[Q] Stable Root Method and Recovery - Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshoot

Hey there guys!
I picked up this phone on the day it came out and have been keeping up with literally every development thread - first on the normal GS4 forum and then on the sprint one once it was made.
I have been waiting until some of the quirks with the root methods and recoveries have been worked out before getting into all of that.
First, at this time what is the most stable method of getting root at this time? From what I have read mottochop works but there have been some problems with people their data once rooted, and I don't know if this is related but Qbking77's thread on the how to root with the mottochop method is no longer up. And there is the chain fire method and then I think it's Crawjr's tar I can flash through Odin to get SU and busybox, but the last couple posts in that thread are indicating some issues.
EDIT: QBKing77's was stickied and I was on my phone was posted, and I usually only ever go on XDA on my phone so I didn't notice. Oops!
So what would be the best way to root at this time?
Secondly, what is the most safest and most stable recovery at this time - from my understanding it seems Shabbys OUHDS CWM seems to be working the best for everyone, while TWRP is having some touch sensitivity and navigation issues but from the posts it is hard to gauge exactly problematic the issue is.
So secondly, what is the best recovery to go with at this time and using which method?
Just a FYI, I'm planning on installing Slim Rom once I get rooted and install a custom recovery.
And lastly, I feel that it would be helpful and productive to get this information out clearly! With all development in varying stages of alpha and beta development, and at the rapid pace it is progressing, some with less experience may find it difficult to understand what's going with the various methods and such. And yes people who don't know what they're doing shouldn't be messing around with their phones this early but plenty are going to anyway, so we should try and minimize any confusion and problems for our XDA community members!
Thanks for the help in advance and I am really excited for the great developers that have already started working on our device and those that will be coming soon! Let's get our development just as popping as it was on the sprint GS3!
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda app-developers app

I'm using twrp right now but plan on revisiting all the recoveries again soon.
To root all you do is odin your recovery and then flash superuser .zip. no need to use any other method at this time.

lafester said:
I'm using twrp right now but plan on revisiting all the recoveries again soon.
To root all you do is odin your recovery and then flash superuser .zip. no need to use any other method at this time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are the navigation/touch sensitivity problems on TWRP not affecting actual usage? Or have they been sorted out, cause it isn't exactly clear on the thread.
Got it! Odin recovery and flash SU.
Any particular place/version/etc to download the SU zip? EDIT: TWRP recognizes if you don't have SU installed and asks if you want for it to install for you, is that a viable way to install root - I wouldn't know because I have never installed root through TWRP, or a recovery before root for that matter.

inlineboy said:
Are the navigation/touch sensitivity problems on TWRP not affecting actual usage? Or have they been sorted out, cause it isn't exactly clear on the thread.
Got it! Odin recovery and flash SU.
Any particular place/version/etc to download the SU zip? EDIT: TWRP recognizes if you don't have SU installed and asks if you want for it to install for you, is that a viable way to install root - I wouldn't know because I have never installed root through TWRP, or a recovery before root for that matter.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm sure its safe worst that would happen is your not rooted and you can try again with a .zip.
One of the recovery threads has superuser posted in the op I think it is shabbys.

Im using twrp. A few sensitivity issues w naming backups but otherwise it works well.
Here is the thread w instructiond and SU http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2254678
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda premium

Related

[1 Click Root] I Have Two Questions...

Ok, i just heard of the one click root app now out for the nexus one.. I always wanted to root, but every time I did, i was never able to get it. So anyways back to my questions...
*[1] I have stock froyo frf91.. I manually updated all the versions leading up to frf91 not once did I receive an ota update... Once I root, will that cancel my ota's? (even tho I manually update them) will I still get an ota update to gingerbread if I root?
*[2] Once I do this root thing, i want the best rom that includes a fast, clean, eye candy, all black theme. (Including the notification bar) after I find this, how do I go about and apply it? How do I install it?.. Isn't there an app in the market where I can look at the newest roms and themes and just apply them from there?
Sorry for the noob questions guys, i just want to witness what all of you have.. I want to unleash the potential of my nexus one! Lol.
** On a side note, i also heard that once you get a cyanogen rom, it is a must that you download the titanium back up app.. is that right?.. because that rom deletes everything...?
Thanks guys, very much!
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
Never heard bout the Backup thing issue,
But No, once rooted you dont get OTA's (due the fact you change recovery image and rom)
I believe if you still keep things stock like Recovery, and Official ROM you do! (but unsure of this)
Also there is a adb way to root which is simple and thats how i rooted my phone!
you can give that a try instead of one click!
there are no roms in market..
Also try to look through the Dev section, to even apple Dev roms you need to flash custom recovery then do a nandroid back up, then from ther you use the apple from sd!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=736271
this is the method i followed
-note if this is gonna be your first time rooting, i suggest you read all info possible bout it, then read it again.. the think on how your going to do it , then reread the info then apply.. while applying stil read the info
woah there. He'll still get the OTA notification and can even download it. You just can't apply the OTA updates. You have to use a rooted one, generally available here before you'll ever even see the OTA notification on your phone.
if you are rooting for the first time do it the loop adb way. Its a bit more involved but once you do it you will learn a bit about adb and other methods that you will need in the future.
One-Click root is going to make the more fun parts of modding harder in the future. The guide in the stickies is very easy to follow and it will pay off in the long run.
Or fastboot oem unlock it and have the badge of honor
That's the thing, i've tried doin it the adb way.. it just never worked for me..
And I also don't want to unlock the bootloader
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
this way should work like perfect, the other way with pulling sdard way seems kinda over that top for me..
Yea.. so if I use this one click method, i can use custom roms and themes?
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
matholomus said:
Yea.. so if I use this one click method, i can use custom roms and themes?
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup, I did that yesturday, there are a few more steps after rooting to get custom roms to work but you can do it.
On another note, cant you just flash back to stock, then using rom manager get rid of the custom recovery, then unroot using the 1click root? Wont that put you back to stock? cant you use the ota's then?
The AndRoot app is awesome. U can turn root ON or OFF anytime (even for ota).
Orangeandblue302 said:
Or fastboot oem unlock it and have the badge of honor
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
and wear it proudly! fastboot is a cinch and pretty hard to ef up. the worst part is the syntax (especially if you dont have the recovery image in the right directory). i found this link to be helpful in learning how to use fastboot.
i used fastboot to unlock and to flash amon ra. then, running amon ra, i flashed whatever ROM i wanted. later, just for s and giggles i used rom manager to install the clockwork mod recovery.
if you dont like the outcome, you can always flash back to stock which will redo the stock recovery too... but the unlock badge will remain proudly displayed.

Not New to Android, New to Atrix

I've had an Evo for about 9 months....but....
Work basically just gave me an Atrix and laptop dock to mess with, and even encouraged the "development" side of it (aka root it, without saying root it)
I've done a bit of research, and I have a few questions.
Right away I used the "One Click Root" at the top of this forum.
What I want to know is how to enter Clockword Mod Recovory, which I can on the Evo to backup my phone and flash a rom stored on the SD card.
It doesn't seem to have it unlocked that menu though, as I can't access it by holding those buttons down.
That would make my life alot better, as I can start to experiment for the Roms for this phone (currently running Mik2.3? on the Evo, didn't see a ROM for this phone though )
Anyway, thanks for helping out....I'm excited to learn this phone.
Also, the dock is rather new, any cool tricks I could exploit?
(Have you unlocked the bootloader..?)
Flash romracer's recovery, check in the development forum. Or download Rom Manager and install the recovery from there.
Vangelis13 said:
(Have you unlocked the bootloader..?)
Flash romracer's recovery, check in the development forum. Or download Rom Manager and install the recovery from there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not really sure how to flash in img file.
I really don't remember doing that on the EVO....I can only really do things once I boot into recovery, which I can't seem to figure out on this Phone
Check the noob guide at the top here, all answers are there. First step is to unlock the bootloader.
Vangelis13 said:
Check the noob guide at the top here, all answers are there. First step is to unlock the bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Got it unlocked...
Anyway, what exactly is Deodex? not sure I see that with the Evo...
Also, whats the hotness in roms....can i simply place in a directery and flash like i can with evo and recovery screen?
Well I thought I flashed CWM but it just shows up a android guy with an !
??
drs6222 said:
Got it unlocked...
Anyway, what exactly is Deodex? not sure I see that with the Evo...
Also, whats the hotness in roms....can i simply place in a directery and flash like i can with evo and recovery screen?
Well I thought I flashed CWM but it just shows up a android guy with an !
??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
when u first turn on the atrix does it say unlocked in the top left corner if it does download and install ether cwm or rom manager drom market and install the cwm from it then install romracers latest revovery from the dev forums
Sent from my MB860 using xda premium
Romracer said:
The system runs /system/etc/install-recovery.sh on boot with the stock rom. On boot it checks the recovery partition for some update and with CWM installed decides to reflash the stock recovery over it. Rename or delete the file and the CWM should stick.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
after you delete install-recovery.sh you can flash a recovery and have it stick past reboot.
Alcapone263 said:
after you delete install-recovery.sh you can flash a recovery and have it stick past reboot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He shouldn't have to do that. If it's rooted and has an unlocked bootloader he should just be able to download either rom manager from the market and install the recovery that way or he could flash romracer's recovery via fastboot. That's all I really did when I went through this and it worked just fine for me.
On another note, to the thread poster, definitely read the "stuck" threads at the top of each forum and you'll be able to figure everything out without having to ask questions that are already answered. I went through it all and have gotten to the point where I can do a lot of this stuff on my own so I highly recommend doing so.
Sent from my MB860 using xda premium
GeNiO426 said:
He shouldn't have to do that. If it's rooted and has an unlocked bootloader he should just be able to download either rom manager from the market and install the recovery that way or he could flash romracer's recovery via fastboot. That's all I really did when I went through this and it worked just fine for me.
On another note, to the thread poster, definitely read the "stuck" threads at the top of each forum and you'll be able to figure everything out without having to ask questions that are already answered. I went through it all and have gotten to the point where I can do a lot of this stuff on my own so I highly recommend doing so.
Sent from my MB860 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
rooted and unlocked bootloader doesn't matter, if he's on the stock ROM and has that file it runs on boot every time. you can install recovery, but it just won't stick since install-recovery.sh runs at boot every time the file is present.

failed to root, now bricked, lost in the sauce

Rooting my Galaxy S4 has been one of the biggest pains in my rear ever and now I'm bricked and need a bit of help.
Normally, when I want to root a phone, I come here, to XDA, and follow a nice well written up-to-date thread on how to do it and it works. For the S4 however, I can't find any such threads that are not either old, out-of-date, or they use so many abbreviations for things I have no clue what they are talking about.
I started out with a totally stock Samsung Galaxy S4, was a VPUAMDL.
I used ODIN to push TWRP tarball. I then used TWRP to install the CWM SuperSU zip file.
I noticed when it started up that I had no root, I had the SuperSU program however, it nor another program I got on the marketplace, could confirm root.
Bit of looking I found this: galaxys4root (DOT) com/galaxy-s4-root/sprint-vpuamdl-firmware-update-root-fix/
(sorry, can't post full links yet)
Which basically informed me that VPUAMDL needs a new kernel to remove the SetUID restrictions.
I downloaded that file, and put it on my SD card. Booted into TWRP and installed. now my phone is bricked. gets to the "Samsung Galaxy S4" startup splash screen on black background
I am looking for a kernel that will work, either the stock kernel or not.
I am also looking for a good tut on rooting the S4, as all the tuts I have used have been utter wasted time.
I have ODIN, and can boot TWRP, ODIN mode, etc on my phone.
have no clue where to go from here and Im afraid to start trying to download random files and get everything mixed and confused.
Thanks for any help at all.
CF Auto Root
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2291827
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda app-developers app
FanOfSkynyrd said:
CF Auto Root
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2291827
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I followed that page, pushed it, installed fine, 100% no errors.
still bricked at GS4 startup splashscreen.
It did finish successfully and I saw the screen with the red android.
It removed TWRP and replaced it with the stock recovery as it should have.
I am actually surprised myself that it is still bricked at the GS4 splash.
Odin stock everything. See if it boots. Then try to root after that.
Stealyourface said:
Odin stock everything. See if it boots. Then try to root after that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am failing to find stock everything to push.
I think I stated that, not sure... hmm
none the less. I do not have a stock kernel or recovery on hand. I can not find one either as there seem to be a plethora of kernels and threads and pages all for different files and downloads. Sifting through trying to find something is becoming harsh. Thus this thread.
You are not bricked if your phone can turn on and go to download mode or recovery.
Sent from my Sprint Galaxy S4 using Tapatalk 2
GiantJay said:
You are not bricked if your phone can turn on and go to download mode or recovery.
Sent from my Sprint Galaxy S4 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well then its whatever you want to call it when it wont boot the operating system and is totally un-usable as a phone or mobile device.
I would go HERE
That is the thread for stock MDL stuff.
Download and flash the kernel and full wipe rom for MDL.
Then upgrade to MF9.
+2 ^^^^ to what he said :edit:
Nice tut on rooting the s4 thanks to mudavo here http://forum.xda-developers.com/sho...to Full Stock [MF9] w/ Root & Custom Recovery
There is also a video tutorial stickied in android devolpment
Sent from myself SPH-L720 using xda app-developers
Thanks guys, going to try some of the stuff from there. Hope i get it going. Need mah phone back! lol
Wooo, those links where just what I needed. Thanks a lot.
Got my phone back on and now I have a stock file in case I muck things up again.
Just make a nand back up and restore when something bad happens ive mucked up alot and it has always saved me
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda app-developers app while smoking

[Q] Big *Dummy* asking for help

For the first time I did an OTA while rooted. I upgraded to 4.3 and now I've lost the following:
SuperSU dowsn't work
Busybox does't work
Can't run bootloader or recovery
My system still shows as a rooted system upon boot. When I connect to my pc and run wugfresh's toolkit, it fails to find adb. I have verified that the driver is installed correctly and debugging mode is on. I can't unlock, root or even return to stock. I do remember seing a thread about a similar issue quite some time ago but I have been unable to find ut. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Btw, it has just a plain root, no custom roms installed.
Thanks in advance.
stator said:
For the first time I did an OTA while rooted. I upgraded to 4.3 and now I've lost the following:
SuperSU dowsn't work
Busybox does't work
Can't run bootloader or recovery
My system still shows as a rooted system upon boot. When I connect to my pc and run wugfresh's toolkit, it fails to find adb. I have verified that the driver is installed correctly and debugging mode is on. I can't unlock, root or even return to stock. I do remember seing a thread about a similar issue quite some time ago but I have been unable to find ut. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Btw, it has just a plain root, no custom roms installed.
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, stator...
Your post isn't quite clear... does the device boot normally? If so, you should have no problems booting into the bootloader.
But first download the latest UPDATE-SuperSU-v1.51.zip to your Nexus 7.
Shutdown the Nexus as normal. Then press and hold the VOL down button... whilst continuing to hold, press the POWER ON button.
This should boot you into the bootloader (in fastboot mode).
From there, and from your PC, Fastboot flash a custom recovery... (Chainfire recommends TWRP)... with the line...
Code:
fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
Where recovery.img is the name of your custom recovery. I usually just rename it to 'recovery.img' (without quotes) anyway - makes for less typing at the command prompt.
Ensure you get the correct recovery for your device....
TWRP for Nexus 7 Wi-Fi ('Grouper') or TWRP for Nexus 7 3G ('Tilapia')
Although a new version of TWRP is now available (2.6), I had some weird issues with this... particularly when copying Nandroid backups off of my Nexus 7 to my PC. Random 'permission denied' messages would crop up running an ADB PULL command... copying via MTP didn't fair much better either. TWRP 2.5 works without problems though, and it's the version I would recommend.
Anyway... back on topic...
Upon completion of flashing TWRP, boot into that recovery (whilst still in the bootloader)... and select INSTALL... navigate to the folder where you downloaded Chainfires SU root updater (usually, the 'download' folder)... and SWIPE to confirm.
Reboot as normal... you should now be rooted. This can be confirmed by any one of the numerous Root Checker apps available in Playstore.
I haven't experimented with busybox... if you mean this version, I haven't installed it, and nor am I going to... at least not for a while.
My Nexus 7 is still in the process of being rebuilt from the ground up, after having fastboot flashed the factory image, necessitating a full wipe (I was running a custom ROM/Kernel combo before)... so I'm taking this slowly, re-installing apps carefully.
It seems that some apps that worked fine under 4.2.2 are broken under 4.3. MX Player and Adobe Flash Player to name a couple.... but QuickPic and Titanium have now been fixed and work fine under 4.3. I'm under no illusions that Adobe Flash Player will be fixed anytime soon... it's been technically deprecated by Adobe for a while anyway.
Anyway... good luck... and hope you get root sorted.
Rgrds,
Ged.
I am having problems with Busybox as well even though i did not take the OTA. I flashed CleanRom, and Faux kernel.
Just fyi
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
First and foremost I would like to apologize for taking so long to reply. Real life had me out of town and I didn't have my tablet with me. I tried the advice given but it didn't work at first. It took multiple attempts but I finally got my tablet back to stock. I guess my Nexus 7 didn't agree with the 4.3
OTA while rooted. I can now unlock, root, and even change roms once again. I don't know for sure what was causing the problem but it's all good now. Also, I was always able to use my tablet during my little crisis. I was just unable to unroot or even flash a new rom. Thanks again for all the help.
You could have hit thanks, a guy wrote you a gigantic step-by-step instructions just to help you out
Sent from my LG-P920 using xda app-developers app
shevich said:
You could have hit thanks, a guy wrote you a gigantic step-by-step instructions just to help you out
Sent from my LG-P920 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I sincerely hope this is a joke. I most definitely said thanks. I even apologized for taking so long to reply. Please try to be constructive or don't bother to post. I've been frequenting this site for quite sometime although I've never posted or even joined until recently. This community has been extremely helpful. The last thing that is needed is another troll. Thank you.
He was talking about using the thanks button.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus

Recovery Issues

Hey guys I'm fairly new to the droid, but not new to installing stuff and that. I've tried multiple times to install a recovery but twrp doesn't, through fast boot it says it's invalid or something. Somehow I got cwm on it but to install a new Rom I've to make a complete backup since I've heard these phones brick pretty easily. The data can't be mounted to backup And I can't backup on internal storage either.
If you guys could help me out a bit it would be great. Thanks
Sent from my XT907 using XDA Free mobile app
jafferkhan said:
Hey guys I'm fairly new to the droid, but not new to installing stuff and that. I've tried multiple times to install a recovery but twrp doesn't, through fast boot it says it's invalid or something. Somehow I got cwm on it but to install a new Rom I've to make a complete backup since I've heard these phones brick pretty easily. The data can't be mounted to backup And I can't backup on internal storage either.
If you guys could help me out a bit it would be great. Thanks
Sent from my XT907 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which system version are you on, and which version of TWRP did you try? Where did you get the TWRP? Check this thread it has all the walkthroughs and download links needed... Side note this should be in general or q&a not in the Dev section
We cannot teach people anything; we can only help them discover it within themselves.
I'm on the stock rom 4.4, and I've already gone through the steps, as I said and understand how these things work, the cwm I'm using now installed but doesn't allow for a data backup. I read there isn't one for this phone which allows that.
Sent from my XT907 using XDA Free mobile app
Which TWRP did you use... Where did you get it from.... Please check the linked thread and ensure you grabbed the proper TWRP for our device also maybe try flashing by a different method if you did use the correct TWRP
We cannot teach people anything; we can only help them discover it within themselves.
jafferkhan said:
I'm on the stock rom 4.4, and I've already gone through the steps, as I said and understand how these things work, the cwm I'm using now installed but doesn't allow for a data backup. I read there isn't one for this phone which allows that.
Sent from my XT907 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually I am also on 4.4 kk.. And also I tried a lot TWRP's they don't work! Idk why but just didn't open when click to recovery!
Also a lot of cwm's won't work. I only found one working recovery.
livecouk said:
Actually I am also on 4.4 kk.. And also I tried a lot TWRP's they don't work! Idk why but just didn't open when click to recovery!
Also a lot of cwm's won't work. I only found one working recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i went through the suggested link again, decided to go with Twrp and used flashr from playstore to flash it. worked out great, now i've got a fully backed up stock 4.4
dbreezy187 said:
Which system version are you on, and which version of TWRP did you try? Where did you get the TWRP? Check this thread it has all the walkthroughs and download links needed... Side note this should be in general or q&a not in the Dev section
We cannot teach people anything; we can only help them discover it within themselves.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
got it, thanks mate

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