Related
I was wondering if someone could help me or point me in the right direction to avoid bricking my phone somehow.
First off, a bit of confirmation for anyone else out there... I have successfully moved my Verizon Galaxy S3 to Walmart Family mobile. Currently trying to (safely) rid myself of annoyances.
Bought a new device via ebay with clean ESN for Verizon (I'm unsure if it's still locked to Verizon network, see below for details)
None of the suggestions like *#1973 ... worked as my phone was on a 4.0.1 release (or so I think) I don't see any websites that would offer and unlock code and I read somewhere that the manual unlock needed something like 4.1.x or higher.
I used Odin to upgrade my device to 4.1.1 (Still couldn't find any unlocking info but..
Inserting my Family Mobile SIM card actually works (for calls and SMS) but the device still complains that it has a non-valid sim for Verizon. Going in to the Apps menu and killing the Setup Wizard 1.0 removes that message until the next reboot.
Optimally, I'd like to upgrade from 4.1.1 to 4.3 but have a few concerns.
Will an update rid me of the Verizon sim check? or is the sim checking piece not in the ROM but actually inside the bootloader itself?
I'm not highly technical (but dangerous enough I suppose).
When all is said and done I'm looking to have a 4.3 device with a Family Mobile APN that works (so far I don't believe that's occurred. Device is nice under wifi and says that cellular data is 'active' but I don't think it's working since I can't hit websites in cellular only mode.
Any suggestions for getting my device to a happy place without rooting it would be appreciated.
Thanks.
Being that I posted this for others as much as myself I'll go ahead and answer my own question.
After using Odin to bring my S3 (i535) phone up to rev 4.1.1 of Android using the Verizon image (only updating the AP, not the bootloader or other elements) I found online, I was able to cable the device in to a PC running Kies. After performing a quick backup I looked for potential firmware updates and was able to have Kies do the upgrade from 4.1.1 to 4.3. This removed most of my fear of applying something wrong (BL, AP, CP, CSC).
Once the update completed I was in fact asked to update to the new Kies 3 before restoring my backup. I can verify that running that update was smooth and the new Kies restored the backup created with the earlier version without issue.
The non Verizon SIM issue still exists on 4.3 but I continue to kill the Setup Wizard app after booting the phone and all seems OK.
I should also note that in 4.1.1 Verizon removed the ability to add APNs but that is now back in 4.3, so I was able to successfully update to the T-Mobile APN settings Walmart Family suggested.
Next month I will be attempting to move an unlocked global S3 mini GT-i8190 to Walmart Family as well. At present, the 4.1.2 OS is the latest release there. I do not intend to move that device to 4.3 at this time. I have read that it may be possible to rest the device and list is as Romanian (or some other eastern European country where Samsung did decide to offer the newest version to the public).
wirelessguyNY said:
I was wondering if someone could help me or point me in the right direction to avoid bricking my phone somehow.
First off, a bit of confirmation for anyone else out there... I have successfully moved my Verizon Galaxy S3 to Walmart Family mobile. Currently trying to (safely) rid myself of annoyances.
Bought a new device via ebay with clean ESN for Verizon (I'm unsure if it's still locked to Verizon network, see below for details)
None of the suggestions like *#1973 ... worked as my phone was on a 4.0.1 release (or so I think) I don't see any websites that would offer and unlock code and I read somewhere that the manual unlock needed something like 4.1.x or higher.
I used Odin to upgrade my device to 4.1.1 (Still couldn't find any unlocking info but..
Inserting my Family Mobile SIM card actually works (for calls and SMS) but the device still complains that it has a non-valid sim for Verizon. Going in to the Apps menu and killing the Setup Wizard 1.0 removes that message until the next reboot.
Optimally, I'd like to upgrade from 4.1.1 to 4.3 but have a few concerns.
Will an update rid me of the Verizon sim check? or is the sim checking piece not in the ROM but actually inside the bootloader itself?
I'm not highly technical (but dangerous enough I suppose).
When all is said and done I'm looking to have a 4.3 device with a Family Mobile APN that works (so far I don't believe that's occurred. Device is nice under wifi and says that cellular data is 'active' but I don't think it's working since I can't hit websites in cellular only mode.
Any suggestions for getting my device to a happy place without rooting it would be appreciated.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
I was recently gifted an unlocked ATT S8+ (SM-G955U) which I'm trying to activate to my Verizon account. I've read conflicting information about this, and after going to the Verizon store and calling them directly I'm thoroughly confused.
The rep on the phone told me that the phone is "incompatible" with their network based on the IMEI number. From what I gather, the hardware (and model numbers) on all the major carrier's S8+s are the same and simply have different firmware. I've also read that they're interchangeable. Has anyone successfully gotten the ATT S8+ on Verizon? I'm almost feeling like it's something where I would need to jump through more hoops and speak to a manager to get them to do it, but before I did I wanted to get others input. Thanks!
I heard that the phone will work, you'll need to flash the Verizon firmware onto the AT&T phone.
Thanks Richie. Do you think that Verizon is telling me that the IMEI is "incompatible" because I may need to flash another firmware to enable CDMA? Or are some versions of the S4+ really incompatible on their network.
May there be possible success to get them to activate it anyway?
kebas239 said:
Hi,
I was recently gifted an unlocked ATT S8+ (SM-G955U) which I'm trying to activate to my Verizon account. I've read conflicting information about this, and after going to the Verizon store and calling them directly I'm thoroughly confused.
The rep on the phone told me that the phone is "incompatible" with their network based on the IMEI number. From what I gather, the hardware (and model numbers) on all the major carrier's S8+s are the same and simply have different firmware. I've also read that they're interchangeable. Has anyone successfully gotten the ATT S8+ on Verizon? I'm almost feeling like it's something where I would need to jump through more hoops and speak to a manager to get them to do it, but before I did I wanted to get others input. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
kebas239 said:
Thanks Richie. Do you think that Verizon is telling me that the IMEI is "incompatible" because I may need to flash another firmware to enable CDMA? Or are some versions of the S4+ really incompatible on their network.
May there be possible success to get them to activate it anyway?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you already have an active Verizon SIM card? Like in another phone?
Mr. Orange 645 said:
Do you already have an active Verizon SIM card? Like in another phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do not - only because I'm coming from an S4 (which has the larger SIM card). I had to get a new one.
kebas239 said:
Hi,
I was recently gifted an unlocked ATT S8+ (SM-G955U) which I'm trying to activate to my Verizon account. I've read conflicting information about this, and after going to the Verizon store and calling them directly I'm thoroughly confused.
The rep on the phone told me that the phone is "incompatible" with their network based on the IMEI number. From what I gather, the hardware (and model numbers) on all the major carrier's S8+s are the same and simply have different firmware. I've also read that they're interchangeable. Has anyone successfully gotten the ATT S8+ on Verizon? I'm almost feeling like it's something where I would need to jump through more hoops and speak to a manager to get them to do it, but before I did I wanted to get others input. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The IMEI thing and Verizon not provisioning your phone to activate on their network is the ONLY obstacle you have.
All the US S8/S8+/Note8 variants are identical and can be cross-flashed to whatever carrier you want. You can easily grab the VZW firmware and flash it on to your AT&T device, fully converting it, however the IMEI won't be in Verizon's system since your particular phone wasn't sold by Verizon.
Somehow get around that and your phone will be fully compatible on VZWs network.
kebas239 said:
Thanks Richie. Do you think that Verizon is telling me that the IMEI is "incompatible" because I may need to flash another firmware to enable CDMA? Or are some versions of the S4+ really incompatible on their network.
May there be possible success to get them to activate it anyway?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't worry about what Verizon reps are telling you because most often than not they are following a standard procedure. And they only Input your IMEI into a service like this one:https://www.verizonwireless.com/bring-your-own-device/#checkDevice
As your IMEI is for an AT&T phone, the brand model has an A appended at the end (as in AT&T).
However, you should still investigate this issue and try the steps recommended by the other guys. You will be able to use your phone with a VZV sim without reaching to Verizon
kebas239 said:
Hi,
I was recently gifted an unlocked ATT S8+ (SM-G955U) which I'm trying to activate to my Verizon account. I've read conflicting information about this, and after going to the Verizon store and calling them directly I'm thoroughly confused.
The rep on the phone told me that the phone is "incompatible" with their network based on the IMEI number. From what I gather, the hardware (and model numbers) on all the major carrier's S8+s are the same and simply have different firmware. I've also read that they're interchangeable. Has anyone successfully gotten the ATT S8+ on Verizon? I'm almost feeling like it's something where I would need to jump through more hoops and speak to a manager to get them to do it, but before I did I wanted to get others input. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have an AT&T S8 + on Verizon's network, had to unlock the phone, I did flash VZV firmware.
Works for me.
Thanks all for the responses! So it does look like I can do it then, but I just need to get Verizon to activate the new SIM. Think if I could find another phone that's compatible, throw the SIM in, activate, then switch the SIM to the S8+ it would work? (Assuming I've flashed the Verizon firmware on it).
Also, I'm trying to find out how to flash the phone properly. I don't really need root, but I'll take it if its easy. Thinking in my scenario, I'd follow this thread, correct?
https://forum.xda-developers.com/ve...opment/rom-s8-allcarriersrootedstock-t3659232
kebas239 said:
Thanks all for the responses! So it does look like I can do it then, but I just need to get Verizon to activate the new SIM. Think if I could find another phone that's compatible, throw the SIM in, activate, then switch the SIM to the S8+ it would work? (Assuming I've flashed the Verizon firmware on it).
Also, I'm trying to find out how to flash the phone properly. I don't really need root, but I'll take it if its easy. Thinking in my scenario, I'd follow this thread, correct?
https://forum.xda-developers.com/ve...opment/rom-s8-allcarriersrootedstock-t3659232
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, if you can get VZW to activate a nano SIM then all you have to do is pop it in your S8+, and it will work perfectly.
You don't HAVE to flash the Verizon firmware, but you'll won't be able to use certain features such as VoLTE and WiFi calling with the ATT firmware, so I recommend it. Not a necessity though.
To change carrier firmware, follow this thread:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s8+/how-to/snap-guide-flashing-standard-fw-carrier-t3627255
Can't help you with rooting. Sorry, I stopped rooting my phones long ago.
Mr. Orange 645 said:
Yes, if you can get VZW to activate a nano SIM then all you have to do is pop it in your S8+, and it will work perfectly.
You don't HAVE to flash the Verizon firmware, but you'll won't be able to use certain features such as VoLTE and WiFi calling with the ATT firmware, so I recommend it. Not a necessity though.
To change carrier firmware, follow this thread:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s8+/how-to/snap-guide-flashing-standard-fw-carrier-t3627255
Can't help you with rooting. Sorry, I stopped rooting my phones long ago.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is great information! I'll call back Verizon and knowing all this I have something to back myself up with to at least try to convince them to activate the SIM (if not, I'll find a temporary phone to activate).
Thank you (and everyone else) for all the help!
I was able to get Verizon to activate the SIM and IMEI of the new S8. When I checked my account online to verify, it shows the correct numbers. Unfortunately, the phone is still not able to make calls or connect to the mobile network.
Following this, I rooted and flashed a deodexed stock ROM/firmware that is compatible with all carriers. This made no difference in the issue.
On the status bar, normal reception for my area is shown. There is no data (LTE/3G, etc.) connection, however. In looking at the APN settings, there are multiple Verizon options to choose. "Verizon Internet" (VZWINTERNET) is what is selected. Under the network operators, Automatic is selected. I tried changing it to Manual, but I do not get an option to select Verizon. Only ATT or T-Mobile. Under SIM Card Status, It's says that I'm on an unknown network.
Any ideas on what I could do to diagnose this? Sorry for all the questions, but I want to be able to get this phone to work so bad!
Thanks!
Success! I was about to give up, but decided to try a few more things.
1) To register a new SIM on VZW, it needs to initially go into a VZW based phone to work correctly. Once doing this, I saw some changes:
- I could now see my phone number.
- Verizon was an option under the network operators setting.
This did not solve my problem, however, as I still could not connect to the network. When selecting VZW, the request would fail and say to try again later. So onto the next (and last!) thing I did...
2) Download VZW firmware and flash via ODEN (The Comsey version, but I don't think that matters). I added the BL, AP, CP & CSC (included in the zip file) using the default options. I found this firmware at the below link and grabbed the latest version. The download was very slow for me (I had to run it overnight), but numerous posters stated that they are a reliable source so I took a chance.
https://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/galaxy-s8-plus/SM-G955U1/VZW/download/G955U1UES2AQL1/201500/
I'm just so glad everything is working now. Thank you so much to all who have responded to the thread to guide me in the right direction! Hope this helps someone else who may be having the same trouble.
I know people are tired of the "Verizon users not being able to root because bootloader" threads. I myself have given up hope that I'll be able to do so with Verizon. However, I'm planning to switch to AT&T(Not specifically for rooting purposes, mostly because it's cheaper for more data and has comparable coverage to Verizon in my area) and I realized that if I switch to an AT&T SIM card, there could be a chance the bootloader is unlocked. Has anyone had any success in that area or are Verizon phones simply hard-wired with a locked bootloader even if a factory reset and different carrier SIM is installed because it's a Verizon model? I'm honestly just curious at this point, I'm not expecting success.
I'm using a unlocked Verizon pixel. Just use search terms in this device threads. Follow instructions and it worked for me. You can never go back to Verizon though a system process called Verizon services runs. Can be stopped and appears (I don't use Verizon) to effect anything. System process can be stopped, when I remember I do, runs as a background process. And never relock bootloader.
kkjb said:
I'm using a unlocked Verizon pixel. Just use search terms in this device threads. Follow instructions and it worked for me. You can never go back to Verizon though a system process called Verizon services runs. Can be stopped and appears (I don't use Verizon) to effect anything. System process can be stopped, when I remember I do, runs as a background process. And never relock bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Gotcha, thank you very much! I don't have very much love for Verizon so I doubt I'll want to return(And I'd probably just get a new phone if I did go back) so that's good news.
Yeah. Back on Android 7.12 (I think), Verizon rolled out an update to VZW customers that would make it impossible to unlock the bootloader, therefore impossible to root.
But if your bootloader is already unlocked, you're good to go.
I've just purchased a used SM-G930VL (Straight Talk) phone on Swappa. I requested the SM-G930U, but they apparently sent the wrong model.
The reason I wanted to SM-G930U model was so I could insert any SIM card and it would work.
Questions (and I'm new to Android as you can probably tell below):
- Is the SM-G930VL Verizon / Straight Talk model usually unlocked to ONLY use any SIM card from Straight Talk or would I be able to use any US carrier?
- Is there a way to put SM-G930U firmware on a SM-G930VL phone and is there an advantage to this?
- Will the SM-G930U firmware unlock the phone in case it's locked to Straight Talk only?
- Can I brick the phone for good if I attempt to Flash it and I do it wrong? or is it always possible to bring the phone back from the dead?
- Is there a recent tutorial on how to make the phone accept any carrier?
I tried using Odin to Flash the phone from SM-G930VL to SM-G930V, but was following a 2 year old YouTube video, so the files were outdated and I was unsuccessful.
The phone is running Android 8.0.0 and Knox 3.1, API level 25.
pitrofilta said:
I've just purchased a used SM-G930VL (Straight Talk) phone on Swappa. I requested the SM-G930U, but they apparently sent the wrong model.
The reason I wanted to SM-G930U model was so I could insert any SIM card and it would work.
Questions (and I'm new to Android as you can probably tell below):
- Is the SM-G930VL Verizon / Straight Talk model usually unlocked to ONLY use any SIM card from Straight Talk or would I be able to use any US carrier?
: the SM-G930VL is programmed to only work with straight talk sim cards. The phone is factory unlocked as far as i know but it does not allow network connectivity with non ST sim cards.
- Is there a way to put SM-G930U firmware on a SM-G930VL phone and is there an advantage to this?
: Yes you can put the SM-G930U firmware. All US Galaxy S7S are the same hardware wise. The Advantage is that it completely removes everything that ST baked into the firmware.
- Will the SM-G930U firmware unlock the phone in case it's locked to Straight Talk only?
: If in case the device is sim locked to ST, flashing the SM-G930U firmware will not sim unlock the device.
- Can I brick the phone for good if I attempt to Flash it and I do it wrong? or is it always possible to bring the phone back from the dead?
: There are always risks when it comes to flashing any device. When it comes to Samsung devices it's hard to really hard brick a device using and official flash tool like Odin. the device cab get soft bricked but most of the times it's because of user error that it happens.
- Is there a recent tutorial on how to make the phone accept any carrier?
: there are many of them here on the forums but i can try my best to give you a quick run down:
1. First download the SM-G930U firmware from here
2. Download Odin from this thread, Credits to OP on that thread
3. Once Files are downloaded, extract the firmware and odin on the same folder for convinience.
4. Once you extract the firmware, you will have 5 files that each start with BL, AP, CP, HOME_CSC, and CSC (you will need BL, AP, CP and CSC only)
5. open Odin and load each file above in there respective slots, you will be able to see where each file needs to go, note that the AP file will take a few minutes to load as this is the biggest file of the 4.
6. at this point am assuming your galaxy s7 is completely off, Press and hold the Home + Volume down + Power keys together until you see a warning screen about flashing custom firmware, press Volume up to get to Download/Odin Mode.
7. connect your S7 to your PC, use usb 2.0 ports preferably. Let Windows install the drivers (you can get samsung drivers from here, make sure you install these first i.e. before connecting your phone to your PC)
8. Once Windows installs the drivers, on Odin, click START and wait for all the files to flash, DO NOT DISCONNECT THE PHONE until Odin says Pass or something similar.
9. The phone will automatically go to recovery mode and display installing update. It will reboot again and start to boot into android. once fully booted.
10. Once booted fully, you will be on Android Oreo for the unbranded Galaxy S7 with nothing from straight talk and also you will be able to use any sim card on the device.
I tried using Odin to Flash the phone from SM-G930VL to SM-G930V, but was following a 2 year old YouTube video, so the files were outdated and I was unsuccessful.
The phone is running Android 8.0.0 and Knox 3.1, API level 25.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please let me know if you have further questions or help with doing this, i can probably help you remotely if we need to.
---------- Post added at 08:38 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:32 PM ----------
btw i know this because i myself got a straighttalk galaxy s7 when it first came out. i switched to the unbranded firmware as soon as it was made available and have not gone back to the straight talk firmware ever. the phone behaves like an actual unlocked SM-G930U device and gets updates (albeit a little slower than carrier branded S7s) directly from samsung.
Also once you follow, this go to settings and software updates to get the latest available updates available from Samsung.
micallan_17 said:
Please let me know if you have further questions or help with doing this, i can probably help you remotely if we need to.
---------- Post added at 08:38 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:32 PM ----------
btw i know this because i myself got a straighttalk galaxy s7 when it first came out. i switched to the unbranded firmware as soon as it was made available and have not gone back to the straight talk firmware ever. the phone behaves like an actual unlocked SM-G930U device and gets updates (albeit a little slower than carrier branded S7s) directly from samsung.
Also once you follow, this go to settings and software updates to get the latest available updates available from Samsung.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apologies for not answering earlier. I really appreciate your offer and thoughts, however I just returned the S7 and purchased a used S8 instead.
pitrofilta said:
Apologies for not answering earlier. I really appreciate your offer and thoughts, however I just returned the S7 and purchased a used S8 instead.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's Cool
Having A Bit Of Trouble With Calls!
micallan_17 said:
It's Cool
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey thanks for the thread folks!
I am also (an old) beginner! Followed the instructions (Thank you @micallan_17) and was able to successfully flash stock G930U into a T-Mobile S7 which was supposed to have been unlocked when I bought it, but apparently was not! So, with G930U everything works with my Consumer Cellular SIM (AT&T network), but I can not call out or receive calls! Flashed phone back to T-Mobile stock G930T and took it to a T-Mobile store. They were kind and put a demo SIM in it and it worked to call out. So, the hardware seems to be working. Back to G930U, I have wiped cache and data, but still no calls! Can send and receive text, WiFi works and have 4G LTE functional. It also shows the VoLTE option and WiFi calling, but won't do either. Basically, it is a smartphone that is only smart!
Any brilliant fixing suggestions out there?
AEChief said:
Hey thanks for the thread folks!
I am also (an old) beginner! Followed the instructions (Thank you @micallan_17) and was able to successfully flash stock G930U into a T-Mobile S7 which was supposed to have been unlocked when I bought it, but apparently was not! So, with G930U everything works with my Consumer Cellular SIM (AT&T network), but I can not call out or receive calls! Flashed phone back to T-Mobile stock G930T and took it to a T-Mobile store. They were kind and put a demo SIM in it and it worked to call out. So, the hardware seems to be working. Back to G930U, I have wiped cache and data, but still no calls! Can send and receive text, WiFi works and have 4G LTE functional. It also shows the VoLTE option and WiFi calling, but won't do either. Basically, it is a smartphone that is only smart!
Any brilliant fixing suggestions out there?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, Glad the instructions were helpful, regarding the call issue, when you try calling, does it give you an error message? Also when you go to settings>connections>mobile networks, what shows under Network Mode?
micallan_17 said:
Hi, Glad the instructions were helpful, regarding the call issue, when you try calling, does it give you an error message? Also when you go to settings>connections>mobile networks, what shows under Network Mode?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, thanks for the reply.
When I call a number, it acts and says it is dialing but it is quiet even with speaker on, and after about a minute it hangs up. No error messages appear. Calling the number from another phone goes to voicemail after a couple of rings, as though the number is busy or off. The Network Mode shows as LTE/3G/2G (auto connect). I also noticed that WiFi Calling that showed up with T-Mobile is missing with this setup, so I misspoke previously.
Update and a question on this topic
AEChief said:
Hi, thanks for the reply.
When I call a number, it acts and says it is dialing but it is quiet even with speaker on, and after about a minute it hangs up. No error messages appear. Calling the number from another phone goes to voicemail after a couple of rings, as though the number is busy or off. The Network Mode shows as LTE/3G/2G (auto connect). I also noticed that WiFi Calling that showed up with T-Mobile is missing with this setup, so I misspoke previously.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First an update:
So, after I was convinced that the phone was still locked to T-Mobile, I wrote to the seller and they offered to exchange it. I got the second S7 and it is working fine, still T-Mobile but obviously unlocked! Now I am thinking of flashing it with the G930U ROM, but am not sure if it will affect the unlocking.
My question is just that: I assume the boot-loader is locked; then will going to the Samsung unlocked ROM mess things up? And if it happens that I can not call out with it like the first unit, going back to G930T ROM may not bring it back to the current state!
Has anyone have words of wisdom in this regard?
AEChief said:
First an update:
So, after I was convinced that the phone was still locked to T-Mobile, I wrote to the seller and they offered to exchange it. I got the second S7 and it is working fine, still T-Mobile but obviously unlocked! Now I am thinking of flashing it with the G930U ROM, but am not sure if it will affect the unlocking.
My question is just that: I assume the boot-loader is locked; then will going to the Samsung unlocked ROM mess things up? And if it happens that I can not call out with it like the first unit, going back to G930T ROM may not bring it back to the current state!
Has anyone have words of wisdom in this regard?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It should not lock the Device, the U firmware should flash just fine, Flashing the U firmware does not affect the boot loader locked state. make sure the device is permanently sim unlocked not temporary unlocked.
Benefits (if any) of unlocked firmware
AEChief said:
First an update:
So, after I was convinced that the phone was still locked to T-Mobile, I wrote to the seller and they offered to exchange it. I got the second S7 and it is working fine, still T-Mobile but obviously unlocked! Now I am thinking of flashing it with the G930U ROM, but am not sure if it will affect the unlocking.
My question is just that: I assume the boot-loader is locked; then will going to the Samsung unlocked ROM mess things up? And if it happens that I can not call out with it like the first unit, going back to G930T ROM may not bring it back to the current state!
Has anyone have words of wisdom in this regard?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The major benefit (if any) of U (unlocked/carrierless) firmware (from posts in this and other carrier threads) is the avoidage of carrier-specific applications (which are almost universally regarded as *bloatware*). However, because of scripts written by the talented folks elsewhere on XDA, even the most bloated carrier firmware can be skimmed of bloat without the concern that you could be shooting yourself in the foot by not getting a feature that can be firmware-reliant (such as VoLTE or VoWifi). Further, some carriers (Verizon Wilreless most notably) have a stock-only firmware policy (that is, in fact, the biggest ding I have with Big Red).
S7 Snapdragon (applies to any such)
pitrofilta said:
I've just purchased a used SM-G930VL (Straight Talk) phone on Swappa. I requested the SM-G930U, but they apparently sent the wrong model.
The reason I wanted to SM-G930U model was so I could insert any SIM card and it would work.
Questions (and I'm new to Android as you can probably tell below):
- Is the SM-G930VL Verizon / Straight Talk model usually unlocked to ONLY use any SIM card from Straight Talk or would I be able to use any US carrier?
- Is there a way to put SM-G930U firmware on a SM-G930VL phone and is there an advantage to this?
- Will the SM-G930U firmware unlock the phone in case it's locked to Straight Talk only?
- Can I brick the phone for good if I attempt to Flash it and I do it wrong? or is it always possible to bring the phone back from the dead?
- Is there a recent tutorial on how to make the phone accept any carrier?
I tried using Odin to Flash the phone from SM-G930VL to SM-G930V, but was following a 2 year old YouTube video, so the files were outdated and I was unsuccessful.
The phone is running Android 8.0.0 and Knox 3.1, API level 25.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My S7 (Snapdragon model) is not merely ex-Verizon, but one with a blacklisted IMEI on Big Red; the same would apply to any S7 (the gotcha with a blacklisted IMEI is that you can't take the phone back to the carrier that blacklisted the IMEI in question). The ONLY reason why blacklisted IMEIs happen is going to be contract-breakage (which is commonplace with long contracts - more than carriers want to admit). Still, you CAN take a phone with a blacklisted IMEI to another carrier (in my case, I took it to the the T-Mobile side of Tracfone). Other than that, you can go to any carrier.
Since I have been on the Tracfone side of T-Mobile, I have run T-Mobile Nougat, AT&T Mobility beta Oreo, AT&T Mobility Oreo Final, then T-Mobile Oreo - all without changing carriers, and all on the same S7. (You read that right - for at least two months, I ran firmware technically alien to both carrier AND phone - and it mattered to neither.) What has to be pointed out is that - until the b8 firmware, the ONLY carrier that quibbled about firmware is Verizon - and even that does not apply to their MVNOs, such as Tracfone.) Still, you have to wonder, why does Verizon care - especially since no other carrier did - even with phones under contract - until b8 came along - and that is only with the S7 in update-only mode? (It isn't as if Pie were in the offing for the S7.)
PGHammer said:
My S7 (Snapdragon model) is not merely ex-Verizon, but one with a blacklisted IMEI on Big Red; the same would apply to any S7 (the gotcha with a blacklisted IMEI is that you can't take the phone back to the carrier that blacklisted the IMEI in question). The ONLY reason why blacklisted IMEIs happen is going to be contract-breakage (which is commonplace with long contracts - more than carriers want to admit). Still, you CAN take a phone with a blacklisted IMEI to another carrier (in my case, I took it to the the T-Mobile side of Tracfone). Other than that, you can go to any carrier.
Since I have been on the Tracfone side of T-Mobile, I have run T-Mobile Nougat, AT&T Mobility beta Oreo, AT&T Mobility Oreo Final, then T-Mobile Oreo - all without changing carriers, and all on the same S7. (You read that right - for at least two months, I ran firmware technically alien to both carrier AND phone - and it mattered to neither.) What has to be pointed out is that - until the b8 firmware, the ONLY carrier that quibbled about firmware is Verizon - and even that does not apply to their MVNOs, such as Tracfone.) Still, you have to wonder, why does Verizon care - especially since no other carrier did - even with phones under contract - until b8 came along - and that is only with the S7 in update-only mode? (It isn't as if Pie were in the offing for the S7.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
(Yeah fkn wish pie was available 8 Is gunna be last forms for the s7.
Can anyone at all help me root this phone? I bought it today from Walmart after reading it could be rooted but my varrient SM-G930VL Straight Talk came preloaded with Android 8.0 and all the guides say they are for android 6.0 please help!!
I got a Metro by T-Mobile phone unlocked on eBay and while the phone no longer rejects MVNO sims, it won't connect to any network either. It still connects when I put the Metro sim back in but it won't connect with sims from Lyca, Tello or Hello Mobile, all T-Mobile MVNOs. The phone is a TCL 30 XE 5G (T767W) and I bought two of them new and they both have the same problem. I'm new to the T-Mobile network and I don't know if I'm missing something. I've never had this kind of trouble on Verizon or AT&T. Has anyone else run into a problem like this? I appreciate any help anyone can offer.
Thanks!
Look inside here:
How to Check If Android Phone is Unlocked or Locked
Before buying a new Android Phone, it is best to check if Android Phone is Unlocked or Locked. Here are 2 ways to check the Simlock status of your Android phone.
www.unlockboot.com
xXx yYy said:
Look inside here:
How to Check If Android Phone is Unlocked or Locked
Before buying a new Android Phone, it is best to check if Android Phone is Unlocked or Locked. Here are 2 ways to check the Simlock status of your Android phone.
www.unlockboot.com
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
According to that site my phone is unlocked but it still won't connect to any network unless the original Metro sim is installed.
WhatsWrongWithThisPhone said:
According to that site my phone is unlocked but it still won't connect to any network unless the original Metro sim is installed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe you need to enter service menu and change your radio settings or maybe you need to flash a different modem for your specific model number.
I know you said you bought them new but can you confirm that their IMEI is intact?
Droidriven said:
Maybe you need to enter service menu and change your radio settings or maybe you need to flash a different modem for your specific model number.
I know you said you bought them new but can you confirm that their IMEI is intact?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your reply! Both phones were shipped to me from Metro by T-Mobile. The phones were able to connect with an MVNO sim when I set the radio to 2G only mode but that option disappeared when the phones updated to Android 12 and now they can't connect at all. Even before the update, the phones would frequently disconnect and I had to set them back to 2G only mode to get service back so there was always something wrong. I'm pretty good with computers but I've never flashed a phone before and I've been suspecting that I would have to do that with these phones. I'll be happy to check their IMEI numbers if you could let me know what I'm looking for. I'd also like to learn more about flashing a new modem as you mentioned above that sounds like it might address the problem. And if you wouldn't mind letting me know where I could find the service menu?
Thanks in advance!!
WhatsWrongWithThisPhone said:
Thank you for your reply! Both phones were shipped to me from Metro by T-Mobile. The phones were able to connect with an MVNO sim when I set the radio to 2G only mode but that option disappeared when the phones updated to Android 12 and now they can't connect at all. Even before the update, the phones would frequently disconnect and I had to set them back to 2G only mode to get service back so there was always something wrong. I'm pretty good with computers but I've never flashed a phone before and I've been suspecting that I would have to do that with these phones. I'll be happy to check their IMEI numbers if you could let me know what I'm looking for. I'd also like to learn more about flashing a new modem as you mentioned above that sounds like it might address the problem. And if you wouldn't mind letting me know where I could find the service menu?
Thanks in advance!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After they updated, have you tried booting into recovery and wiping the cache partition(not factory reset)? Sometimes, after updates, wiping cache is necessary to remove conflicts between previously existing data and the new update.
If you are getting a connection of any kind then your IMEI is fine.
Flashing a modem is sometimes necessary but it can have risks if you flash the wrong thing.
I'm not familiar with TCL devices or how they are flashed. Typically, to flash a different modem requires downloading a firmware that has the modem that you want/need then extracting the modem from the firmware then flash the extracted modem onto the device.
Methods to access service/radio menu different from device to device, I don't know how it is done on TCL devices. Most of the time it is done by using your dialer and dialing a specific code, if there is a dialer code for your device, you should be able to find it with a Google search for:
"TCL 30 XE 5G dialer menu code"
Or
"TCL 30 XE 5G service menu"
Droidriven said:
After they updated, have you tried booting into recovery and wiping the cache partition(not factory reset)? Sometimes, after updates, wiping cache is necessary to remove conflicts between previously existing data and the new update.
If you are getting a connection of any kind then your IMEI is fine.
Flashing a modem is sometimes necessary but it can have risks if you flash the wrong thing.
I'm not familiar with TCL devices or how they are flashed. Typically, to flash a different modem requires downloading a firmware that has the modem that you want/need then extracting the modem from the firmware then flash the extracted modem onto the device.
Methods to access service/radio menu different from device to device, I don't know how it is done on TCL devices. Most of the time it is done by using your dialer and dialing a specific code, if there is a dialer code for your device, you should be able to find it with a Google search for:
"TCL 30 XE 5G dialer menu code"
Or
"TCL 30 XE 5G service menu"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was able to find my phone's service mode or engineering mode (hope they're the same thing) and get service back by setting the phone to 2G only mode again but that doesn't solve the problem of it losing service when LTE or 5G are turned on. Are there any other settings I could try changing?
WhatsWrongWithThisPhone said:
I was able to find my phone's service mode or engineering mode (hope they're the same thing) and get service back by setting the phone to 2G only mode again but that doesn't solve the problem of it losing service when LTE or 5G are turned on. Are there any other settings I could try changing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you use the service menu to find out which bands/frequencies and network type the current modem/radio is using?
Can you find out which bands/frequencies and network type that your carrier network is using?
Compare them to see if they are compatible.
Or, try calling customer support for your carrier, there may be something they need to do in their system from their end to get your device to connect.
Droidriven said:
Can you use the service menu to find out which bands/frequencies and network type the current modem/radio is using?
Can you find out which bands/frequencies and network type that your carrier network is using?
Compare them to see if they are compatible.
Or, try calling customer support for your carrier, there may be something they need to do in their system from their end to get your device to connect.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What do you mean by network type?
There are a lot of options to choose from, several of them list bands. Is there a specific menu I should look for?
The carrier I have the phone on is Tello which is a T-Mobile MVNO. I've also tried Lyca and Hello Mobile both are also Tmo MVNOs and all three had the same problem. The phones are from Metro by T-Mobile so everything should be compatible. Tello customer service has tried to help but they can't figure it out.
WhatsWrongWithThisPhone said:
What do you mean by network type?
There are a lot of options to choose from, several of them list bands. Is there a specific menu I should look for?
The carrier I have the phone on is Tello which is a T-Mobile MVNO. I've also tried Lyca and Hello Mobile both are also Tmo MVNOs and all three had the same problem. The phones are from Metro by T-Mobile so everything should be compatible. Tello customer service has tried to help but they can't figure it out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But, are the bands that are presently available on the device within the range of bands that your carrier uses? Do the network and the device use the same bands? If so, you shouldn't need to flash a different modem, if not, you may need a different modem.
Did you boot into recovery and wipe the cache partition to remove any potential conflicts caused by updating to android 12?
Are you certain that the SIM(s) you are trying to use is/are valid and active? If they have been previously deactivated, they won't work
Don't skip through my posts and only answer part of my questions. Let's cover the bases without skipping an answer to a question. Otherwise, it could lead to a wild goose chase that could have been avoided by answering everything I ask.
Droidriven said:
But, are the bands that are presently available on the device within the range of bands that your carrier uses? Do the network and the device use the same bands? If so, you shouldn't need to flash a different modem, if not, you may need a different modem.
Did you boot into recovery and wipe the cache partition to remove any potential conflicts caused by updating to android 12?
Are you certain that the SIM(s) you are trying to use is/are valid and active? If they have been previously deactivated, they won't work
Don't skip through my posts and only answer part of my questions. Let's cover the bases without skipping an answer to a question. Otherwise, it could lead to a wild goose chase that could have been avoided by answering everything I ask.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry about the confusion. I did wipe the cache and in the past I've done a full factory reset from recovery mode it didn't help. And this problem already existed before the update to Android 12. It started the moment I changed sims. The phones only ever worked right with the original Metro sim and still do. That's why I wasn't sure if they were unlocked right but they don't reject other sims either.
The sims are active and have never been deactivated and now that I can force the phones back into 2G mode again, I can make and receive calls and use 2G data.
As for the bands I'm finding in the service menu, this is where it gets weird. They're all selected, there must be over a hundred bands turned on including bands I know this phone doesn't support.
I have confirmed the phone supports all the same bands that Tello uses. Tello uses the same bands as T-Mobile.
WhatsWrongWithThisPhone said:
Sorry about the confusion. I did wipe the cache and in the past I've done a full factory reset from recovery mode it didn't help. And this problem already existed before the update to Android 12. It started the moment I changed sims. The phones only ever worked right with the original Metro sim and still do. That's why I wasn't sure if they were unlocked right but they don't reject other sims either.
The sims are active and have never been deactivated and now that I can force the phones back into 2G mode again, I can make and receive calls and use 2G data.
As for the bands I'm finding in the service menu, this is where it gets weird. They're all selected, there must be over a hundred bands turned on including bands I know this phone doesn't support.
I have confirmed the phone supports all the same bands that Tello uses. Tello uses the same bands as T-Mobile.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, thanks for confirming.
It is weird, everything seems to be in place. Have you made sure your APNs(Access Point Names) are set correctly for the network?
I can't be certain that you have all of your network and radio settings set correctly because I have no idea what settings you have, what the options are or if there are any tucked away somewhere that isn't obvious.
If everything is right on your end, it may be something on their end that they need to get right.
Droidriven said:
Ok, thanks for confirming.
It is weird, everything seems to be in place. Have you made sure your APNs(Access Point Names) are set correctly for the network?
I can't be certain that you have all of your network and radio settings set correctly because I have no idea what settings you have, what the options are or if there are any tucked away somewhere that isn't obvious.
If everything is right on your end, it may be something on their end that they need to get right.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, the APN was the first thing I checked and Tello confirmed it too.
I can send you screenshots of the service menus if that would help.
Tello is now saying the phone might not be "fully unlocked" I don't know what that means. Is there more than one way to lock a phone? Did T-Mobile come up with another way of locking their phones? A screen in the settings menu does warn the phone is still locked and it isn't yet eligible to be unlocked but it accepts the sim and connects to 2G at least. Could Tello be on to something here?
WhatsWrongWithThisPhone said:
Yeah, the APN was the first thing I checked and Tello confirmed it too.
I can send you screenshots of the service menus if that would help.
Tello is now saying the phone might not be "fully unlocked" I don't know what that means. Is there more than one way to lock a phone? Did T-Mobile come up with another way of locking their phones? A screen in the settings menu does warn the phone is still locked and it isn't yet eligible to be unlocked but it accepts the sim and connects to 2G at least. Could Tello be on to something here?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are couple of different kinds of "unlocked"
There is SIM/carrier unlock and there is bootloader unlock. They two completely different things and have nothing to do with each other.
Have you tried going through the carrier unlock process yourself to confirm it has been done correctly?
Droidriven said:
Have you tried going through the carrier unlock process yourself to confirm it has been done correctly?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know how to do that.
WhatsWrongWithThisPhone said:
I don't know how to do that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Generally, there is a website that you go to to get an unlock code.
Google search:
"TCL 30 XE 5G (T767W) SIM unlock"
Droidriven said:
Generally, there is a website that you go to to get an unlock code.
Google search:
"TCL 30 XE 5G (T767W) SIM unlock"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My understanding is that Metro phones can't be unlocked with a code. Instead, they're unlocked by a preinstalled carrier app when the phone becomes eligible for an unlock, which my phone isn't. In my case, I bought an unlocking service from eBay which had me hook up my phone to my PC via USB for the unlock. Is there another way to check?
WhatsWrongWithThisPhone said:
My understanding is that Metro phones can't be unlocked with a code. Instead, they're unlocked by a preinstalled carrier app when the phone becomes eligible for an unlock, which my phone isn't. In my case, I bought an unlocking service from eBay which had me hook up my phone to my PC via USB for the unlock. Is there another way to check?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You got scammed, whether they did it on purpose or not is another question. They probably didn't rob you on purpose, it is just a matter of there never being any kind of guarantee that a 3rd party unlocking service works on every device. You took that chance when you chose to go that route.
If there is an app that is supposed to be used, why is your device not eligible to unlock via the app? You will have to use the official unlock method if/when it is eligible, hopefully the 3rd party unlock service hasn't done anything that conflicts with the official method.
I suggest that, in the future, don't make gambles or look for shortcuts when buying devices without being 100% certain that you are buying from a reputable source that guarantees their products and services. It is best to buy directly from the carrier/manufacturer or from Swappa. I wouldn't buy from eBay unless I could confirm that there was a legitimately proven unlock method for the specific model number that I'm considering purchasing before I actually purchase the device.
If you can return the device and get your money back, I suggest you do it or report it to eBay to see if they will protect your purchase since what you got is not what you agreed to purchase.
Droidriven said:
You got scammed, whether they did it on purpose or not is another question. They probably didn't rob you on purpose, it is just a matter of there never being any kind of guarantee that a 3rd party unlocking service works on every device. You took that chance when you chose to go that route.
If there is an app that is supposed to be used, why is your device not eligible to unlock via the app? You will have to use the official unlock method if/when it is eligible, hopefully the 3rd party unlock service hasn't done anything that conflicts with the official method.
I suggest that, in the future, don't make gambles or look for shortcuts when buying devices without being 100% certain that you are buying from a reputable source that guarantees their products and services. It is best to buy directly from the carrier/manufacturer or from Swappa. I wouldn't buy from eBay unless I could confirm that there was a legitimately proven unlock method for the specific model number that I'm considering purchasing before I actually purchase the device.
If you can return the device and get your money back, I suggest you do it or report it to eBay to see if they will protect your purchase since what you got is not what you agreed to purchase.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got the phones new from Metro not eBay. The only thing I got from eBay was the unlocking service which cost me $8. And I didn't pay anything for the phones either as they were free with the purchase of one month of Metro service. So there's really no point in returning the phones and I'm not gonna bother opening a case with eBay over $8.
Metro won't unlock the phones until I've paid for six months of their service.
A quick search on eBay comes up with multiple sellers offering unlocks for my specific phone model locked to Metro. I've been thinking about just trying to get the phones unlocked again by another seller but everything and everyone seems to be telling me the phones are already unlocked so I don't know what I should try next. Is there a way to check if the phones are really unlocked?
WhatsWrongWithThisPhone said:
I got the phones new from Metro not eBay. The only thing I got from eBay was the unlocking service which cost me $8. And I didn't pay anything for the phones either as they were free with the purchase of one month of Metro service. So there's really no point in returning the phones and I'm not gonna bother opening a case with eBay over $8.
Metro won't unlock the phones until I've paid for six months of their service.
A quick search on eBay comes up with multiple sellers offering unlocks for my specific phone model locked to Metro. I've been thinking about just trying to get the phones unlocked again by another seller but everything and everyone seems to be telling me the phones are already unlocked so I don't know what I should try next. Is there a way to check if the phones are really unlocked?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You've already used methods to check if it is unlocked. Obviously, the service you paid for didn't work, you can't get your money back for that, those services don't come with any guarantee. As I said, you can take another chance and try another 3rd party service that also is not guaranteed or you can wait and do it the official way. I'm betting the unlock service is a waste of time and money and you'll have to wait and do it the right way. That is the cost of blindly taking a shortcut.