Database Users

[Q] Converting my GT-I9505 into (almost) Google Edition

Hi guys, I have read a bit about rooting and flashing custom roms for the GSIV but being my first time (on this phone) I thought it would be better to ask for some help from you experts ^_^
I would like to convert my GSIV as close as possible to a Google Edition one, in the sense that I don't want to have a super custom ultra cool rom, I just want a stock-like one, stock kernel, maybe a few extra features, root, nothing special...
Now, is it possible to do that without voiding warranty, or at least with the possibility to turn back the phone in a warranty covered state?
Could you point me to one simple guide to do so and maybe suggest a rom suited to my needs? It can get a bit confusing, there's too much complicated stuff for a newbie!
Thank you in advance!

Yes, it is possible to convert the i9505 (almost) completely to a Google Play device (though you will not receive OTA updates, so you'll have to download them yourself). It's fairly easy once you have a custom recovery installed.
Though, warranty might be an issue. In many countries, it will be void once you root and install a recovery, though this does vary. This also increments a "counter" in the device, so even if you restore it to its original state, it is still possible to see that you have at some point modified the software (although there are methods to root the device without incrementing the counter, not to mention that many have managed to claim warranty despite this). That said, this will again differ based on your country.
Now, if you're still up for it, there are several guides online which can tell you how to root and install a recovery on the phone. If you're running the stock 4.4.2 firmware from Samsung, then you can follow this guide to root:
samsungsfour.com/tutorials/root-samsung-galaxy-gt-i9505-s4-running-on-android-4-4-2-kitkat.html
Thereafter, you can install a custom recovery from
gadgetsacademy.com/install-cwm-twrp-recovery-on-galaxy-s4-lte-i9505/
(These are just two of the links which you get after a Google search)
Note that you don't really need root for this, just the custom recovery. Though, having root is a nice addition if you want to back up your apps using Titanium Backup.
Once that is done, you can download a Google Play based ROM from here on XDA, such as
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2557353
or
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2544474
Just reboot into recovery, wipe data, and select the zip file from your sd-card/internal storage.
Though, remember to backup your apps/data first.

Takenoko_, thank you so much for the detailed answer, it has been really helpful! One question, if I understood correctly, it is possible to install a custom recovery WITHOUT rooting, so if I did this and then flashed a rooted ROM I should have root in the end, right?

That's right. As you'll be using Odin, root should, at least in theory, not be needed to install a custom recovery. You can instead gain this by flashing a pre-rooted ROM

Great, all done! Thank you!

No problem

yes you can
just install custom recovery, (philz i like)
then flash dandvh rom
done
it comes rooted
----------
sorry i forgot
in some cases, you need to update modems by flashing
or just update your s4 to 4.4.2 then flash the gpe rom

Need help flashing ROM on I545

Hi it is the first time I am flashing Android ROM. I have done some reading already. Before I start, I still have a few questions and also want to make sure I am doing it right.
I own the Galaxy S4 Verizon I545. It is running Samsung ROM Android 4.4.2, Baseband I545VRUFNC5. My goal is to flash a new ROM with recent Android versions, hopefully 7.1.1 (but I would settle with Marshmallow if that is more stable), it can be close to AOSP, I don't need ROMs with extra features.
In my understanding, the bootloader is locked, it will only load signed kernels and recovery. And then the kernel would load the system. In order to flash the system, it is best to flash the recovery first with TWRP. TWRP is modded with loki hack so it would load with the locked bootloader.
So here are my questions:
1. Does it matter which firmware/baseband I am currently on? For some phones (LG G2) I heard newer firmware fixed the loki hack. Should I update to the latest Samsung rom or leave it at NC5?
2. I don't see many ROM posted for the i545, which one is the most recent and reasonable stable? The Cyanogen website is down, should I try LineageOS?
3. I see different instructions for flashing TWRP. Can I flash it with just Odin? Some instruction mentioned rooting the phone first with KingRoot or other root, and then use dd. Does the phone have to be rooted? (I prefer not to if it is not necessary)
4. If after I flashed recovery, it fails to boot into TWRP, what can I do to restore everything to default?
5. The kernel will be untouched in the process right? I am only flashing recovery and system ROM, and the kernel will work fine with the new system ROM?
Here are the step and software I plan to use:
0. reset the phone to factory
1. use Odin to flash TWRP 2.8.7
2. download a ROM compatible with I545 and place it on the phone
3. flash the system using TWRP
Any feedback would be appreciated.
PS: Also I have a LG G2 D801. I would flash that phone instead if it is easier. I just want to get started and learn some things along the way.

https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4-verizon

Oh Sorry. Didn't notice there is another forum. Should I repost there?

Yes.

1. Yes, it does matter. As you said, newer firmwares have fixed the exploits which make the phone harder to hack.
2. Any ROM should support your phone. They are generally unified.
3. In the name of anything holy, do not root with KingRoot. If you want to root, then the only way to go is CF-Auto-Root.
Rooting is sometimes necessary because recovery won't always install with Odin.
4. Flash stock ROM.
5. Kernels are specific to ROMs. So no, the kernel won't be untouched.

stuck in unlock phone screen

succesfully unlock the bootloader,flashed the twrp but when i flashed the supersu then it get stuck in the unlock warning screen..and after fewsecond it relaaunched the twrp recovery...guyz anyone plss help..i get worried about my phone..thanks in advance

ahadabdul said:
succesfully unlock the bootloader,flashed the twrp but when i flashed the supersu then it get stuck in the unlock warning screen..and after fewsecond it relaaunched the twrp recovery...guyz anyone plss help..i get worried about my phone..thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to flash ElementalX kernel prior to flash SuperSu or magisk if you want to root stock nougat or marshmallow rom.
Instructions are here if you need details: https://forum.xda-developers.com/mo...de-root-moto-g4-plus-supersu-android-t3587918

strongst said:
You need to flash ElementalX kernel prior to flash SuperSu or magisk if you want to root stock nougat or marshmallow rom.
Instructions are here if you need details: https://forum.xda-developers.com/mo...de-root-moto-g4-plus-supersu-android-t3587918
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i am in soak test when i unlock bootloader and rooted it..when i wiped data it shows os not installed....what does it mean?

ahadabdul said:
i am in soak test when i unlock bootloader and rotted it..when i wiped data it shows os not installed....what does it means?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Even in soak test it you need to install exkernel as mentioned.
Maybe you wiped the system partition too?! Then you can here's no os at all... Can you remember what partitions you exactly wiped?
I would recommend to clean flash the last available stock nougat rom in terms of security https://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-g4-plus/how-to/stock-rom-npjs25-93-14-4-march-1-t3608138 if you don't want to install the soak test again and you're willing to upgrade

strongst said:
Even in soak test it you need to install exkernel as mentioned.
Maybe you wiped the system partition too?! Then you can here's no os at all... Can you remember what partitions you exactly wiped?
I would recommend to clean flash the last available stock nougat rom in terms of security https://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-g4-plus/how-to/stock-rom-npjs25-93-14-4-march-1-t3608138 if you don't want to install the soak test again and you're willing to upgrade
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
now please tell me what should i do...did i flash a rr rom or do what..please advice me..i am new to this community and know very less about it...plss help me brother..i dont want to root but to fflash a rom..should i do it?

ahadabdul said:
now please tell me what should i do...did i flash a rr rom or do what..please advice me..i am new to this community and know very less about it...plss help me brother..i dont want to root but to fflash a rom..should i do it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Welcome here and have a great time on this great device :laugh:
You don't want to root? Why you have flashed supersu mentioned in your first post? I'm a little bit confused now
please take some time to hold on and think about what you want and what's your intention with your device. I don't know what you want and can't recommend anything unless I know what you want.
You should tell
After that we will see what suits you best:good:

ahadabdul said:
now please tell me what should i do...did i flash a rr rom or do what..please advice me..i am new to this community and know very less about it...plss help me brother..i dont want to root but to fflash a rom..should i do it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As strongst has mentioned, please clarify what you're trying to accomplish with your device - what you want may elicit a different set of suggestions from us.
However, if you're trying to flash a custom ROM, you do not require root at all for our device. You simply require TWRP on your device, then you flash the custom ROM through TWRP. Be aware that many of the latest custom ROM builds are 64 bit in nature and as such require a 64 bit TWRP flashed. The instructions in the relevant custom ROM thread should have the link.
Also, you may wish to clarify what state your device is in at the moment: as far as I can see, it's still in the stock ROM, with TWRP, no system loaded and failing to boot from flashing SuperSU onto the stock ROM kernel, is that correct?

strongst said:
Welcome here and have a great time on this great device :laugh:
You don't want to root? Why you have flashed supersu mentioned in your first post? I'm a little bit confused now
please take some time to hold on and think about what you want and what's your intention with your device. I don't know what you want and can't recommend anything unless I know what you want.
You should tell
After that we will see what suits you best:good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what i actually want is to need a new custom rom to atleast run my device ...which is my primaary device ..please tell me should i flash a rr rom ...i flash twrp 3.2.0.0....please tell me?...first i want a rooted phone with new custom rom but now i have to run this phone which is dead now..anyhow...please tell me the way i can..

echo92 said:
As strongst has mentioned, please clarify what you're trying to accomplish with your device - what you want may elicit a different set of suggestions from us.
However, if you're trying to flash a custom ROM, you do not require root at all for our device. You simply require TWRP on your device, then you flash the custom ROM through TWRP. Be aware that many of the latest custom ROM builds are 64 bit in nature and as such require a 64 bit TWRP flashed. The instructions in the relevant custom ROM thread should have the link.
Also, you may wish to clarify what state your device is in at the moment: as far as I can see, it's still in the stock ROM, with TWRP, no system loaded and failing to boot from flashing SuperSU onto the stock ROM kernel, is that correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i was in the soak test version.i unlocked bootloader,flash recovery and flash supersu..but phone does not on..it stuck in the unlock screen..and ..and i think i accidentally did thw wipe data ...what should i do

ahadabdul said:
what i actually want is to need a new custom rom to atleast run my device ...which is my primaary device ..please tell me should i flash a rr rom ...i flash twrp 3.2.0.0....please tell me?...first i want a rooted phone with new custom rom but now i have to run this phone which is dead now..anyhow...please tell me the way i can..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1)Again, you do not need root to install custom ROMs, only TWRP is required.
1a)Which TWRP have you flashed, is this the 32 bit or 64 bit version? If this is the official TWRP 3.2, I think that may be the 32 bit version. In which case, you'll want Resurrection Remix 5.8.5 https://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-g4-plus/development/rom-resurrection-remix-n-5-8-0-t3507275
As you cannot boot properly, the easiest way to flash would be to boot your device to TWRP recovery, then connect your device to your computer. Your device's internal storage should be visible then, you may wish to back up your files at this point. Copy the RR custom ROM zip and the GApps package of your choice to your device and flash in TWRP as per the instructions. As usual with flashing custom ROMs, you will have to wipe /system, /data, cache and Dalvik in TWRP before flashing. Up to you if you choose to wipe internal storage as well (but usually a good idea switching between stock and custom ROMs).
Once you've booted into RR, you should have root as it already comes with magisk.
If you want to flash the RR 6.0 custom ROM, you must have the 64 bit TWRP recovery flashed before you attempt to flash the 6.0 custom ROM or any Oreo custom ROMs at the time of writing.
2)Alternatively, as strongst has suggested, if you simply want your device to be working again, you'll have to flash the latest stock ROM again, since you've likely tripped the anti-rooting measures in the stock kernel.
---------- Post added at 06:53 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:49 PM ----------
ahadabdul said:
i was in the soak test version.i unlocked bootloader,flash recovery and flash supersu..but phone does not on..it stuck in the unlock screen..and ..and i think i accidentally did thw wipe data ...what should i do
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which soak test, NPJ25.75-2? If so, that's a really old soak test, and as such I would recommend you flash the latest stock ROM available for your device, else you may run into issues with the newest custom ROMs, particularly if you have a G4 Plus. Can you mention what device and what region you're in, so we can guide you to the correct stock ROM to flash?
Yeah, that phone not turning on is because of SuperSU flashed onto the stock Nougat kernel, which you cannot do for our device - you need a custom kernel. The main ways to get around it are as I described above - flash a custom ROM or re-flash the correct stock ROM for your device.

Note 4 after Flashing TWRP bootloop

Hi Guys,
I have a N910F Device , so I have yesterday worked on Rooting the Rom and Install Custom Rom.
I have using a Tutorial from Saarliner Rom Devloper and his Rom N4Rom but after I have flashing TWRP over Odin and get in Odin and erase all and install Rom there were Bootloop.
After I have flashed Remix Rom Project or other Rom ever and ever the Same ever Bootloop
My Question what I have make wrong?
- Download Mode
-TWRP Recover flashing
- Erease all up to Point Micro SD
- Flashing New Rom
Isn´t Correct that?
I knowing from S2/S3/S4/S5
First Root stock Rom then TWRP then Custom Rom or was it right?

1. 910F is known to have an eMMC problem - read about it
2. when you flash an 910F it is advised to do it in a cool environment - no joke, get a fan to blow on it or something - because heat produce the damage from point 1
3. it looks ok what you did, but did you updated to the ROM required BL and Modem ? did you respected all the instructions? why don't you try to talk with the saarliner rom creator/developer?

To 1. isn´t present , because Stock Rom are working fine and without any Reboots or Errors.
To 2. yes it was very hot.
To 3. Yes i did and yes i have read it 2 times, so my Question is when I would like to install a Custom Rom, i must have a rooted Stock then Recovery TWRP flash then Custom Rom isn´t it?
Because the Way from Saarliner look like not complete, i can´t imagen that it work so in the Tutorials. The Developer self has a Broken N4.

bluedesire said:
Question is when I would like to install a Custom Rom, i must have a rooted Stock then Recovery TWRP flash then Custom Rom isn´t it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not obligatory to have a rooted stock. After flashing TWRP, you can root it also - my advice is to use Magisk for root.
Also as advice - if saarliner rom is not working, try some other rom. The snapdragon forum has some roms, both touchwiz based and AOSP.

I will try it out.

[Stock Pie] Humble Request: Tutorial to switch from stock to custom ROM

Hello dear users and highly appreciated developers!
I reckon I am not the only one who is stuck on stock Pie and would really like to switch to a custom ROM but either don't know how, or aren't sure about it because of all the threads with bricked phones and all that stuff.
If there is anybody who has a complete tutorial/way of doing it - switching from stock Android Pie - January Security Update to any custom ROM, without bricking the phone, losing IMEI, signal etc. would be so kind to share it with us? Step by step would be convenient because there are people who aren't experienced at all with flashing and stuff like that. Especially in these "circumstances".
Very much thanks in advance, any help is much appreciated!

sainth4tred said:
Hello dear users and highly appreciated developers!
I reckon I am not the only one who is stuck on stock Pie and would really like to switch to a custom ROM but either don't know how, or aren't sure about it because of all the threads with bricked phones and all that stuff.
If there is anybody who has a complete tutorial/way of doing it - switching from stock Android Pie - January Security Update to any custom ROM, without bricking the phone, losing IMEI, signal etc. would be so kind to share it with us? Step by step would be convenient because there are people who aren't experienced at all with flashing and stuff like that. Especially in these "circumstances".
Very much thanks in advance, any help is much appreciated!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hotboot latest official twrp using fastboot command "fastboot boot name of twrp.img
Take a backup of efs partition
Wipe system,data and factory reset
Flash the rom of ur Choice
Flash twrp installer by cosmicdan
Reboot>recovery
Flash gapps+magisk
Reboot to system
Thats what i did

And you didn't get any "Your system has been destroyed" messages after hotbooting TWRP or stuff like that?

hot booting twrp is fine, just dont flash it. it mess up everything on pie.
make a efs backup on twrp fist then make a copy of it on your computer.
hot booting to twrp may take up to 30 seconds, dont panic.

@apexashwin
Hey, can you please link me that "twrp installer by cosmicdan"?
Also, if I flash Pixel Experience do I have to still do the steps which'd come after flashing the ROM? (installing cosmicdan's stuff, gapps, etc.)

sainth4tred said:
@apexashwin
Hey, can you please link me that "twrp installer by cosmicdan"?
Also, if I flash Pixel Experience do I have to still do the steps which'd come after flashing the ROM? (installing cosmicdan's stuff, gapps, etc.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's easy to find. Just find it in the rom/kernel/recovery section.
And as they stated in PE OP, it included gapps so you don't have to flash gapps.

I did in fact do what you said and I managed to flash Pixel Experience without any trouble! Thank you very much