Database Users

Best method to root 4.42

What is the best way to root sprint s4 on 4.4.2? Can I just odin twrp & then flash superuser zip?

Cf auto root. It will void Knox warranty.

xoxo_xdagirl91 said:
What is the best way to root sprint s4 on 4.4.2? Can I just odin twrp & then flash superuser zip?
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The best way to root your device is the one most convenient for you. The method you suggested should work fine, and you can always use cf auto root as daniel suggested. I don't have any experience with towelroot but between the two aforementioned procedures you should be good to go. If you are gonna flash a custom rom there is no need to flash supersu zip save yourself an extra step if that is the case and just flash the latest custom recovery of your choice (my preference is twrp)

daniel4653 said:
Cf auto root. It will void Knox warranty.
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Click to collapse
koivth said:
The best way to root your device is the one most convenient for you. The method you suggested should work fine, and you can always use cf auto root as daniel suggested. I don't have any experience with towelroot but between the two aforementioned procedures you should be good to go. If you are gonna flash a custom rom there is no need to flash supersu zip save yourself an extra step if that is the case and just flash the latest custom recovery of your choice (my preference is twrp)
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Click to collapse
Thanks guys! Was able to root my friend's s4 :good:

guide from stock 4.4.4 to GPE 5.0.1 ?

Guys i was looking for some installation guide but im not sure, if i found the right one. http://forum.xda-developers.com/gala...-roms-t2852310
I have stock 4.4.4 (firmware GNJ8). Is there someone who will not be ofended by noob question and show me some right guide how to flash this GPE rom ? I mean what do i need ? Root (which one?), recovery (which TWRP or CWM (throw CMW manager?)) and something else ? We do not use any knox features in our work, so that should not be a problem.
Thank you for any tips.

Firstly, the provided link does not work. 404 Page not found.
GNJ8..what s4 version is that?
I used CF-Auto-Root to root my s4. But this method does not work on all s4 versions so make sure you read carefully. The third post says on what model of the s4 it works. The thread can be found here.
I use TWRP. CWM just wouldn't flash on my device. Or, if it flashed, it didn't boot into CWM recovery. Kept booting into stock recovery. So I tried flashing TWRP and this one worked so I stick with it.
Make sure that it's the latest firmware for your device. And note that if you're on lollipop, you can't downgrade to kitkat anymore. So you will be stuck on the limited selection of lollipop roms for now.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4/general/guide-how-to-install-custom-roms-t2852310
sorry for the link.
GNJ8 - European snapdragon version (GT i9505) bought in O2.
CF Auto Root is good idea.
"Make sure that it's the latest firmware for your device." means what exactly ? I have the latest 4.4.4 official stock firmware...

You realize that going from stock to GPE will trip knox, right? Any custom rom or bootloader will trip the knox flag

1. Flash TWRP or Philz recovery true Odin.
2. Wipe data (prepare for new rom) in the recovery.
3. Flash the rom you want with the recovery.
It's as simple as that. You don't need root to do it.

Yep, i know about knox. I dont think i need it.
TWRP which version ? Wipe data/cache (no format /system or similar?) and flash custom rom ? not hard. In fact it sounds so easy that i cant believe What about some post about firmware that with some firmwares you have to do that and sometimes this...

skejpa said:
Yep, i know about knox. I dont think i need it.
TWRP which version ? Wipe data/cache (no format /system or similar?) and flash custom rom ? not hard. In fact it sounds so easy that i cant believe What about some post about firmware that with some firmwares you have to do that and sometimes this...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Format system/data wipe of course before flashing a new rom. Pick the version for your phone from TWRP.
Ignore those posts about firmwares.

Xposed and Safestrap on Lollipop?

I recently upgraded today from 4.4.2 to 5.0 OC4 and kept root using this method: http://forum.xda-developers.com/ver...0-keeproot-t3068546/post59791648#post59791648
However, I had no Idea it would be so hard (impossible?) to get xposed back. Is there any way in which I could install xposed ARM without having a custom recovery on my verizon G900V running lollipop?
I also read an article on another website that said you can flash safestrap with odin, go into safestrap, install anything necessary, and then reflash current ROM? I am not TOO knowledgable with all of this, however I have found my way around all this enough to ensure myself root and all needed features. Any help or information would be amazing.
Article: http://www.droidforums.net/threads/galaxy-s5-safestrap-after-the-lollipop-update.279867/
I was considering flashing the xposed ARM file with flashfire, however I read someone else was stuck in a bootloop who tried this. Would this not work? Is there any method? I was also looking into flash gordon which lets you flash .zip files without requiring custom recovery. Thanks!
EDIT: Just did some more research and found this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4-att/general/nc1-flasher-odin-to-safestrap-t3082620
It seems as if its possible, however this thread is for the OC3 version, while I flashed the OC4... Anyone out there done anything like this before, or knows how to provide the needed steps? Thanks again.

Go to the xposed thread and read any comment at all. It doesn't work on touchwiz based lollipop architecture. PERIOD. you didn't need a new thread in this forum to learn that...

I see, is there some way that I could downgrade. I've been looking into that for awhile now to go back to my 4.4.2 but there's a ton of methods and I am not sure which is required for my device. I canno't seem to find a specific method for my g900v s5. Thanks for you're reply, and I hope I can downgrade.

synkro1 said:
I see, is there some way that I could downgrade. I've been looking into that for awhile now to go back to my 4.4.2 but there's a ton of methods and I am not sure which is required for my device. I canno't seem to find a specific method for my g900v s5. Thanks for you're reply, and I hope I can downgrade.
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Click to collapse
You can use this guide: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=3088571 it might need some modification for 4.4.2, however.

synkro1 said:
I see, is there some way that I could downgrade.j I've been looking into that for awhile now to go back to my 4.4.2 but there's a ton of methods and I am not sure which is required for my device. I canno't seem to find a specific method for my g900v s5. Thanks for you're reply, and I hope I can downgrade.
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Click to collapse
You can go up and down as often as you like. I would Odin the NCG tar from the link below and reroot.
You probably still have safestrap. You could try this first. Go to download mode and Odin the NE9 kernel. When your phone starts booting up you should see the safestrap option to boot into recovery. Boot into recovery, install a rooted NE9 ROM of your choice. Boot back into download mode via safestrap and Odin the NE9 firmware. Let your phone boot all the way up and you should be good to go. Use NCG kernels and firmware-roms if you would rather be on NGC.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/ver...ment/stock-collection-kernels-modems-t2842069
If safestrap doesn't show up, Odin the full NCG tar file and reroot your phone.

Thanks so much for your help, the only problem is I never installed safestrap on my phone. So I do not currently have safe strap, or any custom recovery. So i can just use the odin method then, correct?

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synkro1 said:
Thanks so much for your help, the only problem is I never installed safestrap on my phone. So I do not currently have safe strap, or any custom recovery. So i can just use the odin method then, correct?
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Yes, sir. That would be correct. Since you are rooted, there is an app called Flashfire you could use that doesn't even require a computer but if you are familiar with Odin that is a good way to go as well.

I have flashfire installed, in fact I used it to upgrade to lollipop. What settings should I use with flashfire to downgrade to lollipop? Do i have to clear cache or anything? And will the file from the notes #4 from here work?: http://forum.xda-developers.com/ver...0-keeproot-t3068546/post59791648#post59791648

synkro1 said:
I have flashfire installed, in factj I used it to upgrade to lollipop. What settings should I use with flashfire to downgrade to lollipop? Do i have to clear cache or anything? And will the file from the notes #4 from here work?: http://forum.xda-developers.com/ver...0-keeproot-t3068546/post59791648#post59791648
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What ROM do you want to have on your phone?

Just a normal stock 4.4.2 ROM works fine for me.

synkro1 said:
Just a normal stock 4.4.2 ROM works fine for me.
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Click to collapse
Download this ROM onto your SD card. I prefer deodex
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2793931
Download the NGC retail firmware from here.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/ver...ment/stock-collection-kernels-modems-t2842069
In Flashfire, select firmware and navigate to your firmware. Just check boot and recovery
Next select zip-ota, navigate to your ROM. Leave auto mount unchecked.
Select firmware again. This time check boot, recovery, modem, and firmware. Flashfire will ask if you want them in separate zips. Click yes
Now select wipe. Check everything but SD card.
Now arrange everything in this order
Wipe
Firmware-boot recovery
Zip-rom
Firmware modem firmware
Firmware-boot recovery
Ever root- inject supersu
Boot normal
That should do it. You should be rooted on 4.4.2

Tulsadiver said:
Download this ROM onto your SD card. I prefer deodex
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2793931
Download the NGC retail firmware from here.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/ver...ment/stock-collection-kernels-modems-t2842069
In Flashfire, select firmware and navigate to your firmware. Just check boot and recovery
Next select zip-ota, navigate to your ROM. Leave auto mount unchecked.
Select firmware again. This time check boot, recovery, modem, and firmware. Flashfire will ask if you want them in separate zips. Click yes
Now select wipe. Check everything but SD card.
Now arrange everything in this order
Wipe
Firmware-boot recovery
Zip-rom
Firmware modem firmware
Firmware-boot recovery
Ever root- inject supersu
Boot normal
That should do it. You should be rooted on 4.4.2
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Click to collapse
Ur amazing. I'll try it and let you know. Thanks so much for your help.

Thanks so much! It worked perfectly! I had a problem initially after installing towelroot and xposed and got an error when rebooting the phone called "Process system isn't responding". My phone kept freezing and was super slow because of this. I believe it was due to me restoring contacts from titanium backup. I restored the contacts system app as a whole. I didn't realize that at the time however, and just system restored my phone again, and did everything the same yet didn't restore my contacts, and the message is now gone. I am not running root with xposed on 4.4.2. Your amazing!

[Q] coming from s4...little confused, some root questions

im on 4.4.4 NK2. from what I gather, best way to go is root from what im on now and not take the lollipop update. just want to make sure that is correct and that this is correct way....
1. Flash The NCG stock kernel via Odin
2. Reboot & Root using Towelroot
3. Install SuperSU, open the app and allow it to update binaries normally
4. Flash NK2 kernel via ODIN
after that, is the newest lollipop update worth taking? i heard there was problems.
also, i see that there is FlashFire beta....i know its basically mobile odin....is safestarp still necessary to flash roms or can i flash them via FlashFire?
thanks in advance!

djcyph said:
im on 4.4.4 NK2. from what I gather, best way to go is root from what im on now and not take the lollipop update. just want to make sure that is correct and that this is correct way....
1. Flash The NCG stock kernel via Odin
2. Reboot & Root using Towelroot
3. Install SuperSU, open the app and allow it to update binaries normally
4. Flash NK2 kernel via ODIN
after that, is the newest lollipop update worth taking? i heard there was problems.
also, i see that there is FlashFire beta....i know its basically mobile odin....is safestarp still necessary to flash roms or can i flash them via FlashFire?
thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looks like you have it right. If your phone is new to you you might consider flashing the full wipe NGC tar file and starting from scratch. Good way to get rid of any junk that might be on your phone.
You can flash with flashfire and go up and down and keep root easily and without using odin. In my opinion, it's still good to have safestrap. It is the only recovery available to you. I still run 4.4.4 on my S5 though I haven't tried the very latest lollipop that came out. I'm fine running RicksRom.

What ROMs can I install using SafeStrap on a locked Verizon bootloader?

I have a Galaxy S5 (Verizon) SM-G900V that's running stock rooted Lollipop. Safestrap is on here, but yes, the bootloader is locked. Other than going to Marshmallow (and losing root), are there any custom ROMs (I'm looking for speed and stability) that this phone can take? Or am I stuck with stock, which means I'm stuck with Lollipop if I want to stay rooted?

My choice is this one without root for CID11 or full-featured systemless devbase for CID15.

Thank you. I assume I use safestrap to install on my rooted stock CID 11, but on this new one without root won't be able to restore apps from Titanium. Are there any other alternatives an 11 can use and keep root, and if I try one can but change my mind can I restore a backup in safestrap to get back to rooted stock?
bbsc said:
My choice is this one without root for CID11 or full-featured systemless devbase for CID15.
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Click to collapse

androidman807 said:
1) is that right that it's possible to safestrap a different ROM with my locked bootloader?
2) If yes, how can I tell which ROMs are stock I can use in safestrap (like Phoenixrom) and which are custom I can't use (like LineageOS)?
3) if I have a SS backup of my stock lollipop and don't like phoenix (which seems to be MM) can I restore from safestrap back to my stock LL? Or could I just re-install the stock LL image?
4) can I/should I update the modem in this process, or does the locked bootloader prevent that?
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Click to collapse
You'd better use a single thread for similar questions. There's a nice SM-G900V section too.
1. Yes.
2. You're limited to a stock signed Verizon-Samsung kernel, not to a stock ROM. You can (in theory) install any ROM that can use a stock signed Verizon-Samsung kernel but even a kernel from SM-G900F will not work.
LOS uses it's own kernel.
TWRP uses it's own kernel.
RR uses it's own kernel.
Root on 6.0.1 and above needs kernel modification.
These won't work.
If Phoenix can use a stock kernel (I don't know), it will work.
3. You may want to have a look at this thread: https://forum.xda-developers.com/verizon-galaxy-s5/help/getting-safestrap-loop-t3601977
I don't usually do it myself but it should be possible.
It's not an easy way and there are some logical traps on it.
So think it over before the action.
4. Locked bootloader does not prevent modem updating. It's definitely possible. You can simply flash a modem part of stock firmware in Odin.

Thanks. I've tried casting a broader net, unsure if my problem was Verizon-specific or not. Turns out, it's even more specific than that, as at least some 900Vs have unlocked bootloaders and some (mine) don't.
As I look back over my journey, you were there from the beginning when I was trying to upgrade from 4.4.2 to my current Lollipop and keeping root. Following the steps of the amazing @jrkruse led to different problems, which still persist. There seems no way to fix that, from which I conclude the jrkruse stock ROM and this phone don't get along. Hence, the idea to try a different ROM other than this LL. It seems that my locked bootloader has me on stuck on this particular stock ROM if I want to keep root. There is no list of other ROMs I can put on this CID11, and I'm not sophisticated enough to know which I can try and Safestrap back safely if things aren't wonderful. This has me doing a hot reboot every day or two when I see wifi can't get DNS, but I don't see any other option other than buying a newer Galaxy with a microSD card and an unlocked bootloader (maybe the S8?). Regardless, this sums up my journey, I've learned a lot along the way, and both you and @KazuDante were extremely helpful and earned my Thanks button many many times. Thanks again.
bbsc said:
You'd better use a single thread for similar questions. There's a nice SM-G900V section too.
1. Yes.
2. You're limited to a stock signed Verizon-Samsung kernel, not to a stock ROM. You can (in theory) install any ROM that can use a stock signed Verizon-Samsung kernel but even a kernel from SM-G900F will not work.
LOS uses it's own kernel.
TWRP uses it's own kernel.
RR uses it's own kernel.
Root on 6.0.1 and above needs kernel modification.
These won't work.
If Phoenix can use a stock kernel (I don't know), it will work.
3. You may want to have a look at this thread: https://forum.xda-developers.com/verizon-galaxy-s5/help/getting-safestrap-loop-t3601977
I don't usually do it myself but it should be possible.
It's not an easy way and there are some logical traps on it.
So think it over before the action.
4. Locked bootloader does not prevent modem updating. It's definitely possible. You can simply flash a modem part of stock firmware in Odin.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

bbsc said:
4. Locked bootloader does not prevent modem updating. It's definitely possible. You can simply flash a modem part of stock firmware in Odin.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ps: I read the first ten pages of this thread about modems, but the first post strongly implies that they're not flashable with all the crossouts, which leaves with Odin, but if I'm reading it right one needs TWRP, which I don't have, only safestrap. If there's a different modem thread I should look at, or if should try the Odin ones, thanks for pointing me in the right direction. It seems I'm terrible at finding what I'm searching for in this info-rich site.

androidman807, which firmware (modem, kernel, bootloader) do you have and which do you want to have?
P.S. "Odin: (necessary for those with TWRP recovery)" means that a phone with TWRP has "Binary status: Custom" and there's no other way to update modem except Odin.

Baseband : PB1
Build : PB1
Kernel : 3.4.0
At this point I'll take any rooted firmware that is stable and not sluggish with this phone, with ability to at least get back to this if it's a step backwards.
bbsc said:
androidman807, which firmware (modem, kernel, bootloader) do you have and which do you want to have?
P.S. "Odin: (necessary for those with TWRP recovery)" means that a phone with TWRP has "Binary status: Custom" and there's no other way to update modem except Odin.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

androidman807 said:
Baseband : PB1
Build : PB1
Kernel : 3.4.0
At this point I'll take any rooted firmware that is stable and not sluggish with this phone, with ability to at least get back to this if it's a step backwards.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think, if you have network problems with this phone, it will be the best to backup your data and try a factory firmware with full factory reset.
If you're currently on BPB1 you can try any firmware above (and including) BOK3 and return back to BPB1 if you don't like it.
Firmwares BOK3 and BPB1 (your current) can be rooted after installation.
If I remember correctly, you need root to use Titanium backup app.
But you may want first try if the network problems persist on different stock firmwares.
I'd begin with the latest - DQI2.

Titanium is a big reason why I want to keep root. So BOK3 and DQI2 are ones I can root and still return to PB1. Thanks, I'll start looking for them and their rooting procedures.
bbsc said:
I think, if you have network problems with this phone, it will be the best to backup your data and try a factory firmware with full factory reset.
If you're currently on BPB1 you can try any firmware above (and including) BOK3 and return back to BPB1 if you don't like it.
Firmwares BOK3 and BPB1 (your current) can be rooted after installation.
If I remember correctly, you need root to use Titanium backup app.
But you may want first try if the network problems persist on different stock firmwares.
I'd begin with the latest - DQI2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

androidman807 said:
So BOK3 and DQI2 are ones I can root and still return to PB1.
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Click to collapse
No. I've written something different above.
You can flash BOK3 - DQI2 and return back after this. There're 14 firmwares.
But you can root only BOK3 and BPB1 from those 14 firmwares.
I advice you to flash DQI2 just to see if it solves network problems.

androidman807 said:
ps: I read the first ten pages of this thread about modems, but the first post strongly implies that they're not flashable with all the crossouts, which leaves with Odin, but if I'm reading it right one needs TWRP, which I don't have, only safestrap. If there's a different modem thread I should look at, or if should try the Odin ones, thanks for pointing me in the right direction. It seems I'm terrible at finding what I'm searching for in this info-rich site.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can flash modems using odin even if you dont have twrp , they made it that way for those who are not on stock firmwareand that have twrp for example those who are on nougat , instead of flashing back stock and redoo the whole thing all over again , so in the vzw section there is a thread that has all the latest modems ( i think qh2) , just download qh2 ( i used the non-hlos for 4g) and in odin use ap and select the downloaded tar(modem) and flash , phone has to be in download mode.

Thank you. I was hot on the modem idea when I was going to switch to Lineage or something else as a natural step. But since it's tied to 4G and cell service and not my sporadic DNS-on-wifi issue, I'm not sure I see the benefit, but then I could be wrong. I figure a different ROM will have different drivers for the wifi radio and solve things. At least that's been my hope all along.
KazuDante said:
You can flash modems using odin even if you dont have twrp , they made it that way for those who are not on stock firmwareand that have twrp for example those who are on nougat , instead of flashing back stock and redoo the whole thing all over again , so in the vzw section there is a thread that has all the latest modems ( i think qh2) , just download qh2 ( i used the non-hlos for 4g) and in odin use ap and select the downloaded tar(modem) and flash , phone has to be in download mode.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Thank you! I will likely flash this with Odin over the weekend (or with SafeStrap?). I've found QI2 here, the first of the two links. Just to be prepared, what steps will I take to rooting this new ROM?
bbsc said:
I advice you to flash DQI2 just to see if it solves network problems.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Where can I find BOK3, and how do I root it after installation if I don't have TWRP (but only safestrap)?
Edit: here's OK3 with steps on how to root it, but they're quite scary and possibly outdated.
bbsc said:
I think, if you have network problems with this phone, it will be the best to backup your data and try a factory firmware with full factory reset.
If you're currently on BPB1 you can try any firmware above (and including) BOK3 and return back to BPB1 if you don't like it.
Firmwares BOK3 and BPB1 (your current) can be rooted after installation.
If I remember correctly, you need root to use Titanium backup app.
But you may want first try if the network problems persist on different stock firmwares.
I'd begin with the latest - DQI2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Thanks again - I flashed with Odin the DQI2 I found but didn't know how to root it (Safestrap erased and no TWRP). Maybe the answer is the same as the other post I just replied to. That's obviously a blind spot I have that has me stuck on PB1 - I don't know how to root anything else on this CID 11.
bbsc said:
No. I've written something different above.
You can flash BOK3 - DQI2 and return back after this. There're 14 firmwares.
But you can root only BOK3 and BPB1 from those 14 firmwares.
I advice you to flash DQI2 just to see if it solves network problems.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse