"It doesn't matter what anyone else claims to be running or doing, if it says to do or not do something in the OP, then listen to it."
This is my issue with the snarky comments here. You have been helpful, but all over there are snarky comments all with similar statements.
Make sure you read it, but don't trust what you read, make sure you spend 4 hours reading a 100+ page forum before you ask a simple question, I have seen simple yes/no questions answered with paragraph responses bashing OP for not reading.
Now in my case the 3 main posts that people should read to do this, if they were dated I would have been fine.
Again, not anyone here specifically for the most part, but XDA in general is full of this superiority attitude.
failedjedi said:
"it is also important to read the entire thread to see what has changed from early on"
"It doesn't matter what anyone else claims to be running or doing, if it says to do or not do something in the OP, then listen to it."
This is my issue with the snarky comments here. You have been helpful, but all over there are snarky comments all with similar statements.
Make sure you read it, but don't trust what you read, make sure you spend 4 hours reading a 100+ page forum before you ask a simple question, I have seen simple yes/no questions answered with paragraph responses bashing OP for not reading.
Now in my case the 3 main posts that people should read to do this, if they were dated I would have been fine.
Again, not anyone here specifically for the most part, but XDA in general is full of this superiority attitude.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not a "superiority" attitude as you put it, it is the RULES. You are expected to read as much as you need to to learn. If that means 1 day or 100 days, it's up to you. This is a development forum and not a "tutorial site. People are very helpful if you at least try to help yourself first. I told you, there is no "easy" answer for what you ask. You HAVE to try the ROMs for yourself if you want to risk it. Expecting someone else to do it so they can run back and give you the answer after they took the risk is a "superiority" attitude. I also told you,DO WHAT THE OP STATES! Anything else is your risk. Why is that hard to understand? Anything you try that is not stated in the OP is untried, unproven, and risky. It's that simple.
scott14719 said:
It's not a "superiority" attitude as you put it, it is the RULES. You are expected to read as much as you need to to learn. If that means 1 day or 100 days, it's up to you. This is a development forum and not a "tutorial site. People are very helpful if you at least try to help yourself first. I told you, there is no "easy" answer for what you ask. You HAVE to try the ROMs for yourself if you want to risk it. Expecting someone else to do it so they can run back and give you the answer after they took the risk is a "superiority" attitude. I also told you,DO WHAT THE OP STATES! Anything else is your risk. Why is that hard to understand? Anything you try that is not stated in the OP is untried, unproven, and risky. It's that simple.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I asked for clarification on conflicting information.
It's not hard to understand do what OP says. It's the fact that in 2 sentences you said both to read EVERYTHING for information, then insist on only getting viable information from OP, which is it?
I tried to only follow OP but saw conflicting info so asked for clarification, then get told to read everything. Then get told don't trust what I read only follow what OP says. When there are 3 different "must read" posts, by 3 different authors and they are conflicting what the f*** is anyone supposed to do.
You are the one that makes seem like I'm asking to be guided through baby steps. I didn't. I asked if all TW roms should in theory work, a simple yes, or as you finally did say in theory they should, would have sufficed. Just a simple clarification, instead you are the one putting more work into the issue. That could have ended it right there, instead you keep posting more contradictory statements.
I read, I figured out all the steps I needed to take, some stuff was worded odd, or had conflicting info and I just wanted clarification on what was still relevant. God forbid someone have to say yes or no to a few questions to save others the time of reading hundreds of pages stuff that is out of date.
Hey Mod this is going know where.
Sent from my SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Disappointing community...

I must say I'm deeply disappointed by the lack of responsiveness on the LG forums. So far, none of my queries (none too difficult, mostly regarding specific steps or problems during flashing) have been answered. Coming from a Samsung I must say those XDA forums were beehives compared to the utter deadliness that reigns here. I understand that there can't be many roms as long as only the international version can be unlocked, but it is frustrating to have to get into a whole new ballgame as far as flashing etc. is concerned (compared to Samsung practices) without some assistance from the community.
Sorry about this, I just needed to unload my chagrin...
I don't have experience flashing this device. One reason is that Verizon detects if you're rooted and I don't want to void my warranty so soon after getting the device.
Sent from my VS986 using Tapatalk
---------- Post added at 08:26 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:25 AM ----------
Also, no ROMs anyway... :' -(
Sent from my VS986 using Tapatalk
I've had a couple of questions and whilst they have taken a little longer than normal to be answered, I'm not overly fussed because I'm getting help for free so if it's not immediate, it doesn't really matter. LG rooting/flashing is completely new to me too so I'd rather wait than rush in without fully understanding what I was doing.
What issues do you have?
El Presidente81 said:
I've had a couple of questions and whilst they have taken a little longer than normal to be answered, I'm not overly fussed because I'm getting help for free so if it's not immediate, it doesn't really matter. LG rooting/flashing is completely new to me too so I'd rather wait than rush in without fully understanding what I was doing.
What issues do you have?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know it's free and I shouldn't complain. But the difference with the Samsung community is striking. And it's precisely because all is new that one hopes for some assistance. Look at the last post of this thread. Maybe I'm spoilt having to wait for 2 days, but somehow I suspect I'll never get an answer. And maybe it's also because there are not enough knowledgable members on the LG forums, which means that one is always dependent on the OP.
bartveld said:
I know it's free and I shouldn't complain. But the difference with the Samsung community is striking. And it's precisely because all is new that one hopes for some assistance. Look at the last post of this thread. Maybe I'm spoilt having to wait for 2 days, but somehow I suspect I'll never get an answer. And maybe it's also because there are not enough knowledgable members on the LG forums, which means that one is always dependent on the OP.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You must understand that it's not we people don't want to reply to you, and for your question in regards to the post, I'm pretty sure a search would bring up many queries that you have been asking before. The phone has only been out for a few months, and people are slowly working on the progress for this phone. It's not that people have no knowledge, it's just that the community (let's be frank) is not as large as Samsung's community. We can try to provide as much help as possible, but sometimes help us out by doing a search before questioning stuffs.
We all that come towards this forum wanted to see something more, something exciting and play around with custom roms and stuff, but there's their pros and cons.
For example, there's already a team building towards CM/Blisspop, and they are progressing steadily, bringing us updates and fixes that will eventually be available for everyone.
So sometimes, just have the patience to wait, or if you really need to query in regards to stuff, you could do a PM.
Do not follow that guide until you are already running version F. You will lose exfat on your SD card
Sent from my LG-H810 using Tapatalk
Coming from a Nexus 4 the tumbleweed here is a bit odd but if a phone is pretty well locked down that does cramp this forums style a bit.
On the other hand the only niggle I have with the G4 is the horrible over saturated tones that make reds look purple. If I could tone that back say 20% it would be nearly perfect for me.
tdevaughn said:
Do not follow that guide until you are already running version F. You will lose exfat on your SD card
Sent from my LG-H810 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
tdevaughn, you are referring to my question in the other thread? But how am I ever getting to version F as I am already rooted and running a flashed stock rom (version d, with necessarily Updates turned off)?
Indicious Flow said:
You must understand that it's not we people don't want to reply to you, and for your question in regards to the post, I'm pretty sure a search would bring up many queries that you have been asking before. The phone has only been out for a few months, and people are slowly working on the progress for this phone. It's not that people have no knowledge, it's just that the community (let's be frank) is not as large as Samsung's community. We can try to provide as much help as possible, but sometimes help us out by doing a search before questioning stuffs.
We all that come towards this forum wanted to see something more, something exciting and play around with custom roms and stuff, but there's their pros and cons.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's just that sometimes a question is so specific that a search won't do. As is my question in the thread which you OP'ed (or was that already answered in that thread and I overlooked it?). And PM'ing... now that I would consider harrassment.
Anyway, I hear you and I certainly appreciate the efforts of people like yourself. “Trees that are slow to grow bear the best fruit.”
The only question nobody can answer in the G4 is why are we obliged to flash a kdz file to update the fw when you have an unlocked bootloader (official root). Losing internal data + root everytime we want to update the fw!!
Why isn't a way to extract the fw files from the kdz so we can flash them without data and twrp loss like they do it on htc s_off phones?
Sent from my LG-H815 using XDA Free mobile app
bartveld said:
how am I ever getting to version F as I am already rooted and running a flashed stock rom (version d, with necessarily Updates turned off)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
just taking a stab at it
1. flash back to a non-rooted system image (a search will probably turn something up) for your current version
2. ENABLE UPDATES! and retrieve the OTAs to, um, UPDATE? (gee.. if you disabled updates, I WONDER why updates won't work)
3a. find a rooted system image for your new version and dd flash that
or
3b. follow guide to dd pull your non-rooted system partition, inject SuperSu, and dd flash your self-made rooted system image
bartveld said:
It's just that sometimes a question is so specific that a search won't do. As is my question in the thread which you OP'ed (or was that already answered in that thread and I overlooked it?). And PM'ing... now that I would consider harrassment.
Anyway, I hear you and I certainly appreciate the efforts of people like yourself. “Trees that are slow to grow bear the best fruit.”
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well for me, I've never thought of PM as a spam. At least you can easily get your questions asked and answered without questioning the other members who may or may not be new to the forum and just slowly learning So if you really have anything to ask, feel free to ask. And to answer your question in regards to the other thread, the command for that is universal for H815 variants, and works on all the rooted images out there.
you know what I was thinking the exact same thing
When i first got my G4 i tried to root and cocked it up totally so posted on here and got about 3 replies, this was my first Android phone previously having the crappy fruit phone for 10 years
I am an experienced computer user and have mucked about with all kinds of stuff for years
One thing that has stuck in my mind i read a comment on a thread here that said something like 'thats why noobs shouldnt root phones' - what kind of person thinks this way? I will go out of my way to help people in this type of situation
Anyways I am now pretty mustard on the G4 and know my phone/rooting inside out after spending the last 6 or so weeks finding out the wrongs and rights of rooting with several mishaps and always finding my answers due to the few helpful peeps around here
There are some brilliant posters on here and there are also some right ****ing morons
disappointing user...
all answers already out there.. but wants hand held instead of searching/reading.
(see, goes both ways)
autoprime said:
disappointing user...
all answers already out there.. but wants hand held instead of searching/reading.
(see, goes both ways)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you ever have a problem with your electrics let me know i will be more than happy to help you if i can ... without patronising you
BTW you have helped me out more than you know
Well usually if someone has an answer they'll share ot or tell you where to look. If they haven't then maybe they don't know either.. I rarely have to ask questions because I read and search and help out where/when I'm able. Half the time IF I do.ask a question I end up finding the answer shortly after on my own because of my diligence and risk taking. There aren't necessarily a lot of roms out there( which I don't care anyway), but the rest is still okay. I mean there's root and xposed and that's even for locked down variants too. Maybe it's just me cause I didn't always have it so good. I had phones that we had ridiculously hard methods of obtaining root and unlock if ever. We found a way though and now things are a hell of a lot easier. Idk I just don't see the point in a thread like this..
As a matter of fact this is the first phone I haven't rooted or Jailbreaked day one, mostly because I bought it as a cure for a flash o holic A new Nexus line is on its way, hopefully with a ok camera, it's going to be my flashy phone and this one will be the stockish backup
Skickat från min LG-H815 via Tapatalk
I'm not sure it's fair to compare a forum for this device to the various Samsung ones when Samsung is the second largest phone manufacturer in the world and by far the most popular Android OEM.
vegetaleb said:
The only question nobody can answer in the G4 is why are we obliged to flash a kdz file to update the fw when you have an unlocked bootloader (official root). Losing internal data + root everytime we want to update the fw!!
Why isn't a way to extract the fw files from the kdz so we can flash them without data and twrp loss like they do it on htc s_off phones?
Sent from my LG-H815 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can flash as many KDZ's as you want without losing data. I have done it a few times now myself. I don't know where you got the idea that you lose your data every time..
Yes you lose root though. It's pretty simple to flash a rooted image after you get root back, though.
There are two options when flashing a KDZ with LG Flash Tool. Wipe or don't wipe. Pretty simple.
Or is it different with an unlocked bootloader?
GibMcFragger said:
You can flash as many KDZ's as you want without losing data. I have done it a few times now myself. I don't know where you got the idea that you lose your data every time..
Yes you lose root though. It's pretty simple to flash a rooted image after you get root back, though.
There are two options when flashing a KDZ with LG Flash Tool. Wipe or don't wipe. Pretty simple.
Or is it different with an unlocked bootloader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have no idea! The dude who made the tutorial on how to get back to stock using kdz told me I will loose TWRP, though no idea if I will loose bootloader unlock too, if that's the case the process of unlocking the bootloader will wipe all data
vegetaleb said:
I have no idea! The dude who made the tutorial on how to get back to stock using kdz told me I will loose TWRP, though no idea if I will loose bootloader unlock too, if that's the case the process of unlocking the bootloader will wipe all data
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah ok. Yes, you will also lose TWRP. I guess it is more of a pain with an unlocked bootloader. Mine is locked, so I don't get TWRP. I just flash whatever KDZ, pull system image, inject root, flash the rooted image.

Categories

Resources