My Unlocked Note 8 - Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers

So I have a Note 8 that was originally with Sprint and I had it unlocked and now on Verizon Service. If I wanted to root/mod it or do whatever do I look in the article I originally had the phone with which is Sprint or go with Verizon my now phone company?
Help the kidd out please

Basically it wouldn't matter, as is same HW...
... but you cannot root anyway, unless you're still on BL vs 3 or below.

Related

Tmobile Note 8 work on Sprint?

Someone Local to me is selling a note 8. It's supposed to be unlocked. Will it work on Sprint or no?
powerstroke said:
Someone Local to me is selling a note 8. It's supposed to be unlocked. Will it work on Sprint or no?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Before I'd buy,I'd visit T-Mobile with the seller & phone in-hand,to ensure the phone is free & clear of any financial obligations.
Otherwise,you risk the possibility of it being blacklisted if any remaining balances are unpaid.
Not sure about compatibility,but,if the T-Mobile S8+ is any indication,it's only compatible with LTE,probably won't get voice/calls:
https://willmyphonework.net/
Regardless,with it being a new phone,you're in uncharted territory,no one can know for sure at this point,less a visit to Sprint & the mentioned visit to T-Mobile.
powerstroke said:
Someone Local to me is selling a note 8. It's supposed to be unlocked. Will it work on Sprint or no?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately, probably not. Sprint is very strict with the phones it allows under it's BYOD program, it'll only allow activation of Sprint and Unlocked models. It knows when phones are carrier versions as Samsung provides Sprint with the IMEIs of the Sprint and Unlocked models.
Sprint is the only major carrier that still uses a database whitelist for phones that can be activated on their network. Bit of a **** policy, but there's not much you can do about it.
Source: Just tried the same thing with my T-Mobile S8+. Even when I flashed the unlocked firmware on it(something you'd need to do anyway to enable the CDMA radio on the Note8, T-Mobile firmware has it disabled), still wouldn't work. Found out it was because of Sprint's stupid policy.
Just wanted to chime in on this in the hopes that no one wastes their time and money trying to activate AT&T/T-Mobile branded Note 8's with Sprint.
Flashed my AT&T device with unlocked firmware to enable CDMA features (MEID HEX/DEC)
Bought a Sprint BYOD SIM
Gave Sprint technicians device information in an attempt to add it to their inventory (HEC/DEX)
They kept getting random incompatibility errors, kind of silly given all US Note 8's have identical hardware.
Case closed, looking for a Sprint or Samsung official unlocked device now..

Unlocked vs Sprint Galaxy Note 8

Can the unlocked Note 8 have access to Sprint's High Performance User Equipment (HPUE)
Can anybody answer quick, in same dilemma, prob goin to get the unlocked cause can flash sprint stuff backon and g-d forbid sprint is taken over by tmobile or someone else the phone can just be simmed to the new carrier, no new 900$ phone
MakinMoney said:
Can the unlocked Note 8 have access to Sprint's High Performance User Equipment (HPUE)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Online specs say yes...some users have had 4g+ speeds
Hardware is same...if you have issues firmware wise, unlocked can be flashed to Sprint firmware and you will get updates from Sprint...I've tested this and even model number changed
Can I flash unlocked software on a carrier phone. I bought the Sprint variant because I wanted to avoid all the BS and now I think I'll be going over to At&t in a month and obviously would like to take my phone. I thought flashing unlocked firmware would trip Knox and really don't want to F that up.
I just tried to order from sammy site and the damm promotion for the card/charger ended last sunday, had to call them and complain that their system was down during last weekend and now i have a ticket # hoping to get the promo code when i order, there site said the promo for note 7 owners is til 10-3 but in tiny print the other is til 9-24, ****ty
TeCKNeiC said:
Can I flash unlocked software on a carrier phone. I bought the Sprint variant because I wanted to avoid all the BS and now I think I'll be going over to At&t in a month and obviously would like to take my phone. I thought flashing unlocked firmware would trip Knox and really don't want to F that up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you can flash unlocked firmware on carrier device. Flashing factory official firmware does not trip knox...only custom flashing does

Getting a Note 8 today and wanted to ask something

Which would you guys say is better, tmob will still do the bogo today if I get it or I can just go to best buy and get the unlocked one? So two notes or one note that I can properly root.
RiffyDivine said:
Which would you guys say is better, tmob will still do the bogo today if I get it or I can just go to best buy and get the unlocked one? So two notes or one note that I can properly root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i might be wrong as i live in the UK, but an unlocked one from best buy will be no better off to root than the tmobile one?
the "unlocked" does not mean the bootloader is unlocked
both are snapdragon correct? There is a root available but i would recommend you buy an N950F or FD (Exynos) if your main focus is root and custom roms.
Lucky you! I would get just one
Mr.Ash.Man said:
i might be wrong as i live in the UK, but an unlocked one from best buy will be no better off to root than the tmobile one?
the "unlocked" does not mean the bootloader is unlocked
both are snapdragon correct? There is a root available but i would recommend you buy an N950F or FD (Exynos) if your main focus is root and custom roms.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's listed with the exynos but that maybe an error on their site.
First of all BOGO deal has some restrictions, not every plan qualifies, you should really read fine print, or head to Tmo forum and look there for details. I also don't think BB would be selling phone that doesn't work on half of US networks, so make sure you make your decisions based on correct info.
T mobile has a lot of stipulations with the BOGO. I purchased a t mobile variant directly from Samsung. They have a finance program 0% for 24 months. I also had a note 7 so I was able to get a nice discount as well. I almost went with an unlocked from Samsung(same as best buy) but I wanted all my carrier features. Plus since I bought the phone from Samsung, I was able to SIM unlock my t mobile note 8 within days of receiving it. Plus if I really wanted, I could always flash the unlocked firmware on to this device if I wanted it De bloated which I might end up doing. I use video calling a lot with my family and it doesn't worked on the Unlocked firmware but I recently started using google DUO which is way better video calling quality anyway. I know using t mobile on the unlocked firmware, WI fi calling, VOLTE hd voice does work which is the most important to me. I'm pretty sure mobile hotspot works as well but not sure.
RiffyDivine said:
Which would you guys say is better, tmob will still do the bogo today if I get it or I can just go to best buy and get the unlocked one? So two notes or one note that I can properly root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have to jump through hoops for T-Mobile's BOGO, if you can wait Samsung will have a BOGO for the Note 8 just like they did for the S8+ and you won't have to add a line like the T-Mobile.

Verizon Note 9 on AT&T

If I get a Verizon note 9 can I just pop an Att sim into it and it will work. I know there may be differences between voice and data but Basically is the Verizon NOTE9 GSM unlocked like past Galaxy phones were?
I read a Verizon forum where the Verizon rep said that the note 9 is GSM unlocked but she said AFTER it has been activated on Verizon.
To make matters more confusing she linked to a Verizon page that basically said all Verizon's post pay phones are GSM 4G unlocked (nothing about activation first).
Anyone can help me here? Thinking of getting a cheap one of eBay to use mainly overseas and ATT or wherever else.
Yes. The Verizon models are unlocked. And it's the same exact hardware as the ATT version. My recommendation is to flash either the U1 or the ATT firmware though. Otherwise you'll get the Verizon boot animation and Verizon bloatware.
The ATT firmware will allow you to use WiFi calling and VOLTE.
The unlocked U1 firmware will be clean and have no carrier bloat.
Mr. Orange 645 said:
Yes. The Verizon models are unlocked. And it's the same exact hardware as the ATT version. My recommendation is to flash either the U1 or the ATT firmware though. Otherwise you'll get the Verizon boot animation and Verizon bloatware.
The ATT firmware will allow you to use WiFi calling and VOLTE.
The unlocked U1 firmware will be clean and have no carrier bloat.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your answer. I will have to read up more on the Flashing and U1 firmware!
I see now that on ebay that some say verizon unlocked and some say verizon locked and some of the verizons up for sale dont specify (but in the item detail it says locked or contract)... This makes things more confusing.
I have always bought verizon phones for the unlocked gsm. I did read that verizon was going to stop having them unlocked....this is my main fear.
So what you're saying, is that the verizon note 9 is 100% gsm unlocked? sorry to ask again.
Henhen59 said:
Thanks for your answer. I will have to read up more on the Flashing and U1 firmware!
I see now that on ebay that some say verizon unlocked and some say verizon locked and some of the verizons up for sale dont specify (but in the item detail it says locked or contract)... This makes things more confusing.
I have always bought verizon phones for the unlocked gsm. I did read that verizon was going to stop having them unlocked....this is my main fear.
So what you're saying, is that the verizon note 9 is 100% gsm unlocked? sorry to ask again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm also looking for that definitive answer as I want to get the Verizon Note 9 for overseas use. I read that it will be unlocked after activation as they were having armed robberies at stores and other inventory locations. I was going to buy the Sprint model but it cost almost $150 to unlock.
Henhen59 said:
Thanks for your answer. I will have to read up more on the Flashing and U1 firmware!
I see now that on ebay that some say verizon unlocked and some say verizon locked and some of the verizons up for sale dont specify (but in the item detail it says locked or contract)... This makes things more confusing.
I have always bought verizon phones for the unlocked gsm. I did read that verizon was going to stop having them unlocked....this is my main fear.
So what you're saying, is that the verizon note 9 is 100% gsm unlocked? sorry to ask again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
djohne said:
I'm also looking for that definitive answer as I want to get the Verizon Note 9 for overseas use. I read that it will be unlocked after activation as they were having armed robberies at stores and other inventory locations. I was going to buy the Sprint model but it cost almost $150 to unlock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Verizon started that with the Pixel 3, after the Note 9. The Note 9's from Verizon are unlocked. Even with the Pixel 3, once it was activated with a Verizon SIM, it was then automatically carrier unlocked. So if you buy a used VZW Note 9 from eBay, its already been activated on Verizon, so no worries.
Just be careful buying off eBay. If its still under contract and the seller stops making payments, it will be blacklisted.
Why buy a Verizon version to use on AT&T?
What is the advantage over getting an AT&T or carrier unlocked version?
pizza_pablo said:
Why buy a Verizon version to use on AT&T?
What is the advantage over getting an AT&T or carrier unlocked version?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They buy on Verizon because Verizon offers better deals. Then they want to use the devices on other networks. But since Note only has A firmware, not B, it's an annoying process for those who haven't flashed before.
AS to your second question: ATT doesn't allow Wi-Fi Calling nor voice over LTE on unlocked devices. So many ending putting up with their bloat in order to get those features.
CrazyApe18 said:
They buy on Verizon because Verizon offers better deals. Then they want to use the devices on other networks. But since Note only has A firmware, not B, it's an annoying process for those who haven't flashed before.
AS to your second question: ATT doesn't allow Wi-Fi Calling nor voice over LTE on unlocked devices. So many ending putting up with their bloat in order to get those features.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Huh, I would think any Verizon deal would require using Verizon service.
Thanks!
pizza_pablo said:
Huh, I would think any Verizon deal would require using Verizon service.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh, they do require service. But people either don't read or think they've found some way around it.
CrazyApe18 said:
Oh, they do require service. But people either don't read or think they've found some way around it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
oh ha! Hard to outsmart big red.
pizza_pablo said:
oh ha! Hard to outsmart big red.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It used to be easier. Verizon would often offer buy one get one free on Samsung and LG devices. You had to sign up for new service and put the phones on a payment plan. But the second phone uses to actually be free, not just bill credits. And you could pay off the first one and cancel your service.
I one time bought four Galaxy S7s when they were brand new, started four lines of service with Verizon, then paid off the phones and cancelled the service. Then I sold all four phones and netted about a thousand dollar profit off the deal.
Did the same thing with the LG G4 with Verizon when they offered $600 prepaid gift cards for each phone you bought.
Now Verizon, like all other carriers, lock you in with bill credits.
As they say, all good things must come to an end.
Mr. Orange 645 said:
Verizon started that with the Pixel 3, after the Note 9. The Note 9's from Verizon are unlocked. Even with the Pixel 3, once it was activated with a Verizon SIM, it was then automatically carrier unlocked. So if you buy a used VZW Note 9 from eBay, its already been activated on Verizon, so no worries.
Just be careful buying off eBay. If its still under contract and the seller stops making payments, it will be blacklisted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wanted them for overseas use, actually ended up getting a great deal on 2 ATT note 9s, under $500 each n paid $18 to unlock
Verizon note 9 on AT&T
I'm using an unlocked Verizon note 9 512gb 8gb ram on AT&T and amazingly everything works. Wifi calling, video calling, volte. Even went to UbreakIfix and they installed Android 10 onto the phone. When I put the Sim card into the phone it loaded all the AT&T software on the phone and I was good. The great thing about Verizon unlocked phones are that they have the full CDMA and GSM capabilities so you can use them on any carrier. It wasn't a hassle at all to do.

Unlocking a Verizon Note 9 without Account

Okay so here's the skinny... I was with Verizon on my Note 9. I paid it off. I then switch to T-Mobile and took the Note 9 with me. Popped the sim card in, worked great - did not need unlocked. That being said, I want to sell the Note 9 and get a new phone. However, I cannot seem to unlock the Note 9. T-Mobile says you cannot unlock it since it's a Verizon phone, and Verizon said I cannot unlock it without my ex's account information which she wont give me because we are not talking... So, in selling this phone - what do I need to know if it cannot be unlocked? Can someone with a Verizon or T-Mobile sim just slap it in and go? I'm confused as can be and the Verizon tech team over there in some cave doesn't have a clue how to help. TIA.

Categories

Resources