I have a Samsung Galaxy S5 G900R7 rooted with towelroot. I want to flash twrp custom recovery but I'm not sure which way I should do this. I tried to use twrp's Google play app but it didn't have my phone's "codename". I had a rooted s4 with twrp and cm so I'm not a complete newbie. I just need a little help figuring out how I should do this.
Please help.
So far, only Dev. Edition S5 with an unlocked bootloader can flash a custom recovery like TWRP. More than likely you have yourself a retail version of the phone with a locked bootloader like the rest of us. The closest to a custom recovery we can get is Safestrap. I dont really know if the g900r7 is identical to the g900v so i would use caution of you want to try any of the methods here in this forum for root or to flash safestrap. A quick google search for your phone didnt provide much detail about it.
I am running a rooted stock verizon galaxy s5 4.4.4 with safestrap installed. I just need to know whether I need to flash capable firmware before or after installing custom optimal rom with safestrap
[email protected] said:
I am running a rooted stock verizon galaxy s5 4.4.4 with safestrap installed. I just need to know whether I need to flash capable firmware before or after installing custom optimal rom with safestrap
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You could ask the question in the Optimal ROM thread...
Either or. It doesn't matter unless Safestrap requires a different version. Just make sure to NOT boot into the OS if you flash the firmware later unless you already flashed it before you boot.
I currently have AT&T stock (I used to have a custom ROM then had to flash to stock ROM to be able to flash to another custom ROM--however, I accidentally flashed a newer version of the AT&T stock ROM which locked my bootloader and I could no longer flash to a custom ROM). I updated my AT&T stock ROM recently and now my back/menu buttons don't work, so I want to see if I can flash to a custom ROM now.
I don't remember the procedure to flash a custom ROM--do I first need to get root in order to unlock the bootloader to be able to flash ROMs (i.e. if I have root then I am guaranteed to be able to unlock bootloader in order to flash ROM)? Is the baseband version the only thing that determines whether I can unlock the bootloader and then be able to flash ROMs?
I currently have OK2 as broadband version and checked one of the stickied threads which said this:
" ROOT
OK2 -- No direct root method. Must Odin OC4 kernel, use Kingroot, then Odin OK2 kernel back."
Does that mean what I have to do is use Odin to get OC4 kernel, then use Kingroot, then Odin OK2 kernel and then I will be able to have root, which means I can then unlock my bootloader and be able to flash to ANY ROM (not just TouchWiz-based ROMs)? Is there anything else I need to consider or is this 100% foolproof? In the future, what should I be careful of in order to prevent getting my bootloader locked again--just that I don't flash a stock (AT&T) ROM that is known to lock back the bootloader?
Thank you all!
There's no way to unlock the bootloader if you have updated your device to the lastest firmware version. The only thing you can do is flash SafeStrap and use Stock Kernel Based ROMs which are compatible with Safestrap.
As regards to the procedure of rooting an OK2 firmware, I'm afraid I won't be able to help you.
Have a happy new year.
mindstormer said:
...however, I accidentally flashed a newer version of the AT&T stock ROM which locked my bootloader ...
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I was just about to sit down and flash a stock ROM. Can you explain what you mean by this? Did you flash OK2 and it caused you a problem?
smock9 said:
I was just about to sit down and flash a stock ROM. Can you explain what you mean by this? Did you flash OK2 and it caused you a problem?
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It was a while ago but I used to have I believe an MDL broadband version which meant I could flash any ROM available. I tried a different ROM, didn't like it, then decided to flash back to the stock ROM but accidentally flashed a newer version of it, which meant that my bootloader is now locked. With a locked bootloader, apparently I can only flash to a newer stock ROM (not other ROMs like Cyanogenmod) via Safestrap.
I think if you don't have the MDL broadband version you shouldn't worry about it anyway because it is locked and you will only be limited to flashing stock ROMs.
Slight correction
The previous entry is not entirely correct. Like the OP, I was originally on an unlocked bootloader on my i337. I'd purchased my i337 on the first day and eschewed OTA updates. I wanted to try a touchwiz based ROM, Hyperdrive, and in doing so I recall flashing the stock NB1 firmware. Every firmware beginning with NB1 has a locked bootloader and there has been no progress for more than a year in unlocking the bootloader again. This can limit you to either stock ROMs OR other touchwiz based ROMs like Hyperdrive. I love the Hyperdrive ROM (now on release 21) but its developer has moved on to a newer phone, so it's stuck at Android 4.4.2 and no one has picked up the project in many months. There are several other touchwiz based ROMs for the i337 version of the S4 which I have also tried but I prefer Hyperdrive's myriad customization, even without proper patching. I'll be moving on soon to the Nexus 6P as my daily driver, but would very much like to keep my S4 up to date with a custom ROM. Given the number of people that have been in this same situation, where a newer stock ROM from AT&T locked a previously unlocked bootloader, it's been surprising that the issues have not been overcome on a phone as popular as the Galaxy S4 was and continues to be. I've seen unlocked versions of the S4 selling for just under $400 in the last week of 2015.
Use the desktop version of Kingoroot to root and use Super su and update the binary. Don't forget to hit thanks if this helped.
The bootloader for the at&t s4 was never unlocked. The MDL bootloader had a flaw in it that allowed you to use LOKI which is a lock bypass, not a way to unlock the bootloader.
hi
i purchased a unlocked at&t phone off ebay and it works fine but its on 4.4.2. i want to root and install new custom firmware based on the S6/7 rom - newest android basically that'll work.
What rooting guide should i use and whats the best rom to get it flashed to a UK based rom?
If you are on 4.4.2, do NOT take the OTA update. updating to the official AT&T Lollipop gets you an encrypted bootloader that is unlockable.
look for guides based on 4.4.2. you'll want to install a recovery, then you can flash custom roms.
Been off this thread for awhile (you know how life gets in the way) and was wondering if there are any meaningful upgrades to an S4 with 1545VRUGOF1 rooted via Flashfire. with stock.
C
If you want marshmallow, then custom ROMs are the only way to get it.
Which s4 do you have? Isn't flash fire for the i337?
audit13 said:
Which s4 do you have? Isn't flash fire for the i337?
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SCH-1545
Android 5.0.1
I545VRUGOF1
At the time, Flashfire was the only path to root
Look here for a possible answer: http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4-verizon
Any guidance? I have the VRUGOF1 Bootloader and consequently was only able to root with Flashfire. Not sure if there has been any development to allow Marshmallow to be put on this device
wedmiston said:
Any guidance? I have the VRUGOF1 Bootloader and consequently was only able to root with Flashfire. Not sure if there has been any development to allow Marshmallow to be put on this device
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Yes, there are ROMs for that device. But you can only flash with a custom recovery so you'll have to find one.
Look in the Verizon forum. This forum is for the international version of the s4.
Pwnycorn said:
Yes, there are ROMs for that device. But you can only flash with a custom recovery so you'll have to find one.
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Maybe I'm not being clear, but I was uder the impression if you have the OF1 Build you can only root with Flashfire, and, you cannot install CWM or TWRP as it will brick your device. I am not looking to add another ROM, I am fine with stock. My goal is to see if there is a way to go from Lollipop to Marshmallow safely given my specific device parameters
wedmiston said:
Maybe I'm not being clear, but I was uder the impression if you have the OF1 Build you can only root with Flashfire, and, you cannot install CWM or TWRP as it will brick your device. I am not looking to add another ROM, I am fine with stock. My goal is to see if there is a way to go from Lollipop to Marshmallow safely given my specific device parameters
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If you can't install any custom recovery, then there isn't any way you can.
There is no official TouchWiz Marshmallow ROM for the S4, as such, the only way to get marshmallow is through a custom ROM.
A custom ROM can only be flashed via custom recovery.
Ergo, if you can't flash a custom recovery, there is no way to get marshmallow.
The Verizon OF1 bootloader is locked and not exploitable. Only the MDK bootloader had that luxury. You also cannot downgrade to it. If you want to flash a ROM other that stock head to the Verizon Galaxy S4 development forum and read up on SafeStrap and ROMs that can be installed with it. A custom recovery such as TWRP is not able to be installed on your device. Because of that ROMs such as CM, JDC custom ROMs, etc. are out of reach for you.
Pwnycorn said:
If you can't install any custom recovery, then there isn't any way you can.
There is no official TouchWiz Marshmallow ROM for the S4, as such, the only way to get marshmallow is through a custom ROM.
A custom ROM can only be flashed via custom recovery.
Ergo, if you can't flash a custom recovery, there is no way to get marshmallow.
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Thanks
So to summarize, since I am on the OF1 build and could only root via Flashfire, the bootloader remains locked...consequently I still cannot flash TWRP or CWM, and as you put it, out of luck to get Marshmallow.
However, has anyone successfully used Flashfire and Xposed? I saw it on another thread: https://www.reddit.com/r/AndroidQuestions/comments/406o9w/verizon_galaxy_s4_unlocked_bootlaoder/
but there was no definitive conclusion that it was successful. Anyone have any direct experience with this? Since Safestrap and Flashfire are both custom recoveries installed alongside of your locked bootloader, do either work to get to Marshmallow?
wedmiston said:
Thanks
So to summarize, since I am on the OF1 build and could only root via Flashfire, the bootloader remains locked...consequently I still cannot flash TWRP or CWM, and as you put it, out of luck to get Marshmallow.
However, has anyone successfully used Flashfire and Xposed? I saw it on another thread: https://www.reddit.com/r/AndroidQuestions/comments/406o9w/verizon_galaxy_s4_unlocked_bootlaoder/
but there was no definitive conclusion that it was successful. Anyone have any direct experience with this? Since Safestrap and Flashfire are both custom recoveries installed alongside of your locked bootloader, do either work to get to Marshmallow?
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You are a little confused. SafeStrap is not a custom recovery so to speak, TWRP is. SafeStrap allows the installation of some mods, etc. on devices with a locked BL. A quick look in the Verizon S4 Android Development forum does not show a MM build that can be installed via SS, only LP builds.
The issue with a locked BL and SS is you cannot install a different kernel which limited what could be installed.
I saw a set of OF1 instructions out on Stang5litre's OP for his ROM. Has this been validated as a stable rom for those of us on OF1?