I know this matter has been discussed before however, I can’t see any of the solution working. I want to remove Computrace from my phone simply because I don’t trust EE.
Why would they want to install tracker software in my phone and pay subscription? I can track my phone using find my phone and if I want Absolute software I’ll subscribe paying subscription, at least that way I’ll have control not EE!
I don’t buy that they are doing this to tackle fraud, they can block the phone if that’s what they need and why the need to use a software which can do much more than disable the phone? I feel I’m walking with a surveillance device all the time something I wouldn’t want my girlfriend or family doing forget EE..
Any solution on how to remove it?
I added this poll to know am I the only person worried with this spyware in my phone. EE seems to think most customers are happy with this arrangement; however, my argument was how do they know because most EE customers are not even aware about this software.
If we assume the worst then there is no reason to suspect that Google and Samsung aren't tracking our every move. I don't know much about this but my suspicion is that EE add this to their phones as an extra security system, perhaps to try and crack down on insurance fraud - which is now at ridiculous levels in the UK - as much as simply tracking phones. Do you KNOW what this software is for, enough to fear it?
The best solution is to either buy one elsewhere - maybe sell your current one, or ask for a swap on Gumtree - or live with it. PAYG phones will have it too because it is exactly the same stock. The question is, why would EE wish to spy on you? Would they not already be spying on your calls and texts anyway if they wanted to? A lot of companies have the means to spy on us if they want; you just have to trust that they wouldn't take the chance to do so because of the repercussions for their reputation - remember that if EE actually used this software to covertly spy on you and your activities they would be breaking the law in a BIG way.
In buying a phone from EE you basically agree to put up with their bundled crapware - they have no obligation to allow you to remove this, since they are subsidising the handset, and unless you can prove that they are using this software for nefarious purposes - which, let's face it, they almost certainly AREN'T - there isn't much of an argument, from a legal perspective at least.
Most people would rather NOT have custom carrier software on their devices. I feel that it's just something that goes hand-in-hand with buying subsidised devices rather than SIM-free ones. It's why many people flash generic firmware onto their devices, and why so many buy SIM-free. Years ago Orange used to fill their phones up with all manner of junk that I never used.
Personally it doesn't bother me as much as it does you. I've no reason to be paranoid, and I've effectively sold my soul to Google and any number of other companies now so I'm used to just trusting them to be sensible (and legal) in handling my data.
Interesting point though, and I imagine plenty of people will share your views.
salim78678 said:
I know this matter has been discussed before however, I can’t see any of the solution working. I want to remove Computrace from my phone simply because I don’t trust EE.
Why would they want to install tracker software in my phone and pay subscription? I can track my phone using find my phone and if I want Absolute software I’ll subscribe paying subscription, at least that way I’ll have control not EE!
I don’t buy that they are doing this to tackle fraud, they can block the phone if that’s what they need and why the need to use a software which can do much more than disable the phone? I feel I’m walking with a surveillance device all the time something I wouldn’t want my girlfriend or family doing forget EE..
Any solution on how to remove it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
just flash a stock firmware, reboot, then factory reset in recovery done
Use the phone info Samsung app from the play store to check your csc
godutch said:
just flash a stock firmware, reboot, then factory reset in recovery done
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It doesn't work. I tried this, I tried rooting the phone and deleting files but it reinstall almost immediately.
salim78678 said:
It doesn't work. I tried this, I tried rooting the phone and deleting files but it reinstall almost immediately.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have to flash, reboot fully and then get into recovery and factory reset. If you skip a step the new csc won't apply correctly
Use the phone info Samsung app from the play store to check your csc
godutch said:
You have to flash, reboot fully and then get into recovery and factory reset. If you skip a step the new csc won't apply correctly
Use the phone info Samsung app from the play store to check your csc
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My csc is btu but still have computrace. It disappears after uninstal but reappear soon as I connect to Internet. There is no way to completely remove it.
leoni1980 said:
If we assume the worst then there is no reason to suspect that Google and Samsung aren't tracking our every move. I don't know much about this but my suspicion is that EE add this to their phones as an extra security system, perhaps to try and crack down on insurance fraud - which is now at ridiculous levels in the UK - as much as simply tracking phones. Do you KNOW what this software is for, enough to fear it?
The best solution is to either buy one elsewhere - maybe sell your current one, or ask for a swap on Gumtree - or live with it. PAYG phones will have it too because it is exactly the same stock. The question is, why would EE wish to spy on you? Would they not already be spying on your calls and texts anyway if they wanted to? A lot of companies have the means to spy on us if they want; you just have to trust that they wouldn't take the chance to do so because of the repercussions for their reputation - remember that if EE actually used this software to covertly spy on you and your activities they would be breaking the law in a BIG way.
In buying a phone from EE you basically agree to put up with their bundled crapware - they have no obligation to allow you to remove this, since they are subsidising the handset, and unless you can prove that they are using this software for nefarious purposes - which, let's face it, they almost certainly AREN'T - there isn't much of an argument, from a legal perspective at least.
Most people would rather NOT have custom carrier software on their devices. I feel that it's just something that goes hand-in-hand with buying subsidised devices rather than SIM-free ones. It's why many people flash generic firmware onto their devices, and why so many buy SIM-free. Years ago Orange used to fill their phones up with all manner of junk that I never used.
Personally it doesn't bother me as much as it does you. I've no reason to be paranoid, and I've effectively sold my soul to Google and any number of other companies now so I'm used to just trusting them to be sensible (and legal) in handling my data.
Interesting point though, and I imagine plenty of people will share your views.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I partially agree with you and if it was only about the 'crapware' I probably wouldn't be much concerned. It's not even EE but they have allowed complete system control to a third party.
You say they wouldn't break the law but how many times have we seen big companies break the law? After the mobile tapping scandal, NSA eavesdropping I should still trust third party companies to have complete control over a device which is next to me even in bed!
The capabilities this app has is more than any other app you mention and this app is sold disguised as a 'protective app' making it legal to invade my privacy which normally would be deemed illegal.
It's just the beginning for this app and I can't even imagine how far it can go..
It's illegal for me to install flexispy software in my girlfriend's phone without consent (not that I will) but it's legal for EE, Absolute to install equally invasive app in my phone?
Lastly, EE has nothing to do with Insurance. If that's what this software was about let the insurance company suggest you install it, like Three network who offer you similar service for a monthly fee.
If I was aware about this software before I purchased from EE I would get it from Carphone Warehouse.
salim78678 said:
If I was aware about this software before I purchased from EE I would get it from Carphone Warehouse.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you manage to get computrace removed?
Would Partitions Backup & Restore sort this out if we had a clean copy of the 2 partitions (/persdata & /persist) without needing to change recovery and thus keep knox intact???
Well, Gladly I've found this thread too, Well mine is bought unlocked, and bc I am on EE contract and to benefit from Wifi calling, I've installed EE firmware,,, and I cant also uninstall this bloody app, Cant greenify it, nothing really works,,,
There is a system file called Preloadinstaller, this reinstalls deleted files upon reboot.
You must delete this from system/app.
and use custom recovery and format preload
I am using package disabler as a work around which disables the computrace agent from running for the mean time as all the fixes I found involve rooting the phone.
However I did find a dump of the persdata.img and persistent.img on gsm forums but it fails to flash after making an odin flashable tar.
From what I can gather the img files need editing to make them work.
---------- Post added at 07:46 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:29 AM ----------
fridgeman said:
Would Partitions Backup & Restore sort this out if we had a clean copy of the 2 partitions (/persdata & /persist) without needing to change recovery and thus keep knox intact???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe it would and from looking around if we could get a dev to create a odin flashable tar which wipes persdata and persistent this wont trip knox and it gets rid of the computrace agent (there are odin flashable zips for s5 and note4 but none for the s6)
daleski75 said:
I believe it would and from looking around if we could get a dev to create a odin flashable tar which wipes persdata and persistent this wont trip knox and it gets rid of the computrace agent (there are odin flashable zips for s5 and note4 but none for the s6)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That app I linked to creates odin flashable tar files of the partitions, that's why I said if we could get them from a clean phone would it work. I think we would have to flash BTU Firmware to probably keep it gone afterwards.
Sent from my SM-G920F using XDA Free mobile app
fridgeman said:
That app I linked to creates odin flashable tar files of the partitions, that's why I said if we could get them from a clean phone would it work. I think we would have to flash BTU Firmware to probably keep it gone afterwards.
Sent from my SM-G920F using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the files from a clean phone but I could not get them to work do you want me to send them to you?
daleski75 said:
I have the files from a clean phone but I could not get them to work do you want me to send them to you?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Were they made using this app though??
Sent from my SM-G920F using XDA Free mobile app
fridgeman said:
Were they made using this app though??
Sent from my SM-G920F using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My phone is not rooted so no they where not made from the app you linked just a guy did a straight dump of both partitions to a .img file.
*Edit*
I have asked in the pingpong root thread to see if anyone has BTU/XEU rooted who can run the app and make a tar dump for us of both partitions.
I think to try this we need the backup from a non EE phone using this app. If we can flash these through odin then flash BTU firmware, maybe computrace will be gone.
Sent from my SM-G920F using XDA Free mobile app
fridgeman said:
I think to try this we need the backup from a non EE phone using this app. If we can flash these through odin then flash BTU firmware, maybe computrace will be gone.
Sent from my SM-G920F using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am sure there is someone who has a rooted stock XEU/BTU phone who could do this for us.
Related
Hello all,
new user...this place rocks...and so do you all..etc etc
I was just wondering how they (USCC) know if I root my phone or not?
It's almost like they beg us to void the warranty by not giving any updates or accurate release info....could that be apart of the big plan? Lure us into this excellent online community...(which quite possibly could be an average idiots downfall)?
Couldn't I just load up the stock everything, and they would never know?
cheers
shakeyourmatt said:
Hello all,
new user...this place rocks...and so do you all..etc etc
I was just wondering how they (USCC) know if I root my phone or not?
It's almost like they beg us to void the warranty by not giving any updates or accurate release info....could that be apart of the big plan? Lure us into this excellent online community...(which quite possibly could be an average idiots downfall)?
Couldn't I just load up the stock everything, and they would never know?
cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Depending on what you do they can't. If you have Froyo then obviously you have loaded unofficial software and they could see that. Otherwise I am not sure what you mean by load up on stock everything. If you did that on Eclair then I am not sure why you would want to root to begin with.
all you have to do, no matter what you flash to, is use Odin and you can go back to stock 2.1. even if you where using the fryoy leak with custom boot animations and all kinds of other mods...as long as you can boot in download mode you can go backto the way this phone was right out of the box
As of now this is only possible for mesmerize users, showcase has no 2.1 odin.
Swyped from my Mesmerize
Actually, I doubt USCC even checks. When you take your phone if for warranty, they just send it to the manufacturer and if the manufacturer (samsung) says that it's not warranty worthy then it isn't. At least that's how it worked for my TouchPro.. But all root does is add some files to the system. If you remove those two files it's like your phone was never rooted.
If you only rooted & it's stock firmware, hit the menu key while you're on the home screen then hit settings>factory data reset (THIS DOES NOT TOUCH DATA ON YOUR SD CARD). No way for them to know then. Make sure you have all your data backed up onto your SD card before doing this.
I've actually taken my phone in to the USCC shop a couple of times, the store manager thinks mine is so much better than his because of the theme and density and stuff. He asked me how it was so fast and I told him it was a secret
Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk
they CAN see if you are rooted and you can take that to the bank. but because of a certain thing called the Bill of Rights they can not do anything with the information.
ya know when you download apps and it warns you about how it can collect data?
well every single carrier in the world CAN see EXACTLY what you have on your phone with regards to Firmware and Kernel.... that is a 100% guarentee. i know for a fact they can.
it is the EXACT same way that the network knows if your phone needs an update.
it pings your phone and requests firmware information. if its old it tells you there is an update, if not, it doesnt.
on my old EVO if you were running a non stock firmware, or even one that was modified you would not be told of updates because the network knows your not on a stock rom. the phone sends the servers information it doesnt recognize in regards to what you are running, or it sends info that the servers have listed as not eligible for upgrades and it denies you the upgrade.
now, JUST rooting, thats a little different. it needs more info than just "what firmware do you have Mr. Phone?"
but i can guarentee you that the phone IS sending data to the carriers about what it is running.
So I did a bit of research myself and apparently it appears theres nothing to worry. After all why would motorola allow bootloader unlocking for any purpose other than rooting? custom roms, maybe but well they didnt say not to root when i was unlocking the bootloader.
Anyway what are your thoughts guys, is rooting ok and legal in uk?
1. It's your phone.
2. From what I can tell you guys across the pond are quite better when it comes to that, it's illegal to sim unlock our phones here without carrier consent.
Sent from my LT30p using Tapatalk
Durteedee said:
1. It's your phone.
2. From what I can tell you guys across the pond are quite better when it comes to that, it's illegal to sim unlock our phones here without carrier consent.
Sent from my LT30p using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I think its still illegal to sim unlock without carrier consent here as well. I always get 'sim free' phones.
Anyway right so even though it is my phone, the apps on the phone are technically copyrighted. Say for instance you rent a film with google play and it would be for 48 hours then it would go away. With a rooted phone you could technically keep that copy I guess. Rooting gives you that power.
So far I've come up with this: http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/illegal-root-android-jailbreak-iphone/
I kind of agree with what he says here:
Note that some Android manufacturers allow you to root the device with their permission. For example, all Google’s Nexus smartphones and tablets allow easy, official rooting. This isn’t illegal. Many Android manufacturers and carriers block the ability to root – what’s arguably illegal is the act of circumventing these restrictions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Moto G allows bootloader unlocking.
I guess as my phone is sim-free (not carrier tied), motorola allows its bootloader to be unlocked, then I guess rooting is ok.
Only thing is, there is no 'official' way to root, cause all these apps like superSU and super whatevers are third party arent they? Unless I'm missing something, theres no official motorola app for 'rooting'.
I never wanted to root, I was rather forced into it when it updated to kitkat by itself, stopping the call recorder app (or any call recording app) from working along with a whole list of things I listed here http://forums.androidcentral.com/mo...i-want-get-rid-my-moto-g-now.html#post3519245
Moreover now that I am rooted, with greenify I am having almost another full day of battery life, I love titanium backup as it actually works, I love tasker, i love appopsX and most importantly AVAST which has this cool feature to sound off alarm if someone steals your phone.
With tasker I was able to set up SMS reminders for my wife to do my laundry, and she would have to reply with "ok" before it would stop sending the messages, otherwise it would keep sending after every 1 min. I thought it was ingenious but she got highly ****ed off about it and I had to do the laundry myself but thats another story, so yeah the thing is I'm kind of loving being 'rooted' now but at the same time I'd love to know if i'm not breaking any rules. There does seem to be a big community out here who have rooted so I guess it should be fine if everyone is doing it.
shmotog said:
I was able to set up SMS reminders for my wife to do my laundry, and she would have to reply with "ok" before it would stop sending the messages, otherwise it would keep sending after every 1 min. I thought it was ingenious but she got highly ****ed off about it and I had to do the laundry myself but thats another story
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What made you think that could ever be a good idea? hahahaha
cesc1972 said:
What made you think that could ever be a good idea? hahahaha
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
:angel:
Motorola and other companies did not lock their boot loader to prevent you of doing crimes like saving a rented movie. The term of unlocking means nothing to them by avoiding warranty.
Its not mentioned in terms of use. The story of apple is totally different.
Sent from my XT1033 using Tapatalk
Totally legal to root in the UK, and no matter what anyone says (including the manufacturer!) in the EU rooting does not void warranty or you statutory rights for hardware issues (they can legitimately refuse support for borked software though).
neu - smurph said:
Totally legal to root in the UK, and no matter what anyone says (including the manufacturer!) in the EU rooting does not void warranty or you statutory rights for hardware issues (they can legitimately refuse support for borked software though).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
cheers. i guess youre right but so far i guess the only way rooting is not good is cause some apps like banking apps say in their t&c that you cant install it on rooted device. so i gueess rooting itself isnt bad but it mixed with certain apps like banking apps makes it illegal.
not at all worried about warranty or statutory rights. im the sort of person who chucks it in the bin rather than call customer support.
I’m looking at the galaxy s6 leaks and the phone sounds amazing. Take into account that I still have a droid charge and you see how excited I am to get this phone. Before I plunk down money I have to wait for it to be released. Between now and then, I need a few answers to some questions:
1. Root access – Will it be hard to root Android 5.0? I’m asking because I have all my apps and data backed up with titanium backup and want to be able to restore them to the new phone.
2. Flash – Ever since flash was officially dropped from the android realm, people have been supplying hacked versions that work with 4.X. Will this continue? I’m asking because the site I use to watch out of market football games still uses flash.
3. Keeping unlimited data – I have the unlimited data plan with Verizon and do not want to lose it. I was told by someone to buy the phone at full retail and I’d be able to keep it. I then read online about buying the phone through Best Buy and being able to backdoor keep my UDP. Someone then told me that Verizon could at any time switch me to tiered data if I do the BB backdoor thing. I’ve heard rumors that the phone will cost nearly a grand and I’m not to keen on paying that much, if I don’t have to.
What do y'all think?
Mike
beavermjr said:
I’m looking at the galaxy s6 leaks and the phone sounds amazing. Take into account that I still have a droid charge and you see how excited I am to get this phone. Before I plunk down money I have to wait for it to be released. Between now and then, I need a few answers to some questions:
1. Root access – Will it be hard to root Android 5.0?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's root for android 5 but you can never know what Samsung will actually do to the S6, what my head says that it will probably be a way to root but that will trigger Knox....
Enjoy, Good Luck!
Btw I hate Verizon because they don't allow to unlock HTC bootloader.
Newyork! said:
There's root for android 5 but you can never know what Samsung will actually do to the S6, what my head says that it will probably be a way to root but that will trigger Knox....
Enjoy, Good Luck!
Btw I hate Verizon because they don't allow to unlock HTC bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What is Knox?
If I'm not initially able to root, how do I back up my apps and data to transfer them to the new phone?
beavermjr said:
What is Knox?
If I'm not initially able to root, how do I back up my apps and data to transfer them to the new phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Knox is a security measure that Samsung has put into their devices, it will also show up that your device was rooted (even if you'll reflash your stock rom)
You can back up your apps with google accounts but unfortunately you will lose your app data (like levels...)
data like pictures etc.. can be saved on a sd card, pc or there's some apps that will do that without root...
-It's almost midnight I might be slow!
So how do I get around Knox saying the phone is rooted. I'm asking because I once had to unroot my current phone to take it in for warranty replacement due to screen burn in. The joys of watching online video on an unlimited data plan
Also how do I transfer app data to my new phone without a program like titanium backup that requires root?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2447832
beavermjr said:
What is Knox?
If I'm not initially able to root, how do I back up my apps and data to transfer them to the new phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can use Helium to backup your old phone. It does not require root, and you can backup all your apps and data.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.koushikdutta.backup
Does knox mean that the phone can't be rooted? I have been using open garden tether with unlimited data plan and want to continue once I get S6.
beavermjr said:
Does knox mean that the phone can't be rooted? I have been using open garden tether with unlimited data plan and want to continue once I get S6.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, you can root just fine.
In order to root Lollipop you must be able to unlock the bootloader. I don't think any of us know whether the S6 will have an unlockable bootloader or not. It may vary by carrier (here in the U.S.).
Assuming you can root the S6, be sure to make a nandroid backup before restore your apps and app data. The internals of 5.0 are VERY different than earlier versions, and restoring apps and data might (or might not) cause issues. In any case, be prepared to start over.
Reinstalling your apps from the Play Store is probably a safer approach.
hey
Any leakd photo of this phone yet?
How long will it be after the phone comes out till we know if it can be rooted?
beavermjr said:
How long will it be after the phone comes out till we know if it can be rooted?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How long will it be after you're born until you can learn xda etiquette and not to ask unknowable questions?
(unless you're a vocational philosopher in which case I retract any snark in the above q)
You can root a phone without tripping knox, you just cant install a Custom recovery
beavermjr said:
How long will it be after the phone comes out till we know if it can be rooted?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's all only related with one thing - exploits. So, it all depends on how many and how good(bad) of exploits on S6 firmware. No one could tell you now because the product doesn't exist yet. Since the security on Android become stronger, you can imagine that the time required to root the phone without tap knox will just take a longer time(Sony Z3/Z3c took them almost 4 months last time to root without void warranty) and it also depends by the sales of S6 and the community size on XDA, famous phone will get support first because of more developers.
You can use Dolphin broswer, it runs with owned ver of flash player, it built-in flash support so you don't need flash installed on system level.
Hi All,
I'm reading that root can trip knox, having never owned a Galaxy since the S2 I'm not overly familiar with knox but I've read about what it does.
What is bothering me here is that there seems to be a suggestion that once knox is tripped, that's it. There's no way to untrip it even when flashing a stock factory image again via odin?
Firstly, is this correct?
I'm worried about resale value to the point that I might not care about mobile payments etc, but others might, so a tripped knox could affect value.
If the above is correct I might cancel my pre order, I need root but I don't want a phone that's got limited resale either.
TheBlueRaja said:
What is bothering me here is that there seems to be a suggestion that once knox is tripped, that's it. There's no way to untrip it even when flashing a stock factory image again via odin?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes that is correct. Once the Knox flag is tripped you can not reverse it.
I don't think it has been confirmed yet that Knox flag breaks Samsung Pay. From what I have read it breaks software dependant on Knox security, ie the BYOD type apps. They use it as an indicator your device is insecure, so It seems reasonable to assume Pay would break too.
Damn it, What a stupid thing to do.
I can understand it being tripped if you are rooted, but to make it permanent if the situation is reverted is ridiculous.
Thanks for the info, I'll hold out a few more days to see what develops just in case, but I think I'm going to cancel my preorder as I need root but I also have to consider selling it on eventually.
Stupid, stupid decision. :crying:
TheBlueRaja said:
Thanks for the info, I'll hold out a few more days to see what develops just in case, but I think I'm going to cancel my preorder as I need root but I also have to consider selling it on eventually.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hey, why do you need rooting your phone?
I thought the same way but now I'm going to use adaway with setting up proxy settings in my wifi and mobile apn connections.
The only thing I should need root for is Titanium Backup, but I think with Helium (by ClockworkMod) backups should be performed easily
eSportler said:
hey, why do you need rooting your phone?
I thought the same way but now I'm going to use adaway with setting up proxy settings in my wifi and mobile apn connections.
The only thing I should need root for is Titanium Backup, but I think with Helium (by ClockworkMod) backups should be performed easily
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its more than Adaway / Titanium backup, its removing Facebook, Instagram and Skype, which i don't use and or want, being able to run Xposed and root explorer so that i can use MY phone the way I want it without permanently affecting the resale value even if its returned to stock.
Look at it this way, I have a lovely PC for you - top of the line, fast as hell, lots of memory, premium price, but im going to install Windows 8 on there and a bunch of FREE apps , only im going prevent you from removing them, make sure you cant put Linux or Windows 7 or Windows 10 on there until i say so, prevent you from making any change to the Windows directory otherwise we'll stop you from buying things PERMANENTLY and void your warranty on the hardware so that you'll not be able to sell it on. EVEN IF you factory reset it with my software....
Its a shame as i REALLY wanted this phone, but it looks like it may not be for me unless something crops up with regard to KNOX and root.
TheBlueRaja said:
Its more than Adaway / Titanium backup, its removing Facebook, Instagram and Skype, which i don't use and or want, being able to run Xposed and root explorer so that i can use MY phone the way I want it without permanently affecting the resale value even if its returned to stock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm absolutly with you.
For me it's not a problem because I'm using Facebook, Instagram and Skype. Didn't recognized that they're preinstalled... sry^^
Of course I prefer using the phone the way I want, but it's not as important to me as loosing the warranty. Sure this is quite stupid that Samsung wants to tell us how to use their phone.
If mobile payment will still works with triggered Knox, I'll definetivly root my S6 Edge and maybe try to slim down the stock Rom like I did with my Eragon Rom for the HTC One M7
eSportler said:
I'm absolutly with you.
For me it's not a problem because I'm using Facebook, Instagram and Skype. Didn't recognized that they're preinstalled... sry^^
Of course I prefer using the phone the way I want, but it's not as important to me as loosing the warranty. Sure this is quite stupid that Samsung wants to tell us how to use their phone.
If mobile payment will still works with triggered Knox, I'll definetivly root my S6 Edge and maybe try to slim down the stock Rom like I did with my Eragon Rom for the HTC One M7
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah - its a shame - hopefully you can still use it, time will tell.
If root comes out without KNOX trigger i'll be all over this - might be too late for day 1 though - i suppose i'll just have to be patient and keep an eye on it.
In the mean time, i'll keep my preorder until the 5th or so then cancel unless something comes up - damn shame though - still i've got my HTC One m8 keeping me happy for now.
There hasn't been solution for KNOX for so long, that it's very hard to imagine that there will ever be one.
I hate KNOX so much, I don't think I will ever purchase another Samsung phone. This is not an absolute statement of course, however it is rather so.
JuniorGG said:
There hasn't been solution for KNOX for so long, that it's very hard to imagine that there will ever be one.
I hate KNOX so much, I don't think I will ever purchase another Samsung phone. This is not an absolute statement of course, however it is rather so.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have root couldn't xposed just hook that call and return KNOX=True whenever queried? I've seen something similar in the past to make Google wallet work with root and without the secure element it required.
Chad
JuniorGG said:
There hasn't been solution for KNOX for so long, that it's very hard to imagine that there will ever be one.
I hate KNOX so much, I don't think I will ever purchase another Samsung phone. This is not an absolute statement of course, however it is rather so.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The thing is, Knox isn't just going to be a Samsung thing, after all its a Samsung and Google collaboration and i believe and it will end up spreading. To be honest, i've no objection and it think its a good idea - HOWEVER
I do think the real problem here is that IF the phone is returned to stock it should reset the KNOX flag back to being unset. Simple, everyone is happy.
If i choose to root then fair enough, trip knox as the phone isn't as secure as it should be - i don't expect to have root access or Admin privileges on my work PC normally and if i try to work round it there are logs to indicate that.
However, i DO expect to have it on my OWN computer and without the threat of the hardware being handicapped should i wish to sell it on, that's just wrong.
TheBlueRaja said:
The thing is, Knox isn't just going to be a Samsung thing, after all its a Samsung and Google collaboration and i believe and it will end up spreading. To be honest, i've no objection and it think its a good idea - HOWEVER
I do think the real problem here is that IF the phone is returned to stock it should reset the KNOX flag back to being unset. Simple, everyone is happy.
If i choose to root then fair enough, trip knox as the phone isn't as secure as it should be - i don't expect to have root access or Admin privileges on my work PC normally and if i try to work round it there are logs to indicate that.
However, i DO expect to have it on my OWN computer and without the threat of the hardware being handicapped should i wish to sell it on, that's just wrong.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The problem, from a security perspective, is that there is currently no way to ensure that a phone returned to stock is secure.
Samsung decided from that point to just say once the phone is compromised... that's it. Certain features of Knox disable and, if it's your carrier's policy, the warranty may be void.
But let's be honest from that point as well. Rooting, in most contracts and terms of use, voids the warranty anyhow.
I think many have taken that for granted and don't realize that it can't be in a secure environment.
garwynn said:
The problem, from a security perspective, is that there is currently no way to ensure that a phone returned to stock is secure.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why? I don't see how a phone flashed with Odin using a ROM with a verified cryptographic signature cant be deemed secure? Check this - unset KNOX...
This is like saying that once i've installed Ubuntu on a "Windows" laptop it can no longer be deemed secure and while we are at it, lets fry a hardware fuse?
We are SOFTWARE rooting the phone here, not hardware hacking.
I'm actually curious as to the legality of it as well as they are disabling a part of your phone permanently and on purpose because i choose to run a different OS than the one supplied, but i'm no lawyer and there's probably a loophole or a law allowing it somewhere.
TheBlueRaja said:
Why? I don't see how a phone flashed with Odin using a ROM with a verified cryptographic signature cant be deemed secure? Check this - unset KNOX...
This is like saying that once i've installed Ubuntu on a "Windows" laptop it can no longer be deemed secure and while we are at it, lets fry a hardware fuse?
We are SOFTWARE rooting the phone here, not hardware hacking.
I'm actually curious as to the legality of it as well as they are disabling a part of your phone permanently and on purpose because i choose to run a different OS than the one supplied, but i'm no lawyer and there's probably a loophole or a law allowing it somewhere.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What you may be doing is granting software access to root and you may only use root to modify things at a software level.
But you have to keep in mind that's not the only thing root access can do.
It's perfectly legal and I'll even wager they're part of the DoD specification that both they and Apple want to sell to the government.
You have to consider it from a worst case scenario. If a device has been modified in any way, how can they assure it's been reset 100% completely back to stock... both at a hardware, firmware and software level?
Without physically inspecting the phone, they can't - which is why I think this is the way it is.
The Knox team put out a blog entry a while ago about this topic, noting it's a good balance between ensuring security and allowing non-business users to root the device if they want to.
One other note: I don't know enough about the Exynos devices past N2 to say if they've fixed it... but the Note 2's Knox flag was not an e-fuse and could be reset.
garwynn said:
What you may be doing is granting software access to root and you may only use root to modify things at a software level.
But you have to keep in mind that's not the only thing root access can do.
It's perfectly legal and I'll even wager they're part of the DoD specification that both they and Apple want to sell to the government.
You have to consider it from a worst case scenario. If a device has been modified in any way, how can they assure it's been reset 100% completely back to stock... both at a hardware, firmware and software level?
Without physically inspecting the phone, they can't - which is why I think this is the way it is.
The Knox team put out a blog entry a while ago about this topic, noting it's a good balance between ensuring security and allowing non-business users to root the device if they want to.
One other note: I don't know enough about the Exynos devices past N2 to say if they've fixed it... but the Note 2's Knox flag was not an e-fuse and could be reset.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm..
Keep in mind here i'm not suggesting apps requiring KNOX are made available whilst rooted like Samsung pay etc, only that the KNOX bit is reset if the phone is flashed back to factory defaults using Samsungs own Odin program and a cryptographically signed firmware. If at that point the phone is rooted again, it would expect it to re-trip KNOX just like it did the first time.
But, lets play a game, lets say i gain root, KNOX bit set and i cant use KNOX apps. I then use that root to make modifications to firmware on the device somehow, which is what i think your insinuating above, not necessarily the Android System partition, maybe the modem firmware (even though its closed source) or something else, for whatever purpose.
IF you have that level of knowledge of the phones hardware then i don't think it would be too much of a stretch to suggest masking the KNOX bit as set would be too hard either, maybe by intercepting the system call to check its status etc but even then when you say:-
"If a device has been modified in any way, how can they assure it's been reset 100% completely back to stock, both at a hardware, firmware and software level"
The firmware and software is taken care of by Odin, that does both, say we did modify the modem firmware above, Odin would write right over it with a VERIFIED image wouldn't it?
Whether you have root or not, you cant do anything about somebody hardware hacking, that's a whole different ball game, if you hacked the hardware you could just change to always respond as the KNOX bit not being set but that would be low level stuff way beyond what pretty much anyone here could do.
Would be interested in that blog post if you have a link - I just don't see this as anything more than a way to discourage more people from rooting.
TheBlueRaja said:
Hmm..
Keep in mind here i'm not suggesting apps requiring KNOX are made available whilst rooted like Samsung pay etc, only that the KNOX bit is reset if the phone is flashed back to factory defaults using Samsungs own Odin program and a cryptographically signed firmware. If at that point the phone is rooted again, it would expect it to re-trip KNOX just like it did the first time.
But, lets play a game, lets say i gain root, KNOX bit set and i cant use KNOX apps. I then use that root to make modifications to firmware on the device somehow, which is what i think your insinuating above, not necessarily the Android System partition, maybe the modem firmware (even though its closed source) or something else, for whatever purpose.
IF you have that level of knowledge of the phones hardware then i don't think it would be too much of a stretch to suggest masking the KNOX bit as set would be too hard either, maybe by intercepting the system call to check its status etc but even then when you say:-
"If a device has been modified in any way, how can they assure it's been reset 100% completely back to stock, both at a hardware, firmware and software level"
The firmware and software is taken care of by Odin, that does both, say we did modify the modem firmware above, Odin would write right over it with a VERIFIED image wouldn't it?
Whether you have root or not, you cant do anything about somebody hardware hacking, that's a whole different ball game, if you hacked the hardware you could just change to always respond as the KNOX bit not being set but that would be low level stuff way beyond what pretty much anyone here could do.
Would be interested in that blog post if you have a link - I just don't see this as anything more than a way to discourage more people from rooting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Blog entries:
https://www.samsungknox.com/en/blog/about-cf-auto-root
https://www.samsungknox.com/en/blog/samsung’s-official-response-“towelroot”
https://www.samsungknox.com/en/blog...ox-enabled-devices-and-knox-warranty-void-bit
There are many, many more on the site, just use the search keyword root.
But that's the gist of it - they understand that some may want root for simpler reasons.
Others may want it for more nefarious ways, like trying to access the keys within the TPM.
The end result sucks for consumers; but as a IT admin I can tell you I wouldn't trust a device with sensitive corporate data if it has been rooted... ever.
Thanks very much, I'll take a look when I get a chance later.
Anyone have an idea which carriers enforce the Knox tripping for repair?
Although this looks like a great device, if the Knox trip invalidates warranty, you may be very angry if lets say the usb port or power button malfunctions and repair is not covered.
Might as well buy a Note 4 exynos since apparently warranty is not valid in usa.
bjrmd said:
Anyone have an idea which carriers enforce the Knox tripping for repair?
Although this looks like a great device, if the Knox trip invalidates warranty, you may be very angry if lets say the usb port or power button malfunctions and repair is not covered.
Might as well buy a Note 4 exynos since apparently warranty is not valid in usa.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Technically the US has a law, the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, which should limit manufacturers voiding of warranties to that damage which can reasonably be blamed on the consumer. (for example, rooting your device shouldn't void the warranty for a defective power button) However, manufacturers usually claim the opposite here and I'm not aware of successful legal challenges.
Looks like sprint at least is ok with it
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2674884
TheBlueRaja said:
Its more than Adaway / Titanium backup, its removing Facebook, Instagram and Skype, which i don't use and or want, being able to run Xposed and root explorer so that i can use MY phone the way I want it without permanently affecting the resale value even if its returned to stock.
Look at it this way, I have a lovely PC for you - top of the line, fast as hell, lots of memory, premium price, but im going to install Windows 8 on there and a bunch of FREE apps , only im going prevent you from removing them, make sure you cant put Linux or Windows 7 or Windows 10 on there until i say so, prevent you from making any change to the Windows directory otherwise we'll stop you from buying things PERMANENTLY and void your warranty on the hardware so that you'll not be able to sell it on. EVEN IF you factory reset it with my software....
Its a shame as i REALLY wanted this phone, but it looks like it may not be for me unless something crops up with regard to KNOX and root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree. My last Samsung was a note 2 which knox wasn't a factor and not a big push then. I didn't got to any Samsung's after that due to knox.
I just want root for the reason's you do and edit the phone's density.
Its a shame that we cannot just flash back to stock and "close things up" per say if we want to sell it or have a non root related warranty issue.
Knox is mainly geared toward the business side , so why not make Knox activated by a Admin when the phone is to be used for business where the security is needed. And leave it un-activated for the rest of us.
And i would think the ratio of people rooting vs people not rooting (nor even knowing what it is) is so slim that allowing it wouldn't cause a pandemic in warranty claims.
I know before i root anything i make sure all my points are covered and there are processes in place to un-brick a device. Which i haven't had to unbrick a device since my Moto X or OG Droid.
---------- Post added at 11:13 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:28 AM ----------
bjrmd said:
if the Knox trip invalidates warranty, you may be very angry if lets say the usb port or power button malfunctions and repair is not covered.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree +1
All the research I have done indicates that the Galaxy note2 was produced in 16/32/64GB models. I have a note 2 model GT-N7100 running android 4.1.2 that indicates it has 3.18GB storage on the phone with 2.38GB used. My phone is rooted (don't know if that affects the memory). I'm at my wit's end. I have to uninstall apps when I find a new one I'd like to try, and most other times there is not enough memory for apps to update. Sure could use some help. And just as a side note, I am 70 years old and my technological brain isn't firing on 8 cylinders anymore, so please be gentle. Thanks.
Art
I don't think that configuration exists. Verify your configuration by looking up the model number, and revision online. You may have some sort of error, bad RAM, or even some malware. Try resetting the device, after backing up your data of course.
Are you saying you have only 4GB in total, or that amount available? Perhaps you could find someone who could verify the configuration for you? Try a local phone store, or computer store. For someone who is familiar with devices, they should be able to find out within a few minutes of holding it in their hand.
Sent from my SM-P900 using Tapatalk
retired911 said:
All the research I have done indicates that the Galaxy note2 was produced in 16/32/64GB models. I have a note 2 model GT-N7100 running android 4.1.2 that indicates it has 3.18GB storage on the phone with 2.38GB used. My phone is rooted (don't know if that affects the memory). I'm at my wit's end. I have to uninstall apps when I find a new one I'd like to try, and most other times there is not enough memory for apps to update. Sure could use some help. And just as a side note, I am 70 years old and my technological brain isn't firing on 8 cylinders anymore, so please be gentle. Thanks.
Art
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd like to know what modifications have been made to the device and whether you've been flashing custom ROMs on the device. Has the device been repartitioned somewhere along the way?
Sent from my SM-S903VL using Tapatalk
kieseyhow said:
I don't think that configuration exists. Verify your configuration by looking up the model number, and revision online. You may have some sort of error, bad RAM, or even some malware. Try resetting the device, after backing up your data of course.
Are you saying you have only 4GB in total, or that amount available? Perhaps you could find someone who could verify the configuration for you? Try a local phone store, or computer store. For someone who is familiar with devices, they should be able to find out within a few minutes of holding it in their hand.
Sent from my SM-P900 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks so much for the reply and advice. I went to a phone repair shop as you suggested and they were puzzled that it showed only 3.18GB total available storage but when I told them that it was rooted they said that was likely the cause of the missing ram. They were a certified Samsung repair shop. I don't believe that. Who in their right mind would waste 12GB by rooting a phone. They also told me that since it is rooted, I can't unroot. In fact they treated me and my phone as though we had the plague.
Nobody here will touch this phone because it is not a North American version. I think the N7100 was made for Asia, but works fine here. I bought it used, already rooted and unlocked. What drew me to this phone is first, it is a reputable device, second, it has FM radio, and third, it has a large screen. If I could unlock the extra 12GB I'd be dancing the jig!
cheers
Art
Droidriven said:
I'd like to know what modifications have been made to the device and whether you've been flashing custom ROMs on the device. Has the device been repartitioned somewhere along the way?
Sent from my SM-S903VL using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd love to be able to answer those questions, but I was looking for a used unlocked samsung and it was rooted and unlocked when I purchased it. I don't think it is partitioned as there is no indication (that I have found) of another "drive". In system/storage,device memory it says "total space" 3.08GB. Available 713MB . I do have a 32GB sd card installed but I can't move any apps on to it. I used to be able to do that with my previous phone. This phone still has os 4.1.2, and I have never flashed a custom rom although I'd love to one day.
cheers
Art
Sorry about that. Looks like you found a den of thieves and scum; more common than most people realise. Sadly 80% of the human race is inncompetent. Find someone else.
Find the help manual online, then read up how to reset the device. Try that. However if this is a hardware problem, you will be hard pressed to find someone with the skills to repair it. Now, if you went to a third-world country, and looked in the shacks, you would find people who not only would ,but could replace those bad RAM circuits for you. Sadly you live, like I do, in Western society. First world with money, but third world in competence, decency and common sense.
Bottom ilne, those guys in that store, out-right lied to you, ruinig their future of any business from you in the process, very incompetent.
Second choice? They really were just that useless. You will have to try again, or end up doing what I do; fix it yourself.
First, try resetting it.
Second, activate developer options and find out detailed information about the "expected" capabilities of your device.
Third, try and repair it yourself.
Fourth, replace your device, but keep that defective one to test people for honesty and competence.
I did look online for you, and none of those Samsung came with only 4GB of RAM, none that I could find anyhow. So, it is either software, or hardware. software is a 10 minute fix you can do yourself with a factory reset. Hardware is something that only an experienced electronics tech or serious hobbiest (with a reflow station) could do by reflowing the solder for the RAM, or replacing some chips on the main board. Good luck!
Sent from my SM-P900 using Tapatalk
retired911 said:
I'd love to be able to answer those questions, but I was looking for a used unlocked samsung and it was rooted and unlocked when I purchased it. I don't think it is partitioned as there is no indication (that I have found) of another "drive". In system/storage,device memory it says "total space" 3.08GB. Available 713MB . I do have a 32GB sd card installed but I can't move any apps on to it. I used to be able to do that with my previous phone. This phone still has os 4.1.2, and I have never flashed a custom rom although I'd love to one day.
cheers
Art
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unless it's a hardware problem, you can flash your stock firmware along with the PIT file for your specific model number via Odin and it should fix this.
The PIT file tells Odin how your partitions are supposed to be structured, it should put everything back the way it's supposed to be.
You can do a Google search for:
"PIT for (your model number)"
Or find someone that has a rooted device with your model number and have them.pull a copy of their PIT and have them upload it somewhere.
And yes, you can unroot the device, there two ways to do it, you should have a SuperSU app somewhere in app drawer, open it then open its app settings, look for a setting that says something like "cleanup for unroot and unistall", this removes the su binaries and uninstalls SuperSU, leaving no root, also, flashing stock firmware via Odin will remove root but root isn't the problem. Someone did this manually their self somehow and they used root permission to do it.
Other than flashing stock firmware via Odin, you'd have better luck fixing the device WITH root than you would without it. Root allows you to change everything, you can't change anything without root.
Sent from my SM-S903VL using Tapatalk
---------- Post added at 06:03 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:00 PM ----------
kieseyhow said:
Sorry about that. Looks like you found a den of thieves and scum; more common than most people realise. Sadly 80% of the human race is inncompetent. Find someone else.
Find the help manual online, then read up how to reset the device. Try that. However if this is a hardware problem, you will be hard pressed to find someone with the skills to repair it. Now, if you went to a third-world country, and looked in the shacks, you would find people who not only would ,but could replace those bad RAM circuits for you. Sadly you live, like I do, in Western society. First world with money, but third world in competence, decency and common sense.
Bottom ilne, those guys in that store, out-right lied to you, ruinig their future of any business from you in the process, very incompetent.
Second choice? They really were just that useless. You will have to try again, or end up doing what I do; fix it yourself.
First, try resetting it.
Second, activate developer options and find out detailed information about the "expected" capabilities of your device.
Third, try and repair it yourself.
Fourth, replace your device, but keep that defective one to test people for honesty and competence.
I did look online for you, and none of those Samsung came with only 4GB of RAM, none that I could find anyhow. So, it is either software, or hardware. software is a 10 minute fix you can do yourself with a factory reset. Hardware is something that only an experienced electronics tech or serious hobbiest (with a reflow station) could do by reflowing the solder for the RAM, or replacing some chips on the main board. Good luck!
Sent from my SM-P900 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, it's not 4G of RAM, he's saying that it is saying he has a 4G internal sdcard instead of 16/32/64 GB, RAM and storage are two different things.
Sent from my SM-S903VL using Tapatalk
kieseyhow said:
Sorry about that. Looks like you found a den of thieves and scum; more common than most people realise. Sadly 80% of the human race is inncompetent. Find someone else.
Find the help manual online, then read up how to reset the device. Try that. However if this is a hardware problem, you will be hard pressed to find someone with the skills to repair it. Now, if you went to a third-world country, and looked in the shacks, you would find people who not only would ,but could replace those bad RAM circuits for you. Sadly you live, like I do, in Western society. First world with money, but third world in competence, decency and common sense.
Bottom ilne, those guys in that store, out-right lied to you, ruinig their future of any business from you in the process, very incompetent.
Second choice? They really were just that useless. You will have to try again, or end up doing what I do; fix it yourself.
First, try resetting it.
Second, activate developer options and find out detailed information about the "expected" capabilities of your device.
Third, try and repair it yourself.
Fourth, replace your device, but keep that defective one to test people for honesty and competence.
I did look online for you, and none of those Samsung came with only 4GB of RAM, none that I could find anyhow. So, it is either software, or hardware. software is a 10 minute fix you can do yourself with a factory reset. Hardware is something that only an experienced electronics tech or serious hobbiest (with a reflow station) could do by reflowing the solder for the RAM, or replacing some chips on the main board. Good luck!
Sent from my SM-P900 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
By resetting it if you mean unrooting it, I'm afraid to do that as it will be locked to whatever provider it was before. Someone told me that to do a factory reset will accomplish the same thing or maybe even brick the device.
I looked on developer options and the only thing that makes sense to me that might help is "debugging", and to do that I need to do more research as I don't know what debugging is all about. I have seriously considered replacing the phone, and will probably do that but I am a stubborn cuss and want to learn. Keeps my 70 year old brain from becoming 80.
cheers
Art
Well, what about installing a new ROM then? Try something based on Android 4.4; a version many consider the best.
Sent from my SM-P900 using Tapatalk
---------- Post added at 10:17 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:14 PM ----------
Install ADB on your computer, get a new ROM for your Note 2, and try it. There is always a risk, that is how life works. The best Note version, in my opinion, is the Note 4. See if you can find one second-hand? Then you can tinker with your Note 2 afterwards and experiment. There are minimalist ROMS that would even work on 4GB.
Sent from my SM-P900 using Tapatalk
retired911 said:
By resetting it if you mean unrooting it, I'm afraid to do that as it will be locked to whatever provider it was before. Someone told me that to do a factory reset will accomplish the same thing or maybe even brick the device.
I looked on developer options and the only thing that makes sense to me that might help is "debugging", and to do that I need to do more research as I don't know what debugging is all about. I have seriously considered replacing the phone, and will probably do that but I am a stubborn cuss and want to learn. Keeps my 70 year old brain from becoming 80.
cheers
Art
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
USB debugging is only to allow interfacing with the device via USB connection to PC, such as using adb/fastboot and other softwares used to interface the device while it's booted into system or recovery. It allows you to use software tools to debug the device, this is usually only used by developers when they are creating software for the device and are testing it or when using adb to push/pull files or capture logcats or any other adb commands.
Give me the model number of your Note 2 and I'll search for the stock 4.1.2 for your device or even a newer update if it's available and you want it, then I'll link you to all the tools and files you'll need to flash the firmware, it's similar to wiping and reinstalling windows on PC to return to factory version.
The term "Factory reset" in android is not the same as factory reset on PC. On PC it restores to exactly what was there from the factory. In android, it doesn't work like that, it only wipes the user space and doesn't touch system. Any changes to system will remain after resetting and only user data gets wiped, data you yourself put on the device such as apps you installed, pics you've downloaded or taken with camera. Factory reset in android DOES NOT remove root unless you're using SuperSU on systemless mode(systemless SuperSU is stored in /data partition instead of in system), your device most likely has SuperSU in /system partition instead of in /data partition, which means factory reset won't help you.
I'll help you get this fixed pretty quick if you give the info I need to help you.
Sent from my SM-S903VL using Tapatalk
kieseyhow said:
Well, what about installing a new ROM then? Try something based on Android 4.4; a version many consider the best.
Sent from my SM-P900 using Tapatalk
---------- Post added at 10:17 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:14 PM ----------
Install ADB on your computer, get a new ROM for your Note 2, and try it. There is always a risk, that is how life works. The best Note version, in my opinion, is the Note 4. See if you can find one second-hand? Then you can tinker with your Note 2 afterwards and experiment. There are minimalist ROMS that would even work on 4GB.
Sent from my SM-P900 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would love to get a note 4 but it doesn't come with FM radio tuner, and that is a must for me! But I think I will take your advice and look for a new phone (with FM) and then tinker with my note 2
There is an app, called "Tunin radio" that will receive most popular stations, and even local stations. I use it all the time.
Also, most phones have radios inside, but they are locked, and disabled. Nearly every Android phone has this blocked feature.
An even better option is to get a multi-band radio receiver dongle for your device. Some can recieve far more than just FM, but also AM, SSB, HAM, Police Fire, even the audio part of TV. Look for device with n RTL2832U chip, and you'll also need an OTG adaptor to power it. There are several apps that you can find with minimal research, and several forums where people are very passionate about such devices.
Sent from my SM-P900 using Tapatalk
retired911 said:
All the research I have done indicates that the Galaxy note2 was produced in 16/32/64GB models. I have a note 2 model GT-N7100 running android 4.1.2 that indicates it has 3.18GB storage on the phone with 2.38GB used. My phone is rooted (don't know if that affects the memory). I'm at my wit's end. I have to uninstall apps when I find a new one I'd like to try, and most other times there is not enough memory for apps to update. Sure could use some help. And just as a side note, I am 70 years old and my technological brain isn't firing on 8 cylinders anymore, so please be gentle. Thanks.
Art
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) Go to this link and choose one of the 4.4.2 firmwares that will have the correct language.
https://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/galaxy-note-/GT-N7100/
2) Look in this thread for information about PIT, which one you might need and how to use it.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1927983
3) Then do a Google search for:
"USB drivers for Samsung phones"
It'll give you several links, get those successfully installed on your PC.
4) Install Odin 3.10 on your PC from this link
http://www.droidviews.com/download-odin-tool-for-samsung-galaxy-devices-all-versions/
5) Charge your battery to full.
6) Boot to download mode (with the device off, press power+home+volume down, when you see the caution screen press up to go to download)
7) Open Odin on PC
8) With device in download mode, connect to PC with the stock USB cord.(if it connects correctly you'll see a blue or yellow #comm box and it will say ADDED! in the dialogue box, if you don't get this then try a different USB port, make sure drivers installed correctly, make sure it's stock cord, restart PC)
9) If successfully connected, click the AP button(some versions of Odin have PDA instead of AP, click whichever one you have), browse to where you stored the stock firmware that you downloaded, select it.
10) If you're gonna use the PIT file, find the tab that says PIT in Odin, place the PIT you're using there.( I suggest you do some research and ask questions in a few places before actually using the PIT and to figure out whether you need to use it or how safe it is to do it, sometimes using PIT can do more harm than good, it just depends on the state of your device)
11) Click START in Odin, if everything is in order and done corectly, it will flash, if successful, you'll get a green PASS and the device will reboot into a fresh clean install.
***NOTE***
This will probably wipe all of your data so if there are apps or contacts or pics or any kind of personal data that you put on the device that you want to keep then you'll need to backup that data, there are several ways to backup your data. Since you have root, you can use Titanium Backup from the PlayStore to backup the apps you've installed and their data, your contacts and any other things that you want to keep, also keep a copy of Titanium Backup and the backup that you create in Titanium Backup on your extsdcard to prevent it from being wiped during the flash. When the device reboots after flashing, you can reinstall the copy of Titanium Backup from extsdcard and then use Titanium Backup to restore everything that you backed up. After all of this, you should end up with a clean install of 4.4.2 and all of your personal data restored to the device.
If you need help anywhere in all of that, just let me know. I'll be glad to help you understand and learn.
Sent from my SM-S903VL using Tapatalk
---------- Post added at 07:17 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:12 PM ----------
kieseyhow said:
There is an app, called "Tunin radio" that will receive most popular stations, and even local stations. I use it all the time.
Also, most phones have radios inside, but they are locked, and disabled. Nearly every Android phone has this blocked feature.
An even better option is to get a multi-band radio receiver dongle for your device. Some can recieve far more than just FM, but also AM, SSB, HAM, Police Fire, even the audio part of TV. Look for device with n RTL2832U chip, and you'll also need an OTG adaptor to power it. There are several apps that you can find with minimal research, and several forums where people are very passionate about such devices.
Sent from my SM-P900 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He can fix the one he has, it's fine for his purposes, no need to get another device.
Plus, in fixing this one, he learns something, which is what he's looking to do.
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I can't thank you all enough for all the help you've given me. I have a lot of homework ahead of me and look forward to the research. I'm going to read and study this thread again and research all the suggestions. But for now, the Penguins and Senators are going at it in game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals and I need to watch.
I checked, and the system says it's a GT-N7100 and so does the sticker behind the battery. Supersu is one of the apps on the phone. I have played with Supersu a bit but don't really understand it yet and none of my other apps were affiliated with it so I pretty much left it alone. Now on to hockey.
cheers
Art
retired911 said:
I can't thank you all enough for all the help you've given me. I have a lot of homework ahead of me and look forward to the research. I'm going to read and study this thread again and research all the suggestions. But for now, the Penguins and Senators are going at it in game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals and I need to watch.
I checked, and the system says it's a GT-N7100 and so does the sticker behind the battery. Supersu is one of the apps on the phone. I have played with Supersu a bit but don't really understand it yet and none of my other apps were affiliated with it so I pretty much left it alone. Now on to hockey.
cheers
Art
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you flash with Odin, remember to store a copy of Titanium Backup app and the backup you create when you use it, place them both on extsdcard. Then for safety measures before flashing, remove the extsdcard and the SIM card if you have one, then flash, after flashing, put the extsdcard and SIM back in.
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Some excellent offers and advice, and I apologize for my lazy assistance. [emoji14] I hope you get it sorted out. For me, I think that the price of losing 12GB or storage is not worth rooting the phone. But, others have done it sucessfully, and there is no reason you cannot do the same. I still suggest you find a Note 4 though.
Sent from my SM-P900 using Tapatalk
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!!! I studied your instructions, I dived in and flashed my note 2. Odin said PASS! I now have Android 4.4.2. One problem remains. I now show 8GB total storage. system memory takes up 4.82gb. used space takes up another 1.55gb and misc files 1.3gb. Leaving me with 341 mb storage space. When I flashed I did not use the PIT file I downloaded. Should I reflash using the PIT file?
Just got another problem. The phone won't connect with my service provider.
retired911 said:
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!!! I studied your instructions, I dived in and flashed my note 2. Odin said PASS! I now have Android 4.4.2. One problem remains. I now show 8GB total storage. system memory takes up 4.82gb. used space takes up another 1.55gb and misc files 1.3gb. Leaving me with 341 mb storage space. When I flashed I did not use the PIT file I downloaded. Should I reflash using the PIT file?
Just got another problem. The phone won't connect with my service provider.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should probably use the PIT so that it will restore your partitions to their correct order and sizes.
To flash the PIT, do exactly like you did when you flashed your firmware, put the firmware in the AP slot, then find the tab that says PIT, place the PIT there, then find the "options" tab in Odin, select "re-partition", this option tells Odin to use the PIT, you don't need to mess with the other options, they are fine at their default settings, all you need to mess with is selecting re-partition.
To help with not connecting to your service provider, did you make sure the firmware was for your region? Did you make sure it's compatible with your network type and and it's signal bands? Networks are different everywhere so you need to flash a stock firmware that is compatible with your region and carrier. I was hoping that a region that uses the same language as you would work, but it looks like you'll have to use a firmware that is compatible with your network and then after flashing you can manually change the language the firmware uses, if needed.
Or maybe you can leave the firmware you have flashed then download a firmware that has a compatible modem.bin and extract that modem.bin and flash it on your device to replace the modem.bin you have. You might can even find a compatible modem available for download without having to extract it from another firmware.
Have you tried emailing or calling your service provider to ask them which stock firmware for your model is compatible with their network? They might provide you with what you need or at least tell you exactly what you need so you can find it yourself.
Who is your service provider and what country are you in? I'll see what I can figure out for you.
Sent from my SM-S903VL using Tapatalk
How does one figure out which is the right version to download for my phone? There are changelist numbers, PDA and CSC numbers, all of which tell me nothing. When I flashed to the UK version, it turned out to be with T-Mobile, and the carriers listed were Bell and Telus. I am with Speakout, (a 7-11 product) which piggybacks on the Rogers network. I have a pay as you go account with no data. It works on the GSM network. I live in Calgary, Canada.
cheers
Art
I just flashed the phone again using the same firmware but this time adding the 16GB PIT file and repartitioning. Got a Pass from Odin but no change in the available storage. It still says I have only 8GB total storage. Thinking bad memory?