I need a bit of help with this one.
I have a Samsung Galaxy S4 on Verizon, Android 4.4.2 Build VRUFNK4 (I believe this is an intermediate build between the stock VRUFNK1 and Lollipop).
What I'd like to do is root, backup the current build and then revert back if possible to VRUFNK1.
I'm new to rooting a phone so I could use a bit of help and links. I've read many of the posts and tips, but most specifically don't mention my build, which makes me a bit nervous.
Will towelroot work with this ?
Should I use TWRP or Titanium for backup ?
And.........can I find and revert back to the official build VRUFNK1 (4.4.2)
I simply want to get out of this strange build, remove bloatware........ and have some control over not being pestered over OTA updates from Verizon/Samsung.
Possibly, in the future, I'll play around with some custom ROM's.
Any help and opinions would be appreciated.
For what it's worth...................
After digging around on the net for a few days, I found the following. Now, I can't be sure if this works, so consider the implications. If someone else here on XDA can verify it then it might work.
If you have a Verizon Galaxy S4 with the 4.4.2 build of VRUFNK4 this was part one of two updates to Lollipop. Many people like me had been deferring the update and then somehow pushed the wrong button and "wham" got stuck with VRUFNK4., but they were able to stop further installation to Lollipop.
So for people stuck on VRUFNK4 it's pretty much the same as the previous VRUFNK1 except mine seems to eat battery power. AND, from what I know VRUFNK4 is not directly rootable( list below).
i545vrugOC1 5.0.1 Lollipop
i545vrufnk4 4.4.2 (intermediate update to prepare for Lollipop, part one)
i545vrufnk1 4.4.2 Kitkat
i545vrufng6 4.4.2 Kitkat
i545vrufnc5 4.4.2 Kitkat
So, you basically have three choices:
-- Leave it on VRUFNK4 (which is part one of a two part update to Lollipop) and live with the issues.
-- Allow the update all the way to Lollipop and live with Lollipop (and possibly root there)
-- Use the following procedure (yet to be confirmed by someone here at XDA and hopefully help with details)
1. Use Odin 3.09 to flash back to VRUFNC5 (KitKat 4.4.2)
2. If the flash is successful, root with TowelRoot
3. Once rooted on NC5 you should be able to flash whatever build you want, backup and recovery using
Titanium Backup, etc.
Anyone that wants to chime in here, it would be appreciated.
Just thinking.........
Could someone with experience in flashing explain to me why a person can't flash directly to a certain build, in this case,
Android 4.4.2 VRUFNK1 from a newer one (reverting to an earlier build) ??
from what i understand, you should be able to flash anything from NC5 and above via odin with NK4. the Bootloader was changed in lollipop builds OC1 and OF1 so that you can no longer downgrade to older builds from those.
Thanks bangdosa for the info. You seem to be familiar with all this stuff.
So, just to clarify, would it be true that if you're on NK4, you could flash using Odin to NC5 ? And hopefully root.
bangdosa said:
from what i understand, you should be able to flash anything from NC5 and above via odin with NK4. the Bootloader was changed in lollipop builds OC1 and OF1 so that you can no longer downgrade to older builds from those.
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Related
Hi,
I have a Verizon Galaxy Note II I605 running Android 4.1.1 that I had originally rooted via Odin and followed instructions on the galaxynote2root website last Jan/Feb in 2012
I would like to upgrade to a stock ROM of 4.3 and keep root and was hoping someone could point me in the right direction in regards to which ROM to use and the steps to do so. I really only use root for the wifi tether and would like to keep the phone as close to stock as possible. I've gone through a number of different forums and posts but can't seem to find some good instructions with a corresponding recommendation on an Official OTA 4.3 ROM to use. I've found a lot variations on 4.3 ROMs, but most of them have gutted a lot of things or discussing having to flash firmware which makes me nervous.
Also, is it true I may be forced to take the OTA in the near future and potentially soft brick my phone if I don't either revert back to stock or install a 4.3 ROM which disables the update app. I'm not sure if the ROM i'm currently running has this disabled or not.
Thanks in advance for any help,
eugenikz
Beanstown or sophisticated rom will be the official stock 4.3, however your gonna have to flash the Official MJ9 firmware via Odin. You could take the OTA but the bootloader will be locked afterwards. There is root available with the OTA stock but you won't be able to load a custom recovery therefore no more custom roms.
+1. I did this with my note2. Was the same as yours. I'm now on sophisticated 2.0 highly recommended. I also updated recovery to Phils, which seems to be the conventional wisdom for flashing 4.3.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using xda app-developers app
I am a beginner to Android, and I am wondering if someone can introduce me to how to make my Galaxy S4 into a Google Play Edition with Lollipop. Can someone walk me through this?
Please help!
jashtiani said:
I am a beginner to Android, and I am wondering if someone can introduce me to how to make my Galaxy S4 into a Google Play Edition with Lollipop. Can someone walk me through this?
Please help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Likely this will not be possible for you.
Samsung and Verizon have kept the GS4 Bootloader locked and unless you have the "MDK" version of the bootloader there are no options to change your ROM to "Google Play Edition with Lollipop". Furthermore, depending on your current bootloader, you may not even be able to root your phone.
Go to the Baseband section under settings/more/about device and look for the baseband version. The last 3 letters/numbers are the ones you will see referred to in these posts. Up to NK4 was KitKat, OC1 is Lollipop.
If your last 3 are MDK you may be able to use an exploit called Loki which will allow you to root and change roms - (search MDK and Loki on these forums). Unfortunately if your last 3 are OC1 then you are on Lollipop and out of luck for root/custom roms at the moment.
Once you find those letters/numbers you will know your options. For Kitkat versions you can root with Towelroot and install the Safestrap app/recovery and use that to flash custom Kitkat Touchwiz Roms only. There are a few methods for upgrading to Lollipop from NK4 and retaining root but you must root the phone first before upgrading.
With very few exceptions, once you upgrade your bootloader/baseband version you cannot downgrade, so if you are already on OC1, the only option is to wait for a new root exploit to be found.
Hope this helps a little.
Try looking up "how to flash roms on galaxy s4" and I think there is a guide on xda
Sent from my GT-i9505(rooted) Android 4.4.2
Hi,
Just got an i545. It is currently on NK1 with 4.4.2. I understand to root it I can follow this (thread closed so can't post there). My confusion is: once I root, can I install safestrap or TWRP and flash custom roms? I read somewhere else on the forum that NK1 is limited to certain AOSP roms. I really like Carbon but am open to trying others and I don't want to screw things up. Sorry if this is noob-ish but I think I gave myself information over-load trying to find the correct steps.
Also, I will be using this with AT&T so would I want to stick to the unified builds?
Thanks,
SS only, no twrp/cwm.
Only TW roms aside from this aosp:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=3019132
I used it before LP, a few bugs but overall ran well
Thanks for the info. If safestrap must be used, would these roms work? From what I gather so far, it's also not possible to downgrade from NK1 to NC5 or other, is it? I don't see the point of flashing another TW rom...but that's just me. I guess I can just root and customize for now, and experiment with TW roms if I get bored.
EDIT - I am wrong, it appears that I can odin back to earlier images (MDK, NC5, etc...) Is this feasible? Would it allow me to root, install custom recovery, and any rom I wish?
That list should be good. You can go back to nc5, can't downgrade past KK.
Also, there are threads on how to upgrade to 5.0.1, however if you take the official ota you'll lose root and can't downgrade back
I appreciate your help. Just to confirm, if I downgrade to NC5, will I be able to use ANY custom recovery and flash ANY rom? Or will I still be limited to safestrap and TW roms?
EDIT - Found my answer here. Anything over MDK can only use safestrap and TW roms. Bummer. No point in down-grading then.
Edit 2 - It seems that if I want to run any kind of rom I do need to down grade to NC5 as most seem to be based on it. I assume I would use the full wipe from this guide.
This S4 is my 7th android and it's, by far, got the most hoops to jump through and/or limitations. All my other phones were easy-peasy! Or is it just because it's Verizon branded? All other phones were T-Mo or ATT.
It's this phone & Verizon, they both suck
I545VRUFNK4 ..... can't find info which way to root?
Hi
My phone has downloaded lollipop (5.0) but I haven't installed it yet. I have seen it mess up some phones already. I have android 4.4.2 with baseband I545VRUFNK4 and kernel 3.4.0 build # KOT49H.I545VRUFNK4
Can I still use the safestrap that is designed to be used with NC5 Base?
I usually am able to find such information... but was unable
Thanks in advance for help.
So, you're on NK4 atm? I believe that was the mini update in between NC1 and OC1 (lolipop). This post tells you how to root NK1. If you plan to go to either of the lollipop builds (OC1 or OF1) use this post for OC1 and this post for OF1. don't use safestrap fro lolipop builds, they don't work with them. use flashfire in the posts.
Thanks for your help.
I could have sworn I searched for *NK4*
maybe I didn't have right settings... or maybe the search engine is lousy.
thanks again
Hi guys I have an AT&T HTC ONE M8 and it was rooted and running 4.4.4 and TWRP and then something happened to it which caused me to go RUU and restore the device and unroot it and everything. Then I was on 6.0 and rooted it with the HTC ONE M8 rootkit and flashed SuperSU and TWRP on it and currently its still running rooted 6.0 with TWRP, I don't like marshmallow and I want to downgrade to kitkat or lollipop. My bootloader is unlocked and I am S-ON! Please someone explain very thoroughly how I can downgrade as I am not 100% tech-savy as we speak.
Thank You Guys So Much!
You can simply TWRP flash a 5.0 based M8 ROM, or restore a 5.0 backup and it will work. I believe the same is also true for 4.4.4. But not 4.4.3, as it is not compatible with newer firmware (hboot, radio, etc.). And you need s-off to downgrade that firmware.
Be aware, whatever you think you are gaining from downgrading; you are losing by not having years of Android security updates (patches to vulnerabilities, etc.).
Thanks Mate! Can you redirect me to a 5.0 Rom?
TechMan123456 said:
Thanks Mate! Can you redirect me to a 5.0 Rom?
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Click to collapse
Not specifically, no. You can search the ATT Dev section for 5.0 ROM as easily as I can. Or if you don't need or want an ATT based ROM, you can also look in the "international" Dev section: https://forum.xda-developers.com/htc-one-m8/development
Also, ROMs which have been updated (Android 6, 7) may or may not still have links to 5.0 versions.
Alternately (and probably easier to find) just restore a stock TWRP backup of a 5.0 ROM: https://forum.xda-developers.com/htc-one-m8/help/tutorial-how-to-stock-stock-twrp-t3086860
You don't need (or want) to restore the data partition, so it is essentially the same as flashing a ROM (although getting the files to the right location is a bit trickier). Also, no need to install stock recovery (as getting an OTA update is not what you want). Then root if desired.