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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Source?
Beanvee7 said:
Source?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol ok.
Related
Please post experience with S7 SIM (carrier) unlocking here, specifically third party websites that offer an unlocking service.
I bought my phone out right from T-mobile. And their unlock app that comes on the phone does not work
HTCMDA said:
I bought my phone out right from T-mobile. And their unlock app that comes on the phone does not work
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It works but you have to know what you're doing with it. Did you contact Tmobile for unlock code. We unlock and blacklist repair the Sprint, Tmobile, etc. The Tmobile ones have to go through that app during the process
supreme83 said:
It works but you have to know what you're doing with it. Did you contact Tmobile for unlock code. We unlock and blacklist repair the Sprint, Tmobile, etc. The Tmobile ones have to go through that app during the process
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yea man i called...they sent an email with instructions.. email stated this phone doesn't require an unlock code as it has a built in unlock app. follow the directions below blah blah balh
bottom line, it doesn't work. why? because there's hidden rules and crap that need to be met 1st by t-mobile. prepaid people need to spend at least 100 dollars in refills before the phone is eligible. post paid people need to have the phone active on t-mobile for a minimum of 45 days and your account cannot be cancelled during that time.
well seeing as how i'm on prepaid... i walked in, made a new customer purchase as a post paid user, then cancelled my line after i got my gear vr and netflix code... which wasn't even 30 days. I can't unlock my phone, So I'm now on prepaid gonna see if I can after 100 dollars in refills
Try to use UnlockRadar for any phone using Device Unlock App from T-Mobile, including the Galaxy S7. You can find more here: https://www.unlockradar.com/service/t-mobile-usa-device-unlock-app-official-unlock
Hello,
i need a help with a unlocking Samsung Galaxy S7 SIM (network) too. It is locked to Vodafone UK.
Does anyone know any reliable services to do it?
Thanks
merlooo said:
Hello,
i need a help with a unlocking Samsung Galaxy S7 SIM (network) too. It is locked to Vodafone UK.
Does anyone know any reliable services to do it?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use ebay to get my unlock codes, unlocked maybe a dozen phones in the last few years and never had any issues with anyone.
A couple reliable sites I've used many times are www.unlockbase.com and www.cellunlocker.net . There's also a thread over on the s6 general forum of a member named stifilz that can unlock your device via USB cable, his service is free but a donation is always a nice gesture. Good luck!
Sent from the silver bullet 930F Running Superman Rom
kinda ridiculous you have to pay to get an unlock code still. My SM-G930FD i bought unlocked locks itself every time in install a T-mobile csc and the app wont even run on that phone
Hi can anyone help? I bought an At&t S7 Edge on amazon and got the unlock code from the vendor and it apparently worked. My only issue is that it'll only work with the sim that was in the phone when I entered the code. If I use another one the phone keeps displaying "insert sim". Thanks already for your replies
Thanks for the reply and there's 1 more things I need to mention: I'm using the phone overseas (Haiti) as it's still under At&t contract. Now to answer your questions no it doesn't ask for the unlock code anymore but like I said it only works with the non At&t
sim I used when entering the unlock code.
SamsungCodeSource said:
Hey there macphephe,
What network are you trying to use the phone with and does the phone ask for the unlock code still when you turn the phone on with a non AT&T simcard/
Let me know we can help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
s7 (sm-930f) lock to Austrian A1 was not able to be unlocked by unlockbase.com. However, the nck from cellunlocker.net worked well.
Ok so what im mentioning is something im still not getting quite well, but i saw before many samsung phones S6, S7, Note... etc that have the international firmware 9XXF/FD even when the phone is actually a T-Mobile version or AT&T, in download mode you will be shown the real phone model but the firmware isn't. Of course through Odin with a PC you won't be able to flash the phone with a firmware besides the one designed for it. If you actually wanna flash the phone you'll need the original firmware, i tried it before and flashed a Verizon S6 that had the international 6.0 firmware on it through Odin and as you might guess i got an error as the device didn't match the firmware, when i actually flashed it with the correct Verizon 7.0 firmware it worked and the phone booted and worked alright, except that now the phone is network locked! downgrade isn't possible unless i use a repair firmware and a pit file (not sure if still works with nougat). Then i got the idea of actually using the repair firmware and the pit of the 9XXF version as its network free, and ended up breaking the phone completely. The jig didn't work so couldn't access odin. So i work for a friend of mine in a repair workshop PC, Consoles, Mobiles... blablabla and we have the Z3x box, it did unbrick the phone, and then i started playing with it to see what it can do, and there is an option to actually flash and mix different parts of the firmware, so i went an flashed the bootloader of the Verizon firmware with the rest from the international firmware, it didn't boot at first but somehow i got it into recovery mode and after a format it did boot, and the network was actually unlocked after.
I do not think this method would work on all versions, as some samsung phones uses the snapdragon soc while others uses the exynos soc, and i don't think you can mix those firmwares, but an unlocked exynos model might be unlockable with the international firmware, of course considering the risk of breaking the phone, but if you're lucky as i was and have one of those boxes you shouldn't be much afraid.
Something else i'd like to mention, is that the Z3x can actually fully backup the phone, and i don't mean a nandroid backup like TWRP but like a full partitions backup, and the idea i got but didn't test is if you have for example a locked S7 and an unlocked one and same model so let's say 930P, you can actually copy the raw partitions from the unlocked one to the locked one and i don't know, maybe ending up unlocking it too, again didn't test this one as i only have one S7 and its already unlocked (930FD).
Hey guys,
I have a Verizon S7 (not Edge) and I noticed some peculiar quirks, like the fact that Verizon put all their stupid bloatware in it (it's 2016 and carriers are still doing this? The guy at Best Buy told me there was only *one* S7 and you could use it on whatever carrier you wanted)
I also notice the lack of Smart Monitor, which is a feature I was really hoping to use, since it was integrated into the system and it means I don't have to root to do some automatic cache cleaning.
At any rate, since I JUST got my phone, I don't want to void my warranty any time soon, especially given it's so expensive. With Motorola you could root and flash custom OSes, and if there was a problem, RSD Lite was your friend and nobody would know... but Samsung does that whole Knox e-fuse nonsense which makes that not an option.
However, I know about ODIN and was told that I wouldn't trip Knox if I used ODIN to flash between the official firmwares - it's only if you try to root it or modify the system partition that you would do so.
Is there any actual hardware difference between my S7 which has a Verizon logo on the back of the case and one from, say, AT&T or T-Mobile who also use 4G LTE? And if not, could I possibly flash a firmware from one of those carriers to mine? The only thing I can think of that would need to be changed are the APNs in order to use the 4G service - and even then it might not matter if that info is stored on the SIM card anyway. (I don't know much about SIMs, Verizon never used them for CDMA, only LTE)
I know T-Mobile's S7 has the Smart Manager intact while I've heard reports of the other 3 big ones removing it.
Or if a "factory unlocked" variant emerges, could I flash that one to my phone? The guy at Best Buy seemed to imply such a thing existed already. I know there is a GSM unlocked version, but that would be (I assume) the Exynos variant and not Snapdragon.
On the other hand...
http://www.androidcentral.com/yes-verizon-galaxy-s7-and-s7-edge-are-sim-unlocked
So if the APNs sort themselves out anyway, I see no reason why I COULDN'T take a T-Mobile ODIN image and flash it to my Verizon phone. Would that trip Knox or would I be alright? Just want to make sure I don't brick a $700 phone...
I would like to know this as well
I bought an S8+ 955FD which seems to be genuine but when I contacted AT&T to get assistance with slow LTE speeds (I contacted them 2 months ago for the same reason when I was using an AT&T branded phone). Of course they ask for the IMEI to verify whether it's an LTE phone and is supported. When I gave them the IMEI they said it wasn't even coming up as a Samsung phone let alone LTE. It's listed as an unknown phone with 2G capabilities. I checked the IMEI on http://www.imei.info/ and it shows that it's a S8+ and everything checks out on that site as it does on my Samsung box.
My sister has an S8 too 955F and when AT&T checks hers, it comes up as a Samsung S8+.
I don't know if my having rooted the phone has anything to do with it (I'm guessing not because rooting doesn't change the IMEI) but could this be a fake? Should I return it?
icydius said:
I bought an S8+ 955FD which seems to be genuine but when I contacted AT&T to get assistance with slow LTE speeds (I contacted them 2 months ago for the same reason when I was using an AT&T branded phone). Of course they ask for the IMEI to verify whether it's an LTE phone and is supported. When I gave them the IMEI they said it wasn't even coming up as a Samsung phone let alone LTE. It's listed as an unknown phone with 2G capabilities. I checked the IMEI on http://www.imei.info/ and it shows that it's a S8+ and everything checks out on that site as it does on my Samsung box.
My sister has an S8 too 955F and when AT&T checks hers, it comes up as a Samsung S8+.
I don't know if my having rooted the phone has anything to do with it (I'm guessing not because rooting doesn't change the IMEI) but could this be a fake? Should I return it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very well could be. Where did you buy it? Take a look at this thread.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s8+/help/s8-software-installation-problems-t3639259
If it has a mediatek processor and not a snapdragon or exynos it's definitely a fake.
AT&T does not have anything in their databases about international phones like the F model. When you call them and give them an IMEI of an S8 F model, they will not know anything about it, and their systems won't know what features it is capable of supporting. Ton get Volte working, you will have to flash the ATT CSC https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s8/samsung-galaxy-s8--s8-cross-device-development/utility-flashable-csc-selection-v1-1-0-t3636739 and keep calling them until you get a 2nd level tech support guy that is willing to go into the guts of their systems and place an IMEI of another ATT phone that has similar features. If you have another similar phone on your ATT account, they can use that IEMI to have their system figure out what features it supports. I believe they used a S7 that I used to have and that got Volte working - for a while anyway.
I have an unlocked S8+ phone Model G955U1 and was with AT&T. In the process of trying to get wifi calling (BTW, they don't provide this feature for unlocked phones, so I dumped them and went with T-Mobile), I asked them to verify the IMEI, they could not find it. Their IMEI data base lists only the phones they sell but not the factory unlocked ones or phones you buy somewhere else. I wouldn't count on AT&T and as ggrant3876 mentioned above, check your processor's make.
Flame Red said:
AT&T does not have anything in their databases about international phones like the F model. When you call them and give them an IMEI of an S8 F model, they will not know anything about it, and their systems won't know what features it is capable of supporting. Ton get Volte working, you will have to flash the ATT CSC https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s8/samsung-galaxy-s8--s8-cross-device-development/utility-flashable-csc-selection-v1-1-0-t3636739 and keep calling them until you get a 2nd level tech support guy that is willing to go into the guts of their systems and place an IMEI of another ATT phone that has similar features. If you have another similar phone on your ATT account, they can use that IEMI to have their system figure out what features it supports. I believe they used a S7 that I used to have and that got Volte working - for a while anyway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for replying. Funny, I never got notifications that anyone had replied.
Actually someone did add an IMEI for another similar AT&T phone.
Nothing about the phone seems fake, but when I gave them my sister's IMEI for a 955F they said it immediately came up in their system while my 955FD did not.
I'll review that thread to see if my phone would be negatively affected by the ATT CSC.
BTW, what happened to your voLTE that made it stop working?
Gratitudes!!
ggrant3876 said:
Very well could be. Where did you buy it? Take a look at this thread.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s8+/help/s8-software-installation-problems-t3639259
If it has a mediatek processor and not a snapdragon or exynos it's definitely a fake.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
None of these are applicable *whew*
The seed of doubt was planted when an AT&T rep told me it may be a fake even though I had not previously considered it.
Thanks for the link!!
TheBoozer said:
I have an unlocked S8+ phone Model G955U1 and was with AT&T. In the process of trying to get wifi calling (BTW, they don't provide this feature for unlocked phones, so I dumped them and went with T-Mobile), I asked them to verify the IMEI, they could not find it. Their IMEI data base lists only the phones they sell but not the factory unlocked ones or phones you buy somewhere else. I wouldn't count on AT&T and as ggrant3876 mentioned above, check your processor's make.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I feel better now, thanks! It shows Exynos 8895 and everything else seemed legit as well. I don't know why I listen to AT&T reps....
I never really liked the Wi-fi calling on my AT&T V20 and even without it, the voice clarity is wonderful.
one way to check is root , real us versions cant be rooted as its a snapdragon , so far our friends in china cant fake an s8 , just by looking at the screen will give it away , but before the years out iam sure they will have a better clone that could fool anyone.international models are always better also faster than the us versions as nd no crap ware from the carriers .
That lack of band 30 could be the issue regarding the slow LTE speeds
icydius said:
I bought an S8+ 955FD which seems to be genuine but when I contacted AT&T to get assistance with slow LTE speeds (I contacted them 2 months ago for the same reason when I was using an AT&T branded phone). Of course they ask for the IMEI to verify whether it's an LTE phone and is supported. When I gave them the IMEI they said it wasn't even coming up as a Samsung phone let alone LTE. It's listed as an unknown phone with 2G capabilities. I checked the IMEI on http://www.imei.info/ and it shows that it's a S8+ and everything checks out on that site as it does on my Samsung box.
My sister has an S8 too 955F and when AT&T checks hers, it comes up as a Samsung S8+.
I don't know if my having rooted the phone has anything to do with it (I'm guessing not because rooting doesn't change the IMEI) but could this be a fake? Should I return it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
not a fake dont worry and no rooting will have nothing to do with it, also you would easily be able to tell if you compared it to your sisters s8! the current s8+ fakes are the same size as the S8 theres nothing + about them haha, they may fool someone who has never handled an s8 or seen one irl but you would 100 percent be able to tell its a fake having handled a real one regardless if its the plus or not
Very easier to know is real or not, if Odin can't detect then it is fake. Fake one impossible can install Samsung own firmware.
I know my s8+ is a fake. I just need to know how to change imei number so I can use my phone. It came from China. He said it's supported by TMobile and at&t. I want to go with TMobile if possible. He sent me the pattern to call and change it,but I don't know what numbers to replace it with.
Cecejohns said:
I know my s8+ is a fake. I just need to know how to change imei number so I can use my phone. It came from China. He said it's supported by TMobile and at&t. I want to go with TMobile if possible. He sent me the pattern to call and change it,but I don't know what numbers to replace it with.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Changing imei numbers is illeagal in most contries. and You will find no help on XDA for such tasks
either way orig user solved his problem thread closed
Can't believe what I heard from the Sprint Reps today about my Locked Galaxy S7. They claim that the only way to unlock the device is to have an Active Sprint Sim Card so that I can successfully Update the Profile one last time after they unlock the device on their systems.
I got the phone used and person did not perform the unlock while their subscription was active, so I'm stuck with a 700 brick?
Don't have an *Active* Sprint SIM Card to perform this 2 minute operation that will result in an Unlocked G930P. Both Sprint Stores nearby refuse to allow me one of their testing SIM's or help in any way.
This is unbelievable. Heard online that Qualcomm S7's were invincible; truly seems the case. Can't believe they rather me pay some third party store 50 USD to unlock instead of charging me something like 20 USD to unlock after deactivation or something.
Tried flashing many versions etc only to find out after months of trial and error, calling many times both carriers (Sprint and T Mobile) and taking it to various Android Hardware Tech shops.
No one want to lend me their active sim cards to do this.. Apparently having the Sprint SIM Card inside and their last Profile Update seems actually really to be the only way to unlock.. Anyone have any information about this?
Is this the only way to really unlock the device? I actually have the damn MSLOCK code I got from Sprint directly but I can't find anywhere to input it and the Sprint Reps told me that for this model it is impossible to unlock with code like that because only they can unlock it via their "last final profile update" method.. So I wonder, why did they even give me this MSLOCK code then?
Still can't believe to such a degree that I posted this thread about it.
Ill viciously add that their customer service Reps tried to unsuccessfully brainwash me into thinking it was somehow T Mobile's fault that the UICC was locked.. Some lies about its their SIM Card's fault or something as if you are supposed to hand T Mobile a Locked Phone and expect it to work somehow. General population must really be oblivious to reality. Phone display clearly its not Unlocked under UICC, dont aggressively try to push the lie that phone's unlocked because your System " sais that it is" and you assume I don't know better than that. Then they sort of hold this grudge about it as they annoyingly interrupt everything you say repeating the same nonsense. Might have capacity to unlock with a Paid Sim Card however my phone is obviously not unlocked and its really annoying how they play this pychological thing out and act sort of angry if you know any better. Phone in my hands sais its locked, ive taken it to 5 places and they all say its locked and Ive gone through the process before with other phones when its UICC Unlocked it clearly sais UNLOCKED under UICC, not "Locked To Sprint Sim Cards"..
Sprint -10
Next its a Librem Linux Phone unbranded to any of these "phone companies" and with one of these new VOIP type services or something. along those lines.. If anyone got any recommendatiosn Ill gladly take them, Im done with the carrier mafia thing
Aren't they supposed to follow the FCC and Unlock my device even if my contract with them is over?
Can't they just send me the Update through a flashable odin file or email or OTA or anything?
If its just a profile update there should be a way to get the necessary flashable files and odin them into my phone shouldnt there?
**** SPRINT
http://www.keepcalmstudio.com/_gallery/152/2FOcGqn.png
Combination file and Samsung tools pro, Google it
Whether you get a carrier version or the factory unlocked U1 model, OEM unlock does not exist on this phone. So those in the US that were thinking of doing custom roms with this cheap new Android device, look elsewhere.
Samsung has blocked their bootloaders on U.S. phone variants for years now. The only way to unlock is with paid service unfortunately.
ShaDisNX255 said:
Samsung has blocked their bootloaders on U.S. phone variants for years now. The only way to unlock is with paid service unfortunately.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What service are you referring to? I'd love to unlock mine.
Jay1175 said:
What service are you referring to? I'd love to unlock mine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, it was located here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/sampwnd-usa-model-bl-unlock-info-u-u1-w.4201689/
But I guess it's temporarily closed until the person in charge returns. Usually it's not worth it for lower end phones since the unlock process can end up costing just as much as the phone tbh.
on some devices it takes 7 days for the oem unlock to show in developer options, have you tried the time and date hack to see if it shows
gav83collins said:
on some devices it takes 7 days for the oem unlock to show in developer options, have you tried the time and date hack to see if it shows
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This does not work on U.S. variants
SamPWNd is dead. Samsung patched it with firmware updates in 2021 (it is in the warnings not to install unpatched firware updates). The website is down. Unless they can find a new exploit in the new firmware, it is not possible.
Samsung has blocked BL unlock for a while. They seem to have shifted their target audience to a different group in recent years. If you really want BL unlock you should pick Pixel.
b1283822 said:
SamPWNd is dead. Samsung patched it with firmware updates in 2021 (it is in the warnings not to install unpatched firware updates). The website is down. Unless they can find a new exploit in the new firmware, it is not possible.
Samsung has blocked BL unlock for a while. They seem to have shifted their target audience to a different group in recent years. If you really want BL unlock you should pick Pixel.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it doesnt make sense from a business perspective, a regular audience doesnt even know about unlocking a bootloader, so they will be buying the phone regardless if samsungs advertising impress more than the competition, but for us lets say "power users" we know our warranty is void when we oem unlock, and buy making it easier to do it (oem unlock), they are more likely to shift more handsets to our side of the market, not only that but there is more chance of us breaking our devices which in turn gives them more income when we seek samsung official repairs or splash out on a new replacement, i really dont see the logic behind not allowing oem unlock unless its to test the abilities of the likes of chainfire in regards to exposing vulnerabilities
I bought the phone on sale just a few days before this thread was made (hoping to use it as a fun side-project / second phone to get back into modding- haven't been able to since my Note 5 since the Note 8 was locked). I had assumed getting a non-carrier one would be open but I haven't been able to get OEM Unlock to appear either : /. I even went with the A53 instead of A52 because I thought there was a better chance of having unlock on Exynos than Snapdragon. It's not too late to return but I'm still holding out hope someone can come up with something. I like Samsung hardware (for the most part) but without root... meh.
Willing to try ODINing tars and stuff if anyone has any ideas.
sidestream84 said:
I bought the phone on sale just a few days before this thread was made (hoping to use it as a fun side-project / second phone to get back into modding- haven't been able to since my Note 5 since the Note 8 was locked). I had assumed getting a non-carrier one would be open but I haven't been able to get OEM Unlock to appear either : /. I even went with the A53 instead of A52 because I thought there was a better chance of having unlock on Exynos than Snapdragon. It's not too late to return but I'm still holding out hope someone can come up with something. I like Samsung hardware (for the most part) but without root... meh.
Willing to try ODINing tars and stuff if anyone has any ideas.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exploits could take years to even begin to surface. S8 and S9 come to mind, but their root is so limited with locked bootloaders that it's almost not worth the hassle. I would return it to be honest or try and get an international variant imported. I've traveled to the U.S. with a Mexico variant phone and I got signal just fine, but I don't know how the internet speed compares if you use a U.S. SIM.
sidestream84 said:
I bought the phone on sale just a few days before this thread was made (hoping to use it as a fun side-project / second phone to get back into modding- haven't been able to since my Note 5 since the Note 8 was locked). I had assumed getting a non-carrier one would be open but I haven't been able to get OEM Unlock to appear either : /. I even went with the A53 instead of A52 because I thought there was a better chance of having unlock on Exynos than Snapdragon. It's not too late to return but I'm still holding out hope someone can come up with something. I like Samsung hardware (for the most part) but without root... meh.
Willing to try ODINing tars and stuff if anyone has any ideas.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I switched over from Pixel line just for a Samsung specific feature and a quick google had me certain I would be able to unlock the bootloader and root it. It sucks that its not the case, but I blame awful tech journalism. So many articles that claim their method will work for ALL devices in a family, or even ALL ANDROID devices period.
ShaDisNX255 said:
Exploits could take years to even begin to surface. S8 and S9 come to mind, but their root is so limited with locked bootloaders that it's almost not worth the hassle. I would return it to be honest or try and get an international variant imported. I've traveled to the U.S. with a Mexico variant phone and I got signal just fine, but I don't know how the internet speed compares if you use a U.S. SIM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Getting an international version isn't worth doing IMO because the 5G bands don't overlap the same way 4G does. I looked in to getting an international model but decided against it as it doesn't support one of the three 5G frequencies used in my town. I figure there's 0 chance of new frequencies being added to the hardware, but always a chance of finding a security flaw to unlock the bootloader.
there are still U.S. Bootloader unlock services, but as of right now the A53 is not supported.
and only certain versions of bootloaders are supported.
Not SamPWND