With the Sprint S3 root method working for 3 variants (Verizon not released to test), how likely is that they are all the same hardware except for the radios?
I'm hopeful this means custom ROMs (and AOSP ROMs)will be compatible with all the variants, making the US versions simpler to develop for compared to the US versions of the S2.
So I bought a galaxy note for my mom, because she broke her other phone and her contract is up in a month and didn't want to extend it with Rogers. My question is that the person whom I bought it from had it 'unlocked' to work with all the cellular providers here in Canada. So I assume he flashed the AWS bands onto the phone. Leading up to my question, which rom should I flash onto the phone without risking that the AWS bands be "de-flashed". The phone currently has T-mobile ROM on it, so my natural intuition leads me to assume that I can flash T-mobile ROMs onto the phone no problem. But please enlighten me if weather I assume right or wrong.
P.S: The reason I want to flash any ROM onto the phone is that she is used to Vanilla Android and doesn't care for, in fact hates, Touchwiz.
ROMs won't affect the modem/radio unless you install a stock ROM with Odin.
And even if you change the modem/radio the SIM unlock sticks no matter what you throw at it.
I just got a new unlocked AT&T M8, switched over from iPhone. I'm going to be using it with T-Mobile, and I'm still struggling to learn how all this stuff works. So the phone is running on Android 4.4.4 currently, and I want to install a custom ROM on it, but I need Android 5.0. Since I have a T-Mobile sim card, I don't have any OTA updates. From what I understand, if I wanted to switch to a T-Mobile ROM, I'd have to pay $25 for Sunshine, which I'd rather not do. Would I also need to do so to get an international ROM? Also, from what I'm reading, my other option is to use the AT&T RUU from HTC's website to update to 5.0, and then install a custom ROM from there. Is this correct, would that remove my unlock, and are there instructions/recommended readings before I try anything? Thanks for any help.
grant523 said:
I just got a new unlocked AT&T M8, switched over from iPhone. I'm going to be using it with T-Mobile, and I'm still struggling to learn how all this stuff works. So the phone is running on Android 4.4.4 currently, and I want to install a custom ROM on it, but I need Android 5.0. Since I have a T-Mobile sim card, I don't have any OTA updates. From what I understand, if I wanted to switch to a T-Mobile ROM, I'd have to pay $25 for Sunshine, which I'd rather not do. Would I also need to do so to get an international ROM? Also, from what I'm reading, my other option is to use the AT&T RUU from HTC's website to update to 5.0, and then install a custom ROM from there. Is this correct, would that remove my unlock, and are there instructions/recommended readings before I try anything? Thanks for any help.
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You probably want the T-Mob radio software, so you can enable the 3G and LTE bands used by T-Mob. Otherwise, you will find that the AT&T radio does not give you 3G and LTE in many locations.
In order to flash another carrier's radio, you need s-off, and there is no way around that. Then you need to change the carrier ID (CID) and model ID (MID) to that of T-Mob.
At that point, you may as well RUU to a stock factory T-Mobile software image (not just the radio) and that would be recommended, is it will get you a complete T-Mobile "baseline" phone as opposed to an AT&T ROM with T-Mob radio, etc.
After running the T-Mob RUU, your phone will be "fully converted" to the T-Mob version in terms of software. Others here have converted the AT&T version for use on T-Mob. So I'll try to find one of those threads instead of trying to explain it all again.
None of these mods will change your SIM unlock. That will remain unlocked.
---------- Post added at 11:06 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:58 AM ----------
Here you go: http://forum.xda-developers.com/att-htc-one-m8/help/installing-tmobile-rom-att-branded-phone-t3069388
Another point: You can update to the latest AT&T Lollipop software by RUU. And you can flash custom Lollipop ROMs after that. But neither of these will enable the 3G and LTE bands used by T-Mob. So that is why I suggest "converting" the phone to T-Mob stock software instead.
Thanks for the response! Appreciate it. A few more questions, since I'm not sure I fully grasp the concept of radios.
If I first flash a T-Mobile ROM, and then install a custom ROM, is that any different from updating with a AT&T RUU and then installing a custom ROM? Will I still be missing the bands?
If yes, then should I just stay away from Custom ROMs all together? Is this a problem because I bought an AT&T phone?
Thanks again!
grant523 said:
Thanks for the response! Appreciate it. A few more questions, since I'm not sure I fully grasp the concept of radios.
If I first flash a T-Mobile ROM, and then install a custom ROM, is that any different from updating with a AT&T RUU and then installing a custom ROM? Will I still be missing the bands?
If yes, then should I just stay away from Custom ROMs all together? Is this a problem because I bought an AT&T phone?
Thanks again!
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Yes it's different the AT&T ruu won't give you the T-Mobile bands. And you can install custom roms if you want but I would reccomend paying the $25 to s-off and fully converting to t-mobile and either stay on stock or flash a custom t-mobile rom
grant523 said:
A few more questions, since I'm not sure I fully grasp the concept of radios.
If I first flash a T-Mobile ROM, and then install a custom ROM, is that any different from updating with a AT&T RUU and then installing a custom ROM? Will I still be missing the bands?
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I think your first phrase was intended to read "flash the T-Mob RUU, then install a custom ROM".
The radio is not contained in the ROM, and flashing a ROM doesn't affect the radio in any way.
The radio is contained in what many folks here called the "firmware package" or firmware.zip; and it can be installed by flashing the RUU.
Another thing that will help you understand, is that the phone has something like 36 (or more) partitions. The ROM is just one of those. The radio is a separate partition (as bootloader, recovery, and others have their own separate partitions as well). Flashing one partition, does not effect the others. The RUU is a complete software image that flashes all the partitions to factory stock for a certain carrier version.
You can also flash the radio or firmware.zip manually (without flashing the whole RUU). But my personal recommendation would be to baseline to a fully stock T-Mobile software profile, since you are on the T-Mob network, to make sure every partition plays well together (as opposed to mixing T-Mob and AT&T software components).
grant523 said:
If yes, then should I just stay away from Custom ROMs all together?
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I wouldn't say that. Custom ROMs have their place. But a custom ROM will not open up the T-Mob bands. As mentioned, you can only do that by flashing the radio, which isn't affected by flashing the ROM.
After baselining to a T-Mob stock config as I've suggested, you can feel free to flash a custom recovery and flash custom ROMs if you like. But if would be for other reasons than the radio bands; such as performance, customization, debloating, etc..
grant523 said:
Is this a problem because I bought an AT&T phone?
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Basically yes. If you want to be sure a phone works fully on a certain network "out of the box", you should buy the phone that is branded for that network. Otherwise, you should always thoroughly research a phone (not branded for your carrier) before trying to use it on your network.
Luckily for you, on this device the radio bands can be changed in software using the mods I've noted above. On past devices, the band support was set in hardware, meaning where was no way to change it in software. In that case, you would really have some buyer's remorse to deal with.
Ah OK thanks for the responses! I think I'm starting to understand. I did research how an At&t m8 would work with T-MOBILE but I didn't realize i would have to go throw this whole software process to make it work! Anyhow I appreciate the help and I'll buy a Sunshine license when I get a chance. Thanks again!
You are quite welcome.
Here is a thread with more info on changing from AT&T to T-Mob software: http://forum.xda-developers.com/att-htc-one-m8/help/installing-tmobile-rom-att-branded-phone-t3069388#post60606278
Good luck!
So I was wondering if this is possible. My phone (running lollipop 5.1.1) is locked to a carrier but I was planing on flashing an unbranded 6.0.1 (from Italy). Marshmallow will eventually come to my country but I just can`t wait anymore. Will flashing this firmware brick anything ?? I am well aware that the phone will remain locked to my carrier, but is anything else going to be affected ? Anyone had a similar experience ? Your answers are really appreciated.:highfive:
Depends on the phone. Generally, if it is locked to a carrier then other firmwares will fail when trying to flash due to other differences such as the modem/baseband. There are exceptions, but pretty sure they are few and far between.
es0tericcha0s said:
Depends on the phone. Generally, if it is locked to a carrier then other firmwares will fail when trying to flash due to other differences such as the modem/baseband. There are exceptions, but pretty sure they are few and far between.
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Thanks for your answer. It's galaxy a5 2016. Better not to touch anything. Don't want to mess is up within just 2 months after the purchase.
Flashing TMO us firmware onto Canadian device? Getting ready to spend a $1000 on a Canadian deep sea blue note 8. Just wondering since it's a snap dragon if I could flash 100% stock t mobile firmware on it and have it work like an "out of the box" t mobile note 8. I'm not interested in rooting(not just yet anyways). I just wasn't sure if this would be the same process of the carrier flashing we do here in the states. Flashing the stock t mobile ap/cp/csc/bl all on the Canadian device is what I'm trying to accomplish.
I don't see why it wouldn't. The only difference between the devices is the firmware. The hardware is all the same. As a matter of fact, a method of carrier switching relies on flashing the Canadian firmware onto your device and then flashing whatever other firmware variants you want. So, with that said, flashing a TMO variant on your Canadian device shouldn't be a problem at all.
I don't think you will be able to flash the American firmware onto the Canadian Note 8 without any issues. They have different model numbers (N950U for US vs. N950W for Canada) and therefore probably also have different bootloaders. The American firmware will have to be modified for the Canadian model by replacing the bootloader, CSC, and PIT files among others. A tedious process and not always a successful one.
Perhaps you will be successful but if not you can still switch CSCs with a CSC changer zip that's floating around. I've used it to switch from the Korean CSC to the Canadian CSC because I bought a Korean model and wanted it to work properly in Canada.
Check the S8 and S8+ forums...seems they have had success in doing this