Database Users

Buy a new AT&T S4 today, will it come with MF3?

I am going to buy a new S4 for AT&T today, will it come with MF3? And is there a way to tell without powering it on as I'm not sure the store will allow?

The outside of the box shows the firmware that's on the phone. Just get one that's in the box and tell them to look for one which had mdb or mdl firmware.
Then read all the stickies in the general and q&a forums before you do anything to the phone. Make sure you know how to disable the mf3 upgrade the phone is going to put on all by itself before you put the sim in and activate the phone. Tell them at the store you'll activate it later.

jd1639 said:
The outside of the box shows the firmware that's on the phone. Just get one that's in the box and tell them to look for one which had mdb or mdl firmware.
Then read all the stickies in the general and q&a forums before you do anything to the phone. Make sure you know how to disable the mf3 upgrade the phone is going to put on all by itself before you put the sim in and activate the phone. Tell them at the store you'll activate it later.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Second this , This is exactly what I did myself when I got mine . Although she did power it up in the store but she didnt run a software update on it . I quickly got out of there after setting the phone up and got to my truck and pulled the battery so now OTA would try to get through till I got home . I had already downloaded the software for rooting so the computer was basically waiting for it . Rooted it and havent looked back since . Bare in mind though in my situation they only had a black 32GB S4 in stock with the MDL software . I was lucky though she discounted the price for me LOL

jasunto said:
I am going to buy a new S4 for AT&T today, will it come with MF3? And is there a way to tell without powering it on as I'm not sure the store will allow?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Like they say look on the box.

I've been getting my phones from Costco because it's much cheaper over there.
My first galaxy s4 was MDL but I accidentally OTA to MF3, so about 3 weeks later I went back and exchanged it out for another galaxy s4. My excuse was the WiFi had some kind of issue and they kindly exchanged my S4 without any questions.
It costed $149.99 at Costco (tax $170.49) but when I exchanged it, because it was within 30 days I got $20 back, the price dropped to $139.99 (tax $150.49).
Plus Costco has a 90 day money back guarantee so if you have any problems then you can just return it.
Anyway, just look on the box and it should tell you what software version is on the phone.

~wolverine~ said:
Like they say look on the box.
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Click to collapse
I do hope that isn't a photo of your IMEI and such

toxicpaulution said:
I do hope that isn't a photo of your IMEI and such
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Click to collapse
No, I wouldn't have done that. I found the pic on the internet. I just put the arrow and stuff on it. :good:

~wolverine~ said:
No, I wouldn't have done that. I found the pic on the internet. I just put the arrow and stuff on it. :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good :3 I knew some people who were doing it when it first came out haha can't ever be too sure or safe.
Sent from my SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 4

[Q] Bought an s4 off craigslist, problems.

Hi, I just bought an S4 off of kijiji (canadian equivalent of Craigslist) and I have some major problems.
When I put my sim in it says "not registered on network"
I looked up the imei and it seems clean according to (http://sndeep.info/en)
The guy is still in contact with me and this is his story, he went somewhere to get it unlocked but hours before he sold it to me he upgraded the firmware so the unlock went away.
I have a few basic questions.
1. How can I tell what company this phone is locked to?
2. What message do you get if you were to put a sim card for a company that your phone isn't locked to?

iBillz said:
Hi, I just bought an S4 off of kijiji (canadian equivalent of Craigslist) and I have some major problems.
When I put my sim in it says "not registered on network"
I looked up the imei and it seems clean according to (http://sndeep.info/en)
The guy is still in contact with me and this is his story, he went somewhere to get it unlocked but hours before he sold it to me he upgraded the firmware so the unlock went away.
I have a few basic questions.
1. How can I tell what company this phone is locked to?
2. What message do you get if you were to put a sim card for a company that your phone isn't locked to?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Idk, the answers to your questions. But I do know that upgrading the firmware will not re-lock the phone. I think he's bs'ing you

re: craigslist
iBillz said:
Hi, I just bought an S4 off of kijiji (canadian equivalent of Craigslist) and I have some major problems.
When I put my sim in it says "not registered on network"
I looked up the imei and it seems clean according to (http://sndeep.info/en)
The guy is still in contact with me and this is his story, he went somewhere to get it unlocked but hours before he sold it to me he upgraded the firmware so the unlock went away.
I have a few basic questions.
1. How can I tell what company this phone is locked to?
2. What message do you get if you were to put a sim card for a company that your phone isn't locked to?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Craigslist is a good place to buy a phone but when buying phones on Craigslist (which I have done many times)
I always TEST the phone first with my sim chip before shelling out the bucks!
It's not that difficult to do and it avoids this kind and other kinds of issues.
The other guy @jd1639 is right, flashing new or different firmware has nothing to do with locking or unlocking the phone.
Good luck!

jd1639 said:
Idk, the answers to your questions. But I do know that upgrading the firmware will not re-lock the phone. I think he's bs'ing you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's no type of unlock that is temporary and will go away when you upgrade?

re: unlock
iBillz said:
There's no type of unlock that is temporary and will go away when you upgrade?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no temporary unlock which I am aware of, never heard or seen such a thing.
Unlocking phones is not a software/firmware related or dependent issue.

Misterjunky said:
Craigslist is a good place to buy a phone but when buying phones on Craigslist (which I have done many times)
I always TEST the phone first with my sim chip before shelling out the bucks!
It's not that difficult to do and it avoids these kind and other kind of issues.
The other guy @jd1639 is right, flashing new or different firmware has nothing to do with locking or unlocking the phone.
Good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had a nanosim it wouldn't fit so I trusted him. Biggest mistake I made. but I mean I don't mind unlocking it it's not that expensive

re: unlocking
iBillz said:
I had a nanosim it wouldn't fit so I trusted him. Biggest mistake I made. but I mean I don't mind unlocking it it's not that expensive
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are right, if you don't mind, why should I mind! LOL

Misterjunky said:
You are right, if you don't mind, why should I mind! LOL
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you know anyway to tell if an IMEI is blacklisted?

re: IMEI
iBillz said:
Do you know anyway to tell if an IMEI is blacklisted?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure, that's easy to do...
Just go to this Swappa link: http://swappa.com/esn
Then carefully type in your IMEI numbers and you will find out instantly.....
Good luck!
(clicking the THANKS button is FREE and it takes less time than typing"thank you")

Was artiech
upgrading will not get rid of sim lock

Misterjunky said:
There is no temporary unlock which I am aware of, never heard or seen such a thing.
Unlocking phones is not a software/firmware related or dependent issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only on iphones.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda app-developers app

What Are The Chances ?

That I go out and plunk down $600.00 for a new VZW S5 and out of the box it is of a newer version that can't be rooted?
(I have to buy full retail to keep un-limited data plan)
I should be able to power it up out of box prior to purchase to check version number? What ver should I be looking for or what to avoid like the plague?

Chopstix9 said:
That I go out and plunk down $600.00 for a new VZW S5 and out of the box it is of a newer version that can't be rooted?
(I have to buy full retail to keep un-limited data plan)
I should be able to power it up out of box prior to purchase to check version number? What ver should I be looking for or what to avoid like the plague?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It has nothing to do with when the phone was made. It has to do with the firmware of the phone and since the firmware version hasnt changed since the phone was rooted then you will be fine. It may not even make a difference when new firmware is released. It depends on if google fixes the loophole because its not just a samsung problem, its an android problem. The root works for most any android device. If you have been keeping up with you it, you would know that Google recently hired the guy, geohot, that found the root, so it is only a matter of time before it is fixed but it will take a long time to release new firmwares for every phone infected. This may never happen and it just may be fixed in new phone releases such as the note 4 or galaxy s 6.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using XDA Free mobile app

Its simple just get the VZW Developer S5 if your going to buy it outright. So you can enjoy root and all that unlocked bootloader goodness. Here's the link for the Developer S5 http://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/cell-phones/ET-G900VMKAVZW
Sent from my SM-G900V using XDA-FORUM, powered by appyet.com

miller1821 said:
It has nothing to do with when the phone was made. It has to do with the firmware of the phone and since the firmware version hasnt changed since the phone was rooted then you will be fine. It may not even make a difference when new firmware is released. It depends on if google fixes the loophole because its not just a samsung problem, its an android problem. The root works for most any android device. If you have been keeping up with you it, you would know that Google recently hired the guy, geohot, that found the root, so it is only a matter of time before it is fixed but it will take a long time to release new firmwares for every phone infected. This may never happen and it just may be fixed in new phone releases such as the note 4 or galaxy s 6.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where did you read Google hired George at?
Sent from my S5 using your mom

Dennisg34 said:
Where did you read Google hired George at?
Sent from my S5 using your mom
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here from BBC.

22jk said:
Its simple just get the VZW Developer S5 if your going to buy it outright. So you can enjoy root and all that unlocked bootloader goodness. Here's the link for the Developer S5 http://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/cell-phones/ET-G900VMKAVZW
Sent from my SM-G900V using XDA-FORUM, powered by appyet.com
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good point !! The only problem I envision I may encounter is the extended warranty. I bought the GNEX the week it hit the market and pay the 5 bux a month for the extended warranty. I drive a truck and am rough on phones. The charging port loosens up and quits working. I've already checked with VZW and they offer it on the standard S5. I am on my 5th GNEX over the years that they have over-nighted me at no cost with the warranty. I'm going to have to find out if I can get that on the dev edition.
Edit:Yeah I was afraid of that .... just got out of a chat session with VZW rep. To get the extended warranty I would have to buy the phone from VZW. They don't sell the dev edition, I would have to get it directly from Sammy and that only has the one year warranty. I didn't see anywhere on the sammy site to open a chat window to enquire about an extended warranty but I doubt it's available. Not to mention you have to send the phone in under their warranty terms and wait for a replacement. With VZW, they over-night a phone along with a paid return sticker and package and I have 10 days to return the broken phone. Can't go without my phone for weeks waiting for a replacement.
I've been running custom ROMS since my original MotoDroid and can't imagine going back to running stock. BUT !! I am grandfathered into the un-limited data plan and run the house off of the phones. Got rid of cable internet when they lit my town with 4G and I get 27.5m down and 18+ up.... So long as I can enable the wifi hotspot to broadcast, I guess I could live with a less than un-locked phone for now. Hoping in the future it will be.

You can get the warranty. When I was activating my phone I purchased online elsewhere the rep told me I could get it since they currently have "open enrollment" this was exactly a week ago. It's call back and all about it.

22jk said:
Its simple just get the VZW Developer S5 if your going to buy it outright. So you can enjoy root and all that unlocked bootloader goodness. Here's the link for the Developer S5 http://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/cell-phones/ET-G900VMKAVZW
Sent from my SM-G900V using XDA-FORUM, powered by appyet.com
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
whtciv2k said:
You can get the warranty. When I was activating my phone I purchased online elsewhere the rep told me I could get it since they currently have "open enrollment" this was exactly a week ago. It's call back and all about it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If VZW does not stock the dev edition, they aren't going to have a refurbed one on hand to replace mine with under the extended warranty. I can see what would happen now. Even if they sold me the extended warranty, if something happened and I had to get it replaced, the phone they will send out will be a standard consumer grade S5. I'll try another vzw rep but they were emphatic I must purchase from VZW to add the extended warranty to the phone.
Edit: just chatted with another rep and they told me yes I could get the ext warr when I activate phone. I mentioned how will they replace it if they don't stock it? rep's reply "good point" ... he agreed with me they would send out a consumer grade phone as a replacememt.

Chopstix9 said:
If VZW does not stock the dev edition, they aren't going to have a refurbed one on hand to replace mine with under the extended warranty. I can see what would happen now. Even if they sold me the extended warranty, if something happened and I had to get it replaced, the phone they will send out will be a standard consumer grade S5. I'll try another vzw rep but they were emphatic I must purchase from VZW to add the extended warranty to the phone.
Edit: just chatted with another rep and they told me yes I could get the ext warr when I activate phone. I mentioned how will they replace it if they don't stock it? rep's reply "good point" ... he agreed with me they would send out a consumer grade phone as a replacememt.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The rep probably had no clue. This is what they will do. The phone is exactly the same except for the dev has unlocked bootloader. So they will take an original refurb and rebrand it as a dev edition with unlocked bootloader and dev firmware. Its not that hard, just because we cant flash certain things doesnt mean they cant. You will get a refurb equal to what you bought. That simple.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using XDA Free mobile app

miller1821 said:
The rep probably had no clue. This is what they will do. The phone is exactly the same except for the dev has unlocked bootloader. So they will take an original refurb and rebrand it as a dev edition with unlocked bootloader and dev firmware. Its not that hard, just because we cant flash certain things doesnt mean they cant. You will get a refurb equal to what you bought. That simple.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not exactly that simple. It is true, you get a refurb equal to what you bought if bought from VZW. They do not sell the dev edition and I was told since dev edition is un-locked it automatically voids any warranty that VZW would recognize/honor, since they do not sell un-locked phones. My only hope would be if Samsung sold an extended warranty, which they don't. I did verify, they are currently having an 'open enrollment' where you can warranty a phone bought from other than VZW, but the un-locked proviso is in place according to them. It was the store manager I talked this over with and he seems quite knowlegble. I've dealt with him for years.
Yes, I love ROM's have been flashing since my original moto-droid. But so long as I can activate tethering to run the house on the phone I'd be all right. Looking for an answer as to whether I can revert to full stock to be able to do a warranty exchange if I safestrap it ...

Note 4 is rooted!

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2897428
Chainfire has rooted both the runoff Exynos and Snapdragon Asian variants of the Note 4!
More to come soon!
I know what I'll be doing as soon as I get mine!

I know this trips KNOX. My question is does it even matter? If I don't ever plan I using KNOX, will it effect anything else?

Warrantee if the guys at the Sprint store actually care.

You could always unroot..

hermeticist said:
Warrantee if the guys at the Sprint store actually care.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Root does not affect your service and repair coverage. With that said, if your phone is acting up and you take it in to a Sprint service center, it may be required from the service repair center that you unroot to assure the issue is not Root/ Rom related. If a Service center sees your phone, and immediately says "Your phone is rooted, warranty void, we can't help you" - You should contest that, or take it to another Service / Repair location that knows what they are doing...
Root does not void your warranty or Service / Repair eligibility with Sprint.:good:

Next1776 said:
Root does not affect your service and repair coverage. With that said, if your phone is acting up and you take it in to a Sprint service center, it may be required from the service repair center that you unroot to assure the issue is not Root/ Rom related. If a Service center sees your phone, and immediately says "Your phone is rooted, warranty void, we can't help you" - You should contest that, or take it to another Service / Repair location that knows what they are doing...
Root does not void your warranty or Service / Repair eligibility with Sprint.:good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll be that guy... Link please

xxSTARBUCKSxx said:
I'll be that guy... Link please
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't post a link for you for various reasons. BUT That is the policy. If a device is rooted , and it s suspected to be the cause of the issue, you may be asked to install back to stock, so being rooted can be ruled out as the cause. The phone can be swapped out like any other stock device, provided there isn't liquid, or physical damage.
Chainfire is on it !
Will be waiting to make the phone mine! Had one in hand today, looks and feels like a much more premium product, nice job Samsung!

ryanalan82 said:
I know this trips KNOX. My question is does it even matter? If I don't ever plan I using KNOX, will it effect anything else?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It does matter at some Sprint Stores AND SAMSUNG WONDERS WHY SALES ARE DOWN. A majority of customers that would buy this phone would purchase it because they want the advanced features and the ability to customize. If you just want a smartphone then there are many phones out there that cost less and you are not penalized for customization. If Samsung wants to know if customization is causing problems on a phone they only need to reload the factory rom. I can see enforcing Knox on business supplied phones but do not see the purpose for private owners.

bonniedarby said:
It does matter at some Sprint Stores AND SAMSUNG WONDERS WHY SALES ARE DOWN. A majority of customers that would buy this phone would purchase it because they want the advanced features and the ability to customize. If you just want a smartphone then there are many phones out there that cost less and you are not penalized for customization. If Samsung wants to know if customization is causing problems on a phone they only need to reload the factory rom. I can see enforcing Knox on business supplied phones but do not see the purpose for private owners.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
xda is the central hub for all things phone modding IMO. it has close to 6 million users, a fraction of that are samsung, but lets go on the high side and say 2 million of them are. Are all these samsung users buying each device? cuz teh SGS5 sold 11 million in its first month, its been 6 now, factor in the major of people arent upgrading every 6 months to go from note 3 to s5 to note 4 nad youve got a sizeable chunk of the market that are buying these phones that arent people on xda.
the entirety of verizons modding community complaining to vzw about bootloaders etc is far larger than the one complaining to samsung about a fuse that allows you to still mod your device and the vzw folks are getting no where. the modding community is not so big that if everyone who read this very same forum decided not to get the note 4 samsung would notice/care.

US versions - Yet.
Download
SM-N9100 (Qualcomm): CF-Auto-Root-trltechn-trlteduoszc-smn9100.zip (may be replaced)
SM-N910W8 (Canadia, Qualcomm): CF-Auto-Root-trltecan-trltecan-smn910w8.zip
SM-N910C (Thailand, Exynos): CF-Auto-Root-trelte-treltexx-smn910c.zip
SM-N910U (Hong Kong, Exynos): CF-Auto-Root-trhplte-trhpltexx-smn910u.zip
SM-N910S (Korea, Exynos): CF-Auto-Root-trelteskt-trelteskt-smn910s.zip
SM-N9106W (China, Snapdragon): CF-Auto-Root-trltechn-trlteduoszn-smn9106w.zip
SM-N9109W (China, Snapdragon): CF-Auto-Root-trltechn-trlteduosctc-smn9109w.zip
Other models
CF-Auto-Root is not yet available for all models - one stock firmwares for these models become available, let me know, and I'll make the corresponding CF-Auto-Roots. Make sure to check the main CF-Auto-Root site as well, as models may be listed there that are not listed here yet!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

excellent news. Means I'll be able, in theory, to use WiFi Tether Router, when I get my phone. To quote Bill and Ted, "Excellent"

When rooted will the selinux be set to permissive. This is big for me and my appradio.
Sent from my SM-N900P using XDA Free mobile app

Will be picking mine up Friday morning and I'm off, hopefully we'll have root...

NM

hermeticist said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2897428
Chainfire has rooted both the runoff Exynos and Snapdragon Asian variants of the Note 4!
More to come soon!
I know what I'll be doing as soon as I get mine!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just to clarify for those confused by this thread...Chainfire hasn't made an autoroot yet for the Sprint Note 4.

People in the main Note 4 CF-AutoRoot thread are saying that the T-Mobile root works for Sprint. So far no one has reported any issues. I want to use Titanium Backup to restore my data so I am leaning towards trying it. I will however wait until either a few more people report on it or the end of the month.
I am sure that Chainfire needs an official Sprint ROM in order to make sure that CF-AutoRoot works with minimal issues.

WyldeStile said:
People in the main Note 4 CF-AutoRoot thread are saying that the T-Mobile root works for Sprint. So far no one has reported any issues. I want to use Titanium Backup to restore my data so I am leaning towards trying it. I will however wait until either a few more people report on it or the end of the month.
I am sure that Chainfire needs an official Sprint ROM in order to make sure that CF-AutoRoot works with minimal issues.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just picked mine up... I'm like you, I want to jump right in and restore my stuff but I'll just hang back and wait for success stories.........

can't wait, need my titanium backup!

I've posted several times in the main thread for directions to get the recovery.img to give to Chainfire with no responses...

hermeticist said:
I've posted several times in the main thread for directions to get the recovery.img to give to Chainfire with no responses...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea i tried that too, then again i guess i dont have one anymore, mines a tmobile variant.
I was going to post in here for all watching this 1 not the main autoroot thread, that the tmobile one works but looks like info is already here

They started blocking imei samsung or sprint.

i just check my imei and its showing blacklisted thats after i gave samsung my imei for the return and waiting on shipping box. as of Tuesday. be careful guys think sprint or Samsung are blocking imei now

Mine isnt blacklisted on sprint
Sent from my SM-N930P using XDA-Developers mobile app

cisco150 said:
i just check my imei and its showing blacklisted thats after i gave samsung my imei for the return and waiting on shipping box. as of Tuesday. be careful guys think sprint or Samsung are blocking imei now
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I said before, they will be black listed eventually. It's easy for them to start black listing them as they get them back. They are not going to want to accidentally have them activated again.
I don't think we have to worry for now, but at some point I would bet money there if a forced blacklist of all Note 7s if you kept it or not. I don't think they can make you return it, but they can keep you from using it on their network.

nosympathy said:
I said before, they will be black listed eventually. It's easy for them to start black listing them as they get them back. They are not going to want to accidentally have them activated again.
I don't think we have to worry for now, but at some point I would bet money there if a forced blacklist of all Note 7s if you kept it or not. I don't think they can make you return it, but they can keep you from using it on their network.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im using the sprint version unlocked on att as of now till i get the return box its show up on sprint as imei blacklist but still running on att

Damn.

cisco150 said:
Im using the sprint version unlocked on att as of now till i get the return box its show up on sprint as imei blacklist but still running on att
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How did you unlock your Sprint Note 7 for use with AT&T?

I talked to a connection I have at Sprint (high up), they will not be blocking Note 7s unless you swap them out to Samsung, then they go dead as if lost. If you choose to keep it, they are not cutting you off or forcing you turn them over, it's only recommended. In fact less than half of the Note 7 user have return them and are still active as of today.

Hmmm.... Has anyone heard of anymore Notes going up in smoke? Last I heard 97 had went up in flames here in the United States. I haven't heard of any new cases since before the recall got expanded.

GadgetMonger said:
Hmmm.... Has anyone heard of anymore Notes going up in smoke? Last I heard 97 had went up in flames here in the United States. I haven't heard of any new cases since before the recall got expanded.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And you probably won't. Mission has been accomplished.
Sent from my SM-N930P using Tapatalk

kstephens98 said:
And you probably won't. Mission has been accomplished.
Sent from my SM-N930P using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Surprisingly easy to believe. Pretty sad. I'm just trying to decide how long to keep my device though. Updates. Support. Even insurance. It's all a question now. Until the next big thing at least

Sure they are blocking phones turned in with the recall but NOT phones that are still active.

Mine is fine as well!! Note 7 is not going to leave my hands, unless of course after all this time it decides to explode, but i'm not counting on it.:good: