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[Q] Unlocked Metro PCs Galaxy S5 on AT&T Network

Hey guys,
Quick overview: 2 Questions: How to update to lollipop and benefits of KNOX.
I just got a new Metro PCs Galaxy S5 unlocked and am using it on the AT&T network as the title suggests. I was looking around to try and find an answer but was unsuccessful. My question is how do I update this phone since it's a Metro PCs phone (which is apparently same as T-Mobile) to lollipop and i'm on AT&T? Since I'm on the AT&T network, there is no update for lollipop yet, but from what I've read the phone itself should be compatible and ready for the T-Mobile lollipop update...AT&T is the only carrier that hasn't released lollipop update AFAIK. Here's the current information on the device:
Model: SM-G900T1
Android: 4.4.2
Baseband: G900T1UVU1ANK1
Kernel: 3.4.0-1616453
Build: KOT49H.G900T1UVU1ANK1
If I try to do the OTA Software update from the "About Device" settings screen, it says up to date. Is my only option to root it and do a custom ROM (or wait for AT&T to come out with the lollipop update...which may not be very soon)? Though if i root it I'll trigger the KNOX stuff i've been reading about. I don't think the KNOX stuff has anything useful to me from what I read, because it seems to be for business stuff only, whereas i'd only be using this phone for personal use. Which brings me to my second question: Is there any reason for me to care about keeping KNOX 0x0? Seems like it will void any software warranty if i trigger it and I'd lose any OTA updates? That's the only fall back? Because if it isn't a big issue then I can just root and custom rom my phone (recommendations on ROMs? looking for mostly performance and battery life). Lemme know if you have other questions for me or if i need to provide more info. Thanks for any help!

Im only seeing KitKat ROMs on Sammobile and Samsung Updates, for the SM-G900T1, and they generally have all ROMs available for each device
Looks like a Custom ROM might be your only way if there is no official Lollipop update for you, but Custom ROM = Custom Recovery = KNOX tripped

*Detection* said:
Im only seeing KitKat ROMs on Sammobile and Samsung Updates, for the SM-G900T1, and they generally have all ROMs available for each device
Looks like a Custom ROM might be your only way if there is no official Lollipop update for you, but Custom ROM = Custom Recovery = KNOX tripped
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yah, I was really confused by this as well. I checked Sammobile and they didn't even have the T-Mobile version which seems odd to me?

*Detection* said:
Im only seeing KitKat ROMs on Sammobile and Samsung Updates, for the SM-G900T1, and they generally have all ROMs available for each device
Looks like a Custom ROM might be your only way if there is no official Lollipop update for you, but Custom ROM = Custom Recovery = KNOX tripped
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you send me a link to where you see those updates? I couldn't find it myself for my model (SM-G900T1).
Also, would i be able to update my phone with the latest T-Mobile Variant? I was thinking that since (from what i've been reading) it sounds like the T-Mobile phone and the Metro PCS phones are supposedly the exact same phone (T-Mobile = SM-G900T, Metro PCS = SM-G900T1) and my phone is unlocked, that perhaps I can update my phone to the latest Samsung signed T-Mobile update with lollipop and not trip Knox. Any ideas / thoughts on this?

airyip77 said:
Can you send me a link to where you see those updates? I couldn't find it myself for my model (SM-G900T1).
Also, would i be able to update my phone with the latest T-Mobile Variant? I was thinking that since (from what i've been reading) it sounds like the T-Mobile phone and the Metro PCS phones are supposedly the exact same phone (T-Mobile = SM-G900T, Metro PCS = SM-G900T1) and my phone is unlocked, that perhaps I can update my phone to the latest Samsung signed T-Mobile update with lollipop and not trip Knox. Any ideas / thoughts on this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should be able to flash any ROM for your exact model phone
Links to sammobile are banned on XDA, just go to sammobile dot com - enter your model number into the firmware section
Need a free account to download
KNOX will not be tripped flashing stock ROMs with ODIN

*Detection* said:
You should be able to flash any ROM for your exact model phone
Links to sammobile are banned on XDA, just go to sammobile dot com - enter your model number into the firmware section
Need a free account to download
KNOX will not be tripped flashing stock ROMs with ODIN
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thx, i was dumb and kept searching with "samsung galaxy" instead of the exact model number so couldn't find it there at first :silly:
I get that i can flash any ROM for my exact model, but was hoping to find out if i can install the SM-G900T (T-Mobile) update on the SM-G900T1 (Metro PCS)? From what I'm reading they appear to be the exact same phone, but i haven't seen any hard evidence of that fact...like i've read in other threads and other sites that people have put t-mobile roms/etc on a metro-pcs galaxy s5, and that essentially they're the exact same phone, but just nothing i've seen/read that makes it definitively so...unless that in and of itself proves their statement that they installed the TM roms on the MPCS phone. I'm cautious cause i keep reading about being careful because of all the different variants and the possibility of bricking. i guess in the meantime i'll look around more then to see if i can install the t-mobile one on my metropcs.

Ive no idea, I wouldn't want to advise flashing a ROM for a different model phone - best wait to hear if anyone else has the same phone and done the same thing
Someone here saying they are exactly the same phone
http://forum.xda-developers.com/tmobile-galaxy-s5/help/smg900t-smg900t1-t2964392

*Detection* said:
Ive no idea, I wouldn't want to advise flashing a ROM for a different model phone - best wait to hear if anyone else has the same phone and done the same thing
Someone here saying they are exactly the same phone
http://forum.xda-developers.com/tmobile-galaxy-s5/help/smg900t-smg900t1-t2964392
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Click to collapse
yah, i've seen that thread and it's what i meant by "i've heard things", but not really "confirmed things" hahaha
I searched a bit more and found this thread, and it looks like might be possible because someone did it on an older firmware from TM -> MPCS
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2733529
I may look a little more, but i think i'll try it and see what happens. when/if i do, i'll post back with results.

...although, would that nullify my unlock? Phone is like I said, MPCS and unlocked, running on AT&T. Switching to the T-Mobile firmware shouldn't have any affect on the unlock right?

airyip77 said:
...although, would that nullify my unlock? Phone is like I said, MPCS and unlocked, running on AT&T. Switching to the T-Mobile firmware shouldn't have any affect on the unlock right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No it won't make any changes to your SIM/carrier unlock status. Once you permanently SIM unlock your phone, that is it.

[Q] What model (version) of s4 is exactly this?

What model (version) of s4 is exactly this phone? which software is installed on it? is it stock or not ? plzz help and tell me its complete version details

My phone is sgh-i337 or gt-i9505 ? Or only baseband version is i337 becoz in about phone baseband ver is different xxugulne8...or any firmware version difference ? Help

sgh-i337

It means my android software is changed to some other version. ...
can I update official i337 software ? Lolipop?

Lennyz1988 said:
sgh-i337
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But my baseband and bootloader version are i337 anf rest of all are i9505xxugne8 :/ and on back side of phone its i9505 printed

It's a Frankenstein. An AT&T I337 with the IMEI of an I9505. Someone changed the IMEI before selling it, likely because the original IMEI was blacklisted.

its basically a korean convert your phone might be i337 but the best way is to go to download mode and check it there. model number on download mode is always real.

siddiec2013 said:
its basically a korean convert your phone might be i337 but the best way is to go to download mode and check it there. model number on download mode is always real.
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Click to collapse
I checked in dwld mode its sgh i337....can I install back stock firmware ...see this sitehttp://www.att.com/esupport/softwareUpdateArticle.jsp?sid=KB419415&cv=820

If it's an AT&T device then you can install an AT&T ROM on it. However, doing so nets you a locked bootloader for your trouble. Install a custom ROM if you can, and don't look back.

ahsandon007 said:
I checked in dwld mode its sgh i337....can I install back stock firmware ...see this sitehttp://www.att.com/esupport/softwareUpdateArticle.jsp?sid=KB419415&cv=820
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Click to collapse
of course you can install official sgh i337 firmware. just find official firmware from sam mobile or samsung updates and download them to your phone via odin. it will fresh start your phone on atnt official firmware but i suggest you to do some research over it before attempting any thing. in your case i see that your phone came with pre rooted firmware to change build.prop to make it look like 9505. i am in pakistan and this is very common here i was fooled for 9500 but it was sph l720 sprint model. best of luck with your update

Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
If it's an AT&T device then you can install an AT&T ROM on it. However, doing so nets you a locked bootloader for your trouble. Install a custom ROM if you can, and don't look back.
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Click to collapse
you mean that I should keep using custom roms and no matter whether baseband is of i337 ....If I want to download a 5.0.1 then I will download any rom and flash through odin using pda file just....it will not chnge my baseband..

Finally I got it....its i337...I checked imei on imei.info it says it is i337 and also checked for blacklist its all clean....and I opened back cover and see it and its written "MADE BY SAMAUNG" ...spelling of samsung is wrong ...it means sticker and software are of 9505 and hardware are i337 at & t usa carrier....I think its changed in korea...phone is converted....now planning to download stock firmware of i337 lollipop and install through odin....
if anyone have link to i337 lolipop plz share

If you install a stock ROM via Odin, the bootloader will be changed, but as long as it's not an AT&T or Verizon ROM you won't suffer any ill effects. If you install an AT&T ROM there's no going back. Unlike every other country on the planet, here in the US AT&T and Verizon encrypt the device's bootloader, because they don't want you rooting the device and bypassing their bloatware and their restrictions. So, since you happen to be in a position where you have an AT&T S4 that doesn't have a locked bootloader, you want to install a custom ROM.
If you have ignored my advice and installed a stock AT&T ROM, you'll need to head over to http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4-att and use the information there to root. Honestly, now that you know your S4 is an AT&T model, you should head over there anyway.

Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
If you install a stock ROM via Odin, the bootloader will be changed, but as long as it's not an AT&T or Verizon ROM you won't suffer any ill effects. If you install an AT&T ROM there's no going back. Unlike every other country on the planet, here in the US AT&T and Verizon encrypt the device's bootloader, because they don't want you rooting the device and bypassing their bloatware and their restrictions. So, since you happen to be in a position where you have an AT&T S4 that doesn't have a locked bootloader, you want to install a custom ROM.
If you have ignored my advice and installed a stock AT&T ROM, you'll need to head over to http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4-att and use the information there to root. Honestly, now that you know your S4 is an AT&T model, you should head over there anyway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
..i installed stock 4.4.4 ATT software but i want to install back i9505 software becoz att is not running well in my country...it lags in sending msgs and making calls and also hotspot nd other probs....can u guide me to get back 9505 software

I tried warning you but you plowed ahead anyway. The stock ROM you put on the phone is basically untouchable, because of the locked bootloader, so you now have two options: use the phone as is, or use the information in the AT&T S4 forums to install SafeStrap recovery and from there flash a custom ROM.

Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
I tried warning you but you plowed ahead anyway. The stock ROM you put on the phone is basically untouchable, because of the locked bootloader, so you now have two options: use the phone as is, or use the information in the AT&T S4 forums to install SafeStrap recovery and from there flash a custom ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm yeah but i think it will work fine ...only problem is of signal network....can you guide me how to flash 9505 modem on i337 ?

No, because it won't work. I tried flashing an AT&T modem to my I9505 when trying to add LTE frequencies to my device. The phone rejected the modem, but it didn't harm my I9505 either.

Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
No, because it won't work. I tried flashing an AT&T modem to my I9505 when trying to add LTE frequencies to my device. The phone rejected the modem, but it didn't harm my I9505 either.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But previously i am running baseband of 9505 on i337

It could be because I didn't use Odin when trying to flash in that instance. Under ordinary circumstances you shouldn't be able to flash I9505 firmware on an I337. Regardless, you can try to flash the I9505 modem using Odin, but the results at best will be unpredictable. It certainly won't change the LTE bands on the phone as those can apparently only be changed with tools we don't have.

Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
It could be because I didn't use Odin when trying to flash in that instance. Under ordinary circumstances you shouldn't be able to flash I9505 firmware on an I337. Regardless, you can try to flash the I9505 modem using Odin, but the results at best will be unpredictable. It certainly won't change the LTE bands on the phone as those can apparently only be changed with tools we don't have.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i tried using odin it fails ...with some logs like receive response from bootloader fail.... :/ im getting maximum of 3/5 signals on att baseband in my country ...

Should I update modem/BB/BL/radio?

Hi all.
So, the CM13 shapshot has arrived for the i9505 and I'm considering upgrading my phone. I've been running cm on it since I bought it from new a few years back. Stock android got rooted and replaced without ever upgrading it and as such the modem/baseband/radio (are these 3 words in fact covering the same?) and bootloader has never been updated either. Currently running CM11 M8. According to the app phone info, both baseband and bootloader is I9505XXUBMGA. As far as I can tell from a few searches, this is the latest pre-knox bootloader and from 4.2.2.
I'd prefer to leave the bootloader alone in order to not accidentally tripping knox later on. Should I update the modem/baseband/radio before flashing CM13 (as in do I need to?) or can I just leave it as it is?
Thanks.
I9505/jfltexx (International LTE)
Baseband: I9505XXUBMGA
Bootloader: I9505XXUBMGA

Is the phone under warranty? If not, tripping knox does not matter in my opinion. Also, many of the latest ROMs require an up-to-date bootloader and modem to function properly.

audit13 said:
Is the phone under warranty? If not, tripping knox does not matter in my opinion. Also, many of the latest ROMs require an up-to-date bootloader and modem to function properly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I appreciate your reply.
No, there's no warranty left on the device. Just thinking that the device might be easier to sell eventually if knox is not tripped.
Do you know if the update is needed for 6.x to run properly?
Thanks

If you were looking to resell, you should have done so earlier. A quick look on Swappa shows the S4 can be bought, depending on version, for anywhere from 85-120USD, with the Exynos I9500 available for 180USD. That's a far cry from the 350USD I spent at the end of 2014 for my I9505. In fact, with the exception of the I9500, no international devices are available on Swappa at this time. All available units are either from US carriers or are the I337M, a Canadian model.
Being Swappa, most of these units likely have had Knox tripped. I know the device I purchased did, and I was quite relieved I wouldn't have to deal too much with that headache.

Yes, many 6.x ROMs require an up-to-date bootloader and modem. Ihave seen many posts from s4 and note 3 users where the baseband and imei were null after flashing an MM ROM without an updated bootloader and modem.
As for re-sale, the s4 is not commanding good prices as previously mentioned. The last used s4 sgh-i337m I purchased was in excellent condition for $120 CAD. An advantage with the i337m, i9505, and i9500 over the ATT i337 is an unlocked bootloader.

@audit13: I made a mistake buying my I9505, and focused too much on avoiding the locked bootloader. It's still a good little phone, and it's my backup device still, but if I paid more attention I would have had an I337M instead.

Yeah, the phone in it self is overall fine, just not super aosp compatible.
My I9505's bootloader is not locked, though, been running CM on it since I bought it.
Looks like I am going to look into updating bootloader and baseband before flashing CM13 then.
I appriciate your replies.

The i337m and i9505 are very similar and the same ROMs can often be flashed to both phones. I believe the jfltexx work for both models. The biggest difference between the phones are the frequency bands.
None of the s4 phones have a locked bootloader other than models from AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon as far as I know.

AT&T and Verizon. Sprint doesn't lock bootloaders.

I'm just confused please someone help me

I have Samsung Galaxy s4
Model is i9500
But when I go to download mode, I see modem number to sch-i545, which is from Verizon. I want to root my phone and also want to download stock rom or flash custom rom but I don't know which rom to download because I'm confused of which model is correct. My phone has 4G LTE and CDMA. I know i9500 does not support 4G LTE but the model number is i9500 and baseband I9500UBUHOE1. Hope someone cam help me out. Thank you

The correct model # can be found in download mode; therefore, your phone is a Verizon phone with a locked bootloader.

audit13 said:
The correct model # can be found in download mode; therefore, your phone is a Verizon phone with a locked bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How can I unlock?

Can't be unlocked as far as I know.
Here's a thread about unlocking: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2500826

I want to root and install custom rom, you have thread for that?

You may be able to root but no custom Roms based on cm or aosp.

More information about your device is at http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4-verizon . In short, unless your device has an early bootloader that would allow modification, there is no way to unlock the bootloader, no way to install a custom ROM, and no way to even root the device.
Return this device and get something else.

could this phone have a locked bootloader AND still have other firmware trying to disguise it at the same time ?

No. It's likely his bootloader is unlocked, but he needs to head to the Verizon S4 forums to be sure. But when it comes to frankenphones, my instant response is to return the phone if possible. Frankenphones are a PITA to deal with.

Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
No. It's likely his bootloader is unlocked, but he needs to head to the Verizon S4 forums to be sure. But when it comes to frankenphones, my instant response is to return the phone if possible. Frankenphones are a PITA to deal with.
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Click to collapse
agreed on that, if nothing else it's deception by the vendor/seller

New to the Note 3, wanting to know about what I can do with this.

More specifically, I have had the note 1, then the note 3 neo, And as some of us know, various phones have there little idiosyncrasies, ie; if one's firmware is updated to x.x.x you can't do such and such. In the past I spent hours looking through relevant forums and spent much time experimenting with my phones since the HTC HD2 Leo. I'm no Dev, but I am somewhat savvy. Now however, I don't have the time, had to replace the neo, (kindy glad, cause it doesn't have quite as much going for it.) because the modem quit, I think I know why, but it's so beat up now it was a little embarrassing to be seen in public with it. So now iI have the note 3 with 4.4.4. I want root, preferably without tripping knox, as it has not yet been tripped, howeever, not a deal breaker. I don't want to brick it, Almost did that too many times to the neo, And its no fun, takes too much time to fix. So can anyone tell me or point me to a thread that has good info on what I can do to this thing? I'm not as flash happy as I used to be, but I do like to and sometimes need to access features and capabilities that aren't always stock. Thanks in advance,
Cheers

You are in the wrong forum if you have a Neo.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/note-3-neo

Boot into download and post the model #. You can't root without tripping knox on KK or LP as far as I know.

audit13 said:
Boot into download and post the model #. You can't root without tripping knox on KK or LP as far as I know.
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Click to collapse
TowellRoot is for rooting on kitkat without trip knox. I did it successfully.

I suppose it depends on model number of the phone? Not sure since I always root via supersu and a custom recovery.

JJEgan said:
You are in the wrong forum if you have a Neo.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/note-3-neo
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Click to collapse
neo was my last device. now i have the note 3 sm-n900a, and the sm-n900v, though i am referring to the att variant, because that is the forum i meant to post in
;/
now i gotta look into moving or reposting this where i meant to.
darn.

With the n900a, rooting is a little trickier since the bootloader is locked.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/note-3-att/general/root-lollipop-att-note-3-safestrap-t3132475