Database Users

[Q] Focus re-locked to AT&T after NoDo Update

I unlocked my Focus back in December through NCKZone. Installed the Feb and March updates without a hitch. Now my phone is locked again to AT&T, when I try enterning the unlock code I got from NCKZone I get an error message that says SIM Error. Also, if I try to access the SIM through Phone Settings, it says the SIM is locked. I never had a lock on the SIM card, so I tried the default of 1111 to no avail. Only way to have access to the SIM is after a soft reset. Weird thing is phone is now locked to AT&T, and whenever I try the unlock code from NCKZone, I get a SIM error and it locks the SIM....anyone else experience this? Yesterday I called AT&T, they were useless, they also transferred me to Samsung and all they could suggest is a hard reset.......
I called AT&T this morning, this time the person said the subsidy unlock code changed and they can't give it to me until May 9th, sounds fishy to me. Any one else have this problem?

May 9 is about right date from all the responses from AT&T so far. Officially, AT&T won't give you the unlock code until 10-month after the release of exclusive phones (seems all new phones are exclusive phones now).
But this is the first time that I saw unlock code changes after a firmware update.

did you install the official at&t Nodo? or did you do it with the VPN trick and only install the Samsung specific update?

roudiare said:
did you install the official at&t Nodo? or did you do it with the VPN trick and only install the Samsung specific update?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Official AT&T Nodo update.

ok then i'll hope that the samsung specific update isn't responsible for this mess

roudiare said:
ok then i'll hope that the samsung specific update isn't responsible for this mess
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Me too, hard to believe the subsidy unlock codes would change due to a firmware update, I've never heard of that before. It would be great if someone could confirm if they are experiencing the same thing with the official update and had their phone subsidy unlocked prior to Nodo.

I 'unbranded' my phone before applying the update, and am still carrier unlocked.

Unlocked my phone months ago using code from my longtime friend at Samsung. Phone was just updated, turned on and off a few times including battery removal and still is unlocked. Please do not ask me to get codes for your phone, my friend does me favors and do not want to abuse that.

Hi.
Unlocked one Samsung Focus today with the official NoDo update from ATT, and still unlocked and working fine in Costa Rica, I can still make calls, text sms, mobile internet, etc.

I ended up doing a hard reset and now it is fine, go figure. I now see ATT and AT&T using the Samsung Network Profile tool. Doing this from Connecticut.

So the Samsung dude was right after all. Lol

Preventing carrier update on Unlocked S7 Edge?

Hi, I have an unlocked US S7 edge that I bought from B&H. I've been using it lately with a T-Mobile SIM. It looks like it has downloaded a T-Mobile security update and is asking to install. I do not want to do this as I suspect it will lock me to a carrier once updated. I've tried resetting the phone and removing the SIM card, but the update downloads every time. Is there a way to disable this or remove the downloaded update? I would like to upgrade to Nougat and I suspect the unlocked phone will get it much faster than the T-Mobile version.

re: unlocked phone
chanukya said:
Hi, I have an unlocked US S7 edge that I bought from B&H. I've been using it lately with a T-Mobile SIM. It looks like it has downloaded a T-Mobile security update and is asking to install. I do not want to do this as I suspect it will lock me to a carrier once updated. I've tried resetting the phone and removing the SIM card, but the update downloads every time. Is there a way to disable this or remove the downloaded update? I would like to upgrade to Nougat and I suspect the unlocked phone will get it much faster than the T-Mobile version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Once your phone is unlocked none of the tmobile or any other updates from any place
can re-lock your phone. It will remain unlocked regardless if you choose to update
firmware, security patches and any other updates.
Unlocked samsung phones are permanently unlocked.
Goodl luck,
Have a great day!

Won't search for latest OTA updates

Hi, I bought a Galaxy S7 edge sm-g935a, and I'm using it here in Japan with other network. I'm just wondering why everytime I check for an update, it always says I'm on the latest firmware even when I'm like 3 or 4 versions behind. Even when I connect it to smart switch it also says I'm on the latest firmware too, and when I try to click on firmware upgrade and device initialization, it says "Galaxy S7 Edge does not support initializing, please contact customer support". What should I do to get OTA updates? Thanks

AT&T phones will not receive OTA updates if you're not on the AT&T network. You have to manually flash them. You could keep downloading the latest firmware and flash it, or you could download the U firmware, which will receive updates regardless of carrier.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk

ajemnace said:
Hi, I bought a Galaxy S7 edge sm-g935a, and I'm using it here in Japan with other network. I'm just wondering why everytime I check for an update, it always says I'm on the latest firmware even when I'm like 3 or 4 versions behind. Even when I connect it to smart switch it also says I'm on the latest firmware too, and when I try to click on firmware upgrade and device initialization, it says "Galaxy S7 Edge does not support initializing, please contact customer support". What should I do to get OTA updates? Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd consider switching to the 935U Firmware, it kills the useless AT&T bloat, and you'll get OTA's
https://forum.xda-developers.com/att-s7-edge/how-to/updated-935u-935a-live-links-pi3-t3501686

stew1411 said:
AT&T phones will not receive OTA updates if you're not on the AT&T network. You have to manually flash them. You could keep downloading the latest firmware and flash it, or you could download the U firmware, which will receive updates regardless of carrier.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks man, I tried searching for its latest firmware but none of it seems to work out, I found some on google and download it but when I tried to unzip the files, all the files that I've downloaded we're corrupted LOL. I'm now switching to 935U firmware :good:

My S7 edge won't update either. I seem to be stuck on the May 2017 security update (Build # G935AUCS4BQE1). I bought my phone from swappa.com last month. The seller had it listed in the AT&T section as the SM-935A. I can use it for the most part without any issues (no Wi-Fi calling, not recognized on the AT&T network). When I check the IMEI # with Samsung, they show it listed for Sprint. Any suggestions of what I should do? I know one option is to flash the 935U firmware.
Thanks in advance.

caferacer73 said:
My S7 edge won't update either. I seem to be stuck on the May 2017 security update (Build # G935AUCS4BQE1). I bought my phone from swappa.com last month. The seller had it listed in the AT&T section as the SM-935A. I can use it for the most part without any issues (no Wi-Fi calling, not recognized on the AT&T network). When I check the IMEI # with Samsung, they show it listed for Sprint. Any suggestions of what I should do? I know one option is to flash the 935U firmware.
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All US (Snapdragon) based S7 Edges are physically identical, so you can run AT&T firmware on a Sprint S7E and vice-versa. However, AT&T is well known for disabling features based on IMEI, which it appears they are doing for WiFi calling. Unfortunately, it appears someone converted a device that started life on Sprint, so unfortunately you may be out of luck. The only way to fix the problem that I am aware of is to temporarily switch your SIM out for an actual AT&T device (whose IMEI is recognized), and that supports WiFi calling and VoLTE, then put the SIM back in your converted S7 Edge.
Converting to U will definitely make the phone a LOT faster (and the battery last longer), but you are giving up on any carrier features period at that point. I personally felt that the performance and battery features were a lot more important to me than WiFi calling or VoLTE and I switched to U a while ago. I haven't looked back, but that's just me.

Thanks jshamlet. I did a chat with Samsung and they confirmed that my phone was originally setup for Sprint and that it has been unlocked. My fiancee has an AT&T branded S7 Edge, so I can try putting my SIM in her phone for a bit. Converting to the U is something I'll seriously consider. I had an unlocked Moto X Pure Edition, so I'm used to not having the Wi-Fi calling or VoLTE.

I ended up using Odin to flash the SM-G935U firmware to my phone. Once that was finished, it downloaded and installed the April - August security updates, so I'm happy now. Also, no AT&T bloatware.

Here are the Firmware updates for the ATT 935A.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/att-s7-edge/how-to/updates-g935a-servers-adb-sideloads-t3583165

AT&T S8+ won't update after unlock and carrier switch

Sorry guys, complete amateur here. I have an AT&T S8+ that was unlocked using a code from AT&T.
I switched to T-Mobile and my phone worked perfectly after simply inserting a T-Mobile sim.
Carriers push updates over the air and I assumed I would have put in an AT&T sim to get the oreo update, but it's been out forever and I have not been able to update my phone. I've been busy and never got around to it. My phone was working fine so I just it slide.
I've tried using an AT&T sim. I've restarted my phone with the AT&T sim in it. I've tried manually searching for the update. I've tried smart switch. I even went to the Samsung experience store in NYC and they had no solution. My phone will not update.
Any suggestions?
SM-G955U
Android Version 7.0
Android security patch level April 1st, 2017
Baseband - G955USQU1AQDE
I've been reading some of these threads and I'm not sure if this is correct, but I can use Odin 3.13.1 to flash to CRB9? That would get me to the first Oreo release?
Sorry if this is not the correct place for this thread. Thanks

SM-T827R (US Cellular) flashed with T827V (Verizon Oreo) - Working no issues

I purchased a US Cellular branded Tab S3 to use on AT&T when I found out they sell them unlocked. I also recently wanted Oreo on it and after some digging found US Cellular still hasn't released an update but there was one from Turkey and one from VzW. I tried to find a concrete yes/no if I can flash other variants of the T827 models firmware without luck so figured I'd roll the dice on it myself. This weekend I tracked down the VzW Oreo firmware and used Odin to install it on my US Cell Tab. The first round I had a couple of errors and for a second thought I had a new paper weight, but kept calm and ran through the process again and it worked!
Just a note:
At first boot it will say the SIM is invalid and to put in a VzW SIM, but you can click ok and keep going. Once done setting up on wifi you can then go into settings and add the AT&T APN and connect over cell.

Could you post where you got the VZW image? I'd like to try this. I can't believe USC hasn't updated their tabs yet. I'm tired of asking when the update will arrive!

alfredtv said:
I purchased a US Cellular branded Tab S3 to use on AT&T when I found out they sell them unlocked. I also recently wanted Oreo on it and after some digging found US Cellular still hasn't released an update but there was one from Turkey and one from VzW. I tried to find a concrete yes/no if I can flash other variants of the T827 models firmware without luck so figured I'd roll the dice on it myself. This weekend I tracked down the VzW Oreo firmware and used Odin to install it on my US Cell Tab. The first round I had a couple of errors and for a second thought I had a new paper weight, but kept calm and ran through the process again and it worked!
Just a note:
At first boot it will say the SIM is invalid and to put in a VzW SIM, but you can click ok and keep going. Once done setting up on wifi you can then go into settings and add the AT&T APN and connect over cell.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure that was a good idea. If indeed you did manage to flash the VZW bootloader then the tablet is now likely bootloader locked with no way of returning to its original state.

ashyx said:
Not sure that was a good idea. If indeed you did manage to flash the VZW bootloader then the tablet is now likely bootloader locked with no way of returning to its original state.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Was this verified to be the case? Also would the verizon combination file work on the uscelluar tablet? I picked up a cheap SM-T827R4 that is FRP locked. I am waiting to hear back from the original owner if they would be willing to bypass the verification for me.

Writermike said:
Was this verified to be the case? Also would the verizon combination file work on the uscelluar tablet? I picked up a cheap SM-T827R4 that is FRP locked. I am waiting to hear back from the original owner if they would be willing to bypass the verification for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was able to flash the combo file for the SM-T827V (Verizon version of the Tab S3) to bypass the FRP lock. I used the one on gsm-firmware.com After which I was able to reflash the uscelluar firmware from sammobile. I don't know if this is exactly the same as the OP's method, but hope it helps someone else out in the future.

Writermike said:
I was able to flash the combo file for the SM-T827V (Verizon version of the Tab S3) to bypass the FRP lock. I used the one on gsm-firmware.com After which I was able to reflash the uscelluar firmware from sammobile. I don't know if this is exactly the same as the OP's method, but hope it helps someone else out in the future.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry for the late reply on this. I downloaded the image files from sammobile and installed them with odin. I've been up and running on Oreo (VzW branded) since my post and have had no issues or reasons to flash to anything else. I have tried to run an update but it says it can't register, which i assume is because it's hitting the VzW servers w an ATT SIM from a USC device!
Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

alfredtv said:
I have tried to run an update but it says it can't register, which i assume is because it's hitting the VzW servers w an ATT SIM from a USC device!
Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You just need to put a Verizon SIM in it once (and so far only once) to check for updates. The SIM doesn’t even need to be provisioned. Then you can check for updates with your normal SIM.
I’ve had a VZW Tab S3 for over a year that I have been using with AT&T. I updated to Oreo without any issues with my AT&T SIM installed.

Wanted to first say thanks for the tip -- and echo that The T827R4 does in accept the Verizon Oreo firmware via the latest version of Odin, though with a build just a few releases behind it threw an error and would not flash.
I guess if we can't have root we may as well have Oreo.

Samemobile has the January security update Oreo
alfredtv said:
I purchased a US Cellular branded Tab S3 to use on AT&T when I found out they sell them unlocked. I also recently wanted Oreo on it and after some digging found US Cellular still hasn't released an update but there was one from Turkey and one from VzW. I tried to find a concrete yes/no if I can flash other variants of the T827 models firmware without luck so figured I'd roll the dice on it myself. This weekend I tracked down the VzW Oreo firmware and used Odin to install it on my US Cell Tab. The first round I had a couple of errors and for a second thought I had a new paper weight, but kept calm and ran through the process again and it worked!
Just a note:
At first boot it will say the SIM is invalid and to put in a VzW SIM, but you can click ok and keep going. Once done setting up on wifi you can then go into settings and add the AT&T APN and connect over cell.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just updated to Oreo for SM-T827R4 to January security patch 8.0.0 firmware from Sammobile and it working great.

my370z said:
I just updated to Oreo for SM-T827R4 to January security patch 8.0.0 firmware from Sammobile and it working great.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're right about Verizon firmware running really smooth. Much better than the US Cellular firmware. After flashed VZ firmware, the model changed to SM-T827V.

in case anyone has the us cellular model, you really don't need to flash the verizon firmware because the us cellular model has a more updated firmware than the verizon model.
the model is actually SM-T827R4, oreo with apr 2019 security and OTA update works too.
though no pie update yet (same as verizon)

So these can't be flashed to the stock 820 pie rom?

picachux said:
So these can't be flashed to the stock 820 pie rom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
good news, the official pie is available now, OTA downloading now
Verizon model still stuck at oreo

supaet said:
good news, the official pie is available now, OTA downloading now
Verizon model still stuck at oreo
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the heads up will check when I get home.
Sent from my SM-T827R4 using Tapatalk