Database Users

How do you replace Hardware Locked Vibrants?

I recently found out that my phone is hardware locked. I hear that people are getting theirs replaced because it's a defect. I tried to explain this where I got my phone about a month ago. No dice. They called up T-Mobile and I could not get a new phone. How did everyone get a replacement? Also, did you get brand new ones or refurbs? Thanks.

Just call tmobile directly. Don't tell them you bought it from someone else. Pretend as if you night it from them. I have gotten mine replaced even though I bought it from else where. The key us to sound like you know what you're talking about and to be persistent. You may get a no can do answer but call again and you'll eventually get a rep that erl return it right away cause they don't know what else to do. Btw always say you have already done a factory reset before they try to get you to do it.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

So I say that I already did a factory reset and want a replacement because I can't get into recovery mode?

just call them up and say that you can't do a hard reset and that the phone is defective... go to the tmobile store, they are a dealership and are privately owned, not by tmobile, so most of the time they'll just laugh in your face... CALL them

I wouldn't mention recovery mode. Id mention something like gps not working and you need a phone with gps for your job and that you paid for a phone and it said it had gps when it doesn't work. But still mention that you have done numerous factory resets with no success. They'll send you another. I'm getting my third one and after 3 replacements you get a upgrade to something else or you can continue with your phone.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

creglenn said:
I wouldn't mention recovery mode. Id mention something like gps not working and you need a phone with gps for your job and that you paid for a phone and it said it had gps when it doesn't work. But still mention that you have done numerous factory resets with no success. They'll send you another. I'm getting my third one and after 3 replacements you get a upgrade to something else or you can continue with your phone.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
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GPS isn't a "hardware" problem, its firmware related. Don't think that would work at all. They'll probably just redirect you to a new firmware update.

How can you tell if your phone is "hardware locked"?

zephiK said:
GPS isn't a "hardware" problem, its firmware related. Don't think that would work at all. They'll probably just redirect you to a new firmware update.
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Nah itll work cause I've gotten 2 replacements but saying that. Trust me I'd you get the right repo that doesn't know they will just replace it. Plus after saying you have done a factory reset they have no more troubleshooting steps on their script. Lol! Plus whether its hardware or software related the phone should work as advertised and if it doesn't then that's their fault
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

I called tmo and told them I couldn't get into recovery using the vol up vol dow buttons and I want a replacement. The phone is supposed to be able to do this, therefore it is defective. They agreed and sent me a brand new phone. Recovery works flawlessly.

mentalex2 said:
I called tmo and told them I couldn't get into recovery using the vol up vol dow buttons and I want a replacement. The phone is supposed to be able to do this, therefore it is defective. They agreed and sent me a brand new phone. Recovery works flawlessly.
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told you that's all you had to do i did the same... the newer replacement phones that they are now sending out aren't hardware locked anymore, they finally fixed the problem in QC

That is weird. How come the recovery mode thing didn't work the first time? I think they might ask me why I would want to get into recovery mode. What do I say?

What about people who don't have contracts with them? Will they do it if I don't have a contract? That's highly doubtful.

1quickturbosix said:
How can you tell if your phone is "hardware locked"?
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I found out by trying to get into recovery mode. I followed a bunch of different methods and none of them worked.
Also:
So, I say I can't get into recovery mode and they'll agree to send me a new phone? When I send it back, do I do any kind of reset or leave it as is?

Yesterday, I fudged an install of a mod and got a bunch of TwLanuncher errors. My phone is hardware locked and after about an hour, Tmo decided to give me a new one. I simply told them and its true that I cant hard reset the phone. Only problem is that I cant flash back to stock either. Hope this isnt a problem...

Thanks everyone for posting this information, this will be very useful.
Was shipping free or not?

mmalott said:
Yesterday, I fudged an install of a mod and got a bunch of TwLanuncher errors. My phone is hardware locked and after about an hour, Tmo decided to give me a new one. I simply told them and its true that I cant hard reset the phone. Only problem is that I cant flash back to stock either. Hope this isnt a problem...
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I don't think T-Mobile will bother to check the contents of your phone. They'll just send it back to Samsung. And if Samsung discovers that your phone has custom firmware, they probably won't care either because the transaction was done already.

burntrat said:
That is weird. How come the recovery mode thing didn't work the first time? I think they might ask me why I would want to get into recovery mode. What do I say?
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That's what I want to know. They might ask why we want to enter recovery...

PSP_Hacker said:
That's what I want to know. They might ask why we want to enter recovery...
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Someone correct me if I am wrong here. Simply tell them that you cant hard reset the phone.

I think you guys are over estimating the technical-prowess of the T-Mob reps. They wouldn't know about 'recovery' modes, custom firmwares, or anything. Most of the time, they're gonna take what you say at face value; just go for the easy in. Just say your phone is hardware locked, unable to do factory resets, etc. and play dumb. You don't need to tell them about recoveries or custom roms. Pretend you're a technologically-impotent average consumer fer chrissakes.

Shipping is free unless you want express. But on your second replacement they ship it express for free
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

Quick warranty question

I have a MT4G here that has a bad eMMC chip. It will not boot or load any firmware but I can get to the hboot and recovery menu. I am not the original owner. Will HTC still warranty it? How would I go about getting a warranty replacement directly from HTC? Im sure somebody out there has done or tried this before.

Don't get the warranty from htc. Get it from t-mobile. It will make your life much easier
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA App

Will T-Mobile warranty it even though I am not the original owner and I didnt get it from the T-Mobile store? Its a phone I bought off of ebay. Also last time I tried to warranty a MT4G through them (about 4 days ago) they said they were out of stock and tried to give me a Galaxy S 3G.

I got my replacement the other day, and while I was reading through a few things, it said that the warranty does not transfer from customer to customer...might be SOL

clarknick27 said:
I got my replacement the other day, and while I was reading through a few things, it said that the warranty does not transfer from customer to customer...might be SOL
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That is why I am asking. The warranty info says it does not transfer from customer to customer but I know some people on this forum have gotten ebay or craigslist phones warrantied. I just wanna know how they did it.

Try to transfer to Technical Support when you use Live Chat. I did it on my HD7 which I bought it secondhand and still received a replacement.

I am having the same exact issue, but I happen to be the original owner of the phone. Are they not going to charge me when they find out that my phone is rooted? My phone boots the tmobile splash screen and will get into hboot/recovery, but it will not flash anything.

XPLANE9 said:
Try to transfer to Technical Support when you use Live Chat. I did it on my HD7 which I bought it secondhand and still received a replacement.
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I just want to be 100% clear on what your talking about. You mean live chat on the T-Mobile website, correct? What if they ask if its my original phone or when they receive it they notice its a different IMEI than the one I originally purchased from them?

kanman said:
I am having the same exact issue, but I happen to be the original owner of the phone. Are they not going to charge me when they find out that my phone is rooted? My phone boots the tmobile splash screen and will get into hboot/recovery, but it will not flash anything.
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If it has original hboot/recovery, and can't get past the splash screen, there's 100% no way to tell it was rooted. Someone correct me if that is wrong?

Paul22000 said:
If it has original hboot/recovery, and can't get past the splash screen, there's 100% no way to tell it was rooted. Someone correct me if that is wrong?
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I am using clockwork recovery so they will definitely notice that it has been tampered with. I guess I'm just looking for a way to get a new phone without being charged for it.

Paul22000 said:
If it has original hboot/recovery, and can't get past the splash screen, there's 100% no way to tell it was rooted. Someone correct me if that is wrong?
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Well.. there's no way to have the original Hboot and be rooted. it will say S-OFF. Yes, you can still have the original 0.86 hboot or whatever - but it will still say s off.

kanman said:
I am using clockwork recovery so they will definitely notice that it has been tampered with. I guess I'm just looking for a way to get a new phone without being charged for it.
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I am in the exact same situation. If anyone has any guidance, please post

silentsnow31802 said:
I just want to be 100% clear on what your talking about. You mean live chat on the T-Mobile website, correct? What if they ask if its my original phone or when they receive it they notice its a different IMEI than the one I originally purchased from them?
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I believe that T-Mobile only checks the order number when it processes replacements. Then again, I am prepaid so I have to send in the faulty device first before I receive the replacement so I am not entirely sure. But I know that my secondhand HD7 (bought on a contract by the original owner) was replaced by T-Mobile without any issues.

Ill talk with a tmobile rep online tomorrow. Mine has the engineering bootloader and clockwork recovery with s-off. Looks like ill be putting some extra voltage through the charging port to try and fry it so they cant even boot it. That way they cant tell it was rooted!

silentsnow31802 said:
Ill talk with a tmobile rep online tomorrow. Mine has the engineering bootloader and clockwork recovery with s-off. Looks like ill be putting some extra voltage through the charging port to try and fry it so they cant even boot it. That way they cant tell it was rooted!
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Have you tried flashing the stock ROM/hboot? [ROM]Glacier_TMOUS_1.17.531.2_Radio_12.28b.60.140e_26.0 3.02.26_M_release
If that doesn't work, you could also try flashing that and pulling the battery so it really bricks and then doesn't turn on...

kanman said:
I am having the same exact issue, but I happen to be the original owner of the phone. Are they not going to charge me when they find out that my phone is rooted? My phone boots the tmobile splash screen and will get into hboot/recovery, but it will not flash anything.
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I sent my phone in with the same problem with S-off and cw recovery installed and they didnt care. They just charged me $10 for shipping.

I really feel we need to re make the unrooting guide...It has to address S-Off,tock Hboot/Radio,stock recovery, stock rom all in one place for users.

gamershadow said:
I sent my phone in with the same problem with S-off and cw recovery installed and they didnt care. They just charged me $10 for shipping.
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Can you detail how you did this? For example, did you "send it in" to HTC or T-Mobile?

Paul22000 said:
Have you tried flashing the stock ROM/hboot? [ROM]Glacier_TMOUS_1.17.531.2_Radio_12.28b.60.140e_26.0 3.02.26_M_release
If that doesn't work, you could also try flashing that and pulling the battery so it really bricks and then doesn't turn on...
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Click to collapse
Yup tired this and get a Fail-PU. Phone is truly dead :-(
Ace42 said:
I really feel we need to re make the unrooting guide...It has to address S-Off,tock Hboot/Radio,stock recovery, stock rom all in one place for users.
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I think there is one floating around somewhere. It doesnt help when the eMMC chip stops working properly though.

Ace42 said:
I really feel we need to re make the unrooting guide...It has to address S-Off,tock Hboot/Radio,stock recovery, stock rom all in one place for users.
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I can try to put one together. I've made a few in my time (coughsignaturecough )
As soon as I figure out how to finally get my phone working without crashing/cache errors

[Q] How to unroot without accessing phone

Well, dropped my g2 from like 2 feet hit perfect and shattered and screen doesnt work. Is there anyway I can unroot without actually being able to use my touch screen. Also if anyone knows how/where I can fix this without LG, let me know, im sure they will charge me to hell. Thanks!

CaptainHairySack said:
Well, dropped my g2 from like 2 feet hit perfect and shattered and screen doesnt work. Is there anyway I can unroot without actually being able to use my touch screen. Also if anyone knows how/where I can fix this without LG, let me know, im sure they will charge me to hell. Thanks!
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You gotta return to stock using a computer. There is no other way to do it other than this method. Hope it works out for you!

Surely you will be paying for the repair anyway?
Could he not just use the LG tool to flash the stock image, or do you have to accept something on the touch screen?
Sent from my LG-D802 using Tapatalk

chronicfathead said:
Surely you will be paying for the repair anyway?
Could he not just use the LG tool to flash the stock image, or do you have to accept something on the touch screen?
Sent from my LG-D802 using Tapatalk
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That would be the revert to stock method I was referring to. He could then get an insurance claim on it and pay no more than $100, assuming the OP has insurance.
Far as I know he doesnt have to use the touch screen to revert back, its all done with the tools given in the revert methodology, but correct me if im wrong on this.

Walter21026 said:
You gotta return to stock using a computer. There is no other way to do it other than this method. Hope it works out for you!
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Sorry for being a pest but can you lead me towards a post or thread that can guide me through this? Im new to all of this, Ive only had android for 2 weeks.

CaptainHairySack said:
Sorry for being a pest but can you lead me towards a post or thread that can guide me through this? Im new to all of this, Ive only had android for 2 weeks.
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Sure can but we need to know what carrier your with.

Walter21026 said:
Sure can but we need to know what carrier your with.
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AT&T

CaptainHairySack said:
AT&T
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http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2432476

Walter21026 said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2432476
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Thank you so much for the help!

If you're using insurance don't waste your time. Neither care about root whether it's warranty or insurance but call and ask if you want. Insurance will straight up tell you they don't care. You're paying anyway.

06stang said:
If you're using insurance don't waste your time. Neither care about root whether it's warranty or insurance but call and ask if you want. Insurance will straight up tell you they don't care. You're paying anyway.
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Yupp, same thing here, they very rarely give a rats ass.

ATT Warranty

Hi
I bricked my phone last night went to ATT and they replaced it under warranty as it was in a boot loop now this morning i stupidly bricked it again do ATT track replacements? Ie could i go to a different store and claim warranty or would their records show it was replaced today?

phil999 said:
Hi
I bricked my phone last night went to ATT and they replaced it under warranty as it was in a boot loop now this morning i stupidly bricked it again do ATT track replacements? Ie could i go to a different store and claim warranty or would their records show it was replaced today?
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Why not just sort it out instead, mate?

vPro97 said:
Why not just sort it out instead, mate?
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I cant get into download mode so i dont believe its fixable.

phil999 said:
I cant get into download mode so i dont believe its fixable.
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Okay, what about custom recovery :/?

vPro97 said:
Okay, what about custom recovery :/?
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I had TWRP but cant get into that only fastboot. ADB doesnt show any devices even though i show USB Android Phone ADB Port under Android Phone in Device Manager.
Any ideas are welcome...

I hate to sound blunt but.
Sounds like your best bet is to take a loss. Why should att take a loss at your lack of knowledge?
And to stop messing with phones cause you don't seem to understand the concept. It's not meant to be.
LG G2

I'm also against the fact that you use the warranty to get a replacement for bricking you phone - which is not covered by warranty. There is a solution to it, but you will need help from someone more competent than me.

I have seen something here that unbricked his device under ubuntu and replaced imgs manually.
Also I have to agree with 20degrees it really sounds like you shouldn't be messing with phones if you bricked 2 in under 24 hours.
Also I would think att will not warranty the phone because you just warrantied one 24 hours ago
Sent from my LG-D800 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

phil999 said:
Hi
I bricked my phone last night went to ATT and they replaced it under warranty as it was in a boot loop now this morning i stupidly bricked it again do ATT track replacements? Ie could i go to a different store and claim warranty or would their records show it was replaced today?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Leave your phone alone and they do keep records but truth is they dont know what so they will replace it but it doesn't make it right,
It very clear that you have NO phone skill at all leave it stock.
Sent from my LG-LS980 using xda premium

Wont boot up after ODIN T-Flash

So I need help. I tried un rooting my s7 edge by flashing the stock files in ODIN, I selected T-Flash in ODIN options because that's what I remembered selecting in the past. Little did I know I forgot to select Re-Partition too. Now my phone shows a black screen, I cant boot into recovery or download mode, but it would seem like the phone isn't shutting off because when I connect it to my PC its immediately recognized and no matter how many button combinations I try it just is disconnected from the PC for about half a second and then re connects. I don't get any response from the phone though. The screen is pitch black and i cant get it to do anything. After flashing I noticed it wasn't booting up at all it was in download mode and when it finished the screen turned black and never came back on. When connected to my PC it is recognized as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 (COM5) in my device manager ODIN Does not recognize it and neither does any other application. Can I please get some help here?

Try pressing and holding the power button until the device shuts off. It could take up to a minute of holding the button down continuously.
Sent from my SM-G935V using XDA-Developers mobile app

ChadH42 said:
Try pressing and holding the power button until the device shuts off. It could take up to a minute of holding the button down continuously.
Sent from my SM-G935V using XDA-Developers mobile app[/URL]
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Yeah that does nothing. I'm still stuck on the black screen and nothing is happening. I'm about to just sit in a corner and cry. No matter what I try nothing comes on no LED no display no vibrations, all I get is the connection sound on my computer when I connect it that is it it does nothing else.

S7EDGEBRICKED said:
Yeah that does nothing. I'm still stuck on the black screen and nothing is happening. I'm about to just sit in a corner and cry. No matter what I try nothing comes on no LED no display no vibrations, all I get is the connection sound on my computer when I connect it that is it it does nothing else.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try recovery mode:
Hold Vol+, Home, and then Power
From there you should be able to wipe or boot to download mode. Hopefully...

Outbreak444 said:
Try recovery mode:
Hold Vol+, Home, and then Power
From there you should be able to wipe or boot to download mode. Hopefully...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope.. nothing.. still a completely black screen and no lights.

S7EDGEBRICKED said:
Nope.. nothing.. still a completely black screen and no lights.
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Not sure of the legitimacy of this or not but you don't have much to lose...
http://www.restore-iphone-data.com/fix-samsung-stuck-in-download-mode.html

Outbreak444 said:
Not sure of the legitimacy of this or not but you don't have much to lose...
http://www.restore-iphone-data.com/fix-samsung-stuck-in-download-mode.html
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It wont detect my phone

S7EDGEBRICKED said:
It wont detect my phone
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I really hate giving links to outside sources when I don't know anything about it but this seems to be your only hope unless you can bring it to a store and have them swap it out with a new one.
http://www.leakite.com/2016/06/revised-how-to-unbrick-qualcomm-android.html?m=1

Outbreak444 said:
I really hate giving links to outside sources when I don't know anything about it but this seems to be your only hope unless you can bring it to a store and have them swap it out with a new one.
http://www.leakite.com/2016/06/revised-how-to-unbrick-qualcomm-android.html?m=1
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Do you by any chance understand this guide?

S7EDGEBRICKED said:
Do you by any chance understand this guide?
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I read through it some, looks complicated. You don't have to follow the guide. The easiest thing you could do is bring it to where you purchased it and then get it swapped for a new one.

Outbreak444 said:
I read through it some, looks complicated. You don't have to follow the guide. The easiest thing you could do is bring it to where you purchased it and then get it swapped for a new one.
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No luck there, I don't have any insurance or returns. Nothing else we can try?

S7EDGEBRICKED said:
No luck there, I don't have any insurance or returns. Nothing else we can try?
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Well like I said before, I don't like giving out directions like I did if I don't recognize the steps to complete it or if others have not supported the validity of it. I don't want to stray you in the wrong direction. The only thing I think you should do, my opinion of course, is attempt to return it under or try to get it repaired under warranty as you don't need insurance as long as you didn't trip Knox, which I don't believe you did.

Outbreak444 said:
Well like I said before, I don't like giving out directions like I did if I don't recognize the steps to complete it or if others have not supported the validity of it. I don't want to stray you in the wrong direction. The only thing I think you should do, my opinion of course, is attempt to return it under or try to get it repaired under warranty as you don't need insurance as long as you didn't trip Knox, which I don't believe you did.
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Okay so i called Samsung and they let me send it in for repair, I'm shipping it out tomorrow. All they asked for was a email my address name and they gave me this code or whatever. I thought I would need like a receipt or something but I guess not. I bought the phone used from Swappa so I thought i'd be screwed. I just hope Knox inst messed up which it shouldn't be because it never was and it failed when I was trying to flash stock firmware. Oh and its free of charge since it hasn't been a year of the phones release yet.

S7EDGEBRICKED said:
Okay so i called Samsung and they let me send it in for repair, I'm shipping it out tomorrow. All they asked for was a email my address name and they gave me this code or whatever. I thought I would need like a receipt or something but I guess not. I bought the phone used from Swappa so I thought i'd be screwed. I just hope Knox inst messed up which it shouldn't be because it never was and it failed when I was trying to flash stock firmware. Oh and its free of charge since it hasn't been a year of the phones release yet.
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Glad you could get it sorted out. Sucks that it will take a little longer but it's better than attempting to follow complicated tutorials that may not even work and may make the problem worse. Hope they send you a new one, just be careful next time you flash anything. Read the instructions, make sure you understand them and ask about what you don't, then read through again to double check and you shouldn't have any problems.

Outbreak444 said:
Glad you could get it sorted out. Sucks that it will take a little longer but it's better than attempting to follow complicated tutorials that may not even work and may make the problem worse. Hope they send you a new one, just be careful next time you flash anything. Read the instructions, make sure you understand them and ask about what you don't, then read through again to double check and you shouldn't have any problems.
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The only thing I'm worried about is if they call me saying they won't repair it because I have no proof of purchase since I bought it used. I'm so anxious to get my phone back really hoping everything is smooth. It's apparently covered by the 1yr warranty every phone comes with but why would they not ask for a receipt but whatever I just want everything to go smooth.

S7EDGEBRICKED said:
The only thing I'm worried about is if they call me saying they won't repair it because I have no proof of purchase since I bought it used. I'm so anxious to get my phone back really hoping everything is smooth. It's apparently covered by the 1yr warranty every phone comes with but why would they not ask for a receipt but whatever I just want everything to go smooth.
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The Samsung S7's came out in March of this year, so regardless of when you have bought it at this time it's obviously still within the warranty period.

Outbreak444 said:
The Samsung S7's came out in March of this year, so regardless of when you have bought it at this time it's obviously still within the warranty period.
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Oh okay. And what about not having a proof of purchase. Does it even matter for this kind of warranty?

S7EDGEBRICKED said:
Oh okay. And what about not having a proof of purchase. Does it even matter for this kind of warranty?
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Once the phone has been out over a year where it's not a guarantee that you must have purchased it within the last 12 months then yes, they most likely would ask for a receipt. You're just lucky like that. Lol

Outbreak444 said:
Once the phone has been out over a year where it's not a guarantee that you must have purchased it within the last 12 months then yes, they most likely would ask for a receipt. You're just lucky like that. Lol
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Oh wow so its basically just lucky timing, nice. I'm never rooting the phone again all i wanted were better emojis and the note 7 UX and I couldn't even get the Note 7 UX so its not worth it. It's an amazing phone on it's own. I won't ever try and root another Verizon phone there's always little support cause of the bootloader and I always run into something. Glad I dont have to worry much just takes time.