How to Unbrick Samsung Galaxy S4 GT-I9500/GT-I9505 [GUIDE]

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Pre-requisites
1) Install USB driver for Samsung Galaxy S4 to transfer files between the Android device and computer.
2) Enable USB Debugging Mode on the phone to connect it with the
computer and use Android SDK with it. [Press Menu>>
Settings>> Applications. From there navigate and click on
Development option and ensure the USB Debugging Mode is turned on.]
3) As the tutorial might wipe all data of the phone, create a backup.
If the device is having any custom recoveries such as CWM/TWRP already
installed then backup data using the recovery.
4) The battery of the phone should have charge above 80 per cent.
5) The device should be factory unlocked and not locked to a particular carrier.
6) The methods below works only on Samsung Galaxy S4 I9500/I9505.
Applying these on any other variant might brick the device. Therefore,
verify the model number of Galaxy device by navigating to Settings>> About Phone>> Model number and install files accordingly.
Here are three ways to recover the Galaxy S4 if it is soft-bricked.
Method 1: Recovering Samsung Galaxy S4 from a bootloop
Bootloop occurs when a smartphone is not able to boot properly and
stuck on Bootanimation. This is a common issue. However, this can be
fixed very easily by booting the device either into stock or custom
recovery mode. Click here for step-by-step guide to recover Galaxy S4 caught in bootloop.
Method 2: By installing official firmware on Samsung Galaxy S4
If the first method fails to fix the bootloop or users are unable to
boot the Galaxy S4 into the Android System or ClockworkMod (CWM)
recovery then they can install official firmware on their handsets to
overcome the issue. Users may follow our step-by-step guide to install official firmware on Galaxy S4.
Method 3: By flashing stock firmware and PIT file on Samsung Galaxy S4
If both these aforementioned method do not bring back the Galaxy S4
to normal state then users may follow this method. This is similar as
installing official firmware but it involves flashing a PIT file along
with the firmware. The pit file is used to re-partition the corrupt
partition on Galaxy device. Follow the step-by-step guide below to
unbrick Galaxy S4.
Step-1: Download correct official firmware for Samsung Galaxy S4 and then extract the zip file (Firmware download links: Galaxy S4 GT-I9505/ Galaxy S4 GT-I9500 )
Step-2: Download appropriate PIT file for Samsung Galaxy S4 to the computer. Then extract the downloaded zip file
Download links: I9500_pit_file.zip / I9505_pit_file.zip
Step-3: Download Odin3-v3.07.zip and extract the zip file
Step-4: Turn off the Galaxy S4. Then boot the device into Download Mode by pressing and holding Volume Down, Home and Power buttons together for two to three seconds until a warning screen appears. Then press the Volume Up button to enter Download Mode
Step-5: Launch Odin on the computer
Step-6: Connect the Galaxy S4 to the computer using USB cable
while it is in the Download Mode. Wait for some time until Odin detects
the device. When the phone is connected successfully, the ID: COM port
at Odin will turn blue. Also, the successful connection will be
indicated by an Added message in Odin
Step-7: Now in Odin, click on the PDA button and navigate to the firmware folder and select the file with .tar.md5 extension
Step-8: Then click on the PIT button and navigate to the PIT folder and select the file with .pit extension
Step-9: Ensure the Re-Partition and F.Reset Time checkboxes are selected in Odin. But uncheck the Auto Reboot option
Step-10: Finally click the Start button in Odin. The installation process should begin now and would take about few minutes to complete
Step-11: When the installation process is completed, a PASS message will appear in Odin. Now unplug the USB cable from the phone
Step-12: Now remove the battery cover of the phone and pull out
the battery. Wait for about one minute and then re-insert the battery
again
Step-13: Boot the Galaxy S4 into Android System Recovery mode by pressing and holding Volume Up, Home and Power buttons together until the screen turns up and the Samsung logo blinks. Now release the Power button but keep pressing the Volume Up and Home buttons until the recovery mode menu appears
Note: In recovery mode, use the Volume buttons to scroll between options and use Power button to select the desired option.
Step-14: Go to wipe data/factory reset option and wipe it
Step-15: Then select wipe cache partition
Step-16: Finally reboot the phone by selecting reboot system now. The Galaxy S4 will boot now
As the Samsung Galaxy S4 GT-I9500/GT-I9505 boots up successfully it should be unbricked successfully.