[Q] Galaxy S4 Help please - AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshootin

Hi I used to own a iphone my galaxy s4 is my first phone, amd I have had it for about a year I have rooted it with kingo root and I am on att android 4.3 (i337) anyway I really really want to go back to stock I am on stock rom just rooted I cannot install custom roms I dont know why I might have to unlock my bootloader I have heard something like that but I just want the latest version of android can anyone way me through this I tried using odin I guess I couldnt figure it out andni have already used youtube for help no luck

Since you are on 4.3, there is no way to unlock the locked boot loader.
The locked boot loader prevents the stock recovery and kernel from being replaced.
This means no CM/AOSP/AOKP/GPE(google play edition) rom on the phone. Only touchwiz based Roms work. There is one GPE that works.
More info http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2616221

Related

Samsung Galaxy S4 I337 cannot find latest update 4.4.4

Hey guys,
My brother has the S4 i337 model and he's on 4.4.2
This phone is unlocked and he's using Tmobile on it.
For some reason it cannot find 4.4.4 via OTA and Kies
Is this because it's on tmobile or this model didn't get 4.4.4 yet.
Do I need to root it and flash a rom on it?
Thanks
krazyq said:
Hey guys,
My brother has the S4 i337 model and he's on 4.4.2
This phone is unlocked and he's using Tmobile on it.
For some reason it cannot find 4.4.4 via OTA and Kies
Is this because it's on tmobile or this model didn't get 4.4.4 yet.
Do I need to root it and flash a rom on it?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some models of the Samsung Galaxy S4 just didn't get the update, for instance my i337 didn't even get the 4.4.2 Kitkat update and was stuck on JellyBean. Your best bet is to just flash a 4.4.4 Rom on it. Clears out the bloated stock software.
Brandon.Black said:
Some models of the Samsung Galaxy S4 just didn't get the update, for instance my i337 didn't even get the 4.4.2 Kitkat update and was stuck on JellyBean. Your best bet is to just flash a 4.4.4 Rom on it. Clears out the bloated stock software.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that's really lame
So to make sure I do this the right way
I have to root the phone first
then install custom recovery
then flash rom right?
Or does the boot loader need to be unlocked?
Any rom recommendations?
I'd like for it to be stock so it's stable since my brother needs this for testing purposes
krazyq said:
that's really lame
So to make sure I do this the right way
I have to root the phone first
then install custom recovery
then flash rom right?
Or does the boot loader need to be unlocked?
Any rom recommendations?
I'd like for it to be stock so it's stable since my brother needs this for testing purposes
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes correct, but if your boot loader is locked then you're going to need to download SafeStrap Recovery for locked bootloaders. Then once you have installed that, there's only very limited amount of Roms you can install because of the kernel, if you find a ROM that changes the kernel your phone won't boot. But a ROM that is fully working is called "GoldenEye ROM" its a 4.4.2 ROM but is really clean, stock, and clears out all that bloated nonsense. There's no 4.4.4 Roms for locked bootloaders yet.
Brandon.Black said:
Yes correct, but if your boot loader is locked then you're going to need to download SafeStrap Recovery for locked bootloaders. Then once you have installed that, there's only very limited amount of Roms you can install because of the kernel, if you find a ROM that changes the kernel your phone won't boot. But a ROM that is fully working is called "GoldenEye ROM" its a 4.4.2 ROM but is really clean, stock, and clears out all that bloated nonsense. There's no 4.4.4 Roms for locked bootloaders yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for this info
I'll look into it

[Q] Xposed on locked bootloader and Rolling back questions

Hello all,
I recently installed 5.0.1 rooted on galaxy s4 I337 using muniz's method and had some questions?
The main reason I rooted was to try to get xposed so I can edit the ui, I understand that it is not working on samsung devices right now, but when it does work, I understand the only way to install it is using a custom recovery.
Since I have a locked bootloader and am on 5.0.1 I don't think there is a way to get a custom recovery on here, correct me if I'm wrong.
How would I install the xposed framework? Will flashfire be able to load it?
Also, if I were to revert back to the stock NB1 build, can I re-root and install clockworkmod (would LOKI work then?) on it and then go to a custom rom like cynogenmod or are there problems with this because I already have updated all the way to 5.0.1? (I've done this rollback through ODIN before and it's not too bad.)
I'm new to android modding so this has been a learning experience.
Thanks
Once upgraded to the locked bootloaders, there is no going back to loki. You can downgrade from 5.0.1 to 4.4.2, but you can only use safestrap recovery, and only touchwiz based firmware. Also, safestrap doesn't work on 5.0.1 yet. From what I have read, with 5.0.1 you'll have to wait and see what the developers come up with. If you care to learn more about the history of bootloaders, there is lots of info in these forums.
Engitheneer said:
Hello all,
I recently installed 5.0.1 rooted on galaxy s4 I337 using muniz's method and had some questions?
The main reason I rooted was to try to get xposed so I can edit the ui, I understand that it is not working on samsung devices right now, but when it does work, I understand the only way to install it is using a custom recovery.
Since I have a locked bootloader and am on 5.0.1 I don't think there is a way to get a custom recovery on here, correct me if I'm wrong.
How would I install the xposed framework? Will flashfire be able to load it?
Also, if I were to revert back to the stock NB1 build, can I re-root and install clockworkmod (would LOKI work then?) on it and then go to a custom rom like cynogenmod or are there problems with this because I already have updated all the way to 5.0.1? (I've done this rollback through ODIN before and it's not too bad.)
I'm new to android modding so this has been a learning experience.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If xposed ever is updated to support Lollipop Touchwiz, you'll be able to flash it using Flashfire or using the Safestrap workaround (flash 4.4 kernel so you can get into safestrap, flash files, then flash 5.0 kernel). There's no way to go back to CWM or TWRP past the old MF3 4.2.2 update, which has long come and gone now.

Can I install custom roms on my Galaxy S4 OK2?

I have the AT&T Samsung Galaxy S4
Android Version 5.0.1
Build I337UCUGOK2
I've already unrooted it.
My question is, can I install custom roms to it?
I read somewhere on xda that I can only install roms based on the base one using Safestrap.
I really wanted to install cyanogenmod, but on the page there's the warning ''you must be on build I337UCUAMDB or I337UCUAMDL or this will not work''
Any help would be appreciated.
Not possible without unlocking bootloader
I am in the same boat. Unfortunately at the moment there is no way to get CyanogenMod from OK2. I have spend so many hours trying for the same. The conclusion is that the bootloader is locked and there is no known method to unlock the bootloader on I337 yet.

Using an S4 as emergency phone, and I need slight guidance for rooting & recovery

Hello
My LG V10 came across the famous bootloop issue, and I shipped it to LG. In the meantime, I am using an old S4 that was saved for emergencies like this one. It is running 4.4.4, I337UCUFNJ4, and I rooted it with Kingoroot.
I understand that it should OTA to 5.1 in pronably a day or 2 if I check for a software update; it sat turned off since 2014, so it did not receive anything.
1. Do I OTA and reroot?
2. Can I manually jump to 5.1?
Ultimately, I would like to install TWRP and the Blissrom or some other ROM, but I don't want to take an OTA that may screw me up for later. I read that there's a loki thing that will prevent future installations of recovery or something like that. I realize that I will be using a short time (2-3 weeks), but I would like to leave it rooted and with a good ROM.
Thank you
The bootloader is locked so that means TWRP cannot be flashed to the phone and the phone will only run custom ROMs based off a stock Samsung ROM.
OTA updates will not work if the phone is rooted.
audit13 said:
The bootloader is locked so that means TWRP cannot be flashed to the phone and the phone will only run custom ROMs based off a stock Samsung ROM.
OTA updates will not work if the phone is rooted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm confused or perhaps you are misinformed. I have seen a lot of ROMs for this device including Blissrom and many others. All od them get flashed through twrp or Safeway or aome name like that.
You mean safestrap?
Maybe you are thinking of the non-AT&T models of the s4 that work with custom ROMs such as Lineage and Validus. Only the AT&T version of the s4 has a locked bootloader, starting with Android 4.3 and up.
There has never been an sgh-i337 s4 with a locked bootloader than can run TWRP. Same goes for the AT&T sm-n900a note 3 with a locked bootloader.
audit13 said:
You mean safestrap?
Maybe you are thinking of the non-AT&T models of the s4 that work with custom ROMs such as Lineage and Validus. Only the AT&T version of the s4 has a locked bootloader, starting with Android 4.3 and up.
There has never been an sgh-i337 s4 with a locked bootloader than can run TWRP. Same goes for the AT&T sm-n900a note 3 with a locked bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But there's a forum dedicated to AT&T development full of roms here on xda.
Yes, there is a full section but you need to look at the ROM requirements. Some of these ROMs were developed before AT&T pushed out an OTA update that locked the bootloader. Other ROMs are made for the non-AT&T s4 such as the sgh-i337m and gt-i9505.
You will not see any ROM that is not based off a stock Samsung ROM that can be installed onto an AT&T s4 that has a locked bootloader. Also, you will not see any version of TWRP/CWM/Philz that can be installed onto an AT&T s4 that has a locked bootloader. Same goes for the AT&T sm-n900a.
I understand your skepticism and appreciate your posts as we are all here to learn from each other.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2785166
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4-att/help/ez-unlock-bricked-phone-galaxy-att-s4-t3703235
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4-att/help/help-installed-chainfire3d-phone-doesnt-t3700830
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4-att/help/samsung-galaxy-s4-sgh-i337-ok2-locked-t3458353
Thanks for the clarification. So how do I know if my bootloader is locked? If I took that ota update that messed things up?
The bootloader becomes locked when the phone is updated to Android 4.3 or newer. I think it needs to be on the MDL bootloader to be unlocked. Anything beginning with an "N" or "O" means that the bootloader is locked.
Thanks audit. And I assume that there's no way to go backwards to a pre-4.3 rom and unlock that bootloader.
So. I'm on 4.44 rooted. Do i remove root and take any ota and reroot? I guess that I'll settle for going as high as possible with the stock rom but rooted with the ability to disable some of the bloatware.
How can I proceed?
In those links that you mentioned, it states that we can flash debloated TouchWiz roms that might be better than stock. Is that right? So can I do that?
You will need to install safestrap to flash a custom ROM. The debloated ROMs must be based off a ROM that is designed for the AT&T s4.
I recommend reading through this thread: https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2616221
Audit... I odined back to nb1, rooted, and used flashify to get to rooted stock oc3.
How can I get to ok3? And should I leave ota services frozen so as to not ruin and loose root?
OTA will not work with a rooted phone.
Maybe this will help: https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=56453108&postcount=2
I don't have an sgh-i337 so I can't tell you how to get back to a completely stock ROM to get OTA updates. I have the sgh-i337m which is the Canadian version of the s4 without a locked bootloader.
I wrote a guide and FAQ revolving around the MDL bootloader here (if anyone cares to read it):
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4-att/general/how-to-one-guide-to-mdl-bootloader-t3584122

System software not authorized by ATT has been found on your phone

Here are my phone specs
Samsung Galaxy S4 AT&T Android Version 4.4.4,
Baseband ver. i337UCUFNJ4,
Build # KTU84p.i337UCUFNJ4
So far, I have successfully rooted my S4 device using this guide
Link: https://forum.xda-developers.com/ga...to-root-i337ucufnj4-4-4-4-11-13-2014-t2939553
So far, this guide worked out well. I wanted to install Lineage OS and TWRP. I downloaded the TWRP app and flashed to recovery. Everytime I reboot my phone, there is a samsung logo and underneath the logo is a unlocked padlock. When I boot the device in recovery mode (Home + Volume up + Power button), I am prompted an error saying "System software not authorized by ATT has been found on your phone". The phone boots perfectly normal if I don't go in recovery mode.
Need help on flashing my phone back to normal to its factory stock to retry this again.
The phone has a locked bootloader. It cannot run twrp and cannot run a custom ROM unless that ROM is based on a custom ROM.
Useful information can be found here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2616221
audit13 said:
The phone has a locked bootloader. It cannot run twrp and cannot run a custom ROM unless that ROM is based on a custom ROM.
Useful information can be found here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2616221
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If the bootloader is locked, how was I able to root the device?
Rooting affects the ROM, not the bootloader.
There are several phones with a locked bootloader that can be rooted.
Root information: https://www.xda-developers.com/how-to-root/
Bootloader information: https://forum.xda-developers.com/wiki/Bootloader
audit13 said:
Rooting affects the ROM, not the bootloader.
There are several phones with a locked bootloader that can be rooted.
Root information: https://www.xda-developers.com/how-to-root/
Bootloader information: https://forum.xda-developers.com/wiki/Bootloader
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can I downgrade the software from Android 4.4.4 to 4.4.2?
I'm not sure if you can downgrade from 4.4.4 to 4.4.2 as I've never had an sgh-i337.
Was in a similar situation as you, so what I did was use safestrap to run Thor Rom, you can't downgrade to fix the bootloader nor install roms apart from those Touchwiz ones. Heads up about the Thor rom one: clear the data from the download manager before trying to download stuff from the play store. If you got any other issues with the rom feel free to ask (My S4 broke a while back though)
safwanz1 said:
Was in a similar situation as you, so what I did was use safestrap to run Thor Rom, you can't downgrade to fix the bootloader nor install roms apart from those Touchwiz ones. Heads up about the Thor rom one: clear the data from the download manager before trying to download stuff from the play store. If you got any other issues with the rom feel free to ask (My S4 broke a while back though)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi
I want to downgrade my Android 4.4.4 to Android 4.4.2 because there are more ROM options for 4.4.2 touchwiz. Is this possible on the att s4?
https://i.imgur.com/PtBz9Gd.jpg
On step #4, how do you install the ATT Kernel Modules?
s4androiduser said:
Hi
I want to downgrade my Android 4.4.4 to Android 4.4.2 because there are more ROM options for 4.4.2 touchwiz. Is this possible on the att s4?
https://i.imgur.com/PtBz9Gd.jpg
On step #4, how do you install the ATT Kernel Modules?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It should be, 4.4.2 is the lowest you can downgrade to. I'm not sure exactly but it might be done through Odin

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