Database Users

[Q] Thinking about GT-I9505G but I like Touchwiz

Hi,
I'm thinking about getting a GT-I9505G (I own an I9500 now but living in the San Francisco market so I want to experience the LTE service). I do like (and got used to) the TouchWiz and some of the S-* services (I know many do not like that, I find those useful ).
Is there a way to flash the I9505G with an I9505 stock ROM? or at least have the TouchWiz running on a I9505G based ROM?
I've been browsing the forums but could not find an answer for that...
Thanks,
Gil.

gilbnx said:
Hi,
I'm thinking about getting a GT-I9505G (I own an I9500 now but living in the San Francisco market so I want to experience the LTE service). I do like (and got used to) the TouchWiz and some of the S-* services (I know many do not like that, I find those useful ).
Is there a way to flash the I9505G with an I9505 stock ROM? or at least have the TouchWiz running on a I9505G based ROM?
I've been browsing the forums but could not find an answer for that...
Thanks,
Gil.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you can choose between either go with 9505g and flash TW rom in recovery, or vice versa with 9505 (root,flash....)
You cant "convert" i9505 to i9505g or vice versa (so far)

dublinz said:
you can choose between either go with 9505g and flash TW rom in recovery, or vice versa with 9505 (root,flash....)
You cant "convert" i9505 to i9505g or vice versa (so far)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks dublinz, so the I9505 and I9505G is a compatible hardware, even in terms of LTE bands. Right? I guess this has been discussed in the forums before so sorry if I'm repeating the same question
(BTW, my 100th post in xda.. yey!)

gilbnx said:
Thanks dublinz, so the I9505 and I9505G is a compatible hardware, even in terms of LTE bands. Right? I guess this has been discussed in the forums before so sorry if I'm repeating the same question
(BTW, my 100th post in xda.. yey!)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And first thank you
i9505 and i9505g share same hardware, in terms of LTE bands it should be the same thought freq is activated by modem (different modem for different countries to match frequencies of local networks)

dublinz said:
And first thank you
i9505 and i9505g share same hardware, in terms of LTE bands it should be the same thought freq is activated by modem (different modem for different countries to match frequencies of local networks)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the thank you dublinz!
This is an important point! Are you saying the different LTE frequencies are controlled by the installed modem? In other words, is that all software-dependent and not HW dependent? Can I run an I9505 (or I9505G) in any country that has LTE as long as I install the relevant modem?? I'm sure I somewhat generalized the question and I'm still trying to find out the differences between "Bands" and "Frequencies" when it comes to LTE.
Thanks!

gilbnx said:
Thank you for the thank you dublinz!
This is an important point! Are you saying the different LTE frequencies are controlled by the installed modem? In other words, is that all software-dependent and not HW dependent? Can I run an I9505 (or I9505G) in any country that has LTE as long as I install the relevant modem?? I'm sure I somewhat generalized the question and I'm still trying to find out the differences between "Bands" and "Frequencies" when it comes to LTE.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also available as:
Samsung SGH-i337 for AT&T.
Samsung I9505G Galaxy S4 Google Play Edition.
GENERAL 2G Network
GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all versions
3G Network
HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 - SGH-i337
4G Network
LTE 800 / 850 / 900 / 1800 / 2100 / 2600
LTE 700 MHz Class 17 / 1700 / 2100 - SGH-i337
As part of the modem we have LTE driver, in some countries LTE is disabled due to fact that they dont have LTE capabilityes, in others its enabled.
To answer to your question should you change modem each time you change country , answer is NO,
If you in England and you install modem for England , whenever you boot phone English LTE settings will kick in ;UNLESS you are in roaming, in that case modem will try to negotiate LTE values with host network....

dublinz said:
you can choose between either go with 9505g and flash TW rom in recovery, or vice versa with 9505 (root,flash....)
You cant "convert" i9505 to i9505g or vice versa (so far)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Theoretically, yes - but there is no custom recovery yet for the I9505G. None of the phone's storage will mount when you flash a I9505 recovery.

tublah said:
Theoretically, yes - but there is no custom recovery yet for the I9505G. None of the phone's storage will mount when you flash a I9505 recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
stand corrected ...

dublinz said:
you can choose between either go with 9505g and flash TW rom in recovery, or vice versa with 9505 (root,flash....)
You cant "convert" i9505 to i9505g or vice versa (so far)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
dublinz said:
stand corrected ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No worries. Also, the partition layout is different on the Google Edition (more free space on the internal storage, due to system being smaller than TouchWiz). So we'd have to figure out a way to resize the GE to TW partition sizes. I'm using a I9505G right now and hoping to be able to play with the TouchWiz goodies, too.

tublah said:
No worries. Also, the partition layout is different on the Google Edition (more free space on the internal storage, due to system being smaller than TouchWiz). So we'd have to figure out a way to resize the GE to TW partition sizes. I'm using a I9505G right now and hoping to be able to play with the TouchWiz goodies, too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i have idea mate ...i want to have GE edition .... lets swap
In regards to GE i must admit i was blissfuly unaware of the fact about custom recovery,
Anyway we also need complete system dump can you do that for community ?

dublinz said:
i have idea mate ...i want to have GE edition .... lets swap
In regards to GE i must admit i was blissfuly unaware of the fact about custom recovery,
Anyway we also need complete system dump can you do that for community ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You mean this ? http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2364875

MichelN said:
You mean this ? http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2364875
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes thanx

[q] lg g2 320l korean version now in uk

I am requesting assistance with basic development of the Korean 320L Variant of this device. I chose it due to the removable battery and 64gb micro sd card capability over the standard version available here in the uk.
I have achieved Root which is excellent but would like a CWM/TWRP based recovery if this is possible. I have tried the Korean Telecom 320k version to no avail.
Any help or guidance would be appreciated, I have already looked at the existing threads for answers but I see none (I may be missing something!)

jody04c said:
I am requesting assistance with basic development of the Korean 320L Variant of this device. I chose it due to the removable battery and 64gb micro sd card capability over the standard version available here in the uk.
I have achieved Root which is excellent but would like a CWM/TWRP based recovery if this is possible. I have tried the Korean Telecom 320k version to no avail.
Any help or guidance would be appreciated, I have already looked at the existing threads for answers but I see none (I may be missing something!)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think i know what it might be.Did you update to the last OTA before you try the recovery?If the answer is yes then this is your problem,and you will need to revert back to stock to do so (and stay there until a new recovery img for the new rom arrives).

woof123 said:
I think i know what it might be.Did you update to the last OTA before you try the recovery?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm currently running JDQ39B / Software version F320l11C

jody04c said:
I'm currently running JDQ39B / Software version F320l11C
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes then this is the problem it wont work for the latest version.

woof123 said:
Yes then this is the problem it wont work for the latest version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
BolloXXX to that! Thanks for the update though. I guess I will have to wait for a workaround.. Times like this makes me miss the simplicity of a Nexus and an unlocked bootloader.

jody04c said:
BolloXXX to that! Thanks for the update though. I guess I will have to wait for a workaround.. Times like this makes me miss the simplicity of a Nexus and an unlocked bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its very easy to go back to another rom if you want,i did that with mine like 3-4 times already :good: You just need the rom and FlashTool.1.0.54.
They do have the K variant roms for download here:Btw S and L models are pretty much the same,mine is the S one but if i open it it says F320S/L.Even flashed it with the K software with no problems at all.
The latest that works is 10M
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2432476

Any LTE/4G on f320l in UK?
woof123 said:
Its very easy to go back to another rom if you want,i did that with mine like 3-4 times already :good: You just need the rom and FlashTool.1.0.54.
They do have the K variant roms for download here:Btw S and L models are pretty much the same,mine is the S one but if i open it it says F320S/L.Even flashed it with the K software with no problems at all.
The latest that works is 10M
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2432476
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi jody04c and woof123
I too have an f320l model. Have you managed to get this to work on UK LTE/4G connections? I have an EE 4G Sim but can only get 3G. Various people are saying different things.
The pda site says limited band support, but the 5457#*320# menu has LTE Band 3 and LTE Band 7 listed. The latest Korean manual for 4.4.2 OTA update now also lists Band 7 support in the manual too.
However, I notice that In Korea LGUPlus don't use these LTE bands (according to wikipedia) and so I was wondering if I should just root and try loading the K or S ROM which might open these up?
I have seen the return to Stock page - for me to use that, will I need to Root first? Any advice on rooting the Korean variants (sorry if this is listed elsewhere, I'm not a familar user here and often find several threads with different details/steps).
Thanks in advance for any help here.

mikeefreedom said:
Hi jody04c and woof123
I too have an f320l model. Have you managed to get this to work on UK LTE/4G connections? I have an EE 4G Sim but can only get 3G. Various people are saying different things.
The pda site says limited band support, but the 5457#*320# menu has LTE Band 3 and LTE Band 7 listed. The latest Korean manual for 4.4.2 OTA update now also lists Band 7 support in the manual too.
However, I notice that In Korea LGUPlus don't use these LTE bands (according to wikipedia) and so I was wondering if I should just root and try loading the K or S ROM which might open these up?
I have seen the return to Stock page - for me to use that, will I need to Root first? Any advice on rooting the Korean variants (sorry if this is listed elsewhere, I'm not a familar user here and often find several threads with different details/steps).
Thanks in advance for any help here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So has anyone had success getting the f320l working on uk 4g by using stock/custom s/k rom. As suggested here hardware with s and l seem to be same or similar, and the l model is used by lugplus who don't support EU lte bands so probably block through their software, whereas skt on the f320s support bands on EU. The latest f320l ota update also says it supports band 7, but it didn't work with uk Ee for me with default settings.

What to do with a Samsung Galaxy Note 3 N900S - that's 'ESS' not 'five'

I have an N900S - it's the south-korean Telekom take on the SM-9005. But I'm in France and some of the French LTE bands aren't open.
By the specs it appears to be exactly the same as an N9005 except that it has a weird retractable radio antenna and these pesky blocked LTE bands.
It's rooted - finally - thanks to philz recovery which has a specific binary for the beast, and I've got all the tooling necessary to hack into the NanD storage and looked at all the tutorials and (finally) freed up the modem mode system menu.
But as the tutorials point out, I need a kernel built from AOSP to actually get in and permanently activate those LTE bands. And, it being the ESS, not 5, I have not yet found one.
So it's time to get there myself! Like any good programmer (and I am reasonably good), my principle attribute is laziness, so the first port of call is here - amongst the experts.
Here we go then:
. Does anyone know what the principle differences are between the ESS and the 5 - what is that make a 5 ROM/kernel, be a bricklayer on an ESS?
. Is anyone already working on this (I find no dev references anywhere)?
. If the answers to the above are negative, can anyone point me in the right direction for acquiring this knowledge for myself?
Thanks

The main difference between 900S and 9005 is the bootloader, but any AOSP/CM ROM from lollipop 5.0 supports both models fully.
For kernels which work with stock TW ROMs, I believe arter's kernels should he compatible, but you will want to read his instructions first.
Sent using XDA One

Bootloader unlocked, can I use any rom?

So Ive had this Verizon Note 3 since day one. Finally unlocked my bootloader... What are the rules on what I can and can't do now. Can I install any Android rom? Can I only install note 3 roms from any carrier... Can I install only Verizon note 3 roms? Or is it a hybrid... I can install any rom if I replace the firmware and or modem.
I really want something on 7.1 but I'd rather take 6 and have something custom... Fast and responsive.
Thanks community.

You are in luck. :crying:
There's hardly anything to choose from; maybe 3 or 4 ROMs and about the same number of kernels.
AFAIK, there are no Nougat ROMs and only one Marshmallow ROM (AryaMod6.6).
Normally, when a dev ships a "ROM", there are two important pieces: the /system image (what some folks call "the ROM"), and the boot image. The boot image is what some folks erroneously call "the kernel"; but it is really a combination of kernel + ramdisk. The ramdisk has all the scripts in it that the "init" process reads to start up all the low-level daemons and services... as well as the Android UI as well.
The kernel is very tightly tied to the specific hardware in a given handset - both the processor/gpu and all the sensors/leds/peripherals.
So that's the reason you can't just flash any old ROM. In the least bad case, your device wouldn't boot; in the worst bad case the kernel would boot up far enough go off in the weeds and possibly damage some of your hardware.
You might be tempted to think "we'll, what if I find a boot image for the "hltevzw" SM-N900V device... can I flash that after I have flashed 'any old Android ROM'? Won't that take care of things?"
Well, not really. The system library binaries in /system are possibly compiled with instruction-set optimumization tweaks that are only supported by specific CPU and GPU hardware chips. Moreover, other peripheral chips such as GPS have unique "downloadable" vendor firmware in the system image... so again, there's the issue of hardware dependencies of the /system image.
Beyond that, there's carrier-specific "setup and activation" software that differs between ROMs, so even using ROMs that are from a different carrier's version of the exact same handset hardware might not work fully - specifically in the telephony function areas. Everything else might work fine though. For instance if you wanted to use the device as a WiFi-only unit for kid's games etc.
Note BTW that the "International" Note 3 GSM phones are not the same hardware - they use an Exynos processor.
good luck in your quest

Thanks
That was very helpful... Looks like Araya is my best bet. I'll leave jasmine rom to try it.
I was hoping that I could get another note 3 rom on this forum and flash the CDMA modem for networking... But doesn't seem like that's an option.
If I'm still stuck to Verizon Note 3 rom... What is the purpose or benefit of unlocking the bootloader... Was that really just to avoid Odin so I can flash my couple rom choices easier?
I appreciate your time!

cyberoptics said:
That was very helpful... Looks like Araya is my best bet. I'll leave jasmine rom to try it.
I was hoping that I could get another note 3 rom on this forum and flash the CDMA modem for networking... But doesn't seem like that's an option.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I might have very slightly overstated the case for pessimism. There is a "consolidated" Verizon Note 3 Forum which is meant for devs to provide development tools and even ROMs that could potentially be used on devices from more than one carrier. But the world being organized the way it is, that means that you are more likely to find multi-carrier GSM ROMs over there than multi-carrier ROMS which support GSM and oh by the way CDMA and LTE as well.
If you want to fool around over there, I recommend that you proceed with great caution to make sure that the ROMs you choose specifically target Qualcomm MSM8974AB Note 3 handsets, and you should read the developer notes very carefully to see whether you need to flash an "hltevzw" kernel separately. If the dev does not mention "supports hltevzw" or "supports N900V" (for example here) you might be taking chances with your hardware.
I suppose it is possible that the radios are 100% "software defined" in the sense of which bands they can support. Maybe you can get what you want by simply flashing the desired carrier's "modem" firmware, but I have never done that so I can't say for certain whether that works or you are risking a brick (or hardware damage) by doing that. I simply don't know (e.g.) if the chips and antennas in a T-mo version of the Note 3 are identical or different from a Verizon Note 3's hardware
cyberoptics said:
If I'm still stuck to Verizon Note 3 rom... What is the purpose or benefit of unlocking the bootloader... Was that really just to avoid Odin so I can flash my couple rom choices easier?
I appreciate your time!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, for one - having a custom recovery allows you to make backups - even if you never change ROMs
People don't think of backups as being "sexy", but they allow you something which is really valuable: freedom to mess around and experiment with the knowledge that "if something goes wrong, I'll just restore the backup".
And with Odin, you only had the choice of Stock Roms. Now you have a few more.
cheers

Yes you can install Any rom for note3
Here is my experience with installing roms on note 3 after unlock bootloader
you should Flash twrp-2.8.7.0-hlte-4.4.img by ODIN for the hlte roms or twrp-2.8.7.0-hltevzw-4.4.img if you looking to flash verizon roms ,
im on Phronesis Rom N7 now and i tryed many roms
AryaMod N7 & S7 Edge
MagMa-NX from NXT TEAM
Resurrection Remix Nougat 7.1.1
CM 13 ROM 6.0.1 for Trader418
Purify CM13 6.0.1 ( the best CM13 till now )
and more ...
i have only one problem that i cant get LTE in mobile network always on H+
i tryed to add screenshot but i couldn't its my firist reply :laugh:

@ALPHA85
Pretty informative first post - thanks, and welcome aboard!
Are you on a Verizon SIM? If not, have you been flashing modems from other Note3 devices?
Just curious; I don't have much experience with radio issues or carrier activation issues. Trying to port a carrier-specific ROM elsewhere (esp starting from a VZW ROM) looks like a massive pile of interlocking software dependencies, though. My respect to anyone who can succeed at it.
Feel free to write a brief summary about what's broken in each - any of them have NFC working? I was on CM13 (trader418) for a long time and would have been happy to stay there were it not for all the GPS issues.

Thank you ,:angel:
i dont use Verizon SIM becouse im from egypt, i bought my verizon note 3 by wrong , when i bought it i saw N9005 under the battery and in the boot screen also inside the rom ,it was lollipop 5.0 ,but sinse i did factory rest i surprised it change to N900V even the imei changed , till now i cant understand how they flashed N9005 rom for N900V device with locked bootloader
i'm on OF1 bootloader unlocked and i flashed PL1 Modem i thought maybe it help me to get LTE but still the same H+
about NFC i really didn't try it at all , i always disable it by titanium pro

ALPHA85 said:
when i bought it i saw N9005 under the battery and in the boot screen also inside the rom ,it was lollipop 5.0 ,but sinse i did factory rest i surprised it change to N900V even the imei changed , till now i cant understand how they flashed N9005 rom for N900V device with locked bootloader
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you first got it, did it appear to have a Verizon ROM on it? (For instance, the Verizon splash screen?) Or some other carrier's logo?
Actually, that cleared something up for me. Well, except for the part about the IMEI changing
Apparently there were both LTE and GSM models of the "Note 3" that were sold in international markets. I understand the LTE version was originally sold in China, but the GSM model is more common?
The SM-N9005 is an LTE phone (I don't know about CDMA) with the Qualcomm MSM8974 processor
and the N9000 is the GSM model with an Exynos 5420 processor
So that probably explains the binary compatibility of the SM-N900V and the SM-N9005 - same processor, and both phones were designed for LTE service.
But your report should give @cyberoptics a little less pessimistic view of things; thank you for that.
But I wouldn't go so far as to say you can flash ANY Note 3 ROM. Even though both the Exynos and Qualcomm processors use ARM cores, they are fairly different - the Exynos has 8 cores, half of which are Cortex-A15, and the MSM8974 has only four cores which are Krait- something or other. I think they are not quite compatible. Note that in theory, ARM code that was compiled to earlier standards (e.g. thumb, armv5) would certainly work on both devices - but if they compiled ALL the code in ROM libraries that way they would be giving up a lot of performance on either device. So.... to the extent that they target processor specifics for either Cortex-A15 or Krait, they will be incompatible.
cheers.

bftb0 said:
You are in luck. :crying:
There's hardly anything to choose from; maybe 3 or 4 ROMs and about the same number of kernels.
AFAIK, there are no Nougat ROMs and only one Marshmallow ROM (AryaMod6.6).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
bftb0 I just wanted to thank you once again for your consistently helpful, verbose posts about the N900V. I've been using CM13 thinking it was the best thing going, when, as nice as it was at the time, it doesn't hold water compared to AyraMod, which I switched to yesterday after reading this thread.
Now my GPS won't take me sailing past Easter Island when en route to a noon meeting downtown. Maybe Google Cardboard will even work, now that NFC appears to.
Thanks again, and please don't ever bore of being a great and helpful resource, we need you!

G900F Rom Recommendation

Hi,
I have a G900F I got in the UK and I've just moved to Canada with. Problem is it doesn't support some of the bands here so I find I often have a poor signal. I'm happy with the stock ROM but I believe if I am to open it up for all bands I need a custom ROM.
I don't need anything too flashy, but I'd like everything to work and be responsive.
In terms of the most complete ROMs it seems LineageOS Official and Resurrection Remixed are the most popular. Can anyone comment? How about Android 6 vs 7?
Thanks

Used to use resurrection but now that I've moved to lineage os I can say that its better and getting improved every update it gets

Beaksterboy said:
Hi,
I have a G900F I got in the UK and I've just moved to Canada with. Problem is it doesn't support some of the bands here so I find I often have a poor signal. I'm happy with the stock ROM but I believe if I am to open it up for all bands I need a custom ROM.
I don't need anything too flashy, but I'd like everything to work and be responsive.
In terms of the most complete ROMs it seems LineageOS Official and Resurrection Remixed are the most popular. Can anyone comment? How about Android 6 vs 7?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
g900f is almost identical if not the exact same as the canadian s5 g900w8.
you would need to use correct freq for your carrier, search will provide a howto. worse case scenario is to flash a canadian 6.0.1 modem from any canadian 6.0.1 stock fw

if trying to figure out connectivity, stay w/stock first as modems are from stock fw.
imo try superlite 6.0.1, it stock based and only takes a few minutes to install that way you can test out your carrier connectivity issues
https://forum.xda-developers.com/ga...-superlite-mini-mm-v1-0-361mb-g900w8-t3497158

So I can keep my stock firmware and just replace the G900F baseband (G900FXXS1CQAV) with the Bell Canada SM-G900W8 Modem and everything will be the same except the phone will work on the Bell Canada frequencies?
I had been planning to follow this guide: https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s5/general/how-to-add-rf-lte-frequency-bands-to-t2886059 to enable the 1700MHz band which is disabled on the G900F, but if flashing a Canadian modem will enable this band that sounds easiest.
Do I need to download the full 1.5GB firmware and extract the modem from it?
Thanks

Beaksterboy said:
So I can keep my stock firmware and just replace the G900F baseband (G900FXXS1CQAV) with the Bell Canada SM-G900W8 Modem and everything will be the same except the phone will work on the Bell Canada frequencies?
I had been planning to follow this guide: https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s5/general/how-to-add-rf-lte-frequency-bands-to-t2886059 to enable the 1700MHz band which is disabled on the G900F, but if flashing a Canadian modem will enable this band that sounds easiest.
Do I need to download the full 1.5GB firmware and extract the modem from it?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ive never tried flashing a mdm from another model as ive never needed to for the s5.
ive not read enough to know if its possible or if it has any neg consequences.
easiest would be to change freq w/current mdm, search for samsung secret service codes to view and maybe change current freq
good place to start is here https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2729694

I've done a lot of research on this forum. Most people say that installing G900W8 firmware on G900F isn't possible. Also it seems that it is the NVRAM which stores what bands are allowed on what model, so simply flashing a different modem won't make a difference.
Some people are saying that the hardware is different and this is what limits the bands, but I don't believe so, the radio/modem chip is the same version between models.
Trying to follow the link I posted earlier to change the NVRAM values after installing a custom ROM appears to be the only way. Some people say it works, and others say it only appears to work. The original thread was closed years ago so I guess I'll just need to try it and see.
Alternatively I could buy 2 phones, one W8 to use in Canada and a F to use in Europe, this seems silly though.