[ROM][AOSP] S4 Google Edition [SafeStrap]

jmsq · May 29, 2014

Hi all,

After discovering the terrible mistake I made buying an AT&T S4 with a non-unlockable bootloader, I looked for any way to run an AOSP/GPE rom on this phone with Safestrap. It looks like I've finally gotten it into a decent state for my personal use so I thought I'd share.

The ROM is based on [AOSP] Official 4.4.3 - S4 Google Edition - Final-R2.0 and nearly all of the credit goes to them for making a GPE rom that actually boots with our kernel. The only changes I've made are ripping out the kernel for safestrap, installing a wrapper script for the sdcard binary, and some post_boot init script additions to properly load the WiFi module. For wifi to work, you need your stock kernel's modules installed after the ROM, specifically dhd.ko, to /system/lib/modules.

If you'd like to enable Nexus-style software buttons and disable the hardware capacitive buttons, see this thread for instructions: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2032117. You can disable the capacitive button lights with GravityBox.

Warning:
Do NOT take OTA updates with this rom. Doing so could break the rom, or in the worst case trip Knox, which would void your warranty. I'll do my best to update the rom to the latest version as soon as possible.

What works:
Internal/external storage
WiFi (may not come up every boot, a soft reboot usually fixes)
USB debugging
USB internet tethering
Paid apps from Play Store (see workaround below)
Chrome (see workaround below)
Google Earth (remove from /system/app and reinstall from Play store)
IPv6 APN (for compatible carriers such as T-Mobile)
Almost everything else

In progress:
WiFi Tethering (see: http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=54878857&postcount=662)

What doesn't work:
USB MTP (due to kernel differences)

AT&T Install Instructions:
http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?p=53758259

Verizon Install Instructions:
http://xdaforums.com/galaxy-s4-verizon/general/how-to-install-aosp-s4-google-edition-t2817708

Download:
4.4.3: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0ByCYkZozShp_bXFTdnpYSmxyZHM
4.4.3: https://www.dropbox.com/s/v59aak1j3fz1z35/gpe_443_safestrap.zip?dl=0 (Mirror)

Update:
4.4.4: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0ByCYkZozShp_bE02ZlJRQkgxTWM (requires 4.4.3)
4.4.4: https://www.dropbox.com/s/z57whcu44ypcx93/gpe_444_update.zip?dl=0 (Mirror)

Lollipop/5.0:
The 5.0.0 OTA for the real S4 GPE came out today, so I tried adapting it like the 4.4.4 update. Unfortunately and not surprisingly, it failed to boot. This probably means we need to wait for AT&T's 5.0 TW update to get a compatible kernel to make 5.0 GPE work

FAQ:
WiFi isn't working: Do a soft reset with the GravityBox Power Menu or the Xposed Installer.

USB Transfer not working: Use Airdroid, FTPServer, or adb push/pull.

Paid apps won't install: See workaround below.

Chrome force closes on new tab: See workaround below.

Paid Apps & Chrome Workaround:
Install SELinux Mode Changer and set SELinux to permissive.

ddubz · May 30, 2014

Thanks

netomel · May 30, 2014

jmsq said:
Hi all,

After discovering the terrible mistake I made buying an AT&T S4 with a non-unlockable bootloader, I looked for any way to run an AOSP/GPE rom on this phone with Safestrap. It looks like I've finally gotten it into a decent state for my personal use so I thought I'd share.

The ROM is based on [AOSP] Official 4.4.2 - S4 Google Edition - Final-R1.2 and nearly all of the credit goes to them for making a GPE rom that actually boots with our kernel. The only changes I've made are ripping out the kernel for safestrap, installing a wrapper script for the sdcard binary, and some post_boot init script additions to properly load the WiFi module.

What works:
Internal/external storage
WiFi
Almost everything else

What doesn't work:
Chrome
USB MTP (debugging does work though)
Some apps fail to install from the Play store

I apologize that this is in the wrong category but I don't post often so I can't post to the dev section.

Download:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0ByCYkZozShp_cXA2dW1naGtsR2s

You know more than I do. Is it really AOSP because devs here say it's imposible to flash any rom besides TW based roms on our phones due to the boot loader issue.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

DeadlySin9 · May 30, 2014

netomel said:
You know more than I do. Is it really AOSP because devs here say it's imposible to flash any rom besides TW based roms on our phones due to the boot loader issue.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

It's been known that GPE ROMs will boot on our stock kernel. It just never entirely worked right, with no Wi-Fi and USB and other issues. While on MF3 you could boot one, on MK2 you couldn't run 4.3 GPE however, and certain 4.4.2 GPE has "worked" with those issues. This is because they are built with a kernel close to stock. So basically, GPE's are an exception but require extra development that nobody really wanted to take on until now apparently.

Sent from my SGH-I337 running Light ROM

Penz89 · May 30, 2014

Really cool! it boots great on my safestrap Verizon s4!! @jmsq can you rebuild latest verizon GE to make it works with safestrap? from this thread http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2643031 or another AOSP rom? Thanks for your work

Edit: after first reboot wifi doesn't works

Thr33-F0ur · May 30, 2014

Boots us fine. Working well so far.

Penz89 · May 30, 2014

Thr33-F0ur said:
Boots us fine. Working well so far.

so does your wifi works after a reboot?

Thr33-F0ur · May 30, 2014

Penz89 said:
so does your wifi works after a reboot?

I just tried to flash SuperSU to get root, and wifi was broken, so I guess the reboot did it.

Rhymey · May 30, 2014

Does this already have root, or should I flash SuperSU while I'm flashing this? Any issues with dirty flashing or should I do a nandroid backup and wipe?

Also, for anyone having WiFi issues, probably try flashing this: NC1 wifi modules. No idea on any fixes for MTP, which is unfortunate as I use MTP a lot

Thr33-F0ur · May 30, 2014

Rhymey said:
Does this already have root, or should I flash SuperSU while I'm flashing this? Any issues with dirty flashing or should I do a nandroid backup and wipe?

Also, for anyone having WiFi issues, probably try flashing this: NC1 wifi modules. No idea on any fixes for MTP, which is unfortunate as I use MTP a lot

You have to flash SuperSU. I haven't tried a dirty flash since I was coming from 4.3.

bennyboy78 · May 31, 2014

Can we somehow get theme engine?

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

Rhymey · May 31, 2014

Posting to confirm that dirty flashing gives two errors - android.process.media FC and android.*.acore FC. Everything else seemed to work except for those. Flashed, but went back to PurifieD until stuff gets fixed up, primarily MTP. Good work so far though. I'd like to note I always had to flash the NC1 modules I posted earlier.

kevinco1 · May 31, 2014

I've tested this and am very impressed..besides Eclipse this is the closest thing to ASOP experience S4 SS users will experience. Chrome doesn't work and there are a few other minor bugs,but those are small issues. Hopefully this will open up more development for ASOP and SS.

Great work! This should be added to the AT&T MK2 and NB1 thread

Rhymey · May 31, 2014

kevinco1 said:
I've tested this and am very impressed..besides Eclipse this is the closest thing to ASOP experience S4 SS users will experience. Chrome doesn't work and there are a few other minor bugs,but those are small issues. Hopefully this will open up more development for ASOP and SS.

Great work! This should be added to the AT&T MK2 and NB1 thread

What other minor bugs, or is it just stuff in the OP? I'm going to [attempt] to bring this to a functional bugless version, so knowing what you found would be helpful

Asadullah · May 31, 2014

Rhymey said:
What other minor bugs, or is it just stuff in the OP? I'm going to [attempt] to bring this to a functional bugless version, so knowing what you found would be helpful

I'm on cricket (at&t phone though) and the apns close the first one or two reboots but eventually work. I never got wifi to work but am going to try the nc1 modules out and see how they work. I noticed that the stock browser isn't in the rom? I'm not sure but I think it's only paid apps that aren't downloading. Gonna reflash shortly and find out.

Rhymey · May 31, 2014

Asadullah said:
I'm on cricket (at&t phone though) and the apns close the first one or two reboots but eventually work. I never got wifi to work but am going to try the nc1 modules out and see how they work. I noticed that the stock browser isn't in the rom? I'm not sure but I think it's only paid apps that aren't downloading. Gonna reflash shortly and find out.

Did you flash a cricket APN after? If not I'd assume that's why it was closing. I also read in the original ROM post if you're experiencing data drops to try flashing the 4.3 modem instead of the 4.4 one. Gonna have to test it out.

Asadullah · May 31, 2014

Rhymey said:
Did you flash a cricket APN after? If not I'd assume that's why it was closing. I also read in the original ROM post if you're experiencing data drops to try flashing the 4.3 modem instead of the 4.4 one. Gonna have to test it out.

I just reflashed I was able to get the apn settings to work it was just having to reboot before hand. I'll give the 4.3 modem a shot a little later to see if that helps
On another note
I came from nb1 bootloader, rom etc flashing the nc1 modules didn't work for me (as expected but no link to nb1 modules).
Also if anyone wants to install the stock browser just delete browser proxy.apk and chrome from /system/app and push the aosp browser to /system/app give it read/write/execute permissions and reboot you'll be good to go.

EDIT:

I have wifi working just by copying dhd.ko and scsi_wait_scan.ko from /system/lib/modules from a stock nb1 rom to my sdcard and then copy them back to /system/lib/modules of the aosp rom
Google play definitely doesn't download paid apps. I think there may be a build.prop fix for this gonna see if I can find

also here is aio wireless apn settings

Code:

Name: Internet
APN: ndo
Proxy: Not Set
Port: Not Set
Username: Not Set
Password: Not Set
Server: Not Set
MMSC: http://mmsc.aiowireless.net
MMS Proxy: proxy.aiowireless.net
MMS Port: 80
MCC: 310
MNC: 150
Authentication type: Not Set
APN type: default,mms,fota,hipri,supl

issam1979 · May 31, 2014

vibration?

I flashed the ROM and I'm from nb1 too but on reboot the phone just vibrates every 2 seconds for a long time with a black screen and never boots to android, it's doing it while I'm writing this, what's going on? I can still access SS.

Asadullah · May 31, 2014

issam1979 said:
I flashed the rom and i'm from nb1 too but on reboot the phone just vibrates every 2 seconds for a long time with a black screen and never boots to android, it's doing now while i'm writing this, what's going on? I can still access SS.

Did you wipe before hand?

issam1979 · Jun 1, 2014

Asadullah said:
Did you wipe before hand?

yes full wipe except the sdcard. what modules did you flash it with?

[ROM][AOSP] S4 Google Edition [SafeStrap]

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