Install /e/ on a Samsung Galaxy S4 (SGH-I337) - “jflteatt”

Tip: Please read through the instructions at least once before actually following them, so as to avoid any problems later.
Warning: Downgrading Smartphones already on Android Q or LineageOS 17.x to Pie or other OS can cause instability or at worst brick some devices
Caution: Flash your device only if you know what you are doing and are OK taking the associated risk. All builds are provided as best effort, without any guarantee. The /e/ project and its project members deny any and all responsibility about the consequences of using /e/ software and or /e/ services.

Requirements

  • If required take a backup of all important data from your phone on an external storage device before proceeding.
  • Do not take a backup on the same device as some of these actions will format the device and delete the backup.
  • Ensure your phone is charged more than 50%
  • Check that adb is enabled on your PC. If not you can find the setup instructions here
  • Download all the files and images mentioned in the download section below before starting the installation

  • Make sure you have a working data cable to connect your device to the PC. There are cables which are only for charging and do not transfer data.

  • Enable USB debugging on your device. You can find the instructions here
Caution: Do not install /e/OS on top of a higher version of stock OS. Before installing /e/OS ensure your device has the latest stock OS of the same version as /e/OS. If only lower versions of the stock are available then install the last available lower version before installing /e/OS.

Downloads for the jflteatt

  • Custom recovery (not required if you already have it running on your phone)

To understand the difference between /e/OS builds check this guide

Warning: Please note some of the above links can lead to external sites
Caution: Your device must be on bootloader version: I337UCUAMDB / I337UCUAMDL otherwise the instructions found in this page will not work. The current bootloader version can be checked by running the command getprop ro.bootloader in a terminal app or an adb shell from a command prompt (on Windows) or terminal (on Linux or macOS) window.

Rooting your device

Important: The device must be rooted before proceeding any further.

  1. Download TowelRoot from here.
    1. Click the large lambda symbol to download the apk.
    2. Install and run the apk to achieve root.

Installing a custom recovery using dd

Warning: Installing a custom recovery will erase all data on your device! Before proceeding, ensure the data you would like to retain is backed up to your PC and/or a online drive.

  1. Place the recovery image file on the root of /sdcard (USB debugging have to be enabled in developer options) :

     adb push recoveryfilename.img /sdcard/recoveryfilename.img

  2. Now, open an adb shell from a command prompt (on Windows) or terminal (on Linux or macOS) window. In that shell, type the following commands:

     su
 dd if=/sdcard/recoveryfilename.img of=/dev/block/platform/msm_sdcc.1/by-name/recovery

  3. Manually reboot into recovery With the device powered off, hold Volume Down + Power. Release all buttons and press Power again as soon as the LG logo appears.

  4. Accept the factory reset prompt using the hardware buttons. If you have done everything correctly, this will not actually reset your device but instead will install the custom recovery.

Installing /e/ from recovery

  1. Before proceeding ensure you have downloaded the /e/OS for your device, from the link given in the Downloads section above

  2. If you aren’t already in recovery mode, reboot into recovery mode by typing the below command in the console of an adb enabled PC

     adb reboot recovery
    Tip: You can also do this manually using the below key combination
    • With the device powered off, hold Home + Volume Up + Power. Let go of Power immediately when the phone vibrates, but keep holding the two other keys.

  3. In TWRP return to main menu, then tap Wipe

  4. Now tap Format Data and continue with the formatting process.

    Here a new screen may show where you will have to type Yes and confirm the action by clicking a button.

    Caution: Format Data will remove encryption as well as delete all files stored on the internal storage. Remember to take a backup first. Check Requirements section above.

  5. Return to the previous menu and tap Advanced Wipe.

  6. Select the Cache and System partitions to be wiped and then Swipe to Wipe

  7. Sideload the /e/ .zip package.

    Tip: Sideload requires actions in two places to be done. One on your phone in the TWRP UI and secondly on the connected PC which should have adb enabled. Also note the sideload process while running may stop abruptly around 50%. The console would show a message Total xfer: 1.00x. This would mean that the transfer has successfully completed.
    • On the device in TWRP,

      select Advanced, ADB Sideload, then swipe to begin sideload.

    • On the host machine, in the console , start the sideload of the package by typing
     adb sideload filename.zip
    Tip: Change the filename to the name of the file you downloaded

  8. Once installation has finished, return to the main menu, tap Reboot, and then System

Warning: Avoid installing any additional apps or services if suggested by the recovery. They may cause your device to bootloop, as well as attempt to access and or corrupt your data.
Success: Congratulations !! Your phone should now be booting into /e/OS !!
To find some troubleshooting tips… click here

adb

  • Getting a Total xFer ':' 0.01x message - Try to upload the /e/OS to internal storage and retry to install
  • adb ':' sideload connection failed ':' insufficient permissions for device error - Try to execute the commands adb kill-server and adb start-server and retry
  • Running adb shell twrp install /sdcard/</e/ zip package> raise non-existent directory error - Try to check solution here
  • Getting an insufficient permissions error - Try the solution given here
  • When running "adb devices" in bash a device is shown as "unauthorized" - Try the solution given here

TWRP

  • Errors while running TWRP version 3.4.x.x or above - Try downloading and using a previous TWRP version.. below 3.4.x.x
  • In TWRP if this error shows up failed to mount /preload - Try in TWRP wipe screen in advanced menu select preload and swipe to wipe
  • /cache/recovery/xxx -> no such file or directory error while flashing a ROM - On PC run adb shell in the console now create a folder called recovery for e.g. here the devicecode name is violet "violet :/cache# mkdir recovery"

Connectivity

  • Trying to troubleshoot mobile connectivity issues - Read this guide



Tip: To suggest changes to this install guide documentation, please visit the Galaxy S4 (SGH-I337) specific topic on our community forum. To report issues in the build please refer this guide

This documentation “Install /e/ on a Samsung Galaxy S4 (SGH-I337) - “jflteatt”” is a derivative of “install LineageOS on jflteatt” by The LineageOS Project, used under CC BY.