Is this easy enough to do. Got the chance of buying one at £400 but would need to unlock it and preferably have it unbranded.
Is the unlocking part something I could do myself or would I need to take it to a vendor and how much would it cost?
Thanks.
The 3 phones are unlocked already
It costs £10 on ebay for an unlock code
Easy enough to un brand by flashing a stock firmware .
But i would wait until i had a copy of my original firmware first in case of claiming on 3 warranty .
jje
AMoosa said:
The 3 phones are unlocked already
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Click to collapse
As the man said three are unlocked, so just flash a stock samsung rom and it will be unbranded
johnbhoyc said:
Is this easy enough to do. Got the chance of buying one at £400 but would need to unlock it and preferably have it unbranded.
Is the unlocking part something I could do myself or would I need to take it to a vendor and how much would it cost?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine is on Three and unlocked/unbranded (although I did get it via Carphone Warehouse) so your mileage may vary.
R.
I had a 3 UK phone, I got it since the launch, as I had it pre-ordered, and it arrived locked, however I used the Voodoo SGS III Unlock Tool and it worked brilliantly, it is free to download and it unlocks it almost instantly, however ROOT is required.
For the information of anyone reading this thread, in branding is as simple as flashing a generic official rom from your country via Odin, takes 5 minutes.
Unlocking is done via the methods shown here in the forum and is free, again, takes 5 to 10 minutes.
To undo the changes, flash back to the carrier ROM you had originally, and I wouldn't worry about undoing the unlock.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2
Use supercurio's galaxy s3 unlock tool from market,its free
Could anybody with a more in-depth knowledge care to offer a bit more info on this?
I currently have an O2 branded S3.
I have rooted this (when I first got it) and that went fine (Odin, I think was the method I used).
If I wanted to flash a basic unbranded image on this, would I use the very first post from this thread, labelled "I9300XXBLFB"
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1646610 (If not, could somebody point me towards the correct file please?)
Then, If I ever needed to put an O2 image back onto it, (maybe for warranty purposes) could somebody point out where I would find the O2 branded one, as I can only see an Orange branded one in the following post?
Also, is there actually much risk involved in the flashing, or would I be really unlucky for anything to go wrong?
(P.S. I've seen the thread about how to change the handset back to make it seem that it's never been flashed/modified, so I realise I'd need to do more than just flash the O2 image back onto it. Hopefully, I'd never need to anyway).
greatcapp said:
Could anybody with a more in-depth knowledge care to offer a bit more info on this?
I currently have an O2 branded S3.
I have rooted this (when I first got it) and that went fine (Odin, I think was the method I used).
If I wanted to flash a basic unbranded image on this, would I use the very first post from this thread, labelled "I9300XXBLFB"
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1646610 (If not, could somebody point me towards the correct file please?)
Then, If I ever needed to put an O2 image back onto it, (maybe for warranty purposes) could somebody point out where I would find the O2 branded one, as I can only see an Orange branded one in the following post?
(P.S. I've seen the thread about how to change the handset back to make it seem that it's never been flashed/modified, so I realise I'd need to do more than just flash the O2 image back onto it. Hopefully, I'd never need to anyway).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1st of all dial *#1234# into the dialer this will give you the current firmware version(im assuming your still on o2 firmware and havent changed it yet) then go to here
http://www.sammobile.com/firmware/?page=3&t=1&o=1&m=GT-I9300&r=1#regiona
this is s3 firmware version for europe and find the firmware that matches the 02 version your on. This is your fallback incase you need to warranty repair the phone or you maybe have a flash problem with unbranded at least you have the o2 to fallback on.
Ill assume its more than likely this one
http://www.sammobile.com/firmware/?page=8&view=4650
and heres the dl link for it
http://www.hotfile.com/dl/157417303/f25aa83/I9300XXALE8_I9300O2UALE5_O2U.zip.html
Then as youve already mentioned flash the LFB version, here ya go dl link
http://www.hotfile.com/dl/162402398/abc9bdb/I9300XXBLFB_I9300OXABLFB_BTU.zip.html
Now if you want any other versions of official firmware you will need to join sammobile to be able to dl them
Thanks very much for the reply.
A couple of issues having taken a look at those links.
The first link doesn't seem to have my firmware listed - some are close, but none the same.
Mine shows: AP: I9300XXALEF, CP: I9300BWLE6, CSC: I9300O2UIALE7
Would an alternative work if I ever needed to flash back? (maybe the one you've linked in the 2nd link?
And, finally, to confirm - the last link - "LFB" (not sure what that means) - is that the unbranded rom that I'd be looking for?
Many thanks for the advice.
greatcapp said:
Thanks very much for the reply.
A couple of issues having taken a look at those links.
The first link doesn't seem to have my firmware listed - some are close, but none the same.
Mine shows: AP: I9300XXALEF, CP: I9300BWLE6, CSC: I9300O2UIALE7
Would an alternative work if I ever needed to flash back? (maybe the one you've linked in the 2nd link?
And, finally, to confirm - the last link - "LFB" (not sure what that means) - is that the unbranded rom that I'd be looking for?
Many thanks for the advice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have your tried updating through kies 1st? As far as im aware you will still get o2 updates through it. I noticed my phone out the box(unbranded) didnt have firmware matching this list either but after a kies update I was on firmware more well known for the region and was on the list.
Yes the LFB is the latest unbranded firmware.
edit:- doing a bit of research it seems o2 branded phones are running the LE8/LE5/LE5 software so i think your missing an official update.
I've not really used Kies as yet. I'm running Mountain Lion on my iMac, & Kies won't install on that.
I can always use my lappy at work tomorrow to look into it.
If I was going to change to the unbranded firmware, I assume there's not really any point in using Kies to update the official O2 version on here at the moment?
greatcapp said:
I've not really used Kies as yet. I'm running Mountain Lion on my iMac, & Kies won't install on that.
I can always use my lappy at work tomorrow to look into it.
If I was going to change to the unbranded firmware, I assume there's not really any point in using Kies to update the official O2 version on here at the moment?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well it would confirm what firmware you need to download as your fallback firmware for o2
No point jumping forward then realising your not sure what o2 firmware u need in case anything goes awry
edit kies is available for mac
http://www.samsung.com/uk/support/usefulsoftware/KIES/JSP
SwiftSmoke said:
well it would confirm what firmware you need to download as your fallback firmware for o2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh, ok, fair enough. I'll give it a whirl tomorrow.
Is there much risk involved in flashing, or not much?
greatcapp said:
Oh, ok, fair enough. I'll give it a whirl tomorrow.
Is there much risk involved in flashing, or not much?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
not really but nothings 100% guaranteed, so its always good to have backup plans in place just in case.
Not sure what backup plan I could have in place for me bricking the phone
Thanks for all your help. I'll look into it more tomorrow
Kies is, as you say available for Mac, but won't yet run on Mountain Lion. I'm assuming they'll update it soon.
You were right, Kies did update my O2 branded handset to the latest FW, which does show on SamMobile's site.
Phones from the three network are locked, carphone warehouse phones are unlocked as they're from the suplier.
Theres a tool called voodoo i beleive it's used for unlocking the sim on samsung phones, you should give that a whirl.
It's available on the market.
---------- Post added at 10:52 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:50 AM ----------
greatcapp said:
I've not really used Kies as yet. I'm running Mountain Lion on my iMac, & Kies won't install on that.
I can always use my lappy at work tomorrow to look into it.
If I was going to change to the unbranded firmware, I assume there's not really any point in using Kies to update the official O2 version on here at the moment?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Root your phone and nand back up your rom.
Keep the back up on your computer.
Flash whatever you want and use the nand back up to restore if you need to.
Remove root and reset counter using triangle away if you ever need to send it back.
Hi guys, need a working link for 2.3.5 gingerbread uk stock rom I9100BUKJ3_I9100VODKI2_VOD.zip
or 2.3.5 on o2 or unbranded uk stock 2.3.5
I need to repair my imei/efs folder with a Z3X box, and the firmware needs to be on 2.3.5, and no i have no backup of the efs folder.
tried sammobile and android firmwares but no luck
thanks.
If Samfirmware, AndroidFirmwares.net or Samsung-Updates.com don't have what you want, you're SOOL.
You won't find it anywhere else, the chances of someone reading this who coincidentally has a copy handy these days is zero given how few people read/post here - there's a fair chance you'll be sitting there in a month & probably won't even get another reply to this thread (and the reason for that is as above; those 3 places are the only places you're going to source a 3 yr old firmware for a 3yr old phone).
Besides, why do you think need that particular firmware ? I'm not seeing why you can't use any other firmware for your country/carrier. If I were in your situation, I'd be investigating that one, otherwise you probably won't be fixing it.
Its whats recommended on gsmforum in the z3x repair guide forum.
Thanks.
Sent from my G510 using xda app-developers app
I'd be checking the date of whatever you're reading. Are you sure it's not dated around the time this phone was released ? If it is, that would explain why that firmware is recommended (may well have been the only firmware available at the time).
Essentially, firmware is firmware, the differences between them are minimal - only differences are the modems, and carrier-specific 'crapware'. The kernels are sometimes a little different depending on date of release (maybe different Linux kernel version), but the main differences happen when you're talking about roms with different Android versions (GB-ICS-JB). Even then, I'm not seeing why you need a specific firmware for an EFS repair/IMEI re-write.
Up to you what you do, but as I said, expect to still be looking for this firmware weeks from now if you insist you need that & only that one.
Used 123unlock to repair imei,
tried with 4.1.2 firmware, didn't work managed to find an o2 2.3.5 gingerbread firmware and it worked first time imei now repaired.
Check out 123unlock if you get stuck with no imei and no efs backup, it worked for me, but it cost me €21 to use their online repair server.
Hey people.
I wanted to know: is there a way to know what was the firmware/android version that came with the phone when i bought it?
Because i already change from 2.1.1.0.A.6 to 2.1.1.C.0.0 and vice-versa and now my firmware is not the original one anymore :S, I'm from Portugal and i don't know what was the Official Firmware/Android Version that came with the phone when i bought it, i want to installed it back to my phone so i can have my phone Original again without having different firmware. And if that is possible, where can i download it?.
I'll give 'Thanks' to good answers.
Cheers :good:
Crazy Seed said:
Hey people.
I wanted to know: is there a way to know what was the firmware/android version that came with the phone when i bought it?
Because i already change from 2.1.1.0.A.6 to 2.1.1.C.0.0 and vice-versa and now my firmware is not the original one anymore :S, I'm from Portugal and i don't know what was the Official Firmware/Android Version that came with the phone when i bought it, i want to installed it back to my phone so i can have my phone Original again without having different firmware. And if that is possible, where can i download it?.
I'll give 'Thanks' to good answers.
Cheers :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It came with 1.6 when SonyEricsson brought it out, and they provided updates to 2.1, with 2.1.1.C.0.0 being the last one they provided for the x10mini pro. So if you've got that firmware, your phone is still considered original, if that update was available in your region.
If your phone was locked to a specific provider, with their provider specific software (bloatware) installed, you won't be able to get it back to how it was when you bought it.
If you want to make sure you have the last original firmware for your phone for your region, do a repair with PC-Companion or SEUS. And if you had your bootloader unlocked, use S1Tool's restore function to lock it again afterwards. More original than that is impossible.
Now there's another problem, i don't know where i can download a firmware for the Portugal region, the greek firmware works but it has the keyboard problem 'buttons ç and ," that GB roms also have, so i would need to root the phone to fix that.
So there's no way to get the original firmware back :S.
Yes i can always repair with that but...if the firmware is the wrong one 'brazilian firmware for example' then those programs can't find the firmware for the repair.
I hope i never need to repair my phone and that i can stick with the GB roms, they're so much better than original eclair.
Cheers :good:
I am trying to switch my OS to the official one supported by Vodafone. In the coming weeks VF UK will be launching wifi calling and I want to get in on that. The problem I have is downloading stock firmware, problem is the firmware also seems to install both German and UK based apps.
Does anyone have any advice to stop this from happening....its not a big problem, I am just concerned I maybe not installing correct firmware, even though I have sourced it from Sammobile.
Any advice?
Hello,
I got from my GF a Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro (Model Number SM-G887N, if you search for this one you will probably find A8s 2019 phone on SamMobile) with with a provider (KT) branding from Korea. This phone has currently Android 10 installed with the Build G887NKSU2CTI2. I would like to update the phone, but this didn't work on the phone directly.
So I thought about to remove the KT provider branding and install a clean Korean or European Software Build. I'm not new to flash phone (did this a few years ago, but since then a lot changed). I just wanted to ask if somebody can help me regarding the right Software and the possibility to remove the branding.
Can I remove the branding and install a clean SW from Europe/Korea? If yes, what for tools (Is ODIN enough?) and which SW would do I need? I guess there are tons of instructions but I do have a problem to figure out about the compatibility of SW and branding.
Thank you a lot
Android 10 seems like the latest version for your phone. Two OS-Updates done with that.
Zentriks said:
Android 10 seems like the latest version for your phone. Two OS-Updates done with that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello Zentriks, thank you for the quick reply. I still get updates regarding security, same issue. Not possible to install. Apps also start to close itself after starting. This phone is a total mess. So I really would love to change the SW without any branding.