Upgrade from MDK?? - Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4

Currently on Jelly Beans 7 with MDK and using TWRP recovery on my Verizon S4. I've been using this for so long without much desire to update..
Starting to get the urge to update again.
What am I missing staying on mdk 4.2.2?
And if I do decide to upgrade, is TWRP still the recovery of choice?
What's my upgrade path from here? Flash back to stock mdk and take OTA, or move directly to a rooted 4.3 ROM?
Sent from my SCH-I545 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Do not take an ota. You have the most desirable build #
Sent from my One using Tapatalk

tsitalon1 said:
Currently on Jelly Beans 7 with MDK and using TWRP recovery on my Verizon S4. I've been using this for so long without much desire to update..
Starting to get the urge to update again.
What am I missing staying on mdk 4.2.2?
And if I do decide to upgrade, is TWRP still the recovery of choice?
What's my upgrade path from here? Flash back to stock mdk and take OTA, or move directly to a rooted 4.3 ROM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree. I wouldn't take the OTA. There are 4.3 and 4.4 based ROMs that you can flash. Once you upgrade, you'll be stuck on whatever build Samsung issues (right now, that's 4.3).

tsitalon1 said:
And if I do decide to upgrade, is TWRP still the recovery of choice?
What's my upgrade path from here? Flash back to stock mdk and take OTA, or move directly to a rooted 4.3 ROM?
Sent from my SCH-I545 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should just flash a 4.3 ROM. Search the android development thread. There's no need to loose your unlocked bootloader.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

tsitalon1 said:
Currently on Jelly Beans 7 with MDK and using TWRP recovery on my Verizon S4. I've been using this for so long without much desire to update..
Starting to get the urge to update again.
What am I missing staying on mdk 4.2.2?
And if I do decide to upgrade, is TWRP still the recovery of choice?
What's my upgrade path from here? Flash back to stock mdk and take OTA, or move directly to a rooted 4.3 ROM?
Sent from my SCH-I545 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just flash a 4.3 ROM like Hyperdrive RLS13... You will be very happy.
gordo2212 said:
You should just flash a 4.3 ROM. Search the android development thread. There's no need to loose your unlocked bootloader.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
MDK doesn't have an unlocked bootloader... They just have an exploit that allows a workaround.

I agree with everyone above. Don't take the OTA. Since you have MDK you also have a custom recovery and can flash many ROMs. There are many flavors on 4.3 and 4.4 available currently. Read about them, the available features, and such. Then decide what you want.

OP: Should I upgrade from MDK??
XDA: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Fyar4wJ3-Y

We know the bootloader isn't actually unlicked on mdk.... I think that's just lamans terms so people know what they have lol. Seriously no offense to the op at all.... Its just amazing how some people are running custom recoveries and ROMs on MDK s4's and then think of taking ota's
Sent from my unknown using Tapatalk

Just in case OP is confused I want to clarify that MDK is the bootloader. You want to preserve that because it allows the installation of custom recoveries. This is separate from the baseband which may also be labeled MDK. You can always update your Radio baseband without losing root, however you would not want to do this with an OTA. You would want to download this from xda as a flashable zip.

Related

Verizon Builds

[EDITED BASED OFF FEEDBACK]
Its hard to gather what order and what defines each build for the Verizon Galaxy S4 without a lot of reading. So here is my understanding! Please correct and or add onto this!!!
MDK - Original Build, can replace recovery, rootable
ME7 - 2nd build, cannot replace recovery, rootable, SafeStrap support
MI1 - 3rd build, cannot replace recovery, rootable, Safestrap support (you can install any ME7, or MI1 roms)
MJ7 - 4th build, cannot replace recovery, rootable, Safestrap is not supported
MK? -
ktamlyn said:
Its hard to gather what order and what defines each build for the Verizon Galaxy S4 without a lot of reading. So here is my understanding! Please correct and or add onto this!!!
MDK - Original Build, can replace recovery, rootable
ME7 - 2nd build, cannot replace recovery, rootable, extensive SafeStrap support
MI1 - 3rd build, cannot replace recovery, rootable, limited Safestrap support due to limited ROM selection* (HyperDrive only?)
MJ7 - 4th build, cannot replace recovery, rootable, Safestrap is not supported
Is it true that you cannot run ME7 Roms on a MI1 device using Safestrap?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, You can run any ROM on MI1 that suports Safestrap on ME7 & is based on TouchWiz. You would just flash the MI1 kernel modules after you finish installing the ROM.
The only difference between ME7 and MI1 really is that screen rotation is broken on MI1 if you run a custom rom. Also MK2 is the newest build now.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Thanks this helped me greatly. Going to Odin back to MDK after reading this.
What are you on right now? You can't downgrade firmware.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
joshm.1219 said:
What are you on right now? You can't downgrade firmware.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just got a phone sent back from warranty and it's currently running on the MI1 firmware you can still used xposed framework and stuff if i were to root it right? Would you advise rooting now, or at what stage of firmware?
If you're in MI1 I wouldn't upgrade, it's the last build that you can still run safestrap on.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
joshm.1219 said:
If you're in MI1 I wouldn't upgrade, it's the last build that you can still run safestrap on.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So i can follow the MI1 root instructions and install safestrap , but will this void my warranty? i heard something about how something like a code change triggers a signal on their servers or something,to void warranty but is that with Knox?
Rooting your phone is technically voiding warranty, although there are ways to get back to complete stock. No servers are triggered and the rooting instructions will have you getrid of knox.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
joshm.1219 said:
Rooting your phone is technically voiding warranty, although there are ways to get back to complete stock. No servers are triggered and the rooting instructions will have you getrid of knox.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah, but there are "unroot" methods right? if i did that and had to use a warranty would they recognize it if i went back to stock recovery and unrooted? i've done a bit of research, only a little fuzzy now, jus cuz I started my saturday night a little early :victory: :good:

ME7 to stock help

I updated my phone from MDK to ME7 when I first purchased it. I also put a custom Google edition ROM 4.2 on it. I'm having trouble finding a guide that tells me how to go back to stock. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Sent from my GT-I9505G using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Graphene [x] said:
I updated my phone from MDK to ME7 when I first purchased it. I also put a custom Google edition ROM 4.2 on it. I'm having trouble finding a guide that tells me how to go back to stock. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Sent from my GT-I9505G using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you loki'd the phone...loaded a custom recovery to install a custom rom. ..?
safestrap enabled, Hyperdrive driven
I'm not sure what Loki means but I rooted my phone, put safe strap on it and installed a custom ROM.
Sent from my GT-I9505G using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Graphene [x] said:
I'm not sure what Loki means but I rooted my phone, put safe strap on it and installed a custom ROM.
Sent from my GT-I9505G using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok. That is what I'm checking. You can odin back to a stock me7
safestrap enabled, Hyperdrive driven
Graphene [x] said:
I'm not sure what Loki means but I rooted my phone, put safe strap on it and installed a custom ROM.
Sent from my GT-I9505G using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was actually just searching for a fix for my custom recovery lokid mdk phone. I flashed a stock 4.3 mk2 rom and all was well until i tried to flash an aroma mod that caused my phone to go into unauthorized software detected by verizon message on reboot.(it was in the verizon i545 section) thought I'd odin back to mdk and reroot, flash custom recovery, restore back up, etc but now i'm stuck in a stock verizon bootloop. ideas?
decaturbob said:
Ok. That is what I'm checking. You can odin back to a stock me7
safestrap enabled, Hyperdrive driven
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK thanks I'll give it a try tomorrow. I plan on selling my phone to get a new one and I just want it all on stock. After I flash with Odin will safe strap be removed or do I need to do something else to remove it?
Sent from my GT-I9505G using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Odin an emergency version that wipes the phone to remove all traces. Others just clear the system and don't touch data.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
thevance1 said:
I was actually just searching for a fix for my custom recovery lokid mdk phone. I flashed a stock 4.3 mk2 rom and all was well until i tried to flash an aroma mod that caused my phone to go into unauthorized software detected by verizon message on reboot.(it was in the verizon i545 section) thought I'd odin back to mdk and reroot, flash custom recovery, restore back up, etc but now i'm stuck in a stock verizon bootloop. ideas?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My first impression if you odined a mk2 stock rom, you have lost your mdk loki exploit.....you have locked your bootloader up. Thats my first impression as I really don't know much about S4 phones before ME7.
Since I started on MDK and updated to ME7 are you sure I need to flash the ME7 stock with Odin instead of MDK? I just want to make sure so I don't soft brick my phone.
Sent from my GT-I9505G using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
If you went up to me7 as an update and not flashable zip, then you cannot go to mdk. No. You have to go to me7.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Leaked 4.4.2 for ATT S4

There is leaked copy of 4.4.2 for ATT with new a new bootloader
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2624782&page=10
This is NOT to be flashed on the Verizon variant, because you know somebody out there is going to want to try.
Sent from my SCH-I545
Running it right now.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda premium
skrazz said:
this is not to be flashed on the verizon variant, because you know somebody out there is going to want to try.
Sent from my sch-i545
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
because people are stupid!!!!!!!!!!!
A new bootloader means there's a good chance we may soon be able to flash custom recovers right?
Sent from my SCH-I545 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
It is very doubtful unless they find an exploit that wasn't in the MK2 bootloader.
You can flash back to 4.3 after you flash this leak. It doesn't trip the qfuse. But once the official release is out that might change but yeah people on VZW should not flash this.
[email protected] said:
You can flash back to 4.3 after you flash this leak. It doesn't trip the qfuse. But once the official release is out that might change but yeah people on VZW should not flash this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This might be good news. If the kernel changed for 4.4 and you can flash back devs might find a work around.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

On ME7 - what's the "best" I can do in terms of getting to stock Android?

A lot of development since I first browsed here awhile ago. I'm on 4.2.2 and have no idea what to do.
I think the Eclipse ROM is compatible with SS for AOSP UI. Haven't used it myself though. I think you'd have to update to 4.3 for it though. Don't quote me on that.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app
What do you mean by you are on ME7.... are you on an ME7 based ROM? or are you on the official ME7 stock verizon build?
If you are rooted and not on an MDK bootloader then you will have to use safestrap and flash a safestrap safe ROM which there are a bunch now.
confusedman112 said:
A lot of development since I first browsed here awhile ago. I'm on 4.2.2 and have no idea what to do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do some reading...There are stickies in general section you need to read.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
confusedman112 said:
A lot of development since I first browsed here awhile ago. I'm on 4.2.2 and have no idea what to do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At this point if your not on an MDK s4 and are on the me7 stock firmware I'd suggest looking into updating your phone to MK2 then root it and install SafeStrap.
There are a lot of ROM options out now for that setup. Not really anymore being made for ME7 I don't believe.
Like they said though read up 1st so you know what you're getting into. And if you do decide to go that route just Odin MK2 on your phone... Nice an easy. This of course if you're NOT on an MDK based phone running an ME7 ROM
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Xparent Skyblue Tapatalk 2

Need info on upgrading nh7 to nk4

First i would like to say, Thanks for checking out my post. Now i have a question. I am running freezas rom and i have the nh7 firmware. How do i upgrade this to nk4?
Is it true i have to facyory reset my phone and run the ota update? If so it will not allow me to update, because my device had a custom rom. Also where can i find the nk4 tar file so i can odin it to my note 3?
Sent from my SM-N900P using Tapatalk
jhunt75 said:
First i would like to say, Thanks for checking out my post. Now i have a question. I am running freezas rom and i have the nh7 firmware. How do i upgrade this to nk4?
Is it true i have to facyory reset my phone and run the ota update? If so it will not allow me to update, because my device had a custom rom. Also where can i find the nk4 tar file so i can odin it to my note 3?
Sent from my SM-N900P using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you factory reset, then odin the nk4 update, you will be on official firmware. Odin will over-write your old system, giving you official status. This is how we all go from rooted roms to official in order to get updates.
Sent from my SM-N900P using XDA Free mobile app
Or wait for a dev to put out a rooted update. And lollipop is being sent out so maybe wait a little bit.
w7excursion said:
Or wait for a dev to put out a rooted update. And lollipop is being sent out so maybe wait a little bit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think I will wait on a developer as well.
Sent from my SM-N900P using Tapatalk

Categories

Resources