Hello!
This might seems a little strange but I can't seem to find a straight forward answer. So everything I read, talks about the 900V being restricted due to it's boot loaded being locked and there are very few options with choosing ROM's. Is this common:
1) I have the 900V and i have safestrap 3.75 and Alliance Rom 2 with NE9 kernel, currently not in the states and i'm able to use a different sim card. It is using a 3G carrier vs Version LTE, my phone still says sim locked to Verzion but i'm connected to the current SIM card and pulling data off of it. I did not think this was possible with Verzions choke hold on everything.
2) Am i truly limited on what ROM's i can load on my phone? I feel like having safe strap i should be able to install more ROMs than the few options listed on here.
3) I enjoy the Alliance ROM a lot, any recommendations on what ROMs i should experiment and might enjoy. And can i install them with safestrap?
Thank you all for your time!
All Verizon phones are unlocked but the bootloader is locked. This means only stock ROMs will work, and they've locked out most other carrier's LTE bands.
stick to Verizon development thread and try all of them there.
Related
Got a used S4 with "custom unlocked" boot screen. Is it limited to SafeStrap?
As mentioned in the title, I just got a used S4. It has AT&T software loaded on it (NC1). I can load SafeStrap *but* my provider is T-Mobile.
The first screen shown when I turn on the phone has an unlocked padlock icon with the text "custom". Does that mean I can use a recovery other than SafeStrap? I ask because I want to run T-Mobile ROMs (or Cyanogenmod preferably) which aren't always TWRP compatible.
If I am stuck, are the AT&T ROMs going to work well with T-Mobile?
As long as you have AT&T S4, you'll be limited to using Safestrap recovery only. The problem is AT&T's choice of locking the bootloader that prevents you from flashing any other recovery or any non-Samsung ROM. You can't flash a T-Mobile ROM for this reason, either.
Someone successfully got WiFi calling working on AT&T phone, though. If you're interested, check it out.
Almost all AT&T Samsung ROMs work perfectly with T-Mobile service. You can even flash some i9505 ROMs, too. Again, Samsung ROMs only
Is the "unlocked custom" boot screen normal for these phones?
This seems like a pretty interesting phone! Haha, so if I understand you correctly, the phone is the T-Mobile variant of the Galaxy S4 with an AT&T Rom loaded onto it with the Safe Strap Recovery? OR is it the AT&T variant of the S4, with a fancy padlock boot screen and you're a T-Mobile customer?
As @xymic posted, there is a way to get a T-Mobile rom on the phone!
I have two AT&T S4's and both are being used on the T-Mobile network. One is running a Lollipop AT&T rom and it works great with my T-Mobile sim! No problems. Another is running the Kitkat T-Mobile rom and it's working flawlessly as well!
I'm not too sure about the unlocked custom boot screen however. It appeared once for me but it didn't come back after I started flashing different roms.
I don't know what carrier the phone used to have. I assume AT&T because it has an AT&T ROM loaded. If that "unlocked custom" icon is something you've seen then this is probably a very normal carrier phone.
indIvide said:
I don't know what carrier the phone used to have. I assume AT&T because it has an AT&T ROM loaded. If that "unlocked custom" icon is something you've seen then this is probably a very normal carrier phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That custom unlocked thing is normal for anyone on here at least. Means there's either root or modified system files, or there were either of those and the status hasn't reset yet.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using XDA Free mobile app
xymic said:
As long as you have AT&T S4, you'll be limited to using Safestrap recovery only. The problem is AT&T's choice of locking the bootloader that prevents you from flashing any other recovery or any non-Samsung ROM. You can't flash a T-Mobile ROM for this reason, either.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
False. If you're on the AMDL bootloader or older, you can use Loki. The chances of finding a used Loki'd phone are slim and you're are better off with the international version with the correct bands, if buying a used S4. MUCH better access to ROMs.
With the S5 devices with the eMMC 15 chip to aquire an unlocked bootloader, which ROM's from other variants would they be able to use without issues. Just trying to get a thread going for users and Dev's to share their opinions for others to gain knowledge from. Along with Pro's and Con's and 'how to's'. Happy ROM'n
T-Mobile variant seems to be the most supported ROM-wise. It's not locked down to 5.0 TW ROM's like the G900V (Verizon Variant).
The Verizon variant is the most locked down.
That is the question and for any helpful users to post.. Which T-Mobile, Sprint, AT&T(if any) and other variant ROM's can we "safely" install on our device. And what are the Pro's and Con's and the fixes(if any).... i guess this is more like a R&D thread to where everyone can post anything that may be helpful to people having questions of which ROM is suitable since we're now new to the unlocked bootloader and hoping more(the eMMC 11's) will be able to be unlocked as well. I'm pretty new as far as setting up a "guide" type thread. But as info is passed out, I'll try to update the thread for information of the ROM's and Pro's and Con's about them.
leotakacs said:
T-Mobile variant seems to be the most supported ROM-wise. It's not locked down to 5.0 TW ROM's like the G900V (Verizon Variant).
The Verizon variant is the most locked down.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well now that we have an unlockable bootloader... Well, that has to go to AT&T now
To my knowledge, most variants use a generic G900F rom, because those carriers strictly use GSM bands. Verizon and AT&T use CDMA bands, which aren't fully supported in these roms. @jrkruse has released patches (thanks ) that will help with compatibility, but I think these are confined to 5.X at the moment.
I **think** there may be some modifications made to Verizon & AT&T roms regarding firmware, but I can't be sure. It seemed there was more than just CDMA support in the zips provided by JrKruse.
When flashing a G900F rom (should be safe) without patching, you'll probably only have glitchy and cutting out 4G/LTE, with no calling or SMS. Some modifications of the APN settings can maybe help a little, not much. The use of third-party texting apps has been shown to provide some support, but not complete.
Of course, all of this is just based on my strange reasoning, I could be completely wrong on some parts.
Besides cell services, these roms will work fine. Quite fast, too.
As I have stated in the other thread, if a rom is 6.0 and not touchwiz as long as it has a dev build it will boot and work without much more than verifying the apns. 6.0 Touchwiz is simply a no go, just dont try it. It is not worth the headache to get it to work.
I know cm, aokp, aicp, and Resurrection remix all have dev builds there is a couple of others that I think but havent really looked.
@camcorder123 ATT doesnt use cdma technology, they were just dicks and locked the bootloader like Verizon.
@limeaide Oops, you're right about ATT. Sure, a dev build will be easy to run, the problem is that nobody makes them. We've got a few ported but no official developers (from what I know) are actively developing for the phone. That'll probably start up sometime soon but until then we need to find a way to make the generic roms work.
Upon further research, I think it's gonna be a *tad* harder to get G900F roms to work than I thought. The reason only LTE works is because the LTE standard requires a sim card, so there's no problem in getting the phone to read the card and connect to the tower. But, CDMA is separate from the LTE standard - each phone is whitelisted on Verizon's servers (I'm assuming with the IMEI number) and does not need a sim card to access voice and SMS. This is unlike GSM, where everything is through the sim.
So I dunno, we might be stuck for a while. I wouldn't flash roms made for variants other than the KLTE edition, it might be the same outcome even though they may support CDMA.
I'm new here but have been following xda for years. I'm not new to rooting or flashing custom roms but after a few days of searching I can't find an answer to the following question.
I have and unlocked Verizon Note 4 n910v running Android 4.4.4 on the Cricket (AT&T) network. If I'm going to install a custom rom, do I need to find a rom for Verizon or for AT&T? Also can anyone clear up the rumor about a locked bootloader on this device? Any help would be awesome!
If you have already unlocked the bootloader on the 910V, I'm not too sure what rumor you are referencing regarding a locked bootloader ::
As far as roms go, it's a Verizon device so you need Verizon roms and firmware.
Sent from my SM-N910V using XDA-Developers mobile app
10bahelmer said:
I'm new here but have been following xda for years. I'm not new to rooting or flashing custom roms but after a few days of searching I can't find an answer to the following question.
I have and unlocked Verizon Note 4 n910v running Android 4.4.4 on the Cricket (AT&T) network. If I'm going to install a custom rom, do I need to find a rom for Verizon or for AT&T? Also can anyone clear up the rumor about a locked bootloader on this device? Any help would be awesome!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For ROMs, you must install verizon ROMs because the phone uses verizon-customized hardware.
It is no rumor that this device comes with a locked bootloader. However, thanks to the talented devs here at XDA, there is now an official way to unlock the bootloader; but you have to update to Lollipop 5.1.1 and BPA1 baseband.
I'm using a T-mobile sim in my verizon note 4 without unlocking the bootloader on lollipop and BPA1, so you shouldn't worry about your sim not working after updating. Have fun!
you have a misunderstanding of unlocked. what you are referencing is that you are using the factory unlocked gsm portion of the modem in the verizon model phone. you are NOT bootloader unlocked as you are still on 4.4! if you want to truly unlock it (as in the bootloader) then you will need to upgrade to 5.1.1 (BPA1) via odin. There are several tutorials on how to achieve this, and unlocking (including one that i wrote on the main thread).
to answer your question about using a verizon rom or a t-mobile rom, you can try any snapdragon rom that you would like, but there is NO GUARANTEE that they will work as each developer compiles with or without certain components. what ever you do, do NOT try to flash other carrier (at&t, t-mobile, sprint, etc.) firmware. BIG NO NO! although you claim to have experience with rooting and flashing roms, i would advise you to ALWAYS stick with the carrier variation of whatever device you are working with until you get a better understanding of the different components to a phone i.e. bootloader, modem, rom, etc. xda-university has a nice explanation of these things. so go read up on these things. if you need help, feel free to ask.
Thank you for everyone's advice. Upgrade to lollipop via Odin and bpa1. Got it. As far as custom rom goes, use a Verizon carrier custom rom.
Looking to pick up a GS5 and put on Nougat via LineageOS. Is there a certain carrier's phone that is more desirable than others? Since I do not already have the phone I would like to acquire the best one to get to my ultimate goal of unlocking and putting on Android 7. Phone will eventually be used on the AT&T network.
Thanks in advance,
Bob
Try and see if the international G900F works on AT&T, or simply get the G900T, to not go through the hassle which involves an international version.
If you like using custom roms and such STAY AWAY FROM AT&T!!! Bc they lock there bootloader's haha
AT&T Galaxy S5 has Locked Bootloader, which means you can't flash custom ROMs. Sprint variant has different hardware for CDMA support, so some ROM may be incompatible. If you can invest on G900F (International Version), G900F is the most ideal one for custom ROMs (Or G900W8, which is Canadian version) Otherwise, you would want to get G900T since it has unlocked bootloader.
so, my dad has a SM-G903VL and its paid for, been on ST for over a year and they wont provide the unlock code. Its technically not locked, its just that the OS wont allow to switch to GSM only, change PRLs or anything related to carrier switching. All i really want to do is install a custom recovery and a ROM that allows for GSM only. Anyone had any luck rooting this thing? Also, its definitely not the 902
edit: Mods, can you put this in the verizon S5 threads? I mistakenly put it in the sprint thread