What should I do? - Verizon Galaxy Note 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

So, I just got my hands on a retail Note 4. This particular one got to me with 5.0.1 OG5 already installed. This means I get no chance in downgrading to get even temporary root. Root is a big deal for me. I need xposed, adaway and just the damn freedom to do what I want with my device.
I am considering these options:
1. Keep this Note 4 and hope with my whole being that root comes about eventually for Lolipop.
2. Trade this Note 4 for something that CAN be rooted. I hear the Verizon Galaxy S6 has root? And the G4?
3. Go back to the iPhone 6. lol.
Tell me what you think!

2 is your best bet. I believe the Verizon note 4 will never be rooted, period. I might be wrong... but I don't think so.

Related

is the att version locked down like the note 3?

The note 3 is a great piece of hardware but it was a nightmare for devs I hope they backtrack on that with this one. Not getting my hopes up though.
powdered_donuts said:
The note 3 is a great piece of hardware but it was a nightmare for devs I hope they backtrack on that with this one. Not getting my hopes up though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Probably...Maybe...Absolutely and most Definitely LOCKED.
powdered_donuts said:
The note 3 is a great piece of hardware but it was a nightmare for devs I hope they backtrack on that with this one. Not getting my hopes up though.
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Click to collapse
Of course it will be locked down!!! Us consumers never really OWN our phone that WE purchase!!! So tired of AT&T and others. I sure hope Geohot can bring us some towelroot
chrispyutec said:
Of course it will be locked down!!! Us consumers never really OWN our phone that WE purchase!!! So tired of AT&T and others. I sure hope Geohot can bring us some towelroot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Root took a long time for the note 3 but in the end the real fight was and still is the bootloaders. No custom kernels means even with root all you get is basically a bunch of differently themed semi customized stock Roms to play with
powdered_donuts said:
Root took a long time for the note 3 but in the end the real fight was and still is the bootloaders. No custom kernels means even with root all you get is basically a bunch of differently themed semi customized stock Roms to play with
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's right. I gave up my AT&T note 3 for T-Mobile S5 just for the unlocked bootloader. Although I really would like to see the bootloader unlocked, I can kinda live without unlocked bootloader if I have at least root. I will no longer buy a phone if I can't at least get root. I always wait until root has been achieved before making any purchase. Gotta love HTC for not locking down, but I just don't like their phones that much.
99.999% sure the ATT version will have a locked bootloader. This means it will always be a cat and mouse game with root.
My advice is to wait and not pre-order anything yet. Let the dust settle and see which device will work for you and have root available.
1. You have to ask yourself how long do you normally keep phones? Can you afford to wait 6 months or more (or never if you accidentally take an update) for root on an ATT device you are going to have for 1-2 years?
2. The Tmobile version will most likely have an unlocked bootloader which means you never have to worry about root. It will also most likely work on ATT like the GS5 and the Note3 before it and it will have updates long after Tmobile and Samsung stop supporting it.
If you have Tmobile in your area and you want root it really is the best way to go and cheaper. Why not give them a try? The next best is a Tmobile device on ATT, and third, well.... forget about root.
I have the same very question.
Being on ATT, will the Note 4 be able to be Rooted, and even more important, allow Custom Recovery for ROM's ? If not, NO WAY I can get the Note 4. And Safestrap is not an option, that's a handicapped and gimped wannabe recovery.
Nice thing with HTC, they openly and officially allow their One M8 to have the bootloader unlocked directly through HTC's own website. I did just that with my ATT carrier One M8, and converted it to a GPE. Would like to see Samsung allow that too.
Without a doubt it will be locked.
Ikr! I had T-Mobile but we moved a few years back to an area where they don't have service really at all. I wish I could let them pay my termination fees and bring my four lines there I would save money too. Oh well..
powdered_donuts said:
Ikr! I had T-Mobile but we moved a few years back to an area where they don't have service really at all. I wish I could let them pay my termination fees and bring my four lines there I would save money too. Oh well..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Get the Tmobile device instead and use it on ATT. Don't be pulled in by the ATT Next hype\propaganda either. You still pay full price for the device. Why not get one that you actually own.
mircury said:
Get the Tmobile device instead and use it on ATT. Don't be pulled in by the ATT Next hype\propaganda either. You still pay full price for the device. Why not get one that you actually own.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I know I'm not falling for the next plan and all that crap not interested in adding more to my monthly bill. I thought about getting the T-Mobile version but I'm starting to just lean towards getting a nexus from google when the new one comes out. Hate to leave Samsung behind but I'm feeling like the time has come to move on
mircury said:
99.999% sure the ATT version will have a locked bootloader. This means it will always be a cat and mouse game with root.
My advice is to wait and not pre-order anything yet. Let the dust settle and see which device will work for you and have root available.
1. You have to ask yourself how long do you normally keep phones? Can you afford to wait 6 months or more (or never if you accidentally take an update) for root on an ATT device you are going to have for 1-2 years?
2. The Tmobile version will most likely have an unlocked bootloader which means you never have to worry about root. It will also most likely work on ATT like the GS5 and the Note3 before it and it will have updates long after Tmobile and Samsung stop supporting it.
If you have Tmobile in your area and you want root it really is the best way to go and cheaper. Why not give them a try? The next best is a Tmobile device on ATT, and third, well.... forget about root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not a good idea. If you want the phone, go get it now. I remember very well that after someone root the HTC phone with s-off, they make it not rootable with it being s-off. It took many months and ransom money for hacker to find it get rid of the s-off.
chong67 said:
Not a good idea. If you want the phone, go get it now. I remember very well that after someone root the HTC phone with s-off, they make it not rootable with it being s-off. It took many months and ransom money for hacker to find it get rid of the s-off.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very, very bad advise. You are basically advising people to buy and hope that an exploit will be found, and it's a bad gamble at most. Have you gotten any recent Samsung phones? We aren't talking HTC here. Look at the Note 3, Galaxy S4 and S5 history. I'm not saying you shouldn't buy the phone. I'm saying you should not pre-order it or get it on day one. With the Tmobile note 3 it took a week and a half after release to confirm that it had an unlocked bootloader. At that point a custom recovery was ODIN flashable and root was forever available. It was even faster to confirm that the ATT version was locked down and as of today the bootloader has NEVER been cracked! No CM or AOSP! Only stock kernels are usable. The same with the ATT S5. The bootloader is still locked down. Root has been obtained through an exploit that has since been patched. So if you take an update you are screwed. A bootloader exploit for the latest samsung devices has not been found for the ATT S4, S5, and Note 3 for 1.5 years now.
I have a huge info thread over in the ATT Note 3 section if you want to read it.
My point is, wait for confirmation that a particular device is bootloader unlocked before you put down $750 on a device.
mircury said:
Very, very bad advise. You are basically advising people to buy and hope, and it's a bad gamble at most. Have you gotten any recent Samsung phones? We aren't talking HTC here. Look at the Note 3, Galaxy S4 and S5 history. I'm not saying you shouldn't buy the phone. I'm saying you should not pre-order it or get it on day one. With the Tmobile note 3 it took a week and a half after release to confirm that it had an unlocked bootloader. At that point a custom recovery was ODIN flashable and root was forever available. It was even faster to confirm that the ATT version was locked down and as of today the bootloader has NEVER been cracked! No CM or AOSP! Only stock kernels are usable. The same with the ATT S5. The bootloader is still locked down. Root has been obtained through an exploit that has since been patched. So if you take an update you are screwed. A bootloader exploit for the latest samsung devices has not been found for the ATT S4, S5, and Note 3 for 1.5 years now.
I have a huge info thread over in the ATT Note 3 section if you want to read it.
My point is, wait for confirmation that a particular device is bootloader unlocked before you put down $750 on a device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
better advice! But you can certainly blindly guarantee that at&t is locked down.
Am I wanting Root for wrong reasons?
I have been rooting and installing custom ROMS for a few years now. All Samsung phones.
I'm growing tired of custom ROMS. While some are very solid, I have not tried any at all that don't have one problem or another. So, I'm hoping I can be satisfied with just rooting and maybe even staying on TW. I'll be trying to analyze the features I'd lose from Nova if I stay on TW, vs the TW features of the Note 4 I'd lose by going to Nova.
But my main question is do I really NEED root? I'm thinking I want it in order to do true backups (with more concern about data than backing up apps). I am of the impression that data backups may not be possible w/o root. True? Or, depending on App? I know that TIBU seems to want root...I've never tried to use TIBU w/o root.
Also, I use other apps that seem to work better with root, ie. Lightflow, TIBU, Tasker (a must), ES File Explorer, Gravity Box, Notification Shortcuts, Utter, Widget Locker, and others I suppose.
Seems to me I NEED root. Am I misinformed?
Maybe the T-Mobile version of the Note 4 is what I should look for.
ewingr said:
Also, I use other apps that seem to work better with root, ie. Lightflow, TIBU, Tasker (a must), ES File Explorer, Gravity Box, Notification Shortcuts, Utter, Widget Locker, and others I suppose.
Maybe the T-Mobile version of the Note 4 is what I should look for.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't forget adaway, my number 1 use for root, and ya you should be looking at the tmo note. That's coming from someone who did it on the 3rd gen note.
mircury said:
..., and ya you should be looking at the tmo note. That's coming from someone who did it on the 3rd gen note.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll probably look into that. I typically take advantage of subsidy, but may be worth going with TMO. If the Note 4 had 4GB mem, that would make it easier to make the extra spend. I was hoping for a phone that I may be happy with for longer than 2 years. (Of course the root issue may be the driving factor for purchasing the TMO version, irrespective of other considerations).
ewingr said:
I have been rooting and installing custom ROMS for a few years now. All Samsung phones.
I'm growing tired of custom ROMS. While some are very solid, I have not tried any at all that don't have one problem or another. So, I'm hoping I can be satisfied with just rooting and maybe even staying on TW. I'll be trying to analyze the features I'd lose from Nova if I stay on TW, vs the TW features of the Note 4 I'd lose by going to Nova.
But my main question is do I really NEED root? I'm thinking I want it in order to do true backups (with more concern about data than backing up apps). I am of the impression that data backups may not be possible w/o root. True? Or, depending on App? I know that TIBU seems to want root...I've never tried to use TIBU w/o root.
Also, I use other apps that seem to work better with root, ie. Lightflow, TIBU, Tasker (a must), ES File Explorer, Gravity Box, Notification Shortcuts, Utter, Widget Locker, and others I suppose.
Seems to me I NEED root. Am I misinformed?
Maybe the T-Mobile version of the Note 4 is what I should look for.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Totally agree with you on all points. Except not sure we "have to root". The Note 4 will be able to handle all "Bloatware" and still fly. Koush's Helium does a good job backing up apps/data. No Nandroid, but if you are not rooting and running the risk of soft bricking and needing to restore a Nandroid, they won't be needed. The cloud for Google will always be there to restore those accounts. The rest you can backup to your sdcard and pc. Not sure I need theming like Xposed offers. As, I am liking the stock look of the S5 which I am running on my S4.
That all being said I would probably get a TMO one on ATT if LTE runs fine and root/flash roms since it is in the blood at this point--
Off topic...
rugmankc said:
..Koush's Helium does a good job backing up apps/data...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad you posted this. I had not heard of Helium. I'll have to check it out.
One thing I like to be able to do is backup and restore just data. I'll have to see if that can be done. It's interesting that it doesn't require root, when everything else does.
....
Just went to Play Store, and leaves me a bit confuse. The instructions are a bit confusing, as 1a says "Root user? You're done", then goes on to say to install on the PC, which implies to me if non-rooted, you must do backups to PC.
I'll go and read the Wiki.
[Update]
A few things that are discouraging, from the WIKI, re: Helium:
If you're using a non-root device, you MUST connect to a PC via the USB port of your device to enable ADB backup permissions.
In problematic applications, ALL Google Apps are listed
...you are using a non-root device, you need to enable Helium at every reboot of the device. This is a PITA
You made a backup to a removable SD card. Again, not advisable as mounting then re-mounting a physical card between devices is problematic for backups. Use PC Download, a cloud destination or device-to-device sync.
Those are just the issues I'm not sure I'd want to mess with. So, hoping to ultimately achieve ROOT.
ewingr said:
Glad you posted this. I had not heard of Helium. I'll have to check it out.
One thing I like to be able to do is backup and restore just data. I'll have to see if that can be done. It's interesting that it doesn't require root, when everything else does.
....
Just went to Play Store, and leaves me a bit confuse. The instructions are a bit confusing, as 1a says "Root user? You're done", then goes on to say to install on the PC, which implies to me if non-rooted, you must do backups to PC.
I'll go and read the Wiki.
[Update]
A few things that are discouraging, from the WIKI, re: Helium:
If you're using a non-root device, you MUST connect to a PC via the USB port of your device to enable ADB backup permissions.
In problematic applications, ALL Google Apps are listed
...you are using a non-root device, you need to enable Helium at every reboot of the device. This is a PITA
You made a backup to a removable SD card. Again, not advisable as mounting then re-mounting a physical card between devices is problematic for backups. Use PC Download, a cloud destination or device-to-device sync.
Those are just the issues I'm not sure I'd want to mess with. So, hoping to ultimately achieve ROOT.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can try MyBackUp Pro from Play Store--Have used it for years. Assuming it updates for Note 4--sure it will. You can email them--

note 4 AR unchained

just upgraded to att note 4. i was using my rooted s4 with my appradio and AR unchained successfully. i was having an issue getting the phone rooted at first due to the software update carrying an updated kernel. i ended up flashing the s4 with the previous kernel version, which allowed me to then root the phone with towel root.
so my question is, why can't this same thing be done with the note 4?? my understanding is the s4 had a locked bootloader as well. i am not an expert on this stuff, but it seems to me that this should be possible with the note 4. i really just want to be able to continue use of AR unchained with the note 4 so i can get full mirroring in my vehicle.
iceberg8389 said:
just upgraded to att note 4. i was using my rooted s4 with my appradio and AR unchained successfully. i was having an issue getting the phone rooted at first due to the software update carrying an updated kernel. i ended up flashing the s4 with the previous kernel version, which allowed me to then root the phone with towel root.
so my question is, why can't this same thing be done with the note 4?? my understanding is the s4 had a locked bootloader as well. i am not an expert on this stuff, but it seems to me that this should be possible with the note 4. i really just want to be able to continue use of AR unchained with the note 4 so i can get full mirroring in my vehicle.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is a really good question. I'm a newb so quite uninformed but my one guess is maybe there's something really device-specific about kernels, so a device won't boot enough to be rootable, say crashes before it can.
But that's a good idea and something worth trying at least. We have images from AT&T phones and the T-Mobile phone, so the ingredients might already be there.
FiniteTime said:
That is a really good question. I'm a newb so quite uninformed but my one guess is maybe there's something really device-specific about kernels, so a device won't boot enough to be rootable, say crashes before it can.
But that's a good idea and something worth trying at least. We have images from AT&T phones and the T-Mobile phone, so the ingredients might already be there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes Kernals are device specific. A S4 Kernal will not work properly (if at all) in a Note 4.
Ok, device specific kernel makes sense. I suppose I wasn't implying that the same kernel would work for the note 4, but more of just a suggestion as to how a root may be possible by manipulating the kernel to be note 4/root compatible.
I have the Note 4 developer edition. You must have root before anything can be started on the retail version.
Sent from my SM-N910V DE using XDA Free mobile app

[Q] Should I bother activating my Note 4?

I just got my Verizon Note 4 in the mail today and realized that no one has yet to find a way to root it. Right now I'm using my rooted Verizon Note 2. I'm wondering if I should even bother activating my Note 4 and start using it or should I just hold off and hope someone finds a way to root it in the near future.
What do you guys think?
It's nothing what we think, do what you feel you want. We aren't using the phone, you are, it's ultimately up to you on what you feel you want.
Can you use a phone without root? Can you live without it? Then use the note 4
Tripper511 said:
I just got my Verizon Note 4 in the mail today and realized that no one has yet to find a way to root it. Right now I'm using my rooted Verizon Note 2. I'm wondering if I should even bother activating my Note 4 and start using it or should I just hold off and hope someone finds a way to root it in the near future.
What do you guys think?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I came from the note 2 as well and was also disappointed to hear that root has not been achieved yet. To cope I installed nova launcher and tried to tone down touch wiz as much as possible, which has helped tremendously in my opinion. Even without root this phone is ridiculously fast and has insane battery life compared to the note 2. I can go nearly a week with 7 hours of screen on time without charging it using the stock battery. This phone is amazing even without root access, but when it does finally get rooted it will destroy everything else on the market.
blazednova said:
I can go nearly a week with 7 hours of screen on time without charging it using the stock battery. t.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What?? A week? What do you leave it in ultra power saving mode all the time?
Shoot, in ultra-powersaving mode you could probably make it almost 2 weeks!
As was said, do what you feel is best. I can live without root, but I don't like it personally. However, it is STILL even WITHOUT root, better than my Note 3, which I still have. I love my Note 4. Admittedly though, I've got it up for sale to see if I can get any biters to try and mitigate the cost of a developer edition. Either way, I can't wait for that root.
Ragnell said:
It's nothing what we think, do what you feel you want. We aren't using the phone, you are, it's ultimately up to you on what you feel you want.
Can you use a phone without root? Can you live without it? Then use the note 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I guess my main concern is whether I'm going to get hit with an OTA update without realizing it then find out I can't root anymore. As of now, if I start using the phone with stock kit kat 4.4.4 I should be okay right? I guess worse case scenario I'd just have to reinstall all my apps when the Note 4 root comes out.
So maybe my safest bet is to start using the Note 4 but make sure I keep it at kit kat 4.4.4 the whole time?
Tripper511 said:
Well I guess my main concern is whether I'm going to get hit with an OTA update without realizing it then find out I can't root anymore. As of now, if I start using the phone with stock kit kat 4.4.4 I should be okay right? I guess worse case scenario I'd just have to reinstall all my apps when the Note 4 root comes out.
So maybe my safest bet is to start using the Note 4 but make sure I keep it at kit kat 4.4.4 the whole time?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are ways to prevent OTAs without root so youll be safe
I'll say sell it ,buy the DE and call it a year
Only geeks can't live without root LOL pretty much you can do most of the things without root besides adaway
Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk
The n4 is the best un-rooted device I have ever owned. With Nova and turned off bloat, this phone is awesome. I haven't regretted buying this phone and it will last me a long time. Good luck
Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk
phibo said:
I'll say sell it ,buy the DE and call it a year
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seconded, I just got my DE
Since Samsung went with a non removable battery and no SD slot with the S6. This could possibly be the last phone with an removable battery and SD slot.
Don't activate it send it back and get a nexus 6 if you want a unlocked bootloader and roms
patt2k said:
Only geeks can't live without root LOL pretty much you can do most of the things without root besides adaway
Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah that's true. I won't necessarily need to control my cpu speed with setcpu since the Note 4 has 2 power saving modes. There are some older versions of apps I'd like to restore with Titanium backup, and some I'd like to delete with the same program but I guess I can wait until root comes out to do that. I'm gonna miss not having the Freedom app but I'll live.
I do want to install the older version of google maps, the one that had the navigation icon, can I still do that without root?
Rootuser3.0 said:
Don't activate it send it back and get a nexus 6 if you want a unlocked bootloader and roms
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I looked into the nexus 6. The note 4 still seems like a better phone and the Nexus 6 isn't available for Verizon yet.
Of course if I got the DE version of the Note 4 I'd be set but I really don't feel like dropping $700 on the phone. I just spend $300 to get this with my upgrade.
You know the answer, how important is root to you? If I had known root likely wasn't coming unlike my other notes, I might have waited. It's worth the extra for the de. The camera is amazing, everything works fine, but it's hampered by stock twiz and only you know what that's worth to you.
Root would be amazing. Yes. But this phone is still a beast even without it. Yes I'd love to gain root. Until then I gladly use mine without root.

[Q] Losing my mind without a permanent root!

I've been waiting for 7 months for a permanent root for the Note 4 on AT&T and there's yet to be one found. I'm absolutely going to lose it soon. Are there any decent devices on AT&T that can be rooted? Or do all of them have this same problem?
These things take time (more time with the Note 4). I'm bored with the phone as well but know that devs are working hard to come up with a solution to root. In the meantime I'm also looking for another phone to change to since I strongly believe this will be my last Samsung phone.
It sure has been a suffering. But I've just learned to accept 2 things. I have a AT&T galaxy note 4, not a samsung galaxy note 4 lol. And the fact that I'll never buy a AT&T phone again. Only way to never deal with this next time around bro.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk

Steps to delete bloatware on GN4 w/Android 6.01

I've been missing having a Note since my Note 2. After just watching the unveiling of the Note 7, I was underwhelmed especially for the price. So I broke down and ordered a Note 4. After I update it to Android 6, will it still be rootable? I also want to remove all the bloatware.
MrNetwork said:
I've been missing having a Note since my Note 2. After just watching the unveiling of the Note 7, I was underwhelmed especially for the price. So I broke down and ordered a Note 4. After I update it to Android 6, will it still be rootable? I also want to remove all the bloatware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do a search on here for Note 4 Verizon root.
You will see a LOT of stuff about it.. It's a matter of what chance you want to take. Some seem to have succeeded only to find things not working afterward. Others who know the in's and out's of coding (as this is XDA) seems to have found fixes for the little things but it's not consistent for everyone. Thanks VZ for a "200 mile concrete thick" bootloader.
As for 6.0.1, I've read (and you will see in the searches) that of those who managed the root there are "safe upgrades", but it gets complicated. The bootloader, I think, was changed in the OTA so it gets more complicated there. The official forum will lead to you a lot of stuff on this. I've been curating it for over a week trying to make sense and streamline what matters to root 5.1.1. permanently and without issue.
I'm trying to root, but trusts me it's getting .....weird. I don't think I'm be able to accomplish it. However, coming from the SG3 (which I love), and working now newly with 2 note 4's (used), I can tell you they seem to do a good job of giving the user more power. Some apps can be disabled and uninstalled. Not so on others, but I think I can work with it. I've seen both 5.1.1 and 6.0.1 on it ( I like some Marshmallow refinements and want to get there). Still, losing the power of root with my backups and the bloatware is not an easy choice, but the I'm already addicted to the screen and the pen on the Note.

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