[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] Spiricore:
Introduction:

The search function, both on XDA and Google, can only take you so far. Getting my new (Dec 2013) Sprint Samsung Galaxy S4 successfully rooted, modified, ROM-ified and tricked out was an absolute nightmare because it came pre-installed with the MK2 firmware. While there are resources everywhere on XDA for every thing you could possibly think of, it took three weeks of cross-referencing dozens (hundreds?) of links, posts, snippets of information across the net and a lot of trial and error to get up and running. A lot of the material I came across was either outdated or irrelevant due to the original release of the phone in 2012 and the new MJA/MK2/NAE (reverse-compatible) firmwares released later in 2013/early 2014 and constant, daily development here on XDA.

I would like to clarify "Super Safe" does

NOT

mean you don't risk bricking your phone and you will most certainly void your warranty with Samsung (see post #2). It means I have included every possible step to avoid problems, incompatibilities and common errors. As with everything else on XDA related to modifying your phone, you are solely responsible for any damage done to your device.​

Who This is For:

As an end-user, having this guide handy when I first arrived on XDA with my new S4 would have made my painfully long 3-week process cut down to about 4-6 hours (including download times). It is written so anyone can understand (I hope) without having to do much external research.

As a developer, pointing people to this thread will save you a lot of headaches and constantly repeating yourself with common questions and keeping your OP clean and tidy.

What It Covers:

The guide is long because it is detailed, comprehensive and takes you through all steps to having a backup of your stock data followed by (re)rooting, flashing a custom recovery, installing your custom ROM of choice and having a backup of it. I decided to go the "manual, old school" route because sometimes the latest tools and methods created conflict with other information available. That isn't to say new utilities and methods are bunk or won't make your life easier, but this is the dumbed-down, nitty-gritty guide when all else fails or you just want to avoid problems right from the start. The rest is all customization and entirely up to the user and I leave that ball in the court of other, more proficient and knowledgeable users in their appropriate threads.

What It Does Not Cover:

I do not go into detail about KNOX, AROMA, odex/deodex, choosing what ROM is right for you, optimization, better battery life, 3rd party applications (aside from three that are backup-related) and other, more detailed information. It is a straight, to the point, "This is how you get results, step-by-step." If you want to know about these features (and annoyances), there are plenty of resources available here to fill your mind. :)

This all-in-one guide is meant for everyone and to be shared by anyone who finds it helpful as a way to troubleshoot your device or totally start from scratch and avoid a lot of VERY common errors and misconceptions.​

​

It focuses on having a fresh backup of the stock 4.3 ROM (pre-rooted and deodexed) in case you ever need to return your phone, [MENTION=1354510]Unknownforce[/MENTION]'s TriForce ROM and [MENTION=4666971]Phil3759[/MENTION]'s Philz Touch Recovery, but can be adapted and applied to nearly any other ROM that isn't dependent on TWRP (which, in most cases, comes down to personal preference). Edit 2/7: It seems many new KitKat releases require TWRP, so be sure to read the directions for the ROM you choose carefully regarding which recovery to use!

The guide is presented as a .docx (Microsoft Word) file which can also be downloaded and/or printed.

Links won't be preserved if you print it out, so be sure to download what you need before you walk away from the computer!

So, without further adieu, I would like to present:

Spiricore's Super Safe Root-To-ROM Guide v1.5

for Sprint's Samsung Galaxy S4 (SPH-L720/jfltespr)

READ. IT. ALL.

​

About Me:

I am not new to XDA (mostly a lurker until very recently), but I am very new to Android 4.x as my last phone was an EVO Shift 4G running 2.3.5 for the better part of two years. Before that I was on a flip phone. I am no expert - I wouldn't even call myself an approaching-advanced user - but the information I have compiled has already helped numerous users of all skill levels in all sorts of situations in the few hours I've had it publicly available. I will do my best to answer any questions asked, but the vast majority of what I know is already contained within the guide. I can expand upon what I do cover, but be forewarned that answering very specific, user-to-user questions may be beyond the scope of my knowledge. The most I can offer in that case is to point you in a direction that can better serve you.

If I don't respond to you it's because your question has already been answered in my guide or in my first few posts. Read more gooder!

:silly:

I did my best to credit all original authors and posts I gathered this information from. I am not here to step on anyone's toes, nor to make enemies! Any feedback, corrections, missing information, thanks and so on would be greatly appreciated!​

Special Thanks:

A personal "thank you!" goes out to all original authors and developers, [MENTION=1354510]Unknownforce[/MENTION], [MENTION=2744265]sac23[/MENTION], [MENTION=1274198]rawintellect[/MENTION], and [MENTION=3880414]inlineboy[/MENTION] for their contributions, help, advice and - in [MENTION=3880414]inlineboy[/MENTION]'s case - compiling information together for the rest of us so we aren't banging our heads against the wall trying to find the exact information we're seeking.

Changelog:

1.5 - Updated some links; added TWRP link; fixed derp with Philz link; added note to second post on this thread regarding Philz versions.

1.4 - Fixed booting process procedure (thanks [MENTION=731192]cruise350[/MENTION]); updated note 2; added note 5; removed app versions unless specific ones are necessary; various formatting fixes; tried to make things a little less ROM-specific.

1.3 - Fixed UF's stock firmware link for Odin; added link for flashable version from recovery (thanks [MENTION=1080448]evilbeef54[/MENTION])

1.2 - Updated to reflect new release of SuperSu and some formatting tweaks

1.1 - Massive formatting update for public consumption

1.0 - Initial release (originally copied from a mountain of text in some PMs I sent to help [MENTION=4050228]Caffeinatrix[/MENTION] out)