[Q] Help With Flashing ROMS - Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4

Hi! I have just recently rooted my samsung galaxy s4 i545vruemk2 with saferoot. The main reason i wanted to root my phone was so that i could flash a custom rom, (stock 4.2 jellybean) but i do not know how. The bootloader is unlocked. Also if anyone could refer me to any good stock 4.2 jellybean roms that would be great! Thanks! P.s. i am only 13 years old so this is new to me

If you have the mk2 bootloader you'll only be able to flash custom touchwiz roms. The bootloader on the s4 has yet to be unlocked. I recommend you look up how to install safestrap recovery on YouTube with the mk2 bootloader.
Edit: here is a link for YouTube http://youtu.be/w52kNGUN7ig
This also has links in the description that take you to the XDA post for Hashcode's application which installs safestrap recovery.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

Ok. Do you know possibly when or how the bootloader will be unlocked? And what is the difference between a Rom and a touchwiz rom?

Epicman227 said:
Ok. Do you know possibly when or how the bootloader will be unlocked? And what is the difference between a Rom and a touchwiz rom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a stickie thread in general section you need to read ASAP.
sent by safestrap enabled bajarom

Epicman227 said:
Ok. Do you know possibly when or how the bootloader will be unlocked? And what is the difference between a Rom and a touchwiz rom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bunch of people still looking into the bootloader deal... It's just a daunting task.
For our phones you have two types of ROMs.. Touchwiz based which is any ROM that is based off the stock firmware that came with our phones. And the other is AOSP which are ROMs like Cyanogen, Slim, Liquid etc...
Unless you're on an original Verizon S4 with MDK build and Loki your only option is SafeStrap and TW ROMs.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

Ok. Do you have any recommendations of TouchWiz roms I should and can get for my phone?
Sent from my SCH-I545 using XDA Free mobile app

Try hyperdrive, it's a great ROM in terms of stability and customization I'll look for the link right now
Edit: Here is the link http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2301724
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

Related

Kernels and MK2

Since there is no current custom recovery working for MK2 can I simply rename the file to update.Zip like the old days and run it? Or will I risk a soft brick like I did trying to flash a custom recovery? My stock ROM is stupid laggy so I'd really like to OC a bit and hopefully smooth things out. I found a 4.3 based kernel (Chronic) but not sure if it's set up for OEM 4.3 or only custom ROM's. TIA for any insight.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app
Sniper_5 said:
Since there is no current custom recovery working for MK2 can I simply rename the file to update.Zip like the old days and run it? Or will I risk a soft brick like I did trying to flash a custom recovery? My stock ROM is stupid laggy so I'd really like to OC a bit and hopefully smooth things out. I found a 4.3 based kernel (Chronic) but not sure if it's set up for OEM 4.3 or only custom ROM's. TIA for any insight.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
unless your running MDK you can not flash kernels to the stock ROM. This is because the kernels wont match and will cause a brick.
Mtsprite said:
unless your running MDK you can not flash kernels to the stock ROM. This is because the kernels wont match and will cause a brick.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was afraid of that.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app
Sniper_5 said:
Since there is no current custom recovery working for MK2 can I simply rename the file to update.Zip like the old days and run it? Or will I risk a soft brick like I did trying to flash a custom recovery? My stock ROM is stupid laggy so I'd really like to OC a bit and hopefully smooth things out. I found a 4.3 based kernel (Chronic) but not sure if it's set up for OEM 4.3 or only custom ROM's. TIA for any insight.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
plenty of discussions on what you can and can't do with S4's and custom Roms/Kernels here in these forums. The only choice you will be having and its not ready yet as its in development, will be to load safestrap and ROMS that will be compatible with it. Hashcode is porting over to the 4.3/4.4 base, the version of safestrap he developed for MEJ/MI1 users a couple of months ago. He is in the testing /development stage. I would suggest reading the safestrap threads to gain some insight in preparation of this becoming a reality.

[Q] Where do I go from here?

Hello people of xda,
I've got a verizon galaxy s4 running a version of safestrap, I used to run a stock jelly bean rom but swapped back into touchwhiz with the google home launcher instead and erased the JB partition. I'm thinking it would be refreshing to jump back into stock kit kat.
Really, I'm only after the ability to run a recovery and flash roms :/
My phone is still on ME7 and I'm not able to update through the prompts.
I would preferably like to root/unlock/update(or downgrade)/get a kit kat rom running. Are there still restrictions with unlocking these?
Hopefully someone knows this stuff off hand and can let me know without much trouble
Thanks!
cj250mills said:
Hello people of xda,
I've got a verizon galaxy s4 running a version of safestrap, I used to run a stock jelly bean rom but swapped back into touchwhiz with the google home launcher instead and erased the JB partition. I'm thinking it would be refreshing to jump back into stock kit kat.
My phone is still on ME7 and I'm not able to update through the prompts.
I would preferably like to root/unlock/update(or downgrade)/get a kit kat rom running. Are there still restrictions with unlocking these?
Hopefully someone knows this stuff off hand and can let me know without much trouble
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There aren't any KitKat ROMs available for our S4. Furthermore, your only option for custom ROMs is Safestrap.
I suggest you do A LOT of research before you jump in.
Sent from my NCC 1701 Using Tapatalk 4
riker147 said:
There aren't any KitKat ROMs available for our S4. Furthermore, your only option for custom ROMs is Safestrap.
I suggest you do A LOT of research before you jump in.
Sent from my NCC 1701 Using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've already done a lot of research, there are plenty of roms based on 4.4., Cyanogenmod 11 nightlies would be ideal. but I dont think they run with safestrap.
So maybe to clarify what I can do from here, is there a current list of roms that are compatible with safestrap?
cj250mills said:
I've already done a lot of research, there are plenty of roms based on 4.4., Cyanogenmod 11 nightlies would be ideal. but I dont think they run with safestrap.
So maybe to clarify what I can do from here, is there a current list of roms that are compatible with safestrap?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your version of Safestrap is compatible with TW 4.2 Roms. The newest version, for MJ7 and MK2 builds, is compatible with TW 4.3 (Hyperdrive only at this point).
You can't revert to an older build and you can only flash Touchwhiz Roms with Safestrap.
You have more reading to do. All of this information has been posted multiple times.
Sent from my NCC 1701 Using Tapatalk 4
riker147 said:
Your version of Safestrap is compatible with TW 4.2 Roms. The newest version, for MJ7 and MK2 builds, is compatible with TW 4.3 (Hyperdrive only at this point).
You can't revert to an older build and you can only flash Touchwhiz Roms with Safestrap.
You have more reading to do. All of this information has been posted multiple times.
Sent from my NCC 1701 Using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So only roms with a ME7 kernal?, I guess it's back to the ole GPE rom for me -_-
Well that's ****ty. Verizon has no mercy.
Is there an option for me to upgrade to MJ7 via odin and upgrade my version of safestrap? Or is this out of the question?
cj250mills said:
So only roms with a ME7 kernal?, I guess it's back to the ole GPE rom for me -_-
Well that's ****ty. Verizon has no mercy.
Is there an option for me to upgrade to MJ7 via odin and upgrade my version of safestrap? Or is this out of the question?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See here for this answer...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2579278
cj250mills said:
So only roms with a ME7 kernal?, I guess it's back to the ole GPE rom for me -_-
Well that's ****ty. Verizon has no mercy.
Is there an option for me to upgrade to MJ7 via odin and upgrade my version of safestrap? Or is this out of the question?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check this out
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2579278
Verizon Galaxy S4
Safestrap 3.7
HYPERDRIVE 11
Mistertac said:
Check this out
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2579278
Verizon Galaxy S4
Safestrap 3.7
HYPERDRIVE 11
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol great minds

[Q] I'm still on 4.2.2 which came on the phone the day it was released...

Stock touchwiz and all, didn't flash any roms but I am rooted with unlocked bootloader. Any mod I've ever wanted, I was able to do through xposed or just flash some small file. My questions is, are there any benefits to changing roms? If so, what TW rom would you guys suggest?
ThaCh0de's CockNRom v9.2.3.1 with XBrickMyPhoneX kernel seems to do the trick for me
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
loudaccord said:
Stock touchwiz and all, didn't flash any roms but I am rooted with unlocked bootloader. Any mod I've ever wanted, I was able to do through xposed or just flash some small file. My questions is, are there any benefits to changing roms? If so, what TW rom would you guys suggest?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Woohoo! Don't loose that MDK bootloader! You're one of the lucky/smart ones that didn't take an OTA update.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using XDA Free mobile app
loudaccord said:
Stock touchwiz and all, didn't flash any roms but I am rooted with unlocked bootloader. Any mod I've ever wanted, I was able to do through xposed or just flash some small file. My questions is, are there any benefits to changing roms? If so, what TW rom would you guys suggest?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Install or update TWRP with Goomanager if you're on an old recovery. Just click install openrecoveryscript, that easy.
Stock TW KitKat: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2721118
There are lots of improvements in JB and KK, as well as a couple fixable "issues" (e.g. sd card).
You can sell it to me and then I will give you my phone, that would be the best thing for the world.
Definitely gonna keep my MDK bootloader. The funny thing that's making me want to change is the App to SD card feature in the updates.
I'll make the switch from CWM to TWRP and give stock TW KK a shot. Are there any GS5 ROMs for us? I feel so out of it lol.
I've been flashing since the OG Droid and had close to 10 rooted phones but after getting my GS4 and having everything working perfect(including the mods, I.e. WiFi Ap), I just left it
loudaccord said:
Definitely gonna keep my MDK bootloader. The funny thing that's making me want to change is the App to SD card feature in the updates.
I'll make the switch from CWM to TWRP and give stock TW KK a shot. Are there any GS5 ROMs for us? I feel so out of it lol.
I've been flashing since the OG Droid and had close to 10 rooted phones but after getting my GS4 and having everything working perfect(including the mods, I.e. WiFi Ap), I just left it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some roms like echoe have some galaxy s5 ui
Give it a try http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2702592
Sweet, I'll give it a go. Thanks!
loudaccord said:
Sweet, I'll give it a go. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd use Flashify from the Play Store to update to a new recovery. Using Goo or ROM Manager can lead to possibly having to Odin back to stock and start fresh... Couldn't tell you exactly why but it's happened to a few of us including me.
Also... Go for a ROM like C ROM, Mahdi, or Liquid Smooth... Ditch TW
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
I too have MDK so.... :highfive:! I am running Hyperdrive RLS 15 and it runs flawless. Loads of extra features if you like that sort of stuff. I used the Ktoonz Kernel with it so it comes with the KTweaker App for complete control over the kernel. Loads of battery life. Its 4.3 but if you want 4.4 then wait about a week or so and Sbreen94 will have it released (atleast that is his current time frame).

[Q] a question about surge's upgrade method

Hello guys,
Instead of flashing the near stock 4.4.2 ROM and then using Odin to flash CSc and ap, could I flash a 4.4.2 ROM like eclipse and then flash stuff in Odin?
Raymondlikesroot said:
Hello guys,
Instead of flashing the near stock 4.4.2 ROM and then using Odin to flash CSc and ap, could I flash a 4.4.2 ROM like eclipse and then flash stuff in Odin?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I'm not mistaken it has to have a compatible custom kernel first. I would be interested in knowing for sure too. I know little about MDK but would like to learn enough to 1. not brick it, 2. not lose MDK and the loki exploit. Is there a thread dealing just with MDK? What to do and not to do for a noob?
Tulsadiver said:
If I'm not mistaken it has to have a compatible custom kernel first. I would be interested in knowing for sure too. I know little about MDK but would like to learn enough to 1. not brick it, 2. not lose MDK and the loki exploit. Is there a thread dealing just with MDK? What to do and not to do for a noob?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nope, I'm talking about the mk2 to nc5 method from surge. I'm wondering if I have to flash the 4.4.2 ROM within the thread, or if I could flash another 4.4.2 ROM.
Tulsadiver said:
If I'm not mistaken it has to have a compatible custom kernel first. I would be interested in knowing for sure too. I know little about MDK but would like to learn enough to 1. not brick it, 2. not lose MDK and the loki exploit. Is there a thread dealing just with MDK? What to do and not to do for a noob?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Anyone running a build beyond MDK has Kernel Lock and the ROMs that users can flash are using the stock kernel... There were a few instances where the kernel was lightly modified but nothing big.... I'm not 100% about the OPs question though myself since I'm in fact on MDK...
As far as what to know for MDK... The two biggest things to remember are to NEVER take an OTA while on Stock MDK Touchwiz and to NEVER use any other Odin file other than MDK... Other than those two things anything else is pretty much fair game.
You need to just root stock MDK with Motochopper then once it's rooted freeze SDM with TiBu then I suggest using Flashify to install your recovery of choice.
Once those 3 steps are done.... Make a backup of stock MDK and your into flashing !
You won't " lose" your Loki'd MDK if you do those steps before anything else whenever coming from stock via Odin.
Other than possibly flashing a bad download ROM zip or something... The only other issue I've ever ran into was flashing a kernel that didn't have the Loki patch. That will send you to the " Unauthorized Software Detected" screen at boot. Even then no worries since you can hop back into recovery and restore or try again. For situations like that someone made up the Loki Doki zip that you can flash say after flashing the Alucard Kernel. which is meant for the i9505 S4 and that will Lokify it for you.
Good practice would to be just flash either KToonsez Kernel or Alucard Kernel ( + Loki Doki with Alucard ) if you're flashing a ROM you're not to sure about.
All AOSP roms that are for " JFLTE" can detect they our bootloader requires the Loki Patch and it will take care of that during the flash automatically.
If you have any other questions feel free to shoot me a PM or ask here... Never a problem
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
MisterTac, thanks for the super response. Lots of people would just say, "read up on it". I've got a couple of dumb questions. Can you flash virtually any Verizon rom? I have a hard time distinguishing between roms if it doesn't say specifically that it is for MDK. Another question is if you can't flash kernels, what exactly makes the MDK so much better than being on Safestrap (especially with all the roms Gigilie has ported)? One more thing, in your opinion what are the top five or so best roms that you can run with an MDK that you can't on Safestrap. I know you aren't really supposed to ask about best roms but I wanted to see what the difference was. Do you have to flash via odin or can you just install via recovery?
Miui
Tulsadiver said:
MisterTac, thanks for the super response. Lots of people would just say, "read up on it". I've got a couple of dumb questions. Can you flash virtually any Verizon rom? I have a hard time distinguishing between roms if it doesn't say specifically that it is for MDK. Another question is if you can't flash kernels, what exactly makes the MDK so much better than being on Safestrap (especially with all the roms Gigilie has ported)? One more thing, in your opinion what are the top five or so best roms that you can run with an MDK that you can't on Safestrap. I know you aren't really supposed to ask about best roms but I wanted to see what the difference was. Do you have to flash via odin or can you just install via recovery?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can most of the time flash any Verizon ROM whether it's for SafeStrap or MDK. Jrkruse also has a patch so that you can flash just about any i9505 Touchwiz ROM as well. And for AOSP ROMs like Cyanogen or Slim or the 100 other ROMs based off those you're good to flash any of them since most of them are Unified JFLTE builds that are for all LTE S4's on any carrier.
MDK is " better " or more flexible in that we can flash Custom Kernels. SafeStrap you cannot as of now. That gives you way more control over your phone. SafeStrap also only has a couple AOSP ROMs that somehow are working with it.... Where again... Our MDK ones can easily flash aosp ROMs without issue.
All these ROMs are going to be flashed through your custom recovery... Twrp or CWM. And I suggest using Flashify to install your custom recovery.
My top picks for stability and features that work best for me are currently SlimSaberKat, Mahdi, Liquid Smooth, C ROM and OSE. You're right there is no Best ROM... You'll have to just try them on your own but I'll edit this post with a couple links to these ROMs for you...
Edit....
SlimSaberKat
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=52865834
C ROM
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=51369881
Here's the JFLTE Unified Forum with some ROMs that will all work
http://img3.media.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4/unified-development
I'm not much help with Touchwiz however... I'm an AOSP guy
Here's the KToonsez Kernel thread for our phone too. Awesome kernel
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=41798673
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
Mistertac said:
Miui
You can most of the time flash any Verizon ROM whether it's for SafeStrap or MDK. Jrkruse also has a patch so that you can flash just about any i9505 Touchwiz ROM as well. And for AOSP ROMs like Cyanogen or Slim or the 100 other ROMs based off those you're good to flash any of them since most of them are Unified JFLTE builds that are for all LTE S4's on any carrier.
MDK is " better " or more flexible in that we can flash Custom Kernels. SafeStrap you cannot as of now. That gives you way more control over your phone. SafeStrap also only has a couple AOSP ROMs that somehow are working with it.... Where again... Our MDK ones can easily flash aosp ROMs without issue.
All these ROMs are going to be flashed through your custom recovery... Twrp or CWM. And I suggest using Flashify to install your custom recovery.
My top picks for stability and features that work best for me are currently SlimSaberKat, Mahdi, Liquid Smooth, C ROM and OSE. You're right there is no Best ROM... You'll have to just try them on your own but I'll edit this post with a couple links to these ROMs for you...
Edit....
SlimSaberKat
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=52865834
C ROM
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=51369881
Here's the JFLTE Unified Forum with some ROMs that will all work
http://img3.media.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4/unified-development
I'm not much help with Touchwiz however... I'm an AOSP guy
Here's the KToonsez Kernel thread for our phone too. Awesome kernel
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=41798673
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My last dumb question for a while. You can use Safestrap with MDK? If so why (to get the slots) and what version?
Tulsadiver said:
My last dumb question for a while. You can use Safestrap with MDK? If so why (to get the slots) and what version?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I guess technically you could although I don't see why anyone would want to other than using it for ROM slots yes.
I haven't ran into anyone on here I don't think either with a Verizon or ATT S4 that could run a true Custom Recovery and opted for SafeStrap.
In CWM I can wipe my current ROM and restore a backup I've made in like 2 minutes tops... so the space you'd potentially lose on your internal memory having multiple ROMs loaded with SafeStrap really isn't worth it when in 2 minutes you can just wipe and restore ya know? Just my opinion
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
Mistertac said:
Well I guess technically you could although I don't see why anyone would want to other than using it for ROM slots yes.
I haven't ran into anyone on here I don't think either with a Verizon or ATT S4 that could run a true Custom Recovery and opted for SafeStrap.
In CWM I can wipe my current ROM and restore a backup I've made in like 2 minutes tops... so the space you'd potentially lose on your internal memory having multiple ROMs loaded with SafeStrap really isn't worth it when in 2 minutes you can just wipe and restore ya know? Just my opinion
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How can I change from TWRP to CWM?
Tulsadiver said:
How can I change from TWRP to CWM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just flash in recovery like any other zip. Here is Philz Touch CWM .
https://www.dropbox.com/s/odxykfc1dch3d7a/philz_touch_6.48.4-jflte.zip
Flash that then reboot to recovery from within your current TWRP and you'll have your CWM.
If you want just regular CWM you could use Flashify from the play store. Philz is the same thing but has few more options and in my opinion why not have more right?
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
Mistertac said:
Just flash in recovery like any other zip. Here is Philz Touch CWM .
https://www.dropbox.com/s/odxykfc1dch3d7a/philz_touch_6.48.4-jflte.zip
Flash that then reboot to recovery from within your current TWRP and you'll have your CWM.
If you want just regular CWM you could use Flashify from the play store. Philz is the same thing but has few more options and in my opinion why not have more right?
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you. You've been a great help.
Tulsadiver said:
Thank you. You've been a great help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Never a problem... Feel free to PM if too if you need something.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

[Q] Roms for MD5

I have a safestrap recovery on my Sch-i545 and am running the stock rom that came with the phone. I am running 4.4.2 kitkat and have the Build NC5. The question i am asking is are there any for my NC5 build because i cannot find any?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2769389
06gavinroy08 said:
I have a safestrap recovery on my Sch-i545 and am running the stock rom that came with the phone. I am running 4.4.2 kitkat and have the Build NC5. The question i am asking is are there any for my NC5 build because i cannot find any?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Several threads and entire development forum full of them...
sent by safestrap powered echo v26
Try this one if you like a minimal rom with some zip. Make sure you are running Safestrap 3.72. You can only use the stock slot.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/gal...t/rom-dope-v1-0-ncx-ss-darkly-themed-t2826110
Make sure that the roms are touchwiz so you dont brick your phone. Good luck finding the right rom :thumbup:
Sent from my SCH-I545 using XDA Free mobile app

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