I've looked through these forums and haven't really gotten any clear answers. I have a Samsung Galaxy S4 SCH-I545 with the VRUFNC5 firmware. I tried to install CWM Recovery using Rom Manager. It looked as if it installed just fine. Says its installed, however, when I boot into recovery, its the stock recovery. I very much want to install CWM recovery on my phone. I would prefer the Touch version, but it's not necessary. Also, I really want to put Lollipop on there too. I'm running stock 4.4.2 now. Most everything I've seen is for every other model of S4 other than mine. Could you please lead me in the right direction if this is at all possible. I would greatly appreciate it.
friedtater22 said:
I've looked through these forums and haven't really gotten any clear answers. I have a Samsung Galaxy S4 SCH-I545 with the VRUFNC5 firmware. I tried to install CWM Recovery using Rom Manager. It looked as if it installed just fine. Says its installed, however, when I boot into recovery, its the stock recovery. I very much want to install CWM recovery on my phone. I would prefer the Touch version, but it's not necessary. Also, I really want to put Lollipop on there too. I'm running stock 4.4.2 now. Most everything I've seen is for every other model of S4 other than mine. Could you please lead me in the right direction if this is at all possible. I would greatly appreciate it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess that you are on NC5 bootloader. You will be able to install Safestrap, but you wont be able to run an AOSP roms.
friedtater22 said:
I've looked through these forums and haven't really gotten any clear answers. I have a Samsung Galaxy S4 SCH-I545 with the VRUFNC5 firmware. I tried to install CWM Recovery using Rom Manager. It looked as if it installed just fine. Says its installed, however, when I boot into recovery, its the stock recovery. I very much want to install CWM recovery on my phone. I would prefer the Touch version, but it's not necessary. Also, I really want to put Lollipop on there too. I'm running stock 4.4.2 now. Most everything I've seen is for every other model of S4 other than mine. Could you please lead me in the right direction if this is at all possible. I would greatly appreciate it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can't run CWM nor TWRP you're only option is Safestrap. However check this ROM out has some Lollipop features etc. Not sure how stable it is though.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4-verizon/development/rom-kitpop-v1-0-t3019132
Related
Hi, i recently rooted my verizon galaxy s4 with software version 4.3 and MJ7 build using the chinese superuser method etc. I wanted to install a rom so i have been searching for a way to install (any) recovery but everything doesnt work! I tried using gooManager but it always gives me an error. I tried installing cwm through ROM manager but after i installed it and "booted into recovery", it got me stuck in download mode which then i had to do a battery pull and cancel the operation.
I really want to install any recovery on my phone so i can install ROMS and be safe incase i brick my phone. PLEASE HELP!!!!
Any threads that cover this issue would be helpful, but i havent been able to find one! if you have any links or downloads with instructions, that would be very helpful
Thanks
bballnerd102 said:
Hi, i recently rooted my verizon galaxy s4 with software version 4.3 and MJ7 build using the chinese superuser method etc. I wanted to install a rom so i have been searching for a way to install (any) recovery but everything doesnt work! I tried using gooManager but it always gives me an error. I tried installing cwm through ROM manager but after i installed it and "booted into recovery", it got me stuck in download mode which then i had to do a battery pull and cancel the operation.
I really want to install any recovery on my phone so i can install ROMS and be safe incase i brick my phone. PLEASE HELP!!!!
Any threads that cover this issue would be helpful, but i havent been able to find one! if you have any links or downloads with instructions, that would be very helpful
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm in the exact same boat as you right now. As far as I know there is no recovery not the ability to flash ROMs on this phone running mj7.
iDontMissMyiPhone said:
I'm in the exact same boat as you right now. As far as I know there is no recovery not the ability to flash ROMs on this phone running mj7.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here. I have read that Verizon is making it big time hard to root and then do anything else. Please if anyone else figures out what is being asked here, help us out.
Can we odin backwards ? so far what i am seeing we cant
After looking through some of the threads, I think I have a slightly unique situation.
I got my S4 through swappa, and it was already on MK2. I rooted using motochopper and installed safe strap, and that worked (when booting, I could get into the options screen mess with stuff, etc). I didn't install any ROMS since there weren't any I was interested in besides cyanogenmod
In my attempt to install cyanogen mod, I tried installing another recovery, I think TWRP. That earned me the unlocked symbol when booting, and I was stuck in a weird boot loop for a while. I started researching flashing a clean ROM onto my phone, but lo and behold, it actually fixed it's own boot loop and started up again.
That was a month or two ago, before the NC5 4.4.2 update. I decided since it had resurrected itself I would just wait for a bit and see what other tools came out.
After the 4.4.2 update came out, I ignored it for a bit. I tried installing the OTA update once and it went through it's song and dance and after it rebooted it said it couldn't complete the update so nothing was changed. I assume that is because it's rooted? I didn't really force uninstall any apps, I just disabled them through the included app manager.
So where I'm at now is I'm still on MK2, I can't install the OTA update, everytime I reboot my phone I get the unlock symbol and it says "Recovery Booting..." in blue letters at the top, but it never boots into any sort of recovery.
I have tried installing safe strap again and the safe strap app says "State: Installed" but when I reboot it says that recovery booting thing, and then just boots into the regular phone. I don't see the safe strap logo or button options at all.
Where can I go from here? Ideally I'd like to get on a custom ROM that's on the rootgalaxys4 website (it won't let me post links) but I don't know if I have the MDK bootloader, or even what my recovery situation is.
If anyone could help shed some light on this, it would be much appreciated!
Install phone info from play store. ..If you have mk2...bootloader and firmware I have no idea how you got a cm base rom loaded....As for taking an OTA. ..you have to be 100% stock...no root..nothing frozen.
sent by bajarom v2.2 kitkat
decaturbob said:
Install phone info from play store. ..If you have mk2...bootloader and firmware I have no idea how you got a cm base rom loaded....As for taking an OTA. ..you have to be 100% stock...no root..nothing frozen.
sent by bajarom v2.2 kitkat
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I actually don't have a CM base rom loaded, sorry if I made it sound like that. I am still on 4.3 stock w/ root. I wanted a CM ROM, and it seemed like I couldn't do it through safe strap so I tried to put TWRP recovery on there and I got boot-looped (which ended up fixing itself). Now I am trying to figure out how to get a recovery on there, and what my ROM options are (if I can get to 4.4.2 rooted, I would be happy).
I got the phone info program, is there any specific info you wanted off of there?
It says bootloader version I545VRUEMK2, baseband is same
apefist said:
I actually don't have a CM base rom loaded, sorry if I made it sound like that. I am still on 4.3 stock w/ root. I wanted a CM ROM, and it seemed like I couldn't do it through safe strap so I tried to put TWRP recovery on there and I got boot-looped (which ended up fixing itself). Now I am trying to figure out how to get a recovery on there, and what my ROM options are (if I can get to 4.4.2 rooted, I would be happy).
I got the phone info program, is there any specific info you wanted off of there?
It says bootloader version I545VRUEMK2, baseband is same
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your ONLY option for recovery is Safestrap. You can ONLY install Touchwiz based Roms.
There are a lot of threads in the General and Development sections you should check out before you go any further. I would link them for you, but I'm on my way out. Good luck.
riker147 said:
Your ONLY option for recovery is Safestrap. You can ONLY install Touchwiz based Roms.
There are a lot of threads in the General and Development sections you should check out before you go any further. I would link them for you, but I'm on my way out. Good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK, well then my current problem is even though I have the safestrap app installed, and the program reports safestrap recovery as being installed, I can't access it. There is no safe strap screen while booting or button options, and even if I do the forced boot into recovery (press power+vol up+home at the same time and hold until you see the "Recovery Booting" message) it just boots to the normal phone every time.
Also worth noting is for every boot, no matter how i start it, it says "Recovery booting" at the top, but never boots into recovery. I have tried uninstalling safe strap recovery through the safe strap app and re-installing but it is the same thing.
apefist said:
After looking through some of the threads, I think I have a slightly unique situation.
I got my S4 through swappa, and it was already on MK2. I rooted using motochopper and installed safe strap, and that worked (when booting, I could get into the options screen mess with stuff, etc). I didn't install any ROMS since there weren't any I was interested in besides cyanogenmod
In my attempt to install cyanogen mod, I tried installing another recovery, I think TWRP. That earned me the unlocked symbol when booting, and I was stuck in a weird boot loop for a while. I started researching flashing a clean ROM onto my phone, but lo and behold, it actually fixed it's own boot loop and started up again.
That was a month or two ago, before the NC5 4.4.2 update. I decided since it had resurrected itself I would just wait for a bit and see what other tools came out.
After the 4.4.2 update came out, I ignored it for a bit. I tried installing the OTA update once and it went through it's song and dance and after it rebooted it said it couldn't complete the update so nothing was changed. I assume that is because it's rooted? I didn't really force uninstall any apps, I just disabled them through the included app manager.
So where I'm at now is I'm still on MK2, I can't install the OTA update, everytime I reboot my phone I get the unlock symbol and it says "Recovery Booting..." in blue letters at the top, but it never boots into any sort of recovery.
I have tried installing safe strap again and the safe strap app says "State: Installed" but when I reboot it says that recovery booting thing, and then just boots into the regular phone. I don't see the safe strap logo or button options at all.
Where can I go from here? Ideally I'd like to get on a custom ROM that's on the rootgalaxys4 website (it won't let me post links) but I don't know if I have the MDK bootloader, or even what my recovery situation is.
If anyone could help shed some light on this, it would be much appreciated!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is really hard to follow.
You can't root MK2 with motochopper, only MDK. Try installing the "Phone INFO *Samsung*" app from the app store to figure out what bootloader and baseband you actually have.
You can't install an OTA update if critical system files are modified, so you'll need to re-flash to a stock ROM to do that. But if it's really MDK, you do not want to allow any OTAs to upgrade your bootloader.
k1mu said:
This is really hard to follow.
You can't root MK2 with motochopper, only MDK. Try installing the "Phone INFO *Samsung*" app from the app store to figure out what bootloader and baseband you actually have.
You can't install an OTA update if critical system files are modified, so you'll need to re-flash to a stock ROM to do that. But if it's really MDK, you do not want to allow any OTAs to upgrade your bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, ok, I did the root a while ago, so I think I mixed up which one I had used, I believe it was SafeRoot via this thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2565758
Someone earlier suggested installing the phone info app above, so I checked it and it says I545VRUEMK2 for both bootloader and baseband.
The OTA update thing was just me trying to provide as much info as possible, I don't really want to do the OTA update because it seems like it removes root, and there is no good way to get it back on NC5.
At this point I would like to install some kind of rooted ROM, but I can't get into any sort of recovery. Safe Strap says it is installed but I can't boot into it.
Would the next step be to reflash a stock recovery? Is there some way to do that?
apefist said:
Ah, ok, I did the root a while ago, so I think I mixed up which one I had used, I believe it was SafeRoot via this thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2565758
Someone earlier suggested installing the phone info app above, so I checked it and it says I545VRUEMK2 for both bootloader and baseband.
The OTA update thing was just me trying to provide as much info as possible, I don't really want to do the OTA update because it seems like it removes root, and there is no good way to get it back on NC5.
At this point I would like to install some kind of rooted ROM, but I can't get into any sort of recovery. Safe Strap says it is installed but I can't boot into it.
Would the next step be to reflash a stock recovery? Is there some way to do that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Installing safestrap is a 2 step process. Did u do both steps?
sent by bajarom v2.2 kitkat
decaturbob said:
Installing safestrap is a 2 step process. Did u do both steps?
sent by bajarom v2.2 kitkat
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If the two steps are:
1: Install the safestrap app (v3.71)
2: Go into the app and install the recovery.
In the app the recovery is listed as "Installed"
apefist said:
If the two steps are:
1: Install the safestrap app (v3.71)
2: Go into the app and install the recovery.
In the app the recovery is listed as "Installed"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok buddy you want to upgrade i take it?
click on the thread in my signature and download the 1st file listed called the COMPLETE PACKAGE it has everything you need.
you'll start tho by reflashing MK2 system through Odin then rerooting via Saferoot then reinstall Safestrap. Then the 4.4.2 ROM you want to use then reboot to Odin/Download mode and flash any of my NC2/NC5 1 File Upgrade packages. This is the easiest and most simplistic way to help you get to where you want to go. This will also keep your bootloaders at MK2 and your KNOX intact at 0x0! THE COMPLETE PACKAGE has all the modules, safestrap, supersu ect then if you have any questions the guys or me in the thread will help u. altho if you really do have CM running on your phone take screenshots I've tried porting to work with 4.3 and altho i can get two AOSP roms working I've never gotten close with CM it needs a custom kernel which is something we cannot use with our locked bootloader. only AOSP/GE Roms that will work for 4.4.2 or 4.3 are ones that are compatible with the stock 4.3 or 4.4.2 kernels theres a thread in the development section for that subject as well.
I was one of the idiots that accidentally upgraded to the newest firmware when it first came out. My device is totally rooted, but I've been reading that I'm required to use things such as SafeStrap or Loki to install custom roms. I'm not sure if this is still the case as its been months since this was discovered. I've been trying to search the forums extensively for a fix, but I've been unable to find one. One thing I came across: here seems to be a very simple way to install TWRP on the Galaxy S4, however, I don't wan to run the risk of bricking my phone and being SOL because I have ****ty firmware and no way to custom recover my phone.
Point blank, would I be able to install TWRP manager via GooManager given that I've updated to NC5? Or even if not, what are my options for custom recovery/roms? End game, I want to walk away with 5.0.1 GPE or Cyanogenmod 12. Hopefully.
I'd really appreciate any and all help. Attached is a screenshot of my phone information.
zQueal said:
I was one of the idiots that accidentally upgraded to the newest firmware when it first came out. My device is totally rooted, but I've been reading that I'm required to use things such as SafeStrap or Loki to install custom roms. I'm not sure if this is still the case as its been months since this was discovered. I've been trying to search the forums extensively for a fix, but I've been unable to find one. One thing I came across: here seems to be a very simple way to install TWRP on the Galaxy S4, however, I don't wan to run the risk of bricking my phone and being SOL because I have ****ty firmware and no way to custom recover my phone.
Point blank, would I be able to install TWRP manager via GooManager given that I've updated to NC5? Or even if not, what are my options for custom recovery/roms? End game, I want to walk away with 5.0.1 GPE or Cyanogenmod 12. Hopefully.
I'd really appreciate any and all help. Attached is a screenshot of my phone information.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Once you updated to anything past MDK there's no going back . Safestrap is the only option to install Touchwiz ROMS.
scrillakev said:
Once you updated to anything past MDK there's no going back . Safestrap is the only option to install Touchwiz ROMS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Damn! That's what I figured. I followed [this guide](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLHZfPwLkPM) and installed the SafeStrap APK, but stopped at the "install recovery" step. I've been reading that this can soft brick your phone. Do you have any input? Is it safe to do? If it does brick my phone will I be able to factory reset with Odin?
Sorry for the barrage of questions, I'm a bit of a noob.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
EDIT:
Well, I decided to go ahead with it. It worked fine. I rebooted to SafeStrap and went right to do a backup. It failed. I tried to reboot into my stock rom, and it was 0MB. I really might blow up Verizon HQ.
zQueal said:
Damn! That's what I figured. I followed [this guide](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLHZfPwLkPM) and installed the SafeStrap APK, but stopped at the "install recovery" step. I've been reading that this can soft brick your phone. Do you have any input? Is it safe to do? If it does brick my phone will I be able to factory reset with Odin?
Sorry for the barrage of questions, I'm a bit of a noob.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
EDIT:
Well, I decided to go ahead with it. It worked fine. I rebooted to SafeStrap and went right to do a backup. It failed. I tried to reboot into my stock rom, and it was 0MB. I really might blow up Verizon HQ.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I never used SafeStrap so I doubt I will be much help. But once you rebooted your stock ROM is no longer there? Might have to just flash a stock image via ODIN and try again. Verizon isn't going to help you either with modding your phone, XDA is the place to be.
Has there been anything new since this thread was posted or is it impossible still?
mcbeat257 said:
Has there been anything new since this thread was posted or is it impossible still?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry buddy you're SOL
Sent from my SCH-I545 using XDA Free mobile app
If you are rooted use a terminal editor app and type:
getprop ro.bootloader
If it says anything other than I545VRUAMDK your only choice is SafeStrap.
That means if you bought an S4 and it came with MK1, NC5, NK1, or anything other than MDK you cannot flash a custom recovery. The same applies if you took an OTA from VZW. This has been stated 1000's of times here.
Hint:
Look on the box that your S4 came in and read the last three characters where it says what build the phone has.
mcbeat257 said:
Has there been anything new since this thread was posted or is it impossible still?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Keep checking up on SS they are working on the ability to also use custom kernels on top which would make it essentially as efficient as a custom recovery, with some storage loss.
safestrap version
Well, I decided to go ahead with it. It worked fine. I rebooted to SafeStrap and went right to do a backup. It failed. I tried to reboot into my stock rom, and it was 0MB. I really might blow up Verizon HQ.[/QUOTE]
***Make sure you are using the correct version of safestrap for your current baseband
another good app from the google play store to download is samsung info
I have used safestrap in the past as I was in the same scenario as you. I currently now have a MDK phone
Illogi.xbone said:
Keep checking up on SS they are working on the ability to also use custom kernels on top which would make it essentially as efficient as a custom recovery, with some storage loss.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How come they haven't been able to unlock the bootloader when only the build version is changing......
There should have been an exploit awhile ago....and why haven't they made an odin option for MDK yet?
mcbeat257 said:
How come they haven't been able to unlock the bootloader when only the build version is changing......
There should have been an exploit awhile ago....and why haven't they made an odin option for MDK yet?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The exploit was weeded out after MDK
Sent from my SCH-I545 using XDA Free mobile app
The bootloader was never "unlocked" on MDK, there was just an exploit available that allowed the installation of a custom recovery. That exploit was closed in the first update from MDK and a new one has not been discovered. The bootloader itself has some pretty strong encryption so it may never be unlocked.
I just got a Tmobile Galaxy s5, and before I did anything, it updated to Lollypop. Great, but it's not rooted, and I would like to either root it, OR just install a CM12 rom on it.
I am not sure how to install recovery on this phone as it sits, and since LP is pretty new, there has not been much talk about rooting or installing a recovery on it.
TIA.
eatonjb said:
I just got a Tmobile Galaxy s5, and before I did anything, it updated to Lollypop. Great, but it's not rooted, and I would like to either root it, OR just install a CM12 rom on it.
I am not sure how to install recovery on this phone as it sits, and since LP is pretty new, there has not been much talk about rooting or installing a recovery on it.
TIA.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can use Odin to install a custom recovery, just download your recovery and flash it with Odin.
Then you can install a custom rom of your choice. If you want to root Stock Lollipop, not sure how to do that...
Hello, I'm a new user who's been lurking around this forum for quite some time to assist in my phone's rooting process. I have a Samsung Galaxy s4 SCH-I545 that I recently rooted using towelroot after flashing it back to an NC5 kernel. I've brought it back to an NK1 kernel and everything's working fine in terms of root. SuperSU works and the phone is fully rooted, but I'm trying to install CyanogenMod through CWM. I flashed it through Rom Manager, and according to the app, the phone should boot into Clockwork Work Recovery Mode. Unfortunately, I keep getting the stock recovery mode that shows the android on its back with "No command" under it. Any help as to how to get this working would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Kabui said:
Hello, I'm a new user who's been lurking around this forum for quite some time to assist in my phone's rooting process. I have a Samsung Galaxy s4 SCH-I545 that I recently rooted using towelroot after flashing it back to an NC5 kernel. I've brought it back to an NK1 kernel and everything's working fine in terms of root. SuperSU works and the phone is fully rooted, but I'm trying to install CyanogenMod through CWM. I flashed it through Rom Manager, and according to the app, the phone should boot into Clockwork Work Recovery Mode. Unfortunately, I keep getting the stock recovery mode that shows the android on its back with "No command" under it. Any help as to how to get this working would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
CWM will not work on anything over MDK. Are you able to load into android? If not download Odin and your stock NK1, reroot, and install SafeStrap. Hope this helped.
Thanks for the help. I was able to load up android and the Safestrap installed perfectly. Now I just have to see if I can install CM with this.
Kabui said:
Thanks for the help. I was able to load up android and the Safestrap installed perfectly. Now I just have to see if I can install CM with this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
CM is not compatible with SS at the current time, however, most TouchWiz based roms are. I am running HyperDrive on my MDK TWRP S4, due to dating a chinese girl and I need S Translator, and it runs like a champ.