Database Users

Debating on rooting my S4

Hi everyone! I just upgraded to the AT&T version of the Samsung Galaxy S4. Before I had the original Galaxy Note. I've rooted and loaded custom ROM's on all my previous Android devices (Captivate, Inspire 4G, Galaxy S II, and Galaxy Note), but I'm debating on rooting this device. It's running great on the stock ROM.
Has anyone else debated this? If so, did you go ahead and root and loaded a ROM then regret it or were you glad you did it?

You can run it absolutely stock and still be rooted. Rooting gives you the advantage of certain apps that require it, as I'm sure you know, such as Titanium Backup, Root explorer and others. Plus ability to get rid of AT&T apps you never do or never will use. fwiw

Root it! You want regret it. The possibilities are endless. And if you do prefer a stock like rom, well believe me there are GREAT custom stock like roms that these great devs have put together that run flawlessly with added benefits. Hope this helps. Happy Rooting
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

even if you plan to keep the stock ROM, its worth it to root so you can uninstall the AT&T bloatware and remove the AT&T splash screen on start-up.

lazard said:
even if you plan to keep the stock ROM, its worth it to root so you can uninstall the AT&T bloatware and remove the AT&T splash screen on start-up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am on stock with root. I rooted it using Adam's casual only to have TiBu work. I froze all ATT bloats and some google and samsung apps. The stock is very fine for me.
Now I am debating to flash Paranoid rom to try their multiwindow and halo features...

Thanks for all the input everyone, I appreciate it. Knowing me I'll end up rooting it and loading a ROM since I can't leave stuff alone. HA!
Does anyone know if there's a ROM out there that someone has gotten Bluetooth Tethering to work? That's one thing I miss from ICS on my Galaxy Note.

Hey gk
In same boat, been flashing roms hundreds of times for over 3 years from early Nexus One days. Most of the reasons were to get newer OS's without waiting. However, one of the reasons I got the S4 was it already has the latest as in 4.2.2.
One thing I have learned as most of us have is there always seems to be something not 100% on each rom for some folks. Goes with the territory as we know. Although, I have been lucky in that area. Maybe due to lots of reading and proper pre-install wipes. Hats off to all the devs though for their long and tiresome hours giving us these great roms.
My concern, since this is early on with the S4 and no unlocked bootloader, are our chances higher to have issues.
My phone with all it's "gimmicks" is running fast and perfect--NO issues. I also would like TiBu and eventually a custom recovery for nandroids even if I don't flash a custom rom. Used both CWM and TWRP in the past. Also, Amon_Ra. All worked great for me.
But, like you and others will probably root and flash a custom recovery anyway.
Damn Samsung for making this so tough of a decision--

I was in same position lol I've been flashing andneven Ade a few Roms but ya know its cool and all but its a hassel sometimes enough for me to be stock! There's no reason IMO to flash anything this phone is packed to the gills with features already and its on a very new os so I feel like I wanna root and flash away but have found no reason to YET key word there and of course its purely my own standpoint
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

Root it! You can get new features before they come to your carrier. ... I debated it and told myself I would stay rooted but run stock rom.... now they figured out ways to bypass the bootloader and flash roms and im back to crack flashing lol. ..

Yup. I thought I wouldn't root this thing. That lasted a week. Then I told myself it's fine the way it is, I don't need to flash a rom. That lasted 3 weeks. I'm not a flashaholic though. I usually pick one and stick with it for a while.
You think it runs fine until you've rommed it and added a kernel. Then you realize you had no idea how fine it could be.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 2

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I wouldn't ever even own a phone that I couldn't root. It just gives you freedom over your phone. Again you don't NEED to run a custom rom to be rooted, but check out some of the TW custom Tom's that just take the phone to another level but still being stock
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 2

Custom toms are bad ass lol I had to say it
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

The Mint Jelly Rom battery life is insane ..it's worth rooting for that alone. Definitely root
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app

I'm more than likely going to root and load a ROM soon. I'm between two different ROMs.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2280556
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2305752
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda premium

I was a flashaholic on the captivate, and S II. I loved trying new ROMs like Miui and AOKP. But, since I got the Note II and now the S 4 I don't have that desire. My only reason for rooting usually was TiBu, and only from flashing so often. Without flashing a new ROM each week I had little need for restoring apps. After three weeks I finally rooted and started trying ROMs on this phone. It was about the same for my Note. I really like TouchWiz, and miss some of those features on AOSP based ROMs. I don't see the performance need for custom ROMs on either of these phones like I did on the older phones. I guess it just came out of boredom, in the end.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337

Well, I finally gave in and rooted--knew I would
Used Adam's Casual--very easy--much more so than my HTC phones
TiBu and Nandriods already in use
Next step roms--

Still haven't rooted yet. I probably will over the weekend. Why can't I leave stuff alone? HA!

[Q] Should I buy an S4

Hi all
I currently own a galaxy note N700 and am a flashaholic, keep switching between CM & Touchwizz roms.
I have the chance to upgrade to an S4 from O2 (uk), now i have read a lot on this forum but still not sure wether to go for it.
My biggest concern is about rooting, that is all i am after, just want to remove bloat and keep the rest stock, as i rather like
touchwizz. On the N700 rooting was easy with philz kernel/recovery, how easy is it on the S4?
I dont know what firmware it will come with (probably not the latest), keep reading about this Knox thing and am a bit confused.
can anyone en-lighten me as to the easiest way to root and is it safe. We had the EMMC drama on the note originally
is there any problems like that here?
cheers

jock11 said:
Hi all
I currently own a galaxy note N700 and am a flashaholic, keep switching between CM & Touchwizz roms.
I have the chance to upgrade to an S4 from O2 (uk), now i have read a lot on this forum but still not sure wether to go for it.
My biggest concern is about rooting, that is all i am after, just want to remove bloat and keep the rest stock, as i rather like
touchwizz. On the N700 rooting was easy with philz kernel/recovery, how easy is it on the S4?
I dont know what firmware it will come with (probably not the latest), keep reading about this Knox thing and am a bit confused.
can anyone en-lighten me as to the easiest way to root and is it safe. We had the EMMC drama on the note originally
is there any problems like that here?
cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's my suggestion that, if you are a flashaholic who likes CM/AOSP, you get a Qualcomm based GT-I9505 since the 9500 is Exynos based and will cripple support for CM because Samsung doesn't provide proper userspace drivers. If you can flash the Samsug device you have, you'll be right at home going to the S4. The procedures are basically the same.

Just don't update when you first use it root straight away the efuse is triggered by the update. So you will be safe.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda app-developers app

donalgodon said:
It's my suggestion that, if you are a flashaholic who likes CM/AOSP, you get a Qualcomm based GT-I9505 since the 9500 is Exynos based and will cripple support for CM because Samsung doesn't provide proper userspace drivers. If you can flash the Samsug device you have, you'll be right at home going to the S4. The procedures are basically the same.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmmm! thats a bit worrying, cos i can only get the I9500, seems the I9505 is always out of stock on O2.
TBH i'm quite happy sticking with touchwizz, as long as i can root and debloat. I assume its just as easy to root as N7000,
flash CF Root then flash a custom recovery as long as i dont update before?
Can someone confirm before i jump in and buy one? Cos i'm also tempted by GN2 and S3.
cheers

I own a i9500, did a a cf-root and flashed wanam, now it's better battery life and much more smoth with the touchwiz.
Overall, i have a very good experience with my octa.

jock11 said:
Hmmm! thats a bit worrying, cos i can only get the I9500, seems the I9505 is always out of stock on O2.
TBH i'm quite happy sticking with touchwizz, as long as i can root and debloat. I assume its just as easy to root as N7000,
flash CF Root then flash a custom recovery as long as i dont update before?
Can someone confirm before i jump in and buy one? Cos i'm also tempted by GN2 and S3.
cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, it's easy.

S4 rocks man.
Sent from my GT-I9500 using Tapatalk 4

Poll: Getting the Note 4 DevEd. or Note 4 Regular?

Which Note 4 are you guys getting?
The Note 4 Developer Edition or the regular Note 4?

The Developer edition is the same as the regular with the exception of open boot loader allowing custom ROMs to be installed and extensive UI customization

Definitely getting the developer edition. Not concerned with custom kernels or roms, but having an unlocked bootloader is a much clearly path to root access. All I want to do, can be done with Xposed modules.

jpmcnown said:
Definitely getting the developer edition. Not concerned with custom kernels or roms, but having an unlocked bootloader is a much clearly path to root access. All I want to do, can be done with Xposed modules.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same, I'm really hoping that the Note 4 DevEd. will gain traction and popularity unlike the Note 3 DevEd.
I can't live without root and custom roms.

It's no longer on their site
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

jmm22 said:
It's no longer on their site
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's only temporary, don't worry it'll be back.

With Android L security, I would only consider a Dev N4 at this point. It is unlocked and will be easy to root. Flash TWRP recovery in Odin, boot into TWRP recovery from a powered off state, then flash Chainfires SuperSU.zip. From there it is game on...adaway, tibu, xposed modules, and I can pretty much create my own TW rom from that point.

droidstyle said:
With Android L security, I would only consider a Dev N4 at this point. It is unlocked and will be easy to root. Flash TWRP recovery in Odin, boot into TWRP recovery from a powered off state, then flash Chainfires SuperSU.zip. From there it is game on...adaway, tibu, xposed modules, and I can pretty much create my own TW rom from that point.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The big question is whether any devs will be able to make lollipop roms possible for the note 4 dev.

The apparent lack of Root possibility on the retail VZ Note 4 had me resigned to keeping my N3 (which isn't the worst thing). But IF we can actually buy the Dev Edition of the N4 anytime soon, and IF the Dev Edition is as easy to root as purported, then yes, I will buy the Dev Edition ASAP. I do want to see other peoples experiences with the Dev Edition before I throw down near $700 for it however. I am not overly excited for Lollipop, so a good, unlocked, rooted and user (myself) tweaked stock kitkat ROM will be just fine for me for quite some time. If Lollipop is available, rootable and worth the upgrade, then I will upgrade to it. I always disable/freeze the OTA apk on my phones so I can see what bugs/problems a new factory ROM presents before taking it. My N3 was on the original stock JB ROM until just recently when I upgraded to the latest kitkat, and I can honestly say I preferred the kitkat rom. No going back now though.
Long story short, the Dev edition will likely be my only N4 if I do get the N4.

I was going to get the dev version, but paid $60 total for the retail model verses over $600 more for the dev version.

jpmcnown said:
Definitely getting the developer edition. Not concerned with custom kernels or roms, but having an unlocked bootloader is a much clearly path to root access. All I want to do, can be done with Xposed modules.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1

where is the option for both?

Agreed. All I want is root. A few os mods. Camera mods and build prop mods. Other than that I have no need to flash roms

All I need is free wifi tethering really and they say foxfi is working flawlessly on reg version bt I dnt kno if I wanna risk it lol...dev ed for me too
Sent from my SCH-I605 using XDA Free mobile app

Noob question... Dev models are only sold outside of carriers, right? So I can't upgrade to that? And how much is it? I'm assuming the full retail price.

bought regular here.. don't feel like returning it. I have faith we'll get root.
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note 4 using Tapatalk.

SketchySean said:
Noob question... Dev models are only sold outside of carriers, right? So I can't upgrade to that? And how much is it? I'm assuming the full retail price.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, you can't upgrade to the Developer Edition. The price is $662.53 plus tax and shipping if you want other than their 4-5 day shipping/delivery. You have to order through the Samsung web site.

jayochs said:
bought regular here.. don't feel like returning it. I have faith we'll get root.
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note 4 using Tapatalk.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1

G900V: Top / most popular CURRENT TouchWiz ROM

Hey folks,
New to the rooting game. Downgraded my G900V from 5.0 -> 4.4.2 NCG, towelroot, SuperSu, Safestrap 3.75, Titanium backup. Backed up via SafeStrap custom recovery for stock and pasted it to my desktop as well as a full Titanium backup.
I am ready to enter the custom rom game! I am sad that I cannot try Cyanogenmod because that seems to be the top dog.
I am hoping to retain these earlier KitKat OS versions because they seem to run infinitely raster than stock 5.0 pre-root. However, I've never had one rooted and debloated so who knows.
I am looking for max customizability. I was all about customizing my UI like crazy prior to rooting on 5.0 using apps. So highly customizable UI, battery life +, and stability if at all possible.
1) What do you guys suggest? Thanks!
2) Do all TouchWiz-based ROMS require that you flash another firmware version prior to installation?
As of right now, I am looking at the Alliance ROM but it was released like a year ago and wondering if there's a better or more updated version.
I found a link via galaxys5root dot c0m
Is this a safe download?

Aren't "what's the best ROM?" Posts not allowed?

ldeveraux said:
Aren't "what's the best ROM?" Posts not allowed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry I wasn't aware. How do I ask for a suggestion based on popular belief?

ldeveraux said:
Aren't "what's the best ROM?" Posts not allowed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I revised my original post and apologize again. I am just interested in what my options are.
I haven't heard back on a working download link for Build 2 of Alliance ROM so I am venturing into the MOAR ROM territory. Just to be safe, I purchased Titanium PRO and it's being synced to Drive as we speak.
After it completes, I'm going to attempt my first ROM flash and nervous. From what I've gathered, I need to boot into SafeStrap, full wipe, install the zip from ex/int SD-card, and then boot into download mode. From there, I flash VZW_BOA8_RETAIL_FIRMWARE_ONLY.tar.md5.
Now, once I do this, the post says that SafeStrap won't work anymore. If I follow these instructions:
"7. Safestrap will no longer work unless you use odin and flash NI2_STOCK_KERNEL_FOR_SAFESTRAP.tar.md5 or any VZW KITKAT kernel. Then you can enter Safestrap. Once you flash file or whatever you need to do in safestrap remember to boot to download mode from safestrap and then use odin to flash VZW_BOA8_RETAIL_KERNEL_ONLY.tar.md5 or the VZW_BOA8_RETAIL_FIRMWARE_ONLY.tar.md5. Then you will be good to go. This process must be done every time you need to use SafeStrap!"
... will I still be able to run safestrap and retain the ROM? Or is that just in case I want to access my backed up recovery and revert back to my custom recovery pre-ROM?

ldeveraux said:
Aren't "what's the best ROM?" Posts not allowed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
XDA changed their stance on these kinds of threads and are allowing them to to stay open as long as they don't turn into a flame fest.

I am curious too, as to what is out there that runs well. I am coming from an AT&T LG G2 with lots of options to a this phone that seems to be much more restricted than anything I have seen in the past. This looks like its going to be far more work to get few results. Also it seems like it's easier to brick than the G2 was. Obviously I have a lot of reading to do, and probably a downgrade from OE1 if I want root. I just want to know if there is a ROM worth doing all this work for. Thank you!

It's complicated but worth it.
I'm not going to pick a favorite, but anyone worth their search engine can see what I'm using.
The battery life was horrible straight out of the box, and 'something' had to be done. I have flashed different phones from Motorola, Sony Ericsson, Samsung, etc. from at least 4 different carriers. Nothing compares with how much harder it is just to get root on our Samsung-SM-G900V variant with it's locked bootloader. CyanogenMod is not even an option, so I'm using a custom 5.0 TouchWiz ROM.
The debloating zip via ADB is what really fixed the poor battery life.
It is worth it.
My battery life is now 'amazing'.
The only other phone I had that even came close to battery life and screen on time like this, was my AT&T Samsung Galaxy S2, running CM10.2
Is it worth the effort? Even after trying a short cut and getting stuck in a loop with no recovery? Having to use Odin just to start over? Not having any success until I found a YouTube tutorial?
It's up to you. Perhaps you don't mind bloatware. Maybe you can always find a way to plug it in for a charge.
Good luck.

I have an s5 on Verizon and would like to root what is fastest and safest way?

Pivo187 said:
I have an s5 on Verizon and would like to root what is fastest and safest way?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To find the thread on that topic. Hint, it's not here. Hint 2, try searching...

fukenbiker said:
I'm not going to pick a favorite, but anyone worth their search engine can see what I'm using.
The battery life was horrible straight out of the box, and 'something' had to be done. I have flashed different phones from Motorola, Sony Ericsson, Samsung, etc. from at least 4 different carriers. Nothing compares with how much harder it is just to get root on our Samsung-SM-G900V variant with it's locked bootloader. CyanogenMod is not even an option, so I'm using a custom 5.0 TouchWiz ROM.
The debloating zip via ADB is what really fixed the poor battery life.
It is worth it.
My battery life is now 'amazing'.
The only other phone I had that even came close to battery life and screen on time like this, was my AT&T Samsung Galaxy S2, running CM10.2
Is it worth the effort? Even after trying a short cut and getting stuck in a loop with no recovery? Having to use Odin just to start over? Not having any success until I found a YouTube tutorial?
It's up to you. Perhaps you don't mind bloatware. Maybe you can always find a way to plug it in for a charge.
Good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you.
Are you talking about THE PURGE? The debloater recommends a stock ROM; does this mean I cannot use this option and use OptimalROM or MOAR? I'd like to apply it to my current setup (Optimal)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/verizon-galaxy-s5/development/zip-t2979275

fukenbiker said:
I'm not going to pick a favorite, but anyone worth their search engine can see what I'm using.
The battery life was horrible straight out of the box, and 'something' had to be done. I have flashed different phones from Motorola, Sony Ericsson, Samsung, etc. from at least 4 different carriers. Nothing compares with how much harder it is just to get root on our Samsung-SM-G900V variant with it's locked bootloader. CyanogenMod is not even an option, so I'm using a custom 5.0 TouchWiz ROM.
The debloating zip via ADB is what really fixed the poor battery life.
It is worth it.
My battery life is now 'amazing'.
The only other phone I had that even came close to battery life and screen on time like this, was my AT&T Samsung Galaxy S2, running CM10.2
Is it worth the effort? Even after trying a short cut and getting stuck in a loop with no recovery? Having to use Odin just to start over? Not having any success until I found a YouTube tutorial?
It's up to you. Perhaps you don't mind bloatware. Maybe you can always find a way to plug it in for a charge.
Good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I forgot to mention that I am currently calibrating my battery using a Play Store app. I wonder if this will help
Also, I did it the manual way as well. What a serious pain in the rear lol. Afterwards, with my newfound confidence of rooting, I went to work on my wife's LG G2. What a joke!
Her battery life is unreal. At the end of the day, she sits at 60% battery life after hefty use. I am getting a bit jealous.

fukenbiker said:
I'm not going to pick a favorite, but anyone worth their search engine can see what I'm using.
The battery life was horrible straight out of the box, and 'something' had to be done. I have flashed different phones from Motorola, Sony Ericsson, Samsung, etc. from at least 4 different carriers. Nothing compares with how much harder it is just to get root on our Samsung-SM-G900V variant with it's locked bootloader. CyanogenMod is not even an option, so I'm using a custom 5.0 TouchWiz ROM.
The debloating zip via ADB is what really fixed the poor battery life.
It is worth it.
My battery life is now 'amazing'.
The only other phone I had that even came close to battery life and screen on time like this, was my AT&T Samsung Galaxy S2, running CM10.2
Is it worth the effort? Even after trying a short cut and getting stuck in a loop with no recovery? Having to use Odin just to start over? Not having any success until I found a YouTube tutorial?
It's up to you. Perhaps you don't mind bloatware. Maybe you can always find a way to plug it in for a charge.
Good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Update: I apologize for not searching before posting. I stalked all your activity here and found your exact process for debloating. Thank you! I look forward to seeing the difference.
Now if only my damn phone would charge to 100% to finish calibration!

ahhhhh. why am I still draining the battery so much?
wiped my rom, installed optimalrom for oc4 lollipop, ran debloat script for lollipop and rocking minimal data wifi, screen brightness, keeping ram free, etc. greenifying everything except streams.
what is going on here?
Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

bmilcsx said:
ahhhhh. why am I still draining the battery so much?
wiped my rom, installed optimalrom for oc4 lollipop, ran debloat script for lollipop and rocking minimal data wifi, screen brightness, keeping ram free, etc. greenifying everything except streams.
what is going on here?
Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
wrong thread!

why is there so little rom development

Since we have a mostly stable root... why are there only 2 custom roms??
After being locked out of my s6, I was so excited this phone had root... just don't understand

Anthrax79 said:
Since we have a mostly stable root... why are there only 2 custom roms??
After being locked out of my s6, I was so excited this phone had root... just don't understand
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because there are not many options as we can only use stock 6.0.1 base with the locked bootloader that uses the engineering kernel. If we could use any kernel it would be a WAY different story.

Thanks for the insight. Did not realize the engineering kernel was so restricted. I came from an HTC one prior, and we had lots of roms based off the base kernel, but I am a jafu so my knowledge is limited.

More
Anthrax79 said:
Thanks for the insight. Did not realize the engineering kernel was so restricted. I came from an HTC one prior, and we had lots of roms based off the base kernel, but I am a jafu so my knowledge is limited.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would give stang5litre a run man. Dude put a lot of work in it. Color just bout anything the way u want to. Smooth ass rom. Way smoother than stock rooted. Got a nice group of people come join

It could be worse....
Anthrax79 said:
Thanks for the insight. Did not realize the engineering kernel was so restricted. I came from an HTC one prior, and we had lots of roms based off the base kernel, but I am a jafu so my knowledge is limited.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You COULD be stuck with a MTK tablet; the only MTK devices getting any love are phablets and phones for the most part (and those are mostly in the MEAR: Middle East, Asia, and Russia). My Lenovo A7-30F (not the A3000 or A3300) has two recoveries (one each for KitKat and Lollipop) and no custom ROMs at all; my GNex (which is far older) has more ROMs just for KitKat (let alone Lollipop, Marshmallow, and Nougat).

The LG G3 was nice because there was an exploit (and it hasn't been patched to this day) that allows you to have what is called a "bumped" TWRP so you can flash all sorts of custom ROMs, including AOSP-based ROMs, as well as custom kernels. That was a nice feature of the LG G3 on VZW. Not sure why they never patched the exploit. I do miss those days, but I did stop rooting and such because I could still get really good battery life. Plus, Android Pay was a nice feature I liked using and now with the S7, I absolutely love Samsung Pay. Makes life so much easier when I check out not having to pull out my wallet, fumble and find the credit/debit card, swipe, etc. Just tap and pay! Nice!