Bootloader unlocked, can I use any rom? - Verizon Galaxy Note 3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

So Ive had this Verizon Note 3 since day one. Finally unlocked my bootloader... What are the rules on what I can and can't do now. Can I install any Android rom? Can I only install note 3 roms from any carrier... Can I install only Verizon note 3 roms? Or is it a hybrid... I can install any rom if I replace the firmware and or modem.
I really want something on 7.1 but I'd rather take 6 and have something custom... Fast and responsive.
Thanks community.

You are in luck. :crying:
There's hardly anything to choose from; maybe 3 or 4 ROMs and about the same number of kernels.
AFAIK, there are no Nougat ROMs and only one Marshmallow ROM (AryaMod6.6).
Normally, when a dev ships a "ROM", there are two important pieces: the /system image (what some folks call "the ROM"), and the boot image. The boot image is what some folks erroneously call "the kernel"; but it is really a combination of kernel + ramdisk. The ramdisk has all the scripts in it that the "init" process reads to start up all the low-level daemons and services... as well as the Android UI as well.
The kernel is very tightly tied to the specific hardware in a given handset - both the processor/gpu and all the sensors/leds/peripherals.
So that's the reason you can't just flash any old ROM. In the least bad case, your device wouldn't boot; in the worst bad case the kernel would boot up far enough go off in the weeds and possibly damage some of your hardware.
You might be tempted to think "we'll, what if I find a boot image for the "hltevzw" SM-N900V device... can I flash that after I have flashed 'any old Android ROM'? Won't that take care of things?"
Well, not really. The system library binaries in /system are possibly compiled with instruction-set optimumization tweaks that are only supported by specific CPU and GPU hardware chips. Moreover, other peripheral chips such as GPS have unique "downloadable" vendor firmware in the system image... so again, there's the issue of hardware dependencies of the /system image.
Beyond that, there's carrier-specific "setup and activation" software that differs between ROMs, so even using ROMs that are from a different carrier's version of the exact same handset hardware might not work fully - specifically in the telephony function areas. Everything else might work fine though. For instance if you wanted to use the device as a WiFi-only unit for kid's games etc.
Note BTW that the "International" Note 3 GSM phones are not the same hardware - they use an Exynos processor.
good luck in your quest

Thanks
That was very helpful... Looks like Araya is my best bet. I'll leave jasmine rom to try it.
I was hoping that I could get another note 3 rom on this forum and flash the CDMA modem for networking... But doesn't seem like that's an option.
If I'm still stuck to Verizon Note 3 rom... What is the purpose or benefit of unlocking the bootloader... Was that really just to avoid Odin so I can flash my couple rom choices easier?
I appreciate your time!

cyberoptics said:
That was very helpful... Looks like Araya is my best bet. I'll leave jasmine rom to try it.
I was hoping that I could get another note 3 rom on this forum and flash the CDMA modem for networking... But doesn't seem like that's an option.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I might have very slightly overstated the case for pessimism. There is a "consolidated" Verizon Note 3 Forum which is meant for devs to provide development tools and even ROMs that could potentially be used on devices from more than one carrier. But the world being organized the way it is, that means that you are more likely to find multi-carrier GSM ROMs over there than multi-carrier ROMS which support GSM and oh by the way CDMA and LTE as well.
If you want to fool around over there, I recommend that you proceed with great caution to make sure that the ROMs you choose specifically target Qualcomm MSM8974AB Note 3 handsets, and you should read the developer notes very carefully to see whether you need to flash an "hltevzw" kernel separately. If the dev does not mention "supports hltevzw" or "supports N900V" (for example here) you might be taking chances with your hardware.
I suppose it is possible that the radios are 100% "software defined" in the sense of which bands they can support. Maybe you can get what you want by simply flashing the desired carrier's "modem" firmware, but I have never done that so I can't say for certain whether that works or you are risking a brick (or hardware damage) by doing that. I simply don't know (e.g.) if the chips and antennas in a T-mo version of the Note 3 are identical or different from a Verizon Note 3's hardware
cyberoptics said:
If I'm still stuck to Verizon Note 3 rom... What is the purpose or benefit of unlocking the bootloader... Was that really just to avoid Odin so I can flash my couple rom choices easier?
I appreciate your time!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, for one - having a custom recovery allows you to make backups - even if you never change ROMs
People don't think of backups as being "sexy", but they allow you something which is really valuable: freedom to mess around and experiment with the knowledge that "if something goes wrong, I'll just restore the backup".
And with Odin, you only had the choice of Stock Roms. Now you have a few more.
cheers

Yes you can install Any rom for note3
Here is my experience with installing roms on note 3 after unlock bootloader
you should Flash twrp-2.8.7.0-hlte-4.4.img by ODIN for the hlte roms or twrp-2.8.7.0-hltevzw-4.4.img if you looking to flash verizon roms ,
im on Phronesis Rom N7 now and i tryed many roms
AryaMod N7 & S7 Edge
MagMa-NX from NXT TEAM
Resurrection Remix Nougat 7.1.1
CM 13 ROM 6.0.1 for Trader418
Purify CM13 6.0.1 ( the best CM13 till now )
and more ...
i have only one problem that i cant get LTE in mobile network always on H+
i tryed to add screenshot but i couldn't its my firist reply :laugh:

@ALPHA85
Pretty informative first post - thanks, and welcome aboard!
Are you on a Verizon SIM? If not, have you been flashing modems from other Note3 devices?
Just curious; I don't have much experience with radio issues or carrier activation issues. Trying to port a carrier-specific ROM elsewhere (esp starting from a VZW ROM) looks like a massive pile of interlocking software dependencies, though. My respect to anyone who can succeed at it.
Feel free to write a brief summary about what's broken in each - any of them have NFC working? I was on CM13 (trader418) for a long time and would have been happy to stay there were it not for all the GPS issues.

Thank you ,:angel:
i dont use Verizon SIM becouse im from egypt, i bought my verizon note 3 by wrong , when i bought it i saw N9005 under the battery and in the boot screen also inside the rom ,it was lollipop 5.0 ,but sinse i did factory rest i surprised it change to N900V even the imei changed , till now i cant understand how they flashed N9005 rom for N900V device with locked bootloader
i'm on OF1 bootloader unlocked and i flashed PL1 Modem i thought maybe it help me to get LTE but still the same H+
about NFC i really didn't try it at all , i always disable it by titanium pro

ALPHA85 said:
when i bought it i saw N9005 under the battery and in the boot screen also inside the rom ,it was lollipop 5.0 ,but sinse i did factory rest i surprised it change to N900V even the imei changed , till now i cant understand how they flashed N9005 rom for N900V device with locked bootloader
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you first got it, did it appear to have a Verizon ROM on it? (For instance, the Verizon splash screen?) Or some other carrier's logo?
Actually, that cleared something up for me. Well, except for the part about the IMEI changing
Apparently there were both LTE and GSM models of the "Note 3" that were sold in international markets. I understand the LTE version was originally sold in China, but the GSM model is more common?
The SM-N9005 is an LTE phone (I don't know about CDMA) with the Qualcomm MSM8974 processor
and the N9000 is the GSM model with an Exynos 5420 processor
So that probably explains the binary compatibility of the SM-N900V and the SM-N9005 - same processor, and both phones were designed for LTE service.
But your report should give @cyberoptics a little less pessimistic view of things; thank you for that.
But I wouldn't go so far as to say you can flash ANY Note 3 ROM. Even though both the Exynos and Qualcomm processors use ARM cores, they are fairly different - the Exynos has 8 cores, half of which are Cortex-A15, and the MSM8974 has only four cores which are Krait- something or other. I think they are not quite compatible. Note that in theory, ARM code that was compiled to earlier standards (e.g. thumb, armv5) would certainly work on both devices - but if they compiled ALL the code in ROM libraries that way they would be giving up a lot of performance on either device. So.... to the extent that they target processor specifics for either Cortex-A15 or Krait, they will be incompatible.
cheers.

bftb0 said:
You are in luck. :crying:
There's hardly anything to choose from; maybe 3 or 4 ROMs and about the same number of kernels.
AFAIK, there are no Nougat ROMs and only one Marshmallow ROM (AryaMod6.6).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
bftb0 I just wanted to thank you once again for your consistently helpful, verbose posts about the N900V. I've been using CM13 thinking it was the best thing going, when, as nice as it was at the time, it doesn't hold water compared to AyraMod, which I switched to yesterday after reading this thread.
Now my GPS won't take me sailing past Easter Island when en route to a noon meeting downtown. Maybe Google Cardboard will even work, now that NFC appears to.
Thanks again, and please don't ever bore of being a great and helpful resource, we need you!

Related

[Q] Stable CyanogenMod for Verizon Note 3

I'm very interested in switching from my stock Verizon Note 3 ROM to CyanogenMod, but after a great deal of research I cannot tell with absolute certainty if http://wiki.cyanogenmod.org/w/Hlte_Info is the correct ROM for use with my Verizon Note 3. Is it the correct ROM?
Additionally, if http://wiki.cyanogenmod.org/w/Hlte_Info is the correct ROM for use with my Verizone Note 3, how do I work around their posted notice as follows? Such as, are there specific instructions for using ODIN?
"If you've applied the 4.4.x update to your hlte device, it is possible heimdall will have communication issues with your device. This is a filed bug already on the heimdall page and this warning will be removed when it is resolved. In the meantime, ODIN still works."​
Karine said:
I'm very interested in switching from my stock Verizon Note 3 ROM to CyanogenMod, but after a great deal of research I cannot tell with absolute certainty if http://wiki.cyanogenmod.org/w/Hlte_Info is the correct ROM for use with my Verizon Note 3. Is it the correct ROM?
Additionally, if http://wiki.cyanogenmod.org/w/Hlte_Info is the correct ROM for use with my Verizone Note 3, how do I work around their posted notice as follows? Such as, are there specific instructions for using ODIN?
"If you've applied the 4.4.x update to your hlte device, it is possible heimdall will have communication issues with your device. This is a filed bug already on the heimdall page and this warning will be removed when it is resolved. In the meantime, ODIN still works."​
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are on RETAIL VZW N3, there is NO WAY to have anything but a stock or cutsom stock ROM.
If you are on a DEV EDITION VZW N3, check here.
I have the retail Verizon Note 3, and all other resources I've encountered indicate that the link I provided is a universal ROM for all Note 3.
Karine said:
I have the retail Verizon Note 3, and all other resources I've encountered indicate that the link I provided is a universal ROM for all Note 3.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is universal for the international versions, which there are many. Without an unlocked bootloader, we cannot flash aosp, aokp, or cm based roms.
The bootloader issue is what prevents compatibility with the CM installer, but I don't believe it prevents ROM flashes through other means. And I've seen several threads that specifically state that universal covers Sprint, Verizon, etc.
Karine said:
The bootloader issue is what prevents compatibility with the CM installer, but I don't believe it prevents ROM flashes through other means. And I've seen several threads that specifically state that universal covers Sprint, Verizon, etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok. And why isn't this info blowing up the Verizon Note 3 forums? If I'm wrong, I'll admit that. But many smarter people that me have stated time and time again that it's not going to work. And I have seen no information that will lead me to believe otherwise. Can you provide links to where it's being stated we can flash this?
That's why I'm here, to sort whether it will work as all the information available seems unclear and split.
Ok, I got ya. There is info burried here. But as I understand it the ability to install custom roms requires an unlocked bootloader. When we got that leak of kk nc2, we obtained a locked bootloader the had a few "holes" in it (for lack of a better term). With that bootloader, there is the possibility of some exploits that can be applied in order to give us the ability to flash a cm rom amongst other things. But we're not there yet.
Best I can give you is to watch this thread for any news or development:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2812650
Many thanks for the link.
I'm gonna back up Lefty here.
The retail version has a locked bootloader, which means we can't install a custom recovery or an alternate kernel, both of which are required to install non-touchwiz ROMs. (Not the case for the dev edition, which you would know if you had)
This is Verizon's doing. Samsung will provide phones with unlocked bootloaders to cellular companies, but verizon wants them locked down. I believe the only US company that sells bl-unlocked phones is T-Mobile. Lots of international carriers are bl-unlocked.
CM is mostly "universal" across ALL devices, because its based on AOSP straight from Google, and just has to be tweaked slightly for hardware differences. That's why CM builds for a note3 are "universal" -- the hardware is all the same. This comes at a price... last I've heard, the s-pen is just emulated as a mouse input, which is a bastardization of the technology. This is just an example. There are several compromises to running AOSP roms.
Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk
Thanks for the great information. It's a shame that Verizon or anyone else locks the bootloader. It should be no matter to them what ROM I run.

Lollipop Leak for SM-9005

Anyone know if they can be ported over to us?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-note-3/general/guide-t2983873
Unfortunately not
I'd imagine that unless if we can figure out a way to get this leaked build to work with the NC2/NC4 bootloader/kernel and SafeStrap and what not that it won't work for us as of now. I don't think it's impossible but I'm not 100% sure it could be done...
Edit: What we need at this point is a pure stock flashable version of this leak. Then we can go from there.
Edit 2: Okay I'm silly here. I found a list of ROMs that are out for the SM-9005 so I wonder how hard it would be to port one of them with some of the fixes like WiFi over to our Verizon Note 3?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/gal.../lollipop-android-5-rom-list-updated-t2984365
So I'm thinking here's the challenges we'd have:
1 - Making this work with our NC2/NC4 bootloader and kernel. Now I dunno if that can be done but I've seen stranger things happen.
2 - Keeping KNOX set to 0x0. It looks like at least one ROM has that covered (forgot which one).
3 - Getting this to work with our SafeStrap 3.75. I'd imagine if we can get it to work with our kernel/bootloader then we'd have no issues here but who knows.
4 - We might need to do a few file replacements and edits to get data and what not to work. I remember when I helped port SkyNote 4.3 from AT&T to Verizon on the Note 2 (which was based off a leak for the AT&T Note 2 for 4.3 JellyBean) there was a few file swaps I had to do from the Verizon 4.2 base to get data to work (along with build.prop edits).
this would be awesome, heres hoping!
Okay I used the deodex ROM found here.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-note-3/development/rom-t2983506
I replaced the kernel in this with the one from EclipseROM 2.1.1. It'll install and will get past the Samsung logo and that's it. I get a blank screen for several minutes then reboots to Samsung recovery. Thankfully I can still restore back to EclipseROM so nothing really lost on my end except for a slight amount of time in trying. I'm assuming the issue lies in with us not having a proper 5.0 bootloader. There has to be a way to make this work on our NC2/NC4 bootloader.
(And I'm asking out of kindness let's keep the "can't wait for this" and "hope this works" comments off of the thread so we can discuss how to get this working - thanks I'm not trying to be mean but I'd like to keep this thread clean and for discussing how to get this working)
I am wondering if you need a modified kernel for it to work. I am not entirely sure it's a bootloader issue(not saying its not). That being said on my DE I can run 4.4 roms on a 4.3 bootloader with a modified kernel that hashcode made.
That is true. Sadly unless if we can modify the kernel (or get Kexec working) we are stuck waiting for Lollipop to either leak or officially hit our Note 3. And given that the recent 4.4.4 update changed the bootloader (and killed our current root exploit) the signs aren't good for us on Lollipop at this point.
the leak is for the octa core enxyos version so completely different soc verizon, att, sprint and tmobile all use qualcomm 800 quad core soc.
So if your on an international version likely you can use some version of the leak. For us stuck with the US version we have to wait till a carrier specific one leaks.

What to do with a Samsung Galaxy Note 3 N900S - that's 'ESS' not 'five'

I have an N900S - it's the south-korean Telekom take on the SM-9005. But I'm in France and some of the French LTE bands aren't open.
By the specs it appears to be exactly the same as an N9005 except that it has a weird retractable radio antenna and these pesky blocked LTE bands.
It's rooted - finally - thanks to philz recovery which has a specific binary for the beast, and I've got all the tooling necessary to hack into the NanD storage and looked at all the tutorials and (finally) freed up the modem mode system menu.
But as the tutorials point out, I need a kernel built from AOSP to actually get in and permanently activate those LTE bands. And, it being the ESS, not 5, I have not yet found one.
So it's time to get there myself! Like any good programmer (and I am reasonably good), my principle attribute is laziness, so the first port of call is here - amongst the experts.
Here we go then:
. Does anyone know what the principle differences are between the ESS and the 5 - what is that make a 5 ROM/kernel, be a bricklayer on an ESS?
. Is anyone already working on this (I find no dev references anywhere)?
. If the answers to the above are negative, can anyone point me in the right direction for acquiring this knowledge for myself?
Thanks
The main difference between 900S and 9005 is the bootloader, but any AOSP/CM ROM from lollipop 5.0 supports both models fully.
For kernels which work with stock TW ROMs, I believe arter's kernels should he compatible, but you will want to read his instructions first.
Sent using XDA One

Can you flash Verizon Note 4 (SM-N910V) with any other snapdragon variant firmware?

So I have been following XDA for the past 5 years and this is my very first post. Have some experience with flashing custom roms on different phones and most recently a T-mobile S7-edge (SM-G935T). I flashed a (SM-G935U) firmware on it for the sake of debloating and fully unlocking the device. It worked like a charm, now am tinkering around with a Verizon Note 4 and am unable to find the answers I seek. The problems with this stock firmware is that it is heavily bloated with carrier apps , gets slow at times , unable to use data, hotspot and other such functionalities making me search the internet to flash it with a stock rom which solves all these problems. My question is that what things should i keep in my mind to find a compatible rom and secondly , are these roms for Note-4 (snapdragon variants) interchangeable as done with S7-edge mentioned above. And if it is then what rom will be best to flash for use in Asia. Necessary Information will be provided upon demand. Replies and comments will be appreciated. :fingers-crossed: . P.S I dont wanna flash any unofficial builds.
Yes you can. I have a Verizon Note 4 and I used this method in order to first unlock the bootloader, then flash Magisk for systemless root.
Unlock bootloader and root VZ galaxy note 4: https://forum.xda-developers.com/no...asy-guide-how-to-root-verizon-galaxy-t3454593.
Install Magisk: https://forum.xda-developers.com/apps/magisk/official-magisk-v7-universal-systemless-t3473445
changing SM-N910v firmware with SM-N910c
SO i just Went thru the internet and found out that Asian Versions of Note 4 had SM-N910c firmware variant flashed to them, should I flash it? any suggestions?
As an experienced flasher of over 20 Note 4 devices (plus a few more), be careful flashing firmware for other Note 4 devices on a Verizon Note 4 unit. They usually will not work. Several varieties of the device are Snapdragon processors. However the C model is an Exynos processor. This would be like installing IOS software on an Android device. They are not interchangeable. You'd be best to stick with something designed for your N device.
Even then ... using a different ROM (maybe for T or F) can lead to only partial usability of that device. Your data may not work, your cell service may not work, your wifi may not work, etc... Or it won't even boot at all.
Thankfully, Samsung has provided us with ODIN, which is a software program to reflash a device that's been hosed by a malformed ROM. If you want your phone to work, remember the following:
1. Only flash COMPATIBLE software for the processor.
2. Only flash the same variant of ROM to that device (VZW in this case). This is to prevent data carrier problems. An F ROM may boot, but not be fully functional.
3. If you want to try a new unofficial ROM, get one for that device and processor. Be aware that compatibility is not always guaranteed, but Lineage OS 9 ROMS are better than Android 8 as for compatibility. I've tried them all.
4. A stock ROM will have bloatware. If you are rooted, you can remove most of that (if you know how).
5. Last but not least... if you want to stick close to stock, use ModestROM. You'll get 6.01 and some bloatware, but it will be closest to stock as possible with root. Other ROMS might work, but for full functionality, stick with a ROM designed for your device. Otherwise you will experience problems, or worse. You could have a new paperweight!

Old newbie help!

Hi all,
It's been a long, long while since I tinkered with roms, I think my last one was either a Samsung Galaxy Tab (the original one!) or an HTC Sensation.
So I've recently acquired a Note 4 n910F and can't stand all of the Samsung bloatware, and I'd like a newer version of android for compatibility with newer apps.
So remind me... What does 'stock' mean? Is this as Samsung intended, or as android intended? I'd just like a vanilla as possible android experience that works well.
Help please!
richuu said:
Hi all,
It's been a long, long while since I tinkered with roms, I think my last one was either a Samsung Galaxy Tab (the original one!) or an HTC Sensation.
So I've recently acquired a Note 4 n910F and can't stand all of the Samsung bloatware, and I'd like a newer version of android for compatibility with newer apps.
So remind me... What does 'stock' mean? Is this as Samsung intended, or as android intended? I'd just like a vanilla as possible android experience that works well.
Help please!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey! I don't know if you've already found your answers but I thought I would respond in case you haven't.
In almost every reference you see in this section of xda "stock" is referring to the TouchWiz OS that Samsung phones are shipped with.
True android stock is referred to as "vanilla" like you said.
I use a different model Note 4 than you have but from what I've read it's fairly easy to flash TWRP (custom recovery) on the F model via Odin and from there you can pick from whichever rom suits you. Just be sure you're in the Snapdragon section. There are many different models of the Note 4 and some of them have a different processor called Exynos. The roms are processor specific and you can only use the ones built for your type which is the Snapdragon processor.
One other thing I wound suggest, because of the different variants of the F model, is to take notice of your CSC code. Once you start flashing other roms it may be hard to track down the original code. Use this app to see what it is and that way you can flash the appropriate modem file (or if you need to reflash your stock firmware) instead of just using whichever modem file is provided in the OP of the rom you're flashing. There are many different variants of the F model with many different country codes, just remember that just because the firmware has a newer release date doesn't mean it's the correct version.
TWRP- Found here
Samsung USB drivers for Windows. Needed to connect your phone to your PC- Found here
Odin download- Found here
Development section for Snapdragon- Found here
Fantastic response, thank you. I think I'd like to do without TouchWiz... Pretty much all of my previous phones have been HTC, which either had the HTC skin over it, which was fairly unobtrusive, or barely anything at all. The current version of android and TW on the note 4 is messy.

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