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Android Version: 4.4.2
Rom: XXUGNG2-SHOstock-i-v8.1
Bootloader: I337UCUAMDL
Recovery: TWRP 2.5.0.2
I've been installing Custom ROMs for a while on this phone and the previous phones I've had (Nexus One, Galaxy Skyrocket.) My S4 hasn't had issues installing them until more developers adopted Aurora Installers and now any ROMs that use them won't work. My phone goes into a boot loop and I need to restore my previous Nandroid backup. I thought that my TWRP might be the cause, but it looks like nowadays the only way to update TWRP is through the GOO Manager. Unfortunately for whatever reason that doesn't work properly and I can't figure out how to get it in any other way. So for a while I had this older ROM installed but now that we're well into Lollipop I decided to try another ROM (GOLDENEYE|XXUHOD7 LOLLiPOP TW|5.1.15), but again it had Aurora and failed, and this time it looks like it messed up my bootloader because now I have the unlock icon whenever I turn on my phone (I don't care much about that because my phone is well outside of warranty at this point, but I'd prefer it be removed)
So I was considering just using ODIN to revert all the way back and starting from scratch, but it looks like my phone will be bricked. So basically I'm at a standstill because I obviously don't want to brick my phone, but at the same time I'm not satisfied with my current ROM since it's quite long in the tooth and isn't even Lollipop based. Any help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
TIA
One thing you might try here, and another here.
dvandam said:
Android Version: 4.4.2
Rom: XXUGNG2-SHOstock-i-v8.1
Bootloader: I337UCUAMDL
Recovery: TWRP 2.5.0.2
I've been installing Custom ROMs for a while on this phone and the previous phones I've had (Nexus One, Galaxy Skyrocket.) My S4 hasn't had issues installing them until more developers adopted Aurora Installers and now any ROMs that use them won't work. My phone goes into a boot loop and I need to restore my previous Nandroid backup. I thought that my TWRP might be the cause, but it looks like nowadays the only way to update TWRP is through the GOO Manager. Unfortunately for whatever reason that doesn't work properly and I can't figure out how to get it in any other way. So for a while I had this older ROM installed but now that we're well into Lollipop I decided to try another ROM (GOLDENEYE|XXUHOD7 LOLLiPOP TW|5.1.15), but again it had Aurora and failed, and this time it looks like it messed up my bootloader because now I have the unlock icon whenever I turn on my phone (I don't care much about that because my phone is well outside of warranty at this point, but I'd prefer it be removed)
So I was considering just using ODIN to revert all the way back and starting from scratch, but it looks like my phone will be bricked. So basically I'm at a standstill because I obviously don't want to brick my phone, but at the same time I'm not satisfied with my current ROM since it's quite long in the tooth and isn't even Lollipop based. Any help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
TIA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are flashable zips of TWRP floating around to update and the TWRP thread in our section says to use the TWRP Manager app on the Play Store. As far as using ODIN, you won't be bricked. The unlock icon shows up when it detects the system files aren't stock/root is in place. Your bootloader should still be in tact, and if you can still boot into recovery that confirms it. Either way, you just need to use a different method to update TWRP and you should be fine.
Well I feel like a f-ing nimrod..
I failed to mention in my description that when I first tried to install, not only did I get the Unlock icon, but I got the "Software not authorized by AT&T..." error message that prevented me from doing anything. However, I thought this was related to my phone being carrier locked. I found out later that my phone was unlocked a while ago so that wasn't it. Had I looked more closely at the error I would have seen that it was a Kernel error. Turns out I had to install a LOKI'd Kernel. Not exactly sure why, but that was the only one that worked. Now the new ROM is installed and I'm restoring my apps now.
If nothing else, I got my TWRP updated finally, so I like to think this wasn't all for naught. Thanks for the insight anyways. This was easier than doing an ODIN back and forth.
This is because you're on the MDL bootloader. You need to search the forums for your phone in regard to the MDL bootloader and loki'd ROMs. When you see the "software not authorized. .." message, it just means you need to flash a loki'd kernel for your device. Search for Jeeboo's Recovery and Kernel and you should be right a rain. Good luck.
Edit: I was half awake when I tried to answer your question, and somehow missed that you had discovered the loki'd kernel already. The reason for this is because the MDL bootloader is susceptible to the loki exploit, which for all intents and purposes is the equivalent of unlocking the bootloader. I've been using Jeeboo's recovery for a year or so and never had an issue with any ROM I tried. The kernel cones in handy for those that need a loki'd kernel. There's a ton of easy to find info in the forums to help you get a better understanding of the MDL and how loki applies to it.
Hello guys,
Here is a long story, interesting to read maybe for some.
I had android 4.3.2 on my Note 3 N9005, for 2 and a half years now. I rooted the phone as soon as it came out. Had many applications which ran smoothly on it, schreenshots/screenrecorders, xposed installer with a lot of mods.. etc.. everything worked fine. Until the last few months, where suddenly "some application" stopped working. I began to have that message, more and more often, and on different applications. I thought, it was time to run a factory reset. BUT I remembered that I ran into some applications on Play Store, which couldn't be installed, since I had an old android version.
So, now, I thought, maybe it was time to try a custom rom. So I installed LiquidSmooth, (android 5.1.1). Nice jump, I must say, many things different, than 4.3.2. Some problems though, the sound was with interference, and some apps just froze. Some games I was playing, just froze.
Then I thought I try another ROM. Found a page with best ROMs, for 5.1.1 and saw that LiquidSmooth only had like 4.8% of the votes, while Nightly had like 40% of the votes and was much more stable (well, according to that site). So I thought I change. BUT, then I saw, that I could actually update to 6.0.1 with Ressurection Remix. So I thought, wow, lemme try that !
So I did. I installed Ressurection Remix, and I must admit, it looks damn good. Even bought the swift dark theme, and it is beautifull. It is candy for the eye. God damn, almost like the 3D cube I played with in Linux a few years back. But some of my games, still freeze. - And as you can guess, I do not like that.. I also got the message on boot: Kernel is not seandroid enforcing.. and I know it's normal, but still I do not like it. (I want everything to be perfect). And with some games, not being able to run, I got tired of RR.
So now, I was thinking, what if I could switch back to 4.3.2? I should have run maybe a factory reset on 4.3.2 instead of trying ROMs, at least my stuff was working. So I thought I get the original stock firmware, and just flash it with ODIN. So, it should be good.
Now I know that on a lot of threads here on the site, people mention that you can't downgrade android. Well, at least not from 6.0.1 to 4.3.2. Because ODIN is not working in 6.0.1 and other stuff.
BUT, I think this: I have a backup, with CWM, for 4.3.2, which I know works, (since I used it a few times).
So, what if I run that backup and get my phone back to 4.3.2.? (again, some ppl here on site, that they accidentally downgraded from 4.4 to 4.3, then they could't upgrade back to 4.4).
So my question is: I use CWM to restore the 4.3.2 backup, THEN in the phone with ODIN I run the original full stock firmware?
Then later, I could unlock bootloader and root my phone again if I want to try something. Would this be possible?
A second question, which I have is: Before I upgraded to lolipop and marshmallow, i ran of course a factory reset, reset cache and dalvik from CWM. But still, now, where I am on 6.0.1 I still saw some folders of some programs I had on 4.3.2. How is that possible? The programs are not in the menu, but the folders are on phones memory. Shouldn't they have been deleted on those 3 resets from CWM? (factory, cache and dalvik?). This is also a reason, for why I would want to return to original stock firmware. Cos I could root my phone right away again, and then upgrade to some rom, so those programs do not come along, and I would have a clean rom. Or with other words, the phones "user" memory, /storage/emulated/sdcard0 - could I just delete it all? I mean the operating system is on root, this directory /storage/emulated/sdcard0 is usually what the user installs on the phone, am I right?
And last question, cos I am greedy for answers. The samsung pen, is of course not working, and I miss it. Any app to install or flash to get the pen alive again?
Thank for your time ro read this Hope u can help ))
Please somebody help. I am also interested.
Wao, boy it was a real long story. And I read it all.
LordTicut said:
Hello guys,
Here is a long story, interesting to read maybe for some.
I had android 4.3.2 on my Note 3 N9005, for 2 and a half years now. I rooted the phone as soon as it came out. Had many applications which ran smoothly on it, schreenshots/screenrecorders, xposed installer with a lot of mods.. etc.. everything worked fine. Until the last few months, where suddenly "some application" stopped working. I began to have that message, more and more often, and on different applications. I thought, it was time to run a factory reset. BUT I remembered that I ran into some applications on Play Store, which couldn't be installed, since I had an old android version.
So, now, I thought, maybe it was time to try a custom rom. So I installed LiquidSmooth, (android 5.1.1). Nice jump, I must say, many things different, than 4.3.2. Some problems though, the sound was with interference, and some apps just froze. Some games I was playing, just froze.
Then I thought I try another ROM. Found a page with best ROMs, for 5.1.1 and saw that LiquidSmooth only had like 4.8% of the votes, while Nightly had like 40% of the votes and was much more stable (well, according to that site). So I thought I change. BUT, then I saw, that I could actually update to 6.0.1 with Ressurection Remix. So I thought, wow, lemme try that !
So I did. I installed Ressurection Remix, and I must admit, it looks damn good. Even bought the swift dark theme, and it is beautifull. It is candy for the eye. God damn, almost like the 3D cube I played with in Linux a few years back. But some of my games, still freeze. - And as you can guess, I do not like that.. I also got the message on boot: Kernel is not seandroid enforcing.. and I know it's normal, but still I do not like it. (I want everything to be perfect). And with some games, not being able to run, I got tired of RR.
So now, I was thinking, what if I could switch back to 4.3.2? I should have run maybe a factory reset on 4.3.2 instead of trying ROMs, at least my stuff was working. So I thought I get the original stock firmware, and just flash it with ODIN. So, it should be good.
Now I know that on a lot of threads here on the site, people mention that you can't downgrade android. Well, at least not from 6.0.1 to 4.3.2. Because ODIN is not working in 6.0.1 and other stuff.
BUT, I think this: I have a backup, with CWM, for 4.3.2, which I know works, (since I used it a few times).
So, what if I run that backup and get my phone back to 4.3.2.? (again, some ppl here on site, that they accidentally downgraded from 4.4 to 4.3, then they could't upgrade back to 4.4).
So my question is: I use CWM to restore the 4.3.2 backup, THEN in the phone with ODIN I run the original full stock firmware?
Then later, I could unlock bootloader and root my phone again if I want to try something. Would this be possible?
A second question, which I have is: Before I upgraded to lolipop and marshmallow, i ran of course a factory reset, reset cache and dalvik from CWM. But still, now, where I am on 6.0.1 I still saw some folders of some programs I had on 4.3.2. How is that possible? The programs are not in the menu, but the folders are on phones memory. Shouldn't they have been deleted on those 3 resets from CWM? (factory, cache and dalvik?). This is also a reason, for why I would want to return to original stock firmware. Cos I could root my phone right away again, and then upgrade to some rom, so those programs do not come along, and I would have a clean rom. Or with other words, the phones "user" memory, /storage/emulated/sdcard0 - could I just delete it all? I mean the operating system is on root, this directory /storage/emulated/sdcard0 is usually what the user installs on the phone, am I right?
And last question, cos I am greedy for answers. The samsung pen, is of course not working, and I miss it. Any app to install or flash to get the pen alive again?
Thank for your time ro read this Hope u can help ))
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi friend.
I think you asking: I installed Android MM and It's possible to downgrade 4.3 via Odin tar.md5 flash installation?
I answer: Yes, i think i like you (or you like me). I love use all rom as possible as quickly, but i tired from "system" process not respond and sound quality issue.
I say you ITS POSSIBLE. because i flash via odin anytime (my stock firmware .tar.md5). Even from android mm to 4.3, lollipop > kitkat, v5.1.1 port rom > v5.0.
You can try, first time i'm newbie on XDA, there said something like bootloader. I now said, its necessary (important), just not too for Flashing Stock ROM.
I hope this little helps to you...
Good luck, i'm now Android MM!
Now i searching for backing knox to 0x0.
Via CWM not ODIN
Thanks dalisoft for answering.
My question was actually if I could restore my backup I made with ClockWorkMod a few years ago.
dalisoft said:
Hi friend.
I think you asking: I installed Android MM and It's possible to downgrade 4.3 via Odin tar.md5 flash installation?
I answer: Yes, i think i like you (or you like me). I love use all rom as possible as quickly, but i tired from "system" process not respond and sound quality issue.
I say you ITS POSSIBLE. because i flash via odin anytime (my stock firmware .tar.md5). Even from android mm to 4.3, lollipop > kitkat, v5.1.1 port rom > v5.0.
You can try, first time i'm newbie on XDA, there said something like bootloader. I now said, its necessary (important), just not too for Flashing Stock ROM.
I hope this little helps to you...
Good luck, i'm now Android MM!
Now i searching for backing knox to 0x0.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LordTicut said:
Thanks dalisoft for answering.
My question was actually if I could restore my backup I made with ClockWorkMod a few years ago.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, you can restore nandroid backup if you have CWM.
But, remember, before restoring you should to do some steps:
1. Wipe data/factory reset
2. Wipe cache
3. Advanced > Wipe dalvik cache
4. Mounts > Format /system
5. Mounts > Format /data
Allright, thanks Dalisoft.
Do you know by the way, if CWM also takes a copy of EFS? I mean EFS is a system directory, so is it included in the nandroidbackup by CWM, right? So if I restore that backup, I will have my EFS exactly as it was, just after I rooted my phone. (not because something is wrong with it, but in case sometyhing is altered, it will be back to normal, right?).
I mean, there are 2 partitions on the phone, the ROM and the recovery. And CWM does an exact image of the ROM partition, so I would assume that the EFS folder is there too. But I am not sure, that's why I am asking.
Guess I am happy and lucky I made a backup with CWM right after root..
CWM also takes a copy of EFS?
Answer = NO .
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2698639
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2481255
JJEgan said:
CWM also takes a copy of EFS?
Answer = NO .
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2698639
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2481255
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
JJEgan
You are right, I posted this thread in the wrong forum. I am deeply sorry for that. I just wanted quickly an answer. It won't happen again. ( I saw in the meantime it has been moved, so I guess everything is good)
Cheers !
Hello folks, My friend has a Moto G5 plus and she is also Visually Impaired. There are some issues, with talkback she is having that I am thinking may be 7.0 related, Also there are changes in 8.0 that she really is quite excited about. I am wondering if going to a custom ROM that is an up to date version and will probably hit Oreo before Moto ever gets to it wouldn't help her out, Also some of the custom roms seem to have some feature themselves that might be handy. So I have been researching how to go about this.
Basically what I THINK I want is pretty close to stock and most recent and least buggy version of android., But I know she watches Netflix and other things, so Since I have to root on the G5 to load any rom I believe the only way to do it and maintain things like netflix is with Magisk, Is this correct? So I am looking at Lineage OS or RR, leaning toward Lineage.
There is overwhelming amount of info on this so I want to do this correct, So here is a rough of what I understand the process to be.
First step is to unlock the boot loader
then load latest TWRP 3.1.1.1 custom recovery or is SuperSu better, this one of the parts got me little confused.
Once that is done, this I need to create a Nandroid backup and go ahead an wipe/reset the phone.
From here I use the TWRP recovery to install nstall no-verity-opt-encrypt-5.1.zip"(FLASH IT) and Magisk, and flash "no-verity-opt-encrypt-5.1.zip", correct?
Then Flash Magisk again and allow it to update, is that about right?
Then flash the Rom?
Last but not least flash the GAPPS, of which there seem to be a few to chose from. Still unsure the differences, Thinking just Open GAPPS.
So can anyone tell me does that sound about right? Is there a stupid NewB guide somewhere? Can anyone give me heads up or some of the pitfalls I may have missed or such?
Any help would be awesome.
Most of what I'm reading looks correct. It's been a few months since I rooted mine and I can't remember the exact process but I do remember some of my problems and questions. Make sure you have all files downloaded and copied to your phone. If possible have a backup on a micro SD in case you accidently erased the internal storage. Unlock bootloader, install twrp ( magisk is the way to go for root but several roms don't come prerooted so u can still use wallet, Netflix, etc). I personally didn't install no verity. Install the rom you want and your sound as a pound.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/forum.xda-developers.com/g5-plus/how-to/how-to-root-moto-g5-plus-t3579659/amp/
Thank you. I actually flash Lineage using a youtube video I found that seemed to cover what I needed to know. Things seem to be working well, many of the bugs I seemed to deal with in stock 7.0 rom, one I thought to actually be hardware thing, seem to have vanished and maybe it's just in my mind, but seems to be much more snappy. I haven't tried any apps that I know have issues w/ root and unlocked bootloaders, but sofar so good with most the apps I have tried, in fact some seem to work better.
I just want to say thank you to developers of these roms and all the tools, We really appreciate you.
I have a Galaxy J3 (2016) J320ZN.
I have rooted it, and would like to install TWRP then xsposed, maybe even another ROM if there is any that will work.
Will the TWRP posted here for other models work on my phone?
How about ROMs? Thank you.:silly:
azlemad said:
I have a Galaxy J3 (2016) J320ZN.
I have rooted it, and would like to install TWRP then xsposed, maybe even another ROM if there is any that will work.
Will the TWRP posted here for other models work on my phone?
How about ROMs? Thank you.:silly:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've only just worked this out myself and was going back to update my post...did a search and that's how I found your question.
I've had so much trouble with this... either, you couldn't get root using SuperSU.zip through TWRP (there's another thread on this)... because you'd get stuck in a bootloop and my "solution" was to flash CF-Auto-Root again... without realizing that CF-Auto-Root wipes to stock recovery XD. Through this, though I lost my phone re-set up and TWRP.... I saw that there was a dm-verity error which I don't understand but know there is a patch.... and maybe that's why people were getting bootloops? I'm really not an expert at all. I just try until something works.
SO, you could just first try flashing TWRP for J3lte from the link I provided and then the latest SuperSU and see if that works now.....(earlier versions did not) if it doesn't work and you get stuck in a bootloop then flash CF-Auto-Root (available at: https://download.chainfire.eu/986/C...3lteusc-j3lteusc-smj320r4.zip?retrieve_file=1) and start again. I PERSONALLY only had success without a bootloop ONCE I added the dm-verity patch to my install procedure:
The TWRP that will work for the J320ZN is j3lte: https://dl.twrp.me/j3lte/
I used the latest version twrp-3.2.1-0-j3lte.img.
If you need in-depth help look for a tutorial or quote me and I'll respond & try walk you through it. I know that model J320YZ uses the same TWRP and there is a tutorial on XDA for the basics.....
Once TWRP is installed and you've booted into TWRP recovery and you've formatted, Install SuperSU.zip through the "Install" button on TWRP. You must have SuperSU.zip on your external SD card (click "Select Storage" to select it).
https://download.chainfire.eu/1220/SuperSU/SR5-SuperSU-v2.82-SR5-20171001224502.zip
I used v.2.82 SR5
Finally, BEFORE REBOOTING, I installed no-verity-opt-encrypt-6.0.zip using the same TWRP "Install" button method - which was also on my external SD card
https://androidfilebox.com/miscellaneous/dm-verity-and-forced-encryption-disabler/
Then you can reboot, and set up your phone. Xposed works. If you already ran the fixes using Apps2SD to fix security measures that prevntd Link2SD from creating mountscripts, that stays fixed after all of this.
BACK UP YOUR PHONE FIRST 'cos you'll have to reset it all up again. Samsung Smart Switch (on your PC) helps, as will Titanium Backup.
Now.... as I said I'm not an expert. I don't understand why things are the way they are. Nor am I responsible if the dm-verity wasn't needed, which is why maybe you should just try TWRP then latest SuperSU first. BUT for me, I had bootloop and needed the 3rd step of dm-verity patch.
As for Custom ROMS... I have no real interest in those, so that's something you'll have to experiment with yourself, or ask someone else
IMPORTANT: I thought I'd better add that once you've got TWRP and root installed... and want to install Xposed, you cannot use the official version for Android 5.1.1. It will not work on our Samsung Touchwiz Stock ROMS. You can either install a custom ROM first, or you will have to use the Unofficial version by wanam that will work on device.
Here's a tutorial: https://www.tricksfolks.com/install-xposed-framework-samsung-lollipop-marshmallow/
Make sure to select from the download links the file for 5.1.1 and our hardware is arm so download that file, not arm64 version or x86 version. Should be xposed-v87.1-sdk22-arm-custom-build-by-wanam.zip
Also note, I had some issues with the Xposed Installer (apk) - latest one 3.2. Didn't want to register the wanam framework that I flashed in TWRP. So, I rolled back to 3.1.5 and that works OK. You'll have a big red warning telling you not to update THEIR framework... but ignore that and just go to Downloads and install away.
The article I linked above with the tutorial and download links has an earlier version of the Xposed Installer so you could try that if you can't find v.3.1.5. Just don't use v.3.2
ALSO ANYBODY PLEASE UPDATE ME IF YOU GOT TWRP AND ROOT WITH OR WITHOUT DM-VERITY PATCH. I'd like to know so I can learn more about this stuff. Still a novice.
Annnnnd I just realized you were the one that PMed me a few weeks ago to get me working on this and that you'd broken your phone hehehehe.
Well, I'm just updating it on all the J320ZN threads now for future folk.
Winston Churchill said:
Annnnnd I just realized you were the one that PMed me a few weeks ago to get me working on this and that you'd broken your phone hehehehe.
Well, I'm just updating it on all the J320ZN threads now for future folk.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol
yeah, that was me sadly -_-
But thank you very much anyway, for taking the time and effort to post this, I'm sure it'd be useful to somebody out there
Winston Churchill said:
I've only just worked this out myself and was going back to update my post...did a search and that's how I found your question.
I've had so much trouble with this... either, you couldn't get root using SuperSU.zip through TWRP (there's another thread on this)... because you'd get stuck in a bootloop and my "solution" was to flash CF-Auto-Root again... without realizing that CF-Auto-Root wipes to stock recovery XD. Through this, though I lost my phone re-set up and TWRP.... I saw that there was a dm-verity error which ...
As for Custom ROMS... I have no real interest in those, so that's something you'll have to experiment with yourself, or ask someone else
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow, thanks for going through the pain so I may not have to go through so much. Would you be able & willing to help me get my wife's SM J320ZN rooted so I can get the sd card used for apps? She doesn't need too much on there but the bloody thing goes to low memory way too soon. I'd love to know if I can get a better os on there too if you can make any suggestions.
I've got enough knowledge to be able to install lineageOS onto my crappy moto e & get that working ok but I'm still on the steep learning curve.
If you can, please provide a step-by-step guide to do this? I know you've said most of what needs to happen in your posts, but when I see "Once TWRP is installed and you've booted into TWRP recovery and you've formatted,..." I'm wondering what should get formatted, what shouldn't, etc
Warm regards
N00b w/ "new SGH-I337 that is running original kernel & 4.2.2 & needs to be updated
I am going to apologize from the start. I've read through a lot of threads here and have ended up more confused (and somewhat scared lol). I am a tad more skilled than average when it comes to PCs but I'm a complete mess when it comes to phones!
For various reasons, I like my old ATT Samsung S4 SGH-I337 but am hard on them and need to replace them about every 2 years (I usually wear out the power port among other things). I buy a replacement, copy over my apps, etc, maybe run a minor update and I'm good to go. This time, I bought a "new" open box S4 on Ebay for a great price but when I went to install all my apps, discovered that it was STILL (since it was "brand new") running Android 4.2.2 and the original kernel from the release in 2013! Ok, no big I thought, I will just run the ATT update and I will be good. Nope. Too far out of date and no one at ATT or Samsung is willing to help. I did learn that if I can get 4.4.4 on the phone, then I should be able to update it via ATT to 5.0.1 but I can't even find those files (or at the least any links to them that are still any good!)
Due to life issues, it is critical that I get this phone updated ASAP. Please, can someone spell out step by step in N00b-speak where I can get the needed files and how I update this phone to 5.0.1 or better? I'd really rather not root it if I can avoid it but will do what is needed. I'll buy you a beer (or reasonable beverage of your choice! )
Samsung Galaxy S4 (ATT) SGH_I337
Android 4.2.2
Baseband ver: I337UCUAMDL
Kernel ver: 3.4.0-453947
[email protected]#1
Sat April 27 17:06:05 KST 2013
SilkRoadDog said:
I am going to apologize from the start. I've read through a lot of threads here and have ended up more confused (and somewhat scared lol). I am a tad more skilled than average when it comes to PCs but I'm a complete mess when it comes to phones!
For various reasons, I like my old ATT Samsung S4 SGH-I337 but am hard on them and need to replace them about every 2 years (I usually wear out the power port among other things). I buy a replacement, copy over my apps, etc, maybe run a minor update and I'm good to go. This time, I bought a "new" open box S4 on Ebay for a great price but when I went to install all my apps, discovered that it was STILL (since it was "brand new") running Android 4.2.2 and the original kernel from the release in 2013! Ok, no big I thought, I will just run the ATT update and I will be good. Nope. Too far out of date and no one at ATT or Samsung is willing to help. I did learn that if I can get 4.4.4 on the phone, then I should be able to update it via ATT to 5.0.1 but I can't even find those files (or at the least any links to them that are still any good!)
Due to life issues, it is critical that I get this phone updated ASAP. Please, can someone spell out step by step in N00b-speak where I can get the needed files and how I update this phone to 5.0.1 or better? I'd really rather not root it if I can avoid it but will do what is needed. I'll buy you a beer (or reasonable beverage of your choice! )
Samsung Galaxy S4 (ATT) SGH_I337
Android 4.2.2
Baseband ver: I337UCUAMDL
Kernel ver: 3.4.0-453947
[email protected]#1
Sat April 27 17:06:05 KST 2013
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I too was lucky enough to snag a S4 off ebay with the original kernel still on it. So with that said....do NOT update your phone! You're on the very special Android 4.2.2 jelly bean MDL bootloader! If you update, you will lose the ability to boot AOSP ROMs and install a custom recovery like TWRP.
AOSP ROMs can take you past Android 5.0.x lollipop and give you Android 6.0.x marshmallow or 7.0.x nougat. You can also boot custom touchwiz ROMs that will take you to Android 5.0.x lollipop. Use the towel root app to root the phone and then freeze any OTA with the titanium backup app. You can also benefit from my guide here:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4-att/general/how-to-one-guide-to-mdl-bootloader-t3584122
StoneyJSG said:
I too was lucky enough to snag a S4 off ebay with the original kernel still on it. So with that said....do NOT update your phone! You're on the very special Android 4.2.2 jelly bean MDL bootloader! If you update, you will lose the ability to boot AOSP ROMs and install a custom recovery like TWRP.
AOSP ROMs can take you past Android 5.0.x lollipop and give you Android 6.0.x marshmallow or 7.0.x nougat. You can also boot custom touchwiz ROMs that will take you to Android 5.0.x lollipop. Use the towel root app to root the phone and then freeze any OTA with the titanium backup app. You can also benefit from my guide here:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4-att/general/how-to-one-guide-to-mdl-bootloader-t3584122
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Thank you for your reply. So I root it, then where do I go from there? How do I know what ROM is what and which one will give me at the least what I had on the old phone (less bloatware would be nice but right now I am so up a creek that I would be ok with stock)? Also, do you have good links to the tools you recommend? One issue I have been having searching here is that the 3-4-year-old posts here have sketchy or dead links.
SilkRoadDog said:
Thank you for your reply. So I root it, then where do I go from there? How do I know what ROM is what and which one will give me at the least what I had on the old phone (less bloatware would be nice but right now I am so up a creek that I would be ok with stock)? Also, do you have good links to the tools you recommend? One issue I have been having searching here is that the 3-4-year-old posts here have sketchy or dead links.
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No problem, I always try to help when possible. After rooting you can follow my guide to get Loki doki installed. Then you can install a custom recovery like TWRP or clock work mod. My guide gets you clock work mod recovery installed but it's an old version. I use it though and it works fine for me. If you want TWRP recovery, you will have to search the web on how to install it with loki doki.
After a custom recovery is installed you can choose to boot touchwiz based ROMs or AOSP based ROMs like cyanogen mod. Custom touchwiz ROMs will look just like stock only modified (deodex, debloated, etc.) and AOSP ROMs will look like bone stock Android only with added features.
You can find AOSP ROMs in the original Android development forum here in the s4 forums. You can find touchwiz ROMs in Android development which is right under original Android development forum. Sorry, but I don't have any links to tools handy except for the link to my guide which I posted above in my last post. I use golden eye ROM on my s4 which is a stock based touchwiz ROM on Android 5.0 lollipop.
When booting ROMs, be sure that they do not have a bootloader update or else it'll override everything and will patch the loki doki exploit and lock down everything for good.
StoneyJSG said:
No problem, I always try to help when possible. After rooting you can follow my guide to get Loki doki installed. Then you can install a custom recovery like TWRP or clock work mod. My guide gets you clock work mod recovery installed but it's an old version. I use it though and it works fine for me. If you want TWRP recovery, you will have to search the web on how to install it with loki doki.
After a custom recovery is installed you can choose to boot touchwiz based ROMs or AOSP based ROMs like cyanogen mod. Custom touchwiz ROMs will look just like stock only modified (deodex, debloated, etc.) and AOSP ROMs will look like bone stock Android only with added features.
You can find AOSP ROMs in the original Android development forum here in the s4 forums. You can find touchwiz ROMs in Android development which is right under original Android development forum. Sorry, but I don't have any links to tools handy except for the link to my guide which I posted above in my last post. I use golden eye ROM on my s4 which is a stock based touchwiz ROM on Android 5.0 lollipop.
When booting ROMs, be sure that they do not have a bootloader update or else it'll override everything and will patch the loki doki exploit and lock down everything for good.
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Thank you so much for the reply. While I am very grateful, with all due respect, I understood only about half of it. Here is the deal. I'm an older guy N00b with chronic pain issues under an extreme amount of stress, and my cognitive abilities are not what they should be. There was a step by step guide posted back in 2015 that is what I need but most of the links are bad or sketchy. Like I said above, I really need something along the lines of "go here and here to get this software and put it in "X" place. Then press these keys and do "Y", then press those keys and do "Z". I'm really sorry to be so difficult but I am trying my best to get it.
SilkRoadDog said:
Thank you so much for the reply. While I am very grateful, with all due respect, I understood only about half of it. Here is the deal. I'm an older guy N00b with chronic pain issues under an extreme amount of stress, and my cognitive abilities are not what they should be. There was a step by step guide posted back in 2015 that is what I need but most of the links are bad or sketchy. Like I said above, I really need something along the lines of "go here and here to get this software and put it in "X" place. Then press these keys and do "Y", then press those keys and do "Z". I'm really sorry to be so difficult but I am trying my best to get it.
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I gotcha, no problem. Okay so what's the status of your phone now? Rooted? Not rooted? To root, goto https://towelroot.com on your phone and click the big red thing in the middle of the page. Make sure you have a Wi-Fi or data connection to the internet, as this will root your phone. Then goto https://galaxys4root.com/galaxy-s4-...tt-or-verizon-galaxy-s4-sgh-i337sch-i545/amp/ to get loki doki installed and clockwork mod recovery. You can also install TWRP recovery instead of clockwork mod recovery, I THINK this is the link: https://galaxys4root.com/galaxy-s4-...rp-on-rooted-galaxy-s4-using-goo-manager/amp/
Galaxys4root.com is a reputable site ran by Mr. HIGH ON ANDROID himself, Xedomax aka Max Lee. The tools you need should be on his site for download and the links shouldn't be dead. He also has a YouTube channel with videos on how to do different things with your phone. My guide I wrote that I linked before, has step by step instructions on how to root and install a custom recovery and how to boot custom ROMs.
StoneyJSG said:
I gotcha, no problem. Okay so what's the status of your phone now? Rooted? Not rooted? To root, goto https://towelroot.com on your phone and click the big red thing in the middle of the page. Make sure you have a Wi-Fi or data connection to the internet, as this will root your phone. Then goto https://galaxys4root.com/galaxy-s4-...tt-or-verizon-galaxy-s4-sgh-i337sch-i545/amp/ to get loki doki installed and clockwork mod recovery. You can also install TWRP recovery instead of clockwork mod recovery, I THINK this is the link: https://galaxys4root.com/galaxy-s4-...rp-on-rooted-galaxy-s4-using-goo-manager/amp/
Galaxys4root.com is a reputable site ran by Mr. HIGH ON ANDROID himself, Xedomax aka Max Lee. The tools you need should be on his site for download and the links shouldn't be dead. He also has a YouTube channel with videos on how to do different things with your phone. My guide I wrote that I linked before, has step by step instructions on how to root and install a custom recovery and how to boot custom ROMs.
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Ok, It's not rooted yet so I will start down the path laid out. What do you recommend as a source for Touchwiz (wth is that anyway? lol) ROMs? I don't know enough about Android 6.0.x marshmallow or 7.0.x nougat to make the call there but I do want to be able to access the Google apps and play store as before.
SilkRoadDog said:
Ok, It's not rooted yet so I will start down the path laid out. What do you recommend as a source for Touchwiz (wth is that anyway? lol) ROMs? I don't know enough about Android 6.0.x marshmallow or 7.0.x nougat to make the call there but I do want to be able to access the Google apps and play store as before.
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Your instructions say " Next, you're going to want to freeze the OTA update so the phone won't update off the MDL bootloader (after installing SuperSU of course). You can do this via the Titanium Backup app or the MyBackup Root app (now called just MyBackup I think).
Let's recap...you will need a copy of the towel root app, then SuperSU, then TB or MyBackup Root app. SuperSU will kill the evil KNOX for you." Do I do that before "loki doki installed and clockwork mod recovery."? If so, where is a good source for them? If not, when do I do I install them?
".
StoneyJSG said:
I gotcha, no problem. Okay so what's the status of your phone now? Rooted? Not rooted? To root, goto https://towelroot.com on your phone and click the big red thing in the middle of the page. Make sure you have a Wi-Fi or data connection to the internet, as this will root your phone. Then goto https://galaxys4root.com/galaxy-s4-...tt-or-verizon-galaxy-s4-sgh-i337sch-i545/amp/ to get loki doki installed and clockwork mod recovery. You can also install TWRP recovery instead of clockwork mod recovery, I THINK this is the link: https://galaxys4root.com/galaxy-s4-...rp-on-rooted-galaxy-s4-using-goo-manager/amp/
Galaxys4root.com is a reputable site ran by Mr. HIGH ON ANDROID himself, Xedomax aka Max Lee. The tools you need should be on his site for download and the links shouldn't be dead. He also has a YouTube channel with videos on how to do different things with your phone. My guide I wrote that I linked before, has step by step instructions on how to root and install a custom recovery and how to boot custom ROMs.
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Ok, forget anything I typed here in the last hour lol. Somehow there were two locals and I was in the wrong one. So far so good. So back to the other question above. " " Next, you're going to want to freeze the OTA update so the phone won't update off the MDL bootloader (after installing SuperSU of course). You can do this via the Titanium Backup app or the MyBackup Root app (now called just MyBackup I think).
Let's recap...you will need a copy of the towel root app, then SuperSU, then TB or MyBackup Root app. SuperSU will kill the evil KNOX for you."" I still need to do that, right? if so, where do I find those apps?
Thank you so much.
SilkRoadDog said:
Ok, It's not rooted yet so I will start down the path laid out. What do you recommend as a source for Touchwiz (wth is that anyway? lol) ROMs? I don't know enough about Android 6.0.x marshmallow or 7.0.x nougat to make the call there but I do want to be able to access the Google apps and play store as before.
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Touchwiz is the "skin" user interface that Samsung puts on top of Android. It is the stock SAMSUNG rom. Just Google touchwiz then Google stock Android, you'll see a difference. I like touchwiz so I am running a custom ROM called "Golden eye". You can download it from the Android development forum here in the S4 section. Other people like stock Android. The magic of being on the MDL bootloader is that you can boot touchwiz and bone stock Android ROMs. Most custom ROMs both stock Android and touchwiz based will let you access Google apps and the play store.
---------- Post added at 10:36 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:21 PM ----------
SilkRoadDog said:
Ok, forget anything I typed here in the last hour lol. Somehow there were two locals and I was in the wrong one. So far so good. So back to the other question above. " " Next, you're going to want to freeze the OTA update so the phone won't update off the MDL bootloader (after installing SuperSU of course). You can do this via the Titanium Backup app or the MyBackup Root app (now called just MyBackup I think).
Let's recap...you will need a copy of the towel root app, then SuperSU, then TB or MyBackup Root app. SuperSU will kill the evil KNOX for you."" I still need to do that, right? if so, where do I find those apps?
Thank you so much.
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You can get all those app except towel root on the play store. Once installed you can use ES file explorer to back them up to apk files then use the my files app that's on ya phone to move them to your SD card for use with your new ROM or keep them where they are since my guide tells you how to keep your data in tact...well for touch wiz ROMs anyway.
StoneyJSG said:
Touchwiz is the "skin" user interface that Samsung puts on top of Android. It is the stock SAMSUNG rom. Just Google touchwiz then Google stock Android, you'll see a difference. I like touchwiz so I am running a custom ROM called "Golden eye". You can download it from the Android development forum here in the S4 section. Other people like stock Android. The magic of being on the MDL bootloader is that you can boot touchwiz and bone stock Android ROMs. Most custom ROMs both stock Android and touchwiz based will let you access Google apps and the play store.
---------- Post added at 10:36 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:21 PM ----------
You can get all those app except towel root on the play store. Once installed you can use ES file explorer to back them up to apk files then use the my files app that's on ya phone to move them to your SD card for use with your new ROM or keep them where they are since my guide tells you how to keep your data in tact...well for touch wiz ROMs anyway.
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Since this is a "new" phone and I have nothing to back up yet, do I need to run a backup or can I follow your guide from that point, clean things up and install the ROM of choice?
SilkRoadDog said:
Since this is a "new" phone and I have nothing to back up yet, do I need to run a backup or can I follow your guide from that point, clean things up and install the ROM of choice?
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It's always good to make a backup in case anything goes wrong with your phone down the road you can get back to where you started without having to flash the MDL stock Rom in ODIN by connecting your phone to your computer. You should though keep a copy of ODIN and the MDL bootloader .tar ODIN file. However, it's entirely optional to make a back up so you could just follow the guide from that point and clean up for a ROM install if you don't want to make a backup.
You can also boot a ROM and then make a backup after you have everything set up. You can back up the stock Rom or any ROM you boot/install. That's the magic of having a custom recovery like TWRP or clock work mod.
StoneyJSG said:
It's always good to make a backup in case anything goes wrong with your phone down the road you can get back to where you started without having to flash the MDL stock Rom in ODIN by connecting your phone to your computer. You should though keep a copy of ODIN and the MDL bootloader .tar ODIN file. However, it's entirely optional to make a back up so you could just follow the guide from that point and clean up for a ROM install if you don't want to make a backup.
You can also boot a ROM and then make a backup after you have everything set up. You can back up the stock Rom or any ROM you boot/install. That's the magic of having a custom recovery like TWRP or clock work mod.
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Unfortunately, since I already started the install before seeing this, I have no idea what I backed up or where it is. :crying:
First off, I want to thank you so much for the help. I owe you and would like to buy you a beer or the like. I have my phone back now! There were issues with the Golden Eye install (it froze at the Samsung logo for over an hour) and I had to wipe everything and start over then I was able to get it up and running. Is this the right one? https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2313469
Quick question: Do you know if that ROM supports an external SD card larger than 32gig?
I am having some issues and so far am not thrilled with this ROM and am wondering if it's the right one or if I screwed up. It hasn't been worked on since 2015 and the dev is hasn't been responsive in years. On my phone, it's really buggy. It boots slow, apps hang when loading, a few don't work right, the screen can flash or freeze and TouchWiz keeps crashing like it was doing at the end on my old phone's life. Any ideas as to why?
SilkRoadDog said:
Unfortunately, since I already started the install before seeing this, I have no idea what I backed up or where it is. :crying:
First off, I want to thank you so much for the help. I owe you and would like to buy you a beer or the like. I have my phone back now! There were issues with the Golden Eye install (it froze at the Samsung logo for over an hour) and I had to wipe everything and start over then I was able to get it up and running. Is this the right one? https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2313469
Quick question: Do you know if that ROM supports an external SD card larger than 32gig?
I am having some issues and so far am not thrilled with this ROM and am wondering if it's the right one or if I screwed up. It hasn't been worked on since 2015 and the dev is hasn't been responsive in years. On my phone, it's really buggy. It boots slow, apps hang when loading, a few don't work right, the screen can flash or freeze and TouchWiz keeps crashing like it was doing at the end on my old phone's life. Any ideas as to why?
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If you made a nandroid backup with TWRP recovery or clockwork mod recovery, then the backup file will be on your phone SD card or internal memory. Use the my files app to find it. It should be under a folder called TWRP or clockwork mod.
Hey no problem man, I know how it is to goto a forum and have 87,000 people view your post yet nothing is said. Yes that link is the correct link to golden eye ROM. When booting a ROM for the first time it will get stuck at the Samsung logo for awhile, this is normal but it shouldn't be more than 20 minutes. I think the S4 can handle SD cards up to 128GB, it might only be 64GB though.
Very odd golden eye ROM is giving you issues, I have only had one problem with it and that was the text message app acting up every so often. When you booted golden eye did you use the Aroma installer so it just asks you questions and you pick what you want? If not wipe and start over using aroma, it's built into the ROM. Also be sure to tell Aroma you want to use the "imperium kernel". That's the kernel I am using. Golden eye ROM doesn't have a bootloader update in it, so you'll stay on MDL and not have to worry about your phone patching the loki exploit.
I think you can also use the hybrid max kernel, but I don't think it's in the Aroma installer so if you want it you will have to download it from the forums here and flash it separately.
Another thing you can try is just "nuking your phone" as explained in my guide that wipes everything and gives you a nice clean install. The only reason I included the "keep your data" method in my guide is because I just stumbled upon it by doing it on my phone.
If all else fails and as a last ditch effort, you could send the phone to me and I will see if I can get it up and running with golden eye ROM, then send it back. No guarantees though as I'm no developer or anything, just a guy that knows the basics of Android ROMs and root.
Final report. It turns out the problems I've been having were related to the SU Super App. There have been complaints about the recent version. I thought that it was a corrupt install of Golden Eye so got a clean DL from another mirror and was getting ready to start all over. This time I was going to follow the dev's install instructions step by step instead of yours and his. However, I couldn't install TWRP as he instructed. It hung at 100% and never completed. I thought that maybe Super SU was the issue there so I uninstalled it and all of my other problems went away! So happy. Thank you for everything. I do owe you a drink!
SilkRoadDog said:
Final report. It turns out the problems I've been having were related to the SU Super App. There have been complaints about the recent version. I thought that it was a corrupt install of Golden Eye so got a clean DL from another mirror and was getting ready to start all over. This time I was going to follow the dev's install instructions step by step instead of yours and his. However, I couldn't install TWRP as he instructed. It hung at 100% and never completed. I thought that maybe Super SU was the issue there so I uninstalled it and all of my other problems went away! So happy. Thank you for everything. I do owe you a drink!
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Hey glad it finally worked out for you. You will need superSU though, try a different version of it and that might fix the issue you're having with the latest version. That is unless you have the kingroot super user app, then you can use that but it's not as good as superSU. I had problems with it authorizing my root apps so I got rid of it and installed superSU. No problem glad to help and no thanks needed but if you really wanna buy me a beer go for it lol.