[Q] Converting my GT-I9505 into (almost) Google Edition - Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hi guys, I have read a bit about rooting and flashing custom roms for the GSIV but being my first time (on this phone) I thought it would be better to ask for some help from you experts ^_^
I would like to convert my GSIV as close as possible to a Google Edition one, in the sense that I don't want to have a super custom ultra cool rom, I just want a stock-like one, stock kernel, maybe a few extra features, root, nothing special...
Now, is it possible to do that without voiding warranty, or at least with the possibility to turn back the phone in a warranty covered state?
Could you point me to one simple guide to do so and maybe suggest a rom suited to my needs? It can get a bit confusing, there's too much complicated stuff for a newbie!
Thank you in advance!

Yes, it is possible to convert the i9505 (almost) completely to a Google Play device (though you will not receive OTA updates, so you'll have to download them yourself). It's fairly easy once you have a custom recovery installed.
Though, warranty might be an issue. In many countries, it will be void once you root and install a recovery, though this does vary. This also increments a "counter" in the device, so even if you restore it to its original state, it is still possible to see that you have at some point modified the software (although there are methods to root the device without incrementing the counter, not to mention that many have managed to claim warranty despite this). That said, this will again differ based on your country.
Now, if you're still up for it, there are several guides online which can tell you how to root and install a recovery on the phone. If you're running the stock 4.4.2 firmware from Samsung, then you can follow this guide to root:
samsungsfour.com/tutorials/root-samsung-galaxy-gt-i9505-s4-running-on-android-4-4-2-kitkat.html
Thereafter, you can install a custom recovery from
gadgetsacademy.com/install-cwm-twrp-recovery-on-galaxy-s4-lte-i9505/
(These are just two of the links which you get after a Google search)
Note that you don't really need root for this, just the custom recovery. Though, having root is a nice addition if you want to back up your apps using Titanium Backup.
Once that is done, you can download a Google Play based ROM from here on XDA, such as
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2557353
or
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2544474
Just reboot into recovery, wipe data, and select the zip file from your sd-card/internal storage.
Though, remember to backup your apps/data first.

Takenoko_, thank you so much for the detailed answer, it has been really helpful! One question, if I understood correctly, it is possible to install a custom recovery WITHOUT rooting, so if I did this and then flashed a rooted ROM I should have root in the end, right?

That's right. As you'll be using Odin, root should, at least in theory, not be needed to install a custom recovery. You can instead gain this by flashing a pre-rooted ROM

Great, all done! Thank you!

No problem

yes you can
just install custom recovery, (philz i like)
then flash dandvh rom
done
it comes rooted
----------
sorry i forgot
in some cases, you need to update modems by flashing
or just update your s4 to 4.4.2 then flash the gpe rom

Related

[Q] Advice requested for Exynos 4.4 Update: bootloader, no odin, CWM

Hello!
I have an Exynos powered Note 3, and I gained root permissions back in October 2013. Since then, I have updated CWM recovery once, and probably will again (assuming there is an update) before flashing to 4.4.
I flashed Dr. Ketan's ROM in late December. The reason I chose Ketan's was because he seemed to have the most support, or at least, the most posts. Some of the other ROMs look nice, too. I'll do most of the theme work myself, so I just want a functional ROM that offers good support.
So, my Note is my daily driver and I really don't want to mess this up. I really want to update to KitKat, but there are some parts about the instructions that worry me, particularly some warnings suggest the best practice is to re-install the stock ROM and install the note's stock 4.4 bootloader before flashing the 4.4 based ROM.
As I do not have access to a Windows or Mac and the Ubuntu/Linux ports of Odin are a tad dodgier than I'd like, I'm unsure how to proceed.
Ideally, I'd like to install either:
Dr. Ketan's ROM,
someone else's 4.4 based ROM,
or a stock 4.4 ROM that is either pre-rooted or allows for an easy root through a SU zip flash in CWM, so long as I can remove the bloatware manually.
...All through CWM, without too much risk of a softbrick. Is this possible? I can make nandroid backups, but once I flash 4.4, I don't know how easy it will be to restore, especially if I need to restore the IMEI information.
Any suggestions would be very much appreciated. Thanks! :highfive:

[Q] Help - check of understanding for rooting

Hey,
So I have finally got to the point I'm ready to custom rom and root my s4, I've been through this process with other devices before (mostly HTC and Samsung tabs) but would like to check my understanding is correct before I jump in with the s4.
I have a 9500 running stock 4.3 android, and connected to 4g in my home network.
My understanding of the process to get a custom recovery, root and custom rom is:
Use odin to install CF-auto.
My understanding is this will get me root but without a custom recovery like Cwm or touch etc.
Then use odin to install philztouch.
My understanding is this will give me a custom recovery installer.
Download custom rom and install this custom rom after a full backup and wipe (as per specific rom instructions).
Sorry this might seem a simple question but I haven't been able to find a complete answer or sticky really.
Is the above the right understanding / process to get root, Cwm and custom rom on my i9500?
Thanks for the help,
Andy
All correct :highfive:

Moto X Pure Edition rooting questions

The information about rooting in recent weeks has gotten rather splintered on XDA. I've read what I can find here on the forums. I've searched and read this forum for several hours. Much of the information is spread out & difficult to fully understand for that reason.
I've read what I can understand from the "experimental" systemless root posts
I've read http://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-x-style/general/guides-how-to-guides-beginners-t3200808
I've read http://forum.xda-developers.com/mot...t-moto-x-style-xt1572-br-marshmallow-t3259380
I've read http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=63197935&postcount=2
I want to ask a really simple question: Can I boot (but NOT flash) from a custom recovery like TWRP or CM or whatever & then use the systemless install version of Super-SU? Can this be done without using Motorola's unlock system & thereby cancelling my warranty?
I want to end up with the regular Motorola-provided version of Android 6.0 that is installed right now, except with root access, preferably without wiping my system. The developments above interest me for that reason. From what I understand, I SHOULD, in theory, be able to boot from the custom recovery (so I shouldn't have to unlock because I don't want to overwrite the installed recovery) & then install via the systemless method the newest stable version of Super-SU.
Bear in mind:
I don't think I will ever want to install a custom ROM.
I really only want to make minor changes to my device
Can I boot (but NOT flash) from a custom recovery like TWRP or CM or whatever & then use the systemless install version of Super-SU? Can this be done without using Motorola's unlock system & thereby cancelling my warranty?
I've searched and read this forum for several hours.
Good luck. Honestly you should unlock if you are going to mess with system. Your warranty will be void for tampering with the phone anyway.

Need help flashing ROM on I545

Hi it is the first time I am flashing Android ROM. I have done some reading already. Before I start, I still have a few questions and also want to make sure I am doing it right.
I own the Galaxy S4 Verizon I545. It is running Samsung ROM Android 4.4.2, Baseband I545VRUFNC5. My goal is to flash a new ROM with recent Android versions, hopefully 7.1.1 (but I would settle with Marshmallow if that is more stable), it can be close to AOSP, I don't need ROMs with extra features.
In my understanding, the bootloader is locked, it will only load signed kernels and recovery. And then the kernel would load the system. In order to flash the system, it is best to flash the recovery first with TWRP. TWRP is modded with loki hack so it would load with the locked bootloader.
So here are my questions:
1. Does it matter which firmware/baseband I am currently on? For some phones (LG G2) I heard newer firmware fixed the loki hack. Should I update to the latest Samsung rom or leave it at NC5?
2. I don't see many ROM posted for the i545, which one is the most recent and reasonable stable? The Cyanogen website is down, should I try LineageOS?
3. I see different instructions for flashing TWRP. Can I flash it with just Odin? Some instruction mentioned rooting the phone first with KingRoot or other root, and then use dd. Does the phone have to be rooted? (I prefer not to if it is not necessary)
4. If after I flashed recovery, it fails to boot into TWRP, what can I do to restore everything to default?
5. The kernel will be untouched in the process right? I am only flashing recovery and system ROM, and the kernel will work fine with the new system ROM?
Here are the step and software I plan to use:
0. reset the phone to factory
1. use Odin to flash TWRP 2.8.7
2. download a ROM compatible with I545 and place it on the phone
3. flash the system using TWRP
Any feedback would be appreciated.
PS: Also I have a LG G2 D801. I would flash that phone instead if it is easier. I just want to get started and learn some things along the way.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4-verizon
Oh Sorry. Didn't notice there is another forum. Should I repost there?
Yes.
1. Yes, it does matter. As you said, newer firmwares have fixed the exploits which make the phone harder to hack.
2. Any ROM should support your phone. They are generally unified.
3. In the name of anything holy, do not root with KingRoot. If you want to root, then the only way to go is CF-Auto-Root.
Rooting is sometimes necessary because recovery won't always install with Odin.
4. Flash stock ROM.
5. Kernels are specific to ROMs. So no, the kernel won't be untouched.

Noob Questions: Firmware,Bootloader, root.

Hi, i just got the moto g5 plus, i always have phones that from the moment i bought them they wouldn recive any updates, so i realy didnt care if unlocking the bootloader installing new recoverys will affect the OTA updates. So i have a couple of questions.
1- first i want to at least have a stock firmware just in case, but i cant figure out which one should i download from here
firmware.center/firmware/Motorola/Moto%20G5%20Plus/Stock/
Before i always use sammobile.com and it was really easy to found a stock firmware from Argentina. My compilation number is: npns25.137-15-11 this means that i suppose to download that one XT1681-XT1683_POTTER_BRASIL_LATAM_MEXICO_7.0_NPN25.137-15_cid50_subsidy-DEFAULT_regulatory-DEFAULT_CFC.xml.zip ?
2- it is possible to unlock the bootloader and root your phone without installing a new recovery? i was reading some post and when you change your recovery or you modify something the OTA update will stop working. they are some methods like the magisk but they seem i little bit too complex for me and i don't want to do it every time that a new update is available.
thanks for the help, and sorry for my English i am from Argentina.
1. yes, but any build will flash and run, so it doesn't really matter that much...
2. Nope. You need to flash TWRP in order to root. This is because the stock recovery will only flash signed images... You can use Magisk, after backing up a stock build. Anytime there is an OTA, just restore to that system image, Flash the original recovery via fastboot, and then take the OTA. Once you have it, flash TWRP again, and restore to your other build. Or just run a custom room like Lineage or RR, and this whole thing isn't really an issue anymore.
Karlinski said:
1. yes, but any build will flash and run, so it doesn't really matter that much...
2. Nope. You need to flash TWRP in order to root. This is because the stock recovery will only flash signed images... You can use Magisk, after backing up a stock build. Anytime there is an OTA, just restore to that system image, Flash the original recovery via fastboot, and then take the OTA. Once you have it, flash TWRP again, and restore to your other build. Or just run a custom room like Lineage or RR, and this whole thing isn't really an issue anymore.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah i know i had a samsung galaxy s3 until now, and i always have cyanogen, slimrom or now lineage, but this is the first device that i have one that will get updates (at least 1 more :S) and i want to seize that
i will start downloading that file just in case
1- ok so unlocking the bootloader doesn't affect updates only when you modify files? when the update is installing is basically comparing the files that you have with the ones that you suppose to have and if there is something different it will fail? its something like that?
2-dumb question how do you do a full backup in the stock recovery there is no option no do a nandroid backup or it will appear after i just unlock the bootloader?

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