So I've seen a lot of threads with links to the stock S5 (or modded for compatibility) apps ported to the S4. I would absolutely love to have the newer experience on my current S4. I know there is some things that can't be replicated but it appears that all the things I'd like to change are indeed available. Other than removing bloatware, getting these apps to replace the ones I have is the only reason I even consider rooting my device at the moment. But I seriously need more information before I begin this process. Also, it appears that the S4 will eventually get not only these new features in the near future but will also receive Android L.
What I want to do:
Replace all my stock apps including the launcher and etc. with the port versions from the S5.
Questions I have:
Has anyone else done this successfully?
Does everything function as intended?
Will this work on a stock rooted ROM?
If I screw up or decide otherwise, will I be able to revert the device back to stock completely(I normally use Odin+files to return it to the NB1 state)?
If the S4 gets the rumored update(mentioned above), will I be able Will I be able to revert back to stock (Above) in order to update and get these items in the official manner?
Thanks again for all the help. Need as much information as I can get as soon as possible.
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Over 78 views and not a single reply? I could really use the information here guys. I haven't been able to find much information on how to go about doing this. Tried searching on my own and was unable to get anywhere so this is sort of a last resort/hope for me on this matter.
shipwrexx said:
So I've seen a lot of threads with links to the stock S5 (or modded for compatibility) apps ported to the S4. I would absolutely love to have the newer experience on my current S4. I know there is some things that can't be replicated but it appears that all the things I'd like to change are indeed available. Other than removing bloatware, getting these apps to replace the ones I have is the only reason I even consider rooting my device at the moment. But I seriously need more information before I begin this process. Also, it appears that the S4 will eventually get not only these new features in the near future but will also receive Android L.
What I want to do:
Replace all my stock apps including the launcher and etc. with the port versions from the S5.
Questions I have:
Has anyone else done this successfully?
Does everything function as intended?
Will this work on a stock rooted ROM?
If I screw up or decide otherwise, will I be able to revert the device back to stock completely(I normally use Odin+files to return it to the NB1 state)?
If the S4 gets the rumored update(mentioned above), will I be able Will I be able to revert back to stock (Above) in order to update and get these items in the official manner?
Thanks again for all the help. Need as much information as I can get as soon as possible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know there is a ROM called Echoe ROM that is supposed to be the S5 ported to the S4, but I haven't messed with it any. From what I saw of ZedoMax's youtube video, it seems that everything is functioning fine. You will have to have a rooted phone with either custom recovery (MDL firmware is the only s4 firmware that allows custom recovery to be installed) or safe strap recovery to boot the echoe ROM.
You should be able to ODIN back to stock if anything acts up, however I am not 100% on this. If you want to revert back to stock for the Android L update, I suggest making a Nandroid backup of your stock ROM so you can restore the backup later to fetch the update after unrooting.
Note in order to update you need to be 100% stock unrooted with no bloatware removed. The s4 is picky about ODIN. Some firmwares you can downgrade to an older firmware, other firmwares won't let you and you risk bricking. Hope this helped.
Related
I'm used to my Skyrocket so I'm not too noobish, but the s4 is different so I want to do this right.
So I have been reading Haphim's thread listed below about getting his new phone and he said it came with the MDL fw.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2432816
Mine came with MDB FW. I immediately turned off the OTA updates after I rooted the phone. I had some issues trying to rename the Data Management app, so I used TBU to freeze it. Thank goodness ~wolverine~ posted a link to the 3 updates I needed to freeze. I found 2 of the 3 updates, but FWUpgrade x.x.x was not listed on my device. Is this because of the age of my firmware? This was NEW in the box, so I must have gotten one that had been sitting on a shelf somewhere, that is if the MDB fw is older..
Now if the above holds true about the MDB FW, are there any advantages of this one over any others?
What about modems? Can I update to a newer modem without upgrading my FW?
I'd like to go to a newer TW based rom (I have a Samsung TV and would prefer to use Allshare, ect). Can I do this with just flashing the rom via TWRP? Do I need a newer modem to do so? I saw some mention that an international version of TW rom is better. Why would that be? I'd like to jump to 4.3, but I'm still on 4.2.2.
Just a side question, does the CM based roms have Bluetooth issues? the Skyrocket CM based roms had connectivity issues where you'd have to reboot to get BT functionality back.
Sorry for the list of questions, I just got this phone and do not want to brick it.
I'm assuming you already found this, but if not it's a good place to start. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=42320391
Flashing roms is not as straight forward as the sr as the boot loader is locked and you need to use Loki to work around it. If it were mine I'd Odin to mdl, root it and freeze the update apps so you don't get mf3. Then do more research until you're comfortable flashing.
Thanks for the reply. The thread you linked was very informative.. but..
What about the other questions? Modems, CM issues, ect?
I THOUGHT what I wanted was simple enough but apparently with Samsung nothing is ever simple.
I have the i9505 S4 and am currently on the Pre-Rooted I9505XXUBMGA rom. That means 4.2.2, Stock Recovery and PRE-KNOX bootloader.
My custom flash counter is also 0 as I've only ever flashed the pre-rooted stock kind of roms. No triangle has ever appeared on my screen.
What I want to do is install a 4.3 TW rom WITHOUT flashing a custom recovery (so probably through Odin) and WITHOUT having to flash the KNOX-enabled bootloader.
The reasons should be obvious enough, I want this phone kept as close to stock as possible with what I do being completely reversible without having to rely on Triangle Away as with every new firmware Samsung appears to be even more hell-bent on breaking it.
Obviously I'd want said rom to actually function correctly as I've read things like sound and/or wifi breaking or mobile data dropping with/without the phone being on sleep etc...
So, any takers?
KeyperOS said:
I THOUGHT what I wanted was simple enough but apparently with Samsung nothing is ever simple.
I have the i9505 S4 and am currently on the Pre-Rooted I9505XXUBMGA rom. That means 4.2.2, Stock Recovery and PRE-KNOX bootloader.
My custom flash counter is also 0 as I've only ever flashed the pre-rooted stock kind of roms. No triangle has ever appeared on my screen.
What I want to do is install a 4.3 TW rom WITHOUT flashing a custom recovery (so probably through Odin) and WITHOUT having to flash the KNOX-enabled bootloader.
The reasons should be obvious enough, I want this phone kept as close to stock as possible with what I do being completely reversible without having to rely on Triangle Away as with every new firmware Samsung appears to be even more hell-bent on breaking it.
Obviously I'd want said rom to actually function correctly as I've read things like sound and/or wifi breaking or mobile data dropping with/without the phone being on sleep etc...
So, any takers?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
From where I am,I can see 3 options.
1.Stay where you are on 4.2.2
You just need to flash stock firmware ,and you are back to out-of-the-box state.
But....you want 4.3.... so,
2.Flash a custom recovery,and you have the choice of every custom ROM in the DEV section.4.22,4.3 ,TW,AOSP , you get my drift.As long at it does not contain the new knox bootloader,you can get back to out-of-the-box state in 2 easy steps:
Triangle Away.
Flash stock firmware.
3.Try to flash the new knox-pox 4.3 ROM and be stuck there.(because there is no coming back)
Look HERE
The [OP] explains it well.
And this is probably the ROM you would choose.(close to stock)
It seems the samsung is determined to mess things up for the user who wants to easily mod their own phones.
It has gotten so bad,that the [OP] has even jumped ship to the Z1.
He says he will maintain that ROM,but for how long,because they have already moved the goalposts twice...
I am on 2.
And I intend to stay there,because I like to be in charge of what goes on my phone.
Devs will almost certainly maintain their ROMS,and updates like 4.4 will come along in time.
Only you can make the choice.
Hopefully,I have given you some options.
Yeah, that's the thread I flashed my current 4.2.2 rom from. I saw him throw the towel and decided this just wasn't gonna work.
I guess I need to take the plunge and install Philz recovery.
Somewhat subjective I know but, which 4.3 TW custom ROM seems to work best when the OLD Pre-KNOX bootloader is being kept and with which modem? (I've seem answers vary wildly on this one).
KeyperOS said:
Yeah, that's the thread I flashed my current 4.2.2 rom from. I saw him throw the towel and decided this just wasn't gonna work.
I guess I need to take the plunge and install Philz recovery.
Somewhat subjective I know but, which 4.3 TW custom ROM seems to work best when the OLD Pre-KNOX bootloader is being kept and with which modem? (I've seem answers vary wildly on this one).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
The reason you have seen such wild variations on this,is because it is so subjective.
This is where the fun begins.
Trying out different ROMS,and seeing which is best suited to you,and your requirements.
Best advice...read the first post of a ROM,and see if it has what you want from a ROM...especially the bit about new knox bootloader removed.
And remember to make a nandroid!
As for modem,if you are having no issues or signal problems at the moment,stick with the one you are on.
Hello guys, I have some questions I am hoping you experienced people can answer for me.
After doing a bunch of research, I am left a bit confused since a lot of the posts are older, and things have changed over the last few months, especially with locked bootloaders and such.
My current phone is:
-Samsung S4 (Fido based) SGH-i337M
-Android Version 4.3
-Baseband Version i337MVLUEMK6
I only want to ROOT the phone, so I can remove a bunch of excess Samsung bloatware that I never use, I am not really interested in custom ROM's at this time.
1. What is a Custom Recovery exactly?
I keep reading about Custom Recoveries but I don't really know what they are exactly... . Is this just a Firmware mirror that I can go back to at any time AFTER I root the device? Do I need to root the device to CREATE the Custom Recovery?
2. CAN I go back to "Stock" easily? Can I just find the original 4.3 Samsung FW and load it up?
3. I know that moving to 4.4 will require another Root when it becomes available later this month from Samsung, however can I go to the Default Android 4.4 ROM at this time, skipping all the Samsung Stuff?
4. I see a programmed called KINGO offering to root my phone for me, but then somebody said something about there not being a Custom Recovery available for it, which goes up to my original question. Can I not just revert back to unrooted status after?
Thanks to anybody who can help me with these noobish questions, I appreciate it.
I don't have your model so don't want to guess at rooting.
But:
Do not remove Bloatware after rooted. Get Titanium BackuP from the Market. The paid version (support devs) and just freeze the apps until you know they have no negative impact after freezing.
Do a Nandroid ASAP and put a copy on PC also.
Read this on your Recovery question:
http://freedupthoughts.com/2013/04/what-is-custom-recovery-why-should-i.html
You have an unlocked bootloader with the i337m
Someone else can address correct rooting for your specific device and get the correct recovery for it. I prefer TWRP.
Purchased my S4 at launch, only rooted it and never really got around to tweaking it much. It has slowed down a bit so now is the time.
I'm on MDL, stock 4.2.2, and rooted with TWRP 2.5.0.2 On to the questions/clarifications, hopefully these aren't egregious. I know the info is out there but for actually finding specific information, the xda forums are a bit overwhelming and sometimes conflicting...
1) Recovery - Latest/preferred recovery for the s4 (on MDL) with auto-loki baked in? Are any of the latest versions of TWRP/CWM dangerous/incompatible or can I just install the latest/greatest with ROM Installers and go from there?
2) Modem - Flashing an updated modem, regardless of ROM/OS # should not break anything and/or lock down the bootloader any more so than it already is at MDL, correct? Updating the baseband will have no effect on the build # and thus loki is still and option (versus safestrap)? Preferred modem at this time? (ATT, SF Bay Area)
3) ROMS - Any ROM, followed by loki patch or flashed via an auto-loki capable recovery should be fine, correct? Is a ROM specifically built for safestrap applications and thus would not work with MDL, or are ROMs noted as being safestrap ready just able to be used via safestrap, but loki as well?
4) Hard to keep track of all the ROMs and the builds and branches etc - Can anyone point me in the right direction of either a) the latest stock touch-wiz 4.4.4 ROM that can be flashed over MDL without essentially updating past MDL? b) the best/most recent pure google (Play Store S4 Edition) ROM, same story with not breaking MDL?
Again, I apologize I am sure the info is all buried in here somewhere, it just gets to a point where pointed questions rather than multiple 500+ post threads are hopefully less likely to brick my phone. Ideally I just want to get on the latest software (and enable screen casting, for one). Assuming it comes quick enough, once I get this process down I will probably make the jump to 5.0 when it is ready, anticipate a couple months? Who knows.
Thanks, much appreciated.
Norcalz71 said:
Purchased my S4 at launch, only rooted it and never really got around to tweaking it much. It has slowed down a bit so now is the time.
I'm on MDL, stock 4.2.2, and rooted with TWRP 2.5.0.2 On to the questions/clarifications, hopefully these aren't egregious. I know the info is out there but for actually finding specific information, the xda forums are a bit overwhelming and sometimes conflicting...
1) Recovery - Latest/preferred recovery for the s4 (on MDL) with auto-loki baked in? Are any of the latest versions of TWRP/CWM dangerous/incompatible or can I just install the latest/greatest with ROM Installers and go from there?
2) Modem - Flashing an updated modem, regardless of ROM/OS # should not break anything and/or lock down the bootloader any more so than it already is at MDL, correct? Updating the baseband will have no effect on the build # and thus loki is still and option (versus safestrap)? Preferred modem at this time? (ATT, SF Bay Area)
3) ROMS - Any ROM, followed by loki patch or flashed via an auto-loki capable recovery should be fine, correct? Is a ROM specifically built for safestrap applications and thus would not work with MDL, or are ROMs noted as being safestrap ready just able to be used via safestrap, but loki as well?
4) Hard to keep track of all the ROMs and the builds and branches etc - Can anyone point me in the right direction of either a) the latest stock touch-wiz 4.4.4 ROM that can be flashed over MDL without essentially updating past MDL? b) the best/most recent pure google (Play Store S4 Edition) ROM, same story with not breaking MDL?
Again, I apologize I am sure the info is all buried in here somewhere, it just gets to a point where pointed questions rather than multiple 500+ post threads are hopefully less likely to brick my phone. Ideally I just want to get on the latest software (and enable screen casting, for one). Assuming it comes quick enough, once I get this process down I will probably make the jump to 5.0 when it is ready, anticipate a couple months? Who knows.
Thanks, much appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will try to help with a few of these questions, but others I am not familiar with very much. On that note DO NOT update your bootloader!!! It will be locked down further and Loki will NOT WORK. And you could NOT flash any kernels with safestrap. So with safestrap ONLY the stock kernel can be used. Now on to your questions...
1) I am using TWRP 8.1 if I remember correctly. You can find it in the Original Android Development section. It does NOT Auto Loki, so keep the loki-doki flashable zip on your sdcard OR use Roms that already have/use the boot.Loki kernels like ShoStock-i 8.1
2) Modem flashing will NOT lock anything up further as far as the bootloader. You can flash ANY or ALL of them from my modem thread. See which works BEST FOR YOU in YOUR AREA. I am in So Cal and the best for me has been either MDL. But I have and do test ALL of them. You can always flash back to whichever one works best for you.
3.) Like I said I use ShoStock-i 8.1 because it has and does EVERYTHING I need my phone to do and does it without any issues. I have NOT tried to use a Safestrap modified ROM so I have very little experience with that. Normally most devs will have two separate versions, one for safestrap compatible and one for us without safestrap. ShoStock-i is already built with Loki in the kernel so you do not NEED to flash Loki-Doki patch.
4) there are NO Touchwiz 4.4.4 Stock Roms for ATT yet. But I did try out one of the Touchwiz 4.4.4 T-Mobile based Roms and it worked perfectly. You can either get it from the ATT forums and I believe it is already lokified, or get it from the T-Mobile forum and make sure to flash Loki-Doki patch before booting up phone after flashing the ROM. Again the will NOT update your bootloader past your MDL bootloader, so you are good as you are with no worries. By the way on ShoStock-i 8.1 the screen casting to Chromecast works PERFECTLY without having to flash any other .apk's or mess with ANYTHING
This is the exact same boat I'm in. Trying to track down the answers as well. Will keep an eye here as well to watch for answers.
awesome reply thanks RockRatt, that just about covers it. I will maybe give the ShoStock ROM a go and see how I like it. As long as all the normal features are working fine, I should be good.
One last thing I forgot - Odin. I have the stock odin firmware files from when my phone was new (The MDL package). As long as I dont update the bootloader, I should be able to Odin back to the brand new in box state should something go awry or not dig the other ROMs, correct?
Thanks again,
Norcalz71 said:
awesome reply thanks RockRatt, that just about covers it. I will maybe give the ShoStock ROM a go and see how I like it. As long as all the normal features are working fine, I should be good.
One last thing I forgot - Odin. I have the stock odin firmware files from when my phone was new (The MDL package). As long as I dont update the bootloader, I should be able to Odin back to the brand new in box state should something go awry or not dig the other ROMs, correct?
Thanks again,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep. Just don't update the bootloader...So no flashing newer firmware that contains the bootloader files. Most if not all custom Roms do not have the bootloader files in them. So no problem flashing back to MDL stock if the need never arises. I still in fact have the original MDB bootloader installed that came with the phone before the MDL firmware update.
Does anyone have the stock Android 5.0 calculator from a real android phone like a Nexus? I can't stand Samsung yet am stuck with this phone as it is a work phone so I'm trying everything I can to remove the Samsung-ness from it. So far I've gotten things like the launcher, calender, clock, keyboard, mail, and plenty of other things disabled and replaced with Google versions however I've only been able to find the stock calculator from 5.1 and it won't install. So I'm hoping an Android 5.0 version will work.
Why not just flash a custom non-TouchWiz ROM like CM13?
*Detection* said:
Why not just flash a custom non-TouchWiz ROM like CM13?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is that possible? I was under the impression from other research that I couldn't do that as it's a Verizon phone and has the very most recent OTA update. Heck if I could just root it I'd be happy, that way I can get rid of the volume limit and stop the home button from turning the screen on. I did try one root method (http://forum.xda-developers.com/verizon-galaxy-s5/general/root-method-og5-ok3-t3290370) but it just put me in a bootloop so I undid everything and gave up for now.
Ah if you've already updated to Lollipop, you're stuck I'm afraid, Bootloader is locked, if you'd stuck with KitKat, you could have rooted etc
I did read that the verizon bootloader had been unlocked, but that was a while back, and never heard anything else since
Verizon unlocked
http://www.xda-developers.com/verizon-galaxy-s5-bootloader-has-been-unlocked/