I recently purchased 4 brand new sprint note 8's from Ebay (for a small company). In hindsight I think I should of opted for the unlocked version but I'm here now. My question is what would it take to unlock the phones and flash with unlocked software? I ask because I'm a little PO'ed that sprint takes away a few features native to Samsung (looking at you Hyia caller id). There's apps that can take care of all that, but that's besides the point.
I'm looking for pro's and cons to what that would do. Coming from a rooted S6 and having played with the note 8 I didn't see any reason to root until now. But I think if I root it locks me out of other features? Samsung Pay? And sprint won't fix if I make any insurance claim?
Is there any way to go through all that and then turn root back off? Again, coming from the S6 as my last bit of rooting experience (couldn't turn knox counter off, so Samsung pay never worked....).
Any suggestions?
tl;dr, should probably go with unlocked phones next time to avoid the bs
rob.mwpropane said:
should probably go with unlocked phones next time to avoid the bs
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Search function in the forum. Look for carrier switching. Are you using them for sprint?
If you go to unlocked XXA you will get the other features but loose wifi-calling and sprint calling plus.
You can download the new sprint zone form play store now so thats a non issue.
If you understand how to put together your own flash-able rom you could pull the stuff for sprint and add to xxa and get both parts but its not something ive seen floating around here.
Ultimately sprint has a paid version of Samsung feature for the caller id part, if thats the only thing you want there are a ton of other free alternative. (soft fix) Sprint isn't going to fix a personal issue you have with their device setup lol, they charge for premium caller id and Samsung/sprint wont change that part, most carriers charge for it as its "premium"
I have a optimized rom for the note 8 (sprint users) but you will be limited to 80% battery charge, spay and secure folder are broken. With the new safestrap recovery you can atleast un-root and re-root from the device to get around apps that scan for root and be able to use them, with my custom rom having edits in /system you will never achieve spay etc , this is reversible by just odin to stock software again and back to stock, the current root methods do not effect knox or warranty.
If i unlocked it can i use gsm sim form Bangladesh?
Related
Hello forum,
Like many of you I received my Galaxy S6 yesterday. After turning it on I naturally check the XDA forum to see if anyone had obtained root. I didn't realize that root may not even be possible, not to even mention custom ROMs. I wanted to know if it would be advisable to go and buy the T-Mobile version, should I buy an internationally version, or should I wait and hope the boot loader can be unlocked? I really miss Cyanogenmod on Samsung device for a true super Nexus experience like how my GS3 was. Unfortunately, I bought the GS4 and had my boot-loader locked down so the best I could do was Safestrap and the Google Play Edition Rom by Joe-Tech, but I still long for the feeling of the device truly being mine. Another concern is that anytime I had a real issue with the phone, like if I bricked it, or if the charging port stop working I could take it to the AT&T device store and just get a new (Samsung refurbished) phone. My 14 days are ticking away and I don't know what to do, I would really appreciate if some forum members could point me in the right direction. I signed up for the Next program with AT&T at Best Buy when I got it, so how would that be effected if I returned the device. Also, how do I use the menu key, if I hold the Recent key (the menu key) it just the multitasking window?
Thanks,
N7spaceuser
Bump.
Buy the unlocked version. SM-G920I. You can find it on eBay, thepowersellers.com, and a couple other places. Works perfect on AT&T, LTE and all. Unlocked bootloader, no bloat, faster updates, no AT&T bs. What are you people doing buying from AT&T?
I'll have to admit, I'm sort of a Samsung fanboy. Ever since I had my first Galaxy S that replaced my iPhone I've never looked back. All of them have been rooted, custom recoveries, and custom OS's. I like being able to do what i want with my own phone.....
Then I got a 920A.... I own this phone out right and I should be able to do that I want with it. Locked bootloader. Thanks AT&T.
I'm rooted and on AOE2, but I really want to go for 5.1, but since there's no root for it yet I'm stuck like everyone else. I go to this section of the forum everyday hoping for a root method. I notice posts are so few and far between in this section I'm loosing hope.
So this rant brings me to my question..
I want to get an S6 that works on all AT&T bands, but has an unlocked bootloader, and can install TWRP if I want to. What should I get?
Thanks in advance!
g920f or g920i would be good ones. even the g920t would be alright. Heck as long as it is not at&t or verizon and works within the LTE frequency range in your country your good to go. Its only Big Red and Big Blue that love to lock us out of our own phone. Good luck getting rid of the g920a its not very desireable because of the locked bootloader and will sell for a quarter of what you paid if your lucky
AT&T will unlock your phone for free if it meets their requirements:
(as of 2015.11.13) Devices may qualify for unlocking if they meet the following requirements:
The device must be designed for use on, and locked to, the AT&T wireless network. For help see Device Unlock Support.
It must not be reported lost or stolen.
It's not associated with fraudulent activity.
All the device's service commitments and installment plans are completed, and all early termination fees are paid in full.
The device is not currently active on a different AT&T customer's account.
If you performed an early upgrade, you must wait the 14-day buyer's remorse period before you can request to unlock your previous device.
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I'd post a direct link to the ATT page if I could, but google "unlock ATT phone" and the first result should get you there.
I've unlocked a few ATT phones this way. FYI: it does require a "non-att" sim card to complete the unlock service.
demidude said:
AT&T will unlock your phone for free if it meets their requirements:
I'd post a direct link to the ATT page if I could, but google "unlock ATT phone" and the first result should get you there.
I've unlocked a few ATT phones this way. FYI: it does require a "non-att" sim card to complete the unlock service.
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Thanks for the info, but the sim lock is not really what I was referring to, I was referring to the bootloader lock.
custommx3 said:
Thanks for the info, but the sim lock is not really what I was referring to, I was referring to the bootloader lock.
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D'oh...thanks for the clarification.
Just admit we got the short end of the stick this time. Look at the galaxy s5 and how they are doing on bootloader bypassing, which is nothing. The best they have is what we have safe starp and a selection of sub par roms, not putting any developer down because I know its a limited environment when you can't touch the kernel for all that juicy goodness. I was in your same position a week ago and eventually took the 5.1.1 update for the Samsung pay which awesome if your bank or credit provider supports. It friggen emulates a card so dope but besides the point, the security on its kernel is supposedly heavy which makes sense because you are storing card info on your phone now. I even went above and beyond and whole disc encrypted it just in case it gets stolen, glhf getting into it. So yeah you can wait around on 5.02 and not enjoy the performance enhancements and cool card features or realize AT&T finally found a good enough encryption scheme to shore things up . Your next purchase may have to be a different phone, admittedly I rarely stray far from Samsung. I leave you with a bit of hope you honestly don't need root as it is. I was just once a flashaholic on s3 and s4 but that was all to tether and have better control of my cpu stepping. Now I have a tether app, you have to pay but its five bucks. I don't remember the subs rule on ads but it its reads like Firefox but is spelled foxify or something like that . Also, I rum a VPN on the phone so that ATT dosent know I'm tethering, gets me through any of their packet snorting and threatening texts of we will take your grandfather data away if you don't stop. So in the end it's all up to you kind XDA'er best of luck on your decision process.
My FoxiFi isn't working
Hello,
What is the preferred Samsung Note 8 model for obtaining root if you are in the US? In my area, AT&T(GSM) and Verizon(CDMA) are the two main carriers. I would perfer to have a phone which is unlocked for both network types(GSM/CDMA). I'm not tied down in a contract so I plan on buy from Amazon so I can continue without being in contract. Thank You!
Questions:
A. Preferred Samsung Note 8 model for obtaining root in US?
B. Is root even worth the effort of the 'jumping through the hoops it takes to obtain it'?
C. Once you have root, will new updates from Android affect it or have the possibility of losing it?
Coming from a totally unlocked Note 4 back in February, I thought that I would really need root access on my Note 8. But with using Samsung themes to get the system color I wanted, then using Nova Launcher to get the icon look. And using notSABS for ad blocking. I can honestly say that with the Note 8, I do not need root access. Yes having full access of MY phone should be MY choice, but I'm ok with it.
My wife and I have the SM-N950U from Xfinity and we love them. For the price of their service you can't beat them. We just pay by the gig and we have never used more than 1 GB of data. So if we didn't get the phones from them and get insurance, we would only be paying $12/month for 2 lines.(up to 5 lines)
Sent from my SM-N950U using XDA Labs
If you want to root, there is a big drawback with snapdaragons, after rooting, your batt will only charge 80%, in any case snap or exynos, samsung pay will no longer work, and, after rooting, no OTA firmware updates will show for download
I would stay away from US carriers phones. get the international version instead.
Once you root, you lose the chance of using Samsung Pay and SecureFolder for the rest of the phone's life. Un-rooting won't get them to work.
It is up to you to decide. For me, I root because I need Adaway, Titanium Backup, TWRP. Yes, I love SecureFolder but I love the benefits of root capabilities more.
winol said:
If you want to root, there is a big drawback with snapdaragons, after rooting, your batt will only charge 80%, in any case snap or exynos, samsung pay will no longer work, and, after rooting, no OTA firmware updates will show for download
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I have read it's better to keep your battery charged between 20% to 80% for the best battery life, so would that be a good thing?
طوني تبولة said:
I would stay away from US carriers phones. get the international version instead.
Once you root, you lose the chance of using Samsung Pay and SecureFolder for the rest of the phone's life. Un-rooting won't get them to work.
It is up to you to decide. For me, I root because I need Adaway, Titanium Backup, TWRP. Yes, I love SecureFolder but I love the benefits of root capabilities more.
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Click to collapse
I don't ever plan on using Samsung Pay, so no issue there, I'm unaware of SecureFolder. What model and what carrier do you have? CDMA or GSM? I have read that the exynos phones cell radio or tower reception doesn't work as well in the US. Have you noticed any issues with that or with WIFI? Any advice on getting the best deal on one?
I would recommend that you purchase the US Unlocked Variant, which is available in the US.
I used to have the U version on ATT. I changed to an unlocked dual SIM 950FD. It cost $600 on eBay instead of $900+ for the US variant. I notice ABSOLUTELY NO DIFFERENCE between the two. No data speed difference, nothing. Same software, same everything. And I update the rom regularly on sammobile. Plus I have the dual SIM option. So, same thing $300 cheaper.
Oh and lests not forget: no bloatware..
I come from the perspective of:
1. A US citizen working with orphan kids in Colombia. A Note 8, or probably from a battery standpoint, the unaffordable Note 9, would seem to make the most sense, or an iPhone 7 Plus, but I don't like IOS. I am considering the US Verizon SM-N950UZKAVZW, AT&T SM-N950UZKAATT, or the US unlocked unbranded SM-N950U1, which has the Snapdragon, and supports both CDMA and GSM and more bands than the others.
2. I like root, because it allows me to use apps cannot otherwise, use such as exploring the active bands available in certain areas, a real phone backup, etc., but it is not absolutely necessary. (With my Note 3, 4.4.2, I can easily root without tripping KNOX.)
3. I also like the idea of Samsung Pay and the way it works with NFC for credit card security.
Questions:
1. Can I root any of these three phones and still use Samsung Pay, etc.?
2. Does the N950U1 US unbranded, unlocked model also have KNOX that would get tripped?
3. How are OS updates handled on N950U1 US unbranded phone?
4.
- From reading the forums, unless you use the AT&T-carrier-branded version, you will not be able to use VoLTE/HD Voice, VoWi-Fi, or carrier aggregation on the AT&T network, and you will get throttled data speeds.
- Verizon only states that HD Voice will not work unless both parties have VoLTE/HD Voice enabled, both have LTE, and are both on the Verizon network. I don't see language about it being a Verizon-branded phone.
- Verizon states HD Voice needs to be activated before you can activate VoWi-Fi, and that you can tell it to use Wi-Fi if available, and that you can make and receive calls from the US for free as though you were there.
?Does this mean you can send and receive free US calls to and from non-Verizon endpoints over VoWi-Fi?
Thanks!
Hello !
1. AFAIK no, when you root Knox is tripped so you can say goodbye to Samsung Pay (though it seems that some people found a way to keep using it)
2. All Samsung devices have Knox if they're shipped with Android 4.3+
3. I can't answer to that question as I have the SM-N950F/DS
4. Being French I don't know how US carriers handle VoWiFi, VoLTE and HD voice.
I hope people will be able to answer these questions.
Have a nice day !
Thanks for the reply!
If your on bootloader v4 u cant root right now....
If u have a us model they all have snapdragons so you cant use android pay ever again if u root..... hope it helps.
pbedard said:
If your on bootloader v4 u cant root right now.... If u have a us model they all have snapdragons so you cant use android pay ever again if u root..... hope it helps.
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That is very helpful because I didn't know if I could get around that with the US unlocked model from Samsung or not. It looks like no root then. I assume I can still side load apks without causing an issue?
One thing is sure, the Exynos won't be running the CDMA bands. I would also imagine Samsung pay either doesn't work with the a rooted international Exynos, and/or there are other gotchas that make it equally unattractive to use domestically.
Does the Exynos run the same apks as the SnapDragon from the play store or are they compiled differently?
Both models use the same apks, no problem there, as for rooted devices, only certain apps do not work when they detect root
If u have a us model they all have snapdragons so you cant use android pay ever again if u root..... hope it helps.
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Out of curiosity, can you root an Exynos, the unroot it later, and use Samsung pay, or do you have the same issue of tripping KNOX, or doesn't the Exynos do Samsung Pay?
I understand not allowing Samsung Pay on a rooted phone. The part I don't get is why when you restore everything back to original that they don't allow KNOX to be restored as well.
Well, the exynos variant is the easier rootable one, but KNOX is irreversible, it is a physical electonic fuse, or e-fuse, in any samsung device, it is a flag to indicate that the device has been tampered with, therefore no longer 100% safe by samsung's standards, unrooting will not get back to 0x0, (0x1 indicates that something has been changed), so, no samsung pay or secure folder will be available once knox has been tripped
winol said:
Well, the Exynos variant is the easier rootable one, but KNOX is irreversible, it is a physical electonic fuse, or e-fuse, in any Samsung device
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Got it! Then I won't be rooting the new one for now, and would be better off going with a SnapDragon where I can get a phone that will do both CDMA and GSM, and leverage Qualcomm's Quick Charge as well.
Thanks!
I currently have a Galaxy S5 on Verizon's original unlimited data plan. I rooted the phone with Android Lollipop years ago and have been using it ever since. The phone has tons of lag and a lot of apps now require Marshmallow or newer operating system to run. I've been looking at the S10 as my next phone and have a few questions:
1. I rooted my S5 and would naturally like to root the S10. I know that Verizon goes the extra mile to lock the boot loader and to discourage us from rooting. What is my best bet for being able to root? I mean, should I get a developer version or maybe an international version? I do understand that it's a bit premature to be asking such questions, but with the history of Verizon's versions of the Galaxy line, what should I expect? sadly, I haven't keept up with the phone world in a few years.
2. Seeing as the S10 will be a five model jump for me is root even all that necessary any more? I don't install custom ROMS or tweek the phone all that much anyways. Mostly I just need a way to eliminate ads in apps (I use Adaway for this now), a way to remove bloatwear, and a way to back up apps and data (I've been using Titanium backup for this).
3. What can I expect in terms of advances or complications in the newest version of android? What has changed with support for data cards, rooting and the like?
That's it. Now the experts can chime in.
Damn your latest phone is a S5 yeah you're going to have a hell of a lot and sugar be shocked LOL I bought everyone from the S4 up.
The question is... which S10 to get so that I will be able to root? I know Verizon locks the boot loader. Then again, do I really need to root? what would you recommend having moved away from the S4s?
beavermjr said:
I currently have a Galaxy S5 on Verizon's original unlimited data plan. I rooted the phone with Android Lollipop years ago and have been using it ever since. The phone has tons of lag and a lot of apps now require Marshmallow or newer operating system to run. I've been looking at the S10 as my next phone and have a few questions:
1. I rooted my S5 and would naturally like to root the S10. I know that Verizon goes the extra mile to lock the boot loader and to discourage us from rooting. What is my best bet for being able to root? I mean, should I get a developer version or maybe an international version? I do understand that it's a bit premature to be asking such questions, but with the history of Verizon's versions of the Galaxy line, what should I expect? sadly, I haven't keept up with the phone world in a few years.
2. Seeing as the S10 will be a five model jump for me is root even all that necessary any more? I don't install custom ROMS or tweek the phone all that much anyways. Mostly I just need a way to eliminate ads in apps (I use Adaway for this now), a way to remove bloatwear, and a way to back up apps and data (I've been using Titanium backup for this).
3. What can I expect in terms of advances or complications in the newest version of android? What has changed with support for data cards, rooting and the like?
That's it. Now the experts can chime in.
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Click to collapse
Based on your query it would seem you don't need much customization so getting the device with an lunocked bootloader may not be your best bet. I would expect Samsung to follow it's development the same as previous releases. You should be able to acquire the Exynos or Snapdragon variants with unlocked bootloaders as long as you purchase an International variant. Not sure if it's important to you but based on early benchmarks, the Snapdragon variant has now surpassed the Exynos in processing speeds.