I have the T-Mobile version A71 5g, model # SM-A716U. I can't stand the T-Mobile branding, especially the jingle on startup.I am trying to flash the generic firmware XAS-A716USQU1ATFB-20200713085932 with odin and it fails every time with a message on the phone.
Odin on the computer does not show any error. Once that process is complete the phone reboots to the bootloader and shows an error message: failed the resizing-data
Is there any way to do this without wiping the phone? I read some things that say you have to log out of google and samsung accounts, would that really make this process fail?
digitalcandy said:
I have the T-Mobile version A71 5g, model # SM-A716U. I can't stand the T-Mobile branding, especially the jingle on startup.I am trying to flash the generic firmware XAS-A716USQU1ATFB-20200713085932 with odin and it fails every time with a message on the phone.
Odin on the computer does not show any error. Once that process is complete the phone reboots to the bootloader and shows an error message: failed the resizing-data
Is there any way to do this without wiping the phone? I read some things that say you have to log out of google and samsung accounts, would that really make this process fail?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I doubt Odin cares what accounts you do or don't use. Shouldn't have any effect.
I'm not a fan of the T-Mo branding either. The all-pink screen splash is obnoxious.
Sounds like the problem is the internal memory partitions are slightly different between the generic image and the T-Mo image and it doesn't lime that.
So you think for this I will need to factory reset. Do I just select re-partition in odin and then select CSC file instead of HOME_CSC file?
And is there any risk of tripping the efuse or setting the warranty void status to 1?
In the meantime I tried the *#272*IMEI# and this is just such a mess. When I set it to XAS the phone thinks it is Sprint phone and tries and fails to activate. When I set it to XAA then that doesn't happen but it refuses to make VoLTE call and calls over CDMA do not connect for some reason. I am using Verizon SIM card BTW. Also in XAA T-Mobile 5G does not work.
But now it is stuck on XAA *#272*IMEI# does not bring up the menu!
digitalcandy said:
I have the T-Mobile version A71 5g, model # SM-A716U. I can't stand the T-Mobile branding, especially the jingle on startup.I am trying to flash the generic firmware XAS-A716USQU1ATFB-20200713085932 with odin and it fails every time with a message on the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where are you finding generic (unlocked) firmware?
I've looked on SamMobile & couldn't find anything for the SM-A716U.
As best I can tell, there is no unlocked version of this firmware nor does Samsung even offer an unlocked version of the phone itself.
I don't know, this is all very confusing. Some random websites say XAS is generic firmware, other random site say XAS is Sprint. And then they show a BST firmware too but nobody tries to guess what carrier that is for.
In any case if I used the *#272*IMEI# menu to switch it to XAA and now Verizon VoLTE doesn't work and T-Mobile 5G doesn't work what can I do to revert back to stock since the *#272*IMEI# menu will no longer show up?
digitalcandy said:
I don't know, this is all very confusing. Some random websites say XAS is generic firmware, other random site say XAS is Sprint. And then they show a BST firmware too but nobody tries to guess what carrier that is for.
In any case if I used the *#272*IMEI# menu to switch it to XAA and now Verizon VoLTE doesn't work and T-Mobile 5G doesn't work what can I do to revert back to stock since the *#272*IMEI# menu will no longer show up?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried using Samsung's Smart Switch desktop tool to restore your phone back to stock?
https://www.samsung.com/us/support/owners/app/smart-switch/
Smart switch doesn't give me any option. The old version says this phone is not supported for recovery.
And now I can't even get the phone back to download mode
I am also looking for a way to update my A71 5g to Android 11 and OneUI 3.
I have the model number SM-A716U, the AT&T variant that is network unlocked and on Metro-by-Tmobile.
I have been looking for a way to update the phone but I only found the firmware for model SM-A716U1 which is the unlocked variant.
I don't want to take the chance of bricking the phone.
But the firmware is from AT&T but the model number is different.
There is an update for the right model number but it can't be downloaded anywhere.
Smart Switch also doesn't recognize that there is an update.
I guess I am just stuck with Android 10 and OneUI 2.5
Hello, I have an unlocked Galaxy Note 20 Ultra from Verizon. I am wondering if it is possible to fully convert this device to work fully with TMobile I was specifically wondering if it's possible to use TMobiles 5G Network on this device. I have flashed the U1 Firmware to the device but it never showed me an Option to choose my carrier or anything like that, and even though the Signal shows 5G whenever I turn a speed test or view the cell info it pops up as LTE
You need to change your device CSC to TMB and flash TMB U firmware, not U1.
You device currently shows VZW/VZW/VZW in your screenshot.
It should read TMB/TMB/TMB, or at least VZW/VZW/TMB.
The SIM card itself will determine what network you have access to.
Be careful though as you have now flashed newer firmware with the new version 2 bootloader.
So you can only use firmware with that bootloader version. No going back.
rjohnstone said:
You need to change your device CSC to TMB and flash TMB U firmware, not U1.
You device currently shows VZW/VZW/VZW in your screenshot.
It should read TMB/TMB/TMB, or at least VZW/VZW/TMB.
The SIM card itself will determine what network you have access to.
Be careful though as you have now flashed newer firmware with the new version 2 bootloader.
So you can only use firmware with that bootloader version. No going back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you change ur CSC from VZW to TMB, then it will read TMB/TMB/VZW in your screenshot.
You can only change to TMB/TMB/TMB if you root your phone .
For more details, visit https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/...bands-and-services-5g-low-band-on-u1.4182293/
Please note, some codes in original post don't work for some, with latest 10.1 Update.
Using Sammobile, I've seen U1 firmware with a T-Mobile CSC. That way you won't have all the T-Mobile apps or boot screen.
Hey Everyone,
I have unlocked SM-N986U1 with the latest update installed (Updated with latest June update). I wanted to change my CSC to TMB (T-Mobile) so as to enable ESeim support. I tried using Samkey, wasted 1 credit too. It said CSC updated but nothing happened, my carrier still shows XAA.
Can anyone please guide me on how can I change CSC to TMB?
Thanks.
dawinner said:
Hey Everyone,
I have unlocked SM-N986U1 with the latest update installed (Updated with latest June update). I wanted to change my CSC to TMB (T-Mobile) so as to enable ESeim support. I tried using Samkey, wasted 1 credit too. It said CSC updated but nothing happened, my carrier still shows XAA.
Can anyone please guide me on how can I change CSC to TMB?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
These links'could help. I think you have to flash the TMB Rom which enables and support the eSim on the phone. It would help to have a Tmobile Sim around during this process but I have heard others say it is not needed.
Note 20 Ultra eSIM update is here!! (T-mobile USA)
Guys, FINALLY!!! Woohoo! We have eSIM support on Note 20 Ultra US Snapdragon version for T-mobile. There is an OTA you can download and then convert your physical SIM to eSIM :)
forum.xda-developers.com
[Guide] - eSim Firmware Flash/ Odin Upgrade/ Flashing and N986U to N986U1 & Vice Versa
Instructions are updated to get eSIM INTRODUCTION - Firstly sorry for posting this as this is common knowledge for many. I still see so many people asking the same questions again and again and i do want to help so decided to write a guide. If...
forum.xda-developers.com
Mbetu said:
These links'could help. I think you have to flash the TMB Rom which enables and support the eSim on the phone. It would help to have a Tmobile Sim around during this process but I have heard others say it is not needed.
Note 20 Ultra eSIM update is here!! (T-mobile USA)
Guys, FINALLY!!! Woohoo! We have eSIM support on Note 20 Ultra US Snapdragon version for T-mobile. There is an OTA you can download and then convert your physical SIM to eSIM :)
forum.xda-developers.com
[Guide] - eSim Firmware Flash/ Odin Upgrade/ Flashing and N986U to N986U1 & Vice Versa
Instructions are updated to get eSIM INTRODUCTION - Firstly sorry for posting this as this is common knowledge for many. I still see so many people asking the same questions again and again and i do want to help so decided to write a guide. If...
forum.xda-developers.com
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the link to guide. I was going through it and there is a warning on the top saying if you have Bootloader 2 you won't be able to flash U firmware on U1. I believe as I have all the latest updates I wont be be able to flash it.
Thanks for your help.
dawinner said:
Thanks for the link to guide. I was going through it and there is a warning on the top saying if you have Bootloader 2 you won't be able to flash U firmware on U1. I believe as I have all the latest updates I wont be be able to flash it.
Thanks for your help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you can. My device is from Xfinity and I have done the switch to any Carrier I choose on bootloader 2. U1 to U and back is doable. The key is to use the modified Odin as specified in the guide.
"
2. Download Patched Odin here
3. Unpack/Unzip what you downloaded in Step 2 (Odin Compatible ROm) and put in a folder. Lets call the folder "Flash"
4. Run Odin, click on BL, Browse to the "Flash" folder, add BL file from there, Do the same for AP (click on AP, Add AP file, this will take some time), Same for CP (click on CP, Add CP file)
5. Do the same for CSC (click on CSC, Add the file with the name starting with Home_CSC). If you use Home_CSC your phone will not get formatted and data will remain Intact
USERDATA Stays empty.
6. Now connect USB cable to your laptop (Only laptop and not the phone)>> Turn off your phone >> Press volume up and volume down keep them pressed and plug in the USB type C into your phone.
7. You should be in download mode now, press volume up. In Odin you will see that phone is added.
8. Press start in Odin. Wait for it to finish and let the phone restart (it will happen On its own).
9. Done
Mbetu said:
Yes you can. My device is from Xfinity and I have done the switch to any Carrier I choose on bootloader 2. U1 to U and back is doable. The key is to use the modified Odin as specified in the guide.
"
2. Download Patched Odin here
3. Unpack/Unzip what you downloaded in Step 2 (Odin Compatible ROm) and put in a folder. Lets call the folder "Flash"
4. Run Odin, click on BL, Browse to the "Flash" folder, add BL file from there, Do the same for AP (click on AP, Add AP file, this will take some time), Same for CP (click on CP, Add CP file)
5. Do the same for CSC (click on CSC, Add the file with the name starting with Home_CSC). If you use Home_CSC your phone will not get formatted and data will remain Intact
USERDATA Stays empty.
6. Now connect USB cable to your laptop (Only laptop and not the phone)>> Turn off your phone >> Press volume up and volume down keep them pressed and plug in the USB type C into your phone.
7. You should be in download mode now, press volume up. In Odin you will see that phone is added.
8. Press start in Odin. Wait for it to finish and let the phone restart (it will happen On its own).
9. Done
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the steps. Couple of Quick Questions:
1) I used frija to download the firmware (I typed CSC: TMB in frija, as its the first time I am using it, is it the right way)
2) I also checked the version in frija with the CSC: XAA, the version is same. How can I make sure that I have downloaded the correct TMB firmware.
Thanks.
dawinner said:
Thanks for the steps. Couple of Quick Questions:
1) I used frija to download the firmware (I typed CSC: TMB in frija, as its the first time I am using it, is it the right way)
2) I also checked the version in frija with the CSC: XAA, the version is same. How can I make sure that I have downloaded the correct TMB firmware.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You might want to extract the files and check for differences. The Frija tool has been kind of good to me.
Mbetu said:
You might want to extract the files and check for differences. The Frija tool has been kind of good to me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for all the help, one last question, and I dont know if you will know about this:
To enable ESIM (Only T-Mobile version has E-SIM), do I need to flash U version of T-Mobile of U1 version of T-Mobile will also provide me with the same ESIM functionality?
dawinner said:
Thanks for all the help, one last question, and I dont know if you will know about this:
To enable ESIM (Only T-Mobile version has E-SIM), do I need to flash U version of T-Mobile of U1 version of T-Mobile will also provide me with the same ESIM functionality?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think I flashed the U version of Tmobile but it does not hurt to try both. This is what my device info says after converting my Xfiniti to Tmobile
Mbetu said:
I think I flashed the U version of Tmobile but it does not hurt to try both. This is what my device info says after converting my Xfiniti to Tmobile
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks!!!!
Mbetu said:
I think I flashed the U version of Tmobile but it does not hurt to try both. This is what my device info says after converting my Xfiniti to Tmobile
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I flashed the complete U firmware except the USER DATA file. But my Service Provider Software version is still stuck at XAA, its not changing to TMB. Though the phone model has changed to what you have in your screenshot.
Any idea what to do?
dawinner said:
I flashed the complete U firmware except the USER DATA file. But my Service Provider Software version is still stuck at XAA, its not changing to TMB. Though the phone model has changed to what you have in your screenshot.
Any idea what to do?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So the Model is 986U/DS ? And is eSim enabled ?. That is the state you would want to be in. I understand the last XXX in the service provider software can't be changed. Mine didn't change and stayed CCT which is for xfinity but the as you can see, I have TMB/TMB, TMB/CCT. Esim is enabled and my Mint mobile (Tmobile) number is on it and I have a foreign physical Sim which is roaming on AT&T on the physical slot.
You might be close.
Mbetu said:
So the Model is 986U/DS ? And is eSim enabled ?. That is the state you would want to be in. I understand the last XXX in the service provider software can't be changed. Mine didn't change and stayed CCT which is for xfinity but the as you can see, I have TMB/TMB, TMB/CCT. Esim is enabled and my Mint mobile (Tmobile) number is on it and I have a foreign physical Sim which is roaming on AT&T on the physical slot.
You might be close.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also picked this nugget up from another thread
"You have to flash full tmb firmware. Not xaa tmb but 986u tmb firmware. The esim is in the user data section you'll flash"
Others have suggested you have to do a factory reset or flash the actual CSC file not the Home CSC which means you will loose DATA. I was doing this on a phone I had not setup yet so didn't mind loosing DATA. I am also assuming you have a TMB sim card in the phone because I understand that is needed so the phone can connect to Tmobile and download the carrier data files that actually changes the CSC after a clean flash.
These are just some of the things I picked up from here when doing my conversion.
Mbetu said:
Also picked this nugget up from another thread
"You have to flash full tmb firmware. Not xaa tmb but 986u tmb firmware. The esim is in the user data section you'll flash"
Others have suggested you have to do a factory reset or flash the actual CSC file not the Home CSC which means you will loose DATA. I was doing this on a phone I had not setup yet so didn't mind loosing DATA. I am also assuming you have a TMB sim card in the phone because I understand that is needed so the phone can connect to Tmobile and download the carrier data files that actually changes the CSC after a clean flash.
These are just some of the things I picked up from here when doing my conversion.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup I used the TMB version only. The model Number changed to 986U/DS. In About phone, it shows me the IMEI of the Esim, but its greyed out.
The only thing I dont have is the T-Mobile Sim. I think thats whats causing the issue. I will arrange a t-Mobile sim and try it tomorrow.
Thanks for all the help.
Mbetu said:
Also picked this nugget up from another thread
"You have to flash full tmb firmware. Not xaa tmb but 986u tmb firmware. The esim is in the user data section you'll flash"
Others have suggested you have to do a factory reset or flash the actual CSC file not the Home CSC which means you will loose DATA. I was doing this on a phone I had not setup yet so didn't mind loosing DATA. I am also assuming you have a TMB sim card in the phone because I understand that is needed so the phone can connect to Tmobile and download the carrier data files that actually changes the CSC after a clean flash.
These are just some of the things I picked up from here when doing my conversion.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
QQ: Does it has to be a T-Mobile Sim? or Mint mobile or anyother T-Mobile based MVNO should work?
dawinner said:
QQ: Does it has to be a T-Mobile Sim? or Mint mobile or anyother T-Mobile based MVNO should work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Has to be a Tmobile Sim. I tried a Mint Sim it didn't work. If you are seeing the esim but greyed out, then you are close. Restart with a Tmobile Sim and you might be in business
Mbetu said:
Has to be a Tmobile Sim. I tried a Mint Sim it didn't work. If you are seeing the esim but greyed out, then you are close. Restart with a Tmobile Sim and you might be in business
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks that helps. I just have to figure a way to get a tmobile sim. I dont have it. Lol. Will try again once I get my hands on a Tmobile sim.
Thanks for the help.
dawinner said:
Thanks that helps. I just have to figure a way to get a tmobile sim. I dont have it. Lol. Will try again once I get my hands on a Tmobile sim.
Thanks for the help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Anytime. FYI, dois not have to be an active TMB sim. Used ones are on ebay for about 2 bucks.
Mbetu said:
Anytime. FYI, dois not have to be an active TMB sim. Used ones are on ebay for about 2 bucks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. Let me try those.
Since the OP looks like problem solved, and not wanting to waste new thread, i have similar issues, can you help?
I have an S10e I recently broke (amazon renewed w/U1 FW), so I got another S10e from amazon, renewed which appears to also be U1 FW.
Except the latest, the replacement phone, the one I have now, NOONE can hear me, like all the time!!!!!!! Dead spots everywhere! Its so annoying. Its like i have a bad Mic? Or something...
This didn't happen with my identical phone, the one I had prior to this one, using identical sim.
I'm on Mint mobile, which is a TMO MVNO and currently have XAA/XAG FW running on the new S10e, the new one w/bad Mic or FW problem
It appears I am on U1 Unlocked USA firmware on latest phone ( i may have flashed FW Odin when I got this new one-to be safe- i forgot)
ALSO: BOTH renewed S10e's I've Purchased from Amazon, when lookup the IMEI, it shows as the AT&T Model. Which i understand the U/U1 FW can be swapped, BUT, both phones were advertised as U1 Models for the Hardware, so they sold me U models but they flashed with U1 FW probably to make more money. (this may seem trivial, but Samsung specifically has stated TWICE, that I couldn't Beta Test their last to major android FW's, because my phone shows as At&t on their end, and not the truly unlocked U1 model, for which the beta tests were for. And i was told when i purchased it was fully unlocked U1 ver. The phone itself even says its 970u1 in settings etc.)
Are there ANY hardware (including frequency bands) differences between U and U1 Models???
Is it somehow possible that my CSC, or FW on my phone is affecting my phone so badly that people cant hear me like 88% of all calls? Like should i flash different FW, or reflash or use different CSC??
Is it possible that if I went with a locked TMO FW (or another) that I could possibly, maybe get better reception so folks can hear me better? Or hear me more often or more frequently?
How often do mics go bad or get dirty on these? Can a mic be cleaned?
I have been in the other Note 20 flashing thread but I am stuck. Tried so many ways but can't get the TMB csc to stick, always shows only XAA. I have TMO sim card too. Not sure if they blocked it on the newer releases of the phone
Has anyone tried Samkey to do this? Heard it only takes 1 credit but smallest amount of credits to purchase on ebay is 10 and I dont feel like investing more money into this effort
Hello,
I've already searched this but I'm seeing different answers.
I have a Verizon Note 20 5g and the csc is at vzw/vzw/vzw. I would like to change the csc over to att/att/att. I have already downloaded Patched Odin, the new duf2 firmware. I have always kept my sim card inside the phone during flashing and its always changed the csc over during that process. This time though(this phone) when i flashed the firmware onto the phone it kept the vzw/vzw/vzw csc. Do i need to take out the sim card during the flash then reinsert once the firmware has been flashed on the phone and it restarts? Im on bootloader 2 and using the correct firmware. im just trying to get Volte back..lol.
thanks in advance
t12icky0 said:
Hello,
I've already searched this but I'm seeing different answers.
I have a Verizon Note 20 5g and the csc is at vzw/vzw/vzw. I would like to change the csc over to att/att/att. I have already downloaded Patched Odin, the new duf2 firmware. I have always kept my sim card inside the phone during flashing and its always changed the csc over during that process. This time though(this phone) when i flashed the firmware onto the phone it kept the vzw/vzw/vzw csc. Do i need to take out the sim card during the flash then reinsert once the firmware has been flashed on the phone and it restarts? Im on bootloader 2 and using the correct firmware. im just trying to get Volte back..lol.
thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It will never be att/att/att, if the phone was originally vzw/vzw/vzw. If you have an active AT&T sim card, you will get att/att/vzw. Flashing odin does not change the csc on this device - the active SIM card dictates the csc. You didn't indicate if you were flashing U or U1, but you have to flash the U software to get carrier services, including VoLTE.
Cindysmith0994 said:
It will never be att/att/att, if the phone was originally vzw/vzw/vzw. If you have an active AT&T sim card, you will get att/att/vzw. Flashing odin does not change the csc on this device - the active SIM card dictates the csc. You didn't indicate if you were flashing U or U1, but you have to flash the U software to get carrier services, including VoLTE.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh gotcha, ok. Yea I have Att sim card but it still shows VZW/VZW/VZW even with the Att sim card inserted. I flashed the U1 firmware, thank you for clarifying this on the difference for the volte thing.
Did the APN change when you put in the AT&T sim card? If you change from U to U1 or vice versa, i believe you have to do a factory reset [sim card out until after inital setup]. The guide in this post worked for me: https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/...shing-and-n986u-to-n986u1-vice-versa.4182825/. But i moved from TMO to ATT with no issue.
Cindysmith0994 said:
Did the APN change when you put in the AT&T sim card? If you change from U to U1 or vice versa, i believe you have to do a factory reset [sim card out until after inital setup]. The guide in this post worked for me: https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/...shing-and-n986u-to-n986u1-vice-versa.4182825/. But i moved from TMO to ATT with no issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you very much, I didn't know the initial setup thing. Once I did that it's now showing Att/Att/Vzw. I have volte, wifi calling and hd calling again.
Thank you so much.
A question from a noob here. I have a T-Mobile S22 Ultra phone which is network unlocked. As I recently I switched from T-Mobile to Verizon, I'm missing some of the features that are Verizon specific, while not needing anything that is T-Mobile specific anymore. From what I understand, Samsung installs multi SCS firmware on most of the phones these days, which can be changed by a dialer code. That however did not work at all.
Another option I've come across is by flashing provider specific (in my case Verizon) firmware as long as firmware version is the same (S908USQU2AVDC). There are a number of articles on how to do it by using Odin. The issues is no matter what I do and what files I select (like by using CSC file instead of HOME_CSC with or without flashing USERDATA file as well) the result is the same. It shows success and reboots and then reports an error and does the full factory reset which ends up back on T-Mobile version.
The question I have if it's even possible? And if so what I'm doing wrong here. Unlocking a bootloader is not really an option for me...
samirski said:
A question from a noob here. I have a T-Mobile S22 Ultra phone which is network unlocked. As I recently I switched from T-Mobile to Verizon, I'm missing some of the features that are Verizon specific, while not needing anything that is T-Mobile specific anymore. From what I understand, Samsung installs multi SCS firmware on most of the phones these days, which can be changed by a dialer code. That however did not work at all.
Another option I've come across is by flashing provider specific (in my case Verizon) firmware as long as firmware version is the same (S908USQU2AVDC). There are a number of articles on how to do it by using Odin. The issues is no matter what I do and what files I select (like by using CSC file instead of HOME_CSC with or without flashing USERDATA file as well) the result is the same. It shows success and reboots and then reports an error and does the full factory reset which ends up back on T-Mobile version.
The question I have if it's even possible? And if so what I'm doing wrong here. Unlocking a bootloader is not really an option for me...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In theory, flashing the correct firmware (VERIZON) should work. I would honestly first wipe the device, then flash (clean, not dirty) the Verizon firmware and setup accordingly. I had a similar case with a TMBILE unit (I had changed carriers) and I had managed to use XAA CSC and then when I reverted to TMOBILE SIM it would not "restart and install carrier updates". I had to basically switch the unit to U1 and then revert to U and it finally pulled all the TMO crap.
I may be mistaken since I haven't done this type stuff since S10, but I think you need to first reset the device and flash the unlocked version then when you put the verizon sim in it should provision it. Then you can flash the verizon package if you want the bloat apps. The features may be hit or miss. You may need to activate the features on the verizon website. Some features may never work as the carrier wont push them to IMEI not in their database of branded phones. There may be things you can do in hidden settings with "Activity Launcher" or other methods.
I'm here trying to figure out the same things for Tmobile and a factory Unlocked phone, before I buy.
Thanks a lot for your suggestions guys! I managed to do what I wanted. This is what I ended up doing, first flashed the unbranded U1 version on my phone and on the first boot Verizon sim was provisioned. Then I flashed Verizon firmware and it worked!