Grey market S6? - Galaxy S6 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hi,
I live in France and just bought a Galaxy S6 from a guy who sells a lot of phone for a decent price.
Some things are a bit weird though.
- First when I go to the about phone page to check for updates (the phone is still on android 6.0.1) nothing happens when I press the "software update" button.
- Second, in the about phone page it says on the 7th line "United Arab Emirates" TRA ID 0016333/08 TA: 0000000/00. As I live in France, is it a problem?
- Third thing: when I plug it to my computer with Smart Switch the model name reads SM-G920A with software QB1 (XSG). But when I go to download mode it reads SM-G920T (which seem to be American?) on top of the screen.
I'd like to update it to the latest version of Android, but I am really lost as I don't know which rom will fit. I also don't know if I can flash a XEF version onto it?
Anyone can help?
Thanks

Always follow what it says in download mode as they cannot be faked (to my knowledge anyways). Therefore I would say your phone is a grey market g920t so look for g920t stock roms and flash through odin.
But take note, there is a major possibility, in fact I'm almost certain the phone will go back to being locked once you do that. The galaxy s6 is fairly easy to unlock, just search the forums and be aware of what to do before you do anything. And please backup, backup, backup!!! Not just backing up on the phone, copy everything off the phone to your pc as it would most likely get wiped.
Lastly, the latest Samsung firmwares have begun featuring a nasty bootloader lock when it likely detects abnormalities as those in grey market phones (e.g a U.S. phone with a SIM from a different region). There are ways around it, make sure you search the forums before you begin updating. Search for Rmm lock Samsung.
Good luck

Related

[Q] Got Galaxy S6 live demo unit. Model no. SM-G920X. Need help

Anyone else have one? I want to completely remove the demo software and use it as a tablet. Now please note I am looking for an answer that puts the instructions in steps like you're talking to a baby. Assume I have no experience in any of this. I also only want answers from people who have been successful at doing this and own the device.
Also I want to know: are the specs of a demo unit exactly the same as the normal retail version?
Build number if needed is: LRX22G.G920XXXU1AOD7_LLK
Bought in the UK.
So far I've turned the demo stuff off as far as I can. I entered the password 5444 and whatnot to disable it.
Also:
Fast charge doesn't seem to work. Charges quite slowly.
I get this error when I try to install certain apps: unknown error -501.
lite426 said:
Anyone else have one? I want to completely remove the demo software and use it as a tablet. Now please note I am looking for an answer that puts the instructions in steps like you're talking to a baby. Assume I have no experience in any of this. I also only want answers from people who have been successful at doing this and own the device.
Also I want to know: are the specs of a demo unit exactly the same as the normal retail version?
Build number if needed is: LRX22G.G920XXXU1AOD7_LLK
Bought in the UK.
So far I've turned the demo stuff off as far as I can. I entered the password 5444 and whatnot to disable it.
Also:
Fast charge doesn't seem to work. Charges quite slowly.
I get this error when I try to install certain apps: unknown error -501.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If it's a live demo unit it's probably crippled in most ways. Wifi, Fast Charging, Cell Radio, things like that are all probably affected by this. Live demo units are primarly there to show a "finished" product. It's there to show of how pretty the exterior of the phone and the screen. Maybe the camera. But it's probably a pre-release version. You're going to have a bad time trying to make it work for your needs. Best of luck.
Thanks but I'm looking for help from people who have the demo unit. I have a galaxy s4 demo unit as well and it's fine, had no problems
OT why are u fun of getting demo units, aren't these supposedly be for demo purposes only?
Why not get the retail and get rid of issues. If u bought it then you should be getting a retail/production phone than demo UNLESS you paid it for less ... Lol
Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk
Yes I bought it for 1/3 the price of the normal phone, and I don't need the phone features. I am asking how I can completely remove the demo software. I prefer someone who already owns it and has tried it, to answer.
I've bought the same. mine is clearly removed from display because it's had a bash. So I think it shouldn't be a problem.
I've been trying for the last couple of hours. Can you get yours to be recognised by odin? I couldn't at all.
I turned developer mode on to use adb sideload but it has been no use. the device says everything has the wrong footer and validation denied.
what else do you have besides 5444? That's the first I've heard of that.
Hey Quarzar, the other password needed to turn disable factory reset off is M729Q16K8546, after you've entered 5444 to enter the Samsung Retial software. But even after factory reset I'm stuck with the demo software. I haven't tried Odin, will have a look. I don't want to flash something and risk bricking it.
Quatzar can you try something? Can you try installing 3DMark and run the ice storm unlimited benchmark on your demo unit and tell me what you get?
I would love to but I went looking for what you'd used. found the factory reset code. wiped.
signed in including the fingerprint thing. Samsung installed a software update even though I didn't sign in for samsung. wouldn't let me cancel it. It auto rebooted. Now I can't unlock the damn thing. It knows it should check for thumb prints. won't do it. There is a backup password thing but it won't let me use it.... I'm locked out.
It might be deliberate.
Darn that is annoying, so glad I never tried the fingerprint thing now. It auto installed two updates for me as well without asking me
Easy easy dude
Hi, look its very simple!
You have to ROOT your device, then istall Titanium Backup on it and the open up the Programm and through its options you can UNINSTALL anything you want, even the retail software! Thats it:good:
lite426 said:
Anyone else have one? I want to completely remove the demo software and use it as a tablet. Now please note I am looking for an answer that puts the instructions in steps like you're talking to a baby. Assume I have no experience in any of this. I also only want answers from people who have been successful at doing this and own the device.
Also I want to know: are the specs of a demo unit exactly the same as the normal retail version?
Build number if needed is: LRX22G.G920XXXU1AOD7_LLK
Bought in the UK.
So far I've turned the demo stuff off as far as I can. I entered the password 5444 and whatnot to disable it.
Also:
Fast charge doesn't seem to work. Charges quite slowly.
I get this error when I try to install certain apps: unknown error -501.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok back awake now.
If anybody gets locked out, just use android device manager in a browser and wipe the device.
If you download this.
https://download.chainfire.eu/733/CF-Root/CF-Auto-Root/CF-Auto-Root-zeroflte-zerofltexx-smg920f.zip
Extract it. There is a copy of Odin in there and the file you need to flash with Odin.
Run Odin. The window will open....
Shutdown the demo unit. Then hold down down+home+power until the logo "demo unit" etc comes on.
It will go into the warning page. Press up to put it in download mode.
Connect your computer to the unit with the USB.
But my guess is of yours is the same as mine Odin won't recognise the unit.
Does Odin show a blue/green bar?
Does text come up in the message window?
If it does find the zip file that came along with Odin inside the original file I linked. Put it in the box that says PDA (or its PA now I think from memory they relabelled it.)
Press start.
I bet it doesn't work and nothing will change.
erobiemo said:
Hi, look its very simple!
You have to ROOT your device, then istall Titanium Backup on it and the open up the Programm and through its options you can UNINSTALL anything you want, even the retail software! Thats it:good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please can you show me how to root it in baby steps? The most important thing is, have you done it yourself on a galaxy s6 demo unit? I don't want to follow a procedure for the normal s6 and then end up bricking my device.
quatzar said:
If you download this.
https://download.chainfire.eu/733/CF-Root/CF-Auto-Root/CF-Auto-Root-zeroflte-zerofltexx-smg920f.zip
Extract it. There is a copy of Odin in there and the file you need to flash with Odin.
Run Odin. The window will open....
Shutdown the demo unit. Then hold down down+home+power until the logo "demo unit" etc comes on.
It will go into the warning page. Press up to put it in download mode.
Connect your computer to the unit with the USB.
But my guess is of yours is the same as mine Odin won't recognise the unit.
Does Odin show a blue/green bar?
Does text come up in the message window?
If it does find the zip file that came along with Odin inside the original file I linked. Put it in the box that says PDA (or its PA now I think from memory they relabelled it.)
Press start.
I bet it doesn't work and nothing will change.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Quatzar, yes Odin recognises it I think. It says 'added!!' and the blue bar under ID:COM. When I plugged the S6 in at first it did have to download 'Serial Gadget' update and Samsung something. But I don't want to flash anything until someone else has already tried it and succeeded, in case it ends up going wrong.
quatzar said:
Ok back awake now.
If anybody gets locked out, just use android device manager in a browser and wipe the device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh man! So simple,so genius.
Thanks for saving my day.
RESPECT :highfive::good::laugh:
anything new here ?
Sadly no, I'm just gonna try and sell mine.
£160 if anyone is in London and can collect it. It's a white version.
S6 edge Demo
Hi.I have an s6 edge demo unit bought from someone without knowing.the problem is that the phone is locked on first screen displaying samsung retail mode and service running and at the bottom of the screen says BACKUP PASSWORD.i can t get pass this screen under any circumstance.i can t acces the menu and nothing else.i tried to reset and wipe it but it comes to the Same screen.also tried to install other firmware but even if odin recognise my device when trying to install it fails.someone knows a firmware that works?any advice pls
quatzar said:
If you download this.
https://download.chainfire.eu/733/CF-Root/CF-Auto-Root/CF-Auto-Root-zeroflte-zerofltexx-smg920f.zip
Extract it. There is a copy of Odin in there and the file you need to flash with Odin.
Run Odin. The window will open....
Shutdown the demo unit. Then hold down down+home+power until the logo "demo unit" etc comes on.
It will go into the warning page. Press up to put it in download mode.
Connect your computer to the unit with the USB.
But my guess is of yours is the same as mine Odin won't recognise the unit.
Does Odin show a blue/green bar?
Does text come up in the message window?
If it does find the zip file that came along with Odin inside the original file I linked. Put it in the box that says PDA (or its PA now I think from memory they relabelled it.)
Press start.
I bet it doesn't work and nothing will change.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After flashing this file my demo live unit stuck on Samsung logo, any help please

unknowingly bought a rooted G Flex 2 LSS996

Hello everyone,
Around the black friday weekend, I have purchased a LG G Flex 2 LSS996 on a ebay store. It was unlocked and worked as advertised on 5.1.1.
I could never install any android or firmware updates, which didn't bother me until I also got the throttling/ overheating problem. That's when I noticed that the phone actually is rooted. I wish to upgrade my Android now, which is why I am thinking of unrooting the phone. I thought of ROMs as well, but I haven't found any and I don't have the time and knowledge for ROMs or Xposed Framework.
I'm not sure why or how this phone was rooted, but I fear it has something to do with the carrier unlock since it is a LSS996 for Sprint. Because I want to use this phone outside of the US, the phone would be unusable for me in case the phone gets the carrier lock again if I unroot. Would this be the case?
I'd be happy about any reply! Thanks!
EDIT: still looking through this forum.
Just found this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/g-flex2/help/managed-to-gsm-ls996-awaited-apn-t3090484
Meaning that the seller probably did the same thing right? Will unrooting lock the phone again? I'm not sure what exactly what unrooting does to the phone in regards to these files. I would unroot via SuperSU
Some other things worth mentioning:
- The "hands-free activation" (not sure what it's called in English, I use the phone in German), which starts on every phone start up, never finishes properly. I can let it run through its 5 cycles or press activate, either way it fails.
- When I press "activate this device" in the system settings, a black screen with "self service" on top opens and the immediately closes.
- When I want to update PRL, profile or firmware in system settings -> software updates, I always get an authentication error.
Other than that and the throttling/ overheating issue, the phone works just fine.
I also have the same device. The phone is rooted because someone modified system files to unlock it. You can flash an unrooted system image for your software version and update the phone, and you wont lose carrier unlock. The things you have mentioned are normal for such a device, since it is not unlocked by Sprint.
Thanks for the reply!
How do you suggest flashing? I'm not finished researching, but so far flash fire looks like the most convenient option.

Samsung IMEI missing

Hi all, after being screwed over by The Android Doctor, a remote network unlocking site (they messed with my IMEI leaving me unable to make/receive calls/texts or use mobile data), and pulling my hair out, trying how to get round their malicious behaviour without having to spend out more money, I stunbled across another thread on this web site with one out of many solutions. (This may well be the most full proof though). The original post referred to a Galaxy S3 and was posted by Nev of Innsbruck, Austria on 4 November 2015.
Well my problem referred to a Galaxy S5, but as Nev rightly said if you download and fire up Samsung Kies, head for tools and select firmware upgrade and initialisation before connecting your phone, Kies will ask for your model number and serial number and then download all the various files it needs to reset your phone to original factory conditions but with the latest firmware for that particular model/serial number. From there on it's just a question of following the on-screen prompts, and stand back in amazement when normality is restored once again. Initially I thought this would undo the network unlock I paid for, but nope my phone is still unlocked, but fully usuable once again. This will obviously not work for a black listed IMEI phone. I have started this new thread in the hope of getting this answer out there, as finding a actual solution that worked, was like looking for a needle in a hay stack...

Problems with phone after OTA update (FIXED!)

Hello,
I wanted to share what I had to do in order to fix my phone after it took the July 27 OTA update. The update somehow corrupted my display and the white portions of the display were now pink and red. A google search has info and pics on this display problem so I won't elaborate on it. The first thing I tried was power cycling the phone, the red and pink remained. The next thing I tried was factory reset the device, that didn't work either. I simply wanted to revert back to the previous firmware and hopefully that would fix it. I liked the new firmware features, but that pink screen had to go! I foolishly flashed the US unlocked firmware (XAA) from SamMobile site with Odin. The pink screen probem was fixed but this definately was not the firmware that came on this phone. Gear VR didn't work, Samsung pay was borked, and there were all types of problems with the software.
At this point I called Samsung Tech Support. The guy was really nice and after a bit of explaining he offered to have the phone flashed at no cost to me. However I would have to send the phone in to be repaired and I would be without my device for a week at least, maybe 2 weeks. I thanked him and hung up. Why couldn't he simply make the firmware available to me so I could fix this without having to send it in and be without my phone for over a week. Not really a acceptable solution. I went online and did some reading. That's when I found the fix!
To anyone who is having problems and would simply like to get back to original factory firmware Samsung has a program called " Smart Switch ". It's available as a App for your phone or as a PC software program. The phone app helps sync devices, but the PC program can do much more. I'm not going to go over in detail how to use the software because a google search has videos and tutorials on how to use it. For me I was able to enter my phone model and serial number and Smart Switch went and downloaded the "correct factory firmware" and installed it to my phone. Now I have the latest firmware (7/27) full factory install and the pink / red display problem is gone. So what I'm getting at is if you are having problems after taking the OTA update like I did, you can try using Smart Switch and install the complete factory firmware from scratch to your device. Make sure to follow instruction on how to use the program, I had to put the phone into download mode for it to work for me. Also be sure you understand about "Google lock" before flashing your phone. This program claims it can un-brick a Samsung phone, and will also over-write a rooted phone to get it back to stock. I'm sure Smart Switch has been discussed before, but for a new Samsung user (like myself) it sure got me out of a bind!

second hand rooted LG V500N with unknowns

Hi,
I got "new" phone, model as per title. It appeared it's been previously rooted and has Magisk installed. Poor creature selling this to me has no idea about those things and he got it like that from his friend in different country.
As this is replacement of my personal phone, after I sunk S9+ and decided to break up with "S", I have not much eagerness to experiment.
Current firmware (as what phone shows) is V30c-KOR-XX seems based on Android 11.
I'd leave as it is but... Google Pay doesn't like the fact phone is rooted. I have no issue with that phone is rooted but with that I can't use Google Pay.
Additionally, despite setting EN-US as language I see lots of Chinese or Korean or Japanese "letters" here and there - not causing any more issues than esthetic. I'd prefer to not have it so probably to load phone with some different firmware. Would be lovely if that could actually have "Polish" (as I am).
Also, I tried to get to "recovery" and phone does not react to Power+Vol Up - please correct me if that's not the right combination. When I used Magisk to reboot into Recovery then I see "No command" message...
Magisk is current - 24.1 and same "app".
So my options would be:
- fixing what is currently (ignore not having Polish on it) and making GPay works
- loading some factory firmware and unrooting it
- loading something different which would also allow to make GPay to work
I'm not complete noob, and got years of Linux exp as this is my only OS I work on. Also I was playing with rooting, firmwares and kernels but that was age of Samsung S2 and S4 when I did it last time, therefore I know many things changed and some might be easier some harder to do. Additionally, this is my first LG as somehow I always had "S's".
What I'd like to ask community here is to help me determine exact (versions, links) software I possibly could use and provide some guidance on how to do this "these days".
So to make things easier, I will ask questions:
1. What firmware should I load and how (preferably using Linux)?
2. How to fix (if necessary) "missing" recovery ?
3. How to make GPay running if suggested firmware is not factory one?
To be clear, I don't mind using current firmware loaded on phone if I can make things work. Less work is better for me as I can't be left without phone for longer than a day.

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