How to Flash a Custom Recovery on the Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Play Edition (GT-I9505G)

Every Android device has, what is called, a recovery image on it. This is basically a part of the Android operating system that you or the manufacturer can access if your device becomes unresponsive and then use it to restore your device.

A custom recovery image, however, is a recovery image that a developer has altered that can not only help the device if it becomes responsive, but also has the added benefits of allowing us to make major changes to the operating system and have even further customizations on your device.

In this procedure, we’ll show you how to flash a custom recovery on your Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Play Edition.

After flashing a custom recovery on Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Play Edition, you’ll be able to:

• Perform full backups of your device (literally save EVERYTHING from it).
• Increase your device’s performance (after flashing something called a kernel
• Increase your device’s battery life.
• Flash custom ROMs (these make it possible to flash a newer version of Android, totally new user interfaces, add tons of new features, and much more).

Interested? Here’s how to flash a custom recovery on your Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Play Edition:

I. Before You Begin

1. You must be rooted before you can do this procedure. Please head to our root guide and root your device first, then come back to this procedure and continue.

2. This should install TWRP Recovery on your device.

II. Downloading Required Files

1. Download Odin and save it to your Desktop.

Odin

2. Download TWRP Recovery and save it to your Desktop.

TWRP Recovery (It’s attached in the first post)

III. Flashing a Custom Recovery on the Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Play Edition (GT-I9505G)

1. Extract files from Odin by right-clicking on it and selecting Extract here.

2. Double-click on Odin executable and it’ll open.

3. Click on PDA and select the TWRP Recovery (.tar) available on your Desktop.

4. Make sure to only checkmark Auto Reboot.

5. Turn OFF your device.

6. Turn it back on by holding down Volume DOWN+Home+Power buttons together.

7. Press Volume UP button to continue to Download mode.

8. Plug it in to your PC using the USB cable.

9. Hit Start in the Odin and it’ll start flashing the recovery on your device.

10. It shouldn’t take too long to flash the recovery.

11. Once it’s done, your device should automatically reboot.

All set! Now, you can head to our How to Flash a Custom ROM procedure for the Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Play Edition to open up a whole new world of customizations for your Android device!

By the way, don’t be scared, you can always put your device back to stock by heading to our Rooting How To’s section, finding your device, and doing the How to Unroot listed for it there.