Database Develop

[Q] New Google Nexus 6 - upgrade to 5.1.1

Since I first started down this Android path I've always brought my phones direct from big red which, for all the problems it created it did make life simple when it came to identify which ROM to download etc.
This week I broke tradition and dropped some money on Google's lap and picked up a Nexus 6 direct from them - no more locked down to VZW for me if I so choose.
Previously I had a Incredible, then a GS III then finally a M8 - all three rooted and unlocked\S-OFF'd so this isn't my first rodeo.
That said I'm also wanting to tread VERY VERY lightly here because time and time again I read the the biggest reason folk get bricks is because they assumed and didn't ask questions before they flashed.
So, all this aside, here I am with my now Unlocked 5.0 Non branded Nexus 6 with LNX07M with TWRP 2.8 latest as a custom recovery and, as of right now, no root (to help ease any upgrade).
I've found various Stock ROMS out there there would indicate I'd need to be however on 5.0.1 before I could sideload a 5.1.1. Is this true? If so, do I need to blow away TWRP before I do this because when I tried previously to take the update it dropped me into TWRP.
Is there any way I can avoid all this, wipe and flash a Stock 5.1.1 direct? Wiping the phone isn't an issue as there's nowt on it right now. And should I root now, while still on 5.0 or wait until 5.1.1 (because it'll require a factory reset). Would root even survive a 5.1.1 upgrade?
I'm nervous here because I keep seeing lines such as 'T-MOBILE only' and different code letters after the build name seemingly signifying the different vendors. Given that I got mine direct from Google though I'm unsure how I should proceed because I really don't want to be left with an unhappy 6 so soon after delivery.
Thanks in advance!
R

Rachel Ambler said:
Since I first started down this Android path I've always brought my phones direct from big red which, for all the problems it created it did make life simple when it came to identify which ROM to download etc.
This week I broke tradition and dropped some money on Google's lap and picked up a Nexus 6 direct from them - no more locked down to VZW for me if I so choose.
Previously I had a Incredible, then a GS III then finally a M8 - all three rooted and unlocked\S-OFF'd so this isn't my first rodeo.
That said I'm also wanting to tread VERY VERY lightly here because time and time again I read the the biggest reason folk get bricks is because they assumed and didn't ask questions before they flashed.
So, all this aside, here I am with my now Unlocked 5.0 Non branded Nexus 6 with LNX07M with TWRP 2.8 latest as a custom recovery and, as of right now, no root (to help ease any upgrade).
I've found various Stock ROMS out there there would indicate I'd need to be however on 5.0.1 before I could sideload a 5.1.1. Is this true? If so, do I need to blow away TWRP before I do this because when I tried previously to take the update it dropped me into TWRP.
Is there any way I can avoid all this, wipe and flash a Stock 5.1.1 direct? Wiping the phone isn't an issue as there's nowt on it right now. And should I root now, while still on 5.0 or wait until 5.1.1 (because it'll require a factory reset). Would root even survive a 5.1.1 upgrade?
I'm nervous here because I keep seeing lines such as 'T-MOBILE only' and different code letters after the build name seemingly signifying the different vendors. Given that I got mine direct from Google though I'm unsure how I should proceed because I really don't want to be left with an unhappy 6 so soon after delivery.
Thanks in advance!
R
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The main reason that some users bricked their phone is that they wiped the OS and had a locked bootloader which leaves no possibility ro recover the phone
What carrier do you use?
T-Mobile would be the LYZ28E rom and ATT/USC/International devices would be LMY47Z and Verizon is LMY47E.
Look here http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-6/general/ref-nexus-6-stock-ota-urls-t2906493 and here http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-6/general/guide-flash-factory-images-nexus-6shamu-t2954008.

Unless something is special about the N6 that I'm not aware of, the OS you update FROM only matters if you're sideloading an OTA file. Flashing factory images, you could be coming from a custom ROM(I just took my old N4 from CM12.1 to stock 4.4 on Sunday).
The current build for VZW is 5.1 LMY47E. I think they are updating to 5.1.1 now(LMY47Z, which seems to be universal now except for maybe T-Mo). I flashed mine from E to Z on Saturday because I bought mine unlocked but it had the VZW build, and I'm on an AT&T MVNO.

gee2012 said:
What carrier do you use?
T-Mobile would be the LYZ28E rom and ATT/USC/International devices would be LMY47Z and Verizon is LMY47E.
Look here http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-6/general/ref-nexus-6-stock-ota-urls-t2906493 and here http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-6/general/guide-flash-factory-images-nexus-6shamu-t2954008.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Still with VZW for now, but, as I said, I didn't purchase the phone from them, I brought it from Google direct so it's carrier agnostic (well, in the US at least!) hence my confusion. The last thing I want to do is flash a ROM that's carrier specific but I don't know which one to take with this being the case.
As for the order, my M8 needed to go in two stages to jump from my old Venom build due to changes with the radio (I think) - hence my question there.

If you root, you'll.never get an OTA anyway, sonit doesn't matter which rom you flash aa you can flash any other rom.over it
None of the carrier specific roms will restrict anything, or add branding, so go for whichever.

Rachel Ambler said:
Still with VZW for now, but, as I said, I didn't purchase the phone from them, I brought it from Google direct so it's carrier agnostic (well, in the US at least!) hence my confusion. The last thing I want to do is flash a ROM that's carrier specific but I don't know which one to take with this being the case.
As for the order, my M8 needed to go in two stages to jump from my old Venom build due to changes with the radio (I think) - hence my question there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just flash the LMY47E rom and when its available you get the OTA to update or sideload the OTA from here http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-6/general/ref-nexus-6-stock-ota-urls-t2906493 when its available.

danarama said:
None of the carrier specific roms will restrict anything, or add branding, so go for whichever.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really? Is there a reason why they exist then? Usually my understanding was that they contained carrier specific items including radios and bloatware.

Rachel Ambler said:
Really? Is there a reason why they exist then? Usually my understanding was that they contained carrier specific items including radios and bloatware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's no bloatware on these roms.
Verizon rom includes binaries that make VoLTE work properly on their network where as T-mobile adds a kernel fix to allow their wifi calling to work. And that's it...

gee2012 said:
Just flash the LMY47E rom and when its available you get the OTA to update or sideload the OTA from here http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-6/general/ref-nexus-6-stock-ota-urls-t2906493 when its available.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So what would be the benefit of flashing a Verizon ROM is, for example I should suddenly decide to go to T-Mobile next week given that I didn't purchase the phone from them?
Sorry if these are noob questions but this whole carrier agnostic\yet not agnostic thing has me really wanting to make sure my phone stays as agnostic as it was when it left the factory, bar a VZW Sim nestled inside and a VZW APN entry.

danarama said:
There's no bloatware on these roms.
Verizon rom includes binaries that make VoLTE work properly on their network where as T-mobile addsna kernel fix to allow their wifi calling to work. And that's it...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting. So this would leave me to believe then that, should I decide one day to jump carriers, I'd be better off flashing a ROM for that carrier at the appropriate time?
This being the case, why would the phone come with no carrier specific software on board from Google? Wouldn't this mean I might get a degraded service?

Rachel Ambler said:
So what would be the benefit of flashing a Verizon ROM is, for example I should suddenly decide to go to T-Mobile next week given that I didn't purchase the phone from them?
Sorry if these are noob questions but this whole carrier agnostic\yet not agnostic thing has me really wanting to make sure my phone stays as agnostic as it was when it left the factory, bar a VZW Sim nestled inside and a VZW APN entry.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you want to use T-Mobile in the future you just flash the LYZ28E rom.

Rachel Ambler said:
So what would be the benefit of flashing a Verizon ROM is, for example I should suddenly decide to go to T-Mobile next week given that I didn't purchase the phone from them?
Sorry if these are noob questions but this whole carrier agnostic\yet not agnostic thing has me really wanting to make sure my phone stays as agnostic as it was when it left the factory, bar a VZW Sim nestled inside and a VZW APN entry.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well all Nexus 6 used to get the same updates but tmob and red, wanted approval on theirs - and now we know why.
Since google are still sending these updates and they update onto generic builds, they can only use your sim card as the identifier.
If you leave root out of it, the only way you can avoid the vzw update is to manually update to something else (something vzw updates won't work on). Each OTA looks for a specific build to flash on and won't flash on anything else.
If you do accept the vzw update, you'll never get away from them unless you manually flash a full factory rom.
Bringing root back into it, OTA will never flash anyway, so you'll have to either manually flash factory or flash rom.zips in TWRP

gee2012 said:
If you want to use T-Mobile in the future you just flash the LYZ28E rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is already explaining a lot! So, given that, as I said, I'm not bog standard non-carrier specific 5.0 (and I've yet to even migrate my SIM over) the suggested action would be to download LMY47E 5.1 (as 5.1.1 is not yet out for VZW as they ALWAYS seem to be last to the party) and flash it via TWRP? And I can do that over my LNX07M build?

danarama said:
"Well all Nexus 6 used to get the same updates but tmob and red, ..."
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great info, very useful.

Rachel Ambler said:
Interesting. So this would leave me to believe then that, should I decide one day to jump carriers, I'd be better off flashing a ROM for that carrier at the appropriate time?
This being the case, why would the phone come with no carrier specific software on board from Google? Wouldn't this mean I might get a degraded service?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There were no carrier specific ROMs when Nexus 6 came out. Using any rom on any Nexus and they will all act the same, except you wont get improved volte or wifi calling on those carriers. Their changes will not prove detrimental on other carriers

danarama said:
Well all Nexus 6 used to get the same updates but tmob and red, wanted approval on theirs - and now we know why.
Since google are still sending these updates and they update onto generic builds, they can only use your sim card as the identifier.
If you leave root out of it, the only way you can avoid the vzw update is to manually update to something else (something vzw updates won't work on). Each OTA looks for a specific build to flash on and won't flash on anything else.
If you do accept the vzw update, you'll never get away from them unless you manually flash a full factory rom.
Bringing root back into it, OTA will never flash anyway, so you'll have to either manually flash factory or flash rom.zips in TWRP
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now the murky seas are de-murkyfing!
So go for the VZW build for now with the knowledge and understanding that if I ever decide to bid them a less than fond adieu, I'd be best at that point flash a factory image OR flash another carrier specific ROM once I've chosen the new carrier?
And should I root now, or post the 5.1 flash? I'm guessing post because I'd assuming flashing 5.1 would blow my root away.
I assume I can flash post VZW 5.1 because the boatloader is still all mine and the flash doesn't effect that. Right?

Rachel Ambler said:
This is already explaining a lot! So, given that, as I said, I'm not bog standard non-carrier specific 5.0 (and I've yet to even migrate my SIM over) the suggested action would be to download LMY47E 5.1 (as 5.1.1 is not yet out for VZW as they ALWAYS seem to be last to the party) and flash it via TWRP? And I can do that over my LNX07M build?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Depends how you do it.
Google factory images are flashed from a computer using fastboot.
You may be able to find a rom.zip of that version on xda that can be flashed via TWRP.
As long as you aren't flashing an incremental OTA, you can flash over anything. OTA actually patch files not replace them, so they can only be flashed on the rom they are intended for.

Rachel Ambler said:
Now the murky seas are de-murkyfing!
So go for the VZW build for now with the knowledge and understanding that if I ever decide to bid them a less than fond adieu, I'd be best at that point flash a factory image OR flash another carrier specific ROM once I've chosen the new carrier?
And should I root now, or post the 5.1 flash? I'm guessing post because I'd assuming flashing 5.1 would blow my root away.
I assume I can flash post VZW 5.1 because the boatloader is still all mine and the flash doesn't effect that. Right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why not go with a custom rom like chroma? Get 5.1.1 now and personally it works really well.

danarama said:
Depends how you do it.
Google factory images are flashed from a computer using fastboot.
You may be able to find a rom.zip of that version on sea that can be flashed via TWRP.
As long as you aren't flashing an incremental OTA, you can flash over anything. OTA actually patch files not replace them, so they can only be flashed on the rom they are intended for.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm sorry if that sudden flash of the light coming on in my head just blinded you, but that's what happens when things start to make sense!
OK, so, this all being the case, and that the OTA's are incremental, then in order to go 5.1 with the build from http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-6/general/ref-nexus-6-stock-ota-urls-t2906493 then I WOULD need 5.0.1? Would that work though if I'm on a generic build since, if it's expecting to patch existing VZW files, wouldn't it fail because they're not there? Failing that I'd need to find a flashable 5.1 for VZW (if one even exists)?

endlessryan said:
Why not go with a custom rom like chroma? Get 5.1.1 now and personally it works really well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But it wouldn't have the VoLTE improvements, etc, right? Besides, right now I'd like to stay as stock as possible as it's not just my phone I'm working on, both myself and my wife got one at the same time and I know she will most definitely NOT want anything other than stock.

[EXPERIMENTAL][STOCK ROM]ZV9 Flashable zip (NEED TESTERS!!)

Hey guys,
Code:
DISCLAIMER
I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE IF YOU BRICK YOUR DEVICE. I AM NOT FORCING YOU TOO OR ANYONE ELSE TO FLASH AND BRICK THERE PHONE. ANYONE WHO WANTS TO RISK IT CAN/
So i made a flashable zv9 zip file HOWEVER i dont have the device with me at the moment to test it. Im NOT FORCING ANYONE to try it for me but if they wanna voulenteer to test it for me, it would be a pleasure. I have made this rom via dsxdia android kitchen and i got the system files from the original update.zip because the one from the tot wont open up after i merge them for some reason.
This will flash the system and boot.img files. I need someone to test it for me or risk thier device for a brick if they can. Yeah i know i should wait till get mines back from repair but im eager to get root on this thing. So it would be nice if someone that has an extra g4 laying around wanna helpout its development.
Requirements
-Rooted ZV6
-Flashfire
1. Root your phone http://forum.xda-developers.com/sprint-g4/development/stock-sytem-image-files-zv5-zv6-t3205640
2. Install FlashFire https://play.google.com/apps/testing/eu.chainfire.flash
3. Flash rom by tapping the + in flashfire and tap on flash zip.
4. Wait till its done flashing
5. If it bricks or something, try getting back into download mode and reflash zv6 tot file or zv9 using lgup or lgflashtool
Download:
http://www.mediafire.com/download/z7gc6dia923eyj0/LGG4_EXPERMIENTAL.zip
Mirror
https://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=24391638059057798

Updated with steps and stuff

Is this rooted? If so, I'll give it a go!

ironbesterer said:
Is this rooted? If so, I'll give it a go!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well its just stock right now didnt add root to it yet because i dont know if this is flashable via flashfire yet

Awesomeslayerg said:
Well its just stock right now didnt add root to it yet because i dont know if this is flashable via flashfire yet
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I want to help you, but I'm planning on selling my phone soon to go to Verizon, so I don't want to mess anything up.

Chances are it will not boot due to not matching signature, I've tried different mixes when it first came out, and you will also need modem partition.
I have tried kernel, modem and system from MM over LP, resulting in a security error...
Good luck, hope you get your version working somehow.

ironbesterer said:
I want to help you, but I'm planning on selling my phone soon to go to Verizon, so I don't want to mess anything up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then why did you say you'd give it a go?
Anyways its alright.. oh I'm pretty sure you can use this on Verizon as I can use this on t mobile

Agimax said:
Chances are it will not boot due to not matching signature, I've tried different mixes when it first came out, and you will also need modem partition.
I have tried kernel, modem and system from MM over LP, resulting in a security error...
Good luck, hope you get your version working somehow.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried it with flashfire?

Updated it with mirror

Awesomeslayerg said:
Then why did you say you'd give it a go?
Anyways its alright.. oh I'm pretty sure you can use this on Verizon as I can use this on t mobile
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You cannot use this phone on Verizon. I looked into it. T-Mobile is a whole other deal and even on T-Mobile you probably won't get all their bands.

mswlogo said:
You cannot use this phone on Verizon. I looked into it. T-Mobile is a whole other deal and even on T-Mobile you probably won't get all their bands.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sprint LG G4 contains Bands 2, 4, and 12 which are all the bands T-Mobile uses.

Hi, have anyone tried to find out whether this method works?
my LG G4 sprint is stuck with ZV6 (customised, international) and also secure boot error 1006, unable to boot into download mode. I seriously need a solution.

Everything you need here thanks to Mayrer to get your Sprint to running with T-Mobile.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/spri...nlock-t3229801
Bands 2, 4, 12 are for bands T-Mobile.
Download PropEditor and edit these settings....Don't forget this step first!!
ro.build.target_operator=SPR => TMO
ro.build.target_country=US
ro.telephony.default_network => 9
telephony.lteOnCdmaDevice => 0 ....don't forget to save and reboot.
Along with Hidden Menu 5689#*991# to change your APN settings properly and set
Field Test => Modem Settings =>
PDP Setting => [5] APN Setting ...... now you have to select the bottom one then go into menu [ ] press until you see delete APN
you must do this because a bug I am seeing only allows the bottom APN setting to be used, I usually delete all until the APN I use is on the very bottom selection. no go back
Network Mode = Automatic => go back => RAT Selection = GSM/WCDMA/LTE auto
LTE Band Selection doesn't work proplerly so installing the modded Shortcut Master (Lite) from the link above be sure to go to
lotHiddenMenuMain (witout root) => LTE setting=> LTE Data Roam Config....and enable
Bar Roam Forced
Bar Roam Enabled
Roam Guard Forced
Roam Guard Enabled
Band 2
Band 4
Band 12 go back
Band 25 should be disabled unless you can use it. You cannot really set APN here.
I sometimes install the CDMA to GSM patch for global phones but I then have to re-do the PropEditor settings again, but it may be able to configure anything else that is missing, you can try to Adb Sideload the zip or use FlashGordon app to try to install, honestly I don't know if either worked for me for the patch.
This is what I configure to get my phone to working with T-Mobile.

SM-N920F (Actually SM-N920A) on 3 UK - updating from 5.1.1 to MM and beyond

*Utter noob alert!*
tl;dr - can i update to MM 6+ without totally screwing my phone and entering a whole world of pain?
Proud owner of mongrel SM-N920A purchased from HK via eBay. Device has no branding on hardward / software other than Samsung.
Settings > System > About Device shows model number = SM-N920F. LIES!!!!!
Phone INFO *Samsung* apk shows it's really an SM-N920A
I've attached output from Phone INFO showing 'General', 'CSC', 'Firmware' and 'Android' info.
Having read over threads on Sammobile and here on XDA, it appears some people are losing anything from mobile reception & data to full on apocalyptic bricking. Most of these posts are from earlier in 2016 so I'm wondering, now we're further down the line and the dust has settled, whether there's any consensus on best way forward to get Marshmallow / Nougat and beyond - if at all.

Anyone out there able to offer help and guidance?

Please :crying:

Ah come onnn! Someone here must be able to help!?

dmlargo said:
Ah come onnn! Someone here must be able to help!?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is commonly done to increase the value of the phone by tricking the buyer into thinking it's a non-US model.
Anyway, AT&T and T-Mobile are better than Verizon or Sprint if it comes to using them outside the US, because of better LTE band support.
Since an AT&T phone will only receive OTA updates with an AT&T SIM inserted, you have to sideload the MM update yourself through adb and then keep on sideloading every new build as it comes out.

murtaza02 said:
This is commonly done to increase the value of the phone by tricking the buyer into thinking it's a non-US model.
Anyway, AT&T and T-Mobile are better than Verizon or Sprint if it comes to using them outside the US, because of better LTE band support.
Since an AT&T phone will only receive OTA updates with an AT&T SIM inserted, you have to sideload the MM update yourself through adb and then keep on sideloading every new build as it comes out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So...
If I can get my hands on a prepaid / payg at&t sim here in the UK I could theoretically just get an OTA update that way?
If not, I'll look into sideloading. Do you know of any instructions on how to do?
And, thanks for replying. Very much appreciated

dmlargo said:
So...
If I can get my hands on a prepaid / payg at&t sim here in the UK I could theoretically just get an OTA update that way?
If not, I'll look into sideloading. Do you know of any instructions on how to do?
And, thanks for replying. Very much appreciated
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not necessarily, since the device needs to be connected to AT&Ts network, the SIM would either not work, or start Roaming in the UK.
Sideloading means you will have to get the OTA Zip files and install them on your phone using the Android Debugging Bridge (ADB).
This is the thread HERE: http://forum.xda-developers.com/att...ow-to-manually-update-to-marshmallow-t3380624
It's a very well written guide on how to update the AT&T Note 5.
Your current build number is different from the one used in the main post of the guide, so you're going to have to browse through the thread, grab a different build of Lollipop, flash that, then sideload the Marshmallow updates, one by one, till you get to a fairly new build, then what you do is, factory reset the phone, so you have a clean install of Marshmallow on your phone.

murtaza02 said:
Not necessarily, since the device needs to be connected to AT&Ts network, the SIM would either not work, or start Roaming in the UK.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Of course! I'm an idiot. Doesn't bode well does it! :laugh:
murtaza02 said:
Sideloading means you will have to get the OTA Zip files and install them on your phone using the Android Debugging Bridge (ADB).
This is the thread HERE: http://forum.xda-developers.com/att...ow-to-manually-update-to-marshmallow-t3380624
It's a very well written guide on how to update the AT&T Note 5.
Your current build number is different from the one used in the main post of the guide, so you're going to have to browse through the thread, grab a different build of Lollipop, flash that, then sideload the Marshmallow updates, one by one, till you get to a fairly new build, then what you do is, factory reset the phone, so you have a clean install of Marshmallow on your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Build number being LMY4X.N920AUCU1AOGG
Doesn't matter that bootloader, PDA,CSC and baseband versions are mostly all different?
You're a great help. Thank you! +1

dmlargo said:
Of course! I'm an idiot. Doesn't bode well does it! :laugh:
Build number being LMY4X.N920AUCU1AOGG
Doesn't matter that bootloader, PDA,CSC and baseband versions are mostly all different?
You're a great help. Thank you! +1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're on AOJ1 According to your screenshot.
You need to downgrade to UPB2 Or something and then flash the OTAs from Marshmallow to your phone from PB2.
I'm out of the house at the moment, will be home very soon, and try to find a link for you.

murtaza02 said:
You're on AOJ1 According to your screenshot.
You need to downgrade to UPB2 Or something and then flash the OTAs from Marshmallow to your phone from PB2.
I'm out of the house at the moment, will be home very soon, and try to find a link for you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks man.
For that version AOJ1 - that's bootloader version right? Just so I can differentiate what to look for.
Take it easy

dmlargo said:
Thanks man.
For that version AOJ1 - that's bootloader version right? Just so I can differentiate what to look for.
Take it easy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I happened to come across the 2BPE6 Marshmallow ROM file for the N920A Note 5.
Here's the link: https://mega.nz/#!8Ep0DRZA!jXd4QtMcmN47QIOQSHV8h0CqAc7aVMB5aR4VA_Zw1Pw
You can flash it with Odin, a bit easier to use than ADB, so it'll be better for you as well.
The file is zipped, once you extract it, there'll be 4 different files, one containing system and the main ROM, the other will contain the BL (Bootloader), another with the modem (Radio) and the last with the CSC (Customer Sales Code). Match each file to it's respective field in Odin, the BL file will have BL in the filename so add the BL file to the BL tab in Odin, the CP file to the CP tab, the AP file to the AP tab and the CSC file to the CSC tab.
Then turn your phone off, once it's completely off, hold Power + Home + Volume Down, it'll ask Continue or Cancel, press Volume Up to Continue. You'll be in Odin / Downloading mode, from here, just connect your phone to your PC, flash the Odin files, the phone will reboot itself a few times, not to worry, and it'll eventually boot to the marshmallow start screen.
As for grabbing Odin, I'd recommend the latest version 3.12.3, it supports the newest devices up to S7 and S7 Edge, and it has all the bug fixes as well, so it should work fine on your phone. Link here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/android/software/odin-3-12-3-worlds-att-s7-odin-firmware-t3401470
Good luck.

murtaza02 said:
I happened to come across the 2BPE6 Marshmallow ROM file for the N920A Note 5.
Here's the link: https://mega.nz/#!8Ep0DRZA!jXd4QtMcmN47QIOQSHV8h0CqAc7aVMB5aR4VA_Zw1Pw
You can flash it with Odin, a bit easier to use than ADB, so it'll be better for you as well.
The file is zipped, once you extract it, there'll be 4 different files, one containing system and the main ROM, the other will contain the BL (Bootloader), another with the modem (Radio) and the last with the CSC (Customer Sales Code). Match each file to it's respective field in Odin, the BL file will have BL in the filename so add the BL file to the BL tab in Odin, the CP file to the CP tab, the AP file to the AP tab and the CSC file to the CSC tab.
Then turn your phone off, once it's completely off, hold Power + Home + Volume Down, it'll ask Continue or Cancel, press Volume Up to Continue. You'll be in Odin / Downloading mode, from here, just connect your phone to your PC, flash the Odin files, the phone will reboot itself a few times, not to worry, and it'll eventually boot to the marshmallow start screen.
As for grabbing Odin, I'd recommend the latest version 3.12.3, it supports the newest devices up to S7 and S7 Edge, and it has all the bug fixes as well, so it should work fine on your phone. Link here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/android/software/odin-3-12-3-worlds-att-s7-odin-firmware-t3401470
Good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Epic. If I take it back to 2BPE6 successfully, I'm guessing it's then just the same process to push up to 6.0.1 and beyond?

dmlargo said:
Epic. If I take it back to 2BPE6 successfully, I'm guessing it's then just the same process to push up to 6.0.1 and beyond?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, that was the process I described initially that required you to flash 2BP2 First and then onwards to Marshmallow.
The file I've linked (2BPE6) isn't an OTA. It's the entire full ROM file for the 6.0.1 update for the N920A. Once you flash this and the phone reboots, it'll go directly to Marshmallow.

murtaza02 said:
Nope, that was the process I described initially that required you to flash 2BP2 First and then onwards to Marshmallow.
The file I've linked (2BPE6) isn't an OTA. It's the entire full ROM file for the 6.0.1 update for the N920A. Once you flash this and the phone reboots, it'll go directly to Marshmallow.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And, more importantly, I'll hopefully have a standardised stack across csc, PDA and what not.
Like I said in op - there's unsurprisingly a lot of talk out there about note 5 on at&t when it comes to updates. I'd hoped because mine was already rooted and had a CHN / TGY csc that it kind of showed if someone in China had done stuff to it, and it still worked, then there was a possibility of moving it to 6.0.1
I'll get all files together along with your notes and have a go after getting a nandroid back up. Might be a while given time of year though.
Nice one

dmlargo said:
And, more importantly, I'll hopefully have a standardised stack across csc, PDA and what not.
Like I said in op - there's unsurprisingly a lot of talk out there about note 5 on at&t when it comes to updates. I'd hoped because mine was already rooted and had a CHN / TGY csc that it kind of showed if someone in China had done stuff to it, and it still worked, then there was a possibility of moving it to 6.0.1
I'll get all files together along with your notes and have a go after getting a nandroid back up. Might be a while given time of year though.
Nice one
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The CSC and everything will go back to the default ATT one and it'll have no trace of ever being a fake N920F.
Everything will show N920A and you may also have a bit of AT&T bloat ware, most of which can be disabled.
But the main point is that the phone will no longer be modified in any way and will be completely stock.

murtaza02 said:
The CSC and everything will go back to the default ATT one and it'll have no trace of ever being a fake N920F.
Everything will show N920A and you may also have a bit of AT&T bloat ware, most of which can be disabled.
But the main point is that the phone will no longer be modified in any way and will be completely stock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But doesn't that mean it'll be region locked / potentially losing network connection?

dmlargo said:
But doesn't that mean it'll be region locked / potentially losing network connection?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope. Once it's unlocked, it's always unlocked.
I live in Pakistan, American carrier phones are very common here. AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile and Sprint, all the variants of Note 5 are available here and I've flashed updates on a friends AT&T Note 5 and it didn't get re-locked. I've flashed a T-Mobile Note 4 and 5, neither got re-locked.
Point being, that re-locking crap only used to happen on phones that were unlocked using a glitch or a software based unlock.

murtaza02 said:
Nope. Once it's unlocked, it's always unlocked.
I live in Pakistan, American carrier phones are very common here. AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile and Sprint, all the variants of Note 5 are available here and I've flashed updates on a friends AT&T Note 5 and it didn't get re-locked. I've flashed a T-Mobile Note 4 and 5, neither got re-locked.
Point being, that re-locking crap only used to happen on phones that were unlocked using a glitch or a software based unlock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool. I'll have a look this weekend. Fingers crossed.
After that I'll have a go a re-rooting using something similar to: https://www.search4roots.com/how-to-easily-root-samsung-galaxy-note-5-sm-n920a-marshmallow-6-0-1/

murtaza02 said:
I happened to come across the 2BPE6 Marshmallow ROM file for the N920A Note 5.
Here's the link: https://mega.nz/#!8Ep0DRZA!jXd4QtMcmN47QIOQSHV8h0CqAc7aVMB5aR4VA_Zw1Pw
You can flash it with Odin, a bit easier to use than ADB, so it'll be better for you as well.
The file is zipped, once you extract it, there'll be 4 different files, one containing system and the main ROM, the other will contain the BL (Bootloader), another with the modem (Radio) and the last with the CSC (Customer Sales Code). Match each file to it's respective field in Odin, the BL file will have BL in the filename so add the BL file to the BL tab in Odin, the CP file to the CP tab, the AP file to the AP tab and the CSC file to the CSC tab.
Then turn your phone off, once it's completely off, hold Power + Home + Volume Down, it'll ask Continue or Cancel, press Volume Up to Continue. You'll be in Odin / Downloading mode, from here, just connect your phone to your PC, flash the Odin files, the phone will reboot itself a few times, not to worry, and it'll eventually boot to the marshmallow start screen.
As for grabbing Odin, I'd recommend the latest version 3.12.3, it supports the newest devices up to S7 and S7 Edge, and it has all the bug fixes as well, so it should work fine on your phone. Link here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/android/software/odin-3-12-3-worlds-att-s7-odin-firmware-t3401470
Good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had a very similar situation ( AT&T re-custom Note5 ) , followed the procedure and everything went straight
so thanks to both of you for this thread and pretty straight guide
really
the only "issue" is that quite many thing ( graphically speaking ) changed from Lollipop , not in a "good" way , and I'm not sure wheter they're supposed to change for Marshmallow or for the AT&T bloatware/customization ..what is sure is that the phone was running bit cleaner before . ( i.e. no extra icons , no recording or "AT&T video call " icon available on phonecall screen when calling ..just an example among some things i noticed besides some at&t apps in the home screen )
is there a way to know it and to remove any of it , besides rooting the phone ? - which I'm not sure can be done on a n920a

boodi said:
I had a very similar situation ( AT&T re-custom Note5 ) , followed the procedure and everything went straight
so thanks to both of you for this thread and guide
the only thing is that quite many thing ( graphically speaking ) changed from Lollipop , not in a "good" way , and I'm not sure wheter they're supposed to change for Marshmallow or for the AT&T bloatware/customization
is there a way to know it and to remove any of it , besides rooting the phone ? - which I'm not sure can be done on a n920a
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Package Disabler Pro. It's a paid app. You can use it to disable (not remove) some bloatware that's preinstalled by Samsung and AT&T.
No root possible, so you can't remove the apps.
Sent from my SM-G935F

SM-N960F/D Odin flashing - blunder after blunder.... :(

Ok... So where to begin...
I've searched the threads for a few days now and tried several flashing methods and tools, but I'm having no luck. So please bare with me, and I will get into it...
I recently purchased a new Note 9 international unlocked model. I was super excited and ready to get it running. Except, I started it up and then no Bixby Voice. Unlike most, I prefer to use it and find it helpful to me regularly, so I'd like to keep it. Anyway, when pressing the button I received the much noted "Bixby Voice is not available in your country" message. Well, I found from Samsung support live chat, that this is because of two reasons. One, I currently live in Japan. Two, the phone is a Singapore model phone. My immediate thought was "Oh, ok well, I'll just flash it with another country's firmware then". Seemed easy enough. I flashed it with firmware baring an OXM csc, and after booting up I noticed the the VoLTE feature that was not select-able before was now able to turned on. "Ooow, extra win!" I thought, but of course same issue with bixby. So I searched and found a csc for a location that has bixby is available and is also a carrier unlocked Exynos chipset firmware (XEU). I flashed this, but guess what... still no Bixby Voice. Frustrated, I began looking into changing the Sales code. Using the *#272*IMEI# code and found that MM1 was the sales code for some reason. I changed this to XEU and the phone rebooted. I restored and then tried Bixby Voice again... same. Except, I noticed I also lost the VoLTE option completely. It doesn't even show in the menu bar anymore. I tried the code again to change the sales code back, but now I get error "Connection problem or invalid MMI code." So now, I lost that too. "To hell with it", I thought. I'll flash it back to the old firmware... nope. Now I get:
SW REV. CHECK FAIL. DEVICE: 2, BINARY: 1
This will sometimes change slightly if I try to flash a single part of the new firmware, BL, AP, CSC, etc...
I have done some research and found via the serial number that the firmware I should have installed is: N960FXXU1ARH5_N960FOXM1ARGD_N960FXXU1ARGC_N960FXXU 1ARH5_XSP (according to the Chimera Mobile tool)
I've obtained this, but I still get the same Revision error. I found that the one last one I successfully flashed is a newer version than the others. So now what can I do? Is it possible I can just manually manipulate the CSC details? I rooted the phone and got ES Explorer going, set all the access rights to R/W but I cant find the /System/CSC folder that people keep going on about. Did they do away with that on the Note 9?
It looks like I also have some regional troubles with the Play store too.
WTH... I'm really not sure what to do here. Can anyone please help? I'll be satisfied if I can just get it back to the stock firmware...

Decoding SW REV. CHECK FAIL. DEVICE: 2, BINARY: 1 come out to: Software Revision check fail, you have 2 and it's expecting 1.
That does indeed sound like you've installed a newer version and it's not letting you roll back the device. You may now need to wait for Singapore's stock firmware to be updated to the same or newer and get a copy of that.

who uses bixby use google assistant for peats sake!!!"!!!!

willhemmens said:
Decoding SW REV. CHECK FAIL. DEVICE: 2, BINARY: 1 come out to: Software Revision check fail, you have 2 and it's expecting 1.
That does indeed sound like you've installed a newer version and it's not letting you roll back the device. You may now need to wait for Singapore's stock firmware to be updated to the same or newer and get a copy of that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi willhemmens! Thanks for replying back.
I was also speculating the same thing about having to wait for the revision, but I know the people here are significantly more knowledgeable, so I thought I'd try to pick some brains. My first though was that there must be something in one of the package files that identify to the phone what "version" it is, and then perhaps that can be modified and then re-packaged. But if that were the case, this would be the best place on the planet to verify that. I have tools to un-package and repackage, maybe I'll make a duplicate copy and tinker around in it.
It looks like everyone is complaining about it. It's been a while since I rooted a device (7 years maybe?), so I hadn't realized Samsung took a dump in the downgrade pool. I also found some other new 'glorious' features they've graced us with-after the fact of course. Now, when I un-root... it's still flagged as modified! Woohoo. ....Fricken' KNOX. Now all of the nifty Samsung apps are blocked. Is it just me, or has Samsung turned a little extra Ass-hat recently?
Anyway, I guess I'll have to deal with this lame iOS quality version of Oreo until then... By the way, off the top of your head do you know where I can go to keep an eye out for that update to happen? All I know is SamMobile.com
Thanks again.

mikey_sk said:
who uses bixby use google assistant for peats sake!!!"!!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Mikey! Yeah, I suppose your right. I've just been using it a lot and have gotten accustomed to it. Plus I enjoy creating my own custom Bixby voices, attitudes, and responses. Bixby on my Note 8 has split personality.
Luckily she doesn't randomly laugh in the dark like Alexa. If she did she'd fly out the window like a Note 7.

csc was omc and now odm.

bober10113 said:
csc was omc and now odm.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HI Bober10113! Thanks for your reply. I was able to find my way there, but It seems the csc feature files are encrypted now. I'm still looking through the threads for something about how to decrypt/encrypt them, but I haven't found anything yet.

VetteMike69 said:
HI Bober10113! Thanks for your reply. I was able to find my way there, but It seems the csc feature files are encrypted now. I'm still looking through the threads for something about how to decrypt/encrypt them, but I haven't found anything yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, I just found a video on YouTube where Yakapa40 is able to unpack the xml files using some "cscfeature" executable.
@yakapa40
Is there any chance you might be willing to share your "cscfeature.exe" file for unpacking the feature XML files in the CSC?

VetteMike69 said:
Actually, I just found a video on YouTube where Yakapa40 is able to unpack the xml files using some "cscfeature" executable.
@yakapa40
Is there any chance you might be willing to share your "cscfeature.exe" file for unpacking the feature XML files in the CSC?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah sorry, nevermind... I was able to make a ps1 for it instead. I'm good one decoding and encoding the XMLs now.

@VetteMike69
if you need it , you have an automatic encode/decode feature here in post 5 : https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-note-9/how-to/n960f-n960n-n960u-n960u1-n960w-n9600-t3833721
regards
edit : sorry no licence , but you can make your own patch file

yakapa40 said:
@VetteMike69
if you need it , you have an automatic encode/decode feature here in post 5 : https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-note-9/how-to/n960f-n960n-n960u-n960u1-n960w-n9600-t3833721
regards
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you made the exe with freeware(advance bat to exe converter)that only works on your PC. read the software policy.. its clearly written that what you compile only works on 1 computer.
anyways for everyone else, here is a proper tool:
https://1drv.ms/f/s!AhXVLDDj8g3Agdl8B0jk3H1dqccrXw

bober10113 said:
you made the exe with freeware(advance bat to exe converter)that only works on your PC. read the software policy.. its clearly written that what you compile only works on 1 computer.
anyways for everyone else, here is a proper tool:
https://1drv.ms/f/s!AhXVLDDj8g3Agdl8B0jk3H1dqccrXw
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi bober, don't know where else to post this, so posting it here...I have seen a bunch of your posts and it seems you've figured out a way to use Canadian CSC on the 960 F/DS...i have a few questions:
1- First step is install TWRP?
2- then root?
3- do I have to change the actual firmware of the device? Mine is a singapore unit
4- Once I change CSC, how are updates handled after that if I want to keep using stock firmware?
5- If I can't do OTA, then how will I update to the latest version and security patches? Do I download these for the Canada version? or the Singapore version?
Any help would be highly appreciated!!

hkalltheway said:
Hi bober, don't know where else to post this, so posting it here...I have seen a bunch of your posts and it seems you've figured out a way to use Canadian CSC on the 960 F/DS...i have a few questions:
1- First step is install TWRP?
2- then root?
3- do I have to change the actual firmware of the device? Mine is a singapore unit
4- Once I change CSC, how are updates handled after that if I want to keep using stock firmware?
5- If I can't do OTA, then how will I update to the latest version and security patches? Do I download these for the Canada version? or the Singapore version?
Any help would be highly appreciated!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i think you should weigh in what you want to achieve by changing csc and if it really is worth rooting for.
i rooted for custom roms, sound mods and just sheer control over my device.
but this comes with a price:
no samsung pay ( yet)( can always unroot)
tripped knox fuse, so probably no warranty. depends.(once tripped, this cannot be reverted)
misc apps detect root and might no longer root.(can always unroot)
so you should read up and get informed on what you need and if you need root/twrp.
concerning updates once rooted:
either use custom roms. BL and CP can be manually updated via stock firmware while custom rom keeps the system up to date.
or flash full stock firmware each time then re-root.
in both cases above, firmware files to be used are for exynos F devices. forget the canadian firmware, you cant flash that since it's for snapdragon devices.

yakapa40 said:
@VetteMike69
if you need it , you have an automatic encode/decode feature here in post 5 : https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-note-9/how-to/n960f-n960n-n960u-n960u1-n960w-n9600-t3833721
regards
edit : sorry no licence , but you can make your own patch file
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi @yakapa40!
Thank you, this looks like it'll be a bit more convenient than the one I made previously. I'll put it on record for next time. Luckily I was able to find what prevented me from flashing the older revision CSC and modify that. So now I was able to use Odin to drop down my PDA and CSC while keeping the newer Bootloader and Baseband. I guess it's a bit of a Frankin'-Firm now. Whats weird though, is that now my knox sometimes shows tripped and sometimes doesn't; sometimes root checker fails and sometimes it passes.
I wonder if I grazed on something that's related to the knox handler... Nagh... probably just wishful thinking. Still weird though.

bober10113 said:
i think you should weigh in what you want to achieve by changing csc and if it really is worth rooting for.
i rooted for custom roms, sound mods and just sheer control over my device.
but this comes with a price:
no samsung pay ( yet)( can always unroot)
tripped knox fuse, so probably no warranty. depends.(once tripped, this cannot be reverted)
misc apps detect root and might no longer root.(can always unroot)
so you should read up and get informed on what you need and if you need root/twrp.
concerning updates once rooted:
either use custom roms. BL and CP can be manually updated via stock firmware while custom rom keeps the system up to date.
or flash full stock firmware each time then re-root.
in both cases above, firmware files to be used are for exynos F devices. forget the canadian firmware, you cant flash that since it's for snapdragon devices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi @hkalltheway!
Bober10113 is absolutely right on this. Really, you need to know what exactly you are rooting the device for. If you don't have a set reason, it may be better not to root it. You can flash stock firmware and CSC all day long without needing a root. But if you want to customize the features (there's not really a lot right now by the way) and setup custom menus, layouts, or run CFW... Then you'll have to go the way of rooting. But again, there is currently no definitive way to "untrip" your knox. As he said, you can "unroot" but you cannot "technically" regain your unmodified status; even though you can revert back to a stock rom. By loosing this status you loose access to Pay, Secure Folder, and a few other things. I think there is a mod out there to get Samsung Health working again, but as far as I'm currently aware, that's the only one you can re-gain. Most of them validate against your knox value.
Regarding your questions.
YES! You should always install TWRP first before doing any 'messin'. This is your ultimate line of recovery and the best mulligan your gonna get from your device. Always follow the two step wonder on this:
1. Install TWRP
2. Boot into TWRP and create a full backup of your partitions (Before anything else). I do this to the SD card in the tray. That way it's always handy.
After this, feel free to play around, but keep in mind what versions/revisions your flashing. If you jump to a new one, it's not easy to downgrade -it'll take hours to download and rewrite the firmware you need and trick the phone into thinking it's flashing the latest update.
Regarding a changed CSC and the updates... You should have no problem getting updates. But Samsung sends out updates to devices based on the CSC. So, if you flash the CSC, the updates you get will come at the same time interval of the country and location of the CSC that you flashed. For example, you have a Sin model with Sin CSC just like me, but if you flash to a UK CSC, then you will get your updates at the same time that the UK get their updates. Etc, Etc...
For the OTA Updates, if your on a stock firmware you should get these fine. If they do not automatically update you can just tap the update button manually in settings to check for new updates and then download them. Some have said you need to turn off automatic updates, and some say you do not. This, I'm not 100% sure on this one. Also, you can manually update by flashing the newest version through Odin as the come in. Usually SamMobile.com is good about keeping up to date firmware that you can download with all 4 packs, nicely labeled for you.
Hopefully that helps you out a bit.

VetteMike69 said:
Hi @hkalltheway!
Bober10113 is absolutely right on this. Really, you need to know what exactly you are rooting the device for. If you don't have a set reason, it may be better not to root it. You can flash stock firmware and CSC all day long without needing a root. But if you want to customize the features (there's not really a lot right now by the way) and setup custom menus, layouts, or run CFW... Then you'll have to go the way of rooting. But again, there is currently no definitive way to "untrip" your knox. As he said, you can "unroot" but you cannot "technically" regain your unmodified status; even though you can revert back to a stock rom. By loosing this status you loose access to Pay, Secure Folder, and a few other things. I think there is a mod out there to get Samsung Health working again, but as far as I'm currently aware, that's the only one you can re-gain. Most of them validate against your knox value.
Regarding your questions.
YES! You should always install TWRP first before doing any 'messin'. This is your ultimate line of recovery and the best mulligan your gonna get from your device. Always follow the two step wonder on this:
1. Install TWRP
2. Boot into TWRP and create a full backup of your partitions (Before anything else). I do this to the SD card in the tray. That way it's always handy.
After this, feel free to play around, but keep in mind what versions/revisions your flashing. If you jump to a new one, it's not easy to downgrade -it'll take hours to download and rewrite the firmware you need and trick the phone into thinking it's flashing the latest update.
Regarding a changed CSC and the updates... You should have no problem getting updates. But Samsung sends out updates to devices based on the CSC. So, if you flash the CSC, the updates you get will come at the same time interval of the country and location of the CSC that you flashed. For example, you have a Sin model with Sin CSC just like me, but if you flash to a UK CSC, then you will get your updates at the same time that the UK get their updates. Etc, Etc...
For the OTA Updates, if your on a stock firmware you should get these fine. If they do not automatically update you can just tap the update button manually in settings to check for new updates and then download them. Some have said you need to turn off automatic updates, and some say you do not. This, I'm not 100% sure on this one. Also, you can manually update by flashing the newest version through Odin as the come in. Usually SamMobile.com is good about keeping up to date firmware that you can download with all 4 packs, nicely labeled for you.
Hopefully that helps you out a bit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
phone info tool and other root detect apps are notorious for reporting wrong Knox status.....
he wants a csc from a snapdragon to a exynos. so flashing csc from SD in odin is ill advised. so it will require root and files be either manualy modded or i have updated tkkg1994 csc pack to work on note 9. ive only added canadian region.
https://1drv.ms/u/s!AhXVLDDj8g3AgdkwkPIxwDu5ZFASuQ
in twrp backup:
EFS
carrier files
then flash zip.
i wont be held responsible for anything. Ive tested on my N960N.
should work on any F or FD/DS too.
all credits to tkkg1994.

bober10113 said:
phone info tool and other root detect apps are notorious for reporting wrong Knox status.....
he wants a csc from a snapdragon to a exynos. so flashing csc from SD in odin is ill advised. so it will require root and files be either manualy modded or i have updated tkkg1994 csc pack to work on note 9. ive only added canadian region.
https://1drv.ms/u/s!AhXVLDDj8g3AgdkwkPIxwDu5ZFASuQ
in twrp backup:
EFS
carrier files
then flash zip.
i wont be held responsible for anything. Ive tested on my N960N.
should work on any F or FD/DS too.
all credits to tkkg1994.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the help guys! The only reason I wanted root was for having VoLTE and Wifi calling working in Canada. One more reason is titanium backup so I can back up the device completely so it's easy to restore. Finally, I was curious how the scene is now and what else I can play with in magisk, as I've never used it. Thanks!

hkalltheway said:
Thanks for the help guys! The only reason I wanted root was for having VoLTE and Wifi calling working in Canada. One more reason is titanium backup so I can back up the device completely so it's easy to restore. Finally, I was curious how the scene is now and what else I can play with in magisk, as I've never used it. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well then root might be food for you.
have a read at Dr Ketan roms thread for the root procedure and details of what it involves.

hkalltheway said:
Thanks for the help guys! The only reason I wanted root was for having VoLTE and Wifi calling working in Canada. One more reason is titanium backup so I can back up the device completely so it's easy to restore. Finally, I was curious how the scene is now and what else I can play with in magisk, as I've never used it. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what is your carrier?
because Rogers blacklists non carrier phones. i believe bell might also do that too. So even if all is there and options appear, your phones imei code will be blocked from enrolling for wifi calling.

bober10113 said:
what is your carrier?
because Rogers blacklists non carrier phones. i believe bell might also do that too. So even if all is there and options appear, your phones imei code will be blocked from enrolling for wifi calling.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm currently with fido but thinking of switching to freedom mobile. Still too worried about all this rooting stuff that it seems the best thing to do is stay away from now and choose from one of the 2:
1- use wifi calling / VoLTE by getting the rogers/fido phone directly; that phone will not have dual sim capability
2- forget wifi calling / VoLTE and use this dual sim version, which has a lot of advantages while traveling
Seems like I'll stick to the 2nd option for now. Thanks for the help!

newbie warning: don't re-lock bootloader, and beware flashing any custom ROM. &OTA...

newbie warning: don't re-lock bootloader, and beware flashing any custom ROM. &OTA...
only modify a phone you are willing to throw away.......
##
pre-note: TWRP 3.3.1-0 -> fastboot boot twrp.img (this is temporary)
before doing anything, backup some little partitions: EFS, fsg, Vendor. Maybe others. You will need these to get back to a working stock.
##
$$
DO AT YOUR OWN RISK - I TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY.
note added 2-27-2020: it may be that some problems with returning to stock are due to not (in TWRP) advanced wiping data, system, dalvik ART cache before flashing. You can do temp "fastboot boot twrp-3.3.1-0-payton.img" w/o quotes, and do it there. -changed/edited. don't use TWRP to flash a stock zip!
$$
NO FIX IS KNOWN FOR ANY OF THESE PROBLEMS. PHONE IS DESTROYED.
newbie warning: don't re-lock bootloader, and beware flashing ANY custom ROM.
On the X4, the bootloader changes drastically between 8 and 9 as it introduces a dual file system which is used by OTA updates to alternate the live system, and as a backup if failure. It is not a true Treble system, only partial. You must not depend on being able to flash back and forth between O and P. If you update to P, stay there. I expect this to be exacerbated by those phones which update to 10, if that in fact happens(probably One/fi only). There is also much confusion as to which file system/setup any custom ROM uses, and thus, how you would get back to stock, if that is even possible. Be very careful and assure yourself that you are fully willing to lose permanently your new phone before you do anything. Please read posts in these forums.
I've seen many posts of folks, mostly noobs, who have flashed ANY custom ROM Lineage and are unable to get back to a working stock. Sounds super simple but apparently it's not. Best to assume that if you try things, especially Lineage, that you will never be able to get back to a working stock. Read a bunch of posts here and you will realize that.
I've also seen a bunch of folks on this phone, and other phones who have run a bat file to flash their phone which contains the line
"fastboot oem lock" or similar.
Don't do it!!! - This will lock your phone and you will never be able to do anything with it again. It is totally unnecessary to lock your phone. Folks who should know better are leaving bat files lying around with this command. If you use one of those bat files to flash your phone, just check and remove that command line. Else you will have destroyed your phone. That's one of those things that "sounds good" until you do it.
EDIT: You can run stock on a bootloader unlocked phone - I do it all the time - plays PoGo just fine. I don't know about banking apps - I don't use them as I assume any 10-year-old can and will hack my phone.
EDIT: 6Feb2020: folks are reporting taking a security OTA onto a modified phone and rendering their phone(s) unusable. Only take OTA to a pure unmodified (no Majisk ever on it)(etc)(no mods ever on it)(stock recovery)(etc) stock ROM. Heed this warning. All of these "temporary" mods leave traces that screw up the update process.
EDIT: this was successfully fixed. see: https://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-x4/help/ota-update-endless-fail-loop-ppws29-69-t4045771 my guess is only works if you haven't changed bootloader or file system - NO custom ROM.
NO FIX IS KNOWN FOR ANY OF THESE PROBLEMS. PHONE IS DESTROYED.
Please do a lot of reading here before you try to modify your phone, unless you are totally willing to render it useless. A word to the wise.

Ahah ))) I bought today X4 with relocked BL and I it seems it was relocked after flashing LOS or similar )) )
Now I trying to recover it ))
Сan we boot phone to QC9008 (EDL) mode without testpoiint?

St.Noigel said:
Ahah ))) I bought today X4 with relocked BL and I it seems it was relocked after flashing LOS or similar )) )
Now I trying to recover it ))
Сan we boot phone to QC9008 (EDL) mode without testpoiint?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
afaik, you can't. Return the phone and get your money back. There will probably be a bunch of these worthless phones put up for sale. If you can't return it you could try the suggestions of sd_shadow in other threads here, but I don't believe they were successful on the X4.

KrisM22 said:
afaik, you can't. Return the phone and get your money back. There will probably be a bunch of these worthless phones put up for sale. If you can't return it you could try the suggestions of sd_shadow in other threads here, but I don't believe they were successful on the X4.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK. But I unbrick it. Now I have fully loaded system, but without WiFi ot mobile network.. It`s problem - I can`t turn on OEM unlocking.. (
Goшng to try to find solution
UPD. Everything work well now. But it my device I have custom stock flashed. Not sure it`ll work with LOS onboard

its to late for me

llue45 said:
its to late for me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I know. You're one reason I posted this.

modified OP

change: from "Lineage" to "any custom ROM"

hi im thinking about buy this phone for 100 bucks used how i can verify this relocked bootloader problem ? in Developer Options ? if i cant switch to Oem Unlocking its broken ? to make sure this dont happen to me the one who its selling it to me says that already its updated to PIE , i want stock and root it just that after unlock the bootloader but if cant be unlocked i better move on . so my question is what really im looking for , when i get my hands on the phone before drop my money to the thin air because is not a store . and maybe never see this guy again in my life , i Live In The Caribbean Dominican Republic
People here are not so trusty . so i will appreciate if i can have some tips to know if im going to do a good Buy. Thanks In Advance .

JavaShin said:
hi im thinking about buy this phone for 100 bucks used how i can verify this relocked bootloader problem ? in Developer Options ? if i cant switch to Oem Unlocking its broken ? to make sure this dont happen to me the one who its selling it to me says that already its updated to PIE , i want stock and root it just that after unlock the bootloader but if cant be unlocked i better move on . so my question is what really im looking for , when i get my hands on the phone before drop my money to the thin air because is not a store . and maybe never see this guy again in my life , i Live In The Caribbean Dominican Republic
People here are not so trusty . so i will appreciate if i can have some tips to know if im going to do a good Buy. Thanks In Advance .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good to not be trusting!!!! With this (or any) phone, I recommend you get only from a place (like ebay) where you can easily return it and get your money back. ebay can force a reluctant seller to refund your money. Assure that the seller has a 99% + rating and says they will accept returns and pay for return shipment, usually for 30 days. I don't think you can easily tell if it has been unlocked and re-locked - only that it works perfectly, or doesn't. You can check the ID of the ROM in your phone against the latest for your area by checking lolinet.
When you get it, check all functions and assure IMEI is present. check wifi, BT, etc etc. Make calls. Check that the phone works with the towers in your area and with a local SIM. etc etc. read here and find the things that folks having problems where it won't do things and assure your phone will do it. Install Pokemon Go on it and play it briefly to assure your phone hasn't been modified. I have no idea if any of these phone will work with any banking or payment apps, and each app will have it's own specific checks that it performs against the phone. Test what you will use. Fully. ASSUME NOTHING!!!
As far as rooting it and/or unlocking it, I would strongly advise against it. For this particular phone X4 I would determine that it works perfectly and then NOT modify it. Unless, of course, you are willing to throw your phone away and buy a new one without a second thought(most of us don't have that kind of money!). Mine happened to have been unlocked when I got it from ebay but it was on a stock 8.1 and it was able to, and did OTA update to the latest Pie stock ROM. Thus I was easily able to assure if was okay. It being unlocked seems to have affected nothing. I have never tried to root it or do anything to it (recovery or otherwise) as I read far too many posts of folks here who had rendered their phones incapable of returning to a working stock, and only on a limited custom. Not what I wanted. I have not heard of anyone successfully getting one of these phones back to a FULLY WORKING stock state.
The days of getting a phone and easily modifying it and then returning it to stock may be gone. Get a phone you will enjoy, and use it! Unmodified!!! Welcome to pre-Treble part1a . Expect a few years of growing pains.
I like my phone and enjoy not having to worry about whether a custom ROM will work and constantly be chasing updates and fixes. I use a case - I believe it is this one
https://www.ebay.com/itm/For-Motoro...hash=item33d89fee5a:m:mU5XV7jSj1TfD_kr-L4VT9g
which, so far, has protected it from several minor falls. I would never use any phone w/o a case!!!

But i think if the phone gets unlocked the bootloader and flash twrp making a backup of the stock recovery before just booting the twrp custom recovery then flash magisk on twrp on top of Stock PIE , After Of Course Make A Full Backup Of all partitions reboot and then on Stock PIE have ROOT. and never flash custom roms and never lock the bootloader and stock can be reflashed without problems with a script on linux with fastboot on bootloader-fastboot mode this plan can work , NO ? i had a E4 sprint and never had problems doing that
I need root for A Lot Of Things like Xposed Drivedroid Youtube vanced Adway ETC.
Can Anyone who is reading this have done this just root pie on this phone with unlocked bootloader ? and able to restore stock flashing it back with the retail firmware just to remove root and clean the stock and recovery ? or try to put android one ? the phone which im going to buy its the XT1900-6 retail brazil i already have the retail stock official pie rom ready to flash and with the script on linux with no fastboot oem lock anywhere .

added to OP: EDIT: 2-6-2020 folks are reporting taking a security OTA onto a modified phone and rendering their phone(s) unusable. Only take OTA to a pure unmodified (no Majisk ever on it)(etc)(no mods ever on it)(stock recovery)(etc) stock ROM. Heed this warning. All of these "temporary" mods leave traces that screw up the update process.

OTA issues
KrisM22 said:
added to OP: EDIT: 2-6-2020 folks are reporting taking a security OTA onto a modified phone and rendering their phone(s) unusable. Only take OTA to a pure unmodified (no Majisk ever on it)(etc)(no mods ever on it)(stock recovery)(etc) stock ROM. Heed this warning. All of these "temporary" mods leave traces that screw up the update process.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I posted a new thread on these OTA issues with the X4 at https://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-x4/help/ota-update-endless-fail-loop-ppws29-69-t4045771. I was never presented with an "option" to install the latest OTA, it just automatically attempted to install (apparently a FORCED update) and is continuing to do so and failing ad infinitum. That phone works, just getting constant failure notifications. Question is, how to stop the attempted updates?
The second identical phone (updated per Magisk OTA tutorial instructions) is borked, with no phone connectivity. Can these be recovered by wiping/flashing stock rom PPWS29.60-39-6-2 and get them operating again as stock? I can forego the OTAs if there's a way to stop them from screwing up the device.
I never had other than stock recovery on either of these phones, I always boot TWRP via fastboot to do mods.

EDIT: XDA system is stalling and caused double post. Sorry. Mod please delete.
-deleted by me -

@redwoodie , please don't post to this thread. I read all your threads/posts but have no information.
NO FIX IS KNOWN FOR ANY OF THESE PROBLEMS. PHONE IS DESTROYED.
As to whether "x" strategy will work, you are certainly free to explore that on your own, in your own thread.
No one here knows. I am certainly not going to experiment on my own phone and run the likelihood of having to buy a new one. Folks like yourself keep showing up and doing just that because they are SURE it will work. But it hasn't.
Read all the posts.
There are very few folks left here on this forum. Once they have destroyed their phone, and tried a bunch of things, they move on.
THERE IS NO SOLUTION.
This thread is only to warn newbies.
I personally know nothing about the phone other than what has been posted by others.
Read it.
If you discover a true solution that allows a phone to work perfectly ON STOCK, please post it and you will make lots of folks happy, assuming it is repeatable.
However, no known solution.
But, again, you are free to explore solutions - just not in this thread, please. Thanks.

added paragraph at top:
$$
DO AT YOUR OWN RISK - I TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY.
note added 2-27-2020: it may be that some problems with returning to stock are due to not (in TWRP) advanced wiping data, system, dalvik-ART-cache before flashing. You can do temp "fastboot boot twrp-3.3.1-0-payton.img" w/o quotes, and do it there. -changed/edited. don't use TWRP to flash a stock zip!

This guy is full of crap
KrisM22 said:
only modify a phone you are willing to throw away.......
NO FIX IS KNOWN FOR ANY OF THESE PROBLEMS. PHONE IS DESTROYED.
Please do a lot of reading here before you try to modify your phone, unless you are totally willing to render it useless. A word to the wise.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've literally put so many different custom ROMs on this phone. I've bricked it, unbricked, hard bricked it and soft bricked it. Stop misinforming people bro. The Moto G6 I would say to be careful with but still I wouldn't make a post like this guy. The Moto x4 just requires a little prep to make it a full treble, GSI accepting, custom Rom beast. Plus there are a few official ROMs out there even Android 10 for the Moto x4 specifically. Don't be scared. Just research a lot and follow instructions
---------- Post added at 03:28 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:24 PM ----------
JavaShin said:
But i think if the phone gets unlocked the bootloader and flash twrp making a backup of the stock recovery before just booting the twrp custom recovery then flash magisk on twrp on top of Stock PIE , After Of Course Make A Full Backup Of all partitions reboot and then on Stock PIE have ROOT. and never flash custom roms and never lock the bootloader and stock can be reflashed without problems with a script on linux with fastboot on bootloader-fastboot mode this plan can work , NO ? i had a E4 sprint and never had problems doing that
I need root for A Lot Of Things like Xposed Drivedroid Youtube vanced Adway ETC.
Can Anyone who is reading this have done this just root pie on this phone with unlocked bootloader ? and able to restore stock flashing it back with the retail firmware just to remove root and clean the stock and recovery ? or try to put android one ? the phone which im going to buy its the XT1900-6 retail brazil i already have the retail stock official pie rom ready to flash and with the script on linux with no fastboot oem lock anywhere .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The op is a cracker Jack

Ims status not registered
Guys i flashed custom rom without taking backups of efs and all,so i ended up with ims status not registered because of that my volte is broken mine is retin.I tried to flash stock firmware but the imei is broken.Any way to fix this?

bumpsi since apparently folks are not reading this. mod a phone, likely lose it. relock a phone and def lose it.