I recently bought a new "Samsung Galaxy S III 16GB SGH-T999L 4G LTE White - T-Mobile" from Oakland Wireless via Amazon. This is for my fiancé, to replace her broken iPhone 4s. After popping in her T-Mobile sim card, the phone seems to work fine. However, the WiFi calling feature seems to be missing and when we try to perform a software update it ends with "process failed". The installed Android version is 4.1.1.
She went to a T-Mobile store to see if they could help. They were also unable to get the phone to update, and eventually told her that it would never work simply because we didn't buy the phone from T-Mobile. They also told her it would only be a talk and text phone, and wouldn't get data service. However, this last part is clearly false, as she has been using data without any problem.
Does anybody have experience with this issue? Were the folks at the T-Mobile store correct or mistaken?
Also, assuming they are correct and the phone can't be updated over the air, can I just download and install a stock ROM with the latest version and WiFi calling? I have a custom ROM installed on my Galaxy Exhibit, so I am familiar with installing ROMs, but my fiancé doesn't want a custom ROM, she wants stock.
Look in the t mobile s3 section there should be a Odin file you can flash (stock firmware)
Sent from my SM-N900A using XDA Free mobile app
Well first of all the T999L released with 4.1.2 so something doesn't seem right, and it may be why its not updating. To get a better idea of the phone model, can you post a screenshot of the about device section? And I assume you are not rooted correct? Download this app https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.vndnguyen.phoneinfo scroll to firmware info and post it here as well
Thanks for the replies!
ryant100 said:
Look in the t mobile s3 section there should be a Odin file you can flash (stock firmware)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't see any stock stuff in the tmobile s3 ROM list, but I did a little more searching and found this thread with stock firmware and OTA's:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1949687
Not sure if I should try to do the OTA update or one of the complete firmwares. Any idea why there is no OTA update for 4.3?
serio22 said:
Well first of all the T999L released with 4.1.2 so something doesn't seem right, and it may be why its not updating. To get a better idea of the phone model, can you post a screenshot of the about device section? And I assume you are not rooted correct? Download this app https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.vndnguyen.phoneinfo scroll to firmware info and post it here as well
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmmm. Maybe I got the version wrong or maybe it's not really a T999L? She isn't here with the phone right now, so I'll have to get back to you.
I stopped posting the OTA's simply because they're next to useless for us. Fladhing the firmware via Odin has a much greater success rate snd OTA's are notorious for causing all sorts of problems. Just wasn't worth the trouble to post them anymore.
I attached the screenshots from the phone info app. Looks like maybe it's not the LTE model after all? I looked behind the battery, and it also says SGH-T999 with no "L" on the end.
The strange thing is that it shows an LTE mode in the network settings. However, I've never seen it actually use LTE mode, even though T-mobile says it should work at our location (Seattle). Using the Ookla speed test app, I get ~4 Mbps down (the same speed as my Galaxy Exhibit).
I'm thinking about returning the phone if it is not the correct model. I'm curious though, if I try updating the firmware and it doesn't work, can I restore everything exactly to it's current state before I return it? I don't want them to refuse the return because I messed with the firmware.
Ok looks like you got a Frankenstein phone.. That's an at&t bootloader with a Canadian product/model name & T999 build that I've never heard of.. I would just return it or ask for an exchange, not worth it to keep messing with it
Yup. Another one! And its got a csc from the I9300! The LEM build, if I remember right, was the original stock 4.0.4 firmware. But there is way too much conflicting info there for me to be comfortable recommending much of anything.
I just installed that app to make sure it wasn't giving bad info, and it is showing everything correctly for mine.
As for the LTE showing up in the menu, that isnt too uncommon. If you want to know what you are really connected to, check Settings, About Device, Status, Network Type. Best to do this during a large download.
But aside from it being a franken-phone, everything that is related to the T-Mobile model points to it being a non-LTE T999.
DocHoliday77 said:
Yup. Another one! And its got a csc from the I9300!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I noticed that too but guess I forgot to mention it ? so odd how out of nowhere there this wave of franken-phones going around
Thanks for everyone's advice. I'm going to return the phone.
Probably the best choice. Its just more trouble than its worth imo.
Related
I just successfully rooted my Samsung Galaxy Note 2 using Odin and CWM Recovery.
This is exactly what I did:
- D/L Odin 3.04 and "cwm6-root-note2.tar" and saved them to my Desktop
- Extracted Odin and started the program
- Set my Note 2 to USB Debugging
- Restarted the Note 2 in "Downloading Mode" by holding down Volume Down, Home & Power buttons simultaneously
- Connected usb cord to my phone and computer
- Confirmed that Odin registered connection of my phone correctly on COM port
- Went to PDA, then selected "cwm6-root-note2.tar"
- Then I selected start, or root or whatever starts the process. And voila! Rooted with CWM & SuperUser App.
However, I might be returning the phone so I now need to know how to reverse that process and UNROOT my phone. Can someone please help walk me through that process? Do I need to obtain more files that were overwritten or deleted when I rooted?
Also, I thought, perhaps, I could unroot using the SuperUser app so I chose the option that said something like "Unroot.... etc." All it did, however, was get rid of Super User because when I restart my phone in recovery mode, it still boots CWM-based Recovery v6.0.1.4
Any assistance would be GREATLY appreciated.
Brian
bpwsource said:
I just successfully rooted my Samsung Galaxy Note 2 using Odin and CWM Recovery.
This is exactly what I did:
- D/L Odin 3.04 and "cwm6-root-note2.tar" and saved them to my Desktop
- Extracted Odin and started the program
- Set my Note 2 to USB Debugging
- Restarted the Note 2 in "Downloading Mode" by holding down Volume Down, Home & Power buttons simultaneously
- Connected usb cord to my phone and computer
- Confirmed that Odin registered connection of my phone correctly on COM port
- Went to PDA, then selected "cwm6-root-note2.tar"
- Then I selected start, or root or whatever starts the process. And voila! Rooted with CWM & SuperUser App.
However, I might be returning the phone so I now need to know how to reverse that process and UNROOT my phone. Can someone please help walk me through that process? Do I need to obtain more files that were overwritten or deleted when I rooted?
Also, I thought, perhaps, I could unroot using the SuperUser app so I chose the option that said something like "Unroot.... etc." All it did, however, was get rid of Super User because when I restart my phone in recovery mode, it still boots CWM-based Recovery v6.0.1.4
Any assistance would be GREATLY appreciated.
Brian
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You rooted Note 2 and not Note 2 LTE right? Keen to find out the solution for LTE version.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk 2
Flash stock firmware with Odin which can be found here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1896696
thank you
zard said:
You rooted Note 2 and not Note 2 LTE right? Keen to find out the solution for LTE version.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, I rooted my Note 2 LTE.
Which one?
americasteam said:
Flash stock firmware with Odin which can be found here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1896696
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your assistance. Which link do I download though? Are they all the same? Or do I need to find the link with the country I bought the phone in? If so, I didn't see Korea on that list at all.
Also, when I do this, will the counter be reset to zero?
Thanks again for your help.
Brian
bpwsource said:
No, I rooted my Note 2 LTE.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
So you rooted a LTE version, can I ask which version did you have (SHV-E250S / SHV-E250K / SHV-E250L)?
Is it meaning the rooting process of LTE version is same as the non LTE (3G?) Note II?
Also, what is the reason of returning the phone? Did you find something not good with LTE?
Thank you.
duo9394 said:
Hi,
So you rooted a LTE version, can I ask which version did you have (SHV-E250S / SHV-E250K / SHV-E250L)?
Is it meaning the rooting process of LTE version is same as the non LTE (3G?) Note II?
Also, what is the reason of returning the phone? Did you find something not good with LTE?
Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I rooted a SHV-E250L. The process went very smoothly. Especially considering I'd never rooted a phone before. So, from my experience, it seems to be the same process but don't take my word for it.
The phone is awesome - no problems at all. It was just very expensive and I was having a little buyer's remorse. I'm over it now. I was also concerned about not being able to use it in the US when I move back, which I am still unsure about. I have asked a few developers on here but haven't heard back yet. If possible, I'd like to flash a US ROM on the phone so that I can use it on the networks there and access the unrestricted Google Play Store... so, we'll see.
Hope that helps.
Brian
bpwsource said:
Thank you for your assistance. Which link do I download though? Are they all the same? Or do I need to find the link with the country I bought the phone in? If so, I didn't see Korea on that list at all.
Also, when I do this, will the counter be reset to zero?
Thanks again for your help.
Brian
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont think these will work with your phone. These are for rhe N7100. Going by your recent posts, it looks like you have a different model.
bpwsource said:
I rooted a SHV-E250L. The process went very smoothly. Especially considering I'd never rooted a phone before. So, from my experience, it seems to be the same process but don't take my word for it.
The phone is awesome - no problems at all. It was just very expensive and I was having a little buyer's remorse. I'm over it now. I was also concerned about not being able to use it in the US when I move back, which I am still unsure about. I have asked a few developers on here but haven't heard back yet. If possible, I'd like to flash a US ROM on the phone so that I can use it on the networks there and access the unrestricted Google Play Store... so, we'll see.
Hope that helps.
Brian
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Brian,
May I ask which tools or apps did you used to root?
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk 2
how's battery life with LTE on?
bpwsource said:
I rooted a SHV-E250L. The process went very smoothly. Especially considering I'd never rooted a phone before. So, from my experience, it seems to be the same process but don't take my word for it.
The phone is awesome - no problems at all. It was just very expensive and I was having a little buyer's remorse. I'm over it now. I was also concerned about not being able to use it in the US when I move back, which I am still unsure about. I have asked a few developers on here but haven't heard back yet. If possible, I'd like to flash a US ROM on the phone so that I can use it on the networks there and access the unrestricted Google Play Store... so, we'll see.
Hope that helps.
Brian
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Brian,
I am living in Korea as well and I have a lot of experience with the Korean smart phones.
To answer some of your questions, you can use them in the states with either a Stateside SIM (assuming your phone is unlocked, you can get it unlocked from the store if you're going to be traveling) or a Korean SIM (obvious roaming charges). I don't think the LTE bands are the same in SK and the US, therefore you wouldn't be able to use the LTE.
In my experience (with my SGS1) you won't be able to flash a US or Int'l ROM on your Korean model. The internals might be closer than the SGS1 and it's variants were but I wouldn't do it unless you have the Note2 Korean ROM ready to flash back with Odin in the event it won't boot.
You can get unrestricted Play Store access now. You need to download MarketAccess. Google it. it Allows you to basically tell the phone what network it thinks it's on.
In the event you ever need to unroot your phone, you just need to use Odin to flash the official firmware.
If you need anything else, let me know...
---------- Post added at 04:16 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:13 PM ----------
duo9394 said:
Hi,
So you rooted a LTE version, can I ask which version did you have (SHV-E250S / SHV-E250K / SHV-E250L)?
Is it meaning the rooting process of LTE version is same as the non LTE (3G?) Note II?
Also, what is the reason of returning the phone? Did you find something not good with LTE?
Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most likely Tegrak will have a kernel for this device before too long. You would then be able to use the Odin software to root the phone. The process is the same for both.
magick86 said:
Brian,
I am living in Korea as well and I have a lot of experience with the Korean smart phones.
To answer some of your questions, you can use them in the states with either a Stateside SIM (assuming your phone is unlocked, you can get it unlocked from the store if you're going to be traveling) or a Korean SIM (obvious roaming charges). I don't think the LTE bands are the same in SK and the US, therefore you wouldn't be able to use the LTE.
In my experience (with my SGS1) you won't be able to flash a US or Int'l ROM on your Korean model. The internals might be closer than the SGS1 and it's variants were but I wouldn't do it unless you have the Note2 Korean ROM ready to flash back with Odin in the event it won't boot.
You can get unrestricted Play Store access now. You need to download MarketAccess. Google it. it Allows you to basically tell the phone what network it thinks it's on.
In the event you ever need to unroot your phone, you just need to use Odin to flash the official firmware.
If you need anything else, let me know...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much for the answers. I really appreciate it. So, you're saying for sure I will not be able to use this phone's LTE capabilities in the US on any network? If so, that's a huge game changer for me... I wonder what LG U+'s return policy is... I know I can just transfer the phone to someone else here in Korea when I leave and pick up a Note 2 in the states when I go back but I feel like I'd be losing a lot of money since the cost of the phone is spread out amongst the monthly payments here in Korea. Are there any phones that will work work both on SK LTE and US LTE?
Regarding un-rooting my phone, don't I need to get a hold on the official firmware before I can flash it with Odin? Or is it stored somewhere on my phone? All the official firmwares I've seen on XDA are for the N7100 not the N7105. Any suggestions?
Thank you, again, for all your support. You rock!
bpwsource said:
Thank you so much for the answers. I really appreciate it. So, you're saying for sure I will not be able to use this phone's LTE capabilities in the US on any network? If so, that's a huge game changer for me... I wonder what LG U+'s return policy is... I know I can just transfer the phone to someone else here in Korea when I leave and pick up a Note 2 in the states when I go back but I feel like I'd be losing a lot of money since the cost of the phone is spread out amongst the monthly payments here in Korea. Are there any phones that will work work both on SK LTE and US LTE?
Regarding un-rooting my phone, don't I need to get a hold on the official firmware before I can flash it with Odin? Or is it stored somewhere on my phone? All the official firmwares I've seen on XDA are for the N7100 not the N7105. Any suggestions?
Thank you, again, for all your support. You rock!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem, glad to help.
I am also looking for the firmware online. I haven't found it yet. PM me your email and when I find it, I'll send it over to you.
All info I have read says LTE is different. The 3G would still work just no LTE.
Idk what LG's policy is, but you could take it to Samsung a/s in the electronics market to revert it if needed.
Good luck. I might know someone who could take the phone of your hands next year if you want to go that route.
Justin
Good info here. But what about his flash counter? Will that be reset to zero by flashing stock from via Odin?
Bump
lawtq said:
Good info here. But what about his flash counter? Will that be reset to zero by flashing stock from via Odin?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flash counter didn't exist when I was tinkering with me s1. I'll have to investigate. I would imagine there will be a way to revert it. I also would guess the Samsung a/s could do it?
What is Samsung a/s?
Sent from my SHV-E250L using xda app-developers app
SHV-E250S problem.
Hello SHV-E250S/K/L users.
Does anyone know where I can download an official factory stock ROM for my SHV-E250S ?
I have an IMEI missing issue, and EFS file deleted issue. After wich i have a black notice on the screen and no boot logo or turn of logo, it just switches straight away after pressing the button.
No network or IMEI(((
I just came back from the Samsung official service center, and guess what, they can`t help me. They say i need to flash an original factory rom, i even brought them the two roms i downloaded from the: www.sammobile.com/firmware/?page=3&model=SHV-E250S&pcode=0&os=1&type=1#firmware
And they said that these are not official factory roms, that they are custom, all thaw when i flash with one them, and go to recovery mode, my current binary changes to official. Don’t know why but everything else stays the same:
ODIN MODE
PRODUCT NAME: SHV-E250S
CUSTOM BINARY DOWNLOAD: Yes (37 counts)
CURENT BINARY: Official
SYSTEM STATUS: Custom
DON`T KNOW HOW TO FIX, AND WHERE TO GET FACTORY ROM((((
Would appreciate any help!
NEED Pit.
magick86 said:
Brian,
I am living in Korea as well and I have a lot of experience with the Korean smart phones.
To answer some of your questions, you can use them in the states with either a Stateside SIM (assuming your phone is unlocked, you can get it unlocked from the store if you're going to be traveling) or a Korean SIM (obvious roaming charges). I don't think the LTE bands are the same in SK and the US, therefore you wouldn't be able to use the LTE.
In my experience (with my SGS1) you won't be able to flash a US or Int'l ROM on your Korean model. The internals might be closer than the SGS1 and it's variants were but I wouldn't do it unless you have the Note2 Korean ROM ready to flash back with Odin in the event it won't boot.
You can get unrestricted Play Store access now. You need to download MarketAccess. Google it. it Allows you to basically tell the phone what network it thinks it's on.
In the event you ever need to unroot your phone, you just need to use Odin to flash the official firmware.
If you need anything else, let me know...
---------- Post added at 04:16 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:13 PM ----------
Most likely Tegrak will have a kernel for this device before too long. You would then be able to use the Odin software to root the phone. The process is the same for both.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello magick86,
You probably saw my problem posted above, i wonder if you can help me with my phone.
And other users as well please, If someone has SHV-E250S, could you please share your pit file with me?
For me to try and flash my device with your pit.file in order to recover my partitions and BINARY TYPE, when i open my pit file in pit magic, binary type is unknown((( Want to flash with official rom and your correct pitfile.
Thank you.
Hello everyone,
I bought a T-Mobile S3 and I'm in Canada with Mobilicity. My question is, can i flash the Mobilicity rom on to the T-Mobile S3 without problems?
Thank you
You can flash T-Mobile roms.
But, you can't flash T-Mobile radios.
Just make sure the Rom you are flashing doesn't change your radio
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
Sorry, I should clarify. I'm only planning to flash stock Mobilicity (a different carrier) roms on to the T-Mobile S3. Do stock roms change the radio?
That should be fine. We just see people doing it the other way a lot more.
Just do a backup before you start flashing and you should be ok.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
---------- Post added at 01:38 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:36 AM ----------
here's a thread about mobilicity that may help
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1656564
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
Great, thanks. So flashing the stock or pre-rooted roms found in this section won't change the modem?
You probably won't be able to do this. I'm assuming you're talking about Odin flashing the mobilicity fw, correct? You can try it but it'll fail its device check at the beginning.
Flashing the fw, if successful, will flash the modem too. Is the phone currently working as its supposed to on their network?
If you flash a custom rom, it will not include the modem. But there are no roms based off any of the T999V firmwares that I'm aware of.
Out of curiosity, is there a particular reason you want or need to do this?
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
DocHoliday77 said:
You probably won't be able to do this. I'm assuming you're talking about Odin flashing the mobilicity fw, correct? You can try it but it'll fail its device check at the beginning.
Flashing the fw, if successful, will flash the modem too. Is the phone currently working as its supposed to on their network?
If you flash a custom rom, it will not include the modem. But there are no roms based off any of the T999V firmwares that I'm aware of.
Out of curiosity, is there a particular reason you want or need to do this?
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks Doc,
Yes, I am talking about flashing with Odin and Mobilicity stock fw. The reason I want to do this is because the T-Mobile variant isn't able to display the added language I want, as opposed to the Canadian variant. I am still new to all this and just figured the lack of language support is from T-Mobile's rom. I've tested a Canadian S3 (i747M) and the language I want is supported correctly. Everything about the phone works fine, just need the additional language support. So I thought maybe if I flash the Mobilicity rom with its CSC on to the T-Mobile phone, I would be able to display the languages. This is all based on my current understand of how the phone works. If you can enlighten me, it would be greatly appreciated.
Im pretty sure you're correct that it'll get you the language support.
I'm wondering though if its something that could be enabled or added to the current firmware you have. If it can be it'd probably be easier than trying to get the T999V fw onto the phone. I've never really messed with any kind of language support though. Maybe someone else can answer this part of it.
If not ill try to see if there's a way to flash the fw you want to use without having to run it through the kitchen.
I'm thinking that it may be included in our stock fw already and just hidden/disabled. If so it may be possible to enable the option by editing one of the CSC files like feature.xml. no ifea if that's possible, just a thought.
Are you currently rooted?
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
DocHoliday77 said:
Im pretty sure you're correct that it'll get you the language support.
I'm wondering though if its something that could be enabled or added to the current firmware you have. If it can be it'd probably be easier than trying to get the T999V fw onto the phone. I've never really messed with any kind of language support though. Maybe someone else can answer this part of it.
If not ill try to see if there's a way to flash the fw you want to use without having to run it through the kitchen.
I'm thinking that it may be included in our stock fw already and just hidden/disabled. If so it may be possible to enable the option by editing one of the CSC files like feature.xml. no ifea if that's possible, just a thought.
Are you currently rooted?
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I am currently rooted (thanks to your thread with the pre-rooted stock fw) on the T-Mobile's latest fw. I tried using the app morelocale 2 to enable additional language support and another app (created by wanam - link provided at the bottom) found on xda that displays languages that are hidden in the menu to be selected. I've also tried using root explorer and going in to the language.xml file and editing it to support more languages. All these methods only provide partial success as some content is displayed in the desired language while a lot of content isn't (menus etc). As I've said before, I tried these methods on both the US and Canadian variants, and the Canadian phone displays 'everything' in the selected language. I've read somewhere on xda that the US variants doesn't support many languages and thus lead me to the idea of flashing Canadian roms on to the phone. But now that I've learnt that flashing stock fw will change the modem, I have to be sure first whether that will affect my phone and my carrier. And if anyone is interested, the language I'm trying to add is Chinese. It just seems weird to me that such a big market is excluded on the US variants.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1925831
I think they were expecting that most people who speak chinese would be getting the international version. Probably didn't want to mess with languages that only a few people would want to have on the US variants. Just a guess.
If you are able to flash the firmware you want, it will flash the modem as stated, but you can always just flash back to whichever you are using now. I've got a thread stickied in development with all modems.
Something I had been thinking about doing too was making a deodexed, roooted, base rom from the T999V fw. Hadn't decided yet if it'd actually be needed by enough people to be worthwhile. If there's not a good way to flash the fw, ill probably go ahead with it.
I was thinking, Mobile Odin may be able to flash the fw for you. Not sure, but its worth a shot (and you can exclude the modem from the flash).
If you get the paid version it'll inject root for you, if using free version flash the root66 fw. Ill post the link to it in a min.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
---------- Post added at 01:09 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:57 PM ----------
If you've edited your build.prop for google wallet or changed the device name/model, DO NOT use Mobile Odin! It'll brick your device.
Mobile Odin thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1347899
You'll need the flash kernel from post 8:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=22234918&postcount=8
Make sure you download the correct one!
MobileODIN_FlashKernel_T999-v2.0.apk
Install mobile odin first, then the flash kernel.
When you run it press Choose File and select the fw you downloaded. Then towards the top press modem, then where it asks internal or external sd, choose clear. Do the same for recovery if you wish.
Then flash firmware!
That's it!
Let me know if it works or not, or if you prefer not to use it.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
Agreed. Generally, I think people who speak Chinese would get the international version I guess. But I thought the international model doesn't support the AWS 3G bands T-Mobile is using? Really no choice but to get the T999.
Sorry I'm a little confused. Using MobileOdin, I should try to flash to Mobilicity's rom and then flash the modem back to T-Mobile's? And the flash kernel, what is that for? Is it something needed to use MobileOdin free and Pro?
Thanks for the help so far Doc. Greatly appreciated.
Cyclica said:
Agreed. Generally, I think people who speak Chinese would get the international version I guess. But I thought the international model doesn't support the AWS 3G bands T-Mobile is using? Really no choice but to get the T999.
Sorry I'm a little confused. Using MobileOdin, I should try to flash to Mobilicity's rom and then flash the modem back to T-Mobile's? And the flash kernel, what is that for? Is it something needed to use MobileOdin free and Pro?
Thanks for the help so far Doc. Greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have to manually install the flash kernel for the free version. Pro version does it automatically. Basically its a temporary kernel that M.O. uses in place of recovery and kernel to flash things locally on device.
With mobile odin, you'd flash the root66 firmware. But one of the great things about it is you can then de-select parts of it such as the modem. This way it'll flash everything but not touch your current modem or whatever else you de-select.
Hope that makes sense.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
Awesome, thanks for the clarification. I think I'll try that.
Cool, let me know if it goes. If not I've started building a rom from the T999V firmware, but I've got to leave and probably won't have it up till late tonight.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
So I went ahead and used Mobile Odin to flash the 66root Mobilicity fw and excluded the modem. Had a bit of a scare when I got stuck at the Samsung logo but I just booted into recovery and cleared data and cache and gave it some time to start up again. Everything is great. It displayed Chinese flawlessly (built-in apps, menus etc). The only other thing that changed was the cellular data indicator. On T-Mobile rom I've only seen 4G displayed. After the flash, it displays 3G and when I open a browser or do anything requiring data, it changes to H+. I don't know what kind of effects may result from this but seeing as how 4G just meant H+ anyways in this case, I don't think I need to worry. However, only time will tell whether the flash was 100% compatible. I can't thank you enough Doc. I was banging my head against the wall for the last week thinking I should have just bought a Canadian version of the S3 but with your help I was able to have what I wanted. Now... if only 4.1.1 was released for Mobilicity... sucks to have to downgrade from JB to ICS.
Also a side note... comparing the roms from the different carriers, T-Mobile sure has a crap load of bloatware compared to Rogers and Mobilicity.
I'm on videotron, T999V
the H+ stands for HSPDA+ which is what 4G actually is .. 3G+
the T999(V) runs on the AWS spectrum and currently there is no carrier supplying more than 4G .. altho tmobile claims that will have LTE over AWS in 2013
welcome to the wonderful world of the Canadian small 3, bloatware free, language enhanced, stock roms lol
I am curious.. when you going into More Settings, Tethering ... can you run the native tethering and get screens like this ??
Cyclica said:
So I went ahead and used Mobile Odin to flash the 66root Mobilicity fw and excluded the modem. Had a bit of a scare when I got stuck at the Samsung logo but I just booted into recovery and cleared data and cache and gave it some time to start up again. Everything is great. It displayed Chinese flawlessly (built apps, menus etc). The only other thing that changed was the cellular data indicator. On T-Mobile rom I've only seen 4G displayed. After the flash, it displays 3G and when I open a browser or do anything requiring data, it changes to H+. I don't know what kind of effects may result from this but seeing as how 4G just meant H+ anyways in this case, I don't think I need to worry. However, only time will tell whether the flash was 100% compatible. I can't thank you enough Doc. I was banging my head against the wall for the last week thinking I should have just bought a Canadian version of the S3 but with your help I was able to have what I wanted. Now... if only 4.1.1 was released for Mobilicity... sucks to have to downgrade from JB to ICS.
Also a side note... comparing the roms from the different carriers, T-Mobile sure has a crap load of bloatware compared to Rogers and Mobilicity.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's awesome! I'm glad to know Mobile Odin will do this!
As mentioned, the change in what it shows your connection as is normal. You now have it the way it should be in fact. Tmobile changed it to always show 4G to go along with their advertising. If they let it show H+ or 3G it'd be harder to make the claims they do.
On the bright side, rumor has it you guys should all be getting JB in the next few weeks. So at least you know its coming. Personally, I found nothing wrong with ICS. There's not a lot you'll probably miss and the lack of bloat may actually help make up for it.
Sorry I forgot to mention that if you go backwards you will have to do a data wipe.
Glad I could help out man! Enjoy! :thumbup:
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
---------- Post added at 02:57 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:52 AM ----------
cLogic said:
I'm on videotron, T999V
the H+ stands for HSPDA+ which is what 4G actually is .. 3G+
the T999(V) runs on the AWS spectrum and currently there is no carrier supplying more than 4G .. altho tmobile claims that will have LTE over AWS in 2013
welcome to the wonderful world of the Canadian small 3, bloatware free, language enhanced, stock roms lol
I am curious.. when you going into More Settings, Tethering ... can you run the native tethering and get screens like this ??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Id imagine so, as long as Mobilicity allows it. I don't think there's very much different between the 3 carriers builds. Probably some csc stuff is all. But I may be very wrong here!
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
Ya, most 4G is just rebranded H+ and not true 4G like LTE. I figured it was just a rom specific thing to choose what to display, 4G or H+ because even with the Rogers phone, it chose to display 4G when not using LTE. The only thing that set off my concern was that the phone just didn't stay connected to H+. It toggles back to 3G when I'm idle or not using data requiring apps. Rogers just got JB 2 days ago. Seeing as Mobilicity is a smaller company it might take a while.... :crying: but you're right, not missing out on that much.
@cLogic:
Confirmed that I get the same screens as you do for tethering.
You are experiencing normal operation. It always has done this you just never saw it. It saves battery and bandwidth. Once you start a data transfer it should jump pretty quickly to H+. It can get annoying, but youll get used to it.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
Edit - nvm, reread your post and it answered my question.
When I was using Mobile Odin, a question occurred to me while flashing. Since Mobile Odin injects root, couldn't I have just used an official stock fw instead of the pre-rooted one?
so i recently read a thread on howardforums on now to root virgin mobile's samsung galaxy sII. i just got one for christmas and wanted to try it out. apparently i used the wrong kernal when flashing it over to my phone using odin as they specified. so when it was done i attempted to turn the phone on and all i got was the samsung galaxy sII logo and a yellow triangle. i have tried every way i know possible to get this off of my phone. i even went as far as to research repairing this problem using the siyah kernal. i can longer start my phone i can however get into download mode and recovery mode. i have tried to do a factory reset over ten times but it doesnt work. the only other thing i can think of is to flash the original stock firmware over to the phone and hope for the best. does anyone A: know where i could get the original firmware for the phone. i've got it running on Sprints stock firmware at the moment which works fine except i cant get MMS msgs and when i follow the tutorial to add an APN or adjust my APN settings. i don't know why people have told me that it is also know as the samsung epic 4g touch someone explain that please. my model is the SPH-D710. the way i went about getting this sprint stock firmware was i went to samsung mobile and flashed the sprint firmware for the SPH-D710 on my phone thinking since Virgin is a relative company that it would be the same. but now my issue is that when i turn the phone on it loads up the sprint logo instead of the virgin one and it now has all the stock sprint apps instead of virgin ones. andddd. the most annoyhign of them all. i cannot get MMS messages to download no matter what i do. i've tried searching online for what to do i have found this Menu>settings>wireless and networks>more...>mobile networks> press menu> press ADD apn...etc etc. the issue for me is i get to mobile networks and hit menu and it does absolutely nothing at all. i have downloaded numerous apps like chomp sms. go sms pro. hancent sms. nothing helps. though this sprint firmware is fine for now. i'd love to know where to get the stock virgin firmware Samsung Mobile doesnt seem to have it. if anyone knows where to get it i'd appreciate the help i know i am posting in the wrong forum. i'm pretty much a noob at this. and now that its got sprint firmware on it i dont know if i can take it to a sprint store to have them fix it especially since my phone does say that it has been rooted in the past when i go into download mode. but however it does say i am running stock at the current moment....someone please help!! (( all i wanna do is get this phone back to Stock and use it that way. anyone who can help i will be in great debt to you!!!!
basically i need the stock virgin firmware and samsung mobile doesnt seem to have it unless i'm not doing something right. which is possible considering i ended up downloading the sprint firmware by accident and flashing it onto the phone. all i want is to put this back to stock and to continue using the phone from stock
The SPH-D710 is Sprint and that's how you got the Sprint firmware. Also known as the Epic 4G Touch. Yes it is a Galaxy S2 also for some odd reason but any firmware you get will need to be for the Epic 4G Touch. Check that forum out and see if there is any firmware there but I've never seem non-logo'd firmware from Samsung although there may be some.
Sent from my Lightweight v0.5 SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2
i'll give it a try. so you're saying that i need firmware for an epic 4g touch because thats the virgin firmware right?
No, Epic 4G Touch (SPH-D710) is Sprints Galaxy S2 and if you download any stock firmware, chances are It willl be Sprint logo'd. Not sure if you'll find much in the virgin firmware for that model unless someone has ported it which would require root more than likely. Look around here - http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=1281
I'm curious as well to see if there's Sammobile firware and I'll be looking also, but you said you don't even have recovery from data wiping and restore?
A Virgin Mobile build in the link. Can't locate Garwynn's XDA post to link so I'll leave this here..
http://www.sxtpdevelopers.com/showt...0VMUB-FJ12-(FJ12-Modem-Kernel-ROM-Root-Stock)
Teknician said:
No, Epic 4G Touch (SPH-D710) is Sprints Galaxy S2 and if you download any stock firmware, chances are It willl be Sprint logo'd. Not sure if you'll find much in the virgin firmware for that model unless someone has ported it which would require root more than likely. Look around here - http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=1281
I'm curious as well to see if there's Sammobile firware and I'll be looking also, but you said you don't even have recovery from data wiping and restore?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i'm not quite sure how i would have gained recovery from data and wiping restore ...
wick3dxero said:
i'm not quite sure how i would have gained recovery from data and wiping restore ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i looked in there i even made a thread about it in there it seems to have been removed despite the fact that i was told to take the question there
wick3dxero said:
i looked in there i even made a thread about it in there it seems to have been removed despite the fact that i was told to take the question there
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
MoHoGalore...that seems way too complicated for me to even attempt (the build you sent) i already messed up my phone once messing around with rooting. all i'm looking for is a stock virgin .tar file for this phone so i can flash it over with odin and be done with it. either that or if someone could help me figure out the MMS problem that would work too. i do appreciate you trying to help alot though . there's obviously something wrong from when i rooted to when i put the 'sprint firmware' on. because as i stated earlier i can't get the menu button to bring up ''add apn'' under mobile networks. if i could accomplish that though i woulnd'nt be sure of what settings to use. virgin's or sprints? or neither? im suprised sammobile doesnt have firmware up for this model. i hope they put it up soon if at all. that would make life sooo much easier. anyone know a way of contacting them directly about this issue?
wick3dxero said:
MoHoGalore...that seems way too complicated for me to even attempt (the build you sent) i already messed up my phone once messing around with rooting. all i'm looking for is a stock virgin .tar file for this phone so i can flash it over with odin and be done with it. either that or if someone could help me figure out the MMS problem that would work too. i do appreciate you trying to help alot though . there's obviously something wrong from when i rooted to when i put the 'sprint firmware' on. because as i stated earlier i can't get the menu button to bring up ''add apn'' under mobile networks. if i could accomplish that though i woulnd'nt be sure of what settings to use. virgin's or sprints? or neither? im suprised sammobile doesnt have firmware up for this model. i hope they put it up soon if at all. that would make life sooo much easier. anyone know a way of contacting them directly about this issue?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What I linked was a one click build that was done by Garwynn. I however don't know your mmsc settings to properly give you advice on setting back. What I was trying to tell you, without telling you, is if you flashed and broke settings, flashing back to the Virgin build should put you back.
Only other thing I know is finding a Virgin user that can read and give you the correct settings to set apn back.
Garwynn may know more since he knows a few users.
Is there a way to enter what addresses you need using ##3282# from your keypad? I honestly don't know much about what addresses are needed but take a look inside your firmware settings and go from there to get your mms back. You will need your msl to do any editing. Look under view-others-mmsc url and see if you have an address.
Maybe someone can chime in on the exact address.
Sent from my Blu Kuban FI27 E4GT SGS2 SPH~D710 (and whatever else they can call this phone) using Tapatalk 2
if i had a virgin user to give me the settings i cant even add an apn when i go to menu>settings>wireless and networks> mobile networks>menu> add apn...when i hit menu under mobile networks it doesnt bring up any options. so i think flashing back to virgin is my only real choice aside from buying insurance. accidentaly dropping and braking the phone and sending in for a replacement. and going from there...
MoHoGalore said:
A Virgin Mobile build in the link. Can't locate Garwynn's XDA post to link so I'll leave this here..
http://www.sxtpdevelopers.com/showt...0VMUB-FJ12-(FJ12-Modem-Kernel-ROM-Root-Stock)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
wick3dxero said:
if i had a virgin user to give me the settings i cant even add an apn when i go to menu>settings>wireless and networks> mobile networks>menu> add apn...when i hit menu under mobile networks it doesnt bring up any options. so i think flashing back to virgin is my only real choice aside from buying insurance. accidentaly dropping and braking the phone and sending in for a replacement. and going from there...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why are you not doing what he said instead of crazy talk about dropping phone and blah blah blah...
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda app-developers app
because if u read earlier in the thread rooting the phone is what got me in this spot in the first place. and no one has found the firmware i need yet.
wick3dxero said:
because if u read earlier in the thread rooting the phone is what got me in this spot in the first place. and no one has found the firmware i need yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, what got you in this situation was using the wrong build that broke your mmsc settings. You asked for virgin stock. That's in the link.
So to recap, if flashing broke settings, flashing stock will correct. Then all you have to do is unroot.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Xparent ICS Tapatalk 2
Lets try this again..
Flash the firmware from that link.
Install supersu from play store.
Launch supersu.
Go to settings.
Select full/permanent unroot.
The End.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda app-developers app
Use the stock fl16 tar from sexptape and change the MMS settings
colonel.shepard said:
Use the stock fl16 tar from sexptape and change the MMS settings
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's the problem. He doesn't know the proper settings. Besides, the virgin stock link for the one click is simple enough.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Xparent ICS Tapatalk 2
Should be a simple Google search
---------- Post added at 03:44 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:43 PM ----------
http://virginmobile.custhelp.com/ap...ung-galaxy-s-iii---virgin-mobile-mms-settings
It took me 12.1 seconds to find virgins mms settings via Google. Therefore im not gonna post them here cuz if you cant find them you shouldnt be messing with you phones firmware. :what:
Sent from my SPH-L900 using Xparent ICS Tapatalk 2
Hello everyone i am in a peculiar situation i recently got s3 from my friend he said that it is I9300 but when i received it i came to know that it is T999 and not I9300 . My problem here is it came with android version 4.1.1 build number : I9300ZSEMC1 i didn't understand why it came with i9300 firmware ( i cannot ask my friend as he does not have much technical knowledge ) everything is working fine occasionally touch does not respond and i have bit of hard time switching on wi fi and weird battery drain problems what i want to know is , is these because of the i9300 firmware being present in t999 and whether is it advisable to update it further from 4.1.1 version to t999 latest stock firmware or to stick with the present version . If it is advisable to update to t999 based stock firmware i want to know whether it will work in indian carriers and wont have any problems and also can someone guide me for the right firmware link / build number to go with. :fingers-crossed:
I didn't know the firmware would actually flash across models.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk
tokenpoke said:
I didn't know the firmware would actually flash across models.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But it did ! Its a dual core version with 2 gb ram i verified it in download mode it stated as T999 and yet i wonder how is it running I9300 firmware !
toxicated2 said:
But it did ! Its a dual core version with 2 gb ram i verified it in download mode it stated as T999 and yet i wonder how is it running I9300 firmware !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Isn't the I9300 the 1gbp ram version?
Anyway, if certified in download mode you could just flash t999 firmware.
If that doesn't sound safe you can also put a t999 recovery on it and try doing a backup and installing a t999 rom
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk
tokenpoke said:
Isn't the I9300 the 1gbp ram version?
Anyway, if certified in download mode you could just flash t999 firmware.
If that doesn't sound safe you can also put a t999 recovery on it and try doing a backup and installing a t999 rom
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was thinking of using root_66 firmware for t999 will i end up locking the phone or will it work in indian network carriers after flashing tmobile firmware ?
toxicated2 said:
I was thinking of using root_66 firmware for t999 will i end up locking the phone or will it work in indian network carriers after flashing tmobile firmware ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds kinda like some of the "frankenphones" we've heard about over the last several months. Or it could also be a fake/chinese knock off. If I were you, I would see if there were any way to send it back to whoever sold it. If you plan to keep it though, understand anything you do is AT YOUR OWN RISK! The only absolutely safe course of action is to do nothing to it. If you try to flash it via Odin, and it allows it to flash, but you chose the wrong firmware, it WILL brick. There is honestly no possible way to know for sure what is up with the device.
If I had to guess, something is lying to you about what you are running. If your current firmware version is from an I9300, then that is most likely what you have. That firmware WILL NOT work on any Qualcomm, US model S3's. This tells me that its probably an I9300, and someone screwed with something, (or was careless when trying to copy Samsung), in the bootloader. Because it tells you it is a T999 in download mode, it will probably not let you flash the I9300 firmware. But if you try to flash the T999 firmware, there is a very good possibility you will brick it.
It is up to you what you want to try, but understand you are taking a bigger than normal risk since you already know the device isnt normal to begin with.
One way you can try to determine what motherboard it uses, (though this is by no means a for certain way to know), is go to the SIM unlock thread in General and try to follow those instructions. Also try the GPS fix thread in the Q&A sticky roll up. If I am not mistaken, both use dialer codes that are specific to Qualcomm devices. If they work, its a better chance of it being a T999. If they do not work, its more likely to be an I9300.
DocHoliday77 said:
Sounds kinda like some of the "frankenphones" we've heard about over the last several months. Or it could also be a fake/chinese knock off. If I were you, I would see if there were any way to send it back to whoever sold it. If you plan to keep it though, understand anything you do is AT YOUR OWN RISK! The only absolutely safe course of action is to do nothing to it. If you try to flash it via Odin, and it allows it to flash, but you chose the wrong firmware, it WILL brick. There is honestly no possible way to know for sure what is up with the device.
If I had to guess, something is lying to you about what you are running. If your current firmware version is from an I9300, then that is most likely what you have. That firmware WILL NOT work on any Qualcomm, US model S3's. This tells me that its probably an I9300, and someone screwed with something, (or was careless when trying to copy Samsung), in the bootloader. Because it tells you it is a T999 in download mode, it will probably not let you flash the I9300 firmware. But if you try to flash the T999 firmware, there is a very good possibility you will brick it.
It is up to you what you want to try, but understand you are taking a bigger than normal risk since you already know the device isnt normal to begin with.
One way you can try to determine what motherboard it uses, (though this is by no means a for certain way to know), is go to the SIM unlock thread in General and try to follow those instructions. Also try the GPS fix thread in the Q&A sticky roll up. If I am not mistaken, both use dialer codes that are specific to Qualcomm devices. If they work, its a better chance of it being a T999. If they do not work, its more likely to be an I9300.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I decided to go ahead with flashing root66 firmware and selected the latest 4.3 can't express how nervous i was to find out the outcome of it and then finally when the process was over to my surprise i did not face any bootloops or any other problem infact the network seemed to be working well and no problems as far now happy !! Thanks for the help @DocHoliday77 @tokenpoke
toxicated2 said:
I decided to go ahead with flashing root66 firmware and selected the latest 4.3 can't express how nervous i was to find out the outcome of it and then finally when the process was over to my surprise i did not face any bootloops or any other problem infact the network seemed to be working well and no problems as far now happy !! Thanks for the help @DocHoliday77 @tokenpoke
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a chance that someone modified the model number in the phone to access certain apps or something.
I remember modifying a phone to do that go some exclusive app a couple years ago.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk
I have been scouring the internet for a while and cannot seem to find a way to revert my tablet back to stock. I tried the Lollipop firmware for a while and wanted to restore the tablet to possibly sell it. I can't find any method to recover it nor the files. The full model number is SM-T520NZKAXAR. It is the wifi only model. Can anyone help me please? I also currently have the TWRP recovery on it.
Thanks.
skiddingus said:
I have been scouring the internet for a while and cannot seem to find a way to revert my tablet back to stock. I tried the Lollipop firmware for a while and wanted to restore the tablet to possibly sell it. I can't find any method to recover it nor the files. The full model number is SM-T520NZKAXAR. It is the wifi only model. Can anyone help me please? I also currently have the TWRP recovery on it.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/database/SM-T520/
eph3drin3 said:
http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/database/SM-T520/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you but I've looked there. I can't seem to find a match for my model number or any USA model. I read somewhere that the cellular south file will work but I'm a little hesitant to try flashing it. Mine is the WIFI only model.
If that were the case, it would either be a T525 (LTE), or possibly a T521 (3G). So anything listed as 'SM-T520' on Samfirmware should be OK. Having taken a look the US is not listed there. I have seen the Cellular South (XAR), as the possible option. But I doubt it has anything to do with any 3 ~ 4G connectivity, as the T520 has none.
It's possibly worth mentioning that these 'codes' (i.e. XAR), isa CSC Code. e.g. retail location in most cases. So assuming XAR is the USoA then this would be your choice.
Just one thing that you probably already knew, but is it really worth downgrading back to stock? The Knox Flag has already been blown. So NO KNOX on said Device ever again. Which would be about the only reason I could think for downgrading back to stock. Which IMHO would be a touch immoral if you wanted to resell it to someone who otherwise wouldn't have a clue.
Ichijoe said:
If that were the case, it would either be a T525 (LTE), or possibly a T521 (3G). So anything listed as 'SM-T520' on Samfirmware should be OK. Having taken a look the US is not listed there. I have seen the Cellular South (XAR), as the possible option. But I doubt it has anything to do with any 3 ~ 4G connectivity, as the T520 has none.
It's possibly worth mentioning that these 'codes' (i.e. XAR), isa CSC Code. e.g. retail location in most cases. So assuming XAR is the USoA then this would be your choice.
Just one thing that you probably already knew, but is it really worth downgrading back to stock? The Knox Flag has already been blown. So NO KNOX on said Device ever again. Which would be about the only reason I could think for downgrading back to stock. Which IMHO would be a touch immoral if you wanted to resell it to someone who otherwise wouldn't have a clue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
def not mine was in deep sleep mode and i didn1t know it and now i use temasek ,it`s out of warranty ofc but bugs and error and lags from bull**** sa,sung apps are gone. cyanogen 13 modded flies like 5 times more than stock i play on tablet do a lot of stuff never had any problem in almost 1 year i can do offline backup a lot of perks.at some point when s3 will come i will sell it like this 32gb sd card leather case,i love this device.so no point going back to stock ever i always flash every new device
Thanks. I may give the cellular south file a try someday. The latest Cyanogenmod is working well. I was having problems with one of the older versions. The touch screen was acting goofy sometimes.
Have you tried https://samsung-firmware.org/?
Cellular South *is* the USA version. If you want to restore to US stock version, Cellular South is what you need. I don't know why they name it that way.
Sent telepathically