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Samsung S4 GT i9505 System Partition wiped, what to do?

Hi,
I have a rooted Samsung Galaxy S4, with stock firmware (5.0.1, I think...) and TWRP recovery v3. I tried to flash a file, which got the phone stuck in a boot loop, and when I tried to factory reset it, I somehow accidentally tapped the 'wipe system partition' check box, too. When I tried to boot the phone again, it was stuck on the 'Samsung Galaxy S4 GT-I9505' screen, with no advance to the boot animation.
I tried to flash the stock firmware on again, with an error: "Could not find 'META-INF/com/google/android/update-binary' in the zip file." Using my own knowledge, I've narrowed it down to two options: 1. Either the firmware zip is corrupt, but I have re-downloaded the zip a good five times, and 2. There's something else that also needs to be flashed to the system partition.
I really need some help. Is there anything to do before flashing the firmware zip, and if yes, what? And, is there a good, CONFIRMED WORKING link to a Samsung Galaxy S4 GT-I9505 Stock firmware (LTE, Android 5.0.1, United Kingdom, Vodafone)?
Thanks,
hamzabil11

Firmwares aren't flashed through the recovery, but with Odin.
Firmwares also come with a tar extension. So it should be firmeare.tar
You could flash a custom rom now, or you can go to sammobile.com and download the official firmware from there and flash it with Odin.
Remeber, it has to be a tar file. Sammobile compresses them to zips, so you just extract them to get the tar file.

hamzabil11 said:
Hi,
I have a rooted Samsung Galaxy S4, with stock firmware (5.0.1, I think...) and TWRP recovery v3. I tried to flash a file, which got the phone stuck in a boot loop, and when I tried to factory reset it, I somehow accidentally tapped the 'wipe system partition' check box, too. When I tried to boot the phone again, it was stuck on the 'Samsung Galaxy S4 GT-I9505' screen, with no advance to the boot animation.
I tried to flash the stock firmware on again, with an error: "Could not find 'META-INF/com/google/android/update-binary' in the zip file." Using my own knowledge, I've narrowed it down to two options: 1. Either the firmware zip is corrupt, but I have re-downloaded the zip a good five times, and 2. There's something else that also needs to be flashed to the system partition.
I really need some help. Is there anything to do before flashing the firmware zip, and if yes, what? And, is there a good, CONFIRMED WORKING link to a Samsung Galaxy S4 GT-I9505 Stock firmware (LTE, Android 5.0.1, United Kingdom, Vodafone)?
Thanks,
hamzabil11
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It appears that you're phone is soft-brick. You need to flash the factory stock firmware.
You can also find all the factory stock firmware for lollipop i-9505 here.

It's not soft-bricked. He just needs to flash a rom. Any rom, either custom or official, should get the phone running again.

GDReaper said:
Firmwares aren't flashed through the recovery, but with Odin.
Firmwares also come with a tar extension. So it should be firmeare.tar
You could flash a custom rom now, or you can go to sammobile.com and download the official firmware from there and flash it with Odin.
Remeber, it has to be a tar file. Sammobile compresses them to zips, so you just extract them to get the tar file.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks a lot, I wasn't aware of this. I thought that you could just use the recovery to flash a stock OS, just like a custom OS. Never thought of using ODIN. I will check sammobile for the firmware; I'd heard of it before, just never thought of using it.
I was aware about the .tar extension though, just the websites i used gave them in .zip format.
Thanks,
hamzabil11

hamzabil11 said:
Thanks a lot, I wasn't aware of this. I thought that you could just use the recovery to flash a stock OS, just like a custom OS. Never thought of using ODIN. I will check sammobile for the firmware; I'd heard of it before, just never thought of using it.
I was aware about the .tar extension though, just the websites i used gave them in .zip format.
Thanks,
hamzabil11
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sammobile has slow download speeds for non-premium users. So you might as well check the link suggested by sway8966.

GDReaper said:
Sammobile has slow download speeds for non-premium users. So you might as well check the link suggested by sway8966.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah Ok, thanks. I found out about the slow download speeds the hard way.
I've already checked the link, and it looks all good. I will try from there.
One more related question: If I flash this stock firmware, will I need to re-root the phone, and re-install TWRP recovery? Not really a problem if ido, but I would like to know in advance so I can be prepared.
Thanks,
hamzabil11

hamzabil11 said:
Yeah Ok, thanks. I found out about the slow download speeds the hard way.
I've already checked the link, but it only seems to offer Android KitKat Firmware. Since this phone is likely to be used offline all the time, I may not have the time to update it to Lollipop.
I will check out other sites, too, though.
Thanks,
hamzabil11
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
SamFirm.

Bootloader and modem update - Odin VS Twrp

Hi guys, to my understanding BL/CP are available in tar or zip formats and may be updated via Odin or Twrp respectively. Appreciate any advice as to differences (if any) between the two methods. TIA

The only difference is that one (.zip) can be flashed via TWRP (this would mean you have a custom rom and a tripped Knox counter). The other (.tar) is signed by Samsung and can be flashed via Odin without tripping Knox.

CuBz90 said:
The only difference is that one (.zip) can be flashed via TWRP (this would mean you have a custom rom and a tripped Knox counter). The other (.tar) is signed by Samsung and can be flashed via Odin without tripping Knox.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I reckon this probably means it doesn't matter to flash with twrp or odin if knox is already 0x1.

Xp3riaXpr3ss said:
I reckon this probably means it doesn't matter to flash with twrp or odin if knox is already 0x1.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct. I find it easier to flash in TWRP because it's simpler to stay where I am and download the file, reboot to recovery and flash. Rather than going upstairs to my computer, downloading the file, putting phone in Download mode, opening Odin and loading the files, then connecting the phone to the computer then flashing the files.

CuBz90 said:
Correct. I find it easier to flash in TWRP because it's simpler to stay where I am and download the file, reboot to recovery and flash. Rather than going upstairs to my computer, downloading the file, putting phone in Download mode, opening Odin and loading the files, then connecting the phone to the computer then flashing the files.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True that. I only ever return to Odin to flash official firmware in the event of soft bricks with denied access to Twrp, however, was getting confused partly due to written instructions for roms requiring BL/CP to be flashed in download mode. Thanks for clearing this up. Cheers.

my current booloader is version 1...can anybody tell me how can update it to version 4? i am using s7 edge SC02H(snapdragon) japan.
thanks

Looking for the right modem and bootloader files
Hello,
I'm running Nougat on my s7 g930f it's using the tgp rom. In preparation for an oreo upgrade I atempted to flash an odin-zip file I found on LightRom's page, thinking it would give me a modem update. This was an extremely bad idea. Now my system does still boot, but I have no signal at all, my phone number, base band, IMEI, mobile network, etc all show as unknown under settings, about phone and the various status checks. Now when I atempt to go in to odin again to flash another modem update now I'm told that the atempt has failed. I'd appreciate some help. What file do I need to get the bl and the cp file? I'm running twrp 3.2.3, and i'd like my signal back.
Thanks.
Dave.

Galaxy S4 i337M Basedband

Can somebody tell me what's the latest baseband and how to flash it pls?
I flash roms all the time but some of the TW based roms don't give me any mobile network and they usual require a certain baseband. My current one is

I337MVLSGQB1
If the baseband isn't in the https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4-att section as a flashable zip using TWRP, you'll have to download the latest stock ROM from sammobile.com and flash the baseband extracted from the ROM zip using Odin. That will guarantee the latest baseband gets put on your device.

Thanks for your reply

But won't that just flash the entire firmware causing me to have to unlock and flash recovery and root all over again?

If your phone is unlocked from its carrier, it stays unlocked even if you change ROMs. Also, I misstated what you had to do to get to the appropriate files. After downloading the large file from sammobile, extract it using WinRAR or 7-Zip. You should end up with a .tar.md5 file. Rename that file to .tar, and extract the files within. The two you want are modem.bin and NON-HLOS.bin. Those two are then flashed using Odin.
Of course, you could do the adventurous thing and download one of the existing flashable modem zips, then replace the existing modem.bin and NON-HLOS.bin in the flashable zip with the versions from the stock ROM package.

Forum for the sgh-i337m is located here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4-att

Oh I downloaded the Bell one and saw the modem.bin but didn't know which other one was needed so thanks

Rogers, Telus, and Bell use the same stock ROM with a bit of customization on the sgh-i337m; therefore, you can cross-flash the modem, bootloader, and system as they are the same.

Oh cool. You've been a great help, thanks for the info

So i updated to QB1 but not getting any cell service when i flash certain i9505 roms like Super Touchwiz v6, Machinex or something like that, Imperium v18.1. Some require QG1.
Would QG1 or any other baseband/bootloader/modem be able to work on my Rogers i337M?

I know this phone usually can flash any rom that is for the i9505 so just wondering if it's able to go that far as to use those as well

I would not cross-flash bootloaders or modems as invalid modem/bootloader combinations may hard brick the phone.
You may need to flash a different kernel when using custom ROMs desgined for the i9505.

Okay

[Firmware] G950UOYN2BQK5

This is the latest OTA Update for all major carriers. THIS WILL UPDATE YOUR BOOTLOADER SO THERE IS NO GOING BACK! I'm downloading, uploading to my Google Drive and posting this here as reference.
And of course, after flashing this in Odin you can go to https://samsung.firmware.science and chose QK5 to whichever Oreo Beta is latest or you can enjoy having the latest flashable update.
LINK: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1x9-mYPbDKgsa4sS0bMdu9yfmczZywqM_

Uploaded. I already removed the .md5 off the end of the files, just extract and flash away

How do you go about flashing this? Flashing my S5 there was only one file and you loaded that into the AP slot in Odin. With the S8 software it looks like there are 5 separate files. Do you only flash the AP file or all of them? Also, I tried another firmware that was supposed to be Verizon firmwareand had some cricket and metropcs apps installed. Will this be the Verizon firmware that came with the phone from the factory or is it like the other firmware I downloaded and installed from Sammobile? Thanks for any help on this. Trying to get my phone back to how it was when I took it out of the box.

Hitchhiker90 said:
How do you go about flashing this? Flashing my S5 there was only one file and you loaded that into the AP slot in Odin. With the S8 software it looks like there are 5 separate files. Do you only flash the AP file or all of them? Also, I tried another firmware that was supposed to be Verizon firmwareand had some cricket and metropcs apps installed. Will this be the Verizon firmware that came with the phone from the factory or is it like the other firmware I downloaded and installed from Sammobile? Thanks for any help on this. Trying to get my phone back to how it was when I took it out of the box.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I Extracted and flashed AP, BL, CP and CSC. Verizon firmware.

The link you posted is dead. Have any other mirrors possibly?

Flashing stock firmware with TWRP?

Hey guys, I was wondering if there is a way to flash stock firmware for the s6 tab lite without a computer? I don't have access to mine at the moment, and my tablet currently has lineageOS with root and twrp on it. The firmware that I downloaded seems to only be compatible with Odin, any insight would be greatly appreciated!

With TWRP you can only flash a Customrom.
Have you create a Backup oft the Stockrom before you flashed the Customrom ?
If yes , so you can restore this.

bierma32 said:
With TWRP you can only flash a Customrom.
Have you create a Backup oft the Stockrom before you flashed the Customrom ?
If yes , so you can restore this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
According to Magendaz, one can flash kernel, firmware, and custom ROM with TWRP.

I realize I didn't read the thread correctly, I apologize. My post is for using odin
-------
I wanted to root the device, but changed my mind after learning you can't be in stock firmware and have twrp/root at the same time (please correct me on this since I was having trouble trying to root my device via TWRP since I was stuck on recovery when trying to boot into system with bootloader and OEM Unlocking enabled; I assume I bricked the tablet somehow).
If you haven't created a backup like I did, you have to use ODIN to flash to the stock firmware. Here's how I got it done:
Download the firmware via: https://samfw.com/firmware/SM-P610/XAR/P610XXU2BTK2 or whichever website has the stock firmware
Look into the region code (CSC) your device has. XAR is the firmware region for the United States. I wasn't able to tell which region code I had since I correctly guessed
Insert the first 3 files to ODIN (AP, BL, CSC) and Start
https://imgur.com/pvOcPmy
I was a bit worried that there is no CL file at first but I assume that's only for LTE (
https://www.reddit.com/r/samsung/comments/99f1w2/_/e4n63ue
)
Hope this helps

Pancake Dressing said:
I realize I didn't read the thread correctly, I apologize. My post is for using odin
-------
I wanted to root the device, but changed my mind after learning you can't be in stock firmware and have twrp/root at the same time (please correct me on this since I was having trouble trying to root my device via TWRP since I was stuck on recovery when trying to boot into system with bootloader and OEM Unlocking enabled; I assume I bricked the tablet somehow).
If you haven't created a backup like I did, you have to use ODIN to flash to the stock firmware. Here's how I got it done:
Download the firmware via: https://samfw.com/firmware/SM-P610/XAR/P610XXU2BTK2 or whichever website has the stock firmware
Look into the region code (CSC) your device has. XAR is the firmware region for the United States. I wasn't able to tell which region code I had since I correctly guessed
Insert the first 3 files to ODIN (AP, BL, CSC) and Start
https://imgur.com/pvOcPmy
I was a bit worried that there is no CL file at first but I assume that's only for LTE (
https://www.reddit.com/r/samsung/comments/99f1w2/_/e4n63ue
)
Hope this helps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am unable to connect the device to odin, and ideas of what I could be missing?
EDIT: I wasn't in the correct mode.

Pancake Dressing said:
I realize I didn't read the thread correctly, I apologize. My post is for using odin
-------
I wanted to root the device, but changed my mind after learning you can't be in stock firmware and have twrp/root at the same time (please correct me on this since I was having trouble trying to root my device via TWRP since I was stuck on recovery when trying to boot into system with bootloader and OEM Unlocking enabled; I assume I bricked the tablet somehow).
If you haven't created a backup like I did, you have to use ODIN to flash to the stock firmware. Here's how I got it done:
Download the firmware via: https://samfw.com/firmware/SM-P610/XAR/P610XXU2BTK2 or whichever website has the stock firmware
Look into the region code (CSC) your device has. XAR is the firmware region for the United States. I wasn't able to tell which region code I had since I correctly guessed
Insert the first 3 files to ODIN (AP, BL, CSC) and Start
https://imgur.com/pvOcPmy
I was a bit worried that there is no CL file at first but I assume that's only for LTE (
https://www.reddit.com/r/samsung/comments/99f1w2/_/e4n63ue
)
Hope this helps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do i still insert the CP file even if i have it?