Database Users

Multiple questions regarding knox/tw/cwm/kernels

coming from the g2x which was incredibly straight forward to deal with not having a locked bootloader or any other nonsense to deal with i have a few questions regarding a rogers s4 i337m
1. KNOX, as far as i have read this is a feature to detect tampering with the device and set a flag in place when tampered with. Specifically what sets off KNOX? as to that i have not really discovered a more direct answer. The repercussions to setting off KNOX is unable to use KNOX secured software aka roms/kernels? Is there any current updates by any of the providers that actually utilize this? or is it just more a enterprise feature being tested out in the s4 for additional security measures.
2. editions of roms, i honestly found a thread earlier for this but am failing to find it again i cant remember which s4 sub forum had it regarding the differences between google/asop/tw roms.
3. What are the mainstream Roms/kernels used, i noticed faux123 combined his rom/kernel of which i was not a fan of. for the G2x you had faux/morfic for kernels and just running stock cm7 was quite flawless for a combination.
4. I need a link to the latest CWM or has that been replaced for another recovery software? I know you can download it through rommanager but i thought that was like a fake flash more so then acutually pushing it to the phone via some other method. Is that done through rommanager as another step to avoid tripping knox? touch CWM is not essential and i recall the g2x touch CWM had issues so i don't really care if a legacy version can be used. stability > features for core components.
5. Having the unlocked bootloader has any other gains other then just not having to downgrade to a unlocked bootloader for flashing custom kernels/roms? flashing the roms even with the unlocked bootloader will still trigger knox correct?
I am quite aware of the safestrap feature and may try that if knox is required in any way. for warranty purposes i dont really care, if the phone runs for a month then it will probably last me 2-3 years. hell even the g2x survived 3 years now only with the power button becoming a tad problematic to turn on the phone. its more is there any software that may require it that as of now rom wise or app wise.
oh finally whats the difference between odin v3/v4? is there any real reason to use the newer. seems 3.09 is common revision to be used.

Seems like you may need to do a little more reading...but heres a little info for you
First let me ask you a question, what firmware is your s4 on, and is it an i337 (att branded)
As far as knox goes, I don't know much kore about it than you do...havent really looked into it, If you root your phone amd go in the superuser app it will ask you if you want to remove knox
Aosp vs touckwiz roms:
AOSP based roms can vary from pure AOSP, which is exactly what google intended android to be, no gimicks no extra features. But they can also be much more customizable such as cyanogenmod or aokp. Again these roms are built from the android source code, so it looks the way android was meant to be, the non pure ones having mamy added features
Touchwiz roms are simply based off stock realeases, they are often rooted and debloated, with a few tweaks thrown in and maybe a few mods...they typically loom and feel like a cleaner, smoother, and more polished stock rom, and with a lot less bloat
Recoveries: there are several recoveries available, you still got the basic CWM, than you got Touch CWM, Oudahs auto-loki recovery, phils cwm *I think thats the name lol* and than TWRP (may be missing some)***IMPORTANT: I asked earlier what firmware you were on, and this is way, if you have the mf3 firmware or mk2 firmware you CAN NOT flash any of the above recoveries due to our locked bootloader***
Safestrap: this is the recovery alternative which essentially is a recovery, however it is currently unable to flash kernels...which means you can only flash touchwiz roms, that are compatible with the stock kernel you currently have...so if your on mf3 with safestrap only 4.2.2 roms, if your on mk2 only 4.3 roms. Keep in kind safestrap is still in beta for mk2 so not every rom is working.
If you have an att phone with a locked bootloader there is currently and never has been any way to unlock the bootloader, so you are stuck with a locked bootloader. What this means is you can not downgrade to an earlier firmware, and if your mf3 or later you can not get a recovery and flash cyanogenmod aokp aosp or amy other aosp based roms
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

mg2195 said:
Seems like you may need to do a little more reading...but heres a little info for you
First let me ask you a question, what firmware is your s4 on, and is it an i337 (att branded)
As far as knox goes, I don't know much kore about it than you do...havent really looked into it, If you root your phone amd go in the superuser app it will ask you if you want to remove knox
Aosp vs touckwiz roms:
AOSP based roms can vary from pure AOSP, which is exactly what google intended android to be, no gimicks no extra features. But they can also be much more customizable such as cyanogenmod or aokp. Again these roms are built from the android source code, so it looks the way android was meant to be, the non pure ones having mamy added features
Touchwiz roms are simply based off stock realeases, they are often rooted and debloated, with a few tweaks thrown in and maybe a few mods...they typically loom and feel like a cleaner, smoother, and more polished stock rom, and with a lot less bloat
Recoveries: there are several recoveries available, you still got the basic CWM, than you got Touch CWM, Oudahs auto-loki recovery, phils cwm *I think thats the name lol* and than TWRP (may be missing some)***IMPORTANT: I asked earlier what firmware you were on, and this is way, if you have the mf3 firmware or mk2 firmware you CAN NOT flash any of the above recoveries due to our locked bootloader***
Safestrap: this is the recovery alternative which essentially is a recovery, however it is currently unable to flash kernels...which means you can only flash touchwiz roms, that are compatible with the stock kernel you currently have...so if your on mf3 with safestrap only 4.2.2 roms, if your on mk2 only 4.3 roms. Keep in kind safestrap is still in beta for mk2 so not every rom is working.
If you have an att phone with a locked bootloader there is currently and never has been any way to unlock the bootloader, so you are stuck with a locked bootloader. What this means is you can not downgrade to an earlier firmware, and if your mf3 or later you can not get a recovery and flash cyanogenmod aokp aosp or amy other aosp based roms
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so if i were to upgrade to 4.3 ota it would flash MK3 giving me a locked bootloader? i was under the impression that the i337m canadian models all have unlocked bootloaders. only the i337 US models had locked loaders. i listed the model earlier and everything is stock out of the box
baseband/build is MG1 on 4.2.2
actually ill just check that latest firmware thread, the candian models are equiv to the m919 tmobile models basically. we also have the m919v for wind/mobilicity.

100% my bad I missed that you had the i337m
So with that said, you dont have a locked bootloader, and theres nothing you can do that will lock it
You can flash any of the recoveries, cwm twrp or whatever. They are all stable and seem to be working fjne...so its just whatever you perfer
Personally I like twrp, and that can be installed using goomanager if youre rooted, rommamager should also work if your rooted for cwm recovery
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

[Q] Some fairly Noob Clarifications (TWRP/CWM/MDL Related)

Purchased my S4 at launch, only rooted it and never really got around to tweaking it much. It has slowed down a bit so now is the time.
I'm on MDL, stock 4.2.2, and rooted with TWRP 2.5.0.2 On to the questions/clarifications, hopefully these aren't egregious. I know the info is out there but for actually finding specific information, the xda forums are a bit overwhelming and sometimes conflicting...
1) Recovery - Latest/preferred recovery for the s4 (on MDL) with auto-loki baked in? Are any of the latest versions of TWRP/CWM dangerous/incompatible or can I just install the latest/greatest with ROM Installers and go from there?
2) Modem - Flashing an updated modem, regardless of ROM/OS # should not break anything and/or lock down the bootloader any more so than it already is at MDL, correct? Updating the baseband will have no effect on the build # and thus loki is still and option (versus safestrap)? Preferred modem at this time? (ATT, SF Bay Area)
3) ROMS - Any ROM, followed by loki patch or flashed via an auto-loki capable recovery should be fine, correct? Is a ROM specifically built for safestrap applications and thus would not work with MDL, or are ROMs noted as being safestrap ready just able to be used via safestrap, but loki as well?
4) Hard to keep track of all the ROMs and the builds and branches etc - Can anyone point me in the right direction of either a) the latest stock touch-wiz 4.4.4 ROM that can be flashed over MDL without essentially updating past MDL? b) the best/most recent pure google (Play Store S4 Edition) ROM, same story with not breaking MDL?
Again, I apologize I am sure the info is all buried in here somewhere, it just gets to a point where pointed questions rather than multiple 500+ post threads are hopefully less likely to brick my phone. Ideally I just want to get on the latest software (and enable screen casting, for one). Assuming it comes quick enough, once I get this process down I will probably make the jump to 5.0 when it is ready, anticipate a couple months? Who knows.
Thanks, much appreciated.

Norcalz71 said:
Purchased my S4 at launch, only rooted it and never really got around to tweaking it much. It has slowed down a bit so now is the time.
I'm on MDL, stock 4.2.2, and rooted with TWRP 2.5.0.2 On to the questions/clarifications, hopefully these aren't egregious. I know the info is out there but for actually finding specific information, the xda forums are a bit overwhelming and sometimes conflicting...
1) Recovery - Latest/preferred recovery for the s4 (on MDL) with auto-loki baked in? Are any of the latest versions of TWRP/CWM dangerous/incompatible or can I just install the latest/greatest with ROM Installers and go from there?
2) Modem - Flashing an updated modem, regardless of ROM/OS # should not break anything and/or lock down the bootloader any more so than it already is at MDL, correct? Updating the baseband will have no effect on the build # and thus loki is still and option (versus safestrap)? Preferred modem at this time? (ATT, SF Bay Area)
3) ROMS - Any ROM, followed by loki patch or flashed via an auto-loki capable recovery should be fine, correct? Is a ROM specifically built for safestrap applications and thus would not work with MDL, or are ROMs noted as being safestrap ready just able to be used via safestrap, but loki as well?
4) Hard to keep track of all the ROMs and the builds and branches etc - Can anyone point me in the right direction of either a) the latest stock touch-wiz 4.4.4 ROM that can be flashed over MDL without essentially updating past MDL? b) the best/most recent pure google (Play Store S4 Edition) ROM, same story with not breaking MDL?
Again, I apologize I am sure the info is all buried in here somewhere, it just gets to a point where pointed questions rather than multiple 500+ post threads are hopefully less likely to brick my phone. Ideally I just want to get on the latest software (and enable screen casting, for one). Assuming it comes quick enough, once I get this process down I will probably make the jump to 5.0 when it is ready, anticipate a couple months? Who knows.
Thanks, much appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will try to help with a few of these questions, but others I am not familiar with very much. On that note DO NOT update your bootloader!!! It will be locked down further and Loki will NOT WORK. And you could NOT flash any kernels with safestrap. So with safestrap ONLY the stock kernel can be used. Now on to your questions...
1) I am using TWRP 8.1 if I remember correctly. You can find it in the Original Android Development section. It does NOT Auto Loki, so keep the loki-doki flashable zip on your sdcard OR use Roms that already have/use the boot.Loki kernels like ShoStock-i 8.1
2) Modem flashing will NOT lock anything up further as far as the bootloader. You can flash ANY or ALL of them from my modem thread. See which works BEST FOR YOU in YOUR AREA. I am in So Cal and the best for me has been either MDL. But I have and do test ALL of them. You can always flash back to whichever one works best for you.
3.) Like I said I use ShoStock-i 8.1 because it has and does EVERYTHING I need my phone to do and does it without any issues. I have NOT tried to use a Safestrap modified ROM so I have very little experience with that. Normally most devs will have two separate versions, one for safestrap compatible and one for us without safestrap. ShoStock-i is already built with Loki in the kernel so you do not NEED to flash Loki-Doki patch.
4) there are NO Touchwiz 4.4.4 Stock Roms for ATT yet. But I did try out one of the Touchwiz 4.4.4 T-Mobile based Roms and it worked perfectly. You can either get it from the ATT forums and I believe it is already lokified, or get it from the T-Mobile forum and make sure to flash Loki-Doki patch before booting up phone after flashing the ROM. Again the will NOT update your bootloader past your MDL bootloader, so you are good as you are with no worries. By the way on ShoStock-i 8.1 the screen casting to Chromecast works PERFECTLY without having to flash any other .apk's or mess with ANYTHING

This is the exact same boat I'm in. Trying to track down the answers as well. Will keep an eye here as well to watch for answers.

awesome reply thanks RockRatt, that just about covers it. I will maybe give the ShoStock ROM a go and see how I like it. As long as all the normal features are working fine, I should be good.
One last thing I forgot - Odin. I have the stock odin firmware files from when my phone was new (The MDL package). As long as I dont update the bootloader, I should be able to Odin back to the brand new in box state should something go awry or not dig the other ROMs, correct?
Thanks again,

Norcalz71 said:
awesome reply thanks RockRatt, that just about covers it. I will maybe give the ShoStock ROM a go and see how I like it. As long as all the normal features are working fine, I should be good.
One last thing I forgot - Odin. I have the stock odin firmware files from when my phone was new (The MDL package). As long as I dont update the bootloader, I should be able to Odin back to the brand new in box state should something go awry or not dig the other ROMs, correct?
Thanks again,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep. Just don't update the bootloader...So no flashing newer firmware that contains the bootloader files. Most if not all custom Roms do not have the bootloader files in them. So no problem flashing back to MDL stock if the need never arises. I still in fact have the original MDB bootloader installed that came with the phone before the MDL firmware update.

Which first?

Its been a few years so i was needing a refreshing (& though simple question, i cant seem to find exact answer).
I have the sm-t337a tab 4. If i plan on rooting it but i also was looking at installing a ROM, which order do i need to (or which do you recommend) do them in???
Thank you for your assistance

gdownloads said:
Its been a few years so i was needing a refreshing (& though simple question, i cant seem to find exact answer).
I have the sm-t337a tab 4. If i plan on rooting it but i also was looking at installing a ROM, which order do i need to (or which do you recommend) do them in???
Thank you for your assistance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You always have to root first before you are able to install a custom rom. That said, to the best of my knowledge, there aren't any custom roms available for the SM-T337A. Unfortunately, AT&T and Verizon lock the bootloader on their devices now. This means that you can't have a custom kernel or a custom recovery. Since Cyanogenmod and similar roms based off of it require a custom kernel, you can't have any cyanogen-type roms. That said, a stock based rom (anything capable of running on the stock kernel) should work fine, but as I've said, to the best of my knowledge nobody has made any roms like that for this device yet. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

thisisapoorusernamechoice said:
You always have to root first before you are able to install a custom rom. That said, to the best of my knowledge, there aren't any custom roms available for the SM-T337A. Unfortunately, AT&T and Verizon lock the bootloader on their devices now. This means that you can't have a custom kernel or a custom recovery. Since Cyanogenmod and similar roms based off of it require a custom kernel, you can't have any cyanogen-type roms. That said, a stock based rom (anything capable of running on the stock kernel) should work fine, but as I've said, to the best of my knowledge nobody has made any roms like that for this device yet. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That sucks. Guess I'll have to be satisfied with just rooting it and maybe a different stock rom, if any available.
I was just searching on here & I'm not sure what instructions are the ones I need for this tab. I saw where someone says they tried towelroot & 1 other but did not work, & other similar posts, then find several posts mentioning that they have rooted it, so I'm not sure what way DOES work to root it. (I also found on another site, which I don't know if Im allowed to post the external link, "Working Tutorial How To Update/Upgrade Samsung SM-T337A To Android 5.1 Lollipop!) Needless to say Im a little unsure of what method I need to root it. ANDROID VERSION: 4.4.2 BUILD: kot49h.t337aucu1ank2
Also Is there a alternative stock based rom (with tutorial) you might recommend ?

gdownloads said:
That sucks. Guess I'll have to be satisfied with just rooting it and maybe a different stock rom, if any available.
I was just searching on here & I'm not sure what instructions are the ones I need for this tab. I saw where someone says they tried towelroot & 1 other but did not work, & other similar posts, then find several posts mentioning that they have rooted it, so I'm not sure what way DOES work to root it. (I also found on another site, which I don't know if Im allowed to post the external link, "Working Tutorial How To Update/Upgrade Samsung SM-T337A To Android 5.1 Lollipop!) Needless to say Im a little unsure of what method I need to root it. ANDROID VERSION: 4.4.2 BUILD: kot49h.t337aucu1ank2
Also Is there a alternative stock based rom (with tutorial) you might recommend ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All you can do is try towelroot. If it comes back as failed, then oh well, it doesn't mess anything up. Towelroot will only work for kernel dates before July 2014 I believe. There are NO custom ROMs, no recovery, no alternatives for this tablet. No developer interest, no carrier support, so no android version beyond 4.4.2. We have been abandoned by AT&T with no way of getting any updates ever again because they locked us out. So we are stuck with a worthless pile of crap tablet that gets more laggy by the day. No more carrier variants of any device for me ever again. International only.

rootng that works
pre4speed said:
All you can do is try towelroot. If it comes back as failed, then oh well, it doesn't mess anything up. Towelroot will only work for kernel dates before July 2014 I believe. There are NO custom ROMs, no recovery, no alternatives for this tablet. No developer interest, no carrier support, so no android version beyond 4.4.2. We have been abandoned by AT&T with no way of getting any updates ever again because they locked us out. So we are stuck with a worthless pile of crap tablet that gets more laggy by the day. No more carrier variants of any device for me ever again. International only.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
kingroot works perfectly on the T337A tab4

New around here. Some doubts.

Hello.
Ever since I bought a Galaxy Nexus and found XDA, my life changed. Without noticing I got infected a virus: addiction to Android.
My Nexus got outdated quickly and now is pretty done and I need a new toy. 3,5 years later I finally got some spare money to buy a new phone. Since here in Portugal the minimum wage is around 500€ and top flagship phones cost around 700€ (and there's no affordable contract to get something cheaper and still nice), I had to wait until now to get a used Note 3 for 300€.
I love the phone's design and above all the specs. There's no other phone with 3GB RAM and Snap 800 for this price and I always liked big sized phones.
Well, I write too much unnecessary info... I need to stop
Let's get down to the point. I will get the phone tomorrow!!
TL;DR
How do I check the bootloader version? I want to flash TWRP right away and maybe install a Note4/5 port or something stock Android, do I need to be careful with the bootloader?
I know from other phones (i.e LG G2) that any custom rom uses KK bootloader and the stock roms use their respective version bootloader. Is this also true for the Note?
Also, which version of TWRP should I flash? Does it depend on the stock rom version that I have?
Checking if the device has 2.3x GB of available RAM, if Odin and Recovery have their stock aspect and if the S-Pen works is enough to ensure that the Note I'm getting is truly original?
Well, that's all. I'm sorry if I'm asking the same questions everyone does. I'm used to Nexus so I'm afraid of bricking the Note with dumb moves. That's why I am taking my time to read every important thread and asking here some doubts that went into my mind while doing the required reading. I have no warranty (no box nor invoice) so I can't afford to mess up with the new babe
Cheers!

This app!
diogofd8 said:
Hello.
Ever since I bought a Galaxy Nexus and found XDA, my life changed. Without noticing I got infected a virus: addiction to Android.
My Nexus got outdated quickly and now is pretty done and I need a new toy. 3,5 years later I finally got some spare money to buy a new phone. Since here in Portugal the minimum wage is around 500€ and top flagship phones cost around 700€ (and there's no affordable contract to get something cheaper and still nice), I had to wait until now to get a used Note 3 for 300€.
I love the phone's design and above all the specs. There's no other phone with 3GB RAM and Snap 800 for this price and I always liked big sized phones.
Well, I write too much unnecessary info... I need to stop
Let's get down to the point. I will get the phone tomorrow!!
TL;DR
How do I check the bootloader version? I want to flash TWRP right away and maybe install a Note4/5 port or something stock Android, do I need to be careful with the bootloader?
I know from other phones (i.e LG G2) that any custom rom uses KK bootloader and the stock roms use their respective version bootloader. Is this also true for the Note?
Also, which version of TWRP should I flash? Does it depend on the stock rom version that I have?
Checking if the device has 2.3x GB of available RAM, if Odin and Recovery have their stock aspect and if the S-Pen works is enough to ensure that the Note I'm getting is truly original?
Well, that's all. I'm sorry if I'm asking the same questions everyone does. I'm used to Nexus so I'm afraid of bricking the Note with dumb moves. That's why I am taking my time to read every important thread and asking here some doubts that went into my mind while doing the required reading. I have no warranty (no box nor invoice) so I can't afford to mess up with the new babe
Cheers!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.vndnguyen.phoneinfo&hl=en
this app will help you confirm your phone.
then you can proceed flashing twrp and supersu, things are so easy for N9005
and Welcome Aboard

Install phone info samsung from playstore. It could tell a lot about your phone.
To make it easy as long as the phone is running with android version 4.4.2 and above you should use twrp 4.4. If 4.3 use the right one for 4.3.
Sent from my SM-G925F

White Note3 do you have? There are several versions made by Samsung.
Regardless of the bootloader on the phone, I recommend using the latest TWRP as the latest TWRP can be used to flash all ROMs and zip files. Find your device from here: https://twrp.me/Devices/
Before moving to custom ROMs, I also recommend installing the latest bootlloader and ROM.
Not sure if your phone still has warranty but if it does, I would not change the ROM or root because doing either may trip the knox counter and void the warranty.

nijom said:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.vndnguyen.phoneinfo&hl=en
this app will help you confirm your phone.
then you can proceed flashing twrp and supersu, things are so easy for N9005
and Welcome Aboard
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! I will keep the link in my favorites and install the app when I get the chance to test things.
Rosli59564 said:
Install phone info samsung from playstore. It could tell a lot about your phone.
To make it easy as long as the phone is running with android version 4.4.2 and above you should use twrp 4.4. If 4.3 use the right one for 4.3.
Sent from my SM-G925F
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! I'm pretty sure it has 4.4.x or lollipop. Should I update to any of those versions (just in case it comes with 4.3) first and then install TWRP?
audit13 said:
White Note3 do you have? There are several versions made by Samsung.
Regardless of the bootloader on the phone, I recommend using the latest TWRP as the latest TWRP can be used to flash all ROMs and zip files. Find your device from here: https://twrp.me/Devices/
Before moving to custom ROMs, I also recommend installing the latest bootlloader and ROM.
Not sure if your phone still has warranty but if it does, I would not change the ROM or root because doing either may trip the knox counter and void the warranty.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The phone doesn't come with box nor invoice so I don't have any warranty xd
What is the number or version of the latest bootloader?

What is the model # of the phone? There is the n-900t, n9005, n-900w8, etc.

N9005, it's the european unlocked version

The model # is important when asking questions because the AT&T version of the note 3 has a locked bootloader so it's more complicated to flash custom recovery and to get root.
If you want to run custom ROMs, I recommend upgrading to the latest modem and bootloader, install a custom recovery, back up your stock ROM, and try some custom ROMs to see which one you like.
Look for the tar version of TWRP for your phone from here: https://twrp.me/Devices/
You can flash TWRP with Odin.

audit13 said:
The model # is important when asking questions because the AT&T version of the note 3 has a locked bootloader so it's more complicated to flash custom recovery and to get root.
If you want to run custom ROMs, I recommend upgrading to the latest modem and bootloader, install a custom recovery, back up your stock ROM, and try some custom ROMs to see which one you like.
Look for the tar version of TWRP for your phone from here: https://twrp.me/Devices/
You can flash TWRP with Odin.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll get the phone tomorrow!!!!!
So, by upgrading to the latest official rom avaiable I'll have the most recent modem and bootloader, right?
Do I need to follow the order you mentioned: modem->bootloader->recovery->backup->croms or can I flash TWRP, backup every partition, flash most recent modem and bootloader (not sure if I can flash a bootloader) and then install croms?

No, only flashing a newer custom ROM won't update your Bootloader and Modem. You will need to flash those files separately via Odin. Then you can flash the custom ROM you want. The order is simple. Get a custom recovery first, TWRP. Then update your Modem and Bootloader. Then wipe the device from TWRP (full wipe, take backup beforehand if you need) and flash the custom ROM of your choice.

Safest way to upgrade the modem and bootloader is via ota update on a completely stock unrooted rom with stock recovery. After the phone is running the latest rom, then start with customization.

audit13 said:
Safest way to upgrade the modem and bootloader is via ota update on a completely stock unrooted rom with stock recovery. After the phone is running the latest rom, then start with customization.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the phone and managed to update it to 5.0 -> n9005xxugboa1
Is it the latest version or should I update it to another one?

BOD2 appears to be the latest according to sammobile.com: http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/database/SM-N9005/

audit13 said:
BOD2 appears to be the latest according to sammobile.com: http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/database/SM-N9005/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm from Portugal but the phone is unlocked (no carrier) and they only have firmware for carrier notes... Which one should I download and flash?
Also... with a G2 I flashed a .kdz file (official rom) and ended up with a bricked phone (later fixed via warranty), but I have no warranty in this phone, how can I make sure that the file is safe?

Just check for software updates from your phone.

audit13 said:
Just check for software updates from your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It says the phone is already at the latest version. I've cleaned framework services and checked again but got the same result.

Try removing the SIM card and moving the date ahead by two days, then try again.

audit13 said:
Try removing the SIM card and moving the date ahead by two days, then try again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Done that, no update avaiable. Connected to Kies3, no update avaiable.
Is it really in a old version? It's 5.0. Do I really need the latest version to start flashing a recovery?
Also, can I use the recovery without flashing it? I want to check if it works nicely before flashing if it is possible. TWRP can be used to flash any rom right? I'm interested in trying darklord first.

Yes, you can flash recovery without updating. I suggested updating because the update probably deals with the stage fright bug.

eMMC11: Pros/Cons Please? Unrooted MM vs Rooted LL on 900V

Like a lot of noobies to the Verizon S5, I've discovered I bought an eMMC 11 locked bootloader S5 and I can't run the stuff I had on my last phone (USC S5 in my case). I've passed denial and anger, and am struggling with acceptance. Maybe the choices aren't THAT bad (ugh, they probably are). So help those of us who just bought a new (used) phone accept reality...
So it looks like the choice at this point is Unrooted Marshmallow or Rooted Lollipop. And is it really worth all the trouble to install Safestrap to end up with the Unrooted Marshmallow like what's already on the phone?
So, what are the pros/cons of rooted lollipop? What does one lose/What does one gain? Is it worth it?

SupraLance said:
And is it really worth all the trouble to install Safestrap to end up with the Unrooted Marshmallow like what's already on the phone?
So, what are the pros/cons of rooted lollipop? What does one lose/What does one gain? Is it worth it?
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SM-G900V is a very good phone from any point of view.
I've bought near 20 of them, it's my hobby to repair something .
Some were sold, some I've presented to my friends, some are in use in my family.
Really, all my family use this phone model, despite I'm on the opposite side of the globe from Verizon.
So, as an active SM-G900V user I can say:
1. There's no better firmware than a lightly debloated stock TW ROM.
2. A normal, usual user should not use a rooted phone as a daily driver. Rooted phone demands much more attention than a normal device to keep it in working state.
3. I personally don't use rooted phones even if I can root them.
4. CID11 (Toshiba EMMC) seems to be more reliable than CID15 (Samsung EMMC). N.B.: I'm sure, but it's only my observation.
5. You can install many good ROMs on CID11 phone, but you're limited to TW.
6. SafeStrap is not a root substitution but a way to flash a custom ROM to your phone.
So, CID11 phone and unrooted MM is my choice.
But if you cannot live without root and still want to find a CID15 phone, you may want to look at this and this threads.

So I assume you run the stock MM with safestrap, and used a debloat zip through safestrap to debloat? If there is an already debloated stock MM rom I'm not seeing it, but this place has so many similar subforums and outdated stickies it's really confusing now.
I agree with you about using non-rooted stock DD. On my USC S5, I have multirom that lets me switch back and forth between that and LOS by just rebooting and I have the best of both worlds at my fingertips. But I do use the unrooted but debloated TW most.

SupraLance said:
So I assume you run the stock MM with safestrap, and used a debloat zip through safestrap to debloat? If there is an already debloated stock MM rom I'm not seeing it, but this place has so many similar subforums and outdated stickies it's really confusing now.
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I run "almost stock" MM even WITHOUT safestrap for everyday use.
This is because some applications (mostly bank applications) do not run on the phone with safestrap installed.
But safestrap is used for flashing process.
I use this ROM in unrooted variant as my daily driver.
This ROM is nice too.
Of course, only system partition is altered. Bootloader, modem, kernel remain stock from SM-G900V.

Did you ever run Havoc OS or put multiboot on your USC S5 variant? You might give it a try on this new one. I too did a few S5 emmc11? or so and had to safestrap them. I have 2 here now that are Verizon variants im needing new screens for and not sure what they are on. Should hopefully be ok and older binary.

noidodroid said:
Did you ever run Havoc OS or put multiboot on your USC S5 variant? You might give it a try on this new one. I too did a few S5 emmc11? or so and had to safestrap them. I have 2 here now that are Verizon variants im needing new screens for and not sure what they are on. Should hopefully be ok and older binary.
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hey buddy., can help me out., with the instruccions to unlock the bootloader and istall twrp on my gs5., i have the emm11 chip., i tried but i can't