Database Users

How to Unbrick SGS4

I bricked it. I had TWRP installed, and running a debloated Odexed version of Stock. I attempted to flash Slim Bean 6.5 Weekly with Aroma addons. The Aroma ended up borking my recovery. It bootloops pre-recovery mode. I can get into Download mode and Odin'd back to Stock, but it's still won't go into recovery and vibrate loops with a black screen.
Anyone know how to fix this? Damn locked bootloader!!!

Did you try and reflash recovery ? Does the phone boot up once you restore via Odin ?

Have you tried flashing twrp via Odin?

I have not tried flashing TWRP with Odin... is there a Odin version of TWRP?
It did not boot after flashing stock. I'd like to Odin TWRP if it's available.
I found an Odin TWRP.tar for SGS3, but nothing for S4, yet. Need a little more help.

Did you try rooting and flashing twrp via goomanager? I had something similar happen to me on my skyrocket and that's how I fixed it.

Aroma does not work on the GS4 yet. At least that is what I have been reading.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda premium

TheAxman said:
Aroma does not work on the GS4 yet. At least that is what I have been reading.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This version of CWM claims to work with Aroma on the S4...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2322682

scott14719 said:
This version of CWM claims to work with Aroma on the S4...
well lets take a look see...shall we. thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

came across this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2281287
it converts an img to an odin-flashable tar.
i went ahead and converted the latest twrp img for the at&t S4 and have attached it. i have not tested it as i am not near my device at the moment. if you decide to try it, unzip the tar.md5 and flash at your own risk as i have not tested this method by @cabloomi.

False aroma works fine with twrp on a gs4.
Sent from my SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

This happened to me. Use odin to put TWRP back on. You'll be fine.
Sent from my SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 2

Yeah I had this a couple different times trying to get rid of the custom/lock icon boot up. Flash fresh stock rom, root it and install recovery with "Root and Recovery for ATT-TMO GS4-CASUAL-R527b" --> http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2297900 then flash the recovery you want etc, and restore Nandroid of backed up rom. Worked for me!

Everyone keeps saying to Odin TWRP like it's a common thing. I have yet to find a Odin version of TWRP that's loki'd for the S4. If you have done this, and it worked, please supply a link to the correct file. In this case an Odin version of TWRP. Thank you

JJ5150 said:
I bricked it. I had TWRP installed, and running a debloated Odexed version of Stock. I attempted to flash Slim Bean 6.5 Weekly with Aroma addons. The Aroma ended up borking my recovery. It bootloops pre-recovery mode. I can get into Download mode and Odin'd back to Stock, but it's still won't go into recovery and vibrate loops with a black screen.
Anyone know how to fix this? Damn locked bootloader!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had a similar issue. When you hold the key combination to boot into recovery, do it for more than one cycle. Sometime for some reason it doesn't take the first time so keep holding the buttons. After getting into android recovery, clear cache and reset the phone.

JJ5150 said:
Everyone keeps saying to Odin TWRP like it's a common thing. I have yet to find a Odin version of TWRP that's loki'd for the S4. If you have done this, and it worked, please supply a link to the correct file. In this case an Odin version of TWRP. Thank you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I had the problem is sounds like your having I Odined the Stock image back to the phone and then cleared the dalvik and cache with the stock recovery menu, then I was able to boot, I then rooted and used the debloater program found here on the forums and then just downloaded goomanager and installed TWRP, the one it pushes is LOKIed for you.
This is also the only .img file I can find for the our version of TWRP. IIRC you can use Odin to flash it
EDIT: Like trublu said, you may have to do it several times (clearing the caches in the stock recovery after ODIN)

JJ5150 said:
Everyone keeps saying to Odin TWRP like it's a common thing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you are correct in that twrp has not posted tars on their website yet for download. they have, however, posted imgs. find a way or find someone to convert that img to an odin-flashable tar and you'll be all set.
JJ5150 said:
I have yet to find a Odin version of TWRP that's loki'd for the S4.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i believe that all s4 recoveries are "loki'd", if you will.

xBeerdroiDx said:
you are correct in that twrp has not posted tars on their website yet for download. they have, however, posted imgs. find a way or find someone to convert that img to an odin-flashable tar and you'll be all set.
i believe that all s4 recoveries are "loki'd", if you will.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Tmo and Sprint variants do not require Loki'd recoveries, as their bootloaders are not locked.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2

After trying many options available to me such as, Flashing Stock with Odin and trying to access recovery via the three finger method, and trying to convert a TWRP.img file to a .tar file... which I managed to successfully flash, but to no avail. I'm stuck at the vibrating boot loop dead screen, soft brick scenario.
I found these guys in a similar thread http://mobiletechvideos.com/
I called them and they were really nice and professional. I shipped out my phone for Brick Repair today. I believe I'll be happy with the results from these guys from they way they conduct themselves in their videos.
I'll report back when I have my fixed, unbricked S4 back in my hands

JJ5150 said:
After trying many options available to me such as, Flashing Stock with Odin and trying to access recovery via the three finger method, and trying to convert a TWRP.img file to a .tar file... which I managed to successfully flash, but to no avail. I'm stuck at the vibrating boot loop dead screen, soft brick scenario.
I found these guys in a similar thread http://mobiletechvideos.com/
I called them and they were really nice and professional. I shipped out my phone for Brick Repair today. I believe I'll be happy with the results from these guys from they way they conduct themselves in their videos.
I'll report back when I have my fixed, unbricked S4 back in my hands
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They do great work..used them 2 years ago. With a mytouch..ouch..
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda premium

JJ5150 said:
After trying many options available to me such as, Flashing Stock with Odin and trying to access recovery via the three finger method, and trying to convert a TWRP.img file to a .tar file... which I managed to successfully flash, but to no avail. I'm stuck at the vibrating boot loop dead screen, soft brick scenario.
I found these guys in a similar thread http://mobiletechvideos.com/
I called them and they were really nice and professional. I shipped out my phone for Brick Repair today. I believe I'll be happy with the results from these guys from they way they conduct themselves in their videos.
I'll report back when I have my fixed, unbricked S4 back in my hands
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's called Jtag repair. And the guys you mentioned have saved many a ass with it. I've seen several good results. Unless something else is found, it is the only way I know of to fix a truly bricked phone. Some people (those who flash a lot and Dev a lot) have their own Jtag boxes.
BTW, which tool / method did you use to convert the .img to a TAR? I've seen a couple of methods and a tool or two but I was wondering if you used something I don't know about? TIA.

Rooting and installing cwm/ twrp HELP

I am having a problem flashing cwm/twrp via odin. It gets thru passed. But when i reboot to recovery it wont show the right recovery. And it shows the dead android logo with an open stomach. I wanted to flashed a custom recovery via odin and flash super su to gain root. Problem is i cant flash a custom recovery via odin. Can someone help me? Tia. Im currently in version mj1 . N7005.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

PierreTech said:
I am having a problem flashing cwm/twrp via odin. It gets thru passed. But when i reboot to recovery it wont show the right recovery. And it shows the dead android logo with an open stomach. I wanted to flashed a custom recovery via odin and flash super su to gain root. Problem is i cant flash a custom recovery via odin. Can someone help me? Tia. Im currently in version mj1 . N7005.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://galaxynote3root.com/galaxy-note-3-root/how-to-root-galaxy-note-3/
have a look here

Same problem here.
PierreTech said:
I am having a problem flashing cwm/twrp via odin. It gets thru passed. But when i reboot to recovery it wont show the right recovery. And it shows the dead android logo with an open stomach. I wanted to flashed a custom recovery via odin and flash super su to gain root. Problem is i cant flash a custom recovery via odin. Can someone help me? Tia. Im currently in version mj1 . N7005.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey there. I'm having the same problem. Followed Max's guide on galaxynote3root.com. I receive the successful and passed message in Odin each time but it appears to go into stock recovery I've used cwm and twrp before and know what it looks like, however, no joy. I messaged Max to get his thoughts my Note is the Sprint version. So close I know it.

Backing up Original frameware.

So I been reading that you need to be rooted to be able to backup the original frameware .\From what I've read the .tar file you flash in Odin is a modified kernel .so after you root you would have a Root+recovery image of the original frameware .
What I'm trying to achieve is to get a full backup of my original frameware,kernel and efs.Before I go balls out off this phone .
I have a i9500 (Baseband i9500ubuamde) Android 4.2.2 . the carrier is Claro ,Dominican republic .

Apparantly you don't even need root to do backup (nandroid).
1. Flash custom recovery (philz) via Odin with phone in download mode.
2.Reboot into recovery.
3.Backup.
Make sure you get recovery for your i9500 and not the i9505.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda app-developers app

ranger4740 said:
Apparantly you don't even need root to do backup (nandroid).
1. Flash custom recovery (philz) via Odin with phone in download mode.
2.Reboot into recovery.
3.Backup.
Make sure you get recovery for your i9500 and not the i9505.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To my under standing CWM works directly with the kernel so to even achieve that you would need root access .. Now I'm confused . Well ,I found the original frameware and kernel so I'm downloading that now . Seems i need to root the device in order to achieve every of the things I want.

Edit- yes sorry you are using sgs4.
Clockworkmod (ROM manager) only needs root access if you are using the app from the market, if your only using custom recovery you don't even need the app!
BTW recovery doesn't touch kernel and I don't even believe rooting (with cf-autoroot) touches the kernel either so I'm not sure what your reading that's giving you all this information that isn't quite right.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda app-developers app

You dont need to do that. Every rom should be available for download. So that includes the one currently installed on your phone.
What you want to achieve is to my knowledge not possible and completely unnecessary. If you want to return your phone to it's original state, you just flash the rom you are currently on true Odin.
ps root and custom recovery are seperate packages. So if you apply one, you won't have the other. You need to apply both.

Problem installing custom recovery using Odin

Hey guys, I'm pretty new here and new to rooting devices. I recently just rooted my Samsung Galaxy S 4 SGH-1337 (At&t) with the new "TowelRoot" and then using Super SU to finish the root. I has a question when it came to installing the custom recovery Philz Touch. I have the 4 most recent versions of PT and using Odin v3.09 and v3.07 I am still unable to correctly install the recovery. When I try starting the process I get a "Leave CS" in the bottom left of the Odin window, and when I start the process fails? I've noticed when I go into download mode on my S 4 the phone tells me on the the official binary and official operating system. If I am rooted should that say something else? I have checked the Root Checker app and it says I am in fact rooted.
Other solutions I've already got advice and still unable:
- I'm using my out of box charging cable.
- I am pressing start after I ad the AP in Odin.
- The phone is in Download mode.
Can anyone help me out and assist me? This is super annoying and I would love to figure it out soon. Thank you in advance!

kelvin00 said:
Hey guys, I'm pretty new here and new to rooting devices. I recently just rooted my Samsung Galaxy S 4 SGH-1337 (At&t) with the new "TowelRoot" and then using Super SU to finish the root. I has a question when it came to installing the custom recovery Philz Touch. I have the 4 most recent versions of PT and using Odin v3.09 and v3.07 I am still unable to correctly install the recovery. When I try starting the process I get a "Leave CS" in the bottom left of the Odin window, and when I start the process fails? I've noticed when I go into download mode on my S 4 the phone tells me on the the official binary and official operating system. If I am rooted should that say something else? I have checked the Root Checker app and it says I am in fact rooted.
Other solutions I've already got advice and still unable:
- I'm using my out of box charging cable.
- I am pressing start after I ad the AP in Odin.
- The phone is in Download mode.
Can anyone help me out and assist me? This is super annoying and I would love to figure it out soon. Thank you in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since towel root worked in your phone I'm assuming you're on firmware nc1. This can not have a custom recovery installed. In fact you probably erased your stock recovery trying these other ones. I suggest using odin to flash nb1 then update back to nc1 and if you want a recovery yo install another rom (only touchwiz based roms) you'll to use safestrap. That is the only option at this time.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

drock212 said:
Since towel root worked in your phone I'm assuming you're on firmware nc1. This can not have a custom recovery installed. In fact you probably erased your stock recovery trying these other ones. I suggest using odin to flash nb1 then update back to nc1 and if you want a recovery yo install another rom (only touchwiz based roms) you'll to use safestrap. That is the only option at this time.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the response. I am on firmware NC1. After posting I have read that there is a new bootlocker (?) that was pushed on the 4.4.2 update preventing people from actually installing custom recovery and other things. There is a workaround going to an older version to then root and get a custom recovery, but I definitely don't have the knowledge of what to do.
I'm not sure what you mean by me probably erasing my stock recovery? Are you saying if I try and restore my device it will not work?

kelvin00 said:
Thanks for the response. I am on firmware NC1. After posting I have read that there is a new bootlocker (?) that was pushed on the 4.4.2 update preventing people from actually installing custom recovery and other things. There is a workaround going to an older version to then root and get a custom recovery, but I definitely don't have the knowledge of what to do.
I'm not sure what you mean by me probably erasing my stock recovery? Are you saying if I try and restore my device it will not work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you tried to install the custom recovery it more than likely erased your stock recovery and the only way to get it back is to flash nb1. And going to an older version is no longer possible. Once you update and the bootloader is updated you're no longer able to revert to an older bootloader. Trying to do so could brick your phone
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

drock212 said:
When you tried to install the custom recovery it more than likely erased your stock recovery and the only way to get it back is to flash nb1. And going to an older version is no longer possible. Once you update and the bootloader is updated you're no longer able to revert to an older bootloader. Trying to do so could brick your phone
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Again, thank you for responding to me. I understand what you are saying now about me possibly deleting my stock recovery. I didn't go very far i the process and I'm fairly sure I didn't for the simple reason that it did not work. I can definitely be wrong and you are probably more right on this situation than I am.
Thank you for the heads up with the older version not possibly anymore.
Do you know any confirmed ways of rooting and flashing a custom recovery since 4.4.2? If not I guess I'm just going to wait a bit for a confirmed method.

kelvin00 said:
Again, thank you for responding to me. I understand what you are saying now about me possibly deleting my stock recovery. I didn't go very far i the process and I'm fairly sure I didn't for the simple reason that it did not work. I can definitely be wrong and you are probably more right on this situation than I am.
Thank you for the heads up with the older version not possibly anymore.
Do you know any confirmed ways of rooting and flashing a custom recovery since 4.4.2? If not I guess I'm just going to wait a bit for a confirmed method.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Before proceeding check to make sure your stock recovery is still intact (power phone off, wait 10 seconds, power on while holding volume up/home button/power if you boot into recovery you're fine and can proceed with towel root (just Google it it'll come up right away) download and install the apk on your phone and it'll root your phone for you. Next go here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2680868
Closest thing to custom recovery that will let you only flash touchwiz based roms.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

[Q] Galaxy s4 AT&T Odin Mode Stuck after trying to install TWRP using Flashify

I rooted a Samsung S4 with the towelroot method.
So I installed flashify and used it to backup my kernel and my current recovery to SD card.
Then I used flashify to install the latest version of TWRP.
Now my phone boots in to ODIN mode.
The top right of the screen says
Could not do a normal boot.
ODIN Mode
and the screen says "Downloading Do not turn off target"
I tried rebooting with the two or three buttons pressed, and the phone continues to reboot into this mode.
Help is appreciated.

Update
jwm_ said:
I rooted a Samsung S4 with the towelroot method.
So I installed flashify and used it to backup my kernel and my current recovery to SD card.
Then I used flashify to install the latest version of TWRP.
Now my phone boots in to ODIN mode.
The top right of the screen says
Could not do a normal boot.
ODIN Mode
and the screen says "Downloading Do not turn off target"
I tried rebooting with the two or three buttons pressed, and the phone continues to reboot into this mode.
Help is appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So I figured out how to boot to download mode, and then canceled the download. The phone booted normally. Should I now restore my backup of the recovery using flashify?
Being new to this, it seems I may of messed up my "recovery" is that correct? Will flashify fix this?
It seems that what I am trying to do is impossible, I was trying to backup my rom using TWRP. Why is there a version of TWRP for at&t s4 if it will not work?
Thanks for the help.

jwm_ said:
So I figured out how to boot to download mode, and then canceled the download. The phone booted normally. Should I now restore my backup of the recovery using flashify?
Being new to this, it seems I may of messed up my "recovery" is that correct? Will flashify fix this?
It seems that what I am trying to do is impossible, I was trying to backup my rom using TWRP. Why is there a version of TWRP for at&t s4 if it will not work?
Thanks for the help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Twrp will work if you're on mdb/mdl firmware. If you're on anything newer, and most are, you will not be able to use twrp. Safestrap is the only recovery you can use. You're most likely going to have to use Odin at this point and start your process all over. Do you know what firmware version you're on?
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app

Flashify?
jd1639 said:
Twrp will work if you're on mdb/mdl firmware. If you're on anything newer, and most are, you will not be able to use twrp. Safestrap is the only recovery you can use. You're most likely going to have to use Odin at this point and start your process all over. Do you know what firmware version you're on?
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
NB1
My phone is basically working right now.
Why wont flashify restore the recovery? Is my recovery messed up? Are you basically saying that you don't know what state my phone is in, so use odin to get back to a starting point?
Thanks for your reply.

jwm_ said:
NB1
My phone is basically working right now.
Why wont flashify restore the recovery? Is my recovery messed up? Are you basically saying that you don't know what state my phone is in, so use odin to get back to a starting point?
Thanks for your reply.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you tried to install twrp your recovery is most likely messed up. Go to the general forum and look for index, all things at&t..... I believe there is a stock recovery file that can be flashed in Odin.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app

flashify?
jd1639 said:
If you tried to install twrp your recovery is most likely messed up. Go to the general forum and look for index, all things at&t..... I believe there is a stock recovery file that can be flashed in Odin.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Again, thank you for your assistance. But isn't the whole point of Flashify to restore my recovery (among other things?). I was trying not to be a total n00b and backup things the right way, but seems like it didn't help me.
Wish there was more info out there about twrp not working with anything that resembles a recent firmware update of the at&t phone (just ranting, obviously not your fault).