Database Users

[Q] I think I broke my phone... Gt-I9505

Hi everyone.
For years I've been coming here finding answers to problems that I've had. It seems I'm finally special enough to have to make a new thread.
Phone: S4 Gt-I9505
Carrier: Vodafone New Zealand
I rooted my phone with cf-autoroot and CWM on the stock 4.2.2 version of android. I then went looking for ROMs and found the leaked (didn't know it was at the time) 4.3 version from google. I installed that and whoopee! We got along well for the first two days, but I restarted my phone on day three and that's where the problem started.
Upon reboot, my phone powered onto the Samsung splash screen, but went no further. Confused, I did a factory recovery in CWM and it still didn't go. I reinstalled the rom and it went again fine, until reboot when it hung on the splash screen again. I tried various roms and fixes and just made a mess of my phone.
Long story short, I now have TWRP on my phone with the abyss 1.3.1F kernel installed and no ROM. Is there any step by step process that someone could give me on how to proceed with TWRP and which ROM/kernel to install to get me up and running again? Not fussy on which rom but one with no bloatware would be excellent. I would be eternally grateful! :fingers-crossed:
Thanks!

Download the latest version which is I9505XXUBMGA either Odin or CWM from here, if you flash via Recovery you need to wipe data & factory reset, cache partition and dalvik cache before flashing but you can flash via Odin
I prefer to use Philz Touch recovery than TWRP

Crauze said:
Download the latest version which is I9505XXUBMGA either Odin or CWM from here, if you flash via Recovery you need to wipe data & factory reset, cache partition and dalvik cache before flashing but you can flash via Odin
I prefer to use Philz Touch recovery than TWRP
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you Crauze, Will try now.
EDIT: That rom is going to take ages to download. I'll update when it's done in a few hours.

Crauze said:
Download the latest version which is I9505XXUBMGA either Odin or CWM from here, if you flash via Recovery you need to wipe data & factory reset, cache partition and dalvik cache before flashing but you can flash via Odin
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, you have touched on an issue I am trying to understand.
Do you only need to wipe you data and caches when you used custom recovery to flash a ROM but not when you use Odin on a PC?
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda app-developers app

The above answer worked perfectly. Thank you!

jcodde said:
Hi, you have touched on an issue I am trying to understand.
Do you only need to wipe you data and caches when you used custom recovery to flash a ROM but not when you use Odin on a PC?
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't flashed a custom ROM via Odin before but boot into Recovery and wipe data & factory reset, cache partition and dalvik cache and power off device and boot into Download Mode and flash via Odin

I've got a soft brick going on

OK, I've had my S4 a couple months. It's already been rooted, with TWRP installed and also MDOB custom ROM. But tonight I decided to replace TWRP recovery with CWM then I was going to flash CM 10.2. after flashing CWM I now have the yellow triangle and a message saying "system software not authorized by AT&T has been found on your phone" and the phone won't boot nor recovery is working. With no recovery I can't reflash the current ROM i had installed, I have the MDOB file on my memory card ready to reflash, but the phone won't do nothing. What to do now?

Can you get into download mode by pressing home, power, and volume down at the same time while booting up? If so, you could use this guide I've had success with. http://galaxys4root.com/galaxy-s4-tutorials/how-to-unroot-galaxy-s4-and-remove-root-completely/
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 4

I had a similar issue were I flashed philz recovery and it wasn't the loki'd zip.I to had the triangle of death with unauthorized ATT msg, I tried three times to boot into recovery and the last time I tried it went to (pic posted)and from there I pushed down for restart phone.it booted up like a regular reboot and was OK.
Also after it booted I lost custom recovery, so like I did the first time I achieved recovery I flashed with ROM manager clicking the T-Mobile S4 when prompted. Note : only use ROM manager to flash recovery.now use recovery to flash a auto Loki recovery. Hit thanks if I helped
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda premium

[Q] Does using Odin erase phone?

I am currently MJ7 root and I disabled the update notification because I didn't feel like updating to MJE at the time. I want to know first, can I just Odin up to MJE then kingo or I do need to Odin MJ7 stock then update via OTA then kingo. Also, will using Odin to switch to stock wipe my phone. I didn't feel like updating when MJE came out because its such a hassle to have to set up my phone again.

For updating to the current revision, either way is acceptable. And as far is odin wiping everything, I believe the answer is yes. I don't think I remember it not wiping everything.
♢NoteIII♢

iEnjoyDriods said:
I am currently MJ7 root and I disabled the update notification because I didn't feel like updating to MJE at the time. I want to know first, can I just Odin up to MJE then kingo or I do need to Odin MJ7 stock then update via OTA then kingo. Also, will using Odin to switch to stock wipe my phone. I didn't feel like updating when MJE came out because its such a hassle to have to set up my phone again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, you can use ODIN to flash the MJE then factory reset data in Recovery Mode and then Kingo...this is direct method...and preferred...
Follow this steps:
1.Download ODIN 3.09 and MJE Firmware Full Stock ROM 1.3 GB, Boot into Stock Recovery using Vol Up+Home+Power Button, Wipe Factory Reset/Data & Wipe Cache Partition, Reboot the device, as soon as screen goes black press Vol Down+Home Button to enter Download mode and connect the device to PC...then flash the MJE firmware...
2. After flashing boot again into Stock Recovery using Vol Up+Home+Power Button, Wipe Factory Reset/Data & Wipe Cache Partition
3. Use Kingo to root the device and make sure that Screen Display time is set to 10 Minutes..because u have to accept some confirmation while Kingo is rooting the device...
Of course if you flash a new firmware using ODIN then it will wipe the phone but not completely thats why it is mandatory to factory reset data after flashing firmware through ODIN...(but still it doesn't wipe the phone completely)
To completely Wipe the phone follow this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2610757
Make sure you back up your important files before flashing any firmware...
Cheers!!!

Rooting Help! Stuck after Safestrap wipe

I got through most of the rooting process with some issues but I got through them...
In the mean time, I was in safestrap and went to wipe, then install MOAR but for some reason I might have messed up and wiped everything and it rebooted. Now I get the black Samsung Galaxy S5 Custom Powered by Android screen, nothing else. I cannot get back into Safestrap and I cannot get it to load Odin - it goes to maintenance mode instead of the other.
Step 0. Unrooted OA8
Step 1. Odin'd back to 4.4.2
Step 2. Installed and ran towel root
Step 3. Installed and ran busybox
Step 4. Installed safestrap, and booted into recovery
Step 5. backup was created!
Step 6. Added MOAR rom to install list and then wiped everything but SD card...then it rebooted to the black samsung custom screen...
**EDIT** For some reason the 4th or 5th time's a charm...I pulled the battery and one more time tried to load into Odin mode. For some reason this time it worked! So, I wasted no time and am putting the 4.4.2 back on through Odin and plan to redo towelroot, busybox, and safestrap...
**EDIT2** Well I was able to get it back to safestrap and then "successfully" installed MOAR 6.5, then rebooted and it went into recovery mode. So I booted back to ODIN and installed the OA8 kernel, thinking that was the problem. Now, it is stuck at the black Galaxy S5 powered by android screen. I understand it takes a while for 1st boot but I let it go for about half an hour and the OP says it will take a while to boot on the "clock" screen so I think something is wrong...ideas??

Black screen of death... anyone have an idea? MOAR 6.5 installed "successfully", went to download mode (ODIN) and flashed OA8 kernel , now this:
_______________________
Samsung Galaxy S5
Powered by Android
______________________

bootchSS said:
I got through most of the rooting process with some issues but I got through them...
In the mean time, I was in safestrap and went to wipe, then install MOAR but for some reason I might have messed up and wiped everything and it rebooted. Now I get the black Samsung Galaxy S5 Custom Powered by Android screen, nothing else. I cannot get back into Safestrap and I cannot get it to load Odin - it goes to maintenance mode instead of the other.
Step 0. Unrooted OA8
Step 1. Odin'd back to 4.4.2
Step 2. Installed and ran towel root
Step 3. Installed and ran busybox
Step 4. Installed safestrap, and booted into recovery
Step 5. backup was created!
Step 6. Added MOAR rom to install list and then wiped everything but SD card...then it rebooted to the black samsung custom screen...
**EDIT** For some reason the 4th or 5th time's a charm...I pulled the battery and one more time tried to load into Odin mode. For some reason this time it worked! So, I wasted no time and am putting the 4.4.2 back on through Odin and plan to redo towelroot, busybox, and safestrap...
**EDIT2** Well I was able to get it back to safestrap and then "successfully" installed MOAR 6.5, then rebooted and it went into recovery mode. So I booted back to ODIN and installed the OA8 kernel, thinking that was the problem. Now, it is stuck at the black Galaxy S5 powered by android screen. I understand it takes a while for 1st boot but I let it go for about half an hour and the OP says it will take a while to boot on the "clock" screen so I think something is wrong...ideas??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to already be on OA8 before you install MOAR. Follow these instructions to get to rooted OA8. Then flash an earlier kernel to get back to safestrap and boot into recovery. Install MOAR and then reboot. Don't forget to do a full wipe before installing MOAR.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/ver...l/how-to-update-to-g900vvru1boa8-5-0-t3020546

So after getting kitkat installed and getting through safestrap, I need to install G900V_OA8_100%_Stock_Rooted_ROM ?
I did all this: 4. If you do not already have root access you must first flash the G900VVRU1ANCG_Full_Odin.tar (flash in Odin's PDA slot(AP in Odin v3.09+)), root with Towelroot (this version does not require internet access), install Safestrap, then proceed with the above process.
then it says to do this: 1. Place the G900V_OA8_100%_Stock_Rooted_ROM onto your ext-sdcard.
2. From Safestrap recovery press "Wipe" then "Advanced Wipe" and wipe everything but your ext-sdcard.
3. From the main menu press "Install," then select and install the G900V_OA8_100%_Stock_Rooted_ROM.
4. Once complete, from the main menu press "Reboot," then "System." Done!
when would I install MOAR then? and what about the Kernels? Sorry, I'm a bit of a n00b

bootchSS said:
So after getting kitkat installed and getting through safestrap, I need to install G900V_OA8_100%_Stock_Rooted_ROM ?
I did all this: 4. If you do not already have root access you must first flash the G900VVRU1ANCG_Full_Odin.tar (flash in Odin's PDA slot(AP in Odin v3.09+)), root with Towelroot (this version does not require internet access), install Safestrap, then proceed with the above process.
then it says to do this: 1. Place the G900V_OA8_100%_Stock_Rooted_ROM onto your ext-sdcard.
2. From Safestrap recovery press "Wipe" then "Advanced Wipe" and wipe everything but your ext-sdcard.
3. From the main menu press "Install," then select and install the G900V_OA8_100%_Stock_Rooted_ROM.
4. Once complete, from the main menu press "Reboot," then "System." Done!
when would I install MOAR then? and what about the Kernels? Sorry, I'm a bit of a n00b
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After you follow those instructions you then Odin the NK2 kernel to get safestrap to come up again (hit recovery when it comes up) do a full wipe, then install MOAR. Reboot your phone and you are done.
https://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=95916177934522370

PROGRESS!
I kept getting the black Samsung screen until I flashed VZW_BOA8_RETAIL_FIRMWARE_ONLY.tar.md5 (instead of the kernel only). Now I have the MOAR clock. So, assuming this takes 10-20 minutes I will hopefully be up an running on rooted OA8 MOAR awesomeness. :good:

Downgrading to 4.4.2?

OK I am running a 5.0.1 ROM, I have tried a few but all have some bug or other that eventually becomes annoying. The 5.0.1 stock is rubbish hence why I stuck a ROM on, I want to go back to stock but not 5.0.1, 4.4.2 for me worked fined, when I used kies to try and downgrade I got an AUTH Error, I presume because KNOX is tripped. Is there any way around this?

1. Make a backup of your internal data.
2. Flash android 4.4.2 firmware using ODIN but unticking "Auto-reboot" option.
3. Take the battery out when ODIN tell you PASS in green.
4. Put the battery in again and boot Recovery Mode -> Wipe data/factory reset + wipe cache partition.
5. Select first option: Reboot system now.
6. It should boot normally and you will have android Kit Kat again working perfectly.

Sadly it doesn't even go as far as flashing before giving auth error.

READ THIS BEFORE DOWNGRADING!!!!
Today i downgraded my friend's s4 i9500, downgrade was successful but the PHONE IS NOT DETECTING ANY SIM CARD.
moreover i lost my IMEI no. and when i checked in 'about' screen i saw BASEBAND is UNKNOWN . Read some instructions for backing up ur EFS data before downgrading this device.