Database Users

Won't boot into custom recovery

Hey guys, this is my first post on this forum. I have been doing a lot of research about rooting my s4 (SGH-1337, i9505) on firmware 4.3, and after a long process of trying different methods, I finally found a method that works, using a chinese root program. When I use root checker, it says my device has been fully rooted. However, I am having trouble booting into custom recovery. I used rom manager to flash clockworkmod touch, and it says flash succeeded, but whenever I try to boot into recovery, it will only take me into the stock android recovery. I decided to try to flash CWM through Odin, but every time I try that it says flash failed. I am not sure what the issue is here, and I have tried almost all of the methods that I have found. Any help would greatly appreciated!

chucktheduck said:
Hey guys, this is my first post on this forum. I have been doing a lot of research about rooting my s4 (SGH-1337, i9505) on firmware 4.3, and after a long process of trying different methods, I finally found a method that works, using a chinese root program. When I use root checker, it says my device has been fully rooted. However, I am having trouble booting into custom recovery. I used rom manager to flash clockworkmod touch, and it says flash succeeded, but whenever I try to boot into recovery, it will only take me into the stock android recovery. I decided to try to flash CWM through Odin, but every time I try that it says flash failed. I am not sure what the issue is here, and I have tried almost all of the methods that I have found. Any help would greatly appreciated!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The I337 and i9505 are not the same device. We cannot have a custom recovery on our 4.3 firmware with the I337 because of the locked bootloader. The i9505 is the international version, and has an unlocked bootloader since no carrier is enforcing a lock on it. So you can only have root and use root apps for now, and then use Safestrap when it is updated for flashing other Touchwiz or GPE 4.3 ROMs.

DeadlySin9 said:
The I337 and i9505 are not the same device. We cannot have a custom recovery on our 4.3 firmware with the I337 because of the locked bootloader. The i9505 is the international version, and has an unlocked bootloader since no carrier is enforcing a lock on it. So you can only have root and use root apps for now, and then use Safestrap when it is updated for flashing other Touchwiz or GPE 4.3 ROMs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank you so much. I guess I'll have to wait to be able to unlock the bootloader. Do you know of any methods now that can unlock it?

There is no method and may never be a method.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

graydiggy said:
There is no method and may never be a method.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just found this post.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=42320391.
I should be able to at least install custom recovery using this method correct? Loki is sort of a workaround right?

chucktheduck said:
I just found this post.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=42320391.
I should be able to at least install custom recovery using this method correct? Loki is sort of a workaround right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not for MK2 4.3 on AT&T I337. If that's your device and firmware version, at this time, your bootloader is locked. Safestrap is 4.2.2 only. Patience.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app

[Q] Rooting S4 (Build No. NC1)

I am new to flashing so sorry if I have asked some stupid questions.
I have SGH-I337 (ATT) and would like to root and then maybe install Cyanogenmod or any other custom ROM.
Device Details:
Baseband - NC1
Build No. - NC1
Android Version - 4.4.2
I tried to root NC1 directly using motochopper. Then I read and I am now trying to downgrade.
I have got ODIN 3.09 but it does not say support to I337. I have gone through Noob Helper
I have downloaded all zips from Downgrade
After reading the article of Modems; I got confused about my bootloader.
I also have gone through the thread but after that confusion, I did not proceed ahead.
Could anyone please help me?
How to identify boot-loader?
Which ODIN to use or do I need to use SAFETRAP (not sure if bootloader is MF3) ?

mayurd said:
I am new to flashing so sorry if I have asked some stupid questions.
I have SGH-I337 (ATT) and would like to root and then maybe install Cyanogenmod or any other custom ROM.
Device Details:
Baseband - NC1
Build No. - NC1
Android Version - 4.4.2
I tried to root NC1 directly using motochopper. Then I read and I am now trying to downgrade.
I have got ODIN 3.09 but it does not say support to I337. I have gone through Noob Helper
I have downloaded all zips from Downgrade
After reading the article of Modems; I got confused about my bootloader.
I also have gone through the thread but after that confusion, I did not proceed ahead.
Could anyone please help me?
How to identify boot-loader?
Which ODIN to use or do I need to use SAFETRAP (not sure if bootloader is MF3) ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dont worry about Odin saying the device is i9505 or so. The flash will work.
For samsung phones running full stock firmware, all the components have the same version. Since your build is NC1, your bootloader is also NC1.
You are in the right track. Follow the downgrade thread to partial downgrade to MK2. Then use saferoot to root. Then install safestrap v3.72. Then use the deadly venom kitkat magic tool to install any kitkat rom of your choice from this list (post 3).
You cannot install any AOSP based rom. So, no CM. Even google play edition roms dont work.
You can install AOSP themed roms (like BlackBox3.0)

jmjoyas said:
Dont worry about Odin saying the device is i9505 or so. The flash will work.
For samsung phones running full stock firmware, all the components have the same version. Since your build is NC1, your bootloader is also NC1.
You are in the right track. Follow the downgrade thread to partial downgrade to MK2. Then use saferoot to root. Then install safestrap v3.72. Then use the deadly venom kitkat magic tool to install any kitkat rom of your choice from this list (post 3).
You cannot install any AOSP based rom. So, no CM. Even google play edition roms dont work.
You can install AOSP themed roms (like BlackBox3.0)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the response. I have downgraded to MK2 and have done the root.
I was wondering if you could tell me if it is possible to install Liquid Smooth ROM. I have seen the video and I have downloaded from here which says S4 unified. Also, there are some videos claiming CM on S4.
Could anyone please help on the same?

mayurd said:
Thank you for the response. I have downgraded to MK2 and have done the root.
I was wondering if you could tell me if it is possible to install Liquid Smooth ROM. I have seen the video and I have downloaded from here which says S4 unified. Also, there are some videos claiming CM on S4.
Could anyone please help on the same?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As already stated, no AOSP based roms will work (ROMs that are built by compiling AOSP code). Only TouchWiz based roms will work. If you need AOSP look and feel, you can install an AOSP themed rom.
CM/AOSP on ATT S4 is only possible if you have the MDB/MDL bootloader. Anything above that, it wont work.

jmjoyas said:
As already stated, no AOSP based roms will work (ROMs that are built by compiling AOSP code). Only TouchWiz based roms will work. If you need AOSP look and feel, you can install an AOSP themed rom.
CM/AOSP on ATT S4 is only possible if you have the MDB/MDL bootloader. Anything above that, it wont work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry for the repeated questions.
I tried to update through Safestrap with BlackBox. But I got stuck on the boot screen where it shows Samsung Logo. I might have done something wrong. I just clicked next on BlackBox 3.0. Could anyone please help me !
Edit:
When I tried to reboot into recovery mood (Vol Up + Home + Power) it says:
" Secure Fail Kernel
(Warning Sign) System Software not authorised by ATT has been found on your phone"

Don't select the reboot now option in the aroma installer at the end. Then, after the ROM flash is complete and before you reboot the phone, you need to put the phone back in download mode and flash the MLD ap/bl/cp files from the tool
Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

jmjoyas said:
Don't select the reboot now option in the aroma installer at the end. Then, after the ROM flash is complete and before you reboot the phone, you need to put the phone back in download mode and flash the MLD ap/bl/cp files from the tool
Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I flashed the NB1 using ODIN but it still stays on Samsung Logo with custom logo. I am not able to navigate any where else from that screen.
Edit:
I was able to go into system recovery. Please let me know if I can fix the error somehow.
Thanks a lot !

Get into stock recovery and factory reset. I am not sure why you flashed NB1 though, as there is no direct root method for it yet
Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

jmjoyas said:
Get into stock recovery and factory reset. I am not sure why you flashed NB1 though, as there is no direct root method for it yet
Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He probably was following the steps that were provided elsewhere here that had you go from nc1 to nb1 then back to the M (I can't remember which M) one.

jmjoyas said:
Get into stock recovery and factory reset. I am not sure why you flashed NB1 though, as there is no direct root method for it yet
Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had rooted MK2 and the installed the custom ROM (Blackbox) and then was suppose to flash NB1.
So, if I just did a factory reset it would solve my error?
Thanks for the help!
Edit:
I tried doing the factory reset. It just wipes all the user data. And I am still stuck on the same screen with Samsung and the custom logo.

mayurd said:
I had rooted MK2 and the installed the custom ROM (Blackbox) and then was suppose to flash NB1.
So, if I just did a factory reset it would solve my error?
Thanks for the help!
Edit:
I tried doing the factory reset. It just wipes all the user data. And I am still stuck on the same screen with Samsung and the custom logo.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have sent you a PM. Probably I can assist better on hangout.

Help sought: Screwed up my S4 and seeking a fix

Note: Relevant device info will be provided below.
Dear techwizards,
I've been trying to root my phone for a while, I've done it before: both my S II and S III were international variants, and rooting those devices was very simple. But after getting an S IV from America and consensually downloading a samsung issued update -- I had yet to read up on the disadvantages of knox -- my rooting and android experience took a turn for the worse.
Long story short -- I know developers are a proud bunch who value their time -- I tried rooting my phone yesterday after almost smashing my phone on a coffee table. They say it's a well known side effect of Touchwiz, but I'll leave that to you.
I used a towelroot.com root -- a wonderful tool, if I may say so. After that, I visited the CM website and picked out the compatible CM11. I never got to flashing it though, as my problems arose while installing a recovery.
I had downloaded an app, a something recovery or another. They had an option to flash recoveries on there--it would download your recovery for you and do all the work, which seemed plausible as most video tutorials demonstrated. To my astonishment, doing so bricked my phone.
I tracked back, looked for the samsung stock rom, downloaded all 2.2 gb's of it and flashed it. It worked. My phone was functional but I suspect something within it stinks. My device, apparently for security reasons, wont let my wifi or 4g to establish a connection. It's making it impossible for me to fix this problem as I can't root my device or flash a custom rom.
About Device:
Pre problem I was running a:
SGH-I337UCUFNC1 baseband. Build Number ending with: NC1.
Android version: 4.2.2
Post problem:
Baseband: I337UCUFNC1
Build Number: JSS15J.I337UCUEMK2
Android version 4.3.
If I could find my original stock 4.2.2 NC1 version and get simple instructions on how to re-install it back to stock version, I'd be very grateful.
If you know how I could fix the internet issue on the MK2 one, and provide some simple instructions of how to root it, I'd be grateful too.
If you think neither would work, and have something else in mind, Im open to your suggestions.
Much Regards,
Y

You can only use safestrap for the recovery. See in the general forum index, all things at&t....
You can't flash cm, only touch wiz based roms
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app

jd1639 said:
You can only use safestrap for the recovery. See in the general forum index, all things at&t....
You can't flash cm, only touch wiz based roms
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I never got to installing or attempting to install CM.
Things took a turn for the unexpected after I tried installing CMW recovery.
Please reread my post

I've read it. You can't install cwm. That's what had messed up your device. The only recovery you can use is safestrap
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I957 using XDA Free mobile app

jd1639 said:
I've read it. You can't install cwm. That's what had messed up your device. The only recovery you can use is safestrap
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I957 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see. Thanks for the info. Do you know what could be done to restore my device to stock? As of now I'm running a MK2 Android 4.3 on a NC1 4.2.2 device and the wifi/4g connection aren't working.

androidshmandroid said:
I see. Thanks for the info. Do you know what could be done to restore my device to stock? As of now I'm running a MK2 Android 4.3 on a NC1 4.2.2 device and the wifi/4g connection aren't working.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you look for the thread I pointed you to? In the general forum index, all things at&t... You're going to want to start there. That'll link you to this
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=49687770
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I957 using XDA Free mobile app

Since your bootloader is already locked, you might as well Odin to stock. Odin to NB1 then use stock recovery to flash the NC1 update from a zip file on a microSD.
Part of the problem is that the NC1 is not 4.2.2 like you listed, but 4.4.2. That's the update you applied that started the sordid tale. When you were on 4.2.2, with bootloader MD<something>, you could have flashed CM or whatever, because you would be able to have TWRP or CWM recovery. When Samsung pushed out a 4.3 update (MK2 I believe) all the unlocked bootloader fun was over, probably permanently for this phone.
When you flashed MK2 firmware (4.3) onto the phone, parts of it don't work with the NC1 baseband, causing the problems you've seen. If you Odin NB1, then do the quick zip update from stock recovery to get all the way to NC1, you'll be back to stock and everything should work.
Once that's done, you can go through this process:
1. Root with Towelroot.
2. Install SuperSU to manage root access. (You might have to reboot, it's a 50%/50% shot... sometimes it hangs trying to disable Knox... no worries just reboot)
3. Install SafeStrap... it will create the safestrap recovery. You might need to install SELinux Mode Changer app (from play store) and set to permissive, to get Safestrap installed.
4. Boot to the SafeStrap recovery. Install any touchwiz rom. Only touchwiz compatible roms will work. I liked GoldenEye.
When installing touchwiz ROMs, typically one flashes the ROM, then SuperSU, then the NC1 modules, then the ATT BuildProp/APN file. Sounds complex but goes quickly. Some roms have some of these things built in.
Good luck! I eventually decided I didn't like the ATT Samsung restrictions of the locked boot loader, and bought a T-Mobile M919 variant of the S4. Unlocked boot loader. Woo hoo. And works fine on ATT.
Marc

[Q] I337UCUFNJ4 AT&T Galaxy S4 4.4.4 only download mode

i root my gs4 with odin, everything went fine but I wanted to get my gs faster so i downloaded kernel for gs4 and flashed it. mistake here. i didnt check if it supports 4.4.4. it only support devices under 4.3 so.. no wifi. that was the problem i had other than that, all was good. than I downloaded some OTA file for my gs4 and when i tried to flash it with safestrap, it kept said fail. so i thought it's maybe because i already have OS installed... so i wiped system,data and i tried to flash that OTA file, fail again. now im screwd. there is no OS on my gs4. when i trun it on, it vibrates, than reboots and than goes into Odinmode and say something like "nornal boot not possible" in red.
so i spent couple days searching how to get my phone work again but everything i tried didnt work. and for galaxy s4 sgh i337 nj4 version 4.4.4 it even made me think it was made just for me.
i tried kies, failed it told me to do emergency recovery but my phone does not show on list.
can anyone please help me.. Im new to Samsung Galaxy..

im thinking about following this guide since there are no options
http://www.androidrootz.com/2014/03/how-to-unrootunbrick-at-galaxy-s4-sgh.html
is this okay?

JustinBushke said:
im thinking about following this guide since there are no options
http://www.androidrootz.com/2014/03/how-to-unrootunbrick-at-galaxy-s4-sgh.html
is this okay?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You'll have to use the ODIN file from this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2674223
Flash that in ODIN, use the rootable version if you want to root it using towelroot.
Besides that, you can't flash any custom kernels on the S4 unless you're on the 4.2.2 MDL bootloader, and there's no way to get back to that from 4.4.

DeadlySin9 said:
You'll have to use the ODIN file from this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2674223
Flash that in ODIN, use the rootable version if you want to root it using towelroot.
Besides that, you can't flash any custom kernels on the S4 unless you're on the 4.2.2 MDL bootloader, and there's no way to get back to that from 4.4.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much for your reply. i will try that after couple hours.
but I am curious if i can use I337UCUFNB on NJ4 bootloader. i have nj4 bootloader

JustinBushke said:
Thank you so much for your reply. i will try that after couple hours.
but I am curious if i can use I337UCUFNB on NJ4 bootloader. i have nj4 bootloader
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, it will work.

DeadlySin9 said:
Yes, it will work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much! You saved my life!
I want to be just like you helping other people
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Free mobile app

k i'm dumb

I'm successfully rooted, however everytime I try to flash a rom I restart to a phone that resets to the old out-of-box firmware... whats up?

OptimusCrack said:
I'm successfully rooted, however everytime I try to flash a rom I restart to a phone that resets to the old out-of-box firmware... whats up?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
More info is needed in order for XDA community to help. Which phone variant do you have i9500 or SGH i337? What firmware are you on? What root process did you use, also what rom did you try to flash?

John The Rhino said:
More info is needed in order for XDA community to help. Which phone variant do you have i9500 or SGH i337? What firmware are you on? What root process did you use, also what rom did you try to flash?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah yes, here:
i) SGH i337m
ii) 4.4.2
iii) CF-AUTO-ROOT (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2293800)
iv) Aaaaaaaaaaaaand... multiple Lollipop roms found here and one for the i9505 which rendered the same result (that is - no result, other than having to go through the first time boot setup from Samsung, which happens with all of them)
I had some difficulty finding where the legitimate i337 XDA was, but I think I found the right place (here)
Thanks already, regardless of if we figure it out

Ouch
Bump
Do I have to simply flash a custom recovery?

Well I bricked it since no one would help me. Come on community, I've have 4 year old phone communities that were more helpful. Currently my phone sits there with the big "GALAXY S4" and n the top left, really tiny in 3 different colours it says,
Recovery Booting...
Recovery is no seandroid enforcing
Set Warrany Bit: recover

OptimusCrack said:
Well I bricked it since no one would help me. Come on community, I've have 4 year old phone communities that were more helpful. Currently my phone sits there with the big "GALAXY S4" and n the top left, really tiny in 3 different colours it says,
Recovery Booting...
Recovery is no seandroid enforcing
Set Warrany Bit: recover
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It sounds like you'll have to use odin and flash the stock firmware and then start the process over again. You should be able to find the firmware at sammobile.com.
Then root using cf
Flash twrp recovery, after root get flashify from the play store and flash the twrp image file in it, http://techerrata.com/browse/twrp2/jfltecan
Then you can flash roms.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app

Me too.
I rooted My S4 last year using towel root. Then ,AT&T updated my phone to Baseband NI1,and I lost root. Since then ,every time an AT&T software update message comes in ,I try to let it update ,and it always fails. As of now I am still on 4.4.2 NI1 and no root. Is there any way to re gain root access?

cutty1998 said:
I rooted My S4 last year using towel root. Then ,AT&T updated my phone to Baseband NI1,and I lost root. Since then ,every time an AT&T software update message comes in ,I try to let it update ,and it always fails. As of now I am still on 4.4.2 NI1 and no root. Is there any way to re gain root access?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You'll need to flash the nc1 module in Odin, then root with towelroot. See this http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=53758227
Sent from my Nexus 9 using XDA Free mobile app

..

Are you still having issues or were you able to flash a custom ROM of your choice?