I've been an iPhone user for years but I've always wanted to move on to Android because of how much more freedom it provides compared to IOS. Jailbreaking was somewhat simple to do but Apple would be quick to patch that out and they are just so restrictive, on top of having weak hardware it was enough for me to want to move on. I've owned my Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge for a week now and I'm still getting used to this new OS and so far I'm finding the edge screen to be annoying because the way I hold the phone my skin would touch the edge and it would just make the side bar continuously pull out. Anyways I'm looking to get the most out of my new phone.
1. Is there any way for me to prevent my phone from auto updating? yesterday it said there was an update available and I didnt want to immediately rush into updating on the chance I would be missing out on rooting my device but then a couple of hours later my phone would light up and it would update all my applications as well as the firmware without my consent. As wonderful as that sounds I would prefer to make that choice myself so I dont accidentally update past a firmware where its possible to root. Even after updating is it possible to rollback at all or no? My device is now on 6.0.1 so I hope I'm not too screwed.
2. I have some preinstalled apps I am positive I will never use in my life such as Uber (I drive my own car) and Facebook (I dont have Facebook and dont plan on it anytime soon). I saw options to disable it but I would prefer if it was outright deleted so is it possible? I would like to save on the space that it takes up no matter how minuscule that may be especially on apps that are just dead weight.
My phone is Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge and my service provider is AT&T.
I'm exactly in the same boat as you, having just moved to Samsung/Android after using iphones since it's first release. It feels so great to have the freedom that comes with the S7 Edge.
I too found the edge screen to be annoying, but as soon as I bought my case ( OtterBox Commuter) that issue you describe quickly dissapeared, I beleive any case will deliver the same result, as you'd been griping the actual case and not the edge screen .
There is a way to disable your play store updates through the play store settings.
As far as firmware updates you can control these in the Settings - About options. However I don't beleive that Android updates are there to plug any capabilities of rooting Android, from my understanding as long as the baseband is unlocked, and that will depend on which version of the Edge you have then it will remain rootable regardless of any software updates pushed. However someone with more android experience is probably best to confirm this.
I'm suprised that your device came pre-installed with Uber and Facebook, I had to install them through play store and likewise am able to uninstall them. There is an app called package disabler in the app store but as the name suggests it only disables them which you say you have the option to anyway. I beleive a root will be able to fix that.
Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
first time android user
To be very honest i did hands on many android smartphone but my love to windows phone always increase respectively
. Do you really think a hard core windows lover its gonna be easy to sift at android .
On the T-Mobile version you can hit postpone when it pops up and then schedule it.
Thank you ih8un for your response. I guess I'll wait until rooting becomes available in order to delete these preinstalled apps.
Can anyone confirm if firmware updates can patch out rooting? If yes how do I disable or prevent firmware updating? I cant seem to find that option anywhere in the settings.
*You have got snapdragon version which have locked bootloader so unless samsung and at&t push out official update that unlock it, it is unlikely your device will get rooted at least not normal method.
1.It is possible but unlikely that new update can make root impossible(assume that your s7 get bootloader unlocked and root by flashing supersu) but if your device get root in special way by using exploits(like jailbreaking ios) update will patch up exploit and disable rooting.
2.Uninstall preinstall app will recover no space for user since system partition has fixed size and separate from data partition.
(Preinstall apps is in system partition. User apps and data is in data partition)
Also once your device is rooted it will list your software as custom and disable ota update.
Sent from my SM-A9000 using Tapatalk
@RemixDeluxe couple things.
Package DisablerPro even though they don't uninstall the apps such as Uber it does disable and they won't show up in your folder nor update.
To stop automatic app update go to Playstore settings and check the do not auto update box.
As far as firmware update I took the update so no biggie
Since the bootloader on the G935A ATT is locked down tight I seriously doubt there'll be a root exploit but if someone does find one if you root you won't have to worry about auto updates because the device won't be able to take the OTA.
I use a thin Speck case and Case Mate makes a good case as well and they will eliminate the incidental screen touches.
I've had the Galaxy S series of devices since the S2 and I've got to say in my humble opinion of course you won't find a finer device.
Yes I've owned several other android devices as well.
I've bought the international S7 Edge and that device is fully rootable so if you can come up with the money it's an idea to consider.
Even the Tmobile S7 Edge bootloader is locked down now so that's out of the question.
I hope I've answered some of your questions.
Feel free to hit me up if you have more.
"And on that bombshell!"
Sent from my Smokin G935A
NonXtreme said:
*You have got snapdragon version which have locked bootloader so unless samsung and at&t push out official update that unlock it, it is unlikely your device will get rooted at least not normal method.
1.It is possible but unlikely that new update can make root impossible(assume that your s7 get bootloader unlocked and root by flashing supersu) but if your device get root in special way by using exploits(like jailbreaking ios) update will patch up exploit and disable rooting.
2.Uninstall preinstall app will recover no space for user since system partition has fixed size and separate from data partition.
(Preinstall apps is in system partition. User apps and data is in data partition)
Also once your device is rooted it will list your software as custom and disable ota update.
Sent from my SM-A9000 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm confused by your post, I thought rooting the phone was the equivalent to jailbreaking on IOS as in it makes the device open source but by no means is it official by the developers of the OS.
So are you saying I can only disable updates once my phone is rooted? I mean how would I stop it in the first place so I can get root to begin with? sounds like a catch 22.
s7freak said:
@RemixDeluxe couple things.
Package DisablerPro even though they don't uninstall the apps such as Uber it does disable and they won't show up in your folder nor update.
To stop automatic app update go to Playstore settings and check the do not auto update box.
As far as firmware update I took the update so no biggie
Since the bootloader on the G935A ATT is locked down tight I seriously doubt there'll be a root exploit but if someone does find one if you root you won't have to worry about auto updates because the device won't be able to take the OTA.
I use a thin Speck case and Case Mate makes a good case as well and they will eliminate the incidental screen touches.
I've had the Galaxy S series of devices since the S2 and I've got to say in my humble opinion of course you won't find a finer device.
Yes I've owned several other android devices as well.
I've bought the international S7 Edge and that device is fully rootable so if you can come up with the money it's an idea to consider.
Even the Tmobile S7 Edge bootloader is locked down now so that's out of the question.
I hope I've answered some of your questions.
Feel free to hit me up if you have more.
"And on that bombshell!"
Sent from my Smokin G935A
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont care about applications updating since that doesnt affect the OS in terms of exploits but for firmware updates I want to be able to not update because I imagine Samsung or AT&T (whoever it concerns) would not want their customers to root their devices and have open souce access they arent suppose to have. Maybe I'm too used to Apple stomping out jailbreak and I should ease up with Android updates, this is all new to me so forgive my lack of understanding.
RemixDeluxe said:
I dont care about applications updating since that doesnt affect the OS in terms of exploits but for firmware updates I want to be able to not update because I imagine Samsung or AT&T (whoever it concerns) would not want their customers to root their devices and have open souce access they arent suppose to have. Maybe I'm too used to Apple stomping out jailbreak and I should ease up with Android updates, this is all new to me so forgive my lack of understanding.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Honestly I doubt very seriously if there will be root for the ATT, Verizon, TMO s7 edge. Just like the s6 edge or Note5. There was root for a very short period for the s6 edge but the exploit was patched very quickly. It seems devs aren't even trying to find root for ATT devices since the bootloaders are so tightly locked.
As far as updates to the OS since root isn't available there's no worry about exploits being patched.
It sucks tremendously but the major carriers are more concerned with security than anything else.
Tomorrow my ATT s7 edge is going back to the corporate store and from now on I'll be buying the international versions outright.
I've been lucky since I've had a couple other devices that I was able to sell on Swappa to offset the cost.
"And on that bombshell!"
Sent from my Smokin G935A
I really wanted to root my device, its half the fun of owning a new device and this really bums me out I may possible never get to experience that.
So am I completely screwed out of rooting or do you think there will be some workarounds in the foreseeable future?
Thanks for keeping me informed.
RemixDeluxe said:
I really wanted to root my device, its half the fun of owning a new device and this really bums me out I may possible never get to experience that.
So am I completely screwed out of rooting or do you think there will be some workarounds in the foreseeable future?
Thanks for keeping me informed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Never underestimate the xda community even if it looks grim now I'm keeping a positive outlook that us variants will eventually have root. But maybe that's just wishful thinking. But there are plenty of modifications and customization options available to us without the need of root.
I have a couple of requests in regards to some applications if anyone would be generous enough to suggest anything.
1. Are there any applications to get free inapp purchases without root?
2. Anyway to stop ads in apps or while viewing youtube videos? I've tried a few adblockers but they dont seem to do much if anything at all.
3. I used this app on my iPhone called Mewseek which allowed you to download music on the fly and listen to it instantly. Is there any equivalent of that on Android?
Related
I know its too early but what do you guys this about rooting/custom roms for venice?
BB ceo said (something along the lines) that they will only make an android device if it is secured enough. WOuld that mean a locked bootloader etc? Moreover, it is using a much more secure kernel (http://berryflow.com/2015/09/blackberrys-android-slider-using-hardened-linux-kernel/) and i've read that some beginner's tools (eg enabling developer's options, sideloading apps etc) are blocked.
So what do you guys think? As for me, I believe in this community and i know one way or another, we will be able to install our favourite custom roms/apps on venice. Although I dont know if it would happen 2 days after launch of 2 years after the device reaches the market!
Btw cant wait for the device! I hope blackberry becomes a force again after this phone. I'll buy it the day it's bootloader gets unlocked + root is acheived
Do you have a source on the Priv blocking sideloaded apps? That would be very unfortunate. Locked bootloader is a given but I would still like to be able to install my favorite apks.
I can't see things like developer options/USB debugging etc being outright blocked. That just seems like a great way to alienate the majority of the userbase that a device like this is targeted towards.
This is my main concern... I want this phone, badly. But after having a G4, having to wait for root and still not having any decent roms I won't get the Priv if it doesn't at least get root. It's stock-ish android so I can deal with lack of roms but no root, no sale.
Sent from my LG-H811 using Tapatalk
No idea why anyone here thinks they would do that. Even on BB10 devices installing apks is allowed - and they sure wouldn´t do otherwise on an Android device - that would be crazy.
and yes, bl will be locked and encrypted - root - well that will be something to wait for.
:good:
Bootloader WILL be locked, that's a no brainer. But locking out sideloading, developer options is not possible without TOTALLY killing interest and sales. Blackberry desperately needs Priv to succeed. This is their last chance to avoid becoming the next Nokia. So no, we will have at least sideloading available. Honestly, it doesn't matter if they lock out all these essential features, if they release at least the kernel source and device tree day-and-date with the phone. If you have these, we're better off building a CM 12 (or 13:fingers-crossed ROM for the Priv.
Zer0.exe said:
Do you have a source on the Priv blocking sideloaded apps? That would be very unfortunate. Locked bootloader is a given but I would still like to be able to install my favorite apks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sorry I cant give you a source. I read this on reditt or a blog post
MSF Jarvis said:
Bootloader WILL be locked, that's a no brainer. But locking out sideloading, developer options is not possible without TOTALLY killing interest and sales. Blackberry desperately needs Priv to succeed. This is their last chance to avoid becoming the next Nokia. So no, we will have at least sideloading available. Honestly, it doesn't matter if they lock out all these essential features, if they release at least the kernel source and device tree day-and-date with the phone. If you have these, we're better off building a CM 12 (or 13:fingers-crossed ROM for the Priv.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hmm. So do you think it would be possible to unlock the bootloader or it can never be unlocked?
btw slightly offtopic, but is there any phone which has a completely locked bootloader (ie has never been unlocked)?
Welp a leaked pic about the security settings confirms developer options can be enabled, so sideloaded apps is probably a go to. False alarm, peeps!
Zer0.exe said:
Welp a leaked pic about the security settings confirms developer options can be enabled, so sideloaded apps is probably a go to. False alarm, peeps!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Link?
HyperM3 said:
Link?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://n4bb.com/blackberry-priv-64-bit-4k-video-confirmed/
The beautiful glass weave is also shown off. I love it on my Z30.
pluto7443 said:
http://n4bb.com/blackberry-priv-64-bit-4k-video-confirmed/
The beautiful glass weave is also shown off. I love it on my Z30.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for that! I am really looking forward to this device. Im all or nothing on this with my Nexus 6 right now.
rollerdyke44 said:
hmm. So do you think it would be possible to unlock the bootloader or it can never be unlocked?
btw slightly offtopic, but is there any phone which has a completely locked bootloader (ie has never been unlocked)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
there must be some poor phone that didn't get a bootloader unlock, and I firmly believe the Priv is gonna join their ranks as soon as it gets released.
Sent from a Cool Phone stuck with crappy KingUser
rollerdyke44 said:
btw slightly offtopic, but is there any phone which has a completely locked bootloader (ie has never been unlocked)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Look at the recent crop of AT&T and Verizon Samsung phones. Their bootloader are locked up tighter then...... Well we will just say their locked down [emoji1]
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
http://i-cdn.phonearena.com/images/...aked-hands-on-photos-plus-official-images.jpg In fact, this image outright confirms that you can sideload/ use developer options.
I wouldn't count on too much. The developer options could have easily been changed and some removed. As BB main selling point is security I expect this device to be one of the harder ones to crack.
As for the bootloader questions. Yes there have been a few that were uncrackable, a dirty hack to by pass has worked on some.
I imagine root is just a matter of time. Unless they lock the system partition, which other manufacturers have done in the past (Looking at you HTC). Even so, it has been done and s-on/off has been cracked before. Alternatives to locking include e-fuses, like in legacy motorola devices.
Bootloaders on the other hand, we're probably going to have to get some concrete evidence. It is most likely locked in my personal opinion.
This is all just speculation. Hopefully Blackberry can find a good balance.
htko89 said:
I imagine root is just a matter of time. Unless they lock the system partition, which other manufacturers have done in the past (Looking at you HTC). Even so, it has been done and s-on/off has been cracked before. Alternatives to locking include e-fuses, like in legacy motorola devices.
Bootloaders on the other hand, we're probably going to have to get some concrete evidence. It is most likely locked in my personal opinion.
This is all just speculation. Hopefully Blackberry can find a good balance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The efuze us still used in many devices and if I know blackberry they will have it check against its servers for security. Once it detects root it will most likely disable the device. Or most of the functions that use BB servers. Remember everything is routed through Blackberrys servers in Canada so if their servers go do so does the device.
zelendel said:
Once it detects root it will most likely disable the device. Or most of the functions that use BB servers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would be completely fine with them locking out the BB services when root is discovered. But locking down the hardware would be overstepping their bounds. It's our hardware, not theirs. I know that doesn't mean they couldn't still do it, I just think it would be a jerk move.
It would be like if Microsoft bricked xbox machines that have been modded. They don't, they just ban you from XBox Live if they detect it. I think it should be the same approach.
Yes but even MS has locked the bootloader on Many of their 32 bit machines now. Also I have a link that you might want to read where is passed then modding our devices at all will become illegal.
https://www.eff.org/issues/tpp
First of all, I'm new to Samsung devices. Just got the S7 Edge (Exynos variant).I know the basics to Android (I think) since I've been using Sony devices since forever. I have a few questions and while some of them may be easily answered with a quick Google search, I thought I'd just add them here in case a few of you are feeling helpful today.
1: (Optional) How does one root the S7 Edge (SM-G935FD)?
2: What are the dangers of rooting a Samsung device, specifically the S7 Edge? Are they similar to Sony devices or other Android devices?
3: Sony had a software called XperiFirm. It basically allows users to manually pull firmware updates from the servers themselves and pack them into a flashable ftf file. You can also choose which Carrier the firmware update is from. Is there something similar for Samsung devices?
4: Is there a future for our Exynos devices? I've heard that Exynos devices are near impossible to develop on (ROMs, Kernels etc). Is that true?
5: (Optional) When I use the S Health to measure my Heart Rate, it says my current profile is a Male born on January 1, 1980. How do I change it? My age is different on the Samsung account.
6: Are there any problems on the S7 Edge that I should try to avoid?
7: Lastly, if you guys can provide me some advice for this phone, be it to save battery, increase performance or any useful features I should know of, I'd appreciate it.
Sorry if these are repeated questions. Thank you all!
Edit: To add a bit of info, I haven't been active on XDA or reading any article about anything Android lately. Been really busy. So you could consider me a newbie, or a noob. Whatever you want.
Dude.... some reading would of been nice.
1: There is 1000 posts already. Just search
2: Loss in Samsung Pay. Other than that no different from any other device
3: OTA is not possibble to install. You can use Flashfire to install Updates without wiping, Allthough you are required to download the Full Firmware package and not just the Update
4: There is always a future, When Samsung Release the source code properly (AND FULLY) Then it will be possible, If not give it maybe 12 months and you will hear some news.
5: Top left corner in Shealth you can change your profile data
6: Dont put it in water or drop it LOL
7: Never tweaked Battery, Performance and battery life is outstanding on this device.
Dont touch what is not broken
1: You'll have to read on this one but it's easy and quick.
2: Loosing samsung Pay & warranty & straight OTA updates. However OTA updates are plain easy with the great work done with the app flashfire. In my case before samsung pay is used in this country I'll probably switch mobile again and warranty I don't really care, never needed a warranty since nokia gold era.
3: Answered in 1
4: It will take probably too long.. probably you will switch phone before it happens (less than 1 year) However I find the s7 rom pretty stable and low draining. Ofc I had to freeze a lot of apps and do some cleaning but along with greenify it pretty good. I usually would flash a custom ROM, now I just won't bother because they are coming out better (after the cleaning).
5: I don't use.. I use google fit.
6: Nothing that I'm aware of...
7: Out of the box the phone is pretty good. I just freeze the apps I'm sure I don't need them with titanium and use greenify. I get 6h30 screen.. I can say It's more than enough for a regular day for me... way WAY better than any previous samsung galaxy release.
What is contained in this update? The Verizon site is very lite on details.
Edit: Took the update.
Just a reminder for everyone to re-enable any disabled apps before updating. Android "optimizes" all the apps after the update.
I'll let you know if there is any weirdness.
any thoughts on it so far?
just got mine
Everything running great. 20 hrs run time. 4 hrs screen on time. Still at 35%. That includes 3hrs of streaming audio of the Royals game. Android usage seems better. Only 14%.
jcbofkc said:
Everything running great. 20 hrs run time. 4 hrs screen on time. Still at 35%. That includes 3hrs of streaming audio of the Royals game. Android usage seems better. Only 14%.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How does that compare to your battery performance before the update? On par, I'd guess?
Took it, haven't noticed anything new or any changes, good or bad.
Changes are listed here: http://security.samsungmobile.com/smrupdate.html#SMR-JUN-2016
One thing that is troubling me is now that Verizon seems to be pushing out updates in a timely manner will we ever see root? The devs are waiting for a security hole to exploit and now Big Red is actually patching potential holes on a regular basis.
Rooting these phones is a thing that definitely has a limited life...two years and everyone is lusting after the new "big phone", devs included. It wouldn't take many "patching incidents" to prevent root from ever being achieved.
Now that temp root has been demonstrated as working on an ATT US spec Qualcomm version, I'm kind of kicking myself. They have a ways to go, but it is promising. Hope updating doesn't bite me in the arse.
Link to ATT proof of root.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/tmobile-s7-edge/help/world-galaxy-s7-root-t3396188
Has anyone tried downgrading via San mobile files and Odin? If not, I may try tonight.
FWIW to date Samsung has not blocked downgrades via odin. Assuming they don't change their stance in the near future you should be able to downgrade to a vulnerable version later on if you need.
djh816 said:
FWIW to date Samsung has not blocked downgrades via odin. Assuming they don't change their stance in the near future you should be able to downgrade to a vulnerable version later on if you need.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is that true for all variants? Or just Exynos?
ETA: I thought Verizon phones could not be downgraded at all.
bailyc said:
Is that true for all variants? Or just Exynos?
ETA: I thought Verizon phones could not be downgraded at all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Snapdragon as well AFAIK, it's at a bootloader level. Snapdragon has extra boot security measures like secure boot and both Snapdragon and Exyonos have dm-verity but that shouldn't affect anything in this instance. An equivalent example would be the "fastboot flash" route on Nexus devices. HTC and others have tried to stop downgrades but Samsung and stock Nexus devices have always allowed downgrading via Odin or fastboot respectively.
I just purchased and activated my s7 edge. It is asking me to update. If I am wanting to root in the future should I not update?
blitzedonx said:
I just purchased and activated my s7 edge. It is asking me to update. If I am wanting to root in the future should I not update?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're not rooting...
hi I'm very new to this android rooting world. from what I've gathered it's highly useful. I'm looking to root my Samsung s8 sm-g950u can it be done without bricking it. I have a PC Windows 10 to download the needed things. my wife has the one plus 3t. if i stay with android I'm considering my options with phones. I understand the one plus brand and google pixel among some others are very useful.. some being easier to root also more stable than others. all of what I know is through reading. if I do buy another android what the best for a beginner. I'm not looking to over clock. just stream line the phone. gather some useful apps. basically learn have fun and explore.
warphoenix30 said:
hi I'm very new to this android rooting world. from what I've gathered it's highly useful. I'm looking to root my Samsung s8 sm-g950u can it be done without bricking it. I have a PC Windows 10 to download the needed things. my wife has the one plus 3t. if i stay with android I'm considering my options with phones. I understand the one plus brand and google pixel among some others are very useful.. some being easier to root also more stable than others. all of what I know is through reading. if I do buy another android what the best for a beginner. I'm not looking to over clock. just stream line the phone. gather some useful apps. basically learn have fun and explore.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure, you can do it without bricking the phone
But, since S8 is a samsung phone, it is better for you to know the drawback of rooting your phone, mainly because the Knox getting tripped. Some of it (like, secure folder or instant login from browser) will be unable to be used anymore.
warphoenix30 said:
hi I'm very new to this android rooting world. from what I've gathered it's highly useful. I'm looking to root my Samsung s8 sm-g950u can it be done without bricking it. I have a PC Windows 10 to download the needed things. my wife has the one plus 3t. if i stay with android I'm considering my options with phones. I understand the one plus brand and google pixel among some others are very useful.. some being easier to root also more stable than others. all of what I know is through reading. if I do buy another android what the best for a beginner. I'm not looking to over clock. just stream line the phone. gather some useful apps. basically learn have fun and explore.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If its a US 950 U knox cannot be tripped battery only charges to 80% samsung pay does not work
Also in setting about phone and software information and or base band We need to know what firmware you are running now As root is only possible up to a revision 2 bootloader anything higher cannot be rooted or downgraded to root
Well honestly I won't own another one of these. They can't have tempered glass. I dont really use the features that help these sell. Just looking to remove the bloatware and take more control over the phone. The hardware is nice. I'd rather be using a high end flagship vanilla android.
Baseband version is G950USQS5CRF5.
Sounds like I should be using a android that more root friendly. Which would be better? One plus. LG or google pixel?
StardustGeass said:
Sure, you can do it without bricking the phone
But, since S8 is a samsung phone, it is better for you to know the drawback of rooting your phone, mainly because the Knox getting tripped. Some of it (like, secure folder or instant login from browser) will be unable to be used anymore.[/QUOTE
I dont use secure folder. Mayne I don't know enough about it to know if I should be if i need to. I really trying use my pc more for things then my phone. So some of these these if i end up rooting or being able to root it. I probably won't miss. Or maybe I'm not anwarw of why I have to be missing them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mini-rant
OK, so I have to rant (just briefly) about the whole state of Samsung phones at the moment. Basically, we spend gobs of money on expensive devices and get locked down pre-loaded junk in return. Oh, they are physically impressive, have good specs, and are aesthetically nice gadgets. But would you spend $1600 bucks on a new laptop that came with software you couldn’t remove and could only be upgraded for the next 4 years?!?!
I have wanted to experiment with LineageOS for years. I bought a used Samsung S8+ in 2018 and quickly found out that LineageOS was a no go because Samsung locks the bootloaders on all US and Canadian models. So, that was never going to happen unless some guru found a hack.
Now, five years later, I went out of my way to find a Global/European S10+ (an SM-G975F) specifically so that I could install LineageOS. Now, I managed to do that easily enough. But now I am stuck with a phone that has poor reception and slow LTE speeds because it is missing LTE bands used in Canada (i.e. the SM-G975F uses different bands than the SM-G975W).
So here we are… making tradeoffs again.
And while I like fiddling with things like this, I have to wonder... why are we here in the first place? I just want a phone that doesn’t come preloaded with junk that I don’t want. I don’t want Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, TikTok or even Office 365 pre-installed and non-removable. It is like moving into a new house and finding out that the builder picked out furniture for the living room and, while you can push it off to the side and cover it with a blanket, you can never actually remove it. Why is the builder picking out furniture for me in the first place?
Some will say they like the furniture the builder picked. Most will say they don’t hate it or that they found a way to cover it up sufficiently that they don’t really notice it anymore. That isn’t really the point though, is it?
LineageOS on the other hand comes with nothing that it shouldn’t. Oh, and you can have LineageOS if you like (if you stand on your head and find a way to order a phone from another market) but then you have crummy reception forever. Oh, and when you are done you are a 2nd class citizen who can't use the NFC chip on his/her phone to pay for things because you were a "bad person" who found a way to remove the builder's sofa from your living room.
Oh, there are tricks… download this tool or that… but some don’t work anymore because of update XYZ…
Why can’t I just turn on the LTE bands I need??!?! Like, seriously, why not?!?!
Or better yet, why doesn’t my phone do it for me when it sees the Bell SIM card?!?!
Whose phone is this anyway?!?!
The state of Samsung phones in North America is garbage. Full stop. Pure garbage. No, I am not being too harsh.
1) All phones should come with basic firmware that makes the phone work and nothing else. The phone should not be used as an on-ramp into whichever ecosystem is paying the manufacturer more. OEM apps (i.e. Samung Calculator, Samsung DeX, etc.) are fine but no 3rd party junk like Facebook and Instagram. That is what the store is for.
2) All bootloaders should be unlockable and re-lockable once custom firmware is loaded if that firmware is itself signed. No "tripping Knox" or this nonsense.
3) All radio/LTE/carrier settings should be accessible and customizable with easily selectable presets for major carriers worldwide.
Anything else is a closed ecosystem that doesn't respect your basic property rights.
OK, done ranting... Maybe someone from Samsung will notice and maybe it will make a difference.
Best regards,
The Fish
I run two stock N10+'s, a N975U and a N975U1.
Running on Android 9* and 10 respectively. Neither have had their firmware upgraded. I use Package Disabler to block about 70-80 apks and settings are heavily optimized. Both run fast, stable and fullfill their mission with almost no issues and little maintenance. Excellent SOT and standby time.
Both are compatible with AT&T and as such there are no reception issues. You check and verify this before you purchase. Slam the sim card in and they're good to go. Once optimized and running well, don't upgrade firmware or update apps and it will run fine for years. Don't do the above and you will need to find work arounds... if they exist.
Current load on this N10+ will be 3yo this June. No malware during that time. Still looks, feels and runs like new. Only repair has been a battery. After a steep learning curve I'm very pleased with these devices. They are still a joy to use. However I can't say the same for the proceeding Samsung flagships and will never own one of them for a litany of reasons*.
Samsung phones with/in this SOC/generation can run well in capable hands, stock, if used as described.
*has last Android 9 firmware update
**lol, don't get me started
blackhawk said:
Neither have had their firmware upgraded. I use Package Disabler to block about 70-80 apks and settings are heavily optimized. Both run fast, stable and fullfill their mission with almost no issues and little maintenance.
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This kind of proves my point. I am not saying there isn't a way to get your Samsung phone running the way you want it. I am saying that the hoops we have to jump through and the tradeoffs we have to make are unacceptable.
Why do you have to use Package Disabler to block about 70-80 apks?!?! Why should you have to block *any* APKs at all?
Why do you have to stick with old, outdated firmware? Why do you have to make this tradeoff? Why do we have to have a hostile relationship with Samsung?
Why can't we have a nice phone, no bloatware, no junk, no apps we don't want. Get updates for a reasonable amount of time (i.e. till the hardware no longer supports it)?
blackhawk said:
Both are compatible with AT&T and as such there are no reception issues. You check and verify this before you purchase. Slam the sim card in and they're good to go.
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Click to collapse
Sure. And I knew ahead of time when I purchased the Global S10+ (the SM-G975F) that it didn't support all the same LTE bands as the Canadian model (the SM-G975W). But again, I had to make tradeoffs because I wanted to run LineageOS. Again, why do we have to choose between two crummy options?!?! Where are the good options?!?
I am daring to imagine a world where this is better. Really, we used to have phones locked to service providers and 5-year contracts. Those were the bad old days. But these days right now (with the bloatware, etc.) are also not great. It reminds me of the Windows XP era of PCs where you would buy a new PC and be prompted to sign up for 100 different services upon initial bootup. Only difference then was you could re-install the operating system on your PC and free yourself from the OEM bloatware. But now, with phones, they make even that impossible with locked bootloaders.
Basically, if I could unlock the bootloader of a Canadian SM-G975W that would be ideal. Any why isn't it like that anyway?!?! Isn't that the way it should be to begin with?
Locked bootloaders with no option to unlock should be illegal.
The Fish
thefish123 said:
This kind of proves my point. I am not saying there isn't a way to get your Samsung phone running the way you want it. I am saying that the hoops we have to jump through and the tradeoffs we have to make are unacceptable.
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I'm a pragmatist, I use what works.
thefish123 said:
Why do you have to use Package Disabler to block about 70-80 apks?!?! Why should you have to block *any* APKs at all?
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It's only blocking what I consider bloatware. 10 or 15 of those apks are apps I installed but chose to kept disabled 99% of the time.
thefish123 said:
Why do you have to stick with old, outdated firmware? Why do you have to make this tradeoff? Why do we have to have a hostile relationship with Samsung?
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It's your choice to upgrade and there's no reason to upgrade if the firmware is fulfilling its mission if you're running Android 9 or higher. If you lack wherewithal you pay a price...
thefish123 said:
Why can't we have a nice phone, no bloatware, no junk, no apps we don't want. Get updates for a reasonable amount of time (i.e. till the hardware no longer supports it)?
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Click to collapse
Updates and upgrades aren't needed on an optimized device that's running well. New phones with the newest firmware are running like crap in case you didn't notice. Very little speed increase in most routine activities and horrible SOT on most.
thefish123 said:
Sure. And I knew ahead of time when I purchased the Global S10+ (the SM-G975F) that it didn't support all the same LTE bands as the Canadian model (the SM-G975W). But again, I had to make tradeoffs because I wanted to run LineageOS. Again, why do we have to choose between two crummy options?!?! Where are the good options?!?
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Well you knew there be connectivity issues and that should have flagged it. Custom roms have custom problems with a limited user/support base.
thefish123 said:
I am daring to imagine a world where this is better. Really, we used to have phones locked to service providers and 5-year contracts. Those were the bad old days. But these days right now (with the bloatware, etc.) are also not great. It reminds me of the Windows XP era of PCs where you would buy a new PC and be prompted to sign up for 100 different services upon initial bootup. Only difference then was you could re-install the operating system on your PC and free yourself from the OEM bloatware. But now, with phones, they make even that impossible with locked bootloaders.
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It's not that bad if you shop smart. I bought out my AT&T N10+ at 2 years. It's almost identical to my carrier unlocked variant. I want the boot loader locked for security. No way I'm touching the firmware as these are premium flagships that run extremely well as is. I have very little to gain and lots to lose... including time.
thefish123 said:
Basically, if I could unlock the bootloader of a Canadian SM-G975W that would be ideal. Any why isn't it like that anyway?!?! Isn't that the way it should be to begin with?
Locked bootloaders with no option to unlock should be illegal.
The Fish
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Click to collapse
You buy Samsung flagships for the premium hardware and then work within the framework that's available and what works best for you. You can root the Exynos variants but their hardware is almost always inferior to the Snaps. Consequences.
At this point both Samsung and Android newest products are so out of line that they are unusable to me. I don't care what they do, screw them. I'm in a holding pattern for 3+ more years happily using my N10+'s... I don't care. All my issues are worked out because I threw time at them to do so and I'm very satisfied with the outcome.
In 3+ years I will reevaluate the situation and decide what to do. Right now as things stand I don't reccomend any new Samsung's or anything Android version above Android 10. Unfortunately I have no easy solutions for you other than what I did. Even that isn't simple fix but it's a zero risk fix. I refuse to risk damaging these N10+'s by mucking with their firmware unless its needed for repair.
blackhawk said:
Well you knew there be connectivity issues and that should have flagged it. Custom roms have custom problems with a limited user/support base.
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The reason I purchased this specific model was so that I could run a custom ROM. But the connectivity issues are not caused by the custom rom. They are caused by the fact that I am using a phone designed for a different market where different LTE bands are used.
And yes, I knew that ahead of time. And I am not regretting that. But you are missing the point. The radio in my phone is perfectly capable of using the LTE bands that my carrier uses. So why shouldn't there be a straightforward way to enable them?
What if I used to live in Europe and moved to Canada? Should I be forced to buy a new phone just because Samsung doesn't let me change LTE bands? Or if I travel between Europe and Canada on business then I just have to suffer with crummy reception?
My point is one of ownership, property rights.
thefish123 said:
The reason I purchased this specific model was so that I could run a custom ROM. But the connectivity issues are not caused by the custom rom. They are caused by the fact that I am using a phone designed for a different market where different LTE bands are used.
And yes, I knew that ahead of time. And I am not regretting that. But you are missing the point. The radio in my phone is perfectly capable of using the LTE bands that my carrier uses. So why shouldn't there be a straightforward way to enable them?
What if I used to live in Europe and moved to Canada? Should I be forced to buy a new phone just because Samsung doesn't let me change LTE bands? Or if I travel between Europe and Canada on business then I just have to suffer with crummy reception?
My point is one of ownership, property rights.
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Connectivity is paramount. Regardless of what your user rights should be, you need to work within the limits of the options available. The square peg round hole thing...
You may be able to enable those bands and that's probably where you should be directing your energy. I purposely try to avoid having to do that as much as possible and never had to. You dove down the rabbit hole, hopefully it's not too deep. Try looking at the hidden phone user settings first... I guess.
blackhawk said:
Connectivity is paramount. Regardless of what your user rights should be, you need to work within the limits of the options available. The square peg round hole thing...
You may be able to enable those bands and that's probably where you should be directing your energy. I purposely try to avoid having to do that as much as possible and never had to. You dove down the rabbit hole, hopefully it's not too deep. Try looking at the hidden phone user settings first... I guess.
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Yes, I agree. Being a phone is the most important thing that a phone does. And I am directing my energies in that direction as well. But in the process, it occures to me that a messed-up antagonistic anti-customer ecosystem this whole thing is. We would *never* accept this from a computer company, a car manufacturer, or a home builder. Yet, for some reason, we accept it from phone makers like Samsung and that we need to work within these [artificially imposed] limits.
Anyway, yes, there used to be a hidden phone menu (why hidden?) that would have let me enable the bands that I need. But Samsung removed it sometime last year with an update. Again, why?!?!
I'll keep looking. I'm sure I will figure out something in time inspite of Samsung, not because of them.
The Fish
What OS version are you on?
The band selections are probably still there although means of access may have changed.
My knowledge in this area is very limited. The sim card always configured it perfectly for me.
Best to check with your carrier to be sure that phone model is on their white list.
You could try seeing if someone help you from your carrier tech support...sometimes you get lucky if you try enough.
blackhawk said:
What OS version are you on?
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I am running LineageOS 19.1.
blackhawk said:
The band selections are probably still there although means of access may have changed.
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The band selection app is categorically *not* there anymore because it A) it was part of the Samsung firmware and B) even if I was on Samsung firmware it wouldn't be there anymore either because Samsung removed it.
There used to be a tool you could download that would allow you to access the "hidden" band selection app. But it stopped working because Samsung removed the hidden app altogeather. Like I said in my original post on this thread "Oh, there are tricks… download this tool or that… but some don’t work anymore because of update XYZ…"
My point is that the whole nonsense of disabled bands and locked bootloaders is infuriating. I is like buying a computer that can only access the internet at full speed in Europe and if you fly to Canada and use it there you get penalized with 1/2 speed. Oh, and even through you could change it with the flip of a switch that switch is buried, disabled, hidden behind locked doors.
The Google Pixel 7 Pro has all the bands turned on (i.e. there is one phone for the whole world) and the boot loader is unlocked. Just saying...
At some point I will probably prevail in getting the bands I need turned on. And then I will likely be very happy with this phone for the next 5+ years. But none of that changes the fact that this anti-consumer predatory behavior on the part of Samsung is unacceptable.
The Fish