Develop Bugs

What is the model number for the unlocked US LG G3?

I'm thinking of buying an LG G3, but I wanted to know what the USA unlocked (no carrier) model number is, and I've had trouble finding it. Any help?

Uclydde said:
I'm thinking of buying an LG G3, but I wanted to know what the USA unlocked (no carrier) model number is, and I've had trouble finding it. Any help?
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You've had trouble finding it because it doesn't exist.
What carrier are you looking to use it on?

npaladin2000 said:
You've had trouble finding it because it doesn't exist.
What carrier are you looking to use it on?
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Consumer Cellular. I have to buy my phones off-contract to use them with my carrier. It runs on AT&T's network.

Uclydde said:
Consumer Cellular. I have to buy my phones off-contract to use them with my carrier. It runs on AT&T's network.
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Ok you'll probably want to use the T-Mobile variant and get it unlocked. You don't actually want to use an AT&T phone on an AT&T MVNO (like Consumer Cellular), because the intrusive AT&T bloatware doesn't leave you alone, but it's useless on anything other than AT&T itself (AT&T Address Book is particularly vile). T-Mobile's bloat is lower key and tends to go away if you want it to.
The T-Mobile variant (D851) will support HSPA on the frequencies Consumer Cellular uses. It also supports LTE Bands 17, 4, and 2, which Consumer Cellular/AT&T uses. The only problem might be LTE Band 5, which the D851 does NOT support. That's the downside, though thankfully AT&T doesn't seem to be using 850 Mhz for LTE all that much.

npaladin2000 said:
Ok you'll probably want to use the T-Mobile variant and get it unlocked. You don't actually want to use an AT&T phone on an AT&T MVNO (like Consumer Cellular), because the intrusive AT&T bloatware doesn't leave you alone, but it's useless on anything other than AT&T itself (AT&T Address Book is particularly vile). T-Mobile's bloat is lower key and tends to go away if you want it to.
The T-Mobile variant (D851) will support HSPA on the frequencies Consumer Cellular uses. It also supports LTE Bands 17, 4, and 2, which Consumer Cellular/AT&T uses. The only problem might be LTE Band 5, which the D851 does NOT support. That's the downside, though thankfully AT&T doesn't seem to be using 850 Mhz for LTE all that much.
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Thank you for that info! But also, are both models able to be rooted and bootloader unlocked? I'm a huge root user and I always uninstall bloat anyways. But I want to make sure that I can also unlock the bootloader so I could install a custom rom like CM11.

Uclydde said:
Thank you for that info! But also, are both models able to be rooted and bootloader unlocked? I'm a huge root user and I always uninstall bloat anyways. But I want to make sure that I can also unlock the bootloader so I could install a custom rom like CM11.
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The T-Mobile version's bootloader is unlocked, the AT&T one is not. Both have been rooted at this point, but LG's big on not updating rooted devices, so I haven't bothered rooting. I don't know if the G3 will actively block updates on a rooted device like the G2 and OGP did, but it's certainly possible, and I won't get enough from rooting that I actually care about to make me want to try.

npaladin2000 said:
The T-Mobile version's bootloader is unlocked, the AT&T one is not. Both have been rooted at this point, but LG's big on not updating rooted devices, so I haven't bothered rooting. I don't know if the G3 will actively block updates on a rooted device like the G2 and OGP did, but it's certainly possible, and I won't get enough from rooting that I actually care about to make me want to try.
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Wait so are you saying the T-Mobile version comes bootloader unlocked, or tha you can't unlock the AT&T's bootloader?

Uclydde said:
Wait so are you saying the T-Mobile version comes bootloader unlocked, or tha you can't unlock the AT&T's bootloader?
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The T-Mobile version comes bootloader unlocked.
Sent from my LG-D851 using Tapatalk

npaladin2000 said:
The T-Mobile version comes bootloader unlocked.
Sent from my LG-D851 using Tapatalk
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And you can not unlock the AT&T version's bootloader?

Uclydde said:
And you can not unlock the AT&T version's bootloader?
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Only the T-Mobile model is bootloader unlocked. Every other model is locked down currently.
Sent from my LG-D855 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Uclydde said:
Thank you for that info! But also, are both models able to be rooted and bootloader unlocked? I'm a huge root user and I always uninstall bloat anyways. But I want to make sure that I can also unlock the bootloader so I could install a custom rom like CM11.
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The AT&T D850's bootloader is locked. I have one. I'm also a huge fan of Rooting and loading CM11, but the new LG interface isn't bad enough to make me do all that. Unlike the Touch Jizz Crap I had on my S3 with Sprint. I couldn't root that phone and load CM11 fast enough on that device. It's a shame too, the S3 is actually a really nice phone for it's time. The G3 actually runs pretty smoothly and the bloat wares aren't really in my face all the time. The only one I find annoying is that freaking ATT address book crap which will some day force me to root this phone and kill it. Good thing that the Root method is already available for the Verizon and ATT variants of G3.
Some one said you won't be able to find the US unlocked version of the G3, he's right so far. I was on that boat too. I couldn't wait to get my switch to the new G3 and Amazon, Bestbuy, or even freaking going to the phone stores such as ATT or T-Mobile would sell it. I forgot to think of ATT and T-mobile as a service provider instead of a phone store because they obviously only wanted to sell plans and the phones are pretty much accessories of those plans.
Anyways, long story short, I got my unlocked G3 (ATT version) via ebay. Then I used it on Straight Talk. Everything works the way they are suppose to and I am getting ATT LTE speeds too, just at half the price. There are only 2 things that doesn't quite work. One is sending and receiving MMS. The other is visual voicemail. MMS thing, I still have to call straight talk up and deal with their infamous customer service. The visual voicemail thing, I just use youmail and it works ok and an alternative. Some ads here and there, and the interface isn't the best in the world, but at least it works. It's a shame that LG doesn't sell their own unlocked phones via their own website like HTC does.

T-Mobile and Locked Bootloaders

Is it True that Samsung Galaxy phones for T-Mobile do not have Locked Bootloaders??? So if true, I can use a T-Mobile Unlocked Galaxy on AT&T network? But would not get updates for it while AT&T sim card is in it and using AT&T? CORRECT???

tailgunner9 said:
Is it True that Samsung Galaxy phones for T-Mobile do not have Locked Bootloaders??? So if true, I can use a T-Mobile Unlocked Galaxy on AT&T network? But would not get updates for it while AT&T sim card is in it and using AT&T? CORRECT???
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There are 2 "locks" that you seem to have confused.
1) T-Mobile phones are SIM locked when purchased from T-Mobile. That is they can only use T-Mobile SIMs. Once they are paid for, T-Mobile will give you a code to unlock the SIM lock. You could then use it with AT&T, but their 4G LTE systems are slightly different, so you may not get the same speeds when using the AT&T towers.
2) The T-Mobile S4 SGH-M919 sold does not have a locked bootloader, which means you can root it, and also install custom Recoveries.
There are several threads about using this phone with an AT&T SIM. Google/Search is your friend.
Rob

^^^great explanation.
Though, I do wonder if unlocked bootloaders are common with other T-Mobile phones as well or if the S4 is just an exception.

HampTheToker said:
^^^great explanation.
Though, I do wonder if unlocked bootloaders are common with other T-Mobile phones as well or if the S4 is just an exception.
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All tmo. Even lgs. Every G3 had a locked bootloader....except for one. The tmo g3.

ShinySide said:
All tmo. Even lgs. Every G3 had a locked bootloader....except for one. The tmo g3.
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That's what I thought, but I wasn't absolutely sure that all Tmo devices were BL unlocked.
Thx man.

@tailgunner9
I'm using a T-Mo M919 on ATT. I wrote a thread about it. See here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4-tmobile/help/using-t-mobile-m919-att-network-t2880349
Good luck!
Marc

Unless you include Sony.
Sony devices do still have thier bootloaders locked with no way to unlock them.
Even the T-Mobile versions.

TheArtiszan said:
Unless you include Sony.
Sony devices do still have thier bootloaders locked with no way to unlock them.
Even the T-Mobile versions.
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Sony actually provides a site on how to unlock your bootloader. Not sure of all the devices tho

This seems to be the root for S8+

Has anyone here tried the new root file for Verizon S8+
https://download.chainfire.eu/1080/...to-Root-dream2qltesq-dream2qltesq-smg955u.zip

It will only work with an unlocked bootloader. Since all US Snapdragon based S8's have a locked bootloader it useless.

So why has Chainfire made this at all if it does not work or will brick your phone? I should ask him but not sure he will answer.

photolarry said:
So why has Chainfire made this at all if it does not work or will brick your phone? I should ask him but not sure he will answer.
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[emoji19] smh
Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

photolarry said:
So why has Chainfire made this at all if it does not work or will brick your phone? I should ask him but not sure he will answer.
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He clearly states that it only works with an unlocked bootloader. If the snapdragon versions of the S8/S8+ had an unlocked bootloader it would work. Not sure why you could have an issue with him.

nrage23 said:
He clearly states that it only works with an unlocked bootloader. If the snapdragon versions of the S8/S8+ had an unlocked bootloader it would work. Not sure why you could have an issue with him.
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The U version isn't ever unlocked. Not with him. I'm just confused why it seems this would work on that model but it doesn't

If the bootloader ever gets unlocked by any means, it will work.
Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

VoxBox101 said:
If the bootloader ever gets unlocked by any means, it will work.
Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
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You missed my point and question to him. Which is "U" model is LOCKED because it is all phones inside the USA that are distributed by all 4 major carriers. So there is no such thing as SM-G955U which is unlocked. Does not exist. Thus I wanna know why there is even a zip file which chainfire created since it cannot be used on any of these phones. And why would it "get unlocked"....it is done at the factory. Only way to "unlock" it is to use a root method like was done on S7, where it basically involves flashing an engineering boot image/kernel that has root. At some point, this probably will be made and then using same modified ODIN (PrinceComsy) would potentially be the solution.

photolarry said:
You missed my point and question to him. Which is "U" model is LOCKED because it is all phones inside the USA that are distributed by all 4 major carriers. So there is no such thing as SM-G955U which is unlocked. Does not exist. Thus I wanna know why there is even a zip file which chainfire created since it cannot be used on any of these phones. And why would it "get unlocked"....it is done at the factory. Only way to "unlock" it is to use a root method like was done on S7, where it basically involves flashing an engineering boot image/kernel that has root. At some point, this probably will be made and then using same modified ODIN (PrinceComsy) would potentially be the solution.
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I will try and clear up some confusion. All US snapdragon versions of the S8+ have the same model number SM-G955U. There is an "unlocked" SM-G955U version of the S8+ in the US. It is carrier unlocked not bootloader unlocked. Apparently the CSC file carries the carrier information in the firmware. Also the S7 was rooted but never bootloader unlocked. So you could use most root apps but you could not modify any system files. The root was achieved with an engineering kernel and was not very useful.(ie bad battery life, phone getting hot and unstable). You could however flash any US S7 to any carrier or even the Unlocked firmware.

But if you cannot flash even the csc, how do you gain root access when Odin basically does nothing. That's my question and point. Seems that if I stick with Galaxy phones that I'm never going to attain root again. Probably because they don't want risks of pay apps being misused. I have one app that refuses to even run if I have usb debugging on. Vendors are getting smarter about locking things down.

It's not Samsung's fault...it is Verizon, AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile. I can't even take my Verizon phone and change it to T-Mobile. That's ridiculous!

If LG lets it's consumers unlock there bootloader then why don't samsung? I'm selling my ccarrier unlocked s8+ and buying a unlocked g6. Screw this crap. I hope samsung goes bankrupt! SAMSUNG ALLOW US TO UNLOCK OUR BOOTLOADERS.
I wish my S8+ was rooted?

kbatrph said:
It's not Samsung's fault...it is Verizon, AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile. I can't even take my Verizon phone and change it to T-Mobile. That's ridiculous!
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The reason you can't do this is the bands are different (I believe). Or, at least Verizon is CDMA while T-Mobile is GSM. I don't know much about the differences between CDMA & GSM, but I know that CDMA phones won't work on GSM networks & vice versa. That's why Verizon phones won't work on T-Mobile. Hopefully that (kinda) cleared it up for you.

mybabyloves said:
The reason you can't do this is the bands are different (I believe). Or, at least Verizon is CDMA while T-Mobile is GSM. I don't know much about the differences between CDMA & GSM, but I know that CDMA phones won't work on GSM networks & vice versa. That's why Verizon phones won't work on T-Mobile. Hopefully that (kinda) cleared it up for you.
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My goodness you could not be any more wrong..... That is no longer the case anymore. Verizon phones work on T-Mobile and all GSM carriers. I should know since I was with Verizon and I switched a while back but am now back on Verizon. Some phones from T-mobile won't work with Verizon but some do. It just depends on the phone and what bands it has. Like the S8 from T-Mobile will work on Verizon but an iPhone 7 from T-Mobile won't because it doesn't have CDMA bands. It's simple research

blackra1n said:
My goodness you could not be any more wrong..... That is no longer the case anymore. Verizon phones work on T-Mobile and all GSM carriers. I should know since I was with Verizon and I switched a while back but am now back on Verizon. Some phones from T-mobile won't work with Verizon but some do. It just depends on the phone and what bands it has. Like the S8 from T-Mobile will work on Verizon but an iPhone 7 from T-Mobile won't because it doesn't have CDMA bands. It's simple research
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Really?? Man, I feel so stupid about that, sorry =/ I've been researching it, but all of what I've read pointed to what I said... thank you very much for correcting me ? it'll def help me in my journey to become a phone repair specialist! ? sorry people I might've confused.... I'm just an idiot - don't listen to me

mybabyloves said:
Really?? Man, I feel so stupid about that, sorry =/ I've been researching it, but all of what I've read pointed to what I said... thank you very much for correcting me it'll def help me in my journey to become a phone repair specialist! sorry people I might've confused.... I'm just an idiot - don't listen to me
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CDMA is only for 3G. With 4G, Verizon is using LTE GSM (same with AT&T, T-Mobile).
Verizon LTE covers over 98% of their network, but there are still some remote places where there is only CDMA coverage.
Verizon is moving away from CDMA and it will be retired by 2018.
So as long as you don't mind not having CDMA in a few places, any LTE GSM phone with Band 13 would work with Verizon.
Look at HTC U11, it doesn't have CDMA, but it's still advertised as "Verizon certified".
Sadly, the Internationals versions of S8/S8+ don't have band 13. But fortunately, all US versions have both bands 13 and CDMA support. That's why you can switch to any carrier as long as it's a US version.

mybabyloves said:
Really?? Man, I feel so stupid about that, sorry =/ I've been researching it, but all of what I've read pointed to what I said... thank you very much for correcting me it'll def help me in my journey to become a phone repair specialist! sorry people I might've confused.... I'm just an idiot - don't listen to me
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No worries mate. Just wanted to put that out there in case anyone become confused. I meant no disrespect
---------- Post added at 06:28 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:25 PM ----------
neozen21 said:
CDMA is only for 3G. With 4G, Verizon is using LTE GSM (same with AT&T, T-Mobile).
Verizon LTE covers over 98% of their network, but there are still some remote places where there is only CDMA coverage.
Verizon is moving away from CDMA and it will be retired by 2018.
So as long as you don't mind not having CDMA in a few places, any LTE GSM phone with Band 13 would work with Verizon.
Look at HTC U11, it doesn't have CDMA, but it's still advertised as "Verizon certified".
Sadly, the Internationals versions of S8/S8+ don't have band 13. But fortunately, all US versions have both bands 13 and CDMA support. That's why you can switch to any carrier as long as it's a US version.
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My point exactly about the S8's. US variants are all the same no matter what carrier. All Google phones after the Nexus 6 are the same way. The Nexus 6 worked on all US carriers no matter where you got it from and it's like that all the way to the new Pixel phones. Where as iPhone's, just as an example, have different bands when it comes to different carriers. Unlocked, Verizon, and Sprint iPhone's have all bands both CDMA and GSM where as the GSM ones like those bought straight from T-Mobile or AT&T only have the GSM bands.

mybabyloves said:
Really?? Man, I feel so stupid about that, sorry =/ I've been researching it, but all of what I've read pointed to what I said... thank you very much for correcting me ? it'll def help me in my journey to become a phone repair specialist! ? sorry people I might've confused.... I'm just an idiot - don't listen to me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're NOT stupid! I had no idea either. I know that I tried to switch my Verizon S8+ to T-Mobile but it wouldn't recognize my IMEI so I just figured the two networks were different

I have a unlocked verizon(xfinity mobile) s8plus on tmobile right now.. The phone had no issues on setup to go on the tmobile network..

https://forum.xda-developers.com/ga...root-g955u-g955u1-snapdragon-sampwnd-t3658911
So this has changed?

Verizon model on other carriers...

I understand the Verizon model on other carriers is normal problem, you can do out not the box ... is this correct? If true, then it seems the only downside of the Verizon model is the drift installed and updates through Verizon? Is there a way to at least go around the Verizon updating them part, or no?

SWBgHz said:
I understand the Verizon model on other carriers is normal problem, you can do out not the box ... is this correct? If true, then it seems the only downside of the Verizon model is the drift installed and updates through Verizon? Is there a way to at least go around the Verizon updating them part, or no?
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Not without the bootloader unlocked. You can't manually flash anything. The Verizon model works without issues. Personally i have tested on t-mobile and att.

SIM unlocked T-Mobile Z2 Force - on Verizon?

There are a ton of entries on XDA about sim unlocking the T-Mobile and Sprint versions of the Z2 force, but none of them confirm once unlocked if they've used it on Verizon.
T-Mobile's page confirms their version utilizes bands 2,4 and 13 - all of which are Verizon's LTE bands.
Can anyone confirm?
I'm looking to buy this to replace a work phone on Verizon. My personal account is with T-Mobile, so would be very nice if I could just flip sims whenever I'd like. Appreciate in advance the responses!

(unlock T-Mobile bootloader, sim unlock, root and put a custom rom with safety net passes)
then type this on google and try.
Unlock all bands of your Qualcomm device! Use your phone globally! No bs! by olokos
or this one
torial] Unlock ALL bands on xt907 (moto_msm8960) by umar_fia
both links you want are first ones on google
test and report back
unlock band 13 for lte
if possible
unlock band CDMA BC1 (1900 PCS) and CDMA BC0 (800)
if given an option for cdma protocols
activate
cdmaOne 2G
CDMA2000 1xRTT 3G
CDMA2000 1xEV-DO Rel. 0 3G
CDMA2000 1xEV-DO Rev A 3G
If you can't activate the cdma bands, you will have no 3g connection.

Oh if this works I would be so happy to switch back to VZW. Anyone attempted it yet?

I'm interested in knowing if anyone tried this too

I’m too chicken to mess with anything not official from xda on my daily driver. I’m sucking it up and waiting out the period for the device unlock app to ‘officially’ sim unlock and try. When that day comes, I’ll post here.
I think it’s ignorant having to wait for a sim unlock for a phone you bought outright.

joesee said:
I’m too chicken to mess with anything not official from xda on my daily driver. I’m sucking it up and waiting out the period for the device unlock app to ‘officially’ sim unlock and try. When that day comes, I’ll post here.
I think it’s ignorant having to wait for a sim unlock for a phone you bought outright.
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Eagerly awaiting news on this - why is there a waiting period on the sim unlock? How longs is that period? I'm about to head out to Tmobile store and buy me one too.

Verizon's LTE band 13 is exclusive to the Verizon model unfortunately. I wish it wasn't so you could use a bootloader unlocked Sprint or T-Mobile edition on Verizon. I did that with the Google Pixel - used the universal one on Verizon. I just got used to having an unrooted phone with the z2 Force. I switched to blokada after many years of always using ad away. I think most all ad blockers on unrooted phones are VPN based so it lags WiFi and mobile data a little but that's what you get to work with if you want the best moto phone running on Verizon.

Greefus said:
Verizon's LTE band 13 is exclusive to the Verizon model unfortunately.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you provide your source of information on that? T-Mobile's listing of the Z2 Force lists band 13 LTE capability, and multiple sources say that the Sprint variant has band 13 too. I am just about to pull the trigger on a Z2 Force variant that is bootloader unlockable, but whichever carrier version I get has to work with Straight Talk Verizon.

I'm seeing the sprint one listed as having band 13 now everywhere actually. My bad. I don't recall seeing that back when i got it and was shopping around. Let me know if the Sprint one works for you on vz because i miss having a a rooted phone.

The only different thing on the US phone's is the oem partition. Everything else hardware and software are very similar to the point I want to say identical. (Obviously, some slight changes in /system and stuff but that's with the territory of using OEM ROMs). I have flashed a T-Mobile flashall and it worked. I flashed back to Sprint shortly after. I did it for science.

So in short, will am unlocked T-mobile Moto Z2 work on the Verizon network with a sim swap? Or does it require a root or the bootloader thing that was mentioned, I haven't done either one as I am content with factory.

So, what's the verdict? Will unlocked T-Mobile Z2 force work with Verizon?

Most likely will not work. T-Mobile variant is GSM and most likely doesn't have the CDMA bands on it or programmed into it. Only thing you can try is flash Verizon firmware and see if it works. 99% chance T-mobile firmware will not work, Verizon firmware has about a 40% chance of working. If you don't have the device, I'd suggest not investing as no one has tried it.

I tried the Verizon flash all on my TMobile z2. Didn't work.lost baseband.
The flash all looked as if everything flashed properly...but when it finished and rebooted it still had tmo splash screen. So I don't know if it really did it.
If it's worth any thing my Verizon Sim in my tmo z2 gets great data...just no calls/messages

I have an unlocked Sprint variant that I flashed to Verizon and use with Straight talk Verizon. The only issue is that so far whenever an update comes in I have to back up all the things I want to save and flash the updated flashall, because the automatic updater just keeps on failing. I don't know if this matters, but I'm bootloader unlocked (had to for sim unlock) but without TWRP or root. It's possible that if I would try relocking the bootloader that the automatic update process would work. I briefly had a Mint sim in there (T-mobile) and everything seemed to work. I didn't really try things out with the Sprint rom, but as I remember everything worked, I just didn't like the icon style plus always having a notification saying something about a non Sprint sim card

zstricky said:
I have an unlocked Sprint variant that I flashed to Verizon and use with Straight talk Verizon. The only issue is that so far whenever an update comes in I have to back up all the things I want to save and flash the updated flashall, because the automatic updater just keeps on failing. I don't know if this matters, but I'm bootloader unlocked (had to for sim unlock) but without TWRP or root. It's possible that if I would try relocking the bootloader that the automatic update process would work. I briefly had a Mint sim in there (T-mobile) and everything seemed to work. I didn't really try things out with the Sprint rom, but as I remember everything worked, I just didn't like the icon style plus always having a notification saying something about a non Sprint sim card
Click to expand...
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Was it officially unlocked or was a modified file flashed to your phone? If you had a third party service unlock, then the hash check for that partition is incorrect and that's why updates fail.

I had a third party unlock it. Actually, it was the guy that people on this forum have talked about.

Will this work on Verizon? My tmo z2 was unlocked by TMobile not a third party

No it doesn't work... You can get data but that's it..

Uzephi said:
The only different thing on the US phone's is the oem partition. Everything else hardware and software are very similar to the point I want to say identical. (Obviously, some slight changes in /system and stuff but that's with the territory of using OEM ROMs). I have flashed a T-Mobile flashall and it worked. I flashed back to Sprint shortly after. I did it for science.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi- I am wondering about being able to buy a new-in-the-box z2 Force that was originally sold for Sprint, and being able to flash the T-mobile firmware to it for use with them. Is this possible? I have done this for Galaxy S8/S9 phones, but there is a deal right now where I can get this phone with 2 of the mods for dirt cheap, but it won't really matter if I can't do the conversion. Any advice?