Root & then ROM choice - Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hi Guys,
It's been while since I rooted my phone or did any serious mods on my phone ... was waiting for the warranty of my S4 to run out!
Now that, that's over can you guys guide me on the following ....
(PS. Am Using the S4 (Indian latest August INU stock ROM from www.sammobile.com/firmwares/1/?model=GT-I9500&pcode=INU#firmware
a) Which is the best and safest Root method for the i9500? I once used the CF-Root method here but then went back to stock as there were no serious work on custom ROMS back then.
b) Once rooted, can you'll guide me to a couple of custom ROMS to start with .... once I've gone through a few suggested ROMS I guess I'll be confident enough to explore the ocean .... remember it's I9500
c) I've heard (rather read on and of) about "Xposed". Would prefer if the ROM incorporates this and then a guide to where I can find the various bits a pieces of Xposed.
Looking forward to your assistance as I hope to go live with my new look phone from the 1st of October
Thanks & Cheers

123 views and no comment???
Can someone atleast tell me if I can use the CF-root method and if that is the safest way to go about rooting?
Thanks

http://forum.xda-developers.com/sitesearch.php?q=root i9500
a. Sure its safe.
B. Just try it out for yourself
C. There is an entire section on xda dedicated to xposed. You can find everything you want there.

Related

[Q] Fill me in please (KNOX/4.3 related noob questions)

Hey guys,
I've been flashing and playing around with android alot.
Started with the sgs1 then 2 then 3 now 4.
Ive been away a long time and now came back to update my sgs 4 again.
But everywhere I look there are so much warnings.
Frankly It's a bit over my head, I've been reading alot, but still dont know what the safest way for me is.
I understand that samsung added new security features called KNOX, of which the exact reason/working is still a bit vague.
What I want todo is flash android latest original/stock 4.3 with CWM and root.
Im coming from DjeMBeY's 4.2.2 Pre-Rooted rom.
I understand you guys won't make a step by step guide, I know how to adb / odin / cwm etc...
All I'm asking which stock 4.3 would be best for me atm, and root.
Thanks in advance!

[Q] Please help me with rooting & flashing

Hello there!
I have a Galaxy Note 3 i9005. I used to have it rooted (towelroot) but I accidentally updated the phone to version 4.4.2 which sadly removed my root. I've had my phone for about a year, and I feel it's time to spice things up with a new rom, but I find myself lost in this whole flashing jungle.
So, my questions are, is it possible for me to safely root & flash my phone? If so, could anyone point me in the right direction? I've tried searching a bunch but it's very hard to find in-depth guides explaining the process in detail. I don't even know if such a guide exists for the Note 3.
I live in Sweden so I don't think the phone has a locked bootloader if that affects anything.
Please help me.
Wisoo said:
Hello there!
I have a Galaxy Note 3 i9005. I used to have it rooted (towelroot) but I accidentally updated the phone to version 4.4.2 which sadly removed my root. I've had my phone for about a year, and I feel it's time to spice things up with a new rom, but I find myself lost in this whole flashing jungle.
So, my questions are, is it possible for me to safely root & flash my phone? If so, could anyone point me in the right direction? I've tried searching a bunch but it's very hard to find in-depth guides explaining the process in detail. I don't even know if such a guide exists for the Note 3.
I live in Sweden so I don't think the phone has a locked bootloader if that affects anything.
Please help me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've rooted several new note 3 with this method..http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-note-3/general/root-root-xxufnf4-stock-firmware-knox-t2840150
I managed to root it with that method! Knox is 0x0, thanks for the pointer man
Now, I'd like to know how to flash a custom rom. I've been looking a lot at different custom roms, however I can't seem to decide which one I want. Besides, I don't even know if I'm able to flash my phone since I'm running Android 4.4.2. All guides takes for granted that you have some knowledge with flashing, which I don't.

Returning to mod after few years

Good evening to everyone,
I've been an Android user for the last 4 years (i started with the HTC Dream G1, the first ever made Android smartphone which had the version 1.1). The first time i approached the world of modding was for having really important features such as the sync of contacts with google account, and i also have fully modded my second device, an HTC One S, that i decided to change 2 days ago.
I purchased a Samsung Galaxy A5 and i'm going to mod it again since i don't like few things about the device.
Since i'm out of date with the current mod envirorment (the last time i did some kind of mod with my One S was over 1 year ago) i think i need a bit of refresh, so here are my questions:
1) Do i need to install some kind of special drivers, android developing tool, sdk, java things or anything special before using Odin or other rooting tools mentioned in the guides? I remember i lost an entire day the first time i rooted my devices since all the guides on the web didn't talk about installing this preliminary files.
2) I'm Italian, i live in Italy, i purchased my device in Italy too in a Vodafone store, but the CSC of my device does not appear to be Italian Vodafone, i can't rewrite it here at the moment but after a research on google i found out it was a German Vodafone CSC.
The firmware itself does not seem branded (no custom bootload animation, only the main app by vodafone which i like to have) and i'm going to change firmware anyway, but i still want to set a no-brand CSC.
When i changed the CSC of my HTC One S i remember it as a very complicated procedure, i had to extract a particular file from the smartphone using prompt's command, manually editing a text file and putting it back again with prompt.
I'd like to know if there's a different procedure for the Galaxy A5, i searched the web for a procedure but i have found none.
I saw a CSC option in Odin and i think this is probably the cleanest and fastest way, but i don't know a place where to find the various file for changing CSC.
3) Custom recovery: i had difficulties in finding custom recovery on the web too for this device, i saw a thread in this section fo the Galaxy A7. I suppose there's no custom recovery for the A5 at the moment, am i correct?
4) Any way to prevent Samsung Knox counter from increasing with root + flash of custom rom and eventually recovery? i read few guides but they seem to don't work anymore with recents updates.
Knowing if there's a way to reverse the counter in case of need it's ok too, but i've read that's much harder now than it was few years back, so i can suppose that maybe "Prevention is better than cure".
5) Are there any really really valid custom kernel / radio? I think i'm going to flash the CyanogenMod 12.1 but maybe there's some other flashable thing which is not included in this rom that can improve my devices.
6) after you've told me exactly what i can do know with my devices, could you please tell me the order for the various phases? I don't mean the very single steps, just if i have to change the CSC before or after than rooting or flashing the custom recovery before i have obtained the SU permissions ecc.
Thank you in advance for all your help, Italian forum are not very crowded in these days so i decided to write a thread in the best forum for this subject around the web!
Dharmost said:
Good evening to everyone,
3) Custom recovery: i had difficulties in finding custom recovery on the web too for this device, i saw a thread in this section fo the Galaxy A7. I suppose there's no custom recovery for the A5 at the moment, am i correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For recovery have a look here.
Dharmost said:
4) Any way to prevent Samsung Knox counter from increasing with root + flash of custom rom and eventually recovery? i read few guides but they seem to don't work anymore with recents updates.
Knowing if there's a way to reverse the counter in case of need it's ok too, but i've read that's much harder now than it was few years back, so i can suppose that maybe "Prevention is better than cure".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as i know that is not possible at the moment
Dharmost said:
5) Are there any really really valid custom kernel / radio? I think i'm going to flash the CyanogenMod 12.1 but maybe there's some other flashable thing which is not included in this rom that can improve my devices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here is a link for CM 12.1 for the A5 Sm-A500FU version
Good Luck
Jay
Thank you very much for the answers! I'm probably going to mod my device this evening, hope it will go smooth

Rooting a S5 G900F. Total newbie.

Last week I received a brand new S5 G900F, no carrier, and want to have administrator privileges in order to remove bloatware. Plus, it would be nice to have adblock and apps to back up the entire system, both which aren't available in the phone's stock form, and maybe a custom ROM and Kernel.
I have never rooted a phone nor messed with its system files, so I'm a complete newbie on this. Also, I haven't connected it to the Internet yet, so that the phone is in its stock form before rooting it.
What's the simplest, safest yet effective method for rooting my phone? Afterwards, can I just update the phone to the latest version using the regular system settings menu, or should I do it externally (downloading the update on the PC)? Any particular tips on what to do next, such as what apps to remove, which to install and so on, if possible while keeping it simple? I read that CM 12.1 (ROM) + Ktoonsez (Kernel) is the way to go.
Thanks in advance.
Hi Avensvvvvvv
The best, safeest way to Root? - Have a look in the Q&A Forum, its mostly all here - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2700073
Some people use TowelRoot...
I used CF Auto root and found it easier. You can find here at XDA or at http://droidors.com/2015/03/24/root-samsung-galaxy-s5-sm-g900i-android-lollipop-5-0/ be aware that this link is for the g900i ot the g900f.
As for updating etc....a lot of the latest ROMS come with OTA (over the air) updates. Which ROMS? There is kind of a rule here that you dont ask which ROM is best because the idea is that you do loads of reading and try them out for yourself Lately Ive been playing around with PhoeniX ROM, Alliance ROM and some of the CM stuff...but all are good. Removal of Bloatware is pretty straight forward using Titanium Backup - or some ROMS supply their own method for doing do. Just be sure to not mess around with any of the system files while your still learning. Search Bloatware and you should find some good advice.
Thats about it mate - the main thing is to read, read, read and ask lots of questions before you do anything. Otherwise you'll have a very expensive paperweight on your desk Most of the people here are cool with Noobs asking questions in the correct forums....by the way this post should really be posted in the Q&A forum
Good luck flashing and rooting...and most of all....have fun!
Mugsyfied
You have a good answer in the above post.....
But in future, you need to give us more information about your device so that we can offer advice that is suited more exactly to your circumstances....
The version of Android currently running on your device is one critical bit of info you didn't provide.....
Some things to bear in mind about your phone....
1) Samsung have included something called Knox on these phones....it is basically an un-resettable 'eFuse' which 'tripps' when you flash any custom software to your device. Samsung are using it as an indicator to allow them to deny warranty claims.
2) when you root your phone you WILL trip knox, this will probably prevent you from receiving OTA updates to your device....and even if (by some miracle) you did get an OTA, it will remove your root access, and you'll have to start again....
http://i.imgur.com/rVnFwJM.jpg

Old Note 3

Hi all,
Thanks in advance.... I had my Note 3 since it was launched and I think it's high time I root it & try to use it with custom built rom as the original standard rom is getting out dated & sluggish.
I read a few threads about rooting this phone and the more I read, the more confuse I got as I am not sure which is the best way to do it now.
So, if there is any kind hearted soul out there, can you point me the right direction to which thread or way that is best for rooting my Note 3.
Lastly, which custom Rom that is currently best in terms of stability? I prefer rom that is as clean as possible without those bloatwares or unnecessary apps that usually comes standard on the original rom.
My unit should be international model as it is not tied to any Telco, I am in Malaysia.
Any help would be much appreciated.
Thank you
Flash TWRP custom recovery .
Use Supersu zip to root if needed .
Best rom
https://forum.xda-developers.com/search/forum/2494?query=best stable rom
If you intend to use a custom ROM, there is no need to root the phone before flashing the custom ROM if you install TWRP first.
Confirm the model # of your phone in download mode before flashing TWRP as Samsung made several models of the Note 3.
Thanks so much guys, great stuff, at least there is something I can look forward to do this Christmas break....
Thanks again... Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to all!
audit13 said:
If you intend to use a custom ROM, there is no need to root the phone before flashing the custom ROM is you install TWRP first.
Confirm the model # of your phone in download mode before flashing TWRP as Samsung made several models of the Note 3.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, so what you are saying is if I install the right copy of TWRP first, it will do the rooting as well & put in the supersu for me?
Thanks again.
What I mean is that there is no need to root the existing stock rom with supersu if you intend to go straight to a custom ROM after flashing twrp.
Flashing supersu with twrp is needed to get root on a stock rom if you intend to stay with a stock rom.

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