Database Users

[Q] Downgrade from 4.2 to 4.1.2

Some apps not working after updated to 4.2, so I'm considering back to 4.1.2.
Though I never done this before since the day I get Nexus 7,
I think use Wug's Nexus Root Toolkit should get it done.
But just for sure:
1. Do I need to unlock/root to flash factory 4.1.2 image? (I think it is not but not so sure)
2. Directory structure seems different from 4.1.2, is it OK just using Toolkit to backup/restore settings?
(Sorry for my English if anything looks impolite)

1) unlock bootloader yes; root no, as you're going to overwrite the system anyways.
Also I'd suggest not using a toolkit, just download the factory image off google's page and run the "flash-all.bat"
2) Use Titanium Backup to backup all app data, wipe after flashing 4.1.2 and then restore apps + data with Titanium again

I just downgraded this morning. All your data will be wiped .. ALL YOUR DATA ... meaning, after I got back to 4.1.2 I was having 13GB of free space on the tablet (out of 13 possible) .
So, if you HAVE a nandroid from the 4.1.2 days, save it to your computer (along with all your files).
If you don't have a 4.1.2 nandroid, at least create now a backup repository with whatever tool you prefer and then save the respective files to PC.
Then, flash the factory image for 4.1.2.
Then copy all your files back to the internal memory, install the backup tool and restore your apps.
The reason behind this is that the update from 4.1.2 to 4.2 has some scripts that are porting the original /data and /sdcard mounts to the new structure used in 4.2
When downgrading, you no longer have scripts to do that for you so the newly installed 4.1.2 will not recognize anything so it will bootloop like crazy (I tried first to restore just the /system ... but all the other data was already affected by the update so was no longer usable).

My thoughts:
If you got the ota, and things messed up, try flashing the 4.2 factory image. That seemed to help me. If you're not rooted already, I would recommend becoming familiar with the adb backup command to backup apps before doing anything else. You have to unlock the boot loader to downgrade or flash the factory 4.2 image, and this will wipe the device.
Once you update either way, definitely take the time to root. You can then use adb restore or titanium backup to restore from the adb backup you made before unlocking.
Just be aware that adb backup doesn't seem to backup all apps, and that titanium backup isn't exactly fast parsing through a big adb backup file.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2

step by step?
srry, very nooby questions:
how do i flash my nexus?
where do i find the factory image?
what is the backup tool?
ro_explorer said:
I just downgraded this morning. All your data will be wiped .. ALL YOUR DATA ... meaning, after I got back to 4.1.2 I was having 13GB of free space on the tablet (out of 13 possible) .
So, if you HAVE a nandroid from the 4.1.2 days, save it to your computer (along with all your files).
If you don't have a 4.1.2 nandroid, at least create now a backup repository with whatever tool you prefer and then save the respective files to PC.
Then, flash the factory image for 4.1.2.
Then copy all your files back to the internal memory, install the backup tool and restore your apps.
The reason behind this is that the update from 4.1.2 to 4.2 has some scripts that are porting the original /data and /sdcard mounts to the new structure used in 4.2
When downgrading, you no longer have scripts to do that for you so the newly installed 4.1.2 will not recognize anything so it will bootloop like crazy (I tried first to restore just the /system ... but all the other data was already affected by the update so was no longer usable).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

HellcatDroid said:
1) unlock bootloader yes; root no, as you're going to overwrite the system anyways.
Also I'd suggest not using a toolkit, just download the factory image off google's page and run the "flash-all.bat"
2) Use Titanium Backup to backup all app data, wipe after flashing 4.1.2 and then restore apps + data with Titanium again
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
restoring my apps with Titanium Backup is unsuccessful , when i first tried a full app+data restore it freezes at 0 percent
and when i tried backuping app the missing apps , it worked but after i rebooted it . It went into a bootloop

Youssef Hossam said:
restoring my apps with Titanium Backup is unsuccessful , when i first tried a full app+data restore it freezes at 0 percent and when i tried backuping app the missing apps , it worked but after i rebooted it . It went into a bootloop
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Assumed you are referring to downgrade from 4.2.1 to 4.1.2 and rooted to run TB, so the basic stock rom is up & running otherwise, correct?
Let's try Plan B instead - go into (Custom) Recovery and wipe dalvik cache first, then reboot. Give it a few minutes to settle and try to do your TB restore WITHOUT data, and see if it works. The /SD and/or /SD/0 directory structures are setup differently on the N7 and trying to retore with your custom settings will just make it more difficult & complicated. If this works, you can then try to selectively restore one or more with data and hopefully without going into endless bootloop again.
Plan C - go to Play Store, then Settings and "All" - you should see all of your Apps and what's installed, etc. - and install from there, it's semi-manual but it works for me 99.8% of the time when it would otherwise freeze within TB, especially true when switching custom Rom & kernels.
I usually manually copy & move back items such as documents, pictures & mp3's, etc. from standalone/usb backup drives or cloud storage back into the device once everything else are up & running properly.
Let us know if this helps & working for you or not.

Thankss !
Letitride said:
Assumed you are referring to downgrade from 4.2.1 to 4.1.2 and rooted to run TB, so the basic stock rom is up & running otherwise, correct?
Let's try Plan B instead - go into (Custom) Recovery and wipe dalvik cache first, then reboot. Give it a few minutes to settle and try to do your TB restore WITHOUT data, and see if it works. The /SD and/or /SD/0 directory structures are setup differently on the N7 and trying to retore with your custom settings will just make it more difficult & complicated. If this works, you can then try to selectively restore one or more with data and hopefully without going into endless bootloop again.
Plan C - go to Play Store, then Settings and "All" - you should see all of your Apps and what's installed, etc. - and install from there, it's semi-manual but it works for me 99.8% of the time when it would otherwise freeze within TB, especially true when switching custom Rom & kernels.
I usually manually copy & move back items such as documents, pictures & mp3's, etc. from standalone/usb backup drives or cloud storage back into the device once everything else are up & running properly.
Let us know if this helps & working for you or not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your help , but I think the problem was that there were apps in the backup only compatible with the custom ROM I had and android 4.2.1 xD
I restored the apps one by one , but I think if I deleted the extra custom rom apps , the process would have finished without any problems

Hi fellow people,
i'm a noob just made my xda account like 5 mins ago. I've been trying to search for my problem but I haven't really a found a direct answer. So yesterday I just got my Samsung Galaxy nexus update to 4.2.1. I was really excited until I started having the battery issues, screen lock issues, and overheating problem. I really don't like 4.2.1 and want to downgrade my version back 4.1.2. My carrier is the Mobicility (Canadian). I did not do anything previously with this phone such as rooting it, doing all the funky stuff that will void my warranty. I heard about flashing some google images to get back 4.1.2 but I'm not sure if I need to root or how to like do it through the gnex toolkit that mskip made. As well what if the difference between yakju and maguro? I heard if you flash the wrong image it will brick your phone or something like that. If there is a method without having to root it and lose all my contacts, then I would prefer that a lot.
Thanks,
mleung754

mleung754 said:
Hi fellow people,
i'm a noob just made my xda account like 5 mins ago. I've been trying to search for my problem but I haven't really a found a direct answer. So yesterday I just got my Samsung Galaxy nexus update to 4.2.1. I was really excited until I started having the battery issues, screen lock issues, and overheating problem. I really don't like 4.2.1 and want to downgrade my version back 4.1.2. My carrier is the Mobicility (Canadian). I did not do anything previously with this phone such as rooting it, doing all the funky stuff that will void my warranty. I heard about flashing some google images to get back 4.1.2 but I'm not sure if I need to root or how to like do it through the gnex toolkit that mskip made. As well what if the difference between yakju and maguro? I heard if you flash the wrong image it will brick your phone or something like that. If there is a method without having to root it and lose all my contacts, then I would prefer that a lot.
Thanks,
mleung754
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You dont have to root but you need to UNLOCK the bootloader which will obviously erase all your data(and VOID your warranty). you can find the factory image here https://developers.google.com/android/nexus/images . just flash the appropriate image and you should be as good to go.

mleung754 said:
Hi fellow people,
i'm a noob just made my xda account like 5 mins ago. I've been trying to search for my problem but I haven't really a found a direct answer. So yesterday I just got my Samsung Galaxy nexus update to 4.2.1. I was really excited until I started having the battery issues, screen lock issues, and overheating problem. I really don't like 4.2.1 and want to downgrade my version back 4.1.2. My carrier is the Mobicility (Canadian). I did not do anything previously with this phone such as rooting it, doing all the funky stuff that will void my warranty. I heard about flashing some google images to get back 4.1.2 but I'm not sure if I need to root or how to like do it through the gnex toolkit that mskip made. As well what if the difference between yakju and maguro? I heard if you flash the wrong image it will brick your phone or something like that. If there is a method without having to root it and lose all my contacts, then I would prefer that a lot.
Thanks,
mleung754
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
mleung754,
You are posting in the wrong forum.
Asus Nexus 7 is not the same thing as a Samsung Galaxy Nexus.
Ignore mmystere68's remarks.

[Help Needed] Apps won't restore or install after flashing rom [SOLVED!]

Well, my first venture into rom flashing hasn't been the most successful one as it's caused a really strange issue that a couple people on another thread have tried to help me solve, but I figure I had hijacked that thread long enough so this issue deserved it's own thread.
I rooted, unlocked bootloader, and installed TWRP v2.4.0.0 on Stock Android 4.1.1. Everything worked great. Until I flashed a rom. Now, I have been through wiping Cache, Dalvik Cache, Factory Reset, Flashing the rom (I've tried 4 with the same exact issue), flashing Gapps... All seems to go well and it says "success" when I flash, and I reboot into system. Run the setup of Google. Everything seems great and working fine. Here's where the problem is. When Google Play Store starts downloading for restore, and I'm on a solid wifi connection, nothing downloads. I have also tried stopping the downloads and installing apps individually. When I do that, I receive the same error message over and over for any app:
Unknown error code during application install: "-24"
I've rebooted, wiped cache, dalvik cache. Nothing installs. Same error. I did somehow, some way, get Titanium backup to install after numerous tries... when I try to restore any of that backup it just hangs on the first app. It does not restore anything. No batch apps. No single apps. No app data.
The odd thing is, the first time I flashed a rom, it seemed to load up fine. Stupidly, when I was running Titanium Backup for a restore I was not paying attention to what I was restoring. I was restoring all apps and app data... It caused an issue and a bunch of force closes, as you can probably imagine. So I rebooted into recovery and wiped and reinstalled rom and gapps. And virtually nothing has installed since. I have wiped and reinstalled AOKP, PACman, Carbon, and CM to no avail. Nothing seems to solve my issue. I'd love to at the very least be able to regularly install apps from the Play Store. At this point I'm not even concerned with restoring app data if that's too much to ask. I just want to be able to use my phone normally again as this is my "daily driver". If I have to go back to 4.1.1, that would be fine with me. I just want to get back to normal. And I'll do whatever it takes to get there. Any help at all would be appreciated.
Here is the original thread that some people have been giving me great advice on as to what to do, but none of it has fixed the issue yet unfortunately:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2341470

Jersey846 said:
Well, my first venture into rom flashing hasn't been the most successful one as it's caused a really strange issue that a couple people on another thread have tried to help me solve, but I figure I had hijacked that thread long enough so this issue deserved it's own thread.
I rooted, unlocked bootloader, and installed TWRP v2.4.0.0 on Stock Android 4.1.1. Everything worked great. Until I flashed a rom. Now, I have been through wiping Cache, Dalvik Cache, Factory Reset, Flashing the rom (I've tried 4 with the same exact issue), flashing Gapps... All seems to go well and it says "success" when I flash, and I reboot into system. Run the setup of Google. Everything seems great and working fine. Here's where the problem is. When Google Play Store starts downloading for restore, and I'm on a solid wifi connection, nothing downloads. I have also tried stopping the downloads and installing apps individually. When I do that, I receive the same error message over and over for any app:
Unknown error code during application install: "-24"
I've rebooted, wiped cache, dalvik cache. Nothing installs. Same error. I did somehow, some way, get Titanium backup to install after numerous tries... when I try to restore any of that backup it just hangs on the first app. It does not restore anything. No batch apps. No single apps. No app data.
The odd thing is, the first time I flashed a rom, it seemed to load up fine. Stupidly, when I was running Titanium Backup for a restore I was not paying attention to what I was restoring. I was restoring all apps and app data... It caused an issue and a bunch of force closes, as you can probably imagine. So I rebooted into recovery and wiped and reinstalled rom and gapps. And virtually nothing has installed since. I have wiped and reinstalled AOKP, PACman, Carbon, and CM to no avail. Nothing seems to solve my issue. I'd love to at the very least be able to regularly install apps from the Play Store. At this point I'm not even concerned with restoring app data if that's too much to ask. I just want to be able to use my phone normally again as this is my "daily driver". If I have to go back to 4.1.1, that would be fine with me. I just want to get back to normal. And I'll do whatever it takes to get there. Any help at all would be appreciated.
Here is the original thread that some people have been giving me great advice on as to what to do, but none of it has fixed the issue yet unfortunately:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2341470
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
2 suggestions:
1) i think others have reported having issues with TWRP 2.4, so try 2.5 or 2.3.2.3
2) I think the error could be a lack of internal storage, so certainly try the "wipe internal storage" in TWRP (after making sure that your ROM/GApp files, backups (including Tibu) are saved to your external folder

jco23 said:
2 suggestions:
1) i think others have reported having issues with TWRP 2.4, so try 2.5 or 2.3.2.3
2) I think the error could be a lack of internal storage, so certainly try the "wipe internal storage" in TWRP (after making sure that your ROM/GApp files, backups (including Tibu) are saved to your external folder
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok giving this a shot. I did notice that you had mentioned a different version of TWRP than I had. I will try the wiping internal storage before I install a different TWRP then if that doesn't work, TWRP. Gotta find the external folder. Unless you just mean anything that is on the actual SD card.

Jersey846 said:
Ok giving this a shot. I did notice that you had mentioned a different version of TWRP than I had. I will try the wiping internal storage before I install a different TWRP then if that doesn't work, TWRP. Gotta find the external folder. Unless you just mean anything that is on the actual SD card.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i would actually recommend installing TWRP 2.5 first.
never wipe external SD card.
if you have an app called Root Explorer, that works best.

jco23 said:
i would actually recommend installing TWRP 2.5 first.
never wipe external SD card.
if you have an app called Root Explorer, that works best.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok I'll try 2.5 then. And I wasn't gonna wipe the card, just was wondering if when you said external folder you were talking about the SD card. Root explorer works great.. if i could install it.
EDIT: Since I am away from my computer, I tried the multiple wipe method. Didn't change anything. So I will be changing TWRP versions later and will post an update.

Jersey846 said:
Ok I'll try 2.5 then. And I wasn't gonna wipe the card, just was wondering if when you said external folder you were talking about the SD card. Root explorer works great.. if i could install it.
EDIT: Since I am away from my computer, I tried the multiple wipe method. Didn't change anything. So I will be changing TWRP versions later and will post an update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You never mentioned using TWRP 2.4. DEFINITELY replace that. Also, just a thought. If you haven't already done so, try using the option to fix permissions. I'm fairly sure its an option in TWRP.
Sent from my XT907 using xda premium

Back in business! Wow thank you all so much! What a pain it's been but without the help I'd have never guessed how to get this running as perfectly as it is now. Here's what worked for me:
Installed TWRP 2.5 (Instead of what I had, 2.4)
Then followed jco23's precise directions:
jco23 said:
- I use TWRP 2.3.2.3 (SS has been uninstalled via it's own app, not Tibu or the system awhile ago) - but TWRP 2.5 works just fine for others
- after downloading the ROM and GApps (or any file that I intended to flash for that matter), I always place the file on the mnt/external1 directory. I
m not sure if this will make a difference, but I recall it being an issue back on my Droid Charge days
- after flashing the files, does TWRP say successful?
- perhaps you do need to a double wipe of everything prior to flashing:
1) mount everything
2) wipe cache
3) wipe dalvik cache
4) wipe system
5) factory reset/wipe data
6) wipe internal storage (if you do this, make sure to change your TiBu backup folder to your external1 directory, or this will be gone too!!!!! also make sure that the system backup you made is on the external1 directory as well
7) reboot recovery
8) install ROM
9) install GApps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And it's working flawlessly. Able to download or restore anything from Gapps. Was able to restore some specific app data from Titanium Backup (did not want to ruin the phone again and do that full restore so I selected specific apps that I really wanted the data on).
Thanks to everyone who took the time to assist me and a special thanks to jco23 and netizenmt who were with me through this whole debacle, leading me through every possible fix they could think of. As for those of you that may be wondering which ROM I settled on... AOKP.

Good for you bro! That stinking TWRP 2.4.0 is such a menace! Wish there was a way to have it yanked from circulation. Glad you're up and running!
Sent from my Droid Razr M using xda premium

Jersey846 said:
Back in business! Wow thank you all so much! What a pain it's been but without the help I'd have never guessed how to get this running as perfectly as it is now. Here's what worked for me:
Installed TWRP 2.5 (Instead of what I had, 2.4)
Then followed jco23's precise directions:
And it's working flawlessly. Able to download or restore anything from Gapps. Was able to restore some specific app data from Titanium Backup (did not want to ruin the phone again and do that full restore so I selected specific apps that I really wanted the data on).
Thanks to everyone who took the time to assist me and a special thanks to jco23 and netizenmt who were with me through this whole debacle, leading me through every possible fix they could think of. As for those of you that may be wondering which ROM I settled on... AOKP.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
glad you finally got it working - this is just the first step in becoming a crack-flasher....

jco23 said:
glad you finally got it working - this is just the first step in becoming a crack-flasher....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I've got it bad. I have had CM 10.1, Slimbean, Carbon AND AOKP on my phone all in the last 2 days. Carbon is on it right now. No telling what will be on it by tonight.
Sent from my XT907 using xda premium

netizenmt said:
Yeah, I've got it bad. I have had CM 10.1, Slimbean, Carbon AND AOKP on my phone all in the last 2 days. Carbon is on it right now. No telling what will be on it by tonight.
Sent from my XT907 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
funny, and the goal is to find a ROM that you're happy with and don't need to flash.
but I've been on Carbon since 7/5, and very happy.

Reset S4 with broken LCD

Hi guys, i've broken my Galaxy s4 lcd some day ago, and yesterday i've decided to sell it on ebay.
But now i have to wipe it. The problem is that i am running a custom Touchwiz rom and Philz touch recovery. So i don't think i can use Kies to make a factory reset.
I can use Odin to flash a stock image etc... But i don't know how to solve completely my problems.
Can someone help me? Thx

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=41392134
Take help from this
"If someone helps, never forget to hit thanks ? "

DeepankarS said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=41392134
Take help from this
"If someone helps, never forget to hit thanks ? "
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the replay.
However, the Galaxy S4 doesn't have fastboot mode, but only download mode and recovery mode, so I don't know how to use the commands...

OmniSlyfer said:
Thank you for the replay.
However, the Galaxy S4 doesn't have fastboot mode, but only download mode and recovery mode, so I don't know how to use the commands...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Odin will fix it.
Flash the stock ronin Odin. All your user data will be (sort of) removed.
A skilled user could still recover your user data' but most people won't even know its there.
You will not need the phone's screen to work at any point in the Odin process.

Skipjacks said:
Odin will fix it.
Flash the stock ronin Odin. All your user data will be (sort of) removed.
A skilled user could still recover your user data' but most people won't even know its there.
You will not need the phone's screen to work at any point in the Odin process.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh ok perfect
I've just finished to flash the stock rom, I hope evrything worked fine. I'll try to install Kies3 to see if I can maybe do another wipe or something else to delete definately all my data inside (including photos etc...). Any suggestions?

OmniSlyfer said:
Oh ok perfect
I've just finished to flash the stock rom, I hope evrything worked fine. I'll try to install Kies3 to see if I can maybe do another wipe or something else to delete definately all my data inside (including photos etc...). Any suggestions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Odin will wipe the data as well as Kies will.
But neither really removes the data. Both just remove the directory structure which makes it easy to sort the data.
To really remove the data you need to overwrite it with new data. That is much more difficult to do without access to the screen on the phone.
You could do it in recovery with the device mounted via usb to a computer. But you generally need to select that in recovery using the touch screen.
You can also push data to the device to overwrite using adb, but its more difficult.
All in all though...unless you have evidence of your participation in a crime on the phone, don't be so worried about it. It will be okay.

Skipjacks said:
All in all though...unless you have evidence of your participation in a crime on the phone, don't be so worried about it. It will be okay.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hahahahahahah

Skipjacks said:
Odin will wipe the data as well as Kies will.
But neither really removes the data. Both just remove the directory structure which makes it easy to sort the data.
To really remove the data you need to overwrite it with new data. That is much more difficult to do without access to the screen on the phone.
You could do it in recovery with the device mounted via usb to a computer. But you generally need to select that in recovery using the touch screen.
You can also push data to the device to overwrite using adb, but its more difficult.
All in all though...unless you have evidence of your participation in a crime on the phone, don't be so worried about it. It will be okay.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahahah. Thank you so much for the explanation
I think the buyer will find some photos of me in the phone, i hope he will not die coz of my ugly face
I think this thread can be closed.

Skipjacks said:
Odin will wipe the data as well as Kies will.
But neither really removes the data. Both just remove the directory structure which makes it easy to sort the data.
To really remove the data you need to overwrite it with new data. That is much more difficult to do without access to the screen on the phone.
You could do it in recovery with the device mounted via usb to a computer. But you generally need to select that in recovery using the touch screen.
You can also push data to the device to overwrite using adb, but its more difficult.
All in all though...unless you have evidence of your participation in a crime on the phone, don't be so worried about it. It will be okay.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since Google implemented Trim in Android 4.3, it's impossible (as of yet) to recover deleted data. I tried several guides here on XDA on data recovery and none of them work anymore.
See for example this article.
http://forensic.belkasoft.com/en/why-ssd-destroy-court-evidence
So basically if you delete a file or format your system, the data is really gone.

Lennyz1988 said:
Since Google implemented Trim in Android 4.3, it's impossible (as of yet) to recover deleted data. I tried several guides here on XDA on data recovery and none of them work anymore.
See for example this article.
http://forensic.belkasoft.com/en/why-ssd-destroy-court-evidence
So basically if you delete a file or format your system, the data is really gone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That article was one of the most awesome nerdy things I ever read. I had no idea about the garbage collectors on solid state memory.

Skipjacks said:
That article was one of the most awesome nerdy things I ever read. I had no idea about the garbage collectors on solid state memory.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From my experience, flashing stock firmware with Kies DOES NOT wipe the user data/files from phones SD card. I have to always do factory reset from stock recovery to wipe it.

tomtro74 said:
From my experience, flashing stock firmware with Kies DOES NOT wipe the user data/files from phones SD card. I have to always do factory reset from stock recovery to wipe it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It wont ever wipe the external sd card
The internal sd card should depend on the tar file and if it formats that partition or not.
I never really paid attention to it myself because I have never had to flash a full stock restore on my S4 so I have no idea what the standard for S4 firmwares is.
The internal data partition though should be wiped with a full stock firmware in odin every single time.

Skipjacks said:
It wont ever wipe the external sd card
The internal sd card should depend on the tar file and if it formats that partition or not.
I never really paid attention to it myself because I have never had to flash a full stock restore on my S4 so I have no idea what the standard for S4 firmwares is.
The internal data partition though should be wiped with a full stock firmware in odin every single time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, it's not. Believe me. I used to flash stock rom on S4 number of times and I can confirm that flashing stock rom with Odin DOES NOT WIPE any user data. Your photos and other files stays intact as well as the apss ( you may loose some apps internal data ) until factory reset is performed either from stock recovery or from rom itself.

tomtro74 said:
Well, it's not. Believe me. I used to flash stock rom on S4 number of times and I can confirm that flashing stock rom with Odin DOES NOT WIPE any user data. Your photos and other files stays intact as well as the apss ( you may loose some apps internal data ) until factory reset is performed either from stock recovery or from rom itself.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well how about that.....you learn something new every day!

OmniSlyfer said:
Hi guys, i've broken my Galaxy s4 lcd some day ago, and yesterday i've decided to sell it on ebay.
But now i have to wipe it. The problem is that i am running a custom Touchwiz rom and Philz touch recovery. So i don't think i can use Kies to make a factory reset.
I can use Odin to flash a stock image etc... But i don't know how to solve completely my problems.
Can someone help me? Thx
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if your S4 opens, just connect it to the PC and then the internal memory will appear
delete whatever you wants

Need help/overwhelmed! Noob flashing to GPE 5.0.1?

Hi,
I want to install the ROM here on my Samsung Galaxy S4 (GT-I9505). I rooted and installed CM on it about 4 months ago, but since have forgotten anything about the process except for towelroot lol. My phone is currently running jflte snapshot M10 ROM for CM. Unfortunately, I have grown quite sick of it as I find I have to restart my phone once, maybe twice a day for everything to run smoothly. I run into problems where the WiFi likes to get stuck saying 'Turning on..'. Ive also been having problems with Google Maps and GPS lately and havent been able to rely on it, possibly its an issue its having with CM. I want to have the fresh Lollipop feel on my phone without any problems if possible. The only trouble is I dont know how to get there. Can anyone help me? Ive completely forgotten the process needed and when I try to look for it on here I am overwhelmed with things I need to do, which version I need to use etc etc. If anyone would be able to help me achieve this it would be greatly appreciated. In the end I just want a nice Lollipop android phone that doesn't have problems on my current S4 (Id rather not have to get a new phone at least until December ) I'm pretty sure I dont have a custom kernel or anything like that as it mentioned in some pages that I will need to get one I think? I also have philz CWM installed.

You have Philz installed, so you don't need to root again. Download the ROM and follow the instructions on the page.

Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
You have Philz installed, so you don't need to root again. Download the ROM and follow the instructions on the page.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It also mentioned to make sure I have the latest modem for my variant, how do I check/update that?
In regards to the kernel (which has a link on the same page), what do I do with that?

I don't have the latest modem for my I9505 and that ROM works perfectly fine. Where you've been on a custom ROM for a while finding out which modem you're supposed to use may be difficult. That's also why I recommend not worrying about it, unless you need to.

Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
I don't have the latest modem for my I9505 and that ROM works perfectly fine. Where you've been on a custom ROM for a while finding out which modem you're supposed to use may be difficult. That's also why I recommend not worrying about it, unless you need to.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok thanks. In regards to the kernel that is linked on the page, I guess I would be at an advantage if I downloaded and installed that too. How do I install it?

If' we're talking the same GPE ROM, and I think we are, the kernel is included in the ROM download. You'll be prompted to select a kernel when you run the install through the recovery.

Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
If' we're talking the same GPE ROM, and I think we are, the kernel is included in the ROM download. You'll be prompted to select a kernel when you run the install through the recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok thanks a lot!
So process:
Backup data/photos etc
Nandroid backup
Full wipe using philz?
Flash ROM
Done?

You've got it.
When you are prompted to select the kernel, use the Googy Max kernel. The stock kernel sometimes causes random reboots. Also, on first boot the S4 will sit for a fair amount of time before prompting you to set a language. THIS IS NORMAL. It's because Android 5.0.x uses Art instead of Dalvik, and has to compile the apps the first time around.
In other words, after rebooting, just be patient.

Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
You've got it.
When you are prompted to select the kernel, use the Googy Max kernel. The stock kernel sometimes causes random reboots. Also, on first boot the S4 will sit for a fair amount of time before prompting you to set a language. THIS IS NORMAL. It's because Android 5.0.x uses Art instead of Dalvik, and has to compile the apps the first time around.
In other words, after rebooting, just be patient.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, thanks a lot for the help! Greatly appreciated. Hope I dont run into any problems

I installed that ROM on Sunday, so what I did is still fresh in my mind. If you have problems, just use this thread and quote me. I'll do my best to help.

Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
I installed that ROM on Sunday, so what I did is still fresh in my mind. If you have problems, just use this thread and quote me. I'll do my best to help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All installed, was quite easy! Looks bloody beautiful, love it already. Thanks a heap!

Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
I installed that ROM on Sunday, so what I did is still fresh in my mind. If you have problems, just use this thread and quote me. I'll do my best to help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I made and error when backing up and didnt back up my photos onto a computer Is there any way that my nandroid recovery or titanium backup have saved my photos and how could I recover them?

jc258 said:
I made and error when backing up and didnt back up my photos onto a computer Is there any way that my nandroid recovery or titanium backup have saved my photos and how could I recover them?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, they are gone forever.
How is that even possible that you wiped them? Wiping in the custom recovery never touches your internal storage by default. So you have done it yourself. You probably did a factory reset from within android itself. Never do that again. Use the custom recovery for wiping only and you never will have this problem again.

Lennyz1988 said:
No, they are gone forever.
How is that even possible that you wiped them? Wiping in the custom recovery never touches your internal storage by default. So you have done it yourself. You probably did a factory reset from within android itself. NEVER DO THAT AGAIN. Use the custom recovery for wiping only and you never will have this problem again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you sure about that? It happened the first time I flashed a ROM. Wiped cache, wiped Dalvik through CWM. Never did a factory reset. No need for caps.

jc258 said:
Are you sure about that? It happened the first time I flashed a ROM. Wiped cache, wiped Dalvik through CWM. Never did a factory reset. No need for caps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No it's not possible for it to happen without you doing so. Unless you encrypted your phone or something.
ps removed the caps

The rom he installed has an aroma installer which offers the option to do a simple wipe (Dalvik, cache and data), no wipe (Dirty flash) and a factory reset (which also wipes the internal storage).
By default it is set on factory reset option.
It also says in red letters that this option is recommended.
So maybe he left it on factory reset (since it was also recommended) , instead of changing it to simple wipe, and that wiped the whole phone, including the internal storage.
Will a software that recovers deleted files not work? Since the phone wasn't encrypted.

It would if Windows saw the internal storage as a drive. Due to MTP it doesn't. He'll have to do a search, but there was another S4 owner who lost his photos and was trying to get them back. I don't know if a solution was ever found.

GDReaper said:
The rom he installed has an aroma installer which offers the option to do a simple wipe (Dalvik, cache and data), no wipe (Dirty flash) and a factory reset (which also wipes the internal storage).
By default it is set on factory reset option.
It also says in red letters that this option is recommended.
So maybe he left it on factory reset (since it was also recommended) , instead of changing it to simple wipe, and that wiped the whole phone, including the internal storage.
Will a software that recovers deleted files not work? Since the phone wasn't encrypted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If that's the case then shame on the developer. A factory reset in a custom recovery should leave the internal storage intact.
Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
It would if Windows saw the internal storage as a drive. Due to MTP it doesn't. He'll have to do a search, but there was another S4 owner who lost his photos and was trying to get them back. I don't know if a solution was ever found.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No it's impossible. Once it's gone the files are permanently gone. Not even a professional company can restore them. That's because of TRIM that Android has from version 4.3.

Lennyz1988 said:
If that's the case then shame on the developer. A factory reset in a custom recovery should leave the internal storage intact.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not in the recovery. It's in the aroma installer. Those are 2 different things.
Besides, there is a description, under each setting, of what each one does.

@Lennyz1988: Perhaps you should bring this up with the developers of the ROM and see what they say. I suspect they have a very good reason for wiping the internal storage, and my gut instinct tells me it has to do with the Android folder on there.
On the flip side, thanks for the homework you gave me. I have to look into what TRIM is all about, as my last device was powered by Gingerbread.

Urgent help require for recovering data

Hi there,
Its been a long time using the Note 3 since 2013. It had many issue but still carried on. But few days back when weak up in the morning saw the phone was off, though it was in charge full night. When turned it on it stuck in the Samsung glowing logo and nothing after that, it keep showing the same logo until it power is gone. Don’t know what happened that night, it was installing an update by itself or not.
Then google it and no steps helps, used odin and reflash with latest firmware from sammobile but that too didn’t help. I’ve lots of data in internal storage including sms and contacts and pictures. I’ve no issue to throwing off the phone but I cant lost all data in it, it will be a huge loss as just became a father and lots of pics on my new born baby, so you can understand the value.
Can anyone suggest how can I recover the data? Check the attachment for its current state. Thanks in advance.

soumen.sam said:
Hi there,
Its been a long time using the Note 3 since 2013. It had many issue but still carried on. But few days back when weak up in the morning saw the phone was off, though it was in charge full night. When turned it on it stuck in the Samsung glowing logo and nothing after that, it keep showing the same logo until it power is gone. Don’t know what happened that night, it was installing an update by itself or not.
Then google it and no steps helps, used odin and reflash with latest firmware from sammobile but that too didn’t help. I’ve lots of data in internal storage including sms and contacts and pictures. I’ve no issue to throwing off the phone but I cant lost all data in it, it will be a huge loss as just became a father and lots of pics on my new born baby, so you can understand the value.
Can anyone suggest how can I recover the data? Check the attachment for its current state. Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know how viable, but have you tried to install a custom recovery (TWRP, won't erase your media) and access recovery, connect to the computer and enable MTP.
It would be totally up to you.

ShaDisNX255 said:
I don't know how viable, but have you tried to install a custom recovery (TWRP, won't erase your media) and access recovery, connect to the computer and enable MTP.
It would be totally up to you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes just found and read about TWRP, I'm reading how to install it. Can you tell me in short? also If I flash with PIT file, does it clear the data? My goal is not only the pictures, I had many notes in snote etc.

soumen.sam said:
Yes just found and read about TWRP, I'm reading how to install it. Can you tell me in short? also If I flash with PIT file, does it clear the data? My goal is not only the pictures, I had many notes in snote etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Short version: Download the TWRP .tar file for your specific model and flash via Odin. I'm not sure about the PIT file, I've never messed around with it.

ShaDisNX255 said:
Short version: Download the TWRP .tar file for your specific model and flash via Odin. I'm not sure about the PIT file, I've never messed around with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With the TWRP flash after done can I connect to my PC to get the data back? or do I only have to copy it to memory card? If so then can I use an OTG pendrive to copy? issue is I dont have so large free memory card to take backups.

soumen.sam said:
With the TWRP flash after done can I connect to my PC to get the data back? or do I only have to copy it to memory card? If so then can I use an OTG pendrive to copy? issue is I dont have so large free memory card to take backups.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With TWRP all you have to do is to boot into recovery and select the "Mount" option en check if MTP is enabled. After that your PC should recognize your phone as storage and you can recover/move anything from the internal SD card to the computer or to a USB drive if you want, or just save it to the PC. However, this will only allow you to recover things you have saved in your internal memory. This only includes photos, videos, whatsapp files, etc.... and not contacts, SMS and app settings.

ShaDisNX255 said:
With TWRP all you have to do is to boot into recovery and select the "Mount" option en check if MTP is enabled. After that your PC should recognize your phone as storage and you can recover/move anything from the internal SD card to the computer or to a USB drive if you want, or just save it to the PC. However, this will only allow you to recover things you have saved in your internal memory. This only includes photos, videos, whatsapp files, etc.... and not contacts, SMS and app settings.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok thanks for the details, I've set everything and just waiting to hit the start button for TWRP Recovery. Before doing just wanted to know isnt their any file that I can copy and replace in other phone like contact.spb which stored all contact data (just for example)
And If I do the TWRP Recovery, after those backup done can I go back to the original recovery just by flashing it again? then I will look for another way to turn on the phone?

soumen.sam said:
ok thanks for the details, I've set everything and just waiting to hit the start button for TWRP Recovery. Before doing just wanted to know isnt their any file that I can copy and replace in other phone like contact.spb which stored all contact data (just for example)
And If I do the TWRP Recovery, after those backup done can I go back to the original recovery just by flashing it again? then I will look for another way to turn on the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think it IS possible to return to previous recovery (I've never attempted it) but you'd have to find the file to flash via Odin and try to return that way.
I'm not sure about moving your contact information from one phone to another by the method you described, I always sync my contacts via my Google account so usually any other phone I sync with Google has all my contacts.

ShaDisNX255 said:
I think it IS possible to return to previous recovery (I've never attempted it) but you'd have to find the file to flash via Odin and try to return that way.
I'm not sure about moving your contact information from one phone to another by the method you described, I always sync my contacts via my Google account so usually any other phone I sync with Google has all my contacts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With the TWRP I managed to take all contents backup except contacts and sms, I also took the action memo folder and I've another note 3 neo and I will try to copy paste to see if that works.
After the backup done from TWRP when I boot to system the TWRP option never again, even by going to recovery menu it went to the stock recovery option. Any idea how to take the contact and sms backup?

soumen.sam said:
even by going to recovery menu it went to the stock recovery option. Any idea how to take the contact and sms backup?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Contact & sms location in root/data/data
Search contact folder
Btw flash back twrp
Hope you still in root or did you never root?
Good luck

Anon_Help_You said:
Contact & sms location in root/data/data
Search contact folder
Btw flash back twrp
Hope you still in root or did you never root?
Good luck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, Thank you, I never payed with the phone and neither rooted though I'm a IT guy. With the twrp I couldnt see the root folder, though I checked to mount system but still not. I dont know how to root it, just want to throw the phone off after taking backup. Now trying with the CWM recovery and taking a full backup, dont know even it can be restored in other phone, looks like the backup is very larger. I've feb month contact and sms backup I used kies to do it. But recently my new card pin sent by the bank sms and cant use it until I get it.
Experience with this phone:
After 6month vibration gone
after 2 year charging port gone
Replaced at service station and thereafter no tower in room, no 3g, only 2g. 3g if I only if I go out side still only 20%time I get 3g.

soumen.sam said:
But recently my new card pin sent by the bank sms and cant use it until I get it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats very important.
But phone only stuck in bootloop.
If bootloop everything can be solved.
The only problem you need to save data
Btw you said
soumen.sam said:
Don’t know what happened that night, it was installing an update by itself or not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe it is easy to fix by wipe cache
Did you ever do wipe cache in recovery?
If never do that, try wipe cache and dont wipe other things.
After that reboot, see if that bootloop still there.
99% success if what you said is correct.

soumen.sam said:
Hi, Thank you, I never payed with the phone and neither rooted though I'm a IT guy. With the twrp I couldnt see the root folder, though I checked to mount system but still not. I dont know how to root it, just want to throw the phone off after taking backup. Now trying with the CWM recovery and taking a full backup, dont know even it can be restored in other phone, looks like the backup is very larger. I've feb month contact and sms backup I used kies to do it. But recently my new card pin sent by the bank sms and cant use it until I get it.
Experience with this phone:
After 6month vibration gone
after 2 year charging port gone
Replaced at service station and thereafter no tower in room, no 3g, only 2g. 3g if I only if I go out side still only 20%time I get 3g.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Root by flashing CF Auto Root via Odin then boot into recovery and now try the Mount "System" option and see if you can now access files from the root of the phone.

Anon_Help_You said:
Thats very important.
But phone only stuck in bootloop.
If bootloop everything can be solved.
The only problem you need to save data
Btw you said
I believe it is easy to fix by wipe cache
Did you ever do wipe cache in recovery?
If never do that, try wipe cache and dont wipe other things.
After that reboot, see if that bootloop still there.
99% success if what you said is correct.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I know the issue is bootloop but how to solve this? I also tried few software for auto fix like fonepaw-android-data-recovery but nothing helped.
I can take the full system backup from CWM, the backup is very large like over 10GB but there have no option to take sms and contacts only. I dont know even with the backup I can restore it in other phone. If possible, restore and then I can take the sms and contact backup from there.
I did wipe cache partition 100 times. Nothing helped.

ShaDisNX255 said:
Root by flashing CF Auto Root via Odin then boot into recovery and now try the Mount "System" option and see if you can now access files from the root of the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I root it and say I got the contact and sms store file then if I have to take them and paste in other phone then I have to root that phone as well right?

soumen.sam said:
If I root it and say I got the contact and sms store file then if I have to take them and paste in other phone then I have to root that phone as well right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most likely, yes. I've never done it, but you could also search for a .??? extension reader (depends on what file extension the contacts and sms files are, not really sure) on google and try to read them that way, it is a high possibility that you might find software for your PC specifically designed to read those files.
Heck, you might even be able to open them with a text reading app, who knows.

soumen.sam said:
I can take the full system backup from CWM, the backup is very large like over 10GB but there have no option to take sms and contacts only. I dont know even with the backup I can restore it in other phone. If possible, restore and then I can take the sms and contact backup from there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not so sure if this work for you but work for me, long time not using Stock ROM.
Just flash TWRP by Odin
After finish with Odin go to recovery mode
Go to advance then file manager
At root folder, go data/data
Backup what you want save to SD
But I believe our contact location is same
Mine at /data/data/com.android.providers.contacts/
If fail you need root
Inside contact folder got .db files
You can read using root explorer, root explorer got sql lite reader, you can read it.

ShaDisNX255 said:
Most likely, yes. I've never done it, but you could also search for a .??? extension reader (depends on what file extension the contacts and sms files are, not really sure) on google and try to read them that way, it is a high possibility that you might find software for your PC specifically designed to read those files.
Heck, you might even be able to open them with a text reading app, who knows.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Anon_Help_You said:
Not so sure if this work for you but work for me, long time not using Stock ROM.
Just flash TWRP by Odin
After finish with Odin go to recovery mode
Go to advance then file manager
At root folder, go data/data
Backup what you want save to SD
But I believe our contact location is same
Mine at /data/data/com.android.providers.contacts/
If fail you need root
Inside contact folder got .db files
You can read using root explorer, root explorer got sql lite reader, you can read it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great, thanks for your help and feedback. I'm trying again today and let you know what happens. With a CWM version I think my phone is rooted but not sure. While installing I saw the CWM saying rooting for a sec and then restart.

So after few days I got some time to work on it. I did CWM Recovery and took the full backup and the format and reset. Now the phone turned on and restored the backup by CWM but again its in Boot loop. Now what to do? and yes I think its rooted now.
I only need contacts sms and action memo, thats all