Galaxy S4: I've got Root... Now what?

ryan.kruger

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So I rooted an S4. It's my first Android phone and it took me all of no time to want to get my hands dirty to see what I could do with this thing.
Cyanogenmod really interested me, as there is no way to install the "Google Edition" software on the Verizon model of this device (unless I'm wrong, please, PLEASE let me be wrong).

Can someone point me in the direction of good (recent, as I'm realizing that's absolutely necessary) resources to help flash custom ROMs on the Verizon S4?

I have:

Android: 4.3
Model #: SCH-I545
Baseband Version: I545VRUEMK2
Kernel Version: 3.4.0 se.infra@R0210-09 #1 Wed Nov 20 12:44:43 KST 2013
Build #: JSS15J.I545_4.3_0017
Secure Boot Status: Type: Samsung
Hardware Version: I545.06

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

If you've read this far, you're awesome - and I appreciate it :) I've come from WPCentral as a recent convert after researching a little more into Android/Java/Linux. Loving it so far, just want to get this thing as close to stock as possible!
 
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UJ95x

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Re: I've got Root... Now what?

Welcome to Android Central :)
How did you manage to root an S4 on 4.3?
I've tried a few stock ROMs for my S4 and my personal favorite is SlimBean. Easily the best out of the ones I tried (CyanogenMod, LiquidSmooth, GPE)
 

ryan.kruger

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Re: I've got Root... Now what?

I can't remember which article I followed. But I have SuperSU installed - and Root Checker verifies that I have Root... Should I not?

:-\
 

UJ95x

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Re: I've got Root... Now what?

I can't remember which article I followed. But I have SuperSU installed - and Root Checker verifies that I have Root... Should I not?

:-\

Well if it says you have root, then you probably do...

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T1geRKat086

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Re: I've got Root... Now what?

I seem to be in a similar scenario as OP
model: SCH -1545
1545VRUEMK2
secure boot status: Samsung
device status: Custom
Not sure if bad or good thing but: Factory reset date: 12-08-2013 (Hope I didn't hinder my self on that one. As I have read seemingly endless conflicting answers on all this...Im new as I'm sure is obvious!)
I am rooted as well checked with teh root checker. Now much like OP I am asking....Now what! haha please enlighten me / link me to never land to read as to what things I can take advantage of now! I understand currently Flashing custom ROM's is a no go due to locked bootloader, but yeah please learn me!
Oh, and incase anyone want's / cares I rooted successfully with
DroidViews | How to Root Verizon & AT&T Galaxy S4 on Android 4.3 [VRUEMK2] Firmware
 

UJ95x

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Re: I've got Root... Now what?

I seem to be in a similar scenario as OP
model: SCH -1545
1545VRUEMK2
secure boot status: Samsung
device status: Custom
Not sure if bad or good thing but: Factory reset date: 12-08-2013 (Hope I didn't hinder my self on that one. As I have read seemingly endless conflicting answers on all this...Im new as I'm sure is obvious!)
I am rooted as well checked with teh root checker. Now much like OP I am asking....Now what! haha please enlighten me / link me to never land to read as to what things I can take advantage of now! I understand currently Flashing custom ROM's is a no go due to locked bootloader, but yeah please learn me!
Oh, and incase anyone want's / cares I rooted successfully with
DroidViews | How to Root Verizon & AT&T Galaxy S4 on Android 4.3 [VRUEMK2] Firmware

I thought you had to unlock the bootloader before rooting :eek:
Anyway, after rooting, I'd suggest flashing a custom recovery as that is what allows you to flash custom ROMs

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T1geRKat086

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Re: I've got Root... Now what?

I thought you had to unlock the bootloader before rooting :eek:
Anyway, after rooting, I'd suggest flashing a custom recovery as that is what allows you to flash custom ROMs

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I would love other members/peoples input like success stories, because it's very possible with updates and thangs that this isn't current or right, but the research I did that ended me up here I couldn't find well anything I can remember off the top about success with custom recovery and/or then moving forward with a custom ROM with my phone build model ect (variables everywhere!) (my goal was OCing the cpu, because im a geek haha not that it really needs it) Instead I did find several accounts of varying age where Samsung "soft bricked" or said NO. Probably not a correct usage of soft brick, but yeah I read several frusterated people with software gimped S4's so as new as I am I'm not going to be a trail blazer quite yet. If I'm wrong I will be happy if someone could enlighten me how to do it semi safely or even some success accounts (understand stuff like this isn't ever 100% with out risk) long post short...Tiger is a wimp haha.
 

UJ95x

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Re: I've got Root... Now what?

I would love other members/peoples input like success stories, because it's very possible with updates and thangs that this isn't current or right, but the research I did that ended me up here I couldn't find well anything I can remember off the top about success with custom recovery and/or then moving forward with a custom ROM with my phone build model ect (variables everywhere!) (my goal was OCing the cpu, because im a geek haha not that it really needs it) Instead I did find several accounts of varying age where Samsung "soft bricked" or said NO. Probably not a correct usage of soft brick, but yeah I read several frusterated people with software gimped S4's so as new as I am I'm not going to be a trail blazer quite yet. If I'm wrong I will be happy if someone could enlighten me how to do it semi safely or even some success accounts (understand stuff like this isn't ever 100% with out risk) long post short...Tiger is a wimp haha.

I read that whole post as if I was running out of breath XD
If you're concerned I'd just wait for an official release of a custom recovery for the 4.3 update. A few months ago the AT&T S4 didn't have a custom recovery even though people managed to root their phone.

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T1geRKat086

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Re: I've got Root... Now what?

fate has it seemingly that I smoke a bowl (nice and legit and legal here in WA now woot) and then post on here somehow. I re read it and I see what you mean.
 

Central n ohios best

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Re: I've got Root... Now what?

Yeah me and my girl planning a trip there just for that reason lol.

Sent from my T-Mobile LG Escape running 4.1.2 using tapatalk 2 (Central n ohio Austin IL)
 

leesumm

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Re: I've got Root... Now what?

There is a different method I think for the Verizon GS4. I read the forums a lot at XDA there ,I think a section for Verizon GS4. I rooted my wife's GS4 after the OTA to 4.3 with Kingo Android. I read that is it a Malware but software didn't detect any. But as one of the posts says. There is no recovery for the MK2 yet. one has to use SafeStrap and the roms are limited on what can be flashed at this time. Seems ATT and Samsung has locked down the GS4 even tighter than when it was in the box.
 

UJ95x

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Re: I've got Root... Now what?

There is a different method I think for the Verizon GS4. I read the forums a lot at XDA there ,I think a section for Verizon GS4. I rooted my wife's GS4 after the OTA to 4.3 with Kingo Android. I read that is it a Malware but software didn't detect any. But as one of the posts says. There is no recovery for the MK2 yet. one has to use SafeStrap and the roms are limited on what can be flashed at this time. Seems ATT and Samsung has locked down the GS4 even tighter than when it was in the box.

I read about some other users here managing to root their Sprint variant GS4 with Kingo root as well. Still no recoveries for any of the S4s as far as I know

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ryan.kruger

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Re: I've got Root... Now what?

I'm going to go ahead and assume that I can't just wipe my phone and put it back at the 4.2.2 and older firmware?
 

UJ95x

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Re: I've got Root... Now what?

Nope. Knox doesn't let you downgrade either :\
I guess their own firmware is a security issue...

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ryan.kruger

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Re: I've got Root... Now what?

So beyond that - is anyone aware of a custom kernel for the baseband version I'm using? If I can flash custom ROMs on 4.3 and MK2 - I don't mind much else. I wanted to try HyperDrive or CyanogenMod.
 

UJ95x

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Even if you rooted the S4 on 4.3, there is still no way to flash other ROMs or kernels since there is still no custom recoveries for the MK2 baseband. Someone else here on AC said you might still be able to flash ROMs with Safe strap but the list of ROMs is very limited. I'd head over to xda.developers.com and see if there is any progress with 4.3 :)

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wtherrell

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Re: I've got Root... Now what?

Even if you rooted the S4 on 4.3, there is still no way to flash other ROMs or kernels since there is still no custom recoveries for the MK2 baseband. Someone else here on AC said you might still be able to flash ROMs with Safe strap but the list of ROMs is very limited. I'd head over to xda.developers.com and see if there is any progress with 4.3 :)

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^^^^^^This.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
 

ryan.kruger

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Re: I've got Root... Now what?

that sucks. I shouldn't have updated.

So I'm going to assume that ALSO means that I can't unroot since there are no recoveries?
 

UJ95x

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Re: I've got Root... Now what?

You can unroot by flashing the stock firmware or unrooting via the SuperSU app

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ryan.kruger

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Re: I've got Root... Now what?

Lol the update was available when I got the phone from the mail. I should have done some research prior to rooting on MK2.

Okay. So now without being able to flash custom ROMS - what else should I do?
 

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