Database Users

[Q] what is currently the best way to root i9505?

Hi, i am in the uk and had my i9505 for around 2 weeks, just wondering the best way to now root and is there anyway which is the safest / recommended?
also, can rom's still be updated afterwards via ota or kies if i root, i know i would have to root again but would my phone still be supported by kies and look for new fw's after rooting?
thanks
james

Personally, I use the pre-rooted stock roms in the Android Development section:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2250824
Very easy to use, just download and flash via Odin3. There may be easier ways, but for me this is the easiest.
All you need to do then is flash custom recovery and you're done.
Edit: Not sure about Kies, but it's easy enough to flash back to a stock rom and then reset your phone to Official again.
Some custom roms offer OTA updates, but personally, I prefer just staying on a stock rooted and update via Odin as and when needed

Thanks for the reply, if I flash the pre rooted Rom will it wipe my phone or will settings and apps still be the same afterwards?

james_lpool said:
Thanks for the reply, if I flash the pre rooted Rom will it wipe my phone or will settings and apps still be the same afterwards?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you install pre rooted rom, all your apps, settings etc will remain. Odin3 doesn't touch the data partition, so you'll still have everything.
I usually clear cache/data after installing a new rom, so I start from fresh, but it's really upto you really
One thing to be aware of though is that flashing a pre-rooted rom will clear your custom recovery, so you'll have to reflash recovery after installing an updated pre-rooted rom

[Q] Is nuke & pave the only way to update a rooted s4?

Hi,
I have OUDHS-Recovery-jfltespr-1.0.3.3 and CF-Auto-Root-jfltespr-jfltespr-sphl720 flashed on my SPH-L720, on what was stock 4.2.2
My question is, do I HAVE to nuke & pave (factory reset) to get this to 4.3 and then re-root it?
If so, why? I thought one of the big advantages to rooting an Android was the ease with which you could un-root and return to stock.. I remember having to do factory resets to update iPhones before re-jailbreaking them, what a joy! I was hoping to avoid that here, especially as I'm behind a restrictive data cap for internet (~10GB/mo, which is about 300MB/day, combined up & down).
So... any ideas?

0x6A7232 said:
Hi,
I have OUDHS-Recovery-jfltespr-1.0.3.3 and CF-Auto-Root-jfltespr-jfltespr-sphl720 flashed on my SPH-L720, on what was stock 4.2.2
My question is, do I HAVE to nuke & pave (factory reset) to get this to 4.3 and then re-root it?
If so, why? I thought one of the big advantages to rooting an Android was the ease with which you could un-root and return to stock.. I remember having to do factory resets to update iPhones before re-jailbreaking them, what a joy! I was hoping to avoid that here, especially as I'm behind a restrictive data cap for internet (~10GB/mo, which is about 300MB/day, combined up & down).
So... any ideas?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have to be on a totally stock firmware to apply these firmware updates.So you can be rooted and update, as long as you have no mods applied, like the hotspot mod, etc.
Seems the easiest path if you do have any mods applied (which would be most rooted users, I'm sure) is do a full nandroid backup and TiBu or Helium backup. Also backup anything else from internal memory that might be lost, like Nova settings, etc. Then load the MF9 stock tar via Odin. To do that, follow the directions in the following thread in the section labled "Reverting to Unmodified Stock MDL to update to Stock MF9". Just use the MF9 tar instead of the MDL one:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2277480
Use triangle away to clear your "custom" settings on the Download screen. May even have to do a 2nd factory reset to get there.
Then root using CF Auto Root and let TiBu restore all your apps. Then use the stock recovery to load the 4.3 update. If all goes well, that should give you 4.3 on a rooted phone w/o tripping the knox bit.

oops
Ironically, I had just rooted the day before 4.3 came out. The only 'mod' I have is the CWM custom recovery.. I'm guessing that's what's tripping it up?
When I try to apply the update .zip in CWM, it says,
Code:
-- Installing: /sdcard/0/Download/update_SPH-L720_MDL_CSB_user_RP_to_MF9_CSB_user_RP.zip
Finding update package...
Opening update package...
Installing update...
Verifying current system...
assert failed: apply_patch_check(" /system/app/AllSharePlay15.apk", "dae9b84dd3cb4810371f2a6136a0536cac926af5", "37b87ff87a955c98258cef2145b4b7b913eb0752")
E:Error in /sdcard/0/Download/update_SPH-L720_MDL_CSB_user_RP_to_MF9_CSB_user_RP.zip
(Status 7)
Installation aborted.
Aaaaand, I found the problem. MF9 is 4.2.2, yes? I've already got that, I need to be trying to flash MJA/4.3 :silly: For some reason I thought MF9 was 4.3, until I realized I had it already and I'm on 4.2.2. Sorry for the confusion. Now to find the 4.3/MJA download... :cyclops:
You have to be on a totally stock firmware to apply these firmware updates.So you can be rooted and update, as long as you have no mods applied, like the hotspot mod, etc.
Seems the easiest path if you do have any mods applied (which would be most rooted users, I'm sure) is do a full nandroid backup and TiBu ='Titanium Backup', I'm assuming?or Helium backup. Also backup anything else from internal memory that might be lost, like Nova settings, etc. Then load the MF9 stock tar via Odin. To do that, follow the directions in the following thread in the section labled "Reverting to Unmodified Stock MDL to update to Stock MF9". Just use the MF9 tar instead of the MDL one:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=2277480
Use triangle away to clear your "custom" settings on the Download screen. May even have to do a 2nd factory reset to get there.
Then root using CF Auto Root and let TiBu restore all your apps. Then use the stock recovery to load the 4.3 update. If all goes well, that should give you 4.3 on a rooted phone w/o tripping the knox bit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

You will need to install the stock recovery, the MJA update will not install with a custom recovery.
Sent from my GT-N5110 using Tapatalk 4

cruise350 said:
You will need to install the stock recovery, the MJA update will not install with a custom recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct. And you can get the MF9 one here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2357471

Camera MJA firmware manual update - possible?
jejb said:
You have to be on a totally stock firmware to apply these firmware updates.So you can be rooted and update, as long as you have no mods applied, like the hotspot mod, etc.
Seems the easiest path if you do have any mods applied (which would be most rooted users, I'm sure) is do a full nandroid backup and TiBu or Helium backup. Also backup anything else from internal memory that might be lost, like Nova settings, etc. Then load the MF9 stock tar via Odin. To do that, follow the directions in the following thread in the section labled "Reverting to Unmodified Stock MDL to update to Stock MF9". Just use the MF9 tar instead of the MDL one:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2277480
Use triangle away to clear your "custom" settings on the Download screen. May even have to do a 2nd factory reset to get there.
Then root using CF Auto Root and let TiBu restore all your apps. Then use the stock recovery to load the 4.3 update. If all goes well, that should give you 4.3 on a rooted phone w/o tripping the knox bit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
cruise350 said:
You will need to install the stock recovery, the MJA update will not install with a custom recovery.
Sent from my GT-N5110 using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
jejb said:
Correct. And you can get the MF9 one here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2357471
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks guys. I ended up installing SAC's 4.1 (based on Android 4.3), after manually flashing the MJA modem firmware.
(Because even after flashing stock recovery, I was getting error 7 or something like that, no clue why, I tried searching a few days, but no dice. The recommendation was to flash non-destructive MF9 stock update over first and then update, so I just downloaded Sac's while I had 4G on the way back from work).
NEW QUESTION: How do I get the updated camera firmware, as Sac's modded stock camera seems not to have it. (although, maybe Sac's camera is in error and the firmware is already updated it just doesn't realize).
I can get a patched camera to not do the popup, but I want the firmware. Any way to extract it from the stock MJA OTA file and flash just that?

0x6A7232 said:
Thanks guys. I ended up installing SAC's 4.1 (based on Android 4.3), after manually flashing the MJA modem firmware.
(Because even after flashing stock recovery, I was getting error 7 or something like that, no clue why, I tried searching a few days, but no dice. The recommendation was to flash non-destructive MF9 stock update over first and then update, so I just downloaded Sac's while I had 4G on the way back from work).
NEW QUESTION: How do I get the updated camera firmware, as Sac's modded stock camera seems not to have it. (although, maybe Sac's camera is in error and the firmware is already updated it just doesn't realize).
I can get a patched camera to not do the popup, but I want the firmware. Any way to extract it from the stock MJA OTA file and flash just that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Error 7 is normally when your recovery pics up that you are rooted. Or when there is a problem with the updater script in the zip file.
If sacs used the MJA camera as a base for his nodded camera then he should have the latest camera firmware.
If you worry this much about Tue camera you can download a stock rooted MJA ROM and go into system/apps with a root explorer and extract the camera apk. Then go to where the camera apk is extracted to and move it to your internal memory under system apps. Then set permissions and reboot.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

daniel4653 said:
Error 7 is normally when your recovery pics up that you are rooted. Or when there is a problem with the updater script in the zip file.
If sacs used the MJA camera as a base for his nodded camera then he should have the latest camera firmware.
If you worry this much about Tue camera you can download a stock rooted MJA ROM and go into system/apps with a root explorer and extract the camera apk. Then go to where the camera apk is extracted to and move it to your internal memory under system apps. Then set permissions and reboot.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The camera supposedly had some improvements, that's why I'm trying to find out. I'd ask in Sac's thread, but I don't have enough posts yet. And, I used SuperSU's uninstall to unroot the phone before trying the MJA OTA... although I did put stock recovery first, IIRC. Perhaps the root uninstall needed custom recovery to work? Anyways.
Under cce8d8a155a0602c83356e00311a1695e9a9383f.USER_L720_SPT_MF9_CSB_user_RP_to_MJA_CSB_user_RP_Update_FWD.zip\patch\system\cameradata\ there are a few items:
secimaging\PIP\rear_polaroid.png.p
RS_M10MO_OS.bin.p
RS_M10MO_SL.bin.p
RS_M10MO_SS.bin.p
I'll have to find someone who is knowledgeable about this and pick their brain if they'll let me.

[Q] Deleted Stock Recovery?

Hello, so even though I'm fairly new to the world of custom ROM's I feel as though this website has provided me with more than sufficient information for me to keep on flashing. I've flashed a few ROM's in the past but I'm currently stuck as for what I should do next. I currently have an S4 ATT MF3 which I would like to upgrade to MK2 so that I can put a 4.4.2. ROM via Safestrap using the Deadly Venom method.
Based on the guide (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2573080) I need to boot into the stock recovery and flash stock MF3 then MK2 which I can then root and safestrap. When I added my first ROM on this device I replaced the stock ROM (I have a hatred for TouchWiz) and replaced with a GPE ROM.
My phone can no longer boot into the stock Samsung recovery, it merely just bootloops instead, but I can still flash via Safestrap. So what should I do? Can I get the stock recovery back? Would I have any issues if I flash the MK2 update via Safestrap instead of the stock recovery? Will flashing the MF3 stock tar via Odin be all that I need to do? Any advice would be appreciated!

DarthVayda said:
Hello, so even though I'm fairly new to the world of custom ROM's I feel as though this website has provided me with more than sufficient information for me to keep on flashing. I've flashed a few ROM's in the past but I'm currently stuck as for what I should do next. I currently have an S4 ATT MF3 which I would like to upgrade to MK2 so that I can put a 4.4.2. ROM via Safestrap using the Deadly Venom method.
Based on the guide (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2573080) I need to boot into the stock recovery and flash stock MF3 then MK2 which I can then root and safestrap. When I added my first ROM on this device I replaced the stock ROM (I have a hatred for TouchWiz) and replaced with a GPE ROM.
My phone can no longer boot into the stock Samsung recovery, it merely just bootloops instead, but I can still flash via Safestrap. So what should I do? Can I get the stock recovery back? Would I have any issues if I flash the MK2 update via Safestrap instead of the stock recovery? Will flashing the MF3 stock tar via Odin be all that I need to do? Any advice would be appreciated!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you don't mind losing your user data (back up anything you want from internal storage) just flash the MK2 full ODIN. Otherwise, there is a thread somewhere with just the MF3 recovery image and if you have root you could use an app to manually flash that (don't remember the app).

DeadlySin9 said:
If you don't mind losing your user data (back up anything you want from internal storage) just flash the MK2 full ODIN. Otherwise, there is a thread somewhere with just the MF3 recovery image and if you have root you could use an app to manually flash that (don't remember the app).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The app is flashify
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app

Possible to restore stock recovery?
So after (stupidly) assuming that I knew what I was doing since I have been rooting/flashing/breaking/fixing my S3 for two years now that I would be able to easily install CM11 on my dad's S4 since he is always complaining about AT&T bloatware. He is running the absolute latest update from AT&T and never rooted or anything. I was able to successfully root it using the extSdCard method, but then made the mistake of trying to flash TWRP.
After a couple of failures, I went onto these forums to see that it is well documented that custom recoveries do not work with the latest firmware. Noted, and I will keep an eye out for updates to this issue.
My questions:
Since the goal was only to install Cyanogenmod 11, I would have just run the CM Windows Installer if I wasn't trying to create a full stock backup first (hence why I tried rooting and installing TWRP first). Since that is no longer an option, has anyone attempted to use the CM Windows Installer on the MF3 build? I assume that if a custom recovery cannot be installed that this method will not work, but was just wondering if anyone has had success.
The more important questions...
Since the stock recovery is now gone, will this create an issue if a new OTA update is released and he attempts to install? I am wondering if the OTA updates rely on the existing recovery to complete the update or if the OTA will rebuild it before installing the update?
Lastly, are there reliable methods for restoring the stock recovery?
Thanks everyone!

pravus87 said:
So after (stupidly) assuming that I knew what I was doing since I have been rooting/flashing/breaking/fixing my S3 for two years now that I would be able to easily install CM11 on my dad's S4 since he is always complaining about AT&T bloatware. He is running the absolute latest update from AT&T and never rooted or anything. I was able to successfully root it using the extSdCard method, but then made the mistake of trying to flash TWRP.
After a couple of failures, I went onto these forums to see that it is well documented that custom recoveries do not work with the latest firmware. Noted, and I will keep an eye out for updates to this issue.
My questions:
Since the goal was only to install Cyanogenmod 11, I would have just run the CM Windows Installer if I wasn't trying to create a full stock backup first (hence why I tried rooting and installing TWRP first). Since that is no longer an option, has anyone attempted to use the CM Windows Installer on the MF3 build? I assume that if a custom recovery cannot be installed that this method will not work, but was just wondering if anyone has had success.
The more important questions...
Since the stock recovery is now gone, will this create an issue if a new OTA update is released and he attempts to install? I am wondering if the OTA updates rely on the existing recovery to complete the update or if the OTA will rebuild it before installing the update?
Lastly, are there reliable methods for restoring the stock recovery?
Thanks everyone!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would flash in Odin the stock mf3 tar file, but out will wipe the device. All his apps and data. If you can find the mf3 recovery image file you could try to flash that in flashify, if you're rooted
Edit, found this. I didn't download the file but I'm guessing it's a .img file. You could flash that in flashify or use the dd command
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app

pravus87 said:
So after (stupidly) assuming that I knew what I was doing since I have been rooting/flashing/breaking/fixing my S3 for two years now that I would be able to easily install CM11 on my dad's S4 since he is always complaining about AT&T bloatware. He is running the absolute latest update from AT&T and never rooted or anything. I was able to successfully root it using the extSdCard method, but then made the mistake of trying to flash TWRP.
After a couple of failures, I went onto these forums to see that it is well documented that custom recoveries do not work with the latest firmware. Noted, and I will keep an eye out for updates to this issue.
My questions:
Since the goal was only to install Cyanogenmod 11, I would have just run the CM Windows Installer if I wasn't trying to create a full stock backup first (hence why I tried rooting and installing TWRP first). Since that is no longer an option, has anyone attempted to use the CM Windows Installer on the MF3 build? I assume that if a custom recovery cannot be installed that this method will not work, but was just wondering if anyone has had success.
The more important questions...
Since the stock recovery is now gone, will this create an issue if a new OTA update is released and he attempts to install? I am wondering if the OTA updates rely on the existing recovery to complete the update or if the OTA will rebuild it before installing the update?
Lastly, are there reliable methods for restoring the stock recovery?
Thanks everyone!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In addition to the above post from jd, the CM installer will not work on our device as our bootloader is locked. There is no way to run any AOSP based ROM once your phone is on MF3 firmware or higher.

DarthVayda said:
Hello, so even though I'm fairly new to the world of custom ROM's I feel as though this website has provided me with more than sufficient information for me to keep on flashing. I've flashed a few ROM's in the past but I'm currently stuck as for what I should do next. I currently have an S4 ATT MF3 which I would like to upgrade to MK2 so that I can put a 4.4.2. ROM via Safestrap using the Deadly Venom method.
Based on the guide (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2573080) I need to boot into the stock recovery and flash stock MF3 then MK2 which I can then root and safestrap. When I added my first ROM on this device I replaced the stock ROM (I have a hatred for TouchWiz) and replaced with a GPE ROM.
My phone can no longer boot into the stock Samsung recovery, it merely just bootloops instead, but I can still flash via Safestrap. So what should I do? Can I get the stock recovery back? Would I have any issues if I flash the MK2 update via Safestrap instead of the stock recovery? Will flashing the MF3 stock tar via Odin be all that I need to do? Any advice would be appreciated!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
pravus87 said:
So after (stupidly) assuming that I knew what I was doing since I have been rooting/flashing/breaking/fixing my S3 for two years now that I would be able to easily install CM11 on my dad's S4 since he is always complaining about AT&T bloatware. He is running the absolute latest update from AT&T and never rooted or anything. I was able to successfully root it using the extSdCard method, but then made the mistake of trying to flash TWRP.
After a couple of failures, I went onto these forums to see that it is well documented that custom recoveries do not work with the latest firmware. Noted, and I will keep an eye out for updates to this issue.
My questions:
Since the goal was only to install Cyanogenmod 11, I would have just run the CM Windows Installer if I wasn't trying to create a full stock backup first (hence why I tried rooting and installing TWRP first). Since that is no longer an option, has anyone attempted to use the CM Windows Installer on the MF3 build? I assume that if a custom recovery cannot be installed that this method will not work, but was just wondering if anyone has had success.
The more important questions...
Since the stock recovery is now gone, will this create an issue if a new OTA update is released and he attempts to install? I am wondering if the OTA updates rely on the existing recovery to complete the update or if the OTA will rebuild it before installing the update?
Lastly, are there reliable methods for restoring the stock recovery?
Thanks everyone!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here is the MF3 stock recovery, flash in PDA slot in Odin(AP in Odin v3.09+): https://mega.co.nz/#!klcz1B4J!BVAno0CcaJ7aXc9tHgUtpQ0vy_NF5ceh7RogLR6JBTU

muniz_ri said:
Here is the MF3 stock recovery, flash in PDA slot in Odin(AP in Odin v3.09+): https://mega.co.nz/#!klcz1B4J!BVAno0CcaJ7aXc9tHgUtpQ0vy_NF5ceh7RogLR6JBTU
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks to everyone for all the information, and thank you especially for sharing the link. I am staying with my parents short-term in a very rural area with awful internet and I was dreading downloading the 2+GB stock firmware file just to get recovery back. This is perfect. Thanks again!

5.1 OTA upgrade error

I am on 5.0.1 rooted with stock ROM and stock kernel. I recently got 5.1 upgrade notification.
After downloading the data and restarting the phone, it started installing updates and after a while it showed "error" and stopped.
Now I m on 5.0.1 with no 5.1 upgrade notice.
What is wrong and what should I do for this?
Thank you.

Do I need to unroot? I am on stock kernel and ROM.

mike_24_11 said:
Do I need to unroot? I am on stock kernel and ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, you need to unroot before you can apply the OTA upgrade. Look for the Nexus Root Toolkit, and it should be able to clean up for you.

But prior I didn't need to unroot to upgrade anytime! To upgrade JB to KK or KK to LP, I didn't unroot before installation.

you need stock recovery to update via OTA

Yeah I was on pure stock. Stock ROM kernel and recovery.
Btw, I unrooted my phone with simply unroot and then OTA update went well.
So now I am on stock 5.1 unrooted.
Thank u all.

i have troubles as well. i unrooted, installed stock recovery (via n4 toolkit) and tryed to install. it takes longer then before but i stell get an error. SuperSU is gone in my app drawer.. any other help?
PS: i am on stock rom 5.0.1
i tryed to use sideload ADB update. it says: "/system/bin/app_process32" has unexpected contents. Error in sideload/package.zip. Status 7
any tipps?

Easy Question: Does flashing a stock rom in Odin remove everything? (safestrap, root)

Repeat question: does flashing stock in Odin remove safestrap, root, xposed, magisk, etc?

It should but there is no stock rom for the i337 beyond 4.2.2 and 4.2.2 cannot be flashed to a phone with a 4.3 or newer bootloader.

audit13 said:
It should but there is no stock rom for the i337 beyond 4.2.2 and 4.2.2 cannot be flashed to a phone with a 4.3 or newer bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Huh. Yeah I just tried flashing the NH4 kernel and it did nothing.... so what are my options to get me unrooted? I tried using superSU and it doesn't seem to work. I was trying to get the new pokemon go update to work(not compatible with root), so I tried the magisk workaround, hit a roadblock there. So I tried to uninstall magisk with their software and unroot, didn't work. So now I'd like to just wipe and start over but if the traditional flash a stock rom won't work I'm at a loss

I would start here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4-att/general/guide-odin-to-stock-updating-rooting-t2926642

audit13 said:
It should but there is no stock rom for the i337 beyond 4.2.2 and 4.2.2 cannot be flashed to a phone with a 4.3 or newer bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nevermind, the SuperSU unroot decided to work out afterall. Thanks again!