Database Users

New to S4

How's it going? I am upgrading to the S4 coming from the e4gt on Thursday. I've flashed just about everything there is for the e4gt, but would like to know what is recommended for starting out with this phone. What recovery do you recommend? I've downloaded the cf autoroot which I plan on using, and also the cwm jfltespr 6.0.3.6. Is this the best route for getting started? Thanks in advance.

Welcome over bt.
If you're going to stay on 4.2 then TWRP 2..5.0.2 has proven best for me and most others. TWRP-Recovery-jfltespr-2.5.0.2
If you're going to jump in to 4.3 (and I suspect you will) then use Philz CWM based recovery. philz_touch_5.18.2-jfltespr.tar
Just know that if you take the OTA or Odin 4.3 there is NO going back to 4.2 because of the Knox bootloader.
You can however run 4.3 on 4.2 firmware (non Knox tripped bootloader).
Many of the usual Sammy stuff caveats are the same. biggest difference is that Kernels are seperated from Recoveries. Making it easy to mix and match.
Flashing is a breeze, developers here are great - many came from the e4gt and S3. Same with the contributors and others.
Take some time to read through the posts and you'll soon get a good handle on it.
Have fun!

Hey, i remember you. It's great to see you here. How do I avoid the ota? Can I freeze system updates in tb or for toolbox? Also, what rom do you recommend that I try first? I was looking at the carbon rom, but will try 4.2 first because it looks like they have the save data issues on 4.3 like the e4gt. I will miss all the guys on project x.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda app-developers app

btvolta said:
Hey, i remember you. It's great to see you here. How do I avoid the ota? Can I freeze system updates in tb or for toolbox? Also, what rom do you recommend that I try first? I was looking at the carbon rom, but will try 4.2 first because it looks like they have the save data issues on 4.3 like the e4gt. I will miss all the guys on project x.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you install a custom recovery and kernel you won't be able to take the OTA - it may download but shouldn't install. I use TB to freeze Sprint Installer and Sprint Zone. Sprint Installer is a really sneaky app - it goes out and grabs all their crapware and just loads it up!.
I'd recommend Any of the 4.2 ROMs if you'd like to mess around - Sac, Unknownforce, Negamann's and of course rujelus22's.
For 4.3 I'd say give those guys a go too; just be sure to do it without tripping the Knox counter - using custom recovery and flashing ROM that has the knox bootloader removed.
For CM/AOSP type there are some pretty good ones too.Carbon, Sniper and Garwynn have some builds up. I like to try them but I'm a TW guy - I have to have everything working flawlessly for business so even small things like no 4G, no sms or the like make using them for my daily driver still out of the question for now.

leaderbuilder said:
If you install a custom recovery and kernel you won't be able to take the OTA - it may download but shouldn't install. I use TB to freeze Sprint Installer and Sprint Zone. Sprint Installer is a really sneaky app - it goes out and grabs all their crapware and just loads it up!.
I'd recommend Any of the 4.2 ROMs if you'd like to mess around - Sac, Unknownforce, Negamann's and of course rujelus22's.
For 4.3 I'd say give those guys a go too; just be sure to do it without tripping the Knox counter - using custom recovery and flashing ROM that has the knox bootloader removed.
For CM/AOSP type there are some pretty good ones too.Carbon, Sniper and Garwynn have some builds up. I like to try them but I'm a TW guy - I have to have everything working flawlessly for business so even small things like no 4G, no sms or the like make using them for my daily driver still out of the question for now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there a chance my phone will come with the 4.3 already installed?

btvolta said:
Is there a chance my phone will come with the 4.3 already installed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A friend of mine just bought the S4 two days ago and maybe he was lucky but it was still on 4.2 But don't know if that's the case with all of them.
GS4 Stock Rooted MJA 4.3,Philz Touch CWM,HotSpot Mod,Transparent Weather Widget,8SMS(Stock Messaging,KitKat)

btvolta said:
Is there a chance my phone will come with the 4.3 already installed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
as @BIGSAMDA1ST said, there is that possibility. Really depends on the supplier and how deep their inventory is.
If is on 4.2, after initial setup it will surely try and update to 4.3 if you let it - I wouldn't. But that's just me. I'd keep it 4.2 and go the 'non-knox' route to 4.3.

btvolta said:
Is there a chance my phone will come with the 4.3 already installed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Welcome!
I just got mine on Monday Pre Balck Friday Sale, been on E4GT bricked 3, 4th the power button broke and the E4GT was BO so the bumped me to GS3 was rooted running Cyan 11 4.4 kitkat, PA Gapps, Xposed 128 DPI then the Pre Sale .96 cent's upgraded to this GS4. Monday got it and a hour later the 4.3 OTA was pushed to the phone.
I do have to say this is a Big Learning Curve because a lot of the customization i was used to do on my phone is already stock on this phone.
Been researching trying to figure what exactly to do but also been running tests to see what improvements Sprint and or the phone has made for me. I agree with Leaderbuilder " I have to have everything working flawlessly for business so even small things like no 4G, no sms or the like make using them for my daily driver still out of the question for now".
Everything has seemed to be running great my wife upgraded from Galaxy S "GB" love ginger just not as a OP. Spending a lot of time finding how things work for her and have yet to set my phone up or let it settle in. I say all this to say "what I've read" in all different posts is there is possibly 1 stable 4.4 rom and just now trying to compare the benefit for me rooting. I know removing bloatware but it doesn't seem to be messing the phone up like it did on E4GT, battery life? What I've seen this is pretty good. So take your time get your phone and get used to it I think those of us who came from E4GT was used to having a "fairly good" phone and rooting to make it better however this seems to be at a different level.

I just moved from the Epic 4G to an S4. Still really missing my slide-out keyboard...
I bought my S4 a week ago and it came with 4.2.2. I had NO clue about the Knox BS, and doing a quick Google for 4.3 issues did not bring it up, so I took the OTA update. BIG mistake... Especially since I need to root to run ARLiberator.
Thankfully, my Sprint dealer is great, and after finding they could not roll it back, gave me a direct exchange to a new S4 with 4.2.2. If they would not have done that, I would have exchanged it for a white one to get back to 4.2.2.
Sooo, to sum it up, as of yesterday, it was possible to still get an S4 with 4.2.2 without Knox on it.

VaderSS said:
I just moved from the Epic 4G to an S4. Still really missing my slide-out keyboard...
I bought my S4 a week ago and it came with 4.2.2. I had NO clue about the Knox BS, and doing a quick Google for 4.3 issues did not bring it up, so I took the OTA update. BIG mistake... Especially since I need to root to run ARLiberator.
Thankfully, my Sprint dealer is great, and after finding they could not roll it back, gave me a direct exchange to a new S4 with 4.2.2. If they would not have done that, I would have exchanged it for a white one to get back to 4.2.2.
Sooo, to sum it up, as of yesterday, it was possible to still get an S4 with 4.2.2 without Knox on it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Chalk it up to me being an old 48 gray haired (although consider myself pretty good searcher) What exactly is Knox and why/not want or want it?What is the issue with taking the OTA update? Layman's terms? My sprint store has really cool tech's but they know nothing about rooting and all different issues. Always like playing with my phone for a bit and never get pissed if I get an issue they can't resolve.
Should I not have done the OTA update? I'm trying to determine if I actually want to root or not because things have seemed good so far.
Main 4.4 item i wanted was "OK Google" but I've got that on my stock phone, sure 128 dpi would be great but if it really worth it for me? I'm still out to lunch on that one.

VaderSS said:
I just moved from the Epic 4G to an S4. Still really missing my slide-out keyboard...
I bought my S4 a week ago and it came with 4.2.2. I had NO clue about the Knox BS, and doing a quick Google for 4.3 issues did not bring it up, so I took the OTA update. BIG mistake... Especially since I need to root to run ARLiberator.
Thankfully, my Sprint dealer is great, and after finding they could not roll it back, gave me a direct exchange to a new S4 with 4.2.2. If they would not have done that, I would have exchanged it for a white one to get back to 4.2.2.
Sooo, to sum it up, as of yesterday, it was possible to still get an S4 with 4.2.2 without Knox on it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you saying you can't root it because of the update? I believe you still can.

btvolta said:
Are you saying you can't root it because of the update? I believe you still can.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
jtsv said:
Chalk it up to me being an old 48 gray haired (although consider myself pretty good searcher) What exactly is Knox and why/not want or want it?What is the issue with taking the OTA update? Layman's terms? My sprint store has really cool tech's but they know nothing about rooting and all different issues. Always like playing with my phone for a bit and never get pissed if I get an issue they can't resolve.
Should I not have done the OTA update? I'm trying to determine if I actually want to root or not because things have seemed good so far.
Main 4.4 item i wanted was "OK Google" but I've got that on my stock phone, sure 128 dpi would be great but if it really worth it for me? I'm still out to lunch on that one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The OTA update installs the Knox boot loader which cannot be rolled back. Once on it, you are on it for good, at least at present.
Knox adds a tattle-tale, so that if you root in the conventional, "fully rooted" manner, install a custom recovery, rom, or kernel, it will trip a flag, titled "Knox Warranty Void" which cannot, at present, be reset. which also breaks certain functionality in the phone. If you don't care about tripping this flag, it looks like you can still mod your phone as before.
There is a way to partially root in spite of Knox, without tripping the flag, but this method may open your phone up in ways you don't want to do. This is still under investigation.
Personally, I did not want a non-resetable flag telling Sprint/Samsung that I had modded my phone... That in itself was enough to make me return the phone.

Thank you for explaining now you have given me more to think about. Why do they care since warranties still cover rooting? Also makes me have something else to add to the puzzle do I root or not. Most things I was rooting for are now stock so I will continue to think about now knowing about the Knox.

Hello BTVOLTA...looking fwd to being here as well. Coming from the E4GT myself this evening and am looking forward to the stuff this thing has the ability to do:thumbup:

btoddweber said:
Hello BTVOLTA...looking fwd to being here as well. Coming from the E4GT myself this evening and am looking forward to the stuff this thing has the ability to do:thumbup:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm waiting in line right now
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Xparent BlueTapatalk 2

jtsv said:
Thank you for explaining now you have given me more to think about. Why do they care since warranties still cover rooting? Also makes me have something else to add to the puzzle do I root or not. Most things I was rooting for are now stock so I will continue to think about now knowing about the Knox.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well the knox bootloader is big if you are worried about warranty issus and if may need to run 4.2 ROMs.
If you don't think you ever will have either of those situations then that shouldn't matter.
Knox also does have some cool stuff for the corporate world - high security container for applications etc. It's essentially a secure 'sandbox'. I think you'll find many more corps. insisting on an using it. I know my brothers company gave him an S4 with knox for just that reason - secure email/CRM container and connection. This guy had the need too.
But for me I really am pissed that, if needed, I could not set my device to factory original.
Just one more thing an entity will use to keep from supporting a hardware problem they should own by blaming me.
I've had phones with bad radios (GPS part) that needed warranty replacement and one time was told no because I had a custom ROM and the problem was my ROM or my fault for 'destroying' the chip. I promplty went back around the corner flashed a stock .tar and walked back in and proved it to be the hardware.
All that being said this is so far the best phone I've had. And the developers and support folks here are great.
Welcom over y'all and have some fun.

Just got mine and I guess while I was looking foe a case they pushed the update while setting up my s4.
Any advice on what to do?

Depending on the inventory your new one may come with MF9. If so you can just use cf-autoroot to root install a custom recovery and go from there. There is a thread on how to update that firmware (modem and radio) without tripping the knox counter.
To keep it from updating don't take any 'Sprint Firmware updates' during install. You can root right away and then use Titanium to freez the sprint installer and sprint zone to keep the update at bay.
If it comes with MJA you can still root and then install custom recovery. You will just not be able to run a 4.2 ROM stock (using Odin).

Yeah thats the issue part says dont care othet says dont need security issue but its nice to be safe amd secure. Bricked 3 E4GT andb4th power button broke but all covered by insurance when they upgraded me to GS3 and then I needed a new phone and got the Gs4.
My 3 was running Cyan 11 w/4.4 kitkat and Xposed 128 dpi. I have almost everything I was used to with root with this stock except the 128 dpi so Im trying to figure if I just need to play it safe for a while or not.
I'm irritated by the play store every time I try to install with it pulling 1 of 3 error codes ever since upgraded to 4.3 so part of me wants to just root to 4.4 since I know how it runs but Ive only found 1 stable 4.4 available and not too familiar of roms since my experience is from E4GT and Gs3 days.
My first thoughts are if I know I may have issues and create more issues with my phone with Knox then why even bother?
Last clarification if I root Knox then acts like the old odin counter and or it also will keep me from flashing unroot back to stock? Kinda if can't reboot back to stock then if I softbrick and need help im on my own where as in past I still got help from sprint tech support and insurance because they couldn't prove I rooted an csused the issue.
Knox makes it permanent like water damage sticker with iOs?

btoddweber said:
Just got mine and I guess while I was looking foe a case they pushed the update while setting up my s4.
Any advice on what to do?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was all over it, made sure they didn't push the update. I now have it frozen, and I flashed beanstalk. It's running great so far. It seems though that none of the nice features that come with this phone are on this ROM. Next I will look to flash another kernel and then comadose. BTW, the recovery I installed B is Philz. It appears that if you want to use some of the nice stock options, probably need flash a TW ROM.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Xparent BlueTapatalk 2

Rooted 4.2.2 MDL wanting to get OTA 4.3

I am on 4.2.2 MDL and have read over these forums alot to look for my issue but i have not come across exactly what to do.
I want to get the latest OTA which is 4.3
I have the OTA for MF3 I think it is? Its the one that locked the bootloader down tight and no one wants, since no Custom ROMs
I do not want any custom roms like CWM (although I loved it on older phones) I don't want to lose the functionality I bought this phone for.
When i tried to OTA to the locked bootloader version it fails at 32% or so.
The Phone is rooted.. and busybox installed. I mostly use this just for Titanium backup my apps.
So here is my question.
I want to get to the latest version available.
I have attached a screenshot of my about, if there is any other information required i'll be happy to provide!

Please don't upgrade and loose your MDL firmware, you'll regret it. You have many options for great TW roms, like GoldenEye that will offer a much better 4.3 experience versus the AT&T stock 4.3. Your bootloader was NEVER unlocked. The MDL firmware just allowed us to use Loki, which was an easy way around it. AT&T patched this with MF3 firmware in July. They do have safestrap for MF3, but its not CWM.
What exactly can't your phone do with MDL firmware and a custom rom? I don't get that? If you upgrade OTA, you will have Samsung's new knox crap, which if you ever do anything to your phone, it will set it to 0x1 and void your warranty.

I was reading you lose the Motions and Gestures with custom ROMS, I know CWM does not support that.
I do like that feature and I do use them on my S4.
I wanted to get to 4.3 to support the Galaxy Gear eventually.
Among I also do enjoy being uptodate
I understand completely how most of you hardcore modders and rom guys love your roms.
There were only slightly features in CWM I loved, which I can live without. But to completely knock out some of the biggest features of the S4 (the motions and gestures etc) Seems a waste of even buying this device in the first place.
Sure it has great hardware and alot would argue that.. but you can buy other devices with awesome hardware.
If you can point me to a custom rom for 4.3 (that will have the full support for galaxy gear) and it will support motions and gestures and lose 0 functionality I currently have, That'd be great. But I did not see that anywhere yet.

Cronus89 said:
I was reading you lose the Motions and Gestures with custom ROMS, I know CWM does not support that.
I do like that feature and I do use them on my S4.
I wanted to get to 4.3 to support the Galaxy Gear eventually.
Among I also do enjoy being uptodate
I understand completely how most of you hardcore modders and rom guys love your roms.
There were only slightly features in CWM I loved, which I can live without. But to completely knock out some of the biggest features of the S4 (the motions and gestures etc) Seems a waste of even buying this device in the first place.
Sure it has great hardware and alot would argue that.. but you can buy other devices with awesome hardware.
If you can point me to a custom rom for 4.3 (that will have the full support for galaxy gear) and it will support motions and gestures and lose 0 functionality I currently have, That'd be great. But I did not see that anywhere yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am not sure if GoldenEye supports the Galaxy Gear, but try out that rom out first. It's based entirely off the Internation S4's 4.3 firmware and it offers a lot more. Its optimized for AT&T, and includes all the motions and gestures. You loose the motions and gestures with a non Touch-Wiz rom, like AOKP for example. But that's whats so great about custom roms. When you get bored of touch-wiz, you can flash a pure google experience and vice versa.
Maybe this is just me, but in the beginning, before we had custom recovery for MDL, I found the AT&T stock experience to be absolutely awful. By far the worst Samsung stock experience I have ever had. I also can't stand how low Samsung puts the headphone volume, along with those annoying volume nags.
Try GoldenEye out and see how you like it. If you don't, then upgrade.

I've always loved Samsungs TouchWiz, they have been my favorite UI, Galaxy S is the best imo.
Can you link me to the official Goldeneye and everything I need?
I'd appreciate that alot.
I use Titanium Backup, so app restore shouldn't be a problem and I've done it before so im ok with trying it out.
If there is any tips or tricks with restoring your apps and data switching ROMs, i'd appreciate that bit of info too.
Always feared to post on these forums since alot of people in the past get angry and talk mean to people that don't know the whole book on this

You really need to search and read up on a lot if you are unfamiliar with rooting and flashing custom roms. If you don't know what you are doing, then you WILL brick your device. If you brick your device to the point where you cannot fix it, you are SOL. Samsung will know you modified the software and your warranty will be void.
But you should start here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2297033
This tool will do it all for you. You must be on MDL firmware for this to work. Once you run that program, you'll have CWM (Auto Loki'd). Then follow the directions in the rom's OP.
GoldenEye (Based on Samsung's International 4.3 stock)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2313469
Or if you want the AT&T 4.3 stock rom, iB4StiD also has a rom for that, MDOB
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2280556
Either way, you have A LOT of reading to do. I was once new and a complete air head on how to root, flash roms, and what not. The people on this site can be ignorant jerks who don't like noobs, like yourself. You are expected to do everything on your own, and no one will hold your hand. I usually don't provide what I did above, but I would hate to see you foolishly upgrade. Once you do, you are stuck. Good Luck.

I guess I was not clear enough my apologies.
I have flashed custom recovery and roms plenty of times on my older phones.
It did take a bit of reading but once you understand what limitations your device has (what will brick it etc) its not so bad
I just wanted the "proper" links from you so I start off right, I can definately handle it from here.
Quick question when i attempted to update did it somehow maybe give me KNOX?
SuperSU asked me to remove it and i let it, and it was succesful (it might have just deactivated it i cannot recall)

Cronus89 said:
I guess I was not clear enough my apologies.
I have flashed custom recovery and roms plenty of times on my older phones.
It did take a bit of reading but once you understand what limitations your device has (what will brick it etc) its not so bad
I just wanted the "proper" links from you so I start off right, I can definately handle it from here.
Quick question when i attempted to update did it somehow maybe give me KNOX?
SuperSU asked me to remove it and i let it, and it was succesful (it might have just deactivated it i cannot recall)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you updated to anything, the links I provided you with will completely BRICK your phone. Your current firmware MUST BE MDL to use the links I gave you. If you are on MF3, DO NOT, I REPEAT, DO NOT USE THE LINKS ABOVE.
---------- Post added at 08:27 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:26 PM ----------
I am not sure if it gave you KNOX, since the update failed. I doubt it. But I would restore to stock MDL, then use the tool I provided you with.

lol its ok I know what im doing I know that MDL is required.
Clearly in my screenshot im on MDL... i was asking about KNOX randomly being on my phone since I thought it only came with one of the OTA updates?
I am on MDL and if you double check my screenshot does everything look ok to do the flash?
Again just wanted to double check about the knox thing.

Cronus89 said:
lol its ok I know what im doing I know that MDL is required.
Clearly in my screenshot im on MDL... i was asking about KNOX randomly being on my phone since I thought it only came with one of the OTA updates?
I am on MDL and if you double check my screenshot does everything look ok to do the flash?
Again just wanted to double check about the knox thing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I see your screen shot. You look good from there. However, I do not know the repercussions your failed update had, if any? I would say you are probably fine. But I am no developer, or expert.
What you need to do is restore your phone to pure MDL stock via odin. Take your SIM card OUT, so that once the phone is restored it doesn't start updating. You'll then enable USB debugging and use the tool I provided you with in the other post. After that, its cake.

Ah darn... From the oneclick post thats a 1.6GB file lol will take me a couple of hours to download.
But if you insist I will do it. I do believe in starting clean is always a good idea too.

Cronus89 said:
Ah darn... From the oneclick post thats a 1.6GB file lol will take me a couple of hours to download.
But if you insist I will do it. I do believe in starting clean is always a good idea too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are other mirrors for the MDL file, you just have to look. Let me see if I can find one.
Try the one in this thread.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2563533
The one I suggest isn't recommended apparently. You can try it, but I don't know. Apparently that site isn't good for stock roms. I don't know.

Alright im just downloading the one from the oneclick post, it seems to be downloading fine so i will stick with that for now.
So everything will work fine correct? Including the IR Blaster? I do love remote controlling my TV!
I use samsungs watch on app

Cronus89 said:
Alright im just downloading the one from the oneclick post, it seems to be downloading fine so i will stick with that for now.
So everything will work fine correct? Including the IR Blaster? I do love remote controlling my TV!
I use samsungs watch on app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That I can confirm. I am using GoldenEye and love my remote

Did you successfully restore stock MDL and use that tool I provide you with? Hopefully everything went well.

Yes everything is fine.
That file they had was I think the orginal stock so not MDL but worked fine.
Its been working great, although the Messaging app and Contacts background is completely black.
on the stock S4 it wasnt... i cant for the life of me remember what it looked like, But I have been looking for a way to change it and there doesnt seem to be (I thought it was a phone setting, like light to dark, vice versa)
So far thats the only complaint, pretty big one too, cause i dont like solid black lol

Cronus89 said:
Yes everything is fine.
That file they had was I think the orginal stock so not MDL but worked fine.
Its been working great, although the Messaging app and Contacts background is completely black.
on the stock S4 it wasnt... i cant for the life of me remember what it looked like, But I have been looking for a way to change it and there doesnt seem to be (I thought it was a phone setting, like light to dark, vice versa)
So far thats the only complaint, pretty big one too, cause i dont like solid black lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh so you flashed the ADMB firmware? Yeah, loki works with that too. Buy boy is that firmware terrible. So have you loaded GoldenEye up yet?

Of course, Been loaded since last night

Cronus89 said:
Of course, Been loaded since last night
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See??? Wasn't it worth it? Hopefully all your features are there? I also recommending flashing the volume mod he lists.

Sorry for this question but I need to confirm my suspicion...The only way to get custom roms right now is with MDL (actually the one I have). Once you go MF3, MJ6,MJ9 or MK2 there is no way to go back??

Double check before I root

I just acquired a GS4 from ATT today. it is:
Android 4.4.2 (which I upgraded myself)
Baseband V: I337UCUFNC1
I found this thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2663545 But I wanted to make sure there is not anything newer or different since then. I wasn't able to find anything else by searching. I'm trying to root this phone to use CyanogenMod. Unfortunately, my phone is not supported in their list of easy installs.
Can someone verify the steps for me to root and flash Cyan to this model phone before I pull the trigger? Thanks!

burgertime78 said:
I just acquired a GS4 from ATT today. it is:
Android 4.4.2 (which I upgraded myself)
Baseband V: I337UCUFNC1
I found this thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2663545 But I wanted to make sure there is not anything newer or different since then. I wasn't able to find anything else by searching. I'm trying to root this phone to use CyanogenMod. Unfortunately, my phone is not supported in their list of easy installs.
Can someone verify the steps for me to root and flash Cyan to this model phone before I pull the trigger? Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can't flash anything other than Touch Wiz Roms. That guide and ones like The Ultimate All in one Guide will be a starting place. No custom recoveries either.
Sent from my GT-I9505G using Tapatalk

rugmankc said:
You can't flash anything other than Touch Wiz Roms. That guide and ones like The Ultimate All in one Guide will be a starting place. No custom recoveries either.
Sent from my GT-I9505G using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So what's the problem? ATT? too new a hardware version? I have the worst luck with this stuff - if I buy a router to flash a custom firmware like Tomato, it's the ONLY version that isn't supported. crazy.
I'm not sure what a custom recovery is unfortunately. That said, can I root this phone at all? I guess if I can't flash the rom I want to use, can I at least install titanium and freeze all the crapware that I don't want running?
btw - thanks for the response.

burgertime78 said:
So what's the problem? ATT? too new a hardware version? I have the worst luck with this stuff - if I buy a router to flash a custom firmware like Tomato, it's the ONLY version that isn't supported. crazy.
I'm not sure what a custom recovery is unfortunately. That said, can I root this phone at all? I guess if I can't flash the rom I want to use, can I at least install titanium and freeze all the crapware that I don't want running?
btw - thanks for the response.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any build after mdl has the bootloader locked down. If you read thru those two threads OP pages you get an idea. You will also need to get familiar with SafeStrap. I am on the old build and can use an exploit called loki-doki to bypass Sammy's security check and allow kernel to flash.
There may be some new stuff on rooting NC1, but I don't keep up. Basically you had to go back to mk2 to root then go back NC1 and use SafeStrap to flash only TW roms. The SafeStrap thread will explain that. But, it creates slots on the System partition again fooling Sammy. More or less--
Like I said not an expert as I don't have the issue you have with bootloader. But that is the gist of it. Just need to read up so you don't brick--good luck.

rugmankc said:
Any build after mdl has the bootloader locked down. If you read thru those two threads OP pages you get an idea. You will also need to get familiar with SafeStrap. I am on the old build and can use an exploit called loki-doki to bypass Sammy's security check and allow kernel to flash.
There may be some new stuff on rooting NC1, but I don't keep up. Basically you had to go back to mk2 to root then go back NC1 and use SafeStrap to flash only TW roms. The SafeStrap thread will explain that. But, it creates slots on the System partition again fooling Sammy. More or less--
Like I said not an expert as I don't have the issue you have with bootloader. But that is the gist of it. Just need to read up so you don't brick--good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
DAMN! Thanks!

burgertime78 said:
DAMN! Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good Luck
There are plenty of folks here to help with specifics like jd and tedusa--:good:

burgertime78 said:
I just acquired a GS4 from ATT today. it is:
Android 4.4.2 (which I upgraded myself)
Baseband V: I337UCUFNC1
I found this thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2663545 But I wanted to make sure there is not anything newer or different since then. I wasn't able to find anything else by searching. I'm trying to root this phone to use CyanogenMod. Unfortunately, my phone is not supported in their list of easy installs.
Can someone verify the steps for me to root and flash Cyan to this model phone before I pull the trigger? Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
New way to root is call towelroot. Google it or search for it around here the link is everywhere. It's an apk file made by geohot (same guy that jail broke the iphone and ps3). Once you root you can install safestrap. If you've ever owned an droid device they have something identical called boot strap. Think of it as a dual boot of sorts. Definitely keep your eyes on these threads as well as the sgs5 thread. If an exploit is discovered it'll probably be for the s5 and will be compatible with our s4 (towel root was made for the s5 but works for a whole bunch of devices)
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

burgertime78 said:
DAMN! Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=52167774&postcount=3&nocache=1&z=8413408249616623
I was in the same boat as you 2 weeks ago, bought a NC1 and wanted CM, and used this to root. I currently use the Google Edition ROM that has been modified to work on locked bootloader phones, though it does have it's fallbacks. For someone new I'd recommend GoldenEye, just click the link on my signature to download it.
Good luck!

Oh, btw--check out GEOHOT's Towelroot thread in General for NC1. I knew I forgot one. That was the recent method I was thinking of. Not sure which of threads are best for you--depends what you want to do.
---------- Post added at 10:38 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:37 PM ----------
HaHa posted at same time.

You all are AWESOME! Thank you so much! I'll look into this and keep you posted.

rugmankc said:
Oh, btw--check out GEOHOT's Towelroot thread in General for NC1. I knew I forgot one. That was the recent method I was thinking of. Not sure which of threads are best for you--depends what you want to do.
---------- Post added at 10:38 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:37 PM ----------
HaHa posted at same time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just towelrooted. It worked! I was watching this video http://gs5.wonderhowto.com/how-to/r...nt-even-at-t-verizon-20-seconds-flat-0155617/ and I did it while I Was watching the video. On my device, it did not even reboot - i just said "should be rooted" so I loaded a root checker and sure enough, it is rooted! took all of about 8 seconds.
Now, on to a rom.
I'm confused now. Why can I not use CM? I read about SafeStrap and I understand it's sort of a dual boot setup - I get that. So, in a sense, I'm not really installing FRESH, a new rom - at least not in the sense that you format your hard disk and install a new OS. However, what ARE my choices in roms? I know the whiz touch, and now the golden eye, plus the google modified - but what else? I want something cut down, simple and battery friendly. I'm not a super power user and I don't require much. Actually, battery life is the most important thing to me.
This is my business phone - I use Gmail, SMS, maybe take a few pictures - and I listen to podcasts. very basic user. Advice?

burgertime78 said:
I just towelrooted. It worked! I was watching this video http://gs5.wonderhowto.com/how-to/r...nt-even-at-t-verizon-20-seconds-flat-0155617/ and I did it while I Was watching the video. On my device, it did not even reboot - i just said "should be rooted" so I loaded a root checker and sure enough, it is rooted! took all of about 8 seconds.
Now, on to a rom.
I'm confused now. Why can I not use CM? I read about SafeStrap and I understand it's sort of a dual boot setup - I get that. So, in a sense, I'm not really installing FRESH, a new rom - at least not in the sense that you format your hard disk and install a new OS. However, what ARE my choices in roms? I know the whiz touch, and now the golden eye, plus the google modified - but what else? I want something cut down, simple and battery friendly. I'm not a super power user and I don't require much. Actually, battery life is the most important thing to me.
This is my business phone - I use Gmail, SMS, maybe take a few pictures - and I listen to podcasts. very basic user. Advice?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
MDL builds have an exploit that allows the kernel to flash. That is loki-doki. Bypasses the Sammy security check to allow this. There is no exploit yet for post MDL builds. Hence you can only flash stock Touch Wiz kernels, thus only roms that have them. So, no aosp based roms. In one of the threads in General that talk about MK2/NC1 etc is a list of roms for you. I forget the technical coding side of SafeStrap. But, it puts roms in System bypassing the bootloader. But, no way of doing that with aosp roms yet.
I am old and don't retain things much anymore if they are not very important to me. So, although I have read up on this stuff, and have a "45 year old" Engineering Degree, I don't need SafeStrap having the MDL bootloader. So, don't remember all that I have read. But, what I said is the basics of it.
Your roms need to have SafeStrap option in the rom thread's OP page. If not listed, it won't work. Having said all that things like Towelroot are new and more options may come along. :good:

G900V: Top / most popular CURRENT TouchWiz ROM

Hey folks,
New to the rooting game. Downgraded my G900V from 5.0 -> 4.4.2 NCG, towelroot, SuperSu, Safestrap 3.75, Titanium backup. Backed up via SafeStrap custom recovery for stock and pasted it to my desktop as well as a full Titanium backup.
I am ready to enter the custom rom game! I am sad that I cannot try Cyanogenmod because that seems to be the top dog.
I am hoping to retain these earlier KitKat OS versions because they seem to run infinitely raster than stock 5.0 pre-root. However, I've never had one rooted and debloated so who knows.
I am looking for max customizability. I was all about customizing my UI like crazy prior to rooting on 5.0 using apps. So highly customizable UI, battery life +, and stability if at all possible.
1) What do you guys suggest? Thanks!
2) Do all TouchWiz-based ROMS require that you flash another firmware version prior to installation?
As of right now, I am looking at the Alliance ROM but it was released like a year ago and wondering if there's a better or more updated version.
I found a link via galaxys5root dot c0m
Is this a safe download?

Aren't "what's the best ROM?" Posts not allowed?

ldeveraux said:
Aren't "what's the best ROM?" Posts not allowed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry I wasn't aware. How do I ask for a suggestion based on popular belief?

ldeveraux said:
Aren't "what's the best ROM?" Posts not allowed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I revised my original post and apologize again. I am just interested in what my options are.
I haven't heard back on a working download link for Build 2 of Alliance ROM so I am venturing into the MOAR ROM territory. Just to be safe, I purchased Titanium PRO and it's being synced to Drive as we speak.
After it completes, I'm going to attempt my first ROM flash and nervous. From what I've gathered, I need to boot into SafeStrap, full wipe, install the zip from ex/int SD-card, and then boot into download mode. From there, I flash VZW_BOA8_RETAIL_FIRMWARE_ONLY.tar.md5.
Now, once I do this, the post says that SafeStrap won't work anymore. If I follow these instructions:
"7. Safestrap will no longer work unless you use odin and flash NI2_STOCK_KERNEL_FOR_SAFESTRAP.tar.md5 or any VZW KITKAT kernel. Then you can enter Safestrap. Once you flash file or whatever you need to do in safestrap remember to boot to download mode from safestrap and then use odin to flash VZW_BOA8_RETAIL_KERNEL_ONLY.tar.md5 or the VZW_BOA8_RETAIL_FIRMWARE_ONLY.tar.md5. Then you will be good to go. This process must be done every time you need to use SafeStrap!"
... will I still be able to run safestrap and retain the ROM? Or is that just in case I want to access my backed up recovery and revert back to my custom recovery pre-ROM?

ldeveraux said:
Aren't "what's the best ROM?" Posts not allowed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
XDA changed their stance on these kinds of threads and are allowing them to to stay open as long as they don't turn into a flame fest.

I am curious too, as to what is out there that runs well. I am coming from an AT&T LG G2 with lots of options to a this phone that seems to be much more restricted than anything I have seen in the past. This looks like its going to be far more work to get few results. Also it seems like it's easier to brick than the G2 was. Obviously I have a lot of reading to do, and probably a downgrade from OE1 if I want root. I just want to know if there is a ROM worth doing all this work for. Thank you!

It's complicated but worth it.
I'm not going to pick a favorite, but anyone worth their search engine can see what I'm using.
The battery life was horrible straight out of the box, and 'something' had to be done. I have flashed different phones from Motorola, Sony Ericsson, Samsung, etc. from at least 4 different carriers. Nothing compares with how much harder it is just to get root on our Samsung-SM-G900V variant with it's locked bootloader. CyanogenMod is not even an option, so I'm using a custom 5.0 TouchWiz ROM.
The debloating zip via ADB is what really fixed the poor battery life.
It is worth it.
My battery life is now 'amazing'.
The only other phone I had that even came close to battery life and screen on time like this, was my AT&T Samsung Galaxy S2, running CM10.2
Is it worth the effort? Even after trying a short cut and getting stuck in a loop with no recovery? Having to use Odin just to start over? Not having any success until I found a YouTube tutorial?
It's up to you. Perhaps you don't mind bloatware. Maybe you can always find a way to plug it in for a charge.
Good luck.

I have an s5 on Verizon and would like to root what is fastest and safest way?

Pivo187 said:
I have an s5 on Verizon and would like to root what is fastest and safest way?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To find the thread on that topic. Hint, it's not here. Hint 2, try searching...

fukenbiker said:
I'm not going to pick a favorite, but anyone worth their search engine can see what I'm using.
The battery life was horrible straight out of the box, and 'something' had to be done. I have flashed different phones from Motorola, Sony Ericsson, Samsung, etc. from at least 4 different carriers. Nothing compares with how much harder it is just to get root on our Samsung-SM-G900V variant with it's locked bootloader. CyanogenMod is not even an option, so I'm using a custom 5.0 TouchWiz ROM.
The debloating zip via ADB is what really fixed the poor battery life.
It is worth it.
My battery life is now 'amazing'.
The only other phone I had that even came close to battery life and screen on time like this, was my AT&T Samsung Galaxy S2, running CM10.2
Is it worth the effort? Even after trying a short cut and getting stuck in a loop with no recovery? Having to use Odin just to start over? Not having any success until I found a YouTube tutorial?
It's up to you. Perhaps you don't mind bloatware. Maybe you can always find a way to plug it in for a charge.
Good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you.
Are you talking about THE PURGE? The debloater recommends a stock ROM; does this mean I cannot use this option and use OptimalROM or MOAR? I'd like to apply it to my current setup (Optimal)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/verizon-galaxy-s5/development/zip-t2979275

fukenbiker said:
I'm not going to pick a favorite, but anyone worth their search engine can see what I'm using.
The battery life was horrible straight out of the box, and 'something' had to be done. I have flashed different phones from Motorola, Sony Ericsson, Samsung, etc. from at least 4 different carriers. Nothing compares with how much harder it is just to get root on our Samsung-SM-G900V variant with it's locked bootloader. CyanogenMod is not even an option, so I'm using a custom 5.0 TouchWiz ROM.
The debloating zip via ADB is what really fixed the poor battery life.
It is worth it.
My battery life is now 'amazing'.
The only other phone I had that even came close to battery life and screen on time like this, was my AT&T Samsung Galaxy S2, running CM10.2
Is it worth the effort? Even after trying a short cut and getting stuck in a loop with no recovery? Having to use Odin just to start over? Not having any success until I found a YouTube tutorial?
It's up to you. Perhaps you don't mind bloatware. Maybe you can always find a way to plug it in for a charge.
Good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I forgot to mention that I am currently calibrating my battery using a Play Store app. I wonder if this will help
Also, I did it the manual way as well. What a serious pain in the rear lol. Afterwards, with my newfound confidence of rooting, I went to work on my wife's LG G2. What a joke!
Her battery life is unreal. At the end of the day, she sits at 60% battery life after hefty use. I am getting a bit jealous.

fukenbiker said:
I'm not going to pick a favorite, but anyone worth their search engine can see what I'm using.
The battery life was horrible straight out of the box, and 'something' had to be done. I have flashed different phones from Motorola, Sony Ericsson, Samsung, etc. from at least 4 different carriers. Nothing compares with how much harder it is just to get root on our Samsung-SM-G900V variant with it's locked bootloader. CyanogenMod is not even an option, so I'm using a custom 5.0 TouchWiz ROM.
The debloating zip via ADB is what really fixed the poor battery life.
It is worth it.
My battery life is now 'amazing'.
The only other phone I had that even came close to battery life and screen on time like this, was my AT&T Samsung Galaxy S2, running CM10.2
Is it worth the effort? Even after trying a short cut and getting stuck in a loop with no recovery? Having to use Odin just to start over? Not having any success until I found a YouTube tutorial?
It's up to you. Perhaps you don't mind bloatware. Maybe you can always find a way to plug it in for a charge.
Good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Update: I apologize for not searching before posting. I stalked all your activity here and found your exact process for debloating. Thank you! I look forward to seeing the difference.
Now if only my damn phone would charge to 100% to finish calibration!

ahhhhh. why am I still draining the battery so much?
wiped my rom, installed optimalrom for oc4 lollipop, ran debloat script for lollipop and rocking minimal data wifi, screen brightness, keeping ram free, etc. greenifying everything except streams.
what is going on here?
Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

bmilcsx said:
ahhhhh. why am I still draining the battery so much?
wiped my rom, installed optimalrom for oc4 lollipop, ran debloat script for lollipop and rocking minimal data wifi, screen brightness, keeping ram free, etc. greenifying everything except streams.
what is going on here?
Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
wrong thread!

Is lollipop worth it?

Hey guys!
Im a noob when it comes to installing ROMs and crap like that into phones (never done it), so even after looking at alot of threads about lollipop on s4 im wondering. Is it worth the time and effort i need to go through to get it because im running an unlocked version so i cant get updates from at&t. Chances of bricking? Oh and i was wondering do i need a sd card to do all of this? Can i do this from my phones internal storage?
Many thanks in advance.

TheJuli said:
Hey guys!
Im a noob when it comes to installing ROMs and crap like that into phones (never done it), so even after looking at alot of threads about lollipop on s4 im wondering. Is it worth the time and effort i need to go through to get it because im running an unlocked version so i cant get updates from at&t. Chances of bricking? Oh and i was wondering do i need a sd card to do all of this? Can i do this from my phones internal storage?
Many thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What system version are you currently on? Check your baseband in the About section of your settings. Depending on which it is, the process is different, but you can do it from internal storage either way.

DeadlySin9 said:
What system version are you currently on? Check your baseband in the About section of your settings. Depending on which it is, the process is different, but you can do it from internal storage either way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im on 4.4.2 1337UCUFNB1 atm and rooted using towelroot.
Still, is lollipop worth the effort to update from this?
If yes how do i go on about doing it so the chances of bricking are low? (I just got the phone and paranoid )
The tutorials ive seen gave some terminology im not up to par with it :/
Thank you for the help!

Is anyone there willing to help?
Pliz.

TheJuli said:
Im on 4.4.2 1337UCUFNB1 atm and rooted using towelroot.
Still, is lollipop worth the effort to update from this?
If yes how do i go on about doing it so the chances of bricking are low? (I just got the phone and paranoid )
The tutorials ive seen gave some terminology im not up to par with it :/
Thank you for the help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's mostly personal preference, but if you're already rooted then it's not very difficult to do. If you want to just use stock Lollipop with root it's as simple as install Safestrap, flash the OC4 ROM, and flash the kernel. I can get you links for that if you want. If you want a custom ROM, you'll have to also flash the SuperSU Beta file and the correct modules for either the OC3 or OC4 kernel, which isn't difficult. I can get you links if you want to go ahead with either of those, if you want a custom ROM though you'll have to pick one out yourself.

DeadlySin9 said:
It's mostly personal preference, but if you're already rooted then it's not very difficult to do. If you want to just use stock Lollipop with root it's as simple as install Safestrap, flash the OC4 ROM, and flash the kernel. I can get you links for that if you want. If you want a custom ROM, you'll have to also flash the SuperSU Beta file and the correct modules for either the OC3 or OC4 kernel, which isn't difficult. I can get you links if you want to go ahead with either of those, if you want a custom ROM though you'll have to pick one out yourself.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The stock lollipop please or just any lollipop that won't give me trouble like camera or bluetooth not working! So how do i do all what you mentioned there? Thanks a ton btw!

DeadlySin9 said:
It's mostly personal preference, but if you're already rooted then it's not very difficult to do. If you want to just use stock Lollipop with root it's as simple as install Safestrap, flash the OC4 ROM, and flash the kernel. I can get you links for that if you want. If you want a custom ROM, you'll have to also flash the SuperSU Beta file and the correct modules for either the OC3 or OC4 kernel, which isn't difficult. I can get you links if you want to go ahead with either of those, if you want a custom ROM though you'll have to pick one out yourself.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I ran into this => http://forum.xda-developers.com/gal...-to-update-to-i337oc3-5-0-1-keeproot-t3075814
Will it do the job for me? Seems easier than what you described - But i still dont get step number 7. How do i do that Odin's PDA/AP thing?
If you dont wanna be bothered with what i just asked, continue with your own method, if its safer.

Sooo, umm anyone else there in the community, knows how to do this and walk me through?
Pliz.

TheJuli said:
I ran into this => http://forum.xda-developers.com/gal...-to-update-to-i337oc3-5-0-1-keeproot-t3075814
Will it do the job for me? Seems easier than what you described - But i still dont get step number 7. How do i do that Odin's PDA/AP thing?
If you dont wanna be bothered with what i just asked, continue with your own method, if its safer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
TheJuli said:
Sooo, umm anyone else there in the community, knows how to do this and walk me through?
Pliz.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
muniz_ri's thread that you linked is the preferred method for someone in your situation to accomplish what you want to do. The instructions are all there. Read through the instructions several times until it makes sense to you. If there is something you don't understand, ask specific questions. It is better (for you) if we don't hold your hand and walk you through everything, because you will learn more if you do it yourself.

Regarding: "Is it worth it?"
It's personal preference. I find the ui improvements in 5.0.1 not great...they are minor or in some cases they seem like down grades.
But I do find the phone noticeably snappier and faster in most tasks. I've had no glitches or fc in the week since I upgraded (I think most of the people complaining about problems about 5.0.1 took the ota without doing a reset) And you'll have the latest security updates also.
If you do upgrade, you have choice of odexed stock or deodexed stock. I'd recommend deodexed if you think you might want to use xposed in the future.

Installed it

In my experience 5.0.1, with its huge constant 1GB Ram usage (without apps or bloatware running and grenify too), was pretty meh. The design of things looks good and all but i personaly think that kitkat did it better RAM wise (Constantly on 500MB), and for that reason, I switched back. I did not experince any snappier or faster performance but i would say it was the same. All in all, if you want flashy and a good looking android phone without loss of performance, but only 800MB free RAM, go for it.
The only thing i learnt from all of this was, how android stuff actually works. So much searching of things lead me to learning more and more. Never had i ever used odin or flashed any firmware. This whole proccess went with some fright within me, but as long as you follow the steps correctly, there is nothing you should be afraid of.