Database Users

[Q] Converting my GT-I9505 into (almost) Google Edition

Hi guys, I have read a bit about rooting and flashing custom roms for the GSIV but being my first time (on this phone) I thought it would be better to ask for some help from you experts ^_^
I would like to convert my GSIV as close as possible to a Google Edition one, in the sense that I don't want to have a super custom ultra cool rom, I just want a stock-like one, stock kernel, maybe a few extra features, root, nothing special...
Now, is it possible to do that without voiding warranty, or at least with the possibility to turn back the phone in a warranty covered state?
Could you point me to one simple guide to do so and maybe suggest a rom suited to my needs? It can get a bit confusing, there's too much complicated stuff for a newbie!
Thank you in advance!

Yes, it is possible to convert the i9505 (almost) completely to a Google Play device (though you will not receive OTA updates, so you'll have to download them yourself). It's fairly easy once you have a custom recovery installed.
Though, warranty might be an issue. In many countries, it will be void once you root and install a recovery, though this does vary. This also increments a "counter" in the device, so even if you restore it to its original state, it is still possible to see that you have at some point modified the software (although there are methods to root the device without incrementing the counter, not to mention that many have managed to claim warranty despite this). That said, this will again differ based on your country.
Now, if you're still up for it, there are several guides online which can tell you how to root and install a recovery on the phone. If you're running the stock 4.4.2 firmware from Samsung, then you can follow this guide to root:
samsungsfour.com/tutorials/root-samsung-galaxy-gt-i9505-s4-running-on-android-4-4-2-kitkat.html
Thereafter, you can install a custom recovery from
gadgetsacademy.com/install-cwm-twrp-recovery-on-galaxy-s4-lte-i9505/
(These are just two of the links which you get after a Google search)
Note that you don't really need root for this, just the custom recovery. Though, having root is a nice addition if you want to back up your apps using Titanium Backup.
Once that is done, you can download a Google Play based ROM from here on XDA, such as
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2557353
or
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2544474
Just reboot into recovery, wipe data, and select the zip file from your sd-card/internal storage.
Though, remember to backup your apps/data first.

Takenoko_, thank you so much for the detailed answer, it has been really helpful! One question, if I understood correctly, it is possible to install a custom recovery WITHOUT rooting, so if I did this and then flashed a rooted ROM I should have root in the end, right?

That's right. As you'll be using Odin, root should, at least in theory, not be needed to install a custom recovery. You can instead gain this by flashing a pre-rooted ROM

Great, all done! Thank you!

No problem

yes you can
just install custom recovery, (philz i like)
then flash dandvh rom
done
it comes rooted
----------
sorry i forgot
in some cases, you need to update modems by flashing
or just update your s4 to 4.4.2 then flash the gpe rom

Can't upgrade to Lollipop

I have an SM-N900V model running Android 4.4.4. When I check for system updates, I get this message: "Your Samsung SM-N900V is up to date." Is Lollipop not available for my model, or is there another way to install it? I'd also be interested in rooting and installing a custom rom, if that's yet possible for this model number.

There's aways Odin if you don't mind the backing up / restoring of the (internal, psuedo-) SDcard.
There are rooting methods for OF1 in the general forum. (Some folks find them to posses "unsavory" characteristics e.g. use of an unknown executable on a PC)
I can't remember whether towelroot works on 4.4. That might be worth a try just before committing to a full stock / wipe Odin experience.
The bootloader unlock thread is in the general forum. Read THE ENTIRE THREAD before you start in on it.
If you are able to root your current ROM, you can unlock your bootloader* and immediately flash twrp to the recovery partition which would allow you to backup your current ROM (and use "flashable" installer .zip bundles e.g. the SuperSU installer)
*Note that booting a custom kernel or recovery after bootloader unlock blows the knox warranty flag, and this has implications beyond the cosmetics; even after reverting to pure stock there is a loss of functionality relating to TrustZone behavior. (I was using an app that isn't particularly security related, and it blows up with qseecom errors even on stock roms now. Not sure why it ends up invoking TZ functionality as it doesn't do encryption nor use any auth key credentials; but there you go - unintended consequences.)
There are a ton of recent Android vuln disclosures that more than likely are exploitable, but it would appear that there are no Note3 devs looking at them.
good luck

Please Point Me to The Right Direction

Hello the Wonderful and Fantastic Members of the XDA Community,
I'm in the process of researching on how to unlock bootloader, install magix and ultimately root the phone, and I hope that someone can point me to the right guides to accomplish these steps. I have been trying to figure it out but would feel much better if someone can point me to the right guide as opposed to me blindly guessing which guide I should follow. This is what I know so far:
1. I believe that in order to use Magix, I need to have a "Custom Recovery" which requires I unlock phone's "bootloader". But before I can do that, I need to have a stock system, which DrakenFX had gracious posted but I'm not too sure how to find. Can someone point me to the right forum to obtain the stock system image from DrakenFX and the guide to unlocking the bootloader for this phone? What are some precautions I should take prior to attempting to unlock the bootloader? And what do I need to do with the stock system if everything goes south with my attempt? I'm currently on A2017UV1.0.0B27 (after the latest update). Will the stock system work with that?
2. I believe that after I unlock the bootloader, I have to install the Custom Recovery, which I think I should use TWRP - is it compatible with magix? After I install TWRP, I need to use TWRP to "flash" magix onto my phone? How can I install TWRP and use it to flash magix? What are some of the precautions I need to take before my attempt to complete step 2?
3. I think after I installed the customer recovery and flash magix, rooting "should" be easier for me, but please point me to the appropriate guide to accomplish that.
Extra Question: I read in one of the forums that after I unlock the bootloader, I will no longer able to receive On The Air updates, how can I continue to receive these updates after bootloader is unlocked and what happens when ZTE roll out Android N for the Axon 7? Will I be able to update to that version?
Here are all the facts about my phone:
Model: ZTE A2017U
Android Version: 6.0.1
Kernel Version: 3.18.20
Build Number: A2017UV1.0.0B27
Thank you all so very much for your patience, understanding, and kind help, I'm forever grateful!

First flash TWRP by following this guide: http://forum.xda-developers.com/axon-7/development/wip-axon-7-root-bootloader-unlokced-t3441204
Then unlock your bootloader by following this guide: http://forum.xda-developers.com/axon-7/how-to/guide-how-to-unlock-bootloader-stay-t3461165
I've never used Magisk before (I just stick with SuperSU), so I'll leave that part to someone else.
As for the extra question:
If you used ZTE's official bootloader unlock method (which required you to submit a form with your IMEI), you'll no longer get OTAs, but if you do it all unofficially (like these guides), you'll still get OTAs. HOWEVER, the OTAs will not install if you make changes to the device besides bootloader unlock. If you have a custom recovery it won't apply. If you have systemless root (which modifies the boot image) it won't apply. If you use Magisk (which modifies the boot image) it won't apply. If you make changes to /system it won't apply. So basically, besides having an unlocked bootloader, you have to be full and complete stock to install OTAs.
However, after an OTA comes out, I suspect that someone will make a TWRP-flashable version.

@xtermmin Thank you so much for your reply, I greatly appreciate it!
Quick question, Is there a way to install TWRP without having to root first? The reason I ask was according to Magix, it must be flashed prior to the system being rooted.

@xtermmin Thank you so much for your reply, I greatly appreciate it!
Quick question, Is there a way to install TWRP without having to root first? The reason I ask was according to Magix, it must be flashed prior to the system being rooted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't need to root to flash TWRP.

Android noob coming from iOS, really need some guidance

Hey, sorry if this thread is a little dumb.
I havent had an Android since Froyo, and I've been a jailbroken iOS user since until now. And I am LOST.
I'm not a noob when it comes to tech so I normally catch on quickly but I'm just overwhelmed with the amount of new information and how instructions for installing stuff are usually a little vague
Basically, I wanna root. I dont care about updates and I dont care about roms. I just want root to get GCam, Substratum, Greenifiy, Tasker, AdAway, liveboot (and boot animations) AND get Franco Kernel. The usual stuff.
But the more I try to understand what I have to do the more confused I get. I know that I have to do the whole fastboot bootloader unlock, that seems to be universal, but then if I'm not on 8.0 or 7.1, I cant install TWRP permanently because there isnt an installer.zip for it? So then I just have to downgrade with Mi Flash tools, and then its just a sea of image files and I dont know which one I have to pick.
I would really appreciate it if someone could tell me what exactly do I have to do to root on 8.1 while also getting permanent TWRP so I can use Franco Kernel
Thanks

Ugh, yeah, you're a bit lost. Just follow this video
. Then just flash magisk zip and reboot. After that, follow this video
start from 4:01 onwards. Then youre good to go

Since you already have unlocked bootloader you now just have to install twrp recovery and flash magisk file in twrp to get root access. Just follow this guide its very easy to install recovery and flash magisk
https://www.google.com.pk/amp/s/for...ery-twrp-3-1-1-0-touch-recovery-t3688472/amp/

Need help rooting my phone. Model: SM-C9000 c9ltechn, 8.0 oreo Samsung experience 9.0

First of all, I want to tell you that I'm not very familiar with rooting but have just a bit experience flashing custom roms, so please go easy on me.
I have done some research and found a couple things that I couldn't find answers for:
1) First one is that apparently you need your bootloader unlocked/ OEM unlocking enabled in developer options, however since I upgraded to Oreo in last August, that option disappeared. I've tried two methods for making it appear that I've found online (keeping phone up for 7 days straight and reverting time back) but none worked. I've read somewhere that if you downgrade to Nougat, enable it then re update to Oreo your bootloader will remain unlocked. So, can someone confirm this? Can you downgrade with a locked bootloader? And if so, can someone guide me through it? (Additional question: will the downgrade reset user data?)
2) After unlocking bootloader you need to flash TWRP but I have so many questions on that. First: I couldn't find a TWRP for oreo. Does it work regardless of os version? Second: I found a guide from XDA that is written long ago, and it says "make a full backup of your system, including EFS before flashing". How do you backup without flashing it tho? All guides are about using either a custom recovery or rooted app.
3) Do you really need TWRP? I mean, can't you flash Magisk via Odin/ADB directly, perhaps without unlocking bootloader? What happens if I use install command from ADB?
4) So does tripping knox fuse achieve anything other than killing the nonexistent system updates and samsung guarantee? I want to make sure Samsung health is going to operate.