Database Users

Use Any Sim for Web on T-Mobile Tab

****DISCLAIMER: I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE OR BRICKED DEVICES. PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK. EVEN IF YOU DO DO EVERYTHING RIGHT, YOU RUN THE RISK OF BRICKING YOUR DEVICE. I AM JUST SPEAKING FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE OF 7 TABS THAT IVE DONE!
I've read a few posts and threads and this is probably a subject that's been touched, but I wanted to make stuff a little easier for people like myself. As we all know, T-Mobile has blocked IMEI's from regular SIMs forcing us to sign up with a webconnect plan,or use WIFI. Well, here's a guide for noobs and others alike to use a regular SIM on a Tab.
You can do this with stock firmware, or flash a custom ROM with voice/2g.
3G and voice WILL NOT WORK WHATSOEVER SO PLEASE DONT ASK ME HOW.
*YOU MUST HAVE ROOT ACCESS IN ORDER FOR THIS TO WORK. Z4ROOT WORKS PERFECTLY WITH THE TAB. GOT TO 4SHARED AND DL THE APK.
1. DOWNLOAD Root Explorer or something similar from the market
2. Create a directory on your sd card and name it "efs backups" using any file manager.
3. Open ROOT EXPLORER and navigate to the root of your phone.
4. IMPORTANT:
You can either COPY ALL or MOVE ALL files in the /efs folder (on the root of your phone) to "efs backups" (on your sd card). Do not copy or move the /efs folder itself. You will brick your device.
5. IMPORTANT: IF YOU COPIED THE CONTENTS FROM THE /efs folder, YOU MUST DELETE THE CONTENTS IN THAT FOLDER ON THE ROOT OF YOUR DEVICE. IF YOU DONT, IT WONT WORK. EITHER WAY, MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE A BACKUP OF THE /efs folder and that the actual /efs folder is cleared.
6. RESET YOUR PHONE
AFTER THIS YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO USE ANY SIM AND NOT BE REDIRECTED TO T-MOBILE.COM. IF YOU WISH TO REVERT BACK, YOU'LL JUST NEED TO MOVE THE CONTENTS FROM THE "EFS BACKUP" FOLDER TO THE /EFS FOLDER ON THE ROOT OF YOUR DEVICE AND RESTART.
I've done this several times on several devices and this definitely works. Thanks for all the help from fellow devs that helped me figure this out. Hopefully this guide helps most of you. HAPPY HACKING!

This thread will be deleted soon by the mods as it is a violation of the forum rules. This already happened once before. Just wanted to let you know. But i hope a lot of people can get to this thread before it is gone. I have done this to my tab and it is a godsend.
Sent from HAL 9000

[HIGH PRIORITY announcement] anyone flashing roms

Mods please make this sticky.
Before anyone flashes any custom rom further, be sure to back up your
/efs folder somewhere on your PC.
The /efs folder is a hidden folder. You wont be able to see it using a usual file explorer e.g astro. You will need to be root to do so using root explorer for e.g.
This is something found sticky in the galaxy s forums and unfortunately for some of us it is coming too late.
The backup might come handy anytime if ever you mess up your own with custom rom flashing.
Thanks
Edit: just for you to understand the situation, by messing up i mean where product code and imei of the phone gets changed to a fail-safe one and even nandroid backups are of no help.

What exactly is in /efs that we need to back up?
I actually have already flashed one rom and after that I could not make or receive phone calls. I ended up calling Sprint and after about an hour of tinkering on their end they got it working. Would this be due to something missing in the /efs folder?

Everything concerning ur hardware info in short. Bluetooth, mac number, imei, ....
Many of us have got this tampeted with and unfortunately we had no clue it was something important( despite numerous threads in the i9000 forums warning users of this and nobody had backups) ,
there is no fix yet.
Check the nexussense forum for more details.
But do make a backup please.

After that whole incident I downloaded Samsung's Reflash tool and restored my phone back to stock.
Since then I have reflashed a custom kernel, but so far all is well. What exactly should be in the /efs folder as far as files.
My /efs folder has
Code:
imei>bt.txt
uart_path
bluetooth>bt_addr
nv.log
lost+found
Could you tell me if I am missing anything. I checked my MEID by typing *#06# and it matches what I have on the box.
EDIT: the bt.txt file int he imei folder does not have my MEID in it. Is it suppose to be in there?

I just copied and pasted a back up using root explorer to my sd card. I am on miui NS4G when doing this should I be on a stock rom?
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using XDA Premium App

seekis said:
After that whole incident I downloaded Samsung's Reflash tool and restored my phone back to stock.
Since then I have reflashed a custom kernel, but so far all is well. What exactly should be in the /efs folder as far as files.
My /efs folder has
Code:
imei>bt.txt
uart_path
bluetooth>bt_addr
nv.log
lost+found
Could you tell me if I am missing anything. I checked my MEID by typing *#06# and it matches what I have on the box.
EDIT: the bt.txt file int he imei folder does not have my MEID in it. Is it suppose to be in there?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you have a backup? Also where on samsung's site is and how to use it please? And is there one that will work on nexus s?
Sent from my Nexus S using Tapatalk

Isnt this something that only gets messed with if you use someone elses Nandroid?
A custom rom doesnt normally mess with that folder, i thought...
Anyway, i have a Nandroid of my phone from before i flashed anything to it, so i assume im covered with that.

Can the OP please post a method to do the back up before making it a sticky tab?
Pointless to make it sticky and we still had to find the way to back up ourself. LOL

window7 said:
Can the OP please post a method to do the back up before making it a sticky tab?
Pointless to make it sticky and we still had to find the way to back up ourself. LOL
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agree even though it is pretty easy with Root Explorer. Just go to the root of the phone and find the folder called "efs". Long press the folder and choose copy. Go to the "sdcard" and paste it. I also suggest connecting your phone to your computer and save the "efs" folder to your computer somewhere you'll be able to find it.

An alternative to root explorer, you can use IO file manager (I think it works)/
From this thread ADB is also very easy.
Open a terminal emulator or ADB on your computer and type
su
busybox cp -a /efs /sdcard/
back up the file on your computer and you're done

AshsToAshs said:
Isnt this something that only gets messed with if you use someone elses Nandroid?
A custom rom doesnt normally mess with that folder, i thought...
Anyway, i have a Nandroid of my phone from before i flashed anything to it, so i assume im covered with that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nandroid doesn't touch this folder, it seems. Best to make a backup on your own to be safe.

Zehlek said:
Did you have a backup? Also where on samsung's site is and how to use it please? And is there one that will work on nexus s?
Sent from my Nexus S using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did not have a previous back up. I pulled mine from my phone with adb. I have no idea about your other questions.

window7 said:
Can the OP please post a method to do the back up before making it a sticky tab?
Pointless to make it sticky and we still had to find the way to back up ourself. LOL
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you already have adb, just do this:
Code:
adb pull /efs

seekis said:
I did not have a previous back up. I pulled mine from my phone with adb. I have no idea about your other questions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You said you used Samsung reflash tool. I was wondering where I can download it and how to use it
Sent from my Nexus S using Tapatalk

seekis said:
If you already have adb, just do this:
Code:
adb pull /efs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I already flashed sense 0.3 and didn't backup
Sent from my Nexus S using Tapatalk

im still trying to figure out what exactly is getting messed with as the OP did not describe why we needed to back up this folder and or what could be messed up if we don't.
Any info would be great.

Zehlek said:
I already flashed sense 0.3 and didn't backup
Sent from my Nexus S using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well try it anyway and see what you get...i already flashed a different rom too, but the folder was still there

seekis said:
im still trying to figure out what exactly is getting messed with as the OP did not describe why we needed to back up this folder and or what could be messed up if we don't.
Any info would be great.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Look at this thread here. People are losing their IMEI number and is resulting in no service. If you back up the efs folder, it saves this information in case it happens to you.

I pulled it to my sdcard and computer. The imei folder is empty. I don't see a txt file and the bin files are all weird coding
Sent from my Nexus S using Tapatalk

Zehlek said:
I pulled it to my sdcard and computer. The imei folder is empty. I don't see a txt file and the bin files are all weird coding
Sent from my Nexus S using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I just finally looked at my imei folder that I saved to my computer and it only has one bt.txt file...

probleem with i9000

Two brothers Jlexa S i9000
8 GB Anhzv suddenly imei
3g not working
And became a matter for Alhraih
Installed should Romat many but would be futile
Look for an original 5-Rom files
The problem can be dissolved
They say it comes with full Alrwamt file bot
If an end to the language of good looking sites in foreign file efs
Lift Balodn
Refused to receive the security device
Dath and for someone and try it and received it by imei Ouht
The second and worked as soon as I entered the market for returned and claimed everything to put it back
Vialit solution even if 3g and Engage Maedjl on the market for
Unfortunately, the translation Alsih where I Aatguen to English translation and these Aljojl

What?
10 char

I am so sorry for my Bad Language I want to file efs brief of the Model i9000

Try reflashing by stock firmware via Odin. In most cases you will get back imei. Do you have the efs backup with you?
Sent from my GT-I9000 using Tapatalk

Thanks for comment
No I do not have a copy of the file efs
You install programs but did not succeed

The /efs folder is a separate partition that holds the IMEI along with other things as device lock codes etc. This partition is not touched by firmware flashes, so reflashing a stock firmware will probably not help. If you messed up your /efs folder, you might have a serious problem if you don't have a backup.
My 2 cents...

Thank you for your answer
Yes, I did a survey of program file odin If I found a copy of this file is copied from another device will solve my problem and have the form tar

You can also try to rename files on your phone:
/efs/.nv_data.bak
to
/efs/nv_data.bin
I can't recall reading about copy /efs from another phone would help. But that could be just me not had time to read all posts in xda.
Sent from my GT-I9000

I did not find files in the device so that it just, is it another solution

O-T said:
You can also try to rename files on your phone:
/efs/.nv_data.bak
to
/efs/nv_data.bin
I can't recall reading about copy /efs from another phone would help. But that could be just me not had time to read all posts in xda.
Sent from my GT-I9000
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont think a copy from another phone will work, but u could always ask someone to give u a copy of their efs and try, as i see it u dont have what to loose

Thank you my brother I hope to find a gall perhaps solve the problem because many simply told me that the solution of the problem is the
And also as a matter of experience I want a 5 Software files for Any Language

up up up up up

I hope you find the solution to your problem too

Thank you my friend and I also hope so and I know that each Mchklt solutions

Copying the /efs folder from another phone to your own will change your IMEI. Your phone and the original phone where the folder was copied from, will have the same IMEI then.
Please read the article in this link on the use of IMEI numbers before you might change it. I will definitely not give you a copy of my /efs folder...

My friend I know that it is wrong to take a copy of this file, but I now I can not take advantage of the telephone and the reason I am a victim of dealer deceiver has sold me a device and when you used to briefly stop working and when asked the dealer repair it to the Security Certificate refused to pick it up and when they put the machine when the agent of Samsung refused to receive the pretext that the device is not intended for the Arab States and the result was a project I did not find stolen

Cant delete CWM backups from internal SD Card

Need some help here:
I need to delete some of the backups I made with CWM recovery. I already have them backed up onto my PC, but need to delete them to make some room. For some reason I cant.
Ive tried root explorer, es file explorer, and my PC. Im unable to change the permissions of the files, and if you look at the pics I attached youll see they have some strange permissions, but I cant change them.
I am able to move the files anywhere else in the sd card folder, rename them, but no matter what I cant delete them. And when I try from my PC it shows them disappear, but they are actually still there.
If there is a way to format the sd card folder I will, but thats not an option in the settings, or CWM. Can someone please help me out here? This is really frustrating me. Thanks

No issues here when I delete backups using ROM Toolbox.

UnknownFearNG said:
No issues here when I delete backups using ROM Toolbox.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried through ROM Toolbox and still couldnt delete them.

Gam3r 4 Life said:
I tried through ROM Toolbox and still couldnt delete them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same, tried with multiple apps too.

I posted this in the other thread, but figured I would do so here in case other people needed the "fix".
Ok, so some good news and some bad news.
The good news is, I was able to put together a flashable zip that WILL DELETE the entire CWM backup directory from the sdcard. It is available here:
http://core.routed.com/CWM_Backup_Wipe.zip
You simply need to flash it via CWM. Easy peasy. I confirmed that the directory/files were all removed, AND the storage space is now available for other files (I checked df before and after).
The bad news is, before attempting to delete the directory, I first tried changing the permissions (recursively) to see if that was a better "fix" for this problem. Unfortunately, even with the directory 777 and the files 666, I still could not manually delete them through the system. Which means, whatever bug is causing this problem is much more severe than a file/directory permission thing.
In any case, until the CWM developer can figure out a way to fix this bug, at least we have a way to manually remove the backups and get our storage space back.
The script in the zip is very simple. It just does a recursive delete on /sdcard/clockworkmod/backup.
Enjoy!

phonic said:
I posted this in the other thread, but figured I would do so here in case other people needed the "fix".
Ok, so some good news and some bad news.
The good news is, I was able to put together a flashable zip that WILL DELETE the entire CWM backup directory from the sdcard. It is available here:
http://core.routed.com/CWM_Backup_Wipe.zip
You simply need to flash it via CWM. Easy peasy. I confirmed that the directory/files were all removed, AND the storage space is now available for other files (I checked df before and after).
The bad news is, before attempting to delete the directory, I first tried changing the permissions (recursively) to see if that was a better "fix" for this problem. Unfortunately, even with the directory 777 and the files 666, I still could not manually delete them through the system. Which means, whatever bug is causing this problem is much more severe than a file/directory permission thing.
In any case, until the CWM developer can figure out a way to fix this bug, at least we have a way to manually remove the backups and get our storage space back.
The script in the zip is very simple. It just does a recursive delete on /sdcard/clockworkmod/backup.
Enjoy!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just saying thanks for this, I hope they figure a fix out soon. Flash worked perfectly, for some storage space back. :good:

Houston, I have a problem.

Okay, like a smart person I went and deleted the build.props file in the systems folder. I wish I could explain, but I was trying to delete something else, and I guess I deleted the wrong file. I did not make any backups. (I did make a backup; but I never moved it the the sd card.) Now, the question is can someone just upload that same file, and will my rom be saved? (Using Qfil)

I wish I can help you but my LG V35 is bootloader locked and non-rooted

There you go. I added a txt extension because the app wasn't allowing me to upload it otherwise.

I have a bootloader unlocked, rooted v35 with an unmodified (to my knowledge) build.props file. I rarely ever need to modify that file on any rooted device and don't know if this is all you need, but here it is. ( I am on Android 8 ULM)

rpgdev said:
There you go. I added a txt extension because the app wasn't allowing me to upload it otherwise.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you! You are a freaking lifesaver!