Database Users

The Most Clean Installation Possible.

Hi guys,
"Do I need to make a full wipe?", I see this question asked over and over on development thread. And the developers patiently answer all the time. Well you can stop asking, here is the answer.
There is a lot of reason why you should do a full wipe.
1-) It prevents FC's, bootloops, gives better battery life and reduce other unexpected problems.
2-) By trying to save a little time you might end up with problems, loose a lot of time try to fix them, and finally making a wipe anyway to solve your problems.
3-) Some people just flash over their old ROM and then complain that the new ROM is buggy or Android plainly sucks. I don't think it's fair to blame hard working people(who gives you FREE products) for your own lazyness.
So why not do it right from the begining and save some time to everybody. Here is the procedure that I use(Thanks to Memnoc and DarkAdrien.) and is the most clean installation possible.
Memnoc and DarkAdrien's original post was created for battery optimization, I only re-wrote the steps that involve flashing a new ROM.
This will work with every Rom but some ROM's might ask for extra steps (fix permission, etc..), read instructions first.
1- Make backup of your current ROM. (no need to do this everytime, I keep one backup of my favorite ROM)
2- In recovery go to "mount & format" and format system.
3- Format data.
4- Format cache.
5- Go to Main menu and do "Wipe data/ Restore"
6- Wipe cache partition.
7- Go to Advance and wipe calvik cache.
8- Flash your new ROM ONLY. (IMPORTANT: Wait after #10 before flashing anything else)
9- Reboot
10- (This step might not work between ICS/JB or between AOKP/AOSP/Samsung)
Go back to recovery and in Backup choose "Advance restore" and then choose "restore Data". -Reboot again
(if you have problem with some apps, you might want to uninstall them before the backup and reinstall them the normal way after #10, or you can use Titanium Backup to test if they work well in the new ROM)
# 2-3-4 are not doing the same thing as #6, Read original post bellow for explanation.
This whole process from 1 to 10 should take you 15 minutes. From 2 to 7 should take less than 1 minute.
Your phone will have a very clean ROM and all your apps, contacts, SMS, games, etc... will be exactly like they were before.
I've flashed over 50 roms using this procedure and it always work fine.
Memnoc original post
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=16808932
DarkAdrien original post
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=937080
If it helps please says thanks.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium

You obviously don't have 20+GB of data to backup/restore each time...

Kremata said:
making a full wipe is ALWAYS better.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then, by your own admission it is not always necessary. "better" ≠ "necessary"
If posters were clear that it is only recommended, not necessary, then no one would need to ask the question in the first place.
I've seen posts telling people to do a wipe when upgrading from official stock to another official stock. There is absolutely no need for that except in the rarest of circumstances.

full wipe is only required if there are major changes in the new rom to be flashed or the user is facing any trouble in his previous roms. Unless otherwise its a waste of time.

That list is a little excessive and needs to be tuned down. When you flash a rom it already formats everything except for "system"
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app

bala_gamer said:
full wipe is only required if there are major changes in the new rom to be flashed or the user is facing any trouble in his previous roms. Unless otherwise its a waste of time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Question.
I've been using LI5 for quite sometime without any problems, and a couple of days ago suddenly the phone started showing signs of sluggishness.
Even moving between the screens of Apex launcher seemed to be quite jerky. I tried uninstalling some apps etc (thinking they might have caused some memory leak or something), to no avail.
Just wanted to ask, will a full wipe and reinstall solve this problem? I'm planning to restore all my apps back.

I upgraded from stock ICS to stock JB, then through three more JB revisions.
I have yet to perform a wipe and everything is running great!
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app

g4rvd4 said:
Question.
I've been using LI5 for quite sometime without any problems, and a couple of days ago suddenly the phone started showing signs of sluggishness.
Even moving between the screens of Apex launcher seemed to be quite jerky. I tried uninstalling some apps etc (thinking they might have caused some memory leak or something), to no avail.
Just wanted to ask, will a full wipe and reinstall solve this problem? I'm planning to restore all my apps back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If a normal flash dosent work good go for a full wipe
《swagged from aokp》

kilrah said:
You obviously don't have 20+GB of data to backup/restore each time...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
20gb data? Your apps use up to 20gb? o.0....
bala_gamer said:
full wipe is only required if there are major changes in the new rom to be flashed or the user is facing any trouble in his previous roms. Unless otherwise its a waste of time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah true but seriously I hope they tried wiping before they complains problems like tons of apps fc... Really annoying...

tanjiajun_34 said:
20gb data? Your apps use up to 20gb? o.0....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nanodrois backups can be up to 4 gbs or more.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app

g4rvd4 said:
Question.
I've been using LI5 for quite sometime without any problems, and a couple of days ago suddenly the phone started showing signs of sluggishness.
Even moving between the screens of Apex launcher seemed to be quite jerky. I tried uninstalling some apps etc (thinking they might have caused some memory leak or something), to no avail.
Just wanted to ask, will a full wipe and reinstall solve this problem? I'm planning to restore all my apps back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had the exact problem, same launcher too, a full wipe sorted it. Restored apps with titanium and now I'm flying.

kilrah said:
You obviously don't have 20+GB of data to backup/restore each time...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your telling me you have 20gb of ROM+APPS?

SlimJ87D said:
Nanodrois backups can be up to 4 gbs or more.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No but 20gb+ When did your phone has so big data partition?
unless you telling me you backing up your sd cards as well which is pointless..

irish-sid said:
I had the exact problem, same launcher too, a full wipe sorted it. Restored apps with titanium and now I'm flying.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool.
Which ROM btw?

tanjiajun_34 said:
No but 20gb+ When did your phone has so big data partition?
unless you telling me you backing up your sd cards as well which is pointless..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I'm sure if we think it over there can be plenty of reason why someone doesn't have room for backups if they are a flashholic, loves music, games and always on the go.
Who knows, I don't think it's that big of a deal.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app

I have a 16GB phone and an 8GB card and, as of yesterday, they were full to the brim.
So- yes! People can have that much data.

Just one question................. Do I need to do a full wipe?
I'm sorry I just had to, but pretty much the rule is if the Android version is the same a full wipe is not needed, if it's an upgrade to the same android version ex 4.0.1 to 4.0.2 there is a chance you will need a full wipe, if the android version completly different ex 2.3.6 to 4.0.1 or 4.0.4 to 4.1.1 there is a good chance you will need a full wipe.
The exception is stock ROMs are usually designed as no wipe, therefore they have been designed so you shouldn't need a full wipe, but if there are any problems, like lag, or bootloops you should wipe, but it is not always needed.

Aughhhhh.
I've been quiet for a while and nice and peaceful.
Feel.....anger.....rising.....must....resist....temptation......
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium

g4rvd4 said:
Cool.
Which ROM btw?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check Rom 5.5
DeadSOL said:
I have a 16GB phone and an 8GB card and, as of yesterday, they were full to the brim.
So- yes! People can have that much data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have my music, pics, nandroids, titanium backups and the Rom I'm about to flash on my exSd. I pull the card out, wipe the phone clean, Stick it back in, flash rom, restore apps. Very quick easy process.
If you're that anal then you should save up and invest in a 32gb sd card or whatever bigger is available. We'll all need one eventually

Kremata said:
I don't see the reason why someone would not make a full wipe?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Developers sometimes label their ROMs as "No wipe". Whether you feel this is accurate or not, don't be surprised when folks don't wipe.

Starting from scratch.

Ok folks,
I'm having a hell of a time with my phone.
No matter what rom I flash, seems to have issues from lockups to reboot.
I have tried every kind of wipe in CWM, inluding making sure I have the latest version of CWM and modem, same.
Is there a way to TOTALLY wipe everything on the phone and go back to true factory default, even as far as the phone number programming? Like it was when it came from Splint?
(Yes, I'd then want to unlock with Odin and put a new ROM).
Thanks much!

Watch,read and read some more...
http://qbking77.com/development/how-to-root-the-sprint-and-international-exynos-samsung-galaxy-s4/

Youthanasia said:
Watch,read and read some more...
http://qbking77.com/development/how-to-root-the-sprint-and-international-exynos-samsung-galaxy-s4/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you, that'll come in handy one I wipe this thing to oblivion but how do I get to that point?!
I want no trace of any setting, rom, nothing left except a brand new spankin phone.

If you are already rooted ande won't to go back to a completely stock phone use this method..Make sure to watch the Video a couple times before attempting..
http://qbking77.com/development/how-to-unroot-and-unbrick-the-samsung-galaxy-s4/

Youthanasia said:
If you are already rooted ande won't to go back to a completely stock phone use this method..Make sure to watch the Video a couple times before attempting..
http://qbking77.com/development/how-to-unroot-and-unbrick-the-samsung-galaxy-s4/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is this a TOTAL Wipe?
He says internal storage wont be wiped, so how is it a total wipe?

beachcomp.com said:
Is this a TOTAL Wipe?
He says internal storage wont be wiped, so how is it a total wipe?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes it will put the phone back to when you took it out of the box..I think he means that if you have any files that you downloaded to the internal storage ie pics,music,contacts things like that they won't be touched.
Just download the Odin file and the Sprint file which is the stock software the phone came with and use is procedure.
Just to worn you The Sprint file is large and will take awhile to download to your comp

Get the full mf9 tar.md5. Remove sd card. Flash with pc Odin. After phone boots up to home screen and settles down, don't set up anything. Go into settings, accounts, backup, then do full factory reset with wipe of internal storage. After it reboots and settles down again, you're completely back to stock. No need to wipe your phone number and associated settings. If it were me, I'd stay away from custom roms if they're giving you nothing but problems.

oscarthegrouch said:
I'd stay away from custom roms if they're giving you nothing but problems.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what I did just rooted the mf9 and got rid of all the bloat.No problems to speak of..

Not to be unappreciative, but, w/o a reset all the data was still there.
Which makes me nervous wondering if there is some crap left over.
Yes, I realize a wipe will get rid of the apps but I want to make sure I'm truly starting from point 0.

beachcomp.com said:
Not to be unappreciative, but, w/o a reset all the data was still there.
Which makes me nervous wondering if there is some crap left over.
Yes, I realize a wipe will get rid of the apps but I want to make sure I'm truly starting from point 0.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Simple if rooted have twrp installed and select to wipe everything. Then Odin back to stock unrooted.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda premium

beachcomp.com said:
Ok folks,
I'm having a hell of a time with my phone.
No matter what rom I flash, seems to have issues from lockups to reboot.
I have tried every kind of wipe in CWM, inluding making sure I have the latest version of CWM and modem, same.
Is there a way to TOTALLY wipe everything on the phone and go back to true factory default, even as far as the phone number programming? Like it was when it came from Splint?
(Yes, I'd then want to unlock with Odin and put a new ROM).
Thanks much!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, you can do a factory reset with Odin. Here's the stock ROM: Stock

Please read forum rules before posting
Questions and help issues go in Q&A and Help section
Thread moved
Thank you for your cooperation
Friendly Neighborhood Moderator

Salil999 said:
Yeah, you can do a factory reset with Odin. Here's the stock ROM: Stock
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Repartition?

No, just do auto boot (or some option like that) and f.reset time
Sent from my SPH-L720 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

So if you are on MF9 good luck with going back to stock everything. Because the methods mentioned above don't get rid of the MF9 Firmware just the Build. Also You have use triangle away which only works on MDC and MDL to get to fully clean stock. Everything mentioned in this thread will not do what you want if you are wanting it out of the box like new condition.

GiantJay said:
So if you are on MF9 good luck with going back to stock everything. Because the methods mentioned above don't get rid of the MF9 Firmware just the Build. Also You have use triangle away which only works on MDC and MDL to get to fully clean stock. Everything mentioned in this thread will not do what you want if you are wanting it out of the box like new condition.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So,what are the steps necessary to bring it back to "brand new, out of the box, condition"?

ObrienDave said:
So,what are the steps necessary to bring it back to "brand new, out of the box, condition"?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is a great question. I have another thread about it but I tried last night with no luck.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 4

Weird issues after kitkat upgrade

Was happily on CM and for some reason decided to try stock kitkat. Did everything via tutorial and all went all well - but been getting some strange issues which has made my phone unusable.
When i press vol up/down it takes ten seconds to pop up. Sound does not work at all whether calling/playing music. Settings f/c when I attempt to click the sound menu. I believe everything else is working fine.
Tried reflashing stock firmware countless times... Tried flashing numerous custom 4.4 roms.
Australian bought phone if it makes any difference.
Please help as Im stuck using a spare iphone 4 and its killing me! haha.
Thanks,

Riimez said:
Was happily on CM and for some reason decided to try stock kitkat. Did everything via tutorial and all went all well - but been getting some strange issues which has made my phone unusable.
When i press vol up/down it takes ten seconds to pop up. Sound does not work at all whether calling/playing music. Settings f/c when I attempt to click the sound menu. I believe everything else is working fine.
Tried reflashing stock firmware countless times... Tried flashing numerous custom 4.4 roms.
Australian bought phone if it makes any difference.
Please help as Im stuck using a spare iphone 4 and its killing me! haha.
Thanks,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Let's start from the beginning.
Can you describe your method of flashing in case you are doing something wrong? Please describe as much information as possible.
What is your phone model?

y2kkingboy said:
Let's start from the beginning.
Can you describe your method of flashing in case you are doing something wrong? Please describe as much information as possible.
What is your phone model?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
9005. sorry it was a couple of days ago so I dont really remember. I flashed a 4.4 bootloader (standalone) then tried flashing a 4.4 rom i believe it was sweetrom.

Riimez said:
9005. sorry it was a couple of days ago so I dont really remember. I flashed a 4.4 bootloader (standalone) then tried flashing a 4.4 rom i believe it was sweetrom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe the best thing to do now is to flash stock ROM and make sure to full wipe everything even internal memory.
If you have external memory, back up what ever you think necessary to it, the remove it from the device and keep it out.
That clean start well give you a good indication whether the problem is based on a bad flash or there is something wrong with the device.
If everything is running smoothly, we will see about flashing custom ROM.

y2kkingboy said:
I believe the best thing to do now is to flash stock ROM and make sure to full wipe everything even internal memory.
If you have external memory, back up what ever you think necessary to it, the remove it from the device and keep it out.
That clean start well give you a good indication whether the problem is based on a bad flash or there is something wrong with the device.
If everything is running smoothly, we will see about flashing custom ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep its what ive done, reflashed stock completly and removed sd card. Still no dice - running complete stock 4.4 still with this problem.
Could this be an EFS problem?

If it were an efs problem you wouldn't even boot in most cases.
Can you describe how you flashed stock ROM? Maybe you did it wrong.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

Sorry to hear that..base on my experienced happened also on my S4..luckily still under warranty..have to wait for 2 weeks...company says faulty mother board and speaker. Hope this helps....
Sent from my SM-N900 using xda premium

Riimez said:
Was happily on CM and for some reason decided to try stock kitkat. Did everything via tutorial and all went all well - but been getting some strange issues which has made my phone unusable.
When i press vol up/down it takes ten seconds to pop up. Sound does not work at all whether calling/playing music. Settings f/c when I attempt to click the sound menu. I believe everything else is working fine.
Tried reflashing stock firmware countless times... Tried flashing numerous custom 4.4 roms.
Australian bought phone if it makes any difference.
Please help as Im stuck using a spare iphone 4 and its killing me! haha.
Thanks,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
NEE region? - if so it has issues with 4.4.2, @nex7er had the same issues, and if you're using SweetROM I believe he pm'd not-i the fix for it. -- It can be fixed though.

Maybe completely wipe it (System, Data and all) and then Flash stock with Odin?

After kitkat upgrade.. if i use camera app such as camera 360 Or picsart, i can't save my photo to sdcard. It's error, Has anyone had or know how to resolve this problem???

Blancos4Lyf said:
Maybe completely wipe it (System, Data and all) and then Flash stock with Odin?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep. Still no dice.

Riimez said:
Yep. Still no dice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did post the reason on the last page what I think it might be...... if you're in a Nordic region or even have a nordic model it's a common problem, if you search around you'll see others that have the same issue (notably ne7xer). -- If it's not that, then it's a warranty job due to faulty HW
EDIT: you could try a complete wipe including re-partitioning, but that's a bigger job that you'd want to do in all honesty.

radicalisto said:
I did post the reason on the last page what I think it might be...... if you're in a Nordic region or even have a nordic model it's a common problem, if you search around you'll see others that have the same issue (notably ne7xer). -- If it's not that, then it's a warranty job due to faulty HW
EDIT: you could try a complete wipe including re-partitioning, but that's a bigger job that you'd want to do in all honesty.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could be my last option considering knox is tripped..
Got a link to a tutorial for re-partitioning?

Grab a PIT file for your device; - then you flash firmware with Odin / PIT file. - I have never done it, nor do I fancy doing it, but have a read (journeyman posted asking how and done it, it's in this section Q+A) - I can never remember whether you flash the PIT first then the firmware or both together. I wouldn't want to hazard a guess just in case though.
But if you've tripped KNOX, then yes, seems like it could be your last option, unless you have tried some various custom ROMs? ( I know sweetROM seems to be the master fix for any issues peple have on KK atm) could just be a stock issue currently that will more than likely get a fix at some point.
EDIT As yours is an AU phone, possible it could be a HK model? - from KOGAN? I know some AU users have had HK models from them.
EDIT2: When I flashed HAL ROM, @theresident stated in his how to OP that we needed to format /system during install - It's possible this may also fix it, but that wipes your entire system obviously and *IF* it doesn't boot up you then have issues
EDIT3 : quote from HAL ROM OP
Instalation:
1. Copy the zip to the phone
2. Reboot to Recovery/CWM
3. Wipe Data/Factory Reset
4. Wipe Cache
5. Wipe Dalvik Cache
6. Mounts and Storage then click "Format /System" (This won't delete any of your data)
7. Install.. wait one minute and ROCK !!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

crazy_777 said:
After kitkat upgrade.. if i use camera app such as camera 360 Or picsart, i can't save my photo to sdcard. It's error, Has anyone had or know how to resolve this problem???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are hijacking.
Anyway,
1. Install es file manager or any file reader with root.
2. navigate to /System/etc/permissions
3. open "platform.xml" file to edit
4. look for the stack that has "WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE"
you will find something like <group gid="sdcard_r" />
5. make sure these lines are there, if not, add them
<group gid="sdcard_rw" />
<group gid="media_rw" />
That's it

Reset S4 with broken LCD

Hi guys, i've broken my Galaxy s4 lcd some day ago, and yesterday i've decided to sell it on ebay.
But now i have to wipe it. The problem is that i am running a custom Touchwiz rom and Philz touch recovery. So i don't think i can use Kies to make a factory reset.
I can use Odin to flash a stock image etc... But i don't know how to solve completely my problems.
Can someone help me? Thx

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=41392134
Take help from this
"If someone helps, never forget to hit thanks ? "

DeepankarS said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=41392134
Take help from this
"If someone helps, never forget to hit thanks ? "
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the replay.
However, the Galaxy S4 doesn't have fastboot mode, but only download mode and recovery mode, so I don't know how to use the commands...

OmniSlyfer said:
Thank you for the replay.
However, the Galaxy S4 doesn't have fastboot mode, but only download mode and recovery mode, so I don't know how to use the commands...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Odin will fix it.
Flash the stock ronin Odin. All your user data will be (sort of) removed.
A skilled user could still recover your user data' but most people won't even know its there.
You will not need the phone's screen to work at any point in the Odin process.

Skipjacks said:
Odin will fix it.
Flash the stock ronin Odin. All your user data will be (sort of) removed.
A skilled user could still recover your user data' but most people won't even know its there.
You will not need the phone's screen to work at any point in the Odin process.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh ok perfect
I've just finished to flash the stock rom, I hope evrything worked fine. I'll try to install Kies3 to see if I can maybe do another wipe or something else to delete definately all my data inside (including photos etc...). Any suggestions?

OmniSlyfer said:
Oh ok perfect
I've just finished to flash the stock rom, I hope evrything worked fine. I'll try to install Kies3 to see if I can maybe do another wipe or something else to delete definately all my data inside (including photos etc...). Any suggestions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Odin will wipe the data as well as Kies will.
But neither really removes the data. Both just remove the directory structure which makes it easy to sort the data.
To really remove the data you need to overwrite it with new data. That is much more difficult to do without access to the screen on the phone.
You could do it in recovery with the device mounted via usb to a computer. But you generally need to select that in recovery using the touch screen.
You can also push data to the device to overwrite using adb, but its more difficult.
All in all though...unless you have evidence of your participation in a crime on the phone, don't be so worried about it. It will be okay.

Skipjacks said:
All in all though...unless you have evidence of your participation in a crime on the phone, don't be so worried about it. It will be okay.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hahahahahahah

Skipjacks said:
Odin will wipe the data as well as Kies will.
But neither really removes the data. Both just remove the directory structure which makes it easy to sort the data.
To really remove the data you need to overwrite it with new data. That is much more difficult to do without access to the screen on the phone.
You could do it in recovery with the device mounted via usb to a computer. But you generally need to select that in recovery using the touch screen.
You can also push data to the device to overwrite using adb, but its more difficult.
All in all though...unless you have evidence of your participation in a crime on the phone, don't be so worried about it. It will be okay.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahahah. Thank you so much for the explanation
I think the buyer will find some photos of me in the phone, i hope he will not die coz of my ugly face
I think this thread can be closed.

Skipjacks said:
Odin will wipe the data as well as Kies will.
But neither really removes the data. Both just remove the directory structure which makes it easy to sort the data.
To really remove the data you need to overwrite it with new data. That is much more difficult to do without access to the screen on the phone.
You could do it in recovery with the device mounted via usb to a computer. But you generally need to select that in recovery using the touch screen.
You can also push data to the device to overwrite using adb, but its more difficult.
All in all though...unless you have evidence of your participation in a crime on the phone, don't be so worried about it. It will be okay.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since Google implemented Trim in Android 4.3, it's impossible (as of yet) to recover deleted data. I tried several guides here on XDA on data recovery and none of them work anymore.
See for example this article.
http://forensic.belkasoft.com/en/why-ssd-destroy-court-evidence
So basically if you delete a file or format your system, the data is really gone.

Lennyz1988 said:
Since Google implemented Trim in Android 4.3, it's impossible (as of yet) to recover deleted data. I tried several guides here on XDA on data recovery and none of them work anymore.
See for example this article.
http://forensic.belkasoft.com/en/why-ssd-destroy-court-evidence
So basically if you delete a file or format your system, the data is really gone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That article was one of the most awesome nerdy things I ever read. I had no idea about the garbage collectors on solid state memory.

Skipjacks said:
That article was one of the most awesome nerdy things I ever read. I had no idea about the garbage collectors on solid state memory.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From my experience, flashing stock firmware with Kies DOES NOT wipe the user data/files from phones SD card. I have to always do factory reset from stock recovery to wipe it.

tomtro74 said:
From my experience, flashing stock firmware with Kies DOES NOT wipe the user data/files from phones SD card. I have to always do factory reset from stock recovery to wipe it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It wont ever wipe the external sd card
The internal sd card should depend on the tar file and if it formats that partition or not.
I never really paid attention to it myself because I have never had to flash a full stock restore on my S4 so I have no idea what the standard for S4 firmwares is.
The internal data partition though should be wiped with a full stock firmware in odin every single time.

Skipjacks said:
It wont ever wipe the external sd card
The internal sd card should depend on the tar file and if it formats that partition or not.
I never really paid attention to it myself because I have never had to flash a full stock restore on my S4 so I have no idea what the standard for S4 firmwares is.
The internal data partition though should be wiped with a full stock firmware in odin every single time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, it's not. Believe me. I used to flash stock rom on S4 number of times and I can confirm that flashing stock rom with Odin DOES NOT WIPE any user data. Your photos and other files stays intact as well as the apss ( you may loose some apps internal data ) until factory reset is performed either from stock recovery or from rom itself.

tomtro74 said:
Well, it's not. Believe me. I used to flash stock rom on S4 number of times and I can confirm that flashing stock rom with Odin DOES NOT WIPE any user data. Your photos and other files stays intact as well as the apss ( you may loose some apps internal data ) until factory reset is performed either from stock recovery or from rom itself.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well how about that.....you learn something new every day!

OmniSlyfer said:
Hi guys, i've broken my Galaxy s4 lcd some day ago, and yesterday i've decided to sell it on ebay.
But now i have to wipe it. The problem is that i am running a custom Touchwiz rom and Philz touch recovery. So i don't think i can use Kies to make a factory reset.
I can use Odin to flash a stock image etc... But i don't know how to solve completely my problems.
Can someone help me? Thx
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if your S4 opens, just connect it to the PC and then the internal memory will appear
delete whatever you wants

(Q) The g360h after root is too slow

Hi
After i did root for my phone (g360h) it becomes too slow with alot of delays
i've tried to remove the root and re-flashed the stock ROM (with wipe everything) many times but that doesnt work with me and it still slowest than worst phone ever
Any Suggest !

Your phone's slow speed has nothing to do with root. It's maybe because of a particular app, such as Facebook, which is a super memeory hog for a phone with 952MB RAM.
Try "L speed" app to optimize the phone. As you already tried wiping and installing stock ROM.

AtomR said:
Your phone's slow speed has nothing to do with root. It's maybe because of a particular app, such as Facebook, which is a super memeory hog for a phone with 952MB RAM.
Try "L speed" app to optimize the phone. As you already tried wiping and installing stock ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The problem is after the hard reset (wipe everything) and on the first boot it runs super slow without installing any program
and i've tried alot of stock ROMs but that does not work !!

my phone become too slow after installing Xposed and some modules
i tried to installed multiple stock roms and from first boot its too slow(like keyboard, black screeen in apps , etc)
i do this and my phone is now good with root and few apps so you can try! :
1. download Triangle Away paid version from internet and reset the flash counter
2. go to twrp and make (data,system,dalvik and cache wipe) make sure that second option in setting(use rm instead of formating) is not checked and wait about 15-20 minutes untill wipe finished
3. flash latest frimware for your country or any one (G360HDDUAPA3 the latest!)
4. tell me what happened with you because i do all this and my phone now best!

adamh.ayyad said:
my phone become too slow after installing Xposed and some modules
i tried to installed multiple stock roms and from first boot its too slow(like keyboard, black screeen in apps , etc)
i do this and my phone is now good with root and few apps so you can try! :
1. download Triangle Away paid version from internet and reset the flash counter
2. go to twrp and make (data,system,dalvik and cache wipe) make sure that second option in setting(use rm instead of formating) is not checked and wait about 15-20 minutes untill wipe finished
3. flash latest frimware for your country or any one (G360HDDUAPA3 the latest!)
4. tell me what happened with you because i do all this and my phone now best!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Shukran Habibi
firstly i forgot to mention that i used Xposed so maybe that makes may phone too slow
2- i tried the first and the second steps (wipe data, system, dalvik and cache) and i flashed new rom but the strange thing is that kernel (always) just wipe cache and dalvik cache but did not wipe data and system
so i've tried CWM recovery and i did all the steps above!
rightnow my phone is better than before but it still not as before installing Xposed
and there is some lag
anyway thanks alot (Shukran Jazeelan)
i am waiting for couple of days to see what will happened
and i hope you will get ur freedom

Akram-aat said:
Shukran Habibi
firstly i forgot to mention that i used Xposed so maybe that makes may phone too slow
2- i tried the first and the second steps (wipe data, system, dalvik and cache) and i flashed new rom but the strange thing is that kernel (always) just wipe cache and dalvik cache but did not wipe data and system
so i've tried CWM recovery and i did all the steps above!
rightnow my phone is better than before but it still not as before installing Xposed
and there is some lag
anyway thanks alot (Shukran Jazeelan)
i am waiting for couple of days to see what will happened
and i hope you will get ur freedom
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What Xposed modules are you using in your phone?

AtomR said:
What Xposed modules are you using in your phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i dont remember which one but it's required by viper4andriod
and after 2 days i wiped everything because of lag, slow but that didnt solve the problem until i did the steps above

So that your phone now got better☺
.......
Sent from my SM-G360H using XDA Free mobile app

adamh.ayyad said:
So that your phone now got better
.......
Sent from my SM-G360H using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes Habibi it is better
thank you

Use greenify app to fast the device

Akram-aat said:
Hi
After i did root for my phone (g360h) it becomes too slow with alot of delays
i've tried to remove the root and re-flashed the stock ROM (with wipe everything) many times but that doesnt work with me and it still slowest than worst phone ever
Any Suggest !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
SAME HAPPENED TO ME! My Phone has soo many delays in animation and is too slow! Can you please tell a solution to this? I also got this problem when I rooted but I did hard reset flashed stock rom but it became more slower!

efgpho3nix said:
SAME HAPPENED TO ME! My Phone has soo many delays in animation and is too slow! Can you please tell a solution to this? I also got this problem when I rooted but I did hard reset flashed stock rom but it became more slower!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
try these and tell me what happened with you
1. download Triangle Away paid version from internet and reset the flash counter
2. go to twrp and make (data,system,dalvik and cache wipe) make sure that second option in setting(use rm instead of formating) is not checked and wait about 15-20 minutes untill wipe finished
(or you can do factory reset 3 times in CWM if still slow try twrp)
3. flash latest frimware for your country or any one (G360HDDUAPA3 the latest!)
4. tell me what happened with you because i do all this and my phone now best!

adamh.ayyad said:
try these and tell me what happened with you
1. download Triangle Away paid version from internet and reset the flash counter
2. go to twrp and make (data,system,dalvik and cache wipe) make sure that second option in setting(use rm instead of formating) is not checked and wait about 15-20 minutes untill wipe finished
(or you can do factory reset 3 times in CWM if still slow try twrp)
3. flash latest frimware for your country or any one (G360HDDUAPA3 the latest!)
4. tell me what happened with you because i do all this and my phone now best!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I flash other country's Rom will it affect my phone in any way?

efgpho3nix said:
If I flash other country's Rom will it affect my phone in any way?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No no effect