Database Users

[Solved] Did I hose myself (Knox poblem?)

So, the other day, as samsung was pushing more bloat to my phone, I decided I had had enough Redit told me I could just delete most things from root, I did so by following the instructions from a google search of how-to-root-and-flash-cwm-recovery-on-sprint-galaxy-s4-on-android-4-3-tutorial (except, of course, the back up part)
then, without paying attention to the list of removable apps, I took out Samsung hub, And then the problems start. The phone still works: Except every second or so, i get told that the hub has stopped. The phone isn't bricked, but it is basically worthless with the message popping up constantly.
According to my settings, everything is still stock (L720VPUFNAE) Although I think just rooting it was enough to pop the Knox bubble. I'm not working on getting that rom to try to re-flash back to stock (I thought i had did this over night, but it seems like i had slightly different roms when I was doing this early in the morning)
I also tried installing the Samsung Hub apk, but I get an error stating that X app wasn't installed. I have not been able to find a source for this app while googling.
I've tried finding a custom rom to use, but most of the ones I THINK are good/will work, don't install via odin, and for some reason when I try to boot into recovery, it just sits indefinitely @ the samsung galaxy screen.
Am I just stressed and frustrated, or am I truly hosed?
Edit: I'm currently working through http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2307531 as my next attempt
Edit: for some reason Philz recovery isn't ever entering a recovery mode for me, it just sides @ the samsung screen forever

Akuthia said:
blablabla I deleted something what I shouldn't and now my phone is faulty, but I do not want/can reflash using Odin and CWM :crying::crying::crying:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You still can install Mobile Odin from google Play, copy ROM to SD card and try to flash it in that way...

spamtrash said:
You still can install Mobile Odin from google Play, copy ROM to SD card and try to flash it in that way...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I get it, i deserve the sarcasm, I broke rule 1 of upgrades. (one of) the problems I'm having though is finding the right file to flash to. Just looking for a little bit of advice as to what files I need to get back to " Normal" I know I should be able to flash to another rom, why when I use Philz Recovery it doesn't do what it's supposed to, is beyond me right now. Odin mobile requires the PDA file, correct? That seems fine to getting back to stock, but most of the custom roms I've found or are at least interested in are just files that are installed via recovery...which for some reason I don't have access too, right?

Akuthia said:
That seems fine to getting back to stock, but most of the custom roms I've found or are at least interested in are just files that are installed via recovery...which for some reason I don't have access too, right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct. If I'd be you, I'd go to sammobile.com, and I'd start from full stock flash. It shall restore recovery. It it would work - you'd be OK to go with custom.

spamtrash said:
Correct. If I'd be you, I'd go to sammobile.com, and I'd start from full stock flash. It shall restore recovery. It it would work - you'd be OK to go with custom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, Sammobile has been efforting for about an hour. Has an hour to go. I also got CWM and am going to see if I can flash a rom with it. Transfer of those files is taking a while as well.

Akuthia said:
Ok, Sammobile has been efforting for about an hour. Has an hour to go. I also got CWM and am going to see if I can flash a rom with it. Transfer of those files is taking a while as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Got back to stock. Text messages gave me a fright for a bit was sending me a message they were undeliverable via another code text # one of those 4 or 5 digit things)

Akuthia said:
Got back to stock. Text messages gave me a fright for a bit was sending me a message they were undeliverable via another code text # one of those 4 or 5 digit things)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good. Now, a small lesson for the future, if I can:
if you want to remove something, DO NOT delete software, use Titanium Backup and freeze apk first instead.
This will give you opportunity to check if you have frozen something important. :good:

spamtrash said:
Good. Now, a small lesson for the future, if I can:
if you want to remove something, DO NOT delete software, use Titanium Backup and freeze apk first instead.
This will give you opportunity to check if you have frozen something important. :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats the thing, i HAD made a backup in titanium of all my system apps, just so i could roll it back, but for some reason, it wasn't listed when the fan got hi by you know what.

Akuthia said:
Thats the thing, i HAD made a backup in titanium of all my system apps, just so i could roll it back, but for some reason, it wasn't listed when the fan got hi by you know what.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I DID not mentioned BACKUP.
I mentioned FREEZING.
Backup is another copy, which you may, or may not install.
FREEZE is that all files are present, but the application is not listed in system.

Attempting to flash ROM, just automatically fails even though I'm following instructi

Finally got my ATT SG4 rooted and recovery installed. Downloaded Goldeneyerom, backed up, wipe/reset, and when i try to flash it fails immediately
downloading another ROM in the meantime but what has happened here? i swear i never get it right :/
and for the record i'm clueless here. I dont know what MK2 and NC1 and all that is, I just want to flash something that lets me bypass the load screen and has all the bloatware removed. Any link would be appreciated

Please be specific
What bootloader is your device using? What Firmware are you currently running? What Rom are you trying to flash? Did you verify the MD5 of the ROM you downloaded? Are you sure you are rooted? What custom recovery are you using?

Thread cleaned and moved.

ponp74 said:
What bootloader is your device using? What Firmware are you currently running? What Rom are you trying to flash? Did you verify the MD5 of the ROM you downloaded? Are you sure you are rooted? What custom recovery are you using?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
bootloader is locked
stock mk2
any rom that will actually work
not sure how to verify the MD5
towelroot says im rooted
super user is installed
root checker says i have root access
using safetrap as recovery since its the only one i can use
hopefully that was enough info for you to be able to help me with the next step. I should this was going to be alittle easier, been at it two weeks now and i have basically just been doing everything the wrong way.

Are you using SafeStrap specific ROM?
My device needs Loki Doki. I've never had a SafeStrap device. I wonder if the ROM you're attempting to use doesn't work for your device type. Try using ROMs like http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2468860 wich are made for devices uing SafeStrap. Most ROMs on here are de-bloated so whichever one you choose, it'll be better than the original one your phone came with.
Firmware/Radio shouldn't affect your phone's ability to install a ROM, just affects your performance (i.e. signal quality, etc.)
Like I've mentioned, I've yet to ever deal with SafeStrap so its a bit out of my league. Can anyone else offer up some advice?

ponp74 said:
My device needs Loki Doki. I've never had a SafeStrap device. I wonder if the ROM you're attempting to use doesn't work for your device type. Try using ROMs like http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2468860 wich are made for devices uing SafeStrap. Most ROMs on here are de-bloated so whichever one you choose, it'll be better than the original one your phone came with.
Firmware/Radio shouldn't affect your phone's ability to install a ROM, just affects your performance (i.e. signal quality, etc.)
Like I've mentioned, I've yet to ever deal with SafeStrap so its a bit out of my league. Can anyone else offer up some advice?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
alright i tried flashing that rom with safestrap and it also failed immediately
help!

I am not SafeStrap savvy either. But, with MK2, I "think" you can only flash 4.3 roms and may need the older SafeStrap. I would, if you haven't, get up on the SafeStrap thread and check out "All Things MK2 etc" thread. This isn't an easy phone to flash and some more research may save some headaches. I didn't catch your post count. You need 10 to post in Dev Section. Always wipe System along with Data and Caches before flashing rom. Assume those are available in SafeStrap recovery. You might want to upgrade to NB1/NC1.
You do need to check rom md5 after downloading with file manager like ES File Explorer. I use a Command Window and just drag downloaded rom to window. The md5 is basically a way to check that you got to your phone what the download site was suppose to send. It is a checksum. Roms don't always download correctly. However with all your failures, I doubt that is your problem. The md5, if available will be listed on thread OP page and/or download page. Also, try downloading to Internal, if you are not, and see if that helps.
A lot of this you can Google, as I did in the beginning. If all else fails go to the thread "No Stupid Questions" It is Stickied at top of Q&A and SafeStrap is currently toward bottom of first Q&A page. :good:

It's probably because you have safestrap version 3.71? If that's the case all the latest Roms require Safestrap 3.72 so try updating and see what happens

rugmankc said:
I am not SafeStrap savvy either. But, with MK2, I "think" you can only flash 4.3 roms and may need the older SafeStrap. I would, if you haven't, get up on the SafeStrap thread and check out "All Things MK2 etc" thread. This isn't an easy phone to flash and some more research may save some headaches. I didn't catch your post count. You need 10 to post in Dev Section. Always wipe System along with Data and Caches before flashing rom. Assume those are available in SafeStrap recovery. You might want to upgrade to NB1/NC1.
You do need to check rom md5 after downloading with file manager like ES File Explorer. I use a Command Window and just drag downloaded rom to window. The md5 is basically a way to check that you got to your phone what the download site was suppose to send. It is a checksum. Roms don't always download correctly. However with all your failures, I doubt that is your problem. The md5, if available will be listed on thread OP page and/or download page. Also, try downloading to Internal, if you are not, and see if that helps.
A lot of this you can Google, as I did in the beginning. If all else fails go to the thread "No Stupid Questions" It is Stickied at top of Q&A and SafeStrap is currently toward bottom of first Q&A page. :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
brownie9987 said:
It's probably because you have safestrap version 3.71? If that's the case all the latest Roms require Safestrap 3.72 so try updating and see what happens
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
says 3.72 isnt for MK2. And when i tried it it won't even load into recovery. So i guess I can't use any KitKat roms.
SO now that the umpteenth problem is out of the way, while I'm downgrading back to 3.71 can anyone recommend a good 4.3 rom?

Damani311 said:
says 3.72 isnt for MK2. And when i tried it it won't even load into recovery. So i guess I can't use any KitKat roms.
SO now that the umpteenth problem is out of the way, while I'm downgrading back to 3.71 can anyone recommend a good 4.3 rom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oops, told you. Sorta. Would keep reading those related threads and go to the 4.3 ROM threads listed in All Things MK2 and read the OP and last 20 pages of thread to get a feel. The different SafeStraps are particular in how you flash Roms to them. So check that out too. As far as how the roms work, it will vary for each user. So, have a backup. Good Luck.
Sent from my GT-I9505G using Tapatalk

Well you're right on that part 3.72 isnt for MK2 BUT! after you get Safestrap 3.71 installed on MK2 you can use this method and flash this NC1 Rooted Rom in Safestrap Method 2 Post 3 to be exact http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2730144 follow the instructions to a T and you will be on NC1 4.4.2 and once there you will have to download terminal emulator and type "su" then enter then "setenforce 0" (that changes you're SElinux status to Permissive instead of enforcing) because the safestrap 3.72 apk wont install properly once done with that download a busybox apk installer and reinstall busybox after that you should be good to go install safestrap 3.72 and then reboot into VIOLA
Damani311 said:
says 3.72 isnt for MK2. And when i tried it it won't even load into recovery. So i guess I can't use any KitKat roms.
SO now that the umpteenth problem is out of the way, while I'm downgrading back to 3.71 can anyone recommend a good 4.3 rom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Damani311 said:
says 3.72 isnt for MK2. And when i tried it it won't even load into recovery. So i guess I can't use any KitKat roms.
SO now that the umpteenth problem is out of the way, while I'm downgrading back to 3.71 can anyone recommend a good 4.3 rom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Daman you got two pieces of bad advice here.
1. Double check suggestions before doing them
2. That's done by reading thoroughly the threads I suggested till you understand enough not to get into trouble
Looks like trouble on Hyper also, that's why I am re-stressing study first. I want you to get it right the first time. SafeStrap is complicated untill you understand all of it--:good:

rugmankc said:
Daman you got two pieces of bad advice here.
1. Double check suggestions before doing them
2. That's done by reading thoroughly the threads I suggested till you understand enough not to get into trouble
Looks like trouble on Hyper also, that's why I am re-stressing study first. I want you to get it right the first time. SafeStrap is complicated untill you understand all of it--:good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah i bricked my sd card permanently with that 3.72 attempt
i got another thread going where i've flashed the rom, but it doesnt have wifi and i can't get it to work right...i'm getting there. slowly:silly:

Damani311 said:
yeah i bricked my sd card permanently with that 3.72 attempt
i got another thread going where i've flashed the rom, but it doesnt have wifi and i can't get it to work right...i'm getting there. slowly:silly:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok good
did flash correct modules?
another month you'll be getting other folks out of trouble--

rugmankc said:
ok good
did flash correct modules?
another month you'll be getting other folks out of trouble--
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well just putting 3.72 on there and trying to flash anything bricked my sd card
not sure what order to flash rom/modules/compatiblility packet, but i'm getting no wifi/internet and all the bloatware is still there: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2520418&page=111
my posts are on the second to last page but i just want to flash that rom. or any rom.. I've been at this ten days now :/

Damani311 said:
well just putting 3.72 on there and trying to flash anything bricked my sd card
not sure what order to flash rom/modules/compatiblility packet, but i'm getting no wifi/internet and all the bloatware is still there: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2520418&page=111
my posts are on the second to last page but i just want to flash that rom. or any rom.. I've been at this ten days now :/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I won't be able to assist any further, sorry. I have reached my limit on SafeStrap.
Go to the No Stupid Question thread in Q&A. And tell exactly where you are and ask for next step. Maybe odin back to stock and start over after some re-reading. jd is pretty good there with helping out on all kinds of issues. You generally won't get much help in the actual Dev thread. :good:
Also, tedusa77 is pretty good too
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2621279

[Q] Very confused about what options are available to someone with nc4,

Hello all, I posted a similar topic a few days back, and cannot seem to find it. I fear it was deleted, but could be wrong. I only looked back a few pages in the history.
My problems have multiplied since that posting. I have nc4, when I bought my phone it was on there. Used towelroot and was able to root, download safestrap 3.75 and was able to add/delete slots, attempted to use hyperdrive, experienced a lot of weird things like my SMS would randomly not send, battery life was not spectacular,and just other misc things. IT seemed like I might have used a rom that could not be used properly for nc4. I then tried bajarom, which completely does not work for my phone, probably because it's nc2 and I didn't realize that?? Tried jellybeanz or whatever the exact name was, my phone won't even boot, says it successfully installed but sticks on the black screen.
Somehow over the past few days I managed to wipe my stock so I do not have the stock, thus I cannot go back.
I am sure I can find or maybe be directed to the stock firmware and reflash it.
I am not sure if it's possible but I'd really love to be able to get nc2, or if someone more knowledgable than myself could point out a solution for me, I would like to have a custom rom if theres one that would work properly on my phone.
Another confusion I have, with the nc4, am I able to use odin to flash a different radio, should I even bother? I would sincerely appreciate someone who would help clear some of this up for me, I'm pretty novice as you can see. Thanks in advance.

update
I guess my question is unclear. I really can use some help if anyone would be so obliged.
I am trying to use ADB to push the file over, it says access denied, I was previously rooted and verified as much. My issue is I need a way to send the roms over to my SD or my regular phone internal mem so I can at least load a rom. Currently my phone is bricked and I am just getting very upset, I really could use someone to give me a bit of guidance.
I opened the cmd with admin and it's still saying access denied. IS there a way to force the phone to open as a media device via cmd? That way I can edit sd card info and push on there what needs to go?

I am currently trying to find a way to get hyperdrive, or another rom over.
I have beanstowns rom on there, it appears as .zip yet when I try to install from safestrap I end up exploring the directory, as opposed to just being an option I can choose.
Baja is the same way, both are still on my sd, yet for whatever reason I cannot select them to install them.

Hope is not lost.
I think your initial problem was that you tried using rom slots. It specifies in the Safestrap OP that rom slots are only supported on NC2 bootloader. Since you are on the NC4 bootloader you cannot go backwards, however you can flash the NC2 kernel if you want to run a custom rom, you simply need to use the stock slot alone.
Since I know very little about ADB & Terminal CMD, I will try to give you directions to get up and running the way I know how.
First you'll need to reflash the stock NC4 tar via odin and reroot. Files can be found here.
Since you've flashed a couple different roms that have probably messed with the system settings I would do a factory reset before rerooting.
After you are up, running and rooted, follow the instructions here to get on the NC2 kernel.
Once you've completed these steps you will be on the NC4 bootloader with the NC2 kernel and be able to flash a custom rom in the stock rom slot. Only a NC2+ rom will function so make sure it is based on NC2/NC4 (i.e. jelly 'beans' will not run on NC2+ firmware as it is based on MJE).

kinstre11 said:
Hope is not lost.
I think your initial problem was that you tried using rom slots. It specifies in the Safestrap OP that rom slots are only supported on NC2 bootloader. Since you are on the NC4 bootloader you cannot go backwards, however you can flash the NC2 kernel if you want to run a custom rom, you simply need to use the stock slot alone.
Since I know very little about ADB & Terminal CMD, I will try to give you directions to get up and running the way I know how.
First you'll need to reflash the stock NC4 tar via odin and reroot. Files can be found here.
Since you've flashed a couple different roms that have probably messed with the system settings I would do a factory reset before rerooting.
After you are up, running and rooted, follow the instructions here to get on the NC2 kernel.
Once you've completed these steps you will be on the NC4 bootloader with the NC2 kernel and be able to flash a custom rom in the stock rom slot. Only a NC2+ rom will function so make sure it is based on NC2/NC4 (i.e. jelly 'beans' will not run on NC2+ firmware as it is based on MJE).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
firstly, thank you so much for the reply.
I did flash nc2 kernal, but was confused when I still saw nc4 in the about section. I flashed with odin NC2_modem_kk.tar and nc2kernel.tar.
The issue I was having is with hyperdrive, and baja I had some serious issues, so I assumed it was because I was using them incorrectly, ie didn't install one of the above files correctly, or did something else wrong in the process. Just for example, with hyperdrive, my sms would just stop sending/receiving/ double sending. My sim card was not being recognized. And a whole lot of other issues.. So I kept messing around and now im at a point where nothing boots up, I cannot reflash, and I'm just stuck.
I will follow your link and attempt to do as you said, will wipe, and then will try again.

deindichter said:
firstly, thank you so much for the reply.
I did flash nc2 kernal, but was confused when I still saw nc4 in the about section. I flashed with odin NC2_modem_kk.tar and nc2kernel.tar.
The issue I was having is with hyperdrive, and baja I had some serious issues, so I assumed it was because I was using them incorrectly, ie didn't install one of the above files correctly, or did something else wrong in the process. Just for example, with hyperdrive, my sms would just stop sending/receiving/ double sending. My sim card was not being recognized. And a whole lot of other issues.. So I kept messing around and now im at a point where nothing boots up, I cannot reflash, and I'm just stuck.
I will follow your link and attempt to do as you said, will wipe, and then will try again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alright, I applied to nc4 and did a factory reset, made sure all my slots were deleted (had 2). Then factory reset and rebooted, saw safestrap, pressed continue, and i'm looking at a blank screen now as though there is nothing to boot to. I was under the impression factory reset would undo all and it has not.
Did I do something wrong, or am I missing something?

deindichter said:
Alright, I applied to nc4 and did a factory reset, made sure all my slots were deleted (had 2). Then factory reset and rebooted, saw safestrap, pressed continue, and i'm looking at a blank screen now as though there is nothing to boot to. I was under the impression factory reset would undo all and it has not.
Did I do something wrong, or am I missing something?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you already boot into download mode and flash the correct files through Odin? If so that should set your phone back to stock. Then you would have to re root.

fsolares said:
Did you already boot into download mode and flash the correct files through Odin? If so that should set your phone back to stock. Then you would have to re root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did and it did not boot me back into stock. I then found http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1922461which led me to download the files directly from samsung.

After downloading the official partition table/ modem/ kernal from the verizon website I finally have this back to stock. LOL. wow. Thank you very much for helping, and working with me on this.

deindichter said:
After downloading the official partition table/ modem/ kernal from the verizon website I finally have this back to stock. LOL. wow. Thank you very much for helping, and working with me on this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
can u post the link from where u got the official partition table/modem/kernel on verizon website...

deindichter said:
After downloading the official partition table/ modem/ kernal from the verizon website I finally have this back to stock. LOL. wow. Thank you very much for helping, and working with me on this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So are you good to go now?

moin786 said:
can u post the link from where u got the official partition table/modem/kernel on verizon website...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
could you post where you found all this since im trying to get my phone back to stock.

Paulrybicki83 said:
could you post where you found all this since im trying to get my phone back to stock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seriously, just Google for the Samsung official firmware. It's on their site. Not Verizon.

[Q] Rooting a Sprint S4 SPH-L720

Sorry for asking this question. I am guessing that it has been answered a number of times, but I can't seem to find anything recent or usable.
I have an S4 running 4.4.2
Baseband L720VPUFNG2
Kernel 3.4.0-2162929
Build KOT49H.L720VPUFNG2
I have been attempting to root it, but any of the information I am finding is pre-current updates. Is there a way to root this, or am I too late to the game? I have spent the last 3 days reading up, going to different forums, checking Youtube, etc. but I haven't located anything.
Any advice?
Brian

C.f. auto root. This will trip the Knox flag.

Thanks for the quick reply
I jumped on your advice and ran with it. Ran Root Checker and it looks like I have root access.
Thanks again for the advice.

Custom recovery
As an aside, with the cf auto not coming with a custom recovery, which would be the best to install here? Or should I just leave it stock?

BinstRagu said:
As an aside, with the cf auto not coming with a custom recovery, which would be the best to install here? Or should I just leave it stock?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
TWRP or Philz Touch are the ones most liked. But really it's up to you and what you're most comfortable with.

Hey, which one did you use? I went here:
http://autoroot.chainfire.eu/
but didn't find one for KOT49H.L720VPUFNG2
BinstRagu said:
I jumped on your advice and ran with it. Ran Root Checker and it looks like I have root access.
Thanks again for the advice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

I am pretty sure this is what I used.
I am trying to get you the information, but xda is being annoying as hell. I can't share a link or post an image or do anything to get you the name of it.
Google search this: Root L720VPUFNG2 Android 4.4.2 Stock Firmware On nasirtech
It should be your first return.

Hey, thanks
Actually, I had previously found that source, but the download file seemed tied to build KOT49H.L720VPUFNAE, so I was nervous about applying it. But sounds like it worked for you, so I'll give it a try
BinstRagu said:
I am trying to get you the information, but xda is being annoying as hell. I can't share a link or post an image or do anything to get you the name of it.
Google search this: Root L720VPUFNG2 Android 4.4.2 Stock Firmware On nasirtech
It should be your first return.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

BinstRagu said:
I am trying to get you the information, but xda is being annoying as hell. I can't share a link or post an image or do anything to get you the name of it.
Google search this: Root L720VPUFNG2 Android 4.4.2 Stock Firmware On nasirtech
It should be your first return.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for this! Successfully rooted my S4 on Sprint!

Glad I could help. It feels nice to contribute.
I installed TWRP and ran nandroid to restore my apps and SMS from by backup.
TWRP comes with a nice stock looking wifi hotspot.
I just have to personalize all my settings and I am back on track.

Odin won't work
BinstRagu said:
Sorry for asking this question. I am guessing that it has been answered a number of times, but I can't seem to find anything recent or usable.
I have an S4 running 4.4.2
Baseband L720VPUFNG2
Kernel 3.4.0-2162929
Build KOT49H.L720VPUFNG2
I have been attempting to root it, but any of the information I am finding is pre-current updates. Is there a way to root this, or am I too late to the game? I have spent the last 3 days reading up, going to different forums, checking Youtube, etc. but I haven't located anything.
Any advice?
Brian
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the same phone and Odin hangs on "Get PIT for mapping.. ". Can't get past this with any Odin attempt. Small print on phone says "WRITE PROTECTION: Enable"
Any Ideas ?

Actually, one more question: did this rooting method wipe your data? Instructions indicate a lot flashing going on. Thanks!
BinstRagu said:
Glad I could help. It feels nice to contribute.
I installed TWRP and ran nandroid to restore my apps and SMS from by backup.
TWRP comes with a nice stock looking wifi hotspot.
I just have to personalize all my settings and I am back on track.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

kunchers said:
Actually, one more question: did this rooting method wipe your data? Instructions indicate a lot flashing going on. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Let me think about what I did here.....
The autoroot itself did not. I installed it and it was all normal. My next steps could be ill advised and all over the place, but what I did was:
Installed JS backup and created a backup to the PC.
I like having that assurance just in case I break anything along the way.
Then I installed the TWRP recovery and let it run through everything. I have always been taught to wipe my dalvik, user, etc. cache when I am installing anything. So I did the wipe. After everything was installed fresh, I went back in and got nandroid backup and restore and was able to pull my JS backup data in, recreating my SMS log, my call log, etc. The only issue that I ran into, which isnt even a big issue, is that it cleared out my apps that I had installed. They mostly all errored out when trying to reinstall them via Nandroid.
I think that I could have probably used Titanium Backup once I got the initial autoroot done. I was just all over the place with it because I was burnt out from searching for answers for the past week or so.

betoweb said:
I have the same phone and Odin hangs on "Get PIT for mapping.. ". Can't get past this with any Odin attempt. Small print on phone says "WRITE PROTECTION: Enable"
Any Ideas ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What version of Odin are you using and did you get the correct root file? I know that each of these sets of instructions runs with different Odins and I found that depending on the installation attempt, it was important to use exactly what the instructions stated. So if someone is posting to use v1.85, that is the one to use. Please remember that I am not at all an expert on this. I just seem to be the first guy who recently got lucky enough to assemble the pieces and successfully push this thing onto a phone. I also had the PIT mapping problem, until I followed the link that posted the other day and followed the instructions exactly. Also, make sure that you are using your real Samsung cable, you are running it directly to your pc, and your usb port is good. Also, make sure that you have your Samsung drivers installed on the pc.

Root File
Where did you find the correct root file ?
I see now that I have KOT49H.L720VPUFNAE not KOT49H.L720VPUFNG2.
I have looked for a week. I have been looking for a week.

betoweb said:
Where did you find the correct root file ?
I see now that I have KOT49H.L720VPUFNAE not KOT49H.L720VPUFNG2.
I have looked for a week. I have been looking for a week.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is all in this thread. I cannot share links, so you will have to do the legwork on that one. If you google search what I entered previously, you should see your version in the list of headers.

[Q] ANNOYING S4!! Help needed

Ok guys, here's the deal. i bought a secondhand s4 which was advertised as a google edition. it has a couple of annoying issues, first i noticed it switching itself off and on. the worst problem with it is that when my battery goes reeeally dead it just bootloops when i have recharged. the only way i can get it back on is to start it in recovery mode (which is clockworkmod v6.0.4.4) then do a factory wipe. so yeah thats a major pain. the s4 itself is a red model and behind the battery it says its a gt-19505, however in the settings on the phone it says its a gt-19505g.
my goal is to install an official firmware if possible that i may be able to update easily, the worry that i have is that i dont know if it would then accept my network as although it appears to run google edition custom firmware it may not once i install something official on it. this may be a nooby statement i know but a noob i am lol.
if its at all possible could i keep the cwm recovery?
and if its any help when i load the other boot loader thingy (with the green android on it) in the top left it says gt-19505, im just sayin cus im sure its vital which ever this phone actually is.
here are as many details as i can give but please ask if im missing anything
ANDROID VERSION 4.4.2
KERNEL VERSION 3.4.0-faux123-KK44-GE-Custom
[email protected]omain #20
Sun Dec 1 02:30:28 CST 2013
BASEBAND VERSION 19505XXUFNA1
BUILD NUMBER KOT49H.S001.131204
also upon booting in the top left it says "kernel is not seandroid enforcing
set warranty bit:kernel"
THANKS FOR YOUR TIME And please tell me where to start as i tried updating it via kies to fix it but it just wont connect, i assume due to custom firmware.

The Google Play Edition S4 devices didn't come in any color but white. Therefore, this is an I9505 with a custom ROM on it. The download mode screen reading GT-I9505 confirmed it.
Since this is an I9505 and not an I9505G, the main question is whether this device will work with your SIM card. For that, simply insert your SIM card and boot the device. If you get signal, you're good. Otherwise you'll have to unlock the device, either by purchasing an unlock code from one of the sites that sells them, or by trying the unlock methods available on the forums.
This will also help answer the question of which stock ROM you can install on the device. If the S4 doesn't prompt you to unlock the device, then you can install one of the unbranded S4 ROMs available on sammobile.com. After that, you can put the recovery of your choice on the S4, though I recommend TWRP over the other options.

Thanks for your help. I'm a little confused though, at the moment with this custom google edition ROM it does take my sim, in fact I bet it takes any sim, I heard that was a feature of google play devices. What I meant was after I install the stock ROM will it then not take my sim. So if it has already been unlocked How would I know which ROM to install? As I now know its not a google edition, is it possible to install an official google edition ROM? Do i use this download mode, Odin, or cwm to install a firmware. I'm just not sure what my starting point is. I don't wanna follow someone's guide yet to installing something just in case I'm jumping the gun and need to uninstall this custom ROM somehow.
Sorry for asking questions that I'm sure seem dumb I'm really just trying to learn at the moment I'm green as they come with android. BTW thanks for your suggestions so far, you def seem like you know what you're talking about, cheers

Google Play devices are carrier unlocked, but this is not a Google Play Edition S4. Therefore the device was carrier unlocked at some point in its past. The unknown here is how the original owner unlocked the device. If he or she used the unlocking methods found on XDA there is a chance the lock will be lost when installing a stock ROM.
If the S4 is unlocked, you aren't restricted to a particular region and can install any I9505 ROM using Odin, though I recommend the carrier unbranded ROMs. You cannot install a stock Google Play Edition ROM on the device as the model number of a GPE device is not the same as the device you have. However, you're already rooted and have a custom recovery installed. In I9505 Development here on XDA there is a Google Play Edition ROM that can be installed on your device. Download it to your S4, wipe everything in recovery, then flash the ROM's flashable zip in recovery. I've used said ROM and it works quite well.

OK I have found the 5.0.1 ge ROM , but in there it says I must use latest recovery or whatever plus it recommended one different to mine, is it safe to install using my version of cwm or do I need to learn how to change it??

Deleted by user

TWRP is recommended as there are people who are still maintaining it, unlike Clockworkmod and Philz. While you probably can get the ROM installed using the version of Clockworkmod you have, learning how to change recoveries is useful.

OK thank you for all your help my friend, I will now find out how to do this, I'm sure there is a section on this somewhere, BTW I think you are right about my device being rooted, but I wanted to check and I followed a guide and used super su but apparently its not rooted so I guess something must've gone wrong. Bit scary if I try to change my recovery or my firmware and this causes a brick hmmmmm

It's virtually impossible to brick the S4, especially as the recovery is flashed through Odin.

Phew that's a relief. Thanks man.... Well I'm gonna just risk using cwm for now as I'm new to this........ Thanks a whole lot for your time I really mean that.

KlLLFRENZY said:
Phew that's a relief. Thanks man.... Well I'm gonna just risk using cwm for now as I'm new to this........ Thanks a whole lot for your time I really mean that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use TWRP. CMW is outdated.

Lennyz1988 said:
Use TWRP. CMW is outdated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I want to, I really do but I'm struggling here. Before I wrote that last comment I tried to find a guide on this forum for swapping to twrp, but couldn't and didn't wanna bug this guy as he had helped enough. Anyway I went to the place he told me and have hit another wall anyway because I don't know how to use the firmware the relevant kernel or the git. My life is so busy and I'm getting about an hour on this subject a day and its gonna take forever lol
If you can help me on my way even a little its much appreciated, I would like to use twrp and the 5.0.1 ge plus the right kernel of course

KlLLFRENZY said:
I want to, I really do but I'm struggling here. Before I wrote that last comment I tried to find a guide on this forum for swapping to twrp, but couldn't and didn't wanna bug this guy as he had helped enough. Anyway I went to the place he told me and have hit another wall anyway because I don't know how to use the firmware the relevant kernel or the git. My life is so busy and I'm getting about an hour on this subject a day and its gonna take forever lol
If you can help me on my way even a little its much appreciated, I would like to use twrp and the 5.0.1 ge plus the right kernel of course
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
https://twrp.me/devices/samsunggalaxys4internationalqualcomm.html
Follow the Odin guide. It's excactly the same when you flashed CWM.

@Lennyz1988: The S4 was bought secondhand and already had CWM on it from the original owner.
@killfrenzy: Follow the guide Lenny mentioned, but don't worry about the second paragraph. Our device isn't one of those that restores the original recovery on boot.

ok will do, i just tried the app install method but as i suspected, it said root is required for this app and promptly exited so i shall do the odin method, i heard that some people remove root or it could be that it was done wrong. also after reading a few posts here and there i found out that someone had similar issues with their phone random re-booting and they had custom ge with the wrong kernel so it seems once im done my issues should be history if i learn how to install fw + kernel, after this twrp thing i will be one step closer for sure. i also know ppl slate lollipop but once im all done with this im sure i will have picked up enough terminology to install cfw's to my hearts content. hooray for forums and people like you, sounds like im kissin ass but its just gratitude

so using the twrp install guide i gotta install using the odin method i have now got 3.07 odin but this is the next step.........
Odin Install Method (No Root Required):
You will need to download and install Odin on your PC. Once you have Odin installed, download the proper .tar file for your device from the download link above. Power off your device. Turn on your device using the proper key combo to get into download mode and attach the device to your computer via a USB cable. Use the PDA tab or button to browse to and select the tar file that you downloaded and flash the device.
lololol nothins ever simple i see the list of tar files in the link above but no mention at all as to which is the proper .tar for my device, i guess they assume the guide is for people who have done it before. more research tomorrow maybe i gotta be up early ugh

Lennyz1988 said:
https://twrp.me/devices/samsunggalaxys4internationalqualcomm.html
Follow the Odin guide. It's excactly the same when you flashed CWM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Think you misunderstood, I have flashed nothing yet I got it like this. I'm completely green

Don't suppose anybody knows which is the tar file for my device?? S4gt-19505

OK now I get it, the list of tars in that section are all the same just newer builds of the same version. Seems obvious if you have done this before, but I wasn't to know that and cannot assume things. I'm also gonna guess and say Lenny thinks my s4 needs this particular version for an international, am I right?? Anyway it would've made a lot of sense but how does he know. I have no idea what this phone was I have never owned it new.

Different devices have different codes. For example, jfltexx is the I9505. A T-Mobile S4 would be jfltetmo, and so on.The link Lenny provided is for the I9505. Download the 2.8.6.0 version as its the latest.
As to how you were supposed to know, having never owned one, you weren't. There are tutorials in the General forum though that can help.