Database Users

[Q] UK Orange S4 questions

Hello all!
I posted the questions below on the UK/Ireland thread yesterday, but havent had any replies yet, so trying here for better luck!
My 9505 arrived today, and cant wait to get busy with it! So reposting my questions here, in the hope that i get the answers!
I really need to find out which rooting method is suitable for this device, so I dont screw things up.
Thanks in advance to anyone willing to help!
Hi guys and gals!
I was a long time serial HTC user, and now finally have jumped ships over to Samsung , so going through a learning curve here, please bear with me!
Waiting for my S4 on OrangeUK upgrade to arrive tomorrow, so getting ready for the usual initial steps and have a few quick questions:
1 What is the model sent out by Orange, 9500, or 9505? Its a GT-I 9505
2 On XDA, what is the difference between the "Galaxy S 4 i950x Android Development", and "Galaxy S 4 i950x ORIGINAL Android Development" sections? I dont get it...
3 Is the Orange UK S4 all ok to root, sim unlock etc as we currently stand? Which method is the recommended one?
(I ask, since having trawled the forums previously, have seen that this changes according to latest software versions etc until devs catch up; easier to ask quickly here than read 300 pages and still be confused )
4 Which is the best/easiest method to unbrand and change the carrier designator, so I end up with an unbranded stock/sim free model designator and ROM? Is it worth doing?
Want to get rid of the Orange crapware, AND be able to get future updates, since on my HTC Sensation removing the crapware changed the hash value of the system software, and subsequent updates would never install anymore)
Thanks in advance guys, looking forward to your replies and starting off with my S4!

OK, after playing around for awhile, it seems that happily ive been sent a stock version! ie no Orange crapware etc... :good:
Ive updated the software to i9505xxuame2, with OTA.
Still uninformed as to the best root method to use, so any advice will be appreciated!

Well, no one answered so I tried the following method and it worked great!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2255190

[Q] Note 3 from Thailand without my language

Hi everybody,
I got a little problem that I can't solve myself.
I have a new Note 3 (N900), bought at Bangkok Airport by a friend. But the language German, that she likes to use is not installed. So she asked me to switch the language to german. I tried some locale apps from play store, but that didn't helped. Is it possible to install an additional localization?
I tried the search here and informed myself about custom roms, odin, root etc. but have never rooted a device nor installed a custom rom. It is difficult for a beginner to find the right way and the right roms, even not sure if there is one.
Btw, there seems to be no region lock, because I tried a german SIM card and it worked.
I found the following information on the package: SM-N9000ZKETHL.
More information? See attached screenshot.
Can anyone help me?
Best regards,
wiciba

......

wiciba said:
Hi everybody,
I got a little problem that I can't solve myself.
I have a new Note 3 (N900), bought at Bangkok Airport by a friend. But the language German, that she likes to use is not installed. So she asked me to switch the language to german. I tried some locale apps from play store, but that didn't helped. Is it possible to install an additional localization?
I tried the search here and informed myself about custom roms, odin, root etc. but have never rooted a device nor installed a custom rom. It is difficult for a beginner to find the right way and the right roms, even not sure if there is one.
Btw, there seems to be no region lock, because I tried a german SIM card and it worked.
I found the following information on the package: SM-N9000ZKETHL.
More information? See attached screenshot.
Can anyone help me?
Best regards,
wiciba
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My suggestion would be to ROOT the device, install TWPR and load the carrier ROM specific for Germany. Once loaded, go into the regional settings for the carrier ROM and select the 3 digit acronym for your German carrier. You can use my link as a basis but will need to consult with some of the seasoned experts on here with regards to the best ROM to use.
LINK: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2489766
Hope this helps!

use Odin
wiciba said:
Hi everybody,
I got a little problem that I can't solve myself.
I have a new Note 3 (N900), bought at Bangkok Airport by a friend. But the language German, that she likes to use is not installed. So she asked me to switch the language to german. I tried some locale apps from play store, but that didn't helped. Is it possible to install an additional localization?
I tried the search here and informed myself about custom roms, odin, root etc. but have never rooted a device nor installed a custom rom. It is difficult for a beginner to find the right way and the right roms, even not sure if there is one.
Btw, there seems to be no region lock, because I tried a german SIM card and it worked.
I found the following information on the package: SM-N9000ZKETHL.
More information? See attached screenshot.
Can anyone help me?
Best regards,
wiciba
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just use Odin and install any official European ROM for the SM-N900. No need for rooting and custom Recovery because that's gonna void ur warranty.

zbz999 said:
Just use Odin and install any official European ROM for the SM-N900. No need for rooting and custom Recovery because that's gonna void ur warranty.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your hint. But which is the right Odin version? When I open all versions in the Odin thread there is no version for the N900. Is it safe to use the latest version?
So, on the SamMobile site I found the two possible firmwares for the device. One for N900, but without Germany in the Country list. And the firmware for N9005, which is the available version in Germany. But is it really safe to flash the N900 (Exynos) with the N9005 firmware (Snapdragon)? I have read somewhere about incompatabilities between these two which can cause damage to the device. I don't want to brick it.

cellrama said:
My suggestion would be to ROOT the device, install TWPR and load the carrier ROM specific for Germany. Once loaded, go into the regional settings for the carrier ROM and select the 3 digit acronym for your German carrier. You can use my link as a basis but will need to consult with some of the seasoned experts on here with regards to the best ROM to use.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for that. At the moment I am convinced that I can't do anything without rooting. Unfortunately there is no German carrier (should be DBT) for the N900, only for N9005.
With your link I found two ways to root the N3, one by chainfire and one by designgears. Chainfires way could work and provides an ODIN version to root the N900 (Exynos), but will trip the KNOX counter and void the warranty. designgears way does not support Exynos at the moment. So I think, I'm stuck at the moment. Or void my warranty.
Do you agree?

wiciba said:
Thanks for that. At the moment I am convinced that I can't do anything without rooting. Unfortunately there is no German carrier (should be DBT) for the N900, only for N9005.
With your link I found two ways to root the N3, one by chainfire and one by designgears. Chainfires way could work and provides an ODIN version to root the N900 (Exynos), but will trip the KNOX counter and void the warranty. designgears way does not support Exynos at the moment. So I think, I'm stuck at the moment. Or void my warranty.
Do you agree?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You will need to void the warranty and install the proper ROM onto the device which supports the features you require. I do not see any alternative at this point and since you bought in Bangkok (or at this airport), are you really concerned about voiding a warranty? It would cost more to enact on this warranty based on the location of purchase than it would to buy a new device from your home area.
You can root your device using the guide I provided to you in a previous link but make sure to replace the downloadable files with those which support your device. Should you require assistance, let me know and I'll help where possible.
Hope this helps!

I discussed this with the device owner and she decided to wait for a root way for Exynos devices.
So, I will follow this forum and hopefully the talented developers here will find a solution in the near future.
I will then report.

Meanwhile I learned that the Exynos model seems to have no Knox counter. When I boot in Odin mode I got only three information .
Now I have rooted it with CF auto root and the status changed .
Does this void the warranty?

German for N900?
I have a N900 from Thailand too and would like to have German language too.
Does anyone know if there is a custom firmware in German available or any other way to go...
All stock firmware seems not to provide German.
I rooted my Phone already.
Any help is very appreciated.
Thank you!

[Q] SM-N9006 some features are not active

Hi, this is my first time to post here, just wanted to know if this is normal
Model : SM-N9006
Baseband Version - N9006ZCUBMI3
Kernel Version:
3.4.0-1590669
[email protected]#1
just got it yesterday and so far its doing great, but I noticed that some of the features are not working here, they are:
S - Pen : available but when you tap it its not opening up
No option for Hands free
no option for voice control
no option to change font
not able to use any launcher apps
gmail always crashes
will flashing it with a different rom will activate all of the features?
and is it possible to flash it with an original Note 3?

leionfrost said:
Hi, this is my first time to post here, just wanted to know if this is normal
Model : SM-N9006
Baseband Version - N9006ZCUBMI3
Kernel Version:
3.4.0-1590669
[email protected]#1
just got it yesterday and so far its doing great, but I noticed that some of the features are not working here, they are:
S - Pen : available but when you tap it its not opening up
No option for Hands free
no option for voice control
no option to change font
not able to use any launcher apps
gmail always crashes
will flashing it with a different rom will activate all of the features?
and is it possible to flash it with an original Note 3?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
N9006 is a slightly different version of Note3 only available in China - there are a number of threads very specific about that model.
IMHO - you should NOT try to write stock N9005 to it since there is a good chance that you will brick it.
My advice would be to keep your current MI5 bootloader (and MI3 baseband), use Universal Root De La Vega to root and keep Knox 0x0, then update using Universal Root De La Vega or Mobile Odin Pro to latest Samsung firmware for your region (MK2 I believe).
Good luck with the reading - you have a lot of it to do around here

xclub_101 said:
N9006 is a slightly different version of Note3 only available in China - there are a number of threads very specific about that model.
IMHO - you should NOT try to write stock N9005 to it since there is a good chance that you will brick it.
My advice would be to keep your current MI5 bootloader (and MI3 baseband), use Universal Root De La Vega to root and keep Knox 0x0, then update using Universal Root De La Vega or Mobile Odin Pro to latest Samsung firmware for your region (MK2 I believe).
Good luck with the reading - you have a lot of it to do around here
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much! I'll be busy for a while, wish me luck!

I think the N9006 model is not a real Note 3. It's the HDC Galaxy Note 3 (in other words: a clone).
It definitely looks like the fake N3 by reading the issues you have mentioned in your post.
Is the S-Pen just a one piece moulded plastic? You mind sharing some pics?
Sent from a Galaxy far far away....

Mustajab Is'haq said:
I think the N9006 model is not a real Note 3. It's the HDC Galaxy Note 3 (in other words: a clone).
It definitely looks like the fake N3 by reading the issues you have mentioned in your post.
Is the S-Pen just a one piece moulded plastic? You mind sharing some pics?
Sent from a Galaxy far far away....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Samsung DOES sell a real N9006:
http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/1/?model=SM-N9006&pcode=0#firmware
And yes, there are some crazy clones out there:
http://youtu.be/BOsq1jamTFg
But the codes for kernel and baseband are a little different on the clones. Also the benchmarks and the screen (not AMOLED).

I think it is a clone version, but I'm not sure, I have attached here the screenshots.
please verify if its clone or not and what would be the best solution so that I can use the full features of this phone.
and yes pen looks like a molded plastic.

Clone
hit 'thanks' if i helped you
SM-N9005 DBT-DMJ7 0x0
XDA Developers 4 premium app

leionfrost said:
I think it is a clone version, but I'm not sure, I have attached here the screenshots.
please verify if its clone or not and what would be the best solution so that I can use the full features of this phone.
and yes pen looks like a molded plastic.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That clearly states it's a clone, and as per as I know a clone version may (can not) get the full features of the original one.

RuchRha said:
That clearly states it's a clone, and as per as I know a clone version may (can not) get the full features of the original one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i have the same exactly model, and i know is a clone. And i also have the issue whit air command. Did you find some helpfull guide to unlock this feature?

guys, any suggestion on rooting this clone? also I tried playing around with it cant seem to access the recovery I tried volume up and power and its just showing a dead android with an exclamation inside a triangle, also after doing that, all apps related to google disappeared tried downloading them but it keeps on crashing... I've seen a lot of how to's for rooting N9006 but not sure if it will work with a clone.

This is not n9006...its cheap imitation fom china...anything u read about note 3 does not apply to this.
Teleported from my SM-N9005 from the Enterprise

leionfrost said:
guys, any suggestion on rooting this clone? also I tried playing around with it cant seem to access the recovery I tried volume up and power and its just showing a dead android with an exclamation inside a triangle, also after doing that, all apps related to google disappeared tried downloading them but it keeps on crashing... I've seen a lot of how to's for rooting N9006 but not sure if it will work with a clone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a thread for this device. You can find the thread here.
You should be able to find rooting info and other stuff about this clone over there. Good luck!

Mustajab Is'haq said:
There is a thread for this device. You can find the thread here.
You should be able to find rooting info and other stuff about this clone over there. Good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that is indeed what i need just have to review it first. Thanks for the link!

leionfrost said:
that is indeed what i need just have to review it first. Thanks for the link!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My pleasure!

[Q] Need help clarifying options for my HK Note 3 32Gb. (Want X Note)

Hi all, I've Googled myself to death but it's just information/misinformation/old information overload. I don't know what's still valid, what's the wrong device, etc... I'm just generally unclear. Especially since my Note 3 is the Hong Kong version, 32Gb, with KitKat already installed when I bought it new.
The X Note thread has instructions for Jellybean users, and rooted KitKat users, but my phone is neither. RDLV isn't for me apparently, Kingo is bad news I've read... Lost. Every guide I find, I don't really trust amid the HK-this and outdated-that.
So, questions.
1. Does this sound right:
Step 1. Root phone in order to install TWRP or CWM recovery.
Step 2. Do EFS backup using mentioned recovery.
Step 3. Download the intended ROM.
Steps 4+. Follow instructions as listed in the X Note release thread.
2. How do I actually root the phone? Asking not because I can't find info, but because I can't find info I know is still valid.
3. Is the 32Gb Hong Kong Note 3 actually different to the international version? I know the 16Gb is, but 32?
4. Ultimately, can I put X Note on my HK Note 3?
5. I haven't even mentioned Odin. Where does Odin come into this, and what is it?
Baseband is N9005ZHUENB5
Many thanks. If you answer and refer to some software, can you please also note its current version so I don't go trying whatever was good in December last year.
Thanks again, I know it's a lot of messy questions but there's just so much old info to wade through now, this is the only way to know I'm reading what's current.

What do you mean by Hong Kong version? Is it original Samsung phone or a clone/fake?

Someguyfromhell said:
What do you mean by Hong Kong version? Is it original Samsung phone or a clone/fake?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Original. Bought on ebay from a HK seller.

Green Pill Zone said:
Hi all, I've Googled myself to death but it's just information/misinformation/old information overload. I don't know what's still valid, what's the wrong device, etc... I'm just generally unclear. Especially since my Note 3 is the Hong Kong version, 32Gb, with KitKat already installed when I bought it new.
The X Note thread has instructions for Jellybean users, and rooted KitKat users, but my phone is neither. RDLV isn't for me apparently, Kingo is bad news I've read... Lost. Every guide I find, I don't really trust amid the HK-this and outdated-that.
So, questions.
1. Does this sound right:
Step 1. Root phone in order to install TWRP or CWM recovery.
>>> you don't need to root to flash custom recovery
Step 2. Do EFS backup using mentioned recovery.
>>> EFS backup is important if you want to flash custom things (ROM, Kernel). But you have to have root to backup EFS partition and NV partition
Step 3. Download the intended ROM.
Steps 4+. Follow instructions as listed in the X Note release thread.
2. How do I actually root the phone? Asking not because I can't find info, but because I can't find info I know is still valid.
>>> CF-Autoroot. But your KNOX will be tripped.
3. Is the 32Gb Hong Kong Note 3 actually different to the international version? I know the 16Gb is, but 32?
>>> from what I've seen, it should be the same with the International version. Just make sure it is N9005 instead of N9002, and it is 32gb. The 16gb is different, due to different partition compared to the 32gb.
4. Ultimately, can I put X Note on my HK Note 3?
>>> if yours is confirmed N9005 (not N9002) and it is 32gb, then there shouldn't be any issue.
5. I haven't even mentioned Odin. Where does Odin come into this, and what is it?
Baseband is N9005ZHUENB5
Many thanks. If you answer and refer to some software, can you please also note its current version so I don't go trying whatever was good in December last year.
Thanks again, I know it's a lot of messy questions but there's just so much old info to wade through now, this is the only way to know I'm reading what's current.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
refer to the blue

antique_sonic said:
refer to the blue
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for those replies. Yep definitely 32G.
Um.. what is NV partition?

Green Pill Zone said:
Thanks for those replies. Yep definitely 32G.
Um.. what is NV partition?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Initially on note 2 LTE, the partition to save IMEI are stored under efs partition.
But on note 3 is different. Samsung has changed it. IMEI is stored not at the efs partition.
There are 3 partition u need to backup.
Efs, modemst1, and modem st2.
Refer to this :
Http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2698639
Sent from somewhere under the sky, at the corner of this rounded earth.

Someguyfromhell said:
What do you mean by Hong Kong version? Is it original Samsung phone or a clone/fake?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HK software cause(s)(d) all manners of issues on the Note 3 - All stemmed back from the very beginning - If you have a read through some older threads you can see the headaches it caused and the amount of threads we had on the subject

radicalisto said:
HK software cause(s)(d) all manners of issues on the Note 3 - All stemmed back from the very beginning - If you have a read through some older threads you can see the headaches it caused and the amount of threads we had on the subject
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
agree.
especially those 16gb version.
few days ago I also headache rooting my friend N9005 32gb NB5 HK version (he came and visit me here from HK).
He is now a happy man go back to HK with his rooted device.

@radical
Yeah, I saw many of the old threads about the HK devices but that's the thing; they're old. Can't tell what's had a workaround found, what's for 16 or 32G models, and this was all before KK.
@sonic
Sounds like your friend has the same model as me.
Honestly, between all the Knox business + the EFS etc. backup requirements + now this HK deviation as well... I'm really not thrilled with Samsung. But I love the S pen and it's the best phablet so what can you do.

Green Pill Zone said:
@radical
Yeah, I saw many of the old threads about the HK devices but that's the thing; they're old. Can't tell what's had a workaround found, what's for 16 or 32G models, and this was all before KK.
@sonic
Sounds like your friend has the same model as me.
Honestly, between all the Knox business + the EFS etc. backup requirements + now this HK deviation as well... I'm really not thrilled with Samsung. But I love the S pen and it's the best phablet so what can you do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah there's a lot of info for sure.
I dumped my N3 and got an Nexus 5 then an S5 but got bored of Samsung's tricks so... finally last week went back to HTC with the One M8 and can genuinely say I am happier with that than I have with any other device recently.

New to the Note 3, wanting to know about what I can do with this.

More specifically, I have had the note 1, then the note 3 neo, And as some of us know, various phones have there little idiosyncrasies, ie; if one's firmware is updated to x.x.x you can't do such and such. In the past I spent hours looking through relevant forums and spent much time experimenting with my phones since the HTC HD2 Leo. I'm no Dev, but I am somewhat savvy. Now however, I don't have the time, had to replace the neo, (kindy glad, cause it doesn't have quite as much going for it.) because the modem quit, I think I know why, but it's so beat up now it was a little embarrassing to be seen in public with it. So now iI have the note 3 with 4.4.4. I want root, preferably without tripping knox, as it has not yet been tripped, howeever, not a deal breaker. I don't want to brick it, Almost did that too many times to the neo, And its no fun, takes too much time to fix. So can anyone tell me or point me to a thread that has good info on what I can do to this thing? I'm not as flash happy as I used to be, but I do like to and sometimes need to access features and capabilities that aren't always stock. Thanks in advance,
Cheers

You are in the wrong forum if you have a Neo.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/note-3-neo

Boot into download and post the model #. You can't root without tripping knox on KK or LP as far as I know.

audit13 said:
Boot into download and post the model #. You can't root without tripping knox on KK or LP as far as I know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
TowellRoot is for rooting on kitkat without trip knox. I did it successfully.

I suppose it depends on model number of the phone? Not sure since I always root via supersu and a custom recovery.

JJEgan said:
You are in the wrong forum if you have a Neo.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/note-3-neo
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
neo was my last device. now i have the note 3 sm-n900a, and the sm-n900v, though i am referring to the att variant, because that is the forum i meant to post in
;/
now i gotta look into moving or reposting this where i meant to.
darn.

With the n900a, rooting is a little trickier since the bootloader is locked.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/note-3-att/general/root-lollipop-att-note-3-safestrap-t3132475