[Q] Can't update/ deleted bloatware - Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4

I'm very new to all this and realize I already made a few mistakes. I have a ME7 gs4. I have it rooted (the bootloader is still locked) and deleted all the bloatware. I now realize that by doing this I pretty much ruined my chances of upgrading my phones software. I know the newest upgrade is still android 4.2 but I am concerned for when 4.3 or 4.4 comes out. Is there any way to restore the Verizon and Samsung bloatware with a locked bootloader so I can upgrade in the future? Any help and advise would greatly be appreciated.

Rooting and deleting bloatware is far from a mistake... you pretty much have to do it if you want this thing to run decently.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2301259

Crawshayi said:
Rooting and deleting bloatware is far from a mistake... you pretty much have to do it if you want this thing to run decently.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2301259
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I understand that, and I'm glad I did. I'm just concerned for future updates of android.

Croyal said:
I understand that, and I'm glad I did. I'm just concerned for future updates of android.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Perhaps I should have elaborated what that link was... it's a guide to get back to stock firmware, meaning that just follow that guide and you'll be able to update normally if you wish

Thank you so much. I appreciate it :good:

Crawshayi said:
Perhaps I should have elaborated what that link was... it's a guide to get back to stock firmware, meaning that just follow that guide and you'll be able to update normally if you wish
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Question. So I am able to do this even though I have ME7 on my phone with a locked bootloader? I was under the impression that I can't flash anything with a locked bootloadr.

Croyal said:
Question. So I am able to do this even though I have ME7 on my phone with a locked bootloader? I was under the impression that I can't flash anything with a locked bootloadr.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you can do that with a locked bootloader. The procedure doesn't touch the bootloader (although Odin can flash bootloaders).

Related

[Q] Noob with a Verizon S4 and root question

I have a rooted Nook tablet so not a complete noob, but how safe is the root process for a verizon Galaxy s4? I'd like to root it so I can get rid of some of the junk apps and install others I want, but I void my two yr warranty...thoughts from the experts? just want to feel comfortable moving forward and if so, is there a set of clear instructions somewhere?
Thanks to all
The search button is your friend.
I have also rooted verizon schi545 cm10'd I did not see aps to sd so now I went back to stock mdk 4.2.2 so now what take update or is there another rom that has aps to sd ?
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
wedmiston said:
I have a rooted Nook tablet so not a complete noob, but how safe is the root process for a verizon Galaxy s4? I'd like to root it so I can get rid of some of the junk apps and install others I want, but I void my two yr warranty...thoughts from the experts? just want to feel comfortable moving forward and if so, is there a set of clear instructions somewhere?
Thanks to all
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Instead of an asinine comment that does you no go, here's some info.
Yes, rooting will void the warranty. However, you can always Odin to go back to stock should you have an issue that requires returning your phone to VZW.
I've rooted both my old S3 and my current S4. I JUST started rooting on the S3, so I'm relatively new as well but have learned a lot. My S3 was stock rooted, but I took the plunge with my S4 and am running HyperDrive ROM which is HOLY MOLY sweetness.
It's up to you, but if you're going to root, perhaps look at the ROMs that are available and flash one. I'm not sorry that I started flashing Roms. Not one bit
Wolffgirl
Three replies thus far and yours is the only one of solid benefit..thanks. Can you point me anywhere to see step by step to accomplish what you did on your S4?
wedmiston said:
Wolffgirl
Three replies thus far and yours is the only one of solid benefit..thanks. Can you point me anywhere to see step by step to accomplish what you did on your S4?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here is the link to root: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2290798
How old is your S4? The reason that I ask is that there was an OTA update the broke root. Currently there are Dev's looking into how to root with the new firmware.
Have you installed the OTA update?
Phone is about a month old...I have made no changes to the existing phone so I don.t know about the OTA update (although the VW software that came with it appears to update the phones software when plugged into laptop)
wedmiston said:
Phone is about a month old...I have made no changes to the existing phone so I don.t know about the OTA update (although the VW software that came with it appears to update the phones software when plugged into laptop)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go to ->Setting->More->About Phone and tell me what you Baseband version says. If it's VRUAME7, you have the OTA update. If it's VRUAMDK, you do not.
confirming VRUAME7
wolfgrrl said:
Go to ->Setting->More->About Phone and tell me what you Baseband version says. If it's VRUAME7, you have the OTA update. If it's VRUAMDK, you do not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
wedmiston said:
confirming VRUAME7
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately you will not be able to root until a new method becomes available.
is it possible to back up to pre-OTA update status?
wolfgrrl said:
Unfortunately you will not be able to root until a new method becomes available.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
wedmiston said:
is it possible to back up to pre-OTA update status?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No.....there is no way to uninstall the update. Patience, young rooting grasshopper! A new method will be out shortly, I would imagine. Doesn't usually take too long,
Much appreciated...and lastly can you point me to how I would reinstall what you refer to as Odin should I screw up a future root process?
wedmiston said:
Much appreciated...and lastly can you point me to how I would reinstall what you refer to as Odin should I screw up a future root process?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This link explains how to go back to stock by using Odin: http://www.sxtpdevelopers.com/showthread.php?t=237

[Q] Downgrading from ME7 to MDK?

Is this downgrading from ME7 to MDK possible? If so please guide me in the right direction.
Its not possible... Once you take the update theres no going back...
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda premium
So I am new to the s4 and rooting. I really want to install the Hyperdrive ROM. I have been researching and researching what to do and I think i have found my answer for now and im not happy about it.
From what i gathered, since i installed the update and I am now on ME7, there is no root method bc they locked the phone down. Is this correct?
hondabomdc5 said:
So I am new to the s4 and rooting. I really want to install the Hyperdrive ROM. I have been researching and researching what to do and I think i have found my answer for now and im not happy about it.
From what i gathered, since i installed the update and I am now on ME7, there is no root method bc they locked the phone down. Is this correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use the search button...this has been posted about a 1000 times...but yes you can root it but no custom recovery.
hondabomdc5 said:
So I am new to the s4 and rooting. I really want to install the Hyperdrive ROM. I have been researching and researching what to do and I think i have found my answer for now and im not happy about it.
From what i gathered, since i installed the update and I am now on ME7, there is no root method bc they locked the phone down. Is this correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can root, but cant install custom recoveries or roms.
bfmetcalf said:
You can root, but cant install custom recoveries or roms.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for being kind and thanks for the info. I did state that I was new and have been looking. I could have started a whole new thread but instead asked the question in here. I do want to install the Hyperdrive rom but since with ME7 you cant install roms...looks like i wont be rooting until somebody gets this figured out. Again, thanks for being cool and answering my question.
y can't we just odin back to mdk?
Stauf99 said:
y can't we just odin back to mdk?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
because of the bootloader will only allow signed packages to be installed on the phone and checks against older firmware and will not allow it. Unless you have the signed key you ain't flashing anything unless we find a workaround.
magneticzero said:
Use the search button...this has been posted about a 1000 times...but yes you can root it but no custom recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So why is there ROMs for the ME7 build if they can't be flashed?
This [email protected] sucks!
So, I'm stuck on ME7 as well (32GB S4, otherwise I'd just go down to the store and swap it, complaining about something -- seems they don't stock them at any local corporate stores).
I'm coming from a Samsung Galaxy Nexus, and we have OMAP-Flash, which is like a low-level PROM flashing tool from the Samsung R&D team, and I could fix even a DEAD, or bricked phone with that. Is there something like that here to get back the original bootloader? I cant believe we're stuck on this crap... How 'bout a 2nd-init like my Droid-x days, or something slick like SafeStrap on the RAZR family?
...Just thinkin' "out loud".
IMGetwired said:
So, I'm stuck on ME7 as well (32GB S4, otherwise I'd just go down to the store and swap it, complaining about something -- seems they don't stock them at any local corporate stores).
I'm coming from a Samsung Galaxy Nexus, and we have OMAP-Flash, which is like a low-level PROM flashing tool from the Samsung R&D team, and I could fix even a DEAD, or bricked phone with that. Is there something like that here to get back the original bootloader? I cant believe we're stuck on this crap... How 'bout a 2nd-init like my Droid-x days, or something slick like SafeStrap on the RAZR family?
...Just thinkin' "out loud".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Short answer is 'no' - you're currently stuck with root as your best option. Hopefully this will change in the not-too-distant future.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app
Yeah, this does suck.
Seems like we need someone to pick up the Dragonboard 8074 development kit to help us figure this out...even then, I'm sure Samsung has so many mods in there it'd be nuts to reverse engineer... Ugh, I'm so impatient! :silly:
Slimfast35 said:
So why is there ROMs for the ME7 build if they can't be flashed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because there for people that didn't get robbed by Samsung and update through the evil over the air update lol
Slimfast35 said:
So why is there ROMs for the ME7 build if they can't be flashed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're not quite understanding what a rom is and is not. There is no such thing as a rom for ME7. There are roms that use the ME7 base. They are flashable only by those who have the MDK bootloader. When a build number is listed for a rom, it is the build that the rom is based from.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 4
Slimfast35 said:
So why is there ROMs for the ME7 build if they can't be flashed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The ROM's that the devs based on MDK have been updated with the ME7 code just like any good developer does. But the bootloader those users have is still from their MDK (original) install. Once you go ME7 you can never go back, downgrade, crossgrade or get beyond the bootloader, for now anyways. Someone will find a way.
Nm

[Q] How do I go back to stock ?

im on build JDQ39.I545VRUAMDK and rooted. I have removed a lot of bloat on the phone and it is not stock anymore. I want to flash a factory image so I could update to 4.3. Any guide I could follow to get there ?
Thanks in advance.
Jalh said:
im on build JDQ39.I545VRUAMDK and rooted. I have removed a lot of bloat on the phone and it is not stock anymore. I want to flash a factory image so I could update to 4.3. Any guide I could follow to get there ?
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Theres a short guide in the thread that has the odin images. Basically download the image and flash under pda. Make sure you got all the proper drivers.
Hit thanks if I helped you out. Doing a little bit of reading goes a long way. Sent via tapatalk.
Jalh said:
im on build JDQ39.I545VRUAMDK and rooted. I have removed a lot of bloat on the phone and it is not stock anymore. I want to flash a factory image so I could update to 4.3. Any guide I could follow to get there ?
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In case you're not aware, you're lucky enough to be on MDK which is the ONLY build to allow you to unlock the bootloader and flash custom roms. If you take any updates past MDK you will lose the ability to unlock the bootloader and will only be able to root. Also, THERE IS NO GOING BACK once you take the updates, so if you change your mind, tough luck. Most people here including myself would strongly advice to stay on MDK.
Crawshayi said:
In case you're not aware, you're lucky enough to be on MDK which is the ONLY build to allow you to unlock the bootloader and flash custom roms. If you take any updates past MDK you will lose the ability to unlock the bootloader and will only be able to root. Also, THERE IS NO GOING BACK once you take the updates, so if you change your mind, tough luck. Most people here including myself would strongly advice to stay on MDK.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your recommendation at this point ? I just dont know what to do .... i want to upgrade to 4.3, but i dont want to lose the opportunity to be on MDK.
Jalh said:
Your recommendation at this point ? I just dont know what to do .... i want to upgrade to 4.3, but i dont want to lose the opportunity to be on MDK.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Stay on MDK. A 4.3 touch wiz rom won't be far behind. Be patient. Nitro had an alpha release already. Data isn't working but it'll get there.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app
Also very little difference you will see between 4.2 and 4.3. Not worth giving up bootloader for.
Thank you all for your recommendations, I would definitely stay with the MDK for a while.

[Q] Just moved up to the s4

hey guys, so My s3 died two days ago and I just got my s4. Ive been looking at how to root, but it seems like its a bit more difficult because of knox? Im running current firmware with VRUEMK2. Thoughts on easy ways to root and unlock the boot loader?
m4gkman said:
hey guys, so My s3 died two days ago and I just got my s4. Ive been looking at how to root, but it seems like its a bit more difficult because of knox? Im running current firmware with VRUEMK2. Thoughts on easy ways to root and unlock the boot loader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Root: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2565758
Can't unlock the bootloader. Research Safestrap. It's your only option.
riker147 said:
Root: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2565758
Can't unlock the bootloader. Research Safestrap. It's your only option.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so safestrap is the only way ill be able to flash other roms?
m4gkman said:
so safestrap is the only way ill be able to flash other roms?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With MK2 build? Yes.....the ONLY way.
riker147 said:
With MK2 build? Yes.....the ONLY way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so hypothetically, if i was to do a factory reset, it would bring me back to the stock original firmware and i would have to re install ally he software updates. Which would be the best too stay on for my situation?
m4gkman said:
so hypothetically, if i was to do a factory reset, it would bring me back to the stock original firmware and i would have to re install ally he software updates. Which would be the best too stay on for my situation?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you're talking about reverting to an older build, forget it. It's impossible. All of your questions have been asked and answered many times. I suggest you do some research. This is a good place to start. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2606501

Question on downgrade

I originally updated from MI1 to MJ7, which was a stupid move, but just wondering if there is anyway to downgrade back in order to have full root and benefits?
I want to restore my phone and if I can go back, that would be great, because I don't want to go forward because if there is a new upadte it would make it worse instead of better, in terms of rooting.
Please advise
elite-fusion said:
I originally updated from MI1 to MJ7, which was a stupid move, but just wondering if there is anyway to downgrade back in order to have full root and benefits?
I want to restore my phone and if I can go back, that would be great, because I don't want to go forward because if there is a new upadte it would make it worse instead of better, in terms of rooting.
Please advise
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you can root mj7 mine is
i heard that vroot isnt a good way to go...no?
Can I install custom roms on MJ7?
what would be the best way to restore this? with a file, or just go through the settings and do a factory reset?
elite-fusion said:
i heard that vroot isnt a good way to go...no?
Can I install custom roms on MJ7?
what would be the best way to restore this? with a file, or just go through the settings and do a factory reset?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just keep taking OTAs up to MK2 (The latest). From there you can root and install safestrap (and a safestrap compatible rom). You cannot flash AOSP roms; the bootloader is locked down post MDK. This thread is pretty much all you need http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2606501
so can mk2 be rooted?
elite-fusion said:
so can mk2 be rooted?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should probably read the stickied thread at the top of the forum.
Its called What you need to know before, during and after modifying your verizon S4
Its probably relevant to your interests no?
This is the second time someone has linked you to it. I promise you if you READ THE WHOLE THING before asking anymore questions, you wont have questions to ask.
elite-fusion said:
so can mk2 be rooted?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. Search for "Saferoot". I can't stress enough....... RESEARCH FIRST. It will save you a lot of headaches.
Sent from my NCC-1701 using Tapatalk 4
alright, one last question because it is NOT listed in that thread,
Where can i download the mk2 to load it manually because i am not a verizon customer but have a verizon s4 which i use with tmobile so it does not allow me to do OTA because it keeps telling me that Service is temporarily unavailable.
Please advise
elite-fusion said:
alright, one last question because it is NOT listed in that thread,
Where can i download the mk2 to load it manually because i am not a verizon customer but have a verizon s4 which i use with tmobile so it does not allow me to do OTA because it keeps telling me that Service is temporarily unavailable.
Please advise
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As linked to from the provided thead Customizing your Verizon Galaxy S4 - what's possible and what's not
Has links to the updates that it is possible to flash, see the recover by reflashing stock section.
Seriously, its a pretty expensive phone and you can totally ruin it. Not a bad idea to read through that info people keep trying to give you.

Categories

Resources