[Q] Recovery: TWRP vs CWM - Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4

Which recovery is the most hassle-free for the verizon GS4?
My current issue:
I currently have TWRP 2.5.0.2 installed (via goomanager) when I intially rooted my phone -- still on stock, haven't updated to ME7 but looking to finally flash a ROM this week.
Reading through threads, I am picking up bits and pieces of people soft bricking their phone due to a wipe done with TWRP, requiring an ODIN flash to get the phone to boot. Is this a problem only with TWRP 2.6, or with all versions?
What are the advantages/disadvantages to TWRP and CWM.
Thanks for you help

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They both essentially do the same thing. It comes down to personal preference in my opinion. Alot of people say twrp is easier to use but like you I have read about the bootloop issues associated with it. And i really dont like the look of twrp either. Now me I like cwm. I have been using it for over 2 years on 4 different devices and have never had a single problem.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 2

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TWRP v2.5.0.2 seems more stable than the current 6.2 version. The 2.5.02 works perfectly far as I know. TWRP seems most recommended, but they both do the same job very well.

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hexitnow said:
Now me I like cwm. I have been using it for over 2 years on 4 different devices and have never had a single problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mmm Hmm! I like me some CWM!

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I use twrp 2.5.0.2. CWM's menu layout is garbage.
sent from my Verizon Galaxy s4

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Philz CWM supports extFAT and reports the correct date/time.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

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With TWRP 2.5.0.2 I was able to corrupt my data partition by formatting it. Over and over again this happened. When you format it (the one where you have to type "yes") screws things up pretty bad. At first formatting it again would fix it but then it got to the point where rebooting my phone would result in it getting stuck at the logo. When I went into recovery it would ask me for a password to access /DATA. If you do not format DATA you might not have a problem. I don't do it often but the first time you do things could eventually require ODIN and starting over.
I have been using the PhilZ recovery (modified CWM) and its been working great. It has a feature where you can "Wipe to flash new ROM". It will get things clean for a new flash pretty good.
That being said I like how TWRP is laid out better, with larger buttons, and especially doing flashes of multiple ZIPs is more efficient. But in the end I went with the one that was more stable. I might give TWRP a try again and just stay away from the hard wipe. Things have been stable enough where I have not had to do that for a while.

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For a long time I used CWM. However once I made the move to TWRP I never looked back. Now with that said I use 2.5.0.2 as I have read many issues with 2.6 and 2.5.0.2 has been perfect for me.

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Not knocking CWM but I've had no issues with exFat and twrp 2.5.0.2.

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I've used TWRP to flash several ROMs, to make backups, restore backups, etc. etc. etc. and have never had any problem with any version.
As far as CWM, it's also always worked perfectly for me but I find TWRP slightly easier to use.

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Thanks everyone who replied!
Quite a mix bag of results -- but most people say the TWRP works fine. Diaftia -- the issues you ran into are exactly what I have read and really don't want to deal with them.
To all who use TWRP as the recovery -- what are the steps you use to CLEAN flash a new rom (ME7 based). One reply I read in a thread somewhere said don't use TWRP to upgrade to a ME7 based ROM as it causes those hang-ups that diaftia explained. Are there any don't do's --i.e. wipe data? etc.
I will probably flash this weekend -- still shopping around for the ROM that suits me the best.
Thanks again so much everyone -- really appreciate the feedback,
-thebeen

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thebeen said:
Thanks everyone who replied!
Quite a mix bag of results -- but most people say the TWRP works fine. Diaftia -- the issues you ran into are exactly what I have read and really don't want to deal with them.
To all who use TWRP as the recovery -- what are the steps you use to CLEAN flash a new rom (ME7 based). One reply I read in a thread somewhere said don't use TWRP to upgrade to a ME7 based ROM as it causes those hang-ups that diaftia explained. Are there any don't do's --i.e. wipe data? etc.
I will probably flash this weekend -- still shopping around for the ROM that suits me the best.
Thanks again so much everyone -- really appreciate the feedback,
-thebeen
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im on twrp 2.5.0.2 and just flashed a stock root me7. Flashed with twrp and everything is working smoothly. But i should add that just prior to this I used a factory image and went back to mdk so my partitions would be formatted. Then immediately got root and installed twrp 2.5.0.2 and flashed the mE7 rom.
Also I find the file manager in twrp a valuable tool I just couldn't give up.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app

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I've been using cwm since my ogdroid. I used it on thunderbolt. I had to use twrp on the bionic. Twrp was easy to use but I jumped back to cwm on the sg4. I just really like how cwm manages. I personally don't see need to have multi roms loaded. Cwm assures I do proper install of each new rom I use I feel.
ghostrigger on to the next show

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I had used TWRP and been fine for 3 roms, then the 4th rom installation soft-bricked my phone. It would boot the first time, but you could not restart it. I wiped several times and resinstalled, verifying MD5's and using multiple versions... same problem each time. Finally, I had to figure out how to use ADB again (I'd forgotten years ago) and I installed CWM and started again from scratch. Each mod install has been flawless, save for me forgetting that the power button is now where the volume rockers used to be on the Rezound a few times. I soft bricked with TWRP and CWM fixed it, so that's where my current loyalty goes.

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thanks everyone for the replies. I ended up going to homebase and using PhilZ touch CWM and worked flawlessly. Don't think i'll be going to the TWRP bandwagon for a while.
Thanks! Hope this thread helps any future users on their decision
-thebeen

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If new users see this and are reading, it seems most of the devs for this phone are using TWRP 2.5.0.2. Those guys flash way more than even the average crack flasher. If that seems to be their go to recovery must be something to it. The others are probably fine too. Some times it comes down to preference. I've seen posts for all the recoveries good and bad. That being said, it was also asked what are the steps for flashing with TWRP.
Here goes.
For TouchWiz and AOSP 4.2.2 roms
1. Factory Reset under wipe, then tap advanced and check the boxes beside system, Data, Cache, and davlik. Do both of these x3.
2. Flashed ROM and gapps (if not included with the ROM.)
3. Reboot system.
For AOSP 4.3 ROM.
1. Factory Reset under wipe, then tap advanced and check the boxes beside system, Data, Cache, and davlik. Do both of these x3.
2. Flashed ROM and gapps (if not included with the ROM.)
3. Wipe Davlik and cache.
4. Reboot into Recovery.
5.Wipe Davlik and cache under advanced.
6. Reboot system.
In addition follow any additional instructions from the OP for the ROM your flashing. They are mostly the same but you should always read to be sure.
I've had 100% success with the above.
Dubsy if you see this maybe you could post your process for flashing with TWRP. Might be different, simpler, or better. You would be flashing way more than me.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app

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Mightycaptain said:
If new users see this and are reading, it seems most of the devs for this phone are using TWRP 2.5.0.2. Those guys flash way more than even the average crack flasher. If that seems to be their go to recovery must be something to it. The others are probably fine too. Some times it comes down to preference. I've seen posts for all the recoveries good and bad. That being said, it was also asked what are the steps for flashing with TWRP.
Here goes.
For TouchWiz and AOSP 4.2.2 roms
1. Factory Reset under wipe, then tap advanced and check the boxes beside system, Data, Cache, and davlik. Do both of these x3.
2. Flashed ROM and gapps (if not included with the ROM.)
3. Reboot system.
For AOSP 4.3 ROM.
1. Factory Reset under wipe, then tap advanced and check the boxes beside system, Data, Cache, and davlik. Do both of these x3.
2. Flashed ROM and gapps (if not included with the ROM.)
3. Wipe Davlik and cache.
4. Reboot into Recovery.
5.Wipe Davlik and cache under advanced.
6. Reboot system.
In addition follow any additional instructions from the OP for the ROM your flashing. They are mostly the same but you should always read to be sure.
I've had 100% success with the above.
Dubsy if you see this maybe you could post your process for flashing with TWRP. Might be different, simpler, or better. You would be flashing way more than me.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im not a dev, but I do make my own mods and personal roms and ive used every recovery possible, in fact Ive made my own zip of every recovery after loki flashing and put them in my sd for a rainy day (think I even posted most of them somewhere recently) . I use twrp because of the file manager and terminal (mainly terminal though). Most issues I can fix in recovery by either setting permissions for or removing/moving apks (also doable in terminal >>adb>>chmod 755/644 etc,etc). Terminal with adb gives you the ability to do almost everything. That and i like to see the logs of what's happenin'. Ive never had an issue a using exfat either after formating using linux.
Fwiw my method is:
1. Format system
2. Flash rom
3. Wipe/format cache and dalvik
4. Fix permissions (if rom contains custom kernel)
5. Reboot