T-Mobile US is running a promotion where you get this phone for "free" when you attach it to a line after trading in an old phone. The gotchas are:
The phone you are trading in must:
Not be stolen/locked
Not have a Cracked Screen
Not have water damage
Have a valid IMEI
For ESN/MEID phones, generate your IMEI here: https://www.imei.info/calc
Turn on (It may need to fully boot as they grabbed the IMEI from the Dialer)
The must be attached to an active voice rate plan line
Pay Taxes and Fees (was ~$41usd for me)
Pay your monthly bill for 24 months or you will have to pay the difference upto $282usd
Up to 4 devices per account (must have 4 lines)
More info found on this page: https://www.t-mobile.com/coverage/e...MO_P_HOMETOWN_Q8D0X5TZQIWIM1P724532_HP#offers
Trade-in process in a T-Mobile store worked well for me last Sunday. I traded in three old phones, after carefully removing any google account information from each. Factory resets don't remove this information. It has to be done manually when you reboot after the factory reset.
However, as stated above, you must have clean old phones that boot up to the main screen. The IMEI is checked and verified for each phone you trade-in.
There is a lot of verification done. For example, they will confirm that the old phone can be used on the T-Mobile network using the IMEI. They will scan your driver's license a couple of times. They will check every line on your account with you to make certain that the correct line is involved. To help them, I put a sticker on the back of each old phone with the IMEI on it. They did not trust the stickers, however. In most cases, I had to instruct the T-Mobile clerk on how to boot up the old phones and how to access the IMEI information. The clerk simply did not know how to boot up the old phones. Don't assume that he does.
From my viewpoint having completed the process for 3 lines, I strongly suggest you go to a T-Mobile store in person to do the trade-in. They will have lots of questions, and, if you mail it in, the answer will probably be, it doesn't qualify.
scottyrick2 said:
Trade-in process in a T-Mobile store worked well for me last Sunday. I traded in three old phones, after carefully removing any google account information from each. Factory resets don't remove this information. It has to be done manually when you reboot after the factory reset.
However, as stated above, you must have clean old phones that boot up to the main screen. The IMEI is checked and verified for each phone you trade-in.
There is a lot of verification done. For example, they will confirm that the old phone can be used on the T-Mobile network using the IMEI. They will scan your driver's license a couple of times. They will check every line on your account with you to make certain that the correct line is involved. To help them, I put a sticker on the back of each old phone with the IMEI on it. They did not trust the stickers, however. In most cases, I had to instruct the T-Mobile clerk on how to boot up the old phones and how to access the IMEI information. The clerk simply did not know how to boot up the old phones. Don't assume that he does.
From my viewpoint having completed the process for 3 lines, I strongly suggest you go to a T-Mobile store in person to do the trade-in. They will have lots of questions, and, if you mail it in, the answer will probably be, it doesn't qualify.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Factory resets have always removed my Google info on prob 100+ devices I've done it to. The only time I've seen that the accounts are not removed is when factory reseting in recovery mode.
The phone doesnt need to be compatible on the T-Mobile network. People are trading in old AMPS/Analog phones thats been gone for a very long time.
hyelton said:
Factory resets have always removed my Google info on prob 100+ devices I've done it to. The only time I've seen that the accounts are not removed is when factory reseting in recovery mode.
The phone doesnt need to be compatible on the T-Mobile network. People are trading in old AMPS/Analog phones thats been gone for a very long time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to remove your Google accounts before the factory reset. It will still require your Google password otherwise after the reset.
blackhawk said:
You need to remove your Google accounts before the factory reset. It will still require your Google password otherwise after the reset.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only if you reset via recovery. If you reset from the settings of the phone it does not. Test it yourself. As long as its not some obsecure phone model, 100% guarantee it does not.
hyelton said:
Only if you reset via recovery. If you reset from the settings of the phone it does not. Test it yourself. As long as its not some obsecure phone model, 100% guarantee it does not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol I made that former mistake returning a new 10+ once and it was fun
So if it in settings that won't (hopefully) happen?
I simply have no use for that kind of security.
Google is the #1 security risk
blackhawk said:
Lol I made that former mistake returning a new 10+ once and it was fun
So if it in settings that won't (hopefully) happen?
I simply have no use for that kind of security.
Google is the #1 security risk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doing it via settings it shouldn't happen. If its a samsung and logged into a samsung account it does need to be connected via data or wifi and enter the samsung account password, otherwise just a google account no issues with resetting.
hyelton said:
Doing it via settings it shouldn't happen. If its a samsung and logged into a samsung account it does need to be connected via data or wifi and enter the samsung account password, otherwise just a google account no issues with resetting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you. Will the Samsung account do the same thing? Knox is nothing but trouble.
Meh, I like my phones to be dumb...
omega552003 said:
T-Mobile US is running a promotion where you get this phone for "free" when you attach it to a line after trading in an old phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for helping others by posting this information which I took advantage of.
A few more details I found out after getting the phone are that you can talk T-Mobile USA out of charging you a few of the (somewhat hidden so-called nominal) fees given they didn't charge me them (they only charged me the state tax on the $282 estimated MSRP) for the 64GB Samsung Galaxy A32 5G (Model SM-A326U).
You either call them up or visit a store or use your T-Mobile account online to order the "upgrade"
If you do not have or use your T-Mobile account online then you can talk them out of charging you the $20 (I did) but you have to have a good excuse - otherwise the only way to save that $20 charge is to do it online (they will walk you through the process on the phone though and not charge you).
Also you can talk them out of the $5.99 shipping & handling fee if you come up with a good excuse (ask me how I know this).
But if you don't talk them out of the nominal charges, the cost to you is:
State sales tax on the $282 MSRPP
$6 shipping & handling
$20 for ordering at a brick-and-mortar store or ordering via telephone support personnel
They send you a link to print a two-page PDF, the first page of which is essentially a generic checklist of what to do and the second page of which is specific to your trade-in device which contains three things.
The USPS free shipping label that goes on the outside of the box
The description of your trade-in phone that goes inside the box
An optional receipt for your records
You have to find your own box to ship back the old phone (or you can use the brown cardboard box that the new phone came in if you want. Don't worry the new phone comes with its own white box so you don't need the brown cardboard outside box.)
As stated in the OP, they told me you can trade in as many as four phones but each trade-in phone has to be in its own box with its own receipt inside and its own label on the outside.
You stick the receipt inside the box, along with your old phone, turned off but with the battery in place, and you stick a shipping label on the outside of the box.
When you go to the US Post Office to drop it off you can ask for a receipt from the Post Office and they will print one out (and email it to you if you like). You do not need to insure the shipment - you have to trust the US Post Office that they won't go postal on your package (so I snapped a photo at the post office, just in case).
You will get a series of texts from T-Mobile telling you the status such as these I received:
"Your T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S3 White with serial number 1234567890 has been received and is currently being processed. For trade-in details, go to t-mo.co/mytradein01"
And then... the somewhat scary zero-dollar indicator...
T-Mobile has applied a device trade-in credit of $0 to your Equipment Installation Plan for your Samsung Galaxy S3 White. Please visit t-mo.co/order01 for details or call 611.
And finally... the reassuring word "complete"...
T-Mobile promo msg: The trade-in for line 2015551212 is complete and will receive a monthly bill credit for the 2021 Samsung Trade P7 promotion as long as you maintain eligibility & service. For details, go to t-mo.co/tradein01To expand further upon the terms and conditions it seems you have one month to send the tradin where they will nag you by text a few times if you procrastinate (ask me how I know this).
They don't want your charger or your cables or your SIM card or sdcard. They only want the phone which has to be complete and in a single unit all put together as a single item (phone + battery + the battery cover for example).
As was stated in the OP, they told me your old phone must work which they define as "being able to make a call" (even though it won't have a SIM card in it most likely). It doesn't matter what network, nor if it's old technology (some bands no longer even exist, I think).
However, the phone must be "undamaged" in so much as the screen can be scratched but not broken or cracked or washed out. There must not be water damage but the back and front can be scratched and dented as long as it's not major damage. The battery just has to have enough charge to power up the phone (as mine hadn't been charged in over a decade or so and wasn't even the original battery anyway).
In my situation the back cover was a different color than the phone and they said that's ok but that they'd note their pre-approval in the records.
Interestingly they say the phone must not be locked to a PIN but mine was locked to a PIN that I've long forgotten. After attempting all the old PINs I could think of, I called them back in exasperation to ask how to wipe out the PIN.
Thankfully they told me they'd note in the records that the phone is locked to a PIN and that those notes would inform the people checking the phone that it's OK that it's locked to a personal PIN.
Just to be clear this is a different "lock" than a carrier lock. My trade-in was a T-Mobile locked phone but they said the carrier lock status didn't matter to them (i.e., it could have been carrier locked to Verizon or AT&T and it wouldn't have mattered).
When I asked what happens if they don't approve the trade-in phone, I received various answers each time I called (which is the bane of all customer support queries) but the general answer was that they'd give us a chance to rectify the problem with another battery (if it was overbloated for example) or with another phone if necessary.
Although one person I asked said they'd have to cancel the order and start fresh with a new order - so if this happens to you that they don't approve your trade-in when they test it out - then let us know how they handled it - as that was my biggest worry given I had to punch a hole in the battery with a pin to let out the bloat just so that I could get the back cover to barely stay on as I had scrambled to find a back that fit (it was the wrong color) and I had it locked to a personal PIN, etc., any or all of which are faults which you'd expect in a 10 year old phone that has been sitting in a drawer waiting to be deemed useful again (just like The Brave Little Toaster was finally found useful after years of neglect).
Just a heads up. I traded in two Tracfone Alcatel MyFlip Phones bought on Amazon for 9.99$. They didn't give me any issues so network locked isn't a problem (opposed to the 'make a call on T-Mobile Network' above). I just wanted a backup phone since my current backup is a Samsung Galaxy SII (and my daily-driver for the moment a Galaxy S5).
Also, I 'd probably just do the request online. You save the 20$ fee from the store, and the 6$ shipping is more than what your time is likely worth per how much of a hassle and time consuming it seems to be to do it in person.
Besides that, GalaxyA325G's post perfectly reflects my experience and I couldn't explain it any better. Still not sure what exactly I should do with these phones (backups, as a standalone mp3, etc), but I do hope sooner or later they can be rooted and ROM'd. Time will tell.
My trade-in with 1 Tracfone Alcatel MyFlip Phone went was successful as well on Monday. I'll end up doing one more soon as well now too.
Related
I searched over the XDA forums but I couldn't find anything similar to this.
Basically, I had a perfectly working Captivate. I got it from Rogers through a hardware upgrade. Long story short, it got a scratch on it and I wasn't too pleased. It wasn't a big deal to me or anything but if I wanted to sell it in the future it would definitely devalue it significantly. My cousin didn't care though, so I sold it to him. I ended up getting another Captivate as sort of a gift from a friend who had a bunch of gift cards to Future Shop or some store (I paid the difference).
Problem is, my phone is now completely bricked. I followed the tutorials here very closely, they were awesome. The phone is rooted as well. I was using odin try to flash the phone but it never succeeded. The first time I was able to get passed the download screen, and then to some menu and the phone got to the rogers load screen, but then after that it failed. Since then the phone would get stuck at the computer with the cell phone screen. That wasn't a problem to bypass and get to the download screen (there were 2 combos you could use: put in battery/volume down/power or plug in USB/Battery/both volume buttons and power/release volume up). The final attempt happened when using odin I used the proper 512 pit file and the correct PDA file. The phone was recognized by my computer and showed up in Odin (com3). I clicked start, the blue progress bar appeared on the phone and it looked like it was going well. Then all of a sudden the screen turned bright blue and just stopped completely. Then it turned off. And now its completely unresponsive. No combination of batter/USB/power/volume button works at all, it's dead.
Long story short, I spoke with a Rogers tech. He tried to help me out but couldn't do anything. He told me that he'll ship me a new Captivate which I received. He also asked me for my IMEI number, and I gave him the number of my original phone that I sold to my cousin. I'm not sure why I gave him that one, I had the original box in front of me and I just read that, plus I thought that this number is like my ID with rogers or something, I don't know.
Anyways, this phone that I have, because it's a third party phone, rooted, and completely dead, can I send it back or should I just pay for the phone they sent me? Should I take the risk and send it back? My cousin said we can just replace the sticker that has the IMEI number from his phone with my phone, but I don't know about that. If we did that, and Samsung found out, what's the worst that could happen :x Sounds shady...Plus, would Rogers care if the phone I send back is not the original one that I got through them, even though it is a captivate that is with Rogers?
I'm afraid that if we replace the sticker, sure if Rogers looks at that to make sure its my original phone it would get passed them since you can't even turn my phone on...but once it gets to Samsung, can't they look at the internal IMEI number and if they compare that to the sticker....owned?
Thanks
My vote would be to send in the bricked phone. The Rogers tech guy knew that your phone was bricked, so sending in a bricked phone shouldn't be a problem.
If they ask you why it has a different IMEI number than the one you gave them, just explain that you grabbed the wrong box.
Not with rogers but I changed my mind on which of our three I wanted to return to at&t after talking with them and providing my imei number. I originally wanted to warranty mine but decided to send in the wifes because her screen was developing a strange clarity issue. Never heard anything from them on the issue. I would definitely not recommend you trying to swap stickers.
Do NOT tamper with the IMEI number (sticker swapping included). Tampering with it is illegal...
Swapping the sticker will not change the contents of the files inside of /efs which have the IMEI both in plain text and encoded.
Ah thanks for the replies everyone, that was so quick.
I guess my main concern is that if Rogers looks at the IMEI number on my phone sticker, and realizes that its not the same as my original phones that I got through Rogers, they'll send it back. Is that the case, or does my warranty transfer over to my new phone? I'm not even sure if this is a warranty issue though since its definitely passed the 30 day period. Is there a warranty deal that Samsung specifically has with its customers, specifically pertaining to bricking as a result of software upgrades?
Or is this not as much a Rogers issue as it is a Samsung issue? I wish I understood how the process worked...for all I know, my phone has already been approved for shipment to Samsung, so as soon as Rogers receives it, they just send it over to Samsung and they don't care about those details pertaining to a persons Rogers account.
But I'm sure a lot of people are in the situation where they no longer have the original phone they received from their provider, and purchased one from a third party dealer, and something happens to it...what is their condition?
James, I think the reasoning for wanting to switch the sticker was because Rogers knows that the original phones IMEI number is as such, and because they can't turn the phone one they would probably just glance at the number on the label, and then send it off to Samsung. So I was wondering maybe I should call Rogers and tell them I gave them the wrong number? If I do that then, again, would they say that because the phone I"m sending in is not the original one they can't send a replacement and so I'd have to pay for it?
newter55 said:
Not with rogers but I changed my mind on which of our three I wanted to return to at&t after talking with them and providing my imei number. I originally wanted to warranty mine but decided to send in the wifes because her screen was developing a strange clarity issue. Never heard anything from them on the issue. I would definitely not recommend you trying to swap stickers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply, that was a great help. Did you have to send it back in your original box for your phone?
The way it works here is you return your phone in the package they sent the refurb in. Just the phone, no cords, battery, etc.
Integrity.
problem? said:
Ah thanks for the replies everyone, that was so quick.
I guess my main concern is that if Rogers looks at the IMEI number on my phone sticker, and realizes that its not the same as my original phones that I got through Rogers, they'll send it back. Is that the case, or does my warranty transfer over to my new phone? I'm not even sure if this is a warranty issue though since its definitely passed the 30 day period. Is there a warranty deal that Samsung specifically has with its customers, specifically pertaining to bricking as a result of software upgrades?
Or is this not as much a Rogers issue as it is a Samsung issue? I wish I understood how the process worked...for all I know, my phone has already been approved for shipment to Samsung, so as soon as Rogers receives it, they just send it over to Samsung and they don't care about those details pertaining to a persons Rogers account.
But I'm sure a lot of people are in the situation where they no longer have the original phone they received from their provider, and purchased one from a third party dealer, and something happens to it...what is their condition?
James, I think the reasoning for wanting to switch the sticker was because Rogers knows that the original phones IMEI number is as such, and because they can't turn the phone one they would probably just glance at the number on the label, and then send it off to Samsung. So I was wondering maybe I should call Rogers and tell them I gave them the wrong number? If I do that then, again, would they say that because the phone I"m sending in is not the original one they can't send a replacement and so I'd have to pay for it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Honestly, since your manufacturer warranty is through samsung and that has nothing to do with who sold you the phone, i'd consider giving them a call.
I damaged my IMEI and forgot to make a backup of /efs. I called samsung and explained to them what the deal was. They sent me a postage paid label to ship them my phone and they ended up fixing it for free. They tear it all down, make sure its no physically damaged and fix the software. They actually ended up replacing the mainboard. They also charge nothing to evaluate the phone and give you a price to fix it if found out of warranty.
The only reason why I considered this was because I read here on XDA one guy doing the same after he did what you did (bricked his rooted phone from a bad flash). He had the same result.
So, before you go and get yourself into some trouble with rogers by sending them a phone with the wrong sticker on it, consider the alternative.
At the very least, call them and correct the IMEI. They may tell you to take a hike, but that's the risk of flashing your phone.
Also, I bought my phone from amazon and enrolled in the insurance. I ended up having to send my phone back to amazon as I bricked it within the 30 days (I was straight up with them and they over nighted me a new phone). I had to call in and tell ATT the new IMEI. They really did not seem to care that I was giving them the IMEI from some other phone.
Also, I believe that if you do not return the phone to them within a specific time that they just charge you full price for the phone. You wont goto jail but your wallet gets owned.
Hello ALl,
I am not a developer and do very little tinkering with my android phones. That being said, I recently shattered my Nexus 5's sreen and sent it into LG to get repaired. They sent it back as "not repairable: Epoxy Crack." I turned it on as it was still fully functional (minus the screen) when I sent it off. The phone booted up with a letterboxed version of the Nexus 4 boot screen and after going through an initial set up, I went to settings to find that the phone now says:
Android version - KeyLimePie
Baseband version - M8974A-1.0.25.0.15
Kernel version - 3.4.0-gaf7416a-00002-g97abe44 / [email protected] #1 / Thu Apr17 10:56:17 KST 2014
Build number - aosp_hammerhead-userdebug KeyLimePie / FAC140417_KRT01B PDK853385 test-keys
Also, under runtime, I can chose between Dalvik, ART, and ART Debug mode. Lastly, there are a few diagnostics apps installed on the phone.
I am not sure if any of this is helpful to any developers out there, but if it is, please let me know and I can try to pull an image of the phone for you to use.
I suspect it is some old Android image that they flash onto every phone to do repairs, but since they did not reset the phone to stock, I am happy to try and get the software to any of you if you want it.
mrfochs said:
Hello ALl,
I am not a developer and do very little tinkering with my android phones. That being said, I recently shattered my Nexus 5's sreen and sent it into LG to get repaired. They sent it back as "not repairable: Epoxy Crack." I turned it on as it was still fully functional (minus the screen) when I sent it off. The phone booted up with a letterboxed version of the Nexus 4 boot screen and after going through an initial set up, I went to settings to find that the phone now says:
Android version - KeyLimePie
Baseband version - M8974A-1.0.25.0.15
Kernel version - 3.4.0-gaf7416a-00002-g97abe44 / [email protected] #1 / Thu Apr17 10:56:17 KST 2014
Build number - aosp_hammerhead-userdebug KeyLimePie / FAC140417_KRT01B PDK853385 test-keys
Also, under runtime, I can chose between Dalvik, ART, and ART Debug mode. Lastly, there are a few diagnostics apps installed on the phone.
I am not sure if any of this is helpful to any developers out there, but if it is, please let me know and I can try to pull an image of the phone for you to use.
I suspect it is some old Android image that they flash onto every phone to do repairs, but since they did not reset the phone to stock, I am happy to try and get the software to any of you if you want it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
na, its an old pre kitkat prerelease, and has been known about for a long time. whats odd is thats what they flashed, instead of anything more recent. unless thats what their technician have, odd they didnt go with the factory img.
simms22 said:
na, its an old pre kitkat prerelease, and has been known about for a long time. whats odd is thats what they flashed, instead of anything more recent. unless thats what their technician have, odd they didnt go with the factory img.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is even more odd as I have done a factory reset before sending it in so as to ensure that my account data and info was off the phone in the case that they were to send me a new phone instead of swapping out the components of the original. It was fun looking through the random debugging and testing apps they left on the phone. Thank fully my fiancee reads and speaks Korean and she could tell me what the on screen buttons said.
Anyway, thanks. I have decided since LG won't repair the screen, I will. I ordered the screen, digitizer, and front bezel from ETradeSupply and will try to save the phone myself once the part arrives. If all goes well with the replacement, I will flash hopefully back to factory original and then upgrade to 4.4 again.
In the meantime, it looks like a few more days with the Moto G (purchased as a back up phone while sorting out the screen on the Nexus 5).
Interesting to see that the Test Version's Kernel date is 17th April 2014...
LG has two kind of firmware for their devices: FACTORY and USER. Factory image is used to test the phones hardware like bluetooth, wifi, screen etc... and enables some more options for LG testers to make it sure the phone works perfectly. The user image for nexus 5 is the same what google offers for us.
@mrfochs try to do a backup if possible. Kernel, system and radio that is what we need. Also please check the bootloader version if it somethig new then make a backup. You will have problems using LG flashtool in the future, but it can be solved easily. If you ever have to use lg flashtool to return to stock just contact me and we make your phone compatible again with LG flashtool.
While that build is technically old, like @vin4yak said, that kernel date is what's really throwing me off.
I'm on stock right now and KTU84P kernel reads it was created on March 17th, 2014
You should try and extract those troubleshooting apk's and share them with the community.
bitdomo said:
LG has two kind of firmware for their devices: FACTORY and USER. Factory image is used to test the phones hardware like bluetooth, wifi, screen etc... and enables some more options for LG testers to make it sure the phone works perfectly. The user image for nexus 5 is the same what google offers for us.
@mrfochs try to do a backup if possible. Kernel, system and radio that is what we need. Also please check the bootloader version if it somethig new then make a backup. You will have problems using LG flashtool in the future, but it can be solved easily. If you ever have to use lg flashtool to return to stock just contact me and we make your phone compatible again with LG flashtool.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am happy to try and make a backup, however I haven't the slightest clue how to go about doing it (like I said in original post I=newb).
mrfochs said:
I am happy to try and make a backup, however I haven't the slightest clue how to go about doing it (like I said in original post I=newb).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unlock bootloader, flash twrp recovery make a backup where you select system and boot then you upload the backup somewhere.
mrfochs said:
Anyway, thanks. I have decided since LG won't repair the screen, I will. I ordered the screen, digitizer, and front bezel from ETradeSupply and will try to save the phone myself once the part arrives. If all goes well with the replacement, I will flash hopefully back to factory original and then upgrade to 4.4 again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is so strange. I have the EXACT same situation happening to me. I got my phone back from LG as unrepairable due to "epoxy crack" and now it has this testing Key Lime Pie version that is impossible to update from.
Please let me know if you're able to successfully do the repair yourself or flash back to factory original. From this thread, it seems it's not easy to.
Which part did you order from ETrade Supply?
http://www.etradesupply.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=nexus+5
There's zero reason for this to be happening except extreme incompetence on LG's service tech's part. I would get in contact with them and demand some free service because of this. It's bad enough they can't repair the phone, but it's 100x worse that they send the phone back to you in even worse condition.
No excuse for this. I would be looking for compensation, personally.
Sadly I've heard other worrying things about LG's "repair" service. They don't even seem to realize there's a final clip that needs to be engaged on the back of the phone or else NFC and Qi don't work. That's basic stuff and gives me no confidence in their tech's abilities.
LG Flashtool affects Sideloads?
bitdomo said:
LG has two kind of firmware for their devices: FACTORY and USER. Factory image is used to test the phones hardware like bluetooth, wifi, screen etc... and enables some more options for LG testers to make it sure the phone works perfectly. The user image for nexus 5 is the same what google offers for us.
@mrfochs try to do a backup if possible. Kernel, system and radio that is what we need. Also please check the bootloader version if it somethig new then make a backup. You will have problems using LG flashtool in the future, but it can be solved easily. If you ever have to use lg flashtool to return to stock just contact me and we make your phone compatible again with LG flashtool.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have given up trying to get the app files off this phone as the current version of Android that is installed on here keeps crashing popping up "Google Play Services failed to load" or a handful of other popups indicating apps that have failed to launch. I set up the drivers on my computer to sideload 4.4.4 through ADB, but I keep getting "File Signature Verification Failed." Is this a result of trying to sideload the OTA while ADB is seeing a different firmware as a result of the LG Flash tool you mentioned?
I contacted LG to ask them how to get the factory software on the phone and they want me to ship the phone back to them in Fort Worth as their paperwork "doesn't indicate that anything was done to the phone." I would prefer to find a way to install stock back to the phone without having to mail my phone again (especially since I just replaced the screen).
mrfochs said:
I have given up trying to get the app files off this phone as the current version of Android that is installed on here keeps crashing popping up "Google Play Services failed to load" or a handful of other popups indicating apps that have failed to launch. I set up the drivers on my computer to sideload 4.4.4 through ADB, but I keep getting "File Signature Verification Failed." Is this a result of trying to sideload the OTA while ADB is seeing a different firmware as a result of the LG Flash tool you mentioned?
I contacted LG to ask them how to get the factory software on the phone and they want me to ship the phone back to them in Fort Worth as their paperwork "doesn't indicate that anything was done to the phone." I would prefer to find a way to install stock back to the phone without having to mail my phone again (especially since I just replaced the screen).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It'll fail if you're using stock recovery?
mrfochs said:
I have given up trying to get the app files off this phone as the current version of Android that is installed on here keeps crashing popping up "Google Play Services failed to load" or a handful of other popups indicating apps that have failed to launch. I set up the drivers on my computer to sideload 4.4.4 through ADB, but I keep getting "File Signature Verification Failed." Is this a result of trying to sideload the OTA while ADB is seeing a different firmware as a result of the LG Flash tool you mentioned?
I contacted LG to ask them how to get the factory software on the phone and they want me to ship the phone back to them in Fort Worth as their paperwork "doesn't indicate that anything was done to the phone." I would prefer to find a way to install stock back to the phone without having to mail my phone again (especially since I just replaced the screen).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Contact me on hangouts: [email protected]
Then I will make it work to flash google's rom. Only thing you have to do is let me connect to your PC through team viewer and connect your phone in fastboot mode to your PC.
Let me provide and update and go on a rant here for a bit. For anyone who cares to listen.
It took me 1 chat, 1 failed supervisor call back, and 3 consequent phone calls ultimately escalating to a supervisor to get LG to understand they made a mistake and send me a shipping label so they can get the factory test OS removed.
Here is a copy/paste from my first uncanny chat with an LG representative:
Mariangie: Unfortunately the OS they tested is the way they use to repair the phone and since it was not responding on that mode (service mode) that's when the phone is deemed unrepairable
Mariangie: and regretfully no it cant be put back into normal (customer) OS
lifeinpictures: that makes no sense
Mariangie: My sincere apologies
lifeinpictures: controls work just fine
lifeinpictures: it worked fine before I sent it
lifeinpictures: and controls and touch work just fine now
lifeinpictures: you cannot tell me that you guys purposely send items back with a testing operating system, meant for techs and not users
lifeinpictures: at the least, I should be able to get my product in the same state I sent it in
lifeinpictures: not WORSE
Mariangie: I truly apologize again for the inconvenience this may caused, I personally understand your position. I will certainly forward your comments and dissatisfaction about this matter.
lifeinpictures: I don't need you to forward anything, I need you to fix it.
lifeinpictures: you broke it
lifeinpictures: therefore you should fix it
Mariangie: I wish i have other options available, unfortunately the phone cant be put back into normal OS. It seems to have a physical damage that result in internal part not working
Mariangie: techs try to putting the phone into service OS but it is not working
Mariangie: making it not possible to have it repair
Mariangie: and no way to put back on normal mode
lifeinpictures: Mariange, I really doubt you know enough about the testing hammerhead OS to know what you're talking about
Mariangie: My sincere apologies
raul takahashi: an OS is not reliant on physical, operating parts
lifeinpictures: I understand, you feel upset about this
lifeinpictures: I truly apologize again for the inconvenience this represent
lifeinpictures: And again I wish i could have other options to supply you with
lifeinpictures: I'm afraid no other options to provide you with
Mariangie: Sorry Mr. LifeinPictures.
lifeinpictures: this is pretty much against the law Mariange
lifeinpictures: this is like giving you my car to repair a cracked window
lifeinpictures: and you give it back to me with a broken engine, which wasn't broken before
Mariangie: My sincere apologies, Again I wish i could have other options to supply you with, I'm afraid no other options to provide you with.
It took me all evening, but I finally reached a supervisor to resolve (interestingly, it's the exact same supervisor I had escalated to just 2 weeks ago. read below if interested. He immediately accepted the mistake, and finally offered a ship label to get the phone shipped back and fixed.
I have lost complete faith in LG as a company and will do everything I can to avoid them.
Previous history, copied and pasted from Google forum thread about cracked screen:
To quickly recap my history and experience with Nexus 5.
1. Buy Nexus 5.
2. Drop it on carpet from coffee table 2 feet tall, screen completely shattered. 4 months after purchase. (Owned 12 phones in my life, all handled way more abuse)
3. Pay LG $140 to repair.
4. LG sends me refurbished unit, not my original one repaired. I'm ok with this.
5. Buy heavy duty case because apparently this thing is fragile.
6. Lunch in an outside restaurant patio. Sunny day. Table is warm to the touch, but nothing anyone notices or cares about as they eat. I put my phone face down, glass on table. Pick up phone to leave, there is a crack from side to side of the phone. Just great. Can't even handle everyday situations, less severe than a hot car (for example).
7. Crack very soon start expanding to the rest of the phone. Now entire screen cracked.
8. Send to LG for repair, again.*
9. Phone comes back as unrepairable due to "epoxy crack". (B.S. this was less severe than my 1st one and phone is fully functional, electronically and mechanically. Research proves many recent attempts by other Nexus 5 owners sending cracked phones for repair have been denied)
10. Phone comes back worse than it was when sent, with testing factory OS instead of user OS. Unable to update from.
*=Customer service: 4 days go by since LG has possession of my phone. I call to ask for status, rep says "wait until we call your or email you". Next day, I get a UPS notice that phone is being shipped back. I call to find out why, speak to 3 reps, none can tell me anything other than "it's not repairable". 4th call reaches supervisor, who tells me it's due to "damaged electronics". It's a lie, but I give up.
(My theory on these newfound lack of willingness to replace screens:
LG / Google is aware they skimped on glass quality to keep the price low. They made a (decent) business decision to first do "whatever it takes" to keep customers happy and loyal. This includes fixing screens "outside of warranty" (since they know it's impossible for customers to prove a cracked screen is manufacturer fault) for a very reasonable cost of $140 which is close to cost (parts + labor) or potentially at a loss. This keeps the majority of owners at bay. Now, Nexus 6 is on the horizon and the loss or lack of revenue from these Nexus 5 screen repairs has surpassed expectation so they have advised their repair stations to deny them. They've done their part with an acceptable level of damage control and soon everyone will get a Nexus 6, move on, and forget the Nexus 5 was a debacle.)
lifeinpictures said:
This is so strange. I have the EXACT same situation happening to me. I got my phone back from LG as unrepairable due to "epoxy crack" and now it has this testing Key Lime Pie version that is impossible to update from.
Please let me know if you're able to successfully do the repair yourself or flash back to factory original. From this thread, it seems it's not easy to.
Which part did you order from ETrade Supply?
http://www.etradesupply.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=nexus+5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lifeinpictures said:
Let me provide and update and go on a rant here for a bit. For anyone who cares to listen.
It took me 1 chat, 1 failed supervisor call back, and 3 consequent phone calls ultimately escalating to a supervisor to get LG to understand they made a mistake and send me a shipping label so they can get the factory test OS removed.
Here is a copy/paste from my first uncanny chat with an LG representative:
Mariangie: Unfortunately the OS they tested is the way they use to repair the phone and since it was not responding on that mode (service mode) that's when the phone is deemed unrepairable
Mariangie: and regretfully no it cant be put back into normal (customer) OS
lifeinpictures: that makes no sense
Mariangie: My sincere apologies
lifeinpictures: controls work just fine
lifeinpictures: it worked fine before I sent it
lifeinpictures: and controls and touch work just fine now
lifeinpictures: you cannot tell me that you guys purposely send items back with a testing operating system, meant for techs and not users
lifeinpictures: at the least, I should be able to get my product in the same state I sent it in
lifeinpictures: not WORSE
Mariangie: I truly apologize again for the inconvenience this may caused, I personally understand your position. I will certainly forward your comments and dissatisfaction about this matter.
lifeinpictures: I don't need you to forward anything, I need you to fix it.
lifeinpictures: you broke it
lifeinpictures: therefore you should fix it
Mariangie: I wish i have other options available, unfortunately the phone cant be put back into normal OS. It seems to have a physical damage that result in internal part not working
Mariangie: techs try to putting the phone into service OS but it is not working
Mariangie: making it not possible to have it repair
Mariangie: and no way to put back on normal mode
lifeinpictures: Mariange, I really doubt you know enough about the testing hammerhead OS to know what you're talking about
Mariangie: My sincere apologies
raul takahashi: an OS is not reliant on physical, operating parts
lifeinpictures: I understand, you feel upset about this
lifeinpictures: I truly apologize again for the inconvenience this represent
lifeinpictures: And again I wish i could have other options to supply you with
lifeinpictures: I'm afraid no other options to provide you with
Mariangie: Sorry Mr. LifeinPictures.
lifeinpictures: this is pretty much against the law Mariange
lifeinpictures: this is like giving you my car to repair a cracked window
lifeinpictures: and you give it back to me with a broken engine, which wasn't broken before
Mariangie: My sincere apologies, Again I wish i could have other options to supply you with, I'm afraid no other options to provide you with.
It took me all evening, but I finally reached a supervisor to resolve (interestingly, it's the exact same supervisor I had escalated to just 2 weeks ago. read below if interested. He immediately accepted the mistake, and finally offered a ship label to get the phone shipped back and fixed.
I have lost complete faith in LG as a company and will do everything I can to avoid them.
Previous history, copied and pasted from Google forum thread about cracked screen:
To quickly recap my history and experience with Nexus 5.
1. Buy Nexus 5.
2. Drop it on carpet from coffee table 2 feet tall, screen completely shattered. 4 months after purchase. (Owned 12 phones in my life, all handled way more abuse)
3. Pay LG $140 to repair.
4. LG sends me refurbished unit, not my original one repaired. I'm ok with this.
5. Buy heavy duty case because apparently this thing is fragile.
6. Lunch in an outside restaurant patio. Sunny day. Table is warm to the touch, but nothing anyone notices or cares about as they eat. I put my phone face down, glass on table. Pick up phone to leave, there is a crack from side to side of the phone. Just great. Can't even handle everyday situations, less severe than a hot car (for example).
7. Crack very soon start expanding to the rest of the phone. Now entire screen cracked.
8. Send to LG for repair, again.*
9. Phone comes back as unrepairable due to "epoxy crack". (B.S. this was less severe than my 1st one and phone is fully functional, electronically and mechanically. Research proves many recent attempts by other Nexus 5 owners sending cracked phones for repair have been denied)
10. Phone comes back worse than it was when sent, with testing factory OS instead of user OS. Unable to update from.
*=Customer service: 4 days go by since LG has possession of my phone. I call to ask for status, rep says "wait until we call your or email you". Next day, I get a UPS notice that phone is being shipped back. I call to find out why, speak to 3 reps, none can tell me anything other than "it's not repairable". 4th call reaches supervisor, who tells me it's due to "damaged electronics". It's a lie, but I give up.
(My theory on these newfound lack of willingness to replace screens:
LG / Google is aware they skimped on glass quality to keep the price low. They made a (decent) business decision to first do "whatever it takes" to keep customers happy and loyal. This includes fixing screens "outside of warranty" (since they know it's impossible for customers to prove a cracked screen is manufacturer fault) for a very reasonable cost of $140 which is close to cost (parts + labor) or potentially at a loss. This keeps the majority of owners at bay. Now, Nexus 6 is on the horizon and the loss or lack of revenue from these Nexus 5 screen repairs has surpassed expectation so they have advised their repair stations to deny them. They've done their part with an acceptable level of damage control and soon everyone will get a Nexus 6, move on, and forget the Nexus 5 was a debacle.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good on you for standing up to their B.S. as there's just no excuse for that to happen. We can't argue with their reasoning for not repairing (it's up to them to decide if they want to attempt a repair for $140, after all) but they can't be so lazy/incompetent as to not reload the proper software on there. It would take them what, a couple minutes? Similar to how they're not engaging people's NFC/Qi charger on the back of the phone which should be obvious to techs who's job it is to work with these devices.
Don't forget you can always bring your phone into an independent repair shop, they won't refuse your money though I doubt their attention to detail will be much better than your average LG tech.
remove lg version?
I have the same problem. Is it possible to root this phone and remove the LG flash version and put KitKat on there?
naparama said:
I have the same problem. Is it possible to root this phone and remove the LG flash version and put KitKat on there?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you the one who contacted me on email?
yes
bitdomo said:
Are you the one who contacted me on email?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes, that was me, thanks.
loop after flash
naparama said:
yes, that was me, thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hi, I flashed the stock android after unlocking bootloader, but now it is stuck in a boot loop. I also I noticed that when it flashed, after finishing, it said boot.sig recovery.sig system.sig werent found. when I tried to boot in the safe mode, the little green android man was on his back with a red exclamation point. any thoughts?
I was not thinking and I sold my phone on Ebay, whats worse is that it was bought by someone out of the country. I didn't think much about the consequences until the nagging question of why someone would buy a phone that will only work on a carrier here in the states, US Cellular. Now I am very concerned. The buyer has already paid for the phone and for shipping. My number one option could be to just cancel the sale and refund the buyers money and eat the shipping. I have began researching how to securely wipe an Android phone and the best answer I have found is to encrypt the phone before I do a factory reset. The problem is that I have already factory reset the phone. In fact, the phone was rooted and rommed and I Oddined the stock recovery back onto the phone. Here are details about the phone. It is a SM-N900R4 US Cellular Samsung Galaxy Note 3. Since I bought the phone new from the carrier I have installed and wiped numerous Roms. I'm not looking for anyone to stick there neck out there and give me guarantees, I just want to know if there is anything I can do to be reasonably sure that the phone is secure. What about apps like IShredder, are they worth the effort. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. thanks
Update, its 5:00am, I encrypted the phone, installed ishredder, ran the app a couple of times. I rerooted the phone using cf autoroot, downloaded a simple data recovery app, and am finding old data Any advice would be appreciated, thanks.
danp12 said:
I was not thinking and I sold my phone on Ebay, whats worse is that it was bought by someone out of the country. I didn't think much about the consequences until the nagging question of why someone would buy a phone that will only work on a carrier here in the states, US Cellular. Now I am very concerned. The buyer has already paid for the phone and for shipping. My number one option could be to just cancel the sale and refund the buyers money and eat the shipping. I have began researching how to securely wipe an Android phone and the best answer I have found is to encrypt the phone before I do a factory reset. The problem is that I have already factory reset the phone. In fact, the phone was rooted and rommed and I Oddined the stock recovery back onto the phone. Here are details about the phone. It is a SM-N900R4 US Cellular Samsung Galaxy Note 3. Since I bought the phone new from the carrier I have installed and wiped numerous Roms. I'm not looking for anyone to stick there neck out there and give me guarantees, I just want to know if there is anything I can do to be reasonably sure that the phone is secure. What about apps like IShredder, are they worth the effort. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think a factory reset is quite enough, you can wipe the internal storage as well. Just use Odin to flash a stock firmware and recovery and you should be good to go
If you are extra paranoid
Fill the memory with data.
Data and cache partitions are the most important.
Fill it with anything, delete it and fill it again. Seven times.
That will make it as hard as possible to recover any info.
But unless your a giant ass that has annoyed thousands around the world, put all your personal info on your phone. Advertise that fact.
Then be silly enough to advertise to all your enemy's that your selling your phone on eBay...
The standard wipe will likely be enough.
So I made the decision to refund the money and cancel the sale. I am shocked at how easy it is to find pictures, contacts, documents etc. after I encrypted the phone, deleted the data, used iShredder and wrote the drive at least 20 times at 3 cycles per time. I run a simple app called Disk Digger and I can still find data on the phone. Unreal. I think the iShredder app is simply not writing data in all of the areas of the phones memory. In fact, the more times I run iShredder and the more times I run disk digger, the more data I find This phone is connected to so much info like Paypal, Amazon, email, Bank Accounts etc. What a shame, my recommendation for anyone is the first thing you do when you pull your android phone out of the box is to Encrypt the drive, that way down the road when you delete the keys your data is safe. I have unloaded phones in the past but I never really thought much about it until I just really felt like the person buying it was buying it for nefarious purposes.
danp12 said:
So I made the decision to refund the money and cancel the sale. I am shocked at how easy it is to find pictures, contacts, documents etc. after I encrypted the phone, deleted the data, used iShredder and wrote the drive at least 20 times at 3 cycles per time. I run a simple app called Disk Digger and I can still find data on the phone. Unreal. I think the iShredder app is simply not writing data in all of the areas of the phones memory. In fact, the more times I run iShredder and the more times I run disk digger, the more data I find This phone is connected to so much info like Paypal, Amazon, email, Bank Accounts etc. What a shame, my recommendation for anyone is the first thing you do when you pull your android phone out of the box is to Encrypt the drive, that way down the road when you delete the keys your data is safe. I have unloaded phones in the past but I never really thought much about it until I just really felt like the person buying it was buying it for nefarious purposes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nothing from apps is stored on the internal sd card.
It's all stored on the data and cache partitions in the internal memory.
Partitions you can't touch without root.
There will always be data of some type left in the memory.
That's just how the memory works.
I have yet to find anything that will wipe the entire device properly automatically..
It has to be done manually.
Found an iPhone 8 Plus on the road side. Can't figure out an easy way to contact the owner because the phone has no sim card and there is no carrier logo. The phone seems to have been reset though, because it's currently on a "welcome screen" where it asks for the preferred language. The phone is in pristine condition and has no scratch marks. The case (which is broken) may have protected it when it fell. I'm currently thinking of pasting posters around the neighbourhood it was found in.
Are there better ways to get in contact with the owner of the phone?
By the way, can you guys give me an idea on why the owner did not put a simcard in it? I did something similar on an Xperia phone but I did it for evaluation purpose (switching from an older phone). Is there a way to remotely reset a phone without sim card?
TIA
sp_1st_timer said:
Found an iPhone 8 Plus on the road side. Can't figure out an easy way to contact the owner because the phone has no sim card and there is no carrier logo. The phone seems to have been reset though, because it's currently on a "welcome screen" where it asks for the preferred language. The phone is in pristine condition and has no scratch marks. The case (which is broken) may have protected it when it fell. I'm currently thinking of pasting posters around the neighbourhood it was found in.
Are there better ways to get in contact with the owner of the phone?
By the way, can you guys give me an idea on why the owner did not put a simcard in it? I did something similar on an Xperia phone but I did it for evaluation purpose (switching from an older phone). Is there a way to remotely reset a phone without sim card?
TIA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think the best way to help the owner is to give the phone to the police.
You can always ask to Siri who's this phone belongs to but I don't think it will work .
Just go to the police station , when the owner will realize, he will go to the police station and ask if someone bring his phone here.
We tried bringing it to the police station, but the officer present there did not accept it and told us to dial a number instead. But the number only lead to dead-end. It's an automated number that quickly disconnects after getting to a certain point. We tried a few days thinking it may work the next days but still got the same results.
After waiting almost 2 months for the owner to get in touch (via the posters) we thought we should try using the phone and see how it works. As I tried to go through the setup process, I learned the phone had been locked to a certain email address (masked) and can only be set up by the person who knows the email. This now gives me an idea the phone may have been stolen from the owner. The person who got it may have removed the sim card to avoid getting traced and decided to reset the phone. But the phone requires the valid email address to proceed, so the person decided to throw it away.
Considering the above, I believe Apple may have something in place to facilitate the return of the phone to the owner. Can you guys point me to the right direction?
Since the day after I traded in my Galaxy A50 to upgrade to my brand new out of the box Galaxy S21 Plus, I've been dealing with multiple issues beginning with inability to connect to Wi-Fi public Hotspot which I use for everything in my place for past nine years and no check issues even if I have several devices connected. the s21+ wouldn't even see the xfinitywifi broadcast like my other devices do, then it would see it and attempt connection only to get authentication errors. everyone I've ever talked to about wifi issues are robots that all say reboot your modem. I DON'T HAVE A MODEM because I use public Hotspot. sorry for yelling, my blood pressure rises thinking about this. anyway tech says factory data reset (I knew better), but I did it anyway, then it gets worse, lost contacts, important apps from my employer, important vm's, because my ringer refused to operate even, volume was erratically adjusting itself hi low hi low anytime I attempt blue tooth connection, then my messaging app would race my pandora app upon blue tooth connecting as well I would win that by fighting both apps but still my messaging app would stay on simultaneously with pandora. my s21+ I got brand new unopened $1k on payment plan. Verizon said too late for warranty is only good for 14 days after purchase. keep telling these people my issues began on day one and on day three I finally had time to call support the first time. the store I bought it from (go wireless), tried very hard to help fix it but they only knew what settings to check but they were all correctly set. magically they were able to get my ringer to work and called me a couple times while I was there to test. after I get home, my ringer magically would not work once again. since Verizon was trying to rip me off by telling me they can only replace the s21+ under their 14 day warranty with a certified pre-owned s21+ but at that time, it was beyond the 14 day warranty period. I so I got high blood pressure and said NOPE I will be receiving a brand new phone because that's what I am paying for, I did not purchase a pre-owned anything, so let me talk to whoever is in charge of making that happen. team leader put me on hold until his management went home for the day, he checked couple times to see if I was still holding (better believe I was), last time he asked I told him I'm calling Samsung direct then he tried arguing with me as I hung up. Samsung warranty is good for up to one year as is typical for anything aside from landscaping. well they want me to send my phone away with me paying postage and having no other phone, but they will fix it when it arrives in Texas?? why can I not just get a replacement from the store I purchased it from?? Samsung answer because it's most likely a software issue, if it is then it has to go to Google because they are the one's who developed the software. WTF can I do?? anybody have any clue how to fix this?? I'm thinking a 20lb. sledge, torch maybe, brick and the river?? but then I'm out $1k for a phone that never worked right out of the box.
It does sound like software but doing a reset didn't fix it which is odd?
My suggestion would be to download the correct firmware from sammobile and flash it to your phone with Odin.
At the very least you will be ruling out software if there is still issues.
DrDee said:
It does sound like software but doing a reset didn't fix it which is odd?
My suggestion would be to download the correct firmware from sammobile and flash it to your phone with Odin.
At the very least you will be ruling out software if there is still issues.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree. Try reinstall the OS back onto your device from scratch and see if that works. Or if it is still within the 14 day warranty, take it back to the store for a replacement unit.
Camelpuppet said:
that all say reboot your modem. I DON'T HAVE A MODEM
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you do have a modem in your phone. and its likely the culprit. do yourself the favor and get samfirm or frija, theyre firmware downloaders, and enter the info the tool needs to D/L your firmware and flash it on the phone with Odin just as stated above. There are 5 files that come inside the zip of firmware you end up with once frija has finished. the 2 files to pay the most attention to are CSC and HOME_CSC. CSC will factory reset it, and HOME_CSC will not, otherwise theyre the same thing
iceepyon said:
I agree. Try reinstall the OS back onto your device from scratch and see if that works. Or if it is still within the 14 day warranty, take it back to the store for a replacement unit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your replies, I was able to take it back to the store for a complete exchange after a lot of trouble.