Database Info

flashing stock firmware and ROM

Hello Everyone,
I am a new Android User, switched from Blackberry (had to use it for work for many reasons, employer requirement) . i have searched the forum for possible existing answer, could not find any.
i have just bought G2 At&t (D800) version from a previous owner, and it is unlocked by the previous owner. i have already rooted my device with custom recovery, it is Stock ROM 4.2.2 and software version 10o
my main two questions,
Q1 : if i flashed and upgraded to 4.4.2 using either D80220a - KOT49I or recovery friendly D80020c method, will that lock my unlocked phone? (i am using it on tmobile)
Q2 : is there is a significant difference between using D8022a and D80010d boot loader mentioned in kk upgrades candidates.
p.s. Since i am a new android user, but with enough backgrounds to be a developer. i will be starting to work on porting M8 sense 6 and contribute To the LG G2 Community. finally have jumped into the bandwagon hahaha. took me a long time lol ..
cheers

Right now there are many unforseen problems with updating g2 so stay away as long as you can
Sent from my LG-D800 using xda app-developers app

GSM
lingarajug said:
Right now there are many unforseen problems with updating g2 so stay away as long as you can
Sent from my LG-D800 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't mind taking risks, my only main concern, will upgrading to stock based kitkat ROM and firmware lock my GSM again and be usable with AT&T ONLY. that is my main concern in the first question.
i know for a fact, that firmware originally is installed by the service provider and is separate from the locking mechanism. Most phones can be unbranded by reflashing a different firmware version. however, i am seeking reassurance from experts to confirm such knowledge
thank you

chemotkbilo said:
Hello Everyone,
I am a new Android User, switched from Blackberry (had to use it for work for many reasons, employer requirement) . i have searched the forum for possible existing answer, could not find any.
i have just bought G2 At&t (D800) version from a previous owner, and it is unlocked by the previous owner. i have already rooted my device with custom recovery, it is Stock ROM 4.2.2 and software version 10o
my main two questions,
Q1 : if i flashed and upgraded to 4.4.2 using either D80220a - KOT49I or recovery friendly D80020c method, will that lock my unlocked phone? (i am using it on tmobile)
Q2 : is there is a significant difference between using D8022a and D80010d boot loader mentioned in kk upgrades candidates.
p.s. Since i am a new android user, but with enough backgrounds to be a developer. i will be starting to work on porting M8 sense 6 and contribute To the LG G2 Community. finally have jumped into the bandwagon hahaha. took me a long time lol ..
cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are gonna flash kk I suggest you first downgrade to 10d and use Gary's method or upgrade via tot and then root/install custom recovery but I cannot assure that it will remained unlock as I have not encountered many people who unlock and flash custom roms
Sent from my LG-D800 running stock kk, rooted with philz using XDA app

XxZombiePikachu said:
If you are gonna flash kk I suggest you first downgrade to 10d and use Gary's method or upgrade via tot and then root/install custom recovery but I cannot assure that it will remained unlock as I have not encountered many people who unlock and flash custom roms
Sent from my LG-D800 running stock kk, rooted with philz using XDA app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see, i guess i will take the risk and re-update here. but will it matter a lot in term of FUNCTIONALITY. using international (AndroidUser00110001- power user edition) vs garyd9 method, excluding the removal of bloatware.
thanks

chemotkbilo said:
I see, i guess i will take the risk and re-update here. but will it matter a lot in term of FUNCTIONALITY. using international (AndroidUser00110001- power user edition) vs garyd9 method, excluding the removal of bloatware.
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well using androiduser's Rom is nice because of less bloat plus no ciq but I myself would not flash a Rom that changes the model number from d800 to d802 just because if it soft bricks it will be harder to restore via flash tool, which is why I opted and am a current user of Gary's Rom but I debloated it
Sent from my LG-D800 running stock kk, rooted with philz using XDA app

XxZombiePikachu said:
Well using androiduser's Rom is nice because of less bloat plus no ciq but I myself would not flash a Rom that changes the model number from d800 to d802 just because if it soft bricks it will be harder to restore via flash tool, which is why I opted and am a current user of Gary's Rom but I debloated it
Sent from my LG-D800 running stock kk, rooted with philz using XDA app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
my first thank you on this forum went to you . i will use gary's rom and the debloate it

going back to stock using TOT
chemotkbilo said:
I see, i guess i will take the risk and re-update here. but will it matter a lot in term of FUNCTIONALITY. using international (AndroidUser00110001- power user edition) vs garyd9 method, excluding the removal of bloatware.
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i have downgraded to 10d, and i can assure anyone, that it will not lock an unlocked phone. :victory:

[Q] about flashing roms

I'm now using Samsung Galaxy S3 I9300 with android 4.1.2. Recnetly, I want to flash the S5 roms posted by other developers. However, those roms are in android 4.3 or 4.4.2. Can I directly flash it or do I need to upgrade my device to android 4.3 first?
thanks so much!

You can't flash a s5 ROM onto your s3, it will brick.
Sent from my LG-VS980 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

bweN diorD said:
You can't flash a s5 ROM onto your s3, it will brick.
Sent from my LG-VS980 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
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Click to collapse
But the S5 rom is for S3. I found that in the S3 forum. Can you briefly explain why it will brick?Thank you

wilbur753 said:
But the S5 rom is for S3. I found that in the S3 forum. Can you briefly explain why it will brick?Thank you
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Click to collapse
ok, i looked into the s3 forum and i see the s5 rom there.
this is either a rare instance where another phones rom is compatible or more likely what is known as a "port". it wasnt obvious right off what was the case.
either way, sorry for the confusion, it would be ok to flash that as long as its says its compatible with your phone.
generally speaking, you cant just grab a rom for any phone and flash it to another. that would result in a brick, and i jumped to conclusions and thought that was what you were trying to do.
as far as, if you need to upgrade first, im not sure about that.
some roms require you to be on a specific version first, otherwise it will bootloop after you flash the rom.
reason being, roms dont usually replace all parts of the software, but are built off or made to work with certain versions specifically because the use some of those non replaced parts to work correctly.
i would read through a few pages of the rom post. most likely someone has asked if it will work on whatever version or stated what version you need to be on for it to work.
if you cant find any answer, then i would ask the question there.
sorry i cant be of more help.
one bit of advice that i always follow myself, read into flashing back to stock and download all needed files and tools first. this way, if you have any issues, or just dont like the rom, you already have a backup plan in place to get your phone working again like you want it.
just my 2c hope that helps.

[Q] Downgrade I535

Hey XDA,
I want to downgrade my verizon s3 to 4.1.2 from 4.3 in order to flash a custom rom (that isn't TW based so I can't use safestrap). I did a google search and found this link:
androidpit[ENTER DOTCOM HERE]/how-to-downgrade-galaxy-s3
I have heard that trying to downgrade will trip Knox and your phone will be bricked. So basically my question is would this work..
**also my contract is about to end, once it ends will Verizon have to unlock my boot loader?

ng4 said:
Hey XDA,
I want to downgrade my verizon s3 to 4.1.2 from 4.3 in order to flash a custom rom (that isn't TW based so I can't use safestrap). I did a google search and found this link:
androidpit[ENTER DOTCOM HERE]/how-to-downgrade-galaxy-s3
I have heard that trying to downgrade will trip Knox and your phone will be bricked. So basically my question is would this work..
**also my contract is about to end, once it ends will Verizon have to unlock my boot loader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That link had been posted in this forum before. It is for the international version of the s3. It will not work on the Verizon version and will brick your phone. You cannot downgrade the Verizon s3 from 4.3 or higher.
No, Verizon does not have to unlock your bootloader when your contract ends. They have to SIM unlock your phone so it can be used on other carriers. Wrong unlock.
Sent from the Shark Tank using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

landshark68 said:
That link had been posted in this forum before. It is for the international version of the s3. It will not work on the Verizon version and will brick your phone. You cannot downgrade the Verizon s3 from 4.3 or higher.
No, Verizon does not have to unlock your bootloader when your contract ends. They have to SIM unlock your phone so it can be used on other carriers. Wrong unlock.
Sent from the Shark Tank using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, well there has been a 4.4 update OTA that I haven't taken yet. I know I can easily root if I took it. Has there been any success with flashing roms on that firmware or is it the same verizon garbage and I should just stay on 4.3 because I am more likely to get a boot loader unlock/solution to this issue.
(I'm about ready to sell this phone and buy an at&t phone I have had enough with verizon's overpriced non-service.)

ng4 said:
Ok, well there has been a 4.4 update OTA that I haven't taken yet. I know I can easily root if I took it. Has there been any success with flashing roms on that firmware or is it the same verizon garbage and I should just stay on 4.3 because I am more likely to get a boot loader unlock/solution to this issue.
(I'm about ready to sell this phone and buy an at&t phone I have had enough with verizon's overpriced non-service.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The 4.4.2 update is also locked down. Pretty much no chance of getting bootloader unlocked on 4.3 or 4.4. If you want to run a custom ROM, you will have to stick with 4.3 and use safestrap to run a custom 4.3 touchwiz ROM. No AOSP, and no custom kernels for you.
Sent from the Shark Tank using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

[Q] downgrade 4.4.2 and install CM12.1

I just want to say thank you in advance for any help that is given, I use these threads a lot and this is the first time I've had to post a thread because I couldn't find an answer already.
Anyway, I have a Samsung S3 SCH-I535 with Verizon running the latest bootloader and Android 4.4.2. I want to install the latest Cyanogenmod and from what I've found online. The only way to do this is to downgrade sense the bootloader is locked. I've downlaoded all the files I need but odin gives me errors because the software is not authorized. I've tried safestrap and have succussfully installed the superliterom ver. 3 but ASOP do not work with safestrap so my only option is to downgrade the bootloader and manually install the latest CM12.1. Please someone help me with this. I've exhausted all my resources and don't know where to go next.

jthompson553 said:
I just want to say thank you in advance for any help that is given, I use these threads a lot and this is the first time I've had to post a thread because I couldn't find an answer already.
Anyway, I have a Samsung S3 SCH-I535 with Verizon running the latest bootloader and Android 4.4.2. I want to install the latest Cyanogenmod and from what I've found online. The only way to do this is to downgrade sense the bootloader is locked. I've downlaoded all the files I need but odin gives me errors because the software is not authorized. I've tried safestrap and have succussfully installed the superliterom ver. 3 but ASOP do not work with safestrap so my only option is to downgrade the bootloader and manually install the latest CM12.1. Please someone help me with this. I've exhausted all my resources and don't know where to go next.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mobile tech videos has a site with a mail in boot loader downgrade service. Seriously reputable. Takes a couple days and when you get it back your back to 4.1.2 with unlocked boot loader and back to flashing whatever you please
Sent from my SCH-I535 using XDA Free mobile app

MIKEYSAKZ said:
Mobile tech videos has a site with a mail in boot loader downgrade service. Seriously reputable. Takes a couple days and when you get it back your back to 4.1.2 with unlocked boot loader and back to flashing whatever you please
Sent from my SCH-I535 using XDA Free mobile app
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Click to collapse
I've been following the mobile tech thread for quite some time, I'd take a look at this first before even considering them
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1306767
Sent from my N5

If there is any way around the q-fuse, I haven't heard of it.
442 is stuck with locked bootloader ROMs, so far as I know.

There are a couple companies that offer downgrades and unlocked bootloaders, Mobile Tech Reviews being one of them, and the other being FWIW (I think).
I've heard good things about both, but have never tried them out.

DaJesuZ said:
There are a couple companies that offer downgrades and unlocked bootloaders, Mobile Tech Reviews being one of them, and the other being FWIW (I think).
I've heard good things about both, but have never tried them out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As I noted above I'd be very careful with mobile tech videos as a ton of users have reported a not so great experience with them
Sent from my N5

I know it can be done on my GS3 SCH-I535

Hello everyone. This is my first post and I am quite new to the world of smartphone modding. Literally, I have only been learning about this for a few hours. In those few hours I have been able to root my SCH-I535 4.4.2, soft brick it and reflash the stock ROM using odin. So I learn fairly quick and can follow basic instructions. Anyways, thats my intro.
So here is my goal:
1) Update my GS3 SCH-I535 FROM 4.4.2 TO Marshmallow 6.0.x.
So here is what I think I know:
1) The SCH-I535 has a locked bootloader which cannot be unlocked and therefore recovery programs such as TWRP or Clockwork will not work which means I cannot install any ROMS via that method. Correct? This is how I bricked my phone using TWRP.
2) There is a recovery program called Safestrap which CAN be used to install ROMS but these ROMS have to be specifically written to work with Safestrap? Correct?
So here are my questions:
1) Can anybody point me to a tutorial or help me achieve my goal?
2) Where can I find these Safestrap specific ROMS? I have read there is a version of Cyanogen13 for Safestarp. Is this correct?
Thanks in advance.

Snoopy329 said:
Hello everyone. This is my first post and I am quite new to the world of smartphone modding. Literally, I have only been learning about this for a few hours. In those few hours I have been able to root my SCH-I535 4.4.2, soft brick it and reflash the stock ROM using odin. So I learn fairly quick and can follow basic instructions. Anyways, thats my intro.
So here is my goal:
1) Update my GS3 SCH-I535 FROM 4.4.2 TO Marshmallow 6.0.x.
So here is what I think I know:
1) The SCH-I535 has a locked bootloader which cannot be unlocked and therefore recovery programs such as TWRP or Clockwork will not work which means I cannot install any ROMS via that method. Correct? This is how I bricked my phone using TWRP.
2) There is a recovery program called Safestrap which CAN be used to install ROMS but these ROMS have to be specifically written to work with Safestrap? Correct?
So here are my questions:
1) Can anybody point me to a tutorial or help me achieve my goal?
2) Where can I find these Safestrap specific ROMS? I have read there is a version of Cyanogen13 for Safestarp. Is this correct?
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct, your device will never be able to use custom recovery or custom CM/AOSP based ROMs, you're stuck with Safestrap Recovery, modified stock ROMs and Xposed framework if you want to use it in addition to a ROM for more customization.
The safestrap compatible ROMs are stock based and there are no 6.0+ or 5.0+ versions for Verizon S3 that I know of unless I'm missing something.
If you want Lollipop or Marshmallow you'll have to port a stock firmware from one of the other S3 variants or other Samsung devices with similar hardware that has 5.0+ or 6.0+ stock firmware available for it.
Porting is done to convert the firmware from the device it is made for to the device you want to use it on, you'll need a copy of Verizon stock firmware and a copy of the firmware you want to port, then you extract them both and switch the vital stuff from the Verizon firmware over to the firmware you want to port. It's probably too complicated for someone with just a few hours of experience though.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

Not to mention there's also no 6.0 stock roms available on any S3 variant.
Additionally OP, it's more than being compatible with safestrap, the roms have to be compatible with the stock kernel because you are unable to change that.
Only way you can get a 6.0 rom is to compile your own AOSP rom, delete the AOSP kernel, and configure that rom to run off of the Samsung kernel. It would be a difficult task, but it has been done before. Nobody has done it yet for this device. And I wouldn't have the slightest idea where to find the information to do that.

Well thanks for the replies. I guess those videos I watched are fake or maybe I just didnt understand them properly. I guess my wife will have to be happy with kitkat..
Now I just need to figure out how to root my SG5 sm-900v. Can someone point me in the right direction? I tried using a guide I found here on XDA but just ended up softbricking my phone. I reflashed the stock though.
Thanks

Snoopy329 said:
Well thanks for the replies. I guess those videos I watched are fake or maybe I just didnt understand them properly. I guess my wife will have to be happy with kitkat..
Now I just need to figure out how to root my SG5 sm-900v. Can someone point me in the right direction? I tried using a guide I found here on XDA but just ended up softbricking my phone. I reflashed the stock though.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It depends on which stock firmware version the S5 has, typically it involves flashing a kernel then using Towelroot to root then install SuperSU then disable Knox then flash a second kernel as mentioned a few posts down in the thread linked below, it has two links you'll need to follow, a few posts below the post with the links mentions the order that you do it in.
androidforums.com/threads/verizon-rooting-samsung-galaxy-s5-sm-g900v.908621
But I think in your case your firmware might be too new and is probably locked down. It's another device that can only use Safestrap and stock based ROMs. That's pretty much what you'll get with any Verizon Samsung device these days, they're all locked from 4.3 and up, its possible to root but no true custom recovery or custom ROMs.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk
---------- Post added at 08:24 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:44 PM ----------
Snoopy329 said:
Well thanks for the replies. I guess those videos I watched are fake or maybe I just didnt understand them properly. I guess my wife will have to be happy with kitkat..
Now I just need to figure out how to root my SG5 sm-900v. Can someone point me in the right direction? I tried using a guide I found here on XDA but just ended up softbricking my phone. I reflashed the stock though.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a thread linked below that is a discussion of a service provided by a company called MobileTechVideos .com to unlock bootloader for you or unbrick a locked device that has been bricked by flashing TWRP. I don't know if they still offer the service though. They may even do it for the S5, who knows.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2603402
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

Droidriven said:
It depends on which stock firmware version the S5 has, typically it involves flashing a kernel then using Towelroot to root then install SuperSU then disable Knox then flash a second kernel as mentioned a few posts down in the thread linked below, it has two links you'll need to follow, a few posts below the post with the links mentions the order that you do it in.
androidforums.com/threads/verizon-rooting-samsung-galaxy-s5-sm-g900v.908621
But I think in your case your firmware might be too new and is probably locked down. It's another device that can only use Safestrap and stock based ROMs. That's pretty much what you'll get with any Verizon Samsung device these days, they're all locked from 4.3 and up, its possible to root but no true custom recovery or custom ROMs.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk
---------- Post added at 08:24 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:44 PM ----------
There is a thread linked below that is a discussion of a service provided by a company called MobileTechVideos .com to unlock bootloader for you or unbrick a locked device that has been bricked by flashing TWRP. I don't know if they still offer the service though. They may even do it for the S5, who knows.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2603402
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for that post. I checked the links and it requires me to downgrage to 4.4 which I don't want to do. I am on 5.0 and I just want to root it. At this point I dont want to install custom roms or modified stock roms. I'll keep checking for a tutorial for an S5 5.0 root. I tried one here on XDA but I softbricked so I had to reflash the stock.

Snoopy329 said:
Thanks for that post. I checked the links and it requires me to downgrage to 4.4 which I don't want to do. I am on 5.0 and I just want to root it. At this point I dont want to install custom roms or modified stock roms. I'll keep checking for a tutorial for an S5 5.0 root. I tried one here on XDA but I softbricked so I had to reflash the stock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There isn't a working root for Verizon S5 on 5.0+ that I know of, Samsungs usually require flashing TWRP or CF Auto root but those can't be flashed on locked bootloader devices, only results in softbrick/bootloop or bricked.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk