Database Users

[Q] AT&T (G900A) - Did I screw up by buying this one?

I can't seem to find any legitimate way to root my G900A from AT&T.
I was with Sprint with my S4, and never had an issue. I made the switch to AT&T before buying the S5.. Was that mistake?
In all the threads I've combed through here there is one common, glaring, issue.. The G900A is not included in the supported devices.
Am I missing something obvious or am I screwed? Or am I just looking too soon?
Already gave the S4 to my daughter.
Thanks for any information or insight.

ACiD0N said:
I can't seem to find any legitimate way to root my G900A from AT&T.
I was with Sprint with my S4, and never had an issue. I made the switch to AT&T before buying the S5.. Was that mistake?
In all the threads I've combed through here there is one common, glaring, issue.. The G900A is not included in the supported devices.
Am I missing something obvious or am I screwed? Or am I just looking too soon?
Already gave the S4 to my daughter.
Thanks for any information or insight.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here is a universal root method.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2717061
Try to talk with a recovery developer to check your partition table.
(Other variant may have matching partition table with your variant)
I guess, @PlayfulGod can help you with it.

ACiD0N said:
I can't seem to find any legitimate way to root my G900A from AT&T.
I was with Sprint with my S4, and never had an issue. I made the switch to AT&T before buying the S5.. Was that mistake?
In all the threads I've combed through here there is one common, glaring, issue.. The G900A is not included in the supported devices.
Am I missing something obvious or am I screwed? Or am I just looking too soon?
Already gave the S4 to my daughter.
Thanks for any information or insight.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
SandeepEmekar said:
Here is a universal root method.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2717061
Try to talk with a recovery developer to check your partition table.
(Other variant may have matching partition table with your variant)
I guess, @PlayfulGod can help you with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm sure eventually a root method will come about for that model. Unfortunately tho, the vzw & att models have a locked bootloader and most likely locked down with knox as well and currently no way to boot custom recoveries or kernels.

PlayfulGod said:
I'm sure eventually a root method will come about for that model. Unfortunately tho, the vzw & att models have a locked bootloader and most likely locked down with knox as well and currently no way to boot custom recoveries or kernels.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@PlayfulGod is absolutely right. Even if an exploit is found for the AT&T or Verizon models, it is unlikely that you'll ever have full root access - thanks to the combination of locked bootloaders, KNOX, and SELinux.
Check your contract - most carriers have a 14-day "buyer's remorse" period in which you can return your handset. You might be faced with a $35-$50 "restocking fee", but depending on how desperate you are for custom ROMs and/or Recovery, it may be worth it to you. Please note that your carrier may try everything they can to stop you from leaving (in terms of talking you out of it). Your contact with AT&T should also have a "back-out" period of 30 days (unless that's changed recently).
Couple other notes:
1) That's the primary reason I switched from AT&T to TMO when I jumped from the S4 to the S5 - I was sick of locked bootloaders. Otherwise, I really just like TMO a lot more as a company, including some of their political standpoints.
2) I've heard of several people now buying TMO S5's and taking them over to AT&T. It's a lot of money up front, but might be worth it to you.
Good luck.

Thanks guys
Thank you for the informative replies. They confirmed what I had already gathered, piece by piece, in a decent comprehensive manner so I appreciate it.
Unfortunately, this time around we gamed the system a bit and went in on this as a 'group' for the services and phones. As far as I can tell, as an individual, I don't have any options of returning the unit in favor of moving to another provider.
Besides that, I finally have good service where I live. I am in the middle of a city but my actual home was in a crap spot with Sprint. After doing research we found that we'd all have great service with AT&T. If the trade-off is no root, so be it I suppose. (Though I have heard that T-Mo has the same service in the same areas due to using the same connectivity)
The knox deal doesn't concern me so much.. This may be a bit cocky (and a little stupid), but I have yet to have to replace a galaxy since they started putting them out *knock on wood*. But it sounds like that's only one issue in a sea of others.
Long-winded story short, Thanks guys. I am much more informed on my situation than before. :good:

ACiD0N said:
I can't seem to find any legitimate way to root my G900A from AT&T.
I was with Sprint with my S4, and never had an issue. I made the switch to AT&T before buying the S5.. Was that mistake?
In all the threads I've combed through here there is one common, glaring, issue.. The G900A is not included in the supported devices.
Am I missing something obvious or am I screwed? Or am I just looking too soon?
Already gave the S4 to my daughter.
Thanks for any information or insight.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I expressly bought a G900W8 model because of the locked bootloader issue with AT&T. I've come from Verizon on the S4, and I wasn't doing the whole locked thing again - it was annoying and I just wasn't going to have it. What I did was buy an S5 from AT&T on a $25/month installment plan, turn around and sold it on Swappa for full price, and bought an unlocked W8 model the same day. I payed virtually nothing except shipping, I get a nice unlocked phone ready for AOSP when it comes out, and I didn't have to pay the ridiculous $650 price for what would be essentially a developer unlocked phone.
If your phone is still new and you think you could sell it and get mint condition pricing on it, do your research on the G900T model. That's TMobile's phone, but it has an unlocked bootloader, can be rooted/flashed/whatever you like, and if I remember correctly (please someone correct me if I'm wrong), it works on all the bands that AT&T does and will be virtually the same as far as mobile data goes. If you already have your service activated on your current AT&T phone, you can literally just swap the SIM card out and you shouldn't have any issues after that. There might be a little caveat as far as having an AT&T SIM in a Tmo phone, but as far as I've read on the forum, this is very easy to get past; you may very well not have any problems whatsoever.
You could look for the W8 model, which wouldn't have any carrier branding on it, but those were hard to come by for me on Swappa, and the unlocked listing the main page gives you is for a phone that doesn't support 4G.
So like I said, if you think you could sell it, and you find a good listing on Swappa for an unlocked phone, I say go for it. Having an unlocked bootloader is going to put your device in a good place as far as updates go, and once developers start pushing out polished custom ROMs, you'll be happy to use your device for longer than the year's use that is generally expected.

Switching from Verizon to Sprint with S7 Edge

Hello everyone, I'm trying to switch from Verizon to Sprint and I outright own my Verizon S7 Edge. Sprint is saying my device will not work on their network, and that I must sell my phone to them (for $400) and purchase a new Sprint S7 Edge. Verizon has confirmed the phone is fully unlocked. Has anyone else had this issue? Sprint is saying the reason they can't do it is because they cannot add the device to their inventory, and it sounds like they don't accept any Verizon phone. Is there any recourse here, or would I really have to sell my phone?

Skrip037 said:
Hello everyone, I'm trying to switch from Verizon to Sprint and I outright own my Verizon S7 Edge. Sprint is saying my device will not work on their network, and that I must sell my phone to them (for $400) and purchase a new Sprint S7 Edge. Verizon has confirmed the phone is fully unlocked. Has anyone else had this issue? Sprint is saying the reason they can't do it is because they cannot add the device to their inventory, and it sounds like they don't accept any Verizon phone. Is there any recourse here, or would I really have to sell my phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Best bet is to trade a sprint s7 edge for yours.

I was wondering the same thing recently. I can potentially get a very inexpensive S7 edge, but it's verizon. I want to stick with Sprint, but I don't know if there's a way to completely unlock/convert the phone over to the sprint network.
I don't know if it's as easy as unlocking and swapping the SIM, or if theres some underlying Verizon software that needs to get flashed over, or if it's a hardware issue.

I am wondering of you flashed the unlocked firmware if then it would work. I have read people using that ROM with ATT and theoreticallly the unlocked Firmware/Phone should work with all American providers

Just give them yours, why not? I mean, you're already leaving a better company both call and data wise all around so what else can you lose lol.
Sent from my SM-G935P using XDA-Developers mobile app

Skrip037 said:
Hello everyone, I'm trying to switch from Verizon to Sprint and I outright own my Verizon S7 Edge. Sprint is saying my device will not work on their network, and that I must sell my phone to them (for $400) and purchase a new Sprint S7 Edge. Verizon has confirmed the phone is fully unlocked. Has anyone else had this issue? Sprint is saying the reason they can't do it is because they cannot add the device to their inventory, and it sounds like they don't accept any Verizon phone. Is there any recourse here, or would I really have to sell my phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was with T-Mobile for 11 years and I thought I had bad coverage. Until I switched to Sprint. Sprint is horrible! When they say they will buy your contract out up to $650, most of it is BS and you end up getting stuck with a huge bill from your former provider. I would highly and I mean highly recommend that you don't go to Sprint. Now after looking back I think T-Mobile is the best because you can scream all you want to at no extra cost. And you can also tether your phone to your computer or other products so you can use that internet and they give you 7 gigs at no extra charge. At Sprint, you have to pay for tethering and there is no free streaming. I'm so pissed at myself I could scream! I want to go back to T-Mobile so bad but they screwed things up with the money they gave me for the phone and the buyback it didn't even cover half of the $1,100 equipment installment plan from T-Mobile. Don't do it! Also comma when you call T-Mobile you get to speak with somebody in the US every single time but when you call Sprint they can even transfer you to the US you end up speaking to somebody in the Philippines that has no clue what they're doing
---------- Post added at 05:01 AM ---------- Previous post was at 04:58 AM ----------
kennypow3rs said:
Just give them yours, why not? I mean, you're already leaving a better company both call and data wise all around so what else can you lose lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't do it. They do not give you even close enough to pay off your other phone with the other provider. My note that I had a old 5:50 on and they gave me 215 trade in and now I'm stuck for 2 years with incredibly bad service

I worked for sprint for 5 years as a Lead Tech. Sprint will absolutely not activate a verizon, or any other device on their network. Every Phone Sprint buys goes into a master MEID/ESN list. Only phones on that list can be activated. I have never seen them make an exception, not once.

94tbird said:
I worked for sprint for 5 years as a Lead Tech. Sprint will absolutely not activate a verizon, or any other device on their network. Every Phone Sprint buys goes into a master MEID/ESN list. Only phones on that list can be activated. I have never seen them make an exception, not once.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
he is right. sprint will not activate any phone other than a sprint phone unless it is a nexus. its not that they can't its just them making money. they can add a nexus to the list they should be able to add a verizon, but they won't. they have total control of what phones run on the network just like verizon does. its the cdma technology that makes it possible

kennypow3rs said:
Just give them yours, why not? I mean, you're already leaving a better company both call and data wise all around so what else can you lose lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A hundred bucks a month from his phone bill?

S8 transition from Sprint to Verizion

Ok I have been reading about this from multiple resources and haven't seen a direct answer to my issue so I wanted to ask the community here. I want to thank everyone In advanced for taking time to read this and help me out.
I purchased a US Sprint S8 from a friend. He's called them and they unlocked the phone for us. I am attempting to add it to my Verizon plan. They are giving me the run around stating the IMEI isn't compatible. I am not seeing how this is possible as the S8 is showing it's both CDMA & GSM compatible. One rep in their tech support stated they could add the IMEI into their database and that will help resolve this, which was two days ago when they submitted that request (48 hour turnaround). I follow up with them and they are telling me it's not CDMA compatible blah blah blah. Now, the other thing worth mentioning is that when I take my Verizon SIM and insert into the sprint S8, it states that it's not a valid SIM.
Anyone recommend what's the best course of action here? I'm not the most savvy person when it comes to dealing with Odin and rooting the phone. Worse case scenario I am going to drop this thing on ebay and try to recover my expense.
Have a great day!

Holleman67 said:
Ok I have been reading about this from multiple resources and haven't seen a direct answer to my issue so I wanted to ask the community here. I want to thank everyone In advanced for taking time to read this and help me out.
I purchased a US Sprint S8 from a friend. He's called them and they unlocked the phone for us. I am attempting to add it to my Verizon plan. They are giving me the run around stating the IMEI isn't compatible. I am not seeing how this is possible as the S8 is showing it's both CDMA & GSM compatible. One rep in their tech support stated they could add the IMEI into their database and that will help resolve this, which was two days ago when they submitted that request (48 hour turnaround). I follow up with them and they are telling me it's not CDMA compatible blah blah blah. Now, the other thing worth mentioning is that when I take my Verizon SIM and insert into the sprint S8, it states that it's not a valid SIM.
Anyone recommend what's the best course of action here? I'm not the most savvy person when it comes to dealing with Odin and rooting the phone. Worse case scenario I am going to drop this thing on ebay and try to recover my expense.
Have a great day!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The it's not CDMA is bull, Sprint is a CDMA carrier. The Sprint S8 also Supports Band 13.
Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

what model do you have?
My understanding is only 1 model is sold in the US, the SM-G950U. Has CDMA and all the LTE bands used in the US. Carriers just add their own bloatware.
Maybe you need a specific verizon sim. I know sprint needs specific sims for certain phones.

cpuspeed said:
what model do you have?
My understanding is only 1 model is sold in the US, the SM-G950U. Has CDMA and all the LTE bands used in the US. Carriers just add their own bloatware.
Maybe you need a specific verizon sim. I know sprint needs specific sims for certain phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The model in the US is SM-G950U on all carriers.
Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

Holleman67 said:
Ok I have been reading about this from multiple resources and haven't seen a direct answer to my issue so I wanted to ask the community here. I want to thank everyone In advanced for taking time to read this and help me out.
I purchased a US Sprint S8 from a friend. He's called them and they unlocked the phone for us. I am attempting to add it to my Verizon plan. They are giving me the run around stating the IMEI isn't compatible. I am not seeing how this is possible as the S8 is showing it's both CDMA & GSM compatible. One rep in their tech support stated they could add the IMEI into their database and that will help resolve this, which was two days ago when they submitted that request (48 hour turnaround). I follow up with them and they are telling me it's not CDMA compatible blah blah blah. Now, the other thing worth mentioning is that when I take my Verizon SIM and insert into the sprint S8, it states that it's not a valid SIM.
Anyone recommend what's the best course of action here? I'm not the most savvy person when it comes to dealing with Odin and rooting the phone. Worse case scenario I am going to drop this thing on ebay and try to recover my expense.
Have a great day!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am thinking that you may need to flash the unlocked firmware(G950U1) to your phone, which is XAA. Unlocked firmware includes many US CSC codes that should be compatible with most US carriers. Your Sprint phone may only have its own CSC which could be SPR, but Verizon's CSC is VZW.
Check out this thread: https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s8/how-to/snap-guide-flashing-standard-fw-carrier-t3625817 Ask your question on that thread as well.

Charkatak said:
I am thinking that you may need to flash the unlocked firmware(G950U1) to your phone, which is XAA. Unlocked firmware includes many US CSC codes that should be compatible with most US carriers. Your Sprint phone may only have its own CSC which could be SPR, but Verizon's CSC is VZW.
Check out this thread: https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s8/how-to/snap-guide-flashing-standard-fw-carrier-t3625817 Ask your question on that thread as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Based off reading that thread you mentioned that would make sense hypothetically. Would you or anyone be aware if I flash this and it still doesn't work, can I flash back to sprint and sell it as a standard sprint phone? Don't want it bricked or be out the $$ by my half ass attempt of acting like I know what I'm doing.

Holleman67 said:
Based off reading that thread you mentioned that would make sense hypothetically. Would you or anyone be aware if I flash this and it still doesn't work, can I flash back to sprint and sell it as a standard sprint phone? Don't want it bricked or be out the $$ by my half ass attempt of acting like I know what I'm doing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is always a risk, but first I flashed my unlocked model to T-Mobile firmware(using regular Odin app), used it for 2 months and recently flashed back(using custom Odin app) to unlocked firmware before putting my phone for sale of eBay. I personally take the risk especially if it doesn't work for you with Verizon and don't see a reason why you wouldn't be able to flash back in case you need it. In other words if you phone enters download mode, then it should be able to flash.

Charkatak said:
It is always a risk, but first I flashed my unlocked model to T-Mobile firmware(using regular Odin app), used it for 2 months and recently flashed back(using custom Odin app) to unlocked firmware before putting my phone for sale of eBay. I personally take the risk especially if it doesn't work for you with Verizon and don't see a reason why you wouldn't be able to flash back in case you need it. In other words if you phone enters download mode, then it should be able to flash.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tried to flash to g950u1 tonight and it didn't help the SIM issue. Going to try the Verizon version and also as the store to give me a new SIM card. Hoping this works out soon
Appreciate the advice!

Did I make a mistake getting the "UNLOCKED" version from samsung.com? I use AT&T and

Did I make a mistake getting the "UNLOCKED" version from samsung.com? I use AT&T and
I use ATT and verizon.. and i noticed when the phone restart it doesnt add the bootloader for either carriers which also noticed no wifi calling .. and voice over data with ATT is trash for some reason .. when i hung up the phone my data just goes completely away then comes back as "LTE+" ,,, this is sad.. my last year S9+ when i put ANY sim card in it, it restarts the phone and loads the correct "bootloader" for the correct carrier with all features such as wifi calling/voice over data. etc etc... thats my first ordering a true unlocked samsung phone from the mother company. am i doing something wrong where i missed something in the setting? i looked also for OEM option under developer options, its not there .
some advice would be greatly appreciated .. yes i dont mind the extra carrier stuff when i put sim for verizon or att .
i got the S10+ 1TB version.

iKenta said:
I use ATT and verizon.. and i noticed when the phone restart it doesnt add the bootloader for either carriers which also noticed no wifi calling .. and voice over data with ATT is trash for some reason .. when i hung up the phone my data just goes completely away then comes back as "LTE+" ,,, this is sad.. my last year S9+ when i put ANY sim card in it, it restarts the phone and loads the correct "bootloader" for the correct carrier with all features such as wifi calling/voice over data. etc etc... thats my first ordering a true unlocked samsung phone from the mother company. am i doing something wrong where i missed something in the setting? i looked also for OEM option under developer options, its not there .
some advice would be greatly appreciated .. yes i dont mind the extra carrier stuff when i put sim for verizon or att .
i got the S10+ 1TB version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The BYOD firmware isn't available for the S10 yet but when it is I'm pretty sure you will have to flash the carrier U firmware to take advantage of that when it's available. For now I think you have to flash each carrier separately to get their features because a simple sim swap dosen't do it. The U1 firmware witch the unlocked version from Samsung has shouldn't get the carrier bloat otherwise that would make it just like the carriers versions witch would defeat the purpose of purchasing the unlocked from Samsung. I have two unlocked Note8's from Samsung here and they don't have any carrier bloat like the Verizon U versions and what not.

I had the unlocked Samsung S8+ directly from Samsung and my only complaint was all the carriers would receive the updates before I did.
Sent from my Pixel C using Tapatalk

anyone got a direct link where i can be guided how to install a ATT firmware then? that'll be better for me i believe

I got an unlocked version of the s10 plus and thought I made the mistake also. I seem to be getting everything my tmobile s8 plus did like wifi calling and hotspot. I believe I can even surface the web while on the phone like I could do before switching. The unlocked version just doesnt have the boot splash screen that I hated. I think I will try and buy unlocked from now on
---------- Post added at 09:45 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:43 PM ----------
iKenta said:
anyone got a direct link where i can be guided how to install a ATT firmware then? that'll be better for me i believe
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should be able to return your phone for a carrier through Samsung or sell it. Someone would rather have an unlocked version compared to a carrier version. One just sold on Ebay today for 1,000. Hell I was thinking about selling mine and getting another one from Samsung

Sonin66 said:
. I believe I can even surface the web while on the phone like I could do before switching. The unlocked version just doesnt have the boot splash screen that I hated. I think I will try and buy unlocked from now on
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tmobile carried simultaneous voice+data forever. It's standard for GSM networks with 3G or greater. Even the 1st android phone could do it. So you must've used Sprint before, where they gained that feature recently.
Unlocked models receive OS updates last, but seem to get consistent security patches.

Ace42 said:
Tmobile carried simultaneous voice+data forever. It's standard for GSM networks with 3G or greater. Even the 1st android phone could do it. So you must've used Sprint before, where they gained that feature recently.
Unlocked models receive OS updates last, but seem to get consistent security patches.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol that's funny cause I actually did, blew my mind the first time i used it. Still find it amazing

Root Galaxy S5 Tracpone?

Hello,
I have had this old Galaxy S5 for sometime and it has FRP on but I cannot bypass it, I've tried methods pertaining to the SM-G900 model but none have availed, my model is SM-S903VL(GP).
I haven't found any info aside from my model basically being the same and having no issue rooting with the files pertaining to the SM-G900's
Any help to get me through this FRP would be bless by the papa himself, thx

guywithoutaphone said:
Hello,
I have had this old Galaxy S5 for sometime and it has FRP on but I cannot bypass it, I've tried methods pertaining to the SM-G900 model but none have availed, my model is SM-S903VL(GP).
I haven't found any info aside from my model basically being the same and having no issue rooting with the files pertaining to the SM-G900's
Any help to get me through this FRP would be bless by the papa himself, thx
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, Since no one has tried to help you, I'll throw my 2 cents in...
Your So Called Galaxy S5, well, those numbers you posted?! They are NOT for a Galaxy S5 900! The SM-G900P is/was a Sprint Phone! Plus, It was actually used by other Brands, Like Boost Mobile, Virgin Mobile all of which were Tied to the "Sprint Network" .
Oh, Back the S3's came out, was about the time I had Left TracFone! Could, maybe be theirs, but I believe it is not their either.
If this Can Power On, then you need to check out all menus inside. I would look for the IMED IME Numbers! With those, you can "Google" and Know the carrier , as possible Name of the phone!
I am pretty certain that this unit, is NOT an Official, Samsung Galaxy S5.

godofsalt said:
Well, Since no one has tried to help you, I'll throw my 2 cents in...
Your So Called Galaxy S5, well, those numbers you posted?! They are NOT for a Galaxy S5 900! The SM-G900P is/was a Sprint Phone! Plus, It was actually used by other Brands, Like Boost Mobile, Virgin Mobile all of which were Tied to the "Sprint Network" .
Oh, Back the S3's came out, was about the time I had Left TracFone! Could, maybe be theirs, but I believe it is not their either.
If this Can Power On, then you need to check out all menus inside. I would look for the IMED IME Numbers! With those, you can "Google" and Know the carrier , as possible Name of the phone!
I am pretty certain that this unit, is NOT an Official, Samsung Galaxy S5.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much for a reply,
The phone tho in fact is a TracFone phone as the logo cover and it boots up with that deathly blue TracFone logo.
Also I googled my model SM-S903VL and it's listed as Straight Talk all tho a few other links state both for the phone, and well the SM-G900 I had read in on another thread about it possibly being similar, so with that in mind I had hopes for a possible bypass on the frp.
I will check the numbers out to make sure they all match when I arrive back home. Interesting that you say it might not be an OFFICIAL Galaxy S5, the phone was obtained by a relative who buys TracFone only and has since switched emails through out each phone so unlinking the phone to the email would be very improbable.
Haha I notice my misspelling of TracFone and I do apologize as I do so with my grammar.

guywithoutaphone said:
........ not be an OFFICIAL Galaxy S5, ....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For me the G903 is known as S5 Neo.