[Q] Need advice for recovery flash - AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshootin

So far, all i've been able to do is root my s4 via towelroot. I want to flash cwm but the flashimagegui app tells me that my device isn't supported. The only other way i know to flash cwm is through odin, but then I found out that my device might have a locked bootloader.
Could anybody explain to me if I would be able to get cwm and cm11 working on this phone? It's running 4.4.2 build :KOT49H.I337UCUFNC1
I apologize if these questions have already been answered, any help would be greatly appreciated however.
Thanks

You have a locked bootloader which prevents the stock kernel and recovery from being replaced. So, cwm will not work. Only working recovery is safestrap. More info http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2616221

Related

[Q] Cant flash Recovery

i installed safestrap and tried updating to oudhs recovery through recovery.
it says it installs but when i reboot its still safestrap.
also tried installing twrp thorugh android emulator still have safestrap.
any suggestions?
You can't flash a recovery. You're going to have to return to stock
Edit how can someone with so many posts know so little about their device. If you're on ss you have to use the recovery that comes with it. Read the stickies
but before i flashed ss, i was already using oudhs.
the reason why i flashed ss i have no idea
bstylz911 said:
but before i flashed ss, i was already using oudhs.
the reason why i flashed ss i have no idea
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So if you are on MDB or MDL (You must have been if you have the AT&T S4 and custom recovery) just Odin back to stock firmware and re-install whichever custom recovery you want (as long as it is for this phone and LOKId). Make sure you get the custom recovery on the phone before it tries to update to a firmware that you can't do anything (other then Safestrap) with. Search and read to find the information you need if you don't understand what I am telling you. And don't do anything to your phone until you do. Good luck.

I337 running KangKat help with Sim Unlock Code

I have a unique situation. I have a I337 with KangKat installed and TWRP recovery installed. I just received an unlock code for my device, but it does not accept the code. I have been told that since the phone is rooted and running a custom rom that the code does not work. My question is can I download a stock rom. Install it using TWRP. type in my unlock code. get the device unlock. Can I then install KangKat again? Or will installing the stock rom messup my bootloader and I will forever not be-able to load a custom rom again?
I would greatly appreciate the communities expert advice. I do not want to lose my ability to install a custom rom but I need to have my device unlocked for international travel. Thank you.
julow123 said:
I have a unique situation. I have a I337 with KangKat installed and TWRP recovery installed. I just received an unlock code for my device, but it does not accept the code. I have been told that since the phone is rooted and running a custom rom that the code does not work. My question is can I download a stock rom. Install it using TWRP. type in my unlock code. get the device unlock. Can I then install KangKat again? Or will installing the stock rom messup my bootloader and I will forever not be-able to load a custom rom again?
I would greatly appreciate the communities expert advice. I do not want to lose my ability to install a custom rom but I need to have my device unlocked for international travel. Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since you have TWRP installed, you are either on the MDB or MDL bootloader. Flash the stock firmware matching the version, using Odin. Sim unlock and then you can reinstall TWRP and your custom rom.
Run the follow commands in a terminal emulator (app) session or adb shell
su
getprop ro.bootloader
jmjoyas said:
Since you have TWRP installed, you are either on the MDB or MDL bootloader. Flash the stock firmware matching the version, using Odin. Sim unlock and then you can reinstall TWRP and your custom rom.
Run the follow commands in a terminal emulator (app) session or adb shell
su
getprop ro.bootloader
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I fear using Odin. Horrible stories from the time I flash a Tab 1. Is this the only way?
Does anyone know if I recover to a stock rooted 4.4.2 rom will my unlock code work? or will it not work because its rooted?
Do not go to 4.4.2 as it has a locked boatloader and no direct root method.
I use odin on a daily basis and I haven't seen any issues. I haven't heard of anyone reporting any issues due to odin on this phone in this forum.
Sent from my SGH-I337 using Tapatalk
jmjoyas said:
Do not go to 4.4.2 as it has a locked boatloader and no direct root method.
I use odin on a daily basis and I haven't seen any issues. I haven't heard of anyone reporting any issues due to odin on this phone in this forum.
Sent from my SGH-I337 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok i just downloaded the stock rom I337UCUAMDB_I337ATTAMDB_ATT. Does anyone have a link to the MDL rom?
I've been told to start with the oldest rom and work my way up till it doesn't fail the odin flash. What is the order of roms I should try?
julow123 said:
Ok i just downloaded the stock rom I337UCUAMDB_I337ATTAMDB_ATT. Does anyone have a link to the MDL rom?
I've been told to start with the oldest rom and work my way up till it doesn't fail the odin flash. What is the order of roms I should try?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sammobile has a link to MDL.
The newer bootloaders prevent a downgrade of bootloader. That is the reason you have been asked to try from older to latest one that works. You need to do that only if you dont know the current bootlaoder version. I already gave you the method to find the current version on your phone.
MDB->MDL->MF3->MK2->NB1
From MF3 onwards, custom recoveries like TWRP/CWM will not work. The only working recovery is safestrap. You will also lose the ability to flash AOSP ROMS.
Wishing that it works with MDL stock itself.
All about MK2 and NB1
Got my unlock code working!!!
First off. I want to thank the XDA community with their knowledge. The quick responses to my post is much appreciated.
I was able to get my unlock code working without having to use Odin. Thanks to an internet buddy who put me on the right track. Since I have TWRP installed I was able to install a stock 4.4.2 Root AT&T rom. I then put my unlock code in. And BAM Worked!!! I then restored from my original backup and now i'm back to running KangKat.
Thanks all again!!!
julow123 said:
First off. I want to thank the XDA community with their knowledge. The quick responses to my post is much appreciated.
I was able to get my unlock code working without having to use Odin. Thanks to an internet buddy who put me on the right track. Since I have TWRP installed I was able to install a stock 4.4.2 Root AT&T rom. I then put my unlock code in. And BAM Worked!!! I then restored from my original backup and now i'm back to running KangKat.
Thanks all again!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And thanks for reminding me that with a custom recovery you can flash almost any rom. I had lost this ability long back when I moved to S4 and got a phone with MF3 on which custom recovery doesnt work. We can do only restricted stuff with the safestrap recovery.

So is there currently no way to put a custom rom on this phone?

I did it a year ago, and took no effort. Now it seems impossible.
I suppose the bootloader is still locked, and no one found a way around it?
And I can't install any sort of recovery on my phone, it won't even enter recovery mode at all it just enters download mode. someone please help Im very frustrated
The boot loader is still locked. So, no custom recovery and kernel. The only working recovery is safestrap.
There are lot of ROMs that can be flashed. For more info - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2616221
jmjoyas said:
The boot loader is still locked. So, no custom recovery and kernel. The only working recovery is safestrap.
There are lot of ROMs that can be flashed. For more info - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2616221
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks
before i go further, any recommendation on which one of those kitkat roms to use? I just want to have the most bloatware removed with the most optimized performance, obviously...
What phone are you talking about?
first things first... what bootloader are you on? if mf3 or newer you have to use safestrap recovery, mdl or older can use several different recoveries and the Loki exploit.
AT&T S4 with ViSiON-X (ViSiX) & california Chrome custom (cCc)

How to Unlock Secure Bootloader?

well i have problem with my bootloader and it is securely locked you can see the pictures it shows clearly. No matter which Recovery i flash via Odin or rom recovery method it remains the same and it doesn't change when i flash new recovery and i reboot it to recovery all i see is same old recovery.
I need some help i hope to get some proper help.
S5 G900F
Thanks
Still looking for some help! anyone know how to?
Flashing recovery from ODIN has failed for me and a few others too, rooting with CF Auto Root and then using TWRP Manager from the Play Store was how I managed to get TWRP recovery installed
it didn't resolve maybe someone that had same issue and successfully resolved could share their thoughts?
cheers

Recovery for N900V 5.0 OF1 Build?

Hello all...I have to first say that I HAVE been reading A LOT before I posted this question but I am somewhat confused. I have an SM-N900V with the following details :
- Rooted with Arabic Tool
- Android 5.0
- Build OF1
- Bootloader unlocked based on instructions at http://forum.xda-developers.com/ver...l/official-note-3-verizon-bootloader-t3359370
I also have a SM-N900T for which I have been using CWM based recovery for many years and I am very happy with it. But I am not forced to change to the N900V and I have it rooted already but I am having a hard time finding the right recovery for it. I tried a philz CWM based recovery and it ended u getting the unit into a recovery bootloop so I have to flash the stock firmware from scratch and start again.
Can someone save me a few hours, and potentially more reflashes, and tell me which is the right recvery for this unit and how to install it? I am partial to CWM but I have read that it does not work. As long as I can take backups and restore them I am happy with TWRP. I have also read that SafeStrap is the only option. So again, I just need a straight answer so I can get this done.
Your feedback will be much appreciated!
thanks!
Did you mean "now forced" instead of "not forced" in the 2nd paragraph? The use later on of antecedent references such as "it" and "this phone" make it slightly confusing which phone you are talking about.
calderonr said:
I tried a philz CWM based recovery and it ended u getting the unit into a recovery bootloop so I have to flash the stock firmware from scratch and start again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have unlocked the SM-N900V's bootloader, then a bootloop can be remedied by flashing with Odin only the partitions you need fixed, not the entire firmware set. This relieves you from having to re-customize a stock ROM and/or re-root. Moreover and more importantly having an unlocked bootloader means that your phone will no longer require blobs to be Sammy-signed: you can flash custom recoveries with Odin if you please. (You just need to learn how to create the *.tar.md5 files for Odin and you are in business - search for "Odin ustar md5")
So had you know that, you could have just prepared Odin flash tarballs for different recoveries and tried them out according to whim (It is also possible to flash a recovery from the rooted ROM as well, but you need to know how to escape from a perpetual failed recovery boot loop, I.e. : battery pull -> restart with VolDown+Home+Power -> Cancel)
I haven't ever put CWM on my SM-N900V, but can tell you that either the " hlte" or "hltevzw" variants of twrp should work just fine; as you are on OF1 firmware, the -4.4 versions should be used, e.g. twrp-3.0.2-0-hlte-4.4.img or twrp-3.0.2-0-hltevzw-4.4.img
PS Safestrap was the method of choice prior to bootloader unlock methods, and I believe does not work with OB6 or OF1 (possibly also NK1?).
.
calderonr said:
Hello all...I have to first say that I HAVE been reading A LOT before I posted this question but I am somewhat confused. I have an SM-N900V with the following details :
- Rooted with Arabic Tool
- Android 5.0
- Build OF1
- Bootloader unlocked based on instructions at http://forum.xda-developers.com/ver...l/official-note-3-verizon-bootloader-t3359370
I also have a SM-N900T for which I have been using CWM based recovery for many years and I am very happy with it. But I am not forced to change to the N900V and I have it rooted already but I am having a hard time finding the right recovery for it. I tried a philz CWM based recovery and it ended u getting the unit into a recovery bootloop so I have to flash the stock firmware from scratch and start again.
Can someone save me a few hours, and potentially more reflashes, and tell me which is the right recvery for this unit and how to install it? I am partial to CWM but I have read that it does not work. As long as I can take backups and restore them I am happy with TWRP. I have also read that SafeStrap is the only option. So again, I just need a straight answer so I can get this done.
Your feedback will be much appreciated!
thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As long as you are rooted and have the bootloader unlocked... Use Flashify to load TWRP which is an excellent recovery and does what you wish.
See this message:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=66380697
Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

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