EDIT: with Davey126's stock recovery file, my problem is solved. Thanks!!
Hi xda!
Long time follower here. Wanna thank all the people here for the great work and help to the android community.
On to my issue, I can't get into stock recovery now. If I flash safestrap, I can boot to recovery, but not when I uninstall safestrap.
This is what happened: I was on Thor 13.3.2.5 rooted. I downgraded to 13.3.1.0 then 13.3.2.3.2 rooted (backed up), then left OTA on. When I came back to it, it was in a boot loop. I powered off and back on holding power button, now it boots to 13.3.2.5! And when I check version, it says 13.4.1.1 available. But the update always fails because the HDX never goes into stock recovery.
I then reinstalled safestrap and restored. Now I am running 13.3.2.3.2 but can't boot to stock recovery.
Question: 1) where and how do I get the recovery image? 2) can I use the recovery image for Apollo?
Thanks very much in advance.
ssrtist
ssrtist said:
Hi xda!
Long time follower here. Wanna thank all the people here for the great work and help to the android community.
On to my issue, I can't get into stock recovery now. If I flash safestrap, I can boot to recovery, but not when I uninstall safestrap.
This is what happened: I was on Thor 13.3.2.5 rooted. I downgraded to 13.3.1.0 then 13.3.2.3.2 rooted (backed up), then left OTA on. When I came back to it, it was in a boot loop. I powered off and back on holding power button, now it boots to 13.3.2.5! And when I check version, it says 13.4.1.1 available. But the update always fails because the HDX never goes into stock recovery.
I then reinstalled safestrap and restored. Now I am running 13.3.2.3.2 but can't boot to stock recovery.
Question: 1) where and how do I get the recovery image? 2) can I use the recovery image for Apollo?
Thanks very much in advance.
ssrtist
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't use an Apollo recovery. While I have no direct evidence it won't work the risk seems unacceptable given you only have partial control of your device and (probably) a locked bootloader.
Stock 13.3.2.6 recovery here. I have been told there were no changes from 3.2.5. You can use flashify to install it.
Obviously there is risk associated with this approach. Might want to wait a day or two for additional responses to see what others think.
Thanks! So I don't actually need to go to 13.3.2.3.2? Also, did I downgrade the recovery when I downgraded the stock rom?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Free mobile app
ssrtist said:
Thanks! So I don't actually need to go to 13.3.2.3.2? Also, did I downgrade the recovery when I downgraded the stock rom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A previous post suggested you are already at 3.2.3. Bit confused regarding your question. Not sure what happened to your recovery during the previous rollbacks/upgrades. I have seen something similar happen to folks who have installed twrp then upgrade past 3.2.3.
What's your objective? Are you looking to run CM11/12 or stick with rooted stock? If the former you'll need to rollback again (if not already on 3.2.3), block OTA and then install native twrp. Once you have a working recovery you should uninstall safestrap before beginning the rollback process. Safestrap isn't part of the equation going forward.
Davey126 said:
Not sure what happened to your recovery during the previous rollbacks/upgrades. I have seen something similar happen to folks who have installed twrp then upgrade past 3.2.3.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think that's what I did ?
My goal is to try both cm12 and rooted 4.5.2. (Separately). Is flashing 3.2.6 recovery the way to go?
Thanks?
ssrtist said:
I think that's what I did
My goal is to try both cm12 and rooted 4.5.2. (Separately). Is flashing 3.2.6 recovery the way to go?
Thanks?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Depends where you are now. If on rooted 13.3.2.3 then you should be able to flash twrp directly after getting rid of SafeStrap. Note there is now a recommendation to unlock your bootloader before installing twrp but that seems to be optional (bootloader unlocking is not for the faint of heart). You can then install CM11/12.
If currently above 3.2.3 then you need to get a working recover before taking next steps. Flashing 3.2.6 recovery seems to be a reasonable choice but as previously noted there is risk associated with this approach. Assuming it works you then need to start the rollback process all over again.
4.5.2 is an entirely different beast. Still need to get a working recovery before upgrading unless you flash it directly via adb which is risky.
Without an unlocked bootloader anything you do can lead to an unrecoverable brick. Make sure you think ahead and read up on others experiences before proceeding.
Thanks Davey!! Your answers are very informative! I will read a bit more before i tackling the bootloader...
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Free mobile app
Related
If I flashed a ROM that uses ME7 and I want to ODIN back to stock, is it possible?
Or will I brick my phone? Reason I want to go back to stock is no matter what ROM I flash; every time I reboot my phone gets stuck on the samsung logo.
Answered my own question:
It does not matter...
If you are not on the ME7 OTA update then you should be fine odin'ing back to mdk
If you are on the OTA, then you are stuck with me7
Exodus885 said:
If I flashed a ROM that uses ME7 and I want to ODIN back to stock, is it possible?
Or will I brick my phone? Reason I want to go back to stock is no matter what ROM I flash; every time I reboot my phone gets stuck on the samsung logo.
Answered my own question:
It does not matter...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The post above really answered your question. But just in case you need to be reassured:
On our device (at the moment), as long as you didn't accept the VRUAME7 OTA, then your okay.
I actually have a couple of questions for you (if you have the time).
Can you help me out by giving me a little more information about how your getting stuck at the boot logo?
I suppose you started out clean (with VRUAMDK) and then rooted your device and installed a custom recovery.
Did you root with SuperUser (new cwm opensource) or SuperSU?
Which recovery did you install and how did you install it (which method)?
Which VRAUME7 ROM did you flash that you think started your boot issues?
Did you install the VRUAME7 radio/modem as well?
If so, which method did you use for updating your radio/modem and which files were used in your method (and where were they from)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
-h311sdr0id
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 4
h311sdr0id said:
The post above really answered your question. But just in case you need to be reassured:
On our device (at the moment), as long as you didn't accept the VRUAME7 OTA, then your okay.
I actually have a couple of questions for you (if you have the time).
-h311sdr0id
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you help me out by giving me a little more information about how your getting stuck at the boot logo?
Anytime I installed a ROM(any ROM), I would test to see if I still had this problem and I would reboot my phone. Upon rebooting my phone, it never got passed the samsung logo. ODIN-ing back to stock helped fix this problem and now it works. However now I have an issue where facebook and instagram does not show any photos.....any ideas?
I suppose you started out clean (with VRUAMDK) and then rooted your device and installed a custom recovery.
Correct, I ODIN-ed back to MDK.
Did you root with SuperUser (new cwm opensource) or SuperSU?
SuperSU (motochopper SU script)
Which recovery did you install and how did you install it (which method)?
TWRP 2.6 using Goo manager then reverted back to 2.5.0.2
Which VRAUME7 ROM did you flash that you think started your boot issues?
Honestly, hard to say could be the nightly of CM10.2 (8/21)
Did you install the VRUAME7 radio/modem as well?
No I did not, do I need to update the radio/modem???
If so, which method did you use for updating your radio/modem and which files were used in your method (and where were they from)?
See previous answer.
Hope this helps
The first step for flashing Alliance was making sure i have the 4.3 firmware. Flashed via Odin.
I experfienced some trouble with a bootloop issue so i changed cables and then partitioned with the .pit file.
All's well now, it at least runs the stock firmware just fine. Now i'm strugglling with the most basic simple part IMO... how do i install the custom Rom without the recovery??
sduffy89 said:
The first step for flashing Alliance was making sure i have the 4.3 firmware. Flashed via Odin.
I experfienced some trouble with a bootloop issue so i changed cables and then partitioned with the .pit file.
All's well now, it at least runs the stock firmware just fine. Now i'm strugglling with the most basic simple part IMO... how do i install the custom Rom without the recovery??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are rooted still correct? Easiest way I guess is to just download Rom Manager or GooManager depending on using TWRP or CWM.
KuNiT said:
You are rooted still correct? Easiest way I guess is to just download Rom Manager or GooManager depending on using TWRP or CWM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I chose to bump up my android version cuz i friend another SIM card. I tether for my Hulu, Netflix, Amazon Prime, and whatever else, thankfully my laptop can get weak unsecured internet signals, but i'm walking my Note around the apartment trying to get good 1x reception Problems may be overlapping but next step is something basic from the Play Store to verify root.
I read of some luck with root for 4.3, just not bootloader. Am i correct?
KuNiT said:
You are rooted still correct? Easiest way I guess is to just download Rom Manager or GooManager depending on using TWRP or CWM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not rooted. it sounds like rooting is still an option, just not custom recovery?
Is using ODIN to flash stock rooted an option? No valuable files on phone currently.
(Fortunately I'm at work right now so I have time to make well informed decisions. Thanks for your help)
sduffy89 said:
Not rooted. it sounds like rooting is still an option, just not custom recovery?
Is using ODIN to flash stock rooted an option? No valuable files on phone currently.
(Fortunately I'm at work right now so I have time to make well informed decisions. Thanks for your help)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe if you took/flashed the OTA update, your kinda out of luck and stuck now. I'm not 100% certain of this though but I think it probably relocked the bootloader and the only thing to do is wait for someone to root/unlock 4.3.
KuNiT said:
I believe if you took/flashed the OTA update, your kinda out of luck and stuck now. I'm not 100% certain of this though but I think it probably relocked the bootloader and the only thing to do is wait for someone to root/unlock 4.3.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct. If you took the OTA it relocked your bootloader and you are stuck. You can still root the official 4.3 but you are stuck waiting until someone unlocks the bootloader. This means no custom ROMs/Recovery.
Which 4.3 firmware did you flash? If its the OTA then yes you're outta luck.
If you did follow the Alliance's rom thread. There is a 4.3 MJ9 firmware you need to flash. It doesn't have the locked bootloader. You are then able to boot up in the basic recovery and then flash either TWRP or CWM recovery.
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've never had any issues flashing ROMs until I tried flashing one of the beta builds of the 4.4.4 Google edition ROM. The creator of the ROM has been having issues with WiFi and data not locking correctly and released an APN zip to possibly resolve the issue. Flashing that zip though, which I'm pretty sure changed the radio, resulted in the phone having connection issues on any ROM. I also noticed that the baseband version was changed from MDK to NC5, so long story short, I used ODIN to revert back to MDK bone stock, reverted back to to MD2 (I believe) to root, then back to MDK.
Here's where I'm a little stumped. I tried to use the ROM manager app to install CWM touch recovery and every time it would say it's successful, but booting into recovery would give me the stock android version, which we all know is pretty useless other than for stock updates and erasing data/cache. So the only way to get CWM recovery installed was to use terminal on the phone to do the Loki flash method. I'm a little out of touch, so can someone explain to me what exactly Loki is other than a "workaround" for the bootloader, how it applies to MDK for running AOSP ROMs without the "unauthorized software" message, and what, if any was the unlocking method for the MDK bootloader? It's been so long that I can't remember how I set everything up initially, and doing a search didn't yield any kind of guide for newbies or those out of touch like myself.
Thanks for taking the time to read and help!
Saint Isaiah said:
I've never had any issues flashing ROMs until I tried flashing one of the beta builds of the 4.4.4 Google edition ROM. The creator of the ROM has been having issues with WiFi and data not locking correctly and released an APN zip to possibly resolve the issue. Flashing that zip though, which I'm pretty sure changed the radio, resulted in the phone having connection issues on any ROM. I also noticed that the baseband version was changed from MDK to NC5, so long story short, I used ODIN to revert back to MDK bone stock, reverted back to to MD2 (I believe) to root, then back to MDK.
Here's where I'm a little stumped. I tried to use the ROM manager app to install CWM touch recovery and every time it would say it's successful, but booting into recovery would give me the stock android version, which we all know is pretty useless other than for stock updates and erasing data/cache. So the only way to get CWM recovery installed was to use terminal on the phone to do the Loki flash method. I'm a little out of touch, so can someone explain to me what exactly Loki is other than a "workaround" for the bootloader, how it applies to MDK for running AOSP ROMs without the "unauthorized software" message, and what, if any was the unlocking method for the MDK bootloader? It's been so long that I can't remember how I set everything up initially, and doing a search didn't yield any kind of guide for newbies or those out of touch like myself.
Thanks for taking the time to read and help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Loki is an exploit that allows the system to bypass bootloader checks and load custom software. If this happens again, restoring an EFS backup should fix your issue.
If you ever need to go back to stock MDK, you no longer need to do the downgrade to the prerelease MDL kernel. Just go to towelroot.com, install the towelroot apk, then hit the make it ra1n button. It's a new root method that came out a few months ago and works for a ton of devices. The easiest way to flash a compatible custom recovery for our device is to download Flashify from the play store and from there you can get the latest TWRP.
joshm.1219 said:
Loki is an exploit that allows the system to bypass bootloader checks and load custom software. If this happens again, restoring an EFS backup should fix your issue.
If you ever need to go back to stock MDK, you no longer need to do the downgrade to the prerelease MDL kernel. Just go to towelroot.com, install the towelroot apk, then hit the make it ra1n button. It's a new root method that came out a few months ago and works for a ton of devices. The easiest way to flash a compatible custom recovery for our device is to download Flashify from the play store and from there you can get the latest TWRP.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Gotcha, seems pretty straightforward. Wasn't there an actual unlock method for the bootloader though? I remember getting my download mode to read as custom as well as the boot logo, I just can't remember how and it seems like all traces of how to do it vanished.
Thanks for the help!
Also, what in the world does it mean to "Loki" a ROM after installing it? Kinda confused there
Saint Isaiah said:
Gotcha, seems pretty straightforward. Wasn't there an actual unlock method for the bootloader though? I remember getting my download mode to read as custom as well as the boot logo, I just can't remember how and it seems like all traces of how to do it vanished.
Thanks for the help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, never an actual bootloader unlock, besides Dev editions that came unlocked. My download mode still says "install custom ROM" or whatever. There's no discernable difference to the end user between an unlocked bootloader and an exploit like the Loki bypass.
joshm.1219 said:
No, never an actual bootloader unlock, besides Dev editions that came unlocked. My download mode still says "install custom ROM" or whatever. There's no discernable difference to the end user between an unlocked bootloader and an exploit like the Loki bypass.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK, and I'm assuming the reason why being on MDK is so important is because upgrading to ME7 patches the vulnerability that can allow the boot loader to be bypassed, forcing you to use safestrap, which results in no custom kernal being able to be used?
And my question above: what does it mean to install, then "Loki" a ROM in the install steps?
Thanks again, you're awesome!
Saint Isaiah said:
OK, and I'm assuming the reason why being on MDK is so important is because upgrading to ME7 patches the vulnerability that can allow the boot loader to be bypassed, forcing you to use safestrap, which results in no custom kernal being able to be used?
And my question above: what does it mean to install, then "Loki" a ROM in the install steps?
Thanks again, you're awesome!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes exactly, ME7 patched it.
If you flash a TW ROM not built specifically for our device, The ROM (depending on kernel you flashed or if the ROM includes a kernel) may not have the files included to boot on a device with the Loki specific bypass. So you need to flash the " Loki doki zip " after the ROM and before initial boot. You can find the file on Google.
joshm.1219 said:
Yes exactly, ME7 patched it.
If you flash a TW ROM not built specifically for our device, The ROM (depending on kernel you flashed or if the ROM includes a kernel) may not have the files included to boot on a device with the Loki specific bypass. So you need to flash the " Loki doki zip " after the ROM and before initial boot. You can find the file on Google.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome, thanks Josh! This might make a great sticky for the "what is Loki?" newvies and explaining the importance of MDK for those still on it and not sure why.
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.