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[Q] Clarification on how to install CM10 Stable

So I recently got a SGS3 for verizon and I was looking to install CM10 on it. On the CM wiki it says that "CyanogenMod on the Verizon variant of the Galaxy S3 you need to load an older bootloader."
I'm not clear to whether this means I just need an unlocked bootloader (which I have now from EZ Unlock) or if I need an entirely different bootloader, because looking at some forum posts for the official CM10.1, it only mentions that I need updated CWM or TWRP.
Any help would be appreciated.

siriusgamer said:
So I recently got a SGS3 for verizon and I was looking to install CM10 on it. On the CM wiki it says that "CyanogenMod on the Verizon variant of the Galaxy S3 you need to load an older bootloader."
I'm not clear to whether this means I just need an unlocked bootloader (which I have now from EZ Unlock) or if I need an entirely different bootloader, because looking at some forum posts for the official CM10.1, it only mentions that I need updated CWM or TWRP.
Any help would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I installed it without modifying my bootloader, just rooted, unlocked and flashed CWM then flashed many CM ROMs (10 nightly's, 10 stable and 10.1 nightly's)

root. unlock bootloader. download rom manager from store. flash away in recovery.
do a search, theres guides EVERYWHERE.

ddurandSGS3 said:
root. unlock bootloader. download rom manager from store. flash away in recovery.
do a search, theres guides EVERYWHERE.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are guides everywhere, but they don't mention the need to flash an older bootloader, yet the how-to guide on the cm wiki says to. A little odd don't you think. I just want to get my facts straight before I turn my 2 day old sgs3 into a brick.

siriusgamer said:
There are guides everywhere, but they don't mention the need to flash an older bootloader, yet the how-to guide on the cm wiki says to. A little odd don't you think. I just want to get my facts straight before I turn my 2 day old sgs3 into a brick.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What they mean by the older bootloader is to unlock it. The way we unlock the bootloader is with a leaked EC build that was never officially released for our phone. So just do what others are saying, backup your imei/custom recovery/root/unlock bootloader and flash away

Thanks, that cleared up things for me.
But one more question, I didn't accept the OTA to JB when I first got this phone and I'm still on ICS, can I go from ICS to JB or would I have to accept the OTA/ flash JB through odin first?
This also applies to if I wanted to go from jb to ics. Can I just flash an ics Rom over a jb Rom or is Odin required.

[Q] Out of the loop for a while, need help upgrading

Currently my phone is on 4.1.2 bonestock ROM with [VRBMF1] and I believe the bootloader is unlocked. I've been out of the loop for so long that I dont know what the best way to get to 4.3 is while keeping my root and bootloader unlocked. Any help is appreciated!

Wolfmother1257 said:
Currently my phone is on 4.1.2 bonestock ROM with [VRBMF1] and I believe the bootloader is unlocked. I've been out of the loop for so long that I dont know what the best way to get to 4.3 is while keeping my root and bootloader unlocked. Any help is appreciated!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First, a caveat: Android 4.4 was just released for our phones a couple days ago, so you may want to wait a little while and see if any ROMs based on it come out. As of right now, there isn't a rooted version available, so 4.3 is your only option.
If you're on Bonestock, your bootloader is in fact unlocked. You can flash any of the 4.3 ROMs you find in the Android Development section. You should update your recovery first, I use TWRP version 2.6.3.0, the newest version is 2.7.1.0.
You should also flash the newer modem for the phone, VRUCML1, first, you can find that here under the Modems folder: http://d-h.st/users/invisiblek/?fld_id=35604#files. Only do that if you are actually going to update to a 4.3 ROM. Then you can flash any ROM you like: CleanROM 8.2 would be my pick, there's also Alliance and MOAR.

Jacquestrapp said:
First, a caveat: Android 4.4 was just released for our phones a couple days ago, so you may want to wait a little while and see if any ROMs based on it come out. As of right now, there isn't a rooted version available, so 4.3 is your only option.
If you're on Bonestock, your bootloader is in fact unlocked. You can flash any of the 4.3 ROMs you find in the Android Development section. You should update your recovery first, I use TWRP version 2.6.3.0, the newest version is 2.7.1.0.
You should also flash the newer modem for the phone, VRUCML1, first, you can find that here under the Modems folder: . Only do that if you are actually going to update to a 4.3 ROM. Then you can flash any ROM you like: CleanROM 8.2 would be my pick, there's also Alliance and MOAR.
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Click to collapse
Thank bud, this is exactly what I needed!

[q] i got a question? Xt907

So i have successfully rooted my droid razr m and unlocked the bootloader. i tried using safestrap to avail, i it didnt work at all. Then i tried clock work recovery flashed through with adb. It got flashed successfully. Then tried to get recovery open didnt work. I wanted to know if the unlocked bootloader message is the cause of both programs not working. or can you guys give me maybe better instructions to start flashing roms on phone on a rooted and unlocked bootloader. THANK YOU. I wanna put a rom on my device so my phones themes look cool.
I am also on 4.4.2 stock. and how do i get rid of the unlocked bootloader message.

shawnsingh said:
So i have successfully rooted my droid razr m and unlocked the bootloader. i tried using safestrap to avail, i it didnt work at all. Then i tried clock work recovery flashed through with adb. It got flashed successfully. Then tried to get recovery open didnt work. I wanted to know if the unlocked bootloader message is the cause of both programs not working. or can you guys give me maybe better instructions to start flashing roms on phone on a rooted and unlocked bootloader. THANK YOU. I wanna put a rom on my device so my phones themes look cool.
I am also on 4.4.2 stock. and how do i get rid of the unlocked bootloader message.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you don't need ss any more with an unlocked bl, although it should still work. however, the version you tried probably isnt compatible with kk.
as for cwm and twrp, make sure you have the correct version for kk, and after you install it you want to boot directly into it. do not let the phone boot the os the first time or it will wipe the recovery back to the stock one. also you should grab the su flashable zip and flash that when your in recovery the first time, so you have a properly working root.
after all that you can put a rom on your phone and flash it, but make sure you get one that is on kk base or it will just bootloop.
there is a method to remove the ul bl warning, check you forums general section for the post. i know there is one in the maxx/hd forum, but i don't know if they are cross compatible.

XT907
So is there any downloads i need. Can you be alittle bit more specific. I am stuck i can root i can flash 4.4.2 kk. Just need help with flash =ing custom roms and what i need for it. Thank
bwen diord said:
you don't need ss any more with an unlocked bl, although it should still work. However, the version you tried probably isnt compatible with kk.
As for cwm and twrp, make sure you have the correct version for kk, and after you install it you want to boot directly into it. Do not let the phone boot the os the first time or it will wipe the recovery back to the stock one. Also you should grab the su flashable zip and flash that when your in recovery the first time, so you have a properly working root.
After all that you can put a rom on your phone and flash it, but make sure you get one that is on kk base or it will just bootloop.
There is a method to remove the ul bl warning, check you forums general section for the post. I know there is one in the maxx/hd forum, but i don't know if they are cross compatible.
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[Q] How to install OTA with rooted, S-OFF, TWRP

A month ago I rooted the stock rom, S-OFF, and install TWRP. I tried another ROM, but it didn't really interest me. I realized, that I actually like the stock ROM.
However, now I want to install the 4.4.3 OTA update. Is that possible? If I follow the directions, the device reboots in to TWRP, but does not install the update.
How can I install the OTA update, if I have a custom recovery?

DBordello said:
A month ago I rooted the stock rom, S-OFF, and install TWRP. I tried another ROM, but it didn't really interest me. I realized, that I actually like the stock ROM.
However, now I want to install the 4.4.3 OTA update. Is that possible? If I follow the directions, the device reboots in to TWRP, but does not install the update.
How can I install the OTA update, if I have a custom recovery?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It appears it is impossible: http://teamw.in/officialota
I guess I will have to completely reflash.

First off, it's not impossible. There's a thread in here with firmware that you can use and update without the OTA. Second, this is the wrong sub-forum for questions.
Sent from my HTC6525LVW using Tapatalk

I'm also trying to get to 4.4.3 but after trying to re install the old recovery, it tells me I can't do the OTA.

Jeez...if you guys have soff and twrp and whatnot just flash the stock rooted rom scott gave us. Simple as that. You'll find it here in the vzw one m8 android development section.

Or alternately, if you no longer require control of you device at the lowest levels then just flash dottats RUU and magically your phone will be 100% stock.
But yeah, wrong forum.

silver04v said:
Jeez...if you guys have soff and twrp and whatnot just flash the stock rooted rom scott gave us. Simple as that. You'll find it here in the vzw one m8 android development section.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The reason to do the OTA, is because I am lazy. I don't feel like reinstalling all of my apps, etc. The OTA is a nice incremental upgrade.
Where can I find the stock recovery, and directions to flash back to it? It is my understanding, that if I do that, I can apply the OTA.

What is the most stable stock OS? Kitkat or Lollipop?

What is the most stable stock android version? Kitkat or Lollipop?
My phone is currently on NE9 and want to optimize my phone to be the best with what's out now, especially since development will be dwindling. It seems that Lollipop does not run too well (high battery usage?), according to what I see on the threads. Without any input, I would update to NK2 and then towelroot. However, would anyone recommend me updating to BOK3 or BPB1?

GoodLooks550 said:
What is the most stable stock android version? Kitkat or Lollipop?
My phone is currently on NE9 and want to optimize my phone to be the best with what's out now, especially since development will be dwindling. It seems that Lollipop does not run too well (high battery usage?), according to what I see on the threads. Without any input, I would update to NK2 and then towelroot. However, would anyone recommend me updating to BOK3 or BPB1?
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Click to collapse
They're both stable, but we do see a lot of complaints about lollipop battery life.
Try it for yourself. Just stick with jrkruse's stock lollipop images that don't update the bootloader past BOD5, or any ROM that specifically does not update the bootloader. Then you can easily downgrade back to kitkat if you decide you don't like it.

painiac said:
They're both stable, but we do see a lot of complaints about lollipop battery life.
Try it for yourself. Just stick with jrkruse's stock lollipop images that don't update the bootloader past BOD5, or any ROM that specifically does not update the bootloader. Then you can easily downgrade back to kitkat if you decide you don't like it.
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Click to collapse
Thanks, painiac! I used your guide to get up to date with the S5, btw--things are very different from what I remember in the S4 world.
Anyway, after rooting and installing safestrap, if i were to flash jrkruse’s BPB1 Rom (http://forum.xda-developers.com/verizon-galaxy-s5/development/vzwstock-based-tw-rom-3-4-16-t3329029), I would install the rom, safestrap fix, patch (optional), and BPB1_Firmware_No_Bootloaders.zip. Anything else to add?
This set up would allow me to go back to kit kat by installing a jrkruse kit kat rom and related firmware w/o bootloader?

GoodLooks550 said:
Thanks, painiac! I used your guide to get up to date with the S5, btw--things are very different from what I remember in the S4 world.
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Click to collapse
Glad I could be of service. I came here just a few months ago from an S3. Imagine my disgust and shock... That was actually the impetus for writing that guide, because there's so much to have to learn and I'd just finished researching the crap out of it all for myself in a short amount of time.
GoodLooks550 said:
Anyway, after rooting and installing safestrap, if i were to flash jrkruse’s BPB1 Rom (http://forum.xda-developers.com/verizon-galaxy-s5/development/vzwstock-based-tw-rom-3-4-16-t3329029), I would install the rom, safestrap fix, patch (optional), and BPB1_Firmware_No_Bootloaders.zip. Anything else to add?
This set up would allow me to go back to kit kat by installing a jrkruse kit kat rom and related firmware w/o bootloader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nothing else to add, I think you got it. That no bootloaders firmware file you selected is the important one.
jrkruse says you can still run kitkat ROMs even if you're stuck with Lollipop, but I haven't tried it yet. Staying with the BOD5 or earlier bootloader actually allows you to flash KitKat stock image files with Odin, which you cannot do without bricking if you've updated your bootloader to BOE1 or later. I like this because the KitKat root process is a lot less problematic than the new Lollipop root method; but more importantly, you can freely upgrade to Lollipop with BOD5 bootloader (modified) stock Odin images, and then you can freely downgrade with stock KitKat Odin images.

painiac said:
Glad I could be of service. I came here just a few months ago from an S3. Imagine my disgust and shock... That was actually the impetus for writing that guide, because there's so much to have to learn and I'd just finished researching the crap out of it all for myself in a short amount of time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was lucky to have my an S4 MDK (unlocked bl), so things were much simpler back then--had an S3, as well. In the process of getting my S5 running the way I wanted, the use of safestrap was completely new to me. Thankfully, some heavy browsing of the forums got me through. I did not use flashfire, which would have been something else to learn!
painiac said:
Nothing else to add, I think you got it. That no bootloaders firmware file you selected is the important one.
jrkruse says you can still run kitkat ROMs even if you're stuck with Lollipop, but I haven't tried it yet. Staying with the BOD5 or earlier bootloader actually allows you to flash KitKat stock image files with Odin, which you cannot do without bricking if you've updated your bootloader to BOE1 or later. I like this because the KitKat root process is a lot less problematic than the new Lollipop root method; but more importantly, you can freely upgrade to Lollipop with BOD5 bootloader (modified) stock Odin images, and then you can freely downgrade with stock KitKat Odin images.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you--your replies and guide were gold in terms of figuring it all out.
For onlookers of this thread, once you get to lollipop, it's hard to go back to kitkat. A lot of the small details really add up to an improved user experience. Also, having an s7 edge, the PB1 build on the S5 has 90% of the same functionality of the S7e--excluding edge-related features, of course.
To summarize my upgrade experience:
Root from any kitkat rom: Flash the NCG kernel in odin (AP/PDA), reboot and root with towelroot apk, and then install and update supersu; and lastly re-flash the NE9 kernel.
Install Hashcode's version of Safestrap: Install busybox apk. Install safestrap apk (version 3.75). Make sure to use a microsd card for installation, as recommended.
Install PB1 rom: (source: http://forum.xda-developers.com/verizon-galaxy-s5/development/vzwstock-based-tw-rom-3-4-16-t3329029). Reboot into SS. Flash G900V_Fix Safestrap.zip. Reboot into SS. Flash:
VZW_BPB1_ODEX_DEODEX_V9.zip,
Extra_toggles.zip (optional),
BPB1_Firmware_No_Bootloaders.zip , and
G900V_PB1_Stock_KERNEL_SafeStrap-Flashable.zip.
Flash all in a single queue. Reboot into download mode and flash G900V_OD5_Bootloader.tar.md5 in odin. Reboot. Wait. (NOTE: for more customization, before installing rom, unzip rom. Edit the options.prop in text editor to your likeing. Rezip original contents with updated options.prop. Flash this zip as the rom file)
To get back into safestrap/recovery: Make sure hashcode's version of safestrap is installed. A lollipop safestrap will be installed--don't use it. Also, install NI2Flasher.apk (this flashes a kitkat kernel, which will allow you to get back into the kitkat safestrap). Reboot into safestrap. IMPORTANT: When complete with whatever is being done in SS, flash G900V_PB1_Stock_KERNEL_SafeStrap-Flashable.zip to get back into lollipop rom.
Install xpose modules: This allows the essential greenify app (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED) to run to maximum potential. Gather following files:
1. APK: Xposed Installer 3.0 alpha4 (comes with some roms)
2. Flash in SS: Framework: xposed-v75-sdk21-arm-arter97-snapdragon.zip
3. Flash in SS: Uninstaller: xposed-uninstaller-arter97.zip
Since the rom I installed did not come with xposed installed. I flashed the framework in SS (look above to properly access and leave SS). Reboot. Install the APK. Reboot. Highly recommend installing Wanam's modules for lollipop--tons of modifications.
Unbrick: Get into download mode and flash: Full Wipe G900V_Downgrade_to_NCG.tar . (This helped me a ton until I realized that safestrap for the S5 does not work with rom-slots. Use the stock slot to do all flashing)
I gathered all this information from various threads, and hope this helps (highly recommend reviewing painiac's guide before starting anything - http://forum.xda-developers.com/verizon-galaxy-s5/general/guide-painiacs-essential-guide-to-t3319848). I am no expert, but this is what worked for me--please correct me if I'm wrong at any step. I believe the way I set this up, I should be able to get back to a kitkat rom, if I ever wanted to (easiest way to do this would be to flash the unbrick file). I hope this can help at least one person, since I know I'm not the only person to recently get an S5 due to someone else in the family upgrading to the S7.

Need some guidance in setting up root and Rom on my s5. Never done this before on a Verizon phone so if anyone can help I'd appreciate it