[Q] Currently on MI1 with a few Questions - Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4

Hi All,
I picked up an MI1 GS4 a month ago and after a few nights of scrolling through the forums I was able to get HD 10.2 loaded onto my phone via Safestrap. During the root process, I got a little bit a head of myself and flashed a custom recovery. After some research (and a presumed brick scare) I found that there is no way to get CWM recovery on the phone. While it's a major disappointment, it is what it is. So I have two questions:
So right now, my phone doesnt have a recovery and if I try to boot into it, it will go into Odin mode and give me some sort of an error. I assume I need to flash a new recovery through Odin, but am wondering if someone could point me in the direction of the correct file.
Is MJ7 the latest OTA from VZW? Should I wipe my device completely, go back to stock, and take the latest OTA? From what I am gathering, safestap is now working on MJ7, but I want to be sure that is what I will get to if I take the OTA. If I do want to take the OTA, how would I go about doing this and is the problem listed above an issue?
Thanks!

madtomatoes said:
Hi All,
I picked up an MI1 GS4 a month ago and after a few nights of scrolling through the forums I was able to get HD 10.2 loaded onto my phone via Safestrap. During the root process, I got a little bit a head of myself and flashed a custom recovery. After some research (and a presumed brick scare) I found that there is no way to get CWM recovery on the phone. While it's a major disappointment, it is what it is. So I have two questions:
So right now, my phone doesnt have a recovery and if I try to boot into it, it will go into Odin mode and give me some sort of an error. I assume I need to flash a new recovery through Odin, but am wondering if someone could point me in the direction of the correct file.
Is MJ7 the latest OTA from VZW? Should I wipe my device completely, go back to stock, and take the latest OTA? From what I am gathering, safestap is now working on MJ7, but I want to be sure that is what I will get to if I take the OTA. If I do want to take the OTA, how would I go about doing this and is the problem listed above an issue?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
safestrap is a recovery of sorts, so what you are saying, you rooted, installed safestrap, installed HD10.2 than installed a recovery on top of that like CWM? So you soft bricked your phone?
Your only recourse is odin the full wipe stock image back and start over.
I suggest a thorough reading of the forum threads here first so you know better what to do.
I have a guide in the general forum here that lists steps to go from ME7 to MJ7 and root, install safestrap 3.65 and HD11....I'm not sure how it would play with your MI1 base phone so proceed at your own risk

decaturbob said:
safestrap is a recovery of sorts, so what you are saying, you rooted, installed safestrap, installed HD10.2 than installed a recovery on top of that like CWM? So you soft bricked your phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The other way around. I first rooted and attempted to install CWM. After that failed, I read further and discoved that only MDK roms are truly unlocked. From that point, I installed safestrap and HD. My phone is functional right now, I just have no way of getting into the stock recovery.
It's my understanding that I will need to use Odin to flash the stock MI1 image. I just want to confirm what happens from there. After flashing the stock image, I will be stock MI1, unrooted, with the opportunity to OTA to MJ7 (?). From that point, I'll take the OTA, re-root, reinstall safestrap, and finally HD11/12. Is all of this correct?
Thanks

madtomatoes said:
The other way around. I first rooted and attempted to install CWM. After that failed, I read further and discoved that only MDK roms are truly unlocked. From that point, I installed safestrap and HD. My phone is functional right now, I just have no way of getting into the stock recovery.
It's my understanding that I will need to use Odin to flash the stock MI1 image. I just want to confirm what happens from there. After flashing the stock image, I will be stock MI1, unrooted, with the opportunity to OTA to MJ7 (?). From that point, I'll take the OTA, re-root, reinstall safestrap, and finally HD11/12. Is all of this correct?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that sounds about right. When you do HD12, be sure you have the safestrap version....

Related

[Q] ME7 with Unlocked Bootloader Upgrade to MJ7?

Hi,
So I have a SGS4 with ME7 and and unlocked bootloader. I am looking to upgrade to MJ7(4.3?) and be able to keep my full root. Is there a good way to do such a thing yet? Most info I see says MJ7 is only for safe strap, I have a custom recovery so I am not sure if it will work or if it is worth it. Please advise and help me....
Thank you in advance!!!
If you are on ME7 you only have safestrap, which is not available for MJ7. MJ7 upgrade while retaining root is covered in the general section of this site. There are files you need to download and first install MI1. There are no rom options but the benefit of a rom are little on ME7 as you can't get off TW and are stuck on 4.2.2 becaise of kernel limitations.
Read a bit but I took the update from ME7 after losing MDK due to insurance replacement. Only if you really have a custom recovery such as TWRP or CWM on MDK are you losing much.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
kdo23 said:
If you are on ME7 you only have safestrap, which is not available for MJ7. MJ7 upgrade while retaining root is covered in the general section of this site. There are files you need to download and first install MI1. There are no rom options but the benefit of a rom are little on ME7 as you can't get off TW and are stuck on 4.2.2 becaise of kernel limitations.
Read a bit but I took the update from ME7 after losing MDK due to insurance replacement. Only if you really have a custom recovery such as TWRP or CWM on MDK are you losing much.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have CWM Touch Recovery V1.0.3.5 with my ME7 phone so it sounds like I should probably not take the update... I am pretty sure I don't have safestrap. I was on MDK then updated to ME7 and kept my unlocked bootloader and root. I just wish there was a way I could get 4.3 or 4.4... I will keep reading and searching... Thank you.
sonnycohopie said:
I have CWM Touch Recovery V1.0.3.5 with my ME7 phone so it sounds like I should probably not take the update... I am pretty sure I don't have safestrap. I was on MDK then updated to ME7 and kept my unlocked bootloader and root. I just wish there was a way I could get 4.3 or 4.4... I will keep reading and searching... Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You updated the radio I take it? That will show you on ME7 but have the MDK bootloader. Thus leaving your TWRP intact.
So anyway, I'm looking for the same thing. Not happening right now
kdo23 said:
If you are on ME7 you only have safestrap, which is not available for MJ7. MJ7 upgrade while retaining root is covered in the general section of this site. There are files you need to download and first install MI1. There are no rom options but the benefit of a rom are little on ME7 as you can't get off TW and are stuck on 4.2.2 becaise of kernel limitations.
Read a bit but I took the update from ME7 after losing MDK due to insurance replacement. Only if you really have a custom recovery such as TWRP or CWM on MDK are you losing much.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Up until today I had ME7 *with* CWM Recovery. I have no idea how that happened but I think it had something to do with flashing Hyperdrive while I was on MDK. I flashed a ton of ROM's through CWM since having ME7. However, lately I started to have a few bugs that seemed to carry over even after flashing a new ROM (like intermittent boot loops) so I decided to go back to a factory image (without knowing the limitations of ME7). Since I was on ME7, my understanding is that I had to flash an ME7 factory image, which I did and *now* I can't get recovery back, aside from Safestrap. It's a bit of a bummer but I just wanted to post to point out that it is possible to have ME7 and a custom recovery, it just seems like it isn't possible to flash a custom recovery *after* you have ME7. If you got it, keep it.
Super Sam Galaxy said:
Up until today I had ME7 *with* CWM Recovery. I have no idea how that happened but I think it had something to do with flashing Hyperdrive while I was on MDK. I flashed a ton of ROM's through CWM since having ME7. However, lately I started to have a few bugs that seemed to carry over even after flashing a new ROM (like intermittent boot loops) so I decided to go back to a factory image (without knowing the limitations of ME7). Since I was on ME7, my understanding is that I had to flash an ME7 factory image, which I did and *now* I can't get recovery back, aside from Safestrap. It's a bit of a bummer but I just wanted to post to point out that it is possible to have ME7 and a custom recovery, it just seems like it isn't possible to flash a custom recovery *after* you have ME7. If you got it, keep it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You didn't have stock me7 which was my meaning. You had an me7 rom I think is what you're saying.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
kdo23 said:
You didn't have stock me7 which was my meaning. You had an me7 rom I think is what you're saying.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, it wasn't stock ME7 for sure. I think it changed to ME7 when I first flashed Hyperdrive, but was that way for a while on every ROM I flashed after Hyperdrive so whatever change Hyperdrive made seemed to be permanent. Or else I may have just been flashing ROM's that were ME7 by coincidence - do all ROM's explicitly set the baseband or do some just use whatever is already on the device? I don't really understand basebands too well. Anyway, sorry about the mix-up, I wasn't aware you were referring to stock. I sure hope that someone is able to figure out a workaround that allows for a custom recovery because I really like KitKat and I suppose we won't be seeing any TW based KitKat ROM's until Samsung releases an update first. My understanding is that Safestrap only works with TW.
I find a certain degree of irony in the fact that I've never permanently damaged a device when rooting or flashing ROM's (which is pretty good for a noob like me), yet I've done something even worse just by inadvertently allowing an update that came straight from the manufacturer! Why do they have to make things so complicated? :crying:
Super Sam Galaxy said:
Well, it wasn't stock ME7 for sure. I think it changed to ME7 when I first flashed Hyperdrive, but was that way for a while on every ROM I flashed after Hyperdrive so whatever change Hyperdrive made seemed to be permanent. Or else I may have just been flashing ROM's that were ME7 by coincidence - do all ROM's explicitly set the baseband or do some just use whatever is already on the device? I don't really understand basebands too well. Anyway, sorry about the mix-up, I wasn't aware you were referring to stock. I sure hope that someone is able to figure out a workaround that allows for a custom recovery because I really like KitKat and I suppose we won't be seeing any TW based KitKat ROM's until Samsung releases an update first. My understanding is that Safestrap only works with TW.
I find a certain degree of irony in the fact that I've never permanently damaged a device when rooting or flashing ROM's (which is pretty good for a noob like me), yet I've done something even worse just by inadvertently allowing an update that came straight from the manufacturer! Why do they have to make things so complicated? :crying:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Baseband is separate, your rom base is what we were referring to. The baseband change happened with a file you flashed for sure but likely not hyperdrive but a radio file. With a custom recovery you could have had mj7 baseband and custom recovery. Look at build number in the future.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
Edit: build number can change too with a rom. Mdk is the only starting stock firmware which can be exploited to allow a custom recovery. Since you had one it meant you rooted on mdk and should not have odined to a later release.
Super Sam Galaxy said:
Up until today I had ME7 *with* CWM Recovery. I have no idea how that happened but I think it had something to do with flashing Hyperdrive while I was on MDK. I flashed a ton of ROM's through CWM since having ME7. However, lately I started to have a few bugs that seemed to carry over even after flashing a new ROM (like intermittent boot loops) so I decided to go back to a factory image (without knowing the limitations of ME7). Since I was on ME7, my understanding is that I had to flash an ME7 factory image, which I did and *now* I can't get recovery back, aside from Safestrap. It's a bit of a bummer but I just wanted to post to point out that it is possible to have ME7 and a custom recovery, it just seems like it isn't possible to flash a custom recovery *after* you have ME7. If you got it, keep it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Absolutely impossible to have a custom recovery on an ME7 boot loader. You could've flashed a ME7 radio or a ME7 based rom such as HyperDrive but your boot loader is still MDK. Which is why you lost your recovery, you flashed the wrong factory image.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
kdo23 said:
Baseband is separate, your rom base is what we were referring to. The baseband change happened with a file you flashed for sure but likely not hyperdrive but a radio file. With a custom recovery you could have had mj7 baseband and custom recovery. Look at build number in the future.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
Edit: build number can change too with a rom. Mdk is the only starting stock firmware which can be exploited to allow a custom recovery. Since you had one it meant you rooted on mdk and should not have odined to a later release.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I figured out the part about not flashing to a later release after the fact, unfortunately. It was simply a matter of not thoroughly researching and it's a pretty big bummer now because I can't flash! But I suppose worse things can come of not researching, like bricking and thankfully that hasn't happened yet (though I'm certainly going go be more careful in the future). Thanks for explaining about all the baseband/radio stuff, that is a bit over my head. Sure hope an exploit for ME7 (or a way to revert to MDK) is found soon, though from the sound of it that isn't likely.

[Q] Can't boot into any recovery, phone still works

After looking through some of the threads, I think I have a slightly unique situation.
I got my S4 through swappa, and it was already on MK2. I rooted using motochopper and installed safe strap, and that worked (when booting, I could get into the options screen mess with stuff, etc). I didn't install any ROMS since there weren't any I was interested in besides cyanogenmod
In my attempt to install cyanogen mod, I tried installing another recovery, I think TWRP. That earned me the unlocked symbol when booting, and I was stuck in a weird boot loop for a while. I started researching flashing a clean ROM onto my phone, but lo and behold, it actually fixed it's own boot loop and started up again.
That was a month or two ago, before the NC5 4.4.2 update. I decided since it had resurrected itself I would just wait for a bit and see what other tools came out.
After the 4.4.2 update came out, I ignored it for a bit. I tried installing the OTA update once and it went through it's song and dance and after it rebooted it said it couldn't complete the update so nothing was changed. I assume that is because it's rooted? I didn't really force uninstall any apps, I just disabled them through the included app manager.
So where I'm at now is I'm still on MK2, I can't install the OTA update, everytime I reboot my phone I get the unlock symbol and it says "Recovery Booting..." in blue letters at the top, but it never boots into any sort of recovery.
I have tried installing safe strap again and the safe strap app says "State: Installed" but when I reboot it says that recovery booting thing, and then just boots into the regular phone. I don't see the safe strap logo or button options at all.
Where can I go from here? Ideally I'd like to get on a custom ROM that's on the rootgalaxys4 website (it won't let me post links) but I don't know if I have the MDK bootloader, or even what my recovery situation is.
If anyone could help shed some light on this, it would be much appreciated!
Install phone info from play store. ..If you have mk2...bootloader and firmware I have no idea how you got a cm base rom loaded....As for taking an OTA. ..you have to be 100% stock...no root..nothing frozen.
sent by bajarom v2.2 kitkat
decaturbob said:
Install phone info from play store. ..If you have mk2...bootloader and firmware I have no idea how you got a cm base rom loaded....As for taking an OTA. ..you have to be 100% stock...no root..nothing frozen.
sent by bajarom v2.2 kitkat
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I actually don't have a CM base rom loaded, sorry if I made it sound like that. I am still on 4.3 stock w/ root. I wanted a CM ROM, and it seemed like I couldn't do it through safe strap so I tried to put TWRP recovery on there and I got boot-looped (which ended up fixing itself). Now I am trying to figure out how to get a recovery on there, and what my ROM options are (if I can get to 4.4.2 rooted, I would be happy).
I got the phone info program, is there any specific info you wanted off of there?
It says bootloader version I545VRUEMK2, baseband is same
apefist said:
I actually don't have a CM base rom loaded, sorry if I made it sound like that. I am still on 4.3 stock w/ root. I wanted a CM ROM, and it seemed like I couldn't do it through safe strap so I tried to put TWRP recovery on there and I got boot-looped (which ended up fixing itself). Now I am trying to figure out how to get a recovery on there, and what my ROM options are (if I can get to 4.4.2 rooted, I would be happy).
I got the phone info program, is there any specific info you wanted off of there?
It says bootloader version I545VRUEMK2, baseband is same
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your ONLY option for recovery is Safestrap. You can ONLY install Touchwiz based Roms.
There are a lot of threads in the General and Development sections you should check out before you go any further. I would link them for you, but I'm on my way out. Good luck.
riker147 said:
Your ONLY option for recovery is Safestrap. You can ONLY install Touchwiz based Roms.
There are a lot of threads in the General and Development sections you should check out before you go any further. I would link them for you, but I'm on my way out. Good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK, well then my current problem is even though I have the safestrap app installed, and the program reports safestrap recovery as being installed, I can't access it. There is no safe strap screen while booting or button options, and even if I do the forced boot into recovery (press power+vol up+home at the same time and hold until you see the "Recovery Booting" message) it just boots to the normal phone every time.
Also worth noting is for every boot, no matter how i start it, it says "Recovery booting" at the top, but never boots into recovery. I have tried uninstalling safe strap recovery through the safe strap app and re-installing but it is the same thing.
apefist said:
After looking through some of the threads, I think I have a slightly unique situation.
I got my S4 through swappa, and it was already on MK2. I rooted using motochopper and installed safe strap, and that worked (when booting, I could get into the options screen mess with stuff, etc). I didn't install any ROMS since there weren't any I was interested in besides cyanogenmod
In my attempt to install cyanogen mod, I tried installing another recovery, I think TWRP. That earned me the unlocked symbol when booting, and I was stuck in a weird boot loop for a while. I started researching flashing a clean ROM onto my phone, but lo and behold, it actually fixed it's own boot loop and started up again.
That was a month or two ago, before the NC5 4.4.2 update. I decided since it had resurrected itself I would just wait for a bit and see what other tools came out.
After the 4.4.2 update came out, I ignored it for a bit. I tried installing the OTA update once and it went through it's song and dance and after it rebooted it said it couldn't complete the update so nothing was changed. I assume that is because it's rooted? I didn't really force uninstall any apps, I just disabled them through the included app manager.
So where I'm at now is I'm still on MK2, I can't install the OTA update, everytime I reboot my phone I get the unlock symbol and it says "Recovery Booting..." in blue letters at the top, but it never boots into any sort of recovery.
I have tried installing safe strap again and the safe strap app says "State: Installed" but when I reboot it says that recovery booting thing, and then just boots into the regular phone. I don't see the safe strap logo or button options at all.
Where can I go from here? Ideally I'd like to get on a custom ROM that's on the rootgalaxys4 website (it won't let me post links) but I don't know if I have the MDK bootloader, or even what my recovery situation is.
If anyone could help shed some light on this, it would be much appreciated!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is really hard to follow.
You can't root MK2 with motochopper, only MDK. Try installing the "Phone INFO *Samsung*" app from the app store to figure out what bootloader and baseband you actually have.
You can't install an OTA update if critical system files are modified, so you'll need to re-flash to a stock ROM to do that. But if it's really MDK, you do not want to allow any OTAs to upgrade your bootloader.
k1mu said:
This is really hard to follow.
You can't root MK2 with motochopper, only MDK. Try installing the "Phone INFO *Samsung*" app from the app store to figure out what bootloader and baseband you actually have.
You can't install an OTA update if critical system files are modified, so you'll need to re-flash to a stock ROM to do that. But if it's really MDK, you do not want to allow any OTAs to upgrade your bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, ok, I did the root a while ago, so I think I mixed up which one I had used, I believe it was SafeRoot via this thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2565758
Someone earlier suggested installing the phone info app above, so I checked it and it says I545VRUEMK2 for both bootloader and baseband.
The OTA update thing was just me trying to provide as much info as possible, I don't really want to do the OTA update because it seems like it removes root, and there is no good way to get it back on NC5.
At this point I would like to install some kind of rooted ROM, but I can't get into any sort of recovery. Safe Strap says it is installed but I can't boot into it.
Would the next step be to reflash a stock recovery? Is there some way to do that?
apefist said:
Ah, ok, I did the root a while ago, so I think I mixed up which one I had used, I believe it was SafeRoot via this thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2565758
Someone earlier suggested installing the phone info app above, so I checked it and it says I545VRUEMK2 for both bootloader and baseband.
The OTA update thing was just me trying to provide as much info as possible, I don't really want to do the OTA update because it seems like it removes root, and there is no good way to get it back on NC5.
At this point I would like to install some kind of rooted ROM, but I can't get into any sort of recovery. Safe Strap says it is installed but I can't boot into it.
Would the next step be to reflash a stock recovery? Is there some way to do that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Installing safestrap is a 2 step process. Did u do both steps?
sent by bajarom v2.2 kitkat
decaturbob said:
Installing safestrap is a 2 step process. Did u do both steps?
sent by bajarom v2.2 kitkat
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If the two steps are:
1: Install the safestrap app (v3.71)
2: Go into the app and install the recovery.
In the app the recovery is listed as "Installed"
apefist said:
If the two steps are:
1: Install the safestrap app (v3.71)
2: Go into the app and install the recovery.
In the app the recovery is listed as "Installed"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok buddy you want to upgrade i take it?
click on the thread in my signature and download the 1st file listed called the COMPLETE PACKAGE it has everything you need.
you'll start tho by reflashing MK2 system through Odin then rerooting via Saferoot then reinstall Safestrap. Then the 4.4.2 ROM you want to use then reboot to Odin/Download mode and flash any of my NC2/NC5 1 File Upgrade packages. This is the easiest and most simplistic way to help you get to where you want to go. This will also keep your bootloaders at MK2 and your KNOX intact at 0x0! THE COMPLETE PACKAGE has all the modules, safestrap, supersu ect then if you have any questions the guys or me in the thread will help u. altho if you really do have CM running on your phone take screenshots I've tried porting to work with 4.3 and altho i can get two AOSP roms working I've never gotten close with CM it needs a custom kernel which is something we cannot use with our locked bootloader. only AOSP/GE Roms that will work for 4.4.2 or 4.3 are ones that are compatible with the stock 4.3 or 4.4.2 kernels theres a thread in the development section for that subject as well.

So if I'm on NC5, me7 base, no CM for me?

I just recently rooted and flashed CM11 on my little brothers phone because well.. I could.. So yeah I basically had to! But I would kiiiillll for baseband MDK at the moment. Is their any way to get that? Or at least get CM on a me7, Other than looking to buy an old phone..
Nope
Unfortunately CM is out of reach for you. In order to run it you must have the MDK bootloader. It is the only one that can be exploited (via loki) to allow the installation of a custom recovery such as CWM or TWRP. Without one of those you cannot flash CM. Safestrap will not allow the use of CM.
Does that mean, if I Odin back MDK and take the Loki approach - can I install CM11 then?
You are unable to Odin back to MDK once you have upgraded.
jmgib said:
You are unable to Odin back to MDK once you have upgraded.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is correct. And if you do try at best the process will fail and you will reboot to where you were before, worse case you risk bricking your device.

[Q] Installing TWRP on jfltevzw 4.4.2 (NC5)

I was one of the idiots that accidentally upgraded to the newest firmware when it first came out. My device is totally rooted, but I've been reading that I'm required to use things such as SafeStrap or Loki to install custom roms. I'm not sure if this is still the case as its been months since this was discovered. I've been trying to search the forums extensively for a fix, but I've been unable to find one. One thing I came across: here seems to be a very simple way to install TWRP on the Galaxy S4, however, I don't wan to run the risk of bricking my phone and being SOL because I have ****ty firmware and no way to custom recover my phone.
Point blank, would I be able to install TWRP manager via GooManager given that I've updated to NC5? Or even if not, what are my options for custom recovery/roms? End game, I want to walk away with 5.0.1 GPE or Cyanogenmod 12. Hopefully.
I'd really appreciate any and all help. Attached is a screenshot of my phone information.
zQueal said:
I was one of the idiots that accidentally upgraded to the newest firmware when it first came out. My device is totally rooted, but I've been reading that I'm required to use things such as SafeStrap or Loki to install custom roms. I'm not sure if this is still the case as its been months since this was discovered. I've been trying to search the forums extensively for a fix, but I've been unable to find one. One thing I came across: here seems to be a very simple way to install TWRP on the Galaxy S4, however, I don't wan to run the risk of bricking my phone and being SOL because I have ****ty firmware and no way to custom recover my phone.
Point blank, would I be able to install TWRP manager via GooManager given that I've updated to NC5? Or even if not, what are my options for custom recovery/roms? End game, I want to walk away with 5.0.1 GPE or Cyanogenmod 12. Hopefully.
I'd really appreciate any and all help. Attached is a screenshot of my phone information.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Once you updated to anything past MDK there's no going back . Safestrap is the only option to install Touchwiz ROMS.
scrillakev said:
Once you updated to anything past MDK there's no going back . Safestrap is the only option to install Touchwiz ROMS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Damn! That's what I figured. I followed [this guide](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLHZfPwLkPM) and installed the SafeStrap APK, but stopped at the "install recovery" step. I've been reading that this can soft brick your phone. Do you have any input? Is it safe to do? If it does brick my phone will I be able to factory reset with Odin?
Sorry for the barrage of questions, I'm a bit of a noob.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
EDIT:
Well, I decided to go ahead with it. It worked fine. I rebooted to SafeStrap and went right to do a backup. It failed. I tried to reboot into my stock rom, and it was 0MB. I really might blow up Verizon HQ.
zQueal said:
Damn! That's what I figured. I followed [this guide](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLHZfPwLkPM) and installed the SafeStrap APK, but stopped at the "install recovery" step. I've been reading that this can soft brick your phone. Do you have any input? Is it safe to do? If it does brick my phone will I be able to factory reset with Odin?
Sorry for the barrage of questions, I'm a bit of a noob.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
EDIT:
Well, I decided to go ahead with it. It worked fine. I rebooted to SafeStrap and went right to do a backup. It failed. I tried to reboot into my stock rom, and it was 0MB. I really might blow up Verizon HQ.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I never used SafeStrap so I doubt I will be much help. But once you rebooted your stock ROM is no longer there? Might have to just flash a stock image via ODIN and try again. Verizon isn't going to help you either with modding your phone, XDA is the place to be.
Has there been anything new since this thread was posted or is it impossible still?
mcbeat257 said:
Has there been anything new since this thread was posted or is it impossible still?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry buddy you're SOL
Sent from my SCH-I545 using XDA Free mobile app
If you are rooted use a terminal editor app and type:
getprop ro.bootloader
If it says anything other than I545VRUAMDK your only choice is SafeStrap.
That means if you bought an S4 and it came with MK1, NC5, NK1, or anything other than MDK you cannot flash a custom recovery. The same applies if you took an OTA from VZW. This has been stated 1000's of times here.
Hint:
Look on the box that your S4 came in and read the last three characters where it says what build the phone has.
mcbeat257 said:
Has there been anything new since this thread was posted or is it impossible still?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Keep checking up on SS they are working on the ability to also use custom kernels on top which would make it essentially as efficient as a custom recovery, with some storage loss.
safestrap version
Well, I decided to go ahead with it. It worked fine. I rebooted to SafeStrap and went right to do a backup. It failed. I tried to reboot into my stock rom, and it was 0MB. I really might blow up Verizon HQ.[/QUOTE]
***Make sure you are using the correct version of safestrap for your current baseband
another good app from the google play store to download is samsung info
I have used safestrap in the past as I was in the same scenario as you. I currently now have a MDK phone
Illogi.xbone said:
Keep checking up on SS they are working on the ability to also use custom kernels on top which would make it essentially as efficient as a custom recovery, with some storage loss.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How come they haven't been able to unlock the bootloader when only the build version is changing......
There should have been an exploit awhile ago....and why haven't they made an odin option for MDK yet?
mcbeat257 said:
How come they haven't been able to unlock the bootloader when only the build version is changing......
There should have been an exploit awhile ago....and why haven't they made an odin option for MDK yet?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The exploit was weeded out after MDK
Sent from my SCH-I545 using XDA Free mobile app
The bootloader was never "unlocked" on MDK, there was just an exploit available that allowed the installation of a custom recovery. That exploit was closed in the first update from MDK and a new one has not been discovered. The bootloader itself has some pretty strong encryption so it may never be unlocked.

[Q] Help, I think I bricked my phone

I rooted my s4 and installed twrp a long time ago used the phone for a little while then stashed it away. It had the following rom installed I545VRVFNC5 stock root oder I believe it was 4.4.2. The other night I installed flash fire and attempted to flash I545_OC1_Stock_rooted_rom mdk. It flashed ok but now I'm getting the verizon warning message and I can't bypass. I can no longer boot into twrp. I think the bootloader is still unlocked, padlock is unlocked upon boot. How do I get myself out of this message?
looneyk said:
I rooted my s4 and installed twrp a long time ago used the phone for a little while then stashed it away. It had the following rom installed I545VRVFNC5 stock root oder I believe it was 4.4.2. The other night I installed flash fire and attempted to flash I545_OC1_Stock_rooted_rom mdk. It flashed ok but now I'm getting the verizon warning message and I can't bypass. I can no longer boot into twrp. I think the bootloader is still unlocked, padlock is unlocked upon boot. How do I get myself out of this message?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try to Odin back to MDK, if you had TWRP... If that doesn't work, nc5. You can't do custom ROM's like Cynanogenmod, but you have a limited amount of freedom with safestrap.
looneyk said:
I rooted my s4 and installed twrp a long time ago used the phone for a little while then stashed it away. It had the following rom installed I545VRVFNC5 stock root oder I believe it was 4.4.2. The other night I installed flash fire and attempted to flash I545_OC1_Stock_rooted_rom mdk. It flashed ok but now I'm getting the verizon warning message and I can't bypass. I can no longer boot into twrp. I think the bootloader is still unlocked, padlock is unlocked upon boot. How do I get myself out of this message?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The open padlock means the firmware you have installed is custom and not stock, doesn't mean your boot loader is unlocked. I would simply boot into download mode and re-image your device back to MDK, if that's where you were. What's your current boot loader version?
looneyk said:
I rooted my s4 and installed twrp a long time ago used the phone for a little while then stashed it away. It had the following rom installed I545VRVFNC5 stock root oder I believe it was 4.4.2. The other night I installed flash fire and attempted to flash I545_OC1_Stock_rooted_rom mdk. It flashed ok but now I'm getting the verizon warning message and I can't bypass. I can no longer boot into twrp. I think the bootloader is still unlocked, padlock is unlocked upon boot. How do I get myself out of this message?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my SCH-I545
SnyderGuy said:
The open padlock means the firmware you have installed is custom and not stock, doesn't mean your boot loader is unlocked. I would simply boot into download mode and re-image your device back to MDK, if that's where you were. What's your current boot loader version?
Sent from my SCH-I545
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am using an MDK S4.
I can bit to room, but cannot reboot to recovery.
Corrupted recovery after update via TWRP app.
How exactly, do I re-image my device back to MDK?
Do I use this stock MDK ROM? http://forum.xda-developers.com/gal...ment/rom-i545oc1-5-0-1-100-stock-mdk-t3097902
Do I put it in the BL or AP box in ODIN?
No, that is a ROM. You need the stock official software.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2289325
SHOULD be that one...
Put that in AP
XxD34THxX said:
No, that is a ROM. You need the stock official software.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2289325
SHOULD be that one...
Put that in AP
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just read it all. Looks like fun!
I sure would like to know what I did wrong. I only used the TWRP app to update TWRP.
pizza_pablo said:
I just read it all. Looks like fun!
I sure would like to know what I did wrong. I only used the TWRP app to update TWRP.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That I cannot answer since I do not have MDK. My assumption is a corrupted download of TWRP or a partial install that was interrupted for some reason.
XxD34THxX said:
That I cannot answer since I do not have MDK. My assumption is a corrupted download of TWRP or a partial install that was interrupted for some reason.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That may have been the case, since my connection was weak.
I'm just about to do the deed and I checked phone info and the bootloader is now I545VRUFNK4, vice MDK.
Here I go....
Well....I tried these to .tar files with no luck:
http://www.rwilco12.com/downloads.p...Galaxy S4 (Verizon) (SCH-I545)/Stock ROMs/TAR
https://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=22979706399752783
I did get the "Firmware upgrade encountered an issue. Please select recovery mode in Kies & try again."
Now, I no longer have the option to cancel Download Mode and bot ROM.
I didn't want to do anything in Kies, for fear of taking an OTA.
Do I have any options?
Even just taking an OTA and selling a former MDK treasure?
This seems to be happening a lot. A LOT. Before you try kies, go into device manager and uninstall the Samsung USB drivers. Then download the DRIVERS ONLY from Sammobile/Samsung. THEN use Odin with a full wipe and repartition of MDK. If you get the same message again, then you have lost the MDK bootloader, and will have to repeat the process with an nc5 tar, which will loose custom ROMs, but you will have root and safestrap.
XxD34THxX said:
This seems to be happening a lot. A LOT. Before you try kies, go into device manager and uninstall the Samsung USB drivers. Then download the DRIVERS ONLY from Sammobile/Samsung. THEN use Odin with a full wipe and repartition of MDK. If you get the same message again, then you have lost the MDK bootloader, and will have to repeat the process with an nc5 tar, which will loose custom ROMs, but you will have root and safestrap.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK. So I am going to uninstall Kies, just for safety sake. Uninstall the Samsung PC drivers. Reinstall the PC drivers.
Use ODIN to flash this http://www.rwilco12.com/downloads.php?dir=Files/Devices/Samsung%20Galaxy%20S4%20%28Verizon%29%20%28SCH-I545%29/Stock%20ROMs/TAR in the AP box. Sacrifice a chicken and dance with snakes.
What do you think may have caused the bootloader to change?
At this point I guess any use of the phone will be a positive and somehow retaining MDK will be a miracle.
Thanks, for your assistance, as I am at a loss, at this point!
that is a .gz, so make sure to unip it/ delete that extension so Odin can use it.
My assumption is you may have accidently flashed the entire nk4, not just one with the MDK stuff still in.
XxD34THxX said:
that is a .gz, so make sure to unip it/ delete that extension so Odin can use it.
My assumption is you may have accidently flashed the entire nk4, not just one with the MDK stuff still in.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used the link file, from my last post.
After I unzip it, delete the " .gz "
Got it. Thanks, again!
XxD34THxX said:
that is a .gz, so make sure to unip it/ delete that extension so Odin can use it.
My assumption is you may have accidently flashed the entire nk4, not just one with the MDK stuff still in.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So I just looked at the computer file and there was no .gz extention on the file I flashed thru ODIN.
It was not zipped, either.
On the xda page that you link, there was another choice on thier link. It was titled "one click". It is an .exe, titled "SCH-I545_MDK_562219_Stock_Restore.exe" .
What could ODIN do with this?
The other file I found, that I tried, but no change, was titled "VRUAMDK_NoWipe.tar.md5" .
Do you have any other suggestions,please?
Use the Full wipe in this thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2301259
If that does not fix anything you have either
A)Hard Brick(unlikely since the device is semi-working)
B) lost MDK.
XxD34THxX said:
Use the Full wipe in this thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2301259
If that does not fix anything you have either
A)Hard Brick(unlikely since the device is semi-working)
B) lost MDK.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used this one, the other night, with no change, but this time I will delete Kies and phone drivers, then reinstall phone drivers, before ODIN.
You're a champ!
XxD34THxX said:
Use the Full wipe in this thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2301259
If that does not fix anything you have either
A)Hard Brick(unlikely since the device is semi-working)
B) lost MDK.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do I remove the .md5 extension as well as the .gz and just leave the .tar on the end?
ETA: Well, I tried removing both extensions and ODIN would not take it. Received error pop up.
I tried, with no success, ODIN flashing the full wipe and no wipe tars, with no success.
Giving up for the night.
XxD34THxX said:
This seems to be happening a lot. A LOT. Before you try kies, go into device manager and uninstall the Samsung USB drivers. Then download the DRIVERS ONLY from Sammobile/Samsung. THEN use Odin with a full wipe and repartition of MDK. If you get the same message again, then you have lost the MDK bootloader, and will have to repeat the process with an nc5 tar, which will loose custom ROMs, but you will have root and safestrap.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I woke up in the middle of the night and something popped into my head and I couldn't get back to sleep, so here we go....
The phone was on Echoe v49 which is Lollipop and I didn't like it. So I decided to go to the last Echoe version that was KitKat, v34.
I flashed this https://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=95747613655044521 Which apparently is T-Mobile based, and the v20 international patch.
What popped into my head was that maybe my phone was thinking it was a T-Mobile S4, because I picked the wrong kernel. At the time everything seemed to work, except sending SMS. I could make phone calls and receive SMS.
This is was got me out of bed. I went to my notes for the Aroma install, to see what kernel I chose. I recalled picking the stock kernel, which may have been T-Mobile, but my notes say that I picked KTOONES kerenel in Aroma and in the Patcher, picked ADD VZW FILES AND BUILD PROP and NO KERNEL.
I was thinking that I had put a VZW version of TWRP onto a "T-Mobile" S4, getting me stuck to bootup in Download mode only, but still able to cancel Download and boot to system. Then I ODINed the VZW MDK stock firmware and am now with either Download mode or the yellow PC connected to phone screen, with the "Firmware upgrade encountered an issue. Please select recovery mode in Kies & try again."
I woke up thinking that maybe I had a T=mobile kernel and when I lost TWRP and only had stock recovery, downloaded the VZW version of TWRP on top of T=Mobile install. But the note makes it look like I would have been OK as far as the phone thinking it was a VZW S4.
Sorry if rambling, just trying to pass as many details and thoughts as possible.
Do I have any options, now?
I downloaded the stuff to do Heimdall One Click and was thinking about trying that route, with a file named "SCH-I545_MDK_562219_Stock_Restore.exe"
I have a 32GB MDK VZW SCH-i545 S4 that is running fine on ECHOE v29. Can I copy anything from that phone and flash in ODIN to recover the 16GB (was MDK) VZW SCH-i545 that is stuck on Download mode only?
Is there any way to flash a NANDROID via ODIN or some other program from a PC thru ODIN?
hmmm.. The Ktoonez kernal works on any s4. But if you flashed T mobile Files, which I don't think was the case since you flashed the Verizon stuff... I have never used Heimdall, so I can't comment on that. I don't know what to say. There might be a way to make a debrick image... Someone more experienced will have to help, sorry.
XxD34THxX said:
hmmm.. The Ktoonez kernal works on any s4. But if you flashed T mobile Files, which I don't think was the case since you flashed the Verizon stuff... I have never used Heimdall, so I can't comment on that. I don't know what to say. There might be a way to make a debrick image... Someone more experienced will have to help, sorry.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No need to apologize! You have helped all you can. I appreciate it greatly!
I just want to ensure that I exhaust ALL possibilities of recovering the MDK, before I throw in the Kies upgrade towel.
I wonder if I'll get in hot water for starting a new thread.....

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