For seasoned developers: I337 NC1 At&t crisis-help sought - Galaxy S 4 Active Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Note: Relevant device info will be provided below.
Dear techwizards and wannabe,
I've been trying to root my phone for a while, I've done it before: both my S II and S III were international variants, and rooting those devices was very simple. But after getting an S IV from America and consensually downloading a samsung issued update -- I had yet to read up on the disadvantages of knox -- my rooting and android experience took a turn for the worse.
Long story short -- I know developers are a proud bunch who value their time -- I tried rooting my phone yesterday after almost smashing my phone on a coffee table. They say it's a well known side effect of Touchwiz, but I'll leave that to you.
I used a towelroot.com root -- a wonderful tool, if I may say so. After that, I visited the CM website and picked out the compatible CM11. I never got to flashing it though, as my problems arose while installing a recovery.
I had downloaded an app, a something recovery or another. They had an option to flash recoveries on there--it would download your recovery for you and do all the work, which seemed plausible as most video tutorials demonstrated. To my astonishment, doing so bricked my phone.
I tracked back, looked for the samsung stock rom, downloaded all 2.2 gb's of it and flashed it. It worked. My phone was functional but I suspect something within it stinks. My device, apparently for security reasons, wont let my wifi or 4g to establish a connection. It's making it impossible for me to fix this problem as I can't root my device or flash a custom rom.
About Device:
Pre problem I was running a:
SGH-I337UCUFNC1 baseband. Build Number ending with: NC1.
Android version: 4.2.2
Post problem:
Baseband: I337UCUFNC1
Build Number: JSS15J.I337UCUEMK2
Android version 4.3.
If I could find my original stock 4.2.2 NC1 version and get simple instructions on how to re-install it back to stock version, I'd be very grateful.
If you know how I could fix the internet issue on the MK2 one, and provide some simple instructions of how to root it, I'd be grateful too.
If you think neither would work, and have something else in mind, Im open to your suggestions.
Much Regards,
Y

androidshmandroid said:
Note: Relevant device info will be provided below.
Dear techwizards and wannabe,
I've been trying to root my phone for a while, I've done it before: both my S II and S III were international variants, and rooting those devices was very simple. But after getting an S IV from America and consensually downloading a samsung issued update -- I had yet to read up on the disadvantages of knox -- my rooting and android experience took a turn for the worse.
Long story short -- I know developers are a proud bunch who value their time -- I tried rooting my phone yesterday after almost smashing my phone on a coffee table. They say it's a well known side effect of Touchwiz, but I'll leave that to you.
I used a towelroot.com root -- a wonderful tool, if I may say so. After that, I visited the CM website and picked out the compatible CM11. I never got to flashing it though, as my problems arose while installing a recovery.
I had downloaded an app, a something recovery or another. They had an option to flash recoveries on there--it would download your recovery for you and do all the work, which seemed plausible as most video tutorials demonstrated. To my astonishment, doing so bricked my phone.
I tracked back, looked for the samsung stock rom, downloaded all 2.2 gb's of it and flashed it. It worked. My phone was functional but I suspect something within it stinks. My device, apparently for security reasons, wont let my wifi or 4g to establish a connection. It's making it impossible for me to fix this problem as I can't root my device or flash a custom rom.
About Device:
Pre problem I was running a:
SGH-I337UCUFNC1 baseband. Build Number ending with: NC1.
Android version: 4.2.2
Post problem:
Baseband: I337UCUFNC1
Build Number: JSS15J.I337UCUEMK2
Android version 4.3.
If I could find my original stock 4.2.2 NC1 version and get simple instructions on how to re-install it back to stock version, I'd be very grateful.
If you know how I could fix the internet issue on the MK2 one, and provide some simple instructions of how to root it, I'd be grateful too.
If you think neither would work, and have something else in mind, Im open to your suggestions.
Much Regards,
Y
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Two things:
1. You're posting in the wrong forum, this is the forum for the S4 Active i537, a different phone than the regular S4 i337.
2. The i337 had a locked bootloader that cannot be unlocked. Therefore it is impossible to install a custom recovery other than SafeStrap and it is impossible to install ROMs that are not TouchWiz-based ROMs.
Good luck.

Related

[Q]Restore Galaxy S4 Active to Stock AT&T Firmware?

Hello! This is my going to be my first post, so please bear with me.
I own a Samsung Galaxy S4 Active (SGH-I537) from AT&T. I've owned the device for about 6 months now and love it. Recently, I encountered a problem with connecting to GApps/Google services and adding a Google Account.
I rooted my S4 Active with this method from geohot I found here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2347793
After tooling around with it for a day, I had trouble getting on the Play Store. My screen displayed "No Connection; Retry). After trying various solutions I removed my Google Account from the device.
When I couldn't log back in to my Google Account, I disabled 2-step verification and tried application-specific passwords. No avail.
I performed many factory reset, both from the Settings page and by a hard reset. I've wiped all the user data, so I have no apps or anything.
I keep getting this error message, see attachment below.
TD;LR #1 : I rooted my GS4a and I can't use my Google Account. Period.
My guess is that I need to restore the stock firmware onto my Galaxy S4 Active. I haven't been able to find a safe method of doing this yet. I think that this will "restore" my device as if I was doing this to an iOS device (I'm a convert from the Apple ecosystem )
Does anyone know how to flash the stock TouchWiz firmware onto the Galaxy S4 Active. I'm open to alternative solutions too, such as Cyanogenmod or stock Android 4.4.
TD;LR #2 : I need to flash stock firmware or something on my GS4a!
I appreciate all the help I can get. For now, I'm sitting with the Amazon Appstore and Google Chrome for Facebook, Gmail, Twitter, etc.
-Z3RODay
The method used for rooting shouldn't cause any problems with your phone since it only touches a couple files. I doubt that rooting your phone caused GApps to stop working, I'm guessing that either a root file got deleted or another app is incompatible and causing problems.
You're asking how to return your phone to stock and you're correct in that it will "restore" your device, but in doing so it will completely wipe your device and you will lose everything. It will essentially return your phone to the state of when you first pulled it out of the box. This question has been asked and answered a few times and you could probably find the answer by searching, but I'll post the answer here too. For the i537 below are the only known ways to get stock firmware back on your phone:
Devo7v said:
You can Odin back to a pre-release version and have a fully functioning phone, but you will no longer receive official OTA updates (read more about this option here), or
You can take it to the Samsung Experience Shop at your local Best Buy and have them restore your phone to official stock MF3 (read more about this option here).
Other than that I don't really know what else you can do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Devo7v said:
The method used for rooting shouldn't cause any problems with your phone since it only touches a couple files. I doubt that rooting your phone caused GApps to stop working, I'm guessing that either a root file got deleted or another app is incompatible and causing problems.
You're asking how to return your phone to stock and you're correct in that it will "restore" your device, but in doing so it will completely wipe your device and you will lose everything. It will essentially return your phone to the state of when you first pulled it out of the box. This question has been asked and answered a few times and you could probably find the answer by searching, but I'll post the answer here too. For the i537 below are the only known ways to get stock firmware back on your phone:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much! I'm going to take my phone to Best Buy tonight. I backed up everything on my SD card which is still intact (Thank God!).

[Q] New to tablets and ROM

Hello ya'll, I'm new to the forum, I joined because of the wealth of information here.
So I'm not new to Android, had one ever since I was 16. I rooted both my droid phones(droid X with that awesome slider keyboard, and RAZR MAXX) to remove those pesky bloatware apps, but didn't ROM them, as it just wasn't something I wasn't aware of when I did it. So rooting was as far as I got.
But rooting and ROM-ing a tablet seems like it could be a daunting job, I'm new to the tablet world But I already have most of the tools, from previous roots, minus a few that are platform specific that I'm currently downloading to support the new CROMBi-X
I figure I'll go about getting everything I need, so when I get my tablet back from the shop, I'll be able to dive right into the CROMBi ROM.
//
I don't want to brick my tablet so hence the questions I am unclear on.
//
Question 1: Asus doesn't have the standalone unlock tool on their website. How do I go about getting that tool to unlock the tablet? Was it done OTA or downloaded and installed onto the tablet?
I have searched a few places, and browsed the developer forums, but haven't come up with a surefire way yet. I've seen everything from asking ASUS to unlock the tablet, to flashing CWM recovery, and than flashing a rooted version of the stock ROM, 've read several of the forums, but I need a little bit of "English" on the topic, as this is something new to me. I did come across a root.zip link but I'm not entirely sure that is what I am looking for, or if it is version/BLoader specific. If it is, then that pretty much covers that question.
Question 2: Are all the drivers on the ROM? Or do I need to use something like [ADB/FB/APX Driver] Universal Naked Driver 0.7?
Question 3: Mods. Are they downloaded OTA from the play store, or is there a list of compatible mods for the ROM? I realize that most of them are probably cosmetic right? I'm probably asking in the wrong forum, but since this is LINUX based, once rooted, if I put Ubuntu on the tablet, and then run a ROM on top of it? or Do I have to choose between one or the other?
I'm only asking because I run a few programs that aren't able to run on the android platform that I use for recreational purposes.
Anyway, that about covers a few of the base questions I have for now. Time to get ready for work. Thanks for any help in advance!
For 1:
It's on ASUS website
www.service.asus.com/#!downloads/c1wax
Version V1.0
Unlock Device App: Unlock boot loader of TF701T.(Only works with 4.2 JB and later OS)
For 2:
It's been a while since I rooted however I think you only need fastboot to be able to put the custom recovery on the tablet. If you have ADB/FB drivers already installed your pc should see your tablet without an issue. I don't know what APX is.
For 3:
Not sure what you mean by Mods. And last I checked I don't think that you can and Linux to this tablet yet however even if you could you only get one or the other.
Oh and make sure you read through all of the instructions for rooting and roming
Gone_phishing said:
Hello ya'll, I'm new to the forum, I joined because of the wealth of information here.
So I'm not new to Android, had one ever since I was 16. I rooted both my droid phones(droid X with that awesome slider keyboard, and RAZR MAXX) to remove those pesky bloatware apps, but didn't ROM them, as it just wasn't something I wasn't aware of when I did it. So rooting was as far as I got.
But rooting and ROM-ing a tablet seems like it could be a daunting job, I'm new to the tablet world But I already have most of the tools, from previous roots, minus a few that are platform specific that I'm currently downloading to support the new CROMBi-X
I figure I'll go about getting everything I need, so when I get my tablet back from the shop, I'll be able to dive right into the CROMBi ROM.
//
I don't want to brick my tablet so hence the questions I am unclear on.
//
Question 1: Asus doesn't have the standalone unlock tool on their website. How do I go about getting that tool to unlock the tablet? Was it done OTA or downloaded and installed onto the tablet?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sleepy2 gave you the link. You find the Unlock Tool under "Utilites" on the TF701 downloads page
I have searched a few places, and browsed the developer forums, but haven't come up with a surefire way yet. I've seen everything from asking ASUS to unlock the tablet, to flashing CWM recovery, and than flashing a rooted version of the stock ROM, 've read several of the forums, but I need a little bit of "English" on the topic, as this is something new to me. I did come across a root.zip link but I'm not entirely sure that is what I am looking for, or if it is version/BLoader specific. If it is, then that pretty much covers that question.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
.
First you need to determine what firmware you are running now and decide which JB version you want to run.
Check under Settings > About Tablet > Software version. On stock your firmware version and bootloader version are identical.
If you are on JB 4.3 you have either 10.26.1.7 or 10.26.1.18 (if you have the former, update to .18)
If you are on JB 4.4.2 you have 11.4.1.17
On JB 4.3
a) You can root the tablet without unlocking the bootloader with Towelroot v1.
b) You can unlock, flash CWM and then flash sbdag's stock rooted rom, one of several custom roms or just the root.zip
On JB 4.4.2
Right now there is no way to root without unlocking the bootloader and flashing a custom recovery first.
Once unlocked and with CWM installed, you can flash sbdag's rooted stock rom or flash the root.zip.
CROMi-X 7.0 for 4.4.2 is in the works. I do not know if the other custom roms (CM, CROMi-X 6, CROMbi-KK) are compatible with the 11.4.1.17 bootloader yet, but that's just a matter of time.
To install CWM follow the insructions here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2604462
Question 2: Are all the drivers on the ROM? Or do I need to use something like [ADB/FB/APX Driver] Universal Naked Driver 0.7?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try it. I did not have to install new adb/fastboot drivers and the device drivers installed on my PC automativcally. YMMV
Open Device Manager, then connect the tablet. Let the drivers install and see if it shows up in Device Manager.
Then boot the tablet into fastboot, connect it to PC and see if it shows up as a fastboot device.
Enable USB debugging in Developer Options, then connect the tablet booted into Android and see if it shows up as ADB interface in Device Manager.
If you need drivers you can use the ones you mentioned.
Question 3: Mods. Are they downloaded OTA from the play store, or is there a list of compatible mods for the ROM? I realize that most of them are probably cosmetic right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You'll find mods in the rom thread or at least the links for those that work with that rom.. No OTA updates
I'm probably asking in the wrong forum, but since this is LINUX based, once rooted, if I put Ubuntu on the tablet, and then run a ROM on top of it? or Do I have to choose between one or the other?
I'm only asking because I run a few programs that aren't able to run on the android platform that I use for recreational purposes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's a thread in the TF700 dev section on dual booting Android and Ubuntu. Not aware that anybody has tried it on the TF701.
Thanks for the link Sleepy! I had searched the website a couple times before, but I must have missed that part of it. Every other time I went somewhere to find it, it came back page unavailable. I'm really disliking this Kuwaiti right now! Well I won't know until I get the tablet back what JB is on it, but I imagine it would be sent back to a factory setting because of the issues I was having, or just get a whole new tablet all together depending on what was causing it not to charge.
I appreciate the clarification on everything guys, without the tablet in my hands I'm pretty much downloading everything I can that might help me out. I already have CWM, and several versions of it to be on the safe side.
I have been doing nothing but non-stop research, but it's daunting to try and go through 115 pages of information and tools, and version changes and what's compatible and how to use them. Watching videos has simplified it a little bit.
The reason I asked about Ubuntu, was I saw it dual booted to an older CROMi 2.X on the 700T
I used to run XP pro/Ubuntu on my laptop. Which was really nice when I needed a lightweight OS to free up processing power. Well before I had to format due to a near catastrophic drive failure and unrepairable data corruption. Anyway, that is a project for another time, one thing at a time!
I'll be around, busy with work 6 days a week!
Thanks again!
berndblb said:
First you need to determine what firmware you are running now and decide which JB version you want to run.
Check under Settings > About Tablet > Software version. On stock your firmware version and bootloader version are identical.
If you are on JB 4.3 you have either 10.26.1.7 or 10.26.1.18 (if you have the former, update to .18)
If you are on JB 4.4.2 you have 11.4.1.17
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
4.4.x is KitKat, not Jelly Bean, isn't it?
pelago said:
4.4.x is KitKat, not Jelly Bean, isn't it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes.
List of repairs done
So what I thought was a simple battery not charging issue turned out to be a host of things. I had to have the LCD, Touchpadboard, Docking cable and LCD cable replaced, luckily I was under warranty. I imagine that would have been expensive!

SM-T350 (Wifi) US Firmware

I have been looking for 3 days now for the US firmware for the SM-T550NZASXAR (might be the same as SM-T550NZAAXAR) and I can't find it. Sam mobile has the files for many countries but fails to show the US version. Am I missing something?
The digitizer keeps losing the touch sensing ability but I'm pretty sure it's a software problem as it comes back after maybe 15 minutes then it stops again after about 20 minutes of use. I want to try and re-install the OS with Oden and see if it clears whatever is going on. I'm hoping it's just bad cache or something.
The Canadian version is usually the same but double check just in case
Sent from my SM-T350 using XDA Free mobile app
Same Issue. I been also looking for US firmware for my SM-T350 Samsung Galaxy Tab A. I see it available for all other countries but not for USA. For all people that live in the US like me. We need to all nag Samsung & complain cause obviously they only support it for all other countries & not US. It pisses me off & it's so unfair. I need the firmware for part of the procedure to fix my rooted tab that's in bootloop
Upset with T-350 firmware situation
I've experienced the same disatisfaction with the non-availability of firmware. I'm also having trouble finding TWRP dedicated for this, kingrooted, device (sm-t350). Any insight? I've read the xda thread on compiling twrp on my own but I'm thinking that's still a bit over my head. I bought multiple cool apps since rooting my device only to find out I need twrp (or cwm) to make use of what these app have to offer.
Thx
weaselleaf said:
I've experienced the same disatisfaction with the non-availability of firmware. I'm also having trouble finding TWRP dedicated for this, kingrooted, device (sm-t350). Any insight? I've read the xda thread on compiling twrp on my own but I'm thinking that's still a bit over my head. I bought multiple cool apps since rooting my device only to find out I need twrp (or cwm) to make use of what these app have to offer.
Thx
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://www.thegalaxytabforum.com/index.php?/topic/33026-recovery-twrp-2871-tab-a/
Twrp tested on sm-t350
weaselleaf said:
I've experienced the same disatisfaction with the non-availability of firmware. I'm also having trouble finding TWRP dedicated for this, kingrooted, device (sm-t350). Any insight? I've read the xda thread on compiling twrp on my own but I'm thinking that's still a bit over my head. I bought multiple cool apps since rooting my device only to find out I need twrp (or cwm) to make use of what these app have to offer.
Thx
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
twrp for SM-T350 is file name twrp-28.71-t350.tar
I can't link or i would link you it. Just google search that file name and there is one from android file host
Flash with Odin 3.10.7
Tested and works perfect
Seth50 gets all the credit just confirming it works
WOW! i have been messing with this for hours and cant believe that the samsung smart switch offered such an easy solution.
i made the mistake of flashing a rooted firmware file before unlocking the bootloader and soft bricked it. the smartswitch asks for the model# (SM-T350) and the serial number (no, im not putting mine here), tells you to enter odin mode and then it does all of the dirty work for you... amazing!
one thing to keep in mind is that the install for smart switch will not work on newer machines unless you install legacy software that you can find here https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/confirmation.aspx?id=5582
qixiixiq said:
WOW! i have been messing with this for hours and cant believe that the samsung smart switch offered such an easy solution.
i made the mistake of flashing a rooted firmware file before unlocking the bootloader and soft bricked it. the smartswitch asks for the model# (SM-T350) and the serial number (no, im not putting mine here), tells you to enter odin mode and then it does all of the dirty work for you... amazing!
one thing to keep in mind is that the install for smart switch will not work on newer machines unless you install legacy software that you can find here https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/confirmation.aspx?id=5582
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I realize this is an old thread, but looking for help. Purchased a Wifi-only Galaxy Tab A, and looking for the stock 6.0.1 ROM. The Smart Switch software doesn't downgrade it anymore. They've since updated the software to remove that capability, but even older versions still reapply Nougat. Sammobile.com doesn't seem to have it. Has anyone had success finding the stock MM US ROM for this tablet? If you're asking why, adb restore doesn't work on Nougat and I'm trying to restore backups without root. I have a second SM-T350 fresh out of the box, and restore is working. So, want to downgrade to official MM to restore, then maybe upgrade again if I feel like it....
Edit: Embarrassingly, it's in this same forum.... Download it now...I'll see myself out....
https://forum.xda-developers.com/ga...m-stock-builds-sm-t350-ghost-project-t3529439

Lollipop 5.1.1 on T715?

OK I'm a complete newbie here. I bought the 8" S2 International unlocked version from Amazon and will take it to AT&T to activate it tomorrow. It's on 5.0.2 and is not seeing any OTA updates. Does anyone know if there's a way to get 5.1.1 OTA? If not, does anyone know if Samsung has commented as to whether they'll release 5.1.1, or even Marshmallow, for this device or will I have to go to a custom ROM?
Also, is there an absolute beginners guide to this site? I've been reading through the threads and keep seeing terms like odin, twrp, and many others that I don't know what they mean and I'd like to figure out.
Thanks.
CincyTriGuy said:
OK I'm a complete newbie here. I bought the 8" S2 International unlocked version from Amazon and will take it to AT&T to activate it tomorrow. It's on 5.0.2 and is not seeing any OTA updates. Does anyone know if there's a way to get 5.1.1 OTA? If not, does anyone know if Samsung has commented as to whether they'll release 5.1.1, or even Marshmallow, for this device or will I have to go to a custom ROM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i just received the same device yesterday and so far, it's working just fine on at&t: including data full phone features (i wasn't aware that this version of the Tab S2 had a full fledged phone). i inserted my nano sim from my dual-sim note5 and the S2 configured everything automatically. also, i didn't see an OTA when i checked yesterday and there's nothing at sammobile.com which is where one can generally find firmware (stock ROM) for Samsung devices. any custom ROM right now will likely be 5.0.2.
CincyTriGuy said:
Also, is there an absolute beginners guide to this site? I've been reading through the threads and keep seeing terms like odin, twrp, and many others that I don't know what they mean and I'd like to figure out..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Odin = Windows based application used to flash firmware to Samsung devices.
TWRP = a custom recovery that - once your phone is rooted (similar to admin privileges on windows pc) - allows one to flash a custom ROM or other components/features not on a stock device. you can also create backups/nandroids of your device so you can restore your device if something goes wrong (similar to resorting a windows system image to a new hard drive). always, always backup when trying things out. tutorials are here, but sometimes not easily located via search. :good:

Tab S2 T817T 6.0.1

Is there literally nothing for this? I've got the method to downgrade to 4.1.1 but that only yields root apparently. No custom roms or anything.
Is there anything available for this tablet or remarkable about being on 4.1.1 I've searched both on all boards here on Tab S2 and it seems useless.
Aside from that, is there any way to unlock the simcard slot?
I apologize for the questions but it's looking like the tab may as well stay on 6.0.1.
Thanks for comments and advice, and yes, I've searched up and down (T817T all boards, etc.)
You have got to search and read through a bit more.
I only got this tablet (a used one of course) only 2 days back, so others may be able to help you more.
For me I just rooted the tablet and installed some xposed modules. For my need with the tablet, I don't need anything else.
Unlocking simcard slot has to be done from tmobile. I am not aware of any hacks available in xda.
You can install twrp and root the device if you want. T810/T815 they uses the same chipset. The information I have gathered so far indicate that you can install aosp roms for those models, but you shall not get cellular connectivity. Any chance of having official Nougat on this tablet is very very slim. There are some aosp 7.0 roms, but they are in early developmental stage; things like fingerprint sensor won't work.
Anyone feel free to correct me if I am wrong on any of the things I mentioned.
I no longer have tmobile.
Could I flash the t810 firmware onto the t817 tab s2? This way I could get the updates straight from Samsung.
I was only able to get one ROM to work on mine. Ultimately, I gave up and just kept it stock.
Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk
I'm also frustrated with the T817T. I have been able to root it, flash TWRP, but I have never been able to flash a custom ROM. I have heard that the T815 ROMs should work, but I get an error in TWRP if I try to flash one.
I was reading something in the Note 10.1 2014 forum that you could flash the P605 (International) ROM to the P607T (T-Mobile) if you unzipped the ROM, removed the modem files, and rezipped it. I'm wondering if something like this would work for the T817T as well.
If anyone has any ideas how to do this, please respond here.

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