Hi everyone,
Before blasting away with comments as to why I would do this, here's my story,
I live in Canada and just brought home a i9508, a China variant of the S4. It belonged to my dad and he didn't want it so I just took it. The i9508 doesn't have Play Store, and it doesn't work on Canadian 3G network.
So to me, the phone is useless right off the start (don't intend on selling it either, who wants it?) So I had 2 options:
1) Leave the phone as it is, and probably use it once every 1-2 years when I visit HK
2) Flash custom roms on it fully aware of the risk it will have so that there's a possibility I can make it more usable
So in the end I went with option 2.
I followed a guide and flashed TWRP for i9505 using Odin onto the phone, and used TWRP to install chainfire SU, and it actually worked (but SU wouldn't open because some sort of security on the phone is blocking it)
Next step, I downloaded the CM version for i9505 and flashed onto the phone, and that worked too. Only problem I've encountered was that the phone would only boot after a fresh install. If I installed CM, turned the phone off after the initial start up, the phone wouldn't boot pass the Samsung logo.
Up until this point, I didn't make a backup, because of my arrogance, cause I have available a copy of the official firmware, in case anything happens.
So I figured at this point, maybe if I restore the original firmware, and try the whole process again, the custom rom would work. So I went into Odin, flash the firmware with PDA, and failed. It just wouldn't work. After retrying it a couple of times, and downloading different updates of the firmware, nothing worked. Only thing working right now is, I can get into Download mode, and I can get into TWRP recovery (but for some reason, I can't flash the zips that I've adb pushed onto the phone, zip can't open)
For me, if it can't be fixed, then it's really SOL. But if there's a way to fix it, I'm open to testing anything people have in mind, cause afterall, this phone is paper weight either way. I'm interested in seeing if I could enable 3G by flashing a i9505 radio, despite warnings, although, I've never actually came across a thread where someone had actually tried it before.
Either way, if someone has any idea on how to fix the phone, and wouldn't mind sharing it, that'll be greatly appreciated.
Working
I can get into Download mode, but Odin is failing (if you need the error please let me know and I'll post it)
I can get into TWRP recovery, but can't flash files
I can get into adb
This isnt the correct forum for your phone. XDA don't follow clones
Unfortunately a section for i9508 doesn't exist, so I figure the closest one would be i9505.
Anyhow, if someone has an idea of how to fix it, I'm more than happy to do testing on it, like flashing other roms or radios.
Hello,
I am recently having trouble finding a way to get my phone to where I want it to be. Long story short, I softbricked my phone, and I used ODIN to flash it to stock. I would like to get back to 5.0.1 legitimately, but I cannot find a straightforward way to update my phone through the steps. For some reason, I cannot get my phone to update past 4.4.4 to 5.0.1. Has anyone encountered this before? The upgrade to 4.4.4 from 4.4.2 worked just fine, so I am not sure what the problem is.
I had a similar situation and ended up going to the AT&T tech service center. They updated the phone to recover it with no questions other than its phone number and who you are to verify ownership. I got the 5.0.1 OC3 package but lost everything saved on the phone. Fortunately I backed up the most critical stuff before I started down the path that bricked it.
Depending on who your carrier is that may be your easiest option.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk
Hi!
I am trying to root my Note 3 N900V but it seems that there wasn't a root for android 5.5. So, I got 4.4.2 after 2 hours of download on SamMobile (its terribly slow) and put it on odin and pressed start. It failed and my phone was bricked. It had a message that the upgrade failed and I needed a Verizon software. I kept trying to do it again but it didn't work. So, I got a Lollipop firmware and tried it out with odin and got all my files back and unbricked it. I did usb-debugging, turned off anti-virus, and did all kinds of things but it isn't working. Could it be the firmware?
Thanks!
You'll want to do some research before going further.
Quick story short, once you're on 4.4 or 5.X, you cannot go back to 4.4.2.
You are also locked out of root likely permanently locked out.
So sad that they lock the bootloader like this...
riqmarmes said:
So sad that they lock the bootloader like this...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is old hat the big cellular providers told them they had to do it google told them they should do it so they did and they don't care what the 1% want when they sell enough handsets to the rest of everyone else that they don't need to keep the 1% same reason why everyone is copying apple it is a form factor that works and now unless you comply you get criticized for it.
Hey all,
I'm trying to get my brother's Verizon S6 Edge+ out of a bootloop due to the lastest OTA gone bad.
My thinking is if I could find that OTA somewhere online, I could ODIN it in, and maybe clear it the problem. I don't know if that'll work, but I can't test my theory because I can't find the OTA for download anywhere.
Smart Switch doesn't work because even though I can get into Download Mode and run Smart Switch's Emergency Recovery all I want, I enter the model number SM-G928V and it asks for the S/N next. No matter what I try, nothing works. I've gone through the logs, pulled serial number from the build.prop. I've tried everything on the original packaging. I've tried the IMEI and all the barcodes right before entering Download Mode - just no S/N registers.
I can reflash the old firmware, PJ3, on there via ODIN, and each time I reflash it tries to install the OTA again. It runs through the update up to 32% and then I get a droid guy on his back with a yellow triangle - every. single. time.
I don't understand where the heck this OTA is stored and how the hell I can zero it out or remove it. I've tried popping in a new PIT, repartitioning, etc. Hell, I've tried a NAND RE-WRITE (against everyone's cries this is a terrible idea).
Does anyone have the very latest G928VVRS3BPL3 that was pushed Dec 29, 2016 to VZW S6 Edge+ devices? I'm even willing to PayPal for a good copy that will ODIN into the VZW S6 Edge+...
Alternatively, if you don't have a copy of PL3, do you know of anyway I could ADB my way into wiping the corrupt PL3 patch away? I can't seem to ADB right now, but maybe you know a trick I don't? I'm thinking I could perhaps zero out the instructions that initiate the patch at launch or something? If I can simply boot up - fantastic, but I'm in this infinite boot loop of installing PL3 to 24% and going belly-up.
I'm almost embarrassed to say I PAID for a copy of PJ3... but I can't find this latest Dec 1st security update patch anywhere on the web.
The phone is out of warranty. Contrary to Verizon store morons (sorry!), my brother didn't try to root the phone. He doesn't know how to do any of that stuff. The OTA is corrupt - plain and simple. Knox isn't even tripped. They accused him of trying to root the thing - heh.
Since the phone is out of warranty, no one will fix it for him. I'm his only hope, and I'm not much of a hope right now.
You're MY only hope.
This is a great phone, too. I feel bad for the guy. He woke up to his phone dead one morning. That's it.
I have a Verizon GS5 that has been towelrooted on 4.4.4 for close to 2 years. It's worked ok, but I've started seeing various issues that required a factory reset. Since I'm back to no settings, I was thinking updating the OS would be a good idea. I would like to move to either Lollipop or Mashmallow but it looks like the latter may be a problem with my phone (CID 11 and Verizon) while keeping Knox 0x0.
I'm having a problem following the guide that I've found here:
https://www.androidinfotech.com/2016/07/root-samsung-galaxy-s5-sm-g900v-verizon.html
The issue is that I can't get the phone to connect to my PC for Kies or ODIN. It fails to load the MTP driver for my GS5 but works fine with my wife's GS5. Hers is stock Lollipop or Marshmallow and mine is still on JB but is rooted.
I guess what I'm wondering is what my options are. Should I remove root so that I can hopefully connect to the PC to transfer the files over and updating? Or, is there something else I should try first? I haven't worked on many phones and I'm a little nervous about doing something irreversible at this point. I don't know that I need Knox at 0x0, but since I can't get back if I trip it, I'd rather not trip it.
bkenobi69 said:
The issue is that I can't get the phone to connect to my PC for Kies or ODIN. It fails to load the MTP driver for my GS5 but works fine with my wife's GS5. Hers is stock Lollipop or Marshmallow and mine is still on JB but is rooted.
I guess what I'm wondering is what my options are. Should I remove root so that I can hopefully connect to the PC to transfer the files over and updating? Or, is there something else I should try first? I haven't worked on many phones and I'm a little nervous about doing something irreversible at this point. I don't know that I need Knox at 0x0, but since I can't get back if I trip it, I'd rather not trip it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try to dial *#0808# in the stock phone application.
You should see a menu with several options.
Select "MTP+ADB" under USB settings and press "OK".
Then you'll be able to connect your phone via MTP or ADB to your PC.
If there's no menu, then (assuming you're rooted) open a good file browser (ES, Root Explorer or something) and open the file /efs/carrier/HiddenMenu (it's a simple text file) and replace OFF with ON there.
Save the changes and reboot the phone.
Now the menu should be operational.
Unfortunately, I already tried to update to 6.0.1 so this very helpful info is a little to late.
I followed all directions on the linked page above but didn't get things working. I repeated 2 or 3 times now and I'm clearly missing something. I can get through installing busybox, but then when I reset, it hangs at the samsung screen and just vibrates 3 times repeatedly. I'm going to have to figure this out tonight as I don't really have a backup phone.
bkenobi69 said:
Unfortunately, I already tried to update to 6.0.1 so this very helpful info is a little to late.
I followed all directions on the linked page above but didn't get things working. I repeated 2 or 3 times now and I'm clearly missing something. I can get through installing busybox, but then when I reset, it hangs at the samsung screen and just vibrates 3 times repeatedly. I'm going to have to figure this out tonight as I don't really have a backup phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Currently root is impossible for MM on G900V CID11.
Impossible means you cannot gain it now, most likely it's forever.
There's no internet site which can help.
You must choose: root on LP or unrooted MM.
You must decide if you want a stock ROM or something (TW-based) else too.
It's a good idea to flash and use a stock firmware for the time while you're thinking.
Interesting... I guess I must have been reading things wrong because I thought I could go to MM with root. I'll try going to Lollipop then but first I'm going to just flash back to JB 4.4.4.
I downloaded 4.4.4 from Samsung and was going to write it with Odin, but it says FAIL when I try to flash. I suspect I just tripped Knox...
SW REV CHECK FAIL : [aboot]Fused 2 > Binary 1
I'll look around to find a guide, but if you have a suggestion, I'd certainly listen!
bkenobi69 said:
SW REV CHECK FAIL : [aboot]Fused 2 > Binary 1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This means that you've upgraded your phone's firmware while experimenting.
Now you cannot directly flash 4.4.4 with Odin, you're limited to 5.0 (BOK3) and above.
Ok. I'll read the guides on the head of this list and see if I can find the right information.
FWIW, I was following the same how-to that most of the stickies point to and say is safe. I wonder how I got to a position that I'm in now when I did the same as recommended. Painiac's thread points to the same thing I did:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/ve...al/guide-painiacs-essential-guide-to-t3319848
I think I may have tried to flash a MM stock rom though when it got into a boot loop. I suspect that would be the issue.
Bootloop is not a problem in this case.
Just reboot to the recovery and perform a factory reset from there.
The phone will boot but the first boot will take 10-15 min.
bkenobi69 said:
I have a Verizon GS5 that has been towelrooted on 4.4.4 for close to 2 years. It's worked ok, but I've started seeing various issues that required a factory reset. Since I'm back to no settings, I was thinking updating the OS would be a good idea. I would like to move to either Lollipop or Mashmallow but it looks like the latter may be a problem with my phone (CID 11 and Verizon) while keeping Knox 0x0.
I'm having a problem following the guide that I've found here:
https://www.androidinfotech.com/2016/07/root-samsung-galaxy-s5-sm-g900v-verizon.html
The issue is that I can't get the phone to connect to my PC for Kies or ODIN. It fails to load the MTP driver for my GS5 but works fine with my wife's GS5. Hers is stock Lollipop or Marshmallow and mine is still on JB but is rooted.
I guess what I'm wondering is what my options are. Should I remove root so that I can hopefully connect to the PC to transfer the files over and updating? Or, is there something else I should try first? I haven't worked on many phones and I'm a little nervous about doing something irreversible at this point. I don't know that I need Knox at 0x0, but since I can't get back if I trip it, I'd rather not trip it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Marshmallow can not be rooted on CID 11 devices. The Samsung drivers are found here: https://www.samsung.com/us/support/owners/product/galaxy-s5-verizon You can follow the 5.0 root guide here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/ve.../testers-required-easier-root-method-t3561529 to downgrade to 5.0. If you want to downgrade past that to a version lower than 5.0, you will still have to follow that guide then follow the instructions here (I recommend you to follow the root guide for 5.0 above then skip steps 1 and 2 on this page): https://forum.xda-developers.com/ve.../guide-downgrade-to-kk-nk2-ncg-mm-lp-t3686858 . You can find stock firmwares here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2784880 (stock firmware, kernel, and modem files) and if you get bootlooped or bricked, just reflash the combination file from the root guide. If you want to root 4.4.4, follow the downgrade method using all of the NK2 files but the flash the NGC kernel, run through the setup, then use towelroot and flash the NK2 kernel after that. If you ever get stuck on the red Verizon screen, just pop the battery out and reboot.
That's about all anyone can do and a run down of everything.
Thank you for posting specific guides. I'll go back to step 1 and try again. The primary issue I have at this point isn't reading the guide and following directions, its finding the right guide to reduce the number of images I need to download. I'm on 1.5mbps DSL so d/l a 2GB file takes most of a day. I have several that don't appear useful at this point which means I've lost several days.
bkenobi69 said:
Thank you for posting specific guides. I'll go back to step 1 and try again. The primary issue I have at this point isn't reading the guide and following directions, its finding the right guide to reduce the number of images I need to download. I'm on 1.5mbps DSL so d/l a 2GB file takes most of a day. I have several that don't appear useful at this point which means I've lost several days.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Understandable, I can't believe it is 2018 and we still haven't invented a way to compress 1.7GB into 1.7MB archives to make life easy on low connections. How is battery life on 4.4.4 and which update of 4.4.4 are you on? I've been having an issue with my phone dropping a percent every 2 minutes on 5.0/6.0. It would be nice find a version to root along with excellent battery life.
The reason I was looking at updating was due to battery issues. I had the phone for around a week before I rooted it (a couple years ago). After rooting, I started seeing immediate battery issues. My wife has the same unrooted phone (currently on MM) and has never had the type of issues I have. I figured the issue was likely a bad kernel and was thinking I'd just update to something newer (LL or MM) to help. I assume a new battery would help since mine is 1-2 years old, but I swapped with my wife's phone and she still gets lots better performance. Once I get this back up, I'll probably buy a new battery for each phone.
So it appears that I must have upgraded the bootloader to a point where towelroot no longer works as was previously suggested. I believe then that I need to follow the second guide to be able to downgrade to a rootable Lollipop version:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/ve.../guide-downgrade-to-kk-nk2-ncg-mm-lp-t3686858
I am downloading the PB1 rom and lolliroot and need to also get a system restore, kernel, and modem. As I said, my connection is terrible so it would be great if someone could suggest which version of restore I should go with. I was going to install Lollipop in the end (that was the original goal). I figured I'd just get OC4 since it's likely to have the least bugs and best performance. If that is a mistake and I should go with an earlier version of LL PLEASE throw it out there!
Ok, I tethered to my wife's phone and am burning her data (shhhh, don't tell her).
I grabbed all of the OC4 files, the PB1 rom, and lolliroot. I think I have everything I need so long as OC4 is a good place to end up.
bkenobi69 said:
The reason I was looking at updating was due to battery issues. I had the phone for around a week before I rooted it (a couple years ago). After rooting, I started seeing immediate battery issues. My wife has the same unrooted phone (currently on MM) and has never had the type of issues I have. I figured the issue was likely a bad kernel and was thinking I'd just update to something newer (LL or MM) to help. I assume a new battery would help since mine is 1-2 years old, but I swapped with my wife's phone and she still gets lots better performance. Once I get this back up, I'll probably buy a new battery for each phone.
So it appears that I must have upgraded the bootloader to a point where towelroot no longer works as was previously suggested. I believe then that I need to follow the second guide to be able to downgrade to a rootable Lollipop version:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/ve.../guide-downgrade-to-kk-nk2-ncg-mm-lp-t3686858
I am downloading the PB1 rom and lolliroot and need to also get a system restore, kernel, and modem. As I said, my connection is terrible so it would be great if someone could suggest which version of restore I should go with. I was going to install Lollipop in the end (that was the original goal). I figured I'd just get OC4 since it's likely to have the least bugs and best performance. If that is a mistake and I should go with an earlier version of LL PLEASE throw it out there!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here are some files (that I been hunting for about an hour for). Just gonna reference this for future use and anyone who comes across this thread. http://rootjunkysdl.com/files/?dir=Galaxy S5
Nice find!
I have the phone up and running on stock PB1 currently. I'm going to let it sit to see what the battery is like prior to rooting. While I haven't gotten it hooked back up to my account yet nor do I have it rooted, I feel pretty confident now that I'm on the right track. Thanks!
Just to finish out this topic, I have not successfully completed attaining root on 5.0. I flashed PB1 to the phone and then followed this guide for installing KingRoot:
https://androidforums.com/threads/root-question.1120150/
I got the lolliroot files from here:
https://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=312968873555011514
Thanks to all who offered help!
Qyuck question... I've got my phone working well bow, but there's one issue with apps I'm not sure how to address. I want to use Verizon Visual Voicemail but I can't find it on the Play store. I disabled updates so I wouldn't get the marshmallow update and break root. but, with updates turned off, VVM won't get pushed. Any suggestions?