[Q] I would like to ask about 4.4 - Galaxy S 4 Active Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

There is to my knowledge a 4.4.2 rom out, though it's only available for the non AT&T brand s4 active due to the lack of a bootloader, unless I read it wrong which I may have due to being a bit tired. I know that there is safestrap for AT&T because I have it and have been able to relocate the post, so could someone perhaps explain to me the full issue? I'm fairly knowledgeable to a bit of all this but I'd hardly call myself experienced. Don't feel the need to speak to me as if I were five though, if worse comes to worse I'll ask you to elaborate

Nicknakin said:
There is to my knowledge a 4.4.2 rom out, though it's only available for the non AT&T brand s4 active due to the lack of a bootloader, unless I read it wrong which I may have due to being a bit tired. I know that there is safestrap for AT&T because I have it and have been able to relocate the post, so could someone perhaps explain to me the full issue? I'm fairly knowledgeable to a bit of all this but I'd hardly call myself experienced. Don't feel the need to speak to me as if I were five though, if worse comes to worse I'll ask you to elaborate
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The issue is that the i537 has a locked bootloader. The bootloader checks the signature of the kernel, so if the signatures don't match, the flash of the new kernel will fail. All of these pieces have been signed by Samsung, so without their key there's nothing we can do. The i9295 does not have this restriction so the can flash anything they want.

Related

Using Note in Ireland

Hey everyone,
Just picked up a AT&T note 3 here in Ireland. Phone is practically new but I have straight away noticed some problems.
First of all how can people live with the phone been destroyed by bloatware and all that other stuff..
So I'm looking to see if it's possible for me to root it and flash a standard samsung image?
I see kitkat update is available but when I check for updates it says there is none, is something blocking me receiving the update here in Ireland?
I'm having the gps problem and hope it's not a hardware problem, is there a fix that allows it to lock on to satelites instead of constantly searching for GPS??
Thanks in advance..
28 views and not one comment.... I know theres a time difference but come on lmao
Smokie365 said:
Hey everyone,
Just picked up a AT&T note 3 here in Ireland. Phone is practically new but I have straight away noticed some problems.
First of all how can people live with the phone been destroyed by bloatware and all that other stuff..
So I'm looking to see if it's possible for me to root it and flash a standard samsung image?
I see kitkat update is available but when I check for updates it says there is none, is something blocking me receiving the update here in Ireland?
I'm having the gps problem and hope it's not a hardware problem, is there a fix that allows it to lock on to satelites instead of constantly searching for GPS??
Thanks in advance..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It might help if you gave a little more information and also searched. As for information, what ROM does your phone currently have? Are you sure its an AT&T Note and not an international note? What chipset do you have? You may be in the wrong forum as the international note has its own forum and flashing from one to the other can and will cause bad things to happen.
If you are on an AT&T note, there is a 4.4.2 update that only recently was able to be rooted. There are bootloader issues, so if you are on an older ROM, you might not want to update.
In addition, searching might help quite a bit as well. For example, there is a thread on the first page discussing the GPS issues with several suggested fixes. (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2612757)
There are also people who say the 4.4.2 update fixed the GPS issues and those who say it didn't. As for debloating, there are several threads talking about apps to freeze (using Titanium if you are rooted) as well as a thread from Walter.white that lists an extensive amount of programs and files to delete.
That's the long answer. The short answer is read and search and then ask questions giving as much information about your software and circumstances as possible. The likelihood of getting an answer is much greater that way.
Congratulations on getting the best phone out there!
ptgptg said:
It might help if you gave a little more information and also searched. As for information, what ROM does your phone currently have? Are you sure its an AT&T Note and not an international note? What chipset do you have? You may be in the wrong forum as the international note has its own forum and flashing from one to the other can and will cause bad things to happen.
If you are on an AT&T note, there is a 4.4.2 update that only recently was able to be rooted. There are bootloader issues, so if you are on an older ROM, you might not want to update.
In addition, searching might help quite a bit as well. For example, there is a thread on the first page discussing the GPS issues with several suggested fixes. (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2612757)
There are also people who say the 4.4.2 update fixed the GPS issues and those who say it didn't. As for debloating, there are several threads talking about apps to freeze (using Titanium if you are rooted) as well as a thread from Walter.white that lists an extensive amount of programs and files to delete.
That's the long answer. The short answer is read and search and then ask questions giving as much information about your software and circumstances as possible. The likelihood of getting an answer is much greater that way.
Congratulations on getting the best phone out there!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First of all thank you for taking the time to reply with as much info as possible.
It is a at&t phone because it boots up with the at&t logo and I have checked the code ect. I have attached a screen shot with some details if you don't mind having a look. I have successfully rooted the phone and installed supersu so I should be at the stage to flash roms? If I had the international version I don't think I would be asking so many questions as I would just go ahead and do it.
I just don't want to make a mistake as I'm not sure what exactly is the difference between at&t versions of phones. Is the hardware different?
Thanks again

Is rooting G900A officially dead?

My original GS5 had a broken gyroscope and I had it replaced a few weeks ago. I didn't expect or realize that Asurian, the company that does At&t's insurance, would send me one running Lollipop, still in original packaging no less. After trying and failing to downgrade to 4.4.2 for hours, I found out that it's not possible.
So, with no exploits to work with, a locked and encrypted bootloader, and some Xposed Modules no longer working from the looks of some forum posts, is GS5 rooting officially dead? Is there some other option that hasn't been considered to acquire root? Since I'm out of warranty, I don't care about tripping KNOX.
Is it possible to completely remove all the software on the phone and replace it with rooted software? I know it may sound idiotic, but I'm no developer, just a guy who likes tinkering with tech, so go easy on me please. I only ask this because I was thinking of getting some outside help to possibly decrypt the bootloader. I've read on other forums that trying to decrypt a phone bootloader is a worthless endeavour but it didn't stop me from looking. As it turns out, even with an extensive Google search, there is no explaination of the subject of bootloader decryption, no software to use, no experts in the field explaining their experience or anything at all helpful.
I'm very much pissed that my first dive into the Android (customizable) experience with the GS5 was first stilted by At&t and now killed. I have not seen any updates indicating any progress on rooting and I'm hoping it's only because I missed it. Considering the time elapsed and the bounty for decrypting the software never being claimed, shall I lose hope and wait out this crappy device until I can buy a new one? Or, is root still of some concern?
Hey, I'm sorry to hear about your loss of root. As far as I know it's dead for now unless someone comes up with something. Not sure if anyone has tried flashing a boot loader from another carrier or not but, that might work. Only thing is, if it doesn't you lost your phone.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk
Yeah, that will brick the phone. Can't flash bootloaders from other carriers to a locked bootloader.
chadderbox said:
Yeah, that will brick the phone. Can't flash bootloaders from other carriers to a locked bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good to know.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk
Guess we may need to raise another $18,000 for developing a root. Is there no other geobot out there talented enough?
fleece said:
Guess we may need to raise another $18,000 for developing a root. Is there no other geobot out there talented enough?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Or just not buy phones from carriers.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk
If I could find a SM-G800M at a decent price, I would! It's the only mini model with all four of the same LTE and LTE-A bands that AT&T operates.
unixasaurusrex said:
Or just not buy phones from carriers.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will be following that advice in the future!
Furious over the forced 5.0 FOTA upgrade with ATT's bootloader and no way to flash 4.4.2. or a custom rom...
---------- Post added at 21:53 ---------- Previous post was at 21:49 ----------
fleece said:
Guess we may need to raise another $18,000 for developing a root. Is there no other geobot out there talented enough?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll donate large sums to this cause just on principle.
ATT hasn't completely locked down their Galaxy Notes (it can be flashed back to their 4.4.2 stock rom from 5.0.1)... Just primarily their S5...
Maybe a dev can look into this for a possible root...
http://www.networkworld.com/article...-a-simple-mms-message-or-multimedia-file.html
There is a part of the article that mentions root access is possible, now if it could be a permanent root is the real question.
johnkirchner said:
Maybe a dev can look into this for a possible root...
http://www.networkworld.com/article...-a-simple-mms-message-or-multimedia-file.html
There is a part of the article that mentions root access is possible, now if it could be a permanent root is the real question.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I posed the same question, whether the devs thought stagefright could be used to facilitate rooting the ATT Note 4 and @graydiggy was awesome at explaining the exploit may only work on phones without write protection (the Nexus line).
Wonder if Joshua Drake (who discovered the flaw) would be willing to assist xdaers with this ATT S5 root issue should a proper bounty be offered. Seems Google paid him only about $1500 for reporting the problem and for the patches he created and sent (to Google)...
Currently, @Kingxteam gets mad respect for developing a tool to root otherwise unrootable phones. They have yet to add ATT's galaxy S5 (SM-900A) to their list of supported phones but I suspect they're working on it. Maybe PM them?
Hope is good thing... maybe the best of things.
Cave Canem said:
...Currently, @Kingxteam gets mad respect for developing a tool to root otherwise unrootable phones. They have yet to add ATT's galaxy S5 (SM-900A) to their list of supported phones but I suspect they're working on it. ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go Kingxteam !!! All glory and honor and praise to you all -- especially if you can "tame this wild horse" with a root. :victory:
I'm new to all this rooting and don't understand any of the language yet but would like to start rooting. Unfortunately the phone I have seems to be unrootable. Anyone know if I can root my memo pad 7 on AT&T don't know model number but I do know it's running kk4.4
Just got this phone a week ago and returning/exchanging isn't an option for me. I really hope there are still some ambitious devs out there looking for a solution to rooting the lollipop OC4 version, although I fear the majority have moved on. :crying:

Confused - Root and Revert back to 5.0.2

I am not having an easy time finding a clear cut way to root my phone. I know that since 5.1.1 came out like 2-3 weeks ago that I need to be on 5.0.2. So I need to know how to revert back to that. And then I also know that you need to do some weird **** from what I am used to to just simply root our phones. Something with the OE2 to OF3 and some other things related to that. Really weird to me when I am used to more or less pressing a button and I am rooted...... This being said I need to know how to root my phone too. And if it is possible to root 5.1.1 then those instructions would be preferred(saying it is stable/tested/etc.
I ultimately want to be able to use either XtreStoLite ROMs. Preferably the Odex Pure Edition though but from what I've read when you do the 5.0.2 version there was some call audio problems...which is no good for a phone lol.
Last phone I really tried to do **** with was the HTC Aria. Had an S3 for awhile but didn't feel like doing anything with it since it was so old at the time I received it(almost 2 years ago now)
/startrant
I feel like XDA is way more confusing than it used to be. Either that or the community for the S6 isn't the best from other phones I've used, personally. This new UI for XDA is also weird to me as well(doubt it is very new though).
Used to seeing a clear cut:
How To Root thread(s)
List of Custom Roms thread(s)
other useful threads that make going around the phones forum so much easier than having to use the search engine.
it definitely doesn't help that more or less all other versions of the phone work with each other easily vs ATT being ****ing douchebags and can't even just release the current OS right when literally every other company does.
Conclusion.... **** ATT... Long ago I wanted to go to verizon but wasn't in a position to but figured at this point in time(3-4 years later, maybe more) that things might have changed. **** ATT
/endrant
arokace said:
<lots of complaining>
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no way to root your phone, the bootloader is signed we don't have the keys.
In addition it would behoove you greatly if you learned to both search and to be knowledgeable as to what your 'one click' solutions do. Without knowing what your clicking you'll find it hard to fix when things go wrong.
In short though your SoL here, unless your phone is on an exceptionally early build you can't root, and I doubt it's on that early of a build unless you made an effort to keep it from updating and bought the phone close to launch.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk
OP asked about reverting to 5.0.2, so it's pretty safe to assume he's on 5.1.1.
OP - at this point, as posted above, all you can do is wait and hope. There is no way to revert to a rootable build from 5.1.1, nor root 5.1.1, on an ATT branded device, at this time. If you are committed to wanting root and custom ROMs, don't buy any AT&T or VZW branded devices, and don't buy devices that are running anything other than mainstream processors. Nexus is your friend. Or revert back to your Aria - I'm still using mine, running CM11, as a media player.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk
I know 5.1.1 can't be rooted but I thought 5.0.2 can be. But from the sounds of it once I have 5.1.1 installed then my bootloader is changed? And reverting back doesn't change the loader? Oh, after reading the last part of the 1st reply. It sounds like all those people that say they've rooted there 5.0.2 version was just because they purchased at launch?
As for understanding the 'one click' solutions. At the times I did know what they did. The forums for the phone(s) I was using at the time were a lot more neat and straightforward(this is apparently one word, didn't know...) to understand. Like I said, this new layout of XDA(it is new to me even if it might be 2 years old or something) isn't as nice/useful personally. And as for searching, I do but once again the searches are different than how other forums do searches. Or maybe it is just the cluttered feeling I get from the S6 forums maybe. Not sure.
P.S.(_Dennis_) No **** it is a lot of complaining...granted I basically got the phone for free because of how AT&T does there plans and ****...this still makes me hate AT&T even more than I used to...at least with my older phones there was hope for someone to make ROMs/Roots/etc for the phone, just took longer because AT&T rides the short bus... So yes I will complain. But I still genuinely had questions I wanted answers. I know you had to read what I wrote but you didn't take it in I guess. Because the only way I would have some of that info is if I was searching. I just didn't know about only the launch models basically can be rooted and no others. Which is why I was asking about reverting to 5.0.2
I will thank you both for actually posting and answering my questions though. Versus in the normal S6 forum people just completely ignored me. So I do appreciate you guys answering me.

Do people even work on the locked up US Snapdragon variants?

All I read is negative on the topic of the US Snapdragon Galaxy S10 receiving root/an unlocked bootloader as I understand Samsung has kept these variants locked since the S7 series.
But is it not true that anything that can be locked can be unlocked? It's impossible to have a truly unbreakable lock, hardware or software, no?
And if it is completely impossible, why is this? Are people actively working on it/is there any potential we will receive root in a way similar to the SamFails exploit for the S8 series?
Of course, I'm just a consumer. I'm not exactly sure what goes into this. It would be helpful to gain some insight on what is and is not possible for my S10.
Kind of disappointed I'm unable to afford a Canadian or other foreign variant because I do payment plans. But I really would love the feeling of having root again. I really do miss it.
CrackyRaps said:
. I really do miss it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But why?
CrackyRaps said:
All I read is negative on the topic of the US Snapdragon Galaxy S10 receiving root/an unlocked bootloader as I understand Samsung has kept these variants locked since the S7 series.
But is it not true that anything that can be locked can be unlocked? It's impossible to have a truly unbreakable lock, hardware or software, no?
And if it is completely impossible, why is this? Are people actively working on it/is there any potential we will receive root in a way similar to the SamFails exploit for the S8 series?
Of course, I'm just a consumer. I'm not exactly sure what goes into this. It would be helpful to gain some insight on what is and is not possible for my S10.
Kind of disappointed I'm unable to afford a Canadian or other foreign variant because I do payment plans. But I really would love the feeling of having root again. I really do miss it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should have purchased another phone, because it's not going to happen on this one.
raduque said:
But why?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because I enjoyed the extra features associated with it?
Superuser, flashing a ROM, even just getting rid of certain bloatware or using a PS3 controller with bluetooth.
There's just a bunch of small things that I miss being able to do, but Samsung has been progressively locking their **** up more and more.
Why does it matter why I want it?
raduque said:
But why?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tel864 said:
You should have purchased another phone, because it's not going to happen on this one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is the sort of thing I'm talking about. I don't know how you can definitively say this other than for the fact that nobody seems to even be giving a ****.
And that's how it goes, nobody gives a **** until it's figured out.
I'm sure a lot of people had the same exact mindset when the S8 got root without tripping Knox, but it got it eventually.
Maybe if more people had been working on it, it would've come about much earlier than it did.
So what is your reasoning other than "well Samsung made it hard to do so nobody attempts it?"
Nothing is impossible to break into.
CrackyRaps said:
This is the sort of thing I'm talking about. I don't know how you can definitively say this other than for the fact that nobody seems to even be giving a ****.
And that's how it goes, nobody gives a **** until it's figured out.
I'm sure a lot of people had the same exact mindset when the S8 got root without tripping Knox, but it got it eventually.
Maybe if more people had been working on it, it would've come about much earlier than it did.
So what is your reasoning other than "well Samsung made it hard to do so nobody attempts it?"
Nothing is impossible to break into.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wait wait wait lets clear this up. the s8 got root within a month or two of it being out. However, this was NOT because "people worked on it hard enough" It was because an engineering boot/build got leaked. This was not matter of working to root the thing then they had a magic breakthrough due to hard work. It was rooted because of the leaked engineering build.
I hope that they end up having the same thing happen there too, I really do. However, I would not keep your hopes up. Samsung is very good about locking their devices down when they want to. The level of dedication and work that a team would have to put in would have to be the equivalent or bigger than the team samsung has working to lock these things down. The problem with that? any team that has that time and money is not going to be working to root a samsung device. they are going to be taking paid jobs and if they did find a security flaw to exploit, they would probably turn it into samsung for a payout.
CrackyRaps said:
So what is your reasoning other than "well Samsung made it hard to do so nobody attempts it?"
Nothing is impossible to break into.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOL, welcome to the real world, because things can be made impossible to break into. I'm still amazed at people buying a phone they know can't be rooted, get buy it anyway.
Hey guys I agree with the OP of this thread. I am by no means a dev but want to try and help where I can. I posted a thread on galaxy s10+ forum regarding the eng bootloader from Pakfirmware. If you are interested check it out https://forum.xda-developers.com/s10-plus/how-to/eng-bootloader-t3914050
ait1071 said:
Hey guys I agree with the OP of this thread. I am by no means a dev but want to try and help where I can. I posted a thread on galaxy s10+ forum regarding the eng bootloader from Pakfirmware. If you are interested check it out https://forum.xda-developers.com/s10-plus/how-to/eng-bootloader-t3914050
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good dialog here. One question, is the Exynos version the same in every way as the Snapdragon, especially the having the same 3G/4G LTE Bands?
If so, why not just buy the Exynos version Unlocked from an overseas website?
The only disadvantage would be if they fail to include the newer bands like 23, 66,71,14....etc...
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
CrackyRaps said:
But is it not true that anything that can be locked can be unlocked? It's impossible to have a truly unbreakable lock, hardware or software, no?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That locked down phone is a selling point. They'll sell far more phones to people that don't care about rooting... and that's before the corporate and government sales.
Can it be unlocked? It's possible. It could happen today, or it could take two years like the Verizon Note4 and require such a convoluted process that many people will screw their phones up in the attempt. In the case of the Note4, it took so long that many developers had long moved on to newer devices.
Are there people working on the unlock? Undoubtedly. But I've found that this work goes on quietly, less the unwashed masses try incomplete methods and end up making their phones useless. (I hesitate to use the term "bricked," because that implies a phone that cannot be fixed by anyone. It is an overused term on these forums.)
I used to flash two or three ROMs a day back when I first got an Android phone in the Droid Incredible days. Perhaps it's my age, but most of the ROMs I flashed had issues I don't want to mess with anymore. While the One UI isn't a perfect experience, the only possible enticement I could see to root my phone would be a full nandroid backup.
And if they do find a way to root, I'll be in the thread laughing my ass off at the idiots who don't know what they're doing and can't follow directions "brick" their phones. A word of wisdom: don't try to be the first. Let others screw up and get the process refined.
CrackyRaps said:
Because I enjoyed the extra features associated with it?
Superuser, flashing a ROM, even just getting rid of certain bloatware or using a PS3 controller with bluetooth.
There's just a bunch of small things that I miss being able to do, but Samsung has been progressively locking their **** up more and more.
Why does it matter why I want it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It doesn't matter. I was genuinely curious. You might gain a few little things, but you break everything that uses Knox. Samsung Pay, S-Health, Secure Folder, apps like Adhell and Disconnect Pro. Oh, and you NEVER get those back even after un-rooting, so you have to sell it for a significantly lower price because the device is crippled.
Samsung is locking their devices down so they can provide a secure environment for US Government and company use. 97% of the consumer market appreciates the lock down as well, because it's more difficult for malware to use an exploit to gain root and use that to steal passwords, pins, numbers and so on.
If you want to be able to unlock a devices bootloader, add root access and flash community roms, you need to get another device. If you still want to root a Samsung, you need an Exynos device. But again, see my first paragraph.
If you really want to have root then probably the best thing is not to buy a phone till root has been made available. For certain type of phones this is unlikely to ever materialize. The situation is not unique to Samsung, particularly Samsung phones with Snapdragon; as also Huawei phones have become increasingly difficult/impossible to unlock and root.

Great to join the club!!

Hey guys! I have been scouting around for Note 8 help but thought it was time to join myself.
Hopefully if I am able to solve my specific problem or get my questions asked it can help someone else.
Specifically, right now, I picked up and refurbished a Samsung Galaxy Note 8 since I have one currently that is phenominal, and wanted one in the back pocket in case anything happens but it is locked to ATT, which isnt the real problem. The real problem is that it is still on Android 7.1.1 and I would like to get it to Android 9 Pie.
I am unsure of a few things like whether I need all updates between 7 and 9, or if I can jump straight to it. But things of that sort.
It sucks that its ATT locked but I feel its worse that its on old Android since I refurbed it, (fixed screen and replaced with fresh samsung battery) but its being held back in certain functional capabilities. Either way, I am a techy, not yet able to solder, but definitely able to troubleshoot my way around a Windows Blue screen of death.
Looking forward to learnin more!
MethudMann said:
Hey guys! I have been scouting around for Note 8 help but thought it was time to join myself.
Hopefully if I am able to solve my specific problem or get my questions asked it can help someone else.
Specifically, right now, I picked up and refurbished a Samsung Galaxy Note 8 since I have one currently that is phenominal, and wanted one in the back pocket in case anything happens but it is locked to ATT, which isnt the real problem. The real problem is that it is still on Android 7.1.1 and I would like to get it to Android 9 Pie.
I am unsure of a few things like whether I need all updates between 7 and 9, or if I can jump straight to it. But things of that sort.
It sucks that its ATT locked but I feel its worse that its on old Android since I refurbed it, (fixed screen and replaced with fresh samsung battery) but its being held back in certain functional capabilities. Either way, I am a techy, not yet able to solder, but definitely able to troubleshoot my way around a Windows Blue screen of death.
Looking forward to learnin more!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Welcome to XDA! As for updating your phone, could you please tell me your model number?
ethical_haquer said:
Welcome to XDA! As for updating your phone, could you please tell me your model number?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, sorry for long response time.
For the important info:
Model: SM-N950U
Android. 7.1.1
Build:NMF26X.N950USQU1AQH7
CSC: ATT
I'll monitor more closely so let me know if you need any other info
MethudMann said:
Yeah, sorry for long response time.
For the important info:
Model: SM-N950U
Android. 7.1.1
Build:NMF26X.N950USQU1AQH7
CSC: ATT
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alright, there are two versions of firmware available for your device. One is "branded" and has carrier bloat, whereas the other does not have carrier bloat but might have issues with VoLTE (probably not, but there is a chance). What one would you prefer? Let me know if you have any questions regarding the difference.
ethical_haquer said:
Alright, there are two versions of firmware available for your device. One is "branded" and has carrier bloat, whereas the other does not have carrier bloat but might have issues with VoLTE (probably not, but there is a chance). What one would you prefer? Let me know if you have any questions regarding the difference.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the research and yes I do have questions if its not too much of an issue:
1.) Carrier bloat is like the usual and can just be deleted anyways correct?
2.) In what scenarios (in case everything was working fine with OTA updates) would the phone have downloaded a version without bloat?
3.) Would updating to the non-bloated version cause any issues since the phone is still carrier locked?
4.) Lastly, for the firmware, would I need to download multiple updates until that point or just straight to the firmware?
If not, I can research the answers as I have been on it on and off for a month with research but other than that, you're a god send.
By the way, if #1 is true, I'll just take the bloatware no doubt just to be as safe as possible.
Thanks again for all the help @ethical_haquer
Been busy researching in the Samsung Note 8 ATT threads and I was able to find the answer to number 4 in that using Full ODIN files is a complete flash and different than just an update which requires the previous updates.
The answer to number 3 from what I have seen no. The only thing is that certain features may NOT work such as VoLTE; pretty much you already answered 3 and I was literally too dumb to see that until I started writing this message. *face palm
Question 2 is pretty much inconsequential so don't worry answering that. Its was just curiosity. But for anyone who does see this possibly, my speculation is that NO, the carrier version would never download the non-carrier version. The non-branded update is for those unlocked phones that receive over-the-air (OTA) updates that were not associated with any carrier, in other words buying a phone directly from samsung's website.
For 1, I am guessing it is "Yes" since I was able to do that in the past with all my other phones. But either way it is not a make it or break it so it doesn't matter.
I have been able to find some full ODIN files for the updates I was looking for, so will be attempting my first flash soon. Will be posting all my findings to the thread I was reading just to potentially help anyone else (though rare since this device is getting real old) who has the same questions I had and I can get them up to speed without having to search everything
Just finished flashing the ATT Note 8 to and the Answer to Number 1 is that NO, you cannot Uninstall the bloatware
Again, will post all these findings to the proper thread in after completed
Sorry for the late reply! I would try installing the firmware for the SM-N950U1 (notice the 1). It should work and won't have carrier bloat.
ethical_haquer said:
Sorry for the late reply! I would try installing the firmware for the SM-N950U1 (notice the 1). It should work and won't have carrier bloat.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're all good!
I may but I actually have to find one more update I am looking for (Full ODIN FILES). My daily driver note 8 is on N950USQS7DTE5 and it is a T-Mobile Version (though it bein g TMO is inconsequential at the moment. Just thought I might mention it).
That is the update I would like for ATT just so that I know there wont be any differences (or less differences) between my daily driver and this.This is me being picky at this point but isn't the point of life getting what you want? I found one update above that but different bootloader. So for whatever reason may happen, no going back.
What I currently flashed to was N950USQS3BRA8 so it's still on Android 7.1.1 but I did this just to test to the process (my first flashing). Now I am ready.
So I will look for that then flash it and update as usual
Just found, or couldnt find, that ATT has the same update so will just go with what I have. Close as I can get

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