yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] wicked_beav:
Is there a way to downgrade to VRUAME7 so that I can root my phone? I just got my S4 today and it was already on the newest build.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] notoriousB:
What build? Mk2?

Use safe root, works like a charm:

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2565758
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] wicked_beav:
Yes, MK2. Thanks! But is there a method that allows us to unlock our bootloader so that we can flash custom ROMs?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] r_hippy:
Nope.. Not since the first ota hit after mdk..
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] webmastir:
Nope. Never will be. Get used to using hacky work arounds. :(
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] wicked_beav:
Gonna wait for the update to 4.4 and if this phone doesn't get more responsive, gonna have to get rid of it and go back to my Moto X. That phone is quicker and more responsive in everyday use. That sucks that there's no going back. Thanks for the info!
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] AlpineMan:
Have you tried Kingo root?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] k1mu:
There is no reason to use Kingo's closed-source root for any of the Verizon Galaxy S4's. Please don't use that.

Edit: and no, Kingo won't unlock your bootloader.

(Aren't posts recommending Kingo/Vroot banned on XDA?)
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] AlpineMan:
He's not asking to unlock his bootloader. He's asking for root. And no... Kingo root is not banned from XDA. Where did you hear that?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] riker147:
I'm not sure "recommending" them is banned, but I know supplying a direct link is.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] k1mu:
If you want root, there's no reason to risk Kingo or Vroot. There's never been, as far as I know, an adequate explanation of what those programs do and what information they pass back to their servers during the root process. Since there's open source alternatives, there's no reason to accept the risk. especially the risk that they'll trip the Knox Warranty Void flag. Please don't recommend Kingo.

And OK, Kingo's not banned, just links to it are banned.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] k4v2n:
i rooted using this method a while back. i'm currently running 4.2.2 & I was just wondering what options I had in regards to updating to a newer software/rom. hoping someone can point me in the right direction. TIA, haven't messed with my phone in about a yr.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] adamklo:
I'm with you. I've been running hyperdrive for some time (a few months?) and I'm getting anxious to flash again but would like to know what my options are. VZW S4 ME7
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] ppat324wi:
You can odin to MK2 and root.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] scottsdca:
Is that true? I had heard there was no way to go back to mk2.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Oishikatta:
This thread is for 4.2.2, which can of course be updated to 4.3.

4.4.2 can't be downgraded to 4.3.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] adamklo:
I've list my fluency with regards to builds (me7, mk2, etc) and how they equate/relate to android builds (4.2, 4.3, etc). I know I'm me7, 4.2.2, hyperdrive 9, I believe? I'm fine with it, but my location services won't turn back on all of a sudden and it fc settings.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] consultant.ben:
Worked on the first try! Thanks, dev.

Cant wait for TWRP and some nice ROMs.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] k4v2n:
i've already rooted using the method in the OP

any help in how to go about updating. i was under the impression that while rooted we shouldn't accept the update via verizon
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] k1mu:
Use the MK2 no-wipe rom image.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Klonopin:
How does one go about this in ODIN. I don't want to mess up.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] rudreshrocks:
Nice , thank you very much ;)
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] pagerj:
Yes I am receiving the same error of permission denied. Steps seem pretty straight forward. Started with 32gb sd card, formatted to exFAT, copied files of root of sdcard, tried to run ./pwn. Also tried a chmod 777 on pwn file but receive error: operation not permitted.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] xirnibor:
probably was my user error, i did a manual format of the micro sd (extFat) will post results. once rooted, can i install TWRP? other roms besides stock?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] GmpFiction:
Check that, formatted by PC to exFat, much better. Thanks everyone.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] zooyork0721:
Read the OP once or twice more before continuing :)

Sent from my flying toaster jfltevzw
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] mcshady96:
Google Wallet

Well, i know im not an expert, but i think the instructions in order to get google wallet to work on the gs4 for verizon included having to do something from a custom recovery. If theres a way around that step, i would love to learn it.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] pschatz12:
Dumb question but how do you flash beanstown 5 without flashing in custom recovery?!
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] coolsilver:
Well hate to say but I formated as fat32 because AOSP roms hate it. So if there is any radio updates... I will bother.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] JamesPumaEnjoi:
Google the terms "Google wallet APK" and search for the newest one that is out....download the APK and install it....using a file explorer/root explorer move it to system/app and set the permission to r-w-r-r this has worked on my last 4 android devices including the rezound galaxy nexus Note 2 and Thunderbolt....maybe it wont work on the S4 maybe it will...i really dont know i havent tried it on this phone yet...but thats how to install the apk without recovery...hope it works for you let me know if it does or if you have any questions about how to go about it
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] VincentDHam:
we can install the app from the play store its just not compatible with our phone
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Elvis_Marmaduke:
Rooting is like finding out you're force sensitive "your first step into a greater world" and unlocked bootloader is like making your own lightsaber and you're reading to tear through some stuff!
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] 804Hokie:
THANK YOU DEVELOPERS! I had the misfortune of severely breaking my rooted S4's screen Friday, and wasn't looking forward to (in all likelihood) not being able to reap the benefits of root on the replacement.

Titanium Backup, Greenify, and other apps have made me count on my device being rooted. Again, a BIG THANKS to everyone that worked hard on making this possible!
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] bjbinc:
This thread is only 7 pages long and contains answers to probably every question you have. The OP answers most of these questions, but here they are again.

NO YOU CANNOT INSTALL ANY ROMS...THIS IS ONLY ROOT...NOT A CUSTOM RECOVERY

YES, YOU MUST HAVE AN EXTERNAL MICRO SD CARD TO USE THIS METHOD

YES, IT MUST BE FORMATTED AS exFAT...NOT FAT32 OR ANY OTHER FORMAT

IF YOUR MICRO SD CARD IS LESS THAN 64GB...YOU MUST FORMAT IT USING A CARD READER AND A PC. IF IT IS 64 GB YOU CAN FORMAT IT USING YOUR PHONE IN THE STORAGE SETTINGS

IT IS COMPLETELY NORMAL AND HARMLESS TO SEE THE SAMSUNG "CUSTOM" SCREEN AT BOOT.

TO BLOCK FUTURE OTA UPDATES, RENAME (OR FREEZE USING TITANIUM BACKUP FROM THE PLAY STORE) SDM.APK IN THE /SYSTEM/APP FOLDER.

:):thumbup:
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] gunnermike:
if your on a custom rom then you don't need to worry about it.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] madAdam6LOVE:
Why's a PC needed for this? Why can't the Root Exploit package be downloaded directly to a properly formatted SD card?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] jmgib:
I believe the PC is only needed for formatting the SD Card. Otherwise you should be able to complete the steps from the phone.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] yoneilio:
SDCard

Can you re-format the SDCard back to FAT32 once the root is successful?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] tylerwagler:
THANK YOU!!!
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] r_hippy:
Yes u can
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] tylerwagler:
Would something like SafeStrap/kexec in use by the Moto devices allow us to flash custom ROMS in the case that the bootloader can't be unlocked?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] imucarmen:
can't get sd to exFAT

So my computer won't format the card to exFAT. I select format and it just formats and never gives me an option for what file system type. I tried running the root script but of course I get permission errors because my sd card isn't exFAT.

I'm on vista 64 ultimate. anyone know how I can format the micro sd card to exFAT? Thanks
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] tylerwagler:
Use disk management instead of right clicking and hitting format.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Sage_F:
For mine to work I needed to use a card reader to access the SD card for formatting, only then did it give me the option for format as exFAT. As far as I know you can't just hook the phone up via usb and format the card correctly, at least it didn't work for me the few times I tried it.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] imucarmen:
I tried that too but the card isn't showing there. :/
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] rav30p:
on the first page

Step 2 -

MicroSD Card Preparation

Quote:

Insert a microSD into your device ***Required***

Make sure it is formatted as exFAT (not FAT32) ***VERY IMPORTANT***

If you have a 64GB microSD card you can use your phone to format it as exFAT by default directly from the Storage settings

If you have anything less than 64GB microSD card you may have to use the computer to format it manually as exFAT

***If your microSD card is not formatted as exFAT you will see "permission denied" errors when running the exploit***

Once formatted, move all files and folders from the Root Exploit package directly onto the root of your microSD card (nowhere else)
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] imucarmen:
I figured that was my problem. I've been looking for my card adapter but can't find it :[

[UPDATE] found my adapter! hopefully i'm all set now
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] ffd173:
Just rooted me7 and all is well. Thanks to the devs for this. Works perfectly!

Just a note to those having trouble formatting their micro sd card.

I formatted mine using an sd card adapter. Placed the card directly into the card reader on my win 7 pc, opened Windows explorer and right clicked the card and chose format. It should then open up a dialog box and you can choose the type of formatting. It is important to note that you must not have the contents of the card visible on your screen when you right click. If the card contents are visible, you are accessing the card and won't be able to format.

Good luck!
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Sage_F:
I was expanding on someone elses' problem when I posted my reply. Unfortunately this set of directions was not compiled when I was attempting to get mine rooted the other day. Our Devs are extremely fast at getting these things put together and out to the general public with great instructions, I should have just waited a few hours but what fun is that :p
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] imucarmen:
it's working! :]

Thanks! everything works. One side note though...I had to manually install superSU from the store. I took it from the instructions that that would happen during the root process but for me it didn't. But once I installed superSU from the store everything works. Thanks again for getting this.

MAN I CAN'T WAIT TO HAVE AN AOSP BASED ROM ON THIS THING AFTER WE GET RECOVERY BECAUSE I HATE TOUCHWIZ AND SAMSUNGS HORRIBLE LAGGY UGLY TRASH OF AN UI
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] eklipz3:
That's also what it took to work for me. You want to make sure that exfat.sys is in your windows/system32/drivers folder.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] RJV3:
I'm currently rooted with twrp installed running the mdk firmware.

I wanted to upgrade to the me7 build so that I can have the apps to sd card feature, but waiting for the me7 build to be cracked so you can install a customer recovery in addition to root.

In the meantime I have folder mount which I working great so far, but can someone confirm folder mount is working for them after formatting their sd card to exfat?

Rooted S4
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Southern_mind:
Just install this http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2376140 rom. So you can keep the recovery and cracked bootloader. It will update everything else.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] elliwigy:
this isnt a rom.. lol
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] KJSloan:
I got a little overzealous and didn't do my research properly before performing this root method and went ahead and performed it on a stock factory VRUAME7 device, bootloader has never been unlocked. How do I reserve this??
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] c13urge:
Noob here... I rooted my S4 using this method. Works great.

When the bootloader is unlocked in the future, what will I have to do to take advantage of that? Will it work with this root method?

Also, not having luck with installing mods. Does the phone's bootloader need to be unlocked for this?

Thanks!

---------- Post added at 01:28 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:18 PM ----------

^^^^ this too^^^^^
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Snakehn:
I believe Mods need deodexed ROM, you're in a stock odexed, just rooted, once you get custom recovery then you'll be able to install a deodexed ROM and mod the hell out of it ;)
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] c13urge:
Will I be able to do this once available and have performed this version of rooting?

---------- Post added at 02:20 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:01 PM ----------

Sorry, still a noob...

Does a deodexed ROM start with having the booloader unlocked? Once unlocked then I can flash a deodexed ROM?

Will I be able to unlock the bootloader with this version of rooting?

Thanks.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] imucarmen:
The bootloader being unlocked is a separate thing. Once it's achieved then someone will probably have a method for those who only need to unlock the bootloader and those who need root and the bootloader unlocked. Once we can flash roms you will know, just keep checking the forums.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] c13urge:
If needed, is there a way to get back to stock (not rooted)?

If so, how do you do this?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] michael.stollaire:
Post-OTA?

Forgive me in advance if this was already answered, but does this work on an S4 that received the latest OTA?

Thanks,

~ Mike
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] imucarmen:
There is always a way to get back to stock. I just got this phone a week ago and haven't yet begun to research the forums to get up to speed on all the things concerning root and flashing custom recoveries and roms. I owned a samsung phone before and one way of returning to stock on that phone was using odin. On an LG I owned we had 3 methods for returning to stock. the easiest way I've seen to return to stock which seems to be a pretty standard way of doing it on any phone that you can get CWM or TWRP on, and that is to just flash a stock rom in recovery and then flash a stock recovery zip and reboot and you'll be back 100percent stock. Like I said though, I'm not sure what methods are out for this phone right now. I do know it's not something to be concerned about but it is always a wise practice when getting into rooting and modding your phone to know all the methods there are for returning to stock and getting out of a soft brick because in most cases you'll need to do those things and it's a lot better on the nerves and saves a lot of time if you know how to do those things before you need to use them.

---------- Post added at 06:39 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:37 PM ----------

not only has it been answered but it's the thread topic LOL.

Gotta bust your balls for that one :p

So in answer to your question...yes
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Skrazz:
Problems

Ok, so I used an 8gb sdcard from an old Motorola of mine, was able to reformat to exFat with my built-in card reader, no problem. Dragged the files over. Started up my phone and terminal app. The first command works fine. The second command gives me THIS:

I've followed the instructions to a tee. Checked the SD card's properties to insure proper exFat partition. Sure enough, it's correct. Is there's permissions on the SD card itself, assigned by windows that might interfere with the phone's ability to run the scripts? Does the volume label of the SD card matter? What about the Allocation unit size? (set to default currently) Any advice would be great.

I should add that this SD card I'm using isn't the 16gb i normally keep in the phone. I didn't want to reformat the 16gb given that it has a lot of apps and files on it. Thanks in advance!

p.s. Ignore the "/pwn" command. That was just a mistake, and I do realize the command is "./pwn"

***UPDATE*** It went through despite the disparaging messages. Access SuperSU in the play store if you get this message. Thanks for the help!
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Sage_F:
You are currently rooted. when the $ turns into a # you have SU access. So you are currently done until recovery becomes available, go have fun with all of your root apps.:cool:
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Skrazz:
There's no SuperSu though...
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Southern_mind:
Meant this http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2376140
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] r_hippy:
Play store? Install it and see if you can grant su to an app that requires it
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Sage_F:
Yeah I forgot to mention that you need to DL it from the Play store then open it and update the binaries.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Skrazz:
That did the trick. It is in fact rooted! Unsure why it doesn't give me a "successful" message but I'll take what I can get. Updating my original post.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] imucarmen:
The successful message is the $ turning into a #

Like the instructions say.

I too pointed out that the instructions made it seem like supersu came with the root script but that it needed to be downloaded from the market.

Thank goodness for root though. I have already got my phone running with close to no lag or studder by setting a screen on cpu profile. YAY for root
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] elliwigy:
in that case your correct ;) was giving you a hard time lol. yea.. my dumb mistake was so excited i assumed i could root latest build n updated while i was still at verizon.. n i dont have a sd card so cant root yet :-/
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] open1your1eyes0:
A video demo of the full method has been added to the OP thanks to my good friend DroidModd3rX.

Be sure to like and subscribe to his channel if you like this video. :good:
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] owenbeals:
Also I would like to give a BIG SHOUTOUT to Josh Mcleod, [MENTION=3613507]allnallwall[/MENTION] on Twitter, who helped me out with this video!
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] rushless:
Rooted now! Had a spare 4GB and formatted to exFat. Devs that figure this stuff out so quickly, frankly scare me a little bit ;) :)
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] SolidSnakeUS:
I'll ask again, because I do want the features it gives on the update and at least want root (freeze unwanted bloated bullcrap on the phone), should I just take the update and root (kill off the OTA afterwards as well)? I know there is a full ROM update for the one right before ME7 that would add all the given features, yet be fully rooted, but I don't feel like wiping my phone.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] notstevek:
I didn't do the ota update so I'm still on the og build but just wanted to thank the devs for their work. Good job!
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] fenguepay:
Im sorry but this is designed for after the early july ota right? This is dated for after it but I just want to make sure. I have been out of the xda community for about 3 weeks :3
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Heelfan71:
Is it possible to not even use a computer by downloading the files straight from the phone?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] rushless:
If your micro sd card is already in exFat format, Yes. The files have to be unzipped to the sd card- several file managers have unzip/unrar function built in.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] pschatz12:
Is there an easy way to unroot if we have to return the phone to Verizon? Does it even matter if we send it back rooted? Does a factory reset unroot it? Thanks in advance!
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Heelfan71:
Thanks. I unzipped the files on the computer and emailed them to me on the phone. Work computer won't let me install Samsung USB drivers.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] stuartv:
I wouldn't give up my ability to unlock the bootloader. I accepted the OTA before I realized I would lose that. I wish I hadn't, now.

In other words, the answer to your question is, I would not.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] hallstevenson:
I would ALWAYS double-check. Been rooting and running custom ROMs for 3+ years and more than once have ran across a custom ROM where the dev "forgot" to remove or rename the files that are related to OTAs.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] dhc1214:
As someone who blindly took the OTA on day 2 of owning my phone, I would like to thank everyone involved in this exploit for their hard efforts. Lesson learned: NEVER take OTA without checking here first.

On a side note, I do have a question regarding Cerberus(mods if this is not the place I do apologize, however I could not find a proper location that regards the current root without recovery situation). Cerberus can be installed as a system app to prevent removal during a wipe process. Their website mentions two ways to accomplish this:

1. Boot into recovery and install. <-not sure if this can be done with the current root situation.

2. Put the APK on an SD card and use a terminal emulator for the following commands:

su

mount -o remount,rw /system

cp /sdcard/Cerberus.apk /system/app/

chmod 644 /system/app/Cerberus.apk

Basically I'm not knowledgeable enough to determine if this will work or brick. Any advise would be appreciated.

Derrick
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] ddschmidt:
Would like to thank those who were able to give us root! You are all awesome

My question is, is there any way to use an alternate Superuser app? I have tried a couple different methods to use the clockwordmod Superuser, but it basically just removes root access. SuperSU is very capable, but I have had a better experience with other Superuser apps.

Thank You
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] notstevek:
Just did this finally myself. Install new superuser app, open it, update binaries, using a file explorer delete supersu.apk from /system/app

Restart phone. I'm using superuser from clockwordmod with no problems on cleanrom1.6.5 (I didn't do the ota update) but shouldn't make a difference.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] SportingChap:
Correct - no custom recovery at this time.

If I'm not mistaken, step 2 is basically the long way around of installing the Cerberus apk normally, then converting it to system app using Titanium Backup. I've done this before on other devices and it worked fine. I don't see why it would cause any trouble here.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Redflea:
It'll work fine. If you have Root Explorer or Titanium Backup you can do this more easily, and both of those apps are (for me and many others) must-have apps on a rooted phone.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] daventodd123:
Thank God a root method was found! Thanks to all developers that had a part in finding/making this exploit.

One question though. My dad purchased my S4 through Bestbuy and I do not want the employees to update my phone. Is there something I should say? I'd just rather not have the ME7 update and keep the ability to ROM my phone. I'm just unsure on what I should do to prevent one of their possibly knowledgeable employees from installing the OTA
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] thedeveloper1:
Yeah just be honest with them. They will understand your problem
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] spatton:
It's a long story and it makes me kind of sad - but benefits my life....

How can I *UN-ROOT* after doing this?

Scott

ps. It worked GREAT!