Hi everyone! I need some help updating my S4. I rooted it awhile back and I'm very much of the mindset of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it," so since it was doing everything I wanted, I've just left it alone and kept dismissing the prompt to install the OTA update. Now I'm having some issues and want some features of the newer versions of Android, so I was looking around for the best way to update it while keeping my root access. All the guides I can find, however, talk about upgrading from 4.3 to 4.4 or 4.2 to 4.3. So I was wondering...
1. What version should I update to? On my last phone, a Droid Bionic, one of the big Android version updates ran so horribly on it that I ended up getting a new phone. Because of that, I'm very nervous about updating my phone and having the performance suffer.
2. There must be a way to go straight from 4.2.2 to whatever version I choose, right? Do I need to go dig up some old guides on how to update my phone so that the most recent guides are relevant?
I hope I'm not being a super noob about this. I tried Googling around, and I'm pretty tech savvy but just haven't had the time to keep up with recent developments, so some guidance would be very helpful!
About my phone:
Verizon Galaxy S4
Model #: SCH-I545
Android version: 4.2.2
Baseband version: I545VRUDMI1
Thanks so much!
Find out what base band you have, MDK, ME7?
If MDK, install recovery download rom.
Anything other check this thread out:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2735172
Advice, better read about the bugs and issues each version has. Once you go up, you cannot go back. Not ever, no never.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using XDA Free mobile app
Well if he is one of those few lucky MDK people he could hop around versions as he please. But most of them already know that *Grin*
Sent from my SCH-I545 using XDA Free mobile app
Batttie said:
Find out what base band you have, MDK, ME7?
If MDK, install recovery download rom.
Anything other check this thread out:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2735172
Advice, better read about the bugs and issues each version has. Once you go up, you cannot go back. Not ever, no never.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I put the baseband version of my phone in my original post. It's I545VRUDMI1. Or am I missing something? So that means I should use Odin to flash whatever rom I decide to go with, right? So if I went with something like this 4.4.4 Google Play Edition I can use Odin to put it on my device? But then if I decide I don't like that rom for whatever reason, I can't redo it with any roms based on an earlier version (4.4.2, 4.3, etc), but other 4.4.4 roms would work?
Thanks so much for the help!
Toubabi said:
I put the baseband version of my phone in my original post. It's I545VRUDMI1. Or am I missing something? So that means I should use Odin to flash whatever rom I decide to go with, right? So if I went with something like this 4.4.4 Google Play Edition I can use Odin to put it on my device? But then if I decide I don't like that rom for whatever reason, I can't redo it with any roms based on an earlier version (4.4.2, 4.3, etc), but other 4.4.4 roms would work?
Thanks so much for the help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need a custom recovery to flash that Play Edition ROM which is not possible with your MI1 baseband.
dodgingpixels said:
You need a custom recovery to flash that Play Edition ROM which is not possible with your MI1 baseband.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So how do I know/find which roms will work?
Toubabi said:
So how do I know/find which roms will work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here's a pretty good thread explaining the different basebands.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2578569
OK, I think I'm starting to get it. So should I use Odin to flash the rom listed under "Recover by re-flashing stock" in this thread? Or should I use safestrap? What's the difference?
Related
Ok, a little info on me. I have had an iPhone since 2007. I decided to buy a used G S4 to see if I would like it. So far I like it a lot but need help getting it just right.
I am trying to install custom roms on my device. I want to try CM.10 first. So far I have achieved root aaccess, and installed gooManager.
The problem is that when I install a custom recovery script so I can have a custom recovery the phone locks up. What could I be doing wrong? I am sure this has been covered a hundred times but there is so much info on here its overwhelming to someone new to android. Thanks to everyone for the great work and contributions s already made.
Try odin to flash!
iPhone*convert said:
Ok, a little info on me. I have had an iPhone since 2007. I decided to buy a used G S4 to see if I would like it. So far I like it a lot but need help getting it just right.
I am trying to install custom roms on my device. I want to try CM.10 first. So far I have achieved root aaccess, and installed gooManager.
The problem is that when I install a custom recovery script so I can have a custom recovery the phone locks up. What could I be doing wrong? I am sure this has been covered a hundred times but there is so much info on here its overwhelming to someone new to android. Thanks to everyone for the great work and contributions s already made.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
when i installed my custom recovery i used cwm recovery (my preference) and used odin to flash it. its not as easy but its more reliable to me just look up a tutorial on how to flash custom recovery on odin. There are many vids on youtube
mylifeandroid said:
when i installed my custom recovery i used cwm recovery (my preference) and used odin to flash it. its not as easy but its more reliable to me just look up a tutorial on how to flash custom recovery on odin. There are many vids on youtube
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I watched all of the videos. Do I have a locked boot loader? Does that keep me from installing open recovery script? If so do I need a device with an older baseband in order to root, install custom recovery, and run custom roms?
I have a SCH-I545 running 4.3 with an mk2 baseband.
Yes, your bootloader is locked and currently there is no way to unlock it. Safestrap is your only option for ROMs now. Start with reading the OP.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2441441
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
How do I find an older gs4 with an unlocked bootloader? How will I know when I find one? What baseband version should I be looking for?
iPhone*convert said:
How do I find an older gs4 with an unlocked bootloader? How will I know when I find one? What baseband version should I be looking for?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where your phone says mk2 the other will say mdk. . As far as finding one people sell them on ebay
iPhone*convert said:
How do I find an older gs4 with an unlocked bootloader? How will I know when I find one? What baseband version should I be looking for?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check out www.swappa.com
People have em up for sale, just look for the last three letters of the build (or baseband I suppose) to be MDK. Anything newer than that is locked down.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
iPhone*convert said:
How do I find an older gs4 with an unlocked bootloader? How will I know when I find one? What baseband version should I be looking for?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Information is easily available in these forums concerning bootloaders and rooting and recoveries....with you phone your only option is safestrap and just one or 2 roms are available..
look before you jump
Nobody posts the build number in their adds on ebay or that swappers site. I'm messaging them all individually haha. Lmfao why didn't I read about this more before buying this boot locked pos lol.
Me7 and mj7 are worthless right?
iPhone*convert said:
Me7 and mj7 are worthless right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will be honest this is the first phone that i have ever been satisfied with rooted debloated stock but I am very greatful my flashing itch is able to be somewhat scratched with safestrap. The above builds aren't worthless but I guess that all depends on your point of view and what your wanting to do with your device.
iPhone*convert said:
Me7 and mj7 are worthless right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
don't understand the statement?
the stock roms run extremely well and with root you can debloat pretty easily. S4 phone is a superior device to most anything else out there at this moment whether you mod it or not
Hey your in luck there is a guy selling his mdk s4 for 330 on the general thread.
I asked a similar question back in October, but fell out of the loop again and didn't want to necro an old post. I just want to verify that the information I got back then is still relavent.
Is installing custom ROMs still the best way to bring my MDK S4 up to the current version? If so, what should I be looking for in a ROM title to tell me that it's just a stock ROM that gives the same experience as the OTA? Someone mentioned Deodex'd in my last post, but I have no idea what that means or if it's what I should be looking for.
And for an S4 that came stock with ME7? Should my girlfriend (with an ME7 update) just take the newest OTA and root that, or is there a benefit to sticking with ME7 and installing a ROM? If the answer is to go with a ROM then she'll want the stock new OTA experience as well for now, are there any ME7 ROMs available that can do that?
Thanks again guys!
Don't touch your MDK S4. Leave it on MDK with Loki. It's practically an unlocked bootloader with actual TWRP and CWM. You can still install 4.3 TouchWiz stock ROMs on it because you can change the kernel. Plus you can run AOSP ROMs, which is awesome.
Reonar_Dauth said:
I asked a similar question back in October, but fell out of the loop again and didn't want to necro an old post. I just want to verify that the information I got back then is still relavent.
Is installing custom ROMs still the best way to bring my MDK S4 up to the current version? If so, what should I be looking for in a ROM title to tell me that it's just a stock ROM that gives the same experience as the OTA? Someone mentioned Deodex'd in my last post, but I have no idea what that means or if it's what I should be looking for.
And for an S4 that came stock with ME7? Should my girlfriend (with an ME7 update) just take the newest OTA and root that, or is there a benefit to sticking with ME7 and installing a ROM? If the answer is to go with a ROM then she'll want the stock new OTA experience as well for now, are there any ME7 ROMs available that can do that?
Thanks again guys!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're girls me7 s4 might as well update to mj7 or mk2 (4.3) as then she'll still be using Safestrap. Mostly everyone is running Hyperdrive anyways. Great performance and battery life with that. Update it, throw Safestrap 3.71 on there then Hyperdrive 12....pretty much bug free.
As far as you're MDK phone just grab whatever AOSP 4.3 or 4.4 ROM you like. You're lucky to have that phone!!
Sent from my SCH-I545 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
I have ME7 on my phone and decided to update to be compatible with hyperdrive.
I started the installation like 6 hours ago; is it supposed to take this long?
I had it rooted and got rid of all the bloatware from Verizon using titanium. Would that have something to do with it? Otherwise, I don't know what's going on. Thank you, and I apologize if this was addressed in any other thread.
TheDarkAbed said:
I have ME7 on my phone and decided to update to be compatible with hyperdrive.
I started the installation like 6 hours ago; is it supposed to take this long?
I had it rooted and got rid of all the bloatware from Verizon using titanium. Would that have something to do with it? Otherwise, I don't know what's going on. Thank you, and I apologize if this was addressed in any other thread.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No its not supposed to take that long. So you're trying to take the ota from me7 you're saying right? You may have to Odin if that doesn't work for you. Sometimes unfreezing and removing mods just doesn't do it
Sent from my SCH-I545 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Mistertac said:
No its not supposed to take that long. So you're trying to take the ota from me7 you're saying right? You may have to Odin if that doesn't work for you. Sometimes unfreezing and removing mods just doesn't do it
Sent from my SCH-I545 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry. Can you link me to where I can find how to do that
Thanks again
TheDarkAbed said:
Sorry. Can you link me to where I can find how to do that
Thanks again
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Several youtube videos on Odin process
safestrap enabled, Hyperdrive driven
decaturbob said:
Several youtube videos on Odin process
safestrap enabled, Hyperdrive driven
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I went on youtube, but all of them say that they are for I9505. I'm not sure where I'm supposed to look, but my model number says SCH-I545. Does that mean I'm unable to use the process?
Sorry again for asking so many questions.
TheDarkAbed said:
I went on youtube, but all of them say that they are for I9505. I'm not sure where I'm supposed to look, but my model number says SCH-I545. Does that mean I'm unable to use the process?
Sorry again for asking so many questions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Process is similar. ..you just need to have correct image file.
safestrap enabled, Hyperdrive driven
TheDarkAbed said:
I went on youtube, but all of them say that they are for I9505. I'm not sure where I'm supposed to look, but my model number says SCH-I545. Does that mean I'm unable to use the process?
Sorry again for asking so many questions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same process, but get the image for your i545 from the Android Development forum for this phone.
is there any benefit to keeping ME7 or just update to most recent update? thanks for the help.
Sorry I know you guys get common stuff like this a lot, and as such I searched for my issue but everything I found lead me to a dead end.
I'm currently using VZW Galaxy S4 (SCH-i545) with build VRUDMI1 and android 4.2.2
I had disabled OTA updates by using a guide about a year ago. I'm needing to unroot my phone and put it back to stock so I can get OTA and move on to 4.4 (I don't know enough about custom roms and flashing to do it without OTA).
From what I read, I need to use odin to flash a tar file while in download mode. Problem is, I don't know which file to get. I've looked at some guides but I can't find a working link for an SCH-545 VRUDMI1 with 4.2.2
Any help would be appreciated and thanks for your time.
thegh0st81 said:
Sorry I know you guys get common stuff like this a lot, and as such I searched for my issue but everything I found lead me to a dead end.
I'm currently using VZW Galaxy S4 (SCH-i545) with build VRUDMI1 and android 4.2.2
I had disabled OTA updates by using a guide about a year ago. I'm needing to unroot my phone and put it back to stock so I can get OTA and move on to 4.4 (I don't know enough about custom roms and flashing to do it without OTA).
From what I read, I need to use odin to flash a tar file while in download mode. Problem is, I don't know which file to get. I've looked at some guides but I can't find a working link for an SCH-545 VRUDMI1 with 4.2.2
Any help would be appreciated and thanks for your time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2735172
es0tericcha0s said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2735172
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you, I did discover that very thread, but the build number doesn't match mine. I wasn't sure if that made any difference and out of fear of bricking my phone, I posted this to make sure. So even though the build isn't what mind presently says, it should be ok?
thegh0st81 said:
Thank you, I did discover that very thread, but the build number doesn't match mine. I wasn't sure if that made any difference and out of fear of bricking my phone, I posted this to make sure. So even though the build isn't what mind presently says, it should be ok?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea, this will update and unroot all in one. Like the post said, if that update doesn't work, then grab the NC2 one. It would be best to factory reset as well.
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?
So I have had my S4 since about a month after launch. Not long afterwards I received the OTA notification. I rejected it and froze the SDM.APK and stopped getting the notification. Fast-forward to recently. I am thinking about getting a stereo for my truck that has Google Auto, but my phone is not compatible. I believe it is because I am running version 4.2.2. Is there a way that I can upgrade to Lollipop, keep root and keep my current apps installed?
Thanks,
Dan
bumpncarstereo said:
So I have had my S4 since about a month after launch. Not long afterwards I received the OTA notification. I rejected it and froze the SDM.APK and stopped getting the notification. Fast-forward to recently. I am thinking about getting a stereo for my truck that has Google Auto, but my phone is not compatible. I believe it is because I am running version 4.2.2. Is there a way that I can upgrade to Lollipop, keep root and keep my current apps installed?
Thanks,
Dan
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Best thing you can do is install the Custom CyanogenMod 13 ROM for S4 KitKat.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
bumpncarstereo said:
So I have had my S4 since about a month after launch. Not long afterwards I received the OTA notification. I rejected it and froze the SDM.APK and stopped getting the notification. Fast-forward to recently. I am thinking about getting a stereo for my truck that has Google Auto, but my phone is not compatible. I believe it is because I am running version 4.2.2. Is there a way that I can upgrade to Lollipop, keep root and keep my current apps installed?
Thanks,
Dan
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
chaotic_jose said:
Best thing you can do is install the Custom CyanogenMod 13 ROM for S4 KitKat.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you're still on MDK bootloader, you can flash TWRP and then install a custom ROM. CM 13 works. I also like OctOS 6.0.
If you're on any other bootloader, however, you're stuck with safestrap and TouchWiz-based ROMs.
flamadiddle said:
If you're still on MDK bootloader, you can flash TWRP and then install a custom ROM. CM 13 works. I also like OctOS 6.0.
If you're on any other bootloader, however, you're stuck with safestrap and TouchWiz-based ROMs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do I find out what bootloader I am on? In the about phone it says "Secure Boot Status Type Samsung" Also my baseband Version is I545VRUAME7
If my research so far is correct, looks like I am stuck with safestrap and touchwiz based roms?
It may matter, I am on Verizon.
Thanks
Dan
bumpncarstereo said:
How do I find out what bootloader I am on? In the about phone it says "Secure Boot Status Type Samsung" It may matter, I am on Verizon.
Thanks
Dan
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you go to Settings --> About Phone, the last three letters of your Baseband version are what we're talking about. If it ends with MDK, you can bypass the security checks on the locked bootloader via the Loki patch.
Edit
Just saw your update. Yeah, you have the ME7 bootloader, which means you're out of luck for non-TW ROMs. Sorry. Check the ROM List for Safestrap-compatible ROMs. The Safestrap thread has instructions on how to use it.
flamadiddle said:
When you go to Settings --> About Phone, the last three letters of your Baseband version are what we're talking about. If it ends with MDK, you can bypass the security checks on the locked bootloader via the Loki patch.
Edit
Just saw your update. Yeah, you have the ME7 bootloader, which means you're out of luck for non-TW ROMs. Sorry. Check the ROM List for Safestrap-compatible ROMs. The Safestrap thread has instructions on how to use it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the information.
flamadiddle said:
When you go to Settings --> About Phone, the last three letters of your Baseband version are what we're talking about. If it ends with MDK, you can bypass the security checks on the locked bootloader via the Loki patch.
Edit
Just saw your update. Yeah, you have the ME7 bootloader, which means you're out of luck for non-TW ROMs. Sorry. Check the ROM List for Safestrap-compatible ROMs. The Safestrap thread has instructions on how to use it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Famadiddle
I installed safestrap with no problem. I am looking at the list of available roms and there doesn't appear to be many options for me. I am coming from a stock 4.2.2 and it seems that they require you to come from 4.4.x, the one that specifically say ME7, the download link was out of date. Am I misinterpreting the pre-req's? With a custom rom, do you have to stay within your version? IE i have to stay 4.2.2, and I can't go to 4.4?
Thanks again.
Edit,
So I bit the bullet and installed this one here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2415780
don't really see what all the commotion was about. everything was still the same, seems to have installed over top of my stock rom. It did install something though because the about phone screen has different stuff in it.
Dan
bumpncarstereo said:
Famadiddle
I installed safestrap with no problem. I am looking at the list of available roms and there doesn't appear to be many options for me. I am coming from a stock 4.2.2 and it seems that they require you to come from 4.4.x, the one that specifically say ME7, the download link was out of date. Am I misinterpreting the pre-req's? With a custom rom, do you have to stay within your version? IE i have to stay 4.2.2, and I can't go to 4.4?
Thanks again.
Edit,
So I bit the bullet and installed this one here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2415780
don't really see what all the commotion was about. everything was still the same, seems to have installed over top of my stock rom. It did install something though because the about phone screen has different stuff in it.
Dan
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AFAIK, you can install other versions of (Safestrap-compatible) ROMs. If you only install ME7 ROMs, then you're only getting modified versions of the same stock software you already had. I have not used Safestrap myself, so your questions about it will get better answers on the Safestrap thread.