I have a Galaxy Note 8 from Xfinity Mobile that I'm trying to flash T-mobile firmware onto. Here are the issues:
Once upon a time I was using this phone as a home remote with no sim in it on airplane mode and made a random gmail account to set it up. It has been sitting in a drawer dead for 6 months, so without even thinking, the first thing I did was a factory data wipe only to be greeted by the FRP. I have no idea what the email was that I used to set up this phone (i remember making one that was along the lines of '[email protected]' but can't remember it exactly) and apparently did not use my real email or phone number as a backup. So the first issue is, I can't even get into the phone to see the current boot loader, or firmware version on it. Nor can I get far enough to even use a carrier unlock code (which i assume I'll need, but won't be a problem getting from xfinity).
Is there any way possible that given the current situation I can switch this device to tmobile?
never mind, by some divine miracle (and after exhausting every other possible solution i could think of) i remembered the email used
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Hello, my name is Calin and this is my first post on this forum. Even though I have been reading this forum since I bought my galaxy s3 (don't think at me as a regular user, I only visit this forum when I have a problem, since my device is not rooted many of the things aren't useful for me around here).
As a regular user as I am, I didn't have to post a new thread to find a solution to my problem, but this time it seems that I just have to. Before I proceed I just have to say that it drives me crazy, the fact that I don't know what the problem MIGHT (not is) be. I am clueless.
In the past 1-2 weeks I haven't installed any new app, from google play or from internet (.apk, yes I did this with few of the apps). Even though I have installed apps with an .apk installer (from the market) I have always scanned the file on my pc, and then after I installed it, AVG scanned it on the phone too.
Today, I was browsing the internet (9gag to be more specific), one of my daily/hourly routine. If it matters, I was in the bank and I had a strong network signal (I wasn't using wi-fi). Suddenly, after a few minutes of browsing my phone didn't recognize my sim and asked for a reboot. I clicked on continue (to reboot). After it rebooted (note that I had a lock screen numeric password: 3258) my lock screen password changed from a numeric one to a letter based one, which, ofcourse, I have no idea which is. I have tried all the passwords that came into my mind, I thought it may have sync with some of my google accounts. It didn't. I have tried to enter 3258 password (I can enter numbers too). It didn't work.
Even if it is locked, it's just some kind of screen lock because I can see apps running on background (like 3g watch dog) and I can receive calls (can answer them but I can't call back) and messages (can't read them). The only things that I can do with my phone right now are: Switch Airplane Mode: On and Off, activate or deactivate mobile data, switch from silent to vibrate or sound and ofcourse, reboot and turn off my phone.
I have tried every possible thing I could've tried to make this work, like removing the sim. It all seems to be a software problem.
Note that I don't wanna root my device in order to solve this. Thank you.
This is mostly an informative post, as I have spent a few hours on the phone with Verizon and Samsung tech support regarding this issue.
This issue affects the Verizon Samsung Galaxy S4 on Android 4.4.2 and Baseband version I545VRUFNK1.
First, some info. When setting a pattern lock to this phone, it will ask to enter a backup PIN in case the pattern is forgotten. Additionally, this phone has a Kids Mode widget pre-installed by Samsung to download the actual app. Once the app is installed and setup, it will allow a child to play with the phone on any app you designate, keeping them from messing around with settings and etc. This app also requires a PIN to keep kids from exiting Kids Mode or altering it's settings.
The issue with the above mentioned info is this: if Kids Mode is active and the phone goes to sleep, and the lockscreen pattern is entered incorrectly to the point that it will ask you to enter the backup PIN, the backup PIN you created WILL NOT WORK. An error message will appear stating "you have attempted to unlock the phone unsuccessfully X times, you have X times left before a factory restore is performed." Once the last attempt has been reached the error message states this feature can be turned off by going to Settings > Lock Screen > Auto Factory Reset. The additional issue here is that this menu setting does not exist. After ten failed attempts to enter the correct PIN the phone will erase the SD card and perform a factory restore.
This issue ONLY occurs when Kids Mode is installed, is active, and when there is a pattern and backup PIN set for the lockscreen. I was able to reproduce this issue six times with Verizon tech support over the phone.
Verizon did send a replacement but unfortunately this issue occurred with the replacement as they were on identical Android and Baseband versions. Verizon got me in touch with Samsung tech support and they are going to repair the phone for me. My assumption is that they will reflash with a previous version of Android, or newer. Won't know until the phone returns.
If you wish to see a video of the process, please search YouTube for "Samsung Galaxy S4 Kids Mode issue". I'm still a new user here on Xda so I cannot post links.
I have a Samsung Galaxy S4, last night it decided to tell me my PIN was wrong and would not unlock (I've had the same PIN for years so I know for a fact I was entering it correctly) I removed the battery and it let me unlock my phone without a problem. If I tell the phone to lock and unlock it right away it will accept my PIN without having to pull the battery.
I have my phone set to lock after 1 hour of inactivity
I use ToucherPro which I can also use to lock my phone by selecting the feature in Toucher
I use 3 xda - x tether, snapprefs, lucky patcher (not fully activated, not sure if this is considered xda)
I keep my phone data and wifi off so I am afraid that removing the battery will stop solving the issue and I will not have access to my phone at all.
This morning it did it again - once again I pulled the battery and it worked fine.
My phone is rooted and unlocked for carrier, it currently running 4.4.2 (I cannot do a software update due to it being rooted) I bought the phone unlocked and rooted so I have no idea what root was used.
I have had the phone over a year now and have never had a problem like this till now.
I don't know if this applies at all but lately I've been getting a notification about "SE for Android has been disabled. Restart device to fix" I've done this, multiple times but each time I pull the battery the notification comes back BUT since I've had a problem with the PIN it has not gave me this notification again.
If I had to pinpoint when I started to have odd issues with my phone, it was when I downloaded and installed Freedom Patcher months ago. I uninstalled the app the same day I downloaded it - I do not recall exactly what Freedom did that made me uninstall other than it didn't work for what I was trying to use it for.
I have run avast antivirus on my phone - it says everything is good. I would like to avoid a hard reset. I have snapchat and to use snapchat on a rooted phone is very difficult as they have updated their security so it would require me creating a new account - I also like my root access so I would not want to lose this. I will try what anyone recommends but hard reset is only once I hit rock bottom with this issue.
I have the same problem, and have never used freedom patcher. A simple restart lets me enter my pin.
Hi, my girl's Samsung S6 Edge got stolen today, snatched from her hand. Easy victim.
I'm trying to review the aftermath and what I did and maybe get some feedback on this.
Tracking/Remote lock
1. https://findmymobile.samsung.com/ failed - always set a password you remember; I didn't. After 7 failed login attempts account gets locked and you must reset your password, but it seems you can still lock your phone even if password is reset.
Anyway phone lock says will trigger once the device connects to the network. Is this still true if the phone is wiped?
2. https://www.google.com/android/devicemanager failed too
Maybe both failed because thief turned phone off? I did not try calling the number.
Security
3. All passwords were reset immediately, and gmail sessions were deleted.
4. Phone was locked with a PIN though a pattern would have been preferred. I do not remember if I encrypted it, but I know you cannot use pattern after you encrypt. Maybe that's why it had a PIN.
Assuming it was NOT encrypted, can a new ROM be flashed to unlock the phone and access content on storage drive (USB Debug was off)? I cannot remember if this is the case, I only rooted once and it was long time ago.
5. After 30 minutes I called the service provider and blocked the SIM card. She also offered to blacklist the IMEI number so I agreed. She even said that once you blacklist the IMEI, phone gets locked so thief cannot access it anymore - but this is bull****, it just won't be able to register to the network; it does not act as a remote lock lol. And IMEI can be easily overwritten once phone is rooted, so kind of an useless feature.
6. Reported to police but they don't care anyway, it's a petty crime. And chances of recovery are very little.
a) Would it be worthwile for the thief(s) to replace the front/back cover of the S6 Edge to a different color so they can easily sell it online locally afterwards? It seems to me the front cover is attached to the display, and to change that is quite expensive. Thoughts?
b) What happens with stolen phones anyway? Do they just root them and replace IMEI? I saw on a tv show that some will even replace the IMEI sticker on them.
thoughts:
- activate remote controls and TEST them
- install some app that takes snapshot of front camera when PIN is entered incorrectly
- encrypt phone, don't use dumb PIN
- set lock timeout to something short
- back up often
- engrave phone with custom message? (viable if you don't change often)
- have an action plan in case this happens
First two probably useless if thief switches phone off and reflashes it.
I probably need to restate my questions in a shorter format:
1. I had my phone registered with https://findmymobile.samsung.com. Will it still work if the phone is wiped?
2. Can content on the phone be accessed if phone was unencrypted and only had a PIN lock?
3. Is it easy to replace front/back case and bezel to give the phone a new 'look'?
Nobody answering... I'll try one last time.
1. Does flashing a new ROM give access to the stored files on the internal storage (like photos)?
2. Can a new ROM be flashed if the device is encrypted?
it can be flashed but the persob fill be stuck in bootloop and if the booted up ge will be stuck in frp lock by google he cant go past setup
w00tz said:
Nobody answering... I'll try one last time.
1. Does flashing a new ROM give access to the stored files on the internal storage (like photos)?
2. Can a new ROM be flashed if the device is encrypted?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If the guy who stole your phone flash another Rom and if not wipe the data then your photos etc will remain in your phone.. so if he wipe the data your file won't remain.. but the best option for him it's to wipe the data so this is good for you because he can't see your data.. make sure on your next phone to put pattern or a good code.. maybe you had put I didn't read all your posts.. that's all I know dude
Hi, it would be good if someone can give me some advice on resetting a phone that I have, which appears to have the reset function disabled.
I have had my business phone upgraded and am left with the old device which is a Galaxy A50 which has not been asked to be returned. This phon e is newer than my personal phone and was wondering if I could use it. I have tried putting my sim in it and made a call which works fine (they are both the same phone network provider). Trouble is I can't put any new Apps on it and it's locked to the corporate settings.
I tried to carry out a hard reset but that option appears to be blocked. When the phone reboots it does not go into the android boot menu but instead goes straight to full boot with the screen lock. I plainly know the screen lock as it was my old phone.
I have also done some reading and it seems that if I was to be able to reset the phone I would need the email account to get back into it. The phone has 3 email accounts, none of which I actually need:-
- my work email account (exchange)
- my work email account (work account)
- an android email account (numerous numbers @ANDROID-for-work.gserviceaccount.com)
Before I do anything that may brick the device, I was wondering if anyone can offer any advice on how to make use of this. Seems a shame to just bin it, and I know my business won't do anything with it, it'll just get dumped. I don't need anything on the device, just want to do a total wipe and start from fresh.
Thank's in advance if anyone can help.
zul