yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] t-wrench:
That worked, thanks!

Maybe that should be reflected in the OP, so that people don't panic when they see the phone still shows NK1 after flashing NC5.

So for anyone running into this issue:

1. from an NK1 phone,

2. flash NC5

3. phone will still show NK1 and might be rebooting itself - disregard that, and run Towelroot

4. flash NK1 (I found that both NC5 and NK1 flashes had to be repeated multiple times in Odin before it successfully flashed)

5. download SuperSU, chose to disable Knox - phone just stayed on that screen and I rebooted, back to SuperSU and it mentioned disabling Knox, and I chose Yes and it disabled right away
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] TavonDemere:
Hi i had a quick question, Does any of this help when trying to get free wifi tether using verizon gs4 with tmobile?

---------- Post added at 10:56 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:34 PM ----------

Hey! Do you think all this would work if I was using a different phone service (in particularly tmobile)
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Tech 4 9:
Not sure about T-mobile phone. I use x-tether module in xposed for hotspot.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] fauxden:
so I successfully rooted the phone. SuperSU is working. Now what is the step I need to take to start flashing some custom roms? I was looking at the video that instructed using GooManager, but I don't see goomanager on the play store. Can someone point me in the right direction? thanks very much.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Tech 4 9:
With our locked bootloader safestrap is our only recovery which limits the roms that will work for us. The only one I have experience with is Empty Galaxy by contributer Reggie Cheeks. Your next step is busybox then safestrap 3.75 then you can flash.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] fauxden:
Thanks,

so this is a stupid question I guess, but what is the point then to rooting- if we can't flash any fancy new roms?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Tech 4 9:
From what I gather (I'm new to this) ours is a cruddy situation. Locked bootloader, limited to safestrap which limits SS compatible roms. I was a bit disappointed too but I think work is underway for us. If the devs get bootloader unlocked then we can use different custom recoveries and therefore different roms.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] mkglitzman:
From what I'm able to gather, the bootloader was never fully unlocked. The MDK users had LOKI which used an exploit in the firmware to bypass the bootloader lock.

It really is a cruddy situation. SS Relies on the current TW dump for devs to be able to extract kernel modules specific for the device. Without these modules, we wouldn't be able to load a custom rom and get data and wifi among other things.

Also, from what I understand Hashcode isn't even supporting SS for our device anymore. Someone else managed to compile a build, but it's got its quirks.

I'm not even sure that we'll even be able to get Lollipop roms running on SS when Samsung finally releases the update...
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] rickog12:
Still not rooted

I did all the steps to root my device and still is not rooted. I dont make sence.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] aksaunders:
I can't get custom recovery to install with Safestrap 3.75. Did you do anything special?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Tech 4 9:
Make sure SuperSU and busybox are installed properly and

configured properly THEN install SS 3.75.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] TavonDemere:
Can we get unlimited tethering with the empty galaxy rom?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Tech 4 9:
Not sure about "unlimited" but no, not from rom. I use x-tether in xposed.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] tshelby73:
Ask in the empty galaxy ROM thread will be better place to find out. Their is a tether unlock flash for stock nk1. Not sure if it works on empty. It's not unlimited unless you have unlimited data.

Sent from S4 using the better than it was Tapatalk
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] 11pickerelslayer84:
Flashing stock firmware (NK1)

First off a huge THANK YOU to the op and to the other posters adding useful information throughout this thread. I finally rooted my sch-i545 yesterday with the kernel swap method and it worked great. I had originally started this with an unrooted stock NK1 build.

The problem is that I had to do a factory reset in the process to stop the bootloop mayhem, as I could not get towelroot to run in time (forgot to install before flashing, just downloaded..do'h!) and I would like to get my app data back from kies, which is apparently not possible once rooted, and I did not realize that.

My question is, should I unroot through superSU before flashing back to the stock firmware obtained from samsung? Or would I be ok to flash stock firmware (assuming root is lost) obtain my app data from kies, flash back to NC5 , root , and flash NK1 without tripping knox or causing any other unknown issues? Thanks much in advance
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] muniz_ri:
Flash back the NK1 .tar in the OP, restore your data, repeat the kernel swap root method and you are done.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] 11pickerelslayer84:
worked perfectly, thanks again!
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] phiberoptick:
I use xtether xposed mod on my rooted Verizon sgs4 and it works great!

-Ronan
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] raceguy23:
trying alternative safestrap method

I have an S4 for Verizon (SCH-I545 4.4.2 VRUFNK1) the towelroot-v3 method is not working for me. I’ve tried all 3 modstring codes and it does nothing except say the app has quit responding (tap wait or OK). I'd like to try the Alternative Safestrap Method, but I'm a noob at this and I'm getting stuck figuring out how safestrap interacts with my sd card, or how to perform an advanced restore. Is there a vid that I could watch... or could someone who is compassionate enough spell out the steps a little more basic?? Thank you!! :o
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Samsongsung93:
TESTING NK1 ROOT etc..

[/COLOR]

Running SCH -I545 NK1 Build on NK1 Firmware.

I'm a little rusty so forgive me if my terms are not placed properly.

I'm very much accustomed to NC5 so It was quite a headache when I had to deal with the NK1 garbage upon arrival of my replacement S4 (Thank God for Asurion right?)

Anyway, running an SCH-I545 with a 32 GB SanDisk Ultra Class SDHC UHS-1 ....

all stock everything, had downloaded the 3.72 SS APK, and towelroot v3 APK, and SELinux ModeChanger...... Plans are to hget my Hyperdrive RLS20 setup running again! Of course Towelroot v3 wasn't just going to run out the gate with NK1.....

SO

1) Ran the NC5 stock kernel.tar thru Odin's AP port and it flashed successfully in DL mode.

2) After Reboot, installed SELinux ModeChanger, all is well thus far.

3) Installed SafeStrap 3.72 and am currently doing a stock image backup with NK1 sitting in Odin... should a catastrophic failure arise.

****4) SUCCESS! Booting into Hyperdrive RLS20 now... did the backup, went well... followed wipe instructions for RLS20 by sbreen94

5) Setting up ROM currently.... in AROMA installation, one thing to eyeball... when the KERNEL menu shows up, choose Safestrap Kernel... it purportedly is the only thing thats gonna keep your wifi running. otherwise you'll have a flashing nightmare...

6) WILL UPDATE AGAIN

.... lol ya know, if this doesn't work, I'll literally have a brick on my hands considering this Anker 7800 mAh weighs a TON.

Will Update shortly!!!!!!!!
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] jessec59:
I want to thank everyone that has replied to me about the [How-To] Root 1545_NK1 - 4.4.2 (12-1-2014). The problem I am experiencing is my "OLD" Dell Inspiron 5150's HDD went out on me thus I am unable to attempt the root process. To bad there isn't a way to root without one that I know of. I guess I just have to stick with the third party apps for now. I'll keep monitoring the forums to keep up with the information and THANK YOU once again. ?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] punkster1234:
NK1 root

To raceguy23,

I did the towelroot method and it worked on my first try. The directions are below, but there are a couple things (underlined below) that are important points to follow:

1. Take the NK1 OTA update.

1A. Make sure that you've turned on developer usb debugging on your phone.

2. Download and install Towelroot-v3.apk.

Do not run, but make sure it is downloaded, installed and ready to run once NC5 is flashed.

3. Place your phone into "Download Mode" (press and hold the Home, Volume Down, and Power keys until the phone powers on and displays warning screen, then press Volume Up key) and Flash the I545_NC5_Stock_Kernel using Odin's PDA slot(AP in Odin v3.09+).

4. Open Towelroot from your app drawer and press "Make it Rain" to root your device.

5. Power off then boot into "Download Mode" again and flash the I545_NK1_Stock_Kernel also using Odin's PDA slot(AP in Odin v3.09+).

6. Download SuperSU to manage root access. Done!

These were the exact steps I followed and I am rooted on NK1.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Tech 4 9:
(towel root requires network connection. It'll prompt you if not connected so no biggie...just saves a step)
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Shortyred:
Hi I am running on a 1545 Verizon galaxy s4, my build # was NG6 when I got the phone and it was un rooted. My carrier is page plus but its thru Verizon, I have never been prompted for a NK1 update at all. So I tried the op's old post to root NG6 in another thread it worked and I'm rooted on NG6 but with random reboots.

Now I tried this threads method and went back to NC5 but in about phone it still says NG6 but I thought that was normal so followed the steps to run towel root but I never lost root! So install NK1 said everything was finished and passed and when I check build it still says NG6! And I'm rooted and have SS installed. Am I missing a step somewhere? Thanks for your help!
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] talvigi:
Installing CWM/TWRP on i545 NK1

Hi, there, This is talvigi

i have been looking here and there for so long to install any custom recovery to my Verizon galaxy S4 i545 with 4.4.2 FNK1 but failed every time.

i have successfully rooted my device with towelrool v.3 by flashing NC5 kernel and the rootckecker shows that my phone is rooted but i can't install any of the recoveries with either methods, i.e. loki or ODIN or ROM manager safestraf. Not all working for me

please help i want to try CM12, or any other ROM and i also want to enable Tether on my I545 but i have failed please help.

i am also including some screenshots of my device whatever i thought would be helpfull for all your Devs .

I took help from here http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=56030788&postcount=2281

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2441441&page=238

http://xdaforums.com/galaxy-s4-verizon/general/updated-safestrap-i545-kitkat-v3-75-rom-t2905885

i also tried to download this links materails ie. TWRP but failed to download

http://techerrata.com/file/twrp2/shamu/openrecovery-twrp-2.8.2.0-shamu.img
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] ymDroid:
Dude... This has been covered about a million times over millions of threads and post.

You cannot install a custom recovery on a locked bootloader. And the only S4 build that supports a unlocked bootloader is the MDK build.

Safestrap is the only method for flashing Safestrap compatible ROMs. Also covered 2 million times.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Shortyred:
Ok I tried to install the NK1 tar file and it failed 3x now my phone is stuck on the samsung screen won't do anything! Is anyone willing to help me fix this???? Please??
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] meazz1:
You did not provide much info.

Did you follow instruction in the OP?

Make sure you have a good working USB cable.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] krimd00t:
I did the first steps to go to nc5, but now I keep getting a constant string of errors that wont let me do anything. android.process.acore has stopped, unfortunately gmail has stopped, and android.process.media has stopped. Any solutions to fix this?

Edit: Fixed
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Tech 4 9:
Anyone know if flashing home .tars in Kies is any different/better than Odin or are do they yield the exact same results?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] ymDroid:
Currently on NC5 firmware but still on the MK2 boot loader and modems.

Can I just use the Alternative Safetrap method to go up to NK1?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] npjohnson:
Yes, but you will lose your MK2 bl.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] ymDroid:
Are we still holding on to the hope that we'll some day be able to unlock the MK2 bootloader?

Or is safe to say that I should just move on to NK1?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] ymDroid:
Since the Safestrap method has Busybox included, should I uninstall the version of Busybox I had installed from the Play Store?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] npjohnson:
Stericson busybox is the only supported one for many root apps, I'd keep that one. But all you have to do is open the bustbox app, install it, then delete the app.

Well, all the work on the BL is being done on NC5, and kexec is NC5 based to. Good news, from NK1, you can always just of in back to NC5 though.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] ymDroid:
Thanks for the info. I tried to install the play store busy box and it says that busy box is already installed. That I have to change the install location. This normal?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] skyman2112:
S4 Downgrading to NC5

Im towel rooted running NK1. Still getting bootloops when trying to Odin back to NC5. Had to Odin back to NK1.

Deleted the dalvik cache, wiped the partion and odined back to NC5. Same problem again. Android is killing my battery with NK1. NC5 was flawless over a year. Gotta get back my NC5!!!! Should a do a wipe/NC5 install? I used no wipe.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] ymDroid:
Wow!

Rooted using the Safestrap alternate method.

I did not restore my data. I let the Play store restore the apps, and Titanium for what ever didn't get done by the Play store.

NK1 did not fix my no data while on wifi issue I was having where I was connected to wifi, but better battery stats says I had no data when I indeed did.

But i can report that I'm 17.5 hours into the 2nd charge with 45% remaining on the battery.

Everything else is working normally.

Impressive.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] fauxden:
alrighty,

so I did everything in the OP, rooted just fine. But, now I don't really have much use for the root, etc, and I want to factory reset my phone. I attempted to do this, but it put me in download mode and I had to flash using odin back to nk1 (in OP). How do I go about reversing all this and just getting back to stock and doing a factory reset?

TIA
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] ymDroid:
Just do a full wipe Odin back to NC5 or NC6 as listed in the very first post.

Then OTA to NK1. It should prompt you for the OTA right away once you're set up.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] zubricki:
I545VRUFNK1 Root, Recovery, Flash CM

I apologize if I am asking simple questions, I've only every rooted a S2 and from what I've read it seems they've locked the S4 down a lot more.

1. I assume NK1 is the abbreviation for I545VRUFNK1 (maybe the beginning part is always the same) and that is the build number you need to start the process with.

2. We're flashing to an older build to avoid some of the security features, rooting, then flashing back to the NK1 build?

3. Is there a recovery installed (CWM, TWRP)?

4. Once I am rooted can I install CM or can I just flash to that instead of flashing back to NK1.

Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks to muniz_ri for the great work already done.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] ymDroid:
See above.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] djmatt8787:
ya, um I'm in the same boat...not sure whats up with my bluetooth drivers... Edjanx, you find a fix?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] zubricki:
Thank you very much. I followed the OP and now have root!
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] sportytony:
don't know why I waited so long!

This HAS TO BE the best safest and quickest way evr to root our phone and I don't know why I waited so long after this update. THANKS
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] rlivin:
delete
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] djmatt8787:
agreed; ive been on like 4.2.2 forever! but i really cant figure out this bluetooth problem.... like edjaxn said, as long as bluetoothe is disconnected its fine... i just reloaded NC5 full wipe tar to roll all the way back, then OTA to NG6 then another OTA to NK1. i did the Odin to NC5/NK1 for root, i have root, so thats all good, just lost with the bluetooth problem.... didnt realize i was that lost without my earpiece hahaha
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] WangChung81:
Rooted my co-worker's phone while on lunch using the first method (kernel downgrade/upgrade), went very quickly and easily.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] RedsonRising:
So I'm rooted on NC5 and running fine. Is it worth the effort to move up to NK1 and root?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] fudplayers:
I'm having to send my S4 back because the volume button is stuck in the up position. Verizon has already sent me the new phone, just haven't had time to mess with it. I did power it up and its on NC5. My question is, all I need to do is turn it on, take the new update then start at the first step in the OP to root it? Also, and this is off subject, is there a rooted debloated ROM yet for this new update or should I just freeze the bloatware in Titanium ?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] talvigi:
Thanks a lot dear, Thank you very very much. As far as i'm just a simple user of a smart phone so i was unable to find relivent help for me.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] ymDroid:
I was on NC5 forever with just a couple glitches. The main ones were tge Bluetooth cutting out a lot, which apparently was fixed in NC6. And my battery life was mediocre.

I upgraded and my Bluetooth if far better. Like 90% better. And I got 20 hours on my first day on NK1. I was getting 8 hours on heavy days and 12 on good day.

Now I get 12 on heavy days, and 20 lite days.

Also keep in mind, that I did not restore data through Safestrap, I let the Play store handle the restoring of the apps. Whatever didn't restore with Google Play, I had Titanium do app only, no data.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] 1nthe5hadow5:
Work on Stock?

If I am already on stock, unrooted NK1, will this method still work? I am worried about my device breaking, as this is my only phone(although I have proficient skills to root correctly).
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] ymDroid:
The first method listed on post 1 (towelroot method) is for Stock NK1 . Notice it says take the NK1 OTA Verizon update 1st. So yes.

The only down side is coming from stock, you're not about to back anything up via Safestrap or TiBu before attempting.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] 1nthe5hadow5:
Safestrap

I have rooted nk1 following the primary method in this thread. Is it possible to install Safestrap from nk1? Is it even safe?(Big red ss and encryption warning on safestrap page looks scary)
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] dwinters55:
Thank You

I would to thank everyone here, I finally got my Verizon Galaxy S4 rooted. Can I now put on a custom recovery, and if I can what is recommended.

Thanks in advance

dwinters55
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Hightower24:
Unless you're on mdk, the only recovery you can use is safestrap. You'll only be able to flash TW based roms
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] 1nthe5hadow5:
Will safestrap still work if im on nk1?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] dgutierrez04:
Yes it will work. Here is the link to safestrap.

http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=56030788&postcount=2281
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] toeknee36:
Odin help

Hi. I downloaded the odin and the two kernels. In odin when I go to insert the kernel it's not showing up in the folder in which I placed them. Thanks
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] dgutierrez04:
Try unzipping the 2 kernels that u download it than they will appear in odin
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] kiitah:
FINALLY! Something worked!

A million thank yous for this tutorial. I admit, I knew nothing about roots when I started and now I feel like I could teach a class. I knew WHY Odin wasn't working but I couldn't find the right kernels. When I saw that it didn't fail and got the green light I literally shouted for joy. So thanks so much.

I made this account just to say thank you. 6 hours of googling and a zillion other tries/tutorials/youtube videos didn't work. This did. :)
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] NobleOne18:
How to Wipe Dalvik?

I have to thank you for coming up with this process, as I am in need of rooting my NK1'ed phone, however the only thing stopping me from doing it is the bit about "Should your device bootloop after downgrading the kernel to NC5 wipe cache/dalvik from stock recovery before continuing the process."

I looked through the recovery options menu that comes up with the home + power + volume up keys, but the only cache option there is "wipe the cache partition." Does that wipe dalvik as well or not? In which case what would I do if the device does goes into a boot loop?

Sorry if it's a silly question, but I'm not familiar with the world of Android rooting and custom ROMS and so forth.

Any help is greatly appreciated. :)
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] shawnsingh:
Ok so this is my case. I havent rooted this device before. But i am on nk1. Do i need to install safestrap and busybox. I will include a pic to. Thanks yall.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] ubigred:
Root

Safestrap

Busybox

Rom
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] shawnsingh:
Do i need to install those things. I only want root. Safestrap and busybox is something i dont really need. Also after root when the 5.0.1 lolipop comes out will i be able to update.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] fxwrangler:
Bluetooth Problem isnt related 2 this Root Method

"... just lost with the bluetooth problem.... didnt realize i was that lost without my earpiece hahaha"[/QUOTE]

This might be a little late in the game, if so accept my apologies.. But, Hopefully this will help someone if they are not aware of it yet. Also..Big Thanks for such an easy root method!!

The Google Voice Search from any screen is more than likely the culprit for all the probems people have been having with bluetooth. In Google Search settings.. go to Voice/Ok Google Detection/ from the Google App.. Make sure the only one checked is: ' From the Google App' (all the others remain off). This should fix any problems with the caller or recipient receiving a call & not being able to hear each other. Just wanted to make sure all knew that this root method is not causing the problem ... apparently its a conflict between the S4 software and the Google Search and has been going on for approximately a year. This link : http://bit.ly/1BEuhXv has a lot of info about the situation.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] djcyph:
anyone know how to flash the kernel file in the OP with heimdall? i've been searching google/xda for an hour and cant figure it out

thank u

update...figured it out on my own if anyone wants to know.

delete .md5 from the kernel files.

extract the tar and you'll have boot.img

go into d/l mode

connect s4 to usb

open terminal

type "heimdall detect" to see if device detected

if so then "heimdall flash --BOOT /path/to/extracted/boot.img" (drag actual boot.img into terminal after --BOOT and it will automatically put the write path to file for you)

follow steps in OP
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] BuddhaTeh1337:
ok, so i had my phone setup just the way i like it, rooted , safestrap, running hyperdrive rom. Last night while i was asleep my phone shut off and wont reboot, but it will still let me into safestrap and ODIN/Download mode. I've been around rooting for a long time, so i recognized this as a soft brick. I attempted to wipe everything and re-install hyperdrive, but the phone goes into a bootloop before actually installing the ROM in aroma/safestrap. what steps do i need to take to fix this?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] shawnsingh:
Would you like to go to full odin stock.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] BuddhaTeh1337:
thats what i ended up doing, and now safestrap has been replaced with stock recovery and for some reason i cant install safestrap. it says installed successfully, but still boots into stock.:rolleyes:
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] meazz1:
You probably need to root it again and install supersu.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] shawnsingh:
Is there a way to downgrade from nk1