For reference, I work for a company that buys phones in bulk with various problems from online retailers amongst other providers so I have obtained these devices legally. My job is to repair/unlock/refurbish etc.
Today I've been working on two trouble devices that I would like to learn more about so I can unlock them in the future. One is the SM-g955F and the SM-G955FD. Flashed the combination rom no issues, did my normal frp bypass method with the frp unlocker provided by hardreset, but when I flashed the factory firmware, both devices were met with an error that asked me to connect them to smart switch for emergency software recovery. I've already tried to use smart switch but smart switch doesn't recognize the device. These devices are still capable of being flashed with other firmware but they stop right at the end of flashing with the error. I'm using Odin3B patched/modded v3.14.1
Any ideas or resources I could check out?
Related
A familiar story to some of you on the forums,
I recently bought a new s5 on Craigslist hoping it would be a no hassle deal. I checked the IMEI and it was not reported as a stolen phone. Ended up factory resetting the phone and of course REACTIVATION LOCK screwed the pooch. Of course the previous owner had no idea there was the lock on and they don't even know the email that was used. I've looked up videos on how to bypass it, to no avail.
Upon further research, I've established that the new Verizon update OE1 is on the phone which seems to me I'm even more deep than I would have thought. I know there is very little support into this update since it is very new at the moment, but I've tried re flashing this update (OE1) as well as previous updates (OE1 won't let you downgrade). I've tried re partitioning via the pit file here, again to no avail. I have also tried to make a backup of a friend's phone (exact same model and update) where the setting was disabled and restoring it on my phone (via Kies). Unfortunately, Kies won't let you restore the "email account settings" on a different device (if they could be restored on this phone maybe I could use his samsung account to unlock the reactivation lock). I have even tried calling Samsung and stopped in a Verizon store to see if they could do anything but they could not.
Soooo...
Is there a way around this(like a bug/glitch/exploit on other [non-Verizon] phones)?
Would it be possible to restore my friend's email account info by "tricking" Kies into thinking it's the same phone (if it doesn't require an IMEI swap or other questionable means)? Or by restoring his info from another backup/restore program? And would it be worth a try?
Could I flash a different bootloader or download mode from a different carrier to get it to work?
I figure devs are working on a root solution for this update so maybe in the future?
Or am I truly just SOL and out a couple hundred dollars??
Have you tried calling Verizon's tech line? The people in the stores rarely know anything but basic things about the phones. The people on the tech line generally have access to software to make changes to the phone remotely too.
So I've searched around the past few hours and can't seem to find a solution to my issue. I have a friend that is currently down on his luck and staying at a homeless shelter, he bought this phone because phones are pretty much a necessity nowadays, samsung galaxy on5, trouble is that the phone was locked when he turned it on so he was stuck with a paperweight, it's been a long time since I tinkered with phones but I figured I could help him out by booting into recovery and doing a factory reset. I had no idea about samsung factory reset protection and now were back to paperweight mode. I downloaded jodin3 and heimdall, but it never shows as connected. Can I root the phone while in recovery or load the factory rom so I can get the phone working again? Thanks for any help.
No, the only options are either ordering a remote unlocking service or find a guide on YouTube. The YouTube way will involve some patience and trial and error. Many guides don't specify what update on the phone they are working on and/or will state that their particular method works for EVERY phone. The stock recovery will tell you what update that it is on by the build number. This might help pinpoint which method to work.
FRP = Google Factory Reset Protection
Samsung Reactivation Lock is a different beast.
Which one does the phone have?
Hello.
I have big problem with flashing SM-G361F.
It has stucked on download mode after regular OTA update and i can`t do anything with phone anymore. Recovery isn`t working also. I have already try everything i have find on net to fix it,but with no luck. I try to flash it with all versions of ODIN, and try 5 different USB cables on a 3 different PC-s, and always with the same result.
All what I can "flash" is PIT file, everything other isn`t working. I have try sofar every repair firmware i have found,lot`s of kernels, recoverys, custom roms, etc, but with no luck at all.
Any ideas?
Thank you.
Hello and apologies for my absence.
It seems you are in quite a pickle here, but since you can access Download Mode and Odin, that's great.
What I should tell you is that you don't need separate BL, AP, CSC and CP files to flash the ROM, since it uses the older method of flashing (which is much easier and more logical).
Unfortunately, since I am unaware of your mobile's network and it's nationality, I cannot recommend a specific ROM.
There is quite a list at https://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/galaxy-core-prime-lte/SM-G361F/ for this specific type of phone.
You need to put in your country and carrier and choose the latest version of the firmware since I am unaware of your phone's carrier and your nationality.
Either you can provide me with your country and mobile carrier or register to download the firmware yourself if you prefer.
Hope you get it fixed!
- Melon Chickens
EDIT:
TAKE YOUR IMEI NUMBER DOWN IMMEDIATELY!
I know most of us on the forums are nice folk, but posting your IMEI number is bad, since someone could use it and take calls and texts from it if you insert a SIM card, leading potentially to some bad things happening, for example someone using your phone's IMEI to take calls and texts while you are stuck with the bill!
Please! At least blur it out!
Thank you for your quick respond.
Unfortunaly i have already try all available rom from that link for my country and carrier, and it is always the same result.
I have the same issue with the G361F. Except mine always stays on the "samsung galaxy core prime" logo. I have tried around 15 Roms and always the same result.
I think i have the same problem:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-core-prime/how-to/stuck-powered-logo-t3838830
Any news about that?
Tab 5se Stock firmware
So I bought a 3rd 5se from a third party, all I checked for was for FRP lock, well it wasn't locked, but when I got it home and rebooted, it says is has a unlocked bootloader. So I hard factory reset it and now it states that only stock firmware can be installed in boot and won't go any further.
So I'm guessing I need to use ODIN to flash a factory ROM but I'm not sure which one as I can't seem to find a USA one on Sammoble, I do see a Canada one though.
Which version of ODIN should I use (WIN 10)
Which ROM, I'm in the USA, WIFI ONLY SM-T720, country code ?
Any other tips, as I haven't flashed anything in almost a decade probably.
Need to get this back to all stock, help
You want the XAR country code version which is the US rom. For Odin, use the newest version for our tablet. Good luck.
puredigital said:
Tab 5se Stock firmware
So I bought a 3rd 5se from a third party, all I checked for was for FRP lock, well it wasn't locked, but when I got it home and rebooted, it says is has a unlocked bootloader. So I hard factory reset it and now it states that only stock firmware can be installed in boot and won't go any further.
So I'm guessing I need to use ODIN to flash a factory ROM but I'm not sure which one as I can't seem to find a USA one on Sammoble, I do see a Canada one though.
Which version of ODIN should I use (WIN 10)
Which ROM, I'm in the USA, WIFI ONLY SM-T720, country code ?
Any other tips, as I haven't flashed anything in almost a decade probably.
Need to get this back to all stock, help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use Frija instead of Sammobile to get the latest stock. Just use SM-T720 as the model and XAR as the CSC. If you search for how to unlock the bootloader, you can use the same proceedure to relock it. It should perform a factory reset as part of the process and you might not need to reflash a ROM.
Not sure..
Since the device won't turn off, restart nor go into download mode
Aqua blue sorta cyan screen. Top in red (like a terminal response) says," Only official released binaries are allowed to be flashed (vbmeta)"
Then on main screen in center;
Security Error: This phone has been flashed with unauthorized software & is locked. Call your mobile operator for additional support
lewmur said:
I use Frija instead of Sammobile to get the latest stock. Just use SM-T720 as the model and XAR as the CSC. If you search for how to unlock the bootloader, you can use the same proceedure to relock it. It should perform a factory reset as part of the process and you might not need to reflash a ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
puredigital said:
Since the device won't turn off, restart nor go into download mode
Aqua blue sorta cyan screen. Top in red (like a terminal response) says," Only official released binaries are allowed to be flashed (vbmeta)"
Then on main screen in center;
Security Error: This phone has been flashed with unauthorized software & is locked. Call your mobile operator for additional support
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only time a ran into a situation where I couldn't turn off that tablet, I just had to put it aside for a day or so till the battery ran down. Then use the method of holding both vol up and down, and NOT power, and then plugging in the cable from the PC. Must be from PC and not charger.
puredigital said:
Since the device won't turn off, restart nor go into download mode
Aqua blue sorta cyan screen. Top in red (like a terminal response) says," Only official released binaries are allowed to be flashed (vbmeta)"
Then on main screen in center;
Security Error: This phone has been flashed with unauthorized software & is locked. Call your mobile operator for additional support
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I ran into this recently when I went back to stock to get the fingerprint for Magisk Module and then went back to Lineage. You just need to Odin the factory firmware. The tablet will turn off, I think the key combination to force it off is power and volume down? Its been a few weeks, but I was able to get back into download mode. I found other threads for samsung phones that had this same issue and basically used them as rough guides.
As mentioned you just need to use XAR ROMs, your box should say XAR. I believe both Canada and Cellular South ROMs will come up as XAR roms IIRC?
Bruh. I had the same issue and you will not be able to flash your way around and FRP lock. I found a guy on eBay to remove the FRP lock and NOT through flashing. For $10 is was done in 10 minutes. I get if you want to figure it out. I'm a flasher and love to figure this **** out too but with a recent update Samsung blocks this. Trust me. Spend $10 and it's done. Also many people say they can do this on eBay. I only recommend this guy: https://www.ebay.com/itm/273424666857. Just select a new auction of his and message him.
Sent from my SM-T720 using Tapatalk
elcidroyale said:
Bruh. I had the same issue and you will not be able to flash your way around and FRP lock. I found a guy on eBay to remove the FRP lock and NOT through flashing. For $10 is was done in 10 minutes. I get if you want to figure it out. I'm a flasher and love to figure this **** out too but with a recent update Samsung blocks this. Trust me. Spend $10 and it's done. Also many people say they can do this on eBay. I only recommend this guy: https://www.ebay.com/itm/273424666857. Just select a new auction of his and message him.
Sent from my SM-T720 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He said he checked to make sure this was not the FRP lock. Assuming this is the same message I got which says only official binaries can be flashed, please take this to a service center and it there maybe a cost involved (obviously I'm paraphrasing), you can fix it with Odin. I was on the latest firmware as well, as I updated fully to get the fingerprint for the MagiskHide module. This sounds like a different issue, to me.
I mean if that works it's $10 well spent I guess.
Oh my apologies as I misread his post. I just saw "FRP" and chimed in. Hope he gets it sorted out.
OhioYJ said:
He said he checked to make sure this was not the FRP lock. Assuming this is the same message I got which says only official binaries can be flashed, please take this to a service center and it there maybe a cost involved (obviously I'm paraphrasing), you can fix it with Odin. I was on the latest firmware as well, as I updated fully to get the fingerprint for the MagiskHide module. This sounds like a different issue, to me.
I mean if that works it's $10 well spent I guess.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Almost !
Well, I finally reflashed the device with factory stuff, it's working fine now, no locks, except now it tells me the bootloader is unlocked on boot. I flashed it with Odin, no options, just loaded the 4 files and done.
How do I get this to STOCK, out of the box status. Steps ?
Edit 3: TL;DR: This is appears to be an S8 exclusive error, it's shown in the recovery:
"Product device tree not found, couldn't verify firmware" or something like that. For solutions, please look that up.
So, I bought a bootlooping S8 in the hopes of fixing it.
Since OEM and FRP lock are on, I went with installing Samsung firmware on it, as installing a custom recovery at this point is not possible.
The default recovery wouldn't work, so I wasn't able to know which firmware exactly to flash, because I couldn't find out which model exactly I have bought.
I do not know the carrier of the device either, but it should be from some german provider.
All of the firmwares I tried just bootlooped, but the recovery works again, except for ADB, which is quite unfortunate, and I have no idea why it fails, the device shows up when I'm in the recovery menu, but as soon as I activate ADB, it's gone from the list of connected devices.
Combination firmwares sometimes show some turning gears animations, but then crash with some, thought often memory related, pretty random crash issue.
Another problem I am now facing is that in the process of trying to find a working firmware I now upgraded the devices "binary level"? (forgot what exactly it was called) to 6, so I can't flash any older firmware or combination firmware than 6, since downgrading isn't allowed.
I received the device with either binary level 1 oder 2.
My theory is that I don't have the right firmware, since I keep seeing dm-verity and license errors...
I am happy to provide logs if necessary.
The goal is to have an unlocked bootloader/ custom recovery.
I literally am going INSANE over this FRP blocking me from flashing TWRP and being done with this in under 10 minutes, please help :c
PS: Some random info attached
Edit 1: With the IMEI code i found while opening the phone I now know my model number: SM-G950FZKADBT.
Any tips for finding the PDA code of the originally installed system? Or finding a matching firmware?
Is this even neccesary? Why do official firmwares not work for me? :c
Edit 2: Somewhat solution: I think the only way to recover this device would be to find it's firmware, which is just NOT to be found...
So, until a miracle happens I'm gonna keep reading "Firmware is not valid" errors in the log
Did you look in samfrew.com ? ? ? I just grabbed a fw from there.
The dnld was loooong so I purchased a privilege for faster speed . . .