I just received my S21 Ultra AT&T version but I am using Cricket wireless yesterday. I purchased it from samsung.com with full payment. I know I should buy the unlocked version, but the 256GB one I want is out of stock, so I have to buy the AT&T version. I turned on the phone last night but I did not insert cricket sim card. I updated the system and all softwares. I found there are a lot of AT&T bloatwares, but I do not need them acturally. So I plan to flash it with the XAA firmware. Before I do it, I have following questions:
1. If I flash the AT&T version with XAA firmware, does it also mean I unlock this phone? It could be used under other carriers (T-mobile, verizon and soon)?
2. If the flash does not unlock the phone, how do I unlock it? Ask samsung or AT&T to unlock it?
Thank you so much. Any responses are appreciated.
Flashing XAA does NOT unlock the phone. It will give you a less bloated software experience. Note that you have to be on AT&T firmware to unlock the device, then you can flash XAA.
Guyinlaca said:
Flashing XAA does NOT unlock the phone. It will give you a less bloated software experience. Note that you have to be on AT&T firmware to unlock the device, then you can flash XAA.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your response. I'll let ATT unlock my phone first.
Related
Greetings,
Just received my new SM-N950U Note 8. Question is the box says it is a AT&T model but the software is T-Mobile. Baseband is N950USQS5CRK1 if it matters. Is that how it is supposed to be? I thought I was getting a factory unlocked Note 8.
Pat
The N950U is indeed the At&T model of the Note 8. However the seller may have unlocked the device so you can use any carriers SIM in it.
Branded and unlocked are two different things. You can buy a branded Note 8 which is unlocked, no issue.
It was advertised as a factory unlocked model. I just thought it would not have T-mobile software. I actually am on T-mobile so it's not a big deal I was just curious.
The unlocked model will install carrier software and splash screen by knowing what sim card you use. If you take it out and put in a different sim, it will magically change.
bobdelt said:
The unlocked model will install carrier software and splash screen by knowing what sim card you use. If you take it out and put in a different sim, it will magically change.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're half right. The carrier models will do that. But if you're running the unlocked U1 firmware, it will not change any boot animation, splash screen, or add carrier apps. It will provision the SIM card for that carrier, but it will remain unbranded with no bloat.
---------- Post added at 09:23 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:19 AM ----------
patcal said:
It was advertised as a factory unlocked model. I just thought it would not have T-mobile software. I actually am on T-mobile so it's not a big deal I was just curious.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You didn't get what you paid for. If it was advertised as "factory unlocked," and you got an ATT model that's false advertising. ATT models are carrier locked from the factory. They can be unlocked after paying them off through ATT.
They could TECHNICALLY get away with selling you a Verizon model and calling it factory unlocked, since they are unlocked from the factory, but that's still deceptive.
If you're happy, then no harm no foul. But if you really want a U1 model, then you'd have an argument for an exchange or refund.
Thanks for all the info. I am happy with the phone. It is performing as expected. I was just surprised to find the T-mobile app & boot animation when I got it. I really like it so far. My next step is do some more reading & see of I could flash a carrier free unlocked firmware. That's for another day though.
Pat
patcal said:
Thanks for all the info. I am happy with the phone. It is performing as expected. I was just surprised to find the T-mobile app & boot animation when I got it. I really like it so far. My next step is do some more reading & see of I could flash a carrier free unlocked firmware. That's for another day though.
Pat
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can. There's a guide for doing it. But to put it simply, download the U1 firmware with the SamFirm tool. Then flash it with patched ODIN 3.13.1.
My dilemma. I purchased a S10+ unlocked from Samsung.com and I use it on the Sprint network. I am having data/cell problems like a lot of others are having. Samsung refuses to fix or replace the phone saying it will be fixed with an update. Sprint says they will replace my phone but it would be the Sprint version. If i do the replacement with Sprint can I later flash the U1 making it act like the unlocked version? No carrier bloat?
wraptor said:
My dilemma. I purchased a S10+ unlocked from Samsung.com and I use it on the Sprint network. I am having data/cell problems like a lot of others are having. Samsung refuses to fix or replace the phone saying it will be fixed with an update. Sprint says they will replace my phone but it would be the Sprint version. If i do the replacement with Sprint can I later flash the U1 making it act like the unlocked version? No carrier bloat?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Service issues with T Mobile and Sprint are known. Neither have been addressed since release. As for your question, yes, it's possible to convert a U SPR to U1 XAA (and vice versa). You will lose data following the use of non Home CSCs in Odin.
You can technically preserve all data, but it's strongly recommended to follow the steps as they're written.
E: firmware is here https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s10/how-to/s10e-g973u-g973u1-firmware-links-t3905852
You can also use Samfirm and other places.
Ace42 said:
Service issues with T Mobile and Sprint are known. Neither have been addressed since release. As for your question, yes, it's possible to convert a U SPR to U1 XAA (and vice versa). You will lose data following the use of non Home CSCs in Odin.
You can technically preserve all data, but it's strongly recommended to follow the steps as they're written.
E: firmware is here https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s10/how-to/s10e-g973u-g973u1-firmware-links-t3905852
You can also use Samfirm and other places.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for verifying this!
wraptor said:
Thank you for verifying this!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No prob. I converted my Tmobile N8 950U to U1. Bought an unlocked U1 S10+ so no need this time around.
I have the sprint variant as well of the s10. Would flashing this sim unlock the phone?
No
kennymase said:
I have the sprint variant as well of the s10. Would flashing this sim unlock the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope. You're only changing the firmware on the phone, you're not unlocking anything.
Do I need to flash back to U1 unlocked firmware? When the buyer puts their Sim card in, will my current carrier (Cricket) splash screen remain or will it recognize their carrier and change?
If it is unlocked, the buyer can use with any carrier except cdma like verizon or sprint
ryan770 said:
Do I need to flash back to U1 unlocked firmware? When the buyer puts their Sim card in, will my current carrier (Cricket) splash screen remain or will it recognize their carrier and change?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Change back or don't advertise as unlocked firmware
Sent from my SM-G973U1 using Tapatalk
Is changing back that hard?
ryan770 said:
Do I need to flash back to U1 unlocked firmware? When the buyer puts their Sim card in, will my current carrier (Cricket) splash screen remain or will it recognize their carrier and change?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just flash back to U1, it is more desirable.
Actually I didn't even know why did you flash it for Cricket... An unlocked firmware works the same with them.
SoNic67 said:
Just flash back to U1, it is more desirable.
Actually I didn't even know why did you flash it for Cricket... An unlocked firmware works the same with them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because it allowed me to have wifi calling with some trickery. I have basically no service in my house.
WiFi calling is not supported by Cricket... officially.
If you didn't have signal, why kept the service? Total Wireless for example uses Verizon, their reach usually is greater.
Anyway, resale value is greater with original U1 firmware.
To do what you are hoping for.... Download The newest G973U USC firmware and flash that if you're selling it in the USA.... That way it switches apps and carrier bloat when a sim is changed... Otherwise flash G973U1
XAA firmware if your selling anywhere else.
If it was a g973u1, it might not work on verizon/sprint.... If it was a g973u, it should work on both no problem. Even an AT&T S10 can be activated on Sprint or Verizon as long as the IMEI is clean and clear.
I have an unlocked S10 (SM-G973U1), and have flashed it with monthly Android security updates from sammobile.com several times. Since I have an unlocked S10 and want to keep it unlocked, I use the firmware with the XAA country code. I would like to ask whether the firmware for the unlocked S10 that has the country code "VZW" would be the Verizon firmware that would also convert the CSC on my phone from XAA to VZW? It looks like that, but since I use Verizon, I'm curious about it.
Thanks.
Yes, if you flash Verizon firmware on the U1 model phone you will get everything Verizon. Even the bloatware.
I bought an unclocked S20 FE and flashed with ATT FW hoping I'd get the ATT (bloatware) allowing me to tether and get Visual Voice Mail. I do not see any of the ATT Bloat ware when I flashed SM-G781U1_ATT_G781U1UEU5DUH1 from Samfw.com. Mine is SG-781U1 (unlocked).
Any pointers would be very much appreciated. Able to get ATT SIM (5g) to work with Wifi calling and Volte but no Hotspot. When I toggle this it reverts back saying my plan does not allow it. I verified that my plan allows it and works on iPhone.
Thanks
Thats because you flashed U1 unlocked firmware that is not carrier branded. You need to flash U firmware and it will provision to your At&t sim.
butchieboy said:
Thats because you flashed U1 unlocked firmware that is not carrier branded. You need to flash U firmware and it will provision to your At&t sim.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you suggest which one in the U Firmware I should use. I tried TMB and USC and no dice. I am not able to get rid of the CSC - shows as ATT/ATT/XAA - unable to get Hotspot working. I dont get any bloat ware the ATT stuff. I dont mind it but trying to flash the "U" version did not help. Appreciate any pointers
If your device is the unlocked version it will show XAA. It doesn't matter which U firmware you flash, they are all the same. The firmware will provision to whatever sim you have in device