Database Users

OK2, Android 5.0.1--what are my options?

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a custom ROM then had to flash to stock ROM to be able to flash to another custom ROM--however, I accidentally flashed a newer version of the AT&T stock ROM which locked my bootloader and I could no longer flash to a custom ROM).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...however, I accidentally flashed a newer version of the AT&T stock ROM which locked my bootloader ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.

nougat

Hi all,
Noobie questions sorry.
I have a xt1625 us retail version and I'm getting prompted to take the OTA nougat update.
However, I have unlocked bootloader and TWRP installed so it fails.
1) Is the stock nougat available as a zip?
2) Is my best option to relock bootloader and go back to stock recovery, in order to take the OTA?
3)Is there a stable custom rom that is preferable?
Thanks very much

update;
I reflashed the stock firmware using fastboot and the 16 ish commands needed.
After this I took the OTA update without issues.

You can re root your phone and reinstall twrp now.
Sent from my LG-LS980 using Tapatalk

Yes. bootloader remains unlocked, so I can root later.
for now I am satisfied, stock rom isn't too bloaty

Just Bought a Sprint HTC 10 HELP (ROMS)!

Finally upgraded to a 10 from M8. Glad I did. Right now I have it s-off and bootloader unlocked. Do I have to relock bootloader to flash RUU like the M8? Right now I am running Stock Sprint ROM. My question is how do I remove bloat and gain root? I have always been using SuperSU but now I want to try Magisk. My plan is to flash TWRP first and then Magisk on my Sprint ROM and manually remove bloat myself. I wonder if I flash the WWE_deoxed or Dev version would I mess up my radio and LTE bands/prl update ability? My goal is to have a Stock rooted sense rom with Magisk that works with my carrier Sprint. Also, I want to have the ability to have OTA updates from HTC directly if possible. If I have to flash the WWE or Dev version that's cool but I don't know if I have to change my CID or not. I just want a pure sense rom that works with Sprint and able to take updates? Btw what are the differences between WWE or Dev since my bootloader is already unlocked? will I be able to flash magisk on these two roms? I have read over the forums but there are too much information someone guide me in the right path please. thanks and god bless!

inspireyue said:
Finally upgraded to a 10 from M8. Glad I did. Right now I have it s-off and bootloader unlocked. Do I have to relock bootloader to flash RUU like the M8? Right now I am running Stock Sprint ROM. My question is how do I remove bloat and gain root? I have always been using SuperSU but now I want to try Magisk. My plan is to flash TWRP first and then Magisk on my Sprint ROM and manually remove bloat myself. I wonder if I flash the WWE_deoxed or Dev version would I mess up my radio and LTE bands/prl update ability? My goal is to have a Stock rooted sense rom with Magisk that works with my carrier Sprint. Also, I want to have the ability to have OTA updates from HTC directly if possible. If I have to flash the WWE or Dev version that's cool but I don't know if I have to change my CID or not. I just want a pure sense rom that works with Sprint and able to take updates? Btw what are the differences between WWE or Dev since my bootloader is already unlocked? will I be able to flash magisk on these two roms? I have read over the forums but there are too much information someone guide me in the right path please. thanks and god bless!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rooting this device is no different than the M8, for the most part. Before you flash any sort of custom ROM I highly suggest making a backup of your current ROM, to include the system image, as this will help you take OTA updates in the future. Second, if you check OMJ's threads in the Sprint development forum you will find stock rooted ROM's for the 10. I believe he also has Magisk versions that you can install, if you so desire. As far as relocking the bootloader to run a RUU, that's not necessary now. If you plan on using a custom Nougat ROM you will need the latest TWRP recovery, which can be found in Captain Throwback's TWRP thread in the main HTC 10 development forum. I can't really help you with the rest of your questions, as I have a Sprint 10 and run ROM's that work for the device that don't require any sort of modification to the device outside of having an unlocked bootloader with S-off and TWRP.

Magnum_Enforcer said:
Rooting this device is no different than the M8, for the most part. Before you flash any sort of custom ROM I highly suggest making a backup of your current ROM, to include the system image, as this will help you take OTA updates in the future. Second, if you check OMJ's threads in the Sprint development forum you will find stock rooted ROM's for the 10. I believe he also has Magisk versions that you can install, if you so desire. As far as relocking the bootloader to run a RUU, that's not necessary now. If you plan on using a custom Nougat ROM you will need the latest TWRP recovery, which can be found in Captain Throwback's TWRP thread in the main HTC 10 development forum. I can't really help you with the rest of your questions, as I have a Sprint 10 and run ROM's that work for the device that don't require any sort of modification to the device outside of having an unlocked bootloader with S-off and TWRP.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply. I am glad I don't have to relock and unlock bootloader again for RUU. Many thanks to Captain Throwback who has been providing stock roms since M8 days. Is there any ways to remove Sprint bloat? I wanted to go to the HTC 10 forum and flash Sprint_WWE rom but i don't know if it will mess up my modem or radio. Any ideas?

I saw that the BadBoyz Modded Rom have Magisk Flash option. What about Stock rooted rom Badboyz posted? I dont see an option to flash Magisk zip onto it. Do I grab a Magisk file from Generic HTC 10 topjohnwu's forum and flash it with Badboyz sprint stock rooted rom? will it be compatible and do I need TWRP to do the steps above? thanks!

Using an S4 as emergency phone, and I need slight guidance for rooting & recovery

Hello
My LG V10 came across the famous bootloop issue, and I shipped it to LG. In the meantime, I am using an old S4 that was saved for emergencies like this one. It is running 4.4.4, I337UCUFNJ4, and I rooted it with Kingoroot.
I understand that it should OTA to 5.1 in pronably a day or 2 if I check for a software update; it sat turned off since 2014, so it did not receive anything.
1. Do I OTA and reroot?
2. Can I manually jump to 5.1?
Ultimately, I would like to install TWRP and the Blissrom or some other ROM, but I don't want to take an OTA that may screw me up for later. I read that there's a loki thing that will prevent future installations of recovery or something like that. I realize that I will be using a short time (2-3 weeks), but I would like to leave it rooted and with a good ROM.
Thank you

The bootloader is locked so that means TWRP cannot be flashed to the phone and the phone will only run custom ROMs based off a stock Samsung ROM.
OTA updates will not work if the phone is rooted.

audit13 said:
The bootloader is locked so that means TWRP cannot be flashed to the phone and the phone will only run custom ROMs based off a stock Samsung ROM.
OTA updates will not work if the phone is rooted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm confused or perhaps you are misinformed. I have seen a lot of ROMs for this device including Blissrom and many others. All od them get flashed through twrp or Safeway or aome name like that.

You mean safestrap?
Maybe you are thinking of the non-AT&T models of the s4 that work with custom ROMs such as Lineage and Validus. Only the AT&T version of the s4 has a locked bootloader, starting with Android 4.3 and up.
There has never been an sgh-i337 s4 with a locked bootloader than can run TWRP. Same goes for the AT&T sm-n900a note 3 with a locked bootloader.

audit13 said:
You mean safestrap?
Maybe you are thinking of the non-AT&T models of the s4 that work with custom ROMs such as Lineage and Validus. Only the AT&T version of the s4 has a locked bootloader, starting with Android 4.3 and up.
There has never been an sgh-i337 s4 with a locked bootloader than can run TWRP. Same goes for the AT&T sm-n900a note 3 with a locked bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But there's a forum dedicated to AT&T development full of roms here on xda.

Yes, there is a full section but you need to look at the ROM requirements. Some of these ROMs were developed before AT&T pushed out an OTA update that locked the bootloader. Other ROMs are made for the non-AT&T s4 such as the sgh-i337m and gt-i9505.
You will not see any ROM that is not based off a stock Samsung ROM that can be installed onto an AT&T s4 that has a locked bootloader. Also, you will not see any version of TWRP/CWM/Philz that can be installed onto an AT&T s4 that has a locked bootloader. Same goes for the AT&T sm-n900a.
I understand your skepticism and appreciate your posts as we are all here to learn from each other.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2785166
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4-att/help/ez-unlock-bricked-phone-galaxy-att-s4-t3703235
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4-att/help/help-installed-chainfire3d-phone-doesnt-t3700830
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4-att/help/samsung-galaxy-s4-sgh-i337-ok2-locked-t3458353

Thanks for the clarification. So how do I know if my bootloader is locked? If I took that ota update that messed things up?

The bootloader becomes locked when the phone is updated to Android 4.3 or newer. I think it needs to be on the MDL bootloader to be unlocked. Anything beginning with an "N" or "O" means that the bootloader is locked.

Thanks audit. And I assume that there's no way to go backwards to a pre-4.3 rom and unlock that bootloader.
So. I'm on 4.44 rooted. Do i remove root and take any ota and reroot? I guess that I'll settle for going as high as possible with the stock rom but rooted with the ability to disable some of the bloatware.
How can I proceed?
In those links that you mentioned, it states that we can flash debloated TouchWiz roms that might be better than stock. Is that right? So can I do that?

You will need to install safestrap to flash a custom ROM. The debloated ROMs must be based off a ROM that is designed for the AT&T s4.
I recommend reading through this thread: https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2616221

Audit... I odined back to nb1, rooted, and used flashify to get to rooted stock oc3.
How can I get to ok3? And should I leave ota services frozen so as to not ruin and loose root?

OTA will not work with a rooted phone.
Maybe this will help: https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=56453108&postcount=2
I don't have an sgh-i337 so I can't tell you how to get back to a completely stock ROM to get OTA updates. I have the sgh-i337m which is the Canadian version of the s4 without a locked bootloader.

I wrote a guide and FAQ revolving around the MDL bootloader here (if anyone cares to read it):
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4-att/general/how-to-one-guide-to-mdl-bootloader-t3584122

{HELP} Some doubts regarding root and OTA's ?

Hi , I've got some doubts ?? ? Hope U'll clear them up (i mean what better place to ask?) :
Can i get OTA updates without unrooting or flashing the stock rom? If i wont
If i root and enable Camera2API, and flash stock recovery, then lock the bootloader and keep the root access can i get OTA's? (This is bothering me as rooting with magisk donot change system files as it just integrates itself to the boot image. So in theory the phone will not detect any changes in the system and since the recovery remains stock it should get me the OTA updates) { I wanna keep root so that after an OTA update if Camera2API is disabled i can enable it again }
Finally can i retain my warranty if i lock the bootloader and flash stock recovery and stock rom?
Can someone please try out my second question to check if it'd work? That would be really helpful.
I want OTA updates since i like getting those monthly security updates and since the phone has no official rom i think sticking to the stock rom would be better.
And i kinda like stock android ?
I usually love root but i wont stick to it unless my warranty is finished and the only reason im rooting now is to get the Gcam.
And can i ask a tiny favor? If i install Gcam will it be better than/as Honor 9 Lite's camera ?
Hope U guys can help me get my mind straight .

Fredin_ said:
Hi , I've got some doubts ?? ? Hope U'll clear them up (i mean what better place to ask?) :
Can i get OTA updates without unrooting or flashing the stock rom? If i wont
If i root and enable Camera2API, and flash stock recovery, then lock the bootloader and keep the root access can i get OTA's? (This is bothering me as rooting with magisk donot change system files as it just integrates itself to the boot image. So in theory the phone will not detect any changes in the system and since the recovery remains stock it should get me the OTA updates) { I wanna keep root so that after an OTA update if Camera2API is disabled i can enable it again }
Finally can i retain my warranty if i lock the bootloader and flash stock recovery and stock rom?
Can someone please try out my second question to check if it'd work? That would be really helpful.
I want OTA updates since i like getting those monthly security updates and since the phone has no official rom i think sticking to the stock rom would be better.
And i kinda like stock android ?
I usually love root but i wont stick to it unless my warranty is finished and the only reason im rooting now is to get the Gcam.
And can i ask a tiny favor? If i install Gcam will it be better than/as Honor 9 Lite's camera ?
Hope U guys can help me get my mind straight .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
after rooting and unlocking bootloader you will not get OTA updates from manufacturer.
rooting and unlocking bootloader voids warranty, you can only claim warranty after u lock bootloader, unroot phone & install stock recovery.
OTA updates will be only availabe to stock rom+ locked botloadder+stock recovery (like out from factory state)

myapky said:
after rooting and unlocking bootloader you will not get OTA updates from manufacturer.
rooting and unlocking bootloader voids warranty, you can only claim warranty after u lock bootloader, unroot phone & install stock recovery.
OTA updates will be only availabe to stock rom+ locked botloadder+stock recovery (like out from factory state)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's too bad?.
Means we'll have to download the full rom even for a small OTA patch ?.
Any way we can download just the OTA package and then flash it?

yes you can just download the ota you will have to wait for some1 from xda give links to the modified ota zip.
as you have to make some modifications to the updater script.
Fredin_ said:
That's too bad?.
Means we'll have to download the full rom even for a small OTA patch ?.
Any way we can download just the OTA package and then flash it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

austinpinto said:
yes you can just download the ota you will have to wait for some1 from xda give links to the modified ota zip.
as you have to make some modifications to the updater script.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks man ?