Hey guys
My country(Pakistan) does not have 4g yet so samsung did not officially release the 4g model. However, as I read a lot about how much the 4g version is better than the regular version, I decided to get one even if it meant no warranty.
I looked around the local markets and found only the t-mobile version available. I asked the retailer about it and he insisted that it is factory unlocked. I bought it and had to leave the country for 2 weeks.
So here I am in a foreign country with my new phone. I buy an internet sim card and use the 4g network. It works fine. I find out my phone has supersu installed. This makes me suspicious. Out of curiosity, I check t-mobiles imei check service. Turns out my device has been blocked by t-mobile. I can only guess it has been unlocked through software.
Other than this, the phone seems to be working great. It looks brand new with box/original accessories et al. In my one and a half week of usage, it seems to be working fine too. Only problem I found was that upon trying to update, I got the message that it was unable to do that because my software has been modified.
Once I return to my country, I will definitely have a word with the retailer, however the chances of him accepting and returning the phone are slim. Chances are, I'm stuck with the device.
My question, how bad of a position am I in? Will I be unable to flash future updates even manually? Is there risk that I could lose the software unlock?
I ask this because even if the retailer returns the device(1% chance), I will still need to go through the trouble of looking for another device. And as I said, this one seems to have no other defect. The silverlining though, is that this device came rooted...which saves me the trouble to do it myself.
Please guide me as to what my best course of action would be.
Thank you in advance =)
The reason it won't allow you to update is because it's rooted. That's what it's talking about when it says it's been modified. All you have to do is use Odin to flash back to complete stock and you will be able to update. If the phone is sim unlocked, flashing or updating the phone should not effect the unlock.
Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk 4
Ok. But the phone's IMEI appears as 'blocked' on t-mobiles imei verification website. Doesnt that mean this is a phone that has not been factory unlocked but software unlocked? Why else would someone root a brand new phone?
Also, given I do not want to lose my root, how should I update to new versions of android without losing my unlock?
The reason why the IMEI is blocked is probably because the device was stolen/taken.
The reason why it will not update automatically is because the device is rooted.
If you have a rooted device, you have to wait for someone to post the official update and then flash it through ODIN/TWRP.
The retailer will do nothing for you, there's nothing he CAN do unless he gives you a full refund for the device.
This sort of thing happens a lot when you buy devices from people / 3rd party retailers.
Sent from my SM-N900T using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Well I doubt it was stolen. It was brand new with box and all accessories. He had dozens more in stock. More likely someone is buying contract phones from tmobile and selling them witbkut paying the full contract.
How hard will it be to upgrade new roms for me? Could I lose my unlock in the process?
Edit: also, im reading a lot about how all versions of the n9005 come region locked. Since it isnt officially available in pakistan, does that mean I will need to unlock my phone regardless of where I buy it from?
Since it's rooted, you can always just flash custom roms based off whatever update comes out.
Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk
If it's blacklisted then it won't work with any T-Mobile services if you're in the US or whatever. As stated, once rooted you won't be able to update the phone through the software update from the phone. However, you're now free to flash any of the awesome roms that is out for the Note 3 and use it over there.
iphantomi said:
Well I doubt it was stolen. It was brand new with box and all accessories. He had dozens more in stock. More likely someone is buying contract phones from tmobile and selling them witbkut paying the full contract.
How hard will it be to upgrade new roms for me? Could I lose my unlock in the process?
Edit: also, im reading a lot about how all versions of the n9005 come region locked. Since it isnt officially available in pakistan, does that mean I will need to unlock my phone regardless of where I buy it from?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea, he probably opened a bunch of accounts, payed the down payments for the phones ($0-$100) and now he's selling em full price.
And with the updating.
When a new update comes out, developers will make a rom from it, and then you can just flash the rom.
You will NOT lose unlock when flashing a rom.
Sent from my SM-N900T using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
And are all note 3 region locked? If I get a refund, will I need to unlock any new phone I buy as well?
Related
Just got my Note 2 (Globe Philippines), over the weekend. Since we spend half the year in the US and the winter here in the Philippines, I want to remove the SIM lock before we go back to the US. I tried the free unlock method that is posted elsewhere in the forums here, however since my firmware is version is 4.1.2, that unlock method no longer works. It was mentioned in a number of places about downgrading to 4.1.1 firmware, however since that voids the warranty is something I'd rather not do. What I'm wondering is if anyone has found a way to do this with the 4.1.2 in place, or am I better off by simply going to one of the pay services? If the pay service is the best or only option, could anyone give recommendations on who is the best or more importantly who to avoid? Thanks in advance...
Downgrading won't void warranty if I am not wrong.
But the methods would if I am correct.
Sent from my GT-N7100 using xda app-developers app
Doesn't your cell provider unlock phones? You could try calling them and explaining that you're out of the country a lot and need to SIM unlock so that you can use a local SIM. I don't know about the Philipines, but lots of providers world wide will do this, though they might charge a fee.
If not, then unlocking is likely to void your warranty anyway, so why worry about downgrading? Besides, as long as you downgrade to an official ROM, just doing that won't void your warranty.
I would agree with respectable member that asked you to contact your provider, as I was working for many international mobile network providers before, I know for fact that almost 85% of network providers unlock their locked handsets upon customers request, but it varies from a provider to another and from a handset to another, so they could be asking you for a fee, and they might do it for free, but the pain will be generated if your network does not unlock phones, or they do but they don't unlock this particular handset.
The other point will be with the alternatives of applications and tricks that you can perform to unlock it yourself, however, all of the alternatives will differently require rooting the phone which by default voids the warranty, so if you wish to proceed let me know and i will be more than happy to refer you to many many topics that will help you unlocking it, but again, remember that such action will void the warranty.
Don't worry about warranty, it can be restored.
Sent from my GT-N7100 using xda app-developers app
pure stock
all globe note2's are by default carrier unlock. read from this thread.
FloatingFatMan said:
Doesn't your cell provider unlock phones? You could try calling them and explaining that you're out of the country a lot and need to SIM unlock so that you can use a local SIM. I don't know about the Philipines, but lots of providers world wide will do this, though they might charge a fee.
If not, then unlocking is likely to void your warranty anyway, so why worry about downgrading? Besides, as long as you downgrade to an official ROM, just doing that won't void your warranty.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good point, thanks for the tip, I'll check with them before we head back. I give them a couple months though so they know I pay my bills, no hurry anyway.
psycotrompus said:
all globe note2's are by default carrier unlock. read from this thread.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did see that thread and was hoping that would be the case, but I tried with a SIM from another carrier (AT&T US), but got the warning that it was not a proper SIM. I kind of suspect this came about with the 4.1.2 update.
tleonhar said:
I did see that thread and was hoping that would be the case, but I tried with a SIM from another carrier (AT&T US), but got the warning that it was not a proper SIM. I kind of suspect this came about with the 4.1.2 update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm currently a subscriber of the same (Globe) network and this n7100 was my recontracting bonus with them though I remember that part of the 24 month contract says that the devices supplied is locked and cannot be used with other sim cards from other providers,. But I also remember my mom used to have an arrangement with the competing provider (Smart) to have her supplied mobile phone unlocked by default, without paying any extra fees, so there might be a slim chance we could also have it arranged with Globe,.
Sent from my GT-N7100 using xda app-developers app
Please help.
I tried the code *#197328640# many times but i cant get through the menu. It says "connection problem or invalid MMI code."
Can someone or somebody please help me with this? Thanks alot.
I have tried fixing the connection problem or invalid MMI code.
but still no luck.
Really needed a help here. Thanks.
My version is 4.4.2 already.
using samsung note 2, globe locked.
I bought a t-mobile S4 and discovered it came rooted already. Is this normal? It was from an authorized t-mobile reseller. I don't mind the fact that it's rooted, but what precautions can I take that some malware/spyware isn't installed? Is running a scan with malwarebytes good enough? The reseller said it was rooted to remove some bloatware, but how can I make sure nothing bad was installed? Since the phone is rooted, that also means I can't receive OTA updates, is that right?
Thanks for any info.
It's not normal if you got it from a T-mobile store. An independent but authorized site is different. Maybe someone rooted it but returned it or traded in. If you're really concern just Odin flashed the stock firmware.
☞ Sent from here☜???
baseballfanz said:
It's not normal if you got it from a T-mobile store. An independent but authorized site is different. Maybe someone rooted it but returned it or traded in. If you're really concern just Odin flashed the stock firmware.
☞ Sent from here☜???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Odin back to stock would deffinately work.
But you don't really have to do that. You could just put on a custom recovery, and flash any rom.
Any spyware that a previous user put on the device you have to reside in th esystem partition. Flashing any other rom would wipe out the system partition and installing a fresh one over top.
re: Unrooting
pcglue said:
I bought a t-mobile S4 and discovered it came rooted already. Is this normal? It was from an authorized t-mobile reseller. I don't mind the fact that it's rooted, but what precautions can I take that some malware/spyware isn't installed? Is running a scan with malwarebytes good enough? The reseller said it was rooted to remove some bloatware, but how can I make sure nothing bad was installed? Since the phone is rooted, that also means I can't receive OTA updates, is that right?
Thanks for any info.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes a rooted phone will not be able to update using OTA or KIES.
There is another easier way to Unroot the phone, just click on superSU
then click on the settings tab and scroll down til you see "Full Unroot"
"cleanup for permanent unroot" (you still will be able to re-root the phone).
That way there is no reason to flash any roms unless you don't like
what you already have, also even without root you still can use
a custom recovery if that's what you want to do.
After unrooting you will no longer be able to use any apps or
anything else which requires root access.
Good luck!
Skipjacks said:
Odin back to stock would deffinately work.
But you don't really have to do that. You could just put on a custom recovery, and flash any rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would I be able to use tmobile's wifi calling if I use a rom other than stock?
Thanks everybody for the help and useful info!
pcglue said:
Would I be able to use tmobile's wifi calling if I use a rom other than stock?
Thanks everybody for the help and useful info!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As long as it's a TouchWiz rom based on the T Mobile Stock ROM.
Skipjacks said:
As long as it's a TouchWiz rom based on the T Mobile Stock ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I just found out some other disturbing info. The IMEI on my S4 is 0. It's obviously different from the sticker on the back. And on 2 other S4's I bought at the same time, the IMEI's look valid, but are different from the stickers on the back as well.
I bought these from an independent tmobile store. Why would the phones I bought be rooted and have non-matching IMEI's? Do I have stolen/black market/refurbished phones? I thought I got a discount because of the quantity I bought (5 total, it was for 2 families), but now I think there's something shady about these phones. I don't have ready access to the last 2 phones I bought in this batch, but I suspect they are rooted with non-matching IMEI's as well.
What are the implications of this? I would think these phones are not under Samsung or Tmobile warranty, even though the guy at the store says they are. And in the future, would Tmobile help me (unlocking or I don't know what else) if I am using these phones? They should still help with account/plan changes, but I imagine there are probably some things they won't help with. I'm thinking of returning these phones to avoid future hassles now. Or am I being too paranoid?
pcglue said:
I bought these from an independent tmobile store.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is where your worries should stop.
You bought these from a store. You have a receipt. Take them back to the store and tell them to fix it.
If they won't, take the matter up with T Mobile and tell them that one of their authorized retailers (if it says T Mobile it's an authorized retailer, even if i'ts an independantly owned shop) is selling stolen phones. I promise you that T Mobile will take this very seriously, though you may have to get past the front line customer service rep to find someone who cares.
If it's not a T MObile authorized retailer and it's just a random genric cell phone shop, then T Mobile isn't going to care. But the cops will.
I'd also file a complaint with your local consumer protection agency.
It's one thing is a back ally deal from a guy in a trench coat who started the transaction with "Pssst....hey, buddy...wanna buy a cheap cell phone?" goes south. It's another thing entirely when it's a legitimate store that's ripping you off and cahrging to sale taxes and stuff on tope of your purchase.
And if they didn't know what they were doing when they sold you stolen / broken / semi-refurbished goods, well quite frankly that's their problem. It's not your problem. They told you they were selling you new phones. If they sold you not new phones, they have defrauded you. It doesn't matter if they knew or not.
The IMEI's on the stickers on the phones should match the receipt. That will be proof that you're not pulling a switcheroo on the store.
If they don't match the receipt and you left the store with them anyway, there is a certain amount of Caveat Emptor that applies. (Latin for "Let the Buyer Beware"). You might be out of luck.
Hi,
I know there is no way to unlock the bootloader on an att Note 4, but if ATT unlocks it would it become an International Version and can the bootloader be unlocked? Sorry if this is a dumb question.
Young fool.... only now do you realize the power of evil AT&T produces.
Now Rosachin, you will die.
(In all realness, no of course not. ATT ain't that nice nor will it ever be. You can unlock the phone in terms of cellular network but that's it.)
I cant believe I didnt come here before I bought 2 brand new at&t Note 4's Unlocked. What an idiot I am. Just never had a at&t and didnt think anything of it because everytime I have wanted to root and mod my previous phones, I never had a problem.. I never had at&t though.. uhhgg. maybe by the time I just cant stand the stock rom, they will unlock the bootloader? I dont know if that's how it works...
Oh well, sad man here.
BlindDude said:
I cant believe I didnt come here before I bought 2 brand new at&t Note 4's Unlocked. What an idiot I am. Just never had a at&t and didnt think anything of it because everytime I have wanted to root and mod my previous phones, I never had a problem.. I never had at&t though.. uhhgg. maybe by the time I just cant stand the stock rom, they will unlock the bootloader? I dont know if that's how it works...
Oh well, sad man here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh I feel you man. Note 4 was my first phone on ATT and I regret it. If I wanted to be locked down I would get a iphone. Still the note 4 is a great phone just with a lot of unused potential.
FLASHnox said:
Oh I feel you man. Note 4 was my first phone on ATT and I regret it. If I wanted to be locked down I would get a iphone. Still the note 4 is a great phone just with a lot of unused potential.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I just sent a return request for one of the note 4's. AND just bought a USED sm910T from ebay.
So, instead of me getting a brand new AT&T UNMODDABLE note 4, I will be getting a used but in great condition T-Mobile note 4.
And if I can get out of the restocking fees from the return, I will come out 50 bucks ahead. Cool.
The other new note 4 went to my daughter for xmas, and she already broke the screen. DOH!!
I lucked out this time I guess.
Cheers all.
BlindDude said:
I cant believe I didnt come here before I bought 2 brand new at&t Note 4's Unlocked. What an idiot I am. Just never had a at&t and didnt think anything of it because everytime I have wanted to root and mod my previous phones, I never had a problem.. I never had at&t though.. uhhgg. maybe by the time I just cant stand the stock rom, they will unlock the bootloader? I dont know if that's how it works...
Oh well, sad man here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah man, I'ved used At&t for years. Some phones still ended up rooting and unlocked (Sky-Rocket, LG E970, and Note II) this is the 1st phone I purchased that couldn't be rooted to install ROMs and Mods. Very annoyed but glad to know after this experience we know not to buy from At&t directly. Either buy unlocked form Swappa, eBay or Amazon or know that you will be limited when you buy from carrier. In the mean time if you really want out, pay the bill so its clear for selling, and sell it online or in person. Also you can wait it out until the next upgrade.
PhonePhan said:
Yeah man, I'ved used At&t for years. Some phones still ended up rooting and unlocked (Sky-Rocket, LG E970, and Note II) this is the 1st phone I purchased that couldn't be rooted to install ROMs and Mods. Very annoyed but glad to know after this experience we know not to buy from At&t directly. Either buy unlocked form Swappa, eBay or Amazon or know that you will be limited when you buy from carrier. In the mean time if you really want out, pay the bill so its clear for selling, and sell it online or in person. Also you can wait it out until the next upgrade.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Never again for me, not directly from AT&T & maybe not Samsung. [AT&T-Captivate, and VZ-Note2..rooted and other ROM'd but now ]. Question: what aspect of the hardware allows a carrier's specific bands of LTE to function? Or is it that the hardware is fully "plastic", capable of any LTE banding given the software[albeit locked] and SIM[mine unlocked] ? There are multiple Note4's. AT&Ts also runs UMTS and GSM. T's? Verizon's also runs its EV-DO. Perhaps these 2G, and 3G aspects become irrelevant and the 4G/LTE buildout completes, but the question remains over capability on carrier specific LTE bands.
With my SIM unlocked Note4 I used a VODA SIM this summer in Italy, but don't recall whether I had access to LTE , or evn which data mode functioned.
Ok, I hope I don't get in trouble for asking this here. . I tried to search but I'm not real good on this phone yet. . That's no excuse, I know. ..
Anyway, I received my T-Mobile Note 4 today and I want to root it right away as I am an owner of titanium backup and rom toolbox.
I am wondering if there is an easy way to root my device without installing a custom kernel AND not require a pc?
If I have to use a custom kernel, which one is the most stable?
My device specs are
SM-N910T3
Android 5.1.1
LMY47X.N910T3UVU1DOK2
KNOX 2.4.1
I have data turned off on my phone and disabled data from my carrier. I use WiFi and no data. .
Again I'm sorry for asking this but it's been a real long time since I have installed custom anything and my pc blue screens randomly so I'm afraid to try rooting my phone that way.
Please, step by step, easy tutorial or a link to where I need to go?
Thanks a bunch.
Blind
BlindDude said:
Ok, I hope I don't get in trouble for asking this here. . I tried to search but I'm not real good on this phone yet. . That's no excuse, I know. ..
Anyway, I received my T-Mobile Note 4 today and I want to root it right away as I am an owner of titanium backup and rom toolbox.
I am wondering if there is an easy way to root my device without installing a custom kernel AND not require a pc?
If I have to use a custom kernel, which one is the most stable?
My device specs are
SM-N910T3
Android 5.1.1
LMY47X.N910T3UVU1DOK2
KNOX 2.4.1
I have data turned off on my phone and disabled data from my carrier. I use WiFi and no data. .
Again I'm sorry for asking this but it's been a real long time since I have installed custom anything and my pc blue screens randomly so I'm afraid to try rooting my phone that way.
Please, step by step, easy tutorial or a link to where I need to go?
Thanks a bunch.
Blind
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd recommend asking on the T-mobile Note 4 forum. We all own the ATT model here.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk
spexwood said:
I'd recommend asking on the T-mobile Note 4 forum. We all own the ATT model here.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, oops. Sorry for that.. Please disregard...
Odischeese said:
Young fool.... only now do you realize the power of evil AT&T produces.
Now Rosachin, you will die.
(In all realness, no of course not. ATT ain't that nice nor will it ever be. You can unlock the phone in terms of cellular network but that's it.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The real reason carriers lock bootloaders (just remove the space after www and http)
http s://www .youtube.com/watch?v=gpVocvREboo&list=UURAxVOVt3sasdcxW343eg_A&app=desktop
[email protected] the space. Ironically....yeah i will remove the space so you can suffer clicking on the link on your phone...
Since we are on the subject of bootloaders. It's been a while since I flashed a custom rom on a phone. But from what I remember, isn't the bootloader these pictures that I attached? I took pictures on my AT&T Note 4.
Thanks
Yes i have read the whole thing.
Ok, to cut a long story short;
i bought a note 4 on an online australian shop for $470 (really hard without a job)
Anyway, they noted that their phones are from GENUINE Suppliers and i got a Note 4 UNLOCKED from, you guessed it. AT&T.
Now i wasnt too fussed. I was happy i got a note 4 that wasnt a chinese brick phone, since it technically was refurbished from their Hong Kong Warehouse. Anyways
After like...idk 2 months? approx? i decided i wanna root it. Guess what?! BOOTLOADER. WHAT THE ***T!!
Anyway, i spoke to some people, one said he hasnt rooted a phone passed gen 6. and the other person said 'no cant root. Bootloader is locked and no way to bypass.'
Soo im wondering if its possible to root the phone without removing bootloader? I dont restart my phone much and the whole bootloader doesnt worry me so im just curious if i can chuck a stock rom on without worrying about the bootloader.
Some background info:
I am Australian, therefore my phone is running under Australian networks (Boost, Lyca, Telstra, Optus, Vodafone, etc)
It is filled with unwanted, unnecessary AT&T bloatware.
esmereldakagaome101 said:
Ok, to cut a long story short;
i bought a note 4 on an online australian shop for $470 (really hard without a job)
Anyway, they noted that their phones are from GENUINE Suppliers and i got a Note 4 UNLOCKED from, you guessed it. AT&T.
Now i wasnt too fussed. I was happy i got a note 4 that wasnt a chinese brick phone, since it technically was refurbished from their Hong Kong Warehouse. Anyways
After like...idk 2 months? approx? i decided i wanna root it. Guess what?! BOOTLOADER. WHAT THE ***T!!
Anyway, i spoke to some people, one said he hasnt rooted a phone passed gen 6. and the other person said 'no cant root. Bootloader is locked and no way to bypass.'
Soo im wondering if its possible to root the phone without removing bootloader? I dont restart my phone much and the whole bootloader doesnt worry me so im just curious if i can chuck a stock rom on without worrying about the bootloader.
Some background info:
I am Australian, therefore my phone is running under Australian networks (Boost, Lyca, Telstra, Optus, Vodafone, etc)
It is filled with unwanted, unnecessary AT&T bloatware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No root or bootloader unlock yet or maybe ever....u can disable all the att stuff but not remove completely without root. At least it will cleanup ure app drawer a lil.
AT&T note 4 update?
I'm seeing the most recent updates being in 2016. Is there any new updates on the progress of unlocking bootloader for this device?
flgators197 said:
I'm seeing the most recent updates being in 2016. Is there any new updates on the progress of unlocking bootloader for this device?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Still waiting for a miracle to happen
rosachin21k said:
Hi,
I know there is no way to unlock the bootloader on an att Note 4, but if ATT unlocks it would it become an International Version and can the bootloader be unlocked? Sorry if this is a dumb question.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ripping encrypted DVDs (or DVDs locked to a region) = unlocked
PlayStation 3 = reverse engineered
iPhone = jailbroken
Why isn't the AT&T Note4 unlocked yet? Would offering a bounty help? Is it impossible to unlock? Is it a matter of time? Is it a matter of throwing lots of computation power against the lock?
What will finally get the AT&T Note4 unlocked?
bbwarfield said:
Ripping encrypted DVDs (or DVDs locked to a region) = unlocked
PlayStation 3 = reverse engineered
iPhone = jailbroken
Why isn't the AT&T Note4 unlocked yet? Would offering a bounty help? Is it impossible to unlock? Is it a matter of time? Is it a matter of throwing lots of computation power against the lock?
What will finally get the AT&T Note4 unlocked?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With that, the ATT Note 4 may very well be, the most secure mobile phone ever!
boofman said:
With that, the ATT Note 4 may very well be, the most secure mobile phone ever!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there no bounty offered? If each ATT Note4 owner chips in a few dollars, we could raise a bounty of several hundred dollars. Then some tech-wiz can take much time trying to unlock the bootloader.
Anybody else willing to contribute to a bounty?
hey xda family long time no see, im just curious to see if anyone knows about this. i went to best buy to update my unlocked att note 4 since im on metro pcs and can't get the update because im on different carrier. when i went to the desk and told the guy what i wanted to do, he said no problem and i handed him my phone. when he plugged it up he had asked if it was an unlocked device and i said yes, he then asked if i had att i said no im on metro. he then said unfortunately because of best buys policy that he can't update my phone because i wasn't on att which didn't make any sense because i did the same thing with my last note 4 that unfortunately got watered damaged. apparently somebody with an unlocked t mobile phone tried to update through best and it hard bricked his phone, which is odd to me because the only way you could HARD brick your phone is unless he had the exynos note 4 or he had tried to install official software on a modified device which is a big no no. he kept telling me that because im on metro pcs i'd have to go to odin and reflash my note 4 back to att which made no sense because it's still an att phone it's just on a different carrier. i do know as long as you install the right firmware for your device in this case an update file thats exclusively for sm-n910a devices. what gives did i run into a clueless rep? im thinking of going to another best buy and just taking out the sim card and play stupid when they bring up the word unlocked. sorry for the long paragraph folks
omnipotent93 said:
hey xda family long time no see, im just curious to see if anyone knows about this. i went to best buy to update my unlocked att note 4 since im on metro pcs and can't get the update because im on different carrier. when i went to the desk and told the guy what i wanted to do, he said no problem and i handed him my phone. when he plugged it up he had asked if it was an unlocked device and i said yes, he then asked if i had att i said no im on metro. he then said unfortunately because of best buys policy that he can't update my phone because i wasn't on att which didn't make any sense because i did the same thing with my last note 4 that unfortunately got watered damaged. apparently somebody with an unlocked t mobile phone tried to update through best and it hard bricked his phone, which is odd to me because the only way you could HARD brick your phone is unless he had the exynos note 4 or he had tried to install official software on a modified device which is a big no no. he kept telling me that because im on metro pcs i'd have to go to odin and reflash my note 4 back to att which made no sense because it's still an att phone it's just on a different carrier. i do know as long as you install the right firmware for your device in this case an update file thats exclusively for sm-n910a devices. what gives did i run into a clueless rep? im thinking of going to another best buy and just taking out the sim card and play stupid when they bring up the word unlocked. sorry for the long paragraph folks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most of those reps are clueless.
Your phone is an AT&T version and is running AT&T firmware. Just tell them that it's an AT&T phone. Don't mention that you're using an unlocked device on Metro. I think you may have confused him by telling him that. He may have thought your Note 4 was a Metro version and running Metro firmware. They only have AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile firmware. They may have international too, but not sure. He probably was afraid to flash AT&T firmware onto what he thought was a Metro phone.
Again... clueless. I went there once and the idiots refused to work on my phone (needed to be reflashed and I couldn't get Odin to work) because I was using Nova Launcher. The guy said it wasn't Samsung's home screen and that I had hacked the phone to change it. Well, first, the 910a isn't rootable, and second, a launcher has nothing to do with root.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N930A using Tapatalk
So you have a N910a unlocked on Metro PCS and you wanted to have the software updated to the latest? And you brought it into a Best Buy store to have them update the software? (sorry, your post is hard to read in a big block form like that).
May I ask: have you thought to try the update yourself? Even if you pulled the SIM card and connected via Wifi...
HotShotAzn said:
So you have a N910a unlocked on Metro PCS and you wanted to have the software updated to the latest? And you brought it into a Best Buy store to have them update the software? (sorry, your post is hard to read in a big block form like that).
May I ask: have you thought to try the update yourself? Even if you pulled the SIM card and connected via Wifi...
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You need an AT&T sim card in order to get the update OTA. That, or the Odin files. Are the latest Odin files uploaded? If so, then that'd be the easiest (DIY) solution here. Make sure to back up your files though.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N930A using Tapatalk
thank you all for your input, i managed to get the latest firmware through another best buy that was within reasonable driving distance. however, i still think att sucks for not allowing the bootloader to be unlocked and for being slow with marshmallow it's ridiculous. if att had the image files posted somewhere i wouldn't mind doing it myself.
omnipotent93 said:
hey xda family long time no see, im just curious to see if anyone knows about this. i went to best buy to update my unlocked att note 4 since im on metro pcs and can't get the update because im on different carrier. when i went to the desk and told the guy what i wanted to do, he said no problem and i handed him my phone. when he plugged it up he had asked if it was an unlocked device and i said yes, he then asked if i had att i said no im on metro. he then said unfortunately because of best buys policy that he can't update my phone because i wasn't on att which didn't make any sense because i did the same thing with my last note 4 that unfortunately got watered damaged. apparently somebody with an unlocked t mobile phone tried to update through best and it hard bricked his phone, which is odd to me because the only way you could HARD brick your phone is unless he had the exynos note 4 or he had tried to install official software on a modified device which is a big no no. he kept telling me that because im on metro pcs i'd have to go to odin and reflash my note 4 back to att which made no sense because it's still an att phone it's just on a different carrier. i do know as long as you install the right firmware for your device in this case an update file thats exclusively for sm-n910a devices. what gives did i run into a clueless rep? im thinking of going to another best buy and just taking out the sim card and play stupid when they bring up the word unlocked. sorry for the long paragraph folks
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That is not cool. Call Samsung on them. I wasn't even questioned either time. Samsung referred me to the samsung experience at Best Buy in the first place.
Hello
Hopefully someone here can point me in the right direction for help or assist.
I purchased a unlocked Galaxy Z Fold3 off of Swappa.com. Ive purchased many of phone off this site and had no issues including this Fold3. When I got the phone i placed my T-Mobile sim in the phone and all was fine since the phone was unlocked. When T-Mobile pushed the Android 12 update out we all know it caused issues with the phones network. Since i did not purchase the phone from T-Mobile i sent my phone to Samsung so they could fix the issue. Since they knew of the issue with T-Mobile they replaced the motherboard of the phone. Well that sim locked the phone to the original carrier which i found out was Spectrum Mobile. Spectrum states they cannot unlock the phone because they cannot see the IMEI on their network. T-Mobile sees the IMEI on their network from when i used the phone before the update, but they stated that since the original carrier is Spectrum, they have to unlock the phone. Samsung states that one or the other will have to unlock the device because they do not have carrier unlock codes even though they replaced the motherboard which cause the phone to lock again. After weeks of the back and forth i paid a site to give me a unlock code for the phone via Spectrum Mobile. the code they sent did not work and they refunded me my money. But now im stuck with a brick unless i get a Spectrum Mobile account. The phone works fine on their network but i refuse to get their internet service so i can get a mobile account just to use the phone.
Anyone have any advice as to how i can get the phone unlocked again? I reached out to the person i purchased the device from and they didnt have the unlock code. Also the IMEI is clean because Samsung, Spectrum, and T-Mobile checked it.
Right now, you can either pay for an unlocking service or, and this is the REALLY hard part, wait until Spectrum's IMEI Database is updated with the new IMEI for your device. This will come from Samsung when they Sync, but no telling how often that is.
The bad thing is, it can take weeks or a month or more. No one knows.
If you are in need RIGHT NOW, I would look for a good Unlock Service and pay them, but it can also take a while with how new these phones are.
Talderon said:
Right now, you can either pay for an unlocking service or, and this is the REALLY hard part, wait until Spectrum's IMEI Database is updated with the new IMEI for your device. This will come from Samsung when they Sync, but no telling how often that is.
The bad thing is, it can take weeks or a month or more. No one knows.
If you are in need RIGHT NOW, I would look for a good Unlock Service and pay them, but it can also take a while with how new these phones are.
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Do you know of any good reliable unlock services?
MAC20 said:
Do you know of any good reliable unlock services?
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I would suggest one, but I have not used one in so long I can't really suggest one. Sorry.
Talderon said:
I would suggest one, but I have not used one in so long I can't really suggest one. Sorry.
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Thanks
MAC20 said:
Hello
Hopefully someone here can point me in the right direction for help or assist.
I purchased a unlocked Galaxy Z Fold3 off of Swappa.com. Ive purchased many of phone off this site and had no issues including this Fold3. When I got the phone i placed my T-Mobile sim in the phone and all was fine since the phone was unlocked. When T-Mobile pushed the Android 12 update out we all know it caused issues with the phones network. Since i did not purchase the phone from T-Mobile i sent my phone to Samsung so they could fix the issue. Since they knew of the issue with T-Mobile they replaced the motherboard of the phone. Well that sim locked the phone to the original carrier which i found out was Spectrum Mobile. Spectrum states they cannot unlock the phone because they cannot see the IMEI on their network. T-Mobile sees the IMEI on their network from when i used the phone before the update, but they stated that since the original carrier is Spectrum, they have to unlock the phone. Samsung states that one or the other will have to unlock the device because they do not have carrier unlock codes even though they replaced the motherboard which cause the phone to lock again. After weeks of the back and forth i paid a site to give me a unlock code for the phone via Spectrum Mobile. the code they sent did not work and they refunded me my money. But now im stuck with a brick unless i get a Spectrum Mobile account. The phone works fine on their network but i refuse to get their internet service so i can get a mobile account just to use the phone.
Anyone have any advice as to how i can get the phone unlocked again? I reached out to the person i purchased the device from and they didnt have the unlock code. Also the IMEI is clean because Samsung, Spectrum, and T-Mobile checked it.
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I have an Unlocked Fold 3 also now using the T-Mobile network and keep experiencing network connectivity issues. In placed where I used to get good 5G signal now I only get LTE and sometimes my data connection drops to H or H+, sometimes just R for roaming.
So they believe the Android 12 update killed the Motherboard in our phones for T-Mobile? Also how long did it take to get your phone back from Samsung after the repair?
BigMosley said:
I have an Unlocked Fold 3 also now using the T-Mobile network and keep experiencing network connectivity issues. In placed where I used to get good 5G signal now I only get LTE and sometimes my data connection drops to H or H+, sometimes just R for roaming.
So they believe the Android 12 update killed the Motherboard in our phones for T-Mobile? Also how long did it take to get your phone back from Samsung after the repair?
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Samsung sent me a shipping label that was two day shiping to them. it took about a week or so to get back. Yes, something with the T-Mobile Android 12 update caused an issue where Samsung has been replacing the mother board of the phones. I found out when i was looking on T-Mobiles forums and a person stated that is what fixed theres. So i contacted Samsung and told them about the Andorid 12 update causing the issue and they had me send it in since they knew of the issue.
MAC20 said:
Samsung sent me a shipping label that was two day shiping to them. it took about a week or so to get back. Yes, something with the T-Mobile Android 12 update caused an issue where Samsung has been replacing the mother board of the phones. I found out when i was looking on T-Mobiles forums and a person stated that is what fixed theres. So i contacted Samsung and told them about the Andorid 12 update causing the issue and they had me send it in since they knew of the issue.
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Thanks for the quick reply. I have had my Fold 3's screen fixed in the same day by going to a local UBreakiFix, any idea if they can also do the Motherboard swap out?
BigMosley said:
Thanks for the quick reply. I have had my Fold 3's screen fixed in the same day by going to a local UBreakiFix, any idea if they can also do the Motherboard swap out?
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im not sure. you may have to call them to see.
MAC20 said:
im not sure. you may have to call them to see.
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I'm going your route and sending in the phone to Samsung. I even noted others online shared the same experience I am having and the motherboard was replaced.
Talderon said:
Right now, you can either pay for an unlocking service or, and this is the REALLY hard part, wait until Spectrum's IMEI Database is updated with the new IMEI for your device. This will come from Samsung when they Sync, but no telling how often that is.
The bad thing is, it can take weeks or a month or more. No one knows.
If you are in need RIGHT NOW, I would look for a good Unlock Service and pay them, but it can also take a while with how new these phones are.
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Click to collapse
@Talderon ive tried two unlock companies so far and neither have been able to unlock the phone. The person i bought it from wants me to mail it back so they can unlock it with a pc. Not going to happen so i won't get it back LOL. I think im just going to get on a friends Spectrum Mobile account and wait 30 so they can unlock it. Think thats my only choice.
If I'm on Google Fi (Which is T-Mobile) is it better for me to get the T-Mobile version of the phone off of Swappa/eBay so I don't run into these issues?
Just buy the samsung unlocked version and then flash the t mobile rom to I have the u1 one version I never had any issues with using t mobile on my z fold 3 and you need the rom bc its helps with towers bc I was using verzion rom on t mobile and I didn't get all the service or 5g uc always buy us unlocked version never buy carrier ones bc it's just easier to flash the rom you need than buy the carrier one bc it's can be relocked at any time bc when I bought t mobile version s21 it's locked the phone so beware
livejamie said:
If I'm on Google Fi (Which is T-Mobile) is it better for me to get the T-Mobile version of the phone off of Swappa/eBay so I don't run into these issues?
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Click to collapse
Don't buy off swappa you get better deal on ebay bc you have money back guarantee
MAC20 said:
Hello
Hopefully someone here can point me in the right direction for help or assist.
I purchased a unlocked Galaxy Z Fold3 off of Swappa.com. Ive purchased many of phone off this site and had no issues including this Fold3. When I got the phone i placed my T-Mobile sim in the phone and all was fine since the phone was unlocked. When T-Mobile pushed the Android 12 update out we all know it caused issues with the phones network. Since i did not purchase the phone from T-Mobile i sent my phone to Samsung so they could fix the issue. Since they knew of the issue with T-Mobile they replaced the motherboard of the phone. Well that sim locked the phone to the original carrier which i found out was Spectrum Mobile. Spectrum states they cannot unlock the phone because they cannot see the IMEI on their network. T-Mobile sees the IMEI on their network from when i used the phone before the update, but they stated that since the original carrier is Spectrum, they have to unlock the phone. Samsung states that one or the other will have to unlock the device because they do not have carrier unlock codes even though they replaced the motherboard which cause the phone to lock again. After weeks of the back and forth i paid a site to give me a unlock code for the phone via Spectrum Mobile. the code they sent did not work and they refunded me my money. But now im stuck with a brick unless i get a Spectrum Mobile account. The phone works fine on their network but i refuse to get their internet service so i can get a mobile account just to use the phone.
Anyone have any advice as to how i can get the phone unlocked again? I reached out to the person i purchased the device from and they didnt have the unlock code. Also the IMEI is clean because Samsung, Spectrum, and T-Mobile checked it.
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Click to collapse
See you shouldn't buy carrier phones don't do that bc you always have issues and it's hard to find unlocking service just resell the phone and just buy you unlocked us version off ebay and then flash t mobile rom and you be good and then you don't never have to worry about having a brick