Some questions for upgrading and/or rooting Galaxy S4 VZW - Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4

First, let me say to please move this post if I am incorrectly posting this in the wrong forum; this appears to be the spot for me to post this, but I am not above being wrong
Currently I am running a 4.2.2 ROM, Bonestock 1.1.3, on the MDK firmware. I guess my first question is, should I fully upgrade OTA to current stock by factory resetting my phone for the updates? Or, is there a way to use my current setup using TWRP 2.5.0.3 to flash to a true 4.4.2 image?
I've picked up on a few threads here and there about upgrading/downgrading and booting and whatnot; but none as easy as "download this ROM and flash it". Now I completely understand that with bootloaders and software versions it becomes increasingly difficult to break down an image and root it and whatnot, so the simple "get this and flash it" method may be unatainable. However, the few threads I DID find, are so cumbersome and involved that a 20 minute process takes hours to complete because a step may be missed, or an error occurred that wasn't anticipated, or whatever.
I apologize for my ignorance and inability to understand all that is involved, but if someone could kindly point me down the right path, that would be sweet. With the internet by my side and my own personal ability to muddle through things and understand as I go, I should hope I can get KitKat on my phone sooner than later. I've muddled through the original root of my S4, my previous phone RAZR and my OG Droid before that .... along with an A500 tablet....if only it were put a bit more simply, I could accomplish this as well!
Thanks in advance for the help, if any is available

Wrong section, questions go in Q&A, only development goes in the development section.
Anyway, if you're on MDK you can continue flashing roms as normal. Extended directions are for safestrap users that are on locked bootloader firmware.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

MDK upgrade
Seems like the question asked is in the Question section so not sure why the blast.....
You are lucky to have an MDK phone, as these are pre a lot of lockdowns that make custom Roms more complicated to work with. Because it is MDK, you can root, get a recovery module and after backups load a new Rom. Keep reading for details, but you have the easiest to work with.

Sparxx2k8 said:
First, let me say to please move this post if I am incorrectly posting this in the wrong forum; this appears to be the spot for me to post this, but I am not above being wrong
Currently I am running a 4.2.2 ROM, Bonestock 1.1.3, on the MDK firmware. I guess my first question is, should I fully upgrade OTA to current stock by factory resetting my phone for the updates? Or, is there a way to use my current setup using TWRP 2.5.0.3 to flash to a true 4.4.2 image?
I've picked up on a few threads here and there about upgrading/downgrading and booting and whatnot; but none as easy as "download this ROM and flash it". Now I completely understand that with bootloaders and software versions it becomes increasingly difficult to break down an image and root it and whatnot, so the simple "get this and flash it" method may be unatainable. However, the few threads I DID find, are so cumbersome and involved that a 20 minute process takes hours to complete because a step may be missed, or an error occurred that wasn't anticipated, or whatever.
I apologize for my ignorance and inability to understand all that is involved, but if someone could kindly point me down the right path, that would be sweet. With the internet by my side and my own personal ability to muddle through things and understand as I go, I should hope I can get KitKat on my phone sooner than later. I've muddled through the original root of my S4, my previous phone RAZR and my OG Droid before that .... along with an A500 tablet....if only it were put a bit more simply, I could accomplish this as well!
Thanks in advance for the help, if any is available
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
do not take any OTA with your phone,

Do not take an OTA because it will upgrade you from the mdk firmware which is th easiest to work with. Once you put a custom rom on, it will cease to allow OTA and protect you from carrier and mfg nasties that can try to cripple your phone.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

myklbear said:
Seems like the question asked is in the Question section so not sure why the blast.....
You are lucky to have an MDK phone, as these are pre a lot of lockdowns that make custom Roms more complicated to work with. Because it is MDK, you can root, get a recovery module and after backups load a new Rom. Keep reading for details, but you have the easiest to work with.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A moderator moved it after I posted
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

Related

Dreams of Dirty Flashing

I've been perfectly happy running 4.1.2 Stock and custom rooted and frozen, and now Verizon is trying to force the 4.3 OTA down my throat. I'm looking to upgrade to match the current build numbers and firmware and run under the radar of Verizon. Anyone have any suggestions/experience on methods to obtain my goal while patching on top of my current system just like an OTA would do? Also which rom/OTA rework would you recommend?
TL;DR - Anyone have any advice on how to dirty flash 4.3 over 4.1.2 without corrupting everything? (Just like OTA, but minus locking the bootloader and being verizon'd again)
in50mn14c said:
I've been perfectly happy running 4.1.2 Stock and custom rooted and frozen, and now Verizon is trying to force the 4.3 OTA down my throat. I'm looking to upgrade to match the current build numbers and firmware and run under the radar of Verizon. Anyone have any suggestions/experience on methods to obtain my goal while patching on top of my current system just like an OTA would do? Also which rom/OTA rework would you recommend?
TL;DR - Anyone have any advice on how to dirty flash 4.3 over 4.1.2 without corrupting everything? (Just like OTA, but minus locking the bootloader and being verizon'd again)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Reference locked thread below about what happens to threads like this. Also, learn how to search for your answer instead of asking for it. I may be on here to try helping a friend out with a locked bootloader (4.3, yeah, he was an idiot for that), but i know there are options for ppl like you who are still on 4.1.2. Go actually search for the answer and wait for this thread to be closed.
Sent from my MB886 using xda app-developers app
palmbeach05 said:
Reference locked thread below about what happens to threads like this. Also, learn how to search for your answer instead of asking for it. I may be on here to try helping a friend out with a locked bootloader (4.3, yeah, he was an idiot for that), but i know there are options for ppl like you who are still on 4.1.2. Go actually search for the answer and wait for this thread to be closed.
Sent from my MB886 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, hold on while I search every parse through 30+ pages on each rom thread to see if I can get away with a dirty flash rather than just asking if anyone has had any luck dirty flashing. Your attitude is the exact opposite of what XDA used to be. Rather than being a jerk why don't you actually help out and at least be constructive and helpful instead of flaming?
in50mn14c said:
Yeah, hold on while I search every parse through 30+ pages on each rom thread to see if I can get away with a dirty flash rather than just asking if anyone has had any luck dirty flashing. Your attitude is the exact opposite of what XDA used to be. Rather than being an asshat why don't you actually help out and at least be constructive and helpful instead of flaming?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All of 5 secs to find method you need to use. Read post #1. Generally Post #1 in most dev threads for procedures/roms/etc give the steps in order of whats needed to be done.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2024207
Rather than take my reply as something negative which it was far from being, why don't you take it as constructive criticism, actually read what i said, and try to use what i said to better yourself. remember, you have 11 posts, which means you are still a relatively new xda noob. you want to get butt hurt over you being advised by a sr member giving constructive criticism?
palmbeach05 said:
All of 5 secs to find method you need to use. Read post #1. Generally Post #1 in most dev threads for procedures/roms/etc give the steps in order of whats needed to be done.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2024207
Rather than take my reply as something negative which it was far from being, why don't you take it as constructive criticism, actually read what i said, and try to use what i said to better yourself. remember, you have 11 posts, which means you are still a relatively new xda noob. you want to get butt hurt over you being advised by a sr member giving constructive criticism?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I notice you never took the time to read my initial post. I don't want stock. I'm looking for the 4.3 OS stock or otherwise without the locking bootloader, and as a default everyone in the Devs boards / ROMs will instruct you to wipe everything while flashing.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2564495 - Wipe everything
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2451859 - Seems to be the best option this far but still WIP
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2578458 - No mention from OP for dirty flash options, comments mixed.
I've done my research, but I'm basically just looking to attract those who have successfully dirty flashed to ID which rom seems to have the best success rate. In what way is this thread not beneficial and worthy of locking?
in50mn14c said:
I notice you never took the time to read my initial post. I don't want stock. I'm looking for the 4.3 OS stock or otherwise without the locking bootloader, and as a default everyone in the Devs boards / ROMs will instruct you to wipe everything while flashing.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2564495 - Wipe everything
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2451859 - Seems to be the best option this far but still WIP
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2578458 - No mention from OP for dirty flash options, comments mixed.
I've done my research, but I'm basically just looking to attract those who have successfully dirty flashed to ID which rom seems to have the best success rate. In what way is this thread not beneficial and worthy of locking?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And acting like a noob who's getting aggrivated at a sr member who's offering assistance is not the way to go. so let me spell it out for you, you can NOT flash any custom ROM, to include CM, AOSP, AOKP, stock odexed/deodexed, in a manner that is not OTA without having an unlocked bootloader or safestap/bootstrap. Generally speaking, and this is the case with this device, you unlock the bootloader, flash a custom recovery (most recent is CWM 6.0.4.4-6.0.4.7), enter into recovery, make a backup of current ROM (just in case something goes wrong), wipe everything (minus internal storage. remember, internal storage is the space not used up by a ROM), then flash ROM and Gapps (as needed).
So pretty much I referred you to the thread to get your device set up so you can flash custom ROMs, to include the non-4.3-OTA (again, another link that refers you to the thread you want to get what you want) http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2578458
EDIT
Here's your answer on Odin and dirty flash
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2531705
Easiest way to say it, is Odin is to Samsung, as RSD Lite is to Motorola. It wipes everything and gives you a "straight from the factory" phone. Of course if you flash the non-OTA files via Odin, you'll keep your bootloader unlocked.
It is always highly encouraged to wipe everything and have a clean flash, that way you don't encounter any issues when you boot up into the new ROM. is there a specific reason you're so interested in dirty flashing?

Question on downgrade

I originally updated from MI1 to MJ7, which was a stupid move, but just wondering if there is anyway to downgrade back in order to have full root and benefits?
I want to restore my phone and if I can go back, that would be great, because I don't want to go forward because if there is a new upadte it would make it worse instead of better, in terms of rooting.
Please advise
elite-fusion said:
I originally updated from MI1 to MJ7, which was a stupid move, but just wondering if there is anyway to downgrade back in order to have full root and benefits?
I want to restore my phone and if I can go back, that would be great, because I don't want to go forward because if there is a new upadte it would make it worse instead of better, in terms of rooting.
Please advise
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you can root mj7 mine is
i heard that vroot isnt a good way to go...no?
Can I install custom roms on MJ7?
what would be the best way to restore this? with a file, or just go through the settings and do a factory reset?
elite-fusion said:
i heard that vroot isnt a good way to go...no?
Can I install custom roms on MJ7?
what would be the best way to restore this? with a file, or just go through the settings and do a factory reset?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just keep taking OTAs up to MK2 (The latest). From there you can root and install safestrap (and a safestrap compatible rom). You cannot flash AOSP roms; the bootloader is locked down post MDK. This thread is pretty much all you need http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2606501
so can mk2 be rooted?
elite-fusion said:
so can mk2 be rooted?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should probably read the stickied thread at the top of the forum.
Its called What you need to know before, during and after modifying your verizon S4
Its probably relevant to your interests no?
This is the second time someone has linked you to it. I promise you if you READ THE WHOLE THING before asking anymore questions, you wont have questions to ask.
elite-fusion said:
so can mk2 be rooted?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. Search for "Saferoot". I can't stress enough....... RESEARCH FIRST. It will save you a lot of headaches.
Sent from my NCC-1701 using Tapatalk 4
alright, one last question because it is NOT listed in that thread,
Where can i download the mk2 to load it manually because i am not a verizon customer but have a verizon s4 which i use with tmobile so it does not allow me to do OTA because it keeps telling me that Service is temporarily unavailable.
Please advise
elite-fusion said:
alright, one last question because it is NOT listed in that thread,
Where can i download the mk2 to load it manually because i am not a verizon customer but have a verizon s4 which i use with tmobile so it does not allow me to do OTA because it keeps telling me that Service is temporarily unavailable.
Please advise
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As linked to from the provided thead Customizing your Verizon Galaxy S4 - what's possible and what's not
Has links to the updates that it is possible to flash, see the recover by reflashing stock section.
Seriously, its a pretty expensive phone and you can totally ruin it. Not a bad idea to read through that info people keep trying to give you.

Galaxy S4 Bootloader

I'm currently on a Galaxy S3, but I have an S4 coming in on Friday.
I saw a thread for rooting the S4, but do I need to unlock the bootloader like I did in the S3 to install a rom?
Basically, where is the thread that has all the info I need to root, unlock, and install a custom recovery for the S4?
I have one for the S3, but can't find it for the S4.
GlitchMob said:
I'm currently on a Galaxy S3, but I have an S4 coming in on Friday.
I saw a thread for rooting the S4, but do I need to unlock the bootloader like I did in the S3 to install a rom?
Basically, where is the thread that has all the info I need to root, unlock, and install a custom recovery for the S4?
I have one for the S3, but can't find it for the S4.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you cant find thread? How hard did you look? There is a stickie can't be missed in the general section.
BTW, the bootloader is locked for all versions of firmware since mdk.
only option is safetrap.
decaturbob said:
you cant find thread? How hard did you look? There is a stickie can't be missed in the general section.
BTW, the bootloader is locked for all versions of firmware since mdk.
only option is safetrap.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay maybe my understanding on the purpose of unlocking the bootloader is incorrect.
I thought the bootloader has to be unlocked in order to install a custom rom?
On my S3 if the bootloader wasn't unlocked the phone would brick.
Safestrap is a custom recovery so how is that relevant to bootloader? I can't seem to draw the connection.
Thanks!
GlitchMob said:
Okay maybe my understanding on the purpose of unlocking the bootloader is incorrect.
I thought the bootloader has to be unlocked in order to install a custom rom?
On my S3 if the bootloader wasn't unlocked the phone would brick.
Safestrap is a custom recovery so how is that relevant to bootloader? I can't seem to draw the connection.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
plenty of threads here to read to educate yourself.
S4 bootloader is locked since mdk firmware. MDK had an exploit that Loki process allowed custom recovery
safestrap uses an exploit to work around it so its the only custom recovery for the locked bootloader.
Each subsequent firmware release locks the bootloader and exploits down further. Anyone taking the next round of kit kat OTA's will likely loose root as well.
GlitchMob said:
I'm currently on a Galaxy S3, but I have an S4 coming in on Friday.
I saw a thread for rooting the S4, but do I need to unlock the bootloader like I did in the S3 to install a rom?
Basically, where is the thread that has all the info I need to root, unlock, and install a custom recovery for the S4?
I have one for the S3, but can't find it for the S4.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
More then likely the device you get will come with the new baseband MJ7 or MK2. You need to check this before you start messing with anything. That said the bootloader is locked up tight and you will be very limited with what you can do with it. You can root, and install safestrap(a custom recovery by Hashcode that bypasses the bootloader). This will allow you to install certain touchwiz based roms but you have to be sure they are compatible with safestrap.
Root for 4.3 baseband:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2565758
Safestrap:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2441441
Both these links are in the android devlopment section. It is very difficult with this device because there are multiple root methods and recovery methods depending on baseband version. If by some chance you get the phone and the baseband is MDK, DO NOT UPDATE!!!! This will allow you to install loki'ed recovery and flash any rom you want. Chances are that won"t happen though. Good luck
decaturbob said:
you cant find thread? How hard did you look? There is a stickie can't be missed in the general section.
BTW, the bootloader is locked for all versions of firmware since mdk.
only option is safetrap.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
decaturbob said:
plenty of threads here to read to educate yourself.
S4 bootloader is locked since mdk firmware. MDK had an exploit that Loki process allowed custom recovery
safestrap uses an exploit to work around it so its the only custom recovery for the locked bootloader.
Each subsequent firmware release locks the bootloader and exploits down further. Anyone taking the next round of kit kat OTA's will likely loose root as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I understand that I need to look into it, but the way things are organized is different. I've been on an S3 for almost two years now and the forums in the S4 are just overwhelming with information that is scattered. Here is an example of what I was hoping for when I came to the S4 section.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1762709
onemeila said:
More then likely the device you get will come with the new baseband MJ7 or MK2. You need to check this before you start messing with anything. That said the bootloader is locked up tight and you will be very limited with what you can do with it. You can root, and install safestrap(a custom recovery by Hashcode that bypasses the bootloader). This will allow you to install certain touchwiz based roms but you have to be sure they are compatible with safestrap.
Root for 4.3 baseband:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2565758
Safestrap:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2441441
Both these links are in the android devlopment section. It is very difficult with this device because there are multiple root methods and recovery methods depending on baseband version. If by some chance you get the phone and the baseband is MDK, DO NOT UPDATE!!!! This will allow you to install loki'ed recovery and flash any rom you want. Chances are that won"t happen though. Good luck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you. This is the response I was looking for. As you said there are many stipulations with each baseband. This is something I am not used to coming for an S3, which is far simpler to deal with. Thanks again!
GlitchMob said:
Thank you. This is the response I was looking for. As you said there are many stipulations with each baseband. This is something I am not used to coming for an S3, which is far simpler to deal with. Thanks again!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The difference isn't in the baseband, it's in the bootloader. You can run a newer baseband than your bootloader, for example, especially if you have the MDK bootloader.
Since you're starting from stock, the baseband and the bootloader revisions are the same and can be found from Settings/More/About phone.
Before you flash anything, please read the what you need to know thread in the General section. Also, there's my thread in this forum.
The S4 is more complicated than the S3 largely because Samsung has really locked it down much more effectively than the S3. Consequently, there's lots of ways to go wrong. Reading first can save you a lot of grief.
k1mu said:
The difference isn't in the baseband, it's in the bootloader. You can run a newer baseband than your bootloader, for example, especially if you have the MDK bootloader.
Since you're starting from stock, the baseband and the bootloader revisions are the same and can be found from Settings/More/About phone.
Before you flash anything, please read the what you need to know thread in the General section. Also, there's my thread in this forum.
The S4 is more complicated than the S3 largely because Samsung has really locked it down much more effectively than the S3. Consequently, there's lots of ways to go wrong. Reading first can save you a lot of grief.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One more question. Is there a way to flash the s4 back to stock? I'll find the info on how, but going into the whole rooting and coming phase it would be nice to know that I could flash back to stock with odin. As I have with my s3.
GlitchMob said:
One more question. Is there a way to flash the s4 back to stock? I'll find the info on how, but going into the whole rooting and coming phase it would be nice to know that I could flash back to stock with odin. As I have with my s3.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. Read the second link in my reply above - it tells you how to identify what build you're on and has links to the downloadable Odin images for each build.
k1mu said:
Yes. Read the second link in my reply above - it tells you how to identify what build you're on and has links to the downloadable Odin images for each build.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your help. Turns out I'm on MJ7. I'm going to let this puppy charge while I hit the gym. I'll root it and see what rom I can install later tonight. Thanks again!! :victory:
GlitchMob said:
Thanks for your help. Turns out I'm on MJ7. I'm going to let this puppy charge while I hit the gym. I'll root it and see what rom I can install later tonight. Thanks again!! :victory:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mind as well update to mk2. You can do the same as mj7 but are most up to date. Just my 2 pennies. Btw I'm on bonestock 2.1 in SS romslot 1.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app
Slowbalt said:
Mind as well update to mk2. You can do the same as mj7 but are most up to date. Just my 2 pennies. Btw I'm on bonestock 2.1 in SS romslot 1.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there a noticeable difference? If its the same, why upgrade?
I am coming from a similar situation as you. I cracked my screen on my S3 and Asurion replaced it with an S4, which I received on Monday. I thought that I was going to be able to load SlimKat and pick up where I left off, but no.
The posts that k1mu linked are a great starting point. A few of my thoughts that I came to realize this week. These are my ways of looking at it and may not be totally correct.
The bootloader is locked and there isn't a total unlock (yet). Safestrap allows you to crack the door open a little and reach your arm in to grab a few things.
You will need to stick with ROMs that work with the TouchWiz kernel. The post that k1mu referenced has a link to compatible ROMs. You will not be able to load SlimKat, CM, Carbon, etc. Basically any ROM you choose will have TW underneath. Some of the ROMs will try to look like an ASOP, but it is still a TW base.
Safestrap will allow you to create ROM slots where you can try out the ROM to see if you like it. I am still trying to decide what I want to use. Currently I have Hyperdrive as the leader. Everything that I do continues to work. The Eclipse ROM looks good but it is not quite there yet, but he is working on a build in the next couple days. Here is a link to their website with more up to date status. Eclipse . I also looked at the Foxhound ROM and it is good also. For me support and future upgrades are the most important. I am starting to think that i will embrace TW instead of trying to cover it up and will go with Hyperdrive.
If you use TiBu, read this post, especially with Hyperdrive http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2653044.
The other realization that hit me was that while Safestrap can create partitions for loading different ROMs, each one is restricted to a maximum of a 3GB /data partition. When I tried to restore all of my apps this was quickly used up. It isn't supported by Safestrap to flash to the stock location, but it can and has been done. Since Safestrap isn't doing a flash there are more risks and I think that this should probably be kept to a minimum. This is where you want to test all the candidate ROMs first and then decide which one to use and then flash to the stock location. Obviously this could cause problems with the phone and would use ODIN as a fallback. Unless something get totally hosed and then you are out of a phone.
One thing that I realized a long time ago is that when you change devices you may want to do everything exactly the way it was before. On the phone or even when looking for information. But in most cases it is better to change your processes or work flow to work with the new device than it is to change the device to work in your previous work flow.

[Q] Can I root Verizon S4 4.4.2 ?

Is there any way to root the verizon s4 sch-1545 on kitkat 4.4.2 ? build number KOT49H.1545VRUFNC5
Not yet hopefully one day
Sent from my SCH-I545 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
samsungmodr said:
Is there any way to root the verizon s4 sch-1545 on kitkat 4.4.2 ? build number KOT49H.1545VRUFNC5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No need to start new threads.
SEARCH!!!!
And hopefully unlock the bootloader too.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
droid4lif3 said:
And hopefully unlock the bootloader too.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
most likely not....
decaturbob said:
most likely not....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Isn't it possible to downgrade from the 4.4.2 Official to MK2 4.3 and then root, and re-upgrade with root?
caniswesley said:
Isn't it possible to downgrade from the 4.4.2 Official to MK2 4.3 and then root, and re-upgrade with root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you took the OTA, no
decaturbob said:
if you took the OTA, no
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats not exactly true as someone who has done it. It can be done by following surges downgrade to mk2 method. I have done this multiple times.
Techguy2002 said:
Thats not exactly true as someone who has done it. It can be done by following surges downgrade to mk2 method. I have done this multiple times.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So how's that work for you guys then? You can downgrade but the bootloaders still NC5? And you can still install SafeStrap? I've read multiple things about this and just want to know.
I know Surge's method ( I thought ) involved using SafeStrap from MK2 which makes sense. But those who simply took the OTA can actually go back down and still use SafeStrap?
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
The bootloader will stay at nc5. It's a partial downgrade. But you get in to download mode and use odin. I haven't had any issues. Then you can use safe root and then install safe strap and then install the nc5 rooted file and your good. I did this last night again it was fairly easy.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using XDA Free mobile app
Techguy2002 said:
The bootloader will stay at nc5. It's a partial downgrade. But you get in to download mode and use odin. I haven't had any issues. Then you can use safe root and then install safe strap and then install the nc5 rooted file and your good. I did this last night again it was fairly easy.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would you mind doing a quick write-up on how to from an 4.4.2 OTA? Everyone's information is confusing and complicated.
Thanks in advance.
tech_head said:
No need to start new threads.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ryjwalsh said:
Would you mind doing a quick write-up on how to from an 4.4.2 OTA? Everyone's information is confusing and complicated.SEARCH!!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
GOOD LUCK getting anything from the devs here!!! The following statement is not for you!!!. it is toward the Elitist Devs who insist on Posting SEARCH!!!
They had a bounty up last year to unlock the Bootloader and had a substantial reward for doing so, and they just ignored it, I personally pledged and they willingly took my pledge as it was pushing the bounty up into the mid thousands of dollars, It seems as though they don't want to help any Verizon variant, with Roms or even trouble shooting questions, they just flame people for not searching and treat us like we are idiots, Totally Elitist attitudes because they think they are better than us, When they were us once......Some of us idiots do not have time to read through 2000 pages .... We have lives and Jobs and tons of responsibility, to greedy corporate Elitist Record Companies!!!!! So if ya wanna flame me Be my guest...But be fair warned I fight back....
Thanks in advance.[/QUOTE]
studiorat said:
GOOD LUCK getting anything from the devs here!!! The following statement is not for you!!!. it is toward the Elitist Devs who insist on Posting SEARCH!!!
They had a bounty up last year to unlock the Bootloader and had a substantial reward for doing so, and they just ignored it, I personally pledged and they willingly took my pledge as it was pushing the bounty up into the mid thousands of dollars, It seems as though they don't want to help any Verizon variant, with Roms or even trouble shooting questions, they just flame people for not searching and treat us like we are idiots, Totally Elitist attitudes because they think they are better than us, When they were us once......Some of us idiots do not have time to read through 2000 pages .... We have lives and Jobs and tons of responsibility, to greedy corporate Elitist Record Companies!!!!! So if ya wanna flame me Be my guest...But be fair warned I fight back....
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
[/QUOTE]
you are kidding right? Most don't even read 1 pages of threads...and ignore stickies altogether.
studiorat said:
GOOD LUCK getting anything from the devs here!!! The following statement is not for you!!!. it is toward the Elitist Devs who insist on Posting SEARCH!!!
They had a bounty up last year to unlock the Bootloader and had a substantial reward for doing so, and they just ignored it, I personally pledged and they willingly took my pledge as it was pushing the bounty up into the mid thousands of dollars, It seems as though they don't want to help any Verizon variant, with Roms or even trouble shooting questions, they just flame people for not searching and treat us like we are idiots, Totally Elitist attitudes because they think they are better than us, When they were us once......Some of us idiots do not have time to read through 2000 pages .... We have lives and Jobs and tons of responsibility, to greedy corporate Elitist Record Companies!!!!! So if ya wanna flame me Be my guest...But be fair warned I fight back....
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
[/QUOTE]
Lol so much wrong in this post I can't even cover everything replying on my phone. Let me just respond to your observation of what happened with the bounty.
First off, the devs don't do this for a living and have real lives & jobs just like you & I. There were and are tons of people who are trying to figure out how to find an exploit in the bootloader. Trust me, it's one of the biggest bounties we've had on XDA a lot of devs would want all that money. The fact is that it's simply really freakin' hard to figure out and the methods of how to find exploits take tons of time. You have to understand while we have a few thousand dollars in the bounty it really isn't much compared to how much money we're up against. Verizon, pressured by millions of enterprise customers who want secure phones, made Samsung/Qualcomm spend a lot of money locking the bootloader up tight. It's very difficult to crack.
Sent from my HTC6525LVW using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
ryjwalsh said:
Would you mind doing a quick write-up on how to from an 4.4.2 OTA? Everyone's information is confusing and complicated.
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did it using the old method of surges with the two files instead of the three. I cant upload it here evidently. I am not a developer by no means just have time being unemployed to mess with stuff.
Its pretty simple download the file and extract it and then open odin.
I used 3.09 and put the pit file in the pit slot and then put the downgrade into the ap slot.
The process will fail at cache thats normal.
Reboot the phone back into download mode and then I close odin and reopen it and then in the ap slot put the downgrade system file and it should complete.
When the phone restarts immediately press the up arrow to get into recovery. Then do a factory reset/ Wipe Data and also wipe the cache.
Once this is complete reboot the phone and it should boot and you will be back on the 4.3 partial. I then use saferoot to root and then install safestrap 3.72 and then boot into safestrap and install the rooted nc5 v2 file and then go back into download mode you need to go back into odin and flash and nc5 ap file and cp file and then reboot back into download mode and flash the csc file and reboot and your good to go. I will reply with a link to the files after I upload them.
I will post the file after I get it uploaded.
Surge1223's posts
I have searched for Surge1223's canonical posts on both reverting an SCH-I545 S4 NC5 back to MK2 and then rooting MK2 and the hack to move to NC5 without losing root.
I was rooted on MK2, but got caught by an OTA upgrade to NC5 KitKat 4.4.2. Ergo - no root.
Can anybody point me to these posts?
Blue Sun said:
I have searched for Surge1223's canonical posts on both reverting an SCH-I545 S4 NC5 back to MK2 and then rooting MK2 and the hack to move to NC5 without losing root.
I was rooted on MK2, but got caught by an OTA upgrade to NC5 KitKat 4.4.2. Ergo - no root.
Can anybody point me to these posts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Follow Surge's downgrade to MK2 from NC2 (it works with NC5 i did this last night [after taking the OTA update]) and follow the upgrade to NC5 in the same post. but when you downgrade dont let the phone boot up at all, you'll have to flash 3 files, just flash, pull the battery out when it tries to reboot, flash the next file, repeat for the third file.
here's his thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2726868
the downgrade method is right below the upgrade method.
MmmMonster said:
Follow Surge's downgrade to MK2 from NC2 (it works with NC5 i did this last night [after taking the OTA update]) and follow the upgrade to NC5 in the same post. but when you downgrade dont let the phone boot up at all, you'll have to flash 3 files, just flash, pull the battery out when it tries to reboot, flash the next file, repeat for the third file.
here's his thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2726868
the downgrade method is right below the upgrade method.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here is my simplier method.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=52581054
Thanks,..
MmmMonster said:
Follow Surge's downgrade to MK2 from NC2 (it works with NC5 i did this last night [after taking the OTA update]) and follow the upgrade to NC5 in the same post. but when you downgrade dont let the phone boot up at all, you'll have to flash 3 files, just flash, pull the battery out when it tries to reboot, flash the next file, repeat for the third file.
here's his thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2726868
the downgrade method is right below the upgrade method.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, MiniMonster. I've been involved with XDA-Developers for years (under changing 'noms-de-web') and, lately, I've found it highly unwieldy to find critical information among all of the null-content posts and changing threads. The signal-to-noise ratio is getting pretty close to making the site more trouble than its worth.
Blue Sun
Google Nexus 10 - rooted - TWRP/ CyanogenMod
Google Nexus 7 - also caught in the OTA, but re-rooted - CWM/Paranoid Android
Samsung Galaxy 4 - about to be re-rooted and moved onto KitKat NC5 with SafeStrap, TWRP, CyanogenMod
Samsung Galaxy 3 - rooted, but stock with the Nova Prime launcher (also has GO Launcher EX and Apex PRO disabled).
Verizon Ellipsis 7 LTE - new and stock (for the moment).
Motorola Droid RAZR - rooted and running multiple ROMs
Verizon Ellipsis 7 LTE - new and stock (for the moment).
Motorola Droid Bionic - rooted and running multiple ROMS
numerous other older phones all the way back to the first car-installed wireless phones

[Q] [Help] New to rooting

Hello,
I am really new to rooting and custom roms. I've looked everywhere and can't seem to find a tutorial on how to root the S4-i545 on NC5. I don't understand custom recovery, and overall I'm just a really bad noob at this. Could I be linked to an informative tutorial to help me better understand things? Also, if there is a tutorial on how to root the i545 on NC5 that would be fantastic.
I'm really stuck and I've been researching for the past few days and still haven't come across anything helpful..
Thanks!
error 404
I thing it's not available
Reconde said:
Hello,
I am really new to rooting and custom roms. I've looked everywhere and can't seem to find a tutorial on how to root the S4-i545 on NC5. I don't understand custom recovery, and overall I'm just a really bad noob at this. Could I be linked to an informative tutorial to help me better understand things? Also, if there is a tutorial on how to root the i545 on NC5 that would be fantastic.
I'm really stuck and I've been researching for the past few days and still haven't come across anything helpful..
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
rooting and custom roms loading are not for the faint of heart. Going to NC5 is fairly complex process and requires alot of patience and alot knowledge concerning odin process as using odin is key part of the inst all of downgrading. I take it your phone is already NC5 and you took the OTA?
decaturbob said:
rooting and custom roms loading are not for the faint of heart. Going to NC5 is fairly complex process and requires alot of patience and alot knowledge concerning odin process as using odin is key part of the inst all of downgrading. I take it your phone is already NC5 and you took the OTA?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. I downloaded the OTA from Verizon for 4.4.2. I've heard many times that a NC5 root is not available, so is there any way you know to downgrade back to 4.3 for root? I understand there is a post by surge on how to upgrade to NC5 and keep root after that, but I can't seem to find a post on how to downgrade back to 4.3
Reconde said:
Yes. I downloaded the OTA from Verizon for 4.4.2. I've heard many times that a NC5 root is not available, so is there any way you know to downgrade back to 4.3 for root? I understand there is a post by surge on how to upgrade to NC5 and keep root after that, but I can't seem to find a post on how to downgrade back to 4.3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Read the following: from Surge1223.
That will allow you to downgrade to 4.3, root it, then eventually upgrade to 4.4 while retaining root.
You do NOT want to downgrade to 4.3 if you've installed 4.4. The kernel modules for 4.3 won't work unless you run bypasslkm at every boot, which appears to be a challenge for a number of people. Once you've started the NC5 upgrade, you really want to be on 4.4.
If you're still on 4.3 (MK2) and want to upgrade to NC5, I'd recommend using this. It's a lot easier to do, but it only applies if your MK2 system is basically factory stock but rooted (or if you can get it back to stock.)
I've gotten my answer on downgrading, could someone please explain to me what recovery is?
Sent from my SCH-I545 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
k1mu said:
Read the following: from Surge1223.
That will allow you to downgrade to 4.3, root it, then eventually upgrade to 4.4 while retaining root.
You do NOT want to downgrade to 4.3 if you've installed 4.4. The kernel modules for 4.3 won't work unless you run bypasslkm at every boot, which appears to be a challenge for a number of people. Once you've started the NC5 upgrade, you really want to be on 4.4.
If you're still on 4.3 (MK2) and want to upgrade to NC5, I'd recommend using this. It's a lot easier to do, but it only applies if your MK2 system is basically factory stock but rooted (or if you can get it back to stock.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ha, as a newcomer I can confirm that following Surge's method is not the easiest but I was able to pull it off on the first try. Now currently Using NC5 4.4.2 rooted and running smoothly. I'm going to try to run Hyperdrive's newest release as soon as the rom download is finished.
---------- Post added at 04:12 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:03 PM ----------
Reconde said:
I've gotten my answer on downgrading, could someone please explain to me what recovery is?
Sent from my SCH-I545 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You may have read this already but... there are a lot of useful noobie links you can find regarding general info in the General section! And by saying this I mean that... I read those couple of weeks back and its nothing from another world. Good luck!
Reconde said:
I've gotten my answer on downgrading, could someone please explain to me what recovery is?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's three ways you can boot your android device.
First is normal mode. That's the way it nomally boots, running the full operating system.
The second is downloader mode. This mode allows you to flash new software images using ODIN.
The third is recovery mode. Factory recovery allows you to flash updates, wipe the stock ROM, factory reset, etc. A custom recovery allows you to flash arbitrary updates (those which aren't signed by Samsung).
Phones running MDK bootloader can have a custom recovery that allows you to flash nonstandard ROMs.
Past MDK, this requires the use of Safestrap recovery.
Quick question - where would I put necessary files on my SD card? Under which directory?
Sent from my SCH-I545 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Reconde said:
Quick question - where would I put necessary files on my SD card? Under which directory?
Sent from my SCH-I545 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Put on extsd card..whatever name u want to use
sent by safestrap enabled bajarom
Closed at OP request.

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