Upgrading from 4.4.2 with mdk - Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4

I know there threads that cover some of my questions, but I want to make sure I have everything squared away before I go down path.
I currently have a Verizon Galaxy S4 with 4.4.2. It is rooted with the MDK boot loader. I want to upgrade to 4.5 and use Magisk (mainly so my son can keep playing Pokemon). I am under the impression that to run Magisk I need a non rooted version of 4.5. Am I correct in this impression? Would a stock 4.5 that is Deodexed work with Magisk? Once I find one I can just flash with TWRP and then install magisk.
I have 3 main concerns
Don't want to lose the unlocked bootloader.
Don't want to have to wipe the phone.
Want to make sure I can still remove the OTA update app.

jed.padilla said:
I know there threads that cover some of my questions, but I want to make sure I have everything squared away before I go down path.
I currently have a Verizon Galaxy S4 with 4.4.2. It is rooted with the MDK boot loader. I want to upgrade to 4.5 and use Magisk (mainly so my son can keep playing Pokemon). I am under the impression that to run Magisk I need a non rooted version of 4.5. Am I correct in this impression? Would a stock 4.5 that is Deodexed work with Magisk? Once I find one I can just flash with TWRP and then install magisk.
I have 3 main concerns
Don't want to lose the unlocked bootloader.
Don't want to have to wipe the phone.
Want to make sure I can still remove the OTA update app.
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Per the forum rules, please do not duplicate threads in the forum.
5. Create a thread or post a message only once.
As a large forum, we don't need unnecessary clutter. You're free to edit your message as you like, so if you do not receive an answer, revisit your message and see if you can describe your problem better. Not everyone is online at the same time so it might take a while before you receive an answer.
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Continue here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4/help/upgrading-4-4-2-unlocked-bootloader-mdk-t3462971/
THREAD CLOSED

Related

[Q] Custom Recovery and Rom Question

I'm sure this has been asked but I just wanted to verify I had my information correct, I have rooted and put custom roms on a gs3 in the past so I have little experience but don't want to brick my gs4 and it seems it may be a slightly difference process.
Essentially I want to get CM10 on my Verizon GS4
I found these root directions here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2290798
They seem pretty straight forward. I would assume I follow these directions and install TWRP or clockwork mod after its rooted then just flash my roms, however I saw something about Loki on another thread and getting around the bootloader. Do I have to do anything special involving that or once I am rooted can I just install the custom recovery from the app store and start installing roms...
Also how do I check if I have the update that just came out that prevents flashing roms.
Sorry if this was asked but I didn't see my specific question anywhere and I would really appreciate the help.
Also would you recommend going with the google edition or CM10?
Questions and Help issues go in Q&A and Help section
Thread moved
Im fairly certain TWRP is pre-loki'd now, so you wont have to worry about it.
In about phone, look under baseband version, If it doesn't say i545VRUAMDK then you have the new update that isnt rootable yet.
And for your last question, i havent tried either of them yet (I'm on hyperdrive).

New to S4

So I just got handed an S4 from a co-worker, I just spent an hour looking up info on root and stuff to load custom roms (looking mainly for CM11). My main problem seems to be all the shortened terms and everything associated with this phone, root vs unlocked bootloader vs etc, MK2?? NC5??. I can't seem to find any "newb" friendly breakdown of all of this. This isn't my first hacked device by far (I got an old DiNC and a ReZound for my last 2), but definitely the most confusing one. So here's the info I got on my phone: Galaxy S4, Verizon, SCH-I545, Android 4.4.2, VRUFNC5, hardware version: I545.06.
Can anyone point me in the right directions to understand better, and get me to my final destination of Custom rom? Or at least get me to understand this better?
I did search the first 5 pages of every section to see if there was a "newb-friendly" sticky but didn't seem to go anywhere fast, just made me more confused.
tong6998 said:
So I just got handed an S4 from a co-worker, I just spent an hour looking up info on root and stuff to load custom roms (looking mainly for CM11). My main problem seems to be all the shortened terms and everything associated with this phone, root vs unlocked bootloader vs etc, MK2?? NC5??. I can't seem to find any "newb" friendly breakdown of all of this. This isn't my first hacked device by far (I got an old DiNC and a ReZound for my last 2), but definitely the most confusing one. So here's the info I got on my phone: Galaxy S4, Verizon, SCH-I545, Android 4.4.2, VRUFNC5, hardware version: I545.06.
Can anyone point me in the right directions to understand better, and get me to my final destination of Custom rom? Or at least get me to understand this better?
I did search the first 5 pages of every section to see if there was a "newb-friendly" sticky but didn't seem to go anywhere fast, just made me more confused.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The problem with a simple "newb friendly" page is that every update to the phone changes what you need to do to root and what you can run.
For your NC5 phone, you need to use Towelroot to root it. That gets you root, but you're stuck with the stock bootloader. That means that you can't directly run a custom ROM. You can use Safestrap to allocate space for an alternative ROM, which is almost the same as a fully unlocked phone. The big thing you lose is that you can't run arbitrary ROMs, just what's compatible with the stock kernel. No CM, no AOSP.
So, read up on Towelroot and Safestrap. Once you have those down, you should be n the way.
Yeah, I got towel root already installed, supersu running and added to system and Knox disabled. Where should I be looking at roms that I can run under safestrap? Or should I say which section of the forums? Thank you for your response btw.
tong6998 said:
Yeah, I got towel root already installed, supersu running and added to system and Knox disabled. Where should I be looking at roms that I can run under safestrap? Or should I say which section of the forums? Thank you for your response btw.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Usually, roms that are compatible with safestrap are labeled as such. Since nc5 doesn't allow custom kernels, you will stuck with touchwiz kernels, so usually the roms will look like the stock samsung experience or a themed version. If you want an aosp themed safestrap rom, get eclipse rom. If you want a 99% gpe s4 rom download the gpe edition safestrap rom( it has some bugs though).
Usually roms are located at the "Android development" section of the forum. The gpe rom thread is in the general section.
tong6998 said:
Yeah, I got towel root already installed, supersu running and added to system and Knox disabled. Where should I be looking at roms that I can run under safestrap? Or should I say which section of the forums? Thank you for your response btw.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The thing to keep in mind, is that safestrap loads too late to be able to replace the kernel. This is the limiting factor, your stuck on the stock kernel... Different versions of android and different versions of kernels may have slightly different functions/parameters coded into the kernel, so calling a newer function or calling a function with parameters that no longer match the new style will fail.... so if the rom wasn't directly designed for the stock kernel of the same version your using it likely won't work.
In practice that means you need a rom based on TW, that is the same version (NC5) as you are currently using. Not sure but there are likely a few changes the Rom make needs to add for safe strap compatibility... Basically when you look at the Rom's thread it will list a baseband (NC5) and say its safestrap compatible.
Thanks to all of you, that clears up a lot of confusion I had. Now where do I find out (or how do I decifer) if I'm MJ7/MK2/ME7/MI1? Or am I correct in assuming I'm NOT (all the builds I see for safestrap mention those only no NC5.

[Q&A] ACTUAL 4.4.4 GPE/AOSP ROMS for SAFESRAP 4.4.2 NC2/NC5+ 4.3MK2&more!

Q&A for ACTUAL 4.4.4 GPE/AOSP ROMS for SAFESRAP 4.4.2 NC2/NC5+ 4.3MK2&more!
Some developers prefer that questions remain separate from their main development thread to help keep things organized. Placing your question within this thread will increase its chances of being answered by a member of the community or by the developer.
Before posting, please use the forum search and read through the discussion thread for ACTUAL 4.4.4 GPE/AOSP ROMS for SAFESRAP 4.4.2 NC2/NC5+ 4.3MK2&more!. If you can't find an answer, post it here, being sure to give as much information as possible (firmware version, steps to reproduce, logcat if available) so that you can get help.
Thanks for understanding and for helping to keep XDA neat and tidy!
Ultimate n00b question here, but does anyone have the 4.4.3 firmware download for the s5? Can't find it anywhere, and would like to see if this works with safestrap on the s5. Don't see a reason as to why it wouldn't. I understand that statement is going to receive a lot of ridicule, but I am very very new and I just started rooting two days ago, and I am aware that I am only able to flash roms on my s5 via safestrap, because the bootloader is locked. So my curiosity with this is stemming from these roms working with verizon safestrap..So I understand I'm going to get reamed for asking for the 4.4.3 firmware for the s5, and whether or not these will flash, but I can't find concrete answers anywhere else, and I truly don't see why it wouldn't work. :x
JoshJ45 said:
Ultimate n00b question here, but does anyone have the 4.4.3 firmware download for the s5? Can't find it anywhere, and would like to see if this works with safestrap on the s5. Don't see a reason as to why it wouldn't. I understand that statement is going to receive a lot of ridicule, but I am very very new and I just started rooting two days ago, and I am aware that I am only able to flash roms on my s5 via safestrap, because the bootloader is locked. So my curiosity with this is stemming from these roms working with verizon safestrap..So I understand I'm going to get reamed for asking for the 4.4.3 firmware for the s5, and whether or not these will flash, but I can't find concrete answers anywhere else, and I truly don't see why it wouldn't work. :x
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you wouldnt need the firmware installed technically to make this work for the s5. you'd want to flash it then flash a module zip to make a module zip take all files from /lib/modules directory from a clean stock'd odin rom. thats what youd need to get wifi/gps to work. if your referring to the new PSOA ROM that might boot for you but I dont know that the S4 is backwards compatible with the S5 I could easily make an S5 ROM like this tho
Hi. Hoping somebody can help with this problem. I am on psoa barebonez with nc5 modules and nc5 bootloader. Everything works great except for the phone. When I am on a call there is no way to hang up. Even after I kill the phone app the call remains connected. The end call button does not function at all. Does anybody know the process or task that is actually controlling ongoing calls? And do you know the best way to terminate that process? Thanks
Sent from my SCH-I545 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
gigilie said:
you wouldnt need the firmware installed technically to make this work for the s5. you'd want to flash it then flash a module zip to make a module zip take all files from /lib/modules directory from a clean stock'd odin rom. thats what youd need to get wifi/gps to work. if your referring to the new PSOA ROM that might boot for you but I dont know that the S4 is backwards compatible with the S5 I could easily make an S5 ROM like this tho
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Has anyone gotten this to work for the s5? I'm going to try it right now, but if all else fails, would you be able to make an s5 ROM like this? If any trouble at all don't bother, I always feel bad asking for anyone to do such things. Only asking since you mentioned.
Which rom would be the most stable out of all of them

Start to finish

I was told to redirect my question here. My original post is :
Hi, my name is Anthony and I have a T-Mobile S5 running the latest version of android (I think it's 5.0.1 or 5.0). I'm kinda a newb with flashing and rooting. I had my phone rooted using towel root a while ago, but I lost that root in an update and it is no longer supportive of my phone.
I'm looking to install custom roms but before I do so, I would like to make a full backup of my current stock touch wiz so I can revert to it in case I don't like the new rom. I also would like to root my phone. Oh, and before anyone tells me that I need to install Odin, I have a Mac running Yosemite.... A lot of people have told me that I need to install clock work in order for this whole process to work.
Recap advice/how to:
1. Make backup rom
2. Root phone
3. Teach me how to flash roms using a Mac.
4. Include any other important info and links for downloads.
I mainly want to install CM12, but I still want a backup rom to revert to later
Thanks, and please don't post any hate
anader said:
I was told to redirect my question here. My original post is :
Hi, my name is Anthony and I have a T-Mobile S5 running the latest version of android (I think it's 5.0.1 or 5.0). I'm kinda a newb with flashing and rooting. I had my phone rooted using towel root a while ago, but I lost that root in an update and it is no longer supportive of my phone.
I'm looking to install custom roms but before I do so, I would like to make a full backup of my current stock touch wiz so I can revert to it in case I don't like the new rom. I also would like to root my phone. Oh, and before anyone tells me that I need to install Odin, I have a Mac running Yosemite.... A lot of people have told me that I need to install clock work in order for this whole process to work.
Recap advice/how to:
1. Make backup rom
2. Root phone
3. Teach me how to flash roms using a Mac.
4. Include any other important info and links for downloads.
I mainly want to install CM12, but I still want a backup rom to revert to later
Thanks, and please don't post any hate
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is well written instructions on the web already. Maybe I could find a link for you.
That would be great. I've tried a couple with no success
Just use a windows pc... borrow one its 5 minutes to root.
Use odin.
You can downgrade to kit Kat also if u want u don't have to stay on 5.0
there are not many 5.0 roms or even customization for lollipop ,you will discover that fast.
Sent from my SM-G900T using XDA Free mobile app

Root NK1 question

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

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