Database Info

SIM unlock?

Please post experience with S7 SIM (carrier) unlocking here, specifically third party websites that offer an unlocking service.

I bought my phone out right from T-mobile. And their unlock app that comes on the phone does not work

HTCMDA said:
I bought my phone out right from T-mobile. And their unlock app that comes on the phone does not work
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It works but you have to know what you're doing with it. Did you contact Tmobile for unlock code. We unlock and blacklist repair the Sprint, Tmobile, etc. The Tmobile ones have to go through that app during the process

supreme83 said:
It works but you have to know what you're doing with it. Did you contact Tmobile for unlock code. We unlock and blacklist repair the Sprint, Tmobile, etc. The Tmobile ones have to go through that app during the process
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yea man i called...they sent an email with instructions.. email stated this phone doesn't require an unlock code as it has a built in unlock app. follow the directions below blah blah balh
bottom line, it doesn't work. why? because there's hidden rules and crap that need to be met 1st by t-mobile. prepaid people need to spend at least 100 dollars in refills before the phone is eligible. post paid people need to have the phone active on t-mobile for a minimum of 45 days and your account cannot be cancelled during that time.
well seeing as how i'm on prepaid... i walked in, made a new customer purchase as a post paid user, then cancelled my line after i got my gear vr and netflix code... which wasn't even 30 days. I can't unlock my phone, So I'm now on prepaid gonna see if I can after 100 dollars in refills

Try to use UnlockRadar for any phone using Device Unlock App from T-Mobile, including the Galaxy S7. You can find more here: https://www.unlockradar.com/service/t-mobile-usa-device-unlock-app-official-unlock

Hello,
i need a help with a unlocking Samsung Galaxy S7 SIM (network) too. It is locked to Vodafone UK.
Does anyone know any reliable services to do it?
Thanks

merlooo said:
Hello,
i need a help with a unlocking Samsung Galaxy S7 SIM (network) too. It is locked to Vodafone UK.
Does anyone know any reliable services to do it?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use ebay to get my unlock codes, unlocked maybe a dozen phones in the last few years and never had any issues with anyone.

A couple reliable sites I've used many times are www.unlockbase.com and www.cellunlocker.net . There's also a thread over on the s6 general forum of a member named stifilz that can unlock your device via USB cable, his service is free but a donation is always a nice gesture. Good luck!
Sent from the silver bullet 930F Running Superman Rom

kinda ridiculous you have to pay to get an unlock code still. My SM-G930FD i bought unlocked locks itself every time in install a T-mobile csc and the app wont even run on that phone

Hi can anyone help? I bought an At&t S7 Edge on amazon and got the unlock code from the vendor and it apparently worked. My only issue is that it'll only work with the sim that was in the phone when I entered the code. If I use another one the phone keeps displaying "insert sim". Thanks already for your replies

Thanks for the reply and there's 1 more things I need to mention: I'm using the phone overseas (Haiti) as it's still under At&t contract. Now to answer your questions no it doesn't ask for the unlock code anymore but like I said it only works with the non At&t
sim I used when entering the unlock code.
SamsungCodeSource said:
Hey there macphephe,
What network are you trying to use the phone with and does the phone ask for the unlock code still when you turn the phone on with a non AT&T simcard/
Let me know we can help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

s7 (sm-930f) lock to Austrian A1 was not able to be unlocked by unlockbase.com. However, the nck from cellunlocker.net worked well.

Ok so what im mentioning is something im still not getting quite well, but i saw before many samsung phones S6, S7, Note... etc that have the international firmware 9XXF/FD even when the phone is actually a T-Mobile version or AT&T, in download mode you will be shown the real phone model but the firmware isn't. Of course through Odin with a PC you won't be able to flash the phone with a firmware besides the one designed for it. If you actually wanna flash the phone you'll need the original firmware, i tried it before and flashed a Verizon S6 that had the international 6.0 firmware on it through Odin and as you might guess i got an error as the device didn't match the firmware, when i actually flashed it with the correct Verizon 7.0 firmware it worked and the phone booted and worked alright, except that now the phone is network locked! downgrade isn't possible unless i use a repair firmware and a pit file (not sure if still works with nougat). Then i got the idea of actually using the repair firmware and the pit of the 9XXF version as its network free, and ended up breaking the phone completely. The jig didn't work so couldn't access odin. So i work for a friend of mine in a repair workshop PC, Consoles, Mobiles... blablabla and we have the Z3x box, it did unbrick the phone, and then i started playing with it to see what it can do, and there is an option to actually flash and mix different parts of the firmware, so i went an flashed the bootloader of the Verizon firmware with the rest from the international firmware, it didn't boot at first but somehow i got it into recovery mode and after a format it did boot, and the network was actually unlocked after.
I do not think this method would work on all versions, as some samsung phones uses the snapdragon soc while others uses the exynos soc, and i don't think you can mix those firmwares, but an unlocked exynos model might be unlockable with the international firmware, of course considering the risk of breaking the phone, but if you're lucky as i was and have one of those boxes you shouldn't be much afraid.
Something else i'd like to mention, is that the Z3x can actually fully backup the phone, and i don't mean a nandroid backup like TWRP but like a full partitions backup, and the idea i got but didn't test is if you have for example a locked S7 and an unlocked one and same model so let's say 930P, you can actually copy the raw partitions from the unlocked one to the locked one and i don't know, maybe ending up unlocking it too, again didn't test this one as i only have one S7 and its already unlocked (930FD).

Where do OTA updates come from when using an MVNO like Straight Talk in the US?

Is there a way to know if/when an OTA update will arrive when using an MVNO like Straight Talk in the USA? I am using Straight Talk (w/AT&T SIM), and it won't show the Nougat update available , even though AT&T has seemingly pushed Nougat out to every S7 owner I know a couple months ago. I have the international version of the Galaxy S7 (G930F). Where is the update supposed to come from in this case? Does this come from Samsung or AT&T?
I realize I can flash it manually, but am looking for a no-hassle way with a low chance of messing anything up. Thanks.

Install this app https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.vndnguyen.phoneinfo and look up the active csc. That's the country it pings for updates.
Mine is XSG and I use straight talk at&t.
Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Each model gets updates from that service's server. Att, tmo, vzw... so on. But it has to match that service's model. 930a, 930t, 930v.... straight talk has the 930vl. Now, if you have a sim from the right service in there, it should take the update just fine.

You can use smart switch for updates without the fear of messing up.
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S7 using XDA Labs

So that being said, I could theoretically go download a version from another country if I had the Verizon variant of the phone?

Darkbandit14 said:
So that being said, I could theoretically go download a version from another country if I had the Verizon variant of the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only Snapdragon variants can be flashed and I'm not sure if that also means the g9300 china.

gunz.jones said:
Each model gets updates from that service's server. Att, tmo, vzw... so on. But it has to match that service's model. 930a, 930t, 930v.... straight talk has the 930vl. Now, if you have a sim from the right service in there, it should take the update just fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My phone's CSC code is showing TPA (Panama). It's got Nougat, so I'm happy, but I don't know if I need to/should change the CSC code to something in the US. I would like to get OTA updates, but I also don't want to do anything that could mess up the phone, such as blocking wi-fi tethering, which is currently working.

martyxng said:
My phone's CSC code is showing TPA (Panama). It's got Nougat, so I'm happy, but I don't know if I need to/should change the CSC code to something in the US. I would like to get OTA updates, but I also don't want to do anything that could mess up the phone, such as blocking wi-fi tethering, which is currently working.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Native WiFi tethering is available in the hybrid nougat Rom.

Can I root my Samsung S7 and gert rid of "all things ATT"..?

So, I'll apologize if this has already been dealt with previously, but I just need to verify what I've been told by a friend who knows Android systems (and Samsung S7 phones) a LOT more than I will ever attempt to understand..
About a year ago, I bought a Samsung Galaxy S7 from a 'rebuilder' (my term) who mentioned at the time "... it was ATT phone..", and, yes, when I turn it on it does the ATT circle jerk logo and has an ATT logo on the back of the phone. This was of no real concern to me, because my service purveyor uses the ATT system (Consumer Cellular), so it's worked well enough. But unfortunately, it also has a boatload of 'semi-proprietary' ATT trash in the phone which I'd like to get rid of. To confuse the matter even more, it appears that I cannot 'unlock' the phone because it has not been associated with an actual active ATT account for close to two years, and it APPEARS that now they refuse to accommodate an unlock code for this phone.
So... according to my friend (Mr. Android Phone), I can 'root' this phone to 'factory original firmware' and make it (in essence) just a plain-old-vanilla Samsung S7 without this rather bogus ATT firmware and the myriad of craplets I'd like to get rid of..
So, I'm here looking for "expertise" in such things because I certainly don't want to 'brick' this pretty nice phone, but I also want to get this to a point where there is no association with ATT in any manner. So my question sorta comes down to: "can I root this and be rid of all things ATT?", and "will this allow me to achieve an 'unlock' without having to play ATT's games? (I had QUITE the discussion with an ATT 'support' dude a couple of hours ago when he flatly refused to give me an unlock code so I could simply ATTEMPT to see if Consumer Cellular's T-Mobile service might work better at my home, since CC tells me I'm right in the center of a brand new rebuilt 4G service area).
Does any of this make any sense to anyone? Pardon my ignorance, but if the IMEI # is somehow 'tethered' to ATT and they won't "release" it, how does rooting help with this? - or is this something more like an 'association' of the IMEI # AND the ATT firmware...? GAH!! I'd just like to be totally rid of all this ATT junk and have the freedom to choose whichever service I want.

CentennialMan said:
So, I'll apologize if this has already been dealt with previously, but I just need to verify what I've been told by a friend who knows Android systems (and Samsung S7 phones) a LOT more than I will ever attempt to understand..
I'd just like to be totally rid of all this ATT junk and have the freedom to choose whichever service I want.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi There that's a lot of words partner! I'll try make the answer easy to understand and I've cut out much of the post so my reply isn't huge.
1. Yes you can install vanilla firmware which will remove all branding from AT&T and you don't need to root the phone to do this. here is the firmware for your device >>here<< You can also use XAS or XAA. You will see the guide and the Odin you need to flash this firmware.
2. This is another version of Odin on this website if you have any issues with the one on Sammobile. >>here<<
3. Unfortunately you cannot unlock the phone unless the original cell phone provider gives you their half of the unlock key as a code to input to the phone. In the UK once a phone is out of the initial contract period it is illegal for the provider to refuse to give you this code whether your still with them or not. I know in the USA you guys gets ****ed over. The original account holder of the phone can ask for the unlock code but not you.
4. Changing the firmware and unlocking the phone to any network are two different things, flashing unbranded firmware will not unlock the phone the network is tied to. They don't make it that easy!
5. As far as i know T Mobile (USA) has also moved to G930U firmware so you could be lucky with a T Mobile SIM working once the phone is flashed with this firmware but don't hold your breath. Check Sammobile for the T Mobile firmware too.
6. IMEI number is tied to the phone so in theory it can be changed after the phone is rooted and you are able to modify the EFS partition but it is extremely difficult even for veterans like me and it causes lots of problems with cell network registration. Leave well alone if you don't want a completely useless device.
Things to make flashing go easier
1. Turn off FRP lock or sign out of the Google account on the phone or delete it before you do anything, you can put that account back on the phone after flashing.
2. If you enable Developer options make sure " usb debugging" is enabled and OEM unlock, not essential but can help when things go wrong.
3. Anything you want to keep, pics media etc back up or move to SD card, the SD card won't be touched when flashing firmware.
4. Please follow the guides on how to flash correctly.
Any other questions please ask.

It should be noted that if it's an ATT phone it's Snapdragon therefore permanently bootloader locked, OEM Unlock won't actually do anything, that setting only works on Exynos.
The only root method for Snapdragon is to use a leaked engineering bootloader to gain system access, and you can only install the leaked bootloader if your phone is already running old firmware. For up to date phones there is no root method.

Beanvee7 said:
It should be noted that if it's an ATT phone it's Snapdragon therefore permanently bootloader locked, OEM Unlock won't actually do anything, that setting only works on Exynos.
The only root method for Snapdragon is to use a leaked engineering bootloader to gain system access, and you can only install the leaked bootloader if your phone is already running old firmware. For up to date phones there is no root method.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello mate i'm not sure if your aware but AT&T were initially Qual comm but they've also been using Exynos for a while.

cooltt said:
Hello mate i'm not sure if your aware but AT&T were initially Qual comm but they've also been using Exynos for a while.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Source?

Beanvee7 said:
Source?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't be smart you know how to use Google?

I did google it, I wouldn't have asked for a source if I found something. But it doesn't matter, you're the one making unsubstantiated claims, the burden is on you to prove it. But since you asked for it:
AT&T's website says Snapdragon
https://i.imgur.com/TdV62Mq.jpg
https://www.att.com/buy/phones/samsung-galaxy-s7-32gb-black-onyx.html
GSM Arena says Snapdragon
https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s7_(usa)-7960.php
Wikipedia says Snapdragon
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samsung_Galaxy_S7#Qualcomm_Snapdragon_820_Models
There isn't a single page when googling AT&T S7 Exynos that backs your claim up. The USA also uses completely different network technology than internationally, using the S7 Exynos in the USA is already known to cause issues with LTE, VoWiFi etc. They'd have to do a hardware refresh of the Exynos SoC if they wanted to support it in the USA, which they ain't going to do a for a 3 gen old phone.

Beanvee7 said:
I did google it, I wouldn't have asked for a source if I found something. But it doesn't matter, you're the one making unsubstantiated claims, the burden is on you to prove it. But since you asked for it:
AT&T's website says Snapdragon
https://i.imgur.com/TdV62Mq.jpg
https://www.att.com/buy/phones/samsung-galaxy-s7-32gb-black-onyx.html
GSM Arena says Snapdragon
https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s7_(usa)-7960.php
Wikipedia says Snapdragon
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samsung_Galaxy_S7#Qualcomm_Snapdragon_820_Models
There isn't a single page when googling AT&T S7 Exynos that backs your claim up. The USA also uses completely different network technology than internationally, using the S7 Exynos in the USA is already known to cause issues with LTE, VoWiFi etc. They'd have to do a hardware refresh of the Exynos SoC if they wanted to support it in the USA, which they ain't going to do a for a 3 gen old phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol ok.

Note 20 Ultra US Automatic Carrier Switching

Been searching the forums and have not found a solution yet.
Current Situation: Have a Note 20 Ultra US Verizon verient, SM-986U, Verizon Unlocked.
Current Issue: When ATT, US Cellular ect. SIM card is inserted, device will not recognize it and won't switch to new carrier.
Reference: Have a Note 10 Plus that is unlocked from verizon and currently accepts and reprovisions based on sim card.
Question then is, why is the multi csc note 20 from verizon not behaving the same way.

First thing would be to verify it's actually unlocked.
Second would be to perform a factory reset with the new carriers SIM card installed.
It should definitely see the new SIM after that.

rjohnstone said:
First thing would be to verify it's actually unlocked.
Second would be to perform a factory reset with the new carriers SIM card installed.
It should definitely see the new SIM after that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Talked to maybe 7 verizon agents all teir 2, all confirmed its unlocked on all levels, (network, financial).
Talked to samsung and they say its locked to verizon, but not able to say how.
I have done what you mentioned as far as reset with different sim. I can also include that the other note 20s i have show same thing.

Have you verified that you actually have multi csc. May have to flash u1 firmware.
Sent from my SM-N986U1 using Tapatalk

pimpmaneaton said:
Have you verified that you actually have multi csc. May have to flash u1 firmware.
Sent from my SM-N986U1 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How would i verify, as far as i know i do.

crimznsins said:
How would i verify, as far as i know i do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In Google dialer do *#272*YOUR_IMEI* that will pull up a list of csc that the phone can switch to. Don't change anything there and just cancel out of it, but can just verify that way.
Sent from my SM-N986U1 using Tapatalk

Carrier switching historically speaking is included in a firmware update that occurs about 4 to 6 months into the product life cycle.

Yeah am thinking without U1 firmware, probably won't happen. They have probably blocked the other csc somehow like they like to block everything else.
Sent from my SM-N986U1 using Tapatalk

Limeybastard said:
Carrier switching historically speaking is included in a firmware update that occurs about 4 to 6 months into the product life cycle.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm and thats what i worried about, might be to soon for auto switching, about 2 weeks ago the *#272* code did let me see the list, i didn't select anything with not being familiar with it, but no longer works, dialer won't accept. So bottom line that i'm thinking is give it a few months and should get update else flash U1 firmware to get around it.

crimznsins said:
Hmm and thats what i worried about, might be to soon for auto switching, about 2 weeks ago the *#272* code did let me see the list, i didn't select anything with not being familiar with it, but no longer works, dialer won't accept. So bottom line that i'm thinking is give it a few months and should get update else flash U1 firmware to get around it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds like a good idea.

pimpmaneaton said:
In Google dialer do *#272*YOUR_IMEI* that will pull up a list of csc that the phone can switch to. Don't change anything there and just cancel out of it, but can just verify that way.
Sent from my SM-N986U1 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks all for answering, so what i have found out is the following.
1. SM-N986U is Multi CSC " Verizon, US Cellular, ATT, Ect".
2. *#272*IMEI# will not work in phone or google dialer for some Loaded CSC configuration. "VZW,USC,ATT".
3. Using Google Phone, *#*#27262826#*#* does in fact work on all configurations of csc U or U1 variants.
4. I did confirm that my device was unlocked but firmware csc has to manually be changed with dialer code. I was able to move between all loaded CSC with boot screens and network configurations.
5. We are currently waiting on samsung to push patch for sim auto recognition for CSC rebrand.

crimznsins said:
Thanks all for answering, so what i have found out is the following.
1. SM-N986U is Multi CSC " Verizon, US Cellular, ATT, Ect".
2. *#272*IMEI# will not work in phone or google dialer for some Loaded CSC configuration. "VZW,USC,ATT".
3. Using Google Phone, *#*#27262826#*#* does in fact work on all configurations of csc U or U1 variants.
4. I did confirm that my device was unlocked but firmware csc has to manually be changed with dialer code. I was able to move between all loaded CSC with boot screens and network configurations.
5. We are currently waiting on samsung to push patch for sim auto recognition for CSC rebrand.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dialed *#*#27262826#*#* on my unlocked Tmobile

Reading a bit more here.. So, I bought a N20 Ultra (SM-N985F/DS) unlocked, I'm currently using it in Colombia, the CSC code for this device is TPA (Panama). I want to change to generic unlocked (don't know if there is such a CSC) or a US unlocked not branded one... In this case is there a way to do this without ROOT/messing up KNOX? I travel quite frequently to the US and I enjoy using SAMSUNG PAY which is disabled (I get a message saying SAMSUNG PAY is not supported on my phone).
I do realice there are quite some threads on this CSC but I haven't found one that has the answer I'm, looking for (maybe not searching properly). Any guidance on where to look is more than welcomed.
Regards

crimznsins said:
Thanks all for answering, so what i have found out is the following.
1. SM-N986U is Multi CSC " Verizon, US Cellular, ATT, Ect".
2. *#272*IMEI# will not work in phone or google dialer for some Loaded CSC configuration. "VZW,USC,ATT".
3. Using Google Phone, *#*#27262826#*#* does in fact work on all configurations of csc U or U1 variants.
4. I did confirm that my device was unlocked but firmware csc has to manually be changed with dialer code. I was able to move between all loaded CSC with boot screens and network configurations.
5. We are currently waiting on samsung to push patch for sim auto recognition for CSC rebrand.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a verizon unlocked s21 ultra that i might have to try this with. Currently being annoyed that I'm not getting the tmobile bands due to carrier settings not updating.

joancolmenares said:
Reading a bit more here.. So, I bought a N20 Ultra (SM-N985F/DS) unlocked, I'm currently using it in Colombia, the CSC code for this device is TPA (Panama). I want to change to generic unlocked (don't know if there is such a CSC) or a US unlocked not branded one... In this case is there a way to do this without ROOT/messing up KNOX? I travel quite frequently to the US and I enjoy using SAMSUNG PAY which is disabled (I get a message saying SAMSUNG PAY is not supported on my phone).
I do realice there are quite some threads on this CSC but I haven't found one that has the answer I'm, looking for (maybe not searching properly). Any guidance on where to look is more than welcomed.
Regards
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, wondering if you ever got this figured out, i'm in similar situatuin. I live in the Caribbean and bought the N20 Ultra (SM-N985F/DS) unlocked, has CSC code TPA. I want a global or us unlocked CSC or firmware so I can enable e-sim as I travel a lot. It is incrediby annoying that the phone is advertised as Esim enabled but many variants still dont have this activated.

crimznsins said:
Thanks all for answering, so what i have found out is the following.
1. SM-N986U is Multi CSC " Verizon, US Cellular, ATT, Ect".
2. *#272*IMEI# will not work in phone or google dialer for some Loaded CSC configuration. "VZW,USC,ATT".
3. Using Google Phone, *#*#27262826#*#* does in fact work on all configurations of csc U or U1 variants.
4. I did confirm that my device was unlocked but firmware csc has to manually be changed with dialer code. I was able to move between all loaded CSC with boot screens and network configurations.
5. We are currently waiting on samsung to push patch for sim auto recognition for CSC rebrand.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have tried dialing *#*#27262826#*#* in stocks phone app and Google phone app with no luck.
U1 model, CSC - ATT/ATT,ATT/XAA
I desperately need to be able to manually select my bands and the last Samsung update broke the permissions for the shortcut maker app I was using. I live on US/MX border and I cross every day and my phone is constantly changing bands and some are incredibly slow, it's killing me. Any help would be appreciated.

With newer os versions, we are unable to manually change CSC on devices using dialer codes, only way is to use a 3rd party csc changer. I would not recommend unless you know what your doing.

Question Flashing unlocked firmware over carrier firmware?

Like the title says, is this possible and can it be done without wiping user data? Thanks.

Probably not worth the trouble. Always assume you will lose the data and back it up redundantly.
I thought there be a night and day difference when I got the unlocked N10+ N975U1 vs the AT&T variant N975U. There wasn't. The unlocked version actually had some bloatware not on the AT&T variant
Easiest and safest thing to do is package blocked the carrier bloatware. Verizon does some screwy modes to their devices so getting rid of that be nice. AT&T does not, that surprised me. Some users might like some of the AT&T apps.

It was successful, thank goodness. See my follow up here https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/f721u1-firmware-now-available.4484639/

Notice much difference?

Yeah the main stuff are:
1. Rcs with jibe server works now. Before it used att server so it wouldn't connect properly with other users
2. System updates come directly from Samsung instead of att

NguyenHuu said:
Yeah the main stuff are:
1. Rcs with jibe server works now. Before it used att server so it wouldn't connect properly with other users
2. System updates come directly from Samsung instead of att
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't use either.
Updates is one of the first things I disabled on my N10+'s. One's on Pie, the other 10, I prefer Pie though. Once Google started rolling out scoped storage I bailed.
&
AT&T/Samsung have a nasty habit of screwing up older devices with firmware upgrades. Just had a pair of Buds+ screwed up like that a few months back, now they need the firmware rolled back*. S4+, same deal a few years back, but bootloader was updated too, no rollback.
If an OS is running fast, stable and fulfilling its mission... I let it be.
*I have 2 new pairs of Buds+, they sound identical and like my original pair use to, grrrrr.
Went with them because Samsung's newest release lack the features I want. Rather annoying.
The Buds+ have a 11 hr run time, light, don't fall out and sound good.

Sorry I should've posted my question here, instead of creating a new thread.
I recently purchased a flip 3 and am on a payment plan, tmobile won't unlock my phone unless I pay it off in full. Is it possible to flash the default software of the unlocked model so I can get updates from Samsung and still have my sim work? I'm not switching carriers, do I need the tmobile version of firmware for data/phone to work if the phone isn't unlocked?

boxface said:
Sorry I should've posted my question here, instead of creating a new thread.
I recently purchased a flip 3 and am on a payment plan, tmobile won't unlock my phone unless I pay it off in full. Is it possible to flash the default software of the unlocked model so I can get updates from Samsung and still have my sim work? I'm not switching carriers, do I need the tmobile version of firmware for data/phone to work if the phone isn't unlocked?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Phone service will still work perfectly fine on U1 firmware, but you may lose lose some carrier-specific features like wifi calling etc. But.... the U1 models don't always necessarily get faster updates than the carrier models. For example, with the most recent update, the carrier model got it 2 weeks before the unlocked model. So if that's your only reason for wanting to change firmware, I'd advise against it.
Notify Update
- U model update history
Notify Update
- U1 model update history

iBowToAndroid said:
Phone service will still work perfectly fine on U1 firmware, but you may lose lose some carrier-specific features like wifi calling etc. But.... the U1 models don't always necessarily get faster updates than the carrier models. For example, with the most recent update, the carrier model got it 2 weeks before the unlocked model. So if that's your only reason for wanting to change firmware, I'd advise against it.
Notify Update
- U model update history
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What I'm concerned about is tmobile eventually stopping the updates way sooner than Samsung. The carriers don't usually update a phone as long as the vendor so to avoid that I would rather not use T-Mobiles version. Thanks for the reply, it was very helpful.
iBowToAndroid said:
Notify Update
- U1 model update history
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

boxface said:
What I'm concerned about is tmobile eventually stopping the updates way sooner than Samsung. The carriers don't usually update a phone as long as the vendor so to avoid that I would rather not use T-Mobiles version. Thanks for the reply, it was very helpful.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Incorrect. Every single model's lifespan for updates has always been the exact same, whether U or U1

I downloaded the unlocked firmware via Frija for SM-F711U1 / XAA and flashed it onto my At&t unit using patched Odin. Lost my data since the install didn't work without flashing CSC but booted up and working just fine now. No At&t bootscreen or bloat