Database Users

[Q] Rooted Verizon S5

Hello all!
Glad I can report that the towelroot exploit worked successfully on my Verizon Samsung Galaxy S5 phone.
I'm a noob to Android devices, but I think they are awesome
I've spent most the day reading up on Android backup and recovery, differences between rooting and unlocking the bootloader, and I have a couple of questions relating to these topics:
1) I've rooted my Samsung Galaxy S5, and, in the event that I accidentally loaded a virus on my phone, or seriously messed something up with my root access, I'd like to have a way out of it. I've been reading up on the Android Recovery Mode: Wipe Data/factory reset. My question is this: Is it still okay to use this feature after I've rooted my ROM using towelroot? Also, if I use this feature, will it also completely re-install system software (like a Win 7 Reinstall)? Or is this just deleting some user data and leaving the once upon a time read only folders alone?
If method one mentioned above isn't a full OS restore, I think this is my other option...
2) Since I've rooted my phone with towelroot, I know that my bootloader is still locked. I know that another backup option is to use CWM to do a custom backup/recovery, however, I know that unlocking the bootloader right now may not be possible. I can't find any already existing threads relevant to Verizon Galaxy S5 bootloader unlocking since towelroot has been released released, however, I have stumbled upon this website which mentions my phone in the list: (I can't post links yet, please google "samsung galaxy s5 cwm phizl", and click on the second link. What do you guys think of this guide, do you think this will actually work for the unlocked Verizon Galaxy S5?
Thank's for any help with this.

Does this question stump everyone?

If you do a wipe it goes back to how it was when you first installed the rom/ first boot.

shredfast said:
I'd like to have a way out of it. I've been reading up on the Android Recovery Mode: Wipe Data/factory reset.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is oversimplified, but the files on your phone are more or less organized like this -
1. User settings, installed apps (data partition) - this is what a factory data reset would erase.
2. System files (most of them) - these read only files don't normally change unless you get an OTA firmware update. If you accidentally delete or somehow corrupt system files, you can reinstall the firmware to fix these. A custom ROM (if your bootloader was unlocked) would replace the files here.
3. Cache. These are temporary files. Some problems can be fixed by deleting these. If deleted, your phone will rebuild the cache when it boots.
4. SDcard. Built in, internal storage space for user files, downloads, etc. If you have a physical SD card, that is seperate and referred to as the external or secondary SD card.
5. Other stuff e.g. the bootloader, modem, etc.
A 100% backup is often referred to as a "Nandroid". Meaning that you backup the entire memory (NAND). You can only do that properly with a custom recovery like TWRP or CWM. The next closest thing would be an app like Titanium Pro.
The system data reset will only default the user settings (data partition). It won't remove most user files (internal SD card) or touch the read only system files (system partition).
I don't know what your second question really pertains to. You should have described it fully, rather than try to get us to replicate your Google search. I'll just say that it's highly unlikely that anyone will figure out how to unlock the Verizon bootloader anytime soon.
Verizon has an unlocked Developer model phone, but it is handicapped by poor firmware updates. If you want the advantages of an unlocked bootloader, change carriers. Most carriers do not lock the S5 bootloader. Just ATT, Verizon and a few US CDMA carriers.
Because your bootloader is locked, you can't use a real custom kernel or recovery. But they can be emulated with Safestrap.
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[Q] Note 4 Rooted, Then What?

I'm coming from the HTC environment and the Note 4 will be my first Samsung phone. I have a few concerns regarding root. Assuming the Note 4 can be rooted, using the Note 3 and the S5 as a precident, how does one maintain updates? With HTC, if you had root, you could flash a new ROM for software updates (newer android versions, bug fixes, carrier updates). However, to update firmware, like updated radios, you needed S-Off.
Please help explain. With the Note 4, what will we need in order to do the following, and what is the likelyhood each of the following will be possible:
1) Obtain Root to run apps requiring root (Titanium, adblocker, WIFI tether...)
2) Install custom recovery
3) Flash custom ROMs
4) maintain a phone with updated and current Firmware and Radios.
Otherwise, what do people do who root there phone on day 1? Do they go 1-2 years with the phone without updating firmware?
Thank you

you can update samsung software with no issues. Assuming they'll keep it like the Note 2, there under the settings>update, there are different tabs, and one is Samsung.
Modems and other such updates, you'll just need to wait a day or two for someone to upload the newer OTA with root. Sometimes, some of the root tools, like SuperUser, will have OTA survivor mode, but they're not guaranteed to worked.
End of the day, it's not anything you're not already use to

Thanks for the response. So if the bootloader is NOT able to be unlocked, what will we be missing out on then? If the bootloader IS locked and there is no way around it, we can still root, flash ROMS, and update radios/firmware?

we can only go by the past to predict the future, but in US ATT Note 3 had locked bootloader, T-mobile loader was unlocked, so it was up to the carrier, but I believe both had way to root. One problem with Samsung was Knox software, which once triggered by root or loading custom firmware couldn't be reset back to zero. Based on that flag some people claimed to be refused warranty repairs, others didn't, so who knows. One thing is that Samsung "donated" knox to Google L Android, so it may be on all Android phones in the future, but again who knows how Google will implement it. It may take a time for developers to find their way around new phone, so if you have concerns, wait a little until all is clear, for now we can only guess. My Note 3 is rooted, "official" with Knox flag 0, but I had to wait for proper methods to be developed and every time I update I need to re root (and make some other changes) again. There could be developer model also with everything open, who knows.

Thanks for the response.
I just need to clarify what can be done on a rooted Samsung device vs what can be done with a rooted AND unlocked Samsung device.
Am I correct:
Rooted Only:
-superuser
-can run root required apps (Titanium, Wifi Tether)
-can flash custom ROM but must be stock based only, and must be on stock kernel
-can NOT install CM or TWRP custom recovery
-can update firmware and radios but must OTA and then re-root

you cant flash a rom with stock recovery
if no bootloader unlock, and no custom recovery, then no rom flashing..

flyhighx said:
.... Rooted Only:
.. -can flash custom ROM but must be stock based only, and must be on stock kernel .../QUOTE]
As stated above, this not correct. You'll able to flash the stock firm via Odin. In fact, you'll be able to get the tar file from Samsung if you wanted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

I haven't used it in awhile, but I believe you still need a custom recovery to use Mobile Odin, don't you?

i want root mostly for four reasons:
Disable logging
Multi window enable more apps
Make one hand mode background black
because its mine and i can...
But I also need it rooted without tripping knox (for work purposes..)

[Q] Advice req'd

OK so I recently got my hands on an S4 (GT-I9505). This is an upgrade from my previous phone that was stolen; I had an S3 with CM11 installed. So as I have enjoyed CM11 previously I would like to use it on my new S4. I have a few questions:
Is the default boot-loader locked? What alternatives exist for this device?
If I root and install a custom boot-loader, would I be able to replace it later if I wanted to?
Broad question, but what security features does Cyanogenmod come with?
Is there a stock CM phone location service built in to the OS, i.e. like a tracker?
Can I encrypt the device storage with CM11 without installing apps to do this?
Can I encrypt the removable storage without installing apps to do this?
How do I restrict USB mounting of the media folders on the phone/removable media to a specific machine?
Can I restrict access to the ADB via USB to a specific machine only?
The stock recovery menu states CTC code applied "BTU" (I'm in the UK). Does the bootloader apply this setting so the phone knows which region to operate in and if so does the CWM boot-loader also apply this code too (I don't want to run into problems after where the phone won't associate to a network due to some issue with CTC, or maybe I've misunderstood this concept...) ?
I know, dumb questions eh.

You have more than a few questions there. :lol:
The only S4 devices that have locked bootloaders are ones purchased from the United States cellular carriers AT&T and Verizon. Current bootloader code includes Knox security software, which is not found on the SIII.
You don't install a custom bootloader. Custom kernels and recoveries can be easily restored to stock using Odin.
Your questions regarding CyanogenMod I can't answer, as I don't use CyanogenMod.
Encrypting the removable storage may be possible, but it varies from ROM to ROM. You'll have to read up on the ROM you choose to use.
AFAIK, you can't restrict mounting of media folders.
You cannot restrict access to ADB to one specific machine.
The bootloader has nothing to do with the CSC code. Where you're planning on installing a custom ROM it won't matter anyway.
The only stupid questions are the ones that aren't asked. But, most of this information applies to the SIII as well. Surely you had to have been aware of some of it, as the two devices really aren't that different when you get right down to it.

Thanks for your feedback.

[Help] Root Only / Lineage OS

Hi there,
I would need some help on a decision making process and was wondering if some of you please could help me out
I bought a (Australian) ZTE A2017GV1.0.0B08 yesterday (on Android 6.0.1, Kernel 3.18.20) and while I am waiting for case & screen protector I am considering two options (if possible):
1) root only + xposed
2) Unlock bootloader + Lineage OS
Questions regarding 1)
- Main reason for this: Is it possible to keep the bootloader locked and root only (to keep warranty)?
- Would ‘root only’ make it possible to get rid of the ‘phoning home’? (Lineage Os might be at an advantage here) – referring to this: https://forum.xda-developers.com/axon-7/how-to/spyware-7-1-1-update-a2017gv1-2-0b02-t3591594
- What about updates – do they need to be disabled or is it a case of simply having to re-root? Or better wait for Nougat, and root then (Or is rooting Nougat more problematic)?
Questions regarding 2)
- For installing LOS I think this is the guide I would be after? https://forum.xda-developers.com/axon-7/how-to/guide-install-twrp-unlock-bl-flash-t3517379
- What about Lineage Os updates, are they kind of automated or do they require going through the whole process again?
- No SU in Lineage OS – what about apps that require root (e.g. Titanium) – can SU be easily switched on/off for using such an app? Or is it better to root then and hope Google doesn't complain?
- Does the newest LOS still need a sound fix? https://forum.xda-developers.com/axon-7/how-to/sound-fix-los-los-base-roms-t3587373 and https://forum.xda-developers.com/axon-7/how-to/experience-roms-headphone-audio-t3592264
Most importantly - Which approach is less risky regarding bricking the device?
Other pros / cons to consider I didn’t think off?
Thanks a lot for your help!
Note: Just to clarify my level of understanding – last time I played around with a phone was 2 years ago, and that simply required towelroot + installing SU + xposed. So practically a no-brainer compared to this...

Custom ROM suggestions for Samsung J7 Sky Pro SM-727VL(GP)

Could someone please point me in the direction of a custom ROM that will (or even might) work on Samsung j7 sky pro SM-272VL(GP)
Before anyone suggests, I have already read all of the information out there on rooting, ODIN, TWRP, etc for this phone. It sounds like several have tried, but no one has actually been able to gain root, although there may be hope for that due to security flaw https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/45379 mentioned in this post #21
SM-S727VL Analysis, Partition Table, and Factory
-- UPDATE #1 (11/05/18) added So I've got myself a Tracfone Variant of the Samsung J7, The "Galaxy J7 Sky Pro" [SM-S727VL] CDMA. As far as I can tell, this variant is sold on both the Tracfone and StraightTalk carriers, and it seems to just run...
forum.xda-developers.com
I have also read all of the only other thread out there on this device on the subject of rooting, or anything really:
SM-S727VL Root and Recovery
I cannot for the life of me get this phone rooted or a recovery installed. Odin always fails and ADB doesn't recognize the device. Does anyone have any info on rooting this device? I really just want to at least be able to update this thing to...
forum.xda-developers.com
However not much was accomplished in these peoples attempts other than a bricked phone or 2, and most of the participants seem to have moved onto other devices.
I however do not have any issue with needing to root as I own the device, and as it is I can boot into a recovery ODIN mode that says that FRP Lock is off, and the screen is showing a "download in progress" background to a console, waiting for me to send the updated firmware/custom ROM/whatever from the USB cable. See attached image.
I run Linux and have for the last 20 years have used too many Distros to count, but can work with most any, but prefer debian based although I have much respect for Gentoo, and their compile everything package management, and have spent considerable time on it as well. l have unlocked and installed custom ROM's of of many types on many phones, and am working with the combined experience of myself, and my friend who has done the same, except even more on more different devices than myself. But neither of us has worked on such an obscure model as this one with so little information posted publicly on the internet for anyone to find as this one. But if there is a way to do it, I'm sure between the two of us, we can and will make it happen.
Can anyone be of any help? I would really like to get something out of the phone for the $100 that it cost me. Things I would like to run would be Kali Nethunter, and/or Andrax or Cyanogenmod/LineageOS or really any other AOSP that is not google f***ed. Basically any custom ROM (whichever, whatever type and version has the best chance of working on this phone, since there are none posted publicly that are specifically made for this device that we can find for this obscure, excessively undocumented model of phone. Just getting TWRP will be a good start, and I'm pretty sure we can handle that. However in the mentioned posts even the the TWRP file that is made for this phone, people are having troubles installing in their experiences, and bricking their phones in the process, so I definitelly would prefer not to have a repeat of what happened there.
Thank you in advanced for any and all information, hints, tips, tricks, etc. I would like to not brick this phone as the only other person who attempted to do anything with this phone unfortunately had done.