Database Users

S5 recovery 20$ min read all please. I'm desperate

- Intro
- Done and searched so far
- My Questions. (Jump to the end unless you think I haven't search prior )
- Bounty
INTRO
Hey guys. I'm french Canadian (please understand my bad written )
and thanks to the phone I choosed (s5 active g870w telus)
I'm becoming pretty much bilingual I've checked all over
around The Web and over this forum. And can't find an accurate
answer . I know I picked the wrong phone for rooting but
as a construction worker it was a good compromise.
DONE AND SEARCHED
My Samsung Galaxy s5 Active g870w from Telus
is still on 4.4.2 since there is no and there will not be
any update for a while.
I managed to used the g900w8 version of
Chain fire auto root method using Odin 3.09
to get roots.
I have also succès to flash Unity 2.0.1 rom.
So far I figured that my version can count as
the Canadian version of the s5 small g900w8. (I may be wrong)
I found a stock Firmware (that accualy make my
lies in russian ) Wich I used a lot lately due to all
my soft brick.
My goal is to be able to upgrade to a nice custom rom
on lollipop. I was hoping Fusion. And as for the recovery
TWRP would be my choice if it was possible.
Now I am stuck trying to install TWRP. I have followed
multiple guide. I have tried to install from TWRP manager
the version 2.8.6.0 klte. I have tried 3 times and after the app
installation I tried to reboot to recovery using Quick boot,
i always end up in Odin mode.
I then tried to install using Odin flashing the same version
Downloaded from TWRP.me site. Then it let me load into
my stock version. Then if I try to reboot in recovery
it still stock.
I even tried to use safestrap both version at&t and Verizon
and both soft bricked me.
I have read or scan about every thread and none talk about
S5 a g870w. Beside the att version Wich are locked.
QUESTIONS
My Questions and I really beg for answers even if
You have only 1 answer.
1- Is my phone g870w compatible g900w8?
2-is it compatible to any other versions?
3-when looking should I only look for Canadian version or I can also
use either g870 from at&t,Verizon or international. Or I look for
International g900. Since I guess my bootloader is unlocked .
4- Since only at&t and Verizon are supposed to be lock I guess
I can't use safestrap... so are TWRP and CWM the only options?
5- Can someone help me troubleshoot my installations. ?
6- After I install my recovery a a g870w on kitkat 4.4.2
Should I be able to flash lollipop base custom rom?
7- Is it possible that there is no option for me beside
Unity and stock rom.
BOUNTY
It might not be much but I offer a 20$ minimum bounty for who ever
take me outta this non ending bulls*"t.
Thanks guys. And please I swear I have search and read a lot
just Google my model number and you'll always end up on me
Searching and I seems to be the only one g870w talking about
recovery or custom rom. All I found is how to root...
Jon

1- Is my phone g870w compatible g900w8?
No, it is different flashing anything that isn't designed for your exact model number ( even the AT&T ones which are one letter different) won't work.
2-is it compatible to any other versions?
No, only firmwares for your exact phone will work without someone modifying something specific for you.
3-when looking should I only look for Canadian version or I can also
use either g870 from at&t,Verizon or international. Or I look for
International g900. Since I guess my bootloader is unlocked .
Flashing any other model number but your own risks bootloop/bricking as they although look similar can have different firmware partitions amongst other things.
4- Since only at&t and Verizon are supposed to be lock I guess
I can't use safestrap... so are TWRP and CWM the only options?
If someone can have a look at TWRP is possible that they can make a version work for you: ideally I would say with it being so difficult as so few have your model I would go to stock: root and use xposed, and leave the rest.
5- Can someone help me troubleshoot my installations. ?
Sure, happy to help but don't know how much can help when you are trying firmwares for different versions.
6- After I install my recovery a a g870w on kitkat 4.4.2
Should I be able to flash lollipop base custom rom?
Unless someone has made I've for your model type I doubt it.
7- Is it possible that there is no option for me beside
Unity and stock rom.
Yeah unfortunately this is quite likely.

thanks for taking the time.
Now I'll go private with you for personal things.
but before maybe few extra questions will help the very few others in
the same painful situation.
about compatibility you answered no.
What made me search so bad is that I've seen
other members(g870a) claiming they we're using
g900 roms I'll search for a link.
-Does it mean even tho its risky or
it means that American version have more luck ?
-am I still able to use a recovery like safestrap?
-can I hang myself?
- and if I'd like to have TWRP and a know custom rom
would it be a lot of works for Des.
Is it "askable" are some working for money?
I hate stuck to death I miss my note 3 like crazy. .. damn

Newbie here, questions about "slots", flashing, and builds.

Hello all,
My first post and my first galaxy s5! I just got my s5 (unlocked, used) and am already tired of all the verizon stuff that I can't or don't want to use. I looked into rooting it and it seems like I will be able to. But now I started looking into adding a new rom and am very confused. (So confused I don't know where to start) In the forums here I have read some cool stuff but also they use a lot of abbreviations for programs and such that I am not familiar with. Anyway, I have read references to "Slots", what are those and how do I make them? It seems like it would be useful and maybe help me not brick my phone.
How can I tell which roms I can flash (correct term?) to my phone? If I have an older build, can I add a newer build and do I want to? (I've read that the latest builds make the phone non rootable)
I know, a lot of questions. Please point me in the right direction.
Below is my phone info:
Samsung SM-G900V
Android 5.0
Baseband version G900VVRU1B0C4
Kernal 3.4.0
Build # LRX21T.G900VVRU1B0C4
Hardware version G900V.05
Anything else?
All your help is greatly appreciated.

Don't update the phone! As long as you are below oe1 (you are) you can still downgrade and root. Then install safestrap (where the slots come in) but most people use the stock slot. You can flash roms on that slot. Check the catchall thread for specifics.

Ok,
I will try to root it. then get back to you guys.
Thanks

Ok,
So after an interesting and sometimes frustrating night of downloading and flashing, my phone is rooted and now is android 4.4.2 with a build of KOT49H.G900VVRU1ANCG. I guess the next step is finding and installing safestrap? (Final goal would be to flash a non verizon rom with no bloatware and all the desired functions of my phone available.)
Thanks.

There's a safestrap thread in android development section. There was a revised build that was uploaded that you should use

Thank you, I will look it up.
I have since uploaded rooted 5.0 using this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/ver...w-to-update-to-g900voe1-5-0-keeproot-t3149784 .
Now, safestrap and custom rom. Thanks all!

Hi all,
I am now on 15-4 and moving to 15-5. I was wondering, is there a "visual voicemail" type app that would work for a non verizon account?

Returning to mod after few years

Good evening to everyone,
I've been an Android user for the last 4 years (i started with the HTC Dream G1, the first ever made Android smartphone which had the version 1.1). The first time i approached the world of modding was for having really important features such as the sync of contacts with google account, and i also have fully modded my second device, an HTC One S, that i decided to change 2 days ago.
I purchased a Samsung Galaxy A5 and i'm going to mod it again since i don't like few things about the device.
Since i'm out of date with the current mod envirorment (the last time i did some kind of mod with my One S was over 1 year ago) i think i need a bit of refresh, so here are my questions:
1) Do i need to install some kind of special drivers, android developing tool, sdk, java things or anything special before using Odin or other rooting tools mentioned in the guides? I remember i lost an entire day the first time i rooted my devices since all the guides on the web didn't talk about installing this preliminary files.
2) I'm Italian, i live in Italy, i purchased my device in Italy too in a Vodafone store, but the CSC of my device does not appear to be Italian Vodafone, i can't rewrite it here at the moment but after a research on google i found out it was a German Vodafone CSC.
The firmware itself does not seem branded (no custom bootload animation, only the main app by vodafone which i like to have) and i'm going to change firmware anyway, but i still want to set a no-brand CSC.
When i changed the CSC of my HTC One S i remember it as a very complicated procedure, i had to extract a particular file from the smartphone using prompt's command, manually editing a text file and putting it back again with prompt.
I'd like to know if there's a different procedure for the Galaxy A5, i searched the web for a procedure but i have found none.
I saw a CSC option in Odin and i think this is probably the cleanest and fastest way, but i don't know a place where to find the various file for changing CSC.
3) Custom recovery: i had difficulties in finding custom recovery on the web too for this device, i saw a thread in this section fo the Galaxy A7. I suppose there's no custom recovery for the A5 at the moment, am i correct?
4) Any way to prevent Samsung Knox counter from increasing with root + flash of custom rom and eventually recovery? i read few guides but they seem to don't work anymore with recents updates.
Knowing if there's a way to reverse the counter in case of need it's ok too, but i've read that's much harder now than it was few years back, so i can suppose that maybe "Prevention is better than cure".
5) Are there any really really valid custom kernel / radio? I think i'm going to flash the CyanogenMod 12.1 but maybe there's some other flashable thing which is not included in this rom that can improve my devices.
6) after you've told me exactly what i can do know with my devices, could you please tell me the order for the various phases? I don't mean the very single steps, just if i have to change the CSC before or after than rooting or flashing the custom recovery before i have obtained the SU permissions ecc.
Thank you in advance for all your help, Italian forum are not very crowded in these days so i decided to write a thread in the best forum for this subject around the web!

Dharmost said:
Good evening to everyone,
3) Custom recovery: i had difficulties in finding custom recovery on the web too for this device, i saw a thread in this section fo the Galaxy A7. I suppose there's no custom recovery for the A5 at the moment, am i correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For recovery have a look here.
Dharmost said:
4) Any way to prevent Samsung Knox counter from increasing with root + flash of custom rom and eventually recovery? i read few guides but they seem to don't work anymore with recents updates.
Knowing if there's a way to reverse the counter in case of need it's ok too, but i've read that's much harder now than it was few years back, so i can suppose that maybe "Prevention is better than cure".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as i know that is not possible at the moment
Dharmost said:
5) Are there any really really valid custom kernel / radio? I think i'm going to flash the CyanogenMod 12.1 but maybe there's some other flashable thing which is not included in this rom that can improve my devices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here is a link for CM 12.1 for the A5 Sm-A500FU version
Good Luck
Jay

Thank you very much for the answers! I'm probably going to mod my device this evening, hope it will go smooth

Help on some doubts and advice

Hi Guys!
Need some help on this thing, hope someone can clear some doubts and give me some advice too... The thins is this, I used to have a Samsung Captivate Galaxy S (Yes, hard to believe I squeeze that thing to the last drop LOL, I flashed SlimRom, wich was a pretty light ROM I think, and keep it as clean as possible always), Im from Mexico, and also Im that type of guy marketing doesnt make hard effect on me... anyway, recently a co-worker offered me this new one, at a very good price, almost brand new, so I got it.
As you can figured it out, It is a long time now since I made my last flashes, upgrades, etc... And now I want to do it again, but if possible I would like to do it the right way.
Here are my S4 settings:
Soft Version: LV720VPUFNG2
Model: SPH-L720
Android: 4.4.2
Baseband Version: L720VPUFNG2
Already Rooted and I've already installed TWRP Ver: 2.8.4.0
I got it already SIm Unlocked.
My Career Network is GSM.
The main reason I want to flash a ROM is to get rid of all the crap Samsung installs, I would like to install a light-weight (Lollipop if possible) but a with all the functions that I aleady have, like Air gesture, Screen Mirroring, Bluetooth, Wifi, etc...
So I would really appreciate if someone can advice me with one good, light-weight-clean ROM, Lollipop if possible... ( I remember back when I was flashing Captivate, SlimROMS where something like Im looking now)
Also, If a make backup before flashing and if I got problems while flashing, By reverting to my backup, Would I have it again working like it was? I mean modem, bootloader, etc.?
My main concern is to be able to back if I have a not-working flash, as this is my new and only cellphone.
Many Thanks in advance. BTW, Hope my english is understandable

No one? :/ Well, I'll keep it more simple lol
If I flash some ROM, I would have the same baseband/modem I already have right?
So if I flash for example, Exodus ROM, I'll end up with Android 5.1.1(I think thats the last one of that ROM) but keeping my baseband as it is now, NG2.
It Should work?
Please I really appreciate if someone can just clear this doubts before I proceed.

Technically speaking, Yes. You should be able to keep your baseband and modem since you're not flashing anything like that over odin, or if the ROM file itself isn't programmed to do such things.

techyerik said:
Technically speaking, Yes. You should be able to keep your baseband and modem since you're not flashing anything like that over odin, or if the ROM file itself isn't programmed to do such things.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your answer man, and just for the last question, Do you know where I can find Stock ROMS, baseband and modems? (In case I need them)
I found this thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2303917
But It looks like is not truly updated, for example I can't find my baseband version in it.
Btw, Do you know if my modem NG2? Its the last one or not? I've been searching for that info too, but can't find anything updated that I can trust.
Many thanks in advance.

FrankI897 said:
Thanks for your answer man, and just for the last question, Do you know where I can find Stock ROMS, baseband and modems? (In case I need them)
I found this thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2303917
But It looks like is not truly updated, for example I can't find my baseband version in it.
Btw, Do you know if my modem NG2? Its the last one or not? I've been searching for that info too, but can't find anything updated that I can trust.
Many thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is for stock firmware's; this means it's an all-in-one stock rom that has the baseband, kernel and modem etc. all inside a single rom file.
http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/database/SPH-L720/SPR/
For latest info on your system check this
http://support.sprint.com/support/a...ServiceAdvisory_542_GKB51952-dvc7300002prd#!/
As for individual files like just single modems, kernels and basebands just search here. You'll find them, search and google are your friend. And no NG2 is no't the latest, OH1 is.

techyerik said:
This is for stock firmware's; this means it's an all-in-one stock rom that has the baseband, kernel and modem etc. all inside a single rom file.
http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/database/SPH-L720/SPR/
For latest info on your system check this
http://support.sprint.com/support/a...ServiceAdvisory_542_GKB51952-dvc7300002prd#!/
As for individual files like just single modems, kernels and basebands just search here. You'll find them, search and google are your friend. And no NG2 is no't the latest, OH1 is.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Many thanks man, that's exactly what I was looking for, some backup information that could help me in case I need it, now I feel more secure about it.
Greetings from Mexico
PS. I'll reply later to tell how it went

How to know your Build No on Custom Rom?

Hay there! I just installed Costom Rom on my Galaxy S5 G900I after a great stuggle at one stage i thought I bricked my phone, but lucky this time. All thing is fine even great with custom rom the issue it that, It change my device information and it is Note 5 Now here is my questions?
1) How to know my Build No ( orginal one before custom rom)
2) If I want to installed another Rom then how to find my phone match's Rom?
Thanks and Sorry, If i wasn't clear enough.

Jabbarshah said:
1) How to know my Build No ( orginal one before custom rom)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Jabbarshah
If you followed xda tutorials by the letter, you have made a complete Nandroid backup before starting any modifications.
Just in case the information you eagerly need isn't present, you may restore that backup and regain access to it.
What lasted after ROM installation can be easily visualized using Phone INFO ★Samsung★. Specially Hardware and Personal tabs are stock information.
Jabbarshah said:
2) If I want to installed another Rom then how to find my phone match's Rom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your main information while seeking for a new ROM is the model SM-G900I. Nothing else matters.
You will just need to take care, for future flashes, that your bootloader and modem are matching (closer enough) the firmware you are flashing.
Example:
a) If you intend to flash PopWiz Telstra v5.1 that is compatible with your G900I, would be kinda complex as @iris28 doesn't clearly states which firmware version he's using. The information may be somewhere onto his thread but unfortunately isn't advertised as should.
b) THE GALAXY PROJECT by Master @djb77 states clearly that he's using Lollipop XXS1BPD3. :victory: ... so you end opting for it.
Now you just have to search for the closer firmware you can find that will match (not exactly) TGP. You have a complete list at Sammobile SM-G900I. Seek for your country/provider with higher Lollipop (5.0) release. If you are unable to find a flashable Odin file for that, you may do it yourself (xda way)
Hope I could be clear enough.
Have fun.
.