Database Users

$325- Google Nexus 4 16GB Brand New?!? Google disabled phone?? Help??

Hello fellow forums users. After getting a bad screen nexus 4, and later selling it. I decided to give the Nexus 4 another chance. I just found a great deal on Ebay for a nexus 4 16GB from a seller that has 64 100% positive feedback. But... there seems to be an issue with the phones imei, the seller says that google disabled the phones. I tried looking on google on anything on the matter but I came up short. Here is a copy of the items description on Ebay... What do you think? is there any way that Google can DISABLE phones like that?? ive never heard of that before with unlocked cell phones.... any help would be greatly apreciated.
Original Ebay item description:
The listing is for BAD ESN Nexus 4 16GB BRAND NEW SEALED IN BOX. I ordered it straight from Google and the package went missing. Google gave me refund right away but the package arrived a few weeks later. I did not want the phones so i wanted to send it back to Google but I was told to keep them since they are disabled anyway. I am thinking the phone is disabled by BAD ESN or IMEI. The phone is still sealed in box and never been opened. I am selling these phones AS IS. ALL SALE IS FINAL and NO RETURN WILL BE ACCEPTED. SHIPPING WORLDWIDE

Yes Google can disable the phone remotely. That phone will not turn on. Spend the extra 25 dollars and buy it from Google play store.

neotekz said:
Yes Google can disable the phone remotely. That phone will not turn on. Spend the extra 25 dollars and buy it from Google play store.
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Well you learn something new everyday. I didnt even think that was possible! Thanks!

I don`t know what you`re up to for sure but these kind of threads are not allowed. If you are a potential buyer DO NOT BUY THIS PHONE, if you`re fencing hot phones GTFO.

ferrojasaguilar said:
Hello fellow forums users. After getting a bad screen nexus 4, and later selling it. I decided to give the Nexus 4 another chance. I just found a great deal on Ebay for a nexus 4 16GB from a seller that has 64 100% positive feedback. But... there seems to be an issue with the phones imei, the seller says that google disabled the phones. I tried looking on google on anything on the matter but I came up short. Here is a copy of the items description on Ebay... What do you think? is there any way that Google can DISABLE phones like that?? ive never heard of that before with unlocked cell phones.... any help would be greatly apreciated.
Original Ebay item description:
The listing is for BAD ESN Nexus 4 16GB BRAND NEW SEALED IN BOX. I ordered it straight from Google and the package went missing. Google gave me refund right away but the package arrived a few weeks later. I did not want the phones so i wanted to send it back to Google but I was told to keep them since they are disabled anyway. I am thinking the phone is disabled by BAD ESN or IMEI. The phone is still sealed in box and never been opened. I am selling these phones AS IS. ALL SALE IS FINAL and NO RETURN WILL BE ACCEPTED. SHIPPING WORLDWIDE
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If you buy phone from playstore. They can remotely disable everything. Nexus 4,7,10. As long as you bought it from playstore, don't worry. they
can disable the device in just one second. I would suggest you don't buy it unless google willing to activate the phone. I doubt it.

gee2012 said:
I don`t know what you`re up to for sure but these kind of threads are not allowed. If you are a potential buyer DO NOT BUY THIS PHONE, if you`re fencing hot phones GTFO.
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Hey chill, im not fencing anything. I found the listing on Ebay and since ive never heard of remote disabling I came here to ask as I dont want to throw my $325- away.

Yes Google can disable it and no there is no way anyone can enable it. Its worthless paying that much money. I would suggest to pay a little extra and buy it from Google.

sounds like a tmobile nexus 4 phone ans the account or line is past due or they stopped paying the bill making the phone listed under tmobile as blocked/bad imei
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

gee2012 said:
I don`t know what you`re up to for sure but these kind of threads are not allowed. If you are a potential buyer DO NOT BUY THIS PHONE, if you`re fencing hot phones GTFO.
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Did you even read his post. He's not selling anything let alone a stolen phone. He was simply looking for information on a disabled phone. Why don't you GTFO.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

Thanks for your help, i was looking into the matter and all I could find where apps that let you remotely wipe your personal information on the device, but not actually BRICKING it. I went to google's play homepage, and in the returns/refund section I read that when you ask for a replacement phone, the remotely DISABLE the phone buts thats what I dont get. How do they do that? How does that work? will the phone not power on at all? do they block the imei number worldwide? any ideas?

ferrojasaguilar said:
Thanks for your help, i was looking into the matter and all I could find where apps that let you remotely wipe your personal information on the device, but not actually BRICKING it. I went to google's play homepage, and in the returns/refund section I read that when you ask for a replacement phone, the remotely DISABLE the phone buts thats what I dont get. How do they do that? How does that work? will the phone not power on at all? do they block the imei number worldwide? any ideas?
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Google has a well known back door into phones and they can pretty much do as they please but have limited their efforts so far to just removing malicious apps from peoples phones.
I would stay away from this phone for if the IMEI is blacklisted as stolen, which is pretty much a worldwide blacklist now, then it cannot be recovered as no carrier anywhere will activate it.

They won't remotely brick it... They'll just have the IMEI blacklisted. It will likely turn on, you just can't activate it anywhere.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

joshnichols189 said:
They won't remotely brick it... They'll just have the IMEI blacklisted. It will likely turn on, you just can't activate it anywhere.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
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they do brick it, when you turn it on you will get the red led and nothing else.

neotekz said:
they do brick it, when you turn it on you will get the red led and nothing else.
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I guess the question is whether that's Google bricking it or whether it's just a defective phone. I'd venture to say that it's a bad phone. If Google disables your phone, it's by adding your IMEI as stolen.

Called AT&T Store in NYC for the Note 3; full price at @ $725 and they will unlock

Called AT&T Store in NYC for the Note 3; full price at @ $725 and they will unlock
I just called an AT&T store in Manhattan, NY and asked about the Note 3. They said they will be able to sell the phone on Oct. 4th, but will have the units for display beginning tomorrow. They also said they will sell the phone at the full price of $725 and that they will unlock it, but they will need to order the full-priced phone online, as the in-store units are all meant for the monthly plans. They will also need me to fill out a form to get some approval from AT&T for unlocking the phone.

My question is how do they unlock them? We should do whatever they do and that way it looks legit all the way through. No tripping that e-fuse from KNOX.

SgtGoldy said:
My question is how do they unlock them? We should do whatever they do and that way it looks legit all the way through. No tripping that e-fuse from KNOX.
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Of course, I don't have the answer to how they unlock it. That may be a question for some of our XDA members who work for AT&T. Any takers?

incisivekeith said:
I just called an AT&T store in Manhattan, NY and asked about the Note 3. They said they will be able to sell the phone on Oct. 4th, but will have the units for display beginning tomorrow. They also said they will sell the phone at the full price of $725 and that they will unlock it, but they will need to order the full-priced phone online, as the in-store units are all meant for the monthly plans. They will also need me to fill out a form to get some approval from AT&T for unlocking the phone.
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SgtGoldy said:
My question is how do they unlock them? We should do whatever they do and that way it looks legit all the way through. No tripping that e-fuse from KNOX.
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incisivekeith said:
Of course, I don't have the answer to how they unlock it. That may be a question for some of our XDA members who work for AT&T. Any takers?
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I don't think they mean they will unlock the bootloader, only that they will sim-unlock the phone.

http://www.att.com/esupport/article.jsp?sid=KB414532#

Zach Alt said:
I don't think they mean they will unlock the bootloader, only that they will sim-unlock the phone.
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Mind explaining a bit more of the difference? Also, is it possible for any of these awesome devs on here to replicate?

SgtGoldy said:
Mind explaining a bit more of the difference? Also, is it possible for any of these awesome devs on here to replicate?
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Unlocked bootloader means custom roms and root and whatnot. SIM unlocked means you can use an ATT phone on T-Mobile or vice versa.

Zach Alt said:
Unlocked bootloader means custom roms and root and whatnot. SIM unlocked means you can use an ATT phone on T-Mobile or vice versa.
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Quick, simple, and clear. Thanks Zach :highfive:

SgtGoldy said:
Mind explaining a bit more of the difference? Also, is it possible for any of these awesome devs on here to replicate?
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Click to collapse
No AT&T Corporate store is going to do anything that AT&T doesn't instruct and allow them to. At least not more than once.
Here's AT&T's SIM unlock policy (from the above link).

BarryH_GEG said:
No AT&T Corporate store is going to do anything that AT&T doesn't instruct and allow them to. At least not more than once.
Here's AT&T's SIM unlock policy (from the above link).
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If you pay full price for a phone off contract they will always sim unlock it for you.

Why would you have to order the full priced one online?

drmacrofish said:
Why would you have to order the full priced one online?
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That's what I asked too, but the AT&T rep didn't have an answer. I wonder if other AT&T stores may do everything in the store.

incisivekeith said:
That's what I asked too, but the AT&T rep didn't have an answer. I wonder if other AT&T stores may do everything in the store.
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I would hope so. I went into my local one today and told them I wanted to buy one full price and he said sounds good like it wouldn't be an issue. Gave me his card and told me to call next week. I really hope I don't go in on the 4th and them have them tell me they got to order one for me and then have to wait even more. I will be sure to clarify that again next week.
This was at a corporate store by the way that I was at.

drmacrofish said:
I would hope so. I went into my local one today and told them I wanted to buy one full price and he said sounds good like it wouldn't be an issue. Gave me his card and told me to call next week. I really hope I don't go in on the 4th and them have them tell me they got to order one for me and then have to wait even more. I will be sure to clarify that again next week.
This was at a corporate store by the way that I was at.
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Or you could order one on Monday.

So this is very interesting. I had been reading on XDA that the AT&T store in Jamaica, Queens, NY, had Note 3 phones for sale, so I called them this morning and asked if they had the black Note 3 in stock. The rep said they did, after consulting his manager.
I was a little shocked to hear they had phones in stock for sale, so I asked again if he meant Note 3. He said he meant Note 3, too. Then I asked him how much it would cost me to purchase the phone at the full price and he said it would be $725, after consulting again with the manager. I said I would drop by to buy the phone and hung up.
I had a couple of other questions, so i called again a few moments later, and confirmed again that they had Note 3 in stock for sale.
So, having confirmed so many times they had the phone in stock, I made a 50-min trip to their store, and ask for the rep I spoke with. The rep met me and then asked me to wait while he would get the phone. I heard him talking to a couple of colleagues of his and I kinda knew what was coming. They were saying something from which I concluded the phone was not in stock.
The rep came to me and said they didn't have the phone. I was PISSED! I told him that i asked and confirmed so many times if they had the phone and he said they did. The rep said he had asked his manager and the manager had said they did have the phone, so he told me they had the phone.
I spoke with the manager, and he said he was sorry as there was a misunderstanding. This pissed me off more. They specifically told me the price of the full-price Note 3 was $725 on the phone, so where the freak was the chance of mixing that phone with the Note 2 or any misunderstanding? I am normally very tolerant, but this just made me mad.
The dummy manager screwed it all up, and even when apologizing, he was very dismissive, saying they don't have the phone and will let me know when it arrives. I wanted to say, " You moron, I came to this store because you were selling it today. If I wanted to wait, I could have bought from where I live instead of making a long trip to this store." But, I didn't say that, completely. I said it without the "moron" part. It took them additional five minutes to look in their system to tell me it was going to be available for sale on Oct. 4th.
The funny part was another rep was telling two women they had the Note 3 for sale while I was standing there, after being told they didn't have the Note 3. So that rep went and asked someone and came back and told the women they didn't have the phone for sale. How incompetent these reps are at that store!
Other XDA members, who work at AT&T, this post is not directed toward you. I am just sharing my experience and frustration at the misinformation from and incompetence of the store reps of the Jamaica corporate AT&T store and the dummy manager.
I checked out the display unit of Note 3 at that store, and I have to say, I wasn't very impressed, in comparison to the Note 1. The display unit's baseband version wasn't N9005, but N900auc something.

I've dealt with a lot of dummy employees and managers at the At&t stores and t-mobile in the past so I know your pain. They most likely have the phone in stock but aren't allowed to sell it till the 4th of Oct.
Sent from my GT-N7105 using xda app-developers app

Zach Alt said:
If you pay full price for a phone off contract they will always sim unlock it for you.
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If you get a T-Mobile phone and have them unlock it it will be bootloader AND sim unlocked. This locked bootloader garbage makes me want to drop AT&T.

so this is only sim unlocked ? bootloader will still be locked ?

markysd said:
so this is only sim unlocked ? bootloader will still be locked ?
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That is correct.

pretty sure u can get it unlocked on Ebay for cheaper.. Just like u can with iphones.. for a few bucks

What Are The Chances ?

That I go out and plunk down $600.00 for a new VZW S5 and out of the box it is of a newer version that can't be rooted?
(I have to buy full retail to keep un-limited data plan)
I should be able to power it up out of box prior to purchase to check version number? What ver should I be looking for or what to avoid like the plague?

Chopstix9 said:
That I go out and plunk down $600.00 for a new VZW S5 and out of the box it is of a newer version that can't be rooted?
(I have to buy full retail to keep un-limited data plan)
I should be able to power it up out of box prior to purchase to check version number? What ver should I be looking for or what to avoid like the plague?
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Click to collapse
It has nothing to do with when the phone was made. It has to do with the firmware of the phone and since the firmware version hasnt changed since the phone was rooted then you will be fine. It may not even make a difference when new firmware is released. It depends on if google fixes the loophole because its not just a samsung problem, its an android problem. The root works for most any android device. If you have been keeping up with you it, you would know that Google recently hired the guy, geohot, that found the root, so it is only a matter of time before it is fixed but it will take a long time to release new firmwares for every phone infected. This may never happen and it just may be fixed in new phone releases such as the note 4 or galaxy s 6.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using XDA Free mobile app

Its simple just get the VZW Developer S5 if your going to buy it outright. So you can enjoy root and all that unlocked bootloader goodness. Here's the link for the Developer S5 http://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/cell-phones/ET-G900VMKAVZW
Sent from my SM-G900V using XDA-FORUM, powered by appyet.com

miller1821 said:
It has nothing to do with when the phone was made. It has to do with the firmware of the phone and since the firmware version hasnt changed since the phone was rooted then you will be fine. It may not even make a difference when new firmware is released. It depends on if google fixes the loophole because its not just a samsung problem, its an android problem. The root works for most any android device. If you have been keeping up with you it, you would know that Google recently hired the guy, geohot, that found the root, so it is only a matter of time before it is fixed but it will take a long time to release new firmwares for every phone infected. This may never happen and it just may be fixed in new phone releases such as the note 4 or galaxy s 6.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using XDA Free mobile app
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Where did you read Google hired George at?
Sent from my S5 using your mom

Dennisg34 said:
Where did you read Google hired George at?
Sent from my S5 using your mom
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Here from BBC.

22jk said:
Its simple just get the VZW Developer S5 if your going to buy it outright. So you can enjoy root and all that unlocked bootloader goodness. Here's the link for the Developer S5 http://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/cell-phones/ET-G900VMKAVZW
Sent from my SM-G900V using XDA-FORUM, powered by appyet.com
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Good point !! The only problem I envision I may encounter is the extended warranty. I bought the GNEX the week it hit the market and pay the 5 bux a month for the extended warranty. I drive a truck and am rough on phones. The charging port loosens up and quits working. I've already checked with VZW and they offer it on the standard S5. I am on my 5th GNEX over the years that they have over-nighted me at no cost with the warranty. I'm going to have to find out if I can get that on the dev edition.
Edit:Yeah I was afraid of that .... just got out of a chat session with VZW rep. To get the extended warranty I would have to buy the phone from VZW. They don't sell the dev edition, I would have to get it directly from Sammy and that only has the one year warranty. I didn't see anywhere on the sammy site to open a chat window to enquire about an extended warranty but I doubt it's available. Not to mention you have to send the phone in under their warranty terms and wait for a replacement. With VZW, they over-night a phone along with a paid return sticker and package and I have 10 days to return the broken phone. Can't go without my phone for weeks waiting for a replacement.
I've been running custom ROMS since my original MotoDroid and can't imagine going back to running stock. BUT !! I am grandfathered into the un-limited data plan and run the house off of the phones. Got rid of cable internet when they lit my town with 4G and I get 27.5m down and 18+ up.... So long as I can enable the wifi hotspot to broadcast, I guess I could live with a less than un-locked phone for now. Hoping in the future it will be.

You can get the warranty. When I was activating my phone I purchased online elsewhere the rep told me I could get it since they currently have "open enrollment" this was exactly a week ago. It's call back and all about it.

22jk said:
Its simple just get the VZW Developer S5 if your going to buy it outright. So you can enjoy root and all that unlocked bootloader goodness. Here's the link for the Developer S5 http://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/cell-phones/ET-G900VMKAVZW
Sent from my SM-G900V using XDA-FORUM, powered by appyet.com
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whtciv2k said:
You can get the warranty. When I was activating my phone I purchased online elsewhere the rep told me I could get it since they currently have "open enrollment" this was exactly a week ago. It's call back and all about it.
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If VZW does not stock the dev edition, they aren't going to have a refurbed one on hand to replace mine with under the extended warranty. I can see what would happen now. Even if they sold me the extended warranty, if something happened and I had to get it replaced, the phone they will send out will be a standard consumer grade S5. I'll try another vzw rep but they were emphatic I must purchase from VZW to add the extended warranty to the phone.
Edit: just chatted with another rep and they told me yes I could get the ext warr when I activate phone. I mentioned how will they replace it if they don't stock it? rep's reply "good point" ... he agreed with me they would send out a consumer grade phone as a replacememt.

Chopstix9 said:
If VZW does not stock the dev edition, they aren't going to have a refurbed one on hand to replace mine with under the extended warranty. I can see what would happen now. Even if they sold me the extended warranty, if something happened and I had to get it replaced, the phone they will send out will be a standard consumer grade S5. I'll try another vzw rep but they were emphatic I must purchase from VZW to add the extended warranty to the phone.
Edit: just chatted with another rep and they told me yes I could get the ext warr when I activate phone. I mentioned how will they replace it if they don't stock it? rep's reply "good point" ... he agreed with me they would send out a consumer grade phone as a replacememt.
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The rep probably had no clue. This is what they will do. The phone is exactly the same except for the dev has unlocked bootloader. So they will take an original refurb and rebrand it as a dev edition with unlocked bootloader and dev firmware. Its not that hard, just because we cant flash certain things doesnt mean they cant. You will get a refurb equal to what you bought. That simple.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using XDA Free mobile app

miller1821 said:
The rep probably had no clue. This is what they will do. The phone is exactly the same except for the dev has unlocked bootloader. So they will take an original refurb and rebrand it as a dev edition with unlocked bootloader and dev firmware. Its not that hard, just because we cant flash certain things doesnt mean they cant. You will get a refurb equal to what you bought. That simple.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using XDA Free mobile app
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Not exactly that simple. It is true, you get a refurb equal to what you bought if bought from VZW. They do not sell the dev edition and I was told since dev edition is un-locked it automatically voids any warranty that VZW would recognize/honor, since they do not sell un-locked phones. My only hope would be if Samsung sold an extended warranty, which they don't. I did verify, they are currently having an 'open enrollment' where you can warranty a phone bought from other than VZW, but the un-locked proviso is in place according to them. It was the store manager I talked this over with and he seems quite knowlegble. I've dealt with him for years.
Yes, I love ROM's have been flashing since my original moto-droid. But so long as I can activate tethering to run the house on the phone I'd be all right. Looking for an answer as to whether I can revert to full stock to be able to do a warranty exchange if I safestrap it ...

AT&T Nexus 6 InStore Nationwide recall

Hello - Just spoke to one of the local ATT stores...he said the nationwide Nexus 6 shipment has a software bug and they were all sent back. He did not know when the new shipment will be sent out. SUCKS

The stock firmware is the same between AT&T stock and the rest of the stock. Maybe AT&T is recalling the phones because they forgot to lock down the bootloaders also? :laugh:

PaisanNYC said:
The stock firmware is the same between AT&T stock and the rest of the stock. Maybe AT&T is recalling the phones because they forgot to lock down the bootloaders also? :laugh:
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haha good one.

I'd love to know what this "bug" is. I'm sure we can fix it ourselves rather than go through the hassle of sending it in.
Also, does it affect only in-store purchases, pre-orders, or all AT&T Nexus 6 units?

I was thinking the same too. I visited some 3 at&t stores this morning and they all had the same story. The guy at the last store was very cool and honestly told me the recall is most likely because at&t forgot to lock down some things.
I suspect the bootloader.
He told me if i am looking to pay the full price, i shouldnt get it from at&t. He does make sense.

Lol recalled for bug is bs.

i saw some vids yesterday of people who got their phone from at&t, and the accessibility option for blind people was set on first boot, making him unable to get out of the locksceen or power off the phone easily.
could be it

If its hardware related fine..but software can easily be fixed since the factory images are out. No reason to recall with factory images available. I guess it's cause they don't want ppl claiming they still defective devices.

djkinetic said:
If its hardware related fine..but software can easily be fixed since the factory images are out. No reason to recall with factory images available. I guess it's cause they don't want ppl claiming they still defective devices.
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Most of the public has no idea what a factory image is.

gtalum said:
Most of the public has no idea what a factory image is.
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Most of the public isn't buying nexus device.

djkinetic said:
Most of the public isn't buying nexus device.
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They might start. Big beautiful phone available at the retail store like all the others. Well eventually.

djkinetic said:
Most of the public isn't buying nexus device.
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Click to collapse
I dunno. At a carrier store I bet most buyers are general public who has no idea what a factory image is.

My local at&t is still selling them today. Maybe they didn't get the memo. Tempted to go get one before they decide to lock the bootloader
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using XDA Free mobile app

I got mine in yesterday. Since I had to get the shipped sim changed over to my number, instead of the wife's, I booted up, without a sim and loved not seeing any ATT bloat on the phone. Once I got the sim activated, and confirmed it was working, I immediately:
- OEM Unlock check
- unlocked with kit
- rooted with kit
- removed the emblem on back
- inserted activated sim
No bloatware, no issues whatsoever. I think I'll keep mine, and not return it to ATT.

dipstik said:
i saw some vids yesterday of people who got their phone from at&t, and the accessibility option for blind people was set on first boot, making him unable to get out of the locksceen or power off the phone easily.
could be it
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The report at http://www.droid-life.com/2014/11/2...p-nexus-6-inventory-back-due-to-software-bug/ describes the issue similarly; i.e., the display not turning on at first boot.
What I'm wondering is how that could happen if the ROM is the same as other Nexi, and the only AT&T customizations are supposedly the boot animations/ringtones on a special oem partition, and something plugged into the carrier init sequence (when you put in your SIM and select your carrier) that's downloading a couple apps from the play store.
I also wonder what the capabilities of the carrier init plugin are -- can it update radios or other parts of the ROM? Enable/disable things like VoLTE support?

Was reading on gplus some att users turned on their n6 and there was kitkat. Quality control issues.

They realized the death star logo can can be scratched off with a credit card... Had to take them back to reprint with permanent ink.

Is this something I should be concerned with? I got one of the first shipments but my phone is running fine so whats up? Why can't they just tell us?

rkennison said:
They realized the death star logo can can be scratched off with a credit card... Had to take them back to reprint with permanent ink.
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Actually it was because they had VZW logo's instead of AT&T. :laugh:

First they decide to throw their retarded branding on their crop oft he Nexus 6 devices, then they send the units back because they either 1) failed to lock it down or 2) screwed up something usability related when they decided to throw their bloatware bull**** on the phones.
Either way, s#*t like this makes me happy I'm not an ATT customer anymore. F*@k that company.

Received a demo S8

I was wondering if any firmware is available to I can get rid of the retail mode. I'm sorry if I posted in the wrong fourm. I'm aware that the phone doesn't have cellular capabilities I want to use it as a wifi only device

XxCyberHackerxX said:
I was wondering if any firmware is available to I can get rid of the retail mode. I'm sorry if I posted in the wrong fourm. I'm aware that the phone doesn't have cellular capabilities I want to use it as a wifi only device
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"Received a demo S8" oh really? Maybe ask the store from where it was stolen from, they probably know the process to take it out of retail mode. If you bought it legitimately then it's the sellers responsibilty to provide a working phone. Is the wifi-only mode because the IMEI is blacklisted? I guess you don't live up to your username. Just kidding.
I googled it, there are pages and videos that tell you how to remove retail mode.

Go into development settings and turn off demo mode.. it's that easy ...
Settings...
About phone...
Tap build number until it says unlocked...
Then back out to setting
Then development settings
Then go down and turn demo off
Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

djxn40 said:
Go into development settings and turn off demo mode.. it's that easy ...
Settings...
About phone...
Tap build number until it says unlocked...
Then back out to setting
Then development settings
Then go down and turn demo off
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think he's talking about retail mode which is a totally separate thing. There's a Samsung Retail app and a code you have to enter.

Oh sorry ?
Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

henrybravo said:
"Received a demo S8" oh really? Maybe ask the store from where it was stolen from, they probably know the process to take it out of retail mode. If you bought it legitimately then it's the sellers responsibilty to provide a working phone. Is the wifi-only mode because the IMEI is blacklisted? I guess you don't live up to your username. Just kidding.
I googled it, there are pages and videos that tell you how to remove retail mode.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haha that made me crack up. I bought the phone on eBay. I just need some firmware to put in Odin to flash the phone to factory settings

henrybravo said:
"Received a demo S8" oh really? Maybe ask the store from where it was stolen from, they probably know the process to take it out of retail mode. If you bought it legitimately then it's the sellers responsibilty to provide a working phone. Is the wifi-only mode because the IMEI is blacklisted? I guess you don't live up to your username. Just kidding.
I googled it, there are pages and videos that tell you how to remove retail mode.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
henrybravo said:
I think he's talking about retail mode which is a totally separate thing. There's a Samsung Retail app and a code you have to enter.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I want to reflash the phone to get rid of all the demo videos and applications

*UPDATE* I managed to completely get the phone stock

XxCyberHackerxX said:
*UPDATE* I managed to completely get the phone stock
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How did you go about this?
Thanks!

G_Loc said:
How did you go about this?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I sent you a message

XxCyberHackerxX said:
I sent you a message
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello there
I also have a GS8 + demo unit and would like to know how can you remove or flash a new firmware ??
Thanks

Wow.... Its amazing all these Demo phones getting stolen and sold already.
I am not blaming anyone who buys them on Ebay... but realize this. Once the stores send it in, the new blacklisting methods on carriers share among the carriers. Once its listed. Account gets flagged saying you have an unauthorized device. After that, they suspend the account till you put a clean IMEI.
I know AT&T and its network sister partner services do this for sure.
I would say those who buy this from ebay as a Demo device, or from Craigslist. Ask them for the Invoice receipt or proof of purchase. (Claim in case of warrenty issues) if they stutter or make up an excuse. Realize its a stolen store phone which will get tracked. They may not go after the small 100$ or entry level phones but the high end galaxies and iphones... they sure will.

Mysticales said:
Wow.... Its amazing all these Demo phones getting stolen and sold already.
I am not blaming anyone who buys them on Ebay... but realize this. Once the stores send it in, the new blacklisting methods on carriers share among the carriers. Once its listed. Account gets flagged saying you have an unauthorized device. After that, they suspend the account till you put a clean IMEI.
I know AT&T and its network sister partner services do this for sure.
I would say those who buy this from ebay as a Demo device, or from Craigslist. Ask them for the Invoice receipt or proof of purchase. (Claim in case of warrenty issues) if they stutter or make up an excuse. Realize its a stolen store phone which will get tracked. They may not go after the small 100$ or entry level phones but the high end galaxies and iphones... they sure will.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's very true. I go mine from eBay and will ask for the original invoice. If Samsung ever came asking for the phone I would give it to them

Mysticales said:
Wow.... Its amazing all these Demo phones getting stolen and sold already.
I am not blaming anyone who buys them on Ebay... but realize this. Once the stores send it in, the new blacklisting methods on carriers share among the carriers. Once its listed. Account gets flagged saying you have an unauthorized device. After that, they suspend the account till you put a clean IMEI.
I know AT&T and its network sister partner services do this for sure.
I would say those who buy this from ebay as a Demo device, or from Craigslist. Ask them for the Invoice receipt or proof of purchase. (Claim in case of warrenty issues) if they stutter or make up an excuse. Realize its a stolen store phone which will get tracked. They may not go after the small 100$ or entry level phones but the high end galaxies and iphones... they sure will.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
*facepalm*.
These are demo units, they are built with no IMEI or any of the cell antennas.
These are bought to use as WiFi only devices usually.
They are not blacklisted stolen units, those are completely different (and do exist a lot on eBay).

Skander1998 said:
*facepalm*.
These are demo units, they are built with no IMEI or any of the cell antennas.
These are bought to use as WiFi only devices usually.
They are not blacklisted stolen units, those are completely different (and do exist a lot on eBay).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
o.0 Where do you work at? Cause the "Demo" phones "I" get are fully functional from samsung. Then I install the retail demo software on it, which has the password. It syncs up with the demo software for that phone and off it goes. I can disable functions, protect it from hard resets and even open it all back up again.
Yes, they quite so have an IMEI.
However in fairness. If you have a wifi only S8 "demo" unit. Please share the screenshot of it showing no imei in the about phone info area.

Mysticales said:
o.0 Where do you work at? Cause the "Demo" phones "I" get are fully functional from samsung. Then I install the retail demo software on it, which has the password. It syncs up with the demo software for that phone and off it goes. I can disable functions, protect it from hard resets and even open it all back up again.
Yes, they quite so have an IMEI.
However in fairness. If you have a wifi only S8 "demo" unit. Please share the screenshot of it showing no imei in the about phone info area.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All demo units in Qatar and MENA region are like that (in Samsung shops), I'll get you a screenshot when I go out sometime.
It will show IMEI 0000000000
Here is an example demo phone http://www.ebay.com/itm/Samsung-Gal...198937?hash=item3d3ac81fd9:g:HyUAAOSw9OFZE-Kz
The back will have a NOT FOR SALE sticker without the usual IMEI printout even. Just a SRN

I see, so in those regions eh?
I know here in USA, Its a fully working model. Just is softwared to demo mode it.

G_Loc said:
How did you go about this?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
can you share this also?

Good job
XxCyberHackerxX said:
*UPDATE* I managed to completely get the phone stock
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hello brother can you also help me through inbox
:good:

XxCyberHackerxX said:
*UPDATE* I managed to completely get the phone stock
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How did you do it?