yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] tech_head:
Hmmm.......

You can go back to 4.3 Android but your bootloader will stay NC5.

There is no rolling back the bootloader so, the argument is valid.

You can back and forth on 4.42 and 4.3 but you cannot swap the bootloader.

Staying on the MK2 bootloader gives the ability to truly go back to 4.3 without wifi issues.

Also there isn't a whole lot you are going to do to unlock the newer bootloaders on a Samsung device.

Check the threads. Samsung's bootloaders are DoD and NSA certified and hardened.

They use SHA256 in the security chain for authentication.

Unless someone leaks the keys, there will be no broken Samsung bootloader unless they find a hole in the sequence to check for signatures. I doubt it.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Nergal di Cuthah:
Can we please return to the subject of rooting a phone that already is, or the owner wants to be, on NC5.

Honestly, you made your point so now, please, let us get on with the show.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] cobra7361:
Ur right u can go back to 4.3...but that is a temp thing...unless u have a mk2 bootloader. .then u can go back and forth...and just cause u made the thread doesn't mean much...u need to give out good information and let ppl know all their options..make them aware that if they take ota there is no going back...that's my point

Just want ppl to have all the info before they make the jump...

Now on with the thread...sorry everyone...just want u to know all the facts before u jump...

Just trying to help
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] aneffinyank:
Update binary doesn't work?

In step 7, I download the link, and then open SuperSU. When I open the link a popup says update the SU binary, so i do. It reboots the device and during the reboot fails forcing me to manually select reboot device with the volume keys thus not updating SU binry. Any idea why and how will this affect my root? Root checker says my device is still rooted. I have a verizon Galaxy s4 Also I am planning on using a custom ROM at some point (like cyanogenmod or something similar for customizability on my phone) will this lack of update affect me at all?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] ShnikeJSB:
Wi-Fi still doesn't work for me...

First off, I want to thank everyone involved for rooting NC5! :highfive:

Now, onto my problem. I still can't seem to get Wi-Fi working on my NC5/Verizon S4! I have the Hyperdrive 16.1 ROM installed, and everything works well except I just CANNOT turn on my Wi-Fi! I've tried flashing modem modules and such through Odin and SafeStrap, but nothing seems to work. :(

Any ideas on what I should do that DOESN'T include wiping and starting over?

Thanks,

JB

(PS -- This is my first post, so be gentle, LOL!)
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] reaper2666:
Bootloader Unlocked?

Ok so after merely rooting with towelroot and installing the latest su from the zip on chainfire's site my gs4 is showing the unlock on the mainscreen right below the samsung logo, does this mean my bootloader is also unlocked. and if so is there any methods using clockworkmod recovery, as i purchased it, would be sad to see it be incompatible with my phone. otherwise very excited when towelroot got me root in about ten seconds:laugh:
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] xVallex:
Can't install apk for some reason. I can click cancel but not install. Unknown resources is clicked so it's not that. Any ideas?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] vzwnexus:
I chose the "normal" option vs cwm/twrp recovery option and it worked. have you tried that yet?

this unfortunately does not mean it's an unlocked BL
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] decaturbob:
If your base build is after mdk. ..The bootloader is not unlocked and only recovery available to u is safe strap better do some research.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] reaper2666:
That is precisely why i asked, as i couldn't find anything on a solid way to identify it as being unlocked, however other phones from verizon, previously unlockable are being unlocked with the same bootloader functionality, eg razr HD, razr M, i know they are different but perhaps it will be possible to unlock the bootloader fully again...oneday
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] pego99:
Is it possible to install the supersu without installing safestrap?

The safestrap link warns about boot looping if the phone has encryption on.

How do I know if I have encryption on?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] k1mu:
That's wrong. That application doesn't set SELinux to permissive because it's not possible, at least starting with MJ7, to do that.

The permissive mode flag does nothing useful any longer as the kernel basically ignores it.

Edit: Hmm. Reading this, maybe the permissive flag actually does block something that Safestrap uses. I have Safestrap 3.72 working without it, but I had to decompile and edit it to get 3.72 to work. So, ignore the above as it's probably wrong. Rule#1: read first, post next. My bad.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] tech_head:
The lock you see, means that the phone has been tampered with.

You can use Xposed and Wanam to make it look like the phone has not been modified when it boots.

Me, I don't care, since I have safestrap installed.

Xposed and Wanam are good for some additional tweaks to personalize your phone. :D

The bootloader was never "fully" unlocked.

The MDK bootloader could be tricked by the Loki exploit but you could never replace the bootloader or modify it away from that version and not have the device locked down.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] vzwnexus:
if you don't know if encryption is on, it's probably not on. you would've had to turn it on. you can download the file and extract the supersu update and install it without SS. there's no need for SS unless you plan on installing a different rom. hope that helps! :good:
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] npjohnson:
I know exactly what you are talking about, but didn't want to overcomplicate things (:

I know it doesn't "actually" change it, but I think that the kernel having the "Enforcing" flag causes unmodified SafeStrap to freak out due to it (SafeStrap) thinking that SELinux is going to try to eradicate it? Idk. Just an idea.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] npjohnson:
OP Updated with Instructions on that.... (:
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] npjohnson:
Plus if you will read the OP I said in the beginning that if you want 4.3 upgrade to MK2 instead of NC5. (If you think I edited it after I talked to you, check the editing log) I just said in the thread that I RECCOMEND NC5, but also provide MK2 Tar files.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] pego99:
I couldn't get the new normal method to work as I could not find the app directory so I downloaded the zip file to the phone unzipped and installed the supersu and restarted the phone undated supersu but noticed that I lost root so I ran towelroot again and got root back and supersu is installed and up to date.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] loveubuntu:
Safestrap 3.72 KK (the ATT version we should use) did not work for me wthout the SeLinux Permissive setting. Downloaded the app changed setting and worked on first attempt. Thanks.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] pjrmax403:
wifi tether

Is there a way to wifi tether without using safestrap?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Hitch_Itch:
FoxFI has always worked, never needed root either
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Zelmo88:
Yes.....see this thread by Surge1223: Surge's Tether Unlock

Download the NC5 fix at the top of the OP and use the "alternate" install method listed a little further down in the OP. Follow instructions carefully!
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Jwezesa:
I keep getting a notification for SE for android has been turned off?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] npjohnson:
You can use the Wanam Xposed Module (Not Wanam kit!) and check the Permissive setting under security hacks, as this one used WITH the other app with hide that notif.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] pego99:
What is SE for android?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Nergal di Cuthah:
Is the newly updated superSU in App store the version needed? 2.0 (says fixes binary updates)
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Sir_Eagle:
Yes, that's the one to get now.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] pego99:
If you are already rooted why do you need supersu? What does it do?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Nergal di Cuthah:
it (or other SU) tells your phone what apps require SuperUser access

What is SuperUser?: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_user
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] spotrevoc:
You definitely want to disable Knox. Knox notifications are what trip the permanent warranty void counter on your phone. Disabling that is a must when rooting.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] wavedashdoc:
I have yet to disable Knox and I have not tripped the counter through superSU or Safestrap.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Nergal di Cuthah:
2 different things. knox-counter tripping only happens if the bootloader is changed or messed with; the Knox you should disable is user end and if not disabled will likely disable your root access.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Jraider44:
Don't know if this has been mentioned already regarding safestrap. For those who don't want to download the permission changer, and already have a terminal emulator installed. You can type the flowing commands to adjust SE Linux:

su

setenforce 0

That's permissive mode, and to go back to enforcing (for whatever reason) use:

su

setenforce 1
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] npjohnson:
Only temporary....

That fix is not persistent across reboot like the permission changer is....
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Jraider44:
Did not know that... Thanks for watching out!
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] coopman999:
I did as described in the OP. I missed the part where i was supposed to flash the supersu file in SS, instead i downloaded the market version. It updated the binary successful. then i saw the post. downloaded the file and flashed the supersu file in SS. had to reinstall supersu from the market and again it was successful in updating the Binary. I am on version 2.0. Just wanted to share that. Seems to work fine. Was this somehow incorrect?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] ky5ever:
Root is not sticking when you flash ROMs

In a way Im really hoping Im not the only one this is happening to, but when I root using towelroot on stock Verizon 4.4.2, I then install safestrap (along with all the SELinux permissive mode changing and SuperSU1.99r5 zip off Chainfire's own website) and proceed to flash Hyperdrive.

I wiped everything, then flashed Hyperdrive>SuperSU1.99r5>WiFi fix>NC5 modem in that order, and it boots fine.....

but....

I have no root access. Absolutely no root access. Opening SuperSU says it cant install the binary at all and thats a bad thing.

So I figured that you somehow lose root when you wipe and flash. So I reinstalled towelroot and ran it. It doesnt reboot like its supposed to. Its like Hyperdrive patches whatever root exploit is needed to get Hyperdrive even running. It caused a lot of problems.

Soooo....I rebooted into Safestrap, wiped everything, then restored my NC5 stock rooted backup. Technically it was MK2 with the NC5 OTA, but I didnt think that mattered....but maybe it does, because then WiFi not only wouldnt work, but KNOX was blocking it, like it was malicious code to turn on the WiFi radio. Bluetooth and mobile data worked.

Granted, I did NOT flash the wifi fix or the NC5 modem. That probably wouldve solved everything. But youre not supposed to have to do that. Stock should just be stock.

So, Im currently downloading the NC5 emergency full wipe to flash in ODIN. Will report back if it does work.

I dont know if its just something I did or what, but y'all might wanna stay away from Hyperdrive for the moment, maybe...
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Zelmo88:
The market version of SuperSU was just updated to v2.0. The version in the OP file is now outdated, since it's v1.99r5. OP needs to be updated to just install SuperSU from the Market, rather than use the "old" one in the link.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] decaturbob:
This thread not about any rom install..If u have issues you should post in the hd thread.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] travisjshepherd:
I'm having some issues after using the previous root method (SS 4.4.2 in stock slot). Can I odin back with no wipe stock 4.3 and use this method?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] decaturbob:
This is for kitkat...4.4
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] travisjshepherd:
sorry I was unclear, I realize it's for 4.4. I meant go back to MK2 using the no wipe files, take the ota to NC5 & then use towelroot? or do I have to do a full wipe odin?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Nergal di Cuthah:
[member='travisjshepherd']In the old method you used, does it keep the bootloader from MK2 and just adds 4.4 as an alternative OS? If so I believe yes you can, though don't take my word for it ask at the thread for the old method.

Though I'd suggest using fullwipe
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] travisjshepherd:
That thread was closed earlier today.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] ky5ever:
Im sorry if I wasnt clear, but that post wasnt about Hyperdrive. Thats why I had a title. Its about root not working on NC5, or at least, it does work, but its not permanent.

This has been the case for every ROM I install.

This is about root on NC5. It works, but only on stock ROM, as far as Im seeing.

I know it was possible to do some trickery and keep root when updating froom MK2 to NC5, but this is about a full copy of unrooted NC5 getting rooted.

Again, Im sorry if I wasnt clear, but thats what I meant. Hyperdrive may need to be updated, and I will contact them, but I wasnt talking about Hyperdrive itself.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Jpmoo:
Same thing happened to me, without having flashed the wifi fix. I was on NC5. I ran Towelroot again (it froze), restarted the phone manually, and had root on reboot.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] coltonwood:
Anyone want to give some steps to get the Google Edition ROM running for us on NC5 rooted with safestrap? They fixed the issues with paid apps and chrome crashing so I'm def interested in running this.

edit: this ROM apparently involved Odin flashing some files and that confused me with the ATT instructions

edit edit: jk on the first edit, was looking at the wrong install instructions.

From the install instructions thread found here, it says:

so i should follow this exactly, BUT INSTEAD i would use the verizon nc2 or nc5 modules instead of ATT, correct?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] danveB:
I would also love to get the gpe rom for safestrap in nc5
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Rick299:
can not connect phone to computer

Everything works great with my rooted nc5 and safestrap except when I try and connect my phone to the computerer it just keeps rebooting. Any ideas?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] ky5ever:
You could, but as of right now the modem doesn't want to work properly. Good to see they fixed the paid apps thing, but a few people, myself included, had problems with the phone process crashing repeatedly as soon as the phone boots up. Only way to stop it is use airplane mode. And the wifi wasn't turning on for some people. But that may just require the nc5 wifi patch. Also, make sure you reboot a few times after initial setup. That seems to get root working again.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] coltonwood:
Doesn't sound quite reliable enough for me to try yet. Thanks for the heads up though! Think I'm going to flash BlueBox and see how it runs. Seems like a nice alternative to true AOSP from what I've seen.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] k1mu:
You can ONLY run Touchwiz ROMs with Safestrap. Trying to flash a GE ROM is probably going to brick your phone as it won't work with the stock kernel, and you can't update the kernel.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] coltonwood:
I understand that but OP claims to have gotten it up and running and the link he provided for the Google Edition ROM that is safestrap compatible has multiple users (ATT and Verizon) that have run this ROM on safestrap.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] k1mu:
Ah, OK. It's not a Google Edition ROM, then - it's someone's port from that to Touchwiz. Well, you're on extremely thin ice, but if you're willing to try, go for it. I'd personally wait for a working, supported version of Safestrap before I tried anything that ambitious.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] coltonwood:
Yeah I will take that advice. Just wondering the steps people took to get it to work but I think i'm just going to flash BlueBox tonight to hold me over until that day comes. Thanks for the word of caution :)
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] elliwigy:
i dont think geo likes when ppl hotlink his work.. should just include the www.towelroot.com as it gets ppl to his site and they have a way to donate etc instead of straight apk download
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Kelseer:
So I have safestrap installed, and superuser and all of that. But when I try and run the Safestrap app after booting up, it crashes.

This has me kind of worried for updating it when an update that allows Rom Slots comes out...Is this normal behavior and I'm misreading something?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] k1mu:
This has been discussed in multiple threads. There's no supported version of Safestrap for the VZ phone running 4.4.2.

If you're going to use Safestrap 3.72, you'll need to disable selinux first. Either open a root shell and use "setenforce 0" or run the SELinux Mode Changer app from the app store.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Nergal di Cuthah:
Ok I've read through both threads on towel and I'm sure I'm just missing the answers.

First quick stats:

Vzw I545 (GS4), haven't taken the plunge to NC5 quite yet. No need for roms/straps/hypers. Looking only toward xposed/adblock/titanium-backup/root-requiring-app-use.

Questions

After root success do we leave towel root installed? Does it uninstall itself?

Are there any major (root based) bugs in the phone's usage. I see a lot if radio issues in this thread, but am pretty sure they all relate to strap/hyper; am I correct in that assumption?

I'm currently rooted on MK2 via the chinese method (sorry [member='k1mu']) and found mtkcamera running weeks after (luckly was warned it was a Potentially Unwanted Program) Has anyone found any PUP running after this root?

I think that's all my questions and am relatively certain I have not seen the answers to these (at least not searchably found nor seen in reading of them).

Oh and one general question; can someone point me at a feature comparision of 4.3 vs 4.4 on the S4
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Kelseer:
Thanks! I forgot about the selinux app when I tried opening Safestrap again.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] k1mu:
You can uninstall it after rooting. It does not uninstall itself.

Yes. This root program is like any other - install it, it sets up su and that's it. Stability problems come from what you do after rooting. For example, I used to install the xposed framework and wanam, but I found that made my phone crash way too often. You can't blame what you do after you root on the program that you use to root.

Apology unnecessary. If you use that program now to root MK2, I'd be very disappointed. At the start, that was the only choice. :)

I've not seen anyone reporting unexpected things happening after installing Towelroot. Geohot's reputation makes it rather unlikely that it does anything other than what it says. I will say that I haven't dissected the .apk, but I've no reason to doubt it.

I'd like to see that myself.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] cobra7361:
My wife's phone she took the OTA..

When towelroot came out I rooted her phone and installed ss and xposed and few otherthings..

I never had to change permission... I figured I would but works great..

I did a backup and everything ...why is this?..I see most that took OTA and have to change permissions
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Nergal di Cuthah:
Never mind didn't see "ss" as safestrap duh
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] SpecterXP:
Do you know if loki doki recovery will work with this root method? I want to install the KOT49H 4.4.3 GPE ROM and that requires loki doki and not SafeStrap.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] pego99:
I am happy. My S4 nc5 is rooted and I can run titanium backup.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] ALD3:
Towelroot v2 doesn't need to set permissions. So you must've used v2
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] cobra7361:
Used the towelroot that was the first release.....day 1..

Didn't know there was a version 2
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Pmmac:
Did you, or anyone, get this to work? Interested if it will.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] coltonwood:
I never ended up trying it, got nervous lol! Heard too many things about it being sketchy. But some people have claimed it's working so it definitely still interested. Would love a GPE device on Verizon :)
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] BiigMe:
So I get to the step where you move SuperSU to the system app folder but I'm getting an error that es can't move it because it's saying the device is read only so I assume the root didn't work. Anyone know what's going on here?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] -Lawless:
I just downloaded the app from the playstore and ran it.

Didn't move it anywhere.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] danveB:
Will LiquidSmooth v3.0 work in Safestrap NC5 4.4.2?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Nergal di Cuthah:
needs to be asked in the safestrap thread
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] dm1105:
No, unfortunately. Please read OP's original post. In it, you'll find the following list:
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Haligan:
Thanks to all that got this up and running!!!! I am rooted, safestrap, and SuperSU. Been running great for 6hrs..I have looked at the roms listed. Looking for a more Vanilla rom. Any suggestions?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Hashbang173:
Google edition
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] danveB:
Check Eclipse TW. It is not 4.4.2 yet, but an update will land soon! Thanks to [MENTION=3247702]nitroglycerine33[/MENTION]
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Haligan:
Looks good, I like that it has a lot of the Samsung and other bloatware removed.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] BiigMe:
Quick question about the WiFi tethering, if I already have that in my plan should I add this? Will it allow me to use the teather without costing me data?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Haligan:
I read some about Google edition, anyone running it? Things that don't work?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Leo G:
Pretty sure it won't circumvent data metering of your plan. You will be charged. What it will do is skip the asking of permission to Verizon. It should just turn on without the verifying of account.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Pmmac:
I couldn't get it running. Some error force close type message kept repeatedly popping up even after wiping everything as recommended. Tried it a few times and gave up. Just put eclipse on. Its now updated for kk. Looks and feels like vanilla android.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] jbean924:
If I'm installing the Google edition rom do I need to install a module after
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] wolfgrrl:
Now, I did read this entire thread, but don't see any mention of this.

Can a Custom Recovery be installed after root in order to flash files?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] lazer9:
Just SafeStrap 3.72
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Haligan:
How did the install of Google Edition go? Any problems?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Nergal di Cuthah:
You really should carry this conversation out in the thread dealing with GPE safestrap (or the main Ss thread at least), that's where you'll find help more than here.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Mistertac:
Anything to do with Loki only applies to S4's with the MDK bootloader.

All other builds you can root and only have SafeStrap. Not sure why no one here cleared this up for you yet lol
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] npjohnson:
Read the op!!!

Please read the OP everyone!!!! If I hear another person ask why Loki isn't working on NC5/MK2 I am gonna lose it, for the last time, MDK is the only BL that works with Loki and AOSP/GPE ROMS! And if you read the OP, it has links for MDK users at the beginning of the thread to prevent accidental upgrading!

We can ONLY have SafeStrap, not CWM, not TWRP, not PhilZ Touch, just SafeStrap!!!

GPE & AOSP & AOKP & CM ROMs do not work in SafeStrap Period!!! The closest thing you can have to GPE/AOSP is the beautiful Eclipse 4.0.2 (4.4.2) ROM or the awesome Purified ROM by Googlie.