[Q] Confused about kltevzw ROMs - Verizon Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hi, I'd like something cleared up. I have a Verizon Galaxy S5 running Kitkat 4.4.4 which I have rooted. I was wanting to flash this Liquidsmooth ROM on it. It says it supports it, right? But how do you install this ROM if the locked bootloader keeps you from installing TWRP or CWM Recovery? Can it only be installed on the developer edition? I can't seem to find a definitive answer.
Thanks in advance.

RayburnD said:
Hi, I'd like something cleared up. I have a Verizon Galaxy S5 running Kitkat 4.4.4 which I have rooted. I was wanting to flash this Liquidsmooth ROM on it. It says it supports it, right? But how do you install this ROM if the locked bootloader keeps you from installing TWRP or CWM Recovery? Can it only be installed on the developer edition? I can't seem to find a definitive answer.
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It says in the OP the ROM is AOSP based, which means you cannot flash it on the retail Verizon version. It can only be flashed on the Developer Edition Verizon variant.

Ok, that's what I was thinking, but wasn't sure. Thanks for your help!

RayburnD said:
Hi, I'd like something cleared up. I have a Verizon Galaxy S5 running Kitkat 4.4.4 which I have rooted. I was wanting to flash this Liquidsmooth ROM on it. It says it supports it, right? But how do you install this ROM if the locked bootloader keeps you from installing TWRP or CWM Recovery? Can it only be installed on the developer edition? I can't seem to find a definitive answer.
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was wondering exactly the same thing. I'm a total noob, I've never flashed a ROM. I rooted Verizon Galaxy S5, w KitKat 4.4.4. I wondered: if Lollipop kills Safestrap, how am I supposed to recover from a inappropriate Lollipop ROM? I was so frustrated by this question, I just bought (a cheap, mint) Developer Edition Samsung Galaxy S5. Now what? I would like to flash ROMS on my new phone , have found threads to do so, but the general question remains: what ROMS are right? Can the Developer Edition (DE) take any ROM that a non-Developer Edition can take? Can the DE S5 take ANY AOSP ROM? Such as CM 12.1? And to phrase the question for those with the non-DE S5 - how does one recover from a bad Lollipop ROM, if one cannot install recovery on a locked bootloader Verizon S5? -- and if one cannot use Safestrap (because I thought Safestrap was broken in Lollipop). Does one have to downgrade to KitKat to fix an incorrect ROM situation? Lots of questions, I'll research, but these still remain. Thank you!

lazrus1 said:
I was wondering exactly the same thing. I'm a total noob, I've never flashed a ROM. I rooted Verizon Galaxy S5, w KitKat 4.4.4. I wondered: if Lollipop kills Safestrap, how am I supposed to recover from a inappropriate Lollipop ROM? I was so frustrated by this question, I just bought (a cheap, mint) Developer Edition Samsung Galaxy S5. Now what? I would like to flash ROMS on my new phone , have found threads to do so, but the general question remains: what ROMS are right? Can the Developer Edition (DE) take any ROM that a non-Developer Edition can take? Can the DE S5 take ANY AOSP ROM? Such as CM 12.1? And to phrase the question for those with the non-DE S5 - how does one recover from a bad Lollipop ROM, if one cannot install recovery on a locked bootloader Verizon S5? -- and if one cannot use Safestrap (because I thought Safestrap was broken in Lollipop). Does one have to downgrade to KitKat to fix an incorrect ROM situation? Lots of questions, I'll research, but these still remain. Thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A developer edition cannot run Roms for the retail edition. You will lock your device. You can backup your phone or flash something else by using Odin to flash a kernel of an earlier build such as nk2. This will bring safestrap back up.

lazrus1 said:
I was wondering exactly the same thing. I'm a total noob, I've never flashed a ROM. I rooted Verizon Galaxy S5, w KitKat 4.4.4. I wondered: if Lollipop kills Safestrap, how am I supposed to recover from a inappropriate Lollipop ROM? I was so frustrated by this question, I just bought (a cheap, mint) Developer Edition Samsung Galaxy S5. Now what? I would like to flash ROMS on my new phone , have found threads to do so, but the general question remains: what ROMS are right? Can the Developer Edition (DE) take any ROM that a non-Developer Edition can take? Can the DE S5 take ANY AOSP ROM? Such as CM 12.1? And to phrase the question for those with the non-DE S5 - how does one recover from a bad Lollipop ROM, if one cannot install recovery on a locked bootloader Verizon S5? -- and if one cannot use Safestrap (because I thought Safestrap was broken in Lollipop). Does one have to downgrade to KitKat to fix an incorrect ROM situation? Lots of questions, I'll research, but these still remain. Thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wouldn't suggest installing roms based off retail firmware for the de version as it'll probably lock your bootloader. Developer editions can take any aosp rom made for the kltevzw, and any rom that isn't based off of retail firmware, for that matter. Safestrap doesn't work on lollipop, but if you want it to run all you have to do is flash a kitkat kernel on odin and safestrap will work again, ths system will not, however, unless you install a lollipop kernel.

Tulsadiver said:
A developer edition cannot run Roms for the retail edition. You will lock your device. You can backup your phone or flash something else by using Odin to flash a kernel of an earlier build such as nk2. This will bring safestrap back up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank you!
Are there any AOSP ROMS based on CM12.1 that are semi-stable? I saw the one by albinoman887 , but that one does not yet seem stable, and since I am a n00b, might not be a good idea to flash it.... Are there any other ROMS for Samsung GS5 kltevzw phones with unlocked bootloaders that you know of?
thank you!

lazrus1 said:
thank you!
Are there any AOSP ROMS based on CM12.1 that are semi-stable? I saw the one by albinoman887 , but that one does not yet seem stable, and since I am a n00b, might not be a good idea to flash it.... Are there any other ROMS for Samsung GS5 kltevzw phones with unlocked bootloaders that you know of?
thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am too unfamiliar with the developer edition. I wouldn't want to mess up your phone.

Related

[Q] Can a ROM intended for SafeStrap be used on a Developer Edition phone?

If this has been answered, I have not found that answer, and it's not for lack of trying. So apologies in advance. I HAVE searched and pored through threads and pursued all other reasonable means to find the answer to this question.
I have a Verizon Developer Edition S5. I just upgraded from a Galaxy Nexus that I unlocked, rooted and flashed many times over.
On my S5 I installed TWRP and rooted it with no difficulty thanks to the good instructions in this thread:
[GUIDE] Installing a Custom Recovery and Rooting the Developer Edition Galaxy S5
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2746586
I'm not really familiar with Safe Strap since I came from a phone with an unlocked bootloader.
I see plenty of ROMs for the VZW S5, but most of them talk about installing with SafeStrap.
So here's my question:
Is any ROM for the VZW S5 suitable for installation through BOTH SS and flashing through TWRP? Are there any restrictions or limitations regarding flasing one of these ROMs directly through TWRP on an unlocked-bootloader phone?
Thank you in advance.
Retail S5 owners can flash only TouchWiz based ROMS using Safestrap. A Dev S5 owner can flash touchwiz or AOSP AND other ROMS. Normally the developer will specify whether a ROM can be flashed with Safestrap or not. Dev S5s can flash almost any ROM using a custom recovery like TWRP.
jpcalhoun said:
Retail S5 owners can flash only TouchWiz based ROMS. A Dev S5 owner can flash touchwiz or AOSP AND other ROMS. Normally the developer will specify whether a ROM can be flashed with Safestrap or not. Dev S5s can flash almost any ROM using a custom recovery like TWRP.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you very much.
vfnewman said:
Thank you very much.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To clarify my thread, a retail owner can flash only TouchWiz based ROMs with Safestrap. A Dev owner can flash any ROM ( a ROM developed for their carrier specific device most often) using a custom recovery like TWRP.
jpcalhoun said:
To clarify my thread, a retail owner can flash only TouchWiz based ROMs with Safestrap. A Dev owner can flash any ROM ( a ROM developed for their carrier specific device most often) using a custom recovery like TWRP.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Again, thanks. That really sums it up well.
OK, let me ask a related question: can Safestrap be used on the developer edition phone without problems? I understand it's not necessary because the DE phone has an unlocked bootloader, but Safestrap looks convenient. And will Safestrap work with a non-Touchwiz-based ROM?
Thank you

Samsung Galaxy S4 I337 cannot find latest update 4.4.4

Hey guys,
My brother has the S4 i337 model and he's on 4.4.2
This phone is unlocked and he's using Tmobile on it.
For some reason it cannot find 4.4.4 via OTA and Kies
Is this because it's on tmobile or this model didn't get 4.4.4 yet.
Do I need to root it and flash a rom on it?
Thanks
krazyq said:
Hey guys,
My brother has the S4 i337 model and he's on 4.4.2
This phone is unlocked and he's using Tmobile on it.
For some reason it cannot find 4.4.4 via OTA and Kies
Is this because it's on tmobile or this model didn't get 4.4.4 yet.
Do I need to root it and flash a rom on it?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some models of the Samsung Galaxy S4 just didn't get the update, for instance my i337 didn't even get the 4.4.2 Kitkat update and was stuck on JellyBean. Your best bet is to just flash a 4.4.4 Rom on it. Clears out the bloated stock software.
Brandon.Black said:
Some models of the Samsung Galaxy S4 just didn't get the update, for instance my i337 didn't even get the 4.4.2 Kitkat update and was stuck on JellyBean. Your best bet is to just flash a 4.4.4 Rom on it. Clears out the bloated stock software.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that's really lame
So to make sure I do this the right way
I have to root the phone first
then install custom recovery
then flash rom right?
Or does the boot loader need to be unlocked?
Any rom recommendations?
I'd like for it to be stock so it's stable since my brother needs this for testing purposes
krazyq said:
that's really lame
So to make sure I do this the right way
I have to root the phone first
then install custom recovery
then flash rom right?
Or does the boot loader need to be unlocked?
Any rom recommendations?
I'd like for it to be stock so it's stable since my brother needs this for testing purposes
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes correct, but if your boot loader is locked then you're going to need to download SafeStrap Recovery for locked bootloaders. Then once you have installed that, there's only very limited amount of Roms you can install because of the kernel, if you find a ROM that changes the kernel your phone won't boot. But a ROM that is fully working is called "GoldenEye ROM" its a 4.4.2 ROM but is really clean, stock, and clears out all that bloated nonsense. There's no 4.4.4 Roms for locked bootloaders yet.
Brandon.Black said:
Yes correct, but if your boot loader is locked then you're going to need to download SafeStrap Recovery for locked bootloaders. Then once you have installed that, there's only very limited amount of Roms you can install because of the kernel, if you find a ROM that changes the kernel your phone won't boot. But a ROM that is fully working is called "GoldenEye ROM" its a 4.4.2 ROM but is really clean, stock, and clears out all that bloated nonsense. There's no 4.4.4 Roms for locked bootloaders yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for this info
I'll look into it

S4 Custom Rom Help - Dirty Unicorns

I've been looking into roms and such and came across goldeneye, carbon rom and dirty unicorns (that I've got interested in) and i've had my mind set on Dirty Unicorns Rom, but I am rooted to 4.4.4, I am confused whether or not I have to downgrade and update CWM or TWRP in order to flash this rom? And if so do I downgrade to a stock firmware then root, then flash? I want to install Dirty Unicorns 5.1.1. And if so can anyone point me in the right direction? I've looked around the forum and did some searches and perhaps i'm not searching the right keywords.
Any help would be much appreciated and I apologize in advance if there was anything on this but im a bit overwhelmed at the moment. Using AT&T I337 Rooted 4.4.4
Edit: Also how do I know whether or not I have safestrap or if my bootloader is locked or unlocked?
Sorry, but you can't flash that firmware on 4.4.4 as the bootloader is locked, and you can't go back. Only stock recovery, stock kernel and Safestrap can be used on your phone. You will be limited to touchwiz based firmware.
creepyncrawly said:
Sorry, but you can't flash that firmware on 4.4.4 as the bootloader is locked, and you can't go back. Only stock recovery, stock kernel and Safestrap can be used on your phone. You will be limited to touchwiz based firmware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats ridiculous. I was reading for hours and finally picked up on it after I posted this. Thanks for the reply. I even debated on buying a new mobo until I checked the prices. Well looks like I'm stuck until I can afford something other than this junk.

Can I install custom roms on my Galaxy S4 OK2?

I have the AT&T Samsung Galaxy S4
Android Version 5.0.1
Build I337UCUGOK2
I've already unrooted it.
My question is, can I install custom roms to it?
I read somewhere on xda that I can only install roms based on the base one using Safestrap.
I really wanted to install cyanogenmod, but on the page there's the warning ''you must be on build I337UCUAMDB or I337UCUAMDL or this will not work''
Any help would be appreciated.
Not possible without unlocking bootloader
I am in the same boat. Unfortunately at the moment there is no way to get CyanogenMod from OK2. I have spend so many hours trying for the same. The conclusion is that the bootloader is locked and there is no known method to unlock the bootloader on I337 yet.

Using an S4 as emergency phone, and I need slight guidance for rooting & recovery

Hello
My LG V10 came across the famous bootloop issue, and I shipped it to LG. In the meantime, I am using an old S4 that was saved for emergencies like this one. It is running 4.4.4, I337UCUFNJ4, and I rooted it with Kingoroot.
I understand that it should OTA to 5.1 in pronably a day or 2 if I check for a software update; it sat turned off since 2014, so it did not receive anything.
1. Do I OTA and reroot?
2. Can I manually jump to 5.1?
Ultimately, I would like to install TWRP and the Blissrom or some other ROM, but I don't want to take an OTA that may screw me up for later. I read that there's a loki thing that will prevent future installations of recovery or something like that. I realize that I will be using a short time (2-3 weeks), but I would like to leave it rooted and with a good ROM.
Thank you
The bootloader is locked so that means TWRP cannot be flashed to the phone and the phone will only run custom ROMs based off a stock Samsung ROM.
OTA updates will not work if the phone is rooted.
audit13 said:
The bootloader is locked so that means TWRP cannot be flashed to the phone and the phone will only run custom ROMs based off a stock Samsung ROM.
OTA updates will not work if the phone is rooted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm confused or perhaps you are misinformed. I have seen a lot of ROMs for this device including Blissrom and many others. All od them get flashed through twrp or Safeway or aome name like that.
You mean safestrap?
Maybe you are thinking of the non-AT&T models of the s4 that work with custom ROMs such as Lineage and Validus. Only the AT&T version of the s4 has a locked bootloader, starting with Android 4.3 and up.
There has never been an sgh-i337 s4 with a locked bootloader than can run TWRP. Same goes for the AT&T sm-n900a note 3 with a locked bootloader.
audit13 said:
You mean safestrap?
Maybe you are thinking of the non-AT&T models of the s4 that work with custom ROMs such as Lineage and Validus. Only the AT&T version of the s4 has a locked bootloader, starting with Android 4.3 and up.
There has never been an sgh-i337 s4 with a locked bootloader than can run TWRP. Same goes for the AT&T sm-n900a note 3 with a locked bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But there's a forum dedicated to AT&T development full of roms here on xda.
Yes, there is a full section but you need to look at the ROM requirements. Some of these ROMs were developed before AT&T pushed out an OTA update that locked the bootloader. Other ROMs are made for the non-AT&T s4 such as the sgh-i337m and gt-i9505.
You will not see any ROM that is not based off a stock Samsung ROM that can be installed onto an AT&T s4 that has a locked bootloader. Also, you will not see any version of TWRP/CWM/Philz that can be installed onto an AT&T s4 that has a locked bootloader. Same goes for the AT&T sm-n900a.
I understand your skepticism and appreciate your posts as we are all here to learn from each other.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2785166
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4-att/help/ez-unlock-bricked-phone-galaxy-att-s4-t3703235
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4-att/help/help-installed-chainfire3d-phone-doesnt-t3700830
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4-att/help/samsung-galaxy-s4-sgh-i337-ok2-locked-t3458353
Thanks for the clarification. So how do I know if my bootloader is locked? If I took that ota update that messed things up?
The bootloader becomes locked when the phone is updated to Android 4.3 or newer. I think it needs to be on the MDL bootloader to be unlocked. Anything beginning with an "N" or "O" means that the bootloader is locked.
Thanks audit. And I assume that there's no way to go backwards to a pre-4.3 rom and unlock that bootloader.
So. I'm on 4.44 rooted. Do i remove root and take any ota and reroot? I guess that I'll settle for going as high as possible with the stock rom but rooted with the ability to disable some of the bloatware.
How can I proceed?
In those links that you mentioned, it states that we can flash debloated TouchWiz roms that might be better than stock. Is that right? So can I do that?
You will need to install safestrap to flash a custom ROM. The debloated ROMs must be based off a ROM that is designed for the AT&T s4.
I recommend reading through this thread: https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2616221
Audit... I odined back to nb1, rooted, and used flashify to get to rooted stock oc3.
How can I get to ok3? And should I leave ota services frozen so as to not ruin and loose root?
OTA will not work with a rooted phone.
Maybe this will help: https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=56453108&postcount=2
I don't have an sgh-i337 so I can't tell you how to get back to a completely stock ROM to get OTA updates. I have the sgh-i337m which is the Canadian version of the s4 without a locked bootloader.
I wrote a guide and FAQ revolving around the MDL bootloader here (if anyone cares to read it):
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4-att/general/how-to-one-guide-to-mdl-bootloader-t3584122

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