[Galaxy S 4 General] Retrial:
Welcome to S4 Unfied Guides! 👨‍🏫

!DISCLAIMER!

Most people I know (including myself) who used my Guides and steps, did that with success many times. If you don't follow exactly the steps or you do a mistake during the process, I do not take any responsibility for any unexpected results or damage that may happen. However I am here to help if something goes wrong, just ask in the thread.​

INSTALL BOOTLOADER & MODEM📡

You can flash Bootloader & Modem with two methods:

Combined:

[Recommended]

1. Download Odin and the COMBINED BOOTLOADER _MODEM.tar for your variant to your PC. [You can find everything in my Collection]

2. Reboot your device to Download Mode by pressing Power Button + Vol.down + Home Button and run Odin from your PC as administrator.

3. Put the COMBINED BOOTLOADER_MODEM.tar to AP section, untick Auto-Reboot, flash!

4. When It's done, reboot your device by pressing Power Button for couple of seconds.

Seperate:

1. Download Odin, the BOOTLOADER.tar and MODEM .tar for your variant to your PC. [You can find everything in my Collection]

2. Reboot your device to Download Mode by pressing Power Button + Vol.down + Home Button and run Odin from your PC as administrator

3. Put the BOOTLOADER to BL section and MODEM to CP section, untick Auto-Reboot and flash!

4. When It's done, reboot your device by pressing Power Button for couple of seconds.

Notes:

Check what version of Modem and Bootloader you have with apps like Device Info HW.

If Modem & Bootloader didn't changed to the version you wanted, do the same steps again with the method you have selected.

If for some reason Odin failed to flash, make sure your run Odin as adminstrator, try to change USB Port in your PC and don't move the cable during flash. Also if you have Odin and the files on an External hard drive, move Odin and all the files you want to flash, into one folder to your Main Drive for example C: drive.

For Stock Rom to have your WiFi working you need to have the same version of Modem/BL as your Firmware. For example if you have QK1 Stock ROM then you need to have QK1 Modem/Bootloader. On Custom ROMs doesn't matter. You can have any Modem/BL of your variant you want but recommend is always the latest.

INSTALL TWRP RECOVERY 🛠️

ODIN Method (

No TWRP Recovery currently installed

)

1. Download Odin and the .tar file of the TWRP to your PC. [You can find everything in my Collection]

2. Reboot to Download Mode by pressing Power Button + Vol.Down + Home Button.

3. Run Odin as adminstrator > connect your device to PC > put the .tar file of TWRP in AP section > untick Auto-Reboot in options and flash.

4. Done! Restart to TWRP Recovery. (power button+vol.up+home button)

Recovery Method (TWRP Recovery

already installed

)

1. Download .img of TWRP Recovery. [You can find everything in my Collection]

2. Reboot to Recovery by holding Power Button + Volume Up (+).

3. Press Install Image.

4. Locate the recovery.img you recently downloaded.

5. Select it and choose the option Recovery and Flash.

6. Go back and Reboot to Recovery.

7. Done! Your new recovery should be installed.

CLEAN INSTALL CUSTOM ROM ⚡

Note: If you have issues after flash check possible solutions here:

Check integrity of all downloads (compare checksums), do the downloads again.

Make sure you Wiped everything and Formated Data (

format data

not just wipe) except

external SDCard

and USB OTG.

Flash only the ROM (without GApps and Magisk) and check if the problem persists. If yes, flash another ROM.

Try other GApps package.

If nothing helps, go back to stock and start from scratch.

Note: You can also Flash Custom ROM using ADB sideload Method.

1. Backup all your data to PC or to external SDCard. [All your data into Internal Storage will be lost on step 7 while Formating Data or Wiping Internal Storage]

2. Install the latest Bootloader & Modem for your S4 variant. [Read the Install Bootloader & Modem Guide above]

3. Download: [You can find everything in my Collection]

TWRP Recovery.

Custom ROM of your choice.

GApps (be sure you have selected Platform: ARM and the proper Android version of the ROM you are going to flash) if the ROM you are going to flash does not include. [Optional]

Magisk Root. [Optional]

4. Move all these files in one folder to your PC or to External SDCard if you have one.

5. Install TWRP Recovery. [Read the Install Custom Recovery Guide above]

6. Turn off your device and Reboot to Recovery Power Button + Volume Up (+)

7. Installation:

Steps without external SDCard:

Select Wipe > Advanced Wipe

Select Dalvik / ART Cache, System, Data, Internal Storage, Cache and then Swipe to Wipe. [All your data into Internal Storage will be lost]

Go back and select Wipe > Format Data > type yes [All your data into Internal Storage will be lost]

Connect your device to PC while you are on TWRP and transfer into Internal Storage, the ROM, GApps etc. and the files you want to flash.

Flash ROM > GApps [Optional]

Reboot Enjoy!

[Optional] If you want to root, reboot once again to TWRP Recovery and flash Magisk (you need to download it again if you previously had it in Internal Storage) then reboot to system and enjoy!

Steps with external SDCard:

go to Advanced > File Manager > External_SD and delete all folders in ur ext sd card (For example you should delete: Android, .android_secure, LOST.DIR, DCIM, etc) except your personal files/folders and the folder with your custom ROM/Gapps/Magisk/DFE you want to flash.

Each app on your phone with the WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permission may create files or folders in ur sdcard. Most of these folders have once been created by one of these apps and many of them may be deleted with a few exceptions (e.g. Android, .data, .android_secure, these contain important system or app data like a game's downloaded content):

.android_secure: apps installed and then moved to sdcard

Android: app data/cache

data: app data

.estrongs: ES file manager

LOST.DIR: sort of trash folder (collects recovered files after phone crashes)

DCIM: phone gallery's photos and previews

OTA-update: Over The Air update service

ppy_cross: an unknown third-party app's data.

So I recommend to delete them so you can put your phone/sdcard in a clean state and is guaranteed to be able to re-create these folders.

Select Advanced Wipe

Select Dalvik / ART Cache, System, Data, Internal Storage, Cache and then Swipe to Wipe. [All your data into Internal Storage will be lost]

Go back and select Wipe > Format Data > type yes [All your data into Internal Storage will be lost]

Flash ROM > GApps [Optional]

Reboot Enjoy!

[Optional] If you want to root, reboot once again to TWRP Recovery and flash Magisk then reboot to system and enjoy!

DIRTY INSTALL YOUR CUSTOM ROM 📲

Note: Before you start flashing, keep in mind the ROM you dirty flashing MUST be the same with the one you have already installed.

1. Make a full nandroid backup, just in case something goes wrong. You can use TWRP to do that. (TWRP > Backup > Select everything) [Optional]

2. Remove all Magisk modules. [Optional]

3. Reboot to TWRP and Wipe Dalvik / ART Cache, System and Cache.

4. Flash the ROM > GApps [Optional] > Magisk [Optional]

5. Reboot and Enjoy!

I've skipped some explanations, because if you are going to dirty flash, you already know for example how to boot to TWRP.

CLEAN INSTALL OFFICIAL STOCK ROM ©️

Note: For Stock Rom to have your WiFi working you need to have the same version of Modem/BL as your Firmware. For example if you have QK1 Stock ROM then you need to have QK1 Modem/Bootloader. On Custom ROMs doesn't matter. You can have any Modem/BL of your variant you want but recommend is always the latest.

1. Download the latest stock ROM (Firmware), Modem & Bootloader for your variant, TWRP Recovery (.tar file) and ODIN to your PC. [You can find everything in my Collection]

2. Install TWRP Recovery [Read the Install Custom Recovery Guide above]

3. Reboot to TWRP Recovery and Select Wipe > Advanced Wipe

4. Select Dalvik / ART Cache, System, Data, Cache, External SDCard (if you have) and then Swipe to Wipe.

5. Go back and select Wipe > Format Data > type yes [All your data into Internal Storage will be lost]

6. Reboot to Download Mode Power by pressing Power Button + Vol.Down + Home Button

7. Run Odin as adminstrator from your PC > connect your device > put the Stock Rom (Firmware) file to AP section and flash it!

8. Let the ROM boot.

9. Install the same version of Bootloader & Modem as your Firmware. [Read the Install Bootloader & Modem Guide above]

10. Enjoy!

BACKUP & RESTORE ROM (NANDROID BACKUP)💾

Check this Youtube Video to see the process in action.

Backup:

1. Reboot to Recovery (Power Button + Volume Up (+))

2. Choose Backup and Select Boot > System > Data (excl. storage)

3. Select Storage and choose SDcard if you have one otherwise let it on Internal Storage.

4. Swipe to Backup.

5. Done!

Restore:

1. Reboot to Recovery. (Power Button + Volume Up (+))

2. Select Wipe > Advanced Wipe.

3. Select Dalvik / ART Cache, System, Data, Cache and then Swipe to Wipe.

4. Press Home Button to go back and Select Restore.

5. Select the backup file with the ROM and make sure Boot, System and Data (excl. storage) are selected.

6. Select Swipe to Restore and when completed Reboot to System.

7. Done!

MAGISK & KERNELSU ROOT 🧙‍♂️

Magisk Guide

KernelSU Guide

MIXER_PATHS (INCREASE VOLUME VALUES) 🎚️

Check HERE and HERE.

HOW TO TAKE LOGS 📝

How to take logs on Android

SCREEN RETENTION FIX 🖥️

Screen Retention FIx: If you have an issue with screen retention apply this configuration to your device ROM.

BATTERY TIPS 🔋

Samsung Galaxy S4 Battery Model: B600BE

Battery Replacment (Video)

Advanced Guide

Simple Battery & Charging Tips

Improve your SOT

Battery Calibration

Method 1

Steps:

1. Discharge your phone fully until it turns itself off.

2. Turn it on again and let it turn itself off.

3. Plug your phone into a charger and, without turning it on, let it charge until the on-screen or LED indicator says 100 percent.

4. Turn your phone on. It's likely that the battery indicator won't say 100 percent, so plug the charger back in (leave your phone on) and continue charging until it says 100 percent on-screen as well.

5. Unplug your phone and restart it. If it doesn't say 100 percent, plug the charger back in until it says 100 percent on screen.

6. Repeat this cycle until it says 100 percent (or as close as you think it's going to get) when you start it up without it being plugged in.

Method 2

Notes: It won't dramatically extend battery life, but it will give your old battery at least 30 minutes additional run time.

Steps:

1. Get "GSam or Ampere" from the Google Play Store.

2. Launch the app and fully charge your phone. (Important: Only proceed with the calibration when the word "Full" appears in GSam or Ampere.)

3. While your phone is still connected to the cable reboot your phone to recovery mode, open file manager and navigate to "/data/system" and delete "batterystats.bin," "batterystats-checkin.bin," and "batterystats-daily.xml."

4. Reboot your phone (while it is still plugged in) and charge it until it reads "full" on GSam or Ampere.

5. Unplug the cable and use your phone normally until it shuts down (0 percent )

6. Charge your phone to 100% while it is turned off.

7. Boot into os and plug in your phone and charge it until it says "full" on the GSam or Ampere.

8. Unplug and have fun!

Battery Capacity Health

Notes:

1) Before checking the battery health, charge the device to 100%.

2) Check charge counter values and consider first 4 digits from left as your battery capacity in mAh. And check charge counter. (Charge counter/level)*100 is the battery capacity.

To find battery capacity in Windows:

Enable Developer options in your device.

Enable USB Debugging in your device.

Conect your device to PC and give permissions.

Open Minimal ADB (run cmd.exe) or Platform tools.

Type "adb shell dumpsys battery" command in Minimal ADB or Platform tools.

To find battery capacity in Android (Terminal) - Root needed:

Download an android terminal app like Termux,

Open terminal and type: cat/sys/class/power_supply/battery/charge_full

Overheating

Following reasons will lead to device heating issue:

During the initial setup after purchase or when restoring data.

Downloading large files.

Using apps that require more power or using apps for extended periods such as:

Playing high-quality games for long time.

Recording videos for extended periods.

Streaming videos while using the maximum brightness setting.

Using the Screen Mirroring / Smart View feature (connecting mobile to a TV).

While multitasking or when running many apps in the background i.e:

Using Multi window.

Updating or installing apps while recording videos.

Downloading large files during a video call.

Recording videos while using a navigation app.

Large amount of data for syncing with the cloud, email, or other accounts.

Exposing device under sunlight when temperature is high around you.

Extensive usage of mobile hotspot and tethering feature.

Using device in areas with weak signals or no reception or in roaming network.

Charging the battery with a damaged / unapproved USB cable.

Device's multipurpose jack is damaged or exposed to foreign materials, such as liquid, dust, metal powder, and pencil lead.

Solution:

Turn off Wi-fi, GPS , bluetooth and other connectivity options when not in use by dragging the notification panel.

Decrease screen brightness.

Close background running applications.

Too many applications installed in device may result in device heating since their corresponding process will keep on running in background. It is advised to uninstall un-necessary apps if not using them.

Avoid using apps like GPS, data dependent apps or graphic intensive games for longer duration since they require more energy to function, causing device to heat.

It is advised not to use device while charging as it may cause the device to over heat.

General:

DO:

Use manual brightness or dim the screen.

Turn off notifications for apps you don't use. Better still, delete/disable the apps entirely if you don't need them.

Enable battery or power saving mode when you want to extend your battery life.

Use the power adapter that came with your phone. Other chargers can charge slowly/faster but they can also damage your phone or battery.

Turn off bluetooth, location tracking, and Wi-Fi (unless you are actively using it)

Turn off print services from bluetooth connection preferences.

Avoid extremes of heat and cold. If your phone gets very hot or cold it can strain the battery and shorten it's lifespan.

DON'T:

Have Bluetooth or Wi-Fi turned on constantly.

Leave apps running in the background. Instead restrict background usage off apps that you don't need running.

Push email means your device is always listening for new email which drains alot of battery.

Drain your phone battery all the way to 0% or charging it all the way to 100%. Keep it between 20% - 90% for longer battery lifespan.

The more advanced the graphics and animations are (games, videos, photos, animations), the harder the processor and graphics chip in your smartphone have to work. More activity means more battery use.

PRIVACY & SECURITY 👮‍♂️

Some useful links:

All about Privacy & Security at Privacy Guides.

Electronic Frontier Foundation.

PrivacyTests: Open-source tests of web browsers privacy.

Check if your email address or your phone number is in a data breach at Have I been Pwned & at Firefox Monitor.

Test your browser to see how well you are protected from tracking and fingerprinting at Cover Your Tracks by EFF and at Bromite fingerprint mitigations tests.

WebRTC IP Leak Test. WebRTC is a new communication protocol that relies on JavaScript that can leak your actual IP address from behind your VPN. You can find more infos how to disable it at Privacy Guides in browsers section.

Ad Block Tester is a free service on the Internet to evaluate content blocking solutions. It is not designed to be a benchmark, but it reveals the level of blocking against a set of hosts that are very popular.

Check on AM I FLoCed? by EFF if your your Chrome browser has been turned into a guinea pig for Federated Learning of Cohorts or FLoC, Google’s latest targeted advertising experiment.

How to block ads on Android.

εxodus: εxodus analyzes Android applications in order to list the embedded trackers and ads.

Spyware Watchdog Article Catalog: A catalog which determinate under tests and tracking if an app is spyware and what data it collects.

CryptPad: CryptPad is built to enable collaboration. It synchronizes changes to documents in real time. Because all data is encrypted, the service and its administrators have no way of seeing the content being edited and stored.

PrivateBin: PrivateBin is a minimalist, open-source online pastebin where the server has zero knowledge of pasted data. Data is encrypted/decrypted in the browser using 256-bit AES. It is the improved version of ZeroBin.

ShutUP10++ , Privacy.Sexy: Disable major tracking features of Windows.

General:

Always prefer Open Source or well popular Programs, Apps, ROMs, Kernels & Stuff.

Open Source doesn't mean it's 100% safe but it's unlikely to have something suspicious, since you and other users can check the code in GitHub or in any other code hosting platform the "stuff" is hosted. You can also find and use FOSS apps at Droid-ify.

Prefer ROMs & Kernels with SELinux Enforcing. You can find informations here.

Always download and install Apps, Programs, ROMs & Stuff from official sources and do not use redirection links from different sites. Google is your friend to find the official source of the stuff you want.

Always check the permissions an app requires, before download and install it to your device. If an app ask for permissions which has nothing to do with the app functionality then it's should be reconsider or ask the developer why these permissions needed.

You can also check if the app includes trackers and ads with εxodus.

If you want to avoid Google and Play Store (De-Google), you can choose a ROM without GApps preinstalled like LineageOS and use Droid-ify client which is an installable catalogue of FOSS (Free and Open Source Software) applications for the Android platform. The client makes it easy to browse, install, and keep track of updates on your device. Note that not all apps from Play Store will be available in Droid-ify or F-Droid. Only Open Source projects. You can find alternatives though.

Alternative you can use LineageOS for microG or any ROM which support signature spoofing and can support microG and use Aurora Store.

For Windows use the default Windows Defender & Malwarebytes to scan your files whenever you want (Prefered before open or install them). Also use the addon/extension uBlock Origin in your Browser. These should be enough for normal users. You can also use the tool ShutUp10++ or Privacy.Sexy to disable major tracking features of Windows.

For Android Do not use any antivirus - antimalware since it's useless, just check what apps and from where you installing.

Always verify the source of addons/extensions in your browser. Avoid installing random and unpopular addons/extensions. Keep it minimal and clean, so browser can be fast and safe, no need bunch of extensions.

If you are using VPN, always check the terms and rules of the provider. Avoid random VPN Services.

Recommended VPN Services.

Using a VPN will not keep your browsing habits anonymous, nor will it add additional security to non-secure (HTTP) traffic.

Recommended is to encrypt your data/files always before uploading them to cloud with tools like Cryptomator.

Always use unique and strong passwords for each of your accounts.

Use awarded open source Password Managers like KeePass or KeePassXC for Desktop and KeePassDX for Android to manage your passwords and have them with you safe, encrypted and secure. Must be noted you can use the same database file between these programs.

Always enable 2 Step Authentication wherever is available for your accounts.

You can use apps like Aegis Authenticator.

Do not open or click on links attached in unknown emails or SMS you may get. Always check the address of the email or the number of SMS and verify it's legit from the official source.

Create and use "burned" email for accounts/sites you have concerns but you definitely want to try them. Do not use your personal or business email. You can also create and use email aliases of your email with SimpleLogin which is open source and awesome service.

DISCORD SERVER💬

Please verify yourself at #welcome channel. Read #FAQ channel.

Discord Server