[Q] Need help with unlocking Bootloader - AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshootin

I am running Android 4.4.2 KitKat on my At&t Samsung Galaxy S4 SGH-I337. I have looked at so many forums and threads but none of them have been about an At&t S4 running 4.4.2. Can someone please help me with unlocking the bootloader of this thing since I want to get CM11 on it and I can't just switch phones since I am a student and didn't pay for the device. I would really appreciate a solid process instead of various vague ones since I had soft-bricked my phone and was fortunately able to recover it.

pulkitanand said:
I am running Android 4.4.2 KitKat on my At&t Samsung Galaxy S4 SGH-I337. I have looked at so many forums and threads but none of them have been about an At&t S4 running 4.4.2. Can someone please help me with unlocking the bootloader of this thing since I want to get CM11 on it and I can't just switch phones since I am a student and didn't pay for the device. I would really appreciate a solid process instead of various vague ones since I had soft-bricked my phone and was fortunately able to recover it.
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Click to collapse
Bootloader is locked down tight. Cm11 won't work, but there is a working Google play edition with safestrap
Sent from my GT-I9505G using XDA Free mobile app

Can you give me more information on how I can get this GPE ROM on my S4? Also, is it the legit GPE ROM you are talking about? Will I be able to get updates from it?
Thr33-F0ur said:
Bootloader is locked down tight. Cm11 won't work, but there is a working Google play edition with safestrap
Sent from my GT-I9505G using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2616221
there are two GPE roms that are currently working right now.

Thanks Soulflame22 for that link. One last thing I need to clarify - are these legit GPE ROMS and will I be able to get future updates?
Soulflame22 said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2616221
there are two GPE roms that are currently working right now.
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Click to collapse

Soulflame22 said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2616221
there are two GPE roms that are currently working right now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would also read up on Hashcodes SafeStrap thread in Dev section.
It doesn't sound like you are close to flashing roms with your current build--
A few days or couple weeks of research can be very beneficial and prevent a bricked phone
Also this will get moved to Q&A
Good luck on the flashing--backup before doing anything new--:good:

Soulflame22 said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2616221
there are two GPE roms that are currently working right now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
pulkitanand said:
Thanks Soulflame22 for that link. One last thing I need to clarify - are these legit GPE ROMS and will I be able to get future updates?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as i know, you can't take OTA updates from google. and yeah you should also read about Safestrap as well. Since that is the only recovery we can use.

Alright, I will read-up on those. But I have seen a few methods in which you use a Loki'd TWRP Recovery? Isn't that possible for my android version as well? Nobody specified in the methods that I saw, that's why I am asking.
rugmankc said:
I would also read up on Hashcodes SafeStrap thread in Dev section.
It doesn't sound like you are close to flashing roms with your current build--
A few days or couple weeks of research can be very beneficial and prevent a bricked phone
Also this will get moved to Q&A
Good luck on the flashing--backup before doing anything new--:good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Oh, okay thanks. Also, can't I use a Loki'd TWRP Recovery? Or is that not an option anymore since I'm running 4.4.2?
Soulflame22 said:
As far as i know, you can't take OTA updates from google. and yeah you should also read about Safestrap as well. Since that is the only recovery we can use.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

What's up man? You can't use loki, TWRP, or anything else except safestrap. Read the link above for everything mk2, nb1, nc1. I know it's a lot, but read it. You should be on NC1, so first read root section for NC1. Then read recovery section and get safestrap 3.73. Then read the installation instructions for NC1 base. The GEE roms are ok, but not without bugs. I tried both of them and they weren't for me because of the bugs. I know it's a lot but those sections should get you there. Good luck k man. Oh yeah. You can't take OTA updates with the GPE rooms either. They are taken from GPE but modified to work with safestrap. The official updates won't work.
---------- Post added at 12:06 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:01 AM ----------
I meant safestrap 3.72. Not 3.73. Sorry. Typo.

pulkitanand said:
Oh, okay thanks. Also, can't I use a Loki'd TWRP Recovery? Or is that not an option anymore since I'm running 4.4.2?
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Click to collapse
Loki from what i understand is for 4.3 or earlier, since you are on 4.4.x, Loki won't work and you can't downgrade it either, sucks i know

Thank you very much for clarifying the whole thing for me. I have read everything in that link given and now I understand how to do it. Have to say, it's quite a bit more to do for us At&t users. I don't know why Samsung chose to lock the bootloader -.-
Bweekzzz said:
What's up man? You can't use loki, TWRP, or anything else except safestrap. Read the link above for everything mk2, nb1, nc1. I know it's a lot, but read it. You should be on NC1, so first read root section for NC1. Then read recovery section and get safestrap 3.73. Then read the installation instructions for NC1 base. The GEE roms are ok, but not without bugs. I tried both of them and they weren't for me because of the bugs. I know it's a lot but those sections should get you there. Good luck k man. Oh yeah. You can't take OTA updates with the GPE rooms either. They are taken from GPE but modified to work with safestrap. The official updates won't work.
---------- Post added at 12:06 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:01 AM ----------
I meant safestrap 3.72. Not 3.73. Sorry. Typo.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Oh, okay thanks for clarifying that. Yeah, it's unfortunate that I can't downgrade :/
Soulflame22 said:
Loki from what i understand is for 4.3 or earlier, since you are on 4.4.x, Loki won't work and you can't downgrade it either, sucks i know
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Click to collapse

Which ROM do you recommend from the list of ROMs given in that link?
Bweekzzz said:
What's up man? You can't use loki, TWRP, or anything else except safestrap. Read the link above for everything mk2, nb1, nc1. I know it's a lot, but read it. You should be on NC1, so first read root section for NC1. Then read recovery section and get safestrap 3.73. Then read the installation instructions for NC1 base. The GEE roms are ok, but not without bugs. I tried both of them and they weren't for me because of the bugs. I know it's a lot but those sections should get you there. Good luck k man. Oh yeah. You can't take OTA updates with the GPE rooms either. They are taken from GPE but modified to work with safestrap. The official updates won't work.
---------- Post added at 12:06 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:01 AM ----------
I meant safestrap 3.72. Not 3.73. Sorry. Typo.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

pulkitanand said:
Which ROM do you recommend from the list of ROMs given in that link?
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Click to collapse
Please read the links and resources on the forums before asking questions. If you bothered to read the GPE pages, they indicate that both roms are pretty much the same as they are based on the same rom. Also, AT&T decided to ship with a locked bootloader. Samsung gives that option to carriers and it's their decision on that.

It really wouldn't matter if I suggested some roms because once you get started you'll be flashing them all sooner or later like most of us. LOL. Honestly the best thing to do is flash one, use it for about a week. If you don't like it, try another one. Once you get the hang of flashing them is not a big deal when you want to try another one. Titanium backup your user apps and restore them after you flash roms. Just the user apps, not system stuff. Easy peasy. What I usually do is do a search on you tube for a review of the rom I wanna try and see if I might like it. The guy from androidrootz usually does good ones. Have fun man. It's quite an addiction at times. LOL.

Haha I know what you mean. I had a Sony Xperia Ion before and I used to mod some little thing on it all the time. It is quite an addiction lol. Yeah I will probably end up doing that although I am hoping that the GPE will be good enough for me. Thanks.
Bweekzzz said:
It really wouldn't matter if I suggested some roms because once you get started you'll be flashing them all sooner or later like most of us. LOL. Honestly the best thing to do is flash one, use it for about a week. If you don't like it, try another one. Once you get the hang of flashing them is not a big deal when you want to try another one. Titanium backup your user apps and restore them after you flash roms. Just the user apps, not system stuff. Easy peasy. What I usually do is do a search on you tube for a review of the rom I wanna try and see if I might like it. The guy from androidrootz usually does good ones. Have fun man. It's quite an addiction at times. LOL.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Oh yeah. And don't even pay attention to some people telling you to do this and that before asking questions, because you didn't bother to read something. How do they know what you read and MAYBE MISSED. They're all geniuses and never need to ask questions.

Okay thanks for the tip.
Bweekzzz said:
Oh yeah. And don't even pay attention to some people telling you to do this and that before asking questions, because you didn't bother to read something. How do they know what you read and MAYBE MISSED. They're all geniuses and never need to ask questions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Related

att s4 mf3 with safestrap/twrp running 4.2.2 but want to use CWM and run 4.4

So i rooted and used safestrap to install my 4.2.2 rom a little while back when that was all that was available. Now i cant find out how people are moving away from this old 4.2.2 junk and moving to 4.3 or 4.4
I know safestrap i have only works with certain TouchWiz roms (found that out when i triend to use CM a while back) and that is a headache only having really the plain google rom available to use.
any help would be appreciated, its been annoying
Read the "pinned" threads in General and Q&A and make sure to read the threads about 4.3 and 4.2 in the same places (General and Q&A sections). The questions you asked have been asked and answered several times already Good luck
Unfortunately on MF3 you only have safestrap and that's it. No CWM recovery exists.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
Thread cleaned.
Lets keep it civil in here alright?
Thank you.
HiTideBlastoise said:
Unfortunately on MF3 you only have safestrap and that's it. No CWM recovery exists.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
THANKS!! wish that other person would of just said that! ive been looking and looking, and there is no possible way to get off MF3? odin and install a flash image from prior to MF3? anything? haha
i tried to install CWM like an idiot cause i couldnt find anything saying NO and it soft bricked my phone, got that all sorted out and now just back to the 4.2.2 google rom
just so plain and basic, its the same I had on my skyrocket for a year.. i bought the skyrocket the day it came out and got the s4 the day it came out too.... wanting 4.4 so bad lol
There is a q-fuse that is raised when updated to mf3 preventing a downgrade to happening.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
jmanning91 said:
THANKS!! wish that other person would of just said that! ive been looking and looking, and there is no possible way to get off MF3? odin and install a flash image from prior to MF3? anything? haha
i tried to install CWM like an idiot cause i couldnt find anything saying NO and it soft bricked my phone, got that all sorted out and now just back to the 4.2.2 google rom
just so plain and basic, its the same I had on my skyrocket for a year.. i bought the skyrocket the day it came out and got the s4 the day it came out too.... wanting 4.4 so bad lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Read the second post of this sticky thread, it states if you try to install a custom recovery on MF3 you will hose your device.
Lucky we have the MF3 odin files now so we can recover from soft bricks (that post was created before the MF3 files were leaked).
Glad to hear you got it sorted out though.
rayburne said:
Read the second post of this sticky thread, it states if you try to install a custom recovery on MF3 you will hose your device.
Lucky we have the MF3 odin files now so we can recover from soft bricks (that post was created before the MF3 files were leaked).
Glad to hear you got it sorted out though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does this mean we can now load an old version of the firmware from before mf3?

out dated ? Sgh i337 4.2.2 MF3

Hi! well. i've been out of xda for a while, can any one tell me if there are news about custom recoverys for at&t sgh i337? im running 4.2.2 mf3
since i've been out, i'd like to know if there is any custom recovery or 4.3 upgrade +root/safestrap or something.
it feels 4.2.2 is out-dated now.. any help?
GRGC25 said:
Hi! well. i've been out of xda for a while, can any one tell me if there are news about custom recoverys for at&t sgh i337? im running 4.2.2 mf3
since i've been out, i'd like to know if there is any custom recovery or 4.3 upgrade +root/safestrap or something.
it feels 4.2.2 is out-dated now.. any help?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't want to be a jerk....but there are plenty of posts about the updates you're looking for. I understand you probably don't want to actually read through the forums but that's what you should do instead of posting something like this. There's safestrap for MF3/ root, and 4.3 update and 4.3 root. Good luck.
NO NO and NO...Just read through the many threads about the locked bootloader...
About all you can do is root and Freeze the AT&T software update so you don't
end up with the arguably flaky 4.3 for this phone.
Tremulant1 said:
I don't want to be a jerk....but there are plenty of posts about the updates you're looking for. I understand you probably don't want to actually read through the forums but that's what you should do instead of posting something like this. There's safestrap for MF3/ root, and 4.3 update and 4.3 root. Good luck.
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Click to collapse
well, i was asking about any news. anyways im gonna search for it. thanks anyways
GRGC25 said:
well, i was asking about any news. anyways im gonna search for it. thanks anyways
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Click to collapse
Safestrap 3.70 is still in its early stages for 4.3 and its a beta.. There are only a handful of ROMs that you can flash. I would say go with darthstalker for the time being if you need a custom ROM. If not just root it and customize it yourself.. Good luck in finding more info. It takes time and days of reading to get all the knowledge you need to know about this device.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda premium
[email protected] said:
Safestrap 3.70 is still in its early stages for 4.3 and its a beta.. There are only a handful of ROMs that you can flash. I would say go with darthstalker for the time being if you need a custom ROM. If not just root it and customize it yourself.. Good luck in finding more info. It takes time and days of reading to get all the knowledge you need to know about this device.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah, i actually just found an update.zip which contains mk2 4.3 stock rom and a rooting way who seems safe to be used. i heard 4.3 has battery improovements and open gl3.0 for gaming but i heard 4.3 is also buggy, so it all makes me hesitate, i use xposed modules for customize stock. is not my priority to have a custom room 4.3 yet, im really sorry samsung is makeing everything more complicated
do you think i should give a shoot to 4.3 and root it and then wait for a safestrap?

looking for latest stock update w root-S4 AT&T

first I would like to say please don't flame me if this has been answered elsewhere Lol.I have already tried the search function with no luck.
I have a galaxy s4 AT&T that I just received from warranty and I would like to install the latest update with root capabilities I believe its 4 .3 as I couldn't find anything for 4.4
I'm looking for a package which includes the stock TW 4.3 update w root and cwm.
as I mentioned before I have tried the search function several times as well as looked through the threads in the android development section. If there is a link that you could provide me with i would be immensely grateful.Thanks in advance!
The bootloader is locked. You can't flash a stock package with root. There's also no exploit to flash any recovery. Read the nice clear threads in the general section like the index and root guide for MK2.
Sent from my SGH-I337 running Blackbox 3.0
DeadlySin9 said:
The bootloader is locked. You can't flash a stock package with root. There's also no exploit to flash any recovery. Read the nice clear threads in the general section like the index and root guide for MK2.
Sent from my SGH-I337 running Blackbox 3.0
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am aware of the locked bootloader I didnt realize that was the reason i was unable to flash CWM previously only root. Thanks for the info!
so I just powered on the new device and they shipped it with 4.4 damn it lol. Is there a way to downgrade to 4.3 then root? The reason I chose to stick with TouchWiz is because in the past w my S2 when flashing ROMs there was always some glitch or missing features even w the safest CM roms.so hypothetically speaking if I decided to go with a custom ROM so that I may have CWM could you possibly recommend a good one that will not lack any features or capabilities and stable of course. Thanks
alfizzle said:
I am aware of the locked bootloader I didnt realize that was the reason i was unable to flash CWM previously only root. Thanks for the info!
so I just powered on the new device and they shipped it with 4.4 damn it lol. Is there a way to downgrade to 4.3 then root? The reason I chose to stick with TouchWiz is because in the past w my S2 when flashing ROMs there was always some glitch or missing features even w the safest CM roms.so hypothetically speaking if I decided to go with a custom ROM so that I may have CWM could you possibly recommend a good one that will not lack any features or capabilities and stable of course. Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to do a lot of reading. See the general forum and read all you can on nb1 and mk2. There is a work around to get a rooted, touch wiz rom on your device. But you won't get cwm on your device. Look for safestrap too
Sent from my Nexus 5
HOLY S**T!!! you werent joking when you said alot of reading...wow. Finally finished...then wifi/data wasnt working so it took a little extra time and research(8hours total LOL) but i got everything up including safestrap! Thanks for the guidance. very much appreciated!!!!:highfive:
alfizzle said:
HOLY S**T!!! you werent joking when you said alot of reading...wow. Finally finished...then wifi/data wasnt working so it took a little extra time and research(8hours total LOL) but i got everything up including safestrap! Thanks for the guidance. very much appreciated!!!!:highfive:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good job! Now you know how to do it. And, yea, lots of good stuff out there but did take awhile to digest it all.
Sent from my Nexus 5

Double check before I root

I just acquired a GS4 from ATT today. it is:
Android 4.4.2 (which I upgraded myself)
Baseband V: I337UCUFNC1
I found this thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2663545 But I wanted to make sure there is not anything newer or different since then. I wasn't able to find anything else by searching. I'm trying to root this phone to use CyanogenMod. Unfortunately, my phone is not supported in their list of easy installs.
Can someone verify the steps for me to root and flash Cyan to this model phone before I pull the trigger? Thanks!
burgertime78 said:
I just acquired a GS4 from ATT today. it is:
Android 4.4.2 (which I upgraded myself)
Baseband V: I337UCUFNC1
I found this thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2663545 But I wanted to make sure there is not anything newer or different since then. I wasn't able to find anything else by searching. I'm trying to root this phone to use CyanogenMod. Unfortunately, my phone is not supported in their list of easy installs.
Can someone verify the steps for me to root and flash Cyan to this model phone before I pull the trigger? Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can't flash anything other than Touch Wiz Roms. That guide and ones like The Ultimate All in one Guide will be a starting place. No custom recoveries either.
Sent from my GT-I9505G using Tapatalk
rugmankc said:
You can't flash anything other than Touch Wiz Roms. That guide and ones like The Ultimate All in one Guide will be a starting place. No custom recoveries either.
Sent from my GT-I9505G using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So what's the problem? ATT? too new a hardware version? I have the worst luck with this stuff - if I buy a router to flash a custom firmware like Tomato, it's the ONLY version that isn't supported. crazy.
I'm not sure what a custom recovery is unfortunately. That said, can I root this phone at all? I guess if I can't flash the rom I want to use, can I at least install titanium and freeze all the crapware that I don't want running?
btw - thanks for the response.
burgertime78 said:
So what's the problem? ATT? too new a hardware version? I have the worst luck with this stuff - if I buy a router to flash a custom firmware like Tomato, it's the ONLY version that isn't supported. crazy.
I'm not sure what a custom recovery is unfortunately. That said, can I root this phone at all? I guess if I can't flash the rom I want to use, can I at least install titanium and freeze all the crapware that I don't want running?
btw - thanks for the response.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any build after mdl has the bootloader locked down. If you read thru those two threads OP pages you get an idea. You will also need to get familiar with SafeStrap. I am on the old build and can use an exploit called loki-doki to bypass Sammy's security check and allow kernel to flash.
There may be some new stuff on rooting NC1, but I don't keep up. Basically you had to go back to mk2 to root then go back NC1 and use SafeStrap to flash only TW roms. The SafeStrap thread will explain that. But, it creates slots on the System partition again fooling Sammy. More or less--
Like I said not an expert as I don't have the issue you have with bootloader. But that is the gist of it. Just need to read up so you don't brick--good luck.
rugmankc said:
Any build after mdl has the bootloader locked down. If you read thru those two threads OP pages you get an idea. You will also need to get familiar with SafeStrap. I am on the old build and can use an exploit called loki-doki to bypass Sammy's security check and allow kernel to flash.
There may be some new stuff on rooting NC1, but I don't keep up. Basically you had to go back to mk2 to root then go back NC1 and use SafeStrap to flash only TW roms. The SafeStrap thread will explain that. But, it creates slots on the System partition again fooling Sammy. More or less--
Like I said not an expert as I don't have the issue you have with bootloader. But that is the gist of it. Just need to read up so you don't brick--good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
DAMN! Thanks!
burgertime78 said:
DAMN! Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good Luck
There are plenty of folks here to help with specifics like jd and tedusa--:good:
burgertime78 said:
I just acquired a GS4 from ATT today. it is:
Android 4.4.2 (which I upgraded myself)
Baseband V: I337UCUFNC1
I found this thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2663545 But I wanted to make sure there is not anything newer or different since then. I wasn't able to find anything else by searching. I'm trying to root this phone to use CyanogenMod. Unfortunately, my phone is not supported in their list of easy installs.
Can someone verify the steps for me to root and flash Cyan to this model phone before I pull the trigger? Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
New way to root is call towelroot. Google it or search for it around here the link is everywhere. It's an apk file made by geohot (same guy that jail broke the iphone and ps3). Once you root you can install safestrap. If you've ever owned an droid device they have something identical called boot strap. Think of it as a dual boot of sorts. Definitely keep your eyes on these threads as well as the sgs5 thread. If an exploit is discovered it'll probably be for the s5 and will be compatible with our s4 (towel root was made for the s5 but works for a whole bunch of devices)
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
burgertime78 said:
DAMN! Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=52167774&postcount=3&nocache=1&z=8413408249616623
I was in the same boat as you 2 weeks ago, bought a NC1 and wanted CM, and used this to root. I currently use the Google Edition ROM that has been modified to work on locked bootloader phones, though it does have it's fallbacks. For someone new I'd recommend GoldenEye, just click the link on my signature to download it.
Good luck!
Oh, btw--check out GEOHOT's Towelroot thread in General for NC1. I knew I forgot one. That was the recent method I was thinking of. Not sure which of threads are best for you--depends what you want to do.
---------- Post added at 10:38 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:37 PM ----------
HaHa posted at same time.
You all are AWESOME! Thank you so much! I'll look into this and keep you posted.
rugmankc said:
Oh, btw--check out GEOHOT's Towelroot thread in General for NC1. I knew I forgot one. That was the recent method I was thinking of. Not sure which of threads are best for you--depends what you want to do.
---------- Post added at 10:38 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:37 PM ----------
HaHa posted at same time.
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Click to collapse
I just towelrooted. It worked! I was watching this video http://gs5.wonderhowto.com/how-to/r...nt-even-at-t-verizon-20-seconds-flat-0155617/ and I did it while I Was watching the video. On my device, it did not even reboot - i just said "should be rooted" so I loaded a root checker and sure enough, it is rooted! took all of about 8 seconds.
Now, on to a rom.
I'm confused now. Why can I not use CM? I read about SafeStrap and I understand it's sort of a dual boot setup - I get that. So, in a sense, I'm not really installing FRESH, a new rom - at least not in the sense that you format your hard disk and install a new OS. However, what ARE my choices in roms? I know the whiz touch, and now the golden eye, plus the google modified - but what else? I want something cut down, simple and battery friendly. I'm not a super power user and I don't require much. Actually, battery life is the most important thing to me.
This is my business phone - I use Gmail, SMS, maybe take a few pictures - and I listen to podcasts. very basic user. Advice?
burgertime78 said:
I just towelrooted. It worked! I was watching this video http://gs5.wonderhowto.com/how-to/r...nt-even-at-t-verizon-20-seconds-flat-0155617/ and I did it while I Was watching the video. On my device, it did not even reboot - i just said "should be rooted" so I loaded a root checker and sure enough, it is rooted! took all of about 8 seconds.
Now, on to a rom.
I'm confused now. Why can I not use CM? I read about SafeStrap and I understand it's sort of a dual boot setup - I get that. So, in a sense, I'm not really installing FRESH, a new rom - at least not in the sense that you format your hard disk and install a new OS. However, what ARE my choices in roms? I know the whiz touch, and now the golden eye, plus the google modified - but what else? I want something cut down, simple and battery friendly. I'm not a super power user and I don't require much. Actually, battery life is the most important thing to me.
This is my business phone - I use Gmail, SMS, maybe take a few pictures - and I listen to podcasts. very basic user. Advice?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
MDL builds have an exploit that allows the kernel to flash. That is loki-doki. Bypasses the Sammy security check to allow this. There is no exploit yet for post MDL builds. Hence you can only flash stock Touch Wiz kernels, thus only roms that have them. So, no aosp based roms. In one of the threads in General that talk about MK2/NC1 etc is a list of roms for you. I forget the technical coding side of SafeStrap. But, it puts roms in System bypassing the bootloader. But, no way of doing that with aosp roms yet.
I am old and don't retain things much anymore if they are not very important to me. So, although I have read up on this stuff, and have a "45 year old" Engineering Degree, I don't need SafeStrap having the MDL bootloader. So, don't remember all that I have read. But, what I said is the basics of it.
Your roms need to have SafeStrap option in the rom thread's OP page. If not listed, it won't work. Having said all that things like Towelroot are new and more options may come along. :good:

[Q] Trying to ROM a AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4

Is there any way to unlock the bootloader on a Samsung-SGH-I727 from AT&T? I'm trying to flash this rom http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2341794
Thanks for your help
Assume you mean SGH-i337 s4
If your build version is above MDL which I would assume it is you can't flash aosp roms. Just Touch Wiz roms with Touch Wiz kernel. No custom recoveries/ kernels etc.
Your bootloader is locked and no way to bypass Sammy security check when rebooting. You will need to use SafeStrap to flash roms.
Look in General section for thread "[Index] All Things ATT MK2" and Hashcodes thread in Dev Section on SafeStrap. Read up good on the two threads--:good:
rugmankc said:
Assume you mean SGH-i337 s4
If your build version is above MDL which I would assume it is you can't flash aosp roms. Just Touch Wiz roms with Touch Wiz kernel. No custom recoveries/ kernels etc.
Your bootloader is locked and no way to bypass Sammy security check when rebooting. You will need to use SafeStrap to flash roms.
Look in General section for thread "[Index] All Things ATT MK2" and Hashcodes thread in Dev Section on SafeStrap. Read up good on the two threads--:good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
its still on stock 4.2.2. If i use safestrap I can flash only Touch Wiz ROMs? I was talking to a guy on Craigslist who said he can unlock the bootloader for $30. He says its really hard but possible. Does he know what he's talking about? Sorry I'm such a noob.
reconforce said:
its still on stock 4.2.2. If i use safestrap I can flash only Touch Wiz ROMs? I was talking to a guy on Craigslist who said he can unlock the bootloader for $30. He says its really hard but possible. Does he know what he's talking about? Sorry I'm such a noob.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He doesn't know what he's talking about.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
reconforce said:
its still on stock 4.2.2. If i use safestrap I can flash only Touch Wiz ROMs? I was talking to a guy on Craigslist who said he can unlock the bootloader for $30. He says its really hard but possible. Does he know what he's talking about? Sorry I'm such a noob.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't follow the the numbers like 4.2.2 is that MF3 or MDL build?
rugmankc said:
I don't follow the the numbers like 4.2.2 is that MF3 or MDL build?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there a place in the settings I can look? The phone is totally stock 4.2.2 from AT&T. I only rooted it with towelroot.
I really want a phone that's stock. If i can't get a stock like ROM on this phone I'm gunna sell it. What would you recommend? I'm looking for a $300 ish phone with a SD card or lots of internal space (I need to store stuff). Is there a Nexus like phone with an SD card? I would buy a One Plus One 64GB but i can't get an invite.
you are on mf3 build.
you will need to update to flash newer build roms but not aosp roms. there are a couple GE roms with, I believe, TW kernels to flash. but have some issues last time i checked.
i don't have the links to get from mf3 to nb1/nc1 atm
lots of new phones are out not sure which ones have sdcards on google phones
---------- Post added at 06:15 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:12 PM ----------
I didn't here good things about their Customer Support
But, have tried here--
http://oneplus.net/support/topic/invites
here's an aosp safestrap rom that seems to be working fairly well. you will to update to nc1, i believe. will need to do some research on it and look at links i posted before--:good:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4-att/development/rom-google-edition-s4-t2837239
rugmankc said:
here's an aosp safestrap rom that seems to be working fairly well. you will to update to nc1, i believe. will need to do some research on it and look at links i posted before--:good:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4-att/development/rom-google-edition-s4-t2837239
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What does updating mf3 to nb1/nc1 mean? Do just install the latest software update? I'm really confused.
I am not in your situation so no hands on exp. I think you Odin NB1 to start. It will take a lot of reading in the two threads I mentioned in post two. NC1 is the latest build from att.
I always read the threads OP page several times and the last 30 pages or so of the thread when trying to learn a new rom.
Depending on your exp level it can take time so as not to get in trouble. I don't recommend going to fast in rooting and flashing, but learning why you are doing the steps and not just doing them.
Someone will help with more exp at doing what you need to do. I think you will odin NB1 and then take NC1 update then root and install SafeStrap.
See this thread and post 5.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2616221
But just don't do it, read the thread like suggested and the SafeStrap thread here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2448925
WE can answer more questions as you progress. Make whatecer backups you can along the way and keep a copy on pc also.
There are three safe-strap roms in development that are not touchwhiz that you can flash.
rugmankc said:
I am not in your situation so no hands on exp. I think you Odin NB1 to start. It will take a lot of reading in the two threads I mentioned in post two. NC1 is the latest build from att.
I always read the threads OP page several times and the last 30 pages or so of the thread when trying to learn a new rom.
Depending on your exp level it can take time so as not to get in trouble. I don't recommend going to fast in rooting and flashing, but learning why you are doing the steps and not just doing them.
Someone will help with more exp at doing what you need to do. I think you will odin NB1 and then take NC1 update then root and install SafeStrap.
See this thread and post 5.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2616221
But just don't do it, read the thread like suggested and the SafeStrap thread here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2448925
WE can answer more questions as you progress. Make whatecer backups you can along the way and keep a copy on pc also.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I used safestrap it would have the stock Samsung android 4.2.2 and one of the three safestap ROMs? so that'd use twice the space?
I'm gunna buy a different phone. does anymore know of a phone that has an unlocked bootloader with specs close to the s4 and have a SD card slot?
I would go with HTC One.
Sent from my AT&T Galaxy S4
reconforce said:
If I used safestrap it would have the stock Samsung android 4.2.2 and one of the three safestap ROMs? so that'd use twice the space?
I'm gunna buy a different phone. does anymore know of a phone that has an unlocked bootloader with specs close to the s4 and have a SD card slot?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
TMobile S4

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