Figuring out the state of an S7 purchased used off eBay - AT&T Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers

So my gf bought herself a used S7 SM-G930A off eBay. I'm honestly unfamiliar with the S7 or the ROM scene as things apply to is so I'm coming into this at a disadvantage (I'm on an S5). However things don't seem quite right:
1) on the boot screen, there's an unlocked padlock icon with "Custom" under it
2) There's nothing for Software updates under About Device
3) Build number MMB29M.G930AUCS2APC2, Android Security patch level "February 1, 2016" (out of date?)
4) Repeatedly gets message: "Security notice: Unauthorized actions have been detected. Restart your phone to undo any unauthorized changes"
I checked some videos and I don't think this is a fake S7, but maybe it was rooted and/or had a custom ROM in a previous life. Honestly, if it's been rooted she really doesn't need that. I'd prefer to take it back to unrooted stock for her so she can have the normal consumer experience, getting carrier updates OTA, able to use Android/Samsung Pay, etc. Can anyone shed light on the state of things and guide me into getting her to where she needs to be? I'm ok running ODIN but am having trouble finding the latest stock ROM. Thanks.
(I apologize for not doing the normal amount of due diligence searching I'd normally do before pleading for assistance, but she's in a pickle now being phone-less until we can get this working).

The first thing you should do, if you haven't already, is check the IMEI.
https://swappa.com/esn
Many sellers on eBay buy cheaper phones and install the ATT rom. If it is a genuine att phone, you can restore it to stock by flashing software through Odin
Here is the latest post I found with the latest ATT software:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/att...are-g930aucs4api2-bootloader-4-t3481957/page2
This thread shows how to root and restore the galaxy s7:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/ver...s-root-install-xposed-unroot-t3411039/page206

Thanks, Luke. I just tried that link and the IMEI comes up clean and correct for the model.
As is my style, I didn't stop working on it after I posted that last night. I ultimately did find all the pieces for a stock re-flash, getting ODIN set up in a Windows 10 VM. It seemed to work, not only giving the phone a slightly newer firmware and security update, but fixing all the weirdness. So with any luck she's good to go. I suspect the phone was customized/hacked up a bit by the previous owner, and he didn't do a proper job returning it to 100% stock. Thank goodness she had someone like me who could fix it for her, otherwise an normal innocent buyer would've been in for a world of frustration and hassle.

Related

Stock SM-N9005 Restarting 4-5 times a day - need some advice

Hi,
I have been having a ongoing problem with my Galaxy Note 3 N9005 in where after the 5.0 upgrade (stock over air) it has been restarting pretty much 4-5 times during the day, and a number of times while even just sitting on the desk doing nothing.
Since I am still on contract with my supplier in NZ, I took the phone back to get repaired, in which Samsung sent it back to state "Software corruption, reloaded software".
I didn't believe them, but hoped it was correct - but sure enough the same thing happened. So I once again took it back, where they have once again told me the same thing. It is now the third time I have done this, with Samsung saying the same thing!
Now I am at wits end, and have asked for replacement, but I am being told "It is due to your google account being corrupt, and it is causing software corruption....." *sigh*
So now not only is Samsung just not helping, they are blaming my Google accounts for causing the issue. Which btw - I didn't setup the last time, and still it restarted - but they are ignoring that fact!
Anyway - the advice I want to get is has anyone else had the same issue with the Galaxy Note 3 after upgrading? I know there is no way to rollback 5.0 to old version, but did anyone fix the issue by Root and then adding another ROM (I don't want to root this phone, but to be honest I also can't afford right now to replace so I am looking at options)
Right now I am facing a ongoing battle with Samsung and my provider to replace the phone, but they are fighting it a lot and to be honest I have lost my patience so I am thinking to just drop them, root/flash new Rom, and then go to another provider - and probably never buy Samsung again when I can finally upgrade.
(used to love Samsung products but this behavior I have had is certainly making me think twice before I touch them again)
Since they refuse to accept warranty you can try to flash twrp. Then clear everthing(system/caches). Then back to stock with odin. There might be leftover of corrupted files that could cause reboot.
But later they have a better reason not to accept your phone, knox tripped.
And you can actually downgrade to 4.4.2. Just flash firmware of the same csc to be safe.
Sent from my SM-N920C
Do you have memory card installed? if so then scan you memory card for possible viruses.
Actually I have this issue too before.
Even if I left it lying on the table, it can restart by itself.
I tried to update to latest PB1 rom, the update failed, the phone restart while ODIN updating.
So I use Kies recovery and got it working again.
After that, i tried again update to PB1 rom using ODIN. and now no issues at all.
I dont know which one did the trick whether update to PB1 or KIES recovery.
Goldendawn said:
Hi,
I have been having a ongoing problem with my Galaxy Note 3 N9005 in where after the 5.0 upgrade (stock over air) it has been restarting pretty much 4-5 times during the day, and a number of times while even just sitting on the desk doing nothing.
Since I am still on contract with my supplier in NZ, I took the phone back to get repaired, in which Samsung sent it back to state "Software corruption, reloaded software".
I didn't believe them, but hoped it was correct - but sure enough the same thing happened. So I once again took it back, where they have once again told me the same thing. It is now the third time I have done this, with Samsung saying the same thing!
Now I am at wits end, and have asked for replacement, but I am being told "It is due to your google account being corrupt, and it is causing software corruption....." *sigh*
So now not only is Samsung just not helping, they are blaming my Google accounts for causing the issue. Which btw - I didn't setup the last time, and still it restarted - but they are ignoring that fact!
Anyway - the advice I want to get is has anyone else had the same issue with the Galaxy Note 3 after upgrading? I know there is no way to rollback 5.0 to old version, but did anyone fix the issue by Root and then adding another ROM (I don't want to root this phone, but to be honest I also can't afford right now to replace so I am looking at options)
Right now I am facing a ongoing battle with Samsung and my provider to replace the phone, but they are fighting it a lot and to be honest I have lost my patience so I am thinking to just drop them, root/flash new Rom, and then go to another provider - and probably never buy Samsung again when I can finally upgrade.
(used to love Samsung products but this behavior I have had is certainly making me think twice before I touch them again)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Munawar Mehmood said:
Do you have memory card installed? if so then scan you memory card for possible viruses.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks - but no I don't - these are the first things I did when it started happening.
When it started happening I did factory reset, removing memory card, factory reset again, didn't restore backup from google... etc etc - so the general admin tech stuff.
Because under warranty (2 year contract) I didn't want to do anything more so sent to provider to get dealt with (into my 22 months of 24 months). For the last 4 months it has been to them a number of times for the same thing.
Now each time they send it back they claim "software corrupt" and that there is no hardware issue. So doing a software root and mod change for me is a hope - and probably not a good one - that the Stock 5.0 is the problem on this phone. And only going down this road because I am coming out of the warranty and right now I have a phone I can't really use, and damn Samsung won't support it or fix it (which is really all I want them to do!!) sigh
syamsoul said:
Actually I have this issue too before.
So I use Kies recovery and got it working again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for this information, because in fact you are not the first time I have read this but I am not sure what the Kies recovery is - is there some instructions you have because maybe that is what should try, because I have seen other people on Google state this has helped them with restarting, but that was usually after Mod fix. Maybe there is something in the 5.0 update on GN3 that might cause this?
Rosli59564 said:
Since they refuse to accept warranty you can try to flash twrp. Then clear everthing(system/caches). Then back to stock with odin. There might be leftover of corrupted files that could cause reboot.
But later they have a better reason not to accept your phone, knox tripped.
And you can actually downgrade to 4.4.2. Just flash firmware of the same csc to be safe.
Sent from my SM-N920C
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks I didn't think from what I was reading that you could backwards - in fact Samsung have just down right refused, which is all I have asked them to do in the last two times - "Just flash back to the version that was on there last 4.4.2. because that didn't cause any issues!" However, they are stating very firmly that you can not rollback or re-flash back to a previous version.
Is there any instructions which are for the 9005? I have seen for the 900 but the instructions state very clearly you can't use them for 9005.
Goldendawn said:
Thanks I didn't think from what I was reading that you could backwards - in fact Samsung have just down right refused, which is all I have asked them to do in the last two times - "Just flash back to the version that was on there last 4.4.2. because that didn't cause any issues!" However, they are stating very firmly that you can not rollback or re-flash back to a previous version.
Is there any instructions which are for the 9005? I have seen for the 900 but the instructions state very clearly you can't use them for 9005.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just flash the firmware with odin. Factory reset in recovery after it's done. That's it. There are a lots of threads about going down such this:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/gal...o-downgrade-lollipop-to-kitkat-t2990262/page2
I suggest you read through before you go further. They are mixed results. Some successful. Some did not. That is why it is better to flash the same csc firmware.
I even able to downgrade my S6 from 6.01 to 5.1.1 without issue but of course it's different phone.
Sent from my SM-N920C
---------- Post added at 08:38 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:15 PM ----------
I sent you a PM.
Sent from my SM-N920C

Remove the latest (broken) OTA package from the SM-G928V

Hey all,
I'm trying to get my brother's Verizon S6 Edge+ out of a bootloop due to the lastest OTA gone bad.
My thinking is if I could find that OTA somewhere online, I could ODIN it in, and maybe clear it the problem. I don't know if that'll work, but I can't test my theory because I can't find the OTA for download anywhere.
Smart Switch doesn't work because even though I can get into Download Mode and run Smart Switch's Emergency Recovery all I want, I enter the model number SM-G928V and it asks for the S/N next. No matter what I try, nothing works. I've gone through the logs, pulled serial number from the build.prop. I've tried everything on the original packaging. I've tried the IMEI and all the barcodes right before entering Download Mode - just no S/N registers.
I can reflash the old firmware, PJ3, on there via ODIN, and each time I reflash it tries to install the OTA again. It runs through the update up to 32% and then I get a droid guy on his back with a yellow triangle - every. single. time.
I don't understand where the heck this OTA is stored and how the hell I can zero it out or remove it. I've tried popping in a new PIT, repartitioning, etc. Hell, I've tried a NAND RE-WRITE (against everyone's cries this is a terrible idea).
Does anyone have the very latest G928VVRS3BPL3 that was pushed Dec 29, 2016 to VZW S6 Edge+ devices? I'm even willing to PayPal for a good copy that will ODIN into the VZW S6 Edge+...
Alternatively, if you don't have a copy of PL3, do you know of anyway I could ADB my way into wiping the corrupt PL3 patch away? I can't seem to ADB right now, but maybe you know a trick I don't? I'm thinking I could perhaps zero out the instructions that initiate the patch at launch or something? If I can simply boot up - fantastic, but I'm in this infinite boot loop of installing PL3 to 24% and going belly-up.
I'm almost embarrassed to say I PAID for a copy of PJ3... but I can't find this latest Dec 1st security update patch anywhere on the web.
The phone is out of warranty. Contrary to Verizon store morons (sorry!), my brother didn't try to root the phone. He doesn't know how to do any of that stuff. The OTA is corrupt - plain and simple. Knox isn't even tripped. They accused him of trying to root the thing - heh.
Since the phone is out of warranty, no one will fix it for him. I'm his only hope, and I'm not much of a hope right now.
You're MY only hope.
This is a great phone, too. I feel bad for the guy. He woke up to his phone dead one morning. That's it.

Samsung Galaxy Sky J3 SM-S320VL TracFone not flashing....

Here is the issue. A friend of mine had gone a bought a Galaxy Sky SM-S320VL from TracPhone. And had been using the phone without any problems until a couple of weeks ago. Then he decided to do a Factory Reset. Instead of doing the software reset, from with in Settings, he went and did a HARD Reset without unlocking the google account. And guess what, he can't remember the account information for that phone. And came to me to reset the phone. (As I had to deal with this problem in the past with other people and their phones.)
I have downloaded the only stock rom I can find for this phone and flashed it with Odin3. But for some reason the flashing of the rom is never done. By this I mean, the phone downloads the rom as Odin sends it. Odin reports a Success with the flashing. But, when the phone reboots. The system has not been reset and FRP is still active.
I have flashed only the AP, and the phone reboots directly into setup and shows a message about an unauthorized Factory Reset.
I have flash all 4 files in the ROM set (BL, AP, CP, and CSC). and Odin states the flash was a success. The phone reboots, goes to recovery and states Starting System Update. Goes so far into the update, then stops and shows Erasing. After a short time of showing Erasing it reboots to setup. Where again the phone shows the message about authorized Factory Reset.
I have used Odin3 v3.9.0, v3.11.1, v3.11.2, v3.12.5. And I have updated to the latest USB drivers from Samsung.
So my question is this. Has anyone had come across this behavior before? And how can I get past this?
The phones particulars:
Name: Samsung Galaxy Sky
Model #: SM-S320VL(GP)
OS v: 6.0.1
Firmware #: S320VLUDU2APJ3
Model #, as reported by Downloader: SM-S320VL
Note: As a strange side effect of when I flash all 4 rom files. For some reason once the phone has failed the system update, erased and has reboot. I have complete access to the phones User data area from within my computer. But, I am unable to access the phone with adb.
Hey folks,
I'm having the exact same issue as the OP. Odin does a successful install on the phone but I get the unauthorized reset message and then Wifi does not work when prompted on the next screen.
Is there a tracfone version of the rom or a fix that anyone here knows of? Thanks!
@drasnah
I have yet to get any kind of reply from anyone on this. Either now one knows, and is not stating so, or doesn't care.
I have seen the wi- fi fix in another thread.
Modify /system/build.prop:
ro.securestorage.support=true to false
Hope that helps!
20eyes said:
I have seen the wi- fi fix in another thread.
Modify /system/build.prop:
ro.securestorage.support=true to false
Hope that helps!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First this is not a wi-fi problem it is a re-flashing of the rom problem.
Second, I do not have access, root or otherwise, to any of the system files on the phone.
Third, with the first two in mind this possible solution is of no help.
Fourth, Re-read my original post. I have given complete detailed information as to what I have access to and what I have done.
Can someone send me a download think for this phone i downloaded one but it won't flash it keeps failing
This device has been locked down by Tradphone and Samsung. It gives errors flashing even the correct stock firmware. It's a piece of garbage. NEVER buy anything from Tracphone. Garbage company. You'll never fix this issue. Only pushed updates will flash via software from sammy and tracphone that is built into the rom..
Curtis1973 said:
This device has been locked down by Tradphone and Samsung. It gives errors flashing even the correct stock firmware. It's a piece of garbage. NEVER buy anything from Tracphone. Garbage company. You'll never fix this issue. Only pushed updates will flash via software from sammy and tracphone that is built into the rom..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure if that's correct? It depends on the firmware and odin version being used.
---------- Post added at 10:00 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:58 PM ----------
Nate1k904 said:
Can someone send me a download think for this phone i downloaded one but it won't flash it keeps failing
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Post more details on the error, screenshots, firmware and odin version used.
Need to know if works. Or if needing to settle for a different route.
The_WABBIT said:
Here is the issue. A friend of mine had gone a bought a Galaxy Sky SM-S320VL from TracPhone. And had been using the phone without any problems until a couple of weeks ago. Then he decided to do a Factory Reset. Instead of doing the software reset, from with in Settings, he went and did a HARD Reset without unlocking the google account. And guess what, he can't remember the account information for that phone. And came to me to reset the phone. (As I had to deal with this problem in the past with other people and their phones.)
I have downloaded the only stock rom I can find for this phone and flashed it with Odin3. But for some reason the flashing of the rom is never done. By this I mean, the phone downloads the rom as Odin sends it. Odin reports a Success with the flashing. But, when the phone reboots. The system has not been reset and FRP is still active.
I have flashed only the AP, and the phone reboots directly into setup and shows a message about an unauthorized Factory Reset.
I have flash all 4 files in the ROM set (BL, AP, CP, and CSC). and Odin states the flash was a success. The phone reboots, goes to recovery and states Starting System Update. Goes so far into the update, then stops and shows Erasing. After a short time of showing Erasing it reboots to setup. Where again the phone shows the message about authorized Factory Reset.
I have used Odin3 v3.9.0, v3.11.1, v3.11.2, v3.12.5. And I have updated to the latest USB drivers from Samsung.
So my question is this. Has anyone had come across this behavior before? And how can I get past this?
The phones particulars:
Name: Samsung Galaxy Sky
Model #: SM-S320VL(GP)
OS v: 6.0.1
Firmware #: S320VLUDU2APJ3
Model #, as reported by Downloader: SM-S320VL
Note: As a strange side effect of when I flash all 4 rom files. For some reason once the phone has failed the system update, erased and has reboot. I have complete access to the phones User data area from within my computer. But, I am unable to access the phone with adb.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
J3 sm s320vl... tracfone root availability? Just bought phone hopefully got a good one to root? Or maybe someone knows who maybe be able to... please help
No updates? Interested, I have the same phone.
There is no solution for this phone. It will forever be a Trac-phone.
Yes, it nice to imagine what could had been. If there was a fix for the locked bootloader. Its encrypted, and is highly unlikely to be broken by anyone.
Do not flash the boot.image that some people have suggested
Although that method works on some devices such as the AT&T Samsung Galaxy S5. In this case flashing the boot.image from an unlocked device does nothing but places the phone into an even more precarious situation, that makes it unusable even as a Trac phone.
While its true that this very low budget phone could had been decent with a custom Rom ,
You will not be able to get it working.
I have one that belonged to my daughter a couple of years ago and I managed to get it boot into the system again.
Its only function is as a calculator, or preschool game, the cellular reception and Wifi connections are highly unstable and will not stay connected.
Now it serves as my nieces play toy. I would donate to some poor person at the Salvation Army it if it was useable.
By the way, for anyone reading this.
If you have an old phone that is useable. You could dramatically help a Homeless people, by gifting them with a phone especially, if it has some minutes on it.
This gift will help them schedule job interviews, doctors appointments , etc and you will feel good knowing that you helped someone in need.
I have done this before, and will be dropping off a Blu phone, and Kindle Tablet this week.
tsongming said:
There is no solution for this phone. It will forever be a Trac-phone..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is possible to gain root on this device.
ashyx said:
It is possible to gain root on this device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have permissible SE Status but can not achieve root on this device. Also, I have not found that anyone has had success rooting this exact model.
To be clear my device is the 2016 TracFone Samsung Galaxy J3 Sky model : SM-S320VL
Build S320VUDU1APG2
Hardware Version S320 VL04
I have found reports of people with S320VLUDU2API3 stating that the were able to achieve root and then assumed that it must also be possible with S320VUDU1APG2.
I am usually the guy that can figure these things out, very often before others. But I have had no success gaining root on this device using published methods. Also, I have not seen one example of someone with this identical device who gained root.
You are apparently the Wizard of these Samsung phones, so if you know of a definite way to root it, please point me towards the solution. I would really appreciate it.
I would love to root this phone, get it working again, and gift it to lady who was beaten by her husband and she is now living in a homeless shelter with her two children. She could use a phone to help with her job search. She would appreciate it.
At the moment this phone can will not keep a signal and I can't attempt the build prop solution without root.
Thank you.
tsongming said:
I have permissible SE Status but can not achieve root on this device. Also, I have not found that anyone has had success rooting this exact model.
To be clear my device is the 2016 TracFone Samsung Galaxy J3 Sky model : SM-S320VL
Build S320VUDU1APG2
Hardware Version S320 VL04
I have found reports of people with S320VLUDU2API3 stating that the were able to achieve root and then assumed that it must also be possible with S320VUDU1APG2.
I am usually the guy that can figure these things out, very often before others. But I have had no success gaining root on this device using published methods. Also, I have not seen one example of someone with this identical device who gained root.
You are apparently the Wizard of these Samsung phones, so if you know of a definite way to root it, please point me towards the solution. I would really appreciate it.
I would love to root this phone, get it working again, and gift it to lady who was beaten by her husband and she is now living in a homeless shelter with her two children. She could use a phone to help with her job search. She would appreciate it.
At the moment this phone can will not keep a signal and I can't attempt the build prop solution without root.
Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See the thread below. Root was gained, albeit temporary. However I believe this is due to kernel panics which may be solved by a few build.prop edits. We had to do the same on the J327T1.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-j3-2016/help/samsung-galaxy-j3-sm-s320vl-rooted-t3561762
Also if you firmware S320VUDU1APG2 then why not just update it to the firmware that has been reported to work?
I have found one these phones left on a table of a food truck area, screen was cracked - the device was only getting the android guy with triangle on it, I done some research and found the stock rom and flashed it with odin; as some have mentioned in comments above I also experienced wifi issue, so I thought I had installed incorrect rom - downloaded a different one this was a combination file that was the factory repair rom used for testing the device, but wifi worked - it wasn't a fully working telephone it didnt have the app store, well it really didnt have any apps, but I found I could copy over apk files from my PC to the device and then install them, so the phones not completely useless or junk --- it could be used for something. I myself am using that device as a security camera using IP CAM app works great. I was actually using this device for quiet some time as my roku tv remote, because my actual roku remote grown legs and walked off... i havent tried this, but I am sure you could install a launcher apk such as "apex launcher"
well i wasted enough of your time today...

Help! I just pulled an all nighter

My wife's camera stopped working on her phone. I read flashing back to a previous firmware might fix the issue. I thought it was worth a try (and easier) before physically cracking the phone open and examining the hardware. But boy was I sure wrong about that!
I've read so much crap about this within the past few hours my head could explode. But I think the problem is trying to source the correct firmware.
This is a SM-G935V with a snapdragon processor in it according to spec websites.
The baseband version is: G935VVRSBCTC1
I haven't figured out how to find the current PDA version on the phone yet, but when I was trying to flash it with random firmware with Odin, the phone screen gave me error message: Fused 11 > Binary 4
From what I read, I understand that to mean I'm trying to flash binary 4 over 11 and that won't work. The flash only works if the number is greater....or I'm hoping maybe it will work if the number is the same. I would be happy just to flash Android 8.0 at this point in any form just to see if the camera starts working again. I've already tried a factory reset, clearing camera app data and cache, booting into safe mode, and resetting phone settings to fix the camera - nothing worked.
Could anybody please help me figure out my current PDA version on the phone? Or help me source the correct firmware? I'm starting to think it might be easier just to root the phone and install that ONE UI with android 9 or the Lineage OS with Android 10. But I've never rooted a phone before, this is my first attempt at any of this and to be honest this phone is not giving me the confidence I need to attempt the root and new OS. I can't even get the current firmware to reinstall.
Any help would be very appreciated. Like I said, I've stayed up all night and I'm so freaking tired at this point. But I feel like I'm soooooo close.
I have an SD card with Magisk, no-verity-opt-encrypt, and twrp ready to go. I have Odin ready and installed Samsung USB. Do you guys think I should just try another firmware and root the phone? Any links to firmware that don't take 12 hours to download would be appreciated.
UPDATE!
I found the PDA version with that handy "Phone Info *Samsung*" app in the play store.
The PDA version is G935VVRSBCTC1 5TH DIGIT FROM THE RIGHT GIVES US THE FUSED BINARY "B". I guess when they got past the number 9 the switched to Alpha characters. I found some "A" firmwares on Updato.com. But I didn't see any with a "B". So there's a good chance the one's I'm trying to download over 12 hours right now won't work.
I also scrolled over to the "Hardware" section in the phone and it asked for access to the Camera. I gave it access. But now the field is blank/empty. I didn't populate any info on the Camera. I don't know if that means anything just wanted to point that out. Could still be firmware or hardware as far as I know.
Thanks, Derek
MajinMight said:
My wife's camera stopped working on her phone. I read flashing back to a previous firmware might fix the issue. I thought it was worth a try (and easier) before physically cracking the phone open and examining the hardware. But boy was I sure wrong about that!
I've read so much crap about this within the past few hours my head could explode. But I think the problem is trying to source the correct firmware.
This is a SM-G935V with a snapdragon processor in it according to spec websites.
The baseband version is: G935VVRSBCTC1
I haven't figured out how to find the current PDA version on the phone yet, but when I was trying to flash it with random firmware with Odin, the phone screen gave me error message: Fused 11 > Binary 4
From what I read, I understand that to mean I'm trying to flash binary 4 over 11 and that won't work. The flash only works if the number is greater....or I'm hoping maybe it will work if the number is the same. I would be happy just to flash Android 8.0 at this point in any form just to see if the camera starts working again. I've already tried a factory reset, clearing camera app data and cache, booting into safe mode, and resetting phone settings to fix the camera - nothing worked.
Could anybody please help me figure out my current PDA version on the phone? Or help me source the correct firmware? I'm starting to think it might be easier just to root the phone and install that ONE UI with android 9 or the Lineage OS with Android 10. But I've never rooted a phone before, this is my first attempt at any of this and to be honest this phone is not giving me the confidence I need to attempt the root and new OS. I can't even get the current firmware to reinstall.
Any help would be very appreciated. Like I said, I've stayed up all night and I'm so freaking tired at this point. But I feel like I'm soooooo close.
I have an SD card with Magisk, no-verity-opt-encrypt, and twrp ready to go. I have Odin ready and installed Samsung USB. Do you guys think I should just try another firmware and root the phone? Any links to firmware that don't take 12 hours to download would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
UPDATE #2
As you can tell I haven't given up yet. I found my current firmware version for download on a different website:
https://samfrew.com/download/Galaxy__S7__edge__/b3kj/VZW/G935VVRSBCTC1/G935VVZWBCTC1/"]https://samfrew.com/download/Galaxy__S7__edge__/b3kj/VZW/G935VVRSBCTC1/G935VVZWBCTC1/
It's another slow download option which really sucks. But I'll be able to test If I can flash the same firmware to the phone (not technically a downgrade and carries the same fused binary). So we shall see. If this doesn't work I'll be looking into the other android 9 or 10 roms and rooting the phone.
Thanks, Derek
MajinMight said:
I found the PDA version with that handy "Phone Info *Samsung*" app in the play store.
The PDA version is G935VVRSBCTC1 5TH DIGIT FROM THE RIGHT GIVES US THE FUSED BINARY "B". I guess when they got past the number 9 the switched to Alpha characters. I found some "A" firmwares on Updato.com. But I didn't see any with a "B". So there's a good chance the one's I'm trying to download over 12 hours right now won't work.
I also scrolled over to the "Hardware" section in the phone and it asked for access to the Camera. I gave it access. But now the field is blank/empty. I didn't populate any info on the Camera. I don't know if that means anything just wanted to point that out. Could still be firmware or hardware as far as I know.
Thanks, Derek
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TL/DR your full posts but I will cut to the chase on some points. If your phone is SM-G935V (US-Verizon) then you:
1) can NOT root binary B firmware. Binary A (10) yes, B (11) no, at least not until the ENG file becomes available- IF it ever comes. Official S7 support is next to dead.
2) even if you were lucky flashing binary A firmware and successfully rooted, you still would NOT be able to flash ANY custom ROM's such as Lineage. Also, Magisk is useless and will not work on our phones either.
US-spec Snapdragon phones are bootloader locked. There is no workaround. Locked bootloaders prevent flashing custom ROM's, kernels, etc. We are lucky we have root access and it took years just to get that. Bootloader unlocking will never happen for US-spec S7. Much as I love my S7e, if I ever have to replace it I will never get another US "Crapdragon" that you can't do anything with.
I do not know what the issue is with your camera. Maybe other forum members will have ideas. I do wish you luck getting everything back to normal.
Dang! Well thanks for the info! I guess all the videos I've seen with S7's and custom roms have not been done on the US-Verizon phone. What a bummer. Well this was a major learning experience at least.
My only idea now is to crack her open and make sure the camera didn't come unplugged from a drop. I also seen camera replacements were really cheap online. I don't know if it's worth my time....we are due for a phone upgrade anyway.
SkylineDriver said:
TL/DR your full posts but I will cut to the chase on some points. If your phone is SM-G935V (US-Verizon) then you:
1) can NOT root binary B firmware. Binary A (10) yes, B (11) no, at least not until the ENG file becomes available- IF it ever comes. Official S7 support is next to dead.
2) even if you were lucky flashing binary A firmware and successfully rooted, you still would NOT be able to flash ANY custom ROM's such as Lineage. Also, Magisk is useless and will not work on our phones either.
US-spec Snapdragon phones are bootloader locked. There is no workaround. Locked bootloaders prevent flashing custom ROM's, kernels, etc. We are lucky we have root access and it took years just to get that. Bootloader unlocking will never happen for US-spec S7. Much as I love my S7e, if I ever have to replace it I will never get another US "Crapdragon" that you can't do anything with.
I do not know what the issue is with your camera. Maybe other forum members will have ideas. I do wish you luck getting everything back to normal.
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Click to collapse

Custom ROM suggestions for Samsung J7 Sky Pro SM-727VL(GP)

Could someone please point me in the direction of a custom ROM that will (or even might) work on Samsung j7 sky pro SM-272VL(GP)
Before anyone suggests, I have already read all of the information out there on rooting, ODIN, TWRP, etc for this phone. It sounds like several have tried, but no one has actually been able to gain root, although there may be hope for that due to security flaw https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/45379 mentioned in this post #21
SM-S727VL Analysis, Partition Table, and Factory
-- UPDATE #1 (11/05/18) added So I've got myself a Tracfone Variant of the Samsung J7, The "Galaxy J7 Sky Pro" [SM-S727VL] CDMA. As far as I can tell, this variant is sold on both the Tracfone and StraightTalk carriers, and it seems to just run...
forum.xda-developers.com
I have also read all of the only other thread out there on this device on the subject of rooting, or anything really:
SM-S727VL Root and Recovery
I cannot for the life of me get this phone rooted or a recovery installed. Odin always fails and ADB doesn't recognize the device. Does anyone have any info on rooting this device? I really just want to at least be able to update this thing to...
forum.xda-developers.com
However not much was accomplished in these peoples attempts other than a bricked phone or 2, and most of the participants seem to have moved onto other devices.
I however do not have any issue with needing to root as I own the device, and as it is I can boot into a recovery ODIN mode that says that FRP Lock is off, and the screen is showing a "download in progress" background to a console, waiting for me to send the updated firmware/custom ROM/whatever from the USB cable. See attached image.
I run Linux and have for the last 20 years have used too many Distros to count, but can work with most any, but prefer debian based although I have much respect for Gentoo, and their compile everything package management, and have spent considerable time on it as well. l have unlocked and installed custom ROM's of of many types on many phones, and am working with the combined experience of myself, and my friend who has done the same, except even more on more different devices than myself. But neither of us has worked on such an obscure model as this one with so little information posted publicly on the internet for anyone to find as this one. But if there is a way to do it, I'm sure between the two of us, we can and will make it happen.
Can anyone be of any help? I would really like to get something out of the phone for the $100 that it cost me. Things I would like to run would be Kali Nethunter, and/or Andrax or Cyanogenmod/LineageOS or really any other AOSP that is not google f***ed. Basically any custom ROM (whichever, whatever type and version has the best chance of working on this phone, since there are none posted publicly that are specifically made for this device that we can find for this obscure, excessively undocumented model of phone. Just getting TWRP will be a good start, and I'm pretty sure we can handle that. However in the mentioned posts even the the TWRP file that is made for this phone, people are having troubles installing in their experiences, and bricking their phones in the process, so I definitelly would prefer not to have a repeat of what happened there.
Thank you in advanced for any and all information, hints, tips, tricks, etc. I would like to not brick this phone as the only other person who attempted to do anything with this phone unfortunately had done.

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