New to S7... Why are there only 3 roms posted here? - T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge Questions & Answer

Is there something I'm missing?

Sammy locked the Bootloader

Yup. This is the most highly sought after device with almost no developer support.
If you wanted root then you should get pretty much any other phone.

if you change the Android Code, you have to share it.
ahq1216 said:
Sammy locked the Bootloader
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct me if I am wrong, but according to the Android Platform User Agreement (I think), if you change the Android Code, you have to share it. Or some form of developers open source agreement. Correct?

So there has been no root accomplished whatsoever on the T-Mobile S7? If that's true, then I'm hanging on to my Note 7 and selling the S7E.

Binary100100 said:
Yup. This is the most highly sought after device with almost no developer support.
If you wanted root then you should get pretty much any other phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then what is the post in your signature about?
https://forum.xda-developers.com/ve...sed-unroot-t3411039/post67605246#post67605246

And what's the deal with the engineering bootloader?
http://www.theandroidsoul.com/root-t-mobile-s7-edge-engineering-bootloader/
Looks like S7 has had an unlocked bootloader with this for a while... Still very confused as to why there are no roms here.

unkellsam said:
Then what is the post in your signature about?
https://forum.xda-developers.com/ve...sed-unroot-t3411039/post67605246#post67605246
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Click to collapse
unkellsam said:
And what's the deal with the engineering bootloader?
http://www.theandroidsoul.com/root-t-mobile-s7-edge-engineering-bootloader/
Looks like S7 has had an unlocked bootloader with this for a while... Still very confused as to why there are no roms here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I suppose you really need to read a bit more.
For all Qualcomm US devices the bootloader is LOCKED.
This is well known and documented. Root is possible only with an engineering kernel. The page that you referenced is inaccurate as it referenced an engineering bootloader. It's actually an engineering boot.img file that the writer mistook for a bootloader. Again... it's an engineering kernel not engineering bootloader.

unkellsam said:
So there has been no root accomplished whatsoever on the T-Mobile S7? If that's true, then I'm hanging on to my Note 7 and selling the S7E.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is, but it's very unstable. Phone tends to lag and overheat due to the (something i dont understand).

serendipityguy said:
Correct me if I am wrong, but according to the Android Platform User Agreement (I think), if you change the Android Code, you have to share it. Or some form of developers open source agreement. Correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, yes and no. Parts fall under GPL, and parts of what Samsung uses to enable full functionality of the phone are NOT. The fact that they use special digital signatures in the boot process to prevent loading unsigned code is totally up to them (i.e. its all the stuff that happens before "android" starts...

sbaeder said:
Well, yes and no. Parts fall under GPL, and parts of what Samsung uses to enable full functionality of the phone are NOT. The fact that they use special digital signatures in the boot process to prevent loading unsigned code is totally up to them (i.e. its all the stuff that happens before "android" starts...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But arn't there other S7 roms from Verizon, AT&T and Sprint having developers pushing out custom kernels? Is this something that T-mobile can release but won't?
Google gives/updates the OS, Samsung gives the S7 hardware / Updated OS - Patches the OS & then gives to the Carriers (Tmobile) and they plug in their hellware (Bloatware), surely they have the source or the ability to modify the stock rom when updates are being pushed out to the carriers.
When a New Stock drops, it is the phone carriers who modify the kernel's, boot animation, build property, and sets their modems and such . . . Not Samsung because they would not be want to push out the kernels, modems, build property, boot animation & custom roms for each phone carrier in each region of each county. So lf what I am thinking that our phone carriers developers are lame ducks....
Going the other way on this, how does Sam Mobile play into this? how is it that they are able to host the roms on their servers? Arn't there any links from Samsung to host the roms?
Please if I am wrong, please someone correct me.

It's complicated...
Samsung locked the bootloaders on all US (Qualcomm) S7 but left the bootloader unlocked on international (Exynos) roms and some international Qualcomm roms.
This sucks and hopefully is not repeated on the upcoming S8 which may be Qualcomm only.
Last summer, an engineering bootloader was leaked and a group of people here got a root that uses the engineering bootloader. It's not perfect, as it forces people to use a non-production kernel. More people here came up with settings to get the most out of that kernel.
Right now we are in the middle of the transition to Android 7 and the engineering root doesn't work with it presently. Until a solution for that is reached
At the same time, the international rom deveopment has gone smoothly with over a dozen roms updated and a few tweaked kernels. The Exynos phone itself seems to be faster and with better battery life (but worse reception) compared to a standard qualcomm. Rooted with a custom kernel on both, it's like night and day how much better the exynos performance is. Some people ported T-mobile wifi calling and Volte (through CSC settings) to the international version, so for a certain user (of which I am one), the ideal root solution is to run a full speed exynos 930F on Android 7 and retain t-mobile functionality.

unkellsam said:
Is there something I'm missing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Samsung blows

T-Mobile and Samsung both ****ed up around this time
Sent from my SM-G935T using XDA-Developers Legacy app

fracture8 said:
T-Mobile and Samsung both ****ed up around this time
Sent from my SM-G935T using XDA-Developers Legacy app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hear you.
Im gonna pay off the half of the phone in 7 months and then will jump ship to a one plus 4/5 when its released.
So much wasted potential

I would get the G935F.
serendipityguy said:
But arn't there other S7 roms from Verizon, AT&T and Sprint having developers pushing out custom kernels? Is this something that T-mobile can release but won't?
Google gives/updates the OS, Samsung gives the S7 hardware / Updated OS - Patches the OS & then gives to the Carriers (Tmobile) and they plug in their hellware (Bloatware), surely they have the source or the ability to modify the stock rom when updates are being pushed out to the carriers.
When a New Stock drops, it is the phone carriers who modify the kernel's, boot animation, build property, and sets their modems and such . . . Not Samsung because they would not be want to push out the kernels, modems, build property, boot animation & custom roms for each phone carrier in each region of each county. So lf what I am thinking that our phone carriers developers are lame ducks....
Going the other way on this, how does Sam Mobile play into this? how is it that they are able to host the roms on their servers? Arn't there any links from Samsung to host the roms?
Please if I am wrong, please someone correct me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
T-Mobile and Samsung keep playing around. I'm really hoping the Note 8 comes with an unlocked boot-loader or this may be there strategy going forward for the US.
rp3 said:
It's complicated...
Samsung locked the bootloaders on all US (Qualcomm) S7 but left the bootloader unlocked on international (Exynos) roms and some international Qualcomm roms.
This sucks and hopefully is not repeated on the upcoming S8 which may be Qualcomm only.
Last summer, an engineering bootloader was leaked and a group of people here got a root that uses the engineering bootloader. It's not perfect, as it forces people to use a non-production kernel. More people here came up with settings to get the most out of that kernel.
Right now we are in the middle of the transition to Android 7 and the engineering root doesn't work with it presently. Until a solution for that is reached
At the same time, the international rom deveopment has gone smoothly with over a dozen roms updated and a few tweaked kernels. The Exynos phone itself seems to be faster and with better battery life (but worse reception) compared to a standard qualcomm. Rooted with a custom kernel on both, it's like night and day how much better the exynos performance is. Some people ported T-mobile wifi calling and Volte (through CSC settings) to the international version, so for a certain user (of which I am one), the ideal root solution is to run a full speed exynos 930F on Android 7 and retain t-mobile functionality.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was dead set on getting the Note 7 but after the fiasco i settled for the S7 edge. the G935F also has all the bands that t-Mobiel uses so we get band 12 as well. The issue with getting the G935F is trying to buy online as it has to be imported and still get insurance and so forth. Bought from B&H photo ( aa reputable US store) for insurance and good support. The g935F turned out to be a good gamble. As long as you wait there was alot of development. Since alot of us T-Mobile guys hopped over we were able to get Volte and wificalling ported over via various CSC edits and other workarounds. So we get alot of custom roms and T-Mobile support as well. Only issue you have to root and loose Samsung pay but for me that a okay lol.

Related

[Q] A couple questions from a possible new Verizon customer...

So I live in NYC and signed a contract with Sprint last year only to regret it nearly instantly when I saw how crappy the service is around here. The only thing I love about having my Sprint S3 is the ease of rooting and flashing custom ROMs. Now I know the Note 3 is a brand new device, but it seems like Verizon is the only provider that locks their bootloader (Correct me if I'm wrong here) making it currently impossible to flash any kind of custom ROM on the device.
So I figured I'd come here and ask a few questions before taking the jump and cancelling my contract with Sprint and switching to Verizon.
1. Will the device/bootloader ever be unlocked? I notice the S4 on Verizon has a good amount of ROMs and I'm guessing the bootloader was also locked on that when it was first released.
2. How is service in the NYC area?
3. Anyone know if there's any plans to develop AOSP/CM ROMs for the Note 3? I know some of the features of the Note require TouchWiz, but I just like having the option of choosing a AOSP or TW ROM.
Thanks in advance for anyone who chimes in. Again, sorry for the stupid questions, but I don't want to dive in and then be stuck with a device that I can't update or flash something new when I get bored.
davelikestacos said:
So I live in NYC and signed a contract with Sprint last year only to regret it nearly instantly when I saw how crappy the service is around here. The only thing I love about having my Sprint S3 is the ease of rooting and flashing custom ROMs. Now I know the Note 3 is a brand new device, but it seems like Verizon is the only provider that locks their bootloader (Correct me if I'm wrong here) making it currently impossible to flash any kind of custom ROM on the device.
So I figured I'd come here and ask a few questions before taking the jump and cancelling my contract with Sprint and switching to Verizon.
1. Will the device/bootloader ever be unlocked? I notice the S4 on Verizon has a good amount of ROMs and I'm guessing the bootloader was also locked on that when it was first released.
2. How is service in the NYC area?
3. Anyone know if there's any plans to develop AOSP/CM ROMs for the Note 3? I know some of the features of the Note require TouchWiz, but I just like having the option of choosing a AOSP or TW ROM.
Thanks in advance for anyone who chimes in. Again, sorry for the stupid questions, but I don't want to dive in and then be stuck with a device that I can't update or flash something new when I get bored.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Extremely unlikely the bootloader will ever be unlocked. Hashcode is developing/testing safestrap for our device which will allow us to flash tw based roms but more than likely no kernels. In the future software updates may be tied to bootloader updates which could render root and or safestrap useless. If flashing different roms is a priority buy the dev edition when it comes back in stock.
2. Verizons coverage is the best hands down. I live in S Jersey and recently switched from Sprint myself. It's a night and day difference.
3. From what i understand safestrap only allows tw based roms to be flashed. If aosp is important, again buy the dev edition.
Verizons coverage in ny is fine. And to be honest I dont think the bootloader may ever be unlocked or atleast anytime soon
Friendly Verizo Rep - BBM: ThatOneGuyJavy
njfoses said:
1. Extremely unlikely the bootloader will ever be unlocked. Hashcode is developing/testing safestrap for our device which will allow us to flash tw based roms but more than likely no kernels. In the future software updates may be tied to bootloader updates which could render root and or safestrap useless. If flashing different roms is a priority buy the dev edition when it comes back in stock.
2. Verizons coverage is the best hands down. I live in S Jersey and recently switched from Sprint myself. It's a night and day difference.
3. From what i understand safestrap only allows tw based roms to be flashed. If aosp is important, again buy the dev edition.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Definitely sad to hear that

Where to pre-order 820?

I want to pre-order the new S7 Edge but im from europe and I want the SD820 chip. Mostly because of it's easier to mod so developers will give more love to that.
Does anyone know where I can do this?
Makes no sense at all. If a phone ever cried out for non-stock to be avoided, it's this. You will lose all Samsung features like Edge and the camera features and quality will be s**t in comparison. If you're bothered about running AOSP or CM this isn't the phone for you regardless of what chip set it has in it.
Beefheart said:
Makes no sense at all. If a phone ever cried out for non-stock to be avoided, it's this. You will lose all Samsung features like Edge and the camera features and quality will be s**t in comparison. If you're bothered about running AOSP or CM this isn't the phone for you regardless of what chip set it has in it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not completely true. To be fair he just said modding. Not flashing Stock (AOSP) ROMs, Kernels, etc...
An "clean" TW ROM is always welcomed and usually the best of both worlds.
Except clean stock doesn't require an open source chip set. It's just as easy to debloat stock on Exynos as it is on Snapdragon.
Beefheart said:
Except clean stock doesn't require an open source chip set. It's just as easy to debloat stock on Exynos as it is on Snapdragon.
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Click to collapse
Eh... Got me there.
Beefheart said:
Makes no sense at all. If a phone ever cried out for non-stock to be avoided, it's this. You will lose all Samsung features like Edge and the camera features and quality will be s**t in comparison. If you're bothered about running AOSP or CM this isn't the phone for you regardless of what chip set it has in it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with you - for me I wouldn't spend a ton of money on a phone only to lose many of the special features - but at the end of the day, it's his call what he does with his phone - and if he prefers running a clean AOSP rom or even just modded touch wiz, it;s his call - regardless - it probably won't be easy for him to find an unlocked snapdragon model - at least not early on - maybe after it's been out for a while...
I believe the Verizon version would be the best one to get to support most of the spectrum around the world, but Verizon will lock that bootloader. I bought the T-Mobile version outright and will probably get mine unlocked a couple days after I get it(paid outright and meet requirements)
Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk
If anyone has an answer to the OP's question I am curious also
After the 810 I dont want a snapdragon ever again. Glad my country is getting the 8890.
At echoe they already said they will develop for thz exynos variant cuz most part of their theam is from europe so thats asewome! [emoji3]
Verstuurd vanaf mijn SM-N920C met Tapatalk
@Beefheart Just to clarify:
With regards to the S7 Edge, its best to leave it untouched with regards to custom roms & kernels otherwise "Edge" features will be lost ?
SlyUK said:
@Beefheart Just to clarify:
With regards to the S7 Edge, its best to leave it untouched with regards to custom roms & kernels otherwise "Edge" features will be lost ?
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Click to collapse
Yes. The edge features, as far as I'm aware, require Samsung libraries, which are closed source and can't be used outside of stock Touchwiz roms. It's for the same reason S-Pen features in non-stock roms on the Note series of devices can't be used and require third party software (SPenCommand for example).
Beefheart said:
Yes. The edge features, as far as I'm aware, require Samsung libraries, which are closed source and can't be used outside of stock Touchwiz roms. It's for the same reason S-Pen features in non-stock roms on the Note series of devices can't be used and require third party software (SPenCommand for example).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would that be the case also with a custom rom that was based on the Stock rom but was "debloated" ?
mocsab said:
I agree with you - for me I wouldn't spend a ton of money on a phone only to lose many of the special features - but at the end of the day, it's his call what he does with his phone - and if he prefers running a clean AOSP rom or even just modded touch wiz, it;s his call - regardless - it probably won't be easy for him to find an unlocked snapdragon model - at least not early on - maybe after it's been out for a while...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Of course it's his money and his choice, he can buy an S7 Edge and use it as a paperweight if he wishes to. But this is a forum for discussion, and I'm simply pointing out that, in my opinion with 6 years experience of using and modifying Android devices, it wouldn't make any sense to buy an S7 Edge if he wants to use non-stock roms. It defeats the object of paying the premium on a device like this in the first place.
---------- Post added at 12:45 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:42 PM ----------
SlyUK said:
Would that be the case also with a custom rom that was based on the Stock rom but was "debloated" ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just to clarify, for me a "custom rom" means non-stock. Perhaps not entirely accurate but that is how I've always viewed the phrase. But to answer your question, no. That would be a debloated and minimised stock rom, and any desired features of Samsung vanilla stock could be included as the required libraries are still intact.
Beefheart said:
Of course it's his money and his choice, he can buy an S7 Edge and use it as a paperweight if he wishes to. But this is a forum for discussion, and I'm simply pointing out that, in my opinion with 6 years experience of using and modifying Android devices, it wouldn't make any sense to buy an S7 Edge if he wants to use non-stock roms. It defeats the object of paying the premium on a device like this in the first place.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Of course you are right, but he is not alone - there are lots of people who do what he plans to do no matter what we think ..and despite the many advantages and tools that are built into one of these phones, a high end phone with the kind of quality that is built into an S7 or Note 5 or whatever - is still an amazing phone when it uses a different system - AOSP or whatever - so I don't fault yuo for making your point - but it is likely that in his and many other cases it falls on deaf ears
Beefheart said:
Of course it's his money and his choice, he can buy an S7 Edge and use it as a paperweight if he wishes to. But this is a forum for discussion, and I'm simply pointing out that, in my opinion with 6 years experience of using and modifying Android devices, it wouldn't make any sense to buy an S7 Edge if he wants to use non-stock roms. It defeats the object of paying the premium on a device like this in the first place.
---------- Post added at 12:45 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:42 PM ----------
Just to clarify, for me a "custom rom" means non-stock. Perhaps not entirely accurate but that is how I've always viewed the phrase. But to answer your question, no. That would be a debloated and minimised stock rom, and any desired features of Samsung vanilla stock could be included as the required libraries are still intact.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wasn't quite sure of the terminology to use for a slimmed down, debloated rom based on the official stock rom, so used the word custom to be on the safe side. Thanks for answering that, gives reassurance.
SlyUK said:
I wasn't quite sure of the terminology to use for a slimmed down, debloated rom based on the official stock rom, so used the word custom to be on the safe side. Thanks for answering that, gives reassurance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's worth noting that, to install such a rom, the knox flag would have to be tripped. On Samsung Marshmallow, the only way to avoid tripping knox when installing a new build is to use Odin, which can only be used to install vanilla stock. And to use tools like FlashFire to install a build, you need to be rooted, a process which in itself trips the knox flag so you may as well install TWRP or CWM and install via a zip in recovery.
im also one of a guy waiting for S7edge with S820 from outside of US so i felt the pain and confusion of the way Sammy doing. As one of a guy responded in Reddit chat is to start ordering UNLOCKED SIM Samsung S7 from ebay would be the easiest and fastest option...
Below is the one that I am watching closely. As it said Pre-order, I am a bit afraid of the RISK of ordering a phone that cost >1000$ without seeing actual unlocked & S820 phone as they mention.
[EDIT: can't put links due to lower posts count] googled this eBay item number:281944393668
Here is some other options
to Confirm: you might have to wait for unlocked version from Samsung to released in US since all the US carriers will delay the unlocked version so that mostly can able to attract customer by offering them insensitive to stay in their network.
to Confirm: As far as I knew, US is the ONLY country which S7 variant will come with S820. The rest will ONLY get Exynos version in it with Dual SIMs supported.
to Confirm: As far as I found online is that there is no unique model number which will be the UNLOCKED version of S7 is surfaced in Internet. All the model numbers of US variant are for tied with each US Carriers. So it is possible that US will never get unlocked version of S7 with S820.
to Confirm: some people said they can ask their US carrier to unlock their locked S7 after a period of time using.
ted_O_o said:
im also one of a guy waiting for S7edge with S820 from outside of US so i felt the pain and confusion of the way Sammy doing. As one of a guy responded in Reddit chat is to start ordering UNLOCKED SIM Samsung S7 from ebay would be the easiest and fastest option...
Below is the one that I am watching closely. As it said Pre-order, I am a bit afraid of the RISK of ordering a phone that cost >1000$ without seeing actual unlocked & S820 phone as they mention.
[EDIT: can't put links due to lower posts count] googled this eBay item number:281944393668
Here is some other options
to Confirm: you might have to wait for unlocked version from Samsung to released in US since all the US carriers will delay the unlocked version so that mostly can able to attract customer by offering them insensitive to stay in their network.
to Confirm: As far as I knew, US is the ONLY country which S7 variant will come with S820. The rest will ONLY get Exynos version in it with Dual SIMs supported.
to Confirm: As far as I found online is that there is no unique model number which will be the UNLOCKED version of S7 is surfaced in Internet. All the model numbers of US variant are for tied with each US Carriers. So it is possible that US will never get unlocked version of S7 with S820.
to Confirm: some people said they can ask their US carrier to unlock their locked S7 after a period of time using.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are referring to this one:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-UNLOCKE...393668?hash=item41a53207c4:g:NhIAAOSwFNZWzWSU
No was not really thinking about a new rom if disabling touchwiz is possible. I had my mind more into rooting and xposed.

All things root and Bootloader?

Hi Friends,
Hope you're all having a great new year. So last time I was lurking the S7E forums, we had a leaked Engineering Bootloader that was used to acquire root on all US Snapdragon models, albeit, with a lot performance issues and etc.
I came here to glance as well as all other variant forums for the SD model and now we have Root for every model, with even ROMs being baked like the Echo ROM for Verizon, Sprint, AT&T models, usually the toughest to achieve these things on. I'm trying to read through the forums, but I fear I'm missing the details, that will help me pull the trigger for getting the device or not.
Can one of you very experienced, knowledgeable, and kind members educate me on the latest?
1. Do we have unlocked Bootloader and Root for all US carrier S7Es? How is it done? I use people using Flashfire. So no TWRP?
2. Does this process still trip Knox and render Samsung Pay to never be used again on the device?
3. If I bought the Verizon variant, for example, can I root, unlock Bootloader, and etc, and then return to stock, to return to the store in case I don't like the phone?
4. Xposed Framework working for all models?
Much appreciate your responses, any and all of them in advance! Thanks!
ProFragger said:
Hi Friends,
Hope you're all having a great new year. So last time I was lurking the S7E forums, we had a leaked Engineering Bootloader that was used to acquire root on all US Snapdragon models, albeit, with a lot performance issues and etc.
I came here to glance as well as all other variant forums for the SD model and now we have Root for every model, with even ROMs being baked like the Echo ROM for Verizon, Sprint, AT&T models, usually the toughest to achieve these things on. I'm trying to read through the forums, but I fear I'm missing the details, that will help me pull the trigger for getting the device or not.
Can one of you very experienced, knowledgeable, and kind members educate me on the latest?
1. Do we have unlocked Bootloader and Root for all US carrier S7Es? How is it done? I use people using Flashfire. So no TWRP?
2. Does this process still trip Knox and render Samsung Pay to never be used again on the device?
3. If I bought the Verizon variant, for example, can I root, unlock Bootloader, and etc, and then return to stock, to return to the store in case I don't like the phone?
4. Xposed Framework working for all models?
Much appreciate your responses, any and all of them in advance! Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Absolutely nothing has changed on root (only possible due to ENG kernel) and bootloader unlock (which is not yet possible).
1. No
2. No
3. No
4. No idea about all models. For the t-mobile one, please check: https://forum.xda-developers.com/tmobile-s7-edge/how-to/guide-installing-xposed-framework-t3414718
You can use the search feature in xda for finding out
CravingMender9 said:
Absolutely nothing has changed on root (only possible due to ENG kernel) and bootloader unlock (which is not yet possible).
1. No
2. No
3. No
4. No idea about all models. For the t-mobile one, please check: https://forum.xda-developers.com/tmobile-s7-edge/how-to/guide-installing-xposed-framework-t3414718
You can use the search feature in xda for finding out
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey bud, thanks for getting the ball rolling on these questions. If you could add some more information, I'd appreciate it :
If we still don't have a way to Root or Unlock bootloader, how are these ROMs (Echo, Tek, and other stock ROMs) available with root? And how are these flashed? Are we somehow bypassing the BL by using FlashFire?
Can you also educate me on the U Firmware and why people install it and is it reverseable?
Lastly, if I got a T-Mobile variant for example, installed these ROMs Tek, Echo, etc, can I return to Stock completely and return to T-Mobile, by any chance for them to take it back? Thank you again!
for the t mobile variant, I was able to flash the U firmware and flash back to stock t mobile. NOTE: I did not flash the U bootloader. I kept the T mobile bootloader just be sure I could flash back to stock t mobile(APK1). I'm sure this method would work with other carriers as well. so what ever variant you have, make sure you stay on that BL and only flash the U firmware CSC and AP. As for the CP(modem) I would flash your carriers latest CP file. That's what worked best for me with the U firmware. Currently I'm using the latest nougat BETA
Thank you very much for your response, bud. One last follow up question: Since all the US variants are rooting based on the ENG Kernel, is there really a benefit of getting one variant over another, for rooting or etc purposes?
P. S. May I ask why you flashed the U Firmware? What are the advantages of it? ?
ProFragger said:
Thank you very much for your response, bud. One last follow up question: Since all the US variants are rooting based on the ENG Kernel, is there really a benefit of getting one variant over another, for rooting or etc purposes?
P. S. May I ask why you flashed the U Firmware? What are the advantages of it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The u firmware basically does not include all of the software that is usually included with the phone. For example.. Tmobile with their software on it, Verizon att etc... Makes the phone a bit snappier especially if you were to root. Even tho I hope for a more stable root still. I am rooted at the moment. Wish they didn't recall the note 7 because the root on that was better
ProFragger said:
Hi Friends,
Hope you're all having a great new year. So last time I was lurking the S7E forums, we had a leaked Engineering Bootloader that was used to acquire root on all US Snapdragon models, albeit, with a lot performance issues and etc.
I came here to glance as well as all other variant forums for the SD model and now we have Root for every model, with even ROMs being baked like the Echo ROM for Verizon, Sprint, AT&T models, usually the toughest to achieve these things on. I'm trying to read through the forums, but I fear I'm missing the details, that will help me pull the trigger for getting the device or not.
Can one of you very experienced, knowledgeable, and kind members educate me on the latest?
1. Do we have unlocked Bootloader and Root for all US carrier S7Es? How is it done? I use people using Flashfire. So no TWRP?
2. Does this process still trip Knox and render Samsung Pay to never be used again on the device?
3. If I bought the Verizon variant, for example, can I root, unlock Bootloader, and etc, and then return to stock, to return to the store in case I don't like the phone?
4. Xposed Framework working for all models?
Much appreciate your responses, any and all of them in advance! Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're confused. At least, you were.
We do not have an "unlocked Bootloader" and we never did. We had an engineering kernel. That engineering kernel allows certain commands that enabled us to acquire root access. But without that kernel, the system (with the original kernel or boot partition) checks for any changes in the /system partition. If any are found it triggers a bootloop. So basically, if you want root we MUST have the engineering kernel. Unless someone else finds another way that's just the way that it is.
Personally, I unrooted and went back to stock. Root was okay at first but with the lack of development, Samsung Pay and the fact that Android 7+ will probably not be seeing root... well... time to accept the fact that Samsung owns the phone even though we bought it. What else can we do?
nitroevo said:
The u firmware basically does not include all of the software that is usually included with the phone. For example.. Tmobile with their software on it, Verizon att etc... Makes the phone a bit snappier especially if you were to root. Even tho I hope for a more stable root still. I am rooted at the moment. Wish they didn't recall the note 7 because the root on that was better
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Binary100100 said:
You're confused. At least, you were.
We do not have an "unlocked Bootloader" and we never did. We had an engineering kernel. That engineering kernel allows certain commands that enabled us to acquire root access. But without that kernel, the system (with the original kernel or boot partition) checks for any changes in the /system partition. If any are found it triggers a bootloop. So basically, if you want root we MUST have the engineering kernel. Unless someone else finds another way that's just the way that it is.
Personally, I unrooted and went back to stock. Root was okay at first but with the lack of development, Samsung Pay and the fact that Android 7+ will probably not be seeing root... well... time to accept the fact that Samsung owns the phone even though we bought it. What else can we do?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your helpful responses fellas. I understand root is not perfect, but for some folks like me, Xposed seems to be worth the trouble. For Samsung Pay, I intend to use the Gear S3 one day ?.
Final question, since all US Snapdragon models are using the engineering kernel to root and etc... Is there a benefit of getting one carrier variant, over another? For example, Verizon is usually the cheapest. Is it wise to get that, with the U Firmware, to use on AT&T? Thanks!
ProFragger said:
For Samsung Pay, I intend to use the Gear S3 one day .
Final question, since all US Snapdragon models are using the engineering kernel to root and etc... Is there a benefit of getting one carrier variant, over another? For example, Verizon is usually the cheapest. Is it wise to get that, with the U Firmware, to use on AT&T? Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Let me know if that works out for you then.
I just purchased the S2 Classic (on T-Mobile) and use Samsung Pay quite a bit. But I can tell you that it does open Samsung Pay on the phone and if you are rooted, Samsung Pay will not work at all. So I'm not sure if it will work at all for you even with the S3.
In regards to your other inquiry, I haven't tried the U firmware. I read something about data issues, no wifi calling (which is pretty important to me), no hotspot (which is also really important to me) but I heard that it is really fast. Not sure how much of that is still a problem but you should probably read up on it before doing anything first. But the rooting method is all the same between carriers I believe. All require the engineering kernel and breaks Samsung Pay along with a couple of other apps.
Just make back ups, have a stock firmware available to flash with ODIN just in case and remember that it's almost impossible to brick this device (because we don't have an unlocked bootloader.)
Binary100100 said:
Let me know if that works out for you then.
I just purchased the S2 Classic (on T-Mobile) and use Samsung Pay quite a bit. But I can tell you that it does open Samsung Pay on the phone and if you are rooted, Samsung Pay will not work at all. So I'm not sure if it will work at all for you even with the S3.
In regards to your other inquiry, I haven't tried the U firmware. I read something about data issues, no wifi calling (which is pretty important to me), no hotspot (which is also really important to me) but I heard that it is really fast. Not sure how much of that is still a problem but you should probably read up on it before doing anything first. But the rooting method is all the same between carriers I believe. All require the engineering kernel and breaks Samsung Pay along with a couple of other apps.
Just make back ups, have a stock firmware available to flash with ODIN just in case and remember that it's almost impossible to brick this device (because we don't have an unlocked bootloader.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you again for a helpful post. So the S3 has a dedicated MST/NFC chip in it, that allows for Samsung Pay to work from the watch, it's done through the Gear app. That's what I have read.
About the rest of it, again, curious to see if there is one US variant, superior to another in terms of Root capabilities or bands and radios available and etc? Can anyone confirm this for me?
Thanks!
ProFragger said:
Thank you again for a helpful post. So the S3 has a dedicated MST/NFC chip in it, that allows for Samsung Pay to work from the watch, it's done through the Gear app. That's what I have read.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So does the S2.
When I was setting up the Samsung Pay on my watch it said that it had to download an update.
Then I went through the setup process through my phone which was from the Samsung Pay app.
You go to "Add card" on your watch and it opens Samsung Pay on your phone.
You click "Next" and it displays your Samsung account information.
Then it takes you to a screen that says "Setup complete" telling you that you're ready to use it and at the bottom says "Add card"
You do that all from the Samsung Pay app on your phone which leads me to suspect that if you root your phone, you won't be able to use Samsung Pay on your watch.
People on this thread that you have to set it all up first, remove the Samsung Pay app on the phone but leave it on the watch. If it's all done correctly then it should work. Just make sure you get it all set up first.
Next thing that I'm going to try is using my watch in "Standalone" with my phone out of bluetooth or wifi range. See if that still works.
ProFragger said:
About the rest of it, again, curious to see if there is one US variant, superior to another in terms of Root capabilities or bands and radios available and etc? Can anyone confirm this for me?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as I know, the U firmware permits use of some other bands that aren't normally used. Not sure which ones though.
Binary100100 said:
So does the S2.
When I was setting up the Samsung Pay on my watch it said that it had to download an update.
Then I went through the setup process through my phone which was from the Samsung Pay app.
You go to "Add card" on your watch and it opens Samsung Pay on your phone.
You click "Next" and it displays your Samsung account information.
Then it takes you to a screen that says "Setup complete" telling you that you're ready to use it and at the bottom says "Add card"
You do that all from the Samsung Pay app on your phone which leads me to suspect that if you root your phone, you won't be able to use Samsung Pay on your watch.
People on this thread that you have to set it all up first, remove the Samsung Pay app on the phone but leave it on the watch. If it's all done correctly then it should work. Just make sure you get it all set up first.
Next thing that I'm going to try is using my watch in "Standalone" with my phone out of bluetooth or wifi range. See if that still works.
As far as I know, the U firmware permits use of some other bands that aren't normally used. Not sure which ones though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the correction/education on the S2, bud, much appreciated. I wonder if the rooted phone works with the S3, because Samsung has allowed many other non Samsung phones to know work with the S3? But I could be wrong, I thought it was open like that with the S2 as well, no? Looking forward to your testing, hope there is a breakthrough in there! ?
if you want root and customizability and roms, just don't get this phone. you will be very disappointed with the performance once you root and it gets so much worse with Xposed. not worth it at all, you will have better performance and speed from a 4 year old phone that has an unlocked bootloader and strong development. I mean my Nexus 5 (from 2012) had better performance than my rooted S7. it sounds like you do want roms, and if you want roms then AOSP/Cyanogenmod is the way to go. there will probably never be any AOSP or CM ROM on the QC S7/E so you're better off getting an older galaxy model that does have a great development community and unlocked bootloader. or just get a OnePlus or Nexus or something.
xVermicide said:
if you want root and customizability and roms, just don't get this phone. you will be very disappointed with the performance once you root and it gets so much worse with Xposed. not worth it at all, you will have better performance and speed from a 4 year old phone that has an unlocked bootloader and strong development. I mean my Nexus 5 (from 2012) had better performance than my rooted S7. it sounds like you do want roms, and if you want roms then AOSP/Cyanogenmod is the way to go. there will probably never be any AOSP or CM ROM on the QC S7/E so you're better off getting an older galaxy model that does have a great development community and unlocked bootloader. or just get a OnePlus or Nexus or something.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Or a Exynos S7.
Binary100100 said:
Or a Exynos S7.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
exactly this. except for some reason I thought exynos variants are lacking certain bands/features on American networks. could be wrong.
xVermicide said:
if you want root and customizability and roms, just don't get this phone. you will be very disappointed with the performance once you root and it gets so much worse with Xposed. not worth it at all, you will have better performance and speed from a 4 year old phone that has an unlocked bootloader and strong development. I mean my Nexus 5 (from 2012) had better performance than my rooted S7. it sounds like you do want roms, and if you want roms then AOSP/Cyanogenmod is the way to go. there will probably never be any AOSP or CM ROM on the QC S7/E so you're better off getting an older galaxy model that does have a great development community and unlocked bootloader. or just get a OnePlus or Nexus or something.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Binary100100 said:
Or a Exynos S7.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
xVermicide said:
exactly this. except for some reason I thought exynos variants are lacking certain bands/features on American networks. could be wrong.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very helpful inputs guys, thank you! If I were to be honest with myself, I don't want AOSP/CM/Lineage, especially on a Samsung phone, so unlocked bootloader is not a deal breaker for me. However, I think root is cool for me for doing some SystemUI tweaks, Xposed and etc. Exynos was an option I was exploring, but lack of warranty, no Samsung Pay, and the price are enough to keep me at bay. I think I just need to put my big boy pants on and try to use a phone without rooting it. Something I have yet to do in EVER using an Android phone since about 10 years ago, and I have never ever used or bought an iCrap... I mean... an iPhone !
ProFragger said:
Very helpful inputs guys, thank you! If I were to be honest with myself, I don't want AOSP/CM/Lineage, especially on a Samsung phone, so unlocked bootloader is not a deal breaker for me. However, I think root is cool for me for doing some SystemUI tweaks, Xposed and etc. Exynos was an option I was exploring, but lack of warranty, no Samsung Pay, and the price are enough to keep me at bay. I think I just need to put my big boy pants on and try to use a phone without rooting it. Something I have yet to do in EVER using an Android phone since about 10 years ago, and I have never ever used or bought an iCrap... I mean... an iPhone !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Get a One+ 3T good development and really nice phone if you want root. Root is dead on Samsung phones and so are ROMs.
So by reading thru this thread, I assume having a T-mobile S7E (G935T) rooting is pointless and really not available the way I'm used to it coming from a Note 4. That's kind of a bummer... I've been using Android and have always had ROOT and all the goodies that come with it. And I recently starting really enjoying my Note 4 with all the cool development in Note 7 ported roms oh well... I wonder if the S7E is enough of an upgrade to keep my interest as stock?
I see there is a G935U firmware, but that seems a bit hit and miss? But I'm just starting to read up on all this... :good:
ShrekOpher said:
Get a One+ 3T good development and really nice phone if you want root. Root is dead on Samsung phones and so are ROMs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Believe me bud, if Oneplus 5 or even 3T had an SD Card, I'd already have that phone, but thanks for your wisdom !
Araltd said:
So by reading thru this thread, I assume having a T-mobile S7E (G935T) rooting is pointless and really not available the way I'm used to it coming from a Note 4. That's kind of a bummer... I've been using Android and have always had ROOT and all the goodies that come with it. And I recently starting really enjoying my Note 4 with all the cool development in Note 7 ported roms oh well... I wonder if the S7E is enough of an upgrade to keep my interest as stock?
I see there is a G935U firmware, but that seems a bit hit and miss? But I'm just starting to read up on all this... :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You and I both man... The last few years, I have lived off the mercy of T-Mobile and their BLs being unlocked. But Samsung sure done them all in ! Even the International unlocked ones disable Samsung Pay (forever, mind you!) if Knox is tripped, which I believe it is, when rooted and TWRP'd.
As I understand it,
Android pay / Samsung pay is why they frown on rooting now. I can understand it, though I don't agree with it.
The first time someone's financial information is compromised, and they've ever used one of the "pay" methods, on a rooted device the pr nightmare that would ensue would make the note 7 fiasco look like child's play.
"Samsung unsecured device compromises persons credit card information today, while Apple is still secure" I can see the headline.
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S7E

Is any customizability permanently lost in OTA nougat update/ security patches?

Hi brand new to S7 edge (SM-G935T). Love this phone so far but would like to update to nougat and security patches ASAP as i had my last phone hacked and want to minimize that chance.
I have rooted/s-off/etc and played with custom ROMs, boot screens and animations, etc for MyTouch 4G Slide years ago.
After that i had some limitations modding a Galaxy S4.
I know sometimes system updates would lock you out of some levels of customization of the system.
So i'm wondering: will any of the OTA updates will lose me something i can't get back?
Thanks in advance
Well i think i can answer this myself now for any of my fellow befuddled would-be buyers.
As Eggleston11 replies here,
Eggleston11 said:
I have the G935F. As far as I understand these kernels are for Exynos only. Good luck if you are searching for a good development scene with the snapdragon version. There are a few ROMs and Kernels i think. I have no idea about quality.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So if you bought any of the US carrier models with the snapdragon chip you probably might as well take the OTAs to the last security update (Here is t-mobile's list of releases) for updates and security purposes, and then play with that release and decide if you would prefer to flash to the brandless ROM "G935u" instead of "G935t", which won't come with the carrier's cruft. To specifically answer my OP question, it's still possible to root the latest version of them, for what it's worth, although not GOOD methods.
Sad face. I was beguiled by the xda-developers Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge page into buying the S7 Edge without realizing a lot (all?) of the cool stuff was for the exynos variant.
With the way things are now in the mobile world one should not put his faith in any one website. Most snap dragon chips come locked tight this day in age. My self included should have done much more research in before buying.... I'm am at least thankful for root.

which model number of the s8 active can i purchase that is easy to root?

can someone provide me iwth a model number i can google nad hopefully purchase/ i am upgrading from the gs5. apparently they have made these things impossible to root now but i want an s8 active model specifically for its battery life.
zetsui said:
can someone provide me iwth a model number i can google nad hopefully purchase/ i am upgrading from the gs5. apparently they have made these things impossible to root now but i want an s8 active model specifically for its battery life.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A u model is the easiest i guess still kinda having issues with all of them. I would look for a diffrent device for rooting not much we can do other than a few mods and audio. A few root apps. No major major roms no twrp
TheMadScientist said:
A u model is the easiest i guess still kinda having issues with all of them. I would look for a diffrent device for rooting not much we can do other than a few mods and audio. A few root apps. No major major roms no twrp
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
which manufacturers are the best for the unlocked bootloaders? This ****ing sucks! When I was doing my GS5 it was beginnning to get tricky with Samsung and Motorola was the worst, now it seems like they are all doing it. It's also not clear where I can get the international versions or even their model numbers online, if they are unlocked bootloaders or the same wavelengths (GSM etc)
zetsui said:
which manufacturers are the best for the unlocked bootloaders? This ****ing sucks! When I was doing my GS5 it was beginnning to get tricky with Samsung and Motorola was the worst, now it seems like they are all doing it. It's also not clear where I can get the international versions or even their model numbers online, if they are unlocked bootloaders or the same wavelengths (GSM etc)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The s8 g950f is unlockable bootloader and will work gsm here state side. Have to get em online.

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