[Q]Can Sprint Track rooting??? - EVO 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Does anyone here think sprint can track if you were rooted???????
i also read someone's post said when they take your phone in to repair they have the technology to see if you ever been rooted even if you unrooted to get the repair.
but i dont really believe it
Any Opinions??
http://forum.androidcentral.com/htc-evo-4g/88600-can-sprint-find-out-if-youre-rooted.html

I'm sure that many carriers can check to see if you are rooted. Google is able to see if you are rooted, so why wouldn't carriers know? (Google is able to block movie rentals on rooted devices).
As far as the "technology to see if you unrooted", I am positive that they have no way of telling if you did such a thing. However, if you have some files on your external SD card such as removed Sprint apps, that's a dead giveaway.

Without getting out the tin foil hat theories, I'll agree and say it's possible... with a catch.
One thing: IF you are running a ROM that the device doesn't ship with, it should be easy to tell. If they can do that with simple over the air checks, I don't know or care.
Checking for the su binary. Several apps already do this (WoW Authenticator) and such. The presence of this binary alone is enough to tip someone off.
The bottom line is, who cares. It's not that big of a deal to carriers right now (so it seems). Just return the device to stock if you ever need service.
To answer your question: Yes.

About a month ago I had to return my EVO to the sprint store, left it rooted, and they could of cared less if it was rooted or not.

For a while I think they allowed it... I can only assume they were trying to figure out how to handle the situation...
When I had called into tech... they said they would charge $125 for rooted devices... No idea. There's disclaimers everywhere... you do it at your own risk.

Sprint can't track your rooting/unrooting.
There's no way they know unless you tell them or bring it in rooted.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

Go back and read that thread. There's also one here in the General forum just started today in which the OP says he's being canned because of rooting his phone. The background is he was also using a ton of data, and it may have been roaming data. THAT'S the issue. Root has nothing to do with it.

Whether they can or can't doesn't really matter. Sprint doesn't care if you are rooted. Yes, it voids your phone's warranty, but that's it. It's your phone, you can do what you want with it. And you can always unroot and bingo, you have your warranty back.

Related

Good enough to get repair help?

Hey everyone.
So I have finally decided that the dust being under my evo's screen has gotten annoying enough to where i want to get it cleaned. Problem is that i'm rooted. My question here today is that will flashing a barebones stock rooted sense rom and removing the superuser app be enough to get by the sprint repair techs? I really don't want to have to unroot and then turn s-on.
Link to barebones rom
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=874251&highlight=stock+rooted
Any input?
Nobody can really say if it's enough or not. It's a gamble. I used a ruu for mine and put everything back to stock. I also removed my sd card because I had read about someone taking their phone in and the tech saw on the card there was root related stuff on there. The guy must have did something or the tech was an ass because he said they refused to fix it and flagged his account that it's a rooted phone.
If you can run the autoroot method, then it's not difficult to do. The script does all the dirty work for you.
If you were too lazy to put everything back to stock and they found out, you would be kicking yourself in the ass for not being more thorough. I'm not trying to be a **** or insult you. I'm saying better being safe than sorry.
If the tech discovers tampering, and they are a ****, then it's all over for your hopes to get it fixed man. Good luck
Here is where I got the one I used before taking it in. I got version 3.70 at the bottom.
http://www.shipped-roms.com/index.php?category=android&model=Supersonic
Agreed
I agree with the hammer. It isn't that hard to unroot your phone at all, it should only take 15 minutes or so. I have heard of some Sprint tech's being cool, and working on a phone regardless of whether it was rooted or not. I have also read of people being given a hard time, and even having their account red flagged. There is no way of knowing if you will get a cool tech, that won't care, or a guy that takes his job too seriously and plays by allt he rules. Due to it being such an unpredictable outcome, I would recommend just unrooting before going in. If you rooted with unrevoked, flash their S-on tool in recovery, then RUU back to stock, or run a PC36IMG of a stock rom through the bootloader. If you never ran unrevoked or unrevoked forever, I don't think you need to flash the S-on tool, just running the RUU should turn your S-on. Once it's all fixed up, use one of the many root methods available, and it'll be like a clean start!
I appreciate both responses and am just gonna run with the unreveoked s on since that's how I rooted. My nands should still be good though correct?
jxr94 said:
I appreciate both responses and am just gonna run with the unreveoked s on since that's how I rooted. My nands should still be good though correct?
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Click to collapse
As long as you end up with the same phone (which you surely will). You just don't really want to interchange nandroid backups between different phones, as you run the risk of over writing your RSA keys. If you do, you need to remove the wimax.img from the nandroid backup before running it. And one more thing. Not to be paranoid, but I've seen someone get screwed from it...you should remove anything from your sd card that is related to rooting, flashing, etc. I've seen a guy report of getting his account redflagged and service was refused, because the tech found ROMS, kernels, mods, and other stuff on the sd card. That was supposedly enough evidence of rooting to red flag the account. Surely that is unlikely, but you never know. So it may not hurt to copy your sd card to your computer, then format the card before bringing it in. Or just taking the sd card out all together before you bring it in. Take it for what its worth, and good luck on getting your screen fixed!
I gave the advice that probably 99.9% will get you to where you need to be to safely get it fixed or replaced. It is up to you if you do or do not want to take a chance with a modded phone.
Hello,
I used to be a Service an Repair Area Manager. In the MI area.
I personaly did not care if the phone was rooted or not, being the screen is just dirty I personaly would have never even looked at software.
If Your really worried about your sprint tech's looking into things its also not hard to just take the digitiser off and clean it yourself, let me know if you want to know how to get it done.
jxr94 said:
Hey everyone.
So I have finally decided that the dust being under my evo's screen has gotten annoying enough to where i want to get it cleaned. Problem is that i'm rooted. My question here today is that will flashing a barebones stock rooted sense rom and removing the superuser app be enough to get by the sprint repair techs? I really don't want to have to unroot and then turn s-on.
Link to barebones rom
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=874251&highlight=stock+rooted
Any input?
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Click to collapse
Isn't this the millionth thread about should I take a rooted phone in?
Sent from my rooted HTC EVO using the xda app!
Non-software related issues do not warrant checking software. If you bring a rooted device into my store for hardware issues, I probably won't even check it. And if I do notice, it's not a problem since hardware != software.
Now if you come into my store complaining that your device is freezing, camera isn't working, etc and you're a jerk when I say it could be the root or ROM, then I'll flag your account.
All in all, if you're having software problems on a root device, don't take it to Sprint. Hardware is still a go.
Sunsparc said:
Non-software related issues do not warrant checking software. If you bring a rooted device into my store for hardware issues, I probably won't even check it. And if I do notice, it's not a problem since hardware != software.
Now if you come into my store complaining that your device is freezing, camera isn't working, etc and you're a jerk when I say it could be the root or ROM, then I'll flag your account.
All in all, if you're having software problems on a root device, don't take it to Sprint. Hardware is still a go.
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That is the same thing i would do, The worst thing is to have someone come in beeing a "Jerk" then yes I would flag the account. Never payes to be a "Jerk"
sand1303 said:
Isn't this the millionth thread about should I take a rooted phone in?
Sent from my rooted HTC EVO using the xda app!
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Do I win a prize?
Hahaha! Not this time. But nice try. Hopefully u understand that it is a gamble and there is no real answer. It just depends on the tech and the actual store. My lcd was replaced and I was worried because I couldn't unroot mine without a display. Turned out they fixed it no questions asked. I got lucky. Some people don't. It is either rooted or not no matter how far u customize. And they either care or don't.
Sent from my rooted HTC EVO using the xda app!

Should I unroot before taking my phone in for a screen replacement?

I went by the print store today to ask about getting my screen replaced. the guy I talked with said that for a hardware fix it wouldn't matter if I were rooted.
But they couldn't put my phone on any kind of blacklist or anything could they? I'd rather not waste the time unrooting if I don't have to.
Thanks
Sent from my EVO using XDA App
Sprint will work on rooted phones for hardware issues. It's internal policy for them now as of recently. I confirmed this with my local Sprint repair store.
They may work on them, but they may also take note of the fact that you're rooted in case you have software problems. Takes 10 min, just make a backup before you do, so when you root again, easy to get back to where you were.
Do not unroot your phone to take to sprint. Ive had 2 screen rep;acements and many other replacements rooted. And that was before the alleged new policy regarding root. Used to be, they would say (after fixing), 'yeah, as long as you atleast try to make it look stock, thats all good'.
But apparently/allegedly now, even obvious root is ok. I'd still flash a stock theme
Why are there so many threads about this? people no searchy?
thanks for the info.
scottspa74 said:
Why are there so many threads about this? people no searchy?
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sorry about that search on the xda app is almost unbearable...
I would unroot it. Better safe than sorry.
send from MikFroYo v4.61
I took my Evo's for screen repairs, speaker phone repair and battery issues many times, all while having MIUI flashed. No one ever said anything to me.
Sprint people didn't even know what it was. I just said "oh I downloaded a new theme."
I thought rooting was not illegal anymore. Maybe it depends on the technician you speak with. Some are cool, some are not. I say unroot just to be safe. Thank god for easy rooting practices...
screen fix and root
I think it all depends on what store you are taking it into, i took my rooted phone in and had the screen replaced no issues,

So... Sprint rooted my phone...

I have had both Camera and GPS issues since the day I bought my E4GT. My Camera will randomly give me "Recording Failed" when I try to take photos. Changing Camera settings was also a good way of reproducing "Recording Failed" And my GPS simply just doesn't lock, and if it does it is unbelievably inaccurate.
So, I took my phone in several months back, of course all they did was flash it to stock, I came back in an hour and they claimed it was fixed. Within 24 hours I was still having the same Camera issue, and GPS wasn't improved.
I have dealt with this issue up until today and simply ignored it, used my girlfriends GPS etc. Keep in mind that both these issues exist on stock EK02, EL30, and any custom ROM I install, and GPS status or other GPS related apps don't help either.
So, after flashing to EK02, using a USB Jig to reset my download count and then doing the OTA to EL30, the problem persisted. I brought it to the Sprint store, came back an hour and a half later, and they claimed it was fixed. I instantly starting taking photos in the store, after 2 photographs my phone actually just restarted itself. Once it restarted, I tried taking several more photographs and received my usual "Recording Failed" message. At this point the tech takes the phone back, fiddles around on his computer and tells me they will just have to order a new one.
Great news! Glad I'm getting a brand new E4GT. The real kicker... I got back in my car, drove to work and then I noticed something funny, I have the superuser app installed. I installed Titanium backup to confirm I had root, and I did. The Sprint tech seems to have rooted my phone, most likely in attempt to try a few 3rd party fixes.
Has anyone had a similar experience? Doesn't rooting technically void my warranty... Or is it only flashing non-official ROMs? I know I'm still ok on my warranty because they already confirmed they are shipping a phone to the store for me to pick up. I was just shocked to have Sprint root my phone.
Fendulon said:
I have had both Camera and GPS issues since the day I bought my E4GT. My Camera will randomly give me "Recording Failed" when I try to take photos. Changing Camera settings was also a good way of reproducing "Recording Failed" And my GPS simply just doesn't lock, and if it does it is unbelievably inaccurate.
So, I took my phone in several months back, of course all they did was flash it to stock, I came back in an hour and they claimed it was fixed. Within 24 hours I was still having the same Camera issue, and GPS wasn't improved.
I have dealt with this issue up until today and simply ignored it, used my girlfriends GPS etc. Keep in mind that both these issues exist on stock EK02, EL30, and any custom ROM I install, and GPS status or other GPS related apps don't help either.
So, after flashing to EK02, using a USB Jig to reset my download count and then doing the OTA to EL30, the problem persisted. I brought it to the Sprint store, came back an hour and a half later, and they claimed it was fixed. I instantly starting taking photos in the store, after 2 photographs my phone actually just restarted itself. Once it restarted, I tried taking several more photographs and received my usual "Recording Failed" message. At this point the tech takes the phone back, fiddles around on his computer and tells me they will just have to order a new one.
Great news! Glad I'm getting a brand new E4GT. The real kicker... I got back in my car, drove to work and then I noticed something funny, I have the superuser app installed. I installed Titanium backup to confirm I had root, and I did. The Sprint tech seems to have rooted my phone, most likely in attempt to try a few 3rd party fixes.
Has anyone had a similar experience? Doesn't rooting technically void my warranty... Or is it only flashing non-official ROMs? I know I'm still ok on my warranty because they already confirmed they are shipping a phone to the store for me to pick up. I was just shocked to have Sprint root my phone.
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Click to collapse
lol the only thing that happened to me like that was:
i brought my evo 3d in so they could check out the power button... (it was pushed down and wouldnt turn on) the phone had cm7 on it... and the tech showed me his OG evo with cm7 on it with the same theme on it (cm7 red remix)
i couldnt restore it back to a stock RUU because of the power button...but he got a replacement for me even when he got it turned on and seen cm7 on it
I've noticed that most techs don't care if your phone is rooted or not. In fact, I used to go down to the Sprint store to look at new accessories, and I would show off that mine was rooted and running CM. I had a couple of the people working there have me root their phone for them.
It would surprise me at all if the tech rooted your phone. Probably jumped on XDA to see if anyone else had solved the problem yet too.
blackroseMD1 said:
Probably jumped on XDA to see if anyone else had solved the problem yet too.
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LOL i bet he did... anyone that has any problems with their phones i direct them here... im waiting for the day that the techs in the sprint store ask me "have you checked xda to see if they have any resolution to this problem"
because ive had customer service reps/android tech department (on the phone) tell me to check xda or android community..
Out of curiosity, when recording video were you recording to internal memory or a microSD card? And if a microSD card, what Class? I got that error all the time with my Class 2 16GB, but when I upgraded to my 32GB Class 4 I have no trouble. Apparently the write speed wasn't high enough for the video stream.
Weird. I've got problems where my GPS sometimes won't lock.... but I reboot and it seems to work for another day or whatever.
TurboFool said:
Out of curiosity, when recording video were you recording to internal memory or a microSD card? And if a microSD card, what Class? I got that error all the time with my Class 2 16GB, but when I upgraded to my 32GB Class 4 I have no trouble. Apparently the write speed wasn't high enough for the video stream.
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I actually never recorded video really. This was an issue with simple picture taking at any resolution. I could save to internal or external storage and receive this error. I currently have a class 8 16gb that I use that hasn't given me issues that I know of.
As for the GPS, it was a longstanding and ongoing issue with my phone. No amount of reboots, reflashes or GPS fixes would remedy it. I've tried at least a half dozen roms, plus every OTA and sprint leak. I'm just glad to be getting a new phone.
Also, I've never dropped this phone once. It is literally in pristine condition, you could probably put it in a box and nobody would know that it was used.
yea crazy.. obviously the sprint rep thought he knew what he was doing but in the end, you probably know more than he does .. then again, anybody can read lol. i would have pointed it out in the store and been like hey buddy, whats this? lol then watched him try to explain himself..
elliwigy said:
yea crazy.. obviously the sprint rep thought he knew what he was doing but in the end, you probably know more than he does .. then again, anybody can read lol. i would have pointed it out in the store and been like hey buddy, whats this? lol then watched him try to explain himself..
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Lol that would have been a fun one to watch him try to talk his way out of. At least you had a competent sprint guy, my stores in reno seem to never have people who know anything, not even the selling points of a phone in their store!
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA App
Haha I would have loved to ask in store, but unfortunately I didn't notice this for about a half hour when I was at work.
I'll definitely be asking them about it when I go to pick up my replacement phone. I still have my "Sprint Rooted and certified" phone in my hands haha.
Lol.
Once again, contrary to popular belief, rooting does not void your protection plan with us, nor does it prevent us from doing a paid repair (no TEP). Only the iPhone holds the distinction of having it's protection plan voided by software modification, as per Apple.
Now, are we allowed by corporate rules to root your phone as a method of repair? No, of course not. But we're also supposed to only use software that's provided to us, and a lot of times that just isn't enough.
Of course, there are special cases; if somebody carelessly lost their wimax keys when trying to get s-off, i wouldn't replace the phone for two reasons: it's nonessential to telephony functions (meaning youre not stuck if you need to call 911), and it's technically DBR (damaged beyond economical repair), because our warehouse wont be able to get them back, and the board would end up being scrapped.
To that end, hard bricked phones could be rejected due to DBR, but i have no way of telling if it happened due to flashing the phone, now do I?
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium
squshy 7 said:
Lol.
Once again, contrary to popular belief, rooting does not void your protection plan with us, nor does it prevent us from doing a paid repair (no TEP). Only the iPhone holds the distinction of having it's protection plan voided by software modification, as per Apple.
Now, are we allowed by corporate rules to root your phone as a method of repair? No, of course not. But we're also supposed to only use software that's provided to us, and a lot of times that just isn't enough.
Of course, there are special cases; if somebody carelessly lost their wimax keys when trying to get s-off, i wouldn't replace the phone for two reasons: it's nonessential to telephony functions (meaning youre not stuck if you need to call 911), and it's technically DBR (damaged beyond economical repair), because our warehouse wont be able to get them back, and the board would end up being scrapped.
To that end, hard bricked phones could be rejected due to DBR, but i have no way of telling if it happened due to flashing the phone, now do I?
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium
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Click to collapse
Well thank you very much for this info. Its nice to know the ins and outs of my warranty service. May even take a look into the the terms of service and such for it. It'll nice to have a shiny new phone though for sure.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA App
Bear gri11z said:
because ive had customer service reps/android tech department (on the phone) tell me to check xda or android community..
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I have the Viewsonic G-tablet and if you contact viewsonic customer support, they always point you to XDA fourms. lol. I wish i could get paid just telling people to check XDA
Just wanted to second this. At this time only jailbroken iPhones have their warranty/protection voided.
You should have no problem getting help even if your phone is rooted, though we should not be the ones doing it for you lol
squshy 7 said:
Lol.
Once again, contrary to popular belief, rooting does not void your protection plan with us, nor does it prevent us from doing a paid repair (no TEP). Only the iPhone holds the distinction of having it's protection plan voided by software modification, as per Apple.
Now, are we allowed by corporate rules to root your phone as a method of repair? No, of course not. But we're also supposed to only use software that's provided to us, and a lot of times that just isn't enough.
Of course, there are special cases; if somebody carelessly lost their wimax keys when trying to get s-off, i wouldn't replace the phone for two reasons: it's nonessential to telephony functions (meaning youre not stuck if you need to call 911), and it's technically DBR (damaged beyond economical repair), because our warehouse wont be able to get them back, and the board would end up being scrapped.
To that end, hard bricked phones could be rejected due to DBR, but i have no way of telling if it happened due to flashing the phone, now do I?
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium
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Full Disclosure: I am a Sprint employee. Any opinions are my own and in no way endorsed by Sprint.
Sent from my SGSII on the Sprint network.
When i went to go get my e4gt one of the salesmen was talking about his jailbroken iphone to someone he was selling an iphone to. I wasnt really paying attention since they were talking about iphones and i was downloading the xda app while they finished my paperwork.
You sure your method of returning to stock didn't preserve your root? It's possible.
Bear gri11z said:
LOL i bet he did... anyone that has any problems with their phones i direct them here... im waiting for the day that the techs in the sprint store ask me "have you checked xda to see if they have any resolution to this problem"
because ive had customer service reps/android tech department (on the phone) tell me to check xda or android community..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
im a sales rep in a preferred retailer. but because of the time ive spent here, im also the unofficial lead technician in our store, and the last resort for our actual techs when they cant fix it themselves... and they went into training for their job..
evantribley said:
Just wanted to second this. At this time only jailbroken iPhones have their warranty/protection voided.
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99% correct. if an android has a rom flashed, its warranty is void. but we can still repair/replace them with TEP, and paid repairs are fine too. its the unlocking of the bootloader that is looked at, not the actual rooting
see: htc evo3d (htcdev dot com), unlocking nexus s, flash/binary counter in E4GT
As much as I like to side with Sprint employees in regards to TEP & rooting, it tends to be more of a personal Sprint employee decision as opposed to actual TEP policy.
After reading over the TOS in regards to TEP, there are some things written in there that could potentially be used against you should rooting be considered the cause of your problem:
"Sprint is not liable for the websites you visit or anything you download or cause to be downloaded to your device. Damage related to websites visited or downloads to your device may not be covered by Sprint's Service and Repair policy or your device insurance policy."
Personally, it's a chance one takes & it depends on who you deal with on any given day should you run into any trouble. There just seems to be alot if what if's in how it's written, how it's defined & how a Sprint rep would handle the situation.
You are right in that it may change but their are policies and procedures in place that dictate how we do our job. We have clear direction to help Android customers who have rooted devices. The other poster who corrected me is right in the fact that your manufacturer warranty is likely voided from rooting but Sprint will still make an attempt to help you with paid repair or TEP.
We also have clear direction that a jailbroken iPhone loses it's protection.
That is in the ToS so you cannot hold Sprint liable if you break your phone, if you download a virus/malware, install custom apps/software etc.
Yes you can break your phone beyond a point that can be fixed but that doesn't mean that we won't try to help you. Sprint doesn't get anything out of a customer who cancels because their rooted phone breaks and can't be fixed.
EL TEJANO said:
As much as I like to side with Sprint employees in regards to TEP & rooting, it tends to be more of a personal Sprint employee decision as opposed to actual TEP policy.
After reading over the TOS in regards to TEP, there are some things written in there that could potentially be used against you should rooting be considered the cause of your problem:
"Sprint is not liable for the websites you visit or anything you download or cause to be downloaded to your device. Damage related to websites visited or downloads to your device may not be covered by Sprint's Service and Repair policy or your device insurance policy."
Personally, it's a chance one takes & it depends on who you deal with on any given day should you run into any trouble. There just seems to be alot if what if's in how it's written, how it's defined & how a Sprint rep would handle the situation.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Full Disclosure: I am a Sprint employee. Any opinions are my own and in no way endorsed by Sprint.
Sent from my SGSII on the Sprint network.
Overstew said:
You sure your method of returning to stock didn't preserve your root? It's possible.
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I can honestly say I am absolutely certain I didn't have root when I handed them my phone to be repaired.
I ODINed EK02, which removed my root, then I used a USB Jig, which reset my download count, and then I booted up my phone and was informed there was an update, and so I did the OTA to EL29. At this point I actually tried to install Titanium for ****s and giggles, only to be told I didn't meet the requirements to use the app, root, so I uninstalled it.

Rooted Galaxy Nexus. Repaired NO Warranty problems!! No unroot needed?

So i've been spending a couple of hours over a couples of days trying to unroot en relock my phone.
I had some USB problems and Charging issue's So i wanted to return it in stock..
But Like I said my USB didnt work so I decided to take my losses and just return it, rooted with Superuser installed.
after Explaining my situation the Tech Guy from my Carrier Tells me...
O you have rooted your Phone. Well that might be a problem with the insurance... unless you got a Nexus Device.
I was like what do you mean.
well with all Nexus Devices you are allowed to root your phone...
So i was wondering , who knew about this?
What carrier? This is definitely not the company line from any carrier I know.
Probably just doing so nice customer service. If I was the tech guy id repair it for free since most people always root it anyway. Plus its kind of encouraged anyway.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app
Wow man lucky
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app
I was in Sprint yesterday asking them about the newest radio for the JB build (I was having issues with a backup I made and having old radios preventing me from getting the JB OTA update). Anyways, the guy asked why I would need to know about the radios and I played dumb as to why I wasnt updating. My phone was relocked and unrooted but he picked up on it and said he wouldnt even touch the phone to give me help as modding the phone voids warranty. I was able to figure out on my own and fix it but they were pretty strict on the rules.
You're lucky man!! I asked in a shop and they said that I'll lose warranty. What carrier??
poda13 said:
I was in Sprint yesterday asking them about the newest radio for the JB build (I was having issues with a backup I made and having old radios preventing me from getting the JB OTA update). Anyways, the guy asked why I would need to know about the radios and I played dumb as to why I wasnt updating. My phone was relocked and unrooted but he picked up on it and said he wouldnt even touch the phone to give me help as modding the phone voids warranty. I was able to figure out on my own and fix it but they were pretty strict on the rules.
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Not true, rooting is discouraged but is not grounds for denial of warranty.
petemills8 said:
Not true, rooting is discouraged but is not grounds for denial of warranty.
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You can still have a valid warranty if you are rooted, but it depends for what you a claiming damages. If your power button stops working, that has nothing to do with root, they will just repair the button or give you a new model. However, if you call up your carrier and say something about your phone not turning on, then they might deny you coverage if they find out your phone was rooted/flashed
Quasimoto27 said:
You can still have a valid warranty if you are rooted, but it depends for what you a claiming damages. If your power button stops working, that has nothing to do with root, they will just repair the button or give you a new model. However, if you call up your carrier and say something about your phone not turning on, then they might deny you coverage if they find out your phone was rooted/flashed
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Click to collapse
Reread what you posted, your first sentence and last sentence kinda contradict each other. Also, all I am talking about is rooting, not hardware failures, not water damage.
You should read the pdf I posted, they cannot deny you warranty just for rooting. Individuals may give you problems because they do not know Sprint's own policies, but if you escalate you should eventually find someone who knows what's what.
Oops I had it mixed up thanks for clarifying. Hardware problems can be fixed rooted as long as they don't check. If its something root related then no. Always best to return to stock everything and if you can reset flash counter.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
Last year when I bought my Galaxy SII, I forget what I was asking the guy at the T-Mobile store but he suggested I root it (planned on it anyway), he rooted all his phones, and I shouldn't have any problems if I have to return it but if I do to just go back to stock first.

T-Mobile stance on rooted phones?

Food for thought. As a part of the "T-Mobile My Account" app is a device health (beta) page that will scan the phone for various settings. If you tap on either the "Battery state" or "Device performance" and look for a box that says "Show all test" being rooted is among the list. When I read over the various warranties and agreements, I was looking specifically for anything about root, rooting, rooted, "" access. The best I found only mentions that issues caused by 3rd party software are not covered.
Seeing this makes me wonder if T-Mobile as part of its "un-carrier" move may be opening up to the idea.
Sent from my LG-D851 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
I work for tmo, so far, no change in our stance on processing warranties for rooted devices
Sent from my G3
beats4x said:
I work for tmo, so far, no change in our stance on processing warranties for rooted devices
Sent from my G3
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This is why I don't understand people's hate towards Samsung's Knox when they trip it due to rooting and custom TOM's.
-Sent from my TMO LG G3 using Tapatalk
Cause on an HTC or nexus device you can completely go back to stock and have no evidence of rooting. With Knox, you're screwed. There's no resetting it. I don't know how LG works, this is my first LG device
Sent from my G3
beats4x said:
I work for tmo, so far, no change in our stance on processing warranties for rooted devices
Sent from my G3
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Just out of curiosity, what is T-Mobile's stance? I'm very new to TMo. So new, I switched/ordered my phone on Tuesday and due to a "Systems Issue" I don't even believe my phone has been shipped yet.
CrucialBT said:
Just out of curiosity, what is T-Mobile's stance? I'm very new to TMo. So new, I switched/ordered my phone on Tuesday and due to a "Systems Issue" I don't even believe my phone has been shipped yet.
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Click to collapse
Honestly, if you return to stock (completely) and then go in for warranty, you should be okay. The official stance is no, but I know that 99 times out of 100 you're not gonna have an issue. Unless it's blatantly obvious that you caused your issue by messing with your phone. If you ever need anything when dealing with Tmobile feel free to pm me on here. That goes for anyone who reads this.
Sent from my G3
Returned my g2 yesterday, wiped it but left it stock rooted with twrp recovery. She didn't say anything about it.
bfranklin1986 said:
Returned my g2 yesterday, wiped it but left it stock rooted with twrp recovery. She didn't say anything about it.
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Yup, and things like this happen where reps are completely oblivious. It's not uncommon.
I only said what I did because I know quite a few managers from the bay area to Sacramento, and a good portion of them are into rooting phones and train their staff (not cause they want to screw you over, just to make sure that they retain their job) to look for it.
So yeah, you'll probably be fine if you don't unroot your phone, but an extra 10 minutes of work won't hurt you.
Sent from my G3
I usually get my best results by going into the store and being a real jerk, swear at the counter people, call them names then tell them you rooted the phone and now there are some issues....
JK,,, dont do that.
If you are nice and act dumb they will help you.
Hmm, I don't even HAVE a store around here, I'd be dealing with whoever is at the other end of the shipping tag.
beats4x said:
Honestly, if you return to stock (completely) and then go in for warranty, you should be okay. The official stance is no, but I know that 99 times out of 100 you're not gonna have an issue. Unless it's blatantly obvious that you caused your issue by messing with your phone. If you ever need anything when dealing with Tmobile feel free to pm me on here. That goes for anyone who reads this.
Sent from my G3
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thats very nice of you to offer that:good:
I agree with your comments; I have rooted every phone I have had over the years with ATT/Sprint/TMO, and NEVER "restored to stock" ANY of the phones I turned in for upgrade/repair/etc, and never once had an issue with ANY carrier.
If you act like a jerk, and hassle the store personnel, you will always have a problem; if you are polite, professional, and dont try to blame someone else for your problem, 99% of the time, you wont have a problem turning in a rooted phone.
Treat people like YOU want to be treated, and you will always be taken care of; at least that's always been my experience..
I have always just unrooted before I went in. Some times I have watched them check the phone and worried if they would try to update it. That was the case with both my HTC Evo 4g and Samsung Galaxy S3 with Sprint. I was trying to avoid the hboot 1.5 and KNOX updates. Only issue I had was when my mms stopped working. Even unrooted the stock messenger wouldn't send them. I was asked if it was rooted and was hoping the unroot file worked. Ever time the phones have finished as I was parking in the lot so I never really had a chance to make sure it was all back to stock.
When I picked up the G3 and changed to T-Mobile I asked and was told unroot it. If no one knows it was rooted then you're good.
Sent from my LG-D851 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
yeah, its so easy to unroot a phone, and if they do a quick check to see if its rooted, and they dont see that it is, they never go any further..
wase4711 said:
yeah, its so easy to unroot a phone, and if they do a quick check to see if its rooted, and they dont see that it is, they never go any further..
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I have had to over the years exchange a few phones with t-mobile, been with them going on 8 years with 5 lines. I always unroot and set back to stock with that said tho, I had to exchange a note 3 for non working GPS and although I did set it back to stock I obviously couldn't reset the knox counter. So far, haven't heard anything about it and that was almost a month ago. While I have no official comment, I do believe t-mobile doesn't care so long as the issue is not related to anything you have done.
I want the g3, but am waiting for root. Just don't care for phones I can't restore to, uninstall unneeded apps etc.
i went on store at LG G3 launch and i showed my note 3 to swap with G3. via JUMP
my phone is rooted, i even teased the girl representative that i have the coolest ROM on it lol. she just smiled and check the note 3 physically. i even let her do a factory reset on the note 3. few mins later i have the black G3 on my possession
I'm not sure what the big deal is. If we can flash a stock ROM onto a phone I'm sure they can, probably easier than we can. It's the hardware condition that really matters.
wase4711 said:
Treat people like YOU want to be treated, and you will always be taken care of; at least that's always been my experience..
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This is called The Golden Rule and XDA and the world in general would be a better place if it was practiced at every opportunity. ?

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