Database Users

[Q] I'm on the leaked GB 4.5.573 - any sense in upgrading?

Everything is working flawlessly for me, I have had zero issues with this ROM since day one. Maybe I just don't use the phone enough or really stress it, but I have yet to come across any quirks on this leaked 4.5.573. Everything works - gps, netflix, any apps I download, corporate sync, etc. etc.
Is there any sense in upgrading to the latest official OTA GB? I figure if it ain't broke don't fix it...right? Or are there compelling reasons to go ahead with the official OTA? And if the answer is YES UPGRADE, what's the best way to do this considering I'm on 4.5.573 right now? BTW, I'm on Cricket.

I've got this same question. I want to upgrade for several reasons, but what I've read on several sites is that we have to do the SBF thing back to 2.2, then upgrade.
Almost none of the threads I've read at several sites even mention .573 anymore, so I'm not exactly sure of the route to go.

Why do you want to upgrade? Are you running into problems? Unless there's a good reason to upgrade I'd prefer not to, especially if I have to SBF in order to upgrade. That means I'll have to re-do my Cricket flash which I've probably done 50 times now but I'd prefer not to have to do it again.

hey guys,
i am on version 596 of gb, the official version. and i would highly recommend upgrading, there is a new kernel and new baseband. that means the phone runs more smooth and you have cleaner calling and stuff. i have noticed a big improvement in the new kernel and stuff. it would be very beneficial to upgrade in my opinion.

^^^
Those were the reasons I wanted to upgrade. Performance took a GOOD bump in the updates after .573
I just followed the instructions here...
http://www.mydroidworld.com/forums/...new-full-sbf-droid-x-2-3-340-a.html#post56464
Method 2 worked for me, the first one wouldn't detect my phone. I got a boot loop after it finished so I booted into recovery and cleared the cache/data factory reset.
Now it's all fine.
Now to find the right set of GB update roms.

you'll want the updated radio found in the later versions and .596 runs buttery smooth. about a week of heavy use not one reboot or crash.

I gotta say, I'm VERY glad I did it. It was smooth and quick before, but good lord, this is CLEAN.
Not one reboot, not one crash, all NOICE!

i'm on 4.5.573 with root and the phone has been running crazy slow for the last week. will this work? i'm trying method 2 but it will not recognize my phone.
thanks!
RED ZMAN said:
^^^
Those were the reasons I wanted to upgrade. Performance took a GOOD bump in the updates after .573
I just followed the instructions here...
Method 2 worked for me, the first one wouldn't detect my phone. I got a boot loop after it finished so I booted into recovery and cleared the cache/data factory reset.
Now it's all fine.
Now to find the right set of GB update roms.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

I would reccomend updating to a newer version from team black hat. Its faster, smoother, the blur is different (better) and best of all, pre rooted.
Sent from my Xoom using XDA Premium App

Rooted 4.2.2 MDL wanting to get OTA 4.3

I am on 4.2.2 MDL and have read over these forums alot to look for my issue but i have not come across exactly what to do.
I want to get the latest OTA which is 4.3
I have the OTA for MF3 I think it is? Its the one that locked the bootloader down tight and no one wants, since no Custom ROMs
I do not want any custom roms like CWM (although I loved it on older phones) I don't want to lose the functionality I bought this phone for.
When i tried to OTA to the locked bootloader version it fails at 32% or so.
The Phone is rooted.. and busybox installed. I mostly use this just for Titanium backup my apps.
So here is my question.
I want to get to the latest version available.
I have attached a screenshot of my about, if there is any other information required i'll be happy to provide!

Please don't upgrade and loose your MDL firmware, you'll regret it. You have many options for great TW roms, like GoldenEye that will offer a much better 4.3 experience versus the AT&T stock 4.3. Your bootloader was NEVER unlocked. The MDL firmware just allowed us to use Loki, which was an easy way around it. AT&T patched this with MF3 firmware in July. They do have safestrap for MF3, but its not CWM.
What exactly can't your phone do with MDL firmware and a custom rom? I don't get that? If you upgrade OTA, you will have Samsung's new knox crap, which if you ever do anything to your phone, it will set it to 0x1 and void your warranty.

I was reading you lose the Motions and Gestures with custom ROMS, I know CWM does not support that.
I do like that feature and I do use them on my S4.
I wanted to get to 4.3 to support the Galaxy Gear eventually.
Among I also do enjoy being uptodate
I understand completely how most of you hardcore modders and rom guys love your roms.
There were only slightly features in CWM I loved, which I can live without. But to completely knock out some of the biggest features of the S4 (the motions and gestures etc) Seems a waste of even buying this device in the first place.
Sure it has great hardware and alot would argue that.. but you can buy other devices with awesome hardware.
If you can point me to a custom rom for 4.3 (that will have the full support for galaxy gear) and it will support motions and gestures and lose 0 functionality I currently have, That'd be great. But I did not see that anywhere yet.

Cronus89 said:
I was reading you lose the Motions and Gestures with custom ROMS, I know CWM does not support that.
I do like that feature and I do use them on my S4.
I wanted to get to 4.3 to support the Galaxy Gear eventually.
Among I also do enjoy being uptodate
I understand completely how most of you hardcore modders and rom guys love your roms.
There were only slightly features in CWM I loved, which I can live without. But to completely knock out some of the biggest features of the S4 (the motions and gestures etc) Seems a waste of even buying this device in the first place.
Sure it has great hardware and alot would argue that.. but you can buy other devices with awesome hardware.
If you can point me to a custom rom for 4.3 (that will have the full support for galaxy gear) and it will support motions and gestures and lose 0 functionality I currently have, That'd be great. But I did not see that anywhere yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am not sure if GoldenEye supports the Galaxy Gear, but try out that rom out first. It's based entirely off the Internation S4's 4.3 firmware and it offers a lot more. Its optimized for AT&T, and includes all the motions and gestures. You loose the motions and gestures with a non Touch-Wiz rom, like AOKP for example. But that's whats so great about custom roms. When you get bored of touch-wiz, you can flash a pure google experience and vice versa.
Maybe this is just me, but in the beginning, before we had custom recovery for MDL, I found the AT&T stock experience to be absolutely awful. By far the worst Samsung stock experience I have ever had. I also can't stand how low Samsung puts the headphone volume, along with those annoying volume nags.
Try GoldenEye out and see how you like it. If you don't, then upgrade.

I've always loved Samsungs TouchWiz, they have been my favorite UI, Galaxy S is the best imo.
Can you link me to the official Goldeneye and everything I need?
I'd appreciate that alot.
I use Titanium Backup, so app restore shouldn't be a problem and I've done it before so im ok with trying it out.
If there is any tips or tricks with restoring your apps and data switching ROMs, i'd appreciate that bit of info too.
Always feared to post on these forums since alot of people in the past get angry and talk mean to people that don't know the whole book on this

You really need to search and read up on a lot if you are unfamiliar with rooting and flashing custom roms. If you don't know what you are doing, then you WILL brick your device. If you brick your device to the point where you cannot fix it, you are SOL. Samsung will know you modified the software and your warranty will be void.
But you should start here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2297033
This tool will do it all for you. You must be on MDL firmware for this to work. Once you run that program, you'll have CWM (Auto Loki'd). Then follow the directions in the rom's OP.
GoldenEye (Based on Samsung's International 4.3 stock)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2313469
Or if you want the AT&T 4.3 stock rom, iB4StiD also has a rom for that, MDOB
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2280556
Either way, you have A LOT of reading to do. I was once new and a complete air head on how to root, flash roms, and what not. The people on this site can be ignorant jerks who don't like noobs, like yourself. You are expected to do everything on your own, and no one will hold your hand. I usually don't provide what I did above, but I would hate to see you foolishly upgrade. Once you do, you are stuck. Good Luck.

I guess I was not clear enough my apologies.
I have flashed custom recovery and roms plenty of times on my older phones.
It did take a bit of reading but once you understand what limitations your device has (what will brick it etc) its not so bad
I just wanted the "proper" links from you so I start off right, I can definately handle it from here.
Quick question when i attempted to update did it somehow maybe give me KNOX?
SuperSU asked me to remove it and i let it, and it was succesful (it might have just deactivated it i cannot recall)

Cronus89 said:
I guess I was not clear enough my apologies.
I have flashed custom recovery and roms plenty of times on my older phones.
It did take a bit of reading but once you understand what limitations your device has (what will brick it etc) its not so bad
I just wanted the "proper" links from you so I start off right, I can definately handle it from here.
Quick question when i attempted to update did it somehow maybe give me KNOX?
SuperSU asked me to remove it and i let it, and it was succesful (it might have just deactivated it i cannot recall)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you updated to anything, the links I provided you with will completely BRICK your phone. Your current firmware MUST BE MDL to use the links I gave you. If you are on MF3, DO NOT, I REPEAT, DO NOT USE THE LINKS ABOVE.
---------- Post added at 08:27 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:26 PM ----------
I am not sure if it gave you KNOX, since the update failed. I doubt it. But I would restore to stock MDL, then use the tool I provided you with.

lol its ok I know what im doing I know that MDL is required.
Clearly in my screenshot im on MDL... i was asking about KNOX randomly being on my phone since I thought it only came with one of the OTA updates?
I am on MDL and if you double check my screenshot does everything look ok to do the flash?
Again just wanted to double check about the knox thing.

Cronus89 said:
lol its ok I know what im doing I know that MDL is required.
Clearly in my screenshot im on MDL... i was asking about KNOX randomly being on my phone since I thought it only came with one of the OTA updates?
I am on MDL and if you double check my screenshot does everything look ok to do the flash?
Again just wanted to double check about the knox thing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I see your screen shot. You look good from there. However, I do not know the repercussions your failed update had, if any? I would say you are probably fine. But I am no developer, or expert.
What you need to do is restore your phone to pure MDL stock via odin. Take your SIM card OUT, so that once the phone is restored it doesn't start updating. You'll then enable USB debugging and use the tool I provided you with in the other post. After that, its cake.

Ah darn... From the oneclick post thats a 1.6GB file lol will take me a couple of hours to download.
But if you insist I will do it. I do believe in starting clean is always a good idea too.

Cronus89 said:
Ah darn... From the oneclick post thats a 1.6GB file lol will take me a couple of hours to download.
But if you insist I will do it. I do believe in starting clean is always a good idea too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are other mirrors for the MDL file, you just have to look. Let me see if I can find one.
Try the one in this thread.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2563533
The one I suggest isn't recommended apparently. You can try it, but I don't know. Apparently that site isn't good for stock roms. I don't know.

Alright im just downloading the one from the oneclick post, it seems to be downloading fine so i will stick with that for now.
So everything will work fine correct? Including the IR Blaster? I do love remote controlling my TV!
I use samsungs watch on app

Cronus89 said:
Alright im just downloading the one from the oneclick post, it seems to be downloading fine so i will stick with that for now.
So everything will work fine correct? Including the IR Blaster? I do love remote controlling my TV!
I use samsungs watch on app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That I can confirm. I am using GoldenEye and love my remote

Did you successfully restore stock MDL and use that tool I provide you with? Hopefully everything went well.

Yes everything is fine.
That file they had was I think the orginal stock so not MDL but worked fine.
Its been working great, although the Messaging app and Contacts background is completely black.
on the stock S4 it wasnt... i cant for the life of me remember what it looked like, But I have been looking for a way to change it and there doesnt seem to be (I thought it was a phone setting, like light to dark, vice versa)
So far thats the only complaint, pretty big one too, cause i dont like solid black lol

Cronus89 said:
Yes everything is fine.
That file they had was I think the orginal stock so not MDL but worked fine.
Its been working great, although the Messaging app and Contacts background is completely black.
on the stock S4 it wasnt... i cant for the life of me remember what it looked like, But I have been looking for a way to change it and there doesnt seem to be (I thought it was a phone setting, like light to dark, vice versa)
So far thats the only complaint, pretty big one too, cause i dont like solid black lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh so you flashed the ADMB firmware? Yeah, loki works with that too. Buy boy is that firmware terrible. So have you loaded GoldenEye up yet?

Of course, Been loaded since last night

Cronus89 said:
Of course, Been loaded since last night
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See??? Wasn't it worth it? Hopefully all your features are there? I also recommending flashing the volume mod he lists.

Sorry for this question but I need to confirm my suspicion...The only way to get custom roms right now is with MDL (actually the one I have). Once you go MF3, MJ6,MJ9 or MK2 there is no way to go back??

[Q] Help with ROMS.

My first half way decent smartphone was a HTC Droid Inc 2 (yea yea... nothing to jump up and down about, but it sure beat my lil junky prepaid Galaxy Proclaim lol). Now that was about 6 months ago (or so) and beings how dated the software was I figured I would give a shot at rooting it and trying out some custom roms. Well I really enjoyed it and after a handful of roms I opted to stick with one I felt made it run pretty good for a lil junker... so then I decided I might be able to sell it and get something better...
Put it up on CL for $80 and it sold in a couple days. Then I found an S3 on CL and talked the guy down to $60 and it was in perfect condition. I fouled up though, because I went and did an OTA and got the royal shaft with 4.4.2 while on Verizon. Anyway... lesson learned and I decided to switch to Sprint and was able to sell my $60 S3 for $140 today (insert happy evil grin here...). I was then able to talk a guy down in price and snagged an S4 for $140 just a few hours after selling the S3.
Now I have rooted the phone and my next step was going to be recovery and then checking out some roms, but before doing so, I was hoping someone might point me in the direction to say the TOP 3 popular roms for this phone that are stable and are still being updated and or under development?
Also would like to know what exactly do you get off the roms? Meaning, for my old Inc2 it helped speed it up, but the S4 is pretty darn fast... so what are some of the top benefits you would get from a rom for this phone versus sticking with stock?
And one last question... will this phone ever see 4.4.3 or 4.4.4?

About every question you've asked is a matter of personal opinion. I'm sorry but for most of this you'll probably have to search and choose yourself. Of course CM is always being updated.
And as for features free hotspot, custom kernels/mods would be the tip of the iceberg of root/roming. Hope this helps a little.

There are no BEST or TOP Roms. all of them are good. try out the ones that catch your attention and go with them. make a nandroid.

Sokp updated constantly... Unified section... Then dirty unicorns... The carbon or c-rom...highly recommend sokp

Sokp failed me on every level. Constant force closes. Lagg all over. Lol

Thanks for the responses. And out of curiosity, has anyone tried out the Mahdi ROM 4.4.4... thoughts if ya have?
And I'm really trying to find something that's stable with everything working. I believe it was a Viper Rom I had on my Inc2 and had no issues, was fast and for sure helped with extending battery life. And one thing I am not sure about is, if I install any rom and then want to go back to stock... what the process would be. Would I be able to just hook my phone up to Kies 3 to get back to stock?

Make a nadroid while you are stock.. Save it somewhere off ur phone for safe keeping. Second option downl9ad stock rom for ur baseband flash thru custom recovery or odin

bryguy9021 said:
Make a nadroid while you are stock.. Save it somewhere off ur phone for safe keeping. Second option downl9ad stock rom for ur baseband flash thru custom recovery or odin
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, made a nandroid with CWM and its saved to my sdcard. Curious though, does this actually backup the entire phone or just certain aspects? For example if I installed CM11 and then didn't like it, I could just perform a restore with my nandroid and all will be back to exactly the way it was when I did the initial backup?

MortTheBeast said:
Thanks, made a nandroid with CWM and its saved to my sdcard. Curious though, does this actually backup the entire phone or just certain aspects? For example if I installed CM11 and then didn't like it, I could just perform a restore with my nandroid and all will be back to exactly the way it was when I did the initial backup?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Entire phone.. Like a time machine... Txts.. Everything..exact as it was the second u made it. U can go right back in 2 mins or less

Rom Question

Hey guys.. I don't have an s4 for AT&T as I am with another carrier but My friend does and she wants to get rid of all the bloat. I rooted the phone and safe strap for her but she isn't local for me to try the roms out to see which is best. She is a basic user that is looking for stability and battery life with no tweaks. I see Ib4stid has a few roms out that seem simple but was hoping to get some feedback on which would be the best Rom debloated and solid battery life. Thanks in advance

First off she could get in big trouble if she is not experienced on flashing. Have her back up before doing anything.
iB has very stable roms and gives the option to flash a slim version along with SafeStrap all in Aroma. But, you may lose some things you want like SMemo?
Both need to read the OP very carefully. But, I think she will like the roms. I love his KangaKat rom. VERY stable. Not TW. I use Nova launcher because you can easily back up and restore homescreens including widgets--
Good Luck :good:

rugmankc said:
First off she could get in big trouble if she is not experienced on flashing. Have her back up before doing anything.
iB has very stable roms and gives the option to flash a slim version along with SafeStrap all in Aroma. But, you may lose some things you want like SMemo?
Both need to read the OP very carefully. But, I think she will like the roms. I love his KangaKat rom. VERY stable. Not TW. I use Nova launcher because you can easily back up and restore homescreens including widgets--
Good Luck :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the flashing concerns. I have an m8 with Verizon and an s4 with Verizon as well. I am a crack flasher lol.I was more concerned with just which roms were recommended because of the fact I can't switch between them myself and try. I don't see her often either. Want to make sure I make the best choice. I know each device is different but was just gathering information in the meantime. Thanks for your feedback

My error, sorry. Forgot you said SafeStrap. Nix KangaKat it won't work on her build. Stay with his TW rom. His Golden Eye 37 is SafeStarp compatible. You can select SafeStrap in Aroma. But, has special flash instructions in OP.
Here is the link from the OP for SafeStrap--
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=53038182&postcount=13961
I am on the early S4 build so not expert at SafeStrap flashing. May be other things to consider.
Good Luck :good:

rugmankc said:
My error, sorry. Forgot you said SafeStrap. Nix KangaKat it won't work on her build. Stay with his TW rom. His Golden Eye 37 is SafeStarp compatible. You can select SafeStrap in Aroma. But, has special flash instructions in OP.
Here is the link from the OP for SafeStrap--
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=53038182&postcount=13961
I am on the early S4 build so not expert at SafeStrap flashing. May be other things to consider.
Good Luck :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Was looking at sky fall but if you think g.e. is better I will try that

never tried it but give it a whirl, won't know till she flashes it--
you probably do it too, but I like reading last 20 pages or so after OP to see how recent versions are running, or not running--:good:

italbomber said:
Was looking at sky fall but if you think g.e. is better I will try that
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I flashed this rom last night and is working like a champ, battery seems to be very good, is a GPE ROM, you can flash it with SafeStrap. http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4-att/development/rom-google-edition-s4-t2837239. To get wifi working, you need the flash the modules found on the OP

sprint rooters, experience so far?

Hey all,
I am getting ready to root my sprint ls997. Those of you with that model, how has your experience been? Any problems? My understanding is once you do the process, flash the sprint stock rom and that konverged kernel, the only lingering issue is the static screen that is fixed by sleeping and waking the screen. Is this correct?
I'm a little hesitant to do it without a restore method but the itch is getting too strong not to scratch lol
Thanks in advance for your input!

Hey sj19,
I just rooted it today, and it was a bit of a challenge I must admit. I did not flash the konverged kernel however and just flashed a stock optimized rom. I'm not sure if others went through my pains however.
Overall the actual process isn't hard, just the bugs I fought.
I detailed my experience in this post. It was definitely a good decision rooting and installing this new rom.
Cheers

TGtheImmortal said:
Hey sj19,
I just rooted it today, and it was a bit of a challenge I must admit. I did not flash the konverged kernel however and just flashed a stock optimized rom. I'm not sure if others went through my pains however.
Overall the actual process isn't hard, just the bugs I fought.
I detailed my experience in this post. It was definitely a good decision rooting and installing this new rom.
Cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Woah looks like you had quite the experience! Lol

sjr19 said:
Woah looks like you had quite the experience! Lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haha yes, it was a bit terrifying.
Also, the only bug is the static screen on the rom I am on that I have seen so far.

Just be very patient on 1st boot.
It really will take 10 to 15 min. It will also "hang" on lg logo alot longer on my newer builds. I've disabled boot animation due to the static covering them anyways so it has less transitions then you may expect.
I recommend version 6.5 phh
For most this is the best fit and is latest software and can pass safetynet once you enable magisk hide in the manager section.
Few pages worth of info in the comments but its mostly all useful.. I've tried to keep op updated. There is also a common bugs/issues post with some fixes as well.

Also sprint doesn't need konverged. Konverged was just to fix some bugs. All those bugs were fixed in the ROM.

If you're planning on going back to stock after root I suggest you don't root only because sprint doesn't have kdz files to go back to full stock