Hi,
As is tradition, I upgrade my phone and then come here for the best ROM to remove provider bloat. This has been fine with my S2, S3, and S4 over the years. Now I have a new S5 and into my 4th month of a 24 month contract. As usual I want the best ROM so this is the place, but then I discover in the latest provider firmware update (from EE in UK )they have pushed something called Computrace (apprently an official EE app which deals with fraud). Now I don't particularly like this being on my phone but not too bothered as it doesn't effect daily use), what I'd like to know is this - is it ok for me to flash my phone to a sim-free S5 ROM while this is on my phone?
cheers
Deeko76 said:
Hi,
As is tradition, I upgrade my phone and then come here for the best ROM to remove provider bloat. This has been fine with my S2, S3, and S4 over the years. Now I have a new S5 and into my 4th month of a 24 month contract. As usual I want the best ROM so this is the place, but then I discover in the latest provider firmware update (from EE in UK )they have pushed something called Computrace (apprently an official EE app which deals with fraud). Now I don't particularly like this being on my phone but not too bothered as it doesn't effect daily use), what I'd like to know is this - is it ok for me to flash my phone to a sim-free S5 ROM while this is on my phone?
cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rooting a smartphone isn`t fraudulous and It doesn`t even invalidate warranty in the EU. I think computrace`s function is to prevent more losses after theft, localisation of the device and beeing able to disable the phone.
Related
hi guys...
i am wondering if any1 here has tried flashing their Samsung Galaxy S on orange network. I will be getting one next week and want to know that will i be able to flash the latest firmware from samsung on the fly or do i have to wait for orange to release their own custom firmware.
also does the phone comes unlocked from orange ?
cheers
Mine is from Mobiles.co.uk and is with Orange and came unlocked. That surprised me! So with any luck yours might not be locked at all.
Orange themselves don't supply unlocked phones. If you bought yours from a 3rd party retailer such as mobiles.co.uk then it might well come unlocked. Orange will unlock handsets they have supplied for you, but not in the first 3 months of contract, and they'll charge you £20 for the privilege.
As with other networks, Orange have to approve the ROMs that are pushed out to handsets provided by themselves. In my experience, they have been one of the slowest networks to do so, and also tend to tamper more with the stock ROMs than other networks. When I used to have Nokia smartphones, they were months behind other versions of the ROM, which drove me mad. When I then moved onto Windows Mobile, I ended up flashing ROMs I'd downloaded as I was sick of Orange's stock ROM's being seriously buggy.
I don't see why they would be any different with an Android/Samsung handset.
hey thx for the reply
i will be getting it from orange as mine is an upgrade..also does it make a difference if the phone is locked i wont be able to flash it ? i am willing to flash to a newer firmware/OS if i can go back to the stock rom if anything goes wrong with my phone and i have to send it back to orange..
Hi, I got one on Orange on contract and I've flashed mine... no problems...
hey thx for the reply ukboy..i am getting my galaxy S this week
cheers all
So I can flash Galaxy S safety even if I have simlock from orange?
Can anyone do this debrand? is there a guide?
I have a Carrier version of the phone and the only branding is a spash screen on start up. WP7 was desigined to be carrier free with no overlays. Most carriers will put a hub with there related software in it which you can uninstall or remove the tile from the home screen.
the problem is that with my H3G brand i can't change the mms'apn settings so i can't send mms
exactly that is why I need to debrand mine purchased in Three.
Anyone?
I'm also wondering too mate!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=937219
Go here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=887045 : download and install firmware (you may need to do 301k trick - i did but it was easy) there is no branding in sight on the rom I now have - it was originally t-mobiled up to the eyeballs.
Out of curiosity, why do people like to debrand their Omnia 7 phones?
People like to scratch out the branding, too.
Why?
manny84 said:
Out of curiosity, why do people like to debrand their Omnia 7 phones?
People like to scratch out the branding, too.
Why?
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Because..... Why do carriers like to brand the phones in the first place?
AF241 said:
Because..... Why do carriers like to brand the phones in the first place?
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Click to collapse
'Because.....' isn't a proper answer.
Carriers brand their phones for marketing purposes, obviously.
Subsidized (cheaper w/ contract agreemnet) phones are branded, unsubsidized (full price w/o contract agreement) phones aren't.
manny84 said:
'Because.....' isn't a proper answer.
Carriers brand their phones for marketing purposes, obviously.
Subsidized (cheaper w/ contract agreemnet) phones are branded, unsubsidized (full price w/o contract agreement) phones aren't.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It wasn't meant to be a proper answer. All you had to do is just dig a little further.
Cheaper than w/o contract or not devices bought through carriers are individuals own property and the reason for subsidizing is to generate more sales of their own services and not for placing adverts on the devices. Some people do not feel comfortable advertising the carriers on their devices while they the carriers were not involved in the manufacturing of the actual device. eg. if I buy a discounted device from Amazon I wouldn't be happy if they stamp their logo all over the device unless they mention the reason they are giving the discount is for advertising the logo on the device before purchase.
Maybe because "unbranded" NoDo update is being rolled out before the carrier versions? By running USAIP.pkg you can "trick" microsoft update into thinking you are in a region getting the unbranded update - as long as you are not carrier branded.
question - I have just bought a omnia 7 off ebay which i thought was on 3 but its on orange ... ive bought an unlock code off ebay (had good feedback) which im sat waiting for patiently ..... question is if i debrand does this void the 2yr warranty ??? there is a company on ebay which ive used before and they will debrand the phone for you for less than £20 ..
tbh there isnt much orange blurb on the phone but i hate orange and they are slow in releasing updates ... i updated this afternoon to the feb update but no sign of the nodo update ...
cheer
mancuk29 said:
question - I have just bought a omnia 7 off ebay which i thought was on 3 but its on orange ... ive bought an unlock code off ebay (had good feedback) which im sat waiting for patiently ..... question is if i debrand does this void the 2yr warranty ??? there is a company on ebay which ive used before and they will debrand the phone for you for less than £20 ..
tbh there isnt much orange blurb on the phone but i hate orange and they are slow in releasing updates ... i updated this afternoon to the feb update but no sign of the nodo update ...
cheer
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We're not really sure, because you're flashing a legit Samsung ROM - just not the one it shipped with.
Please don't pay to debrand either. Do it yourself for free
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=973420
Casey
If you try running the Network Profile app (its in the Samsung Zone and free) from the marketplace that should let you change APN's
How the hell do you guys even see the pins to place the jig onto ??
It looks impossible to me Is there no other way round this ??
Casey_boy said:
We're not really sure, because you're flashing a legit Samsung ROM - just not the one it shipped with.
Please don't pay to debrand either. Do it yourself for free
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=973420
Casey
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did this last night on my 3 branded Omnia. Worked a treat, and picked up all the updates, including the NODO.
Cheers Casey.
Casey_boy said:
We're not really sure, because you're flashing a legit Samsung ROM - just not the one it shipped with.
Please don't pay to debrand either. Do it yourself for free
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=973420
Casey
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Click to collapse
Hi, I did this yesterday but I used the H3G CSC (which is my network). After the flash, my phone is still branded.
What is the correct method to unbrand my phone? I tried to do it without the CSC but the tool didn't seem to allow it.
Should this make or break my decision whether to purchase one or not? I'm new to this scene and I'm not too sure what the differences are besides the carrier-installed apps.
Evo 4G63 said:
Should this make or break my decision whether to purchase one or not? I'm new to this scene and I'm not too sure what the differences are besides the carrier-installed apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey. Unbranded vs Branded matters only if you don't want to wait for updates to be released since carriers have custom firmware whereas unbranded handsets will be able to apply new firmware as soon as the manufacturer releases it.
However, since your a member on XDA, this shows you may be interested in custom roms and modifying your phone. The above therefore does not matter because as soon as a new update/firmware is released, XDA have it and we can all (unbranded/branded) install it...
If you know that you won't be modifying your phone and sticking with stock then go for the carrier option as this is usually subsidised and cheaper than the unbranded 'sim-free' option... however updates will take longer than those with unbranded phones...(however as I said above... you don;t have to wait for updates if your part of XDA)
Either way, you could buy the branded version and debrand it by installing an unbranded stock rom and then installing a custom rom/kernel if you like.
If the phone is physically branded (e.g. The phone has a T-Mobile logo printed on it) I would always go for the sim-free / unbranded one in that case because for me it ruins the look of the phone.
Also your point about carrier bundled apps... carriers usually bundle bloatware/crapware with there branded phones... however you can easily uninstall these applications so its no big deal if it saves you money buying a carrier branded handset.
To add something to the above post from jUsT2eXy.
You can always get the branded version cheaper, change the back cover since most Carrier put their logo on the bottom back side and unlock it.
Worth the extra hassle? Can't say since I never done it.
jUsT2eXy said:
Hey. Unbranded vs Branded matters only if you don't want to wait for updates to be released since carriers have custom firmware whereas unbranded handsets will be able to apply new firmware as soon as the manufacturer releases it.
However, since your a member on XDA, this shows you may be interested in custom roms and modifying your phone. The above therefore does not matter because as soon as a new update/firmware is released, XDA have it and we can all (unbranded/branded) install it...
If you know that you won't be modifying your phone and sticking with stock then go for the carrier option as this is usually subsidised and cheaper than the unbranded 'sim-free' option... however updates will take longer than those with unbranded phones...(however as I said above... you don;t have to wait for updates if your part of XDA)
Either way, you could buy the branded version and debrand it by installing an unbranded stock rom and then installing a custom rom/kernel if you like.
If the phone is physically branded (e.g. The phone has a T-Mobile logo printed on it) I would always go for the sim-free / unbranded one in that case because for me it ruins the look of the phone.
Also your point about carrier bundled apps... carriers usually bundle bloatware/crapware with there branded phones... however you can easily uninstall these applications so its no big deal if it saves you money buying a carrier branded handset.
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Click to collapse
Thanks a lot for the replies!
I usually would buy branded phones from the carrier, but I live in the US and the SGN isn't available here yet. Since I'm still new to this, I don't think I'll be doing any kind of software modifications yet.
Someone mentioned that they received an e-plus branded unlocked SGN. I was just a little confused about what that meant.
If I do have an unlocked, let's say, e-plus branded SGN, would I still be able to receive updates even if I'm not running on their network?
Since I'm going to go out of my way to order a SGN from overseas, I might as well get an unbranded one right? The problem is, I already ordered one from Germany and I'm not sure if it's unbranded or not. It should be coming in tomorrow morning. If it is branded, do you think it's worth the hassle to return/sell it back out and order an unbranded one?
If you could please provide a link of where you bought it we might able to provide better assist/advice to you.
koniakki said:
If you could please provide a link of where you bought it we might able to provide better assist/advice to you.
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Click to collapse
I bought it on eBay from this guy: http://www.ebay.com/itm/200670239165?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649
I am considering buying a Galaxy Note but I have a dilemma so I hope you will be able to help me out with it.
If I decide to buy it I will probably have to buy it through a mobile carrier meaning that I will have to unlock it to run it on a different network. I have someone to do it for me so I don't know what kind of software they will use.
Since I am new to Android, I would like to keep away from the rooting as long as possible so I am talking about stock software here.
Therefore, I would like to ask this:
1) Have any of you unlocked their Galaxy Notes? Are there any side-effects or it feels totally SIM-free?
2) Am I going to be cut-off from the official software updates (ICS and so on?) or it will be totally like a SIM-free experience?
3) Are all the splash screens, apps and other carrier-related stuff gone after the unlock?
Thank you in advance!
This doesn't answer your questions, but why would you buy a carrier phone and use it on another network? Why not buy unlocked?
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium
If you plan to get the ATT one, I dont think it will get 3G/+ on Tmo. The intenational one I have definitely does not have that band. Unless there is another unlocked version that has those bands. And my international version does not have LTE as well.
And why would you sign a contract with ATT and want to use it on another n/w? Doesnt make any sense whatsoever.
Eborg said:
I am considering buying a Galaxy Note but I have a dilemma so I hope you will be able to help me out with it.
If I decide to buy it I will probably have to buy it through a mobile carrier meaning that I will have to unlock it to run it on a different network. I have someone to do it for me so I don't know what kind of software they will use.
Since I am new to Android, I would like to keep away from the rooting as long as possible so I am talking about stock software here.
Therefore, I would like to ask this:
1) Have any of you unlocked their Galaxy Notes? Are there any side-effects or it feels totally SIM-free?
2) Am I going to be cut-off from the official software updates (ICS and so on?) or it will be totally like a SIM-free experience?
3) Are all the splash screens, apps and other carrier-related stuff gone after the unlock?
Thank you in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I live in Europe so I am talking about an international version.
Technically I wouldn't be buying it directly from a carrier, I just wanted to keep the discussion simple. I would buy it from a store but they get it abroad, unlock them and sell them legally. It's the only way I can get it where I live.
Ordering from Expansys or similar sites would mean that I would have to pay import customs which would probably amount to 200-300$ or more.
Where are you from? There are more retailers than expansys
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium
I live in Bosnia & Herzegovina. Since it is not yet a member of the EU, you have to pay customs fees for this kind of stuff.
I will be going to the UK in a few weeks and thought about buying it there but that would mean that I wouldn't have any warranty. Most sites do not offer warranty outside the UK or EU. Also, even if I found one seller that offers worldwide warranty, I would still have costs shipping the phone to the UK or wherever and back (still EU issues) if needed.
Buying the phone locally should give me a 2-year warranty so that's why I am thinking about that option.
if you get it sim free fromthe uk then you woudl be paying more than you woudl in say germany - sim free in the uk are about £500+
sim free means it isnt locked to a carrioer that doesnt stop anything regarding updates to ics, you wil lstil lget them just might be at alater date than other countries
unlocking is not the same as debranding which would remove the software and logos etc
mine is sim free whcih i bought on a 2 year contract and it is no different to any other note locked on the networks
Eborg said:
I am considering buying a Galaxy Note but I have a dilemma so I hope you will be able to help me out with it.
If I decide to buy it I will probably have to buy it through a mobile carrier meaning that I will have to unlock it to run it on a different network.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
buying it through a carrier does not mean that the phone is locked to that carrier anyway. have you asked your carrier or the store you want to buy from if they sell the Note locked?. my Note is bought from German Telekom/T-Mobile and has no sim or netlock. i just tested the Note with simcards from other German and foreign carrier and they all work flawlessly. so maybe you can purchase a Note at your side that is also sim/netlocked free.
All Galaxy Notes available locally were on foreign carriers. The guy at the store could only confirm that it works will all SIM cards, not that the particular phone had to be unlocked or not, but it was definitely on a foreign carrier when they got it.
I am not sure if the phones are debranded or not. Is that something that I can do on my own without rooting the phone?
So, you guys can officially confirm that unlocked (and optionally debranded) Galaxy Note will act as if they were SIM-free in regards to official updates, apps and so on? No worries there?
As for getting it abroad, it wouldn't be the best solution since I would have to send it to the UK, Germany, Italy or wherever if something is wrong paying 100-200$ of customs fees every time if something goes wrong.
I'd just like to confirm that it is possible to update the firmware automatically with an unlocked Note. Cheers!
Richy99 said:
sim free means it isnt locked to a carrioer that doesnt stop anything regarding updates to ics, you wil lstil lget them just might be at alater date than other countries
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Click to collapse
Quite.
Also to keep in mind : in the EU, the carrier must agree to unlock phones after at the most 6 months.
And regarding ICS upgrades for the Note, they're apparently fairly messy at the moment. Locally (France) my carrier and the local Samsung branch are apparently more or less pointing at one another for a botched upgrade (at the end of June, note that it was announced as "we're fixing a few things, should be any day now" in March) where they apparently managed to brick a number of user phones. Samsung tends to communicate fairly poorly on the issue.
Other than the updated stylus apps, I'm not really sure the upgrade is worth it. And I discovered the whole "Kies" crud when I got this phone which really annoyed me since I don't normally run Windows (or Mac OS) and some operators apparently like to push their stuff only through that channel.
---------- Post added at 01:16 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:08 PM ----------
Eborg said:
I'd just like to confirm that it is possible to update the firmware automatically with an unlocked Note. Cheers!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's no reason why you couldn't. Possibly you'd get the Samsung update instead of the one from the original carrier (not guaranteed). But unlocking phones is fairly standard procedure.
Actually I got an update from the previous carrier from which it was unlocked from judging by the bloatware installed with the update.
Sorry in advance if this question has already been asked, but I couldn't find anything on my own.
A few months ago I bought a refurbished S10+ (SM-P975U) on Newegg, which I later learned was originally from AT&T. I was a little spooked that it didn't have any updates to install when I got it, but I didn't get concerned until recently when I learned that AT&T branded phones only receive updates when they're on the AT&T network. The last update I have is from August 2021. As of writing this, I believe there is a November update.
I have some experience using TWRP to flash custom ROMS, so my first thought was just to flash the stock OS without the AT&T branding. Thing is, I'm hesitant to mess with my S10+ because it's my main phone, let alone the fact that I don't even know if this is possible.
Is there anything else I can do? Connecting to AT&T isn't really an option since I live in Canada, and I'd really rather not trip Knox or risk bricking my main phone.
Updates tend to break AT&T phones especially older ones. My AT&T Note 10+ hasn't been updated in 2 years. It's current OS load is over 1.5 yo, still fast and stable.
With Pie and above security isn't an issue unless you do something stupid.
If your firmware is fulfilling its mission, let it be.