Database Users

[Q] anyway to get internal sd data off when stuck in bootloop?

@ mods i realised my mistake in posting this in the wrong section and posted in the right one but people are replying to this one......so please dont delete this just yet
I in my infinite wisdom tried to mod a file on my phone. I did a titanium backup 1st but forgot to move it to my external SD Doh!
So that went wrong and now I'm stuck in a boot loop with only the stock recovery screen. Need to install stock rom and adb not recognized. (Im sure ill figure that) but my main question is, is there some way to recover data from the internal "sd" memory?
I really appreciate any advice anyone can give

I am not sure if I understood your question.. if you have CWM then just access recovery mode and you will have an option to mount the SD and you will be able to access all your files via USB from your PC

?
I don't have cwm . Like I said I only have the stock recovery screens I.e factory reset and download mode.

Do a factory reset, it won't erase your data.

Not sure that would work. It says wipe user data and factory reset so surely it would wipe my data. Plus I don't think that'll work anyway as I changed a file which caused the boot loop so I don't think a factory reset will fix that file.

Androboyben said:
Not sure that would work. It says wipe user data and factory reset so surely it would wipe my data. Plus I don't think that'll work anyway as I changed a file which caused the boot loop so I don't think a factory reset will fix that file.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what info are you trying to get off the device? the sms etc are stored on your data and will be wiped by a reinstall/factory reset
anything on the usb side for storage will not get touched

Factory reset wont clear anything on the internal_sd

thank you.....but
thanks for the replies peeps ill trust your knowledge (and have pressed the thanks button )
got a day off tomorrow so gonna try and get it up and running again,
Question though, being as i buggered up the stock rom wont flashing the new rom (when i figure out how) delete internal data either.
the reason im being carefull is i did some awesome illustrations (imo) for a childrens book im writing so hoping to save those.

Androboyben said:
thanks for the replies peeps ill trust your knowledge (and have pressed the thanks button )
got a day off tomorrow so gonna try and get it up and running again,
Question though, being as i buggered up the stock rom wont flashing the new rom (when i figure out how) delete internal data either.
the reason im being carefull is i did some awesome illustrations (imo) for a childrens book im writing so hoping to save those.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it depends on if you use a wipe or non wipe rom, a non wipe wil lkeep qall the data stored on the android system intact but you might get bootloops if it doesnt replace the file you say you deleted

took the plunge......alls good
Richy99 said:
it depends on if you use a wipe or non wipe rom, a non wipe wil lkeep qall the data stored on the android system intact but you might get bootloops if it doesnt replace the file you say you deleted
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks Richy99, i took the plunge and followed nasgilani's guide to installing stock rom, i was supprised when it completed that even my home screens etc were as they were before (appart from widgets being blank) and glad to see "as you all said" my data intact.
i shall be more cautious before i start messing with mods next time

basically internal usb storage of 11gb will never be touched when you factory reset nor wil lanything on an external sd card
the only thing that gets wiped is the 1gb internal space for the rom and data on that partition such as sms/email etc

I know this is an old topic but I noticed it wasn't exactly answered.. I'm trying to send mine back to the factory for warranty because the power button no longer functions. I have the stock rom and recovery and I'm stuck in boot loop because I can't execute factory wipe with the power button. I'd like to pull my data off of the internal SD but am unable to fix the bootloop without forcing the wipe.

I know metter is over now, it was just ur worrying, otherwise wiping cache,wiping data from recovery , flashing stock rom (wipe/non wipe) nothing.will erase data on internal memory.
Just for knowledge
aroma file manager is available, which works from recovery, it can work even you device stucked, unable to boot..
Edit ; sometime you feel ashamed, just come to know this is 6month old topic
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium

[Q] Soft-Brick Assistance

Note: I may not use terms correctly, I have spent the past hour reading threads similar to mine in order to (hopefully) use the correct terms to describe my predicament.
I was using TriForce ROM 3.0 and I wanted to mix things up a bit because it was too much like the stock ROM. I found Negalite S4 and tried my hand at that, with devastating consequences. I booted my phone into TWRP did a wipe and then proceeded to install the Negalite S4.zip onto my phone. It got stuck in a boot loop. After a good 30~ minutes of it continuously rebooting I turned it off and booted back into TWRP. However, now that my phone was wiped, it is not a recognized device by my computer any longer. Since I wiped the phone clean the .zip is no longer on my phone either. So, all I have now is a phone that can boot into recovery (TWRP); which is a soft-brick (correct me if I'm wrong).
I have read other threads and the xda community informs the user to use KIES or ODIN (I have used ODIN once before). However, try as hard as I can to understand their directions... I don't know what to do with ODIN.
My computer does not recognize my device at all. It will only boot into recovery otherwise it's stuck in an infinite boot loop. I am really scared that I have ruined such a valuable phone and so I am not thinking clearly - which is only adding to my "noobishness."
Can anyone please help me out in a way that I can understand? All help is much appreciated!

_retro said:
Note: I may not use terms correctly, I have spent the past hour reading threads similar to mine in order to (hopefully) use the correct terms to describe my predicament.
I was using TriForce ROM 3.0 and I wanted to mix things up a bit because it was too much like the stock ROM. I found Negalite S4 and tried my hand at that, with devastating consequences. I booted my phone into TWRP did a wipe and then proceeded to install the Negalite S4.zip onto my phone. It got stuck in a boot loop. After a good 30~ minutes of it continuously rebooting I turned it off and booted back into TWRP. However, now that my phone was wiped, it is not a recognized device by my computer any longer. Since I wiped the phone clean the .zip is no longer on my phone either. So, all I have now is a phone that can boot into recovery (TWRP); which is a soft-brick (correct me if I'm wrong).
I have read other threads and the xda community informs the user to use KIES or ODIN (I have used ODIN once before). However, try as hard as I can to understand their directions... I don't know what to do with ODIN.
My computer does not recognize my device at all. It will only boot into recovery otherwise it's stuck in an infinite boot loop. I am really scared that I have ruined such a valuable phone and so I am not thinking clearly - which is only adding to my "noobishness."
Can anyone please help me out in a way that I can understand? All help is much appreciated!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, download and install Samsung drivers from the Internet if your phone isn't installing them on its own. Download MDL stock. Open ODIN. Put your phone in download mode. ODIN should see your phone. Flash stock MDL. Use goo manager to install TWRP again after your booted on stock MDL. Or use ODIN to do it. Redownload the custom ROM you want and then flash in TWRP. Also wiping the phones dalvik, cache system ect shouldn't have erased your SD card in the first place. You mist have accidentally checked the wipe SD card in advanced wipe options. You never need to do that. So next time also have a nandroid backup on your external SD. I keep one on internal as well in case external card goes bad cause sometimes that happens. And never select that wipe SD card option. Unless of course you really do want to wipe your SD card. Don't do that and keep a full backup of your last working ROM and you'll not have this problem again.

3ncrypt3d said:
Okay, download and install Samsung drivers from the Internet if your phone isn't installing them on its own. Download MDL stock. Open ODIN. Put your phone in download mode. ODIN should see your phone. Flash stock MDL. Use goo manager to install TWRP again after your booted on stock MDL. Or use ODIN to do it. Redownload the custom ROM you want and then flash in TWRP. Also wiping the phones dalvik, cache system ect shouldn't have erased your SD card in the first place. You mist have accidentally checked the wipe SD card in advanced wipe options. You never need to do that. So next time also have a nandroid backup on your external SD. I keep one on internal as well in case external card goes bad cause sometimes that happens. And never select that wipe SD card option. Unless of course you really do want to wipe your SD card. Don't do that and keep a full backup of your last working ROM and you'll not have this problem again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank-you for the detailed response, I'll get started now! I did wipe the SD card, you're right. I'm so glad that you posted, thanks again.
If I need help I'll edit this post (no bumping within 24 hours). I'm hoping I have enough smarts to knock this out though. Again, thank you so much.
EDIT: Excuse my ignorance. I'm not sure what MDL stock is, I figured it was the default ROM - I have a nandroid of that. However, even after re-installing the samsung drivers, rebooting both my phone and computer - nothing happens. I don't know how to proceed from here. I can imagine I'm becoming a pain and do apologize.

_retro said:
Thank-you for the detailed response, I'll get started now! I did wipe the SD card, you're right. I'm so glad that you posted, thanks again.
If I need help I'll edit this post (no bumping within 24 hours). I'm hoping I have enough smarts to knock this out though. Again, thank you so much.
EDIT: Excuse my ignorance. I'm not sure what MDL stock is, I figured it was the default ROM - I have a nandroid of that. However, even after re-installing the samsung drivers, rebooting both my phone and computer - nothing happens. I don't know how to proceed from here. I can imagine I'm becoming a pain and do apologize.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2375523
The link above is the tar file for stock MF9. If you just use the link for the from the first post you just need to download the first file (not the kernel). Once downloaded you need to extraxt that zip and you will get a .tar.md5 file from it. Later open odin and make sure only auto reboot is checked. Click on the PDA slot and find the .tar.md5 file you downloaded click on it. Next put your phone into download mode and connect it to your computer. Wait for it to install drivers and you will see a yellow box with "com:[some number]" once you see that click start and from there let it do its thing and whoola you have your phone back to MF9 stock. Good luck!
Sent from my SPH-L720

ROMANTiC KiD said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2375523
The link above is the tar file for stock MF9. If you just use the link for the from the first post you just need to download the first file (not the kernel). Once downloaded you need to extraxt that zip and you will get a .tar.md5 file from it. Later open odin and make sure only auto reboot is checked. Click on the PDA slot and find the .tar.md5 file you downloaded click on it. Next put your phone into download mode and connect it to your computer. Wait for it to install drivers and you will see a yellow box with "com:[some number]" once you see that click start and from there let it do its thing and whoola you have your phone back to MF9 stock. Good luck!
Sent from my SPH-L720
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, you did it! That post is solid, I understood every-bit! My phone (most likely) is downloading the firmware now. I don't know how long it will take to get off the "Downloading... Do not turn off target !!" screen, but I'll edit this post after letting it sit over night! Thank you both so much.

_retro said:
Well, you did it! That post is solid, I understood every-bit! My phone (most likely) is downloading the firmware now. I don't know how long it will take to get off the "Downloading... Do not turn off target !!" screen, but I'll edit this post after letting it sit over night! Thank you both so much.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your welcome glad to help again, should take less than 10 mins. If its more than that just reboot your computer and repeat the steps from opening odin and finding your file. Another GS4 saved ;D
Sent from my SPH-L720

ROMANTiC KiD said:
Your welcome glad to help again, should take less than 10 mins. If its more than that just reboot your computer and repeat the steps from opening odin and finding your file. Another GS4 saved ;D
Sent from my SPH-L720
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You were right, it was quite snappy. I cannot believe I was so panicked over this! My babies safe ... for now.

So how did Twrp wipe nor SD card? When by boot into recovery and immediately click on Wipe, it'll wipe everything Necessary except the internal and external memory. Did you click the option to choose what you want to wipe? Happens more than ya may think, cause I've done it myself lol. Good to hear it's back up, I still get freaked out by those occurrences
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 2

reverepats said:
So how did Twrp wipe nor SD card? When by boot into recovery and immediately click on Wipe, it'll wipe everything Necessary except the internal and external memory. Did you click the option to choose what you want to wipe? Happens more than ya may think, cause I've done it myself lol. Good to hear it's back up, I still get freaked out by those occurrences
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It wasn't human error through TWRP, it was an error while flashing Negalite. It asks if you want to wipe everything, data, or nothing at all. Silly me thought let's wipe EVERYTHING! Heheh

3ncrypt3d said:
Okay, download and install Samsung drivers from the Internet if your phone isn't installing them on its own. Download MDL stock. Open ODIN. Put your phone in download mode. ODIN should see your phone. Flash stock MDL. Use goo manager to install TWRP again after your booted on stock MDL. Or use ODIN to do it. Redownload the custom ROM you want and then flash in TWRP. Also wiping the phones dalvik, cache system ect shouldn't have erased your SD card in the first place. You mist have accidentally checked the wipe SD card in advanced wipe options. You never need to do that. So next time also have a nandroid backup on your external SD. I keep one on internal as well in case external card goes bad cause sometimes that happens. And never select that wipe SD card option. Unless of course you really do want to wipe your SD card. Don't do that and keep a full backup of your last working ROM and you'll not have this problem again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ODIN IS NOT RECOGNISING MY PHONE ...WHAT TO DO????:crying::crying::crying:

Ridddeathmetal said:
ODIN IS NOT RECOGNISING MY PHONE ...WHAT TO DO????:crying::crying::crying:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Reinstall drivers, use different USB ports, used different USB cables?
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda app-developers app

romantic kid said:
reinstall drivers, use different usb ports, used different usb cables?
Sent from my sph-l720 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
tried 4 ports...in different pc also but same result used 3 cables...but none recognising it.....drivers have been downloaded and reinstalled

[Q]WhatsApp not sending/receiving media

Hello everyone. I've tried really hard to DO NOT create this thread. As it happens I have used all I know (which isnt much) to try to fix this problem but got no success.
So I've got a S4 GT-I9505. I've recently decided to root it mainly because I wanted full External SD-card access to some apps. Here are some facts about my rooting:
- I used TWRP;
- I used SuperSU;
- I kept the stock ROM. I personally dont have anything to complain about it so I didnt install any custom ROMs.
- I had a problem with Knox afterwards, the phone was rebooting and freezing. I made a backup on Titanium and then uninstalled every Knox-related app.
- The system worked nicely for days.
Then I decided to clean some garbage that I knew was present in my device, like ghost folders and foster files and such.
- I installed SD-Maid and Clean Master.
- On the same day, I switched my SIM card because of some personal issues. I'm brazilian but now living in Deutschland. The change of SIM cards (if it matters) was as follows: bought the phone > inserted brazilian SIM > inserted deutsch SIM > inserted brazilian SIM (due to a personal problem) > back to deutsch SIM. I'm telling you this because I'm not sure of how relevant it is. Just trying to give as much info as possible.
- I cleaned some **** with SD-Maid AND Clean Master.
What happened next:
- WhatsApp was broken. I couldnt receive any media (voice recordings, videos, images, nothing at all).
- I tried re-installing the App
- I tried to restore my WhatsApp backup from Titanium. No success*.
- I tried to restore my backup from TWRD. No success.
- I tried to change WhatsApp folder (on data/media) permissions to r-r-r---- and then back to 00775. No success.
- I tried re-registering my phone to whatsapp network. No success.
- I tried deleting whatsapp folder on data/media (WhatsApp FAQ recomendation). Thats when WhatsApp stopped also SENDING media. I couldnt simply send or receive through the app.
- I tried re-creating the WhatsApp media folder on data. No success.
- I tried a factory reset followed by a TWRD backup restoration. WhatsApp was once again SENDING, but NOT RECEIVING media. When my phone finished booting and the launcher loaded, I was immediately prompted by a WhatsApp message saying something like "Conection failed! Please verify your phone number. WhatsApp can only be installed in one device per phone-number" even though everything else internet-related was working just fine.
(* when I say NO SUCCESS, I refer to the fact that WhatsApp still not receiving/sending media, not that I failed to implement that given fix)
Now, when I wiped my phone to factory defaults, I noticed that in TWRD prompt it said something like "Wiping Data, EXCEPT data/media". My knowledge of the subject isnt great but I think it might be something with this folder.
Any thoughts?
Thank you very much in advance!

Do nothing. Delete your account from whatsapp and recreate it with the number you wish to use
My whatsapp works fine with a different no. And has a diff sim for calling.
Maybe to much of backup.. restore...bla bla..made it crash.
Press Thanks if I helped
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S4 via XDA app.

Venorian said:
- I tried re-registering my phone to whatsapp network. No success.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
DeepankarS said:
Do nothing. Delete your account from whatsapp and recreate it with the number you wish to use
My whatsapp works fine with a different no. And has a diff sim for calling.
Maybe to much of backup.. restore...bla bla..made it crash.
Press Thanks if I helped
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S4 via XDA app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It was not very clear in my post, indeed, but yes I have tried that as well. Thanks for trying!

I would just take the shortcut.
- Backup the apps you want to backup with Titanium.
- Make a backup of Whatsapp from within the app.
- Wipe from TWRP recovery (I assume that's what you mean by TWRD). Use the option prepare for rom flash (don't know the excact words, but you understand when you see the option).
- Reflash the rom you are currently on with Odin (or flash a custom rom).
You can also just skip the wiping part and just flash the rom with Odin again. I always like to start from scratch if something goes wrong, but it should probably work without the wipe.
Then restore the apps you want to restore. Whatsapp should probably be working now.
You can spend many more hours finding a solution, but my guess is that SD-maid or Clean Master deleted something it should not have. Always be carefull with those kind of apps. I don't really like those apps because the benefit you get from them is limited.

GOT A FIX!
After 2 days of hitting my head on the wall with this, I came up with a solution.
My girlfriend has the exact same phone as me (though I think any rooted android with WhatsApp installed would do).
I entered her data/media/whatsapp folder and created all the folders that were missing on my own folder (deleted by CleanMaster just for being empty). Then I gave all the folders the exact same permissions (rwxrwx--x or 0775) as my girlfriend's device and voila! It's working perfectly!
Now just for future reference and to feed my curiosity: why does factory reset through TWRP do not also wipe data/media? If this folder were wiped, I would get a fresh WhatsApp install and the problem would have been gone sooner. I kinda dont understand the folders' structure in my phone. Sometimes it looks like I can get to the same very place using diferent paths (like /data/ OR /emulated/ OR /0/ OR /sdcard/).
Anyway, thanks people! Though I figured it all by myself, this forum still rocks!

Venorian said:
GOT A FIX!
After 2 days of hitting my head on the wall with this, I came up with a solution.
My girlfriend has the exact same phone as me (though I think any rooted android with WhatsApp installed would do).
I entered her data/media/whatsapp folder and created all the folders that were missing on my own folder (deleted by CleanMaster just for being empty). Then I gave all the folders the exact same permissions (rwxrwx--x or 0775) as my girlfriend's device and voila! It's working perfectly!
Now just for future reference and to feed my curiosity: why does factory reset through TWRP do not also wipe data/media? If this folder were wiped, I would get a fresh WhatsApp install and the problem would have been gone sooner. I kinda dont understand the folders' structure in my phone. Sometimes it looks like I can get to the same very place using diferent paths (like /data/ OR /emulated/ OR /0/ OR /sdcard/).
Anyway, thanks people! Though I figured it all by myself, this forum still rocks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good that you found a solution.
It would be bad thing if the custom recovery would standard wipe data/media because that would wipe your entire internal sd. People that flash roms don't want that to happen. You can still wipe it from the recovery, it's just in a different place then the standard wiping.

Lennyz1988 said:
Good that you found a solution.
It would be bad thing if the custom recovery would standard wipe data/media because that would wipe your entire internal sd. People that flash roms don't want that to happen. You can still wipe it from the recovery, it's just in a different place then the standard wiping.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So basically its just a matter of keeping your apps and app data? Not something system-damaging or system-related at all?
And thanks for your answer!

Venorian said:
So basically its just a matter of keeping your apps and app data? Not something system-damaging or system-related at all?
And thanks for your answer!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No your apps and data will be wiped. Basically every part that could interfere with a new rom is wiped. It's only the data on your internal storage that is kept. So apps (like Whatsapp) also write data to your internal storage and that won't get wiped.
/system
/data (excluded /data/media)
/cache
and a few more will be wiped.
(There are more parts that don't get wiped, but that are parts that neither an app or you will ever touch.)

Now the problem is back. I can't really understand what happened.
I rebooted my phone just to check if everything was OK and then to do a new backup in TWRP.
Checked WhatsApp and the problem was back. Then I went to see the files and some folders that I've just copied were gone! The WhatsApp main folder on data/media was still there, but some subfolders were simply missing. I also noticed that my copy of that folder on my External SD-card was also gone! Like WTH?!
Any help will be much appreciated.
P.S.: and to my happiness, copying the files once again (as I've done before) simply doesnt work. This is driving me crazy, seriously.

this happened to me once, and wasn't whatsapp only, the reason whatsapp wasn't being able to receive/send media files was because it somehow could not access the internal storage.. same with all my other apps, it happened when restoring a full rom backup with CWM.. and the only way i managed to fix it was to re-flash the stock rom with odin

-Ric- said:
this happened to me once, and wasn't whatsapp only, the reason whatsapp wasn't being able to receive/send media files was because it somehow could not access the internal storage.. same with all my other apps, it happened when restoring a full rom backup with CWM.. and the only way i managed to fix it was to re-flash the stock rom with odin
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not even a factory reset will do?
How do I find a stock ROM from Samsung (with 4.4.2) compatible with my S4 GT-I9505? Also: should I also wipe everything or simply flash the rom without doing anything else?
Now that you said, I also noticed that one of my favorite games (Mushroom Wars) has also stopped working. Might be that you're right!

Venorian said:
Not even a factory reset will do?
How do I find a stock ROM from Samsung (with 4.4.2) compatible with my S4 GT-I9505? Also: should I also wipe everything or simply flash the rom without doing anything else?
Now that you said, I also noticed that one of my favorite games (Mushroom Wars) has also stopped working. Might be that you're right!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do as I suggested. Start from a blank sheet and stay away from those rom cleaners for now.
You could just take a clean custom rom, then you don't have to worry about deleting those knox stuff and rerooting again.

Venorian said:
Not even a factory reset will do?
How do I find a stock ROM from Samsung (with 4.4.2) compatible with my S4 GT-I9505? Also: should I also wipe everything or simply flash the rom without doing anything else?
Now that you said, I also noticed that one of my favorite games (Mushroom Wars) has also stopped working. Might be that you're right!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i honestly didn't attempt a factory reset because i wanted to keep all my stuff, so i just flashed the stock rom on odin and everything worked out fine, was the only way i was able to fix it

-Ric- said:
i honestly didn't attempt a factory reset because i wanted to keep all my stuff, so i just flashed the stock rom on odin and everything worked out fine, was the only way i was able to fix it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
By doing this I'll have to reroot, right? Do you think it is a problem if I recover my backup from TWRP after flashing the stock rom?
Dont wanna go through the configs and app installing all over again.

Venorian said:
By doing this I'll have to reroot, right? Do you think it is a problem if I recover my backup from TWRP after flashing the stock rom?
Dont wanna go through the configs and app installing all over again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you don't need to re-configure or recover a backup, if you flash the same stock on odin as you already had running, without wiping, it should work right away, without any issues and without any need for a wipe or a restore, you will have to re-root though, yes.

-Ric- said:
you don't need to re-configure or recover a backup, if you flash the same stock on odin as you already had running, without wiping, it should work right away, without any issues and without any need for a wipe or a restore, you will have to re-root though, yes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here is your stock firmware: http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/3/?download=33568

Tkkg1994 said:
Here is your stock firmware: http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/3/?download=33568
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is for switzerland, isnt it? A Brazilian version would be most welcome! I'm currently downloading one from this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2265477
-Ric- said:
you don't need to re-configure or recover a backup, if you flash the same stock on odin as you already had running, without wiping, it should work right away, without any issues and without any need for a wipe or a restore, you will have to re-root though, yes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure! Thank you for your help!
Just a side note: while downloading the stock rom, I found this and installed the given app (Folder Mount) just to check. As soon as I opened it, it pop'd a message saying that he identified a crucial problem with my /bin/sdcardwhatever file. So yes, I'm confident that your solution will be the one to fix my problem. Let's see...
Also thanks for Lennyz1988 for your suggestion. Your fix seems a little bit... harder?... for me, but if this one doesnt work I'll try yours and post the results. BTW, where do I find a clean custom ROM? Thank you!

Venorian said:
This is for switzerland, isnt it? A Brazilian version would be most welcome! I'm currently downloading one from this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2265477
Sure! Thank you for your help!
Just a side note: while downloading the stock rom, I found this and installed the given app (Folder Mount) just to check. As soon as I opened it, it pop'd a message saying that he identified a crucial problem with my /bin/sdcardwhatever file. So yes, I'm confident that your solution will be the one to fix my problem. Let's see...
Also thanks for Lennyz1988 for your suggestion. Your fix seems a little bit... harder?... for me, but if this one doesnt work I'll try yours and post the results. BTW, where do I find a clean custom ROM? Thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cause you want a Brazil version, here you go : http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/3/?download=31097

Lennyz1988 said:
I would just take the shortcut.
- Backup the apps you want to backup with Titanium.
- Make a backup of Whatsapp from within the app.
- Wipe from TWRP recovery (I assume that's what you mean by TWRD). Use the option prepare for rom flash (don't know the excact words, but you understand when you see the option).
- Reflash the rom you are currently on with Odin (or flash a custom rom).
You can also just skip the wiping part and just flash the rom with Odin again. I always like to start from scratch if something goes wrong, but it should probably work without the wipe.
Then restore the apps you want to restore. Whatsapp should probably be working now.
You can spend many more hours finding a solution, but my guess is that SD-maid or Clean Master deleted something it should not have. Always be carefull with those kind of apps. I don't really like those apps because the benefit you get from them is limited.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
-Ric- said:
this happened to me once, and wasn't whatsapp only, the reason whatsapp wasn't being able to receive/send media files was because it somehow could not access the internal storage.. same with all my other apps, it happened when restoring a full rom backup with CWM.. and the only way i managed to fix it was to re-flash the stock rom with odin
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just realized both solutions are the same, LOL.
ODIN just finished flashing the stock rom. Will update soon with the preliminary results.

Apparently it did NOT work. Not completely at least.
WhatsApp is now once again making voice recordings and receiving them as well, but is not handling any other kind of media. Mushroom Wars (the game I talked about earlier) is also not loading.
The system looks just it was before, only without root (I know that was expected).
Don't know what to do now.
Just one more question: how much of a problem is it restoring a backup using TWRP? I mean, in a scenario in which I get this problem fixed, I couldnt simply restore any backup due to the possibility of screwing my internal storage thing all over again?

Need help/overwhelmed! Noob flashing to GPE 5.0.1?

Hi,
I want to install the ROM here on my Samsung Galaxy S4 (GT-I9505). I rooted and installed CM on it about 4 months ago, but since have forgotten anything about the process except for towelroot lol. My phone is currently running jflte snapshot M10 ROM for CM. Unfortunately, I have grown quite sick of it as I find I have to restart my phone once, maybe twice a day for everything to run smoothly. I run into problems where the WiFi likes to get stuck saying 'Turning on..'. Ive also been having problems with Google Maps and GPS lately and havent been able to rely on it, possibly its an issue its having with CM. I want to have the fresh Lollipop feel on my phone without any problems if possible. The only trouble is I dont know how to get there. Can anyone help me? Ive completely forgotten the process needed and when I try to look for it on here I am overwhelmed with things I need to do, which version I need to use etc etc. If anyone would be able to help me achieve this it would be greatly appreciated. In the end I just want a nice Lollipop android phone that doesn't have problems on my current S4 (Id rather not have to get a new phone at least until December ) I'm pretty sure I dont have a custom kernel or anything like that as it mentioned in some pages that I will need to get one I think? I also have philz CWM installed.

You have Philz installed, so you don't need to root again. Download the ROM and follow the instructions on the page.

Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
You have Philz installed, so you don't need to root again. Download the ROM and follow the instructions on the page.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It also mentioned to make sure I have the latest modem for my variant, how do I check/update that?
In regards to the kernel (which has a link on the same page), what do I do with that?

I don't have the latest modem for my I9505 and that ROM works perfectly fine. Where you've been on a custom ROM for a while finding out which modem you're supposed to use may be difficult. That's also why I recommend not worrying about it, unless you need to.

Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
I don't have the latest modem for my I9505 and that ROM works perfectly fine. Where you've been on a custom ROM for a while finding out which modem you're supposed to use may be difficult. That's also why I recommend not worrying about it, unless you need to.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok thanks. In regards to the kernel that is linked on the page, I guess I would be at an advantage if I downloaded and installed that too. How do I install it?

If' we're talking the same GPE ROM, and I think we are, the kernel is included in the ROM download. You'll be prompted to select a kernel when you run the install through the recovery.

Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
If' we're talking the same GPE ROM, and I think we are, the kernel is included in the ROM download. You'll be prompted to select a kernel when you run the install through the recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok thanks a lot!
So process:
Backup data/photos etc
Nandroid backup
Full wipe using philz?
Flash ROM
Done?

You've got it.
When you are prompted to select the kernel, use the Googy Max kernel. The stock kernel sometimes causes random reboots. Also, on first boot the S4 will sit for a fair amount of time before prompting you to set a language. THIS IS NORMAL. It's because Android 5.0.x uses Art instead of Dalvik, and has to compile the apps the first time around.
In other words, after rebooting, just be patient.

Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
You've got it.
When you are prompted to select the kernel, use the Googy Max kernel. The stock kernel sometimes causes random reboots. Also, on first boot the S4 will sit for a fair amount of time before prompting you to set a language. THIS IS NORMAL. It's because Android 5.0.x uses Art instead of Dalvik, and has to compile the apps the first time around.
In other words, after rebooting, just be patient.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, thanks a lot for the help! Greatly appreciated. Hope I dont run into any problems

I installed that ROM on Sunday, so what I did is still fresh in my mind. If you have problems, just use this thread and quote me. I'll do my best to help.

Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
I installed that ROM on Sunday, so what I did is still fresh in my mind. If you have problems, just use this thread and quote me. I'll do my best to help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All installed, was quite easy! Looks bloody beautiful, love it already. Thanks a heap!

Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
I installed that ROM on Sunday, so what I did is still fresh in my mind. If you have problems, just use this thread and quote me. I'll do my best to help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I made and error when backing up and didnt back up my photos onto a computer Is there any way that my nandroid recovery or titanium backup have saved my photos and how could I recover them?

jc258 said:
I made and error when backing up and didnt back up my photos onto a computer Is there any way that my nandroid recovery or titanium backup have saved my photos and how could I recover them?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, they are gone forever.
How is that even possible that you wiped them? Wiping in the custom recovery never touches your internal storage by default. So you have done it yourself. You probably did a factory reset from within android itself. Never do that again. Use the custom recovery for wiping only and you never will have this problem again.

Lennyz1988 said:
No, they are gone forever.
How is that even possible that you wiped them? Wiping in the custom recovery never touches your internal storage by default. So you have done it yourself. You probably did a factory reset from within android itself. NEVER DO THAT AGAIN. Use the custom recovery for wiping only and you never will have this problem again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you sure about that? It happened the first time I flashed a ROM. Wiped cache, wiped Dalvik through CWM. Never did a factory reset. No need for caps.

jc258 said:
Are you sure about that? It happened the first time I flashed a ROM. Wiped cache, wiped Dalvik through CWM. Never did a factory reset. No need for caps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No it's not possible for it to happen without you doing so. Unless you encrypted your phone or something.
ps removed the caps

The rom he installed has an aroma installer which offers the option to do a simple wipe (Dalvik, cache and data), no wipe (Dirty flash) and a factory reset (which also wipes the internal storage).
By default it is set on factory reset option.
It also says in red letters that this option is recommended.
So maybe he left it on factory reset (since it was also recommended) , instead of changing it to simple wipe, and that wiped the whole phone, including the internal storage.
Will a software that recovers deleted files not work? Since the phone wasn't encrypted.

It would if Windows saw the internal storage as a drive. Due to MTP it doesn't. He'll have to do a search, but there was another S4 owner who lost his photos and was trying to get them back. I don't know if a solution was ever found.

GDReaper said:
The rom he installed has an aroma installer which offers the option to do a simple wipe (Dalvik, cache and data), no wipe (Dirty flash) and a factory reset (which also wipes the internal storage).
By default it is set on factory reset option.
It also says in red letters that this option is recommended.
So maybe he left it on factory reset (since it was also recommended) , instead of changing it to simple wipe, and that wiped the whole phone, including the internal storage.
Will a software that recovers deleted files not work? Since the phone wasn't encrypted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If that's the case then shame on the developer. A factory reset in a custom recovery should leave the internal storage intact.
Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
It would if Windows saw the internal storage as a drive. Due to MTP it doesn't. He'll have to do a search, but there was another S4 owner who lost his photos and was trying to get them back. I don't know if a solution was ever found.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No it's impossible. Once it's gone the files are permanently gone. Not even a professional company can restore them. That's because of TRIM that Android has from version 4.3.

Lennyz1988 said:
If that's the case then shame on the developer. A factory reset in a custom recovery should leave the internal storage intact.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not in the recovery. It's in the aroma installer. Those are 2 different things.
Besides, there is a description, under each setting, of what each one does.

@Lennyz1988: Perhaps you should bring this up with the developers of the ROM and see what they say. I suspect they have a very good reason for wiping the internal storage, and my gut instinct tells me it has to do with the Android folder on there.
On the flip side, thanks for the homework you gave me. I have to look into what TRIM is all about, as my last device was powered by Gingerbread.

Possible to Recover Data from Soft-Bricked S7 Edge?

I have a Canadian S7 edge and it had been rooted for a long time, but I lost the root when I updated to android 7.0.0. I foolishly tried to root it the exact same way I had before (Odin and .tar file method) and now my phone refuses to fully power on. After the boot logo, some new "integrity verification" has failed and I get a message saying my only option is apparently to factory reset and loose everything since my last backup. I'm wondering if there's any way to either:
a) Recover my data first. My PC won't read my phone at the "integrity verification failure" screen, however, my phone can boot into download mode (still unreadable, though). I've tried a few sketchy phone recovery programs on free trials, and none of them were able to read my phone (though none seemed high-quality anyway).
b) Flash stock firmware and fix this all. I am currently downloading stock 7.0 firmware and CSC files for my region/carrier, and I'm wondering if flashing this will pass the "integrity" check and put me safely back to square one, or if I'll lose everything there too.
I don't have a custom recovery currently either, though I realize that wiping my phone would mean I could quickly do that. But caving and wiping my phone is the last thing I want to do here. Any help here would be extremely appreciated!

First of all .. I think flash Stock ROM will erase all data.
but if you can flash custom recovery by ODIN and mount USB Storage to PC and manual backup your data .. it will be good idea if it possible.

iMenesi said:
First of all .. I think flash Stock ROM will erase all data.
but if you can flash custom recovery by ODIN and mount USB Storage to PC and manual backup your data .. it will be good idea if it possible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I flashed custom recovery, what exactly do you mean by mounting USB Storage to PC? Is that something I could do in the custom recovery (TWRP for example)?
Also, I'm okay with losing system settings or apps, but internal storage like images and music is what I really want to save.

G-Man8776 said:
If I flashed custom recovery, what exactly do you mean by mounting USB Storage to PC? Is that something I could do in the custom recovery (TWRP for example)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes .. TWRP Exactly has option to mount device internal storage or micro sd card storage to PC so you can transfer files between device and PC.

iMenesi said:
Yes .. TWRP Exactly has option to mount device internal storage or micro sd card storage to PC so you can transfer files between device and PC.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So does this all mean that there's no way to root the S7 edge on Nougat yet, or is there a different way that'll work fine and I just made a dumb mistake?

G-Man8776 said:
So does this all mean that there's no way to root the S7 edge on Nougat yet, or is there a different way that'll work fine and I just made a dumb mistake?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm reading this now :laugh:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/s7...overy-official-twrp-hero2lte-3-0-0-0-t3334084
I spent over 12 hours today trying to root my phone and soft bricked it and bring it back to life many times. :laugh:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/s7-edge/help/help-s7-edge-g935fd-bootloop-twrp-t3583469

iMenesi said:
I'm reading this now :laugh:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/s7...overy-official-twrp-hero2lte-3-0-0-0-t3334084
I spent over 12 hours today trying to root my phone and soft bricked it and bring it back to life many times. :laugh:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/s7-edge/help/help-s7-edge-g935fd-bootloop-twrp-t3583469
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOL so TWRP is a no-go too then?
I think the problem is that there isn't a working SuperSu for S7 edge on android 7.0.0 yet

G-Man8776 said:
LOL so TWRP is a no-go too then?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hhhhh sorry can't understand the meaning of no-go. :laugh:

iMenesi said:
hhhhh sorry can't understand the meaning of no-go. :laugh:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I say "no-go" I mean it's something that won't work. TWRP looks like it doesn't work anymore, when I read your problem that you posted, and the warnings on the TWRP website and XDA page.
I did some reading and it looks like flashing my stock ROM shouldnot delete my internal storage data, so I think that might be my only chance. If it doesn't work either, I'll factory reset, because I don't want to risk the same error you had.

G-Man8776 said:
When I say "no-go" I mean it's something that won't work. TWRP looks like it doesn't work anymore, when I read your problem that you posted, and the warnings on the TWRP website and XDA page.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know .. but the thread explaining how to perfect flash TWRP to the device and then flash supersu from Micro SD Card not Internal Storage. i think it was the problem, what do you think? try again and take the risk? :laugh:

iMenesi said:
I don't know .. but the thread explaining how to perfect flash TWRP to the device and then flash supersu from Micro SD Card not Internal Storage. i think it was the problem, what do you think? try again and take the risk? :laugh:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since you don't have anything to worry about (if it fails you can reset again), I'd try again and see if it works, if I were you.

Finally Successfully Rooted my Device.
I followed the instructions very well in this thread.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/s7...overy-official-twrp-hero2lte-3-0-0-0-t3334084

iMenesi said:
Finally Successfully Rooted my Device.
I followed the instructions very well in this thread.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/s7...overy-official-twrp-hero2lte-3-0-0-0-t3334084
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm currently factory resetting my phone (goodbye phone data ). I tried to flash a stock ROM and after a few failed attempts, it failed so bad I got a message saying the only thing I could do now was factory reset LOL. Not much I can do now but be glad I didn't 100% ruin my phone I guess.
I may try rooting again in the future, but I'll have to learn how to do it your way, since my way doesn't work right now.

G-Man8776 said:
I'm currently factory resetting my phone (goodbye phone data ). I tried to flash a stock ROM and after a few failed attempts, it failed so bad I got a message saying the only thing I could do now was factory reset LOL. Not much I can do now but be glad I didn't 100% ruin my phone I guess.
I may try rooting again in the future, but I'll have to learn how to do it your way, since my way doesn't work right now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We don't learn for free Bro. ?

iMenesi said:
We don't learn for free Bro.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hahaha true. Thanks for the help too!