[Q] I've become an Idiot. (For Sprint) - Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Alrighty then, I've been gone a good while, and now no longer know what I'm doing, which I know is dangerous.
I'd picked up an S4 for myself and my mother last Black Friday, and that same night, rooted both our phones. I also know that within a good week, an OTA update had been put out, but I'd blown it off, as I couldn't get it going and finishing up my bach and getting into grad school took over my life. That said, I recently got my father's line upgraded to an S4 (it was a dollar and he wanted it, so eh). It forced me to remember my own phone and it's horribly outdated self, and so I have returned.
As it stands now, I do not know what or how to go about getting this puppy up to speed, or even how to really explain where I'm at software wise, so I took a couple snapshots of the phone info, hoping I could get a hand with it.
Any help you guys could give would be appreciated.
Also, not sure if this means anything, but the System update it says I have downloaded will not install.

You have android 4.3 and the latest version is 4.4.2.
Upgrade to 4.4.2 for your phone and then you can flash the latest custom roms for android version 4.4.2 if you are out of warranty and do not wish to use knox.
Youre not outdated. Just a version behind. There are not many changes in 4.4.2 stock rom.
Thank me if I helped
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S4 via XDA app.

Related

[Q] Android L: Available Without OTA Update?

Hey guys. First off, I'm new (this is my first post) so if I say/ do something wrong, please be considerate.
So I read somewhere that the new version of Android, Android L, might be coming out as early as December for the Samsung Galaxy S5. Earlier this year I got a Galaxy S5 and as it is my first Android, I wanted it to be the best it could. After a while I decided that it would be a good idea to root it, but as it is a Verizon model, it didn't look like I was going to be able to since the bootloader is locked. Luckily once towelroot came out I was able to root it, thankfully.
A month or two later, an OTA update came out, for Kitkat 4.4.3, and after several tries at installing it, I figured out the hard way that once you root your phone, OTA updates don't work anymore.
With all this being said, I'm a little concerned that I wont be able to get the next version of android on my phone. Even if it does come out in an OTA update, I know I wont be able to install it and since the bootloader is locked, I wont be able to flash it onto my phone.
Is there any hope that I'll be able to get Android L, or am I going to be stuck with Kitkat 4.4.2?
omega_927 said:
Hey guys. First off, I'm new (this is my first post) so if I say/ do something wrong, please be considerate.
So I read somewhere that the new version of Android, Android L, might be coming out as early as December for the Samsung Galaxy S5. Earlier this year I got a Galaxy S5 and as it is my first Android, I wanted it to be the best it could. After a while I decided that it would be a good idea to root it, but as it is a Verizon model, it didn't look like I was going to be able to since the bootloader is locked. Luckily once towelroot came out I was able to root it, thankfully.
A month or two later, an OTA update came out, for Kitkat 4.4.3, and after several tries at installing it, I figured out the hard way that once you root your phone, OTA updates don't work anymore.
With all this being said, I'm a little concerned that I wont be able to get the next version of android on my phone. Even if it does come out in an OTA update, I know I wont be able to install it and since the bootloader is locked, I wont be able to flash it onto my phone.
Is there any hope that I'll be able to get Android L, or am I going to be stuck with Kitkat 4.4.2?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know anything about L coming out but you can get all the updates you want. All the info you need is in threads here and in the general forum. You can always odin back to stock and take OTA updates. Or you can install which ever version you want via odin and then root from there.
Edit: In reading an article a while ago over @ techradar, I think we'll be seeing L sooner than you think. The thinking seems to go that when the Note 4 drops with L on it, Sammy will push it to their top tier phones right away after that...

[Q] Rooting Note III Question

Yes, this has probably been gone over ad nauseum throughout the site. Due to time constraints I cannot dig through the forums as much as I'd like, so I'm simply going to ask.
Phone: Samsung Note III (SM-N900V)
Carrier: Verizon Wireless
OS Version: 4.4.2
Baseband Version: N900VVRUCNC4
Kernal Version: 3.4.0
Build Number: KOT49H.N900VVRUCNC4
Hardware Version: N900V.07
It was purchased November 2013 with OS 4.3. Over the summer I accepted the OTA update to 4.4.2. My phone went to hell. Battery gets chewed through like a woodchipper, phone is horribly laggy, antenna connection is always 1-2 bars under where it was prior to update (and doesn't get reception in areas it did before), changes to the UI are less than desirable, etc.
The phone was never rooted, as this was the first phone I've ever had that worked well enough on stock software that I skipped it.
After giving it a few months on the update and trying changes/tweaks within the updated stock software to fix the issues the update caused, I'm at the end of my patience. Contacting support at both Verizon and Samsung was pointless, with one blaming the other for the problems.
What I'd love is to take the OS back to 4.3 and leave it, but in lieu of that I want to root the hell out of it and put a build on without these issues and a better antenna software. I'd prefer not to void the KNOX, but at this point I'd microwave it if it'd help.
I have no backups or root access from before the update to base a root on. I tried towelroot; install button doesn't work and I understand the maker Geohot works for Google now. I started to play with Odin, however the install seems to have an oddly high amount of other software it wants to install, and even after declining those it doesn't want to install (tried 3.09 and 3.10, I'm using Windows 7 w/latest SP and updates). Also, it drives my AV software crazy, so even turning that off and working with it didn't get me very far.
So, at this point, I'm open to most anything to get this crap off my phone, and my only requirement is that I don't brick it.
Options?
Thanks in advance for any help.
HarlockTaliesin said:
Yes, this has probably been gone over ad nauseum throughout the site. Due to time constraints I cannot dig through the forums as much as I'd like, so I'm simply going to ask.
Phone: Samsung Note III (SM-N900V)
Carrier: Verizon Wireless
OS Version: 4.4.2
Baseband Version: N900VVRUCNC4
Kernal Version: 3.4.0
Build Number: KOT49H.N900VVRUCNC4
Hardware Version: N900V.07
It was purchased November 2013 with OS 4.3. Over the summer I accepted the OTA update to 4.4.2. My phone went to hell. Battery gets chewed through like a woodchipper, phone is horribly laggy, antenna connection is always 1-2 bars under where it was prior to update (and doesn't get reception in areas it did before), changes to the UI are less than desirable, etc.
The phone was never rooted, as this was the first phone I've ever had that worked well enough on stock software that I skipped it.
After giving it a few months on the update and trying changes/tweaks within the updated stock software to fix the issues the update caused, I'm at the end of my patience. Contacting support at both Verizon and Samsung was pointless, with one blaming the other for the problems.
What I'd love is to take the OS back to 4.3 and leave it, but in lieu of that I want to root the hell out of it and put a build on without these issues and a better antenna software. I'd prefer not to void the KNOX, but at this point I'd microwave it if it'd help.
I have no backups or root access from before the update to base a root on. I tried towelroot; install button doesn't work and I understand the maker Geohot works for Google now. I started to play with Odin, however the install seems to have an oddly high amount of other software it wants to install, and even after declining those it doesn't want to install (tried 3.09 and 3.10, I'm using Windows 7 w/latest SP and updates). Also, it drives my AV software crazy, so even turning that off and working with it didn't get me very far.
So, at this point, I'm open to most anything to get this crap off my phone, and my only requirement is that I don't brick it.
Options?
Thanks in advance for any help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is the best breakdown of what you need to do. Click here, scroll till you see the blue outline for NC4 OTA.
Be sure to hit "thanks" on @az_biker link for this tutorial!
Unfortunately this won't work, I've already tried. When running the towelroot installer the Install button is not clickable. The other buttons function normally.
Op did you ever hey the note rooted....did you get the towel root to work
chefb said:
Op did you ever hey the note rooted....did you get the towel root to work
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No to both, unfortunately.
I've had no issues with towelroot. But for giggles make sure you have install from unknown source checked, and then unlock your developer options and make sure USB debug is enabled, then give it another shot.
Sent from my Baja'd 4.4.2 Note 3
cjamison08 said:
I've had no issues with towelroot. But for giggles make sure you have install from unknown source checked, and then unlock your developer options and make sure USB debug is enabled, then give it another shot.
Sent from my Baja'd 4.4.2 Note 3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
did you take a ota
I have not, since the leaked NC2 firmware was leaked out. However on my s4 I just used towelroot with the latest NC5 firmware, and it worked flawlessly.
Sent from my Alliance 4.4.2 Note 3

[Q] trying to update

hey everyone im very new and i would really appreciate if you could help me with this little problem. I got a old s5 from my sister and i noticed it hadn't been updated since she got it. Now, here is where the problem starts, she was using Verizon and i have T-mobile the phone is unlocked but it wont update the os normally... I have no idea how this all works but i think its not updating because its trying to update through Verizon....
so is there a way i can change this phone to t mobile or do i need to self install the os updates myself?
if so then i know that i need to towel root it and i have the program downloaded and installed my device info is blow if you need other information please let me know and i will provide it asap ....plz and thank you
MODEL NUMBER: SM-G900V
ANDROID VERSION: 4.4.2
BASE BAND VERSION: G900VVRU1ANG
KERNEL VERSION:3.4.0
Blaze-209 said:
hey everyone im very new and i would really appreciate if you could help me with this little problem. I got a old s5 from my sister and i noticed it hadn't been updated since she got it. Now, here is where the problem starts, she was using Verizon and i have T-mobile the phone is unlocked but it wont update the os normally... I have no idea how this all works but i think its not updating because its trying to update through Verizon....
so is there a way i can change this phone to t mobile or do i need to self install the os updates myself?
if so then i know that i need to
Are root it and i have the program downloaded and installed my device info is blow if you need other information please let me know and i will provide it asap ....plz and thank you
MODEL NUMBER: SM-G900V
ANDROID VERSION: 4.4.2
BASE BAND VERSION: G900VVRU1ANG
KERNEL VERSION:3.4.0
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you wanting to root it or just upgrade the firmware? Have you ever used Odin?
Try connecting to kies if you just want to upgrade firmware.
Tulsadiver said:
Are you wanting to root it or just upgrade the firmware? Have you ever used Odin?
Try connecting to kies if you just want to upgrade firmware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I:silly:'ve only done that stuff on my old iPhone, but when i switched to android it was like coming from north korea to china. Its just so much freedom I've never experienced before and i'm super happy i'm here( china i guess) but i couldn't imagine what america freedom feels like...and i'm guessing having it rooted and flashing custom Kernel would be like coming to america. I doubt ill ever get around to using those things to there full potential, so i guess ill just upgrade the firmware... unless you have movies or stories of the freedom im missing i doubt ill venture out to go find it. thank you for your info and looking forward to your reply
Blaze-209 said:
I:silly:'ve only done that stuff on my old iPhone, but when i switched to android it was like coming from north korea to china. Its just so much freedom I've never experienced before and i'm super happy i'm here( china i guess) but i couldn't imagine what america freedom feels like...and i'm guessing having it rooted and flashing custom Kernel would be like coming to america. I doubt ill ever get around to using those things to there full potential, so i guess ill just upgrade the firmware... unless you have movies or stories of the freedom im missing i doubt ill venture out to go find it. thank you for your info and looking forward to your reply
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No custom kernel for us. We have a locked bootloader. We do have custom Roms. I would root but that is just me. I dislike all the bloatware if nothing else. You don't have to use your phone any differently but you never know when you will come across a great app or something and it requires root.
You are on the right firmware for root. Install towelroot, make it rain, download SuperSU from the playstore, install and update the binaries (it will ask you to) choose the normal method. Reboot your phone and you are rooted. I would go a step further and download busybox from the play store, install the app then install busybox, then install safestrap which is our custom recovery.
You can still just run a stock ROM if you wish but you now have the ability to change your phone to a certain degree. At least get rid of some bloatware. Otherwise, I'd try kies first and see if it will update your phone.
http://www.samsung.com/us/kies/

[Q] Downgrading from CM12 nightly to CM10.2?

About a month ago, I decided to take a leap and try the new CM12 nightly on my GS4 (L720).....what a horrible idea that was. Half the themes don't work properly, I couldn't get any form of data access because it kept popping up a message "No APN specified on device" but there's no APN settings as there was with previous (FULL) versions, as well as many other issues. I had another GS4 with a solid version of CM10.2 (I think, may have been 10.1) but the screen shattered on that one and I had to get a new one through insurance claim. I've heard that because of something in updated versions of Android (ie, 5.x over 4.4.4) that won't allow downgrading. Is this true, or can I just flash a stable version of 10.2 after reformatting my phone in recovery? If what I've heard IS true, is there any way I can at least get back to stock 4.4.4 if nothing else? I'm not about to go in blindly despite my lack of patience for this thing and potentially brick my phone o.o
mehpersonguy0 said:
About a month ago, I decided to take a leap and try the new CM12 nightly on my GS4 (L720).....what a horrible idea that was. Half the themes don't work properly, I couldn't get any form of data access because it kept popping up a message "No APN specified on device" but there's no APN settings as there was with previous (FULL) versions, as well as many other issues. I had another GS4 with a solid version of CM10.2 (I think, may have been 10.1) but the screen shattered on that one and I had to get a new one through insurance claim. I've heard that because of something in updated versions of Android (ie, 5.x over 4.4.4) that won't allow downgrading. Is this true, or can I just flash a stable version of 10.2 after reformatting my phone in recovery? If what I've heard IS true, is there any way I can at least get back to stock 4.4.4 if nothing else? I'm not about to go in blindly despite my lack of patience for this thing and potentially brick my phone o.o
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also, for at least a week before I did, I kept getting a message about the OTA 5.0 update, yet last I knew they hadn't fully perfected/released 5.0 for the Sprint GS4, but had already pushed on AT&T, Verizon, etc. months prior. Is 5.0 not meant to run on the L720? (Not the Tri-band. I got an L720T/Sprint Spark variant out of the box when I upgraded, but they replace it with a standard LTE L720 whenever I get a replacement through insurance...what I get for going to worst buy?)
You can't downgrade the firmware, you can flash any ROM I want.
Lollipop is running fantastic. Check out my ROM Wicked X- http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=3115583

Couple of hours old Note4 bootlooping? please guys help I'm totally new to Android :(

Hey guys!
I just bought my Samsung Galaxy Note 4 phone from T-Mobile Hungary today. I brought it home , turned it on, and I saw KitKat. He offered me the upgrade to Lollipop, he even downloaded it, and then it said it would start the installation progress, it restarted and when it turned on recovery booting it said "error" With a +!+ in a red triangle and restarted again and I see KitKat, Lollipop is nowhere.*
The phone is a couple hours old, no root , nothing.*
Could you please help me
Magica01 said:
Hey guys!
I just bought my Samsung Galaxy Note 4 phone from T-Mobile Hungary today. I brought it home , turned it on, and I saw KitKat. He offered me the upgrade to Lollipop, he even downloaded it, and then it said it would start the installation progress, it restarted and when it turned on recovery booting it said "error" With a +!+ in a red triangle and restarted again and I see KitKat, Lollipop is nowhere.*
The phone is a couple hours old, no root , nothing.*
Could you please help me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If it's only a couple of hours old, and all you've done is update the stock ROM to Lollipop, you'd be best to bring it back to the store - just to be on the safe side. Maybe you'll get a new replacement.
Samsung just called me they said they will replace it with a new one tomorrow. I wouldn't like to root it yet anyway not until I am a bit more into Android.
Good news, wise move - better safe than sorry with a brand new device, just in case there is a hardware problem. Hope the new one is OK for you.

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