CSC (and other queries) - Samsung Galaxy S8 Questions and Answers

Hi everyone,
I'm looking to purchase the S8, but I had a few queries I was hoping someone could help me with.
I'm from the UK, but I have been alerted to a cheaper price for the S8 from Amazon Italy. However, a few people have mentioned something about possibly having to change the CSC, and that Samsung Pay may not work. There have also been mentions of this possibly voiding warranty, and something about a knox counter tripping?
If Samsung Pay doesn't work, could I not just use Android Pay? Although, I don't know if I'm willing to use my phone for payments in that manner, anyway.
I'm not really up to date on modding phones, CSC, custom roms, etc. My current phone is an old Nexus 4, so I'm in need of the upgrade.
Also, could anyone tell me if it's possible to make the S8 layout as similar to what I would have on my Nexus. Stock Android, or something? So I don't have all the additional things Samsung tend to put on their phones.
This is the link for the phone.
Thank you.

Hey mate, apparently Samsung Pay works for exynos variant out of the box, but once rooted you lose SP forever. You can always use Android Pay with no problems. Changing CSC features will have an impact in your phone. The S8 is one heck of a gadget and I suggest you get your hands on it. ?
NOTE: You can use Nova Launcher to make the gs8 to look like the nexus, stock or.however you want.

Danhack000 said:
Hey mate, apparently Samsung Pay works for exynos variant out of the box, but once rooted you lose SP forever. You can always use Android Pay with no problems. Changing CSC features will have an impact in your phone. The S8 is one heck of a gadget and I suggest you get your hands on it.
NOTE: You can use Nova Launcher to make the gs8 to look like the nexus, stock or.however you want.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the reply. Does rooting mean I will lose my warranty? Do I have to root?

BobSmith9 said:
Thank you for the reply. Does rooting mean I will lose my warranty? Do I have to root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes indeed you will, however there are times where you might get away with it if something happens to your device. That's the reason why nowadays is recommended to use Magisk Systemless to hide root and tracks. ?

Related

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.
Click to expand...
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 ?
Click to expand...
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.

Rooting and warranty?

I just purchased a Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge today and I'm already inclined to start customizing it. I am the type of people who get obsessed with the variety of custom ROMs, tweaks, modifications, etc. and I was a die-hard development fan on my M7 and M8. I went for an iPhone 6 Plus for a while but now I am back and more eager than ever!
I had a Galaxy S5 for a little while (one of the worst phones I've owned, to be quite honest) and I remember there was something called "knox" or similar, which is triggered whenever you use ODIN to root or install a custom ROM, therefore voiding your warranty; is it the same case with the S7? I'm currently doing research about its development and how things work with it, but it's just an important question I haven't found an answer to yet.
With the HTC, for instance, you could do everything then just run a RUU and go back to fully stock without voiding anything.
And by the way, are there any custom ROMs you'd recommend? I was a huge fan of Viper ROM on all my HTC devices (One X, M7, M8) but I don't see that team developing for the S7.
Thank you for your time!
I can only give you info from my experience. I rooted my S6 the day I got it but after a few weeks had issues with reception. It was sent to samsung for repair who promptly returned it as the Knox counter was tripped and would not repair it under warranty. Even tried using the old EU Directive and sales of goods act but they would not budge. This was in the UK. I would say here its completely hit and miss if they will repair it so just be cautious.
Marshall1975 said:
I can only give you info from my experience. I rooted my S6 the day I got it but after a few weeks had issues with reception. It was sent to samsung for repair who promptly returned it as the Knox counter was tripped and would not repair it under warranty. Even tried using the old EU Directive and sales of goods act but they would not budge. This was in the UK. I would say here its completely hit and miss if they will repair it so just be cautious.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Although I'm a huge fan of rooting and customizing, I'd rather be on the safe side in case anything happens. I doubt the Samsung service center technicians are actually very 'savvy' over here, however I don't think I'd like to take the risk. Am I going to be missing on a lot if I just remain stock? I'm curious.
TarekElsakka said:
Although I'm a huge fan of rooting and customizing, I'd rather be on the safe side in case anything happens. I doubt the Samsung service center technicians are actually very 'savvy' over here, however I don't think I'd like to take the risk. Am I going to be missing on a lot if I just remain stock? I'm curious.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ad-less Youtube, Viper Audio + Dolby + Bests Audio, Xposed and if you're into learning about how it all works; rooting will only improve your understanding and overall enjoyment of your phone!
Voiding your warranty can be very country dependent. Where I live, if I root my phone, then if I have a hardware issue then legally they have to honor the warranty. Samsung will still try and tell you that it's not covered but will fold when pressed. On the other hand if I rooted and bricked the phone permanently, then I am on my own.
Evil-Santa said:
Voiding your warranty can be very country dependent. Where I live, if I root my phone, then if I have a hardware issue then legally they have to honor the warranty. Samsung will still try and tell you that it's not covered but will fold when pressed. On the other hand if I rooted and bricked the phone permanently, then I am on my own.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your replies, gentlemen. I'm assuming the way to go would be either TWRP > CF-AutoRoot (or whatever is available right now) to root stock ROM or TWRP > Custom ROM, correct?
And is Xposed fully compatible with the latest firmware? 6.0.1 that is.
TarekElsakka said:
Thanks for your replies, gentlemen. I'm assuming the way to go would be either TWRP > CF-AutoRoot (or whatever is available right now) to root stock ROM or TWRP > Custom ROM, correct?
And is Xposed fully compatible with the latest firmware? 6.0.1 that is.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most of samsung phones are rootable using twrp>cf auto root.
Flash xposed.zip from twrp.
Sent from my SM-G925F
Evil-Santa said:
Voiding your warranty can be very country dependent. Where I live, if I root my phone, then if I have a hardware issue then legally they have to honor the warranty. Samsung will still try and tell you that it's not covered but will fold when pressed. On the other hand if I rooted and bricked the phone permanently, then I am on my own.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey,
I noticed your in Australia. I used to have the same understanding as you.
I have an interesting thread on Whirpool on the exact subject, and have a current pending NCAT case before the court against Samsung for this exact same issue! They have refused to fix my S7 Edge display with what they have admitted to being a manufacturing defect, because the knox counter is tripped. And no, they haven't folded....Yet
MementoM said:
I'm not so much worried about the warranty as I'm worried about these mobile games. A lot are specifically looking for the root access in your phone and blocking it or simply just banning you based on having root even if you don't cheat. Xposed, Xprivacy, Root Cloak no longer work to hide it. It's depressing especially if you pay some of these game companies and log in one day to find you've been banned for nothing. It's their game you agree to their ToS but it really sucks because I've always loved changing my phone up. Now my hands are tied /sigh and it looks like my rooting days are over if I want to continue playing these root detection games.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's really weird, though. What if you're a developer who roots their device for development or whatever other purposes that are 'legal'? Do they still have the right to block your access? I've honestly never heard of that before. However, on iOS you cannot really play Pokemon Go if your device is jailbroken, unless you install a masking tweak like Masterball, so you may be right.
I'm not much of a gamer on mobile phones so I am not really focused on that, however I am thinking about the warranty issue.
ih8un said:
Hey,
I noticed your in Australia. I used to have the same understanding as you.
I have an interesting thread on Whirpool on the exact subject, and have a current pending NCAT case before the court against Samsung for this exact same issue! They have refused to fix my S7 Edge display with what they have admitted to being a manufacturing defect, because the knox counter is tripped. And no, they haven't folded....Yet
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It was some time ago that I dealt with Samsung and Knox was not involved so their stance might have changed. Still was not a pleasant experience.
Are you taking the case to court directly yourself or is it going via the ACCC?
Let us know how it goes. I'm interested to hear the results.

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

Worth rooting

is it worth rooting S8 SM-G950F?
my warranty is going to start in october.
i'd say no. what do you want with root? the most i need from root is ad-blocking which is provided by knox so i dont really benefit from root anymore
If you have to ask that, then root is not for you.
I rooted, but had issues, got into bootloop first time i restarted phone after rooting, went back to stock and just removed the bloatware with adb, much happier now.
Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk
I've had three 955F and one 950F, two of them not rooted and two rooted, if you are thinking to sell the phone soon, I will say it notes worth it. But if you are planning to stay on the phone until some maybe better device come out like me, I will say root totally worth the price.
I can even imagine to use my daily driver phone without changing kernel or moving to my favourite custom rom.
I would only root for custom ROMs, to get stock rom but as it stands no stock rom so root not worth it for me. Also I don't keep my phone's for long and rooted phones are difficult to sell since you lose warranty.
the best firewalls require root
removing system apps requires root
you can customize your interface after rooting
can modify sound, camera, temporary screen aspect ratio, etc., after rooting
you control your phone after rooting with the exception of bootloader, which is a different matter
ad-blocking can be much better after rooting
unlimited tethering after rooting
the question is rather: why would you not root? warranty is a scare tactic, you could always Odin flash a specific, official carrier ROM to virginize--just download at sammobile.com/firmwares
Thanks
All of you. I think, I'm gonna keep my phone stock.
little things that add up
LOL, I've been pulling my hair out because it's much harder to root the US Snapdragon S8+ than it is the Exynos variants! Every iPhone I had was jailbroken and every Android afterward (lost count) was rooted except the aforementioned; honestly, I can't stand not having a rooted phone. For example, I like the iptables firewall Android Firewall because I can totally lock down every internet aspect/app of the system (e.g., kernel, Samsung, Google, etc.) and control input chains. I also use HDMI out but cannot change aspect ratio to 16:9 for 4k UHDTV without root; Samsung Smartview allows change to 16:9 wirelessly via Miracast, but that's only at 1080p. It's the little things you can't do without root that add up; but, if you aren't used to rooting advantages, you won't know what you're missing.
i dont see real purpose rooting on recent hi end devices. more to lose instead. unless u r incline into software piracy/cracks.
just do a search in Google Play for the word: root
monx® said:
i dont see real purpose rooting on recent hi end devices. more to lose instead. unless u r incline into software piracy/cracks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My last device was a rooted Galaxy Note 5 on Nougat firmware with TWRP recovery. I never knew if Samsung Pay still worked or not, because I never use the app. All the rest of my apps worked fine. I still have the Note 5 collecting dust, but I suppose it could be a good thing to have in case I ever lose my US Snapdragon S8+. I mainly use Linux for a PC OS. Being the administrator user for my PC running Linux is analagous to having a rooted Android phone; it would be unacceptable to me to not be able to gain root access on my Linux OS--as if I were some child restricted by parents or non-administrator on a Linux office PC. You own the phone, so don't let some carrier tell you you don't, basically. I don't even know why someone would have a XDA account if they don't root?
---------- Post added at 08:34 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:09 AM ----------
My one suggestion for people debating whether to root or not: just do a search in Google Play for the word root. Take a look at all the apps that can be installed by anyone (i.e., no root needed to install, just root needed to either successfully use or to fully use), and ask yourself if any of them look useful.
I root my S8 G950 /AQG5. Why? Now my device is free to change everything i want. Customizing and better battery. And now with Renovate ice ROM. Everything is great. I want to be free. My phone wants to be free ? i love it. And about warranty. Hmm. I dont give a F....... all my Android phones are rooted. You can fix your phone always with the developers on XDA✌
Haven't rooted my S8 yet, not worth it at the moment....
I used to root for:
- Adblocker
- Removing System apps
- Backup/restore (titanium backup, twrp)
But with package disabler, adhell and not tinkering also the need for backups has declined. Also, there is more storage on the S8 (with the S7 and older I could also use the free space).
Would still like to root and use some custom roms, but at the moment I don't want to loose warranty over it. Also wrt possible resell value and all that
Personally I dont want to root my s8, I have rooted my s3, s5 ,s7edge because touchwiz was just bad and I want to use just aosp but now s8 software is just great and so much better than before with nougat and unique features like samsung pass , secure folder and etc are so great and only work fine without rooting as Knox since s7 is so secure and root is permanent. on s7 I was able to use s8 ported roms as I love s8 software but now with my s8 I have all I want and for now no rooting is planned . First time I am satisfied on my phone without any rooting, and I have rooted all my previous devices including tabs and tested every mods and roms for them but now I think on s8 I can't have anything better that stock
robhug said:
Personally I dont want to root my s8, I have rooted my s3, s5 ,s7edge because touchwiz was just bad and I want to use just aosp but now s8 software is just great and so much better than before with nougat and unique features like samsung pass , secure folder and etc are so great and only work fine without rooting as Knox since s7 is so secure and root is permanent. on s7 I was able to use s8 ported roms as I love s8 software but now with my s8 I have all I want and for now no rooting is planned . First time I am satisfied on my phone without any rooting, and I have rooted all my previous devices including tabs and tested every mods and roms for them but now I think on s8 I can't have anything better that stock
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good to see you over here :good:
I may totally be wrong as I didn't log any performance on paper. But since I've rooted and removed like more than 30 bloatwares included with stock rom. My batttery life improved a lot.
I went from 90k in Antutu to 16X XXX
I also removed one of the feature I thought I'll like, The small overlay bar you have at the right of the screen. It was totally useless, since when you drag something from this edge, then ALL the screen is covered even if the usefull part is only 20% of the area..
This improved my battery too
I'm itching to root my s8 plus as I've rooted every device apart from the Xperia xz premium
Apart from Samsung pay what else does tripping knox break?
That's what is holding me back not having a full list of what it breaks
Thanks
until an AOSP rom not based on samsung I won't root.
Right now the main benefit could be only:
- viper sound ( but I don't listen so much with in-ear )
- some tasker stuff ( which I don't know yet)
- double tap home to instant sleep phone
- bixby remapped without adb command
on the other side I lose phone warranty ( which I don't give a damn) and encryption which is a very good thing for me...
Because all the other stuff are well done with standard samsung interface, lawnchair home screen/launcher and package disabler...
And don't get me wrong, previous phone were ALL rooted and changed many many roms, at Incredible S times it was one every 10 days...
brockyneo said:
I'm itching to root my s8 plus as I've rooted every device apart from the Xperia xz premium
Apart from Samsung pay what else does tripping knox break?
That's what is holding me back not having a full list of what it breaks
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tripping knox is not a problem, as can be masked, I am more concerned as rooted secure vault can be cracked...
btw I think that tripped knox means that you cannot use anything of samsung knox...
bob8x said:
until an AOSP rom not based on samsung I won't root.
Right now the main benefit could be only:
- viper sound ( but I don't listen so much with in-ear )
- some tasker stuff ( which I don't know yet)
- double tap home to instant sleep phone
- bixby remapped without adb command
on the other side I lose phone warranty ( which I don't give a damn) and encryption which is a very good thing for me...
Because all the other stuff are well done with standard samsung interface, lawnchair home screen/launcher and package disabler...
And don't get me wrong, previous phone were ALL rooted and changed many many roms, at Incredible S times it was one every 10 days...
Tripping knox is not a problem, as can be masked, I am more concerned as rooted secure vault can be cracked...
btw I think that tripped knox means that you cannot use anything of samsung knox...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not too worried about Samsung pay ECT just don't want to brake any apps that might interfier with the use of the phone like retina scanner or image quality (like in the Xperia devices)
And what's the benefits of masking tripping knox?
Thanks
brockyneo said:
I'm not too worried about Samsung pay ECT just don't want to brake any apps that might interfier with the use of the phone like retina scanner or image quality (like in the Xperia devices)
And what's the benefits of masking tripping knox?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For start not all kernel/roms support masking knox..
The benefit is that you can use knox, that otherwise is un-usable...

Are We Ever Going To Get Full Root For The North American Galaxy S8 Plus?

Is any work being done to get full root for the Canadian and American version of the the Samsung Galaxy 8 Plus? Full root meaning we can install custom roms and root the device while keeping 100 per cent of our battery and not being capped at 80 per cent.
Never say never but then again Samsung is very quick on patching any method people find. The worst part is people are helping them. To give you an example, yesterday a reddit user shared s8 official oreo leaked version link and few mins later some idiot posted the url in the Samsung official forum asking if they flash that would give them access to Oreo beta access.
badboy47 said:
Never say never but then again Samsung is very quick on patching any method people find. The worst part is people are helping them. To give you an example, yesterday a reddit user shared s8 official oreo leaked version link and few mins later some idiot posted the url in the Samsung official forum asking if they flash that would give them access to Oreo beta access.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is the first Galaxy phone I've owned that I'm not able to root and customize and stuff. I may stop buying Galaxy's if they're gonna start locking down the phone. I want root, custom ROMS, Odin, TWRP etc. I've always done this stuff on Galaxy phones ever since the Galaxy S3. Why have they completely locked down this phone?
Is there any way to get multi-user support like what you find on stock Android?
razers7t8 said:
This is the first Galaxy phone I've owned that I'm not able to root and customize and stuff. I may stop buying Galaxy's if they're gonna start locking down the phone. I want root, custom ROMS, Odin, TWRP etc. I've always done this stuff on Galaxy phones ever since the Galaxy S3. Why have they completely locked down this phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In my opinion, Samsung is going on Apple' footstep where they care bout security more than anything especially with Samsung pay and keeping user data safe. As a user, I think it all comes down to whats more important to you and if you want more customization and rooting then Samsung is the wrong device.
I am coming from the very first Nexus devices to OnePlus and now to Samsung. For years, I enjoyed rooting and flashing custom roms. It got to a point where I got tired of it especially with OnePlus phones. Sure they let you customize and release updates quickly but they rush things and the software is buggy as h*ll with lots of security problem. Where Samsung has grown more mature now. Gone are the days when Touchwiz was ugly. Samsung Experience has lots of features and its very much customizable. It's no where near to flashing a custom rom but its stable which matters to me more.
badboy47 said:
In my opinion, Samsung is going on Apple' footstep where they care bout security more than anything especially with Samsung pay and keeping user data safe. As a user, I think it all comes down to whats more important to you and if you want more customization and rooting then Samsung is the wrong device.
I am coming from the very first Nexus devices to OnePlus and now to Samsung. For years, I enjoyed rooting and flashing custom roms. It got to a point where I got tired of it especially with OnePlus phones. Sure they let you customize and release updates quickly but they rush things and the software is buggy as h*ll with lots of security problem. Where Samsung has grown more mature now. Gone are the days when Touchwiz was ugly. Samsung Experience has lots of features and its very much customizable. It's no where near to flashing a custom rom but its stable which matters to me more.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I second this. Rooting was probably needed to get some nice benefits in earlier versions of Android. Now. The OS is mature where most of the functionality is offered by default.
Plus, capitalism at its best. US snapdragon - locked bootloaders.
I don't see the need for root anymore. Adhell blocks ads without root, and substratum is rootless. Those are the two main things I used to root for. Notes there's just no reason.
myechophone said:
I second this. Rooting was probably needed to get some nice benefits in earlier versions of Android. Now. The OS is mature where most of the functionality is offered by default.
Plus, capitalism at its best. US snapdragon - locked bootloaders.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, except Samsung keeps messing with the OS and disabling stuff that's built into stock Android, like multi-user support.
madrigal77 said:
I don't see the need for root anymore. Adhell blocks ads without root, and substratum is rootless. Those are the two main things I used to root for. Notes there's just no reason.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What's substratum?
There has been full root since august
razers7t8 said:
Is any work being done to get full root for the Canadian and American version of the the Samsung Galaxy 8 Plus? Full root meaning we can install custom roms and root the device while keeping 100 per cent of our battery and not being capped at 80 per cent.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not to be the A-hole of the post but if you desire root roms twrp etc. Splurge on the rootable exynos model like 90% of others who want root do and did. I live in America and i quit buying US phones after the S5/s6 from sprint. I'm not rich by any means, more poor than anything but I save up and do son hustle and sell phones to feed my tech addiction. Just some honesty for you sir. $600-$700 will get you a like new g955F over on swappa. I'm currently selling mine so I can get a oneplus 5T or a note 8.
partcyborg said:
There has been full root since august
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Full root meaning not having your battery capped at 80 per cent.
razers7t8 said:
This is the first Galaxy phone I've owned that I'm not able to root and customize and stuff. I may stop buying Galaxy's if they're gonna start locking down the phone. I want root, custom ROMS, Odin, TWRP etc. I've always done this stuff on Galaxy phones ever since the Galaxy S3. Why have they completely locked down this phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Although I have not rooted yet but I came back to Android after 2 years of iPhoning and never expecting the new ver to be Jailbroken. However, things look different now and its not that I dont like Android but I safely assumed that after 6 + months of release, there would be a full fledged list of roms so much so that I might have a hard time choosing. Galaxy/Samsung to me was like the root would be released the day the phone was even named
razers7t8 said:
Full root meaning not having your battery capped at 80 per cent.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bet I get more screen time than you do.

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