Hey i got a quick question for everyone,
Do you think the CyanogenMod installer will work with the rooted but locked bootloader of the GS4
Answer yes or no and a reason behind your answer
I don't think it would work, I haven't tired it myself but I would think the Cyangenmod Installer would still have to change the bootloader, unless it has some built in work-around. I would suggest just installing a recovery instead of using the installer, also CWM or TWRP allow you to make backups of your stock rom. You would still have to unlock the boot loader though.
GalaxySubie said:
Hey i got a quick question for everyone,
Do you think the CyanogenMod installer will work with the rooted but locked bootloader of the GS4
Answer yes or no and a reason behind your answer
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. It's for Nexus devices first off and you can not flash a ROM on a locked bootloader without an exploit.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
joshm.1219 said:
No. It's for Nexus devices first off and you can not flash a ROM on a locked bootloader without an exploit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just picking peoples brains i have a GS4 on MJ7 Rooted and a Galaxy Nexus with TWRP running CM 11 4.4.2 nightly im just dying here waiting for the GS4 to be unlocked but it doesnt look like anytime soon
What provider are you using?? My vzw s4 had the Unlocked Icon on it when it first turned on, I think it was just a workaround but I had a custom recovery and rom on it.
timjp692 said:
What provider are you using?? My vzw s4 had the Unlocked Icon on it when it first turned on, I think it was just a workaround but I had a custom recovery and rom on it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do too, i am also on VZW but that is not the bootloader that is just saying you have Root Permissions
Have you tried to install a custom recovery yet, I think once your rooted, you can install the recovery.
Yes I have I used Goo Manager to try to install TWRP and it will brick your device but only soft brick so you can use Kies to do emergency firmware restore and it will start right back up.
Oh yeah your right, my bad. I originally rooted my S4 in June so it wasn't the MJ7.
im just waiting paciently for a bootloader unlock and since im not part of the progress i cant complain like most people where i was part of the jailbreaking community im now just getting into android.
Not sure if you saw this thread, but it seems to be updated frequently. Looks like it may be a least an alternative to the stock rom.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2441441&highlight=mj7&page=122
Related
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
Ok, a little info on me. I have had an iPhone since 2007. I decided to buy a used G S4 to see if I would like it. So far I like it a lot but need help getting it just right.
I am trying to install custom roms on my device. I want to try CM.10 first. So far I have achieved root aaccess, and installed gooManager.
The problem is that when I install a custom recovery script so I can have a custom recovery the phone locks up. What could I be doing wrong? I am sure this has been covered a hundred times but there is so much info on here its overwhelming to someone new to android. Thanks to everyone for the great work and contributions s already made.
Try odin to flash!
iPhone*convert said:
Ok, a little info on me. I have had an iPhone since 2007. I decided to buy a used G S4 to see if I would like it. So far I like it a lot but need help getting it just right.
I am trying to install custom roms on my device. I want to try CM.10 first. So far I have achieved root aaccess, and installed gooManager.
The problem is that when I install a custom recovery script so I can have a custom recovery the phone locks up. What could I be doing wrong? I am sure this has been covered a hundred times but there is so much info on here its overwhelming to someone new to android. Thanks to everyone for the great work and contributions s already made.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
when i installed my custom recovery i used cwm recovery (my preference) and used odin to flash it. its not as easy but its more reliable to me just look up a tutorial on how to flash custom recovery on odin. There are many vids on youtube
mylifeandroid said:
when i installed my custom recovery i used cwm recovery (my preference) and used odin to flash it. its not as easy but its more reliable to me just look up a tutorial on how to flash custom recovery on odin. There are many vids on youtube
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I watched all of the videos. Do I have a locked boot loader? Does that keep me from installing open recovery script? If so do I need a device with an older baseband in order to root, install custom recovery, and run custom roms?
I have a SCH-I545 running 4.3 with an mk2 baseband.
Yes, your bootloader is locked and currently there is no way to unlock it. Safestrap is your only option for ROMs now. Start with reading the OP.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2441441
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
How do I find an older gs4 with an unlocked bootloader? How will I know when I find one? What baseband version should I be looking for?
iPhone*convert said:
How do I find an older gs4 with an unlocked bootloader? How will I know when I find one? What baseband version should I be looking for?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where your phone says mk2 the other will say mdk. . As far as finding one people sell them on ebay
iPhone*convert said:
How do I find an older gs4 with an unlocked bootloader? How will I know when I find one? What baseband version should I be looking for?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check out www.swappa.com
People have em up for sale, just look for the last three letters of the build (or baseband I suppose) to be MDK. Anything newer than that is locked down.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
iPhone*convert said:
How do I find an older gs4 with an unlocked bootloader? How will I know when I find one? What baseband version should I be looking for?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Information is easily available in these forums concerning bootloaders and rooting and recoveries....with you phone your only option is safestrap and just one or 2 roms are available..
look before you jump
Nobody posts the build number in their adds on ebay or that swappers site. I'm messaging them all individually haha. Lmfao why didn't I read about this more before buying this boot locked pos lol.
Me7 and mj7 are worthless right?
iPhone*convert said:
Me7 and mj7 are worthless right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will be honest this is the first phone that i have ever been satisfied with rooted debloated stock but I am very greatful my flashing itch is able to be somewhat scratched with safestrap. The above builds aren't worthless but I guess that all depends on your point of view and what your wanting to do with your device.
iPhone*convert said:
Me7 and mj7 are worthless right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
don't understand the statement?
the stock roms run extremely well and with root you can debloat pretty easily. S4 phone is a superior device to most anything else out there at this moment whether you mod it or not
Hey your in luck there is a guy selling his mdk s4 for 330 on the general thread.
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
I'm helping my friend install CyanogenMod 12 on his S4 (jfltevzw). We've rooted it and we're currently doing a full backup through Safestrap in case anything happens. Once that's finished, I'm unsure as to what we should do. CyanogenMod's wiki has installation instructions for the Verizon S4, but it says in big bold letters to not attempt this if on a ROM newer than I545VRUAMDK. He's on the latest version that Samsung/Verizon have pushed out, which is I545VRUFNK1. Is there an alternate way to install CyanogenMod on top of the newer stock ROM, or is it not possible?
vaindil said:
I'm helping my friend install CyanogenMod 12 on his S4 (jfltevzw). We've rooted it and we're currently doing a full backup through Safestrap in case anything happens. Once that's finished, I'm unsure as to what we should do. CyanogenMod's wiki has installation instructions for the Verizon S4, but it says in big bold letters to not attempt this if on a ROM newer than I545VRUAMDK. He's on the latest version that Samsung/Verizon have pushed out, which is I545VRUFNK1. Is there an alternate way to install CyanogenMod on top of the newer stock ROM, or is it not possible?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
its not possible. ONLY mdk builds will work.
Raymondlikesroot said:
its not possible. ONLY mdk builds will work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dang, so there's absolutely nothing whatsoever that can be done? The page says you can't downgrade, but is anything at all possible now that he's beyond the MDK build? He really wants to make the switch and is fine with doing a complete wipe or whatever is necessary.
EDIT: I've been trying to read up on the VZW S4 and why this isn't possible, but I don't quite get it. Reading other threads it seems like the reason is because the bootloader is locked, but that can't be the case if he was able to install Safestrap. I'm coming from a Nexus 5 where everything is incredibly simple, so I apologize for my ignorance. (I don't mean to say you're wrong or anything as I have no idea myself, I just don't understand why it doesn't work on newer ROMs.)
vaindil said:
Dang, so there's absolutely nothing whatsoever that can be done? The page says you can't downgrade, but is anything at all possible now that he's beyond the MDK build? He really wants to make the switch and is fine with doing a complete wipe or whatever is necessary.
EDIT: I've been trying to read up on the VZW S4 and why this isn't possible, but I don't quite get it. Reading other threads it seems like the reason is because the bootloader is locked, but that can't be the case if he was able to install Safestrap. I'm coming from a Nexus 5 where everything is incredibly simple, so I apologize for my ignorance. (I don't mean to say you're wrong or anything as I have no idea myself, I just don't understand why it doesn't work on newer ROMs.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The reason we use Safestrap as opposed to twrp is because the bootloader is locked.
Surge1223 said:
The reason we use Safestrap as opposed to twrp is because the bootloader is locked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh, okay. Really unfortunate that this isn't possible now. So he's just stuck with TouchWiz and can't do anything about it?
vaindil said:
Oh, okay. Really unfortunate that this isn't possible now. So he's just stuck with TouchWiz and can't do anything about it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep
Sent from my my Lollipopped S4
vaindil said:
Oh, okay. Really unfortunate that this isn't possible now. So he's just stuck with TouchWiz and can't do anything about it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you can install hyperdrive rom
its not lolipop but its worlds better then stock ...
also there is a chance of getting the 5.01 GPE edition rom running when Samsung releases the lolipop update for the vz s4
that would at least give us a working lolipop kernel to use with the gpe rombase
and hey you never know there could be a exploite in the lolipop rom/kernel that lets us get kexec working
Basically safestrap loads after the kernel but early enough to replace point to a different root for the system. So we can load what ever system we want... But are stuck with the kernel the phone booted. If the system is based on the stock kernel this is fine... But when it starts making calls to custom kernel stuff you will have trouble.
So Cyanogenmod only provides the GUI? I've installed CM on two B&N tablets and I've been asked to root a new Verizon Samsung Galaxy S4. I've assumed that, because it's new, it will have I545VRUFNK1 4.4.2. I rooted my VSG s3 years ago to 4.3 and there was no going back on that one. It looks like it's the same with VSG s4. So, if CM provides only the GUI, then a rooted VSG s4 can still access Google Apps? What is the concern with with TW based ROMs? Is it the recovery/backup feature or only being stuck with the VSG s4 GUI?
Raymondlikesroot said:
its not possible. ONLY mdk builds will work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This explains why I bricked my phone when I tried to flash CM12...
ryant35 said:
This explains why I bricked my phone when I tried to flash CM12...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
haha yeah, that could maybe potentially probably be the issue. Just maybe.
Couldn't you ODIN back to an older baseband version and then try to flash CM12?
Lockett said:
Couldn't you ODIN back to an older baseband version and then try to flash CM12?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, in order to get CM, you'll need to be on MDK. Samsung prevents downgrading.
btw. the baseband version doesn't matter much. Its the bootloader version that is the toughie.
Boo! I just picked up my S4 yesterday after a 5 month run of using Windows Phone so I'm trying to figure this phone out. I'm on NK1 and trying to figure out how to root now.
vaindil where did you find a VRUFNK1 compatible version of Safestrip?
Hey. After spending hours trying to discover a working method to root my Verizon Samsung Galaxy S4, I've succeeded. Now, I want to try to install some sort of bootloader like TWRP or something so I can install a custom ROM. What do I install and HOW do I install a bootloader? I'm confused. I also want to install the the latest CyanogenMod for it. I think I can do that on my own after getting a bootloader installed on my phone, but what file am I supposed to be installing is the question. Thank you for any and all help. This is my first smartphone, so I'm trying to figure this out.
GogoplataMMA said:
Hey. After spending hours trying to discover a working method to root my Verizon Samsung Galaxy S4, I've succeeded. Now, I want to try to install some sort of bootloader like TWRP or something so I can install a custom ROM. What do I install and HOW do I install a bootloader? I'm confused. I also want to install the the latest CyanogenMod for it. I think I can do that on my own after getting a bootloader installed on my phone, but what file am I supposed to be installing is the question. Thank you for any and all help. This is my first smartphone, so I'm trying to figure this out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right now the bootloader is still locked down for the Verizon (unless your phone is on the MDK bootloader). So unfortunately you won't be able to do more than root the phone. You can use Safestrap to use some ROMs, but I don't think CM exists for the Verizon S4.
toaster22 said:
Right now the bootloader is still locked down for the Verizon (unless your phone is on the MDK bootloader). So unfortunately you won't be able to do more than root the phone. You can use Safestrap to use some ROMs, but I don't think CM exists for the Verizon S4.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh, that's a shame. I was looking forward to this part. I wondered why I only found outdated information or a lack of information. I don't even know what a good ROM would be for this phone if there's no Cyanogen for it. Well I appreciate your reply very much. Thank you.
GogoplataMMA said:
Oh, that's a shame. I was looking forward to this part. I wondered why I only found outdated information or a lack of information. I don't even know what a good ROM would be for this phone if there's no Cyanogen for it. Well I appreciate your reply very much. Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a Cyanogen build for the Verizon GS4 but as mentioned, only for folks with the MDK bootloader. Only TouchWiz based roms can be used with SafeStrap - no AOSP based roms (yet).
To see what bootlader you are on, just go to ABOUT PHONE under settings.