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Some history:
I rooted my Verizon Note 3 running v4.4.2 using TowelRoot, SuperSU, and SafeStrap. All was well.
I tried installing a custom ROM and bricked the phone. Using ODIN, I flashed the latest stock firmware from SamMobile, which included Android v4.4.4.
Apparently TowelRoot doesn't support v4.4.4. I tried to use ODIN to go back to v4.4.2. When plugging in the phone, it says "Added!" but when I select the .tar.md5 file and click Start, it gives me a big ugly "FAILED" message.
I've been spending copious amounts of time on Google/the forums trying to find a root method for v4.4.4, but to no avail, so I have two questions:
Does anyone know how I can go back to v4.4.2?
Does anyone know how I can root my v4.4.4 device?
Thanks in advance for any help. All this bloatware is killing me.
rickwschneider said:
Some history:
I rooted my Verizon Note 3 running v4.4.2 using TowelRoot, SuperSU, and SafeStrap. All was well.
I tried installing a custom ROM and bricked the phone. Using ODIN, I flashed the latest stock firmware from SamMobile, which included Android v4.4.4.
Apparently TowelRoot doesn't support v4.4.4. I tried to use ODIN to go back to v4.4.2. When plugging in the phone, it says "Added!" but when I select the .tar.md5 file and click Start, it gives me a big ugly "FAILED" message.
I've been spending copious amounts of time on Google/the forums trying to find a root method for v4.4.4, but to no avail, so I have two questions:
Does anyone know how I can go back to v4.4.2?
Does anyone know how I can root my v4.4.4 device?
Thanks in advance for any help. All this bloatware is killing me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's no going back... at the moment. You're stuck til someone finds a way to root
yep no going back no root only a small ever dimming glimmer of hope... at least you might get 5.0 before the rest of us at the rate development on the note 3 is going... i wish the bootloader would break itself open
So I rooted my phone sometime ago and now I want to unroot it. I went through the SuperUser to unroot and it deleted SuperUser after it was "done". I installed a root checker and it said it was unrooted.
But when I restart my phone it still has the Custom lock key on there. Is there any way I can get it to remove that symbol?
Even though my device has that symbol is it still unrooted?
I even factory reset my phone and it was still there so I am running out of options. PLEASE HELP!
Thanks!
I'm on a Sprint version (G900P). So I can't speak to the exact ROM you need. But the trick here, is to use ODIN to flash the STOCK ROM that came with your device. I *know* there's one within these Forums. It's simply a matter of locating your Device/Carrier Forum, and picking the STOCK development category, to find the ROM you need. Then you simply follow the instructions for ODIN, to flash the [stock] ROM to your phone. While flashing most stock ROM's automatically wipe all the cache's, and stuff. DO make sure to do it [wipe] them PRIOR to flashing the ROM. This ensures the most uniform, and successful results.
Simply search the forums for "ODIN Tutorial". That should give you not only the HowTo, but also the WhereIs.
HTH
--Chris
Hello there,
So, I have a Samsung Galaxy S5 G900R4 with U.S. Cellular. I've heard of rooting your phone, and I decided I'd give it a try. Now, the rooting went fine, and the phone was working like a charm, until I started to have some issues. SuperSU needed to update its binary, and I allowed it to try, but it continued to tell me that it could not update it. Hence, I let it reboot when it offered. Now, for whatever reason, the phone won't boot past the U.S. Cellular 4G logo that appears, it just sits there on that screen.
Now so far, I haven't been able to find anyone that has encountered this specific problem, as most people say their soft-bricks are bootlooping and whatnot. I'm not sure if my specific case is technically a soft brick, or something else, but I wanted to just return it to stock format. I loaded up Odin again, downloaded the 1.5g firmware file, and I got the SW REV CHECK FAIL error.
I did some research, and I searched EVERYWHERE, and the closest I could find to a solution was http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2798396 <-- this thread. Which makes sense, when I read it. I'm guessing the bootloader is locked on my phone, or something. The problem is that this thread is for the Galaxy S5 G900AU, and I don't have that phone.
Maybe I'm just not searching on the web enough, or I didn't search the site well enough, but I have not been able to locate a similar set of AP, CP and CSC files for my specific model.
I would really appreciate it if someone could point me in the right direction or, if the issue I'm actually having with my phone is NOT a soft-brick and there is another solution, suggest another way for me to fix the phone.
Thank you.
First off, I'd try clearing the caches from recovery
If that fails, factory reset from recovery
If that fails, (And I'm not sure about stock firmwares with ODIN & locked bootloaders) I'd try flashing stock from ODIN also
Grab stock ROMs from here
sammobile . com / firmwares / database /SM-G900R4/
Can't link it here, as SM links are not allowed - just remove the spaces
*Detection* said:
First off, I'd try clearing the caches from recovery
If that fails, factory reset from recovery
If that fails, (And I'm not sure about stock firmwares with ODIN & locked bootloaders) I'd try flashing stock from ODIN also
Grab stock ROMs from here
sammobile . com / firmwares / database /SM-G900R4/
Can't link it here, as SM links are not allowed - just remove the spaces
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well last night I went ahead and used recovery to clear cache, and then I did a factory reset. I just did it again, now, but I guess I'll have to download the file from SM to try. I already have a stock ROM, but I can't remember where I downloaded it from, so it may actually be a 4.4.2 ROM or something, which would explain why it won't work. I'll wait for the 5.0 ROM to download and give it a try, should take a little more than an hour and a half, then I'll report back.
Xeretius said:
Well last night I went ahead and used recovery to clear cache, and then I did a factory reset. I just did it again, now, but I guess I'll have to download the file from SM to try. I already have a stock ROM, but I can't remember where I downloaded it from, so it may actually be a 4.4.2 ROM or something, which would explain why it won't work. I'll wait for the 5.0 ROM to download and give it a try, should take a little more than an hour and a half, then I'll report back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try this link, if it works, it won't work for long
Code:
http://am4-r1f4-stor08.uploaded.net/dl/800e713b-624b-4a91-a57c-1639c6b5071e
*Detection* said:
Try this link, if it works, it won't work for long
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It worked, it's downloading now, just have to give it some time.
nice one
*Detection* said:
nice one
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I really hope this works, when it finishes >.>
Any idea what's happening with the phone to cause it to stay at the U.S. Cellular screen?
I never let SuperSU reboot when I let it update the binaries
Could be a number of things, possibly just corrupted a file necessary for boot, but as SuperSU has root, it could be anything
I don't know the ins and outs of how SuperSU works, but I know a few carrier specific US S5s have a locked bootloader, Verizon, AT&T etc - not sure if rebooting to allow the binary update requires an unlocked bootloader, maybe that bricked it, half assed attempt at a root process failed maybe
*Detection* said:
I never let SuperSU reboot when I let it update the binaries
Could be a number of things, possibly just corrupted a file necessary for boot, but as SuperSU has root, it could be anything
I don't know the ins and outs of how SuperSU works, but I know a few carrier specific US S5s have a locked bootloader, Verizon, AT&T etc - not sure if rebooting to allow the binary update requires an unlocked bootloader, maybe that bricked it, half assed attempt at a root process failed maybe
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as I know, though, U.S. Cellular has confirmed that this device has an unlocked bootloader. And besides that, if it were locked, wouldn't that have come up as an issue when I rooted the device? I used the CWM custom recovery tool.
On a similar note, I'm not even sure if the problem was a locked bootloader. It's just that, from what I've read with other people having the same issue, they solved it by excluding the BL file from the flash and instead only using the AP, CP and CSC files.
Xeretius said:
As far as I know, though, U.S. Cellular has confirmed that this device has an unlocked bootloader. And besides that, if it were locked, wouldn't that have come up as an issue when I rooted the device? I used the CWM custom recovery tool.
On a similar note, I'm not even sure if the problem was a locked bootloader. It's just that, from what I've read with other people having the same issue, they solved it by excluding the BL file from the flash and instead only using the AP, CP and CSC files.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you can flash anything custom from ODIN, bootloader is unlocked, afaik, locked bootloaders require a right mess on to get anything flashed to them
To root with a locked bootloader, is easily possible if you're on a certain KitKat ROM, and use Towelroot - other than that, (From what I've read), you need to use specific tools, so it sounds like your bootloader is indeed unlocked - which makes this next ROM flash, much more likely to work using only ODIN
Use ODIN 3.10.6 though
My experience with the S5 is with an unlocked bootloader (G900F), so I can only quote what I know about locked from what I've read, but it sounds like that doesn't matter in your case
*Detection* said:
If you can flash anything custom from ODIN, bootloader is unlocked, afaik, locked bootloaders require a right mess on to get anything flashed to them
To root with a locked bootloader, is easily possible if you're on a certain KitKat ROM, and use Towelroot - other than that, (From what I've read), you need to use specific tools, so it sounds like your bootloader is indeed unlocked - which makes this next ROM flash, much more likely to work using only ODIN
Use ODIN 3.10.6 though
My experience with the S5 is with an unlocked bootloader (G900F), so I can only quote what I know about locked from what I've read, but it sounds like that doesn't matter in your case
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It worked! Thank you so much for the help, I really appreciate it.
Well, my warranty is now void. Is there a safer way to root the phone, or should I just leave it be?
Xeretius said:
It worked! Thank you so much for the help, I really appreciate it.
Well, my warranty is now void. Is there a safer way to root the phone, or should I just leave it be?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great
Flashing a stock ROM won't void your warranty, but if it is indeed void (KNOX 0x1), then just flash this with ODIN
http://download.chainfire.eu/404/CF-Root1/CF-Auto-Root-klteusc-klteusc-smg900r4.zip
Tripping KNOX only happens when you flash something not signed by Samsung, IE: A custom recovery, ROM or Kernel etc
I have the same issue, same phone I ended up flashing a custom ROM because I luckily flashed twrp before it bricked on the us cellular screen.. How did you fix this I just want to get back to stock remove my root completely
I've been searching for a straight forward up to date guide but have failed. So I'm hoping to find a way that works and spread the info around in detail.
INFO:
Model: SM-G900A
Baseband: G900AUCU2AOA2
Kernel: 3.4.0-3116194
Not sure if the security enhancements have an effect.
I've tried Towelroot bUT not supported even when at 4.4.2
One-click-root seems like a scam, does say it's rootable but with no post about success only failure not about to waste S40.
Also why doesn't towelroot work? I tried it the second I got my phone so I took the update to 4.4.4. Well not by choice. It started the install when i was sleeping... Not cool Do I have to use Odin to flash to NCE?
So please help, I want to get this rooted before it updates to 5.0 without my approval
You can't, needed to be rooted on KK, if you took the official update you're SOL
Sent from my Tw5ted SM-G900A using Tapatalk
This exact same thing happened to me despite the fact that I thought that I had frozen the updates. I was able to root OA2 and prevent updating to 5.0, though. Here's how I did it.
Basically, just follow this guide: http://forum.xda-developers.com/att...to-root-g900aucu2aoa1-4-4-4-2-3-2015-t3021120
Even though I was on OA2, flashing down to ND3 via Odin and then running Towelroot anyway successfully rooted my phone. I couldn't find the OA2 kernel at the time, so I just flashed up to the OA1 kernel instead (yes, alongside the OA2 basebands) and didn't see any problems with it. I am still using the OA1 kernel this way now.
I don't know if there is anything actually different between the OA1 and OA2 kernel, but I have been running with this configuration for about a month and a half with no real problems -- but your mileage may vary. (Your phone may burst into flames and start chanting versus from the Necronomicon. You have been warned.)
While I'm still on the OA1 kernel, I happened to do a quick search and found the OA2 kernel floating around here: https://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=24052804347799283 -- but flashing this thing is not something that I have personally tried (although now I am tempted to).
So if you do flash this one, good luck -- but again, I can't be held responsible for any damage to your phone (or psyche, in the event of demonic possession).
I've tried those instructions but when I tried flashing in odin it froze at boot.img forcing me to power off my cell. Luckily it didn't affect anything. I was surprised about the size of the file only being around 10Mbs and that the link takes you to the S4 files section. I'll try it again tomorrow to see if it works this time.
Well the title says alot... let me explain..
I've got a note 5 and LG g5. This note 3 is an extra phone. So I figured I would root and rom it.
I started on 4.4.2 and it wouldn't boot...
Ran Odin 3.09 and loaded pl1...couldn't root.
Ran Odin 3.09 again with ob6. Root success.
I then followed instructions for unlock_n3 for the bootloader and also installed twrp.
Last night I went on a spree with roms trying to find a working rom with data... no success... I felt like I was doing something wrong so I went back to Odin and ran ob6 again which is where I'm at now.
In the process I dev'd my phone... and now I cannot get root and lost twrp in the process.
Did I eff up?
What's next from here? I don't care about Knox and like I said I've got 2 other phones both working and paid off. This is my "car phone". I use it for music and that's about it. That being said I would rather have working data instead of using my note 5 with Hotspot mode.
My device is now hlte... not hltevzw... I think I did something very wrong. Please halp.
If it helps I did take pictures along the way when running the unlock_n3 over adb. I've got the original emmc ID but I'm not sure if this step is reversable.
I also made a backup with twrp... but it seems my SD card was wiped at some point last night.
Please don't flame... I admit this was my stupidity and I'm sure I'm not the only one who makes mistakes. At this point I'll be happy with anything 5.0 and root. As I said above if Knox is a concern I don't really care. Phones paid off... and I've got a note 5 and when that dies I'll get a 7. Also have LG g5 as a backup.
What are my options now oh wise xda gods?
Edit: I ran arabictool again, and got a 5.0 not found error. Decided to try kingoroot, and it says succeeded, however upon running root checker, it says "Sorry! Root access is not properly installed on this device"
Edit2: After trying edit 1... im now im a bootloop, and I check vol+, home, and power and twrp is indeed gone.
When I get home I plan to Odin OB6 again, as it worked, and since i've already done it once I assume I cant do any further damage :\
Edit3: I've successfully flash back to OB6, and as expected, ive finally tripped knox. Damn near 5 years with a note 3, and JUST tripped it. Not bad if I do say so my self... although, theres still more work to be done :\
GGRRRR, I wont give up so easily! But I could use some advice
tbonedude said:
Well the title says alot... let me explain..
I've got a note 5 and LG g5. This note 3 is an extra phone. So I figured I would root and rom it.
I started on 4.4.2 and it wouldn't boot...
Ran Odin 3.09 and loaded pl1...couldn't root.
Ran Odin 3.09 again with ob6. Root success.
I then followed instructions for unlock_n3 for the bootloader and also installed twrp.
Last night I went on a spree with roms trying to find a working rom with data... no success... I felt like I was doing something wrong so I went back to Odin and ran ob6 again which is where I'm at now.
In the process I dev'd my phone... and now I cannot get root and lost twrp in the process.
Did I eff up?
What's next from here? I don't care about Knox and like I said I've got 2 other phones both working and paid off. This is my "car phone". I use it for music and that's about it. That being said I would rather have working data instead of using my note 5 with Hotspot mode.
My device is now hlte... not hltevzw... I think I did something very wrong. Please halp.
If it helps I did take pictures along the way when running the unlock_n3 over adb. I've got the original emmc ID but I'm not sure if this step is reversable.
I also made a backup with twrp... but it seems my SD card was wiped at some point last night.
Please don't flame... I admit this was my stupidity and I'm sure I'm not the only one who makes mistakes. At this point I'll be happy with anything 5.0 and root. As I said above if Knox is a concern I don't really care. Phones paid off... and I've got a note 5 and when that dies I'll get a 7. Also have LG g5 as a backup.
What are my options now oh wise xda gods?
Edit: I ran arabictool again, and got a 5.0 not found error. Decided to try kingoroot, and it says succeeded, however upon running root checker, it says "Sorry! Root access is not properly installed on this device"
Edit2: After trying edit 1... im now im a bootloop, and I check vol+, home, and power and twrp is indeed gone.
When I get home I plan to Odin OB6 again, as it worked, and since i've already done it once I assume I cant do any further damage :\
Edit3: I've successfully flash back to OB6, and as expected, ive finally tripped knox. Damn near 5 years with a note 3, and JUST tripped it. Not bad if I do say so my self... although, theres still more work to be done :\
GGRRRR, I wont give up so easily! But I could use some advice
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to go thru your original steps again, root, unlock and then TWRP make sure it is the hltevzw version,
Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk
donc113 said:
You need to go thru your original steps again, root, unlock and then TWRP make sure it is the hltevzw version,
Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply, as of edit 3, I am back on OB6, and cannot seem to get root. Are my chances better with OF1?
Ive tried yemen tools (says 5.0 not found)
I've tried kingo root (says successful, never reboots, and shows "this phone root isnt properly setup" when checking with root checker from joey kilm (think thats his name)
Does it matter my emmc ID is ending with 43100?
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/221482708063223809/378367914388094981/image.png <- image from unlock_n3 after success, emmc checker shows same value AFTER odin ob6 (this held, nothing else did)
Edit: After taking donc's recommendation of OF1, I am now able to run yemen tools. As a side note, I seem to have more bars of service with OF1... coincidence?
Edit2: I HAVE ROOT! on OF1 using yemen tools (downgraded from PL1 to OB6 finally to OB1 and it worked.) Now to re-unlock bootloader. Thanks guys for the support thus far, this is a journey and having qualified accomplices makes this SOOOO much easier.
So heres where im at now.. as a recap for personal use, and anyone else who may be on a similar path.
Start to finish, this is what I did, where im at now, and where I want to be by tonight
Got phone, 4.4.2 with bootloop, couldn't find 4.4.2 firmware online
Flashed 5.0 (PL1), no root available.
Flashed 5.0 (OB6) rooted, unlocked boot loader, twrp, played with roms, got frustrated, re-flashed OB6 and couldn't root again (seems flimsy)
Flashed 5.0 (OF1) rooted, unlocked boot loader, verified several times root is working. Installed SuperSu and busybox.
This is where im at now, about to install twrp since i've done this already with ob6, and was working fine (though, I would prefer to have philz, and multi rom slots)
This entire process i've been using Odin 3.09, Twrp 3.0.2-1. My note 3 has been changed to a dev ID ending in 3100 (see above posts) this seems to have held through entire process with multiple recoveries.
I am going to make a full backup (again...) and unlike last time... store this copy onto my PC instead of SDcard alone... this was my mistake, and I need to learn from it.
For the @dev's out there, is there anything I can provide to help this overall process and community in general? I'm fairly literate in adb/linux and have no issues running commands, uploading files, or anything similar.
Shout out to @donc113 above for stating the obvious (since i failed to search and find the proper methods) as well as giving me the kick in the pants I needed to push onwards and succeed. Thanks brotha. :good:
tbonedude said:
So heres where im at now.. as a recap for personal use, and anyone else who may be on a similar path.
Start to finish, this is what I did, where im at now, and where I want to be by tonight
Got phone, 4.4.2 with bootloop, couldn't find 4.4.2 firmware online
Flashed 5.0 (PL1), no root available.
Flashed 5.0 (OB6) rooted, unlocked boot loader, twrp, played with roms, got frustrated, re-flashed OB6 and couldn't root again (seems flimsy)
Flashed 5.0 (OF1) rooted, unlocked boot loader, verified several times root is working. Installed SuperSu and busybox.
This is where im at now, about to install twrp since i've done this already with ob6, and was working fine (though, I would prefer to have philz, and multi rom slots)
This entire process i've been using Odin 3.09, Twrp 3.0.2-1. My note 3 has been changed to a dev ID ending in 3100 (see above posts) this seems to have held through entire process with multiple recoveries.
I am going to make a full backup (again...) and unlike last time... store this copy onto my PC instead of SDcard alone... this was my mistake, and I need to learn from it.
For the @dev's out there, is there anything I can provide to help this overall process and community in general? I'm fairly literate in adb/linux and have no issues running commands, uploading files, or anything similar.
Shout out to @donc113 above for stating the obvious (since i failed to search and find the proper methods) as well as giving me the kick in the pants I needed to push onwards and succeed. Thanks brotha. :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're welcome. Just an FYI, the ending of the CID doesn't matter, it's the first 2 numbers that count, and they MUST be 15
I used Flashify (available on Google Play) to load TWRP... worked great (but you must have root and busybox installed to use it to flash TWRP)
Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk