yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Sir_Eagle:
I don't believe rooting effects boot times, but I do believe custom ROMs can. And Safestrap I think also.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] ARHicken:
whats up guys so I been following this thread and reading up, I have been an iphone user since the droid x and the droid incredible were out and I rooted those phones. I am kind of upset that I sold my iphone 5 and 5s to get the galaxy and make the switch because the bootloader is locked and I am on me7. So is it worth doing the root, will I be able to unroot. I just want to get some more info if I should root and be able to do some things like I want to get some emulators...

If someone could gchat me I will donate money to the via paypal I like to work with someone 1on1

thanks guys just need some help with all this super frustrated
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] broderp:
You must have just 'missed' the parts of this thread that explains and talks about unrooting. :eek:

The OP should edit the first post on this to include a FAQ with regular updates to what can and cannot be done. Your answer is yes, but there appears to be some debate as to the best method to go back. Whether it's worth it to root is a personal choice you will need to make for yourself, AFTER reading the thread. (I feel qualified to say this as I read EVERY POST for the first 30+ pages before posting questions and then subscribed to try and stay abreast of the changes.) I'm seeing other posts regarding being able to use custom roms, and others stating the Samgung stock rom debloated is very quick with good battery life and good enough.

Read some more my friend! ;) Tons of good (and not so good) in this thread.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] ARHicken:
Thanks for the quick response do you have me7?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] broderp:
Yes, I have ME7. took the OTA update first day I had the phone, before I knew of locked boot loater. :rolleyes:

I haven't rooted yet, because I'm making sure of a few things before I do. I'm a complete noob when comes to custom roms and ODIN and all the other fancy words and names people throw around here. I found this thread, and made a list of over 30 questions. As I read the threads (I really have read EVERY SINGLE ONE! :silly: ) I answered many of the questiond on my list asked asked those I saw no answers for.

Also, in my experience, many people assume everyone here on the forum is the same working level as they do. This always seems to mean they leave out important info for the noob, or assume we know it. Why will say something simple as "flash it with Odin". To me that means more questions: What is odin? Where do I get it? what version? How do I use it? I get burried deep faster than I can think of questions. Reading many posts and threads, I also see that not every phone reacts the same way to the same procedure. I don't want to be stuck with a dead phone, bricked phone or waiting sometimes days to fix an issue as I use my phone every day.

Another good example is your question, can I unroot. There have been many posts about using Odin this or that and going back to stock. It seems overly complicated to me. There's also another thread or two (that I've been attempting to get info on) that says you can use a Verizon fix utility and it will bring you back to stock. The forum uses Odin and the more complicated method as the 'go to answer" for this. There have been only 2 people who have acknowleged that the Verizon method works. But no one has provided the file or link or a step by step method to show us this. It seems to be the simpler of the two.

Finally I need to know what programs I currently use (paid apps) will still work on a rooted phone. (Haven't asked that one officially yet)

My experince is nothing is ever as simple as it seems. But I'm getting thru it!:fingers-crossed: All I want is to uninstall all the bloat and speed up the phone and improve battery life. I'm OK with the stock interface as I use a launcher anyways that works for me. Sorry so long winded!
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] ARHicken:
Very well said, im just bummed I came back from Iphone to android and I always jailbroke the iPhone 5 and it was amazing, because the galaxy s4 is samsung and not moto I did not think I would have problems rooting the phone with the boot loader an such if I got the Galaxy.....

UGHH so frustrated because I do want to customize the phone and I like to download emulators to play old video game roms. I guess I will be stock with this bloatware and such for a while.... But really liked what you wrote
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] druidath:
There is a link explaining Odin. Dont have it offhand.

Yes you can unroot. It is done through Odin. Check for that link again.

I have never heard of paid apps not working on a rooted phone. What apps are you concerned about? I haven't

Had any problems with my apps.

Hope this helps.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Tool Belt:
Some paid apps may check your android ID for licensing or subscription rights. Rooting will not affect this. Indeed, rooting will (of course) open a new world of apps. If you root , install SS and flash a new ROM THAT can change your android ID. But, get the pro version of Titanium Backup, use it prior to flashing, and TiBU will know your "old" ID and restore it if you desire.

I screwed up my ME7 prior to using SS by playing with the wrong files. Got into a boot loop and was able to restore using ODIN easily.

The best thing you can do is read, read and re-read. Take your time, follow all directions and much more likely than not there will be no problems. If you do get in a jam, there is very little that the wizards here (and that ain't me) cannot help you fix.

Have fun!
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] broderp:
There's that "Odin" word again. I've read a few threads on it and to be honest. it's about 90% above my understanding of the Android OS. I know there's help, but I can't afford to wait hours or days for responces if my phone is bricked or doing one of the many crazy things I've read about. I'm looking for a sinple return to stock, something that is about as simple as this method of rooting.

See here's a prime example of the issues I have (every answer I get is helpful, but brings up more questions.)....What is SS and why would I want to change my android ID? More questions...ugh....it never ends. :eek:

I use System Panel and FX by nextapp. I also have a few paid games, HD Widgets and some other apps such as aCar. I don't keep too much on my phone. I've read in this thread people having issues with certain file managers. :rolleyes:
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Tool Belt:
I am from a point in your planet's past.....where "computers" were programed by punch cards........on TV you could only see a movie on Saturday night on NBC........and the only possible explanation of a "cell phone" would describe something in an up scale prison. I really only know enough about Android to be dangerous, yet with what I have gleaned from XDA I have rooted 8 devices and flashed custom ROMS on 4 of them. The information is here IF you are willing to spend the time to learn. Otherwise you may as well head to "Jobsville", drink the Kool-Aid and think you have the latest and greatest......
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Crawshayi:
I'm not doing either of those things. Just plain rooted stock ME7. I also find the phone to still stutter pretty much all the time even after freezing all bloat.. granted I still leave on some of the air gestures and sound controls but still... Touchwiz is just so heavy on this phone and still makes it lag no matter what you do. Frustrating.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] AndroidSmitty:
Is their a new way to root yet? I just want to root my phone. I have the 32gig sdcard and I took the OTA update as soon as I got the phone. I hate the bloat ware but it don't take away any performance as I can tell. I hope they get the phone unlocked.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Crawshayi:
Not sure what you mean by 'new way'? This method still works fine for everyone as far as I can see... I agree that I hope they unlock the bootloader soon too because even after rooting and tweaking it's still not as lag-free as I want it and there's nothing quite like flashing new roms to try. Other than freezing bloat I have installed the International Dialer and increased the volume of the speaker so it's been worth it to have root so far to me
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Crawshayi:
If I decided to take an OTA update (let's say 4.3 or something) would I have to un-root the phone first or would leaving root in place not have anything bad happen? Reason I'm asking is because normally I wouldn't consider taking an OTA but if 4.3 drops and the ME7 bootloader is still locked I would want 4.3
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] ARHicken:
I cant download the drivers on samsung website or the link given because I have a mac and it says application not found....

If anyone has a link so I can begin my root, also in the instructions to root it does not tell me to turn on or off usb debugging I know I had to do this when I rooted other android devices

Please help with the drivers for mac thanks
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] druidath:
I think the drivrrs are so you can copy the files to the externsl sd card. I didnt Install any drivers to the root. Just put tye files on a properly formatted sd card and type tye commands
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] ARHicken:
Last stupid question hopefully, I turned my usb developer mode on, and the media on the usb on the phone I cant get my phone to show up on the mac I have been having this problem I use a new IMAC

ughh if any mac users know anything and can help me

also knock two birds out in one stone to format the sd when it shows up is in utilities

which im not a complete noob to rooting and such but I know its a driver issue most likely but samsung and the links around this site wont let me open the drivers on a mac
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] ARHicken:
Sorry for the double reply I read that if you download KIES that it will auto download the drivers now the issue is, the usb and the phone are not recognized at all, so frustrating WHAT SHOULD I DO

any mac users if you can help me super grateful...

Anybody with a good amount of knowledge and develops full time I dont have a problem donating if we can talk on gtalk or irc
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] eskomo:
Oh dear God. Where to start.

Odin has so many youtube videos and threads here on xda explaining how to use it that it is impossible to not find it in a 2 second search. Qbking77(and others) has done numerous videos going step by step on how to use Odin for various reasons.

SS is a work around for recovery. Since Verizon locked the bootloader with ME7, you also don't have a custom recovery. SS is an app that allows you to install ROMs that use the stock kernel. It keeps the stock install intact but allows you to have "ROM slots" to put more than one ROM on your phone. When you boot up you can choose what ROM to run and **BAM** you're in a new ROM. You can switch every boot if you want. Not all roms work with SS. So read up on the thread labeled *Roms that work with SafeStrap*.

Next thing... New android IDs. You dont necessarily want a new ID. But some roms give you new IDs. You can save the ID with TiBu as stated before. No worries.

[MENTION=4630564]Crawshayi[/MENTION] You can take the next update if you want but I wouldn't if I was you. 4.3 may sound.great but wait until we know more about what all it brings to the table first. It may destroy this.method of root forever. It may block more exploits. Who knows. Just never accept ANY UPDATE EVER without reading about it first. !!!!!!ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS!!!!!! Read first!

[MENTION=3339589]ARHicken[/MENTION] If the directions do not say to do something.... then don't do it. This is not like previous root methods. Never assume something is like something else. Follow the directions and you will be fine. As far as Mac goes IDK. Not a Mac fan. I prefer products that work. But the drivers are out there. I thought Keis installed them automatically. You only need to connect the phone to your PC to format the sdcard. Do you have a standalone sdcard reader. If so use that and format it.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] webmastir:
Nicely said eskomo. But using SS(SafeStrap) you'll prob wnat a 32GB phone not 16GB as you'll quickly run out of room.

Big downside of doing "ROM slots". But that's our only option on ME7
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] sucram6791:
when i input "./pwn" i get an error saying "sch-i545 (jdq39.i545vruame7) is not supported then a couple lines down i get "failed to open dev/graphics/fb0 due to permissions denied"

but after those i still get the "#" which means root access. is this normal or is this why i can't get my root to stay?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] ARHicken:
I feel like a complete moron all day I cant connect my phone to my IMAC but when I open kies it notices the phone. I can't get to the root of the phone where the icon pops up on the desktop or in the settings. USB DEBUGGING IS ON, the delvoper mode is on everything is in contact anyone with a mac that knows a lot about mac can help me out please....
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Inc-Roid:
I don't think you need to install any drivers on a mac. Install Android File Transfer and uninstall Kies to be able to access the internal/external sd cards from your mac.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Crawshayi:
Did you format your sd card to exFAT?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] eskomo:
I agree space is an issue. But that is only if you use multiple ROM slots. Heck if people use SS like a regular recovery and just use it to install 1 ROM and stay with that when they find the one they like then there is no difference really. Having the option to swap real fast between roms is just a bonus. Most will just use one or 2 tops.

Not perfect but light years beyond where ME7 users are currently.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] sucram6791:
yes i did, twice
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] k4v2n:
is there a way to do a nanodroid or backup of the stock rom being that a custom recovery can't be installed (right)? wanted to install xposed installer with a few plugins and was unsure about backing my phone up. TIA
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Crawshayi:
Hmm well it says clearly that you'll get permission denied errors if your card isn't formatted to exFAT so maybe your sd card has errors? Is there a way you could try a different sd card?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] neur0tk:
Make sure you enable developer options on your phone by tapping build number like 7 times under about phone
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] tech_head:
I think this is the easy root I've ever done on a phone.

Having issues getting busybox installed.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] ARHicken:
I know the drivers are updates but I have been doing a lot of reading I am going to try to android file transfer, how to I format the sd on the mac tho im so used to windows I hate this IMAC
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] novicejeep:
Open Disk Utility. Find and Click on the SDcard on the Left, then hit "erase" and then , I believe, Partition, and pick exFAT.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] mdpatterson:
I have been working on this for a few days now....nothing. I have done everything precisely the way instructed several times over.....even bought a new 64 g card.....after trying the process with a 32 and an 8. formatted exfat properly, loaded all the files to the root of the card etc...properly enabled and disabled all necessary security features on the phone. I can get the $ to change to # after the ./pwn prompt. but every time i enter the ./script.sh prompt i get the image attached. and no root whatsoever. So what noob ass mistake have I made and how do I get this phone rooted.....yes, ME7 SCH1545
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Surge1223:
I triple boot linux, windows and mac os. I have run into most every problem imaginable by now. What issues are you having with the mac related to installing this? Also, just my opinion, but it would probably be faster to install a linux live cd and run whatever you need from terminal. Let me know if you need any help
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] k1mu:
Please don't post the same question repeatedly across multiple forums.

The problem here is that when unzipping the root zip file onto the sd card, all of the files were placed in the root folder. You must unzip it and preserve the original directory structure, otherwise the "script.sh" can't find the Superuser stuff to install it.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] t0adman:
Trying to root a device I recently purchased from someone on Craigslist. I'm following the instructions perfectly and get the following error messages. TIA for your help.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] k1mu:
Your sdcard is probably not formatted as exFAT. You failed to gain root (the "is not supported" tells me that). Without root, you can't install the rest of the bits. Please verify that your card is exFAT formatted.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] t0adman:
Mounted in my adapter, inserted into Windows 7 machine and formatted exFAT. I did Quick Format, however. Is the _LLK extension to the build number a potential problem? JDQ39.I545VRUAME7_LLK
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] k1mu:
Quick Format shouldn't make a difference.

As far as the build number, the "JDQ39.I545VRUAME7" is the build on mine.

Open a terminal and type "getprop ro.build.product.id" - does it have the _LLK?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] t0adman:
In my screenshot above it mentioned the device detected and shows the _LLK extension. The command you suggested yields nothing when entered into terminal on the device.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] druidath:
Is there a thread that is tracking the progress to find a exploit to unlock the bootloader?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] lath19:
Thanks, that was easy. Took no more than 5 minutes using an extra 2GB card. Wish we had an unlocked bootloader but I'll take root, no ads, and no bloat.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] k1mu:
That's because I'm an idiot and typed it wrong.

getprop ro.build.display.id

Mine says "JDQ39.I545VRUAME7" yours probably will say "JDQ39.I545VRUAME7_LLK" but I don't know what that addition means.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] wecramer:
How to unroot

Ok, first off, let me apologize if this question has been asked and answered already. XDA's search function has been down all morning so I cannot find any posts. I rooted my S4 using the method in this post, but I am now needing to return the phone to VZW and need to unroot it. I've seen the Odin method for unrooting, but I'm not sure that is the process I need to follow since I rooted it differently (using the method in this post) and my bootloader is locked.

If someone could reply with the process or a link (if this has already been addressed) that would be awesome.

Thanks all.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Crawshayi:
The Odin method is indeed what you can use on ME7 with a locked bootloader. It'll work just fine. Just follow the guide here http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2301259
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] t0adman:
Yep, it's the _LLK build, which I've come to realize is a version for the display phones in stores. Someone ripped this phone off from a store, put a new back on it and sold it through Craigslist. Because it hadn't been listed as stolen yet the sim card verified and it worked fine. It wasn't until I started using the phone that I realized it was a display model. The demo mode kicks in constantly and the phone restarts randomly pretty frequently. This root method does not work on this device and I'm now torn about what to do. Of course the guy who sold me the phone claims he had no idea and refuses to buy it back. I'm tempted to contact local law enforcement and file a report but chances are I'd have to forfeit the phone as evidence and I'd be out $350. The final option would be to offer a bounty for any dev that might want to take a crack at rooting this device. Grrrr....no good options.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Crawshayi:
Perhaps you could try the Odin method to get it back to ME7 stock? It's the same hardware so I don't see why it wouldn't work... of course if it bricks and you would be out of luck... it would be a risk I guess. If I were you I would just try it honestly because as you have it now it's pretty much useless anyway

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2301259
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] t0adman:
At this point I'm willing to try, however I've run into yet another road block. When I attempt to connect my S4 in Odin mode to my Win7 machine via USB, it attempts to install drivers for an MSM8960 and fails. Any ideas?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Crawshayi:
Strange, those are drivers for the Snapdragon chipset it seems? I've only used Odin on an XP machine so I'm not sure if there's something strange about Odin and Windows 7. Did you install the Samsung USB drivers first? Maybe try different USB ports too
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] t0adman:
Yes, best I can tell those are the snapdragon chipset drivers. I've installed the latest Samsung drivers and tried different ports and cables. The issue it not that it's not recognized it's that the drivers are not found. I don't know where to find or how to install the drivers it seems to be missing.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Crawshayi:
Some people have had luck installing Kies which supposedly installs drivers, but I'm not sure if that'd work in this case
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] t0adman:
You mean like this? I'm also installing the Android SDK (ADT) to see if that loads any drivers.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] piratadelestrecho:
Dear all,.

This is the second methor that I try, the first one was motochopper.

I have formatted the sd card in exFat and have followed all the steps. But when I try to run the ./pwn command this is what I get:

can't exucute: Permission denied

Also in the notifications bar I get a kind of shell which shows this message:

"Terminal emulator has been forced to stop for an unauthorized attempt to access system in your device. It may be safe to delete an application obtained from an unauthorized route. Check now?

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance and thankyou to [MENTION=3313404]open1your1eyes0[/MENTION] for his hard work.

PS : see attachments
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] wecramer:
Awesome thank you!. I am back to stock and returning the phone.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] piratadelestrecho:
I finally did it, this is the method that worked for me.

www dot ibtimes dot co dot uk/articles/507945/20130922/galaxys4-gti9505-root-android422-xxudmh6-jellybean-official.htm

Thanks anyway.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] WarEagleUS:
So wait, can we go back to this stock and get rid of the vruma7 update Verizon gave us and then reroot and then custom Rom? I'm asking because I've honestly not kept up with development of roms after the vruma7 deal from Verizon. Thanks y'all.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] druidath:
this from the new ota or from me7 to the one before that ulocks the bootloader? Either way I think they don't work
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] WarEagleUS:
The one that locked the boot loader...btw when did the rooting method give the Samsung with an unlocked padlock before the Verizon graphic?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Crawshayi:
You can't go back to MDK from any newer build unfortunately. The padlock seems to be pretty random... I only get it maybe once out of every five reboots. If it really bugs you I'm pretty sure Triangle Away in the Play Store will get rid of it... but I have yet to test that theory because it doesn't really bother me.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] WarEagleUS:
Naw it doesn't bother me just noticed it the day before. Thanks for the help bud.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] AlpineMan:
My understanding is that Triangle Away requires an unlocked bootloader. I believe someone here already tried and it soft bricked the user's S4.

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