How to get CUSTOM RECOVERY onto my S4 on MJ7? - Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4

So I have my stock S4 on MJ7 rooted already, now I want to flash custom recovery or boot strap recovery, but when I run the safestrap .apk on my phone it just makes Titanium Backup and KNOX both crash, and then I try booting into recovery but my phone just boots like normal, with no recovery option. How can I get this custom recovery on my MJ7 phone so I can start flashing custom ROMs? I absolutely can not stand this stock touchwiz crap. Sorry if this has been explained before, but the verizon section is so full of threads its impossible to find anything.

All we have is root on 4.3 right now. No Safestrap or Loki, so no custom recovery. Sorry.

We should presumably be able to get Safestrap soon since hashcode has it working on the Note 3 with 4.3 but at this point yes there is currently nothing other than a root. A totally unlocked bootloader isn't anywhere in sight either.

thcaddict said:
So I have my stock S4 on MJ7 rooted already, now I want to flash custom recovery or boot strap recovery, but when I run the safestrap .apk on my phone it just makes Titanium Backup and KNOX both crash, and then I try booting into recovery but my phone just boots like normal, with no recovery option. How can I get this custom recovery on my MJ7 phone so I can start flashing custom ROMs? I absolutely can not stand this stock touchwiz crap. Sorry if this has been explained before, but the verizon section is so full of threads its impossible to find anything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's sort of an understatement. You could have used search and found your answer in about 5 seconds.

LemonSlice said:
We should presumably be able to get Safestrap soon since hashcode has it working on the Note 3 with 4.3 but at this point yes there is currently nothing other than a root. A totally unlocked bootloader isn't anywhere in sight either.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for the reply. I was unaware there is no custom recovery, or anything else besides root. I can't wait until I can put a new ROM on this phone. I really wish I would not have ran the update as soon as I bought it. Coming from an s3 with custom roms for the last year its a real bummer having to run TouchWiz.

may I ask what is loki? I just moved to Verizon from another carrier... didn't have to put up with locked bootloaders or anything ridiculous like that with my old carrier

Loki is an exploitation method to bypass bootloader checks, which allows you to run full custom recoveries, kernels, etc.
Unfortunately, only the first firmware that this phone came out with, MDK, can use Loki.
I was in your situation, if you want to run AOSP on a VZW S4, buy an MDK version on Swappa, that's what I did.
Sent from the 215

Crawshayi said:
That's sort of an understatement. You could have used search and found your answer in about 5 seconds.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So true, someone needs to make a sticky so we don't get 5+ new threads a week with the same question.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app

richii0207 said:
So true, someone needs to make a sticky so we don't get 5+ new threads a week with the same question
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That won't help. Sadly, most people won't read the sticky threads.

mateopase said:
All we have is root on 4.3 right now. No Safestrap or Loki, so no custom recovery. Sorry.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where is the directions for root on MJ7

Crawshayi said:
That's sort of an understatement. You could have used search and found your answer in about 5 seconds.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure if the OP tried to use the search - but I've tried to use it several times over the past week and have gotten error messages from the site each & every time.
As a matter of fact - prior to submitting this reply - I received two different error messages when trying to search the word "root" in the "Search This Forum" box - just to test it out before I reply.
The "usual" error I get is: Search is temporarily unavailable. We apologize for the inconvenience.
The other one lists actual trouble codes & has a link to notify an admin.
Believe me - I'm all for searching out info on forums - but when there are 7 sub-forums for the Verizon Galaxy S4 - and the search function isn't working - it's pretty easy to not find the info you're looking for.
Also - to the person asking about root on MJ7 - see the Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4 General forum - and find the post titled "How to Root Build MJ7 and get SuperSU installed"

skny said:
Not sure if the OP tried to use the search - but I've tried to use it several times over the past week and have gotten error messages from the site each & every time.
As a matter of fact - prior to submitting this reply - I received two different error messages when trying to search the word "root" in the "Search This Forum" box - just to test it out before I reply.
The "usual" error I get is: Search is temporarily unavailable. We apologize for the inconvenience.
The other one lists actual trouble codes & has a link to notify an admin.
Believe me - I'm all for searching out info on forums - but when there are 7 sub-forums for the Verizon Galaxy S4 - and the search function isn't working - it's pretty easy to not find the info you're looking for.
Also - to the person asking about root on MJ7 - see the Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4 General forum - and find the post titled "How to Root Build MJ7 and get SuperSU installed"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no working safestrap version or custom recovery for MJ7. Custom recovery can only be installed on MDK. Safestrap works on ME7 and MI1, but flaky on MI1 from what I have read. You are SOL.

dincodee said:
Where is the directions for root on MJ7
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2511815&page=1
If we are all SOL for now, do we know if anyone is working on this? I would love to flash a custom ROM and rid myself of this garbage....

MJ7 Root
dincodee said:
Where is the directions for root on MJ7
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is also this video by Tomsgt123 which lays it out nicely and tells you how to delete the chinese superuser app (if you are worried about that). I have not tried this method myself, just found the video while searching.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5mCsDyW-TI&feature=youtu.be
Good luck.

CoMtnMan said:
There is also this video by Tomsgt123 which lays it out nicely and tells you how to delete the chinese superuser app (if you are worried about that). I have not tried this method myself, just found the video while searching.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5mCsDyW-TI&feature=youtu.be
Good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This works well, rooted my dad's S4 this way and it put the american/english supersu app in there in place of the chinese one at the end
No unlocked boot loader/custom recovery yet but I check back every week

Can you achieve more on loki than safestrap?
Specifically, can you flash custom kernels?
If so I may jump ship for the g2 since it has loki support
I thought they had the same limitations.

crazysoccerman said:
Can you achieve more on loki than safestrap?
Specifically, can you flash custom kernels?
If so I may jump ship for the g2 since it has loki support
I thought they had the same limitations.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not speaking about the G2, but loki allows you to bypass the locked bootloader, which then permits you to flash whatever recovery, kernels, and ROMs that you want. On the I545, once you're past MDK, Loki won't work.

k1mu said:
Not speaking about the G2, but loki allows you to bypass the locked bootloader, which then permits you to flash whatever recovery, kernels, and ROMs that you want. On the I545, once you're past MDK, Loki won't work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought safestrap did the same thing?
You can't flash kernels on safestrap, right?

crazysoccerman said:
I thought safestrap did the same thing?
You can't flash kernels on safestrap, right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct, which is why it's not the same thing as Loki'd MDK. On anything later than MDK, you can't replace the stock recovery (but can boot into a Safestrap recovery), can't flash custom kernels, etc. On MDK, you can flash any ROM that's compatible with the phone's hardware. Using Safestrap, you can only use ROMs that are compatible with the stock kernel.
Safestrap gets you most of what you get from an unlocked bootloader, just not everything.

Thanks for your help. I made sure to hit the thanks button.
I'm going to return my s4 for a g2.
I don't think samsung and verizon considered the cost of returned phones because of lack of mod ability. Hopefully users on verizon and at&t aren't witnessing the end of a modding era.
It's sad to see what two years since I purchased my gnex has brought to the modding community. Rather than making awesome new features, developers are fighting for the ability to mod at all.
I also find it hypocritical that newer versions of android and proprietary interfaces have copied features that were originally on custom mods.

Related

Rom Manager Not Working

I just recently rooted my Verizon Galaxy S4 and swiftly installed Rom Manager. I have used ROM manager in the past before I owned an iPhone when the Moto Droids were popular. Upon installing I flashed the recovery over to CWM - However, when I reboot into recovery I still receive the default stock options. I even purchased the CWM Touch recovery to see if that would work, sadly it did not.
I am stuck as to what to do here, I have googled the problem and cannot seem to find a cure. I can not do anything with CWM - When I click backup current ROM it simply reboots into the stock recovery.
If anyone can help me with this issue I would be extremely appreciated
Thanks,
Christopher
Reneg4d3 said:
I just recently rooted my Verizon Galaxy S4 and swiftly installed Rom Manager. I have used ROM manager in the past before I owned an iPhone when the Moto Droids were popular. Upon installing I flashed the recovery over to CWM - However, when I reboot into recovery I still receive the default stock options. I even purchased the CWM Touch recovery to see if that would work, sadly it did not.
I am stuck as to what to do here, I have googled the problem and cannot seem to find a cure. I can not do anything with CWM - When I click backup current ROM it simply reboots into the stock recovery.
If anyone can help me with this issue I would be extremely appreciated
Thanks,
Christopher
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you remember to go to Rom Manager > Recovery Setup > Click ClockworkMod Recovery (Under INSTALL OR UPDATE RECOVERY) > Then click on the Samsung Galaxy S4 (Verizon).
Yes, since that is the only way to download and install the recovery that is what I did...
You might want to email the developer or get a mod to move this thread to the Q&A forum.
DarkMenace said:
You might want to email the developer or get a mod to move this thread to the Q&A forum.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will email the developer the link to this thread.
Surely I am not the only one with this problem...
Reneg4d3 said:
I will email the developer the link to this thread.
Surely I am not the only one with this problem...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was able to flash it with no issues.
Do you mind telling me exactly what you did (even rooting wise) - I used some compiled package that was on droid life I believe. It had all the tools compiled and was the closest thing to a one click without being one click. I think it even attempted to flash the recovery. However, that is how I rooted my device. I didn't flash another rom. Still on the stock rom.
I just rooted the device. Switched to SuperSU, restored all my programs via Titanium Backup. Then I flashed CWM.
DarkMenace said:
I just rooted the device. Switched to SuperSU, restored all my programs via Titanium Backup. Then I flashed CWM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have read conflicting posts about this but is your bootloader unlocked? I read that the bootloader was unlocked before the phone was even released - Then I read somewhere else that the Verizon bootloader was super locked down and not cracked yet. Obviously, you would need some bootstrap or the bootloader unlocked before the device would even be able to use a custom ROM. Did you flash the phone to get root, or did you use all kinds of different tools to do so?
EDIT:
this is the method I used - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=41718543
Reneg4d3 said:
I have read conflicting posts about this but is your bootloader unlocked? I read that the bootloader was unlocked before the phone was even released - Then I read somewhere else that the Verizon bootloader was super locked down and not cracked yet. Obviously, you would need some bootstrap or the bootloader unlocked before the device would even be able to use a custom ROM. Did you flash the phone to get root, or did you use all kinds of different tools to do so?
EDIT:
this is the method I used - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=41718543
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's the same method I used but I didn't unlock the bootloader. I just did the root them installed the recovery from the Play Store.
Reneg4d3 said:
I have read conflicting posts about this but is your bootloader unlocked? I read that the bootloader was unlocked before the phone was even released - Then I read somewhere else that the Verizon bootloader was super locked down and not cracked yet. Obviously, you would need some bootstrap or the bootloader unlocked before the device would even be able to use a custom ROM. Did you flash the phone to get root, or did you use all kinds of different tools to do so?
EDIT:
this is the method I used - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=41718543
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please read about loki in the development forum. The bootloader is not unlocked and unlock is not needed to flash roms or recoveries.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
I will read about loki - maybe when I read about loki this will be explained, however I was always under the impression that in order to install custom ROMs you have to unlock the bootloader. I know that a bootloader or bootstrap is what tells your device what operating system to boot to and if it is locked this prevents you from loading a custom ROM. If I have this all wrong, would someone care to explain? You can use technical explanations as I will most likely be able to understand what you mean.
EDIT:
reading about loki clears this up. It's simply (yet sophisticatedly) tricks the aboot into thinking the rom passes the checksum that is physically embedded into the phone and proceeds to boot the custom rom. The boot loader itself is still locked, but is bypassed.
The only problem with this is they can release an update to patch the sequence in which the checksum is done so that it cannot be loaded over itself.
My problem still remains - Clockwork Manager is not working.
Does anyone have any suggestions?
Questions and help issues go in Q&A and help section
Thread moved
FNM
Sorry I posted it in the wrong section. If anyone knows what is wrong please let me know, I am thoroughly confused as to why this is happening. Maybe I should restore stock and reroot the device, although I don't know what that would do.
Am I supposed to install Loki? Because I never did that, I was under the impression that rom manager would do that.
Reneg4d3 said:
Sorry I posted it in the wrong section. If anyone knows what is wrong please let me know, I am thoroughly confused as to why this is happening. Maybe I should restore stock and reroot the device, although I don't know what that would do.
Am I supposed to install Loki? Because I never did that, I was under the impression that rom manager would do that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do a stock restore. Then root again. Start over.
Sent from my Rooted Verizon Samsung Galaxy S4 using xda premium
I cleared the Clockwork Mod data and also uninstalled and reinstalled the app and now it is working Guess it was just a fluke!

Causal, TWRP, 4.3 OTA

A while back when I first got my Verizon Note 2, I used Adam Outler's Casual method to root my phone to Stock. I don't mind stock and root mostly for the Tethering.
About a week back the OTA notice hit my phone. I have declined the notice/update twice giving myself time to look for the root update. I found this thread by Beans: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2518704 ........ It seems right but this thread by AdamOutler says not to use ODIN: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2045563
So I am a little confused. I just want the update but don't want to mess up and not have my tethering ever again.... or brick the phone.
As a newbie, it's a scary task. Someone please help point me in the right direction. I just want the 4.3 Stock. If there is a thread for my situation I couldn't find it. I search "casual TWRP 4.3 OTA" and other similar variations.
I can still get to the TWRP 2.5.0.0. I have also downloaded the ODIN and started it... looks simple, but there are no instructions.
Someone please help me...
Thanks
MrNewbie said:
A while back when I first got my Verizon Note 2, I used Adam Outler's Casual method to root my phone to Stock. I don't mind stock and root mostly for the Tethering.
About a week back the OTA notice hit my phone. I have declined the notice/update twice giving myself time to look for the root update. I found this thread by Beans: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2518704 ........ It seems right but this thread by AdamOutler says not to use ODIN: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2045563
So I am a little confused. I just want the update but don't want to mess up and not have my tethering ever again.... or brick the phone.
As a newbie, it's a scary task. Someone please help point me in the right direction. I just want the 4.3 Stock. If there is a thread for my situation I couldn't find it. I search "casual TWRP 4.3 OTA" and other similar variations.
I can still get to the TWRP 2.5.0.0. I have also downloaded the ODIN and started it... looks simple, but there are no instructions.
Someone please help me...
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Welp, couple things...
#1 - The link you posted above is the from the Note 3. You want this one http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2578458
#2, The ROM gets flashed via CWM or TRWP like normal, it's only the radio update that gets flashed via ODIN. That shouldn't affect your current unlock/root status.
#3 - If it is only ROOT you are after, the 4.3 OTA is Rootable, just not unlockable. So if by chance you accidentally take the OTA you should still be able to ROOT and install your Tethering app. You just won't be able to unlock the bootloader and install a custom recovery/rom.
Jiggabitties said:
Welp, couple things...
#3 - If it is only ROOT you are after, the 4.3 OTA is Rootable, just not unlockable. So if by chance you accidentally take the OTA you should still be able to ROOT and install your Tethering app. You just won't be able to unlock the bootloader and install a custom recovery/rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So if you are OTA'd to MJ9, how do you unlock?
SteveHebe said:
So if you are OTA'd to MJ9, how do you unlock?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You cannot. Best bet is to not take the other and unlock your bootloader. If you take it you will probably be locked for a very long time.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2
michigan66 said:
You cannot. Best bet is to not take the other and unlock your bootloader. If you take it you will probably be locked for a very long time.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
SteveHebe said:
So if you are OTA'd to MJ9, how do you unlock?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct, you cannot currently UNLOCK the OTA MJ9 boot loader. But you can ROOT. Which will allow you to tether.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using xda app-developers app
MrNewbie said:
A while back when I first got my Verizon Note 2, I used Adam Outler's Casual method to root my phone to Stock. I don't mind stock and root mostly for the Tethering.
About a week back the OTA notice hit my phone. I have declined the notice/update twice giving myself time to look for the root update. I found this thread by Beans: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2518704 ........ It seems right but this thread by AdamOutler says not to use ODIN: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2045563
So I am a little confused. I just want the update but don't want to mess up and not have my tethering ever again.... or brick the phone.
As a newbie, it's a scary task. Someone please help point me in the right direction. I just want the 4.3 Stock. If there is a thread for my situation I couldn't find it. I search "casual TWRP 4.3 OTA" and other similar variations.
I can still get to the TWRP 2.5.0.0. I have also downloaded the ODIN and started it... looks simple, but there are no instructions.
Someone please help me...
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would think long and hard about taking the OTA...although root is available, you may want an unlocked bootloader at some point, and there is no guarantee that is coming to the official 4.3. My guess is that it will not simply because this phone is 18 months old and the skilled developers that put in the time to do things like unlock bootloaders move on to newer devices.
If you managed to use Casual in the past, Odin won't be a problem for you. Below are the steps:
Odin takes about 5 minutes total...its really easy.
Download Odin (it's just a simple windows program). - http://forum.xda-developers.com/atta...3&d=1304094576
Make sure you have the latest samsung drivers - http://www.mediafire.com/?hzlnda0l5t8qyes
Download and extract the firmware from the first post in this thread - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2578458
Save whatever 4.3 ROM you choose to your external SD card.
Power down the phone and boot back into download mode (volume down, power and home at the same time).
Open Odin, plug in phone...Odin should recognize the phone and you will see the com port noted in yellow.
Check the PDA box and put the firmware file (unzipped) in the PDA slot. Click start and 30 seconds later you are done. Phone will reboot into recovery at this point.
Then you can flash any of the 4.3 ROMs (including stock) in TWRP (I use 2.5.0.0 too). I have tried them all and Sophisticated 3.0 has worked the best for me...I will be trying beans 23 as soon as it is done.
tfly212 said:
I would think long and hard about taking the OTA...although root is available, you may want an unlocked bootloader at some point, and there is no guarantee that is coming to the official 4.3. My guess is that it will not simply because this phone is 18 months old and the skilled developers that put in the time to do things like unlock bootloaders move on to newer devices.
If you managed to use Casual in the past, Odin won't be a problem for you. Below are the steps:
Odin takes about 5 minutes total...its really easy.
Download Odin (it's just a simple windows program). - http://forum.xda-developers.com/atta...3&d=1304094576
Make sure you have the latest samsung drivers - http://www.mediafire.com/?hzlnda0l5t8qyes
Download and extract the firmware from the first post in this thread - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2578458
Save whatever 4.3 ROM you choose to your external SD card.
Power down the phone and boot back into download mode (volume down, power and home at the same time).
Open Odin, plug in phone...Odin should recognize the phone and you will see the com port noted in yellow.
Check the PDA box and put the firmware file (unzipped) in the PDA slot. Click start and 30 seconds later you are done. Phone will reboot into recovery at this point.
Then you can flash any of the 4.3 ROMs (including stock) in TWRP (I use 2.5.0.0 too). I have tried them all and Sophisticated 3.0 has worked the best for me...I will be trying beans 23 as soon as it is done.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much. Updated and everything seem to work just fine, but after some use it started rebooting. I am going to put on Sophisticated as you suggested. Hopefully, it will be more stable then the stock ROM.
And I can't get the WIFI Tethering to work. Which Tethering app are you using? I have unlimited data... and need to make sure Verizon isn't charging me for no reason.
MrNewbie said:
Thank you so much. Updated and everything seem to work just fine, but after some use it started rebooting. I am going to put on Sophisticated as you suggested. Hopefully, it will be more stable then the stock ROM.
And I can't get the WIFI Tethering to work. Which Tethering app are you using? I have unlimited data... and need to make sure Verizon isn't charging me for no reason.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had some reboots on the stock rom too...but once I went to the other roms (I tried Nephilium, Sophisticated and N3bula, but had the best results with Sophisticated) and I haven't had one reboot.
As for the wifi tethering, on stock you need to flash the file below (some of the newer roms, including Sophisticated have it baked in).
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=48315091&postcount=245
IS anybody getting close to an unlock/root post VRUEMJ9 VZWi605 Note 2.
the reason I ask is I unrooted back to stock 4.1.1 and then picked up the VZW OTA 4.3 and now can't use Casual or any other method, I can root but not unlock bootloader. well anybody have any Ideas? thank you.
david515 said:
the reason I ask is I unrooted back to stock 4.1.1 and then picked up the VZW OTA 4.3 and now can't use Casual or any other method, I can root but not unlock bootloader. well anybody have any Ideas? thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The reason you ask what? You didn't ask anything. And as it's been stated a million times, no unlock method avaliable and unlikely there will be one.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using xda app-developers app
akellar said:
The reason you ask what? You didn't ask anything. And as it's been stated a million times, no unlock method avaliable and unlikely there will be one.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Eh, he is one of those that puts the question in his title instead of the body of the reply. But as @akellar said, there is nothing available.
Thanks so much for all the help. I got everything working right based on the instructions from this thread. I initially had an issue with the "Wifi Tether" because I was using a 3rd party app. Instead the correct app is the "Mobile Hotspot" app. It might be named differently for other carriers, but for Verizon it is "Mobile Hotspot".
Again thank you for all the replies.
Thank you for Sophisticated v3.
Thank you Adam Outler for the original Casual root.
And Thank you runandhide05 for the "Mobile Hotspot" hack!
:good::fingers-crossed: LOL

[Q] Help with Custom Recovery

Hey, first post here but I've been reading some threads since 2011.
I have a Samsung Galaxy S4 (I have experience with custom roms and such with the Droid Charge, also Samsung. See a pattern?).
I rooted it a while back, but recently have been experiencing quite a bit of instability so I wanted to try a custom rom (Hyperdrive is the one that I'm looking at but that's kinda irrelevant to this post).
The problem for me is that every guide expects me to be rooted with the custom recovery. I am rooted, and I did have CWM installed to perform the root, but now for some reason recovery boots into stock and I haven't been able to load any custom recoveries. I tried the CWM Rom Manager app to get CWM back, but it didn't seem to work (touch or normal). I have also tried Goo Manager to get TWRP and that was a complete bust.
I noticed one or two other methods involving safe-strap but I cannot for the life of me get safe-strap working on my phone and I've followed a couple guides several times without success.
I need someone to point me in the right direction to get a custom recovery back on my phone. I'm assuming something got screwed up somewhere along the line, so I'm not confident in these other methods but I'm trying to find a guide using Odin. Part of the problem seems to be that the Verizon phones aren't too common so all the guides and downloads are for a different model.
Please help, I'd prefer an Odin method but I'm open to suggestions.
cdroid93 said:
Hey, first post here but I've been reading some threads since 2011.
I have a Samsung Galaxy S4 (I have experience with custom roms and such with the Droid Charge, also Samsung. See a pattern?).
I rooted it a while back, but recently have been experiencing quite a bit of instability so I wanted to try a custom rom (Hyperdrive is the one that I'm looking at but that's kinda irrelevant to this post).
The problem for me is that every guide expects me to be rooted with the custom recovery. I am rooted, and I did have CWM installed to perform the root, but now for some reason recovery boots into stock and I haven't been able to load any custom recoveries. I tried the CWM Rom Manager app to get CWM back, but it didn't seem to work (touch or normal). I have also tried Goo Manager to get TWRP and that was a complete bust.
I noticed one or two other methods involving safe-strap but I cannot for the life of me get safe-strap working on my phone and I've followed a couple guides several times without success.
I need someone to point me in the right direction to get a custom recovery back on my phone. I'm assuming something got screwed up somewhere along the line, so I'm not confident in these other methods but I'm trying to find a guide using Odin. Part of the problem seems to be that the Verizon phones aren't too common so all the guides and downloads are for a different model.
Please help, I'd prefer an Odin method but I'm open to suggestions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are on NC5 then Safestrap is your only option. You are going to brick your phone if you just keep throwing recoveries at your phone until one sticks. If you are on MDK then your bootloader is unlocked and you can do what you want. Read the threads, that's what they're there for.
Jesus loves you!
Phone version
liljoe727 said:
If you are on NC5 then Safestrap is your only option. You are going to brick your phone if you just keep throwing recoveries at your phone until one sticks. If you are on MDK then your bootloader is unlocked and you can do what you want. Read the threads, that's what they're there for.
Jesus loves you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm actually on ME7. I haven't updated in a very long while because I wanted to root and then stop tinkering. That's not an option for me anymore for the stability reasons. I had over a year of rock solid performance though so it was a good run.
I was searching threads on this forum and others. This one seems to be more reliable than others (and a whole lot friendlier), but I still can't find what I'm looking for.
Maybe you can help me out by pointing out one of the threads that has what I need?
Thanks much.
cdroid93 said:
I'm actually on ME7. I haven't updated in a very long while because I wanted to root and then stop tinkering. That's not an option for me anymore for the stability reasons. I had over a year of rock solid performance though so it was a good run.
I was searching threads on this forum and others. This one seems to be more reliable than others (and a whole lot friendlier), but I still can't find what I'm looking for.
Maybe you can help me out by pointing out one of the threads that has what I need?
Thanks much.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
MDK, as I understand it, is the only bootloader that has been unlocked thus far. If you are still on ME7 and it's locked anyway, you may be better off just taking the update.
Jesus loves you!
liljoe727 said:
MDK, as I understand it, is the only bootloader that has been unlocked thus far. If you are still on ME7 and it's locked anyway, you may be better off just taking the update.
Jesus loves you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, well obviously I've messed up my phone somehow, I don't think it's possible for me to just go to system settings and update. How do I go about this if that doesn't work?
cdroid93 said:
Okay, well obviously I've messed up my phone somehow, I don't think it's possible for me to just go to system settings and update. How do I go about this if that doesn't work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well you can update via Samsung Keis, or if you know how to use ODIN you can flash the latest NC5 through ODIN. You'll find everything you'll need from here.
Forgot to say that after you upgrade you can root through towelroot which you can by searching this forum or Google it.
After you install busybox you should be able to install Safestrap, but if you can't, you need to download and install an app calle SElinuxmodechanger and set SElinux to permissive. Then you will be able to install Safestrap. Once you have SS you can only install ROMs on the Stock slot. non of the other slots work.
skeezer308 said:
Well you can update via Samsung Keis, or if you know how to use ODIN you can flash the latest NC5 through ODIN. You'll find everything you'll need from here.
Forgot to say that after you upgrade you can root through towelroot which you can by searching this forum or Google it.
After you install busybox you should be able to install Safestrap, but if you can't, you need to download and install an app calle SElinuxmodechanger and set SElinux to permissive. Then you will be able to install Safestrap. Once you have SS you can only install ROMs on the Stock slot. non of the other slots work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, for starters thank you. This is almost exactly what I needed. I've just got one more issue;
I cannot discern from what I've found on the forums or elsewhere what safestrap is safe for my phone now that I'm on NC5?
Thanks again for this, was a big help.
cdroid93 said:
Okay, for starters thank you. This is almost exactly what I needed. I've just got one more issue;
I cannot discern from what I've found on the forums or elsewhere what safestrap is safe for my phone now that I'm on NC5?
Thanks again for this, was a big help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
3.72
Jesus loves you!
Also keep in mind that you can only install TW ROMs or GPE ROMs that are SS friendly. If you try to install Cyanogen or other AOSP ROMs that require custom kernels you run the chance of bricking your phone

[Q] "System Software Not Authorized By Verizon Wireless"

Hello, from some what site, I heard that Safestrap 3.75 allowed to install Cyanogen Mod. I installed Safestrap 3.75, made a back up, and installed a nightly version from Cyanogen Mod
After installing CM from safestrap and rebooting, I got the yellow sign with "System Software Not Authorized By Verizon Wireless". I couldn't even go back to Safestrap to restore back. I used the NC5 build rooted with Towelroot.
From some websites, I found that I could just flash the stock firmware using Odin_v3.07 but even installing the correct "I545VZWFNC5" md5 file, I get an error saying
"Can't open the specified file. (line 1949)"
Is there a way I could apply my back up made using safestrap or just clean wipe my phone so that I can make my phone functioning? Thanks!
-Edit
I am trying again using Odin_v1.83 since I saw some posts that Odin_v3.07 had problems on my phone.
-Edit
lol Using Odin_v1.83 solved the issue. Thanks myself XD
coreymu said:
Hello, from some what site, I heard that Safestrap 3.75 allowed to install Cyanogen Mod. I installed Safestrap 3.75, made a back up, and installed a nightly version from Cyanogen Mod
After installing CM from safestrap and rebooting, I got the yellow sign with "System Software Not Authorized By Verizon Wireless". I couldn't even go back to Safestrap to restore back. I used the NC5 build rooted with Towelroot.
From some websites, I found that I could just flash the stock firmware using Odin_v3.07 but even installing the correct "I545VZWFNC5" md5 file, I get an error saying
"Can't open the specified file. (line 1949)"
Is there a way I could apply my back up made using safestrap or just clean wipe my phone so that I can make my phone functioning? Thanks!
-Edit
I am trying again using Odin_v1.83 since I saw some posts that Odin_v3.07 had problems on my phone.
-Edit
lol Using Odin_v1.83 solved the issue. Thanks myself XD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know if you figured it out but safestrap and CM(and pretty much all other aosp roms) aren't compatible, sorry to break it to you
Quite Sad :S
Raymondlikesroot said:
I don't know if you figured it out but safestrap and CM(and pretty much all other aosp roms) aren't compatible, sorry to break it to you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahh, That's unfortunate :S
I've been so fond with CM ever since I used it on my old GS3.
I bet the smart developers are working on it right? I gotta cheer for them
coreymu said:
Ahh, That's unfortunate :S
I've been so fond with CM ever since I used it on my old GS3.
I bet the smart developers are working on it right? I gotta cheer for them
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately, not really. A dev called surge was making great progress but he has since left the s4. Really, our hope is some dude on the s5 forums claiming to have a universal root and bootloader unlock. However, it is becoming more and more likely that it is just hoax.
coreymu said:
Ahh, That's unfortunate :S
I've been so fond with CM ever since I used it on my old GS3.
I bet the smart developers are working on it right? I gotta cheer for them
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not really.
CM requires its own kernel (or at least a kernel designed to work with what ever custom features it has), safestrap is loaded AFTER the kernel so it cannot load a different one. There has been work done on this, but nothing really came of it and its closer to abandoned then working at this point.
Would there then be a way to install a lower version bootloader, which is unlockable, using safestrap so that I could install CM's kernel? Or is that impossible since NC5 is still locked?
Thanks for the information!
coreymu said:
Would there then be a way to install a lower version bootloader, which is unlockable, using safestrap so that I could install CM's kernel? Or is that impossible since NC5 is still locked?
Thanks for the information!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In a word - NO. Even going back to the MDK bootloader is not possible once you have taken the OTAs. And even then, MDK is still locked. The likelihood of the bootloader getting unlocked is slim and none. Kexec is the next choice and even its development has slowed as it is very hard to crack the bootloader issue.
As is often repeated, read the FAQs and search topics before posting.

[Q] Am I screwed (bootloader issue)?

Hi all. Please excuse if this has been asked (and answered), but I just spent two days with this phone and have just about torn my hair out.
I have a Verizon S4 (SCH-I545). I got it second-hand, so I don't know if the previous owner took any OTA updates. I wanted to put CM12 on it. However, in that thread, it's made very clear that it won't work without being on the MDK bootloader.
Well, when I execute the command "getprop ro.bootloader" from within Safestrap, I get "I545VRUFNC5".
Obviously, this is not MDK. Is this a bootloader that came after MDK as part of an OTA update? Either way, am I no longer able to Odin flash the MDK bootloader?
Thanks in advance.
Yes..This Bootloader is newer, and locked and cannot be reverted using ODIN. You would need to find a manual copy/change method to revert the Bootloader.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
Hi KaosMaster. Thanks for your quick reply. So, does a manual copy/change method exist? You can probably surmise that I tried Odin'ing several stock ROMs with MDK packaged in and each one failed for various reasons. Can I do this copy/change action or would Verizon themselves have to do it? If the latter, would they do it without charging me a small fortune?
While I'm on the subject, are there any other gotchas you know of regarding this I545VRUFNC5 bootloader? What other ROMs won't work with it?
Thanks again!
Odin Won't work.
JTAG won't work(tested, phone bricks)
nc5 has root and safestap + limited ROMs with a touchwiz base
Some ROMs:
Hyperdrive
Echoe
Super6 Port
KitPop
Eclipse
Hi XxD34THxX. When you say the phone bricks using JTAG, do you mean it brick bricks? As in, turning the phone into a doorstop?
Do you know if Verizon would revert it back if you made such a request? If so, would it cost anything?
Well... with JTAG, I am pretty sure it turns into a soft brick. I can't confirm.
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
Verizon will just laugh in your face if you asked them that.
XxD34THxX said:
Well... with JTAG, I am pretty sure it turns into a soft brick. I can't confirm.
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
Verizon will just laugh in your face if you asked them that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Arggh! Locked bootloaders are a complete and utter PITA.
What I don't understand is why CM12 requires a specific bootloader to function. To me, that sounds like Windows needing a specific BIOS or bootstrap to work.
Does CM10 have this requirement as well?
BTW, thanks for the rom list. I'll definitely check 'em out.
Yes, it needs an unlocked bootloader(any CM). It DOES need a specific bootstrap to work...
fleggett1 said:
Arggh! Locked bootloaders are a complete and utter PITA.
What I don't understand is why CM12 requires a specific bootloader to function. To me, that sounds like Windows needing a specific BIOS or bootstrap to work.
Does CM10 have this requirement as well?
BTW, thanks for the rom list. I'll definitely check 'em out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately you are stuck as no one has successfully downgraded the bootloader. Many developers have tried without success.
CyanogenMod will only work on an MDK device because the kernel is replaced during the flash process. This can only be accomplished with a custom recovery or unlocked bootloader.
FWIW, the MDK bootloader is technically not unlocked. There is a process called "loki" that took advantage of an exploit that was present on MDK which allowed the installation of a custom recovery. It did not unlock or overwrite the MDK recovery.
All bootloader versions past MDK have had this exploit closed.

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