I am in Australia and have just recently bought an HTC M8 on eBay which was originally listed as new, and factory unlocked for $530. A few days later I found out it was actually rooted now unlocked, but was originally locked to Sprint. This was confirmed by a Sprint Connections application update etc, and the root was confirmed by the SuperSU app that was already installed in the phone. I'm recently confirmed this by the Root Checker app.
My phone's software is Android version 4.4.2, HTC Sense 6, software number 1.54.651.8, HTC SDK api LEVEL 6.17, PRI version 1.52_003, Kernel version [email protected] #1 SMP PREEMPT, Baseband version 1.05.20.0321_2.
The phone is pretty functional for everyday use except for the following issues:
- The internet network settings had to be manually obtained from my carrier as the phone did not automatically pick it up.
- The internet seems slower than usual (Signal strength -79 dBm 17-20 asu) compared to my old phone (Xperia Z1), despite the settings being specifically on 3G/UTMS mode which is faster than having it on Global Mode, and the required setting with my carrier Optus.
- I cannot access anything under System Updates. i.e. Update profile, Update PRL, UCICC Unlock and most importantly, HTC software update. This update takes >20minutes to search to no avail. This error message at times pops up when I try selecting Update profile: “vDM Client has stopped unexpectedly. An error report will be sent to HTC to help us improve our products”. This error screen would pop up intermittently when my internet didn't work but, I rarely see it now.
- Wifi would randomly switch on. I've turned off all system selections that may be caused on this. I haven’t tried booting my phone into safe mode to determine if an app is causing this.
I don't know much about phones (I had no idea what rooting was until I looked it up to get a rough idea), so I'm wondering if you experts could be some advice
I'm planning on keeping the phone for about 2 years and wondering what issues I may receive from having a rooted phone with the already above issues? Would the phone play up more? Can I use my current android version for that period relatively smoothly?
I am able to return my phone for a full refund but I don't have a spare phone and don't want to go in to the hassle of doing so if I can keep the phone (I would prefer to leave them negative feedback on eBay to be honest ). What do you guys think?
Thanks in advance for any asisstance.
Update your phone to android 4. 4. 4
Sent from my SM-G530H using XDA Free mobile app
Just reflash the stock rom and relock the bootloader and everything should be fine.
I recently bought a Galaxy S5 G900P tied to Sprint but for FreedomPop. It's not locked to any plan. Once I got it I rooted it and set up the Exodus ROM. I like it without all the bloatware. It works fine for most everything. But I can't get it to access Secret Codes.
I've research the Internet, even watched YouTube videos as someone goes through each number press and shows actually getting the results. I use the native dialer, do the exact same thing and all I get is if I want to add it to my contacts. Either there's some secret hidden button no one's talking about or my phone has a problem.
Please understand one other thing. I've worked with, programmed, tested, and built computers since the old 8086s, but I'm a total newbie when it comes to these tiny contraptions. I don't even know how to SMS or whatever that is so, please, be patient and kind.
Flash a stock based ROM, like MOAR. The creator of your ROM doesn't have the necessary apk to make the secret codes work. I believe the apk is something like HiddenMenu.apk.
The secret codes only work on stock based ROMs I believe.
Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk
what he said. tw or custom roms based on stock will have hidden menu apk as a system app
ie: to increase your wifi power to 10 for better wifi reception you would pres *#0011# then hit the menu key (left of home button) and you'll see power save is on by default (power save is set to 7) you can click it and turn it off and exit and your wifi will pick up exceptionally better and it really dont hurt the battery. so TW based stock roms are the best IMO. Moars 7. is the best out there by a mile everything is unlocked and working every function the phone can do and moar. lol
Moar 7.0 doesnt have the usb menu enabled,but the rom is awesome.
Awhile back my S5 became bricked, stuck in a boot-loop. (Had previously rooted and tried unsuccessfully to unroot... ) Sought help from FreedomPop and Samsung, neither of which would (or could) hook me up with a reload of the factory firmware. (Freedompop customer service was most unhelpful, other than to tell me what they couldn't and/or wouldn't do for me. ) Therefore, I dug up a Sprint firmware on the Samsung site, ROM version MMB29M.G900PVPU3CPH3, Baseband version G900PVPU3CPH3, and flashed it, which fixed everything but my phone stuff, I'm guessing due to CDMA/CSC being Sprint's or somesuch? Recently, after upgrading to FreedomPop's Premium Voice, CDMA was apparently updated and the phone worked for a bit, until I ran "soft dial reset", which I think probably reverted back to Sprint's CDMA settings?.? Anyway, after stopping and restarting the Premium Voice service, now my phone can make outgoing calls again, but now receives no calls. (I can call myself and hear continual ringing instead of a busy signal, having not activated voicemail.)
Bottom line, I'd love to quit all this noise, reload the factory Freedompop ROMware, and get back to a stock phone which works. Trouble is, I can't find the firmware. Can anyone steer me to a link where I can download it (I think I know how to load it once I have it), or to a place (such as BestBuy, etc.) who can reload it for me? I'd rather do it myself, but if that's not possible, where can I have it done?
Alternately, I don't mind continuing to run the Sprint Android 6.01 but then would like to know how to correct the phone settings (CDMA/CSC etc.) from Sprint to whatever my FreedomPop account is looking for. Any and all suggestions to return my phone to good working order are highly appreciated!
935U FIRMWARE
Those of you on Sprint that have been locked into the Sprint only firmware now can go back to the beloved U firmware...or flash a carrier firmware of your choice. If you are still on b4, I would stay, but if not, now is the chance to install the U firmware.
Check your bootloader before installing, you may not be able to install carrier firmware afterwards.
I'll put the files in this Google Drive folder
1. Download Odin3_v3.13.1_3B_PatcheD.zip
2. Download SM-G935UB.zip (this is about 3 gigs)
3. Extract both zips
4. Open Odin
5. Place the files from SM-G935Ub9.zip into the correct BL, AP, CP, CSC blanks.
6. Put phone into download mode (power, home, volume down)
7. Connect phone to computer. Odin should now say phone is added. If not, install the Samsung phone drivers
8. Press START. This process will take about 10 minutes
9. Phone will reboot with new U firmware and Oreo installed.
AdHell AdBlocker
1. Download two apk files from this folder
2. You need a Samsung Key
Sign in here with your Samsung account.
Go here to view your keys or generate new ones.
Click on Generate License Key. (Left corner)
Go to Samsung SDK section.
Select Development license key
Give the key a name in Add a key alias
Press Generate license key
Copy the key. The key should start with KLM
I copied it into Google Keep 3. Install and Open the other apk that isn't adh3v3.1.1.236_79a11719.apk
4. Select an APK File
5. Go to the file name adh3v3.1.1.236_79a11719.apk
6. Click Common Edit
7. Change the package name to com.XXXXXXXX.XXXXXXXXX replace the Xs with random letter/numbers. remember the first set has 8 replacements and the second set has 9.
8. Press Save
10. Click Install
11. Give permissions if asked
12. Click Enable Admin inside Adhell
13. For the code, put in the KLM key you just created
14. Accept the Samsung terms
15. Adhell should be working
HotSpot
1. download the QuickShortcutMaker app from the playstore.
2. Search for lte
3. Expand com.test.LTEfunctionality
4. Click on the new com.test.LTEfunctionality
5. Press Try
6. Scroll to LTE APN Settings
7. Click APN2 LTE internet (may be different outside of sprint)
8. Scroll to APN Type
9. Add " ,dun " The line should show read < default,mms,dun >
10. Click 3 dots to save
________________________________________________________________________________
Old Stuff
The "U" Firmware will work on any G930 Galaxy S7 (basically, USA variants) and is the Samsung Galaxy Touchwiz OS without carrier bloat. There is Samsung Bloat, but some can be uninstalled or disabled with a program like Package Disabler Pro or just disable it under application manager.
This should not trip Knox and will allow you to flash back to your original stock firmware. Warranty should not void, but I'm not responsible for bricked devices, exploding batteries, crying babies, Earth crushing meteors. If you have a question, best to ask it first!
There is an OTA to PG9 after you install this firmware. Feel free to upgrade after you flash this!
Installation:
1. Download
Updato Firmware Website or Sammobile Firmware Website or PL2 Firmware Google Drive (post 365 for MD5)
2. Extract files. May be best to download files over a wired connection!
3. Open ODIN and place the BL; AP; CP; CSC from the rar in the corresponding slots.
4. Place phone in download mode. Power + Vol Down + Home
5. Connect Phone to computer
6. Odin should recognize your phone. If not, you need to download and install the Samsung Driver Files
7. Press Start
8. It should flash the "U" Firmware.
____________________________________________________
Pit Mapping Error Fix
1. Download the Pit File Here
1a. You will have to down the Sprint PE1 firmware from Pit File Here or Pit File Here
The bootloader changed from v3 to v4 after the PGx update. If you are going to odin the latest firmware, you shouldn't have any issue. Going back to PGx to PCx/PEH will require this.
2. In Odin click the tab that says "Pit"
3. Odin will pull up a Warning dialogue. Click ok.
4. Click the long rectangular "Pit" button to select the pit file
5. Select the file that says "HEROQLTE_USA_SPR.pit" from the files you downloaded from my link.
6. With the pit file nw included, Add the AP, CP, and CSC files again and flash. (may need to reboot and go back into download mode)
7. Now odin the older 'U' firmware
____________________________________________
You cannot root this firmware with the Sprint model. Here are some apps that will give you some root/xposed features without them.
HotSpot
1. Download Shortcut Master Lite
2. Search for LTEfunctionality
3. Click on com.test.LTEfunctionality
4. Launch
5. Scroll down to LTE APN Setting
6. Add " ,dun " to APN2 LTE and EHRPD internet under APN type. That line should read default, mms, dun when you finish.
7. Native Hotspot should work. You may have to do this hack again if you update Profile.
Ad Blockers
None of these block ads on Youtube completely. Some will let you route through their servers to filter ads on Youtube via a VPN.
1. Adhell Uses Samsung Knox to block ads and trackers. Blocks most things on webpages and apps (no youtube), but saves a ton a battery since it doesn't require VPN. Also, it is FREE and well supported!
2. Disconnect Pro Similar to Adhell, but a paid app. Search the Galaxy App Store to buy it. Uses Samsung Knox too.
3. Ad Guard. Best I've used, but is a paid app for the good features.
4. AdClear. Some have had success with this, I've had mixed results.
5. BlockThis! Works well, but caused issues on some webpages.
Youtube Ads
This doesn't block ads, but it does silent and auto skip them. Cygery
Skip Tracks With Volume Keys
1. Frinky Music Controller Allows you to skip tracks with screen off.
2. Noyze Not sure if still being developed, but works. Let's you skip tracks by long pressing with screen off.
Voicemail Issue
I use Google Voice, so this worked for me. It is/was free to integrate your number with Google Voice...highly recommend if they still do it.
Install this apk for Sprint Visual Voicemail apk It will give you an error, but will take away the annoying voicemail notification. Then you can just hide the notification in the android settings and your problem will be solved. May work if you have regular voicemail, but probably not since it needs to write to system.
Doze Related
Remember to whitelist apps you want running in the background...like Pandora, Google Music, etc. I would leave them off at first and if it cuts off when the screen is off, you need to white list it.
For me, these both work best together and I saw a difference running both as opposed to either solely.
1. ForceDoze puts your phone into doze mode without the motion detectors and 30 minute wait. Great app! Does require you to install adb (adb installer) since you have to run a command to get it to run properly. Check Disable motion sensing and turn off while charging
2. Greenify The auto hibernation works great if we had root, but we don't. It works, but can be extremely annoying at times and can drain battery because it may continuously try to force stop/close an app you greenify. Plus, it will take a few seconds to re-unlock your phone immediately after you turn off the screen. However, I use it with force doze for the aggressive doze. I saw a difference in battery life by using them both.
Other Tips
Besides the obvious of gmail/facebook/whatspp/twitter/snapchat syncing
1. Turn off wi-fi scanning
2. Back up my data for Samsung and Google under back up and reset
3. Turn off some features under advanced features in settings...for example, palm swipe to capture if you never use it
4. Location History under Location
5. Change locating method...I leave mine on GPS, wi-fi, mobile, but some people want more battery life and turn it off.
6. Turn on developer options and change animations to 0.5
7. Turn off Always on Display under settings > display. I like it, so I leave it on...but takes about 2% an hour
Old stuff
Has anyone tried the 930U firmware for our Sprint phones (930P)? They seem to have success with it (935U) over at the Sprint S7 Edge forums.
On the Edge forums, they said you can root, but it messes with LTE/call abilities. However, it removes all Sprint bloatware and apparently allows for hotspot tethering.
According to the Edge forums, it is the universal firmware, so it should work on any qualcomm chipset phone. The firmware is for the Galaxy S7 Special Edition ( Link to Sprint site about it )
Anyway, here is the thread on the AT&T forum about it if you are interested. Didn't see a thread or info about here, so I was just wondering.
1. Download
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B17W2gA_VROXV0M1NTZSaUxaajQ/vieworhttps://mega.nz/#!Gp9gXYKY!CQV9FcZTiW7wf9vUeEtUck-5mF_QOQFy-vbcjRrd5kA
http://forum.xda-developers.com/att-galaxy-s7/how-to/xda-community-love-g930u-t3415875
Credit for links above (let me know if I left you out):
Ae3NerdGod
Tom Barrasso
Snoop05
cygery
Suyash Srijan
epicman_1200
turbozapekanka
jrkruse
micallan_17
If you have a good tip or trick, let me know and I'll add it to the OP for easy reference.
Second Post for random questions/answers:
1. Is it multi-csc? Yes, it should support any US carrier if your phone is carrier unlocked
2. Wifi Calling/VoLTE supported? Wifi Calling=yes; VoLTE=not sure, sprint doesn't support it.
3. Are XXX bands used with my carrier unlocked? All bands with major US carriers appear to be working. You can follow this guide for unlocking additional LTE bands to confirm or unlock more international bands. Change the dial code for the USB settings to ##3424#
It's all good
I can also confirm this is multi-csc. I just loaded it to my Sprint S7 Edge (SM-G935P) and everything is just like it was before (except for new firmware version!). Just use the HOME_CSC file when you flash in Odin and everything will be fine. I always wondered why Samsung released carrier versions of "Unlocked" firmware. Unlocked is unlocked. It's not carrier specific. I never had the nerve to try flashing any of the other carrier versions of the "U" firmware, until now. It's all good. Also, security patch level is October 1, 2018. And hotspot/Shortcut Master APN editing still works as before.
This should really be a boon to all the people with Sprint phone models stuck on higher bootloader versions of carrier firmware. Now you can finally get some unlocked goodness!
Enjoy!
Cooljb said:
I can also confirm this is multi-csc. I just loaded it to my Sprint S7 Edge (SM-G935P) and everything is just like it was before (except for new firmware version!). Just use the HOME_CSC file when you flash in Odin and everything will be fine. I always wondered why Samsung released carrier versions of "Unlocked" firmware. Unlocked is unlocked. It's not carrier specific. I never had the nerve to try flashing any of the other carrier versions of the "U" firmware, until now. It's all good. Also, security patch level is October 1, 2018. And hotspot/Shortcut Master APN editing still works as before.
This should really be a boon to all the people with Sprint phone models stuck on higher bootloader versions of carrier firmware. Now you can finally get some unlocked goodness!
Enjoy!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you on Sprint? Wifi Calling works with Sprint, but since Sprint doesn't have VoLTE, I can't test that. Yeah, I switched from Shortcut Master Lite to Quick Shortcut Maker because the former was removed from the play store.
Thanks for confirming!
lvpre said:
Are you on Sprint? Wifi Calling works with Sprint, but since Sprint doesn't have VoLTE, I can't test that. Yeah, I switched from Shortcut Master Lite to Quick Shortcut Maker because the former was removed from the play store.
Thanks for confirming!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I'm on Sprint. I didn't know they had removed Shortcut Master (Lite) from the Play Store. I've just had it forever. I'd seen others mention using Quick Shortcut Maker as well. I might give it a try just for kicks. It obviously works similarly to Shortcut Master.
Cheers.
Been waiting on this a while, thanks OP for posting and hosting on GDrive!!
FYI - I wasn't sure the difference between the CSC and Home_CSC so I looked it up:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=68763638&postcount=2
let's say you wanna update your phone without wiping the data u have on it. you use the home csc. If u have custom recovery and custom rom and you wanna go back to stock firmware you flash the csc file.
rocket321 said:
Been waiting on this a while, thanks OP for posting and hosting on GDrive!!
FYI - I wasn't sure the difference between the CSC and Home_CSC so I looked it up:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=68763638&postcount=2
let's say you wanna update your phone without wiping the data u have on it. you use the home csc. If u have custom recovery and custom rom and you wanna go back to stock firmware you flash the csc file.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're welcome. I would probably use the csc because of the difference, but only a suggestion
lvpre said:
You're welcome. I would probably use the csc because of the difference, but only a suggestion
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used CSC for a full wipe and the flash worked with no problems. Doing the google auto-restore so it will be downloading apps for a while but everything is looking good so far. LTE data on Sprint & SMS messaging both working as expected right out of the gate.
rocket321 said:
I used CSC for a full wipe and the flash worked with no problems. Doing the google auto-restore so it will be downloading apps for a while but everything is looking good so far. LTE data on Sprint & SMS messaging both working as expected right out of the gate.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WiFi calling works too, but it is in the phone settings app. You can also sideload the Sprint voicemail app too
lvpre said:
WiFi calling works too, but it is in the phone settings app. You can also sideload the Sprint voicemail app too
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you have a source for the Sprint voicemail app/apk?
Cooljb said:
Do you have a source for the Sprint voicemail app/apk?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Let me know if this works and I'll add it to the OP:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1uSGjlM1AlV6W8XFofVpbd1YnBZsah-Iq
lvpre said:
Let me know if this works and I'll add it to the OP:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1uSGjlM1AlV6W8XFofVpbd1YnBZsah-Iq
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried, but could not get it to work. None of the test voicemails I left ever showed up in the app. I tried restarting my phone but still nothing. I've tried to get it to work before and have never been successful. It's just as well anyway. Why in the world does a voicemail app need access to my location???!!! I hate apps that ask for broad, unnecessary permissions. That's why I don't run the Sprint firmware on my phone. What a horrible bloated mess it is. I don't see how people put up with all that crap on their phones. So many useless background processes running for all the bloatware that you can't uninstall. No thanks.
Thanks to Package Disabler Pro, I have a grand total of 11 processes running at any given time on my phone. And it runs fast and smooth, like it's supposed to. No lag, no stuttering ever. It really is a crime what carriers (and even Samsung) do with loading all their crapware on their phones.
Just curious, are you able to use this app on your phone with the U firmware? Did you have to jump through any hoops to make it work?
Cooljb said:
I tried, but could not get it to work. None of the test voicemails I left ever showed up in the app. I tried restarting my phone but still nothing. I've tried to get it to work before and have never been successful. It's just as well anyway. Why in the world does a voicemail app need access to my location???!!! I hate apps that ask for broad, unnecessary permissions. That's why I don't run the Sprint firmware on my phone. What a horrible bloated mess it is. I don't see how people put up with all that crap on their phones. So many useless background processes running for all the bloatware that you can't uninstall. No thanks.
Thanks to Package Disabler Pro, I have a grand total of 11 processes running at any given time on my phone. And it runs fast and smooth, like it's supposed to. No lag, no stuttering ever. It really is a crime what carriers (and even Samsung) do with loading all their crapware on their phones.
Just curious, are you able to use this app on your phone with the U firmware? Did you have to jump through any hoops to make it work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use google voice and forward to it for voicemail. Yeah, I just did a little research and apparently unlocked editions (Sprint calls them Special Editions) of the S7 and S8 have to use the old fashion voicemail because the system is only provision to work with the S9. Simple fix by Sprint, but then again..... I read a small lead about a tech who could reset something in the system to change it from the current system back to the old 9016 method. I'll check more into it. Sorry about it not working.
lvpre said:
I use google voice and forward to it for voicemail. Yeah, I just did a little research and apparently unlocked editions (Sprint calls them Special Editions) of the S7 and S8 have to use the old fashion voicemail because the system is only provision to work with the S9. Simple fix by Sprint, but then again..... I read a small lead about a tech who could reset something in the system to change it from the current system back to the old 9016 method. I'll check more into it. Sorry about it not working.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for trying anyway. :good:
Works great
Thanks very much for this. I loaded the this firmware on my SM-G935P and it works great with no problems at all. I put an activated AT&T sim card and an activated Tracfone sim card in my G935P with this firmware. Both were automatically configured with the correct bands when the phone booted up and everything I have checked seems to work perfectly and very fast with very little bloatware. Thanks again
Will it work with the cellphone above v4 Binary?
Will it work with the cellphone above v4 Binary?
coz i have updated the mobile and i m pretty sure that it updated my binary version too.
now i have to go back to U firmware will this work? or im still stuck with this?
mayocube said:
Will it work with the cellphone above v4 Binary?
coz i have updated the mobile and i m pretty sure that it updated my binary version too.
now i have to go back to U firmware will this work? or im still stuck with this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, this will work if you are above b4. If you are on b4, I would stay, but this will get you out of the Sprint screw job on that.
RCS features not working on U firmware?
Flashed U firmware just today and i was wondering if anyone else was able to get the RCS features to work? When i was previously on sprint firmware it was working just fine but now i see no option for the chat messages setting in the messages app. Everything else seems to be working though. Data and wifi calling. No bloatware!
izzy0101 said:
Flashed U firmware just today and i was wondering if anyone else was able to get the RCS features to work? When i was previously on sprint firmware it was working just fine but now i see no option for the chat messages setting in the messages app. Everything else seems to be working though. Data and wifi calling. No bloatware!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you still with Sprint? I'm using Android messages app by Google. It supports RCS on Sprint.
lvpre said:
Are you still with Sprint? I'm using Android messages app by Google. It supports RCS on Sprint.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes i am. I'm also using Google messages but the default messages app doesn't seem to have the same features.