installing google edition on s4 (verizon i545)

[Semidevil]

**edit** nevermind. even this link is for the i9xxx version...

for some reason, when I"m searching on how to install google edition android on the verizon s4(i545), it's not as obvious to find because all the results point to the i9xxx version. the s4 is currently running 4.4.2

however, I did find one

http://www.techwalls.com/install-google-play-edition-rom-samsung-galaxy-s4/

my question on this is regarding the first step: rooting the s4.
it mentions:

"It is important to find the right variety of ROM which goes really well with the particular device and then flash the same accordingly. Before you start rooting, you must create a backup of all files. To root Samsung Galaxy S4 you need drivers for Galaxy S4 which can be found over the link here then you need the latest TWRP recovery.img which you can download from here. Last thing you need is Odin and custom Root file which can be downloaded from here."

My phone is already rooted prior, using super tower root.apk and the superus app on the playstore.

Since my phone is rooted, can I skip step one, or do I still need to do what it says?

thanks.

 

[JohnAn2112]

You're not going to be able to install the GPE ROM (or any other AOSP ROM for that matter) on your Verizon S4. Unfortunately, the bootloader is locked down tight so you can't install custom recoveries (TWRP, CWM). You can use Safestrap to install custom TouchWiz ROMs but that's about it. I'm in the same boat with my AT&T S4.

 

[cronos]

What about the ones with MDK bootloader (I think it's MDK)? That's what I got for my wife. I'm pretty sure it has PhilZ Touch recovery. I never played around with it though, she's fine with some custom Touchwiz ROM it came with (I bought it from Swappa) so I just left it alone.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Yup, you can Google-ify a MDK S4. That is my daily device, an AT&T S4 ROMed to be a Google Play edition. Honestly has convinced me that my next phone is a Nexus.

 

[s44]

MDK can install any AOSP ROM (they've all switched to unified "d2lte" builds) or any of several GPE ports.

 

[cronos]

Yup, you can Google-ify a MDK S4. That is my daily device, an AT&T S4 ROMed to be a Google Play edition. Honestly has convinced me that my next phone is a Nexus.

MDK can install any AOSP ROM (they've all switched to unified "d2lte" builds) or any of several GPE ports.

Thanks guys. That's great! Let's see if I can find a way to steal my wife's phone for a few hours on a weekend and get her phone GPE'd. She basically has all of the special Touchwiz features turned off anyway.

 

[Semidevil]

so since I"m on the "NC5" build, does that mean I can't install google edition? I'm looking all over, and everything points to the MDK build.

 

[poofyhairguy]

so since I"m on the "NC5" build, does that mean I can't install google edition? I'm looking all over, and everything points to the MDK build.

Yeah only mdk can do it because they locked it down after that.

 

[Bman123]

That's why I'll never get Verizon service, they lock their phones down sometimes like the s4 is and you can't really do shit with them. Thats why I only use gsm phones now

 

[s44]

so since I"m on the "NC5" build, does that mean I can't install google edition? I'm looking all over, and everything points to the MDK build.

There are two options:

(1) This thread on trying to port/modify the GE ROM to work with SafeStrap (if you don't know what that is, read up on it, it's the only way you'll ever flash anything on a post-MDK). Fast forward to the last week's worth of posts... there still seem to be issues.

(2) Eclipse is a 4.4.2 TW ROM - flashable with SafeStrap - that has a full AOSP theme, including framework, lockscreen, default apps, and GEL launcher. This is quite stable.

Thanks guys. That's great! Let's see if I can find a way to steal my wife's phone for a few hours on a weekend and get her phone GPE'd. She basically has all of the special Touchwiz features turned off anyway.

The GPE ROM I'm on (Danvdh) has had way more wakelocks than the AOSP I was using before (OctOS) - or TW, though I haven't had that since JB. Not sure why.

 

[s44]

Correction: S4 is jflte. d2lte was the S3.

 

[Semidevil]

thanks guys. so just to make sure I'm understanding this.

I now have an rooted device, with safestrap installed, so I can start searching for ROMS.

the model number of my phone is the i545, and the build is NC5. To pick a rom that will work, does it have to meet all 3 criterias: i545, and NC5, and safe strap compatible?

While searching for roms, Im finding safe-strap roms, but the file name is i9505. will those work?

I can't find any that specifically say it is for the NC5, i545, and safe strap compatible.

 

[ImDonly1]

thanks guys. so just to make sure I'm understanding this.

I now have an rooted device, with safestrap installed, so I can start searching for ROMS.

the model number of my phone is the i545, and the build is NC5. To pick a rom that will work, does it have to meet all 3 criterias: i545, and NC5, and safe strap compatible?

While searching for roms, Im finding safe-strap roms, but the file name is i9505. will those work?

I can't find any that specifically say it is for the NC5, i545, and safe strap compatible.

You have a verizon s4... you should only be looking for safestrap roms in the verizon section
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4-verizon/development

Guides and info here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4-verizon/general

I don't have a verizon s4 (I have an att s4) but mine has the unlocked bootloader so I don't have to use safestrap. As far as I know google edition roms will not work on safestrap only touchwiz roms, might want to read up on that before you start flashing. It was also mentioned above.

 

[Semidevil]

So as long as it is a safe strap ROM compatible with the Verizon s4, it will work. If the model number is differen, That's OK also ( 545 vs 9xxx)

 

[Semidevil]

so update: I read a bit over at the xda and I thought I understood everything, but i'm till having trouble with installing rom. what am I doing wrong?
I have the verizon s4, i545 version, and it is the nc5 build.

My phone is rooted, with safestrap installed.
I'm trying to install the hyperdrive rom. Installing hyperdrive seems to work, but when I try to install the NC5 module, it fails to install. It just says "failed."

What could be wrong?

 

[cronos]

so update: I read a bit over at the xda and I thought I understood everything, but i'm till having trouble with installing rom. what am I doing wrong?
I have the verizon s4, i545 version, and it is the nc5 build.

My phone is rooted, with safestrap installed.
I'm trying to install the hyperdrive rom. Installing hyperdrive seems to work, but when I try to install the NC5 module, it fails to install. It just says "failed."

What could be wrong?

I looked at the instruction for Hyperdrive here and it says to install NC5 before the ROM, but you seemed to install the ROM first. Maybe that's why?

 

[jhansman]

And, in other news, Google gives me directions (and the ROM) online on how to restore my Nexus device to stock should I decide to try a custom ROM and want to go back. I love it. BTW, I too have an AT&T S4, which is a great phone, but yeah, locked down so hard I don't even think about trying to root it. Next phone----Google.