To update or not to update? - Verizon Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hey guys, I'm new here, this is my first post. Of course this being the forum where I make my first post you already know which phone I have, Verizon Samsung galaxy s5. Thank you to all of the knowledgeable people in this community for putting this wealth of knowledge at my disposal. Since I found xda I have rooted my s5 with towelroot, installed busy box and safe strap and superSU. As of this moment, these are the details about my phone:
Android version 4.4.2
Baseband Version G900VVRU1ANCG
Kernal version 3.4.0 [email protected] #1 Monday March 31 13:30:24 KS 2014
Build number KOT49H. G900VVRU1ANE9
Now for my question/s. Do I need to upgrade? I have titanium backup and I have already removed a fair number of bloat ware. If I do need to upgrade and by the way I have Odin on my pc, should I follow each individual guide here at xda and first upgrade from NE9 to NHA and then the next guide to go from NHA to NI2 and so on and so forth until I reach BOG5 or should I just skip all the in betweens and go directly from NE9 to BOG5?
I'm learning that there are lots of cool things I can do with my rooted phone and one of the top attractions for me was/is to install a custom rom. 2 of the roms I wanted to try the most are alliance (which I read was abandoned) and the Phoenix 9.6 port. I haven't been able to locate a copy of alliance so I downloaded and tried to install phoenix while I was on NCG and tried it again while I was on NI2. BOTH times I thought I had bricked my phone as it went into bootloop and I lost root, safe strap and everything. Had to system wipe and start over. So to say the least I've become a bit gun shy about installing a custom rom. Should I be on a certain build to install the different roms or what?

Related

[Q&A] ★ [ROM/ROOT][N900VVRUCNC4][4.4.2] Stock Root DeOdex [06/18/14] NC2/NC4/D

[Q&A] ★ [ROM/ROOT][N900VVRUCNC4][4.4.2] Stock Root DeOdex [06/18/14] NC2/NC4/D
Q&A for ★ [ROM/ROOT][N900VVRUCNC4][4.4.2] Stock Root DeOdex [06/18/14] NC2/NC4/DevEd COMPATIBLE ★ Insecure Modules/Selinux Permissive ON NC4 Bootloader!! ★
Some developers prefer that questions remain separate from their main development thread to help keep things organized. Placing your question within this thread will increase its chances of being answered by a member of the community or by the developer.
Before posting, please use the forum search and read through the discussion thread for ★ [ROM/ROOT][N900VVRUCNC4][4.4.2] Stock Root DeOdex [06/18/14] NC2/NC4/DevEd COMPATIBLE ★ Insecure Modules/Selinux Permissive ON NC4 Bootloader!! ★. If you can't find an answer, post it here, being sure to give as much information as possible (firmware version, steps to reproduce, logcat if available) so that you can get help.
Thanks for understanding and for helping to keep XDA neat and tidy!
will this file unroot my phone?
I want to know if these files will put my phone back to factory firmware? I accidentally unrooted, not realizing what I was doing really. This looks like the same file name (nc2kernel.tar.md5.zip ) as I have seen on other sites, but I cannot get those to download correctly. My Note 3 is with Verizon and it is running kernal. I just want my phone to be UNROOTED like I just got it out of the box. I am concerned about warranty. I am back up all and I have also dowloaded ODIN and it's ready to run.
Thanks to:
ChainFire - for superSU
Hashcode - For Safestrap For Retail Note 3's
SexTape - For the Leaked NC2 Goodness!!
Surge1223 - for starting the deodex base
BajaSur - for getting me back going on n3!!
hsbadr - For Being Brave with the nc4 firmware and giving u guys some NC4 Love First!!
XDA:DevDB Information
★ [ROM/ROOT][N900VVRUCNC4][4.4.2] Stock Root DeOdex [06/18/14] NC2/NC4/DevEd COMPATIBLE ★ Insecure Modules/Selinux Permissive ON NC4 Bootloader!! ★, ROM for the Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note 3
Contributors
BeansTown106
Version Information
Status: Stable
Stable Release Date: 2014-06-19
Created 2014-06-19
Last Updated 2014-06-19[/QUOTE]
help getting from nc4 deodex to jellybeans b6
I followed this thread with success after many many attempts to get rooted and hacked. ive had nothing but problems with NC4 getting to this point.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2787627
basically ive wanted to be hacked running jellybeans ROM's since I got the phone. ive been running his ROMs on my galaxy phones for years now. so I finally was able to follow the step by step to get a stock deodexed ROM. I created on ROM SLOT 1 I wiped and installed jellybeans B6 but it just black screens. what do I need to do now to get B6 running? do I need to install the B6 ROM then again install the NC2 kernel before booting? not sure what to do next
thanks in advanced,
al
kind of a noob to rooting higher end phones
ive been rooting the cheap cricket phones ans recently ive gotten the verizon galaxay note 3 on the nc4 build. im wanting to install hyperdrive rom but im getting lost watching video after video and reading page after page. i see some people say i need permissive and some dont say anything at all. could you point me in the right direction please and thank you very much
knox0x1 said:
ive been rooting the cheap cricket phones ans recently ive gotten the verizon galaxay note 3 on the nc4 build. im wanting to install hyperdrive rom but im getting lost watching video after video and reading page after page. i see some people say i need permissive and some dont say anything at all. could you point me in the right direction please and thank you very much
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
im on nc4 also. I used the towel root program to get rooted, and then installed the safestrap but I forgot which one. it wasn't the latest version I don't think but it was one of the last ones. and I had to install it a couple times to get it installed correctly. then I followed the link I posted above your post. the only downfall, now im stuck, I cant flash an other rom to the phone successfully. they all fail to boot and I have to revert back to the linked rom. id like to get on jellybeans rom, ran them on my galaxy nexus and my note 2 and he makes a great rom! good luck!
Flash Kernel in safestrap without odin
Im currently on OTA NC4 and I want to install this rom in my stock rom slot in Safestrap. (I would like to do this so I can install custom roms).
My question is, can I flash the NC2/NC4 kernel required without going into download mode and using odin?
Thanks in advance!
Been running this rom for over 8 months. Very solid. I do have two issues though bluetooth seems to skip while playing music occasionally (fresh restart fixes). I hate magazine from the center button. What options do I have to change that.
kennypasatrain said:
Im currently on OTA NC4 and I want to install this rom in my stock rom slot in Safestrap. (I would like to do this so I can install custom roms).
My question is, can I flash the NC2/NC4 kernel required without going into download mode and using odin?
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to use Odin. Rather simple, just follow the instructions re Odin use. Unfortunately, the instructions for this rom found atnthe beginning of the thread neglects to mention the need for Odin to flash the kernal.
Tidal HiFi
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VZW note 3 4.4.4 to 4.4.2 root
hey guys,
I just bought a Note 3 (n900v) and it has 4.4.4 and I want to root it (all of my other phones and my wife's are all rooted) but it looks like there isnt a root for 4.4.4. So I thought about downgrading to 4.4.2 and then rooting but I having trouble finding the stock rom (links are all dead) then I ran across this. Can I use this to downgrade/root my phone?
I was also wondering if it might just be easier to go to a custom rom? I have never ran a custom rom but from my understanding most of them are pre-rooted and have a lot less junk installed on them. can anyone recommend a good custom rom? (with install instructions >_<)
Thanks guys.
-Drog
Cannot save or install ROMs - Rooted, SafeStrap installed, Knox OK
Howdy, folks!
My Verizon Note 3 details: SM-N900V / Android 4.4.2 / Kernel 3.4.0-1487472 / build version NC4 / bootloader NC4 / Knox = 0x0 / Build date 4/28/14.
Device is rooted (via TowelRoot and confirmed with Titanium Backup). Safestrap 3.75 is "Installed". BusyBox 1.232 is installed.
As I understand it, in order to save or install ROMs I *must* use SafeStrap.
When I run SafeStrap the screen shows "State: Installed" and "Safe System: Not Active".
Tapping "Reboot to Recovery" does reboot the phone but I do NOT get any options to save or install any ROMs. The phone just reboots.
I thought I read somewhere I may need to (somehow) roll back to NC2...
Any ideas, folks?
Thanks!
MMS Stagefright vulnerability
Are there any expected updates/patches to address this vulnerability?

broken root during update. how to unfuxor?

so I mistakenly pressed update few months ago when the update came out.
phone was rooted with towelroot
I also have superuser and supers installed
and triangle away
none of them are functional because of the failed tmobile update.
whats the best way to fix this?
im trying to keep the settings and info in my phone if that's at all possible..
I know I can just start over and load a whole new rom on it and then update but I have settings and apps I don't want to go through the process of installing all the apps and changing and trying to remember how my settings were ive had enough of that fun when I had HD2 with android port.
since that time I just want stock rom that works stable.
You can go to the T-mobile Development Forum and use ShinySide's root method for FOF6 (assuming that is the LP rom you are on).
You will trip knox though. Currently, there is no way around that on Lollipop, unless you want to try and downgrade to 4.4.2
what if I reinstall original OS.
I'm not sure if its rooted or not. or kinda stuck inbetween.
my android version says 4.4.2
I tried towelroot it says phone not supported
I try tmobile update it says cant update.
root check says its not rooted...
superSU is stuck in the middle as well.
I don't get it
I root the phone with odin
everything goes good it says reset then says pass
then I check with triangle away says system: modified counter:zero binary:custom etc
the phone is stuck inbetween root and update and it wont let me do either.
I can't root or unroot or update.
not sure wat is goin on with this crap
I really just want to unroot so I can run the update and then root again.
I'm not sure what is happening now with this phone it wont go either way
or maybe just load the updated tmobile stock rom whatever works honestly.
Hmm....The words 'rock' and 'hardplace' come to mind.......
Apart from the failed update, and the lack of root access, is your phone functioning normally?
If it is, go to settings >> about device and check which firmware the device is currently running.
Then go to one of the firmware download sites and get a copy of that EXACT SAME firmware.....(This is assuming it is still running 4.4.2)
Pretty much the only thing you can do at this point (if you want to keep all your settings etc) is to odin flash to an identical (but unrooted) system 'state' that you had before the failed update borked things on your device. Then you can follow the steps needed to towelroot your device......If that involves flashing an older kernel before towelrooting and then flashing back to your pre-existing kernel afterwards, then you (obviously) need to source them too.....
If it is your intention to update to Lollipop and then attempt to root again, I'd think again if I were you.....A lot of users are reporting that it's damn near impossible to root the latest LP firmwares.....even with CF Root......
You'd be better off rooting on KK, then using Flashfire to flash Lollipop and get it to inject root while it flashes the firmware.
Sent from my rooted, debloated stocKK kn0x0 SM-G900F
android version 4.4.2
kernel version 3.4.0-2621998
build number KOT49H.G900TUVU1CNK2
phone works like normal otherwise. no issues so far
towelroot says this model is not supported
triangle away says binary custom system:modified
titanium backup is stuck on "asking for root rights"
root check is stuck on the hourglass thing that spins and it spins forever
rom manager says it needs a custom recovery...
fuzzysig said:
android version 4.4.2
kernel version 3.4.0-2621998
build number KOT49H.G900TUVU1CNK2
phone works like normal otherwise. no issues so far
towelroot says this model is not supported
triangle away says binary custom system:modified
titanium backup is stuck on "asking for root rights"
root check is stuck on the hourglass thing that spins and it spins forever
rom manager says it needs a custom recovery...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What is the build date on the installed firmware, if the build was compiled after July 1st last year, you need an older kernel in order to towelroot (at least this was the case for me when I towelrooted)
Sent from my rooted, debloated stocKK kn0x0 SM-G900F
kernel version date says
nov 10 2014
build number doesn't show date
SE for android status
dec 05 2014
I used towelroot when I root it first time right after I got the phone. and then my dumbass forgot to unroot it and clicked on the update when it popped up...
Lol....easy enough thing to do......
It's the kernel that has to change to allow towelrooting......
When I towelrooted, my firmware was ANG2......I had to odin flash ANE2 in order to get towelroot to work (and then flash back the ANG2 kernel).
The kernel for your device will be a different version number, but you get the idea.....
Sent from my rooted, debloated stocKK kn0x0 SM-G900F
this hurts my head. i still get flashbacks from HD2 android port and trying to keep up with all the new and improved builds...
the part of my brain responsible for cellphone modifying is burned out after that.
since then i just look for easiest root method possible until this happened...
what exactly do i need? im gonna try to process it on my own for next day or so
There are 2 prerequisites for using Towelroot........
1) your system must be running KitKat.
2) the build date (specifically the kernel) has to be before 1st of July 2014.
You mentioned that the kernel you have said November 2014 (?) therefore, you have to find a kernel that was compiled before the end of June 2014.
You ALSO have to find a copy of your CURRENT kernel.
Once you have both of those, the procedure is very straightforward.....
1) Odin flash the OLDER kernel (this is likely to cause some system instability....don't worry, that is to be expected)
2) Install towelroot and root your phone.
3) odin flash your CURRENT (November (?) 2014) Kernel. ........
Job done.
Then, rather than OTA to upgrade (this will break root), use Flashfire and get it to root the upgrade as it flashes it......
Sent from my rooted, debloated stocKK kn0x0 SM-G900F
ok ow I got it. thanks
I found some page
NF6 - NG3 - NG4 - NH5 - NK2
but everyone always assumes that people know what all this crap means lol
all I know is nk2 is the latest kernel on 4.4.2
and nothing about the other abbreviations.
I look for kernel version and google shows nothing
Just flash a pre June 2014 KitKat ROM, forget about Kernels
fuzzysig said:
I found some page
NF6 - NG3 - NG4 - NH5 - NK2
but everyone always assumes that people know what all this crap means lol
all I know is nk2 is the latest kernel on 4.4.2
and nothing about the other abbreviations.
I look for kernel version and google shows nothing
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just visited samsung updates dot com (we're not allowed to post links to the site) and found a section called 'compatible kernels'.......
I put in the search box 'SM G900T' (I assume this is your model variant) and it came up with a whole list of kernels.....
The ones compiled BEFORE the end of June 2014 are.......
NF6, NE6, NE5 and NCH
As I understand it, you *should* be able to use any of those for towelrooting......
Just remember to get a copy of your existing kernel while you're at it so you can flash back to it after rooting....
Sent from my rooted, debloated stocKK kn0x0 SM-G900F
fuuuuuk
you know I just remembered why I threw away my HD2 and stuck to unmodified rooted phone for last 5 years.
because its a fkn nightmare with all the people posting same **** in 300 different ways and having links to essentially same fkn file just named differently
4 hours later a folder full of kernels and who knows what roms I downloaded.(because they are all hosted on slow ass download pages and I don't know which one is gonna actually download and not break and start over download again)....
I'm still in the same spot.
knox is tripped and new kernel with still same KitKat rom
i managed to root and unroot the phone but now its not downloading the update because knox is 0x1
time to sell this crap and get newer phone and forget about this rom **** for few more years.
I'm done. I really hope XDA can someday manage to clean up all this fn confusion about roms and make is simpler for people who don't spend 5 hours a day loading and reloading roms like I did with hd2
keith I really appreciate your help. its not your fault but this page is like a fn black hole.
the problem is all the damn garbage and misleading info that you find on google. which is confusing as fuk.
i don't understand why do i need to load older rom again if i want to update to 5.1.1?
If you're not worried about your data or root access then upgrading to 5.1.1 is as simple as a single odin flash......
If you want to keep root then downgrading, towelrooting, then upgrading with Flashfire is the easiest way to go......
Sent from my rooted, debloated stocKK kn0x0 SM-G900F

New to I337 somewhat confused

New to the I337. AT&T with NC1. Android 4.4.2. Stock ROM with the 3.4.0-1125940 kernel. Rooted, SE Linux permissive, Safestrap installed. Compared to other phones I have owned, rooted and installed custom ROMS for this one is way more complex.
Today I tried to Safestrap flash a couple of different ROM's- the Goole Play edition (jflte GPE) and the Lollipop 5.1 ROM 2015061jflte both times using Safestrap. Neither worked. In the case of the Google Play edition, it wanted to install a new kernel as well, I tried with the recommended kernel on the install GUI (wow an install GUI on Android). Both times stuck in a boot loop. I ended up using for the second time, the excellent information here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4-att/general/guide-odin-to-stock-updating-rooting-t2926642
to get back to stock NC1 (thanks again guut13 for the excellent guide and links to resources) and restored via Safestrap the present stock configuration.
My questions are as follows (I am posting this after a LOT of reading here)
1)Can I use LokiDoki ? I understand it resolves problems with the locked boot loader where one can flash pretty much any S4 ROM on the I337.Is this true?
2) I wanted to give the two ROMS I mentioned today a try. Neither worked although I followed the instructions carefully (wipe, install and reboot). I also would like to try the Phoenix ROM. Is it compatible with Safestrap? Are the two I tried today compatible with Safestrap?
3) I am on 4.4.2. I understand that 4.4.4 is out there as well as 5 but when I check either via Kies or OTA I am told this is the latest firmware for my phone. Any way to update this?
As I said earlier this phone is a lot more complex from a modding standpoint than any other I have experience with. I am unclear on which ROM's will work with the NC1. Before I knew about Safestrap and the boot loader problem I tried installing TWERP and ended up having to rebuild things with guut13's excellent thread.
With NC1 am I stuck on the stock ROM ? Can kernels be updated on NC1 using LokiDoki?
Any light or advice to be shed on my confusion wold be very much appreciated.
Expat
Look at this other excellent thread started I by guut13,î answers all.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2616221
Loki doki is not an option for you, and you can only install tw based roms.
Cats_PJ's
Thanks for the link. Have seen this thread. So I am on 4.4.2. So can I flash a 5.x ROM on the phone provided its TW --or does the phone have to be updated via OTH or another method to 5.x first? Or am I stuck on the ROMS specifically available on 4.4.2?
Thanks again very much for your interest and the link. Wish I had shopped more carefully and bought a non AT&T phone, one of the 5xxx models but I couldn't find anything other than the AT&T ones here in Ecuador.
Expat
http://forum.xda-developers.com/gal...-to-update-to-i337oc3-5-0-1-keeproot-t3075814
That will get you to 5.0.1. You can flash the lollipop roms after that.
I wish I had known more before I bought my phone too. Live and learn, I'm about do for an upgrade though. Good luck.
Cats_PJs said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/gal...-to-update-to-i337oc3-5-0-1-keeproot-t3075814
That will get you to 5.0.1. You can flash the lollipop roms after that.
I wish I had known more before I bought my phone too. Live and learn, I'm about do for an upgrade though. Good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Again many kind thanks for the help. This is the most complicated chain of BS to go through just to update a ROM thanks to the locked boot loader I have ever seen..... however you and others here deserve a lot of credit for finding workarounds...... the phone has been made needlessly complex with the BL and efforts by Google and AT&T to "protect" their turf and monetise the user. I would upgrade today were I not in Ecuador where everything costs double what it does in the US. The phone thief crop here is thick- this is the fourth phone in 2 years although the Galaxy Grand Prime I bought after the last robbery I still have. Broke the screen on that one and it was repaired improperly, I get a blank white screen on startup so can't get into recovery so its worthless to me for what I want it for..... so I have the S4 AT&T. Ah well.
Many thanks and enough of my *****ing.
Expat

Noob questions- Please help me with rooting! Some specific questions:

Dear Benevolent Android Wizards: please help me root an AT&T S4! I plan to buy a used S4 and want to make sure it can be rooted. Are some firmware versions rootable and some not? If so, which ones? I've seen phones available running I337UCUFNB1 and NJ4, as an example. I tried to check the forums here, but I'm new to this and it's too confusing. Also, as time passes, some of the comments become dated and wrong. One forums here say to downgrade NC1 by flashing NB1, take OTA update to NC1, then OTA to NL1- but I don't know if these OTAs are still available, for example. I'm simple and hope someone can explain things in a simple way! I don't want custom ROMs, just to root and maybe make backups. Please help, O Wise Ones!
You will probably buy a phone with at least 4.4.2 or above. It can be rooted by flashing the NB1 firmware (if it is not already on NB1), flashing the NC1 kernel and rooting with Towelroot. Then you can upgrade to 4.4.4 or 5.0.1, depending on what you want. You can install Safestrap to do backups on KitKat or Flashfire to do backups on Lolipop.
Here is a good place to start reading. Contains all info and links you need.
Thanks a lot!
So you're saying that any S4 running 4.4.2 or 4.4.4 should be able to be rooted?
And I would use Odin to flash NB1 firmware and then NC1 kernel (also using Odin?), then Towelroot would work?
How do I get the phone back to the firmware and kernel it came with?- also with Odin?
Yes. Or 5.0.1 for that matter.
You can root phones with earlier versions of the firmware as well.
All the instructions you need are available in the thread I linked above. You probably don't want to go back to what firmware came on the phone. You will need to decide if you want KitKat, in which case you should flash the latest one, which is NJ5, or Lolipop, in which case you will have some decisions to make as well.
Thanks, I will definitely read that whole thread once I get a chance.
Isn't there some issue with changing firmware where the software changes how the phone interfaces with the cell and wifi radios and they don't work right after you change version? Don't you have to do something to make sure the ROM and radio software stay in sync? Or isn't that an issue when changing stock ROMs with Odin?
Shouldn't be an issue. The stock firmware includes the corresponding modem, but the modems are interchangeable and can be flashed separately. There is a thread dedicated to modems in the general forum.
I would definitely recommend that you read enough to be comfortable with what you are going to do before you flash. There are several good threads in the general forum that you should familiarize yourself with.
Thanks again. I read 10 pages of the thread you mentioned in your first reply:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4-att/general/guide-odin-to-stock-updating-rooting-t2926642
Very helpful
Another question- you said to load NB1 firmware on the phone, but also NC1 kernel, apparently, NC1 is required for towelroot to work. Why not just load NC1 firmware- won't the NC1 kernel will come along? Is NB1 firmware specifically needed for some reason?
Or did you mean to keep upgrading from NB1to reach the final desired firmware, say NL1, then flash the NC1 kernel, root with towelroot, then flash the final desired (in my example, NL1) kernel.
Also, the first section in that link says if you want to end up on Lollipop OC3 or OC4, to root using Kingroot, but warns "there is mixed feeling about this application". Can't I root with towelroot instead to avoid Kingroot?
Sorry! As I learn more it brings up new questions.
xdafan15 said:
Thanks again. I read 10 pages of the thread you mentioned in your first reply:
HTML:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4-att/general/guide-odin-to-stock-updating-rooting-t2926642
Very helpful
Another question- you said to load NB1 firmware on the phone, but also NC1 kernel, apparently, NC1 is required for towelroot to work. Why not just load NC1 firmware- won't the NC1 kernel will come along? Is NB1 firmware specifically needed for some reason?
Or did you mean to keep upgrading from NB1to reach the final desired firmware, say NL1, then flash the NC1 kernel, root with towelroot, then flash the final desired (in my example, NL1) kernel.
Also, the first section in that link says if you want to end up on Lollipop OC3 or OC4, to root using Kingroot, but warns "there is mixed feeling about this application". Can't I root with towelroot instead to avoid Kingroot?
Sorry! As I learn more it brings up new questions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
NB1 is the only full stock tar available. There is no full NC1 stock tar, or any other 4.4.2 or above stock tar. No matter which distribution you are on, 4.4.2 4.4.4 or 5.0.1, to go back to stock you have to flash NB1 with Odin.
If you want Lolipop, I would suggest that you root with towelroot, and then use the keep root method to go to OC4.
I'm trying to decide if I should update up to NJ5, OC3, or OC4. Any thoughts about advantages/disadvantages? Should I just update to the latest (OC4) for simplicity?
I don't have an opinion between KitKat and Lolipop.
As far as OC3 or OC4, the OC4 update is just a bug fix update from OC3 that supposedly protects from at least part of the stagefright vulnerability. NJ5 is the same update with respect to JN4.
I'm making more progress on your thread- I'm up to page 20 now and feeling much more comfortable as I see how to deal with (or hopefully avoid) other's problems.
I think I'm almost ready to go, but I know I have one more question- I know that some versions of towelroot need internet access, but when you flash the NC1 kernel onto NB1, you lose wifi. I plan to do this on a phone that will not have data, at least at the beginning. I saw others talk about getting around this and they said they used an earlier version of towelroot that didn't need internet. Do you think that will work for me?
If I get a chance, I'll edit here and list the specific older version.
squatting in this thread because I too have an s4 w/ ni1 bootloader (4.4.2) .. gonna check that thread out too ... (fist bumps @xdafan15 .. me and u are the lone desperados)
got some good help too. check that thread about ALL THINGS ROOT in the general tab.
I found the version of towelroot v3 that doesn't need internet access. It is referenced here in the first post.
File here
 @creepyncrawly or anyone else who knows: Is is OK to use this version to root instead of the normal version of towelroot 3 that needs internet access?
xdafan15 said:
I found the version of towelroot v3 that doesn't need internet access. It is referenced here in the first post.
File here creepyncrawly or anyone else who knows: Is is OK to use this version to root instead of the normal version of towelroot 3 that needs internet access?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go ahead at try it. I don't actually have the S4, so I don't know from first hand experience, but it will either work or it won't. I expect it will work.
I got a surprise- I bought a used S4 and when I checked it, found out it has 4.2.2, MDL- one of the rare ones that was never updated and still has the unlocked bootloader! So all of the work I've been doing was somewhat off target.
Now I guess I need to root 4.2.2 and flash a custom rom to get the phone updated. If I update with the stock firmware it'll lock the bootloader permanently.
I found instructions to root on the first post here "[HOW-TO] The ULTIMATE All-In-One Guide - I337M & MDL - MF3 - MK2"
Is that the correct method?
I wonder if I can just load towelroot and root that way?
Can anyone suggest an updated ROM (preferably one that has been patched against stagefright)?
Do I also flash this phone using Odin? And does the firmware always go in the "AP" slot?
Sorry, I'm trying to learn this and I thought I'd be using the locked bootloader method in the 2nd post.
MDL oh don't let that bad boy ever update. You can root and unroot as often as you like.
Can you please help me understand what to do? I have a Samsung Galaxy s4 with AT&T that I switched to Straight Talk. I need to know how to root this phone but this forum is very confusing and outdated. Plz help me!
Hi, @Tmtd78. The S4 is getting pretty old now so this forum is pretty quiet. What version of android does your phone have? Under *Settings*, *About device*, what are the last 3 characters under *Build number*? I think every version of android on this phone can be rooted, but you will have to spend some time here to learn how everything works. Did you read the posts linked earlier by @creepyncrawly? Read the first and last 10 or 20 pages of each thread of interest and you will get the idea. The method you use will depend on the firmware your phone has. If it has the mdl or mdb bootloader, you probably will want to make sure the firmware doesn't update.
By the way, to @creepyncrawly and @engloa, thanks for your help. I was able to learn how to successfully root my S4, load a custom recovery, make backups, load a custom ROM, and make some tweaks to the kernel. Everything is running well now.
It was a long road, but everything was here on XDA and I appreciate your help.
@xdafan15, the build number is NI1. And I will definitely read the posts. I really appreciate you getting back with me so fast. I'm just scared I'm going to mess something up lol.
Sure thing. I'm not an expert, just a beginner, but I have learned a few things along the way. The NI1 bootloader is locked so you will need to follow the instructions for using Odin under the first post shown above by @creepyncrawly (here). Also, read this one. Also, this.
As long as you are 1) careful to not load code incompatible with an AT&T S4 onto your device and 2) follow instructions EXACTLY you should be fine. Be wary of following instructions listed on a forum that is not specific to the AT&T S4. Don't get sloppy and try to do stuff from memory- read and follow the instructions step by step. The good news is as long as you don't cause as few specific types of problems with your storage, I think you'll be able to Odin back to the NB1 firmware and start over.
Learn how to and practice booting your phone into download and recovery modes.
Get Odin running on your computer and see if it will recognize your device. A guide here. I think .tar or .tar.md5 files always go in the *AP* slot if memory serves. You may also see references to an older version of Odin where the *AP* slot was called *PDA*

Returning custom KitKat ROM user wanting to go back to near-stock

I cannot quite think of an appropriate topic name for this but I know what I want to ask.
A long time back with my Note 3 I had everything nice and customised, updating my ROM regularly until the creator stopped and I decided to stick. Now I'd like to go back to a vanilla rooted version of Lollipop so that I can grab Xposed too. I'd also like to update the Baseband and add in a custom kernel along the way. I've not heard of Xposed for Marshmallow and Marshmallow is crippling my Shield K1 even with Nvidia's so-called fixes hence sticking with Lollipop.
O2 have offered me an SGS 6 Edge Plus or an Xperia Z5 Premium with "Lollipop, the latest software" for £49pm, no handset cost and £100 to pay off my Note 3 but for those prices, I'll be keeping my Note 3 past my contract end date
I know my way around the commands and the flashing guides but I've been away from the Note 3 forums for some time and I am aware that certain combinations can require specific steps to backtrack. If anyone could put me on the right path as to which big steps to take to avoid bricking then I can fill in the little gaps myself and get to my end goal I would be very grateful.
The below information should be sufficient to provide a base as to where I am to start with.
Current:
Phone: SM-N9005 (UK SGS Note 3)
ROM: KitKat 4.42 - last ever custom KitKat rom by CRASH (v19)
Baseband: N9005DXUGNK1
Kernel: 3.4.105-leankernel-hlte-3.14 (Dec 2014) #47
Build Number: KOT49H.N9005DXUGNK1
Root Status: Rooted with Xposed
Recovery: PhilZ Touch 6.48.4 (CWM v.6.0.5.0)
go to MultiX thread from @ykari4 and you will have everything you have.........it's not an obligation to update BL or modem but you can even with LP...like me
I am sorry if I wasn't clear in my opening post.
I would like to go from rooted Custom Kitkat to rooted stock Lollipop and update the baseband along the way. I am looking for the proper big steps to do this.
Flash stock rom via Odin .
Flash Baseband via Odin .
Reroot via your chosen method .
Faqs and Guides .
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-note-3/general/samsung-galaxy-note-3-sticky-roll-t3237249
JJEgan said:
Flash stock rom via Odin .
Flash Baseband via Odin .
Reroot via your chosen method .
Faqs and Guides .
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-note-3/general/samsung-galaxy-note-3-sticky-roll-t3237249
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. I didn't know if I had to roll back in a specific order or whether it would be as straight forward as you've said. I can do that with my eyes closed

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