Dear Benevolent Android Wizards: please help me root an AT&T S4! I plan to buy a used S4 and want to make sure it can be rooted. Are some firmware versions rootable and some not? If so, which ones? I've seen phones available running I337UCUFNB1 and NJ4, as an example. I tried to check the forums here, but I'm new to this and it's too confusing. Also, as time passes, some of the comments become dated and wrong. One forums here say to downgrade NC1 by flashing NB1, take OTA update to NC1, then OTA to NL1- but I don't know if these OTAs are still available, for example. I'm simple and hope someone can explain things in a simple way! I don't want custom ROMs, just to root and maybe make backups. Please help, O Wise Ones!
You will probably buy a phone with at least 4.4.2 or above. It can be rooted by flashing the NB1 firmware (if it is not already on NB1), flashing the NC1 kernel and rooting with Towelroot. Then you can upgrade to 4.4.4 or 5.0.1, depending on what you want. You can install Safestrap to do backups on KitKat or Flashfire to do backups on Lolipop.
Here is a good place to start reading. Contains all info and links you need.
Thanks a lot!
So you're saying that any S4 running 4.4.2 or 4.4.4 should be able to be rooted?
And I would use Odin to flash NB1 firmware and then NC1 kernel (also using Odin?), then Towelroot would work?
How do I get the phone back to the firmware and kernel it came with?- also with Odin?
Yes. Or 5.0.1 for that matter.
You can root phones with earlier versions of the firmware as well.
All the instructions you need are available in the thread I linked above. You probably don't want to go back to what firmware came on the phone. You will need to decide if you want KitKat, in which case you should flash the latest one, which is NJ5, or Lolipop, in which case you will have some decisions to make as well.
Thanks, I will definitely read that whole thread once I get a chance.
Isn't there some issue with changing firmware where the software changes how the phone interfaces with the cell and wifi radios and they don't work right after you change version? Don't you have to do something to make sure the ROM and radio software stay in sync? Or isn't that an issue when changing stock ROMs with Odin?
Shouldn't be an issue. The stock firmware includes the corresponding modem, but the modems are interchangeable and can be flashed separately. There is a thread dedicated to modems in the general forum.
I would definitely recommend that you read enough to be comfortable with what you are going to do before you flash. There are several good threads in the general forum that you should familiarize yourself with.
Thanks again. I read 10 pages of the thread you mentioned in your first reply:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4-att/general/guide-odin-to-stock-updating-rooting-t2926642
Very helpful
Another question- you said to load NB1 firmware on the phone, but also NC1 kernel, apparently, NC1 is required for towelroot to work. Why not just load NC1 firmware- won't the NC1 kernel will come along? Is NB1 firmware specifically needed for some reason?
Or did you mean to keep upgrading from NB1to reach the final desired firmware, say NL1, then flash the NC1 kernel, root with towelroot, then flash the final desired (in my example, NL1) kernel.
Also, the first section in that link says if you want to end up on Lollipop OC3 or OC4, to root using Kingroot, but warns "there is mixed feeling about this application". Can't I root with towelroot instead to avoid Kingroot?
Sorry! As I learn more it brings up new questions.
xdafan15 said:
Thanks again. I read 10 pages of the thread you mentioned in your first reply:
HTML:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4-att/general/guide-odin-to-stock-updating-rooting-t2926642
Very helpful
Another question- you said to load NB1 firmware on the phone, but also NC1 kernel, apparently, NC1 is required for towelroot to work. Why not just load NC1 firmware- won't the NC1 kernel will come along? Is NB1 firmware specifically needed for some reason?
Or did you mean to keep upgrading from NB1to reach the final desired firmware, say NL1, then flash the NC1 kernel, root with towelroot, then flash the final desired (in my example, NL1) kernel.
Also, the first section in that link says if you want to end up on Lollipop OC3 or OC4, to root using Kingroot, but warns "there is mixed feeling about this application". Can't I root with towelroot instead to avoid Kingroot?
Sorry! As I learn more it brings up new questions.
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NB1 is the only full stock tar available. There is no full NC1 stock tar, or any other 4.4.2 or above stock tar. No matter which distribution you are on, 4.4.2 4.4.4 or 5.0.1, to go back to stock you have to flash NB1 with Odin.
If you want Lolipop, I would suggest that you root with towelroot, and then use the keep root method to go to OC4.
I'm trying to decide if I should update up to NJ5, OC3, or OC4. Any thoughts about advantages/disadvantages? Should I just update to the latest (OC4) for simplicity?
I don't have an opinion between KitKat and Lolipop.
As far as OC3 or OC4, the OC4 update is just a bug fix update from OC3 that supposedly protects from at least part of the stagefright vulnerability. NJ5 is the same update with respect to JN4.
I'm making more progress on your thread- I'm up to page 20 now and feeling much more comfortable as I see how to deal with (or hopefully avoid) other's problems.
I think I'm almost ready to go, but I know I have one more question- I know that some versions of towelroot need internet access, but when you flash the NC1 kernel onto NB1, you lose wifi. I plan to do this on a phone that will not have data, at least at the beginning. I saw others talk about getting around this and they said they used an earlier version of towelroot that didn't need internet. Do you think that will work for me?
If I get a chance, I'll edit here and list the specific older version.
squatting in this thread because I too have an s4 w/ ni1 bootloader (4.4.2) .. gonna check that thread out too ... (fist bumps @xdafan15 .. me and u are the lone desperados)
got some good help too. check that thread about ALL THINGS ROOT in the general tab.
I found the version of towelroot v3 that doesn't need internet access. It is referenced here in the first post.
File here
@creepyncrawly or anyone else who knows: Is is OK to use this version to root instead of the normal version of towelroot 3 that needs internet access?
xdafan15 said:
I found the version of towelroot v3 that doesn't need internet access. It is referenced here in the first post.
File here creepyncrawly or anyone else who knows: Is is OK to use this version to root instead of the normal version of towelroot 3 that needs internet access?
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Go ahead at try it. I don't actually have the S4, so I don't know from first hand experience, but it will either work or it won't. I expect it will work.
I got a surprise- I bought a used S4 and when I checked it, found out it has 4.2.2, MDL- one of the rare ones that was never updated and still has the unlocked bootloader! So all of the work I've been doing was somewhat off target.
Now I guess I need to root 4.2.2 and flash a custom rom to get the phone updated. If I update with the stock firmware it'll lock the bootloader permanently.
I found instructions to root on the first post here "[HOW-TO] The ULTIMATE All-In-One Guide - I337M & MDL - MF3 - MK2"
Is that the correct method?
I wonder if I can just load towelroot and root that way?
Can anyone suggest an updated ROM (preferably one that has been patched against stagefright)?
Do I also flash this phone using Odin? And does the firmware always go in the "AP" slot?
Sorry, I'm trying to learn this and I thought I'd be using the locked bootloader method in the 2nd post.
MDL oh don't let that bad boy ever update. You can root and unroot as often as you like.
Can you please help me understand what to do? I have a Samsung Galaxy s4 with AT&T that I switched to Straight Talk. I need to know how to root this phone but this forum is very confusing and outdated. Plz help me!
Hi, @Tmtd78. The S4 is getting pretty old now so this forum is pretty quiet. What version of android does your phone have? Under *Settings*, *About device*, what are the last 3 characters under *Build number*? I think every version of android on this phone can be rooted, but you will have to spend some time here to learn how everything works. Did you read the posts linked earlier by @creepyncrawly? Read the first and last 10 or 20 pages of each thread of interest and you will get the idea. The method you use will depend on the firmware your phone has. If it has the mdl or mdb bootloader, you probably will want to make sure the firmware doesn't update.
By the way, to @creepyncrawly and @engloa, thanks for your help. I was able to learn how to successfully root my S4, load a custom recovery, make backups, load a custom ROM, and make some tweaks to the kernel. Everything is running well now.
It was a long road, but everything was here on XDA and I appreciate your help.
@xdafan15, the build number is NI1. And I will definitely read the posts. I really appreciate you getting back with me so fast. I'm just scared I'm going to mess something up lol.
Sure thing. I'm not an expert, just a beginner, but I have learned a few things along the way. The NI1 bootloader is locked so you will need to follow the instructions for using Odin under the first post shown above by @creepyncrawly (here). Also, read this one. Also, this.
As long as you are 1) careful to not load code incompatible with an AT&T S4 onto your device and 2) follow instructions EXACTLY you should be fine. Be wary of following instructions listed on a forum that is not specific to the AT&T S4. Don't get sloppy and try to do stuff from memory- read and follow the instructions step by step. The good news is as long as you don't cause as few specific types of problems with your storage, I think you'll be able to Odin back to the NB1 firmware and start over.
Learn how to and practice booting your phone into download and recovery modes.
Get Odin running on your computer and see if it will recognize your device. A guide here. I think .tar or .tar.md5 files always go in the *AP* slot if memory serves. You may also see references to an older version of Odin where the *AP* slot was called *PDA*
Just noticed that Bell released the 6.0.1 update for my phone (at least I think Bell is BMC, since sammobile stopped displaying the carrier names I'm not sure anymore http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/database/SM-N910W8/BMC/). How would I go about doing that? I'm assuming there's more to this update than software, they usually include stuff like radio/modem/bootloader firmware updates that I can't get by just using some custom MM build. So I have to install their update to get that. But I'm running 5.1.1, using some custom debloated version of COK3.
I've got lots of questions that I couldn't answer with my google-fu. Is the 6.0.1 build rootable? Does xposed work on it? Can I use Chainfire's Flashfire to update it? https://flashfire.chainfire.eu/ Or do I have to completely downgrade to stock to apply the OTA update? Chainfire's Flashfire says it won't work with a locked bootloader, but that only applies to Verizon Note 4's, right, not Bell? I'm pretty sure my bootloader is unlocked or I wouldn't have a rooted phone with a custom rom and recovery. And it says "things get tricky with a modified /system partition like if you're running xposed", which I am, so what does that mean for me?
Thanks for any help! I know a lot of these questions can be vaguely answered by google if I look hard enough, but I like to be absolutely sure of all the steps for my exact phone before I go do anything that could possibly hard-brick it.
Hey guys,
Want to wipe my phone fresh since I'm running out of space. My phone has been telling me for months that I have an update, but I haven't updated because I've been told on here never to do OTA updates.
I tried looking around for a stock rooted ROM for this like I've flashed for other versions, but I can't much if any info on the new PL1 update. Usually, someone posts a de-knoxed, rooted version of the software. Is that around or what should I do?
How should I do the update? If I download it from sammobile and flashed it, will that screw up my phone?
Edit: TBH, it's been a while since I've done this and have forgotten the right terminology. I'm not sure if my phone is "unlocked," but I have Philz Touch recovery on it, definitely rooted, and whatever else is built into those modified stock ROMs. Just want to wipe, update, and keep my functionality without bricking or something, since I need this thing working. I can't seem to find a straightforward post on here, and I'm just so busy with school I feel like I can't catch up and relearn all this stuff again.
Thanks for the help
i have been searching for weeks now for a way to root my G935P on QH1 firmware and cant seem to find anything that works. Am i missing something or is there currently no way to root on this firmware? I have tried almost every root method for the G935P and every one of them bootloops my phone, and i think its because they are for older firmwares and its not letting me flash older firmware.
One method that looked promising was to flash U firmware, but i tried this too and it didnt work, dont know if im doing something wrong or if U firmware is not able to be installed after ive updated to this latest QH1 firmware.
RIght now im kind of kicking myself for installing this latest system update, but one of the root methods i tried that was one of the steps was to go to system update and let it update to the latest firmware and now it seems as if im stuck here with no way to root
I'm in the same boat, I recently just upgraded from the Note 3 (brother gave me his S7E). I'm not new to rooting, but its definitely not as easy as it used to be.
rfrick93 said:
I'm in the same boat, I recently just upgraded from the Note 3 (brother gave me his S7E). I'm not new to rooting, but its definitely not as easy as it used to be.
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Not worth rooting this phone. The method is extremely unstable. Any reason why you need to root? There could be a non root workaround
BDog21 said:
i have been searching for weeks now for a way to root my G935P on QH1 firmware and cant seem to find anything that works. Am i missing something or is there currently no way to root on this firmware? I have tried almost every root method for the G935P and every one of them bootloops my phone, and i think its because they are for older firmwares and its not letting me flash older firmware.
One method that looked promising was to flash U firmware, but i tried this too and it didnt work, dont know if im doing something wrong or if U firmware is not able to be installed after ive updated to this latest QH1 firmware.
RIght now im kind of kicking myself for installing this latest system update, but one of the root methods i tried that was one of the steps was to go to system update and let it update to the latest firmware and now it seems as if im stuck here with no way to root
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Same here. The bootloops is crazy! I have rooted the tmobile and verizon versions before with no issues. I was begining to think the Qualcomm boot file was bad. But it appears it's with the sprint s7 edge.
lvpre said:
Not worth rooting this phone. The method is extremely unstable. Any reason why you need to root? There could be a non root workaround
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Click to collapse
Not unstable at all.. I have mine rooted for a long time. It's fast and works just fine... If you follow the steps in order, then you should have no problems at all... This is the simplest method of all.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/sprint-s7-edge/how-to/sm-g935p-spr-root-nougat-7-0-data-t3568780
So im wanting to finally root and flash my phone after having it for almost a year, tired of all the VZW updates, prompts and just general bloat. So i did some digging and samfail only works up to V5 bootloaders.. my phone baseband is g955usqu5crk1 and i cant find any info on it and i dont want to try to do samfail and brick my phone due to it not being compatible. Does anyone have any info on this version or know what i can do from this point?.
Kokumotsu said:
So im wanting to finally root and flash my phone after having it for almost a year, tired of all the VZW updates, prompts and just general bloat. So i did some digging and samfail only works up to V5 bootloaders.. my phone baseband is g955usqu5crk1 and i cant find any info on it and i dont want to try to do samfail and brick my phone due to it not being compatible. Does anyone have any info on this version or know what i can do from this point?.
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I am not sure, but I think you can still root. Check the ROM section here in the Verizon Forum and look for JRKRuse thread. Or, look in the S8 Plus Forum under ROMs and look for the Partcyborg thread. I think with the S8 plus you can still root V5, but check with the experts before you start down any path.
The 5 near the end is bootloader version 5, the C means Oreo
Im on the same baseband version and have been trying samfail method all night, as well as different odin versions, i either get sha256 error on first step or else it hangs for way too long
I believe there's a patched Odin which helps with the errors you're describing. Google (patched Odin 3.13.1). It combines features from the Odin variant (Prince Comsey Odin) which eliminates such issues.