Hi!
I'm new to this forums. I was led here by the people from another forums (LinusTechTips) since I was asking for help about rooting and modding my Samsung Galaxy S4.
Now, I really don't know anything about rooting or modding, but I just realized that my phone is starting to go slow, and there are some bloatwares I do not really use. I heard that if I root and mod my phone, all the bloatware can be erased and I will be able to have more space in my phone.
Can someone please link me or teach me how to root and mod my Samsung Galaxy S4? I've been reading around, but I am scared that the thread I am following is either out of date, or would not turn out well, so if you do have the time, please do help me!
Thanks!
Yours,
Veridisduo
Hey veris, i have a s4 GT-i9505 and i recently rooted it. First... did you get it by carrier? Just youtube this ( GT-i9505 (LTE, ATNT etc.) Root (Android version) sorry for bad english.
Yours, Jan
Veridisduo said:
Hi!
I'm new to this forums. I was led here by the people from another forums (LinusTechTips) since I was asking for help about rooting and modding my Samsung Galaxy S4.
Now, I really don't know anything about rooting or modding, but I just realized that my phone is starting to go slow, and there are some bloatwares I do not really use. I heard that if I root and mod my phone, all the bloatware can be erased and I will be able to have more space in my phone.
Can someone please link me or teach me how to root and mod my Samsung Galaxy S4? I've been reading around, but I am scared that the thread I am following is either out of date, or would not turn out well, so if you do have the time, please do help me!
Thanks!
Yours,
Veridisduo
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Easiest way to root your phone is with Chainfire Autoroot.
Deleting system bloatware won't really free up space. The System partition is a set size, so while deleting some apps will free up space in that partition, it won't give you extra space for, say, games or photos or music or other non-system stuff. Any extra space will be minimal anyway. It's also dangerous to do if you don't know what you're doing. Read, read, and read.
If you install custom recovery, such as TWRP (easy to do on this phone after rooting), you can however flash custom ROMs. This includes ROMs like CyanogenMod that are based on stock Android, and also customized Samsung TouchWiz ROMs that have been modified and typically de-bloated like you wish to do with your phone. Omega and Hyperdrive are probably the most popular modified TouchWiz ROMs for the S4. Custom recovery is an essential life-saver for learning about root and ROMs, because it allows you to make an exact backup, so when you screw something up (and you will, we all do, it's all part of the learning process) all you have to do is restore the backup.
There's plenty of youtube videos that'll walk you through the processes, but the best thing to do is read, read, and read. Educate yourself not just so you know what to do, but why you're doing it.
NeoNyte said:
Hey veris, i have a s4 GT-i9505 and i recently rooted it. First... did you get it by carrier? Just youtube this ( GT-i9505 (LTE, ATNT etc.) Root (Android version) sorry for bad english.
Yours, Jan
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi! How would I know what carrier I got it from?
I am from the Philippines and so, I didn't get it from ATNT or whatever carrier you mean. Sorry if I don't get it!
Planterz said:
Easiest way to root your phone is with Chainfire Autoroot.
Deleting system bloatware won't really free up space. The System partition is a set size, so while deleting some apps will free up space in that partition, it won't give you extra space for, say, games or photos or music or other non-system stuff. Any extra space will be minimal anyway. It's also dangerous to do if you don't know what you're doing. Read, read, and read.
If you install custom recovery, such as TWRP (easy to do on this phone after rooting), you can however flash custom ROMs. This includes ROMs like CyanogenMod that are based on stock Android, and also customized Samsung TouchWiz ROMs that have been modified and typically de-bloated like you wish to do with your phone. Omega and Hyperdrive are probably the most popular modified TouchWiz ROMs for the S4. Custom recovery is an essential life-saver for learning about root and ROMs, because it allows you to make an exact backup, so when you screw something up (and you will, we all do, it's all part of the learning process) all you have to do is restore the backup.
There's plenty of youtube videos that'll walk you through the processes, but the best thing to do is read, read, and read. Educate yourself not just so you know what to do, but why you're doing it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello!
First of all, I would like to thank you for your lengthy reply about my post. I really appreciate it a lot.
If I use the Chainfire Autoroot, it would do no harm with my files, am I right? (Well, I will of course back it up, but just to make sure!)
Next, what is custom recovery? Should I install this first before doing any mods?
I have heard about CyanogenMod (was thinking of modding my phone to it). What are TouchWiz ROMS though? Oh and other than CyanogenMod, are there any other mods that are nice to try out there? Would be nice to try something nice.
Sorry I ask too much question!
Veridisduo said:
Hello!
First of all, I would like to thank you for your lengthy reply about my post. I really appreciate it a lot.
If I use the Chainfire Autoroot, it would do no harm with my files, am I right? (Well, I will of course back it up, but just to make sure!)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's my understanding that as long as you're not using encryption, your data won't be wiped. But definitely back your stuff up first.
Next, what is custom recovery? Should I install this first before doing any mods?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Recovery is sorta like the BIOS menu on a computer. The stock recovery on a Samsung gives you the options reboot, clear your data or cache, or do a factory reset. Custom recoveries allow you to flash things like ROMs, kernels, modem firmwares, as well as do full back-up and restores. The wiping options differentiate between storage and the ROM, so when flashing ROMs, you can choose not to wipe your data (music, pictures, etc). The most popular and easy to use custom recovery is Team Win Recovery Project (TWRP). There's an app you can download from the Play Store that will install it for you (and update) once you're rooted. A custom recovery is an indispensable tool for modding your phone, and fixing it when you screw something up. Read up on TWRP and its capabilities before doing anything drastic with it.
I have heard about CyanogenMod (was thinking of modding my phone to it). What are TouchWiz ROMS though? Oh and other than CyanogenMod, are there any other mods that are nice to try out there? Would be nice to try something nice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
CyanogenMod is by far the most popular custom ROM. It's very close to stock (ie: Nexus) Android, with some very useful features added without bogging the phone down with tones of useless crap. Many other custom ROMs borrow from CM, many built upon it and borrow from other custom ROMs. Personally, I think there's better ROMs out there than CyanogenMod, but that's a personal preference, and CM is a good place to start for anybody venturing into custom ROMs.
TouchWiz is what Samsung calls their UI. It'll be the stock ROM on the device. As I mentioned, Omega and Hyperdrive are examples of customized TouchWiz ROMs. They're tweaked for performance, some useless/unwanted features removed (like KNOX), often they port over features from newer or more powerful Samsung devices; it's possible to get features from the Note series and the S5 and S6 on your older S4 this way. They can also add other UI tweaks like expanded reboot menus, audio mods, visual tweaks, etc. The main advantage for using a customized TouchWiz ROM is that it'll be familiar, yet greatly improved.
Apart from that, custom kernels are fun to play with too. I use Koontz kernel on my S4. The kernel, simplistically put, is a bit of software that tells the operating system (ROM) how to use the hardware. This includes everything from the screen and buttons and speakers to the CPU, GPU, and RAM. A custom kernel can give you options like overclocking, undervolting (to save battery), adding touch-wake options, screen calibration, etc. Koontz is a very adjustable kernel. Messing with kernel options can be very risky though, so do your research before making any changes (and do a back-up!)
Sorry I ask too much question!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem! We're all here to learn and help others learn.
Planterz said:
It's my understanding that as long as you're not using encryption, your data won't be wiped. But definitely back your stuff up first.
Recovery is sorta like the BIOS menu on a computer. The stock recovery on a Samsung gives you the options reboot, clear your data or cache, or do a factory reset. Custom recoveries allow you to flash things like ROMs, kernels, modem firmwares, as well as do full back-up and restores. The wiping options differentiate between storage and the ROM, so when flashing ROMs, you can choose not to wipe your data (music, pictures, etc). The most popular and easy to use custom recovery is Team Win Recovery Project (TWRP). There's an app you can download from the Play Store that will install it for you (and update) once you're rooted. A custom recovery is an indispensable tool for modding your phone, and fixing it when you screw something up. Read up on TWRP and its capabilities before doing anything drastic with it.
CyanogenMod is by far the most popular custom ROM. It's very close to stock (ie: Nexus) Android, with some very useful features added without bogging the phone down with tones of useless crap. Many other custom ROMs borrow from CM, many built upon it and borrow from other custom ROMs. Personally, I think there's better ROMs out there than CyanogenMod, but that's a personal preference, and CM is a good place to start for anybody venturing into custom ROMs.
TouchWiz is what Samsung calls their UI. It'll be the stock ROM on the device. As I mentioned, Omega and Hyperdrive are examples of customized TouchWiz ROMs. They're tweaked for performance, some useless/unwanted features removed (like KNOX), often they port over features from newer or more powerful Samsung devices; it's possible to get features from the Note series and the S5 and S6 on your older S4 this way. They can also add other UI tweaks like expanded reboot menus, audio mods, visual tweaks, etc. The main advantage for using a customized TouchWiz ROM is that it'll be familiar, yet greatly improved.
Apart from that, custom kernels are fun to play with too. I use Koontz kernel on my S4. The kernel, simplistically put, is a bit of software that tells the operating system (ROM) how to use the hardware. This includes everything from the screen and buttons and speakers to the CPU, GPU, and RAM. A custom kernel can give you options like overclocking, undervolting (to save battery), adding touch-wake options, screen calibration, etc. Koontz is a very adjustable kernel. Messing with kernel options can be very risky though, so do your research before making any changes (and do a back-up!)
No problem! We're all here to learn and help others learn.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome! Thanks a lot again!
It seems you have lots of knowledge on the S4, and since you have the same phone as I do, would it be okay if I just message you up instead of posting all my questions here?
Veridisduo said:
Awesome! Thanks a lot again!
It seems you have lots of knowledge on the S4, and since you have the same phone as I do, would it be okay if I just message you up instead of posting all my questions here?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Honestly, I'm not particularly knowledgeable about the S4; what I know is fairly basic and I'm relatively inexperienced with modifying this specific device. I got mine for $70, and after rooting and flashing TWRP, I tried a couple ROMs, found a custom kernel, and basically haven't really messed around with anything else for months. My S4 is not my primary device, that'd be my OnePlus One. Mainly I use the S4 as a mobile hotspot and to USB tether to my computer for home internet, since the battery is removable and I can use it for that purpose without ruining my OnePlus One (running a constant hotspot destroys batteries) .
Feel free to PM me, but it might be more prudent just to keep it public so anyone searching for the same answers can find them here, and if I can't answer them, someone else can. Right now though, it's bed time, then I'm off to work so don't think that I'm ignoring you if I don't answer in the next 20 hours or so.
I'm not really a very advanced user, but always had rooted devices and two that I flashed Custom Roms. This is my first Samsung, finding Touchwiz to be very different from what I used before.
I bought the S7 (930F) and had the news that it was going to be updated to Oreo, so I decided waiting for the update before tinkering with it.. But the update never came. Finally this month Samsung released the update for my region, so I would like to know which would be the best way for me to start finally using my phone that I bought for over 2 months!
My phone is still with Nougat, is it better for me to get the OTA or to flash the Firmware I downloaded from Sammobile? Any of these methods better than the other in preventing errors? I always found in PCs that a fresh clean install was better than an update, but with mobiles I don't have the experience to say.
My main objective is to experiment before doing a debloat as I'm still not sure what might be useful for me on Samsung's bloat (you are welcome to point me what is useful and what is not).
I did see that some of the Customs ROMS have different camera apps and some people were complaining about this, I particularly liked the S7 camera app and the Pro option, that's what holds me back in flashing a Custom ROM atm.
I would like to Root and I find Unlocked Bootloader to be useful to have Xposed Framework and other things that I can do having it.
As I'm a relative newbie, what would you guys recommend me doing? Please help
tl;dr: I want to have Oreo, be able to debloat, want to root and unlock bootloader, not sure about Custom Rom.
Lineage if you want basic and simple (sort of like stock Android). Resurrection Remix if you're a customisation nut (not a slam... I use RR).
If you wonna full samsung u need flash base firmawre custom roms only 8.0 android
If you dnt need samsung integration (pulsometr doesnt work) you can flash 8.1 roms try cosmic os or Lineage 15
hi everyone, I am new to this forum.
i've been interested in rooting / mods for my old Samsung s9 to give it a new life.
I did so by rooting it using the TWRP app in combination with the Magisk V23.0
now what happened was that i was downloading some random apps yesterday and for some reason the phone went on bootloop...
i accidentally deleted the system without making a backup lol... a little stupid of me...
now it keeps telling me that i've no OS on my phone. i was thinking that i could easily find the ''un-edited'' or simple version of my original OS. but i've looked through many sites without succes.. either looks 2 good to be true or just fake...
is there anyone who can advise me on what to do? i just want my phone to work with any OS right now... but which one is the cleanest or best to use? i do prefer a newer os like 10
thanks in advance!
If you still have access to recovery mode, your best choice would probably be installing LineageOS. It's the most lightweight ROM and many ROMs are based on Lineage. From what i can see, your phone is no longer officially supported.
I found this one based on Lineage 18.1 (Android 11). Before installing, take a look at the bugs, working, and installing sections.
And don't forget to install the Google Apps after installing the system and before rebooting.
that looks crispy. i appreciate your quick & good advise. can you tell me wether i can still run Magisk on it?
Yes, you can still flash Magisk or any type of root with both the OS and the GApps.
what i'm consider about is, wether a region code CRC matters?
Have this older Samsung Galaxy J3 Orbit SM-S357BL phone. Sure it's a cheap phone but I really like it and wanted to replace samsungs bloatware with a stock android os. Is this even possible and how would I go about doing this? Tried watching YouTube videos but they're just too confusing with loud rap music playing over the videos. Thanks.
jacatone said:
Have this older Samsung Galaxy J3 Orbit SM-S357BL phone. Sure it's a cheap phone but I really like it and wanted to replace samsungs bloatware with a stock android os. Is this even possible and how would I go about doing this? Tried watching YouTube videos but they're just too confusing with loud rap music playing over the videos. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Installing stock software won't change anything, it will still have all the Samsung bloatware. Flashing stock software might get rid of bloatware from your carrier such as the Verizon based apps that are installed on Verizon's devices and other carrier based services and apps.
If you want something that is a little more lean and stripped down, that can only be done by flashing modified stock ROMs or true custom ROMs, but that requires an unlocked bootloader, custom recovery and/or root.
Droidriven said:
Installing stock software won't change anything, it will still have all the Samsung bloatware. Flashing stock software might get rid of bloatware from your carrier such as the Verizon based apps that are installed on Verizon's devices and other carrier based services and apps.
If you want something that is a little more lean and stripped down, that can only be done by flashing modified stock ROMs or true custom ROMs, but that requires an unlocked bootloader, custom recovery and/or root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK, where would I find a modified stock rom or a leaner custom rom? I guess Lineage os 16 was made for android 9 pie but can't seem to find a download for it.
SM-S357BL_20191024150615_fotcjdc3na_f..
Droidriven said:
Installing stock software won't change anything, it will still have all the Samsung bloatware. Flashing stock software might get rid of bloatware from your carrier such as the Verizon based apps that are installed on Verizon's devices and other carrier based services and apps.
If you want something that is a little more lean and stripped down, that can only be done by flashing modified stock ROMs or true custom ROMs, but that requires an unlocked bootloader, custom recovery and/or root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, is there a custom rom that is more stripped down than Lineage or is that the best option?
jacatone said:
OK, where would I find a modified stock rom or a leaner custom rom? I guess Lineage os 16 was made for android 9 pie but can't seem to find a download for it.
SM-S357BL_201ij1024150615_fotcjdc3na_f..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can't use any kind of custom ROM, you can only use stock ROMs based on your stock firmware that someone has modified and only if a modified stock ROM exists for your specific device model. I don't know if any exist for your device or if there is a working method to install them on your device. You'll have to research that yourself, I'm just telling you what you can and can not use so that you don't go looking for the wrong thing.