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Hello!
I bought my mom an inexpensive S4 and it came with Orange wireless service provider and it's in French out for the box.
It's having some problem suck as MMS issues and all that, not to mention it's just being a pain in the butt to work with.
I want to flash the stock AT&T ROM to it ASAP so she will stop yelling at me about it, but I can't seem to find a copy around here. Maybe I'm just looking in the wrong areas, but I would appreciate some help locating it, thanks!
Also, it's been a while since I have done any ROM changes, so maybe showing me how they do it now would be helpful as well, thanks.
-Dave M.
AT&T ROMs cannot be installed on your phone. Odin will reject it at best, and you could hard brick the S4.
Unlock the phone by using the service menu exploit, RegionLock Away, or by purchasing an unlock code. Once the S4 is unlocked, you can install an unbranded firmware in place of the Orange-branded firmware. Keep in mind that this phone will never get LTE in the states as the frequencies are different.
Yes, I was made aware of the no 4G, no LTE issue with using a European phone by the guy who didn't know what he was doing when he programmed in the wrong APN settings at the AT&T corporate store...
Supposedly, the company I bought it off said this phone was unlocked already, so what then? It's been about 2 years since I did anything with ROMs, so I might be a little out of the know about the new stuff, thanks.
If it's already unlocked, then you can install any I9505 stock ROM you want. Download this ROM from Sammobile and follow the instructions on that page to install it. It's UK firmware so at the language prompt it will default to English. Be aware that you may have to flash the ROM twice before the S4's wireless radios function properly.
If everything goes as expected the APN should be automatically set. If not there are tutorials all over the place on adding an APN.
EDIT: Download the drivers from Samsung's website if not included in the Odin download on Sammobile. You'll need to have them installed for Odin to function.
Thanks. Now, how can I check to make sure this one is unlocked? Service mode is weird, because I had to do the Q followed by 0000 in key input to get it to give me the menu...
Put your Mom's AT&T SIM into the phone. If it asks for an unlock code then the S4 is still carrier locked.
Oh, okay. It's been working for like 2 months like this, lol.
Aren't there still a few carriers that aren't blocked for other regions? I just want to be sure, absolutely. I just want to know if there's another way to check.
Since it was Orange by origin (and those guys tend to lock stuff) I would say you would NOT be able to run AT&T on it as well (Orange ONLY lock - not really region lock)
When you say AT&T works I would assume previous owner already did what was needed and unlocked this device.
Sounds solid, thanks a bunch, fellas.
I just really wish there were a touchwiz ROM from AT&T for this particular model...
No, no you don't. If anything, you have it far easier by not having AT&T firmware. Unless of course you happen to LIKE encrypted (i.e. locked) bootloaders. AT&T and Verizon lock their bootloaders, which makes the simple things like rooting, bloatware removal, and custom ROMs far more difficult, and in some cases bordering on the impossible.
Your Mom may not give a damn, but by not having to deal with the headache of a locked bootloader you've made your life easier.
I've dealt with several so-called finished custom roms, such as the likes of such as Cyanogenmod and others, and lets just say they aren't quite as solid as the stuff that the phone comes with.
There's always something that doesn't work like it's supposed to or some important app that won't work somehow. Last time, I went with a stock rom, custom recovery (I like TWRP) and rooted the device and it ran just like I wanted. SO yeah, I'd like to use a stock touchwiz rom for the US if it's available somewhere.
I understand not wanting to toss a custom ROM on the phone, but that wasn't the point of my post. The ROM I prompted you to download several posts upthread is a stock Touchwiz ROM. In fact, up until this morning it was the same ROM I was using on my O2 I9505 that I'm using here in the US. As the I9505 is not available and never will be available from a carrier in the United States, there will never be a US ROM available for this phone. The ROM I had you download, unlike the AT&T ROM, has no carrier branding of any kind, no carrier bloatware, and no locked bootloader. As a result, you don't have the carrier meddling around with the ROM and making the experience worse by having crud added.
My point is, bluntly, that you're far better off now than you would be with an AT&T device. So, hopefully, now that you got everything sorted out your Mom can enjoy the phone.
Hi there,
I would love to buy a S5 Active in the U.S. an use it in Germany. Since it is looked to AT&T which we don't have in Germany, I want to root it.
For the past 2 days I did some research in this forum. It turned out that it's more complicated than I thought.
My English is not that good, so before I actually buy a phone I want to make sure that I understood everything... more or less.
So, if I get my hands on a phone with 4.4. or 5.0 on it, there is no problem to root it because there is no blocked bootloader, right?
I don't know though which ROM I should use in that case? Which one runs best on the S5 Active?
If the phone is running on 5.1. there is the problem with the locked bootloader, right? In that case I use this guide?
If I get a phone that is running on 6.0 or 6.1 I need to downgrade to 5.0 or 5.1 using this guide and the just do one of the two steps above accordingly?
Does that mean it doesn't matter if the phone I buy runs on 4.4, 5.0, 5.1, 6.0, or 6.1? Can I root in anyway?
Thanks heaps for your help!
Cheers Sam
you dont need to root it for international use. If its not bound to a contract with at&t anymore, then youd just need to contact at&t to have them unlock it for international use. if youre worried about the cost to call at&t, just get the textnow app, get a usa phone number and call them via the app over wifi for absolutely no cost. or, if your worried about your english being a barrier, go to idoneapps.com and they can unlock it for you for $35. I unlocked 2 G900P (sprint S5) with them.
Hi, thanks for the quick reply.
Well, I also though about just getting a unlocked one or to unlock a locked one. BUT then I have all those atnt Apps that I can't uninstall.
So I figured, the only way to get rid of them is to root the device right?
Cheers, Sam
unclesamile said:
Hi, thanks for the quick reply.
Well, I also though about just getting a unlocked one or to unlock a locked one. BUT then I have all those atnt Apps that I can't uninstall.
So I figured, the only way to get rid of them is to root the device right?
Cheers, Sam
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
youre correct, those specific apps do require root to remove. Then youd want something like Titanium backup to get that job done
I havent found anything so far that will show me how to root a G870A ACTIVE on 5.0 (OF3) all these links go to methods that show how to do it on a G900 (non active) if anyone can point me in a direction that would work i would much appreciate it.
electric101 said:
I havent found anything so far that will show me how to root a G870A ACTIVE on 5.0 (OF3) all these links go to methods that show how to do it on a G900 (non active) if anyone can point me in a direction that would work i would much appreciate it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i think the bootloader is still locked on that device. Not getting much love from devs either. Not sure there is a solution for this, sorry good sir
Well I received the SM-G780A today. It is not locked to AT&T anymore so I can actually use it without rooting it.
However the preloaded apps are just a pain. So I am thinking about rooting it anyway.
The Android Version is 5.0 and the Kernel Version 3.4.0-4443965. Do I understood it right that the bootloader is not locked in Androit 5.0 yet?
What's the best way to root it and is there any chance to get a rooted Android 6 running on it?
Cheers Sam
Hi everyone. I am attempting to download the stock firmware for my Edge but can't find it. My phone has SM-G935A printed on the back. It is AT&T. The search feature on SAMMOBILE does not have that model. Is it ok to use a different firmware? It won't be AT&T anymore if I do, right?
The back of my phone gets really hot at times, especially right while booting. I wanted to try to root and put one of the custom ROMS on there but I am not doing anything till I find the correct Stock Firmware.
scm37390 said:
Hi everyone. I am attempting to download the stock firmware for my Edge but can't find it. My phone has SM-G935A printed on the back. It is AT&T. The search feature on SAMMOBILE does not have that model. Is it ok to use a different firmware? It won't be AT&T anymore if I do, right?
The back of my phone gets really hot at times, especially right while booting. I wanted to try to root and put one of the custom ROMS on there but I am not doing anything till I find the correct Stock Firmware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check out this forum, https://forum.xda-developers.com/att-s7-edge/how-to/updated-935u-935a-live-links-pi3-t3501686. I'm running my AT&T S7 Edge on this firmware, WWWWAAAAAAYYYYYY better than stock AT&T. It has NO AT&T bloatware and it has the Mobile Data On/Off toggle listed in the quick toggles bar. Before you flash this on your phone check what build you're on in the "about phone" in settings. Here is the link with the latest stock AT&T Firmware, https://forum.xda-developers.com/att-s7-edge/how-to/firmware-pi2-s7-edge-sm-g935a-10-03-16-t3477246. Download to your pc in case you want to flash back to stock. Don't root, not really stable if you do and you can't install any other firmware / ROM unless you flash 935U Firmware. You can brick your phone or even trip Knox counter and that will void your warranty if you needed to return to AT&T or Samsung.
ytaida said:
Check out this forum, https://forum.xda-developers.com/att-s7-edge/how-to/updated-935u-935a-live-links-pi3-t3501686. I'm running my AT&T S7 Edge on this firmware, WWWWAAAAAAYYYYYY better than stock AT&T. It has NO AT&T bloatware and it has the Mobile Data On/Off toggle listed in the quick toggles bar. Before you flash this on your phone check what build you're on in the "about phone" in settings. Here is the link with the latest stock AT&T Firmware, https://forum.xda-developers.com/att-s7-edge/how-to/firmware-pi2-s7-edge-sm-g935a-10-03-16-t3477246. Download to your pc in case you want to flash back to stock. Don't root, not really stable if you do and you can't install any other firmware / ROM unless you flash 935U Firmware. You can brick your phone or even trip Knox counter and that will void your warranty if you needed to return to AT&T or Samsung.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi and thanks. I don't care about warranty. I am thankful you explained that "ROOT" makes it unstable. How is it possible to flash custom ROMS without ROOT? Why is it so hard to find the dang firmware? I went back on that dang Sammobil to look for the stock firmware for a friends Verizon S7 Edge and I can't find THAT but NOW THE AT&T is there!!!!
It sounds to me like you are coming from an older phone that had an unlocked bootloader? Back in the day when flashing a new rom like paranoid or slimrom was the fun and cool way to differentiate your device from your friends. That was also a time when android was about as locked down as ios is now, and ios was still locking users into their own keyboard, and Samsung was scrapping with apple at every turn for the top seat in the mobile phone market. My how things have changed.
Android is much more open in some ways, there are far fewer things that most people need that require root access, and the device manufacturers have also begun locking down the devices much more. At least in the Samsung line, I don't know when the last US variant flagship bootloader was freely unlocked? The s3? I know I had a Verizon s6 that I could not even achieve root on following a certain point in the release cycle. Now we have all of these fun new terms like systemless root, magisk and engineering bootloader. It really comes down with what is your desired outcome from rooting. You can actually get a long way towards what you could do back then with a Samsung theme and the right apps.
I believe what ytaida is referring to is the ability to flash other s7 roms onto your phone. So while we may not be able to flash custom roms, anything with the correct bootloader can still be flashed. Typically with a phone that is only going to be in the same model, but Samsung kind of threw a curveball and created an incestual path for the s7. With their U firmware, (the 930U and 935U firmware shipped on the devices sold directly from Samsung as was mentioned above) you could flash an official version of that onto the tmobile, Verizon, att and a few other carriers hardware, and essentially change the model of the phone. From there changing it back was equally as easy, except changing it back could be changing a Verizon model into an att model. The radios were all the same. In this process a root exploit was achieved and some very smart (I am humbled by their knowledge and determination on these sites every day) folks started hacking together roms. So you will see some neat stuff done where you are never truly running as root, but there were modifications done as root somewhere along the line. Long story only mildly shorter. Be careful how far down the rabbithole you take this.
The next thing you know it could be 6am and you realize you've been downloading and archiving your own copies of stock Samsung firmware for the last 20 hours, for devices you don't even have lol..
Sure there are still custom roms out there, but as a US customer, if that is what you're looking for you are best off with a nexus device or One Plus.
scm37390 said:
Hi and thanks. I don't care about warranty. I am thankful you explained that "ROOT" makes it unstable. How is it possible to flash custom ROMS without ROOT? Why is it so hard to find the dang firmware? I went back on that dang Sammobil to look for the stock firmware for a friends Verizon S7 Edge and I can't find THAT but NOW THE AT&T is there!!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is not hard, just need to look in correct forum. BTW what firmware you want. You can find any firmware you want for both models. Just look harder.
On Edge of Galaxy
A few things:
1) There doesn't appear to be any physical difference between the 935A, 935T, and 935U. You can, as long as you mind the bootloader version, freely switch between the three versions. I'm not sure about the Verizon and Spring versions.
2) The 935A FW link is around here. I've used it, and it worked fine, but you will be on tap for a few OTA updates.
3) The 935T FW link is actually available in several places, but there is a direct link over in the T-Mobile S7E forum. I'm not really sure what it gets you that the 935U doesn't, though. It has less bloat than AT&T, about the same amount of branding, and AT&T still refuses to let you have access to the more advanced call features. It does appear to be a lot less laggy than the 935A, though - AT&T really screwed up the Nougat upgrade compared to everyone else. It will likely get updates faster as well, and T-mobile doesn't have provisioning checks for tethering.
4) The 935U FW link is also "stock" for this phone, and works much better in many respects (it's certainly faster and less laggy) The difference between the 935A/935T and 935U firmware is that the former two have all the software needed for AT&T/T-mobile specific features, like WiFi calling, VoLTE, Visual Voicemail, etc. The latter has none of those things, but it does give you back BT tethering, disables the checks for WiFi and USB tethering, along with a few other features that were disabled.
Thus, you need to decide what is more important. Carrier specific calling features or more tethering options and overall better performance and battery life.
Please check the ORIGINAL post date!!!
I got the help I needed MONTHS ago. For those of you actually attempting to help,
"THANKS".
NORBARB, as a "SENIOR MEMBER" I would have expected much more than that and again, please look at the date I posted that question. Of course the firmware has shown up now. I don't even own that phone anymore.
How do you determine bootloader version?
jshamlet said:
A few things:
1) There doesn't appear to be any physical difference between the 935A, 935T, and 935U. You can, as long as you mind the bootloader version, freely switch between the three versions. I'm not sure about the Verizon and Spring versions.
2) The 935A FW link is around here. I've used it, and it worked fine, but you will be on tap for a few OTA updates.
3) The 935T FW link is actually available in several places, but there is a direct link over in the T-Mobile S7E forum. I'm not really sure what it gets you that the 935U doesn't, though. It has less bloat than AT&T, about the same amount of branding, and AT&T still refuses to let you have access to the more advanced call features. It does appear to be a lot less laggy than the 935A, though - AT&T really screwed up the Nougat upgrade compared to everyone else. It will likely get updates faster as well, and T-mobile doesn't have provisioning checks for tethering.
4) The 935U FW link is also "stock" for this phone, and works much better in many respects (it's certainly faster and less laggy) The difference between the 935A/935T and 935U firmware is that the former two have all the software needed for AT&T/T-mobile specific features, like WiFi calling, VoLTE, Visual Voicemail, etc. The latter has none of those things, but it does give you back BT tethering, disables the checks for WiFi and USB tethering, along with a few other features that were disabled.
Thus, you need to decide what is more important. Carrier specific calling features or more tethering options and overall better performance and battery life.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm interested in switching my unlocked Tmobile G935T to ATT G935A to take advantage of Wi-fi Calling. I'm not sure how to make sure I select the AT&T firmware that has the same bootloader as mentioned above.
I have yet to find a simple guide on "How to load a custom ROM on your AT&T S7 Edge"
I've traveled all over the interwebs, including this website and many others but have not found a simple guide for noobs. I read about CWM, TWRP, Odin, rooting, zip files, tar files, nandroid, backup ROM, root with app, root via computer, blah, blah, blah, blah....
All I know is that before I do anything I want to backup the stock ROM but before that I'm thrown all kinds of different tools and processes that one could use. For the noob it should be as simple as:
Step 1: backup your stock ROM and to do this download/install this tool then follow these instructions.
Step 2: root your S7 Edge and to do this download/install this tool then follow these instructions.
Step 3: find a custom ROM you want to install and to do this go here, here or here for you model and download it to your PC.
Step 4: flash your custom ROM and to do this down/install this tool and follow these instructions.
Maybe I haven't done a good job of searching so shame on me but I don't feel like given the effort I've expended thus far has yielded a straight and easy answer when it probably should be. I seem to run across a lot of promising reads/threads about this only to find that there seems to be so much more knowledge and experience with the SM-935F and not so much with the SM-935A variant. On top of it, it would seem that I'm told that rooting will or will not break Samsung Pay and other apps/features or that the flag will or will not permanently trip that shows the device has been modified. Very confusing.
When I'm presented with a tar/zip download I'm not sure to where I'm supposed to be downloading. To my PC then used Odin s/w on the PC to install via USB cable to the handset?
Can someone please point me to the simple guide to get this going...or am I gonna have to write it myself? TIA.
BTW, I should note that I'm coming from a S3 on Virgin Mobile to a S7 Edge SM-G935A to be used on Cricket Wireless (AT&T). Since I'll be on Cricket and not directly a AT&T customer per se I'd like to get rid of all the bloatware that AT&T was so kind to load up on the handset. Right now it has Nougat 7.0 installed: samsung/hero2qlteuc/hero2qlteatt:7.0/NRD90M/G935AUCU4BQA6
I am not sure if you have a US version the S7 (Qualcomm G935A) or the S7 non US version. But if you have the US version, we are out of luck. Our bootloader is completely locked and all those steps you pointed out are not available.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk
freeop said:
I am not sure if you have a US version the S7 (Qualcomm G935A) or the S7 non US version. But if you have the US version, we are out of luck. Our bootloader is completely locked and all those steps you pointed out are not available.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So it seems that with all USA Qualcomm versions regardless of GSM carrier you have confirmed we pretty much cannot do much other than load some other versions of firmware such the U version ROM? From what I read HERE this is the Marshmallow 6.0 o/s. I currently have the stock Nougat 7.0 firmware from AT&T on my S7 Edge. Is there a debloated 7.0 version of the U ROM available?
UPDATE: Never mind...I came across THIS THREAD regarding an unbloated 7.0 U-version. I see you were active in that thread so now I need to read the entire thing before I have more questions and if so I'll ask them there. Thanks!
SyberTiger said:
So it seems that with all USA Qualcomm versions regardless of GSM carrier you have confirmed we pretty much cannot do much other than load some other versions of firmware such the U version ROM? From what I read HERE this is the Marshmallow 6.0 o/s. I currently have the stock Nougat 7.0 firmware from AT&T on my S7 Edge. Is there a debloated 7.0 version of the U ROM available?
UPDATE: Never mind...I came across THIS THREAD regarding an unbloated 7.0 U-version. I see you were active in that thread so now I need to read the entire thing before I have more questions and if so I'll ask them there. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you still want to root your phone, you can follow this link and will let you get rid of all the bloat and root your phone, install xposed and all the mods for xposed. I have used the ENG.IMG version of root for the G935A over 6 months ago and it works great, given the choices we have.
Here's the link: https://forum.xda-developers.com/tm...eres-how-rooted-nougat-s7-edge-g935t-t3567502
I know the thread is in the T-Mobile section but if you read the first line, it says it works for T-Mobile, ATT, Sprint, Verizon, etc. It is a very long thread but if you read mostly the later posts from @Craz Basics and you will be able to see that it works really nice.
Good luck
freeop said:
If you still want to root your phone, you can follow this link and will let you get rid of all the bloat and root your phone, install xposed and all the mods for xposed. I have used the ENG.IMG version of root for the G935A over 6 months ago and it works great, given the choices we have.
Here's the link: https://forum.xda-developers.com/tm...eres-how-rooted-nougat-s7-edge-g935t-t3567502
I know the thread is in the T-Mobile section but if you read the first line, it says it works for T-Mobile, ATT, Sprint, Verizon, etc. It is a very long thread but if you read mostly the later posts from @Craz Basics and you will be able to see that it works really nice.
Good luck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey thanks....but I have another question now that I'm given choices.
Which ROM is better, the U 7.0 ROM or the T-Mobile ROM you just linked? And, why is it better than the other?
SyberTiger said:
Hey thanks....but I have another question now that I'm given choices.
Which ROM is better, the U 7.0 ROM or the T-Mobile ROM you just linked? And, why is it better than the other?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok the U 7.0 ROM is still un-rooted and bootloader locked. If you go that way, you get the U ROM with-out all the Bloat. But nothing more.
And the link is not really for the T-Mobile phone only. The ENG.IMG is for all makes of the Qualcomm chip. You install that and you are still with ATT. Still have all the things ATT provides like WiFi-Calling and other ATT things. And you can get rid of the Bloatware from the ATT ROM using different apps, like Titanium Backup. With the ENG.IMG you can root your phone and use all the apps that are available for Rooted Phones. One of the best is Titanium Backup. You can only use that one Rooted phones. If you have the U 7.0 ROM, you will have to use the same ENG.IMG to Root the U 7.0 ROM to get that OS rooted. And as I mentioned before you can use Xposed with the rooted phone.
If you are just looking to get rid of Bloatware on the ATT, there is an app for that also. Check out BK Disabler in the playstore. You can get rid of all the bloatware without rooting your phone.
Anyway, hope this make some kind of sense...
freeop said:
Ok the U 7.0 ROM is still un-rooted and bootloader locked. If you go that way, you get the U ROM with-out all the Bloat. But nothing more.
And the link is not really for the T-Mobile phone only. The ENG.IMG is for all makes of the Qualcomm chip. You install that and you are still with ATT. Still have all the things ATT provides like WiFi-Calling and other ATT things. And you can get rid of the Bloatware from the ATT ROM using different apps, like Titanium Backup. With the ENG.IMG you can root your phone and use all the apps that are available for Rooted Phones. One of the best is Titanium Backup. You can only use that one Rooted phones. If you have the U 7.0 ROM, you will have to use the same ENG.IMG to Root the U 7.0 ROM to get that OS rooted. And as I mentioned before you can use Xposed with the rooted phone.
If you are just looking to get rid of Bloatware on the ATT, there is an app for that also. Check out BK Disabler in the playstore. You can get rid of all the bloatware without rooting your phone.
Anyway, hope this make some kind of sense...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, appreciate it.
I'm really not planning on spending a lot of time making changes or tweaking the handset. I'm on Cricket Wireless therefore I don't see any value in the AT&T bloatware which is why I wanted it removed. My interest is primarily having the latest/greatest android version I can have without all the stuff junking it up. I'd like it to be as fast as is reasonably possibly but at the same time have reasonably good battery life. I'm coming from a Galaxy S3 on Virgin Mobile so the change to the S7E is a huge upgrade. I haven't figured out yet if there are any apps (that require rooting) that are so slick I can't live without them.
I installed the U 7.0 and as I recall I got about 5 or 6 OTA updates which in encouraging. I think the AT&T ROM never received any of the 3 or 4 most current security updates. Anyhow, U 7.0 is up and running with no AT&T bloatware.
SyberTiger said:
Thanks, appreciate it.
I'm really not planning on spending a lot of time making changes or tweaking the handset. I'm on Cricket Wireless therefore I don't see any value in the AT&T bloatware which is why I wanted it removed. My interest is primarily having the latest/greatest android version I can have without all the stuff junking it up. I'd like it to be as fast as is reasonably possibly but at the same time have reasonably good battery life. I'm coming from a Galaxy S3 on Virgin Mobile so the change to the S7E is a huge upgrade. I haven't figured out yet if there are any apps (that require rooting) that are so slick I can't live without them.
I installed the U 7.0 and as I recall I got about 5 or 6 OTA updates which in encouraging. I think the AT&T ROM never received any of the 3 or 4 most current security updates. Anyhow, U 7.0 is up and running with no AT&T bloatware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AT&T's software updater only works if you have an AT&T SIM card. This is why the first thing you should do if you buy an AT&T (or other carrier) device that you don't plan to use on that network is to convert it to the unlocked version. That, and AT&T (in particular) loads the crap out of their devices with bloatware to the point that switching to U feels like an early upgrade to the next generation device.
jshamlet said:
AT&T's software updater only works if you have an AT&T SIM card. This is why the first thing you should do if you buy an AT&T (or other carrier) device that you don't plan to use on that network is to convert it to the unlocked version. That, and AT&T (in particular) loads the crap out of their devices with bloatware to the point that switching to U feels like an early upgrade to the next generation device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I have a Cricket SIM which explains why this unlocked handset is stuck on 7.0 G935AUCU4BQA6 which is the February 1, 2017 update. Interestingly enough, the Network Signal Info app shows the SIM Operator as AT&T and Network Operator as Cricket/AT&T.
Going to the U got rid of all the bloatware and the handset immediately started receiving 5 or 6 OTA updates. I'll probably stick with the U version unless it becomes apparent there's a significantly better ROM available that increases performance, battery life or really adds some whizbangs that make the S7E experience a lot better.
forgive me for butting in -- I have a SM-G935A (stock) on Cricket as well.
Updates to the ROM and while keeping Samsung Pay are important to me.
In the past, I have d/led ATT updates and installed them using Odin, but that wipes my phone's apps/settings each time. Recently, I purchased an ATT sim & put the minimum $$$ on it with the intention of popping it in for OTA's. I've received BQK2, Nov 1 2017. It's a crappy work around, but the easiest I know of without having to rebuild my phone each Odin'ed update.
Would installing U or TMO firmware on the 935A remove the ability to use Samsung Pay? Would either of them be updated for frequently/easier than the 935A?
The U firmware supports Samsung pay and gets updates directly. The only downsides are no carrier features like wifi calling, etc., and if gets updates later than the carrier versions. I have run it on AT&T since I got the phone and it has worked fine.
jshamlet said:
The U firmware supports Samsung pay and gets updates directly. The only downsides are no carrier features like wifi calling, etc., and if gets updates later than the carrier versions. I have run it on AT&T since I got the phone and it has worked fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, jshamlet.
This is my first phone I haven't rooted & I feel a bit powerless without Xposed and Titanium Backup. I find myself using Samsung Pay so often, that I don't want to lose it & was concerned that installing the U (or TMO) firmware on the ATT version would trip Knox, too.
William Thornton said:
forgive me for butting in -- I have a SM-G935A (stock) on Cricket as well.
Updates to the ROM and while keeping Samsung Pay are important to me.
In the past, I have d/led ATT updates and installed them using Odin, but that wipes my phone's apps/settings each time. Recently, I purchased an ATT sim & put the minimum $$$ on it with the intention of popping it in for OTA's. I've received BQK2, Nov 1 2017. It's a crappy work around, but the easiest I know of without having to rebuild my phone each Odin'ed update.
Would installing U or TMO firmware on the 935A remove the ability to use Samsung Pay? Would either of them be updated for frequently/easier than the 935A?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm, doesn't Samsung Smart Switch back up everything?
SyberTiger said:
Hmm, doesn't Samsung Smart Switch back up everything?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've never gotten it working 100%.
William Thornton said:
I've never gotten it working 100%.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd be talking about the PC version not the phone-to-phone setup. Back up to PC then from PC to your phone. Worked great for me.
SyberTiger said:
Hmm, doesn't Samsung Smart Switch back up everything?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Um, no. No it doesn't. Helium (or if you are feeling oldster, ADB) does a vastly better job of backing up apps than Smart Switch. Smart Switch does a reasonably good job of putting your phone's settings back, but it doesn't appear to back up most app data.
I learned this the hard way.
---------- Post added at 01:51 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:47 AM ----------
William Thornton said:
Thanks, jshamlet.
This is my first phone I haven't rooted & I feel a bit powerless without Xposed and Titanium Backup. I find myself using Samsung Pay so often, that I don't want to lose it & was concerned that installing the U (or TMO) firmware on the ATT version would trip Knox, too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Samsung Pay, with the MST technology, is one of those weirdly underrated features that continually amaze people. It works nearly anywhere you can physically see the mag stripe reader, which instantly makes it vastly more useful than either Apple Pay or Android Pay. I have had more than a few people say "We don't take Apple Pay", and then drop their jaw when the transaction goes through.
The fact that Samsung doesn't make a bigger deal about it is strange, because it really is one of those technologies that sets them apart from the other two.
Hi,
I recently bought a T-Mobile S5 (SM-G900T). It's unlocked and I rooted and de-bloated the stock marshmallow ROM. The phone works wonderfully and it was nice getting a brand new phone that meets all my criteria (runs Google Maps fine, removable battery, SD Card, rootable) for under $150.
I use AT&T for my service. I'm wondering if anyone can tell me how to get AT&T Wifi calling working on this phone. The phone is rooted so I'm sure it's definitely possible with enough work but I'd like to know if anyone has already done this.
Thank you.
PS: please don't ask why I didn't get an SM-G900A. I didn't and what's done is done. Return/exchange period is over
If your on ATT prepaid as I am, same phone, they do not support it, only post paid can use that service. Was just at ATT store changing a battery and asked while there.
shellcode said:
Hi, I recently bought a T-Mobile S5 (SM-G900T). It's unlocked and I rooted and de-bloated the stock marshmallow ROM...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have this variant myself but, you have a few options.
You can try looking at the following threads/link that's specific to your device for some of those options...
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2800402
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=3736650
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2723817
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2770849
https://forums.androidcentral.com/t-mobile/421217-wifi-calling.html
... or you could use some type of VoIP (Voice over IP) or SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) app.
Here's a few links to help you with this option.
https://www.androidauthority.com/be...p-calls-wi-fi-calling-internet-calling-87396/
http://www.toptenreviews.com/services/articles/best-voip-app-apple-android/
I don't use any of the above myself but, those would be a good start for you...
Good Luck!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I DO NOT provide support via PM unless asked/requested by myself. PLEASE keep it in the threads where everyone can share.
ahvamaria said:
If your on ATT prepaid as I am, same phone, they do not support it, only post paid can use that service. Was just at ATT store changing a battery and asked while there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am on a post-paid family plan. Wifi calling is definitely supported. I've used it on other AT&T devices.
Ibuprophen said:
I don't have this variant myself but, you have a few options.
You can try looking at the following threads/link that's specific to your device for some of those options...
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2800402
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=3736650
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2723817
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2770849
https://forums.androidcentral.com/t-mobile/421217-wifi-calling.html
... or you could use some type of VoIP (Voice over IP) or SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) app.
Here's a few links to help you with this option.
https://www.androidauthority.com/be...p-calls-wi-fi-calling-internet-calling-87396/
http://www.toptenreviews.com/services/articles/best-voip-app-apple-android/
I don't use any of the above myself but, those would be a good start for you...
Good Luck!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I DO NOT provide support via PM unless asked/requested by myself. PLEASE keep it in the threads where everyone can share.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks but I don't see any mention of AT&T Wifi calling on any of those T-Mobile ROMs. Maybe I missed something? In either case, I'd prefer not to switch ROMs but I could use it to see what was done to make AT&T Wifi calling work.
I'm not actually interested in phone calls with wifi calling. I want to receive text messages at work where I have no signal.
shellcode said:
Thanks but I don't see any mention of AT&T Wifi calling on any of those T-Mobile ROMs. Maybe I missed something? In either case, I'd prefer not to switch ROMs but I could use it to see what was done to make AT&T Wifi calling work.
I'm not actually interested in phone calls with wifi calling. I want to receive text messages at work where I have no signal.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you say you'd prefer not to switch ROMs, is it because you prefer running the stock / official ROM? Or is it because you don't want to go through the process?
The US Snapdragon variants of the S5 have the same hardware, they're just tuned differently via the EFS/modem settings and run different firmware images based on carrier. You can run a different carrier firmware on your device just fine. I recently completed a switch over on a SM-G900P (Sprint variant) to the SM-G900T (T-Mobile) software. All T-Mobile specific features, including Wi-Fi Calling, are functional as if it was a T-Mobile variant.
What I'm proposing is, if you like the stock software, you can have it, with AT&T features instead of T-Mobile. It'll function exactly as if it were an AT&T variant, purchased as such, rather than as a T-Mobile variant.
The process I used should be applicable to any Snapdragon variant, however. As I had to figure out much of this process for myself, there's no guides or information out there presently. But if you'd like, I could help you through the process.
Moved to Q&A
Arbiter said:
When you say you'd prefer not to switch ROMs, is it because you prefer running the stock / official ROM? Or is it because you don't want to go through the process?
The US Snapdragon variants of the S5 have the same hardware, they're just tuned differently via the EFS/modem settings and run different firmware images based on carrier. You can run a different carrier firmware on your device just fine. I recently completed a switch over on a SM-G900P (Sprint variant) to the SM-G900T (T-Mobile) software. All T-Mobile specific features, including Wi-Fi Calling, are functional as if it was a T-Mobile variant.
What I'm proposing is, if you like the stock software, you can have it, with AT&T features instead of T-Mobile. It'll function exactly as if it were an AT&T variant, purchased as such, rather than as a T-Mobile variant.
The process I used should be applicable to any Snapdragon variant, however. As I had to figure out much of this process for myself, there's no guides or information out there presently. But if you'd like, I could help you through the process.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now, there's an interesting suggestion! Are you saying I can get the SM-G900A firmware from sammobile (or some other source) and just ODIN flash that to my SM-G900T? If so, that would give me AT&T wifi-calling. I was under the impression that there were hardware differences and that you couldn't flash firmware from one variant to another or you'd end up with a brick. I guess that's not true?
I don't particularly *like* the stock firmware but I just want something that will work well with the least amount of tweaking. I'll de-bloat myself it but top speed is not as much of a priority as battery life and all phone functions (camera, bluetooth) working as it did from the factory. So, (debloated) stock is good enough for me.
Thanks!
shellcode said:
Now, there's an interesting suggestion! Are you saying I can get the SM-G900A firmware from sammobile (or some other source) and just ODIN flash that to my SM-G900T? If so, that would give me AT&T wifi-calling. I was under the impression that there were hardware differences and that you couldn't flash firmware from one variant to another or you'd end up with a brick. I guess that's not true?
I don't particularly *like* the stock firmware but I just want something that will work well with the least amount of tweaking. I'll de-bloat myself it but top speed is not as much of a priority as battery life and all phone functions (camera, bluetooth) working as it did from the factory. So, (debloated) stock is good enough for me.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, any stock firmware is as close to factory functionality as possible. When switching carrier firmware, you gain the features of the target firmware, without any bugs or other problems.
You do have to take care in doing it correctly. It's not meant to be done on an S5, and there's no documented method out there, such as Prince Comsy's Odin for the S7, for example. Also in regards to that, the flash is not done via Odin. There's some parts which require it, however, there's no way to flash a full other carrier firmware via Odin on an S5, as far as I know. The device bootloader rejects the firmware due to a software check failure.
That aside, if done correctly, it functions identically to the desired firmware variant in my testing.
There are only two things you need to concern yourself with. The first is whether your device presently has the proper frequencies activated in its EFS configuration. If not, you won't receive coverage where the bands used aren't active on your phone. If this is a problem, it is possible to manually activate additional frequencies via QPST and QXDM. You may also desire to do this anyways, for increased roaming compatibility and coverage. This is another thing you have to be careful while doing, however.
The second thing to consider, is whether you care about OTA updates. Or more precisely, that you won't be able to use them. This is arguably of little consequence, as its unlikely anymore updates will be released for the S5. But if there is an update, you'll have to apply it manually by the same process used to convert your firmware variant. If you were to accept an OTA, it could brick your phone. This is due to the fact that we don't flash the boodloader from other variants, for safety reasons. An OTA update would likely apply (or attempt to apply) the bootloader from the converted firmware. The outcome of this is unknown. It's possible that it works without issue, but if it doesn't, it has the potential to hard brick the device. For this reason, I haven't tested it, as other firmwares can be loaded by a mismatched bootloader without issue. Due to that, I recommend disabling all OTA checks / settings for additional safety. As a note, updates via Kies, Smart Switch, Odin, or any other utility are also a no-go. Updates must be applied manually if you want them.
If neither of those two things is a problem for you, then you might be happy with converting your firmware to another variant. It does work quite well when done correctly.
If you're interested in doing this, I could guide you through the process. It would be more convenient via instant messaging, so we could directly communicate in real time for the parts that will be specific to your device.
If you would like to, send me a PM to coordinate IM details. I use Telegram and Wire, and if neither is suitable for you, and you're okay exchanging phone numbers, I also use Signal if you'd prefer. I also use some other services as well, though I less prefer them. If none if the above are suitable, perhaps we can find one we have in common.
shellcode said:
Now, there's an interesting suggestion! Are you saying I can get the SM-G900A firmware from sammobile (or some other source) and just ODIN flash that to my SM-G900T?...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I could be wrong here but, based upon what I had read (my take on it), I don't believe that @Arbiter was recommending that you install the stock firmware rather an option that Arbiter had suggested to see if the WiFi Calling option is made available (based upon that members experience).
Am I correct @Arbiter?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I DO NOT provide support via PM unless asked/requested by myself. PLEASE keep it in the threads where everyone can share.
Ibuprophen said:
I could be wrong here but, based upon what I had read (my take on it), I don't believe that @Arbiter was recommending that you install the stock firmware rather an option that Arbiter had suggested to see if the WiFi Calling option is made available (based upon that members experience).
Am I correct @Arbiter?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I DO NOT provide support via PM unless asked/requested by myself. PLEASE keep it in the threads where everyone can share.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To clarify, I'm suggesting that if you want all carrier specific features (including Wi-Fi Calling), it can be done by cross-flashing the target carrier's firmware.
If the target firmware is correctly installed, and the corresponding CSC is properly installed in both the support files and configured in EFS (a simple three letter change to a file on the EFS partition), then all features for that carrier will be available.
This is the only way I know to achieve full functionality with another carrier's features. There doesn't appear to be any available research or success in simply transplanting the necessary programs and libraries to handle carrier features on a non-carrier ROM for the S5.
Arbiter said:
To clarify, I'm suggesting that if you want all carrier specific features (including Wi-Fi Calling), it can be done by cross-flashing the target carrier's firmware...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I apologize for my misunderstanding but, I will have to "Respectfully Disagree" with you.
Though Custom Firmwares may be lacking some/many of the carrier specific apps and those features these apps utilize but, there's ways to obtain them either directly or indirectly via installing, flashing and/or porting them to a device.
Just to clarify... I'm not stating that this applies to all carrier specific apps and/or features but, I've seen this done for many of them on a Verizon S5 device with a custom firmware installed.
Maybe we just have to end this respectfully with "Agreeing to Disagree"... :thumbup:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I DO NOT provide support via PM unless asked/requested by myself. PLEASE keep it in the threads where everyone can share.
Ibuprophen said:
I apologize for my misunderstanding but, I will have to "Respectfully Disagree" with you.
Though Custom Firmwares may be lacking some/many of the carrier specific apps and those features these apps utilize but, there's ways to obtain them either directly or indirectly via installing, flashing and/or porting them to a device.
Just to clarify... I'm not stating that this applies to all carrier specific apps and/or features but, I've seen this done for many of them on a Verizon S5 device with a custom firmware installed.
Maybe we just have to end this respectfully with "Agreeing to Disagree"... :thumbup:
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Click to collapse
Since you've seen this done, would you point us towards the correct direction in order to get at&t wifi calling on a G900T-based stock (or non-stock) OS? I have been trying different techniques and have only succeeded in causing bootloops :\
I don't want to use a bootloader locked G900A OS.