I have a unique situation. I have a I337 with KangKat installed and TWRP recovery installed. I just received an unlock code for my device, but it does not accept the code. I have been told that since the phone is rooted and running a custom rom that the code does not work. My question is can I download a stock rom. Install it using TWRP. type in my unlock code. get the device unlock. Can I then install KangKat again? Or will installing the stock rom messup my bootloader and I will forever not be-able to load a custom rom again?
I would greatly appreciate the communities expert advice. I do not want to lose my ability to install a custom rom but I need to have my device unlocked for international travel. Thank you.
julow123 said:
I have a unique situation. I have a I337 with KangKat installed and TWRP recovery installed. I just received an unlock code for my device, but it does not accept the code. I have been told that since the phone is rooted and running a custom rom that the code does not work. My question is can I download a stock rom. Install it using TWRP. type in my unlock code. get the device unlock. Can I then install KangKat again? Or will installing the stock rom messup my bootloader and I will forever not be-able to load a custom rom again?
I would greatly appreciate the communities expert advice. I do not want to lose my ability to install a custom rom but I need to have my device unlocked for international travel. Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since you have TWRP installed, you are either on the MDB or MDL bootloader. Flash the stock firmware matching the version, using Odin. Sim unlock and then you can reinstall TWRP and your custom rom.
Run the follow commands in a terminal emulator (app) session or adb shell
su
getprop ro.bootloader
jmjoyas said:
Since you have TWRP installed, you are either on the MDB or MDL bootloader. Flash the stock firmware matching the version, using Odin. Sim unlock and then you can reinstall TWRP and your custom rom.
Run the follow commands in a terminal emulator (app) session or adb shell
su
getprop ro.bootloader
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I fear using Odin. Horrible stories from the time I flash a Tab 1. Is this the only way?
Does anyone know if I recover to a stock rooted 4.4.2 rom will my unlock code work? or will it not work because its rooted?
Do not go to 4.4.2 as it has a locked boatloader and no direct root method.
I use odin on a daily basis and I haven't seen any issues. I haven't heard of anyone reporting any issues due to odin on this phone in this forum.
Sent from my SGH-I337 using Tapatalk
jmjoyas said:
Do not go to 4.4.2 as it has a locked boatloader and no direct root method.
I use odin on a daily basis and I haven't seen any issues. I haven't heard of anyone reporting any issues due to odin on this phone in this forum.
Sent from my SGH-I337 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok i just downloaded the stock rom I337UCUAMDB_I337ATTAMDB_ATT. Does anyone have a link to the MDL rom?
I've been told to start with the oldest rom and work my way up till it doesn't fail the odin flash. What is the order of roms I should try?
julow123 said:
Ok i just downloaded the stock rom I337UCUAMDB_I337ATTAMDB_ATT. Does anyone have a link to the MDL rom?
I've been told to start with the oldest rom and work my way up till it doesn't fail the odin flash. What is the order of roms I should try?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sammobile has a link to MDL.
The newer bootloaders prevent a downgrade of bootloader. That is the reason you have been asked to try from older to latest one that works. You need to do that only if you dont know the current bootlaoder version. I already gave you the method to find the current version on your phone.
MDB->MDL->MF3->MK2->NB1
From MF3 onwards, custom recoveries like TWRP/CWM will not work. The only working recovery is safestrap. You will also lose the ability to flash AOSP ROMS.
Wishing that it works with MDL stock itself.
All about MK2 and NB1
Got my unlock code working!!!
First off. I want to thank the XDA community with their knowledge. The quick responses to my post is much appreciated.
I was able to get my unlock code working without having to use Odin. Thanks to an internet buddy who put me on the right track. Since I have TWRP installed I was able to install a stock 4.4.2 Root AT&T rom. I then put my unlock code in. And BAM Worked!!! I then restored from my original backup and now i'm back to running KangKat.
Thanks all again!!!
julow123 said:
First off. I want to thank the XDA community with their knowledge. The quick responses to my post is much appreciated.
I was able to get my unlock code working without having to use Odin. Thanks to an internet buddy who put me on the right track. Since I have TWRP installed I was able to install a stock 4.4.2 Root AT&T rom. I then put my unlock code in. And BAM Worked!!! I then restored from my original backup and now i'm back to running KangKat.
Thanks all again!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And thanks for reminding me that with a custom recovery you can flash almost any rom. I had lost this ability long back when I moved to S4 and got a phone with MF3 on which custom recovery doesnt work. We can do only restricted stuff with the safestrap recovery.
Related
So I was able to root for the first time with Towelroot. That was successful and the I downloaded the clockwork mod and rom manager to attempt to flash Cyanogenmod. however after installing those two apps I restarted and when it booted up it now only shows the error message "System software not authorized by Verizon Wireless has been found on your phone. Please turn off your phone and go to the nearest Verizon Wireless store for help. I do believe that I created a backup on my SD card but I cannot access it and I cant seem to be able to even use Odin to get my phone back to stock Kit Kat firmware. Can somebody please help figure out how to get my phone to boot back up and hopefully keep my root intact?
If your on a retail note, you can't run cm so you would need to Odin back to stock nc4 and re root with towel root and install safe strap recovery . If on developer note 3 dis regard and wait for someone with a dev phone to answer.?
thanks
Okay thanks but wouldn't that just put me back into a bootloop again? using safestrap and towelroot put me in this situation and I don't know what caused this issue and I would like to avoid it at all if possible on my next attempt. Is it because I didn't unlock the bootloader?
Tay-lin said:
Okay thanks but wouldn't that just put me back into a bootloop again? using safestrap and towelroot put me in this situation and I don't know what caused this issue and I would like to avoid it at all if possible on my next attempt. Is it because I didn't unlock the bootloader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can't unlock the bootloader on a retail Note 3.
Towelroot and Safe strap didn't get you in this situation.
You need to do a bit more research and read up before continuing.
All we have is root.
Safe strap is needed to run custom roms.
There are no custom kernels available since the bootloaders locked.
So don't try to use cwm.
Try to get your phone in download mode and odin the stock tar then root again and install Safstrap 3.75 build 4.
Hi Guys I'm trying to install a custom Rom on my phone but have failed 4 times now and have to reach out to the forum for help. I'm on 4.4.2 ota and have rooted w/ towel root sucessfully, installed safestrap 3.72 and 3.75, busybox and super su. I advance wipe and do a clean install. Everytime it says it was successful but when I reboot the screen goes black and does noting. The phone remains on but nobodys home. I've tried the Jasmine rom and the alliance rom with the same results. I used odin to go back to stock but I want a custom rom. Can anybody help? I've attached a screenshot of my about phone. Also can anybody recommend a Rom that helps with the signal/gps issues that started after KK?
Thanks in Advance!
cjacobs611 said:
Hi Guys I'm trying to install a custom Rom on my phone but have failed 4 times now and have to reach out to the forum for help. I'm on 4.4.2 ota and have rooted w/ towel root sucessfully, installed safestrap 3.72 and 3.75, busybox and super su. I advance wipe and do a clean install. Everytime it says it was successful but when I reboot the screen goes black and does noting. The phone remains on but nobodys home. I've tried the Jasmine rom and the alliance rom with the same results. I used odin to go back to stock but I want a custom rom. Can anybody help? I've attached a screenshot of my about phone. Also can anybody recommend a Rom that helps with the signal/gps issues that started after KK?
Thanks in Advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to flash the NC2 kernel via odin. File and instructions can be found here. When following the steps in the OP you can substitute the rom you want for the one you can download from the post.
Also incase you didn't see it in the Safestrap OP you will only be able to use the stock rom slot, if trying to flash on a created slot it won't boot properly or at all (rom slots are only supported on NC2 firmware and previous, the ota is NC4).
Hope this helps.
That's great thank you very much for your help!
Do I just flash the kernal over my stock rom?
cjacobs611 said:
Do I just flash the kernal over my stock rom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To be safe you might want to flash the rooted stock rom provided in the post I linked earlier. That rom is the NC4 stock with pre-root and a couple other tweaks Basically the same as OTA but better. Just follow the steps in the OP and you'll be good to go (if you haven't already).
thank you
My pleasure.
Ok I'm sorry I'm still confused. The OP doesn't say to flash with Odin anywhere it says flash with Safe strap. Do I flash the firmware with Odin first then Rom?
cjacobs611 said:
Ok I'm sorry I'm still confused. The OP doesn't say to flash with Odin anywhere it says flash with Safe strap. Do I flash the firmware with Odin first then Rom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Anything firmware, kernel or modem related must be flashed in Odin as long as we have a locked bootloader. Just follow the steps as instructed and you'll be fine.
Sent by Darkseid from Apokolips
I'll start off explaining my situation and then explain what myself and lots of other people seem to be confused about.
I was on Kikat last week and then upgraded to PB1 and unlocked my bootloader using method 1 by jkruse. Everything went fine and I was running stang5litre. I wanted to try Phoenix but I could not find instructions on how to get to PD1 first. I then saw that I could go right from PB1 to CM 13. I booted to recovery, wiped, installed CM and gApps, and everything went fine also.
I know my baseband is still PB1 but I'm guessing since I'm on CM now that I'm not actually on any official build right? (PD1, PF4, etc). So with that being said I don't understand how to go to other ROMs or back to LP.
I tried going back to recovery, wiping, and installing stang5litre again but my phone would not boot past the Samsung screen. Guessing something with the kernel? Soni flashed back to CM for now and I've been reading like crazy on here.
I'm trying to understand the process for switching between LP and MM. I found instructions by jkruse in the Phoenix forum (post #68) which talk about upgrading/downgrading bootloader but they are not clear and also they specifically say "Upgrade To PD1 Stock Rooted Rom With PD1 Unlocked Bootloader From 5.0 TW Rom". Well I'm not on a 5.0 TW ROM now.
I've seen countless posts in multiple forums showing a lot of other people are confused about this stuff. If I had all the details (clear instructions, file links, etc) I would glady make a very easy to follow guide and explanation of everything. I'm good at writing out stuff like that and making it very easy to understand.
Some things I want to understand so I can make a guide..
-How to go from PB1 to stock rooted PD1 (I see a guide to get to PF4 but Phoenix says you need PD1)
-How to go from CM to stock rooted PD1
-How to go from CM back to stock rooted PB1
-How to go from PD1/PF4 back to stock rooted PB1 (this process might be the same as the process coming from CM?
Any help/explanation would be greatly appreciated. Some of this info might be scattered across different forums but I think a guide specifically for switching between all the builds would be a huge help to a lot of people. Please link files also. I will definitely give credit to all who help if I do get the info needed to make it!! Thanks!
Bumppp
If you need help finding these things maybe you shouldn't be making a guide....
Sandman-007 said:
If you need help finding these things maybe you shouldn't be making a guide....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please dont bother commenting pointless stuff. I read these forums every day and see lots of people looking for clarification for how to go back and forth between MM and LP. Mainly how to go back to LP. You will also find threads and posts with people giving different instructions. Some say just flash the PD1 rooted stock in recovery.. some say that won't downgrade the bootloader..
Some say to follow Jkruses guide in the second post of the bootloader unlock thread. The part about going back and forth between bootloader's.. which is a way more complicated method. There is different information all over
I highly suggest you read the 2nd portion "If You Already Have Bootloader Unlocked And On A Samsung TW Rom" link.
I think the key you need to understand is that you have to match the bootloader version with the corresponding ROM you are trying to flash. PB1 is for LP ROM. PD1/PF4 is for MM ROM.
Having above said, here's my answer to your question below:
-How to go from PB1 to stock rooted PD1 (I see a guide to get to PF4 but Phoenix says you need PD1)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please follow the 2nd portion of the link above.
If you want to try Phoenix, then you can use the SafeStrap_PF4_Bootloader_Unlock_AIO.zip as jrkruse confirmed PF4 does work with it.
Upon complete the 2nd portion, then you can flash Phoenix's v12 ROM in TWRP directly.
-How to go from CM to stock rooted PD1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First of all, find out which CM you are at. I assume you are at CM13, then you would need follow the same 2nd portion instruction again (using the PD1 Bootloader), then flash the stock PD1 rom in twrp.
-How to go from CM back to stock rooted PB1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same as above, except use PB1 bootloader in the process.
-How to go from PD1/PF4 back to stock rooted PB1 (this process might be the same as the process coming from CM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are right, it is the same process.
I hope I cleared it out for you. If you are not sure where you are at, then I would suggest you odin the original PB1 image, root it, unlock bootloader, flash twrp, then follow the 2nd portion of the link.
ruokuo said:
I highly suggest you read the 2nd portion "If You Already Have Bootloader Unlocked And On A Samsung TW Rom" link.
I think the key you need to understand is that you have to match the bootloader version with the corresponding ROM you are trying to flash. PB1 is for LP ROM. PD1/PF4 is for MM ROM.
Having above said, here's my answer to your question below:
-How to go from PB1 to stock rooted PD1 (I see a guide to get to PF4 but Phoenix says you need PD1)
Please follow the 2nd portion of the link above.
If you want to try Phoenix, then you can use the SafeStrap_PF4_Bootloader_Unlock_AIO.zip as jrkruse confirmed PF4 does work with it.
Upon complete the 2nd portion, then you can flash Phoenix's v12 ROM in TWRP directly.
-How to go from CM to stock rooted PD1
First of all, find out which CM you are at. I assume you are at CM13, then you would need follow the same 2nd portion instruction again (using the PD1 Bootloader), then flash the stock PD1 rom in twrp.
-How to go from CM back to stock rooted PB1
Same as above, except use PB1 bootloader in the process.
-How to go from PD1/PF4 back to stock rooted PB1 (this process might be the same as the process coming from CM?
You are right, it is the same process.
I hope I cleared it out for you. If you are not sure where you are at, then I would suggest you odin the original PB1 image, root it, unlock bootloader, flash twrp, then follow the 2nd portion of the link.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply. I found instructions from Jkruse on page 7 in the Phoenix thread. That's why I am confused because there are so many methods scattered everywhere.
So here's what I tried and something went wrong already.
------------------------
Flashfire Method to Upgrade/Downgrade Your Bootloaders Dev Unlocked To Stock Roms
This Method Only Works If You Have A Dev Unlocked Bootloader Or Have Previously Unlocked Your Bootloader
I just want to add this warning. If you use this method you dont have the safety net that safestrap provides so if something goes wrong in this process you may end up with a unrooted phone and locked bootloaders causing you to have to start The whole rooting process over since you will not have safetrap to boot back into
Upgrade To PD1 Stock Rooted Rom With PD1 Unlocked Bootloader From 5.0 TW Rom With PB1 Unlocked Bootloaders
Download these 2 files and place on phone
PB1_Flashfire_Prepare.zip
PD1_Full_Firmware_With_Dev_Aboot_Twrp_Recovery_Ima ge.tar.zip
Reboot to TWRP and flash PB1_Flashfire_Prepare.zip
Reboot
Open Flashfire (It will be installed by the zip you flashed in TWRP) grant supersu permission
-------------------------
. I rebooted to TWRP. Flashed the PB1_Flashfire_Prepare.zip and rebooted right away. I now had safestrap installed which I did not before. So I go to open it up and my screen goes white for a second and then just returns to the app drawer?? It will not open
So then I delete the file and figured maybe it was a.bad download. Downloaded it again and tried to boot to recovery but it went to stock recovery not TWRP.
So I have no clue what to do now. How can I get TWRP installed again? All I did was flash that one zip so idk what went wrong. I am on PB1 everything.
aholeinthewor1d said:
Thanks for the reply. I found instructions from Jkruse on page 7 in the Phoenix thread. That's why I am confused because there are so many methods scattered everywhere.
So here's what I tried and something went wrong already.
------------------------
Flashfire Method to Upgrade/Downgrade Your Bootloaders Dev Unlocked To Stock Roms
This Method Only Works If You Have A Dev Unlocked Bootloader Or Have Previously Unlocked Your Bootloader
I just want to add this warning. If you use this method you dont have the safety net that safestrap provides so if something goes wrong in this process you may end up with a unrooted phone and locked bootloaders causing you to have to start The whole rooting process over since you will not have safetrap to boot back into
Upgrade To PD1 Stock Rooted Rom With PD1 Unlocked Bootloader From 5.0 TW Rom With PB1 Unlocked Bootloaders
Download these 2 files and place on phone
PB1_Flashfire_Prepare.zip
PD1_Full_Firmware_With_Dev_Aboot_Twrp_Recovery_Ima ge.tar.zip
Reboot to TWRP and flash PB1_Flashfire_Prepare.zip
Reboot
Open Flashfire (It will be installed by the zip you flashed in TWRP) grant supersu permission
-------------------------
. I rebooted to TWRP. Flashed the PB1_Flashfire_Prepare.zip and rebooted right away. I now had safestrap installed which I did not before. So I go to open it up and my screen goes white for a second and then just returns to the app drawer?? It will not open
So then I delete the file and figured maybe it was a.bad download. Downloaded it again and tried to boot to recovery but it went to stock recovery not TWRP.
So I have no clue what to do now. How can I get TWRP installed again? All I did was flash that one zip so idk what went wrong. I am on PB1 everything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The SS/FF method was old instruction. People sometimes has hit or miss. I think Jkruse found out the cause (my guess is the binary status). Please go for the latest one, which is at the OP of the link I gave you.
If you still have the unlocked bootloader, you can always odin the twrp image (I recommend v3.0.0.0).
If you happened lost the unlocked bootloader status, then I would recommend you to odin the original PB1 tar, root, unlock bootloader, odin twrp, then follow the 2nd part of the OP.
I hope this helps.
So I have been having a really hard time trying to get TWRP installed. And now I understand why, it's because it's AT&T and it has a locked bootloader. But being the stupid me I sometimes am, I installed it with Flashify. It succesfully installed! But oh wait.... The bootloader is LOCKED and now whenever I try to boot into recovery I just get this message 'System software not authorized by AT&T has been found on your phone.' And I don't know how to fix this. I just really want a custom recovery so I can install customs ROMs. Thanks for any help in advance
TechGuyYT said:
So I have been having a really hard time trying to get TWRP installed. And now I understand why, it's because it's AT&T and it has a locked bootloader. But being the stupid me I sometimes am, I installed it with Flashify. It succesfully installed! But oh wait.... The bootloader is LOCKED and now whenever I try to boot into recovery I just get this message 'System software not authorized by AT&T has been found on your phone.' And I don't know how to fix this. I just really want a custom recovery so I can install customs ROMs. Thanks for any help in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, first I think you may need to flash a stock ROM to get rid of that message.
Next, the custom recovery you are looking for is called SafeTrap. Similar to TWRP, but it should work with locked bootloaders.
GDReaper said:
Well, first I think you may need to flash a stock ROM to get rid of that message.
Next, the custom recovery you are looking for is called SafeTrap. Similar to TWRP, but it should work with locked bootloaders.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But I am running Android Lollipop, will SafeTrap work? Do I still need to flash a stock ROM? And If I need to, should I use Odin to do it?
TechGuyYT said:
But I am running Android Lollipop, will SafeTrap work? Do I still need to flash a stock ROM? And If I need to, should I use Odin to do it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only way to flash stock is with Odin. Or Kies.
I don't know if it will work on lollipop, due to the bootloader being locked tighter.
But if it doesn't work, then nothing will.
TechGuyYT said:
But I am running Android Lollipop, will SafeTrap work? Do I still need to flash a stock ROM? And If I need to, should I use Odin to do it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If your phone is AT&T S4 (SGH-i337), the highest firmware available is NB1 firmware cooked by muniz_ri . You can get it from here.
You can flash that with odin. Once you are in NB1 you can root the phone and upgrade back to lollipop. You can read the instructions and get the required files here.
As SGH-i337 has locked bootloader the available custom rom flashers are safestrap and flashfire. Using safestrap in lollipop is pain in the neck so I use the flashfire.
You are also in the wrong form IMHO. There is a separate forum for SGH i-337. You can find it here.
The i337 cannot accept a custom recovery other than safestrap and custom roms must be based on a stock s4 rom which means no cm or aosp.
I have been trying to upgrade my 4.4.2 s4 I337 to 6.0 marshmellow and am having many problems. Also I am EXTREMELY new to anything android or flashing or anything like this at all, I learned everything I know just today.
I rooted my phone using the towelroot method because it was the easiest for my phone. I am also using safestrap recovery because I think my phone is bootloader locked? I was having a lot of problems trying to install twrp so I just assumed it was that. I'm using usb debugging and I am using the 6.0 pico gapps.
I have tried multiple roms using safestrap and making sure that the rom is specifically for my phone, at&t and I337 but each time the rom shows it was successful and I reboot it goes to recovery booting and says I don't have an OS and I have to recover back to stock firmware using odin, beccause I did a full wipe before each install of the roms.
If there is any other info I might have missed or have anything to help me I would greatly appreciated it, and again I basically have no idea what I am doing and am just going off of trial and error and googling what every term means. Thank you
Edit: My bootloader is NB1 if that matters also.
Edit: Doing a little more searching is it even possible for me to get 6.0 with my phone?
The bootloader on your phone is locked and cannot run any custom ROMs unless it is a rom that is based on a stock Samsung ROM; therefore, a 6.0 ROM or higher is not possible. Also, Lineage, RR, etc. is not possible.
audit13 said:
The bootloader on your phone is locked and cannot run any custom ROMs unless it is a rom that is based on a stock Samsung ROM; therefore, a 6.0 ROM or higher is not possible. Also, Lineage, RR, etc. is not possible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the reply! After a lot more researching and doing very stupid stuff (it was all for fun and learning mostly anyway) I did brick my phone saying firmware upgrade encountered an issue I can only get to download mode I tried flashing the original firmware I had using the stock 4.4 nb1 file but that is also now failing in odin, do you have any suggestions that could work?
Edit: I tried flashing to mk2 and thats how it bricked, but shouldn't I be able to go back to my stock firmware even if I bricked my phone like this? Both the towelrootable stock nb1 4.4 and the normal stock nb1 4.4 isnt working when I try to flash them in odin
You should flash the same or newer ROM to the phone. Even though the phone says it encountered an error, you can still flash the phone with Odin with this message in the screen.
Hopefully, this thread will help: https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4-att/general/guide-odin-to-stock-updating-rooting-t2926642
audit13 said:
You should flash the same or newer ROM to the phone. Even though the phone says it encountered an error, you can still flash the phone with Odin with this message in the screen.
Hopefully, this thread will help: https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4-att/general/guide-odin-to-stock-updating-rooting-t2926642
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm probably jinxing it by typing while its still working but I switched my usb cable and so far it hasn't failed when before it would fail immediatly, thank you for all the help!
Only the MDL bootloader can run non touchwiz ROMs. All other bootloaders can only run touch wiz based ROMs.