Database Info

Verizon GPS Locking Up?

I searched through the Q&A about the S3 GPS, and I couldn't find a similar case to this. Hopefully it's out there.
My job involves a lot of driving, and I use my GPS for literally everything because most of the places are pretty far out there. I've used a Motorola Droid X and an HTC Incredible perfectly for this. The GPS would lock and maintain a signal, and get me there with no problem.
On my Verizon S3, I have an odd issue. It'll take much longer to lock in, and when it finally does, it seems to just freeze up after a few minutes. It'll be stuck on the same remaining time, the cursor will be on the same point in the road despite having passed it, and the distance to the next turn won't update. A little bit afterwards, it'll say signal lost and try searching for the GPS again.
I tried turning power saver off, checking the location services on and off, and yes, I turned it off and back on.
I thought it was an issue due to a preemptive rooting of my phone, so I came home early today and reinstalled the stock ROM. I tried the GPS again, and it had the same exact issue despite not being rooted this time.
Is there any fixes out there, or tutorials, or something that could be causing this? Thanks. Will click the thanks button the video beat over my head.

If it is doing it consistently take it back and do an exchange. I have sold two Galaxy S 3s on Sprint and was able to get a lock in a building pretty quick. I have the Galaxy S 2 and my first one had similar GPS issues. I just did a warrenty replacement for it not charging and GPS on this new Galaxy S 2 is great.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda app-developers app

namakemono1776 said:
If it is doing it consistently take it back and do an exchange. I have sold two Galaxy S 3s on Sprint and was able to get a lock in a building pretty quick. I have the Galaxy S 2 and my first one had similar GPS issues. I just did a warrenty replacement for it not charging and GPS on this new Galaxy S 2 is great.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda app-developers app
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Click to collapse
Alright, that makes enough sense. I'll try doing that.
Could there be anything else wrong before having to do that? Worried they'll just sell out super fast.

Samsung galaxy phones have been know for GPS issues. Sounds like you got a bad one. You will make yourself go nuts trying to find fixes for it, like I did. Get another one and see what happens, even if it is a pain to get another one.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda app-developers app

namakemono1776 said:
If it is doing it consistently take it back and do an exchange. I have sold two Galaxy S 3s on Sprint and was able to get a lock in a building pretty quick. I have the Galaxy S 2 and my first one had similar GPS issues. I just did a warrenty replacement for it not charging and GPS on this new Galaxy S 2 is great.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda app-developers app
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Click to collapse
namakemono1776 said:
Samsung galaxy phones have been know for GPS issues. Sounds like you got a bad one. You will make yourself go nuts trying to find fixes for it, like I did. Get another one and see what happens, even if it is a pain to get another one.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda app-developers app
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Click to collapse
Alright, I appreciate the quick help. My dad is currently remaining vigilant in his demand to go through tech support first, so he's working on that. If that fails, I'll definitely try getting another Galaxy. Hopefully I can actually find one.
Maybe they WILL fix it, who knows! Probably not, though.
Question is still open if anyone has any ideas.

Monty522 said:
Alright, I appreciate the quick help. My dad is currently remaining vigilant in his demand to go through tech support first, so he's working on that. If that fails, I'll definitely try getting another Galaxy. Hopefully I can actually find one.
Maybe they WILL fix it, who knows! Probably not, though.
Question is still open if anyone has any ideas.
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Click to collapse
Oh christ. Dad just finished with the tech support. They literally just told him to check the location settings to see if everything was checked(which it was when the problem was occurring). Even took it for another test drive and the same problem.
This really does suck sort of, I love the phone but GPS is essential. I hope I can just replace it.

If they give you a hard time return it and go somewhere else to buy it. You have 14 days to return it without breaking contract. Go into the store and see how their display model works.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda app-developers app

Back on my Incredible for a few days, just returned it. I hope the new model works. I miss it already. :<

Good luck

I'm having the same issue as OP. So i'm gathering that it just might be my specific phone and not that they're all having this problem?
I'm liking the phone for the most part, but the GPS issue is a pain when I use it multiple times a day.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app

sgtflick said:
I'm having the same issue as OP. So i'm gathering that it just might be my specific phone and not that they're all having this problem?
I'm liking the phone for the most part, but the GPS issue is a pain when I use it multiple times a day.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had similar problem and just went to Verizon store today for it. The "technical specialist" had ZERO clue. He didn't even know where the location settings are. Anyway, after I showed him the problem in the store he ordered a replacement for me. Didn't even challenge me about trying to use it indoor, or having the WiFi turned off etc. I also tried the demo units they had in store and they all locked instantaneously.
It was pretty easy and I'm glad it's over. I've spent hours trying to figure out whether I'm crazy or the phone is crazy.
Good luck.

You guys who are having the lock ups, are you using VZNavigator or Google Nav?
I exclusively use GNav and I have the Verizon navigation services UNCHECKED and I have had zero issues with getting locks and with navigation.

AlexDeGruven said:
You guys who are having the lock ups, are you using VZNavigator or Google Nav?
I exclusively use GNav and I have the Verizon navigation services UNCHECKED and I have had zero issues with getting locks and with navigation.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google Map/Nav here. Never used VZW one. why on earth would anybody use VZW Nav? I did try both check/uncheck the VZW service.
In my case I'm sure it's not a user error. I spent hours trying all kinds of things, all possible combination of settings and different locations.

AlexDeGruven said:
You guys who are having the lock ups, are you using VZNavigator or Google Nav?
I exclusively use GNav and I have the Verizon navigation services UNCHECKED and I have had zero issues with getting locks and with navigation.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm inside now so I can't test it, but i have VZNAV App disabled, I'm wondering if that may be affecting GPS lock. I'm sure my GPS was working fine a week ago, and thats the only thing I did recently that could have affected it. Someone please test enabling/disabling VZNav App and let me know if theres any differences.

ChrisNee1988 said:
I'm inside now so I can't test it, but i have VZNAV disabled, I'm wondering if that may be affecting GPS lock. I'm sure my GPS was working fine a week ago, and thats the only thing I did recently that could have affected it. Someone please test enabling/disabling VZNav and let me know if theres any differences.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At one point of my testing I turned on VZW location service in location setting and it locked immediately. I was out in the open. I then tried toggling it multiple time, before and after rebooting the phone. It never helped again. I'm guessing in a normal situation it could help locking but it does fix my defective GPS.

simollie said:
At one point of my testing I turned on VZW location service in location setting and it locked immediately. I was out in the open. I then tried toggling it multiple time, before and after rebooting the phone. It never helped again. I'm guessing in a normal situation it could help locking but it does fix my defective GPS.
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Click to collapse
I was talking about the VZNav app rather than VZW Location Service

ChrisNee1988 said:
I was talking about the VZNav app rather than VZW Location Service
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've never open VZNav app. When I first got my phone I disabled the VZNav app. After I noticed the GPS problem I went back to 100% stock and did a factory reset. Did not disable VZNav and didn't even install any app. I still had the same GPS problem. So I guess in my case I did disable/enable the VZNav app and it didn't seem to be the cause.

simollie said:
I've never open VZNav app. When I first got my phone I disabled the VZNav app. After I noticed the GPS problem I went back to 100% stock and did a factory reset. Did not disable VZNav and didn't even install any app. I still had the same GPS problem. So I guess in my case I did disable/enable the VZNav app and it didn't seem to be the cause.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh well if the GPS doesn't improve later, i'll stop by VZW on my way home and see if i can get an exchange.

Sprint in south Florida

OK I'm starting this post for my buddy who has a sprint galaxy nexus we live in south Florida and spring took there towers off line today to do some service to there towers well when they put them back online they deactivated his service and when he called customer service he told them his phone was rooted and unlocked with a custom ROM and they told him that sprint probably seen that his phone was rooted and that is why they deactivated his device well he has it back on now and is getting no data what so ever
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

cant see that happening tbh, why would a phone network care about what you do to your device? Only the phone manufacturer would care about you invalidating your warranty if you were to book it in for repair.

Doddster said:
cant see that happening tbh, why would a phone network care about what you do to your device? Only the phone manufacturer would care about you invalidating your warranty if you were to book it in for repair.
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That's what I told him but he said the lady was pretty persistent about that
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

As an ex-Sprint in-store technician, the lady was bullshitting.

Product F(RED) said:
As an ex-Sprint in-store technician, the lady was bullshitting.
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Why do u think they deactivated his device I mean its back up now but he us getting no data what so ever just voice everything was fine prior to getting deactivated
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

bostonbassman78 said:
Why do u think they deactivated his device I mean its back up now but he us getting no data what so ever just voice everything was fine prior to getting deactivated
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
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Click to collapse
Tell him to do a profile update. Settings -> About Phone -> Sprint updates -> Update Profile (if I remember correctly) and then Update PRL. Otherwise just call up Sprint and tell them he's not getting data and they should be able to refresh his profile from their end. Also, they can't do anything about you rooting your phone as it's yours. If he starts tethering like 50GB a month or something stupid like that, then yeah there's an issue. But I'm assume it's normal usage. Why he even bothered telling the lady his phone is rooted is beyond me...No offense, but that was pretty stupid.

Product F(RED) said:
Tell him to do a profile update. Settings -> About Phone -> Sprint updates -> Update Profile (if I remember correctly) and then Update PRL. Otherwise just call up Sprint and tell them he's not getting data and they should be able to refresh his profile from their end. Also, they can't do anything about you rooting your phone as it's yours. If he starts tethering like 50GB a month or something stupid like that, then yeah there's an issue. But I'm assume it's normal usage. Why he even bothered telling the lady his phone is rooted is beyond me...No offense, but that was pretty stupid.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I sent him the link for this thread so he should be on here soon
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

bostonbassman78 said:
I sent him the link for this thread so he should be on here soon
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
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Click to collapse
I heard it's not so good in south florida with sprint.

Charybdisan said:
I heard it's not so good in south florida with sprint.
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Click to collapse
It's not so good anywhere unless you're in their LTE areas. Their coverage is fine, voice and text is fine. Their data is GARBAGE.

Product F(RED) said:
It's not so good anywhere unless you're in their LTE areas. Their coverage is fine, voice and text is fine. Their data is GARBAGE.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He should be on in a minute or two if you could pls stay on he wants to pick your brain he said he tried that profile thing didn't work he said
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

Product F(RED) said:
As an ex-Sprint in-store technician, the lady was bullshitting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey what's up guys? I'm the guy with the Sprint issues. It makes absolutely no sense to me at all why they would care about my device but the way she made it sound was that Sprint cannot restore my 3g data because my device was rooted. She told me that my best bet would be to flash back to stop and start over. She concluded with an offer to follow up with me after I flashed back to stock and she could rectify the data situation then. Call me crazy but I think I want the opinion of the guys who know what's going on and not the one of the chick reading off her computer screen. Any help on this would be greatly appreciated.

bigweezy1212 said:
Hey what's up guys? I'm the guy with the Sprint issues. It makes absolutely no sense to me at all why they would care about my device but the way she made it sound was that Sprint cannot restore my 3g data because my device was rooted. She told me that my best bet would be to flash back to stop and start over. She concluded with an offer to follow up with me after I flashed back to stock and she could rectify the data situation then. Call me crazy but I think I want the opinion of the guys who know what's going on and not the one of the chick reading off her computer screen. Any help on this would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Several things I have to say:
1. Do not EVER EVER EVER tell your phone company that you rooted your device because the things that run through their mind are:
a) ****! Now he can tether without paying!
b) We're not fixing your phone now because you voided the warranty.
I hope she didn't put notes on your account for b) because that can prevent you from getting your phone repaired in a Sprint store.
Also, it depends what software is on your phone. Have you tried going back to stock? Have you tried calling Sprint again and not mentioning that your phone is rooted?

Product F(RED) said:
Several things I have to say:
1. Do not EVER EVER EVER tell your phone company that you rooted your device because the things that run through their mind are:
a) ****! Now he can tether without paying!
b) We're not fixing your phone now because you voided the warranty.
I hope she didn't put notes on your account for b) because that can prevent you from getting your phone repaired in a Sprint store.
Also, it depends what software is on your phone. Have you tried going back to stock? Have you tried calling Sprint again and not mentioning that your phone is rooted?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He is on the toroplus ROM from teameos I'm gonna assume the most recent one
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

Product F(RED) said:
Several things I have to say:
1. Do not EVER EVER EVER tell your phone company that you rooted your device because the things that run through their mind are:
a) ****! Now he can tether without paying!
b) We're not fixing your phone now because you voided the warranty.
I hope she didn't put notes on your account for b) because that can prevent you from getting your phone repaired in a Sprint store.
Also, it depends what software is on your phone. Have you tried going back to stock? Have you tried calling Sprint again and not mentioning that your phone is rooted?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I asked her if there were going to be notes on my account mentioning it being rooted and she said yes but she said she was putting another note stating that the phone was being returned to stock. So I don't know. I'm learning and the main thing I'm learning is that the more I try to learn about this ****, the worse it's getting. The thing I hate the most is that this is a way to break away from the communist machine that is Sprint but somehow they still have me by the balls.

bostonbassman78 said:
He is on the toroplus ROM from teameos I'm gonna assume the most recent one
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
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Click to collapse
I am also on the toro ROM on my Verizon Gnex and I have no issue's like that
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

bigweezy1212 said:
I asked her if there were going to be notes on my account mentioning it being rooted and she said yes but she said she was putting another note stating that the phone was being returned to stock. So I don't know. I'm learning and the main thing I'm learning is that the more I try to learn about this ****, the worse it's getting. The thing I hate the most is that this is a way to break away from the communist machine that is Sprint but somehow they still have me by the balls.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Technician notes are different from account notes, so if you were to go into a store for a repair I'm sure they wouldn't see that. Try reactivating your phone. Call Sprint, tell them:
"I called a while ago because I was having issues with data. A rep told me to punch in a code in the dialer and he also gave me the MSL code for my phone, but I can't find where I wrote it down. Do you mind telling me how to re-do the Handsfree Activation?"
Follow the instructions and see if that works. If nothing comes up on the dialer when you punch in the code, your ROM doesn't have Handsfree-Activation included. Try going to a stock ROM or ROM that has the Sprint menus in it.

Product F(RED) said:
Technician notes are different from account notes, so if you were to go into a store for a repair I'm sure they wouldn't see that. Try reactivating your phone. Call Sprint, tell them:
"I called a while ago because I was having issues with data. A rep told me to punch in a code in the dialer and he also gave me the MSL code for my phone, but I can't find where I wrote it down. Do you mind telling me how to re-do the Handsfree Activation?"
Follow the instructions and see if that works. If nothing comes up on the dialer when you punch in the code, your ROM doesn't have Handsfree-Activation included. Try going to a stock ROM or ROM that has the Sprint menus in it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm gonna have to jump on this first thing in the morning. Thanks for the advice. I will post any results on this thread as they unfold.

I would go as far to say it would be illegal for the phone company to cut you off for tethering a device that you own. (There are apps such as FoxFi that bypass the 'tethering tax' mobile networks try to claim) However, as someone said previously if you are downloading heavily then I guess they could cut you off for that.
At T-Mobile, NO such policy of cutting you off exists and they rely solely on throttling and packet shaping.

Doddster said:
I would go as far to say it would be illegal for the phone company to cut you off for tethering a device that you own. (There are apps such as FoxFi that bypass the 'tethering tax' mobile networks try to claim) However, as someone said previously if you are downloading heavily then I guess they could cut you off for that.
At T-Mobile, NO such policy of cutting you off exists and they rely solely on throttling and packet shaping.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thing is, he barely knows what he's doing. He's rooted and ROM'd but that's it. He's new to this whole thing. I don't even think he was tethering; I was just using it as an example for why a phone company wouldn't want you rooting their devices. But yeah I agree, you can't get cut off for modifying your device like that unless it was doing something that it logically should not be able to do (like if you were using it as a 24/7 server to host a website or something crazy).

Product F(RED) said:
Thing is, he barely knows what he's doing. He's rooted and ROM'd but that's it. He's new to this whole thing. I don't even think he was tethering; I was just using it as an example for why a phone company wouldn't want you rooting their devices. But yeah I agree, you can't get cut off for modifying your device like that unless it was doing something that it logically should not be able to do (like if you were using it as a 24/7 server to host a website or something crazy).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well it got worse now his phone is telling that command droid is not working any thoughts on this and is there a way to get back to stock
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

what does power button do normally on stock?

does it give power options like when rooted? my power button was sticking like crazy and then when i tried to pop it up the whole thing flew out...
want to know what to say to VZW when i call for replacement...ie my power button was sticking and i couldnt do anything cuz power options kept coming up
would that be correct?
thanks

I think it shows hibernate and airplane mode and reboot. Its been so long since I've seen it I can barely remember. I've been rooted since the day I got this phone lol.
Sent from my ADR6400 using Tapatalk 2

djcyph said:
does it give power options like when rooted? my power button was sticking like crazy and then when i tried to pop it up the whole thing flew out...
want to know what to say to VZW when i call for replacement...ie my power button was sticking and i couldnt do anything cuz power options kept coming up
would that be correct?
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would just tell them it isn't working anymore. I've actually had that happen on another phone and they replaced it. I wouldn't send it back rooted though.
Sent from my ADR6400 using Tapatalk 2
---------- Post added at 12:49 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:47 AM ----------
heath2805 said:
I would just tell them it isn't working anymore. I've actually had that happen on another phone and they replaced it. I wouldn't send it back rooted though.
And it's just a standard menu on stock when holding power, nothing like a rooted custom from menu.
Sent from my ADR6400 using Tapatalk 2
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Click to collapse
Sent from my ADR6400 using Tapatalk 2

heath2805 said:
I would just tell them it isn't working anymore. I've actually had that happen on another phone and they replaced it. I wouldn't send it back rooted though.
Sent from my ADR6400 using Tapatalk 2
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Click to collapse
yea def wont send back rooted...yea think ill say something like that, wont turn on all the time and when does shuts down cuz power button is in

yea i was curious to what the standard menu consisted of so i sounded more like i was on stock

I sent an Eris back rooted, s off and unlocked before and heard no complaints so you may get lucky but I wouldn't do it if I could avoid it.
Sent from my ADR6400 using Tapatalk 2

disconnecktie said:
I sent an Eris back rooted, s off and unlocked before and heard no complaints so you may get lucky but I wouldn't do it if I could avoid it.
Sent from my ADR6400 using Tapatalk 2
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Click to collapse
i know not to send back rooted, ive unrooted b4....just want to know whats on the stock power menu lol

Verizon can see if you are rooted and any custom rom or modified kernel you are using. They have full access to all the information in the "about phone" screen in settings. If they wanted to deny a warranty claim due to being rooted, all they would have to do is look on their systems and see what you were running.

bastards said they will charge me 300 something if i send back without the power button
if i jam it in am i screwed either way if i send it back since i already callled??
asurion only has tblolts id rather wait till they out of stock and get rezound

djcyph said:
bastards said they will charge me 300 something if i send back without the power button
if i jam it in am i screwed either way if i send it back since i already callled??
asurion only has tblolts id rather wait till they out of stock and get rezound
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Id call back and talk to a different person, then tell them the button fell out (you did not pop it out) if that dont work get escalated (talk to their manager.

Milimbar said:
Verizon can see if you are rooted and any custom rom or modified kernel you are using. They have full access to all the information in the "about phone" screen in settings. If they wanted to deny a warranty claim due to being rooted, all they would have to do is look on their systems and see what you were running.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that sounds like a load of crap
Sent from my ADR6400L using xda app-developers app

androidsupra said:
that sounds like a load of crap
Sent from my ADR6400L using xda app-developers app
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Click to collapse
I agree. I have been over my about phone with Verizon several times and even returned rooted phones to them and they never said crap. I think they ask because they want to see if you're going to slip up and tell them some wrong information.
Sent from my ADR6400 using Tapatalk 2

androidsupra said:
that sounds like a load of crap
Sent from my ADR6400L using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 lol Verizon has no way to tell your rooted unless they have your phone in front of them. If they knew, you would be warned as soon as you root your device. Where do these people get their info?? Lol
Sent from my ADR6400 using Tapatalk 2
---------- Post added at 01:32 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:16 AM ----------
disconnecktie said:
I agree. I have been over my about phone with Verizon several times and even returned rooted phones to them and they never said crap. I think they ask because they want to see if you're going to slip up and tell them some wrong information.
Sent from my ADR6400 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah most of them don't really care anyway. I had a touch pro 2 from Sprint, first phone I ever rooted. I panicked because I had to send it back, didn't know how to re-lock! Finally after searching and reading and searching I figured it out! Lol
Sent from my ADR6400 using Tapatalk 2

They can see your radio version every time you connect to their towers, They can see your software/kernel/baseband if they like through the information your phone sends to them as you use it. Also they still have stuff like Carrier IQ on phones that COULD even read you your text messages if they wanted. Dont think they cant see it because they can. They just dont let you know they can because it could be considered illegal.

Milimbar said:
They can see your radio version every time you connect to their towers, They can see your software/kernel/baseband if they like through the information your phone sends to them as you use it. Also they still have stuff like Carrier IQ on phones that COULD even read you your text messages if they wanted. Dont think they cant see it because they can. They just dont let you know they can because it could be considered illegal.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is BS because if that's the case they would have made me pay full price on two different occasions for phones that were rooted when I sent them back.
Sent from my ADR6400 using Tapatalk 2

Milimbar said:
They can see your radio version every time you connect to their towers, They can see your software/kernel/baseband if they like through the information your phone sends to them as you use it. Also they still have stuff like Carrier IQ on phones that COULD even read you your text messages if they wanted. Dont think they cant see it because they can. They just dont let you know they can because it could be considered illegal.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seeing the radio version doesn't tell any carrier that someone is rooted. Being rooted is software related not radio related. Not unless custom radios are around, which is not available for the tbolt and im sure not for any other phone for that matter.
The only info phones send to the network is account information so the tower knows whether or not to provide service. That's it.
If they knew more details about a device then they would have no reason to ask us about our phone. They wouldn't waste their time as the info would pop up on their computer screens. If they saw anything other than the latest official OTA, then they would tell you that they can't do anything and that you voided your warranty so even switching back to stock won't make them change their mind.
The fact they would "waste" time to find out every detail from you pretty much sums up that this info is NOT available to them. CSRs like to help the customer as quickly as possible to get them off the line and help the next. And at this moment, asking customers about their phones is the quickest way.
Sent from my ADR6400L using xda premium

So you think that those little forum signatures that can tell you what OS you are running, what browser and even your IP know more about your phone than your carrier?
Must be nice to be that gullible.
Think what you will, I know for a fact they can see the information. They literally don't care. The warranty is through another company and has nothing to do with Verizon. It is also perfectly legal to root your phone and do what you want with it as of July 26 2010 http://www.androidguys.com/2010/07/26/rooting-android-phone-longer-crime/
The only thing it does is void any extended warranty you bought. So do restore to stock for returns to asurion and the likes.
They ask you because the lower tier CS people do not have access to your phone information, if you are escalated enough you will eventually find someone who can and will rattle off all your information to you.

If you can provide proof then I will take back what I said and apologize. I've played dumb before in the past just to see if it was possible for tier 2 and 3 (technical departments) to know this information. I simply stated that I didn't know how to access the about phone section. They tried to "help" me access this section and i pretended I was getting frustrated. I asked them to see if there was a way for them to see it on their systems and they told me no. They couldn't "help" me with my pretend issue unless I gave them this info. So all I was given was generic troubleshooting tips. They then stated to take it to the store for the CSR to look at my phone for the software version. I did this on a couple of occasions just to get a different Rep each time.
Yes, your mobile browser sends browser info to a website, and OS info. User agent strings are sent so that a website will know how to display the website on the browser. You can easily set the user agent to the stock HTC user agent. But this is irrelevant to Verizon as I can install different browsers on my phone which have unique user agents for each one. Just because my phone sends a dolphin user agent or maxathon user agent and not the stock HTC user agent, this does not imply I am rooted.
OS version is very easy to hack. You can edit this by going to the build.prop and change the OS version to the stock version and I'm sure there is a hack to fake the kernal (you might have to recompile the kernal to change the name)
All the IP address provides is the owner of the IP address (i.e. verizon) and in some cases, the general location of where the IP is being used. Verizon's LTE/EHRPD network use private IP addresses so it would be difficult to pin point a phone or information based on IP. This network uses Dynamic IPs so your IP will not be the same all the time. You have to pay extra to get a static address (business account). It is illegal to use an IP to gain access to any additional information unless a court order demands this.
The point of this is that you can pretty much make your rooted phone appear stock if it was really necessary to do so. Its a variant of Linux and Linux is very easy to work with if you know what you are doing.
Sent from my ADR6400L using xda premium

OS version is very easy to hack. You can edit this by going to the build.prob and change the OS version to the stock version and I'm sure there is a hack to fake the kernal (you might have to recompile the kernal to change the name)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup, does anyone just randomly do this though?
Sorry to cause the topic to get sidetracked like this, I was just trying to point out that Verizon don't care if we root or not.

Milimbar said:
Yup, does anyone just randomly do this though?
Sorry to cause the topic to get sidetracked like this, I was just trying to point out that Verizon don't care if we root or not.
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Click to collapse
If you can root your phone, then its a start. Your typical average user doesn't know what root means or even care what possibilities exist. I am pretty much the only person at my job who is rooted and I've had people ask me how I got my phone to look a certain way and they want their phone like this. When I explain the root process, they say screw that. Most people I know who are rooted know exactly what they can do with a rooted device. And new comers to rooting eventually pick up speed. Linux may be intimidating at first, but once you play around, you see how easy it is.
Sent from my ADR6400L using xda premium

[q] tricked into buying gs4 demo phone

I recently bought an unlocked Samsung Galaxy s4 off of Craigslist. I checked the phone, made sure it charges, calls, texts, and works with my carrier. Everything was fine until I came home and the demo ads kept popping up whenever I stopped using the phone. I then realized I just got ripped off, and after various attempts of trying to contact the seller, I finally gave up.
Is there anyway to stop the demo ads from popping up? Everything else in the phone works just fine. I just want to get ride of the ads!
PLEASE HELP!

haquemistress said:
I recently bought an unlocked Samsung Galaxy s4 off of Craigslist. I checked the phone, made sure it charges, calls, texts, and works with my carrier. Everything was fine until I came home and the demo ads kept popping up whenever I stopped using the phone. I then realized I just got ripped off, and after various attempts of trying to contact the seller, I finally gave up.
Is there anyway to stop the demo ads from popping up? Everything else in the phone works just fine. I just want to get ride of the ads!
PLEASE HELP!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, I didn't exactly understand your question... but can you show me an example (screenshot) of how those ads looks like? Because I have no idea what kind of ads you're getting on your GS4... If you're talking about seeing ads in apps downloaded from Play Store then that's normal..
AND YEAH, take a look at this thread, it might help you with solving your problem... :good:
And if all else fails then try Factory Resetting the phone and see if that helps...

haquemistress said:
I recently bought an unlocked Samsung Galaxy s4 off of Craigslist. I checked the phone, made sure it charges, calls, texts, and works with my carrier. Everything was fine until I came home and the demo ads kept popping up whenever I stopped using the phone. I then realized I just got ripped off, and after various attempts of trying to contact the seller, I finally gave up.
Is there anyway to stop the demo ads from popping up? Everything else in the phone works just fine. I just want to get ride of the ads!
PLEASE HELP!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got it. You can flash the firmware from sammobile.com for your device.
These generally are display phones and goes to screensaver mode in which samsung ads are played.
Sent from my Micromax A116 using xda premium

Sami Kabir said:
Sorry, I didn't exactly understand your question... but can you show me an example (screenshot) of how those ads looks like? Because I have no idea what kind of ads you're getting on your GS4... If you're talking about seeing ads in apps downloaded from Play Store then that's normal..
AND YEAH, take a look at this thread, it might help you with solving your problem... :good:
And if all else fails then try Factory Resetting the phone and see if that helps...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Heres a link of the add that keeps popping up
http://i1164.photobucket.com/albums/q578/sum227/e32986d25effd7828548d922d17692ad_zps942dda31.jpg
I tried factory resetting the phone, and it didnt work. I visited a lot of verizon stores and they said its a demo phone, and there is no way to remove the add. I paid 400 dollars for the phone, and now I really dont know what to do. Is there really no way to get rid of it? Everything else is fine.
Thanks in advance.

rajneeshk said:
I got it. You can flash the firmware from sammobile.com for your device.
These generally are display phones and goes to screensaver mode in which samsung ads are played.
Sent from my Micromax A116 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How exactly can I do that? I am a noob when it comes to these things.

haquemistress said:
How exactly can I do that? I am a noob when it comes to these things.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
search @xda itself . you can get a detailed method and links.

haquemistress said:
How exactly can I do that? I am a noob when it comes to these things.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have owned a Samsung device before I suggest installing the drivers and flashing the stock firmwear through Odin
Use kies for simple driver installing http://www.samsung.com/us/kies/
A list of stock firmwares download the correct one for your device http://galaxys4root.com/galaxy-s4-stock-firmware/
And the Odin download and form if you have questions on how to use Odin I'll try to answer them or another xda member can http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1738841
Sent from my Life Play L100a using xda app-developers app

It's in retail mode.
If you go to Playstore and download APK Manager and open the app you will find an installed app called Retail Mode... uninstall and job done! No more demo video!
Good luck .
Sent from my C6603 using xda app-developers app

saintextreme97 said:
I have owned a Samsung device before I suggest installing the drivers and flashing the stock firmwear through Odin
Use kies for simple driver installing http://www.samsung.com/us/kies/
A list of stock firmwares download the correct one for your device http://galaxys4root.com/galaxy-s4-stock-firmware/
And the Odin download and form if you have questions on how to use Odin I'll try to answer them or another xda member can http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1738841
Sent from my Life Play L100a using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I managed to get rid of the demo screensaver by flashing! Thank you so much! Now that one problem is solved, another has come up. The demo contacts keep showing up, and every time they show up my saved contacts get erased. What can I do to prevent this?

haquemistress said:
I managed to get rid of the demo screensaver by flashing! Thank you so much! Now that one problem is solved, another has come up. The demo contacts keep showing up, and every time they show up my saved contacts get erased. What can I do to prevent this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmmm I'm not sure try syncing your contacts to google then set the contact list to only display contacts from there
Sent from my Life Play L100a using xda app-developers app

Group messaging question

This is my first HTC device and the first time on Verizon, coming from the nexus line. So far, of course loving the build quality! So, so, so good! But my question is very simple and just an annoyance, maybe there's nothing to fix this. Group messaging works perfect, nothing wrong with it, its just every time I click on the conversation it says converting to MMS, I don't care that its doing that, but the message that pops up every time is starting to annoy me... Is there any fix for this? Couldn't find anything in the settings

jamezz23 said:
This is my first HTC device and the first time on Verizon, coming from the nexus line. So far, of course loving the build quality! So, so, so good! But my question is very simple and just an annoyance, maybe there's nothing to fix this. Group messaging works perfect, nothing wrong with it, its just every time I click on the conversation it says converting to MMS, I don't care that its doing that, but the message that pops up every time is starting to annoy me... Is there any fix for this? Couldn't find anything in the settings
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What are you using for text messaging??

CtK4949 said:
What are you using for text messaging??
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Click to collapse
Not the Verizon one, but stock one that comes with HTC. I'm use to hangouts cause coming from nexus and I didn't mind that at all. Reason I'm not using the Verizon messaging app is cause the rep at Verizon was messing with my phone while the number was being ported and basically setting it up for me cause he has an m8, said he was saving me a few headaches
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app

Just go back to using Hangouts. That is what I use, no problems at all.
Don't use any of the verizon crappy apps, lol
Sent from my M8 via Tapatalk

Haha yea I hear ya. I usually try to give stock apps a chance before I change over to replacement app, such as hangouts. Wish you could customize the colors like the stock messaging app but oh well

jamezz23 said:
Not the Verizon one, but stock one that comes with HTC. I'm use to hangouts cause coming from nexus and I didn't mind that at all. Reason I'm not using the Verizon messaging app is cause the rep at Verizon was messing with my phone while the number was being ported and basically setting it up for me cause he has an m8, said he was saving me a few headaches
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
More likely that VZW rep is responsible for your current headache! :laugh:
Go back to the store and ask what he messed up!