[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] RickGrimes411:
4.4.4 Google Play Edition running on Verizon S4 i545 NC5 with a locked bootloader and safestrap. Here is how to do it.

**Note** I am not a developer nor did I create anything I linked in this post. I just put together the pieces to make this work on my phone. Read the AT&T ROM thread as there is a lot of good information there. Likely will answer a lot of questions you may have. Good luck ;)

I have added an additional method that I found to be easier than my original. I kept the original instructions below and put the new method up top.

***Warnings***

Softbricking and screwing up APN settings is a very real possibility that will make your phone unusable. Always make backups and know how to use ODIN to restore factory image before attempting.

Do NOT mess with any APN/Cell network settings if everything is working.

The 4.4.3 from JMSQ will attempt to download an OTA. The 4.4.4 ROMS may attempt to download the Lollipop OTA...DO NOT TAKE THESE UPDATES.

Known Issues (See ROM threads for more details about the known issues and fixes. Or lack thereof.)AT&T thread Pure Nexus GPE thread

Play Store paid apps wont install(set SElinux to permissive)

Chrome Force close(set SElinux to permissive)

Wi-Fi won't turn on(Soft restart will fix when this happens until next full reboot. Then you will have to soft restart again to bring it back. **Or** turn off Wi-Fi before full reboot and it will turn on automatically after boot.)

MTP(Does not work...at all. So you cannot transfer files to computer VIA USB. I use ES File explorer to transfer files VIA WiFi

MMS may not be working.(In hangouts go to settings, SMS, Access point names. Enter Verizon for the name and for the MMSC enter "http://mms.vtext.com/servlets/mms" without the quotes. Leave rest default. Reboot and MMS should be working.) Other messaging apps may be different but the same basic idea applies I assume.

Software update OTA notification Not really a bug/issue. But it is annoying and you DO NOT want to take this OTA. Press and hold on the notification. Open app properties and un-check notifications. This will stop it until your next reboot.

Install Instructions

Method #1

1. I started with stock factory tar.md5 of NC5. The no-wipe link found here and installed with odin. If your already stock on NC5 probably not necessary but its good to have handy if you need it. I then rooted with towelroot. Then I installed supersu, busybox from playstore(both required for Safestrap) and then Safestrap.

2. Download either Pure Nexus Edition or Google Play Edition from this thread to a computer. Both are 4.4.4

3. Download this ROM Zip to a computer.***This is not a Safestrap compatible ROM DO NOT FLASH THIS ZIP EVER!!!!!!****. Extract ZIP and copy build.prop from /system folder to your computer. Then copy apns-conf.xml from /system/etc folder to computer.

4. Now that you pulled out build.prop and apns files delete that ROM zip from step 3 so there is no confusion.

5. Using 7-zip replace the build.prop and apns-conf.xml in the Pure Nexus or GPE zip you downloaded in step 2 with the files you pulled in step 3. This way you have Verizon compatible files in the ROM you are flashing. This allows the phone to connect to VZW network.

5. Get the wifi modules appropriate for you phone and the latest flashable supersu zip

6. Copy the ROM, modules and supersu files to your phone

7. Reboot your phone into safestrap, wipe everything and flash ROM then modules then supersu.

8. Reboot and boot into the new ROM. Once it loads up let it sit a bit and reboot again. Then do a hot reboot if your wifi wont turn on.

9. Make sure you have root and get SELinux to permissive.

Method #2 the OG

1. I started with stock factory tar.md5 of NC5. The no-wipe link found here and installed with odin. If your already stock on NC5 probably not necessary but its good to have handy if you need it. I then rooted with towelroot. Then I installed supersu, busybox from playstore(both required for Safestrap) and then Safestrap.

2. I copied apns-conf.xml from the /etc directory on my phone to my download folder on my phone(this file contains all the settings needed to connect to Verizon's network and is vital for this to work for Verizon phones).

3. Plugged phone into computer and copied apns-conf.xml from the download folder on my phone to my computer.

4. Downloaded 4.4.3 zip from here on to your computer. MAKE SURE YOU GET THE 4.4.3 one.

5. Download and install 7-zip on computer

6. On computer create a new folder on your desktop and name it “etc”(without quotes). Move apns-conf.xml copied from phone to your computer in step 3 into this new etc folder

7. Right click on the 4.4.3 zip downloaded in step 4 and choose to open archive with 7-zip

8. Once open in 7-zip, open system folder. Open etc folder. Delete apns-conf.xml.

9. Back up one directory so the system folder is open again in 7-zip. Drag and drop the etc folder(from step 6 which contains the apns-conf from factory) from your desktop into the system folder in 7-zip. This will add the apns-conf to the etc folder in the flashable zip. See this for more details about altering flashable zip files.

10. Copy this zip with the new apns-conf.xml to your external SD card on your phone. Download NC5 module zip from here and put this on your external SD card as well(The NC5 module zip is important for WiFi to function).

11. Reboot phone into safestrap. I used stock slot because the rom slots are not working. !!!WIPE!!! and flash zip copied to phone in step 10. Also be sure to flash NC5 module for Wi-Fi after flashing the ROM.

12. Reboot from safestrap and continue to boot into the newly flashed ROM.

13. Then install and run towelroot.apk found at towelroot.com to attain root. Install SELinuxModeChanger from playstore and set to permissive (without this chrome force closes and play store has issues with paid apps)

14. Data connected but showed 3g. After a reboot this cleared up on its own and showed LTE. Guessing it pulled the needed information from the APN file on reboot.

Update to 4.4.4 Instructions

1. Download 4.4.4 zip from here. Make sure you get the 4.4.4 link.

2. Again I replaced the apns-conf file with the one I pulled from my stock ROM. Follow steps 6 through 9 above but with the 4.4.4 zip downloaded(unsure if this is necessary but i did it anyway)

3. Make sure your NC5 module zip is still handy and Download SuperSu 2.01.zip here(Make sure to use the flashable zip link. This zip is key to attaining root after flashing this update. Without this SElinux mode changer will not run and set to SElinux to permissive and you will have a bad time :(

4. Transfer all three of these to external card on phone

5. Reboot to safestrap no need to wipe

6. Choose install and flash the 4.4.4 update zip. Then flash the SuperSu zip. Flash NC5 module again.

7. Reboot and let apps update

8. Verify SuperSu installed and that you still have root

Enjoy 4.4.4 GPE on Verizon S4.

HUGE Thanks to

Hashcode

Surge1223

Chainfire

jmsq

jamal2367

You all get all the credit here. I just put it all together in one post for my fellow Verizon folks.

DOWNLOADS

NC5 tar.md5 http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2735172

Safestrap 3.72 http://xdaforums.com/devdb/project/?id=680#downloads

Safestrap 3.75 http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2793891

JMSQ AT&T 4.4.3 ROM and 4.4.4 update http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2767026

Pure Nexus & Google Play Edition

NC5 Module http://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=23486521113837640

SuperSU flashable ZIP http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1538053