T-Mobile Smartphones...what's unlocked, whats NOT - General Questions and Answers

Hey, I'm just another sucker paying Verizon $310+/month for 4 smartphones. I am REALLY tired of it and am just about ready to walk into a T-Mobile store very soon!... Or should I say JUMP? Anyways, I cannot stand the thought of having a smartphone with a locked boot loader. I currently have one of the original Verizon Samsung Galaxy S4's, which is really pretty great for someone like me! And I could give you a list of the best Verizon devices and developers (for an XDA junkie like me), but I couldn't tell you a single thing about development in other carrier's phones.:silly:
So, I'm here to ask if you folks on T-Mobile would kindly share any info you have with me on where T-Mobile smartphones stand in the world of rooting, unlocking, romming, flashing and just general Android development. Which T-Mobile smartphones (or even brands) have unlocked boot loaders, and serious development along with them?
Thanks for any feedback!! ... Seriously!

Related

Verizon just gave us the middle finger.

http://www.engadget.com/2012/07/10/samsung-brings-out-galaxy-s-iii-developer-edition-for-verizon/
Q&A
Who is this for?
Samsung and Verizon Wireless recognize that there are many enthusiasts and professional developers that are interested in customizing their device with third-party ROM software. Unlocking the bootloader can put the stability of the phone in jeopardy; therefore, only experienced developers should attempt to unlock the bootloader.
What about the other carriers?
Other versions of the Galaxy S III are sold with a user-unlockable bootloader as a standard feature. Those models are available directly from the respective carriers.
Where can I buy the Galaxy S III Developer Edition?
The Developer Edition will be sold online directly from Samsung. When the device is available for purchase, it will be sold through the Samsung developer portal at developer.samsung.com
Why is Verizon Wireless' version locked?
Depending on the device, an open boot loader could prevent Verizon Wireless from providing the same level of customer experience and support because it would allow users to change the phone or otherwise modify the software and, potentially, negatively impact how the phone connects with the network. The addition of unapproved software could also negatively impact the wireless experience for other customers. Unlocking the device also voids the warranty.
Has Samsung always unlocked the bootloader on its phones?
While not all previous Samsung Android devices have had an easily unlockable bootloader, all of our other current Galaxy S III flagship lineup, and all Nexus-branded devices, support the standard bootloader unlocking procedure.
What happens if I load custom software and damage ("brick") my phone?
Problems caused by your unlocking the bootloader and installing custom software will not be covered by the warranty. Problems with third-party and customized bootloader software can cause irreparable harm to the Galaxy S III. Users interested in performing these actions should proceed with caution and at their own risk. Out of warranty Galaxy S III Developer Edition devices will be serviced directly through Samsung, and service charges will apply.
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Who's up for burning down some Verizon stores?
agreed. an absolute joke!?!?
Does NOT belong in the development forum!
Sent from my Galaxy S III
Normally I'd say it doesn't belong on the development forum, but this is obviously a very hot development-associated topic, and devs and followers are all interested in any updates regarding the bootloader status. This is important because it has implications for devs working to unlock the regular citizen's version--with an unlocked phone to play with, they'll be able to attack from the other side as well.
Boy did they give the the middle finger. So unlocked bootloaders and difrrent roms mess up the system, So they give us a locked bootloader and say its Samsungs falt but then let them sell us a unlocked bootloader phone and say its ok to use on your network. Thats some ****ed up ****
if samsung did this right tho, they would give us the key to unlocking the bootloaders for the verizon phones that have locked ones. leaving us with a $249-$300 phones that have unlocked bootloaders, compared to almost full retail. but that could never happen could it? (;
cadams122593 said:
if samsung did this right tho, they would give us the key to unlocking the bootloaders for the verizon phones that have locked ones. leaving us with a $249-$300 phones that have unlocked bootloaders, compared to almost full retail. but that could never happen could it? (;
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Maybe this is samsungs way of saying f-u verizon lol
Locked
Damn I really feel bad for you guys.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
Mr.Highway said:
Locked
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unlocked
yeah, that really sucks. looks to me like jumbo mumbo they are making up to they 'gave a response'
Let them know what you think of their policy with your wallet. I will never be a Verizon customer.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2
Any chance devs can take the boot loader from this dev phone and put it on the regular S3?
K.AuthoR said:
http://www.engadget.com/2012/07/10/samsung-brings-out-galaxy-s-iii-developer-edition-for-verizon/
Who's up for burning down some Verizon stores?
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Please retain from smoking bath salts. That's all I ask.
dreamsti said:
Any chance devs can take the boot loader from this dev phone and put it on the regular S3?
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Click to collapse
I suppose that's the million dollar question. If that happens, great. Then everybody sort of comes out happy with their phones.
cadams122593 said:
if samsung did this right tho, they would give us the key to unlocking the bootloaders for the verizon phones that have locked ones. leaving us with a $249-$300 phones that have unlocked bootloaders, compared to almost full retail. but that could never happen could it? (;
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What if Samsung, doesn't have the keys to give us? What if Verizon generated the keys, signed the boot, and then flashed our phones?
I just wanted to say how TROLOLOL this is, I feel bad for you guys on Verizon but I do find it kind of amusing, Verizon pulled this same sh*t with the Droid Razr, that shipped with a Locked BL and what was the answer have Moto offer a no warranty Dev Version...same thing just a diff manufacturer.
I do think its stupid of VZ for locking it down the way they did. But, it is a device thats used on their network, and if thats what they want to do, than so be it.
We all have seen it time and time again, a warranty claim for a bricked phone. We drove them to doing this. And, there will be a developer phone.
I will miss all the flashing I use to do. Even stock, this phone rocks. I dont think they are giving us the finger, I think they looking out for their best interests for the most part.
they should unlock it for us if we ask them and sig somthing saying if we **** it up then were ****ed and have to buy a new one. i have no proubs with that

Verizon locked or unlocked s3

I'm buying an off contract s3 for US. I'm on Verizon. I was wondering if I should wait for the development edition that Samsung is going to make available or if I should just go ahead and get the Locked Verizon version. I can't say that I am super smartphone savvy but I have rooted and flashed Roms in the past and intend to do more in the future (maybe not a ton of major stuff but definitely some tweaking). For those with more experience in this field..should I just get the Verizon locked one now or should I wait for the dev version?
TheBigFix said:
I'm buying an off contract s3 for US. I'm on Verizon. I was wondering if I should wait for the development edition that Samsung is going to make available or if I should just go ahead and get the Locked Verizon version. I can't say that I am super smartphone savvy but I have rooted and flashed Roms in the past and intend to do more in the future (maybe not a ton of major stuff but definitely some tweaking). For those with more experience in this field..should I just get the Verizon locked one now or should I wait for the dev version?
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Click to collapse
Really depends if you want to spend $600 on the developer version.

Odd Question

Alright, here I go. So there is this new company coming out that is offering $49/month unlimited everything without a contract. Now, they have a list of phones that are compatible with their service via a SIM card you buy from them. They are running on a GSM network and they say that Verizon and Sprint phones will not work because the are CDMA. Now, would it be possible for a rooted Verizon or Sprint phone to work? I'm thinking it would be because you can change what type of network you're on with a rooted phone with quite a few different apps. It's also possible for people to buy a Verizon phone, root it and run it on T-Mobile or ATT.
I'd like to believe doing this is possible but obviously you experts on this forum know way more than I do so I thought I would ask here.
Thanks
No, not possible. CDMA uses different technology. Even if you have an unlocked Verizon Iphone, it will only work overseas, not in the United States.
lowandbehold said:
No, not possible. CDMA uses different technology. Even if you have an unlocked Verizon Iphone, it will only work overseas, not in the United States.
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Damn, that sucks. I was really hoping it was possible to do. This company also has a great compensation plan for bringing in new customers and I was really hoping to use this to my advantage.
Thanks for the reply lowandbehold
you are able to buy a rooted T-Mobile compatible phone on Ebay from reputable sellers. what network are you trying to hook up to? it seems like a very good price.
zenEd said:
you are able to buy a rooted T-Mobile compatible phone on Ebay from reputable sellers. what network are you trying to hook up to? it seems like a very good price.
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The company is called Solavei, which runs on the T-Mobile network. Yes, it's a very good price. It's also a great opportunity to make money.
If you want to take a look at what they have to offer I created a site with information bestcellcompany.com
The reason I was asking the original question was because if it was actually possible to use a rooted Verizon or Sprint phone on the Solavei network, it would be pretty huge and I could use that info to my advantage.
Thanks for the replies guys :laugh:
re SOLAVEI
fletcher6490 said:
The company is called Solavei, which runs on the T-Mobile network. Yes, it's a very good price. It's also a great opportunity to make money.
If you want to take a look at what they have to offer I created a site with information bestcellcompany.com
The reason I was asking the original question was because if it was actually possible to use a rooted Verizon or Sprint phone on the Solavei network, it would be pretty huge and I could use that info to my advantage.
Thanks for the replies guys :laugh:
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I was looking for a nice way to get the info to the guys here about, "solavei.com/marathon2422" as i am an avid user of omega roms on my S3 gt19300, and used lots of roms on my gt 19100, i was hoping maybe to "payback" some of my use of roms and info and help from here.
This is of course only good for those in the USA.

Sticking to the S4 for another year

Well the S5 is officially in full swing and I still got one year left in my contract, still could've found a way to get the money to upgrade but honestly why bother. I'm still fortunate enough to use Loki and this phones specs very close to the S5. Anyone else here gonna wait for the inevitable S6 next year like me or I'm I gonna be all alone
Sent from my jflte using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Thermalwolf said:
Well the S5 is officially in full swing and I still got one year left in my contract, still could've found a way to get the money to upgrade but honestly why bother. I'm still fortunate enough to use Loki and this phones specs very close to the S5. Anyone else here gonna wait for the inevitable S6 next year like me or I'm I gonna be all alone
Sent from my jflte using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
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Click to collapse
I am sticking with my S4 for another year or so. Do you have the drop your 2 year contract and get a new device on Next offer? I do and I figured if anything happened I would get the S5 or S6 with that upgrade since it would be the same as paying full price anyway. I'm interested to see what the S6 will have to offer. I am excited about the S5 camera features. I use my phone to do actual photography, to prove that yes it can be done.
This thread will get locked by the mods, or moved, but I'm done with Samsungs on AT&T. Especially with the rumors I hear about ALL phones having a locked bootloader going forward. It would be different if the devs were able to make some semblance of headway with cracking that, so we can just give them the middle-finger ("them" being AT&T, since it's not Samsung's fault we're in this predicament per se). I love the craftsmanship, look, and performance of Samsung, but it's all for naught if I can't customize my phone to my liking.
My next device will be whatever the next Nexus is. No contractual obligations, will work with pretty much any US carrier, and while a hefty investment by comparison to the usual $150 I fork over every 2 years for a new phone, I'll OWN that ***** outright. So many items on the "plus" column to owning a Google device.
It's really a shame that the carriers don't cater to those of us in this community. I won't go as far as to say they'll regret losing sales, because at the end of the day their money is made on the plans, not the phones. Still, there is a certain amount of satisfaction to me in both knowing I have other options for phones while maintaining the provider, as well as not having to abide the ridiculous security measures put in place by the carrier I choose to subscribe to.
It doesn't serve them in any way, except for cutting down on idiots who don't read first before they brick their device.
/endrant
disturbd1 said:
This thread will get locked by the mods, or moved, but I'm done with Samsungs on AT&T. Especially with the rumors I hear about ALL phones having a locked bootloader going forward. It would be different if the devs were able to make some semblance of headway with cracking that, so we can just give them the middle-finger ("them" being AT&T, since it's not Samsung's fault we're in this predicament per se). I love the craftsmanship, look, and performance of Samsung, but it's all for naught if I can't customize my phone to my liking.
My next device will be whatever the next Nexus is. No contractual obligations, will work with pretty much any US carrier, and while a hefty investment by comparison to the usual $150 I fork over every 2 years for a new phone, I'll OWN that ***** outright. So many items on the "plus" column to owning a Google device.
It's really a shame that the carriers don't cater to those of us in this community. I won't go as far as to say they'll regret losing sales, because at the end of the day their money is made on the plans, not the phones. Still, there is a certain amount of satisfaction to me in both knowing I have other options for phones while maintaining the provider, as well as not having to abide the ridiculous security measures put in place by the carrier I choose to subscribe to.
It doesn't serve them in any way, except for cutting down on idiots who don't read first before they brick their device.
/endrant
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I'm on at&t and I'm not going back to samsung but htc will let you unlock the bootloader ,hell they'll even give it to you
my htc one m8 is unlocked,rooted s-off and on at&t
bigcid10 said:
I'm on at&t and I'm not going back to samsung but htc will let you unlock the bootloader ,hell they'll even give it to you
my htc one m8 is unlocked,rooted s-off and on at&t
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This is very promising, I used HTC exclusively before my S3 2 years ago. I love them, but they're hit-or-miss, for sure. This year it's the M8, but with their track-record, another decent HTC phone won't be out until another couple of years or more down the road. Especially with all the changes, moving, and downsizing that company continues to do.
I have a feeling once I own a Nexus device, I won't want to bother with "workarounds" or risky flashing. They seem very solid in the way of reliability after customization.
No more AT&T soon.
I was with AT&T since they were Cingular and I've always liked them. Ever since the bootloader lock bs I've switched to T-Mobile. Unfortunately I still have to use my AT&T GS4 but soon I'll just get a T-Mobile S4 or S5.
I'll be moving to the next nexus phone, hopefully it will be announced at the next conference. HTC comes unlocked if you get the developer edition. I read on the att HTC m8 forum is already been hacked. So you might be able to do an att upgrade and follow the instructions there.
I had the HTC inspire for a while. Till I got the s4. You could go with the international versions of the s5 and get more access. Or the gpe htc m8. But I too, am done with carrier locked phones.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Samsung is Excellent but...
Samsung = Excellent.
Samsung + (place carrier here) = GARBAGE!
Thanks to some swell guys and xda, we're able squeak by on the S4. I won't sit under the table and beg for sraps on the S5 and the same carrier -- if it stays locked down, that's a nonstarter!
The way I choose a phone and what carrier/plan I use has forever changed as long as the "crack down" continues. Call me old fashioned, but I like to own what I buy (like the other 99% of Samsung users) - a phone with no root and a locked bootloader is never yours!
You got another one here sticking with the S4 for another year. Contracts up next year at the end of April, so I'm hoping S6 will be out by the time I upgrade.
Samsung Galaxy S4
Provider: AIO Wireless
Rom: C-RoM v6.1
Kernel: KT-SGS4 v6.9
I plan on getting M8 on ATT and unlocking the bootloader. HTC is kind enough to provide an official way to unlock the bootloader so the bootloader on the carrier version isn't a problem. Samsung on the other hand won't budge, so no more carrier branded Samsung phones for me after the S4. I don't see the S4 bootloader getting unlocked anytime soon, by the time it does get unlocked, everyone would probably be moving onto the S7.
I love my s4 but I am with you on this one. By the time I am eligible to get a new phone project Ara should be commercially available so I will check that out (if I can). Otherwise it will be any phone that has an sd card slot, and does not have any stupid fingerprint reader.
4ndroid99 said:
I plan on getting M8 on ATT and unlocking the bootloader. HTC is kind enough to provide an official way to unlock the bootloader so the bootloader on the carrier version isn't a problem. Samsung on the other hand won't budge, so no more carrier branded Samsung phones for me after the S4. I don't see the S4 bootloader getting unlocked anytime soon, by the time it does get unlocked, everyone would probably be moving onto the S7.
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You could go with the s4 gpe. I sure we will see s5 gpe. I was surprised to see the htc m8 gpe so soon.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app

[Q] Basic rooting question.

Hey all,
I'm really new to this community and rooting in general and I just have a question regarding rooting between carriers. I've never really had to root my phone till my new HTC one (m8) blocked my tethering app =(.
Anyways the question is whether or not rooting my HTC one on a verizon network would be the same as rooting it on a t-mobile network. My plan was to upgrade 2 year contract via verizon and then have t-mobile buy out my contract so I can still get unlimited data (verizon takes away the unlimited plan once you upgrade and my phone is now ancient.) Since all the new 4g verizon phones come unlocked, I am free to switch over to t-mobile. The problem is I don't know anything about rooting, and while I'm fairly certain networks have nothing to do with rooting a phone, I did see different sub forums for the same phone but different network. Should I wait till I've hopped over to t-mobile before attempting to root my phone?
Sorry for the rant and thanks in advance for any advice you can give!
LatrommiSumac said:
Hey all,
I'm really new to this community and rooting in general and I just have a question regarding rooting between carriers. I've never really had to root my phone till my new HTC one (m8) blocked my tethering app =(.
Anyways the question is whether or not rooting my HTC one on a verizon network would be the same as rooting it on a t-mobile network. My plan was to upgrade 2 year contract via verizon and then have t-mobile buy out my contract so I can still get unlimited data (verizon takes away the unlimited plan once you upgrade and my phone is now ancient.) Since all the new 4g verizon phones come unlocked, I am free to switch over to t-mobile. The problem is I don't know anything about rooting, and while I'm fairly certain networks have nothing to do with rooting a phone, I did see different sub forums for the same phone but different network. Should I wait till I've hopped over to t-mobile before attempting to root my phone?
Sorry for the rant and thanks in advance for any advice you can give!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First off, welcome to xda.
Why upgrade on Vzw and then jump over to TMo? Sounds like you have no contract obligation with Vzw right now. From the TMo ads I've seen on tv, you won't be able to keep any new Vzw phone when you go to TMo (TMo gets it). So I don't understand what you're trying to achieve.
You said "... I'm fairly certain networks have nothing to do with rooting a phone, ...". Yes and no. The M8's on different carriers are NOT all the same. There are carrier-specific differences. The M8 for instance - bootloader is locked for Vzw phones and others such as TMo. But with TMo you could go to HTC Dev and get the bin code to unlock the bootloader; not possible with Vzw M8 (but a root exploit makes that point moot).
I'm not entirely sure what you want to do, but I think the answer to "Should I wait till I've hopped over to t-mobile before attempting to root my phone?" is yes.
Hope that helps.
Thanks!
dm5530 said:
First off, welcome to xda.
Why upgrade on Vzw and then jump over to TMo? Sounds like you have no contract obligation with Vzw right now. From the TMo ads I've seen on tv, you won't be able to keep any new Vzw phone when you go to TMo (TMo gets it). So I don't understand what you're trying to achieve.
You said "... I'm fairly certain networks have nothing to do with rooting a phone, ...". Yes and no. The M8's on different carriers are NOT all the same. There are carrier-specific differences. The M8 for instance - bootloader is locked for Vzw phones and others such as TMo. But with TMo you could go to HTC Dev and get the bin code to unlock the bootloader; not possible with Vzw M8 (but a root exploit makes that point moot).
I'm not entirely sure what you want to do, but I think the answer to "Should I wait till I've hopped over to t-mobile before attempting to root my phone?" is yes.
Hope that helps.
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Click to collapse
Hi,
Thanks for the response and welcome =). The reason I don't want to switch directly over to TMo right now is because I broke my galaxy S4 a month back and I have no smart phone to use. My plan was to use the Vzw upgrade to get a new phone since TMo is willing to buy out contracts to get new customers. I mostly wanted to know if it was possible to use my Vzw M8 on the TMo network via rooting. I read about the CDMA vs GSM network problems and was wondering if there was a fix around that. As for TMo getting my phone, they only require you trade in and buy a phone for contract buyouts, but I can do that with cheap phones (trade in my htc tbolt for 50 bucks and buy a flipphone.) Thanks again for your response, can use all the help I can get =)
LatrommiSumac said:
Hi,
Thanks for the response and welcome =). The reason I don't want to switch directly over to TMo right now is because I broke my galaxy S4 a month back and I have no smart phone to use. My plan was to use the Vzw upgrade to get a new phone since TMo is willing to buy out contracts to get new customers. I mostly wanted to know if it was possible to use my Vzw M8 on the TMo network via rooting. I read about the CDMA vs GSM network problems and was wondering if there was a fix around that. As for TMo getting my phone, they only require you trade in and buy a phone for contract buyouts, but I can do that with cheap phones (trade in my htc tbolt for 50 bucks and buy a flipphone.) Thanks again for your response, can use all the help I can get =)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I understand your situation better now.
If TMo doesn't force you to turn in the M8, then I think you could find a way to use the Vzn M8 on TMo. If you do this, you'll be looking in the Vzn thread for many things since that is the version of the phone you bought. Not sure if you could use ROMs, etc from the TMo M8 thread (don't think so); I'd be cautious about doing that. Think of yourself as using a Vzn M8 in a foreign (TMo) country.
From what I found here, (in particular, I'm talking about this post) you won't be able to get LTE service and you'll have to find out how to set up the phone so there might be some challenges, too.
Just another caution - don't know if Vzn has a minimum time after start of contract where the ETF situation is even more costly than say 6 months to a year down the road. Wouldn't want to start the ball rolling then find out there are some other fees that TMo won't pay.
Good luck.
Cheers!
dm5530 said:
I understand your situation better now.
If TMo doesn't force you to turn in the M8, then I think you could find a way to use the Vzn M8 on TMo. If you do this, you'll be looking in the Vzn thread for many things since that is the version of the phone you bought. Not sure if you could use ROMs, etc from the TMo M8 thread (don't think so); I'd be cautious about doing that. Think of yourself as using a Vzn M8 in a foreign (TMo) country.
From what I found here, (in particular, I'm talking about this post) you won't be able to get LTE service and you'll have to find out how to set up the phone so there might be some challenges, too.
Just another caution - don't know if Vzn has a minimum time after start of contract where the ETF situation is even more costly than say 6 months to a year down the road. Wouldn't want to start the ball rolling then find out there are some other fees that TMo won't pay.
Good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks again for all the help! Vzw has a max 350 contract cancellation fee and TMo offers up to 350 per line so I should be fine. My main worry was indeed about the switch from CDMA to GSM network and having trouble with LTE =/. I think I might just sell the phone on Swappa and buy a TMo version if the fixes don't work. Thanks for the links, they're very helpful, and I really appreciate the help overall.

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