Database Users

[Q] Should I be discouraged?

I've been a faithful Droid user for a long time now, currently using the Galaxy S4 running Nova Launcher w/ stock Android. I've recently had a Galaxy S2 i727. Owned it since it was released, LOVED that phone.. As a technical person, I decided to Root my Galaxy S2 (for the first time), and run PacMan ROM w/ whatever stock Kernel it came with (can't remember). Loved the ROM, but it was a tad bit glitchy. Long story short I tried to flash Franco Kernel, using TWRP. After it finished flashing, hit the reset button and the phone Bricked and never booted again I am sooo nervous to do anything now that it makes me sick, but the stock Android ROM is just absolutely terrible as most of you know. Has anything like this happened to anyone else before? No more upgrades and I just can't afford $640 for a new one. Any thoughts?

Read the stickies in all of the subforums and go through the forums reading as much as you can. Use to "search" function to find existing threads about the topics you want and need to know about and take your time and you will be fine.
90% of the problems people run into are because they didn't read and learn. Just about every issue you would run into has already been discovered and discussed (if not solved). Read the guides. Another 5% of the issues people come across are somewhat unique, and the last 5% are completely new (to this phone).
Don't be one of those people that make a post like, "hey guys, I'm new to this phone, what should I do?" Read the stickies, read, read, read, and use the search function and you will know what to do. Also, don't ask, What does XXXXXXX mean?" Search for the answer...it is there.
Don't be afraid, just be smart. If you take shortcuts, you will mess your phone up.
A great place to start is in the General section with all of the stickies. Because you are not new to Android, you should have a good head start. Do things the right way, and before long doing anything on the S4 will be very easy. Good luck.

I agree..do some reading..you will be ok. Its not a bad thing. Don't let the early stuff keep you from trying something..
Anyone correct me if I am wrong..but I haven't seen one hard bricked G4 yet. So, go for it.

TheAxman said:
I agree..do some reading..you will be ok. Its not a bad thing. Don't let the early stuff keep you from trying something..
Anyone correct me if I am wrong..but I haven't seen one hard bricked G4 yet. So, go for it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does putting the kernel or ROM for a completely different phone (S3 for instance) still guarantee a hard brick with the S4 or is it remedied with the flashing of the correct combo? The only other thing I can think of is checking PIT in ODIN without having a PIT file. The Skyrocket would blow up when that happened.

No, I have US Cellular, I had a normal galaxy s (1) and I got ballsy and rooted and put different ROMS on it. One time I f'd up and bricked, I was like
"Oh F*&^! I am going to have to go back to my old flip phone" but thanks to the nice people on the internet people will help you out (post here on XDA or rootzwiki on the guide you followed) they will give you step by step how to do it, or at least some guy helped me.
TL;DR
YES ROOT YOUR S4
Look up At&t or whatever carrier you have and add stock firmware ex. "At&t S4 stock firmware" and just download it and you can flash that via odin if something does go wrong
Good luck

Questions and help issues go in Q&A and Help section
Thread moved
Thanks
FNM

I think the stock ROM on the S4 is far from terrible. Mine ran especially nice after I de-bloated. However I am running Omega ROM now, but more to test out the theming capabilities.

[Q] Knox - Does it really matter?

YES! I've used the search until my head started to spin and got no real answer to this.
I've read and read about the "Knox thing" and that it trips the flag, and so did it on my phone when I did an upgrade.
How how does tripping the Knox affect my phone?
In what way does it change it?
I know, you have no warranty, but that is always a risk you have to take with any phone/hacking. That is my decision to take.
But any REAL implications? I tried to read and read up about it and I don't see the "thing" with it?
I read and read posts about how to not trip it so I really wonder if it does something that affects the phone in a negative sense?
Does it hinder me to have root and load custom roms?
Does it hinder me in side-loading things?
What does this damn flag really do with the phone???
I read that I can't downgrade my roms from 4.2.2 to an older version but then, why should I?
I want the newest, coolest, best roms that I can get here by the amazing devs!
When I had my HTC One X I had to register on HTC-Dev to get a key to unlock the phone, so I knew what I was doing.
I was breaking the warranty and I was willingly doing that because I wanted to have custom roms.
I like to hack around and I soft-bricked more phones and times then I can remember.
In the Samsung world there is/was the Triangle away since Samsung has the counter for how many times you flashed
(but it doesn't seem to affect the phone in anyway, as far as I have read or does it?). So you might have been a bit spoiled
If this is "just" about warranty then I read that some tripped it with a normal Kies upgrade so I doesn't seem perfect.
Please, enlighten me. I can't find any good answers on this.
As a matter of fact I actually will get a new S4 soon and I'm very curious what firmware it will contain?
And this is why - Off-topic (I tend to be that).
I got a post-anesthetic amnesia after a surgery. What they told me was that I tried to start up my phone but it didn't want too (BAD Foxdoggie! )
so I threw it in the wall 2 times and then I broke it in half when they forbid me to throw it anymore.
No recollection at all, but I wish I had since breaking a phone in 2 parts isn't something you do every day
The insurance company wanted me to send in the phone for repairs and it was in at least 512 parts.
Was quite fun to go to the store and ask them to send it to service. :laugh:
Btw, keep away from the glass if it breaks! It gets razor sharp. The next day I have to pull out micro-parts from my hands that was lodged in the skin and my hands was cut all over, but then I'm good with a scalpel
So again, can someone please explain to me the negative implications of Knox?
If there are anything that will make my phone function in worse way I will make a formal complaint to Samsung here in Sweden since
I didn't buy a car to find that after a routine service, suddenly had the speed limited to 70 km/h...
I talked to my phone-company and they didn't knew what Knox was? AT ALL.
He just told me to use Triangle Away if it would break (or the same if I would jail-break my iPhone)!
So you even get instructions on what to do to make it "look" ok from your own provider since they are so well aware that people hack/root their phones.
Someone said in a post that only 1% root/jailbreak. I call that bull. But I think that more people jailbreak their iPhones then root their Androids.
But 1%? Just the fact that your cell-provider informs you how to "restore" your phone (and even asked me what rom I'm using!?!).
So maybe hard-core freaks are 1% but "normal" rooters/jailbreakers are way way way more.
It's the same with internet. Right now I have 500 Mbit and do the provider REALLY think I use that to browse Facebook faster?
So they all play a double game. At least in Sweden but I think that is quite universal?
This is my first Samsung. I'm a HTC-guy and if this Knox hinders me while other companies open up theirs instead, it will be my last.
I got a great deal on this phone and thought that since Samsung has the largest base it would be nice to see the awsome devs here.
And WOW. I was not wrong
Btw, Foxie, I love your rom, but it's just not post-surgery safe. You should add that as a warning
/Absie

Cool story bro
Sent from my Nexus 5 using xda app-developers app

Did you not spot the KNOX sticky? All questions and answers to your questions in there.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

nikzDHD said:
Did you not spot the KNOX sticky? All questions and answers to your questions in there.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I have. It's kind of messy and is still not answering the my question.
Yes, I have read the Samsung page. I'll continue in the "real thread".
I just want to know.
Can I flash roms, can I gain root, can I load apps like before? I don't give a duck about the corp stuff. I just want to continue to flash my device and be happy with it
/Absie

absolon_se said:
Yes, I have. It's kind of messy and is still not answering the my question.
Yes, I have read the Samsung page. I'll continue in the "real thread".
I just want to know.
Can I flash roms, can I gain root, can I load apps like before? I don't give a duck about the corp stuff. I just want to continue to flash my device and be happy with it
/Absie
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well as far as i know you can do all that as long as you don't care about the warranty, but root apps might nor work as they should(or may not work at all).
i could be wrong about all this
Sent from my GT-I9500 using Tapatalk

nikzDHD said:
Did you not spot the KNOX sticky? All questions and answers to your questions in there.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
negrobembon said:
well as far as i know you can do all that as long as you don't care about the warranty, but root apps might nor work as they should(or may not work at all).
i could be wrong about all this
Sent from my GT-I9500 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just continued here to avoid comments about my sight... :cyclops:
(I did, didn't had a clear answer. Asked here. Wooboo. Will never do that again. Promise. )

KNOX is a security feature enabled by Samsung for corporate things. Does a normal end user need it probably not and should be an option. However Samsugn decided to roll it out to all phones regardless.
If you have a KNOX enabled handset, you can do as you please, root, install custom recovery, flash roms, flash kernels, however it will disable KNOX and will set the KNOX couneter to 0x1, once this is done you can not reverse it.
As an effect to warranty, it's probably country dependent. There is a warranty thread, some users have sent their phones in once KNOX has been tripped and phones have been repaired.

[Q] Note 3 4.4.4 ROOT Assistance

Okay, let me start my making a few points first.
1. I just had to retype all of this because of the silly Im not a robot thing.
2. I just joined, yes. I was reading without an account but because I needed help I had to make one. I didnt just waltz in with my question and make an account to be lazy.
3. I dont know what Im doing. I know very little about rooting and little about this forum beyond me reading the posts. Please go easy on me if anything I say or ask is dumb, or if Im breaking any rules. And if Im asking in the wrong place, tell me how and where to move it or help me by doing it yourself if you can. I know a lot of you have been here for some time and new people probably annoy you a lot, Im not trying to.
4. I looked EVERYWHERE. I clicked on a million google links, I read the first several pages of this section, and I did a seperate search on this forum and read those first few pages. I wouldnt ask if I hadnt already tried to find out on my own. I couldnt find anything. I didnt want to post here because I know Id probably have to wait for the right answer if one ever even came and I honestly dont like having to be patient. I would have much rather figured it out on my own. So please dont assume Im stupid or lazy.
5. Im not trying to assume you guys are rude and would be rude to me, Im just not sure and I know its annoying to have a forum full of well versed people and have to direct a noob and save them.
Anyways, I have a Verizon Note 3 on 4.4.4. The last 3 digits of my build number/baseband version are NJ6. Let me know if you need any other information, as Im honestly not sure whats relevant. Ive been trying to figure out how to root my phone for days. I havent been able to find anything for my specific phone. I know Ive seen people whove said theyve rooted 4.4.4 but they either didnt have the same device on the same carrier or they didnt say how. I tried Towelroot and Kingo, neither worked. I havent tried CF auto root because I think you have to restore your device or delete everything and I dont want to do that and have it not work. I also have insurance through Verizon so tripping KNOX doesnt concern me. (when you bring in a broken phone they only check for cracks and broken parts, nothing internal, dont even plug it in. Then they overnight you a new/refurbished one and you send yours back with the same packaging. No checking for root or anything.)
Now, I have 3 main questions here.
1. Can I root my phone on 4.4.4? It needs to specifically work for 4.4.4 on Verizon. If yes, please tell me how and provide links/instructions if you can. Remember, KNOX or not, doesnt matter. I dont care if I have to delete everything either, as long as it works.
2. If I restore my phone to factory settings, will it reboot in 4.4.4 still? Or will it return to 4.4.2 like when I bought it? Im kind of doubting it as a lot of people have bricked attempting to downgrade, so I think they wouldnt have downgraded could they have just restored. Also I know the new KNOX keeps the bootloader locked and prevents any older versions, so I would think it wouldnt allow a phone to restore to an older software. But I dont know, otherwise I wouldnt ask.
3. This one is specifically for Verizon. If anyone knows. I have actually planned on taking my phone in and getting a replacement as my usb port has been loose and the connection goes in and out, very stressful when youre almost done with a backup thats taken several hours. But if I were to do this, would the new phone I received arrive with 4.4.2? Or 4.4.4? Or is it up to chance? I know they probably send out refurbished models to make/save money so part of me thinks the phones wouldnt have been created with 4.4.4, and would still have 4.4.2 since the new parts are surrounding an old phone. Then again, Verizon sells some Notes with 4.4.4 now I think so I imagine they might just upgrade the refurbished as well while theyre at it. I dont know.
I have been very frustrated with all of this and help would really brighten up my week. I can live without a rooted phone but I do want it to be rooted and not being sure whether or not I can do it is really irritating. I also dont like waiting if I can help it.
Thank you all, I hope Ive provided enough information!

Welcome! There are a lot of great people on here that can help.
I dont think root is available yet for 4.4.4.
If you are on 4.4.4 and do a factory reset, you will still be on that version.
You might check another USB cable. I have what you describe happen from time to time and it's always been the cable that wears out. If not, you want to do an exchange before messing with root.

No root possible yet. Come back in a few months hopefully we will have it by then

Thank you! I really appreciate it, I honestly wasnt expecting any answers so quickly.
Ive tried a few different cords and its pretty much stayed the same. Its not a big deal because i usually just charge at night, I have a 10000 mAh battery haha. But if it gets worse i probably will take it in, for some reason it actually seems as if its gotten better. I might call and ask which software version is sent out with refurbished phones.
Honestly though i wish they would allow you to downgrade because since the update, ive had even worse service. Right now Im at a friends apartment and i normally dont even get 3g here but for the past two hours Ive had the big no service symbol up there. Luckily he has wifi. My service at home has always been shady as well and it has gotten worse but its not this bad thank god.
Ill just have to check back once in a while until i can root i suppose. But by then 5.0 might even be out, but im not exactly excited about that haha.
But thank you guys, youre awesome!
bishop0114 said:
Welcome! There are a lot of great people on here that can help.
I dont think root is available yet for 4.4.4.
If you are on 4.4.4 and do a factory reset, you will still be on that version.
You might check another USB cable. I have what you describe happen from time to time and it's always been the cable that wears out. If not, you want to do an exchange before messing with root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Galaxy S4 - A couple of questions!

Hey guys from XDA, I joined this forum a while back to download the S6 port firmware to S4, as I rooted my phone during that period and was excited to try out new things: I wanted to talk to the developer (Albe95) about some question, since I was (and still am) a bit afraid that any mistake would make my phone a useless brick.
Things went smoothly, he helped me and I thanked him for that, playing with my new ROM. Eventually I stopped browsing XDA but I came back to ask this, since a lot of people talk good about you guys.
After a couple of months I wanted to try out the famous CyanogenMod, which looked really cool and, since I knew what to do already, installed it with no problems whatsoever.
What to say? It's actually stable but I want to make my phone new again at the same time.
Now, my phone has a few problems which I'm aware of, but I don't know any fix to them, so here's a few questions that I'd appreciate if you could answer them.
N°1: when I first rooted my phone I remember I flashed a rooted stock rom (I vaguely remember that, so I might be wrong) whom Android version was 5.0.1 to root it. After done such, I noticed the rear camera (the one mostly used to take selfies, hehe) would crash whenever I switch to it in the Camera app. I just went on with it since I'm not really a selfie-obsessed kind of person but still I don't mind the occasional mirror . After a while, I installed the firmwares I listed above and I still get those problems. I'm afraid that it might be due some hardware-level problem, and I need to get it to any technichan/support center or try and fix it myself, perhaps buying the kit for the rear camera complete of screwdrivers and other parts. So, is there anything I can do, software-ly, to fix it? If not, what's the best option I have? Would it be hard to eventually fix/replace the camera?
N°2: ever since I bought this telephone (from mid-2013, the year it released), due to various falls/smashes etcetera its silver part (of which I'm not aware of its proper name) is damaged, some small parts are even gone and it just ruins the phone's look. I have no issue with that, but is it possible to replace it, and if it is, can you tell me its proper name (so I can buy it online and eventually try and replace it by myself)? If you still didn't get what part I'm talking about, I'll be glad to clarify. I'm not a native speaker, so I guess that you might find some trouble with my grammar or spelling.
N°3: whenever I start the phone, I always read the following text, coloured in red and yellow: "KERNEL IS NOT SEANDROID ENFORCING - Set Warranty Bit : kernel". I know I rooted my phone ergo I violated KNOX's counter, but is there anyway to just remove that party? It's a bit annoying also.
Well, thank you guys for reading and I hope you have a nice day!

1) Flashing an actual stock rom might fix your problem.
2) I think it's called bezil. Bezel and midframe also works. It can be replaced.
3) There is no way to remove it, except by using official firmware.

Thanks man, really appreciated! About the third answer though, just to clarify, you mean stock rom by official firmware right?

kasert778 said:
Thanks man, really appreciated! About the third answer though, just to clarify, you mean stock rom by official firmware right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I mean the stock touchwiz rom that Samsung made.
Any modification to the bootloader (like flashing a recovery) will give you that message. It's basically like a warning.

GDReaper said:
Yes, I mean the stock touchwiz rom that Samsung made.
Any modification to the bootloader (like flashing a recovery) will give you that message. It's basically like a warning.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks a lot mate, you helped me a lot. Have a good day!

Rooted PG5

So I have seen a few people saying they are rooted on PG5. Can those of you that have done it please post how it has worked out for you? Thanks.
MOD EDIT:
Questions belong in the Help section, not How-To. I've moved your thread there.

live2playloud said:
So I have seen a few people saying they are rooted on PG5. Can those of you that have done it please post how it has worked out for you? Thanks.
MOD EDIT:
Questions belong in the Help section, not How-To. I've moved your thread there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm on PG5. I rooted about 10 days ago. After applying all the fixes, it is working ok. Fighting 2 issues. (1). Still getting update notifications every day. (2). Seems like I lost my wireless fast charging capability. I'm going to make some changes tonight and see if that fixes anything. I've learned a lot more about the phone, had some fun rooting it, but haven't really gained much if anything.

buzzme said:
I'm on PG5. I rooted about 10 days ago. After applying all the fixes, it is working ok. Fighting 2 issues. (1). Still getting update notifications every day. (2). Seems like I lost my wireless fast charging capability. I'm going to make some changes tonight and see if that fixes anything. I've learned a lot more about the phone, had some fun rooting it, but haven't really gained much if anything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to disable system updates with package disabler pro or something like that and the updates should stop

I can't recall if I was on PH1 or PG5 when I rooted. I got lucky found a cosmetically damaged SM-G930V early Sept and remember seeing the update requesting install when I met the seller. I did update then root im just not sure to what lol. I used the G930x_QC_Rooted_BOOT.TAR and after pushing SU with ADB she needed very little optimization ie: BusyBox, TricksterMOD, BuildProp & TiB in that order. I had a few obvious issues at 1st but the phone seemed to get quicker & cooler the more i used it overall. The biggest problem I've had so far is getting the adoptable storage feature to stick. Which has nothing to do with root so moving on. All and all I'd have to give the experience 2 thumbs up. Also if you screw up one of your protected partitions like i did you can always use the Verizon Update/Repair Assitant to save your phone. Provided youve registered that phone with Verizon prior to ahem, "messing up" The tool doesnt seem to have a download link its suppose to PuP when you conect phone If it doesnt they have link to the Samsung site where you can DL. Ive since switched to one of the debloated custom ROMs and I guess I never really knew what fast really was because there was this moment when i opened up the recents and i had like 40+ pages open. Scrolling was so beautifully liquid smooth and crystal clear and lightning fast I got a lump in my throat fellas. SHE doesnt slow down! I gotta drink a redbull just to get on my phone!