Database Users

[Q] Unable to install CWM or TWRP on Note 3 after 4.4.2 update

So I've been running a rooted Note 3 for a while. When the Note 3 Kitkat update came out, I updated it via Odin as OTA update was not available since I was rooted.
All the posts I read had mentioned that updating to 4.4.2 from 4.3 would erase all my data but after updating via odin all my data was in place. I had only lost root which I rooted again though CF Auto Root.
The problem now is that when I try to install CWM (via Odin) or TWRP (via Goo or Odin), it goes through the installation but then the phone goes into a boot loop of sorts..It's NOT the normal boot loop which gets stuck on the Samsung logo.
What happens is that the phone vibrates twice (with a 1 sec interval in between), then the Samsung Note 3 N-9005 screen appears with "Booting Recovery..." on the top left and within a sec it goes blank and then back to 2 vibrates and the screen come on to show Samsung Note 3 N-9005.
The only way I found to fix this was a battery pull and then turning on the device holding the power, home and down vol key to boot into recovery and then flashing CF Auto Root again.
I don't know why am I not able to install any of these recoveries. I've made sure I try to install the latest versions of them which are Kitkat compatible.
Anyone else with this problem or a solution?
Can a Cache and data wipe fix this? But the problem again being I won't be able to backup my ROM since i can't get these recoveries to install!

There is a script in official firmware that checks for official recovery and if it finds a custom one it tries to overwrite with official one. If i remember correct it's called install-recovery. sh
PhilZ recovery handles it automatically.

It's impossibe to flash anything other than the leaked 4.4.2 stock because you flashed your bootloader to kitkat, no you MUST stay on sammy 4.4.2 till the devs found a solution for this. Thats why you have to read carefully be4 you flash.

silentvisitor said:
There is a script in official firmware that checks for official recovery and if it finds a custom one it tries to overwrite with official one. If i remember correct it's called install-recovery. sh
PhilZ recovery handles it automatically.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No luck!
I tried PhilZ recovery from the below link.
http://goo.im/devs/philz_touch/CWM_Advanced_Edition/hltexx
What are my other options?

sid8907 said:
No luck!
I tried PhilZ recovery from the below link.
http://goo.im/devs/philz_touch/CWM_Advanced_Edition/hltexx
What are my other options?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This one seems to be the only one working with 4.4.2 right now.

Possible solution
The way I can suggest is to create a little update.zip file with little updater-script to remove install-recovery.sh file from device (just one line needed).
Ok, I found a zip which I am attaching below. You(or anyone) may review the script before flashing.
Place this on your external (or internal) sdcard.
In ODIN don't check Auto reboot
Flash Recovery. Remove phone when it says PASS.
Remove battery. Start in Recovery mode by pressing buttons.
You should now be in new Recovery.
Flash that zip file.
Reboot.
You should be good.

The Auto Reboot for some reason is faded out. Tried different versions of Odin and also tried to open it with the phone connected/disconnected.

I am out of ideas.
I would suggest you to wait for someone to come up with working solution. Being too adventurous with ODIN could brick your device.

sid8907 said:
The Auto Reboot for some reason is faded out. Tried different versions of Odin and also tried to open it with the phone connected/disconnected.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Clear out all your ODIN caches etc, delete all files and keep 1.85.
Flash this (only working recovery on 4.4.2) via PDA in ODIN, If it doesn't reboot auto after saying PASS or RESET.. just turn phone off, reboot into recovery and it'll be fine.
EDIT: Just re-read, Re flash your Stock 4.4.2 (Use XEO not the leaked one!) and then start again

Thanks!
Maybe a little off topic, but is there a way to install CM11 on Stock 4.4.2 on the Note 3?
I've been reading Samsung is out with a new bootloader so there is no way round this?

radicalisto said:
Clear out all your ODIN caches etc, delete all files and keep 1.85.
Flash this (only working recovery on 4.4.2) via PDA in ODIN, If it doesn't reboot auto after saying PASS or RESET.. just turn phone off, reboot into recovery and it'll be fine.
EDIT: Just re-read, Re flash your Stock 4.4.2 (Use XEO not the leaked one!) and then start again
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks!!

sid8907 said:
Thanks!
Maybe a little off topic, but is there a way to install CM11 on Stock 4.4.2 on the Note 3?
I've been reading Samsung is out with a new bootloader so there is no way round this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You may have to do a little reading but I believe CM11 is now working on the KK bootloader...

sid8907 said:
So I've been running a rooted Note 3 for a while. When the Note 3 Kitkat update came out, I updated it via Odin as OTA update was not available since I was rooted.
All the posts I read had mentioned that updating to 4.4.2 from 4.3 would erase all my data but after updating via odin all my data was in place. I had only lost root which I rooted again though CF Auto Root.
The problem now is that when I try to install CWM (via Odin) or TWRP (via Goo or Odin), it goes through the installation but then the phone goes into a boot loop of sorts..It's NOT the normal boot loop which gets stuck on the Samsung logo.
What happens is that the phone vibrates twice (with a 1 sec interval in between), then the Samsung Note 3 N-9005 screen appears with "Booting Recovery..." on the top left and within a sec it goes blank and then back to 2 vibrates and the screen come on to show Samsung Note 3 N-9005.
The only way I found to fix this was a battery pull and then turning on the device holding the power, home and down vol key to boot into recovery and then flashing CF Auto Root again.
I don't know why am I not able to install any of these recoveries. I've made sure I try to install the latest versions of them which are Kitkat compatible.
Anyone else with this problem or a solution?
Can a Cache and data wipe fix this? But the problem again being I won't be able to backup my ROM since i can't get these recoveries to install!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
here's the link for twrp for ya'll http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=50333147&postcount=398

sid8907 said:
So I've been running a rooted Note 3 for a while. When the Note 3 Kitkat update came out, I updated it via Odin as OTA update was not available since I was rooted.
All the posts I read had mentioned that updating to 4.4.2 from 4.3 would erase all my data but after updating via odin all my data was in place. I had only lost root which I rooted again though CF Auto Root.
The problem now is that when I try to install CWM (via Odin) or TWRP (via Goo or Odin), it goes through the installation but then the phone goes into a boot loop of sorts..It's NOT the normal boot loop which gets stuck on the Samsung logo.
What happens is that the phone vibrates twice (with a 1 sec interval in between), then the Samsung Note 3 N-9005 screen appears with "Booting Recovery..." on the top left and within a sec it goes blank and then back to 2 vibrates and the screen come on to show Samsung Note 3 N-9005.
The only way I found to fix this was a battery pull and then turning on the device holding the power, home and down vol key to boot into recovery and then flashing CF Auto Root again.
I don't know why am I not able to install any of these recoveries. I've made sure I try to install the latest versions of them which are Kitkat compatible.
Anyone else with this problem or a solution?
Can a Cache and data wipe fix this? But the problem again being I won't be able to backup my ROM since i can't get these recoveries to install!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
jp.26 said:
here's the link for twrp for ya'll http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=50333147&postcount=398
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so.... yeah i just updated my bootloader to 4.4.2 and this drove me literally insane. ive been working on it for 4 hours now. i encountered so many problems with installing the bootloader. exact same problem as SID8907. i gotta tell you tho.... you worked some magic my friend. i tried almost everything. then i came across your link. i was like why not? so i flashed the img in odin..... anddddd :drumroll pleaseeeeee:: IT WORKED. ahhh....... so much frustration and the problem is solved!!! thank you so much JP.26 :good::laugh:

is there any word on how to fix this been looking for hours tmobile note beast dont want to put any roots down on my phone before i find a way to flash cm or a non bloated note rom would be nice.

I'll that I've managed is to root and flash twrp I found a way to turn cwm recovery into a tar file and flash through odin. But i just get into a boot loop with cwm due to the boot loader I presume but tarp works fine I just can't flash cm11. I get boot loop every time
Sent from my SM-N900T using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

im sorry but im confused here... does this all simply mean that there is not yet a working cwm for 4.4.2 yet? and that while we can root, there is no working recovery for this version?

I'm not sure myself tarp works but I can't flash cm11
Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk

Phillz cwm Dev edition I think that's the name works its a themed touch cwm. This works great but still can't flash cm so gayyyy
Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk

I was wondering what happened to the cmw too.
The modded cmw by Chenglu is the only one working that I know of.
Link to thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2454079

Bootloop on hyperdrive rom, please help

I need help. lol. my Samsung note 3 is stuck in bootloop. I posted this in the thread for the hyperdrive rom because its what I was trying to flash.
i wiped and flashed in the stock slot. and now im stuck in the bootloop problem. it says recovery booting in the upper left of the screen and just keeps rebooting. I tried going in to odin and reloading the "n900v kk firmware" and nothing. anyone know a fix for this. is there something I can download to flash to fix this. I know I will have to use odin, just not sure what.

donelam304 said:
I need help. lol. my Samsung note 3 is stuck in bootloop. I posted this in the thread for the hyperdrive rom because its what I was trying to flash.
i wiped and flashed in the stock slot. and now im stuck in the bootloop problem. it says recovery booting in the upper left of the screen and just keeps rebooting. I tried going in to odin and reloading the "n900v kk firmware" and nothing. anyone know a fix for this. is there something I can download to flash to fix this. I know I will have to use odin, just not sure what.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi I'm kinda new to the community and Android, but I'll try to help. I've been having issues trying to use safestrap to install my custom roms. I know that 3.72 had issues with the extra slots. That was supposed to be fixed in 3.75. In short I haven't reached a loop but have had to flash to stock several times with Odin. I had to remove my battery to get the phone in "power off" mode. From there, I booted to download for odin (assuming you can get it to boot to download-volume down/home/power buttons to get there).
Once I got there, I just made sure I had the firmware version I wanted to go back to, plugged it into odin and bam! Back to stock to start over.

Bryotch said:
Hi I'm kinda new to the community and Android, but I'll try to help. I've been having issues trying to use safestrap to install my custom roms. I know that 3.72 had issues with the extra slots. That was supposed to be fixed in 3.75. In short I haven't reached a loop but have had to flash to stock several times with Odin. I had to remove my battery to get the phone in "power off" mode. From there, I booted to download for odin (assuming you can get it to boot to download-volume down/home/power buttons to get there).
Once I got there, I just made sure I had the firmware version I wanted to go back to, plugged it into odin and bam! Back to stock to start over.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can boot in to the download mode. has no problem. even tried flashing the n900v_kk_firmware.tar.md5 tar,
ALL_N900VVRUBMJE_N900VVZWMJE_2106277_REV03_user_low_ship_MULTI_CERT.tar.md5
and even tried the N900VVRUCNC4_N900VVZWCNC4_N900VVRUCNC4_HOME.tar.md5
and when I do the MJE one it says invalid. am I flashing the wrong file is there something else I should be using. when I get in to manual mode after it boots in to manual recovery mode it says im on NC4. it says in the upper left corner the following:
Android stem recovery <3e>
KOT49H.N900VVRUCNC
volume up/down to move highlight;
power button to select.
reboot system now
apply update from ADB
apply update from external storage
wipe data/factory reset
wipe cache partition
apply update from cache
is there a way to flash safestrap or CWM in odin.

donelam304 said:
I can boot in to the download mode. has no problem. even tried flashing the n900v_kk_firmware.tar.md5 tar,
ALL_N900VVRUBMJE_N900VVZWMJE_2106277_REV03_user_low_ship_MULTI_CERT.tar.md5
and even tried the N900VVRUCNC4_N900VVZWCNC4_N900VVRUCNC4_HOME.tar.md5
and when I do the MJE one it says invalid. am I flashing the wrong file is there something else I should be using. when I get in to manual mode after it boots in to manual recovery mode it says im on NC4. it says in the upper left corner the following:
Android stem recovery <3e>
KOT49H.N900VVRUCNC
volume up/down to move highlight;
power button to select.
reboot system now
apply update from ADB
apply update from external storage
wipe data/factory reset
wipe cache partition
apply update from cache
is there a way to flash safestrap or CWM in odin.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're running the same build I have, been having similar issues. I used Odin no completely repartition and wipe the phone. I used N900VVRUCNC4_N900VVZWCNC4_N900VVRUCNC4_HOME.tar.md5 and the HLTE.pit file (for this build). In Odin You put the pit and md5 files in (.pit file in the PIT slot and md5 in the AP slot on Odin 3.09) This took me back to the KK NC4 build, granted, I lost alot of data but I didn't use a Nandroid backup either. This got me back to a functional device but i'm still having issues getting ANY custom roms to work. I did flash to NC2 kernel since then and still no luck. Let me know if that helps. I can get the files I used if you can't find them, but most everything came from xda.
PS. you can find some firmwares with recovery and other things added. I avoided these just to make sure I could get back to stock. I use Towelroot, BusyBox, SuperSU, and Safestrap 3.75 b04

Bryotch said:
You're running the same build I have, been having similar issues. I used Odin no completely repartition and wipe the phone. I used N900VVRUCNC4_N900VVZWCNC4_N900VVRUCNC4_HOME.tar.md5 and the HLTE.pit file (for this build). In Odin You put the pit and md5 files in (.pit file in the PIT slot and md5 in the AP slot on Odin 3.09) This took me back to the KK NC4 build, granted, I lost alot of data but I didn't use a Nandroid backup either. This got me back to a functional device but i'm still having issues getting ANY custom roms to work. I did flash to NC2 kernel since then and still no luck. Let me know if that helps. I can get the files I used if you can't find them, but most everything came from xda.
PS. you can find some firmwares with recovery and other things added. I avoided these just to make sure I could get back to stock. I use Towelroot, BusyBox, SuperSU, and Safestrap 3.75 b04
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i done a search on the stock firmware you mentioned and after about 2 dozen websites and and trying about 15 flashes I finally got it to work. this has been one heck of a day. I finally got it to work. I am in the process of trying to get safestrap and stuff on it now. I already used towelroot to rot it. what version of safestrap do you recommend. I was told 3.72 was for KK. and 3.75 was for the Samsung galaxy S5.

donelam304 said:
i done a search on the stock firmware you mentioned and after about 2 dozen websites and and trying about 15 flashes I finally got it to work. this has been one heck of a day. I finally got it to work. I am in the process of trying to get safestrap and stuff on it now. I already used towelroot to rot it. what version of safestrap do you recommend. I was told 3.72 was for KK. and 3.75 was for the Samsung galaxy S5.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
here is the link I found with all the carriers for the note 3
http://galaxynote3root.com/galaxy-note-3-repair/how-to-unroot-galaxy-note-3/

donelam304 said:
here is the link I found with all the carriers for the note 3
http://galaxynote3root.com/galaxy-note-3-repair/how-to-unroot-galaxy-note-3/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks so much by the way. I greatly appreciate the assistance.

Recovery for N900V 5.0 OF1 Build?

Hello all...I have to first say that I HAVE been reading A LOT before I posted this question but I am somewhat confused. I have an SM-N900V with the following details :
- Rooted with Arabic Tool
- Android 5.0
- Build OF1
- Bootloader unlocked based on instructions at http://forum.xda-developers.com/ver...l/official-note-3-verizon-bootloader-t3359370
I also have a SM-N900T for which I have been using CWM based recovery for many years and I am very happy with it. But I am not forced to change to the N900V and I have it rooted already but I am having a hard time finding the right recovery for it. I tried a philz CWM based recovery and it ended u getting the unit into a recovery bootloop so I have to flash the stock firmware from scratch and start again.
Can someone save me a few hours, and potentially more reflashes, and tell me which is the right recvery for this unit and how to install it? I am partial to CWM but I have read that it does not work. As long as I can take backups and restore them I am happy with TWRP. I have also read that SafeStrap is the only option. So again, I just need a straight answer so I can get this done.
Your feedback will be much appreciated!
thanks!

Did you mean "now forced" instead of "not forced" in the 2nd paragraph? The use later on of antecedent references such as "it" and "this phone" make it slightly confusing which phone you are talking about.
calderonr said:
I tried a philz CWM based recovery and it ended u getting the unit into a recovery bootloop so I have to flash the stock firmware from scratch and start again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have unlocked the SM-N900V's bootloader, then a bootloop can be remedied by flashing with Odin only the partitions you need fixed, not the entire firmware set. This relieves you from having to re-customize a stock ROM and/or re-root. Moreover and more importantly having an unlocked bootloader means that your phone will no longer require blobs to be Sammy-signed: you can flash custom recoveries with Odin if you please. (You just need to learn how to create the *.tar.md5 files for Odin and you are in business - search for "Odin ustar md5")
So had you know that, you could have just prepared Odin flash tarballs for different recoveries and tried them out according to whim (It is also possible to flash a recovery from the rooted ROM as well, but you need to know how to escape from a perpetual failed recovery boot loop, I.e. : battery pull -> restart with VolDown+Home+Power -> Cancel)
I haven't ever put CWM on my SM-N900V, but can tell you that either the " hlte" or "hltevzw" variants of twrp should work just fine; as you are on OF1 firmware, the -4.4 versions should be used, e.g. twrp-3.0.2-0-hlte-4.4.img or twrp-3.0.2-0-hltevzw-4.4.img
PS Safestrap was the method of choice prior to bootloader unlock methods, and I believe does not work with OB6 or OF1 (possibly also NK1?).
.

calderonr said:
Hello all...I have to first say that I HAVE been reading A LOT before I posted this question but I am somewhat confused. I have an SM-N900V with the following details :
- Rooted with Arabic Tool
- Android 5.0
- Build OF1
- Bootloader unlocked based on instructions at http://forum.xda-developers.com/ver...l/official-note-3-verizon-bootloader-t3359370
I also have a SM-N900T for which I have been using CWM based recovery for many years and I am very happy with it. But I am not forced to change to the N900V and I have it rooted already but I am having a hard time finding the right recovery for it. I tried a philz CWM based recovery and it ended u getting the unit into a recovery bootloop so I have to flash the stock firmware from scratch and start again.
Can someone save me a few hours, and potentially more reflashes, and tell me which is the right recvery for this unit and how to install it? I am partial to CWM but I have read that it does not work. As long as I can take backups and restore them I am happy with TWRP. I have also read that SafeStrap is the only option. So again, I just need a straight answer so I can get this done.
Your feedback will be much appreciated!
thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As long as you are rooted and have the bootloader unlocked... Use Flashify to load TWRP which is an excellent recovery and does what you wish.
See this message:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=66380697
Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

Help recovering data

So I have a friend who decided to mess with his phone, of course without doing a backup, and now he's stuck in a situation that it can't boot even into recovery.
Currently all I see when booting to recovery:
Recovery Booting. . . . .
Set Warranty Bit : recovery
The phone is G900F
He has no idea what version was installed on it before.
I don't need the phone to boot, I need to recover the files on it.
Being a oneplus person myself, I'm not that familiar with samsung phones (my latest samsung was s2).
I've tried to install with odin (3.0.7 - if that matters) the following recoveries:
official twrp 2.8.7
twrp
cwm
All these recoveries showed "Recovery is not seandroid enforcing" message as well as the above when trying to boot into recoveries.
I've tried the official recovery as well:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s5/general/sm-g900f-stock-recovery-5-0-lollipop-t3228871
which removed the "seandroid" message, but that's all.
Not sure what I'm missing.
Any help would be appreciated!

Tahvok said:
So I have a friend who decided to mess with his phone, of course without doing a backup, and now he's stuck in a situation that it can't boot even into recovery.
Currently all I see when booting to recovery:
Recovery Booting. . . . .
Set Warranty Bit : recovery
The phone is G900F
He has no idea what version was installed on it before.
I don't need the phone to boot, I need to recover the files on it.
Being a oneplus person myself, I'm not that familiar with samsung phones (my latest samsung was s2).
I've tried to install with odin (3.0.7 - if that matters) the following recoveries:
official twrp 2.8.7
twrp
cwm
All these recoveries showed "Recovery is not seandroid enforcing" message as well as the above when trying to boot into recoveries.
I've tried the official recovery as well:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s5/general/sm-g900f-stock-recovery-5-0-lollipop-t3228871
which removed the "seandroid" message, but that's all.
Not sure what I'm missing.
Any help would be appreciated!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm...
I see that your friend messed up his phone very well .....
Hopefully the eMMC memory is not corrupted becuase then only motherboard replacement would be necessary.
Summarising what you wrote:
1. you flashed "official recovery 2.8.7" -> where did you get it from? 2.8.7 is the very old version!
2. you flashed unofficial TWRP very old (2014) recovery (I checked your link)
3. you flashed unofficial CWM very old (2014) recovery (I checked your link)
4. finally you flashed stock, from old OS 5.0 Lollipop recovery provided from entrusted source - nobody reported that it works in the thread.
I listed this for you in order to underline one thing - READ, READ, READ, ASK, ASK, ASK .... before flashing anything to the phone and tell it to your friend.
Le's start with flashing from ODIN ver 3.12.7 (I am using it) this version of TWRP:
twrp-3.1.1-0-klte.img.tar for G900F which is the latest official recovery:
https://twrp.me/samsung/samsunggalaxys5qualcomm.html
Read how to flash it with odin method (when you open the link).
Edit: Are you sure the phone is SM-G900F? Please check model number on the label under battery (inside the phone).
Edit2: When you enter odin mode check phone model version as well - it is provided by installed bootloader.

Many40 said:
Hmm...
I see that your friend messed up his phone very well .....
Hopefully the eMMC memory is not corrupted becuase then only motherboard replacement would be necessary.
Summarising what you wrote:
1. you flashed "official recovery 2.8.7" -> where did you get it from? 2.8.7 is the very old version!
2. you flashed unofficial TWRP very old (2014) recovery (I checked your link)
3. you flashed unofficial CWM very old (2014) recovery (I checked your link)
4. finally you flashed stock, from old OS 5.0 Lollipop recovery provided from entrusted source - nobody reported that it works in the thread.
I listed this for you in order to underline one thing - READ, READ, READ, ASK, ASK, ASK .... before flashing anything to the phone and tell it to your friend.
Le's start with flashing from ODIN ver 3.12.7 (I am using it) this version of TWRP:
twrp-3.1.1-0-klte.img.tar for G900F which is the latest official recovery:
https://twrp.me/samsung/samsunggalaxys5qualcomm.html
Read how to flash it with odin method (when you open the link).
Edit: Are you sure the phone is SM-G900F? Please check model number on the label under battery (inside the phone).
Edit2: When you enter odin mode check phone model version as well - it is provided by installed bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First, thank you for trying to help me!
Please see attachments:
https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=1euC7-CoBeeUQxTGXQnPPgRE2-5VxFXLh
You can see that it is indeed g900f. I've also checked under the battery.
I've flashed the recovery you asked, however I could not find odin 3.12.7 only 3.12.10, so I've flashed with that (the odin thread on xda does not provide a link for 3.12.7 download).
You can see that it's still not booting with that recovery, it's just stuck at "booting recovery" screen.
I'm thinking perhaps it has a bad bootloader? How would you suggest to proceed?

Tahvok said:
First, thank you for trying to help me!
Please see attachments:
https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=1euC7-CoBeeUQxTGXQnPPgRE2-5VxFXLh
You can see that it is indeed g900f. I've also checked under the battery.
I've flashed the recovery you asked, however I could not find odin 3.12.7 only 3.12.10, so I've flashed with that (the odin thread on xda does not provide a link for 3.12.7 download).
You can see that it's still not booting with that recovery, it's just stuck at "booting recovery" screen.
I'm thinking perhaps it has a bad bootloader? How would you suggest to proceed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok. Let's continue ... I hope (as I had very similar situation) that the phone is not hardbricked and eMMC memory is not corrupted -> I faced this on my phone and finally had to replace motherboard.
But let's be optimistic:
1. For data recovery - I don't have a silver bullet for this but I found this software: http://www.recover-android-iphone.com/recover-android/how-to-recover-data-bricked-samsung.html
It needs working odin mode so under condition that it supports s5 G900F it should be able to restore some data.
2. For unbricking - I recommend to flash via odin the latest official Samsung stock firmware dedicated to your friend's country/region:
https://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/galaxy-s5/SM-G900F/
You must be registered to download the software. Link for odin 3.12.7 is available on the bottom of the download page.
Just to underline - odin flash most probably (anybody please confirm that) will wipe your data so be aware of that.
Good luck.

Many40 said:
Ok. Let's continue ... I hope (as I had very similar situation) that the phone is not hardbricked and eMMC memory is not corrupted -> I faced this on my phone and finally had to replace motherboard.
But let's be optimistic:
1. For data recovery - I don't have a silver bullet for this but I found this software: http://www.recover-android-iphone.com/recover-android/how-to-recover-data-bricked-samsung.html
It needs working odin mode so under condition that it supports s5 G900F it should be able to restore some data.
2. For unbricking - I recommend to flash via odin the latest official Samsung stock firmware dedicated to your friend's country/region:
https://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/galaxy-s5/SM-G900F/
You must be registered to download the software. Link for odin 3.12.7 is available on the bottom of the download page.
Just to underline - odin flash most probably (anybody please confirm that) will wipe your data so be aware of that.
Good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why a full firmware is needed? Perhaps I can flash only the parts required to get into recovery? I count mount the phone from recovery, that's why it's my priority.
I would like to know also if odin will wipe everything if flashing a full firmware?

Tahvok said:
Why a full firmware is needed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because it is commonly recommended way to unbrick a phone.
Perhaps I can flash only the parts required to get into recovery?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Perhaps, yes. But:
1. I don't exactly know what restricts your recovery to run properly. Flashing separate recovery failed.
2. You, for example, could try flashing separately one of the latest bootloaders dedicated to G900F from BL section with odin but I doubt it would help.
I count mount the phone from recovery, that's why it's my priority.
I would like to know also if odin will wipe everything if flashing a full firmware?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as I know yes but I am not 100% sure because I didn't try that myself on s5.
I would appreciate if somebody else confirms that.

Many40 said:
2. You, for example, could try flashing separately one of the latest bootloaders dedicated to G900F from BL section with odin but I doubt it would help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you suggest a bootloader for me? I would like to try that first.

Tahvok said:
Can you suggest a bootloader for me? I would like to try that first.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In my opinion, if odin mode works then bootloader should be OK. But as you wish -
tell me first what stock firmware will you later on trying to flash on your friends phone or in which country the phone will be operated.

Many40 said:
In my opinion, if odin mode works then bootloader should be OK. But as you wish -
tell me first what stock firmware will you later on trying to flash on your friends phone or in which country the phone will be operated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hong Kong

Tahvok said:
Hong Kong
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Latest available Firmware version for Hong Kong is G900FZHS1CQD1 however I can't find a separate flashable bootloader for you.
Generaly, in my opinion you might try any of the latest bootloaders compatible with SM-G900F phone (here you can find a collection: https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=54094068&postcount=3, I am on G900FXXS1CQI4) but again:
1. I doubt it will help for entering recovery;
2. I still recommend to flash complete stock firmware to unbrick the phone.
However if you anyway decide to try with a bootloader, flash it with odin from BL section (untick auto reboot). Also turn off the phone before and after flashing and pull out battery for about 30 sec. It happens that bootloader doesn't flash properly at once even the odin says "PASS" so some people reported that they needed to repeat flashing a few times. I managed to flash bootloader at first time.

Unfortunateely the phone is not with me anymore, so I won't be able to continue testing. Thank you anyway for trying to help me! I really appreciate your help!

Help getting into recovery mode (can only access download mode)

Hi,
My phone has TWRP installed and I have tried getting into recovery with vol up, home and power but I just get stuck on the regular boot screen (Samsung Galaxy S5 with Set Warranty Bit: Kernel). I have tried using Odin to flash TWRP in download mode (no Pit file error) which fails. I can't get my device to show up in adb or fastboot. I can't enable USB debugging because my device won't boot.
The only mode I can get into is download mode (vol down, home and power). Is there any hope of getting into recovery or accessing my files from there?
I have read through countless threads and posts without finding a solution. I really appreciate any suggestions.
Device: SM-G900T

zanmat0 said:
Hi, My phone has TWRP installed and I have tried getting into recovery with vol up, home and power but I just get stuck on the regular boot screen (Samsung Galaxy S5 with Set Warranty Bit: Kernel). I have tried using Odin to flash TWRP in download mode (no Pit file error) which fails. I can't get my device to show up in adb or fastboot. I can't enable USB debugging because my device won't boot...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have this variant but, your best bet is to post this question within the following Official TWRP thread for your device.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2727406
If all else fails, try posting your question within the following Q&A thread that's specific to your device.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2700073
Good Luck!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I DO NOT PROVIDE SUPPORT VIA PM UNLESS ASKED/REQUESTED BY MYSELF.
PLEASE KEEP IT IN THE THREADS WHERE EVERYONE CAN SHARE

zanmat0 said:
............
The only mode I can get into is download mode (vol down, home and power). Is there any hope of getting into recovery or accessing my files from there?
.........
Device: SM-G900T
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
That's not a good symptom.
Just to be sure:
Did you try installing full stock firmware from odin via download mode?
Does download mode confirm that your phone model is SM-G900T? Is that model in line with a label under the battery?

Many40 said:
Hi,
That's not a good symptom.
Just to be sure:
Did you try installing full stock firmware from odin via download mode?
Does download mode confirm that your phone model is SM-G900T? Is that model in line with a label under the battery?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried installing TWRP with Odin, if I install stock firmware, will all my data be wiped? All I wanted was to get into TWRP to save the data.
Yes download mode confirms SM-G900T same as under battery.

zanmat0 said:
I tried installing TWRP with Odin, if I install stock firmware, will all my data be wiped? All I wanted was to get into TWRP to save the data.
Yes download mode confirms SM-G900T same as under battery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The question is what happened before that your phone doesn't boot?
If a phone doesn't boot the basic way to fix it is to reflash it with stock firmware. It will not wipe your files in internal storage like pictures, downloads etc but it will most likely wipe your apps, settings, contacts, messages etc.
By the way what version of TWRP have you tried installing?

Many40 said:
The question is what happened before that your phone doesn't boot?
If a phone doesn't boot the basic way to fix it is to reflash it with stock firmware. It will not wipe your files in internal storage like pictures, downloads etc but it will most likely wipe your apps, settings, contacts, messages etc.
By the way what version of TWRP have you tried installing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK I tried reflashing with stock firmware, but same error "There is no pit binary. Flash read failure".
TWRP 3.2.1.
The thing is I'm not sure what happend because my screen broke, the phone was still working fine but I tried to reboot into recovery without a functional screen many times, perhaps some combination of buttons I pressed bricked it...

zanmat0 said:
OK I tried reflashing with stock firmware, but same error "There is no pit binary. Flash read failure".
TWRP 3.2.1.
The thing is I'm not sure what happend because my screen broke, the phone was still working fine but I tried to reboot into recovery without a functional screen many times, perhaps some combination of buttons I pressed bricked it...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try to falsh this firmware only file with TWRP and pit (use AP slot in Odin): https://mega.nz/#!XksGAThB!oQnTcnp7YHJfEfekbQMaihm2SGItBNMihPPfzQehUq4
You cannot brick the phone with just a buttons' pressing.
To say the truth, your story sounds like a memory failure and there's almost no chance to get your data.

bbsc said:
Try to falsh this firmware only file with TWRP and pit (use AP slot in Odin): https://mega.nz/#!XksGAThB!oQnTcnp7YHJfEfekbQMaihm2SGItBNMihPPfzQehUq4
You cannot brick the phone with just a buttons' pressing.
To say the truth, your story sounds like a memory failure and there's almost no chance to get your data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same error looks like (There is no PIT binary).
I see, well in any case, thank you very much for your help. Its bizarre because the phone was working fine as the screen was slowly breaking up until it finally went dark forever.

A bit late to the party, but I found my GS5 wouldn't go into recovery if the USB/Charge cable was plugged in.

zanmat0 said:
Same error looks like (There is no PIT binary).
I see, well in any case, thank you very much for your help. Its bizarre because the phone was working fine as the screen was slowly breaking up until it finally went dark forever.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If Odin is requiring the PIT file for the SM-G900T device, you can obtain it on the following link.
Downloads for : Samsung Galaxy S5 | AndroidFileHost.com | Download GApps, Roms, Kernels, Themes, Firmware and more. Free file hosting for all Android developers.
Download GApps, Roms, Kernels, Themes, Firmware, and more. Free file hosting for all Android developers.
www.androidfilehost.com
The PIT file is the Partition Information Table that Odin uses for what goes into which partition from the Firmware.
I hope I had explained this okay via text.
There's a little helper guide on the following thread as well.
[FIRMWARE/PIT]T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S5{SM-G900T/KLTETMO}[ODIN]
OFFICIAL FIRMWARE/PIT COLLECTION T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S5 {SM-G900T/KLTETMO} {The above image is a refrence of all the Stock Firmware, Release Dates, etc...} CLICK HERE TO EXPANDED THE ABOVE IMAGE DISCLAIMER/FYI - This thread DOES...
forum.xda-developers.com
Good Luck!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Unless asked to do so, PLEASE don't PM me regarding support. [Sent from the room next door.]

Many40 said:
Hi,
That's not a good symptom.
Just to be sure:
Did you try installing full stock firmware from odin via download mode?
Does download mode confirm that your phone model is SM-G900T? Is that model in line with a label under the battery?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just an FYI...
The attached image is an example of where to locate the actual model number of your device (which is the second line down from the top of the screen).
Good Luck!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Unless asked to do so, PLEASE don't PM me regarding support. [Sent from the room next door.]