yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] ATGkompressor:
You have to Odin flash nc5 stock kernel. Run towel root. Odin flash nk1 stock kernel. In that order. No other way to root nk1...
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] zounduser:
Is NK1 the latest firmware update?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] ATGkompressor:
Yup
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] bhead9318:
Oh boy.

So I started with stock NK1 from the last OTA update. Followed the kernel switch process to NC5 and back to NK1, was able to get towelroot working just fine (thank you OP, it worked beautifully). Installed busybox and then safestrap 3.72 and was able to create a rom-slot and install JFLTE-GPE. Once it rebooted it just booted right back to the stock slot (although SS still said rom-slot1 was active) and it wouldn't connect to a cell signal. I looked into the about section and noticed the baseband said unknown. Went back into SS, changed active back to stock slot and phone booted just fine back into stock and connected to a cell signal. I noticed the SE status was enforced the entire time - the setenforce 0 method didn't work for me in terminal and the SELinuxChanger app in the app store didn't work either.

Today I decided to see if I could revert my now-rooted NK1 back to NC5 so I could change the SE status to permissive so I could install JFLTE-GPE. I used the no-wipe NC5 file from the thread you linked in this post and once it rebooted from Odin it got caught in a bootloop for a few minutes and then gave me a repeated android.process.acore and android.process.media error that wouldn't go away. I attempted to flash the NC5 kernel with Odin to my phone again just to make sure it wasn't corrupted, got the same acore and media errors. Decided to flash the NK1 kernel for sh*t's and giggles and it wouldn't even get past the samsung logo (absolutely expected though seeing as the software was NC5).

Just finished flashing the NK1_HOME.tar.md5 and my phone appears to be back to normal without any data loss. Well, that was fun. Does anyone have any idea how to downgrade back to NC5 to allow the SE status to be permissive without losing any data?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] ATGkompressor:
When u flash the no wipe nc5 tar. U have to boot back into stock recovery and do a factory data reset. So the no wipe tar is pointless. Try the full wipe tar. I did same thing. Flashed no wipe tar. Acore fc'd repeatedly. Stock recovery did a factory data reset which took forever. But that's what u gotta do.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] bryantravieso90:
Data is super slow after this root. 4G and I'm used to super fast at where I'm located, but now it's slow as molasses.

Anyone else have data speed trouble after doing this? Any fix?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] JhnGC:
newbie version?

Got it. Would recommend newbies like me look up odin and Samsung drivers.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Jraider44:
Thanks [MENTION=4708661]muniz_ri[/MENTION] ... Worked perfectly.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] welsh4522:
This is my first android and I'm totally utterly confused. If someone could explain how to root step by step please. I know how to turn on USB debugging mode and that is the extent of my knowledge. I have the nk1 4.4.2. I don't know if I'm posting this in the correct place but any help would be great. Thanks.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] LB1125:
Look at the first post of this thread...
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] JhnGC:
Are you sure you have this version of the galaxy4? About Phone should tell you. Look up Odin for a guide with pics so you can see how its used. Install Samgung drivers. Look at the first post for specific steps and files. This is tougher than phones that use one click versions. You have to temporarily replace the kernel with one that can exploited for root access, rooting, and then restoring the kernel.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Mtrott59:
Success!

Thank you am now fully rooted and enloying my new s4 without the bloat. Donation coming soon....:good::laugh:
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] welsh4522:
I have no clue what I did but now odin wont detect my phone and my phone keeps turning on and off by itself. Help please.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] meazz1:
Most likely bad usb cable.

Change the cable, if you are using an usb extension change that too.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] welsh4522:
I tried a different usb cable and it detects it but it is still turning on and off by itself. After step three it still say its 1545vrufnki, is it suppose to? When I try to make it rain it says to check internet connection and I tried to turn on the wifi and it wont let me. How do I fix this? thanks.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] JhnGC:
hmmm usb rivers installed I assume. I didnt play around because during the temporary kernel change the system can be weird. download mode, kernel change (mark pda slot), towel shouldnt need internet, download mode, change kernel back.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] crystalpc:
Your baseband is probably 1545vrufnk1, that is the modem not the kernel. Try odin back to NK1 and see if your phone stops cycling. If it does, then you need to make sure that you have everything ready to root. Odin back to NC5 and root, odin back to NK1.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] boomerxyz:
Does this unlock the bootloader (I don't care if it does)? Does it allow you to install a recovery such as twrp or cwm or must you use safestrap as the recovery? I would like to try CM12, but I don't think it is safestrap compatible. I know there have been challenges unlocking the bootloader under the NK1 update, but I'm hoping that has been solved. I haven't found a method however.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] skyman2112:
Can i just stay on NC5?

NK1 makes the Android kernel drain my battery. From what I hear if I Odin back to NC5 it will act weird. Is there another way to downgrade that's stable?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Sir_Eagle:
No

No

Yes
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] crystalpc:
If you have NK1, Safestrap is the only way to install a recovery. CM12 and many other roms are not SS compatible. The bootloader remains locked.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] 47_MasoN_47:
Anyone looking for a more detailed guide (for example, people like me that haven't rooted a phone in over 3 years), here's a good link. I followed this and got my device rooted successfully.

EDIT: Ugh, XDA won't let me post links. Google "Androidayos root i545vrufnk1 galaxy s4 i545 without tripping knox" and it should be the first result.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] saturnalius:
I followed this method last night and it worked perfectly. I made a safestrap backup and installed on of the safestrap safe roms. When I installed the rom wifi worked but LTE/3g stopped working completely and I lost root access for some reason. So I wiped in safestrap and restored my backup. Now I'm back to NK1 and it is giving me root access and LTE/3g but wifi has stopped working completely. Any ideas on next steps? I would be happy just to get wifi back and stay stock rooted. If it matters the rom I flashed was KITPOP newest version.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] crystalpc:
You can try this wififix, I flash this after every rom install along with superuser.

https://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=23487008491963696
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] skyman.2112:
flashing back to nc5 then rooting, then flash back to NK1 seems to have fixed my problems. The tips were correct it acts crazy when you flash nc5, and you do have to run towelroot more than once, but just drive on and it works fine. Didn't even erase my data amazing! Donation coming...

UPDATE. After 4 days it started draining the battery again one time for no aparrent reason. Tried toggling the wifi and location services with no affect. Might try to flash back to NC5
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Lockett:
The same thing happened to me after flashing KitPop. None of the WiFi fixes would work and lost wifi on all my backups. I ended up having to ODIN back to stock NC5 and start over again.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Tech 4 9:
Troubleshooting:

1. Should the NK1 ota update fail consider updating to NK1 by flashing the I545VRUFNK1_I545VZWFNK1_I545VRUFNK1_HOME.tar then continuing from Step 2 above (flash using Odin's PDA slot (AP in Odin v.3.09+)).

2. When flashing the kernels the most common cause of an Odin flash failure is a bad usb port or cable. Please check before reporting an issue.

3. Should your device bootloop after downgrading the kernel to NC5 wipe cache

Hello all.

I need to update from nc5 to nk1 but the above file downloads from filehost as a rar file and isn't selectable in odin. Any help is appreciated.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] dgutierrez04:
You need to unzip it. For u to see the .tar file.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] cambolito:
Help on gaining root (1st time) AND Installing Safestrap (NK1)

Hello XDA Community,

I am new to rooting and have some questions about my go at rooting. Most of the folks who have responded to this thread already have root and are able to back-up phone data (just in case) before following the OP (Muniz_ri) steps to upgrade and retain root. I on the other hand do not and have never had root.

My Info:

Android 4.4.2

Build: KOT49H.I5435VRUFNK1

Kernet: 3.4.0 dpi@SWDD6215 #1

SE for Android Status: Enforcing

My Goals for root:

Freeze/Remove Bloat

Get Safestrap Installed so I can make custom backups (unless...is there a way to make custom back-ups without root?)

Possibly use free tether

Possibly try a custom rom

I'm confident that this method will work to get me root access and get me back to NK1 (I've read the entire thread and see all the satisfied customers). However, since I do not already have Safestrap installed and do not already have root I want to ask if there are some additional steps I need to take to be able to install busybox/safestrap.

Questions:

1. Can I install busybox/safestrap without getting root to backup my phone data prior to following the Muniz_ri steps? (I think no)

2. If no, does installing busybox/safestrap require me to change SE for Android Setting to permissive?

3. If so, do I need to do that between steps 4 and 5 (I'm on nc5 kernel and have made it rain but haven't odin flashed back to nk1) or can I complete all steps and install safestrap while back on nk1? (I've read that the ability to change SE Android setting may have been removed in NK1).

This is my first post on XDA so if the additional requirement of my questions is too off topic please let me know and I'll remove and re-post in a new thread.

Thanks in advance for your help, all.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] joecop67:
You are in the same situation I am in, except I have installed safestrap and made a backup of my rom. I want to try flashing hyperdrive but I am not sure I can, I don't want to brick it.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Tech 4 9:
From a fellow newbie, welcome to the root game! I'm only about 15 minutes ahead of you as I started this gratifying (and addicting) odyssey News Years eve night and you have given me a opportunity to give back.

Lets get to it:

My initial goals for root were the same: get rid of bloat and stop apps from turning on my data as THEY wanted. I tip-toed into this not interested in ROMs or kernels as much as control and security. Freezing apps was unsatisfactory for me as it still interfered with the operation of the phone (forced closes) and removing either yielded same or worse. You have to remember these are google/verizon phones for the most part which means they HAVE to retain certain software to operate (eg..locked bootloader).

Where you're at sounds like you need to odin back to nk1 then install root checker to make sure you're rooted. If so next is SuperSU. then install Busy Box. I suggest getting pro versions of both as you will have these as long as your rooted. Let free busy box do its thing then the pro version. SuperSU will prolly need binaries updated and Mount namespace separation un-ticked, do so and reboot.

After SuperSU and BB get settled you're ready for Safe Strap 3.75. Download it from XDA link only, open it, install recovery, reboot to recovery. This is your new CUSTOM recovery, not to be confused with your STOCK recovery which is yellow, blue with dead android.

Next I believe Titanium Backup is in order. Pro version as well here. I would suggest a custom ROM as its a win-win. Stock ROMs are around 2.5gig and my custom rom is basically the stock rom without bloat at 1gig. So you are saving memory AND its way easier that trying to remove/freeze apps on stock rom.

I TRUST ANY SENIOR MEMBERS WILL CORRECT ANY MISS INFO HERE. As stated I'm super new to exactly what you're about to embark on. I spent 10hrs last night bringing phone back to life from "medium brick?" for the umpteenth time because I was "just trying stuff" (note* If you partition for 1 gig and your rom is 2.6gig.........you're gonna have a bad day : ) BUT...every time I have a nail-biting all nighter: 1) It all gets easier and more understood 2) The installs and file management gets better (after brick restore last night I pretty much doubled both sd and exSD memory...just from learning) As we used to say in the RC helicopter game: "If you aint crashin'....you ain't flyin'"
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] biikman:
worked great for me, although I've noticed that I am getting a "e: could not mount /systemorig after I flash a rom, restore etc. (which work fine)

no idea if it is a safestrap issue, phone issue or what..
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] cambolito:
Thanks Tech 4 9

Thanks much for the detailed answer and the advice Tech 4 9!

So as long as I have root (and SuperSU installed) on the NK1_Stock_kernel I should be able to install Busybox and Safestrap without any issue (regardless of my SE for Android Status)?

Before I begin I think I'll take your advice and investigate different ROMs to see if that might be better/easier than going it alone with Titanium Backup and freezing and removing the bloat.

Thanks again!
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Tech 4 9:
Yes don't worry about SE settings for now. You might investigate Empty Galaxy ROM by contributer Reggie Cheeks. It's a "emptied" version of the stock and it's been easy and good (stable) for me as new as I am.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Jraider44:
[MENTION=4708661]muniz_ri[/MENTION] you mention that we can downgrade back to NC5 from NK1...

To do this is it simply using the NC5 no-wipe file, or emergency repair? Do I need to flash the NC5 kernel?

I know how to ODIN and everything, just a little unsure of the files I need to use...

Thanks!
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Tech 4 9:
I think if you just want to towel root you just odin flash nc5 kernel, towel root, then odin back to nk1. If you want to fully go back to nc5 you flash the nc5 home tar. just like the kernel. The home tar should be around 2.5gig as its the whole stock firmware bloat and all. Fully going back to nc5 may not be that simple so research it.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] cnguitarist:
Kernel links not working?

Is it just me or does anyone else have an issue trying to download the kernel files from these links? They are the ones specified in the intro to this thread...

https://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=95747613655046175

https://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=95832962473396020
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Tech 4 9:
Android file host has been pretty trustworthy for me in the whopping 6 weeks I've been in the root game. The one time I had trouble I'm pretty sure I needed to update my Microsoft Security essentials on my pc. It said it was updated but when I clicked on check for updates it found more. Since then no troubles. Try to use the "primary" downloads as opposed too "mirrors"..although those to have worked for me.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] cnguitarist:
Here's the screenshot of where it takes me when I try clicking on either of the two links...
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Tech 4 9:
I just went to both on my phone and they were correct. If on pc maybe a browser issue...? Kinda looks like a browser hijacker. Don't click on any if that. If pc is suspect consider restoring to day (or just hour or two) before you tried downloads...? Downloading to phone over Wi-Fi is easier IMHO.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] ATGkompressor:
My recommendation is this: Odin flash the stock nc5 kernel; install towel root and "make it rain"(root); Odin back to nk1 stock kernel.

After you've successfully completed the above steps, give your phone a couple of days to see if there are any issues that arise before going on to safestrap/custom Rom.

If you are satisfied after a couple days of running stock rooted, Odin flash the full-wipe nc5 .tar.md5. If u flash the no-wipe .tar.md5, upon boot, process com.android.acore will relentlessly force close and you will have to do a factory reset to regain control. So...it's best to just skip the headache and do a full wipe Odin flash. If u have any trouble with Wi-Fi/Bluetooth/NFC, ODIN flash the stock nc5 kernel. *(The latter has not been an issue, that I'm aware of, but...you never know.)

Again, run it on nc5 stock rooted for a day or two and see if there are any issues.

If u are still satisfied, install ver.3.75-A03 Safestrap.apk and hit install recovery. But first, be sure you have downloaded and INSTALLED busybox (latest version is 1.23.1 I believe. And is available on play store.)

From there, it's all up to you as far as what Rom you want. For now, u can only install NC5 based, Touchwiz 4.4.2 ROMs, with the exception of one Google Play Edition ROM that's quite buggy so I don't suggest u jump in that. But there are a few good ones that are very stable and lighting fast. I'm running HYPERDRIVE RLS20, and it is insanely fast and customisable.

Feel free to hit me up if u have any questions. I've been flashing with safestrap for a while now and have built a keen knowledge for how to work my way around this locked bootloader and get good results.

But here's a bit of advice. Search the forums, read, search the forums, read, search the forums, and read some more. If u don't find the answer, there probably isn't one if u searched good enough.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] bparent:
Hey muniz_rim,

I have 4.2.2 SCHI545 ME7 and am rooted. Can I use Odin to flash I545VRUFNK1_I545VZWFNK1_I545VRUFNK1_HOME.tar (flash using Odin's PDA slot (AP in Odin v.3.09+)) then continuing from Step 2 above. I don't have safestrap on ME7. Do I need it?

Thanks.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Tweeter83:
Almost working.....

So I finally got tired of seeing the NK1 OTA update pushed to my phone (s4) on a daily basis.... and figured it was time to upgrade. Followed the OP to the t.... and I am now on NK1 with root.... but my only problem is that Knox keeps trying to set up about 30 seconds after my phone boots, gives it about 2 minutes of effort before force rebooting. I'm going to try doing this over again, just thought it was weird that everything worked as it was supposed to except for Knox power booting me..... Any ideas what I did wrong?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] ATGkompressor:
Gotta let superSU disable Knox after updating the binary.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Tweeter83:
I got to the SuperSu and it prompted to update the binary, problem is KNOX reboots before it gets a chance to finish...... any suggestions? As of right now I got a phone that continually reboots because of KNOX...

EDIT: So after attempting this about five or six times.... finally opened TB and froze all files related to knox..... not sure if that was the intent but after looking back at the SuperSU I didn't see any options to disable KNOX.... either way, TB fix seems to have worked for me so far. Has stopped rebooting continuously and I can actually use my phone....
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] ATGkompressor:
SU has always prompted me to disable Knox after updating the binary. Upon which it would always hang at the disabling Knox indeterminate spinner. Killing su then going back in would prompt it again, then it would work. Check your play store for automatic updates to security policy and turn that off. I know that they recently updated the security policy so that could b a contributing factor.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] 1Xfan:
SafeStrap issue... maybe?

Uhg :)

Did I miss something in the thread? Everything went well optaining root (thank you!)

Safe Strap says it's installed, but booting into SS hangs for a sec on the S4 splash then just reboots.

I installed 3.75-3, busy box, and superSU's latest. TiBu works fine. I just can't boot into SS recovery(?):eek:
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] ATGkompressor:
Download SELinuxModeChanger from play store, grant # privileges, and tap permissive, reboot.

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2905885

There u should find support for Safestrap rather than here.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] 1Xfan:
Thank you for the advice and support!

I am very happy just to be able to prune out the stock bloat. But I'll be even happier to flash a custom ROM.

I was thinking about Safe Strap, and maybe I should have installed it before I ODINed from NC5 to NK1 kernel(?):p
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Tech 4 9:
Safestrap is our only option I'm pretty sure...till they get bootloader unlocked. You should be fine installing SS after nk1 flash. That's how I've always done it. You might check out Empty Galaxy ROM by contributer Reggie Cheeks. I've been running it from its start and love it. It's basically a debloated stock rom.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] 1Xfan:
No joy ;-(

The SELinux mode changer did set to permissive, rebooted. then I tried SS with same results... bummer.

---------- Post added at 07:38 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:28 PM ----------

Yeah man! I like Reggies work. That will be the one ROM I'm going to flash first. I am happy to read he is focusing his work on the S4 VZW!

Now if I could just get SS to boot into custom recovery...
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Tech 4 9:
As a hail-mary, try a app from ps called Quick Boot. It solved a issue I was having.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Tech 4 9:
Works for me
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] 1Xfan:
Thanks, but I can get that done using Xposed/ wanam 4 way power menu. Unless that will get me into SS custom recovery? Doubtful

Sent from my SM-N900V
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Tech 4 9:
It takes you to stock recovery first then SS.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] 1Xfan:
I will give it a shot then. Thank you ?

Sent from my SM-N900V
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] 1Xfan:
Oh man! I figured out why SS wasn't working even though it said "installed successfully". I had restored Titanium Backup beforehand, and it had restored the previous SS version :p

I deleted both APK versions, wiped them from the delvik cache, and rebooted. Then I installed the SS3.75-3 afresh and BAM!... I'm in custom recovery. Yeah baby! :victory:

thanks guys for humoring my dumb-@$$:silly:
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Tech 4 9:
Good to know and glad you got it. I told Reggie to expect you. :)
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] ATGkompressor:
I knew it was something to do with tibu. I don't use it. I see to many problems/bugs as a result of it.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] 1Xfan:
TiBu is great! But you have to take the time to learn it.

Most problems are user error. My case in point?

I forgot to delete my 3.72 backup.

Sent from my SM-N900V
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] t-wrench:
I had updated to NK1 via Samsung Kies. Then I used Odin3 v3.10 to flash I545_NC5_Stock_Kernel. Took a few tries before Odin showed success on this (showed "Pass" in upper left corner, but the process happened so quickly - several seconds - that I doubt it actually flashed). And when the phone rebooted, it still shows that it's on NK1. And the phone is constantly freezing, then rebooting.

Should I try flashing NC5 again? Put into download mode and redo?

Or just run Towelroot from the current setup (which shows NK1, but Odin showed Pass on flashing NC5, so I'm not sure)?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Tech 4 9:
Run towel root with Internet connection then flash back to nk1. You won't see the nc5 change in about phone. The nc5 downgrade temporarily running on nk1 software is why it acts goofy. Once rooted and flashed back to nk1 it should be fine. The kernel flashes in odin are quick compared to OS flashes.