Database Users

[Q] New to the S4, assistance required.

Hi all! I'll start by saying this, I'm not a COMPLETE noob here. I have had a fair share of experience with rooting and flashing roms; However when i got my new S4 i stepped up in the world of android and am sorta lost now lol. Currently I'm stock MF3 with AT&T, and in a bit I will flash the MK2 update.zip and root then. Well, my understanding of SafeStrap is that it uses the phones memory to make virtual slots for roms, therefor (correct me if I'm wrong) the current system doesn't get wiped. Now I have searched, searched, searched, read, read, AND read, multiple threads trying to find my answers and I've just ended up with confusuion. If my understanding off SS is correct I want a rom that is Stock 4.4.2, Fast, battery enhancing, and most importantly Stable. I saw on in Particular that stood out to me and that was Vision-X but the post to me confused me whether i could use it on the NB1 build. Another question I have: Is NC1 worth it? I've seen that I could do a work around to keep root from NB1 and go to NC1, And Finally my last question (thus far): Can I flash themes i whip up myself with Universal online Theme Kitchen? Is that compatible? I hope that the XDA community can help me once again with my questions and guide me onto the right track. Thanks in advance XDA!!!

DroidWizzy said:
Hi all! I'll start by saying this, I'm not a COMPLETE noob here. I have had a fair share of experience with rooting and flashing roms; However when i got my new S4 i stepped up in the world of android and am sorta lost now lol. Currently I'm stock MF3 with AT&T, and in a bit I will flash the MK2 update.zip and root then. Well, my understanding of SafeStrap is that it uses the phones memory to make virtual slots for roms, therefor (correct me if I'm wrong) the current system doesn't get wiped. Now I have searched, searched, searched, read, read, AND read, multiple threads trying to find my answers and I've just ended up with confusuion. If my understanding off SS is correct I want a rom that is Stock 4.4.2, Fast, battery enhancing, and most importantly Stable. I saw on in Particular that stood out to me and that was Vision-X but the post to me confused me whether i could use it on the NB1 build. Another question I have: Is NC1 worth it? I've seen that I could do a work around to keep root from NB1 and go to NC1, And Finally my last question (thus far): Can I flash themes i whip up myself with Universal online Theme Kitchen? Is that compatible? I hope that the XDA community can help me once again with my questions and guide me onto the right track. Thanks in advance XDA!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't have to upgrade past MK2, and it doesn't matter if you're just going to put a custom ROM on. I believe the ROM you mentioned is compatible, but you could always check the All Things MK2 & NB1 thread. With safestrap on MK2 you'll be able to run both 4.3 and 4.4.2 ROMs by using Om ODIN to switch kernels. As for themes, Safestrap allows all normally flashable zips, so it's a matter of whether the kitchen is compatible.

Thanks for the reply! Currently im Stock NB1 and rooted. I'm going to flash Skyfall.Ill see what happens.
Edit: Flashed Skyfall but for some reason after reboot i get stuck on the Samsung splash screen. I followed the installation guide, am i missing something?
Since i didn't update my bootoader when using the keep root method to NB1 i used Odin to get back to stock MK2. Which SS version should i use to try and flash skyfall?

[Q] Rooting and ROMS

I am really new to this, so I apologize if I seem ignorant. Last time I went down this road, I didn't do my research and accidentally messed up the stock recovery. I am now unrooted and running the following:
AT&T Galaxy S4
Android 4.4.2
Build: KOT49H.I337UCUFNC1
Here's what I want to do:
Root my device
Install SafeStrap recovery (I don't know if this is still compatible since the KitKat update)
Use SafeStrap to run a custom ROM that's closer to stock android. Maybe CM or something AOSP based. Like I said, I don't know much about this.
Please let me know if I'm barking up the wrong tree. I'm just getting really tired of TouchWiz. Up until now I've just been sideloading Google Now Launcher and some other stock apps like the Clock and Calculator. Once again, I apologize for my ignorance - I'm still working on learning more about this. Thanks in advance!

go4bacon said:
I am really new to this, so I apologize if I seem ignorant. Last time I went down this road, I didn't do my research and accidentally messed up the stock recovery. I am now unrooted and running the following:
AT&T Galaxy S4
Android 4.4.2
Build: KOT49H.I337UCUFNC1
Here's what I want to do:
Root my device
Install SafeStrap recovery (I don't know if this is still compatible since the KitKat update)
Use SafeStrap to run a custom ROM that's closer to stock android. Maybe CM or something AOSP based. Like I said, I don't know much about this.
Please let me know if I'm barking up the wrong tree. I'm just getting really tired of TouchWiz. Up until now I've just been sideloading Google Now Launcher and some other stock apps like the Clock and Calculator. Once again, I apologize for my ignorance - I'm still working on learning more about this. Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know if you went down this road before since your questions don't show.
1. You can't install custom recoveries or roms on the build you have.
2. You can only downgrade to Mk2 to root since it's imposible to root on your present build.
On the general section there are a few threads that guide you to downgrade ,root, and flash compatible roms.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

go4bacon said:
Maybe CM or something AOSP based. Like I said, I don't know much about this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not gonna happen, at least for now. The best you could do is PurifieD which completely trashes TouchWiz's theme. You'd also have to follow the steps here to get root on NC1. I'd advise against taking the bootloader but I believe you already have it if you took NC1 OTA. Then you could flash PurifieD over your stock slot in Safestrap 3.72.
Basically:
Root via downgrading to MK2
Flash rooted NC1 (no BL)
Install and boot into Safestrap 3.72, flash PurifieD (wipe not necessary)
If you wish to keep Knox happy with 0x0, do not let PurifieD modify the kernel during the Aroma installer
Flash an i337 build.prop in order to get 4G LTE working again (you have service without this, but this lets you access LTE again) (you can find this here!)
Flash the WiFi module in order to get wifi working again (WiFi will NOT work unless you flash this) (you can find this here!)
(Optional, I had to do this as I had issues with keeping root on PurifieD, though you might not!) Flash SuperSU again (you can find this here!
Feel free to ask for more help if anything was not clear!

Guide me please :D (Custom rom confusion?)

Hi XDA society and devs.
So I've moved to an S4 and I've already rooted it.
Sadly, KNOX figured it out so I'm at 0x1, however, this isn't an issue, I believe KNOX is only important for warranty purposes?
But anyway, I have rooted and installed custom recovery but what I want to ask is how will I go about installing this specific rom on my I9505?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2283194
I'm really confused as to what I'm supposed to do, my BUILD number ends in FNB8 and this rom requires NGE8, so is it safe for me to install it without that number?
Do I need to do anything extra to install this rom or can I just move it directly to my storage and install it?
On WanamLites website, it says that the modem and the bootloader for NGE8 is optional?
So does that mean, I don't need to do any ODIN flashes before and after installing this rom?
MY main question is, I have a I9505, rooted and TWRP, can I install this rom straight away?
I appreciate any help, I'm fairly new to this phone and I have done a bit of research but I'm still a little confused.
Thanks to anyone that can provide me with an explanation and perhaps a brief guide. <3
Long Live, XDA.

It does not matter what version you have on your phone (eg FNB8/NGE8), so you can ignore that completely.
The bootloader and modem are for people that still have the old bootloader installed. You don't have that because you have KNOX. So you can also ignore that part.
Just flash away.The instructions are in the first post of that thread.

Lennyz1988 said:
It does not matter what version you have on your phone (eg FNB8/NGE8), so you can ignore that completely.
The bootloader and modem are for people that still have the old bootloader installed. You don't have that because you have KNOX. So you can also ignore that part.
Just flash away.The instructions are in the first post of that thread.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alright! Thank you for your speedy reply!

CorePrideX8 said:
Alright! Thank you for your speedy reply!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your welcome.
I read that Wanam just updated the rom, but some people claim that it still has some bugs. Use the 2.6 version instead of the 2.7 untill everything is sorted out.

[Q] Proper Rooting and SafeStrap Process NC4

Okay so I've been browsing through the forums and been reading up on this phone (even contacted Samsung about info on unlocking the bootloader, no go on that. Had to try though)
Basically I want to know what's the proper procedure for installing custom roms on an NC4 device 4.4.2
Things I know:
Bootloader is unlockable at the moment (hoping for some good news in the future)
Towelroot for rooting
Safestrap for recovery
(Both just download and install the apk)
Things I don't know:
Kernel?
Somebody said I had to flash the NC2 kernel via Odin?
Knox?
What is this? What trips it?
I did see the list of guides and I did read and watch all the necessary ones, but the date on those are from 2 years ago and I just need confirmation on if I'm going about this right.
Any help is appreciated. I thank you in advance for taking the time to read this.
Please excuse my lack of knowledge, this is my first Samsung device.
Also, what would happen if somebody were to flash the DE stock files via Odin to a Retail N3?

If you upgraded to NC4 or NK1, you're stuck until Samsung unlocks the bootloader or Verizon stops lying to their customers. There is no root available after upgrade at this moment in time.

Dravekx said:
If you upgraded to NC4 or NK1, you're stuck until Samsung unlocks the bootloader or Verizon stops lying to their customers. There is no root available after upgrade at this moment in time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't upgrade to NC4, it came like this.

rdar_93 said:
I didn't upgrade to NC4, it came like this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That sucks. You can't do anything about it at the moment. I was forced to upgrade and lost root. Custom ROMs won't be available to you or me until someone finds a hole to unlock the bootloader. Welcome to our Verizon Note 3 rooting dilemma.

mirrin said:
You do not have a dev version so cm 11 or 12 is a far off dream you won't get. Your bootloader is locked there is no unlock.
You are in luck nc4 is root able using towel root then safe strap and the unified firmware. You will need odin and a pc for flashing a few things the NK1 modem towel root and the unified firmware. Pick a rom from the development thread i suggest jasmine 1.x or eclipse.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Copied from another post I had.
I don't know much about the device which is why I'm trying to find out.

Dravekx said:
That sucks. You can't do anything about it at the moment. I was forced to upgrade and lost root. Custom ROMs won't be available to you or me until someone finds a hole to unlock the bootloader. Welcome to our Verizon Note 3 rooting dilemma.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I actually just got root on my phone, I felt adventurous and installed towelroot and voila it rooted my phone.
I should state that I'm on 4.4.2, not 4.4.4.
Checked root status with Titanium Backup Pro, everything checked out a-okay.

rdar_93 said:
Okay so I've been browsing through the forums and been reading up on this phone (even contacted Samsung about info on unlocking the bootloader, no go on that. Had to try though)
Basically I want to know what's the proper procedure for installing custom roms on an NC4 device 4.4.2
Things I know:
Bootloader is unlockable at the moment (hoping for some good news in the future)
Towelroot for rooting
Safestrap for recovery
(Both just download and install the apk)
Things I don't know:
Kernel?
Somebody said I had to flash the NC2 kernel via Odin?
Knox?
What is this? What trips it?
I did see the list of guides and I did read and watch all the necessary ones, but the date on those are from 2 years ago and I just need confirmation on if I'm going about this right.
Any help is appreciated. I thank you in advance for taking the time to read this.
Please excuse my lack of knowledge, this is my first Samsung device.
Also, what would happen if somebody were to flash the DE stock files via Odin to a Retail N3?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahhhh... You're good to go then! Find a good custom ROM and follow the instructions. Whatever you do.. Don't upgrade!
rdar_93 said:
I actually just got root on my phone, I felt adventurous and installed towelroot and voila it rooted my phone.
I should state that I'm on 4.4.2, not 4.4.4.
Checked root status with Titanium Backup Pro, everything checked out a-okay.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Dravekx said:
Ahhhh... You're good to go then! Find a good custom ROM and follow the instructions. Whatever you do.. Don't upgrade!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol I still need clarification on the Kernel information that I don't know about.
What do I need to flash?
Do I flash it after I install a custom rom or before?

rdar_93 said:
Lol I still need clarification on the Kernel information that I don't know about.
What do I need to flash?
Do I flash it after I install a custom rom or before?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My opinion: If you're doing a custom kernel, make sure it works with whatever ROM you're flashing. I suggest sticking with the stock kernel* until you get the hang of things OR do a little research and learn a bit before you attempt anything. There's a lot of forums with details and help here. I've installed kernels before and after installing ROMs with little or zero problems, but I'm more of a dabbler than a professional.
I would suggest backing up your current setup in case you need to reflash. That's a definite.

Dravekx said:
My opinion: If you're doing a custom kernel, make sure it works with whatever ROM you're flashing. I suggest sticking with the stock kernel* until you get the hang of things OR do a little research and learn a bit before you attempt anything. There's a lot of forums with details and help here. I've installed kernels before and after installing ROMs with little or zero problems, but I'm more of a dabbler than a professional.
I would suggest backing up your current setup in case you need to reflash. That's a definite.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol that doesn't really answer the question. I hope somebody sees it and clears it up for me

rdar_93 said:
Lol that doesn't really answer the question. I hope somebody sees it and clears it up for me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The kernel can't be changed...although it can be "tuned" if you have root.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=58813428
Sent from my Note 3 via Tapatalk

Still hoping somebody helps me out and posts a short but precise guide to install a custom rom on 4.4.2 NC4
I don't want to end up bricking my device on the first try. I've been there already and it sucks lol

rdar_93 said:
Still hoping somebody helps me out and posts a short but precise guide to install a custom rom on 4.4.2 NC4
I don't want to end up bricking my device on the first try. I've been there already and it sucks lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It really depends on the ROM, there is no set guide for all ROMs.
Did you install busybox? I like using busybox on rails. Just download the app and click install.
Download the safestrap apk (3.75 B04) and install that, open it and install recovery.
I'm currently running Clean ROM. I am on NC4. I downloaded the rom, and moved it to my SD card. I rebooted to safestrap, wiped data, cache and dalvik then installed the ROM to the stock slot. Then, following the instructions for Clean ROM, I rebooted to download mode from recovery and flashed the NC2 Kernel with odin.
The main thing is to read the installation instructions for the particular ROM you want to flash.
Don't forget to use Titanium backup to freeze SDM app (I think that's what its called) so your phone will stop trying to update.
---------- Post added at 05:29 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:23 PM ----------
rdar_93 said:
Still hoping somebody helps me out and posts a short but precise guide to install a custom rom on 4.4.2 NC4
I don't want to end up bricking my device on the first try. I've been there already and it sucks lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you're at all proficient with Odin it is really REALLY hard to brick these phones.

BladeRunner said:
It really depends on the ROM, there is no set guide for all ROMs.
Did you install busybox? I like using busybox on rails. Just download the app and click install.
Download the safestrap apk (3.75 B04) and install that, open it and install recovery.
I'm currently running Clean ROM. I am on NC4. I downloaded the rom, and moved it to my SD card. I rebooted to safestrap, wiped data, cache and dalvik then installed the ROM to the stock slot. Then, following the instructions for Clean ROM, I rebooted to download mode from recovery and flashed the NC2 Kernel with odin.
The main thing is to read the installation instructions for the particular ROM you want to flash.
Don't forget to use Titanium backup to freeze SDM app (I think that's what its called) so your phone will stop trying to update.
---------- Post added at 05:29 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:23 PM ----------
If you're at all proficient with Odin it is really REALLY hard to brick these phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks man, I was supposed to update this thread saying that I got through with the proper procedure for installing Jasmine Rom
Although I was running Eclipse before, and I wanted to try going back to stock but it just got stuck on the Verizon splash screen
I'm thinking it's because I had the NC2 kernel active when I should have gone back to the NC4 kernel
I looked for a NC4 kernel to flash but I only saw the modems and tar files, so not knowing if those were the same as kernels I decided to just try Jasmine. So far, I like it.
I have crazy battery drain though. I think it's because I'm running it in Slot 1

just picked up a verizon note 3 android 4.4.2 NC4
one of the very first posts above says you cant do anything on NC4 and then another post says NC4 is ok but just not android 4.4.4
NC4 is the latest update as of this writing isnt it?
what can actually be done with this vzw note 3 on android 4.4.2 NC4?
non dev edition of course
what about knox?
if rooting can be done with this phone on this OS is there any safe way not to trip knox?

en11gma said:
just picked up a verizon note 3 android 4.4.2 NC4
one of the very first posts above says you cant do anything on NC4 and then another post says NC4 is ok but just not android 4.4.4
NC4 is the latest update as of this writing isnt it?
what can actually be done with this vzw note 3 on android 4.4.2 NC4?
non dev edition of course
what about knox?
if rooting can be done with this phone on this OS is there any safe way not to trip knox?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd be happy to answer your questions
If you have an NC4 device that's running 4.4.2, you are able to gain root access and install safestrap recovery on your device. However, if the android version is 4.4.4, you cannot root or install safestrap.
NC4 is just our last build number, but there are two versions I think, the 4.4.2 and the 4.4.4. In the 4.4.4, they blacklisted every single compatible kernel that could work on the device. They forgot to do it in the 4.4.2 version, that's why we're able to gain root.
On our NC4 4.4.2 Verizon Note 3, we can root, install safestrap recovery and install a very limited amount of roms from the non developer edition selection on the XDA forums.
Rooting via towelroot, to my knowledge, does not trip knox. However, installing safestrap recovery does. But if you're worried about your warranty being voided, I wouldn't panic too much because with our bootloader being locked, it is very easy to flash the original Stock Verizon files through Odin to go straight back to factory settings so it looks like if you just pulled it out the box. The knox code would be reset and you would have a device that looked like if it has never been rooted or modified.

rdar_93 said:
I'd be happy to answer your questions
If you have an NC4 device that's running 4.4.2, you are able to gain root access and install safestrap recovery on your device. However, if the android version is 4.4.4, you cannot root or install safestrap.
NC4 is just our last build number, but there are two versions I think, the 4.4.2 and the 4.4.4. In the 4.4.4, they blacklisted every single compatible kernel that could work on the device. They forgot to do it in the 4.4.2 version, that's why we're able to gain root.
On our NC4 4.4.2 Verizon Note 3, we can root, install safestrap recovery and install a very limited amount of roms from the non developer edition selection on the XDA forums.
Rooting via towelroot, to my knowledge, does not trip knox. However, installing safestrap recovery does. But if you're worried about your warranty being voided, I wouldn't panic too much because with our bootloader being locked, it is very easy to flash the original Stock Verizon files through Odin to go straight back to factory settings so it looks like if you just pulled it out the box. The knox code would be reset and you would have a device that looked like if it has never been rooted or modified.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Safestrap does not trip knox.

mjh68 said:
Safestrap does not trip knox.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. I must have tripped mine somehow cause my device says "custom" when booting.
I'm guessing it might be Xposed but I'm not too sure.

rdar_93 said:
Thanks. I must have tripped mine somehow cause my device says "custom" when booting.
I'm guessing it might be Xposed but I'm not too sure.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It will say custom, but that isn't tripping knox. Custom can be removed with the triangle away app. Custom just gets flagged like you were saying by changing the recovery , but it doesn't trip the knox counter.

mjh68 said:
It will say custom, but that isn't tripping knox. Custom can be removed with the triangle away app. Custom just gets flagged like you were saying by changing the recovery , but it doesn't trip the knox counter.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then I must be confused about what knox really is.
What is "Knox" then?

TWRP for SM-T330nu Galaxy Tab 4 8.0??

Does this exist? I have found a TWRP for a regular T330, but not the T330NU. Basically I am looking for a way to get my 5.1.1 rooted. I know there is a method listed on this forum that involves installing a new kernal that is rootable, but once again, I need a custom recovery to even flash that file. Or do I? Any help would be highly appreciated. I apologize if this has been addressed, but after many Google searches, and even searches on XDA, i was not able to find any definite instructions on how to do this. I would happily downgrade to 4.4.2 Kitkat if thats even possible, but I hit a dead end there also trying to use ODIN to flash the stock 4.4.2 firmware. I made the stupid mistake of upgrading to 5.1.1, and now am suffering do to all the bloatware installed with it. Please direct me to the proper files i need to use to get my device rooted! I'm not worried about knox because it has already been triggered. I just dont understand how or where to get TWRP for my tablet because all the files I found specifically left the T330NU out of its list of compatible devices. I have tried Kingo-Root, KingRoot, and no success. Help, I need ROOT!

A TWRP build for the SM-T330 will also work on the SM-T330NU, so you can use this thread for TWRP. There is also Philz touch, a touch version of CWM which can be found in this thread. All that said however, there is only one way to root the SM-T330NU on 5.1.1, and that is the kernel method you mentioned, for which the thread can be found here

Install new kernel
thisisapoorusernamechoice said:
A TWRP build for the SM-T330 will also work on the SM-T330NU, so you can use this thread for TWRP. There is also Philz touch, a touch version of CWM which can be found in this thread. All that said however, there is only one way to root the SM-T330NU on 5.1.1, and that is the kernel method you mentioned, for which the thread can be found here
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok... heres my next question? Do i just simply use ODIN to install the custom recovery, then use the custom recovery to flash that new kernel??? Because I still have the stock recovery on right now, and just need the basic instructions h on how to achieve this. Thanks

beatbreakee said:
Ok... heres my next question? Do i just simply use ODIN to install the custom recovery, then use the custom recovery to flash that new kernel???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I believe so, although the kernel thread should have instructions

Success with Custom recovery and Kernel Flash
Ok i performed the Kernel flash using Philz recovery... and flashed the SuperSU file posted on that thread. Now I ran a program called "Root Checker" from the app store and it says Root not installed... BUT when I run the SuperSU app it says "Super User Enabled" ... So am i rooted or not?? Is there another program i need to use to check root status? or am i done?...
***DUH, my fault... did not realize i needed to grant super user access to the program.... Did that and SUCCESS!!***
Thanks dude... you're very helpful and patient... Wish i had a customer comment card I could fill out about you!

rootedI
I have the exact same tab and have not found much support for it however I believe I rooted it using old school towel root. And there are some cool things u can do with it but I've been back in kit Kat land all this time.