Hey folks,
Does anyone know for certain (not speculation) how Verizon treats phones that have been rooted when you go to trade them in on the Edge program? Will a phone that's been rooted in the past be denied for Edge trade-in?
Thanks
So I called Verizon. They said that I would need to remove root in order to trade it in or "Edge-Up". I've read recently though that even if you unroot your phone, carriers can now detect the fact that at one point time it was rooted. Is this true?
MSmithXDA said:
So I called Verizon. They said that I would need to remove root in order to trade it in or "Edge-Up". I've read recently though that even if you unroot your phone, carriers can now detect the fact that at one point time it was rooted. Is this true?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
most phones can be returned to stock without a trace of root as long as the stock files are available.
check your phones specific forum for return to stock guides and methods to remove root indicators if that applies.
calling verizon and asking about root really was not wise. they usually make notes on your account when you call for future reference.
you may not have an issue later from calling them, but you defiantly stirred the hornets nest, so it is possible you will.
---------- Post added at 09:01 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:55 PM ----------
MSmithXDA said:
Hey folks,
Does anyone know for certain (not speculation) how Verizon treats phones that have been rooted when you go to trade them in on the Edge program? Will a phone that's been rooted in the past be denied for Edge trade-in?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
btw,
it doesnt matter what plan you are on, they dont allow rooting period.
as far as they are concerned, "when they find out it is rooted", your warranty is void, returns are not accepted, and trade ups are denied.
bweN diorD said:
calling verizon and asking about root really was not wise. they usually make notes on your account when you call for future reference.
you may not have an issue later from calling them, but you defiantly stirred the hornets nest, so it is possible you will.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I didn't tell them it was me :silly: I pretended to be a new customer interested in service and just had these hypothetical questions. But they didn't have my account # or anything to trace it back to me. Thanks for the info though!
MSmithXDA said:
Well I didn't tell them it was me :silly: I pretended to be a new customer interested in service and just had these hypothetical questions. But they didn't have my account # or anything to trace it back to me. Thanks for the info though!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hope you didn't call them from the phone that's on your account.
I really wouldn't worry about returning a phone that is/was rooted, unless perhaps it was a Samsung with Knox tripped and/or a yellow triangle. It's simply not cost effective for them to check every phone. The reps at the store aren't trained for that sort of thing, and when it goes back to wherever they get refurbished, it's only the hardware that gets tested, and they flash a new factory image. They have to flash a new image, because even after a factory reset, sensitive data can still exist in the memory on the phone (data isn't actually deleted when you delete it, until it gets overwritten, formatted, or you use a special app that does that sort of thing). Certain things can remain the same after doing a factory reset as well. I did a factory reset on a Nexus 4 rooted with Towelroot, and root remained.
Case in point: When I was with Verizon, I rooted my Razr Maxx. I was new to this whole "root" thing (I did it to bypass their hotspot crap). I was having a problem with the Play Store; it wouldn't let me purchase/download ROM Toolbox Pro, regardless of if I did it on my phone or off the website. So I got clever and deleted it (with a warezed Titanium - I'm not proud, I paid for the legit version later) and reinstalled it. And every time I tried, the Play Store would FC instantly.
So I did a factory reset, and WTF? The Play Store was GONE. Some bloatware was back, like the Madden NFL demo and some stupid cartoony golf game, but the Play Store was GONE. Not so clever, I guess. So I bit the bullet and took it to a Verizon store, told them I did a factory reset and Play Store was gone (I left out the other stuff). They googled it for like half an hour before giving up and ordering me a warranty replacement.
At one point, a rep did ask me if I hacked it - I played dumb (how do you hack a phone?). If they were trained or experienced in the sort of things we do, they would have known that the only way this could have happened was if the phone was rooted and I did something. And, if I wasn't such a n00b, I would have known to change Play Store to a system app and it probably would have worked fine (this occurred to me the day after). I got the replacement, and never heard anything about the old phone. I didn't feel too bad about "screwing" them in to giving me a new (refurb) phone, because when I got the replacement, I saw that the screen on the old one was dim, yellow, and sickly compared to the newer one, so apparently there was something actually wrong with it. Months later, the battery on the replacement expanded to the point that it popped the screen loose. The battery expanded on it's replacement too. But that's beside the point.
The point is, when you return a phone, it gets tossed into a pile, and that pile gets sent back to whatever it is they do with them. The sales reps aren't trained for that sort of thing - if you have a problem they don't know off the top of their head, they just google it on the iPads they carry around, and if they come across a site like XDA, they probably ignore it because the lingo and jargon here is gibberish to them (hell, most of it's still gibberish to me, and I've been learning all I can for 2 years). So it gets tossed in to a pile and sent wherever, and wherever it's sent gets hundreds of piles a day, and it's simply not cost effective to check every device. The parts get refurbed, the factory images get flashed (to eliminate any residual sensitive data and ensure the version is up to date), and that's that.
So I really, really, wouldn't worry about it. Unless it's a Samsung and you tripped Knox, have a yellow triangle, or it reads as "custom" or whatever. If you unlocked the bootloader, relock it. Beyond that, don't worry about it. I'm not saying it's impossible that something might happen and they "find out", but it's extremely unlikely. And unlikely to have repercussions. Remember, they want your money. Above all, they want your money. Are they going to keep getting your money if they piss you off by not honoring a phone exchange plan that you're already paying more for? Are they going to keep getting your money if you're dissatisfied and choose to switch providers? Unlikely. A new phone to them is a couple hundred bucks. One more year of service is a grand. Don't worry about it.
Planterz said:
I hope you didn't call them from the phone that's on your account.
I really wouldn't worry about returning a phone that is/was rooted, unless perhaps it was a Samsung with Knox tripped and/or a yellow triangle. It's simply not cost effective for them to check every phone. The reps at the store aren't trained for that sort of thing, and when it goes back to wherever they get refurbished, it's only the hardware that gets tested, and they flash a new factory image. They have to flash a new image, because even after a factory reset, sensitive data can still exist in the memory on the phone (data isn't actually deleted when you delete it, until it gets overwritten, formatted, or you use a special app that does that sort of thing). Certain things can remain the same after doing a factory reset as well. I did a factory reset on a Nexus 4 rooted with Towelroot, and root remained.
Case in point: When I was with Verizon, I rooted my Razr Maxx. I was new to this whole "root" thing (I did it to bypass their hotspot crap). I was having a problem with the Play Store; it wouldn't let me purchase/download ROM Toolbox Pro, regardless of if I did it on my phone or off the website. So I got clever and deleted it (with a warezed Titanium - I'm not proud, I paid for the legit version later) and reinstalled it. And every time I tried, the Play Store would FC instantly.
So I did a factory reset, and WTF? The Play Store was GONE. Some bloatware was back, like the Madden NFL demo and some stupid cartoony golf game, but the Play Store was GONE. Not so clever, I guess. So I bit the bullet and took it to a Verizon store, told them I did a factory reset and Play Store was gone (I left out the other stuff). They googled it for like half an hour before giving up and ordering me a warranty replacement.
At one point, a rep did ask me if I hacked it - I played dumb (how do you hack a phone?). If they were trained or experienced in the sort of things we do, they would have known that the only way this could have happened was if the phone was rooted and I did something. And, if I wasn't such a n00b, I would have known to change Play Store to a system app and it probably would have worked fine (this occurred to me the day after). I got the replacement, and never heard anything about the old phone. I didn't feel too bad about "screwing" them in to giving me a new (refurb) phone, because when I got the replacement, I saw that the screen on the old one was dim, yellow, and sickly compared to the newer one, so apparently there was something actually wrong with it. Months later, the battery on the replacement expanded to the point that it popped the screen loose. The battery expanded on it's replacement too. But that's beside the point.
The point is, when you return a phone, it gets tossed into a pile, and that pile gets sent back to whatever it is they do with them. The sales reps aren't trained for that sort of thing - if you have a problem they don't know off the top of their head, they just google it on the iPads they carry around, and if they come across a site like XDA, they probably ignore it because the lingo and jargon here is gibberish to them (hell, most of it's still gibberish to me, and I've been learning all I can for 2 years). So it gets tossed in to a pile and sent wherever, and wherever it's sent gets hundreds of piles a day, and it's simply not cost effective to check every device. The parts get refurbed, the factory images get flashed (to eliminate any residual sensitive data and ensure the version is up to date), and that's that.
So I really, really, wouldn't worry about it. Unless it's a Samsung and you tripped Knox, have a yellow triangle, or it reads as "custom" or whatever. If you unlocked the bootloader, relock it. Beyond that, don't worry about it. I'm not saying it's impossible that something might happen and they "find out", but it's extremely unlikely. And unlikely to have repercussions. Remember, they want your money. Above all, they want your money. Are they going to keep getting your money if they piss you off by not honoring a phone exchange plan that you're already paying more for? Are they going to keep getting your money if you're dissatisfied and choose to switch providers? Unlikely. A new phone to them is a couple hundred bucks. One more year of service is a grand. Don't worry about it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the reason root remained after you did a factory reset is, factory reset does nothing more than wipe the data partition. root code is not inserted there, so it will remain in tact with the exception of the su app unless it is installed in system/apps..
the fact that you had bloatware return after a reset is odd, i have never heard this happen before. resetting does not modify, restore, or change the system partition in any way.
as for them finding the root, i agree it is unlikely, but it can and has happened. also, it doesn't have to happen right away. there have been several reports of charges for replacement phones applied to your bill, from modifications found after the return.
as for them caring if you leave for another carrier, they don't, plain and simple. this has been shown countless times over the years. many people leave them every day, and they don't do the slightest thing to try and stop them.
i seriously doubt they will let you strong arm them by threatening to leave after they find out you returned a modified phone.
Related
Does it only boot up to the HTC screen and bootloop? Basically what I'm asking is, can Verizon Wireless tell if the phone is rooted or not? ;]
Yes.
Sent from my ThunderBolt using XDA App
So if I get someone stupid at the store, if they miss it and hand me a new device, I'm in the clear? And if I do it via mail, and I get the replacement before I mail my device in, how do they protect themselves that way?
edit: Take out the pronouns and add "one". I'm more interested for curiosity's sake, not frauding out VZW, I already went back to froyo, ha.
I don't know how they would know, but I believe they can, I think you may get a new/refurb but may see a charge for your bricked phone.
I can see it now... all these people turning in bricked phones for replacements under warranty.
Next thing you know Verizon will be checking every single phone returned to make sure there was no "tampering" that will void the mfg warranties.
Verizon employees are just regular people with regular 10$/hour jobs. The technicians aren't any sort of certified or even necessarily technologically inclined (not that they should be, they're not professionals with careers, they're working for an hourly paycheck). Hiring skilled technicians for these jobs would cost WAY too much dough so I dunno how they could feasibly do it.
miketoasty said:
Yes.
Sent from my ThunderBolt using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see what you did there.
-sent via 1.21 giggawatts of android.
Yufice said:
Verizon employees are just regular people with regular 10$/hour jobs. The technicians aren't any sort of certified or even necessarily technologically inclined (not that they should be, they're not professionals with careers, they're working for an hourly paycheck). Hiring skilled technicians for these jobs would cost WAY too much dough so I dunno how they could feasibly do it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Let's see, most of the people on here are just "regular" people as well. You don't think that if Verizon wanted to, they could not write up a simple script for any employee to follow to check obvious tampering (i.e booting into hboot and checking for s-off?)
I mean, sure they wouldn't catch all of them, but don't you think they would catch some? Not that they would do it, but I'm sure they keep track of what goes on over here in no-no land (at least for Verizon).
Let's face it, trying to get around the "system" is what causes cell phone companies to keep trying to lock us down. When it starts to affect their bottom line, don't you think they may take some steps to mitigate the problem?
Just my two cents.
Dnakaman said:
Let's see, most of the people on here are just "regular" people as well. You don't think that if Verizon wanted to, they could not write up a simple script for any employee to follow to check obvious tampering (i.e booting into hboot and checking for s-off?)
I mean, sure they wouldn't catch all of them, but don't you think they would catch some? Not that they would do it, but I'm sure they keep track of what goes on over here in no-no land (at least for Verizon).
Let's face it, trying to get around the "system" is what causes cell phone companies to keep trying to lock us down. When it starts to affect their bottom line, don't you think they make take some steps to mitigate the problem?
Just my two cents.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At least one reported bootlooping in hboot also so not sure if it's long enough to see S-OFF. Another said he was able to get into hboot and flash stock firmware and S-ON but it wouldn't boot and stock recovery bootloop'd everytime it was accessed.
The bootloop itself would be a red flag. Employees in stores would not have to do anything but note: bootloop issue.
Since the phone is tied to you, maybe they send phones exhibiting the issue to a special group of (trained) techs, who will go into more indepth diagnostics.
If it is obvious the phone was rooted (not saying they can tell or not), 1 month later you see a charge for 500 bucks for a phone!
Yikes!
Again, just my two cents.
funkybside said:
I see what you did there.
-sent via 1.21 giggawatts of android.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At least someone did.
Verizon can't tell. Well they probably could if they wanted to but the time it would take to check the amount of phones they receive every day because of warranty replacements would not be worth it.
If I were you I would call and get a replacement the people on the phone just have you battery pull and try again then ship you a new one.
Finally, in the time it would take to tell that 1 phone was rooted they could have probably fixed 50 phones at that point and would void out any money they could charge you.
If it makes you feel better, I sent in a Droid 2 that was rooted and could still boot, got a new one with no charges.
I know this community is just "Regular" people, that's why I used the word regular; you have tons of arrogant posts of people saying "omg the verizon guy didn't even know what a kernel [email protected]!!!" when the verizon guy has no reason to care.
The problem is a lot of people in our community overestimate verizon/other carriers. Working at a verizon store, i've seen many of my less honest co workers do a warranty exchange over the phone/mail just because they didn't like the scratches they had put on the phone. A simple call to warranty saying "my phone reboots into a white screen sometimes" would get a new phone once every few months (up until the end of the one year warranty). Watching that go down really really really makes me doubt that there is some tech booting into HBOOT making sure it says S-ON. Even with a script, it's still a bunch of high school kids playing with a corporate giant's bank account: if they decide not to care and just give you a replacement, it doesn't effect them at all. I'm just curious if anyone working in a tech center can confirm that there is some second level testing going on.
Dnakaman said:
The bootloop itself would be a red flag. Employees in stores would not have to do anything but note: bootloop issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is just wrong. When someone comes up with a phone with a problem, the procedure is pretty short:
pull battery.
Check settings.
Factory Reset.
RSD Lite is no where near our dell computers. There are no fancy screwdrivers with fancy technicians. I check settings and see if there is anything out of the ordinary.
If the phone is bootlooping/white screen/otherwise inoperable there are two choices:
1) Pull the battery. If there is no water damage, try to turn it on. If it doesn't work, tell them to call 1-800-922-0204 and talk to Verizon Customer Service
2) Pull the battery. If there is water damage or obviously physical damage, call Asurian and give them 99 bucks for a new phone. That's it.
What I was asking was am I the last link in the chain? Or is someone double checking my "work"?
PJnc284 said:
At least one reported bootlooping in hboot also so not sure if it's long enough to see S-OFF. Another said he was able to get into hboot and flash stock firmware and S-ON but it wouldn't boot and stock recovery bootloop'd everytime it was accessed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This was me...as a last resort I used the first two files in this thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1009423 and when I flashed the second file I did not receive the secitury warning so I'm taking it as the first one flashed.
When done flashing the frist two files in that thread my hboot version was S-ON
Yufice said:
I know this community is just "Regular" people, that's why I used the word regular; you have tons of arrogant posts of people saying "omg the verizon guy didn't even know what a kernel [email protected]!!!" when the verizon guy has no reason to care.
The problem is a lot of people in our community overestimate verizon/other carriers. Working at a verizon store, i've seen many of my less honest co workers do a warranty exchange over the phone/mail just because they didn't like the scratches they had put on the phone. A simple call to warranty saying "my phone reboots into a white screen sometimes" would get a new phone once every few months (up until the end of the one year warranty). Watching that go down really really really makes me doubt that there is some tech booting into HBOOT making sure it says S-ON. Even with a script, it's still a bunch of high school kids playing with a corporate giant's bank account: if they decide not to care and just give you a replacement, it doesn't effect them at all. I'm just curious if anyone working in a tech center can confirm that there is some second level testing going on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ya, I see what you are saying.
This is my take on this. I've had an Android device since day 1 when I got my G1. All of the phones I had got rooted at some point.
In the "early" days, you had more, shall we say for a lack of a better term... technically advanced people rooting devices.
Fast forward a bit...many "regular" people are wanting to root, seeing all the benefits that the "chosen" few have been enjoying since rooting was possible.
As a community, we accommodated these "regular" people by creating a Staples "that was easy button", in the meantime, the Android user base is growing by leaps and bounds.
Fast forward to now...technology has changed, the OS has become more sophisticated. Companies see the huge profitability in Android, so they want to hold on tightly to their treasure (locked bootloaders, etc). So now the "easy" button, is not as easy to push anymore, yet us "regular" people still want the "easy" button..."Why can't I just do a one click method???!!!!"
As Android continues to grow and get a larger base of users, there is becoming more and more exposure to the "dark side" of rooting devices for customization. Now although it sounds like things may be changing here in the future as far as how easy it may become to build customizations, at this time, it is still kind of a no no, in the eyes of corporate America. That being said, sure right now Corp America is not too concerned, but as the user base grows, it is possible that the economy of scales may tip the other direction.
Ok, stepping off my soap box now, LOL
All I know is that MANY people here (XDA) are talking about committing fraud.... Then the SAME PEOPLE complain about encrypted bootloaders.
for the 2nd time in less then 2months, my nexus 5 was friggin stolen today. The first time, while i was pretty upset, I turned it into a positive, cause I wanted the White one in the first place, and I ended up being able ot get a brand new white one as a replacement. but this time, I am sooooo damn pissed. My replacement (another 100$ later) will be here in 3-5days, and this time, I am like chaining that thing to me.
My damn GF left it sitting at the table in McDonalds. She was supposed to grab our stuff, while I put our garbage in the bin and went and started the car, about 5min after leaving, i asked for my phone....no phone, turn around go back, NO PHONE !
And at least last time I had my LG G2 as a backup phone so I had something nice to use while I waited for a replacement. But I since have sold the G2, and all I ahve is a Verizon Galaxy S3, which doesn't help me at all cause my Verizon account was closed back when the Nexus 5 came out cause I wanted that phone so bad, that I switched to T-Mobile. So now I got nothing but hte home phone, which today was the first time I've used a home phone in years, it was kinda weird lol.
Anyways, obviously this isn't a question or anything, and I apologize to the Mods for that, but this is the only site in which I can talk about what happened and have people know my pain, and I needed to vent, cause twice in less then 60 days is friggin BS to the 10th power. I've never lost a phone or had one stolen or even had to file a claim for phone insurance, in all the years of owning phones, which I am going on 10years (first phone when i was 17, and am 27 now)....I swear ! if someone takes my next Nexus 5, I am going postal up in whatever place it was that I had it taken from. lol
Sorry to hear about this, very unfortunate. Any luck tracking the device using the find my phone feature? Clutch your new phones tightly folks.
Damn man.. I feel for you. That sucks big time I would be so pissed if my gf left my phone at McDonalds lol. Hopefully you have better luck on the next one mate!
By the way, prepare for some random douche coming in to be an ass to you for posting this story
Dang. That sucks dude. I got mugged for my HTC one a couple weeks ago. Couldn't afford to buy another so went with the nexus 5. No brained really. This phone is awesome. Not missing the one too much. I gotta tell you tho. At least you lost it and didn't get a knife or worse pulled out. For future reference kit Kat has location always on. Even with the low accuracy setting, you should be able to find it with lookout if installed but I highly recommend android device manager. You'll find it in the play store.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using xda app-developers app
whozilla said:
Dang. That sucks dude. I got mugged for my HTC one a couple weeks ago. Couldn't afford to buy another so went with the nexus 5. No brained really. This phone is awesome. Not missing the one too much. I gotta tell you tho. At least you lost it and didn't get a knife or worse pulled out. For future reference kit Kat has location always on. Even with the low accuracy setting, you should be able to find it with lookout if installed but I highly recommend android device manager. You'll find it in the play store.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
damn. I am assuming you weren't able to use a FIND MY PHONE type app either ? My T-Mobile protection plan comes with a premium account for Lookout mobile, which when it works is great, but if they take out the simcard and reset it, before you can locate it, its useless. Last time, i wasn't able to do it either, but that was cause like 2 hours before it got jacked I had just factory reset/wiped system, to install a test build of a ROM I've been working on (first ROM I've done that wasn't based of CM or AOSPA, building this one straight from stock AOSP source, just like the Nexus stock firmware is. And adding my own features instead of using others. Tho I did add Halo, cause i love that feature lol as well as app bar, which works in tandem if you set it up right. But enough OT lol) So yea, since I had just flashed that, and was test driving it, didn't have Device Manager or Lookout installed. This time, it just didn't work.
I am really sorry to hear that happened to you bro. I remember back when FIND MY PHONE apps were first becoming relevant, this dude here in Seattle was mugged and they took his iPhone 3G (think it was the 3GS actually) and he had the official iPhone one (which is through iCloud now, I have it for my iPad AIR, which OT again, is my first iOS device since my 4th Gen iPod touch, and I will never be an iPhone guy, but I am loving the iPad. I want that damn 12.1 Note Pro tho lol) and he was able to get the GPS data (which was all that it did back then, as well as Wipe, the Scream feature, and Lock, didn't have signal flare or Lock Cam, etc etc, like we do now) and he gave it to the SPD, and they were able to track it back to both suspects, retrieve the phone, all the money minus 12.59$ and the rest of the wallet contents as well as his jewelry. that was the incident that made the popularity of those apps take off, while also showing the need for such apps, and the need for better refinement of their functionality etc etc.
They need to find a way around people being able to shut it off. There has to be some type of feature that makes it so there is absolutely no way for them to take wipe the phone without A.) the password, which already exists as a feature B.) a special docking device or Computer USB cable that enables the Wipe feature (albeit, this could be bypassed via custom recovery I guess) and finally C.) bringing it to the phones carrier and proving ownership, etc etc. The simcard being removed should have nothing to do with it. But apparently removing that, and wiping the device negates the whole purpose of that feature. So what can you really do.
People are dumb, Steal a phone and within seconds you can wipe and remove simcard, and then the only thing the owner can do is report it and blacklist it, which even then can be gone around if you know how to use the proper JTAG device or if you plan on selling it, or using it, overseas. cause their blacklists obviously don't coincide with our's here in the US. I personally had a friend who legitimately bought an S4 for T-Mobile, and then the dude (this was through craigslist, another reason why swappa is better, so there is accountability at least and proof of purchase and authorized sale of said device) reported the device lost or stolen within minutes of the sale. So he gets the money, and a replacement phone and my buddy is screwed. But he found someone with a JTAG device that rewrote the IMEI (WHICH I do not condone, and is actually ILLEGAL, only mentioning it as part of this topic) and he is still using it on T-Mobile today.
How did you get a replacement? Was it from Google?
Sent from my NeXus 5
Just checked my email, and found two things that made me even more upset about this. First one was a notification of a PM here on XDA from the Dev's of Nameless ROM, responding to my request to be a Mainter for the Nexus 5 version of their ROM. which I've been wanting to do for awhile now, to help learn more about Development while also giving back to the community in whatever way I can until I finish my own ROM and App.
Second, was an Email from someone who must of seen my request on Google+, about getting an Invite to the new Aviate Launcher beta, which I've been intrigued by for quite sometime, and finally got my invite code. No phone to use it on. I have an S3 from my Verizon days, that I keep for backup, but pointless sine I dont have verizon now, and for the life of me can't find the battery for haha. Hopefully my friend can find the T-Mobile version of the S3 he has, and said I could use til my replacement got back .I always liked the S3, and my S4,. and especially my Note 3 (want that damn 12.1 Note Pro...already said thta tho haha) the only thing I liked better was the Nexus 5. The G2 would be my 2nd fave if it wasn't for that damn UI of theirs which is a obvious kang of TouchWiz, but dont wrong, and bloated up even more so. Which TouchWiz is already pretty damn heavy and resource hungry, well from time with the G2 as secondary device before giving it to one of my bandmates, I can tell you, it is bogged down soooooo much. That UI is holding that device back from being an top 5 android phone. But that camera is one of the best. Which reminds me of how much I want the 1020 or 1520 to come out on T-Mobile, cause I want that camera and I also want to try out a WP, but all the ones on T-Mobile are crap. Anyways......Stupid theives, ruinned my day. I wanna try AVIATE so bad.
Guess I can give invites now, so if anyone wants one , post here and let me know and your wish shall be granted......if you post a video of you doing a double backflip and saying my username 3 times fast.....haha, that would make this day better for me too
Silicon Knight said:
Just checked my email, and found two things that made me even more upset about this. First one was a notification of a PM here on XDA from the Dev's of Nameless ROM, responding to my request to be a Mainter for the Nexus 5 version of their ROM. which I've been wanting to do for awhile now, to help learn more about Development while also giving back to the community in whatever way I can until I finish my own ROM and App.
Second, was an Email from someone who must of seen my request on Google+, about getting an Invite to the new Aviate Launcher beta, which I've been intrigued by for quite sometime, and finally got my invite code. No phone to use it on. I have an S3 from my Verizon days, that I keep for backup, but pointless sine I dont have verizon now, and for the life of me can't find the battery for haha. Hopefully my friend can find the T-Mobile version of the S3 he has, and said I could use til my replacement got back .I always liked the S3, and my S4,. and especially my Note 3 (want that damn 12.1 Note Pro...already said thta tho haha) the only thing I liked better was the Nexus 5. The G2 would be my 2nd fave if it wasn't for that damn UI of theirs which is a obvious kang of TouchWiz, but dont wrong, and bloated up even more so. Which TouchWiz is already pretty damn heavy and resource hungry, well from time with the G2 as secondary device before giving it to one of my bandmates, I can tell you, it is bogged down soooooo much. That UI is holding that device back from being an top 5 android phone. But that camera is one of the best. Which reminds me of how much I want the 1020 or 1520 to come out on T-Mobile, cause I want that camera and I also want to try out a WP, but all the ones on T-Mobile are crap. Anyways......Stupid theives, ruinned my day. I wanna try AVIATE so bad.
Guess I can give invites now, so if anyone wants one , post here and let me know and your wish shall be granted......if you post a video of you doing a double backflip and saying my username 3 times fast.....haha, that would make this day better for me too
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I would love an invite. Sorry bout your phone.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Premium HD app
My damn GF left it sitting at the table in McDonalds.
does this count as stolen? well i know what i would do (hand it back) but this was just a unlucky situation.... and i hope you learned your lesson here bro...
GL
Silicon Knight said:
damn. I am assuming you weren't able to use a FIND MY PHONE type app either ? My T-Mobile protection plan comes with a premium account for Lookout mobile, which when it works is great, but if they take out the simcard and reset it, before you can locate it, its useless. Last time, i wasn't able to do it either, but that was cause like 2 hours before it got jacked I had just factory reset/wiped system, to install a test build of a ROM I've been working on (first ROM I've done that wasn't based of CM or AOSPA, building this one straight from stock AOSP source, just like the Nexus stock firmware is. And adding my own features instead of using others. Tho I did add Halo, cause i love that feature lol as well as app bar, which works in tandem if you set it up right. But enough OT lol) So yea, since I had just flashed that, and was test driving it, didn't have Device Manager or Lookout installed. This time, it just didn't work.
I am really sorry to hear that happened to you bro. I remember back when FIND MY PHONE apps were first becoming relevant, this dude here in Seattle was mugged and they took his iPhone 3G (think it was the 3GS actually) and he had the official iPhone one (which is through iCloud now, I have it for my iPad AIR, which OT again, is my first iOS device since my 4th Gen iPod touch, and I will never be an iPhone guy, but I am loving the iPad. I want that damn 12.1 Note Pro tho lol) and he was able to get the GPS data (which was all that it did back then, as well as Wipe, the Scream feature, and Lock, didn't have signal flare or Lock Cam, etc etc, like we do now) and he gave it to the SPD, and they were able to track it back to both suspects, retrieve the phone, all the money minus 12.59$ and the rest of the wallet contents as well as his jewelry. that was the incident that made the popularity of those apps take off, while also showing the need for such apps, and the need for better refinement of their functionality etc etc.
They need to find a way around people being able to shut it off. There has to be some type of feature that makes it so there is absolutely no way for them to take wipe the phone without A.) the password, which already exists as a feature B.) a special docking device or Computer USB cable that enables the Wipe feature (albeit, this could be bypassed via custom recovery I guess) and finally C.) bringing it to the phones carrier and proving ownership, etc etc. The simcard being removed should have nothing to do with it. But apparently removing that, and wiping the device negates the whole purpose of that feature. So what can you really do.
People are dumb, Steal a phone and within seconds you can wipe and remove simcard, and then the only thing the owner can do is report it and blacklist it, which even then can be gone around if you know how to use the proper JTAG device or if you plan on selling it, or using it, overseas. cause their blacklists obviously don't coincide with our's here in the US. I personally had a friend who legitimately bought an S4 for T-Mobile, and then the dude (this was through craigslist, another reason why swappa is better, so there is accountability at least and proof of purchase and authorized sale of said device) reported the device lost or stolen within minutes of the sale. So he gets the money, and a replacement phone and my buddy is screwed. But he found someone with a JTAG device that rewrote the IMEI (WHICH I do not condone, and is actually ILLEGAL, only mentioning it as part of this topic) and he is still using it on T-Mobile today.
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When I got mugged I wasn't using any of the find my phone apps. I feel like I use them now out of paranoia but I don't feel 100% secure. Is it the best best? I think so. The device manager is good when couples with kit Kat. The best iv seen so far. As you can imagine, when I picked up my n5 I simulated the device being stollen. I had my girlfriend take the phone for a walk. She powered it off. Then on. It gave me her location for both moments and I had the option to wipe. Will I find my phone? Probably not but its better than being paranoid. I wish there was a way to activate tracking regardless of phone on or off or reset. It should be a system setting that locks the feature in once you report it lost or stolen. If the NSA can do it. Why can't we?
Sent from my Nexus 5 using xda app-developers app
helstonrampersad said:
How did you get a replacement? Was it from Google?
Sent from my NeXus 5
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No, I go through T-mobile for service, but my friend had an upgrade he wasn't going to use, cause he has the HTC One Max that he bought outright and doesn't wanna change anytime soon (plus he owed me money) so he let me use it, and I got the White Nexus 5 for 49.99$ so technically I still have a claim (still good for a lil over 30 days, they give you 60days to pay teh deductible once the claim is approved) that I can use to get one. That deductible is 90$ (when I lost my Note 3, OMG they wanted like 175$) so I can get two Nexus 5's. So this time, I believe I will pay both deductibles when i get paid next week, then sell both, buy a 32GB white one from Google, and then use the rest too pay that months bill on T-mobile !
Then if it happens again, I am gonna be pissed, cause I don't think I will be able to file another claim. Don't even know if sprint or T-mobile or AT&T etc etc, offer insurance if you buy the phone from Google instead of them. Which is a good question, if anyone happens to know the answer to it, please let me know. Or else I will google it, and I don't wanna google it, cause I am in the midst of a 40day 40day, vow of no-googlesearch. Not joking. I've always been pretty good at comprehension, reading and vocabulary skills (music being my main skill, since it was a skill my parents and family nurtured from a young age. Played my first guitar solo back when the guitar was still taller then me lol) And my parents always made me look things up when i asked what a word meant extra, but now google has made us, especially me, lazy. So i wanna prove that I can still function intelligently without using Google to answer unknown questions, by instead researching by talking to people experience in whatever subject etc etc. This may sound so dumb to many of you, but I think it's a good idea to do at least once after being the first generation raised on the Internet (I am 27 and I've had an email since I was 10yrs old lol)
OT - (not that this whole thing has not become OT, I am just so damn bored without my phone right now, homealone for the night, GF at work, and no band pratice, this is normally phone mod and/or dev time, but I need my phone for that, tho i could do some work on my App without it, but that makes me sad right now, cause i want my phone haha)......ANYWAYS - I've yet to meet a single other musician, let alone, a Guitarist, on this Site and I've been a member since 2011. If anyone who see's this is a Musician, especially a Guitarist and Producer/Engineer (just graduated Music School, Music Production/Audio Engineering & Music Theory/General Music) say wats up in here, and let me know I am not the only Musician who's a closet tech/android/computer geek lol
Silicon Knight said:
.ANYWAYS - I've yet to meet a single other musician, let alone, a Guitarist, on this Site and I've been a member since 2011. If anyone who see's this is a Musician, especially a Guitarist and Producer/Engineer (just graduated Music School, Music Production/Audio Engineering & Music Theory/General Music) say wats up in here, and let me know I am not the only Musician who's a closet tech/android/computer geek lol
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Click to collapse
I'm also a musician/guitarist/vocalist/percussionist/pianist that dabbles in sound engineering. I'm not going to school for that sort of thing, but it's still a huge chunk of my life, and I also spend a lot of time messing around with Android.
You know what I just realized? Girlfriends and nexus devices don't mix. My girlfriend stepped on my N7 and shattered the digitizer. LCD is still good tho. This was about a month ago. I'll replace it myself. Just too busy with my N5
Sent from my Nexus 5 using xda app-developers app
Device Manager comes enabled by default. You should be able to log into your google account and find the location or lock or wipe the phone from your pc. Just google Device Manager
Look into the app called Cerberus.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lsdroid.cerberus
Flash the hidden version from the following link via a custom recovery:
https://www.cerberusapp.com/download.php
It'll survive a factory reset, email you the info from any unauthorized SIM card someone puts into it (including the phone number, service provider, & subscriber ID), and as long as the phone has service you can still control it (lock it with a pin, ...) through text messages (no internet connection required).
Also, the paid license is valid for up to 4 (maybe 5) devices. I have it installed on my girlfriend's, brother's, mother's, and my phone. As far as those apps go, it's the best I've found.
Better luck in the future
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Don't mean to sound rude, and it's harsh it went missing, but why did you 1. Leave your phone on the table in a public space, and 2. rely on your girlfriend to pick it up? My phone is in my pocket unless it's in my hand or on my work desk. I would never leave it in the open for anyone to take. Maybe I'm just less trusting of those around me but at least you're insurance covered things to an extent. Lesson learnt (I hope)
Same thought here, why would you ever leave your device on the table ? I´m not paranoid, I use a antitheft app just in case I somehow manage to lose my device.
What also seems to help against muggers or similar bad dudes is a rather "ugly" or very plain and simple looking case. A Spigen Slim Armor "smooth black" is a nice case but it also makes your phone look from far away as being a cheap, generic smartphone
EddyOS said:
Don't mean to sound rude, and it's harsh it went missing, but why did you 1. Leave your phone on the table in a public space, and 2. rely on your girlfriend to pick it up? My phone is in my pocket unless it's in my hand or on my work desk. I would never leave it in the open for anyone to take. Maybe I'm just less trusting of those around me but at least you're insurance covered things to an extent. Lesson learnt (I hope)
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[RECENTLY OVERHEARD CONVERSATION IN TIMES SQUARE]
A: Can I borrow your phone?
B: Where's yours?
A: I left it on the table in Starbucks for one second, turned around, and it was gone.
B: Hahahahahahahahahahaha!
A: I only took two steps away!
B: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
A: Shut up!
B: HAHAHA! You freakin' idiot! HAHAHA!
@Silicon Knight - just out of curiosity, did you contact the McD management to see if their cameras picked up anything? If they are unwilling to discuss, file a police report (if you haven't already done so), and get them to review their recordings
I feel like the average person stealing a phone would not know about android device manager and you could track it.
Ps: This isn't Q&A, Help, and troubleshooting problem.
Hey guys, So I purchased a S7 on ebay after clearing the IMEI through Verizon's Fraud Department. I then made sure the Imei matched the Original Phone Box, Receipt and back glass. All was well so I was happy with the purchase. It had a broken front screen and I went through the repair and fixed it!
Was really happy to save money by repairing an S7.
Only issue is what I have no learned to be FRP. She reset the phone before sending it to me which is completely understandable.
I've emailed her in ebay about it and she said she would get back to me with the gmail account but hasn't responded regarding giving me the password.
I fully understand and don't expect her to give me their password. That's a bit ridiculous of me to expect that. All I want is the clean clear phone I bought from her and be able to use it.
So A few things, Im not just here for this. I also want to get into rooting which is why I registered, I hope to be of help in the future as I learn more and more about getting those
terrible factory apps and stuff that comes from verizon.
1. Which is the best method about doing an FRP Bypass. I see people on ebay that will do it for like 20 bucks remotely over team view. Others send a usb drive.
2. I absolutely can provide proof of purchase through screen shots on ebay, as well as the item number to show you who bought it. (Same Username of course)
I totally understand frp is to prevent theft, which is great. It just sucks that the owner didn't know she was selling me her locked phone. Shes the original owner. She didn't have insurance so when she broke the screen she had to buy a new one and thats why she sold this one on ebay. She's been super helpful and nice
as we exchange emails on ebay. But short of driving 5 hrs each way to meet in person frp bypass is my only option. I gave her the option of me driving there, I would spend the time/gas to meet at her local verizon store so i dont have to do this mess.
I did attemp a frp bypass on albviral but I must have done it wrong, and it seemed a bit complicated. Again, I can provide proof that I did not steal this phone. Whatever I need to do to
not lose even more money from the purchase and repair.
If any help, I'd be super appreciated.
thanks
Well they changed their password because she couldn't remember it so I can only assume theres a 24hr lock out period or something. It wont log in. And even using a recovery email and her sending me the verify code it wont let us into the phone.
Update:
Lady changed their google password and it still wont log in. I tried clicking forgot and it sent a code to the recovery email which she logged in, got and sent me.
After I tried that it just kept kicking me back to the start of frp by saying "Log in using an account that was synced to this device" and taking me to a screen to put in the gmail.
When I try random passwords it says wrong password. But when I try the one she made today it just kicks back. 24hr period? I really hope that's all it is.
I even put in their names to confirm account and it kicks me back saying that isnt correct. She said he can't remember anything and has to get new passwords all the time much less knowing what was used when they orginally go the phone. So I guess i'll try in 24hrs and if not then I'll try someone on ebay? idk.
Flash an older firmware with ODIN that has an FRP bypass tutorial on YT
It's been done. Now I get a security notice that unauthorized changes have been detected, restart phone to undo.
Obviously im not going to do that but will it ever go away.
I'll shortly install sim card and activate phone. I appreciate the help.
Now for me to research rooting!
Wow this is terrible. The prev. owner called verizon tech support and had the phone cleared off her account but it still won't let us activate it. They said wait 24hrs and see if that takes care of
it and if not then the phone is useless. Doesnt even make sense that the original owner contacted them, cleared her and the phone and still may not be usable.
Alrighty, all is fixed and new sim card and im activated and everything. It wants to update to 7.0 but im hesitant to do it.
Updated to 7.0 nagout. All is well. There's an additional
System update that includes some security measures.
Since updating to 7.0 went smoothly I guess I'll go ahead with the additional system update.
Glad you got it working!
Thanks! This newest security system update has me a little worried but I guess I'd the 7.0 update went fine I shouldn't be worried about it. Having done the rep bypass just has me on edge even tho the original owner is great and told tech support it was hers to clear it and let me have it and all.
I still want to look into rooting, there's just a bunch of junk on here. Even games! I don't use it for games.
I picked up the 8+ today and after everything was said and done. the salesman took my phone to the front kiosk and installed some sort of "Diagnostic Tool" on my phone. He said that it only works when it connected to their system and is hidden on the phone so its not accidentally deleted. At the time i didn't think twice about it because i was just trying to get out of there after being heckled to upgrade my plan and buy hundreds of dollars worth of accessories for over an hour. In hindsight i would of asked a lot more questions and made sure i was able to remove it. I only caught a glimpse of the screen while it was installing. It was a blue screen and the name of the app started with a "B". Does anyone know what this tool is, what it does and how to remove it. Would a factory reset wipe it? or would it act like bloatware being AT&T installed it?
Steve Buscemi said:
I picked up the 8+ today and after everything was said and done. the salesman took my phone to the front kiosk and installed some sort of "Diagnostic Tool" on my phone. He said that it only works when it connected to their system and is hidden on the phone so its not accidentally deleted. At the time i didn't think twice about it because i was just trying to get out of there after being heckled to upgrade my plan and buy hundreds of dollars worth of accessories for over an hour. In hindsight i would of asked a lot more questions and made sure i was able to remove it. I only caught a glimpse of the screen while it was installing. It was a blue screen and the name of the app started with a "B". Does anyone know what this tool is, what it does and how to remove it. Would a factory reset wipe it? or would it act like bloatware being AT&T installed it?
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Click to collapse
Dude that is not normal. If factory reset the device right away. Just because he works at an AT&T sure didn't mean he isn't scamming you. It could be a key logger or something getting to stall passwords I have never heard of an AT&THE employee doing that ever before especially on a new phone.
I would also call AT&T and report the store because they may be doing something shady.
ShrekOpher said:
Dude that is not normal. If factory reset the device right away. Just because he works at an AT&T sure didn't mean he isn't scamming you. It could be a key logger or something getting to stall passwords I have never heard of an AT&THE employee doing that ever before especially on a new phone.
I would also call AT&T and report the store because they may be doing something shady.
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I agree!!!
malebornin69 said:
I agree!!!
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You don't think a factory reset would remove any malicious software? The only apps that remain are those that are in the kernel and as far as I know you can't just modify the kernel without root. Even an att salesman doesnt have access to the tools required to do that (I hope)
Steve Buscemi said:
You don't think a factory reset would remove any malicious software? The only apps that remain are those that are in the kernel and as far as I know you can't just modify the kernel without root. Even an att salesman doesnt have access to the tools required to do that (I hope)
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yes a factory reset should get rid of the app
---------- Post added at 12:03 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:02 AM ----------
malebornin69 said:
yes a factory reset should get rid of the app
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have you tried just uninstalling it
malebornin69 said:
yes a factory reset should get rid of the app
---------- Post added at 12:03 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:02 AM ----------
have you tried just uninstalling it
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It's not visible. When he was running the "diagnostic" he said it "should disappear once it's finished". I figured he meant that it would be hidden. I searched the applications from developer options and couldn't find anything out of the ordinary. But I've already reset my phone and I'm sure Its fine. I'm going to a different store tomorrow and talk to someone and get some information. If they feel that was out of the ordinary than I will report the store and the employee.
ShrekOpher said:
Dude that is not normal. If factory reset the device right away. Just because he works at an AT&T sure didn't mean he isn't scamming you. It could be a key logger or something getting to stall passwords I have never heard of an AT&THE employee doing that ever before especially on a new phone.
I would also call AT&T and report the store because they may be doing something shady.
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Click to collapse
Its just a diagnostic tool,to see if a warranty exchange should be done
I got my AT&T-carrier phone from Best Buy (as I usually do) and saw everything the tech did from start to finish, no extra apps loaded. Even when I used to buy directly through an AT&T company store, no one ever tried that. I'd be suspicious, too, especially if they didn't tell you what they were doing. Had they explained to you "this is an app we install in case you need warranty service" etc., at least you would have been informed ahead of time. But I agree that a full factory reset should remove that app.
Sent from my SM-G955U using XDA Premium HD app
Steve Buscemi said:
I picked up the 8+ today and after everything was said and done. the salesman took my phone to the front kiosk and installed some sort of "Diagnostic Tool" on my phone. He said that it only works when it connected to their system and is hidden on the phone so its not accidentally deleted. At the time i didn't think twice about it because i was just trying to get out of there after being heckled to upgrade my plan and buy hundreds of dollars worth of accessories for over an hour. In hindsight i would of asked a lot more questions and made sure i was able to remove it. I only caught a glimpse of the screen while it was installing. It was a blue screen and the name of the app started with a "B". Does anyone know what this tool is, what it does and how to remove it. Would a factory reset wipe it? or would it act like bloatware being AT&T installed it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It simply is what it says it is... it's called Blanco Diagnosis and can be removed by pressing and holding on the app and pressing uninstall just like any other app. I can assure you, you do not need to factory wipe your phone it is simply there to check warranty status and a requirement before any warranty exchange can be done.
mablab3 said:
It simply is what it says it is... it's called Blanco Diagnosis and can be removed by pressing and holding on the app and pressing uninstall just like any other app. I can assure you, you do not need to factory wipe your phone it is simply there to check warranty status and a requirement before any warranty exchange can be done.
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Thanks for the response but the salesman told me the app would "disappear" from my apps which sounds to me like it would be a hidden app. He didnt say it would be removed or uninstalled. He implied it would stay behind after it was installed. Plus if it was as simple as pressing uninstall i would of done so. Frankly the only apps that should be hidden are system related. Anything else i would flag them as malicious. I dont take chances when it comes to my security. My phone uas multiple credit cards numbers and bank account info on it and just because someone works for a celluar carrier doesnt mean they aren't shady.
Steve Buscemi said:
Thanks for the response but the salesman told me the app would "disappear" from my apps which sounds to me like it would be a hidden app. He didnt say it would be removed or uninstalled. He implied it would stay behind after it was installed. Plus if it was as simple as pressing uninstall i would of done so. Frankly the only apps that should be hidden are system related. Anything else i would flag them as malicious. I dont take chances when it comes to my security. My phone uas multiple credit cards numbers and bank account info on it and just because someone works for a celluar carrier doesnt mean they aren't shady.
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Lol the sales rep clearly doesn't know what he's talking about if he says it's something that's installed on your phone that runs in the background. The kiosk that your phone was plugged up to is provided by at&t and doing so to run free diagnosis on phones. But I get it, I wear a tin hat 24/7 to protect myself from the WIFI's. To each their own.
mablab3 said:
Lol the sales rep clearly doesn't know what he's talking about if he says it's something that's installed on your phone that runs in the background. The kiosk that your phone was plugged up to is provided by at&t and doing so to run free diagnosis on phones. But I get it, I wear a tin hat 24/7 to protect myself from the WIFI's. To each their own.
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That last sentence seemed a little passive agressive and condescending and if it was, then f**k you. This was a legitimite question and judging by the responses of others, it was a good one to ask. The employee didnt clearly explain what he was doing. And out of the many phones ive had over the years, no carrier has never done this before. And in an age where corporations sell our data and government agencies spy on civillians. You should be a little paranoid. especially when some fat little dweb installs some **** on my phone that has important finacial information and doesnt explain what it does.
Steve Buscemi said:
That last sentence seemed a little passive agressive and condescending and if it was, then f**k you. This was a legitimite question and judging by the responses of others, it was a good one to ask. The employee didnt clearly explain what he was doing. And out of the many phones ive had over the years, no carrier has never done this before. And in an age where corporations sell our data and government agencies spy on civillians. You should be a little paranoid. especially when some fat little dweb installs some **** on my phone that has important finacial information and doesnt explain what it does.
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Click to collapse
Touchè Steve, the rep is a dumbass for not explaining the app correctly. It's an app that does nothing but clear cache data and it can test battery temp and voltage, test the speakers, etc. (Most reps don't know it can do these things and judging by how you've describe your sales REP definitely doesn't know these things.) At&t has put this in place of when you have a warranty claim they typically will have you factory wipe your device before they can claim it's "defective hardware" this app can tell if there's hardware issues, if used correctly, without factory wipe and the risk of losing information if a warranty device has to be issued.
Steve Buscemi said:
Thanks for the response but the salesman told me the app would "disappear" from my apps which sounds to me like it would be a hidden app. He didnt say it would be removed or uninstalled. He implied it would stay behind after it was installed. Plus if it was as simple as pressing uninstall i would of done so. Frankly the only apps that should be hidden are system related. Anything else i would flag them as malicious. I dont take chances when it comes to my security. My phone uas multiple credit cards numbers and bank account info on it and just because someone works for a celluar carrier doesnt mean they aren't shady.
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Click to collapse
I've never had an at&t employee at a store install an app and it would be invisible, they set up phone in front of you then give you the phone and your on the way home.
Lmax579 said:
Its just a diagnostic tool,to see if a warranty exchange should be done
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Click to collapse
mablab3 said:
It simply is what it says it is... it's called Blanco Diagnosis and can be removed by pressing and holding on the app and pressing uninstall just like any other app. I can assure you, you do not need to factory wipe your phone it is simply there to check warranty status and a requirement before any warranty exchange can be done.
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Click to collapse
This was a new phone purchase, why would you need to check warranty status or run diagnostics on a new phone? Not sure why it's needed unless it was in fact a warranty exchange.
nugzo said:
This was a new phone purchase, why would you need to check warranty status or run diagnostics on a new phone? Not sure why it's needed unless it was in fact a warranty exchange.
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AGAIN! The sales rep is a dumbass. I was just letting the man know that the app was removed from the phone and there is nothing hidden or running in the background. For what the rep did and why he did it, he probably doesn't even know the answer to those questions. Btw, And I'm not sure why you are even commenting, from your question sounds like you haven't read thru the feed, you probably try doing that before asking a question that can't be answered unless your asking that dumbass sales REP and again if you read through the feed you would know he is not part of this conversation.
Gremlins. He put Gremlins in your phone. Only explanation.
Steve Buscemi said:
I picked up the 8+ today and after everything was said and done. the salesman took my phone to the front kiosk and installed some sort of "Diagnostic Tool" on my phone. He said that it only works when it connected to their system and is hidden on the phone so its not accidentally deleted. At the time i didn't think twice about it because i was just trying to get out of there after being heckled to upgrade my plan and buy hundreds of dollars worth of accessories for over an hour. In hindsight i would of asked a lot more questions and made sure i was able to remove it. I only caught a glimpse of the screen while it was installing. It was a blue screen and the name of the app started with a "B". Does anyone know what this tool is, what it does and how to remove it. Would a factory reset wipe it? or would it act like bloatware being AT&T installed it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hopefully you didn't ream this poor rep for hooking your phone up to a standard diagnostic tool.
He was doing you a favor and making sure your phone didn't have any hardware issues straight out of the box.
It's more than most reps would have done.
Future reference, bad reviews on store reps affect the commissions of the entire team.
I swore-off androids (ADHD makes smartphones a very bad distraction for some, especially me) but my friend got a "buy one, get one" deal on the S8+ and, after putting a small edge-crack in the first one, just put it aside - she ended up giving it to me.
With her pins I removed the samsung/google accounts and did a hard-reset, then updated the system- my understanding was that, after doing this, that the phone would be 'open' for switching providers, so expect this is a different level of 'lock' (after hard-resetting, there was an App called 'device unlock', I had to connect to my wifi to get an answer and it said 'no', to contact customer service)
Am unsure if she can get them to unlock it, but even that is a major PITA (we don't see each other often nor do we live nearby), and I half-expect they're going to say 'no' to her anyways if she's trying to get them to let a 3rd party use it on a different carrier. So, I want/may-have-to crack it to get around this and while I'm guessing that a custom ROM will bypass this, I've read enough about there being something on the chip that'll be irrevocably 'tripped' when rooting the phone before flashing ROM's, and that once tripped it can't be undone and causes issues....so am wary!
There's also the idea of just flashing the regular G955U1 firmware but even w/ that I'm unsure if it'll 'trip' whatever the chip's protection from rooting is, I'd really like to get my service (Tracfone) onto it before doing more aggressive 'minimalization' of the system as I'd like to mess-around w/ a new android OS for a bit just to check it out (last time I used android, towelroot was the premiere go-to...that should give an idea how long it's been!)
Any/all ideas or tips or just keywords to get me pointed in the right direction would be incredibly appreciated, have spent many hours this week trying to get this thing working w/ my service, am awaiting my 2nd SIM card (my old phone, via Tracfone, was using verizon towers- so if I want to keep my #, I have to use the Verizon SIM they've mailed me that should be here any day) and, after that re-set, I'm expecting that even the new SIM will not be enough to get it working properly :/
(Something I think is important to point out, though it could be a fluke- during one of my tech-support sessions w/ the people at my carrier(Tracfone), the first one actually, we ended the call *thinking* it was fixed - the tech had finished on his end, asked me to make a call w/ the S8+, I called my landline and sure enough my phone# was calling my landline (via the S8+), however the tech said there were still issues and that he'd work on them, to call back in 24hrs. After hanging-up, I started testing and the first thing I did was to *call* my cell# from the landline and, sure enough, the old phone started ringing (the old phone is CDMA so it wasn't like I'd pulled its SIM), am unsure if I should take this to mean that it just let me dial-out as a fluke (I hadn't hard-reset the handset yet) or if it went wrong another way, but I *was* able to make a single outgoing call from the S8+ with my # so am getting the impression the lock isn't *that* unbeatable!)
Do a google search for UnlockUnit(.)com and check if your S8 qualifies to be unlocked.
Thank you!!
RossTeagan said:
Do a google search for UnlockUnit(.)com and check if your S8 qualifies to be unlocked.
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TBH that seems sketchy to me but it's a fail-safe/last-ditch effort I'll do if/when the time comes....
I just got a 30d temp-unlock from t-mobile (after a conference call w/ them & my friend the prior owner & myself), so right now am thinking *maybe* I can do things as far as cracking that lock that i couldn't have before....I don't care if I hobble the phone, I only care if the cracked unit can do talk/text, if it loses data I'm fine with that (honestly I'd be looking for the most minimalist ROM if/when I get my non-t-mobile service onto this thing, am a linux person and hoping they've got linux-esque rom's at this point!)((yes, I know android is based off linux I just mean putting a super-minimalist 'basic mode' *nix setup, that'd be my ideal!!))
I know there's a 'trip' on the logic-board on the CPU but my understanding is that tripping it only ruins the ability to get samsung updates and things of that nature, but that it *does not* ruin the ability of the handset to call/text, or use wifi....am still just thinking there *has* to be a way to crack this thing if I'm willing to lose-out on every feature besides talk/text, honestly I've been considering going to this t-mobile location that I suspect is a franchise in a 'ghetto' area near me and trying to just slip their tech $50 or something to unlock it! Though I'd much rather just crack it at-home so I can have higher assurance it's not merely this 'temporary unlock' feature and that I actually get it truly carrier-unlocked....hate that they went so far to lock it out but am having trouble thinking it's unbeatable!
(regarding the pay-for-unlock-code types of operations like you linked, do you know of others' experiences like how reliable a service it is, something more like 50/50 or 95% reliable? Have read an anecdote of someone unlocking one that way, only for the handset to be locked again a month later.....presumably they paid for a temp-unlock, thinking it was a permanent one- but permanent is all that these services seem to imply they do!)