Database Users

[Q] A little behind on this but can I do 4.4 system update if I'm rooted?

I've been putting it off for a while. I'm flashed to cwm and still on TouchWiz. Is there a particular method to doing this system update? I want to get on kitkat and keep my root, or at least be able to get root access again afterwards.

Goes look in development section. .unknown has a stock rooted...random has a stock unrooted that's easy to root
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

ibcenu said:
Goes look in development section. .unknown has a stock rooted...random has a stock unrooted that's easy to root
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know what this means, in particular. Can you link me to something? I ran cyanogenmod up to 11 when my s3 died and have been out of the community for a bit. I just want to put the OTA kitkat update onto my phone and then get root.

nickgenova said:
I've been putting it off for a while. I'm flashed to cwm and still on TouchWiz. Is there a particular method to doing this system update? I want to get on kitkat and keep my root, or at least be able to get root access again afterwards.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can get on kitkat if you flash a kitkat rom or by odining stock NAE tar file (Please note that this will give you knox bootloader). If you visit Sacs Custom Rom 4.4.2 kitkat rom (link in my signature below). It will explain how to go from a previous version to his kitkat rom.
Basically, in a nutshell...you need to have the NAE modem (which is explained in the thread) and specific recoveries to use during flashing. Visit the thread to find out more

Any root for s4 on kitkat 4.4 (without tripping knox)

so i haven't been on the scene for a few months i check back every once in awhile but i have still seem to have found nothing yet so i figure id ask maybe i missed something anyways
just wondering is there any way to root galaxy s4 (bell i337) on kitkat 4.4.2 without tripping knox yet?
(not interested in doing custom roms as i know that trips knox just looking to root my device)

duboisbrian said:
so i haven't been on the scene for a few months i check back every once in awhile but i have still seem to have found nothing yet so i figure id ask maybe i missed something anyways
just wondering is there any way to root galaxy s4 (bell i337) on kitkat 4.4.2 without tripping knox yet?
(not interested in doing custom roms as i know that trips knox just looking to root my device)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought Bell had i337m. If you are on i337, the downgrade, root, and Safestrap doesn't trip Knox since Safestrap doesn't go in the recovery partition. That includes if you flash stock ROM with root or any custom ROM compatible, since Safestrap doesn't flash kernels.
Sent from my SGH-I337 running BlackBox 3.0

DeadlySin9 said:
I thought Bell had i337m. If you are on i337, the downgrade, root, and Safestrap doesn't trip Knox since Safestrap doesn't go in the recovery partition. That includes if you flash stock ROM with root or any custom ROM compatible, since Safestrap doesn't flash kernels.
Sent from my SGH-I337 running BlackBox 3.0
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Click to collapse
got a link? I can't find it again. Freaking bloated Xda, they used to post things like [root] as a sticky.

duggerdude said:
got a link? I can't find it again. Freaking bloated Xda, they used to post things like [root] as a sticky.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2663545
This will put you on MK2 with root from NB1/NC1, then you can just flash the stock ROM in this thread (it has nothing changed but added root and an optional tethering addon) http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2730144

DeadlySin9 said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2663545
This will put you on MK2 with root from NB1/NC1, then you can just flash the stock ROM in this thread (it has nothing changed but added root and an optional tethering addon) http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2730144
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok a few more questions.
on link http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2692825
the steps are:
1. Place the I337UCUFNB1_100%_Stock_Rooted_ROM in the root of your ext sdcard.
*2. Download the I337_NB1toMK2_Downgrade file(MD5:FAC95B4CC7743FAE34BC42EBFBAF751A), extract the .tar and flash in PDA slot in Odin(AP in Odin v3.09+) to obtain semi-functioning(no-wifi) MK2.
3. Use your favorite root method to root MK2, e.g. Saferoot, Kingo Root App, then install the latest Safestrap v3.72(NB1)apk (Download and learn more about Safestrap from this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=2448925).
4. Boot into Safestrap recovery, perform an advanced wipe, and wipe everything except ext sdcard.
5. Flash the ROM zip in the "Stock Slot."
6. Press "Home," then reboot into Download Mode and flash the I337_NB1_Stock_Kernel(MD5:A9B3BCD7CA16CB77652516E6117A5B81) in PDA slot in Odin(AP in Odin v3.09+).
so first question is how does one place something in the root of your ext sd card
secondly i honestly forgot how to use odin, dont i need to put my phone in download mode to flash? what is the sequence to put the phone in download mode if so? Does USB debugging need to be on?
also there is a note on this thread - once you have completed steps 1 - 4 below consider flashing the NC1_100%_Stock_Rooted_ROM from Post#3 in the following thread instead of NB1 to obtain the latest firmware: http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=2730144.
i know you might or might not have written any of these threads but you do have a clearer understanding than i do, that being said in regards to the note above would you say follow all the steps but use the NC1 ROM instead of the NB1 ROM? or Use the NB1 Rom do all of it then jump to the link you provided?

DeadlySin9 said:
I thought Bell had i337m. If you are on i337, the downgrade, root, and Safestrap doesn't trip Knox since Safestrap doesn't go in the recovery partition. That includes if you flash stock ROM with root or any custom ROM compatible, since Safestrap doesn't flash kernels.
Sent from my SGH-I337 running BlackBox 3.0
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
okay sorry i ment 1337m then will safestrap work
also im rooted with kingo on 4.3 (will i need to erase kingo root or can i just safestrap over it ?)

duboisbrian said:
okay sorry i ment 1337m then will safestrap work
also im rooted with kingo on 4.3 (will i need to erase kingo root or can i just safestrap over it ?)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have an i337m you don't need or want safestrap. Just put a recovery on and start flashing roms. Here's a little help http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=41010145
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app

Quick question on process

I am back to the forums finally after 8 months! The last time I was here I updated to MJ9 and rooted it through odin and that is the latest and greatest at the time. I remember SS was not even use able yet!
So a quick question on the process I should take:
1.I am on MJ9, can I install SS 3.65 then install SS based ROMS? Or do I have to downgrade to MJE (which I dont think I do)?
2.If I wanted to flash a 4.4 ROM I should be able to just flash it then update the radios correct?
Any help would be appreciated. It just been so long and being on these forums for year stuff and methods change so fast it can be hard to catch back up.

monkey10120 said:
I am back to the forums finally after 8 months! The last time I was here I updated to MJ9 and rooted it through odin and that is the latest and greatest at the time. I remember SS was not even use able yet!
So a quick question on the process I should take:
1.I am on MJ9, can I install SS 3.65 then install SS based ROMS? Or do I have to downgrade to MJE (which I dont think I do)?
2.If I wanted to flash a 4.4 ROM I should be able to just flash it then update the radios correct?
Any help would be appreciated. It just been so long and being on these forums for year stuff and methods change so fast it can be hard to catch back up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Yes you can install SS 3.65 then install any 4.3 ROM.
2. Yes, you would flash the radios with Odin. You would also need to install the newest SS for 4.4.2 since 3.65 won't work on it.

airmaxx23 said:
1. Yes you can install SS 3.65 then install any 4.3 ROM.
2. Yes, you would flash the radios with Odin. You would also need to install the newest SS for 4.4.2 since 3.65 won't work on it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the quick response. SO at least I am following everything correctly. On 4.3 I can update to 3.75 and SS should still work right? Just making sure because it sounds like you can flash 4.4 roms with 3.75 but not 4.3

monkey10120 said:
Thanks for the quick response. SO at least I am following everything correctly. On 4.3 I can update to 3.75 and SS should still work right? Just making sure because it sounds like you can flash 4.4 roms with 3.75 but not 4.3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to use 3.65 while you're on 4.3, even flashing the 4.4.2 ROM for the first time. Once you've installed the 4.4.2 ROM and radios then you install 3.75.

airmaxx23 said:
You need to use 3.65 while you're on 4.3, even flashing the 4.4.2 ROM for the first time. Once you've installed the 4.4.2 ROM and radios then you install 3.75.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahh got it! Thank you sir

When rebooting and having it say "SafeStrap Disabled" is fine until I use a different slot then it should say enabled?

5.0.1 OC4 to OctOS 6.0.1 ?

i have rooted OC4 installed on my phone and have i've been reading up on OCTos and their 6.0.1 custom firmware (found a good link too: http://www.teamandroid.com/2016/01/20/update-att-galaxy-s4-i337-android-601-octos-marshmallow-custom-rom/ ) . and now am more confused.
it should be simple from what i am reading.
1) backup everything
2) revert to 4.3 (mk2), root, and install ClockworkMod 10.2+
3) install custom rom 6.0.1 OCTos
however, i'm reading on this page (http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4-att/general/guide-odin-to-stock-updating-rooting-t2926642) but it states >> Once you flash NB1, you CANNOT go back to MK2. <<
So now I'm trying to figure out exactly how i can get the OCTos onto my phone. what guide should i follow !?!?!?!
:silly:

They meant the MK2 boot loader based devices, same with MDL. Aside from a few exploited boot loaders.. it's been the general consensus that they're all locked up, therefore.. only stock roms. The lowest boot loader you can possibly be on is NB1. Download "Terminal Emulator" for the Play Store and then when you open it up, type the following:
getprop ro.bootloader
^ exactly like that, then see what it says. The last three characters (MDK, MDL, MK2, NB1, NC1, OC3, OC4)--that's how you can figure out which boot loader you are using. I am on NB1's bootloader but I can still downgrade to MK2, i.e. Android 4.3, and still have it work.. only because of how the roms in these threads are rooted and the fact that they're stock, aside from a few other small details. When they say OC3 or MK2, or NB1... whichever.. then typically they mean the boot loader when saying you cannot revert. Definitely cannot revert to MK2 bootloader after taking an OTA update.

pr3dicament said:
getprop ro.bootloader
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Click to collapse
i337ucugoc4

egiblock said:
i have rooted OC4 installed on my phone and have i've been reading up on OCTos and their 6.0.1 custom firmware (found a good link too: http://www.teamandroid.com/2016/01/20/update-att-galaxy-s4-i337-android-601-octos-marshmallow-custom-rom/ ) . and now am more confused.
it should be simple from what i am reading.
1) backup everything
2) revert to 4.3 (mk2), root, and install ClockworkMod 10.2+
3) install custom rom 6.0.1 OCTos
however, i'm reading on this page (http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4-att/general/guide-odin-to-stock-updating-rooting-t2926642) but it states >> Once you flash NB1, you CANNOT go back to MK2. <<
So now I'm trying to figure out exactly how i can get the OCTos onto my phone. what guide should i follow !?!?!?!
:silly:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Even though it was not mentioned, the article appears to be written for the SGH-i337 with old bootloaders (MDB, MDL). These are the only two bootloaders that can be exploited and installed the custom recovery like CWM or TWRP.
Since your bootloader is OC4 you can not install the CWM or TWRP. You could try flashing with safestrap though. If that custom rom is not written with Aroma then you could also try to flash with flashfire. These are the only two options for you.

egiblock said:
i337ucugoc4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, yeah.. you're not on MDK or MDL, not even NB1.. you're simply on OC4. You aren't going to be able to do any flashing of any Custom Roms that are not Safestrap compatible (touchwiz)
Good luck.. you can't go anywhere backwards, not even OC3. That really sucks. I'm sorry. It looks like you took the OTA's.
I can still ODIN to NB1 and that was because I never took the OTA update. I got lucky.. I can still choose between kitkat and lollipop. You can't. You might be able to with someone's help.. but your bootloader is OC4.. that's a problem. You more than likely will have trouble doing anything unless it's not MDK/MDL or even NB1 based.
---------- Post added at 08:23 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:21 PM ----------
sway8966 said:
Even though it was not mentioned, the article appears to be written for the SGH-i337 with old bootloaders (MDB, MDL). These are the only two bootloaders that can be exploited and installed the custom recovery like CWM or TWRP.
Since your bootloader is OC4 you can not install the CWM or TWRP. You could try flashing with safestrap though. If that custom rom is not written with Aroma then you could also try to flash with flashfire. These are the only two options for you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah.. You might have a shot with FlashFire. I might test that via the NB1 bootloader that I'm on but I don't think it matters that much aside from being able to Odin back to 4.3 software.

sway8966 said:
Even though it was not mentioned, the article appears to be written for the SGH-i337 with old bootloaders (MDB, MDL). These are the only two bootloaders that can be exploited and installed the custom recovery like CWM or TWRP.
Since your bootloader is OC4 you can not install the CWM or TWRP. You could try flashing with safestrap though. If that custom rom is not written with Aroma then you could also try to flash with flashfire. These are the only two options for you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
FlashFire came out with another release (0.32) that seems to have an AROMA emulation option.. my guess is that it's still in testing, but it's worth a shot even without it. The way I have OC3 with the NB1 boot loader is because of FlashFire.. Safestrap.. it's been awhile since I've used it. I've tried recently for other ROMS but you can't do a custom kernel.. that's the reason most custom roms aren't able to work, i.e. CM v13 runs a totally different kernel. It's not just TouchWiz now.. now it's just stock kernels.. at least via SafeStrap. So far I've gotten none to work with SafeStrap aside from Stock rooted roms. OC3, OC4, and if I felt like it, OK2.. but why even bother with OK2, I'm not gonna see any difference given all of the patches you can use with Xposed.. including any memory leak bull****, that's all good now in 5.0.x -- 5.1+ has that patched up.. and OK2 certainly isn't 5.1. I don't see any difference between OC3 and OC4.. and if my opinion counts for anything.. the one thing that I noticed (bloatware script ran and other apps not needed were frozen for both) is a very high amount of battery usage with OC4.. same userdata, same everything.. and when you flash the kernel, the modules, and move up to OC4.. it's still the same looking.. feels the same.. more ram used.. OC3 is superior in this instance. I'd love to try and give an AOSP rom a shot.. but.. via SafeStrap (someone made a guide for those not on the MDK or MDL boot loaders) .. eh.. no luck. That was all via SafeStrap. I'm just putting in my two cents. I think development for this phone is finished.. no one has come out with anything new aside from the SafeStrap kernel workarounds.. not many FlashFire users.. and the one that used to find every single exploit is now EMPLOYED by Samsung so his development.. gone. That was a huge kick in the ass to this entire community. Plenty of people around, just.. they don't give a **** about the S4 with boot loader all locked up. NB1 was an accident for me.. I was on MDL for a long, long time.. I really ****ed that up or I'd be running MarshMallow already It seems to run best with KitKat, but a lot of AOSP roms have shown huge differences in MarshMallow.. oh well. Can't try it at the moment.

Unfortunately I can't remember what I did in the past to this phone, but I have never had luck with OTA updates. I'll have to see if I can find my note to see what I originally did on this stupid thing.

egiblock said:
Unfortunately I can't remember what I did in the past to this phone, but I have never had luck with OTA updates. I'll have to see if I can find my note to see what I originally did on this stupid thing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since you are on OC4, the lowest you can go is NB1 (kit-kat).

Should I upgrade to Lollipop?

So I'm currently on the Hyperdrive rom on Android 4.4.2, and I am thinking of upgrading to Lollipop, but the only thing that is holding me back is that if I upgrade to lollipop, I will not be able to unlock the SIM.

safwanz1 said:
So I'm currently on the Hyperdrive rom on Android 4.4.2, and I am thinking of upgrading to Lollipop, but the only thing that is holding me back is that if I upgrade to lollipop, I will not be able to unlock the SIM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am sure you are not talking about bootloader unlock (exploit).
I am using lollipop now. I unlocked my sim when I was using jelly bean. Sim unlock is based on the phone IMEI. As long as your EFS partition is intact, you should not be worrying about that.

So if I do Odin/FlashFire to Lollipop, my phone will remain SIM unlocked?

safwanz1 said:
So if I do Odin/FlashFire to Lollipop, my phone will remain SIM unlocked?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which bootloader are you on? If you're on MDL or MDB , do not upgrade to lollipop unless you flash the stock based golden eye or gold finger roms or any other AOSP lollipop rom. If you are on any other bootloader aside from MDL or MDB, go ahead and upgrade officially.
Your phone should remain sim unlocked if you use a custom rom to upgrade like the ones meantioned above.

StoneyJSG said:
Which bootloader are you on? If you're on MDL or MDB , do not upgrade to lollipop unless you flash the stock based golden eye or gold finger roms or any other AOSP lollipop rom. If you are on any other bootloader aside from MDL or MDB, go ahead and upgrade officially.
Your phone should remain sim unlocked if you use a custom rom to upgrade like the ones meantioned above.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
my bootloader appears to be NC1. Which method do you recommend for upgrading to Lollipop?

safwanz1 said:
my bootloader appears to be NC1. Which method do you recommend for upgrading to Lollipop?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you on safestrap? If you are, safestrap works well only in kit-kat. It is a pain to use safestrap in llolipop. I use fashfire instead.
Since you are on custom rom all you have to do is install flashfire and flash the rooted lollipop rom. The instructions can be found at here.
The instruction are written for the latest lollipop rooted rom (OK2). I stay with OC4. If you want to upgrade to OC4 do let me know. I will give you the link for the OC4.
All the necessary files and instructions can be found at here.
You might also want to download the NB1 firmware cooked by Muniz_ri. If you soft-brick your phone in the process or in the near future, that is where have to start with.
If you have questions please quote this in the reply so that I know you have a question.

sway8966 said:
Are you on safestrap? If you are, safestrap works well only in kit-kat. It is a pain to use safestrap in llolipop. I use fashfire instead.
Since you are on custom rom all you have to do is install flashfire and flash the rooted lollipop rom. The instructions can be found at here.
The instruction are written for the latest lollipop rooted rom (OK2). I stay with OC4. If you want to upgrade to OC4 do let me know. I will give you the link for the OC4.
All the necessary files and instructions can be found at here.
You might also want to download the NB1 firmware cooked by Muniz_ri. If you soft-brick your phone in the process or in the near future, that is where have to start with.
If you have questions please quote this in the reply so that I know you have a question.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What's the main differences between OK4 and OC4?
Yes I am on Safestrap

safwanz1 said:
What's the main differences between OK4 and OC4?
Yes I am on Safestrap
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are on safestrap, you might need to uninstall it first before you upgrade to lollipop.
Well OK2 was released after OC4 so it might have some better features. But I did not have a chance to be on OK2 for long to notice it. When I was on OK2 my back button stop working so I had to downgrade to OC4.

sway8966 said:
If you are on safestrap, you might need to uninstall it first before you upgrade to lollipop.
Well OK2 was released after OC4 so it might have some better features. But I did not have a chance to be on OK2 for long to notice it. When I was on OK2 my back button stop working so I had to downgrade to OC4.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for clearing the air man, really appreciate it. I think I will go with the Thor ROM because it looks to be the best.
You mentioned safe strap was wierd with lollipop, in what way?

safwanz1 said:
Thanks for clearing the air man, really appreciate it. I think I will go with the Thor ROM because it looks to be the best.
You mentioned safe strap was wierd with lollipop, in what way?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They did not make safestrap for the lollipop. Safestrap only works on NC1 kernel. So if you were on lollipop and safestrap installed, everytime you reboot you need to tap the proceed several time finish the boot. Also if you want to use the safestrap to flash something or backup, you need to run NC1 flasher to reinstall the NC1 kernel first. Once you finish your deed, you need to flash the lollipop kernel back. That was why I said using safestrap in lollipop is a pain. You can read about that in this forum.
Download and keep this NB1 firmware. If you softbrick your phone this is the only thing that can save you.

sway8966 said:
They did not make safestrap for the lollipop. Safestrap only works on NC1 kernel. So if you were on lollipop and safestrap installed, everytime you reboot you need to tap the proceed several time finish the boot. Also if you want to use the safestrap to flash something or backup, you need to run NC1 flasher to reinstall the NC1 kernel first. Once you finish your deed, you need to flash the lollipop kernel back. That was why I said using safestrap in lollipop is a pain. You can read about that in this forum.
Download and keep this NB1 firmware. If you softbrick your phone this is the only thing that can save you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Downloading the file and I'm gonna keep it on my SD card. The several time pressing thing I already have to do on my phone so I'm fine with that. Where do I get the NC1 Flasher?

safwanz1 said:
Downloading the file and I'm gonna keep it on my SD card. The several time pressing thing I already have to do on my phone so I'm fine with that. Where do I get the NC1 Flasher?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, I forgot to set the reboot to download, and now I have booted into the Lollipop OS. What should I do?

safwanz1 said:
So, I forgot to set the reboot to download, and now I have booted into the Lollipop OS. What should I do?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to go to download mode so that you can flash the lollipop bootloader . If you boot into lollipop your modem, etc might not work properly.