Hi everyone,
Just recently made the switch from an iPhone to a Galaxy S4, and happy to be here. I have my S4 on Verizon and unfortunately when I bought it it was already updated to ME7. I rooted it yesterday and, being a noob to Android, tried installing TWRP and CWM on it (obviously failed both times.) I have been reading a little on Safestrap and am sort of confused...
Is Safestrap a recovery for people like myself that have ME7 VZW S4's that want to install custom ROMs, or is it still in testing stages...?
Again, I am new to this whole thing. Any help will be appreciated! Also, let me know what I CAN do in the meantime with my now rooted S4!
morourke1117 said:
Hi everyone,
Just recently made the switch from an iPhone to a Galaxy S4, and happy to be here. I have my S4 on Verizon and unfortunately when I bought it it was already updated to ME7. I rooted it yesterday and, being a noob to Android, tried installing TWRP and CWM on it (obviously failed both times.) I have been reading a little on Safestrap and am sort of confused...
Is Safestrap a recovery for people like myself that have ME7 VZW S4's that want to install custom ROMs, or is it still in testing stages...?
Again, I am new to this whole thing. Any help will be appreciated! Also, let me know what I CAN do in the meantime with my now rooted S4!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It hijacks the boot process and loads a specialized version of twrp. It is for people on me7 that would like custom roms. I dont believe its got the stable tag on it but you are able to flash and run custom roms.
Hit thanks if I helped you out. Doing a little bit of reading goes a long way. Sent via tapatalk.
Welcome to the forums! I also just switched from iPhone to android. Safari is basically TWRP except it's specialized for me7 devices. You can install roms using that once you root.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app
hexitnow said:
It hijacks the boot process and loads a specialized version of twrp. It is for people on me7 that would like custom roms. I dont believe its got the stable tag on it but you are able to flash and run custom roms.
Hit thanks if I helped you out. Doing a little bit of reading goes a long way. Sent via tapatalk.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Safe Strap is SAFE. And stable. Have fun!
Check this out:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2448726
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Note 3 MI9 (AT&T) Safestrap / Darthstalker
Hello everyone,
Recently I bailed from the iPhone revolution for a Note 3 - Absolutely love it!
Anyway with that said, could someone point me in the right direction and help me find some answers to my noob questions? I did a fair amount of reading on this before deciding to post. I have a lot to learn, I want to install the Darthstalker ROM on my Note 3 with firmware MI9 (AT&T) using Safestrap 3.71.
My phone is already rooted and has Safestap installed with BusyBox.
From everything I have read, Darthstalker is only compatible with MI7 on the Note 3. I have backed up the stock ROM and verified that it boots and works properly.
My first question is, is there a risk of bricking or destroying my phone if I use the Darkstalker ROM on one of Safestrap slots?
And second question, couldn't I just boot into recovery and delete it if there was an issue?
Thanks for reading my post everyone.
BrickFace said:
Hello everyone,
Recently I bailed from the iPhone revolution for a Note 3 - Absolutely love it!
Anyway with that said, could someone point me in the right direction and help me find some answers to my noob questions? I did a fair amount of reading on this before deciding to post. I have a lot to learn, I want to install the Darthstalker ROM on my Note 3 with firmware MI9 (AT&T) using Safestrap 3.71.
My phone is already rooted and has Safestap installed with BusyBox.
From everything I have read, Darthstalker is only compatible with MI7 on the Note 3. I have backed up the stock ROM and verified that it boots and works properly.
My first question is, is there a risk of bricking or destroying my phone if I use the Darkstalker ROM on one of Safestrap slots?
And second question, couldn't I just boot into recovery and delete it if there was an issue?
Thanks for reading my post everyone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have a Note 3 - reading here, the forum for the Verizon Galaxy S4, may mislead you.
I suggest you read the Note 3 forums and ask your questions there.
Related
Hey guys,
I'm sorry if this question has already been asked, I currently have a verizon Gs4 that is running the new MK2 update. I have been looking around at ROMS online and I would like to install a kit kat rom onto my phone. My question is after rooting am I limited to what type of recovery and roms i can use? My co worker has a GS4 for sprint and uses PHILZ custom recovery.
Can anybody help me with some explanation? I am trying to figure out if it is worth rooting the phone. I also want to make sure I have all my ducks lined up before plunging into the process.
Thank you,
kendeezy said:
Hey guys,
I'm sorry if this question has already been asked, I currently have a verizon Gs4 that is running the new MK2 update. I have been looking around at ROMS online and I would like to install a kit kat rom onto my phone. My question is after rooting am I limited to what type of recovery and roms i can use? My co worker has a GS4 for sprint and uses PHILZ custom recovery.
Can anybody help me with some explanation? I am trying to figure out if it is worth rooting the phone. I also want to make sure I have all my ducks lined up before plunging into the process.
Thank you,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No custom recovery exists for mk2...hashcode is working on safestrap recovery but it is buggy at best right now and only works for touchwiz ROMs...others are working tirelessly toward unlock or workaround...mk2 is very new...give it time and read up on mk2...more will come
You can't flash a custom rom or recovery if your on the MK2 update. You can only root MK2. The devs are working hard to make that possible for us that are on the MK2 update.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
It is absolutely worth rooting, but being on MK2 your recovery options are limited to Safe strap. Philztouch will only work on the original MDK firmware. I haven't used Safe strap since the Bionic but Hashcode and his work are amazing. Head over to his blog and his thread for more info. If you are just looking to theme your phone you can stay stock rooted and use Xposed with Wanam settings. All of this info is right here on XDA and most likely on the first page of their respective forums. My first recommendation is to read a lot first. Second, before you start the process have all emergency restore files downloaded and ready to go with your device recognized by your computer. (Always have Odin, your current Factory Firmware, and USB drivers ready)
You're on MK2....you can't install a custom ROM. This topic has been discussed many times.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app
kendeezy said:
Hey guys,
I'm sorry if this question has already been asked, I currently have a verizon Gs4 that is running the new MK2 update. I have been looking around at ROMS online and I would like to install a kit kat rom onto my phone. My question is after rooting am I limited to what type of recovery and roms i can use? My co worker has a GS4 for sprint and uses PHILZ custom recovery.
Can anybody help me with some explanation? I am trying to figure out if it is worth rooting the phone. I also want to make sure I have all my ducks lined up before plunging into the process.
Thank you,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not to be rude, but this has been answered 1,000,000 times, you couldn't have searched or even read a few posts down. The only version of the S4 that can install a custom recovery is MDK. You can root, and Hashcode just released a version of safestrap that works with MJ7, but this just happened. As far as I am aware, only Hyperdrive will work on a phone on MJ7 or MK2.
hey guys this isn't my first rodeo however it is with safestrap and all this crap so i just got a replacemtn s4 from verizon running mi1 downloading the de la vega root tool currently taking a lot longer than expected so here is my goal, root got that part covered seems pretty self explainatory what i want to do is install safestrap or somehting to flash roms my plan is for now to be stock rooted... 4.3 and eventually flash other tw roms from what i understand that is all that can be installed using s.s. i have searched and search and cannot find any safestrap threads with info on how to's do's and don'ts so if someone can leand me a helping hand that would be fantastic sorry for the poor english i just work up and am too lazy to fix things atm
Bfitz26 said:
hey guys this isn't my first rodeo however it is with safestrap and all this crap so i just got a replacemtn s4 from verizon running mi1 downloading the de la vega root tool currently taking a lot longer than expected so here is my goal, root got that part covered seems pretty self explainatory what i want to do is install safestrap or somehting to flash roms my plan is for now to be stock rooted... 4.3 and eventually flash other tw roms from what i understand that is all that can be installed using s.s. i have searched and search and cannot find any safestrap threads with info on how to's do's and don'ts so if someone can leand me a helping hand that would be fantastic sorry for the poor english i just work up and am too lazy to fix things atm
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm pretty sure if you stay with MI1 you won't be able to flash any 4.3 ROMs. As of now the only one available is Hyperdrive 11 (soon to be 12). If you update to MJ7 or MK2 then you can flash 4.3 ROMs.
There are a few more 4.2 based ROMs in the dev section.
My advice to you (and everybody) would be to do your research. Read, read, read.
with my expirience with safe strap on the motorola razr,
safe strap, like its name is safe
before the stock rom loads it let you choose which rom to use.
you have few rom slots and and you can choose.
thre SS roms dont overwrite the stock
Bfitz26 said:
hey guys this isn't my first rodeo however it is with safestrap and all this crap so i just got a replacemtn s4 from verizon running mi1 downloading the de la vega root tool currently taking a lot longer than expected so here is my goal, root got that part covered seems pretty self explainatory what i want to do is install safestrap or somehting to flash roms my plan is for now to be stock rooted... 4.3 and eventually flash other tw roms from what i understand that is all that can be installed using s.s. i have searched and search and cannot find any safestrap threads with info on how to's do's and don'ts so if someone can leand me a helping hand that would be fantastic sorry for the poor english i just work up and am too lazy to fix things atm
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I posted a guidline in general section to show step by step to go from ME7 to MJ7, install saferoot, safestrap and HD11.0...would apply to what you want to do
Thanks man unfortunately the phone I had was wonkey sent it back and got a new one came installed with me7 guessing that is in there as well u mind shooting me a link to your guide thanks
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
Bfitz26 said:
Thanks man unfortunately the phone I had was wonkey sent it back and got a new one came installed with me7 guessing that is in there as well u mind shooting me a link to your guide thanks
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2579278
Hey guys and girls, I have a question for any of you pretty comfortable with SafeStrap...so, I'm helping someone with an update/upgrade - trying to get them to be able to run KitKat ROMs via SafeStrap on his Verizon S4. But first, I need SafeStrap working again.
OK, basically I brought him from MK2 to NC2 using @Surge1223's method and am now on NC2 (I guess its the rooted- leaked version?)
So...my question is, HOW IN THE WORLD do I get SafeStrap back onto his phone while running on NC2? (All I see are links upon links about SS on NC5)
Thanks SO MUCH to anyone who can help me out here... And yes, I've tried reading and reading...no luck yet
calebcabob said:
Hey guys and girls, I have a question for any of you pretty comfortable with SafeStrap...so, I'm helping someone with an update/upgrade - trying to get them to be able to run KitKat ROMs via SafeStrap on his Verizon S4. But first, I need SafeStrap working again.
OK, basically I brought him from MK2 to NC2 using @Surge1223's method and am now on NC2 (I guess its the rooted- leaked version?)
So...my question is, HOW IN THE WORLD do I get SafeStrap back onto his phone while running on NC2? (All I see are links upon links about SS on NC5)
Thanks SO MUCH to anyone who can help me out here... And yes, I've tried reading and reading...no luck yet
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just did a bit of searching and it seems NC2 is just the leaked version of NC5 and all that changed was a couple apps and a menu. That is secondhand information and may be incorrect I suppose. In any case, I have a NC5 build and used the exact Safestrap APK that I use for my device on my brother in laws S5. I reckon as long as you root/SuperSU/busybox/safestrap you should be good.
Sent from my Verizon Galaxy S4 BlackBox using XDA Free Mobile App
liljoe727 said:
I just did a bit of searching and it seems NC2 is just the leaked version of NC5 and all that changed was a couple apps and a menu. That is secondhand information and may be incorrect I suppose. In any case, I have a NC5 build and used the exact Safestrap APK that I use for my device on my brother in laws S5. I reckon as long as you root/SuperSU/busybox/safestrap you should be good.
Sent from my Verizon Galaxy S4 BlackBox using XDA Free Mobile App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you sure?
GrizzlyBarrn said:
Are you sure?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. I said it was secondhand information and I could be wrong. I dont suppose I am though. But I might be. If it were my phone I would try it but I have soft bricked my s4 about four or five times now and am pretty comfortable fixing it so I dont hesitate to try new things. That is just me though.
Jesus loves you!
I currently own a Galaxy S Nexus and a Galaxy S3. Added another Family member. WERE SO PROUD!!! lol
Anywho I need some help. I am looking for a flashing guide so I do not do anything wrong and brick our new little buddy,
It is on 4.4.2 I545
I found this link for some firmware --> http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=56006060&postcount=29345 (LOOKS PROMISING)
I just need to know which version of Odin, how to root it, and which kernel and Custom recovery to use.
I do not want to use goomanager if can help it. I'd rather use my laptop.
Unfortunately since your phone has been updated you cannot completely unlock the bootloader. You will need to use Safestrap to load a recovery/ROM. More info can be found here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2441441
I would suggest rooting your phone using Towelroot:
https://towelroot.com/
Install SuperSU from the Play Store afterwards to complete the root access.
I can't give you much info about SafeStrap as I have never used it (I am on an unlocked bootloader).
To fully unlock the bootloader, you're going to need an S4 on the MDK firmware. I'd suggest heading over to Swappa, selling yours and picking up an unlocked S4. This is something I've done with every replacement Verizon has sent me...
So it's safe to assume that you can't just flash back to the mdk version via Odin or something then huh?
lazarus2297 said:
So it's safe to assume that you can't just flash back to the mdk version via Odin or something then huh?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You cannot
Yeah, sorry to say that development on this is kinda slim. The only phone that I actually hate, also my next phone is going to be the first phone I pay full retail for (nexus 6) because the s4 is so locked down.
travisjshepherd said:
Yeah, sorry to say that development on this is kinda slim. The only phone that I actually hate, also my next phone is going to be the first phone I pay full retail for (nexus 6) because the s4 is so locked down.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you pick up one with an unlocked bootloader your opinion may change. I have had quite a few phone that I have unlocked and the S4 is by far my favorite.
This is a great tread but it should be moved in the Help section.
Agreed, this isn't a development thread.
But I can vouch for the S4 mdk bootloader being great. You can use a lot of stuff from I9505 and JFLTE unified threads on this phone. I have MDK and currently running unofficial CM 12 (android 5.0) with Alucard kernel. All this is from i9505 threads.
However, life is much more simple and stable with a Nexus device, I have Nexus 7 and much less bugs and rooting is so easy.
cambunch said:
If you pick up one with an unlocked bootloader your opinion may change. I have had quite a few phone that I have unlocked and the S4 is by far my favorite.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Treken said:
This is a great tread but it should be moved in the Help section.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi friends,
Specs:
SCH-I545
Android 4.2.2
Baseband: I545VRUAMDK
Build Number: JDQ39.I545VRUAMDK
Rooted
I have a (what seems to be rare) rooted, stock ROM MDK Galaxy S4 running 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean?). Is there a way to update to Kit Kat (and keep root and my MDK status) so I can play with some of the ROMs I see? I know there are ROMs that apply a Kit Kat update (Hyperdrive RLS16 for ex) and I've tried flashing that, but I can't get any other ROMs to stick after that (Like CyanogenMod Nightlies... can't get that to take. What am I doing wrong??), and sadly there's some little glitches in Hyperdrive that are frustrating to me, so sticking with it is not something I want to do at this point.
I feel like I might get burned for asking this but I'm trying to approach this as methodically as possible and I can't seem to find, even with a good amount of searching through the Verizon G S4 forums, a straightforward explanation of how to do this, or if it's even possible. Am I approaching this in the wrong way or asking the wrong questions?? If so, can someone offer a simple explanation of why what I'm asking is not possible, or (more preferably) how I can approach it another way to get my Android Version updated but not lose root or the versatility that comes with managing to maintain my MDK status?
Thank you all for your help!
I'm not too familiar with aosp roms, but hyperdrive was my daily driver before moving on to the note 4. I last updated to hyperdrive rls 18.1 and it had been good to me. Rls 19 is having mixed reviews and never updated my phone to that version because if some minor glitches. I strongly recommend Rls 18.1. I had no issues with my mdk gs4.
onearmsysiphus said:
Hi friends,
Specs:
SCH-I545
Android 4.2.2
Baseband: I545VRUAMDK
Build Number: JDQ39.I545VRUAMDK
Rooted
I have a (what seems to be rare) rooted, stock ROM MDK Galaxy S4 running 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean?). Is there a way to update to Kit Kat (and keep root and my MDK status) so I can play with some of the ROMs I see? I know there are ROMs that apply a Kit Kat update (Hyperdrive RLS16 for ex) and I've tried flashing that, but I can't get any other ROMs to stick after that (Like CyanogenMod Nightlies... can't get that to take. What am I doing wrong??), and sadly there's some little glitches in Hyperdrive that are frustrating to me, so sticking with it is not something I want to do at this point.
I feel like I might get burned for asking this but I'm trying to approach this as methodically as possible and I can't seem to find, even with a good amount of searching through the Verizon G S4 forums, a straightforward explanation of how to do this, or if it's even possible. Am I approaching this in the wrong way or asking the wrong questions?? If so, can someone offer a simple explanation of why what I'm asking is not possible, or (more preferably) how I can approach it another way to get my Android Version updated but not lose root or the versatility that comes with managing to maintain my MDK status?
Thank you all for your help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What recovery are you using? Clockwork or TWRP? What do you mean by the ROM isn't sticking? Are you getting stuck on a boot screen?
I'm using TWRP and flashed the Google Play Edition ROM which is on 4.4.4 Kitkat with root, I'm still on an MDK bootloader also.
OK, I'll keep that in mind, and thanks for the recommendation.
Any other thoughts on my questions about updating to 4.4.2?
To SkrillaKev - I'm using TWRP. I mean that after I flash Hyperdrive, I'm unable to get any other ROM to flash. It will fail in recovery (Eclipse) or will get stuck on the load screen (as with CynogenMod Nightlies)
I guess an easier question is - Can I flash any custom ROM that is made for 4.4.4 when I'm running 4.2.2??
I'll give the Google Edition ROM a go.
scrillakev said:
What recovery are you using? Clockwork or TWRP? What do you mean by the ROM isn't sticking? Are you getting stuck on a boot screen?
I'm using TWRP and flashed the Google Play Edition ROM which is on 4.4.4 Kitkat with root, I'm still on an MDK bootloader also.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Welp.... I wiped system/cache/dalvik and tried flashing Google Play Edition. got a yellow triangle and the message about having software not approved by Verizon and please report to the nearest Verizon store for bar-code tattooing and sterilization lol
Then I re-wiped sytem/cache/dalvik and tried flashing EclipseTW-S4-v4.0.2-KitKatNC5. Now I'm stuck on a boot screen...
At least when I screw something up I screw it up REALLY good.
onearmsysiphus said:
Welp.... I wiped system/cache/dalvik and tried flashing Google Play Edition. got a yellow triangle and the message about having software not approved by Verizon and please report to the nearest Verizon store for bar-code tattooing and sterilization lol
Then I re-wiped sytem/cache/dalvik and tried flashing EclipseTW-S4-v4.0.2-KitKatNC5. Now I'm stuck on a boot screen...
At least when I screw something up I screw it up REALLY good.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You got the yellow triangle and message because you have to flash the Loki zip after flashing the ROM . ...here ya go https://www.dropbox.com/s/3m3wclsx6ryynhg/loki-doki.zip?dl=0
heath2805 said:
You got the yellow triangle and message because you have to flash the Loki zip after flashing the ROM . ...here ya go https://www.dropbox.com/s/3m3wclsx6ryynhg/loki-doki.zip?dl=0
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Many thanks!! I knew I was missing something but didn't have time to get back to that thread before I left work for the day. I'll give that a shot right meow
onearmsysiphus said:
Many thanks!! I knew I was missing something but didn't have time to get back to that thread before I left work for the day. I'll give that a shot right meow
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No prob... Also I'd let it sit after flashing. You may have to select the correct APN: "Verizon Internet " and change mobile network to "LTE/ CDMA" and reboot. Should stick after that.
---------- Post added at 11:01 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:52 PM ----------
Just realized this is in the development section lol This thread will probably get moved to Q&A
onearmsysiphus said:
Many thanks!! I knew I was missing something but didn't have time to get back to that thread before I left work for the day. I'll give that a shot right meow
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Keep MDK!!!! After you flash a ROM. If it gets hung up on boot, hold volume up, home key and power key until the phone resets. Then let it boot up. Don't know why it happens but I have the same problem from time to time and rebooting seems to fix it. I've been using eclipse for 4or5 months now. It's pretty sick
Sent from a Shaftamle Galaxy S4
"Thanks Button" is always appreciated!
149ThemedGoogleKeyboards!!!!!!
Friends don't let friends buy iPhones!
MyColorScreen
heath2805 said:
No prob... Also I'd let it sit after flashing. You may have to select the correct APN: "Verizon Internet " and change mobile network to "LTE/ CDMA" and reboot. Should stick after that.
Did that and it seems to be holding steady. Thanks for the tip there.
---------- Post added at 11:01 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:52 PM ----------
Just realized this is in the development section lol This thread will probably get moved to Q&A
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ooops!! Well, hopefully it'll help someone else with noob problems like me.
Shaftamle said:
Keep MDK!!!! After you flash a ROM. If it gets hung up on boot, hold volume up, home key and power key until the phone resets. Then let it boot up. Don't know why it happens but I have the same problem from time to time and rebooting seems to fix it. I've been using eclipse for 4or5 months now. It's pretty sick
Sent from a Shaftamle Galaxy S4
"Thanks Button" is always appreciated!
149ThemedGoogleKeyboards!!!!!!
Friends don't let friends buy iPhones!
MyColorScreen
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh yes most definitely gonna keep MDK. It's magic lol
onearmsysiphus said:
Ooops!! Well, hopefully it'll help someone else with noob problems like me.
Oh yes most definitely gonna keep MDK. It's magic lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its also worth about $100 dollars more according to what they are selling for on swappa.
Sent from a Shaftamle Galaxy S4
"Thanks Button" is always appreciated!
149ThemedGoogleKeyboards!!!!!!
Friends don't let friends buy iPhones!
MyColorScreen
InUh
Shaftamle said:
Keep MDK!!!! After you flash a ROM. If it gets hung up on boot, hold volume up, home key and power key until the phone resets. Then let it boot up. Don't know why it happens but I have the same problem from time to time and rebooting seems to fix it. I've been using eclipse for 4or5 months now. It's pretty sick
Sent from a Shaftamle Galaxy S4
"Thanks Button" is always appreciated!
149ThemedGoogleKeyboards!!!!!!
Friends don't let friends buy iPhones!
MyColorScreen
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you just have to make sure you have. Loki enabled recovery and you can pretty much flash anything here most of the roms have an MDKprocedure and all the information is still here for the old bootloader it is just not as common so you will have to look and older discussions as in not the first page there are several pages to each one of these sections if you look at the you can read through all the pages..the threads are organized in the latest they have been posted in so all your information is going to be considered old school until you get educated and then you just pop right into the current roms..I still have an s4 MKD 32...I gave to my significant because I refused to send it in on a trade and for my m8 upgrade on edge...btw I prefer phil recovery latest edition go to the phil thread and read toward the end and you'll find a link to his current inside the recovery in settings you can toggle Loki. Just leave it on.then it is just like any other unlocked phone.....and never flashed anything into this phone using ODIN unless its MDK ...or the latest radios... make sure you do your homework on whatever you are going to flash and Odin because it very well could contain a later bootloader and completely screw you. and the great thing is that we and other like us on MDK are the only ones that get to play with anything in the original development section....and in case you didn't know safestrap is for locked bootloaders not uswell technically we are still locked but Loki is the key. And that key only works on MDK bootloader.....and I'm sorry but I used hyperdrive before and the old lady that is now on the latest more than likely your problems with hyperdrive stem from not having flash the kernel properly in the proper recovery and not having the latest radios flashed to your device.
moderators please move to Q&A
onearmsysiphus said:
Hi friends,
Specs:
SCH-I545
Android 4.2.2
Baseband: I545VRUAMDK
Build Number: JDQ39.I545VRUAMDK
Rooted
I have a (what seems to be rare) rooted, stock ROM MDK Galaxy S4 running 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean?). Is there a way to update to Kit Kat (and keep root and my MDK status) so I can play with some of the ROMs I see? I know there are ROMs that apply a Kit Kat update (Hyperdrive RLS16 for ex) and I've tried flashing that, but I can't get any other ROMs to stick after that (Like CyanogenMod Nightlies... can't get that to take. What am I doing wrong??), and sadly there's some little glitches in Hyperdrive that are frustrating to me, so sticking with it is not something I want to do at this point.
I feel like I might get burned for asking this but I'm trying to approach this as methodically as possible and I can't seem to find, even with a good amount of searching through the Verizon G S4 forums, a straightforward explanation of how to do this, or if it's even possible. Am I approaching this in the wrong way or asking the wrong questions?? If so, can someone offer a simple explanation of why what I'm asking is not possible, or (more preferably) how I can approach it another way to get my Android Version updated but not lose root or the versatility that comes with managing to maintain my MDK status?
Thank you all for your help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have two suggestions:
First, make sure you flash the loki-doki.zip RIGHT AFTER you flash a new ROM in your zip queue, just like what was suggested previously.
Second, in case anything goes wrong, you should always have a current NANDROID backup first and this emergency wipe TAR on hand for Odin. There have been 4 separate times, in the span of about a week, that I gave myself the unauthorized software screen, and had to do this. So I would emergency wipe back to stock MDK, re-root, use Rashr to flash TWRP 2.7.1.0, and then I'd restore my NANDROID backup from my sd card. Rashr only works for flashing TWRP because only TWRP in that app is already Loki'd.
I'm still using RSL7 and it works great with no glitches I tried the newest one rsl20 and hated its look and didnt like any off the new features so i went back to RSL7, if you have not tried it you may want to, it is very different from RSL20 and imo way better.