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Question, what is the likelihood of buying a new GS4 from a vendor and not have the newest software on the phone so that I can unlock the bootloader? Are all phones being shipped with the locked bootloader?
I recently got a "Like new replacement" from Verizon and it came without the update. I immediately turned airplane mode on and had no problem not taking the update.
I've heard other users suggesting that the version installed depends on where you buy it (i.e. from verizon or best buy).
I've also read stories from users that when buying from Verizon the salesperson will update the phone because they think the user wants the update and they do not ask first.
Hope this helps!
Got my S4 from Verizon Wireless online (delivered Monday). Did not cone with update (asked me to update right after I activated).
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda premium
Cares said:
Question, what is the likelihood of buying a new GS4 from a vendor and not have the newest software on the phone so that I can unlock the bootloader? Are all phones being shipped with the locked bootloader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think it's a pretty good bet if you go to a Verizon store and get a 16GB model you're likely to get a non-upgraded one. Even better, search for a store that you think would see less foot-traffic and go there. Going there closer to when they close will make it much less likely that the CSR who sets up your phone will bother with the update (though you can always say your in a rush to get somewhere once they get the phone turned on).
The 32GB models seem to be much more likely to ship with the update pre-installed from what I've heard.
White models are *probably* less popular, so stores will hold onto their stock longer than the black ones, so that may help tip the scales as well.
Good luck. I wouldn't wait too long to upgrade if you're dead set on having an unlocked bootloader.
I got a black 32gb 2 weeks ago and it did not have the update. The 32 gb is only available from Direct Fill warehouses ordered from Verizon themselves AFAIK. So there's not going to be any sitting around in boxes in a store from an old shipment. So when they replenish stock in the warehouse, that's what your phone will be, brand new stock. The 16 gb, however, is likely to have been there awhile. If you go to Best Buy, you can ask them to turn the phone on before they activate it and check the version. I don't see why they'd refuse you, and I highly doubt even Verizon salespeople have any idea of what the new update means and why we don't want it.
That all being said, in my previous experience, they don't typically make the phones with new updates pre-installed until there's a new Android version. They can force the update as soon as you activate it, so there's no reason for them to make Samsung change the factory images they JTAG it with in the first place until there's a significant change (since it's always best to wipe when upgrading Android versions, don't wanna do that in the middle of someone setting up their phone). And they certainly aren't going to open up boxes and start updating them, because again, most everyone will take the update out of the box.
That being said, I would still jump now if you want this phone. There will eventually be a point when all of them come with a newer software version, and there's no way to gauge progress toward another workaround or a true unlock, so you can't bet on that. There are some reports to suggest people got the phone with the update already installed, but that seems to be more refurbished phones, since it looks like even Verizon or Samsung themselves couldn't actually roll the phones back to an older build once the signature was blacklisted in the hardware. So you should be alright ordering now, just make sure you get a new one, and don't put your SIM in. Check the version, if it has ME7 already, take it back and say the phone doesn't perform well even after a factory reset, and you've heard it's likely that update, so you'd like one without it. If it is not updated yet, root it immediately, and block or remove SDM.apk and FWupgrade.apk, and then and only then is it safe to activate the phone.
Sent from my VZW Galaxy S4 Google Play Edition
My 16GB model came from Amazon yesterday without the update.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 2
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I'm walking to Verizon today 8/21/13 to get an s4. What are the chances I will get a phone that does not have the me7 update yet.
And if I do get one with mdk what steps do I take to not receive the updates. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 2
jzmax22 said:
I'm walking to Verizon today 8/21/13 to get an s4. What are the chances I will get a phone that does not have the me7 update yet.
And if I do get one with mdk what steps do I take to not receive the updates. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ask to see the box before you buy it. The firmware version is clearly labeled on the sticker on the box.
It's very possible. just make sure you TELL them to NOT upgrade!
they don't have to, if you ask them not to, if they do, tell them go get another one that has old firmware as the new one is having issues..
then airplane mode back to house and root + recovery
profit
I think they MAY have still boxes of SG4 with MDK not updated, just make sure they KNOW you won't take it with the upgrade, I did it with the SG3, with the 4.1.1 and 4.1.2 rooting, as 4.1.1 was EZer.
Thank you guys for the responses. I feel more comfortable going there!
I'll be back later hopefully with my new rooted and rommed s4.
Again thanks for the quick responses and help!
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 2
I'm gonna post on this thread to ask a question since it's related and I don't want to start a new one.
I'm having sensor issues on my device and I called verizon. They said it wasn't a known issue and he and offered to send me a CLNR via overnight Shipping. I accepted their offer. I'm not sure if they are still shipping phones with MDK on them. The tech support guy said it will come with the update, but I'm not sure if he knows or not. My question is, has anyone received a CLNR thru Verizon tech support lately, like within the last week? And did it come with MDK or ME7?
If it has ME7 on it, I'm for sure gonna send it back. I'll make some excuse as to why.
nicholi2789 said:
I'm gonna post on this thread to ask a question since it's related and I don't want to start a new one.
I'm having sensor issues on my device and I called verizon. They said it wasn't a known issue and he and offered to send me a CLNR via overnight Shipping. I accepted their offer. I'm not sure if they are still shipping phones with MDK on them. The tech support guy said it will come with the update, but I'm not sure if he knows or not. My question is, has anyone received a CLNR thru Verizon tech support lately, like within the last week? And did it come with MDK or ME7?
If it has ME7 on it, I'm for sure gonna send it back. I'll make some excuse as to why.
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Click to collapse
50/50 . some got the mdk and some got the me7. Just hope for the best.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 4
dadsterflip said:
50/50 . some got the mdk and some got the me7. Just hope for the best.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 4
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Well I really really hope it's MDK. Or else I'm gonna send it back. They'll prolly be pissed at me for it. I don't see any reason why they could deny me sending it back. In my experience if your just adamant about it they can't deny you. My device really is having some issues (not related to my rom) but I will live with it if it means keeping my ROM and recovery.
5 days ago only 2 of the 10 S4's the guy at the Verizon kiosk had at my local mall were MDK. They're thinning out IMO.
What Andy and others said is spot on, ask for them to look, don't let them upgrade, and keep it in airplane mode until home.
I just purchased the phone a day ago from sams club and it came with mdk! Hope you can find one homey!
_Gir_ said:
5 days ago only 2 of the 10 S4's the guy at the Verizon kiosk had at my local mall were MDK. They're thinning out IMO.
What Andy and others said is spot on, ask for them to look, don't let them upgrade, and keep it in airplane mode until home.
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Click to collapse
Yeah but this one is coming from. Verizon tech support and not a store.
ordered an S4 for my wife on amazon wireless, got it today it was the old firmware. rooted and custom rom running!
dehelfix said:
ordered an S4 for my wife on amazon wireless, got it today it was the old firmware. rooted and custom rom running!
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Click to collapse
Just got a refurb from vzn today - version vruamdk .
When sending the old one back, i flashed the modem, recovery, kernel, and stock recovery.
Does that clear everything? Is there a counter on here i need to worry about?
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If that salesperson wants to make a sale, I would have them go to the back and find a mdk version, it is on the outside of the box, if they bring you a me7, say, can you look for a mdk, if they refuse, bye bye, go to another store, you will find someone who cares to make a sale.
good luck sir...
I received my factory certified replacement phone from Verizon wireless in the mail two days ago and luckily it was MDK. Headset speaker stopped functioning on my original phone.
Sent from my Synergy Galaxy S4 with VIPER4Android Audio
Just wondering, but why is it such a big deal if you get and MDK phone over a ME7 firmware phone? There is an exploit out now to root either.
d0ppler302 said:
Just wondering, but why is it such a big deal if you get and MDK phone over a ME7 firmware phone? There is an exploit out now to root either.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For Android power users just being able to root doesn't quite cut it. Yeah you can do alot more than you could with just a stock phone but you can't flash custom software like roms or Kernels. Which is a big deal to alot of people. It's enough to not make you want a device.
nicholi2789 said:
For Android power users just being able to root doesn't quite cut it. Yeah you can do alot more than you could with just a stock phone but you can't flash custom software like roms or Kernels. Which is a big deal to alot of people. It's enough to not make you want a device.
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I'm assuming there isn't a workaround for a custom recovery yet then, is that the issue? See I don't notice those problems because I've had my phone since before in-store devices were available and rooted it a few hours after it was out of the box so I've never had a hangup or issue with this.
Sent from my Galaxy S4
So I got a Verizon Galaxy Note 2 from my sister, and she already had it working with T-Mobile. So it's been working fine, but I am wondering, can I root and flash ROM's? If so is there a special way to do this so I can use this phone for T-Mobile( actually a Walmart service called Family Mobile powered by T-Mobile) and isn't there a 4.3 update? And if so I can't update cause when I check for one it says no service
Nope. You can't swap ROMS among carriers, unless you want a $600 paperweight
geekcop said:
Nope. You can't swap ROMS among carriers, unless you want a $600 paperweight
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Click to collapse
wrong. i am now running my vzw note 2 on tmo w/o issues. enough threads out there that can guide you
lovewd said:
So I got a Verizon Galaxy Note 2 from my sister, and she already had it working with T-Mobile. So it's been working fine, but I am wondering, can I root and flash ROM's? If so is there a special way to do this so I can use this phone for T-Mobile( actually a Walmart service called Family Mobile powered by T-Mobile) and isn't there a 4.3 update? And if so I can't update cause when I check for one it says no service
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If your using a Verizon phone on T mobile your phone is already unlocked and probably already has a custom rom since it will not update. FYI do not try to do the OTA update! What Android version do you have?
Check to see if you have already have a custom recovery.
Volume up, home button then hold power button until it gets past the Samsung logo and find out what recovery your phone currently has? You could already be way ahead of the game to install different Roms
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk
I hope this is not against forum rules. I am not selling these phones either. I purchased one and there are 3 more pristine Verizon Note 3 SM-900V for sale that are at OS level 4.3 so they can be nicely rooted.
Thought someone might want one.
Search ebay for 'SM-900V 4.3' and include the description.
I picked one up for $245 shipped. Supposed to be new in box with a sim card. Should arrive tomorrow.
Now to see which baseband it actually has and be really careful doing the proper steps to root.
Thanks!
Well, I was bamboozled!
I specifically sent the seller (The NPS store) asking if it was definitely on 4.3. I was assured it was.
I got it today. Low and behold it is on NK1 / 4.4.4
(dying Pac-Man sound)
I did receive a complete refund, including shipping and NPS also paid return shipping.
Then, I found a 4.4.2 rooted Note 3 on swappa and is supposed to arrive today.
I've been bidding on broken phones that still power on. All I need is a working board which hasn't been updated. So far they are all being bid too high. There is a risk that they're not honest about the android version installed. I can't see buying a complete phone when I have a perfect working Note 3 plus a spare housing/digitizer with a slightly cracked screen. This was my wifes phone and I just bought one with a dead board off ebay to replace the cracked screen. Had I known there was no working root for 4.4.4+ I wouldn't have bothered fixing it. I'm currently using a Note 2 with a custom but mostly stock rooted 4.3 and TWRP. This has been a great phone but it is getting a bit dated. I was waiting for a root option for the Note 4 then the Note 5 arrived with the same root limitations. I have to admit I almost bought the Note 5 anyway after seeing the 3D display. I don't know if all new top end devices have 3D displays but it's a cool feature.
3d display? Eh?
I had a note 5 for a week. Sold it for $600. Back on my Note 2.
I have a Note 3 that is rooted. I can't remember what I have for stock, but its running Jasmin 5.1.1 with firmware OB6. No trip on knox flag. Is it possible to get it back to 4.3 rooted? Thinking about selling it too.
i have the same model note 3 smn900v ..
weaverinva said:
I hope this is not against forum rules. I am not selling these phones either. I purchased one and there are 3 more pristine Verizon Note 3 SM-900V for sale that are at OS level 4.3 so they can be nicely rooted.
Thought someone might want one.
Search ebay for 'SM-900V 4.3' and include the description.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i have the same model note 3 smn900v .. i have lollipop since i purchased the device if i flash 4.3 kitkat can i root it ? i need root very badly and if yes please tell me the process to root 4.3
p.s samsung note 3 verizon
pizza_pablo said:
I did receive a complete refund, including shipping and NPS also paid return shipping.
Then, I found a 4.4.2 rooted Note 3 on swappa and is supposed to arrive today.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your experience is the same as mine. NPS paid both directions. I am glad that you found one on swappa. They atr6gard to come by. I should have updated my post. NPS is not selling root able phones.
jellyhead said:
I'm currently using a Note 2 with a custom but mostly stock rooted 4.3 and TWRP. This has been a great phone but it is getting a bit dated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The note 2 is a great phone especially on cm 12.1. I have two sprint phones on cm. So responsive.
Seion said:
I have a Note 3 that is rooted. I can't remember what I have for stock, but its running Jasmin 5.1.1 with firmware OB6. No trip on knox flag. Is it possible to get it back to 4.3 rooted? Thinking about selling it too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, you can't go back from lollipop jasmine rom. On the note 3 Verizon, after updating bootloader to 4.4.4 or after, there is no downgrading. Sorry.
Tusharc2 said:
i have the same model note 3 smn900v .. i have lollipop since i purchased the device if i flash 4.3 kitkat can i root it ? i need root very badly and if yes please tell me the process to root 4.3
p.s samsung note 3 verizon
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no process. Once updated to 4.4.4 or 5.0.2 bootloader then a downgrade is not possible at this point. You can get another phone if you want root. A used nexus 6 or perhaps an HTC m8 or lg G2. Some of those had unlocked boot loader.
The Verizon Note ii is a fine phone even if you find its 4.4.2 variant, you can root it and run safestrap.
All the best.
Telemachus said:
3d display? Eh?
I had a note 5 for a week. Sold it for $600. Back on my Note 2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What rom do you have on your note ii? Can you confirm that once at bootloader ND7 that a person can no longer flash a custom recovery?
weaverinva said:
What rom do you have on your note ii? Can you confirm that once at bootloader ND7 that a person can no longer flash a custom recovery?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Safestrap and you get TWRP. No CM but alliance and n3bula roms
Telemachus said:
Safestrap and you get TWRP. No CM but alliance and n3bula roms
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you. I decided to spend the $75 and get mobiletechvideos.com to unlock the bootloader. I will eventually be running CM 12.1 on it.
weaverinva said:
Thank you. I decided to spend the $75 and get mobiletechvideos.com to unlock the bootloader. I will eventually be running CM 12.1 on it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They don't have a bootloader unlock for the Verizon note 3...at least not on their website
Sent from my Note 3 via Tapatalk
donc113 said:
They don't have a bootloader unlock for the Verizon note 3...at least not on their website
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Click to collapse
Sorry, someone earlier was talking about going back to their Note II. The bootloader unlock is only for the Note 2.
weaverinva said:
Sorry, someone earlier was talking about going back to their Note II. The bootloader unlock is only for the Note 2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok..that makes sense.
Sent from my Note 3 via Tapatalk
weaverinva said:
Thank you. I decided to spend the $75 and get mobiletechvideos.com to unlock the bootloader. I will eventually be running CM 12.1 on it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My note 2 with unlocked bootloader is a gem that I will never get rid of. CM and other ASOP work great with it. Notebuddy makes the Spen usable as well.
I don't know that I trust the mobile tech video thing. If anyone tells you they can unlock a Verizon Samsung BL, then all they are doing changing out the main board with a refurb that was never locked. You could do that yourself for much less than $75. The challenge is finding a working main board that is OLD and never upgraded past 4.3 android.
http://m.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=v....Xverizon+note+2+main&sqp=verizon+note+2+main
Problem is there is no way to know what FW those main boards are running.
Recheck your sources. The unlock that these groups sell online is SIM unlock and is in no way relevant to verizon LTE phones that are ALL SIM unlocked.
Edit: I read more about it. Interesting!
http://www.mobiletechvideos.com/samsung-galaxy-note-2-bootloader-sboot-downgrade-service/
Telemachus said:
The challenge is finding a working main board that is OLD and never upgraded past 4.3 android.
Problem is there is no way to know what FW those main boards are running.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was trying to find a board on 4.3 or at least 4.4.2 but most listers will say they're not sure what the version is. I took a chance on a smashed phone hoping that it had been lying around for a while before it was listed. I got the phone for $17 including shipping......it was on 4.4.4. I ended up just buying a working phone that was already rooted on 4.4.2 for $159. It was pretty beat up so I swapped the board into my newish looking housing. I plan to resell the beat up phone with the now 4.4.4 board it and hopefully will get close to what I paid for the rooted one.
Sorry for the general title.
I have a Galazy S4 with Verizon Unlimited data and I've been loving it. It's on MK2 and I rooted it two years ago, did the VZ Wifi Hack, and was humming along nicely though it started to get slower until a month ago, when I got lots of random reboots and it finally got caught in a bootloop on Saturday.
Luckily I had a backup in ROM Slot 1 in Safestrap and was able to boot into that, found the Wifi Hack thread ( http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2512981 ), flashed with Safestrap, and I was back in business.
In the meantime, I had tried to use my GF's VZ S4 which is on OF1. I was able to root it with KingRoot 4.8, then tried to use flashfire, then had to switch to SuperSU. Then when I tried the Wifi Hotspot hack for OF1 with FlashFire, it didn't work (I was using my SIM in her phone).
Anyway there is now an OTA pending and I'm wondering if there's any benefit to upgrading. When I upgrade, will I immediately jump to OF1 or will there be steps so I can stop somewhere in the middle? I heard OC1 is a pretty good kernel, and there are some ones with 5s in them I think which are good?
Also, moving forward, I'm not happy with any of the current Android offerings from VZ. I got an S5 through work and the call quality sucks. I found out that the S4 was one of the last phones that has two antennas, one for voice and one for data. The newer phones are all through the LTE antenna and they try to use VOIP which means more dropped calls in areas with marginal service. Also how rootable are the new phones?
Finally, I'd have to get a new SIM card and I like the idea of being able to swap back and forth from my old phone to the new phone, as opposed to getting a new SIM or trimming this one down.
Anyway, if you were in my position, what would you do
As far as modifying the current S4 for now
Upgrading to a new phone?
Finally, does the Nexus 5x have dual antennas?
DO NOT UPGRADE TO OC1.
You should flash to NC5, and then use Stang's ROM for lollipop... If you go to OC1, and find problems, there is no way back.
As far as #2... no clue on the nexus 5x, I think it does. If I could, I'd outright buy a lg v10/g4 with an unlocked bootloader and put that on Verizon, but I don't think that will happy anytime soon.
XxD34THxX said:
DO NOT UPGRADE TO OC1.
You should flash to NC5, and then use Stang's ROM for lollipop... If you go to OC1, and find problems, there is no way back.
As far as #2... no clue on the nexus 5x, I think it does. If I could, I'd outright buy a lg v10/g4 with an unlocked bootloader and put that on Verizon, but I don't think that will happy anytime soon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the tip. Yeah that v10 looks very nice but I just got through reading the root bounty thread. Not happening any time soon!
How do I flash to a specific baseband? I already prevented any updates by renaming the update apk.
Do not go with LG if you care about rooting, custom ROMs, or development. I had the G4 for 3 excruciating months. Just look at the G4 and V10 forums to see what a mess it is. I'm happily on the Nexus 6P now.
flamadiddle said:
Do not go with LG if you care about rooting, custom ROMs, or development. I had the G4 for 3 excruciating months. Just look at the G4 and V10 forums to see what a mess it is. I'm happily on the Nexus 6P now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How's the 6P treating you? Size not an issue?
OfficeLinebacker said:
How's the 6P treating you? Size not an issue?
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Click to collapse
It's the best phone I've ever had hardware- and software-wise. I was worried about size even with the G4 (which is slightly smaller), but once I used it for more than a couple days, I completely adjusted. Now my S4 seems tiny