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[Qs] XT926 - Questions Regarding Root

Hi all,
My SGS2 recently just died all of a sudden and while trying to flash a new firmware it bricked. =( Hence I'm currently looking for a replacement phone and have always wanted to get the Razr Maxx HD simply for it's battery life (a phone that has to be continuously plugged in to use all features is so pointless). Unfortunately, I am from Singapore which means the purchase is rather "risky" since it's expensive to ship and return is not an option. Hence I have some questions that will help me make a decision. Hope you guys can help me out. That fact that the 2 models are in the same forum doesn't really help make things clear.
1) Boot Loader
I've read that Dev version comes unlocked while Consumer (Verizon) version comes locked. I've also seen instructions on rooting the Verizon version; I'm a little confused. Can I or can I not root the consumer version?
2.i) Rooting
This is actually quite similar to (1). There are some apps that I use that requires rooting (e.g. Titanium Backup); rooting is essential to me. If I were to lay my hands on a non-Dev version, can I root it?
2.ii) Rooting
The current "procedure" for rooting is to downgrade to ICS 4.0.4 and then root, right? Is it safe to update to JB after that? There appears to be several posts claiming that they've lost their root after update. I assuming they didn't follow the post linked below? Also, rooting will not be possible (yet) if the firmware is on 4.1.2?
Ensuring Root After Updates?
3) Carrier Unlocked
I need to get an unlocked version for it to work with anything else other than Verizon - am I right? I've seen someone post that the XT926 is only locked in the US; it'll work on any other GSM carrier in the rest of the world. Is this true? Or did the guy mix it up with the XT925? There are many such posts.
4) Where to buy
Since return and shipping is an issue, I'm trying to stay away from eBay (unless the seller has good record). Unfortunately, many online retailers seem to be out of this phone! Can someone recommend a place where I can purchase the phone from? It does not have to ship internationally as I am able to arrange for courier services.
Thanks for the help!
P.S. I'm really dying to get this phone. I just need to have those questions answered before I splurge a rather large amount of money to ship it over.

Just started looking because I need a new phone and I'm not sure I can last till the GS4 comes out, the DNA has weak battery and poor storage and the note 2 is too much so late after it's release
1. The boot-loader for the verizon model is locked
2. You can root on ICS then upgrade with voodoo root keeper to 4.1.1; however there are reports that 4.1.2 has some issues with doing that. Verizon's can only downgrade to ICS from 4.1.1; if it comes with 4.1.2 it isn't rootable (yet)
3. Supposedly, verizon's works out of the box on all GSM except AT&T and Tmobile but I've seen some people have had some issues or at least someone did in india though
4. have you looked at like amazon wireless 650 no contract in us
Wirefly also has some in stock and on sale. I'm not sure of places that offer international shipping, though a bunch offer free shipping so it probably offsets anyways
There is only the T926 in a maxx version
This place might ship to singapore phone price 700

Hi! Thanks for the reply.
Yes, I am looking for the "Maxx HD", aka the XT926.
Anyway, can I summarize that, if I were to lay my hands on a "consumer" version,
1) Bootloader is locked; I won't be able to flash custom ROMs
2) Rooting is possible if the phone ships with ICS. Can also possibly upgrade to 4.1.1 after rooting.

I have the MAXX HD and to answer as I can:
Bootloader is locked on the consumer version. I believe the developer edition is unlocked.
The consumer version can be rooted if it is not on the 4.1.2 release. Earlier releases can be back-leveled to 4.0.4 which can be rooted. Once rooted, root can be preserved with OTA Root Keeper. SuperSU seems to survive updates as well if it is set to preserve itself.
I believe you can use custom ROMs if you have root (I started fiddling with Safestrap when I had issues with the update and had to fastboot my phone to stock.)
Once at 4.1.2 the phone cannot be back-leveled and cannot be rooted (yet hopefully).
As I understand it: GSM is locked domestically (US). Unlocked internationally if the phone has been activated domestically first.

Hey,
To add on to what others have said -- yes the phone is SIM unlocked, though it will *not* work on ATT/TMobile in the US without a firmware tweak (search around, it's an easy thing to do -- though I haven't done it myself.) The most recent update fixed the issue with roaming in India, though I haven't verified that myself. But the phone will definitely work in Australia as that's where I have been using it.
The phone works fine with the following caveats:
1. There is annoying "This SIM card is from an unknown source" warning when you turn the phone on. Easily bypassed by pressing "OK"
2. Tethering will not work on foreign SIMs, it tries to communicate back to the VZW network to verify your eligibility, which of course fails on a foreign SIM.
3. If you actually care about using the phone internationally on VZW's network, you need to call and have your account setup to allow for 4G international roaming (this is different then the 3G intl feature)
-- Dan

Thanks for the reply guys.
With regards to what dbeedle said, it means that I just can't grab the phone off AmazonWireless and ship it out of the US because it has to be activated domestically?
As for the caveats mentioned by Dan,
1) Yea, I can definitely live with that. I don't turn my phone on/off frequently.
2) Tethering will be an issue (I use it sometimes)
3) Not a concern for me.

Also, the Dev edition is not available with the maxx battery

University of Pi said:
Just started looking because I need a new phone and I'm not sure I can last till the GS4 comes out, the DNA has weak battery and poor storage and the note 2 is too much so late after it's release
1. The boot-loader for the verizon model is locked
2. You can root on ICS then upgrade with voodoo root keeper to 4.1.1; however there are reports that 4.1.2 has some issues with doing that. Verizon's can only downgrade to ICS from 4.1.1; if it comes with 4.1.2 it isn't rootable (yet)
3. Supposedly, verizon's works out of the box on all GSM except AT&T and Tmobile but I've seen some people have had some issues or at least someone did in india though
4. have you looked at like amazon wireless 650 no contract in us
Wirefly also has some in stock and on sale. I'm not sure of places that offer international shipping, though a bunch offer free shipping so it probably offsets anyways
There is only the T926 in a maxx version
This place might ship to singapore phone price 700
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bootloader has been unlocked on the non dev. edition xt926 Verizon phone!!!

an21281 said:
Bootloader has been unlocked on the non dev. edition xt926 Verizon phone!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi! Are you referring to this post?

baineteo said:
Hi! Are you referring to this post?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No this one... http://www.droidrzr.com/index.php/topic/15008-motorola-bootloaders-cracked/
http://vulnfactory.org/blog/2013/04/08/motorola-bootloader-unlocking/

an21281 said:
No this one... http://www.droidrzr.com/index.php/topic/15008-motorola-bootloaders-cracked/
http://vulnfactory.org/blog/2013/04/08/motorola-bootloader-unlocking/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well well.. that's definitely good news!
One last question, does the phone has to be activated in the US before it can be used? I don't use to have a USD700 piece of kevlar sitting on my desk..

Will the Motorola XT926 work in Australia
Hi Dan,
Thanks for the info I have a Motorola Verizon XT912 which works fine in Australia but also has the annoying "SIM is from an unknown source" message and I also could not get tethering to work with an Aust SIM.
Now, I would like to buy the XT926 however sellers on ebay are quoting... "* Quad-band GSM and 3G support (available only outside of the United States with Verizon roaming)" That concerns me however I don't believe it's true.
So you have not had any issues with your XT926 working on GSM and 3G in Australia ?
Thanks
David
Cpudan80 said:
Hey,
To add on to what others have said -- yes the phone is SIM unlocked, though it will *not* work on ATT/TMobile in the US without a firmware tweak (search around, it's an easy thing to do -- though I haven't done it myself.) The most recent update fixed the issue with roaming in India, though I haven't verified that myself. But the phone will definitely work in Australia as that's where I have been using it.
The phone works fine with the following caveats:
1. There is annoying "This SIM card is from an unknown source" warning when you turn the phone on. Easily bypassed by pressing "OK"
2. Tethering will not work on foreign SIMs, it tries to communicate back to the VZW network to verify your eligibility, which of course fails on a foreign SIM.
3. If you actually care about using the phone internationally on VZW's network, you need to call and have your account setup to allow for 4G international roaming (this is different then the 3G intl feature)
-- Dan
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Moto_Dave said:
Hi Dan,
Thanks for the info I have a Motorola Verizon XT912 which works fine in Australia but also has the annoying "SIM is from an unknown source" message and I also could not get tethering to work with an Aust SIM.
Now, I would like to buy the XT926 however sellers on ebay are quoting... "* Quad-band GSM and 3G support (available only outside of the United States with Verizon roaming)" That concerns me however I don't believe it's true.
So you have not had any issues with your XT926 working on GSM and 3G in Australia ?
Thanks
David
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
be cautious of these sellers on ebay. i just helped another member a couple days ago who bought an unlocked 925 from there (or so he thought).
after i had him check a few things for me, i confirmed without a doubt, it was a locked 926. now he has to file a claim.
you would be better off getting it from swappa.
here are the specs for the 926, it will not work on any other frequencies than those listed. others are just not built into the phone, so there is no way they can work, as far as im aware.
im not sure how they apply to your situation. i think you would have to find out what they use in your area, and see if they are listed in the specs.

[Q&A] Anyone working on Root for AT&T?

Q&A for Anyone working on Root for AT&T?
Some developers prefer that questions remain separate from their main development thread to help keep things organized. Placing your question within this thread will increase its chances of being answered by a member of the community or by the developer.
Before posting, please use the forum search and read through the discussion thread for Anyone working on Root for AT&T?. If you can't find an answer, post it here, being sure to give as much information as possible (firmware version, steps to reproduce, logcat if available) so that you can get help.
Thanks for understanding and for helping to keep XDA neat and tidy!

AT&T Note Edge help
I know that there is not a root for this phone yet. I'm very upset with myself for not researching this first. I now strongly regret moving from T-Mobile to AT&T. I'm having more trouble with this almost $1000 phone than I've had with $150 huawei phones. All of this AT&T bloat is ridiculous. The AT&T stuff on top of the Samsung bloat makes my phone borderline unusable. The lollipop update has made it much worse. Now it's not only freezing constantly, but the battery life is half of what it used to be and what it should be. It over heats like crazy. AT&T keeps telling me to factory reset or pay $250 for a new phone. AT&T might be the worst of allthe carriers.
Is there anything i can do to fix any of these issues at all? i've factory reset twice now just to be sure it wasn't that. I'm very close to getting rid of AT&T. The reason i prefer android is because of more options and now AT&T has taken that away from me.

root note edge
i just bought a note edge att but i dont want to switch from s5 because no root for edge is there any way i can get wifi hotspot without root

SM-N915A Firmware
So I am reading different things, but I understand I need the firmware for my Note Edge (AT&T) if I want to try and rooting the device. Some say the firmware has been released, but I can't seem to find it.
Anybody have information for the SM-915A firmware?

shonnick01 said:
i just bought a note edge att but i dont want to switch from s5 because no root for edge is there any way i can get wifi hotspot without root
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there 2 different AT&T's? Been with AT&T for 3 years or so, had hotspot free since day 1. Guess you are still on a old plan?

Oditius said:
Is there 2 different AT&T's? Been with AT&T for 3 years or so, had hotspot free since day 1. Guess you are still on a old plan?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AT&T phone but straight talk service! sorry i should have mentioned that

Any news on perm root?

Any news for Root on the ATT side of Note Edge?
So, any news?

I'm not sure how roms are offered but no root?? sorry to ignorant but Iv been rooting for years look at my join date. I assume if roms are offered there must be a way to root. Unfortunately no one shared that.

robandcathy said:
I'm not sure how roms are offered but no root?? sorry to ignorant but Iv been rooting for years look at my join date. I assume if roms are offered there must be a way to root. Unfortunately no one shared that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a temp root, not sure if you can load a rom for it. But making Roms for the N915A (AT&T) isn't that hard since the N915T (Tmobile) is a close cousin. Maybe the Dev knows they are getting close?

Oditius said:
There is a temp root, not sure if you can load a rom for it. But making Roms for the N915A (AT&T) isn't that hard since the N915T (Tmobile) is a close cousin. Maybe the Dev knows they are getting close?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually its pretty hard.. and close to impossible, the boot loader is locked and there is currently NO chance of unlocking without the signature keys. Therefore no ROMS will be available. As for ROOT, there is a temp root but a permanent root is very difficult unless they find a way around WP (Write Protect). Tmobile and AT&T are nothing alike in software... which is the issue here.

IceTwig said:
Actually its pretty hard.. and close to impossible, the boot loader is locked and there is currently NO chance of unlocking without the signature keys. Therefore no ROMS will be available. As for ROOT, there is a temp root but a permanent root is very difficult unless they find a way around WP (Write Protect). Tmobile and AT&T are nothing alike in software... which is the issue here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It would seem that not sure where you get they are not alike. I can use my AT&T edge on the T-MOBILE network and visa-versa. I get LTE on both. But I do find it crappy that AT&T locked the boot loader, therefore preventing us from installing custom roms. As for what it takes to craft a custom Rom, I know very little about.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N915A using Tapatalk

Oditius said:
It would seem that not sure where you get they are not alike. I can use my AT&T edge on the T-MOBILE network and visa-versa. I get LTE on both. But I do find it crappy that AT&T locked the boot loader, therefore preventing us from installing custom roms. As for what it takes to craft a custom Rom, I know very little about.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N915A using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't assume that.. its a fact really... the software that AT&T implements is TOTALLY different than T-Mobile, for one T-Mobile usually never locks their bootloader. Both models are GSM so yea you can interchange providers assuming the SIM is unlocked... but that goes for ANY GSM phone... LG, HTC, they can also be used on T-Mobile if they are GSM.
AT&T has locked all their bootloaders since S3 as far as I remember.

IceTwig said:
I don't assume that.. its a fact really... the software that AT&T implements is TOTALLY different than T-Mobile, for one T-Mobile usually never locks their bootloader. Both models are GSM so yea you can interchange providers assuming the SIM is unlocked... but that goes for ANY GSM phone... LG, HTC, they can also be used on T-Mobile if they are GSM.
AT&T has locked all their bootloaders since S3 as far as I remember.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Except for some European models won't get LTE on AT&T. I guess I should separate hardware from software. TMO hardware is what is similar to AT&T. As far as locking the bootloader, yep. But that is also different than the OS. The HTC One was finally unlocked.. I believe that someday it would be unlocked.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N915A using Tapatalk

Oditius said:
Except for some European models won't get LTE on AT&T. I guess I should separate hardware from software. TMO hardware is what is similar to AT&T. As far as locking the bootloader, yep. But that is also different than the OS. The HTC One was finally unlocked.. I believe that someday it would be unlocked.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N915A using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lets hope so

downlgrade to Android v4 from Lollipop Note edge N915A
Anyone can show direction and files to downgrade Galaxy note edge N915A (ATT) from Android Lollipop to Kitkat ?
Thanks in advance

Root

Bought Fake G930F - What now?

The phone was supposed to be new but when it arrived the seal was broken.
It shows G930F on the sticker and the ROM installed is 7.0: NRD90M.G930FXXS4BQC1. Phone Info and CPU-Z both show a Snapdragon 820 installed and the bootloader G930TUVS4BQC1. Both of which indicate to me it is a SM-G930T in reality. Am I correct? There are no OTA updates available.
Is there anything I can do to make the phone usable here in Europe and get the latest security patches or a newer ROM? Phone service is unusable atm.
I still don't have my money back from Paypal, but the Ebay seller already told me that they decided in my favor and how I scammed him (funny, he?). How it looks I can keep the phone, but I would like to know if I can make it usable some how.

solisar said:
The phone was supposed to be new but when it arrived the seal was broken.
It shows G930F on the sticker and the ROM installed is 7.0: NRD90M.G930FXXS4BQC1. Phone Info and CPU-Z both show a Snapdragon 820 installed and the bootloader G930TUVS4BQC1. Both of which indicate to me it is a SM-G930T in reality. Am I correct? There are no OTA updates available.
Is there anything I can do to make the phone usable here in Europe and get the latest security patches or a newer ROM? Phone service is unusable atm.
I still don't have my money back from Paypal, but the Ebay seller already told me that they decided in my favor and how I scammed him (funny, he?). How it looks I can keep the phone, but I would like to know if I can make it usable some how.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nightmare! Anyway if it's a T Mobile snapdragon (it definitely looks like it) you'll need to install T Mobile firmware from Sammobile of use SamFirm Tool. Flash with Odin obviously and make sure OEM is unlocked.
**This is important** so pay attention. Your boot loader version is an old one (U4) which is good because it means there's more you can do with it and the phone should be fairly easy to root. If you just type "G930T" into Sammobile firmware search you'll see there are lots of firmware updates after the one installed on your device. Once you upgrade a boot loader you cannot go back.
There's quite a few threads here about USA devices working in Europe, for the most part the phone will work but sometimes people have issues with 4G or LTE due to the radio band differences in the USA and Europe (regional difference).
So flash official firmware (stick with nougat 7.0 if you want for now) and see how the phone works, then basically go from there.

Thank you very much, for the answer!
cooltt said:
Nightmare! Anyway if it's a T Mobile snapdragon (it definitely looks like it) you'll need to install T Mobile firmware from Sammobile of use SamFirm Tool. Flash with Odin obviously and make sure OEM is unlocked. .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why do I exactly need the T-firmware? I can disable OEM lock on the F-firmware and I can factory restore without issues. Afaik I still don't get updates, if I'm not in the US with the T-firmware. The problem I have is bad connection and no security updates. If I read correctly in other threads there might be no way to fix the connection problems. I think people flash the U-firmware over 930T and 930A. I'm not sure which one would be best.
**This is important** so pay attention. Your boot loader version is an old one (U4) which is good because it means there's more you can do with it and the phone should be fairly easy to root. If you just type "G930T" into Sammobile firmware search you'll see there are lots of firmware updates after the one installed on your device. Once you upgrade a boot loader you cannot go back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there any danger this happens automatically if I flash another ROM?
There's quite a few threads here about USA devices working in Europe, for the most part the phone will work but sometimes people have issues with 4G or LTE due to the radio band differences in the USA and Europe (regional difference).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I kinda need band 20 here for 4G to work without problems.
Edit: According to Frequencycheck there shouldn't even be a incompatibility (in theory).

I was able to flash the G930U firmware and bootloader (v4)* and OTA updates are working. Reception is still very flaky. Sometimes I get full bars, mostly it's at 1 bar. According to several websites the frequencies and bands are fully compatible to my country and provider. Strange. (My older phones all worked better.)
So now I wonder if there really is any reason to stay on v4 bootloader. Since this is the Snapdragon version I can't install Lineage and root seems to work even in the latest bootloader according to this thread: https://forum.xda-developers.com/verizon-s7-edge/how-to/root-s7-s7edge-oreo-nougat-t3819616.
*Howto: https://forum.xda-developers.com/at...to-install-g930u-firmware-sm-g930a-t-t3609300

solisar said:
I was able to flash the G930U firmware and bootloader (v4)* and OTA updates are working. Reception is still very flaky. Sometimes I get full bars, mostly it's at 1 bar. According to several websites the frequencies and bands are fully compatible to my country and provider. Strange. (My older phones all worked better.)
So now I wonder if there really is any reason to stay on v4 bootloader. Since this is the Snapdragon version I can't install Lineage and root seems to work even in the latest bootloader according to this thread: https://forum.xda-developers.com/verizon-s7-edge/how-to/root-s7-s7edge-oreo-nougat-t3819616.
*Howto: https://forum.xda-developers.com/at...to-install-g930u-firmware-sm-g930a-t-t3609300
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK good T or U is good on that device.
Changing the bootloader won't make any difference to the reception, the phone is built to work in a different region its as simple as that. It will never be 100% functional in another region as the bands are hardware and firmware specific. As you've found out the firmware is the easy part but you'll need to change the motherboard to resolve the incompatible hardware issue, it's simply not worth it.
Also, all these other threads saying it is possible to get it 100% working are talking rubbish. If it were that easy everyone would be buying Sammys from South Korea where they cost peanuts and then just flash your region firmware. There are commercial reasons (like all smart phones) the same device is built for different regional markets.
Its so annoying that people post such crap on these forums, very difficult for newbies to follow advice.

cooltt said:
OK good T or U is good on that device.
Changing the bootloader won't make any difference to the reception, the phone is built to work in a different region its as simple as that. It will never be 100% functional in another region as the bands are hardware and firmware specific. As you've found out the firmware is the easy part but you'll need to change the motherboard to resolve the incompatible hardware issue, it's simply not worth it.
Also, all these other threads saying it is possible to get it 100% working are talking rubbish. If it were that easy everyone would be buying Sammys from South Korea where they cost peanuts and then just flash your region firmware. There are commercial reasons (like all smart phones) the same device is built for different regional markets.
Its so annoying that people post such crap on these forums, very difficult for newbies to follow advice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I feared as much. At least I got my money back now except shipping fees. I can still use it as a mobile computer for browsing and some applications. For a useful phone and navigation device I'll have to buy another one.

Can I root my Samsung S7 and gert rid of "all things ATT"..?

So, I'll apologize if this has already been dealt with previously, but I just need to verify what I've been told by a friend who knows Android systems (and Samsung S7 phones) a LOT more than I will ever attempt to understand..
About a year ago, I bought a Samsung Galaxy S7 from a 'rebuilder' (my term) who mentioned at the time "... it was ATT phone..", and, yes, when I turn it on it does the ATT circle jerk logo and has an ATT logo on the back of the phone. This was of no real concern to me, because my service purveyor uses the ATT system (Consumer Cellular), so it's worked well enough. But unfortunately, it also has a boatload of 'semi-proprietary' ATT trash in the phone which I'd like to get rid of. To confuse the matter even more, it appears that I cannot 'unlock' the phone because it has not been associated with an actual active ATT account for close to two years, and it APPEARS that now they refuse to accommodate an unlock code for this phone.
So... according to my friend (Mr. Android Phone), I can 'root' this phone to 'factory original firmware' and make it (in essence) just a plain-old-vanilla Samsung S7 without this rather bogus ATT firmware and the myriad of craplets I'd like to get rid of..
So, I'm here looking for "expertise" in such things because I certainly don't want to 'brick' this pretty nice phone, but I also want to get this to a point where there is no association with ATT in any manner. So my question sorta comes down to: "can I root this and be rid of all things ATT?", and "will this allow me to achieve an 'unlock' without having to play ATT's games? (I had QUITE the discussion with an ATT 'support' dude a couple of hours ago when he flatly refused to give me an unlock code so I could simply ATTEMPT to see if Consumer Cellular's T-Mobile service might work better at my home, since CC tells me I'm right in the center of a brand new rebuilt 4G service area).
Does any of this make any sense to anyone? Pardon my ignorance, but if the IMEI # is somehow 'tethered' to ATT and they won't "release" it, how does rooting help with this? - or is this something more like an 'association' of the IMEI # AND the ATT firmware...? GAH!! I'd just like to be totally rid of all this ATT junk and have the freedom to choose whichever service I want.

CentennialMan said:
So, I'll apologize if this has already been dealt with previously, but I just need to verify what I've been told by a friend who knows Android systems (and Samsung S7 phones) a LOT more than I will ever attempt to understand..
I'd just like to be totally rid of all this ATT junk and have the freedom to choose whichever service I want.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi There that's a lot of words partner! I'll try make the answer easy to understand and I've cut out much of the post so my reply isn't huge.
1. Yes you can install vanilla firmware which will remove all branding from AT&T and you don't need to root the phone to do this. here is the firmware for your device >>here<< You can also use XAS or XAA. You will see the guide and the Odin you need to flash this firmware.
2. This is another version of Odin on this website if you have any issues with the one on Sammobile. >>here<<
3. Unfortunately you cannot unlock the phone unless the original cell phone provider gives you their half of the unlock key as a code to input to the phone. In the UK once a phone is out of the initial contract period it is illegal for the provider to refuse to give you this code whether your still with them or not. I know in the USA you guys gets ****ed over. The original account holder of the phone can ask for the unlock code but not you.
4. Changing the firmware and unlocking the phone to any network are two different things, flashing unbranded firmware will not unlock the phone the network is tied to. They don't make it that easy!
5. As far as i know T Mobile (USA) has also moved to G930U firmware so you could be lucky with a T Mobile SIM working once the phone is flashed with this firmware but don't hold your breath. Check Sammobile for the T Mobile firmware too.
6. IMEI number is tied to the phone so in theory it can be changed after the phone is rooted and you are able to modify the EFS partition but it is extremely difficult even for veterans like me and it causes lots of problems with cell network registration. Leave well alone if you don't want a completely useless device.
Things to make flashing go easier
1. Turn off FRP lock or sign out of the Google account on the phone or delete it before you do anything, you can put that account back on the phone after flashing.
2. If you enable Developer options make sure " usb debugging" is enabled and OEM unlock, not essential but can help when things go wrong.
3. Anything you want to keep, pics media etc back up or move to SD card, the SD card won't be touched when flashing firmware.
4. Please follow the guides on how to flash correctly.
Any other questions please ask.

It should be noted that if it's an ATT phone it's Snapdragon therefore permanently bootloader locked, OEM Unlock won't actually do anything, that setting only works on Exynos.
The only root method for Snapdragon is to use a leaked engineering bootloader to gain system access, and you can only install the leaked bootloader if your phone is already running old firmware. For up to date phones there is no root method.

Beanvee7 said:
It should be noted that if it's an ATT phone it's Snapdragon therefore permanently bootloader locked, OEM Unlock won't actually do anything, that setting only works on Exynos.
The only root method for Snapdragon is to use a leaked engineering bootloader to gain system access, and you can only install the leaked bootloader if your phone is already running old firmware. For up to date phones there is no root method.
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Hello mate i'm not sure if your aware but AT&T were initially Qual comm but they've also been using Exynos for a while.

cooltt said:
Hello mate i'm not sure if your aware but AT&T were initially Qual comm but they've also been using Exynos for a while.
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Source?

Beanvee7 said:
Source?
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Don't be smart you know how to use Google?

I did google it, I wouldn't have asked for a source if I found something. But it doesn't matter, you're the one making unsubstantiated claims, the burden is on you to prove it. But since you asked for it:
AT&T's website says Snapdragon
https://i.imgur.com/TdV62Mq.jpg
https://www.att.com/buy/phones/samsung-galaxy-s7-32gb-black-onyx.html
GSM Arena says Snapdragon
https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s7_(usa)-7960.php
Wikipedia says Snapdragon
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samsung_Galaxy_S7#Qualcomm_Snapdragon_820_Models
There isn't a single page when googling AT&T S7 Exynos that backs your claim up. The USA also uses completely different network technology than internationally, using the S7 Exynos in the USA is already known to cause issues with LTE, VoWiFi etc. They'd have to do a hardware refresh of the Exynos SoC if they wanted to support it in the USA, which they ain't going to do a for a 3 gen old phone.

Beanvee7 said:
I did google it, I wouldn't have asked for a source if I found something. But it doesn't matter, you're the one making unsubstantiated claims, the burden is on you to prove it. But since you asked for it:
AT&T's website says Snapdragon
https://i.imgur.com/TdV62Mq.jpg
https://www.att.com/buy/phones/samsung-galaxy-s7-32gb-black-onyx.html
GSM Arena says Snapdragon
https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s7_(usa)-7960.php
Wikipedia says Snapdragon
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samsung_Galaxy_S7#Qualcomm_Snapdragon_820_Models
There isn't a single page when googling AT&T S7 Exynos that backs your claim up. The USA also uses completely different network technology than internationally, using the S7 Exynos in the USA is already known to cause issues with LTE, VoWiFi etc. They'd have to do a hardware refresh of the Exynos SoC if they wanted to support it in the USA, which they ain't going to do a for a 3 gen old phone.
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lol ok.

Question Flashing unlocked firmware over carrier firmware?

Like the title says, is this possible and can it be done without wiping user data? Thanks.

Probably not worth the trouble. Always assume you will lose the data and back it up redundantly.
I thought there be a night and day difference when I got the unlocked N10+ N975U1 vs the AT&T variant N975U. There wasn't. The unlocked version actually had some bloatware not on the AT&T variant
Easiest and safest thing to do is package blocked the carrier bloatware. Verizon does some screwy modes to their devices so getting rid of that be nice. AT&T does not, that surprised me. Some users might like some of the AT&T apps.

It was successful, thank goodness. See my follow up here https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/f721u1-firmware-now-available.4484639/

Notice much difference?

Yeah the main stuff are:
1. Rcs with jibe server works now. Before it used att server so it wouldn't connect properly with other users
2. System updates come directly from Samsung instead of att

NguyenHuu said:
Yeah the main stuff are:
1. Rcs with jibe server works now. Before it used att server so it wouldn't connect properly with other users
2. System updates come directly from Samsung instead of att
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Don't use either.
Updates is one of the first things I disabled on my N10+'s. One's on Pie, the other 10, I prefer Pie though. Once Google started rolling out scoped storage I bailed.
&
AT&T/Samsung have a nasty habit of screwing up older devices with firmware upgrades. Just had a pair of Buds+ screwed up like that a few months back, now they need the firmware rolled back*. S4+, same deal a few years back, but bootloader was updated too, no rollback.
If an OS is running fast, stable and fulfilling its mission... I let it be.
*I have 2 new pairs of Buds+, they sound identical and like my original pair use to, grrrrr.
Went with them because Samsung's newest release lack the features I want. Rather annoying.
The Buds+ have a 11 hr run time, light, don't fall out and sound good.

Sorry I should've posted my question here, instead of creating a new thread.
I recently purchased a flip 3 and am on a payment plan, tmobile won't unlock my phone unless I pay it off in full. Is it possible to flash the default software of the unlocked model so I can get updates from Samsung and still have my sim work? I'm not switching carriers, do I need the tmobile version of firmware for data/phone to work if the phone isn't unlocked?

boxface said:
Sorry I should've posted my question here, instead of creating a new thread.
I recently purchased a flip 3 and am on a payment plan, tmobile won't unlock my phone unless I pay it off in full. Is it possible to flash the default software of the unlocked model so I can get updates from Samsung and still have my sim work? I'm not switching carriers, do I need the tmobile version of firmware for data/phone to work if the phone isn't unlocked?
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Phone service will still work perfectly fine on U1 firmware, but you may lose lose some carrier-specific features like wifi calling etc. But.... the U1 models don't always necessarily get faster updates than the carrier models. For example, with the most recent update, the carrier model got it 2 weeks before the unlocked model. So if that's your only reason for wanting to change firmware, I'd advise against it.
Notify Update
- U model update history
Notify Update
- U1 model update history

iBowToAndroid said:
Phone service will still work perfectly fine on U1 firmware, but you may lose lose some carrier-specific features like wifi calling etc. But.... the U1 models don't always necessarily get faster updates than the carrier models. For example, with the most recent update, the carrier model got it 2 weeks before the unlocked model. So if that's your only reason for wanting to change firmware, I'd advise against it.
Notify Update
- U model update history
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What I'm concerned about is tmobile eventually stopping the updates way sooner than Samsung. The carriers don't usually update a phone as long as the vendor so to avoid that I would rather not use T-Mobiles version. Thanks for the reply, it was very helpful.
iBowToAndroid said:
Notify Update
- U1 model update history
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boxface said:
What I'm concerned about is tmobile eventually stopping the updates way sooner than Samsung. The carriers don't usually update a phone as long as the vendor so to avoid that I would rather not use T-Mobiles version. Thanks for the reply, it was very helpful.
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Incorrect. Every single model's lifespan for updates has always been the exact same, whether U or U1

I downloaded the unlocked firmware via Frija for SM-F711U1 / XAA and flashed it onto my At&t unit using patched Odin. Lost my data since the install didn't work without flashing CSC but booted up and working just fine now. No At&t bootscreen or bloat