I really did not know what to title this, here goes:
I have a Verizon SGS 4 (SCH-I545), running stock 4.4.2, no custom recovery (am currently running the stock recovery B.S.), bootloader I545VRUFNK4, build ID KOT49H.I545VRUFNK4, release date 4/26/13 & have been rooted with KingRoot V. 4.8.0135 and is unlocked (haven't really any idea what that means, upon boot-up it shows an unlocked lock icon and says CUSTOM, the dealer I bought it from, just a shop where they buy & sell new/used phones, said that it is unlocked for use on any carrier I want.)
Now I don't know how important, if at all, all of that is but I want to update to the most up-to-date OS, reroot & maybe start flashing new custom roms.
The problem is I don't have access to a computer without install restrictions, meaning I can download things but I can't install them without admin name & password trying it directly from the settings (Settings/More/Software update) it keeps saying service unavailable...
I'm lost, is there any way to update via stock recovery or install a custom recovery (TWRP/CWM) via stock recovery or a root app?
I would suggest you to upgrade your phone with a custom rom, elseway if you do it with any official update your bootloader will be upgraded and there are a lot of cons with that.
We cannot have TWRP, CWM or other recovery (thanks to the bootloader), so the best you can do it's getting SafeStrap and then flash any of these custom roms:
stang5litre Ediition 5.0
Albe95 S6 FULL PORT 4.7
Albe95 ASTRA v2 Note 5 PORT
(I listed those because you want to update your phone). You can find SafeStrap and the roms in Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4 Android Development sub-forum
SafeStrap must not be compatible with my phone cause I tried to use it multiple times but it is not installing any recovery, I'm still stuck on stock recovery.
AlphaTekk said:
SafeStrap must not be compatible with my phone cause I tried to use it multiple times but it is not installing any recovery, I'm still stuck on stock recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm in the same bootloader so you should be able to install it, you just need SuperSU as your superuser app and busybox
Busybox, ya, I have it and ran it but KingRoot installed it's own supersu thing and it won't let me switch, if there'sa way to switch to supersu from the Play store, how?
The recovery is being overwritten by a script in the system. The title of the file is..
Install.recovery.sh
Rename this file with adding ".bak" then reinstall safestrap
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
I searched Root Explorer but have no idea where this is found, maybe you could point me in the right direction.
Ok, my phone's settings say I545VRUFNK1 for baseband but the build number says KOT49H.I545VRUFNK4 and Samsung Smart Switch comes up with FNK4 (VZW)! It is a Verizon SCH-I545 but how can I update it without Smart Switch cause it keeps saying its up to date?
Can I use Odin and what recovery would I use with Odin?
Related
hey kinda a noob here .. so I have a galaxy s4 verizon.. I have the newer build VRUAME7 I have managed to root and install rom manager and goo manager and super su.. all that good stuff I have installed twrp recovery through goo manager and when I select flash rom (google play edition verizon) the phone resets and all i get is an android guy that is open and a few lines of text but the last line reads something along the lines of... successfully applied multi csc than i have a few options at the top and it says android recovery at the top.. what am I doing wrong?? help
basically im stuck in stock recovery.. yes I know others have gone through it but havent have the solution in my case.. thanks in advanced
andrewe92 said:
hey kinda a noob here .. so I have a galaxy s4 verizon.. I have the newer build VRUAME7 I have managed to root and install rom manager and goo manager and super su.. all that good stuff I have installed twrp recovery through goo manager and when I select flash rom (google play edition verizon) the phone resets and all i get is an android guy that is open and a few lines of text but the last line reads something along the lines of... successfully applied multi csc than i have a few options at the top and it says android recovery at the top.. what am I doing wrong?? help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You do not have a custom recovery, as it is not currently possible to install one on ME7. As such, you cannot install a custom rom.
andrewe92 said:
hey kinda a noob here .. so I have a galaxy s4 verizon.. I have the newer build VRUAME7 I have managed to root and install rom manager and goo manager and super su.. all that good stuff I have installed twrp recovery through goo manager and when I select flash rom (google play edition verizon) the phone resets and all i get is an android guy that is open and a few lines of text but the last line reads something along the lines of... successfully applied multi csc than i have a few options at the top and it says android recovery at the top.. what am I doing wrong?? help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you rooted your phone on the ME7 build, that is all you get at this time...A lot of post floating around about lack of recovery or exploit for anything beyond root access on ME7 build. There is no custom recovery on ME7, so even though you installed goo and told it to flash TWRP it will not stick.
Erisnoob said:
If you rooted your phone on the ME7 build, that is all you get at this time...A lot of post floating around about lack of recovery or exploit for anything beyond root access on ME7 build. There is no custom recovery on ME7, so even though you installed goo and told it to flash TWRP it will not stick.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
wait so I literally can't flash any rom at all because of ME7.. all I can do is root? by the way thanks for quick response
andrewe92 said:
wait so I literally can't flash any rom at all because of ME7.. all I can do is root? by the way thanks for quick response
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bingo...more accurate is because of the new bootloader and the blacklisting of old bootloaders which prevents any downgrades to previous builds....might have been your next question.
Erisnoob said:
Bingo...more accurate is because of the new bootloader and the blacklisting of old bootloaders which prevents any downgrades to previous builds....might have been your next question.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol nah I knew about the bootloader because I kept trying to use odin to flash to an older build and it kept giving me an (auth) error in odin.. well damn this sucks. . you are very helpful keep doing what you're doing
if you would take a second and search you would have seen this has been answer a million times now.
I'm seeing an available firmware upgrade via kies (MK7).
I'm a little skeptical to try it. Has anyone else upgraded to this firmware?
If so, have you been able to root your mega and install a custom recovery after the upgrade?
I don't want to install this firmware upgrade only to find out that afterwards that knox is on it and prevents me from rooting the phone or unlocking the bootloader.
By the way, I tried downloading the firmware without my phone connected but kies keeps force closing on me before the download is complete.
I'm afraid to connect my phone and try the download because I think it will automatically install the upgrade which I don't want to do until I'm sure I can re-root it and re-install TWRP.
Sent from my SGH-M819N using xda app-developers app
Installed Update, Re-rooted, re-installed TWRP
curgervending said:
I'm seeing an available firmware upgrade via kies (MK7).
I'm a little skeptical to try it. Has anyone else upgraded to this firmware?
If so, have you been able to root your mega and install a custom recovery after the upgrade?
I don't want to install this firmware upgrade only to find out that afterwards that knox is on it and prevents me from rooting the phone or unlocking the bootloader.
By the way, I tried downloading the firmware without my phone connected but kies keeps force closing on me before the download is complete.
I'm afraid to connect my phone and try the download because I think it will automatically install the upgrade which I don't want to do until I'm sure I can re-root it and re-install TWRP.
Sent from my SGH-M819N using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bit the bullet and gave it a shot. I am happy to report that the firmware upgrade was successful using Kies, I was able to root the device via the Kingo Root app, and was able to re-install TWRP. I am now on firmware M819NUVUAMK7. It is still Android version 4.2.2, and the baseband is also M819NUVUAMK7. The kernel version is dated Fri Nov 22, 2013
I installed superSU and when I ran it, it asked me if I wanted to disable knox (YES OR NO). OF COURSE I DISABLED KNOX!!
I afterward performed a nandroid backup in TWRP (the first order of business).
I am more comfortable now deleting, freezing, uninstalling system apps now because (in the event of a softbrick or bootloop) I can always revert to my nandroid backup or in extreme cases, restart all over again by re-installing the firmware via Kies, re-rooting the device via the kingo root app, and reinstalling TWRP via ODIN.
Not sure what changed from the original firmware (no change log). In any event, the device is snappy and I'm not experiencing any lags.
curgervending said:
I bit the bullet and gave it a shot. I am happy to report that the firmware upgrade was successful using Kies, I was able to root the device via the Kingo Root app, and was able to re-install TWRP. I am now on firmware M819NUVUAMK7. It is still Android version 4.2.2, and the baseband is also M819NUVUAMK7. The kernel version is dated Fri Nov 22, 2013
I installed superSU and when I ran it, it asked me if I wanted to disable knox (YES OR NO). OF COURSE I DISABLED KNOX!!
I afterward performed a nandroid backup in TWRP (the first order of business).
I am more comfortable now deleting, freezing, uninstalling system apps now because (in the event of a softbrick or bootloop) I can always revert to my nandroid backup or in extreme cases, restart all over again by re-installing the firmware via Kies, re-rooting the device via the kingo root app, and reinstalling TWRP via ODIN.
Not sure what changed from the original firmware (no change log). In any event, the device is snappy and I'm not experiencing any lags.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
never mind I got it. I had a brain fart and was doing the process back words. I put it in download mode for the root.
hotspot mod
I am rooted with stock rom just looking for a hotspot mod for my sgh m819n been searching and searching
reesemtk60 said:
I am rooted with stock rom just looking for a hotspot mod for my sgh m819n been searching and searching
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
as far as i know. there isn't a mod for Metro's phone. there are a few custom ROM's you can use that have free tethering built in. This one is the closest to stock. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2608110
It works fine on my M819N :good:
Deodex or odex
thanks one more question how can i tell if my phone is deodex or odex
reesemtk60 said:
thanks one more question how can i tell if my phone is deodex or odex
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well easiest way is. if its your stock ROM that came with the phone when you bought it. it is odex.
if you are rooted, you can use root explorer to go into your system/app file and see if it shows odex settings for apps
I did and had no problem rooting with kingo. What I cannot find is a way around sim lock without going through metro and that sucks.
curgervending said:
I'm seeing an available firmware upgrade via kies (MK7).
I'm a little skeptical to try it. Has anyone else upgraded to this firmware?
If so, have you been able to root your mega and install a custom recovery after the upgrade?
I don't want to install this firmware upgrade only to find out that afterwards that knox is on it and prevents me from rooting the phone or unlocking the bootloader.
By the way, I tried downloading the firmware without my phone connected but kies keeps force closing on me before the download is complete.
I'm afraid to connect my phone and try the download because I think it will automatically install the upgrade which I don't want to do until I'm sure I can re-root it and re-install TWRP.
Sent from my SGH-M819N using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
bnb25 said:
as far as i know. there isn't a mod for Metro's phone. there are a few custom ROM's you can use that have free tethering built in. This one is the closest to stock. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2608110
It works fine on my M819N :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
is that rom odex of deodex because my is odex
reesemtk60 said:
is that rom odex of deodex because my is odex
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
deodex
curgervending said:
I bit the bullet and gave it a shot. I am happy to report that the firmware upgrade was successful using Kies, I was able to root the device via the Kingo Root app, and was able to re-install TWRP. I am now on firmware M819NUVUAMK7. It is still Android version 4.2.2, and the baseband is also M819NUVUAMK7. The kernel version is dated Fri Nov 22, 2013
I installed superSU and when I ran it, it asked me if I wanted to disable knox (YES OR NO). OF COURSE I DISABLED KNOX!!
I afterward performed a nandroid backup in TWRP (the first order of business).
I am more comfortable now deleting, freezing, uninstalling system apps now because (in the event of a softbrick or bootloop) I can always revert to my nandroid backup or in extreme cases, restart all over again by re-installing the firmware via Kies, re-rooting the device via the kingo root app, and reinstalling TWRP via ODIN.
Not sure what changed from the original firmware (no change log). In any event, the device is snappy and I'm not experiencing any lags.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Almost had a heart attack from this upgrade. My phone was already rooted when I applied the update from Kies. Everything went through fine except when it restarted, I couldn't turn on Wifi at all and I was getting an E in the cell signal. I managed to download the TWRP tar file and Kingo app to root again. I was able to restore my previous backed up image and everything was when I last left it! WHEW!
That's strange. I had no problem. wifi worked and I haven't seen E at all (only 4g lte or 4g). My signal appears to be stronger and more stable with this update than with the original firmware (most of the time I have full bars). As mentioned I don't know what changes were made (no change log around) but this is my observation so far.
Sent from my SGH-M819N using xda app-developers app
Can somebody running MK7 please boot into download mode quickly to check whether this update has a new Knox bootloader?
(Vol - , Home, Power)
Need to know if the following strings are present or not:
KNOX KERNEL LOCK:
KNOX WARRANTY VOID:
BOOTLOADER RP SWREV:
Thanks in advance.
[QUOT1.0razykipa;50763526]Can somebody running MK7 please boot into download mode quickly to check whether this update has a new Knox bootloader?
(Vol - , Home, Power)
Need to know if the following strings are present or not:
KNOX KERNEL LOCK:
KNOX WARRANTY VOID:
BOOTLOADER RP SWREV:
Thanks in advance.[/QUOTE]
This string is present on my phone in download mode:
BOOTLOADER RP SWREV: 3
I have no lines displaying anything about KNOX.
In titanium backup I froze knox 1.0, knox notification manager 1.0, and knox store 1.0.
So it appears that knox is in the rom somewhere but it's had no impact on me. I'm rooted, have twrp installed and have flashed multiple custom roms on my device (both tw and aosp based roms).
Perfect, thanks! Glad you guys got spared from the horrid new Knox bootloaders. There's a small chance that the M819 can be downgraded to the older bootloader to remove Knox entirely, but if the update came with the newest bootloader (I got stuck with it on my i527M) there is no hope at all of downgrading.
Thanks to whoever posted this and the creator of this rom
bnb25 said:
as far as i know. there isn't a mod for Metro's phone. there are a few custom ROM's you can use that have free tethering built in. This one is the closest to stock. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2608110
It works fine on my M819N :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the sgh-m819n metro pcs model running the mk7 firmware. This was the only rom that worked 100% for me. Im running twrp recovery,super user and free hotspot. Not to mention all the extra cool apps that it comes with. Big props to the developers of this software may your days be blessed with many more hacks.
Must be unrooted to perform update thru kies without errors..
Galaxy Mega 6.3 On Liquidsmooth rom posted this
question to everyone....
ok not sure if am in the right area to post this but. I have a metro galaxy mega 6.3 (sgh m819n) successfully rooted with kingo. what im trying to find is how to put a custom recovery like twrp and how to do it like step by step. help would be greatly appreciated. or to point me in the right direction. thanks guys.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2608110 this is a great rom for our mega(metropcs) imho. now in order to install CWM or TWRP you simply need to download the version thats for meliusltexx which is for the i9205 version of the mega.. These Roms and procedures are compatable with the M819n(metropcs) mega
thanksss
[email protected] said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2608110 this is a great rom for our mega(metropcs) imho. now in order to install CWM or TWRP you simply need to download the version thats for meliusltexx which is for the i9205 version of the mega.. These Roms and procedures are compatable with the M819n(metropcs) mega
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok thanks and this will work correct.... also before I add a new rom on the m819n I have another question... I used to get 4LTE every where and now I get only 4G or edge after rooting with stock rom. signal apps dont do crap. is there a way to fix this... I miss my LTE data speeds. if you know how to fix or anything please point me in the right direction thanks.
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.
SAFE UP/DOWN GRADING THE EZ WAY
this is a continuation of my SAFE UP/DOWN GRADING TO 4.4.2 thread where I developed a few safe ways to upgrade/update/downgrade to various versions of 4.4. This thread will be aimed at Lollipop. I apologize for the wait I had this ready on the 29th but muniz beat me to the punch while I was still uploading by releasing his odex'd stock OC1 which apparently had broken wifi but is now fixed. however our methods are different and my method will allow you to very quickly upgrade to a Custom ROM 5.0 or fully downgrade back to 4.4.2 NK1-NC2.
Please Note for now I recommend not using Flashfire but if all else fails when attempting this method keep in mind you can use it as an alternative until you can get Safestrap installed again. Flashfire will let you use only your Android to upgrade nothing more is required which can be nice/necessary for those without PC available or a broken USB port.
Pre-Installation Requirements:
You'll need a PC with Windows, OSX or Linux unless opting to upgrade using Flashfire in which case just a phone and the app is required.
Download my UP/DOWN Grading Packa .rar which you unpack includes 4 tars for flashing in Odin
Download Odin 3.10.6 for Windows or dl JOdin if your using OSX or Linux
A Custom ROM or a Prerooted Stock ROM (I'm uploading a Deodex'd debloated stock ROM shortly otherwise you can use muniz's stock release too)
Newest Safestrap 3.75 A03, Towelroot v3+, SuperSU and Busybox apk files are handy to have available on SD CARD I've uploaded a zip containing these here.
If downgrading you'll need a custom ROM (like Echoe v49 VZW for 5.0) for that firmware or an Odin Stock image.
We'll basically be using the same workaround for safestrap that I had used pre 4.4.2 safestrap only in 5.0 and this time were going down to 4.4.2 instead of 4.3. That is in condensed form: were downgrading to 4.4.2 boot.img in order to use Safestrap then modifying ROM or installing a new ROM on Stock Slot then reupgrading boot.img to 5.0!
Steps to Upgrade from 4.4.2 Rooted with Safestrap:
1. Connect phone to PC. Open Odin on PC and boot phone into Safestrap.
2. Load CustomROM_Upgrade_Lollipop_VZW_wNK4-NoSys-gogolie.tar into Odin AP slot on PC. On your Phone in Safestrap install 5.01 TW ROM.
3. Restart Phone to Download Mode when installation of ROM is finished.
4. Now On PC press flash and flash the tar to phone.
5. Your Done. Odin will restart the phone and you'll have to skip through 3-4 Boot Screens for Safestrap before ROM will load. To avoid having to skip these screens after 1st boot install Safestrap and Busybox on phone. Open SS and Uninstall Recovery. Then the phone will boot into ROM without hesitation. However I wouldn't recommend this personally as you'll need SS installed and ready in order to modify the ROM in Safestrap.
From 5.0: Modify ROM / Install different ROM / Downgrading back to 4.4.2
1. Connect phone to PC. Open Odin on PC and in Safestrap's App press Reboot to Recovery only hold down Vol Down. This will bring phone into Download Mode 1st.
2. Load Custom_ROM_Downgrade_Lollipop_VZW_wNK4_Boot-only-gogolie.tar into Odin AP slot on PC and Press Flash.
3. Phone will restart to Safestrap if it doesn't it will display boot option for Safestrap which you should enter the recovery.
4. Now in Safestrap you're able to modify the currently installed 5.01 ROM or install a new ROM for either 5.0 or 4.4.2.
5. After install / modification you'll need to reupgrade if intending on running a 5.0 ROM or finish downgrading if youre reverting to a 4.4.2 ROM. Which means restart phone to Download Mode!
6. Back on your PC load Custom_ROM_Re-Upgrade_Lollipop_VZW_wNK4_Boot-only-gogolie.tar into AP Slot to reupgrade to 5.0 or load Custom_ROM_Re-Upgrade_Lollipop_VZW_wNK4_no-BL-gogolie.tar if you think you possibly need to rewrite the recovery-kernel-modem-etc to 5.0 otherwise VZW-I545VRUFNC2_FULL4.42-ODIN_UPGRADE-NO-PARTITIONS_989434_REV06_user_low_noship_MULTI_CERT.tar.tar.md5 or I545VRUFNK1_ALL_UPGRADES_W_NO_SYSTEM-CACHE-USER-PARTITIONS.taror similar modified Odin package can be flashed in Odin to finish Downgrading to any 4.4.2 Firmware.
7. There is no step 7, you were done at 6!
Good day!
- gogolie
v1-4-29-15
Please thank the OP if you're inclined.
Ask questions in thread those not answered can be assumed have been before and your just too lazy to search before asking which mean's I'll be to lazy to answer / search for you!
special thanks: dgutierrez04 for capture OTAs
2nd
as always,
enjoy
So @gigilie, I've already installed using @muniz_ri 's method and used FlashFire. Can I now install Safestrap and use it to install your rom for testing? (Omega v41 VZW)
Thanks gigilie, your method worked for me. I installed OC1 to my stock rom slot in Safestrap, and to be clear... Safestrap does not function after updating the rom. I expected that. Maybe soon we will have Safestrap back, or something like it.
However, I'm noticing after install that I have only 2 GB free out of 16 GB device memory. So I suspect that my former Slot 1 rom is still present and eating up lots of space. Any suggestions on how to reclaim the rom slot storage?
PMac10000 said:
Thanks gigilie, your method worked for me. I installed OC1 to my stock rom slot in Safestrap, and to be clear... Safestrap does not function after updating the rom. I expected that. Maybe soon we will have Safestrap back, or something like it.
However, I'm noticing after install that I have only 2 GB free out of 16 GB device memory. So I suspect that my former Slot 1 rom is still present and eating up lots of space. Any suggestions on how to reclaim the rom slot storage?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
your former Slotted ROM is probably still intact and accessible. if you flash my downgrade pack in odin and restart you'll be able to access Safestrap. There you can either try and boot into the slot rom, delete the ROM or Modify any ROM you have installed on the Stock slot. Yes even 5.0 ROMs
rp1226 said:
So @gigilie, I've already installed using @muniz_ri 's method and used FlashFire. Can I now install Safestrap and use it to install your rom for testing? (Omega v41 VZW)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if your on stock u should be able to install su, busybox and then safestrap. reboot to safestrap but while the phone is restarting hold vol down and boot into download mode. flash the downgrade pack in the OP of my Safe UP and Down thread for 5.0 then install ROM.... I'd try Echoe v49 VZW posted in the Development section first as I know the ROM works flawlessly with this method then explore other custom ROM options after that!
Can I use this method from 4.2.2
Sent from my H7 using XDA Free mobile app
iansamz said:
Can I use this method from 4.2.2
Sent from my H7 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no sorry. what BL are you currently on i'll give you proper instructions
I don't know what BL means ...sorry am a newbie
Sent from my H7 using XDA Free mobile app
iansamz said:
I don't know what BL means ...sorry am a newbie
Sent from my H7 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
BL is your bootloader
I've got Echoe Rom v49 installed via this method. Very nice so far... one exception: all outgoing SMS fails. Tried pulling battery/SIM/SD, many restarts, and safe mode. None of these fixed outgoing SMS.
First outgoing SMS after a restart takes about a minute to try... then fails. Subsequent outgoing SMS messages fail immediately. I can make calls and receive SMS, however. Any ideas?
Also, tried your suggestion to access Safestrap by downgrading with Odin using "Custom_ROM_Downgrade_NC5Lollipop_VZW_wNK4_Boot-only-gogolie.tar" in AP. This resulted in a bootloop. I got back up again by flashing "Custom_ROM_Re-Upgrade_Lollipop_VZW_wNK4_Boot-only-gogolie.tar"
Thanks
My outgoing sms is not working either. Able to receive sms and mms.
I can get into safestrap no problem.
So if I took the new OTA update to lollipop, can I use this to downgrade then root and update again with the root?
thank you!
For SMS, change the "SecMMs_Candy" and "SecTelephonyProvider_Candy" in /system/priv-app with correct permission.
Copy these 2 files from any known good VZW ROM.
For me, any international ROMI used had this issue and that's how I got the SMS and MMS to work.
meazz1 said:
For SMS, change the "SecMMs_Candy" and "SecTelephonyProvider_Candy" in /system/priv-app with correct permission.
Copy these 2 files from any known good VZW ROM.
For me, any international ROMI used had this issue and that's how I got the SMS and MMS to work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the feedback.
Couldn't find them in hyperdrive or kitpop. Muniz_ri's stock rooted oc1 didn't have a system folder to explore when I unzipped it. Grabbed them from a lollipop ROM in the s5 forum, replaced the respective files, and set permissions. After, messaging app wouldn't open.
If you took the OTA, then no way to do it. Sorry. Don't take the OTA.
notonmdk said:
Thanks for the feedback.
Couldn't find them in hyperdrive or kitpop. Muniz_ri's stock rooted oc1 didn't have a system folder to explore when I unzipped it. Grabbed them from a lollipop ROM in the s5 forum, replaced the respective files, and set permissions. After, messaging app wouldn't open.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try wiping the cache for message in application manager and reboot.
Should I uninstall my Xposed Framework and all the modules before updating? And why should I not use the FlashFire method?
meazz1 said:
Try wiping the cache for message in application manager and reboot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Didn't change anything for me.
In addition to the outgoing SMS problem, I'm noticing my phone running hot with Echoe rom v49... battery life is about half what it was before. Exchange service seems to be a big culprit.
So from what I am reading, this is aimed at those who took the 5.0 OTA correct?
I'm on Build 1545VRUFNK4 and 4.4.2> tried towelroot but says device is not supported (tired 3 times). Aslo could not get Kingoroot to work.
Successfully rooted using Kingroot. Was thinking of playing it safe and installing CWM. Is there a recommended version? Also, how do I keep apps I'm deleting via RootAppDelete from immediately downloading and reinstalling. Somethng I need to disable?
How did you get KingRoot to work? The desktop version won't even open for me and the app has failed (although it does say no root available ) at least 30 times. I did have to flash the neutered OC1 file when I messed up trying to upgrade to OF1 so I guess its like taking an OTA, lost root.
Just followed the steps as prescribed.
I am unable to get a custom recovery set up. Every time I try and boot into recovery it goes into the "Downloading do not turn off target" mode and remains frozen. All steps to install TWRP and CWM are followed so not sure whats preventing either recovery from running . I have SCH-1545 with Android 4.4.2 and Build 1545vrufnk4. Can I even use TWRP or CWM or is Safestrap my only option?
I am running a SCH-1545 with Android 4.4.2 and Build 1545vrufnk4. Can I even use TWRP or CWM or is Safestrap my only option?
For you if you don't have the MDK bootloader then Safestrap is your only recovery.
OK, and how do I confirm the MDK bootloader?
It should say in your phone settings under about phone. I've always thought of it as if you didn't buy a S4 right when they came out, you probably don't have the MDK one. You never know though so I'd check first. If you bought the phone and it was NK4 then you don't have the MDK.
Cannot find MDK anywhere...also there are many versions of safestrap for J this and J that - how do i find that?
I believe you'll need Safestrap 3.75. You'll need Busybox out of the playstore to make it work.