Related
[I'd like to create a thread to collect information for all variants of the R530. I'll update this first post with additional information people give during discussion. Sorry it is here in the Verizon sub, but this is the closest model]
The SCH-R530 is a special flavor of the Samsung Galaxy S3 with sub-favors: (you should probably puke now)
SCH-R530U is a US Cellular variant
SCH-R530C is a Cricket variant
SCH-R530M is a MetroPCS variant
SCH-R530X is a Generic variant
I suspect these are all the same hardware, but just different ROMs. I would like to confirm this.
I would like to know and post the newest firmware versions for each. (at least the names, if not the ROM files themselves) I'd like to know if ROMs are compatible, if modem firmwares are compatible, if bootloaders are compatible. The small community of owners need to pull together as much as possible.
Model -- Hardware Version / Firmware Versions / Baseband
SCH-R530U --
SCH-R530C --
SCH-R530M --
SCH-R530X -- R530X.01 / JSS15J.R530XWWUBMK4 / R530XWWUBMK4
Please post if you can add to this information!
I'm working on my dad's SCH-R530X (Generic CDMA). It was on a regional CDMA provider that he was not happy with -- he paid $500 to them in January for the phone. Edit: Today, he's on PagePlus, but without data for some reason.
Concerns (that someone may be able to help me with):
Once you go to KK 4.4 you can not go back? Your bootloader is updated and will not boot 4.3?
I'm running 4.3, can I root -> replace recovery -> custom ROM ... without tripping the KNOX warranty void? I've read that saferoot will not trip KNOX?
This phone seems to have an odd Call Audio Quality problem. While listening during a phone call (on the R530), the other party's voice cuts out. Specifically, it cuts out when the other person isn't speaking in their mic close enough or loud enough. It's as if the R530 is filtering out anything under a certain volume level. I've turned off Call Equalizer and Noise Reduction to try to solve this problem. I believe I've read people say a firmware/ROM update from US Cellular fixed this problem.
So you can see, I have some constraints: Still in warranty and don't want to void it by tripping KNOX. Want to try a newer firmware for call audio problem. Don't want to brick phone with incompatible firmware, unless US Cellular will work on this X/Generic phone.
Help would be appreciated.
I do have the USC and Cricket variants but the USC version is soft bricked.
HW: R530C.01
Firmware: JSS15J.R530CVVUCMK3
Baseband: R530CVVUCMK3
Also fyi, this and the USC version requires a sim card.
motoyola said:
I do have the USC and Cricket variants but the USC version is soft bricked.
HW: R530C.01
Firmware: JSS15J.R530CVVUCMK3
Baseband: R530CVVUCMK3
Also fyi, this and the USC version requires a sim card.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks... I'll add the info. I think I'll make a spot to record if it has a SIM slot too -- as my 530X does not have a SIM slot and was labeled with a little sticker "3G CDMA"... but the MEID starts with a "9" and LTE visible in DFS.
syserr said:
Thanks... I'll add the info. I think I'll make a spot to record if it has a SIM slot too -- as my 530X does not have a SIM slot and was labeled with a little sticker "3G CDMA"... but the MEID starts with a "9" and LTE visible in DFS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a regional version of the s3 as well, d2xar (sch-r530x) on Inland Cellular, primarily based in the north west US. as far as i can tell, i havent dissasembled my phone to see if there is a lte radio, in the original build.prop for my phone it is disabled on boot so it will not consume power since it is not being used. thus the 3g cdma only sticker. for the us cellular version i do not know if there is a kitkat firmware but if there is there is always the possiblity you will not beable to go back. as for the generic version it is only on 4.3 right now. eitherway the higher the bootloader version is better for customroms due to recoveries and features working better. as for saferoot i dont remember if it trips the warranty bit or not since ive long since written a custom recover to the device which tripped it but i do know itll make the stock rom list itself as custom in the settings after being rooted. also something to keep in mind with a custom rom is, unless you have the apns for your carrier eg, pageplus, usc, ect. you will not have mms capabilities. Im still tearing my build.prop and apn back up apart to see if i can include some of that info into a custom rom to fix mms, or a recovery that will inject it after a rom flash.
Update?
Lrs121 said:
I have a regional version of the s3 as well, d2xar (sch-r530x) on Inland Cellular, primarily based in the north west US. as far as i can tell, i havent dissasembled my phone to see if there is a lte radio, in the original build.prop for my phone it is disabled on boot so it will not consume power since it is not being used. thus the 3g cdma only sticker. for the us cellular version i do not know if there is a kitkat firmware but if there is there is always the possiblity you will not beable to go back. as for the generic version it is only on 4.3 right now. eitherway the higher the bootloader version is better for customroms due to recoveries and features working better. as for saferoot i dont remember if it trips the warranty bit or not since ive long since written a custom recover to the device which tripped it but i do know itll make the stock rom list itself as custom in the settings after being rooted. also something to keep in mind with a custom rom is, unless you have the apns for your carrier eg, pageplus, usc, ect. you will not have mms capabilities. Im still tearing my build.prop and apn back up apart to see if i can include some of that info into a custom rom to fix mms, or a recovery that will inject it after a rom flash.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any update to this? I have the sticker too and it'd be great to have LTE on since this phone supports it, it seems. I've made this post
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s3/general/s3-d2xar-cdma-how-to-set-straight-talk-t3012846
uplusion23 said:
Any update to this? I have the sticker too and it'd be great to have LTE on since this phone supports it, it seems. I've made this post
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s3/general/s3-d2xar-cdma-how-to-set-straight-talk-t3012846
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Last I checked there was a bug with the d2lte builds that break the ability to set apns... I made a cm10.2, I think, build that allowed changing the APN. Um if I remember right the physical design of the d2xar has hardware similar to the Verizon s3. I still don't know if there is an lte modem in the phone since there doesnt seem to be a sim card slot, though there maybe an integrated uicc. I haven't played with it much since I switched to using my nexus 5 on T-Mobile.
Lrs121 said:
Last I checked there was a bug with the d2lte builds that break the ability to set apns... I made a cm10.2, I think, build that allowed changing the APN. Um if I remember right the physical design of the d2xar has hardware similar to the Verizon s3. I still don't know if there is an lte modem in the phone since there doesnt seem to be a sim card slot, though there maybe an integrated uicc. I haven't played with it much since I switched to using my nexus 5 on T-Mobile.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got to the service mode settings, which oddly enough it listed GSM and CDMA. Quite weird. To get there was even weirder. Sadly the D2xar doesn't support TWRP Recovery, and the only one that works is CWM by Philz.
uplusion23 said:
I got to the service mode settings, which oddly enough it listed GSM and CDMA. Quite weird. To get there was even weirder. Sadly the D2xar doesn't support TWRP Recovery, and the only one that works is CWM by Philz.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yah I noticed that to when I was digging around for apns for my old carrier. As for twrp I got around that problem by building my own version using cyanogenmod and the d2lte device files. It made cyanogenmod delta updates possible on the d2lte build. Which are really nice. My source is floating around github, though you'd have to do a little digging to find everything. I do have precompiled twrp images on my webserver that I try to keep up to date for my friend who's brother has the same phone. If you go to my site its safe to ignore the certificate warnings, I have it set to force HTTPS and the reason the warning pops up is because I self signed it instead of paying for a company like verisign
Sorry for my superbly late reply. I've done a ton of digging with this phone. Turns out it only supports Evdo. So no LTE sadly. Even worse, using the Test Menu I can't bands to USA bands, only the (800 or 850?) Hz Global band. I can't get a connection. Well. The bars are listed as 2-3 generally, but it says "Roaming Indicator Off". I have the latest and only baseband, too.
(Wow. After two months of fiddling, as of typing this, I turned on cellular service, which is usually in Airplane mode, I got a " 3G" connection for the first time. Only for a second.)
I don't think I'll be able to switch this over to Straight Talk any time soon, though. I'll check your GitHub soon for that TWRP.
---------- Post added at 11:00 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:49 AM ----------
uplusion23 said:
Sorry for my superbly late reply. I've done a ton of digging with this phone. Turns out it only supports Evdo. So no LTE sadly. Even worse, using the Test Menu I can't bands to USA bands, only the (800 or 850?) Hz Global band. I can't get a connection. Well. The bars are listed as 2-3 generally, but it says "Roaming Indicator Off". I have the latest and only baseband, too.
(Wow. After two months of fiddling, as of typing this, I turned on cellular service, which is usually in Airplane mode, I got a " 3G" connection for the first time. Only for a second.)
I don't think I'll be able to switch this over to Straight Talk any time soon, though. I'll check your GitHub soon for that TWRP.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, just of now I've been unable to re-acquire the "3G" that caused me to have a boost of hope. Now even when I attempt calling which it usually would bring me to the Verizon automated system, asking to make a collect call, since around here is primarily Verizon, I can't even get it to call. It now states that no mobile network is available, even when I have 2-3 bars.
You have no "3g" because your keys are wrong. Y'all need some QPST and see the whole logon process and baseband messages. Then you can really troubleshoot your phone.
I have a Verizon Samsung Galaxy S3 on the Straight Talk network. I check for software updates and it tells me the software is up to date however it says my phone is running off of 4.4.2 instead of the Lollipop or the one just under. Does anyone know if Lollipop 5.0 or 5.1 has reached the S3 yet? Or how to manually update my phone software so its not so low?
flash a custom rom with 5.x for your model.
nxb said:
flash a custom rom with 5.x for your model.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Phone is not rooted so how do I do that? I need or to be updated. My phone doesnt work right on 4.4.2
Sent from my SCH-I535 using XDA Free mobile app
you will have to root, trip knox and lose your warranty... there is no way to go back. on verizon you may be screwed if you have signed/locked bootloaders. search on XDA about unlocked bootloaders for verizon. also: http://androidforums.com/threads/verizon-verizon-bootloader-unlock.856221/
aaaand... make sure to back up your mmc boot partitions so you can debrick if you mess up.
p.s. prepare to learn a lot of technical things. if that sounds annoying and you don't want to spend a lot of time on it you might be better off buying a used phone.
nxb said:
you will have to root, trip knox and lose your warranty... there is no way to go back. on verizon you may be screwed if you have signed/locked bootloaders. search on XDA about unlocked bootloaders for verizon. also: http://androidforums.com/threads/verizon-verizon-bootloader-unlock.856221/
aaaand... make sure to back up your mmc boot partitions so you can debrick if you mess up.
p.s. prepare to learn a lot of technical things. if that sounds annoying and you don't want to spend a lot of time on it you might be better off buying a used phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not using Verizon. I'm using straight talk on a Verizon phone
Sent from my SCH-I535 using XDA Free mobile app
ST only has GSM AT&T and CDMA verizon... if you have an I535 past 4.3 you have locked bootloader problems.
Needing the pit file for the SCH-R530C. PLEASE! I am at the end of my tether. Thank you in advance, DaMoose
DaMoose517 said:
Needing the pit file for the SCH-R530C. PLEASE! I am at the end of my tether. Thank you in advance, DaMoose
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you have any idea if the 530c and the 530x share a similar partition table? If they do then I can pull the one from my 530x
Lrs121 said:
Do you have any idea if the 530c and the 530x share a similar partition table? If they do then I can pull the one from my 530x
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do not know. I'd love to take the chance, but the risk of totally bricking the R530C is there . . . heck, let me try it.
Hi folks I''ve read quite alot about the Straight Talk Variant of this phone.
Carrier is pageplus cellular. They were recently bought out by tracfone.
When booting, the phone displays the ugly Tracfone logo and came loaded with default tracfone apps and browzer bookmarks, though both phones were sold by pageplus.
EVERYTHING I know about any fone sold by tracfone (much less the OLD TFn) or its subsidiaries reflects they are really really hard to root or mod, but b/c it was a genuine S3 I took the chance, usually I get an old VZW unit off ebay.
What I have:
sch-s968c
Android Ver.
4.1.2
BaseBand
S968CUDUANH2
Kernel Ver.
3.0.30-1564380-user
[email protected] #1
Build No.
JZO54K.S6968CUDUANH2
Date
Aug 7, 2014
Mobile Network
EvDo-rev.A:8
------------------------------------------------------------
pageplus cellular was unable to get the mobile broadband working, I got that fixed chopping down an OLD (3 years at least) TFn SIM and poking it in the slot -- eazy peazy
However, Stock 4.1.2 utterly BLOWS CHUNKS. 2 bars at best in my rural area. I hear USC, SPR, and VZW (all cdma) users are getting 3-4 @ my place (my kids friends)
I know threads exist for the StraightTalk variant of the s968c, however I don't know which 'Destructions' to use. Some say a special version of the OctOS (?) TWRM recovery, but the link to it is broken. What about Heimdahl? Reason I ask is I don't use windows, ever since too many things no longer work on XP... Do I HAVE to use windows? Running win7 in a VM is an option but then there's the struggle to get the VM to correctly access USB...
Once I get root, I NEED a ROM, rooted with no google or chrome, I'm a security freak and won't run any app that needs that 'Safeguard' or whatever that is... Basicly I don't run google anything and don't use fB etc on the fone. In order to effectively firewall and adbock I need root ~~ Can't figure out which RELIABLE stripped down RoM to pick.
Then there is the notorious Camera issue. What do I need to back up, in order to reload the decent Proprietary Samsung Camera? (I truly do require good camera for my work) I don't mind to use Stock VZW etc firmware as long as I can root the thing and disable the bloat and calling home crap. I have seen some ROMs that are stock based, but I do not see any rooted ones.
Is the solution found in rooting after I load (which one?) ROM?
The poor signal strength ~~ is this a firmware issue or a hardware issue? I have heard that some S3's are just "wrong" (Verizon type -- might not be some) others have said its RIL or APN related... but since the APN comes from the SIM, I wonder if Id be better off experimenting with different SIM?
Thanks in advance ... Before I get Napalmed for starting a new thread, I looked everywhere and couldn't find much on a phone originally from Tracfone, much less on my rinky dink carrier
VW
Hi,
I was recently gifted an unlocked ATT S8+ (SM-G955U) which I'm trying to activate to my Verizon account. I've read conflicting information about this, and after going to the Verizon store and calling them directly I'm thoroughly confused.
The rep on the phone told me that the phone is "incompatible" with their network based on the IMEI number. From what I gather, the hardware (and model numbers) on all the major carrier's S8+s are the same and simply have different firmware. I've also read that they're interchangeable. Has anyone successfully gotten the ATT S8+ on Verizon? I'm almost feeling like it's something where I would need to jump through more hoops and speak to a manager to get them to do it, but before I did I wanted to get others input. Thanks!
I heard that the phone will work, you'll need to flash the Verizon firmware onto the AT&T phone.
Thanks Richie. Do you think that Verizon is telling me that the IMEI is "incompatible" because I may need to flash another firmware to enable CDMA? Or are some versions of the S4+ really incompatible on their network.
May there be possible success to get them to activate it anyway?
kebas239 said:
Hi,
I was recently gifted an unlocked ATT S8+ (SM-G955U) which I'm trying to activate to my Verizon account. I've read conflicting information about this, and after going to the Verizon store and calling them directly I'm thoroughly confused.
The rep on the phone told me that the phone is "incompatible" with their network based on the IMEI number. From what I gather, the hardware (and model numbers) on all the major carrier's S8+s are the same and simply have different firmware. I've also read that they're interchangeable. Has anyone successfully gotten the ATT S8+ on Verizon? I'm almost feeling like it's something where I would need to jump through more hoops and speak to a manager to get them to do it, but before I did I wanted to get others input. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
kebas239 said:
Thanks Richie. Do you think that Verizon is telling me that the IMEI is "incompatible" because I may need to flash another firmware to enable CDMA? Or are some versions of the S4+ really incompatible on their network.
May there be possible success to get them to activate it anyway?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you already have an active Verizon SIM card? Like in another phone?
Mr. Orange 645 said:
Do you already have an active Verizon SIM card? Like in another phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do not - only because I'm coming from an S4 (which has the larger SIM card). I had to get a new one.
kebas239 said:
Hi,
I was recently gifted an unlocked ATT S8+ (SM-G955U) which I'm trying to activate to my Verizon account. I've read conflicting information about this, and after going to the Verizon store and calling them directly I'm thoroughly confused.
The rep on the phone told me that the phone is "incompatible" with their network based on the IMEI number. From what I gather, the hardware (and model numbers) on all the major carrier's S8+s are the same and simply have different firmware. I've also read that they're interchangeable. Has anyone successfully gotten the ATT S8+ on Verizon? I'm almost feeling like it's something where I would need to jump through more hoops and speak to a manager to get them to do it, but before I did I wanted to get others input. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The IMEI thing and Verizon not provisioning your phone to activate on their network is the ONLY obstacle you have.
All the US S8/S8+/Note8 variants are identical and can be cross-flashed to whatever carrier you want. You can easily grab the VZW firmware and flash it on to your AT&T device, fully converting it, however the IMEI won't be in Verizon's system since your particular phone wasn't sold by Verizon.
Somehow get around that and your phone will be fully compatible on VZWs network.
kebas239 said:
Thanks Richie. Do you think that Verizon is telling me that the IMEI is "incompatible" because I may need to flash another firmware to enable CDMA? Or are some versions of the S4+ really incompatible on their network.
May there be possible success to get them to activate it anyway?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't worry about what Verizon reps are telling you because most often than not they are following a standard procedure. And they only Input your IMEI into a service like this one:https://www.verizonwireless.com/bring-your-own-device/#checkDevice
As your IMEI is for an AT&T phone, the brand model has an A appended at the end (as in AT&T).
However, you should still investigate this issue and try the steps recommended by the other guys. You will be able to use your phone with a VZV sim without reaching to Verizon
kebas239 said:
Hi,
I was recently gifted an unlocked ATT S8+ (SM-G955U) which I'm trying to activate to my Verizon account. I've read conflicting information about this, and after going to the Verizon store and calling them directly I'm thoroughly confused.
The rep on the phone told me that the phone is "incompatible" with their network based on the IMEI number. From what I gather, the hardware (and model numbers) on all the major carrier's S8+s are the same and simply have different firmware. I've also read that they're interchangeable. Has anyone successfully gotten the ATT S8+ on Verizon? I'm almost feeling like it's something where I would need to jump through more hoops and speak to a manager to get them to do it, but before I did I wanted to get others input. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have an AT&T S8 + on Verizon's network, had to unlock the phone, I did flash VZV firmware.
Works for me.
Thanks all for the responses! So it does look like I can do it then, but I just need to get Verizon to activate the new SIM. Think if I could find another phone that's compatible, throw the SIM in, activate, then switch the SIM to the S8+ it would work? (Assuming I've flashed the Verizon firmware on it).
Also, I'm trying to find out how to flash the phone properly. I don't really need root, but I'll take it if its easy. Thinking in my scenario, I'd follow this thread, correct?
https://forum.xda-developers.com/ve...opment/rom-s8-allcarriersrootedstock-t3659232
kebas239 said:
Thanks all for the responses! So it does look like I can do it then, but I just need to get Verizon to activate the new SIM. Think if I could find another phone that's compatible, throw the SIM in, activate, then switch the SIM to the S8+ it would work? (Assuming I've flashed the Verizon firmware on it).
Also, I'm trying to find out how to flash the phone properly. I don't really need root, but I'll take it if its easy. Thinking in my scenario, I'd follow this thread, correct?
https://forum.xda-developers.com/ve...opment/rom-s8-allcarriersrootedstock-t3659232
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, if you can get VZW to activate a nano SIM then all you have to do is pop it in your S8+, and it will work perfectly.
You don't HAVE to flash the Verizon firmware, but you'll won't be able to use certain features such as VoLTE and WiFi calling with the ATT firmware, so I recommend it. Not a necessity though.
To change carrier firmware, follow this thread:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s8+/how-to/snap-guide-flashing-standard-fw-carrier-t3627255
Can't help you with rooting. Sorry, I stopped rooting my phones long ago.
Mr. Orange 645 said:
Yes, if you can get VZW to activate a nano SIM then all you have to do is pop it in your S8+, and it will work perfectly.
You don't HAVE to flash the Verizon firmware, but you'll won't be able to use certain features such as VoLTE and WiFi calling with the ATT firmware, so I recommend it. Not a necessity though.
To change carrier firmware, follow this thread:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s8+/how-to/snap-guide-flashing-standard-fw-carrier-t3627255
Can't help you with rooting. Sorry, I stopped rooting my phones long ago.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is great information! I'll call back Verizon and knowing all this I have something to back myself up with to at least try to convince them to activate the SIM (if not, I'll find a temporary phone to activate).
Thank you (and everyone else) for all the help!
I was able to get Verizon to activate the SIM and IMEI of the new S8. When I checked my account online to verify, it shows the correct numbers. Unfortunately, the phone is still not able to make calls or connect to the mobile network.
Following this, I rooted and flashed a deodexed stock ROM/firmware that is compatible with all carriers. This made no difference in the issue.
On the status bar, normal reception for my area is shown. There is no data (LTE/3G, etc.) connection, however. In looking at the APN settings, there are multiple Verizon options to choose. "Verizon Internet" (VZWINTERNET) is what is selected. Under the network operators, Automatic is selected. I tried changing it to Manual, but I do not get an option to select Verizon. Only ATT or T-Mobile. Under SIM Card Status, It's says that I'm on an unknown network.
Any ideas on what I could do to diagnose this? Sorry for all the questions, but I want to be able to get this phone to work so bad!
Thanks!
Success! I was about to give up, but decided to try a few more things.
1) To register a new SIM on VZW, it needs to initially go into a VZW based phone to work correctly. Once doing this, I saw some changes:
- I could now see my phone number.
- Verizon was an option under the network operators setting.
This did not solve my problem, however, as I still could not connect to the network. When selecting VZW, the request would fail and say to try again later. So onto the next (and last!) thing I did...
2) Download VZW firmware and flash via ODEN (The Comsey version, but I don't think that matters). I added the BL, AP, CP & CSC (included in the zip file) using the default options. I found this firmware at the below link and grabbed the latest version. The download was very slow for me (I had to run it overnight), but numerous posters stated that they are a reliable source so I took a chance.
https://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/galaxy-s8-plus/SM-G955U1/VZW/download/G955U1UES2AQL1/201500/
I'm just so glad everything is working now. Thank you so much to all who have responded to the thread to guide me in the right direction! Hope this helps someone else who may be having the same trouble.
I've just purchased a used SM-G930VL (Straight Talk) phone on Swappa. I requested the SM-G930U, but they apparently sent the wrong model.
The reason I wanted to SM-G930U model was so I could insert any SIM card and it would work.
Questions (and I'm new to Android as you can probably tell below):
- Is the SM-G930VL Verizon / Straight Talk model usually unlocked to ONLY use any SIM card from Straight Talk or would I be able to use any US carrier?
- Is there a way to put SM-G930U firmware on a SM-G930VL phone and is there an advantage to this?
- Will the SM-G930U firmware unlock the phone in case it's locked to Straight Talk only?
- Can I brick the phone for good if I attempt to Flash it and I do it wrong? or is it always possible to bring the phone back from the dead?
- Is there a recent tutorial on how to make the phone accept any carrier?
I tried using Odin to Flash the phone from SM-G930VL to SM-G930V, but was following a 2 year old YouTube video, so the files were outdated and I was unsuccessful.
The phone is running Android 8.0.0 and Knox 3.1, API level 25.
pitrofilta said:
I've just purchased a used SM-G930VL (Straight Talk) phone on Swappa. I requested the SM-G930U, but they apparently sent the wrong model.
The reason I wanted to SM-G930U model was so I could insert any SIM card and it would work.
Questions (and I'm new to Android as you can probably tell below):
- Is the SM-G930VL Verizon / Straight Talk model usually unlocked to ONLY use any SIM card from Straight Talk or would I be able to use any US carrier?
: the SM-G930VL is programmed to only work with straight talk sim cards. The phone is factory unlocked as far as i know but it does not allow network connectivity with non ST sim cards.
- Is there a way to put SM-G930U firmware on a SM-G930VL phone and is there an advantage to this?
: Yes you can put the SM-G930U firmware. All US Galaxy S7S are the same hardware wise. The Advantage is that it completely removes everything that ST baked into the firmware.
- Will the SM-G930U firmware unlock the phone in case it's locked to Straight Talk only?
: If in case the device is sim locked to ST, flashing the SM-G930U firmware will not sim unlock the device.
- Can I brick the phone for good if I attempt to Flash it and I do it wrong? or is it always possible to bring the phone back from the dead?
: There are always risks when it comes to flashing any device. When it comes to Samsung devices it's hard to really hard brick a device using and official flash tool like Odin. the device cab get soft bricked but most of the times it's because of user error that it happens.
- Is there a recent tutorial on how to make the phone accept any carrier?
: there are many of them here on the forums but i can try my best to give you a quick run down:
1. First download the SM-G930U firmware from here
2. Download Odin from this thread, Credits to OP on that thread
3. Once Files are downloaded, extract the firmware and odin on the same folder for convinience.
4. Once you extract the firmware, you will have 5 files that each start with BL, AP, CP, HOME_CSC, and CSC (you will need BL, AP, CP and CSC only)
5. open Odin and load each file above in there respective slots, you will be able to see where each file needs to go, note that the AP file will take a few minutes to load as this is the biggest file of the 4.
6. at this point am assuming your galaxy s7 is completely off, Press and hold the Home + Volume down + Power keys together until you see a warning screen about flashing custom firmware, press Volume up to get to Download/Odin Mode.
7. connect your S7 to your PC, use usb 2.0 ports preferably. Let Windows install the drivers (you can get samsung drivers from here, make sure you install these first i.e. before connecting your phone to your PC)
8. Once Windows installs the drivers, on Odin, click START and wait for all the files to flash, DO NOT DISCONNECT THE PHONE until Odin says Pass or something similar.
9. The phone will automatically go to recovery mode and display installing update. It will reboot again and start to boot into android. once fully booted.
10. Once booted fully, you will be on Android Oreo for the unbranded Galaxy S7 with nothing from straight talk and also you will be able to use any sim card on the device.
I tried using Odin to Flash the phone from SM-G930VL to SM-G930V, but was following a 2 year old YouTube video, so the files were outdated and I was unsuccessful.
The phone is running Android 8.0.0 and Knox 3.1, API level 25.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please let me know if you have further questions or help with doing this, i can probably help you remotely if we need to.
---------- Post added at 08:38 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:32 PM ----------
btw i know this because i myself got a straighttalk galaxy s7 when it first came out. i switched to the unbranded firmware as soon as it was made available and have not gone back to the straight talk firmware ever. the phone behaves like an actual unlocked SM-G930U device and gets updates (albeit a little slower than carrier branded S7s) directly from samsung.
Also once you follow, this go to settings and software updates to get the latest available updates available from Samsung.
micallan_17 said:
Please let me know if you have further questions or help with doing this, i can probably help you remotely if we need to.
---------- Post added at 08:38 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:32 PM ----------
btw i know this because i myself got a straighttalk galaxy s7 when it first came out. i switched to the unbranded firmware as soon as it was made available and have not gone back to the straight talk firmware ever. the phone behaves like an actual unlocked SM-G930U device and gets updates (albeit a little slower than carrier branded S7s) directly from samsung.
Also once you follow, this go to settings and software updates to get the latest available updates available from Samsung.
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Click to collapse
Apologies for not answering earlier. I really appreciate your offer and thoughts, however I just returned the S7 and purchased a used S8 instead.
pitrofilta said:
Apologies for not answering earlier. I really appreciate your offer and thoughts, however I just returned the S7 and purchased a used S8 instead.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's Cool
Having A Bit Of Trouble With Calls!
micallan_17 said:
It's Cool
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Click to collapse
Hey thanks for the thread folks!
I am also (an old) beginner! Followed the instructions (Thank you @micallan_17) and was able to successfully flash stock G930U into a T-Mobile S7 which was supposed to have been unlocked when I bought it, but apparently was not! So, with G930U everything works with my Consumer Cellular SIM (AT&T network), but I can not call out or receive calls! Flashed phone back to T-Mobile stock G930T and took it to a T-Mobile store. They were kind and put a demo SIM in it and it worked to call out. So, the hardware seems to be working. Back to G930U, I have wiped cache and data, but still no calls! Can send and receive text, WiFi works and have 4G LTE functional. It also shows the VoLTE option and WiFi calling, but won't do either. Basically, it is a smartphone that is only smart!
Any brilliant fixing suggestions out there?
AEChief said:
Hey thanks for the thread folks!
I am also (an old) beginner! Followed the instructions (Thank you @micallan_17) and was able to successfully flash stock G930U into a T-Mobile S7 which was supposed to have been unlocked when I bought it, but apparently was not! So, with G930U everything works with my Consumer Cellular SIM (AT&T network), but I can not call out or receive calls! Flashed phone back to T-Mobile stock G930T and took it to a T-Mobile store. They were kind and put a demo SIM in it and it worked to call out. So, the hardware seems to be working. Back to G930U, I have wiped cache and data, but still no calls! Can send and receive text, WiFi works and have 4G LTE functional. It also shows the VoLTE option and WiFi calling, but won't do either. Basically, it is a smartphone that is only smart!
Any brilliant fixing suggestions out there?
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Hi, Glad the instructions were helpful, regarding the call issue, when you try calling, does it give you an error message? Also when you go to settings>connections>mobile networks, what shows under Network Mode?
micallan_17 said:
Hi, Glad the instructions were helpful, regarding the call issue, when you try calling, does it give you an error message? Also when you go to settings>connections>mobile networks, what shows under Network Mode?
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Click to collapse
Hi, thanks for the reply.
When I call a number, it acts and says it is dialing but it is quiet even with speaker on, and after about a minute it hangs up. No error messages appear. Calling the number from another phone goes to voicemail after a couple of rings, as though the number is busy or off. The Network Mode shows as LTE/3G/2G (auto connect). I also noticed that WiFi Calling that showed up with T-Mobile is missing with this setup, so I misspoke previously.
Update and a question on this topic
AEChief said:
Hi, thanks for the reply.
When I call a number, it acts and says it is dialing but it is quiet even with speaker on, and after about a minute it hangs up. No error messages appear. Calling the number from another phone goes to voicemail after a couple of rings, as though the number is busy or off. The Network Mode shows as LTE/3G/2G (auto connect). I also noticed that WiFi Calling that showed up with T-Mobile is missing with this setup, so I misspoke previously.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First an update:
So, after I was convinced that the phone was still locked to T-Mobile, I wrote to the seller and they offered to exchange it. I got the second S7 and it is working fine, still T-Mobile but obviously unlocked! Now I am thinking of flashing it with the G930U ROM, but am not sure if it will affect the unlocking.
My question is just that: I assume the boot-loader is locked; then will going to the Samsung unlocked ROM mess things up? And if it happens that I can not call out with it like the first unit, going back to G930T ROM may not bring it back to the current state!
Has anyone have words of wisdom in this regard?
AEChief said:
First an update:
So, after I was convinced that the phone was still locked to T-Mobile, I wrote to the seller and they offered to exchange it. I got the second S7 and it is working fine, still T-Mobile but obviously unlocked! Now I am thinking of flashing it with the G930U ROM, but am not sure if it will affect the unlocking.
My question is just that: I assume the boot-loader is locked; then will going to the Samsung unlocked ROM mess things up? And if it happens that I can not call out with it like the first unit, going back to G930T ROM may not bring it back to the current state!
Has anyone have words of wisdom in this regard?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It should not lock the Device, the U firmware should flash just fine, Flashing the U firmware does not affect the boot loader locked state. make sure the device is permanently sim unlocked not temporary unlocked.
Benefits (if any) of unlocked firmware
AEChief said:
First an update:
So, after I was convinced that the phone was still locked to T-Mobile, I wrote to the seller and they offered to exchange it. I got the second S7 and it is working fine, still T-Mobile but obviously unlocked! Now I am thinking of flashing it with the G930U ROM, but am not sure if it will affect the unlocking.
My question is just that: I assume the boot-loader is locked; then will going to the Samsung unlocked ROM mess things up? And if it happens that I can not call out with it like the first unit, going back to G930T ROM may not bring it back to the current state!
Has anyone have words of wisdom in this regard?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The major benefit (if any) of U (unlocked/carrierless) firmware (from posts in this and other carrier threads) is the avoidage of carrier-specific applications (which are almost universally regarded as *bloatware*). However, because of scripts written by the talented folks elsewhere on XDA, even the most bloated carrier firmware can be skimmed of bloat without the concern that you could be shooting yourself in the foot by not getting a feature that can be firmware-reliant (such as VoLTE or VoWifi). Further, some carriers (Verizon Wilreless most notably) have a stock-only firmware policy (that is, in fact, the biggest ding I have with Big Red).
S7 Snapdragon (applies to any such)
pitrofilta said:
I've just purchased a used SM-G930VL (Straight Talk) phone on Swappa. I requested the SM-G930U, but they apparently sent the wrong model.
The reason I wanted to SM-G930U model was so I could insert any SIM card and it would work.
Questions (and I'm new to Android as you can probably tell below):
- Is the SM-G930VL Verizon / Straight Talk model usually unlocked to ONLY use any SIM card from Straight Talk or would I be able to use any US carrier?
- Is there a way to put SM-G930U firmware on a SM-G930VL phone and is there an advantage to this?
- Will the SM-G930U firmware unlock the phone in case it's locked to Straight Talk only?
- Can I brick the phone for good if I attempt to Flash it and I do it wrong? or is it always possible to bring the phone back from the dead?
- Is there a recent tutorial on how to make the phone accept any carrier?
I tried using Odin to Flash the phone from SM-G930VL to SM-G930V, but was following a 2 year old YouTube video, so the files were outdated and I was unsuccessful.
The phone is running Android 8.0.0 and Knox 3.1, API level 25.
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My S7 (Snapdragon model) is not merely ex-Verizon, but one with a blacklisted IMEI on Big Red; the same would apply to any S7 (the gotcha with a blacklisted IMEI is that you can't take the phone back to the carrier that blacklisted the IMEI in question). The ONLY reason why blacklisted IMEIs happen is going to be contract-breakage (which is commonplace with long contracts - more than carriers want to admit). Still, you CAN take a phone with a blacklisted IMEI to another carrier (in my case, I took it to the the T-Mobile side of Tracfone). Other than that, you can go to any carrier.
Since I have been on the Tracfone side of T-Mobile, I have run T-Mobile Nougat, AT&T Mobility beta Oreo, AT&T Mobility Oreo Final, then T-Mobile Oreo - all without changing carriers, and all on the same S7. (You read that right - for at least two months, I ran firmware technically alien to both carrier AND phone - and it mattered to neither.) What has to be pointed out is that - until the b8 firmware, the ONLY carrier that quibbled about firmware is Verizon - and even that does not apply to their MVNOs, such as Tracfone.) Still, you have to wonder, why does Verizon care - especially since no other carrier did - even with phones under contract - until b8 came along - and that is only with the S7 in update-only mode? (It isn't as if Pie were in the offing for the S7.)
PGHammer said:
My S7 (Snapdragon model) is not merely ex-Verizon, but one with a blacklisted IMEI on Big Red; the same would apply to any S7 (the gotcha with a blacklisted IMEI is that you can't take the phone back to the carrier that blacklisted the IMEI in question). The ONLY reason why blacklisted IMEIs happen is going to be contract-breakage (which is commonplace with long contracts - more than carriers want to admit). Still, you CAN take a phone with a blacklisted IMEI to another carrier (in my case, I took it to the the T-Mobile side of Tracfone). Other than that, you can go to any carrier.
Since I have been on the Tracfone side of T-Mobile, I have run T-Mobile Nougat, AT&T Mobility beta Oreo, AT&T Mobility Oreo Final, then T-Mobile Oreo - all without changing carriers, and all on the same S7. (You read that right - for at least two months, I ran firmware technically alien to both carrier AND phone - and it mattered to neither.) What has to be pointed out is that - until the b8 firmware, the ONLY carrier that quibbled about firmware is Verizon - and even that does not apply to their MVNOs, such as Tracfone.) Still, you have to wonder, why does Verizon care - especially since no other carrier did - even with phones under contract - until b8 came along - and that is only with the S7 in update-only mode? (It isn't as if Pie were in the offing for the S7.)
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(Yeah fkn wish pie was available 8 Is gunna be last forms for the s7.
Can anyone at all help me root this phone? I bought it today from Walmart after reading it could be rooted but my varrient SM-G930VL Straight Talk came preloaded with Android 8.0 and all the guides say they are for android 6.0 please help!!
I've been searching all over but can't seem to find a concrete answer.
I have an AT&T branded/firmware Note 20 Ultra that presumably is sim-locked, as I picked it up on a promotion, and am forced to lease it on monthly payments.
I'm not interested in getting it sim-unlocked, and AT&T wouldn't do it anyway because it's still getting paid off.
I want to flash the U1 version of the firmware to get some of the carrier disabled features (i.e. call and text on other devices). I'm willing to risk losing wifi calling/volte etc. My only concern is mucking things up since the phone is still leased and locked to AT&T. I know flashing an unlocked firmware won't unlock the carrier restrictions, but is it even possible to flash if it is still carrier locked? Will the flash get botched, or will AT&T be able to see that I installed an 'unlocked' firmware and revoke the promtional rebates i'm paying, or something?
You can flash U1 on a sim locked U without issue. However if you are specifically looking for call & text on other devices, you should try just installing the apk from apkmirror - which is what i did so i could also keep the carrier features. It did take a factory reset & multiple attempts for linking and unlinking with my S7+ tablet, but it works flawless now.
Wow, that worked. I'm shocked; I guess all the info I could find was outdated. I just installed the latest apk version, enabled it on my phone in settings, and did a single restart. No restores necessary. I will keep in mind that flashing info, but this was all I needed for now. Thank you!!