Database Users

[Q] Problem creating a TWRP Custom Recovery with Odin

Hi everyone. I have followed the YouTube video by Chris Nacca (http://youtu.be/Ov6BXOu7SwA)that uses TWRP 2.5 custom recovery (file: openrecovery-twrp-2.5.0.2-jfltexx.tar) on my unlocked GT-i9505 S4 using Odin 3.07. Unfortunately, despite the message from Odin indicates all worked fine (<ID:0/004> RES OK !!), on rebooting my phone back into Recovery mode, I am greeted with the Android character telling me there is an Error and then "dying" and saying "No Command".
The phone isn't bricked as I can move the highlight bar through the various menu options at the top left-hand side of the screen and reboot back via my stock ROM but clearly the Custom Recovery hasn't been installed correctly and, despite the Message screen in Odin showing <OSM> All threads completed. (success 1 / failed 0).
I have a rooted and unlocked GT-I9505 with a baseband reading as: I9505ZHUZME1. Anyone got any ideas or advice as to what may have gone wrong as if I can't sort this out I can't move to a custom ROM. :crying:
Many thanks in advance, Jim

jcodde said:
Hi everyone. I have followed the YouTube video by Chris Nacca (http://youtu.be/Ov6BXOu7SwA)that uses TWRP 2.5 custom recovery (file: openrecovery-twrp-2.5.0.2-jfltexx.tar) on my unlocked GT-i9505 S4 using Odin 3.07. Unfortunately, despite the message from Odin indicates all worked fine (<ID:0/004> RES OK !!), on rebooting my phone back into Recovery mode, I am greeted with the Android character telling me there is an Error and then "dying" and saying "No Command".
The phone isn't bricked as I can move the highlight bar through the various menu options at the top left-hand side of the screen and reboot back via my stock ROM but clearly the Custom Recovery hasn't been installed correctly and, despite the Message screen in Odin showing <OSM> All threads completed. (success 1 / failed 0).
I have a rooted and unlocked GT-I9505 with a baseband reading as: I9505ZHUZME1. Anyone got any ideas or advice as to what may have gone wrong as if I can't sort this out I can't move to a custom ROM. :crying:
Many thanks in advance, Jim
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why don't u install some cwm recovery?
Edit Link
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2279579
Sent from my GT-I9500 using xda premium

123hiten said:
Why don't u install some cwm recovery?
Edit Link
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2279579
Sent from my GT-I9500 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your reply. Being new to Android, am I correct in assuming that I merely download the last .tar file from the page you provided the link to and install it as I did the TWRP custom recovery file using Odin? Am I right in believing this will leave me with my Stock ROM but I can then do a Nandroid Backup and move to a custom ROM from there when I am ready?

jcodde said:
Thanks for your reply. Being new to Android, am I correct in assuming that I merely download the last .tar file from the page you provided the link to and install it as I did the TWRP custom recovery file using Odin? Am I right in believing this will leave me with my Stock ROM but I can then do a Nandroid Backup and move to a custom ROM from there when I am ready?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry small correction
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2281367
use the above link which is PHILZ recovery
Edit : u have to have ur phone into download mode which u can go by
power off device unplug press volume down home power all together till u get download mode and connect to device
the file extension will be .tar use it on PDA at odin and flash it
then u can take a backup of the entire current firmware and keep it to safe place like PC Hard drive and move to ROMS

123hiten said:
Sorry small correction
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2281367
use the above link which is PHILZ recovery
Edit : u have to have ur phone into download mode which u can go by
power off device unplug press volume down home power all together till u get download mode and connect to device
the file extension will be .tar use it on PDA at odin and flash it
then u can take a backup of the entire current firmware and keep it to safe place like PC Hard drive and move to ROMS
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. One (hopefully) last question: The link you provided has both *.zip and *.tar.md5 files. I presume you mean I should use the latter, and do I need to remove the last portion (.md5) to make it a *.tar file or use it as is in Odin 3.07?

jcodde said:
Thanks. One (hopefully) last question: The link you provided has both *.zip and *.tar.md5 files. I presume you mean I should use the latter, and do I need to remove the last portion (.md5) to make it a *.tar file or use it as is in Odin 3.07?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
User .tar one philz_touch_5.06.6-i9505.tar.md5 since u dont have recovery
No need to remove md5
Odin 3.07 is fine use
below line is Just for info
Zip files are " flashable made" can be used if a one is already having recovery etc like how u flash a rom from recovery

123hiten said:
User .tar one philz_touch_5.06.6-i9505.tar.md5 since u don't have recovery
No need to remove md5
Odin 3.07 is fine use
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, back again. I have done as you suggested (twice) and still can't get my phone to install a custom recovery. While Odin once again reports a successful install (as it did when installed the TWRP custom recovery), when I reboot back into custom recovery mode after installing PhilZ Touch custom recovery (as indicated by the blue text on the start-up screen), I no longer get the dying Android figure as I did when installed TWRP custom recovery, but the screen goes to a black, vibrates and then the phone reboots normally (which is a relief). So, needless to say - I am stumped. Can you or anyone else offer any suggestions?

jcodde said:
Sorry, back again. I have done as you suggested (twice) and still can't get my phone to install a custom recovery. While Odin once again reports a successful install (as it did when installed the TWRP custom recovery), when I reboot back into custom recovery mode after installing PhilZ Touch custom recovery (as indicated by the blue text on the start-up screen), I no longer get the dying Android figure as I did when installed TWRP custom recovery, but the screen goes to a black, vibrates and then the phone reboots normally (which is a relief). So, needless to say - I am stumped. Can you or anyone else offer any suggestions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can u tell me how u have rooted the phone ??
---------- Post added at 07:32 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:28 PM ----------
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2219803
I m assuming u have some issue with root
So first use the above link and root the device downlaoding the .tar file
and then flash the recovery as u did earlier u should have root and recovery both
and all this process is abt 10 mins

123hiten said:
Can u tell me how u have rooted the phone ??
---------- Post added at 07:32 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:28 PM ----------
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2219803
I m assuming u have some issue with root
So first use the above link and root the device downlaoding the .tar file
and then flash the recovery as u did earlier u should have root and recovery both
and all this process is abt 10 mins
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Definitely a rooted phone. I have SuperUser on it and a range of applications from Titanium Backup, ROM Toolbox, GooManager etc all confirm that they have root access.

jcodde said:
Definitely a rooted phone. I have SuperUser on it and a range of applications from Titanium Backup, ROM Toolbox, GooManager etc all confirm that they have root access.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok can u tell me how u have rooted the phone ?
Also download a app from play store "root checker" and see what its saying
possibly the recovery is not getting installed on phone coz of some root access
Edit : Superuser etc can be there from play store without root also wont work thought

123hiten said:
Ok can u tell me how u have rooted the phone ?
Also download a app from play store "root checker" and see what its saying
possibly the recovery is not getting installed on phone coz of some root access
Edit : Superuser etc can be there from play store without root also wont work thought
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used Motochopper to root the phone. I have just re-installed Root Checker, and reconfirmed that confirms I have a GT-I9505 device that has root access.

jcodde said:
I used Motochopper to root the phone. I have just re-installed Root Checker, and reconfirmed that confirms I have a GT-I9505 device that has root access.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok that may be one of the reason u are not able to install the recovery
i m saying this coz was havng similar issue when i was using Cofface root
If possible get back to stock firmware then reset the device from ur phone install root CF root and then install Philz recovery all will be smooth and great

123hiten said:
Ok that may be one of the reason u are not able to install the recovery
i m saying this coz was havng similar issue when i was using Cofface root
If possible get back to stock firmware then reset the device from ur phone install root CF root and then install Philz recovery all will be smooth and great
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Happy to try but could you point me to how I get back to stock firmware and then reset the device? I thought I was still using stock firmware (rooted I understand) so I think you must mean that I need to unroot my phone some how, reboot and then use the rooting process you just posted before install Philz recovery. Would you mind describing a little more - I know I have taken up a lot of your time but greatly apprecriate your help,

jcodde said:
Happy to try but could you point me to how I get back to stock firmware and then reset the device? I thought I was still using stock firmware (rooted I understand) so I think you must mean that I need to unroot my phone some how, reboot and then use the rooting process you just posted before install Philz recovery. Would you mind describing a little more - I know I have taken up a lot of your time but greatly apprecriate your help,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://samsung-updates.com/device/?id=GT-I9505
U can download the stock firmware from ur device I9505 will be abt 1.4 gb
once downloaded extract in a folder then flash using Odin pda - need to select .tar here again as u did b4 for recovery flashng etc
This will flash a Firmware and u will have stock phone unrooted
from there reset the device from ur phone which will remoce all the bad files etc and all the data also from ur Internal phone memory
after that as told Root and install recovery hope fully this will work without issues

123hiten said:
http://samsung-updates.com/device/?id=GT-I9505
U can download the stock firmware from ur device I9505 will be abt 1.4 gb
once downloaded extract in a folder then flash using Odin pda - need to select .tar here again as u did b4 for recovery flashng etc
This will flash a Firmware and u will have stock phone unrooted
from there reset the device from ur phone which will remoce all the bad files etc and all the data also from ur Internal phone memory
after that as told Root and install recovery hope fully this will work without issues
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, got all that. I am surprised that you can flash stock firmware back on to your phone as I was under the impression you needed a custom recovery installed before you could add a custom ROM. Is that purely a "safety" precaution and I could bite the bullet and install a custom ROM now (should I be silly enough to try)? I do have may SYSTEM, APPS and USER data back up. Obviously I will loose everything on my phone doing this but can I expect that I can restore the APPs and USER data from my existing backup but not attempt to do this will the system files in fear of recreating the current problem?

jcodde said:
Okay, got all that. I am surprised that you can flash stock firmware back on to your phone as I was under the impression you needed a custom recovery installed before you could add a custom ROM. Is that purely a "safety" precaution and I could bite the bullet and install a custom ROM now (should I be silly enough to try)? I do have may SYSTEM, APPS and USER data back up. Obviously I will loose everything on my phone doing this but can I expect that I can restore the APPs and USER data from my existing backup but not attempt to do this will the system files in fear of recreating the current problem?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes u can flash stock with Odin no need to install recovery for that..Custom recovery is needed mostly to flash custom Roms more or less u can say
and this method is 100% safe as long as u do properly
make sure u have 60% plus battery on the phone dont disconnect while its running / installing
and dont re install backup u have taken b4 with system files etc myte create plm
rather use titanium / mybackup pro app just to backup messages/ apps etc and save it else where or SD card for later use

123hiten said:
http://samsung-updates.com/device/?id=GT-I9505
U can download the stock firmware from ur device I9505 will be abt 1.4 gb
once downloaded extract in a folder then flash using Odin pda - need to select .tar here again as u did b4 for recovery flashng etc
This will flash a Firmware and u will have stock phone unrooted
from there reset the device from ur phone which will remoce all the bad files etc and all the data also from ur Internal phone memory
after that as told Root and install recovery hope fully this will work without issues
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, I have done as suggested and flashed the stock ROM and performed a hard Reset. I didn't expect the flashing of the ROM would leave all my apps and screens as they were. Is that normal? I did confirm that the baseband number had changed, which is has. I then moved on to install the root as suggested and all seems to have worked well with the red Android figure appearing. Unfortunately SuperSU is complaining of not having the necessary binary files and Root Checker doesn't seem to be able to determine whether I have rooted phone or not as it just sits there complaining that my system seem slow. Any advice? Thanks.

jcodde said:
Hi, I have done as suggested and flashed the stock ROM and performed a hard Reset. I didn't expect the flashing of the ROM would leave all my apps and screens as they were. Is that normal? I did confirm that the baseband number had changed, which is has. I then moved on to install the root as suggested and all seems to have worked well with the red Android figure appearing. Unfortunately SuperSU is complaining of not having the necessary binary files and Root Checker doesn't seem to be able to determine whether I have rooted phone or not as it just sits there complaining that my system seem slow. Any advice? Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes flashing a stock firmware using Odin keeps all the files and data intact however we should do Reset from the device imm to get rid of all the issue coming from the old used files/ custom files etc could be anything i cant say
have u tried updating SU etc from play store try that
And u have used CF ROOT method rite ??
After flashing the Firmware using odin did u reset the device from phone Back up & Reset option ? deleting all the apps etc u had B4

123hiten said:
Yes flashing a stock firmware using Odin keeps all the files and data intact however we should do Reset from the device imm to get rid of all the issue coming from the old used files/ custom files etc could be anything i cant say
have u tried updating SU etc from play store try that
And u have used CF ROOT method rite ??
After flashing the Firmware using odin did u reset the device from phone Back up & Reset option ? deleting all the apps etc u had B4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, yes I tried SU from play store - same issue. I also reset from the Backup and Reset option on the phone which did delete all the apps etc so to the best of my knowledge, I followed all the steps as described by you and on the various pages you gave me links to.
I have just tried SuperUser. It noted the binaries were old but when it attempted to update, said it "failed" to gain root access. Despite getting the confirmatory Red Android after the root process, I now wonder if it didn't go entirely as planned despite trying 2-3 times....?

jcodde said:
Hi, yes I tried SU from play store - same issue. I also reset from the Backup and Reset option on the phone which did delete all the apps etc so to the best of my knowledge, I followed all the steps as described by you and on the various pages you gave me links to.
I have just tried SuperUser. It noted the binaries were old but when it attempted to update, said it "failed" to gain root access. Despite getting the confirmatory Red Android after the root process, I now wonder if it didn't go entirely as planned despite trying 2-3 times....?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please Check PM

[Q] S4 Bell 1337m wont boot after flash.

Hello all, so i've run into a little problem and after a few hours i cant figure out what i did wrong so i reach out for help
i rooted my device successfully with odin and instlal CWM.
booted into recover, wiped data/cache/system/data as the walk through told me
then install a cx rom from here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=2391142
now when i turn my device on it gose stright into downloading mode with "could not do normal boot" in the top right
can any1 tell me waht i did wrong or missed?
oh i can sitll get into recovery
thanks in advanced

BurnAll said:
Hello all, so i've run into a little problem and after a few hours i cant figure out what i did wrong so i reach out for help
i rooted my device successfully with odin and instlal CWM.
booted into recover, wiped data/cache/system/data as the walk through told me
then install a cx rom from here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=2391142
now when i turn my device on it gose stright into downloading mode with "could not do normal boot" in the top right
can any1 tell me waht i did wrong or missed?
oh i can sitll get into recovery
thanks in advanced
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you check the MD5 before flashing? Are you absolutely sure the ROM your flashing is compatible with your device? Were you on the latest MF3 firmware before you started flashing?

agent929 said:
Did you check the MD5 before flashing? Are you absolutely sure the ROM your flashing is compatible with your device? Were you on the latest MF3 firmware before you started flashing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no i did not check the firmware. i missed that very first line.. sigh, but i got my phone when s4's 1st came out dose that help?
and thats another thing thats confusing me, what rom/kernals are compatiable with this phone i've read a bunch of forums but alot of them appear to leave a list out of it.
the one i'm trying to do has my device listed
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2391142

BurnAll said:
no i did not check the firmware. i missed that very first line.. sigh, but i got my phone when s4's 1st came out dose that help?
and thats another thing thats confusing me, what rom/kernals are compatiable with this phone i've read a bunch of forums but alot of them appear to leave a list out of it.
the one i'm trying to do has my device listed
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2391142
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
heck at this point i'd be happy just to get it back to normal as its late and i need to sleep and work tomorrow

BurnAll said:
no i did not check the firmware. i missed that very first line.. sigh, but i got my phone when s4's 1st came out dose that help?
and thats another thing thats confusing me, what rom/kernals are compatiable with this phone i've read a bunch of forums but alot of them appear to leave a list out of it.
the one i'm trying to do has my device listed
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2391142
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Anything that says i337 will work on your phone, given that the developer has it bug free (the US ATT Samsung Galaxy S4)

agent929 said:
Anything that says i337 will work on your phone, given that the developer has it bug free (the US ATT Samsung Galaxy S4)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
okay so this should work i also put on kernal
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show...php?p=41675354
4.2.2 TW version.
but still saying could no do normal boot, while on downloading screen

BurnAll said:
okay so this should work i also put on kernal
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show...php?p=41675354
4.2.2 TW version.
but still saying could no do normal boot, while on downloading screen
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It says page not found...get the dots out of your link

Did you use your carriers Kernel?

Hey I just noticed that your subject for this post says i337m. Can you confirm if you have a i337 or an i337m please? Thank you.

agent929 said:
Hey I just noticed that your subject for this post says i337m. Can you confirm if you have a i337 or an i337m please? Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i have the m

BurnAll said:
i have the m
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it appears you have flashed an ATT rom for the i337 and not a Rom for the i337m -- you now have several options to restore your phone
1. flash the Loki'd fix to allow the kernel and rom you flashed to boot your phone or
2. flash a cutom kernel that does work with your phone such a Ktoonz kernel (read the install instructions, for your i337m you need the TMO version of his kernel) or
3 download the stock firmware package for your phone, I'd recommend MG1 either from a link on xda or from samMobile or Samsung updates and install using Odin -- this will completely reset you phone and then you can worry about root and custom recovery after
If you do decide to install fresh factory stock MG1 I can recommend using CF-root to root the i337m and then installing Philz Recovery rather than regular CWM as it installs more easily and plays nicer on the i337m in my experience.
Remember each phone is different but do not attempt to install ATT designed roms on your i337m unless you have the loki patch also on your SD card ready to flash also.
There are many great roms available that do fir the i337m and are specifically set up for our phone.
But first, let's get you out of the download loop. EIther of the 3 options above will do. Personally, I would recommend the Odin install of the stock MG1 firmware and start over with a factory reset and a clean phone.

agent929 said:
It says page not found...get the dots out of your link
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sorry here it is.
another fella on bell said this one worked for him
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=41675354

lgsshedden said:
it appears you have flashed an ATT rom for the i337 and not a Rom for the i337m -- you now have several options to restore your phone
1. flash the Loki'd fix to allow the kernel and rom you flashed to boot your phone or
2. flash a cutom kernel that does work with your phone such a Ktoonz kernel (read the install instructions, for your i337m you need the TMO version of his kernel) or
3 download the stock firmware package for your phone, I'd recommend MG1 either from a link on xda or from samMobile or Samsung updates and install using Odin -- this will completely reset you phone and then you can worry about root and custom recovery after
If you do decide to install fresh factory stock MG1 I can recommend using CF-root to root the i337m and then installing Philz Recovery rather than regular CWM as it installs more easily and plays nicer on the i337m in my experience.
Remember each phone is different but do not attempt to install ATT designed roms on your i337m unless you have the loki patch also on your SD card ready to flash also.
There are many great roms available that do fir the i337m and are specifically set up for our phone.
But first, let's get you out of the download loop. EIther of the 3 options above will do. Personally, I would recommend the Odin install of the stock MG1 firmware and start over with a factory reset and a clean phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
okay thanks i'll try to restore it using odin with the MG1 and then give the philz a shot. i'll update u once i've done so.

CF root:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2293800
Philz recovery
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2201860
Goldeneye Rom:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2313469
stock rooted MG1 rom
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2375180
stock firmware download links:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2269304

lgsshedden said:
CF root:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2293800
Philz recovery
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2201860
Goldeneye Rom:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2313469
stock rooted MG1 rom
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2375180
stock firmware download links:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2269304
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
okay got it back to stock, now quick question for the philz do i flash the .tar with odin? or do something else with the .zip?

Its not the ROM that's incomparable its the kernal your using. Find one for a i337m then flash it immediately after you flash your ROM and see if it works.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 4
---------- Post added at 09:58 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:58 PM ----------
Zip gets flashed in your recovery.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 4

agent929 said:
Its not the ROM that's incomparable its the kernal your using. Find one for a i337m then flash it immediately after you flash your ROM and see if it works.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 4
---------- Post added at 09:58 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:58 PM ----------
Zip gets flashed in your recovery.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so just to go over the steps to make sure i dont mess this up,
so i flashed to the origonal versoin with odin
that worked
then i rooted it using CF root
now i got 2 files from philz and i'm not 100% sure what to do with them, i got a .tar what i assume i flash with odin and a .zip i'm not to sure what i do with they are both named philz_touch_5.15.0-jfltecan.tar.md5 and philz_touch_5.15.0-jfltecri.zip
then once i get into recovery i know how to flash roms, its just this whole kernal thing thats got me confused.

BurnAll said:
so just to go over the steps to make sure i dont mess this up,
so i flashed to the origonal versoin with odin
that worked
then i rooted it using CF root
now i got 2 files from philz and i'm not 100% sure what to do with them, i got a .tar what i assume i flash with odin and a .zip i'm not to sure what i do with they are both named philz_touch_5.15.0-jfltecan.tar.md5 and philz_touch_5.15.0-jfltecri.zip
then once i get into recovery i know how to flash roms, its just this whole kernal thing thats got me confused.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
how the heck do i install this philz i boot into recovery and install the zip but i get like 4 red errors when i do it and i still dont have philz

BurnAll said:
how the heck do i install this philz i boot into recovery and install the zip but i get like 4 red errors when i do it and i still dont have philz
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
READ THIS FIRST:
MAKE SURE YOU DO NOT HAVE THE MF3 FIRMWARE ON YOUR S4. THAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO DO RIGHT NOW. IF YOU DO, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO INSTALL A CUSTOM RECOVERY.
You don't have a custom recovery already that's why. Did casual not install TWRP for you? If not try installing Goo Manager from the app market and try installing TWRP that way. MAKE SURE THAT WHEN YOU INSTALL IT, IT SAYS YOUR MODEL NUMBER EXACTLY! I CAN NOT STRESS THIS ENOUGH! When you have TWRP installed, then flash philz with TWRP and you'll have that custom recovery instead.

BurnAll said:
how the heck do i install this philz i boot into recovery and install the zip but i get like 4 red errors when i do it and i still dont have philz
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
do not use the zip you quoted it is not for your phone
use odin flash the tar philz_touch_5.15.0-jfltecan.tar.md5
now you have stock updated MG1 firmware with the latest baseband
root by CF root
Philz Recovery
Now follow the next steps:
1. set up your google account play store etc.
2.next, go into the recovery and do a full nandroid backup -- this gives you a stable base you can restore when needed
3. go flash a custom rom, I highly recommend the latest version of Goldeneye -- updated, well maintained, great developer, clear install instructions
4. try itt then again, use recovery to make a 2nd nandroid, this one of your custom rom install -- try different kernels, every phone is different and someone's favorite kernel just may not like your phone -- doesn't make it a bad kernel just makes it the wrong one for your phone, flash a different one
5. theme if you want -- this is where your recoveries become important as themes are notorious for not always sitting well and all is ok if you have a backup you can return to
6. NEVER flash a baseband from another variant -- stick with your MG1 from your carrier until your carrier updates stock firmware

I need help with installing the Alliance ROM PLEASE.

EDIT: I have successfully installed the Alliance ROM. Here's how i did it.
Prerequisites:
Your phone at at least 50% battery
A charge cable
MicroSD card that you can plug into your computer
Odin 3.09
SafeStrap, version 3.75 APK on your MicroSD card
Alliance ROM on your MicroSD card
NCG tar.md5 (the big file, not the kernel)
I started off on a rooted 5.0 VZW Galaxy S5. After some confusion, I downgraded to NCG (4.4.2) using Odin. After doing that, I went to Towelroot, got the APK, rooted, downloaded SuperSU from the play store (I had to sign into google at this point), installed it's binaries (NORMALLY! Don't choose the TWRP method), rebooted when it asked me to. From there, I installed BusyBox from the play store and installed it within the app. Then I installed Safestrap (version 3.75), which I had on my MicroSD card. I used the app My Files to navigate to my MicroSD and installed the APK. Then I installed it within the app, and when the "reboot to recovery" button worked, I rebooted into SafeStrap recovery mode. At this point, the Alliance ROM zip file should ALREADY BE ON YOUR MICROSD CARD, WHICH SHOULD BE IN YOUR PHONE. Now, you're going to press the INSTALL button to the top right in Safestrap recovery, and you're going to navigate to your MicroSD card. It might be already opened to that. Then you're gonna select the Alliance ROM and flash it. After it successfully flashes, reboot into download mode (if for some reason you aren't able to do it immediately, you get into download mode by holding volume down, home button, and power button at the same time). Now, using Odin, you're gonna flash the firmware that the instructions in the Alliance thread tells you to (here's the thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/ver.../rom-alliancerom-build-3-rom-control-t2818632). If everything works, it's gonna take a couple of minutes, optimize apps, and boot.
Huge thanks to Beans and his team for creating the Alliance mod, and huge thanks to Tulsadiver for helping me get through the process during my confusion.
Original thread below
Hi. I'll cut to the chase. I was an idiot and thought I could just flash the Alliance ROM from my SD card, but my phone is currently a factory restored 5.0. So, after unsuccessfully flashing Alliance ROM, I thought, well, I probably need to be on 4.4.2 to do this. So, what I'm wondering is, do I need to go back down to 4.4.2 to install Alliance ROM? And do I need Safestrap recovery to do it, or can I do it from stock recovery (home button+volUp+Power)? I did a lot of digging in the Alliance ROM post and there were no posts regarding my problem/question, probably because they're all experienced and I'm not (this is my first time trying to flash a custom ROM).
It SOUNDS like I need to flash a full stock tar using Odin, is that correct? Once I do that, I would be on stock wiped 4.4.2, I assume. From there, could I flash the Alliance ROM and continue with the instructions? Or do I need to root first and get safestrap and all that crap? I feel like Beans was really vague with his instructions on installing ROMs, but whatever. Please help though, I'm kind of stuck in the middle of this with a softbricked phone.
Thank you so much in advance, I appreciate it.
~isra
EDIT: Also, I was on ROOTED 5.0 Lollipop just before this. I just got so sick of lollipop, I was ready for something different. So here we are. To confirm, my phone is the standard retail SM-G900VZW model.
EDIT2: Apparently App Ops and SuperSU survived the wipe and, after downloading Root Checker, I can confirm that I'm still rooted... Huh.

israphial said:
Hi. I'll cut to the chase. I was an idiot and thought I could just flash the Alliance ROM from my SD card, but my phone is currently a factory restored 5.0. So, after unsuccessfully flashing Alliance ROM, I thought, well, I probably need to be on 4.4.2 to do this. So, what I'm wondering is, do I need to go back down to 4.4.2 to install Alliance ROM? And do I need Safestrap recovery to do it, or can I do it from stock recovery (home button+volUp+Power)? I did a lot of digging in the Alliance ROM post and there were no posts regarding my problem/question, probably because they're all experienced and I'm not (this is my first time trying to flash a custom ROM).
It SOUNDS like I need to flash a full stock tar using Odin, is that correct? Once I do that, I would be on stock wiped 4.4.2, I assume. From there, could I flash the Alliance ROM and continue with the instructions? Or do I need to root first and get safestrap and all that crap? I feel like Beans was really vague with his instructions on installing ROMs, but whatever. Please help though, I'm kind of stuck in the middle of this with a softbricked phone.
Thank you so much in advance, I appreciate it.
~isra
EDIT: Also, I was on ROOTED 5.0 Lollipop just before this. I just got so sick of lollipop, I was ready for something different. So here we are. To confirm, my phone is the standard retail SM-G900VZW model.
EDIT2: Apparently App Ops and SuperSU survived the wipe and, after downloading Root Checker, I can confirm that I'm still rooted... Huh.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Download busybox from play store. Install it. Install safestrap. Once recovery is installed, go into recovery, install alliance, from within safestrap, boot into download mode and flash the full firmware Odin tar.

Tulsadiver said:
Download busybox from play store. Install it. Install safestrap. Once recovery is installed, go into recovery, install alliance, from within safestrap, boot into download mode and flash the full firmware Odin tar.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wait, so I don't need to downgrade my phone? Keep in mind I'm on stock rooted 5.0, which just got factory reset so I got nothing except for the root. Also, what full firmware odin tar are you referring to? NE9? This one: https://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=23610159112652201
Or this one: https://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=23622183712472727
I'm getting these links from here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/ver...ment/stock-collection-kernels-modems-t2842069
I really appreciate you replying. Thank you.

The first one. That firmware will downgrade you to NE9.

Tulsadiver said:
The first one. That firmware will downgrade you to NE9.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, so I don't need to downgrade to install the ROM. Got it. Thank you. Is there anything else I should know?

Not that I know of. ROM installations are different so always refer to their installation instructions. Some will say to flash the firmware first. The op knows best. Alliance NE9 says to do a full wipe (everything but SD card). Install the ROM, reboot to download mode ( don't hit reboot system). Once in download mode, flash the firmware tar and let your phone reboot.

Tulsadiver said:
Not that I know of. ROM installations are different so always refer to their installation instructions. Some will say to flash the firmware first. The op knows best. Alliance NE9 says to do a full wipe (everything but SD card). Install the ROM, reboot to download mode ( don't hit reboot system). Once in download mode, flash the firmware tar and let your phone reboot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, I installed Safestrap and did all that, but when I press the reboot into recovery button, it just reboots the phone normally. It doesn't go into safestrap recovery. Am I supposed to hold some buttons or something?

Did safestrap ask for SuperSU permissions? Did you install busy box? You can't just download the app.

Tulsadiver said:
Did safestrap ask for SuperSU permissions? Did you install busy box? You can't just download the app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I've installed BusyBox and given SS root permissions. I installed the APK 3.75 Safestrap that I used to get into SS recovery when I was getting to rooted 5.0 a while back, so I know that the APK isn't corrupt or anything like that.

I forgot. You are on lollipop. You need to flash the NE9 kernel first ( via Odin). You already have safestrap but it doesn't work on lollipop. After you flash the NE9 kernel you will have the option to boot into recovery. Have alliance on your SD card ready to install.

Tulsadiver said:
I forgot. You are on lollipop. You need to flash the NE9 kernel first ( via Odin). You already have safestrap but it doesn't work on lollipop. After you flash the NE9 kernel you will have the option to boot into recovery. Have alliance on your SD card ready to install.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Found a "NE9 Stock tar.md5". Does that sound right? DL is here: https://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=23578570567721275

Found a "NE9 Stock tar.md5". Does that sound right? DL is here: https://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=23578570567721275

israphial said:
Found a "NE9 Stock tar.md5". Does that sound right? DL is here: https://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=23578570567721275
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is it.

Tulsadiver said:
That is it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you. I'm going to flash the kernel then, then I'll get back to you if anything comes up. Again, I really appreciate you helping me. Thank you.

Tulsadiver said:
That is it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It booted into stock recovery mode after odin successfully flashed NE9. Now do I install the ROM from stock recovery, or do I boot the phone and get to Safestrap to install the ROM from Safestrap recovery? I am currently in recovery mode.

You must not have had safestrap on your phone after all. Can you get back to download mode? You probably need to flash your lollipop kernel to get back to lollipop.

Tulsadiver said:
You must not have had safestrap on your phone after all. Can you get back to download mode? You probably need to flash your lollipop kernel to get back to lollipop.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I definitely had safestrap. Though, here's something: Everyone talks about a menu that pops up during boot that allows you to enter either safestrap recovery, or boot, and I've never had/seen that menu, even when I was rooting 5.0. Yes, my BusyBox worked and was properly installed, and yes, I had Safestrap recovery installed.
I just tried rebooting and it after sitting at the first screen for a while, it rebooted quickly and went back into recovery mode. What if I try installing Alliance from recovery mode? Will it work?

israphial said:
I definitely had safestrap. Though, here's something: Everyone talks about a menu that pops up during boot that allows you to enter either safestrap recovery, or boot, and I've never had/seen that menu, even when I was rooting 5.0. Yes, my BusyBox worked and was properly installed, and yes, I had Safestrap recovery installed.
I just tried rebooting and it after sitting at the first screen for a while, it rebooted quickly and went back into recovery mode. What if I try installing Alliance from recovery mode? Will it work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've never been on stock recovery before. I think it has to be a custom recovery. You might need to pull your battery and let it set for a bit and see if you can get into download mode.

Tulsadiver said:
I've never been on stock recovery before. I think it has to be a custom recovery. You might need to pull your battery and let it set for a bit and see if you can get into download mode.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can get into download mode perfectly fine. I'm going to kernel back to 5.0 then...
But what do I do now? Should I downgrade to 4.4.2 with the stock firmware once I successfully boot 5.0?
EDIT: Yup, booted 5.0 perfectly fine. Now what? Downgrade to 4.4.2 and flash the NE9 Kernel?

Proof that Safestrap is on my phone:
http://imgur.com/cGa1v1n

SAMSUNG SM-g900f (INTERNATIONAL)

Well I finally made the switch from Apple to android. I could no longer take the incompatibility with different toys at home. I used to work at RadioShack and I have rooted quite a few phones. I recently purchased a s5 international version, I need to root the phone for mirror play with my appradio. I have spent a few hours reading and trying, I took it to a droid friend of mine and he attempted with no joy. What info do you guys need from me to make thei happen. It says 5.0 (guessing lollipop)....... I tried rooting with Odin.
Thanks for any help guys

Flash TWRP then try flashing SuperSU.zip
budro574 said:
Well I finally made the switch from Apple to android. I could no longer take the incompatibility with different toys at home. I used to work at RadioShack and I have rooted quite a few phones. I recently purchased a s5 international version, I need to root the phone for mirror play with my appradio. I have spent a few hours reading and trying, I took it to a droid friend of mine and he attempted with no joy. What info do you guys need from me to make thei happen. It says 5.0 (guessing lollipop)....... I tried rooting with Odin.
Thanks for any help guys
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

^+1
Agree with previous poster, but you need to flash *specifically* twrp 2.8.7.0 klte......
For some reason, this version is the only one that works with some LP firmwares....
And make sure 'Reactivation Lock' is switched off before you start.
http://i.imgur.com/rVnFwJM.jpg

Thanks I'll try that version. I kno I've tried flashing twrp 10x. When I try to enter twrp mode it never works. It goes to the normal page. I'll do it again tonight when I get home so I can give very clear data regarding what I'm running into.

I have followed the instructions posted by others step by step and it either boots into recover mode as if twrp was never installed or freezes and goes into a boot mode flux. Wish I could just pay someone to root this phone..... I am beginning to think it can not be rooted..... Does anyone have a link for updated instructions bc the ones I'm using are from March 2015...... I am using Odin 3.09.

Did you try CF Auto Root first?
I don't see it mentioned
And try ODIN 3.10.7

He mentioned trying to root using Odin, I guess he tried CF method using the tar file.
*Detection* said:
Did you try CF Auto Root first?
I don't see it mentioned
And try ODIN 3.10.7
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
---------- Post added at 10:10 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:10 AM ----------
Have inboxed you
budro574 said:
I have followed the instructions posted by others step by step and it either boots into recover mode as if twrp was never installed or freezes and goes into a boot mode flux. Wish I could just pay someone to root this phone..... I am beginning to think it can not be rooted..... Does anyone have a link for updated instructions bc the ones I'm using are from March 2015...... I am using Odin 3.09.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

|QUOTE]Have inboxed you[/QUOTE]
Why inbox? Why not offer your potential solution to everyone?
http://i.imgur.com/rVnFwJM.jpg

androidtweaker1 said:
He mentioned trying to root using Odin, I guess he tried CF method using the tar file.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flashing TWRP from ODIN then SuperSU from TWRP is another way to root using ODIN
But also, some people have no clue what they are doing, and try flashing all sorts from ODIN - without CF actually mentioned, we are guessing

Even with Lollipop, you can still root your Galaxy S5 using CF Auto Root. It is flashable via Odin.
When you install custom ROMs or recovery like TWRP, make sure Reactivation Lock is disabled or else it will block any custom binary it would detect.
Sent from my SM-G900F using XDA Forums

trouble
hi,
i root my s5 g900f and installed xtrolite rom and now i want to install miui or liquidrom i cant goto recoverymod it shows some block by reactivationlock i treid to format erase but there are issues in settings.
now i m stuck in xtrolite rom.
someone please guide me what shall i do nothing is working. as per whole net world i tried but now m looking hopeless.

Juzer zoaib said:
hi,
i root my s5 g900f and installed xtrolite rom and now i want to install miui or liquidrom i cant goto recoverymod it shows some block by reactivationlock i treid to format erase but there are issues in settings.
now i m stuck in xtrolite rom.
someone please guide me what shall i do nothing is working. as per whole net world i tried but now m looking hopeless.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Download a stock firmware from sammobile.com, preferrably ANE2 KitKat build. Flash it via Odin then once the firmware works, go to Security settings then disable Reactivation Lock. You should be able to flash a custom recovery and boot to it then.
Sent from my SM-G900F using XDA Forums

Stock recovery

Hi all. I'm in need of the stock recovery file for N910H on stock 6.0.1. Preferably in .tar format. Thanks

d_myke said:
Hi all. I'm in need of the stock recovery file for N910H on stock 6.0.1. Preferably in .tar format. Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe that sammobile would have the stock rom, which if i remember correctly will automaticly flash stock recovery on flash.
But what problem do you have or why do you need a stock recovery, if i may ask ?

Diload said:
I believe that sammobile would have the stock rom, which if i remember correctly will automaticly flash stock recovery on flash.
But what problem do you have or why do you need a stock recovery, if i may ask ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flashed TWRP on my unrooted phone via Odin. Worked the first time round, and I was able to clear cache. Rebooted, and I've not been able to boot into recovery since. I can boot into download mode, but not recovery mode. Pressing the right buttons just boots up the phone normally. Haven't got root, so I can't use an app to boot into recovery.

d_myke said:
Flashed TWRP on my unrooted phone via Odin. Worked the first time round, and I was able to clear cache. Rebooted, and I've not been able to boot into recovery since. I can boot into download mode, but not recovery mode. Pressing the right buttons just boots up the phone normally. Haven't got root, so I can't use an app to boot into recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you absolutely sure that you flashed the right version? I did the wrong version once since the website van be a bit confusing for some phones, a reflash with the right one with Odin saved me

I want to root my phone but it needs to install a custom recovery, if ever I want to get back the stock recovery...
Does flashing the stock rom replace the custom recovery with the stock recovery?
Sorry I'm a noob

Hi there
I didn't got everything but I'll try to help.
Get latest Odin : https://samsungodin.com/download/Odin3_v3.12.3.zip
Get a stock ROM: chose the right one for you
http://samsung-updates.com/device/?id=SM-n910h
or
https://samsung-firmware.org/model/SM-N910H/
or
https://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/galaxy-note4/SM-N910H/
Get TWRP: https://eu.dl.twrp.me/treltexx/twrp-3.1.1-0-treltexx.img.tar.html
Get Magisk:
https://dl.xda-developers.com/4/4/2....zip?key=ZHiP_JZ9z3O4YQoq9ammlg&ts=1522485842
Flash stock ROM.
Flash TWRP. (Knox 0x1)
Boot to recovery and backup.
Flash Magisk in TWRP.
You'll end up with a rooted stock ROM and custom recovery
Hope this may help
Sent from my SM-N910F using XDA Labs
---------- Post added at 09:53 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:50 AM ----------
zianfromPH said:
I want to root my phone but it needs to install a custom recovery, if ever I want to get back the stock recovery...
Does flashing the stock rom replace the custom recovery with the stock recovery?
Sorry I'm a noob
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The short answer is YES.
Sent from my SM-N910F using XDA Labs

Thanks sir barlu
Another question, does flashing the stock rom ALONE make my phone stable and usable like a new one?
My phone is Note Edge SC-01G btw
I really wanted this phone to be rooted

zianfromPH said:
Thanks sir barlu
Another question, does flashing the stock rom ALONE make my phone stable and usable like a new one?
My phone is Note Edge SC-01G btw
I really wanted this phone to be rooted
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Take care to get the right ROM or you could brick your phone! All I said above apply to N910H ONLY!
For your device: www.sammobile.com/firmwares/galaxy-note-edge/SC-01G/
Maybe another ROM would fit but you have to find out in the other threads...
Sorry if I can't help you more but there are too many differents versions
Sent from my SM-N910F using XDA Labs

Thank you sir