Hi!
I previously had a Note 4 for a day or two after release, coming from at that time, an iPhone. I subsequently returned the note, kept the iPhone, and recently upgraded to the 6+. Now with ATT's mobile share, I'm looking at adding a second line for how cheap it is. I'd like for that second line to be an android device, to get the best of both worlds. As a result of being out of the mix when it comes to android, or more like never having been in it, I have a couple questions.
I distinctly remember how much junk was on my ATT Note 4. Junk apps from Samsung, junk from ATT- and worst of all, I couldn't do anything about it (no root?). Has that changed? Is there a way to remove these apps, fix touch wiz annoyances, etc? I'd think that would require root, but like I mentioned, I don't know the details of note4 root status, or even rooting in general.
I currently have a Nexus 6 and Oneplus One on order (good prices on both of them), but personally like the Note4 the best- can I change it to make it perfect? Or is it still locked down and junked up?
Thanks for your help!
Don't get the AT&T Note 4. Get the T-Mobile Note 4 and use it on the AT&T network. The AT&T version is locked down whereas the T-Mobile version is not which means it's rootable. It looks like the AT&T Note 4 will never see permanent root, ever.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
I just bought my note 4 two weeks ago. If I could go back in time I would have bought the nexus 6. This phone lags too much for my liking. It is actually slower than my g2 was at opening apps. I thought I would like this phone but at this point regret my choice.
Gods Son said:
Don't get the AT&T Note 4. Get the T-Mobile Note 4 and use it on the AT&T network. The AT&T version is locked down whereas the T-Mobile version is not which means it's rootable. It looks like the AT&T Note 4 will never see permanent root, ever.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
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So just to be clear, I can root a T-Mobile version of the note 4, and use it on att, with no loss of functionality(network speeds/lte bands/that sort of thing)? That sounds like a really attractive option to me. Would T-Mobile let me walk in and buy a device just straight up?
Thanks for the help!
citius117 said:
So just to be clear, I can root a T-Mobile version of the note 4, and use it on att, with no loss of functionality(network speeds/lte bands/that sort of thing)? That sounds like a really attractive option to me. Would T-Mobile let me walk in and buy a device just straight up?
Thanks for the help!
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OK heres what you do if they won't let you buy it straight up. Buy the t mobile version on the payment plan because like that there's no contact or ETF. Go home and make a call for 5 min on T mobile sim, then submit the imei to cell unlocker net. Then in a few days call and cancel the service with Tmobile and pay the remainder of the phone off, which by the way is $100 cheaper then the AT&T version. After receiving the unlock code from cell unlocker stick the AT&T sim in and when it boots it will ask for the unlock code, put it in and your good to go.
I have both versions of the note 4 and the t mobile version works perfect on the AT&T network except you have root, custom roms and kernels. All the rom developers in the note 4 t mobile forum full support the AT&T network in there roms straight out the box.
You might want to wait 3 months for the note 5 because this phone is already dated and is a big investment.
Good luck.
Sent from my SM-N910T using Tapatalk
Thanks for the help Sand, that is a great explanation. The tmobile device is clearly better then- no loss of service quality or anything, but still having the root, roms, etc. I think regardless of the imminent release of the note 5, I might still get the four for now, or just keep that incoming OPO One- waiting 3 months for the note 5, plus however much more time for rooting dev is a bit long for me. Regardless, I appreciate your information!
I had my phone unlocked through tmobile. I ended up leaving tmobile and they aren't working with me to pay off the phone. I currently have it working on att but I'm worried that in a couple months it's going to lose service bc they blacklisted it. I'm on att prepaid. Does anyone have a personal experiance with a bad imei tmobile phone working on att prepaid or even another prepaid service like straight talk or even verizon?
I had an issue with Verizon once with a note 3. It was a Verizon phone and I flashed a Beanstown rom and this tool called Casual by Adam Outler and it removed the lock bootloader and installed a patch to stop the update from we very coming through its been a couple of years ago but search like that. But in most cases if they unlocked it your fine. I'm still with them and have been for 6 years.
Okay so long story short, I have a Sprint Galaxy S8+ I preordered and outright bought (for $850) directly from Samsung in April. This last month I decided to switch with my family to Verizon. Turns out the IMEI of the phone is not recognized by the Verizon network and my phone technically works but always shows I am on roaming. Is there anyway to fix this? The phone IS unlocked I got it unlocked by Sprint, and no Samsung is not budging on helping me at all. They basically just say "Go back to Sprint the phone works fine". I was just curious if I rooted the phone and flashed a Verizon ROM onto the device will it get rid of the roaming and possibly make it able to be seen by the Verizon network? I know flashing the ROM doesnt change the IMEI but honestly Im stuck with what to do because neither, Sprint, Verizon, or Samsung is trying to help me.
You could try the unlocked firmware. I don't know if it would work but doesn't hurt to try
Chucklez said:
Okay so long story short, I have a Sprint Galaxy S8+ I preordered and outright bought (for $850) directly from Samsung in April. This last month I decided to switch with my family to Verizon. Turns out the IMEI of the phone is not recognized by the Verizon network and my phone technically works but always shows I am on roaming. Is there anyway to fix this? The phone IS unlocked I got it unlocked by Sprint, and no Samsung is not budging on helping me at all. They basically just say "Go back to Sprint the phone works fine". I was just curious if I rooted the phone and flashed a Verizon ROM onto the device will it get rid of the roaming and possibly make it able to be seen by the Verizon network? I know flashing the ROM doesnt change the IMEI but honestly Im stuck with what to do because neither, Sprint, Verizon, or Samsung is trying to help me.
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The Sprint, AT&T and T-Mobile version of s8/s8+ won't work for Verizon. Verizon's dont work for Sprint either - even you flash it with unlocked firmware. Unless you change the IMEI, but it's illegal. Both Sprint and Verizon required the IMEI in their database. That's the reason I bought unlocked version from Samsung directly. My phone shows OPEN MARKET on sprint. I just ported to Sprint from Verizon to take advantage of the 1 year free service. But I can't use the internet when I'm talking on the phone.
Don't be fooled by that word UNLOCKED, it's still a carrier branded phone.
Sent from my SM-G955U1 using Tapatalk
Any luck using unlock sprint s8 plus on Verizon? I'm on the same boat but can't get it to work on Verizon.
If anyone got it to work, please advise. Thanks
Sent from my SM-N950U1 using XDA-Developers Legacy app
Blacklisted
It won't work tell you change the imei its blacklisted and the only way around that is to change the imei sorry to break it to you.
I am looking to buy a Pixel 2XL 3rd party. I use T-Mobile and this is the Verizon version. I know it'll work on T-Mobile just fine however are there any differences between the Verizon and Unlocked versions such as timely updates?
I dont think so cause from what I've read Verizon people have gotten updates faster than I have. Only thing is if you plan to Unlock/Root but there has been threads saying its able to be done for the regular Pixel but not sure about the 2, I havent looked into the threads much as I have the Google version if I ever decide to do so. To me there really isnt a point to do it because the phone works so well without it.
So far no main difference in the two both. The Verizon one is just sold to the carrier portal but when used on another carrier it works just fine GSM or another CDMA carrier.
R/S
Otechtime
~YouTuber~
The verizon device bootloader cannot be unlocked as far as I know.
That's a rather important difference to note Id say.
Dont waste money on it, buy the google version.
sent from my Pixel 2 XL or Note FE
I think Verizon sells all of its phones locked. Maybe the Pixel 2 XL is different.
Taking a Verizon Pixel 2 XL and using it on a network other than Verizon is probably a lot easier than taking a Pixel 2 XL bought directly from Google as an unlocked phone and using it on Verizon. So luckily you don't have to do that.
jimv1983 said:
I think Verizon sells all of its phones locked. Maybe the Pixel 2 XL is different.
Taking a Verizon Pixel 2 XL and using it on a network other than Verizon is probably a lot easier than taking a Pixel 2 XL bought directly from Google as an unlocked phone and using it on Verizon. So luckily you don't have to do that.
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Really dude? The VZW XL 2 is locked - hence why there is a bounty thread......
Really dude? It's very easy to use a Google XL on VZW...put sim card in and that's it.
twiz0r said:
Really dude? The VZW XL 2 is locked - hence why there is a bounty thread......
Really dude? It's very easy to use a Google XL on VZW...put sim card in and that's it.
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Verizon must have changed in the last year or so then. Last time I was looking into Verizon they were really strict.
First of all, at least in the past, the SIM card on Verizon phones only activated the LTE portion of the connection. The CDMA portion used for calls and SMS still used the standard CDMA registration process than Verizon had always used.
Another thing that Verizon does, or used to do, is not allow just any phone on its network. Verizon required (again, his might have changed recently) phones to be provisioned on their network manually and if it wasn't a phone that Verizon sold they would usually say no. That is why phones like the Nexus 5 and Nexus 5X were almost impossible to use on Verizon despite the fact that the hardware was fully compatible with Verizon's network.
I guess Verizon must have changed the way it does things. From what you say simply entering a Verizon SIM card into a compatible unlocked phone will work without Verizon interaction and will register both the CDMA and LTE portions on Verizon's network
jimv1983 said:
Verizon must have changed in the last year or so then. Last time I was looking into Verizon they were really strict.
First of all, at least in the past, the SIM card on Verizon phones only activated the LTE portion of the connection. The CDMA portion used for calls and SMS still used the standard CDMA registration process than Verizon had always used.
Another thing that Verizon does, or used to do, is not allow just any phone on its network. Verizon required (again, his might have changed recently) phones to be provisioned on their network manually and if it wasn't a phone that Verizon sold they would usually say no. That is why phones like the Nexus 5 and Nexus 5X were almost impossible to use on Verizon despite the fact that the hardware was fully compatible with Verizon's network.
I guess Verizon must have changed the way it does things. From what you say simply entering a Verizon SIM card into a compatible unlocked phone will work without Verizon interaction and will register both the CDMA and LTE portions on Verizon's network
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All of that is great and true...but if you don't know for sure please don't spread misinformation. Have good night sir
twiz0r said:
All of that is great and true...but if you don't know for sure please don't spread misinformation. Have good night sir
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Have you tried using a phone other than the Pixel 2 XL that was not bought from Verizon on Verizon's network? What I said was true as recently as early November 2017. My friend has Verizon. His old phone died and he needed a phone to get him through a few weeks until he could get a new one. I tried to let him borrow my old Nexus 5X. From a hardware standpoint the Nexus 5X is fully compatible with Verizon. He put in his Verizon SIM card in and..... nothing. He called Verizon to see what the issue was. They said they won't activate it because the phone wasn't purchased from them. He went into a Verizon store in person and was told the same thing. Again, that was less than 3 months ago.
I did notice in my original post I did say in the "last year or so". That should have said "the last month or so". Sorry for the confusion that might have caused.
jimv1983 said:
Have you tried using a phone other than the Pixel 2 XL that was not bought from Verizon on Verizon's network? What I said was true as recently as early November 2017. My friend has Verizon. His old phone died and he needed a phone to get him through a few weeks until he could get a new one. I tried to let him borrow my old Nexus 5X. From a hardware standpoint the Nexus 5X is fully compatible with Verizon. He put in his Verizon SIM card in and..... nothing. He called Verizon to see what the issue was. They said they won't activate it because the phone wasn't purchased from them. He went into a Verizon store in person and was told the same thing. Again, that was less than 3 months ago.
I did notice in my original post I did say in the "last year or so". That should have said "the last month or so". Sorry for the confusion that might have caused.
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I have bought several non verizon phones over the last several years and the only phone I had an issue with trying to get to work was a verizon pre-paid which they would not let me use on their service since it had never been activated before so they just want to get as much money as possible. I had the old unlimited plan and bought smartphones used on att and had no problem getting them activated several times.
Oh yes! Buy a Verizon phone, They all come with red handcuffs so that you can't alter the device in any way.
With a Verison phone you never really own the phone but you do have the privilege of paying for it.
Big red knows best.
CptnSpaulding71 said:
I have bought several non verizon phones over the last several years and the only phone I had an issue with trying to get to work was a verizon pre-paid which they would not let me use on their service since it had never been activated before so they just want to get as much money as possible. I had the old unlimited plan and bought smartphones used on att and had no problem getting them activated several times.
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Interesting. Maybe it was a model of phone that Verizon did sell even if that actual phone wasn't bought from them and that was enough? Or maybe you were just lucky? I just know what I/my friend have experienced and I have heard of it happening to other people over the years. Although those other cases weren't very recent and I don't know what phones they were.
Honestly, the fact that it has to be "activated" by Verizon is bull****. When I got my Nexus 5, Nexus 5X and Pixel 2 XL there was no need for for the phones to be activated by AT&T. When I switched phones AT&T didn't even know about it.
twiz0r said:
Really dude? The VZW XL 2 is locked - hence why there is a bounty thread......
Really dude? It's very easy to use a Google XL on VZW...put sim card in and that's it.
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I just bought a Google version Pixel 2 XL from swappa. I went to a VZW authorized retailer, bought a Sim for $10 - profit. I didn't even get slapped with the one time $3O activation fee!
When I bought my wife's Iphoe 8 plus VZW hammered me with that $30 fee, hence now I always go to side chain VZW retailers not bug red HQ in my area.
Connecting an Unlocked Pixel XL2 on Verizon - No Verizon Software Wanted
I currently have an Unlocked Nexus 6P running on Verizon which was set up by a Verizon store support member in Jan 2016 when they weren't selling the phone. Seems to work fine, except the phone connectivity is a bit poor in less populated areas (Assuming that not all bands are supported).
Recently (Dec 2017) bought an Unlocked Pixel XL2 and intend to connect to Verizon. Reason I bought an Unlocked phone from Google is my desire to not have any Verizon software / bloatware installed when I put my SIM in and connect to the network; Not intending to root, just to avoid.
Anyone have any thoughts / input on how I can insure no Verizon garbage on the new phone during activation? Phone cost more just to avoid and I need to be sure I don't mess the activation up.
Thank you.
Twinsxchange said:
I currently have an Unlocked Nexus 6P running on Verizon which was set up by a Verizon store support member in Jan 2016 when they weren't selling the phone. Seems to work fine, except the phone connectivity is a bit poor in less populated areas (Assuming that not all bands are supported).
Recently (Dec 2017) bought an Unlocked Pixel XL2 and intend to connect to Verizon. Reason I bought an Unlocked phone from Google is my desire to not have any Verizon software / bloatware installed when I put my SIM in and connect to the network; Not intending to root, just to avoid.
Anyone have any thoughts / input on how I can insure no Verizon garbage on the new phone during activation? Phone cost more just to avoid and I need to be sure I don't mess the activation up.
Thank you.
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Click to collapse
Wow. I'm amazed that Verizon allowed a Nexus 6P on its network since it never sold that phone. I tried to let my friend (who is a Verizon customer) use my Nexus 5X while he was waiting to get a new phone. Two different Verizon employees refused to register the phone on the Verizon network.
Twinsxchange said:
I currently have an Unlocked Nexus 6P running on Verizon which was set up by a Verizon store support member in Jan 2016 when they weren't selling the phone. Seems to work fine, except the phone connectivity is a bit poor in less populated areas (Assuming that not all bands are supported).
Recently (Dec 2017) bought an Unlocked Pixel XL2 and intend to connect to Verizon. Reason I bought an Unlocked phone from Google is my desire to not have any Verizon software / bloatware installed when I put my SIM in and connect to the network; Not intending to root, just to avoid.
Anyone have any thoughts / input on how I can insure no Verizon garbage on the new phone during activation? Phone cost more just to avoid and I need to be sure I don't mess the activation up.
Thank you.
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Click to collapse
This is just my personal experience, and not necessarily a guide. I've been on Big Red for 10+ years. When I went from a Verizon S5 to the Nexus 6p, I simply cut my micro sim card to make it a nano sim card. I booted up the 6p without the sim, and went through the Google setup process. Then I shut the phone off, installed the sim card, booted up and bang. Have full Verizon service, HD calling and Volte, and no Verizon bloat. Then, this past November when I got the P2XL, I did the same thing, with the same results. My point is, I have yet to speak with a Verizon rep, or go through an activation process. All my services work just fine, and still have no Verizon bloat. My P2XL is rooted, and when I dirty flash the monthly factory images, everything is still fine with no Verizon bloat. Hope this helps ?
I've not run a Verizon branded on big red since November of 2015, with a Moto X Pure Edition, followed by a Nexus 6P, followed by a Moto Z2 Play (not the Verizon version), followed by an OG Pixel XL(not the Verizon version), followed by an LG G6 (not the Verizon version), followed by a Pixel 2 XL (not the Verizon version).
When I got the MXPE, I had a Samsung Galaxy S4. It had a micro SIM. I bought a sim cutter and copied it down to a nano. Popped it into the MXPE and didn't look back. Eventually I got a real nano sim, but no issues.
If you wish to use a phone on Verizon, that is not on their list of authorized phones, the sim simply has to be "activated" on a Verizon phone and then you can put it in any phone. As long as the phone has the proper CDMA band support, you'll be good to go with no service issues.
jimv1983 said:
Wow. I'm amazed that Verizon allowed a Nexus 6P on its network since it never sold that phone. I tried to let my friend (who is a Verizon customer) use my Nexus 5X while he was waiting to get a new phone. Two different Verizon employees refused to register the phone on the Verizon network.
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It's not amazing. Verizon has allowed compatible phones to work on their network for years. I had a nexus 6p, google version pixel xl, and google version pixel 2 xl on verizon.
nomisunrider said:
It's not amazing. Verizon has allowed compatible phones to work on their network for years. I had a nexus 6p, google version pixel xl, and google version pixel 2 xl on verizon.
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The Google version of the Pixel's make more sense because Verizon does (or did sell those phones). The Nexus 6P and other phones that are compatible but not sold by Verizon are a different story. You must have gotten lucky being able to get a Nexus 6P working on Verizon. They wouldn't allow the Nexus 5X on Verizon and it's just as compatible with Verizon as the Nexus 6P.
jimv1983 said:
The Google version of the Pixel's make more sense because Verizon does (or did sell those phones). The Nexus 6P and other phones that are compatible but not sold by Verizon are a different story. You must have gotten lucky being able to get a Nexus 6P working on Verizon. They wouldn't allow the Nexus 5X on Verizon and it's just as compatible with Verizon as the Nexus 6P.
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I stuck an active SIM in a Nexus 5x and used it for almost a year on Verizon with full functionality. Then I took the same card and used it in a 6p. Hate your luck but I've been swapping SIM cards on Verizon for years using branded and unlocked phones and never had any trouble.
Hey, I'm pretty new to modding phones and have been searching around for a way to get my phone (SM-N910A) to be able to run android 8.0 or higher but haven't found anything. Is it just not possible at this time without swapping out parts of the phone or is there a way I have overlooked?
XDApplePie -- The ATT N4 Model SM-N910A cannot be rooted. That was what two genuine experts told me, but they didn't explain why. If so, I think a custom rom can't be installed.
I too want to flash a custom rom to my ATT Note 4. There are many N4 custom ROMs but I can't find any that support the ATT N4. I noticed that ALL the supported N4s have the Exynos chip but NO SnapDragon N4s are supported. The ATT N4 has the Qualcomm SnapDragon chip. My guess is that for some reason the SnapDragon chipset might the obstacle.
TLDR All because of a locked bootloader from ATT due to government contract; even the bounty on in here didn't have a winner
I myself have moved on to Tab A 8 with SPen and just recently to Note 10+ (can't let go of the SPen)
boofman said:
TLDR All because of a locked bootloader from ATT due to government contract; even the bounty on in here didn't have a winner
I myself have moved on to Tab A 8 with SPen and just recently to Note 10+ (can't let go of the SPen)
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Click to collapse
I just got off my Note 7 after futilely *****ing out AT&T for deceiving its customers. AT&T does say its phones are locked ... but when you ask a Customer Service Rep if the phone can be 'unlocked' after the contract is expired & phone paid off in full, they say 'yes'. But I just learned that ATT means 'carrier unlocked' only! But the bootloader remains locked forever.
ATT never tells customers that BOTH the carrier and bootloader is locked!
I have two classic Notes -- 4 & 7 -- trapped in stock ATT Android 6 -- and just learned I can't custom rom them to Andy 9. Heartbreaking for a Note FANatic.
So, I am looking at an unlocked Note 10 bought directly from Samsung. But ha, ha, ATT's worthwhile features like its custom dailer, sync calls between Note & Galaxy Watch, Spam Call Block, & etc won't work on a non-ATT unlocked Note 10. The greedy corporate assholes.
My daily driver ATT N7 is cooked. Its ATT Andy 6 is forever frozen. Its 3.5 yr old STOCK battery is failing. OEM replacement battery is a hopeless hope. A battery mod is extreme. I am heartbroken. I have to get a N10 ... and probably an ATT variant for the sake of my ATT Galaxy Watch.
Oh boy, I let ATT trap me like a sheep to be sheared.
Hah, Corporate Big Brother at its worst. Locked bootloader even though you pay for the phone