Database Users

[Q] Question about ROM installation and Recovery methods

Hi so I recently got a SM-N900v and I want to install a ROM, Ive been reading from multiple places and they said that the Verizon Note 3 has a locked bootloader (Idk what that means) and that in order to flash roms you need SafeStrap instead of (CWM or TWRP). I also see other tutorials where they tell you to directly flash TWRP/CWM via Odin so I'm really skeptical since there seems to be contradictions and that's why i'm asking here for confirmation.
Also the roms that i have in mind are Eclipse Note 3 TW 2.2(http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2620723) or Cyanogen Mod 11 (https://download.cyanogenmod.org/?device=hltevzw&type=nightly) .
In the Eclipse post it said the device required to be running NC4 unified firmware in order for installing the ROM.
These are the specs of my Verizon Note 3
http://i.imgur.com/23zKmWs.png
http://i.imgur.com/wscSV4o.png​
My device is rooted but I'm just confused whether SafeStrap is obligatory or not for flashing custom Roms. Also in some tutorials they mentioned that safe strap might brick your device or something like that. Sorry i'm not very knowledgeable and require assistance which would be extremely appreciated. Is CM 11 for Verizon Note 3 stable, I know its Nightly but does it have all the features like S-PEN etc.. Can my device flash these roms and if it can, which recovery firmware should I use safestrap or Cwm/TWRP?
Thanks

S5 recovery 20$ min read all please. I'm desperate

- Intro
- Done and searched so far
- My Questions. (Jump to the end unless you think I haven't search prior )
- Bounty
INTRO
Hey guys. I'm french Canadian (please understand my bad written )
and thanks to the phone I choosed (s5 active g870w telus)
I'm becoming pretty much bilingual I've checked all over
around The Web and over this forum. And can't find an accurate
answer . I know I picked the wrong phone for rooting but
as a construction worker it was a good compromise.
DONE AND SEARCHED
My Samsung Galaxy s5 Active g870w from Telus
is still on 4.4.2 since there is no and there will not be
any update for a while.
I managed to used the g900w8 version of
Chain fire auto root method using Odin 3.09
to get roots.
I have also succès to flash Unity 2.0.1 rom.
So far I figured that my version can count as
the Canadian version of the s5 small g900w8. (I may be wrong)
I found a stock Firmware (that accualy make my
lies in russian ) Wich I used a lot lately due to all
my soft brick.
My goal is to be able to upgrade to a nice custom rom
on lollipop. I was hoping Fusion. And as for the recovery
TWRP would be my choice if it was possible.
Now I am stuck trying to install TWRP. I have followed
multiple guide. I have tried to install from TWRP manager
the version 2.8.6.0 klte. I have tried 3 times and after the app
installation I tried to reboot to recovery using Quick boot,
i always end up in Odin mode.
I then tried to install using Odin flashing the same version
Downloaded from TWRP.me site. Then it let me load into
my stock version. Then if I try to reboot in recovery
it still stock.
I even tried to use safestrap both version at&t and Verizon
and both soft bricked me.
I have read or scan about every thread and none talk about
S5 a g870w. Beside the att version Wich are locked.
QUESTIONS
My Questions and I really beg for answers even if
You have only 1 answer.
1- Is my phone g870w compatible g900w8?
2-is it compatible to any other versions?
3-when looking should I only look for Canadian version or I can also
use either g870 from at&t,Verizon or international. Or I look for
International g900. Since I guess my bootloader is unlocked .
4- Since only at&t and Verizon are supposed to be lock I guess
I can't use safestrap... so are TWRP and CWM the only options?
5- Can someone help me troubleshoot my installations. ?
6- After I install my recovery a a g870w on kitkat 4.4.2
Should I be able to flash lollipop base custom rom?
7- Is it possible that there is no option for me beside
Unity and stock rom.
BOUNTY
It might not be much but I offer a 20$ minimum bounty for who ever
take me outta this non ending bulls*"t.
Thanks guys. And please I swear I have search and read a lot
just Google my model number and you'll always end up on me
Searching and I seems to be the only one g870w talking about
recovery or custom rom. All I found is how to root...
Jon

1- Is my phone g870w compatible g900w8?
No, it is different flashing anything that isn't designed for your exact model number ( even the AT&T ones which are one letter different) won't work.
2-is it compatible to any other versions?
No, only firmwares for your exact phone will work without someone modifying something specific for you.
3-when looking should I only look for Canadian version or I can also
use either g870 from at&t,Verizon or international. Or I look for
International g900. Since I guess my bootloader is unlocked .
Flashing any other model number but your own risks bootloop/bricking as they although look similar can have different firmware partitions amongst other things.
4- Since only at&t and Verizon are supposed to be lock I guess
I can't use safestrap... so are TWRP and CWM the only options?
If someone can have a look at TWRP is possible that they can make a version work for you: ideally I would say with it being so difficult as so few have your model I would go to stock: root and use xposed, and leave the rest.
5- Can someone help me troubleshoot my installations. ?
Sure, happy to help but don't know how much can help when you are trying firmwares for different versions.
6- After I install my recovery a a g870w on kitkat 4.4.2
Should I be able to flash lollipop base custom rom?
Unless someone has made I've for your model type I doubt it.
7- Is it possible that there is no option for me beside
Unity and stock rom.
Yeah unfortunately this is quite likely.

thanks for taking the time.
Now I'll go private with you for personal things.
but before maybe few extra questions will help the very few others in
the same painful situation.
about compatibility you answered no.
What made me search so bad is that I've seen
other members(g870a) claiming they we're using
g900 roms I'll search for a link.
-Does it mean even tho its risky or
it means that American version have more luck ?
-am I still able to use a recovery like safestrap?
-can I hang myself?
- and if I'd like to have TWRP and a know custom rom
would it be a lot of works for Des.
Is it "askable" are some working for money?
I hate stuck to death I miss my note 3 like crazy. .. damn

Some Questions about flashing by ODIN

I brought my Samsung Galaxy S4 (China Unicom version) from China. It was unlocked and I was able to use it in my country pretty well. But I didn't get to install any of Google Apps. And then there's awful Chinese apps that I couldn't able to uninstall. So I downloaded AT&T Official Firmware 4.4.2 and decided to give it a try. I am thinking about install it via ODIN.
Now my question is as my phone is currently unlocked and if I install AT&T firmware by ODIN, will it revoke my current unlocked status? Will it take the device back to the AT&T locked status?

Installing the AT&T firmware will flat out fail. And you don't want to install it anyway, unless you like locked bootloaders.
You need to download an I9500 ROM. We should have one here, on the forums. Installing a ROM will not revoke unlocked status.

Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
Installing the AT&T firmware will flat out fail. And you don't want to install it anyway, unless you like locked bootloaders.
You need to download an I9500 ROM. We should have one here, on the forums. Installing a ROM will not revoke unlocked status.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My Model Number is GT-I9507V and Baseband version is I9507VZNUBNK1 . And even installing I9507 firmwares failed. Only I9507V firmwares are accepted.
No Google apps so far and these awful Chinese bloatwares. What do I have to do?

I forgot that the China Telecom unit had its own model number. But thank you for stressing it multiple times in bold.
Since the only stock ROMs you can install are I9507V ROMs, your options are to root and debloat the ROM and then install the Google apps, or root and install a custom ROM. This assumes a custom recovery is available for your device.

Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
I forgot that the China Telecom unit had its own model number. But thank you for stressing it multiple times in bold.
Since the only stock ROMs you can install are I9507V ROMs, your options are to root and debloat the ROM and then install the Google apps, or root and install a custom ROM. This assumes a custom recovery is available for your device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's no CWM recovery available for GT-I9507V. But is it OK to install CWM recovery of GT-I9505?

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=257785

NEED Custom ROM for xt902 [AKA 201M softbank]

NEED Custom ROM for xt902 [AKA 201M softbank]
boot-loader is unlocked and temporary root is achieved but there are no custom Roms available for this device please anyone have a custom ROM or this device please post
used this method to root
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2194770&page=2
also tried this method to jump to kitkat but failed [stucked on motorola logo after flashing via RSD lite]
https://forum.xda-developers.com/droid-razr-m/general/guide-kitkat-201m-t3185885

thugs.lif3 said:
NEED Custom ROM for xt902 [AKA 201M softbank]
boot-loader is unlocked and temporary root is achieved but there are no custom Roms available for this device please anyone have a custom ROM or this device please post
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you have a custom recovery to enable you to flash a custom ROM?
I did a quick search on www.github.com and did not find any device specific trees; for an "xt902". Its from a device specific tree that a custom ROM is combined with to build a ROM from source (and the custom recovery). github is normally the place most devs will put code, so that result does not look good for finding a custom ROM.
Can you flash another device? For example, I have an xt905 but flash xt907 ROM's as the difference is in the radio which is not part of the ROM but the firmware. I also remember that at one stage moto's devices where unified so that all msm8960 based phones could flash the same ROM zip.
But all this is useless if you cant find a custom recovery. Or build one from source... but again, you will need a device tree to do all of this.
There are also some "porting" ROM instructions here on XDA. Haven't done it myself, but others appear to have had success. But I also think that was switching from one custom ROM to another. eg https://forum.xda-developers.com/ch...ide-how-to-port-lollipop-marshmallow-t3283452 though you may have some luck porting from an xt907 (ie RAZR M)
good luck.

DiamondJohn said:
Do you have a custom recovery to enable you to flash a custom ROM?
I did a quick search on www.github.com and did not find any device specific trees; for an "xt902". Its from a device specific tree that a custom ROM is combined with to build a ROM from source (and the custom recovery). github is normally the place most devs will put code, so that result does not look good for finding a custom ROM.
Can you flash another device? For example, I have an xt905 but flash xt907 ROM's as the difference is in the radio which is not part of the ROM but the firmware. I also remember that at one stage moto's devices where unified so that all msm8960 based phones could flash the same ROM zip.
But all this is useless if you cant find a custom recovery. Or build one from source... but again, you will need a device tree to do all of this.
There are also some "porting" ROM instructions here on XDA. Haven't done it myself, but others appear to have had success. But I also think that was switching from one custom ROM to another. eg https://forum.xda-developers.com/ch...ide-how-to-port-lollipop-marshmallow-t3283452 though you may have some luck porting from an xt907 (ie RAZR M)
good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
treid porting end up in cwm error [status 7] i have managed to installed an australian variant official kitkat 4.4 in the mobile using rsdlite but the mobile is giving me "no service" error and yes i had a cwm on a stock jeallybean 201m with temp root

actually, out of interest I searched for your device, and it appears to simply be a Japan variant of an xt907 just as my xt905 is an Australian variant of the xt907. ie same device with different radio bands/frequencies
Have you tried installing TWRP for an xt907? thats what I have (and build) for my xt905. Assuming you are on JBBL, try ==> https://forum.xda-developers.com/droid-razr-m/general/twrp-3-1-1-xt907jbbl-t3652141 (nb: flash in bootloader mode)
For further instructions, see the "custom recovery" section of the first post at ==>https://forum.xda-developers.com/droid-razr-m/general/guide-faq-how-to-root-boot-unlock-t2869432

I have ROMs in my new thread for the XT907. It's about the only available ROMs I could find that work. ROMs for this device were removed from CM site when Lineage took over. There are no tutorials though. If you are unlocked and on KitKat, you need to downgrade to Jellybean. There is a link in my thread at the bottom that tells you how to downgrade. All the files are available on my Google Drive. Just make sure you follow the instructions to the T.
I can walk you through if you need help. Once you do one, it's easy to do the rest.

thugs.lif3 said:
treid porting end up in cwm error [status 7] i have managed to installed an australian variant official kitkat 4.4 in the mobile using rsdlite but the mobile is giving me "no service" error and yes i had a cwm on a stock jeallybean 201m with temp root
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
DragonFire1024 said:
I have ROMs in my new thread for the XT907. It's about the only available ROMs I could find that work. ROMs for this device were removed from CM site when Lineage took over. There are no tutorials though. If you are unlocked and on KitKat, you need to downgrade to Jellybean. There is a link in my thread at the bottom that tells you how to downgrade. All the files are available on my Google Drive. Just make sure you follow the instructions to the T.
I can walk you through if you need help. Once you do one, it's easy to do the rest.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do NOT use any full firmware from any other phone than the one specifically made for your phone! you will lose your modem/signal at the very least (as you have). ie Do not use an xt907 as suggested above, or an xt905's firmware or you will lose your signal (as I think you have)
To get your signal back, reflash / RSDLite your original firmware. This step should get your signal back, and ready to flash a custom recovery (ie TWRP)
DiamondJohn said:
actually, out of interest I searched for your device, and it appears to simply be a Japan variant of an xt907 just as my xt905 is an Australian variant of the xt907. ie same device with different radio bands/frequencies
Have you tried installing TWRP for an xt907? thats what I have (and build) for my xt905. Assuming you are on JBBL, try ==> https://forum.xda-developers.com/droid-razr-m/general/twrp-3-1-1-xt907jbbl-t3652141 (nb: flash in bootloader mode)
For further instructions, see the "custom recovery" section of the first post at ==>https://forum.xda-developers.com/droid-razr-m/general/guide-faq-how-to-root-boot-unlock-t2869432
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If your original firmware is JellyBean, then you will have a JBBL.
After you flash your original firmware, flash a custom recovery ie TWRP JBBL. Then, using this custom recovery flash the custom xt907 ROM of your choice with the same bootloader as yours; again assuming JBBL.

G950u Snapdragon

Hi there! So, I’m finding conflicting information all over about this, so I figured it’d be better to ask directly. I’m trying to put a custom rom on a g950u s8, and some sites tell me that a safestrap is the only way to go about this, and others say TWRP will work. The real question is though, I’m trying to get an AOSP rom on it and have no idea how to go about it. I’m used to having xiaomi phones where all I needed to do was unlock bootloader, flash TWRP, then flash zip. If not possible, is there any way to convert g950u version to G950f? Thanks, and sorry for the stupid questions!

Verkana said:
Hi there! So, I’m finding conflicting information all over about this, so I figured it’d be better to ask directly. I’m trying to put a custom rom on a g950u s8, and some sites tell me that a safestrap is the only way to go about this, and others say TWRP will work. The real question is though, I’m trying to get an AOSP rom on it and have no idea how to go about it. I’m used to having xiaomi phones where all I needed to do was unlock bootloader, flash TWRP, then flash zip. If not possible, is there any way to convert g950u version to G950f? Thanks, and sorry for the stupid questions!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You cannot convert it to a 950f. The bootloader on a U model is locked. You can root it. And you can install safestrap you can run one of the modified stock ROMs we have and flash certain zips like viper4 Android. No magisk. No Los AOSP cr no custom roms

TheMadScientist said:
You cannot convert it to a 950f. The bootloader on a U model is locked. You can root it. And you can install safestrap you can run one of the modified stock ROMs we have and flash certain zips like viper4 Android. No magisk. No Los AOSP cr no custom roms
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
By any chance do you have a link to rooting the u?
Edit wrong phone.

SP6RK said:
By any chance do you have a link to rooting the u?
Edit wrong phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The u u1 and w can be found under the extreme syndicate thread