I just upgraded my phone and bought the Galaxy S4, mistakenly thinking it had an unlocked bootloader. My previous phone was a Droid X2 that had a locked bootloader that unfortunately has never been cracked. I don't want to be stuck with another phone with the same problem!
So is the Galaxy S4 worthwhile, given that (from what I can tell so far) it has a locked bootloader with no known workaround and no real recovery (other than safestrap).
What other phone out there would be better, in terms of hackability, while retaining the great hardware performance of the S4?
ricovox said:
I just upgraded my phone and bought the Galaxy S4, mistakenly thinking it had an unlocked bootloader. My previous phone was a Droid X2 that had a locked bootloader that unfortunately has never been cracked. I don't want to be stuck with another phone with the same problem!
So is the Galaxy S4 worthwhile, given that (from what I can tell so far) it has a locked bootloader with no known workaround and no real recovery (other than safestrap).
What other phone out there would be better, in terms of hackability, while retaining the great hardware performance of the S4?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If youre on me7 you can still run custom roms with safestrap. If you have an s4 on the mdk build theres a bypass that lets you flash custom roms and recovery. Theres also a thread in the general section that covers other devices questions. So you might want to post there. This will probably either get closed or moved.
Hit thanks if I helped you out. Doing a little bit of reading goes a long way. Sent via tapatalk. now Free
Related
Hello! I apologize for asking something that's fairly basic. I went to install some ROMs onto my Verizon Galaxy S4 and realized something. The ROM I was about to install is i9505, which I figured was my phone. But when I'm on the Verizon S4 forums and while I was checking my phone's model number, I realized everything says SCH-I545. Which leads me to a few questions.
What exactly should I be looking for when I want to install a ROM onto my phone?
Are Verizon S4 phones bootloader locked? or is it just the newest update? What does that mean for us?
What exactly are i9505 phones?
Sometimes it's hard for me to find direct answers to questions like these as I'm not a super active member in rooting forums. I appreciate your help very much.
Zantillian said:
Hello! I apologize for asking something that's fairly basic. I went to install some ROMs onto my Verizon Galaxy S4 and realized something. The ROM I was about to install is i9505, which I figured was my phone. But when I'm on the Verizon S4 forums and while I was checking my phone's model number, I realized everything says SCH-I545. Which leads me to a few questions.
What exactly should I be looking for when I want to install a ROM onto my phone?
Are Verizon S4 phones bootloader locked? or is it just the newest update? What does that mean for us?
What exactly are i9505 phones?
Sometimes it's hard for me to find direct answers to questions like these as I'm not a super active member in rooting forums. I appreciate your help very much.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Welcome!
First of all, those (i9505 and SCH-I545) are model numbers. 9505 is international and I545 is verizon.
Secondly, the bootloader is unlocked for all versions of the Verizon model. However, there is a workaround for a custom recovery for the MDK build. If you are on the ME7 build, you can only root.
Rooting guides should be on the general form, and MDK loki exploit (which allows recovery installation) is also here. If you are on ME7, you can install safestrap after rooting, which kinda lets you install ROMs, through booting on top of stock.
For ROMS that work with Verizon's check out Verizon Samsung Galaxy s 4 > Android Development or Original Android Devlopment.
JaeKay said:
Welcome!
First of all, those (i9505 and SCH-I545) are model numbers. 9505 is international and I545 is verizon.
Secondly, the bootloader is unlocked for all versions of the Verizon model. However, there is a workaround for a custom recovery for the MDK build. If you are on the ME7 build, you can only root.
Rooting guides should be on the general form, and MDK loki exploit (which allows recovery installation) is also here. If you are on ME7, you can install safestrap after rooting, which kinda lets you install ROMs, through booting on top of stock.
For ROMS that work with Verizon's check out Verizon Samsung Galaxy s 4 > Android Development or Original Android Devlopment.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just to clarify he means the bootloader is LOCKED for all verizon s4's. In the development section there is several touch wiz based roms, hyperdrive seems to be the most popular at the moment. the original dev section houses mostly aosp based roms, so between the 2 sections there is a ton of different rom choices. Battery life, stability, and customization are generally the most sought after features.
Hit thanks if I helped you out. Doing a little bit of reading goes a long way. Sent via tapatalk.
JaeKay said:
Welcome!
First of all, those (i9505 and SCH-I545) are model numbers. 9505 is international and I545 is verizon.
Secondly, the bootloader is unlocked for all versions of the Verizon model. However, there is a workaround for a custom recovery for the MDK build. If you are on the ME7 build, you can only root.
Rooting guides should be on the general form, and MDK loki exploit (which allows recovery installation) is also here. If you are on ME7, you can install safestrap after rooting, which kinda lets you install ROMs, through booting on top of stock.
For ROMS that work with Verizon's check out Verizon Samsung Galaxy s 4 > Android Development or Original Android Devlopment.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you. I do have MDK build and have stayed there from hearing about ME7. Thanks for your help.
hexitnow said:
Just to clarify he means the bootloader is LOCKED for all verizon s4's. In the development section there is several touch wiz based roms, hyperdrive seems to be the most popular at the moment. the original dev section houses mostly aosp based roms, so between the 2 sections there is a ton of different rom choices. Battery life, stability, and customization are generally the most sought after features.
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
Thank you also for your help.
Please read forum rules before posting.
Questions and request for assistance go in the Q&A section.
Thread has been moved.
Thank you for your future attention to this.
Have a great day!
Hey all, I'm thinking of getting a ( new) phone as I've had my vzw gnex for 2 yes now. As far as now I'm thinking of staying w vzw as I have unl. Data and honestly all the other carriers seem just as shady as vzw.
OK now on to what I was wondering. Since I plan on staying on my unl. plan I'm gonna buy a phone outright (craigslist, eBay, swappa, ect) so I don't lose my plan. Since I don't know what version of android the s4 will be running will the s4 be able to be rooted whether I get it with 4.2., 4.2.2, 4.3? I see the bootloader is not able to be unlocked so would that mean there are no custom kernels available? Since having the gnex I've been spoiled with full access to do whatever and however I want...ROMs, kernels, mods you name it. I know w the s4 I'll be limited verses the gnex but just curious on HOW limited?
Would you even advise against/for getting the s4?
Thanks in advance and at possible jumping into the s4 community...
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
The only version of the GS4 that has a bootloader exploit is the MDK version, so if you can find one of those then you'll be pretty much all set to flash whatever you want to. Any other version past that- ME7, MI1, or the latest MJ7 have locked bootloaders with no current workaround. Another thing to note is that once you upgrade there is NO way to flash back to an earlier firmware. ME7 and MI1 both have root methods, however the latest update MJ7 doesn't have a "safe" rooting option at the moment. The only version that's 4.3 is MJ7.
If you are on ME7 or MI1 you can use a special program called Safestrap to flash roms, however they have to be on a Touchwiz kernel (no AOSP roms) and you won't have full access to the storage on your device (read the Safestrap thread for more info). If you don't want to do that you can use Xposed to customize without flashing roms, although I find a lot of stuff kind of buggy, so I only use it for Greenify on mine.
I have ME7 and currently I've: rooted, disabled WiFi notification, disable e911 icon, increased the default volume, installed the International Dialer, and used Xposed for Greenify. I'm happy with how my phone runs and the battery life, but I definitely feel limited with a locked bootloader.
OK , some info to chew on. sucks. I am so spoiled w the Nex that any phone I look at can't unlock the BL and is severely crippled.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
if you can find a developer edition s4 it comes with an unlocked bootloader. other than that, try to find an mdk version, and you can use the loki exploit.
Well I broke the screen on my fully rooted and unlocked boot loader Galaxy s3.
My question is at the price to fix my s3 or get a s4 is going to be cheaper to just get a s4
but where are they at on rooting this device from what I see the software is up to MJ7 but the boot loader is still locked unless you have older software like MDK is this correct.
XRSTOY1 said:
Well I broke the screen on my fully rooted and unlocked boot loader Galaxy s3.
My question is at the price to fix my s3 or get a s4 is going to be cheaper to just get a s4
but where are they at on rooting this device from what I see the software is up to MJ7 but the boot loader is still locked unless you have older software like MDK is this correct.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should be able to fix screen for under $100. MJ7 can be rooted only, no custom recovery. S4 is a very nice upgrade from S3, you can probably pick one up around $320 - 350 on the cheap. If you like flashing, pick up an MDK version on Swappa, otherwise, you can just debloat, like I have done.
XRSTOY1 said:
Well I broke the screen on my fully rooted and unlocked boot loader Galaxy s3.
My question is at the price to fix my s3 or get a s4 is going to be cheaper to just get a s4
but where are they at on rooting this device from what I see the software is up to MJ7 but the boot loader is still locked unless you have older software like MDK is this correct.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
safestrap is available for ME7 and MI1 base versions which allow TW stock kernel (4.2) base roms to be loaded. Hashcode is presently developing safestrap to run on MJ7 and MK2 kernel (4.3) base so we can load up 4.3 based Roms like HD11.0.
I have 10.2 hyperdrive running via SS and my GS4 phone rocks. I can live with this whether or not Hashcode gets SS to work with 4.3. This is still the best phone out there
Alright, I've searched high and low with no results, so here it goes. I hope I'm posting in the correct forum. My apologies if not.
I've got a rooted note 3 on pretty much stock MJ4, hardware version N900P.12. I vaguely recall when I first got this phone (about a year ago) that there was an issue with unlocking the bootloader that broke 4G. I cannot find anything on this anymore. I'd really like to try some custom ROMs. I've been holding off on the OTAs, as I don't really want to limit my options.
Questions:
1) Can I now unlock the bootloader and run custom ROMs without breaking 4g LTE?
2) If so, what is my best path for upgrading and either keeping root, or re-rooting my phone?
Thanks in advance...
xpingjockey said:
Alright, I've searched high and low with no results, so here it goes. I hope I'm posting in the correct forum. My apologies if not.
I've got a rooted note 3 on pretty much stock MJ4, hardware version N900P.12. I vaguely recall when I first got this phone (about a year ago) that there was an issue with unlocking the bootloader that broke 4G. I cannot find anything on this anymore. I'd really like to try some custom ROMs. I've been holding off on the OTAs, as I don't really want to limit my options.
Questions:
1) Can I now unlock the bootloader and run custom ROMs without breaking 4g LTE?
2) If so, what is my best path for upgrading and either keeping root, or re-rooting my phone?
Thanks in advance...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I never had to unlock my boot loader and ive got perfect 4g you should do as you please verizon and att has locked bootloaders so yeah odin flash update odin flash modem to odin flash cwm or twrp cf auto root read instructions and reread them then flash the rom you want me personally I run sacs s5 moar port I hope this helps ps make sure you have the sprint note 3 n900p
xpingjockey said:
Alright, I've searched high and low with no results, so here it goes. I hope I'm posting in the correct forum. My apologies if not.
I've got a rooted note 3 on pretty much stock MJ4, hardware version N900P.12. I vaguely recall when I first got this phone (about a year ago) that there was an issue with unlocking the bootloader that broke 4G. I cannot find anything on this anymore. I'd really like to try some custom ROMs. I've been holding off on the OTAs, as I don't really want to limit my options.
Questions:
1) Can I now unlock the bootloader and run custom ROMs without breaking 4g LTE?
2) If so, what is my best path for upgrading and either keeping root, or re-rooting my phone?
Thanks in advance...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If the device was sprint issued the boot loader is/was unlocked. Running custom roms will not break 4g LTE, that is part of your baseband/modem.
If you upgrade to NAB,NC5, or NH7 it won't make any difference because your device is out of warranty. I would upgrade to NC5 check out this link http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2770729&page=3 read post #25. Enjoy !!!
All,
Originally posted a request for help in the Galaxy S4 International forum for using Odin to downgrade my Verizon Galaxy S4 SCH-I545 from Lollipop to KitKat.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4/help/odin-fails-to-downgrade-galaxy-s4-t3278803
Eventually one helpful guy mentioned that Verizon crippled this device with a locked bootloader, (or a mismatched age/version of the bootloader) something never even hinted at in ANY instructions I've ever found for using Odin. I'm really disappointed in the Lollipop version that I've been stuck with, mainly due to the slowdowns on the phone and the need to kill off all apps at least every day., and the need to hit buttons multiple times before enough system resources clear up and it does what I want. All I wanted to do was go to an earlier version, and it looks like that might not be possible.
I see forum posts talking about rooting this version of the phone, but I don't have a handle on what good that will do for me in my particular situation. Now that I've found the correct forum, any suggestions? Part of me likes the idea of rooting and debloating to speed things up, but if I can't downgrade and the performance reduction is just a function of the version of Android I'm stuck with, then I don't see the point in wasting even more days of my life fighting this aging phone.
Oh, and as an aside, what the hell is OC1 and OF1? Can't find anywhere that explains what the heck they're talking about. My best guess is they're versions of firmware, are the designations just random?
Thanks!
Ryan
I'll try to write you some things i've learned about this device, hope it helps you
Samsung Galaxy S4 Verizon SCH-I545 has the same specs than others Qualcomm Galaxy S4, but this one is managed by Verizon to distribute, update software, etc... That means, even when it has the same hardware than others it will have some differences on software and limitations. Now, let's talk about our "charming" bootloader:
When we talk about bootloader, we use as reference the last 3 characters of bootloader version (this also applies to firmware, kernel), you can get your bootloader version by running this command on terminal emulator getprop ro.bootloader (this is why we refer to lollipop OC1, OF1, to kitkat NG5, NG6, NK1 and so on) when you get a software update almost always your bootloader is updated. Only MDK bootloader (first firmware released) was unlocked. After that, Verizon decided to start locking the bootloader to prevent rooting, software downgrade... So, why don't we unlock the bootloader? because they used something called qfuse, the qfuse is hardware related and when it's triggered (updated) cannot be untriggered (downgraded).
After reading this you may be really dissapointed and thinking to get another device, I was in that situation, but you can root your device (this means, you can debloat and do something to speed your s4), even you can install a custom rom's (they're really nice), maybe it's not the best solution, but, hey! it's really better than stay stuck with device stock rom. Btw, you cannot downgrade with custom roms, you can just install those that are meant for your bootloader or higher.
Edgardo_Uchiha said:
After reading this you may be really dissapointed and thinking to get another device...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is what I'm leaning towards. The frustrating part is the time wasted trying this in the first place. I think I'm just going to cut my losses, suffer my crippled phone with quiet grace and dignity, and replace it at some point.
Thanks for all the help!
Ryan
So, is there any way to root a Galaxy S4 verizon phone with 5.0.1 (Lollipop)?? I've been reading threads and how-tos and trying various techniques for several hours with zero success.
Don't despair too much. There is a great dev who has provided the means to flash a very stripped down version of Lollipop OC1. I can honestly say that, in the 2-1/2 years I've owned this device, it has never run better since installing his ROM.
It is still a Touchwiz ROM, but everything, and I do mean everything that can be considered crapware has been removed from this ROM. The result? a slim, sleek user experience that will cause you to never look back (considering we will NEVER have a true AOSP ROM for our device.
Check his link out below. Read everything and make sure you understand what you have now and what you will need to do. Then study some more. It took me a month before finally feeling confident to make the plunge. Even then I needed help, but got all I needed from the good folks...especially Stang5litre, on the discussion board.
Good luck!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4-verizon/development/stang5litre-ediition-5-0-t3132555
---------- Post added at 03:18 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:12 PM ----------
gonyere said:
So, is there any way to root a Galaxy S4 verizon phone with 5.0.1 (Lollipop)?? I've been reading threads and how-tos and trying various techniques for several hours with zero success.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Presuming you are on OF1, have a look here...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4-verizon/general/root-of1-t3249971
jwhistler said:
Don't despair too much. There is a great dev who has provided the means to flash a very stripped down version of Lollipop OC1.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just took a peek, that looks well beyond me, and at least a dozen times more complex than the tantalizing downgrade forum posts that pulled me down this road in the first place. Heck, pretty much every other word is some acronym I've never heard of. Thanks though, I'll pass.