Hello Everyone.
So... I'll get right to the point here. My Galaxy S5 got stuck in factory mode. That day i was installing a bunch of ROMS. If you need a list of them, let me know.
I decided to go back to my old nandroid backup because I wanted to wait for a 4.4.4 version of the ROM i had found. However, I also got interested in installing a Custom Kernel, so I went ahead and installing Chronik Kernel cause I heard that it was really good. However, I forgot to wipe the cache and dalvik cache before installing the zip, so now I think it messed up my EFS partition, and am stuck in factory mode without WiFi and calling.
I have tried many methods involving the "FactoryApp" folder, but when I checked my phone to edit the text, the folder wasn't in the EFS folder. So I also knew that the Terminal Emulator option was out.
I even tried unrooting and re-installing the stock firmware and doing a factory reset, (I have a nandroid backup on computer) but even that didn't work. I can re-root if needed, but please someone help me, I really want to fix my phone soon. (Also I probably shouldn't have tried doing this on my vacation from home, oh well I am a really curious guy)
Help please!!
Someone please help me! I really don't know what to do! All that is in my EFS Folder is a bunch of APK files for apps i have installed and these files called: act_lock, react_lock and react.lock.bak. Someone please... I really want to get back on WiFi, also I am back from vacation, so I can use my Data plan to install things needed.
Is anyone going to help me?
OK. What is taking so long? I understand that lots of people have questions, but come on its been 1 week and no I be had helped me yet. Like I understand 3 to 4 days but a week? Please someone help me soon!
V1Command3r said:
OK. What is taking so long? I understand that lots of people have questions, but come on its been 1 week and no I be had helped me yet. Like I understand 3 to 4 days but a week? Please someone help me soon!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Typically it is in a file efs/FactoryApp/factorymode.
Can you show your efs folder structure?
EFS
vndnguyen said:
Typically it is in a file efs/FactoryApp/factorymode.
Can you show your efs folder structure?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alright so inside that system folder is a bunch of apk files. The only thing that's in my efs folder is apks and a file called react_lock
V1Command3r said:
Alright so inside that system folder is a bunch of apk files. The only thing that's in my efs folder is apks and a file called react_lock
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It looks like you have an invalid efs folder.
Did you make the imei backup? If so just restore it.
If you don't have imei backup, try reflashing full stock firmware.
vndnguyen said:
It looks like you have an invalid efs folder.
Did you make the imei backup? If so just restore it.
If you don't have imei backup, try reflashing full stock firmware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No imei backup and I've tried installing stock firmware, still in factory mode
EFS
Weird thing is imei still the same. . I don't know why my phone being so
weird.
V1Command3r said:
Weird thing is imei still the same. . I don't know why my phone being so
weird.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, it is not too weird as Samsung now does not store the IMEI in EFS partition. It does store in another 2-3 partitions (these partitions are vary from model to model).
EFS partition does not contain the IMEI. It contain the S/N, WiFi and Bluetooth MAC addresses, etc...
Please do the following things:
1- Install Phone INFO ★Samsung★ app and look for the IMEI and S/N (in the DEVICE ID section), and compare them with the IMEI and S/N on the sticker behind the battery. Are they the same?
2- Create a file with a name 'factorymode' on the sdcard, open it, input 'ON' and then save it. Navigate to the efs folder, create the folder with a name 'FactoryApp' (case sensitive). Finally move the file 'factorymode' you have created above to that folder. Reboot the phone to see if the problem still persists?
EFS
vndnguyen said:
Yes, it is not too weird as Samsung now does not store the IMEI in EFS partition. It does store in another 2-3 partitions (these partitions are vary from model to model).
EFS partition does not contain the IMEI. It contain the S/N, WiFi and Bluetooth MAC addresses, etc...
Please do the following things:
1- Install Phone INFO ★Samsung★ app and look for the IMEI and S/N (in the DEVICE ID section), and compare them with the IMEI and S/N on the sticker behind the battery. Are they the same?
2- Create a file with a name 'factorymode' on the sdcard, open it, input 'ON' and then save it. Navigate to the efs folder, create the folder with a name 'FactoryApp' (case sensitive). Finally move the file 'factorymode' you have created above to that folder. Reboot the phone to see if the problem still persists?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alright so the imei is the same but serial number isnt, however when I try to create folder it will say in efs partition: Operation failed:No Space Left On Device
V1Command3r said:
Alright so the imei is the same but serial number isnt, however when I try to create folder it will say in efs partition: Operation failed:No Space Left On Device
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, as I have said, the efs folder does not contain the imei. However it does contain the S/N.
What did you mean by 'serial number isnt'? The S/N in Phone INFO app is still in valid format? Or it is zero or empty? Can you PM me that S/N (in Phone INFO app)?
Regarding creating folder, make sure your file explorer app has been grant root permission. And try to move/delete some APK files (in efs folder) to free space.
vndnguyen said:
Yes, it is not too weird as Samsung now does not store the IMEI in EFS partition. It does store in another 2-3 partitions (these partitions are vary from model to model).
EFS partition does not contain the IMEI. It contain the S/N, WiFi and Bluetooth MAC addresses, etc...
Please do the following things:
1- Install Phone INFO ★Samsung★ app and look for the IMEI and S/N (in the DEVICE ID section), and compare them with the IMEI and S/N on the sticker behind the battery. Are they the same?
2- Create a file with a name 'factorymode' on the sdcard, open it, input 'ON' and then save it. Navigate to the efs folder, create the folder with a name 'FactoryApp' (case sensitive). Finally move the file 'factorymode' you have created above to that folder. Reboot the phone to see if the problem still persists?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
vndnguyen said:
Yes, as I have said, the efs folder does not contain the imei. However it does contain the S/N.
What did you mean by 'serial number isnt'? The S/N in Phone INFO app is still in valid format? Or it is zero or empty? Can you PM me that S/N (in Phone INFO app)?
Regarding creating folder, make sure your file explorer app has been grant root permission. And try to move/delete some APK files (in efs folder) to free space.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey I removed some apks, added the folder, rebooted and now my phone is working ?thank you so much!
V1Command3r said:
Hey I removed some apks, added the folder, rebooted and now my phone is working ?thank you so much!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey, glad that it worked and was helpful.
Please backup your IMEI asap (search for IMEI Backup app on the Play Store)
vndnguyen said:
Hey, glad that it worked and was helpful.
Please backup your IMEI asap (search for IMEI Backup app on the Play Store)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i still have the same problem did evry thing but didn't work for me :S
Related
hi,
i don't known how... i have deleted the /efs folder on my TAB, and now my
TAB only works in wifi mode...
please, anyone can be send a /efs folder backup in order to try if is possible to make the phone functional?
You're very funny. what you asked..."Could you please give me your credit card #, expiration date and security codes please!"
can you tell me I can do with your IMEI number in another country, probably on another continent?
your imei identifies your phone hardrware, NOT your operator account!
thank's
Do a factory-reset and the folder will be back.
Go to the recovery. volume-up+powerbutton. In the recovery clear cache and clear data/factory-reset. The tab will restart and you have a fresh phone/tablet
Yeah except that everything in the efs folder requires root access to modify which means that there IS no backup. If you go deleting stock apps and master reset, they will not magically come back. If the efs folder was cleared you can get your device to generate new files with a random IMEI but your stock IMEI information is gone fooooooorever
rocker33 said:
hi,
i don't known how... i have deleted the /efs folder on my TAB, and now my
TAB only works in wifi mode...
please, anyone can be send a /efs folder backup in order to try if is possible to make the phone functional?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It sounds like you're screwed prime time.
You SHOULD NOT delete the /efs folder which contains ALL your machine ID info (including serial and IMEI which are unique to your machine).
I moved /efs to memory card (in order to restore) and found serial changed to 00000000.
/efs don't returns after a wipe.
is not possible to use the tab as a phone without this folder
I apologies in advance if this is not the correct place to post this.
I recently purchased a rooted and unlocked SGS2. Coming from a Jailbroken iPhone4, this is my first Android. For more than a month everything worked great with my Fido sim. However, all of a sudden I lost data connectivity. After reading forums and researching on Google I reinstalled/flashed the firmware, modem and so on. But the problem still persists. In fact now my sim is not even recognised.
Did a clean wipe and re-rooted using Odin3 v1.85
PDA: CF-Root-SGS2_XX_OXA_KG6-v4.1-CWM4
Phone: MODEM_I9100XXKG6_REV_02_CL1044543.tar
Then performed a sim unlock using an app from Market.
Under 'About phone' the 'Baseband version' still say 'Unknown'
I don't know what else to do. Please help... Thank you
Hi mate, would u tell me if u can c the imei no. of ur device!
dial *#06#
U should be able to read the proper number
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk
drreality said:
Hi mate, would u tell me if u can c the imei no. of ur device!
dial *#06#
U should be able to read the proper number
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't. All it says is "IMEI" with an Okay button...
vish4488 said:
I don't. All it says is "IMEI" with an Okay button...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds like your efs files got messed up, I don't think there is a way to fix it if you don't have a backup copy of your efs folder. Maybe Samsung can repair it for you.
jhernand1102 said:
Sounds like your efs files got messed up, I don't think there is a way to fix it if you don't have a backup copy of your efs folder. Maybe Samsung can repair it for you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh man! I guess I will call them tomorrow and see what they recommend.
jhernand1102 said:
Sounds like your efs files got messed up, I don't think there is a way to fix it if you don't have a backup copy of your efs folder. Maybe Samsung can repair it for you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
how can we make a backup of the EFS files?
One the backup your EFS post in the dev section .
Two nitralitys app .
http://www.appbrain.com/app/nitralit...sanity.toolbox
Three other methods as posted .
jje
Samsung pretty much said that they cannot help
Then flash a stock rom see if that pulls it back .Do nothing else stock rom reboot and check IMEI .
That fails search exact same problem EFS i believe someone recently recovered one .
jje
JJEgan said:
Then flash a stock rom see if that pulls it back .Do nothing else stock rom reboot and check IMEI .
That fails search exact same problem EFS i believe someone recently recovered one .
jje
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I flashed generic samsung rom from here.
However, the phone is now stuck in a boot loop
_____
Got it out of the loop by flashing these (below), but I am back to square one. I will try to find the EFS file from online...
PDA: CODE_I9100XXKG6_CL425236_REV02_user_low_ship.tar.md5
Phone: MODEM_I9100XXKG6_REV_02_CL1044543.tar.md5
CSC: GT-I9100-CSC-MULTI-OXAKG6.tar.md5
efs is unique for each phone, as it contain the imei in those files
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
DummyPLUG said:
efs is unique for each phone, as it contain the imei in those files
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Someone suggested "deleted the nv_data.bin and the nv_data.md5 in efs folder with Root Explorer, and renamed the .nv_data.bak into nv_data.bin, then restart."
Using Root Explorer I can access the efs folder. Where I can see all the files and my IMEI. But I cant make any changes as its read only. I have tried multiple code using terminal but I still can't access it.
vish4488 said:
Someone suggested "deleted the nv_data.bin and the nv_data.md5 in efs folder with Root Explorer, and renamed the .nv_data.bak into nv_data.bin, then restart."
Using Root Explorer I can access the efs folder. Where I can see all the files and my IMEI. But I cant make any changes as its read only. I have tried multiple code using terminal but I still can't access it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Didn't work
I am in the same situation, is there any fix?
I fixed my problem by shutting down the phone, removing the sim card, booted, then the IMEI command returned a number.
I did a full backup of my efs folder. (nothing to do in solving the issue, but it was the time or never to do it).
Restarted, putting the sim back in, and voila.
iam in the same sitatuion .. :/
I've backuped my actual system /2.3.5 with CF Root Kernel 4.2 and restored the Original Firmware Backup i made at first day i've got the I9100
Then i try to copy out the /efs Folder, backup on my computer, restore the image from today and replace the /efs Folder from the stock rom... hope it works :/
// i think it works, but have to test - after restoring my backup i made 30 minutes before (with the baseband and imei problem (i backuped with this problem)) withhout chaning anything in the /efs folder it works, too.
I think some data after rebooting will be lost.. dont know.. have to wait and test :/
same problem here. tried to update to the new modem and this happened.
---------- Post added at 08:18 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:14 AM ----------
I wish i had known i needed to backup something before updating to the EG31 modem for the epic 4g touch.
Is there a fix to this? Cant use my phone until this is fixed...
download KTool or HC-kTool from new Android market, make sure your phone has root permissions or super user, you know after you root you get it anyway, it has efs file that should have a backup for your imie, also get Root explrer and Rom Manaer they have access to efs file, you should watch Mobiletech reviews on YouTube, he also provides his own tool that he says will fix your imie.
Ten chars...
the1cyrus said:
same problem here. tried to update to the new modem and this happened.
---------- Post added at 08:18 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:14 AM ----------
I wish i had known i needed to backup something before updating to the EG31 modem for the epic 4g touch.
Is there a fix to this? Cant use my phone until this is fixed...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
E4GT is in a different forum, try there - it has a completely different method of managing modem firmware since it's a CDMA phone.
Hey, I am now very much fed up with this Sprint Samsung Galaxy S4 Phone.
A few days ago I was trying to unlock my phone using simlock code *#0011#. That did NOT work! I tried other alternative methods to get even the sim card connect like connect to network. I used DFS CDMA tool to change my IMEI number but still nothing.
Then I found out about the nv_data.bin file. I rooted my phone, copied the "efs" folder using root browser not with command or anything I just copied it into my phone then to my computer. I then used EFS Pro tool //(I wasn't able to backup the efs folder before with this software)// to format the efs folder, then I copied the efs folder from the phone's other location and change the keystr to ON and factorymode to ON to get back my power menu and take out the yellow bar from comming. After that I checked that my baseband is saying unknown and IMEI is unknown. When I type *#06# to get the IMEI, it says "MEID" as title of the box and nothing else not even zeros. Also I do have only one file called maps_code.dat file in the /efs/imei folder. i mentioned this because I've read others' posts that they have maps_code.dat, keystr, and bt.txt files.
So Can anyone here PLEASE HELP ME!!! WITH THIS PROBLEM!!!
I have tried lots of different methods, none worked for me to restore the IMEI number I even tried to look into the nv_dat.bin fole using hex editor, but it says "ffff" and on the other side dots thats it. i looked at others, they had numbers and letters into them. However mine doesnt have any thing except "fff..." i can send all the pics you need to see.
THANKS!!!
Is there any Dongle/Box to repair the phone???
So first and foremost,im no expert with this,but here are my suggestions from what ive been reading.
The nv_data files are generated by the android os.
So this assumes you have no backup of the "/efs" folder.
Get ODIN,and download the stock MF9 tar file,i believe theres a listing for the files somewhere in the development thread.
Rooted or deodexed,you choose.
From what ive gathered,youre gunna need to reflash(with Odin) the stock firmware,and it "should" regenerate those files.
The Stock MF9 TAR file should be about 1.4 GB in size and ~2.x GB after extracted.if youre unfamiliar with how to use Odin,let me know ill walk you through it.
Before following through with all this,BE SURE to backup music,Pictures Etc,to your EXTERNAL SD card or better yet your PC.ODIN will reflash EVERYTHING.including your internal sd,so if you have anything there youre gunna want to back that up too.
In the meanwhile,
Read this.its for an S2,but the same concept applies.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1264021
iPhone 4S 6.1.3
GotHeart
the /efs folder on our Sprint GS4 has almost nothing to do with our actual EFS where the MEID/IMEI etc is stored. You should not have messed with these files.
I would first try to put the phone into download mode and flash a full stock tar. mdc, mdl, mf9.. doesnt matter. if you still have no signal after that... i would then try to do a ##786# > reset (you will need spc/msl).
keep us posted on your progress.
yep best to get a S4 tar file flash with Odin
easily found here
http://samsung-updates.com/device/?id=SPH-L720
see if this works first.
autoprime said:
the /efs folder on our Sprint GS4 has almost nothing to do with our actual EFS where the MEID/IMEI etc is stored. You should not have messed with these files.
I would first try to put the phone into download mode and flash a full stock tar. mdc, mdl, mf9.. doesnt matter. if you still have no signal after that... i would then try to do a ##786# > reset (you will need spc/msl).
keep us posted on your progress.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It asks me for the MSL code, i dont know what that is, could you pls help me with this situation?
Thanks!
tidu12 said:
It asks me for the MSL code, i dont know what that is, could you pls help me with this situation?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
did you figure this out? I bought a used L720 but it was flashed to metro PCS so now i need to restore it to sprint settings. that means restoring the imei.... thanks in advance
dreyo27 said:
did you figure this out? I bought a used L720 but it was flashed to metro PCS so now i need to restore it to sprint settings. that means restoring the imei.... thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, not yet.
any luck with solving this issue??????
Not sure whether or not this is actually a EFS backup. It just showed up in my External SD card and it's named 'efs.tar.gz' and it's only about 5kB. What does the EFS folder contain? I have folders such as bluetooth, WiFi, IMEI, carrier, etc.
Is it necessary to do a EFS backup nowadays?
How would I do an EFS backup?
emckai said:
Not sure whether or not this is actually a EFS backup. It just showed up in my External SD card and it's named 'efs.tar.gz' and it's only about 5kB. What does the EFS folder contain? I have folders such as bluetooth, WiFi, IMEI, carrier, etc. Is it necessary to do a EFS backup nowadays? How would I do an EFS backup?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, DO make a backup of your EFS folder. Find the folder on your phone (I am away from my phone right now, but I believe it is a folder off of the root directory). You can easily find this folder (on a rooted phone) by using a file manager app-- then copy the entire folder and keep one copy of it on your SD card and keep ANOTHER copy of the EFS folder on your desktop computer or off-phone on a disk.
There are several threads here by folks who have lost their EFS folders or some setting on their phones, which can only be re-aligned by the data stored in the EFS folder. I believe at least some of the data is unique to your own phone, so it can't just be copied from another phone without some effects.
EFS folder seems like a small thing until it is gone. Then it really is a major pain in the neck to recover. MAKE YOUR OWN BACKUP COPIES of it now. Please search some threads --usingthe term EFS! -- and you will see more details about the effects of corrupt or missing EFS files.
Good luck!
markbc01 said:
Yes, DO make a backup of your EFS folder. Find the folder on your phone (I am away from my phone right now, but I believe it is a folder off of the root directory). You can easily find this folder (on a rooted phone) by using a file manager app-- then copy the entire folder and keep one copy of it on your SD card and keep ANOTHER copy of the EFS folder on your desktop computer or off-phone on a disk.
There are several threads here by folks who have lost their EFS folders or some setting on their phones, which can only be re-aligned by the data stored in the EFS folder. I believe at least some of the data is unique to your own phone, so it can't just be copied from another phone without some effects.
EFS folder seems like a small thing until it is gone. Then it really is a major pain in the neck to recover. MAKE YOUR OWN BACKUP COPIES of it now. Please search some threads --usingthe term EFS! -- and you will see more details about the effects of corrupt or missing EFS files.
Good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good advice, but I think more than just the EFS folder itself needs to be backed up in order to be able to restore EFS information to the phone if needed. Backing up or making a copy of the actual EFS "folder" is only part of the equation. TWRP variants usually offer an option to properly back up EFS and I have also seen several apps on the market, but I have not personally tried any of them. If anyone has any experience in methods to back up and restoring the EFS information to the phone please post your experience.
So basically all I have to do is copy the efs folder located in the /~ directory and memorize the permissions. And if anything happens I can just restore that folder and the set the permissions back?
emckai said:
So basically all I have to do is copy the esf folder located in the /~ directory and memorize the permissions. And if anything happens I can just restore that folder and the set the permissions back?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yikes. . . not so sure (anymore) that a copy/paste and a chmod will be enough. . . A quick search for recover ESF provides numerous results inside XDA.
It seems that there are several methods to doing an effective backup of ESF data (and by effective, it means more than our copy folders!). The below thread by @tamirda offers several techniques for the I9500 model of the S4! This ESF process does seem to be "kind of" phone-specific, but perhaps some processes are fungible among all models.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2392632
From my quick (as yet unfinished) reading of some of the threads, it seems good to also know your IMEI #, independent of the ESF folder. Also --as @scott14719 stated--- there *is* more to it than just replacing the folder contents
@emckai, before you question, I was sanguine just having the folder backed up -now I am not. So thank you for asking this question! The answer is more than I thought!
Already I hit Play and downloaded/tried one of the programs. It loaded and "backed up" my ESF folder -then hot booted. However, I have not trashed my ESF data to test it so I will have to wait and see. (Some of the comments made it sound not so promising.)
But it also seems Odin can backup the ESF/IMEI data and restore it as well! I was going to see if Mobile Odin could do this too but I am running a 4.3 rom and Mobile Odin does not work so well on 4.3 yet..
Thanks. . .I have some more reading to do to protect my ESF :victory:
Edit: not sure, but perhaps that tar file for your ESF might be left there from an original Odin Flash of a kernel or rom. . .
Yeah I did some reading also around the XDA forums and some information found on Google but the information I found wasn't that useful; mostly because it was device specific.
After looking inside the EFS folder, each file had it's own permission which would cause a headache at the end.
Doesn't TWRP recovery have the option to backup the EFS folder? But it would be the same thing? Because apparently there are 2 blocks on the device where the IMEI information is stored and whenever something happens to the EFS folder or one of the blocks, it'll trigger on the Samsung boot screen and restore whatever is contained inside those blocks.
There is a lot of misinformation going around stating about EFS so I'm just left confused.
I have a problem with my i9500... after getting it fixed by a service center i got a Factory Mode is on massage and then my wifi turned off... I tried everything that i found on the web and learnt everything related to efs folder that I could have find but with no luck...
I guess its something about efs directory permissions... is there any advice there from you guys about this problem maybe a list of ownership/permissions for every file/folder in efs folder could do the trick
many thanks in advence!!!
BTW i have efs backup but its only the folder so i think its might be lacking the right permissions or ownership for the files inside...
ttaallooss said:
I have a problem with my i9500... after getting it fixed by a service center i got a Factory Mode is on massage and then my wifi turned off... I tried everything that i found on the web and learnt everything related to efs folder that I could have find but with no luck...
I guess its something about efs directory permissions... is there any advice there from you guys about this problem maybe a list of ownership/permissions for every file/folder in efs folder could do the trick
many thanks in advence!!!
BTW i have efs backup but its only the folder so i think its might be lacking the right permissions or ownership for the files inside...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is your phone rooted? If yes then follow this:
1-using RootExplorer/ES FileExplorer navigate to efs/FactoryApp/ and search for "factorymode"
2 - open it with text editor and change OFF to ON and save it.
3-restart.
All the best!
Thanks for the replay...
I managed to fix the issue by deleting all efs folder and then restoring it from a backup i had... then did factory reset (all the needed wipes) and vuoala got back to user mode...