Okay so I am a bit of a noob at flashing ROMs and such, but I really want to do it and get my Galaxy S4 (on verizon) as close to pure android as possible. I tried flashing three ROMs. The first was liquidsmooth got the right zip file and everything flashed it in ROM slot 3 on safestrap and went to reboot and it did not work, it came of with some trippy screen and did not load. I then tried flashing Hyperdrive but did this in the stock rom slot and that worked fine. So I tried doing the same thing with CyanogenMod flashing it in the stock rom slot and rebooting but it came up with the trippy screen just like it did when I tried flashing liquidsmooth.
I am a little bit of a noob with this stuff so some help would be great
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2702682
nincman said:
Okay so I am a bit of a noob at flashing ROMs and such, but I really want to do it and get my Galaxy S4 (on verizon) as close to pure android as possible. I tried flashing three ROMs. The first was liquidsmooth got the right zip file and everything flashed it in ROM slot 3 on safestrap and went to reboot and it did not work, it came of with some trippy screen and did not load. I then tried flashing Hyperdrive but did this in the stock rom slot and that worked fine. So I tried doing the same thing with CyanogenMod flashing it in the stock rom slot and rebooting but it came up with the trippy screen just like it did when I tried flashing liquidsmooth.
I am a little bit of a noob with this stuff so some help would be great
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you need to research what you can do and can not do....before you turn your phone into a door stop....
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2606501
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2630040
nincman said:
Okay so I am a bit of a noob at flashing ROMs and such, but I really want to do it and get my Galaxy S4 (on verizon) as close to pure android as possible. I tried flashing three ROMs. The first was liquidsmooth got the right zip file and everything flashed it in ROM slot 3 on safestrap and went to reboot and it did not work, it came of with some trippy screen and did not load. I then tried flashing Hyperdrive but did this in the stock rom slot and that worked fine. So I tried doing the same thing with CyanogenMod flashing it in the stock rom slot and rebooting but it came up with the trippy screen just like it did when I tried flashing liquidsmooth.
I am a little bit of a noob with this stuff so some help would be great
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well if nothing else maybe you'll get familiar with Odin lol
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
Thanks!
Mistertac said:
Well if nothing else maybe you'll get familiar with Odin lol
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for all of your help!:laugh:
decaturbob said:
you need to research what you can do and can not do....before you turn your phone into a door stop....
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2606501
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2630040
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So can u just use the normal SSv3.65 app after in rooted my S4 and just flash custom roms on different slots that are compatible with the Touch wiz kernal?
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
RECKLESS PAIN said:
So can u just use the normal SSv3.65 app after in rooted my S4 and just flash custom roms on different slots that are compatible with the Touch wiz kernal?
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you have to use the safestrap version for your firmware....
decaturbob said:
you have to use the safestrap version for your firmware....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh ok. And another thing is after I root my S4 (Mk2) it says Ill get some custom flag thing during boot up? What does that mean? And once I go to a Kit kat ROM can I go back to stock 4.3? Like if I put the ROM on Stock Slot and i wanna go back to Original stock like i am now. Any way i can do that?
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
I'm sure Decaturbob will also answer you but. .
The custom flag/splash screen just means your phone has detected that is been modified. No biggie at all.
And you're not going to be able to load a Kit Kat rom just yet. They are working on a way to do it I heard but for now you're only going to be able to run TW roms based off your current build MK2.
There is no down grading your stock rom either.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
RECKLESS PAIN said:
Oh ok. And another thing is after I root my S4 (Mk2) it says Ill get some custom flag thing during boot up? What does that mean?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's correct. The phone has an application that scans for modified system files and will detect that you're rooted. Then, when you boot, it'll show an image of an open padlock and the word "Custom" for a few seconds before continuing the boot.
Some people freak out over that. However, you don't have much choice here. If you want it rooted, then you're changing files on the ROM. That's customizing it, and will be detected. If you don't want it to show up as "Custom", then you want a factory stock device.
RECKLESS PAIN said:
And once I go to a Kit kat ROM can I go back to stock 4.3? Like if I put the ROM on Stock Slot and i wanna go back to Original stock like i am now. Any way i can do that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. First, it's fairly likely that taking the Kit Kat 4.4 update will fail if you've modified your phone. You'll need to return it to very close to stock for 4.4 to apply cleanly.
Second, if you go to Kit Kat, your phone will be unrooted, Safestrap recovery will be removed, and you'll be stuck with a kernel that currently is not rootable. If you have a Verizon or AT&T phone (or any other with a locked bootloader), you won't be able to root it at the moment, so won't be able to do anything else.
Once VZ releases 4.4, we'll work on ways to get past factory stock, but that's not guaranteed to be successful until we see what VZ gives us.
Edit: And no, once you've updated to Kit Kat, you can't downgrade to 4.3. You'll need to use ROMs compatible with the 4.4 kernel.
k1mu said:
That's correct. The phone has an application that scans for modified system files and will detect that you're rooted. Then, when you boot, it'll show an image of an open padlock and the word "Custom" for a few seconds before continuing the boot.
Some people freak out over that. However, you don't have much choice here. If you want it rooted, then you're changing files on the ROM. That's customizing it, and will be detected. If you don't want it to show up as "Custom", then you want a factory stock device.
No. First, it's fairly likely that taking the Kit Kat 4.4 update will fail if you've modified your phone. You'll need to return it to very close to stock for 4.4 to apply cleanly.
Second, if you go to Kit Kat, your phone will be unrooted, Safestrap recovery will be removed, and you'll be stuck with a kernel that currently is not rootable. If you have a Verizon or AT&T phone (or any other with a locked bootloader), you won't be able to root it at the moment, so won't be able to do anything else.
Once VZ releases 4.4, we'll work on ways to get past factory stock, but that's not guaranteed to be successful until we see what VZ gives us.
Edit: And no, once you've updated to Kit Kat, you can't downgrade to 4.3. You'll need to use ROMs compatible with the 4.4 kernel.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So right now since I got the Verizon Galaxy S4 (Mk2) there is no root for it? and would my safest thing to do is not even root it/ put custom ROM right? I just got it and it doesn't have insurance but I don't wanna mess up a great phone like this.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
RECKLESS PAIN said:
So right now since I got the Verizon Galaxy S4 (Mk2) there is no root for it? and would my safest thing to do is not even root it/ put custom ROM right? I just got it and it doesn't have insurance but I don't wanna mess up a great phone like this.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
MK2 can be rooted - click here.
Once rooted, you can install custom ROMs using Safestrap.
You really should, however, start here as that sticky thread will explain a lot of what you're asking.
Use eclipse 3.0 touchwiz. Almost AOSP
Search upgrade/downgrade safestrap and read and read again. I currently on NC2 and I am debating on trying downgrade but it seems very involved for the couple of AOSP rom that can be patched and used with safestrap and mk2. Still not sure whether I am willing to lose the WI - FI.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
Related
I rooted my phone a couple days back and tried to install a custom rom today. That was my first time rooting and today was my first time trying to install a custom rom. I just want to get it back to stock at this point. When i turn the phone on it sticks at the samsung galaxy note II logo. I can boot into odin mode but i cannot boot into recovery mode or the os. Ive tried flashing just the bootloader... ive tried just flashing the pda... ive tried flashing the pit, bootloader and pdaat the same time and Ive tried flashing just the bootloader and just the pda... im stuck any help would be much appreciatied. Its a verizon note 2 i used the toolkit method to root. If this has happend and been solved a point to the right thread would be great..... Ive seen people say to flash then wipe it and what not, really need a tutorial that abc's it since its my first time. I thought i had it when i used the toolkit to do the odin download + bootrecovery option but it says my phone is not in usb debugging mode and i cant boot into the os to turn it on.... Help please. Its a galaxy note 2 on verizon network the sch-1605 version.
You're just trying to return to stock, correct?
Read How to return to stock 4.1.1 Jelly Bean coming from any rom with Odin: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2024207
Watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9lA4qx2TAw
(make sure to add the Pit file in Odin along with the stock image)
Hopefully this should help you out. Feel free to ask questions if you need more info.
Thank you
roy5000x2 said:
You're just trying to return to stock, correct?
Read How to return to stock 4.1.1 Jelly Bean coming from any rom with Odin: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2024207
Watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9lA4qx2TAw
(make sure to add the Pit file in Odin along with the stock image)
Hopefully this should help you out. Feel free to ask questions if you need more info.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow your a life saver thank you for the information, used the return to stock from any rom worked great thx again
returning to older baseband
can the odin method be used to go back from 4.3 mj9 to an older version?
bohabaz said:
can the odin method be used to go back from 4.3 mj9 to an older version?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Why are people wanting to go back to 4.1 from 4.3? I saw a vast improvement in my note's performance and can't see a reason as to what you would be loosing/gaining by traveling back.
azrael888 said:
Why are people wanting to go back to 4.1 from 4.3? I saw a vast improvement in my note's performance and can't see a reason as to what you would be loosing/gaining by traveling back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can't unlock and get custom recovery on 4.3. You can get safestrap on 4.3 but no twrp
Sent from my HTC6525LVW using Tapatalk
wtoj34 said:
You can't unlock and get custom recovery on 4.3. You can get safestrap on 4.3 but no twrp
Sent from my HTC6525LVW using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have teamwin and was running custom roms of 4.4... basically i'm saying WHHHAAAAAT?! to your post...lol I guess I'll need to do some more research on the subject to actually sound competent...
azrael888 said:
I have teamwin and was running custom roms of 4.4... basically i'm saying WHHHAAAAAT?! to your post...lol I guess I'll need to do some more research on the subject to actually sound competent...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you accept the 4.3 OTA then you are unable yo use a tool like casual to unlock limiting you to safestrap
Sent from my HTC6525LVW using Tapatalk
wtoj34 said:
If you accept the 4.3 OTA then you are unable yo use a tool like casual to unlock limiting you to safestrap
Sent from my HTC6525LVW using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OOOO
I see. So accepting a verizon OTA unroots your phone and makes it so you can't put a custom bootloader on it anymore. That sucks. But if you never took the actual OTA then you are good to go with a bootloader is what you are basically sating?
azrael888 said:
OOOO
I see. So accepting a verizon OTA unroots your phone and makes it so you can't put a custom bootloader on it anymore. That sucks. But if you never took the actual OTA then you are good to go with a bootloader is what you are basically sating?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you were unlocked on 4.1.1 or 4.1.2 and did not accept the OTA you're fine
Sent from my HTC6525LVW using Tapatalk
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
Hello all and please forgive me if this has been asked before however being new to this phone I am uncertain of what exactly I am looking for here and am possibly halfway to the solution already. What I am wanting to do is install a custom recovery on my GS4 so that I can use an akop rom. I am unsure of the details or restrictions surrounding this as I have the SCH-I545 modle and it is on the MK2 baseband with kernel 3.4.0 (android 4.3). I was able to root the phone successfully using saferoot and I understand the bootloader is locked and that it may not be possible to install a custom recovery on the phone. Looking around in my searches I found something called Loki (https://github.com/djrbliss/loki) which I understand is for installing custom recovieries and kernels. Is this usable on my phone or do I need to use safestrap and do a dirty flash on my phone and keep both roms side by side? I would use safestrap however it seems restrictive in the fact that the 16gb model is not ideal to have 2+ roms installed on at the same time due to the size of the internal storage, while it also does sound appealing in the fact that it would be nearly impossible to brick the phone and seems like a wonderfully written program.
thanks for any input.
scristopher said:
Hello all and please forgive me if this has been asked before however being new to this phone I am uncertain of what exactly I am looking for here and am possibly halfway to the solution already. What I am wanting to do is install a custom recovery on my GS4 so that I can use an akop rom. I am unsure of the details or restrictions surrounding this as I have the SCH-I545 modle and it is on the MK2 baseband with kernel 3.4.0 (android 4.3). I was able to root the phone successfully using saferoot and I understand the bootloader is locked and that it may not be possible to install a custom recovery on the phone. Looking around in my searches I found something called Loki (https://github.com/djrbliss/loki) which I understand is for installing custom recovieries and kernels. Is this usable on my phone or do I need to use safestrap and do a dirty flash on my phone and keep both roms side by side? I would use safestrap however it seems restrictive in the fact that the 16gb model is not ideal to have 2+ roms installed on at the same time due to the size of the internal storage, while it also does sound appealing in the fact that it would be nearly impossible to brick the phone and seems like a wonderfully written program.
thanks for any input.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Loki only works for phones with the MDK bootloader. Safestrap is it for now once you've upgraded past MDK.
(And "for now" may be forever.)
16GB is fine for 2 roms. Just direct your downloads to the external SD if you have one; if not, get one. As the previous poster stated SS is your only way of diverting from stock....for now. Hopefully Surge and Jeboo can remedy this eventually
thanks for the replies I'll give SS a shot for now, looks like I'm SOL on using AKOP or any CM roms for now, not really a fan of TW custom or not but ill give them a try.
Thanks again.
scristopher said:
thanks for the replies I'll give SS a shot for now, looks like I'm SOL on using AKOP or any CM roms for now, not really a fan of TW custom or not but ill give them a try.
Thanks again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As good as Safestrap is (and it is bit of a marvel) it is still possible to softbrick. (Which I have done). So take a bit of normal care.
scristopher said:
thanks for the replies I'll give SS a shot for now, looks like I'm SOL on using AKOP or any CM roms for now, not really a fan of TW custom or not but ill give them a try.
Thanks again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I suggest a lot of research and there are some youtube videos. ..too many newcomers jump in and screw their phones up
safestrap enabled, Hyperdrive driven
flashed hyperdrive into stock slot on SS after backing up, works flawlessly pretty nice for a TW rom! Thanks again!
scristopher said:
flashed hyperdrive into stock slot on SS after backing up, works flawlessly pretty nice for a TW rom! Thanks again!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just be careful on the stock slot.. That's what I'm running now and ran into issues where even restoring my stock nandroid did not work on stock slot. Had to call in Odin to rescue me.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Mistertac said:
Just be careful on the stock slot.. That's what I'm running now and ran into issues where even restoring my stock nandroid did not work on stock slot. Had to call in Odin to rescue me.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Kinda why Hashcode won't support those that flash stock slot
safestrap enabled, Hyperdrive driven
decaturbob said:
Kinda why Hashcode won't support those that flash stock slot
safestrap enabled, Hyperdrive driven
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeaaa I know it. I'm leaving HD12 on there for now because I don't have a working backup of mj7. Maybe I'll get around to flashing stock back on eventually, just haven't felt like setting everything back up.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
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?
Hello, not new to rooting and such but I'm a little confused. Just got this Note 2 after breaking my G2. I'm on ND7, managed to root and install safestrap. I've made a stock back up and flashed over my stock as there is no rom slot support yet. I've flashed Alliance 30 and it worked well. My question is, can I flash other Rom's like Wilson's CM12? My bootloader is still locked. Is there a safe way to unlock it? I've searched and found that if you have a locked bootloader you can't flash kernels. I think? Not trying to be annoying. Just confused. I haven't used safestrap since my old Razr days, lol. Any help would be awesome. Thanks in advance. ..
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I think you can flash any rom using safestrap. The only ones I tried so far are DN3 and Alliancerom. They flashed with no problems. I would like to add on to this question though, Can I flash any mods using safestrap?
Right. Or kernels for that matter? It's strange because there's some people with unlocked bootloader's, some with safe strap, and some just plain old stock rooted (which was a pain in it's self).
Sent from my SCH-I605 using XDA Free mobile app
Did a little more digging into the thread, basically if your bootloader is locked, the only Rom's that you can flash are those with the same build and kernel that you are currently on. So you were right. As far as flashing mods with safestrap, still unsure. ???
Sent from my SCH-I605 using XDA Free mobile app
No other ROMs besides the above mentioned? Seems almost worth sending it to that company to downgrade
any group pricing?
Installed Mocha DrIzzle, liking it so far except the network speed mod
If I couldnt stand to be without telelphone....
stoph8n24 said:
No other ROMs besides the above mentioned? Seems almost worth sending it to that company to downgrade
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Click to collapse
I'd be on the "Send it Off" wagon.
I've seen destructions for using ODIN to flash a KIES image in, and then go about fixing it that way but many many more posts saying this is impossible.
What I'd like to know, if I have to go with the same darn kernel etc, is how the everloving **** to get rid of ALL and I mean *ALL* of the crapware/verizonware/amazonware/etc and completely strip the touchwhiz down to just what I need....
This phone thing is a nasty addiction....:cyclops:
stoph8n24 said:
No other ROMs besides the above mentioned? Seems almost worth sending it to that company to downgrade
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Anyone know if there is a list? I was just given this phone. I rooted it, but also stuck with the locked boot loader. I did install Safestrap and did a back up, and was able to create a ROM slot, but that is all I've done so far.
Since I'm "developmentally chsllenged" (I can follow instructions, but I can't do any development work or anything) I try to just go with trusted info, which has worked so far. I just came from a RAZR Maxx HD with CM12 and am not happy with the way this phone runs.
I'm in the same boat as you guys, and I believe you can only flash 4.4.2 ROMs. That's what I gathered from the Safestrap thread. However, you can (and should) backup your stock ROM in Safestrap and flash other ROMs over that.
I'm currently using Alliance, and it's decent. Nowhere near the amount of modifications as CyanideL, which is really what I want, but can't install because it's currently on Android 5.x.
Ridiculous what Samsung has done to this phone. Glad it was relatively cheap though, good lesson to avoid any manufacturer who locks the bootloader in the future.
Does anyone know if we can just flash an older version of the stock ROM? Couldn't we odin, or something, down to 4.1.x and go from there?
adobrakic said:
I'm in the same boat as you guys, and I believe you can only flash 4.4.2 ROMs. That's what I gathered from the Safestrap thread. However, you can (and should) backup your stock ROM in Safestrap and flash other ROMs over that.
I'm currently using Alliance, and it's decent. Nowhere near the amount of modifications as CyanideL, which is really what I want, but can't install because it's currently on Android 5.x.
Ridiculous what Samsung has done to this phone. Glad it was relatively cheap though, good lesson to avoid any manufacturer who locks the bootloader in the future.
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Click to collapse
I have SS and did a back up, but I thought I read about people running into problems and then bricking? I think they got them back after doing some stuff but since I am no where as talented with this stuff I try to be cautious. I've rooted and SS' ed a Bionic and ran several ROM's on that one until replacing it with a RAZR Maxx HD that I rooted (and was able to take advantage of the exploit before they pushed a patch and unlocked the bootloader).
If I can just flash over the stock ROM safely, then I'll get flashing right away
I read the issues with bricking as well, but I think those people were trying to flash 5.x ROMs. I agree about wanting to avoid it though. I have a HTC One S that I saved from being bricked a few times, but I don't even wanna have to go through the process of that for the Note 2. Here's the Safestrap thread, if you're a little wary and would like to read more about it.
As far as I can tell, you should be good with flashing 4.4.2 ROMs, since that's what I did and we seem to have the same config (4.4.2 Note 2, Safestrap 3.72). The only thing I wonder is what TWRP you have. I have the latest 2.7.0.x. If that's what you have, you should be just fine with flashing a 4.4.2 ROM over the stock ROM.