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Hi! So I have this phone, the Samsung Fascinate. I love this phone. But soon I'm not going to have an actual cell phone plan and want to keep using this phone. I'm planning to switch over to those Pay as you Go plans, where I buy a card and fill up minutes. here's my question. I want to jailbreak this phone so I can do that, how would I go about doing this? And would I be able to access the net and everything? Would I have to stick with Verizon and use their prepay service or could I switch to a different company? I need to be able to call, send/recieve texts, and be able to use the web. If any one of these is missing, it's not worth it to me. Get what I'm saying? lol. So yeah, any info?
EDIT: So I've done more research, this is actually UNLOCKING that I want to do. Same questions apply. I've never unlocked a phone before. I've rooted several android phones, but never unlocked them to work on different networks. If I can unlock it and be able to use a prepay or pay as you go service, I'd be so happy. (cause they rip you off with contracts)
Partner420 said:
Hi! So I have this phone, the Samsung Fascinate. I love this phone. But soon I'm not going to have an actual cell phone plan and want to keep using this phone. I'm planning to switch over to those Pay as you Go plans, where I buy a card and fill up minutes. here's my question. I want to jailbreak this phone so I can do that, how would I go about doing this? And would I be able to access the net and everything? Would I have to stick with Verizon and use their prepay service or could I switch to a different company? I need to be able to call, send/recieve texts, and be able to use the web. If any one of these is missing, it's not worth it to me. Get what I'm saying? lol. So yeah, any info?
EDIT: So I've done more research, this is actually UNLOCKING that I want to do. Same questions apply. I've never unlocked a phone before. I've rooted several android phones, but never unlocked them to work on different networks. If I can unlock it and be able to use a prepay or pay as you go service, I'd be so happy. (cause they rip you off with contracts)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's possible, but it's incredibly more difficult then flashing roms and rooting. You will actually have to figure out all the pass codes, apn settings and proxies (if applicable). Getting talk and sms is a breeze...it's the net, market, gps and mms that's a *****. Save yourself the headache
Partner420 said:
Hi! So I have this phone, the Samsung Fascinate. I love this phone. But soon I'm not going to have an actual cell phone plan and want to keep using this phone. I'm planning to switch over to those Pay as you Go plans, where I buy a card and fill up minutes. here's my question. I want to jailbreak this phone so I can do that, how would I go about doing this? And would I be able to access the net and everything? Would I have to stick with Verizon and use their prepay service or could I switch to a different company? I need to be able to call, send/recieve texts, and be able to use the web. If any one of these is missing, it's not worth it to me. Get what I'm saying? lol. So yeah, any info?
EDIT: So I've done more research, this is actually UNLOCKING that I want to do. Same questions apply. I've never unlocked a phone before. I've rooted several android phones, but never unlocked them to work on different networks. If I can unlock it and be able to use a prepay or pay as you go service, I'd be so happy. (cause they rip you off with contracts)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are some apps in the market. SGS tools and Captivate SGS that will help you find the codes you want, also one click root has a tab for unlocking phones i know it says Samsung Captivate but i think it works on the Fascinate as well, it has been a long time since i worried about that. The apps are in the market and here is the one click link.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=803682
DaleV said:
There are some apps in the market. SGS tools and Captivate SGS that will help you find the codes you want, also one click root has a tab for unlocking phones i know it says Samsung Captivate but i think it works on the Fascinate as well, it has been a long time since i worried about that. The apps are in the market and here is the one click link.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=803682
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Fyi, the info you provided will not assist him in flashing the phone to another carrier. Rooting a phone has almost absolutely nothing to do with changing providers. He will require provider ppp settings for net, provider apns for mms, provider prls for tower locations and possibly provider mip information. All of these are unique values he will manually have to enter.
Edit: How do I know? Read my sig...and I'm responsible for helping several others on xda attempt and succeed. Very few succeed on lesser known plans...
So, getting net is the issue, eh? Alright, so how would I get this phone to work for pay as you go service? What if I just stuck with Verizons pay as you go service, would there be an issue?
Partner420 said:
So, getting net is the issue, eh? Alright, so how would I get this phone to work for pay as you go service? What if I just stuck with Verizons pay as you go service, would there be an issue?
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Click to collapse
I haven't ever utilized vzw pay as you go plan, but I would imagine it would be a proxy type. The trick however is contacting vzw directly and asking them if they will allow it bc i'm sure the esn is already registered. That can be bypassed however I enjoy my freedom and don't feel comfortable sharing esn changing knowledge. If you had a vzw party as you go phone, I would suggest reading from the phone and replicating the values over to the fascinate.
I've read today that all Android phones (and others) have Carrier IQ installed in them at the factory to that is capable of transmitting keystrokes, website visits, email and SMS data to the carrier.
My questions is, Can we build a ROM without it? Below is the link referring to the software.
Thanks.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13506_3-5...ets-secretly-logging-keystrokes-sms-messages/
With all of your reading you forgot to read the multiple threads in this forum about this.
No our phones don't have it right now so no we can not remove it.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using xda premium
pj1000 said:
I've read today that all Android phones (and others) have Carrier IQ installed in them at the factory to that is capable of transmitting keystrokes, website visits, email and SMS data to the carrier.
My questions is, Can we build a ROM without it? Below is the link referring to the software.
Thanks.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13506_3-5...ets-secretly-logging-keystrokes-sms-messages/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Whoever told you all android phones had it was an idiot. Only some of them do - nearly all Sprint units, only newer AT&T units like the ****rocket and the Gingerbread updates for Infuse do.
(Probably Cappy GB has it and future updates for ours might.)
From what I understand, it doesn't send anything out of phones that have it installed, it just echoes data to the debug console.
Do you really think att needs that software to know your physical location? Does att need that to read your SMS? Know what numbers you dial?
Att could probably easily identify if you tether, or load a custom ROM on your phone. Its a matter of priority, and whether its worth the effort. Everything you do on your phone runs through their services. They know everything.
A program like that may make it easier for them to get the data, but I doubt it gives them any information that they couldn't get themselves if they really wanted it.
I don't see the big deal about it. What do I care if att knows where I am, who I call, and what I text, they already know all that. If att collecting data about how I use my phone leads to a better optimised data network, or better coverage then go for it.
What's next? People upset that google may be reading your Gmail? Or Comcast knowing what you watch on TV? Your credit card company knowing where you shop?
Sent from my Galaxy S II (i777)
quarlow said:
Do you really think att needs that software to know your physical location? Does att need that to read your SMS? Know what numbers you dial?
Att could probably easily identify if you tether, or load a custom ROM on your phone. Its a matter of priority, and whether its worth the effort. Everything you do on your phone runs through their services. They know everything.
A program like that may make it easier for them to get the data, but I doubt it gives them any information that they couldn't get themselves if they really wanted it.
I don't see the big deal about it. What do I care if att knows where I am, who I call, and what I text, they already know all that. If att collecting data about how I use my phone leads to a better optimised data network, or better coverage then go for it.
What's next? People upset that google may be reading your Gmail? Or Comcast knowing what you watch on TV? Your credit card company knowing where you shop?
Sent from my Galaxy S II (i777)
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Click to collapse
Said like a true lamb... lol
Sent from my SGH-I777 using xda premium
borguesian said:
Said like a true lamb... lol
Sent from my SGH-I777 using xda premium
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Click to collapse
By call means, enlighten me.
How should the system work? How do they deliver your message if they don't know what to send? How do they connect your call if they don't know what you dialed? How do they send you a website without knowing the web address you input? How do they route a call to you if they don't know what towers you are connected to, and where those towers are?
My point is that people are up in arms because att has has access to data that you give them on a daily basis. They need that data to serve you as a customer.
Nothing you do on the internet, or using wireless networks will ever be truly private. The only thing changing here is how the data is collected, not whether the data is collected.
Sent from my Galaxy S II (i777)
quarlow said:
By call means, enlighten me.
How should the system work? How do they deliver your message if they don't know what to send? How do they connect your call if they don't know what you dialed? How do they send you a website without knowing the web address you input? How do they route a call to you if they don't know what towers you are connected to, and where those towers are?
My point is that people are up in arms because att has has access to data that you give them on a daily basis. They need that data to serve you as a customer.
Nothing you do on the internet, or using wireless networks will ever be truly private. The only thing changing here is how the data is collected, not whether the data is collected.
Sent from my Galaxy S II (i777)
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Click to collapse
+1 quarlow
Very well said.
I can't really post a link but it seems like it has access to more than just your general txt/call/web data
From what I read in an article from Huffingtonpost.com
"The application, which is labeled on Eckhart’s HTC smartphone as "HTC IQ Agent," also logs the URL of websites searched on the phone, even if the user intends to encrypt that data using a URL that begins with "HTTPS," Eckhart said."
and from electronista.com
"The video also shows that the software records keystrokes. It likewise records calls with network strength values, which primarily allows carriers to fix problems but could also be used to intercept data. CarrierIQ is also collecting keystrokes of incompleted calls and even random keystrokes, or more than it needs
When using Wi-Fi, CarrierIQ records website security information, including URL and even passwords sent over the ostensibly secure HTTPS. This doesn't involve Sprint, as it's on Wi-Fi, so it shouldn't be recorded, Holly concludes."
In my opinion, it's one thing to know that a carrier obviously has access to much of this information if and when they should need it for court orders and other legal reasons. It's an entirely other thing though to specifically have software installed and intertwined into the core of the phone that has the potential to feed this information in another manner which obviously isn't explained to the end user.
I don't do anything on my phone that I wouldn't want them to see for very obvious reasons as stated above. But I would like to have at least the 'appearance' that not everything I do is going to be sifted through by AT&T or a 3rd party vendor. This type of software and the relative 'hush-hush' nature of it doesn't give me that feeling. It's like a rogue app just sitting in a dormant state waiting for AT&T or whoever to fire it up and log away.
Ok I'll end the paranoia and I don't think we have a basis to point our finger one way or the other yet, but clearly it's something I think that needs to be clarified and understood better.
Back in the olde timey days when folks just had land lines with which to communicate, the FCC made it illegal for third parties - yes, even carriers - to intercept and disclose conversations of their customers to third parties. Have we come all the way around to "let them use my personal communications as they see fit since they have it anyway?" I never thought I would see relatively sophisticated users, such as several of those contributing here, say "I do nothing wrong so I don't care who uses my data and for what purpose." Yikes.
pj1000 said:
Back in the olde timey days when folks just had land lines with which to communicate, the FCC made it illegal for third parties - yes, even carriers - to intercept and disclose conversations of their customers to third parties. Have we come all the way around to "let them use my personal communications as they see fit since they have it anyway?" I never thought I would see relatively sophisticated users, such as several of those contributing here, say "I do nothing wrong so I don't care who uses my data and for what purpose." Yikes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Welcome to the Patriot act.
[Obligatory favorable statement about the Patriot Act]
Sent from my Galaxy S II (i777)
I to agree with the carriers already know EVERYTHING we do. Whether we like it or not, that's how it works. But that takes place on THEIR end.
What I don't like is not knowing if it's secure. Main reason so many people were ticked their iphone were tracking them. Most knew it could be done, but the fact it stored that info on their phone with no encryption what-so-ever.
This is on OUR end now. The more ways to access everything we do, the greater the security risk.
If I get the choice, I'm definitely getting it off my phone. But if they prove it's without doubt secure? I still don't like it, but I'd feel a whole lot better about it. So what's the chance that will happen?
Sent from my páhhōniē
Here if yall want to know about CIQ. Good Read and good information for you to mull over. http://www.xda-developers.com/android/the-storm-is-not-over-yet-lets-talk-about-ciq/ Oh and MOST Devices that have this stupid thing on it that get root the first thing to get disabled is this little gem so I wouldn't worry about it too horribly much. I have seen a dev going around that strictly is going through phones that have it and removing it.
malickie said:
Here if yall want to know about CIQ. Good Read and good information for you to mull over. http://www.xda-developers.com/android/the-storm-is-not-over-yet-lets-talk-about-ciq/ Oh and MOST Devices that have this stupid thing on it that get root the first thing to get disabled is this little gem so I wouldn't worry about it too horribly much. I have seen a dev going around that strictly is going through phones that have it and removing it.
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Click to collapse
Good article...
Oh yea here is a link that I found over in the HTC Vivid section just in case CIQ ever does hit our device I would assume the same thing could be done to remove it from the SGSII....
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1370541
@Kadin
Yea good article although a bit scary when you see all this thing does.
quarlow said:
Do you really think att needs that software to know your physical location? Does att need that to read your SMS? Know what numbers you dial?
Att could probably easily identify if you tether, or load a custom ROM on your phone. Its a matter of priority, and whether its worth the effort. Everything you do on your phone runs through their services. They know everything.
A program like that may make it easier for them to get the data, but I doubt it gives them any information that they couldn't get themselves if they really wanted it.
I don't see the big deal about it. What do I care if att knows where I am, who I call, and what I text, they already know all that. If att collecting data about how I use my phone leads to a better optimised data network, or better coverage then go for it.
What's next? People upset that google may be reading your Gmail? Or Comcast knowing what you watch on TV? Your credit card company knowing where you shop?
Sent from my Galaxy S II (i777)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If the carrier can do all this already then you have to wonder why they have to put something like Carrier IQ on our phones.
Hello guys. In three days from now I'm going to travel to Australia. I have a few questions about the behaviour of the GSII in countries that aren't the one you live.
-First of all, if I am in another country, can I use the GPS without having a surprise in my bill at the end of the month? I was told by a friend that I can but I preffear to make sure.
-How do I disable 100% of the data connection?? just like the normal way or do I have to do anything else? I really don't want to look at my bill and see that my carrier company is charging me for using internet in another country...
-Last, I would thank a lot if you tell me the best apps for travelling, I know a few that I've found in the web, but if you know any because of your own experience or whatever please post it here so you can help me and everyone!
jav92 said:
Hello guys. In three days from now I'm going to travel to Australia. I have a few questions about the behaviour of the GSII in countries that aren't the one you live.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
-First of all, if I am in another country, can I use the GPS without having a surprise in my bill at the end of the month? I was told by a friend that I can but I preffear to make sure.
yes as long as u dont enable ur Data connection u can avoid surprise in ur Bill
-How do I disable 100% of the data connection?? just like the normal way or do I have to do anything else? I really don't want to look at my bill and see that my carrier company is charging me for using internet in another country...
disable data in the normal way which is enough
-Last, I would thank a lot if you tell me the best apps for travelling, I know a few that I've found in the web, but if you know any because of your own experience or whatever please post it here so you can help me and everyone
well for this one i suggest u to make ur choice since the best for one may not be so for another
Google maps supports pre caching, so do that to the metro areas you will be in.
TheStickMan said:
Google maps supports pre caching, so do that to the metro areas you will be in.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
An alternative to GoogleMaps is AndRoad! which uses the openstreetmaps.org . I think this pre-caches if you like, but did not test the caching function.
I just called Verizon about their rooting and ROM flashing policy. Apparently, if you root the phone, the fraud department will lock your phone, and if you flash the phone, you won't be able to use it on Verizon networks.
Does this sound right? I have the funny feeling that my question may have flown over some heads and someone may have given me a BS answer but I wanted to make sure nonetheless...
-Feuerhund
Feuerhund said:
I just called Verizon about their rooting and ROM flashing policy. Apparently, if you root the phone, the fraud department will lock your phone, and if you flash the phone, you won't be able to use it on Verizon networks.
Does this sound right? I have the funny feeling that my question may have flown over some heads and someone may have given me a BS answer but I wanted to make sure nonetheless...
-Feuerhund
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It would void your warranty, if they were to find out but there is no way they could "lock" your phone and neither does installing a (properly working) rom stop your ability to access VZW's network. There is no way they would or could know unless you were to take your phone in to the store while customized and even then, they couldn't lock your phone or stop you from using it - you would just not be able to use a warranty claim on it. Often times, on many phones, there is a way to reset / restore the phone so only the most experienced tech could tell, if at all (depends on the phone and update it's on). I mean, this myth is easily debunked by the tons of forums for VZW phones right here @ xda where 10s of 1000s of VZW users have upgraded their phone with custom roms and all that.
es0tericcha0s said:
It would void your warranty, if they were to find out but there is no way they could "lock" your phone and neither does installing a (properly working) rom stop your ability to access VZW's network. There is no way they would or could know unless you were to take your phone in to the store while customized and even then, they couldn't lock your phone or stop you from using it - you would just not be able to use a warranty claim on it. Often times, on many phones, there is a way to reset / restore the phone so only the most experienced tech could tell, if at all (depends on the phone and update it's on). I mean, this myth is easily debunked by the tons of forums for VZW phones right here @ xda where 10s of 1000s of VZW users have upgraded their phone with custom roms and all that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I asked Verizon, and here is what they said:
Verizon said:
Verizon Wireless has the right to, without notice, limit, suspend or end your service or any agreement with you for this or any other good cause including, but not limited to: if you breach the customer agreement, lie to us, allow anyone to tamper with your phone; or interfere with our operation, modify your phone from its manufacturer's specification or use the service in a way that adversely affects our network or other customers. We can also temporarily limit, suspend, or end your service for any operation or government reason.
Rooting, unlocking, and flashing a Verizon Wireless phone is in violation of the terms and conditions that were agreed upon activation of your prepaid service. You can find this information by clicking on or copying the following link into your browser: [link deleted because lol forum law]
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Click to collapse
So apparently they do reserve the right to shut you down for this. I'm rather worried that this could actually happen... but maybe I shouldn't be. But what with them having their own software on the phone, would it be so hard for them to have a little program on there that pings Verizon when a phone gets altered and gives them a killswitch? Maybe the users here are just lucky and I'll be the unlucky one... idk.
-Feuerhund
You do realize that there are dozens of VZW forums here where 10s of 1000s of users have rooted / customized their phones, right? Including many phones that VZW had the manufacturer lock the bootloader on. For HTCs, if you unlock your bootloader at their dev website, they have a record of which phones have or have not been unlocked and even with that info, have never seen a report of anyone being denied service. They have absolutely NO way to tell if you phone has been modded without looking at the phone, and even then, they will not stop your services. I have modded dozens of VZW phones for friends and customers and have never had a return or have any issues in that regard.
I will be going out of my voice/data area.
I was unknowingly under the impression that everything was fine with my new U.S. Cellular's best 3Mbps Uncapped Unlimited 25GB Plus plan; nothing hidden, everything disclosed ["...and no hidden charges..." (right!? LoL)].
But, what I am finding out quickly is that not even all of CS Reps really know what's going on, and even they are not up-to-date on the details.
"The dickens is in the details!".
Unfortunately, U.S. Cellular's roaming is limited to 400MB per month, no matter what plan you are on, even if you are on their top-of-the-line plan.
Additional GB have to be purchased.
I am located in the States and on a U.S. Cellular 30-month contract.
KevinAuralee said:
I will be going out of my voice/data area.
I am located in the States and on a U.S. Cellular 30-month contract.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would like to know:
I have a 'locked' Galaxy S9+ (SM-G965U). Would it be cheaper to buy a Sim and use my phone with another carrier instead of roaming?
Is it even possible on a 'locked' phone to temporarily use a different carrier?
I'm mostly concerned about my internet data (or, really my lack thereof), and how much it would cost to buy 'roaming' data.
1.5GB or 3.5GB roaming data will cost extra; $15 or $35 respectively.
I have the choice of Global, LTE/CDMA, LTE/GSM/UMTS under Mobile Networks => Network mode.
It would seem that I could use Verizon, T-Mobile, or AT&T for a month and not have roaming charges through the nose.
Also, I believe U.S. Cellular's biggest roaming package is 3.5GB (vs the 25GB [Unlimited Plus] plan that I have gotten used to).
I talked to U.S. Cellular's technical support, and they said... Because there is a balance on the phone, it is locked... And because it is locked, another carrier cannot be used.
I understand, also, from reading this forum, that unlocking a Stateside S9+ is not a good idea, because it will trip Knox and void the warranty.
Unless someone knows something else, looks like I'm sunk.
Can anyone please verify my latest fears?
KevinAuralee said:
I talked to U.S. Cellular's technical support, and they said... Because there is a balance on the phone, it is locked... And because it is locked, another carrier cannot be used.
I understand, also, from reading this forum, that unlocking a Stateside S9+ is not a good idea, because it will trip Knox and void the warranty.
Unless someone knows something else, looks like I'm sunk.
Can anyone please verify my latest fears?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
3 posts and I have no idea what your question really is. The Snapdragon models can't be rooted. At best, you could manage to brick your device trying. I'm also not sure what it would accomplish, given your problem.
CrazyApe18 said:
3 posts and I have no idea what your question really is. The Snapdragon models can't be rooted. At best, you could manage to brick your device trying. I'm also not sure what it would accomplish, given your problem.
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Click to collapse
I have returned from my trip to no-service (roaming) PA. I had to use local wifi while roaming. It was a very bad phone data experience. I was talking about hidden fees with US Cellular to be able to even use my phone for internet access.
I have 1-1/2 years left and will unlock this phone. I really do like the camera and the speed of the apps, etc. But since Snapdragon models cannot be rooted, what is the point of my owning this phone?
Obviously, I should probably ditch this phone or upgrade... probably selling it would be the best way to put money towards a new phone that can be rooted.
What are your suggestions?
Carriers have pro's and con's... If you are worried about having high roaming use then perhaps pick up an unlocked phone that will work on a different provider (with applicable plan through the provider) and use it as a mobile hotspot. Then connect your S9+ to the mobile hotspot and you should be ok.
TBH one of the things you should consider when your buying service through a carrier is the coverage the carrier provides as well as if/what limitations may exist. In your case if you roam a lot and the price of roaming is to much then perhaps consider a different provider when your contract is up.
KevinAuralee said:
I have a 'locked' Galaxy S9+ (SM-G965U). Would it be cheaper to buy a Sim and use my phone with another carrier instead of roaming?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The phone is carrier/network locked which means it can only be used on the carrier you got it from. Because the phone is carrier locked you can not use any other sim card other then what is provided by the carrier.
KevinAuralee said:
Is it even possible on a 'locked' phone to temporarily use a different carrier?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope
KevinAuralee said:
I have 1-1/2 years left and will unlock this phone. I really do like the camera and the speed of the apps, etc. But since Snapdragon models cannot be rooted, what is the point of my owning this phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To be honest you just gave 2 pro's and only 1 con over the device, which would kinda answer your question for you... But again that is the kind of question only you can answer..
IMHO if your sole purpose on having that phone is that you must have it rooted, then this phone is not the one for you. If your only trying to root the phone so you can get cheaper roaming data by using other sim cards then you probably shouldn't be trying to root the phone anyways (not that root is even possible cuz it's not... It's just better to get it carrier/network unlocked by paying it off).
On the other hand for the most part even if it was possible the device could be rooted it won't give you much outside of what you already have. Granted I have had phone(s) being samsung and other where rooting the device allowed me to get better performance and battery life. With this phone it is the first Samsung I have had that is quite snappy, battery life is surprisingly good and overall it works quite well with just the stock firmware.
About the only thing I would root the phone for (if it were possible, it's not obviously) is for nandroid backups. Still even from factory data reset to back up and running doesn't take that long anymore. Outside of that I myself have no reason to root the phone.
KevinAuralee said:
Obviously, I should probably ditch this phone or upgrade... probably selling it would be the best way to put money towards a new phone that can be rooted.
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Click to collapse
I would strongly suggest you entertain/consider those notions after you paid the phone off. But just as an FYI once you get the phone unlocked (after paying it off) you can use it on T-Moble, Sprint, Verizon, AT&T... The G965U and G965U1 whether bought from samsung or the carriers themselves have the same internal hardware. The software determines what bands and carrier compatible features are active... Should be noted that carriers may have additional requirements (like AT&T not letting non AT&T S9+ use VoLTE) for specific services/features.
So if anything pay the phone off faster so you can get it carrier/network unlocked.. The phone or the fact the model isn't rootable isn't the real problem here, it's the data roaming charges your carrier has.
KevinAuralee said:
What are your suggestions?
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Click to collapse
Keep the phone and use it until it's paid off.. Then get it carrier/network unlocked would be my suggestion. At that point you can use a sim card with a different provider for cheaper data roaming.. Or after it's paid off and network unlocked you can just sell it (you could probably get more for it since it would be unlocked to work for any carrier).
scottusa2008 said:
IMHO if your sole purpose on having that phone is that you must have it rooted, then this phone is not the one for you.
With this phone it is the first Samsung I have had that is quite snappy, battery life is surprisingly good and overall it works quite well with just the stock firmware.
About the only thing I would root the phone for (if it were possible, it's not obviously) is for nandroid backups. Still even from factory data reset to back up and running doesn't take that long anymore. Outside of that I myself have no reason to root the phone.
I would strongly suggest you entertain/consider those notions after you paid the phone off...
...The phone or the fact the model isn't rootable isn't the real problem here, it's the data roaming charges your carrier has.
Keep the phone and use it until it's paid off.. Then get it carrier/network unlocked would be my suggestion.
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I don't like a lot of things that deal with not having root.
Google and Samsung push are trying to take over my phone, even though I have a lot of stuff disabled. I just found out my location is full on, and I always have it turned off or set to minimal.
I even had some data usage and never turned data on... am 100% running on wi-fi. And now Samsung's keyboard is active and can't be disabled.
Seems to me that I would like to stock load what I originally had when I first received the phone. I have never taken any updates and get nagged a lot.
But, like you said it isn't mine to root yet! But gimminies, I mean give me a break... I can't even side-load anymore. And that's gonna smart quite a bit.
I have entertained the idea of upgrading to a newer phone, but that would probably result in digging my hole deeper and even harder to get out of. I have 1-1/2 years left to go on my phone, or just flat buy it out while it is still worth something.
Oh, and I have never been able to back up my phone without spilling all of my information to Google or Samsung -- that's the way they like it!
So I have been running without a backup for a year now, and I don't like it. Sure, I have almost everything pics & stuff on hard drive, but my apps, text messages, phone book, etc. I don't.
I'm thinking I would like to take screen pics of my apps & contacts, etc. and start all over. If only I knew of a sure way of gaining 100% control over my phone, I would do it!
But like you say, it might make more sense to just pay it off and then sell it and be rid of it.
KevinAuralee said:
I don't like a lot of things that deal with not having root.
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Your not the only one... but if that is the case then it would seem that samsung has pretty much gotten on the ball and took care of the exploits that would allow root. While in one sense it's a bummer for those who want to root, but in the other they are making devices that aren't as exploitable (which is actually a good thing).
KevinAuralee said:
I even had some data usage and never turned data on... am 100% running on wi-fi. And now Samsung's keyboard is active and can't be disabled.
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Did you turn off roaming data? If you did then it would not have connected to the roaming data.. Mine never does unless I have it turned on. Also if your sending and recieving MMS messages this would use mobile data, so check your MMS settings for roaming auto retrieve.
KevinAuralee said:
Oh, and I have never been able to back up my phone without spilling all of my information to Google or Samsung -- that's the way they like it!
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This whole cloud backup thing has been around for a long time and is not a Samsung or Google thing. Microsoft Windows, Apple devices, Amazon devices all do the same thing. It's convenient for many and for those who are paranoid (or just don't want to use cloud backup) you don't have to use cloud backup services.
You can use smartswitch and make a backup of what is on the phone on your computer. You can save your contacts to the device only and you can export those contacts to a .vcf file... so you can later import them if you get a different phone (or factory data reset).
KevinAuralee said:
So I have been running without a backup for a year now, and I don't like it. Sure, I have almost everything pics & stuff on hard drive, but my apps, text messages, phone book, etc. I don't.
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Check out Smartswitch
https://account.samsung.com/membership/terms/privacypolicy
I just did... their privacy policy is that I have no privacy. So I am back to square one and I feel better off NOT backing anything up both by their services and/or their software.
I have no active accounts with the goog, or samsung.
I plan on keeping it this way.
I guess my only question would be if I did a hard reset, and because I have never allowed any updates, would I be able to get back to day one when I first got the phone and be able to start from scratch?
KevinAuralee said:
I guess my only question would be if I did a hard reset, and because I have never allowed any updates, would I be able to get back to day one when I first got the phone and be able to start from scratch?
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If you did a factory data reset your phone would erase all your data and apps from the phone and all settings restored to factory defaults. You would have to go through the setup process again and restore your data (and make what ever changes, disable what apps you need too, misc customizations) which ever way you are going to do so.
I only mention this because I do not know what firmware your running or what was on the phone when you originally bought it. This part may or may not apply in your case, but in case it does... The only thing about a factory data reset is it does not change what firmware is installed on the phone. If you have the latest android pie installed then that is what will be on the phone once the factory data reset is completed.