Related
We finally made the switch to Verizon back on Monday due to inconsistencies with US Cellular's local coverage in our area. Inconveniently, I had just upgraded to the USCC variant of the Note 9 in early September, so when the Verizon agent initially tried to change the phone over, I was informed that it was the outstanding balance that prevented him from doing so (which made sense at the time). Under the impression that this was all that would be required, I just zoomed over to the US Cellular store next door to pay off that $800 or so remaining on the line, thinking I was in the clear. Of course, it would only be after this that the agent finally realized that compatibility wasn't quite as clear-cut as they had initially thought...
So I apologize in advance for what I feel may be a stupid question, but I haven't been able to find a solid answer on this:
I (now) know that the US carrier-specific models of the Note 9 tend to only come preloaded with the CDMA/LTE frequency bands they use in their respective networks, and that while there is some overlap and crossover, just swapping out one carrier's SIM for that of another still limits you to the original spectrums that came on the phone. However — will the process of flashing the firmware to the correct corresponding carrier for the new SIM also change the frequency bands so everything matches up, or is this something that's entirely hardware related that can't be bypassed?
And to avoid anyone breaking things if this does turn out to be a feasible option, I would assume this would still only work for those in my situation, i.e. trying to flash from an already comparable CDMA capable version of the phone to another CDMA capable version with otherwise equivalent hardware specs and processor (so no GSM-only to CDMA, no Snapdragon to Exynos, etc.).
As has been discussed many times here...ALL the US Note 9s are identical. Same exact hardware. They all support the same bands. The only difference is firmware. And actually with Pie, they will all run the same firmware, just like the Note 8.
You have two options:
1. Carrier branded firmware which will keep WiFi calling and VOLTE working.
2. Unbranded U1 firmware, which is a clean bloat free firmware, but no Wifi calling or VoLTE (unless you're on T-Mobile)
To change firmware, download thr most recent firmware of your choice using the SamFirm tool. Then flash it with patched ODIN 3.13.1. This will wipe your device, so make a backup.
Would like to know if anyone has confirmed what all works, and what doesn't when using tmobile's network on the unlocked s10.
I've heard things like 4x4 MIMO , VOLTE, carrier aggregation, etc may not work.. Also supposedly slower updates... But if someone can confirm this.
Also, would flashing tmobile's firmware onto the unlocked s10 enable all network features I would get on the tmobile model???
Thanks!
I am pretty sure the only missing item is T-mobile video calling in built-in phone dialer when you use unlocked US snapdragon variant(still bootloader locked) on T-mobile. WiFi calling, VoLTE, 4x4 MIMO, CA works just fine. Yes you can flash T-mobile's firmware if you want video calling (and bloat).
VICosPhi said:
I am pretty sure the only missing item is T-mobile video calling in built-in phone dialer when you use unlocked US snapdragon variant(still bootloader locked) on T-mobile. WiFi calling, VoLTE, 4x4 MIMO, CA works just fine. Yes you can flash T-mobile's firmware if you want video calling (and bloat).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you provide some basis on where you got this information? If you have some solid confirmation that would be great.
I have S9+ unlocked and this applies to it, so I am pretty sure the same will be the case for S10+.
Low_Key_Slaps said:
Could you provide some basis on where you got this information? If you have some solid confirmation that would be great.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Samsung has a compatibility table on their site, and it can corroborate part of VICosPhi's post. The bit about MIMO and CA (up to 5 or 7) is not written explicitly. Unofficially you will achieve these, however.
The phone also supports ALL LTE bands for T Mobile (minus 2 rare ones). 2, 4, 5, 12, LAA, 66, and 71. By flashing the TMO CP I think others restored RCS and video call, haven't really looked into it.
VICosPhi said:
I have S9+ unlocked and this applies to it, so I am pretty sure the same will be the case for S10+.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. This is true from S8 onward.
This has beem covered before in this forum.
Radio-wise, side by side, 970U1 reception is not as robust as 970U firmware. YMMV per local radio deployment but it's pretty obvious here where I am (Alexandria VA, DC. metro). I have several 970U1 (Best Buy), but have flashed all of them with 970U because I prefer full T-mo functions and better reception. There's not that many TMo bloatware, and all can easily be disabled with PDP or AH3.
lost_ said:
This has beem covered before in this forum.
Radio-wise, side by side, 970U1 reception is not as robust as 970U firmware. YMMV per local radio deployment but it's pretty obvious here where I am (Alexandria VA, DC. metro). I have several 970U1 (Best Buy), but have flashed all of them with 970U because I prefer full T-mo functions and better reception. There's not that many TMo bloatware, and all can easily be disabled with PDP or AH3.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) Did you flash full firmware(including USERDATA file)?
2) Also did you use CSC or HOME CSC?
3) Have you used regular/standard Odin or Patched 3B?
The reason for my questions is that I flashed my unlocked S10e with T-Mo firmware, but it didn't matter is I flashed userdata file and csc or home csc, there was no T-Mo bloatware. I do know that firmware did flash properly, as the phone did get built-in video calling, T-Mo RSC(advanced messaging), 4G LTE signal logo(didn't see T-Mobile Digits in the settings though)
remote rooting
Its posible to get remote rooting for a price..??? on galaxy s10 t-mobil version
laver23 said:
Its posible to get remote rooting for a price..??? on galaxy s10 t-mobil version
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, just go it done the other day for like 30 bucks. send me a message i will give you details.
remote rooting
galaxydreamer702 said:
Yep, just go it done the other day for like 30 bucks. send me a message i will give you details.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
tell me the best time to get in contact, if you are available now ,just letme know it
scam!!!!
hello ,the person that you pointed me to get in contact with,,,Android Doctor after cahrged me the 29.98 dollars
after got the payment go on silence,,its really not fair...
Charkatak said:
1) Did you flash full firmware(including USERDATA file)?
2) Also did you use CSC or HOME CSC?
3) Have you used regular/standard Odin or Patched 3B?
The reason for my questions is that I flashed my unlocked S10e with T-Mo firmware, but it didn't matter is I flashed userdata file and csc or home csc, there was no T-Mo bloatware. I do know that firmware did flash properly, as the phone did get built-in video calling, T-Mo RSC(advanced messaging), 4G LTE signal logo(didn't see T-Mobile Digits in the settings though)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Were you able to activate the caller ID and spam protection feature in call settings?
tyrone1 said:
Were you able to activate the caller ID and spam protection feature in call settings?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I go to phone app/dialer, there is no setting for Caller ID or Spam Protection. T-Mobile's Visual Voice Mail app has a setting to enable "Enhanced Caller Information" and I did enable it in the settings. My phone does show if it is a spam call or like today, it showed a call as "verified" when someone was calling me. I did check T-Mobile branded phone in the store and settings are the same as on my phone. There were no extra options that my phone was missing. Also as you may already know T-Mobile's S10 devices don't have "Multi-Line" settings which would support Digits option in the phone's dialer app and also no VVM that is built into the dialer as well. T-Mobile/Samsung might/might not bring these features in the future update
Charkatak said:
When I go to phone app/dialer, there is no setting for Caller ID or Spam Protection. T-Mobile's Visual Voice Mail app has a setting to enable "Enhanced Caller Information" and I did enable it in the settings. My phone does show if it is a spam call or like today, it showed a call as "verified" when someone was calling me. I did check T-Mobile branded phone in the store and settings are the same as on my phone. There were no extra options that my phone was missing. Also as you may already know T-Mobile's S10 devices don't have "Multi-Line" settings which would support Digits option in the phone's dialer app and also no VVM that is built into the dialer as well. T-Mobile/Samsung might/might not bring these features in the future update
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Darn that caller id feature is only available in the u1 firmware. But at the same time the u1 firmware doesn't support hd voice.
tyrone1 said:
Darn that caller id feature is only available in the u1 firmware. But at the same time the u1 firmware doesn't support hd voice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Before flashing my unlocked S10e, there was a setting in the dialer about caller id info. Carriers possibly remove these features as they do offer their own. For example when I access my T-Mobile account settings online, there is a toggle for some spam protection. The caller ID was or is paid service. As for the HD voice, I think unlocked U1 firmware has it, but just doesn't advertise it during call as T-Mobile firmware does. For example U1 firmware shows LTE and LTE+ on the status bar, but T-Mo firmware shows 4G LTE sign, but they both get same speed and connected to the same network. I remember there was a dial code that would show as some voice codecs that handset supported, something like *#0011#, *#1234#. Haven't played with those for a while as I was using Pixel phone
Charkatak said:
Before flashing my unlocked S10e, there was a setting in the dialer about caller id info. Carriers possibly remove these features as they do offer their own. For example when I access my T-Mobile account settings online, there is a toggle for some spam protection. The caller ID was or is paid service. As for the HD voice, I think unlocked U1 firmware has it, but just doesn't advertise it during call as T-Mobile firmware does. For example U1 firmware shows LTE and LTE+ on the status bar, but T-Mo firmware shows 4G LTE sign, but they both get same speed and connected to the same network. I remember there was a dial code that would show as some voice codecs that handset supported, something like *#0011#, *#1234#. Haven't played with those for a while as I was using Pixel phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the information..
The caller ID and spam protection is the smart call feature built in the phone. It's like free caller ID. Different than the one you talking about.
Definitely not hd voice I compare side by side my s10e exynos voice quality.
Wondering if possible to flash u1 firmware but flash userdata from tmobile? Or even TMobile baseband.
Edit so I was able to flash the latest U baseband on my u1 firmware. I was actually able to change the csc too in the phone using the *#272*imei# code to xaa/xxa/tmb and it stuck. But after I rebooted once I can't replicate that and it always goes back to tmb/tmb/tmb because of my t mobile sim card.
When I was in xaa/xaa/tmb I could see the volte toggle was on. Still didn't show the HD voice icon while in call.
tyrone1 said:
Thanks for the information..
The caller ID and spam protection is the smart call feature built in the phone. It's like free caller ID. Different than the one you talking about.
Definitely not hd voice I compare side by side my s10e exynos voice quality.
Wondering if possible to flash u1 firmware but flash userdata from tmobile? Or even TMobile baseband.
Edit so I was able to flash the latest U baseband on my u1 firmware. I was actually able to change the csc too in the phone using the *#272*imei# code to xaa/xxa/tmb and it stuck. But after I rebooted once I can't replicate that and it always goes back to tmb/tmb/tmb because of my t mobile sim card.
When I was in xaa/xaa/tmb I could see the volte toggle was on. Still didn't show the HD voice icon while in call.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So my S10e at the moment is TMB/TMB/XAA. It shows HD+ icon during calls. You won't find VoLTE toggle (as on U1 XAA firmware), but VoLTE is always on in T-Mobile firmware
Charkatak said:
So my S10e at the moment is TMB/TMB/XAA. It shows HD+ icon during calls. You won't find VoLTE toggle (as on U1 XAA firmware), but VoLTE is always on in T-Mobile firmware
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So on the u1 firmware you get volte toggle?
Can you change your phone to xaa/xaa/xaa with a tmobole sim card in it?
tyrone1 said:
So on the u1 firmware you get volte toggle?
Can you change your phone to xaa/xaa/xaa with a tmobole sim card in it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, U1 firmware had the toggle, but T-MO firmware doesn't, but I do know that VoLTE is always on.
Before I put my sim card into the U1 phone, it was XAA, but when you put T-Mo sim card, the phone gets some carrier info and restarts. After that it becomes TMB/TMB/XAA even without flashing. If I wouldn't flash my phone with U firmware the Video calling, T-Mobile boot logo, HD+ voice icon and 4G LTE icon, Advanced Messaging(T-Mobile's proprietary RCS) won't be present with standard U1 firmware
Charkatak said:
Yes, U1 firmware had the toggle, but T-MO firmware doesn't, but I do know that VoLTE is always on.
Before I put my sim card into the U1 phone, it was XAA, but when you put T-Mo sim card, the phone gets some carrier info and restarts. After that it becomes TMB/TMB/XAA even without flashing. If I wouldn't flash my phone with U firmware the Video calling, T-Mobile boot logo, HD+ voice icon and 4G LTE icon, Advanced Messaging(T-Mobile's proprietary RCS) won't be present with standard U1 firmware
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there a way to get xaa/xaa/tmb with a TMobile sim card in it?
Observations:
For any particular build generation:
1. Between the U and U1, none of the firmware files are the same, not AP, BL, CP or CSC.
2. Between the U firmwares, only the USERDATA changes. The others have the same name and SHA-512.
3. Between the U1 firmwares, ALL of the files have the same and SHA-512. This indicates SamMobile's different zip files for XAA, VZW, TMB, TMK, etc. are an "exercise". U1s are sold by non-carrier outlets who have no idea where the phone will be used.
4. Flash file size differences between the U and U1 are as follows:
AP - The Unlocked U1 flash is more than a gig larger than for the carrier U flash.
BL - They are very close to same size with the carrier version being 41K larger.
CP - They are very close to the same size with the carrier version being 327K larger.
CSC - The carrier U flash is about 20 megs larger than the Unlocked U1.
USERDATA - T-Mobile is 1.35 GB, Verizon: 1.76 GB. The US UNLOCKED U1 doesn't have a USERDATA flash file.
My Theory:
There are many theories swirling about that center on carriers restricting services when you don't buy your phone from them. My theory is much simpler. With all of the U carrier firmware, you will see a gig plus USERDATA flash file. The U1's firmware doesn't have a USERDATA flash file, but the U1's AP flash file is a gig plus larger than U's AP flash file. I also work in the UNIX world. Applications that are installed at the same time you install the operating system will be installed in the operating system area. If you install those same apps later, they will be installed in the user software area. My theory about the Note 9's firmware is that the U1 Firmware is Android+Samsung-specific software+Samsung specific hardware drivers+standards-based wireless network drivers+Samsung basic apps. Samsung gives wireless providers the same with standards-based wireless network drivers+Samsung basic apps in separate install. This could explain how the gig plus moved from the U1's APP to the U's USERDATA. It would also enable a consistent user interface for the same service across all wireless providers who may be providing the service using entirely different methods. This would explain why running the carrier-specific the U firmware vendors all support capabilities such as Wi-Fi calling and Video Calling, while when the same phones are running US Unlocked firmware, only some do. That would mean those with the services available have deployed them in a standards-compliant way. For instanced, for T-Mobile, Voice over LTE(VoLTE) and Voice over Wi-Fi(VoWiFi) work but USCC roaming doesn't. On Verizon, Voice over LTE(VoLTE) and Carrier Aggregation works, but NOT Voice over Wi-Fi(VoWiFi). With AT&T, neither work. So that likely means the Verizon does not support VoWiFi on their network while AT&T doesn't support VoLTE nor VoWiFi, and have proprietary implementations on their network that are only available if your flash their carrier-specific firmware. This would also explain why when a phone is running the US Unlocked U1 software with a Verizon SIM installed you will not have Wi-Fi calling available, and when you simply swap to the T-Mobile SIM, it will magically show up. This seems to me to simply be the U1 firmware responding to what it finds. It hasn't been that long since our phones would only work on one network. It hasn't been that long since the critical mass existed to migrate to the new LTE standard. The T-Mobile build-out only increased rapidly, and Sprint may not even be finished rolling out VoLTE yet, thus much less likely to have non-compliant systems in place. You could extend this reasoning to other wireless technologies as well. It also makes sense why the mechanism to prevent firmware upgrades to not be present in the U carrier-specific firmware, while it is present in the the standards-compliant U1 firmware. The U1 path adds support for new standards as it goes. The U path must replace proprietary methods for advantage or regulatory reasons. If this theory is correct, you would be better off with U1 firmware when traveling abroad. The name US Unlocked may have little to do with US, and a lot more to do with being standards-based, which is more likely what you would encounter in other countries where widespread deployment occurred later. The SM-N960U* already supports more bands than any phone I've found, and with US Unlocked U1 firmware, it may be the best world phone as well.
Why I believe this:
In an environment of democracy and capitalism, companies are free to make decisions that benefit themselves the most, and those who are stockholders appoint CEOs who know how to make that happen. They would get fired for not using other people's equipment and networks for free if they could. If they could make more money by getting rid of non-VoLTE devices to free up bands, they will, and the FCC is forcing it to happen. The fact that VoLTE is not controllable by the user interface, does not indicate it is not being used. Why would you give a user the option control VoLTE, Carrier Aggregation, etc.? Voice Over Wi-Fi VoWiFi employs SIP/VOIP technology, which predates smart phones. Towers and equipment are often not owned by the wireless providers because they are co-location sites that must be approved by local authorities. Standards-based equipment means it would be cheaper, you need less of it, you have more options with regard to inter-carrier agreements of which some are mandated by the FCC. Moreover, investments in non-standard methods and equipment devalues the company, and even determines how much they can leverage money. Holding out on people who do not buy their phones from them doesn't make sense because they are not denying these services to BYOD pre-pay users, or anyone who flashes their phones to their firmware. The FCC already forces them to unlock their phones before they are paid for, so it doesn't make sense to put themselves at a competitive disadvantage when it comes to acquiring users from other carriers. If carrier salesmen posts are true, they don't make much on phones anyway, and phones are more a vehicle to sell their services and accessories. They know that you know they don't have you over a barrel anymore and implementing interoperability is their new reality, and the reality of any maturing technology.
Surprises and Mysteries:
After I paid my premium membership for a month and went to SamMobile to download US Unlocked U1 firmware, I was surprised to find files for all different wireless network providers. Puzzled, I downloaded them all. SamMobile shows TMK as USA, so believing that I was getting US Unlocked, I downloaded it and flashed it. Booting up I got the Samsung Logo, which also made sense. I learned later that SamMobile has things mislabeled. TMK is MetroPCS, and XAA is the US Unlocked I should have flashed. However, then I noticed after the U1 files were unzipped that the flash files all had the same name. Then I tested their SHA-512 numbers and they were exactly the same, which means they are the same files. So, if they are the same files, why do they list the different wireless providers and put them in separate zip files with the carrier's extension on them? There isn't even an expectation of a difference because when they sell a U1 phone, they don't know which network it will be used on. What I do know is the Phone INFO app shows:
Firmware's CSC Code: XAA (I never flashed the XAA zip file. I flashed the TMK zip file, but since I found the flash files were the same for every U1 firmware zip file, seeing the US Unlocked code of XAA was not shocking.)
Active CSC Code: VZW (SIM installed)
Future
Great discussion .... Thanks
I've been down several roads with this including an S9 Exynos and then an S10
I then tried a One Plus 7 Pro and even switched to TMO because I couldn't get WiFi Calling with AT&T.
Currently am experimenting with a Note 9 that I believe was original sim locked to At&T but now unlocked and now with the most recent U1 firmware
Calling features work fine with TMO including WiFi Calling, but I'm looking to try AT&T as well (my reception is much better in my rural areas with att vs TMO).
Do you know if the calling features will work with the U1 firmware and ATT? ( If I get IMEI compatibility issues squared away with att)
Or do I have to flash U firmware?
I'm awaiting a Note 10 that is unlocked. Wondering if I can get ATT calling features to work on it?
jcrompton said:
Do you know if the calling features will work with the U1 firmware and ATT? ( If I get IMEI compatibility issues squared away with att) Or do I have to flash U firmware? I'm awaiting a Note 10 that is unlocked. Wondering if I can get ATT calling features to work on it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do not use AT&T. From what I've read, is no advanced features work with U1 on AT&T. With Verizon, VoLTE and Carrier Aggregation works fine, but ViLTE and VoWiFi does not.
I live in a T-Mobile fringe area that uses B71 exclusively (at least at my house). My experience with U vs U1 is that even though the signal is relatively weak, -118 dBm, the T-mobile branded U firmware holds the LTE signal fine. On the unlocked U1 firmware the signal is a tad weaker, plus it will drop the signal entirely and give me a no network error and/or it will roam on AT&T hspa. So clearly the Tmo software has optimizations for B71 at least over the unlocked U1.
I also have used a Pixel 3XL, an iPhone XR and a Moto G7 power in the same area. They do occasionally roam but I don't experience the loss of signal that I get with the Note 9 and the unlocked firmware.
BladeRunner said:
I live in a T-Mobile fringe area that uses B71 exclusively (at least at my house). My experience with U vs U1 is that even though the signal is relatively weak, -118 dBm, the T-mobile branded U firmware holds the LTE signal fine. On the unlocked U1 firmware the signal is a tad weaker, plus it will drop the signal entirely and give me a no network error and/or it will roam on AT&T hspa. So clearly the Tmo software has optimizations for B71 at least over the unlocked U1. I also have used a Pixel 3XL, an iPhone XR and a Moto G7 power in the same area. They do occasionally roam but I don't experience the loss of signal that I get with the Note 9 and the unlocked firmware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is very valuable information for a guy on the fence like me.
Thanks TONS!!!
BladeRunner said:
I live in a T-Mobile fringe area that uses B71 exclusively (at least at my house). My experience with U vs U1 is that even though the signal is relatively weak, -118 dBm, the T-mobile branded U firmware holds the LTE signal fine. On the unlocked U1 firmware the signal is a tad weaker, plus it will drop the signal entirely and give me a no network error and/or it will roam on AT&T hspa. So clearly the Tmo software has optimizations for B71 at least over the unlocked U1.
I also have used a Pixel 3XL, an iPhone XR and a Moto G7 power in the same area. They do occasionally roam but I don't experience the loss of signal that I get with the Note 9 and the unlocked firmware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
on U1 firmware, when you go to the phones dialer and dial:
*#2263#
do you get a hidden service mode menu like attached picture? if so then just force band 71 so that it dosen't switch. you can also disable other bands and leave only the ones you know work best so that device dosent try to switch to other weaker ones that you know will drop. also by setting to forcefully stay on LTE by selecting menu 4 in band selection and specifying the bands it should stop from reverting to hspa. but also might cause no signal. but again by selecting only the bands you know work i believe it should help. i have done many tests and what i do is to force bands one by one and check strength in a place where i know signal is poor. this way you weed out the bad bands. write it down somewhere and then go reactiavte all of them. then go to the disable band menu and remove everything except the ones listed previously and be left with only the stronger ones and stop fone from attempting to connect to random weaker ones.
I have consistently used unlocked devices on the AT&T network OR used U1 firmware on a U-original based carrier device. In the past I have had to flash additional things to the U1 firmware to get VoLTE or WiFi Calling on AT&T. To do that I would flash the U1 firmware and then flash the U Home CSC
BUT -- good news (this is the first Samsung device to do this for me) the ATT calling features (VoLTE and WiFi Calling) work right out of the box for my Unlocked Ultra !!
Wow.! Great to hear. I was going to get the ATT S21 Ultra in 512GB but they were sold out at Samsung, so I got the unlocked version. I am glad to know I won't have to jump through a bunch of hoops to get those features. Now on to get a working Gcam and debloat things I don't need
jcrompton said:
I have consistently used unlocked devices on the AT&T network OR used U1 firmware on a U-original based carrier device. In the past I have had to flash additional things to the U1 firmware to get VoLTE or WiFi Calling on AT&T. To do that I would flash the U1 firmware and then flash the U Home CSC
BUT -- good news (this is the first Samsung device to do this for me) the ATT calling features (VoLTE and WiFi Calling) work right out of the box for my Unlocked Ultra !!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
does 5g work? my wifi calling works, but no 5g I had Tmobile and I had 5g with my S21 ultra, I have ATT`s best prepaid plan to have 5g access and have nothing, I contacted ATT and they had to make a service ticket and send it to there Network team he said and they would have to provision it for 5g, I did find a ATT document and shows I should get 5G, see link
https://www.att.com/ecms/dam/att/consumer/help/pdf/Service-Capabilities-Unlocked-Devices-ATT-Network.pdf
2003vstrom said:
does 5g work? my wifi calling works, but no 5g I had Tmobile and I had 5g with my S21 ultra, I have ATT`s best prepaid plan to have 5g access and have nothing, I contacted ATT and they had to make a service ticket and send it to there Network team he said and they would have to provision it for 5g, I did find a ATT document and shows I should get 5G, see link
https://www.att.com/ecms/dam/att/consumer/help/pdf/Service-Capabilities-Unlocked-Devices-ATT-Network.pdf
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My 5g works. When I got the Note last year my 5g didn't work. The problem was that ATT had to put me on a 5g plan to actual provision it. Were you for sure on a 5g plan?
It works on my U1 S21 Ultra for sure
jcrompton said:
My 5g works. When I got the Note last year my 5g didn't work. The problem was that ATT had to put me on a 5g plan to actual provision it. Were you for sure on a 5g plan?
It works on my U1 S21 Ultra for sure
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you have the factory unlocked s21 ultra right from Samsung.com? I`m on the highest cost prepaid plan for 75.00 one that's the only prepaid plan that offers 5g service, so they have started service ticket to get it fixed, so we`ll see, I just switched from tmobile to ATT yesterday.
2003vstrom said:
you have the factory unlocked s21 ultra right from Samsung.com? I`m on the highest cost prepaid plan for 75.00 one that's the only prepaid plan that offers 5g service, so they have started service ticket to get it fixed, so we`ll see, I just switched from tmobile to ATT yesterday.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Send me a pic of your APN info
jcrompton said:
Send me a pic of your APN info
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah I had forgotten about the APN, I use to change this before on other phones I had with ATT, my is Nextgenphone APN, I tired the enhanced one and it will not allow me to add it, so it must be something on the end of ATT network, I still haven't heard about my open service ticket to get this fixed, I`ll post up my APN in a while.
2003vstrom said:
yeah I had forgotten about the APN, I use to change this before on other phones I had with ATT, my is Nextgenphone APN, I tired the enhanced one and it will not allow me to add it, so it must be something on the end of ATT network, I still haven't heard about my open service ticket to get this fixed, I`ll post up my APN in a while.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So here's what I know from prior experience. You are on the wrong plan. As so as ATT puts you on the right plan your APN will immediately automatically change and 5g will work if it's available. Check out a thread in the Note 20 forum. It happened to me and a couple others as 5g was rolling out esp to us looking term ATT users
yeah I`m on the correct plan, I think they never finished setting my service up correctly, I had just called ATT again, then he said we would
jcrompton said:
So here's what I know from prior experience. You are on the wrong plan. As so as ATT puts you on the right plan your APN will immediately automatically change and 5g will work if it's available. Check out a thread in the Note 20 forum. It happened to me and a couple others as 5g was rolling out esp to us looking term ATT users
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well I called ATT like 10 mins ago to find out why I`m still not getting 5G, I told him I try to enter the ATT enhancedphone APN and it wouldn`t save in my phone, so goes well lets go to the APN settings, so I went to the APN settings, low behold the the APN had automatically changed to the ATT enhancedphone APN, so as soon I saw that, I turned off my wifi and boom I had 5G, I know I had the unlimited plus prepaid plan that`s the only plan that allows 5g access, I`m thinking my plan wasn`t fully set up correctly on ATT end, but its fixed now Thanks for the info.
Do you guys actually have VoLTE working on the S21 Ultra unlocked? I don't have any options for VoLTE on mine.
WiFi calling showed up for me when I got the phone but not VoLTE. I went to the AT&T store and got a new SIM card because the WiFi calling wouldn't actually operate. This fixed WiFi calling but still no dice on the VoLTE. I also switched to a 5G plan which works as well, but that didn't resolve VoLTE either.
pantsoftime said:
Do you guys actually have VoLTE working on the S21 Ultra unlocked? I don't have any options for VoLTE on mine.
WiFi calling showed up for me when I got the phone but not VoLTE. I went to the AT&T store and got a new SIM card because the WiFi calling wouldn't actually operate. This fixed WiFi calling but still no dice on the VoLTE. I also switched to a 5G plan which works as well, but that didn't resolve VoLTE either.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree that I didn't see the volte setting but I'm assuming since all calls will be digital in the future the setting well be superfluous
But anyway here is a call with internet usage in the background and a internet check without call. The speed and LTE indication remains the same demonstrating volte is working
jcrompton said:
My 5g works. When I got the Note last year my 5g didn't work. The problem was that ATT had to put me on a 5g plan to actual provision it. Were you for sure on a 5g plan?
It works on my U1 S21 Ultra for sure
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had the exact same experience. They had to change my plan to a 5g one, and suddenly I had everything 5g.
jcrompton said:
I agree that I didn't see the volte setting but I'm assuming since all calls will be digital in the future the setting well be superfluous
But anyway here is a call with internet usage in the background and a internet check without call. The speed and LTE indication remains the same demonstrating volte is workingView attachment 5221945View attachment 5221947
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
I don't have a volte setting, but volte works. Considering there's no reason for me to ever turn it off, it doesn't bother me that the option isn't there.
I bought an unlocked S21 Ultra last fall that was originally sold by T-Mobile, and I initially used it with H2o (AT&T) and it always worked fine, though it never got 5g service, though I'm not sure that 5g has been implemented yet by AT&T in the Phoenix market, at least not the C-band
On Jan 21, it automatically updated the software so that it now shows SM-G998U_OYN_ATT_12_0018 ATT/XAA,TMB/TMB as the Service provider software version, so it seemingly has both AT&T and T-Mobile software at this time. At that time, it also switched from showing the T-Mobile logo on bootup to showing the AT&T logo, and I think it added, NR B66 as an additional radio band (in addition to NR B41, B71 and the UW bands of B260 and B261). Earlier this week I switched to Visible and while it works fine on 4g LTE, I'm not getting any 5g connectivity. In researching bands, the only one that I have that Verizon uses is the NR B66, while I probably really need NR B2, B5 and in particular B77 to get the new C-band.
The question is, will the phone at some point automatically update to VZW software, and at that point enable additional bands that I need to get 5g? Or is there a way of forcing this? Or what is the best option to enable 5g on this phone? I really don't want to switch to the U1 software as that seems to require a factory reset, and I'm not keen on going through reconfiguring everything again and getting all my icons back where I want them.
Or will this phone not support these bands unless the U1 software is first installed?
Thanks!
Anyone?
Have you tried switching to a Verizon compatible firmware?
With ODIN, you can switch firmwares without losing data.
I suggest trying that, US carrier optimization is known to be the worst
No, I have not tried that. Sorry to ask a dumb question, but what firmware should I use, and where do I find it? I ask because the "official" firmware seems to be from Jan 2021, and it seems to be the U1 option, not carrier specific firmware. I've done some searching, but I haven't been able to find the Verizon version so far. Thanks.
I'm on an European 21U, for the USA version, you need to check this guide
G998U and G998U1 Firmware Links and Flashing Discussion Here
For those who aren't already aware, G998U is the model number of all of the US carrier versions of the S21 Ultra. The G998U1 is the model number of the same device, but sold by Samsung SIM unlocked and with no carrier bloatware. Firmware is 100%...
forum.xda-developers.com
RedWave31 said:
I'm on an European 21U, for the USA version, you need to check this guide
G998U and G998U1 Firmware Links and Flashing Discussion Here
For those who aren't already aware, G998U is the model number of all of the US carrier versions of the S21 Ultra. The G998U1 is the model number of the same device, but sold by Samsung SIM unlocked and with no carrier bloatware. Firmware is 100%...
forum.xda-developers.com
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you need to go from U1 to U (VZW) to see if that solves it.
Can't help on anything else, since on Exynos (European) devices, flashing is much easier than on Snapdragon devices.
I read the link above in detail, and it says that the only difference in the 5 files is the "USERDATA", otherwise the other 4 files are identical between vendors. So USERDATA seems to be a critical file in regards to switching from T-Mobile to Verizon. My concern is that further down in the first article it says that flashing the USERDATA file will wipe the existing data.
- HOME CSC file keeps data intact; using the other CSC will wipe data. Flashing USERDATA will also wipe data.
If this is true, and the only way to manually get the VZW info that I'm looking for without flashing to U1, there doesn't seem to be any advantage to flashing this using Odin, as it'll also wipe my user data. In other words, if I go that route, I'd be better off just flashing to U1, and try that. Theoretically, this should give me everything that I need without first flashing to VZW, and if it'll work with Verizon/Visible without the VZW bloatware, then that would definitely be preferred.
My entire reason for trying all this is to try to get the additional NR radio bands, specifically N2, N5 and N77, which I don't have with the T-Mobile software.
As for backing up the phone and then restoring it, does Odin provide this capability? Or is Samsung Kies a much better option? The Kies software seems to be made for this, so if this is the case and it'll exactly restore the phone like it was before, then it wouldn't actually be a big deal to backup, flash and then restore the phone.
it's a problem with the T-Mobile S21 series, you need to flash U1 software.
Not really what I wanted to hear, but sounds like you have experience with this. I take it that the factory T-.Mobile software (or is it firmware?) essentially locks out the NR bands that they don't have, even if other software is installed on top of it. Thx
Last night I broke down and flashed it with the U1 XAA firmware, using the CSC (not Home) file. It went well, finishing the flash in <4 minutes. Then spent the next 4+ hours reconfiguring things that aren't automatically restored by using SmartSwitch to restore. I'm not sure how that works, but it seems that it doesn't actually back up the apps, rather it just backs up the name and placeholder, so when it's restored it has to redownload every single stinking app again. Plus, I had to go through and relog into every app where this is an issue, plus because it's now called SM-G998U1, I had to delete all the old G998U devices in various places, particularly Google. What a pain... Kind of wish I'd tried the Home CSC, particularly after what I see below.
What's interesting is that I know have the N2, N5, N66, plus the N77 and N78 C-bands, (as well as N260) but I lost the T-Mobile specific bands of N41 & N71, in addition, I also lost N261. I don't care about these as I'm not in an area where the Ka millimeter wave bands matter. However, I do find it interesting that the U1 firmware removed the TMB specific 5g bands. I would have thought that the Factory U1 firmware would automatically support all US carrier bands, but I guess not.
I'm using Visible (Verizon MVNO), and while it worked "decently" before, it's now orders of magnitude better than it was previously as a U device. I debated installing the VZW firmware, but decided not to, and I most definitely don't want to go through setting everything up again. However, I know have a MUCH better signal at my house, a consistent 5 bars, and a signal right around a 89-90 dB, while previously it hovered around 105-109 dB, which is pretty marginal, particularly when the antenna is only about 1/3 mile away. It also now tells me that I'm on LTE+ (rather than LTE 4g like before), so apparently this particularly tower isn't 5g yet, and I haven't left the house yet to see what I get at other locations from other towers.
However, what's really astounding is the speeds that I know get. Previously, download speeds would always start off slow at around 10 - 15 Mbs, and eventually get up to around 60 - 70 on the average, with upload speeds typically maxing out around 15 Mbs. However, now, I'm getting consistent download speeds of right at 240 Mbs (Visible limits max speed to around 250 Mbs on 5g), and upload speeds of ~70 Mbs. It's an incredible difference, so my suspicion is that I may be getting some 5g speeds, even though both Network Cell Info and LTE Discovery apps tell me that I'm generally only connected to the B2 and B5 LTE bands. Or maybe it's possible to get that kinds of speeds out of LTE with the new technology (forget what it's called) that shares bands at the same time, hence the LTE+ moniker.
Also, even though I installed the CSC file, the Service Provider Software is still ATT/TMB. To be specific, it's SAOMC_SM-G998U1_OYM_ATT_12_0026 ATT/ATT,ATT/TMB, and there isn't VZW anywhere. Maybe this will eventually update I don't know. However, it did remove the ATT startup splash screen that I had previously, so that's changed.
It also automatically downloaded and installed One UI 4.1 afterwards, so that seems to be working properly. Any thoughts on any of the above?
Thanks for the help that was provided previously.
kmdigital said:
Last night I broke down and flashed it with the U1 XAA firmware, using the CSC (not Home) file. It went well, finishing the flash in <4 minutes. Then spent the next 4+ hours reconfiguring things that aren't automatically restored by using SmartSwitch to restore. I'm not sure how that works, but it seems that it doesn't actually back up the apps, rather it just backs up the name and placeholder, so when it's restored it has to redownload every single stinking app again. Plus, I had to go through and relog into every app where this is an issue, plus because it's now called SM-G998U1, I had to delete all the old G998U devices in various places, particularly Google. What a pain... Kind of wish I'd tried the Home CSC, particularly after what I see below.
What's interesting is that I know have the N2, N5, N66, plus the N77 and N78 C-bands, (as well as N260) but I lost the T-Mobile specific bands of N41 & N71, in addition, I also lost N261. I don't care about these as I'm not in an area where the Ka millimeter wave bands matter. However, I do find it interesting that the U1 firmware removed the TMB specific 5g bands. I would have thought that the Factory U1 firmware would automatically support all US carrier bands, but I guess not.
I'm using Visible (Verizon MVNO), and while it worked "decently" before, it's now orders of magnitude better than it was previously as a U device. I debated installing the VZW firmware, but decided not to, and I most definitely don't want to go through setting everything up again. However, I know have a MUCH better signal at my house, a consistent 5 bars, and a signal right around a 89-90 dB, while previously it hovered around 105-109 dB, which is pretty marginal, particularly when the antenna is only about 1/3 mile away. It also now tells me that I'm on LTE+ (rather than LTE 4g like before), so apparently this particularly tower isn't 5g yet, and I haven't left the house yet to see what I get at other locations from other towers.
However, what's really astounding is the speeds that I know get. Previously, download speeds would always start off slow at around 10 - 15 Mbs, and eventually get up to around 60 - 70 on the average, with upload speeds typically maxing out around 15 Mbs. However, now, I'm getting consistent download speeds of right at 240 Mbs (Visible limits max speed to around 250 Mbs on 5g), and upload speeds of ~70 Mbs. It's an incredible difference, so my suspicion is that I may be getting some 5g speeds, even though both Network Cell Info and LTE Discovery apps tell me that I'm generally only connected to the B2 and B5 LTE bands. Or maybe it's possible to get that kinds of speeds out of LTE with the new technology (forget what it's called) that shares bands at the same time, hence the LTE+ moniker.
Also, even though I installed the CSC file, the Service Provider Software is still ATT/TMB. To be specific, it's SAOMC_SM-G998U1_OYM_ATT_12_0026 ATT/ATT,ATT/TMB, and there isn't VZW anywhere. Maybe this will eventually update I don't know. However, it did remove the ATT startup splash screen that I had previously, so that's changed.
It also automatically downloaded and installed One UI 4.1 afterwards, so that seems to be working properly. Any thoughts on any of the above?
Thanks for the help that was provided previously.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As a UK user of Snapdragon that's very interesting that you get n78 c band. I am on
the G998w version and here is my dialler code *#2263# result. As you can see it has no n78 which is important in the UK. Could I see your result just to check all the bands?
Ptuk said:
As a UK user of Snapdragon that's very interesting that you get n78 c band. I am on
the G998w version and here is my dialler code *#2263# result. As you can see it has no n78 which is important in the UK. Could I see your result just to check all the bands?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here you go. As you can see I have both N77 and N78 bands. What I find interesting is that it says Sim 1 is ATT, which isn't what I'm using.
Ptuk said:
As a UK user of Snapdragon that's very interesting that you get n78 c band. I am on
the G998w version and here is my dialler code *#2263# result. As you can see it has no n78 which is important in the UK. Could I see your result just to check all the bands?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here you go. What's interesting is that it says Sim 1 is ATT, which isn't what I'm using.
Thank you. Yes weird the att thing. I think I will give it a crack to move to u1. Seems that the differentiation between exynos and snapdragon has fallen and that channels are no longer an impediment to using snapdragon in Europe. I also got ota update of my w phone in UK which I wasn't sure would happen.
Ptuk said:
Thank you. Yes weird the att thing. I think I will give it a crack to move to u1. Seems that the differentiation between exynos and snapdragon has fallen and that channels are no longer an impediment to using snapdragon in Europe. I also got ota update of my w phone in UK which I wasn't sure would happen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I see that you don't have any C-bands, plus you have the TMB N41 and N71 bands, which is very similar to what I had prior to the U1 flash, but lost for some reason with U1, possibly because it seems to think that it's ATT for some reason. I'd be very interested in knowing what bands you have after a U1 flash.
I'll tell you as soon as I've got the nerve to do another flash!
@Ptuk and @kmdigital , will follow your conversation as I'm needing the N78 5g band. I flashed G998W last night but no luck. Weird is that I was from U then U1 but did not have get to see the N78 band appear.
@kmdigital , can you point me out on which firmware you have installed so I can try and how you actually flashed it. Thanks. Badly needing n78.
mapl.ph said:
@Ptuk and @kmdigital , will follow your conversation as I'm needing the N78 5g band. I flashed G998W last night but no luck. Weird is that I was from U then U1 but did not have get to see the N78 band appear.
@kmdigital , can you point me out on which firmware you have installed so I can try and how you actually flashed it. Thanks. Badly needing n78.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry to clarify....you flashed from G998w to u then u1? If so can you tell me which u1 you used...I'm wondering whether kmdigitals success is Verizon related or not
Ptuk said:
Sorry to clarify....you flashed from G998w to u then u1? If so can you tell me which u1 you used...I'm wondering whether kmdigitals success is Verizon related or not
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was originally on G998U then flashed to G998U1 and nothing was changed. Hoping using an universal U1 firmware I would get the N78 band but no luck.
Then, last night I flashed to G998W and lost 260 and 261. Same result no n78 band. I would like to know how @kmdigital was able to get the N78 which I badly need. On download mode my s21 ultra shows ATT at the upper part.
From G998U1UES5BVC1 to G998WVLS5BVAB. I cant recall which G998U I had prior to U1
mapl.ph said:
@Ptuk and @kmdigital , will follow your conversation as I'm needing the N78 5g band. I flashed G998W last night but no luck. Weird is that I was from U then U1 but did not have get to see the N78 band appear.
@kmdigital , can you point me out on which firmware you have installed so I can try and how you actually flashed it. Thanks. Badly needing n78.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I downloaded it from SamFw.com, file name Samfw.com_SM-G998U1_XAA_G998U1UES5BVC1_fac
kmdigital said:
Last night I broke down and flashed it with the U1 XAA firmware, using the CSC (not Home) file. It went well, finishing the flash in <4 minutes. Then spent the next 4+ hours reconfiguring things that aren't automatically restored by using SmartSwitch to restore. I'm not sure how that works, but it seems that it doesn't actually back up the apps, rather it just backs up the name and placeholder, so when it's restored it has to redownload every single stinking app again. Plus, I had to go through and relog into every app where this is an issue, plus because it's now called SM-G998U1, I had to delete all the old G998U devices in various places, particularly Google. What a pain... Kind of wish I'd tried the Home CSC, particularly after what I see below.
What's interesting is that I know have the N2, N5, N66, plus the N77 and N78 C-bands, (as well as N260) but I lost the T-Mobile specific bands of N41 & N71, in addition, I also lost N261. I don't care about these as I'm not in an area where the Ka millimeter wave bands matter. However, I do find it interesting that the U1 firmware removed the TMB specific 5g bands. I would have thought that the Factory U1 firmware would automatically support all US carrier bands, but I guess not.
I'm using Visible (Verizon MVNO), and while it worked "decently" before, it's now orders of magnitude better than it was previously as a U device. I debated installing the VZW firmware, but decided not to, and I most definitely don't want to go through setting everything up again. However, I know have a MUCH better signal at my house, a consistent 5 bars, and a signal right around a 89-90 dB, while previously it hovered around 105-109 dB, which is pretty marginal, particularly when the antenna is only about 1/3 mile away. It also now tells me that I'm on LTE+ (rather than LTE 4g like before), so apparently this particularly tower isn't 5g yet, and I haven't left the house yet to see what I get at other locations from other towers.
However, what's really astounding is the speeds that I know get. Previously, download speeds would always start off slow at around 10 - 15 Mbs, and eventually get up to around 60 - 70 on the average, with upload speeds typically maxing out around 15 Mbs. However, now, I'm getting consistent download speeds of right at 240 Mbs (Visible limits max speed to around 250 Mbs on 5g), and upload speeds of ~70 Mbs. It's an incredible difference, so my suspicion is that I may be getting some 5g speeds, even though both Network Cell Info and LTE Discovery apps tell me that I'm generally only connected to the B2 and B5 LTE bands. Or maybe it's possible to get that kinds of speeds out of LTE with the new technology (forget what it's called) that shares bands at the same time, hence the LTE+ moniker.
Also, even though I installed the CSC file, the Service Provider Software is still ATT/TMB. To be specific, it's SAOMC_SM-G998U1_OYM_ATT_12_0026 ATT/ATT,ATT/TMB, and there isn't VZW anywhere. Maybe this will eventually update I don't know. However, it did remove the ATT startup splash screen that I had previously, so that's changed.
It also automatically downloaded and installed One UI 4.1 afterwards, so that seems to be working properly. Any thoughts on any of the above?
Thanks for the help that was provided previously.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When on U1 firmware, the device will restart upon a SIM card being inserted and load the bands needed for that provider. However, I have seen with certain MVNO's it doesn't act the same as a major Carrier when on U1, meaning that it will not register properly (why it still shows ATT for csc and not VZW). It seems that the csc is ATT because it doesn't register your SIM as VZW. Try to find a VZW SIM (doesn't need service) and allow the restart, then put back in your Visible SIM. My guess is the phone will not ask for a restart and will have the Verizon bands loaded from the restart when you inserted the VZW SIM.