Hey Everyone!!
Thank you for looking at this thread.
In a nutshell, I got my i9505 galaxy s4 since June 2013, rooted it straight away when i got it, its got twrp recovery, and im on omega v9 4.2.2. Havent touched it since to date
It does not have knox.
Is there a way I can simply upgrade to something like cm 12.1 with 5.1.1 with everything working, by simply flashing latest cm with gapps using twrp, or will I have to upgrade bootloader, radio, get knox, or even just start over, flash stock samsung lollipop firmware with knox using odin, in order to do so?
I already a while back tried updating twrp to latest, and tried flashing cm with lollipop 5.0 when it first first came out, but only 2g was working, and signal would cut if i lock my phone. Im guessing this is due to bootloader/radio incompatibility, or maybe because it was early builds? Apparently i cant flash lollipop bootloader and radio over old 4.2.2 stuff without consequently installing knox? Is knox that bad? I heard its better to not have knox but if its the only thing stopping from lollipop then so be it.
Any help and advice much appreciated.
Hope to hear soon,
DJ
You can try upgrading just the modem to be able to flash an Android 5.x ROM, but it likely will not work and thus you will have to flash an updated bootloader as well. The good news is that since your S4 is out of warranty, whether you trip the Knox flag or not will not matter.
You should be able to flash the updated bootloader and radio without having to install an entire ROM, though you might want to download the latest ROM for your S4 anyway. There is a thread in I9505 General that has a list of bootloaders and modems that can be downloaded and flashed through Odin. From there, you should have no problem flashing the custom ROM of your choice through recovery.
Related
Hi,
I would really appreciate some advice on installing the latest 4.4.2 update on my S4 i9505.
I've been using the MIUI CM rom the last few days but have found it too buggy (it's actually getting worse with updates).
I've also tried installing the Samy Delux rom, although it installs it just won't boot.
My phones boot loader is currently unlocked (no knox, early version of 4.1.2), I know if I install the new OEM rom it will install a secure bootloader.
Can someone please advise if my phone can be rooted if I install the latest rom for my phone and what the process is.
In the past I was able to install a stock rom pre-rooted, but from what I've read on forums that's no longer possible ??
Any advise would be appreciated.
you can root 4.4.2 but you will trip knox
and you can flash Pre-rooted Roms via Recovery
Is it possible to downgrade the N910F from Lollipop (POF2) to KitKat (ANK5)?
YES, IT IS POSSIBLE.
Before yesterday I've never used KitKat on my Note4.. When I bought the phone I had no time to try it (KitKat) because I've straight rooted it and flashed a Lollipop based ROM.
Then yesterday I wanted to try a KitKat based ROM and I've lost about 30/40min looking in the forum for the answer to the question Is it possible to downgrade the N910F from Lollipop (POF2 or whatever) to KitKat (ANK5)?
I could not find a proper answer.. there was this BOF5 bootloader can not be downgraded but it was always in a "strange contest" and it did not convinced me.. after 30/40min I said ***k *t and I just performed a full wipe from TWRP, flashed ANK5 modem and bootloader via ODIN, and installed the KitKat ROM from TWRP.
Sorry for the Question/Answer but this thread may will help someone to save time.
P.S.: My KitKat adventure lasted only 10min... It looked ugly to my eyes! Went back on POF2 and now trying out AICP
_mone said:
Is it possible to downgrade the N910F from Lollipop (POF2) to KitKat (ANK5)?
YES, IT IS POSSIBLE.
Before yesterday I've never used KitKat on my Note4.. When I bought the phone I had no time to try it (KitKat) because I've straight rooted it and flashed a Lollipop based ROM.
Then yesterday I wanted to try a KitKat based ROM and I've lost about 30/40min looking in the forum for the answer to the question Is it possible to downgrade the N910F from Lollipop (POF2 or whatever) to KitKat (ANK5)?
I could not find a proper answer.. there was this BOF5 bootloader can not be downgraded but it was always in a "strange contest" and it did not convinced me.. after 30/40min I said ***k *t and I just performed a full wipe from TWRP, flashed ANK5 modem and bootloader via ODIN, and installed the KitKat ROM from TWRP.
Sorry for the Question/Answer but this thread may will help someone to save time.
P.S.: My KitKat adventure lasted only 10min... It looked ugly to my eyes! Went back on POF2 and now trying out AICP
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you flashed that lollipop-based rom, that was a custom rom I assume? Did it contain a bootloader? Maybe you were still on the KitKat bootloader.
GidiK said:
When you flashed that lollipop-based rom, that was a custom rom I assume? Did it contain a bootloader? Maybe you were still on the KitKat bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, it was a custom ROM. No, it didn't contain bootloader. No, I wasn't on the KitKat bootloader, for sure my bootloader was POF2. Trust me if I tell you that before the KitKat ROM I've flashed too many Lollipop ROMs with many Lollipop bootloaders.
I'm trying to do this but i fail in every action at odin with this SW rev. check fail. device 2 binary 1 in my SM-N910C and in odin its fail... ( i gets this after recovering my phone at kies after a bootloop )
i have a note 4 n910c with L.P 5.1.1 how a can downgrade to K.K or 5.01 L.P always fail when i try with odin. help please
Hi,
I have experience with the Canadian S4 I337M, currently running custom Validus ROM 5.1.1, originally was on TouchWiz 4.4.2;
I have altough a question that seems quite.. debated, did looked around I can't find a definitive answer and know who I should trust. I wonder if options changed in 2015 rather than 2013 when KNOX was still new.
Out of simple curiosity (I will not attempt it, risky, probably useless and I'm running 5.1.1 anyway): I keep reading that it's impossible to downgrade the S4 to 4.2.2, due to the KNOX bootloader on 4.3 / 4.4, I understand that you cannot downgrade below 4.3 which is the "new" KNOX bootloader.
1. I'm simply curious: On the I337M, what happens if you grab the stock 4.2.2 firmware and flash it with Odin anyway, considering I'm on 4.4 ? My guess, if I'm correct, Odin detect the bootloader version right away and says "FAIL". Correct?
2. I used to think it was possible to downgrade from 4.4 to 4.3, since 4.3 has the KNOX bootloader as well. Is this possible anyway, or will Odin fail (Not going to try it, not worth it)? Considering what I've read just today, 4.4 is also a new bootloader. In any case, since that 4.4 bootloader cannot be downgraded (I guess?), there is no way to downgrade from 4.4 to stock 4.3 either? Odin will show "FAIL" ?
3. Is there any other way to downgrade it anyway? I understand that KNOX 0x1 remain irreversible yet, and to my knowledge, it's impossible to dowgrade to 4.2.2 (Or even 4.3?), but I've been reading that it was possible to downgrade if the bootloader is excluded from the TAR archive, make sense to me, but is that true, was that patched? Should I recompile an ODIN package excluding the bootloader, is that how it's done (Too dangerous, not trying it)? Or maybe by using Mobile Odin / FlashFire, downgrading from 4.4 to 4.3 / 4.2 can be acheived, if the bootloader is left untouched? What happens if we try it anyways? Odin fail, or device does boot but doesn't get past Samsung boot logo?
I'm just wondering, and quite confused by the different opinions that were shared. Remember this is for the Canadian I337M variant.
Thanks for confirming, appreciate!
I currently have AT&T stock (I used to have a custom ROM then had to flash to stock ROM to be able to flash to another custom ROM--however, I accidentally flashed a newer version of the AT&T stock ROM which locked my bootloader and I could no longer flash to a custom ROM). I updated my AT&T stock ROM recently and now my back/menu buttons don't work, so I want to see if I can flash to a custom ROM now.
I don't remember the procedure to flash a custom ROM--do I first need to get root in order to unlock the bootloader to be able to flash ROMs (i.e. if I have root then I am guaranteed to be able to unlock bootloader in order to flash ROM)? Is the baseband version the only thing that determines whether I can unlock the bootloader and then be able to flash ROMs?
I currently have OK2 as broadband version and checked one of the stickied threads which said this:
" ROOT
OK2 -- No direct root method. Must Odin OC4 kernel, use Kingroot, then Odin OK2 kernel back."
Does that mean what I have to do is use Odin to get OC4 kernel, then use Kingroot, then Odin OK2 kernel and then I will be able to have root, which means I can then unlock my bootloader and be able to flash to ANY ROM (not just TouchWiz-based ROMs)? Is there anything else I need to consider or is this 100% foolproof? In the future, what should I be careful of in order to prevent getting my bootloader locked again--just that I don't flash a stock (AT&T) ROM that is known to lock back the bootloader?
Thank you all!
There's no way to unlock the bootloader if you have updated your device to the lastest firmware version. The only thing you can do is flash SafeStrap and use Stock Kernel Based ROMs which are compatible with Safestrap.
As regards to the procedure of rooting an OK2 firmware, I'm afraid I won't be able to help you.
Have a happy new year.
mindstormer said:
...however, I accidentally flashed a newer version of the AT&T stock ROM which locked my bootloader ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was just about to sit down and flash a stock ROM. Can you explain what you mean by this? Did you flash OK2 and it caused you a problem?
smock9 said:
I was just about to sit down and flash a stock ROM. Can you explain what you mean by this? Did you flash OK2 and it caused you a problem?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It was a while ago but I used to have I believe an MDL broadband version which meant I could flash any ROM available. I tried a different ROM, didn't like it, then decided to flash back to the stock ROM but accidentally flashed a newer version of it, which meant that my bootloader is now locked. With a locked bootloader, apparently I can only flash to a newer stock ROM (not other ROMs like Cyanogenmod) via Safestrap.
I think if you don't have the MDL broadband version you shouldn't worry about it anyway because it is locked and you will only be limited to flashing stock ROMs.
Slight correction
The previous entry is not entirely correct. Like the OP, I was originally on an unlocked bootloader on my i337. I'd purchased my i337 on the first day and eschewed OTA updates. I wanted to try a touchwiz based ROM, Hyperdrive, and in doing so I recall flashing the stock NB1 firmware. Every firmware beginning with NB1 has a locked bootloader and there has been no progress for more than a year in unlocking the bootloader again. This can limit you to either stock ROMs OR other touchwiz based ROMs like Hyperdrive. I love the Hyperdrive ROM (now on release 21) but its developer has moved on to a newer phone, so it's stuck at Android 4.4.2 and no one has picked up the project in many months. There are several other touchwiz based ROMs for the i337 version of the S4 which I have also tried but I prefer Hyperdrive's myriad customization, even without proper patching. I'll be moving on soon to the Nexus 6P as my daily driver, but would very much like to keep my S4 up to date with a custom ROM. Given the number of people that have been in this same situation, where a newer stock ROM from AT&T locked a previously unlocked bootloader, it's been surprising that the issues have not been overcome on a phone as popular as the Galaxy S4 was and continues to be. I've seen unlocked versions of the S4 selling for just under $400 in the last week of 2015.
Use the desktop version of Kingoroot to root and use Super su and update the binary. Don't forget to hit thanks if this helped.
The bootloader for the at&t s4 was never unlocked. The MDL bootloader had a flaw in it that allowed you to use LOKI which is a lock bypass, not a way to unlock the bootloader.
Install Custom Recovery Samsung Galaxy AT&T S4 SGH-I337 Ver 5.0.1 Non-Rooted. OK2
Hello, I Want to do some modifications to my Samsung Galaxy S4 and Have so many questions that I am not sure were to start? Yes I'm a noob but learning. I have a SGH-I337 phone that is unlocked so I use it for T-mobile. The phone came with KitKat 4.4.2 NB1 firmware but I managed to update it manually to the latest firmware OK2.
What I would like to do is install a custom recovery and install a clean non bloated Rom. Maybe a custom such as CyanogenMod? Questions: Is there any recovery software that will work on my present upgraded phone such as Safestrap, TWARP,PhilZ or CWM and in doing so I am guessing I need to root my phone first? When you root a phone does that unlock the boot loader? I have read articles saying you can only install custom recovery on the older firmware such as kitkat 4.4.2. or unless a update comes out. I also have read articles that I cannot downgrade and am not sure what that means as I have read articles that I can use Odin and reinstall my stock firmware NB1 is that true? Is there a way to downgrade your upgrades?
I see a lot of articles how to install recovery software but they do not always say what firmware version they are installing it to so I wont even try it. I am guessing-it is the older firmware 4.4.2.
I have read I can flash my kernel to an older Kernel such as NB1 then root it install a custom recovery then upgrade the kernel again? Not sure it I can upgrade or downgrade kernels that are for my phone?
I did manage to root my phone awhile back when it had kitkat 4.4.2 NB1 but had problems later on with my touch screen going crazy as if someone was in my phone so I brought it back to stock by using Odin and reinstalling NB1 firmware hoping to fix the problem. After installing stock firmware I decided to upgrade to lollipop 5.0.1 OB2 and that is were I am now. About my touch screen going crazy I have been reading it may be due to cheap USB chargers which I am using but that is another story.
Well any-help or leads would be appreciated.
Maybe if I wait long enough someone will come up with a custom ROM for my latest firmware as well as rooting it?
Steve