Develop Bugs

bought a device that has been blocked by T-Mobile

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?

[Q] Looking For NK3 update for SM-N901A

I'm currently stuck in a position where I can't get the OTA NK3 Update for my AT&T Note4. Details below:
- AT&T Note4 SM-N901A on 4.4.4 (build N910AUCU1ANIE)
- Unlocked via purchased unlock code
- Currently being used on TMobile network (Which is why I'm being told I won't ever see the OTA update)
If someone were to have a flash-able ROM of the NK3 update that'd be epic. (Or any other way of getting me updated for that matter)
As of now i have a nice new shiny gearVR paperweight.
Any thoughts?

I would call a Best buy and see if they have the Samsung Experience shop. Then talk to them to see if they can flash it for you. They have been able to do that for other devices like the S4

The easiest thing I guess it will work is borrow the ATT Sim card of someone using ATT Note 4. Plug that in and do update then give the simcard back and Thank you
Sent from ♤ Galaxy Note 4 ♤ Please excuse if any typos.

Yeah a flashable tar would be great. I'll ask in the OTA thread.

Boo...
RockRatt said:
I would call a Best buy and see if they have the Samsung Experience shop. Then talk to them to see if they can flash it for you. They have been able to do that for other devices like the S4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just got back from my local Best Buy Samsung Shop, they hooked my note4 up and told me it was the latest version, they even re-flashed to see if it'd update but i'm on the same build as before. I'm currently looking for a SIM card to try to check OTA with, but all my coworkers are ATT iPhone users thus the sim cards are wrong size.
Getting a lil bummed. Think i'll ever see a flashable NK3 update? I was surprised sammobile / kies didn't even have any updates for me.

Just wait. Hopefully root is cracked soon. Would hate it if the NK3 causes problems with future rooting.

Woot!!
RockRatt said:
I would call a Best buy and see if they have the Samsung Experience shop. Then talk to them to see if they can flash it for you. They have been able to do that for other devices like the S4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Finally, sweet sweet VR. Found another ATT customer with matching SIM. Got things updated, got gearVR up and running. Very epic experience. I'm diggin it.
Thanks again mates!

New OTA - AOJ1

Hey guys and gals, there is a new OTA available. Build number AOJ1. It comes in at almost 119mb.
It is still 5.1.1 and just general performance improvements, etc. I haven't had a chance to run it through its paces yet. I will update as I have a better idea of how it is.

Downloading mine now
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk

WizeGuyDezignz said:
Hey guys and gals, there is a new OTA available. Build number AOJ1. It comes in at almost 119mb.
It is still 5.1.1 and just general performance improvements, etc. I haven't had a chance to run it through its paces yet. I will update as I have a better idea of how it is.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Shut up idiot..you only know about it cause I text you and told you. Lol
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk

Software update includes

WizeGuyDezignz said:
Hey guys and gals, there is a new OTA available. Build number AOJ1. It comes in at almost 119mb.
It is still 5.1.1 and just general performance improvements, etc. I haven't had a chance to run it through its paces yet. I will update as I have a better idea of how it is.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How are your menu screens black? I'm assuming that is a theme?

TeldenW said:
How are your menu screens black? I'm assuming that is a theme?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, it's a theme. It's called fantasy dark.

Running On Samsung Galaxy Note 5 N920A

Ok... I'll jump. Already ran the Fall update on Winders 10, might as well throw my phone into early-adoption-land as well.

Not finding this update on my phone. On Cricket Wireless network running on unlocked AT&T version. Since Cricket uses AT&T network, it shouldn't matter much. Is this available via Smart Switch yet or strictly OTA?

Might be prep for Marshmallow

Does anyone have an offline copy of this or previous version that I can flash through odin? I am 2 versions behind and software update says I m on the latest.

banstro said:
Does anyone have an offline copy of this or previous version that I can flash through odin? I am 2 versions behind and software update says I[']m on the latest.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Contact AT&T tech support by online chat and they can push the update to your phone. (I did that for one of the Note 5s I'm helping to maintain.)

Gary02468 said:
Contact AT&T tech support by online chat and they can push the update to your phone. (I did that for one of the Note 5s I'm helping to maintain.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tried the online chat. The customer rep refused to push said they have no ability to contact the phone as Cricket Wireless is servicing it. I think its all BS.. the rep didn't know what she was talking. Tried another rep, same answer. I have used TMobile Note Edge on Cricket Wireless and always got the latest OTA updates.

banstro said:
Tried the online chat. The customer rep refused to push said they have no ability to contact the phone as Cricket Wireless is servicing it. I think its all BS.. the rep didn't know what she was talking. Tried another rep, same answer. I have used TMobile Note Edge on Cricket Wireless and always got the latest OTA updates.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The problem here is that your using Cricket, even though the phone may be on an AT&T Network, AT&T will not recognize the device as being on their network. AT&T is always fairly strict with who, what, and when they roll out updates. It is also possible it just isn't available in the area you are as well. If all else fails go to a Best Buy and have them flash the device to the most current at the Samsung Kiosk. Though they are usually about a month or so behind on updates typically, at least last I recall anyway. Believe me if AT&T Execs had their way I am more than willing to bet they would lock their phones down so hard no one would be able to take their phones to another carrier. T-Mobile on the other hand is fairly open with what people do with their cellphones hence the reason most of their phones can be rooted etc.

On am on at&t with an AT&T phone and I am on old version? I called at &t and Rep says they cannot push an update? Ended up having me call asurion. Insurance company for the phone and they have no idea? Any help in this matter would be great.

malickie said:
The problem here is that your using Cricket, even though the phone may be on an AT&T Network, AT&T will not recognize the device as being on their network. AT&T is always fairly strict with who, what, and when they roll out updates. It is also possible it just isn't available in the area you are as well. If all else fails go to a Best Buy and have them flash the device to the most current at the Samsung Kiosk. Though they are usually about a month or so behind on updates typically, at least last I recall anyway. Believe me if AT&T Execs had their way I am more than willing to bet they would lock their phones down so hard no one would be able to take their phones to another carrier. T-Mobile on the other hand is fairly open with what people do with their cellphones hence the reason most of their phones can be rooted etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Already been to Best Buy. They are 2 versions behind on this as well. So I have the version what Best Buy has...ending with AO16

Mine just received the update. Installed and apps are optimizing now.

Acill said:
Mine just received the update. Installed and apps are optimizing now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What's the baseband or are we talking about J1 ?
Running On Samsung Galaxy Note 5 N920A

Is the OTA pushed file stored somewhere on the phone? May be it can be flashed thru odin?

Chris V said:
On am on at&t with an AT&T phone and I am on old version? I called at &t and Rep says they cannot push an update? Ended up having me call asurion. Insurance company for the phone and they have no idea? Any help in this matter would be great.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's been what five hours. Just wait tell they get you.
---------- Post added at 05:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:41 PM ----------
If someone tells me how i will save the file and upload it when i get home. I have the update postponed currently.

best buy won't update unlocked phones on different carriers

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...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.

Note 4 AT&T Marshmallow Update Via Best Buy Samsung Kiosk

Just a quick shout out and thank you to those people commenting in other threads that suggested using a Samsung Kiosk at Best Buy for updating the AT&T Note 4 if you don't have a current AT&T account - AT&T does not push OTA updates to Note 4's not currently active on their network.
I just needed Marshamallow without root etc. for a like-new phone I was getting ready to sell after not using it for some time, and went to the local Best Buy's Samsung kiosk. 20 minutes later the phone was updated from a very early version of Lollipop to the latest version of Marshmallow, no charge. The local Samsung kiosk was staffed 11AM-7PM.
Again, my thanks. :good:

What did they say they did to update it? If you dont have ATT service how did they get it to update?

TVCCS said:
Just a quick shout out and thank you to those people commenting in other threads that suggested using a Samsung Kiosk at Best Buy for updating the AT&T Note 4 if you don't have a current AT&T account - AT&T does not push OTA updates to Note 4's not currently active on their network.
I just needed Marshamallow without root etc. for a like-new phone I was getting ready to sell after not using it for some time, and went to the local Best Buy's Samsung kiosk. 20 minutes later the phone was updated from a very early version of Lollipop to the latest version of Marshmallow, no charge. The local Samsung kiosk was staffed 11AM-7PM.
Again, my thanks. :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interested on info. Need to update my old ATT note four I'm using on TMobile.
Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

TVCCS said:
Just a quick shout out and thank you to those people commenting in other threads that suggested using a Samsung Kiosk at Best Buy for updating the AT&T Note 4 if you don't have a current AT&T account - AT&T does not push OTA updates to Note 4's not currently active on their network.
I just needed Marshamallow without root etc. for a like-new phone I was getting ready to sell after not using it for some time, and went to the local Best Buy's Samsung kiosk. 20 minutes later the phone was updated from a very early version of Lollipop to the latest version of Marshmallow, no charge. The local Samsung kiosk was staffed 11AM-7PM.
Again, my thanks. :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How is it running now that you've updated? Does it run better? Would you recommend it? Should I hide stuff that I don't want to be seen? LOL

It ran fine...I brought them a phone that was wiped, so I didn't have privacy concerns when I did it. I use Nova Launcher and SMS Backup & Restore so it's easier to back apps and setups up and do a full restore in a few hours, but this was a phone I was preparing for sale so I didn't care, and I suggest you take them a wiped phone in any case. I should add that not all Best Buy stores have a kiosk with this capability, some just have a Samsung sales display, so it's best to check first - I believe the stores with the full kiosk are labeled as the "Samsung Experience" when you view store details on the Best Buy site. Good luck.

mRom01 said:
Interested on info. Need to update my old ATT note four I'm using on TMobile.
Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry I didn't see this earlier...If you go to a store with a full Samsung Kiosk (Samsung Experience) they can do an update for you at no charge. Good luck.

KrakenFlex said:
What did they say they did to update it? If you dont have ATT service how did they get it to update?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry I didn't see this earlier - I just brought the kiosk the phone and told them I wanted the latest AT&T Marshmallow update, and they plugged it in and did it for me at no charge - they have the images available to them at the store without needing any AT&T connection. Good luck.

TVCCS said:
Sorry I didn't see this earlier...If you go to a store with a full Samsung Kiosk (Samsung Experience) they can do an update for you at no charge. Good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I went to a Samsung Experience and both associates said they didn't do them but actually it looked like they had no clue. I'll try another store.
Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk