Easiest way to install custom ROMs to GS4? (i337) - Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I have a Samsung Galaxy S4 i337 with the oc4 bootloader running android 5.0.1. I'm seeking help on how to flash a custom ROM onto this device. It seems that it's very difficult to install a custom recovery onto the device, as it has a locked bootloader.
I've been reading up here on XDA and it seems the only possible way to do anything is to root it, but the only method I've used in the past to root phones was simply flashing root.zip in a custom recovery. I have seen a program called KingRoot that is apparently able to root the device on 5.0.1, however, I do not have much confirmation and it seems a slight bit sketchy. Even after rooting, I'm not sure of whether or not I'd be able to install a custom recovery and a custom rom from there.
The other thing I have seen is Safestrap. However, I do not know if it works with the oc4 bootloader. I have read this guide on XDA titled "Odin to Stock, Updating, Rooting, and Safestrap Guide" however, it doesn't really tell me the process of installing Safestrap onto a 5.0.1 device. If I "odin back to stock" to an earlier version of android, will I be able to then root and install custom recovery or Safestrap more easily? Link:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4-att/general/guide-odin-to-stock-updating-rooting-t2926642
TL;DR: what's the easiest way to install custom ROMs onto the i337 Galaxy S4 running Android 5.0.1 with the oc4 bootloader?

I wouldn't reallly recommend kingroot.
And rooting your phone does not allow you to install a custom recovery. In fact, those are two different things which are non-dependent of each other.
To install a custom recovery and rom you will probably need to unlock the bootloader. Something about loki patching it.

Related

[Q] Deleted Stock Recovery?

Hello, so even though I'm fairly new to the world of custom ROM's I feel as though this website has provided me with more than sufficient information for me to keep on flashing. I've flashed a few ROM's in the past but I'm currently stuck as for what I should do next. I currently have an S4 ATT MF3 which I would like to upgrade to MK2 so that I can put a 4.4.2. ROM via Safestrap using the Deadly Venom method.
Based on the guide (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2573080) I need to boot into the stock recovery and flash stock MF3 then MK2 which I can then root and safestrap. When I added my first ROM on this device I replaced the stock ROM (I have a hatred for TouchWiz) and replaced with a GPE ROM.
My phone can no longer boot into the stock Samsung recovery, it merely just bootloops instead, but I can still flash via Safestrap. So what should I do? Can I get the stock recovery back? Would I have any issues if I flash the MK2 update via Safestrap instead of the stock recovery? Will flashing the MF3 stock tar via Odin be all that I need to do? Any advice would be appreciated!
DarthVayda said:
Hello, so even though I'm fairly new to the world of custom ROM's I feel as though this website has provided me with more than sufficient information for me to keep on flashing. I've flashed a few ROM's in the past but I'm currently stuck as for what I should do next. I currently have an S4 ATT MF3 which I would like to upgrade to MK2 so that I can put a 4.4.2. ROM via Safestrap using the Deadly Venom method.
Based on the guide (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2573080) I need to boot into the stock recovery and flash stock MF3 then MK2 which I can then root and safestrap. When I added my first ROM on this device I replaced the stock ROM (I have a hatred for TouchWiz) and replaced with a GPE ROM.
My phone can no longer boot into the stock Samsung recovery, it merely just bootloops instead, but I can still flash via Safestrap. So what should I do? Can I get the stock recovery back? Would I have any issues if I flash the MK2 update via Safestrap instead of the stock recovery? Will flashing the MF3 stock tar via Odin be all that I need to do? Any advice would be appreciated!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you don't mind losing your user data (back up anything you want from internal storage) just flash the MK2 full ODIN. Otherwise, there is a thread somewhere with just the MF3 recovery image and if you have root you could use an app to manually flash that (don't remember the app).
DeadlySin9 said:
If you don't mind losing your user data (back up anything you want from internal storage) just flash the MK2 full ODIN. Otherwise, there is a thread somewhere with just the MF3 recovery image and if you have root you could use an app to manually flash that (don't remember the app).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The app is flashify
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
Possible to restore stock recovery?
So after (stupidly) assuming that I knew what I was doing since I have been rooting/flashing/breaking/fixing my S3 for two years now that I would be able to easily install CM11 on my dad's S4 since he is always complaining about AT&T bloatware. He is running the absolute latest update from AT&T and never rooted or anything. I was able to successfully root it using the extSdCard method, but then made the mistake of trying to flash TWRP.
After a couple of failures, I went onto these forums to see that it is well documented that custom recoveries do not work with the latest firmware. Noted, and I will keep an eye out for updates to this issue.
My questions:
Since the goal was only to install Cyanogenmod 11, I would have just run the CM Windows Installer if I wasn't trying to create a full stock backup first (hence why I tried rooting and installing TWRP first). Since that is no longer an option, has anyone attempted to use the CM Windows Installer on the MF3 build? I assume that if a custom recovery cannot be installed that this method will not work, but was just wondering if anyone has had success.
The more important questions...
Since the stock recovery is now gone, will this create an issue if a new OTA update is released and he attempts to install? I am wondering if the OTA updates rely on the existing recovery to complete the update or if the OTA will rebuild it before installing the update?
Lastly, are there reliable methods for restoring the stock recovery?
Thanks everyone!
pravus87 said:
So after (stupidly) assuming that I knew what I was doing since I have been rooting/flashing/breaking/fixing my S3 for two years now that I would be able to easily install CM11 on my dad's S4 since he is always complaining about AT&T bloatware. He is running the absolute latest update from AT&T and never rooted or anything. I was able to successfully root it using the extSdCard method, but then made the mistake of trying to flash TWRP.
After a couple of failures, I went onto these forums to see that it is well documented that custom recoveries do not work with the latest firmware. Noted, and I will keep an eye out for updates to this issue.
My questions:
Since the goal was only to install Cyanogenmod 11, I would have just run the CM Windows Installer if I wasn't trying to create a full stock backup first (hence why I tried rooting and installing TWRP first). Since that is no longer an option, has anyone attempted to use the CM Windows Installer on the MF3 build? I assume that if a custom recovery cannot be installed that this method will not work, but was just wondering if anyone has had success.
The more important questions...
Since the stock recovery is now gone, will this create an issue if a new OTA update is released and he attempts to install? I am wondering if the OTA updates rely on the existing recovery to complete the update or if the OTA will rebuild it before installing the update?
Lastly, are there reliable methods for restoring the stock recovery?
Thanks everyone!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would flash in Odin the stock mf3 tar file, but out will wipe the device. All his apps and data. If you can find the mf3 recovery image file you could try to flash that in flashify, if you're rooted
Edit, found this. I didn't download the file but I'm guessing it's a .img file. You could flash that in flashify or use the dd command
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
pravus87 said:
So after (stupidly) assuming that I knew what I was doing since I have been rooting/flashing/breaking/fixing my S3 for two years now that I would be able to easily install CM11 on my dad's S4 since he is always complaining about AT&T bloatware. He is running the absolute latest update from AT&T and never rooted or anything. I was able to successfully root it using the extSdCard method, but then made the mistake of trying to flash TWRP.
After a couple of failures, I went onto these forums to see that it is well documented that custom recoveries do not work with the latest firmware. Noted, and I will keep an eye out for updates to this issue.
My questions:
Since the goal was only to install Cyanogenmod 11, I would have just run the CM Windows Installer if I wasn't trying to create a full stock backup first (hence why I tried rooting and installing TWRP first). Since that is no longer an option, has anyone attempted to use the CM Windows Installer on the MF3 build? I assume that if a custom recovery cannot be installed that this method will not work, but was just wondering if anyone has had success.
The more important questions...
Since the stock recovery is now gone, will this create an issue if a new OTA update is released and he attempts to install? I am wondering if the OTA updates rely on the existing recovery to complete the update or if the OTA will rebuild it before installing the update?
Lastly, are there reliable methods for restoring the stock recovery?
Thanks everyone!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In addition to the above post from jd, the CM installer will not work on our device as our bootloader is locked. There is no way to run any AOSP based ROM once your phone is on MF3 firmware or higher.
DarthVayda said:
Hello, so even though I'm fairly new to the world of custom ROM's I feel as though this website has provided me with more than sufficient information for me to keep on flashing. I've flashed a few ROM's in the past but I'm currently stuck as for what I should do next. I currently have an S4 ATT MF3 which I would like to upgrade to MK2 so that I can put a 4.4.2. ROM via Safestrap using the Deadly Venom method.
Based on the guide (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2573080) I need to boot into the stock recovery and flash stock MF3 then MK2 which I can then root and safestrap. When I added my first ROM on this device I replaced the stock ROM (I have a hatred for TouchWiz) and replaced with a GPE ROM.
My phone can no longer boot into the stock Samsung recovery, it merely just bootloops instead, but I can still flash via Safestrap. So what should I do? Can I get the stock recovery back? Would I have any issues if I flash the MK2 update via Safestrap instead of the stock recovery? Will flashing the MF3 stock tar via Odin be all that I need to do? Any advice would be appreciated!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
pravus87 said:
So after (stupidly) assuming that I knew what I was doing since I have been rooting/flashing/breaking/fixing my S3 for two years now that I would be able to easily install CM11 on my dad's S4 since he is always complaining about AT&T bloatware. He is running the absolute latest update from AT&T and never rooted or anything. I was able to successfully root it using the extSdCard method, but then made the mistake of trying to flash TWRP.
After a couple of failures, I went onto these forums to see that it is well documented that custom recoveries do not work with the latest firmware. Noted, and I will keep an eye out for updates to this issue.
My questions:
Since the goal was only to install Cyanogenmod 11, I would have just run the CM Windows Installer if I wasn't trying to create a full stock backup first (hence why I tried rooting and installing TWRP first). Since that is no longer an option, has anyone attempted to use the CM Windows Installer on the MF3 build? I assume that if a custom recovery cannot be installed that this method will not work, but was just wondering if anyone has had success.
The more important questions...
Since the stock recovery is now gone, will this create an issue if a new OTA update is released and he attempts to install? I am wondering if the OTA updates rely on the existing recovery to complete the update or if the OTA will rebuild it before installing the update?
Lastly, are there reliable methods for restoring the stock recovery?
Thanks everyone!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here is the MF3 stock recovery, flash in PDA slot in Odin(AP in Odin v3.09+): https://mega.co.nz/#!klcz1B4J!BVAno0CcaJ7aXc9tHgUtpQ0vy_NF5ceh7RogLR6JBTU
muniz_ri said:
Here is the MF3 stock recovery, flash in PDA slot in Odin(AP in Odin v3.09+): https://mega.co.nz/#!klcz1B4J!BVAno0CcaJ7aXc9tHgUtpQ0vy_NF5ceh7RogLR6JBTU
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks to everyone for all the information, and thank you especially for sharing the link. I am staying with my parents short-term in a very rural area with awful internet and I was dreading downloading the 2+GB stock firmware file just to get recovery back. This is perfect. Thanks again!

[Q] MF3 to NJ4?

Dear all,
first of all thanks again to this great community! there's so much here on xda...
and here my situation. I admit I am a bit rusty with flashing roms for samsung devices. I did root and flash roms for the galaxy S1, the S2 (the phone I loved the most so far) and the S3. But then I jumped to LG G2, then Sony with the Z2 and the Z3.
But my wife has an ATT Samsung Galaxy S4 and I need to catch up with Samsung modding.
I did root her phone 6 months ago. But now I would like to update to KitKat and I am a little lost.
Is there any way to upgrade from rooted 4.2.2 MF3 to 4.4.4 NJ4?
I found this post http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2717175
but it's for non-rooted MF3.
I do understand that, since I already have root, I need to install the Safestrap Recovery.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2448925
First issue: in the introduction @Hashcode mentions the risk for bootloop if ENCRYPTION is ENABLED. how do I know if that applies to me?
Then, if I succeed and install Safestrap 3.65 and I can access recovery, how do I proceed to install 4.4.4?
In the Safestrap post it is written "IF YOU'RE ON MF3 ONLY USE ROMS BASED ON MF3" so... how do I move forward?
Thanks a lot for the help!!!
MrYous said:
Dear all,
first of all thanks again to this great community! there's so much here on xda...
and here my situation. I admit I am a bit rusty with flashing roms for samsung devices. I did root and flash roms for the galaxy S1, the S2 (the phone I loved the most so far) and the S3. But then I jumped to LG G2, then Sony with the Z2 and the Z3.
But my wife has an ATT Samsung Galaxy S4 and I need to catch up with Samsung modding.
I did root her phone 6 months ago. But now I would like to update to KitKat and I am a little lost.
Is there any way to upgrade from rooted 4.2.2 MF3 to 4.4.4 NJ4?
I found this post http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2717175
but it's for non-rooted MF3.
I do understand that, since I already have root, I need to install the Safestrap Recovery.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2448925
First issue: in the introduction @Hashcode mentions the risk for bootloop if ENCRYPTION is ENABLED. how do I know if that applies to me?
Then, if I succeed and install Safestrap 3.65 and I can access recovery, how do I proceed to install 4.4.4?
In the Safestrap post it is written "IF YOU'RE ON MF3 ONLY USE ROMS BASED ON MF3" so... how do I move forward?
Thanks a lot for the help!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you don't know about encryption, you probably haven't enabled it. The easiest way is to ODIN to NB1 and then root from there. You'll lose your data so make sure to back up anything you want, including backing up your internal storage to another SD card or your computer. You might be able to jump to NB1 with the ROM here but I don't know if it flashes all the bootloader parts you'd need nor do I know if that would keep your data.
Thanks DeadlySin9!
I'm ok with flashing to NB1 with ODIN as I don't need to keep data.
Still few questions:
1. can I just flash with ODIN directly from MF3 to NB1?
2. OK if I flash the second file in this topic (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2674223) and then root?
3. this brings me to NB1 4.4.2. with root. How do I jump to NJ4 4.4.4 from there?
Thanks again!!
Ok. I did some further reading. This is what I found out to update from MF3 to NJ4.
1. Flash with Odin NB1 stock
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4-att/general/guide-odin-to-stock-updating-rooting-t2926642
2. Take the NJ4 OTA update
3. Flash with Odin NC1 kernel
4. Root using Towelroot
5. Flash with Odin NJ4 kernel
This should leave me with rooted NJ4.
Can anybody confirm I got the steps right?
Thanks again!
correct
Thats correct all the steps are right but if you are interested in having the safestrap recocery you will have to install that first before flashing the NJ4 kernel
Thanks @brownie9987!
I'm not sure I need Safestrap. My goal is to have a clean de-bloated stock 4.4.4 rom. So I plan to root and then uninstall all the samsung bloatware. Do you recommend otherwise?
thanks!
My opinion
Well the only problem I see if you take that route is that once you use towelroot to root youre device and just install flash the nj4 kernel youre still going to have samsung knox on youre device and once you reboot it will remove youre root I personally done all the steps you took but I installed safestrap and installed Goldeneye rom or Goldfinger great roms updated constantly and the best parts its completely stock no added anything no knox and you can choose to uninstall each app (bloatware) under the application manager im running Goldfinger right now and its based off of the samsung galaxy s5 and Goldeneye looks like the S4 it all just depends on what you like but with either one you cant go wrong as long as you follow the install instructions for safestrap users its very detailed
brownie9987 said:
Well the only problem I see if you take that route is that once you use towelroot to root youre device and just install flash the nj4 kernel youre still going to have samsung knox on youre device and once you reboot it will remove youre root I personally done all the steps you took but I installed safestrap and installed Goldeneye rom or Goldfinger great roms updated constantly and the best parts its completely stock no added anything no knox and you can choose to uninstall each app (bloatware) under the application manager im running Goldfinger right now and its based off of the samsung galaxy s5 and Goldeneye looks like the S4 it all just depends on what you like but with either one you cant go wrong as long as you follow the install instructions for safestrap users its very detailed
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks @brownie9987!
I'm going to read and see which one of the 2 to go with.
And thanks mentioning the Safestrap step. I wasn't considering knox.
Anytime
Not a problem anytime I've been there before the best of luck on you're choice!
Upgrading from MF3 rooted to NJ4 - tested
MrYous said:
Dear all,
first of all thanks again to this great community! there's so much here on xda...
and here my situation. I admit I am a bit rusty with flashing roms for samsung devices. I did root and flash roms for the galaxy S1, the S2 (the phone I loved the most so far) and the S3. But then I jumped to LG G2, then Sony with the Z2 and the Z3.
But my wife has an ATT Samsung Galaxy S4 and I need to catch up with Samsung modding.
I did root her phone 6 months ago. But now I would like to update to KitKat and I am a little lost.
Is there any way to upgrade from rooted 4.2.2 MF3 to 4.4.4 NJ4?
I found this post http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2717175
but it's for non-rooted MF3.
I do understand that, since I already have root, I need to install the Safestrap Recovery.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2448925
First issue: in the introduction @Hashcode mentions the risk for bootloop if ENCRYPTION is ENABLED. how do I know if that applies to me?
Then, if I succeed and install Safestrap 3.65 and I can access recovery, how do I proceed to install 4.4.4?
In the Safestrap post it is written "IF YOU'RE ON MF3 ONLY USE ROMS BASED ON MF3" so... how do I move forward?
Thanks a lot for the help!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
DISCLAIMER: Follow these steps as your own risk - read two or three times if you are new and read other threads as well. I will not be responsible if you brick your phone
There was a similar situation for upgrading an i337 on MF3 rooted with saferoot and safestrapped 3.72. Basically following these steps helped get it to NJ4 without ODIN
You'll need:
1. I337UCUFNJ4_100%_Stock_Rooted_ROM.zip thanks @muniz_ri
2. NJ4 Native Tether Addon I337UCUFNJ4_Safestrap_TetherAddOn.zip from here post number 8 thanks @rodin95
1. Download and copy these files to your external SD Card
2. Reboot S4 i337 to recovery after the SD Card with the two files copied to it inserted on to SD Slot of the phone
3. Once on SafeStrap recovery, tap Backup to backup your data/cache to external SD card (make sure that you backup to external storage by tapping on that Storage option)
4. Go back to Home button and do an advanced wipe of system, cache and data and DO NOT Wipe external SD Card
5. Go back to Home Menu, tap on Install, locate and select the file on external SD card tap on I337UCUFNJ4_100%_Stock_Rooted_ROM.zip, swipe the button to confirm install DO NOT REBOOT once install is completed
6. Go back to Home Menu, tap Install again and locate and select the file on external SD card, I337UCUFNJ4_Safestrap_TetherAddOn.zip swipe the button to confirm install
7. Go back to Home Menu, tap Restore and choose the backup you made before from the external SD card
8. Reboot phone. It will take about 2 minutes for initial reboot with AT&T logo - be patient - now you have your phone on NJ4 retaining root and SafeStrap.
9. Optionally install the latest SafeStrap one more time and update SuperSU normally.
Hope it helps someone!
Can anyone confirm these steps?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Free mobile app
Your procedure is very easy... Is it possible to go to NJ4 from NB1 through the same procedure?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Free mobile app

[Q] AT&T Galaxy S4 on 4.4.4, help with flashing recovery

Hey folks. I'm finding a lot of threads from 2 years ago and unfortunately they aren't much help with my device. I've inherited this phone, and my goal is to upgrade to CM12. Unfortunately I'm dealing with AT&T's locked bootloader and other issues.
I'm currently on Android 4.4.4, Baseband I337UCUFNJ4. I've managed to get root access using the Odin method of flashing NC1 then back to NJ4, root is working., but I've been unable to flash an updated Recovery. I've tried everything except for the Safestrap method, which last I read wouldn't work for installing Cyanogenmod. Using Odin, I've tried to flash CWM Recovery after converting the .img to a .tar.md5 (Odin failed to transfer this), I've tried using ROM Manager to install Recovery (claimed to work, but actually did nothing), then also used Flashify and Rashr to flash, which seemed to get further, but upon reboot the phone gave an error about software not authorized by AT&T.
I've done way too much googling this weekend and trying all sorts of things that haven't worked, from all sorts of threads from 2013 and 2014, does anyone have a reliable method that works if I'm already on 4.4.4, or am I still out of luck with this device? There is no SIM in the phone right now, but I may want to use it as a phone later if I can upgrade to CM12.
You're pretty much stuck. Only ROMs you can flash are AT&T official stock ROMs for the S4, or ROMs that are specifically safestrap-compatible. No other recovery will work, either.
That being said, if you're interested in lollipop, there's a stock, deodexed lollipop ROM for our phone that is safestrap-compatible on here called Goldeneye v53 that I enjoy.
Sent from my SGH-I337 using Tapatalk
I'm in the same situation as you, I ended up using safestrap with Pure Nexus http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4-att/development/rom-google-edition-s4-t2837239
Closest I could get to a desirable phone without original Samsung FW. Good luck
Hmmm. What I'm wondering at this point is how does the bootloader get onto the device originally? Can't a working bootloader from another model S4 be flashed in place of the AT&T one?
I would imagine that there must be some software that can be used to fully wipe the phone, repartition the memory, write a new bootloader, etc. If a phone were hard bricked, it would seem that there would be a way that Samsung or some carrier can use to get the phone working again.

Acquiring lollipop from 4.4.2 nc4

Hello
First let it be known that i have searched my butt off and tried many different things. The best i could get was a rooted phone and a non working safestrap install.
Can someone please give clear instructions here in this thread to either a) install safestrap on 4.4.2 nc4 or b) let me know if it's possible to install verizons stock lollipop firmware using odin (no recovery required).
I would love to get a working custom recovery to try different roms. Failing that, id love to know if it's possible to just flash stock lollipop firmware on this device.
I'm sorry to make such a request, as my first post.. But have been rooting and roming and xdaing since the Samsung vibrant. I'm just tired of trying to make this locked bootloader work. I must've tried a hundred different things.
As of right now ive odind back to 4.4.2 stock with nc4 kernel and said root, busybox, and supersu.
I'm familiar with odin, flashing, all the terminology, and can find the files on my own.
scottayy said:
Hello
First let it be known that i have searched my butt off and tried many different things. The best i could get was a rooted phone and a non working safestrap install.
Can someone please give clear instructions here in this thread to either a) install safestrap on 4.4.2 nc4 or b) let me know if it's possible to install verizons stock lollipop firmware using odin (no recovery required).
I would love to get a working custom recovery to try different roms. Failing that, id love to know if it's possible to just flash stock lollipop firmware on this device.
I'm sorry to make such a request, as my first post.. But have been rooting and roming and xdaing since the Samsung vibrant. I'm just tired of trying to make this locked bootloader work. I must've tried a hundred different things.
As of right now ive odind back to 4.4.2 stock with nc4 kernel and said root, busybox, and supersu.
I'm familiar with odin, flashing, all the terminology, and can find the files on my own.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes..you can flash stock firmware for 5.0 via Odin. You will lose root and as of this time....can not root 5.0
once on 5.0, you can only odin back to 4.4.4 which is also unrootable.
simplyeorange said:
Yeah you can go back to 4.4.4 I've read post of people on this forum saying they were able to get back to 4.4.4 you need to download the stock tar. Which you can find on sammobile than boot into download mode and then open Odin flash the stock tar. After its done flashing Then boot into stock recovery and do factory data reset. Wait about 5-10mins and should boot you into 4.4.4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my Note 3 via Tapatalk
Thanks for that. I'm sorry about the aggressive tone of my original post. I was just quite frankly mad at how much verizon locked the note 3 down. I own it, you know? Lol.
I wanted custom recovery mostly for the nandroid backups. If i flash the nc2 kernel on 4.4.2 with nc4 kernel... Supposedly this is supposed to make safestrap work with one rom slot (stock). I tried this but it soft bricked. Is there a custom nc2 kernel I'm supposed to flash?
Also if i odin the stock 5.0 files will this keep all user apps and data? I suppose i could use titanium backup for that but I'm not sure if it will be compatible from 4.4.2 to 5.0?
I guess i have to debate whether i want nandroid backup abilities or lollipop.

How do I root the S5 SM-G900W8

I have searched all over the web and this site for a tutorial or how to on rooting my S5 with the stock Marshmallow update. Most of the how to's are all outdated and I don't want to run into crashing my phone again by using anything outdated. I tried installing TWRP recovery or flashing it with ODIN and it didn't work. I had lollipop rooted before so I know I'm capable if I'm linked to the right tools. The way I did the Lollipop root was with TWRP and SuperSU but as I said before I couldn't get the recovery installed properly. It said pass in Odin but I got a bootloop and unstable phone so I prefer if someone knows the right tools and how to please clue me in.

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