Hello, I've been out of the rooting scene for over a year now since I bought my Galaxy S4. When I first bought it, i had it rooted but could not install a custom rom because it was on MF3. So, once again I am trying to get back into rooting with the latest OTA update and a NC1 baseband. I've been looking around on how to root and install a custom rom but I've been gone so long that I'm just lost.
From threads I have read I can downgrade my phone to NB1 then to MK2 to root. However, I haven't really been able to find an answer to if I can install a custom rom to it, only upgrading back to the OTA and keeping root. I have been having massive overheating problems with the stock firmware and have a large burn mark on the back of my phone and would like to switch back to CWM which i had on an old phone.
Laemon said:
Hello, I've been out of the rooting scene for over a year now since I bought my Galaxy S4. When I first bought it, i had it rooted but could not install a custom rom because it was on MF3. So, once again I am trying to get back into rooting with the latest OTA update and a NC1 baseband. I've been looking around on how to root and install a custom rom but I've been gone so long that I'm just lost.
From threads I have read I can downgrade my phone to NB1 then to MK2 to root. However, I haven't really been able to find an answer to if I can install a custom rom to it, only upgrading back to the OTA and keeping root. I have been having massive overheating problems with the stock firmware and have a large burn mark on the back of my phone and would like to switch back to CWM which i had on an old phone.
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No CWM. You can only use Safestrap, a variant of TWRP for locked bootloaders that doesn't flash kernels. Due to that restriction (if we tried to flash a custom kernel we'd get bootloader check fails) we can only run ROMs which the stock kernel supports, meaning other Touchwiz ROMs and the one GPE that's been posted in the General section. Part of the downgrade and root process is using Safestrap to update to 4.4.2 with a modified OTA, and so you just replace that step with flashing a ROM, the kernel modules, and then the ODIN files.
Hello all,
I recently installed 5.0.1 rooted on galaxy s4 I337 using muniz's method and had some questions?
The main reason I rooted was to try to get xposed so I can edit the ui, I understand that it is not working on samsung devices right now, but when it does work, I understand the only way to install it is using a custom recovery.
Since I have a locked bootloader and am on 5.0.1 I don't think there is a way to get a custom recovery on here, correct me if I'm wrong.
How would I install the xposed framework? Will flashfire be able to load it?
Also, if I were to revert back to the stock NB1 build, can I re-root and install clockworkmod (would LOKI work then?) on it and then go to a custom rom like cynogenmod or are there problems with this because I already have updated all the way to 5.0.1? (I've done this rollback through ODIN before and it's not too bad.)
I'm new to android modding so this has been a learning experience.
Thanks
Once upgraded to the locked bootloaders, there is no going back to loki. You can downgrade from 5.0.1 to 4.4.2, but you can only use safestrap recovery, and only touchwiz based firmware. Also, safestrap doesn't work on 5.0.1 yet. From what I have read, with 5.0.1 you'll have to wait and see what the developers come up with. If you care to learn more about the history of bootloaders, there is lots of info in these forums.
Engitheneer said:
Hello all,
I recently installed 5.0.1 rooted on galaxy s4 I337 using muniz's method and had some questions?
The main reason I rooted was to try to get xposed so I can edit the ui, I understand that it is not working on samsung devices right now, but when it does work, I understand the only way to install it is using a custom recovery.
Since I have a locked bootloader and am on 5.0.1 I don't think there is a way to get a custom recovery on here, correct me if I'm wrong.
How would I install the xposed framework? Will flashfire be able to load it?
Also, if I were to revert back to the stock NB1 build, can I re-root and install clockworkmod (would LOKI work then?) on it and then go to a custom rom like cynogenmod or are there problems with this because I already have updated all the way to 5.0.1? (I've done this rollback through ODIN before and it's not too bad.)
I'm new to android modding so this has been a learning experience.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If xposed ever is updated to support Lollipop Touchwiz, you'll be able to flash it using Flashfire or using the Safestrap workaround (flash 4.4 kernel so you can get into safestrap, flash files, then flash 5.0 kernel). There's no way to go back to CWM or TWRP past the old MF3 4.2.2 update, which has long come and gone now.
I am running a rooted stock verizon galaxy s5 4.4.4 with safestrap installed. I just need to know whether I need to flash capable firmware before or after installing custom optimal rom with safestrap
[email protected] said:
I am running a rooted stock verizon galaxy s5 4.4.4 with safestrap installed. I just need to know whether I need to flash capable firmware before or after installing custom optimal rom with safestrap
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You could ask the question in the Optimal ROM thread...
Either or. It doesn't matter unless Safestrap requires a different version. Just make sure to NOT boot into the OS if you flash the firmware later unless you already flashed it before you boot.
Install Custom Recovery Samsung Galaxy AT&T S4 SGH-I337 Ver 5.0.1 Non-Rooted. OK2
Hello, I Want to do some modifications to my Samsung Galaxy S4 and Have so many questions that I am not sure were to start? Yes I'm a noob but learning. I have a SGH-I337 phone that is unlocked so I use it for T-mobile. The phone came with KitKat 4.4.2 NB1 firmware but I managed to update it manually to the latest firmware OK2.
What I would like to do is install a custom recovery and install a clean non bloated Rom. Maybe a custom such as CyanogenMod? Questions: Is there any recovery software that will work on my present upgraded phone such as Safestrap, TWARP,PhilZ or CWM and in doing so I am guessing I need to root my phone first? When you root a phone does that unlock the boot loader? I have read articles saying you can only install custom recovery on the older firmware such as kitkat 4.4.2. or unless a update comes out. I also have read articles that I cannot downgrade and am not sure what that means as I have read articles that I can use Odin and reinstall my stock firmware NB1 is that true? Is there a way to downgrade your upgrades?
I see a lot of articles how to install recovery software but they do not always say what firmware version they are installing it to so I wont even try it. I am guessing-it is the older firmware 4.4.2.
I have read I can flash my kernel to an older Kernel such as NB1 then root it install a custom recovery then upgrade the kernel again? Not sure it I can upgrade or downgrade kernels that are for my phone?
I did manage to root my phone awhile back when it had kitkat 4.4.2 NB1 but had problems later on with my touch screen going crazy as if someone was in my phone so I brought it back to stock by using Odin and reinstalling NB1 firmware hoping to fix the problem. After installing stock firmware I decided to upgrade to lollipop 5.0.1 OB2 and that is were I am now. About my touch screen going crazy I have been reading it may be due to cheap USB chargers which I am using but that is another story.
Well any-help or leads would be appreciated.
Maybe if I wait long enough someone will come up with a custom ROM for my latest firmware as well as rooting it?
Steve
Been off this thread for awhile (you know how life gets in the way) and was wondering if there are any meaningful upgrades to an S4 with 1545VRUGOF1 rooted via Flashfire. with stock.
C
If you want marshmallow, then custom ROMs are the only way to get it.
Which s4 do you have? Isn't flash fire for the i337?
audit13 said:
Which s4 do you have? Isn't flash fire for the i337?
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SCH-1545
Android 5.0.1
I545VRUGOF1
At the time, Flashfire was the only path to root
Look here for a possible answer: http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4-verizon
Any guidance? I have the VRUGOF1 Bootloader and consequently was only able to root with Flashfire. Not sure if there has been any development to allow Marshmallow to be put on this device
wedmiston said:
Any guidance? I have the VRUGOF1 Bootloader and consequently was only able to root with Flashfire. Not sure if there has been any development to allow Marshmallow to be put on this device
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Yes, there are ROMs for that device. But you can only flash with a custom recovery so you'll have to find one.
Look in the Verizon forum. This forum is for the international version of the s4.
Pwnycorn said:
Yes, there are ROMs for that device. But you can only flash with a custom recovery so you'll have to find one.
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Maybe I'm not being clear, but I was uder the impression if you have the OF1 Build you can only root with Flashfire, and, you cannot install CWM or TWRP as it will brick your device. I am not looking to add another ROM, I am fine with stock. My goal is to see if there is a way to go from Lollipop to Marshmallow safely given my specific device parameters
wedmiston said:
Maybe I'm not being clear, but I was uder the impression if you have the OF1 Build you can only root with Flashfire, and, you cannot install CWM or TWRP as it will brick your device. I am not looking to add another ROM, I am fine with stock. My goal is to see if there is a way to go from Lollipop to Marshmallow safely given my specific device parameters
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If you can't install any custom recovery, then there isn't any way you can.
There is no official TouchWiz Marshmallow ROM for the S4, as such, the only way to get marshmallow is through a custom ROM.
A custom ROM can only be flashed via custom recovery.
Ergo, if you can't flash a custom recovery, there is no way to get marshmallow.
The Verizon OF1 bootloader is locked and not exploitable. Only the MDK bootloader had that luxury. You also cannot downgrade to it. If you want to flash a ROM other that stock head to the Verizon Galaxy S4 development forum and read up on SafeStrap and ROMs that can be installed with it. A custom recovery such as TWRP is not able to be installed on your device. Because of that ROMs such as CM, JDC custom ROMs, etc. are out of reach for you.
Pwnycorn said:
If you can't install any custom recovery, then there isn't any way you can.
There is no official TouchWiz Marshmallow ROM for the S4, as such, the only way to get marshmallow is through a custom ROM.
A custom ROM can only be flashed via custom recovery.
Ergo, if you can't flash a custom recovery, there is no way to get marshmallow.
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Thanks
So to summarize, since I am on the OF1 build and could only root via Flashfire, the bootloader remains locked...consequently I still cannot flash TWRP or CWM, and as you put it, out of luck to get Marshmallow.
However, has anyone successfully used Flashfire and Xposed? I saw it on another thread: https://www.reddit.com/r/AndroidQuestions/comments/406o9w/verizon_galaxy_s4_unlocked_bootlaoder/
but there was no definitive conclusion that it was successful. Anyone have any direct experience with this? Since Safestrap and Flashfire are both custom recoveries installed alongside of your locked bootloader, do either work to get to Marshmallow?
wedmiston said:
Thanks
So to summarize, since I am on the OF1 build and could only root via Flashfire, the bootloader remains locked...consequently I still cannot flash TWRP or CWM, and as you put it, out of luck to get Marshmallow.
However, has anyone successfully used Flashfire and Xposed? I saw it on another thread: https://www.reddit.com/r/AndroidQuestions/comments/406o9w/verizon_galaxy_s4_unlocked_bootlaoder/
but there was no definitive conclusion that it was successful. Anyone have any direct experience with this? Since Safestrap and Flashfire are both custom recoveries installed alongside of your locked bootloader, do either work to get to Marshmallow?
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Click to collapse
You are a little confused. SafeStrap is not a custom recovery so to speak, TWRP is. SafeStrap allows the installation of some mods, etc. on devices with a locked BL. A quick look in the Verizon S4 Android Development forum does not show a MM build that can be installed via SS, only LP builds.
The issue with a locked BL and SS is you cannot install a different kernel which limited what could be installed.
I saw a set of OF1 instructions out on Stang5litre's OP for his ROM. Has this been validated as a stable rom for those of us on OF1?