Database Develop

[Q] Flashing over a dev-rom

I managed to get hold of a pre-production Xperia T with a non-production ROM on it, it was pretty rubbish so in my haste I decided to flash the O2 branded stock rom over the top of it but now unfortunately the phone functionality no longer seems to want to work, also there is no IMEI either or other relevant information and it doesn't recognise the SIM in it anymore.
I'm wondering if i've totally fluffed this? As a bit of a noob (hence the name) I didn't backup the rom that was on it or anything, and i've just written over the top but now the device is no longer functioning as a phone (although everything else functions fine).
Is it a possibility that this is protection put in place by Sony to stop people getting their hands on prototypes or is it simply that i've missed something out / done it wrong? When i tried to restore the phone in Sony Companion it told me I wasn't allowed to restore a brown phone from my IP address, making me think this could actually be because it's running on some older / different hardware but the fact now that I have no IMEI, no working radio on it makes me think i've bricked it as a phone.
Is this a common thing / has anyone seen this before / have i just created a very expensive paperweight?
Any help you could provide would be invaluable
Thanks

More googling has told me a brown phone is basically a developer phone, as such if i flash a retail ROM on it have i ruined it as a phone? thanks to my impetuousness i didn't save the old rom either

well you can try to go to the sony service center for them to repair.

Please help. Just bought a new S5 & have a question about enabling native tethering

Please help. Just bought a new S5 & have a question about enabling native tethering
I just purchased from the daily steals special unlocked galaxy S5. Being that I am from Canada, and because the description of the phone was in error I did not realize I was purchasingThe AT&T version which is locked down. While I don't strongly feel the need to root the phone and customize it, I would like to still have full functionality which includes native tethering which on my plan, with my provider in Canada I am entitled to. My understanding is that this version of the phone has the tethering locked down to AT&T. Being that I have not taken ownership of the phone yet I do not know which firmware is installed on it to see whether or not the option of rooting the device on kitkat (and changing the tethering can be done) and then bringing firmware up to lollipop is an option. This is something important to me as I use this feature often.
I would like to ask the following questions:
1. Firstly I would like to know when phones are purchased new do they always have KitKat firmware on them for this model or were any of you who purchased the phone did it come with lollipop out-of-the-box? This is supposed to be a new unlocked model for sale. It is not a refurbished model.
2. Question is there a way to know based on the serial number on the outside of the box what the firmware is? The reason I am asking is because when I pointed out the error of the advertised description of the phone they told me I am entitled to return the phone without restocking fee if I have not opened it yet. That it is already on an unrootable firmware.
3. If by chance this phone is on lollipop, is it still possible to enable native tethering if I am unable to root the phone? I have seen mention on an earlier thread where people used ADB and were able to pull the tethering provision file modify it and push it back to the system which would then allow native tethering to work. I am just not sure if this was specific to pre-lollipop firmware. I have also seen somebody advertise on YouTube it he for a fee is providing the service to enable native tethering on the galaxy S5. However he is the only person I have seen mention this anywhere so I am not sure whether or not this is something that can be done without root. Does anybody have any experience having done this?
I am unfortunately in the awkward situation of having this phone currently be in the US and be brought back to me in the next few days. So I essentially have the weekend to make a decision as to what I should do. If anybody can provide me any insight I would greatly appreciated.

Anyone?
Sent from my SM-N910W8 using Tapatalk

Mine came with KitKat but if you connect to the wifi upon setup I believe they automatically update to Lollipop
I have a rooted G900-A connected to MetroPCS, and I downloaded an app from google play which unlocks the tethering function

OK so this is kind of weird. I just took ownership of my factory unlocked AT&T Samsung galaxy S5. I was dismayed to find when i opened the box and booted it up that it actually had the latest version of lollipop 5.1.1. What is very interesting however is I am in Canada it once I realized that I will not be able to root this device, I decided for fun to turn on the Wi-Fi hotspot and see if it would work and to my surprise and excitement the Wi-Fi hotspot worked with my Sim card for my Canadian carrier. So I don't know if this was a special version that was put out because this came factory sealed in the box it was a factory unlocked model the tethering was unlocked as well. It does have the AT&T bloatware on it but otherwise I am quite pleasantly surprised and happy as my primary reason for choosing to root the device was to enable hotspot. Does anybody suggest that I try to root this phone given that the hotspot is working.? Maybe this is a special version does not have the same locked boot loader as before? How should I proceed if I want to try?

Received Rooted Phone...Please help! sm-n900a ATT

My garbage HTC went out on me and someone gave me a like new Galaxy Note 3. I discovered it's rooted...The person who gave it to me bought it from someone so she doesn't know anything about it. I have no idea how to utilize the root...it has King Superuser on it and I downloaded TWRP because of some research I did...but honestly I don't know how to even begin taking advantage of a rooted phone. There are two things I'd like to do: upgrade from 4.2 to at least 7 AND bypass ATT's bs tethering block. Can anyone please guide me through this step by step considering I'm a layman regarding such things? A reliable source for ROMs and how to flash? I'm guessing I don't have all the apps needed to achieve my desired OS upgrade. I greatly appreciate anyone's time on this. Thank you.

Sorry to be the bearer of sad tidings, but you ain't gonna get there. Go back and do some basic research and you'll find that the Note 3 is very restricted concerning what you can do because of a feature called a locked bootloader. The best you're going to be able to do is load Lollipop, such as AllianceROM Ver. 12. Read, then reread this: https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2778933 . If you see that if you already have TWRP installed the procedure is rather simple. First, insert a SDHC card in your PC and format it. Then download the SafeStrap files for the ROM onto the root of that SDHC card. Another file you might need is the NC2 firmware (in case you want to revert at a later date. Now, shut down the power to the Note 3 and remove the battery. Reinsert the battery and boot into Recovery. Then do a complete backup onto the SDHC card. Next, do a complete factory reset and wipe. Now you're ready to go back to TWRP main menu and install the ROM file in the STOCK ROM sector. When the install completes reboot the Note 3 and let it run. You will have to enter all your configuration info (name, wifi config, account info, etc.). If you have any problems go back and re-read the instructions. Also, you can try different ROM files, the instructions are generally pretty similar. If you want pure AT&T ROM install the stock OC1 ROM files. Check back and let me know how it worked out for you.

I am sort of in the same boat, I just got a brand new out of the box Note 9 from Sprint, and saw in the hidtory log on the recovery menu that my "core" was swapped (? I think that is what was stated , and it said DEBUG so and so RETURN TO VENDOR IMMEDIATELY. My husband claims by disabling the bloatware it caused that. This is the 5th time it has happen since November. 2 with my Note8, twice with the temp prepaid phone, and now with my new Note9. The recovery screen to my galaxy's always read, no address, no device privapp_ATT . Again my husband said I must have "f-ed" up the phone once again. And XDA just brought up that my device is an AT&T Samsung Galaxy Note3. I know I did not do it, I am too scared to run anything that an possibly damage my phone... I just want to get my phone back to a Note9, and to find a way to keep my husband from changing it. ( I highly suspect he is into developing and made himself admin of the phones as well as our Google accounts). Is there anything I can possibly do??

Commercial Repair Service
easytarget182 said:
I am sort of in the same boat, I just got a brand new out of the box Note 9 from Sprint, and saw in the hidtory log on the recovery menu that my "core" was swapped (? I think that is what was stated , and it said DEBUG so and so RETURN TO VENDOR IMMEDIATELY. My husband claims by disabling the bloatware it caused that. This is the 5th time it has happen since November. 2 with my Note8, twice with the temp prepaid phone, and now with my new Note9. The recovery screen to my galaxy's always read, no address, no device privapp_ATT . Again my husband said I must have "f-ed" up the phone once again. And XDA just brought up that my device is an AT&T Samsung Galaxy Note3. I know I did not do it, I am too scared to run anything that an possibly damage my phone... I just want to get my phone back to a Note9, and to find a way to keep my husband from changing it. ( I highly suspect he is into developing and made himself admin of the phones as well as our Google accounts). Is there anything I can possibly do??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well... You seem rather confused about what your situation actually might be. Is the actual, physical device a Samsung Model SM-N900A (Note3 AT&T version) or a Note9?
If it is a Note9, try leaving a question in the Sprint Note9 forum.
If it is a Note3 go back to the main page and start reading up on how to reload the operating system.
Other than that, my suggestion would be to first, take the device back to where you bought it and find out in plain language what the core problem is. Second, ask is the device still under warranty and eligible for free or discounted repair. If the answer is yes, have the repairs made on the spot. If the answer is no, then Google a commercial repair center in your area and give them a call with the information you then have. Chances are they device is hosed as far as warranty, but you don't know until you ask.
Third thing is to lock down your device and do not relinquish the password to ANYONE.
Good luck.

Help with Verification Failed on Note 9

Hi everyone! First I just want to say thanks to anyone who has any information to help me.
I have a Note 9 and I enabled the directional lock (to unlock the phone). My phone is also encrypted so it will prompt me to enter the the directional lock anytime the phone is turned on and then again to unlock the screen. I turned my phone off the other day. When I turned it back on I saw the screen prompt for a directional lock. My friend needed help with something so I ended up talking to her before I even tried to unlock it (big mistake). When I got back in my truck to use my phone the screen was black and the message appeared, "Verification Failed, Unable to restart your device. The integrity verification has failed. You need to reset your device to factory default settings. This will erase all your data. I am not sure if while I was talking I accidentally touched the screen causing this message.
The biggest problem is I do not have a backup of certain files. They are on the internal memory of my device. So I DO NOT want to do a factory data reset. I just want to know a solution to get back into my phone again.
Here are the things I have tried:
-Soft reset with Power and volume key
-Wiping cache partition
-Calling Samsung
-Calling T-Mobile
-Downloading Samsung Switch (Does not Recognize device)
-All options in recovery mode (except factory data reset)
-Download mode
My phone is not rooted but it did go through a series of OTA updates and now is running Android Pie. I have came across a few other people with this issue and it happened after updating.
I want to know if there is a way to get in the phone or is there a way to recover my encrypted data and then decrypt it. I also would like to know if I can have the steps to use Odin (already downloaded on my computer) to reinstall the current firmware on the phone. I am wondering if anyone has ever done this and still kept their data (pictures, videos, memos, documents and text messages). I have only flashed my device probably about 10 years ago. So step by step directions would be amazing. Also I do have developer options enabled.
I have searched the forum and the only advice I have seen is to reset but I want to know how to keep my data. The only thing I have came across is a store that has a "Samsung" machine that will do a Home Restore without losing your data. He told me if something is corrupted that I could still lose my data. I have over 100gbs of data I need to access and it would be horrible to lose it.
Finally I have one last question is to back up all my encrypted data so that if I find a way to decrypt it later?
PLEASE any advice besides the things I have already tried would be so helpful. If anyone is able to help me I PROMISE I will help you with whatever you are trying to do and believe me.... I have the resources to do so. It will be a way I will show my thanks.

tt5 said:
Hi everyone! First I just want to say thanks to anyone who has any information to help me.
I have a Note 9 and I enabled the directional lock. My phone is also encrypted so it will prompt me to turn on the directional lock anytime the phone is turned on and then again to unlock the screen. I turned my phone off the other day. When I turned it back on I saw the screen prompt for a directional lock. My friend needed help with something so I ended up talking to her before I even tried to unlock it (big mistake). When I got back in my truck to use my phone the screen was black and the message appeared, "Verification Failed, Unable to restart your device. The integrity verification has failed. You need to reset your device to factory default settings. This will erase all your data. I am not sure if while I was talking I accidentally touched the screen causing this message.
The biggest problem is I do not have a backup of certain files. They are on the internal memory of my device. So I DO NOT want to do a factory data reset. I just want to know a solution to get back into my phone again.
Here are the things I have tried:
-Soft reset with Power and volume key
-Wiping cache partition
-Calling Samsung
-Calling T-Mobile
-Downloading Samsung Switch (Does not Recognize device)
-All options in recovery mode (except factory data reset)
-Download mode
My phone is not rooted but it did go through a series of OTA updates and now is running Android Pie. I have came across a few other people with this issue and it happened after updating.
I want to know if there is a way to get in the phone or is there a way to recover my encrypted data and then decrypt it. I also would like to know if I can have the steps to use Odin (already downloaded on my computer) to reinstall the current firmware on the phone. I am wondering if anyone has ever done this and still kept their data (pictures, videos, memos, documents and text messages). I have only flashed my device probably about 10 years ago. So step by step directions would be amazing. Also I do have developer options enabled.
I have searched the forum and the only advice I have seen is to reset but I want to know how to keep my data. The only thing I have came across is a store that has a "Samsung" machine that will do a Home Restore without losing your data. He told me if something is corrupted that I could still lose my data. I have over 100gbs of data I need to access and it would be horrible to lose it.
Finally I have one last question is to back up all my encrypted data so that if I find a way to decrypt it later?
PLEASE any advice besides the things I have already tried would be so helpful. If anyone is able to help me I PROMISE I will help you with whatever you are trying to do and believe me.... I have the resources to do so. It will be a way I will show my thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
u can try with odin and flash latest firmware but it will not remove encryption. none the less it might at least get you access to the unlock screen and allow you to unlock but it might not.
read up about odin and get latest version.
read up on stockfirmware and your phone model and which carrier CSC code you are on and get latest version. via samfirm tool or frija or sites like sammobile
flash it in odin by filling the different .md5 files to the according slots. but for CSC slot use home_csc.md5 to not wipe data.
but what i dont understand is what does the landscape/portrait have anything to do with this?

bober10113 said:
u can try with odin and flash latest firmware but it will not remove encryption. none the less it might at least get you access to the unlock screen and allow you to unlock but it might not.
read up about odin and get latest version.
read up on stockfirmware and your phone model and which carrier CSC code you are on and get latest version. via samfirm tool or frija or sites like sammobile
flash it in odin by filling the different .md5 files to the according slots. but for CSC slot use home_csc.md5 to not wipe data.
but what i dont understand is what does the landscape/portrait have anything to do with this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much for the response!! My Phone is from T-mobile ]. I have been reading up on it and I did download Odin but I am unsure of how to exactly use it. I could figure it out with directions but I am afraid to do the wrong thing because I have only done it one and that was with Samsung Kies ( a long time ago.)
I am unsure what you mean by Portrait and Landscape mode in my post. I don't see where I mentioned it. Maybe you are referring to the directional lock. That is how you unlock the phone (with a series of directions). For instance... left, left, down, down, right, left, up. I mentioned it because that could be causing this issue. That is the method to get past the secure startup as well. A lot of people don't know about that option because you have to enable it in accessibility menu.

tt5 said:
Thank you so much for the response!! My Phone is from T-mobile ]. I have been reading up on it and I did download Odin but I am unsure of how to exactly use it. I could figure it out with directions but I am afraid to do the wrong thing because I have only done it one and that was with Samsung Kies ( a long time ago.)
I am unsure what you mean by Portrait and Landscape mode in my post. I don't see where I mentioned it. Maybe you are referring to the directional lock. That is how you unlock the phone (with a series of directions). For instance... left, left, down, down, right, left, up. I mentioned it because that could be causing this issue. That is the method to get past the secure startup as well. A lot of people don't know about that option because you have to enable it in accessibility menu.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
oh instead of a pin or biometrics the pattern lock screen?
but if it was locked because of too many tries then dont think you can do anything. you should have received a message through the email used to register your samsung account and follow it to get it unlocked.
any talk of circumventing this type of lockout isint something that can be discussed on xda because there is no way to prove that it was by accident. and even if it was and there really was a way to bypass it, it would give criminals insight. so sorry but there isint much more that can be said.

bober10113 said:
oh instead of a pin or biometrics the pattern lock screen?
but if it was locked because of too many tries then dont think you can do anything. you should have received a message through the email used to register your samsung account and follow it to get it unlocked.
any talk of circumventing this type of lockout isint something that can be discussed on xda because there is no way to prove that it was by accident. and even if it was and there really was a way to bypass it, it would give criminals insight. so sorry but there isint much more that can be said.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, it is an option instead of the regular pattern. I like it because it is hard to copy for anyone looking at you unlock your phone and if you lose it... even looking at the screen will not tell them how to unlock it because they need to know the sequence.
I am unsure what caused it.. maybe me or the updates. I have never had this problem before in my entire life. I had the Note 2, 3, 4, 5, 8 and 9. (Yes, I love my Notes.) Not one of them have done this and I only noticed the directional lock beginning on the Note 5. I have an S10 as well and I could't find the option. So I am not sure if it is just specific to Galaxy Notes.
I never thought of giving someone else insight on how to get into phones. That is a good point! I understand that not being allowed. I have known about XDA developers for a long time. I think back somewhere in 2007 -2009 when I was very active on Tmonews forums. So I really haven't been on a forum in like 10 years. I am sure a lot of things have advanced since then but I REALLY appreciate the time you took to respond.
I just have two more questions... I am paying for this phone like $30 a month and I also have the $15 insurance. I can't do anything to this phone that would void the warranty. However, the place that told me they may be able to help me is an authorized Samsung repair center. He said he would have to download the firmware and reinstall it on the phone. He also told me that he could do it without losing data (Home Restore) but if something is corrupted it also could erase. It is with a machine that is directly given to them from Samsung. If somehow I lose my data....can it be recovered if I pay a data recovery company? These pictures are VERY important. Honestly, my data is more important to me than the phone.
Lastly, I remember my email I used for the Samsung account however it was an outlook email and it gave me so much trouble trying to log in (even when the phone was fine). However, if I am able to get in do you think it would take the message off the screen? I know my directional lock to get back in. All I need to do is get back to that screen but it won't pop up.
Again seriously.... I thank you so much for trying to help!

tt5 said:
Yes, it is an option instead of the regular pattern. I like it because it is hard to copy for anyone looking at you unlock your phone and if you lose it... even looking at the screen will not tell them how to unlock it because they need to know the sequence.
I am unsure what caused it.. maybe me or the updates. I have never had this problem before in my entire life. I had the Note 2, 3, 4, 5, 8 and 9. (Yes, I love my Notes.) Not one of them have done this and I only noticed the directional lock beginning on the Note 5. I have an S10 as well and I could't find the option. So I am not sure if it is just specific to Galaxy Notes.
I never thought of giving someone else insight on how to get into phones. That is a good point! I understand that not being allowed. I have known about XDA developers for a long time. I think back somewhere in 2007 -2009 when I was very active on Tmonews forums. So I really haven't been on a forum in like 10 years. I am sure a lot of things have advanced since then but I REALLY appreciate the time you took to respond.
I just have two more questions... I am paying for this phone like $30 a month and I also have the $15 insurance. I can't do anything to this phone that would void the warranty. However, the place that told me they may be able to help me is an authorized Samsung repair center. He said he would have to download the firmware and reinstall it on the phone. He also told me that he could do it without losing data (Home Restore) but if something is corrupted it also could erase. It is with a machine that is directly given to them from Samsung. If somehow I lose my data....can it be recovered if I pay a data recovery company? These pictures are VERY important. Honestly, my data is more important to me than the phone.
Lastly, I remember my email I used for the Samsung account however it was an outlook email and it gave me so much trouble trying to log in (even when the phone was fine). However, if I am able to get in do you think it would take the message off the screen? I know my directional lock to get back in. All I need to do is get back to that screen but it won't pop up.
Again seriously.... I thank you so much for trying to help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i doubt that the samsung repair shop would be able to do anything for your data. but i guess it might be good to give them a call and explain the situation.
but i think they would basically do what was discussed earlyer using odin.
regarding the rest on how to get back in the phone I've never been locked out so i hope someone can chime in and see if there is a way to get it to prompt again or maybe have a remote unlock. co to samsung.com, login with your account that was used to setup the phone and check around. i know there is a remote dashboard on there to find your phone and do other commands remotely. i know for a fact that locking remotely exists. maybe its just as simple as having the phone online, lock it remotely and maybe the prompt will be seen on the device.( trigger it so to say)
good luck

bober10113 said:
i doubt that the samsung repair shop would be able to do anything for your data. but i gutess it might be good to give them a call and explain the situation.
but i think they would basically do what was discussed earlyer using odin.
regarding the rest on how to get back in the phone I've never been locked out so i hope someone can chime in and see if there is a way to get it to prompt again or maybe have a remote unlock. co to samsung.com, login with your account that was used to setup the phone and check around. i know there is a remote dashboard on there to find your phone and do other commands remotely. i know for a fact that locking remotely exists. maybe its just as simple as having the phone online, lock it remotely and maybe the prompt will be seen on the device.( trigger it so to say).
good luck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks so much! I actually got locked out of my Samsung Account and my email so I called Samsung and they got
me right back in. The first person told me they couldn't do anything but then she gave me a number (855-795-0509) to call. She said it was for the "find my mobile" department so I could see if could unlock it. The second lady helped me get back into my account. She was a huge help! I was able to access the remote unlock but it didn't work. I guess because the phone isn't connected to data at all. Is there anyway to force it to connect to a network? I reinserted my sim so it would recognize my number and also so it would have data to connect.
My last option is to go back to the store and see if what he does can fix it. The lady at Samsung said that people have been reporting issues with this update so it wasn't just me. I literally have to keep these files or it could be my life. I have to edit video for a celebrity and a lot of it is on the internal memory. I had to put it there because I use Adobe Clip and it never finds files that are on my SD card. It is just easy to me because I can do it on the go and not have to carry around my laptop everywhere. Next time I will surely back it up somewhere. This is the first time I haven't.

Carrier switch help! VZW to ATT

Hey all! Forgive my ignorance, it's been a long time since I've done anything with firmware on Android phones (since I flashed a custom ROM to my Motorola Droid X about 10 years ago, lol). I've been poring over these forums for a few hours now and trying to piece some information together, but I could really use a hand from some more experienced folks.
Here's my situation: I'm in the U.S. I own an AT&T SM-N950U, and a Verizon SM-N950U. The Verizon phone is no longer being used (since April of 2018). I accidentally dropped the AT&T phone and heavily damaged the screen/digitizer and chassis, and would like to go back to using the Verizon phone, but on AT&T's network. I swapped the AT&T SIM to the VZW phone, and I was surprised to see that after a reboot, the AT&T splash screen came up, and after a factory reset, acted just like a new AT&T phone. It will send and receive data, SMS, and phone calls. However, the phone is still running Oreo, and when I tried to update it through OTA or through Samsung Smart Switch, it said that the phone was up to date. A little digging in the settings shows me that the phone is still considered a VZW-branded phone (ATT/ATT/VZW), and I believe this is the reason why I'm not able to receive the OTA updates. I also noticed that I no longer get 5G service, and I'm worried that there may be other functions missing too. I've seen BlueFox721's guide on carrier switching, and decided to do a bit more research before making an attempt, but I figured I would ask some questions.
First off, my main goal is to get this VZW Note 8 to work with all intended functionality of an up-to-date AT&T Note 8, including future OTA updates, bloatware, the whole deal. Is this actually possible?
If it is possible, can it be done without tripping Knox and hindering Samsung functionality?
I've read that root isn't possible with any bootloader past v3... I'm running v4 (N950USQU4CRF3). Is root necessary to switch carriers, or is it as simple as flashing an AT&T firmware with a newer bootloader version than what I currently use?
Again, I know a lot of this information is out there, but there's just so much to comb through I thought it might be better to just ask in regards to my particular situation, in case I'm not understanding something correctly. Any help would be greatly appreciated!