Database Develop

Rooting Galaxy s3 mini....

Hi, I posted about this on another thread, but was then told that there is a forum for the S3. I would like to root my S3 mini GT-18190N, running 4.1.2. Its still under guarantee so it needs to be able to unroot.
Somebody mentioned CydiaImpactor, as it would be the easiest. So I installed to my mac, ticked both usb debugging and accept unknown sources, and ran the program. Within seconds I got an error, 'Error signature bugs unavailable'.......which I posted to the thread, and heard nothing from there and still havent about what that meant. I eventually found out that it means the bug has been fixed. But that is all I got.
I just wondered, what does that mean, does it affect any other ways of rooting? I found another rooting program on here, was given the the stock firmware for my phone but that needs to be unlocked. I did ask about whether the same problem would affect that firmware, but no answer. It seems the advice given on the first thread I started, about taking this to the correct forums needs to be done, which is why I am asking here. Sorry for multiple posting its not spam, its on advice from members on here.
I am a complete novice, never rooted before. So could anybody show me a root system that works for my phone.
Thank you

johnmwc2 said:
Hi, I posted about this on another thread, but was then told that there is a forum for the S3. I would like to root my S3 mini GT-18190N, running 4.1.2. Its still under guarantee so it needs to be able to unroot.
Somebody mentioned CydiaImpactor, as it would be the easiest. So I installed to my mac, ticked both usb debugging and accept unknown sources, and ran the program. Within seconds I got an error, 'Error signature bugs unavailable'.......which I posted to the thread, and heard nothing from there and still havent about what that meant. I eventually found out that it means the bug has been fixed. But that is all I got.
I just wondered, what does that mean, does it affect any other ways of rooting? I found another rooting program on here, was given the the stock firmware for my phone but that needs to be unlocked. I did ask about whether the same problem would affect that firmware, but no answer. It seems the advice given on the first thread I started, about taking this to the correct forums needs to be done, which is why I am asking here. Sorry for multiple posting its not spam, its on advice from members on here.
I am a complete novice, never rooted before. So could anybody show me a root system that works for my phone.
Thank you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hi bro, maybe i will buy this s3mini because i notice that it cost only 114.50 euro in my country, more than 50% less than the official price
so...
about root:
you can root the s3mini flashing the firmware with odin
else you can use cydia impactor(be sure to download the latest version from official websites)
i notice that samsung patched the masterkey bug exploited by cydiaimpactor in other galaxy phone but i dont know about s3mini 18190
however i rooted an s3mini of one of my friend s1 months ago, he has never made a firmware update and after he enabled debug usb and installed driver it work! and got root access on his phone, after root you CAN'T do ota update! you an use odin however maybe samsung upgrade to kitkat android 4.4
did you do some firmware update?

-Install TWRP (this video might be of help)
-enter recovery mode and reboot. TWRP will ask you whether you want to root or not

Hi, before I did anything I took a copy of the phone which I have stored on the laptop, windows 7. Then with CWM rooted the phone, and installed a ROM I found. The first time it didnt work, so I had to find another ROM, and install that. This ROM works but its not from my Carrier, which is EE/Orange. The Base version ends in AMJ2, which I dont seem to be able to find to get the correct ROM. The Build Number I have which is the ROM is DMod v6. It works, but its causing problems with Samsung. I have given hope of getting back to the original, but if I could get it to work with EE, it would be better. DModv6 is a US based ROM.
I hope I have explained it ok, its the first time I have done this, so not sure. Please ask for more details.
Sorry it took me so long to answer, have not been very well.
Thank you for your help

What do you mean by it not working with EE/Orange? What functionality do you not have?
Sent from my GT-I8190 using xda app-developers app

Mermaid Man said:
What do you mean by it not working with EE/Orange? What functionality do you not have?
Sent from my GT-I8190 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As I have already mentioned, its a US based ROM, which only recognises T-Mobile UK. My phone keeps loosing the connection all the time. and I have to reconnect. T-Mobile UK is the US version of T-Mobile even though we have T-Mobile in the country, but without the UK at the end of it. And believe me it is not working properly. The phone itself does work, its faster, the battery life is much longer than when it was on EE. But I am also now having problems with Samsung, they have stopped me from using their software, because they say my phone is not using the correct software.
My first try, I did get Kit Kat running, but without the CAMERA, it wouldnt work. But there again, it was on a US based ROM, and had problems keeping the connection going. That was awesome but without the Camera, it was a bit useless. If I could get a ROM thet had either EE or Orange,

johnmwc2 said:
As I have already mentioned, its a US based ROM, which only recognises T-Mobile UK. My phone keeps loosing the connection all the time. and I have to reconnect. T-Mobile UK is the US version of T-Mobile even though we have T-Mobile in the country, but without the UK at the end of it. And believe me it is not working properly. The phone itself does work, its faster, the battery life is much longer than when it was on EE. But I am also now having problems with Samsung, they have stopped me from using their software, because they say my phone is not using the correct software.
My first try, I did get Kit Kat running, but without the CAMERA, it wouldnt work. But there again, it was on a US based ROM, and had problems keeping the connection going. That was awesome but without the Camera, it was a bit useless. If I could get a ROM thet had either EE or Orange,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey mate,
Try to use Maclaw's Recovery and KitKat ROM. They work perfectly! Flash Maclaw's recovery first (TWRP) and then wipe cache and dalvik and then flash the kitkat ROM (CM 11).
find them all here: maclaw.pl/downloads/ (stupid 10 post rule for new accounts doesn't let me post the link to HELP the user (johnmwc2)
---------- Post added at 06:32 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:28 PM ----------
Also the reason that your phone has gone all crazy is because of the ROM you flashed (US version) probably only supports the US frequencies which is why you only get t-mobile network (in some places) as the frequencies change in each location as the phone masts give out different frequencies in different locations according to their surroundings (some frequencies penetrate walls much easier but may not go as far and vice versa).
Im 70% sure the ROM is the problem. the other 30% is me thinking maybe the ROM might not have anything to do with allowing the phone to receive phone signal ( in terms of SOFTWARE not hardware - before anyone tries flaming me). My other instinct tells me maybe its the baseband/modem version thats incompatible witht the US ROM?
just use Maclaws KitKat and TWRP!
They work a treat! :laugh:

[Q] Rooting N900A to Lollipop while using T-mobile.

Ugh, I am having so many issues with this at the moment. One of those things being that I am using T-mobile as my carrier. I'm stuck on 4.4 at the moment, and need to update it. But, will that relock the phone? How do I re-unlock it if that happens? I've already read that I can't flash the phone to T-mobile ROM, but are there any custom ROMs that you would recommend [I do actually use the S-pen, not sure if any have been updated to where that can still be used.] Lastly, is there any way to get mobile hotspot and tethering to work now that I am using tmobile?

Spikemare said:
Ugh, I am having so many issues with this at the moment. One of those things being that I am using T-mobile as my carrier. I'm stuck on 4.4 at the moment, and need to update it. But, will that relock the phone? How do I re-unlock it if that happens? I've already read that I can't flash the phone to T-mobile ROM, but are there any custom ROMs that you would recommend [I do actually use the S-pen, not sure if any have been updated to where that can still be used.] Lastly, is there any way to get mobile hotspot and tethering to work now that I am using tmobile?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I never tried this Rom.
T-Mobile Alliance Lollipop Rom on ATT Note 3
http://forum.xda-developers.com/note-3-att/general/t-mobile-alliance-rom-att-note-3-t3065127 I don't think you would have to worry about any of this as you are using T-Mobile " After the phone came up, I went to settings..general..applications...running .... and found every Tmobile app and cleared cache and disabled them. The real important one here is the Visual Voicemail. Otherwise it will keep on trying to contact Tmobile and then you will get text messages saying there is an error. Thanks @sapps
Wifi Calling is throwing a sim card error (as you would expect). Only problem is it is shown in status bar and lockscreen. I'm sure there is a way to hide it or disable it. I just haven't had a chance to figure it out."

Rooted i747 said:
I never tried this Rom.
T-Mobile Alliance Lollipop Rom on ATT Note 3
http://forum.xda-developers.com/note-3-att/general/t-mobile-alliance-rom-att-note-3-t3065127 I don't think you would have to worry about any of this as you are using T-Mobile " After the phone came up, I went to settings..general..applications...running .... and found every Tmobile app and cleared cache and disabled them. The real important one here is the Visual Voicemail. Otherwise it will keep on trying to contact Tmobile and then you will get text messages saying there is an error. Thanks @sapps
Wifi Calling is throwing a sim card error (as you would expect). Only problem is it is shown in status bar and lockscreen. I'm sure there is a way to hide it or disable it. I just haven't had a chance to figure it out."
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But it's the N900A, so it's the AT&T version. Won't that brick the phone if I put the tmobile ROM on it? That's what I've read in other threads on here anyway. [Honestly I shouldn't write when I'm tired, or I would have explained this better.]. Basically, I bought an unlocked AT&T phone. A Note 3 to be exact. It's stuck on 4.4 but can upgrade to lolipop. Nothing I try will let me upgrade the normal way. I'm not sure how to upgrade it without relocking the SIM card somehow. Or is the simcard already semi-locked and that's why it's giving me the error? I also can't even find a AT&T specific rooting guide for this phone. I saw every other carrier except AT&T, does that even make a difference? And are there any ROMs that can return S-pen programs after I install them, or should I just stop at rooting if I want that? If so, I just really want to upgrade to lollipop and root the phone. I would like my mobile hotspot and wifi calling to work, but I suppose I can make do with hangouts.

Spikemare said:
But it's the N900A, so it's the AT&T version. Won't that brick the phone if I put the tmobile ROM on it? That's what I've read in other threads on here anyway. [Honestly I shouldn't write when I'm tired, or I would have explained this better.]. Basically, I bought an unlocked AT&T phone. A Note 3 to be exact. It's stuck on 4.4 but can upgrade to lolipop. Nothing I try will let me upgrade the normal way. I'm not sure how to upgrade it without relocking the SIM card somehow. Or is the simcard already semi-locked and that's why it's giving me the error? I also can't even find a AT&T specific rooting guide for this phone. I saw every other carrier except AT&T, does that even make a difference? And are there any ROMs that can return S-pen programs after I install them, or should I just stop at rooting if I want that? If so, I just really want to upgrade to lollipop and root the phone. I would like my mobile hotspot and wifi calling to work, but I suppose I can make do with hangouts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It won't brick you phone. It's a T-Mobile Rom that's been ported for AT&T Note 3. After you flash the Rom, you have to Odin the N900A_OC1_ALL_Other_Stock_Partitions.tar.md5 using Odin's PDA slot. As far as rooting what you have now, just use Towel root https://towelroot.com/ (install on phone like any other app) and click "make it rain". Install Supersu, busybox and Safestrap. OR use Kingo Root http://www.kingoapp.com/ (Kingo Root will install supersu for you). The reason it won't upgrade to Lollipop is you have a T-Mobile sim card in it. It needs a AT&T sim card (I have AT&T and can't upgrade mine unless the sim card is in the phone). If you just want a rooted Lollipop Rom, but it's AT&T http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=59666958&postcount=2 You know since you're on T-Mobile you have to go into settings>more networks>mobile networks>access point names and change it to T-Mobile's APN. I would just root it and put the T-Mobile Alliance Lollipop Rom on ATT Note 3 on it. I gave it a try yesterday and it does have T-Mobile apps on it, just not for me. Just remember to change the APN to T-Mobile's ( just write down the one you using now).

[i537]New Easier Sim Unlock Method 4.4.2/5.0.1

Sim Unlock Method 4.4.2/5.0.1
Disclaimer: i AM not resposile for anything that happens to your phone in the unlikely event something does happen.
this has only been tested lightly but it should work all-right. this is for the i537 S4A only.
You Need to start out on either NE3 or NH3. Downgrade now if you need to. Just remember when downgrading don't flash bootloader. This needs Odin and root to succede. Now That thats out of the way you need to download some files to deal with later on.
MF1 Odin flashable
regionlockaway go to the second post and download the apk to install on your phone.
this method uses an old method in a new way.
here is the guide
1. install regionlockaway and reboot to download mode
2. Flash modem.bin with odin in download mode
3.reboot to system and use regionlockaway. follow the instructions in the app.
4. profit?
As far as my understanding after you do this you can update your modem without it reverting back to being locked. I am running oc7 modem on a T-Mobile MVNO without issues( if you want aws unlock you are going to have to use this then the appropriate modem for that and not allow for the modem to update when updating to oc7 by modifying the oc7 installer and removing the modem from it)

I am ready... I have been reading for days about sim unlocking on 4.4 and up..I finally coined up $25 for a code but takes up to 5 days, 2 days ago. my next attempts were going to be with my paid copy of CDMA WS. Either way it is just to experiment with and would love to gain the knowledge. I have a couple different carrier sims ready to go. I would love to give it a shot.....
mateo121212 said:
hey guys i have created an easy sim unlock that should work for 4.4.2 and for 5.0.1
for the 5.0.1 sim unlock you have to do it on 4.4.2 and flash a modified partitions file to upgrade to 5.0.1 while keeping sim unlock.
if you guys are interested in it let me know and i will set up a few beta testers for it. i cant say for certain that it works because i dont have a non ATT sim card to test it with.but it should work. it should also allow you to enable aws for those on T-Mobile by following a secondary guide.
let me know and i will start having people beta test. i only need between 1 and 5 testers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

nrgyitguy said:
I am ready... I have been reading for days about sim unlocking on 4.4 and up..I finally coined up $25 for a code but takes up to 5 days, 2 days ago. my next attempts were going to be with my paid copy of CDMA WS. Either way it is just to experiment with and would love to gain the knowledge. I have a couple different carrier sims ready to go. I would love to give it a shot.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok ill pm you with a guide once i have it written up.
EDIT: it should be in your inbox

i was able to test a verizon lte sim and it didnt give me any issues. it regestered the number in the status. so i belive it worked. i would like some more testers to get information about it. i need more testers before i feel ok giving out the method.

Been sooo busy!!!! K, thank you for the guide. I haven't been able to try anything except a Verizon Lte sim. It registers the number and the network lock is gone. However I don't believe we will get data service with a Verizon sim as I don't believe the hardware is capable?...I wasnt able to place a call as I got" Emergency calls only", all I did was swap sims, occasionally I have to call Verizon and have them add the new phone to the plan before it will work and I didn't do that yet. Will try a different carrier sim tonight.
mateo121212 said:
i was able to test a verizon lte sim and it didnt give me any issues. it regestered the number in the status. so i belive it worked. i would like some more testers to get information about it. i need more testers before i feel ok giving out the method.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

nrgyitguy said:
Been sooo busy!!!! K, thank you for the guide. I haven't been able to try anything except a Verizon Lte sim. It registers the number and the network lock is gone. However I don't believe we will get data service with a Verizon sim as I don't believe the hardware is capable?...I wasnt able to place a call as I got" Emergency calls only", all I did was swap sims, occasionally I have to call Verizon and have them add the new phone to the plan before it will work and I didn't do that yet. Will try a different carrier sim tonight.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so before you did the guide did it give you issues with the verizon sim? and now it dosent?

It did give me issues before flashing the mf1 and after the flash and region away no nagging about sim unlock code! Havent gone any further yet. I will report back after using a different carrier sim besides verizon that is.....I think it works....
mateo121212 said:
so before you did the guide did it give you issues with the verizon sim? and now it dosent?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

nrgyitguy said:
It did give me issues before flashing the mf1 and after the flash and region away no nagging about sim unlock code! Havent gone any further yet. I will report back after using a different carrier sim besides verizon that is.....I think it works....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sweet thank you for the feedback man. i did the 5.0.1 upgrade method i detailed in the PM after i finished doing the unlock on my phone and it worked the same as what you described (i only had access to vzw lte sim also) so i belive i made the update file correctly also. im not really getting any bites on more testers so if it pans out well for you i will polish up my guide and post it here to have people test it instead of making them PM me.
thanks again for being my beta tester. if we get this working well we can save alot of people alot of money
ps for voice and sms verizon lte sims are useless because they still use CDMA for those features

Finally put in another sim...Put in a Tomb sim and no nagging about unlock code, I got "Sim not provisioned" as it isn't active at the moment. So I'm thinking it worked. Thank you. I was thinking I'd get voice and edge speeds with a Verizon sim in this phone, (utilizing GSM bands), in my area anyway, but maybe I'm mistaken. I'll post again after using another carrier's sim.....

nrgyitguy said:
Finally put in another sim...Put in a Tomb sim and no nagging about unlock code, I got "Sim not provisioned" as it isn't active at the moment. So I'm thinking it worked. Thank you. I was thinking I'd get voice and edge speeds with a Verizon sim in this phone, (utilizing GSM bands), in my area anyway, but maybe I'm mistaken. I'll post again after using another carrier's sim.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank you for your work. im glad it worked for you. i will be posting the guide up here soon.

In reference to....
starting at post #327 of http://forum.xda-developers.com/gal...7oc6-5-0-1-t3089355/post61347589#post61347589
I did as instructed and according to flashfire at the end of flashing, it said it was successful and it rebooted (so far) to the lollipop boot animation and am awaiting for it to get past the at&t logo screen. Its at least gotten a lot further than all my earlier attempts...I am assuming its taking a little while for its initial setup of OC6....
more later on its success or failure....
well it was a partial success....it flash and booted into OC6 but sim card is not recognized, no baseband.....now installing updated version of flashfire....should i now flash the MF1 modem again via flashfire?
well i went ahead and did just that flashed the mf1 modem via flashfire and all is up and running successfully (FINALLY!!) with root on deodexed rom OC6...
Kudos and thanks goes out to ya!

jaksback said:
starting at post #327 of http://forum.xda-developers.com/gal...7oc6-5-0-1-t3089355/post61347589#post61347589
I did as instructed and according to flashfire at the end of flashing, it said it was successful and it rebooted (so far) to the lollipop boot animation and am awaiting for it to get past the at&t logo screen. Its at least gotten a lot further than all my earlier attempts...I am assuming its taking a little while for its initial setup of OC6....
more later on its success or failure....
well it was a partial success....it flash and booted into OC6 but sim card is not recognized, no baseband.....now installing updated version of flashfire....should i now flash the MF1 modem again via flashfire?
well i went ahead and did just that flashed the mf1 modem via flashfire and all is up and running successfully (FINALLY!!) with root on deodexed rom OC6...
Kudos and thanks goes out to ya!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
your welcome man. i figured your problem could be fixed with my method. have fun with 5.0.1

partially completed downloads
Never mind. The downloads on dev-host work from my computer but not from tablet or phone.

I stopped THE INSTALLATION of I537_OC6_Stock_Partitions_mod_sim.zip and the phone is not the most part, dead, solutions?

spyke70 said:
I stopped THE INSTALLATION of I537_OC6_Stock_Partitions_mod_sim.zip and the phone is not the most part, dead, solutions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Odin back to Ne3 and start over

so it didnt work. it stop saying it was an unreconizable sim card and region lock said it took. so i dunno it says (phone not aloud MM#6) right when i start up. but it shows i have a new voice mail? only emergency calls
oh ya and it was at&t and i put a family mobile simcard, (runs off t mobile network)
any ideas??

Jsturg1990 said:
so it didnt work. it stop saying it was an unreconizable sim card and region lock said it took. so i dunno it says (phone not aloud MM#6) right when i start up. but it shows i have a new voice mail? only emergency calls
oh ya and it was at&t and i put a family mobile simcard, (runs off t mobile network)
any ideas??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
odin ne3
flash mf1 modem with flash fire
make sure you are rooted and have busybox
use region lock away. try with att sim in phone.

Trying to do this for my s4a but flashfire is being uncooperative, it just crashes any chance it gets. Any other flash apps this will work with?
Edit: do I need safestrap for FlashFire?
Edit2: Fixed the issue with flashfire, If anyone runs into this issue you need to flash stock NE3, and re-root.
Rest of tutorial went perfectly. Cannot test unlock status atm, but no errors.
Thanks Matteo, you're a top lad.

Will this same method work with a deodexed OC7 ROM? I only ask because of the I537_OC6_Stock_Partitions_mod_sim.zip - not sure if this still works the same for OC7. Just to clarify, do you know if region lockaway is necessary to get T-Mobile AWS/HSPA bands? I've got a working cell and LTE connection without doing any of this, so I really only needed to do what's necessary to get those bands (which I think the old modem will help enable).
Thanks for the assistance!

sunilbeforezod said:
Will this same method work with a deodexed OC7 ROM? I only ask because of the I537_OC6_Stock_Partitions_mod_sim.zip - not sure if this still works the same for OC7. Just to clarify, do you know if region lockaway is necessary to get T-Mobile AWS/HSPA bands? I've got a working cell and LTE connection without doing any of this, so I really only needed to do what's necessary to get those bands (which I think the old modem will help enable).
Thanks for the assistance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
edit to the edit:
go back to NE3 with odin.
then flash mf1 modem
then try this
[GUIDE] AWS Unlock for i537 I537UCUBML2 (4.3)
read the posts to make it work
also check out this post if you have issues with getting qpst to work. dont follow the whole post just qpst part http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=56023258&postcount=68
then follow the guide i posted in my last edit to keep the aws unlocked modem while on 0C7
edit:
you can use the oc7 deodexed rom. you just have to remove the modem from the rom file useing winrar or 7zip. also you have to remove it from the updater script useing a text editor. drag it out of winrar edit it and then drag it back into winrar. that way if you flash in this order you will be fine
partitions mod file
oc7 deodexed rom.
that way you keep the modem
from when you installed and unlocked mf1 modem on 4.4.2

MY tab s2 T817A not upgrading to android 7

I am having issues with my tab s2 which is not updating to android 7 for some reasons.
I have tried the manually updating but it just says your device is up to date even it has an android 7 update available
also i have tried samsung smart switch but that also seems to give a similar result
I am only asking some things like
1- Is or Was there never any android 7 update for it and the internet is lying to me
2- Or is it any region problem because I dont live in the US this tablet was bought in the US but i live in pakistan maybe that is the issue or not ?
3- Tell me what can be the problem
Your help is kindly Appreciated
Sorry if my English is Bad

Tech core said:
I am having issues with my tab s2 which is not updating to android 7 for some reasons.
I have tried the manually updating but it just says your device is up to date even it has an android 7 update available
also i have tried samsung smart switch but that also seems to give a similar result
I am only asking some things like
1- Is or Was there never any android 7 update for it and the internet is lying to me
2- Or is it any region problem because I dont live in the US this tablet was bought in the US but i live in pakistan maybe that is the issue or not ?
3- Tell me what can be the problem
Your help is kindly Appreciated
Sorry if my English is Bad
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you need an ATT sim card inserted.

ashyx said:
I think you need an ATT sim card inserted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I may ask you how inserting my AT&T sim would allow it to continue updating

Tech core said:
I may ask you how inserting my AT&T sim would allow it to continue updating
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because ATT devices update from ATT not Samsung. Without the ATT sim your device won't be recognised as an ATT device.
This is how it's worked for other devices on ATT.

ashyx said:
Because ATT devices update from ATT not Samsung. Without the ATT sim your device won't be recognised as an ATT device.
This is how it's worked for other devices on ATT.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok I will try thanks for the tip

I have the same problem...
Is it possible to download this firmware manually and install it from odin / Kies ?
Better than that... How do I know if I can Debrand this device and get rid of att firmware ?

brtracker said:
I have the same problem...
Is it possible to download this firmware manually and install it from odin / Kies ?
Better than that... How do I know if I can Debrand this device and get rid of att firmware ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i Just upgraded the tablet to android 7 using its firmware i did not have its original at&t sim card lying around so i had to manually update the device you can manually update it
and no even if you try to debrand this tablet out of the at&t firmware there might be some chances that certain functions like wifi and bluetooth might not work due to the modem that at&t devices use i don,t know about this theory either and i can only assume that this might happen to your device it happened to me on my lg g2 where i installed the wrong firmware
Hopes this helps
sorry for my bad english

Where Did you get your update From? i Have an AT&T t-818a and on the att website there have been 2 other additional update but i guess without the AT&T sim it just wont work? Is this true, can anyone confirm this? I dont see why you would need the AT&t sim if the build/firmware number is specific to AT&T. Another reason to hate AT&T i guess!

T817AUCU2CQE3 here:
http://combinefile.com/home/browse/category/id/9448/T817AUCU2CQE3

Yeah I did T 18178 ever since I've had it it won't update already had to go twice to get new SIM cards from AT&T I've never not had an AT&T SIM card but it still does it regardless I noticed now it's been another year I haven't got another update and multiple behind it just happens. Did you know for the longest time and then I had to start going there and telling them just to do it right away and then you try to say I will do all this stuff and not think that would even help until doing all of it and then finally after continually telling them refusing that wouldn't do anything but it's but it happened the last time. Ridiculous provider websites pretty much unusable because it takes ridiculous times to get to information that's useless anyways, every time you want to go to a new page it's trying to make you log in security again

There is a version 7. And honestly I worked on my for a looong time and could never get it to update so I Just took it to the Samsung guys at best buy they did it no problem. being you are not in the US I'm not sure what to recommend.

Switched carriers from AT&T to MetroPCS, how best to update android os?

I've tried Samsung support, Best Buy, UbreakIfixit for support but no real answers.
Three years ago I switched carriers from AT&T to MetroPCS so I'm still on Jellybean 4.3. Important apps are no longer supported, wells fargo for example, the app for my electric car, etc. How can I get my phone updated to the latest android version? I'm somewhat technical, i know how to back up, i know how to read and follow instructions. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks. Barry

You require AT&T forum not this one .
Basics are flash stock rom via Odin .

AT&T never released a full ROM beyond 4.1.2 for Odin as all AT&T ROM updates were released via OTA.
If the phone is on a stock 4.3 ROM, you could try removing the sim card and running OTA updates via wi-fi. If that doesn't work, insert an AT&T sim, then try to update via wi-fi. If this does not work, this may help at least get the phone on KK: https://forum.xda-developers.com/note-3-att/general/kitkat-4-4-4-n900aucudnl1-odin-tars-t2999317