[Q] Buy Developer Edition or not? - Verizon Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hey everyone. So, in order to keep my plan, I'm stuck paying full price for an S5 either way. Question I have for this esteemed audience is, given I'm spending 100s of $$ either way, should I get the Developer edition? Or just get a retail edition?
I'm a bit unclear on if there's any disadvantage to the Developer Edition.
Thanks in advance!

roleary said:
Hey everyone. So, in order to keep my plan, I'm stuck paying full price for an S5 either way. Question I have for this esteemed audience is, given I'm spending 100s of $$ either way, should I get the Developer edition? Or just get a retail edition?
I'm a bit unclear on if there's any disadvantage to the Developer Edition.
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Samsung has a bad track record of keeping their developer editions up to date. I have a Motorola X developer edition, but Motorola does a better job keeping that version up to date.
I just bought an S5 at full price, I choose to not go for the developer's edition.

If you intend to root and custom rom go with Developer Edition as boot loader is unlocked.

roleary said:
Hey everyone. So, in order to keep my plan, I'm stuck paying full price for an S5 either way. Question I have for this esteemed audience is, given I'm spending 100s of $$ either way, should I get the Developer edition? Or just get a retail edition?
I'm a bit unclear on if there's any disadvantage to the Developer Edition.
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As mentioned, if you want to root and flash a custom recovery and ROM then go with the Dev Edition. I had an S4 Dev Edition before my S5 Dev Edition. Samsung never released an update or recovery files for the Dev Edition and will probably follow the same policy for the S5. I don't know what their logic is but it really doesn't matter. Our Dev community does a great job taking the latest firmware, tweakng it and releasing ROMs that are updated.. The key to a Dev Edition is the unlocked bootloader, as long as you keep your Dev Edition bootloader you can flash just about anything you want. The alternative is a retail version of the S5, rooted with Safestrap, but then you can only flash Touch Wiz based ROMs. I love my S5 Dev Edition and having an unlocked bootloader makes it so simple to flash a custom recovery, root and flash ROMs..

I have the Developer Edition because I don't buy subsidized phones, and I like to flash any ROM I want (I came from the Galaxy Nexus).
Can I flash ANY Verizon S5 ROM, including the ones that are intended to be installed with SafeStrap? (most are).
Thanks in advance.

vfnewman said:
I have the Developer Edition because I don't buy subsidized phones, and I like to flash any ROM I want (I came from the Galaxy Nexus).
Can I flash ANY Verizon S5 ROM, including the ones that are intended to be installed with SafeStrap? (most are).
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm pretty sure you can. The Developer in his OP should address any special instructions for SafeStrap users and Dev owners. If there is a restriction on who can flash the ROM, it is probably more restrictive for the Safestrap users vice the Dev owners.

Related

[Q] Stable CyanogenMod for Verizon Note 3

I'm very interested in switching from my stock Verizon Note 3 ROM to CyanogenMod, but after a great deal of research I cannot tell with absolute certainty if http://wiki.cyanogenmod.org/w/Hlte_Info is the correct ROM for use with my Verizon Note 3. Is it the correct ROM?
Additionally, if http://wiki.cyanogenmod.org/w/Hlte_Info is the correct ROM for use with my Verizone Note 3, how do I work around their posted notice as follows? Such as, are there specific instructions for using ODIN?
"If you've applied the 4.4.x update to your hlte device, it is possible heimdall will have communication issues with your device. This is a filed bug already on the heimdall page and this warning will be removed when it is resolved. In the meantime, ODIN still works."​
Karine said:
I'm very interested in switching from my stock Verizon Note 3 ROM to CyanogenMod, but after a great deal of research I cannot tell with absolute certainty if http://wiki.cyanogenmod.org/w/Hlte_Info is the correct ROM for use with my Verizon Note 3. Is it the correct ROM?
Additionally, if http://wiki.cyanogenmod.org/w/Hlte_Info is the correct ROM for use with my Verizone Note 3, how do I work around their posted notice as follows? Such as, are there specific instructions for using ODIN?
"If you've applied the 4.4.x update to your hlte device, it is possible heimdall will have communication issues with your device. This is a filed bug already on the heimdall page and this warning will be removed when it is resolved. In the meantime, ODIN still works."​
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are on RETAIL VZW N3, there is NO WAY to have anything but a stock or cutsom stock ROM.
If you are on a DEV EDITION VZW N3, check here.
I have the retail Verizon Note 3, and all other resources I've encountered indicate that the link I provided is a universal ROM for all Note 3.
Karine said:
I have the retail Verizon Note 3, and all other resources I've encountered indicate that the link I provided is a universal ROM for all Note 3.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is universal for the international versions, which there are many. Without an unlocked bootloader, we cannot flash aosp, aokp, or cm based roms.
The bootloader issue is what prevents compatibility with the CM installer, but I don't believe it prevents ROM flashes through other means. And I've seen several threads that specifically state that universal covers Sprint, Verizon, etc.
Karine said:
The bootloader issue is what prevents compatibility with the CM installer, but I don't believe it prevents ROM flashes through other means. And I've seen several threads that specifically state that universal covers Sprint, Verizon, etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok. And why isn't this info blowing up the Verizon Note 3 forums? If I'm wrong, I'll admit that. But many smarter people that me have stated time and time again that it's not going to work. And I have seen no information that will lead me to believe otherwise. Can you provide links to where it's being stated we can flash this?
That's why I'm here, to sort whether it will work as all the information available seems unclear and split.
Ok, I got ya. There is info burried here. But as I understand it the ability to install custom roms requires an unlocked bootloader. When we got that leak of kk nc2, we obtained a locked bootloader the had a few "holes" in it (for lack of a better term). With that bootloader, there is the possibility of some exploits that can be applied in order to give us the ability to flash a cm rom amongst other things. But we're not there yet.
Best I can give you is to watch this thread for any news or development:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2812650
Many thanks for the link.
I'm gonna back up Lefty here.
The retail version has a locked bootloader, which means we can't install a custom recovery or an alternate kernel, both of which are required to install non-touchwiz ROMs. (Not the case for the dev edition, which you would know if you had)
This is Verizon's doing. Samsung will provide phones with unlocked bootloaders to cellular companies, but verizon wants them locked down. I believe the only US company that sells bl-unlocked phones is T-Mobile. Lots of international carriers are bl-unlocked.
CM is mostly "universal" across ALL devices, because its based on AOSP straight from Google, and just has to be tweaked slightly for hardware differences. That's why CM builds for a note3 are "universal" -- the hardware is all the same. This comes at a price... last I've heard, the s-pen is just emulated as a mouse input, which is a bastardization of the technology. This is just an example. There are several compromises to running AOSP roms.
Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk
Thanks for the great information. It's a shame that Verizon or anyone else locks the bootloader. It should be no matter to them what ROM I run.

Galaxy S5 G900R4?

Is there any ROMs that support the galaxy s5 g900r4? (US cellular)
TheTechnicalBoss said:
Is there any ROMs that support the galaxy s5 g900r4? (US cellular)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have asked about issues with the other roms not working. I lost calling, texting, and could only use wifi with all roms. I also had to remove the SD card prior to the phone allowing me to activate after flashing back to "stock."
I have not found one that works. I tried Phoenix and Alliance roms at first and was tired of flashing back to stock. You CAN use xposed framework and I have used kernels like Blaze. That is about all I've been able to find. You can find dedicated US cellular forums BUT you won't find much there unless something changed in the last day or two. Nobody would answer my questions about why their roms would not work and possibly how to get them to work Sorry, this is about all you'll find. I had a few issues and my threads were also deleted
..
I have unlocked every USC phone I've ever had...there's plenty of devolopment out there for USC phones. I haven't seen anything other than custom kernels yet for G900R4 though.
fffft said:
There aren't a lot of USC users here so we don't know much about your system. In the past, USC has locked their bootloaders and that is the key reason that you don't see much custom ROM development.
Also, USC (along with Sprint, Verizon) still use CDMA while the rest of the world is using GSM. That basic incompatibility also deters wider development.
Have a look at the Safestrap thread in the Verizon S5 forum. Safestrap is an app for loading an emulated custom ROM + recovery and can probably be used for USC as well.
.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
XeCuTioN said:
I have unlocked every USC phone I've ever had...there's plenty of devolopment out there for USC phones. I haven't seen anything other than custom kernels yet for G900R4 though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does anyone know of a kernel that has SELinux set to permissive that will work? That's honestly the last thing I need. I wanted a bootloader unlocked phone that ran off CDMA so I can use it where I live so US Cellular seemed to be the solution.
US Cellular confirmed that the R4 has a unlocked bootloader. I am running a stock deoxed/debloated touchwiz. I am super surprised and disappointed that there hasn't been more interest and development for this phone. I am so tempted to trade it for a different.
G900r4
phillybizzle said:
US Cellular confirmed that the R4 has a unlocked bootloader. I am running a stock deoxed/debloated touchwiz. I am super surprised and disappointed that there hasn't been more interest and development for this phone. I am so tempted to trade it for a different.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm running a g900r4, (klteusc) as well. What rom are you using? I've been all over the gs5 unified and initial developments sections, and am currently using the cm11 unified while waiting for the slim rom unified. I'd gladly prefer a bloat free touch wiz though it seems the stock based roms are exclusive to g900f and the like.
{galaxy s5 g900r4 klteusc)
You guys want this http://teamuscellular.com/Forum/forum/411-galaxy-s5-romskernelsmods/
CM11, kernel w/o SELinux Enforcing, other goodies.
Head over to teamuscellular.com/forum and you should find a few available options to try. Including stock deodexed ncf ROM(touch wiz). And other custom Roms ported to USC. Like "cm 12 lollipop alpha." Looks good but no customization. As well as all stock Odin flashable zips. Some others like alliance and beanstalk have been ported, haven't tried those though. Hope this helps. Enjoy!

recived NOTE 3 from verizon (live in israel) can i flash international roms ?

hii i live in Israel and received verizon note 3 from a friend that live in the US
i don't need all the Verizon bloatware also i want to put a rom from the international note 3 forum...
can i do this ??
will everything work normal ?
thank you !
(i did search google for those things and didn't find anything related)
Clicker7 said:
hii i live in Israel and received verizon note 3 from a friend that live in the US
i don't need all the Verizon bloatware also i want to put a rom from the international note 3 forum...
can i do this ??
will everything work normal ?
thank you !
(i did search google for those things and didn't find anything related)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, you can not. Unfortunately the bootloader on the Verizon version is locked. You can flash hashcode's safestrap (found in Android Development section), and then you can flash a variety of TouchWiz based customized Verizon ROMs, but that's it.
cam30era said:
No, you can not. Unfortunately the bootloader on the Verizon version is locked. You can flash hashcode's safestrap (found in Android Development section), and then you can flash a variety of TouchWiz based customized Verizon ROMs, but that's it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok thank you
can you explain little bit more ?
what do you mean the bootloader is locked ??
is there any chance it will be unlocked anytime ?
and if it will be unlocked than i will be able to use whatever rom i want ?
Clicker7 said:
ok thank you
can you explain little bit more ?
what do you mean the bootloader is locked ??
is there any chance it will be unlocked anytime ?
and if it will be unlocked than i will be able to use whatever rom i want ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For an explanation of bootloader go here > http://forum.xda-developers.com/wiki/Bootloader
Verizon and AT&T lock the bootloader on all of their devices. No official statement as to why, but there is a lot of conjecture. In the end, it doesn't matter why, really. Sad fact is that they do it.
Several of the best developers have tried, and failed to unlock the Note 3 bootloader.
There appears to be no one currently working on unlocking the bootloader on the Verizon Note 3.
If the bootloader was unlocked, then you could flash any custom ROM and kernel that was made for Note 3.
But as of today, you are condemned to use customized variations of the Verizon Touchwiz ROM and stock TW kernel.
cam30era said:
For an explanation of bootloader go here > http://forum.xda-developers.com/wiki/Bootloader
Verizon and AT&T lock the bootloader on all of their devices. No official statement as to why, but there is a lot of conjecture. In the end, it doesn't matter why, really. Sad fact is that they do it.
Several of the best developers have tried, and failed to unlock the Note 3 bootloader.
There appears to be no one currently working on unlocking the bootloader on the Verizon Note 3.
If the bootloader was unlocked, then you could flash any custom ROM and kernel that was made for Note 3.
But as of today, you are condemned to use customized variations of the Verizon Touchwiz ROM and stock TW kernel.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK
thank you very muchhh !

Fix S5 Dev Edition and or root new S5 on Mac

Hello fellow Android community. Recently I ended up bricking my Verizon S5 Dev Edition using Safestrap. I went out and bought a new consumer S5 it's running Kit Kat 4.4.4 NK2. I already know Towelroot doesnt work to root it. I'm using a Mac with Hemidall 1.4.0 installed and can't access Windows XP in Virtual Box no longer as it won't install properly. Is there any way I can fix my Verizon Dev Edition and or root this new Verizon S5 without having access to an actual PC using ODIN? Last summer I flashed the wrong file on my Dev Edition and it locked the bootloader making it a consumer version. Currently Verizon S5 Dev Editions from Samsung are on backorder. I'm setup to be emailed when they are in stock and it will take 4 weeks for them to get the product according to their site. Thanks for the help. This has been cross posted in another forum pertaining to root but less extensive in detail.
I have already towlroot installed on my current S5 and files to downgrade even though im already on NK2 stock.
Droid9684 said:
Hello fellow Android community. Recently I ended up bricking my Verizon S5 Dev Edition using Safestrap. I went out and bought a new consumer S5 it's running Kit Kat 4.4.4 NK2. I already know Towelroot doesnt work to root it. I'm using a Mac with Hemidall 1.4.0 installed and can't access Windows XP in Virtual Box no longer as it won't install properly. Is there any way I can fix my Verizon Dev Edition and or root this new Verizon S5 without having access to an actual PC using ODIN? Last summer I flashed the wrong file on my Dev Edition and it locked the bootloader making it a consumer version. Currently Verizon S5 Dev Editions from Samsung are on backorder. I'm setup to be emailed when they are in stock and it will take 4 weeks for them to get the product according to their site. Thanks for the help. This has been cross posted in another forum pertaining to root but less extensive in detail.
I have already towlroot installed on my current S5 and files to downgrade even though im already on NK2 stock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you make a backup of your aboot partition from the Developer Edition? The second you get a new Developer Edition, don't do anything and PM me. I'll walk you through how to backup your Developer Edition bootloader for safekeeping in case you need to unlock your device again. It's very important to make a backup first thing.
UPDATE
ryanbg said:
Did you make a backup of your aboot partition from the Developer Edition? The second you get a new Developer Edition, don't do anything and PM me. I'll walk you through how to backup your Developer Edition bootloader for safekeeping in case you need to unlock your device again. It's very important to make a backup first thing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Ryan thanks for writing me back on my issues with the S5. Ok well yesterday I got Virtual Box to work as I updated the version and installed Windows XP on my Mac. I had used it previously and successfully had used Odin before. However this time I cant get it to recognize any USB devices even after ejecting them from the Mac part. I called Samsung support of the broken Dev S5 and after lengthy talks they refuse to fix it as it's in the system already as "Beyond Economical Repair" from last summer. Another person I reached out to from Brickedmyphone.com got back to me and said he thinks my devices via USB isnt recognized because of emmc failure. When I went to recover my Dev S5 I thought i had a backup in Safestrap but it turned out I didn't. So I did a factory reset thru that then backed out and had it in download mode in which it stayed on. Pulled the battery power on and it stays on Android boot screen now. I never did backup the bootloader of my Dev S5 because no one ever had told me to do so. Never would have thought about doing such a crucial thing. My biggest worry with another Dev S5 is will they be available again as they are on current backorder? And will they still ship out of box with version 4.4.2? When I had the S5 it wouldn't system update at all so my guess is that's the only version it will have unlike the regular S5 that now has 4.4.4? I guess with the Dev Edition weather I flash anything on it or not is that the warranty after 30 days is void. I figured if I didn't flash a custom recovery on that phone I would have been ok but thats not the case. I've had TWRP on my past two Droids and rarely do I run into problems.
As far as the regular S5 from Verizon i plan to return it for majority of my money back by the 17th. But what do you recommend I do for a phone in the mean time? Unless I can get my bricked S5 up and running again. It has a broken Sd card reader anyhow so eventually would have to be replaced.
Note 4 Dev Edition
I'm considering getting Note 4 Dev Edition even if the S5 Dev is available in weeks to come from now. I read someone posted a custom rooted deoxedized without knox rom for it. Otherwise your not able to root it? I plan to try a Note 4 from the store once i return this here consumer S5 to Verizon next week Friday. @ryanbg
Droid9684 said:
I'm considering getting Note 4 Dev Edition even if the S5 Dev is available in weeks to come from now. I read someone posted a custom rooted deoxedized without knox rom for it. Otherwise your not able to root it? I plan to try a Note 4 from the store once i return this here consumer S5 to Verizon next week Friday. @ryanbg
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can most definitely root any Dev edition regardless of ROM. Send me a message when you have the phone in hand and I'll give you a hand. I'll help you back up your bootloader too.
ryanbg said:
You can most definitely root any Dev edition regardless of ROM. Send me a message when you have the phone in hand and I'll give you a hand. I'll help you back up your bootloader too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply although very late. I ended up going with a rooted Samsung Galaxy S5 off ebay which is new running 4.4.2. By the time I purchased this phone the Note 4 and S5 Dev editions where still on backorder and I needed a phone quickly. I do like the Note 4 and can't wait for the Note 5 this fall to see what it will be like. I also have an inetrest in the LG G4 heard good things about the specs on it.

Got A S4 AT&T model for cheap. questions a plenty!

Since I just got A S4 I have some questions. I mainly am used to nexus/moto devices in terms of roms/etc, and I know the process is entirely different with the S4.
The model is a AT&T S4. Updated to 5.0.1
I know I won't be able to unlock the bootloader, which is okay as long as I CAN have some hopes of running another firmware on it.
All I require is Root/Xposed, and maybe CM13..or any other android 6.0 based ROM. How feasible are my options? I won't know until I physically have it, but what should I look out for in terms of firmware/bootloader codes?
You cannot run any custom ROM unless the rom is based on a Samsung kernel which means no cm or aosp ROMs.
audit13 said:
You cannot run any custom ROM unless the rom is based on a Samsung kernel which means no cm or aosp ROMs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that sucks. Guess I will sell it for a bit higher than I bought it and grab something else. Thank you.
I have an s4 (Canadian version, i337m) which doesn't have a locked bootloader and I find the phone okay with stock unrooted LP. I used to based my phone decisions on whether there was an XDA forum but my flashaholic days are behind me

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