Develop Bugs

HTC Desire on Orange - Debranding?!

Hi
Apologies for this post if it's been done many times before but I've been digging around now for hours and keep finding conflicting advice on problems I will run into so I just need someone to clarify if it's possible and what I need to do to ensure I don't loose wifi access or brick my phone or anything like that....
I bought a HTC Desire locked to Orange (UK) yesterday and I would like to get it unlocked and debranded. The unlocking part should not be a prob as I'll just buy a code from somewhere (or thats the hope anyhow) but when it comes to reflashing to debrand I keep coming across posts about wifi issues or OTA updates making progs force close, thus the Desire becoming unstable.
All I want to know is..... How do I get rid of all the Orange crap and go to a generic HTC Desire ROM so it would be like I bought a retail Desire? Is this possible without messing up my phone?? I'm currently on 02 (UK) but also bought an Orange PAYG sim just incase things get overly complicated. I would like to stick with my 02 sim but don't want to run into any probs with my phone, and if needs be I could switch over to Orange but that would be my last resort. I would also like to get rid of the Orange flash screen and the Orange apps that came preinstalled on my phone. Some posts say it's possible, some posts say I will have issues with the radio version, some posts say I will loose wifi and the Desire will turn unstable (lots of force closed prompts). If I did manage to go back to the retail Desire ROM, would I then run into probs with OTA updates?
Sorry if this question is proper nooby, but in truth that's exactly what I am and I'm getting totally lost!! After hours of digging I thought I'd just post this up and see if someone can clarify the situation before I dig in and start flashing. Better to be safe than sorry and all that.
Any help would be appreciated!!

With an orange branded desire, you'll definitely have to unlock it - i did with mine, although i discovered that after i'd flashed it
the only think i would advise you to do is to read up on the various rom threads - the first couple of posts in each thread will tell you what each rom does and will invariably give you a couple of screenshots as well.
that way you can decide which one you want in the firsts instance. then i'd skip to the end of the thread and read back a few pages from that point, so you'll get an idea of what problems (if any) people are still having.
it really comes down to personal preference and taking a chance - most, if not all of the roms on here are working and stable and won't really give you many problems.

Yea its an eyesore to say the least is that filthy orange branding
get it debranded first using a goldcard and flashed with rooted generic rom
then purchase sim unlock code to use your o2.
then update and mod to your hearts "desire"

Firstly, thanks for your quick replies! I had a feeling this was going to be a bit of a mission!!
Ok, so say I've unlocked and unbranded my phone. What happens with OTA updates from there on in? Is it just a case of doing them manually and switching off auto OTA? I read somewhere that by flashing with a rooted ROM it will block OTA from updating to prevent the phone getting locked or becoming unstable, is that right?
Also, this may be a stupid question but if it's flashed to a generic HTC ROM then where does it contact for the updates? I was figuring as soon as I'd gotten rid of the Orange fw that it would no longer be looking for the Orange'd ROM update but after reading this doesn't seem to be the case?
Please forgive me if I'm being ignorant, I've gone from a Nokia 1600 (lol) to a HTC Desire and trying to get my head around it all!!

I would like to know too, I have just bought a Orange branded desire.
1. Do I unlock the phone 1st, ie. get an unlock code from orange.
2. do I then flash the generic firmware.
3. Is the sim lock stored in the radio part of the firmware?
I have unbranded/unlocked nokia n80`s and htc tync`s in the past, but I need to swat up on this linux stuff.
Any usefull advice welcomed, in the mean while I`ll keep reading

The OTA updates will become completely unecessary because you'll be using a custom rom - the developer of that rom will be the one releasing the updates, so all you'll have to do is to re-flash each updated version.
jedi134 said:
I would like to know too, I have just bought a Orange branded desire.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well what I did was to root the phone first, then flash the radio and then a rom. the new radio is what caused the simlock, so it was at that point i had to buy an unlock code. all works completely fine now.

hankhandsome said:
The OTA updates will become completely unecessary because you'll be using a custom rom - the developer of that rom will be the one releasing the updates, so all you'll have to do is to re-flash each updated version.
Well what I did was to root the phone first, then flash the radio and then a rom. the new radio is what caused the simlock, so it was at that point i had to buy an unlock code. all works completely fine now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So can the simlock be removed by flashing a simfree radio rom??? I`m pretty sure this is what i did on an old tync to remove simlock.....but this was some time ago
you say the radio Rom you flashed caused the simlock, did you not have to supply the network provider as well as the IMIE to get the unlock code? or was this a generic Radio rom?

My wife has just got a htc desire HD on 3 and that is branded.
I have got a Samsung Galaxy S and i have unbranded that down loading a Manufacture Rom and that updates as normal.
Is there some software like odin for the Htc and were like samfirmware.com can i down load a Manufactures rom.
she went for this phone cos of the spec and she does not like my Samsung i was hoping the Htc community would be the same it is so easy to do and Samsung service centres checked my firmware and it was fine.
Most people just want there phone as Htc intended it to be

HTC finally launched their Gingerbread update (2.3.3) for Desire. I am using a Desire (telstra locked Android 2.1), downloaded the new update from the official website HTC website and now i have a completely unbranded HTC Desire with 2.3.3... NO GOLDCARD OR ROOT REQUIRED.

[Q] Remove carrier branding without rooting

Hi, new to this forum and relatively new to Android as well. I've searched and read through google and the forum, but not able to find an answer to my specific question.
I'm in the UK, and recently bought a HTC One M8 that was previously locked to O2 but now unlocked and using it on Three. The phone has carrier branding - O2 startup and shut down animations. The phone to my knowledge has never been rooted. I'm on 4.4.3 and software version 2.22.206.6.
I would like to remove the carrier branding and still remain unrooted/ untampered etc (due to work email integration restrictions in my company). I currently do get OTA updates but not sure if getting from HTC or O2. I would preferably like to get OTA from HTC direct in future and skip O2 as it's supposed to be quicker.
My questions:
Is software version same as firmware?
I assume that to remove the carrier branding, I'll have to flash the ROM. I've read that I don't need root to do this. But what exactly would I need to do? Appreciate if a guru could point me in the right direction.
I've read articles that mention stock recovery. Is my recovery "stock" if the phone has carrier branding? My assumption is stock refers to the vanilla version if buying from HTC directly. I don't know if O2 packages the phone with a custom recovery?
Thanks in advance.

No. You need root (aka... disabled write protection) to alter sysyem files, which the bootlogo is one of.

halfwaymark said:
I would like to remove the carrier branding and still remain unrooted/ untampered etc (due to work email integration restrictions in my company).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have that problem... Can't keep my phone that I paid for the way I want i.e Tampered, unlocked, fun ...Then keep the e-mails, I got better things to do in my time at home. If you want me to get it away from my work place then don't give me crap like "integration policies", if that's an issue supply me with a company paid phone.
I assume that to remove the carrier branding, I'll have to flash the ROM. I've read that I don't need root to do this. But what exactly would I need to do? Appreciate if a guru could point me in the right direction.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to have your bootloader unlocked to flash ROMs. The moment you unlock it and flash a custom recovery is the moment your phone shows "Tampered", no more emails for you then
I've read articles that mention stock recovery. Is my recovery "stock" if the phone has carrier branding? My assumption is stock refers to the vanilla version if buying from HTC directly. I don't know if O2 packages the phone with a custom recovery?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Stock recovery refers to the recovery that comes with the phone when you bought it. Custom recoveries are like TWRP/Philz. If you haven't done any changes to the phone and you bought it new from the store then you still have stock recovery. Whether the carrier made changes to it(doubt it though) or not is irrelevant as it's stock to the device(as bought) and not custom build by 3rd parties so to speak.

The only way I see, if you want to have an M8 without carrier branding to fit your companies security policies is to unlock bootloader and S-Off, change CID/MID, flash HTC stock ROM and firmware and then lock bootloader, remove tempered flag, and go S-On again.
It's some work to do in any case, but if your done your phone will be stock HTC WWE.
On the other hand I got a company paid phone as well, after I told them not to accept their company "security and integration policies" with respect to my private paid M8. I told them that if they wanted me to get my business mails on my private M8, they just had to accept the fact that with my property I'm gonna do what I like to do with it.

HTCNerdYoda said:
The only way I see, if you want to have an M8 without carrier branding to fit you companies security policies is to unlock bootloader and S-Off, change CID/MID, flash HTC stock ROM and firmware and then lock bootloader, remove tempered flag, and go S-On again.
It's some work to do in any case, but if your done your phone will be stock HTC WWE.
On the other hand I got a company paid phone as well, after I told them not to accept their company "security and integration policies" with respect to my private paid M8. I told them that if they wanted me to get my business mails on my private M8, they just had to accept the fact that with my property I'm gonna do what I like to do with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly, if they paid and gave the phone, it's something entirely different. If you pay for it and they still want to enforce crap like that, it's almost the same as expecting you to buy a car(with your money) so that you can go on business trips for them. If you "pimp" out YOUR ride with a turbo and some amazing sound system, they refuse to have you do your job because your car is contrary to their "health and safety" policies. They can then take that job and shove it

There is a workaround for that problem when rooted exchange bypass security I think it's called you can you xposed or its built into some roms

HTCNerdYoda said:
change CID/MID
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your reply. As a noob, I understand most of your post other than this. What CID/MID should I change to?

the CID/MID has to be changed as they are checked by the OTA update server, thus you have to have one that fits the OS and firmware, for the update to be installed. So e.g. if you want to unbranded your One M8 you got to change CID to an original HTC-CID as well
After I gained S-Off, I changed to CID HTC__001 (HTC carrier ID - had a T-MOB CID before) as well as MID 0P6B10000. This is one of the WWE combinations. As soon I had done this I went on installing the WWE Backup 2.22.401.5 as well as the corresponding firmware. Thus I receive updates as soon as they get released by HTC, and haven't to wait for the carrier to approve it in the one hand, and don't have any T-Mobile bloatware or changes to the OS on the other hand. Just pure HTC Stock.
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using XDA Free mobile app

Hey guys, I've asked this question in several places so far with no luck, was wondering if you would be kind enough to help please?
I have an unlocked htc m8 cid 2___001 running 1.54.206.10, I have a constant nag of an ota update that I can't install (rooted) I want to ideally unroot and flash back to it's original state - can't find cid 2___001 nor 1.54.20.10 anywhere OR install a custom rom and firmware.
I've downloaded several firmwares including the popular 2.22.401.5 amongst others, but none take as I'm told they are the wrong version. I assume the cid is the issue? Any ideas how I can get around this please? I'm totally stuck now and getting any help is almost impossible, sadly.
Thank you in advance.

Odin flash gets: Device:2 Binary:1

Hi Guys,
When trying to downgrade/flash below firmware via Odin I'm getting error:
SW REV. CHECK FAIL(BOOTLOADER) DEVICE: 2, BINARY: 1
Or if BL disabled following some recommendations:
KERNEL REV. CHECK FAIL. DEVICE:2, BINARY:1
Current version: (got via OTA)
G960FXXU2BRG6
Service provider OXM_XEF_00_0025 ... XEF/XEF, XEO/DBT - but this has probably nothing to do with that.
Returning to:
DBT-G960FXXU1BRE5
History of the phone is that I've received it on Saturday (manufactured on May 21), dual SIM + SD Card was working, got notification about OTA, and did proceed (silly me), got message that "no downgrade" will be possible - thought that it is for normal user, not the one with Odin magic, though have a feeling it has something to do with that. It was unusual message though thought it is something new on S(, but not really blocking me to downgrade with Odin.
Is there any way to downgrade? I really need to do that as thanks to Samsung I cannot use dual SIM + SD Card, described here:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/ga...o-sim-card-t3822368/post77193881#post77193881
Thanks!

When trying to downgrade/flash below firmware via Odin I'm getting error:
SW REV. CHECK FAIL(BOOTLOADER) DEVICE: 2, BINARY: 1
same problem, my S9 Plus is AFG cant intall only can update with DBT file but his current AFG no

Make sure you're using ODIN 3.13.x
You cannot downgrade the bootloader you can only flash firmware with an equal or higher BL version
G960FXXU2BRG6 <<< BL version 2
Check in Download mode what version yours says

*Detection* said:
Make sure you're using ODIN 3.13.x
You cannot downgrade the bootloader you can only flash firmware with an equal or higher BL version
G960FXXU2BRG6 <<< BL version 2
Check in Download mode what version yours says
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Many thanks, that makes sense. I do remember message prior OTA apply "you won't be able to downgrade" but thought it was meaning that normal user won't be able to downgrade unless Odin would be used. Tough luck.
The worst part is that this is the first "U2" version for S9, so there's no path for me.
One more question - when "BL" was deselected and I've left only AP, CP, CSC - it resulted in message:
KERNEL REV. CHECK FAIL. DEVICE:2, BINARY:1
It is still in effort to downgrade the rest outside of BL, but does it seem I'm stuck on this firmware as the lowest on my phone now?
On technical side, these are all partitions on internal SDcard/memory. Why would it not be possible to overwrite it? Is it re-partitioning thing or something else? I'm trying to understand from where the limitation comes.
p.s. did some reading on bootloader process of Samsung and whilst it is clever and nice for Common Criteria, it should be possible to unlock it as in the past (Superboot tool). The good bootloader lecture is here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1742287618300409 (S7 based).

Have you tried the patched Odin 13.3.1
https://www.google.com.au/amp/s/for...id/software/patched-odin-3-13-1-t3762572/amp/

batfink1 said:
Have you tried the patched Odin 13.3.1
https://www.google.com.au/amp/s/for...id/software/patched-odin-3-13-1-t3762572/amp/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What are risks using that Odin version and pushing AP?
Should I try to push BL too?
Apologies if I'm overly cautious it is that I don't want to brick the phone.

Honestly, I'm a take your balls in your hand kind of guy.
I'm a computer technician and if I spent all my time wringing my hands being cautious I'd never get anything done.
It's pretty hard to HARD BRICK these phones as long as you don't go faffing around with the partitions option in Odin.
God I've brought mine to the brink of death and back again.
Just out of curiosity, do you have a way of taking a photo of your Odin/Download mode screen... I'll try to post mine.
I'm rooted and running a customised stock based rom on BRE5

My Odin screen

batfink1 said:
Honestly, I'm a take your balls in your hand kind of guy.
I'm a computer technician and if I spent all my time wringing my hands being cautious I'd never get anything done.
It's pretty hard to HARD BRICK these phones as long as you don't go faffing around with the partitions option in Odin.
God I've brought mine to the brink of death and back again.
Just out of curiosity, do you have a way of taking a photo of your Odin/Download mode screen... I'll try to post mine.
I'm rooted and running a customised stock based rom on BRE5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well... sometimes it is better to be safe than sorry... (at least this is my take), like with that unfortunate upgrade.
If you're that brave, why don't you upgrade to the latest one and then try to downgrade?
Attached is Download mode screenshot.

batfink1 said:
My Odin screen
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interestingly, your model shows 6GB, mine 4GB, but it doesn't matter...
Thanks... I'll debating if to give it a shot with that custom Odin version. Did you try it? Should BL be included?

I said brave, not freaking insane... Mine is rooted and working perfectly
I honestly DON'T want to go through the 17 days of possibly having to wait for the RMM STATE again haha
---------- Post added at 06:25 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:21 PM ----------
Mines an S9+, they have 6 gig compared to the S9 which only has 4 gig.
I didn't try it, no.. I just know the modded version exists.

I'm having the same problem
Hi guys I'm having the same problem with kernel rev check fail.
I had a brand firmware and tried to make it no-brand, but something went wrong.
Now when trying to flash a no-brand firmware, Odin stops during system.img
What can I do? Do I have to reinstall the same branded old firmware that I had?
Thanks!

Ma5terDevil said:
Hi guys I'm having the same problem with kernel rev check fail.
I had a brand firmware and tried to make it no-brand, but something went wrong.
Now when trying to flash a no-brand firmware, Odin stops during system.img
What can I do? Do I have to reinstall the same branded old firmware that I had?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just a thought - your non-brand might be of an older release than branded software. In worst case you're stuck on working branded soft?

i tried, i doesn't work either with/without BL
batfink1 said:
Have you tried the patched Odin 13.3.1
https://www.google.com.au/amp/s/for...id/software/patched-odin-3-13-1-t3762572/amp/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i tried, i doesn't work either with/without BL selected. so i guess the modified odin did not fit for the new firmware.

I Tried
Me too being the grab your balls by the hand person that likes to boldly go where no man has gone before, attempted the patch version of Odin on my s9 in an attempt to put the TMO firmware on to get RCS chat. Using BL AP CL and CSC all did not work. I got the same stupid message regarding the downgrade. I then tried AP and CSC alone. Same issue. Finally, I tried just CSC. It gave a similar error but it was difference in the sense that it says [cache]fused 2 > Binary 1.
It's super annoying that you can't move from u1 to u (unlocked to carrier) without having to do all this crap.

Hey all, dunno if you resolved the kernel error but I was getting the same thing on my S8 (SM-G950F) and ended up checking if anyone at the Samsung store could fix it (they could). Have a look at this post I wrote up, hopefully it's somewhat useful.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=77580177&postcount=18

Same problem I got. No matter if I use modded or normal ODIN... Even if I do not flash Boot, I got the message Kernel Rev. check fail...
To me, this is almost criminal from Samsung... I pay 800 Euro for the phone and I like to run a different system. I think there is no law against using a Computer (which in fact it is) with an Operating system of my choice.
To me, a restriction of "liberty".

joe535 said:
Same problem I got. No matter if I use modded or normal ODIN... Even if I do not flash Boot, I got the message Kernel Rev. check fail...
To me, this is almost criminal from Samsung... I pay 800 Euro for the phone and I like to run a different system. I think there is no law against using a Computer (which in fact it is) with an Operating system of my choice.
To me, a restriction of "liberty".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ODIN is a Samsung INTERNAL tool, you're not even meant to be using it
And you do have the freedom to run whatever OS you want, you have that choice the day you choose to buy a new phone, otherwise read the smallprint, pretty sure you agreed to Samsungs terms when you bought the phone
I don't get why people buy Samsung phones knowing how locked down they can be, knowing they don't run vanilla Android, knowing about KNOX, and then complain when they can't do anything with them.... if I wanted to mod my phone without any problems I wouldn't be buying Samsung

Anyway, honestly I accidentally updated my spare S9 to U2 forgetting it can't be rolled back and I had a little bit of trouble finding a firmware that ran fine with gravity box, but now I'm running a custom BRI3 rooted with magisk running gravity box where 99% of features work including lock screen security.
So unless the U2 bootloader is effecting you in some way... Does it matter if you can't roll back.

Well, the hardware of Samsung I actually do like.. But the software policy I do not.
For sure, never again I will buy Samsung

I just need some help here...

I'm not sure where this should be posted.
I bought an unlocked S9 (SM-G960U) last February whilst flying through the US.
I knew something was fishy because even though it worked with my sim, the AT&T splash screen appeared when booting, but I was in a different country before I realised.
It's Android 8.0
Whenever I go to Software Update it says that i'm on the latest version of Android, nothing I can do to try and force this, tried Smart Switch, same issue. So my next avenue was to use a custom ROM or something - my experience with this is limited to many years ago (the Samsung Galaxy One!), and I believe it's a little easier now.
Anyway, I cannot flash or do anything, I've followed various guides, including to try and get TWRP on there but it looks like I cannot see the OEM feature to enable/disable in the developer tools options.
I'm hoping someone with a little patience can help me out a bit, I just want to get the best out of this phone (and Android Auto).

fakegeordie said:
I'm not sure where this should be posted.
I bought an unlocked S9 (SM-G960U) last February whilst flying through the US.
I knew something was fishy because even though it worked with my sim, the AT&T splash screen appeared when booting, but I was in a different country before I realised.
It's Android 8.0
Whenever I go to Software Update it says that i'm on the latest version of Android, nothing I can do to try and force this, tried Smart Switch, same issue. So my next avenue was to use a custom ROM or something - my experience with this is limited to many years ago (the Samsung Galaxy One!), and I believe it's a little easier now.
Anyway, I cannot flash or do anything, I've followed various guides, including to try and get TWRP on there but it looks like I cannot see the OEM feature to enable/disable in the developer tools options.
I'm hoping someone with a little patience can help me out a bit, I just want to get the best out of this phone (and Android Auto).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This device has a locked bootloader. possibly sim unlocked. You cannot flash twrp. No custom roms. Root at the best. You can search on how to use odin. Use a pc program called samfirm or frija to get the latest firmware to update

thank you, this is helpful!
I downloaded Samfirm, and as typical with everything I'm trying, I've immediately hit a hurdle as ATT is not listed as a CSC code on there.

fakegeordie said:
thank you, this is helpful!
I downloaded Samfirm, and as typical with everything I'm trying, I've immediately hit a hurdle as ATT is not listed as a CSC code on there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You might have better luck cross-flashing your AT&T phone to unbranded firmware. See the thread here for more information. The best firmware to download and flash might be the SM-G960U1 firmware using the XAA CSC code. I flashed it on my unlocked Sprint S9 to de-brand it.

fakegeordie said:
thank you, this is helpful!
I downloaded Samfirm, and as typical with everything I'm trying, I've immediately hit a hurdle as ATT is not listed as a CSC code on there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea att is hard to come by. M

Hai Karate said:
You might have better luck cross-flashing your AT&T phone to unbranded firmware. See the thread here for more information. The best firmware to download and flash might be the SM-G960U1 firmware using the XAA CSC code. I flashed it on my unlocked Sprint S9 to de-brand it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank you, I will try this if my other option fails...
So infuriating

How to change the service provider software version? S20 (SM-G980F)

Hello guys!
I have a sim unlocked Galaxy S20 (SM-G980F) from Orange Romania and I want the new update (Android 12 and OneUI 4) and to get rid of the pre-installed apps from Orange. Apparently it is a known fact that some mobile network operators tend to postpone the new firmware updates (which I think it's stupid) because they have to 'test' it and load it with a bunch of useless apps that nobody needs. It wouldn't have been such a problem if this would happen in a timeframe of a few days, but usually it takes months. I contacted Orange and they said the upcoming update is being 'tested' and it will probably be released sometime in March (which again, it's just stupid).
I am looking for a way to change the Software Service Provider from ORO to ROM (or something else, to get the update directly from Samsung and not Orange); Samsung and Vodafone already rolled the update.
So, I have a few questions:
1. Can I change the Service Provider? (SM-G980F on Android 11)
1.1. If yes, how can I do it? Can you guys kindly guide me towards a tutorial?
1.2. Can I do it for free?
2. Should I just install a custom ROM? (I have seen many on this forum, but most of them seem to have problems if the high refresh rate is enabled etc... any reccomendations?)
Thank you guys! Any advice is much appreciated!
PS: I am kind of unfamiliar with these things, i used to flash custom ROMs on my old phones back when Cyanogenmod was a thing and I've used Android since 1.5. I don't know what changed and what's new so any help is welcome! Thank you!

First off, why do you even want Android 12 so badly? Early adopters catch all the bugs. And moreover, if you want to mod your phone, you'll quickly notice that a lot of popular mods aren't yet available for Android 12. As of today:
There still is not an official Magisk release for Android 12 (only Canary/pre-release builds).
Xposed module GravityBox for Android 12 has not been released.
Xposed module Firefds Kit for Android 12 has not been released.
And if you start modding, you're likely to find more things that just don't exist for A12 yet.
1. Can I change the Service Provider? (SM-G980F on Android 11)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes.
1.1. If yes, how can I do it? Can you guys kindly guide me towards a tutorial?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It used to be fairly easy. You could open the Preconfig dialog with a dialer code and change your CSC code. Loss of this functionality in recent software is lamented loss of this functionality in recent software is lamented here. There are many discussions about changing CSC code that make mention of the commercial software and service Samkey such as this and this; I have no personal experience with their offering so I can't recommend them. Interestingly it seems from the discussions that there is typically some lag between an Android release and support for that release from Samkey, so the trend I just referenced above is hardly an isolated phenomenon.
It's worth mentioning that the changing of CSC codes has been discussed extensively throughout the forum. One of the downsides of XDA though is that discussion is heavily segregated by device, so you can easily miss what you're looking for if you search only in a sub-forum for your device.
1.2. Can I do it for free?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With root, certainly. Otherwise, it is not so clear based on the above.
You can launch the Preconfig dialog from a root shell:
am start -n com.samsung.android.cidmanager/.preconfig.PreconfigActivity
I've noticed that in some configurations (notably when CSC code is VZW), the Preconfig dialog seems to be somehow disabled. However, with root access you can also simply edit /efs/imei/omcnw_code.dat.
2. Should I just install a custom ROM? (I have seen many on this forum, but most of them seem to have problems if the high refresh rate is enabled etc... any reccomendations?)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's your choice. Browse the ROM section and see if there is anything available for your device that you like. Custom ROMs vary greatly in user experience as a consequence both the ROM's objectives and the developer's skill.
They all have a few things in common though: they will irrevocably trip the warranty void bit and cause a loss of Knox-related functionality (notably including Samsung Pay). They also will prevent you from receiving official OTA updates.
Another option is that you can simply root your device and start modding away yourself. Basically, that workflow is something like this:
OEM Unlock.
Boot into download mode with vol up + vol down + insert USB cable connected to PC.
Volume up to confirm unlock.
Flash TWRP from ODIN.
Flash Multi-disabler from TWRP.
Wipe /data from TWRP.
Install Magisk from TWRP.
Once you have root, you can not only change your CSC code as desired, but edit the read-only filesystems on your device, notably including the filesystems containing the CSC. It's even possible to blow away the CSC content completely and integrate the CSC content from the ROM of another region.
Of course, it goes without saying that you need to back up anything important on your phone before you start any experiments. Of particular importance, be sure to back up efs and sec_efs with TWRP and make sure the backups are stored somewhere safe (e.g., on a PC) before you start attempting any changes to efs partitions. A damaged efs partition is one of the easiest ways to render your phone useless. Note also that custom ROM installation almost always involves wiping /data somewhere along the way.

So, the bloatware you talk about is located in /product , /hidden or /odm depending on how your phone is configured. I can help you out contact me on telegram @cha0scl0wn. Regards.

Thank you guys so much for your replies!
I managed to launch the Preconfig dialog (dialing *#272*62826# in the stock phone app - other codes did not work, also tried the google phone app - nothing) but the only options to change the CSC are those in the picture (AMO - Orange Spain, FTM - Orange France etc). Basically I can select another Orange CSC which does not help. I want to change it to unbranded, to get the firmware updates directly from Samsung.
Now, if I root the phone, will I be able to change ORO to unbranded? But I'm a bit confused because rooting cancels OTAs, right? So I need to root, change CSC to unbranded (if possible) and then install the update myself? But then I will have to manually install every update?
If I root, change CSC to unbranded, install the update, unroot will I get the OTAs?
Rooting also kills Knox and Samsung Pay?
Thanks again guys for responding! I appreciate it! Cheers!

I managed to launch the Preconfig dialog (dialing *#272*62826# in the stock phone app - other codes did not work, also tried the google phone app - nothing) but the only options to change the CSC are those in the picture (AMO - Orange Spain, FTM - Orange France etc). Basically I can select another Orange CSC which does not help. I want to change it to unbranded, to get the firmware updates directly from Samsung.
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Wow--you got lucky: I wasn't expecting the dialer code to work based both on my own experience and reports here on the forum. The Preconfig dialog is really just a testing tool: it allows you to select other CSC codes that already exist within the firmware and see the effects of those setting changes. I don't know if there is an effective unbranded configuration included on the OXM package (i.e., similar to XAA in the OYN package).
I don't have a lot of experience with the OTA updates (all my devices are unlocked).
Now, if I root the phone, will I be able to change ORO to unbranded? But I'm a bit confused because rooting cancels OTAs, right? So I need to root, change CSC to unbranded (if possible) and then install the update myself? But then I will have to manually install every update?
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Click to collapse
You'll still be able to select any CSC. I suppose in theory you could create your own CSC configuration for an imaginary carrier, but the route that I took was different. I stripped out all the unwanted junk out of the optics and prism images (along with de-bloating I did in a lot of other places in the ROM). I also edited all the XML configuration files that ship with the CSC to my liking (think: call recording on, shutter sound menu on, etc). After installing the resulting ROM, there was pretty much no carrier-specific software running on the device; splash screens, sounds, and other markings were also gone. I actually ended up adding a handful of carrier-specific content back to my ROM to get Wi-Fi calling working since it appears that the carrier I use (VZW) has a slightly nonstandard implementation of the feature.
But yes, once you head down this path, you'll be updating your phone by yourself, and it likely won't be the most enjoyable activity. I also don't feel the need for every single update, and I especially have no interest of moving to A12 in the foreseeable future.
Keep in mind that you should be able to pm disable bloatware packages that are really bothering you even without rooting/unlocking your bootloader.