Database Users

[Q] Koodo S4 upgrade questions

Hello Gurus,
I have the Canadian S4 (I337MVLUFNI2) running stock 4.4.2. I've just downloaded the Lollipop upgrade from Koodo but did not install.
I'm looking to root and flash CM12 or other ROMs, but I'd like to try Lollipop first.
Few questions about the upgrade:
-Will I be able to root the device after upgrading to Lollipop?
-If I don't like Lolipop, can I revert to my 4.2.2 using my Kies back up ?
-If I want to be able to evert, do you recommend that I root my 4.4.2 and take a nandroid back up first ?
(Battery life is important for me. If the upgrade turns out to be disastrous as some online reports indicates, I'd like to be able to go back to 4.2.2).
-What is the recommended way to root and install recovery for my device ?
Thanks to all..

Do what I did.
Backup all files to PC
Flash lollipop firmware through Odin which you can download from sammobile
Reboot into recovery and wipe data and cache(this will erase everything on phone)
Boot up phone and setup accounts
Then once finished flash this through odin http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2293800
Flash twrp through odin
Boot up and copy files back to phone
Reboot into recovery and flash cm12 or whatever you want

So far, there is not a root method for Lollipop on the S4, nor does Xposed work for it yet (lots of issues with the way Samsung implemented ART to Touchwiz).
There is a keep root method in the S4 general Forum, which is just a way to keep root throughout the install of lollipop if you are already rooted on the current ROM you're upgrading from. I'm on my phone though so apologies for not linking it.
I'm not certain if a kies backup will restore after the upgrade, but even though the keep root method removes safestrap functionality, there is a way to get it working temporarily, which may provide some hope.
Seeing as you're using a Canadian model I don't think you need safestrap, and seeing as I do (AT&T model), I can't tell you how other recoveries will handle the situation.

DankHeals said:
So far, there is not a root method for Lollipop on the S4, nor does Xposed work for it yet (lots of issues with the way Samsung implemented ART to Touchwiz).
There is a keep root method in the S4 general Forum. I'm on my phone though so apologies for not linking it.
I'm not certain if a kids backup will restore after the upgrade, but even though the keep root method removes safestrap functionality, there is a way to get it working temporarily, which may provide some hope.
Seeing as you're using a Canadian model I don't think you need safestrap, and seeing as I do (AT&T model), I can't tell you how other recoveries will handle the situation.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2293800 worked for me to root stock lollipop on my Bell s4

Zehlek said:
Actually http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2293800 worked for me to root stock lollipop on my Bell s4
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Click to collapse
Ah, didn't realize the Canadian model had a root method yet. I'm in america on AT&T and our bootloaders are locked.

Zehlek said:
Actually http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2293800 worked for me to root stock lollipop on my Bell s4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey Zehlek, I'm coming from CM11 (details below). I'm trying to move to CM12 because CM11 is doing strange things with my GPS. Which version would you recommend that is stable for the SGH-I337M? I read the CM12 dev page, but I'm a little nervous about the whole "editing scripts" part of the process.
Current Software -
SGH-I337M
CWM v6.0.5.1
CM v11-20141112-snapshot-m12-jflte

From Rooted Note 3 N900 to Stock ROM for Marshmallow

Hi Guys,
I have a Note 3 (India) which I rooted sometime back. I did not install any Custom ROM but I did remove
KNOX, Kids Mode and more things using Titanium Backup.
Now, I heard that the Marshmallow update for Note 3 will be available soon OTA ( as it is already out in Canada), so I was
wondering if I would be able to install it. I know I wont be able to install it in the present condition, so I need your help in knowing
how can I do it. Someone said that I need to install the Stock ROM, but I don't which version, serial etc to use.
HELP!

Now, I heard that the Marshmallow update for Note 3 will be available soon OTA
You heard wrong no MM for Note 3 .
A factory reset should restore your Note 3 .

Yup, definitely no MM for any Note 3, not just Canada.

Update Rooted Kit Kat ANI2

Ok, I bought a new Verizon S5 in July of 2015. I rooted it a couple days later using Towelroot. The CID is 11, so it has a locked bootloader. I never had a single issue with the phone, and honestly, never thought about doing any updates, as it just kept chugging along dependable every day. I recently retired the S5, as I bought a mint, used Note 4 and fell in love with it. I am getting ready to sell the S5, but want to fully update it to 6.0.1 Marshmallow DQH2. I am not worried about losing root, as I am selling the phone, and will probably remove root anyway. I have a few questions though:
1) Can I update from Kit Kat all the way to Marshmallow and the latest update, or do I have to do it in increments?
2) Is it easier to update, then remove root?
3) What would be the easiest way to update to DQH2?
4) Since its rooted, can I just download the stock DQH2 firmware and flash it in Odin and go from KK to MM?
4A) If it can be flashed as stated above, will I lose root?
4A-1) Is there a rooted DQH2 firmware that can be flashed?
Thanks in Advance!!!

0) Check if Reactivation Lock is turned OFF.
...
4) Flash this DQH2 and it will erase everything, including root.
4A) Yes.
4A-1) No.
Forget the rest of the questions.
P.S. The first boot after flashing will take 10-15 min. so be patient.

bbsc said:
0) Check if Reactivation Lock is turned OFF.
...
4) Flash this DQH2 and it will erase everything, including root.
4A) Yes.
4A-1) No.
Forget the rest of the questions.
P.S. The first boot after flashing will take 10-15 min. so be patient.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. Whats the highest I can update, and retain root? I am re-thinking things now, as the package disabler app I was using and very fond of.... has been updated, and evidently does not work like it used to. I used this app on my Note 4, and was so happy with being able to disable all the bloatware and OTA etc... that I didnt bother to root the Note 4. I thought that if I lost root upgrading the S5, I would just install the same package disabler app, so it wouldnt be a problem, as thats really the only reason I root.... to get rid of bloatware. I may want to keep root now though

widowmaker17 said:
Whats the highest I can update, and retain root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
BPB1, Android 5.0.
You may also like the idea to install a custom debloated 6.0.1 ROM without root. If you've decided not to sell the S5.

Just another viewpoint if you haven't updated the phone yet: there are buyers who look primarily for phones with earlier versions of android, and it could actually increase the value/selling chance of your phone if you keep it on an earlier version and advertise it as such.
This gives the purchaser the opportunity to install the version they might want, especially since it's relatively difficult to find a Verizon S5 (or any Verizon Samsung phone) with 1. an unlocked bootloader and 2. an earlier version of Android such as KitKat installed.
I know this doesn't necessarily answer your questions, but it might be of benefit.

SM-N910X re-compile new Android version custom ROM for old Bootloader

Hello,
First off: Yes, i know that Live Demo Units have no modem Hardware. It is NOT my Goal to use a SIM Card or Cellular Network, i ONLY want to use a recent custom ROM on this Wifi-only "phone".
I have a Samsung Galaxy S5 Live Demo Unit and a Samsung Galaxy Note 4 Live Demo Unit. I know that the bootloader on those LDUs is somewhat "locked" for upgrading.
So on the Note 4 LDU the Situation seems like so:
The phone came with Android 4.4, but you could upgrade it to Android 5.0. 5.1 and higher do not work.
I could easily Flash TWRP and Flash ROMs, but new Android Version Custom ROMs require recent bootloader versions for Android 6. So i can Flash those ROMs, but the phone won't boot them up or Crash on Lockscreen (from what i've read about the note 4)
I did not try anything til now, the phone is completely stock. The OTA-Update function of the stock ROM doesn't find any updates.
The Bootloader/PDA Version on this Note 4 LDU is: N910XXXU1ANK3_LLK
CSC is "PAP"
So, but now i have much more positive experience with my S5 LDU (SM-G900X):
This phone is running very reliable throughout the recent AOSP-based custom ROMs. I was running Resurection Remix (Nougat) and now i am even running a stable Android 8.1 ROM! But the bootloader seems as old as on the Note 4: G900XXXU0ANH1_LLK. CSC is "ITV"
Interesting Fact: Knox is NOT tripped
I had an A5 (SM-A500X) for a while here and i had exactly the same experience of what i read in the Internet about the note 4:
TWRP flashed flawlessly, this is never a Problem. But i could not install a recent custom ROM, it kept bootlooping as soon as i rebooted. It never saw anything higher than the stock 4.4. So i gave up and the phone away. So i tried to Flash a new bootloader/Stock ROM on this phone and it always failed at flashing "aboot.mbn" and other bootloader stuff because of "security" Problem. Knox was tripped while flashing TWRP. TWRP works fine for flashing, backing up and restoring.
So i don't understand why the Android 6 and higher is not running on the note 4? There was official Android 6 (Bootloader) Updates for both phones i think? Maybe it is possible to help me to modify an existing Android 7/8 ROM to run on this old Version of the bootloader?
And why is the S5 running Android 8 with such an old bootloader without any Problem if it's such a Problem on the "same year" Note 4?
I am sorry for my bad english, i am from Germany.
I would be glad, if someone could help me out. I really like my Note 4 LDU, but with this laggy and slow Stock 4.4, it's not fun to use at all

Help On My Rooted Samsung S5 SM900V Verizon Phone

I have a Rooted sm900v Verizon phone.Im on 5.0 with Knox,detoxed.So its been few yrs now and was wondering what latest OS i can run with KNox ,detoxed,or should i stay on 5.0,if so can you point out to whats out there for my version?I remember when i rooted my phone i had to pick a certain root then.So with that said just seeing if i can run a better/upgrade OS these days like OREO as an example.Looking for some feedback what other Samsung S5 sm900v guys are running,thanks.

I was on 6.0 and went to 5.0, then rooted it, unblocked the bootloader, flashed lineage.

SpanKyM3 said:
I have a Rooted sm900v Verizon phone.Im on 5.0 with Knox,detoxed.So its been few yrs now and was wondering what latest OS i can run with KNox ,detoxed,or should i stay on 5.0,if so can you point out to whats out there for my version?I remember when i rooted my phone i had to pick a certain root then.So with that said just seeing if i can run a better/upgrade OS these days like OREO as an example.Looking for some feedback what other Samsung S5 sm900v guys are running,thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yo, I see you are a man of culture as well. My S5 is currently running LineageOS 15.1 (Official!) and it is BEAUTIFUL. Runs like a dream. If you want, I can show you how to get the bootloader unlocked and flash TWRP. Send me a PM if you're interested! Best of luck on your journey bro.

jiwanshu2003 said:
If you want, I can show you how to get the bootloader unlocked and flash TWRP. Send me a PM if you're interested! Best of luck on your journey bro.
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Click to collapse
Jiwan, would you mind sharing the procedures here or a link to them? I have the SM-903VL model, and while I understand it's a different device, it may not be so dissimilar. I have been attempting root and twrp flash for a while and it seems 2 things are at issue, 1. I had no clue what I was doing when I started, and now, while I have some knowledge, I realize just how much I am going to have to learn If I want to figure out a root method.
2. This SM-903VL is locked up tighter than a nuns corset.
Your knowledge on the afore mentioned procedure would help me understand the workings of these phones a bit better, and, on an off chance, might actually do the trick of at least getting twrp installed.
I have the stock recovery file to insert into the TWRP.

jiwanshu2003 said:
Yo, I see you are a man of culture as well. My S5 is currently running LineageOS 15.1 (Official!) and it is BEAUTIFUL. Runs like a dream. If you want, I can show you how to get the bootloader unlocked and flash TWRP. Send me a PM if you're interested! Best of luck on your journey bro.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I could revive and piggyback on this discussion - I'd like the help you offered with getting my g900v re-rooted with TWRP running. I had a nandroid backup and accidently deleted the TWRP, which forced me to re-stock and re-root. I have not been able to recover with safestrap (not impressed) also, I kept getting gapps failures once up and running (Lollipop 5.0 rooted). My initial goal was to flash resurrection or lineage and now I am finding that most instructions say the G900v is not unlockable and I feel stuck. Would you mind sharing with me what your method was or point me to a link that you followed? - I think my chipset started with 11 (as opposed to 15) if I'm using the proper terminology.