[Q] S6 Bootloader, Rooting and Exynos - Galaxy S6 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Having never had a Samsung device before, I might be turning to the S6 Edge once it's released to replace my ageing Nexus 5 but I have a few questions that can put me off and was wondering if you guys can clarify them for me.
1) Does the 'international' version come with a locked or unlocked bootloader (i.e. if I were to buy it off of Amazon UK). If locked, how easy is it to unlock the bootloader on previous Samsung phones? This probably also voids warranty unlike the Nexus and HTC right?
2) How easy has it been to root Samsung phones in the past?
3) What does having an Exynos processor mean (in terms of modding)? Will that make it harder to root? harder to unlock bootloader? Not being able to Install Stock Vanilla Android ROM?
4) Finally, I've played around with a couple of friend's Samsungs (Note 3,4, S5,S4) and I absolutely hate TouchWiz.. It just looks ugly. How easy is it to get rid of it all together, including sounds, menus, etc. (either by installing Stock Android ROM) or by removing these components from TouchWiz ROM?
5) To sum up. Ideally I'd like to have Vanilla Android Lollipop with an unlocked bootloader and root, and customize as I like; do you think this would be possible? What would the tradeoffs?
I hope my questions are clear! If they aren't please let me know to clarify them further.

ombadboy said:
Having never had a Samsung device before, I might be turning to the S6 Edge once it's released to replace my ageing Nexus 5 but I have a few questions that can put me off and was wondering if you guys can clarify them for me.
1) Does the 'international' version come with a locked or unlocked bootloader (i.e. if I were to buy it off of Amazon UK). If locked, how easy is it to unlock the bootloader on previous Samsung phones? This probably also voids warranty unlike the Nexus and HTC right?
2) How easy has it been to root Samsung phones in the past?
3) What does having an Exynos processor mean (in terms of modding)? Will that make it harder to root? harder to unlock bootloader? Not being able to Install Stock Vanilla Android ROM?
4) Finally, I've played around with a couple of friend's Samsungs (Note 3,4, S5,S4) and I absolutely hate TouchWiz.. It just looks ugly. How easy is it to get rid of it all together, including sounds, menus, etc. (either by installing Stock Android ROM) or by removing these components from TouchWiz ROM?
5) To sum up. Ideally I'd like to have Vanilla Android Lollipop with an unlocked bootloader and root, and customize as I like; do you think this would be possible? What would the tradeoffs?
I hope my questions are clear! If they aren't please let me know to clarify them further.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. We don't really know yet. As far as I know all previous international models of the Galaxy S phones had unlocked bootloaders.
2. With my S2 and S4 it has been really easy to root. I don't expect real problems here.
3. Here's where it gets tricky. Exynos processors made it harder to create AOSP roms due to the closed-source nature of the kernel. I expect there to be no change there.
4. Well, custom roms may be able to help here. They may be able to tweak the UI, remove bloatware or even change the whole UI. Perhaps a stable AOSP port will be created, it's too early to tell yet.
5. If you want an AOSP rom, I'm not sure if the S6 is what you're looking for. A Nexus device would be ideal or you can look at the HTC One M9. If you can live with a Touchwiz based rom, you shouldn't have any problems here.
This is just my view on this all. There may be others who can shed some light on it.

From what I understood, rooting your Samsung allows you to remove quite alot of the TouchWiz bloat. Is it possible to also get rid of the UI they stick ontop of Stock Android or is that baked in?

ombadboy said:
From what I understood, rooting your Samsung allows you to remove quite alot of the TouchWiz bloat. Is it possible to also get rid of the UI they stick ontop of Stock Android or is that baked in?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, there is a difference between Touchwiz and the pre-installed applications. Touchwiz is the whole look&feel with the modified applications. This means a modded email client, dialer, contacts app, settings, launcher, power menu, etc.
While you can remove some applications while rooted (for example the Samsung Store), you can't modify the looks like the power menu, settings, top bar with the clock, etc.. This is baked into the rom itself.
Regarding the email, dialer, launcher and contacts apps, you can download and use third-party apps for that. This will make it look at lot better, but it won't fix everything.

I guess now that Xposed has been released for Lollipop ART as soon as Rovo manages to fix it for Samsung ROMs, that will also allow changing the UI on the TouchWiz ROM substantially right?

well, i hate samsung when will get modify the handset
if someone will succeed root samsung device, it must be can't claim on samsung service centre
well, i just have old exynos from S4/S5, we don't know yet S6 comes with exynos 14nm
hope developers will make it later

Samsung added themes to the s6
Samsung added themes in the s6 so you can change the look and feel of the device.
ww.androidcentral.com/galaxy-s6-themes-let-you-take-control-touchwiz

Rooting Galaxy S6
Hey all,
I am new to posting on XDA. I've seen similar post throughout XDA but nothing that really answers my questions. I recently purchased the S6 and I'd like to root it. I don't want to install custom ROMs all I want is root access for mods that might require that. I have the international variant SM-G920F.
I don't really care about being able to pay using my phone.
1) Most posts claim that I won't be able to update over the air (OTA), is that true? If so is there any luck that this will change in the near future?
2) What root method do you suggest? In terms of ease of use.
3) Mods. What mods do you suggest?
Thank you,

Need to SIM unlock a Galaxy S6
I purchased my phone (Samsung Galaxy S6) from Best Buy to be used with AT&T. This was after 2 AT&T employees and a Best Buy employee told me that getting the unlock code is very easy and straightforward. I have been to the web site to request unlock codes twice. Both times failed. After that I called and they told me, effectively, that my phone is too new. Due to this they require 6 months of paid service before they will consider unlocking it. I am due to leave the country in 4 months. I need to get this phone unlocked... Can anyone tell me how to proceed?
P.S. I am a computer programmer with a lot of experience. I already have the phone in developer mode with the ADB activated. I have the android developers toolkit installed and ready to go. I mention this just so anyone responding will have some idea of the technical level they can use when replying.

AbsaLootly said:
I purchased my phone (Samsung Galaxy S6) from Best Buy to be used with AT&T. This was after 2 AT&T employees and a Best Buy employee told me that getting the unlock code is very easy and straightforward. I have been to the web site to request unlock codes twice. Both times failed. After that I called and they told me, effectively, that my phone is too new. Due to this they require 6 months of paid service before they will consider unlocking it. I am due to leave the country in 4 months. I need to get this phone unlocked... Can anyone tell me how to proceed?
P.S. I am a computer programmer with a lot of experience. I already have the phone in developer mode with the ADB activated. I have the android developers toolkit installed and ready to go. I mention this just so anyone responding will have some idea of the technical level they can use when replying.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What you will get, eventually, from ATT is a carrier unlock code that will allow you to use foreign carrier sim cards for service. This is not a bootloader unlock.

AbsaLootly said:
I purchased my phone (Samsung Galaxy S6) from Best Buy to be used with AT&T. This was after 2 AT&T employees and a Best Buy employee told me that getting the unlock code is very easy and straightforward. I have been to the web site to request unlock codes twice. Both times failed. After that I called and they told me, effectively, that my phone is too new. Due to this they require 6 months of paid service before they will consider unlocking it. I am due to leave the country in 4 months. I need to get this phone unlocked... Can anyone tell me how to proceed?
P.S. I am a computer programmer with a lot of experience. I already have the phone in developer mode with the ADB activated. I have the android developers toolkit installed and ready to go. I mention this just so anyone responding will have some idea of the technical level they can use when replying.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. This is a SIM Unlock, not a bootloader unlock. This will let you use your phone with other supported carriers, not unlock your bootloader.
2. If this is your intention, however, AT&T will only unlock the phone if you've completed your contract obligations with the line your phone is tied to. If you're under contract, you can't get it fully unlocked. However, if you tell them you need it internationally unlocked, they should be able to give you a different unlock code to get that to work. Try giving CS a ring and explain you need it unlocked for abroad, not for the US.

I have been trying the official routes to do the unlock
dandrumheller said:
What you will get, eventually, from ATT is a carrier unlock code that will allow you to use foreign carrier sim cards for service. This is not a bootloader unlock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have tried the official routes (web site and phone) and been denied. They basically told me that while I own the phone, and owe them no money of any kind, the phone is too new. They are demanding 6 months of paid service to release the phone that I already own!

Unlock 5 minute 4K recording (Docomo Galaxy S6)
Just bought me the shiny new S6 and love everything about it except one thing; the 5 minute limit to 4K recording. Are there any apps that will let me record for longer durations, or is there a mod out there I need to use?
Thanks in advance.

Japan Jay said:
Just bought me the shiny new S6 and love everything about it except one thing; the 5 minute limit to 4K recording. Are there any apps that will let me record for longer durations, or is there a mod out there I need to use?
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any chance that you could download the QCN files from your phone so that I could use it in mine? That would really be awesome for me.
I have a Note 4, international.......not working good in Japan.

Related

Should I, shouldn't I

Hi folks,
I'm thinking of picking up the galaxy s, the samsung vibrant from t-mobile to use on my carrier.
i had a few questions and hope you fellas can help me out.
1st, what would be involved in unlocking it? Would I have any problems getting it unlocked?
Also i'm a total noob to android but i've been reading up. What exactly is "rooting"? will rooting allow me to put a stock 2.2 on it? is that even possible and is it recomended on this phone?
and lastly from people who have been using this phone, do you recommend getting it?
thanks
oh snap! i posted this in the wrong board. it should have been in the "Galaxy S I9000 General"
sorry mods.
Rooting allows you to get access to parts of the phone you otherwise wouldn't have access to. Compare it to having administrator rights on windows, you can access more files, do more stuff. Programs can perform more actions when your phone is rooted.
Putting 2.2 on it is completely seperate from that and at this moment is not possible. However, Samsung already stated that the first 2.2 update will be somewhere in august (not for euro/usa regions though) so perhaps withing the month after that it will also be available for other regions. Samsung has officially announced that it WILL be updated though, so no need to worry about that.
Without the 2.2 update it's already pretty damn fast though (with some tweaks its faster then the Nexus one WITH 2.2) so I would certainly already recommend it.
This is my first android phone (after symbian, windows mobile and more) and it's really easy to get used to and works just great. The screen is beautiful (good colors, vibrant although reading text on it is a less great experience) and it's very fast. Also feels light, in a good way, great screen, etc. I can totally recommend it.
ps. No idea what the status on unlocking is, mine was unlocked already so never looked into it.
you might want to make sure the frequency bands of the one you acquire will work on the carrier you want to use it on
if not, it may not work at all, or may not give you 3G data svc
personally i didnt think any phones are locked down anymore, at least not in the UK?
you should buy the phone, its the best ive owned, not saying its the best on the market but id like to hear of an arguement for why it isnt.
rooting was done on this device even before release, and with already 300k sales in south korea alone it looks like its going to have some great support and updates in the future

S7 bootloader unlock petition

Anybody interested in the bootloader and unlocking it I encourage you to sign this petition. These phones are ours to use how we see fit and the more noise we make the better our chances are. I bought this phone under the assumption that nothing had changed and for Samsung to change their policies without notice isn't acceptable for me and hopefully you as well. Thank you
Petition
Dude, there's honestly no point. Ive been on xda for about 10 years and ive always need to root every single android phone ive owned. Until recently, Samsung started making pretty good android phones starting with the s6 and up. I had no reason to root my s6, note 5, and now no reason to root my s7 edge. Im not saying you should have no need to root yours, i just feel like Samsung and android have come a long way and nowadays rooting serves no purpose;for me at least. Is rooting worth losing Samsung pay or any other security features we need to protect us? Not really. Also, Samsung can change their policies as they please, you still bought their phone. Rooting died a couple years ago, move on. Best of luck with your petition.
No point is simply just not true. I haven't even looked at a Samsung until the S6 last year and I got the M9 instead. Now with HTC dumping boomsound on the M10 I switched after 8 HTC phones. While I agree Samsung has come a long way not only in hardware but software and you can do more things now without root I still miss it a lot. Have this phone a week now, not having root sucks. It's just not the same. While yes you can do quite a bit without it, there is still plenty missing. People saying that root is dead or they don't need it is just denial for the fact that things have got so locked down it's not worth justifying the hassle which might just be true.
Let's say knox was never developed, triangle away still worked so you could also go back to stock and you could flash away with an unlocked bootloader everyone would be singing a totally different tune and you guys would be rooted. Now that Samsung has total control, we have to justify it to ourselves on why it makes sense not to root which frankly right now I think is the case.
kennypow3rs said:
Dude, there's honestly no point. Ive been on xda for about 10 years and ive always need to root every single android phone ive owned. Until recently, Samsung started making pretty good android phones starting with the s6 and up. I had no reason to root my s6, note 5, and now no reason to root my s7 edge. Im not saying you should have no need to root yours, i just feel like Samsung and android have come a long way and nowadays rooting serves no purpose;for me at least. Is rooting worth losing Samsung pay or any other security features we need to protect us? Not really. Also, Samsung can change their policies as they please, you still bought their phone. Rooting died a couple years ago, move on. Best of luck with your petition.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its all good if you have no interest then that's fine but I for one do. I hate touchjiz and the bloatware that is just the tip of the iceberg. Rooting will never die maybe some people don't but most that have rooted will always want it. Thanks for your input though. Without root we really don't have any need for a development section so this forum will likely die. I'm jumping ship to the lg g5 until samsung does something if they ever do.
brendan802 said:
Its all good if you have no interest then that's fine but I for one do. I hate touchjiz and the bloatware that is just the tip of the iceberg. Rooting will never die maybe some people don't but most that have rooted will always want it. Thanks for your input though. Without root we really don't have any need for a development section so this forum will likely die. I'm jumping ship to the lg g5 until samsung does something if they ever do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I personally have no problem with Samsung locking things down. In fact for the general pop it will be great, but since we live in the free world it Samsung should still allow the option of choice. As long as they have the proper disclaimer in place that warns of consequences the one can make the decision. I think the big reason for the locked bootloader has to do with carriers leasing the phones. Since rooting breaks the pay app and can't reversed. Just imagine if you got a previous leased phone and the pay app doesn't work. What samsung should do is allow for a complete reset factory action including knox. Maybe not have it available to the general public but maybe the carriers or somewhere higher up. This would give the best of both worlds.
kennypow3rs said:
Dude, there's honestly no point. Ive been on xda for about 10 years and ive always need to root every single android phone ive owned. Until recently, Samsung started making pretty good android phones starting with the s6 and up. I had no reason to root my s6, note 5, and now no reason to root my s7 edge. Im not saying you should have no need to root yours, i just feel like Samsung and android have come a long way and nowadays rooting serves no purpose;for me at least. Is rooting worth losing Samsung pay or any other security features we need to protect us? Not really. Also, Samsung can change their policies as they please, you still bought their phone. Rooting died a couple years ago, move on. Best of luck with your petition.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dude you've been here 5 years. I've been here 7. Neither of which matters. Rooting didn't die any more than rock and roll did when disco came along.
I drive a semi and without root I can't get the headphone, or bluetooth, volumes high enough when running through the trucks stereo. And before you start talking about headphones, those that cover both ears are illegal and i don't like listening through only one ear. So I want root. If you don't that's wonderful for you, but please don't step onto a developers board, claim seniority you just don't have, and try to tell people the board has become meaningless.
DreamingWolf said:
Dude you've been here 5 years. I've been here 7. Neither of which matters. Rooting didn't die any more than rock and roll did when disco came along.
I drive a semi and without root I can't get the headphone, or bluetooth, volumes high enough when running through the trucks stereo. And before you start talking about headphones, those that cover both ears are illegal and i don't like listening through only one ear. So I want root. If you don't that's wonderful for you, but please don't step onto a developers board, claim seniority you just don't have, and try to tell people the board has become meaningless.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is my second account ive definitely been here since the palm and original HTC touch days with Windows pocket lol. But to the point, rooting is dead per se, but there's definitely less of a reason to do so these days. Touch wiz is damn near perfect. Even for those thay dont like it can slap a launcher on it. I see no purpose to root, i can block ads with ad guard. Also stock android doesnt have all the bells and whistles either so id rsther stay stock. Again, i know others may need it, but i was simply saying its pointless thess days. I still come here for many other things, just not to root.
Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk
kennypow3rs said:
This is my second account ive definitely been here since the palm and original HTC touch days with Windows pocket lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I stand corrected.
kennypow3rs said:
Again, i know others may need it, but i was simply saying its pointless these days.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are not 'needed' and 'pointless' antonyms? You just refuted your own statement.
And I don't use stock android. I use rooted and modded versions of Sprint's base ROM. The only stock versions I have truly liked and used are by Temesek, and those tend to be few and far between on Sprint variants.
I also never use Touchwiz. It's been NovaLauncher for years now for me. And I just prefer all the little conveniences and tweaks that you can make with root. Like an extended power menu without having to add more apps from Google Play. And several diagnostic tools I use to troubleshoot when I have a weak or slow signal where I shouldn't.
So I'm really happy that your content to live with what Samsung and Sprint deign to allow you, I'm not. And since these boards seem to be doing just fine, I would guess that there are enough people who agree with me to make your opinion not nearly as wide spread as you believe it to be.
And one final question, if you believe rooting is pointless and dead, why are you still on these boards?
DreamingWolf said:
I stand corrected.
Are not 'needed' and 'pointless' antonyms? You just refuted your own statement.
And I don't use stock android. I use rooted and modded versions of Sprint's base ROM. The only stock versions I have truly liked and used are by Temesek, and those tend to be few and far between on Sprint variants.
I also never use Touchwiz. It's been NovaLauncher for years now for me. And I just prefer all the little conveniences and tweaks that you can make with root. Like an extended power menu without having to add more apps from Google Play. And several diagnostic tools I use to troubleshoot when I have a weak or slow signal where I shouldn't.
So I'm really happy that your content to live with what Samsung and Sprint deign to allow you, I'm not. And since these boards seem to be doing just fine, I would guess that there are enough people who agree with me to make your opinion not nearly as wide spread as you believe it to be.
And one final question, if you believe rooting is pointless and dead, why are you still on these boards?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I still come here for other things, like questions i may have, apps, reviews, and ive been here for so long i still help others when i can. Its still a community i am apart of regardless if i root or not.
Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk
Root or not to root is a matter of opinion, I think it is far from dead or useless imo.
I have rooted every phone I have ever had that it was capable on within 24 hours of getting the phone just because I want to put on the phone what I want not what Samsung thinks I want.
I don't fit well with the masses and rooting let's me be that way with my phone....
That said this has been seen before on other devices and has been worked around by the amazing devs on this sight.
Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk
Rooting will never die unless the manufacturers kill it. It has too much of a following with people that love to root and need to root. So yes no root is a huge deal for me I'm coming from a Nexus 6 where I had multirom and weekly updates. The phone never gets boring when it is unleashed and rootable. I have had the Edge for about a week and I'm already bored/frustrated with it. I'm going to the Sprint store today to try and return it. My Nexus 6 flies compared to the S7 Edge even though its specs are way better. Hardware can only get you so far the software is what makes the phone fly. The stock S7 Edge has so much BS bloatware and unneeded stuff that slows it down significantly. Give me the international one and maybe I would keep it. Also, the Samsung pay is a joke for me because it doesn't support any of my banks or cards. I will be preordering the LG G5 or waiting for the next Nexus.
We should have the option.
I don't really need to root today, because I primarily use the phone for business and I don't want to have it down because I change my mind on which ROM to pick every 6 hours.
But I want the option to get rid of the ****, yes, ****, they put on this phone. Why they load junk I can't get rid of is beyond me.
If we can't control the phone, I'll have to jump off the Samsung bandwagon next year...no matter how good they make it.
Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk
brendan802 said:
Anybody interested in the bootloader and unlocking it I encourage you to sign this petition. These phones are ours to use how we see fit and the more noise we make the better our chances are. I bought this phone under the assumption that nothing had changed and for Samsung to change their policies without notice isn't acceptable for me and hopefully you as well. Thank you
Petition
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there one for Sprint? This petition does not go to them at all.
Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk
So I've had this thought about this locked bootloader problem. I am not sure if this is a viable solution or whether it would even work. I was thinking that our European brethren has an unlocked bootloader. Would there be a way to Odin their bootloader on our devicesor would the fact that they have a different processor be a problem. Because in theory if we had a Samsung sign Odin file of with an unlocked bootloader we should be able to Odin and have a unlocked bootloader, no? Or is there more to it than that?
El.Dante565 said:
So I've had this thought about this locked bootloader problem. I am not sure if this is a viable solution or whether it would even work. I was thinking that our European brethren has an unlocked bootloader. Would there be a way to Odin their bootloader on our devicesor would the fact that they have a different processor be a problem. Because in theory if we had a Samsung sign Odin file of with an unlocked bootloader we should be able to Odin and have a unlocked bootloader, no? Or is there more to it than that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good question. But no, it would not work. Not even because it's a different processor, which that is part. But say if T Mobile got an unlocked bootloader, it would not work for Sprint. Nor would it necessarily help to know how it happened and use it as a road map to unlock another carrier's bl.
Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk
not so fast
mkeller96 said:
Rooting will never die unless the manufacturers kill it. It has too much of a following with people that love to root and need to root. So yes no root is a huge deal for me I'm coming from a Nexus 6 where I had multirom and weekly updates. The phone never gets boring when it is unleashed and rootable. I have had the Edge for about a week and I'm already bored/frustrated with it. I'm going to the Sprint store today to try and return it. My Nexus 6 flies compared to the S7 Edge even though its specs are way better. Hardware can only get you so far the software is what makes the phone fly. The stock S7 Edge has so much BS bloatware and unneeded stuff that slows it down significantly. Give me the international one and maybe I would keep it. Also, the Samsung pay is a joke for me because it doesn't support any of my banks or cards. I will be preordering the LG G5 or waiting for the next Nexus.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would suggest waiting to see if the bootloader is locked down on the lg g5 before ordering. I was not planning to root my s7e, but I must say I was curious to see what this powerhouse was capable of if unleashed from touchwiz,sadly I will never know.:crying:
Anyone else receive an OTA update this morning from Sprint? Took about 15 minutes to download and install.
I'm now showing software version G935PVPU2APC5.
runner77 said:
Anyone else receive an OTA update this morning from Sprint? Took about 15 minutes to download and install.
I'm now showing software version G935PVPU2APC5.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have Ota's stopped, but i haveapb5.
Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk
Root
I have a sneaky suspicion that the Sprint S7 & S7 Edge will end up just like the
ATT Note 5 and S6 Edge/Edge+ phones and will NEVER have root. LOL
I would strongly advice & suggest NOT to get rid of your current rooted phones at least not yet!!!
(unless you buy a different brand which can be rooted)
Have a great day!
El.Dante565 said:
So I've had this thought about this locked bootloader problem. I am not sure if this is a viable solution or whether it would even work. I was thinking that our European brethren has an unlocked bootloader. Would there be a way to Odin their bootloader on our devicesor would the fact that they have a different processor be a problem. Because in theory if we had a Samsung sign Odin file of with an unlocked bootloader we should be able to Odin and have a unlocked bootloader, no? Or is there more to it than that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the firmware for the Chinese model s7 edge it is the closest match to ours and the firmware will not load in odin. It checks against the model and csc codes so we couldn't even cross flash with t-mobiles firmware. I have the bootloader posted over in t-mobile forums and a few people are poking around to see what can be done. Unfortunately bootloader and hardware hacks are nothing I have ever done before.

galaxy sm-s327vl

Has anyone been able to get a working root for the luna pro on straight talk yet. I dont know much about programming but it would be nice to get root to remove knox and other crapware that samsung throws on these phones.
krak1nthor said:
Has anyone been able to get a working root for the luna pro on straight talk yet. I dont know much about programming but it would be nice to get root to remove knox and other crapware that samsung throws on these phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No root at all. Apparently Samsung isn't a fan of root anymore. Or, carriers aren't. No progress at all so you'll be better off buying a new phone. This one is junk. A major downgrade from the original J3, which had 2 gigs of RAM and an AMOLED display. Oh, and it had NFC.
Well honestly imho this phone is worlds better than the core prime i was using. And it is fast especially how i got it set up. Carriers are what ruin the devices we buy as they want things locked to their spec list, i know this personally as i used to work for radioshack and was able to compare the same devices for different brands. Each had slight mods done to the setups but mostly the hardware was close to baseline over the big three, att, sprint and verizon. And essentially most straight talk stuff is either verizon or att anymore so if a root works for that device it should take for ours one would think.
Also its nkt that samsung wont allow root, its a deal thing with certain providers. My wife has a phone from life wireless and we asked around if it could be ported to another carrier and life wireless said it could not as the refurb stuff they provide for people is software locked to their system. But we ended up getting another device and was able to use the life sim for the new phone and kept her number and service. We just recently in the U.S. pass a law in federal court saying its illegal for any carrier to deny service or warrenty for any rooted device. But of course apple isnt a part of that. Only androids as far as i know.
Literally just took this out of the package for my sons first phone. I figured all these cheaper smart phones would be easily rooted. Im bummed out now
And still no one has tried to get this model rooted. I have lost faith with xda on this phone
Here is a qeustion for you. Since I know that the unlocked variant j3 firmware can be used to flash on to att he and be able to root, is there any way being they come from the same hardware and all that the Verizon j3 7.0 firmware would work on our Luna pro straight talk model. I know that all of the hardware is the same between the Verizon and my S.T. models from all the spec sheets I have came across. At this point I don't care for root, I just want the update to 7.0.
By the by I'm currently pulling the firmware off Google drive right now.
well i have searched and dug and so far have found that these phones use the very same logic board: sprint , verizon , tracfone/straight talk and a smj327r4(u.s cell?). and i managed to get the verizon firmware downloaded for the smj327vl, but really need an extra device to test if it works to install on the st/tracfone variant. if it works then we would have a valid android 7.0 on the luna pro model.
i have test phone
krak1nthor said:
well i have searched and dug and so far have found that these phones use the very same logic board: sprint , verizon , tracfone/straight talk and a smj327r4(u.s cell?). and i managed to get the verizon firmware downloaded for the smj327vl, but really need an extra device to test if it works to install on the st/tracfone variant. if it works then we would have a valid android 7.0 on the luna pro model.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a spare sm-s327vl to try the firmware flash what is the google drive link???
I'm not sure on how to add the drive link. am adding it to my Dropbox so I'll post it here in a couple minutes hopefully
Found a way...lol
https://drive.google.com/drive/u/1/mobile/my-drive
It's labeled j327vl. And thanks for being a guinea pig for testing it. Let me know if it works!
What I do know is that it is in multiple parts..... For flashing in Odin. So I guess that's how the newer phones get their files now thru Odin for a stock flash. The last phone I odin'd was a galaxy core prime and it was a single file flash.
Any news on how it went with flashing the Verizon firmware?
Im going to purchase a spare Luna pro on payday and test this out myself to see if it works.
Joker do you have any news? Did you get it flashed. Anything it would be nice to have some input.
Nobody can download it because it redirects back to their own Drive. That's not the link to share. You have to go to that file & allow link sharing. Then copy/paste that link here
Sm-s327vl
Any luck with this?
krak1nthor said:
Im going to purchase a spare Luna pro on payday and test this out myself to see if it works.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've searched and searched, but haven't found where anyone has made any headway toward rooting this device. Have there been any new devolpments?
Gotcha give me a couple
Alright I'm downloading it to my phone and then I'll try to upload where you can pick it up. Any recommendations to a site other than drive that would be easy to get thru

Question Where are all the rom for the s21+

Hello,
Long time i didn t buy a new phone ( i am still on s9+) and there where a lot of rom for the s9+, but doesn t seem to find them for the s21+.
Where are they ?
I believe more people aren't interested to root, unlock bootloader and create custom roms. One of reasons you lost warranty, secondly you lost google pay, samsung pay, secure folder etc. No Updates OTA. And many more. Yes you can fix some of them by custom kernel or Magisk Hide etc. And android in nowadays is enought good. So are you interested in this?
@Itadiki What are you missing from OneUI? What would you want from a custom ROM that you don't have in the official ones?
As @Nettwerk was saying, nowadays OEM Android is good enough even for most of the people that in the past would run a custom ROM. So custom ROMs make little to no sense. Put the disadvantages on top (like loss of warranty or functionalities) and you get the current situation.
@Nettwerk My s9 was rooted and I still had access to google pay. We don t have samsung pay and never used secure folder but I don t see the reason why it would not work
As For @daniel_loft The same reason I wanted my all other devices rooted. Faster speed, no bloatware, optimization in general, and discover a lot of possibilities I didn t think about with all rooted software than can customize everything.
I can root the device myself, Remove the bloatware, install xposed framework and lots of other tools myself. But I am lazy, and not as knowledgable as the excellent people who spend hours and hours on giving us a way better rom than the stock one.
Yes the loss of warranty is a risk I am willing to take.
Secure folder checks knox. If efuse is trigered than it doesn't work. If I'm not wrong.
daniel_loft said:
@Itadiki What are you missing from OneUI? What would you want from a custom ROM that you don't have in the official ones?
As @Nettwerk was saying, nowadays OEM Android is good enough even for most of the people that in the past would run a custom ROM. So custom ROMs make little to no sense. Put the disadvantages on top (like loss of warranty or functionalities) and you get the current situation.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Custom roms are always a good option , they lead to many innovations that with time and popular demand are later integrated in official rom , my last two phone i have not rooted them , i have not missed a thing from not doing it either.
If you root you will miss out in Samsung pay or google pay but of course it may not be important to everyone
Itadiki said:
Hello,
Long time i didn t buy a new phone ( i am still on s9+) and there where a lot of rom for the s9+, but doesn t seem to find them for the s21+.
Where are they ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi
I found one .
Hi,
there is a very good one for S21 Ultra -> https://drketanrom.com/samsung-s21ultra
TeLMiT92 said:
Hi,
there is a very good one for S21 Ultra -> https://drketanrom.com/samsung-s21ultra
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes I saw it ... but not for S21+ unfortunately
daniel_loft said:
@Itadiki What are you missing from OneUI? What would you want from a custom ROM that you don't have in the official ones?
It's not what's missing...it's what I *want* missing....I really want to get rid of the Bloat...nd fix a couple of issues that are plaguing my current s10+ (like the fact that any streaming is interrupted if *any* other resident program is in front of it, and needs an update....my Music cuts out when Waze needs to check in, for example (every 5 minutes).... and T-Mobile swears there is nothing wrong. (...then why did it start doing this *after* a forced Update that they refuse to roll-back?)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I could go on...but it's not additional functionality...it's control of my device (If I wanted to be told how to use my phone...I'd get an iPhone *ecccchh*)
Itadiki said:
Hello,
Long time i didn t buy a new phone ( i am still on s9+) and there where a lot of rom for the s9+, but doesn t seem to find them for the s21+.
Where are they ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know what you mean.
I remember back in the day when I had an HTC One X (still my favourite phone even though I got an s21) then later the M8 and there were tons of roms and mods available from a range of creators. My fav rom was the Viper range which had tons of features like tap to wake and customisable themes which didn't appear on official android for years and had OTA updates which got you on the latest android version before official release.
But I think, as said above, nowadays android has progressed to the point that you don't need to root to get roms with missing features and the likes of Samsung update their phones much faster than they used to. Even I haven't installed a custom rom since the S8 (the S6 & One M9 were the last ones I rooted. And the M9 was only to remove htc bloatware). And though rooting is still useful for removing baked in apps you don't need (Samsung, I'm looking at you!) but in general it's not needed anymore. Especially since manufacturers seem to have got 'inspiration' (interpret that as you will) from some of the fantastic indipendent developers found on sites like XDA.
The other problem is that these days more people use their phones for banking and paying in store and these functions are blocked on rooted phoned.
It is a shame though, the creativity, diversity of mods and general level of knowledge that was once found here back then was amazing.
That's not to say there isn't great talent still here, there is, simply back then there were much more developers creating full roms.
FerretPD said:
I could go on...but it's not additional functionality...it's control of my device (If I wanted to be told how to use my phone...I'd get an iPhone *ecccchh*)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Totally agree with you here.
This was once a clear distinction between android and iPhone. These days they are all trying to suck you into their own eco system.
What's funny is that on my Huawei Nova 5t I had much more control of an apps access to my data and no apps were 'baked in' like Samsung pay etc. We should not have to root a phone we own to remove apps we don't want or make changes to the functionality of a phone, especially after we have paid hundreds of £/$ or more for.
i like root for Root level Backup, Host File level adblocking see wakelocks, change CPU/GPU underclock/overclock/undervolt.. And to keep upgrading my phone to new versions long after the manufacturer stops providing updates.
I am looking at a S22.. though if no community support then maybe not..
Sage said:
i like root for Root level Backup, Host File level adblocking see wakelocks, change CPU/GPU underclock/overclock/undervolt.. And to keep upgrading my phone to new versions long after the manufacturer stops providing updates.
I am looking at a S22.. though if no community support then maybe not..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
unless u buy an exynos s21, u'll be able to root and do whatever... but if u buy a qualcomm one., u wont be able to root, unless u pay... i suggest to stay away from samsung (qualcomm) if u're into the rooting scene
efebe said:
unless u buy an exynos s21, u'll be able to root and do whatever... but if u buy a qualcomm one., u wont be able to root, unless u pay... i suggest to stay away from samsung (qualcomm) if u're into the rooting scene
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i avoid snapdragon like plague for some years already since the inability to root/titanium backup. as long as the phone can't be rooted, i don't buy it, even exypnos is hotter slower dumber etc but the freedom to block ads and freeze/unfreeze/backup app is totally unmatched. also nowadays there's knoxpatch module so i can pretty much use any samsung secured function (just lack samsung pay/pass)

Question OEM Unlock on Canadian Galaxy A53's?

Anyone know if the Canadian version (‎SM-A536W) has OEM Unlock?
I'm thinking about purchasing this phone but I really want to be able to install a custom rom sometime in the future, I see that the US version has a locked bootloader even if purchasing a unlocked phone.
Here is a link to the actual phone on Amazon.ca
Thanks
I looked into the missing oem unlock a bunch today. Apparently, there's no real way to know for sure.
Even a more expensive recent Samsung phone had it get removed on an update and nothing would bring it back from an example I found (although that person didn't look into as I do below).
My A53 definitely doesn't have it and its flagged as what's known for it to be showing yet its not. UK may have it happen same as US. The chip used apparently doesn't matter. The guides for missing oem unlock out there all copied each other and they don't really know anything besides that it worked at times - it doesn't here.
Side point: I don't know if the following will work. Fastboot is disabled on my device (odin is used) so if patching recovery to enable fastboot is possible, it might help? I don't see how doing that would make oem unlock show up though so I feel like its not a complete picture, https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/unlock-the-bootloader-and-install-gsi-rom.4453961/ but the wipe part in theory might (some bring that up as a thing though noted it also doesn't seem to work for some as well). I'm not wiping my device as I'm not unlocking since I need the official rom so not testing it to find out.
Further side point: On opening developer options menu, it does checks for oem unlock to know if it should show, enable, or disable the setting preference. eg A53
Code:
OemUnlockPreferenceController: enableUnlock : 1 = /dev/block/persistent / 2 = 1
Apparently, that may also be tied to Google FRP eg https://github.com/shunf4/magisk-blockfrpwriting/blob/master/README.md and https://android.googlesource.com/platform/frameworks/base/+/master/services/core/java/com/android/server/oemlock/OemLockService.java line 229 etc. and also https://www.samsung.com/nz/support/mobile-devices/what-is-google-frp/ and its also tied to some other things.
Also, the build.prop isn't even listing ro.oem_unlock_supported for me. I would think it may have to be there ...compared to my last Samsung which does have that listed https://source.android.com/devices/bootloader/locking_unlocking (adb shell getprop ro.oem_unlock_supported)
Its possible that the unlock ability will show up randomly. Its possible that it never will. Its possible ones that have it right now will have it go missing after updates.
So is the way of Samsung today
S22 Ultra Exynos 2200 1TB doesn't support OEM Unlock?
I have ordered my S22 Ultra 1 TB storage ( SM-S908B) from Samsung website in UK. I have enabled the Developers mode in settings and now when i wanted to root my phone i can't believe it... my device doesn't have the OEM Unlock option in there...
forum.xda-developers.com
If its a requirement for you then it would be the better choice to choose another brand that's strong in allowing it. Samsung isn't. I don't know if its an accidental part of their security measures (difficult to deal with) or on purpose but its fickle with it.
Looks like its fickle anyway though with too much stuff needing to be checked and aligned with it showing in the first place because of Google. Google also didn't put in place any info to state why its disabled as the code decides lol. I love when devs do that /s.
That's everything I can find on the issue and my advice. I added all this info here as others can still see it and just used your post to let you know its iffy at best.
Thanks for all the info you posted!, I've been sorta outa the loop on what's been going on with Samsung and changes they have done.
My current device is an old Galaxy S2 T989D running my own custom rom from 2014 heh, I don't really use phone much for anything really just figured it might be a good time to upgrade to something newer and saw the A53 for a pretty good price for a mid range phone, has more than ample features for me - really only thinking that I might want run a custom rom sometime after they no longer give security updates etc.
I did come across this info today which does seem to give a pretty good explanation of how much has changed over the years with the OEM Unlock and unlocking the bootloader with Samsung devices.
Almite said:
I did come across this info today which does seem to give a pretty good explanation of how much has changed over the years with the OEM Unlock and unlocking the bootloader with Samsung devices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah. What I typed above was based on that and a lot more. However even that link is not the full picture.
Example "Samsung Galaxy devices that are sold in the USA with a Qualcomm Snapdragon SoC come with non-unlockable bootloaders (officially). And so, the OEM unlocking option does not exist on such devices."
The A53 I'm using has an exynos. So processor doesn't matter as oem unlock is missing with Samsung's exynos.
As well based on that quote you might see the country but CA, UK, etc can have it go missing or not found. There's no way to know for sure at all times.
Hence my post above. You just can't be sure if you can ever unlock or not. Unless someone finds a way that will do it and unless an update doesn't kill it. If you see it available then use it as it might go missing.
International models have the best chance though it seems but no one can guarantee what Samsung will do.

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