Just got the s4 and updated and now the bootloader is locked? - Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4

So I wasn't thinking when I first got my s4 and figured the update was just something small but now that I look on here it looks like that update was definitely something big... What does this mean for me? Can I not run custom roms or kernels now?

That is correct. Currently you can root but you cannot install a custom recovery. Without a custom recovery you cannot install different roms or kernels. You cannot odin back to MDK. Hashcode is fine tuning a workaround using Safestrap, but it is not available yet. You can follow his progress here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=45185924

jaxon01 said:
That is correct. Currently you can root but you cannot install a custom recovery. Without a custom recovery you cannot install different roms or kernels. You cannot odin back to MDK. Hashcode is fine tuning a workaround using Safestrap, but it is not available yet. You can follow his progress here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=45185924
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay thanks for the info. I used safestrap and it seemed to work well on my droid razr do you know the difference between using safestrap and using normal recovery, I'm just curious.

fatmando2 said:
Okay thanks for the info. I used safestrap and it seemed to work well on my droid razr do you know the difference between using safestrap and using normal recovery, I'm just curious.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
custom recovery replaces your normal recovery, allowing you to overwrite the whole system when flashing a rom
safestrap keeps the stock software, and boots a recovery on top of it, keeping the stock software while kind-of dual booting your own ROM.
Or at least i think this is how it works in a layman's term.

JaeKay said:
custom recovery replaces your normal recovery, allowing you to overwrite the whole system when flashing a rom
safestrap keeps the stock software, and boots a recovery on top of it, keeping the stock software while kind-of dual booting your own ROM.
Or at least i think this is how it works in a layman's term.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, are there reasons why one is better then the other or are they just different methods of doing the same type of thing?

fatmando2 said:
Ok, are there reasons why one is better then the other or are they just different methods of doing the same type of thing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
safestrap wont ever really brick your phone, but you got double the storage for system files

Related

[Q] Cannot Install Custom Recovery On Verizon GS4

Hello, I am new to the forum, but I am not new to rooting. I switched from the Droid Razr Maxx to the Galaxy S4, and so far I have loved my GS4. I am updated fully to android 4.2.2 baseband I545VRUAME7. I was able to root my phone using the SD Card method as published on Saturday, July 27 2013. Upon rooting my phone I attempted to install custom recovery in order to install the Eclipse S4GE v1.4 ROM made by nitroglycerine33. I downloaded Goomanager and installed TWRP. Upon telling TWRP to flash the custom ROM it rebooted the phone, as usual. After reboot i was put into Odin. I tried this process 4 times with no avail, continuously booting into Odin. After trying TWRP, I tried Clockworkmod and the same happened to me. I am unable to get anything other than Odin, and I really hate TouchWiz and want to switch to this ROM. Thanks for any help.
DaringVirus52 said:
Hello, I am new to the forum, but I am not new to rooting. I switched from the Droid Razr Maxx to the Galaxy S4, and so far I have loved my GS4. I am updated fully to android 4.2.2 baseband I545VRUAME7. I was able to root my phone using the SD Card method as published on Saturday, July 27 2013. Upon rooting my phone I attempted to install custom recovery in order to install the Eclipse S4GE v1.4 ROM made by nitroglycerine33. I downloaded Goomanager and installed TWRP. Upon telling TWRP to flash the custom ROM it rebooted the phone, as usual. After reboot i was put into Odin. I tried this process 4 times with no avail, continuously booting into Odin. After trying TWRP, I tried Clockworkmod and the same happened to me. I am unable to get anything other than Odin, and I really hate TouchWiz and want to switch to this ROM. Thanks for any help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You cant flash roms on the new update, you can only root.
With rooted ME7, we do not have the capability (yet!) to install custom roms or recoveries. See the thread on the bounty about this.
resurektz said:
You cant flash roms on the new update, you can only root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why is that, and is there a way to downgrade the Baseband now that I am rooted, as I said before I do not like TouchWiz.
DaringVirus52 said:
Why is that, and is there a way to downgrade the Baseband now that I am rooted, as I said before I do not like TouchWiz.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What's your build number? If it ends with ME7 the best you can do is root (for now).
Is there a way to downgrade, or a reason as to why we cannot install custom ROMs?
Me7 blocks older versions of the firmware so no downgrading. You cant install a custom recovery because me7 patched the loki exploit. Once on the me7 ota youre stuck, for now atleast.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 2
Thanks, keep me updated as to when we can install custom ROMs.
No problem.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 2
DaringVirus52 said:
Hello, I am new to the forum, but I am not new to rooting. I switched from the Droid Razr Maxx to the Galaxy S4, and so far I have loved my GS4. I am updated fully to android 4.2.2 baseband I545VRUAME7. I was able to root my phone using the SD Card method as published on Saturday, July 27 2013. Upon rooting my phone I attempted to install custom recovery in order to install the Eclipse S4GE v1.4 ROM made by nitroglycerine33. I downloaded Goomanager and installed TWRP. Upon telling TWRP to flash the custom ROM it rebooted the phone, as usual. After reboot i was put into Odin. I tried this process 4 times with no avail, continuously booting into Odin. After trying TWRP, I tried Clockworkmod and the same happened to me. I am unable to get anything other than Odin, and I really hate TouchWiz and want to switch to this ROM. Thanks for any help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You, my friend, are SOL for now
I got tired of waiting & ordered a Dev edition w/unlocked bootloader.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
wtherrell said:
You, my friend, are SOL for now
I got tired of waiting & ordered a Dev edition w/unlocked bootloader.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
im still surprised nobody has been able to port the dev edition bootloader over and figure out how to unlock it.
but yes OP, you are screwed. start liking TW
dansan382 said:
im still surprised nobody has been able to port the dev edition bootloader over and figure out how to unlock it.
but yes OP, you are screwed. start liking TW
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To port it over, the stock bootloader must first be unlocked. You can't overwrite the locked bootloader
najaboy said:
To port it over, the stock bootloader must first be unlocked. You can't overwrite the locked bootloader
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
obviously.. what i should have wrote was,
surprised nobody is able to compare and contrast the 2 bootloaders, find out whats different and examine a way to release that block. which im pretty sure what they have been trying.
basically it should be the same bootloader, one locked and one unlocked. find out how the lock is there and whats different
Is there any way to get out of the Odin mode when you attempt to reboot to recovery on ME7 using TWRP? Is it possible to flash back to the stock ROM?
You cant flash a custom recovery on the me7 ota. Turn your phone off and use the odin/download mode key combo. When it asks if u want continue decline and your phone will boot normally. Me7 images flashable via odin are in the dev section.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 2
hexitnow said:
You cant flash a custom recovery on the me7 ota. Turn your phone off and use the odin/download mode key combo. When it asks if u want continue decline and your phone will boot normally. Me7 images flashable via odin are in the dev section.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Got it thanks a ton! I'll read up in the dev section. I really wish there were step by steps for noobies out there that are a bit more clear. I've googled and seen so many links to forums and threads. I thought I found a pretty straight forward method, but that one didn't work. I'm not giving up!
Regards,
Tony
blkst2x said:
Is there any way to get out of the Odin mode when you attempt to reboot to recovery on ME7 using TWRP? Is it possible to flash back to the stock ROM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're not using TWRP if you updated to ME7. You have the stock recovery and are on the stock rom. There is no going back to MDK.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4
najaboy said:
You're not using TWRP if you updated to ME7. You have the stock recovery and are on the stock rom. There is no going back to MDK.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately I have figured that one out. So, is there any way to install one of the ROMs posted by Dubbsy? I was under the impression that these worked with ME7, but I must be very wrong in that assumption. Forgive my ignorance. I'm just really sick of TouchWiz and I can't wait to get a clean Android install on this device.
No you cant install any rom as of yet on me7. The me7 roms in the dev section are an me7 base with mdk files so you can retain ability to flash a custom recovery and flash other roms. As for your pm shut your phone all the way off and then hold volume down + power. Release power when it vibrates keep holding vol down and itll ask for you to confirm or deny booting to download mode. If you deny it your phone should boot normally. Everytime you boot I believe itll do this so youll eventually need to use one of the me7 odin images. There is no wipe versions in the dev section so you wont lose any apps and data associated with them.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 2
hexitnow said:
No you cant install any rom as of yet on me7. The me7 roms in the dev section are an me7 base with mdk files so you can retain ability to flash a custom recovery and flash other roms. As for your pm shut your phone all the way off and then hold volume down + power. Release power when it vibrates keep holding vol down and itll ask for you to confirm or deny booting to download mode. If you deny it your phone should boot normally. Everytime you boot I believe itll do this so youll eventually need to use one of the me7 odin images. There is no wipe versions in the dev section so you wont lose any apps and data associated with them.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
after doing that procedure once, it let's me boot up fine. Powering off, then on, reboot, or batter pull..they all work fine now. How would I install one of the ME7 Odin images? Is there a doc on how to do that using Odin?

[Q] Verizon Samsung Galaxy S4 - ODIN "could not do normal boot"

I have rooted my GS4 successfully, but upon attempting to flash the ClockworkMod Recovery I have run into an issue. When I attempt to go into the recovery mode for a split second it flashes the blue legend in the top left of the screen but then immediately goes into ODIN mode and reads in red text: "could not do normal boot." No matter what I try I cannot seem to get past this issue. I have also attempted to use the loki method where you run the terminal emulator on the phone and attempt to run the program through that but it keeps reading an error message with something along the lines of "does not match build." I'm a little stuck and cannot figure out what is going wrong with any of these methods I have tried.
McSonboy said:
I have rooted my GS4 successfully, but upon attempting to flash the ClockworkMod Recovery I have run into an issue. When I attempt to go into the recovery mode for a split second it flashes the blue legend in the top left of the screen but then immediately goes into ODIN mode and reads in red text: "could not do normal boot." No matter what I try I cannot seem to get past this issue. I have also attempted to use the loki method where you run the terminal emulator on the phone and attempt to run the program through that but it keeps reading an error message with something along the lines of "does not match build." I'm a little stuck and cannot figure out what is going wrong with any of these methods I have tried.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What build are you on?
If you're not on MDK then you can't install a custom recovery. Your only option is Safestrap. Find your build number then research as much as possible before you brick your phone.
Sent from my NCC 1701 using Tapatalk 4
riker147 said:
What build are you on?
If you're not on MDK then you can't install a custom recovery. Your only option is Safestrap. Find your build number then research as much as possible before you brick your phone.
Sent from my NCC 1701 using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My build is VRUEMK2.
McSonboy said:
My build is VRUEMK2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's the newest build. No custom recovery. Your only option is Safestrap and you can only flash 4.3 TW based ROMS. Like I said earlier. Do your research.
Sent from my NCC 1701 using Tapatalk 4
riker147 said:
That's the newest build. No custom recovery. Your only option is Safestrap and you can only flash 4.3 TW based ROMS. Like I said earlier. Do your research.
Sent from my NCC 1701 using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Forgive my ignorance, but what do you mean by "TW based"? I did just look up how to do the flashing via Safestrap and the demo the guy did ran successfully for the Hyperdrive mod, but I am curious as to whether or not I can use this to flash the Gummy 4.4 ROM that has recently come out.
McSonboy said:
Forgive my ignorance, but what do you mean by "TW based"? I did just look up how to do the flashing via Safestrap and the demo the guy did ran successfully for the Hyperdrive mod, but I am curious as to whether or not I can use this to flash the Gummy 4.4 ROM that has recently come out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
TW=Touchwiz wiz. You can't flash any CM or AOSP ROMs. Only 4.3 Touchwiz based ROMS.
Sent from my NCC 1701 using Tapatalk 4
Thank you for the help. Do you know if at any time in the foreseeable future there will be the capability to flash other types of ROMs?
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
McSonboy said:
Thank you for the help. Do you know if at any time in the foreseeable future there will be the capability to flash other types of ROMs?
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
probably not, the lockdown on the bootloader may never be cracked.
Well with safe strap, I found that you are able to flash ROMs for my build by tricking the system into running multiple slots so that it doesn't mess with the actual system files. So if it's running on a separate slot to run a ROM such as Hyperdrive then shouldn't it able to run any other kind of ROM running on the same principle of a "ghost" slot?
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
McSonboy said:
Well with safe strap, I found that you are able to flash ROMs for my build by tricking the system into running multiple slots so that it doesn't mess with the actual system files. So if it's running on a separate slot to run a ROM such as Hyperdrive then shouldn't it able to run any other kind of ROM running on the same principle of a "ghost" slot?
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not really sure what you mean by "tricking the system", but if you think you can run any ROM, give it a shot and let us know. It would be a major breakthrough.
Sent from my NCC 1701 using Tapatalk 4
What I mean is that the way safe strap works is by running a different port instead of modifying the way original system ROM. Picture like a computer with multiple USB ports. The new ROM is like a USB thumb drive. You plug it in to run your program (in this case the new ROM) without actually modifying the system info. It's like a virtual port so as to not modify system data. I'm not sure if there are ROMs that won't work because they are not TouchWiz based. Any thoughts?
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
McSonboy said:
What I mean is that the way safe strap works is by running a different port instead of modifying the way original system ROM. Picture like a computer with multiple USB ports. The new ROM is like a USB thumb drive. You plug it in to run your program (in this case the new ROM) without actually modifying the system info. It's like a virtual port so as to not modify system data. I'm not sure if there are ROMs that won't work because they are not TouchWiz based. Any thoughts?
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's not how Safestrap works.
Safestrap basically allows the phone to boot, then just before the stock ROM begins executing start-up programs, it intervenes, mounts the ROM slot over the top of the original ROM (technically, it loopback mounts it and uses chroot() to make the mounted ROM the root file system).
Once the slot is loaded, the start-up scripts in that slot are allowed to run.
The Android Kernel that's used to run the slot is the stock kernel, so you can only run ROMs that will boot with the stock kernel.
The AOSP and CM ROMs have not been ported to the TouchWiz kernel, so they can't run on a Safestrap device.
And we can't change the kernel because the bootloader is locked and prohibits that. (Except for the MDK bootloader, which can be bypassed.)
k1mu said:
That's not how Safestrap works.
Safestrap basically allows the phone to boot, then just before the stock ROM begins executing start-up programs, it intervenes, mounts the ROM slot over the top of the original ROM (technically, it loopback mounts it and uses chroot() to make the mounted ROM the root file system).
Once the slot is loaded, the start-up scripts in that slot are allowed to run.
The Android Kernel that's used to run the slot is the stock kernel, so you can only run ROMs that will boot with the stock kernel.
The AOSP and CM ROMs have not been ported to the TouchWiz kernel, so they can't run on a Safestrap device.
And we can't change the kernel because the bootloader is locked and prohibits that. (Except for the MDK bootloader, which can be bypassed.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, thank you for the clarification. Well that stinks. And as of right now no one has figured out how to unlock to bootloader for this build?
McSonboy said:
Okay, thank you for the clarification. Well that stinks. And as of right now no one has figured out how to unlock to bootloader for this build?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If someone had figured it out, it would be posted all over this site. Based on everything I've read, the future is not looking to bright.
Sent from my NCC 1701 using Tapatalk 4
riker147 said:
If someone had figured it out, it would be posted all over this site. Based on everything I've read, the future is not looking to bright.
Sent from my NCC 1701 using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well ****...
Please help!!
My Gt-i9505 is stuck in odin mode "could not do normal boot" .. i turned it off took battery out and waiting 10 to mins and retried
I had cm11 installed and i am only new to this custom rom business and tried installing a nightly update but kept getting status 7 error .... eventaully fixed that and got status 6 error instead .
I got so fed up i just wanted to completely restart get rid of cm11 and install the stock rom which i have downloaded on my pc
I havnt rooted the device .I just need help to get out of this odin mode 'downloading do not turn off target !!' im so annoyed with it!
Remember im only new at all this
Any help is much appreciated :good:
irishboy1234 said:
My Gt-i9505 is stuck in odin mode "could not do normal boot" .. i turned it off took battery out and waiting 10 to mins and retried
I had cm11 installed and i am only new to this custom rom business and tried installing a nightly update but kept getting status 7 error .... eventaully fixed that and got status 6 error instead .
I got so fed up i just wanted to completely restart get rid of cm11 and install the stock rom which i have downloaded on my pc
I havnt rooted the device .I just need help to get out of this odin mode 'downloading do not turn off target !!' im so annoyed with it!
Remember im only new at all this
Any help is much appreciated :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well you're in the Verizon i545 forum not the i9505 but that's OK !
Id suggest re down loading your proper Odin file... Do you know what build your phone was on? although it doesn't matter much for you since your phones bootloader isn't locked... Just good practice to know.
If you're still having issues with Odin I'd say update your USB drivers on your computer and possibly trying another USB cable.
After you get through Odin you can just use Chainfire to root your phone.. I can link you to it if you need..
Then you can Odin an updated recovery on your phone which by the way.... Would have taken care of those recovery errors you were getting.
Your phone is quite easy to deal with. You'll do all these things through Odin.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
McSonboy said:
Well ****...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
basic research would tell you the prospects of finding an exploit to unlock the S4 locked bootloader is extremely unlikely...
---------- Post added at 06:32 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:31 AM ----------
irishboy1234 said:
My Gt-i9505 is stuck in odin mode "could not do normal boot" .. i turned it off took battery out and waiting 10 to mins and retried
I had cm11 installed and i am only new to this custom rom business and tried installing a nightly update but kept getting status 7 error .... eventaully fixed that and got status 6 error instead .
I got so fed up i just wanted to completely restart get rid of cm11 and install the stock rom which i have downloaded on my pc
I havnt rooted the device .I just need help to get out of this odin mode 'downloading do not turn off target !!' im so annoyed with it!
Remember im only new at all this
Any help is much appreciated :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
really in the wrong forum for your phone....
Mistertac said:
Well you're in the Verizon i545 forum not the i9505 but that's OK !
Id suggest re down loading your proper Odin file... Do you know what build your phone was on? although it doesn't matter much for you since your phones bootloader isn't locked... Just good practice to know.
If you're still having issues with Odin I'd say update your USB drivers on your computer and possibly trying another USB cable.
After you get through Odin you can just use Chainfire to root your phone.. I can link you to it if you need..
Then you can Odin an updated recovery on your phone which by the way.... Would have taken care of those recovery errors you were getting.
Your phone is quite easy to deal with. You'll do all these things through Odin.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so far so good proper odin installed and it shows up in a yellow box o:[COM5]
now what?
irishboy1234 said:
so far so good proper odin installed and it shows up in a yellow box o:[COM5]
now what?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK. Now you put that Odin tar file into the PDA/AP slot . make sure repartition is NOT checked out and once that file loads into Odin you should be good to hit start.
There are walk thrust and YouTube videos on how to do this. Maybe you should Google it so you don't make any mistakes that could screw up your phone
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
---------- Post added at 07:50 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:40 AM ----------
irishboy1234 said:
so far so good proper odin installed and it shows up in a yellow box o:[COM5]
now what?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here.... Check this out too
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=41072377
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

Android processes feeezing phone

I was running eclipse 4.2.2 and spent two days flashing Vario's Roms and modems
I ended up going back to eclipse 4.2.2 and now every time I run a system process my phone freezes. Black screen. Sometime reboots.
I was doing full wipes or data/cache/davlik every time.
I can't figure it out. Pressing volume up or down freezes and lags the phone.
Pressing the phone icon lags and submitting the call lags the phone.
On top of that my mp3s on my sdcard no longer work on Google music...
Any idea how to fix this? My phone is almost useless except for third party apps. Thanks
gt5oh said:
I was running eclipse 4.2.2 and spent two days flashing Vario's Roms and modems
I ended up going back to eclipse 4.2.2 and now every time I run a system process my phone freezes. Black screen. Sometime reboots.
I was doing full wipes or data/cache/davlik every time.
I can't figure it out. Pressing volume up or down freezes and lags the phone.
Pressing the phone icon lags and submitting the call lags the phone.
On top of that my mp3s on my sdcard no longer work on Google music...
Any idea how to fix this? My phone is almost useless except for third party apps. Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Give us more info.. I take it you are mdk with loki exploit...right?
safestrap enabled, Hyperdrive driven
decaturbob said:
Give us more info.. I take it you are mdk with loki exploit...right?
safestrap enabled, Hyperdrive driven
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mdk correct. Loki
I'm using cwm recovery
Volume up and down is also bogging down the phone..
Been messing with this for hours
No matter what rom I run the core system is messed up
I ODIN back to stock.
What happens if I accept the stock OEM software upgrade?
gt5oh said:
Been messing with this for hours
No matter what rom I run the core system is messed up
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you considered odin the stock mdk full wipe image file to start over?
safestrap enabled, Hyperdrive driven
decaturbob said:
Have you considered odin the stock mdk full wipe image file to start over?
safestrap enabled, Hyperdrive driven
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah I did that, im on stock mdk 4.2.2 right now, software update popped up, if I take it will I be able to root in the future?
gt5oh said:
yeah I did that, im on stock mdk 4.2.2 right now, software update popped up, if I take it will I be able to root in the future?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Root yes. Custom recovery, no. Your only option would be Safestrap and compatible TW roms. Try to do whatever it takes to stay on MDK.
Sent from my NCC 1701 using Tapatalk 4
riker147 said:
Root yes. Custom recovery, no. Your only option would be Safestrap and compatible TW roms. Try to do whatever it takes to stay on MDK.
Sent from my NCC 1701 using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok got it thanks.. is there a stock but rooted mk2 rom that you can install from mdk with CWM?
gt5oh said:
ok got it thanks.. is there a stock but rooted mk2 rom that you can install from mdk with CWM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2581072
There's a stock rooted MK2 ROM you can flash in CWM. Just don't take that OTA!
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
gt5oh said:
yeah I did that, im on stock mdk 4.2.2 right now, software update popped up, if I take it will I be able to root in the future?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you are mdk, I would NEVER take OTA as that will cause you to lose custom recoveries and ability to rom any type of ROM and custom kernels. There is a way to continue forward with MDK but I don't know what the process is as I don't have MDK myself
Yes I rejected the update.
Instead I put on CWM recovery and flashed the TW stock 4.3 build
Was running Eclipse 4.2.2 before

[Q] Need Help with Re-rooting Device

Hi all,
I previously had my GS4 rooted on JellyBean, running the stock ROM and ClockworkMod. I upgraded my phone with the Verizon update to 4.4.2 when the update came out. I am now on the NC5 build. I am now trying to root my phone again, to run a different ROM. I still have Rom Manager and SuperSU on my phone from the last root.
I tried using Towelroot yesterday. It said the root was successful. I was able to go into Rom Manager and update CWM, which also said it flashed successfully. SuperSU is working. However, when I try to boot into CWM, it boots into the stock (I think) recovery. I'm trying to run a nandroid backup before I do anything drastic.
Do I have to wipe my device, and start fresh? It seems that CWM is installed, but the stock recovery is overriding it. Sorry if this is a noob-ish question. I've been out of the Root game since my Incredible.
Leach0789 said:
Hi all,
I previously had my GS4 rooted on JellyBean, running the stock ROM and ClockworkMod. I upgraded my phone with the Verizon update to 4.4.2 when the update came out. I am now on the NC5 build. I am now trying to root my phone again, to run a different ROM. I still have Rom Manager and SuperSU on my phone from the last root.
I tried using Towelroot yesterday. It said the root was successful. I was able to go into Rom Manager and update CWM, which also said it flashed successfully. SuperSU is working. However, when I try to boot into CWM, it boots into the stock (I think) recovery. I'm trying to run a nandroid backup before I do anything drastic.
Do I have to wipe my device, and start fresh? It seems that CWM is installed, but the stock recovery is overriding it. Sorry if this is a noob-ish question. I've been out of the Root game since my Incredible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe when you accept the Verizon OTA update it locks down custom recoveries like CWM/TWRP and the only option is SafeStrap.
scrillakev said:
I believe when you accept the Verizon OTA update it locks down custom recoveries like CWM/TWRP and the only option is SafeStrap.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah ha. Thanks for the reply. So can I proceed with installing SafeStrap, or do I need to uninstall CWM first?
Leach0789 said:
Ah ha. Thanks for the reply. So can I proceed with installing SafeStrap, or do I need to uninstall CWM first?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea if your on a Verizon s4 running any build after MDK... which you are... SafeStrap is your only option.
Hard to say what that will do to your phone after trying to install CWM.... usually it just soft bricks it and you need to Odin back to stock...
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
Mistertac said:
Yea if your on a Verizon s4 running any build after MDK... which you are... SafeStrap is your only option.
Hard to say what that will do to your phone after trying to install CWM.... usually it just soft bricks it and you need to Odin back to stock...
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just started the process of installing SafeStrap, but maybe I will wait until I'm home from work, in case I need to Odin..
Leach0789 said:
I just started the process of installing SafeStrap, but maybe I will wait until I'm home from work, in case I need to Odin..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
May be a good idea just in case. I've seen some on here do the same as you with ROM manager and once they rebooted they were brought to the unauthorized software detected screen.... And without a recovery and a backup already made you'd be out of luck.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
Mistertac said:
May be a good idea just in case. I've seen some on here do the same as you with ROM manager and once they rebooted they were brought to the unauthorized software detected screen.... And without a recovery and a backup already made you'd be out of luck.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It would probably be smart to remove CWM with Odin before attempting SafeStrap, correct? Is there a specific thread for removing CWM from a Verizon S4? I searched around but couldn't find anything specific to the S4.
Edit: I found a guide on NasirTech. Looks like that will work.
Leach0789 said:
It would probably be smart to remove CWM with Odin before attempting SafeStrap, correct? Is there a specific thread for removing CWM from a Verizon S4? I searched around but couldn't find anything specific to the S4.
Edit: I found a guide on NasirTech. Looks like that will work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well it didn't actually install it since your kernel doesn't allow for it now but what I would do is just use Odin and start over. Can use a No Wipe file and keep all your stuff.
You could try the method you found... I'm just not familiar with it.
Hard to say really how it will act. Maybe you'll have no issues at all just be able to install SafeStrap. Maybe you'll be able to install it but then it won't boot properly into it... who knows. Both have happened to me with my recovery ( CWM ),.. and using Odin was the only thing that helped.
Good luck .. I'm sure you'll get it going
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
Mistertac said:
Well it didn't actually install it since your kernel doesn't allow for it now but what I would do is just use Odin and start over. Can use a No Wipe file and keep all your stuff.
You could try the method you found... I'm just not familiar with it.
Hard to say really how it will act. Maybe you'll have no issues at all just be able to install SafeStrap. Maybe you'll be able to install it but then it won't boot properly into it... who knows. Both have happened to me with my recovery ( CWM ),.. and using Odin was the only thing that helped.
Good luck .. I'm sure you'll get it going
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! Would you mind helping me find a correct no-wipe file? I found a couple files, but since I'm a new user I can't post links here, so I can't ask anyone if its the correct file or not!
Leach0789 said:
Thanks! Would you mind helping me find a correct no-wipe file? I found a couple files, but since I'm a new user I can't post links here, so I can't ask anyone if its the correct file or not!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here you go!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2735172
Yup... Tulsa you're quick!! Lol
Grab the NC5 No Wipe...
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
Tulsadiver said:
Here you go!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2735172
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! You guys rock.

My Verizon S4 will not run ANY 4.4 roms.

I've had this problem since December or so now, (whenever CM11 came out) and I've tried asking for help everywhere, including here before. But I'm sending out one final hail mary request. For some reason, whenever I download a 4.4 Rom for my phone and I have my wifi running, the phone will freeze after I hit the power button and will not turn the screen back on at all or it will freeze while I'm using it. The only way to get the phone back on is by doing a battery pull.
Here is everything I've tried: various Roms, various kernels, different steps to install (full wipe, wipe cache, etc.), I've even unrooted and gone back to stock to start from scratch and it still happens.
If anyone could please help me out, I'm stuck running 4.3 and I want to be able to run 4.4. Hopefully I can finally find a fix for this issue I'm having. I don't think it's faulty hardware because one other person or so has had the problem as well. Help me XDA, you're my only hope!
What firmware do you have? Since you mentioned different kernels, are you still on MDK? Have you ever taken any if the OTA updates?
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
jmgib said:
What firmware do you have? Since you mentioned different kernels, are you still on MDK? Have you ever taken any if the OTA updates?
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I'm still on MDK. And no I never did an OTA.
What recovery are you using?
It happens to you all the time now? I've been so busy with work and school now that I hardly have any time at all. I really do want to pinpoint the issue before I throw this thing out the window....lol
thesoldier said:
It happens to you all the time now? I've been so busy with work and school now that I hardly have any time at all. I really do want to pinpoint the issue before I throw this thing out the window....lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Me too ha, like I said this is my final hail mary. If I can't get it fixed I'm going to buy a new phone and I really don't want to have to do that. I'm praying one final time for someone to figure a fix for me.
joshm.1219 said:
What recovery are you using?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've used CWM and TWRP. Currently using TWRP.
Nwwolf1 said:
I've used CWM and TWRP. Currently using TWRP.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This what I would do if I was you.
Flash full wipe MDK tar file
Root using towelroot
Install latest TWRP via flashify
Flash jrkruse's stock 4.4.2 NC5 rom for MDK, picking the stock talexop kernel in aroma.
If that doesn't work, I don't know what to tell you.
joshm.1219 said:
This what I would do if I was you.
Flash full wipe MDK tar file
Root using towelroot
Install latest TWRP via flashify
Flash jrkruse's stock 4.4.2 NC5 rom for MDK, picking the stock talexop kernel in aroma.
If that doesn't work, I don't know what to tell you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will I be able to still run AOSP Roms or will I have to stick with TW?
Nwwolf1 said:
Will I be able to still run AOSP Roms or will I have to stick with TW?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No you can still run AOSP roms, the only way you can lose MDK bootloader is if you flash firmware in Odin that is anything other than MDK, or if you take an OTA update while completely stock.
I guess I should say that after rooting stock MDK via towelroot, use a root explorer to delete SDM.apk and FWupgrade.apk from /system or /system/priv-app to prevent the phone from auto-updating before you flash a custom rom.
joshm.1219 said:
No you can still run AOSP roms, the only way you can lose MDK bootloader is if you flash firmware in Odin that is anything other than MDK, or if you take an OTA update while completely stock.
I guess I should say that after rooting stock MDK via towelroot, use a root explorer to delete SDM.apk and FWupgrade.apk from /system or /system/priv-app to prevent the phone from auto-updating before you flash a custom rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll definitely give it my best shot. Thank you!
Nwwolf1 said:
I'll definitely give it my best shot. Thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good luck, just letting you know, that full wipe tar file will wipe EVERYTHING. So make sure you have anything that you care about backed up on am external SD card or the cloud.
joshm.1219 said:
Good luck, just letting you know, that full wipe tar file will wipe EVERYTHING. So make sure you have anything that you care about backed up on am external SD card or the cloud.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I've got my music and photos backed up on my external SD and contacts backed with Google, those are really the only things I care about.

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