So I have been having a really hard time trying to get TWRP installed. And now I understand why, it's because it's AT&T and it has a locked bootloader. But being the stupid me I sometimes am, I installed it with Flashify. It succesfully installed! But oh wait.... The bootloader is LOCKED and now whenever I try to boot into recovery I just get this message 'System software not authorized by AT&T has been found on your phone.' And I don't know how to fix this. I just really want a custom recovery so I can install customs ROMs. Thanks for any help in advance
TechGuyYT said:
So I have been having a really hard time trying to get TWRP installed. And now I understand why, it's because it's AT&T and it has a locked bootloader. But being the stupid me I sometimes am, I installed it with Flashify. It succesfully installed! But oh wait.... The bootloader is LOCKED and now whenever I try to boot into recovery I just get this message 'System software not authorized by AT&T has been found on your phone.' And I don't know how to fix this. I just really want a custom recovery so I can install customs ROMs. Thanks for any help in advance
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Click to collapse
Well, first I think you may need to flash a stock ROM to get rid of that message.
Next, the custom recovery you are looking for is called SafeTrap. Similar to TWRP, but it should work with locked bootloaders.
GDReaper said:
Well, first I think you may need to flash a stock ROM to get rid of that message.
Next, the custom recovery you are looking for is called SafeTrap. Similar to TWRP, but it should work with locked bootloaders.
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Click to collapse
But I am running Android Lollipop, will SafeTrap work? Do I still need to flash a stock ROM? And If I need to, should I use Odin to do it?
TechGuyYT said:
But I am running Android Lollipop, will SafeTrap work? Do I still need to flash a stock ROM? And If I need to, should I use Odin to do it?
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Click to collapse
The only way to flash stock is with Odin. Or Kies.
I don't know if it will work on lollipop, due to the bootloader being locked tighter.
But if it doesn't work, then nothing will.
TechGuyYT said:
But I am running Android Lollipop, will SafeTrap work? Do I still need to flash a stock ROM? And If I need to, should I use Odin to do it?
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If your phone is AT&T S4 (SGH-i337), the highest firmware available is NB1 firmware cooked by muniz_ri . You can get it from here.
You can flash that with odin. Once you are in NB1 you can root the phone and upgrade back to lollipop. You can read the instructions and get the required files here.
As SGH-i337 has locked bootloader the available custom rom flashers are safestrap and flashfire. Using safestrap in lollipop is pain in the neck so I use the flashfire.
You are also in the wrong form IMHO. There is a separate forum for SGH i-337. You can find it here.
The i337 cannot accept a custom recovery other than safestrap and custom roms must be based on a stock s4 rom which means no cm or aosp.
Related
I have a unique situation. I have a I337 with KangKat installed and TWRP recovery installed. I just received an unlock code for my device, but it does not accept the code. I have been told that since the phone is rooted and running a custom rom that the code does not work. My question is can I download a stock rom. Install it using TWRP. type in my unlock code. get the device unlock. Can I then install KangKat again? Or will installing the stock rom messup my bootloader and I will forever not be-able to load a custom rom again?
I would greatly appreciate the communities expert advice. I do not want to lose my ability to install a custom rom but I need to have my device unlocked for international travel. Thank you.
julow123 said:
I have a unique situation. I have a I337 with KangKat installed and TWRP recovery installed. I just received an unlock code for my device, but it does not accept the code. I have been told that since the phone is rooted and running a custom rom that the code does not work. My question is can I download a stock rom. Install it using TWRP. type in my unlock code. get the device unlock. Can I then install KangKat again? Or will installing the stock rom messup my bootloader and I will forever not be-able to load a custom rom again?
I would greatly appreciate the communities expert advice. I do not want to lose my ability to install a custom rom but I need to have my device unlocked for international travel. Thank you.
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Click to collapse
Since you have TWRP installed, you are either on the MDB or MDL bootloader. Flash the stock firmware matching the version, using Odin. Sim unlock and then you can reinstall TWRP and your custom rom.
Run the follow commands in a terminal emulator (app) session or adb shell
su
getprop ro.bootloader
jmjoyas said:
Since you have TWRP installed, you are either on the MDB or MDL bootloader. Flash the stock firmware matching the version, using Odin. Sim unlock and then you can reinstall TWRP and your custom rom.
Run the follow commands in a terminal emulator (app) session or adb shell
su
getprop ro.bootloader
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Click to collapse
I fear using Odin. Horrible stories from the time I flash a Tab 1. Is this the only way?
Does anyone know if I recover to a stock rooted 4.4.2 rom will my unlock code work? or will it not work because its rooted?
Do not go to 4.4.2 as it has a locked boatloader and no direct root method.
I use odin on a daily basis and I haven't seen any issues. I haven't heard of anyone reporting any issues due to odin on this phone in this forum.
Sent from my SGH-I337 using Tapatalk
jmjoyas said:
Do not go to 4.4.2 as it has a locked boatloader and no direct root method.
I use odin on a daily basis and I haven't seen any issues. I haven't heard of anyone reporting any issues due to odin on this phone in this forum.
Sent from my SGH-I337 using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
Ok i just downloaded the stock rom I337UCUAMDB_I337ATTAMDB_ATT. Does anyone have a link to the MDL rom?
I've been told to start with the oldest rom and work my way up till it doesn't fail the odin flash. What is the order of roms I should try?
julow123 said:
Ok i just downloaded the stock rom I337UCUAMDB_I337ATTAMDB_ATT. Does anyone have a link to the MDL rom?
I've been told to start with the oldest rom and work my way up till it doesn't fail the odin flash. What is the order of roms I should try?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sammobile has a link to MDL.
The newer bootloaders prevent a downgrade of bootloader. That is the reason you have been asked to try from older to latest one that works. You need to do that only if you dont know the current bootlaoder version. I already gave you the method to find the current version on your phone.
MDB->MDL->MF3->MK2->NB1
From MF3 onwards, custom recoveries like TWRP/CWM will not work. The only working recovery is safestrap. You will also lose the ability to flash AOSP ROMS.
Wishing that it works with MDL stock itself.
All about MK2 and NB1
Got my unlock code working!!!
First off. I want to thank the XDA community with their knowledge. The quick responses to my post is much appreciated.
I was able to get my unlock code working without having to use Odin. Thanks to an internet buddy who put me on the right track. Since I have TWRP installed I was able to install a stock 4.4.2 Root AT&T rom. I then put my unlock code in. And BAM Worked!!! I then restored from my original backup and now i'm back to running KangKat.
Thanks all again!!!
julow123 said:
First off. I want to thank the XDA community with their knowledge. The quick responses to my post is much appreciated.
I was able to get my unlock code working without having to use Odin. Thanks to an internet buddy who put me on the right track. Since I have TWRP installed I was able to install a stock 4.4.2 Root AT&T rom. I then put my unlock code in. And BAM Worked!!! I then restored from my original backup and now i'm back to running KangKat.
Thanks all again!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And thanks for reminding me that with a custom recovery you can flash almost any rom. I had lost this ability long back when I moved to S4 and got a phone with MF3 on which custom recovery doesnt work. We can do only restricted stuff with the safestrap recovery.
I did it a year ago, and took no effort. Now it seems impossible.
I suppose the bootloader is still locked, and no one found a way around it?
And I can't install any sort of recovery on my phone, it won't even enter recovery mode at all it just enters download mode. someone please help Im very frustrated
The boot loader is still locked. So, no custom recovery and kernel. The only working recovery is safestrap.
There are lot of ROMs that can be flashed. For more info - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2616221
jmjoyas said:
The boot loader is still locked. So, no custom recovery and kernel. The only working recovery is safestrap.
There are lot of ROMs that can be flashed. For more info - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2616221
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Click to collapse
thanks
before i go further, any recommendation on which one of those kitkat roms to use? I just want to have the most bloatware removed with the most optimized performance, obviously...
What phone are you talking about?
first things first... what bootloader are you on? if mf3 or newer you have to use safestrap recovery, mdl or older can use several different recoveries and the Loki exploit.
AT&T S4 with ViSiON-X (ViSiX) & california Chrome custom (cCc)
hi
I want to unlock my S4 but there's a problem, I have installed CWM before, now I need Safestrap to continue the unlock process
so how can I get back to stock recovery and get rid of CWM to install Safestrap
please help
thanks in advance
You really don't need to get rid of cwm to unlock your phone. Safestrap is working recovery for people with mf3 and newer firmwares. All that safe strap does in the unlock process is to enable flashing of a modem. The same can be done with cwm also.
jmjoyas said:
You really don't need to get rid of cwm to unlock your phone. Safestrap is working recovery for people with mf3 and newer firmwares. All that safe strap does in the unlock process is to enable flashing of a modem. The same can be done with cwm also.
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but I tried almost everything to make it works, there's no way
I know I can flash the stock rom that will bring me back to stock recovery, but my internet connection is really bad, i need at least 2 weeks to download it
any help?
MoMo_5050 said:
but I tried almost everything to make it works, there's no way
I know I can flash the stock rom that will bring me back to stock recovery, but my internet connection is really bad, i need at least 2 weeks to download it
any help?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2285431 ?
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
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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.
I have been trying to upgrade my 4.4.2 s4 I337 to 6.0 marshmellow and am having many problems. Also I am EXTREMELY new to anything android or flashing or anything like this at all, I learned everything I know just today.
I rooted my phone using the towelroot method because it was the easiest for my phone. I am also using safestrap recovery because I think my phone is bootloader locked? I was having a lot of problems trying to install twrp so I just assumed it was that. I'm using usb debugging and I am using the 6.0 pico gapps.
I have tried multiple roms using safestrap and making sure that the rom is specifically for my phone, at&t and I337 but each time the rom shows it was successful and I reboot it goes to recovery booting and says I don't have an OS and I have to recover back to stock firmware using odin, beccause I did a full wipe before each install of the roms.
If there is any other info I might have missed or have anything to help me I would greatly appreciated it, and again I basically have no idea what I am doing and am just going off of trial and error and googling what every term means. Thank you
Edit: My bootloader is NB1 if that matters also.
Edit: Doing a little more searching is it even possible for me to get 6.0 with my phone?
The bootloader on your phone is locked and cannot run any custom ROMs unless it is a rom that is based on a stock Samsung ROM; therefore, a 6.0 ROM or higher is not possible. Also, Lineage, RR, etc. is not possible.
audit13 said:
The bootloader on your phone is locked and cannot run any custom ROMs unless it is a rom that is based on a stock Samsung ROM; therefore, a 6.0 ROM or higher is not possible. Also, Lineage, RR, etc. is not possible.
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Click to collapse
Thank you for the reply! After a lot more researching and doing very stupid stuff (it was all for fun and learning mostly anyway) I did brick my phone saying firmware upgrade encountered an issue I can only get to download mode I tried flashing the original firmware I had using the stock 4.4 nb1 file but that is also now failing in odin, do you have any suggestions that could work?
Edit: I tried flashing to mk2 and thats how it bricked, but shouldn't I be able to go back to my stock firmware even if I bricked my phone like this? Both the towelrootable stock nb1 4.4 and the normal stock nb1 4.4 isnt working when I try to flash them in odin
You should flash the same or newer ROM to the phone. Even though the phone says it encountered an error, you can still flash the phone with Odin with this message in the screen.
Hopefully, this thread will help: https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4-att/general/guide-odin-to-stock-updating-rooting-t2926642
audit13 said:
You should flash the same or newer ROM to the phone. Even though the phone says it encountered an error, you can still flash the phone with Odin with this message in the screen.
Hopefully, this thread will help: https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4-att/general/guide-odin-to-stock-updating-rooting-t2926642
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Click to collapse
I'm probably jinxing it by typing while its still working but I switched my usb cable and so far it hasn't failed when before it would fail immediatly, thank you for all the help!
Only the MDL bootloader can run non touchwiz ROMs. All other bootloaders can only run touch wiz based ROMs.