I'm still on 4.3 MJE build, stock and rooted. OTA didn't work for me (which I'm glad it didn't) so I looked into flashing the leaked rom when my computer crapped out so wanted to wait until I got things fixed until I can start screwing around with the phone again.
Now this I have it working again I came onto here and saw that so much has happened since then, so can someone just point me in the right direction to where I should be at? Which rom (something stock), build, radio, version of safestrap (I'm still on 4.3).
I've never used safestrap, only used clockworkmod so this is different for me but I'm sure I can figure it out, just need to know where to start off.
Thanks!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2787627
This thread should get you up to speed on the latest firmware, and you'll be able to flash any kitkit rom built off of NC2 or NC4.
To clear up any confusion, from what I've read and have come to understand is that NC2 is the leaked bootloader & kernel, while NC4 is the official. The NC2 bootloader allows you to flash backwards to MJE while the NC4 does not. The NC2 kernel is also unique with features I could try to explain, but barely understand at the moment. The other thing to know is that the NC2 kernel can be flashed over the NC4 bootloader (which is considered the unified firmware). That is what is needed for most of the kitkat roms.
If you don't care to go back to MJE, the quickest method to get up and running would be to flash the NC4 stock tar from here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2524572, and follow the instructions in the previous post as rooting with TowelRoot takes literally seconds. The only thing you lose on the NC4 bootloader is the ability to flash backwards to MJE.
Now as for modems there are many threads around that talk about which one is best. Unfortunately this may depend on your device. Many people have reported very poor reception and download speeds on NC2/NC4 and have flashed the MJE modem reporting a fix or moderate fix. Others have reported signals and speeds better on NC4 than previous. Some think it has to do with NC2 bootloader being that it is unofficial, and some think it has to do with the release version of the phone as people with recent phones report great signal and speed. The other possible factor may have to do with Verizon's simultaneous upgrade to XLTE in some areas at the same time as the kitkat release. From my experience being on NC4 with NC2 kernel (by choice), I have no worse speeds and LTE in places I only used to get 3G. However, I have modded settings in Service Mode, so that may have effected things.
If you're considering roms after getting all set up check out these:
Jasmine Rom 1.8 Very clean, optimized stock rom with some S5 features. (2.0 is considered a beta by the Dev. He is wotking on 2.1. It is a full Galaxy S5 Ported rom.)
Eclipse Rom As close to AOSP as we will get without an unlocked bootloader. Excellent battery life.
Objective Rom Barebones, extremely debloated. Light, stable, add only what you use. (If you want any of the Samsung apps this is not for you as TouchWiz has been removed and many S apps require TW or Magazines to function.)
kinstre11 said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2787627
This thread should get you up to speed on the latest firmware, and you'll be able to flash any kitkit rom built off of NC2 or NC4.
To clear up any confusion, from what I've read and have come to understand is that NC2 is the leaked bootloader & kernel, while NC4 is the official. The NC2 bootloader allows you to flash backwards to MJE while the NC4 does not. The NC2 kernel is also unique with features I could try to explain, but barely understand at the moment. The other thing to know is that the NC2 kernel can be flashed over the NC4 bootloader (which is considered the unified firmware). That is what is needed for most of the kitkat roms.
If you don't care to go back to MJE, the quickest method to get up and running would be to flash the NC4 stock tar from here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2524572, and follow the instructions in the previous post as rooting with TowelRoot takes literally seconds. The only thing you lose on the NC4 bootloader is the ability to flash backwards to MJE.
Now as for modems there are many threads around that talk about which one is best. Unfortunately this may depend on your device. Many people have reported very poor reception and download speeds on NC2/NC4 and have flashed the MJE modem reporting a fix or moderate fix. Others have reported signals and speeds better on NC4 than previous. Some think it has to do with NC2 bootloader being that it is unofficial, and some think it has to do with the release version of the phone as people with recent phones report great signal and speed. The other possible factor may have to do with Verizon's simultaneous upgrade to XLTE in some areas at the same time as the kitkat release. From my experience being on NC4 with NC2 kernel (by choice), I have no worse speeds and LTE in places I only used to get 3G. However, I have modded settings in Service Mode, so that may have effected things.
If you're considering roms after getting all set up check out these:
Jasmine Rom 1.8 Very clean, optimized stock rom with some S5 features. (2.0 is considered a beta by the Dev. He is wotking on 2.1. It is a full Galaxy S5 Ported rom.)
Eclipse Rom As close to AOSP as we will get without an unlocked bootloader. Excellent battery life.
Objective Rom Barebones, extremely debloated. Light, stable, add only what you use. (If you want any of the Samsung apps this is not for you as TouchWiz has been removed and many S apps require TW or Magazines to function.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the input! This is where I was getting confused, I was coming across so many posts where people were saying NC4 was slow and to stick with NC2, and some people were saying it was great. There was too much going back and forth I didn't know where to begin especially since the last time I was able to get on xda just the leak was available and everyone was happy.
I'll check out the NC2 first then go from there.
Thanks for the help!
My pleasure, glad I could help.
Related
I'm used to my Skyrocket so I'm not too noobish, but the s4 is different so I want to do this right.
So I have been reading Haphim's thread listed below about getting his new phone and he said it came with the MDL fw.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2432816
Mine came with MDB FW. I immediately turned off the OTA updates after I rooted the phone. I had some issues trying to rename the Data Management app, so I used TBU to freeze it. Thank goodness ~wolverine~ posted a link to the 3 updates I needed to freeze. I found 2 of the 3 updates, but FWUpgrade x.x.x was not listed on my device. Is this because of the age of my firmware? This was NEW in the box, so I must have gotten one that had been sitting on a shelf somewhere, that is if the MDB fw is older..
Now if the above holds true about the MDB FW, are there any advantages of this one over any others?
What about modems? Can I update to a newer modem without upgrading my FW?
I'd like to go to a newer TW based rom (I have a Samsung TV and would prefer to use Allshare, ect). Can I do this with just flashing the rom via TWRP? Do I need a newer modem to do so? I saw some mention that an international version of TW rom is better. Why would that be? I'd like to jump to 4.3, but I'm still on 4.2.2.
Just a side question, does the CM based roms have Bluetooth issues? the Skyrocket CM based roms had connectivity issues where you'd have to reboot to get BT functionality back.
Sorry for the list of questions, I just got this phone and do not want to brick it.
I'm assuming you already found this, but if not it's a good place to start. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=42320391
Flashing roms is not as straight forward as the sr as the boot loader is locked and you need to use Loki to work around it. If it were mine I'd Odin to mdl, root it and freeze the update apps so you don't get mf3. Then do more research until you're comfortable flashing.
Thanks for the reply. The thread you linked was very informative.. but..
What about the other questions? Modems, CM issues, ect?
coming from the g2x which was incredibly straight forward to deal with not having a locked bootloader or any other nonsense to deal with i have a few questions regarding a rogers s4 i337m
1. KNOX, as far as i have read this is a feature to detect tampering with the device and set a flag in place when tampered with. Specifically what sets off KNOX? as to that i have not really discovered a more direct answer. The repercussions to setting off KNOX is unable to use KNOX secured software aka roms/kernels? Is there any current updates by any of the providers that actually utilize this? or is it just more a enterprise feature being tested out in the s4 for additional security measures.
2. editions of roms, i honestly found a thread earlier for this but am failing to find it again i cant remember which s4 sub forum had it regarding the differences between google/asop/tw roms.
3. What are the mainstream Roms/kernels used, i noticed faux123 combined his rom/kernel of which i was not a fan of. for the G2x you had faux/morfic for kernels and just running stock cm7 was quite flawless for a combination.
4. I need a link to the latest CWM or has that been replaced for another recovery software? I know you can download it through rommanager but i thought that was like a fake flash more so then acutually pushing it to the phone via some other method. Is that done through rommanager as another step to avoid tripping knox? touch CWM is not essential and i recall the g2x touch CWM had issues so i don't really care if a legacy version can be used. stability > features for core components.
5. Having the unlocked bootloader has any other gains other then just not having to downgrade to a unlocked bootloader for flashing custom kernels/roms? flashing the roms even with the unlocked bootloader will still trigger knox correct?
I am quite aware of the safestrap feature and may try that if knox is required in any way. for warranty purposes i dont really care, if the phone runs for a month then it will probably last me 2-3 years. hell even the g2x survived 3 years now only with the power button becoming a tad problematic to turn on the phone. its more is there any software that may require it that as of now rom wise or app wise.
oh finally whats the difference between odin v3/v4? is there any real reason to use the newer. seems 3.09 is common revision to be used.
Seems like you may need to do a little more reading...but heres a little info for you
First let me ask you a question, what firmware is your s4 on, and is it an i337 (att branded)
As far as knox goes, I don't know much kore about it than you do...havent really looked into it, If you root your phone amd go in the superuser app it will ask you if you want to remove knox
Aosp vs touckwiz roms:
AOSP based roms can vary from pure AOSP, which is exactly what google intended android to be, no gimicks no extra features. But they can also be much more customizable such as cyanogenmod or aokp. Again these roms are built from the android source code, so it looks the way android was meant to be, the non pure ones having mamy added features
Touchwiz roms are simply based off stock realeases, they are often rooted and debloated, with a few tweaks thrown in and maybe a few mods...they typically loom and feel like a cleaner, smoother, and more polished stock rom, and with a lot less bloat
Recoveries: there are several recoveries available, you still got the basic CWM, than you got Touch CWM, Oudahs auto-loki recovery, phils cwm *I think thats the name lol* and than TWRP (may be missing some)***IMPORTANT: I asked earlier what firmware you were on, and this is way, if you have the mf3 firmware or mk2 firmware you CAN NOT flash any of the above recoveries due to our locked bootloader***
Safestrap: this is the recovery alternative which essentially is a recovery, however it is currently unable to flash kernels...which means you can only flash touchwiz roms, that are compatible with the stock kernel you currently have...so if your on mf3 with safestrap only 4.2.2 roms, if your on mk2 only 4.3 roms. Keep in kind safestrap is still in beta for mk2 so not every rom is working.
If you have an att phone with a locked bootloader there is currently and never has been any way to unlock the bootloader, so you are stuck with a locked bootloader. What this means is you can not downgrade to an earlier firmware, and if your mf3 or later you can not get a recovery and flash cyanogenmod aokp aosp or amy other aosp based roms
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk
mg2195 said:
Seems like you may need to do a little more reading...but heres a little info for you
First let me ask you a question, what firmware is your s4 on, and is it an i337 (att branded)
As far as knox goes, I don't know much kore about it than you do...havent really looked into it, If you root your phone amd go in the superuser app it will ask you if you want to remove knox
Aosp vs touckwiz roms:
AOSP based roms can vary from pure AOSP, which is exactly what google intended android to be, no gimicks no extra features. But they can also be much more customizable such as cyanogenmod or aokp. Again these roms are built from the android source code, so it looks the way android was meant to be, the non pure ones having mamy added features
Touchwiz roms are simply based off stock realeases, they are often rooted and debloated, with a few tweaks thrown in and maybe a few mods...they typically loom and feel like a cleaner, smoother, and more polished stock rom, and with a lot less bloat
Recoveries: there are several recoveries available, you still got the basic CWM, than you got Touch CWM, Oudahs auto-loki recovery, phils cwm *I think thats the name lol* and than TWRP (may be missing some)***IMPORTANT: I asked earlier what firmware you were on, and this is way, if you have the mf3 firmware or mk2 firmware you CAN NOT flash any of the above recoveries due to our locked bootloader***
Safestrap: this is the recovery alternative which essentially is a recovery, however it is currently unable to flash kernels...which means you can only flash touchwiz roms, that are compatible with the stock kernel you currently have...so if your on mf3 with safestrap only 4.2.2 roms, if your on mk2 only 4.3 roms. Keep in kind safestrap is still in beta for mk2 so not every rom is working.
If you have an att phone with a locked bootloader there is currently and never has been any way to unlock the bootloader, so you are stuck with a locked bootloader. What this means is you can not downgrade to an earlier firmware, and if your mf3 or later you can not get a recovery and flash cyanogenmod aokp aosp or amy other aosp based roms
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so if i were to upgrade to 4.3 ota it would flash MK3 giving me a locked bootloader? i was under the impression that the i337m canadian models all have unlocked bootloaders. only the i337 US models had locked loaders. i listed the model earlier and everything is stock out of the box
baseband/build is MG1 on 4.2.2
actually ill just check that latest firmware thread, the candian models are equiv to the m919 tmobile models basically. we also have the m919v for wind/mobilicity.
100% my bad I missed that you had the i337m
So with that said, you dont have a locked bootloader, and theres nothing you can do that will lock it
You can flash any of the recoveries, cwm twrp or whatever. They are all stable and seem to be working fjne...so its just whatever you perfer
Personally I like twrp, and that can be installed using goomanager if youre rooted, rommamager should also work if your rooted for cwm recovery
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk
Purchased my S4 at launch, only rooted it and never really got around to tweaking it much. It has slowed down a bit so now is the time.
I'm on MDL, stock 4.2.2, and rooted with TWRP 2.5.0.2 On to the questions/clarifications, hopefully these aren't egregious. I know the info is out there but for actually finding specific information, the xda forums are a bit overwhelming and sometimes conflicting...
1) Recovery - Latest/preferred recovery for the s4 (on MDL) with auto-loki baked in? Are any of the latest versions of TWRP/CWM dangerous/incompatible or can I just install the latest/greatest with ROM Installers and go from there?
2) Modem - Flashing an updated modem, regardless of ROM/OS # should not break anything and/or lock down the bootloader any more so than it already is at MDL, correct? Updating the baseband will have no effect on the build # and thus loki is still and option (versus safestrap)? Preferred modem at this time? (ATT, SF Bay Area)
3) ROMS - Any ROM, followed by loki patch or flashed via an auto-loki capable recovery should be fine, correct? Is a ROM specifically built for safestrap applications and thus would not work with MDL, or are ROMs noted as being safestrap ready just able to be used via safestrap, but loki as well?
4) Hard to keep track of all the ROMs and the builds and branches etc - Can anyone point me in the right direction of either a) the latest stock touch-wiz 4.4.4 ROM that can be flashed over MDL without essentially updating past MDL? b) the best/most recent pure google (Play Store S4 Edition) ROM, same story with not breaking MDL?
Again, I apologize I am sure the info is all buried in here somewhere, it just gets to a point where pointed questions rather than multiple 500+ post threads are hopefully less likely to brick my phone. Ideally I just want to get on the latest software (and enable screen casting, for one). Assuming it comes quick enough, once I get this process down I will probably make the jump to 5.0 when it is ready, anticipate a couple months? Who knows.
Thanks, much appreciated.
Norcalz71 said:
Purchased my S4 at launch, only rooted it and never really got around to tweaking it much. It has slowed down a bit so now is the time.
I'm on MDL, stock 4.2.2, and rooted with TWRP 2.5.0.2 On to the questions/clarifications, hopefully these aren't egregious. I know the info is out there but for actually finding specific information, the xda forums are a bit overwhelming and sometimes conflicting...
1) Recovery - Latest/preferred recovery for the s4 (on MDL) with auto-loki baked in? Are any of the latest versions of TWRP/CWM dangerous/incompatible or can I just install the latest/greatest with ROM Installers and go from there?
2) Modem - Flashing an updated modem, regardless of ROM/OS # should not break anything and/or lock down the bootloader any more so than it already is at MDL, correct? Updating the baseband will have no effect on the build # and thus loki is still and option (versus safestrap)? Preferred modem at this time? (ATT, SF Bay Area)
3) ROMS - Any ROM, followed by loki patch or flashed via an auto-loki capable recovery should be fine, correct? Is a ROM specifically built for safestrap applications and thus would not work with MDL, or are ROMs noted as being safestrap ready just able to be used via safestrap, but loki as well?
4) Hard to keep track of all the ROMs and the builds and branches etc - Can anyone point me in the right direction of either a) the latest stock touch-wiz 4.4.4 ROM that can be flashed over MDL without essentially updating past MDL? b) the best/most recent pure google (Play Store S4 Edition) ROM, same story with not breaking MDL?
Again, I apologize I am sure the info is all buried in here somewhere, it just gets to a point where pointed questions rather than multiple 500+ post threads are hopefully less likely to brick my phone. Ideally I just want to get on the latest software (and enable screen casting, for one). Assuming it comes quick enough, once I get this process down I will probably make the jump to 5.0 when it is ready, anticipate a couple months? Who knows.
Thanks, much appreciated.
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Click to collapse
I will try to help with a few of these questions, but others I am not familiar with very much. On that note DO NOT update your bootloader!!! It will be locked down further and Loki will NOT WORK. And you could NOT flash any kernels with safestrap. So with safestrap ONLY the stock kernel can be used. Now on to your questions...
1) I am using TWRP 8.1 if I remember correctly. You can find it in the Original Android Development section. It does NOT Auto Loki, so keep the loki-doki flashable zip on your sdcard OR use Roms that already have/use the boot.Loki kernels like ShoStock-i 8.1
2) Modem flashing will NOT lock anything up further as far as the bootloader. You can flash ANY or ALL of them from my modem thread. See which works BEST FOR YOU in YOUR AREA. I am in So Cal and the best for me has been either MDL. But I have and do test ALL of them. You can always flash back to whichever one works best for you.
3.) Like I said I use ShoStock-i 8.1 because it has and does EVERYTHING I need my phone to do and does it without any issues. I have NOT tried to use a Safestrap modified ROM so I have very little experience with that. Normally most devs will have two separate versions, one for safestrap compatible and one for us without safestrap. ShoStock-i is already built with Loki in the kernel so you do not NEED to flash Loki-Doki patch.
4) there are NO Touchwiz 4.4.4 Stock Roms for ATT yet. But I did try out one of the Touchwiz 4.4.4 T-Mobile based Roms and it worked perfectly. You can either get it from the ATT forums and I believe it is already lokified, or get it from the T-Mobile forum and make sure to flash Loki-Doki patch before booting up phone after flashing the ROM. Again the will NOT update your bootloader past your MDL bootloader, so you are good as you are with no worries. By the way on ShoStock-i 8.1 the screen casting to Chromecast works PERFECTLY without having to flash any other .apk's or mess with ANYTHING
This is the exact same boat I'm in. Trying to track down the answers as well. Will keep an eye here as well to watch for answers.
awesome reply thanks RockRatt, that just about covers it. I will maybe give the ShoStock ROM a go and see how I like it. As long as all the normal features are working fine, I should be good.
One last thing I forgot - Odin. I have the stock odin firmware files from when my phone was new (The MDL package). As long as I dont update the bootloader, I should be able to Odin back to the brand new in box state should something go awry or not dig the other ROMs, correct?
Thanks again,
Norcalz71 said:
awesome reply thanks RockRatt, that just about covers it. I will maybe give the ShoStock ROM a go and see how I like it. As long as all the normal features are working fine, I should be good.
One last thing I forgot - Odin. I have the stock odin firmware files from when my phone was new (The MDL package). As long as I dont update the bootloader, I should be able to Odin back to the brand new in box state should something go awry or not dig the other ROMs, correct?
Thanks again,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep. Just don't update the bootloader...So no flashing newer firmware that contains the bootloader files. Most if not all custom Roms do not have the bootloader files in them. So no problem flashing back to MDL stock if the need never arises. I still in fact have the original MDB bootloader installed that came with the phone before the MDL firmware update.
OK so I'm coming from the galaxy note 1 which I had no problems with due to the unlocked bootloader I presume and. I've been trying to figure out things on my own but I'm having trouble finding reliable information on some things and some other stuff I just don't know how to research even 1/10th as fast as asking about here. Any help or links to info are greatly appreciated. So I grabbed sm-n900v and not sure what may have changed since rooting installing SS and flashing alliance rom but rest of current info is kit Kat 4.4.2, N900VVRUCNC4, kernel version 3.4.0, hardware version N900v.07. Now the phone is unlocked and I'm using it on AT&T, I've got it all working with only couple issues. First I can't get any roms except alliance rom to work which is apparently related to kernel, baseband, firmware, or god knows. Then I've read some threads discussing either unified firmware or a leaked firmware being ideal and some stuff about certain modems/bootloaders/radios/firmwares/recoveries being better between NC2 and NC4 and even combinations working best I've followed some guides to just installing other roms but they don't work for me and have resulted in soft bricking so now I just need an full answer all in one instead of trying to figure it out from so many different sources. What modem/radio/bootloader/recovery/firmware/kernel should I be using to try out some roms keeping in mind I'm with ATT. Also should I be looking at ATT roms I assumed not to but figured worth asking. Also any other recommendations would be great I'm really just wanting a slim, stable, fast experience thanks for any help again.
insanethomas5 said:
OK so I'm coming from the galaxy note 1 which I had no problems with due to the unlocked bootloader I presume and. I've been trying to figure out things on my own but I'm having trouble finding reliable information on some things and some other stuff I just don't know how to research even 1/10th as fast as asking about here. Any help or links to info are greatly appreciated. So I grabbed sm-n900v and not sure what may have changed since rooting installing SS and flashing alliance rom but rest of current info is kit Kat 4.4.2, N900VVRUCNC4, kernel version 3.4.0, hardware version N900v.07. Now the phone is unlocked and I'm using it on AT&T, I've got it all working with only couple issues. First I can't get any roms except alliance rom to work which is apparently related to kernel, baseband, firmware, or god knows. Then I've read some threads discussing either unified firmware or a leaked firmware being ideal and some stuff about certain modems/bootloaders/radios/firmwares/recoveries being better between NC2 and NC4 and even combinations working best I've followed some guides to just installing other roms but they don't work for me and have resulted in soft bricking so now I just need an full answer all in one instead of trying to figure it out from so many different sources. What modem/radio/bootloader/recovery/firmware/kernel should I be using to try out some roms keeping in mind I'm with ATT. Also should I be looking at ATT roms I assumed not to but figured worth asking. Also any other recommendations would be great I'm really just wanting a slim, stable, fast experience thanks for any help again.
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Click to collapse
Some use Verizon roms on att and t Mobil for roms on NC4 you need to Odin NC2 try looking up some instructions it helps. Safe strap is what you can use for recovery have busy box it's needed for it to work. Modems is for your signal I wouldn't bother. Firmwares are for ppl wanting to go back to stock mostly ect. But I'm sure the step you skipped was getting NC2 on there. Be careful before you do anything make sure your 100 percent sure or you can't have a bad day.
Sent from my SM-N910V using XDA Free mobile app
I'm going looking into flashing a custom ROM on my sister's i337m (on Rogers) . Currently it is on Lollipop OTA update, and she says that ever since the update it has been super slow and laggy. I told her i can flash a custom ROM and it should be much better performance (in my experience good custom roms can provide much better performance than stock firmware in most cases).
I'm not familiar with the S4 specifically but have been using custom ROMs myself on various other phones so i generally familiar with the procedures involved. Just want to ask for advice on a couple points.
1) From what i've read so far i am trying to decide between Goldeneye and Kangapop. both seem to be pretty solid options. I noticed in the install instructions for both it mention that the i337m useres need to have 4.4.2 baseband and bootloader. Is there any specific one that works better than others i see a few different stock versions of 4.4.2 for i337m Rogers on sammobile (MG1, NC1, NE1, NI2) I am currently downloading the most recent NI2. Just not sure if specific versions have any bugs, flaws or advantages/disadvantages to worry about..
2) I figured while i'm going to have to downgrade the firmware to install the custom ROM i might as well try the Root/Unlock procedure from this thread . Is this still working? I think i would need to flash the stock NI2 firmware then follow the procedure in that thread to root and unlock the phone then from there i could install Goldeneye or Kangapop? Has anyone done this or can confirm if it should work this way.
Thanks